Facebook has been forced to withdraw a planned rollout of Facebook Dating in Europe after Irish data protection regulators stepped in. The service was due to launch in time for Valentine's Day, but Facebook pulled the plug after officials raised concerns about its compliance with EU law.

Facebook Dating is the company's rival to Tinder and OKCupid, harnessing the combined power of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to help people connect. That includes the ability to use Instagram stories as dating pictures and to list secret crushes just in case they feel the same way. Facebook had initially said, back when it rolled out in the US, that it would be coming to Europe in "early 2020."

Europe's comprehensive privacy law, the GDPR, requires companies to look at the potential effects of how they process data. Broadly speaking, if a business wants to do some hot-and-heavy data mashing, necessary for running a dating website, it needs to demonstrate that it's thought it through. That involves handing over an impact assessment to the local regulator, essentially to show the processing is safe and lawful.

Since Facebook's (and Google's) European HQ is based in Dublin, the Irish Data Protection Commission is the local supervisory authority. That means that it needed to be told about the plans for Facebook Dating well in advance of the product's rollout in Europe. The law doesn't give a specific period of time for such disclosures to be made, but Article 36 suggests between eight and fourteen weeks.

By comparison, Facebook made its notification on February 3rd, saying that it would commence rolling out Facebook Dating on the 13th. That's significantly shorter than the expected period of time for such an initiative. "Our initial concerns were around the fact that [Facebook] had only told us on the 3rd, and intended to roll out ten days later," Graham Doyle, Deputy Data Protection Commissioner at Ireland's Data Protection Commission, told Engadget.

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Officials were further concerned when Facebook appeared to not have the required impact assessment, the key legal document that showed Facebook was complying with the law. "We didn't receive any documentation with the notification of intent to roll it out," said Doyle, who added that the paperwork couldn't be a token gesture. Instead, regulators would expect a lengthy bundle of documents demonstrating that Facebook Dating was GDPR compliant. Facebook's statement, below, disagrees, saying that it shared the impact assessment when requested.

In a statement, Ireland's Data Protection Commission said that "no information/documentation was provided." On Monday, February 10th, officials visited Facebook's Dublin HQ to gather relevant documentation to try and resolve the situation. Two days later, on February 12th, and Facebook announced that it had suspended the roll-out of Facebook Dating.

In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said: "It's really important that we get the launch of Facebook Dating right so we are taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market. We worked carefully to create strong privacy safeguards, and complete the data processing impact assessment ahead of the proposed launch in Europe, which we shared with the IDPC when it was requested."

As the local regulator for all of Facebook's European operations, the Data Protection Commission has a duty to keep its eye on the network. It currently has 11 current investigations into Facebook group companies, including eight on the social network itself, two concerning WhatsApp, and one on Instagram.
The Syrian parliament says it has recognized the mass killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire a century ago as genocide, amid heightened tensions with neighboring Turkey following deadly clashes in northwestern Syria.

Members of the People's Assembly have unanimously adopted a resolution condemning and recognizing "the genocide committed against the Armenians by the Ottoman state at the start of the 20th century," the legislature said on its website on February 13.

More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians lived in Syria prior to the country's civil war. Many of them have fled, including thousands to Armenia.

Syria's parliament is composed entirely of supporters of President Bashar al-Assad's government who were elected in a 2016 election, when war prevented most of the people in the country from voting. it is not recognized by the Syrian opposition.

In response, Turkey decried Damascus's "hypocrisy" over the vote.

During and immediately after World War I, Ottoman Turks killed or deported as many as 1.5 million Armenians -- a Christian minority in the predominately Muslim empire. Many historians and some other nations consider the killings genocide.

Turkey, a NATO member, objects to the use of the word genocide to describe the killings. Ankara claims the deaths were a result of civil strife rather than a planned Ottoman government effort to annihilate Armenians. Turkey also claims fewer Armenians died than has been reported.

At least 23 countries have officially recognized the mass slaughter and deportation as genocide, triggering the ire of Ankara.

Last year, both chambers of the U.S. Congress passed resolutions recognizing the tragedy as genocide. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian expressed his "gratitude" on behalf of the Armenian people.

Syria's move comes after weeks of tensions between Ankara and Damascus over a Russia-backed Syrian government military offensive in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib -- the last major bastion of opposition in the country.

Ankara says deadly clashes in Idlib between the two sides has killed 14 Syrian soldiers.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 12 said his country would do "whatever necessary" to push Syrian forces back.

With reporting by AFP
Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Reuters

February 11, Zelensky appointed Andriy Yermak as the head of the Office of the President (OP). Prior to that, he was a presidents aide.

What was Yermak talking about?

First of all, about peace and war. One of the main priorities of the OP was called the end of the war in Donbas. Yermak, therefore, is not going to refuse to participate in the Ukrainian-Russian (and international) negotiations. He has already proved his effectiveness to President Zelensky in organizing the Normandy Four meeting.

We have to make Donbas, which is today associated with war, a truly flourishing region, where the economy will sustainably develop. There is such a dream. After the war, we really want to make a modern economic hub there. Start new technologies, new businesses, said Yermak.

As for elections in Donbas, Yermak considers it appropriate to hold them only after the occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions return to the protectorate of Ukraine. At the same time, the head of the Office dreams that they will be held in the fall - in sync with the elections in the rest of Ukraine.

For this, the OP is ready to do everything that was stipulated during the Normandy Summit in Paris. All these are wonderful promises with a rather vague algorithm for implementation. And with vague prospects for what will happen if it is impossible to implement Norman decisions.

Yermak called regional policy and fieldwork the second important area of work. According to the new head of the OP, there is already a young, ambitious, and professional team that received specific tasks. The third area of work Yermak considers the creation of an "investment Mecca" in Ukraine. Work in this direction will be entrusted to the governors and the government.

Andriy Yermak also touched on the sensational media law, as well as the bill on countering disinformation. True, he has not yet read both documents. But he assured that the parliament would not accept discriminatory laws.

I can guarantee and say on behalf of the President of Ukraine that he is the guarantor of freedom of speech and free media. Therefore, no laws that would in any way limit the rights of freedom of speech in our country will be adopted. This is the work of the Verkhovna Rada, certainly, we will follow it, Yermak promised.

The Parliament of Ukraine, an independent body, has thus received a new overseer in the person of Yermak. And the governors involved in the construction of the investment Mecca were not left without a watchdog. It is reported that Yermak will soon dictate to Zelensky a couple of names of the new ministers (and, possibly, even the prime minister). The era of supervisor Yermak has begun in Ukraine, and we are talking with our experts about why this has become possible.

Why, Kuchma, why?

We must thank Leonid Kuchma, Ukraines second president, for the fact that the importance of the post of head of the presidential administration (or Office) has inflated to a cyclopean scale. Political analyst Yevhen Bulavka recalls: Dmytro Tabachnyk was the first significant gray cardinal that appeared in Ukraine. Tabachnyk worked as the second chairman of the AP, which he headed from July 1994 to December 1996.

But Kuchma needed Tabachnyk for the time being  until he figured out where he was and what he was doing. And when he figured out, he took a person with fewer complaints, Andriy Zolotariov, head of the Third Sector center, adds. By person with fewer complaints, he means Yevhen Kushnaryov, the third head of the presidential administration.

Zolotariov refers to weak figures Kushnaryov and the two heads of the Presidents Administration under Yushchenko - Rybachuk and Baloga. Actually, he says, Baloga was able to gain any political weight only because "Viktor Yushchenko was a lazy person."

So here we must also take into account "the psychological characteristics of the president, and how he builds relations with the head of the administration." There is a formula that is rooted in our reality: they dont give power, they take power. Therefore, if the head of the Presidents Administration has at least some charisma, he will gradually gain power, Zolotariov says.

One way or another, the scheme born by Kuchma lives and thrives to this day. And all because in the presidential-parliamentary republic, which Ukraine has always been de facto, the president played a more significant role than the one assigned to him by the Constitution. And despite all his promises, Zelensky adheres to the same practices as the old-school politics," Bulavka assures.

Deputy director of the Ukrainian Institute for the Study of Extremism, Bohdan Petrenko adds: I dont understand such close attention to such a position as the head of the presidential administration. Its not even mentioned in the Constitution! By and large, its just a tribute to a tradition. I mean the Soviet tradition, when the first secretary of the party existed, the partys second secretary, etc. Yermak is even called the vice president. All his speech at the briefing reminds me of the vice president with his program, and not an ordinary official, who just took office."

Here we should be grateful to President Zelensky. First of all, he strives to make him comfortable. And Yermak is a comfortable person for him, Zolotariov emphasizes. Poroshenko, he continues, had a different view of comfort. "Poroshenko was inclined to micro-management. He was approached by Igor Rainin, who took under his peak and did not show any personal ambitions," the expert notes.

Obviously, Zelensky does not need either fresh Rainin or Tabachnyk charged with power. He needs someone like Yermak. But who is he?

Alter ego of Zelensky

He is a reflection of Zelensky, Bogdan Petrenko insists. "Yermak says the right things. So right that one wonders how he was going to make politics in this country on this populism? It seems to me that Yermak becomes like Zelensky in this regard. That is, he is generally afraid to voice unpopular things. This is for sure not Bogdan who would sparkle with his statements and would draw attention to himself in every possible way, the expert notes.

By and large, Petrenko says, we will get Zelensky's continuation in the person of Yermak. He is determined to avoid negative things, as well as responsibility for certain events, in every way.

Significant strategic changes are not predicted here, Zolotariov insists.

And his colleague Kyrylo Sazonov explains why this is so. Russia perceives Ukraine as its colony, and this is a common share and a common misfortune of Ukraine and Belarus. Therefore, the replacement of Bogdan with Yermak does not matter at all. Even the replacement of the president of Ukraine does not matter. The general course of Russia remains unchanged - the colonization of Ukraine, and the general course of Ukraine also remains unchanged - its independent state. That is, a change in the curators does not affect anything here, he notes.

And Bogdan Petrenko says the following in this regard: Little will change in the implementation of the pro-Russian policy, because Yermak led the foreign policy direction before that, and Bogdan had nothing to do with him. But Yermak will be careful in his statements. That is, he will not present itself not as a nationalist nor a pro-Russian figure. Rather, will adhere to the golden mean.

But Yevhen Bulavka is still seriously wary of Yermaks position on the conduct of elections. Yermaks statements about the October elections are worrying. There is too little time left to conduct them in accordance with the Ukrainian legal field. The mood for the elections in October may indicate a willingness to make concessions to Russia, he says.

There are many questions about Yermak. He is only a couple of handshakes from Putin, Bulavka reminds.

By the way, about Yermaks hands. Bogdan Petrenko notes that he is not a specialist in body language, but draws attention to how Yermak covered his mouth at certain points in the press conference. Namely, when he spoke about the principles of his work and promised transparency and openness. Usually a person who allows himself such gestures, lies, Petrenko assures.

And we have already encountered a lie, and more than once. We were promised during the election campaign that the Presidents Office will perform purely technical functions, and this office will differ from its predecessors. But we saw a political speech on many pressing issues, where Yermak acts as the bearer of ideas: he produces ideas, he articulates them Bulavka notes.

The only thing that pleases him is that Bogdan denied the importance of journalists, Yermak, on the contrary, says that freedom of speech is important and that the media are important. We might hope that at least words will not go wrong with this, because the danger to the media space today really exists.

Meanwhile, Bogdan Petrenko recalls: formally, the speaker of BP plays the role of the second person in the state, because it is he - in cases of force majeure - who becomes the acting president until the next election. But the speaker is not visible to us and not heard, except at meetings of the Verkhovna Rada. On the other hand, the rating of confidence in parliament has fallen, and that of the president, too. But the rating of confidence to speaker Razumkov is growing, said Kyrylo Sazonov.

Although a lot of things in our country still look ridiculous, because we have a parliamentary-presidential republic, but the Cabinet of Ministers has been fully elected president, Sazonov says.

This absurdity has only one plus: it is rather unstable. The puzzle of those in power is being reassembled too quickly, and the heads of the presidential administration are changed quite often. And Yermak is also connected with Russia, therefore he will be constantly criticized. At some point when Zelensky will be forced to rely on pro-Ukrainian forces, hell get rid of Yermak. I believe that he would stay in the OP for a year, says Sazonov.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:09:42|Editor: yan

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MADRID, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The bomb threat to the Madrid office of online retailer Amazon.com Inc turned out to be a false alarm, local media reported on Thursday.

Staff who were evacuated earlier began to return to work shortly after 1 p.m. local time, the report said.

The police received a phone call at 10:44 a.m. about an explosive in the Amazon office in the southwest of Madrid.

The employees were evacuated immediately from the area, while explosives experts from the Spanish National Police force searched the building, but were unable to find anything.

An Amazon spokesperson was quoted by the "El Espanol" online newspaper as saying that the company was "working closely with the police in their investigation."
Update: Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that the sacking of Julian Smith, the UK's secretary of State for Northern Ireland, was "vindictive", while the Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the decision will "bewilder" many.

Mr Ahern told RTE Radio 1's on Today with Sean O'Rourke this morning: "To remove him is just sour grapes because of the the job he did for Theresa May.

"I think a bad thing for a Prime Minister ever to have or a senior politician is to be vindictive and it doesn't serve you well and I have to say I interpret the firing of a person who has probably been one of the best secretaries of state who in a short term of time did an outstanding job to me looks to be vindictive."

The Tanaiste and Minster for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney told the same programme: I dont believe we would have developed government in Northern Ireland today if it wasnt for the relationship that Julian and I built up, and the relationships we also tried to build up with all of the political parties in Northern Ireland.

He was really only in the job for six months and achieved an extraordinary amount in that time.

Mr Smith also helped maintain the relationship between the Irish and British governments at a time when there was real pressure and tension over Brexit and other issues, said Mr Coveney.

He added: I think many people in Northern Ireland will be somewhat bewildered by this decision because I think Julian had gained a respect across the political divide in Northern Ireland, which is never easy by the way for a secretary of state.

Mr Coveney said many will miss his bluntness, his honesty and his interest in Northern Ireland, where he spent a lot of personal time trying to understand the traumatised mindset of communities ravaged by conflict.

- Additional work by Digital Desk

Earlier: Julian Smith sacked as Northern Ireland Secretary as Boris Johnson wields axe

Julian Smith became the first casualty of Boris Johnsons British Government reshuffle after being unceremoniously dumped from the Northern Ireland Office.

His departure comes just weeks after brokering the deal which restored the powersharing administration in Stormont.

Mr Smith said it had been the biggest privilege to serve the people of Northern Ireland and he was extremely grateful to have been given the chance to serve this amazing part of our country.

The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible, he said on Twitter.

Thank you so much.

Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to @BorisJohnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much.  Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) February 13, 2020

Mr Smith was called in to see the British Prime Minister in his Commons office as the reshuffle began.

Marty Adams of historical abuse victims campaign group Survivors Together had earlier said sacking Mr Smith, who helped broker the deal to restore the Stormont administration, would be disastrous, adding: We wont find his like again.

The Prime Minister intends to promote a generation of talent in a reshuffle aimed at preparing the Tories for the future.
Just four years ago, two lifelong friends from New Orleans turned a small initial investment into the largest crypto miner in North America.

When their company, Coinmint, bought a former Alcoa plant in upstate New York, they brought hope the new economics of cryptocurrencies would revive a region that suffered with the decline of American manufacturing.

But just as they should be preparing for the impending halving of bitcoin in May  an era-defining moment for the industry  the four-year-old company is now grappling with an existential threat: a lawsuit filed in a Delaware court by one of its two co-founders, who is seeking nothing less than the dissolution of the company and liquidation of its assets.

Related: Coronavirus Controls in China Are Delaying Crypto Miner Deliveries, Firms Say

The business of mining bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies using high-speed computers is humming: Bitcoin prices are up 36 percent this year alone after nearly doubling in 2019. Mining firms are scrambling to raise capital from investors to set up large-scale data centers, upgrade equipment and expand processing power. The bitcoin network is months away from its next halving  a once-every-four-years occurrence that some analysts say could drive prices even higher. Before that happens, the partnership that owns Coinmint may itself be halved, along with the lifelong friendship of its co-founders.

Coinmint was started in 2016 when childhood friends Ashton Soniat and Prieur Leary each put $25,000 into the cryptocurrency prospecting firm. They would go on to develop a bitcoin mine in Massena, N.Y., that is now believed to be the largest such facility in North America; it draws some 80 megawatts of power, or the same amount used by roughly 60,000 average U.S. households.

Executives with the project have been lining up financing to install another 40 megawatts worth of capacity by May. The new production would come on line just in time for the halving, which under the terms of the bitcoin networks original protocol will cut in half the number of bitcoins awarded to miners for helping to confirm data transactions on the blockchain. If bitcoins price surges, mining firms could win big. If it doesnt, they would likely see a steep drop-off in profits.

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Leary, a co-founder who until recently was Coinmints president, filed the dissolution suit in Delaware Chancery Court in December, claiming Soniat, who serves as CEO, unilaterally moved Coinmints headquarters to Puerto Rico and then shut him out of day-to-day management.

Related: Your PGP Key? Make Sure Its Up to Date

In phone interviews from his home in Miami Beach, Fla., Leary, 51, said he has put a lot of time, effort and money into Coinmint and he doesnt want his investment at risk. He said Coinmint has received purchase offers from private equity firms at valuations above $80 million, but Soniat has thus far spurned any deal.

I believe that its imprudent to risk your entire business on whether the halving is priced in or not, Leary said.

In an email, Soniat, 50, said he is prepared to defend himself against the spurious allegations and that Learys claims are baseless. Soniat said hes poured in almost all of the additional capital needed to fund Coinmints development and operations, and that Learys stake now amounts to just 18 percent. He contends Leary was fully aware of Coinmints conversion to a Puerto Rican limited liability company in 2018.

Learys actions are simply another misguided attempt to bolster his financial standing at the expense of a company in which he owns an interest, the statement read. Despite the distraction of the lawsuit, Coinmint has continued to focus on, and is committed to, building a world-class cryptocurrency-mining enterprise.

Coinmint partners Ashton Soniat and Prieur Leary, dining together in 2017. Source: Prieur Leary

The dispute comes at a critical time for the crypto-mining industry, which has evolved in recent years from being dominated by hobbyists or small operators running one or a handful of computers in their kitchens or basements. With bitcoin and cryptocurrencies now gaining momentum, the business has become the province of big-money, institutional-scale developers, requiring wholesale electricity procurement contracts, large-scale site management and heavy capital investments in state-of-the-art data centers.

In an example of the rising costs of crypto mining, Coinmint went so far as to pay $15,000 a month last year to retain a New York-based public affairs adviser, Michael McKeon of the consulting firm Mercury. McKeon was a top communications aide and campaign adviser to former New York Governor George Pataki and also worked on former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulianis presidential campaign in 2008.

New bitcoin mining facilities sprouting up in Texas, Washington State, New York and some Canadian provinces are becoming so large theyve been pitched as economic development projects to create jobs for remote communities with otherwise few opportunities. Indeed, Coinmint Chief Financial Officer Michael Maloney said in an interview the planned expansion at Massena will add about 50 jobs, in addition to the roughly 100 employees who work there now.

Yet, as with many of the projects across the nation, theres been an accompanying backlash. Nearby residents complain of elevated electricity bills. Environmentalists warn the extra draw on power from crypto mines could lead to more emissions from fossil fuel-burning generating plants, contributing to climate change.

From Big Easy to Big Difficulty

Coinmints story dates back decades before bitcoin was even invented. Leary and Soniat became acquainted as teenagers living in New Orleans in the 1980s.

We went to different schools but we were in the same circles, Leary recalled. We were mostly party friends. We had a group of guys that all hung around together, and he was in our group.

Soniat pursued a career in energy trading, working for the likes of Enron, TXU Energy and Deutsche Bank before starting his own firm in 2009. Leary went into the data-center business.

When Leary called Soniat in 2016 to pitch the idea of forming a partnership to start a bitcoin mine, it seemed like a natural fit. Both men had endured acrimonious breakups in prior business ventures that ended in courtroom disputes, but the cryptocurrency venture provided new grounds for optimism.

It made sense, Soniat said in a phone interview from Puerto Rico. I looked at bitcoin mining as a play on electricity.

Following the initial $25,000 capital contribution from each of the partners, Soniat provided nearly all of the capital needed for the buildout.

Ashton was more on the financial side, Leary said. Im the guy who found the sites and made it happen.

The first two years were good for the business, Leary said, with bitcoin prices rallying 30-fold over the course of 2016 and 2017. Soniat, who lives in Puerto Rico, donated $150,000 to the island territorys Sacred Heart University to strengthen a scholarship program, according to a February 2017 report from the Puerto Rican business-news website News Is My Business.

That same year, the pal-partners secured a lease on 1,300 acres at a former Alcoa aluminum-smelting plant in the town of Massena in upstate New York, not far from the St. Lawrence River, opposite the eastern end of Ontario, Canada. The town has been hit hard in recent decades by factory closures. As of the most recent census estimates, Massena had an unemployment rate of some 21 percent, more than five times the current U.S. average.

But Massena boasts natural resources that are attractive to bitcoin miners like Coinmint. The regional electricity grid draws supply from nearby hydropower plants, once prized by the smelters. Another key feature is that its usually cold, with an average temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit (6.7 Celsius). The chilly clime increases the efficiency and reliability of the bitcoin-mining computers, typically running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Computers running at Coinmints bitcoin mine in Massena, New York, believed to be the largest such facility in North America. Source: Coinmint

In mid-2018, Coinmint said it would invest as much as $700 million in the Massena facility, creating an estimated 150 jobs over the ensuing 18 months, CNBC reported at the time. The plant has the potential for upgrades up to 435 megawatts of crypto-mining capacity.

That was the original plan, Leary said, but the plan didnt go the way we thought it was going to go.

Bitcoins price tumbled 73 percent in 2018, raising questions not just about Coinmints prospects but about the very future of cryptocurrencies. As the partners deliberated over next steps, the friendship became strained. Coinmint got hit with a lawsuit from a landlord in Plattsburgh, N.Y., where it was operating a separate, smaller bitcoin mine from space in a strip mall. Local residents complained their monthly utility bills were soaring because the operations were sucking up so much electricity. (Coinmint recently suspended operations in Plattsburgh, at least until March.)

In August 2018, Coinmint considered launching its own digital token to pre-sell batches of bitcoin mining processing power known as hashrate to buyers. Each token would be equivalent to one terahash, or a trillion computations, of bitcoin mining, according to a press release at the time. The token represented a potential new source of financing, but it has never been listed on a cryptocurrency exchange. A person close to Coinmint said none of the tokens were ever actually sold.

From Learys perspective, the Massena project has come to a crossroads where deeper pockets are needed to fund the next phase. He said the company is low on cash reserves, even as it needs a significant jolt of new capital to fund needed expansions and upgrades. He said many of the computers at the Massena facility are older-vintage machines that could become unprofitable following the halving.

Bitcoin mining has become a big-money business, Leary said. Coinmint still has a great advantage, but if you want to compete with the Chinese, you have to partner with deep pockets or you have to have deep pockets yourself.

Soniat loaned Coinmint more than $20 million, an obligation that until recently remained on the companys books.

Ashton is a trader, Leary said. He is more aggressive and a risk taker than me. To his credit, the company wouldnt be where it is today without taking some risks. But weve reached a point where its too big and theres too much risk. Its not a fun situation for me.

Last year, a private equity firm offered to buy a stake in Coinmint at a valuation of over $80 million; a few months later, a reduced offer valued the company closer to $60 million. In addition to the bids from private equity firms, Coinmint attracted interest from Chinese investors but Soniat didnt want to engage.

I kept pushing to do a deal, Leary said. He thought they were low-ball offers.

By November of last year, relations between the childhood friends grew so strained that Soniat sent Leary an email saying he wasnt sure he wanted to work with him anymore.

Leary traveled to Puerto Rico for two days to meet with Soniat, but his old buddy refused to talk with him.

Eventually, Learys lawyer, Ben Wolkov of the Miami-based firm AXS Law Group, recommended the dissolution petition.

Its a case of one partner just shutting another one out unlawfully, in our view, Wolkov said in a phone interview. This companys going to have to deal with the industry waters, and the halvings a concern, having to upgrade the equipment and the capital intensive nature of that endeavor. My clients been left out in the dark.

Soniat went through the roof when he found out the suit had been filed, and he sent out emails to Coinmint employees telling them not to talk to his partner, Leary said.

Soniat said in the phone interview hes the majority owner of Coinmint, so decisions over a sale or new financing are his to make. He added that Learys description of the private equity offers is categorically false.

Coinmint is a private company and Soniat declined to disclose financial details, but noted: Ive provided the vast majority of money for the growth of the company through equity injections.

Hashing it out  or not?

In the meantime, Coinmint is moving ahead with an expansion of the Massena plant. Maloney, the CFO, who previously worked for the crypto-focused investment firm Galaxy Digital, said in phone interviews the company recently started installing more cryptocurrency-mining computers at the facility and expects the additional capacity to be ready by the start of May, just in time for the halving.

Bitcoins gradually increasing hash rate reflects capacity upgrades by miners. Source: Blockchain.com

Last month, Coinmint revisited the idea of selling hashpower. It turned to BitOoda, a crypto-focused brokerage firm based in Jersey City, N.J., to arrange a financial contract with an unnamed counterparty for the purchase and sale of large blocks of physically-delivered bitcoin hashpower, according to a Jan. 27 press release. Similar to commodity futures, the contracts allow mining firms to hedge against the risk of price drops while raising new financing in the short term.

Terms of the contract werent disclosed, but Maloney said the hashpower contracts should bring in funds to support the Massena expansion. BitOodas CEO, Tim Kelly, said in a phone interview he has investors lined up to buy tens of millions of dollars of the contracts.

Its difficult to get a loan from a traditional financial company like a bank, Maloney said. They dont understand the nature of bitcoin.

Leary, who wasnt consulted on the BitOoda contract, says he really just wants a court-mediated solution to the whole affair.

These partner-friend breakups can be the most unfortunate, Leary said. At the end of the day, my goal is to work this out. Hopefully hell read this article.

Related Stories
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

I Don't.

Have Flashy Flunkeys Ev'rywhere?

I Don't.

- Frank Sinatra High Society

Who wants to be a billionaire? I dont.

Now, had you asked me that question 20 years ago, I might have answered differently. A lot has changed in my life the past two decades. Likewise, a lot has changed in the world.

I started seeing the world differently when I first discovered the joy of giving. I know it sounds cliche, but I cant emphasize enough how satisfying the feeling one gets from helping others is. Like having children, it gave me a purpose in life. I have written often about this before (see: How to Live a Balanced Life: Part 5).

Additionally, I have given plenty of thought to the overall concept of wealth. My conclusion is that its a pretty pointless exercise if accumulating wealth is your primary goal in life. Sadly, that seems to be the case with far too many people these days. The way I see it, there is one indisputable and inescapable fact: We are all going to die. Spending your life chasing excessive wealth as your sole aim achieves absolutely nothing at the end of the day. Besides, you dont need $1billion to live a fun and fulfilling life. I have occasionally suggested to my wealthy friends that they try a little exercise to put things in perspective: Pretend you have $1billion and then try to spend it in your mind. Buy a mansion. A second, third and fourth home. Buy a private jet, a yacht, jewelry and fine art. Put a pile aside in a trust for your kids so they dont ever have to work. Add it all up and you will be surprised by the staggering amount left over.

Your self-fulfilment is one thing, but there is a broader argument against excessive wealth. As the gap between rich and poor widens, inequality threatens the core values of our society. What we are seeing today is tragic and dangerous for our social fabric. I have always been a free-enterpriser, but recently it seems like capitalism has run amuck. What is happening today is an unjustifiable transfer of wealth that has little to do with brilliance, productivity, or hard work . Most of the wealth that has been created in the last 20 years is a function of absurd monetary policy by central banks that have allowed those with more means than need to borrow money at zero cost and use that free money to buy up everything from real estate to the stock market (see: Dancing on the Precipice: 'Bankruptcy Happens Gradually, then Suddenly' and Gold: The Unfortunate Final Refuge). The end result is a wealth gap that is almost impossible to fathom. In 2017 , the top 1 percent of families in the United States made more than 25 times what families in the bottom 99 percent did, according to a paper from the 2017 Economic Policy Institute, the wealthiest one percent of American households own 40 percent of the country's wealth. And this data is three years old! With markets soaring, I suspect the gap will continue to widen (CBS This Morning). Its shameful. And if shame is not enough, we should be afraid.

Throughout history, when society gets this distorted, bad things tend to happen. See The French Revolution. While Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette threw endless lavish parties at Versailles, the citizens of Paris could barely afford to buy bread. Eventually, things boiled over and the bloodletting that ensued was long and fierce.

But to try and make any logical argument regarding inequality these days is near impossible. The vitriol between left and right and all the superfluous noise around the issue ensures nothing gets done to address the problem. The right argues that anything that even hints of addressing income inequality is socialism, which would sound the death knell for America. They have been quite successful at conflating, reductio ad absurdum, any policies that attempt to address the growing wealth gap with failed authoritarian regimes such as the one in Venezuela. They will never admit that there are successful countries in Europe that practice a more inclusive form of capitalism, nor that capitalism here has gone too far and might benefit with some adjustment.

Wait, you may ask, arent you a billionaire? For a number of years, the media has often referred to me as a billionaire in their headlines, regardless of the subject of the article. I guess it must sell more newspapers. I tried to correct that perception in a couple of interviews, to no avail. Recently, I even tweeted that I am NOT a billionaire, stating that I give my money away too quickly to ever be one. Dont get me wrong, though. I know lots of billionaires that are great people and are doing a lot of good with their wealth. I just think that philosophically, a world with no billionaires would be a better place.

The issues around inequality have been occupying my mind more and more, lately. As such, I have decided to give up most of my business activities and focus even more of my life on philanthropy. I just stepped down from my chairman role at a gold mining company I co-founded and said as much in my statement. That was my last active business role. I reiterated that decision recently, when it was announced that Acceso (a non-profit initiative formerly known as the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership that I co-founded with President Clinton in 2007) would transition out of The Clinton Foundation into a new, independent entity to advance our work of lifting small producers out of poverty through market-driven social enterprise. This effort reflects my long-held belief that market-based solutions to poverty go a long way to making solutions sustainable and scalable.

I hope its clear that my concerns about a society in which wealth is unfairly skewed towards the ultra-rich are not at odds with my belief in market-based economies and the free enterprise system.

I have concluded that sometimes you have to tell yourself that enough is enough. I will continue to invest what I have, of course, and, if there is going to be a billionaire in my life, it will be my foundation. And dont get me wrong, I live a very comfortable life and have benefited greatly from a free enterprise system. But its clear to me one does not need to be a billionaire to live a comfortable and beautiful life.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Malian presidency has sentenced Tiegoum Boubeye Maiga, journalist and former director of the communication office of the presidency of the republic, to one-year imprisonment and a fine to the symbolic franc, judicial sources told PANA here Wednesday
DENVER - Sen. Bernie Sanders robust start in the race for the presidential nomination is triggering alarm among congressional Democrats, with many warning that a ticket headed by the self-declared socialist could be devastating to the partys chances of winning the Senate and holding the House in November.

In anxious huddles around the Capitol, apprehensive Democrats are sharing their worries that Sanders socialist label and unyielding embrace of controversial proposals like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal will repel voters in the affluent, moderate districts that flipped House control in 2018 and in closely divided states where Republican senators are vulnerable.

The Vermont independent narrowly won New Hampshire Tuesday on the heels of a strong showing in Iowa and is widely seen as a front-runner, along with former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Im a proud capitalist, said freshman Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, in pointed contrast with Sanders. McAdams, who is supporting former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and whose Salt Lake City district will be among the toughest for Democrats to defend, said having a liberal like Sanders atop his partys ticket would probably give me more opportunities to show my independence from the party.

Another freshman from a competitive district, Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., said Democrats need a presidential nominee who doesnt scare all those future former Republicans more than Trump scares them. And while acknowledging that Republicans plan to tar all Democrats with the socialist label, Theres one candidate for whom that would not be a lie.

Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who backs the candidacy of former Vice-President Joe Biden, warned a group of Democratic voters this week in Carson City, Nevada, that with Sanders atop the ticket, youre not going to take back the Senate. Theres not any way, because everybodys going to be tarred with the same brush. We will probably lose seats in the House.

In private conversations, other Democrats are more succinct. One House Democrat said colleagues from swing districts are scared by the prospects of a Sanders nomination, while another said moderates are increasingly concerned that a Sanders candidacy would devastate their prospects for winning the White House and retaining the House. The lawmakers insisted on anonymity to describe private conversations.

Democrats jitters have Republicans rubbing their hands in delight.

Its every Republicans dream come true, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a former leader of the House GOPs campaign committee, said of a possible Sanders nomination.

Republicans face an uphill fight in capturing control of the House, which Democrats lead 232-197, with one independent and five vacancies. The GOP controls the Senate 53-47 and is favoured to retain its majority.

Biden supporters are happy to use apprehension about Sanders impact on the partys strength in Congress as a tool for drumming up support.

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., whos endorsed Biden, said if Sanders were nominated, Democrats from moderate districts might actually have to run away from our nominee to get elected. And he added, Its highly unlikely that Bernie Sanders will moderate his views, either.

Congressional Democrats have little to gain by openly disparaging the man who could well be their presidential nominee, and they say theyre uncertain what they could do that would be effective. Any move to derail his candidacy that could be traced back to them would undoubtedly enrage Sanders and his impassioned supporters and risk the fury that split the party in 2016, when some Sanders backers never supported Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

Underscoring a reluctance to speak critically of Sanders, Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., chairwoman of House Democrats campaign arm, sidestepped questions about how his nomination would affect her candidates prospects. We have a long way to go before we know who our nominee is, she said.

Asked how many nervous lawmakers have expressed their worries about Sanders to her, Bustos paused for four seconds before answering, We have discussions about the nominee but, you know, it runs the gamut.

While many Democrats are reluctant to openly express dismay about Sanders, members of the House have spoken with their feet.

According to the website fivethirtyeight.com, Sanders has endorsements from only seven House members, all members of the progressive caucus from safely Democratic districts. Biden, in contrast, has backing from 41 House members, and has made a point of touting support from seven lawmakers from swing districts. Bloomberg, who hopes to poach Bidens position as the moderate alternative to Sanders, has racked up 11 endorsements from House lawmakers, five of whom occupy swing seats.

Progressives argue the fears are overblown. Republicans tried to tie Democrats to socialism and liberal causes like Medicare for All during the 2018 campaign, they note, yet Democrats won a resounding majority in the House. And they argue that nominating Sanders could change the electorate in ways that help the party.

They dont want somebody that sells out, said Sanders backer Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a member of the squad of young liberal freshmen. She added, Please dont talk about only persuading Trumpers and independents to be open to an alternative candidate. How about persuading the Democrats that havent been engaged.

The single most important thing for Democrats to take back the Senate is turnout, said Mike Lux, a liberal strategist who supports Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the presidential race. We have to have a highly energized Democratic base turnout, a lot of young people coming out, voting not just in the presidential race but further down the ballot.

Yet Sanders agenda is far from shared. Several top-tier Democratic Senate recruits, such as former astronaut Mark Kelly in Arizona, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham in North Carolina and former Gov. John Hickenlooper in Colorado, have explicitly distanced themselves from core Sanders positions like Medicare for All.

Hickenlooper, the likely Democratic nominee against Republican Sen. Cory Gardner, targeted Sanders during his own brief bid for the partys presidential nomination last year. At a Democratic debate last summer, Hickenlooper warned that Sanders program would be a disaster at the ballot box.

If you force Americans to make these radical changes, Hickenlooper said, theyre not going to go along.

Gardner, widely considered the most endangered Republican senator, has been openly pining for Sanders to be the nominee. In 2018, Cory said the most dangerous thing to happen in America in the 2016 presidential election was Bernie Sanders normalization of socialism, Gardner campaign spokesman Jerrod Dobkin said. Two years later, Corys been proven right.

Democrats skeptical of Sanders stressed that the nominating process has just begun.

Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, who is considered the most endangered Democratic Senate incumbent this year, has endorsed Biden, a longtime friend. He said he wouldnt play what-if games about the top of the ticket and how it might affect his chances in deep-red Alabama.

I still think that Biden is going to be the nominee, Jones said. I still think that moderate voice thats out there is going to ultimately carry.

___

Fram reported from Washington.
Every year, hundreds and thousands of techies, OEMs and other exhibitors gather in Barcelona for a mobile show called Mobile World Congress. It's one of those events that most people like us who are into mobile phones really look forward to, in order to catch a glimpse of all the cutting edge tech that different manufacturers have to offer.

This year, the event was scheduled to take place from February 24 to February 27, but it has now been cancelled due to the ongoing threat of Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The news broke last night when the organizers, GSMA, sent out an official statement regarding the situation.

GSMA Statement on MWC Barcelona 2020 from John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Limited https://t.co/aLwHF64ejJ pic.twitter.com/I3e7z6vwHE  GSMA (@GSMA) February 12, 2020

Honestly, this isn't all that surprising because a lot of high-profile vendors and manufacturers started pulling out of the event due to the Coronavirus threat. Leading up to last night, more than 10 big brands, including LG, Nvidia, Nokia, Sony, etc. had backed out citing safety concerns.

In an official statement, GSMA CEO John Hoffman said that the coronavirus made it "impossible" for the event to go on. I mean, it wouldn't have made sense to go ahead with the event especially when so many of the vendors had already backed out. Plus, there's also the fact that a lot of attendees would've skipped the event resulting in limited footfall.



The GSMA waited until less than two weeks before the event to officially announce the cancellation. There has been a lot of banter on Twitter regarding the event, so this was kind of expected.

 Reuters

The sad part is that Spain didn't declare a state of emergency for the outbreak, so it looks like GSMA won't be able to claim the insurance. At this point, we think they would have lost a whole lot of money which they poured into the event. Well, we hope they manage to bounce back from this and come back stronger next year.



The new announcements that were scheduled to take place during MWC will most likely happen in individual setups arranged by different manufacturers. We'll obviously be tracking all the updates, so stay tuned.

In case you're not aware of the current situation in China and other affected parts of the world, the Coronavirus death toll has surged past 1,300. The situation only seems to be getting worse by the day with new cases emerging every day. Our heart goes out to the families of people who have been affected and we hope the situation is under control soon.

Source: GSMA
VALLEJO (BCN)

A smash-and-grab burglary suspect died when their vehicle crashed into a tree Wednesday afternoon in Vallejo, police said.

Vallejo police dispatchers received two calls about one or more burglaries. The first came at 11:18 a.m. from a witness who reported a burglary from a vehicle near 980 Admiral Callaghan Lane.

The second call arrived at 12:36 p.m. from someone who confirmed the first caller's description of the suspect's vehicle, which was a silver Honda Accord.

Police said officers went to 708 Admiral Callaghan Lane where they located the Honda. Officers tried to stop the driver, but the person sped away in the car.

An officer pursued the Honda but lost sight of the car and ended the pursuit. Another officer located the Honda and pursued it onto Interstate Highway 780, but again police lost sight of the car.

Officers shortly thereafter located the Honda at Highway 780 and Glen Cove Road where it had crashed into a tree. The driver died there, despite life-saving attempts by police.

The name of the victim will be released by the Solano County coroner's office once the person's identity has been confirmed and their family is told.

An investigation into the death is ongoing and any witnesses with more information are encouraged to call Vallejo police or the California Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash.

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.
US musician Johnny Only and his lawyers say the South Korean producers of Baby Shark plagiarised his song.

A song so catchy it went viral, now the South Korean producers of the tune Baby Shark are having their day in court.

They are being sued by entertainer Johnny Only, who says he came up with his version of the song in 2011.

But the South Korean producers say they based their song on a popular campfire tune.

The case has been handed over to a copyright commission in South Korea to decide.

Al Jazeeras Rob McBride reports from Seoul.
- Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sign Hakim Ziyech in the summer

- The 26-year-old has been in superb form for Ajax both on the domestic and continental scene

- Chelsea are in strong contention to book a Champions League spot for next season

Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax in the summer after failing to land a winter signing.

Metro UK citing sources in Netherlands reports Chelsea have a verbal agreement in place with the Dutch giants to sign Ziyech at the end of the ongoing season.

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The report adds advanced negotiations have taken place in the last 24 hours and Chelsea have already agreed to pay a 45 million for the Morocco international.

The midfielder has been an integral figure at Ajax over the past two seasons finding the back of the net 29 times and setting up 45 others in just 78 appearances.

During his stay at Ajax, he has won the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup and was instrumental in helping theside reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

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He has twice faced Chelsea in the Champions League group stages, impressing on both occassions to attract interest from the English side.

Premier League giants Man United and Arsenal are the other sides who were looking to sign Ziyech, but Chelsea appear to have taken a huge leap in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Tuko news.

Light moments during Moi's farewell: Kenyans excited to enter Parliament for the first time |Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
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The global fluorescence in situ hybridization imaging systems market size is expected to reach USD 1.4 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.1% according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing R&D investments pertaining to in vitro diagnostics are expected to drive the Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) imaging systems market. Presence of government organizations, such as the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association that focuses on development and growth of the in vitro diagnostics market in Europe, is also contributing to growth.

Furthermore, FISH imaging systems are gaining popularity in diagnostics for determination of suspected diseases caused by pathogens or bacteria. Increasing incidence of genetic diseases, such as lymphoma, solid tumors, leukemia, autism, and other developmental syndromes, is also expected to boost adoption. Growing penetration of fluoroscopy, microscopes, illuminators, and CCD cameras in testing for infectious diseases is expanding growth opportunities for these systems. Increasing prevalence of diseases with chromosomal aberrations, such as cancer and genetic abnormalities, as well as unmet diagnostic & clinical needs in developing countries, is anticipated to drive the market.

Moreover, increasing demand for rapid, sensitive, & accurate diagnostic techniques for validation of diseases, coupled with rising awareness, increase in healthcare expenditure, and extensive R&D for development of novel imaging systems are also expected to drive growth over the forecast period.

Further Key Findings from the Report Suggest:

Instruments held the largest market, whereas FISH imaging services are expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period

At present, the market penetration of FISH imaging in cancer diagnostics is very high, hence the diagnostic laboratories segment accounted for larger revenues

Cancer diagnosis held the largest revenue share owing to increasing incidence of cancer, thus fueling adoption of FISH imaging systems

Among end-use segments, companion diagnostics is expected to witness faster growth than research and diagnostic segments

Diagnostic laboratories held the dominant position in 2016 as these systems are predominantly used in various clinical studies for visualization of precancerous lesions in cervical cancer, assessing risk of human papillomavirus, and for detection of leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma, & chromosomal abnormalities

North America held the largest revenue share owing to extensive adoption of these solutions in research and development across this region

Asia Pacific is anticipated to exhibit lucrative CAGR over the forecast period due to increase in investments by manufacturers & governments, supportive government initiatives in the biotechnology sector, and presence of a large number of untapped opportunities

The industry is highly competitive with a limited number of players holding a majority of the overall revenues. Some of the most notable market participants are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. and General Electric Company. They account for a considerable share of the industry

Grand View Research has segmented the global FISH imaging systems market on the basis of product, application, end use, and region:

FISH Imaging Systems Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

Instruments Microscopes Automated cell analyzers Others

Consumables & Accessories

Services

Software

FISH Imaging Systems Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

Cancer Diagnosis Lung cancer Breast cancer Others

Genetic Disease Diagnosis

Others

FISH Imaging Systems End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

Diagnostic Laboratories

Research & Academic Institutes

Others

FISH Imaging Systems Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

North America U.S. Canada

Europe UK Germany France Italy Spain

Asia Pacific Japan China India

Latin America Brazil Mexico

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia



Access full research report on global fluorescence in situ hybridization imaging systems market:

www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization-fish-imaging-systems-market
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. 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 can see that Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) Limited (HKG:422) does use debt in its business. But is this debt a concern to shareholders?

What Risk Does Debt Bring?

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. Ultimately, if the company can't fulfill its legal obligations to repay debt, shareholders could walk away with nothing. 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. Having said that, the most common situation is where a company manages its debt reasonably well - and to its own advantage. The first step when considering a company's debt levels is to consider its cash and debt together.

See our latest analysis for Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings)

What Is Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings)'s Debt?

As you can see below, Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) had US$23.9m of debt at September 2019, down from US$27.3m a year prior. However, it does have US$61.1m in cash offsetting this, leading to net cash of US$37.2m.

SEHK:422 Historical Debt, February 13th 2020

A Look At Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings)'s Liabilities

Zooming in on the latest balance sheet data, we can see that Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) had liabilities of US$43.0m due within 12 months and liabilities of US$954.6k due beyond that. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of US$61.1m as well as receivables valued at US$26.8m due within 12 months. So it can boast US$44.0m more liquid assets than total liabilities.

Story continues

This surplus strongly suggests that Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) has a rock-solid balance sheet (and the debt is of no concern whatsoever). On this view, lenders should feel as safe as the beloved of a black-belt karate master. Simply put, the fact that Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) has more cash than debt is arguably a good indication that it can manage its debt safely. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But it is Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings)'s earnings that will influence how the balance sheet holds up in the future. So when considering debt, it's definitely worth looking at the earnings trend. Click here for an interactive snapshot.

Over 12 months, Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) reported revenue of US$95m, which is a gain of 2.7%, although it did not report any earnings before interest and tax. We usually like to see faster growth from unprofitable companies, but each to their own.

So How Risky Is Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings)?

By their very nature companies that are losing money are more risky than those with a long history of profitability. And the fact is that over the last twelve months Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) lost money at the earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) line. And over the same period it saw negative free cash outflow of US$8.2m and booked a US$42m accounting loss. But the saving grace is the US$37.2m on the balance sheet. That kitty means the company can keep spending for growth for at least two years, at current rates. Even though its balance sheet seems sufficiently liquid, debt always makes us a little nervous if a company doesn't produce free cash flow regularly. 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. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 4 warning signs with Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) (at least 1 which shouldn't be ignored) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

At the end of the day, it's often better to focus on companies that are free from net debt. You can access our special list of such companies (all with a track record of profit growth). It's free.

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 Obeid family negotiated a $60 million payment from the winning bidder of a coal exploration licence after allegedly receiving inside information on the tender process from then NSW mining minister Ian Macdonald, a court has heard.

Former Labor ministers Macdonald, 70, and Obeid, 76, along with his son Moses, 50, have pleaded not guilty to the charge that they conspired between September 1, 2007 and January, 31, 2009 over the granting of a coal-exploration licence in an area which included the Obeid family farm, Cherrydale Park at Mt Penny in the Bylong Valley, near Mudgee.

Crown prosecutor Sophie Callan said the members of the Obeid family planned to be "silent partners" in whichever company won the right to explore for coal.

Former Labor minister Eddie Obeid (centre) arrives at the NSW Supreme Court, accompanied by his wife Judy and his solicitor Michael Bowe. Credit:Dean Sewell

The winner of the licence was Cascade Coal, whose directors included wealthy businessman Travers Duncan, John McGuigan, a former global chairman of law firm Baker & McKenzie, investment banker Richard Poole and businessman John Kinghorn, who is facing unrelated charges of defrauding the Australian Taxation Office of $30 million.
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court will on Thursday (February 13, 2020) hear the plea of Vinay Sharma, a convict in 2012 Delhi gang-rape case. Sharma has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the President Ram nath Kovind's decision to reject the mercy petition.

The President had on Saturday (February 1, 2020) rejected the mercy petition filed by Sharma. This was the second mercy plea to be rejected by President Kovind in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case.

Initially, the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gangrape-murder case were to be hanged at the Tihar Jail on February 1 at 6:00 am. The Tihar Jail authorities had also brought Pawan Jallad, a third-generation hangman from Meerut to carry out the execution.

On January 31, the jail authorities also performed a dummy execution of the four men ahead of the actual hanging. However, later in the day, a Delhi court stayed the execution of all the four Nirbhaya rape convicts until further orders.

A Delhi court had earlier issued death warrants for the four convicts -- Akshay Thakur, Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, and Vinay Kumar Sharma -- for their execution on February 1.
All India Mahila Congress leaders, including Sushmita Dev and Alka Lamba, held a protest outside Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas office here on Thursday, against the rise in the prices of cooking gas cylinder in the metro cities.

On Thursday, the women's wing of Congress party had announced a nationwide protest against the hike in the price of the cooking gas cylinder, demanding a rollback of the hike.

"Mahila Congress will organise a nationwide massive demonstration against BJP4 government on 13th February 2020 demanding a rollback of LPG Price Hike," the AIMC said in a tweet on Wednesday.

The state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Wednesday hiked the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) gas cylinder of 14.2 kg by over Rs 140 per cylinder.

Each LPG cylinder of 14.2 kg will now cost Rs 858.50 in Delhi (up by Rs 144.50); Rs 896.00 in Kolkata (increased by Rs 149); Rs 829.50 in Mumbai (up by Rs 145); and Rs 881.00 in Chennai (up by Rs 147).

Reacting to the massive hike, senior Congress leader Sushmita Dev had said: "This comes as a rude shock and a big blow to the common person of India. This government is completely insensitive and senseless.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


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The sacking of Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has been branded disastrous and a WTF moment.

The move comes after the former chief whips success in delivering a power-sharing deal in the fragile region, which saw the Northern Ireland Assembly restored after three years of deadlock.

Mr Smith was replaced as Northern Ireland Secretary by Brandon Lewis.

Allies of Mr Smith told the PA news agency they were shocked at the decision to dismiss him from the Cabinet.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed Mr Smith as one of Britains finest politicians of our time.

The move to axe Mr Smith came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson carried out a reshuffle of his top team.

Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to @BorisJohnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much.  Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) February 13, 2020

Downing Street reportedly felt left out of the loop over the terms of the deal Mr Smith was negotiating last month, which eventually led to the Assembly functioning again after a three-year suspension.

There are concerns in Tory circles that the agreement includes plans for a historical investigations unit whose remit will include alleged crimes by British soldiers during the Troubles.

But those close to Mr Smith insisted that Number 10 and the Prime Minister had been kept fully informed about the terms of the Stormont arrangement.

There was a write-round of Cabinet ministers, a source said, pointing out that Mr Smith travelled back from Belfast on January 6 to personally brief Mr Johnson.

There had been a series of memos sent back and forth between Mr Smiths team and Number 10 and it was absolute crap to suggest they had been blindsided.

Story continues

The reaction in Northern Ireland to the news had been WTF, the source added.

Spoke with @JulianSmithUK a short time ago to thank him for his help in getting devolution restored. We may not have always agreed (we did sometimes) but his dedication to the role was incredible. Best wishes to him and his family. Always welcome in Fermanagh. https://t.co/2hUzOWmRBS  Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) February 13, 2020

Irish premier Mr Varadkar said: In eight months as Secretary of State, Julian you helped to restore powersharing in Stormont, secured an agreement with us to avoid a hard border, plus marriage equality.

You are one of Britains finest politicians of our time. Thank you.

First Minister Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP, praised the outgoing secretary of state for his incredible dedication.

Spoke with Julian Smith a short time ago to thank him for his help in getting devolution restored, she tweeted.

We may not have always agreed (we did sometimes) but his dedication to the role was incredible. Best wishes to him and his family. Always welcome in Fermanagh.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood had harsh words for the PM, calling the sacking a strategic error by the Conservative Party leader.

Thanking Mr Smith for his work since being appointed in July, he said: It defies belief that, after the successful restoration of power-sharing following a three-year collapse, Julian Smiths reward is a Cabinet Office P45.

It tells you all you need to know about Boris Johnsons attitude to the north that he would sack the most successful secretary of state in a decade. He is at best indifferent.

Marty Adams, from historical abuse victims campaign group Survivors Together, drew parallels with Mo Mowlam, the former Labour Northern Ireland secretary who was demoted by Tony Blair only six months after delivering the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

Mr Adams called for Mr Johnson to see sense and reappoint Mr Smith to the role.

Mo Mowlam was replaced as Northern Ireland secretary six months after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was signed (Chris Ison/PA)

We have not seen an excellent secretary of state that knows the needs and wants from both sides of the divide since Mo Mowlam, he said.

We have no doubt if he can unite victims of historical abuse and deliver in the manner that he did, he can solve a lot of issues in this country.

Stormont faces a rocky road ahead and to sack the architect of the New Deal, New Decade would be disastrous.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party wants to meet with whoever replaces Julian Smith as Northern Ireland secretary urgently.

Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, she said: Obviously for us, whoever the Secretary of State is, we will deal with them.

I am concerned that the sacking of Julian Smith, that this is the British state rowing back on dealing with issues of legacy. Families who have suffered and have suffered still and in many cases have waited for decades for answers.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday urged people to gift indigenous products on occasions such as festivals and said promoting of 'swadeshi' goods would be a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the 20th Hunar Haat here, Goyal said people should take a vow that they will promote 'swadeshi' (indigenous)goods for the next three years till 2022, when India marks 75 years of its independence.

"I request that everyone should spread awareness throughout the country that the gifts that are given on festivals should be indigenous ones made by our craftsmen," he said.

It will be the best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary to move forward with the slogan of 'swadeshi', Goyal said.

The minister said "despite pressure", he restricted import of incense sticks which revived the indigenous manufacture of 'agarbattis'.

Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union minister Hardeep Puri and Indian Council for Cultural Relations president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe were also present on the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court will hear on Thursday the plea of Vinay Sharma, a convict in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case.

The hearing is scheduled to take place at 10:30 am. The bench of Justice R Banumathi will hear the case.

Vinay has filed the petition in the top court against President Ram Nath Kovind's decision to reject his mercy plea.

Vinay, one of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya case, challenged the President's decision to dismiss his mercy petition in the apex court on Tuesday.

The convict, through his lawyer AP Singh, has requested the death penalty to be commuted to life imprisonment.

On February 1, Vinay's mercy petition was rejected by the President.

On January 31, the death sentence of four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur were stayed by a lower court till further orders.

All the four convicts are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

Pawan has not exhausted all his legal remedies as he has not filed curative and mercy petitions till now.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Natural News) Literally overnight, China just clocked a 33% surge in coronavirus infections, adding over 15,000 new infections to yesterdays previous total of around 45,000, bringing the new total to 60,329 (with 1,367 reported dead).

This sudden surge in reporting infection numbers just blew away all the pandemic denialists, naysayers and poo-pooers who have been absurdly claiming the pandemic is already over and that China has it under control.

Clearly Chinas situation is completely out of control, and its widely believed by credible scientists and researchers that even these new, astonishing numbers are rigged by the Chinese government to substantially downplay the real severity of this outbreak.

In reality, everything China reports should be multiplied by about ten, so the very likely real numbers are probably a lot closer to 600,000 infected and at least 13,000 dead. But China will never report the real numbers, of course, so heres a look at the official (rigged) numbers for today:

If you do the math, by the way, there are now over 520 coronavirus infections outside of China, completely blowing away any silly claim that this is just a China thing.

Remember when the entire fake news media told us China had it all under control?

Its amazing how quickly the propaganda has collapsed, both from China and the lying fake news media in the western world. Back in January, China first told us there was no pandemic at all (what, me worry?). Then, once the exploding infections could no longer be covered up, they slapped a draconian quarantine on Wuhan and told us the pandemic would be contained at all costs by February 8th. (The weve got it all under control chapter of this tragic comedy.)

Now that were already four days beyond Feb. 8th, the pandemic numbers are exploding like never before, surging in ways that are eviscerating all the prediction models which were concluding that a worst case by today would show just 48,000 infections.

I guess the worst case just got worster.

And nobody is yet modelling the worster case, because no one dared imagine this whole thing would not be contained.

Well, a correction: I did. And so did Alex Jones, and Francis Boyle, and the writers at Zero Hedge, and Mac Slavo and Dave Hodges, too. We all knew this had the makings of a global pandemic that couldnt be stopped. So as it turns out, we were weeks ahead of the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post at telling you what was coming.

Now, the denialists who once said this was no worse than the flu are having to quickly recalibrate. Perhaps they mean no worse than the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, but even that may pale in comparison to whats coming. That pandemic killed 50 million people, or roughly about 3% of the world population at the time. This current coronavirus pandemic may infect up to 60% of the world population, according to credible analysts, and with a mortality rate of anywhere from 2% to 17%, the number of potential deaths could easily reach hundreds of millions if the virus is not contained.

This is already on track to be far worse than the Spanish Flu. And if you want to know the party responsible for a big part of this cover-up, WHOs on first.

When will the coronavirus pandemic collide with the stock market bubble?

My big question concerns what will happen when the reality of the coronavirus pandemic collides with the delusion of the stock market bubble. With Chinas factories all but shuttered, exports have plunged. Key components for consumer goods are no longer being manufactured, which means once the containers that are currently en route run out, the worlds supply chain is going to experience an unprecedented chaotic disruption that will inevitably lead to severe shortages of both finished goods and manufacturing parts, across numerous industries (including automotive, air transport, consumer electronics, textiles, industrial parts and more).

Amazingly, no one in the investment industry is yet factoring this obvious outcome into their analysis. Everyone is steaming ahead at full bore, pretending that the coronavirus-induced economic shutdown of China will somehow have zero impact on the rest of the world, even when half of everything, it seems, is manufactured there.

The whole world is about 4-5 weeks away from a very disturbing day of reckoning that will eventually result in a wave of bankruptcies sweeping across a vast array of industries on a global scale. At some point, people will come to realize what Ive been warning about for years (and Trump has, too): You should never outsource all your manufacturing to some communist nation across the ocean, because the day will come that your entire supply line is cut off.

Oops.

It turns out that cheaper from China has a very painful cost when those black swans arrive. And right now, the sky is swarming with black swans, and theyre dumping black swan doo all over the global expansion plans of the communists.

Listen to my podcast for more discussion on this very point:

Brighteon.com/76f759ce-0ad2-4dc5-962d-94dbee517c4c

Keep reading NaturalNews.com, offering arguably the most accurate analysis of the coronavirus pandemic in the world, alongside InfoWars, where Im a regular analyst and guest.
One multiple casualty terror attack in the southern coastal city of Ashkelon on the eve of the March 2 elections for the 23rd Knesset could determine the nature of Israels next government. One photo of an Israeli killed in a Gaza Strip border community is "worth" more than the thousand words of praise that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has heaped on himself since the unveiling of US President Donald Trumps deal of the century for Israeli-Palestinian peace. One siren warning of incoming rockets from Gaza into the town of Ashdod will keep more Likud party voters home on election day than the number of those wowed by Netanyahus Moscow operation last month to bring home Naama Issachar, the young Israeli jailed in Russia on drug charges whom he freed after intense pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Indeed, not only are the lives and deaths of Israelis in the hands of the Palestinians launching rockets and explosive balloons into Israel, but Hamas and Islamic Jihad have a decisive impact on the makeup of Israels next government.

Both political blocs in Israel are familiar with Israeli sensitivities over deadly terror attacks. Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres attributed his Labor partys loss of the elections for the 12th Knesset to an Oct. 30, 1988, terror attack on the outskirts of Jericho in which a mother and her three children were burned to death. Many in the Likud were convinced that a terrorist who stabbed to death a 15-year-old girl in the suburban Tel Aviv town of Bat Yam on May 24, 1992, a month before the elections, restored Labor to power. Suicide attacks contributed to Labors downfall and Netanyahus victory in the 1996 elections more than any other factor.

Hamas plays a pivotal role in the current election campaign as well, in which one Knesset seat could determine who is given the mandate to form Israels next government. This time it is the Likud under Netanyahu that is at the mercy of the organization controlling the Gaza Strip.

Hamas, for its part, is well versed in the rules of Israels political game. It knows that every incendiary balloon launched toward the Negev region on the eve of elections raises Netanyahus interest in a long-term cease-fire deal, which Israelis euphemistically dub an arrangement. The prime minister would do well to practice maximum restraint on the Gaza front. His political fate, and perhaps his personal one, too, hangs on the string of a balloon.

The Gaza visit of an Egyptian mediation team on Feb. 10, after a five-month cutoff between Hamas and Cairo, does not seem to have been a coincidence. The Palestinian Al-Quds newspaper reported that following the delegations visits to Israel and Gaza, the Palestinian factions reached understandings on suspending explosive balloon launches into Israeli territory. Judging by past experience, this hiatus will not last long. This was made clear in a wide-ranging Feb. 5 interview by Al-Quds with senior Hamas official Khaled Meshaal. As the one running things in the Gaza Strip, the goal of the organization is to breach the siege of Gaza in order to provide residents with minimal needs for their existence so that our people in Gaza can continue the struggle alongside our people in the West Bank and Jerusalem, he said. Meshaal, who speaks more freely now that he no longer heads the Hamas political bureau, stressed that the arrangement under discussion between the sides reflects a situation of mutual deterrence between well-to-do Israel and impoverished Hamas.

In an interview this week with Al-Monitor, Palestinian affairs expert professor Mati Steinberg said that while Israel and the United States seek to turn the divide between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank into a permanent strategic situation, Hamas sees the arrangement merely as a springboard to control the West Bank. The arrangement deal, he said, is a Trojan horse completely contradictory to the premise of the Trump plan that Israel enthusiastically embraced. Were seeing one of two things, he noted. Either ignorance and poor understanding are at play here, or we are facing a sophisticated plot to present a plan and empty it of all content at the same time so that it cannot be implemented or provide an excuse for failure to implement it.

Whatever happens on March 2, the situation on the Gaza front the following day will likely remain the same as it has been over the past decade, if not worse. The deal of the century distanced prospects of Israeli-Palestinian peace and further poisoned relations between Israels Jewish citizens to their Arab neighbors. Nonetheless, it could have historic repercussions. The Swiss cheese plan  so nicknamed for the Palestinian enclaves separated by Israeli-controlled territory that are to constitute a future Palestinian state under the plan  has already succeeded in narrowing ideological differences between the Hamas and Fatah movements. At the same time, it blurred the difference between the two major factions competing in the upcoming Israeli elections  the right-wing Likud and centrist Blue and White.

If the response by Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz to the Trump plan  by accepting it  and his campaign speeches are any indication, a change in regime will not dramatically alter Israels strategy on the Gaza Strip. Speaking with Gaza border community leaders on Feb. 10, Gantz presented two options for resolving the festering problem: a deal that includes the return of the remains of Israelis and soldiers held by Hamas or a military defeat. A third option  resolving the conflict within the framework of a permanent agreement with the Palestinian Ramallah leadership based on the understandings reached in 2008 between then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas  was never mentioned. Nothing, nada.

The good news is that unlike Blue and Whites new election slogan  We must progress  Gantz has walked back the promise he made during the previous election campaign in 2019 to blast the entire front with fire and to launch a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip during the next round of fighting. These days he is no longer pledging to strive for a military defeat of Hamas and dismantle all the systems arrayed against us.

If news bulletins on election day are disrupted by blaring rocket warning sirens, few if any will remember these promises. The macho threat Netanyahu issued Feb. 9, "We wont accept any aggression from Gaza," will probably not send Likud voters in droves to the polling stations.
Mumbai, Feb 13 : From acting in Bhojpuri film industry to becoming the most-talked about contestant in the 13th season of the reality show, Rashami Desai has found her way back into the spotlight, and thats what makes her 34th birthday special.

The actress turned 34 on Thursday.

Did you know about Rashami's struggle during her bankruptcy days? Or her role as a landlord? Or her love story with Arhaan Khan? Or her issues with her family? Well, her stint on "Bigg Boss" season 13 has brought Rashami's personal life out in open.

Before she stepped into "Bigg Boss" house, Rashami was the beautiful heroine of shows like "Uttaran" and "Dil Se Dil Tak". "Bigg Boss" has changed all of that, opening up the pandora's box on her personal life.

Her troubled personal and professional equation with "Dil Se Dil Tak" co-star Sidharth Shukla also got highlighted through "Bigg Boss".

The actress started her career by acting in the Bhojpuri film industry at a young age. She starred in several B-grade Bhojpuri films before bagging a good role in "Pari Hoon Main" and "Shhh... Koi Hai".

She has also done many commercials, including one with "Bigg Boss" host Salman Khan. The actress was also in spotlight because of her ugly divorce with "Uttaran" co-actor Nandish Sandhu.

Before "Bigg Boss", Rashami participated "Comedy Circus", "Zara Nachke Dikha", "Crime Patrol", "Khatron Ke Khiladi", and "Kitchen Champion" season two.

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 13

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 14
Two German Shepherd dogs at the scene of a mans obstructive behaviour towards gardai in Crossbarry were described by a sentencing judge yesterday as quasi weapons.

Frank McCarthy, 34, of Ballyhandle, Crossbarry, County Cork, pleaded guilty to obstructing two members of An Garda Siochana, namely Garda Darren Cahalane and Garda Matthew Galvin on November 23, 2017.

Sergeant Tom Lehane testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the guards stopped McCarthy driving his Ford Mondeo that day but he drove off towards his residence.

He proceeded to shout and roar at gardai. He then lay down on the ground behind the patrol car so that the car could not reverse. He closed the gate across the exit, the sergeant said.

McCarthy had two German Shepherd dogs that acted aggressively at the scene, Sgt Lehane said.

The two gardai had to seek assistance. Six members of the armed support unit arrived. Incapacitant spray and taser had to be deployed before McCarthy could be arrested. But he continued to cause difficulties for gardai even after his arrest.

Defence barrister, Donal OSullivan, said that the accused was affected cognitively on the occasion in 2017 as a result of a head injury he sustained a month previously.

He acknowledges his behaviour was appalling and he cannot understand why he behaved in that way. He expressed remorse, Mr OSullivan said.

Judge Brian OCallaghan said the defendant had used two powerful dogs as quasi weapons which would have been frightening for the gardai.

He would be a most unsuitable person to be in control of two serious dogs. I am not suggesting euthanasia but I suspect he would have no difficulty finding another home for them, the judge said.

McCarthy said he no longer had the dogs.

Judge OCallaghan said, We are making progress already.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 24.
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Concerns about Justice Department

For decades after Watergate, the White House treated the Justice Department with the softest of gloves, fearful that any appearance of political interference would resurrect the specter of Attorney General John Mitchell helping President Richard M. Nixon carry out a criminal conspiracy for political ends.

Fast forward to 2020, and President Trumps ground-shaking conduct has demolished those once-sacrosanct guardrails. Attorney General William Barrs intervention to lessen a prison sentencing recommendation for the presidents convicted friend Roger J. Stone Jr. prompted all four career prosecutors handling the matter to quit the case.

To career prosecutors around the country, the Stone case raised new fears of what is to come. Prosecutors across the United States, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals, said this week that they had already been wary of working on any case that might catch Mr. Trumps attention and that the Stone episode only deepened their concern. (New York Times)

Featured stories

President Donald Trump speaks Wednesday during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House.AP

Trump declines to rule out pardon for Roger Stone (NBC News)

Trump seeks to bend the executive branch as part of impeachment vendetta (Washington Post)

Former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch says State Department in trouble (ABC News)

Coronavirus cases top 60,000 as death toll spikes (CBS News)

National news

El Paso Walmart shooting suspect Patrick Crusius is shown in court in October. AP

Attorneys for El Paso Walmart shooting suspect entered a not guilty plea in response to federal charges (CNN)

The U.S. Army is not investigating Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, despite Trump saying he certainly believed it would explore the idea (Business Insider)

U.S. deficit surges 25% in fiscal 2020 and is $1.1 trillion over the past year (CNBC)

Virginia House passes bill to award electoral votes to whoever wins the popular vote (The Hill)

Iowa Democratic Party chair resigns after caucus fiasco (NBC News)

Judge overturns Silent Sam settlement between UNC and Confederate group (The News & Observer)

A mass burial is held for more than 2,400 fetal remains found in a garage in Illinois (CNN)

Sarah Lawrence College dad pleads not guilty in sex trafficking, extortion case (ABC News)

Major teacher unions call for schools to stop psychologically distressing active shooter drills (USA Today)

Earthquake rattles eastern Tennessee a day after quake cluster, geologists say (Charlotte Observer)

Deepwater Horizon spill was about 30% bigger than previously thought, study says (CNN)

World news

A man walks through a disinfectant spray in order to return home at a residential complex in northern China's Tianjin Municipality.Chinatopix Via AP

Coronavirus death toll leaps in Chinas Hubei province, party bosses sacked (Reuters)

Coronavirus and cruises: Holland America ship Westerdam arrives in Cambodia (USA Today)

Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaido greeted with abuse after return from world tour (BBC)

Narendra Modis BJP suffers big loss in New Delhi elections (CNN)

Pope Francis rules against ordaining married men in Amazon (BBC)

Salvini loses immunity, and could face trial over alleged treatment of migrants (CNN)

UK cabinet reshuffle begins (BBC)
: The headmaster of a



government elementary school at Kattampatty in Coimbatore district, was on Thursday arrested after being booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly misbehaving with girl students, police said.

The parents of 11 students, studying in fourth and fifth standards, had complained about the 52-year-old headmaster for sexually harassing the girl students, the police said.

The school head refused to meet the parents and got himself admitted to the hospital a few days ago, and the parents staged a protest demanding police action against the accused.

As the parents refused to give up, the police took seven of them in the van, even as the headmaster talked to mother of one of the students and expressed regret for his misbehaviour.

Even members of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) and Students Federation of India (SFI) had taken up the issue.

The parents lodged a complaint with Child Protection Unit in the district, who in turn lodged a complaint with the police.

The accused was taken into custody in the early hours of Thursday and after booking a case under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, he was produced before mahila court which sent him to jail.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
T he man accused of murdering Lyra McKee is alleged to have committed a joint enterprise with an unknown gunman by picking up the cases of the bullets used to kill her, a court heard.

Paul McIntyre, 52, was remanded in custody at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Thursday after appearing charged with the murder of the journalist last April.

During a 50-minute hearing, defence lawyer Derwin Harvey said: The allegation against Mr McIntyre is that Mr McIntyre is at this riot and a male shoots the gun and that Mr McIntyre, after the gun was shot, picks up the cases.

The court heard a lengthy defence submission applying for bail, but the judge adjourned the hearing until he received further information from prosecution about the evidence linking McIntyre to the charges.

Paul McIntyre, the man charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee, arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court / Getty Images

Mr Harvey said the case rested on a snapshot of low-quality mobile phone footage which the prosecution claims showed a man wearing clothing matching what his client was wearing earlier in the day.

Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.

The Belfast writer was living in Londonderry with her partner, Sara Canning, who also arrived at court on Thursday morning.

Ms McKee's sister Nichola Corner was among several people in the public gallery wearing T shirts emblazoned with her picture.

Protesters clash with the police outside Londonderry Magistrates Court / Getty Images

Lyra was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and part of the generation which reached adulthood during peace time.

She wrote for publications including Private Eye and Buzzfeed.

Her funeral was attended by then prime minister Theresa May, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.

Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.

Days later the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.

Sara Canning, the partner of Lyra McKee, outside Londonderry Magistrates' Court / PA

Powersharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.

McIntyre is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and belonging to or professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation. His address was given in court as Kinnego Park, Londonderry.

The New IRA said it carried out the killing of Ms McKee.
Residents wait at a rest area after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a mobile station in Hong Kong on Sunday. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Few of the citys older residents have been fully inoculated, leaving them highly vulnerable as the city battles an outbreak of the new variant.
By Sam Richards

Bay City News Foundation

DANVILLE (BCN)

Teacher contract negotiations in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District are at a crossroads, with teachers having recently voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike vote, and district officials on Monday presenting what they call their "best and final" three-year contract offer.

On Monday, a mediator said that no additional progress toward an agreement is on the immediate horizon. The next step, a union official said, likely will be "fact finding," in which an independent fact finder analyzes the facts of the bargaining process and works to identify potential compromises or points of agreement.

There is no set date for the fact-finding to begin, said Ann Katzburg, president of the San Ramon Valley Education Association.

Katzburg said Tuesday that since Jan. 27, 98.2 percent of the union's 1,688 member teachers voted to authorize a strike if necessary. The main points of contention, she said, are class size and serving special education students.

"We have been repeating, for years, the needs of our special education students," said Katzburg, noting no strike is imminent. "It has been an ongoing battle."

The class size issue, she said, primarily affects the students in TK (transitional kindergarten) through third grade. The current cap is 26 students per class, Katzburg said; the district wants to raise it to 27.

The teachers' most recent three-year contract expired in June; the next such contract would expire in June 2022.

School district spokesman Christopher George did not return calls and emails for comment Tuesday or Wednesday.

The district is one of the largest in the East Bay, with more than 36,000 students in 36 schools, most of them in San Ramon and Danville, and the unincorporated communities of Alamo and Blackhawk. Its headquarters is in Danville.

Katzburg said state funding to local school districts would help solve many problems at districts like San Ramon Valley.

She said the San Ramon teachers union supports the California Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative, which could be on the November ballot statewide and would require commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value, rather than their purchase price.

Katzburg told the SRVUSD school board trustees Tuesday night that, tax change initiative or not, "What we're asking for, everything that's on the table, is affordable."

But on Tuesday night, the board members said they can't get behind the proposed tax changes -- at least not yet -- until there's more information about how those changes would affect local businesses, big and small. The board voted unanimously to table the discussion.

"I want to know what the business community says," said Trustee Rachel Hurd. "To cavalierly say, 'let business handle it,' that concerns me."

Board President Greg Marvel added, "Once we have better numbers, better facts, knowing whether it will be on the ballot, I think this is a fair discussion to have later on."

The San Ramon Valley Education Association has scheduled two "town hall" meetings to present the pro-teacher argument. One is Feb. 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Dougherty Valley High School, 10550 Albion Road in San Ramon. The second will be March 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at San Ramon Valley High School, 501 Danville Blvd. in Danville.

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 Progressive Conservative government plans to apply for a court injunction to prevent protesters from continuing to disrupt rail traffic on the CN main line in Manitoba.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Progressive Conservative government plans to apply for a court injunction to prevent protesters from continuing to disrupt rail traffic on the CN main line in Manitoba.

Premier Brian Pallister said Manitoba Attorney General Cliff Cullen has instructed the Justice Department to prepare the application to empower the RCMP to take the necessary action to prevent disruptions to rail service.

"We want to take action immediately to file the injunction to assist in ensuring that the laws of our province are applied equally to everyone," Pallister said in an interview late Wednesday afternoon.

"Were never going to restrict free protest, but when it gets over the line into illegal activity, thats when an injunction is necessary."

The premier said he expects the province to draft the document over "the next couple of days." It would be filed in Court of Queens Bench.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators protesting police enforcement of an injunction in northern British Columbia tied up rail traffic on two lines west of Winnipeg. Similar protests have occurred across the country.

Pallister said police are put in a difficult position in dealing with such blockades.

"We dont believe in two-tier law: the laws should apply to all. And, of course, the RCMP needs to have the support of an injunction in this respect," he said.

The premier said the province is seeking to prevent further blockage of the transportation of goods along the CN line.

He said he has yet to hear about concerns from specific shippers in Manitoba. However, in Quebec, concerns have been raised about potential shortages of propane for livestock barns, should service disruptions continue.

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Pallister did not weigh in on the gas pipeline issue in British Columbia that sparked Wednesdays protest in Manitoba. In B.C., protesters have called for government to halt construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which is opposed by Wetsuweten Nation hereditary chiefs.

The premier noted Manitoba is keen to construct outlet channels that would prevent flooding of Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin.

Indigenous groups have raised concerns that they have not been properly consulted about the proposed projects.

"Theres always the danger that people will assume they have the right to put their interests or their protests ahead of everybody else," he said. "We want to send a clear message that we respect the process and we want a process thats respectful. And that process and those laws should apply to everyone."

Pallister said if the rail blockade in Manitoba spreads to other lines, the government is prepared to apply for more injunctions.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
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The previously unreported details and interviews with more than 20 sailors on three Navy warships paint a picture of a military that was bracing for war in the wake of Soleimanis Jan. 3 death in Baghdad. Days later, Iran launched ballistic missiles at two sites in Iraq housing U.S. troops, briefly deepening the crisis until it became clear that no Americans were killed.
A new study shows that Canada believes Huawei should be banned from Canadian 5G deployment.

Huawei should be banned from 5G deployment, Canada approves

A new Canadian study by the Angus Reid Institute shows that 56-percent of Canadians are in favor of Huaweis ban from 5G deployment. 34-percent are in favor of Huawei having a smaller role in 5G deployment. 10-percent of Canadians say that Huawei should build the entire Canadian 5G network.

The Canada study by Angus Reid shows that these numbers are due to political persuasion. The most conservative Canadians vote 69-percent against Huawei in 5G (CPC). The Liberal Party opposes Huawei 47-percent, while the NDP and Bloc oppose Huawei 51-percent and 50-percent, respectively. In region voting, BC is against Huawei 63-percent, with AB at 62-percent and SK/MB at 61-percent. Quebec, Canada stands 47-percent against Huawei, the lowest of the six Canadian voting regions.

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Despite these high numbers against Huaweis role in 5G deployment, some believe Huawei should play a role of some kind. Political persuasion plays a role here, too, for the Liberal Party is 45-percent in favor of Huaweis smaller role in 5G deployment. NDP and Bloc cast a 37-percent vote in favor of a small 5G deployment role for Huawei. The conservative CPC has a 23-percent vote of confidence toward Huawei having a small role in 5G rollout. Whether of any political persuasion or not, between 10-13-percent of Canadians believe Huawei should have as large a role as possible in 5G deployment.

What the numbers show

What do the numbers show? The study shows that the majority of Canadians believe Huawei should not play a part in 5G deployment. Now, while that is true, the study shows only 56-percent want Huawei out of 5G rollout. This means that approximately half the Canadian population wants Huawei to play some role in 5G (even if smaller than before). These numbers show that Canada is in disagreement on the subject of 5G. Conservative political party members and Western residents are more in opposition to Huawei than more liberal political parties and non-western residents.

Canada: the last of the Five Eyes Alliance on the Huawei 5G deployment decision

Currently, Canada is the only country in the Five Eyes Alliance that has yet to decide for or against Huaweis 5G deployment. The US Huawei ban shows that America under President Donald J. Trump isnt taking any chances. The US has told its allies to keep Huawei out as well. New Zealand and Australia want Huawei out of their 5G deployments. The UK is the only one in the alliance to approve of Huaweis role in 5G, even if it is smaller than before (a peripheral 35-percent). UK carrier Vodafone is finally limiting Huaweis role in its 5G rollout to match the national order. The EU agrees with the UK, though the US is against the decision.

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Only Canada remains on the fence in the Five Eyes Alliance. Canada is a strong ally of the US. Canada is complying with US order by handing over Huawei Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou. Wanzhou, daughter of Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei, is accused of bank fraud conspiracy. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) filed charges, 13 counts, in New York against Huawei, Wanzhou, and two other Huawei affiliates two weeks ago.

With Huaweis perception in limbo due to the Wanzhou case, and with Huawei banned in the US, the Canadian study in favor of keeping Huawei out of 5G is understandable.

At the same time, though, one must remember that consumer confidence is one thing, government decision another. The UK decision is a result of technical issues, not consumer confidence, and Canadas decision will consider the same.
A temporary travel ban on all non-Australians travelling from China has been extended for another week as the number of coronavirus deaths surged and infections climbed by almost 15,000.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government had "not taken the decision lightly" but the safety of Australians was his top priority, despite the economic consequences.

"My job is to protect the health of Australians," he said in Canberra on Thursday. "At the moment there is still a lot that is not known about this virus. The only message I have for China is one of sympathy and support."

The original 14-day travel ban will be extended by a week from Saturday, meaning all non-Australian residents  including tourists and students travelling from China - will not be able to enter Australia until at least February 22. Mr Morrison said the ban would be reviewed on a weekly basis.
US Drought Monitor Map View Photos

Sonora, CA  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says seven counties in California are now experiencing moderate drought, including parts of Tuolumne County.

As you can see from the map, nearly half of the state is considered abnormally dry, but the areas that have moved into the moderate drought category include parts of Tuolumne, Mono, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Merced counties.

It is the first time this calendar year that areas of California have been listed under a moderate drought, and there is no rain in the forecast over at least the next couple of weeks.

There is still a way to go before the region would move into a level of drought witnessed between 2012 to 2017. There are various levels of drought on the NOAA scale, starting at the lower end, moderate, then going to severe, extreme and exceptional.

The Department of Water Resources reports this morning that the Sierra Nevada snowpack is 59-percent of average for the date.

The US Drought Monitor notes that moderate drought indicates there could be some damage to crops and pastures. In addition, some streams, reservoirs and wells may be low.
A cyber creep who stalked and harassed a cancer victim right up until she died has been released from jail after just five months behind bars.

Jake Engellenner, 27, from South Morang in Melbourne, tormented five young women online over three years, one of whom died from cancer.

He was sentenced to eight months' behind bars last September, but on Thursday his prison term was overturned on appeal with a two-year community corrections order.

Engellenner's trail of harassment started in 2015 when he sent hundreds of vile and degrading messages to Renee Russell, 24.

Ms Russell knew Engellenner from primary school, but they hadn't seen each other since they were kids.

Engellenner's trail of harassment started in 2015 when he sent hundreds of vile and degrading messages to Renee Russell (pictured), 24, who later died from breast cancer in the midst of his abuse

Jake Engellenner, 27, from South Morang in Melbourne, tormented five young women online over three years

After seeing Ms Russell working at a supermarket, Engellenner sent her hundreds of vile and degrading messages on Facebook.

'You're nothing more than a bimbo **** who works at Coles... Sad really, working at a dead-end job for the rest of your life,' one of the messages read.

Engellenner continued to stalk Ms Russell after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and tormented her right up until her dying breath.

Ms Russell's mother Dianne said the justice system has failed them after letting her daughter's stalker walk free.

'Through Renee's treatment and chemotherapy, she was still being harassed,' Mrs Russell told Nine News.

'It just added extra stress onto her - every day, every night with messages coming through.'

But Engellenner's tirade of abuse didn't end there.

He then began harassing Ms Russell's cousin Maddison and friend Belinda Fragale, using fake profiles.

In court, Ms Fragale said she lives in fear knowing her stalker lives nearby, and said there was no justice for her late friend.

Ms Fragale claimed Engellenner's abuse continued long after Ms Russell died.

'He was saying things about her corpse  saying it's not going to end until he gets what he wants,' she said.
Irelands traditionally centre-right conservative political system has been rocked by a wave of support for Sinn Fein in the February 8 general election, writes Mary C. Murphy, University College Cork

The previously small left-wing republican party with historic links to the paramilitary Provisional Irish Republican Army, now has legitimate ambitions to form part of the next Irish government in coalition with other parties.

Political hostility, historical antipathy and considerable incompatibility on both policies and principles sullies the relationships between Sinn Fein and Irelands two other largest parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. While they are reluctant to share power with Sinn Fein, the current political arithmetic of the new parliament suggests the next Irish government will require its participation.

So what does this mean for Irelands relationship with the EU, and its upcoming post-Brexit trade negotiations with the UK?

Traditionally Eurosceptic

Decidedly to the left of the political spectrum, Sinn Feins position on the EU has shifted over time. In its early days, the party was ardently anti-EU. For reasons of both national sovereignty and anti-capitalism, Sinn Fein stridently opposed Irish membership of the EU in 1973.

In the intervening years, the benefits of EU membership for Ireland were not lost on Sinn Fein. Membership of the single European market, access to the Common Agricultural Policy, structural fund assistance, and EU support for the Northern Ireland peace process led to some moderation of the partys original objections to the EU. Ongoing opposition to closer and deeper EU integration was nonetheless evident. The party campaigned against various EU treaty reforms, including Maastricht, Nice and Lisbon.

Sinn Feins decision to support and campaign for Remain during the UKs 2016 referendum on EU membership might appear out of sync with its soft euroscepticism, however, this position was largely motivated by homegrown political and constitutional concerns. Sinn Fein was concerned that a UK exit from the EU could undermine north-south relations on the island of Ireland  a particularly important outcome of the peace process for Irish nationalists. There were also concerns that a UK decision to leave the EU would re-policitise the Irish border and destabilise politics and community relations in Northern Ireland.

Motivated by Northern Irelands 56% vote in favour of Remain, the party argued vociferously against any Brexit deal which threatened to re-impose a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Sinn Fein position was supported by a strongly supportive EU and its chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, consistently maintained that: Irelands interest is the EUs interest.

In the Republic of Ireland, a striking level of cross-party consensus has defined Irelands approach to Brexit. All Irish political parties, including Sinn Fein, supported the approach to Brexit taken by Fine Gael-led governments. Testament to this is the fact that Brexit simply did not feature as an issue during the election campaign. An election exit poll suggested that just 1% of Irish voters were concerned about Brexit.

The Brexit withdrawal agreement meets Sinn Feins central Brexit objective to maintain an open border on the island of Ireland, albeit using a complex formula where Northern Ireland is effectively part of the EU for the purposes of customs and free movement of goods.

Demands around Irish unity

From an Irish perspective, there are two dimensions to the next stage of the process: first, to ensure that the withdrawal agreements provisions on Northern Ireland are implemented, and second, to negotiate a future UK-EU relationship that does the least damage. A Sinn Fein coalition government will maintain an emphasis on protecting Irish interests, but there may be some subtle shifts in priorities, focus and relationships.

Sinn Feins core political aim is to achieve Irish unity. Although the issue of unification was not part of the national conversation during the general election campaign, the partys president, Mary Lou McDonald, highlighted her intention to pursue such an agenda on the back of the partys extraordinary election performance.

She is seeking European support and explicitly suggested in a BBC interview that: The EU needs to take a stand in respect of Ireland in the same way that it supported the reunification of Germany. This position has the potential to complicate and frustrate Irelands EU partners who will not welcome being dragged into what are domestic political and constitutional matters for Ireland and the UK.

Sinn Feins position will also antagonise the British government and may taint the UK-EU negotiating atmosphere. Any further hardening of the intention of the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, to diverge from EU rules would complicate the implementation of the new arrangements for Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland.

But the extent of Sinn Feins influence in any future Irish government should not be overstated. The party is unlikely to be the largest partner in any coalition so its rhetoric and positions on a whole raft of policies will necessarily have to moderate. Its also doubtful that Sinn Fein would hold all (if any) of the key Brexit-related ministries such as foreign affairs, finance or European affairs.

The backbone of Irelands Brexit effort  the Irish civil service  will continue to direct and manage Irelands approach to the EU. And a strongly pro-EU Irish public will not want to see the Ireland-EU relationship jeopardised.

The 2020 general election in Ireland has interrupted the countrys political equilibrium. New political forces, agendas and voices are now set to be part of the next Irish government. This will require some adjustment and perhaps a degree of reorientation, but political, institutional and other factors will ensure that key features and characteristics of the Ireland-EU relationship endure.

- Mary C. Murphy, is the Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration and Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and Politics at University College Cork

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A man baths next to plastic waste floating in the Hau River, a tributary of the Mekong River, in Soc Trang Province, southern Vietnam, February 2019. Photo by Nguyen Viet Hung.

Vietnam and three Mekong neighbors will join hands to assess plastic waste leakage into the river system in a bid to fight plastic pollution in the region.

Fifty government officials and university researchers from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam gathered to discuss assessment methodologies to study plastic debris and its sources across the Mekong at this week's regional workshop hosted by Mekong River Commission (MRC) and UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Vientiane, Laos.

The four nations will work together to report on the current state of plastic pollutants in the region and offer policy recommendations to address challenges, the MRC said in a press release.

"The assessment will provide the four Mekong countries with scientific evidence and information on plastic debris, plastic pollution and its threat to the environment and people," Kakuko Nagatani-Yoshida, UNEP regional coordinator for Chemicals, Waste and Air Quality, told the meeting Tuesday and Wednesday.

Assessment will involve monitoring and collecting plastic debris and waste leakage across five sites in major cities along Mekong River, including Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani of Thailand, Vientiane of Laos, Phnom Penh of Cambodia and Can Tho of Vietnam, with four Mekong universities to take the lead.

According to a November 2017 study published in academic journal Environmental Science & Technology, a biweekly peer-reviewed journal published by American Chemical Society, Mekong was one of the 10 rivers that collectively carried between 88-95 percent of plastics into the world's oceans.

Other reports have also pointed to the plastic lifestyle proliferating across Mekong neighborhoods without basin-wide countermeasures, according to MRC.

The regional workshop in Vientiane was held as part of a 10-month long UNEP "Counter-MEASURE" project to conclude this March.

Funded by the Japanese government, the Counter-MEASURE, or the Project on Promotion of Countermeasures Against Marine Plastic Litter in Southeast Asia and India, was launched in mid-2019 led by the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. It aims to study land-based plastic leakage via rivers and canals or drainages into the sea across the Mekong River basin, as well as in Mumbai and throughout the Ganges River basin in India.

This project forms part of a larger technical collaboration signed by MRC and UNEP last December.

An Pich Hatda, MRC CEO, said the partnership with UNEP comes at the right time, as member states prepare to conduct national reviews on the status and trends of plastic debris, including a legal and institutional framework for plastic pollution management as part of MRCs annual work plan in 2020.

"Reviews aim to provide a better picture and understanding of the plastic threat in each of the four countries," he said, adding MRC would formulate a long-term plan to monitor, assess and provide policy recommendations to member countries, using results from national reviews and the Counter-MEASURE project.

"We hope to develop a strategic Mekong framework for plastic pollution management and create networks across the four countries for the monitoring and management of Mekong plastic pollution," he said.

The U.N. reported in November last year Southeast Asian countries, among the worlds worst ocean polluters, need tougher regulations for plastic packaging to curb leakage.

Southeast Asia is a major contributor to land-based plastic waste leaking into the worlds oceans, with over half coming from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand - along with China, the top single polluter.

Many countries in the region struggle with poor waste sorting and disposal systems, and their growth in population and explosive demand for consumer products mean more single-use plastic ends up in landfills or leaks into the environment.

To battle the growing crisis, Southeast Asia, home to 641 million people across 10 countries, needs to introduce region-wide policies to regulate plastic packaging, UNEP stressed.
The World Bank has drawn up a new strategy to help Vietnam scale up and better utilise solar power

These approaches could boost Vietnams solar generation capacity from the current 4.5GW to the tens of GW range within ten years, while creating thousands of new jobs, according to the new World Bank Vietnam Solar Competitive Bidding Strategy and Framework report. The deployment of new solar generation will be a critical factor for the government of Vietnam to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emissions reduction target and reduce its need for new coal generation.

The report comes as Vietnam is considering moving from a feed-in tariff (FiT) policy to a competitive bidding scheme for solar projects to reduce the cost of solar generation. The FIT has been successful in recent years, spurring the fast deployment of projects at a time when Vietnam has also become a world leader in solar module manufacturing. However, this success has also given rise to new issues, including curtailment  or underuse of solar generation capacity.

The report, supported by the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) and the World Banks Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), recommends two new deployment schemes for projects: competitive bidding for solar parks, and "substation-based bidding"  competitive bidding based on available capacity at electrical substations. These approaches would address the curtailment issue as well as improve risk allocation between public and private investors.

The first pilot tenders  500MW for substation-based bidding and another 500MW for ground-mounted solar parks  are being planned for later in 2020 with the technical and financial support of the World Bank.

The World Bank is fully committed to helping Vietnam achieve its sustainable energy ambitions, said Ousmane Dione, World Bank country director for Vietnam. We expect that this new strategy will open up a new chapter in Vietnams already successful solar power expansion.

Beyond the new approaches to competitive bidding, the report recommends setting yearly and medium-term solar deployment targets and revisions to the legal framework covering the competitive selection of independent power producers.

The report estimates that the expansion in solar generation capacity in Vietnam could generate as many as 25,000 new jobs in project development, services, and operations and maintenance annually through 2030 and another 20,000 jobs in manufacturing, provided Vietnam maintains its current share of the global solar equipment market.

We are grateful for the World Bank's support to promote renewable energy in Vietnam, said Hoang Tien Dung, general director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In particular, the World Banks support to the governments efforts to shift from FiT to a competitive bidding mechanism for solar PV could be applied for other types of renewable energy in the future. It contributes to the sustainable and transparent development of renewable energy in Vietnam by harmonising the interests of private investors, the government and customers.

The World Bank has been instrumental in supporting the Government of Vietnams solar development planning for years. Since 2017, with financing from ESMAP and GIF, the World Bank has provided a large portfolio of technical assistance ranging from solar resource mapping to strategic advice on the mobilisation of private investment in utility-scale solar projects.
As many as 179 marine safety violations were reported last year, according to the Kingdoms Coast Guard. This came as Coast Guard Commander, Major-General Alaa Siyadi, called upon all seafarers to follow the rules and the laws to protect marine safety. He said that violations that are committed at night and with the current situations could jeopardise the safety of violators who would be held legally accountable. Mr Siyadi urged seafarers to follow the instructions of marine patrols and security and safety rules. He urged them to avoid sailing in banned areas at night or commit violations that could harm the fish stocks and marine wealth.

The official revealed that during 2019, a total of 179 violations were reported and legal steps were taken against them. Dive Bahrain a few days ago announced that illegal shrimp-trawling vessels entered the protected boundaries of the dive site causing major damage to the underwater attraction. The authorities are working to identify the vessels in question, which were in breach of Ministerial Order (205) for 2018, banning fishing using trawling nets, and the notice to mariners issued by the Ports and Maritime Affairs Authority, which mandates a two nautical mile exclusion zone around the submerged attractions. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed Al Zayani said While the dive site sustained damage, work continues to build the largest underwater park which will continue to provide a thrilling diving experience for those who visit and, more importantly, a viable habitat for local marine species.

He announced that an investigation is underway using detailed radar and tracking data to identify the vessels. An investigation by a team of specialised marine investigators identified clear evidence, both on the fuselage of the submerged aircraft and the seabed, that points to a collision between the fuselage and heavy trawling nets. Commenting on this issue, Dr Mohamed Bin Daina, Chief Executive of the Supreme Council of the Environment remarked that this incident serves as further evidence of the profoundly negative effect fishing with trawling nets has on the seabed ecosystems, reefs and on the marine environment overall. A Dive Bahrain spokesman confirmed that work is already underway to fix the damage caused.
The Italian senate was voting along party lines yesterday to allow former interior minister Matteo Salvini to be prosecuted - as he demands to be - for allegedly holding migrants hostage aboard a coast guard ship instead of letting them get off in Sicily.

Mr Salvini, a senator and right-wing party leader, says losing his legal immunity, facing kidnapping charges and being put on trial would be tantamount to defending Italy from migrants who enter the country illegally.

"I want to be proud of what I did, with my head held high," Mr Salvini said while fellow senators debated his fate.

"Our constitution says that protecting our homeland is a holy duty for Italian citizens."

Crackdown

The results of electronic voting were not immediately announced as senators have the opportunity to announce their votes verbally later. But based on party lines laid out in the pre-vote debate, the Senate decided in favour of letting Mr Salvini face prosecution.

As interior minister, Mr Salvini launched a crackdown on unauthorised migration, blaming migrants for crime and other problems.

His policies, which included denying migrant rescue ships access to Italian ports, brought his eurosceptic League party support at home and criticism abroad.

Opinion surveys make Mr Salvini one of Italy's most popular leaders. However, a criminal case could derail his ambitions to put the League back in power and become Italy's premier - conviction carries a prison sentence of six months to 15 years.

He professed confidence in the "neutrality" of magistrates "because I believe that what I have done was in the interest of the Italian people".
A Virginia Uber driver was charged after trying to chase someone down and hit them with his car despite still carrying passengers, according to police.

Olufemi S Olomola, 38, was charged with two counts of abduction, reckless driving and felony hit and run. Hes currently in custody of the Richmond Police, CNN reports.

John Murray and his wife, Tameka Swann, called an Uber on Monday night to give them a ride to dinner.

Mr Murray said the driver, Mr Olomola, picked the couple up outside their home. After driving only a few blocks, Mr Olomolas car was rear-ended.

Uber tips and tricks Show all 11 1 /11 Uber tips and tricks Uber tips and tricks Split fares with friends You can easily split a fare with your fellow riders, by swiping up from the bottom of the app during the journey, tapping your selected payment method and selecting Split Fare. After that, enter the names or phone numbers of the people youd like to spread the cost of your ride with. Theyll be notified immediately, but will need to accept before the trip ends. Uber tips and tricks Save money with uberPool If youre in no rush to get somewhere and are planning to travel alone or with one other person, you can save a lot of money by requesting an uberPool. You can either first select the uberPool option on the slider at the bottom of the app, or pick the uberX option and then choose Find an uberPool Match. Once youve entered your destination, the app will try to match you with other people that are heading the same way. Uber tips and tricks Change pickup location after requesting a ride Uber lets you change your pickup location after youve already made your booking. Just tap the Edit option next to your pickup location, type in or drag the pin to the new address and hit Confirm. You can, however, only do this once, and you cant change the location to anywhere outside of the circle displayed on the app. Uber tips and tricks Control the music You can control the music in the car on the iPhone version of the Uber app by linking it to your Spotify Premium account. If you match with a driver who has connected music, youll see a Music bar at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, log into your account, connect to the car's speakers with Bluetooth, an AUX cable or USB, and play. Uber tips and tricks Save addresses If you regularly use Uber to travel to the same places, you can save some time by listing them as Favourites in the app. In the Settings menu, youll be prompted to add your home and work addresses, but you can save additional locations by tapping the More Saved Places option. Uber tips and tricks Schedule a trip You can schedule a ride up to 30 days in advance by tapping the symbol of a car with clock, just to the right of the Where To? bar. After youve selected your date and a 15-minute pickup window, you can edit the pickup location by tapping Current Location. Uber tips and tricks Automate your expenses If you use Uber for both personal and work purposes, its worth setting up a business profile. You can link it to your work email address - which is where receipts will be sent - and a different credit card too. In Settings, scroll down and tap Add Business Profile. Better still, you can hook it up to your Concur, Expensify, Chrome River or Certify account, to make the expenses process a lot smoother. Uber tips and tricks Share your trip details You can share the details of your trip, including the first name and vehicle information of your driver, and your real-time map location, with your friends and family for peace of mind. Once you've requested a ride and entered your destination, slide up from the bottom of your screen and tap Share My ETA. Uber tips and tricks Use Uber in Google Maps You can order an Uber through Google Maps, which can save you the hassle of switching between apps and copying and pasting an address. At the end of the trip, you can choose to either use the payment method saved with Uber or the one saved with Google. Uber tips and tricks Earn credit You can easily earn Uber credit by inviting your friends to create their own accounts. All you need to do is tap Free Trips in the main menu and Invite Friends. For every new user you manage to sign up, youll earn 5 of credit (and theyll get their first trip free). Uber tips and tricks See your rating Uber relies on customers and drivers rating each other in the app, and you can see your score in the main menu, right beneath your name. If yours isnt appearing, its probably because you havent taken enough trips yet.

I thought we were just going to pull over and they would exchange information, but the other driver pulled around us and took off, Mr Murray said. I had no idea he was about to go fast and furious on us.

In a four-minute Facebook live video taken by Mr Murray, he and his wife discuss the accident before Mr Olomola hands his phone to Ms Swann, asking her to talk to the 911 operators.

Mr Olomola then begins speeding up, blowing through red lights and stop signs while his passengers cry for him to stop from the back seat.

I got four kids, I cant be riding like this - youve got to let us out, Ms Swann said.

I cant let this guy go, Mr Olomola replied.

During the chase, Mr Olomola runs a red light and nearly hits a bicyclist before getting hit by another car. Mr Olomola took off again after the first car while the passengers and the 911 operator demand that he stop the chase.

Eventually, Mr Olomola let the couple out. Ms Swann said the experience was the scariest moment of my life.

Uber issued a statement to CNN saying that the driver had been removed from the app and that it was ready to work with any law enforcement investigations regarding the issue.

This drivers behaviour is deeply concerning and his access to the app has been removed, the statement said.

Mr Murray and his wife were checked for injuries. They didnt appear to suffer major injuries, though Ms Swann said she was sore and that her entire side hurt from the collisions.
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Even as a bushfire threatened the rural Australian community of Wytaliba, Gary Wilson and his partner Julie Willis decided not to flee their wooden house.

The two had a home full of orphaned baby kangaroos to protect.

More than 10 of the baby kangaroos -- called joeys  stayed safe inside fabric pouches that hung in the couple's living room. Each piece of cloth looked like the opening in which mother kangaroos carry their young.

Wilson and Willis have taken care of wild animals before. Recently, full-grown kangaroos and other wildlife that had left their care long ago came back to the house in search of protection as the fires grew nearer.

We had way too many animals in the house and around the house so we really couldnt go," Wilson told the Reuters news agency from his home. "We decided we were going to stay and fight. Their home is now surrounded by burned land and vehicles.

At three oclock it was a beautiful summers day, by four oclock it was midnight, Wilson said. You couldnt see any more than 20 yards [18 meters] and then the firestorm came through and pretty much burned everything.

Wilson and Willis defended their home for at least 14 hours with fire extinguishers and water pumps. Their house also had a special device on top that sprayed water on hot ashes falling on the property.

Good preparation -- and very good luck -- helped the building stay safe. And the motherless animals have survived. But the November fire that hit the small community killed two of Wilsons neighbors.

It was a horrible thing," Wilson said. "The whole bush has been burnt. Its been vaporized.

Willis said she had never seen such fierce fires. She said most animals -- such as possums, gliders, lizards and even many birds -- were not fast enough to escape.

She said, Its not until after the fires when it really hits you how close you were to dying...but at the time you are too busy trying to put the fire out.

Australias bushfire season has killed over 30 people and an estimated 1 billion native animals since September. About 2,500 homes have been destroyed, and more than 11.7 million hectares of dry bushland have been burned through.

While Wilson and Willis usually care for joeys that are rescued after their mothers are struck by vehicles, they are now welcoming an increasing number of fire orphans.

Willis said the joeys will one day be released into the wild.

She said, We didnt have children ourselves; this is what we spend our time doing. We think its worthy - a worthy cause - looking after our babies no matter what they are...

Im Ashley Thompson.

The Reuters news agency reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

orphaned adj. not having a mother or father

pouch n. a pocket of skin that acts like a container for baby animals in marsupial mammals

midnight n. the middle of the night, 12 a.m.

extinguisher n. a device that can put out fires

spray v. to send out a stream of water or liquid in a wide area

vaporizedadj. to be turned into a gas, to be completely destroyed
Today we'll take a closer look at Bisichi Mining Plc (LON:BISI) from a dividend investor's perspective. Owning a strong business and reinvesting the dividends is widely seen as an attractive way of growing your wealth. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments.

A high yield and a long history of paying dividends is an appealing combination for Bisichi Mining. It would not be a surprise to discover that many investors buy it for the dividends. There are a few simple ways to reduce the risks of buying Bisichi Mining for its dividend, and we'll go through these below.

Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Bisichi Mining!

LSE:BISI Historical Dividend Yield, February 13th 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. Looking at the data, we can see that 12% of Bisichi Mining's profits were paid out as dividends in the last 12 months. We like this low payout ratio, because it implies the dividend is well covered and leaves ample opportunity for reinvestment.

In addition to comparing dividends against profits, we should inspect whether the company generated enough cash to pay its dividend. Bisichi Mining's cash payout ratio in the last year was 47%, which suggests dividends were well covered by cash generated by the business. It's positive to see that Bisichi Mining'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.

Consider getting our latest analysis on Bisichi Mining's financial position here.

Story continues

Dividend Volatility

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. For the purpose of this article, we only scrutinise the last decade of Bisichi Mining's dividend payments. Its dividend payments have declined on at least one occasion over the past ten years. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was UK0.035 in 2010, compared to UK0.04 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 1.3% per year over this time. The growth in dividends has not been linear, but the CAGR is a decent approximation of the rate of change over this time frame.

It's good to see some dividend growth, but the dividend has been cut at least once, and the size of the cut would eliminate most of the growth, anyway. We're not that enthused by this.

Dividend Growth Potential

Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. It's good to see Bisichi Mining has been growing its earnings per share at 59% a year over the past five years. The company is only paying out a fraction of its earnings as dividends, and in the past been able to use the retained earnings to grow its profits rapidly - an ideal combination.

Conclusion

To summarise, shareholders should always check that Bisichi Mining's dividends are affordable, that its dividend payments are relatively stable, and that it has decent prospects for growing its earnings and dividend. It's great to see that Bisichi Mining is paying out a low percentage of its earnings and cash flow. We were also glad to see it growing earnings, but it was concerning to see the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. All things considered, Bisichi Mining looks like a strong prospect. At the right valuation, it could be something special.

Now, if you want to look closer, it would be worth checking out our free research on Bisichi Mining management tenure, salary, and performance.

If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of dividend stocks yielding above 3%.

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.
One would think that with the US and China now in a trade war truce, tensions over the key pawn in the global tech war, China's telecom giant Huawei would finally be easing. One would be wrong.

According to Bloomberg, as part of the ongoing crackdown on Huawei, the US has now added a RICO charge, or "racketeering conspiracy", against the Chinese telecom provider - which in the past was reserved largely for criminal mob cases - tripling the penalties the Chinese company would face if convicted.

Huawei was already facing a series of criminal charges for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

The new charge steps up U.S. pressure on Huawei. The government already had banned the companys technology and accused Huawei of aiding Beijing in espionage. Now the company faces even more significant criminal penalties, which could be up to 3x the sought damages, if prosecutors win a conviction in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.Top of FormBottom of Form

In return, Huawei has accused the U.S. government of orchestrating a campaign to intimidate its employees and launching cyberattacks to infiltrate its internal network. The accusations have ratcheted up tensions between Huawei and the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, as Bloomberg reminds us, as the criminal case against Huawei moves forward, the prosecution of its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, remains on hold. She is fighting extradition from Vancouver, Canada, after being arrested at the request of the U.S. last year. She was accused by the US of defrauding banks when she made a presentation to one of its major banking partners and lied about by lying Huaweis business dealings in Iran, in violation of U.S. sanctions.

By Zerohedge.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com:
New Zealand police on Wednesday (February 12) unveiled its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) officer named Ella at the police national headquarters in Wellington.

Ella will be at the centre of the new digital services of New Zealand police, reported nzherald.co.in. Ella stands for Electronic Lifelike Assistant and this AI officer is part of two new digital kiosks designed by New Zealand police with an aim to reduce queues in police stations. New Zealand police is also hopeful that the introduction of Ella will provide a modern way to connect with the public.

Ella is the brainchild of project manager Erin Greally and this one-of-a-kind AI officer has been designed as a mix of 26 different people. Ella will be stationed at the headquarters building in Molesworth Station and the users will be able to get information or be connected to whom they want to visit.

New Zealand police has said that after the success of the three-month pilot, Ella's friendly, CGI face will be spread across kiosks throughout the country, reported nzherald.co.in.

The other kiosk in the three-month pilot phase is the police connect service, which can be used by the common people to ask for information on several questions or report a crime. The kiosk can also be used to get in touch with someone at the call centre.

During the pilot phase, these kiosks will be stationed at the Wellington, Johnsonville, and Featherston stations, but Commissioner Mike Bush has expressed hope that very soon these kiosks will be set up in stations across New Zealand, as well as non-police locations.

The kiosks will be fitted with CCTV cameras and other alarms. The new services were "a continuation of the modernisation of the New Zealand police force", Bush said.
Voicing concern over the Congress debacle in the Delhi assembly polls and the crisis it is facing in some states like Bihar and the Uttar Pradesh, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has suggested that the party "ruthlessly" reinvent itself or face the prospect of becoming irrelevant.

Senior leader Veerappa Moily too has called for a "surgical" action to revive the party in the context of the Delhi election drubbing.

In an interview to PTI, Ramesh said: "Congress leaders have to reinvent themselves. Congress party has to reinvent itself if it has to be relevant.

Otherwise, we are staring at irrelevance.Our arrogance has to go, even after six years out of power sometimes, some of us behave as if we are still ministers," he said.

Asked about the leaderhip issue in the party,he said local level leaders have to be encouraged and nurtured.

They have to be given freedom and autonomy, he added.

"The substance and style of our leadership has to change.

We are virtually non-existent in Bihar, We are almost extinct in UP but we are strong in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Haryana we have come back," Ramesh said.

The party has to "ruthlessly reinvent" itself, he maintained.

The Congress leader claimed the Delhi election result was rejection of Amit Shah, who was the chief campaigner of the BJP.

"It is a resounding slap on his face and it is a rejection of the language used in the campaign, tactics used in the campaign," Ramesh said.

The Congress leader, however, said his party, which ruled Delhi for 15 years during which key infrastructure including roads, Metro and airport were built, suffered a severe drubbing in the polls.

Responding to a query on the presence of increasing number of leaders from Kerala in the central leaderhip, he hailed the style of functioning of the Congress and its leaders in the southern state but opined "we cannot become a Kerala centric party."



"In Kerala we face a peculiar position, because we are competing against CPI(M). But what works in Kerala may not work outside Kerala.

We cannot become a Kerala-centric party although we have very influential Kerala leaders now at the top of the Congress party."



Ramesh did not favour the formula put forward by party MP Shashi Tharoor for electing the Congress president, saying the Congress presidency is usually a consensus choice.

"Shashi Tharoor has given an election formula. But in the long history of Congress party, there were only two occasions we had elections.

I am totally at a loss to understand why Tharoor made such a suggestion," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Now Ukraine is determining specific tasks, levels of engagement, and personnel numbers.

Ukrainian Army will join the NATO mission in Iraq, according to a corresponding document on cooperation, already signed with the Alliance, says Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk.

"We have clearly stated that we will. The likelihood is extremely high. All countries related have stated that they supported the move. This is strategically important for us. We are interested in our participation in more programs with NATO," the minister said in an interview with TSN.

Read alsoNATO calls on Ukraine to continue reform

According to Zagorodnyuk, there is an agreement regarding Afghanistan settlement, but a larger number of resources will be deployed to Iraq.

"The Allies themselves have not yet decided when the mission will be restored in Iraq, so we are now working to determine specific tasks, specific volumes, and specific personnel. As soon as this happens, we, of course, will inform everyone," said the minister.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on October 59, 2020, Odesa will host a joint Ukraine-NATO exercise on protecting critical infrastructure in the Black Sea region, "Coherent Resilience 2020".
My heartfelt appreciation goes out to our patients, physician peers, and the community for this recognition. We feel fortunate to have earned your continued support. Were humbled to have such a long and successful history of helping patients of this community build their families.

The largest fertility center in the state of Virginia with seven locations in Northern Virginia: Arlington, Dulles-Aldie, Fair Oaks, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, and Woodbridge, as well as two locations in the District, is proud to announce that eight D.C.- and Virginia-based fertility specialists have been named as Top Docs for Infertility by Northern Virginia Magazine.

Each of the board certified reproductive endocrinologists provide best-in-class fertility care and offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for male and female infertility. This years honorees include:

Paulette E. Browne, M.D. | Fair Oaks, VA

Rachana V. Garde, M.D., M.P.H. | Fairfax, VA

Naveed Khan, M.D. | Leesburg and Dulles-Aldie, VA

Eric D. Levens, M.D. | Fairfax, VA

Anitha Nair, M.D. | Arlington, VA, and K Street, Washington, D.C.

Barbara Osborn, M.D. | Sibley Hospital Campus, Washington, D.C.

David S. Saffan, M.D. | Fairfax, VA

Eric Widra, M.D. | K Street and Sibley Hospital Campus, Washington, D.C.

To determine the regions Top Doctors, Northern Virginia Magazine complies a list based on a peer nominations and physician-led panels. A research team vets each nomination to ensure the physician is in good standing with the Virginia Department of Health Professionals.

My heartfelt appreciation goes out to our patients, physician peers, and the community for this recognition. We feel fortunate to have earned your continued support. Were humbled to have such a long and successful history of helping patients of this community build their families, says Dr. Widra, SGFs Chief Medical Officer, who sees patients in SGFs K Street and Sibley Hospital Campus, Washington, D.C. locations.

Its an honor to be recognized by my physician peers and to be named among so many distinguished physicians, said Dr. Browne of SGFs Fair Oaks, VA, location.

Providing personalized care has always been at the heart of SGF, which is why 96 percent of SGF patients would recommend SGF to a family member or friend.

To schedule a physician consultation, call the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submit this brief online form.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and counting. With 38 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, we offer patients individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including treatment guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.
BHOPAL: A foot-over bridge collapsed at the Bhopal Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday (February 13, 2020) leaving several people injured. There were earlier reports of two people losing their lives in the incident but this was not confirmed by the railway authorities.

Divisional Railway Manager told reporters that no one died due to the incident.

According to the information coming from the area, at least nine people have sustained injuries after the stairs of the footover bridge collapsed at the platform no 2 of the Bhopal Railway Station.

The incident was reported around 9 am, according to the railway station officials. Ambulances were called to the sport by the officials and those injured in the incident were immediately rushed to Hamidia Hospital for treatment.

Local police and administration officials are at the spot to take stock of the situation. Repair and maintenance work is also being carried out at the spot and a probe will be conducted to ascertain what caused the incident.

Former MP CM Shivraj Singh took to Twitter and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.
Audio Attachment: Listen to the responses from the emergency services

Government has streamlined the countrys emergency response numbers into a single hotline, 112 for all emergencies in the country.



The new number will now handle cases that require the services of Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service across all mobile networks.



This means the 191, 192 and 193 which hitherto were dedicated to the Police, Fire and Ambulance services are no longer effective.



Making the announcement at the Black Stars Square, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the new move is to provide more safety and assist state agencies to deliver on their mandate in a more improved manner.



Government has succeeded in getting a unique emergency number for all providers of emergency service in the country. In the past  the Police Service, the Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service all had emergency response numbers. I am happy to announce that thankfully, we have merged all emergency numbers to one number which is 112. For any form of emergency -either police service, fire service and ambulance service the number to dial on all mobile networks is 112, Nana Addo cautioned against prank calls.



Peace FMs Salaamat Kuukua Paintsil called all three major Emergency Services; the Police Service, the Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service in addition to Service Providers; Ghana Water Company Limited and the Electricity Company of Ghana to see their responses to emergency calls.



The first emergency call was to the National Ambulance Service centre.



The second call was made to the Electricity Company of Ghana.



The third call was to the Ghana Police Service.



The fourth and last call to the National Fire Service and Ghana Water Company Limited respectively were all not answered to.



However, only the ECG called back to find out whether the complaint made to them have been rectified.



We Get 200 Prank Calls Every Hour  Ambulance Service



The emergency Technicians at the National Ambulance Service Dispatch Centre have bemoaned the rate at which some individuals deliberately interrupt with prank calls.



Matilda Nartey, Head of Dispatch at the centre, in an interview has revealed that her outfit records as high as over 200 prank calls in an hour, a situation she described as worrying.



She, however, disclosed that measures are being put in place, in collaboration with the Police so that they could name and shame those who engage in such acts as well as prosecuting them.



Background



Late last month, President Nana Akufo-Addo inaugurated the 307 ambulances procured by the government for distribution to all constituencies in the country.



The inauguration took place at the forecourt of the Black Star Square in Accra.



The ambulances are fitted with advanced life support equipment and tracking devices.



In his address, President Akufo-Addo announced that 112 would now be the new number for all emergency services.



In addition, the Finance Ministry also gave financial clearance for the National Ambulance Service to recruit and train 1,477 emergency medical technicians.



The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has received financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to recruit 900 additional staff in 2020.



The recruitment will help augment the staff strength of the service and facilitate the operationalization of the One-constituency, One-ambulance policy of the government.The recruits will be made up of different professionals, such as drivers and paramedics, categorized under basic and advanced service providers.



Ghana National Fire Service's Response



The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) after Peace FMs broadcast responded that, their system of receiving emergency call is such that, only one person can be attended to when on the emergency line.



Speaking to Salaamat Kuukua Paintsil, Mr. Ellis Oko Robinson, the Public Relations Officer for the Fire Service explained that, when a call is made on their emergency call line, the system is such that, till the person is attended to the next person calling will have to hold on till the Service is done with him or her before the next call is put through for them to attend to.



Mr Ellis Robinson explained that it is one of a major challenges the National Fire Service is facing and pleaded with Ghanaians to bear with them as gradually it will change for the better.





Source: Salaamat Kuukua Painstil/Peace News









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.

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PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-13 14:03:02

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold Lion Resources Inc. (Gold Lion or the Company) (CSE: GL) (FWB: 2BC) has appointed Douglas Meirelles to the Companys board of directors. Mr. Meirelles is a senior level executive with more than 15 years of domestic and international experience in the mining industry. Most recently he worked as Country Manager for Equinox Gold, overseeing the Aurizona Gold Mine through to re-commissioning and commercial production. Prior to that, Mr. Meirelles served in senior and high-level management positions for Troy Resources, Serabi Gold and Newcrest Mining. Mr. Meirelles is also a board member of the Mining News and is a fellow of the Brazil-Canada Mining Chamber of Commerce.



Dorian Banks has resigned as a director of Gold Lion, effective immediately. The Company thanks Mr. Banks for his valuable contributions to the Company and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

About Gold Lion Resources Inc.

Gold Lion Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company actively involved in the exploration of its property portfolio including the Cuteye Group of Properties and the Fairview Property. The Cuteye Group of Properties includes the Mister Jay (2,373 hectares), Lady Jane (242 hectares), Lama (69 hectares) and Missus Jay (468 hectares) claim blocks covering 12 mineral showings in B.C.'s Golden Triangle, roughly 25 kilometres southwest of Glenora, B.C. The Fairview Property is a 2574-hectare mineral property located in the Kamloops Mining District of British Columbia. For more information please visit: https://goldlionresources.com/ .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Oliver Friesen

CEO

T: +1 (778) 772-1751

The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Companys control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Gold Lion Resources described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Companys filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedar.com .
India: Fishery subsidies issue to be in focus at WTO meet in Kazakhstan

February 13,2020 | Source: Outlook India

Issues related to fisheries subsidy, an important subject for India, will figure prominently in the WTO''s 12th Ministerial Conference meet in June at Kazakhstan, an official said. The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the 164-member World Trade Organisation (WTO). Trade ministers of all the member countries participate in the deliberations. The 12th Ministerial Conference will take place from June 8-11 this year at Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan.



"This time fishery subsidies will figure prominently in the meeting. Although talks on the matter are not moving at a healthy pace, developed nations want a significant reduction in fishery subsidies," the official said. The official added India wants an equitable and balanced outcome in the negotiations as the country provides support to its small and marginal fishermen who depend on the sector for sustenance. Unlike rich nations which provide billions of dollars of subsidies to their fishermen, India''s subsidy amounts to only about Rs 770 crore. The government provides subsidy on things like fuel and boat. Unlike India, fishing community of developed countries use highly mechanised boats for fishing, which are called mother boats wherein they have processing units also.



Developed countries want to intensify negotiations on fisheries subsidies so that an agreement can be clinched at the Kazakhstan meeting. "As a developing country, India provides minimal subsidies to fisherfolk. A WTO agreement should consider needs such as these," the official said. At the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference, held at Buenos Aires in Argentina in December 2017, members had agreed to continue to engage constructively in fisheries subsidies negotiations, with a view to adopting an agreement by the next ministerial conference.



Meanwhile, India is drafting a national fisheries policy to promote marine fishery, acquaculture and mariculture. The only existing policy is on marine fisheries from which the production stands at 4.3 million tonne annually, but there is no policy on inland fisheries that produce the rest 23 million tonne. The sector provides livelihood to about 16 million fishermen and fish farmers at the primary level and about twice the number along the value chain. The share of fisheries sector in the total GDP (at current prices) increased from 0.40 per cent in 1950-51 to 1.03 per cent in 2017-18.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter of appreciation to the Air India crew and health ministry officials involved in the evacuation of citizens of India and Maldives from the Chinese city of Wuhan following the outbreak of novel coronavirus, the Prime Minister's Office said on Thursday.

The letter would be handed over to the evacuation team, including Air India crew and Health Ministry officials, by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, the PMO statement said.

Air India had conducted an emergency evacuation operations from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

"Despite being aware of the aforementioned severe situation in the region, the Air India sent two B-747 aircraft with teams of Air India as well as teams from Ministry of Health for two consecutive days, on January 31 and February 1, returning the next day," the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
.                    . - ,  !          -       ? -   ,  .   ,  ,   ,        ,     ...
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. Total confirmed cases: More than 60,300

Total deaths: At least 1,369

6:38 pm: Tesla adds 'health epidemics' as a business risk

Tesla's latest annual 10-K filing revealed a new risk to its business: "health epidemics." In the filing, the electric automaker said its gigafactory in Shanghai was closed for a brief time as the coronavirus spread in China. "It is unknown whether and how global supply chains, particularly for automotive parts, may be affected if such an epidemic persists for an extended period of time," the company said. "We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition." At the end of January, CEO Elon Musk had downplayed the risk, but two more weeks of coronavirus feared seem to have changed Tesla's mind. Kolodny

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab. Source: NIAID-RML

6:15 pm: United scales back Barcelona service after coronavirus upends Mobile World Congress

United Airlines is scaling back its service to Barcelona after the Mobile World Congress, the world's largest telecommunications show, was called off because of coronavirus concerns. Organizers of the event called it "impossible" to hold because of the outbreak, which has now sickened more than 60,000 people, mostly in China. United had ramped up service ahead of the event, which last year drew around 100,000 people, as part of a trend among U.S. airlines to target high-paying travelers going to major conferences like MWC, the Consumer Electronics Show, and other events like political conventions and sporting events. United had added four round-trips between San Francisco and Barcelona and it will cancel two of them  leaving San Francisco on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 and use smaller aircraft for the others. It will also use smaller planes for Newark-Barcelona flights than it planned.  Josephs

5:55 pm: Royal Caribbean warns cruise cancellations in Asia to shave 2020 profit by 65 cents

Royal Caribbean has had to cancel 18 sailings in Southeast Asia and modify itineraries for several other cruises. The result: a big blow the bottom line. The company expects 65 cents will be shaved off its 2020 earnings per share. If the outbreak continues and it's forced to cancel all of its trips in the region through the end of April, profits would take an additional hit of 55 cents per share. The company added it's in regular conversation with the CDC, the WHO and other health authorities and has put in place measures to protect passengers and crew. Among those steps is denying the boarding of people who have travelled to and from mainland China or Hong Kong in the past 15 days. "It is important that every organization acts responsibly, and we have already taken aggressive steps to minimize risk through boarding restrictions and itinerary changes," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO. Royal Caribbean shares were down more than 1% in extended trading. Shares have fallen nearly 15% since the start of the year.  Cheddar Berk

5:40 pm: Roku CFO says company has 'only experienced minor impacts' so far

Roku CFO Steve Louden said the novel coronavirus has affected many companies that rely on manufacturing in China. So far, however, Roku has "only experienced minor impacts." Still, he warned there is the possibility that more of its business could be affected if the situation worsens. Louden's comments followed the release of its fourth-quarter results, which were better than analysts had expected. Feiner

5:26 pm: Tariff prep is sparing Yeti from major coronavirus impacts, CEO says

Yeti's preparation for the Dec. 15 tariffs that never happened has helped the company avoid major problems from the coronavirus, CEO Matt Reintjes told CNBC. Reintjes said the company's drinkware is made in China, and it increased inventories in late 2019 to avoid the tariffs. The levies were ultimately canceled, but Yeti still benefited from its decision-making. "We have the product in our possession, so we're able to support the demand we see in the market," he said on "Closing Bell."  Stankiewicz

4:10 pm: Dow drops more than 100 points as virus cases jump

Stocks wavered in the final hour of trading as investors grappled with a jump in reported coronavirus cases and the virus' possible economic impact. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit all-time highs before trading down by 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down by 100 points, or 0.4%. Still, the major averages were trading well off their session lows.  Imbert

3:53 pm: Westerdam cruise ship passengers set to disembark in Cambodia after two weeks at sea

The Westerdam cruise ship, after being turned away by multiple countries due to fears of passengers onboard being ill with coronavirus, has found a place for its passengers to reach land. According to a release from Holland America Line, the ship's operator, Cambodian authorities have granted clearance to Westerdam to begin disembarkation of guests the morning of Feb. 14, in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. There are 1,455 guests and 802 crew on board, the company said. The ship departed Hong Kong on Feb. 1 and was initially intended to disembark on Feb. 15 in Yokohama, Japan, where the Diamond Princess cruise ship is currently docked while its passengers are quarantined. Below is a map of Westerdam's path since leaving Hong Kong, based on data provided to CNBC from MarineTraffic.com, a company that tracks the positions of vessels including cruise ships.  Rattner

3:35 pm: UC San Diego health experts provide updates on coronavirus patients

Clinical director of infection prevention at UC San Diego Health Dr. Randy Taplitz said that UCSD Health is currently treating three COVID-19 patients, two of whom have tested positive for the virus. The third is a person under investigation, Taplitz said. The two patients who tested positive for the virus are under isolation, Taplitz said, adding that they are in "fair condition." UCSD Health is treating patients from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where more than 200 Americans evacuated from the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan are currently quarantined.  Feuer

3:00 pm: Emerging market debt shrugging off fears that the outbreak could hurt economies

Emerging market debt, as an asset class, has been spared a big impact from the coronavirus so far. Fear the virus will hurt the global economy has driven Treasury yields lower, and the easy money policies of the world's central banks have pushed yields lower around the globe, so the hunt for yield has become ever more challenging. Emerging market debt is a "least bad" choice, in the view of Brian Funk head of credit research at MetLife Investment Management. "It's offering value on a risk-adjusted basis at this stage in the cycle." According to Bank of America, flows into emerging market debt funds as of last week were running at a record clip, aside from a small outflow the week earlier.  Domm

2:04 pm: Top White House advisor says US disappointed with coronavirus response

The U.S. is "quite disappointed" with China's response to the coronavirus outbreak, a top White House adviser said, criticizing Beijing for a lack of transparency. Speaking to reporters at the White House, National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said the Trump administration had thought there was better transparency than there has turned out to be. He also said the administration was very disappointed that Beijing had not accepted a U.S. invitation to send a team of experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help China in its efforts to contain the outbreak. In an interview last week with CNBC, Vice President Mike Pence had praised China's transparency. Reuters with CNBC

1:34 pm: Airbnb suspends bookings in parts of China

Airbnb is suspending bookings in Beijing until May as the rapid spread of coronavirus prompts new local restrictions for the home-sharing giant. Customers who had reservations in Beijing between Feb. 7 and April 30 will be refunded, a spokesman for the travel start-up said, adding that the company was following local government guidance. Coronavirus presents a new headwind Airbnb, which is targeting this year for a long-awaited initial public offering. Bookings in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, are suspended until March 31. In the Yongchuan district in Chongqing in central China and Wuxi, near Shanghai, there is a freeze until Feb. 20. The spread of the virus has roiled travel to China and elsewhere, driving down business travel and attendance at high-profile events. Josephs

1:13 pm: Kraft Heinz says some China plants are still closed

Kraft Heinz CEO Miguel Patricio told Bloomberg that the food giant has closed some of its eight plants in China due to the outbreak. The company has already banned global employee travel to and from China. Kraft's stock was recently down 7% after it reported declining sales during its fourth quarter and said it would delay the announcement of its turnaround plan until May. -Lucas

12:44 pm: Jeremy Siegel says coronavirus uncertainty is holding back the Dow from hitting 30,000

Longtime stock bull Jeremy Siegel told CNBC's "Squawk Box" the Dow Jones Industrial Average would easily crack 30,000 if it weren't for the market uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak. "If there is good news on this virus front, we would pop above 30,000 I think without question," said the Wharton Finance professor, as stocks were falling. The Dow was still less than 2% away from 30,000. The Dow closed at a record of 29,551 on Wednesday. Belvedere

12:35 pm: Ralph Lauren expects coronavirus to be a bigger blow than it previously predicted

High-end fashion retailer Ralph Lauren said it has closed about two-thirds of its stores in mainland China, saying that it expects a larger impact to its business in China and other parts of Asia than previously anticipated. It attributed the new outlook "to significantly reduced travel and retail traffic." It said its fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 sales are expected to be hit by $55 million to $70 million, with operating income in Asia lowered by $35 million to $45 million. And it could become worse if the coronavirus outbreak widens. Earlier this month, Ralph Lauren had told analysts it had closed about half of its roughly 110 locations in China. It said China represents about 4% of its overall business. Thomas

12:07 pm: White House does not have 'high confidence' in China's coronavirus data

The United States does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China" regarding the count of coronavirus cases, a senior administration official told CNBC's Eamon Javers. The official also noted that China "continues to rebuff American offers of assistance." The New York Times reported last week that Chinese authorities had shown little interest in accepting help from the U.S.  Lovelace

11:35 am: WHO officials scramble to measure size of coronavirus epidemic: 'How big is the iceberg?'

World health officials are scrambling to determine just how widespread the new coronavirus is as Chinese authorities reported a surge in new cases overnight after changing how it counts confirmed infections. "How big is the iceberg?" Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization's emergencies program, said at a news conference at the agency's headquarters in Geneva. "We do know, and we all accept, that there is transmission occurring at some level in communities," he said. "We've all seen those clusters, we've all seen those super spreading events. The question is how much is happening outside what we see?"  Lovelace

10:25 am: CDC confirms 15th US case in evacuee under quarantine at Texas military base

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a 15th case in the U.S., a recent evacuee from Wuhan who was quarantined at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas. The U.S. evacuated roughly 800 Americans from Wuhan, more than 600 of which remain under quarantine at military facilities across the nation. Two other evacuees at a Marine Corps base near San Diego, California also have COVID-19, the CDC said Wednesday. "There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan," the CDC said.  Feuer

9:51 am: WHO officials hold press conference on outbreak

World Health Organization officials are holding a press conference at 10 a.m. ET to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more people than the 2003 SARS epidemic. As of Thursday, more than 60,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in over two dozen countries, resulting in least 1,300 deaths almost exclusively in China. The WHO declared the virus a global health emergency last month, a rare designation that helps the international agency mobilize financial and political support to contain the outbreak. The number of new cases appeared to be stabilizing until Thursday, when a change in how China defines cases led to a spike in confirmed cases in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Watch the live press conference here.  Feuer

Medical staff receive a patient infected with the novel coronavirus at the temporary hospital converted from Wuhan Sports Center in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 12, 2020. Xiao Yijiu | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images

9:36 am: China's Huanggang to seal apartments as it tightens virus control measures

China's city of Huanggang, near the epicentre of the outbreak of the coronavirus, said that starting from Friday it would tighten epidemic control measures including sealing residential complexes and only allowing essential vehicles on roads. Food and the delivery of other essential goods will be arranged by designated personnel, the city said in a statement.  Reuters

8:59 am: HSBC cuts China economic growth forecast on coronavirus impact

HSBC said it's lowered its first-quarter forecast for mainland China's economic growth to 4.1% year-on-year from 5.8% due to the fallout from coronavirus. The bank also cut its China full-year growth forecast to 5.3% from 5.8%, adding the impact was already starting to be felt in tourism, trade, supply chains and elsewhere. HSBC lowered its full-year estimate for global growth to 2.3% from 2.5%, adding it expected the brunt of the impact in the first quarter, with some improvement as the year progresses.  Reuters

7:58 am: NYC small business chief: Chinatown hit hard because of fears over coronavirus

Small businesses located in New York's Chinatown are losing customers over unsubstantiated fears of coronavirus, the city's small business chief told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "Business owners are telling us revenues are down 40% in Chinatown," said Gregg Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. "And it's unfounded." The city on Wednesday confirmed that the seven people suspected of having the virus in the city tested negative. -Bursztynsky

7:02 am: Princess Cruises says passengers can leave ship for quarantine in Japan as cases climb by 44

Japanese health officials are planning to move guests aboard a Princess Cruises ship to quarantine facilities in Japan as they confirm an additional 44 cases aboard the ship, the company said. Princess Cruises was told the "most medically vulnerable" guests will move in the first phase, including older adults with preexisting conditions. Japanese health officials will test guests before they disembark and transfer them to local hospitals if they are positive. Guests who are otherwise healthy will be transferred to a quarantine facility or can remain on board through the end of the quarantine period, the company said. The 44 new cases aboard the ship bring the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections to almost 220, making it the single biggest concentration of cases outside of China.  Kopecki

6:03 pm: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi warns of first-quarter smartphone hit

The chief executive of smartphone maker Xiaomi said the the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak could impact first-quarter sales, but CEO Lei Jun said Thursday he believes demand will bounce back in the second and third quarters. "Due to the outbreak of (the) virus, this year's first-quarter smartphone sales will face an impact, but we believe that in the second and third quarters they will strike back. Overall, the impact might not be that serious," the CEO said, according to a translation of his comments from the company provided to CNBC's Arjun Kharpal.

5:48 pm: Japan will spend 10.3 billion yen ($93.9 million) to fight the coronavirus, Abe says

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday the Cabinet will decide on Friday to spend 10.3 billion yen from the country's budget to respond to the coronavirus, Reuters reported. Steps to tackle the outbreak will total 15.3 billion yen, he added after a task force meeting.

5:26 pm: Travel slump spreads from China to Asia-Pacific region, data shows
In a 2009 family photo, Joshua Raheem holds his daughter Zhydia. Serving a life sentence after he was convicted of murder in 2015, Raheem is seeking a new trial. Read more

The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office is taking a second look at a 2015 murder conviction based on new claims that a now-fired homicide detective induced a key trial witness to provide false testimony in exchange for a $20,000 city reward, a source close to the case said.

Joshua Raheem, 27, who was sentenced to life without parole plus two 20-to-40-year consecutive terms for a 2013 shooting that killed a man and injured two people, is seeking a new trial. He denies any role in the killing and says a witness, Kenneth Perry, identified him as the gunman out of fear after a relative of the dead man shot at Perry and because the detective, Philip Nordo, repeatedly promised the witness reward money if his testimony led to Raheems conviction.

Perry, 28, a high school dropout related to Raheem through marriage, received the reward money two months after the conviction, according to confidential city records obtained by The Inquirer.

Nordo, 53, was fired in 2017 after 20 years on the police force. He has been jailed since his February 2019 arrest, accused of grooming and sexually assaulting male witnesses during criminal investigations, then intimidating them to keep them silent. His charges include multiple counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, and fraudulently steering reward money to witnesses. His attorney, Michael T. van der Veen, did not return a call seeking comment.

Raheem has always maintained his innocence  and last month Perry signed a sworn statement asserting that his testimony was a lie induced largely by Nordo.

Raheems current lawyer says neither Nordos alleged financial inducement nor the threatening gunshot were disclosed before the trial, violating the Brady rule that requires prosecutors to share information favorable to the defense in a criminal case.

Mr. Perry failed to previously disclose this information out of fear of retribution and criminal charges for accepting the money for his falsified statement, however, with Detective Nordos arrest, Mr. Perry has changed his position, Todd Mosser, Raheems lawyer, wrote last week in an amended petition seeking a new trial. Mossers filing names another gunman alleged by Perry to have committed the three shootings.

The District Attorneys Office Conviction Integrity Unit has agreed to investigate Raheems allegations, according to a source with knowledge of the case who was not authorized to speak publicly about it. Both Mosser and Jane Roh, the DAs spokesperson, declined to discuss the case. Lawyers on both sides last week asked a judge to postpone a scheduled hearing on Raheems appeal petition but did not say why.

The unit, which investigates convicted offenders claims of innocence, has exonerated 12 people imprisoned for murder since Larry Krasner took office as district attorney in 2018. Three of those cases involved Nordo: Sherman McCoy, an intellectually disabled man who spent 5 years in prison; James Frazier, whose arrest and conviction followed his rejection of the detectives alleged sexual advances; and Jamaal Simmons, convicted largely based on testimony of a witness who later claimed to have been coerced by the detective.

Raheem, a West Philadelphia father of four, was convicted in the June 6, 2013, killing of John Carrington, 21, and the wounding of Christopher Haskett, 22, and a 15-year-old boy, all of whom who were shot while on the front porch of a West Philadelphia house.

Raheem was arrested six months later; prosecutors contended he shot the victims in retaliation for having been shot in the right hand and shoulder by one of their friends six weeks before the killing.

As a result of his being shot, Raheems right ring finger had been amputated, and his arm was in a cast when the three men were shot. That made it impossible for him to hold a gun, let alone fire it multiple times at the three victims, he claims. The murder weapon was never found.

You got a cast to the tip of your finger up near your shoulder, and youre under a lot of medication. How could you shoot a gun like that? Raheems sister Sahara Nesbitt, 36, said in an interview this week. She noted that Raheem had surgery two days before the three men were shot.

Perry, who surveillance video showed had entered a nearby store when the shooting happened, was not questioned by police until six months later. He gave written and recorded statements implicating Raheem, but gave conflicting testimony at Raheems 2015 trial.

In a sworn statement last month, Perry, who is in jail awaiting trial on drug charges, recanted his testimony implicating Raheem and described Nordos promise of reward. Detective Nordo told me this reward was to be kept low-key, his statement said.

Mike Dunn, a spokesperson for Mayor Jim Kenney, declined to discuss the case but said that if a witness were to recant after a conviction for which they received a reward, the city could explore legal means to recover the funds.

Since Raheems imprisonment, his sister said, he has missed spending time with his four children, now between 6 and 11 years old, and missed the funerals of both grandmothers and his mother, Lorraine Nesbitt, who died on Christmas 2019 from brain cancer.

Still, Nesbitt said, Perry is a family member who she believes testified out of fear for his life and fear of Nordo. They should give him a fair trial, she said of Raheem.
Members of the Obeid family planned to be "silent partners" in whichever company won the right to explore for coal in an area which included their family farm, a Sydney court has heard.

Aiding them in their endeavours was the then mineral resources minister Ian Macdonald who is accused of multiple acts of misconduct in public office, including leaking confidential information about a government tender process for the benefit of his then parliamentary colleague Eddie Obeid and Obeid's son Moses.

Former Labor minister Eddie Obeid (centre) arrives at the NSW Supreme Court, accompanied by his wife Judy and his solicitor Michael Bowe. Credit:Dean Sewell

Former Labor ministers Macdonald, 70, and Obeid, 76, along with his son Moses, 50, have pleaded not guilty to the charge that they conspired between September 1, 2007 and January 31, 2009 over the granting of a coal-exploration licence which conferred substantial wealth to the Obeid family.

Justice Elizabeth Fullerton, who is presiding over the trial without a jury, has heard that even before the tender process was formally announced, the Obeids  equipped with inside information allegedly provided to them by Mr Macdonald  were busy positioning themselves to gain a windfall.
Before Senator Amy Klobuchar left the debate stage in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Friday night, her staff could feel a new energy around her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Donations poured in - $1m before midnight that night and then another $2m over the weekend.

Larger-than-usual crowds showed up to her campaign events, a record for her of 700 people at a Manchester university on Sunday afternoon, followed by a new record a few hours later of 1,100 people in a middle school gym.

Meanwhile, she surged in two polls in the state.

After months of trying to find her place in this crowded field, Ms Klobuchar seemed to have hit her stride. Her message was sharper, which she credited to hours of sitting in impeachment trial hearings and thinking about the state of the country.

Her crowds laughed at the jokes she had been telling for months to mixed responses in Iowa. She could bounce between funny and sentimental in a single sentence. As her opponents were giving darkly sombre speeches, her rallies radiated excitement.

Then, on Tuesday night, came the stunning result: a third-place finish in New Hampshire, surpassing her better-funded and better- known rivals, former vice- president Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren, and rocketing from the bottom tier of a crowded field to the centre of the race.

"Tonight is about grit. And my story, like so many of yours, is one of resilience," she told hundreds of supporters at a victory party in a hotel ballroom and many more watching her on television, perhaps for the first time.

"What we've done is steady. We've been strong, and we've never quit. I think that sounds pretty good for a president."

Her challenge now is to keep that momentum building as the Democratic nominating contest moves to states where she has spent far less time campaigning, and where she will face higher-polling candidates with more money and larger campaign operations.

Her next announced campaign stop is a telling one, a fund-raiser in New York.

Ms Klobuchar's staff is hopeful she will resonate in Nevada, noting the popularity of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a moderate Democrat elected in 2016. The campaign plans to begin airing commercials in Las Vegas and Reno. Though it didn't make its first hires in Nevada until late November, it now has 50 staff there.

Ms Klobuchar has pitched herself as the candidate who can win over independent voters and Republicans horrified by President Donald Trump's actions. Now, she must also prove she can gain the support of African American and Latino voters.

Already, she is facing more scrutiny about her time as a prosecutor in Minnesota and her brash treatment of staff.

Her rise comes as Mr Biden has suffered back-to-back embarrassing finishes and as former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg has logged strong performances - including a second-place primary finish here - despite his lack of governing experience, something Ms Klobuchar has repeatedly highlighted.

Ms Klobuchar has long pitched herself as a pragmatic centrist who has "the receipts" to show she can work with Republicans to get legislation passed. Her policies are not "pipe dreams", she says, but rather ideas that could actually be passed and implemented.

For months, Ms Klobuchar has questioned the cost of policies proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders - the primary winner - and Ms Warren, especially their calls for healthcare for all and free public college tuition.

She said she is "troubled" that Mr Sanders, a self- described democratic socialist, has a shot at the nomination.

It was a case that seemed to resonate. In the last few months, Ms Klobuchar racked up endorsements from state lawmakers and newspapers.

Though she threw herself into Iowa, visiting all 99 counties, she finished fifth in that caucus, earning only one of the state's 41 delegates. But that was largely lost in the chaos over the count.

 Washington Post

 Washington Post
At Least

By Ha Jin

You dont need to appear everywhere,

attending parties and conferences randomly.

That would show you are still

diffident about your art

and would also debase you.



People who see you in person

might think youre too common,

your achievement due to luck

like a blind cat that stumbles on a dead mouse.



Your frequent appearance

would dishearten others

because you exist far away,

at the end of their imagination 

you should be watched but not reached.



Look, this skyful of stars,

which one of them

doesnt shine or die alone?

Their light also comes

from a deep indifference.

Naomi Shihab Nye is the 2019-21 Young Peoples Poet Laureate of the Poetry Foundation in Chicago and the 2019 recipient of the National Book Critics Circles Ivan Sandrof Award for Lifetime Achievement. Ha Jin has published novels, poetry, stories and essays and has won a National Book Award, a PEN/Hemingway Award and two PEN/Faulkner Awards for his fiction. He teaches at Boston University. A Distant Center was published in 2018 by Copper Canyon Press.

Illustration by R. O. Blechman
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met his Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday and discussed "the continued need to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing behaviour among other things. He further took to Twitter and said that the US-Saudi partnership is critical. Pompeo also added that the US and Saudi share a common interest for de-escalation in Yemen.

U.S.-#Saudi partnership is critical as we confront Iran's destabilizing behavior. We also share an interest in de-escalation in Yemen. Glad to meet with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on these regional security issues. pic.twitter.com/4gDShU8mij  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 12, 2020

Read: Trump justifies Soleimanis killing again, says he was targeting four US embassies

US-Saudi's second meeting in three months

Reportedly, this was the second time in three months that Pompeo and the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister have met. A state department spokesperson in a statement said, "Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Al Saud discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern, including the continued need to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing behaviour."

Read: Trump remains silent after Iran's admission, tweets on everything but Ukrainian jet crash

The two leaders expressed their concern over the recent violence in Yemen, including Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. They agreed on the need to swiftly return to de-escalation. Pompeo also stressed on a political solution to the conflict facilitated by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths.

Read: Justin Trudeau seeks answers from Iran, asks them to take 'full responsibility'

Tensions between Iran & US

The longstanding tension between Iran and the US surfaced again as Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was slain by the US in an airstrike near Iraq's Baghdad International Airport, ordered by US President Donald Trump. Post this, Iran had threatened "harsh retaliation" and subsequently, many airstrikes were reported near the US Embassy in Baghdads Green Zone.

Furthermore, a major attack was also launched on the Al-Assad and Ebril airbases in Iraq. The bases were hit by a ballistic missiles that houses the US and coalition forces. This incident was first reported by Iranian state TV, which described it as Tehrans revenge operation over the killing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Qassem Soleimani.

Following the developments, Trump said that the US would strike 52 sites in the Islamic Republic if any Americans were harmed. After this, there has been a continuous war of words between the officials of the two countries.

(With ANI Inputs, Image Source: @SecPompeo/Twitter)

Read: US asserts 'maximum pressure', imposes more sanctions on Iran
C amden Town Brewery on Thursday outlined plans to invest in revamping its original north London home where it first made Hells lager a decade ago.

The beer firm, now owned by drinks giant AB InBev, has done most of its production in Enfield since 2017. Its first site under arches in Kentish Town, which now comprises a small bar and brewery, will undergo a 2.5 million makeover.

Plans include creating a larger bar, a 50-seat restaurant, outdoor dining space and a shop.

New brewery tours will also be offered.

Jasper Cuppaidge, founder of Camden Town Brewery, said the changes are extensive and the company is aiming to create an oasis for beer drinkers.

He added: As the home of Hells, we will continue to bring the freshest beer experience and now with the extensive changes, well have the capacity and resource to be able to not only offer but also host one of the very best beer drinking experiences.
Some selected midwives at the Korlebu Teaching Hospital have benefitted from a day's training on the use of cardiotocograph to enhance maternal health at Ghana's largest referral facility.

Organized by the Jackson Institute of Innovation and Leadership (JIIL), the training sought to sharpen the skills of beneficiaries to improve service delivery.

Cardiotocography is a technical means of recording fetal heartbeat and the uterine contractions during pregnancy, using the cardiotocograph.

It is widely used antenatally and in labour to detect fetal hypoxia since the fetal heart rate can be analyzed visually by describing the baseline, variability, and clinical changes.

With the high rate of maternal and infant mortality in Ghana, the training formed part of the corporate social responsibility of the institute in combating the needless deaths of women and infants during childbirth.

It was facilitated by Mrs. Mavis Addo-Pappoe, a United Kingdom (UK) based Midwife Consultant who took participants through the effective use of the equipment.

Mr. Daniel Jackson, the Managing Director of JIIL, said there is a wide skills gap between what professionals study in school and the practical application of knowledge on the field; hence, the need to bridge that gap.

He said, with the world fast progressing and technology rapidly increasing, it is important to expose professionals to the current trend of technology to ensure efficiency and quality delivery of service.

The training for the midwives, he said, was to equip the participants to be abreast with the use of the cardiotocograph when attending to pregnant women.

According to him, the expectation is to increase the knowledge of the midwives to be able to swiftly determine whether patients are in danger for the necessary action to be taken to save lives.

Mr. Jackson said JIIL would continue to roll out more skills-based training to empower health professionals for quality healthcare delivery.
KERI, Senegal - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is visiting a farm in Senegal's "California" today, seeing first-hand the benefits of some Canadian aid funding.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits with farmers in Keri, Senegal on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

KERI, Senegal - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is visiting a farm in Senegal's "California" today, seeing first-hand the benefits of some Canadian aid funding.

The Niayes region is feeling the effects of climate change and coastal erosion.

Trudeau is on a farm in Keri, about 50 kilometres outside the capital of Dakar, to witness how $14 million in Canadian aid over the last 10 years helped stimulate vegetable production.

The Program for Land Use and Economic Development of Niayes helped bring water pumps and solar panels.

Surrounded by sand dunes in every direction, the fields of cabbages, onions and tomatoes stand out as colourful patches of lush green against the dusty backdrop.

Trudeau says the initiative has helped bring wealth to a poverty-stricken area and helped make farms more resilient against climate change.

Trudeau was greeted by local politicians and residents, including children, who clamoured around him to shake his hand.

Earlier, Trudeau watched a demonstration by female Senegalese police officers who trained as UN peacekeepers. He also spoke at a university in Dakar and took questions from students about trade, climate and global security.

Trudeau is headed to Germany this afternoon, where he will attend the Munich Security Conference, an international event dubbed the security equivalent of the Davos World Economic Forum.

Trudeau addresses the conference Friday. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne will meet with the Iranian foreign minister to discuss the investigation of the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner last month

Fifty-seven Canadians were killed. Canada is growing weary of Iran's reluctance to allow the plane's black boxes to go to France to be analyzed. Champagne says the equipment to do so doesn't exist in Iran and is not portable.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.
A meeting in Belfast heard from hundreds of small businesses in Northern Ireland who believe they have fallen victim to a scam in which they claim they were missold plasma screens  leaving them significantly out of pocket.

The group of retailers met with representatives from the five main political parties, alongside Retail NI, in order to demand a solution.

The scandal involves now-liquidated Groomsport company Viewble Media UK, which contacted businesses around Northern Ireland offering what was described by one businessman as a cost neutral advertising deal.

As part of the deal, shop owners bought a screen from Viewble Media UK at a cost of 299 a month for three years, paying a total sum of almost 11,000.

A second associated company, which is also now liquidated, the Shoppers Network UK Ltd, then rented the screen for advertising, paying the shop owner 299 a month for three years.

The retailers would get their own advert shown on the screen and in neighbouring businesses but shop owners found that the payments from the second company stopped coming.

They had signed finance deals with a company, Grenke, which meant they would owe the 11,000, while the repayments from the advertising stopped materialising as of August last year.

A BBC News NI investigation in June last year found that a similar company, Viewble Media Pty Ltd, had been operating a similar scheme in Australia and had been accused of leaving businesses there almost $31m AUS in debt.

Andrew Bustard has owned Castlederg-based car dealership Top Gear Motors for 25 years. He got a plasma screen fitted in April 2018 and was sold on the scheme being no cost to him.

Now having refused to make repayments to the finance company Grenke, Mr Bustard is over 1,200 in arrears along with a screen of no use to him. The man says he wants answers as to how this could have happened.

When we signed this contract it was told to be no cost to our business and this turned out to be false, he said.

In my view this was a purpose built scheme to entrap businesses.

The Financial Ombudsman has to take this on board. They have to understand and look at the context of how it was set up that one part could fail like this.

We sent a letter to Grenke stating our situation. They are still requesting we are make payments, but we are not making any more payments.

Its a very big cost to a small business even like ourselves. It is also making us more wary. There has to be more protections put in place in similar situations.

Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts explained some of the retailers he has spoken to are out of pocket to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds.

This is a huge problem for a big section of our membership who are already struggling with high business costs such as rates and energy, he said.

We have been in contact with the Financial Ombudsman and would urge our MLAs to support our members in finding a solution.

Our members are clearly not getting what they signed up for and need to be released from their finance agreements for these redundant plasma screens.

I am disappointed that Grenke, the finance company, will not even meet with Retail NI to discuss possible solutions and would urge them to engage with us.

The previous BBC News NI investigation into the scandal in June 2019 discovered that Viewble Media UK Ltd was operating across the UK from Groomsport.

The Belfast Telegraph has contacted Grenke for comment.
Washington, D.C.

Americas schools are intended to be an equalizer, a way to launch students from low-income families up the economic and social ladder. But a new study finds that in most school districts, a childs academic mobility is just as tied to where he lives as his economic and social mobility.

Using 14 years of school district data across six states, a team of researchers with the National Center for the Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research, tracked the academic progress and graduation rates of 2.5 million children based on how they performed on 3rd grade reading and math tests compared to other students in their state.

A students ranking in his states 3rd grade reading and math tests was 80 percent predictive of his 10th grade performance, after controlling for errors in state test measurements, the researchers found. That meant a student struggling in the bottom quarter of 3rd graders in her state was very likely to end up performing in the lowest 25 percent of 8th gradersand to end up in the same percentile in 10th grade. If a school district provided academic mobility one standard deviation higher than the average of districts in its state, its struggling 3rd graders on average improved nearly 6 percentile points on the state rankings by grade 8 and became nearly 8 percentage points more likely to graduate high school on time.

While the vast majority of students graduated high school, students 3rd-grade achievement was still 25 percent to 35 percent predictive of whether they earned a diploma in four or five years. Urban students who struggled in 3rd grade were much less likely to graduate than those who attended rural or suburban schools.

I think weve had a terrible time with these gaps ... we havent made a lot of progress, said Corey Kodel, a study co-author at the University of Missouri.

The study, released at the annual CALDER summit Wednesday, takes a page from work by economist Raj Chetty and his colleagues, who used years of tax records to show that a childs social mobility strongly depends on where he grows up .

The CALDER study found initially low-performing students had a better chance of improving their academic ranking relative to students in the rest of the state if they attended a district that improved academic achievement for all students, though these districts tended to be wealthier and higher performing more generally.

By contrast, Dan Goldhaber, a co-author of the study at the American Institutes for Research, said he was surprised at how little chance low-performing students had of changing their academic ranking within any of the districts across all six states.

State officials believe there is this lore out there that there are some districts that are doing much better jobs than other districts at addressing the needs of say, disadvantaged students, Goldhaber said, but the study found little evidence of districts effectively targeting support to close internal achievement gaps. I find that to be kind of a depressing finding.

Massachusetts, one of the states Goldhaber and his colleagues studied, found greater academic mobility among top students in a separate study. But the academic mobility went in the wrong directionpoor and black or Hispanic students who started out high-achieving were more likely to fall back to the middle of the pack by grade 6. That was at least in part because top black and Hispanic students were significantly more likely to move to lower-performing schools as they got older, according to Carrie Conaway, a senior lecturer in education and inequality at Harvard University and a former research and strategy director at the Massachusetts education department.

It does seem to suggest that therere differences in the types of schools that students are able to enter, Conaway said. This is looking at the other end of the distribution from [the CALDER study], but I think it does relate to it in that you have different opportunities for kids at different points of the [academic] distribution.

I think that schools and districts can be successful at improving outcomes for everyone, Conaway said, but it seems to be harder to shift the relative distributions within the school or district, which makes me wonder about the effectiveness of differentiation strategies that are within schools. ... Maybe theyre just not very successful in doing this.

Image: Getty
The Married At First Sight couples will move in together on the show next week.

And after filming previous seasons at the Meriton Suites North Sydney, Daily Mail Australia can reveal that producers switched things up for this year's newlyweds.

The 2020 cast stayed at the luxury Skye Suites Sydney on Kent Street in the CBD, with each apartment coming with a $250-a-night price tag.

It's getting serious! All of the Married At First Sight couples will move in together on the show next week. Pictured: Cathy Evans and Josh Pihlak

The couples moved into Skye Suites Sydney in September and remained there until the final vows were filmed in December - unless, of course, they'd already left the experiment by then.

The complex offers a 24-hour concierge service, five-star fitness centre and swimming pool, and plenty of local amenities.

Each self-catered room comes with its own kitchen, lounge and balcony.

It also has an underground car park and entrance, ensuring privacy from paparazzi.

Accommodation: After filming previous seasons of MAFS at the Meriton Suites North Sydney, this year's newlyweds were housed at Skye Suites Sydney on Kent Street (pictured)

Luxury: The couples moved into Skye Suites Sydney in September and remained there until the final vows in December - unless, of course, they'd already left the experiment by then

Throughout filming, cast members would host parties in their rooms after producers and camera crews had finished for the day.

When they weren't required on set, the participants would often be found shopping in the city or relaxing in one of several nearby cafes.

On November 3, Elizabeth Sobinoff, who will debut as an 'intruder bride' in the coming weeks, was photographed outside the building.

She chatted on her mobile phone while clutching bags after a shopping spree.

Modern touches: Each self-catered room comes with its own kitchen, lounge and balcony

Late nights: Throughout filming, cast members would host parties in their rooms after producers and camera crews had finished for the day

How convenient! The complex offers a 24-hour concierge service, five-star fitness centre and swimming pool, and plenty of local amenities

It is unclear why producers did not return to the Meriton Suites North Sydney.

Whereas the new location is more centrally located - and presumably more convenient for producers - the Meriton offered stunning views of the Harbour Bridge.

Married At First Sight returns Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine

Coming soon! On November 3, Elizabeth Sobinoff, who will debut as an 'intruder bride' in the coming weeks, was photographed outside the building
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 07:44:08|Editor: ZD

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Medical team members board the flight to Hubei Province at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 12, 2020. A medical team comprised of some 350 medical members left for Xianning City of Hubei Province on Wednesday. It's the third medical team sent from Yunnan to aid the novel coronavirus control efforts in Hubei. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao)
Chief Minister on Thursday directed officials to take action against private hospitals which deny admission to patients covered under the state government's health insurance scheme, and cancel their licences if needed.

In case of denial by private medical establishments, she advised people to lodge complaints with the police and the matter should be reported to the chief medical officer of health (CMOH), Banerjee said here at an administrative meeting.

"Some private hospitals in the state are denying admission to patients the moment they find out that the patients are covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme. In such cases, go to the local police station immediately and lodge a complaint. I will ask the police to share the information with the district magistrate, who should report it to the CMOH," she said.

The chief minister also directed officials to cancel licences of such hospitals if needed.

"The state government is paying money to the hospitals to treat patients enrolled under the scheme. They are not doing it for free. We have spent Rs 1,200 crore for the scheme. This should not be allowed," Banerjee who also holds the health portfolio said.

A senior official of the health department said there were 3,285 cases of refusal of admission by private hospitals lodged with them.

Swasthya Sathi, which was announced in 2016, was officially launched by Banerjee in December that year. The scheme, which was rolled out from February 2017, covers all pre-existing diseases.
The travel ban preventing Chinese visitors and students from entering Australia may be extended, as China recorded its biggest one day jump in deaths from the coronavirus.

'The current ban extends to this weekend and we will be consider those issues on the best medical advice,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday, ahead of a meeting of the national security committee.

The virus, now officially known as COVID-19, has now claimed 1310 deaths at its epicentre in the Chinese province of Hubei after 242 people died on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government is seeking medical advice to decide whether the current travel ban until February 17 will be extended (pictured at Parliament house on Wednesday)

The 242 fatalities broke records for the most deaths in a single day and were more than double the figures recorded on Tuesday, News.com.au reports.

The province's health commission says 14,840 cases have been detected, taking the total to 48,206.

The China Daily reported on Thursday 1000 medical personnel had been flown to Wuhan to beef up efforts to tackle the virus' spread.

Given Australia's close economic ties with China, the virus - along with this summer's bushfires and a long-running drought - is having huge financial impact on the economy.

It may even see the government forgo its much-promised budget surplus.

The tourism industry is paying a heavy price from Australia's ban on Chinese travellers

The ramifications are particularly bad for Australia's university sector, which has 68,000 Chinese foreign students locked out because of the travel ban.

'The timing for Australia is unique as opposed to the US or Canada, because of course we are at the start of our (education) year, so the timing is probably the worst possible outcome,' Vicki Thomson, chief executive of the Group of Eight universities, told ABC radio.

Global credit rating agency Standard & Poor's expects the virus outbreak will trim half a percentage point from economic growth in 2020.

But it said a short and temporary delay in balancing the federal budget is unlikely to strain Australia's creditworthiness.

Foreign travellers who have recently left or passed through mainland China are currently banned from entering our shores (visitors pictured arriving in Brisbane before the ban was implemented)

'We believe the Australian government remains committed to medium-term fiscal discipline,' the agency said in an analysis on Australia.

'If, however, the virus cannot be contained as we expect, or if other unforeseen events emerge within the next few months, then the economic impact could escalate, with more severe credit implications, particularly in relation to Australia's fiscal position.'

National Australia Bank chief economist Alan Oster says nobody knows how long the virus will last.

'If you say it is going to finish in a month or so then you hopefully get a short, pretty significant impact,' he said.

If that proves the case, there will probably be a small hit to growth in the March quarter of this year.

Australians evacuated from China's Wuhan city, the coronavirus epicentre, have been placed into quarantine centres (some pictured boarding a bus after arriving Christmas Island on February 6)

'We are not talking about a recession,' he said, although growth will still be half a percentage point weaker over the year than earlier hoped.

'The government can fire-up fiscal policy, I don't know whether it will, and at some stage the Reserve Bank will probably have to help a little bit as well.'

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said Labor put forward a number of suggestions to lift growth before the bushfires and virus took hold - including infrastructure spending, incentives for business investment and an increase to Newstart.

'It has been very disappointing that the government, not only haven't picked up and run with any of those ideas, but also they haven't had any ideas or plans of their own,' Dr Chalmers told ABC radio.
A senior Pakistani Taliban commander was killed by a bomb in eastern Afghanistan, militant and intelligence sources said on Thursday, the latest such incident to target the group in recent days.

Sheharyar Mehsud, chief of a militant faction which is part of the umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, or Pakistani Taliban), was the target of the remote-controlled blast in Kunar province, a TTP commander in Pakistan told AFP.

A Pakistani intelligence official who confirmed the incident said Mehsud had fled to Afghanistan in 2016.

The blast comes nearly two weeks after two other key TTP leaders -- Khalid Haqqani and Qari Saifullah Peshawari -- were killed in a clash with security forces.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the killings.

They have come as the US and the Afghan Taliban -- which is separate from the TTP -- appear close to a breakthrough on a deal for an American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Islamabad has helped to facilitate the gruelling talks, which have stretched over more than a year.

Pakistan was one of only three countries to recognise the Afghan Taliban regime, and its shadowy military establishment -- particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) -- is widely believed to back the bloody insurgency in Afghanistan. Islamabad denies the accusation.

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 have dropped dramatically in recent years, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 -- the year the TTP was formed.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Huthi rebels will put on trial military personnel suspected of being behind deadly air strikes on civilians in Yemen, where the UN has deplored horrific rights violations. Wednesday's announcement by coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki is the first of its kind since the coalition, which includes the United Arab Emirates, first intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to shore up the government after the Iran-aligned Huthis seized the capital Sanaa. "The judicial authorities have begun the procedures of the trial, and the judgements will be announced once they acquire the peremptory status," Maliki, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency, told journalists in London. He said the trials would be based on the results of investigations by the Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT), which the coalition established but says operates independently. The cases being investigated include a 2018 air strike on a school bus in the northern region of Dahyan that killed at least 40 children, Saudi-based Arab News said. They also include a raid on a wedding party the same year in the Huthi-controlled Bani Qais area of Hajja province, which left 20 dead, and the 2016 deadly bombing of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), in which 19 people were killed, The coalition is committed to holding responsible "violators... of international humanitarian law -- if any -- in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country in the coalition", Maliki added. The number of suspects and their nationalities were not immediately known. The coalition is comprised of several Sunni Arab countries but its pillars are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who have since 2015 been using warplanes to strike targets in Yemen. Since then, fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, displaced millions and sparked what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. - 'No clean hands' - Both the coalition and the rebels have been accused by the United Nations and rights groups of committing violations in Yemen that could amount to war crimes. In September, UN war crimes investigators appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2017 said they had "identified, where possible, individuals who may be responsible for international crimes" and had provided the confidential list to UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet. If confirmed by an independent and competent court, many of the violations identified "may result in individuals being held responsible for war crimes," they said in a statement. "There are no clean hands" in the conflict, one of the experts, Charles Garraway, told reporters at the time. Both the Yemen government and the Saudi-led coalition refused to cooperate with the experts. But the latter said they had based their findings on more than 600 interviews with victims and witnesses, as well as documentary and open-source material. According to the experts, air strikes, indiscriminate shelling, snipers and landmines were terrorising civilians across Yemen, one of the most impoverished countries in the world. They urged the international community to refrain from providing the parties at war in Yemen weapons that could be used in the conflict. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have bought billions of dollars' worth of weapons from the United States, France and Britain.
A 'tantrik' has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman and her minor daughter after promising to cure her ailing husband in a village in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, according to police.

The woman, who is living in a village under Khutar town of the district, had met 'tantrik' Sageer Khan in Aurangabad area for the treatment of her ailing husband recently, SP (Rural) Aparna Gautam said on Thursday.

The woman has alleged that the 'tantrik' along with his friend Idris came to her house on February 9 and locked the husband and others in a room, she said.

Later, the duo raped the woman and her minor daughter, the SP added.

An FIR has been registered against the two men and the 'tantrik' has been arrested, Gautam said, adding that further investigation is on.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $35,874,452 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously-awarded contract (N00024-18-C-5432) for over-the-horizon weapon systems.

Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $35,874,452 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously-awarded contract (N00024-18-C-5432) for over-the-horizon weapon systems.

The U.S. Navy has selected the Naval Strike Missile, offered by Raytheon Company and Kongsberg Gruppen, for over-the-horizon defense of littoral combat ships and future frigates (Picture source: Raytheon)

Under this contract, Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, will manufacture and deliver over-the-horizon weapon systems that consist of encanistered missiles (EM) loaded into launching mechanisms (LM) and a single fire control suite (FCS). This contract consists of firm-fixed-price EMs (tactical, telemetered and inert operational); FCSs; LMs; mission support equipment; training equipment and courses; cost-plus-fixed-fee engineering services; and cost-only travel and other direct costs.

Work will be performed in Kongsberg, Norway (75%); Tucson, Arizona (15%); Schrobenhausen, Germany (4%); Raufoss, Norway (3%); McKinney, Texas (2%); and Louisville, Kentucky (1%), and is expected to be completed by February 2022. Fiscal 2020 weapon procurement (Navy) for $34,369,290 (95.8%); and other procurement (Navy) for $1,505,162 (4.2%), will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
A pro-Assad Syrian group on February 11 and 12 launched a publicity campaign to honor Qassem Soleimani in several Italian cities including Rome and Milan by displaying hundreds of posters of the slain Qods Force commander.

Iranian news websites have extensively reported the incident and Iran's state-run television (IRIB) has shown a report by its correspondent in Rome in its news bulletins. In the IRIB report, the poster of Qassem Soleimani is seen with the Colosseum in the background.

The publicity campaign coincided with the 40th day of Soleimani's passing. The 40th-day mourning ceremony marked by rallies and speeches are underway throughout Iran this week.

Reporting from Rome the state-run television's reporter in this video claims the group that launched the pro-Soleimani campaign is an Italian group of activists.

The Facebook page of the Fronte Europeo per la Siria in a post on February 12 said it put up the posters "from Turin to Palermo, from Bolzano to Naples" and posted a series of photos showing the posters on walls in various places. Fronte Europeo per la Siria is the Italian branch of the pro-Assad European Solidarity Front for Syria.

The slogan on the posters of a smiling Soleimani reads: "But there is another type of paradise: The Battlefield, the battlefield for one's homeland" in Italian with an inscription at the top that says "In honor of Soleimani". The poster also bears the Syrian activist group's logo.

The initiative "aims to honor the memory of a man whose commitment and dedication to the cause of the freedom and sovereignty of nations has moved and inspired millions of free men and women in the world," the pro-Assad Syrian activists' post said.

Agenzia Nationale Stampa Associata (ANSA),  the leading wire service in Italy, on February 12 reported that the posters were put up on a very long wall on Via Mechiorre Gioia, and other the main thoroughfares in Milan and posted a video. The campaign was also reported by La Repubblica Milan.

According to a website called AdHocNews which is registered in Italy and describes itself as an "in-depth web magazine", the European Front for Syrian was formed in Italy in 2013 "to coordinate the activities of European supporters of the Syrian cause and of the legitimate President Bashar Al Assad".

This is probably the first time the Iranian regime has used its proxy groups to launch a publicity stunt of this scale in a western country. Currently no reports of the Italian public's reaction to the campaign are available.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Appearing before Parliaments Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Tuesday, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille unveiled the departments plans to address the climbing Eskom debt.



The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has begun reconciling and verifying debt owed to Eskom by the countrys 257 municipalities.

Appearing before Parliaments Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Tuesday, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille unveiled the departments plans to address the climbing Eskom debt.

As of 30 June 2019, municipalities reported that the overall government debt owed by the DPWI was just over R3 billion. However, as of 4 February 2020, 63%, or R1.97 billion, of the reported R3 billion debt had been resolved.

At that stage (30 June 2019), 135 of the 257 municipalities reported their debt owed to DPWI. The remaining 122 municipalities did not report, as per the statutory requirements, said the Minister.

The department, she said, is in the process of verifying and reconciling the debt owed for all 257 municipalities.

The government debt campaign, which was started by DPWI on 1 August 2019, focused on the verification and reconciliation of the outstanding debt. The project is monitored weekly by DPWI regional offices, while progress update meetings are also held monthly with National Treasury, De Lille told Scopa.

Municipalities were informed of the government debt project through letters in October 2019, whereby their cooperation to jointly resolve the reported debt was sought.

Ongoing working sessions are being held with various municipalities, which include account by account reconciliations, verification of property ownership, securing sign-off on agreement between parties, setting timelines for delivery of invoices based on sign-off and payment/account credits, De Lille said.

Following verification and engagements with the relevant municipalities, there was a difference of more than R1.7 billion from the R1.97 billion. De Lille said this means that once all the accounts of these municipalities were verified, the actual amount owed was R186 million, as opposed to the initially reported amount of R1.97 billion.

This represents a significant difference in the actual amount owed to municipalities than what was initially reported by municipalities," said De Lille.

While 63% of the debt has been resolved, the DPWI updated Scopa on the progress with engagements with more municipalities. DPWI is conducting ongoing engagements with 52 municipalities to verify R655 million, which was reported as owed to municipalities in the 30 June 2019 Section 71 reports, the Minister said.

Getting municipalities to comply

Meanwhile, as the campaign continues, 142 municipalities still have to be engaged to verify an amount of R388 million, as reported in the Section 71 reports on 30 June 2019.

During the verification and reconciliation process, it had been found that municipalities were unable to substantiate the reported figures stated in their Section 71 reports.

De Lille said the department is resolute in its commitment to settle all verified debts within 30 days of receipt of the statements.

Despite the debt owed to the DPWI, the department continues to pay municipalities and Eskom on time. The DPWI has taken a decision to devolve the settling of municipal services to the various user departments, with effect from 1 April 2020.

This has been communicated with all user departments, Eskom and municipalities. DPWI also met with Eskom on 5 December 2019 to address issues of common interest, she said.

The Minister said no outstanding debt was highlighted during the meeting and no outstanding debt was raised in the follow up meeting held on 21 January 2020.

Eskom in fact commended the DPWI on its timeous payment and confirmed the positive working relationship between its officials and DPWI officials.

DPWI is committed to settling all verified invoices within 30 days. Outstanding invoices are monitored on a weekly basis. All unpaid invoices in DPWIs possession, as at 31 January 2020, are current, except for three offices with an arrears of R4.9 million, she said
ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean

(ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 13 - These are the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean for today: ABU DHABI - World Urban Forum.



VENICE - Meeting on climate change in the Mediterranean area with 10 international researchers.



MER DE GLACE - French president Emmanuel Macron will pay a visit to a well-known glacier that is progressively shrinking and has become a symbol of global warming in France.



(ANSAmed).




Dividend paying stocks like Pandox AB (publ) (STO:PNDX B) tend to be popular with investors, and for good reason - some research suggests a significant amount of all stock market returns come from reinvested dividends. If you are hoping to live on the income from dividends, it's important to be a lot more stringent with your investments than the average punter.

With a 2.2% yield and a four-year payment history, investors probably think Pandox looks like a reliable dividend stock. While the yield may not look too great, the relatively long payment history is interesting. Before you buy any stock for its dividend however, you should always remember Warren Buffett's two rules: 1) Don't lose money, and 2) Remember rule #1. We'll run through some checks below to help with this.

Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis

OM:PNDX B Historical Dividend Yield, February 13th 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are usually paid out of company earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. Pandox paid out 36% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. A medium payout ratio strikes a good balance between paying dividends, and keeping enough back to invest in the business. One of the risks is that management reinvests the retained capital poorly instead of paying a higher dividend.

In addition to comparing dividends against profits, we should inspect whether the company generated enough cash to pay its dividend. Pandox's cash payout ratio in the last year was 34%, which suggests dividends were well covered by cash generated by the business. It's positive to see that Pandox'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.

Story continues

Is Pandox's Balance Sheet Risky?

As Pandox has a meaningful amount of debt, we need to check its balance sheet to see if the company might have debt risks. A rough way to check this is with these two simple ratios: a) net debt divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), and b) net interest cover. Net debt to EBITDA measures total debt load relative to company earnings (lower = less debt), while net interest cover measures the ability to pay interest on the debt (higher = greater ability to pay interest costs). With net debt of 9.48 times its EBITDA, Pandox could be described as a highly leveraged company. While some companies can handle this level of leverage, we'd be concerned about the dividend sustainability if there was any risk of an earnings downturn.

Net interest cover can be calculated by dividing earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) by the company's net interest expense. Interest cover of 1.99 times its interest expense is starting to become a concern for Pandox, and be aware that lenders may place additional restrictions on the company as well. High debt and weak interest cover are not a great combo, and we would be cautious of relying on this company's dividend while these metrics persist.

Remember, you can always get a snapshot of Pandox's latest financial position, by checking our visualisation of its financial health.

Dividend Volatility

From the perspective of an income investor who wants to earn dividends for many years, there is not much point buying a stock if its dividend is regularly cut or is not reliable. Pandox has been paying a dividend for the past four years. The company has been paying a stable dividend for a few years now, but we'd like to see more evidence of consistency over a longer period. During the past four-year period, the first annual payment was kr3.80 in 2016, compared to kr4.70 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 5.5% per year over this time.

The dividend has been growing at a reasonable rate, which we like. We're conscious though that one of the best ways to detect a multi-decade consistent dividend-payer, is to watch a company pay dividends for 20 years - a distinction Pandox has not achieved yet.

Dividend Growth Potential

While dividend payments have been relatively reliable, it would also be nice if earnings per share (EPS) were growing, as this is essential to maintaining the dividend's purchasing power over the long term. It's good to see Pandox has been growing its earnings per share at 16% a year over the past five years. Earnings per share have been growing at a good rate, and the company is paying less than half its earnings as dividends. We generally think this is an attractive combination, as it permits further reinvestment in the business.

We'd also point out that Pandox issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.

Conclusion

When we look at a dividend stock, we need to form a judgement on whether the dividend will grow, if the company is able to maintain it in a wide range of economic circumstances, and if the dividend payout is sustainable. Firstly, we like that Pandox has low and conservative payout ratios. We were also glad to see it growing earnings, although its dividend history is not as long as we'd like. Overall we think Pandox scores well on our analysis. It's not quite perfect, but we'd definitely be keen to take a closer look.

Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 4 Pandox analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company.

If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of dividend stocks yielding above 3%.

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.
She plays a 1950s housewife whose string of affairs pushes her on-screen husband into a murder spree in her latest project.

And Ana De Armas looked focused as she joined co-star Ben Affleck on the set of psychological thriller Deep Water in New Orleans on Wednesday.

The No Time To Die actress, 31, slipped into a demure black and grey floral dress with a ruffled hem, paired with a fawn cardigan, as she took a quick phone call between takes.

New project: Ana De Armas looked focused as she joined co-star Ben Affleck on the set of psychological thriller Deep Water in New Orleans on Wednesday

Opting for comfort the star, who plays Melinda Van A slipped on sliders as she hung out by the trailers.

Her tresses were styled in a pretty half-updo while her pretty features were enhanced with fluttery lashes and rose lipstick.

Ben, 47, who plays Vic Van Allen, looked dapper in a blue shirt and black chinos as he chatted with Ana before filming commenced.

Deep Water is based on the 1957 novel by Patricia Highsmith.

Showtime: Ben, 47, who plays Vic Van Allen, looked dapper in a blue shirt and black chinos before filming commenced.

Ben and Ana play Vic and Melinda, a married couple who adopt a look-the-other-way attitude to adultery so they can stay together.

In the novel, Melinda's string of affairs eventually eats away at Vic to the point he begins murdering his wife's lovers.

Patricia's novels have led to multiple acclaimed film adaptations - including Strangers On A Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Her lesbian novel The Price Of Salt was adapted into the 2015 movie Carol, which starred Cate Blanchett opposite Rooney Mara.

Filming: The No Time To Die actress, 31, slipped into a demure black and grey floral dress with a ruffled hem, paired with a fawn cardigan

There have also been less celebrated movies like the 2016 movie A Kind Of Murder, an adaptation of her book The Blunderer starring Patrick Wilson and Jessica Biel.

Ana, who grew up in Cuba, acted in Spain before segueing into Hollywood and her stateside career has been going from strength to strength.

This year she led the critically acclaimed Knives Out, and so impressed her co-star Daniel Craig that he recommended her for his next James Bond film.

Ana will be starring in the 007 movie No Time To Die as Paloma, a role she revealed in the Los Angeles Times was written especially for her.

She is also starring as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, an upcoming movie adaptation of the bestselling 2000 Joyce Carol Oates novel of the same name.
Ashwini M Sripad By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: For little Vishwanath from a slum in Bengaluru, life changed in 2010. Thanks to then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa who noticed him and later took care of his education expenses. Now after 10 years, life changed again for the young Vishwanath (20) who got a government job, thanks to CM BSY again. Vishwanath, who was unemployed for sometime, recently went to see the CM at his official residence seeking a job.

The CM was not there and his staff told me to wait. Ka Pu Siddalinga Swamy, who has been associated with Yediyurappa for a long time, recognised me. Swamy used to take care of me those days as CM had instructed him to. I told him that I was looking for a job. Later, I got one, thanks to the CM, Vishwanath told The New Indian Express.

Siddalinga Swamy too said he recognised Vishwanath. As per the CMs instruction, he was given a recommendation letter and he got a contract job at KREDL, he said. If Vishwanath wants to study further, it will be taken care of. He has passed SSLC. If he graduates, he can get a better job, he added.

CM got flats for residents of youths slum

Vishwanath is now working as an office attender in the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL), Department of Energy, Government of Karnataka.KREDL Managing Director HB Budeppa said the department had one attender post vacant. As per his qualification, we have given him that post at a salary of Rs 14,800 per month, including ESI and PF.

In July 2019, when Yediyurappa became CM, TNIE had carried an article about Vishwanath  Yediyurappas visit changed the life of 180 families in this Bengaluru slum. Recently when Vishwanath went to meet CM at his official residence, he showed him the TNIE article which helped him

to connect.

In 2010, one day during the rainy season, 10-year-old Vishwanath was outside Gali Anjaneya temple on Mysuru road selling flowers. He saw CM Yediyurappa there and tried to meet him out of curiosity. When the policemen did not allow him to enter, he went to the other side and jumped over the compound wall. There were policemen there too, who started yelling at him. Thats when Yediyurappa noticed Vishwanath, who was then in class fifth at a government school.

I told him to visit our slum. Whenever it poured, water would enter our huts and we would spend sleepless nights. He promised me that he would visit soon, Vishwanath recalled.

The CM also told the boy that he would take care of his education and other expenses. As promised, Yediyurappa not only visited his slum, took care of his education expenses, but also got multi-storeyed flats built for the slum dwellers where Vishwanath used to reside.
Mastercard has joined a working group that supports blockchain education and research in universities around the world.

Blockchain accelerator MouseBelt announced Tuesday it has welcomed 11 founding members into its Blockchain Education Alliance. In addition to the card network, the new members include the innovation arms of payments startup Ripple and crypto exchange Binance, and representatives from Neo, KuCoin and ethereum scaling solution Matic Network.

They will join the 13 companies, including Stellar, TRON and Wanchain, that became part of the alliance when it was announced in October.

Related: XRP Sees Flash Crash and Quick Rebound on BitMEX

The Blockchain Education Alliance is part of MouseBelts university program, an initiative to train the next generation of blockchain developers in more than 80 student associations all around the world. Members provide funding and educational resources that help students and professors develop curriculums and stay up-to-date with industry developments.

The members all share our ethos: The best way to invest in the space is to make long-term investments in education, said Ashlie Meredith, director of MouseBelt University. The better the education, the better developers and projects we will see.

The Alliance began as an affiliation of more than 13 universities in North America but has expanded to include roughly 70 schools across the Americas, as well as in Asia and Europe.

Warren Paul Anderson, head of developer relations at Ripples Xpring incubator, said joining the alliance allowed it to prepare prospective developers with the skills and resources they need.

Related: Binance Hires Ex-Uber Product Lead as VP of Global Expansion

Mousebelts mission to promote blockchain technology at the curriculum level within universities is directly aligned with that of Xpring, he said.

Mastercard is one of the worlds largest payment providers, handling more than $14 trillion worth of payments every year. Over the past few years, the company has made several forays into blockchain technology, most notably as one of the founding members of Facebooks Libra Association.

Story continues

Together with its main competitor Visa, Mastercard left the association in October. CEO Ajay Banga said this month he had pulled the company out of Libra because of concerns surrounding the projects regulatory status and long-term viability.

Mastercard has not commented on why it joined the Blockchain Education Alliance. CoinDesk has approached the company for comment and will update if we hear back.

Related Stories
Texas City Police Department

The Texas Rangers are investigating how a man died while in the custody of the Texas City Police Department on Tuesday afternoon, police officials said.

Texas City Police jail staff were conducting cell checks Tuesday afternoon at 1:52 p.m. when they discovered Raven Adriane Vaughn unresponsive in his cell.
Soldiers from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, conduct port operations in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in preparation for their redeployment from their nine-month Atlantic Resolve rotation, Oct. 15, 2019. (U.S. Army photo)

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ZIONSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 120Water , a digital water platform designed for modern drinking water compliance, is expanding its capabilities beyond lead to include contaminants such as arsenic, Legionella (ASHRAE 188), and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. The company also announced the creation of a Center of Excellence to better meet the growing drinking water quality needs of utilities, government organizations, and facilities (such as schools, healthcare and hospitality). Click to Tweet .



Historically focused on digital solutions exclusively for drinking water programs that involve lead sampling, a $5.1 billion market, 120Waters expanded offering enables the company to compete in a market three times that size, according to Megan Glover, co-founder and CEO of 120Water.

Lead in drinking water and the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) will continue to be a problem as utilities and municipalities grapple with the monumental task of replacing lead service lines and educating consumers about their drinking water, said Glover. Yet lead isnt the only issue plaguing the water industry, and 120Water is poised to help in crucial areas of drinking water quality, infrastructure and compliance.

For example, the state of New Hampshire recently contracted with 120Water to manage the distribution of drinking water pitcher/filter s to mothers and infants who get their drinking water from private supply wells contaminated with arsenic.

As a nod to this expansion, the company will rebrand from 120WaterAudit to 120Water to better reflect its focus on developing turnkey digital solutions for managing safe drinking water programs that reduce risk and protect public health.

120Waters new Center of Excellence will include Utility Operations and Policy specialties to provide water quality professionals and government officials an experienced and focused team of experts, research and best practices that they can rely on to keep them compliant with evolving regulations.

The Utility Operations Center of Excellence will be led by Tom Bruns, who has joined 120Water as vice president of business development. In this role he will identify and help build new technology solutions in the water utility sector as it faces expanded regulatory requirements. Bruns has more than 45 years of experience in the water and wastewater field, most recently serving as the president of Aqua Indiana, a part of Aqua America (WTR), the nations second largest publicly traded water utility. Prior to his tenure with Aqua, Bruns served as vice president of business development for Indianapolis Water Company from 1989 to 2002, and deputy director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in the late 1980s.

The Policy Center of Excellence will be led by Erica Walker, director of environmental policy & programs at 120Water. Walker joined 120Water in late 2018 from the Indiana Finance Authority, where she managed a statewide drinking water lead sampling program for public schools. She also has worked for the Water Quality Research Program for the City of Bloomington, Ind. and in the Air, Pesticides, Toxins Management Division of the US Environmental Protection Agency. She holds masters degrees in Environmental Science and Public Affairs from Indiana University.

About 120Water

Water professionals across the country rely on 120Water to streamline and modernize their most complex drinking water initiatives from source, to tap, to inbox. The 120Water platform is comprised of sample & filter kits, cloud-based software, and services used to manage and execute water programs at scale while saving operational resources. 120Water solutions are used in 170,000 locations across the United States for clients including the city of Newark (NJ), Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Chicago Public Schools, Indiana Finance Authority, and Mott McDonald. More information is available at 120WaterAudit.com and on Twitter @120WaterAudit.

For information contact:

Linda Muskin, 847-432-7300

lmuskin@teamclarus.com
MIRAMAR, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americas fastest-growing airline is expanding behind the scenes to support its growing operation and set the stage for future expansion. Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) will bolster network resiliency and reduce hurricane and tropical storm risk by bringing more than 240 Team Members from its Operational Control Center (OCC) in Miramar, Fla., to a nearly 49,000-square-foot facility in Williamson County, Tenn. The transition is scheduled to be completed by early 2021, and Spirit also plans to add nearly 100 more positions at the OCC over the next five years.



The OCC controls round-the-clock flight operations for more than 650 flights each day across the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Team Members are responsible for flight dispatch, crew scheduling, maintenance control, aircraft routing, air traffic control coordination, Guest solutions and more. Spirits operations team is instrumental in the airlines commitment to invest in the Guest experience and deliver the Best Value in the Sky. Spirit secured industry acclaim as the country's most on-time Low Cost Airline by Flight Global, as well as international recognition as the Low Cost Airline of the Year at the CAPA World Aviation Summit and Air Transport World's Value Airline of the Year. Spirits OCC team efforts have helped the airline achieve among the best on-time performance for the past two years.

The Music City came out on top in a nationwide search due to its geographic location, business climate and growing aviation sector. Spirit started Nashville service in October 2019 with new nonstop flights to Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Las Vegas (LAS), New Orleans (MSY), Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA). Soon, Nashville gets even More Go with the upcoming launch of nonstop flights to Austin (AUS), Newark (EWR), Los Angeles (LAX) and Cancun (CUN).

More than 700 of Spirits Miramar-based Team Members will move into the airlines new corporate headquarters scheduled to open near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2022. The airline also plans to add an additional 225 positions at the new HQ to support Spirits expanding domestic and international operations.

The OCC move coincides with Spirits plan to double its all-Airbus fleet to about 300 aircraft over the next five years. The airline recently finalized an order for the delivery of 100 new Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft through 2027.

Quotes

We are committed to our South Florida community, and Floridas Hometown Airline will continue to create new jobs by supporting our international network and fleetwide training needs from our Broward County home. At the same time, we look forward to building on our plans for future expansion and protecting our growing 24/7 operation by starting this new chapter in Nashville.  Ted Christie, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines

Id like to welcome Spirit Airlines to Tennessee and thank their team for being one of the latest companies to call our state home. Last year, Tennessee was for the first time named the number one best fiscally managed state in the country, and we are proud to highlight this ranking as we continue to recruit companies from around the globe to do business in the Volunteer State.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee

In the past year, weve seen an influx of companies choosing to locate new operations in Tennessee, which is a tremendous vote of confidence to our states thriving business climate and superior workforce. We are honored that Spirit Airlines has chosen Tennessee as the home of its Operations Control Center and are appreciative of the companys investment and commitment to bring nearly 350 new jobs in Williamson County.  TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

About Spirit Airlines:

Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) is committed to delivering the best value in the sky. We are the leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. This allows our Guests to pay only for the options they choose  like bags, seat assignments and refreshments  something we call A La Smarte. We make it possible for our Guests to venture further and discover more than ever before. Our Fit Fleet is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the U.S. We operate more than 650 daily flights to 77 destinations in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, and are dedicated to giving back and improving the communities we serve. Come save with us at spirit.com . At Spirit Airlines, we go. We go for you.
Samsung has opened up its Galaxy S20 series trade-in program for reservers and there looks to be a few issues with it. For one, owners of the Galaxy S10e get the short end of the stick.

Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S20 series two days ago. While the phones aren't yet available for purchase, early birds can reserve the phones, and wait a while for pre-orders to start. The company is heavily pushing its trade-in program on the reserve page, too, but that's a slight issue with that: Galaxy S10e owners get the short end of the stick.

Samsung is offering just US$300 for the S10e in its Galaxy S20 trade-in program, and that's, well, a d*ck move. The S10e was launched alongside the S10 and S10+ last year. It also cost US$750, just US$150 less than the S10 which is eligible for US$600 in trade-in.

For some perspective, US$300 is the same amount Samsung is offering for the Pixel 3. The Pixel 3 was released five months before the S10e, with inferior hardware. It also cost US$799, just US$50 more than the S10e.

Another phone with a US$300 trade-in value is the iPhone X, Apple's flagship from 2017, and a rival to the Galaxy Note 8. The Galaxy Note 8 isn't eligible for trade-in. The Note 9 is, but only for US$300, just like the S10e. The iPhone XS Max was the Note 9's competitor, and it has a trade-in value of US$600.

There are a couple other issues with the trade-in program. For one, owners of the iPhone Xr or even the newer iPhone 11 aren't eligible.
Jack Raymond, a Portlander living in China, had read on the news that a strange virus was spreading in Asia, but he didnt make that much of it.

That changed when, upon returning to Beijing from Hong Kong, he saw that everybody in the airport terminal and the subway he took to get home was wearing a face mask.

Oh, God, he said he thought at the time. I need to put on a mask  now.

None of the stores he went to had masks. He ended up buying a respirator for about $50, but it didnt fit. A few days later, an American friend who knows a guy got Raymond some masks.

On Thursday, after hunkering down in a sixth-floor apartment in Beijing, Raymond was leaving the city he has called home for four years, abandoning close friends, his girlfriend, three hamsters and two teaching jobs.

The Milwaukie High School and Art Institute of Portland graduate is also leaving behind Goose, a kitten that stuck by him as Raymond endured three weeks of self-imposed confinement in his apartment, where he tried to keep cool as the news about the spreading coronavirus outbreak got increasingly dire.

The new virus has so far infected more than 40,000 people, the vast majority of them in China, and has killed more than 1,000. The U.S. Department of State said on Feb. 2 that people shouldnt travel to China and that the U.S. citizens already there should either leave or hunker down and limit contact with others.

Raymond has been taking the advice to heart. He said he has been outside just a handful of times since he returned from Hong Kong. He let some garbage pile up in the apartment, he said, because he preferred being inside with trash than risking encountering people outside. And apart from going to the grocery store a few times, he has gone outside only to take Goose to the veterinarian to get his shots.

Every time he has gone outside, the streets have been empty, which he said is very unusual, and people making deliveries now leave them on the street, he said.

Making things worse for Raymond is his complete distrust of the Chinese government.

One post Raymond saw on social media made it seem like it was possible there were 24,000 people dead from the virus, not the 600 known at the time. He has been re-posting videos on Facebook with people allegedly trying to spread the infection deliberately and other videos of Chinese authorities barricading people inside their apartments.

You dont know what to trust, he said. You dont know what to think about reality.

As for Goose, Raymond rescued the stray orange cat, which had been hanging around the drama school Raymond taught at and defecating on the stage. Raymond was determined to catch the poop perp.

He eventually caught the cat and took him to a veterinarian to get shots, in anticipation of finding someone to adopt him. But, as these stories usually go, the cat grew on Raymond.

Now, little Goose is staying with Raymonds friend, and he hopes to get him to the United States in the next few months, Raymond said.

He has been my company, Raymond said, keeping me from going insane.

The cat is staying in China, he said, because he wasnt able to make the arrangements in his rush to leave the country. Raymond will be landing in Washington, D.C., and then heading to his mothers home in North Carolina. In at most a few months, he will go back to Portland, where he will try to find a job in software development and animation, he said.

I feel like this is ushering a new chapter in life, he said.

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Convicted terrorists Sudesh Amman and Usman Khan bout launched attacks after they were released from prison (PA)

More than 160 prisoners convicted of terror offences have been released early over the last seven years, according to a former security minister.

Conservative John Hayes said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the "significant" numbers contained within research compiled by the House of Commons Library.

He added this figure did not include those offenders who had served fewer than 12 months behind bars.

Mr Hayes disclosed the data as he supported the Government's Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill.

John Hayes disclosed the data as he supported the Government's Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill (Parliament.uk)

The legislation aims to prevent automatic release from prison of terrorist offenders halfway through their sentences, following the terror attacks at London Bridge and in Streatham, south London, by convicted terrorists Usman Khan and Sudesh Amman.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hayes said: "I consulted the House of Commons Library, as good members of this House do, and was surprised and disappointed to find that since 2013 something like 163 convicted terrorists have been released early.

Read more: Manchester Arena terrorist's family 'claimed benefit cash which for bomb plot'

"I excluded from my considerations anyone who'd been serving a sentence of less than a year.

"Those are just people serving a sentence somewhere between 12 months and more than four years.

"So leaving aside the short sentences, the more serious terrorist prisoners have been released in significant numbers.

"Just imagine the effect on our security services and police of having to deal with the possible consequences of those releases.

Mr Hayes said he expected some of the people released would have been rehabilitated and de-radicalised.

He added: "But we know that's not always the case.

Read more: Terror plotter convicted of planning attacks on Madame Tussauds and Pride march

Emergency legislation to prevent the automatic release from prison of terrorist offenders halfway through their sentences moved closer to becoming law on Wednesday.

MPs allowed the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill to clear all its Commons stages on Wednesday and it will now progress to the Lords for further scrutiny.

Story continues

Police secure the area in Streatham after Amman stabbed two people (AP)

Tributes to Cambridge University graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, on London Bridge, who were both stabbed to death by Khan in November (AP)

Ministers want to get legislation on the statute book by 27 February, before the next terrorist prisoner comes up for release.

It follows the Streatham terror attack earlier this month, when Sudesh Amman stabbed two bystanders with a knife he had grabbed from a shop.

The 20-year-old was jailed in December 2018 for possessing and distributing terrorist documents but had been freed midway through his sentence less than a fortnight earlier.

Read more: Next terrorist due to be released as Government rushes to pass emergency law

It was the second attack in three months to be carried out by a convicted terrorist, after Usman Khan stabbed and killed two people at Fishmongers' Hall near London Bridge in November.

He had been released nearly a year earlier, halfway through a 16-year jail sentence.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Feb. 13

By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:

Gurbanmyrat Annaev has been appointed as Turkmen minister of national security, Trend reports referring to a presidential decree.

His predecessor, Yaylym Berdiev, has been relieved of his post due to transfer to another job.

Since 1995, Turkmenistan has followed the status of positive neutrality, defense sufficiency and hasnt been a party to any of the military-political blocs.

Turkmenistan borders on land with Kazakhstan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and on the Caspian Sea with Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran.

Ashgabat is actively involved in the discussion of regional security issues.

Thus, in February this year, Russian-Turkmen consultations were held in the Turkmen capital at the level of deputy foreign ministers in charge of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. In particular, the topic of transnational crime in the Caspian Sea was raised. In general, the parties exchanged assessments of the state of global and regional terrorist threats emanating from the territory of Afghanistan, the Middle East and North Africa.

Prior to that, in January, a meeting with the delegation of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) was held at the Turkmen State Customs Service. The meeting participants discussed the CENTCOM program for the exchange of experience in combating various types of mass weapons - chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear ones.
Cemex Colombia extends O&M contract with Wartsila

ICR Newsroom By 13 February 2020

Cemex Colombia has awarded Wartsila the four-year extension to the operation and maintenance (O&M), marking a 25-year continuous partnership by 2023.



The 26MW Caracolito Cemex power plant operates on five Wartsila 18-cylinder 34SG engines in V-configuration running on natural gas. It provides a reliable electricity supply to power the cement facilitys day-to-day production requirements. In addition to reliability, Wartsilas continued O&M services ensure, among other things, optimised and guaranteed performance, and financial predictability of the O&M costs, while enabling Cemex to focus on its core business of cement production.

Over the years Wartsila has provided us with reliable and efficient support, and we are pleased to extend this partnership for a further period of time. The company fully meets our expectations and requirements in the running and maintaining of the power plant, allowing us to run our production in accordance with the established key performance indicators, commented Mr Jairo Guerrero, energy director, Cemex Colombia and Caribbean.

25 years of continuous operation and maintenance of this plant indicates that we must be doing something right. From a wider perspective, it confirms Wartsilas position as a world-class O&M services provider, as well as a trustworthy and valued business partner for the entire lifecycle of the power plant, said Sampo Suvisaari, energy business director, Latin America North.







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The latest development comes from Lenovo Legions Weibo account. We expect an aggressive design language, high refresh-rate panel up to 144Hz and more. We expect more details about the Legion gaming phone to emerge soon as we close-in on the launch.

Lenovos Legion brand recently set up its Weibo account and now the company has teased the arrival of its gaming-centric phone. It reveals that the upcoming gaming phone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset. Notably, if the phone launches anytime soon, Lenovo would be among the earliest brands to launch a phone with Snapdragon 865 SoC. However, the teaser doesnt reveal anything aside from the chipset.

The latest development comes from Lenovo Legions Weibo account. While the teaser reveals information about the chipset Legion gaming phone will run on, there is no other information available on Legions Weibo timeline. The company is looking forward to following Asus strategy. For reference, Asus launched a gaming phone under its Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand. Lenovo will be doing the same with its Legion brand.

While Lenovo hasnt launched many phones in India, the brand has been fairly active in China with the launch of high-end smartphones under the Lenovo Z-series. While the Z-series comes with flagship specifications, they are not targeted at mobile gaming enthusiasts, which is expected to change with the launch of the Legion gaming phone.

Not much is known about the Legion gaming phone at this moment. However, if we were to speculate, we expect an aggressive design language, high refresh-rate panel up to 144Hz, an ample amount of RAM - most likely LPDDR5. It may come with the latest UFS storage standard.

We expect more details about the device to emerge soon as we close-in on the launch.
Three men are in hospital in critical condition after one of them detonated a hand grenade inside a car during a drunken argument in Ukraine.

The moment of the explosion was caught on a CCTV camera in the village of Lelyaky in the central Vinnytsia region.

The clip shows a man getting out of a car seconds before it is destroyed by an explosion.

Three men are in hospital in critical condition after one of them detonated a hand grenade inside a car during a drunken argument in Ukraine. Pictured is the blood-stained car

The moment of the explosion was caught on a CCTV camera in the village of Lelyaky in the central Vinnytsia region

Three other men who were inside the car suffered horrific injuries due to the blast.

According to reports, four friends, who have not been named, were travelling to the town of Zhmerynka located in the same region when they got lost.

At one point, the drunk pals turned the wrong way, got lost and started arguing over the situation.

The clip shows a man getting out of a car seconds before it is destroyed by an explosion

Meanwhile, all hell broke loose as one of three men, who stayed in the car, grabbed a hand grenade from his pocket and pulled the pin from it

Soon one of them  a 52-year-old man  got out of the car to find somebody and ask for the right direction.

Meanwhile, all hell broke loose as one of three men, who stayed in the car, grabbed a hand grenade from his pocket and pulled the pin from it.

In several seconds the weapon exploded causing horrific wounds to the driver and two passengers.

The shocked fourth traveller, who was just a few feet from the car when it exploded, called emergency services.

Investigators say the explosion was caused by RGD-5, a fragmentation grenade designed in Soviet times

Bleeding from horrific wounds, the victims were rushed to intensive care where doctors managed to stable their conditions.

Irina Klokotska, the head of the intensive care unit of Zhmerynka Hospital said to local media: 'All the victims underwent urgent surgeries. One of them had metal fragments removed from his stomach and intestines.

'Other patient underwent a craniotomy and doctors pulled the grenade fragments out of his brain.

'The third man has multiple ribs fractures. One of his hands was torn off by the explosion.'

All victims were diagnosed with deep shrapnel wounds to their limbs and faces, according to local media.

All victims were diagnosed with deep shrapnel wounds to their limbs and faces, according to local media

Yevdokia Dyachuk, the mother of one of the victims told: 'My son said he did not even notice who of the two other men detonated the grenade. He remembers the explosion and a lot of blood all over the car.'

Police launched a criminal case for illegal handling of firearms and attempted murder.

Investigators say the explosion was caused by RGD-5, a fragmentation grenade designed in Soviet times.

Oleksandr Soldatov, the acting chief of Vinnytsia Regional Police Department commented: 'For the time being, it is known that there were three men inside the car. All of them were drunk and argued with each other'

The man, who escaped being blown up, told detectives that one of his friends was carrying the grenade with him 'for self-defence'.

The victims haven't been interrogated yet due to their severe condition, authorities said.

Oleksandr Soldatov, the acting chief of Vinnytsia Regional Police Department commented: 'For the time being, it is known that there were three men inside the car. All of them were drunk and argued with each other. During the row, one of them exploded the grenade.'

The suspect faces up to eight years in prison if found guilty.

The investigation continues.
A House-approved proposal to eliminate the state's 13 remaining township property assessors, including the seven working in Northwest Indiana, has been halted in the Senate.

State Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, announced Thursday that House Bill 1027 will not advance out of his committee prior to the Feb. 27 deadline  in effect, killing the measure for the year.

Buck's decision followed approximately 45 minutes of committee testimony and discussion about the legislation that's sponsored by state Reps. Karen Engleman, R-Georgetown, Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, and Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, among others.

The chairman said normally he wouldn't even have held a hearing on the proposal since the outcome of a committee vote only would embarrass the sponsors.

But Buck said he wanted senators to hear directly from the affected assessors about the essential work they do on behalf of homeowners and businesses in their townships.

"The government closest to the people serves the people best," Buck said.
Former chief of staff John Kelly provided some *light touch* criticism of President Donald Trump during a forum at Drew University, which would not be out of the ordinary under normal circumstances but sadly feels like a tornado of fresh air amid Trumps propaganda-thon. During the 75-minute event Wednesday, Kelly critiqued Trumps overtures to Kim Jong-un, saying, I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively. Kelly said he disagreed with Trumps rhetoric on immigrants and described Trumps intervention in the case of the disgraced Navy SEAL accused of murder and war crimes as exactly the wrong thing to do.

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Pretty mild stuff when you consider the severity of Trumps actions in office. In fact, you had to parse Kellys remarks in order to arrive at Kellys most damning assessment of his former boss. It was found in Kellys defense of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council aide and Ukraine specialist who was present on the July 25 call where Trump tried to extort the president of the Ukraine. After the call, where Trump told Ukraine that he wanted an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden in return for releasing hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. military aid to Kiev, Vindman went to the White House counsel to report his concerns about the content of the call. Vindman was later called as a witness during Trumps impeachment trial, for which he was mocked and threatened by the president, before ultimately being fired by Trump last week.

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Kelly, a four-star general who had left the administration months before the Ukraine back-and-forth, supported Vindmans course of action. Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against  the Russians, Kelly said. And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And thats what that guy [Vindman] was most interested in. Kelly went on to assert that Trumps actions on the call were tantamount to an illegal order, one which Vindman was duty-bound to disobey. We teach them, Dont follow an illegal order. And if youre ever given one, youll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss,  Kelly said. He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave.  He went and told his boss what he just heard.

An illegal order, huh? As in something that is against the law? Something that would be grounds for impeachment?
Proper structures must be instituted to ...
Joyce Mollure, Jeff Popovich, Conchetta Lehman, Allison Addotta

On Location, a nationwide provider of labor and management services for exhibits, events and environments, is proud to promote two members of its account executive team and two account managers in recognition of exemplary performance and relentless commitment to providing the highest level of client Return On Experience (ROE). As a result of their efforts and continued overall business growth, the company introduced two newly created senior positions. Joyce Mollure and Jeff Popovich have been promoted to that of Senior Account Executive, while Allison Addotta and Conchetta Lehman will now hold the title of Senior Account Manager. The quartet have a combined 80 years experience in the Exhibits, Events and Environments industry and each have been with On Location for more than eight (8) years. Viewed as leaders within the company and industry as a whole, they are dedicated to clients and act as mentors to those newer within the business or position.

This continues to be an exciting time for On Location. Over the past two years, we made great strides in expanding operations and enhancing the client value we offer on site, says Michael Mulry, General Manager We are fortunate to continue growing and recognize the importance of our Account Managers and Account Executives in maintaining the high level of service our clients have come to expect. It is rewarding to promote all four of these long-time employees who have each shown an unwavering commitment to our Return On Experience promise.

Joyce Mollure joined On Location in 2003 and has worked in the industry for more than three decades. When asked to describe an average day, she notes there is nothing of the sort, and it is the never dull moment aspect of her role she enjoys most. Hard working, honest and dependable, Mollure is a great fit for the new role. Likewise, Jeff Popovich is a long-time industry veteran with more than 20 years experience. The Ohio native is inspired each day by finding solutions to the challenges faced and recognizing that the best piece of advice he was ever given was to never get comfortable. He is always looking at what lies ahead and thrives on always meeting new people. In their new roles as Senior Account Executives, Mollure and Popovich will continue to manage current client needs and develop new business through delivering high level customer service and fostering customer loyalty.

Since joining On Location in 2012, Allison Addotta has demonstrated leadership within in the office, built strong relationships with clients and forged strong ties with the field. Her hard working nature is just one attribute behind her evolution to this senior level and will continue to be a big part of her success in the new role. Like Addotta, Conchetta Lehman is a tenacious worker, who is also a people person and someone who has fostered close relations with the nationwide On Location team over the past 11 years. She enjoys the challenge of gathering information and working with others to provide the best service. As Senior Account Managers, both Addotta and Lehman will further strive to meeting clients needs and continue to be liaisons between customers and the field. In this role, they will work in concert with client-assigned Account Executive to manage key accounts, plan upcoming projects and empower newer managers with the tools and guidance to bolster the On Location ROE.

Mulry goes on to say, At On Location, we are strong proponents of employee recognition, putting great focus on employee enhancement, training and continuing education. Our philosophy has always been that people make the difference. These promotions recognize four dedicated people who have truly made a difference not just for On Location but more importantly for our clients.

About On Location:

Founded in 1991, On Location has provided nationwide labor and management services for exhibits, events and environments that deliver a positive Return on Experience (ROE) for its customers - on time and on budget  throughout the country and around the world. As a leading exhibitor appointed contractor (EAC), the company recruits and trains highly experienced employees to become an extension of clients teams, developing a plan for their unique needs. The result is a true client centric approach and business model to provide nationwide continuity of hands-on service before, during and after each project. For more information, visit http://www.onlocationind.com.
Black Tap, the New York cult burger joint, is rolling out the red velvet carpet in Bahrain this Valentines Day with the ultimate CrazyShake upgrade for would-be Cupids.



Black Taps limited-edition Red Velvet Cake Shake is served in a vanilla frosted rim glass with red and white sprinkles, topped with a fat slice of red velvet cake, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. Diners are in for a treat as this specially curated item will certainly set the tone for the evening ahead.



With only limited numbers of the Red Velvet Cake Shake available on February 14, the BD5.90 ($15.5) milkshake will be served at Black Taps Bahrain location in Seef District. - TradeArabia News Service


Srinagar, Feb 13 : A prominent cleric and former militant commander was found murdered in a mosque in Srinagar.

He has been identified as 80-year-old Abdul Ghani Dar alias Abdullah Ghazali who was a prominent Ahle Hadees cleric and was also one of the founding members of militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen.

Police said he was hit with a blunt object on the head inside the mosque and died instantly. J&K Police is scanning footage of CCTVs installed in and outside the mosque.

"A case has been registered and investigations have started," SSP, Srinagar, Haseeb Mughal said, adding "We are collecting all the evidences." Dar was a co-accused in the assassination of Maulana Showkat, head of Jamiat Ahle Hadees, who was killed in a blast in 2011. He had got bail in the case in 2015.
The world is seriously divided, Director of Kalamazoo Valleys Law Enforcement Training Center Victor Ledbetter said. This training creates a safe space where people of color, community members and cadets can have open dialogue together.

In an effort to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement and communities of color, Kalamazoo Valley Community Colleges Police Officer Training Academy is offering a unique training program, Expanding our Horizons: A Cultural Awareness Experience to cadets in the 89th academy. The training takes place at the colleges Law Enforcement Training Center, 7107 Elm Valley Drive in Kalamazoo, on Friday, Feb. 14 from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kalamazoo Valley is the only police academy in the state to offer this type of training.

The world is seriously divided, Director of Kalamazoo Valleys Law Enforcement Training Center Victor Ledbetter said. This training creates a safe space where people of color, community members and cadets can have open dialogue together.

During the day-long exercise, the 17 cadets who make up the 16-week academy are divided up into six Racial Healing Circles with members of the local community. The cadets include one white female, one Native American female, one African American male, one Asian male and 13 white men. The 80 diverse community members - including professionals and those who had their own run-ins with law enforcement - range in age from 19 to 77.

The circles focus on listening and being open to others perspectives and experiences based on talking points initiated by practitioners from Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (THRT) Kalamazoo, a comprehensive, national and community-based process that focuses on advancing racial equity and racial healing in the United States.

Following the healing circles, everyone participates in a history lesson that focuses on how communities were shaped throughout the nation - in facilitation partnership with Bronson Community Health, Equity and Inclusion staff - that examine events, laws and policies, from an equity perspective.

Ledbetter added the training program, developed by retired Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Captain Stacey Randolph, to the academy when he took over the program in 2018.

The experience has been so powerful, Ledbetter said Peoples eyes have really been opened to the need to treat people with dignity, respect and empathy.

The training is now a permanent part of the academy curriculum.

As a black man with more than 25 years of experience working in law enforcement, I am in a unique position because I see issues from both sides  as a black man and as an officer, he said. I want to ensure that Kalamazoo Valley cadets have a well-rounded understanding of humanity when they are working in the field. When done properly, there is a nobility and honor in protecting and serving as a police officer.


Washington: As the fallout from the controversy surrounding Roger Stone's prison term continued, President Donald Trump defended his long-time confidant by firing off a barrage of heated tweets attacking the federal judge and prosecutors involved in the case.

Over about two hours, Trump cranked out six blasts about the handling of Stone's sentencing, including one that targeted US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who is presiding over the case, by name.

He implied that Jackson harboured some broad bias, linking the Stone case to her role in the sentencing of his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and her dismissal of a Benghazi-related lawsuit against Hillary Clinton.

"Is this the Judge that put Paul Manafort in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, something that not even mobster Al Capone had to endure?" Trump wrote, sharing another tweet that named Jackson. "How did she treat Crooked Hillary Clinton? Just asking!"
Blockades set up by anti-pipeline protesters have forced Canadian National Railway Co. to shut down its entire network in Eastern Canada and Via Rail to cancel passenger service across the country.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The closed train tracks are seen in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in support of Wet'suwet'en's blockade of a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Blockades set up by anti-pipeline protesters have forced Canadian National Railway Co. to shut down its entire network in Eastern Canada and Via Rail to cancel passenger service across the country.

CN said Thursday that the company must initiate a "disciplined and progressive" shutdown in the East and stop and safely secure all transcontinental trains across its Canadian network.

Via Rail said it has no other option but to cancel all service on CN track in Canada. There were no more departures as of 4 p.m. eastern and all trains en route were brought to the closest major train station.

"We understand the impact this unfortunate situation has on our passengers and regret the significant inconvenience this is causing to their travel plans," Via said in a news release.

Protesters across Canada say they're acting in solidarity with those opposed to the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which would cross the traditional territories of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northern B.C.

CN said its shutdown may lead to temporary layoffs for eastern Canadian staff.

It has sought and obtained court orders and requested the assistance of enforcement agencies for blockades in three provinces, but while blockades have been dismantled in Manitoba and may be ending imminently in B.C., a court order in Ontario has yet to be enforced.

More than 400 trains have been cancelled over the last week, said JJ Ruest, CN's president and chief executive officer, in a news release.

"This situation is regrettable for its impact on the economy and on our railroaders as these protests are unrelated to CN's activities, and beyond our control. Our shutdown will be progressive and methodical to ensure that we are well set up for recovery, which will come when the illegal blockades end completely."

He said while Via service will be discontinued across CN's network, commuter rail services such as Metrolinx and Exo can keep operating as long as they do so safely.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters after landing in Munich, Germany, that his government is monitoring the situation very closely and he had a long and productive conversation with B.C. Premier John Horgan on the plane.

"We're concerned with the rule of law and we need to make sure that those laws are followed," Trudeau said.

The B.C. and federal governments have agreed to meet with Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs to discuss a blockade near New Hazelton, B.C.

Gitxsan hereditary chief Norm Stephens said the blockade will be dismantled during the talks but if the province doesn't agree to cancel Coastal GasLink's permit then it may go back up.

Transport Minister Marc Garneau said he is deeply concerned by the impact of the decision CN was forced to make and its effect on Via Rail.

"A safe and efficient passenger and freight rail service is critical to the well-being of our country," Garneau said on Twitter.

Garneau said he would be meeting with his provincial counterparts and Indigenous groups on Friday to discuss a way forward.

He said all parties must engage in open and respectful dialogue to ensure this situation is resolved peacefully.

"We are encouraged by the progress on the blockade in New Hazelton. This is a positive development and we are actively working for a similar resolution on all remaining blockades."

Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route but the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs say councils only have authority over reserve lands, not traditional territories that have never been ceded through a treaty.

"They got that permit by consulting with the band council," said Stephens. "They have no authority on the hereditary chiefs' land."

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is also setting up a meeting with Indigenous leaders in an effort to halt a blockade near Belleville, Ont., which he called a "highly volatile situation."

Tyendinaga Mohawk Chief Donald Maracle said he expects the meeting will proceed but he can't comment on Miller's request to end the blockade because it wasn't initiated by his council.

Railway shippers called on the prime minister to "act decisively" to prevent a complete shutdown of Canada's rail system.

Delays caused by the blockades will have immediate consequences for farmers across the country, said Grain Growers of Canada chairman Jeff Nielsen.

"We are an industry that relies on export markets in order to survive and thrive. Without access to these markets via rail, we risk compounding further losses on top of what has already been a harvest from hell," he said in a news release.

Canada's forest products sector is responsible for 10 per cent of total tonnage moved along the country's railway lines.

"Some companies are now in a position that they can't guarantee delivery dates to customers  a massive business risk and a dark cloud over Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner," said Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of Forest Products Association of Canada.

Teamsters Canada, the country's largest union in the transportation sector, also called on the federal government to intervene.

"Hundreds of our members have been out of work close to week. Now up to 6,000 of our members risk not being able to support their families or make ends meet this month, and they are powerless to do anything about it," said National President Francois Laporte.

Passengers dealing with cancelled Via Rail trains at Toronto's Union Station were disappointed but calm on Thursday evening. Ethan Sun and Angi Xhang, a Toronto-based couple, were headed to Montreal for a Valentine's Day getaway. That route has been down for days, unbeknownst to them.

"We're obviously very frustrated and disappointed, because we have our entire trip planned and we're very excited for it, and it's a long weekend," said Xhang.

Jane Gooder was trying to get home to London, Ont., after working in Toronto through the week.

She said she's found someone to come pick her up, but she was "gobsmacked" when she first heard all trains were cancelled.

"I just thought, 'Where do I start? Do I stay over?' And then they said, 'Even if you stay over the next day there's no guarantee, this could go on to next week,' " she said.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

In Manitoba, protesters dismantled a blockade on an east-west CN Rail line near Winnipeg due to a court injunction but insisted that there would be more action to come.

Protesters in B.C. planned mass demonstrations at numerous government buildings on Friday, days after hundreds blocked the entrances to the legislature and chanted "Shame."

However, a B.C. Supreme Court judge granted the province an injunction on Thursday afternoon authorizing police to arrest and remove anyone blocking entrances at the legislature.

TransLink, Metro Vancouver's transit authority, also said all West Coast Express commuter trains heading eastbound from downtown Vancouver to Mission were cancelled due to protesters blocking Canadian Pacific tracks.

 With files from Chris Purdy in Edmonton, Mia Rabson in Munich, Germany, Nicole Thompson and Ross Marowits in Toronto, David Reevely in Ottawa, Camille Bains in Vancouver and Dirk Meissner in Victoria.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.
SPRINGFIELD  Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday touted statewide benefits he said will result from a $500 million state investment in 15 hubs of a University of Illinois-led public-private research institute network.

Eastern Illinois University in Charleston is one of the hubs.

Pritzker, a Democrat, announced at a Chicago news conference on the site of one of the future developments that the state would release the funding, which was originally approved under former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and reauthorized in last years state operating budget.

The money is for the planning and construction of the Discovery Partners Institute  a public-private research and development and workforce development hub led by the UI  and 14 other hubs of a statewide program.

Todays announcement is so exciting. It will fast-track construction planning and we hope to break ground for DPI in a few months, said UI President Timothy Killeen.

The DPI campus will receive $230 million of the $500 million state investment and will be located in Chicagos South Loop in a development area known as The 78, so named because the real estate developer, Related Midwest, has plans to make it the citys 78th neighborhood.

Pritzker said through another UI-led program  the Illinois Innovation Network, or IIN  the investments economic impact will be felt statewide. The IIN is a network of DPI and another 14 regional hubs which will receive portions of the other $270 million in state funding.

Those hubs include partnerships with all of the states public universities, which will each create specific programs and facilities that fall in line with the IINs and DPIs innovation, workforce development and economic growth goals. The stated goal of the program is to train the states workforce for in-demand technology jobs.

Pritzker said making Illinois a hub for technological innovation will make it a more desirable place for students specializing in technological fields to start their careers after college graduation.

Through the Illinois Innovation Network, DPIs success will radiate across the state to 15 hubs from Chicago to Rockford to Peoria to Edwardsville, Pritzker said. We are investing in workforce development and innovation and (Research) and (Development) all across our state.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot echoed the governor and said the project could be a game changer for the city, which will also be making improvements to the area surrounding the new facility. She said it will help the city and state retain students upon graduation.

The problem is after we train and educate our studentsthey leave, she said.

She said only about half of UI engineering graduates remain in the state, while only 38 percent of computer science and computer engineering graduates from the UIs Urbana-Champaign campus stay in the state after graduating.

Today is about turning all of that around, she said.

Killeen quoted an economic impact study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group which said the project will create 48,000 jobs in the next 10 years, creating an economic impact of $19 billion.

According to DPIs website, programs at the facility will initially focus on our economys existing strengths: data analytics and computing, and their applications in food and agriculture; health and wellness; finance and insurance; and transportation/logistics. All of these industries have a strong Fortune 500 presence in the state.

The states investment will be met with private and university investment as well, including $230 million that is already committed from UI fundraising efforts. The governors office released a document with other committed and pending non-state funds that total more than $500 million in private and other state university investment in the DPI facility and the other 14 state hubs.

DPI has been operating out of temporary space in downtown Chicago, offering classes and hiring staff. Its leader is UI alum William Jackson, who is the former president of the Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, which produces building-security, climate-control and HVAC equipment, and fire-suppression products.

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LONDON  Do you remember? Dont you remember? Cant you remember? Why cant you remember?

Variations on those unsettling words  both explicit and unspoken  echo through the wrenching final scene of Tom Stoppards Leopoldstadt, which opened Wednesday night at Wyndhams Theater in London. They are addressed to a mid-20th century visitor to Vienna, a youngish, defensively British man of slipping poise who appears to have forgotten most of his early childhood.

But you could also argue that these questions have been posed, in a sustained murmur, from the very beginning of this richly embroidered portrait of Jewish life in Vienna in the early 20th century. They are questions aimed directly at us, the audience and, by extension, at a wider world conveniently prone to historical amnesia.

That would include, above all, the man who wrote this play.

A tone of instructional reproach is hardly a quality associated with Stoppard, whose six-decade career embraces a host of exuberantly cerebral plays, from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1967) to the time-traveling Arcadia (1993). But Leopoldstadt, which has been polished to a burnished sheen by the director Patrick Marber, holds a singular position in its authors canon.

For starters, Stoppard, 82, has said this will probably be his last play. And, more than anything he has written (including his rueful The Real Thing), Leopoldstadt feels like an act of personal reckoning for its creator  with who he is and what he comes from. Its not difficult to see Leopoldstadt as one mans passionate declaration of identity as a Jew.
NEWS.am daily digest: 11.01.22

Austrian Chancellor confirms plan for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in February

Armen Sarkissian and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discuss situation in Kazakhstan

Gulf, Iran and Turkey FMs to visit China

20 pregnant women with COVID-19 die in Azerbaijan in year

Armenia hands over wanted US citizen to United States

Economy ministry: Organizing of accommodation and public catering increased by 61.1% in Armenia

Armenia parliament speaker expresses condolences on European Parliament President death

Azerbaijan opens fire toward Armenia village sector, one soldier wounded

Shoigu: CSTO peacekeepers deployed in Kazakhstan thanks to Syrian and Karabakh experience

Azerbaijan official pledges to remove Armenian toponyms from Google Maps

UN offers two plans to help Afghans totaling $ 5 billion in 2022

Armenia attorney general travels to Moscow on working visit

Azerbaijan MOD blames Armenian side for soldiers death

Dollar drops in Armenia

Shirak Province captives families hold protest outside Armenia government building

Rolls-Royce sales rise to record high in 2021

Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis directed gun at Armenia residents car in which his wife, 3-year-old child were

ANCA urges President Biden and Congress to hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for war crimes

Serbia's Orthodox Patriarch tests positive for COVID-19

Brothers, sisters of 2020 Artsakh war military casualties to get compensation in lieu of their deceased parents

Turkish authorities sanction arrest of 33 suspected FETO ties

Copper rises in price

Erdogan's spokesman, Biden's adviser discuss Armenian-Turkish relations

Armenia deputy defense minister: No one can rule out border tension at any moment

New commander elected of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia official: Those 100 soldiers absence will not assume any change in terms of border tension

Millionaire Robert Durst dies aged 78

Reuters: Over 1.13 million cases of COVID-19 detected in US per day

Great Armenian poet Razmik Davoyan dies

2 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Deputy PM Matevosyan: About 1,190 subvention programs implemented in Armenia from 2018 to 2021

243 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia MP: It would be right to put pressure on Azerbaijanis to remove their firing positions

Oil is getting more expensive

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

Alikhan Smailov appointed Kazakhstan Prime Minister

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
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell provided the House Financial Services Committee with economic insights during a hearing Tuesday, indicating that he does not expect a recession soon. Powell is on Capitol Hill this week providing the central banks semiannual monetary policy report; he testifies before the Senate Banking Committee today at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.

In his opening statement, Powell detailed the current economy situation and monetary policy. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)  the Feds monetary policy-setting arm  maintained rates at the current range at the end of its meeting last month, which Powell briefly discussed.

In addition, Powell acknowledged lawmakers concerns about the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, saying that the Fed is closely monitoring the emergence of the coronavirus, which could lead to disruptions in China that spill over to the rest of the global economy.

Powell was also asked about federal banking regulators efforts to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which some lawmakers believe could undermine important aspects of the law. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has released its own reform plan  without the support of the Federal Reserve and FDIC. Credit unions currently are not subject to the federal law; NAFCU has actively opposed extending CRA regulations to credit unions, as they do not engage in the illegal and discriminatory practices of banks.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Thomas Warwicks boss wanted him fired for his role in an attempted cover-up of an assistant prosecutors drunken driving crash in November 2016.

Then-Police Chief David Rahinsky said the officers actions violated the public trust and thus were career-enders. But the city manager at the time, Greg Sundstrom, believed the sergeant should be given a second chance.

Warwick was demoted, given a pay cut, and suspended for a month.

More than three years later, Ofc. Warwick is being recognized as one of two 2019 Grand Rapids Police Department officers of the year. The award honors an operations officer for exhibiting exceptional dedication and service to the department and community.

The police department announced the award Wednesday evening, Feb. 12, but didnt immediately provide an explanation for Warwick being selected for the annual achievement.

Before Rahinsky announced he was stepping down as chief in December 2018, he told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that he was impressed by how Warwick doubled-down on his commitment to the community after returning to service.

His reputation was sterling prior to that, Rahinsky said. Post-event, he is working at a level that makes me proud of him and proud of this uniform.

Discipline for Warwick, officer Adam Ickes and then-Lt. Matthew Janiskee stemmed from a Nov. 19, 2016 crash in which then-Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Josh Kuiper crashed his vehicle into a parked vehicle while driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

A man, Daniel Empson, was getting his coat out of the parked car when the crash occurred. He was injured.

Ickes called his shift commander, Janiskee, and described Kuiper as hammered. Janiskee told him to call back on a separate phone line, which was believed by the officers to be unrecorded. Only later did officers learn the 3407 line had been recorded for years.

Warwick later joined Ickes at the scene and gave Kuiper a ride home. Officers did not administer a breathalyzer test and instead issued Kuiper a ticket for driving the wrong-way on a one-way street.

Kuiper eventually got sentenced to two days in jail for misdemeanor reckless driving. He also resigned from his county job in the months following the crash. Kuiper now practices as a defense attorney in the area.

Rahinsky stood by his initial analysis that all three officers should have been fired. He said police should be held to the same standard as the residents they serve.

But he had conversations with Warwick before stepping down as chief and moving to Florida with his family. Rahinsky recalled the officer saying he wasnt going to let the incident define him, and believed he was putting in the work to regain community trust.

I see him out in the community, I see him engaging with people, Rahinsky said. I see where his heart is, and I recognize that the city ultimately made a decision that serves only only the department well but the city well.

Warwick will be presented with his award during the departments 37th annual awards dinner on March 9 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

Others will be recognized during the ceremony, including the departments officer of the year for administrative/investigative services, Stephen Wiersema, and the civilian employee of the year, Sheila Brow.

Award winners were chosen by a nine-member peer awards board, which is appointed by the police chief.

Read more:

Grand Rapids officials question charter, election proposals

New restaurant opening in Grand Rapids area

Armed and dangerous man wanted for role in Grand Rapids bar shooting
Following the development of a Mercator Implementation Plan for Rwanda, the WCO delivered a Time Release Study (TRS) mission in Kigali during the period 28 November to 06 December 2019. The mission aimed at enhancing the capacities of the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to conduct a TRS at the Rusumo One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Rwanda and Tanzania.

After meeting relevant officials from the RRA and other border agencies, a national TRS workshop was held in Kigali on 02 December 2019 with participation from Customs, other concerned border agencies and representatives from the private sector. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to enhance their knowledge in the TRS methodology and the importance of using the TRS as a strategic tool to establish baseline times for cargo clearance and release. Participants also increased their understanding of how to use the TRS tool to objectively monitor performance at the border. As a part of the mission, a TRS working group within the RRA was also set up and were provided training on how to plan and execute a successful TRS.

Meetings were also held with the private sector stakeholders to gather information on common bottlenecks that can cause delays in the cargo clearance and release process. These meetings provided valuable information that will help the RRA-TRS working group to plan and effectively conduct the TRS in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The mission also included a field visit to the Rusumo OSBP where the clearance and release process was observed. This visit provided an opportunity for the TRS working group to effectively apply the knowledge gathered during the workshop and the training sessions.

For more information contact capacitybuilding@wcoomd.org .
The original animated movie had two straight-to-video sequels, but sources say this new take is completely original and not based on those ideas.

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NOOOO

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FUCK THAT OMG

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What a waste because they can actually improve on those



Hell they can even steal some ideas from the TV show

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the tv show was so good... one of the best shows

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fsr i was OBSESSED with the third aladdin movie. i watched it legit constantly. there's this part where genie says "SAND: IT'S EVERYWHERE. GET USED TO IT" and it pops into my head literally any time i am outside and sand/dirt/dust gets into my shoes. it's been almost 25 years and this happens at least once a month to this fucking day LMFAO

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the only good straight to dvd sequels smh and the show was fire too

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Let me share this whole new flop with you

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Those were the only Disney sequels I remember ever really loving. I watched King of Thieves all the time

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god damn it if it doesn't have aladdin's dilf daddy i don't even want to hear about it.

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Please, incorporating King of Thieves would be great!!

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Now I'm not interested.

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both of those sequels were awful lmao i cant believe people like them

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i'd be excited about a live action return of jafar if the jafar in this didn't suck. i'm guessing they'll do a completely different story here.

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OMG, is it The Return of Jafar?? The music is so underrated in that!





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idk even as a kid i could tell the music in the sequels was subpar. and the animation...lord.



still loved the movies though.

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and that is NOT lea salonga. i am furious.

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Oh they were awful which is why we all loved them lol



Im scared to re watch them on Disney+ tbh

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Yes what a lovely and soothing singing voice from elusive chanteuse Gilbert Gotfried

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The movie's dumb but I like this song.



If for no other reason than Gilbert Gottfried's singing cracks me up.

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meh



might watch if mena makes an onlyfans

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You icon makes me die laughing every time lmao

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i was reading about this and how they're not gonna take the return of jafar route (which would be a bit difficult given how important a speaking, emotive iago was in that story), so i'm curious to see how it goes. i'm sure jafar returning in some way will be a big part of this though



i did really enjoy the first, and would love to see mena, naomi and will back together. guy ritchie can get the fuck outta here



ugh this just reminded me of that stupid fucking spinoff. fucking disney

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https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/aladdin-2-works-guy-ritchie-direct-1279150 THR says guy ritchie is set to return

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bah so close

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Oh the fucker can make a sequel then!

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that's a shame. i enjoyed the movie DESPITE his direction, not because of it.

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they need to bring in someone who can and has directed a musical. Ritchie didnt know what to do during the musical sequences and either his shots were to wide or to closed up. Bring in the guy from La La Land or any of the other musicals.

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arGH

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Why? I rather have it be a remake in the near future

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I get such a strong bisexual vibe from this guy.

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mena? yeah, same

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nice

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I wish they had done what they did with some of their other live action movies and left the music out. The movie itself wasn't that bad but the music numbers felt so out of place to me.

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Fans would have rioted if they didn't have A Whole New World. I did not care for the rest of the songs from the orginal, but I thought Speechless was a nice addition

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i actually thought a whole new world was the weakest performance in the live action movie (which DEVASTATES me, how did they fuck that up) but the other songs, including friend like me and one jump ahead, are so much fun



i loathed speechless; glad it didn't get an oscar nod

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I was the opposite--liked the originals, thought Speechless was completely out of place. They should have done a better job making it seem like an old school Disney song.

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wtf...the musical numbers were the best part



they felt out of place in beauty and the beast imo. emma was not dynamic or energetic enough to pull them off. i still laugh every time shes just wandering listlessly around the town while theyre singing belle around her. theres a certain energy and artifice to musicals and she didnt bring any of that

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Possibly a hot take, but I would have loved for them to have kept "Desert Moon" in and booted out one of the "Speechless" features. I could tell even Alan Menken was upset they cut it.

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legit every person involved in the first should be replaced.

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...is Egyptian not Arab?

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Literally the only white actor was Prince Anders, whose role was buttmonkey. Everyone else was Black, North African, Middle Eastern, or South Asian.

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Forreal.....



It was a big mess.

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no

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are you kidding me? will smith, mena and naomi were great.

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IA

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Maybe Will Smith can stay, but I wasnt overly fussed with any of their acting. Jafar was a disaster

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return of jafar or gtfo

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I know mena is somewhere happy. get paid, king

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Hope this is true. Yes to Mena, Naomi, and Will. Leave Guy Ritchie out of it.

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Return of Jafar with a new Genie before Will comes back in the third movie or keep it

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lmao A+

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oh so i should probably watch the first one in full since i've only seen like half of it lmao

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I can only speak for myself but I like it better than the original animated version.

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Jackson State University President William B Bynum Jr arrested in prostitution sting

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William B. Bynum Jr., the president of Jackson State University in Mississippi, resigned effective immediately Monday after his arrest over the weekend at a Clinton hotel on charges of procuring the services of a prostitute, giving a false statement of identity, and possession of marijuana.

The 57 year old was arrested in a sting along with 16 others, according to police sources cited by the Clarion Ledger.

Mark Jones, spokesman for the city of Clinton, told the Ledger that the two-day sting operation led to eight felony charges and explained that the alleged offenders were contacted through online "dark web" sites, where services were discussed and a local chain hotel was the agreed meeting place.

Shonda McCarthy, director of Jackson State University Art Galleries, was also charged with procuring the services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle.

Bynum was released from custody Sunday after posting a $3,000 bond, while McCarthy was released the same day after posting a $2,000 bond, police records show.

I wish we hadnt arrested anyone, but were going to do all we can do to ensure that criminal activity is not going to transpire in the city of Clinton, Clinton Police Chief Ford Hayman told CBS News' Clinton affiliate WJTV.

Quiana James, a Jackson State University student, said she always felt proud to have Bynum as her schools president but said she was embarrassed by the arrest.

I see him around campus all the time. Ive held conversations with him and he just seemed like a nice guy, like a family guy, she said. I was proud to have him as my president and so to see this, its kind of like, Wow Im embarrassed.'

At his formal installation ceremony at Jackson State University in October 2018, Bynums daughter, Chelsea Bynum-Grant, praised her father for his faith, according to a release from the school.

Your love for God and your faith continually grow stronger year after year, milestone after milestone, she said. Your love for education and commitment to giving back to the community is admirable. You spent well over 25 years dedicated to showing young people that they are more than capable of stepping out of that bubble and achieving their goals in life and desires.

After taking the oath of office at the event, Bynum, in the spirit of a preacher, said: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

At the installation ceremony which came 16 months after Bynum took over the financially troubled HBCU, he said he would meet the challenges with faith.

I fear not. I dont care about the challenges were going to face. I worry very little about the things that we are up against, which are significant burdens, challenges, and hurdles. I fear not, he said. As I tell my staff, I can literally see it, yall. I can literally see it because of the covering of God and knowing that indeed we are going to be just fine.

He then quoted his favorite motto: Look back and thank God, look forward and trust God, look around and serve God, look within and find God.

Ricky D. Robinson, a businessman and longtime friend of Bynum, also declared that he had been made president of Jackson State University by Gods design.

On Monday, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning named Thomas Hudson as Acting President of Jackson State University.

We are extremely pleased that Thomas Hudson has agreed to serve as Acting President, Hal Parker, president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, said in a release. As both an alumnus and a current staff member, he has a deep love for and understanding of the campus and all it means to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the state.
Coronavirus outbreak in China has not only jeopardised human lives in the country but has also become a cause of concern for the country's economy and global growth.

The Chinese government is yet to find a cure for the deadly virus that has claimed over one thousand lives since its outbreak in December, 2019. The World Health Organisation has announced a global emergency as the virus officially known as COVID-19 is feared to have spread in over 40 countries.

China, the world's second largest economy after US, contributes about 20 per cent to the world's gross domestic product (GDP). However, according to a report by Dun and Bradstreet, the Chinese economy might cause a drag of approximately one percentage point on global GDP if prevention of Coronavirus gets delayed beyond the summer of 2020.

Also read: Passenger onboard SpiceJet flight from Bangkok to Delhi suspected of coronavirus, quarantined

In an effort to contain the epidemic, the authorities have suspended business activities across 19 provinces of China including Hubei which has reported over 100 cases of Coronavirus infection.

The report by Dun and Bradstreet states that over 22 million businesses that constitute 90 per cent of all active businesses in China were located in the impacted region.

The report further adds that at least 51,000 companies around the world have one or more direct as well as Tier 1 suppliers in the impacted region, and about 50 lakh firms have Tier 2 suppliers in areas most affected by the virus outbreak.

Considered an integral part of the global economy, these firms might see an inevitable supply deficit in the near future because of the extended shutdown.

Also read: Coronavirus epidemic an opportunity for India to boost exports: CEA Krishnamurthy Subramanian

The Chinese economy, which was recently facing the brunt of trade war with the US, grew only 6.1 per cent in 2019, dropping from 6.8 per cent in 2018 and 7 per cent in 2017. However, the Hubei province, with its wealth and international trade connections grew faster than China at 7.5 per cent in 2019. Hubei's primary, secondary and tertiary industries grew at 3.2 per cent, 8 percent and 7.8 per cent, respectively, in the same financial year.

Growth slowed at the end of 2019, when the virus outbreak occurred and it is going to slow further unless there is a concrete solution to the epidemic. The primary industries like fisheries, mining and agriculture are expected to shrink further throughout the course of the outbreak and is expected to be limited to food production only. Secondary industries on the other hand are also expected to face a slowdown due to reduced demands of retail and wholesale goods. However, tertiary industries are expected to run depending on a few subsectors based on demands.

Consumer demand is expected to become concentrated on emergency medical services, medical supplies, and food deliveries as the outbreak continues to spread.

On February 11, the Government of India issued a notification that allowed the export of surgical and disposable masks and gloves to China. Dun and Bradstreet India's chief economist Dr Arun Singh has praised India's effort to help China amid the epidemic. Singh said, "India can help countries like Kenya and Nigeria which are highly dependent on Chinese import. China's share of export to Kenya and Nigeria is 48 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively".

From continental perspective, India can support Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, to some extend Poland, in terms of supplies of medical devices. Japan was importing six per cent medical devices from China and two per cent from India, Singh added.

India is among the top 20 global medical devices markets and is the fourth largest medical devices market in Asia after Japan, China, and South Korea.

Citing Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Singh said, India earlier had RCA advantage in just two of 32 sub-categories of medical devices. However, in the recent times, India has shown some improvements in 8-9 categories of medical devices. RCA is an index which is used in international economics for calculating the relative advantage or disadvantage of a certain country in a certain class of goods or services.

So far, India has sent around 11 lakh masks and protective clothing to China amid Coronavirus outbreak.

Also read: Coronavirus scare in India: Huge capacity to manufacture masks, gloves, but govt yet to place orders
State Rep. Jeff Yaroch (R-Richmond) is inviting residents to a tele-town hall meeting Wednesday, Feb. 19 to learn about and discuss the upcoming changes to the states car insurance system.

Joining Yaroch will be State Rep. Jason Wentworth (R-Clare), who serves as the chair of the House Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates.

We listened to our constituents and worked hard on reforming Michigans auto insurance system to provide more choice, more accountability, and lower rates, Yaroch said. As the reforms have been passed and signed into law, I want to do my part to help my constituents understand the changes and give them an opportunity to have their questions answered.

The event will start at 6 p.m. Those wishing to join may call toll free at 855-756-7520 and enter extension 55611# when prompted.

For more information, contact Rep. Yarochs office at 517-373-0820 or JeffYaroch@house.mi.gov.

 Macomb Daily Staff
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Somewhere around 2012, I came to an inconvenient conclusion: I didnt love the Bible.

While this might seem normal for most of humanity, it was inconvenient for me, as I was a 30-year-old preacher and evangelist!

Dont get me wrong, I was in the Bible often to prepare sermons, but I was rarely in it myself. Turning those crinkled pages felt more like a chore than a joy. Even in my times using Bible apps like YouVersion, I found myself drawn more to devotional content than to Scripture.

Two years later, I was in the back of a New York City cab, talking about the Bible with one of my heroes, Francis Chan. I admired him for his passion and conviction, and that day in the cab I felt stirred as he discussed this book that had so evidently marked his life. I found myself longing for Gods presence in the ways he described! That day, Francis shared a dream to see people around the world get in the Bible together.

So many problems in the church today wouldnt be there if people just read and fell in love with the Bible for themselves, he said. What would happen if we all used our influence to help people experience a Year of the Bible?

The seeds of #YearOfTheBible were planted that day. The campaign launched this January, and already people have joined in from over 100 countries.

Most of us have been taught to love good communicators and good worship music, but we have never learned to love the Bible for ourselves. In America, there are countless Bibles sitting in hotel drawers and on the shelves in our homes, waiting for someone to be inspired by the power inside.

Imagine what would happen if people around the world looked to Gods Word once again  this is the vision of #YearOfTheBible.

In the days of King Josiah, the Hebrew Scriptures were lost for an entire generation in the temple. Then one day, the king discovered the Word of God. He gathered all the people and read the Scriptures aloud. He was so moved by Gods Word that he immediately renewed Israels covenant with God.

When I realized I didnt love the Bible, I started pleading with God to help me hear and love His Word. And it changed me. It is changing me. When we let the Bible speak, we discover that the Bible isnt boring. Its revolutionary.

The goal of #YearOfTheBible is to draw as many people as possible to the most influential and misunderstood book in history, a book that has inspired more art, beauty, justice, forgiveness, reconciliation and change than any other.

So, how do you or your church get involved?

We are asking people to declare their commitment to start something called #YourYear. Rather than Year of the Bible being focused from January to December 2020, we are asking people to consider taking a year of their life to focus on the Word of God. Our message is that #YourYear starts when you do. Step one is to share your intention on social media with a picture of yourself, your Bible and the hashtag #YearOfTheBible.

One thing I realized when I finally woke up to the power of Gods Word was that there are incredible resources available to help us engage and understand it.

The Move Closer app is great to get in the Word and learn about biblical discipleship with a few friends. Streetlights is a dynamic app that combines hip hop beats with almost every book of the New Testament. The Bible Project has created mind blowing videos summarizing every book of the Bible. Spoken Gospel has created spoken word videos helping us understand doctrine and book overview, and The Bible Recap has a daily podcast that serves as a personal guide through a chronological Bible reading plan.

Weve placed all these resources, and some of our favorite plans at YearOfTheBible.com. Weve also launched a plan called Together in Scripture in the Bible app. So dive in!

We believe that millions will be inspired by Gods Word this year, so we are asking people to create and gather around the Bible throughout 2020. We expect songs, poetry, art, film, and design birthed through the Word of God and are planning a massive tribute to the Bible on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on June 20 for Together 2020, where we will showcase this inspiration. At Together 2020, artists such as Hillsong Young & Free and Lecrae will stand with people from around the globe for the largest celebration of the Bible in history.

Its time for a Bible revival. This is #YearOfTheBible.
NEW YORK (AP)  An ex-convict accused of bilking several college students out of nearly $1 million and forcing some into prostitution or unpaid labor was arrested Tuesday on extortion and sex trafficking charges.

Lawrence Larry Ray was previously known for his role in helping to send former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, who was a close confidant of Rudy Giuliani, to prison.

Ray allegedly ensnared many of his victims while they were college sophomores at Sarah Lawrence College, a private liberal arts college outside New York City. His first victims were his daughter Talia's roommates, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said. Ray moved into the students' on-campus housing in late 2010, presented himself as a father figure to the roommates and began conducting therapy sessions with them, according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court.

"Within days of his release, Larry Ray moved onto Sarah Lawrences campus. He planted himself in the common area, cooking steak dinners and ordering expensive delivery for Talia and her seven housemates," reported a New Yorker magazine feature that broke the story.

Prosecutors said that over time, he alienated them from their parents, persuading some of them to move into a Manhattan apartment and convincing them they were broken."

After gaining his victims' trust, Ray turned on them, falsely accusing them of harming him by attempting to poison him or to deliberately damage his property, Berman said.

Federal prosecutors said Ray, 60, used physical, sexual and psychological abuse to extort money from five different students at Sarah Lawrence College. He convinced them they were indebted to him, authorities said, subjecting them to grueling interrogations that spanned hours and deprived them of food and sleep.

Ray was taken into custody Tuesday and expected to appear hours later in Manhattan federal court. He had previously denied the allegations, saying they were the result of a conspiracy against him. It was not clear whether he had a defense attorney who could comment on the charges.

Berman told reporters the investigation was prompted by an article that appeared last year in New York magazine.

Ray solicited false confessions from more than a half-dozen victims, Berman said, and coerced them to make payments "they did not actually owe and could not possibly afford. Prosecutors said Ray recorded some of the confessions.

In interviews with New York magazine, Ray said he believed he was being poisoned as part of a conspiracy hatched by some of the students and Kerik, who denied any involvement.

Sarah Lawrence said Tuesday that it has not been contacted by federal prosecutors but would cooperate if invited to do so.

The college said it investigated the allegations raised in the New York magazine article but did not substantiate those specific claims.

The charges contained in the indictment are serious, wide-ranging, disturbing and upsetting, the college said in a statement. As always the safety and well-being of our students and alumni is a priority for the college.

Prosecutors allege that Ray directed the students to drain money from their parents' savings accounts and forced some of them into unpaid labor at a family member's property in North Carolina. Others opened lines of credit or solicited contributions from others to help pay the false debts.

Ray subjected his victims to almost unspeakable abuse, Berman said, alleging Ray once tied a woman to a chair and placed a plastic bag over her head that nearly suffocated her. Ray collected more than $500,000 from that woman after forcing her into prostitution, prosecutors said.

Ray previously played a role in a scandal involving Kerik, a former police driver for Giuliani while he was mayor. Kerik became New York Citys corrections commissioner in 1998 and then its police commissioner from 2000 to 2001, serving during the 9/11 attacks.

Kerik nearly became President George Bushs homeland security secretary in 2004, but his name was abruptly withdrawn as the nominee.

Two days later, The Daily News reported that Ray, who had been the best man at Keriks wedding, had come forward with evidence that Kerik failed to report thousands of dollars in gifts hed received while working for the city. A the time, Ray was under indictment in a $40 million stock scam.

Kerik ultimately served nearly four years in prison for tax fraud, making false statements and other charges related to gifts he accepted from companies looking for favors, including a construction firm that wanted his help getting a city license.

___

Associated Press writer David B. Caruso contributed to this report
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 58F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 39F. Winds light and variable.
Fourteen Koreans marooned on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been quarantined off Yokohama in Japan since last week have not developed any coronavirus symptoms.

"We're checking the health of nine Korean passengers and five Korean crewmembers by calling them three times a day. None of them have symptoms," Yoon Hee-chan, the Korean consul general in Yokohama, told reporters Wednesday.

Some 492 of the 3,711 passengers and crew have shown symptoms and been tested.


Here is the latest news on protests across Canada over a natural-gas pipeline project in British Columbia:

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Saanich Police and legislature officers look on as Wet'suwet'en supporters block the entrance to the east wing following the throne speech at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Here is the latest news on protests across Canada over a natural-gas pipeline project in British Columbia:

Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau has responded to the shutdown of all transcontinental trains across the Canadian National Railway network as a result of ongoing anti-pipeline blockades.

Garneau says safe and efficient passenger and freight rail service is critical to Canada's well-being and he is in constant communication with both the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways.

Via Rail has also suspended its service across Canada.

He says he is to meet tomorrow with his provincial and territorial counterparts as well as representatives of national Indigenous organizations to discuss a way forward.

Garneau says he is encouraged by the progress on the blockade near New Hazelton, after the B.C. and federal governments agreed to meet with Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs.

Speaking in Germany, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is monitoring the situation very closely and he had a long and productive conversation with B.C. Premier John Horgan while on the plane.

---

Railway shippers are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to "act decisively" to prevent a complete shutdown of Canada's rail system.

Grain Growers of Canada chairman Jeff Nielsen says delays caused by the blockades will have immediate and unintended consequences for farmers across the country.

He says the industry relies on export markets in order to survive, and being unable to access those markets could compound further losses on top of what he called a "harvest from hell" this year.

Canada's forest products sector accounts for 10 per cent of the total tonnage moved by rail and Derek Nighbor CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada says some companies are now in a position that they cannot guarantee delivery dates to customers.

Francois Laporte, national president of Teamsters Canada, also called on the federal government to intervene, saying hundreds of his members have been unable to work for close to a week due to the blockades.

---

Metro Vancouver's transportation network TransLink says all West Coast Express trains heading eastbound from Vancouver's Waterfront station to Mission will not run Thursday afternoon.

TransLink says it has been advised by Canadian Pacific Railway police to cancel service due to a group of people blocking the tracks on the Pitt River rail bridge in Coquitlam.

The announcement came hours after the suspension of Via Rail passenger service across Canada and a transcontinental shutdown by the Canadian National Railway due to blockades in support of Wet-suwet'en hereditary chiefs who oppose the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in their territory in northwestern B.C.

TransLink is asking its customers to use the SkyTrain and bus to get close to Mission and says the Coast Mountain Bus Company is looking at options for expanded service.

---

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has granted an injunction against further blockades at the legislature in Victoria.

The injunction comes less than 24 hours before protests have said they'll block numerous B.C. government buildings in the city.

Speaker Darryl Plecas asked for the injunction and Justice G.C. Weatherill says his ruling authorizes police to arrest and remove people blocking entrances at the legislature.

Hundreds of protesters attempted to prevent public servants, politicians and media from entering the legislature earlier this week.

Weatherill cited social media posts calling on protesters to mobilize Friday in efforts to shut down the government in his decision to grant the injunction.

The justice says the court is concerned that protesters at the legislature blocked entrances, covered closed circuit cameras and aggressively harassed people at the building.

---

The president of the BC Chamber of Commerce says ongoing protests over the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline on Wet-suwet'en territory in northwestern B.C. are having a devastating impact on the Canadian economy.

Val Litwin says the cancellation of more than 400 Canadian National Railway trains this week means everything from grain to propane for people to cook and heat their homes couldn't be delivered.

He says the Chamber of Commerce respects anyone's right to peaceful protest, but blockading railways is illegal and dangerous.

Litwin says the Port of Prince Rupert has no cars going in or out and it employs 3,600 people.

CN Rail said in a statement that a blockade near New Hazelton, B.C., may soon come down, but the railway is shutting down its operations in Eastern Canada, which will result in a transcontinental shutdown.

---

Canadian National Railway is shutting down its operations in Eastern Canada because of blockades by anti-pipeline protesters.

The railway says in a statement that illegal blockades have ended in Manitoba and may come down soon in British Columbia, but the orders of a court in Ontario have yet to be enforced and continue to be ignored.

The company says it's stopping all transcontinental trains across its Canadian network and that may mean temporary layoffs for its eastern operational staff.

Via Rail travels mostly on CN track and says it will also be shutting down all passenger service in Canada.

CN Rail says it has tried to adjust its operations to serve customers but it is now left with the only remaining responsible option of progressively shutting down eastern Canadian operations.

Protesters across Canada say they're acting in solidarity with those opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which crosses the traditional territories of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northern B.C.

---

Anti-pipeline protesters are expected to rally outside numerous British Columbia government offices Friday to show solidarity with hereditary Wet'suwet'en chiefs who oppose the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in their traditional territories.

B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says public servants are prepared to expect the protests but abuse of workers will not be tolerated.

He says there will be consequences if people engage in activities outside the law and he expects they will be enforced by police.

Victoria's police department says it received four complaints of assault connected to protests outside the provincial legislature on Tuesday.

_____

Protesters have taken down a blockade of the CN Rail line west of Winnipeg.

However, the Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition says there will be more action in support of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs who oppose a natural gas pipeline running through their territory.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he would be asking the courts for an injunction to remove the blockade, but CN obtained its own court order, which was served today.

Pallister says the illegal protests are hurting the economy and he wants a conference call with his fellow premiers to demand the federal government clear up the approval process for pipelines and other resource projects.

---

One of the three recipients of a letter from Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says he expects a meeting between Miller and the Mohawk community will take place.

Miller has asked for a meeting and requested that a blockade of a rail line near Belleville, Ont., be halted.

Tyendinaga Mohawk Chief Donald Maracle says the meeting will proceed but he can't comment on the blockade because it wasn't initiated by council.

Maracle says the community is happy that the minister has agreed to come.

"We need to allow the discussion to take place."

---

B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser says he will represent the provincial government at a meeting with Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs.

Simogyet Spookw, who also goes by Norman Stephens, a chief of the Gitxsan Nation, wrote to the premier and requested a meeting.

Fraser says it's "heartening" that Stephens informed the government that if it agrees to the meeting, then a rail blockade near New Hazelton will be stood down.

Stephens has not immediately responded to requests for comment.

The prime minister's office says Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett will attend the meeting in B.C. on behalf of the federal government.

---

Ontario's Indigenous affairs minister says his federal counterpart should meet with First Nations activists blocking a key rail line in an attempt to reach a peaceful resolution to an anti-pipeline protest.

Greg Rickford says he has asked federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller to meet with activists near Belleville, Ont., protesting against a pipeline being built in northern British Columbia.

Rickford says the province wants a peaceful solution to the situation and is hopeful Miller can help resolve the situation soon.

Blockade organizers across Canada have said they're acting in solidarity with those opposed to a pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation near Houston, B.C.

The blockades have caused both CN and Via Rail to suspend all service between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Miller has offered to meet with Indigenous leaders about the issues at a location of their choosing.

----

Several dozen demonstrators in Vancouver have occupied the constituency office of British Columbia Attorney General David Eby.

Protesters' spokesman Herb Varley says they are "disrupting business as usual" to highlight what he calls Eby's participation in the "ongoing genocide of Indigenous peoples."

The occupation began shortly after members of the group that blocked roads and a bridge in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday met to decide on further action in the ongoing opposition to a natural gas pipeline being built across Wet'suwet'en traditional lands in northwestern B.C.

During question period in the B.C. legislature, an Opposition member inquired about the occupation, saying he was told police had to escort a staff member to safety and ensure the security of office documents.

Eby is in Victoria and says although he fully supports the right to protest, it is not permissible to put his staff at risk or jeopardize any of the information in his office related to private matters with constituents. (With files from News 1130)

---

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is offering to meet with three Indigenous leaders in Ontario as the federal government seeks a solution to rail blockades in several areas of the country, prompted by protests against a pipeline in northern British Columbia.

Miller calls the situation volatile.

In exchange for the meeting, he asks for an end to protests and barricades that have halted some passenger and freight service through Ontario and Quebec.

Miller's letter, posted online, says he hopes the leaders will agree to the meeting "in the spirit of peace and co-operation that should guide our relationship."

The offer includes a proposal to meet wherever the Indigenous leaders choose and comes after the Assembly of First Nations and Opposition politicians urged the Liberal government to take swifter and firmer action to defuse tensions over the pipeline.

---

British Columbia Premier John Horgan has agreed to work toward a period of calm amid spreading protests over a natural gas pipeline in northwestern B.C.

The premier says he expects his agreement will prompt the lifting of a blockade of the Canadian National Rail line though the region in northwestern B.C.

In a letter of response to a proposal from Gitxan Chief Norman Stephens, Horgan says either he or a senior cabinet member will attend a meeting with Indigenous leaders to discuss the impasse over the construction of the pipeline through their traditional territories.

Horgan's letter says his office has informed the federal government of B.C.'s willingness to take part in the meetings and it urges Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to respond as quickly as possible.

With the receipt of his letter and a similar commitment from the federal government, Horgan says he understands the blockade of the CN line "will be removed to allow for a period of calm and peaceful dialogue."

-----

The transit authority that operates commuter trains between Montreal and its suburbs has cancelled service on one of its lines for the fourth straight day due to an Indigenous protest.

Exo confirmed the cancellation of all departures on the line between Candiac, Que., and downtown Montreal.

Protesters from the Mohawk community of Kahnawake south of Montreal established a blockade near the tracks on the weekend in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposing construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Protesters have said they intend to remain at the site beside the CP Rail line as long as the RCMP is present on Wet'suwet'en First Nation territory in British Columbia.

Another protest in Ontario has disrupted passenger and freight rail service between Montreal and Toronto.

In Quebec City, provincial Transport Minister Francois Bonnardel called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to get directly involved to resolve what he called a crisis.

---

The group that speaks for farmers in Saskatchewan has added its voice to those concerned about the damaging effect of rail blockades set up by opponents of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline in northwestern British Columbia.

The vice-president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan says the blockades are affecting almost every commodity.

Ian Boxall says dozens of ships in Vancouver are waiting to be loaded, while eight are idled in Prince Rupert.

Canadian National Railway has warned it may have to close some of its rail lines if the blockades continue much longer, while Via Rail has already cancelled service on two passenger routes between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal until at least the end of the day on Friday.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says an injunction will be sought to end a rail blockade west of Winnipeg and he believes the Justice Department will have it enforced within a few days.

---

Demonstrators in Victoria are promising to shut down all provincial government offices in that city on Friday as a show of solidarity with opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project being built across traditional territories of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northwestern British Columbia.

A social media post says the shutdown is being planned for between 8 a.m. and noon.

It calls on settlers and union members to "take responsibility for the colonial institutions causing violence against Wet'suwet'en people."

On Tuesday, hundreds of people surrounded the B.C. legislature, preventing access to the building and forcing cancellation of some of the ceremonial events leading up to the reading of the throne speech.

That demonstration and other protests across Canada are in response to RCMP enforcement of a court injunction last week against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who had been blocking construction of the pipeline.

---

Vancouver commuters are bracing for more disruptions today as protesters supporting Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs promise further actions.

Spokeswoman Natalie Knight says a gathering is planned for the Kitsilano neighbourhood of the city.

She says the group will then move to an undisclosed location.

A major intersection in Vancouver was blockaded for about 16 hours earlier this week and demonstrators also paraded through the downtown core Wednesday, blocking one of the main bridges into the city centre for part of the afternoon before dispersing for the night.

---

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020
The Solvent Extractors' Association of India has compiled the Import data of Vegetable Oils (edible & non-edible) for the month of January 2020. Import of vegetable oils during January 2020 is reported at 1,195,812 tons compared to 1,275,259 tons in January 2019, consisting 1,157,123 tons of edible oils and 38,689 tons of non-edible oils i.e. down by 6%. The overall import of vegetable oils during Q1 of 2019-20 i.e. November 2019 to January 2020 is reported at 3,451,313 tons compared to 3,620,316 tons i.e. down by 4.7%.



RBD Palm Oil & RBD Palmolein placed under restricted list. Director General of Foreign Trade DGFT Ministry of Commerce & Industry, New Delhi issued a notification dated 8th January, 2019 placing import of RBD Palmolein & Palm Oil under "restricted list" to regulate excessive import in to India. The import will now be subjected to license to be issued by DGFT. In the meantime, Jt. DGFT, Kolkata has issued licences for 88,000 tons of import of RBD Palmolein from Nepal at Zero duty under SAFTA agreement.

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam prepares to address a news conference at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 31, 2019. (Steve Helber/AP Photo)

Virginia Senate Approves Bills Allowing Undocumented Immigrants to Obtain Drivers Licenses

Bills that could allow undocumented immigrants residing in Virginia to obtain drivers licenses were approved by the Virginia General Assembly on Feb. 11.

The House Bill 1211 and Senate Bill 34 for Licenses for All were passed in both the House and the Senate before the end of the Virginia General Assemblys crossover deadline. It would allow Virginia to issue drivers licenses to residents regardless of their immigration status.

The House of Delegates approved Senate Bill 34 in a 57-42 vote and the Senate approved the bill with a 22-18 bipartisan vote. Both bills will now be subject to a process of unification and corrections before they are sent to Democratic Governor Ralph Northams desk.

They would allow taxpaying Virginians who can prove they know how to drive, as well as their identities, to obtain drivers permits valid for one year. Under current state law, individuals applying for drivers permits must be able to show they are authorized to be in the United States by providing proof of legal presence.

Applicants would be required to maintain insurance and pass road and written tests under the Drivers Privilege Card program. Supporters of the measure have said road safety would be increased by making it a requirement for more people to pass driving tests.

Others, however, have argued that Virginia should not reward undocumented immigrants with drivers licenses.

If Northam signs the bill into law, it would go into effect from Jan. 1, 2021.

The sponsor of Senate Bill 34, Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Va.), described it as a public safety and quality of life bill following the Senates vote on Tuesday.

Having an ID also makes it more likely that individuals will come forward to assist law enforcement in investigations. Other states who have taken action have seen a decline in collisions and hit-and-run cases, said Surovell, who has worked since 2016 on passing such a measure.

The Drive Virginia Forward campaign, a coalition of activists, said last September that granting drivers licenses in Virginia regardless of legal status would benefit more than 200,000 immigrants in the state and make roads safer.

GOP Del. Terry Austin, meanwhile, argued during a House hearing in January that if passed, cases of identity fraud could rise, The Washington Post reported.

This license can be taken as the person is a citizen of the United States, Austin said. This could misrepresent an individuals identity and compromise safety in the United States.

The bill, however, would not allow the driving privilege cards to be used as valid identification for federal, voting, or public benefit purposes, reported CNN.

Virginia would become the 18th state to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain privilege cards if the legislation is passed, according to Surovells office.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating potential claims on behalf of victims of Fifth Third Bank's data breach.

Beaconjournal.com reported ("Fifth Third Bank warns customers of data breach") that

Fifth Third Bank has warned some customers that their personal information may have been misused by former bank employees in an apparent data breach.

In a letter to customers, Fifth Third said it believes 'a small number of former employees' misused the info dating back to the summer of 2018.

The information included name, social security number, driver's license information, mother's maiden name, address, phone number, date of birth and account numbers. [Emphasis added.]

Tennessean.com reported ("Consumer group slams Fifth Third over data breach") that 'Fifth Third is only telling half the story  it's vague and deceptive to customers because it's not just their Fifth Third accounts that will be impacted,' said Jack Gillis, executive director of the Washington, DC-based nonprofit consumer advocate. [Emphasis added.]

If you believe you were a victim of Fifth Third Bank's data breach and have questions or concerns about Kehoe Law Firm's data breach investigation or potential legal claims, please contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 804, [email protected], [email protected].

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., with offices in New York and Philadelphia, is a multidisciplinary, plaintiffside law firm dedicated to protecting investors and consumers from corporate fraud, negligence, and other wrongdoing. Driven by a strong and principled sense of social responsibility and obtaining justice for the aggrieved, Kehoe Law Firm represents plaintiffs seeking to recover investment losses resulting from corporate wrongdoing or malfeasance, those harmed by anticompetitive practices, and consumers victimized by fraud, false claims, deception or data breaches.

This press release may constitute attorney advertising.

SOURCE Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.

Related Links

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February 13, 2020, CLEVELAND: In a new Cleveland Clinic-led study published in JAMA Oncology, researchers show that a testosterone-related genetic variant - HSD3B1(1245C) - is associated with more aggressive disease and shorter survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer.

This study - the first clinical trial validation of the relationship between HSD3B1 status and clinical outcomes - suggests that genetic testing for HSD3B1(1245C) may help physicians identify patients most likely to benefit from additional and more aggressive treatment.

Nima Sharifi, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, and colleagues retrospectively analyzed data from 475 participants enrolled in a large, multi-center national clinical trial testing the efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone or in combination with docetaxel in prostate cancer. They compared clinical outcomes between men who carried the variant versus those who did not.

The researchers found that HSD3B1(1245C) inheritance is associated with faster progression to treatment resistance and shorter overall survival in men with low-volume metastatic prostate cancer regardless of the use of docetaxel. Interestingly, the genetic variant led to shortened survival despite the administration of any other therapies following the development of treatment resistance.

"These findings lay the groundwork for more personalized and effective treatments for prostate cancer," said Dr. Sharifi, senior author of the study. "If men carry this specific testosterone-related genetic abnormality we may be able to individualize their therapy."

In addition, HSD3B1(1245C) was not found to influence clinical outcomes in men with high-volume prostate cancer. Dr. Sharifi notes this is not surprising as previous studies have shown that disease progression and burden is vastly different between high- and low-volume prostate cancer.

Taken together, these findings suggest that the presence or absence of this genetic variant can be used to help identify men with low-volume metastatic prostate cancer most at risk for quick progression to treatment resistance and earlier death - a discovery with significant implications for clinical care and genetic counseling.

A limitation of the study was a lack of diversity due to the patient population enrolled in the original clinical trial and genetic variant frequencies. Validating this association with a more diverse population will be an important next line of investigation.

In 2013, Dr. Sharifi made the discovery that the HSD3B1(1245C) variant helps prostate cancer cells evade ADT, the first line of defense against the disease. ADT works by cutting off cells' supply of testicular androgens, hormones that fuel cancer cells to grow and spread. He showed that in men with the genetic change, cancer cells adapt to produce their own androgens, which leads to treatment-resistant prostate cancer. In 2017, he received the national Top Ten Clinical Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum for his discoveries linking HSD3B1(1245C) with poor prostate cancer outcomes.

"These findings represent a seven-year research story that started at the lab bench and has now reached the patient bedside," said Dr. Sharifi. "As the team has shown here, incorporating genetic testing in prostate cancer as part of routine care has significant potential to improve treatment success and quality and length of life for men with prostate cancer who carry the HSD3B1(1245C) variant. This work is another step in that direction."

###

Dr. Sharifi holds the Kendrick Family Chair for Prostate Cancer Research at Cleveland Clinic and directs the Cleveland Clinic Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center. He has joint appointments in the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute and Taussig Cancer Institute.

Jason Hearn, M.D., Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, is first author on the study, which was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Among Cleveland Clinic's 66,000 employees are more than 4,200 salaried physicians and researchers and 16,600 nurses, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic's health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 11 regional hospitals in northeast Ohio, more than 180 northern Ohio outpatient locations - including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers - and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2018, there were 7.9 million total outpatient visits, 238,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 220,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic's health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CCforMedia and twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

Editor's Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.




Kansas State University research shows link between swine virus and feed



Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine found that livestock feed is an important factor in the spread of swine fever virus, reported The Hutchinson News.

Scott Dee, Pipeline Veterinary Services, Minnesota with K-State researchers, led by Megan Niedwerder, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology published the classical swine fever virus report and pseudorabies virus stability in feed ingredients.

Dee said the virus becomes more viable in contaminated feed and through swine consuming infected feed over time.

While the United States is free from both classical swine fever and African swine fever (ASF), Niederwerder said there are concerns over the import of feed ingredients that can possibly be the source for animal disease entering the country.

Scott said that the United States imports plenty of agricultural product from China such as soy-based materials, and the research has showed that pseudorabies virus can live in soy-based products.

According to the study, both viruses are able to stay alive throughout the entire 37-day model, but the viral load in the feed will decrease over time. Niederwerder said it depends on the methods used to produce the feed, adding that China dries grains on roadways.

Niederwerder said nine of the 12 tested ingredients had pseudorabies virus. These include conventional and organic soybean meal, lysine, choline, vitamin D, moist cat and dog food, dry dog food, and pork sausage. Conventional soybean meal and pork sausage casings also harboured the classical swine fever virus.

Strict biosecurity and investigations into the manufacturing source of the feed are crucial for virus prevention.

K-State's Biosecurity Research Institute conducted the research together with other universities (Cornell University and Lincoln Memorial University) and industry contributors (Pipestone Veterinary Services).

- The Hutchinson News
The exponential growth in computer processing power seen over the past 60 years may soon come to a halt. Complex systems such as those used in weather forecast, for example, require high computing capacities, but the costs for running supercomputers to process large quantities of data can become a limiting factor. Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany and Universita della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano in Switzerland have recently unveiled an algorithm that can solve complex problems with remarkable facility - even on a personal computer.

Exponential growth in IT will reach its limit

In the past, we have seen a constant rate of acceleration in information processing power as predicted by Moore's Law, but it now looks as if this exponential rate of growth is limited. New developments rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning, but the related processes are largely not well-known and understood. "Many machine learning methods, such as the very popular deep learning, are very successful, but work like a black box, which means that we don't know exactly what is going on. We wanted to understand how artificial intelligence works and gain a better understanding of the connections involved," said Professor Susanne Gerber, a specialist in bioinformatics at Mainz University. Together with Professor Illia Horenko, a computer expert at Universita della Svizzera italiana and a Mercator Fellow of Freie Universitat Berlin, she has developed a technique for carrying out incredibly complex calculations at low cost and with high reliability. Gerber and Horenko, along with their co-authors, have summarized their concept in an article entitled "Low-cost scalable discretization, prediction, and feature selection for complex systems" recently published in Science Advances. "This method enables us to carry out tasks on a standard PC that previously would have required a supercomputer," emphasized Horenko. In addition to weather forecasts, the research see numerous possible applications such as in solving classification problems in bioinformatics, image analysis, and medical diagnostics.

Breaking down complex systems into individual components

The paper presented is the result of many years of work on the development of this new approach. According to Gerber and Horenko, the process is based on the Lego principle, according to which complex systems are broken down into discrete states or patterns. With only a few patterns or components, i.e., three or four dozen, large volumes of data can be analyzed and their future behavior can be predicted. "For example, using the SPA algorithm we could make a data-based forecast of surface temperatures in Europe for the day ahead and have a prediction error of only 0.75 degrees Celsius," said Gerber. It all works on an ordinary PC and has an error rate that is 40 percent better than the computer systems usually used by weather services, whilst also being much cheaper.

SPA or Scalable Probabilistic Approximation is a mathematically-based concept. The method could be useful in various situations that require large volumes of data to be processed automatically, such as in biology, for example, when a large number of cells need to be classified and grouped. "What is particularly useful about the result is that we can then get an understanding of what characteristics were used to sort the cells," added Gerber. Another potential area of application is neuroscience. Automated analysis of EEG signals could form the basis for assessments of cerebral status. It could even be used in breast cancer diagnosis, as mammography images could be analyzed to predict the results of a possible biopsy.

"The SPA algorithm can be applied in a number of fields, from the Lorenz model to the molecular dynamics of amino acids in water," concluded Horenko. "The process is easier and cheaper and the results are also better compared to those produced by the current state-of-the-art supercomputers."

###

The collaboration between the groups in Mainz and Lugano was carried out under the aegis of the newly-created Research Center Emergent Algorithmic Intelligence, which was established in April 2019 at JGU and is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.
James Devlin's face was covered in so much food it was hidden, the inquest was told yesterday

Friends of a young man dying from a drug overdose at a house party in Co Donegal covered his face in red sauce, vinegar and pizza and filmed it as a practical joke, an inquest heard.

James Devlin was found dead by pals outside the house in Ballybofey on May 26, 2018.

The 35-year-old had been socialising all evening with friends. He had taken alcohol but also consumed tablets and methadone.

A statement on behalf of the dead man's friend, Laura Sheehan, was read out at the inquest before coroner Dr Denis McCauley at Letterkenny Courthouse.

Takeaway

Ms Sheehan said James and some other friends met in McGuigan's Bar in Ballybofey and had consumed lots of alcohol before returning to her apartment at Finn Farm.

More alcohol was consumed and the friends ordered a takeaway.

James fell asleep and began to snore loudly.

Another pal, Samantha Malley, who described James as "like a brother", said she put some sauce on his face as a joke.

Ms Sheehan's statement revealed this escalated and that others put other stuff on James's face and in his mouth, including vinegar, mayonnaise, sauce and pizza.

She revealed it got so bad his face could not be seen because it was covered in food. Ms Sheehan's statement said she wanted to clean up the mess which had been caused in the house after the food had been poured over James.

He was taken outside and was unconscious.

He was left there but after a while one of the men at the party shouted, "He's dead, he's dead."

Ms Sheehan said James, who lived at Dillon Court, Strabane, Co Tyrone, had stopped snoring and his lips were blue.

An ambulance was called and a number of people tried to carry out CPR on him and resuscitate him.

Paramedics arrived and they worked on Mr Devlin for almost half an hour but he had died.

Garda Michael Kilcoyne said he received a call about the incident and the scene was cordoned off and a full investigation into the incident was launched.

A post-mortem on the remains of Mr Devlin was carried out by the State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan.

It showed the deceased had broken ribs which were consistent with someone carrying out CPR, as well as a number of abrasions.

However, the most telling feature was the presence of a number of substances including methadone in Mr Devlin's body.

Earlier in the evidence, Damien Murphy, who lived in another apartment at Finn Farm, said he had given Mr Devlin some of his methadone but estimated it was only up to 15 millilitres.

Asleep

Coroner Dr McCauley said he was satisfied the cause of death was multiple drug toxicity and that Mr Devlin died as a result of cerebral depression.

He added that the foodstuffs placed on James's face had not caused his death as there was no sign of asphyxiation.

He said: "James went asleep and went unconscious and his brain turned off, which meant his heart and lungs turned off then."

He recorded a verdict of misadventure.

He expressed his sympathy with Mr Devlin's five sisters, who had travelled from Glasgow for the inquest.
- Rwanda has taken a giant leap in Africa's technological space with the introduction of African-made cell phones

- The phones, manufactured in October 2019, come with innovative features such as fingerprint sensors

- The booming technological drive in Africa has therefore compelled some foreign countries to invest in the continent

Rwanda, a central African country, is on record as the first to produce cell phones in the continent in October 2019.

The information available shows that the gadgets produced come with higher-end options such as fingerprint sensors that assist with unlocking the phone.

Such a feature is one that several phones used in the continent lack and this comes not only as a push for technology but for high quality as well.

Rwanda overcame its civil war to lead technology in Africa. Photo source: Fortune

Source: UGC

Rwanda, according to a report by fortune.com, has challenged the status quo by overcoming the challenges associated with the 1994 genocide.

Rebranding itself as a technology hub, its capital, Kigali, has become the home of a number of incubators.

Rwandas minister of technology, Paula Ingabire, has explained that: It boils right down to our turbulent past being left without anything, and the use of ashes as a development instrument for cohesion.

Africas technological space is enjoying growing support from foreign countries in recent times.

American financial services cooperation, Visa, invested $200 million in Interswitch, a Nigerian bills company.

Microsoft has also opened places of work in Kenya and Nigeria for engineers running on synthetic intelligence, system studying, and combined fact.

This came a month after Google opened an artificial intelligence laboratory in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that one in 10 Americans admitted using a special spy app called stalkerware to steal information from their partners devices.

This was contained in the result of a poll conducted by NortonLifeLock released on Wednesday, February 12.

The poll also revealed that the men are more twice likely than women to use the software to stalk their exes.

Kevin Roundy, a researcher at NortonLifeLock, said that the app is most times advertised as theft protection or a tool for child-monitoring.

PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update

The researcher further said that the app is able to work secretly because it runs in the background without sending notifications.

With that, the victim of the ware would not even detect the app has been installed on their phone, making it more dangerous.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: We have upgraded to serve you better

Nigerians storm National Assembly to protest social media bill | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng
Diane Marsh sat on the armrest of their couch to get closer her husband, Otis Marsh.

Eight children, 29 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and 57 years later, Otis and Diane Marsh are still very much in love. While Otis credits luck for their long and happy marriage, Diane said it's love and determination that has kept them together for so long.

"You keep on keeping on, and do what you can," said Diane.

A 19-year-old Otis first met Diane at a house party in Cass Lake, Minnesota in 1960. Diane was about 16 years old at the time and was dating somebody else. When they broke up, Otis was quick to ask Diane out on a date to a drive-in movie. She agreed because she thought...
Sources from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia last week let it be known that trial production of 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) would start at the Khafji field in the Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) that it shares with Kuwait on or around the 25th of February, with the field likely to be pumping about 60,000 bpd by August. Trial production of 10,000 bpd will also begin in the Kuwaiti area of the Zone in late March, likely increasing to around 80,000 bpd by the end of September, according to the sources. The plan is that within 12 months Khafji will be producing around 175,000 bpd and Wafra about 145,000 bpd.

This said, it is an absolute truism that Saudi Arabia desperately needs the Brent crude oil benchmark price above US$84 per barrel - at the absolute minimum  to ensure that it does not record yet another dismal budget deficit this year. So, it is an absolute truism as well that the last thing a country should do when it desperately needs a higher oil price is to actually increase oil production, especially at a time when the outlook in the key demand element of the supply/demand equation  China  looks uncertain, given the current coronavirus scare. So, what is really going on here?

Such deficits have been running ever since the beginning of the Saudis strategically incompetent plan begun in 2014 to destroy the then-nascent U.S. shale industry. Having not done the necessary homework in the first place  including an analysis of how the U.S. shale sector might react (i.e. as it transpired, by becoming leaner, meaner, and more cost efficient very quickly)  the Saudis succeeded in only nearly bankrupting itself and its OPEC supporters.

Having only finally twigged onto the appalling naivete of its plan in 2016, Saudi has subsequently been chasing its own tail financially. It was forced to spend over US$250 billion of its own foreign exchange reserves to prop up its economy that even senior Saudis say have been lost forever. Related: Oil Bulls Are In For A Bitter Disappointment

So bad was the situation that in October 2016 the countrys deputy economic minister, Mohamed Al Tuwaijri, said that: If we [Saudi Arabia] dont take any reform measures, and if the global economy stays the same, then were doomed to bankruptcy in three to four years. As it stands, having recorded budget deficits for the last few years, the estimates are that Saudi will continue to do so until at least 2025, so Saudi wanting to add to the vast level of oil supplies sloshing around the markets  with the hugely negative implications for price that this means  makes no sense, if all other factors have remained equal.

Okay, but maybe the Saudis are really just a bunch of friendly guys who care about helping out their neighbours, like plucky Kuwait? Leaving aside for one moment the fact that the Saudi plan to take on the U.S. shale industry took its toll on Kuwaits economy as well, the degree of petty spite and bullying that prompted the Saudis to close down the Neutral Zone in the first place in 2014 should not be underestimated or forgotten.

The official Saudi line at the time for the closure of Khafji was that it was not compliant with new environmental air emission standards issued by Saudi Arabias Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Authority (no, honestly, that was it).

Supposedly, the field  in addition to producing around 280,000-300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Arabian Heavy grade crude oil just before its closure - also produced around 125 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfd) of associated gases and 50 mscfd of gas and a gas leak had sprung in one of its 15 platforms. Ergo, apparently, the entire area required shutting down, as supposedly the associated plant gathers its gas from all onshore facilities in the PNZ.

The unofficial version was that shutting the field down was Saudi Arabias way of jerking Kuwaits chain to keep it in line, as the Kingdom perceived that its neighbour had been stepping on its toes in the months leading up to the closure. In this context, Kuwait had increased its overt competition to Saudi Arabia in the key Asian export markets to the point that it was selling oil to buyers in Asia at the widest discount to the comparable Saudi grade for 10 years.

Additionally, Kuwait had also been placing obstacles to the Kingdoms own operations in the Wafra region of the PNZ by increasing the difficulty for Saudi Arabian Chevron (SAC) in obtaining work permits to operate in the Zone, jeopardising SACs ability to move ahead with its full-field steam injection project in Wafra that was intended to boost output of heavy oil there by more than 80,000 bpd.

The effect of the closure in 2014 was much more damaging to Kuwait than to Saudi, with the loss of Kuwaits 50 per cent share of output effectively wiping out its spare capacity in one fell swoop, according to oil analysts at the time. Additionally, the closure made it all the more difficult for Kuwait to achieve its ambitious output expansion plans. Related: Oil Traders Could Lose Big On Coronavirus Panic

Given this, it is unsurprising to find that an accommodation on pricing to Asian export markets was worked through between the two sides, along with the situation regarding SACs visas, in preparation for the restarting of production at the field as soon as possible from the Kuwaiti side.

In a supreme twist of irony  and making nonsense of the current plan to re-open the PNZ  the key reason why the Khafji field was not allowed to be re-opened was the intervention of then-Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who did not want extra output coming into the markets, as this would have depressed the oil price even further than it had been already, according to oil analysts at the time. Saudi also wanted to maintain its leverage over Kuwait going forward, many analysts believed.

So, what is the possible explanation for suddenly allowing these long locked-down fields to go into production? It is, according to a range of sources spoken to by OilPrice.com since the 14 September attacks the fact that Saudi was not telling the truth about the extent of the damage then and it is not telling the truth now either.

As highlighted to OilPrice.com at the time of the attacks by global energy consultancy Energy Aspects senior energy analyst Richard Mallinson: It was extremely telling that he [Abdulaziz bin Salman] spoke of capacity and later of supply to the market, as these are terms that Saudi tends to use in order to avoid talking about actual production, as capacity and supply are not the same thing at all as actual production at the wellheads. He added: What Saudi is trying to do by not revealing the true picture is to protect its reputation as a reliable oil supplier, especially to its target clientele in Asia, so we have to take all of these comments with a hefty pinch of salt, he added.

Engineers we have spoken to have said that following an incident like this it would take several weeks just to assess the damage, never mind to begin doing anything about it, rather than the few days that the Saudis have taken and then announced the actual timeline  and a very short timeline at that  to bring back various stages of capacity, he concluded.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A common variation in a human gene that affects the brain's reward processing circuit increases vulnerability to the rewarding effects of the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis in adolescent females, but not males, according to preclinical research by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. As adolescence represents a highly sensitive period of brain development with the highest risk for initiating cannabis use, these findings in mice have important implications for understanding the influence of genetics on cannabis dependence in humans.

The brain's endocannabinoid system regulates activity of cannabinoids that are normally produced by the body to influence brain development and regulate mood, as well as those from external sources, such as the psychoactive ingredient THC, also known as 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is found in cannabis. An enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) breaks down a cannabinoid called anandamide that is naturally found in the brain and is most closely related to THC, helping to remove it from circulation.

In the study, published Feb. 12 in Science Advances, the investigators examined mice harboring a human gene variant that causes FAAH to degrade more easily, increasing overall anandamide levels in the brain. They discovered that the variant resulted in an overactive reward circuit in female--but not male adolescent mice--that resulted in higher preference for THC in females. Previous clinical studies linked this FAAH variant with increased risk for problem drug use, but no studies had specifically looked at the mechanistic effect on cannabis dependence.

"Our study shows that a variant in the FAAH gene, which is found in about one-third of people, increases vulnerability to THC in females and has large-scale impact on brain regions and pathways responsible for processing reward," said lead author Dr. Caitlin Burgdorf, a recent doctoral graduate from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. "Our findings suggest that genetics can be a contributing factor for increased susceptibility to cannabis dependence in select populations."

The team found that female mice with the FAAH variant showed an increased preference for the environment in which they'd been exposed to THC over a neutral environment when they were exposed to the substance during adolescence, and the effect persisted into adulthood. However, if female mice with this variant were exposed to THC for the first time in adulthood, there was no increased preference for THC. These findings in mice parallel observations in humans that a select population of females are more sensitive to the effects of cannabis and demonstrate a quicker progression to cannabis dependence. "Our findings suggest that we have discovered a genetic factor to potentially identify subjects at risk for cannabis dependence," said Dr. Burgdorf.

The investigators also found that the genetic variant led to increased neuronal connections and neural activity between two regions of the brain heavily implicated in reward behavior. Next, the team reversed the overactive reward circuit in female mice and found that decreasing circuit activity dampened the rewarding effects of THC.

As substance abuse disorders often emerge during adolescence, the investigators say this study has significant implications for translating these findings to inform developmental and genetic risk factors for human cannabis dependence.

"Our study provides new insights into cannabis dependence and provides us with a circuit and molecular framework to further explore the mechanisms of cannabis dependence," said co-senior author Dr. Anjali Rajadhyaksha, professor of neuroscience in pediatrics and associate professor of neuroscience in the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and a member of the Drukier Institute for Children's Health at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Although genetic factors are increasingly found to be associated with risk for other types of addiction, very few studies have investigated genetic factors associated with increasing risk for cannabis dependence. "In the future, we could use the presence of this FAAH genetic variant to potentially predict if an individual is more likely to be vulnerable to cannabis dependence," said co-senior author, Dr. Francis Lee, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and psychiatrist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "We are getting one step closer to understanding exactly how neurodevelopmental and genetic factors play interrelated roles to increase susceptibility for cannabis dependence."

###

Additional authors on the study were Dr. Deqiang Jing, Ruirong Yang and Chienchum Huang from the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine; Drs. Teresa A. Milner and Dr. Virginia M. Pickel from the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine; Dr. Matthew N. Hill from departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry at University of Calgary; and Dr. Ken Mackie from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington.

This research was supported by the National Institute of Health (Grants T32DA039080, R01DA08259, R01HL098351, R01HL136520, R01DA042943, R01NS052819, R01DA029122), Weill Cornell's Mowrer Memorial Graduate Student Fellowship, NewYork-Presbyterian Youth Anxiety Center, the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Consortium, the DeWitt-Wallace Fund of the New York Community Trust, and The Paul Fund.
PITTSFIELD  A 25-year-old Adams man denied a murder charge during his arraignment Tuesday in connection with the August shooting death of a New York woman.

Tyler Sumner was ordered held without right to bail during his arraignment in Berkshire Superior Court, the Berkshire Eagle reported. He is charged with murder in the death of Stephanie Olivieri, 32, of Yonkers, New York.

Olivieri was sitting in her car near the intersection of Columbus Avenue and South John Street when she was shot at about 3:25 a.m. on Aug. 25. Olivieri, formerly of Becket, was taken to Berkshire Medical Center suffering from a gunshot wound and died later at the hospital.

Police arrested Sumner on Sept. 28. They said they do not believe Olivieri was the intended target in the shooting.

Sumner also denied two counts of committing a firearms violation with three previous violent or drug crime convictions, and one count each of armed assault with intent to murder and carrying a loaded firearm without a license, the Eagle reported.

A status hearing was set for April 1.
(Photo : NASA/JPL-Caltech) [SHOCKING] Mars 2020 Rover is so Powerful That it Can Destroy Rocks in the Planet! (Photo : NASA/JPL-Caltech) [SHOCKING] Mars 2020 Rover is so Powerful That it Can Destroy Rocks in the Planet!

NASA's Mars 2020 Rover is now ready to be launched in July. The agency's most complex and powerful piece of science equipment that will soon reach planet Mars was reportedly more updated and advanced with the help of its new feature called 'Super Cam.'

Mars 2020 rover has a laser that can zap rocks and a new 'Super Cam'

On Feb. 7, NASA's Mars Exploration Program announced that Mars 2020 Rover had a newly-installed device that will provide more extensive knowledge about the Red planet. The tool called 'Super Cam' is designed to analyze rocks and minerals that can be found on Mars.

Super Cam is evolved from Curiosity rover's ChemCam that will use artificial intelligence to seek out rock targets. Comparingly, this technology will also allow a more accurate and precise target for smaller rocks. Though the Super Cam can be similar to ChemCam, one major thing that differentiates the two devices is Super Cam's most powerful laser beam.

The said laser beam is so powerful that it can destroy and zap rocks on planet Mars. According to NASA, the laser beam can "heat materials it impacts to around 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit (10,000 degrees Celsius) - a method called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, or LIBS - and vaporizes it."

This laser is positioned at the top or on the 'head' of the Mars 2020 Rover and can vaporize rocks even from 20 feet away. Vaporizing rocks are important in the study of NASA since, after vaporizing it, the materials can then be analyzed for particular elements or chemical compounds.

Super Cam also includes a green laser that can determine the molecular composition of surface materials. This laser will allow and cause some minerals and carbon-based chemicals even to emit light, or fluoresce.

"SuperCam's light sensor also features a shutter that can close as quickly as 100 nanoseconds at a time - so fast that very few photons of light will enter it," said NASA.

Mars 2020 rover has an audio recording

Aside from the powerful laser beam installed in the Mars 2020 Rover, the device also has a recording microphone that will allow the device's handlers to listen and note the various rocks that Rover will vaporize.

"The microphone serves a practical purpose by telling us something about our rock targets from a distance," Sylvestre Maurice of the Institute for Research in Astrophysics and Planetary Science said in a statement. "But we can also use it to directly record the sound of the Martian landscape or the rover's mast swiveling."

The audio equipped on the device can be NASA's highlights of Mars exploration since the agency can now input audio to the full-color video recorded by the Mars Rover.

Mars 2020 rover launching window

Starting on July 17 up to Aug. 5, Mars 2020 Rover will begin to launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The scheduled landing of this device is on Feb. 18, 2021.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
To celebrate free public transport, the good commuters (and everyone else) of Luxembourg are invited to an unusual concert taking place on Saturday 29 February at a unique venue thats usually closed to the public: Neien Tramsschapp in Kirchberg.

A packed line-up of Luxembourg talent will entertain you throughout the day AND all evening long as the Grand Duchy sees in the much anticipated free transport programme!

Head out to catch the sublime EDSUN, the terrific Michel Reis feat. Studnitzky, the up and coming Nicool, renowned musician Serge Tonnar, the eclectic Stayfou and excellent rockers Tuys.

Worried about food & drink? Well worry not: enjoy a drink from the bar and a bite to eat from multiple food trucks (LetzeBurger, BioPan08, T-Wraps and Mr & Mrs Muffle).

Whats more, the artists will be performing all day from noon at Belval-Universite, Gare centrale, Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg and Clervaux before making their way to Neien Tramsschapp on public transport with you, so prime your best selfie-face and get onboard!

RTL Introduces...EDSUN This week, and just ahead of the release of his latest EP 'YOUR ARE NOT JUST ONE THING', RTL meets rising star EDSUN.

RTL Introduces - Tuys We meet an indie band from Luxembourg with influences including danceable and catchy indie to more alternative rock with a harder and progressive edge.

Best of all? Entrance is free!

Follow the below link for more info.

Public transport will be free on February 29th since 'we want the whole country on the move!', confirmed a representative of the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works.
MELBOURNE, Florida, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. (OTC Pink: KGKG), a hemp and CBD lifestyle brand focused on product development in the functional beverage sector, is pleased to announce it has signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) to acquire Florida based Flo Beverages, LLC, located in Longwood, FL. Kona Gold will be performing its due diligence over the next few weeks and expects to close the acquisition within 30 days.

Flo Beverages, established in 2015, first entered the energy drink market with its SoFlo organic energy drinks, formulated and co-packed in-house, and available throughout Florida. The Company has since grown and operates out of a 3,000 sq ft facility in Longwood, FL, which is a USDA certified organic co-packing facility. Flo Beverages recently launched LiKuid, an all organic Ketogenic Energy Drink, available in 3 great tasting flavors, which is currently distributed in Florida and Puerto Rico. The Company operates a new, state of the art co-packing line and does all formulation in-house.

"I am very excited to announce the LOI to acquire Flo Beverages, an exciting company with smart ownership and great products," stated Robert Clark, CEO of Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. "Started by brothers Lance and Evan Adler, Flo brings to Kona Gold Solutions, an exciting product line in LiKuid, a Ketogenic Energy Drink, and a team that runs a USDA organic certified facility that knows how to formulate great tasting beverages. Flo operates its own production line, which brings exciting opportunities in offering co-packing for small to medium companies and producing limited seasonal runs."

Clark continued, "In 2020, we are looking to add a new product line, an all organic CBD energy drink. The acquisition of Flo Beverages provides the Company now with in-house resources to tap into. We are excited about the opportunities Flo brings to Kona Gold and the resources Kona Gold will offer Flo to build its distribution footprint with LiKuid."

For more information regarding LiKuid Ketogenic Energy Drinks, please visit:

https://likuidenergy.com/

https://www.facebook.com/likuidenergy/

For more information regarding Kona Gold Solutions, please visit:

https://www.konagoldhemp.com

https://www.facebook.com/konagoldhemp

https://twitter.com/konagoldhemp

https://www.instagram.com/konagoldhemp/

For more information regarding HighDrate, please visit:

https://www.highdrateme.com

https://www.facebook.com/HighDrateMe/

https://twitter.com/highdrateme

https://www.instagram.com/highdrateme/



For more information regarding Gold Leaf Distribution, please visit:

https://www.goldleafdist.com

https://www.facebook.com/GoldLeafDist/

Kona Gold Solutions, Inc.:



Kona Gold Solutions, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, has created wholly owned subsidiaries, Kona Gold LLC, HighDrate, LLC, and Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC. Kona Gold, LLC has developed a premium Hemp Infused Energy Drink line; please visit the Company's website at www.konagoldhemp.com.

HighDrate, LLC has developed the beverage industry's first CBD Infused Energy Water, available in 6 delicious flavors; please visit the Company's website at www.highdrateme.com.

Gold Leaf Distribution, LLC was created to fill the Company's distribution needs in markets it wants to quickly enter; please visit the Company's website at www.goldleafdist.com.

The Companies are located on the east coast of Florida in Melbourne and Greer, South Carolina.

Safe Harbor Statement:

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control.

Investor Relations Contact:

Robert Clark

844-714-2224

[email protected]

SOURCE Kona Gold Solutions, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.konagoldhemp.com


During a town hall Tuesday night in Oak Park, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly appeared to backtrack on parts of her proposed bill that would make pumping your own gas illegal in Illinois.

Lilly appeared with State Sen. Don Harmon at the Oak Park Public Library to discuss the state's proposed graduated income tax, which will appear on the November ballot. Following that discussion, Lilly addressed the crowd about the gas pumping issue that had been in the news throughout the day.

"The bill I chose looked at bringing what I would title safety and convenience at the gas pump," Lilly said. "It had some verbiage that was not my intent at all."

The bill, which had its first reading Feb. 5, has been referred to the rules committee for review.

As currently written, HB 4571 would create the "Gas Station Attendant Act," which provides that no gas may be pumped at a gas station in the state unless it is pumped by a gas station attendant employed at the gas station.

Lilly said the bill was designed to address convenience and safety issues at the gas pump, adding it is her plan to let people continue to pump their own gas should they want.

"You can continue to do that with this concept," Lilly said. "As mentioned, the bill that is out there, it was just a vehicle to be utilized to talk about what the intent is. The thought we discussed was how can you have both these options at a gas station. This is not a bill I would move forward to make pumping your own gas illegal. That was never the intent."

When one attendant pointed out full-service is available at some Illinois gas stations already, Lilly said she merely wanted to provide that option to all drivers who may need help when pumping gas.

"Not every station has these options," Lilly said. "[Drivers] have to go around and find where they're going to get that convenience. We're having an increase in fires at gas stations around the country. We have a number of people who may be in a hurry and don't know how to use the new technology. There are options to allow [full-service] and continue what we are doing."

Some in attendance felt such a law could drive up gas prices even higher as stations would likely pass along new employee expenses to consumers.

"I really believe, as we move forward in our economy and society, things often change," Lilly said. "That's how we got self-service. We thought that would be a discount for everyone pumping their own gas. Gas has been going up ever since."

Lilly reiterated her intent to use the bill as the beginning of a discussion on how to shape such a law and not ban self-service at Illinois gas pumps.

"What I'm saying is let's talk to people and see where they are," Lilly said. "The talks [so far] got really muddled because everyone has an opinion and we want to respect that. We're not going to create legislation that's not the desire of Illinois."

New Jersey is the only state that requires full service at gas stations. Oregon, which previously had such a law, loosened those restrictions in 2018.

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Buddhist monks arrive for a ceremony to reopen the Terminal 21 shopping center in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, where a soldier shot and killed 15 people, Feb. 13, 2020.

Updated at 4:50 p.m. ET on 2020-02-13





Days after a Thai army sergeant killed 29 people after complaining that his commander had cheated him on a property loan, a lawyer said he was aware of hundreds of similar cases in the military.

The comment came as a defense official confirmed that two army officers had been demoted to inactive duty posts, but declined to say why. Thailands army chief on Tuesday said it would look at the details of the dispute that he alleged had caused Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma, 32, to go on a shooting spree.

Lawyer Atchariya Ruangrattanapong said he was compiling a list of soldiers who had made similar complaints about being caught up in shady loans or real estate deals with superior officers.

There are plenty of cases at the moment, he texted BenarNews on Thursday.

Atchariya also praised the military for transferring Col. Uthai Fangkratok and Lt. Col. Tee Permpol to inactive duty within the Second Army Region, which covers Thailands northeastern region where the rampage took place.

Thank you commander of the Second Army Region for the actions after we exposed the scam, he said in a Facebook post on the Help Crime Victims Club page.

A military spokesman confirmed the transfers of the two officers but withheld comment on what led to the action, referring further questions to the Royal Thai Army.

The reported transfers are accurate but I cant give details because it is an army matter, spokesman Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantrawanich told BenarNews.

Two spokeswomen for the army declined to answer questions when BenarNews contacted them by phone on Thursday.

Last weekends shooting rampage in Nakhon Ratchasima, a city of 2.6 million people about 260 km (160 miles) northeast of Bangkok, shocked Thailand and has put a spotlight on its military, which is widely considered to be the most powerful institution next to the monarchy in the Buddhist-majority country.

The Thai armed forces have launched at least 18 coups since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, a former army chief of staff, led the last coup that toppled a civilian government in 2014.

Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth was killed by security forces on Sunday morning, ending a 17-hour stand-off at the Terminal 21 shopping center in Nakhon Ratchasima. Officials said he killed 29 people in all during his rampage across the city, including his commanding officer, civilians and police while injuring 58 others.

His first two victims, Col. Anantharot Krasae and Anantharots mother-in-law, Anong Mitrchan, had met with him on Saturday to discuss his concerns about the loan, when a heated argument ensued and Jakrapanth opened fire on them, according to reports.

Anantharots widow, Pornlaphat Mitrchan, said her husband never bullied Jakrapanth and had nothing to do with the loan, The New York Times reported.

My husband was a very kind guy, she said. You can ask his subordinates.

Hundreds allege scams

Atchariya, the attorney, previously told the Reuters news service that he had been approached by 20 members of Jakrapanths unit with similar complaints.

Apart from this group, I have been informed that there are hundreds of other soldiers who were scammed in a similar situation, Atchariya told Reuters.

On Tuesday, Gen. Apirat Kongsompong, Thailands army chief, apologized to the nation for Jakrapanths rampage.

He said Jakrapanth was angered over a bad deal with a superior officer.

The perpetrator did not receive justice from his superior and his family over a land-purchase deal. We will take a look at the details. When the promise was broken, that motivated him to carry out this rampage, Apirat said.

The general also vowed to investigate and bring to an end shady deals involving military officers and their subordinates.

There are many projects among army personnel who collaborate with businessmen including real estate and loan sharking businesses. I know that and there will be generals down to colonels who will go jobless this month and in the coming months, Apirat said.

In addition, the military announced plans to set up a direct line to allow soldiers to call in if they believed they were being exploited by superior officers. It said the complaints would be forwarded directly to Apirat.

Meanwhile, a former military leader said officers could be involved in business enterprises, but there must be no conflicts of interest.

They can be in any business, but they cannot deal with their subordinates. They cant make their troops their customers, retired Lt. Gen. Pongsakorn Rodchomphu told BenarNews.

According to another observer who is a professor at Thammasat University, military leaders in Thailand are exploiting their subordinates.

As far as I can see, the military is like an empire, Anusorn Unno, a lecturer and dean of sociology and anthropology at the campus in Bangkok, told BenarNews. The chain of command disallows subordinates to appeal anything. The resources are used in an opaque way, vastly exploited.

He also called for the military to allow more public access.

There must be transparency to fix the problem. There are many secret budgets. Budget allocations should be open to the public, like other government units, he said.

In an editorial, the Bangkok Post echoed Anusorns call for changes, including allowing for external audits. The 2018 Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act allows for internal audits of military spending, but not many people are really convinced that the militarys self-regulation can ensure transparency.

For years, there have been allegations about unsound and fishy financial operations involving the military as a whole. Instead of being open to criticism and investigation, the military has always taken a defensive stance by slapping those daring to question its financial deals with legal action, the Post said.

Without allowing greater external audits, the army risks harboring more and more shady operations.
Telecom Egypt, which owns 45 percent of Vodafone Egypt, said the preemption right is "guaranteed under a shareholders' agreement and the main system of Vodafone Egypt"

Telecom Egypt affirmed on Thursday that it is entitled to claim the right of preemption in the potential sale of a majority stake of Vodafone Group's Egyptian unit to Saudi Telecom Co (STC).

Vodafone Group struck a preliminary deal last month to sell 55 percent of its shares in Vodafone Egypt for $2.39 billion. It said at the time that the deal was expected to close by June.

Vodafone is Egypt's biggest mobile operator, with over 40 million subscribers.

Telecom Egypt, which owns 45 percent of Vodafone Egypt, said the preemption right is "guaranteed under a shareholders' agreement and the main system of Vodafone Egypt."

The company also has the right to accept a "mandatory purchase offer" for its shares in Vodafone Egypt as prescribed by Egypts Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), it added in a statement on Thursday.

The financial regulator said last week that STC must offer to buy Telecom Egypt's stake if it goes ahead with the deal, under a 1992 law requiring a compulsory tender for any outstanding shares.

Wael Ziada, telecoms analyst and head of investment company Zilla Capital, told Ahram Online that "the [preemption] right gives the company the priority to buy Vodafone's share if it submits an equivalent or bigger offer than that of STC."

Ziada added, however, that this scenario is unlikely given that the company is billions of pounds in debt, partially as a result of the launch of its own mobile network WE in 2017.

If it does buy Vodafone Global's stake, Telecom Egypt, which is predominantly owned by the govenment, would effectively own two of the country's four existing mobile service providers, which would be "unprecedented and would undermine competition in the market," Ziada said.

Given all this, "the best choice for the company is to sell its shares to STC," Ziada said.

In its statement, Telecom Egypt said it would "use any other rights guaranteed by Egyptian laws and the shareholders' agreement" and pledged to take "all measures to make the best use of these rights for all its stakeholder."

The company's spokesman contacted by Ahram Online was not immediately available for comment.

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The goal of the Minsi Lake dam project was to have it finished in time for the 2020 trout season.

Anglers should get ready, as the the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said it has started refilling the lake and plans to stock it in time for this years trout season.

The 117-acre lake in Upper Mount Bethel Township, part of the 311-acre park, was drained in 2017 to repair deficiencies in the dam, which was built in 1970.

The water was drained into a tributary of Martins Creek, and the fish captured and moved to Carbon Countys Beltzville Lake.

The $4.9 million dam rehabilitation project was finished in December, and the commission announced Thursday it has started refilling the lake.

Minsi Lake will refill at a pace of about two to three feet per week, with the lake approaching full capacity in about six weeks.

The lake is scheduled to be stocked on March 24, ahead of the Regional Mentored Youth Trout Day on March 28. About 3.2 million trout averaging 11 inches in length will be stocked by the commission in 707 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling this year,.

The refilling is intentionally slow, both to allow the dirt portion of the dam to saturate and to allow engineers to monitor the new concrete dams and how they react to the tremendous amount of pressure as the water returns, the commission said in a news release.

Were confident that the dams will perform exactly how they were designed, and we dont anticipate any issues, said Paul Urbanik, director of the fish and boat commissions bureau of engineering. In moving slowly, well also be able to control the amount of sediment that gets stirred up in the lake and reduce the amount that moves into downstream waterways.

The lake will be stocked during the preseason, in-season, and fall stocking periods. In addition to trout, largemouth bass and six different species of sunfish will be placed in the lake when it has filled.

Minsi Lake, seen here in 2017, was drained for repairs to the lake's more than 40-year-old dam. The lake is in Upper Mount Bethel Township.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A hot potato: With the number of cases rising, more people outside of China are becoming concerned about the coronavirus. One question thats being asked is: can the virus be carried on packages shipped directly from the country?

While such a scenario was part of a Simpsons episode from 1993, in which Osaka Flu traveled from Japan to Springfield after a factory worker coughed into a package, there are genuine fears that something similar could happen with the coronavirus.

While the answer isnt 100 percent definite, it seems the risk of the virus surviving a long trip from China on the surface of a package is extremely low. There is still a lot about 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) thats unknown, but according to the CDC, a lot of the information comes from previous coronaviruses that cause severe illnesses in people: MERS and SARS.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of 2019-nCoV associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States associated with imported goods, states the agencys coronavirus FAQ site.

Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, reaffirmed the CDCs findings. The temperature of the air surrounding the packages and projects during shipping is not considered conducive to viral viability, he told Toms Hardware. Overnight packages are not how this virus will transmit, and I think the concern is completely misplaced.

Its not all good news, though. Work published in the Journal of Hospital Infection (via Forbes) states that coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS can live on surfaces for between four and five days, but some could survive for up to nine days outside of the body at room temperature. However, these are sensitive to disinfectants containing alcohol, sodium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite, and they can be removed from a surface in 60 seconds. Its expected that the disinfecting process will have a similar effect on 2019-nCoV.

With the coronavirus causing delayed products (possibly the Xbox Series X and PS5), MWCs cancelation, and a fall in smartphone shipments, its no surprise that people are being very cautious, but refusing to order your PC parts from China is probably a step too far.

Image credits: Drazen Zigic and Robert Wei via Shutterstock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus looked stunning on the red carpet alongside her co-star Will Ferrell at the New York City premiere of her new film Downhill.

The 59-year-old actress was all smiles on the red carpet at the premiere, held at the SVA Theater in New York City on Wednesday.

The actress was seen posing alongside her co-star Will Ferrell, with their new movie Downhill hitting theaters February 14.

Red carpet ready: Julia Louis-Dreyfus looked stunning on the red carpet alongside her co-star Will Ferrell at the New York City premiere of her new film Downhill

Louis-Dreyfus was wearing a slightly sheer, form-fitting black dress that hugged her curves and fell to her calves.

She also wore a thick gold necklace around her neck, with matching gold earrings as well.

The actress completed her look with a pair of black pumps as she hit the red carpet with her co-star Will Ferrell.

Julia and Will: The actress completed her look with a pair of black pumps as she hit the red carpet with her co-star Will Ferrell

Downhill is a remake of the 2014 Swedish film Force Maejure, following a family vacationing in the French Alps who deal with a devastating avalanche.

Louis-Dreyfus and Ferrell play the parents of this new family who, after surviving the avalanche, are forced to confront how they really feel about one another.

The film, directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, also stars Miranda Otto, Zach Woods and Kristofer Hivju, who starred in Force Maejure as well.

Remake: Downhill is a remake of the 2014 Swedish film Force Maejure, following a family vacationing in the French Alps who deal with a devastating avalanche

Louis-Dreyfus is coming off her seven-season run on the hit HBO series Veep, which went off the air in 2019.

Downhill is the actress' first movie since her critically-acclaimed 2013 film Enough Said, starring alongside James Gandolfini.

She also voices Laurel Lightfoot in the upcoming animated film Onward, part of a voice cast that also includes Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, in theaters March 6.

JLD: Louis-Dreyfus is coming off her seven-season run on the hit HBO series Veep, which went off the air in 2019

The actress was also spotted at the after party following the New York premiere, posing alongside Ferrell again.

The co-stars also posed alongside Searchlight Pictures Chairman Nancy Utley at the party for the first film to be released under the banner, re-named from Fox Searchlight after the Disney merger.

Also spotted at the after-party were Downhill directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, producer Anthony Bregman and actor Zach Woods.

After party: The actress was also spotted at the after party following the New York premiere, posing alongside Ferrell again

All smiles: The co-stars also posed alongside Searchlight Pictures Chairman Nancy Utley at the party for the first film to be released under the banner, re-named from Fox Searchlight after the Disney merger

Party time: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell hit the after-party at the Downhill premiere

Cast and crew: Also spotted at the after-party were Downhill directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, producer Anthony Bregman and actor Zach Woods

Premiere look: Will Ferrell rocks a tie-less grey suit at the Downhill premiere

Directors: Directors Jim Rash and Nat Faxon hit the red carpet

Zoe's look: Zoe Chao hits the red carpet in a shimmering strapless dress

Zach's look: Zach Woods rocks a blue suit at the Downhill premiere

Sasha's look: Sasha Anne hits the red carpet in style

Old school: Julia's husband Brad Hall stuck with a classic blue suit and a baby blue tie

Reserved: Will's wife Viveca Paulin had on a simple black dress with eye-catching baby blue heels

Cute couples: The stars of Downhill and their spouses posed on the red carpet
1. Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody.

In an interview with ABC News this afternoon, Attorney General William Barr said President Trumps criticisms of the Justice Department make it impossible for me to do my job.

It was a stunning public challenge to the president from one of his most loyal allies.

Mr. Trump has tweeted repeatedly this week, praising Mr. Barr but denigrating his department over what he saw as an overly harsh sentence recommendation for Roger Stone, the presidents longtime friend.
Sturgeon signals trouble ahead over regulation

The Irish Protocol may be a unionist horror show to which the Government should never have submitted, but dont think that the regulatory challenges posed by Brexit are confined to Northern Ireland.

As I wrote in 2018, Theresa Mays capitulation over post-Brexit devolved powers has set a series of time bombs under the Union  and Nicola Sturgeon doesnt look like shes going to waste much time trying to set them off.

The First Minister has told an event in Brussels that she intends to propose new legislation in Holyrood which will keep Scotlands regulations aligned to the European Union after Brexit, presumably in order to ease a theoretical re-accession in the event of Scottish independence.

Doing so would obviously entail breaking with the United Kingdoms regulations, and thus fracturing the British internal market. If that happened it would have huge potential to undermine the integrity of the Union. Ministers cant claim they werent warned  its not a coincidence that those warning against passing EU powers to the devolved assemblies posed produced in-depth papers about the dangers, and their opponents mostly stuck to bromides about the spirit of devolution.

(Tom Harris, usually sound on this stuff, does write about the opportunities that will be made available to Scotlands devolved parliament in the form of new powers previously wielded by Brussels on Scotlands behalf. Alas, he is mistaken.)

Davies illustrates the mounting strength of devo-scepticism

This column has been devosceptic since its launch back in the mists of 2013. For most of that time it has been a lonely beat, although we have been joined along the way by sturdy companions such as Stephen Daisley.

But if Brexit demonstrated anything, its that given sufficient time even the most impregnable and established consensus can start to totter. There have already been tremors  a couple of years ago almost one in five Scots told pollsters they wanted to abolish Holyrood  but in Wales there really seem to be grounds for a possible lift-off.

In the latest set of polls run by Professor Roger Awan-Scully, support for abolishing the Welsh Assembly took a third of the vote in a straight choice (once Dont Knows were excluded). On a broader list of options, independence got its highest share ever (14 per cent), but was still outpolled by abolition. This despite there being almost no Welsh politicians, journalists, or academics pushing the integrationist position.

For the moment, that is  as there were some signals this week that the Abolish the Assembly party (ATA) might be positioning itself to pick up one or more defectors from the splintered remnants of what was previously UKIPs Assembly group.

All of this has prompted Paul Davies, the current leader of the Conservatives in the Assembly, to start saying things like we know its not devolution thats the problem, which is not the sort of statement required if everyone actually knows that. He is doubtless disconcerted by the election of a new tranche of Tory MPs from devosceptic North Wales  I have written previously about how the Assembly party, by contrast, is locked into a self-defeating devocratic cycle.

as Crabb wakes up to Welsh MPs diminished role

Meanwhile at Westminster we find Stephen Crabb, the former Welsh Secretary, complaining that English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) has left Welsh MPs feeling second class. This echoes complaints by the Scottish National Party, who made a song and dance of being excluded from an NHS vote earlier this week.

As ever, its important to remember that it was actually devolution, not EVEL, which created two tiers of MPs  those who can vote on issues that dont affect their own constitutents, and ones that cant. Thats what lies at the root of the West Lothian Question, which EVEL is an attempt to solve.

More than that, EVEL also serves to try to align the interests of MPs from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with those of the Union. Prior to its introduction, non-separatist MPs from those countries were all too happy to endlessly indulge the devocratic demand for more powers because their own role, and sense of importance, was undiminished. It is no coincidence that it was EVEL, rather than much more damaging concessions to the Welsh Assembly, which finally elicited many of these paeans to the inter-connected reality of our United Kingdom.

Davidson would give serious consideration if offered peerage

Ruth Davidson has said that she would give serious consideration should Boris Johnson offer to elevate her to the peerage, according to the Daily Record.

This would potentially give the former Scottish Conservative leader a pathway to serving in the Government without having to beat a precarious path to a seat in the House of Commons. Indeed, the Daily Express reports speculation that she might be made Secretary of State for Scotland.

Sinn Fein: what the fuss is about

Earlier this week, our editor posed a reasonable question: what grounds are there really for getting het up about the possibility of Sinn Fein taking office in the Republic of Ireland? He wrote:

After all, it is deemed suitable to share government in Northern Ireland. Indeed, the British state has only recently made gargantuan efforts to get it back into co-office. Its efforts to do so receieved a standing ovation from almost everyone apart from this sites very own Henry Hill.

However, its being a reasonable question does not preclude it having a reasonable answer. For the benefit of readers who dont follow the Irish press, I thought it might be interesting to offer up this counter-argument from Dan OBrien of the Irish Independent:

As a thoroughly democratic entity of long-standing, this Republic cannot be compared with Northern Ireland. Giving a party such as Sinn Fein a role in its government would not improve the democratic fabric of this State. On the contrary, it would put it at risk of degradation. Anyone minded to vote for Sinn Fein on Saturday should be conscious of that.

Both pieces are well worth reading in full.

News in Brief:
Rishi Sunak, a GP's son who married an Indian tech billionaire's daughter and built a multi million-pound fortune that saw him dubbed the 'Maharaja of the Dales', has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become Chancellor at the age of just 39.

A graduate of 42,000-per-year Winchester College and Oxford University, where he studied PPE, he is believed to be one of the richest members of Parliament, and lives with his family in a magnificent Georgian manor house in the small village of Kirby Sigston, just outside Northallerton in North Yorkshire.

His Instagram account depicts a sport-loving family man who dotes on the two daughters he shares with his wife, Akshata Murthy, whose father N.R. Narayana Murthy is India's sixth-wealthiest man thanks to his ownership of multinational business technology giant Infosys.

A multi-millionaire in his own right thanks to his investment career, Mr Sunak was known to be close to his former boss Sajid Javid, with the pair joining each other on nights out and sharing Star Wars jokes on Twitter.

And although he has taken the job at Number 11 thanks to the bombshell departure of his former mentor, few at Westminster doubted he would reach the top in the end.

Rishi Sunak, pictured with his wife Akshata Murthy has been promoted to Chancellor - one of the youngest people to hold the post in modern politics

A third-generation Indian immigrant, Mr Sunak's father was an NHS GP and his mother ran a chemist's. He is pictured with his wife, Akshata, and their children

A multi-millionaire in his own right thanks to his investment career, Mr Sunak is even wealthier thanks to his marriage to Murthy, whose father N.R. Narayana Murthy is India's sixth-richest man (pictured, their magnificent Georgian manor in North Yorkshire)

Mr Sunak and Mr Javid seemed to develop something of a 'bromance' at the Treasury. Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker with a picture of them arm in arm

Mr Sunak has experienced a dizzying rise since taking William Hagues Yorkshire seat of Richmond at the 2015 general election, which is when he first acquired his 'Maharaja of the Dales' moniker.

His father in law, self-made billionaire Murthy Sr, is a household name in India after making his fortune through consulting giant Infosys.

Mr Sunak is pictured with his family (wife Akshata Murthy is second from right) as the GP's son joins Johnson's cabinet

Akshata herself runs fashion label Akshata Designs and is also a director of a venture capital firm founded by her father in 2010. Her shareholding in Infosys alone is estimated at 185million.

Mr Sunak is a solid media performer, repeatedly offered up by Downing Street for tricky interviews.

Mr Sunak's father-in-law N.R. Narayana Murthy with David Cameron in 2010

The staunch Brexiteer was promoted to Boris Johnson's Cabinet after the dramatic reshuffle in July.

Until now he was Mr Javid's deputy, with the title Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The two of them seemed to develop something of a 'bromance'. Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker.

'Great night out with the boss - Jedi Master @sajidjavid,' he tweeted alongside a picture of them arm-in-arm.

Mr Javid returned the praise with another Star Wars reference, writing: 'The force is strong with young Sunak'.

Mr Sunak, who boarded at the 40,000-a-year Winchester College, was born in Southampton and describes his hobbies as 'keeping fit, cricket, football and movies'.

A fan of Southampton FC, he described his childhood hero as footballer Matt Le Tissier.

'One of my prized possessions is an 18th birthday card signed by the entire Saints team, but Matt in the middle there, which I've still got,' Mr Sunak told the BBC in an October 2019 interview.

Mr Sunak, who boarded at the 40,000-a-year Winchester College, was born in Southampton and describes his hobbies as 'keeping fit, cricket, football and movies'

Mr Sunak pictured on Instagram wielding a Super Soaker (left) and cooking up a barbecue

Mr Sunak is married to Akshata Murthy, whose father N.R. Narayana Murthy is India's sixth-wealthiest man

While building the hedge fund he spent a couple of days doing voluntary work for the Conservatives. He then decided he would like to go into politics full-time

Mr Sunak cuddling up to a dog in a photo posted on Instagram, which depicts a sport-loving family man

After Oxford Mr Sunak he studied at California's Stanford University where he met Akshata (both are pictured)

A third-generation Indian immigrant, Mr Sunak's father was an NHS GP and his mother ran a chemist's.

After Oxford he studied at California's Stanford University where he met Akshata.

The couple married in her home city of Bangalore in 2009 in a two-day ceremony attended by 1,000 guests.

After the couple returned to Britain, Sunak worked for a London hedge fund before setting up his own business, Theleme Partners, in 2010, with an initial fund of $700million.

Writing on his website, Mr Sunak said his business experience had taught him the importance of entrepreneurship.

'From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen first-hand how politicians should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure our future prosperity,' he said.

While building the hedge fund he spent a couple of days doing voluntary work for the Conservatives. He then decided he would like to go into politics full-time.

He has also been a school governor, a board member of a large youth club and a volunteer in education programmes.

When Mr Sunak went canvassing for the first time his Richmond seat, which has a relatively small ethnic minority population, one sheep farmer reportedly said: 'Nice to meet you. I see you've got a better sun tan than William Hague.'

A third-generation Indian immigrant, Mr Sunak's father was an NHS GP and his mother ran a chemist's

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer is pictured with his wife, Akshata, and their two children during a Santa run

The couple married in her home city of Bangalore in 2009 in a two-day ceremony attended by 1,000 guests

Mr Sunak has praised his his father-in-law's favourite saying: 'In God we trust  but everyone else needs to bring data to the table.'

He has previously spoken about how his Asian identity matters to him, telling the BBC: 'I'm a first generation immigrant. My parents emigrated here, so you've got this generation of people who are born here, their parents were not born here, and they've come to this country to make a life.

'In terms of cultural upbringing, I'd be at the temple at the weekend - I'm a Hindu - but I'd also be at the Saints game as well on a Saturday - you do everything, you do both.'

He said he had been 'fortunate' not to have to endure much racism when he was young, but said there was 'one incident that sticks in my head'.

'I was just out with my younger brother and younger sister, and I think, probably pretty young, I was probably a mid-teenager, and we were out at a fast food restaurant and I was just looking after them. There were people sitting nearby, it was the first time I'd experienced it, just saying some very unpleasant things. The 'P' word.'

He said he 'couldn't conceive' of the incident happening in today's Britain.
WASHINGTON  Trump administration officials investigating the governments response to Russias election interference in 2016 appear to be hunting for a basis to accuse Obama-era intelligence officials of hiding evidence or manipulating analysis about Moscows covert operation, according to people familiar with aspects of the inquiry.

Since his election, President Trump has attacked the intelligence agencies that concluded that Russia secretly tried to help him win, fostering a narrative that they sought to delegitimize his victory. He has long promoted the investigation by John H. Durham, the prosecutor examining their actions, as a potential pathway to proving that a deep-state cabal conspired against him.

Questions asked by Mr. Durham, who was assigned by Attorney General William P. Barr to scrutinize the early actions of law enforcement and intelligence officials struggling to understand the scope of Russias scheme, suggest that Mr. Durham may have come to view with suspicion several clashes between analysts at different intelligence agencies over who could see each others highly sensitive secrets, the people said.

Mr. Durham appears to be pursuing a theory that the C.I.A., under its former director John O. Brennan, had a preconceived notion about Russia or was trying to get to a particular result  and was nefariously trying to keep other agencies from seeing the full picture lest they interfere with that goal, the people said.
DELPHI, Ind. (WLFI)  Major changes are underway at the place near where Abby Williams and Libby German were found dead.

The teens were enjoying the nature out at Delphi's Monon High Bridge when they were killed in February 2017. Now in February 2020, developers are bringing new life to the historic bridge known for its tragic past.

The Monon High Bridge, just east of Delphi

A new sketch, video and more audio of who police believe is the suspect in the Delphi double homicide was released on April 22, 2019. Provided by Indiana State Police A new sketch, video and more audio of who police believe is the suspect in the Delphi double homicide was released on April 22, 2019. Provided by Indiana State Police The Monon High Bridge, just east of Delphi

The trail leading back to the bridge is blocked off, and has been since just after the killings. Many people think it's because of the homicides, but actually $260,000 worth of renovations are happening on the Monon High Bridge.

The High Bridge was part of the Monon Rail Line built in the 1890s. It crosses Deer Creek about 60 feet up from the water. It is Indiana's second-longest and third-highest railroad bridge. The last train ran across the line in the 1980s, and it has been sitting since.

Related: Bonus drone video of Mary I Gerard Nature Preserve and Monon High Bridge

The ink was drying on an ownership change when the events of Feb. 13, 2017 happened. The bridge ownership actually transferred from CSX to Indiana Landmarks just a few days after Abby and Libby were killed.

"We pulled off any activity out here," said Director of Indiana Landmarks Tommy Kleckner when he found out about the homicides. "We held off on pre-development work, soil testing, surveying, knowing that investigators needed to be able to do their job."

Now three years later, the bridge is becoming a pedestrian trail. Thanks to a grant from North Central Health Services, crews have just finished repairing a damaged pier. The next phase begins early this summer.

"It's a beautiful natural area that has been an attraction for decades and decades, over a century," said Kleckner. "Once it is finished, it will be a destination."

The western third of the Monon High Bridge, about 300 feet in total, will be decked and rails put up. Indiana Landmarks said the eventual goal is to finish the entire bridge with a path that connects back to Delphi on existing roads.

"Following February 2017, trail safety became a really important issue, said Kleckner. "Our motivation before was really preservation. Following those events, it became preservation and trail safety."

The City of Delphi is working on the project as well. A $1.2 million grant from the state will help pave the trail, widen it 10 feet and help with soil erosion.

"It's one of the assets this community has that a lot of others want to emulate," said Delphi Mayor Shane Evans. "If you see the successful communities in the state of Indiana, they're trying to put trails in. They're trying to make it pedestrian friendly, biking friendly."

The public trailhead can be accessed from the Freedom Bridge crossing the Hoosier Heartland Highway, or from the Mary I. Gerard Nature Preserve off County Road West 300 North. Trail cameras and mile markers were installed along the trails since the killings.

Despite the tragic past, Indiana Landmarks said people are on board for a new future.

"There has not been resistance," said Kleckner. "The community has really been supportive of this effort. Those events did provide greater motivation to move this forward to make sure we are successful at completing this and with greater sensitivity."

The bridge is currently on private property, so Indiana Landmarks say you are trespassing if you go back there. Once finished, ownership will be given to the canal association to become part of the public trail.

A grand opening of the bridge is expected in late summer of 2020.

Police say 50,000 tips have been submitted so far in the investigation. Email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com with any information in the killings of Abby Williams and Libby German.

Thursday on the 3-year anniversary of when the girls went missing, we take our questions about the investigation directly to Indiana State Police's Superintendent. We will tell you where it stands three years later, Thursday on News 18 This morning.
LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tightened his grip on the government Thursday with a Cabinet shake-up that triggered the unexpected resignation of his Treasury chief, the second-most powerful figure in the administration.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions inside the House of Commons in London, Wednesday Jan. 29, 2020. Britain is scheduled to leave Europe from the stroke of midnight on upcoming Friday, with the future relationship between the trading partners to be defined by continuing trade negotiations. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, 2nd left, Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid, right, and Home Secretary Priti Patel, 2nd right. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tightened his grip on the government Thursday with a Cabinet shake-up that triggered the unexpected resignation of his Treasury chief, the second-most powerful figure in the administration.

Sajid Javid's resignation was the most dramatic moment i n a shuffle that saw Johnson fire a handful of Cabinet members he viewed as under-performing or untrustworthy, and promote loyal lawmakers to senior jobs.

Javid smiled as he entered the prime minister's 10 Downing St. office on Thursday morning to meet Johnson along with other ministers who were being promoted or kept in place. But a spokesman confirmed soon after that Javid had quit.

Speaking later, Javid said Johnson had asked him to fire all his aides and replace them with staff approved by the prime minister's office.

I dont believe any self-respecting minister would accept such conditions, Javid said.

I felt that I was left with no option other than to resign."

British lawmaker Alok Sharma, the new Business Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shook up his government on Thursday, firing and appointing ministers to key Cabinet posts. Johnson is aiming to tighten his grip on government after winning a big parliamentary majority in December's election. That victory allowed Johnson to take Britain out of the European Union in January. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Johnson quickly replaced him with Rishi Sunak, who had previously been a deputy to Javid at the Treasury and is widely regarded as a dependable loyalist to the prime minister .

Johnson's office confirmed it was creating a new team of advisers covering both the prime minister's office and the Treasury.

Javid's resignation followed reports he had clashed with Johnson's powerful adviser, Dominic Cummings, a self-styled political disruptor who is mistrusted by many lawmakers and officials.

Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge," said John McDonnell, finance spokesman for the opposition Labour Party.

Javid, who became Chancellor of the Exchequer when Johnson succeeded Theresa May as prime minister in July, had been due to deliver his first budget in less than a month  a crucial staging post for the government in the wake of the country's departure from the European Union last month.

The prime minister's office could not confirm Thursday whether the budget would take place as scheduled on March 11.

In the wake of Brexit, Johnson has vowed to take a more interventionist economic approach than some of his Conservative predecessors in order t o boost poorer regions outside the economic hub of London and southeast England. That involves ambitious infrastructure plans, including a 100 billion-pound ($130 billion) high-speed railway connecting London to central and northern England.

British lawmaker Oliver Dowden, the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shook up his government on Thursday, firing and appointing ministers to key Cabinet posts. Johnson was aiming to tighten his grip on government after winning a big parliamentary majority in December's election. That victory allowed Johnson to take Britain out of the European Union in January. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Paul Dales, chief U.K. economist at Capital Economics, said Javid, a fiscal conservative, had appeared reluctant to increase public borrowing to fund higher spending.

He said Javid's departure should allow the government to push through even bigger increases in public investment and perhaps resuscitate tax cuts that previously looked dead in the water.

That appeared to be the main sentiment in financial markets, as traders calculated that the higher spending would inevitably lead to the Bank of England having to raise interest rates more quickly than anticipated. The pound got a boost, trading 0.8% higher at $1.3058.

The resignation was a curve ball in a Cabinet shake-up that comes in the wake of the Conservatives' big election win in December. That victory allowed Johnson to take Britain out of the EU last month, delivering on his key election promise.

Now his Conservative administration faces the even bigger challenge of negotiating a new trading relationship with the EU while also seeking trade deals with the United States and other countries.

Britain and the EU are aiming to have a deal covering trade, security and other areas in place by the time a post-Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31.

So far, the two sides are far apart in their demands. And even with a deal, the U.K. faces a huge adjustment when decades of seamless trade and travel with the EU end at the start of 2021.

Johnson's office had earlier said the Cabinet changes would be modest, and apart from Javid most senior ministers kept their jobs. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel, and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove were among those staying in post.

Several high-profile women in Johnson's government, including Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Housing Minister Esther McVey, were fired. Others were promoted, including Suella Braverman to the position of attorney general and Anne-Marie Trevelyan to the post of international development secretary.

Johnson also sacked Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith  another surprise move. Smith had been widely praised for helping to end political deadlock that left Northern Ireland without a regional government and assembly for three years. After pressure from the British and Irish governments, the main Irish nationalist and British unionist power-sharing parties returned to work last month.

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Brandon Lewis, a former security minister, was named to replace him.

As well as reworking his Cabinet, Johnson appointed a new leader for the U.N. climate change conference that Britain is due to host later this year. The summit, known as the 26th Conference of the Parties, or COP26, is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.

Planning for that has got off to a rocky start, with Johnson last week firing Claire O'Neill, a former British government minister appointed last year to head up the event.

The government said Thursday that Alok Sharma, previously in charge of international development, would become business secretary and also take charge of COP26.

___

Follow APs full coverage of Brexit and British politics at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit
Two children and a baby have been pulled to safety from a house hit by an airstrike, as the Syrian regime continues its final push to clear rebels from Idlib.

Covered in dust, they are seen as they are carried from the wrecked building and put into an ambulance, in footage from a member of the White Helmets rescue team.

Two of the children were bloodied but did not appear seriously injured.

President Bashar al Assad's forces are trying to defeat the last of the rebels and complete victory in the bloody nine-year civil war that has devastated the country.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced people are in the firing line after large numbers fled to Idlib - a city and province in Syria's northwest close to the Turkish border.

Many have taken to the road to try to escape the violence.

The latest strikes killed a dozen people in Idlib, according to UK-based monitoring group The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Rescuers said Syrian and Russia planes had attacked a number of towns in the province, while the UN says hundreds of civilians have died in recent bombings.

Mr Assad's forces are supported by Russian warplanes, which control the skies over Idlib, as well as Iran-backed militias, while Turkey is backing some rebel groups.

On Tuesday, a Syrian regime helicopter was shot down by the rebels near the village of Nairab, with video showing it spiralling from the sky in a fiery crash.

Tensions between Turkey and the Syria-Russia alliance are also increasing.

Turkey, which has taken in more than three million refugees, has warned it will attack Syrian forces "by any means necessary" if more of its soldiers are hurt.

It has observation posts and two military positions in Syrian territory, but 13 of its troops have been killed by shelling in the last 10 days.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned: "If there is the smallest injury to our soldiers on the observation posts or other places, I am declaring from here that we will hit the regime forces everywhere from today, regardless of Idlib's borders or the lines of the Sochi agreement."

"We will do this by any means necessary, by air or ground, without hesitating, without allowing for any stalling," he added

Turkey is sending a delegation to Moscow in the coming days to discuss the conflict, and the Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin and Mr Erdogan had spoken by phone on Wednesday.
When Tony Bennett was state superintendent of schools, he didnt think it was important, and it was not included, Leising said. Eight years ago, I started the effort to get it back. I got it through the Senate each year, but it was killed in the House by the Education Committee Chairman Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), who refused to give it a hearing.

She introduced the bill again this year, but the Senate has a new education committee chairman this year in Jeff Raatz, R-Centerville, and he has not scheduled a hearing.

I had interns last year who were college students and couldnt read cursive, Leising said. If you work for a senator, like myself or someone of the same age group, the interns cant read our notes.

Leising said shes heard stories from constituents about problems caused when a person doesnt know cursive. For instance, a couple took their teenage son to get a passport and didnt know he hadnt been taught cursive. He was turned down for the passport because of his inability to sign his name. The parents had to take him aside and teach him cursive so he could sign properly.
In addition to fueling Albuquerques ranch dressing addiction, Dions wants to help fuel business-savvy students education.

High school seniors involved in such business groups as DECA, High School of Business and Future Business Leaders of America can now apply for a new $2,500 scholarship.

To get the dough  pun intended  students will need to answer essay questions and get a reference letter.

The application and fine print are online at dions.com/community/dions-scholarship.

Applications are due March 6, and the winner will be announced in May.

Forms can be mailed or emailed to the Dions Scholarship Board. Email: gcondon@dions.com; snail mail: 8525 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

PRE-K REGISTRATION: Speaking of March 6, Albuquerque Public Schools announced thats the day prekindergarten registration will open for the 2020-21 school year. Parents can use the APS information system, ParentVUE, to register.

Students have to be 4 years old before Sept. 1 to be eligible.

UNDERWEAR DRIVE: APS Community Clothing Bank is asking for new, packaged underwear donations for students in need.

During February, the clothing bank is hosting a Show You Care With Underwear drive.

All sizes can be donated, although the district says most needed are boys and girls small sizes (4-8) and all womens sizes.

Donation boxes are at APS headquarters, 6400 Uptown NE.

A LITTLE HELP: Michaiah Ryan, a 10-year-old fifth grader in Washington, is asking the good people of New Mexico to help her with her research report.

Michaiah is charged with getting as much information on the Land of Enchantment as she can. And as part of the project, she is asking for state memorabilia.

If any of your readers would like to help me by sending any pictures, postcards, used license plates, facts, products, etc. from your state, it would be greatly appreciated! she wrote in a letter to the Journal.

Her mom says she is super-excited and is already spouting New Mexico fun facts.

You can send the goods to Cascade Christian School, 601 9th Avenue SE, Puyallup, WA 98372.

Michaiah is hoping to get things by early April.

SUPER JOB: The Bat Signal is out for the districts next leader.

The Board of Education is taking applications to fill the role that oversees the largest district in the state, with over 80,000 students.

Current Superintendent Raquel Reedy has announced she will retire at the end of the school year.

Applications, which are due Feb. 24, can be submitted online viaaps.edu/about-us/board/superintendent-search.

Shelby Perea: sperea@abqjournal.com
Cellular network battery theft is rapidly increasing in South Africa, and many people are unknowingly putting themselves at risk by purchasing stolen batteries.

Cellphone tower theft and vandalism in nothing new, but a recent escalation in this crime has seen drastic measures taken by operators.

In certain cases, mobile operators had to shut down towers which were regularly hit  leaving residents in those areas without connectivity.

In fact, battery theft has become so widespread that mobile operators implemented extra on-site security to protect the batteries from thieves.

Network operators across the country have been battling sophisticated syndicates that have been stealing batteries daily, said MTN SA spokesperson Jacqui OSullivan.

Load-shedding is making the situation worse, where entire neighbourhoods cloaked in darkness at predictable times offer criminals greater cover.

MTN base station security manager Blake Cross said as many as 125 incidents of battery theft a week have been recorded on their network alone.

Vodacom echoed these concerns. The company said an average 553 incidents per month are recorded, with sites affected by theft or damage.

Vodacom said it has seen a big increase in the number of batteries being stolen from its base stations every year.

Severe impact on networks

Vandalism and theft have a severe impact on mobile networks, which includes increased costs and network downtime.

It also poses a safety and security risk, as alarm systems use network signals to send a distress signal to control rooms for security response teams.

If the mobile network is down a signal will not be sent and your security company wont respond, leaving households and businesses vulnerable.

The same applies for vehicle tracking devices in an event of theft or hijacking, and personal safety and GPS location apps.

Fighting battery theft

Ernest Paul, general manager for MTNs network operations, urged South Africans to join the fight against battery theft.

Battery theft is a crime that compromises the safety and welfare of every South African, but it is not a crime that we can fight alone, he said.

We therefore appeal to all South Africans to report any theft, vandalism, or suspicious activity that you see, hear of, or come across.

He asked South Africans to report suspected battery theft cases to the Bidvest Protea Coin Hotline (086 101 1721), the MTN Fraud Line (083 123 7867), or email [email protected]

Do not buy stolen batteries

Leonie Verster, divisional executive at Bidvest Protea Coin, said people do not realise how big the problem of battery theft is in South Africa.

While stolen cellular network batteries were previously destined for countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi, a local market has developed with the advent of load-shedding.

The stolen batteries are often sold to unsuspecting people who want to protect themselves against load-shedding or make use of solar power.

Unscrupulous companies also purchase the stolen batteries from criminals and then install them as part of load-shedding solutions.

Verster warns that people who have these stolen batteries in their homes can get in trouble, regardless of whether the batteries are new or second-hand.

You are in possession of stolen commodities and subsequently you are going to be dealt with accordingly, she said.

Photos of stolen batteries to avoid

MTN provided MyBroadband with samples of batteries which are exclusive to mobile operators and never sold to the public.

This means that if you are offered these batteries to purchase, you should decline them and alert the authorities immediately.

Leoch Lithium Ion Battery

Marcocom Lithium Ion Battery

Huawei Lithium Ion Battery

Shoto Lead Acid Battery
Stanislav Aseyev, 30, is a journalist, blogger, and member of the Ukrainian PEN Club. After his native city of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, fell under the control of Russia-backed separatist militants in May 2014, he continued reporting from there for various Ukrainian media, including RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

On June 2, 2017, he was abducted by the self-proclaimed Donetsk authorities. His case prompted an international outcry among human rights and journalists' organizations.

In October 2019, a de facto court in Donetsk convicted Aseyev of "organizing an extremist organization" and espionage, sentencing him to 15 years in prison. He was included in a prisoner exchange between the separatists and Kyiv on November 15, 2019.

In all, Aseyev spent 962 days in captivity, most of it at a prison in Donetsk called Isolation. During his captivity, he began writing a book describing his experiences, but the first manuscript was confiscated. He began writing a second time. When he was released in the prisoner exchange, a fellow prisoner, tank crewman Bohdan Pantyushenko, helped Aseyev smuggle out the manuscript by hiding it among the letters he'd received from his wife.

RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service is publishing Aseyev's manuscript in Russian. Below, RFE/RL presents an excerpt in English.

To Be Or Not To Be

Some of the suicide attempts I remember from my time in Isolation were just for show. But one exception was when a prisoner tried to cut his wrists with a nail while he was in shock after being tortured. But he was being monitored around the clock, so they kept him from dying. Afterward he was transferred from solitary confinement to a common cell where other prisoners kept an eye him.

By chance, I witnessed a conversation this prisoner had with the guards in the corridor outside our cell. The warden was trying to calm him down, while he was shouting: "You don't understand! I can't take it anymore!" as he described one of the cruelest tortures, which involved an electrode in the rectum. The prisoner didn't realize that this was just a normal, systematic occurrence there and he was actually trying to tell the warden what had been done to him, even though he himself could hardly believe what he was saying.

Another man who had been tortured on a table together with his son also attempted suicide. The torture involved more than just physical pain. When the man's son urinated on himself due to involuntary muscle contractions because both of them had electrodes attached to their rectums and genitals, the torturers mocked the father: "Look at your son! He's peed himself like a puppy!"

The man told me that the torture and the death threats he had endured hurt him less than that single moment. But my conversation with him happened much later. At this point, he was just a man brought into our cell with severe electrical burns and a bleeding wound on his head. The head wound was the result of his suicide bid. He'd tried to smash his skull open against the metal corner of a bunk in the basement.

This man was put in our cell because he'd already been "worked over" and now the administration wanted to make sure he wouldn't try to kill himself again. But later in the evening another problem became apparent.

From 7:00 until 8:30, he was completely disoriented. He was delirious and didn't understand where he was. It turned out that he had been tortured the entire previous week at this same time. Now, as evening approached, the slightest rustling in the corridor was enough to make his hands tremble uncontrollably. He sat on the edge of a bunk by the door mindlessly repeating: "Hold on, son. Just hold on, hold on." He really believed he was back in the basement on the table beside his son.

We tried to calm him, to get him to sit around the table with the rest of us. Someone pressed gently on his broken ribs to break his trance. Others distracted him with talk of fishing or life in the mines (he was a miner and an avid fisherman).

Eventually the son was released, but the father was warned that they could always bring him back if the father misbehaved in court. I remember thinking when his son was let go that, in a sense, living like that was even worse than just being in captivity. One day you are enjoying life and expecting a child with your beloved wife, and the next day you find yourself naked in a basement with your father. You are doused with water and electrocuted. And a month later you are simply released just because someone thought your father alone was enough to make their case.

Isn't life completely absurd?

The Answer To Everything

It took me two years -- two years of living in Isolation -- to draw the most important conclusion: consciously choosing life in a situation where everything argues in favor of death is the answer to everything. It's the answer for meaning and forgiveness. And, if such a question can be posed at all, it is the answer for the essence of the self. I feel -- rather than understand -- this answer. But it's definitely not about a sudden love for life or something like that. Loving life in a place where people scream under torture or howl under their bunks is an abomination, and if you are truthful with yourself, you have to admit that suicide here is a reasonable idea.

But Isolation is not about war. It's is about people. Let me explain.

It would be wrong to think that only those suspected of espionage for the Ukrainian military were tortured behind those walls. On the contrary, the wardens viewed us through the prism of possible prisoner exchanges, which meant that we should not have visible scars, burns, or broken bones. Prisoners from their own side  fighters with the so-called "militia," employees of "ministries," and others -- were considered nothing but meat, training material they could literally beat to a pulp without fear of repercussions.

The administration of Isolation understood very well that no Russian television channel would ever interview these prisoners. No local news outlet would ever write about them. These people did not exist, and neither did their suffering. They were nobody.

Isolation was a sort of line, and whoever crossed it felt like a god and acted like a devil. Isolation is a story about any one of us, particularly about those who survived it and came out ready to do to their torturers exactly what had been done to them.



I spoke with many prisoners and most of them agreed on one thing: if they were given a chance to retaliate, no one would hesitate for a second. You imagine your own face behind the balaclavas and realize that during the torture or even just when they were laughing, you were capable of doing to them even crueler things than what they were doing to you. Had the administration of Isolation been able to read our thoughts, we wouldn't have been able to take a shower without handcuffs.

However, they were just thoughts. Some people would cut their wrists, but no one would pounce at a guard. This begs another question: why? Indeed, in the worst of times, the number of prisoners at Isolation reached 70, but there was not a single case of mass disobedience.

'I Won't Give My Life Away So Easily'

Let's return to the topic of suicide  or, as we called it, "to hell with everything." It is worth noting that as soon as you catch your breath and recover from the initial shock, you realize that there are many earthly matters between life and death that attach you to this earth. There is education, religious belief, the love of and for those close to you, the fear of death, and even an egoistic drive to live.

Some said they were not ready to commit suicide because it would annul everything they had experienced so far. Every additional day of torture and humiliation became an incentive to endure the next.



One of my cellmates who had been tortured for a month (his hand was handcuffed to the bars in the basement and he had to grasp his bottle of rotten water with his feet) told me this: "I am not ready to give my life away so easily. Dying in combat like a warrior -- yes. But dying like a dog on a bunk, letting them write 'heart failure' as the cause of death -- that I won't do."

Interestingly, he never removed the scraps of the plastic sheets that had been used to torture him and he would go to his interrogations with scraps of tape that had been used to affix the electrodes to his body still stuck to him. When I asked him about it, he said ironically that the bits of plastic and tape had sentimental value for him.

I'd also add that there was one other item on the list of reasons people had to keep on living: revenge.

The question of suicide in an extreme situation such as imprisonment goes far beyond mere psychology. It is existential rather than technical. Under normal conditions, the very thought of suicide indicates a need for therapy or hospitalization. But is a member of a tank crew being irrational if he chooses to shoot himself in the head rather than die a slow and painful death trapped inside a burning tank?

In conditions where physical suffering is combined with profound psychological trauma, thoughts of suicide become normal, rather than a deviation because they are an attempt to save oneself from suffering.

Translated from the Russian by Petr Serebrianyi
Taiwan's Foxconn said on Thursday that recent Reuters reports on its plant resumption plans in China were not factual.

Foxconn made the comments in a statement to the Taipei stock exchange, but it did not elaborate on its production status. The world's largest contract electronics maker is a supplier to tech giant Apple and others.

Many businesses have delayed resuming output after the long Lunar New Year holiday due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus in China.
All the blazes in Australia's hard-hit state of New South Wales have been brought under control, firefighters said on Thursday, signalling the end of a "black summer" that claimed 33 lives nationwide. But heavy rains that helped extinguish the blazes that have raged along the east coast since September are causing flash floods in parts of the state, posing new problems for some residents. "Not all fires are out, there's still some fire activity in the far south of the state but all fires are contained so we can really focus on helping people rebuild," the state's fire service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said on Twitter. "It is very good news," a Rural Fire Service spokesman told AFP. Bushfires scorched more than 10 million hectares in the country's east and south, killing at least 33 people and an estimated one billion animals, while destroying more than 2,500 homes. The crisis cloaked major cities including Sydney in smoke for weeks on end, saw towns cut off and prompted the deployment of the military to rescue stranded citizens. Beleaguered volunteer firefighters have fought the blazes day-in-day-out in what has been described as Australia's "black summer". The fires were exacerbated by prolonged drought and worsened by climate change in the country's hottest and driest year on record. - Not threatening - Days of recent rainfall have extinguished the largest fires and brought those that remain under control. In the Australian Capital Territory around Canberra firefighters are still trying to bring one blaze under control, but it was not said to be threatening. Attention has now turned to tackling flash flooding expected in the coming days following the heaviest rains in 30 years. On Thursday dams near Sydney overflowed after days of torrential rain, a spectacular reversal from months of drought. The Nepean dam was just a third full less than a week ago, but on Thursday video footage showing water cascading over the dam wall. Hundreds of people have been rescued from floodwaters in recent days. Wild weather is set to ramp up again from Friday, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi would bring "damaging to destructive winds" and heavy rainfall to remote tourist destination Lord Howe Island. Senior meteorologist Grace Legge said storms were also expected for Queensland and New South Wales -- with areas still recovering from bushfires likely to be hit again. "Any showers and thunderstorms that do develop are falling on already saturated catchments, so there is a risk with severe thunderstorms of flash flooding," she said.
By Finian Cunningham

February 12, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Iraqi military intelligence has found that almost certainly the rocket attack on a U.S. base in December which killed an American contractor was carried out by the Islamic State terror group  not an Iranian-backed Shia militia, contrary to what Washington has been claiming.

The rocket attack on the base in Kirkuk in northern Iraq on December 27 led to a spiral of violence which brought the U.S. to the brink of war with Iran last month. For a few days, the world held its breath in dread of a war which could have engulfed the entire Middle East and beyond.

It turns out that President Trumps brink of war with Iran was most likely spun on a cynical lie. That misinformation also led to the U.S. assassination of top Iranian military leader, Major General Qassem Soleimani on January 3, and to the subsequent shoot-down of a civilian airliner in Iran with 176 lives lost.

Following the deadly barrage on the American base in Kirkuk on December 27, the U.S. immediately blamed the Iranian-backed militia called Khataib Hezbollah. Washington took revenge within days by launching airstrikes on December 29 against the militia at sites across Syria and Iraq, killing dozens of fighters.

That then prompted furious protests at the U.S. embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on January 1. Trump fulminated against Iran for orchestrating the assault on American personnel and property, warning of a devastating military response.

On January 3, Trump ordered a drone strike against Irans Maj. Gen. Soleimani after he arrived at Baghdad international airport. Soleimani was murdered along with Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al Muhandis who was leader of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, which includes Khataib Hezbollah  the Shia group that the Americans blamed for the multiple-rocket attack killing the U.S. contractor on December 27 in Kirkuk.

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There then followed an intensive media campaign by Trump and his top officials which sought to portray the Iranian general as the ultimate author of the December 27 rocket attack. Soleimani was overnight transformed into a monster-terrorist who had to be taken out.

In his State of the Union address last week, Trump repeated the vilification of Soleimani and the justification for his assassination.

The president stated: Soleimani was the Iranian regimes most ruthless butcher, a monster who murdered or wounded thousands of American service members in Iraq. As the worlds top terrorist, Soleimani orchestrated the deaths of countless men, women, and children. He directed the December assault [at Kirkuk U.S. base] and went on to assault U.S. forces in Iraq. Was actively planning new attacks when we hit him very hard. And thats why, last month, at my direction, the U.S. military executed a flawless precision strike that killed Soleimani and terminated his evil reign of terror forever.

Neither Trump nor his senior administration officials have presented any evidence to link Soleimani with the rocket attack at Kirkuk. Nor have they provided evidence that the Khataib Hezbollah militia group were responsible. The Americans say their information is classified and therefore cannot be disclosed publicly. For its part, the militia group has denied any involvement.

Iraqi military officials, however, are now coming out to say that they believe the perpetrators of the Kirkuk attack were Islamic State (also known as Daesh). The New York Times last week quoted Iraqs Brigadier General Ahmed Adnan as saying: All the indications are that it was Daesh We as Iraqi forces cannot even come to this area unless we have a large force because it is not secure. How could it be that someone [Khataib Hezbollah] who doesnt know the area could come here and find that firing position and launch an attack?

The area surrounding the U.S.-Iraqi base in Kirkuk is a hotbed for the radical Sunni Islamic State network. It would therefore be nigh impossible for a Shia militia like Khataib Hezbollah to mount a major operation in a hostile and remote northern area of the country.

Furthermore, the Iraqi military said it had notified the Americans of imminent Islamic State hostile activity in the Kirkuk area in the weeks before the attack on December 27.

That points to another anomaly in Trumps State of the Union speech when he bragged about how he had achieved the 100 per cent destruction of the IS terror organization in Iraq and Syria. Trumps bravura necessarily means denying that the terror group could have killed an American contractor. Better to blame a Shia militia affiliated with Iran so as not to spoil the self-congratulations.

More than that though, it seems that the Trump administration had Irans military leader in its cross-hairs for months before he was finally assassinated. It is reported Trump wanted to kill Soleimani as far back as 2017. Thus, the rocket attack on the base in Kirkuk and the subsequent protests at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad were merely a cynical pretext to trigger the assassination plan.

The killing of Soleimani resulted in an outpouring of national grief across Iran for a hero figure and a retaliation ballistic missile attack by Iran against two U.S. bases in Iraq on January 8. There were no American casualties in those attacks. But the world was brought to the brink of war. A war which could have spiraled into a regional conflict and even a world war given the strategic balance of forces in the region, including those of Russia, NATO and Israel.

In the event, war was narrowly averted. But one tragic outcome was the accidental shooting down of Ukrainian airliner Flight 752 above Tehran on the morning of January 8. Iranian air defenses fired in the mistaken belief it was an enemy target amid heightened tensions of war with the U.S. in retaliation for the Iranian missile attack on American bases in Iraq only hours earlier. All 176 onboard the airliner were killed. All the more damnable is that assassinations, the brink of war and the loss of innocent civilians all stemmed from what appears now to be an odious lie from the Trump administration.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised Senegal's criminalization of homosexuality during his visit to the West African nation on Wednesday, but Senegal's leader told journalists afterward that we're comfortable with our laws.

The exchange between Trudeau and Senegalese President Macky Sall highlighted the impasse the United States, Canada and other Western nations have had in persuading Senegal and most African countries not to jail gays and lesbians.

Trudeau told journalists he was a great defender of human rights and so had to raise the issue.

"We've talked about it, and we know that Senegal is a leader in terms of democracy and in terms of values. But we all have work to do. In any case, we've had good discussions with Macky Sall," Trudeau said at a new conference in the capital of Dakar.

Senegal is a moderate, predominantly Muslim nation where homosexuality is criminalized and punishable by up to five years in prison. Prosecution are rare but discrimination in the country's traditional communities runs deep. The bodies of gay men have even been dug out of Muslim cemeteries after their families had laid them to rest there.

The Senegalese president said his country respected human rights but he emphasized that no changes on laws regarding homosexuality would be forthcoming.

We cannot ask Senegal to legalize homosexuality and organize tomorrow's Gay Pride, he said. It is not possible. Our society does not accept it.

"It is our way of living and being. It has nothing to do with homophobia," he added.

Trudeau spent Wednesday meeting with Senegal's president and visiting Goree Island, a site often frequented by visiting Western leaders because of its historical significance as a place where African slaves were forced to depart for the New World.

On Thursday, he plans to meet with university students and tour an aid project before departing Senegal. During his talks with the president, he also won support for Canada's bid to win a seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Story continues

Canada will have Senegal's support, Sall told journalists. We need Canada's voice at the Security Council. Canada is a country of diplomacy. Canada is not difficult to support."

Norway and Ireland are also part of a three-way race for two seats on the Security Council for 2021-22 from the Western group.

___

Associated Press writers Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Climate change is spurring a new, deep dive into a complex, little-studied weather system blamed for creating billions of dollars in flood damage across the western U.S.

Atmospheric rivers are narrow ribbons of concentrated moisture that originate in the Pacific and can flow thousands of miles before dropping rain and snow on land. Scientists are ramping up their research into the systems this winter fearful that warmer temperatures tied to climate change will boost the moisture they carry, supercharging them moving forward.

Hurricane hunter planes are set to fly at least 12 missions directly into the systems, double last years number, to gather a wide range of meteorological data. At the same time, 100 new ocean buoys will monitor how the systems form. The goal: Better warning processes to stave off flooding.

It is 100% completely saturated air, said Rich Henning, a flight director for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who conducts onboard weather observations. If youre ever wondering how 6 feet of snow can fall in the Cascades in one day, this is exactly how all that moisture is transported.

The systems flow between 1,000 and 2,000 feet above the surface, with 80 mile-per-hour winds pushing the water vapor through the air, Henning said. Last week, crews from the NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Reserve flew into an atmospheric river that traveled from Hawaii to the Pacific Northwest.

The NOAA flight took off as the system bore down on their airport near Portland, Oregon, said Lt. Cmdr. Ron Moyers, the pilot. The plane was wrestling with turbulence and icing almost as soon as the wheels left the runway, he said.

Once in the air and over water, the NOAA crew dropped about 30 sensors from a height as high as 45,000 feet, the upper end of the Gulfstream IVs ceiling, Henning said. Slowed in their decent by small parachutes, the sensors  called dropsondes  measure temperature, moisture, wind and air pressure, data that will later be assessed by scientists at NOAA and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego.

A study released in December by Scripps and the Army Corps of Engineers found that atmospheric rivers caused 84% of the flood damage suffered in 11 western states over 40 years through 2017. The average annual cost: $1.1 billion, according to the report.

In a warmer climate, the study concluded, atmospheric rivers will be more intense as they become wetter, longer and wider; there is some indication that this is already happening.

It wont take much of a temperature change to boost their moisture content, according to John Dickson, a flood researcher who is the chief executive officer of Aon Edge, a Montana-based flood insurance provider. A rise of just 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit can boost water vapor in the air by 7%, he said.

Our world continues to change and our land-use practices are constantly evolving, Dickson said. Yet we rely on risk management tools that are decades old to navigate the current times.

Besides helping forecasts in the western U.S., the new data will have international significance, since the rivers can originate in oceans worldwide.

There has been an amazing amount of research on the hurricane problem and tornadoes and noreasters, said Marty Ralph, a Scripps scientist. But it turns out atmospheric rivers are a real issue on the West Coast, and they have not really had that much attention.

Ralph sees the new research as critical. One of the fundamental findings on the science of climate change in the West is the increasing likelihood of extremes, both plus and minus, he said.

The results cant come soon enough for Curt Aikens, general manager of the Yuba County Water Agency in Marysville, Calif. California can get half its water from the storms, according to NOAA.

Getting advanced warning on the size of an atmospheric river and where it will hit could let managers make room in reservoirs to absorb an expected deluge, or keep water intact they might have released needlessly, Aikens said. They also can affect snowpack in the mountains, increasing the water flowing into streams and rivers longer term.

Twenty years ago I would wait to see the rain hit the ground and see the runoff before the decisions were made, Aikens said. With the new data, we can make decisions days ahead of the arrival of the storm.



Brian K Sullivan of Bloomberg News wrote this story.

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Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com

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13.02.2020 LISTEN

Whilst Burkina Faso continues to witness an increase in attacks, ours should be to take proactive measures immediately and not wait to be taken by surprise then we will engage in reactive firefighting approaches.

Almost immediately, sensitization of the locals along the borders with our northern neighbor Burkina Faso should not only be seen as a matter of high priority but as a necessary immediate measure to create awareness and alertness.

Apart from sensitizing to constantly be on the lookout for strange characters and report them immediately to the Secu cum Intel agencies, we should also cultivate and maintain enough reliable informants as possible who will provide us with around the clock info as possible to help us in our analysis and strategy.

Right now, we should have no doubt in our minds that those terrorists who have attacked villages in Burkina Faso in recent times which are in close proximity to our territory may likely be operating from our soil considering that most terror attack usually is planned from outside of the target areas and executed when everything is set.

Beyond relying on locals along the borders, we can also deploy effective surveillance systems in the form of human or technological or a hybrid of both to constantly monitor movements of suspicious people.

From where I sit, I believe our surveillance Ability is not in doubt and we are capable of figuring out ways to keep our territories safe.

Whilst we are keeping close eagle eyes on our frontiers, it is important to reinforce those areas with more boats and arms, ammo and logistics on close to the ground as much as possible just in case of anything untoward then we can have a rapid-fire response to defuse and repel them.

There is no other time than now for us to have more collaboration and real-time sharing of information between all the agencies of state constitutionally responsible for our collective security and well being as a nation.

Our people say that when your neighbour's house is on fire, you need to fetch water and let it be as close as possible to you. We have witnessed an increase in recent times attacks in Burkina Faso especially in villages that are so close to our borders.

This calls for a concerted doubling of our counterterrorism efforts to ward off potential miscreants from breaching the peace and security we enjoy.

Before I retire to my bed to rest for a few moments, I want to conclude that; in today's world, personal and national security protection has become an important concern for all nations of the world. With robbery, terrorism, burglary and other malicious practices being on the rise, security needs to be enforced at all levels for a healthy living. Every country needs to have a strong security force that aids in keeping a lookout for enemies and averting any negative events from occurring. Even computers are loaded with a virus protection and security system to ward off unnecessary damages.

Let's keep our anti-virus softwares especially in these strange times up to date so that we don't regret the crushing of the only computer we have which is peaceful Ghana known globally as an oasis of peace in a turbulent subregion.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a press conference to discuss his Democratic presidential run on November 25, 2019, in Norfolk, Virginia.

Mike Bloomberg has been paying a handful of social media influencers to post satirical memes about him for his Democratic presidential bid.

The billionaire former mayor of New York was recently the subject of several memes uploaded to photo-sharing app Instagram. Each of the posts claim to be sponsored by him.

One Instagram account, run by meme aggregator Jerry Media, depicts Bloomberg sending a direct message asking it to "post a meme that lets everyone know I'm the cool candidate."

Another from Tank Sinatra, an account with over 2 million followers, alludes to a viral clip from Democratic rival Bernie Sanders requesting financial support. But the text instead reads "I am once again asking for (you) to make me look cool."
The European Union gets human rights provisions included in its trade deal with Vietnam, its second largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. The Europeans will be able to monitor labour and environmental protection in Vietnam. The European Commission withdrew some tariff preferences from Cambodia because of its violation of Cambodians political rights.

Brussels (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The European Parliament yesterday gave the go-ahead to a free trade agreement with Vietnam, which is formally set to come into force at the start of this summer, after it is ratified by Vietnam.

Vietnam Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh, said that Vietnams National Assembly will ratify the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement at its upcoming meeting

The deal, which effectively removes tariff barriers between the two parties, also includes rights provisions, such as a commitment to labour rights, environmental protection and the Paris Agreement on climate.

As a result of negotiations with the EU, Vietnam has already ratified some conventions of the International Labour Organisation (a UN agency) and has changed its labour code.

The trade agreement also commits Vietnam to respect European standards for the protection of consumer rights, and introduces rules to encourage the participation of European companies in public tenders in Vietnam.

Vietnam is the EU's second largest trading partner after Singapore among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN).

EU-Vietnam trade (goods and services) was worth 53 billion (US billion), plus more than 6 billion (US.6 billion) in foreign direct investment stock in 2017, making the EU one of Vietnams largest foreign investors.

The EU-Vietnam agreement does not contain any specific provisions on political or religious rights. However, it does envisage the possibility that one party might take "appropriate" action if the other commits serious human rights offences.

A similar clause is included in the free trade agreement between the EU and Singapore, which has been in force since November 2019.

By contrast, the EU has taken a tougher position vis-a-vis Cambodia. On the same day that the European parliament ratified the agreement with Vietnam, the European Commission decided to withdraw part of the tariff preferences granted in Cambodia, affecting 20 per cent of Cambodian exports to the EU, in particular garments, footwear and sugar.

For Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Cambodian government left the Commission no choice, given the systematic violation of Cambodians political rights and freedom of expression.
Facebook has suspended the rollout of its dating service in Europe planned for the eve of Valentine's Day after officials from the Irish data regulator searched its offices.

The regulator said in a statement that it 'conducted an inspection' of Facebook's offices in Dublin earlier this week after learning on February 3 about the US company's plans to introduce the feature in the European Union.

'We were very concerned that this was the first that we'd heard from Facebook Ireland about this new feature, considering that it was their intention to roll it out tomorrow, 13 February,' the Irish Data Protection Commission said in its statement.

The Irish regulator, which supervises Facebook because the company's European headquarters is in Dublin, added that the company had not provided it with a data protection assessment of the dating service on February 3.

'In order to expedite the procurement of the relevant documentation, authorized officers of the DPC conducted an inspection at Facebook Ireland ... and gathered documentation,' it said in the statement.

Deputy commissioner and head of communications Graham Doyle confirmed to CNN that it is the first time the commission has executed a search like this at Facebook or any of the major big tech companies since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect in 2018.

The commission confirmed it has 11 open investigations into the social media company and its various subsidiaries. It is expected to make a decision soon on whether Facebook's WhatsApp has violated European privacy laws. Companies can be fined up to 4% of annual global revenue for breaches.

Facebook Dating launched in the US in September. Any Facebook user can 'opt in' to the service and create a dating profile, which can match users based off of interest, preferences and friend group, if they choose.

Facebook acknowledged that the product would be delayed for European customers.

'It's really important that we get the launch of Facebook Dating right so we are taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market,' the company said in a statement.

'We have worked carefully to create strong privacy safeguards, and have shared this information with the IDPC ahead of the European roll out,' it added. 'In accordance with GDPR, the data processing impact assessment was completed ahead of the proposed launch, which we shared with the IDPC when it was requested.'
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Daily Briefing Online on February 13, 2020

2020/02/13

First, I'd like to share with you some figures from the National Health Commission (NHC). Between 00:00 and 24:00, February 12, altogether 1,171 cured and discharged cases were reported in China's mainland. As of 24:00 February 12, a total of 5,911 people have been cured and discharged from hospital in China's mainland.

Between 00:00 and 24:00, February 12, there were 312 newly reported confirmed cases in China (excluding Hubei Province), marking the ninth day of declining.

Q: Can you please update us on the infected foreigners in China- how many are there in total, how many are in Wuhan and what is their condition?

A: After checking with the competent authorities, the number of confirmed cases of foreign nationals in China stays the same, while that of cured and discharged cases has risen from 7 to 8.

Q: Recently a flash mob hugged Chinese in Naples, Italy to call for no discrimination. Those young men and women were joined by a lot of people there. There was also a Japanese girl wearing cheongsam on a Tokyo street, calling on people to donate for Wuhan and saying "What's horrible is the virus, not China." We found videos of them on social networks which have a huge number of online viewers. I was wondering if you watched them and how do you see such words and deeds by foreign nationals especially the youth?

A: My colleagues and I watched the videos you mentioned and others, including the ones where British high school students sang the Chinese song of Fill the World with Love, young men and women in Germany chanted "I am China" to encourage global efforts in fighting the virus, and Ethiopian students called "Stay strong, China" in Chinese.

We give "thumbs up" to these heartwarming videos. We commend and thank all those people across the world - especially the youth - for the integrity, kindness, courage and compassion that they demonstrate in their voluntary acts.

The UN Secretary General, WHO Director-General and many high-level officials of international institutions and foreign governments have openly called for no discrimination, no stigmatization and no overreaction recently.

People in many countries, particularly the young people, are taking real actions to endorse conscience and justice, reject prejudice and injustice, and pass on confidence and strength. They have given the Chinese people moral and spiritual support.

Ruthless virus brings out warmth in humanity, and true friendship stands the test of adversity. We believe sincerity and kindness will overcome estrangement, while care and compassion will not be shadowed by panic and fear. With the understanding and support from the international community, the Chinese people will surely defeat the epidemic in the end.

Let us stay strong!

Q: Is the new methodology used by Hubei in determining confirmed cases today approved by the WHO?

A: I'll leave that to the competent authorities.

Q: Taiwan CDC has banned those who are not residents of the Taiwan region from entering Taiwan while those who are there can apply to extend their stay for 15 days each time. Can the foreign ministry comment on this? How many such individuals are affected?

A: Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the National Health Commission, attaching high importance to Taiwan compatriots' safety and health, has kept the region informed with timely updates with a view to strengthening cross-strait response to the epidemic. As we understand, the mainland and the Taiwan region have been in communication on it.

I refer you to the competent authorities for the details you are interested in.

Q: Regarding the Chinese spouses of stranded foreign nationals in Wuhan. The foreign ministry said that they were allowed to leave Wuhan. I'd like to confirm that, for those Chinese nationals who are not the spouses of foreigners but have permanent residency in Japan or other countries, are they allowed to leave Wuhan? If not, why?

A: What I can tell you is that for Chinese nationals who are lineal relatives of foreign citizens in Wuhan, in light of their family ties, if they want to leave, they can leave with their families by air.

I have nothing further at hand at the moment.

Q: We only know by now about new confirmed cases in Hubei. Are you releasing information for the other provinces soon?

A: I'd refer you to the authoritative update from the competent department.

Q: First, will Hubei's new counting methodology of confirmed cases be implemented in the rest of the country? Second, is the WHO advance mission in Wuhan now or visiting Wuhan soon? Third, if medical facilities in Hubei continue to be overwhelmed, is it possible that confirmed COVID-19 cases from Hubei could be sent to hospitals in other provinces for treatment?

A: On your first question, I'll leave that to the competent authorities.

On your second question, as I know, the Chinese side is discussing the specific arrangements on the China-WHO joint mission with the WHO advance team. I'd refer you to them for the details.

On your third question, I'll still leave that to the competent authorities.

Q: Regarding the WHO advance team, what's the purpose of the visit? What do both sides hope to see accomplished? And how long will the team be in China?

A: The advance team is here to discuss specific arrangements for the China-WHO joint mission with the Chinese side. The purpose of the joint mission is that experts of both sides can have in-depth communication on the situation and efforts of prevention and control, and come up with advice for China and other affected countries.

I'll leave the specifics to the competent authorities.
Granard man, Joe Regan, and his band have released their latest single, Let You Go, in what has been the bands first release of 2020.

The Double-A single comes on the back of the bands sold out Whelans show last October, and the four pieces debut London headline in November.

Let You Go is written by Shane Shobsy OBrien, Joe Regan, Noel Perry and Paul Ridgeway, (State Lights) while Tinseltown in the Rain, is one of the bands favourite songs and an inspired choice for this double A-side.

The sublime Blue Nile, Glasgow three-piece of Paul Buchanon, Robert Bell and Paul (PJ) Moore originally recorded this charming beauty of synth, electronic pop for its 1984 album A Walk Across The Rooftops.

Tinseltown in the Rain also sits high on the soundtrack to some of our childhoods! Shobsy and the boys have taken the task to hand and quite frankly the outcome is exactly what we have come to expect from State Lights: fabulous.

Showcasing a sound ready made for arenas, Let you Go is a slab of melodic pop/rock that will bring the band to new audiences.

Tinseltown in the Rain is a modern day reworking of this classic Blue Nile song that is sure to appeal to fans young and old.

Jim Carroll of RTE referred to State Lights as a Dublin band whose set is full of bracing, assured rock/pop tunes and who already have a sound which is aiming for stadiums and arenas.

Frontman Shobsys voice is one of their key assets, but the musicianship underpinning the songs is also pretty striking at this early stage. The sound of a potentially very large crowd, he said.

Doireann Garrihy and Eoghan McDermot of RTE 2FM referred to the song as pretty deadly, while Danny McElhinney of the Daily Mail called it another slice of classy stadium-sized pop from State Lights.

Meanwhile, Irelands top music magazine, Hot Press, said: With powerhouse vocals that rival the enchanting beauty of Freddie Mercury and George Michael, State Lights write songs that send your spirits soaring.

In recent times the band released Peace Will Come, a single supported by 2fm, featured as the Homegrown Hero and Artist of the Week on Today FM, which led to a performance on The Late Late Show and tallied substantial airplay and support from KROQ Los Angeles, Radio X (UK) and a host of other International radio stations.

This led to a spot at the prestigious Electric Arena Stage at Electric Picnic where they shared the stage with The Kooks, St Vincent and Cigarettes after Sex and followed this up with support slots with The Fratellis and The Academic.

State Lights formed three years ago at BIMM College in Dublin, where the lads bonded over a shared interest in classic pop music and a common desire to write big stadium-sized songs.

The band recently announced a headline show for The Button Factory on Saturday, April 25, and have just completed a busy year of touring activity, which included appearances at Electric Picnic, Indiependence and the Kaleidoscope Music Festival.

Tickets for the Button Factory show on April 25 are available now via www.ticketmaster.ie.

Let You Go is available to stream on Spotify and download via iTunes and other major music media outlets.

Longford Lives: Joe Regan places his faith in State Lights
The political parties who have jumped to champion the reservation cause can do justice to its beneficiaries and those who oppose quotas by coming out with the data on representation or lack of it and settle the issue.

Reservation in jobs and educational institutions for backward classes was a political project in India even before it was born; and the idea naturally got reflected in the Constitution as an enabling provision in the form of Article 16 (4) which allowed the state to provide for reservation for any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the state, is not adequately represented in the services under the state and of Article 16 (4A) which extended constitutional guarantee for promotion in jobs. While the affirmative action with respect to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes got going when the Constitution came into being, the same for the other backward classes took another three decades and a tricky political situation to take effect. Even then, it was resisted with violent protests though there was solid data, collated by the Mandal Commission, to prove that the OBCs had no adequate representation in government services.

Reservation has never been a settled issue for two reasons: one: it started off as a temporary measure for 10 years and unfailingly got a 10-year extension when the period expired; and two, there has been no official data on the question of adequate representation. Hence the judgment of the Supreme Court this week annulling a decision of the Uttarakhand high court striking down a state government notification in 2012 to fill government jobs without providing for reservation calls for special attention. Reservation and promotion in jobs is not a fundamental right, the apex court ruled, and left it to the discretion of the state to take a decision. And should the government decide in its favour based on data, it has constitutional protection.

It may be noted that the court, which gave the state the freedom to scrap reservation, however, refused to remind the state that it needs to ensure adequate representation in its absence. It can be argued that it is not the job of the courts to compel the state to order reservation as long as the statute does not classify it as a fundamental right. Its a political question and the answer has to be political.

The political parties who have jumped to champion the reservation cause can do justice to its beneficiaries and those who oppose quotas by coming out with the data on representation or lack of it and settle the issue. The Constitution is clear on two things: one; reservation is an enabler, and two, it must be backed by data and logic. They are mutually reinforcing, not undermining. Hence the beneficiaries of reservation should not grudge an effort to present before the nation the number of people from among them in government service as all available data points to inadequate representation. It will then cease to be a sign of the grace of a benevolent state and become a legitimate tool in the hands of a society which, in the preamble of the Constitution, offers justice and equality. Political parties, social organisations and rights groups must demand immediate launch of an effort to come up with data instead of banking on emotions.
Minister-designate of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu will open on Thursday the meeting of the Community of Democracies' Governing Council (GC), which takes place in Bucharest, in the context of Romania exercising the Presidency of this forum.

According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) for AGERPRES, the main objective of the meeting is to prepare the Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies, which will be held on 25 and 26 June, in Bucharest, and will mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Warsaw Declaration, the founding document of the forum.On the sidelines of the conference, the minister will hold a series of bilateral meetings, including with the Gambian counterpart, Mamadou Tangara, and with the Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, Thomas Garrett.Romania is ensuring the Presidency of the Community of Democracies from September 2019 to September 2021, having as main objectives, among others, facilitating the involvement of young people in democratic processes, promoting democracy on a global level, as the only system that guarantees prosperity and sustainable development, as well as the relationship between democratic processes and information technology.The Community of Democracies, established in 2000, at the initiative of the United States, through the signing of the Warsaw Declaration by 106 states, is the largest platform for debate and exchange of experience on democracy at the global level. The Governing Council, which consists of 31 states, including Romania (since 2011), is the main decision-making body of the Community of Democracies.

AGERPRES
CARACAS, VENEZUELAVenezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is gearing up for the next stage of his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro following his return home from a tour abroad that included a meeting with his most important foreign ally  U.S. President Donald Trump.

An energized Guaido told cheering supporters at a public square in the capital of Caracas late Tuesday that he is armed with the backing of the free world to finish the job of reclaiming the nation.

Today more than ever we have to make our presence known, Guaido said. This is not the time to go back. Its time to move forward.

Just hours earlier, Guaido sped through immigration at Venezuelas main airport outside Caracas without any major incidents. Authorities didnt stop Guaido, who left the country in defiance of a travel ban imposed by Maduros government.

But inside the terminal, a woman threw what appeared to be a soft drink can, dousing Guaido, who moments later walked from the airport pumping his right hand over his head.

And outside, an aggressive crowd of Guaido critics shouted, Dirty traitor! and Get out! Some threw traffic cones and others pounded the hood of an SUV that whisked him away.

Guaido backers shouted his name in support: Guaido! Guaido! A few minor clashes broke out between the two sides.

Guaido launched the trip with the goal of redoubling backing in Washington and Europe for the oppositions effort to remove Maduro. The trips high-point for Guaido came with a meeting inside the Oval Office with Trump, the day after the U.S. president recognized him as the legitimate president of Venezuela during his State of the Union address.

As leader of Venezuelas opposition-controlled congress, Guaido rose to prominence a year ago when he claimed presidential powers on the grounds that Maduros rule is illegitimate after a fraudulent re-election in 2018. He won backing from the United States and more than 50 other nations, though so far has made no visible dent in Maduros hold on power.

In addition to his stop in Washington, Guaido met with European leaders including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Guaido told supporters at Tuesday nights rally that he is holding back some details of his foreign meetings that he is not able to talk about publicly.

Stay tuned, he said, teasing the crowd.

In public comments abroad, Guaido urged foreign leaders to increase their support for Venezuelans who are trying to shrug off two decades of socialist rule that have left the country broken, with millions emigrating as public services like water and electricity have become a luxury.

Officials in the Trump administration have said they are considering ways to exert more pressure to force out Maduro. On Friday, the administration hit the Venezuelan state-run airline CONVIASA with sanctions.

Guaido urged Venezuelans to remain unified and to take to the streets again to demonstrate their will to end the government that the opposition calls a dictatorship. He did not immediately announce any plans for organized protests.

For his part, Maduro appeared on state television Tuesday to announce new public buses and expanded routes. He didnt directly mention Guaido or the opposition leaders return.

Were concentrating our efforts on defending Venezuela, Maduro said, telling supporters not to be distracted by idiots and traitors.

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Sudan's justice ministry said early Thursday it had signed a deal with the families of the American servicemen killed in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen.

The deal was signed on February 7 in Washington to fulfil a key condition for removing the northeast African country from the United States' state sponsor of terrorism list, the ministry said in a statement without specifying the amount of compensation agreed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[February 12, 2020] Worldwide Doors & Windows Market to Cross USD $235.2 B by 2026: Global Market Insights, Inc.

SELBYVILLE, Del., Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Market Insights, Inc. has recently added a new report on the doors and windows market, which estimates the global market valuation for doors and windows will cross US $235.2 billion by 2026. Continuous focus on home improvement and remodeling interior will induce market demand in the projected time period. Growing building and construction activities, coupled with technology modifications in the global doors and windows market, is expected to drive the demand until the forecast period. Customized doors are getting more attention by consumers nowadays, as there are several options available, in terms of glass inert, hardware, colors and many more. On the other hand, in-home, inside interior pocket doors are registering a significant demand. These doors can slide back into wall to avoid opening or closing many times. Request a sample of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2119 Some major findings of the window and door market report include: 1. Increasing spending on housing/commercial infrastructure. 2. Proliferating demand for uPVC profiles. 3. Rising replacement of aging infrastructure. 4. Growing building and construction activities in the Asia-Pacific. 5. Rising demand of single-family homes in North America. Rising green technology and energy efficiency in building construction, together with technology modification and integration, is another factor influencing the demand of windows and doors worldwide. Home automation technology has also been increasing rapidly, which is driving the growth of smart doors and windows in the market. Automated/smart product demand is expected to follow a positive growth trend in the coming years due to enhanced security and comfort. Metal-based windows and doors registered a share of close to 25% in the market. Metal windows or doors are elegant options that complement various property styles. Metal windows and doors are well-suited in brick exterior homes and buildings, as well as in white or modern gray rendered walls. Metal is generally made from steel but can also be produced using aluminum. The industry has been experiencing a boost in metal-framed window and door demand due to additional benefits, such as durability, superior efficiency, excellent strength etc. The new residents segment registered a high demand for doors and windows, attributed to increasing housing construction in various nations. For instance, demand for windows in the new housing sector in the U.S. increased by 3.4% in the year 2018. While the demand in remodeling and replacement registered an increase of 2% in 2018. The increasing demand for single-family homes is the key reason for increasing housing sales in many emerging economies. Browse key industry insights spread across 376 pages with 469 market data tables and 15 figures and charts from the report, "Windows and Doors Market Share & Forecast, 2019  2026", in detail, along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/windows-and-doors-market-size



Some major findings of the doors and windows market report include: Home renovation and remodeling activities as a key driver for the global demand.



Technological advancements and innovations in the window and door industry to positively influence market growth.



On account of rising construction activities, Asia-Pacific is to emerge as the major market for global window and door demand.



is to emerge as the major market for global window and door demand. Industry players undergoing huge investment in the latest technology advancements. Major doors and windows market players include Andersen Corporation, RENSON, Cantera Doors, Century Plyboards etc. The Middle East and Africa constitute a considerable share in the global doors and windows market. The region is expected to register a higher demand in the coming year, owing to increasing housing demand in the region. In 2017, the ministry of housing portal registered over 1.1 million families purchasing a home and around 50,000 on the real estate development fund portal. The kingdom is expecting its tourism to reach over 30 million tourists annually in the upcoming 12 years. The country has also made a commitment to build over 50,000 new hotel rooms to facilitates tourists. The increase in residential and commercial construction is expected to drive the demand in the country.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report at https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2119 Partial chapters of the report table of contents (TOC): Chapter 2. Executive Summary 2.1. Windows and doors industry 360 synopsis, 2016 - 2026 2.1.1. Business trends 2.1.2. Material trends 2.1.3. Application trends 2.1.4. Regional trends Chapter 3. Windows And Doors Industry Insights 3.1. Industry segmentation 3.2. Industry landscape, 2016 - 2026 3.3. Industry ecosystem analysis 3.3.1. Raw material suppliers 3.3.2. Manufacturers 3.3.3. Fabricators & assemblers 3.3.4. End-users 3.4. Profit margin analysis 3.5. Distribution channel analysis 3.6. Technology landscape 3.6.1. Smart windows 3.6.2. Innovations in door hardware components 3.7. Regulatory landscape 3.7.1. North America 3.7.2. Europe 3.7.3. China 3.8. Raw material analysis 3.9. Growth drivers 3.9.2. Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.9.2.1. Environmental impact of waste generated through replacements 3.9.2.2. Excessive costs associated with eco-friendly products 3.10. Regional price trends 3.10.1. Cost structure analysis 3.10.1.1. R&D cost 3.10.1.2. Manufacturing & equipment cost 3.10.1.3. Raw material cost 3.10.1.4. Distribution cost 3.10.1.5. Operating cost 3.10.1.6. Miscellaneous cost 3.10.2. Price by material 3.10.3. Price by application 3.11. Innovation & sustainability 3.12. Growth potential analysis, 2018 3.13. Porter's analysis 3.14. Competitive landscape, 2018 3.14.1. Company market share analysis, 2018 3.14.2. Strategy dashboard 3.15. PESTEL analysis Browse the complete report table of contents at https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/windows-and-doors-market-size About Global Market Insights, Inc. Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights, Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making. GMIPulse, our business analytics platform, offers an online, interactive option of exploring our proprietary industry research data in an easy-to-use and dynamic manner. Clients get to explore market intelligence across 11 top-level categories and hundreds of industry segments within them, covering regional, company level and cross-sectional statistics that make our offering a stand-out for decision-makers. Contact Us: Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights, Inc.

Phone: 1-302-846-7766

Toll-Free: 1-888-689-0688

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.gminsights.com/ Related Images window-door-market-size-worth-over.jpg

Window & Door Market size worth over $235.2 B by 2026

The Window and Door Market size will likely reach USD $235.2 billion by 2026, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Related Links Window And Door Frame Market Energy Efficient Windows Market View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worldwide-doors--windows-market-to-cross-usd-235-2-b-by-2026-global-market-insights-inc-301003761.html SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc.

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All the arrested people fall in the age group of 18-25 years and are mostly students of different public and private universities in Delhi-NCR.

During the scanning of the CCTV footage, it was revealed that the accused persons barged into the college and also broke the college gate, the Delhi Police said.

The police further said in a press statement, "Over 11 teams are dedicatedly working on all aspects of the case. These teams are looking at the technical details available and are also visiting various sites in NCR in connection with identification of the suspects and investigation of the case."

"Many persons are being questioned and multiple suspects have been identified," DCP South Atul Thakur said in the statement.

Last Thursday, many inebriated and unruly men forced their way into the all-girls college and chased the girls around the campus. The students later said that the police and security guards present on the campus did nothing to prevent them.
Armenias parliament voted on Tuesday to accept a government proposal to gradually ban smoking in cafes, restaurants and all other indoor public places in the country.

Under a government bill passed in the second and final reading by 76 votes to 16 with 7 abstentions, Armenians will also not be allowed to smoke while driving cars or buses. In addition, the bill imposes a blanket ban on any form of tobacco advertising.

Indoor smoking will be punishable by up fines ranging from 50,000 drams ($105) to 200,000 drams.

The bill was drafted by the Ministry of Health and submitted to the Armenian government for approval one year ago. It underwent some changes before being approved by the National Assembly in the first reading in December. In particular, it was decided that the ban on smoking in cafes and restaurants will come into force in March 2022.

Deputies representing the opposition Bright Armenia Party (LHK) voted against the final version of the bill, saying that it will hurt many businesses. One of them, Gevorg Gorgisian, argued that Armenias leading cigarette manufacturer, the Grand Tobacco company, is now the countrys number one corporate taxpayer.

Lets develop other sectors of the economy before starting to hit this one, Gorgisian said during a parliament debate that preceded the vote.

Deputy Health Minister Lena Nanushian, who presented the bill to lawmakers, dismissed such arguments.

Ten percent of annual deaths [in Armenia] result from smoking, said Nanushian. This 10 percent is a serious figure, my dear deputies: every year 3,000 people die as a result of smoking.

Armenia is a nation of heavy smokers with few restrictions on tobacco sales and use enforced to date. According to Ministry of Health estimates, 52 percent of Armenian men are regular smokers. Medics blame this for a high incidence of lung cancer among them. The smoking rate among women is much lower.

Nanushian also warned of health risks posed by passive smoking when she spoke in the parliament in December. Citing surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017, she said that more than 70 percent of pregnant women in the country are exposed to secondhand smoke every day.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : A Supreme Court advocate on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of female students during the annual cultural festival of Delhi University's all women Gargi College here last week.

Petitioner and advocate M.L. Sharma had filed the petition before the apex court but a bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant declined to hear it and asked him to move the Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court had observed that the Delhi High Court could pass order similar in the nature to the Telangana High Court, where the court directed to preserve the electronic evidence in the police encounter case.

Sharma, in his plea, sought the court's direction to the investigating agency to probe, seize all video and CCTV recording of cameras surrounding Gargi campus (inside and outside), arrest all accused person, including the political leaders behinds this planned criminal conspiracy, and file their report before the court for further action and prosecution under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code to provide complete justice to the girl students who are victim of such heinous crime.

He had contended that he apprehended the electronic evidence connected with the matter might be destroyed or tampered with.
He has also tweeted many times that he thinks Comey should be charged with crimes, and he was particularly upset that no charges were filed over the former FBI directors handling of memos about his interactions with Trump. An inspector general report faulted the former director for keeping some of those memos at his home and for arranging for the contents of one of the memos to be shared with a reporter after Comey was fired in 2017.
MADISON  The Legislatures GOP-led budget committee rejected plans to build two state-run facilities for serious juvenile offenders but agreed to mostly fund four county-run centers for lower-level offenders, including a proposed new Racine County juvenile detention facility.

This likely spells more delays for the closure of Wisconsins embattled Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake youth prisons.

Voting along party lines Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Finance gave preliminary approval to $102 million in funding for four new county-run centers  which is up from the $80 million allocated in the budget.

The gap could be filled by the state Building Commission, a panel headed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers that has bonding authority.

The Department of Corrections had requested about $111 million for facilities in Brown, Dane, Milwaukee and Racine counties. The committees decision reduces Milwaukee Countys request by $8.4 million and funds in full requests by Brown, Dane and Racine counties.

The committee also denied DOCs request for $73 million for two state-run facilities in Milwaukee and Outagamie counties for more serious offenders.

Proposals by Democratic lawmakers to fund both requests in their entirety were rejected by Republicans.

Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr said the decision makes it very unlikely that Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake will close by the latest deadline of July 1, 2021.

Theres no sticker shock here, that should have been anticipated, Carr said of the departments funding request. Our ability to fund these facilities in order to do whats best for our kids in this state, it has to be a priority. Obviously it does not appear to be a priority for those who made the decision today.

The reduced spending for Milwaukee County eliminates a leased space component included in the original proposal that would have added 24 beds.

Sarah Wynn, fiscal analyst with the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, said nearly 100 of the residents at Lincoln Hills will relocate to the county facilities, but another roughly 60 people will remain.

What that means is those kids will have to stay at Lincoln Hills and what that means is that facility stays open, state Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said. The choices that have been made today and going forward mean that Lincoln Hills will not close on the date we want it to close and that those families and those kids deserve.

Few legislators want Lincoln Hills closed more than me, state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said in a statement.

But, Wanggaard added that the two new sites selected by the Evers administration are simply unacceptable. He said that one of the sites was not even considered by the Juvenile Corrections Study Committee and that the other is in a wetland that frequently floods.

Slow process

Following years of alleged abuse by staff against inmates at the juvenile facility, lawmakers in 2018 voted to close the youth prison by January 2021 and replace it with smaller, regional state- and county-run facilities. Lawmakers already have pushed back that deadline to July of that year, but Evers has warned that further delays are likely if additional funding is not secured.

State Rep. Mark Born, R- Beaver Dam, said it could take a couple budgets before the states juvenile justice system is fully funded.

Were not fully funding all parts of these plans, Born said. Were moving forward with a major investment in an important part of this plan for reforming our juvenile system in Wisconsin.

Republicans cited push back from local governments and area residents in Milwaukee and Hortonia as main reasons for their decision not to fund state-run facilities for serious juvenile offenders in those communities.

We have to come back with a better alternative, committee co-chair Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, said.

The committee did not discuss proposed $59 million expansion of the Mendota Mental Health Institute on Madisons North Side. Funds for the expansion  which is part of the 2018 juvenile justice overhaul plan  were approved in the state budget, but need approval from the committee to be released.

The proposal would roughly quadruple Mendotas Juvenile Treatment Centers size, allowing for the treatment of more boys at the site and, for the first time, girls.

Currently, there is no place in the state that we can send seriously mentally ill female youth to, Carr said. The failure to move on that project is also very concerning to our administration.

Evers has warned that failure to approve the funding would force the Department of Health Services to come up with new plans for a smaller expansion. That would further delay a project that is already behind schedule and was not expected to be completed until some 14 months after Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake is slated to close.

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GUYSBOROUGH, N.S.The judge overseeing an inquiry into a triple-murder and suicide carried out by an Afghanistan war veteran says Lionel Desmond faced a large gap in treatment for a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder.

As testimony drew to a close Thursday, provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer also said Veterans Affairs Canada did not share key information about Desmonds mental illnesses with the last health professional to talk to him before he shot his family and himself on Jan. 3, 2017.

The provincial fatality inquiry, which started last month in Guysborough, N.S., has heard evidence that after Desmond was discharged from a treatment facility in Quebec in August 2016, he received no therapeutic treatment before the killings four months later.

From August to December (2016), I havent seen anything to suggest there had been a real therapy session anywhere, any time, Zimmer told the inquiry.

Thats a big gap.

The inquiry has heard that Desmond sought help through a Nova Scotia hospitals emergency room on two occasions before he managed to meet in December 2016 with a community-based psychotherapist in Antigonish, N.S., contracted by Veterans Affairs.

Catherine Chambers, a therapist who specializes in treating PTSD, told the inquiry she had been in touch with Desmonds case manager at Veterans Affairs but never received any medical documents from the department.

Zimmer read from Veterans Affairs reports indicating Desmond had not responded well to the treatment at the Quebec facility. As well, staff at the facility said Desmond could be suffering from cognitive impairments that required a sophisticated neuropsychological assessment.

I want you to have an appreciation for what was known at the time that he was discharged and was coming to you, Zimmer told Chambers.

Its important to appreciate that all of this information was sitting there, and you had none of it.

Zimmer then cited testimony from a psychiatrist in Antigonish who said in a Dec. 2, 2016, report that it appeared Desmond was falling through the cracks in terms of follow-up by military and veterans programs.

This information would have been valuable for you to know, Zimmer said to Chambers, that the person whos coming to see you had, by the view of Dr. Slayter, fallen through the cracks?

Chambers agreed, saying the recommendation that Desmond receive a neuropsychological assessment for cognitive problems meant he wasnt a good fit for community-based psychotherapy like she provided.

She admitted she did not ask Desmonds case worker at Veterans Affairs to send her any documents, though there was evidence the department was in the process of sending consent forms for Desmond to sign that would allow for the release of health records.

Since the events of Jan. 3, 2017, my experience has been that information has been provided more regularly, Chambers testified, adding that she now makes a point of requesting health records before she agrees to see any veterans.

Earlier in the hearing, Zimmer read aloud from a Veterans Affairs letter, dated Dec. 15, 2015 after Desmond had been discharged from the military, recommending him for treatment at Ste Annes Hospital in Montreal, which has an operational stress injury clinic.

At that point, Veterans Affairs was already aware Desmonds PTSD symptoms were severe and that he suffered from a major depressive disorder.

Desmond received treatment in a residential unit between May 30, 2016 and Aug. 15, 2016, when he left the program early, complaining about excessive noise and lack of trust with staff.

On Aug. 9, 2016, Desmonds Veterans Affairs case worker reported he had experienced minor progress at the facility and, more importantly, staff had observed what appears to be cognitive limitations. Thats when Veterans Affairs recommended a neuropsychological assessment, Zimmer told the inquiry.

We know that he left that clinic in August, and I dont think we can point to any kind of therapeutic intervention up to and including Jan. 3, 2017, Zimmer said.

On Wednesday, Chambers testified that Desmond called her only a few hours before the killings to schedule an appointment, but he also told her his wife Shanna had recently asked for a divorce  a key piece of evidence that had not been revealed to the inquiry until this week.

On Thursday, Chambers said Desmonds phone call indicated to her he was in a state of crisis, mainly because of the news of the divorce and the fact that the couple had argued about a minor vehicle accident on New Years Eve  and Desmond was asked to leave the family home.

Chambers, who had met twice with Desmond in December, said she succeeded in getting him to agree to a safety plan, which required him to stay away from his home and to go to the hospital if his PTSD symptoms flared or if he started having thoughts of harming himself or others.

He said he did not have plans to hurt himself or anyone else, she told the inquiry.

About three hours later, Desmond legally purchased a SKS 7.62 Soviet-era semi-automatic carbine, which he later used to kill his 31-year-old wife, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and his 52-year-old mother Brenda inside the familys home in Big Tracadie, N.S.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version referred to Desmond as a former sniper.

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Two men and a 17-year-old face attempted murder charges in the shooting last year of a 23-year-old man during a robbery in Paterson, authorities said.

Ismael Marrero, 31, Luis Marrero, 27, both of Paterson, and the teen are accused in the Nov. 18 shooting of a man on Paterson Avenue, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

"In the course of the robbery, (they) shot the victim, Valdes said in a statement, along with U.S. Marshall Juan Mattos Jr. and city Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora.

The man was taken to an area hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Ismael Marrero, who was arrested Wednesday in Snellville, Georgia, faces attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiracy and weapons charges. Luis Marrero was arrested two days after the shooting and faces similar charges.

The 17-year-old, whose name was not released, also faces charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiracy and weapons counts, the prosecutor said.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the prosecutors office at 1-877-370-PCPO or email tips@passaiccountynj.org. Paterson police can be reached at 973-321-1120.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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At the same time, 56% of Russian nationals believe that Russia and Ukraine should be independent, but friendly states  with open borders, no customs, and no visas.

The number of Russians expressing a negative attitude toward Ukraine has almost doubled over the past four months, that's according to the latest poll by Levada Center, an UNIAN correspondent reports.

Asked about their general attitude to Ukraine today, 20% of respondents said it was "very bad" and 27%  "mostly bad." At the same time, 36% said "mostly good" and 6% said "very good". Another 11% of respondents found the question difficult to answer.

In September 2019, Levada Center reports, there were fewer Russian citizens who expressed a negative attitude toward Ukraine (12% "very bad", 19% "mostly bad", 47% "mostly good", and 9% "very good"). Back then, 13% found the question difficult to answer.

Read alsoZelensky, ruling party continue enjoying Ukrainians' trust  poll

At the same time, as the survey showed, now 56% of respondents believe that Russia and Ukraine should be independent, but friendly states  with open borders, no customs, and no visas. Another 26% believe Russia's relations with Ukraine should be the same as with other states  with closed borders, visas, customs; 15% say Russia and Ukraine should unite into one state. Another 3% of respondents found it difficult to answer.

Levada Center conducted a survey on January 23-29, 2020, among 1,603 respondents aged 18 years and older in 137 settlements, 50 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, applying a personal interview method.

As UNIAN reported earlier, in the summer of 2019, almost a third of Russians supported the occupation of "southeastern Ukraine" and another third favored setting up an "independent state" there.
Time is Running Out to Assemble the Prime Vanguard  For a Limited-Time Only, Warframe Players Can Gain Instant Access to or Earn Prime Warframes, Weapons, and Accessories Released Through Prime Resurgence Before They Disappear
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Linkedin Riza Roidila Mufti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 12:32 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206443dd4 1 Business travel,tourism-industry,Airlines,incentives,travel-ban,China,coronavirus,Garuda-Indonesia,Lion-Air,Wishnutama,Budi-Karya-Sumadi,transportation-ministry,Chinese-tourists Free

The government is mulling over incentives for the tourism and airline industries to mitigate potential losses of US$2.8 billion from the coronavirus disease outbreak, which has already led to a decline in tourist arrivals.

The tourism, transportation and finance ministries were finalizing the proposed incentives on Wednesday after meeting with industry stakeholders. The ministers expected to submit the proposal to President Joko Jokowi Widodo sometime next week.

The incentives under consideration included reduced tax, lower airport fees and eased slot permits for airlines, as well as travel discounts for issuing in partnership with all travel agents in the country, the ministries announced.

This is our effort to face the impacts from the coronavirus. It's not easy, but we should do the best we can together," Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama said in Jakarta on Wednesday, after a meeting with tourism and airline companies.

Wishnutama said that Indonesia's foreign exchange (forex) income could incur losses of up to $2.8 billion from potential Chinese tourists, assuming a per year average of 2 million tourist arrivals from China as in normal conditions.

Indonesia saw 16.1 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019, with Chinese arrivals contributing 12 percent of all foreign arrivals.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) chairman Suhariyanto said that the outbreak would no doubt reduce foreign arrivals from China to Indonesia this year, with the agency already recording a 2 percent contraction in foreign arrivals in December 2019.

The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) reported 40,000 room cancellations and 20,000 visitor cancellations in Bali since the rise in infections in early January.

Airlines have temporarily halted dozens of flights per week to and from mainland China in adhering to the government's travel ban on all visitors from China, including all travelers who had been there within 14 days prior to arriving in Indonesia.

We have listened to the inputs from the airline industry and we have spoken to the hotel and restaurant association, as well as other players in the tourism sector, said Wishnutama. The incentives that we are preparing must be comprehensive so we can survive this battle, not only the airline and hotel industries but also other related sectors as a whole.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that lower taxes and airport fees, as well as easier permit processing for airport slots and other operating permits were among the possible incentives that the ministry was proposing.

During its meeting with airline companies, the ministry had urged them to either reroute their China flights to new potential markets or add flights to their busiest routes.

For example [...], many airlines from Eastern Europe want to fly to Bali, but the problem so far has been the unavailability of slots. So we see opportunities there, said Budi. Other potential markets were Australia and countries in the Middle East and South Asia like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, he said.

Wishnutama added that the government was also looking to boost domestic travel to the top three destinations among Chinese tourists, namely Bali, North Sulawesi and the Riau Islands. Discounts could be offered in partnership with online and conventional travel agents, he said.

Garuda Indonesia president director Irfan Setiaputra welcomed the governments initiative, while urging that incentives be given to new inbound flights.

"We are now trying to mitigate the impact of the [outbreak] by adding [flight] schedules on our existing routes, said Irfan, adding that opening new routes was also a possibility. This [outbreak] is absolutely affecting us, because the travel ban to and from China has caused us to lose revenue.

Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has halted 40 weekly flights to mainland China, while Lion Air Group, the largest private Indonesian airline company, has halted 30 weekly flights to China.
: A day after the CAG



audit found shortage of 25 INSAS rifles and 12,061 live cartridges from the Special Armed Police Battalion here,police on Thursday maintained that no rifles were missing, even as the opposition Congress and BJP slammed the government.

"Twenty five INSAS rifles were reportedly missing as per the CAG report. The crime branch investigation conducted so far has revealed that no INSAS rifle is missing as on today.

The Crime Branch is once again doing a physical cross verification of all the weapons issued to the Special Armed Police (SAP). Investigation is going on to trace the missing rounds," a statement from the state police media centre said on Thursday night.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India report had stated that 12,061 live cartridges were found missing in a joint verification in the Bell-of-Arms of SAPB, along with the Assistant Commandant.

The CAG had come down on state police chief DGP Loknath Behera for purchasing bullet proof vehicles for VVIP security, violating guidelines.

There was shortage of 250 9 mm Drill Cartridges,which was "covered up" with dummy cartridges, the report on General and Social sector for the fiscal ending March 31,2018 had said.

Slamming the LDF government,Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the allegations against the DGP and state police had put Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the defensive as he heads the home department.

"Does it mean the CM was unaware of the matters?,It needs to be found out whether these missing rifles and ammunition had been handed over to the extremist outfits", he wrote on his Facebook page.

Attacking the government over the CAG report, Kerala PCC President Mullapally Ramachandran demanded the resignation of Pinarayi Vijayan and DGP Loknath Behera.

"Both the Chief Minister and State police chief should resign and face action," Ramachandran said.

He alleged that a CBI probe will not bring out the truth as Behera was close to the Narendra Modi government.

Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala wrote to the Chief Minister, demanding removal of Behera from the post in the wake of serious allegations levelled against him and the police department in the CAG report.

In his letter, the senior congress leader said a CBI probe against Behara and the NIA investigation into the missing rifles and cartridges needs to be conducted.

"The letter was sent yesterday itself. I am surprised that the Chief Minister has said he has not received it," Chennithala's office quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Behara also met Chief Minister at the Secretariat.

The DGP is expected to leave for the U.K. in the first week of March to attend a conference, police sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought in a file photograph in Washington. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Trump Budget Chief Doesnt Expect Another Freeze on Ukraine Aid

The acting chief of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said he doesnt expect the Trump administration to place another hold on congressionally approved aid to Ukraine.

I dont anticipate anything on that front, Ross Vought told reporters Feb. 12 in Washington after a House of Representatives budget hearing.

I am not going to take any tools that the president has off the table, but I dont anticipate anything on that front.

Vought was appearing for the first time on Capitol Hill since the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump began in September 2019. The inquiry focused on a phone call Trump had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in July 2019 and Trumps decision to pause congressionally approved aid to Ukraine.

The House approved articles of impeachment against Trump but failed to convince a majority of senators to call additional witnesses during the Senate trial, or a supermajority of senators to vote to convict Trump. The president was acquitted by a majority on both articles on Feb. 5.

Vought, who was subpoenaed during the House inquiry, declined to appear, as did other White House officials who were called to testify.

Asked by reporters after the hearing about the administration using its apportionment authority on the funds headed to Ukraine, Vought answered, There are no plans currently to manage the peoples money in any way thats other than trying to make sure its economical and efficient.

The Government Accountability Office, Congresss nonprofit watchdog, said earlier this year that the OMB improperly froze the funds meant for Ukraine.

President Donald Trump, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak during a meeting in New York on Sept. 25, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Faithful execution of the law does not permit the president to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act, the nonprofit stated.

A spokeswoman for the office said in a statement that officials didnt agree with the legal opinion.

OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the Presidents priorities and with the law, she said.

During the House Budget Committee hearing, lawmakers didnt ask about Ukraine. Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) asked Vought about steps his office was taking to make sure the agency doesnt withhold congressionally approved appropriations.

We believe weve been transparent, Vought replied. He said that up until the point when the impeachment proceedings began, the office was producing information to the Budget Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.

The short and sweet answer is, yes, we will continue to be transparent with regard to how we manage the peoples money, and all that were doing is managing it efficiently, economically, with spend plans to ensure that money is not wasted in the process.
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Two men who shot each other in a Mobile Walmart Wednesday night have died, according to police.

The shooting happened around 8:40 p.m., at the Walmart located at 2570 Government Boulevard.

Officers located two adult males that had both been shot, Mobile police said Thursday morning.

The two individuals had got into an altercation that turned violent when they both pulled guns and fired at each other striking each other. Both individuals were transported to the hospital where they both died from their injuries. There were no other customers or any store employees injured during the shooting.

The two men killed were identified as 21-year-old Jaquess Thompson and 44-year-old Seantatis Kirksey.
The Lenger Vietnam Seafood Company has processed clams for the domestic market and export, including to the EU__Photo: VNA

, ,

The European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday ratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).The EVIPA was passed with 407 votes for, 188 against and 53 abstentions; and the EVFTA, with 401, 192 and 40, respectively.At a press conference on this event held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Hanoi the same day, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said: "This is a meaningful result for Vietnam and the EU, two comprehensive strategic partners.The ratification of these two agreements has created a sustainable foundation for the two sides to improve quality in comprehensive cooperation, he said.It has also shown the EU values Vietnam as a comprehensive and trustworthy partner in Southeast Asia and the world over, the minister said.He described the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as a lever for growth, opening up opportunities to infiltrate into a market with a gross domestic product of US$18 trillion.Nearly 100 per cent of Vietnam's goods to the EU will see their import tariffs eliminated in the short term. This is the highest level of commitment that a partner has given to Vietnam in signed free trade agreements, he said.Meanwhile, the two agreements are expected to be ratified in the upcoming session of the Vietnam's Nation Assembly in April-May. They are likely to come into effect from July this year in Vietnam, he said.The EVFTA is expected to create a major push for Vietnams exports, helping diversify the countrys exports and markets.Under the agreement, Vietnam will cut 65 percent of import tax on EU commodities after the deal takes effect, while the rest will be erased over a 10-year period. Meanwhile, the EU will cut more than 70 percent of tariffs on Vietnams commodities after the deal takes effect, while the rest will be abolished over the seven subsequent years.The two documents were signed in Hanoi on June 30 last year after eight years of negotiation. They include intensive, extensive and comprehensive commitments covering the fields of economy, trade, investment and sustainable development issues.According to research by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the two deals will help Vietnam increase its GDP by 4.6 percent and its exports to the EU by 42.7 percent by 2025. Meanwhile, the European Commission has projected the EUs GDP to increase by USD 29.5 billion and its exports to Vietnam by 29 percent by 2035.The investment commitments will replace bilateral investment agreements between Vietnam and EU members, helping the country continue to reform its economic structure, perfect business environment and institutions, and facilitate EU investors business in Vietnam.-
The man who is linked to 11 cases of coronavirus in the UK and dubbed a "superspreader" has said he is "happy to be home" after being discharged from hospital.

Businessman Steve Walsh left the specialist infectious diseases unit at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London having made a full recovery.

He was given two tests for the virus, named COVID-19, which both came back negative.

In other developments:

The 53-year-old contracted the virus in Singapore while at a business conference before going to the French Alps for a ski holiday, then returning to his home in Hove, East Sussex.

He was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Brighton on 6 February.

In a statement after leaving hospital, the father of two thanked those involved in his treatment and recovery.

"I'm happy to be home and feeling well," he said.

"I want to give a big thank you to the NHS who have been great throughout and my thoughts are with everyone around the world who continues to be affected by the virus.

"It's good to be back with my family and I would ask you please to respect our privacy from this point on."

Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director, said Mr Walsh had been discharged following two negative tests for coronavirus, 24 hours apart, having made a full recovery after treatment.

"Mr Walsh's symptoms were mild and he is no longer contagious and poses no risk to the public," he said.

"He is keen to return to his normal life and spend time with his family out of the media spotlight," Prof Willett added.

Mr Walsh, who is also a scout leader, is suspected of unwittingly infecting 11 other Britons who were in France with him. Five of those Britons are now in the UK, five are in France and one is in Majorca.

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Eight people have so far been diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK.

They include two GPs, one of them who has been named as Dr Catriona Greenwood, who owns the French chalet with her husband where others caught coronavirus from Mr Walsh.

Story continues

All patients and those in close contact with the GPs have now been traced, Public Health England has said, and two practices which were shut have reopened.

Meanwhile in Brighton, pupils at several schools have been told they could stay at home after reports that some teachers and families feared they had come into contact with the virus.

And two prisoners at HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire are being tested for the illness and are being held in isolation.

One of the inmates had been transferred to the jail from Thailand.

Thai authorities named the 31-year-old as Mark John Rumble, who was brought back to the UK on a flight two weeks ago.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Wednesday warned his political opponents against appealing to Armenias Constitutional Court in a bid to scuttle controversial constitutional changes sought by him.

Pashinian already issued a stark warning to them last week as the Armenian parliament controlled by his My Step bloc decided to hold a referendum on draft amendments that would sack seven of the courts nine judges facing government pressure to resign.

All those individuals or forces who will try to put legal or other hurdles to a free expression of the peoples will receive an adequate counterstrike as anti-popular and anti-state forces, he declared on February 6.

The warning prompted an angry response from Edmon Marukian, the leader of the opposition Bright Armenia Party (LHK) which regards the draft amendments as unconstitutional. Marukian accused Pashinian of blackmail, saying that the latter may have threatened violent attacks against the LHK or other opposition groups.

Pashinian hit back at Marukian, his erstwhile ally, during his governments latest question-and-answer session in the National Assembly. He said the opposition leader dares to lambaste the current government because of being confident that it will never resort to violence.

Pashinian also said: I implied [on February 6] that if this decision to hold the referendum is challenged in the Constitutional Court we will evaluate that in this way. Why? Because we are saying, Lets ask the people and ensure a free expression of the peoples will.

If there is a force which says, No, I dont want to ask the people and will ask the Constitutional Court instead, a certain conclusion will be drawn from that, especially in this situation, he added.

The LHK and the other parliamentary opposition party, Prosperous Armenia (BHK), can still prevent the holding of the April 5 referendum if their parliament deputies appeal to the Constitutional Court and convince it to declare the amendments unconstitutional. Such appeals must be signed by at least 27 members of the 132-seat parliament. The BHK and the LHK control 26 and 17 parliament seats respectively.

Marukian on Tuesday reaffirmed his partys readiness to challenge the referendum in the court. BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian indicated, however, that BHK lawmakers will not back such a move.

Pashinian also claimed on Wednesday that campaigning for the referendum will stimulate economic activity in Armenia by boosting citizens confidence in the future. Also, he said, many Armenians living abroad will heed his appeals and travel to their home country and vote for ousting the high court judges.

We seem to be creating a new type of tourism which is called electoral tourism, he declared.

Pashinian appealed to hundreds of thousands of Armenian expats immediately after President Armen Sarkissian set the referendum date on Sunday. Some of his critics construed the appeal as a sign that he is worried about not garnering enough votes for the constitutional amendments.

To pass, the amendments have to be backed by the majority of referendum participants making up at least one-quarter of Armenias 2.57 million or so eligible voters.
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung  Thu, February 13, 2020 12:45 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206445901 1 National PTDI-aircraft-industry,Singapore,airshow,aircraft,aircraft-manufacturing,Dirgantara-Indonesia Free

State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is displaying a CN235 gunship at the Singapore Airshow held at the Changi Exhibition Center from Feb. 11 to 16.

PTDI corporate communication manager Adi Prastowo said the company was seeking to expand marketing and increase sales of products and services by participating at the show.

He added that the CN235 gunship  a multifunctional vehicle that can carry cargo, paratroopers, medical teams and patrol squads  had been developed to meet market demand. The particular model displayed in Singapore also sported a 30-caliber machine gun.

[The CN235] can provide air support for ground troops, combat search and rescue missions, naval patrols, as well as border patrols, Adi said in a statement on Tuesday.

He added that Pakistan, the Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Senegal were potential markets for the gunship.

Such African and Middle Eastern countries are among the many nontraditional markets eyed by PTDI as Indonesian businesses seek to fill global supply gaps arising from the US-China trade war.

The company exported at least two planes last year  one to Thailand and one to Nepal  and is slated to ship another plane to Senegal this year.

Through its participation at the air show, Adi said that the Bandung-based company was also trying to expand marketing and increase the sales of its products and services, include planes, helicopters and most recently, long-range military drones, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul services. (nor)


An alleged associate of gangster Tillu Tazpuria, who was involved in half a dozen cases of kidnapping, extortion and attempt to murder, has been arrested from Dwarka area, police said on Thursday.

The accused has been identified as 38-year-old Kapoor Singh Dahiya, a resident of Rohini Sector-15. A countrymade pistol along with a live cartridge was found in his possession, they said.

"While investigating on Tajpuriya, it was revealed that some of the gang members were in touch with Kapoor, who is their sympathiser and was hiding in Rohini area. He was involved in helping criminals in various ways and also cheated various finance companies," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a trap at Dhulsiras Chowk in Dwarka on Wednesday and nabbed Dahiya while he was driving his car, a senior police officer said.

During the interrogation, the accused revealed that he came in contact with one Kala, another associate of Tazpuria, and befriended him, police said.

Through Kala, Dahiya came in contact with other associates of Tazpuria and became their sympathiser and used to provide them with logistics and financial help. Later, he came in contact with an alleged conman Mukesh Juneja and they started procuring loans from various banks and financial institutions by using forged documents, police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Photographers in the White House press pool gave the impression of being entranced with First Lady Melania Trump's legs after her bare calves featured prominently in news photos of an Oval Office meeting.

Photos taken by AFP and Reuters photographers on Wednesday conspicuously displayed Melania's legs as President Donald Trump spoke to reporters in the background.

The photos were taken during a meeting between Donald Trump and Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno, as reporters and photographers jammed into the Oval Office for a brief press availability.

Melania was seated on a couch arranged perpendicular to the two leaders, and likely her legs were merely accidentally in the way as photographers jockeyed for an image of the Trump as he spoke.

This AFP photo was distributed on the wires cropped as it is seen above, leading some to wonder if photographers in the White House pool were entranced with the first lady's legs

Melania was seated on a couch arranged perpendicular to the two leaders, and likely her legs were merely accidentally in the way as photographers jockeyed for position

In fairness, the AFP photographer did also turn his lens up to capture this image of Melania's face as she looked on during the Oval Office meeting

Melania made a strong statement for the event, donning $7,700 snake-print Salvatore Ferragamo pencil skirt.

This Reuters photo appeared on the wires cropped just as it is seen above

She paired the skirt with a white sweater and a bold green coat that was slung over her shoulders.

Her look was completed with a pair of dusty pink heels and a glamorous blowout, while daring to bare her legs without tights, despite the chilly temperatures in Washington, DC.

Trump said that he's working on a trade deal with Ecuador's President Moreno, who became the first chief of state from the small South American nation in 17 years to meet with an American president in Washington.

'They have incredible product,' Trump said about Ecuador's exports. 'They grow it and they make it and we like it - and they need our product.'

'We are working on great deals. We're working on military options including the purchase of a lot of our military equipment,' Trump said.

Relations between the U.S. and Ecuador deteriorated during the 10 years of leftist Rafael Correas presidency, but have been rekindled under Moreno.

'Ecuador has, after having gone through very hard times, and especially in regards to its international relationships, has decided to come together again with the international community and refresh relationships,' Moreno said in the Oval Office. 'We need to remember that the U.S. is the main trading partner for Ecuador.'

Trump's trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, was expected to participate in the meeting.

Melania Trump is seen listening as Trump speaks to the assembled press in the Oval Office. Photojournalists can be seen to her left crowding in for a picture of the president

Journalists crowded into the Oval Office for the press event on Wednesday afternoon

Melania Trump was on hand to help her husband greet President of the Republic of Ecuador LenAn Moreno, and Mrs. Rocio Gonzales De Moreno at the White House

Moreno has welcomed U.S. cooperation on security, economic and cultural issues and has joined the U.S. and nearly 60 other nations in backing the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is working to oust Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro.

Ecuador has received $72 million from the United States to assist with the influx of people leaving Venezuela. There currently are nearly 400,000 Venezuelans in Ecuador.

Moreno said he also wanted to talk to Trump about drug trafficking and the fight against corruption and organized crime.

Moreno is at a weak moment of his presidency after nearly two weeks of violent protests last year over his decision to end fuel subsidies. He later retracted that decision and reached an agreement with indigenous leaders to cancel an austerity package backed by the International Monetary Fund. But the economy is still growing at a sluggish pace and Morenos approval rating has hovered around 20%.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate Darling, Ph.D., research specialist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab and leading expert in Social Robotics, will serve as a featured keynote speaker at the 2020 Internet2 Global Summit. The talk entitled "The Future of Human-Robot Interaction" will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday, March 30, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis.

From transportation systems, hospitals, and the military, to the robotization of our workplaces and households, robots will increasingly interact with people. Dr. Darling will address what societal opportunities and challenges we face in the future of evolving robots that can make their own decisions and autonomously navigate public spaces.

"Dr. Darling is a preeminent leader in the field of Social Robotics and her talk is a timely and welcomed examination of the technology itself, and what society's relationship with robots could look like in the future," said Howard Pfeffer, president and CEO of Internet2.

Dr. Darling's fascination with the intersection of technology and society has prompted writing and research that anticipates difficult questions that lawmakers, engineers and the wider public will need to address as human-robot relationships evolve in the coming decades.

Her passion for technology and robots has led her to interdisciplinary fields. Darling has a background in law, economics and intellectual property, and has researched economic incentives in copyright and patent systems leading to roles as an intellectual property expert at multiple academic and private institutions. Named one of the "Women in Robotics You Need to Know About" by Robohub, she currently serves as intellectual property policy advisor to the director of the MIT Media Lab. Darling is a former Fellow at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and the Yale Information Society Project, and is also an affiliate at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies.

Her work has been featured in Vogue, The New Yorker, The Guardian, BBC, NPR, PBS, The Boston Globe, Forbes, CBC, WIRED magazine, Boston Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate, Die Zeit, The Japan Times, and many more major publications and outlets. She is a contributing writer to Robohub and IEEE Spectrum.

Darling graduated from law school with honors and holds a doctorate of sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and an honorary doctorate of sciences from Middlebury College. In 2017, the American Bar Association honored her legal work with the Mark T. Banner award in Intellectual Property. She was also recognized in 2017 as a "Radar Thinker" by Thinkers50. She is the caretaker for several domestic robots, including her Pleos Yochai, Peter, and Mr. Spaghetti.

The 2020 Internet2 Global Summit meeting will convene research and education technology leaders from March 29-April 1 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis hotel. It will feature keynote addresses, presentations from noted subject-matter experts, and over 100 sessions and meetings focused on advanced networking, cloud integration, InCommon Trusted Access, and integrated solutions to support research, scholarship and creativity across national and global-scale collaborations. More information can be found on the 2020 Global Summit website.

A live netcast will be available at the event page, https://meetings.internet2.edu/2020-global-summit/

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the news media interested in attending the Internet2 Global Summit should contact Glenn Lipscomb at [email protected] or 720-379-9677.

About Internet2

Internet2 is a non-profit, member-driven advanced technology community founded by the nation's leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 serves 319 U.S. universities, 60 government agencies, 43 regional and state education networks and through them supports more than 100,000 community anchor institutions, close to 1,000 InCommon participants, and 56 leading corporations working with our community, and 70 national research and education network partners that represent more than 100 countries.

Internet2 delivers a diverse portfolio of technology solutions that leverages, integrates, and amplifies the strengths of its members and helps support their educational, research and community service missions. Internet2's core infrastructure components include the nation's largest and fastest research and education network that was built to deliver advanced, customized services that are accessed and secured by the community-developed trust and identity framework.

Internet2 offices are located in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Denver, Colo.; Washington, D.C.; and West Hartford, Conn. For more information, visit www.internet2.edu or follow @Internet2 on Twitter.

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Shaughna has caught feelings for Luke M - and the cat's out of the bag on Thursday night's instalment of Love Island.

The OG Islander decides its time to tell Luke M, but believes she should own up to it with Demi first, who has also been getting to know the hunk.

But Demi's reaction is not ideal.

Clash: Shaughna has caught feelings for Luke M - and the cat's out of the bag on Thursday night's instalment of Love Island

On hearing the news in a one-on-one with Shaughna, she replies: 'Right OK. Oh God what's made you feel like this? I always thought you and him were more like brother and sister.'

Shaughna explains: 'It's kind of been under my nose for weeks. I've definitely gone for the guy my mum would want me to go for, finally. Luke is an angel and any girl that ever ends up with him is a very lucky girl

'I think Jamie's solidified this a bit for me. I'm just like absolutely, I don't have feelings for you at all. I don't feel like that for Luke, I feel like we've always had flirty banter back and forth.

'[In the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge] when he didn't marry me, I was a bit like, "Oh OK I thought that was going to happen". Then when it didn't go well with Natalia I was thinking "I'm happy about that, why am I happy about that?"

Bad news: The OG Islander decides its time to tell Luke M, but believes she should own up to it with Demi first, who has also been getting to know the hunk

'A bit like you and him, you never explored it, I never did.'

Demi replies: 'I feel the same with Jamie. He's a really nice guy. I keep thinking I need to be open to Jamie, I can't make the same mistake I did with Nas. But at the same time I can't help but gravitate towards Luke.

'You do what you've got to do but obviously at the same time I'm still going to get to know Luke. You do you and I'll do me.'

In the Beach Hut, Demi admits: 'I just feel like I don't have much luck in here. I've just got to hope Luke does like me. If Shaughna tells him this information then he might shut it down and come closer to me and it will solidify our connection.

Coming clean: Shaughna pulls Luke M for a chat

'At the same time, if Shaughna tells him that and he starts acting different about me and starts being like that to her, then again at least I know it wasn't meant to be.'

Later in the episode, Paige and Finn encourage Shaughna to chat to Luke M, with Paige admitting: 'You're going to regret it if you don't do it, you'll never know.'

Shaughna pulls Luke M and says through laughs: 'Let me just get it out When things didn't work out too well with Natalia and I was like, "Yay, why am I yay-ing..?" It was a weird time for me.

'So then Jess said, "Demi is going to have a chat with Luke" and I was like, "Oh OK". And then I was like, why am I feeling like that, weird. I love Demi so it was very awkward for me. Watching you two sit on the daybed, I was just like, "Oh"

'I could be completely barking up the wrong tree. Do I need to say it?'

Luke M says: 'Yeah you need to say it.'

Blossoming romance? Paige and Finn encourage Shaughna to chat to Luke M

Shaughna says: 'I think I like you.'

Luke M admits: 'I didn't expect it. Have you caught feelings?'

Shaughna replies: 'Yeah.'

Luke M admits: 'You're dropping a bomb have you thought this over the past few days?'

Shaughna says: 'Weeks Where is your head at?'

Shaughna says through laughs: 'Let me just get it out I could be completely barking up the wrong tree. Do I need to say it? I think I like you'

Luke M admits: 'Scrambled now. Me and Demi got to know each other and got close, she's getting to know Jamie as well which put me off a bit. I didn't want to be in that position again to feel second best, I don't want to be in a triangle'

This then leads to Demi asking Luke M how he's feeling.

'I didn't expect it. It's hard because you're getting to know Jamie she said I just thought I'd tell you before anything happens,' he tells her.

Surprised? 'I don't want to be in a triangle' Luke M says

Luke M admits: 'Me and Demi got to know each other and got close, she's getting to know Jamie as well which put me off a bit. I didn't want to be in that position again to feel second best...'

Checking in: This then leads to Demi asking Luke M how he's feeling

'Me and Shaughna are really close in here. You've been in this villa for a really long time, why has it not been explored before? I feel like the way you will be about the situation will say a lot for me,' Demi replies.

At breakfast the next day, Luke M discusses with the boys how he is feeling after Shaughna admitted she has feelings for him.

He says: 'Demi got to know Jamie so I think it's only fair.'

Love Island airs nightly at 9PM on ITV2.
Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday touted his scholarship proposal to curb student debt in Pennsylvania. But not everybody who showed up at West Chester University was happy about it.

During his budget address last week, Wolf proposed funding scholarships by diverting $204 million from the states Horse Race Development Trust Fund, which is used for horse owners and breeders winnings from races. The fund has about $250 million, Wolf said.

We cant solve one debt problem by creating another debt problem for the 20,000 people who work in the horse racing and breeding industry, said Pete Peterson, executive director of the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition, who joined a group of people in that industry at the governors West Chester appearance.

Peterson said Wolfs proposal would have a ripple effect on the states agricultural economy, damaging far more than those racing and breeding horses. It would affect everything else that depends on it, including alfalfa, hay, and mushroom farming, he said.

 READ MORE: Gov. Tom Wolf calls for $204 million in tuition assistance for students at Pa. colleges

Even before the horse owners spoke up, Wolf acknowledged Thursday that there is opposition. He said it would not affect his commitment to the proposal.

Its a hill Im happy to die on, he said at West Chester, the largest of the 14 state universities. My choice would be to support the tens of thousands of students in the system.

Pennsylvania, he noted, has the second highest student debt in the nation, more than $34,000 per student,  which Wolf called crippling.

I just bought a new Jeep, he said. I paid less for that new Jeep.

Wolfs proposal could enable about 25,000 students who attend the state universities to graduate debt-free. Its largely aimed at students from lower-income families already eligible for federal Pell grants and state assistance, but also could help some middle-income families. It would cover remaining tuition, fees, and room and board costs.

Those who accept the money would have to agree to remain in the state after graduation for at least as many years as they received the grant funding, or would have to pay it back.

The program is named to honor Nellie Bly, the byline of Elizabeth Cochran, who as a young woman had to drop out of a Pennsylvania school more than a century ago because she couldnt afford it. She went on to become a prominent investigative journalist who exposed problems in a mental health institution.

His scholarship program, he said, could help the state avoid such losses of talent in the future.

That argument did little to quiet the equine industry representatives. The money from the purses allows them to care for horses and keep their industry going, they argued.

With all due respect to the governor ... he has no idea of the economic impact that this would cause to our state, said Peter Giangiulio, a former president of the Pennsylvania Breeders Association.
Senior Congress leader Jairam



Ramesh has said people in Shaheen Bagh, epicentre of anti-CAA protests, should agitate against the National Population Register and National Register of Citizens if they are worried that their citizenship is going to be taken away from them.

He claimed that the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi served the BJP's "communal interest and also helped communal Muslim interests."



"I don't understand what Shaheen Bagh people are protesting about. Are they worried that their citizenship is going to be taken away from them.

That is a legitimate fear. Then they should agitate against NPR and NRC. Why are they only agitating against CAA," he asked.

"Fine, I understand the emotion and sentiments. Initially (protest) in four days, five days...but after a while, I think it served the BJP's interest to keep Shaheen Bagh going, it served the communal Muslim interests to keep Shaheen Bagh going," he said in an interview to PTI.

These protests helped the BJP, but it also helped the communal outfits, Ramesh said.

"... And frankly beyond a point of time, I did not go to Shaheen Bagh," Ramesh said.

Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Mani Shankar Aiyar had visited Shaheeh Bagh in January to express solidarity with those protesting against the amended citizenship act.

Ramesh, however, hit out at the BJP-led Central government for bringing amendments to the Citizenship Act, claiming it was brought to divide the people on the basis of religion.

The Congress party's stand on the amended Act was very clear, he said.

"The BJP wants to exclude certain communities from the CAA... BJP's policy is one of excluding Muslims.We want to include everybody. Tamils from Sri Lanka, Christians from Bhutan, Ahamedias from Pakistan...

Citizenship should not be based on religion. That is our fundamental position because that was rejected by our Constitution makers and it violates Article 14 of our Constitution," Ramesh added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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The image captured from Instagram shows a notice in Korean posted on the KLM aircraft's toilet saying the toilet was reserved for crew only. / Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



Dutch carrier KLM is facing mounting criticism for its "racial discrimination" against Korean passengers by treating them as potential carriers of the coronavirus, according to airline industry officials Thursday.



This comes at a time when an increasing number of people of Asian appearance around the world are being subjected to racist and xenophobic comments since the virus emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.



A 28-year-old Korean passenger, surnamed Kim, who boarded the flight KL855 from Amsterdam to Incheon, Monday, found a notice posted on the wall of one of the aircraft's toilet cubicles.



The notice written in Korean reads, "Toilet for crew use."



Kim was curious why the notice was written only in Korean while passengers of various nationalities were on board.



She took a photo of the notice and asked one of the crew members about it.









The crew member said it was a protective measure against potential carriers of the new coronavirus, asking her to delete the photo.



Following Kim's complaint, the KLM crew belatedly added a notice in English.



Kim wrote on Instagram, "Flight attendants are exposed to the risk of a secondary infection with the new coronavirus, thus having their own toilet in the aircraft is fully understandable. But a significant point is this  why they noticed passengers about a crew-only toilet only in Korean."





KLM President and CEO Pieter Elbers speaks during a press conference in Seoul in May. / Courtesy of KLM
Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg waits by his tour bus ahead of adressing his supporters at Central Machine Works in Austin, Texas on January 11, 2020.

Mike Bloomberg's presidential campaign is taking a page out of President Donald Trump's book and trying to meet voters where they are. In this case, in the Instagram posts of accounts like "TrashCanPaul" or "S***headSteve."

A slew of popular Instagram accounts unleashed a blitz of sponsored Bloomberg posts on Wednesday in the form of satirical messages between the Democratic candidate and the various account holders asking for help promoting his campaign.

"Can you make a viral meme to let the younger demographic know I'm the cool candidate?" one on the @sonny5ideup account reads. Some of the posts refer to the sponsored nature of the posts (i.e. "yes this is really #sponsored" by the Bloomberg campaign).

The stunt drew widespread and immediate attention. A post on one of Jerry Media's popular accounts, @F***Jerry, had drawn nearly 384,000 likes by Thursday afternoon, while Mike Bloomberg's Instagram account had drawn more than 47,000 new followers on Thursday -- the first time that daily growth figure had topped 7,000 this month, according to social media analytics site Social Blade.

Bloomberg's campaign has been playing in new spaces to reach younger consumers. The candidate's Twitter account made waves last month during a Democratic debate with a slew of "weird" posts, like one reading "SPOT THE MEATBALL THAT LOOKS LIKE MIKE" with a photo of Bloomberg's face transposed onto a meatball. The Daily Beast also recently reported that his campaign had been pitching to "micro-influencers" with between 1,000 to 100,000 followers to create sponsored content.

As traditional TV is losing dominance, it makes sense for candidates to try and reach potential voters where they are. As Trump's campaign found a receptive audience on Facebook in 2016, this is Bloomberg's way of finding its audiences and trying to speak their language -- in this case on Instagram, which is owned by Facebook.

"While a meme strategy may be new to presidential politics, we're betting it will be an effective component to reach people where they are and compete with President Trump's powerful digital operation," a Bloomberg spokesperson told CNBC.
On Tuesday, Danielle Sassoon, an assistant U.S. attorney, said that during the investigation of Mr. Ray, federal officials conducted 17 interviews with witnesses, though she did not say who the witnesses were. Ms. Sassoon also said that prosecutors had obtained emails and financial records from Mr. Ray and executed search warrants on one of his homes and a storage facility he used.

Among the most sensitive evidence collected, Ms. Sassoon noted, were the sexually explicit videos collected from the young woman forced into prostitution, which were found on some of the nearly 40 electronic devices seized in a search of Mr. Rays home. Other videos showed Mr. Ray berating some of his followers, Ms. Sassoon said.

Federal authorities also discovered several journals during the search of the home. Ms. Sassoon told Judge Lewis J. Liman that Mr. Ray would often direct his victims to write sensitive and incriminating things and then use the material against them.

The accusations seemed especially stunning because of where the incidents are said to have occurred: on the leafy Sarah Lawrence campus, where red brick buildings frame wide lawns and a wisteria arbor dominates the grounds.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, Cristle Collins Judd, the president of Sarah Lawrence, addressed the question of how the college failed to realize that Mr. Ray had been living on campus. She said perhaps because the student housing in question was a townhouse with its own entrance, other students did not realize he was there.

What we do know is that no reports about this parents presence on campus during that semester, formal or informal, were lodged by students sharing that small living space, by their student neighbors or by anyone else, she said, adding that the crimes Mr. Ray is charged with committing did not occur at Sarah Lawrence, although he met the victims at the college.

Perhaps even stranger than the college setting was Mr. Rays own history. He had friendships with mobsters, politicians and high-ranking military officers. He was the best man at the wedding of Mr. Kerik, who rose to the top of the New York Police Department before being indicted on state and federal charges  in a case that Mr. Ray helped the authorities make.
The Osun-based cleric, Habeebulah AbdulRahman, who allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl in 2019, has been charged to court for the second time.

Although the matter was initially settled out of court, the cleric was rearraigned on Wednesday following a series of follow-up reports by this newspaper and pressure from rights groups.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES, in July last year, exclusively reported how Mr Abdulrahman, (popularly known as Al-Edewy), was accused of raping a student of his Islamic school.

In response, Mr Abdulrahman told PREMIUM TIMES that the teenager is his wife and he had the right to have sexual intercourse with her.

The victim, born in 2003, lost her dad at a young age and stays with her mother in Ede, a town in Osun State. She recently completed her junior secondary education in the town.

The Islamic scholar, after a while, requested her hand in marriage. The girl, on several occasions, rejected the proposal. However, Mr Abdulrahman persisted until he reportedly raped her.

He was, thereafter, arraigned on a three-count charge of abduction of a young girl to an unknown destination to have carnal knowledge of her and indecent assault by touching.

Mr Abdulrahman was granted bail with the condition of providing a level 12 civil servant who owns a landed property- a condition which he met. He was freed afterwards.

Pressure

Following this newspapers report, the family and our correspondent continued to face pressure and threats from unknown individuals who warned against further reports on the incident.

After much pressure, members of the victims family shared dissenting views on the settlement of the issue.

While some believed that an out-of-court settlement is a welcome development, others said the matter should be treated as a criminal case and justice should prevail.

The victim later vowed to commit suicide if her family accepts an offer to settle the matter out of court.

The proposed settlement included that the accused admits to committing the offence and tenders an unreserved apology, which he did.

More pressure

In January, this journalist was invited by police after he was accused of publishing fake report about the personality of the cleric.

In the petition against this reporter, Mr Abdulrahman denied granting any interview to PREMIUM TIMES, a claim which differs from his position when he was in the police custody, where he had affirmed that the reporter disturbed him on several occasions.

After spending six hours in the zonal headquarters in Osogbo, the reporter was released with a promise to formally invite him through the newspaper management.

Meanwhile, weeks after the invitation, the police has not gotten back to PREMIUM TIMES.

Re-arraignment

On Wednesday, the cleric was arraigned for indecent assault punishable under section 358 of the criminal code.

In the charge sheet made available to PREMIUM TIMES, he was arraigned on a two-count charge unlawful carnal knowledge and indecent assault against the teenager.

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According to Section 358 and 359 of the Criminal Code Act- part five, anyone who commits the offence of rape is liable to life imprisonment; while attempt to commit the offence is felonious and such offender is liable to 14-year imprisonment.

Also, Section 31 of the Child Rights Act 2003 stipulates that a person who commits an offence of defilement is liable on conviction to life imprisonment.

Although yet to be domesticated in 11 other states, the Osun State government has passed the Child Rights Act into law.
Pennsylvanias President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, issued a statement Wednesday evening announcing his intention to retire from the chamber when his term expires at the end of this year.

Scarnati, who has held the third-highest constitutional office in the State for over a decade, also served as the states lieutenant governor for two years following the death of former Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.

He is the second top legislative leader to announce his intention to retire. Last month, House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, announced his plans not to seek re-election.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County, said in a statement, "We have been fortunate to have Joes steady hand at the helm of the Senate, providing critical leadership under circumstances that often were far from perfect. Joe has set an example for all of us with his unmatched ability to build consensus, encourage civility and ensure common sense would prevail.

His record speaks for itself and his honesty and sincerity is well known to those of us who have served with him. I am confident Joe will channel those qualities into his next path in life. Until then, I look forward to all that we can accomplish as with finish this session under his guidance. He will be missed.

Here is the full text of Scarnatis statement:

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) today announced his retirement from the Pennsylvania Senate at the end of his 5th term in office. Senator Scarnati represents the 25th Senatorial District, which includes Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Tioga Counties and portions of Clearfield County.

Today I am announcing that I will not be seeking a 6th term as Senator for the 25th Senatorial District. At the end of this year, I will have served the people of the 25th Senatorial district for 20 years. With the support of my Senate colleagues, I have spent the last 14 of those years in the position of President Pro Tempore and served as Pennsylvanias 31st Lieutenant Governor from 2008 to 2011. I have worked with five Governors and throughout this time I am proud to have been a leading advocate for rural Pennsylvania values.

While I am greatly humbled by those who have once again supported my petition to have my name on the ballot, after many conversations with family and close supporters I have made a personal, and not political, decision that I will not be filing my petitions. My concern with leaving office has always been in large part wanting to ensure the 25th Senatorial District is well represented after my departure from the Senate.

I came to Harrisburg in 2001 as the first Senator elected as an independent. I was disappointed by the choices that our sitting Senator at the time had made, and could not support his candidacy. My independent streak never ended there in my tenure. I have always believed that both sides of the aisle must work together on behalf of our constituents and compromise on issues without compromising on our values. At the same time, I have always sought to protect working families and their hard earned tax dollars. Since the days of Governor Ed Rendells Administration, I have actively blocked the massive proposed tax hikes on workers and businesses as proposed by his Administration and others who have followed.

I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished for the Commonwealth during my time in the Senate. We have overseen the largest Republican majority since Eisenhower was president (34-16). We have protected the unborn by supporting a strong pro-life agenda. We have fought to safeguard our 2nd Amendment rights that the liberal left continues to attack. In 2012, we passed a landmark Marcellus Shale Impact Fee bill to ensure responsible drilling and investments in our local communities. We have prioritized job growth and creation across Pennsylvania. We have fought for historic levels of school safety funding  and will continue that fight.

I thank my family for their unwavering support over the last two decades. Serving in public office is not something that you do alone. I am looking forward to traveling and spending more time with my wife Amy, our children and grandchild. I also look forward to helping my parents who are both in their 80s.

Throughout my time in office, I am grateful to have been surrounded by friends and fellow senators whom I respect. My success has been largely in part because of serving with incredible colleagues and working with a team of talented individuals who are not my staff, but my co-workers. It takes a strong team to serve constituents and to oversee operations of the Senate.

I sincerely thank my constituents for the honor of representing them. While the announcement of my future departure comes today, I will still be actively engaged in serving my district and the Senate for the next nine months. I also look forward to continuing to lead the effort this year to maintain our Senate Republican Majority. Following my departure from the Senate, I will be taking a more active role in my business and evaluating other opportunities.
My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge has revealed that a scandal from the 2018 season was the beginning of the end for Seven's once-unbeatable cooking show.

The Irish chef, 46, told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that the bullying saga involving Sonya Mefaddi and Hadil Faiza turned viewers off.

'I think we're getting crucified for a little incident a couple of years ago with Sonya and Hadil. Remember they got kicked out?' he said.

That was it! My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge (pictured) has revealed that a scandal from the 2018 season was the beginning of the end for Seven's once-unbeatable cooking show

'The drama went through the roof and a lot of people got turned off,' he added.

Sonya and Hadil were infamously axed from the series in 2018, following accusations they had bullied the other contestants.

Their dismissal was sparked by a dinner party showdown with rivals Jess Alvial and Emma Byron, known as the 'Botox sisters'.

Tipping point: The Irish chef, 46, told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that the bullying saga involving Sonya Mefaddi (left) and Hadil Faiza (right) turned viewers off

Tensions reached fever pitch when Sonya and Hadil made unkind remarks about Jess and Emma's physical appearance.

They then screamed at the other contestants, calling them 'disrespectful a**eholes'.

Following this incident, they were removed from the competition.

Nail in the coffin? My Kitchen Rules continues to struggle in the ratings, and Colin isn't shying away from the fact he could lose his job if things don't improve. Pictured with Pete Evans (left) and Manu Feildel (right)

My Kitchen Rules continues to struggle in the ratings, and Colin isn't shying away from the fact he could lose his job if things don't improve.

Speaking to 2GB's Chris Smith earlier this week, he pulled no punches while blaming Seven's management for the failure of the show.

'Not everyone's watching it at the moment because we've got some people in Channel Seven who don't know how to program!' he said.

'We've got some people who don't know how to program a show!' Speaking to 2GB's Chris Smith earlier this week, Colin blamed Seven's management for the failure of My Kitchen Rules

My Kitchen Rules: The Rivals' ratings Sunday, February 2: 498,000

Monday, February 3: 517,000

Tuesday, February 4: 402,000

Wednesday, February 5: 428,000

Sunday, February 10: 476,000

Monday, February 11: 439,000

Tuesday, February 12: 422,000 All ratings are five-city metro Advertisement

My Kitchen Rules, which used to be one of Australia's most popular prime time shows, has failed to deliver with its new format, dubbed MKR: The Rivals.

The program has averaged just 456,000 metro viewers since its premiere on Sunday, February 2.

On Wednesday night, MKR: The Rivals had just 422,000 metro viewers, while Channel Nine's Married At First Sight had an audience of 1.178 million.

MKR was also beaten by Channel 10's Australian Survivor: All Stars (572,000), Seven's The Chase (500,000) and ABC's Hard Quiz (597,000).
The Bombay high court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday why trials in the murders of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare have not started yet.

These are crimes committed in 2013 and 2015. This is the seventh year after the incident [Dabholkars murder], said the division bench of justices SC Dharmadhikari and RI Chagla. Why has the trial not started yet, if you have filed everything, including the charge sheet? the bench asked additional solicitor general Anil Singh, representing CBI. The accused people also have certain lives. There is a presumption in their favour innocent until proven guilty. They must know where they stand and cannot be asked to wait indefinitely, said the bench. The credibility of the criminal justice system is at stake. We should not wait till the public loses complete faith in the system, the judges added.

The comments came after Singh told the bench that the search for the weapons, allegedly used to kill Dabholkar at Thane creek, was further delayed because of a technical problem. Singh said a small portion of the creek remains to be examined but as the area is rocky, some additional equipment has been called for from a foreign country. He said 15 more days will be required to receive the equipment and another 15 days for completing search in the remaining patch.

Special counsel for the state government, Ashok Mundargi, told the bench that the special investigative team (SIT) was still searching for a wanted accused in the Pansare murder case. He said the SIT will be in a position to inform the bench when the trial could be started in the Kolhapur case by March-end. He was responding to separate petitions filed by family members of Dabholkar and Pansare, seeking independent probe in the murders and court monitoring of the investigations.

Dabholkar was shot near his residence in Pune on August 20, 2013. Pansare and his wife were shot at in Kolhapur when they were out for a morning walk on February 16, 2015. Pansare succumbed to injuries four days later, while his wife survived the attack.
Some Democrats have cited an exciting-sounding statistic: Turnout broke the record set in 2008, when 287,542 people voted in the Democratic primary. This is noteworthy, but it is mostly attributable to the fact that there are more eligible voters in New Hampshire now than in 2008. The percentage of eligible voters who participated did not change much.

Also, because unaffiliated voters can participate in primaries in New Hampshire, it is tricky to compare cycles in which both parties have competitive races  meaning unaffiliated voters have to choose between two serious contests  with cycles in which one party has an incumbent whose renomination is a foregone conclusion.

This did not mean that breaking the 2008 record was insignificant  a lot of people did come out to vote, said Mia Costa, a political scientist at Dartmouth who studies electoral participation, and there was a possibility that that wasnt going to be the case, because thats not what we saw in the last primary here  but the numbers did not indicate unusual enthusiasm among Democrats.

The most interesting signals can be found in the demographic breakdown of the electorate.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who won the primary by about 3,900 votes over former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., was buoyed by very strong support among young voters. Exit polls show that Mr. Sanders overwhelmingly won voters under 40, while voters over 40 were split between Mr. Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and that dynamic may have been decisive, Dr. Costa said.

But the results do not appear to support one of Mr. Sanderss biggest arguments for his electability: that he will bring a slew of first-time voters, formerly disaffected, into the fold.
The Supreme Court has ordered political parties in the country to make information on criminal background of its candidates public. The apex court asked parties to publish the information on their websites as well as on print media. The court flagged an "alarming rise in the criminalisation of politics" in the last four national elections.

The court stated that the information on cases, offences and trial stages must be published on party websites and local vernacular newspapers. The Supreme Court has said that party should also declare the reasons for choosing the candidate. The details must be put up online within two days of a candidate's selection.

"The reason to select candidates should be based on merit and not winnability. Winnability can't be the only justification," the Supreme Court stated.

The apex court stated that the details must also be provided to the Election Commission of India within three days of the candidate's selection. The ECI can also initiate contempt of court proceedings against the party if the information is not submitted to the relevant authorities or posted online.

The orders come on contempt petitions filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and others. In 2018, a five-member constitution bench asked the Centre to enact laws to ban individuals with serious criminal charges from contesting elections and becoming party officials. Upadhyay subsequently filed a contempt petition stating that no serious efforts were made to prevent criminalisation of politics despite the order by the top court.

The Supreme Court's orders come soon after the assembly elections in Delhi wrapped up. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms, more than half of the newly-elected MLAs have criminal charges against them. From 24 MLAs with criminal charges in 2015, the number has increased to 43 in 2020. There are 37 MLAs with serious charges, including rape and attempt to murder.

Also read: Shaheen Bagh protesters can't block roads, create inconvenience: Supreme Court

Also read: Supreme Court order on reservation: All you need to know
Celine Sciamma wants you to see that equality is sexy.

In her drama Portrait of a Lady on Fire, we watch as two women in 18th-century France fall in love. The film, getting a wider American release beginning on Valentines Day, has been ecstatically reviewed, won best screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated last month for 10 Cesar awards, the French equivalent of the Oscars.

Blissfully absent from the movie are the usual characters queer audiences have come to expect in stories about our lives, like the character who cant handle being gay, the character who was basically straight anyway, or the character who winds up dead. Its made us a very generous audience, so unused to seeing ourselves onscreen that well put up with all kinds of nonsense dialogue and dead girlfriends.

But what really sets this movie apart is that by looking for equality between its characters, it leaves a trail of delicately subverted expectations. Part of how it does this is by embracing the unique dynamics that are possible when the two people in love are both women.

The story begins with an artist named Marianne (Noemie Merlant) being thrown around a tiny boat on her way to an island off the Brittany coast, where shes been hired to paint an aristocrat, Heloise (Adele Haenel). Heloises suitor, who is from Milan, wants to see her portrait before he marries her, but she is decidedly not interested and has refused to pose. So Marianne is asked to deceive Heloise, accompanying her on walks to the beach and then painting her from memory in secret.
Global ratings agency Standard and Poor's on Thursday affirmed India's sovereign rating at 'BBB-' with stable outlook, saying the country's GDP growth is likely to gradually recover towards longer-term trend rates over the next two to three years.

'BBB' rating refers to adequate capacity of the rated entity to meet its financial commitments.

"Despite a notable deceleration in India's economy in recent quarters, we believe its structural growth outperformance remains intact. Real GDP growth is therefore likely to gradually recover toward longer-term trend rates over the next two to three years," S&P said in a statement.

It expects the economic growth rate to improve to 6 per cent during 2020-21, 7 per cent in the next fiscal and 7.4 per cent thereafter.

"We expect India's economy to continue to outperform peers at a similar level of income, despite a recent slowdown in real GDP growth.

"Supportive monetary, fiscal, and cyclical factors should support economic recovery, with real GDP growth averaging 7.1 per cent in fiscals 2020-2024," it said.

The agency, however pointed out that India's fiscal position remains precarious, with elevated fiscal deficits and net government indebtedness.

Fiscal deficits have exceeded the government's plan, S&P said, adding it expects limited consolidation over the next few years.

"S&P Global Ratings affirmed its 'BBB-' long-term and 'A-3' short-term unsolicited foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on India. The outlook on the long-term rating is stable," it said in a statement.

As per the National Statistical Office (NSO), India's GDP growth is estimated to slow down to 5 per cent during 2019-20. The government expects growth to rebound to over 6 per cent in the next financial year.

Providing rationale for its rating action, S&P said the ratings on India reflect the country's above-average real GDP growth, sound external profile, and evolving monetary settings.

As per the statement, the stable outlook reflects S&P's expectation that India's growth will be strong, the country will maintain its sound net external position, and its fiscal deficits will remain elevated but broadly in line with its forecasts over the next two years.

Further, "upward pressure" on the ratings could build if the government significantly curtails its fiscal deficits, resulting in lower net indebtedness at the general government level. Upside potential on the ratings could also increase if India's external accounts strengthen substantially.

Also, the downward pressure on the ratings could emerge if India's GDP growth falls well below the agency's forecasts, causing it to reassess view of trend growth; net general government deficits rise further from their currently elevated levels; and political developments materially undermine economic reform momentum.

S&P further said the Indian economy has slowed measurably. Real GDP growth fell to a more than six-year low of 4.5 per cent in the second quarter of this fiscal. This was the fifth consecutive quarter of decline in year-on-year growth rate.

It also noted that tighter lending conditions continue across the financial system, particularly in the public sector.

This, it said, is reflected in a gradual decline in credit growth.

In combination with ongoing liquidity concerns in the non-bank financial institution (NBFI) sector following the September 2018 default by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) and subsequent relatively less impactful defaults, domestic credit conditions have been somewhat mixed, it said.

"Weaker sentiment in the NBFI space may limit private consumption growth over the coming quarters," it said.

The government's August 2019 announcement that it will consolidate major public sector banks may also constrain credit growth over the next 12-24 months, it said.

"Nevertheless, we believe India is experiencing a cyclical, rather than a structural, economic slowdown. The economy's long-term outperformance highlights its resilience.

"India's wide range of structural trends, including healthy demographics and competitive unit labor costs, work in its favor. A more favorable corporate tax regime, which is particularly supportive of manufacturing firms, should reinforce growth, alongside additional fiscal and monetary easing," it said.

The agency further said India's economic growth faces headwinds over the near term, including subdued private sector investment and sentiment, labour market difficulties, and soft demand conditions.

However, it believes the country's long-term outperformance will remain intact.

India's fiscal deficits will be higher in this fiscal year and the next, largely due to the economic slowdown and substantial cuts in corporate taxes, it added.

The Indian government's fiscal 2020-21 budget acknowledges a rise in the central government's deficit to 3.8 per cent in 2019-20, and expects the deficit to fall marginally to 3.5 per cent next year.

S&P said the general elections held in April-May 2019 returned a robust mandate for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP-led government.

"The results suggest that major policy undertakings by the government in its first term, including GST and demonetisation, have not materially undermined support for the BJP-led coalition," it said.

Over the next one to two years, this electoral support could encourage the government to pursue further reform initiatives, especially those aimed at liberalising foreign investment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Liverpool, United Kingdom  Thu, February 13, 2020 17:04 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206458381 2 Entertainment The-Beatles,Liverpool,Britain,music,pub,architecture,Philharmonic-Dining-Rooms Free

It's a Liverpool institution that was a favorite hangout of The Beatles. Now, the Philharmonic Dining Rooms has become the first Victorian-era English pub to be given Grade I listed status.

"The Phil", as it's known in the city, was built in 1898 by architect Walter W Thomas during the "golden age" of pub building in the 19th century.

The venue, opposite the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall concert venue, is notable for its exuberant grand stone exterior and richly decorated interior.

John Lennon once complained that the worst thing about being in The Beatles was "not being able to have a pint in the Phil".

Band-mate Paul McCartney returned to the city where the band made their name and surprised drinkers with an impromptu show there in 2018.

The pub, Grade II listed since 1955, now joins other architectural gems such as Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth House after Historic England upgraded it to a top-ranking Grade I.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, called the Phil a remarkable survivor from the Victorian era.

Read also: Paul McCartney makes James Corden tear up in Carpool Karaoke

The listing "will help maintain and preserve its outstanding interior fittings and exterior fabric for the future", he added

The pub's exterior boasts obelisk finials, tall chimney stacks, turrets and a balustraded balcony around the second floor.

Its art nouveau entrance gates are considered to be among the finest of their style in England.

Inside, ornate plasterwork, detailed stained glass, and mahogany fireplaces surround the horseshoe-shaped bar.

Landlord Eamonn Lavin said the new listing was a "real honor".

"We got people from all over the world -- Japan, America, France, everywhere, Europe -- and they all come in just to see the building and sample some of the beers and drink," he told AFP.

"So it's got real rich history as well. And Liverpool is a city that's quite interesting anyway. So, this is just the icing on the cake for tourists really."
SITTARD, Netherlands, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Scala today announced that customer experiences on display at EuroShop will focus on creating smart stores, delivering retail transformation and exceptional customer journeys in the store. Scala, part of the STRATACACHE family of marketing technology companies, focused on delivering the same convenience and personalization found online in the store, and leveraged the hardware, software and retail expertise found across the STRATACACHE family to design and build innovative shopping experiences. Scala can be found in booth A01 in hall 6 at EuroShop 2020, being held 16-20 February in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Scala's retail concepts address what brick-and-mortar retailers need to tackle in order to grow their business: operational efficiency, personalization at scale, in-store intelligence and frictionless customer experiences. Scala retail experts will also demonstrate how sensor-based insights, from our in-house retail analytics platform, Walkbase, help retailers to learn deeply about their business and enable targeted promotional or task-based messaging on any digital display.

"Recent surveys show that the customer demand for a 'start anywhere, finish anywhere' approach is critical in choosing the retailer they favor," says Harry Horn, General Manager EMEA for Scala. "These so called 'shared cart across channels services' are important pillars for a truly holistic shopper experience, combining both online with offline channels and the ability to pick click and collect, or choose in-store and home-deliver on a per product basis, enabling fully personalized shopping preferences. Scala fully acknowledges these needs and trends for innovative retailers and brands. We build our offerings around these shopper needs."

Booth demonstrations and discussions will include:

Delivering an interactive shopping in the store

Personalized end-to-end shopping experiences

Understanding floor operations and customer behavior

Interactive product discovery and ad network monetization solutions

Strategies to increase sales and reduce labor and material waste

Innovative, automated queuing and pick-up

Manolo Alamagro, managing partner of STRATACACHE's retail consultancy division Q Division, will be speaking this year on the Retail Technology Stage in hall 6. This session will be held 18 Feb at 16:00 and will help brands + retailers look outside their own industry for new opportunities in disruptive innovation.

Get full details on Scala's EuroShop booth at https://www.scala.com/en/events/euroshop-2020/.

About Scala

Scala solutions deliver engaging retail experiences by connecting networks of digital signs, kiosks, mobile devices, websites and Internet-connected devices. Scala, a STRATACACHE company, provides the platform for marketers, retailers and innovators to easily create and centrally manage deployment of shopping experiences while retaining the flexibility to rapidly adapt to local business conditions and preferences of customers in the store. With 30 years of experience entertaining, informing and educating audiences, Scala is well-known for its innovation and leveraging best-of-breed technologies, such as mobile and predictive analytics, to create award-winning solutions that are easy-to-use, yet infinitely customizable. With the US headquartered near Philadelphia, PA and EMEA headquartered in the Netherlands, Scala's network of partners and developers located in more than 90 countries drives more than 500,000 screens worldwide. Learn more about Scala's advanced marketing technology solutions at www.scala.com, on Twitter @ScalaInc or on Facebook.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1089725/Scala_in_booth_A01.jpg
It seems to me that nobody will admit to the challenge before them in the fashion industry, says Clare Farrell in her slightly Northern drawl.

Farrell is one of the ten people who co-founded Extinction Rebellion, the environmental campaign group which has become known for the visceral and emotional tactics it employs.

One of these such tactics was the faux funeral procession it hosted during London Fashion Week in September. The procession saw 20,000 activists protest from Trafalgar Square to 180 Strand - London Fashion Week's central venue.

For Extinction Rebellion - or XR as its referred to by those in the know - the fashion industry has been, and continues to be, a key player in the climate emergency.

The figures would agree. Fashion contributes over 8 per cent of all global greenhouse gases and, if things continue at their current rate, by 2050 more than 25 per cent of the entire global carbon budget will be spent on the fashion industry alone.

Clare Farrell speaking at The Business of Fashion's #BoFVOICES conference in November (Getty Images ) / Getty Images

Farrell is frank: Everything about the fashion industry needs to change. Nobody has been this vocal about environmentalism before but the world is, quite literally, on fire.

XR was founded in 2017 by ten members of what back then was called Rising Up, a network of climate activists who were looking at the efficacy of civil disobedience. The organisation now boasts an estimated 485 affiliates across the world.

In February 2019, Farrell and her friend hand-wrote a letter to Caroline Rush (the head of the British Fashion Council, which runs and organises London Fashion Week) to alert her to XRs plans to block the roads during Fashion Week.

The pair received a response from Rush within two days.

Extinction Rebellion protestors demonstrate against London Fashion Week in Westminster. / REUTERS

The British Fashion Council have engaged with us really, really well  we have a really respectful relationship with them, and I think they appreciate our honesty about what were going to do, as opposed to other protests theyve experienced, Farrell admits.

Its not only the BFC which has engaged with the environmental advocacy group.

Farrell explains that the groups fashion department (they believe the fashion industry to be a colossal enough polluter to warrant its own team) has held discussions with Stella McCartney, a brand which, she admits, "engages with a great amount of integrity.

She makes it clear to not expect any XR collaborations however, stating; it is just not our place to work with companies, its our place to be annoying. It is their job to do their work.

While a distant cry from the extreme sense of urgency embedded in all XR activities, the fashion industry has been slowing pivoting to more sustainable practices in recent years.

Last season, Gabriella Hearst, Burberry and Gucci all staged carbon-neutral shows. Shortly after, Kering, the conglomerate which owns Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, announced that its roster of big-name brands would offset 2.4million tons of carbon dioxide in order to also become carbon-neutral.

Kendall Jenner walking in Burberry's first carbon-neutral LFW show / AFP/Getty Images

High-time, given that a recent study found that 241, 000 tons of carbon is omitted annually by fashion insiders and clothing collections moving around the planet (thats enough energy to power Times Square for 58 years.)

The carbon budget that the fashion industry is consuming is out of control, Farrel explains. I think a big problem is that people dont actually know what to do.

The recent increase in popularity of sustainable brands and wardrobe rental companies though isnt enough. She admits; its not about sustainability. People get confused about sustainability and climate change  the two are connected but they dont represent the same thing.

Those taking this seriously is great but theyre late to the party  were in an existential crisis and to be honest, they couldve engaged in these initiatives years ago, Farrell states. We dont want to tell people what to do, this is what science is telling us.

As the glossy posse gear up for the four day merry-go-round of London Fashion Week (which starts tomorrow), they can expect more disruption from XR, which has shunned another faux funeral this season in place of protests outside the BFCs headquarters on Saturday morning.

Protests over the environment aren't the only thing dampening LFW this season. The threat of coronavirus is also casting its shadow over the celebration, which showcases the work of 78 designers.

Farrell summarises; "Ultimately, the future of the fashion industry lies in the hands of its leaders, but we can't put our hope in them, so our protests - and being as loud as possible - are really, really important to us.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced on Thursday that the panchayat by-elections will be held in the union territory in eight phases the month of March.

The by-elections for over 12,500 panchayat seats will be the first major political exercise after the BJP government scrapped Jammu and Kashmirs special status in August last year, turned it into a union territory and carved out the union territory of Ladakh from the erstwhile state.

Polling would be held from March 5 to March 20 and ballots would be used for casting votes. The polling hours will be from 9 am to 1 pm. Votes will be counted and results will be declared on the same day, he added.

The first phase of the bypolls will be held on March 5, followed by second on March 7, third on March 9, fourth on March 12, fifth on March 14, sixth on March 16, seventh on March 18 and last on March 20, he said.

Out of 137 blocks in Kashmir, 128 having 887 Panchayat Halqas will go to polls for 11,457 vacant panch constituencies. Similarly, out of 148 blocks in Jammu, 146 having 124 Panchayat Halqas will go to polls for 182 vacant panch constituencies, said Shailendra Kumar, chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir.

Roughly 60 per cent of the total panchayat seats in the union territory remained vacant even after the last edition in November-December 2018 due to lack of participation in the electoral process. Two major parties of Jammu and Kashmir - National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party - had boycotted these polls.

The model code conduct comes into force from today itself (Thursday) in Jammu and Kashmir, said Kumar.

The CEO informed that polls in snowbound areas like Marwah and Dachhan in Kishtwar and Gurez in Kupwara will be held at a later stage. He also said that ballot boxes will be used for the exercise.

In the last panchyat elections, a total of 22,214 panch and 3,459 sarpanch were elected out of a total of 33,592 panch and 4,290 sarpanch constituencies.

Kumar also said that the union territory of Ladakh has not made any request for panchayat polls.

It is still snow bound and there. It is not feasible to hold polls at this point in time in Ladakh, he said.

When asked why this edition being conducted on party basis unlike in 2018, Kumar said, Polls are never non-political... they are always political. Everyone knows that during panchayat polls in 2018 all the candidates were affiliated to certain political groups or ideology. Since they were held on non-party basis they were elected as independents but today if they join political parties they wont be disqualified. But as per PR Act and rules an independent can officially be with a party. However, a candidate, who won on a ticket of a political party ticket and now wants to leave or join another party, will be disqualified.

To another query on recent terror attacks in Nagrota and in Srinagar, he said that the security arrangements will be tight.

We will ensure that polls are held peacefully and whatever is required will be done. As far as security to contesting candidates is concerned, it will be provided as per threat perception to candidates. Once the candidates were announced, IGP and SSPs will be reviewing this aspect, he said.

To keep a check on expenditure by contesting candidates, the CEO has put a rider of 1 lakh for those contesting for the post of sarpanch and 30,000 for the post of panch.

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U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a man has been charged with cyber-stalking and sending death threats to a TV reporter in Buffalo, NY.

Paul E. Lubienecki, 62, of Hamburg, NY was arrested by agents from the FBIs Buffalo field office after a death threat was made to 7 Eyewitness News investigative reporter Charlie Specht.

Lubienecki is an adjunct professor at Christ the King Seminary and is listed as an adjunct lecturer in the SUNY Fredonia faculty directory with class listings in the topic of history. The charge against him carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to 7 Eyewitness News, the threatening messages began in August 2019 after Specht had reported on child abuse and corruption scandals at the Christ the King Seminary. He has won state and national awards for his work.

The calls would come from a blocked number so the identity of who was calling was not known to the reporter until the arrest and charges were filed on Feb. 12. According to the complaint, the caller criticized the Spechts professionalism before stating, ...I know where you live...Im gonna find you. Im gonna kill you.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, said on Feb. 4 when the death threat was received, Specht reported that Christ the King Seminary, was being closed by the Diocese.

The charges detailed that other harassing voicemails had been received from a number associated with Lubienecki during August, November, and December of 2019. All told, 11 harassing phone calls were made from the phone number associated with Lubienecki to the Srecht.

Over the course of the messages, Lubienecki made references to members of Spechts family and urged him to stop reporting on the diocese.

7 Eyewitness News contacted law enforcement when the messages began, but prosecutors needed more information about who was making the calls, as well as a specific threat. After calling the police with the death threat, Specht, his wife and children spent the next week living in an undisclosed location with private security.

Criticism of news reporting is acceptable and even welcomed. But making personal threats against a reporter for simply doing his job goes against the entire American belief in a free press," Specht said.

Lubienecki made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder and according to Buffalo News he was released on bail but was given orders to stay away from witnesses in the case.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:37:24|Editor: huaxia

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Multi-exposure photo taken on Feb. 12, 2020 shows NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressing a press conference during a NATO defense ministers meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. NATO Defense Ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday to begin the two-day meeting. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
O f the many adjectives used to describe the past 12 months, joy rarely figures.

Certainly, its not an obvious choice to summarise a period defined by political uncertainty and a devastating climate crisis  unless youre Christopher Kane.

It started with a T-shirt, says the Scottish designer, widely considered to be Londons greatest contemporary fashion success story. Now joy has become our mantra.

Kane is referring to More Joy, the Instagram-friendly spin-off label and global fashion talking point that became his brands superpower last year. We are meeting to discuss it at his company HQ, on Dalstons Shacklewell Lane. Kane, a long-term Hackney resident, lives within walking distance with his partner Massimiliano Di Battista (founder of creative talent agency Management Artists) and his dog Bruce. Both are ambassadors for Kanes joyous new movement, which uses typography borrowed from Alex Comforts generation-defining The Joy Of Sex book to spread the word on sweatshirts, scarves, towels, knickers, Christmas baubles and more.

More Joy sleep mask

The range (which also showcases the words sex and special) has grown tenfold since it was unveiled on the catwalk in 2018. With prices starting at 30, it is intended to reach a younger, less affluent demographic for whom Christopher Kanes luxurious main line  with its high fashion clientele and 1,200 dresses  is unattainable. Tapping in to an appetite for luxury streetwear, More Joy has surpassed expectations, with everyone from skateboarders to fashion stylists now enjoying the ride.

It is the latest in a long line of successes for Kane, the youngest of five siblings, who set his sights on becoming a fashion designer at the age of 13 and never looked back. Having swapped Scotland for a place at Central Saint Martins at the age of 17, Kane made short work of realising his childhood ambition. Fourteen years on from his London Fashion Week debut and his name has come to represent a generation of designers who forced the world to take London-reared fashion seriously.

Today, like every other time weve met, he is dressed all in black. He is in good spirits but the pressure is on: his London Fashion Week show (where hell unveil his new collection for his established Christopher Kane line) is less than two weeks away. Theres always so much anxiety attached to the show and that gets harder with every season, but I thrive on it, he says.

Backstage at Kanes SS20 show

This season theres also increased financial pressure on Kane and his business partner Tammy (also his sister) who bought back a 51 per cent stake of their business from fashion conglomerate Kering last year. Along with four ready-to-wear collections, the reintroduction of menswear and the More Joy line, Kane has an ever-revolving roster of projects on his plate.

If he feels cowed by the pressure, he doesnt show it. The Debbie Doubters are always telling us something wont work, but I love to prove them wrong, he says.

At the age of 37, Kane has endured his fair share of emotional turmoil  most notably the death of his mother and greatest supporter who passed away three days before his show in 2015  and yet he radiates optimism. In fact, side-step the west coast Scottish accent and filthy laugh, and his talk of affirmations and wellness suggest he is more in tune with Gwyneth Paltrows Goop brigade than the working class mores of concrete Motherwell, where hes from.

Undoubtedly, Kane is poles apart from a previous generation of fashion designers, among them John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, both of whom struggled with the demands of the fashion industry and poor mental health. The fashion world can be a pressure cooker but Im extremely lucky to be close to my family. Tammy and I live it all together so that alleviates some of the stress. He looks after himself by going to the gym and spending time with Massimiliano and his family, which includes Tammys two young daughters and his sister Sandra, who is a keen ambassador for the Kane label.

Kane isnt without his worries. London is not the place I thought it was, he says, when I mention the current political climate. I loathe the rise in hate crimes. I think Brexit has made people aware of the differences between people. Be trans, be gay, be fluid, be whatever you want. Britains departure from the EU is a headache for the wider company too. Its far from ideal but were working hard on practising positivity, he says.

Avoidance of criticism is another coping strategy. I dont read reviews. I find them irrelevant. Part of that is me protecting myself but its honestly just not important. My clients dont read them and its their opinions that put bread and butter on my table, he says.

Kane credits Louise Wilson for teaching him the importance of sidelining bullies. The formidable Central Saint Martins professor, who died from breast cancer in 2014, was one of his greatest champions. This industry is hardcore enough: its positivity thats needed, not picking on people. As Louise said, Theres no such thing as good or bad taste. Theres just a difference.

More Joy pyjamas, 395

Kane feels a similar disregard for women who criticise other women. Everyone is entitled to be who they choose to be. His admiration for women who follow their own path has long infiltrated his work. He is far more inspired by the strong women who populated his childhood than by any celebrity. Consequently, his aesthetic is sexually empowered in a unique way  with everything from biology diagrams to seat belt straps among his design signatures. No one does sex like us, he says. We design clothes for women who dress for themselves, regardless of age. Women who have the confidence to know what makes them feel good. Its so respectful and its smart.

This approach has been lauded by Christopher Kane customers  the label is stocked at department stores across the globe as well as in the brands Mount Street boutique  and his contemporaries who voted him the Designers Designer at the Fashion Awards in December. In some ways that award means more than any of the others because its voted for by people who know how hard it is. You might present this amazing show but the backdrop is another reality. My fellow designers understand that. Theyre the people I want respect from.

Despite the recognition, and a host of close-knit friendships within the London fashion scene, Kane says he still feels like an outsider. Im from a working-class Scottish family. Im always going to feel like I had to earn my place at the table. But I dont see that as a disadvantage  if anything its made me work harder.

Christopher Kane SS20

Does he believe in leaving the ladder down to enable the next Christopher Kane to succeed?

Definitely. The door is open, he says.

Kane has also been trying his hand at mentoring, having played a cameo role as a judge on Netflixs new talent show Next In Fashion, presented by Alexa Chung and Tan France. We shot it in LA; it was quite terrifying he says. But he has no plans to ditch the pattern-cutting table for the bright lights of Hollywood anytime soon, although he is focused on the future.

And what does that look like? He gives no teasers as far as his new collection is concerned. It will be more of the same, he says, smiling. Knowing his reluctance to stand still for long, I doubt it  but more joy seems inevitable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated efforts of officials of carrier Air India and the Ministry of Health, which conducted evacuation operations of the stranded Indians in Wuhan city.

"The Prime Minister has issued a letter of appreciation to the team members of the evacuation operations. This letter would be handed over to the crew by Minister of State for Civil Aviation," read a release from Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

In two separate operations, Air India evacuated a total of 640 Indians from Wuhan city, which is the epicenter of the widely spreading deadly novel coronavirus.

"Despite being aware of the aforementioned severe situation in the region, the Air India sent two B-747 aircraft with teams of Air India as well as teams from Ministry of Health for two consecutive days, i.e. 31st January 2020 and on 1st February 2020, returning the next day," read the release.

People who were evacuated from Wuhan, earlier this month, are kept under quarantines built at the ITBP facility in Delhi's Chhawla and Army facility in Haryana's Manesar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Just as the world's top sugar traders forecast a global shortage of the commodity, No. 1 raw-sugar importer Indonesia says it wants a record amount of the sweet stuff.

The Southeast Asian nation said it aims to import about 1.4 million tonnes of raw sugar, or 1.33 million tonnes of the refined variety, for household use this year and in early 2021. That's a more than 11-fold increase on last year. Meanwhile, domestic output is expected to sink while local demand increases.

Global sugar prices are soaring. Credit:Rob Homer

"Ideally we must have at least 1.3 million tonnes of stockpiles in early 2021," Yadi Yusriyadi, senior adviser at the Indonesian Sugar Association, told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday. "If there's no additional supply through imports while demand keeps increasing, prices will definitely continue to rise."

Global sugar prices have surged about 12 per cent this year for the best start to a year in a decade as a drought cut shipments from Thailand, the world's No. 2 exporter. The Thai squeeze surprised traders at a time when the European Union was already producing less, Brazil had turned more of its cane crop into ethanol and freezing weather wrecked crops in North America.
The Dalata Group has done a deal with the GAA that will see it operate a new four-star hotel beside Croke Park.

The 200-bed development will be at the junction of Clonliffe Road and Jones's Road.

The group has signed a lease agreement for the Maldron Hotel to be built adjacent to the stadium.

It is hoped planning permission can be secured this year with the hotel due to open in the second half of 2023.

The hotel will have a business centre with six meeting rooms along with bar and restaurant facilities.

Dalata will operate the hotel on a 35-year operating lease, which will be subject to five-year rent reviews.

Dermot Crowley, deputy CEO of business development and finance at Dalata, said: "The Maldron Hotel Croke Park will be a brand new, 4-star property on the doorstep of one of the largest stadiums in Europe, where further expansion of the successful conference and events centre is planned.

"We are very excited to be involved with such an exciting project in an iconic location for Ireland.

"Dublin continues to be a very attractive hotel market for Dalata and, although there is a strong pipeline of new hotels coming into the city, demand continues to grow off the back of strong economic performance, increased employment and growing visitor numbers.

"We are very enthusiastic about the potential of the Maldron Hotel Croke Park and we are looking forward to partnering with the GAA and helping to develop the overall Croke Park facilities for their patrons."

Peter McKenna, stadium director at Croke Park, added: "We are delighted to be working with Dalata, the largest hotel operator in Ireland, to deliver the Maldron Hotel Croke Park to the Dublin market.

"The hotel is a vital part of the wider development strategy for the stadium complex and will provide much needed accommodation for GAA fans, conference attendees and museum visitors in the years to come."
The Texas Renaissance Festival recently announced it will expand its enchanted forest area with two large attractions come the 2020 season.

The festival is the largest Renaissance-themed-event in the nation and attracts nearly half a million visitors each year, according to the event website. Located about an hour's drive north of Houston in Todd Mission, the nine-weekend event features hundreds of shops, performers, musicians and dancers set on a 55-acre, 16th-century European-inspired village.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said on Thursday that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was an outcome of the Assam fiasco where around 1.9 million people were excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and called for a huge mass movement if the apex court upholds the validity of CAA.

Speaking at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Chidambaram said: The CAA was brought to accommodate 1.2 million Hindus out of the 1.9 million people, who could not be included in the final NRC in Assam.

The NPR (National Population Register) again was brought in with a mischievous intent since its form is asking the birthplaces of you and your parents. There are so many people in India whose parents were born in Pakistan or Bangladesh. They will try to identify these people and mark them doubtful, he added.

He said the Centre is trying to shift the basis of citizenship from territory to religion. We are not opposing the CAA-NRC because we do not support the idea of giving citizenship to the religiously persecuted people in neighbouring countries. We are opposing it because of its exclusive nature. Do we have only three neighbours? What about the Rohingya of Myanmar and Tamils in Sri Lanka? he said.

The Centre has maintained that the CAA will help non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring nations become Indian citizens if they fled religious persecution and entered India before 2015. Its critics, however, allege that the law discriminates against Muslims.
President Donald Trump (L) and Attorney General William Barr arrive together in the East Room of the White House on May 22, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Barr Says Trumps Comments About DOJ Cases Make It Impossible to Do My Job

Trump, 'never asked me to do anything in a criminal case'

Attorney General William Barr said he is not going to be influenced by anyone amid criticism from Democrats after the Department of Justice filed a sentencing memorandum in the Roger Stone case.

Barr told ABC News on Thursday that President Donald Trump has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. Barr also said that he is making decisions based on what he thinks is the right thing to do.

But he added, I think its time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases. He said that he has a problem with some of the presidents posts on Twitter.

Top Justice Department officials intervened in the sentencing of Stone, a former campaign adviser to President Donald Trump, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors had said that Stone should serve seven to nine years in prison.

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, Barr said, and to assure the courts and the prosecutors in the department that were doing our work with integrity.

The ABC interviewer asked him about whether he is prepared to field any criticism from the president about his public comments.

Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody  whether its Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president, Barr said. Im gonna do what I think is right. And you know  I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.

Barr told ABC that he told his staff that the Department of Justice was going to amend its recommendation on Stones sentencing. Hours later, Trump wrote that it was a horrible and unfair situation that has befallen Stone.

Four prosecutors involved left the case earlier this week over the incident.

The attorney general said that he was placed in a rock-and-a-hard-place situation.

Do you go forward with what you think is the right decision or do you pull back because of the tweet? And that just sort of illustrates how disruptive these tweets can be, Barr said in the interview.

When he was asked about Trumps Twitter posts, Barr added: I have a problem with some of, some of the tweets. As I said at my confirmation hearing, I think the essential role of the attorney general is to keep law enforcement, the criminal process sacrosanct to make sure there is no political interference in it. And I have done that and I will continue to do that.

At the same time, Trump praised Barr on Twitter for taking charge of the case.

His interview comes as the House Judiciary Committee confirmed that he will testify in front of the panel on March 31. House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and other House Democrats wrote a letter to Barr to confirm the hearing.

Senate Democrats have called for the Senate Judiciary Committee to call Barr to testify. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also called for an investigation into the decision to reduce the sentencing recommendation for Stone.
Asia Cruise Ship Shunned Over Coronavirus Fears Arrives in Cambodia

The MS Westerdam is seen at a port in Europe. / Reuters

SIHANOUKVILLE, CambodiaA cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard may have the coronavirus arrived in Cambodia on Thursday to the relief of passengers and the praise of global health officials.

The MS Westerdam, which has 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board, could be seen at an offshore anchoring point from the docks of the Cambodian port town of Sihanoukville early on Thursday morning.

Welcome preparations were underway at the docks, with embassy officials and Cambodian health authorities from Phnom Penh waiting alongside journalists and people carrying bouquets of flowers.

Weve had so many near moments we thought we were going home only to be turned away, Angela Jones, an American tourist on board the ship, told Reuters in a text message.

Jones and her fellow passengers had spent almost two weeks at sea as the ship failed to find a country that would allow it to dock.

This morning, just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment, said Jones. I thought: Is this real?

Passengers on board the ship have been subjected to regular health checks throughout the troubled journey, according to Holland America, the ship operator and a unit of Miami-based Carnival Corp.

Although no one on board has fallen ill, the ship was turned away by Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines and Thailand over fears that someone on the cruise could have the new flu-like virus that has killed more than 1,300 people, almost all of them in China.

To kill time on board and break up the monotony of endless ocean scrolling past cabin windows, the ships crew have organized dozens of activities to keep people occupied, tourists on board the vessel told Reuters earlier this week.

International solidarity

Westerdam captain Vincent Smit said in a letter to passengers the ship would be at anchor outside Sihanoukville first to allow authorities to conduct health checks on board.

Most passengers would be able to disembark and begin their journey home via chartered flights from Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, from Feb. 14 at the earliest according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters.

We are very pleased to have our final plan, Smit said in the letter.

Cambodian officials boarded the Westerdam shortly after it laid anchor on Thursday morning, according to videos of the boarding seen by Reuters.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Cambodia for allowing the Westerdam to dock.

This is an example of international solidarity we have been consistently calling for, Tedros said ahead of the ships arrival. Outbreaks can bring out the best and the worst in people.

Stoking fears of authorities in countries on the ships route has been the ongoing quarantine in Japan of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, also managed by a unit of Carnival Corp. A total of 175 out of the 3,700 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the Westerdam had attempted to dock in Bangkok but was denied permission by Thai authorities to do so. On Wednesday, a Thai Navy warship escorted the Westerdam out of the Gulf of Thailand, where it headed on a new course to Cambodia, according to the Marine Traffic ship-tracking website.

The US ambassador to Cambodia said he had dispatched a team to assist US citizens with disembarking and transferring to onward destinations, and was coordinating with embassies of other nationalities.

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A huge blast rocked the gas pipeline between Egypt and Israel on the morning of Feb. 2 in the Sinai Peninsula, alarming residents there and causing a massive fire at the explosion location. The pipeline was completely out of order and an alternative pipeline is currently being used until the damage is fixed.

The Islamic State claimed in a statement that it had planted bombs in various locations along the pipeline.

Since the January 25 Revolution of 2011, there have been around 30 reported blasts targeting the same pipeline until the Egyptian army sent military reinforcements to Sinai to ensure security on pipeline tracks in 2015.

Osama el-Ghandour, head of the North Sinai governorate, downplayed the impact of the blast on gas supplies in the province. He told Al-Monitor over the phone that while the damage is still being assessed, it will not affect houses, factories and companies operating in North Sinai because they shifted to an alternative pipeline until repairs are done.

When asked about the blast's affects on gas supplies to and from Israel, Ghandour said only, We are trying to control the situation as much as possible.

Several residents of North Sinai told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that security forces are being deployed in cities and villages in the area. According to the residents, the army is conducting raids in North Sinai to catch the culprits and other militants affiliated with al-Qaeda.

In mid-January, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum announced the beginning of operations in a $19.5 billion deal under which Israeli companies will export gas to Egypt from the Israeli Leviathan and Tamar fields.

The ministry said in a Jan. 15 statement that pumping gas from Israel to Egypt marks a major milestone serving the economic interests of the two countries, as it allows Israel to transport quantities of natural gas to Europe through Egyptian liquefied natural gas plants, in the framework of Egypts growing role as a regional gas hub.

Mahmoud Bayoumi, a researcher of Islamist groups in Istanbul Aydin University, said he expects more operations of the kind. He told Al-Monitor, Armed groups in Sinai are bombing gas pipelines once again as a possible reaction to the Egyptian governments decision to import gas from Israel or due to the army clampdown on militants in Sinai, which forced them to change their attacks.

He added, IS dwindling control in Syria and the military advances of Gen. Khalifa Hifters forces in Libya in addition to the Egyptian armys tightened grip on the Sinai Peninsula are pushing armed organizations in Sinai toward ramping up operations to prove they're still around and able to strike.
Twice impeached?

Our president likes to brag about being the first in history to do this or that or whatever. After hearing his vindictive post-acquittal rant against anyone who dares differ with him  Democrat or Republican  my prediction, if he is reelected, is that he will become the first president to be impeached twice.

John Browning

Hypocritical thinking

So let me get this straight: If one is a Republican senator and, after considering the impeachment evidence presented by the House managers, votes to convict the president on one article of impeachment, then that senator (who was attacked by the Democrats and media in 2012) is now a man who voted his conscience, a person of the highest integrity.

Conversely, 52 other Republican senators who heard and considered the very same evidence, and who have their own sense of conscience and voted to acquit the president, are shameless cowards and toadies of the president.

What rank partisanship and divisive thinking. This is the kind of reckless politicizing that will again elect Donald Trump in 2020. And Democrats will have no one to blame but themselves.

Kenneth Bauer

On ExpressNews.com: Hollywood barriers fall in milestone Oscars for Parasite

Help for 40 days

The word quarantine derives from the Italian word quarantina, which means 40 days. So, the evacuees should be kept 40 days at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The city of San Antonio should be proud to be able to help them.

Grace Horn
Emergency services rushed to Yanchep National Park after four people were hit by a falling tree branch on Thursday afternoon.

The incident happened about 2pm in the vicinity of Wanneroo Road, with three people taken to Joondalup Hospital with minor injuries while a fourth person was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with suspected spinal injuries.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the RAC Rescue chopper was dispatched to assist the emergency situation just after 3pm.

Vision from Nine News Perth's chopper showed a massive gum tree branch on the ground with ambulance officers nearby treating the injured.
The Senate has approved a bi-partisan measure aimed at limiting President Donald Trumps authority to launch military operations against Iran.

Eight Republicans joined Democrats in a post-impeachment bid to constrain the White House.

The rebuke was the Senates first major vote since acquitting Mr Trump on impeachment charges last week.

Mr Trump is expected to veto the war powers resolution if it reaches his desk, warning that if his hands were tied, Iran would have a field day.

The measure, authored by Democrat Tim Kaine, says Mr Trump must win approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.

Senator Tim Kaine said Congress must approve acts of war against Iran (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Mr Kaine and other supporters said the resolution, which passed 55-45, was not about Mr Trump or even the presidency, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.

While Mr Trump and other presidents must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there, Mr Kaine said. An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.

The Senate vote continues a pattern in which Republican senators have shown a willingness to challenge Mr Trump on foreign policy, a sharp departure from their strong support during impeachment and on domestic matters.

Congress moved to impose restrictions on US involvement with the Saudi-led war in Yemen last year after US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a gruesome murder at Saudi Arabias consulate in Turkey.

The bi-partisan vote was a rare exertion of authority from Congress, the first since passage of the War Powers Act of 1973 and Mr Trump promptly vetoed it.

The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate, non-binding war powers resolution on Iran last month. The House could take up the Senate resolution later this month, House leaders said.

Two-thirds votes in the House and Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto of the war powers resolution.

Story continues

Answering a claim by Mr Trump that the measure would send a signal of weakness to Iran and other potential adversaries, Mr Kaine said the opposite was true.

When we stand up for the rule of law  and say This decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision, thats a message of strength, Mr Kaine said. If were to order our young men and women  to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the peoples elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person.

Republican Mike Lee agreed and said he supports Mr Trumps foreign policy, including toward Iran, but said Congress cannot escape its constitutional responsibility to act on matters of war and peace.

As the Senate debate made clear, there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran, Mr Lee said. And as part of that we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorised is in fact properly authorised by Congress. That doesnt show weakness. That shows strength.

Mr Trump disputed that, arguing on Twitter that a vote against Mr Kaines proposal was important to national security and pointed to the drone strike that killed Irans top general, Qassem Soleimani.

We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani, Mr Trump said. If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!
Akua GMB

13.02.2020 LISTEN

Sally Akua Amoakowaa Mensah, a TV host and 2011 Ghana's Most Beautiful winner, has broken silence about her decision to be the fourth wife of Ghanaian business mogul Dr. Kwaku Oteng.

She said she accepted to marry him because of his humble nature.

Akua Amoakowaa, who was speaking on Restoration With Stacy, made the statement while reacting to accusations that she got married to the CEO of Angel Group of Companies for money.

According to her, she was blessed with many men to choose from after she was crowned Ghana's Most Beautiful queen.

Some of the men, she indicated, were even bigger than Dr. Oteng, but she accepted him regardless after he chased her for a very long time.

After Ghanas Most Beautiful, if you have been a beauty queen before, you will understand what I am about to say, men rush on you as houseflies. So I had the opportunity to choose any man I wanted, including those bigger than my husband. But I always say that my husband got me with his humble nature. He is one humble soul. I have never met a man like him who is so humble and down to earth in my life in spite of everything. He caught my attention with that, she indicated.

She continued that she almost walked out of the marriage at a point because she was being accused of marrying Dr. Oteng for his wealth.

The trolls bothered me at the beginning. At a point in time I wanted to get out of my marriage because of that.for some reason, they considered me as an evil person because of the person I am married to, she said, adding that she does not care anymore.

The fact is I have dated young guys and it didn't help. It didnt lead anywhere. And even in some of the relationships, the little you have in your purse they want to take it away (from you), she disclosed.

---Daily Guide
The statement theres an app for that now takes a new turn in the coronavirus outbreak. A new coronavirus close contact app tells users if theyre at risk.

Coronavirus close contact app tells users if theyre at risk

The new app, Close Contact Detector, warns mobile users if theyve been in close contact with an infected person and could be at risk. Close contact occurs when a person is in a classroom, on an airplane row, or in a lunch booth with an infected individual. Airplane attendants servicing all passengers would also be at risk for coronavirus.

The app was announced by China on its website two days ago and was released to the public on February 8th.

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How does the Coronavirus Close Contact app work?

The close contact app allows users to provide their phone number and government ID number to see if theyre at risk. If the detector app says a user has been in contact with an infected person, the app tells the individual to stay at home and contact medical officials for help.

The coronavirus app detects if youre at risk due to those youve had contact with. And yet, no one knows how it works. China hasnt revealed exactly how it knows if youre at risk. Its likely that face recognition, surveillance, and other features are present in the Close Detector app, though there could be more than meets the eye.

Why is China releasing a coronavirus app?

China is releasing a coronavirus app now in light of the current coronavirus outbreak. The sickness broke onto the global scene last month when Chinese citizens started getting sick. What started in the Chinese city of Wuhan has spread beyond China to other countries such as the US. Over 1,000 people have died in China from coronavirus, while a little over a dozen US individuals have turned sick. At least one American has died from coronavirus.

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Sources say that a doctor made the Chinese state aware of the outbreak weeks ago but was told to keep quiet. Sure enough, an outbreak happened. The doctor who revealed the virus weeks before its spread has now died in the coronavirus outbreak. Other countries, including the US, have seen minor outbreaks.

In response to coronavirus, Chinese OEMs took measures to prevent its spread at Mobile World Congress 2020 (MWC). ZTE said it would not have a press conference but would maintain a booth. Huawei said it wouldnt be in attendance either. Vivo and MediaTek also chose to step away from the conference this year. Other companies not attending MWC 2020 would include LG, Sony, Intel, NVIDIA, Ericsson, Amazon, and Ulefone.

Of course all of those companies pulling out was before the GSMA officials decided to cancel MWC this year due to coronavirus concerns.

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The coronavirus outbreak will affect 1Q 2020 Chinese smartphone sales, with fewer exports expected.
On Tuesday, Trump criticized as unduly harsh the initial sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years made by front-line prosecutors. Shortly thereafter, the Justice Department signaled that it would seek a more lenient sentence for Stone, a move that prompted all four career prosecutors to withdraw from the case and one to resign from the government.
Phnom Penh, Feb 13 : A cruise ship carrying thousands on board that had been denied entry into several countries over fears that its passengers were infected with a the deadly coronavirus, docked in Cambodia on Thursday, 13 days after setting sail.

The Westerdam, which departed on February 1 from Hong Kong amid the growing outbreak and had been turned away from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines and the US territory of Guam, arrived in the port of Sihanoukville, where its operator Holland American Line, said it would remain several days, reports Efe news.

"Guests will disembark in Sihanoukville over the next few days and transfer via charter flights to Phnom Penh for forward travel home. Holland America Line will arrange and pay for all flights home, in addition to the full cruise refund and 100 per cent future cruise credit already communicated," the operator added.

Holland American Line added that there were no coronavirus infections among the 2,257 people on board - 1,455 guests and 802 crew members - which was Japan's initial concern for not allowing it to dock in Yokohama and subsequent destinations.

"All guests on board are healthy and despite erroneous reports there are no known or suspected cases of coronavirus on board, nor have their (sic) ever been," the operator read.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization director-general, thanked Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for allowing the ship to dock in Sihanoukville.

"My sincere thanks to the government of Cambodia and Prime Minister Hun Sen for clearing the way for Westerdam Cruise ship to dock at Sihanoukville soon. This is a welcome act of solidarity at a time when the world has a window of opportunity to stop #COVID19 & avoid stigma & fear," the tweet read.

Hun Sen's government has taken a particularly relaxed stance amid the outbreak.

Addressing the media last month, he said that Cambodia would "stand by" China in light of the crisis and alluded that taking strong contingency measures would be detrimental to the economy and bilateral relations.

The comments came as he was asked whether the country would suspend flights to the affected areas in China, which he likened to "killing the Cambodian economy" and a downgrade of his country's diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Cambodia has so far confirmed one case of the new coronavirus.

The WHO on Tuesday officially named the disease COVID-19, while the virus which causes it has been called SARS-CoV-2 (changed from its provisional name 2019-nCoV) by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.

The organization said "CO" stands for "corona," "VI" for "virus, "D" for "disease" and "-19" for "2019" - as the outbreak was first detected December 31.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 02:28:03|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday stressed the indispensable role of transitional justice in peacebuilding.

"We know that lasting peace is interlinked with justice, development and respect for human rights. We know that peace does not automatically break out when weapons fall silent and atrocity crimes cease," she told a Security Council open debate on the issue of transitional justice.

"To be able to rebuild lives, without fear of recurrence, and for society to move forward, suffering needs to be acknowledged, confidence in state institutions restored, and justice done."

Transitional justice processes that are context-specific, nationally owned, and focused on the needs and informed choices of victims can connect, empower and transform societies, and thereby contribute to lasting and just peace, said Bachelet via video teleconference from Geneva.

For a society to truly succeed in establishing a transition to sustainable peace, issues such as systemic discrimination and exclusion, institutional deficiencies, unfair power structures, inequalities and structural impunity must be identified, acknowledged and addressed.

Guarantees of non-recurrence often relate to institution building. It is also essential to ensure the broadest possible participation of civil society organizations in decision-making, she said.

In virtually every conflict or post-conflict situation, it is particularly crucial for military and police forces, and more broadly, all institutions of government to regain the confidence of traumatized and abused communities. Fair, even-handed and accountable use of public power is central to rebuilding shattered trust in law enforcement. To this end, vetting processes and security sector reforms should be given high priority, said Bachelet.

The international community, and the Security Council, in particular, have key roles in assisting transitional states in these complex processes by sharing experiences, mandating international support, and encouraging the implementation of genuinely comprehensive approaches, she said.

Transitional justice should not be seen as an alternative to criminal accountability for perpetrators of atrocity crimes, she warned. Criminal accountability, which is vital, should be accompanied by a broad range of complementary measures to support truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, which help to break cycles of violence.

There is clearly no single way to get the mix of these measures precisely right. But there is a way to get it wrong -- and that is to consider that victims' rightful demands for justice are an inconvenient distraction that can be papered over or indefinitely delayed. Failure to engage in such processes will not resolve conflicts. It will fuel recurrence, she warned.

"I encourage the Security Council to acknowledge and make full use of the transformative impact of transitional justice in its consideration of matters of international peace and security."
Forty-eight states have yet to render judgment on Bernie Sanders and the other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for president

Chattanooga, Tennessee: As Senator Bernie Sanders and his supporters reveled in his victory in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, Jimmy Tawaters mood was less celebratory.

I love Bernie Sanders. Love Bernie, love his ideas. But he cant win, said Tawater, 72, of Ringgold, Georgia.

Late on Tuesday, Lloyd Blankfein, the former Goldman Sachs chief executive, wrote on Twitter that the Vermont senator would ruin our economy if elected president.

And on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Representative Dean Phillips, a centrist Democrat from Minnesota who flipped a Republican House seat in 2018, said he was worried that Sanders would doom his reelection campaign  and cost Democrats their House majority.

Im the first Democrat to win in my district since 1958, said Phillips, who backs his home state senator, Amy Klobuchar. I attracted a lot of Independent and moderate Republican support, many of whom probably voted for a Democrat for the first time in a long time. And while I respect Bernie Sanders as a senator, as a candidate, his candidacy is very challenging for people who come from districts like mine.

Forty-eight states have yet to render judgment on Sanders and the other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for president. But with Sanders solidifying his standing at the top of the field, concerns about his electability and whether a possible Sanders nomination might alienate some swing voters rippled through different corners of the country Wednesday  from Wall Street to the halls of Congress to the Bessie Smith Cultural Centre in downtown Chattanooga, where more than 1,000 people turned out in the rain to hear Michael Bloomberg speak.

Jenny Gaines of Chattanooga couldnt help doubt whether the Democratic Party was in a healthy place. Were very divided, Gaines, 58, said. And let me say this: If we dont come together, Donald Trump is going to be back in office.

Sanders has now won the most votes in the first two nominating contests, energising many liberal voters by championing Medicare for All and free public colleges and fighting against income inequality and climate change. He has also proposed sharp tax increases on the wealthiest Americans and on corporations to pay for much of his agenda, and he has been a sharp critic of Wall Street excesses.

Sanders, in turn, unsettles many upper-income and moderate Democrats who worry about the political, economic and personal consequences if a self-described democratic socialist becomes president. Some Wall Streeters compared Sanders to failed candidates like Jeremy Corbyn, the British Labour Party leader who was soundly defeated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a recent election.

Mike Novogratz, a Goldman Sachs alumnus who runs the merchant bank Galaxy Digital, said Sanders oppositional nature had prompted too many friends to say they would vote against him in November. And they hate Trump, he said.

In Washington, the anxiety is particularly acute among a small but politically important group of freshman House Democrats who helped their party win control of the House in 2018 by flipping Republican seats in districts that Trump won in 2016. Now, they fear that having Sanders at the top of the ticket could endanger them with the independent-minded voters who dislike Trump but would probably not vote for a self-described democratic socialist.

But concern is also building among centrists in the Senate, where Democrats face an uphill battle in their quest to flip the four Republican seats they would need to regain the majority, and must defend moderates like Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. Shaheen, who has not endorsed any candidate, said she was not concerned by Sanders but sounded frustrated Wednesday by the suggestion that he had won big in her state.

He did not win big! she exclaimed. (Sanders took about 26 percent of the vote, just ahead of Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.)

In the House, members of the group of about three dozen moderates  often called front-liners or majority-makers have toiled to carve out political identities distinct from their partys progressive base, and most are facing competitive reelection challenges from Republicans who bill them as radicals who have empowered a far-left agenda in Congress.

Eight of the front-line Democrats, including Representatives Haley Stevens of Michigan, Max Rose of New York and Lucy McBath of Georgia, have endorsed Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor. Others, including several military veterans  Representatives Conor Lamb and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Elaine Luria of Virginia  are coalescing around former vice-president Joe Biden.

Two former chairmen of the partys House campaign arm  Steve Israel, who has endorsed Biden, and Rahm Emanuel, who is not backing any candidate  said the lawmakers were right to be worried. Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, led Democrats to retake the House in 2006 using a playbook he called metropolitan majority  a Centre-Left agenda aimed at uniting urban and suburban voters.

Back in 2006, we created Red to Blue as a political entity, Emanuel said, referring to a program Democrats made to help candidates flip Republican seats. We never established or created blue to deep blue. Thats not how you create majorities.

Israel sees two reasons for concern: The race for president will be won or lost in seven swing states and about 20 to 30 swing counties. And the down-ballot effect  the tendency for the candidate at the top of the ticket to dominate voters assessments of other candidates of his or her party  is very strong in a presidential race.

Trump will paint every Democrat  whether theyre running for US Senate or county sheriff  as a socialist, as a Bernie Sanders socialist,  he said, and thats a tough deal in a lot of these districts.

Anxiety in the Democratic Party is exactly the sentiment that Bloomberg hopes will propel his unorthodox presidential bid. He is the only candidate who is skipping the four states that vote first in the nominating process  Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Instead, he has been campaigning and spending heavily on advertising in states like Tennessee that vote in the 3 March Super Tuesday contests.

And while the candidates trying to appeal to the countrys political middle  Biden, Klobuchar and Buttigieg  jockey for advantage in the early states, Bloomberg is betting that enough voters will come to see him as the consensus alternative to Sanders.

Im a believer that if were going to unite this country, we should unite the whole country, Bloomberg said Wednesday. So Ive been going to small states as well as big states, states that are on Super Tuesday and states that dont vote for a long time.

Over the next several weeks, Bloomberg plans to campaign heavily, starting Wednesday in Tennessee before going to North Carolina and Texas on Thursday, then Virginia on Saturday. All four states vote on Super Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Chattanooga, Bloomberg said he saw nothing productive about joining in the criticisms of Sanders. And in a speech to prospective voters, he made an appeal for unity. The stakes couldnt be higher, he told the crowd, only 500 members of which made it into the main room to hear him speak while 500 more waited in an overflow room or stood outside in the rain. The way to defeat Trump is by appealing to the broadest possible coalition  Americans of all backgrounds and parties  to stand shoulder to shoulder.

Stevens says voters in her district outside Detroit are looking for just such a candidate. She avoided talking about Sanders. But in explaining her support for Bloomberg, she made it clear that she did not believe Sanders had a profile that would appeal to her constituents.

What I think is going to resonate in my district is somebody who is a world-class business leader or a government leader, she said, somebody who has led a city that is bigger than the populations of certain states.

The concerns among many Wall Street executives about Sanders are straightforward: His worldview is at odds with the capitalist, free-market system on which the American finance industry thrives. Vin Ryan, founder of the venture-capital firm Schooner Capital and a supporter of Warren, said he viewed Sanders as a lightning rod whom Republicans would attack nonstop as a socialist.

Youve got enormous numbers of independent voters who dont like Trump, he added, but when you come to the pocketbook issues  particularly that fact that in spite of Trump the economys doing well, that redounds to the presidents benefit, he said.

Jeremy W Peters, Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Kate Kelly c.2020 The New York Times Company
City of Pasadena Accused of Unfairly Reassigning Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington

Pasadena City Councilmember John Kennedy and Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton called into question the decision of Pasadena City Manager, Stever Mermell for the re-assigning of Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington at an overcrowded city council meeting on Monday, February 10.

The Pasadena NAACP rallied to support Chief Bertral Washington who was reassigned last Thursday to perform work on the citys wireless emergency alert system, but no reason for the reassignment has been made public.

The situation displays no effort to correct injustice, said NAACP president Allen Edson. The reason for his firing has not been made public. Why has the Firefighters Association not spoken up on his behalf? It is known in the community that they (the firefighters association) has been working against the chief since he was hired.

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Mermell said he was unable to discuss personnel issues.

Councilman John Kennedy and Vice Mayor Tryon Hampton, the only two African Americans on the seven-person city council, agreed with members of the NAACP and demanded answers for the reassignment and wanted to ensure that Chief Washington was being treated fairly and afforded due process.

Hampton said, he was surprised that the chief had been reassigned and wanted to ensure that he was given a fair process.

He continued, Because a small group, who work within the department, have decided they have issues with the chief, for our city manager to reassign him is extremely disappointing. I expect each of you come back until our fire chief is reinstated.

Hampton praised Washington for increasing diversity in the department.

Councilman John Kennedy asked City Attorney Michele Beal Bagneris to inform the council on what it could to do contravene Mermells decision.

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We need to explore whether the Fire Chiefs due process rights were violated, Kennedy said.

Washington was hired in 2014 from the Clark County Fire Department in Nevada and has worked aggressively to ensure that the Pasadena Fire Department is reflective of the citys diversity.

Washington did not attend Mondays meeting nor has he commented on the situation, but many believe the chief has the right to bring legal action against the city if he is not reinstated. Pasadena Now reported last week that the city manager confirmed Washingtons reassignment and that the chief was still employed by the city and had not received a reduction in pay.

Members of the community vowed to continue to fight for the chief who is highly regarded by many in the city and will continue to question the decision until order is restored within the citys fire department.
New Delhi/IBNS: India's organic food segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% during the period 2016-21, according to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Increasing disposable incomes, increasing awareness around health and wellness and increasing acceptability are contributing to the growth in demand for organic produce.

India produced around 1.70 million MT (2017-18) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Oil Seeds, Sugar cane, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, Pulses, Medicinal Plants, Tea, Fruits, Spices, Dry Fruits, Vegetables, Coffee etc.

At the same time the demand for Indian organic food products is on constant increase worldwide with India exporting organic products worth $ 515 million in 2017-18 with organic products being exported to USA, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, Japan etc.

The major demands under the organic product category are for oil seeds, cereals & millets, sugar, fruit juice concentrates, tea, spices, pulses, dry fruits, medicinal plant products etc.

As per the Indian Organic Sector  Vision 2025 report, Indias organic business has immense potential to reach the INR 75,000 crore mark by 2025 from INR 2,700 crore (in 2015).

With an aim to empower women and promote organic produce, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is organising a National Organic Festival with a special focus on women entrepreneurs, said Union Minister for Food Processing Industries(FPI) Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Announcing the 3-day long Food festival, during a press meet in New Delhi today, FPI Minister shared that more than 150 women entrepreneurs and Self Help groups (SHGs) from all over the country will be exhibiting their organic products in various segments such as fruit & vegetables, ready to eat Products, Spices and condiments, Honey, cereals, dry fruits etc..

The festival will be organised from February 21-23, 2020 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

Entrepreneurs and SHGs from 24 states are participating in the festival.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Sangh, its affiliates and the 'Right' seem quite satisfied with Arvind Kejriwal's Hanuman Mandir visit, and as long as he continues to walk the same path, the saffron brigade cannot be happier.

RSS General Secretary Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi recently said that opposing the BJP must not be equated to going against the Hindus. But this is not something new. It is a stated position of the Sangh.

And the Aam Aadmi Party chief's walking down the auspicious ground in the heart of the capital gave a new meaning to the 'ideological victory' of Kejriwal's practicing majoritarian politics.

Though the Sangh would rather call it "Indic politics", Rajiv Tuli, a member of the Delhi executive of the RSS is unpretentious about this new avatar of Kejriwal.

"Dekhiye, baat saaf hai-- jo Hindu heet ki baat karega, wahi desh pe raj karega (The matter is very clear -- whoever will talk for the welfare of Hindus will eventually rule)," Tuli said, and when asked does it not matter whether the party is BJP or Aam Aadmi Party, Tuli said Bhaiyaji has made it "abundantly clear".

He cites Veer Savarkar to assert that the Sangh is neutral but ideology-based party. Hence, according to him, Savarkar dreamt of a pro-Hindu ruling party as well as pro-Hindu opposition.

This assertion comes close on the heels of Kejriwal reinventing himself.

As the Delhi poll results came out on Tuesday, a revamped Arvind Kejriwal emerged, invoking 'Hanumanji' to counter BJP's Hindutva politics.

A day before election results, the Delhi Chief Minister had already announced his intention to visit the Hanuman temple at Connaught Place.

It's the very same Kejriwal who came under criticism for being regularly seen in iftars. But after the stupendous victory as he trounced the BJP, Kejriwal literally took out a grand rally to the famous Hanuman Mandir in the heart of the capital.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the most influential Sangh affiliate that spearheaded the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late eighties and nineties, its general secretary Milind Parande wasn't very articulate in his position but welcomed this brand of politics.

"You know, we don't comment on Sangh. When Bhaiyaji has said what he said, that is the last word. We too stand by that," he told IANS.

A key Sangh functionary who has been working on the Eastern Zone of India and has worked on crucial states like West Bengal told IANS on condition of anonymity that its the ideology that matters, not the party.

"This is just the beginning of an era where you have to be seen working for Hindus if you want to be electorally relevant. This is a bigger victory than BJP coming to power. Now you will have many BJPs," insisted he, over the phone.

Bengal VHP Sourish Mukherjee who has been instrumental in districts like Purulia, where BJP made its inroads into West Bengal during a bloody and violence ridden Panchayat poll in 2018 tells IANS that it's the ideology that forced "those who opposed Jai Shri Ram to be seen as celebrating Durga Puja".

His reference was to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who courted controversy over her animated objection to the religious slogan, time and again.

A polarised Bengal dented her electorally in the 2019 general election, when the BJP jumped up to 18 seats.

This Delhi election, words like 'Biryani', 'Mughal', 'Burqa' were used intermittently by BJP leaders, including its firebrand Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanatha to drive home one point "either you are with Shaheen Bagh or against Shaheen Bagh".

While Manish Sisodia once said that he stands with the protestors, he did not repeat again. Kejriwal refused to extend similar support.

During his victory speech, he sought "blessings" from the Hindu God, to run Delhi effectively. Kejriwal is mindful that Shaheen Bagh politics may not have dented his electoral chances, but it has polarised Delhi.

Tuli, beaming with a smile, reasons, "Now the politics of iftar and headgears are over." Just a few days back, Joshi, responding to a question -- "Why Hindus are becoming the enemy of their own community?", told a gathering, "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." It created a confusion.

However, those who have followed Sangh would know, this has been a long-standing position of the Sangh. As the Sangh functionary from the Eastern Zone insisted: "The Sangh and the BJP are not the same thing. They (BJP) are closest to our ideology. That's it." Does that mean Sangh is happy with this new avatar of Kejriwal?

"Why not? We welcome more political outfits to walk the Hindutva's path. Hindutva has been made to sound like a bad word," he added.

Kejriwal is not just the darling of liberals but seemingly a darling of the 'Right' as well.

(Anindya Banerjee can be contacted at anindya.b@ians.in)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Over one lakh voters between the age of 18 to 25 are likely to play a crucial role in the fifth municipal elections in Vijayawada. In all, the city has around 7.80 lakh voters, of which 3.97 lakh are women, 3.03 lakh are men and 122 belong to the third gender. The highest number of young voters are in Central and East assembly segments.

As per the 2011 census, the citys population is around 10 lakh. However, after compiling the data gathered after corrections, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has finalised the list of voters in all 59 divisions to be around 7.80 lakh. Each of the three administrative circles has around 30,000-35,000 first-time voters.

Meanwhile, the officials have identified 808 polling stations, 38 more than in 2014, across the city. We have readied the final list of voters and kept them available at all government offices. Young voters in the Central and East assembly segments are likely to play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the polls, said a VMC official.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior members of the royal family to become "financially independent," many people wondered how they are going to sustain their lavish lifestyle without the help of British taxpayer's money.

Now, a month after the scandalous "Megxit," it was reported that Prince Harry's team is having "talks" with controversial multinational investment bank Goldman Sachs. Part of a possible deal with the American bank is the royal giving a speech as part of an interview series for employees that will be broadcasted on their YouTube channel.

According to Page Six, the investment firm wants to have a partnership and future guest-speaking gig with Prince Harry for their series, "Talks at GS."

Although the firm does not pay its guest speakers, sources claim that it could pave the way for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to establish a profitable relationship.

In the past, previous high-profile celebrities were featured, including Hillary Clinton, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Beckham and Karlie Kloss.

These speakers, eventually, have entered to fruitful relationships with several business leaders and celebrities.

The GS series began with high-profile visitors to Goldman's offices speaking to on-site staff. Eventually, the investment company began filming the presentations so all employees could watch on its internal website before deciding to make them available publicly.

More Money For The Sussexes?

PR consultant Mark Borkowski told The Mirror that by speaking to high-profile business people, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex get to earn their fortunes in the corporate world. The exposure could lead to other corporate deals and work as a "brand ambassador."

"They're going to earn fortunes, whether through speeches of ambassador work or these billion-pound handshakes," says Borkowski.

"They're going to earn fortunes, whether through speeches or ambassador work," he continued.

However, a royal insider confirmed with the Daily Mail that Prince Harry was in talks with Goldman Sachs but insisted it was "for one of his charities."

They insist that it was to benefit his charities rather than "bolster" the Sussex Royal brand, according to Mail Online.

But the talks with Goldman Sachs dates back to before their departure in November, according to The Mirror, during the time they were on their extended six-week holiday in Canada. This all happened well before the couple's divorce from Britain's royal family in January.

Be Careful!

This report also comes after the news that Prince Harry has already earned more than $1 million to attend and speak to hundreds of billionaires at a recent JPMorgan event. He talked about having therapy and his struggles to come to terms with the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

However, the PR expert said the couple needs to be careful about which corporations and brands they associate with.

Borkowski told The Mirror that their appearance at the JP Morgan summit was "not the best look" because some of their business dealings do not align with the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' stated values -- particularly when it comes to their professed concerns about the environment.

The couple has mostly kept to themselves after their move from Britain to North America, which provided a break from palace protocol and constant press scrutiny. However, it may have created more distance from their old lives than they initially sought.
A British man left sleeping on foreign streets after being locked out of the UK by the Home Office has finally been allowed to return  but been charged 100 to replace the passport they confiscated.

Fatush Lala, 33, has been living rough in Brussels for more than three weeks after UK authorities voided his citizenship and blocked his passport while he was abroad on holiday with his family.

But hours after The Independent reported on Mr Lala's plight he received a phonecall from officials saying he could come back.

"I went to the British embassy and they printed out the passport for me. But first I had to pay a fee of 100 for it," said Mr Lala, who has lived in Britain since he was 14 and naturalised.

The British national had previously gone to the UK embassy in the city to seek help, only to be told his British passport  the only one he has ever owned  was no longer valid and have it confiscated from him, leaving him stateless for weeks.

Asked as he waited for his train home whether he had been provided an explanation by the Home Office, Mr Lala told The Independent: "No, I'm still waiting for that."

The department did not notify Mr Lala his passport had been cancelled before he left the country, instead sending a letter to an address he had never lived it. It then did not stop him leaving the country, only preventing him from getting back in when he tried to board a flight home from Brussels.

The Independent contacted the UK embassy in Belgium for comment but was told they could not comment on specific cases. The Home Office has said it does not comment on specific cases, and was also approached for further comment as Mr Lala returned home.

The Home Office's original state rationale for cancelling the passport was that Mr Lala's naturalisation application was made on the basis that he was born in 1986 in Serbia, but that the department believes he was born in 1985 in Albania. The department did not explain how it had come to that conclusion.

Mr Lala actually missed his train home on Thursday night as his temporary travel document was subjected to intensive scrutiny. He boarded the following service.

"So I got the ticket, I got everything sorted, I turned up here [at the station] quite early - but they decided to get me a thorough check and I was delayed and missed the train. So now I'm on the next one," he told The Independent.

Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy, who had been advocating for his constituent, said: "I am pleased that Fatush should now be allowed to return to his home of twenty years to make a legal defence of his British citizenship.

Fatush Lala was sleeping rough in Belgium for three weeks (Jon Stone)

"However, it should not require press coverage for the Home Office act on such a gross injustice with basic decency. It is appalling that he has been forced to spend three weeks stateless, stranded and homeless in Brussels due to a Home Office blunder.

"Over and over again, suffering is being caused by the callousness and incompetence at the Home Office."

Mr Lala first arrived to the UK as a minor after being split from his family during the Serbian conflict. He went into foster care and attended school, college and university in the country, before being granted British citizenship in his early twenties.
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In a far-reaching verdict aimed at decriminalising Indian politics, the Supreme Court directed political parties on Thursday to upload on their websites and social media platforms the details of pending criminal cases against their candidates, the reasons for selecting them and for not giving ticket to those without criminal antecedents.

It said these details should be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate or at least two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier.

"The political party concerned shall then submit a report of compliance with these directions with the Election Commission within 72 hours of the selection of the said candidate," said the bench of Justices R F Nariman and S Ravindra Bhat.

The details should also be published on official social media platforms of the political parties, including Facebook and Twitter, and also in one local vernacular and one national newspaper, the apex court directed.

The reasons for selecting candidates having pending criminal cases should be with reference to their qualifications, achievements and merit and not merely on "winnability" at the polls, it said.

"It appears that over the last four general elections, there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of criminals in politics," the bench said referring to the data placed before it.

"We have also noted that the political parties offer no explanation as to why candidates with pending criminal cases are selected as candidates in the first place," it said.

If a political party fails to submit the compliance report of the directives with the Election Commission, the poll panel "shall bring such non-compliance" to the notice of the Supreme Court "as being in contempt of this Court's orders/ directions", the bench said.

The apex court delivered the verdict on a contempt plea which had raised issues regarding criminalisation of politics in India and claimed that directions given by the top court in its September 2018 verdict relating to disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates are not being followed.

The top court noted that 24 per cent of the MPs had criminal cases pending against them in 2004 while in 2009, it went to 30 per cent.

Further, in 2014, 34 per cent of MPs had pending criminal cases against them, which increased to 43 per cent in 2019.

In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench had unanimously held that all candidates will have to declare their criminal antecedents to the Election Commission before contesting polls and called for a wider publicity, through print and electronic media about antecedents of candidates.

Referring to the 2018 verdict, the bench said, "In this judgment, this court was cognisant of the increasing criminalisation of politics in India and the lack of information about such criminalisation amongst the citizenry."



The bench, which passed the directions on Thursday in exercise of its powers under Articles 129 and 142 of the Constitution, said the apex court had passed directives in the 2018 verdict "in order to remedy this information gap".

"It shall be mandatory for political parties [at the central and state election level] to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases (including the nature of the offences, and relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned Court, the case number etc.) who have been selected as candidates, along with the reasons for such selection, as also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates," it said.

In its September 2018 verdict, the top court had left it to Parliament to "cure the malignancy" of criminalisation of politics by making a law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter the political arena as the "polluted stream of politics" needs to be cleansed.

During the hearing on the contempt plea, the EC had told the court that increase in number of MPs having pending criminal cases was "disturbing".

The poll panel had agreed with the suggestions of senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing BJP leader and petitioner Ashiwini Upadhyay, including that all political parties should mandatorily upload on their website details of candidates with criminal antecedents along with the reasons as to why those without any criminal record could not be selected.

However, the EC had said it was not agreeable to the suggestion regarding penalising the political party or its candidates under Article 324 of the Constitution for their failure to disclose criminal antecedents, as it does not have this power.

On October 10, 2018, the EC had issued notification regarding the amended Form-26 and directions to political parties and candidates for publication of criminal antecedents.

However, the plea filed by Upadhyay had alleged that the EC neither amended the Election Symbol Order, 1968 nor the model code of conduct (MCC) so the said notification has no legal sanction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:23:25|Editor: Yurou

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FUZHOU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The distinct aroma of kebab and cheese drift through the closed door of a Turkish restaurant in the eastern Chinese city of Fuzhou despite a closure notice posted on the door.

The restaurant, though closed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, has delivered hundreds of take-out meals to medical workers, community workers and policemen for free near the neighborhood over the past few days.

Alaaddin Colak, the Turkish restaurant owner, said people working on the front lines are too busy to have lunch, so he decided to do what he can to prepare and deliver meals for them. He also puts 20 masks and three Turkish soaps in each package along with the food.

In his neighborhood, 14 community workers have to serve over 16,000 residents. Though the team has been reinforced earlier for further epidemic control, the intensive workload keeps workers too busy to have meals.

The meals delivered by Colak's restaurant are more than food, but encouragement and respect, said Chen Huali, a community worker in the neighborhood.

The ongoing epidemic has led to tight supply of some materials, so the idea of delivering meals can hardly last very long, said Colak. He is now working to acquire medical supplies from overseas, such as protective masks and suits for those in need.

"It's not the time for haggling over the price. The more, the better," said the Turkish businessman who has lived in Fuzhou for 25 years with his family.

He has also reached out to hundreds of medical supply manufacturers in Turkey and closely follows the local demand for the supplies, especially from hospitals, so he can ship the products to the front lines.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Colak said he was impressed and inspired by Chinese people with their efforts in maintaining stable food prices and providing enough necessary supplies. Doctors, nurses and community workers are racing against the clock to fight the disease.

"I believe it won't be long before local residents play chess and drink tea under the shade of banyan trees just as they did before," he said.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- New York regulators have launched an investigation into Spectrums outages last weekend, saying they want to know the root cause of the widespread interruption of the cable companys TV, internet and phone services.

John Chirlin, a spokesman for the New York Department of Public Service, said Wednesday the department has been in continuous dialogue with Spectrum since the first outages occurred."

He said the department plans to follow up with a series of formal interrogatory questions to the company to determine the root cause of the widespread network interruption, scope of customers and services impacted, outage timeline and steps taken to restore services.

The department will assess the companys response and report to the Public Service Commission as necessary, he said.

The departments Office of Consumer Services has received more than 70 complaints from Spectrum customers about the outages, he said.

The outage also drew the ire of U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica. On Monday, he called on the state to investigate what went wrong and what kind of backups Spectrum has to keep this from happening again.

Heres what caused 2 million Spectrum customers to lose TV and internet service

Spectrum said the outages started Friday evening in Maine and New Hampshire when snow and ice from a winter storm took down some of its fiber optic lines. The outages spread to much of the rest of its service territory in New England and Upstate New York on Saturday when additional primary and backup lines came down in multiple locations, the company said.

Spectrums cables are buried underground in some areas, but in other areas they are strung along utility poles, where they are vulnerable to storm damage.

The company said fallen trees and downed live power lines caused delays in its service crews getting to and repairing the broken network cables.

Service was finally restored shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, it said. Two million customers in the Northeast were affected, according to the company.

Lara Pritchard, a spokesperson for Spectrum, said in a statement Thursday the company is cooperating with the Department of Public Service.

(We) have made ourselves available to answer questions about the events that caused these outages and our efforts to restore service as quickly as possible, she said.

Spectrum has agreed to give refunds to customers who request them for the time they went without service. Those refunds are being calculated on a case-by-case basis, company officials said, but they refused to say how much money customers would get.

Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard asked Spectrum customers what kind of refunds/credits they got. Based on responses from nearly 400 customers, the average refund is $7.12, but people got more based on how many Spectrum services were out and how much they bargained.

Spectrum refund: How to claim a credit for weekends big outage

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Have a question or news tip? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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NASA astronaut Christina Koch felt like a 'two-week-old' baby after returning from a record-breaking 328-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The 41-year-old electrical engineer said she's now 'feeling great' after smashing the record for the longest time spent in space by a female astronaut.

Aside from sore muscles and trouble with balance, she told reporters that she's readjusting well to gravity, although her neck hurt for about a day.

'What I have noticed is that my balance has taken a little while to get used to,' she said in Houston on Wednesday, six days after returning to Earth.

'I felt like a two-week-old who was actually working hard to hold up my own head.

'The physical act of walking was something to get used to but I'm feeling great.'

Koch returned to Earth on the Soyuz crew ship, which touched down in the desert in Kazakhstan at 09:12 GMT Thursday, February 6.

Specialists help U.S. astronaut Christina Koch shortly after the landing of the Russian Soyuz MS-13 space capsule

Koch considers herself lucky she didn't have the sore feet and burning skin suffered by NASA's all-time endurance champ, Scott Kelly, whose returned to earth four years ago after a 340-day mission.

Koch returned home to Galveston, Texas, to find a kitchen full of chips and salsa, something she'd craved in orbit.

She hit the beach with her husband, Bob, and their dog, a rescue pup called LBD, or Little Brown Dog, just three days after her landing in Kazakhstan.

'I'm not sure who was more excited to see the other,' Koch said.

'It's just a symbol of coming back to the people and places that you love, to see your favourite animal.'

Koch said that it only took her about three months to feel at home on the ISS, and that daily activities started to feel normal  even floating due to the low gravity.

NASA Astronaut Christina Koch answers questions during a postflight news conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on February 12, 2020

Koch returned to Earth safely on February 6, 2020, after shattering the spaceflight record for female astronauts with a stay of almost 11 months aboard the International Space Station

'I kind of forgot I was floating until a new crew would come and they would be so excited about floating,' she said.

'I would be like, I guess we are floating, aren't we?'

Koch also advised the next generation of female space explorers to follow their passions and 'do what scares you'.

Soyuz MS-13 space capsule descends about 90 miles south-east of the Kazakh town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, February 6, 2020, carrying, Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov

In this June 2019 photo made available by NASA, astronaut Christina Koch poses for a portrait inside of the vestibule between a SpaceX Dragon cargo craft and the Harmony module of the International Space Station

'Do the things that might feel like they're just out of your reach, they're intriguing you, they're drawing you in, but you don't know for sure if you can do it.

'Go after that thing  not only will you maximally impact the world but you'll get the most personal fulfilment out of it and use that as a springboard.'

Koch flew to the space station last March already made history in October when she became one half of the first-ever all-woman spacewalk along with NASA counterpart Jessica Meir.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch in her space suit while performing duties aboard the International Space Station

Koch's last tweet before she returned to Earth was just over a week ago, showing the view from the ISS

Three astronauts remain at the orbiting lab, including the other half of the all-female spacewalk, NASA's Jessica Meir.

Koch surpassed the previous record set for a single spaceflight by a woman  289 days, set by NASA veteran Peggy Whitson in 2017  on December 28, 2019.

As well as breaking the record for longest continuous time in space by a woman, Koch also ranks seventh on the list for overall time spent in space by US astronauts.

Koch tweeted last week before her return: 'What will I miss? The exquisite beauty of both the planet Earth and this marvel that its amazing people created.'

The tweet was accompanied by a sweeping image of the Earth as seen from the ISS.

Koch touched down last week with colleagues Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Alexander Skvortsov of the Russian space agency.

Unlike Koch, her fellow ISS inhabitants Parmitano and Skvortsov rounded off six-month missions on the ISS.
A woman is being tested for the deadly coronavirus after attempting to board a cruise ship in Sydney.

Paramedics were called to the international passenger terminal at Circular Quay shortly before 7.30am on Friday as the ship, the Norwegian Jewel, docked.

The vessel arrived in Sydney after a 10-day tour of New Zealand. It is scheduled to make its way to Melbourne on Saturday.

It is understood the a woman in her 50s was taken to hospital as she appeared to be suffering respiratory illness.

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The ship, Norwegian Jewel, arrived in Sydney on Friday morning after a 10-day tour of New Zealand

A woman wearing a face mask seen near the Overseas Passenger Terminal where the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship is moored at Circular Quay in Sydney on Friday

The 294-metre ship has a guest capacity of 2376 people and 1060 crew.

NSW Health said the woman was being screened as a precaution.

A spokeswoman for the cruise company said no one on board was suffering from respiratory issues.

She said a few guests on board had experienced a stomach-related illness.

'To mitigate any impact of this rare occurrence, we implemented stringent sanitation procedures.

'As such a thorough inspection and rigorous cleaning and disinfection of the ship and terminal were conducted.'

Australia currently has 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus while 11 Australians are among 65 newly-confirmed cases aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama in Japan.

A member of crew cleaning a hand rail on board the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship which is moored at Circular Quay in Sydney on Friday

People seen near the Overseas Passenger Terminal where the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship is moored at Circular Quay in Sydney

An Australian tourist on board Diamond Princess, Bianca D'Silva, called the ship a 'floating prison'.

She was separated from her family and placed into quarantine after contracting the virus.

Ms D'Silva said she started feeling ill while all passengers were cooped up in their cabins for a week during the outbreak.

'I got a lot of headaches initially, when I was told we were quarantined, I started feeling hot with a fever,' she said.

'But other than that I feel fine  it just feels like I have a cold.'

The disease is believed to have emerged in a market in Wuhan that sold wild animals, spreading rapidly as people travelled for the Lunar New Year holiday in late January.

The virus has so far spread to more than 20 countries, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency.

Paramedics were called to the international passenger terminal at Circular Quay shortly before 7.30am on Friday as the ship, the Norwegian Jewel docked

Saturday will mark two weeks since Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a temporary 14 day ban on foreign travellers who have left or passed through mainland China from arriving on our shores.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has warned the travel ban will likely be extended as the worldwide death toll surges towards 1000.

Mr Hunt added the government acted on the best medical advice to implement the ban.

'Ultimately, our job  our responsibility, is to provide protection and national health security for the Australian people,' he said.

'They've been difficult decisions but made on the basis of the medical advice and we'll implement the medical advice.'

The Government admits the ban has taken a toll on the tourism industry, which is losing an estimated $1billion a week.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Health and Norwegian Cruise Line for comment.
UTICA, N.Y.  Members of the Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association, including the president, attended the Oneida County Board of Legislators meeting Wednesday to push for first responders privacy rights.

As part of new bail reform, defendants have access to the names and addresses of first responders, which the chiefs say may pose a safety risk. Other members of law enforcement do not have to provide personal information for safety reasons, like retaliatory action. The association is asking the board to pass a resolution to support the same protections for first responders.

"Currently today, law enforcement is protected from providing their personal data to a defendant or defense attorney. Our ask is, what's been written into that potential amendment is that firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, both career and volunteer, have the same leeway that law enforcement officers have, said Chief Brian Healey.

If the county passes the resolution, it will go to the state legislature for a vote. The board will vote on the proposal at a later date.
Child Rights International (CRI), has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to ensure that all schools, irrespective of their status, comply with its standard guidelines for disciplining students.



Mr Bright Appiah, the Executive Director, CRI, said at a press briefing, on Wednesday, that most Senior High Schools in category A and B adhered strictly to the school guidelines as compared to those in category C where there was poor supervision.



He stated that, a critical look must be taken to find out the cause for the reality and implement measures to ensure that all schools irrespective of their category adhere to the same disciplinary standards set by the GES.



The Executive Director of CRI condemns the conduct exhibited by the students and do not subscribe to any acts that would not promote discipline and orderliness in the country's educational system.



However, he pointed out that the punishment would not solve the problem but rather worsen the situation because the students would have full access to gadgets to use to intensify their acts.



The CRI, he said, believed that punishment, as a means of correction was not the solution, adding that the remedy to any social disorder was appropriate diagnosis and treatment.



Mr. Bright Appiah noted that, per their findings, they found that the phones used by the students to record the video did not belong to them, stating that they had access to the phone during visiting hours.



The said video, the CRI also realised was not uploaded by the students.



The CRI therefore suggested that steps are taken by school authorities to implement safe guarding policies that regulate the actions of outside parties during their visits in schools.



These parties include parents, relatives, friends amongst others and must abide by the discipline standards set by school authorities, both in their actions and inactions, he added.



Mr. Bright Appiah stressed that, school authorities must ensure that their institutions had counselling services available for students who flout the rules in order to take them through proper rehabilitation maintenance programmes.

Source: Erica Eyifah/Peace News









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British Gas owner Centrica notched up a major loss in 2019 as the company was hit by the Government cap on energy bills and falling prices for natural gas.

The business said that pre-tax loss had hit 1.1 billion, a reduction from a 575 million profit the year before. Adjusted operating profit, which strips out major restructuring costs and some effects of the falling gas price, dropped 35% to 901 million.

It marks a tough set of results for outgoing chief executive Iain Conn, who is presenting his last annual accounts for the business after five years in charge.

He said the business had faced a challenging environment, most significantly the implementation of the UK default tariff cap and falling natural gas prices.

Iain Conn leaves the business this year (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The Governments cap on energy prices came into force at the beginning of last year, promising to bring down bills for customers on default tariffs.

As he prepares to exit, Mr Conn will take some comfort from the slowdown in British Gass declining market share. The number of UK energy supply customer accounts that the company had was down by 286,000. Many customers have both electricity and gas supplied by the company.

That is half the decline rate of the year before, and a quarter of 2017, Mr Conn said.

He will also point to the second half of the year, which, as Centrica had already signalled, was much improved on a poor first half.

However, investors did not take much heart from this, sending shares down by as much as 16% to 73.2p.

Customers have been dropping away from the six biggest suppliers on the UK energy market, and experts hailed 2019 as the year that the groups stranglehold on the market was finally broken for good.

Centricas rival SSE was snapped up by one of the smaller challengers, Ovo Energy, which only entered the market a decade ago.

Ovo and other challengers spent the second half of the last decade stealing customers away from the former giants, slashing Centricas market share from 24% when Mr Conn took over, to 19% towards the end of last year, according to figures from Ofgem.

British Gas is really struggling with the onslaught from small suppliers, the price cap, and falling natural gas prices hitting them hard, said Mark Todd, the co-founder of Energyhelpline.

The number of injuries per 200,000 hours worked at Centrica rose to 1.006  a 4% increase on the year before, and at least the third year that the measure has increased.
Mark Lavery has been the CEO of Cambria Automobiles plc (LON:CAMB) since 2006. This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other companies that have similar market capitalization. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. And finally we will reflect on how common stockholders have fared in the last few years, as a secondary measure of performance. This process should give us an idea about how appropriately the CEO is paid.

Check out our latest analysis for Cambria Automobiles

How Does Mark Lavery's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies?

According to our data, Cambria Automobiles plc has a market capitalization of UK70m, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth UK800k over the year to August 2019. That's a notable increase of 11% on last year. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at UK400k. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations under UK155m, and the median CEO total compensation was UK251k.

It would therefore appear that Cambria Automobiles plc pays Mark Lavery more than the median CEO remuneration at companies of a similar size, in the same market. However, this fact alone doesn't mean the remuneration is too high. We can get a better idea of how generous the pay is by looking at the performance of the underlying business.

You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Cambria Automobiles has changed over time.

AIM:CAMB CEO Compensation, February 13th 2020

Is Cambria Automobiles plc Growing?

Cambria Automobiles plc has reduced its earnings per share by an average of 1.2% a year, over the last three years (measured with a line of best fit). Its revenue is up 4.4% over last year.

Unfortunately there is a complete lack of earnings per share improvement, over three years. The modest increase in revenue in the last year isn't enough to make me overlook the disappointing change in earnings per share. These factors suggest that the business performance wouldn't really justify a high pay packet for the CEO. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future.

Story continues

Has Cambria Automobiles plc Been A Good Investment?

Cambria Automobiles plc has generated a total shareholder return of 12% over three years, so most shareholders would be reasonably content. But they probably don't want to see the CEO paid more than is normal for companies around the same size.

In Summary...

We compared total CEO remuneration at Cambria Automobiles plc with the amount paid at companies with a similar market capitalization. We found that it pays well over the median amount paid in the benchmark group.

Earnings per share have not grown in three years, and the revenue growth fails to impress us. And shareholder returns are decent but not great. So we think more research is needed, but we don't think the CEO underpaid. Whatever your view on compensation, you might want to check if insiders are buying or selling Cambria Automobiles shares (free trial).

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.
President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out against former White House chief of staff John Kelly for being disloyal after the ex-adviser came to the defense of a former national security aide who offered key testimony in the impeachment inquiry.

The president's comments targeting Kelly came after Kelly defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was among administration officials who raised concerns about Trump's July phone call with Ukraine's president. That call spurred the president's impeachment trial, which ended in acquittal last week.

Like so many X's, he misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut,. which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do," Trump tweeted about Kelly.

His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that 'John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.' Wrong! Kelly, speaking at a public forum on Wednesday in Morristown, New Jersey, said that Vindman did exactly as he was trained in raising concerns to his superiors after hearing questionable comments from Trump, according to a report by The Atlantic magazine. Vindman was ousted last week from his position as a Ukraine specialist detailed to the White House National Security Council.

He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave, said Kelly, a retired Marine general who served as Trump's chief of staff from the summer of 2017 until early last year. He went and told his boss what he just heard. Vindman was a key witness in Democrats' impeachment inquiry of Trump.

The Army officer was ousted from his job on the White House National Security Council last Friday, just two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of justice charges. He is to be reassigned by the Pentagon. His twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as an ethics lawyer at the NSC, also was ousted from his job and was re-assigned to the Army General Counsel's Office.

Kelly came to Vindman's defense after Trump suggested this week that the Pentagon should review Vindman's conduct in the Ukraine episode and potentially consider disciplinary action against him.

Trump has insisted that his call to Zelenskiy was perfect. During the conversation, Trump asked Zelenskiy to do him a favor and look into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son's business dealings in Ukraine.

Vindman testified that he raised his concerns inside the White House after concluding that Trump was inappropriately conditioning nearly USD 400 million in military aid to the country on getting Zelenskiy's help digging up dirt on the Republican president's political rival.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Feb. 6 article Timber Unity members protest cap-and-trade climate bill with convoy, rally in Salem says that climate change denial wasnt a consistent theme, per se of the event, yet organizers invited prominent climate change denier Chuck Wiese to speak. Mr. Wiese announced to the crowd that CO2 does not cause the climate to change. It has no ability to do that. The article also says Republican lawmakers urged the crowd to remember the party standard bearers, Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan. Donald Trump famously called climate change a Chinese hoax and in his three years in the Oval Office has inserted climate denial into the mainstream conversation, gutted pollution regulations, packed his cabinet with fossil-fuel insiders and suppressed peer-reviewed climate science. Timber Unitys leadership may not want to admit it, but climate denial is central to its rank and files ideology.

Michael Edwards, Lincoln City
Edmund McIlhenny founded this classic American hot sauce company back in 1868. Unlike most Louisiana-style hot sauces that use cayenne chiles, Tabasco uses tabasco chiles. These are mixed with salt and vinegar before being aged in oak barrels for up to three years, according to Tabascos website. I was surprised by how much spicier Tabasco was than its competitors. It has an official count of 2,500 to 5,000 SHU. The thin sauce has a heat that lingers on the tongue for a long time. I also picked up on a slightly smoky background, perhaps from the wood barrel aging. Tabasco only has 35 milligrams of salt per teaspoon, which is the second least of the sample group.
A police officer was shot at during a car chase in Trenton on Wednesday before at least one suspect was taken into custody following a brief standoff, two law enforcement sources told NJ Advance Media.

Nobody was wounded in the shooting, in the citys West Ward, according to a source.

The incident began on West State Street with a pursuit and ended on Oakland Street, where a suspect was holed up in a residence. The chase involved law enforcement officers assigned to a New Jersey State Police task force, a source said.

Officers with the city police and state law enforcement officers swarmed the area near Parkside Avenue and West State Street around 3:30 p.m. Emergency crews were gathered near a heavily-damaged silver sedan near Parkside Avenue and West State Street. The incident began at about 2 p.m.

Spokespeople for the State Police and state Attorney Generals Office did not immediately release details on the incident.

A Trenton police spokesman deferred all comment to state authorities.

A vehicle involved in a Feb. 12, 2020 chase and shooting in Trenton crashed on Parkside Avenue near West State Street and Berkeley Avenues in the city's West Ward.(Photo by Brian McCarthy)

- Reporter Joe Brandt contributed to this report.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. 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.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 06:24:21|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses responded to "hostile targets" in the sky over the capital Damascus on Thursday night, state TV reported.

Sounds of explosions reverberated across the capital overnight, in what appeared to be a fresh Israeli missile attack that triggered the Syrian air defenses, said the Syrian state TV report.

It was reported that a number of missiles were intercepted by the air defenses.
Attune Insurance  a digital firm based in New York  has revealed that it wrote more than $100 million in insurance premiums in 2019, marking a new record for the company.

The company manages an online portal for brokers, which allows them to quote and bind small commercial business insurance  such as business owners policies (BOPs), workers compensation, as well as excess  in minutes.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexington Biosciences, Inc. (CSE: LNB) (the Company or Lexington) has allowed the license with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, which was being used in the HeartSentry technology, to terminate due to non-payment of its minimum annual royalty fees which were due in August 2018 and August 2019.



As previously announced in April, 2019, the Company had been unable to secure the necessary financing to advance the development of the HeartSentry technology. Since that date, the Company has actively been in discussions with potential development partners to sell the HeartSentry license and intellectual property, which ultimately have not been successful. As a result, on February 12, 2020, the company received final notice of license termination from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories due to non-payment of its minimum annual royalty fees.

The Company has identified a new business plan and is currently negotiating with its largest unsecured creditor on terms of debt conversion. The feasibility of the new business plan is conditional on successfully negotiating a debt settlement.

The Company also announces the resignation of Eric Willis as its CEO & Director.

On Behalf of the Board,

Doug Janzen

Doug Janzen

Chairman & Director

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the potential sale of the HeartSentry technology and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include those relating to the ability to complete the sale and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
China on Thursday reported 254 fatalities from the coronavirus outbreak - the highest in a single day and double than the previous record high - taking the death toll to 1,367, as authorities adopted a new diagnosis method amid concerns that the crisis is nowhere near slowing down contrary to official projections.

China's central Hubei province, the epicentre of the virus outbreak, reported 242 deaths and nearly 15,000 fresh cases on Wednesday, said Mi Feng, a spokesperson with the National Health Commission.

Twelve fatalities came from other provinces including two in Henan, and one in Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Anhui, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps respectively.

The total deaths from the more than two-month-old virus outbreak as reported on Thursday stood at 1,367, with the total number of confirmed cases mounting to 59,804, health officials were quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua agency.

The Philippines reported the first death outside China from the virus. So far 445 cases have been reported from about 26 countries including three from India.

Amid growing public anger over the handling of the crisis, the ruling Communist Party of China replaced two high-ranking officials in Hubei province, where coronavirus first emerged in late December in provincial capital Wuhan.

Xinhua reported that former Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong, 61, a close ally of President Xi Jinping, has been appointed as the new Hubei party secretary, replacing Jiang Chaoliang.

The leader of Wuhan city, Ma Guoqiang, 56, has been replaced by Wang Zhonglin, 57, the party secretary of Shandong's provincial capital Jinan.

Jiang, 61, is the highest-ranking political casualty so far in the virus outbreak.

Today's purge of the officials followed dismissal of the two top health officials in Hubei province earlier this week.

The Hubei Provincial Health Commission said Wuhan has reported 14,840 new cases on Wednesday, including 13,332 "clinically diagnosed cases", which are being treated as confirmed cases from Thursday onwards as a new method of calculation.

The commission said the adjustment in the calculation has been made to give those who have been clinically diagnosed with the timely standard treatment of confirmed cases.

With this, the total confirmed cases in Hubei province rose to 48,206, it said.

While China attributed the big increase in the numbers to the change in the new methodology of calculation, significantly the rise coincides with the visit of a 15-member team of the specialists of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which is currently visiting China.

It is not yet clear whether WHO team is also scrutinising the numbers relating to the virus.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang declined to confirm whether the method of calculation of the cases is approved by the WHO team.

But at the same time, he told a media briefing online that "the advance team is here to discuss specific arrangements for the China-WHO joint mission with the Chinese side".

"The purpose of the joint mission is that experts of both sides can have in-depth communication on the situation and efforts of prevention and control, and come up with advice for China and other affected countries. I'll leave the specifics to the competent authorities, he said.

The big hike in cases comes amid the official accounts that the cases of the coronavirus are coming down and gradually normalcy is being restored.

Under pressure to accommodate growing number of cases, Wuhan health officials started converting dormitories, gyms of universities in the city into hospitals which raised concerns among foreign students who are stuck in the city.

In the wake of development, foreign students including that of India and Pakistan have started making desperate pleas to their governments to immediately evacuate them.

Three Indian students studying in Hubei University of Chinese Medicine have sought urgent help from the Indian government to evacuate them from there.

India has already evacuated 647 Indian nationals mostly students from Wuhan and Hubei. Ten Indians could not board the two special flights due to fever. Indian officials say around 80 to 100 Indians are still in the region.

About 1,000 Pakistani students are currently in Hubei. A number of Pakistani students have complained that the dormitories of their universities are being converted into hospitals with virus patients.

One such notice posted by the Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, where three Indian students were held up, said "our university is going to use the gymnasium as the shelter to receive the confirmed cases".

The university was earlier not in the list but now an official notification has been issued to include it, the notice said.

"Now we need to cooperate as requires. Our whole Wuhan, it's a 'War' period. Hope everyone can understand. And, knows the serious situation. We will try best to ensure your basic needs. Special Period, special way. DO NOT GO OUT! Do take precautions! Anything or questions, plz let us know," it said.

China has already built two makeshift hospitals with 2,300 beds, converted auditorium and stadiums into hospitals.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people backed by prominent academicians are circulating a rare public petition calling for freedom of speech following the death of Dr. Li Wenliang, who was reprimanded by police for alerting about the virus over the social media in December last.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Agartala, Feb 14 : An official of Assam's Madarsa Education Board (MEB) has said they are yet to receive any official notification regarding Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's announcement on shutting madarsas, as well as Sanskrit tols (schools), in the state.

"I have learnt about the government's decision through media reports," Imran Hussain, chairman of MEB, said on Thursday.

Sarma on Wednesday said the state-run madarsas and Sanskrit tols would be wound up within the next three to four months and the teachers would get their salaries sitting at home till they reach the age of retirement.

He said there were 1,200 madarsas and 200 Sanskrit tols run by the state government, and they would be converted into high and higher secondary schools and give lessons on regular courses.

The Minister said that the state government considers it was not right to pursue the teaching of religious scriptures at the cost of the government exchequer Hussain said there are 706 madarsas in Assam. Of the 707 madarsas, 614 are recognised by the MED which was constituted in 1934, when India was under British rule.

Of around 1,000 Sanskrit tols, only 97 are financially aided by the state government.

The All Assam Minority Students' Union, various other organisations and academicians have protested against the government's decision.

"Madarsas, high madarsas and Sanskrit tols are funded by the state government. Our government feels it is not just to teach religious scriptures with government money," Sarma said while interacting with the media at Guwahati's Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.

The minister, however, clarified that if any individual or any private body spends their own funds to teach religion, government would not dispute.
President Trumps rampage of retribution took a disturbing new turn with his vitriolic blasts at the prosecutors and judge handling the case of his longtime friend and informal adviser Roger Stone. A presidents berating of the governments principals in a criminal case the week before sentencing in U.S. District Court would be unseemly even if it were ignored by everyone who is sworn to uphold justice.

But Trumps Tuesday-morning outburst became all the more chilling when the top levels of the U.S. Justice Department intervened within hours to withdraw the prosecutors recommendation of seven to nine years in prison for Stone. The four prosecutors promptly withdrew from the case, one resigning from the department entirely in protest.

As if there were any doubt that political meddling was in play, Trump laid it to rest Wednesday when he congratulated Attorney General William Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Stone had been convicted in November of obstructing a congressional inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election, lying to investigators under oath and trying tampering with a witness who was ready to expose his lies.

Trump also tweeted an attack on the U.S. District Court judge, Amy Berman Jackson, who is scheduled to sentence Stone on Feb. 20.

Is this the Judge that put Paul Manafort in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, something that not even mobster Al Capone had to endure? Trump wrote.

In reality, Jackson delivered the 7-year sentence but was not involved in the incarceration conditions for Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman who had been convicted of five counts of tax fraud, one count of failure to file a report of foreign bank and financial accounts and two counts of bank fraud.

The president who was acquitted of abuse of power by the U.S. Senate last week has shown no sense of contrition or restraint.

So much for the naive view of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and other Republican senators who voted for acquittal on the assumption that Trump would be chastened and more careful after the grueling impeachment process.

Asked Wednesday what lessons he might have learned, Trump replied that the Democrats are crooked. They got a lot of crooked things going. That theyre vicious. That they shouldnt have brought impeachment.

The message of Trumps words  and Barrs actions  was unmistakable: Allies of the president who commit crimes can count on high-level intervention on their behalf. Foes of the president, or those in the justice system who uphold their obligation to equal treatment under the law, had better watch out.

Nine years in jail, its a disgrace and in the meantime (former FBI Director James) Comey walks around making book deals, Trump said in the White House Wednesday. Wheres (ex-FBI Director James) Comey? Whats happening to (former FBI Deputy Director) Andrew McCabe?  (former FBI officials) Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, whats happening to them?

A better question: Whats happening to the rule of law in this nation when an administration tilts the justice system to benefit its friends and punish its foes?

This affects the rule of law and respect for it, tweeted Eric Holder, the first attorney general for President Barack Obama.

The power move on Stones behalf comes on the heels of Fridays firing of two witnesses who testified to Congress about the Ukraine scandal: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council and Gordon Sondland, U.S. ambassador to the European Union.

This is a president on the warpath, without shame and without boundaries.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. 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 we'll take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Limited (HKG:247).

What Is Insider Selling?

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.

Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year.

See our latest analysis for Tsim Sha Tsui Properties

Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Executive Chairman Chee Siong Ng for HK$504m worth of shares, at about HK$24.99 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than HK$24.80 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Chee Siong Ng was the only individual insider to buy over the year.

Chee Siong Ng bought 26.75m shares over the last 12 months at an average price of HK$25.24. 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:247 Recent Insider Trading, February 13th 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 Tsim Sha Tsui Properties

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 Tsim Sha Tsui Properties insiders own 66% of the company, worth about HK$31b. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Insiders?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about Tsim Sha Tsui Properties. Looks promising! Along with insider transactions, I recommend checking if Tsim Sha Tsui Properties is growing revenue. This free chart of historic revenue and earnings should make that easy.

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.
WASHINGTON  Some of President Donald Trumps top foreign policy priorities stand at pivotal moments as two high-level national security officials head to an annual security forum in Germany. Strains in the trans-Atlantic relationship have cast doubt on whether they can count on much help from European leaders in advancing Trumps agenda.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Espers visit to Munich comes as the U.S. appears close to signing a truce in Afghanistan, is pushing for renewing sanctions on Iran, has introduced a new Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, and is trying to discourage allies from allowing the Chinese company Huawei to be part of next-generation wireless networks.

Meanwhile, in the background are worries about the global spread of the deadly new coronavirus from China.

The Munich conference, which opens Friday, attracts a wide array of foreign diplomats and national security officials and has been the venue for unexpected and sometimes surprising revelations. It has been marked by turbulent U.S.-European relations before, notably during the debate over the Iraq war in early 2003. But the current level of tension exceeds that of previous years and spans a wider range of issues.

Europe is unlikely to play a major role in what could be the biggest highlight: Pompeo and Esper are to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the conference on Friday amid strong indications that a seven-day reduction in violence agreement that would lead to formal negotiations between Afghanistans factions and is close and likely imminent. A proposal is on the table, Esper told reporters Wednesday in Brussels.

Trump has agreed in principle to the deal, the final details of which are being hammered out by U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. People familiar with the plans outlines say it calls for the successful conclusion of the weeklong truce to be followed within 10 days by the start of all-Afghan negotiations to set the road map for the countrys political future.

U.S. officials have brushed aside claims that a Taliban ultimatum forced their hand. And, they noted that despite his campaign pledge to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan and elsewhere, Trump has nixed previous deals that appeared close in response to attacks on U.S. forces.

While Afghanistan has the potential to be the most significant development in Munich, others issues are more likely to highlight tensions with Europe  notably the future of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Pompeo, who has as many as 10 separate meetings with foreign officials and a speech crammed into his two-day visit, will arrive in Munich shortly after the State Department gave the clearest signal yet that the administration will deliver an ultimatum to its European allies on ending the accord.

The administration has been frustrated by the reluctance of Britain, France and Germany to move forward quickly with a process that could lead to the re-imposition of U.N. sanctions on Iran for violating the terms of the agreement. Iran has breached several limits on program imposed by the deal but maintains it is only responding to U.S. violations. Trump withdrew the United States from the deal.

The Europeans, who want to salvage the deal, have invoked a dispute resolution mechanism designed to resolve the issues or refer them to the U.N. Security Council, but U.S. officials arent pleased with what they see as a lack of urgency in a process that can take months to complete.

Its patience nearing an end ahead of the October expiration of a U.N. arms embargo on Iran, the administration has laid out a path for it to keep the ban in place by forcing action in the Security Council.

In a document provided to Congress this week, the State Department said for the first time that the conditions for the automatic re-imposition, or snapback, of U.N. sanctions lifted under the terms of the deal can be determined by any of the states that negotiated it.

The administration has already advanced the argument, advocated by Iran hawks, that despite Trumps withdrawal, the U.S. remains a participant in the deal as defined by the Security Council resolution that enshrined it.

The Europeans, not to mention Russia and China, have scoffed at that position but may not have any choice but to accept it as the resolution does not permit a veto on snapback. And, if the U.S. position is rejected by others it would create a major geo-political confrontation over sanctions that would pose serious risks to international commerce.

But the administration has now taken that a step further, arguing that the U.S. has the authority to determine if Iran is in significant non-performance with the deals requirements. It says that because the criteria for significant non-performance are not spelled out in the U.N. resolution they can be defined broadly by any participant.

We assess that the state initiating the snapback mechanism retains flexibility in interpreting what constitutes significant non-performance,' the State Department said in a written response to a question on the matter from Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican and a leading Iran hawk in Congress.

The Europeans have resisted previous lobbying to join the U.S. in leaving the deal, but the administration is expected to push them harder in advocating for an extension of the arms embargo if they want to save it.

Beyond the differences over Iran, the U.S. is facing serious pushback from Europe on Trumps Middle East peace plan, which is widely seen as biased in favor of Israel at the expense of the Palestinians and inconsistent with previous guidelines for a settlement to the conflict.

On Tuesday, the European Union members of the Security Council  Belgium, Estonia, France and Germany gave the plan the cold shoulder. The U.S. initiative, as presented on 28 January, departs from these internationally agreed parameters, they said in a statement.

Pompeo and Esper also face an uphill battle in trying to prevent European countries from allowing the Chinese tech giant Huawei to play a role in their advanced 5G wireless networks. Despite dire warnings that a Huawei presence would compromise information security and threats that the U.S. could limit intelligence cooperation with countries in which the company operates, several nations have rejected an outright ban.

Britain, notably, announced last month that it would allow Huawei to participate in certain non-sensitive areas of its networks, and European Union 5G guidelines fall far short of addressing U.S. concerns.
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Who is in Boris Johnson's new-look Cabinet Chancellor: Rishi Sunak Foreign Secretary: Dominic Raab Home Secretary: Priti Patel Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Michael Gove Justice Secretary: Robert Buckland Defence Secretary: Ben Wallace Health Secretary: Matt Hancock Business Secretary: Alok Sharma Trade Secretary: Liz Truss Work and Pensions Secretary: Therese Coffey Education Secretary: Gavin Williamson Environment Secretary: George Eustice Housing Secretary: Robert Jenrick Transport Secretary: Grant Shapps Culture Secretary: Oliver Dowden International Development Secretary: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Leader of the House of Lords: Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Northern Ireland Secretary: Brandon Lewis Scottish Secretary: Alister Jack Welsh Secretary: Simon Hart Attorney General: Suella Braverman Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Stephen Barclay Minister without Portfolio: Amanda Milling Paymaster General: Penny Mordaunt Chief Whip: Mark Spencer Advertisement

Boris Johnson began his fateful meeting with Sajid Javid yesterday by showering him with praise.

As the two men sat in the Downing Street Cabinet room around the famous coffin-shaped table, Mr Johnson told the Chancellor he was the right man for the job.

The Prime Minister set out a vision of the two men working together to level up the economy.

But then he cut to the chase  the job was on offer only if Mr Javid agreed to sack his entire team of political advisers.

Mr Johnson cited a series of Treasury briefings which angered No 10, including one in which the department effectively confirmed the go-ahead for HS2 weeks before it was due to be announced.

There was a danger, he said, of relations between No 10 and No 11 deteriorating to the level of the Blair-Brown years when the infamous TB-GB rows paralysed the New Labour government.

The PM said they had to be more like Cameron and Osborne, with Downing Street and the Treasury working hand in glove.

And the Prime Minister repeatedly told Mr Javid that he wanted to start afresh without interference from Treasury advisers.

But Mr Javid stood his ground, saying it would be bad for the Government if the Chancellor and Treasury were neutered.

The Prime Minister suggested he take time to think it through. Mr Javid was shown to a room where a senior Cabinet Office official talked him through No 10s plans for a new joint team of economic advisers based not in the Treasury, but Downing Street.

The PMs chief of staff Sir Eddie Lister and chief whip Mark Spencer also tried to talk the Chancellor round.

But it was a humiliation too far.

The ambush was not a total surprise. A few days earlier, a well-briefed article on the grassroots Tory website warned that the PMs chief adviser Dominic Cummings wanted to sack the Chancellors two most powerful aides.

The article prompted Mr Javid to discuss the possibility of an ultimatum with close friends, who agreed he could not put up with being defenestrated by No 10.

We agreed there was no point carrying on if he was left with no authority, one friend said.

So when he returned to the Cabinet room his mind was made up.

Sajid Javid (left) arrived at Downing Street for the cabinet reshuffle where he resigned as Chancellor. Prime Minister's chief adviser Dominic Cummings (right) arriving at No10

Boris Johnson cited a series of Treasury briefings which angered No 10, including one in which the department effectively confirmed the go-ahead for HS2 weeks before it was due to be announced

He angrily told the PM that no self-respecting minister could take the job under those conditions, let alone the Chancellor.

Mr Johnson made a final bid to change his mind, inviting him into his office for a private chat.

The PM is said to have made a heartfelt plea for him to remain, but to no avail.

Minutes later, Mr Javid walked out of No 10 as the first Chancellor in decades to never deliver a Budget  and blowing a hole in the PMs carefully planned reshuffle.

Friends of the Chancellor say the seeds of yesterdays events go back months, with Mr Cummings refusing to respect his independence.

In August, the adviser infuriated him by sacking his aide Sonia Khan without consulting him  a move that resulted in a large pay out.

Sources in Downing Street gave Mr Javid the mocking nickname Chino, standing for Chancellor In Name Only.

Mr Javid, who had a good personal relationship with Mr Johnson, protested. During the election campaign he sought  and got  a public guarantee that his job was safe, following briefings that he was just keeping the seat warm for rising star Rishi Sunak. At a CBI event in November, the PM gave an absolutely categorical assurance that Mr Javid would keep his job, adding: I think hes doing a fantastic job.

But Mr Cummings continued to chip away and argued that Mr Javid, his aides and their attachment to Treasury orthodoxy meant the Government would struggle to fulfil its promises to rebalance the economy.

And the Chancellor and Mr Cummings reportedly clashed again last month over the appointment of the new governor of the Bank of England.

Mr Cummings wanted to promote the banks chief economist Andy Haldane, who he felt was in tune with the Government. But he was outmanoeuvred by Mr Javid, who pushed through the appointment of Andrew Bailey.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland's adviser Peter Cardwell - who previously worked for James Brokenshire and Amber Rudd - also emerged as a casualty of the 'bonfire of Spads'

Mr Sunak and Mr Javid seemed to develop something of a 'bromance' at the Treasury. Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker with a picture of them arm in arm

Mr Cummings was also reportedly angered by the Chancellors decision to back HS2, a project he privately described as a disaster zone but is now going ahead.

Mr Javids allies believe Mr Cummings was against him from the start. This is about Cummings wanting total control, a friend said. But its true that he never liked Saj. Whether it was because he wasnt a Brexiteer from the beginning, or because he didnt go to Oxbridge I dont know. He didnt like him and in this Government if he doesnt like you, thats it.

Mr Javid put on a brave face yesterday, retreating to his home with his sacked advisers where they ordered food from burger joint Five Guys.

But in a brief televised clip and a letter of resignation, he made his anger plain. He urged the PM to ensure the Treasury retains as much credibility as possible and warned of the dangers of surrounding himself with yes-men.

Sources told MailOnline it was 'obvious' that Mr Cummings (left in Westminster) was behind the demands to sack advisers

Rishi Sunak (pictured) was quickly promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor after Mr Javid resigned

Boris Johnson returned to Downing Street after handing bad news to axed ministers in his Commons office

Comfort food? A Five Guys burger delivery of take-away food arrives at the Fulham home of former chancellor Sajid Javid. He ordered three burgers and sides of fries, both Cajun and regular

The Chancellor's six-strong team includes Mats Persson, a former head of the Open Europe think-tank and adviser to David Cameron - the ex-PM who once described Mr Cummings as 'career psychopath'. Other aides include Samuel Coates, who previously worked at ConservativeHome, media adviser Tim Sculthorpe, Adam Memon and Jennifer Powell. Sajid Javid pictured at the party conference in Manchester last September with his senior advisors including Tim Sculthorpe (right)

In a parting shot at Mr Cummings, he urged the PM to pick advisers that reflect the character and integrity you would wish to be associated with.

The Prime Minister and his chief adviser got their way. But they have made a powerful enemy in the process.

Sajid: Ex-banker who became first Chancellor of muslim heritage Sajid Javid has quit as chancellor little more than six months into the role Sajid Javid has quit as chancellor little more than six months into the role and just under a month before he was to deliver his first Budget. His shock decision came after he refused to sack his advisers, a source close to the former home secretary said. Tensions between Number 10 and Number 11 had been simmering since Mr Javid's adviser Sonia Khan was escorted out of Downing Street by police officers after being sacked by Boris Johnson's closest aide Dominic Cummings in August last year. Appointed in July to Mr Johnson's first Cabinet, his first planned Budget in November was cancelled as the Prime Minister pursued a snap election and Mr Javid would have been preparing for the parliamentary set-piece scheduled for March 11. He is the shortest-serving chancellor since Iain Macleod, who died shortly after taking office in 1970, according to the Institute for Government. In public, he identifies as the son of a bus driver, whose father arrived in England from Pakistan in the 1960s with just a pound in his pocket, and to colleagues, he is The Saj. He was a tough-talking home secretary whose hard stance on jihadi bride Shamima Begum's pleas to be allowed back in the UK boosted his popularity among some Tories, but horrified others - particularly after Ms Begum's newborn son later died in a Syrian refugee camp. Mr Javid made it to the final four in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader last year, but dropped out and subsequently endorsed Mr Johnson. Born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol, he went to a state school and studied economics and politics at Exeter University. He became MP for Bromsgrove in 2010, leaving behind a career in finance that put him on the trajectory to Number 11. According to his website, Mr Javid was a vice president at the US bank Chase Manhattan at the age of 25 and later moved to Deutsche Bank, rising to senior managing director before he left in 2009. He held roles in the Treasury from 2012 until he was made culture secretary in April 2014, later going on to be business secretary in May 2015 and housing secretary in July 2016. After being named home secretary in April 2018, Mr Javid talked openly about how he experienced racism at an early age and 'could have had a life of crime' after growing up on 'Britain's most dangerous street'. During his stunted leadership campaign, Mr Javid played on his humble beginnings, saying his holidays were spent in Rochdale pretending he was somewhere else. After being knocked out of the leadership race, Mr Javid said: 'Work hard, have faith in your abilities, and don't let anyone try and cut you down to size or say you aren't a big enough figure to aim high. 'You have as much right as anyone to a seat at the top table, to be ambitious for yourself, and to make your voice heard.' Mr Javid, 49, is married to Laura, and has four children and a dog called Bailey. Advertisement

Sajid Javid fury over PM knifing: Chancellor walks out after brutal Boris Johnson power grab

Sajid Javid last night fired a parting blast at Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings after being ousted in a savage power grab.

In a showdown in the Cabinet room, Mr Johnson told the Chancellor that he could stay in the job only if he agreed to sack his aides and hand No 10 joint control over economic policy.

Mr Javid chose to quit, telling the PM that no self-respecting minister could stay on those terms. He is the first chancellor for decades to leave office without delivering a Budget. Rising star Rishi Sunak  a popular figure on the Tory benches  takes his place.

In an angry statement, Mr Javid said he had been left with no option but to resign following Mr Johnsons ultimatum. He warned the PM against surrounding himself with yes men, saying it was vital the Treasury retains as much credibility as possible.

In a thinly veiled swipe at Mr Cummings, who clashed repeatedly with him behind the scenes, he urged the PM to pick advisers that reflect the character and integrity you would wish to be associated with.

Mr Johnson was said to be surprised and disappointed by his decision to quit, which blew a hole in a meticulously planned Government reshuffle.

In a day of Cabinet snakes and ladders:

The PM sacked a string of veteran ministers, including business secretary Andrea Leadsom, environment secretary Theresa Villiers and housing minister Esther McVey;  Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace kept their jobs;

Former Brexit minister Suella Braverman was appointed as Attorney General just weeks after declaring it was time to take back control from the courts and judges;

Former defence minister, and arch-Brexiteer, Anne-Marie Trevelyan was promoted to the Cabinet as international development secretary in charge of the 14.5 billion aid budget, which she has previously criticised;

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith was sacked for alleged disloyalty over Brexit just weeks after being praised for overseeing the restoration of Stormont power-sharing;

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, one of the few prominent Remainers in the Cabinet, kept his job but his adviser was sacked;

The overall size of the Cabinet was cut to 26  six fewer than previously  and the number of full Cabinet posts held by women fell by one to six, although Mrs Braverman will also attend;

Michael Gove was given an enhanced role at the Cabinet Office, where he will oversee preparations for the end of the Brexit transition period in December.

Mr Javids departure clears the decks for the PM to drive through a massive spending spree in his bid to level up the economy.

Friends of the former chancellor suggested that Mr Cummings is the driving force behind controversial plans to hit the better off, including a mansion tax and a raid on higher-rate pension tax relief.

Downing Street yesterday refused to say whether the tight tax and spending rules put in place by Mr Javid would remain. The Budget could also be delayed beyond its planned date of March 11.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith last night predicted Mr Javids departure would lead to a recasting of the Treasurys spending rules.

There will be fiscal rules, but they will be rules that Downing Street set for themselves to give themselves wriggle room to do what they want, he said.

Downing Street sources insisted that Mr Johnson made a heartfelt plea to Mr Javid to stay during the tense meeting. The PM is understood to have told Mr Javid that he was the best man for the job. But he said he could not tolerate the growing briefing war between No 10 and the Treasury.

Mr Johnson warned there was a risk of the Government descending into a repeat of the dysfunctional Blair-Brown years.

Mr Javids departure was seen in Westminster as a victory for Mr Cummings, the PMs chief aide. The two men have clashed over a string of issues, including tax and spending, HS2 and the appointment of the governor of the Bank of England. Mr Javid has never forgiven the PMs enforcer for sacking his aide Sonia Khan last summer without consulting him.

Mr Cummings has been infuriated by unauthorised briefings from the Treasury in recent weeks and told the PM that the Chancellors aides had to go, setting up an ultimatum that saw Mr Javid walk out. One Tory source said: It was a win-win for Cummings. Either the Chancellor accepted the humiliation being offered to him and sacrificed his independence, or he quit and Cummings got to put the golden boy in.

Friends of Mr Javid were scathing about the appointment of Mr Sunak as Chancellor. One said: There was lots of rubbish about Saj being Chancellor In Name Only. It was never true, but theyve got one now.

However, former Cabinet minister David Gauke said Mr Sunak was in a strong position.

He added: Although there will be a lot of talk about him being Boris Johnsons placeman, if he wants to assert himself you could argue that he is pretty well unsackable. If I was Rishi, I would be pretty determined to show that I was not a stooge, and demonstrate some independence pretty early on especially in his Budget.

Under the new arrangement, which Mr Sunak has agreed to, economic policy will be drawn up by the Prime Minister and Chancellor assisted by a joint team of political aides based in Downing Street, not the Treasury.

Treasury sources predicted Mr Javids removal could result in Mr Cummings pushing ahead with a spending spree at the Budget. One said: Cummings just wants to spend money, hes not interested in fiscal discipline.

What a difference a morning makes: A smiling Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid arrives at Downing Street (left) and arrives home having shocked Westminster by resigning in a row over special advisers

Speaking to reporters outside his London home, Mr Javid said Boris Johnson had told him that to stay in government he must accept the replacement of all his six-strong team

Boris Johnson's dish of revenge is served VERY cold indeed: PM sacks Northern Ireland Secretary who 'sidelined him in powersharing talks' and the loyal Attorney General who spoke out against prorogation Julian Smith Julian Smith: Out as Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith's removal as Northern Ireland Secretary represents a crushing blow for the man who successfully helped restore powersharing at Stormont after three years of deadlock. Mr Smith did what his predecessors failed to do when he steered the devolved assembly back on track in January but it was not enough to keep him in the Cabinet. He has been booted out by Boris Johnson with critics speculating he was relieved of his duties due to clashes last year over the PM's Brexit policy. An MP for Skipton and Ripon since 2010, he previously held the role of parliamentary secretary to the treasury and chief whip. As chief whip he was tasked with trying - and failing - three times to help pass Theresa May's withdrawal agreement and many were surprised that he was kept in the Cabinet when Mr Johnson took power in July last year. The married 48-year-old was educated at the University of Birmingham, and Balfron High School before going on to have a successful career as an entrepreneur after setting up Arq International, an executive recruiting firm, in 1999. In Parliament since 2010, Mr Smith served on the Scottish Affairs Committee briefly before he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for International Development Sir Alan Duncan MP between September 2010 and 2012. He then became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for International Development, between 2012 and May 2015, before he was appointed an Assistant Government Whip in David Cameron's Government. After the 2016 EU referendum, Mr Smith became one of six MPs who led Mrs May's leadership campaign, and after the campaign's success he was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household - a senior position within the whips' office. Mr Smith attended the DUP annual conference in 2017 after the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionists was brokered in the wake of the election, and was welcomed as a 'friend' of the party. He backed Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum and served as chief whip under Mrs May between November 2017 and July 2019 before surprisingly being made Northern Ireland Secretary by Boris Johnson - a role he held for 204 days. He sparked controversy when he was critical of Mrs May's approach, claiming that the government should have made it clear after the 2017 election that it would have to accept a closer relationship with the European Union following Brexit. In a BBC documentary he also criticised ministers, accusing them of trying to undermine Mrs May, claiming their behaviour was the 'worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history'. In October 2013 The Guardian had claimed that Smith may have breached national security by posting an image of himself alongside military personnel at a high-security US base on his website. Mr Smith says his interests include 'violin and piano' and was a junior international squash player. Geoffrey Cox: Out as Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Relatively unknown in Westminster before becoming Attorney General in 2018, Geoffrey Cox became a key player in Theresa May's government in the run up to the original March 29, 2019 Brexit deadline. He announced himself on the national political scene with a barnstorming speech as the warm up act for Mrs May at Conservative Party conference in October 2018. With his booming voice and soaring rhetoric he left many in the conference hall wondering why he wasn't the prime minister. His professional opinion would later have a major impact on Britain's departure from the EU. MPs wrestled with the government as they demanded Mr Cox's Brexit legal advice be published with the Commons eventually victorious in the contest. The publication of the legal advice in December 2018 torpedoed Mrs May's hopes of getting her Brexit deal through parliament because in it Mr Cox said the UK could not unilaterally leave the Irish border backstop protocol if it was ever implemented. He wrote: 'In the absence of a right of termination, there is a legal risk that the United Kingdom might become subject to protracted and repeating rounds of negotiations.' The 59-year-old QC was chosen to stay in the role as the government's top legal adviser by Boris Johnson when the latter took power in July last year. He first became an MP in 2005 and has represented the seat of Torridge and West Devon ever since. Before his political career he was a barrister, having first been called to the Bar in 1982. He is married and has three children. He has been tipped to chair a democracy commission being planned by the government to examine the relationship between Parliament and the courts. Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom: Out as Business Secretary A former Tory leadership contender who was forced to apologise to Theresa May for suggesting being a parent made her a better leadership candidate than the childless ex-PM, Ms Leadsom leaves the government after six years on the front bench. Ms Leadsom was appointed Business Secretary by Boris Johnson when he took office in July last year. The Leave supporter, a mother of three, resigned as leader of the House of Commons in May last year amid a backlash against Mrs May's Brexit plan. Mrs Leadsom was hardly a household name when she first entered the fray to succeed David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party in the wake of the EU referendum in 2016. Her plans to cross the threshold of Number 10 were thwarted when comments which appeared to suggest being a mother gave her an advantage as a potential prime minister over Mrs May saw the then-energy minister's hopes of winning evaporate. In an interview she said: 'I feel that being a mum means you have a real stake in the future of our country, a tangible stake.' Her departure from the leadership race in 2016 resulted in her being appointed environment secretary when Mrs May became premier. After the 2017 general election she was made Commons Leader, a role she held until Mr Johnson moved her to the business department. Mrs Leadsom entered Parliament in 2010 after a 25-year career in banking and finance - realising an ambition she first developed at the age of 13. Educated at Tonbridge Girls Grammar School and Warwick University, she rose to become financial institutions director at Barclays and worked with then Bank of England governor Eddie George to avert a crisis after the 1995 Barings collapse. She later spent a decade in fund management - her financial experience gaining her first a seat on the Treasury Select Committee and then a stint as economic secretary to the Treasury with responsibility for financial services. After a spell as a councillor in South Oxfordshire from 2003-2007 - during which she fought an unsuccessful general election campaign in the safe Labour seat of Knowsley South - she became MP for South Northamptonshire. Esther McVey Esther McVey: Out as Housing Minister Esther McVey found fame as a GMTV presenter in the 1990s before turning to politics, and was considered one of the Conservative Party's strongest media performers. The MP for Tatton  George Osborne's old seat  resigned in protest from the Cabinet over Theresa May's Brexit deal in November 2018 but was brought back to the top table by Boris Johnson last year. Ms McVey made a bid for the leadership after Theresa May quit last year  but finished in last place after the first ballot of MPs. The 51-year-old, who attended Cabinet as employment minister under David Cameron, was the most high-profile Tory casualty of the 2015 general election when she was ousted by Labour in Wirral West. She lost her seat after the unions launched a concerted effort to remove her from a constituency which was surrounded by a sea of red. She returned to Parliament in June 2017 after taking Mr Osborne's seat and was made deputy chief whip in November the same year. In January 2018, she made a remarkable comeback to the Cabinet table when she was appointed Work and Pensions Secretary. In an interview with the Daily Mail late last year, Ms McVey revealed how she had been put into foster care as a baby after she was born to young parents. She said: 'I believe most people in their life will fall upon tough times at some point. I want to give the message that anyone can succeed given the opportunity. But she sent Mrs May's Cabinet into meltdown in November when she dramatically quit in fury at the PM's Brexit divorce deal. She joined Dominic Raab in storming out in fury after the PM put her blueprint to her ministers in a stormy five-hour cabinet session. In March she boosted talk of a leadership bid after going public with her MP lover Philip Davies. The four-year relationship between her and the stubborn backbench MP for Shipley, 47, was already an open secret at Westminster. But the Brexiteer lovers went public to confirm they are 'two individuals, but a couple' in a joint-interview with the Conservative Home website. She later revealed that they were planning to marry after he proposed in April. Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers: Out as Environment Secretary One of the leading Brexiteers in the government, Ms Villiers has been ousted as Environment Secretary after only being given the role in July last year. Boris Johnson brought the divorced 51-year-old ex-barrister, who is descended from Edward II, back into government when he initially took power. She had served as Northern Ireland Sectary in the coalition government and later under David Cameron's Tory government before being sacked by Theresa May. A lawyer, university lecturer and MEP before entering the Commons in 2005 the London-born and Bristol-educated MP for Chipping Barnet has not always seen eye-to eye with Mr Johnson over the environment. She had shown her green credentials before her appointment last year having sparked a well-publicised hunt for a mystery litter bug who left their Crunchie chocolate bar wrapper in the House of Commons Chamber. She attacked litterers who dump their rubbish - damaging the environment and harming people's quality of life. And she warned that even the Palace of Westminster is not immune to the anti-social activity. Ms Villiers pulled out a crumpled up Crunchie bar wrapper which she said had been discarded carelessly on the green benches of the House of Commons. Brandishing the shiny wrapper, she said: 'However, I am afraid that it is not just young people who drop litter. 'To illustrate that, I produce this Crunchie wrapper, which I picked up this week after it had been dropped in the back row of the main Chamber of the House of Commons.' 'It is truly depressing that littering occurs even here, in this mother of Parliaments.' Advertisement

Mr Cummings clashed with Mr Javid in August when he fired Treasury special advisor Sonia Khan (right) for allegedly misleading him over the extent of her contact with Phillip Hammond
(Photo : REUTERS/Nacho Doce) A banner of MWC20 (Mobile World Congress) is pictured as a man talks on his mobile phone at a bus stop along a street in Barcelona, Spain February 12, 2020. (Photo : Weibo) Huawei has teased its new products debuting at MWC 2020

Various mobile carriers, including Huawei, at the moment are scrambling to discern out their next steps with Mobile World Congress 2020 officially terminated -- thanks to coronavirus. Some, particularly Chinese agencies, is mulling plans to continue with their activities in Barcelona, Spain, even though the actual conference won't take region.

MWC brings together groups from across the world, with many using the weeklong trade show as the place to introduce their newest smartphones. This year is expected to show unique new 5G phones from almost every powerful Android merchant, as well as updates about the networks going for walks the brand new superfast connectivity. While 5G became a revelation in 2019, the year 2020 is when it could cross mainstream.

This year's show was expected to run from Feb. 24 to 27, with press meetings starting as early as Feb. 21. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, though, GSMA eventually pulled the plug at the entire show. The show's organizer stated the coronavirus, the ailment infecting tens of hundreds of people, had made it "impossible" for the display to continue.

With MWC not taking region, that disrupts the launches -- and dealmaking -- for over 2,000 businesses that planned to wait the display. For some, it may imply maintaining their own occasions or surely placing out press releases to unveil their most modern gadgets. Many could delay their product launches altogether whilst they determine out what to do. Ultimately, we can also all should wait longer to hear about -- and buy -- the present day gadgets.

The cell enterprise has been suffering in the current years. Consumers are preserving onto their telephones longer than ever earlier than, and they may often be opting for inexpensive models over high-end, flashy gadgets. The industry had been relying on 5G to get clients searching for phones again, and MWC 2020 became supposed to start the buzz.

There are a few groups, specifically the Chinese mobile companies -- that are thinking about proceeding with their already deliberate Barcelona occasions, in keeping with people acquainted with the groups' discussions.

ALSO READ: Will MWC be Canceled With More Tech Giants Backing Out Amid Coronavirus Scare?

Hurting the smaller guys

Huawei is supposed to have a briefing on Feb. 23 in Barcelona to showcase its new developments at the event. The Chinese tech giant revealed its product briefing details via a teaser posted on Weibo. Huawei is establishing the Mate Xs as its new foldable smartphone that is expected to debut in this year's event. The Chinese tech giant, however, hasn't commented, but its other plans on the launching given the cancellation of MWC 2020.

The show's cancellation will have the most significant impact on smaller cell companies. That is despite several tech giants being unable to take much gain of MWC's cancellation.

CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood said the effect on small agencies who invested a disproportionate amount of their budgets and time on this occasion should not be under-estimated. "MWC is an anchor occasion for many, and now they face the project of getting to discern out what the satisfactory manner to salvage something from this difficult situation."

Most companies have now not yet stated what they may do in lieu of MWC. HMD, for one, behind schedule its product launches due to MWC's cancellation. The employer said it'll provide updates about its plans at a later time.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus is Airborne, So What? MWC 2020 Will Go On Despite Various Tech Giants Backing Out

Coronavirus' impact

Over the past week, companies after companies pulled out of MWC 2020, following the lead of South Korean dealer LG, and numerous others said they'd modify their plans over issues about the deadly virus. That included taking measures like quarantining Chinese executives for the 2 weeks leading as much as the MWC conference.

ALSO READ: From A to Z: Intel, NTT Docomo, TCL, Vivo and All The Tech Giants Skipping This Year's #MWC2020 [NEW UPDATE]

A pneumonia-like disease, the brand new coronavirus changed into discovered inside the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan in December. The strain has now infected millions and claimed more than 1,000 lives. It's spread beyond China's borders to places just like the US, Japan and Australia. Authorities around the sector have begun limiting travel and imposing quarantines to shield towards the spread.

The outbreak of the disease has had ripple consequences across the globe. It illustrates how related the tech world has become.

Along with behind schedule occasions, it is feasible the coronavirus will affect the manufacturing of gadgets. Up to 45 million pairs of AirPods might be stuck in limbo while manufacturers wait on other detains needed to bring together the wireless earbuds, according to a document given to CNET.

"The bigger impact on purchasers will come from how production gets impacted as opposed to how the launches are impacted," Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said. "That is the actual query on product availability."

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Demand has also jumped from abroad, including the European Union and America.

Offering roses is among the cheapest ways to express love on Valentines Day. This time, however, doing so would mean paying 20-25 per cent more.

The reason given is sharp increase in demand on the occasion (it is this Friday) and reduced supply from major growing centres.

There was huge damage of plants in last years flood across major growing regions, including Pune and Kolhapur in Maharashtra and Bengaluru in Karnataka.

"We are selling rose between Rs 12-15 a piece (per stem) ex-farm this year as compared to Rs 9-10 a piece around the same time last year, said Idrees Saifee, director, Vibrant Fresh Farms, a Punebased rose farmer, wholesaler and exporter.

Retailers, he adds, are selling at Rs 20-22 a piece, as compared to Rs 15-16 at the same time last year.

Demand has also jumped from abroad, including the European Union and America.

While exporters completed their shipment deliveries well in time, they are unhappy at the inability to push business aggressively abroad.

With the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (the scheme ensuring employment for a minimum number of days), labour availability has become scarce.

"Even after promising higher wages, field workers are not adequately available.

"Therefore, we could not dispatch consignments as per requirement from overseas; we booked less orders this year, said Bipul Jain, director of Fauna International, a Kolkatabased exporter.

The central government also reduced the subsidy granted under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme to five per cent, from seven per cent earlier.

Unfortunately, the realisation from flowers has not increased significantly due to competition in overseas markets.

"Hence, the profitability of rose exporters has declined significantly this year, due to a sharp increase in cost of procurement and steady realisation.

"Rose export is not a good business as it used to be until a few years ago, regretted Jain.

Indias rose export is estimated to have declined by 10-15 per cent this financial year for these reasons.

Photograph: Lisi Niesner/Reuters
Sambhal district administration in Uttar Pradesh has issued notices to 11 people who are on a sit-in protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act for the past 20 days in Pucca Bagh area of Nakhasa, an official said on Thursday.

The administration has identified 11 people for instigating the protesters, including several women, sitting on dharna and issued notices under CrPC sections 107 (security for keeping peace) and 116 (inquiry as to truth of information) asking them to sign a personal bond of Rs 50 lakh each with an undertaking that they would not indulge in any disruptive activities, Sub Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Kumar said.

On the other hand, Superintendent of Police Yamuna Prasad said a separate set of notices have been served by police to 75 people, including nine women, sitting on the dharna under section 149 of the CrPC, which empowers the police to prevent cognisable offences.

According to police, Muslim women are staging the protest round-the-clock in Nakhasa locality of the district since January 24.

(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.)
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth consecutive year, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Pillar Board will honor a group of first responders, including a K-9, at its Annual Heroes Breakfast on Friday, February 14 at the Loews Miami Beach. Presented by City National Bank and the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, this event continues the Chamber's tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding individuals doing brave work in the community. Additionally, the Chamber will recognize Dr. Gershon Fink for his work in emergency management training. At the breakfast, each honoree will be given a gift package totaling over $5,000.

"The Annual Heroes Breakfast is one of the most popular events that the Chamber holds because it's a community event," said Chair of the Board Robin Jacobs. "The business community gathers and celebrates the bravery of individuals who play a critical role in keeping our communities safe."

Jacobs will present Dr. Fink and award for his passion in teaching people life saving tips steps on how keep people alive until EMS arrives. He has taught many residents critical skills including How to Stop the Bleed, which is a program of the American College of Surgery. He also volunteers his time to make Miami Beach more resilient.

City of Miami Beach Police Chief Rick Clements will present the following awards to:

Sergeant Jeffrey Motola & Alejandro Llaneras

Detective David Alvarez

Officer Steven Ybern and his K-9 partner Gunny



Fire & Ocean Rescue Chief Virgil Fernandez will be present the following awards to:

Lieutenant Desislava "Desi" Stoyanova

Lifeguard Carlos Escudero

Fire Lieutenant Giancarlo Garcia

Firefighter Derek Lewis

Dispatcher Rebecca Ramos

The honorees are sponsored by a leading business or organization in the community:

BNI South Beach



City National Bank



Mango's Tropical Cafe



Atlantic Broadband



East of Collins



Hotwire



Trulieve



ServePro Miami Beach



Baptist Health South florida



Uptime Technologies

The event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Chamber at 305-674-1300.

Media Contact:

Danny Diaz

(305) 674 - 1300

[email protected]

SOURCE Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce

Related Links

www.miamibeachchamber.com


The final $250 of a pledged $750 donation from Midland's John Alden chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to restore and maintain Beaverton's World War I memorial "The Survivor" recently was accepted by the restoration committee.

The memorial at the entrance to Ross Lake Park underwent restoration In 2018 to honor the 100th anniversary of end of "The War to end all wars" as a partnership between Gladwin County American Legion Post 171 and the City of Beaverton.
Former White House communications director Hope Hicks, a favorite former aide of President Donald Trump's, is rejoining the administration to work for the president's senior advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Hicks, 31, was hired as the chief communications officer at Fox after she left the White House in April 2018. She had worked for Trump since the 2016 election.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Hicks will serve as "counselor to the president and senior advisor, working for Jared Kushner's office."

Kushner told NBC News in a statement: "There is no one more devoted to implementing President Trump's agenda than Hope Hicks. We are excited to have her back on the team."

Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and senior advisor, tweeted "Welcome back Hope!" on Thursday, after The New York Times first reported Hicks' career switch.

Ivanka TWEET

The Times' Maggie Haberman tweeted later Thursday that another ex-Trump official is expected to return to the White House: Johnny McEntee, Trump's onetime personal assistant who was fired amid a reported Secret Service probe into his finances.

McEntee had become an advisor on Trump's reelection campaign after being escorted from the White House in March 2018. He "is expected to take over the office that oversees presidential personnel appointments," Haberman tweeted, citing two people briefed on the matter.

Haberman TWEET

The White House declined CNBC's request for comment on McEntee's reported return.

Hicks started her career in the Trump orbit as an aide to Ivanka Trump for her fashion brand.

Hicks' return is the latest example of the White House-Fox revolving door of staffers.

After Hicks moved to the media giant, former Fox News executive Bill Shine joined the White House in the similar role of deputy chief of staff for communications. Shine announced in March that he was resigning from the White House to advise Trump's 2020 reelection campaign.

Trump often grants Fox News exclusive interviews and frequently cites it favorably for its coverage of him. He recruited a regular guest on that network, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, to the legal team that defended him in the Senate's impeachment trial. The Republican-led Senate last week acquitted Trump of two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Fox Corp. confirmed Hicks' departure in a statement. "We are proud of the work Hope has done and wish her well in her future endeavors," the company said.

Hicks left their previous White House job under a cloud of controversy.

Hicks had been dating former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who at the time had been accused of spousal abuse. Hicks also admitted during testimony to the House Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election that she had told "white lies" for Trump.
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress [NDC], Johnson Asiedu Nketia says highly revered heart surgeon turned politician, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has been 'fooled' by his own party.



He claims Prof Frimpong-Boateng should have been celebrated by the country for his prowess as a heart Surgeon but rather been bombarded as a Galamsey Manager.



This is a doctor who can change hearts in human beings. If he had not associated himself with the NPP, Ghana will be 'worshipping' him now, he said in an interview on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie.



Asiedu Nketia was commenting on the Galamsey saga linked to the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations (MESTI), Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng as the master minder with some kingpins within the NPP.



This comes on the back of the arrest of Embattled suspended Central Regional 1st Vice-Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party [NPP] in the Agona West Constituency, Horace Ekow Ewusi and five others for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of some confiscated excavators.



Listen to interview







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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KENOSHA  As the chill winds and the blanket of snow continue to spread across Wisconsins winter wonderland, many state residents often turn to thoughts of sunshine, surf and sand. Or gaming tables and the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Anywhere that offers a break from the slush and the shoveling.

Go ahead and book it. A little midwinter break.

But, before you do, break out a roll of antacid tablets. As you surf online for your getaway deal, youll find  once you get a few screens down and are ready to finalize your hotel booking  that maddening little scam called a resort fee. Or perhaps its disguised as an amenity fee, a facility fee or a destination fee.

Sometimes it hides under an itemization for taxes and fees, making it look like its a government-imposed surcharge and, after all, theres nothing the hotel can do about that, is there?

The pernicious scam, which has been growing over the past decade, can have a definite impact on your final lodging bill. The surprise of hidden fees can be even worse if the first you see it is at checkout.

Sometimes the resort fees themselves can outstrip the room rate. One recent news story cited a casino hotel in Las Vegas, Circus Circus, as offering online a rate as low as $22 per night. Plus $2.95 taxes and fees. Then, for the topper, there is a mandatory fees collected at property: $36.28. Suddenly, your deal has bloomed from a rate of $22 per day to $58. The fees vary widely from $10 or $15 per night to $50 and more.

Vegas is not alone in the hidden hotel fees scam. Youll find them in Florida around Walt Disney World, in New York City, in Hawaii and at destination areas across the country  including Wisconsin.

Some hotels argue that customers get some amenities for those fees  things like use of the hotel fitness area, a credit at the restaurant, a coupon for bike riding, local phone calls, use of an in-room safe. Or, as one New York boutique hotels says unlimited filtered water. Many of them, of course, you do not want and will not use.

Cheer up, though. There are a few rays of sunshine that might finally put the squeeze on the hidden hotel fees and mandate more transparency and honesty to the hotel booking process.

Lawsuits were filed last year in Washington, D.C., and Nebraska against Marriott hotels and Hilton hotels challenging such fees  alleging price deception and violation of consumer protection laws.

The phantom fees also were the target of bipartisan legislation introduced in the House last fall which would force hotel companies to include mandatory fees before taxes in a hotel rooms advertised cost. That bill, the Hotel Advertising Transparency Act of 2019, is currently before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Introducing the bill, U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., said: When travelers search for hotel options, they deserve to see straightforward prices. They should not get hit with hidden fees that are designed to confuse consumers and distort the actual price.

We agree. But the lawsuits and congressional action will take time.

In the interim, were buoyed by the action of a couple of online travel booking websites to curb this practice. Expedia has begun to penalize hotels that charge mandatory daily fees, but dont include them in room rates, by changing their algorithms to place them lower in their search results. That would make their real offers more transparent when compared to hotels that post their full costs in advertised room rates. Also, Booking.com is now charging hotels sales commissions on mandatory extra fees, which should reduce the incentive for hotels to hide the fees.

Aggravation should not be on the list of hotel amenities and phantom charges that are disguised do just that. A little sunshine and more transparency in advertising and billing is needed in the hospitality industry.

In the meantime, if a hotel clerk asks Can I help you, sir/maam? you can reply: Yes. Ditch the resort fee, just give me the bottom-line bill. You dont have to turn down the bed. Just tell me what the real cost is. Skip the Perrier.

This editorial is reprinted with permission from the Racine Journal Times.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China, one of the leading and largest technical innovation countries in the world, is fighting against the deadly novel coronavirus epidemic in full swing. China's tech giants like Baidu, JD.com and other tech startups are also using their tools to handle the virus infection, notably with the usage of autonomous driving technology.

On Feb. 10, Baidu Apollo, the open-source autonomous driving tech platform of Baidu, announced it would open up low-speed minicar kits and autonomous driving cloud services to companies that have joined the anti-coronavirus combat without charge.

The low-speed minicar kits, containing the solutions of hardware & software and corresponding services, will be applied as an autonomous driving tool in the vehicles used to combat the epidemic. Baidu said it will align the working needs with the technology for companies, and offer them supply chain resources. These services are all free.

To fight against the epidemic, autonomous vehicle companies are allowed to get the free Apollo-based cloud services, including high-definition map, simulation & emulation, vehicle calibration, data annotation, sensor calibration, remote control, cloud storage/computing, etc.



(Photo source: Neolix)



Up until now, many Apollo-backed companies have put their products into the fight. For instance, Qingdao Wuniu (in Chinese), a Qingdao-based agricultural robot developer, have contributed roughly 30 disinfection robots to such hospitals as the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, People's Hospital of Rizhao and Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital. Besides, Neolix, a Chinese autonomous driving startup, sent its self-driving logistics cars to Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, and Beijing in early Feb. Meanwhile, the driverless disinfection car designed and produced by IdriverPlus also arrived in Beijing's segregated areas.

Autonomous vehicles do play a useful role in the anti-virus battle. They are usually used to deliver goods in infected areas, and disinfect hospitals, effectively minimizing person-to-person transmission and alleviating the shortage of medical staff. Additionally, the governmental traffic control measures also create a smoother road environment for self-driving vehicles to pass.

Apart from opening up platform resources, Baidu Apollo will assist partners with R&D of anti-epidemic vehicles by offering capital supports.



(Photo source: JD-X)



Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com also took part in the battle with its unmanned vehicles. On Feb. 6, JD's autonomous delivery robot successfully completed its first delivery in Wuhan. Departing from JD's Renhe logistics station, the robot delivered medical supplies to the No.9 Hospital of Wuhan.

According to a local media report, JD-X, the logistics and automation lab of JD Logistics, will draw digital maps for the delivery robots dispatched to Wuhan.

What's more, JD Logistics will open up its Level 4 autonomous driving technology and kits, and offer technical supports and upgrade services to its partner robot developers, according to an executive at JD-X.

Other companies, including Pudu Tec, GOSUNCN, Saite Robot, Unity Drive and Go Further. AI, have put forth similar efforts to fight against the virus. Of them, Pudu Tec has deployed delivery robots in over 40 hospitals and quarantined spots in such cities as Wuhan, Huanggang, Chibi, Wenzhou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. They are used to fetch meals, drugs and water for infected or segregated people.

The 5G-enable patrol robot self-developed by GOSUNCN is capable of measuring body temperature as far as 5 meters, and recognize whether a people put on a mask.
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Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi  Thu, February 13, 2020 17:18 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20645a198 1 National Valentines-Day,Makassar,condom,contraceptives,Satpol-PP Free

In light of the celebration of Valentines Day, the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has urged stores to refrain from openly selling and displaying contraceptives.

The agency has banned public condom sales in Makassar since 2015.

In a circular letter issued on Tuesday, the agency now prohibits supermarkets, drugstores and grocery stores from selling contraceptives, especially condoms, openly. The letter also specifies a ban on sales of contraceptives to minors.

Buyers who wish to purchase condoms are required to show their ID card to store assistants.

Aside from distributing the letter, the agency will also conduct condom raids on convenience stores and drugstores to make sure that products are not displayed openly in the store.

Condoms are for married people. They are not supposed to be sold publicly, especially displaying them at the front of the store or next to childrens snacks. We always see stores putting condoms next to chocolates, hence we issued the circular, Makassar Satpol PP head Iman Hud said on Wednesday.

Acting Makassar mayor Iqbal Suhaeb expressed his agreement with the policy.

During the Valentines Day celebration, sometimes people will lose control and commit acts that violate our ethics and culture, like consuming drugs or engaging in premarital sex. We should prevent this from happening, Iqbal said.

The Makassar administration also issued a circular letter to prohibit students from celebrating the day at school through the education and culture agency.

In the letter, Iqbal requested that teachers refrain from organizing events related to Valentines Day at school, especially if the event disrupted the teaching process.

However, he also emphasized that the Makassar administration did not prohibit the public, including children, from celebrating Valentines Day as long as it did not go against the nations values, ethics and culture.

We are not prohibiting people from celebrating Valentines Day. We are only concerned if the celebration leads to people violating our ethics and culture, or disrupts the teaching process at schools. If people celebrate the day with positive activities we will support them, Iqbal said. (dpk)
02/13/2020

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu









LOWELL, Mass.  The UMass Lowell Innovation Hub in Haverhill, one of the universitys premier business incubators for the regions entrepreneurs, has created a new membership option for technology-based startups.





The new open co-working option offers full access to the iHubs resources at a rate designed for sole proprietors. Memberships include access to shared co-working space, conference rooms and the universitys secure, high-speed wireless network. In addition, the iHub offers entrepreneurs access to the expertise and research support of UMass Lowells world-class faculty. Members also have the option to use a prototyping and fabrication lab on site.





The new shared co-working option in Haverhill provides flexibility for single entrepreneurs or small startup teams. It gives them the space they need to work, along with access to supportive resources and programs and professional meeting space, all at a rate that startups can afford, said Tom ODonnell, UMass Lowells senior director of innovation initiatives and iHub director.





The iHub in Haverhill is the newest business incubator established by UMass Lowell to drive economic innovation throughout the region. The universitys first Innovation Hub, now home to 34 companies, opened in Lowell in 2015. And, in partnership with UMass Medical School, UMass Lowell also operates the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2), an incubator serving startups in the biotech and medical-device industries with locations in Lowell and Worcester.





In Haverhill, 20 companies are headquartered at the iHub, including Microshare, CJK Technologies, Uncommon Catalyst, IT Squared, Stories Podcast and QueueDr. In addition, the incubator is home to the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), both of which provide valuable assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses.





A vibrant part of the Haverhill and Lowell communities, the iHubs also host regular networking opportunities and programming for entrepreneurs and the public. In Haverhill, these events include monthly open co-working days, business workshops and a speaker series that features UMass Lowell faculty on emerging technologies.





Since joining the iHub in Haverhill, I am able to take advantage of its support network, professional meeting spaces that have great light and views of the Merrimack River and the fastest internet around. The iHub also makes me feel connected to the community in a way no other co-working space can offer, said Kris Hopkins, president of CJK Technologies LLC, a product consulting company that uses artificial intelligence in real-time communication. We love the affiliation with UMass Lowell and we hope that as the business grows, well be able to use the advanced labs, training facilities and recruit great talent.





Entrepreneurs and other individuals who want to learn more about the Haverhill iHub, including membership options, should visit www.uml.edu/ihub or contact Stephanie Guyotte at Stephanie_Guyotte@uml.edu or 978-934-5560.








WASHINGTON  Jessica Cisneros is getting used to the comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the liberal New York congresswoman who shocked the nation when she beat a longtime Democratic incumbent in 2018.

But down in South Texas, that doesnt mean a lot to people, says Cisneros, a 26-year-old progressive who is backed by Justice Democrats, the group that helped Ocasio-Cortez win her seat in Congress.

The national attention Cisneros has garnered  including endorsements from AOC and other members of The Squad, Democratic presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and the national group Emilys List that promotes female Democratic candidates  do matter a lot outside of South Texas, however.

Theyve helped her rake in nearly $1 million  a shocking amount for a political newcomer taking on a two-decade incumbent who hasnt faced a serious challenger in years.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

More than 40 percent of Cisneros money has come from out-of-state donors, not including donations under $200, which the Federal Election Commission does not require candidates to itemize and are instead reported as a lump sum.

Cisneros is far from the only Texas candidate who has caught national donors eyes as the states politics have become more competitive. Her opponent, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D.-Laredo, has millions to fend off the challenge  and plenty of outside support as well. More than half of his donations have come from beyond Texas.

Outside groups, meanwhile, are spending millions on ads for both candidates.

Its the first time in a generation that the national money has flowed to so many Democratic candidates in Texas. Democratic congressional candidates Wendy Davis and Gina Ortiz Jones have been raking in the cash, as have incumbent freshmen Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Colin Allred. Its part of a new reality for the Democratic Party, which has long struggled for relevance in Texas and is now positioning itself as a real competitor.

The blue spine: Voter registrations grow at faster rate along I-35 than rest of the state

There have been many, many, many cycles where Democrats around the rest of the country, all they wanted for Texas was to carry our money away for their use in the other 49 states  and they did a lot of it, said Harold Cook, a Texas political analyst who worked for years as a Democratic consultant. Its been a long damn time since people outside of the state would have given you decent odds at Democrats winning much of anything. The fact that money is coming in, at least now they consider it a possibility.

Republican candidates are also benefiting from the states new reputation as a battleground  both by collecting checks from out of state and by keeping Texas Republican money here instead of watching it being exported to fuel GOP campaigns across the nation.

Theyre just taking this election very seriously, Brendan Steinhauser, an Austin-based Republican strategist, said of GOP donors and candidates. Its a mix of enthusiasm and excitement, but also a little bit of fear. Ive seen them work harder than ever, earlier than ever  and I think its a good sign.

Floodgates creaked open for Wendy Davis in 2014

The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a Washington-based group headed by former Obama administration attorney general Eric Holder, plans to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in hopes of seizing the nine seats needed to take back the Texas House. If they succeed, the Democrats would have much more sway in the redrawing of political boundaries following the 2020 census, with the potential balance of power in Congress at stake.

For subscribers: Houston-area congressional races are the most expensive in Texas

The spending is extending up the ballot, as well.

At least three-quarters of the $2.5 million Gina Ortiz Jones raised last year came from out of state as Democrats hope to take the West Texas congressional district theyve long targeted. In 2018, Ortiz Jones came within 1,000 votes of unseating U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican who is retiring after this year.

Davis, the former state Senator and gubernatorial candidate, has raised more than $1.8 million in her bid to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy  nearly half of which came from out of state.

Fletcher  a freshman Houston Democrat who won her first term in office by defeating longtime incumbent John Culberson in 2018 and whos likely in for a tough re-election fight  has raised $2.3 million with at least a third coming from beyond Texas.

Former Air Force pilot MJ Hegar and longtime Austin labor organizer Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez  two of the top fundraisers in the crowded Democratic Senate primary field  have seen big out-of-state boosts, about 34 percent and 51 percent respectively.

For subscribers: Republican Sen. John Cornyn now has $12M to fend off Democrats

Theres a veritable avalanche of outside money, said Sherri R. Greenberg, a government professor at the University of Texas at Austin who served for a decade as a Democrat in the state House. Its been years and years, a couple decades probably, since Texas has been seen as a competitive state, particularly for Democrats.

Texas Democrats say they fought for years to prove their relevance and have finally convinced the national party to pay closer attention.

Weve come from a time where you look back and in the not-too-distant past it was hard to get national committees to pick up the phone and talk to Texas, said Manny Garcia, executive director of the state Democratic Party. Now were at a time when every one of our partners is talking to us about program, about what our candidates have, about what resources can be brought to bear.

He said its been a progression since 2014, when Wendy Davis drew national attention to her campaign for governor. Davis lost by more than 20 percentage points. But in 2016, with little investment in the state, Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump by single digits  the narrowest margin in years.

2018 cracked it wide open. Former El Paso congressman Beto ORourke set fundraising records as he brought in $80 million and came within three points of Republican star U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee started taking the state more seriously, too, targeting Republican seats  and flipping two of them. The group now has an office in Austin and a list of seven new targeted districts across the state.

Honestly if you told me 10, 15 years ago wed be making a play for nine seats in Texas, I would have laughed at you. But here we are, said Lucinda Guinn, executive director of the DCCC.

Texas has been changing for a long time and I think these districts that were drawn to be super safe Republican districts, the demographics have changed, said Guinn, a native Texan. A lot of Texas Republicans are waking up to the fact that they no longer reflect the communities they represent.

Youre seeing that in the number of retirements that are happening, and frankly in the amount of races we had in Texas last cycle that were unexpectedly, I think to a lot of people, really close, Guinn said.

Republicans cash in on battleground hype

The newfound interest in Texas among national Democrats has got the money flowing for Republicans, as well.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has more than $12 million on hand to prevent any of the dozen Democrats vying to challenge him from making the same sort of run ORourke did in 2018. At least 30 percent of the money Cornyn raised in 2019 came from outside Texas.

Candidates including Reps. Dan Crenshaw and Michael McCaul are also bringing in massive hauls. At least 27 percent of Crenshaws $4.3 million raised has come from outside the borders of the Lone Star State. For McCaul, outside money represents at least 30 percent of his $1.6 million.

The Republican Party of Texas says it raised three times as much in 2019 as it normally does in a non-election year, stocking up more than $3.3 million. The vast majority came from Republicans in the state who are choosing to keep their money in Texas now, said James Dickey, the party chair.

I think it absolutely is a response to the clear threat posed by non-Texas, Democrat money trying to flip Texas, Dickey said. Absolutely Texas Republicans are responding and just as Texans always have done are rising to the cause to save Texas.

George Seay, a Dallas businessman and longtime GOP fundraiser, said Republicans in the state had grown used to opportunistic political operatives coming in from out of state asking for money, knowing that for a long time the money would be better spent on more competitive races elsewhere.

Its relentless. Its really exhausting, Seay said.

But now Republicans see the effort and money Democrats are pouring into Texas and changing their minds.

I am really not a fan of former AG Eric Holder or George Soros or that kind of ilk, but those are very, very smart people and they can do the math and look at if they can ever flip Texas, in the rest of our lifetimes well never see a Republican president again, Seay said.

Theyd be foolish not to come down here and dump a lot of money in Texas, he said. I just think theyre going to be highly unsuccessful.

Benjamin Wermund reported from Washington; Taylor Goldenstein reported from Austin.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct percentages of Reps. Dan Crenshaw and Michael McCaul, Sen. John Cornyn's and candidates MJ Hegar and Cristina Tzintzun-Ramirez's money raised in 2019 that came from out-of-state.
The claim was calculated by adding the costs from what Nissan called Ghosn's "corrupt practices," such as rent for overseas property, use of corporate jets and payments to Ghosn's sister, as well as costs for the internal investigation into Ghosn's alleged wrongdoings.

Nissan Motor Co. filed the case in Yokohama District Court to recoup some of the monetary damages suffered, it said, "as a result of years of misconduct and fraudulent activity" by Ghosn.

Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades and saved it from near-bankruptcy, was arrested in Japan in November 2018, and charged with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust in diverting Nissan money for personal gain.

He was awaiting trial but skipped bail and showed up in Lebanon late last year. Japan has no extradition treaty with Lebanon, and he's unlikely to be arrested. A date had not been set for his trial, and Ghosn has said he was worried his ordeal would never end and he would not get a fair hearing.

The bail conditions also barred him from seeing his wife. He has repeatedly lashed out at Japan's judicial system, where the conviction rate is higher than 99 percent.

Japanese authorities recently issued an arrest warrant for Ghosn and three Americans, accused of helping his escape. Separately, they issued an arrest warrant for Ghosn's wife on suspicion of perjury.

Ghosn has repeatedly said he is innocent, saying that the promised compensation had never been decided, and all the payments were for legitimate services. Wednesday's lawsuit by Nissan comes on top of the civil case Nissan filed against Ghosn in the British Virgin Islands in August last year. It alleged unauthorized payments, sought to regain a luxury yacht and pursued other damages, according to Nissan.

Yokohama-based Nissan, which makes the Z sportscar, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models, is also facing trial in Japan as a company in relation to Ghosn's scandal. It has indicated it will agree to any penalties.

Nissan's reputation has been sorely tarnished over the Ghosn fiasco, and its sales have dropped. Nissan reports financial results Thursday. The company is struggling to redefine its image and managerial leadership after the departure of Ghosn.

His successor Hiroto Saikawa tendered his resignation in September after acknowledging he had received dubious income. Saikawa said he did not know about the money. He has not been charged.

Also in question is Nissan's relationship with alliance partner Renault SA of France, the top shareholder in Nissan. Ghosn, sent in by Renault to lead Nissan, has said his arrest was set off by a conspiracy against him at Nissan.
Every few months (or weeks, depending on where you look or listen), youll hear about some new college dropout who became a billionaire or multi-millionaire after starting a revolutionary business. And for accuracys sake, there are lots of real examples here. Some of the most iconic entrepreneurs of our time have been college dropouts, including Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison, all of whom quit school and went on to make it onto worlds-wealthiest lists.

But the concept of the college-dropout billionaire is at best misleading and at worst a fundamental myth of our culture. So why is this myth so enticing and so pervasive?

The Myth of the College-Dropout Billionaire

Lets start by dissecting why the college-dropout billionaire archetype is problematic. Anecdotal examples like those above lead to a few inaccurate potential assumptions. For example, you might conclude that if youre going to college and have a great idea for a business, you should drop out to pursue it; after all, you might become wildly successful. You might also conclude that dropping out somehow correlates with a higher success rate; it might signal the capacity to take unconventional risks, and we know intelligent risk taking is a vital skill for entrepreneurs.

Related: Should You Drop Out of College for Your Startup?

In reality, college-dropout billionaires are both rarer and less illustrative than people would like to admit. For example, lets look at the Forbes 400, or the 400 richest people in the U.S., all of whom are billionaires. Upon examining the 362 billionaires whose education records were available, 44 were college dropouts; in other words, only 12.2 percent of billionaires dropped out of school. Similarly, a 2017 analysis found that only 16 percent of billionaires didnt have a Bachelors degree. In other words, 84 percent of the countrys richest people had a full college education.

Further statistics illustrate additional monetary and career benefits of completing a college education. Compiled research suggests that men with a Bachelors degree earn $900,000 more over the course of a lifetime than their high school-graduate counterparts. Women with a Bachelors degree earn $630,000 more. Its still a few orders of magnitude away from taking you to billionaire status, but its a hard statistic to ignore.

The Role of Survivorship Bias

When you look at all billionaires, the number of college dropouts is not impressive. We can also examine the career-long performance of the average American college dropout, to look at things from the opposite angle. According to College Atlas, 70 percent of Americans will study at a four-year college at some point, but more than a third of students will eventually drop out, and 30 percent of first-year students drop out in the first year of school. With roughly 20 million enrolled college students at any given time, that amounts to millions of new college dropouts each year. How many of these went on to run a massively successful business?

Were disproportionately focused on college-dropout successes due to a phenomenon known as survivorship bias, a logical error and cognitive bias that leads people to false conclusions due to invisible or overlooked examples. In this case, we have a few dozen high-profile college dropouts who we hear about all the time juxtaposed against few million low-profile college dropouts who we dont see or think about.

The Enduring Appeal

While survivorship bias explains our uneven attention distribution, it doesnt explain why the myth of the college dropout success is so appealing. Why are we endlessly fascinated with the rogues who took an uncommon, unrecommended path and still found success?

In part, its because we love to root for underdogs, but were also drawn to statistical anomalies, as the status quo is often labeled "boring. Plus, knowing people who failed early but became successful later gives us confidence that we can work past our own mistakes, no matter how bleak things look. Whatever combination of factors is at play, dropout entrepreneurs are clearly regarded as more compelling than they necessarily ought to be.

Related: Why Staying in School Can Be a Huge Advantage for Entrepreneurs

The Bottom Line

Well likely hear more stories of renegade dropouts who eventually became massively successful, and well undoubtedly be entertained by them. But these success stories should only be taken as curious anomalies and not an indication of a correlative positive effect. Most college dropouts dont become unusually successful, and most unusually successful people arent college dropouts. Whenever you hear about commonalities between successful entrepreneurs, keep this example (and survivorship bias) in mind to see things more objectively.

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BRIDGEPORT  The citys Prospect House will be open until Saturday for any adults in need of shelter, the city announced Thursday.

Adults can seek refugee at the Prospect House at 392 Prospect St. starting Thursday.

While children are allowed at the Prospect House any time before 8 p.m., they are not permitted to remain there after that.

Anyone seeking shelter with children can call 211 for the nearest available place.

It was unclear what prompted the shelter availability, but weather forecasts for Thursday night and the coming days do show low temperatures  specifically Friday night.

Thursday night will be mostly cloudy and then gradually become clear in the overnight hours. The temperature will hover around 30 degree with a wind of 7 to 9 mph.

Friday there is a forecast for a high near 32 degrees, with wind chill values between 20 and 25 degrees and winds of 10 to 14 mph.

Friday night will be clear with a low around 11 degrees, with wind chill values between 5 and 10 degrees and winds between 7 and 9 mph.

Temperatures will shoot up to around 32 degrees Saturday, with wind chill values between 10 and 20 degrees. Saturday night will see a steady temperature around 28 degrees.
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Bianca was supposed to be returning home to Melbourne on Saturday to celebrate her 21st birthday after a family cruise.

Instead, she is in quarantine in a Japanese hospital after being transported in a wheelchair enclosed in a portable oxygen tent made of transparent plastic.

The woman from the Melbourne suburb of Sydenham is one of 174 passengers to contract coronavirus aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is docked off Yokohama in Japan.

Bianca tested positive earlier in the week after experiencing mild fever, but was initially told she could stay on board the ship because she was young and did not have extreme symptoms.
Russia has accused Ankara of violating the agreements it had made with Kremlin to fight against the militants in the Idlib province of Syria. The comments were made after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had warned that his military would strike Russia-backed Syrian forces if another soldier gets hurt.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that the Turkish side are carrying out strikes on Syrian forces and taking aggressive action against Russias military facilities. He added that it was unacceptable to the Sochi agreements in which the two parties had agreed to create a de-militarised zone in Idlib.

Earlier, Kremlin had asked Turkey to stop attacks on Russian and Syrian regime forces in the embattled Idlib province and to uphold the past agreements. The comments were made after the rising tensions between Russia and Turkey following the confrontation that killed 13 Turkish soldiers in Idlib province last week.

Read: Kremlin Tells Turkey To Not Attack Syrian, Russian Forces In Idlib Province

Peskov told reporters that the implementation of agreements between Moscow and Ankara is the most important thing for Russia. He added that suppression of any terrorist activity directed against the Syrian armed forces and Russian military facilities are unacceptable. Russias relation with Turkey came under strain after Syria launched an offensive against rebel forces, displacing civilians and causing concerns for Ankara of the refugee influx.

Read: Turkey Hits 115 Syrian Government Targets, Destroys 101 After Attacks On Soldiers

US-Russia dynamics vis-a-vis Syria

Recently, the United States had warned Russia over its Syria policy and accused them of violating the terms of a de-confliction agreement by challenging US presence in northeastern Syria. James Jeffrey, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, said that the United States was very worried about the dangerous conflict and urged Russia to change its policies.

We had a setback temporarily in Syria back in October with the Turkish incursion, but were back doing full operations with our local partner, the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Jeffrey while speaking at an interactive online press briefing.

Read: Turkey Sends More Troops, Tanks To Syria Amid Idlib Assault

Read: Report: Death Toll In Turkey Avalanche Disaster Rises To 39

(With inputs from agencies)
World Radio Day is marked every February 13.

It is a day set aside by the UNESCO to celebrate the most widely used medium globally. It is celebrated annually on February 13.

To commence the day, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, emphasised on the importance of radio, saying that it is an accessible source of vital news and information.

This year, the radio is being celebrated for its diversity.

As Mr Guterres expressed, radio offers a wonderful display of diversity in its importance. It has a key role to play as a source of information.

The radios newsroom

An average Nigerian listens to the radio. It is affordable and most radios do not need an electricity supply to function.

A radio on-air personality, who asked that his identity and that of his radio house not be revealed, stated that although there is diversity in the Nigerian radio newsroom, we are still not where we are supposed to be.

Highlighting the power of the newsroom, he said that unlike print and television stations, the radio newsroom is lazy and dormant, adding that most of them do not break the news, rather they rely on newspapers and television headlines for their stories, which, most of the time they do not verify.

He said that because most radio stations are commercially inclined, they do not carry everybodys voice.

Citing an example of the bomb scare that happened in a Living Faith church in Kaduna, the OAP said that because Kaduna is his state of origin, he picked a peculiar interest to the story and, rather than report what everyone was saying, took it upon himself and went to the state to further investigate on the matter.

According to him, his investigation revealed that the man who was found with the bomb was actually not carrying a bomb but fireworks, which he had stolen the previous day from a wedding.

The reporter believed that after conducting the investigation, his radio station, which he considers one of the best in Nigeria, would give him the platform to do a special report on the subject matter, but he did not get that opportunity.

Two weeks have passed now and I still have not done the special report, I did my background check and I found out it was fireworks and not a bomb, he said.

His advised that as Nigeria joins the world to celebrate World Radio Day, it is very important that the newsroom works harder to pass accurate information because accuracy is very important in news reporting.

He further added that a lot of Nigerians are quick to consume information they get over the radio, so as the hub of every media, the newsroom needs to verify information and help every Nigerian understand our diversity.

Support to artistes

On the other hand, Okita Odeh, also known as Phantom, an artist in the music industry, who ventured into music in 2010, said that media, like radio and TV, have a huge role to play in supporting artists.

Radio is still a very effective tool for artists to get music to their listeners because of its reach and the perception it provides to the artists profile.

He said perception because artists in Nigeria, according to his experience so far, do not get paid royalties for their records being played on radio.

Sharing his challenges with getting his voice on radio, he spoke about payola which is a situation where artists or their team go about leaving small tokens for OAPs in order to have a song get the necessary airplay and also sway the perception of listeners towards the artists.

Another challenge he faces is the fact that as an independent artist, not backed by big labels, resources and connections that can pay for radio promotion campaigns are unavailable, also, if you do not have direct contacts with OAPs, it is difficult to get your song on air.

He also said that whatever is given airplay is what the new generation will try and copy, so we need to hear more variety and better-quality songs.

As the world celebrates diversity in radio, it is important that everyones voice gets carried along, no matter their level in society. In the UN general secretarys words, let us recognise the enduring role of radio to promote diversity and help build a more peaceful and inclusive world.
A 22-year-old man on Thursday



allegedly threw acid on a team of doctors and students from a city-based medical college, injuring two of them, police said.

The attacker, Nilesh Kanhere, is "mentally challenged" and has been arrested, they said.

The incident took place in Saoner town in Nagpur district where a team from Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH)had gone for a health survey.

The five-member team comprised three GMCH doctors, including a female lecturer and they were being assisted by local health workers, they said.

In a press release, the Nagpur rural police said the team had gone to conduct the survey in Saoner for the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO).

At around 12.10pm, the GMCH team along with two local workers were in the Pahelepar area when the man threw acid in the direction of the female doctor and her colleagues, it said.

While the female doctor escaped unhurt, a few drops of the acid fell on a student and another woman standing nearby, the release said.

Both suffered minor injuries and were taken to the government hospital in Nagpur, where they were discharged after first aid, the police said.

The accused was arrested and booked under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326-B (punishment for attempted acid attacks), they said.

What caused the mentally challenged man to throw acid was not yet known, the police added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos (R) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) participate in an event about their proposal for Education Freedom Scholarships at the Education Department headquarters in Washington on Feb. 28, 2019. According to the department, the scholarships will be funded with $5 billion of federal tax credit for donations to scholarships for private schools and other educational programs and would "significantly expand education freedom for millions of students and families across the country." (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trumps Education Funding Reform: Decentralization, Technical Education, School Choice

President Donald Trump has proposed an overhaul of federal education funding that would, in the administrations view, deliver on his promises of returning decision-making power to states and districts, expanding school choice, and giving students more pathways to careers.

Trumps take on education has been that Washington has usurped too much power over the classroom and needs to step back.

As the executive, however, he has limited room for doing so, as many of the federal regulations, such as requirements for standardized testing, academic standards, and intervention in struggling schools, are mandated by law.

Moreover, the federal government only pays about 7 percent of public education expenses.

Trumps 2021 education budget proposal promises greater flexibility for states and localities on how to use the federal money. It would roll almost 30 federal K12 programs into one block grant allocated to states largely based on numbers of low-income students. This should simplify the grant process for the states and, in the future, allow the Department of Education to reduce staffing, the administration said (pdf).

States will be free to focus on people, not paperwork. Results, not regulations, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a Feb. 10 release.

The block grant would total less than $20 billion, a reduction of nearly $4.7 billion from the total appropriated this year to all the programs it would replace.

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee, criticized the funding cut in a Feb. 10 release, calling the block grant inadequate.

President Trumps budget proposal seeks to pay for the cost of his reckless tax cuts by raiding important investments that would improve the lives of people across the country, he said in the release.

Scholarship Tax Credits

Trumps proposal includes Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS), a program proposed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that would give up to $5 billion in federal tax credits dollar-for-dollar to taxpayers who donate to organizations that grant elementary and middle-school scholarships in their state.

Trump has been a fan of the school choice movement, which supports alternatives to standard public schools, such as charter schools, vouchers for private schools, and homeschooling. The administration expects EFS to attract $5 billion in donations that would help more than a million students find their education fit.

Each state would design its own rules for what the scholarships could pay for, including career and technical education, special education services, or private school tuition.

Some states already run similar programs, as Trump highlighted in his Feb. 4 State of the Union address.

For too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools, he said. To rescue these students, 18 states have created school choice in the form of Opportunity Scholarships. The programs are so popular that tens of thousands of students remain on a waiting list.

Trump urged Congress to pass Cruzs legislation, which has languished at the Senates Finance Committee since February 2019.

Spokesman for committee chair Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said no committee action is scheduled on Cruzs bill.

Chairman Grassley is looking for more member support before determining next steps, the spokesman, Taylor Foy, told The Epoch Times via email.

The bill currently has 14 cosponsors, all Republicans.

Its not likely the bill will pass the Democrat-controlled House. Teachers unions, a major political power block for the Democrats, oppose school choice. The National Education Association, the largest teachers union, has argued that tax credit vouchers harm public schools because the fewer children go to public schools, the less money the schools receive from the government.

Districts cannot reduce their fixed costsmaintenance, utilities, debt service, transportation, etc.in proportion to the number of students who leave, it stated in a policy brief (pdf), noting that school districts must make do with less in such situations, or the schools may close down.

Career and Technical Education

While several previous administrations have mostly focused on increasing the share of Americans heading to college, Trump has put more emphasis on expanding vocational education, such as job training, apprenticeships, and career and technical education (CTE).

He proposes boosting federal CTE funding by $900 million to a total of around $2.1 billion. If approved, it would be the largest increase since at least 1980.

CTE usually offers high school classes focused on knowledge and skills from a particular industry.

About a quarter of high schoolers earned at least two CTE credits in one field of study in the school year 20172018, according to the Education Department.

Based on data from previous years, such students have a lower chance than their peers of getting a bachelors degree or higher within eight years of graduation, but on the other hand, they have a higher high school graduation rate as well as higher earnings and a chance of earning at least an undergraduate certificate within eight years.

The most common CTE fields are health care, arts, agriculture, business, science and technology, and information technology.

An increased CTE funding should help narrow the gap between the more than 6 million available jobs and the number of people qualified to fill them, easing shortages in the relatively tight labor market. The results, however, depend on how well the CTE programs connect with skill requirements of employers.
The Japanese filmmaker and recent Cannes Film Festival Palme dOr winner Hirokazu Kore-eda goes back a long way with the Chicago International Film Festival. Kore-edas first feature, Maborosi, won the Chicago festivals top prize in 1995; last year, his first film shot outside Japan, the comedy-drama The Truth set in Paris and starring Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche and Ethan Hawke, made its U.S. premiere at the festival.
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A top state judicial official on Wednesday joined a growing chorus of government leaders urging lawmakers to modify sweeping bail reforms as the push for revisions exposed a bitter rift among Democrats.

Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks urged New York lawmakers to consider adopting bail reforms enacted three years ago in New Jersey, where judges rely on standardized assessments that gauge each defendants risk of future criminal activity.

If I ruled the world, Id eliminate bail entirely, Marks testified in Albany at a joint Assembly and Senate budget hearing. But you cant eliminate it unless you allow judges to assess public safety.

While Marks addressed state lawmakers, criminal justice advocates rallied at the Capitol, delivering passionate pleas against a move by State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) to rework some of the reforms.

This is a Jim Crow-style rollback that is definitely moving in the wrong direction, said Assemblymember Tremaine Wright (D-Brooklyn) at the rally.

The clash came days after Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez also cited New Jerseys model as preferable to New Yorks new law, which took effect Jan. 1. New York now forbids pretrial detention for almost all misdemeanor cases and most non-violent felony charges, with the exception of cases of domestic violence, sex crimes and witness intimidation.

Too Soon for Stats

As first reported by Newsday, Stewart-Cousins now proposes a model more like New Jerseys  where bail would be abolished entirely and judges would follow guidelines to decide when its necessary to jail a defendant as a flight risk or threat to public safety.

Advocates are against giving judges any discretion, arguing their decisions will be biased against low-income people of color.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea have blamed bail reform for an increase in some crimes throughout the city this year in January compared to the same period last year.

On Friday, de Blasio told WNYCs Brian Lehrer that the January crime statistics stand out like a sore thumb. The repeated arrest and release of a woman charged in a Brooklyn anti-Semitic assault and of an alleged serial bank robber helped fuel pressure to adjust the law.

But advocates contend that the unusually warm winter is a contributing factor and that no judgements should be made based on one month of statistics.

On Wednesday, Marks repeatedly said it is too early to tell whether the automatic pretrial release of defendants has led to more people missing their court dates.

He pointed out that the law allows for electronic monitoring of defendants charged with certain felonies. THE CITY reported last month that the de Blasio administration has struggled to launch such a system in the face of technical and management challenges.

Assembly Rallies Outrage

In the six weeks since the new laws went into effect, once-unified support for reform among the Democratic Party leadership of the state Legislature has splintered.

Assembly leaders were caught by surprise by news of the Senate proposal, opening up a rift between the two houses that have worked in lockstep with each other over the past year to pass a raft of progressive legislation.

I woke up this morning with more fire in my belly than I have ever had, Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn), one of the architects of the new bail laws, said at the Capitol rally Wednesday. We have a departure from the family.

Roughly a dozen Assembly members, most of whom are part of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, and dozens of supporters lambasted the Senates proposal at the rally

There is no way on Earth that we can stand here with our heads held high and say that we are now going to allow judges to have formalized ways to use bias and discretion, which really means discrimination, in our courts, Wright said.

Others assailed their counterparts in the Senate for caving into pressure from law enforcement.

I dont need any fake-ass legislators who are allowing fear-mongering to try and go after our people, said Assemblymember Michael Blake (D-Bronx), who is running for Congress.

WATCH: We have come too far. We will not go back to the dark ages. If you dont like it, we voted you in, we will vote you out!



Darryl Herring, leader & victim of a racist bail system.#BailReform #BLM #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/yY7lKMkXlN  VOCAL-NY (@VOCALNewYork) February 12, 2020

Just three Democratic State Senators out of 40 attended the rally, but left as their colleagues bashed the Senate. The Assembly members reserved special ire for their Democratic colleagues who represent suburban districts  some in seats held not long ago by Republicans  and have been calling for changes to the new bail laws.

They want to go back and transform [it into] bullst legislation, said Assemblymember Walter Mosley (D-Brooklyn).

We cant be bound by five or six members who call themselves Democrats, and yet dont act like Democrats, Mosley told the crowd.

We have come too far, said activist Darryl Herring at the rally. We will not go back to the dark ages. If you dont like it, we voted you in, we will vote you out!

Scaling back the bail reforms would be a tough sell for New York Citys Democratic senators who make up a bulk of the conference where 32 votes are needed to pass bills, Capitol observers pointed out.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-The Bronx) said he was not surprised by the Senates walkback, pointing out Stewart-Cousins already expressed concerns about the new bail laws. He declared it too early to consider changes.

The laws only been in effect six weeks and I think in order to ascertain whether any law that is a transformational change is working, you need real data, real information, Heastie told reporters. Not cherry-picked stories and sensationalized events to try to paint a picture as to whether the law is working or not.

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Natalie Portman said it was inaccurate that she was called as being 'brave' for wearing her embroidered cape with female directors name after she was slammed by activist actress Rose McGowan as being a 'fraud' for pulling the stunt.

The 38-year-old actress responded to a Facebook post McGowan wrote on Wednesday, condemning Portman brand of activism as being 'deeply offensive.'

Portman agreed with McGowan's sentiment that it was not brave of her to wear the Dior cape during the Oscars.

'I agree with Ms. McGowan that it is inaccurate to call me 'brave' for wearing a garment with women's names on it,' she said in a statement.

'Brave is a term I more strongly associate with actions like those of the women who have been testifying against Harvey Weinstein the last few weeks, under incredible pressure.'

The 38-year-old actress responded to a Facebook post McGowan wrote on Wednesday, condemning Portman brand of activism as being 'deeply offensive'

She then said: 'It is true I've only made a few films with women. In my long career, I've only gotten the chance to work with female directors a few times Unfortunately, the unmade films I have tried to make are a ghost history.

'I have had the experience a few times of helping get female directors hired on projects which they were then forced out of because of the conditions they faced at work.

'After they are made, female-directed films face difficulty getting into festivals, getting distribution and getting accolades because of the gatekeepers at every level.'

'I want to say, I have tried, and I will keep trying. While I have not yet been successful, I am hopeful that we are stepping into a new day,' she concluded.

McGowan ripped into the actress in a Facebook post on Wednesday, writing: 'I find Portman's type of activism deeply offensive to those of us who actually do the work. I'm not writing this out of bitterness, I am writing out of disgust.'

Portman received widespread praise on Sunday when she walked the red carpet wearing the black cape with the names of eight female directors including Little Women's Greta Gerwig and The Farewell's Lulu Wang.

Asked about her cape on the red carpet, Portman said she wanted to give 'subtle' recognition to female directors who were not nominated this year

McGowan, however, was not impressed. She called Portman's fashion statement 'the kind of protest that gets rave reviews from the mainstream media for its bravery.'

'Brave? No, not by a long shot,' McGowan vented. 'More like an actress acting the part of someone who cares. As so many of them do.'

Portman responded to McGowan's scathing statement by agreeing that she did not deserve to be called 'brave' for the small gesture.

The actress also acknowledged her lacking record of working with female directors, which McGowan had called out.

'Natalie, you have worked with two female directors in your very long career- one of them was you,' McGowan wrote. 'You have a production company that has hired exactly one female director- you.'

She continued: 'What is it with actresses of your ilk? You 'A-listers' [puke emoji] could change the world if you'd take a stand instead of being the problem.

'Yes, you, Natalie. You are the problem. Lip service is the problem. Fake support of other women is the problem.'

The names of Little Women' director Greta Gerwig, 'The Farewell's' Lulu Wang and others were sewn in gold thread

Sewn in the inseam of the cape were the names of Little Women director Greta Gerwig, The Farewell director Lulu Wang, Queen & Slim director Melina Matsoukas, Harriet director Kasi Lemmons, Hustlers director Lorene Scafaria, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood director Marielle Heller and Honey Boy director Alma Har'el

Portman's company, Handsomecharlie Films, released seven films in total, including No Strings Attached, which she starred in, and the thriller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

The only female directed film on that list is A Tale of Love and Darkness. Another film, Jane Got a Gun, was slated to have a female director, until Lynne Ramsay was replaced by Gavin O'Connor.

Portman has been outspoken about the shortage of female directors nominated by the Academy in the past, including at the 2018 awards show when she introduced the best director category by saying: 'Here are your male nominees.'

She said she chose to feature female directors' names on her cape this year to recognize the women.

Joining Gerwig and Wang in the list of women snubbed were Melina Matsoukas for Queen & Slim, Kasi Lemmons for Harriet, Lorene Scafaria for Hustlers, Marielle Heller for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Alma Har'el for Honey Boy.

Natalie Portman attended the Oscars with her husband Benjamin Millepied

Portman removed her cape before taking the stage with actor Timothee Chalamet

This year's Academy Awards' best director category was male dominated for the 87th time in the ceremony's 92-year history.

The five contenders were Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, Todd Phillips for Joker, Sam Mendes for 1917, Quentin Tarantino for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bong Joon-ho, who took home the statuette for Parasite.

Issa Rae, who announced the Oscar nominees last month, had a dig at the Academy during the broadcast, saying 'congratulations to those men' after noticing Gerwig's snub.

An online platform also promised to shine a light on those snubbed at the Oscars by using the ceremony's advertising breaks to celebrate female directors.

Nonprofit initiative Give Her a Break have launched the online portal to the Oscar's live stream which automatically plays viewers trailers for female-directed films during commercial breaks.

The initiative was born out of frustration over the absence of women in the best director category which this year celebrates an all-male set of nominees - with the website including phrases such as 'You stole our Oscars, so we stole your ads.'

It comes after several stars used their speeches at awards ceremonies to speak about diversity in the industry, including Joaquin Phoenix who spoke about the issue at the BAFTAs on Sunday night.
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Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said on Thursday that she has sent a report to the President and the Prime Minister on the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act resolution adopted by the Congress government in the Assembly despite her missive against it.

Bedi, in a letter to the Puducherry government on Monday, said the Act passed by Parliament is applicable to the Union Territory and "cannot be questioned or deliberated in any manner."



"I have done my duty of informing the Government of India about the anti-CAA resolution approved by the Puducherry Assembly on February 12. Individual copies of my report have been sent to President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah," she told PTI over phone.

The former IPS officer added that since the resolution was in Tamil, she had sought for official translation in English which too would be forwarded to the Centre.

"It is for the Government of India to decide what sort of action they have to take because the Union Territory was created through an Act of Parliament. The laws of Parliament cannot be violated," Bedi said.

The Congress-ruled Puducherry on Wednesday became the first union territory in the country to adopt an assembly resolution against the controversial CAA, saying the law was "totally opposed to the principles of secularism" and demanding its withdrawal.

Bedi in the letter to Chief Minister V Narayanasamy asking him not to adopt the resolution as it was "not admissible" and moreover the matter was under adjudication before the Supreme Court.

Prior to her letter to Narayanasamy, three nominated MLAs, belonging to BJP -- V Saminathan, KG Shankar and S Selvaganapathy - gave a memorandum to her which quoted the business rule book that provided the administrator powers to disallow such resolution in the list of business of the legislature.

Members of the opposition AINRC and AIADMK boycotted the session while the three nominated BJP legislators staged a walk out after registering their objection to the tabling of the resolution.

Similar assembly resolutions had been adopted by the Congress-ruled Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh, as also Kerala and West Bengal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
When Ryan Thorpe, a general assignment reporter at the Winnipeg Free Press, was tipped off to some frightening posters that were appearing around town, he wanted to figure out who was behind them. The slogans on the posters referred to the Base, an international group of white supremacists obsessed with violence. He decided to go undercover to find out more about the group, and wrote a terrifying expose about what he learned.

I spoke with Thorpe about his experiences inside the Base on Wednesdays episode of What Next. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Lizzie OLeary: One day, you had a phone call with the Bases founder and several other members. The next day, you got a message from the founder saying youd done well, and it was time to meet a local recruiter in person. When you met the recruiter, what did you talk about?

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Ryan Thorpe: At first we were just feeling each other out. This individuals fatal mistake happened when he said: Were gonna be working very closely with one another moving forward. So if you want to drop the online pseudonyms that weve been using and just use our real first names, we can do that. And that caught me off guard. I thought about it for a split second and I just said, my names Ryan. And he said, my names Patrick. We went for a walk and we started going toward secluded areas so we could talk more openly. And the conversation turned incredibly disturbing.

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He told me that he was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, trained as a combat engineer doing explosives work. He started talking about committing violence against anti-fascist activists. He told me that he had been going to the United States to engage in these paramilitary training events called hate camps. He was quoting these neo-Nazi figures off the top of his head, like George Lincoln Rockwell and Tom Metzger.

All this led you to uncover the mans identity: Patrick Mathews. He was a master corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces. And he was really into the Base.

Oh, yeah, he was a fanatic. Thats the only thats the only word I can think to properly describes him.

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What is the Base? How would you describe it in the universe of white nationalist organizations?

"Theyre trying to forge solidarity among white people across international lines."

The Base was founded in 2018 in the United States. Its a relatively new organization. Its stated aims right now are to establish two- to three-man cells in as many regions of the world as possible. Theyve expanded pretty quickly, given the fact that they are so young. Theyre influenced by this very bizarre American neo-Nazi named James Mason. Mason used to be affiliated with the American Nazi Party, but eventually he came to the conclusion that trying to change things through mass political parties or through the traditional political processlike the American Nazi Party once tried to dowas essentially a fools game and that a better strategy had actually been pioneered by Charles Manson. Mason pioneered a synthesis between traditional Nazism and a veneration of serial killers like Charles Manson. He believes that the best thing these neo-Nazi radicals can do is engage in terror attacks and targeted assassinations and random murders, in order to sow chaos and create destabilization in society, hasten the demise of Western liberal democracies, and hopefully spark a race war. And from this race war, these individuals hope to be able to forge a white ethno-state.

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You mentioned in your reporting that on the encrypted chat, these guys venerated people like Timothy McVeigh. They called them saints.

Thats the term they use for terrorists and mass murderers. Were talking about folks like Anders Behring Breivik, who did the attacks in Norway, and Brenton Tarrant, who did the New Zealand mosque shooting. The Base explicitly cheers these events on when they happen. They want more of them to happen. They hope to carry them out themselves. And they explicitly call for high body counts.

This is a global movement. And its not just the Base. There is a sister organization called the Atomwaffen Division, which is very similar. Theyre trying to forge solidarity among white people across international lines. I think its somewhat natural that you would see the membership expand across national borders.

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After your report, Mathews home was raided by Canadian authorities. Later, he was let go and fled the country, leaving his truck at the U.S. border. He went dark at the end of August. What happens then?

For a number of months, we dont know where he went, exactly whom he might be with, what he might be planning. Jump forward to Jan. 16, 2020: News breaks that Mathews has been arrested in Delaware alongside two other alleged members of the Base following a pretty lengthy investigation by the FBI.

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Do you remember when you saw the headlines about Mathews arrest, and what you thought?

I was very concerned that this was going to have a violent end. But it became apparent from court documents that the Base was under a very intense investigation by not only the FBI, but also the ATF. All told, hes facing 20 years in U.S. federal prison and 40 years in state prison.

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Those court documents also detailed what Mathews was doing in the U.S. Can you elaborate?

After Mathews fled into the United States, two other alleged members of the Base drove more than 600 miles from Maryland into Michigan to pick him up. They then helped provide him safe harbor. Eventually they go down to Georgia, where theres a member of the Base who has this sprawling large property. They host two paramilitary training events while Mathews and some of his comrades are down there. Mathews starts talking about me, saying that what Ive donenaming him publiclyshould carry the death penalty. They also begin hatching a double murder plot to take out a married couple whom they view as anti-fascist activists. What they didnt realize was that there was an undercover FBI agent in their mix. The organization was keeping track of what they were, what plots they were hatching, and what they were saying. Eventually, Mathews goes back to Delaware, living in this apartment with another Base member, and they start ordering firearms parts. Over the course of a month, they manufacture a fully automatic assault rifle. They get their hands on body armor. And they begin talking about going down to a gun rights rally in Richmond, Virginia, which was held on Jan. 20, to open fire on the crowd from multiple angles. They talk about trying to find law enforcement officials wholl be isolated so they can engage in targeted assassinations. Mathews at one point literally starts talking about hunting people.

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You know, Patrick Mathews is one guy, but youve been talking about the Base as this kind of sprawling movement with small cells and lots of different places. What did you learn about the extent of this network as you were reporting these stories?

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The organization has taken a hit recently because I think a total of eight members have been busted in recent months. But having said that, there are plenty of other members still out there. Some people look at the small membership number and say, well, thats not much to worry about. But this group doesnt want a big membership. Theyre interested in what they view as quality over quantity. Theyre not throwing open their doors to anyone. Theyre only trying to get the most extreme and hardcore of individuals, people who are willing to commit violence. And weve consistently seen that it only takes one lone actor motivated by a hateful ideology to cause significant bloodshed.

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Something worth pointing out is the connection with the military. One of Mathews co-accused in his case is a former member of the U.S. military. The Base is either seeking to recruit people who have military training, or trying to take their own members and push them into the military so they get that training and then come back and share it with everyone else.

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The military in Canada produced a report in 2018 that identified 53 individuals over several years who had either been bona fide members of hate groups or who had expressed extremist sympathies. At the same time that this report was being produced, Patrick Mathews was flying under the radar. Thats a problem. We need to know how many folks with extremist views are in the military, in Canada and in the U.S., because theyre getting trained by some of the best military officials in the world. And they shouldnt be able to take that and then try to use it to attack the state.

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One silver lining in Canada, at least, is that the federal defense minister has ordered a new report from the military watchdog to say, look, I want you to launch a probe and try to figure out what is the extent of far-right extremism in the forces. That report is being carried out right now. What the outcome of that will be, Im not entirely sure. But critics in Canada have long been saying that the Canadian military and Canadian law enforcement agencies do not properly recognize the threat that these organizations pose.

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Reporting on white nationalist groups and talking about them feels vital. It also feels like this puts them even more out there into the international consciousness. I wonder what you think about that.

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I think in some sense its a double-edged sword. I suppose it depends on what we view as the lesser of two evils in some sense. Of course we dont want to signal-boost these people. We dont want to aid in their recruitment efforts. But I truly believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant and that we effectively need to shine spotlights on these people so that they cant operate in the shadows. When these people are operating without any scrutiny, I think theyre actually more effective in terms of not only what theyre organizing and what they might be planning but also their recruitment efforts. So while I understand that concern, and its certainly something I have wrestled with and try to be conscious of, I think ultimately what we need to do is keep an eye on these folks, because they are dangerous and we need to know what theyre up to.

Listen to the full episode using the player below, or subscribe to What Next wherever you get your podcasts.
Hope Hicks will be coming back to Washington to work at the White House, taking a senior adviser position reporting to Jared Kushner, it was announced Thursday.

ABC News first reported Hicks' return, saying that her official title will be counselor to the president, a title Kellyanne Conway also holds.

Ivanka Trump tweeted 'Welcome back Hope!' confirming the news.

It means Hicks, 31, will leave the $1 million-a-year job with Fox News' parent company Fox Corporation which she took up when she left in March 2018.

Hicks announced she was departing the administration in the wake of her then boyfriend Rob Porter's past allegations of domestic violence being exposed by DailyMail.com.

She went to the job as head of communications with Fox in Los Angeles six months later, after spending six months living in Manhattan. Fox Corporation has yet to comment on her departure.

President Trump (left) waves to reporters standing alongside White House Communications Director Hope Hicks (right) in March 2018. She had announced her White House departure a month before. Now she's headed back to the West Wing in a few weeks

First daughter and top presidential adviser Ivanka Trump confirmed the news that former Communications Director Hope Hicks was returning to the administration

Hope Hicks will work under Jared Kushner (center), the husband of Ivanka Trump (left), who Hicks originally worked for when she joined the Trump Administration. Then-businessman Donald Trump poached Hicks to beocme his presidential campaign's press secretary

New life: Hope Hicks' move to Los Angeles will end in weeks, catapulting her back into the maelstrom of the White House

Porter was forced to resign from his position as White House staff secretary after abuse allegations from both his ex-wives - Colbie Holderness and Jennifer Willoughby - came to light.

Willoughby spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com of the torment Porter put her through.

News of Hicks' departure came the same day the top Trump aide testified before the House Intelligence Committee, telling lawmakers she sometimes told 'white lies' on behalf of the president.

A month later she left the White House with as jovial Trump parading her outside the Oval Office.

She joins a list of Trump aides who have staged comebacks - although hers may be the most spectacular yet.

Most of his ousted aides who have stayed in the camp have found role on his campaign, including Sean Spicer, the first White House press secretary of the administration.

Spicer and Reince Priebus, his first chief of staff, were both given roles this week as members of the Presidents Commission on White House Fellowships.

Kirstjen Nielsen who he ousted as Homeland Security secretary in April 2019 is now a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

Hicks had chosen not to turn her White House experience into a tell-all memoir which could have netted her up to $10 million - but would have seen her cast out of the Trump camp in the manner of John Bolton.

Other loyalists who want to stay close to Trump have written or are writing books - including Spicer, and his successor Sarah Huckabee Sanders - but in defense of their former boss.

Hope Hicks (left) is photographed in the Oval Office with President Trump (center) and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (right) during her tenure as White House communications director in January 2018

Hope Hicks left the White House in the wake of the resignation of her boyfriend, Staff Secretary Rob Porter (right), who was accused by both of his ex-wives of domestic violence

Hicks would not have wanted for material for a memoir even before her comeback. She was one of the president's original members of his 2016 campaign team.

A former Ralph Lauren model from the affluent Manhattan dormitory town of Greenwich, Connecticut, Hicks came to work for the president via Ivanka Trump, who she had represented as a public relations assistant first at Hiltzik Communications, and then working directly for Ivanka.

She gained a wider role at the Trump Organization then took on the role of campaign press secretary without any prior political experience.

Hicks was at Trump's side throughout the campaign and seen as one of his surest aides, described as a substitute daughter by those who saw them close up.

Hicks then joined the administration, first in the newly created role of White House director of strategic communications.

In August 2017, she was promoted to interim White House communications director. A month later she was given the job permanently.

She was the third person to hold the job full-time, following Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired after just 10 days on the job.

Author Michael Wolff revealed in Fire and Fury that White House staffers called her Trump's 'real daughter,' and Ivanka his 'real wife.'

But when DailyMail.com revealed first that she was secretly dating Porter, and then that allegations of domestic abuse had been made against him by both his ex-wives, she was forced to the center of public attention.

Within weeks her position became untenable, culminating in a disastrous eight hour session in front of the House Intelligence Committee in which she admitted telling 'white lies' about the president.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has issued a statement on the Resolution of the Peoples Council of the Syrian Arab Republic on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. The statement reads as follows:

"We highly appreciate the adoption of the Resolution by the People's Council of the Syrian Arab Republic on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.



The genocide, unleashed by the Young Turk Government, a significant part of which was perpetrated in the territory of Syria under the rule of the Ottoman Empire at that time, is a part of common historical memory of Armenian and Syrian peoples.



Syrian people, having witnessed the genocide, perpetrated against the Armenian people, were among the first to lend a helping hand to the victims of the genocide. Thousands of survivors refound a new homeland in Syria, establishing one of the most flourishing Armenian communities and contributing to Syrias progress.



This Resolution is a vivid illustration of century-old friendship and mutual affinity between the Armenian and Syrian peoples. This is a solid contribution to restoration of historical justice and prevention of genocides.

Today, as Syrian people go through ordeal, we convey our solidarity and support to them to overcome the existing challenges."
Toronto police officers used a controversial facial recognition technology for months, according to a spokesperson, before chief Mark Saunders became aware of its use and ordered it stopped.

Clearview AI, a U.S. company that provides artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition tools to law enforcement agencies, has been called reckless, invasive, and dystopian by critics. It identifies people by scanning for matches in its database of billions of images scraped from the open web, including social media sites, providing vastly greater search powers than other known facial recognition tools.

Some members of the Toronto Police Service began using Clearview AI in October 2019 with the intent of informally testing this new and evolving technology, said TPS spokesperson Meaghan Gray.

The chief directed that its use be halted immediately upon his awareness, and the order to cease using the product was given on Feb. 5, 2020.

Gray said the Toronto Police Service has requested that Ontarios Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Crown Attorneys Office work with the force to review the technologys appropriateness as a tool for law enforcement, given that it is also used by other law enforcement agencies in North America.

Until a fulsome review of the product is completed, it will not be used by the Toronto Police Service, she said Thursday.

A front-page New York Times story published in January first drew scrutiny to the previously little-known companys broad powers and impacts on privacy. The report detailed how the company claims to have a database of over 3 billion images scraped from Facebook, YouTube and millions of other websites.

Law enforcement officials who use Clearview AI can run an image of a person against this massive database, pulling up matches collected from across the web. People who have asked to try the technology on themselves pulled up images they didnt know were online or had never seen before.

Last May, when the Star first revealed that Toronto police were using facial recognition technology, the force said their tool only searched for matches in its own internal database of lawfully acquired mugshots.

At the time, Staff Insp. Stephen Harris of Forensic Identification Services said there are no plans to expand the TPSs use of facial recognition beyond our current mugshot database. We are not judicially authorized to do so.

Toronto police did not respond to further questions Thursday, including whether officers were judicially authorized to use Clearview AI, whether it had been used in investigations or arrests, and how chief Saunders was not aware of its use.

Brenda McPhail, director of the privacy, technology, and surveillance project at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, called Toronto polices use of Clearview AI a remarkable violation of public trust.

Clearview AI collects images of people without consent, in violation of the terms of service of the platforms people trust to protect their information  arguably, illegally  and no police force in Canada should be using technology whose lawfulness is open to question, McPhail said.

This company allegedly has developed its entire facial recognition system by illegitimately if not illegally scraping images from the public internet, says Chris Parsons,a senior research associate at the University of Torontos Citizen Lab.

If Toronto police or any other Canadian law enforcement agency did that directly, it would be radically afoul of Canadian privacy legislation. Using services produced by companies predicated on violations of Canadian law seems like an inappropriate technology to adopt, says Parsons.

According to The New York Times, more than 600 law enforcement agencies use Clearview AI. Earlier this week, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Mounties both declined to answer the Stars questions about whether they used Clearview AI.

The OPP has used facial recognition technology for various types of investigations, OPP spokesperson Carolle Dionne said. As its use is operational and specific to investigative technique we will not specify further.

Generally, the RCMP does not comment on specific investigative tools or techniques, said RCMP spokesperson Catherine Fortin. However, we continue to monitor new and evolving technology.

In the last month, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have all demanded that the company stop using data scraped from their websites, according to media reports.

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The family of an anorexia sufferer who died after she had to travel 120 miles for treatment say she was 'failed' by a lack of eating disorder services in Kent.

Hayley Smith weighed less than four stone when she died at the age of just 27, after battling the traumatic eating disorder for 15 years.

In one of her final Facebook posts, Hayley revealed that her life 'consisted of isolation' as she struggled to 'let go of the illness'. She also wrote of surviving 'on one apple a day' and exercising until she could no longer stand.

A lack of nearby clinics led to her seeking help in Ealing 90 minutes away, and over 120 miles to reach an eating disorder facility in Ipswich.

Her family say she 'came home to die' at Christmas.

Hayley Smith (pictured) weighed less than four stone when she died just aged 27, after battling the traumatic eating disorder - anorexia nervosa - for 15 years

Now her mother Ann and sister Jenny claim she was 'failed' by the system, and plan to raise awareness of the need for better care for long-term sufferers.

Jenny, 24, said: 'Hayley was failed. Everyone says there's not enough down here to help people and to help families.

'There's just nothing, and Hayley was sadly let down.'

Their mother Ann added: 'It isn't right that you should be sent far away from your families, because that's who you need.

A lack of nearby clinics led to her seeking help in Ealing 90 minutes away, Bromley 45 minutes away, and Beckenham 50 minutes away. She even travelled over 120 miles to reach an eating disorder facility in Ipswich, before her family say she 'came home to die' at Christmas

Now her mother Ann (left) and sister Jenny claim she was 'failed' by the system, and plan to raise awareness of the need for better care for long-term sufferers

'There's not enough known about it [anorexia]. People would say, "Oh, you should just make her eat" but it doesn't work like that.

'It isn't something that you can do at home - you do need professional help. With the right support, Hayley could have still been saved from this.

'It didn't have to kill her.'

A spokesman for East Kent Hospitals, which manages the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital where Hayley spent her last days, told MailOnline: 'We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Hayley's family for her sad death.

'We are sorry to hear her family have concerns about her treatment and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with them.

'If people are able to make their own decisions about their care, we offer them the best advice. They are, however, free to leave the hospital if they choose to.'

A spokesman for NHS England added: 'Patients with an eating disorder are treated in either community setting or as inpatient depending on their individual needs.

'Currently, adult patients from Kent who require inpatient services are treated in units based in South London. The NHS Long Term Plan outlines a new model of care being introduced in April next year, which will ensure that local organisations working collaboratively will provide eating disorder services more locally.'

Jenny, 24, said: 'Hayley was failed. Everyone says there's not enough down here to help people and to help families. There's just nothing, and Hayley was sadly let down'

Ann said: 'There's not enough known about it [anorexia]. With the right support, Hayley could have still been saved from this. It didn't have to kill her'

Hayley, who as a child was a talented karate athlete and bright A* student, began battling anorexia nervosa when she was just 12.

She started skipping meals, while her negative body-image meant that Hayley would look in the mirror and 'not see what we were seeing', Ann said.

Her mother added: 'It's heartbreaking. We tried to encourage her to get her life back. So much of her teenage years, she was in and out of hospital.'

Anorexia RED FLAGS, who is most at risk, and HOW TO GET HELP Health professionals do not know exactly what causes anorexia (stock image) Anorexia is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. People who have anorexia try to keep their weight as low as possible by not eating enough food or exercising too much, or both. This can make them very ill because they start to starve. They often have a distorted image of their bodies, thinking they are fat even when they are underweight. Men and women of any age can get anorexia, but it's most common in young women and typically starts in the mid-teens. Getting help and support as soon as possible gives sufferers the best chance of recovering from anorexia. Sufferers can recover from anorexia, but it may take time and recovery will be different for everyone. Health professionals do not know exactly what causes anorexia and other eating disorders, though victims most at risk include: Those from families with a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug addiction;

Those who have been criticised for body shape or weight;

Those concerned with being slim, exacerbated by peer-pressure;

Those with anxiety, low self-esteem, and with obsessive traits;

Sexual abuse victims. Advertisement

Jenny said: 'It's an illness that never gets picked up on straight away.

'It starts off as skipping meals, and then gets more serious. She'd think she was huge. And that says something - it shows that it really is a mental illness.'

A lack of in-patient facilities in Kent saw Hayley moved between out-of-county clinics which she had to travel long distances to reach, Ann said.

She added: 'There would be other people from this area there - Canterbury, Thanet, Dover - because we have no facilities down here.'

During her stays, Hayley's indomitable spirit had a big impact on other anorexia sufferers, and she forged lasting friendships with patients.

In September 2019, Hayley was moved to The White House, an eating disorder rehabilitation centre based in Ipswich.

Ann, who does not drive, says travelling the 120 miles to see her was a struggle.

Jenny said: 'Obviously then you get depressed because you feel like no one cares and it's so far.

'She was very low in Ipswich.

'Maybe she was giving up on herself. I think she knew her body was giving up.'

When Hayley returned home to Sturry just before Christmas, her condition had deteriorated so much that she could hardly walk and had no hair left.

Though she perked up again after being given glucose, Jenny recalled how Hayley 'used to sometimes say she couldn't keep fighting anymore'.

On Christmas Eve, her condition worsened further as she went delirious.

Hayley was rushed to the QEQM in Margate, but, despite her fragile state, was reportedly not seen by a doctor.

The next morning - Christmas Day - Hayley stopped breathing, and suffered two cardiac arrests as she was blue-lighted to the QEQM.

She passed away four days later. An inquest opening last week was told she died as a result of hypoxic brain injury due to a cardiac arrest.

Her mother Ann said: 'She was a fighter. She was battling with the illness so hard and for so long, but she doesn't have to fight it now. She's at peace.'
Sudan's justice ministry said early Thursday it had signed a deal with the families of the American servicemen killed in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen. The deal was signed on February 7 in Washington to fulfil a key condition for removing the northeast African country from the United States' state sponsor of terrorism list, the ministry said in a statement without specifying the amount of compensation agreed. "As part of the transitional government's effort to remove Sudan from the terrorism list, a deal has been signed on February 7 with the families of the victims of the USS Cole incident," the ministry said. "The deal clearly specifies that the government of Sudan was not responsible for the incident or any such terrorist incident and it is doing this deal only to... fulfil the condition put by the American administration to remove Sudan from its terrorism list." On October 12, 2000, a rubber boat loaded with explosives blew up as it rounded the bow of the guided-missile destroyer, which had just pulled into Aden, Yemen, for a refuelling stop. Seventeen American sailors were killed as well as the two perpetrators of the attack claimed by Al-Qaeda, in an early success for the terror group and its founder Osama bin Laden. A US court then ruled that Sudan, where the two bombers were trained, was responsible for the attack -- a claim Khartoum always denied. In 1993, Washington listed Sudan in its terrorism blacklist for its alleged support of Islamist groups. Bin Laden used to reside in Sudan from 1992 to 1996. On October 12, 2000, a rubber boat loaded with explosives blew up as it rounded the bow of the USS Cole in Aden, Yemen, killing 17 sailors
ANKARA, Turkey  Direct clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops amid a Syrian government offensive in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib province are threatening to escalate into a full-blown conflict between the two neighbors and also shatter an alliance forged between Turkey and Russia.

Intent on halting the advance, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to take military action everywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier is killed or wounded. Earlier, he warned Syrian government forces that they have until the end of February to retreat to the limits of a previously agreed cease-fire line in Idlib.

Turkey and Russia are simultaneously rivals and allies in different parts of the Middle East, including in Syria and Libya. Their interests align when it comes to gas supplies and weapons trade, even if they find themselves on opposite sides of proxy wars. And they both have a shared interest in defying U.S. influence in Syria.

Turkey and Russia had been working together to keep the calm in Idlib, negotiating cease-fires between the Moscow-supported Syrian government and the rebels, who are backed by Ankara. So far, talks between the two have failed to lift the impasse in Idlib.

As Syrian government forces advance with Russias support, Turkey has refused to abandon its military posts in Idlib and has threatened to pressure Syrian forces to retreat. That has boxed Turkey into a corner and leaving it with few options but the possibility of a confrontation with both Syria and Russia.

The Idlib crisis comes as Turkey finds itself in the middle of an economic downturn and increasingly isolated internationally. In the eastern Mediterranean region, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece and Israel have reached agreements on hydrocarbon exploration.that exclude Turkey. That has forced Turkey to reach widely criticized maritime and security deals with Libyas U.N.-recognized government.

Emre Ersen, an expert on Turkish-Russian relations at Istanbuls Marmara University, says Turkey and Russia were engaged in posturing, trying to strengthen their hands before they reach a new accord on Idlib, which he called inevitable.

Turkey would be loath to trigger a new crisis with Russia like in 2015, Ersen said, referring to punishing Russian sanctions after Ankara shot down a Russian warplane over Syria.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War noted last week that Russia has alternated between military and diplomatic phases in the campaign, slowing its progress, but facilitating Russian and pro-regime gains, both territorially and diplomatically.

Erdogan does not bluff, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund in Ankara . Whenever he has threatened an intervention in Syria, he has carried it through.

Unluhisarcikli said he does not think Syria, even with its backing by Russian air power, will be able to put up resistance against Turkeys military, the second-largest army in NATO.

He added that Turkey may have been emboldened by recent statements from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who condemned Syrian attacks in Idlib, and James Jeffrey, the U.S. special representative for Syria, who visited Ankara on Wednesday and voiced Washingtons support.

Erdogans threat drew a quick rebuke from Moscow, where top officials blamed Turkey for the tensions.

It remains unclear, however, whether Turkey would risk using all its military might against Syria. Russias military help has allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad to reclaim control of most of the country, and with the Kremlins blessing, Assad now wants to extend his control to Idlib.

Russian officials have argued that the Syrian offensive in Idlib became necessary because Turkey has failed to honor its obligations to rein in al-Qaida-linked militants who have mounted regular attacks against the Syrian army there and also have launched raids against a Russian base in Syria.

The exacerbation of tensions is rooted in coordinated attacks by terrorists on neighboring regions of Syria that triggered retaliatory action by the Syrian government forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It charged that the militants in Idlib used civilians as shields, adding that Turkey exacerbated the situation by sending in troops and weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Turkeys failure to neutralize terrorist groups in Idlib encouraged their attacks. This is inadmissible, he said.

Turkey considers Idlib strategically important and is determined to maintain its military presence in the province to prevent a possible influx of refugees at its borders. The country, already home to 3.6 million Syrian refugees, believes that Damascus is deliberately driving displaced Syrians toward the border as a way to punish Ankara.

There are fears that after it takes Idlib, the Syrian army will advance to Turkish-controlled secure zones along the border, where Turkey hopes to resettle some of the refugees.

A Turkish presence in Idlib also gives it leverage in talks on Syrias future that could potentially help minimize security threats from its southern neighbor. Turkey is also concerned that a Syrian government victory in Idlib would end U.N. and other diplomatic efforts for a political resolution of the conflict.

Everything on the ground shows that the only obstacle in front of regime forces are the Turkish soldiers, wrote columnist Barcin Yinanc in Hurriyet Daily News newspaper. So, basically, Turkey is giving the message that it will not leave Syria, because if it were to leave Syria then it will not have a meaningful say for the future of Syria.

Assads forces have been on an offensive for weeks to retake Idlib and parts of nearby Aleppo province, with backing from Russia and Iran.

The advance has unleashed a humanitarian crisis, with about 700,000 people fleeing their homes and surging north toward the Turkish border.

Two separate clashes between the Syrian and Turkish troops killed at least 13 soldiers on each side, including five Turkish soldiers who were killed Monday.

Pressing ahead with their advance, Assads forces on Wednesday took the strategic M5 highway that runs through the rebel-held territory and links the capital to northern Syria, opening up supply routes.

For its part, Turkey has been massing troops in Idlib, rolling in armored vehicles while repeatedly calling on Russia to intervene to halt the Syrian government aggression.

The Syrian army has said the Turkish threats will not dissuade the (Syrian) army from continuing its operations in Idlib and western Aleppo province to cleanse them of terrorism.

Turkeys Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told The Associated Press this week that four out of dozen observation posts that Turkey set up in Idlib to monitor the cease-fire are surrounded by Syrian troops.

A Russian delegation arrived in Turkey for talks on the tensions but failed to reach an agreement on a new truce. Erdogan discussed the escalation in Idlib with Putin by telephone Wednesday, hours before he reiterated his threat to attack Syrian targets.

The Russian Defense Ministry said top military officers of Russia and Turkey discussed Idlib in a phone call Thursday. No details were released.

In his column, Yinanc said Erdogan is forcing Putins hand.

Does he want to be the only power to call the shots in Syrias future? Yinanc asked. The consequence of that might be military confrontation with Turkey, which ironically currently stands as the most pro-Russian country among NATO members. Or will he accept a compromise solution whereby Turkey will continue to have a say in Syrias future?

___

Associated Press writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed.
As cases of the new coronavirus continue to emerge, national and global bodies are working hard to prevent further transmission.

The vast majority of cases and deaths are in China, but Covid-19 has also spread to more than 20 countries, with eight UK cases confirmed.

Here are some of the key figures and organisations involved in the response.

WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone/AP)

 Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation

Dr Ghebreyesus was elected as WHO director-general for a five-year term by members in May 2017.

As head of the body, he oversees the policy for the bodys international health work, including its response to the new coronavirus outbreak.

Immediately after taking office, Dr Ghebreyesus identified health emergencies as one of five key priorities for WHO under his tenure.

Last year, he declared the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) an international public health emergency.

He has said the world needs to use the current window of opportunity to work together and defeat the common enemy of Covid-19.

Dr Ghebreyesus holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Health from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the University of London.

Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of WHOs Health Emergencies Programme (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone/AP)

 Dr Michael Ryan, executive director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme

The father-of-three, from Ireland, has led many responses to high-impact epidemics after joining WHO nearly 25 years ago.

He served as co-ordinator of Epidemic Response, operational co-ordinator of WHOs response to the Sars outbreak, and as WHOs director of global alert and response.

He was a senior adviser on polio eradication for the global polio eradication initiative from 2013 to 2017, deploying to countries in the Middle East.

He completed medical training in Ireland and later trained in communicable disease control at the Health Protection Agency in London.

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Dr Ryan has said it is deeply, deeply unhelpful to single out individuals as coronavirus spreads, and warned against attaching unnecessary stigma to patients.

 Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England

Prof Whitty is Englands Chief Medical Officer and head of public health.

He acts as the UK Governments principal medical adviser, and the professional head of all directors of public health in local government and the medical profession in government.

He also advises the DHSC with overall responsibility for its research, and is a practising NHS consultant physician.

He and his fellow chief medical officers raised the risk of coronavirus to people in the UK from low to moderate, once it was declared an international public health emergency.

As an epidemiologist, he has undertaken research in the UK, Africa and Asia.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock (Yui Mok/PA)

 Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Mr Hancock was appointed to be in charge of the work of the Department of Health and Social Care in July 2018.

He has been leading the UK response to the coronavirus outbreak along with Prof Whitty and other agencies.

The Conservative politician declared coronavirus a serious and imminent threat to public health and has introduced new powers to deal with the spread of the virus.

He has also made funding available to support any urgent works the NHS needs in its response.

 Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director

Prof Willett is leading the NHS response to the cases of coronavirus.

The director for Acute Care to NHS England has national medical oversight of pre-hospital and ambulance services, emergency departments, urgent surgery, acute medicine, national major incidents and other areas.

He stepped in to confirm that the third person to be diagnosed with coronavirus had followed NHS advice when first becoming concerned about their symptoms.

And he later released a statement when the patient recovered and was discharged from hospital.
Protect telemedicine

For folks in rural areas  particularly veterans, the elderly, or the disabled  innovations in telemedicine can improve health and quality of life. A federal net neutrality law to prevent broadband providers from unfairly throttling or blocking traffic could spur investment in telehealth applications by giving startups and investors the confidence to know they wont have to pay for special access to online fast lanes. Congress has debated net neutrality for over a decade without passing legislation. A bipartisan solution is long overdue.

Advances in telemedicine will only benefit those Montanans with the broadband connections required to access them. In too many rural areas of our state, broadband infrastructure is inadequate or non-existent. As lawmakers in Washington continue to debate net neutrality, any legislation must avoid creating hurdles to broadband infrastructure investment. Unfortunately, the legislative debate over the past year has focused on reclassifying broadband under utility rules from the 1930s, which experts warn are a terrible fit for the internet and would discourage investments necessary to expand broadband access in rural areas.

Two senators from opposing parties  Sen. Wicker (R-MS) and Sen. Sinema (D-AZ)  are leading a bipartisan effort to permanently protect net neutrality while creating a more modern regulatory framework for broadband services that would encourage the network investment we urgently need in our state. Montanas senators should consider joining that working group. Telehealth startups deserve the protection of a permanent net neutrality law, but not at the expense of rural broadband.

Trish Dick, Helena

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Nerja town hall signed a contract with Eiffage Energia energy company earlier this week to install a new air conditioning system in the Villa de Nerja cultural centre.

The 106,511 euro investment is being paid for by the Junta de Andalucia regional government and European Union regional development funds (ERDF).

The town hall expects the new system to lead to greater energy efficiency and money saving as well as a more comfortable environment for the cultural centre's users.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right climate-change skeptic, lashed out at Pope Francis Thursday after the pontiff pleaded for the protection of the Amazon rainforest, and attacked the environmental group Greenpeace as "rubbish." "Pope Francis said yesterday the Amazon is his, the world's, everyone's," said Bolsonaro, who has often railed against international criticism of his environmental policies as an attack on Brazilian sovereignty. "Well, the pope may be Argentine, but God is Brazilian." The quip came a day after Francis published a text urging Catholics to "feel outrage" over the exploitation of indigenous people and devastation caused by mining and deforestation in the Amazon. Since taking office in January 2019, Bolsonaro has faced condemnation from environmentalists and the international community over his policies on the world's largest rainforest, which was devastated by record fires last year. Last week, he again drew criticism for proposing a bill that would allow mining, farming and hydroelectric power projects on formerly protected Amazon land, calling it a "dream." Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon increased 85.3 percent in Bolsonaro's first year in office, to more than 9,000 square kilometers (3,500 square miles). Speaking to journalists outside the presidential residence in Brasilia, Bolsonaro questioned why there had not been, in his view, a similar world reaction to the recent wildfires in Australia, which burned more than 100,000 square kilometers (around 39,000 square miles). "All Australia caught fire and nobody's talking about Australia. Where is the zealotry for Australia?" he said. Bolsonaro also attacked Greenpeace, his latest tiff with the environmental group. "What is this crap called Greenpeace? Nothing but rubbish," he said when asked about his moves to promote what he calls "sustainable development" by opening protected areas of the Amazon to mining and farming. Greenpeace has been an outspoken critic of Bolsonaro's policies, accusing him of a "racist, anti-environmental agenda" that harms Brazil's environment and its indigenous peoples. The Brazilian leader, who has been called a "Tropical Trump," often answers his critics with vitriolic attacks. In October, he tried, without evidence, to link Greenpeace to a massive oil spill off Brazil's northeast coast, calling it a "terrorist act."
Susan Lontine, a Democratic state representative in Colorado, knows well how some use the term illegal alien to disparage migrants. Her district in Denver contains many immigrant communities, and she recoils when she hears President Trump use the term in speeches or catches conservative colleagues uttering it in Statehouse hallways.

What Ms. Lontine did not know, however, was that for more than 13 years, the words have also resided in an arcane section of the Colorado state code about who can work on public projects. A friend recently came across the language while training for her job with the City of Denver.

She goes: Why are you using that? Thats an awful term, Ms. Lontine said in a recent interview.

Ms. Lontine looked up the law herself and was surprised to see the words there.

Then, she thought, what if they werent?

Ms. Lontine plans to introduce a bill this month that would remove the term illegal aliens from the law and replace it with the more neutral undocumented immigrants, saying that changing the words could bend social sentiment in migrants favor. And with Democrats now in control of the Legislature and the governors office, the bill may face relatively few hurdles.
Three teens have been arrested in the shooting death of a 17-year-old near the Mall of Louisiana.

Police announced Thursday that the Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force booked a 14-, 15- and 16-year-old into Juvenile Detention on second-degree murder in the shooting death of Gyron LeBeuf.

Emergency responders found LeBeuf suffering from multiple gunshot wounds Saturday evening near an apartment complex in the 10100 block of The Grove Avenue, not far from the mall, police said. Emergency crews brought him to the hospital where he later died of his injuries.

+2 'Everyone loved him': former Broadmoor High student killed near mall was buying mom's birthday gift Gyron LeBeuf had been setting up chairs and putting the final touches on decorating for his mother's 39th birthday on Saturday when, his famil

No motive has been released. Police made the arrest on Thursday morning, according to a release on the Baton Rouge Police Facebook page. The release notes that police have made six homicide arrests since the start of 2020.

"Our department and our community are a great team," said Police Chief Murphy Paul. "Together we will make our community a more safe community.
All eyes are on the West Coast as the state of California reins in the unfettered collection, use and sale of the personal data consumers share as part of the bargain for free online services. For years this bargain has been explained in privacy policies that few people read, because there is not a lot of negotiating in the personal data market. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives consumers revolutionary rights to access, delete, transfer, and prevent the sale of their data.

As revolutionary as the CCPA is, there are even more significant privacy and data security law developments brewing on the other side of the continent. In Washington, D.C., for the first time in history, Congress is giving serious consideration to legislation providing comprehensive privacy and data security (PDS). A confluence of unlikely events makes it more likely than ever that Congress actually will pass PDS legislation introduced at the end of November as the Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA).

Bits and Pieces

Neither CCPA nor COPRA is the first PDS statute by a long shot. Nearly a dozen federal statutes include PDS elements. Each is narrowly focused  none are broadly applicable to privacy and data security concerns. Among the patchwork quilt of PDS statutes:

CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing)

COPPA (Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act)

FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act)

FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

RFPA (Right to Financial Privacy Act)

TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)

There are also some relevant rules:

DNC (Do-Not-Call)

Graham-Leach-Bliley Privacy Rule and Safeguards Rule

Red Flags Rule

TSR (Telemarketing Sales Rule)

The granddaddy statute of them all, Section 5 of the FTC Act, provides the foundation for many of these laws and a majority of the enforcement activity. The FTC for years has led enforcement efforts against bad actors and provided industry with guidelines.

The FTCs 2012 report on protecting consumers set forth best practices for businesses. Among its recommendations: privacy by design (consumer privacy should be considered at every stage of product development); do-not-track mechanisms; and greater transparency. It also recommended  in 2012  that Congress consider enacting general privacy legislation, legislation regulating data brokers, and data security and breach notification legislation.

Existing PDS laws are not just split among a witches brew of federal statutes. They also are split among the 50 states laws. All 50 state legislatures have passed data security breach laws, and they continue to amend them. A collage of state laws was relatively manageable in the brick-and-mortar world. Now it is a compliance nightmare. There are so many PDS laws that there is a need for a solution that might have been imagined by Tolkien: one statute to rule them all. Surprisingly, Congress appears to have stepped up to provide it in the form of COPRA.

Why now? One, Silicon Valley is an easy political target. The immense wealth of Facebook and Google suggests that consumers have not received a fair bargain in the trade of free online services for personal data. Two, the FTC brought actions against each of those companies for data privacy violations and settled for amounts that congressional Democrats have ridiculed as entirely too low to incentivize better behavior.

Three, the Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed how profiling can be used for nefarious purposes. Four, the European Unions GDPR has provided a model for how to give consumers control over their own personal information. European PDS law might be ignored, but California stepping alone into the breach is an embarrassment to Congress and carries the threat of businesses having to contend with 50 comprehensive (and conflicting) PDS statutes coming from the states.

Regulate Us, Please

As is usual at this point in an area of rapidly evolving state enforcement, businesses that typically have opposed federal legislation now want federal legislation to save them from state efforts. Last spring, four major online advertising trade organizations (4As, ANA, IAB and NAI) formed a coalition with top legal experts to work with Congress to support comprehensive consumer data privacy and security legislation. The coalition, Privacy America, recommends creating a new Data Protection Bureau within the FTC.

For years the online advertising industry tried to fend off federal regulation by self-regulating, and providing consumers with mechanisms to opt out of online targeting. Efforts for a universal Do-Not-Track (DNT) option failed. The major browsers added a DNT setting, but websites have no legal obligation to honor DNT settings.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Consumers generally understand that online content is free so long as websites are supported by advertising, but with ads also appearing on e-commerce sites, where theyve become an additional revenue stream, this stretches the traditional ad-assisted model. Consumers may or may not understand that the prices paid to websites for ad inventory are a function of the narrowness of the sites audience.

Advertising technology now makes it possible for each ad impression (each ad space you see) to be submitted to real-time bidding by agents for advertisers. Adtech also makes it possible for consumers to block trackers and even block ads altogether. Each consumer who uses an adblocker becomes a free rider, putting more pressure on the website to generate more revenue from the unblocked ad impressions, and to purchase anti-adblocking technology, which diverts more money away from content development.

Other technology offers anonymous browsing and the ability to change IP addresses. Software developers will continue to develop more privacy-enhancing tools, and the most sophisticated consumers will make use of these self-help measures to protect their privacy. But what about everyone else?

There are two current legislative proposals before the Senate Commerce Committee, but COPRA has somehow stolen the limelight. Known as the Democrats bill as a nod to its sponsors in the Senate, COPRA is an attempt to create a comprehensive DPS regime applying to all business sectors in the U.S.

The proposed statute for the first time would establish that American consumers have rights to their data. These rights would, under COPRA, include the right to access their data, to move their data, to restrict data sharing and sales, and to be able to grant (or withhold) rights to process that data.

COPRA contains many proposals, and it is, alas, merely the legislative equivalent of a discussion draft doomed to be marked up by Congress. Following are the things we believe probably will survive the legislative process, in this bill or another:

The acknowledgment of some set of consumers rights to control some of their data;



A definition of covered data expanding consumers rights beyond merely the information they provide businesses;

A right by consumers to access, review and correct data;

Consumers right to control sale of some of their data;

Disclosure by companies of where at least some of their data on the consumer originated; and

Imposition upon companies holding data of duties to consumers, including posting privacy policies, creating training, and reporting to the responsible federal agency about their practices.

There are other proposed provisions that seem less likely to pass, if history is any guide. A statute that passes both houses is unlikely to include comprehensive rights for consumers to control all their data without regard to origin; a comprehensive opt in PDS regime; the right to move data at will; and a private right of action for damages.

One provision that has made a public splash in the news  but it pay to be skeptical about it  is the proposal for a new bureau at the FTC to handle privacy and data security matters. Its true that the FTC has been the most consistent regulator of PDS for nearly three decades. Its also true that given the history, the FTC is the logical place to house a regulator of PDS.

However, that same recent history counsels skepticism. After all, the FTC was the ideal place for the new regulator of consumer financial practices, but thats not where CFPB ended up. Then theres another reason to be skeptical: the bizarre sight of FTC commissioners testifying in Congress and begging lawmakers to not agreements. You may be unpleasantly surprised about the terms of your agreements.

Review your data breach insurance.

Review your contractual obligations in the event of a data breach. Watch out for open-ended indemnities.

Determine what your legal responsibilities actually are now. If you do business in the EU, get compliant with GDPR. (There are American lawyers who are experts in GDPR.) If you do business in or are located in California, get compliant with CCPA. Check your state laws: They have a more immediate impact on your business than GDPR, CCPA or the anticipated federal legislation.

Update compliance with existing PDS laws and regulations. As of now, the patchwork of federal statutes and rules mentioned above are the law. Its entirely possible that compliance with existing law will grandfather you into whatever comes down the road from Washington. At the very least, updating or polishing your compliance program will give you a good foundation to leap up to the next big thing, whatever it is.

If you have to make a big investment in DPS now, before things become clear  lets say youre starting a compliance program from scratch  the best bet is to comply with the requirements of the current federal DPS laws and your local state laws. Where no federal or state standard clearly applies, you might want to use the CCPA as a suggestion to inform your choices. (For example, no current federal law explicitly requires a company to publish a privacy policy on its website or to place a privacy policy link on its website. However, CCPA does. Its not hard to predict that CCPAs requirements for both will appear in whatever federal legislation finally passes.)

In any case, no matter what your situation, find an experienced compliance lawyer to guide you. Many e-commerce businesses shy away from any discussion of a compliance program, because the burden seems so extreme.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The truth is, no one needs to start from scratch to build a comprehensive compliance structure. A compliance lawyer can help you prioritize by identifying what compliance policies you need right now, what you can save for later, and what you dont need at all.
Naomi Campbell calls her Ma. Her best friend Iman calls her My ride or die from 1975. The fashion world, from young models to emerging designers to brands like Gucci, calls hera lot. Bethann Hardison, a longtime fighter for representation for people of color, is the fashion industrys conscience. Born in Brooklyn, the beloved former model launched Bethann Management Co. in 1984, and in the years since she has worked, with a clear and tireless voice, to change how fashion looks. Now that Black models are finally achieving their long-earned presence on the runways, Hardison is turning her attention to mentoring young designers and educating fashion brands on racial sensitivity. Even when they take their eye off the ball, she says, Im constantly driving the nail and making people go back to the point. Its a lot to do, but for this self-described revolutionary, there has always been a clarity to her calling. And theres always time for a tequila. (Well, after this interview.)

LAURA BROWN: On your Instagram in December you wrote, Grateful for another year of learning that we are meant to survive, especially if you are a do-gooder. But for sure this year because I still see the support, the respect and acknowledgements, I am relevant. Tell me what came to mind when you were wrapping up the year.

BETHANN HARDISON: I dont post every day. I have nothing to sell; Im selling just philosophy. For me, this has been a very interesting year because at the end of 2018, I was thinking, Im going to need a roommate. I needed to be able to afford to not have to put so much out, as hardly anything was coming in. And I didnt want to use my savings to pay my electricity bill. I want my savings to be used for a great idea I have or to travel somewhere.

LB: For the rest of your life.

BH: I started consulting for the CFDA [Council of Fashion Designers of America]. I just wanted enough to pay my rent. Then along came Gucci. They asked me to work with them at the end of February. So when I looked back at the year, I realized that no matter how old you get, if youve got something thats of value to others and youre not looking to make money off everything, you tend to have a longer life.

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LB: You can have a longer life if you just want to do the right thing and do it with grace and empathy. What do you think in terms of the confluence of the CFDA and Gucci happening in six weeks?

BH: In my life Ive always cared very much about others. The CFDA would reference me: Remember diversity. Any questions, contact Bethann Hardison.

LB: Hi, my name is Diversity Hardison.

BH: I also want to help young Black designers. Im tired of people saying, Where are the Black designers? Oh my god, they exist. Everyone is not Virgil [Abloh], but people have businesses. So I pitched to the CFDA that I wanted to help young design companies of color be strong in their businesses. Not to become famous, but to have a solid business.

RELATED: 23 Fashion Brands Designed By Black Men and Women to Bookmark ASAP

LB: Have a real backbone and then be able to develop.

BH: Im so inspired by emerging designers. And then that thing happened with Gucci and the balaclava sweater that people thought was blackface. The bombardment of that was such a shock to them. So I met with them. My take on this thing was different from the average persons because I didnt see the sweater as being blackface. But its in the eye of the beholder.

LB: You have to read the room.

BH: Well, they needed a strong voice. We all had a meeting in Harlem with Dapper Dan [who officially partnered with Gucci on GucciDapper Dan: The Collection in 2018]. That was a great thing, because I do love the brand. I was a big Gucci fan back in the day when it was gangster. That was really my style; I loved all that shit. When Alessandro [Michele] came and took it back over [in 2015], I was interested but fearful. The first show was all white [models], and that was right at the brink of making sure we integrate. And his first presentation wasnt that. But after seeing how he showed, what he was thinking, and how his mind worked, I became a fan. So Im very happy to be in this place. It made me recall what my young friend Iman used to say to me years ago: Youre relevant.

LB: Iman! That little baby!

BH: Yeah. I would say, Well, everyone is. And she said, No, everyone isnt.

LB: Youve been the constant.

BH: And this is her point.

LB: You first started the Black Girls Coalition in 1988. From then to the beginning of 2020, theres, thankfully, been a ton of progress. What stands out to you 32 years later?

BH: Now I think what could change greatly is behind the scenes. The objective of fashion and retail CEOs should be to hire people of color because they are good, not just because they are of color. When I used to book models, I wouldnt take a girl just because she was Black. If they sent me somebody who wasnt right because they thought I would take anybody, no.

LB: Do you think designers of color are getting more support on the business side now? Who stands out to you?

BH: I dont see that yet. I wouldnt bring anyone into the group we are advising unless they have a brand. But these are emerging designers. I truly love someone like Victor Glemaud because hes learned the ropes from being with others, which most people dont. They want to start right out. I like what LaQuan Smith does. Hes so young and making strides in his own way. And I adore what Telfar [Clemens] does on a community level. Hes so innovative, and hes not arrogant. Hes an artisan who is honing the understanding of putting people together.

LB: Designers are carving out their communities now more than ever. Why do you think that is?

BH: They have platforms on social media where you can see things from around the world. People now are becoming lenient about defining sexuality, genders. They learn to accept. Young kids are not going along with the establishment. Theyre sort of deciding theres another world to live in. It allows people to find and support each other. So many people have voices now. And thats the difference.

GUCCI JACKET AND EARRINGS. PHOTO: ANDREAS LASZLO KONRATH/LENS

LB: How often do you talk to Naomi Campbell?

BH: That child of mine is very interesting. Were lucky if we can break it down and say hi once a month. Back in the day it was a lot more. Now shes on her own two feet, so strong, and shes determined to change the view of the African continent. So shes busy. But she does check in and call if she needs something, or to share that someone has done something naughty and that we need to address it.

LB: She calls the Bethann hotline. I know [model] Adut Akech is really close with her now.

BH: A mother role.

LB: Yeah! Youve got somebody to share Ma duties with.

BH: She has always been the one who would ring my bell when I was lying in a hammock in Mexico drinking tequila and being cool. Naomi would say, Youve got to get back here. Theres something going on. This is not good. You need to come. She was my man on the beat.

RELATED: Why Is It on Black People to Fix Fashion's Diversity Problem?

LB: What was the first time in the business when you were like, OK, I have a voice?

BH: Oh, I never think that. But the first time I noticed something was when I was at Click Models and an editor called to ask a question about [then model] Talisa Soto. She wanted to know where Talisa was from, and I said, Shes from Puerto Rico. She said, No, Im asking where is she from  whats her nationality? I said, Shes Puerto Rican. She didnt want to buy that she was from Puerto Rico, because in her mind, she was so exotic and wonderful. They needed to hear another place. That was when I noticed something.

LB: Your pilot light went on, right?

BH: Yeah, but you dont know it at the time. When Calvin Kleins company was calling  and Calvin and I were very close; hed be so excited to look for a girl of color who really was something  theyd call me to find one. When Id ask how many girls they were using, theyd say 35. Id say, You want me to find you one good, great Black girl? Theyd say yes, and then Id take a beat and say, Do you see how racist that sounds? They would be like, What do you mean? We thought youd be happy! I am happy, but youve got to understand how that looks. You have to educate. I would say the same thing to Brides magazine. You do know that black and brown people get married, right? And theyd go, Why are you saying that? Now were all conscious, but back then it was so typical. I had a model agency with white, Black, and Asian kids in it. [Photographer] Steven Meisel and I would talk on the phone. Hed say, Ive called around for some Asian kids. Do you know youre the only agency that has anybody Asian? I said, Stop it. He said, Im telling you. Ive called.

LB: When was this?

BH: The 80s and early 90s. I do believe its a matter of educating. When I had the first press conference [on the lack of Black models on runways and in fashion pages] at Bryant Park in September 2007, a magazine editor asked me, Do you really think you can make a difference? I laughed and said, Absolutely. I know I can, as Ive done it before. This will not be hard. And she said, How can you be so sure? I said, Its not like Im going up against the Parliament or Congress. Im going up against the fashion industry. Do you know how unaware they are? Due to the need to enforce change, we sent letters out in September 2013. By October people in Paris, London, and Milan had switched [to featuring more models of color]. Its not about racism. Its about awareness. The last thing they want to be thought of is racist. Its ignorance. They have no idea what they are doing is a result of racism.

RELATED: Black Women Are Still Discriminated Against Because of Their Hair  Legally  in the U.S.

LB: But yes, diversity is the corporate word now.

BH: Its a corporate topic. The fashion industry is one thing. The model industry, which services the fashion industry, has had success at integration, and when its reflected, it helps the magazines, it helps Hollywood, it helps everything. Once you start to see that not everyones a certain type, then people get comfortable. The idea of being ourselves  that works.

LB: Right. It becomes a given. In fashion its often divided between people who care and people who dont. The cynical and the open. Its so old-fashioned in many ways.

BH: You know why? Because we were, respectfully, a tiny elitist island. There were no outsiders. But now it cant be. Now its following popular culture. Its reversed. Fashion is not elitist anymore.

LB: Thats true and welcomed. And theres always something to be said for the magic of fashion, though. This issue [of InStyle] is about beauty and wisdom, and I like to ask every woman I respect: What are you ambitious for?

BH: I want to maintain the loves I have and stay as healthy as I can. There are a lot of things to do. I have got to finish my documentary. My literary agent is waiting for my book. But my biggest ambition has always been to lie in a hammock and have a tequila. Im never going to be more ambitious than to be lazy [laughs], and I think knowing how to be selfish is the most important thing.

Hair: Edris Nichols for Edris Salon. Makeup: Sam Addington for Kramer + Kramer. Styling: Sam Broekema. Photographer: Andreas Laszlo Konrath

For more stories like this, pick up the March issue of InStyle available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download Feb. 14.
Macedonian police have discovered 53 migrants in a truck in a southeastern border region and arrested the driver, who is suspected of being part of a trafficking gang, officials have said.

The truck was stopped during a routine check late on February 12 near the town of Valandovo, located in the vicinity of North Macedonia's borders with Greece and Bulgaria, police said in a statement.

It said 37 of the migrants were Afghans, 12 were Pakistanis, two were Indians, and there was one Iraqi and one Egyptian. The driver was identified as a 43-year-old citizen of North Macedonia.

The migrants, who are believed to have entered the country illegally from Greece, were sent to detention centers in the capital, Skopje, and the border town of Gevgelija, pending trial. They are expected to be deported back to Greece.

Although the so-called Balkan Route from Greece to Western Europe has been closed since 2015, thousands of migrants still try to make their way up north by paying smugglers.

North Macedonia's police say in the first three weeks of the year, a total of 1,365 migrants who had entered the country illegally were spotted. Last year, police stopped more than 24,500 migrants from crossing the border illegally into neighboring countries.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, AP, and dpa
They struck up a romance in the South African villa on the winter series of the hit ITV2 show.

And Love Island's Sophie Piper has revealed that she is going on a Valentine's weekend with Connor Durman.

The new reality star, 21, also admitted that her lookalike sister Rochelle Humes approves of their budding romance.

Love is in the air: Love Island 's Sophie Piper has revealed that she is going on a Valentine's weekend with Connor Durman

Sophie spoke about Connor on Access All Areas, Fubar Radio, with Lizzie Cundy and Stephen Leng, where she was also joined by fellow Islander Eve Gale in the studio.

During her interview, the former medical PA was asked whether she has kept in touch with Connor since they were both dumped from the villa.

To which Sophie revealed: 'Yeah, we've been in touch and I've seen him. I'm actually seeing him this weekend as well.'

Approval! The new reality star, 21, also admitted that her lookalike sister Rochelle Humes approves of their budding romance

Interview: Sophie spoke about Connor on Access All Areas, Fubar Radio , with Lizzie Cundy and Stephen Leng, where she was also joined by fellow Islander Eve Gale in the studio

Reunion: Rochelle and Sophie were reunited with their half-sister Lili after 23 years apart two years ago (all pictured together recently)

And when Lizzie and Stephen pointed out that Friday is Valentine's Day, the aspiring model teased: 'Yeah, I know, a little trip down to Brighton.'

However, despite their blossoming romance, Sophie refused to put a label on their situation and insisted that they are just 'seeing each other'.

She said: 'Yeah, we are seeing each other, let's use that term, dating. Seeing how it goes, no pressure.'

And despite not even being official yet, Sophie admitted that Connor already has the seal of approval from her famous big sister, Rochelle, 30.

Candid: During her interview, she was asked whether she has kept in touch with Connor since they were both dumped from the villa to which she revealed they are meeting this weekend

Work it: Eve looked sensational in a plunging white vest top with a pair of high-waisted black leather looking leggings as she posed with Lizzie and Stephen

The reality star revealed that they met after her exit interview on Love Island's spin-off show Aftersun, with their other sister Lili Piper also getting involved.

Talking about Rochelle and Lili's approval, Sophie said: 'They said he's really nice, they haven't seen him since but they gave their approval!'

Ahead of Sophie's entrance into the villa, Rochelle urged her sister to 'bring back a keeper' as she shared a sweet Instagram snap supporting her appearance on Love Island.

She penned: 'Good luck baby sis. Bring us back a keeper,' followed by palm tree and sun emojis.

Separated: Eve has been separated from her twin sister Jess after she was dumped from the villa and her sibling remained

Work it: Lizzie looked incredible in a pair of black leather-looking trousers with an off-the-shoulder ruffled top

Rochelle and Sophie were reunited with their half-sister Lili after 23 years apart two years ago thanks to a push from their mutual friend and Love Island star Kem Cetinay.

Their parents divorced when Rochelle was three-years-old, and she only met her sibling once when she was five. Rochelle grew up with her mother Roz Wiseman while Lili was raised by their father Mark Piper.

Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum Happy Baby Podcast, the mother-of-two said despite feeling terrified of meeting Lili, the pair instantly bonded and have 'spoken every day since'.

Rochelle said: 'I grew up with my mum and sister, all my siblings are half siblings. My dad was never around.

Strike a pose: The TV personality, 50, posed up a storm in her ensemble as she finished her look with a pair of red heels

Busy bee: Lizzie went on to attend Carnevale at Bocconcino where she wore a masquerade mask during the bash

'I've never told anyone this before. Two years ago, I was at our management's Christmas party and Love Island's Kem was there.

'He was chatting away and said, ''I got to talk to you... as soon as I became a celeb, I promised my friend Lili that I would talk to you as she's your sister on your dad's side."

'I knew of her and met up with her when I was five, but it was so complicated as they were a lot younger and my dad wasn't involved.

Details: The radio presenter also draped a faux fur shawl over her shoulder

'On a drunken night out, Kem asked me if he could give her my number.

'She WhatsApped me and I didn't reply till the morning. We planned to go out for dinner with my other sister and brother and I made Marvin come with me because I was so scared.

'We are literally the same people, Marvin was like, "OMG, there's more of you." We've spoken every day since - Jeremy Kyle style. It's like we've known each other all our lives.'

Love Island starts Sunday at 9pm on ITV2.
Mere days after Storm Ciara battered parts of Europe, two more storms are expected to hit Luxembourg. Storm Ines will arrive on Thursday, followed by Storm Dennis over the weekend. However, they will be less severe than last weekend's weather.

Despite winds of up to 130 km/h, storm Ciara passed through Luxembourg last weekend with less damage than expected.

After a few days of calm, the wind will pick up once more on Thursday as storm Ines arrives, although it is expected to be less severe. Over the weekend, storm Dennis will follow, with winds of 80-100 km/h forecast in Belgium.

La #TempeteCiara s'en va qu'une autre reviendrait des ce #weekend ! Elle s'annonce costaude pour les iles Britanniques. Les services meteo l'ont nommee #Dennis. La prevision s'affinera ces prochains jours. pic.twitter.com/29RE68nmKi  La Chaine Meteo (@lachainemeteo) February 11, 2020

ICE WARNINGS

In Luxembourg, Meteolux has issued a weather warning for Thursday, from 5pm to 10pm. Strong winds of 70-80km/h are expected, with heavy rainfall (10-15 litres per square metre). Road users are encouraged to remain vigilant in case of ice.

Friday's weather forecast is somewhat calmer, before high winds once more on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, reaching up to 85 km/h. Rain showers are also expected, while temperatures will be unseasonably warm, at around 15 degrees on Sunday.
BLACK HISTORY: Emmett Till Lives

Emmett Till Lives



Classism, racism, war, and corporate greed are malicious outliers, which in their ways, plague the current 2020 United States and global civilization abroad. Recollect back to 1955, Post World War Two, United States and these same outliers were a virus dividing and corrupting the United States and most of the world. In that year 1955, a 14-year-old Black male teenager from Chicago was sent by his mother to visit his family in Money, Mississippi. This innocent teenager was named Emmett Louis Till. Actually, Emmett was having a great time visiting his southern family, receiving all the love and attention and having care-free fun for three days into his visit before the horrid curse of violent, racist injustice struck Emmett Till, his family and the United States of America!

Emmett Till was born on July 25, 1941, and was murdered August 28, 1955. Emmett,as most Americans know, was violently tortured and murdered in Money, Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a married, White woman named Carolyn Bryant. This rule was a long held racial taboo in the Southern States. Black males were not allowed to even look at White women in their eyes in public let alone whistle at them or around them. Such racist, classist unjust social rules were a result of the terrible slavery system and were passed down as the Jim Crow racist injustice system of the South. Being born and raised in Chicago,Till wasnt accustomed to such public social rules. Although racist outliers existed against Blacks in Chicago, they were not as rigid and as violently enforced as in the Southern States.

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This case was indicative of the racial hatred perpetuated against Blacks or African Americans throughout all of the United States almost one hundred years after slavery supposedly, ended. This case was terrible and exposed how the entire society of Mississippi and the South was a prison and or torture chamber for Blacks. Contradicting these facts, the Whites of the South claimed to be the most civilized humans on Earth at the time. This clear permanence of racial hatred and systematic genocidal programming against one group, the Black Americans also contradicted the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution ratified Articles 13 and 14, developed after the end of the Civil War.

Young Emmett was tracked down the day after the so-called whistling incident. The White husband of the woman and his White male friends along with a Black man, came to the home where Till was staying. They barged in the home and grabbed Emmet, along with Emmetts cousin, Simeon Wright. Simeon was with Emmett at the time of the whistling incident. After figuring out which of the boys was the one who supposedly whistled, the abductors bust the teeth out of Simeons mouth by throwing him off their truck then taking off with Emmett. Witnesses said in trial, they saw them drive up with Emmet and took him into a barn and tormented Emmett for hours. The witness said they heard Emmet screaming for hours and they could hear the whipping and beating blows they were hitting him so hard.

Roy Bryant the husband of the woman who claimed she was whistled at and brother-in-law, J.W. Milam kidnapped and brutally murdered Emmett Till. They dumped his body in the Tallahatchie River. This murder shocked the nation by gaining global media coverage. In turn, this case infused a generation of Black Americans to create and join the Civil Rights movement. With nationwide media coverage, the funeral of Emmett Till was held in Chicago with an open casket where anyone could see the terrible swelling and mutilation from the beating put on Emmett by the murderers.

Outrage ensued throughout the nation and even world-wide for such racist brutality being allowed in the United States. Black media outlets and organizations went in with all resources exposing the tragedy by even putting Emmett Tills funeral casket picture on their front pages. Jet Magazine even put the picture on the front of their magazine. Black politicians, the NAAACP and Black celebrities expressed their heart break and outrage at this ongoing continuing murder and rape of Blacks throughout the United States.

Then came the trial and attempt to get justice for Emmetts family and for the Black community held in Sumner, Mississippi in September 1955. Emmetts great-uncle testifying against the murderers marked the first time a Black human testified against a White human in the state of Mississippi. The problem was the defense was up against long held practices of allowing White people to murder, rape and torture Blacks in Mississippi. It was clear what the outcome would be when the judge threw out all the testimonies given by all witnesses to the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till, even after they testified in court. The murderers were acquitted of all charges including the murder charges. With all the media coverage, it was clear to the entire world the U.S. government was continuing the oppression of Black Americans although the U.S. was proclaiming itself to be the beacon of justice and freedom.

This case galvanized generations of Blacks and some non-Blacks to take up the cause of human rights and justice throughout the United States. With the likes of Paul Robeson and those generations of devotees who worked and lived for justice and freedom, African Americans as myself could get our education and I am free to write this article and you are free to read it. In 2007, a Federal Bill named The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Right Crime Act was created due to continual effort of noble citizenry. All of the Civil Rights work and successes make it clear that we have the ability and right to challenge laws and practices no matter how old and how cherished by the rich and or the government. With all this revealed, Misses Carolyn Bryant in her later age of 82, recanted her claim about Emmett Till whistling at her in an interview stating it wasnt true and it did not happen.

Justice cannot only become a thing of the past, a memory of the noble generations who sacrificed for current generations liberties and rights. Justice has to be openly taught as a pillar of the African American Legacy! Does nobility matter any longer and to who? What are the current injustices being ignored and which type and class are perpetuating the injustices and which groups are the victims? The United States and world should be careful that the mirror of the past does not continue to reflect ugly faces.

Over the last decade, Blacks were being murdered on camera continually by police officers of the law even though White males continue to be the super majority of people who murder cops. Also, the all-White male police officers did this while there was an African American President of the United States. Clearly, this is an agenda. This is evidence that the agenda to torment and murder Blacks has and will continue in the United States if African Americans and immigrants and other underrepresented ethnic groups do not organize together and concentrate resources and effort on stopping the killings  not to mention the worlds biggest privately-owned prison system, holding the highest amount of humans on Earth. This clearly is systematic strategy and not random.

Many, such as Dr. Cornell West, say that we live in a more Autocratic Authoritarian state in the U.S. than ever before. Thus, I ponder, was slavery transformed? Was Jim Crow and Apartheid implemented throughout the United States in covert methods to this day? Ku Klux Klan leader, Neo Nazi representative David Duke once said, and I paraphrase, We, the Ku Klux Klan took off our hoods and put on suits and ties and filled the politician seats and board rooms and senators seats. How about that?
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 12, 2020) - Cordoba Minerals Corp. (TSXV: CDB) (OTCQB: CDBMF) ("Cordoba" or the "Company") announces that at the Special Meeting of Shareholders held today, shareholders voted to increase the number of Directors to six (6) and elected Mr. Luis Valencia Gonzales as a Director of the Company to fill the vacancy created by the increase, to hold such office until the Company's next annual general meeting.

The voting results were as follows:

Resolution For Against 285,361,151 shares

(99.93%) 209,082 shares

(0.07%)







For Witheld 285,377,751 shares

(99.93%) 192,482 shares

(0.07%)

"Luis is a welcomed addition to to the Cordoba Board." stated Eric Finlayson, President and CEO of Cordoba. "He brings a wealth of experience as an executive and business consultant in Colombia, which will be invaluable as we seek to develop the San Matias Copper-Gold-Silver Project."

About Cordoba

Cordoba Minerals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration, development and acquisition of copper and gold projects. Cordoba is developing the San Matias Copper-Gold-Silver Project, which includes the Alacran deposit and satellite deposits at Montiel East, Montiel West and Costa Azul, located in the Department of Cordoba, Colombia. Cordoba also holds a 25% interest in the Perseverance Copper Project in Arizona, USA, which it is exploring through a Joint Venture and Earn-In Agreement. For further information, please visit www.cordobaminerals.com.

Information Contact

Evan Young +1-604-689-8765

info@cordobamineralscorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52365
Less than a fortnight before President Donald Trumps visit to India, four influential US senators have expressed concern about the communications blackout in Kashmir and the NDA governments actions that they said threaten the rights of certain religious minorities.

In a letter sent to secretary of state Mike Pompeo on February 12, the senators, including Lindsey Graham, a Republican perceived as close to Trump, sought an assessment of the human rights situation in Kashmir and of the rights of religious minorities in India.

The assessment, which the senators said should be done within 30 days by the US state department, should focus on the number of people detained for political purposes due to the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution and whether the detainees faced torture or other forms of mistreatment, the restrictions on communications in Kashmir, and the level of access to Kashmir granted to independent observers, diplomats, foreign journalists and international organisations.

They said the assessment should also look at restrictions on religious freedom in Kashmir, the number of people, including members of religious, ethnic and other minorities, at risk of statelessness, arbitrary deprivation or denial of nationality, expulsion or arbitrary detention due to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and excessive use of force by Indian authorities against demonstrators opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Trump is set to visit India for the first time during February 24-25 for meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

There was no immediate reaction from Indian officials to the letter signed by Chris Van Hollen, Dick Durbin (both Democrats), Todd Young and Lindsey Graham (both Republicans).

We write as longtime friends of India regarding some of the troubling actions taken by the current government. More than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region. India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shut down by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business, and education for seven million people. Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in preventive detention, including key political figures, the letter said.

It added: In addition, the Indian government has taken other troubling steps that threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state. This includes the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, which is being challenged in Indias Supreme Court.
TWIN FALLS  Bush fires have burned more than 27 million acres  an area half the size of Idaho  in Australia since fall. More than a billion animals have died, many species have been pushed to the brink of extinction and entire sectors of the countrys economy, such as tourism and logging, have been devastated.

Paul resident Clay Stephens wanted to do what he could to help. So the Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District fire safety and training officer volunteered to go to Australia and fight the fires for 30 days. He joined several hundred firefighters from the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs assisting with the fires.

Three other Magic Valley firefighters have volunteered to go to Australia. Michael Johnson, an engine captain with the BLM Shoshone Field Office, recently got home after his 30-day stint. Mark Kelley, the engine equipment operator lead at the Shoshone Field Office, is almost ready to return to Idaho. Chris Belliston, an engine captain at the Burley Field Office, is leaving for Australia soon.

Stephens said chipping in when others are in need is part of being a firefighter.

In fire, its what you do, he said. The biggest thing is just trying to go help out where you can.

The experience was a homecoming for Stephens. Hes a dual citizen and was born in Darwin, Australia, at the northern end of the country, where his dad worked on a cattle ranch for 17 years. But Darwin is about as far away in the country as you can get from Victoria, in southeast Australia, where Stephens was fighting fires.

The Tambo complex fire that Stephens was fighting was 1.5 million acres. Stephens has seen big burns  he was at the biggest fire in Arizonas history earlier in his career  but the Tambo complex was more than twice as big as any fire hed ever seen.

On the ground, the size of the fire doesnt change the tactics all that much. The main difference for Stephens was the landscape.

The stuff thats burning is different from anything Ive ever seen, he said. The trees are all different.

By the time Stephens arrived in Victoria in January, Australian firefighters had been battling the bush fires for six weeks.

It had already been a long slog for them, he Stephens said. They were just happy to get some help. They were tired. Theyd been getting beat up.  We were a bit of a breath of fresh air.

Even though many of the firefighters  many of whom are volunteers  were exhausted, Stephens said they couldnt have been more welcoming.

It was special to see how positively people responded to the disaster, Stephens said.

Nobody was really worried about themselves, he said. They were just trying to help something bigger than them, getting out the bushfires.  It was the way that I think people should treat each other, and seeing it on such a large scale  it was pretty humbling to be there and be a part of it.

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Forcing Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to hire its own tree-trimming workforce, instead of relying on contractors to keep vegetation away from power lines, would not have the fire-safety benefits envisioned by a federal judge or alleviate the need for fire-prevention blackouts, attorneys for the utility say.

PG&E lawyers have also pushed back on a proposal from U.S. District Judge William Alsup to prevent the company from awarding any bonuses to executives or managers unless it fulfills certain fire safety goals. The restriction would intrude on the purview of state regulators and PG&Es bankruptcy judge, attorneys said.

PG&Es filing came in response to two recent proposals from Alsup, who is overseeing the companys probation arising from the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion and has taken a strong interest in the companys wildfire problems.

Alsup in January said he might impose the tree-trimmer requirement after the company admitted it fell short on some parts of its state-mandated fire-prevention plan last year. One week later, Alsup proposed tying all bonuses and other incentives for supervisors and above to PG&Es fulfillment of its state fire plan and other safety goals. The judge set a hearing for Feb. 19.

PG&E told Alsup that his tree-trimmer proposal appeared to be based on the mistaken premise that a lack of staffing resources kept the company from complying with state law and its fire-safety goals.

But PG&E faced an unprecedented volume of tree work in 2019 that could not be finished until the company had ramped up its expanded workforce of contractors, whose ranks more than tripled, the companys lawyers said.

PG&E blamed the small amount of vegetation work recorded as incomplete at the end of the year largely on trees that were only recently flagged as a problem, permitting issues, resistance from customers and lagging contractor invoicing.

PG&E also said additional qualified tree workers do not currently exist in California. Hiring its own vegetation management crews would merely force the company to poach workers from its contractors, attorneys for PG&E said.

In 2016, PG&E hired a vegetation management consultant to review the prospect of bringing in tree trimmers from out of state, according to the companys court filing. Outside firms said they could deploy possibly a few hundred tree trimmers on an emergency basis and were unwilling to commit long-term to developing a workforce in California, attorneys said.

The company also said that building its own tree-trimming workforce could cost more than $1 billion. PG&E said it hasnt used its own tree trimmers for at least 40 years.

The middle of Californias wildfire emergency is not the time for PG&E to reverse course on the entire structure of its vegetation management work and spend significant time and resources that are better devoted to improving current arrangements and completing other important wildfire mitigation measures, attorneys for the company said.

And while enhanced tree-trimming is an integral part of PG&Es attempts to reduce fire risk, its ability to limit the need for future blackouts during dry and windy weather hinges largely on grid improvements and better weather forecasting, the court filing said. PG&E believes it would still consider turning off power even if it was in perfect compliance with vegetation-management rules.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

PG&E said Alsups proposed bonus restrictions would interfere with the work of its state regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission, as well as with matters that may come up in Bankruptcy Court.

Attorneys noted that California lawmakers passed new legislation, AB1054, that regulates the companys executive pay practices and expressly permits that compensation to be determined by a mix of safety and financial considerations.

That decision reflects Californias judgment, amply supported by the legislative record, that PG&E cannot safely provide power unless it is financially stable, lawyers for the company told Alsup.

PG&E said there is no evidence to suggest that Alsups proposal would make the company safer. In fact, PG&E suggested that linking executive bonuses exclusively to safety metrics could motivate company leaders to more routinely implement fire-prevention blackouts.

Alsup has also sent PG&E a detailed list of questions about its electric system and power-line inspections. Among his instructions to the company is that it provide the ten most pertinent records showing the true extent to which it knew that worn transmission tower hooks were an issue before the 2018 Camp Fire.

PG&E must respond to those questions by Tuesday.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
As more Michigan communities consider Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions, some state lawmakers support taking a stronger stance on gun rights statewide.

State Rep. Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Township, is the lead sponsor on two House resolutions supporting gun rights - one of which would declare Michigan a Second Amendment sanctuary state. Fourteen fellow Republicans co-sponsored the proposal.

Several Michigan counties and other municipalities have adopted or considered similar language in recent weeks as part of a national movement signaling opposition to gun control measures. As a sanctuary, local governments could signal they dont intend to enforce any gun laws they consider unconstitutional.

Resolutions are non-binding and do not have a direct impact on existing laws, but can be used by government bodies as a statement of priorities or to declare intentions.

Eisens Second Amendment statewide sanctuary resolution was referred to the House Government Operations Committee and hasnt been taken up. But during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, lawmakers heard testimony on a similar resolution from Eisen that would reaffirm the right of Michigan residents to keep and bear arms.

The Michigan Legislature will not pass laws that would infringe upon the ability of Michigan residents to own and keep firearms, that proposed resolution states, and will ensure that legislation in violation of our constitutional right to bear arms will not be imposed upon the citizens of Michigan by either the federal government or itself.

Eisen said his second resolution, House Resolution 227, was meant to address concerns that the word sanctuary was hijacked by municipalities around the country declaring sanctuary for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

Its a good word, but it got kind of turned around with the illegal sanctuary cities and stuff, he said during the committee hearing.

He told the panel he put the resolutions forward because he is concerned about gun-related legislation proposed in the Virginia state legislature, adding he was also involved in a local effort to pass a pro-Second Amendment resolution in St. Clair County.

At least eight Michigan counties have passed Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions. Others, including St. Clair County, passed resolutions but stopped short of calling themselves sanctuaries, an MLive analysis found.

Several Michigan counties are voting on resolutions to designate them as "Second Amendment Sanctuaries."

House Resolution 227 remains before the House Judiciary Committee.

The effort to pass pro-Second Amendment resolutions picked up steam across the country after gun control legislation began moving through Virginias state government, where Democrats recently gained a legislative majority.

The resolutions are generally opposed to any laws the municipality would consider unconstitutional, although a common target is red flag laws that would let authorities temporarily confiscate someones firearms if they exhibit threatening behavior.

Michigan Democrats put forward a red flag plan last year, although theres been no movement on the bills in the Republican-led legislature. One of the lead sponsors, state Rep. Robert Wittenberg, D-Huntington Woods, said when the bills were introduced that they would provide law enforcement and family members legal recourse to limit access to guns if a person posed a significant risk.

Related coverage:

Bay County stops short of naming itself 2nd Amendment 'sanctuary

5 things to know about the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement in Michigan

Gun rights advocate to present Second Amendment Sanctuary proposal to West Michigan county

Gun rights resolution up for consideration in Berrien County

Lapeer County votes to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary

You cannot have our guns: Group urges Jackson to be 2nd Amendment sanctuary county

Gov. Whitmer, Democratic leaders push extreme risk gun bills after national shootings

Family, police could petition to take away guns from person posing extreme risk under Michigan bills
Swiss Grand Hotel offers a healthy meal, dubbed Colourful Sirtfood Salad bar, at its all-day dining restaurant Atrium. / Courtesy of Swiss Grand Hotel



By Jun Ji-hye



An increasing number of people here have recently become more concerned about their health amid growing fears over the spread of the coronavirus that originated from the Chinese city of Wuhan.



Environmental issues such as fine dust have also led the people to care more about health-related issues.



To help people boost their immune responses and stay health in the face of the virus, bacteria and fine dust, luxury hotels here are rushing to offer special promotions featuring healthy meals and health improvement programs.



The Swiss Grand Hotel, formerly the Grand Hilton Seoul, is offering a healthy meal, dubbed Colourful Sirtfood Salad bar, at its all-day restaurant Atrium.



The Colourful Sirtfood Salad Bar, which runs until Feb. 29, is presented with a menu that is full of polyphenols.



A moderate amount of polyphenols helps cells to grow, differentiate and kill bacteria and viruses, which help prevent disease.



The healthy ingredients prepared including kale, lemon, strawberry, apple, tangerine and walnut.



"It is a perfect lunch meal with fresh seafood, a variety of salads, pasta and detox juices as well," a Swiss Grand Hotel official said.



The promotion is available every day from 12 p.m. to 2:30 pm, costing 30,000 won ($25).



WE Hotel Jeju, operated by Jeju Halla Hospital, the resort island's largest general hospital, is running a Wellness Club Package that helps guests boost their immune responses.





WE Hotel Jeju offers a Wellness Club Package that helps guests boost their immune symptoms. / Courtesy of WE Hotel Jeju
Job Title: Finance and Administration Officer

Organization: Joint Aid Management

(JAM)

Duty Station: Uganda

Reports to: Grants and Finance

Manager

About US:

Joint

Aid Management (JAM) is a humanitarian relief and development organization in

Africa founded in 1984 by Peter and Ann Pretorius. Aimed at fighting hunger,

poverty and malnutrition in Africa, our programmes provide food security and

proper nutrition, clean water sources and sanitation as well as emergency

relief in the communities in which we work namely Angola, Mozambique, Rwanda,

South Africa, South Sudan, Sierra Leone and Uganda. For more than three

decades, we have affected sustainable changes through these programmes, Helping

Africa Help Itself has always been our defining motto and serving Africa is

what defines us. JAM does not discriminate in terms of race, religion, gender

or political persuasion.

Job Summary: The Finance and Administration Officer is a

full-time position and will be based in Arua, S/he will ensure adequate

stewardship of agency resources and sound financial reporting in line with

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, JAM policies and procedures, local

laws and donor requirements. S/her major responsibilities would include but not

limited to preparation of cashbook, bank & petty cash operations, cash

receipts, receivables, prepayments, payables and operations. The Finance and

Administration Officer reports to the Grants and Finance Manager based in Juba.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Finance

 Review all payment

vouchers before they are presented to Area Manager/designate for approval.

 Consolidate templates

for posting of General Journal vouchers and send to Finance Officer reporting

for posting to SUN on weekly basis.

 Payment and filing of

all statutory obligations including PAYE and NSSF etc.

 Cash Management  verify

the cash in bank, prepare cash forecast and ensure adequate cash is available

for planned activities.

 Managing Advances,

Prepayments, and Receivables through follow up on delinquent liquidations,

Reconciliation of accounts.

 Involvement in the

production of quarterly cash forecasts.

 Making payments to

vendors and all service providers.

 Review all transactions

to ensure that proper approvals and authorization have been done.

 Ensure project is

managed and replenished in accordance to JAM cash management procedures.

 Assist the Area Manager

to respond to the Country office requests.

 From time to time,

perform any other duties as may be assigned by Grants and Finance Manager

and/Management.

Administration

 Updating of asset

register for all assets at the filed location, carrying out asset count.

 Management of drivers schedule

of activities.

 Participating in field

procurement meetings

 Supervising of drivers

including setting objectives, development and appraisal.

 Preparation of fuel

efficiency report and submitting to Operations Specialist.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

 The ideal candidate should have B COM or BBA Accounting or equivalent

degree and/or professional certification in accounting strongly preferred or

equivalent experience.

 At least five years experience in a similar position

 Proficiency in Sun System and Q & A applications strongly preferred

 Demonstrated ability to assimilate to new policies and procedures

effectively

 Extremely detail oriented and organized

 Strong written and verbal communication skills



 Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (word, excel, outlook and

PowerPoint)

How to Apply:

All

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements, should send their

applications by email to pita.tahani@jamint.com

addressed to the Human Resource Coordinator attaching their application letters

and CV

JAM

is an equal opportunity employer so women are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: 18th

February 2020

For

more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com

or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Bringing back memories of the Burari case, where 10 members of a family were found hanging in a house in north Delhi in 2018, five members of a family, including three minors, were found dead in northeast Delhis Bhajanpura area on Wednesday.

The five, who lived in a rented accommodation at C Block, Bhajanpura, have been identified as Shambhu Chaudhary (43), his wife Sunita (37) and their three children  Shivam (17), Sachin (14) and Komal (12).

At 11.16 am, the police were informed about a foul smell emanating from the house. Police officers broke open the door of the house and found the five decomposed bodies. While the bodies of the couple were in one room, the children were in the other, the police said.

ALSO READ: Bhajanpura family tragedy - Kids missing from school for nine days, say relatives

The cause of the deaths is not clear. It will be ascertained only after an FSL team examines the site and the post-mortem reports are submitted, police said. The two-storey house has two entrances and the family lived on the ground floor. Shambhu, who hails from Supaul in Bihar, used to drive an e-Rickshaw. They had been living in this house as tenants for five months, the police said.

The front gate was locked from outside... judging by the foul smell, it appears that the incident took place a few days ago. Since the bodies are badly decomposed, we cant determine the nature of injuries, Joint Commissioner of Police, north, Alok Kumar said.

It is difficult to say anything about the deaths at this stage. The team is carrying out its investigation. After the autopsy, when details about the nature of injuries are revealed, legal action will be initiated, he said. Adding there were no traces of anyone ransacking the house. Shambhus relatives suspect it to be a case of murder and not suicide.

Burari rerun

In the Burari case, police had suspected that the deaths were part of a suicide pact, as handwritten notes found on the spot indicated. The post-mortem of six of the 11 dead revealed no signs of struggle.

Forensic probe

Deepa Verma, director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, said, Teams from physics, biology and photo departments visited the crime scene. We have requested the police to preserve the bodies so DNA can be collected.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) -Copper Fox Metals Inc. (TSXV: CUU) (OTC Pink: CPFXF) ("Copper Fox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, a non-brokered private placement to raise up to $1,800,000 in gross proceeds (the "Offering"). The Offering will consist of up to 22,500,000 units (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.08 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half (1/2) common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share for an exercise price of $0.12 during the first 12-month period after the closing of the Offering and $0.15 during the second 12-month period after the closing of the Offering. In the event that the 20-day volume weighted average price of the common shares listed on the TSX Venture Exchange is above $0.20, the expiry date of the Warrants will be accelerated to a date that is 30 days after the first date such threshold is met.

Copper Fox is making the Offering available to subscribers under a number of available prospectus exemptions, including the accredited investor exemption, family and close personal friends and business associates of directors and officers of the Company. The Offering is also available to all existing shareholders of Copper Fox who, as of the close of business on February 12, 2020 (the "Record Date"), held shares (and who continue to hold such shares as of the closing date) in accordance with the provisions of the "existing security holder exemption" contained in the various corresponding blanket orders and rules of participating jurisdictions (the "Existing Security Holder Exemption").

The Company advises that there are conditions and restrictions when subscribers are relying upon the Existing Security Holder Exemption, including, among other criteria: (a) the subscriber must be a shareholder of the Company on the Record Date (and still be a shareholder), (b) be purchasing the units as a principal - for his or her own account and not for any other party, and (c) may not purchase more than $15,000 value of securities from the Company in any 12-month period. There is an exception to the $15,000 subscription limit. In the event that a subscriber wishes to purchase more than a $15,000 value of securities, then he or she may do so provided that the subscriber received suitability advice from a registered investment dealer, and, in this case, subscribers will be asked to confirm the registered investment dealer's identity and employer. Subscribers purchasing Units using the Existing Security Holder Exemption will need to represent in writing that they meet the requirements of the Existing Security Holder Exemption. There is no minimum subscription amount. As the Existing Security Holder Exemption contains certain restrictions and is only available in certain jurisdictions in Canada, others that do not qualify under the Existing Security Holder Exemption may qualify to participate under other prospectus exemptions, such as the accredited investor exemption.

Subscriptions will be accepted by the Company on a "first come, first served basis". Therefore, if the Offering is over-subscribed it is possible that a shareholder's subscription may not be accepted by the Company. Additionally, in the event of an imbalance of large subscriptions compared to smaller subscriptions, management reserves the right in its discretion to reduce large subscriptions in favour of smaller shareholder subscriptions.

The Offering is expected to close by March 26, 2020. In accordance with applicable securities legislation, securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of the completion of the Offering. The net proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for the proposed acquisition of the Eaglehead project, exploration activities and general and administrative purposes of the Company.

The Offering may include one or more subscriptions by insiders of the Company, which will include a subscription by Mr. Ernesto Echavarria, a director, insider and a control person of the Company (as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) of a minimum of 15,000,000 Units.

Subscriptions completed by insiders in the Offering, including the subscription by Mr. Echavarria, may constitute a "Related Party Transaction" under Policy 5.9 of the TSX Venture Exchange which adopts Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") as a policy of the TSX Venture Exchange. In completing such transactions, Copper Fox intends to rely on the applicable exemptions from the valuation requirement and minority security holder approval requirements available under Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that the participation in the private placement by insiders will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Copper Fox

Copper Fox is a Tier 1 Canadian resource company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CUU) focused on copper exploration and development in Canada and the United States. The principal assets of Copper Fox and its wholly owned Canadian and United States subsidiaries, being Northern Fox Copper Inc. and Desert Fox Copper Inc., are the 25% interest in the Schaft Creek Joint Venture with Teck Resources Limited on the Schaft Creek copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project located in northwestern British Columbia and a 100% ownership of the Van Dyke oxide copper project located in Miami, Arizona. For more information on Copper Fox's other mineral properties and investments visit the Company's website at http://www.copperfoxmetals.com.

For additional information contact: Investor line 1-844-464-2820 or Lynn Ball, at 1-403-264-2820.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Elmer B. Stewart

President and Chief Executive Officer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This news release is not for distribution in the United States or over United States newswires.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "budgets", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, statements about: the expected size and terms of the Offering and the use of the proceeds therefrom; the anticipated closing time of the Offering; the terms of the subscription agreements to be executed by shareholders relying on the "Existing Security Holder Exemption"; the expected subscription by one or more insiders, including Mr. Echavarria in the Offering; and the exemptions in MI 61-101 intended to be relied upon by Copper Fox in completing the Offering.

In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, Copper Fox has made numerous assumptions. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Copper Fox's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein.

Known risk factors include the possibility that: approval for the Offering will not be obtained from the TSX Venture Exchange; the Offering will not complete at the time or in the amount expected, or at all; Mr. Echavarria will not subscribe for the number of Units currently expected, or at all; and the exemptions intended to be relied upon by Copper Fox under MI 61-101 in completing the Offering may not be available.

A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Copper Fox is disclosed in Copper Fox's continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and Copper Fox disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52373
A system created by MIT researchers could be used to automatically update factual inconsistencies in Wikipedia articles, reducing time and effort spent by human editors who now do the task manually.

Wikipedia comprises millions of articles that are in constant need of edits to reflect new information. That can involve article expansions, major rewrites, or more routine modifications such as updating numbers, dates, names, and locations. Currently, humans across the globe volunteer their time to make these edits.

In a paper being presented at the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, the researchers describe a text-generating system that pinpoints and replaces specific information in relevant Wikipedia sentences, while keeping the language similar to how humans write and edit.

The idea is that humans would type into an interface an unstructured sentence with updated information, without needing to worry about style or grammar. The system would then search Wikipedia, locate the appropriate page and outdated sentence, and rewrite it in a humanlike fashion. In the future, the researchers say, there's potential to build a fully automated system that identifies and uses the latest information from around the web to produce rewritten sentences in corresponding Wikipedia articles that reflect updated information.

"There are so many updates constantly needed to Wikipedia articles. It would be beneficial to automatically modify exact portions of the articles, with little to no human intervention," says Darsh Shah, a PhD student in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and one of the lead authors. "Instead of hundreds of people working on modifying each Wikipedia article, then you'll only need a few, because the model is helping or doing it automatically. That offers dramatic improvements in efficiency."

Many other bots exist that make automatic Wikipedia edits. Typically, those work on mitigating vandalism or dropping some narrowly defined information into predefined templates, Shah says. The researchers' model, he says, solves a harder artificial intelligence problem: Given a new piece of unstructured information, the model automatically modifies the sentence in a humanlike fashion. "The other [bot] tasks are more rule-based, while this is a task requiring reasoning over contradictory parts in two sentences and generating a coherent piece of text," he says.

The system can be used for other text-generating applications as well, says co-lead author and CSAIL graduate student Tal Schuster. In their paper, the researchers also used it to automatically synthesize sentences in a popular fact-checking dataset that helped reduce bias, without manually collecting additional data. "This way, the performance improves for automatic fact-verification models that train on the dataset for, say, fake news detection," Schuster says.

Shah and Schuster worked on the paper with their academic advisor Regina Barzilay, the Delta Electronics Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a professor in CSAIL.

Neutrality masking and fusing

Behind the system is a fair bit of text-generating ingenuity in identifying contradictory information between, and then fusing together, two separate sentences. It takes as input an "outdated" sentence from a Wikipedia article, plus a separate "claim" sentence that contains the updated and conflicting information. The system must automatically delete and keep specific words in the outdated sentence, based on information in the claim, to update facts but maintain style and grammar. That's an easy task for humans, but a novel one in machine learning.

For example, say there's a required update to this sentence (in bold): "Fund A considers 28 of their 42 minority stakeholdings in operationally active companies to be of particular significance to the group." The claim sentence with updated information may read: "Fund A considers 23 of 43 minority stakeholdings significant." The system would locate the relevant Wikipedia text for "Fund A," based on the claim. It then automatically strips out the outdated numbers (28 and 42) and replaces them with the new numbers (23 and 43), while keeping the sentence exactly the same and grammatically correct. (In their work, the researchers ran the system on a dataset of specific Wikipedia sentences, not on all Wikipedia pages.)

The system was trained on a popular dataset that contains pairs of sentences, in which one sentence is a claim and the other is a relevant Wikipedia sentence. Each pair is labeled in one of three ways: "agree," meaning the sentences contain matching factual information; "disagree," meaning they contain contradictory information; or "neutral," where there's not enough information for either label. The system must make all disagreeing pairs agree, by modifying the outdated sentence to match the claim. That requires using two separate models to produce the desired output.

The first model is a fact-checking classifier -- pretrained to label each sentence pair as "agree," "disagree," or "neutral" -- that focuses on disagreeing pairs. Running in conjunction with the classifier is a custom "neutrality masker" module that identifies which words in the outdated sentence contradict the claim. The module removes the minimal number of words required to "maximize neutrality" -- meaning the pair can be labeled as neutral. That's the starting point: While the sentences don't agree, they no longer contain obviously contradictory information. The module creates a binary "mask" over the outdated sentence, where a 0 gets placed over words that most likely require deleting, while a 1 goes on top of keepers.

After masking, a novel two-encoder-decoder framework is used to generate the final output sentence. This model learns compressed representations of the claim and the outdated sentence. Working in conjunction, the two encoder-decoders fuse the dissimilar words from the claim, by sliding them into the spots left vacant by the deleted words (the ones covered with 0s) in the outdated sentence.

In one test, the model scored higher than all traditional methods, using a technique called "SARI" that measures how well machines delete, add, and keep words compared to the way humans modify sentences. They used a dataset with manually edited Wikipedia sentences, which the model hadn't seen before. Compared to several traditional text-generating methods, the new model was more accurate in making factual updates and its output more closely resembled human writing. In another test, crowdsourced humans scored the model (on a scale of 1 to 5) based on how well its output sentences contained factual updates and matched human grammar. The model achieved average scores of 4 in factual updates and 3.85 in matching grammar.

Removing bias

The study also showed that the system can be used to augment datasets to eliminate bias when training detectors of "fake news," a form of propaganda containing disinformation created to mislead readers in order to generate website views or steer public opinion. Some of these detectors train on datasets of agree-disagree sentence pairs to "learn" to verify a claim by matching it to given evidence.

In these pairs, the claim will either match certain information with a supporting "evidence" sentence from Wikipedia (agree) or it will be modified by humans to include information contradictory to the evidence sentence (disagree). The models are trained to flag claims with refuting evidence as "false," which can be used to help identify fake news.

Unfortunately, such datasets currently come with unintended biases, Shah says: "During training, models use some language of the human written claims as "give-away" phrases to mark them as false, without relying much on the corresponding evidence sentence. This reduces the model's accuracy when evaluating real-world examples, as it does not perform fact-checking."

The researchers used the same deletion and fusion techniques from their Wikipedia project to balance the disagree-agree pairs in the dataset and help mitigate the bias. For some "disagree" pairs, they used the modified sentence's false information to regenerate a fake "evidence" supporting sentence. Some of the give-away phrases then exist in both the "agree" and "disagree" sentences, which forces models to analyze more features. Using their augmented dataset, the researchers reduced the error rate of a popular fake-news detector by 13 percent.

"If you have a bias in your dataset, and you're fooling your model into just looking at one sentence in a disagree pair to make predictions, your model will not survive the real world," Shah says. "We make models look at both sentences in all agree-disagree pairs."

###

Written by Rob Matheson, MIT News Office
- Professor John Oxford, a scientist in the UK, has enjoined people to reorder the way they socially interact with others

- The scientist said that things like handshaking, hugging, and kissing should be avoided to curb the spread of coronavirus

- Oxford added that following the above precautions is better than wearing masks as a preventive measure

Professor John Oxford, a scientist from Queen Mary University, has advised people to abstain from kissing and hugging as a way to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The professor described his proposed method of protection as the British standoffishness, saying the virus is dependent on close contacts, Daily Mail reports.

His message is coming hours before Valentine's Day when lovers are expected to express love in peculiar ways.

It should be noted that the virus has killed more than 1,000 people and has infected almost 46,000 worldwide, with eight cases from Britain.

The scientist said that the change in human social interaction will go a long way to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Source: Getty Images

In an interview with the BBC, the scientist said that peoples social actions have to be reordered to reflect a new way of social interaction.

Oxford said changing the traditional ways of interaction like handshaking, hugging, and kissing is more important than the popular precaution of wearing masks.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and eight states across Nigeria were listed by the World Health Organisation as states at high risk of a coronavirus outbreak.

WHO mapped out the states - Lagos, Kano, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Delta and Bayelsa - as top priority areas for preparedness against the Novel coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria.

Speaking on the possible outbreak of the disease in Nigeria, the technical officer on health emergency programme for WHO, Dhamari Naidoo, said Nigeria was self-assessed as high in a risk assessment by the organisation.

Naidoo said the assessment tilted in the direction probably because of the frequent travels between Nigerians and the Chinese.

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She said: "Nigeria was self-assessed as high in a risk assessment by the World Health Organisation, primarily because of the frequent travel between China and Nigeria.

Naidoo noting that while the WHO is working on strengthening surveillance at ports of entry by supporting temperature screening, and visual observation, airlines have also been informed about travel forms to enable monitoring of travellers coming in from China.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better

Nigerias health system is very very bad - Kiki Omeili | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng
Arshil Jamal named President and Group Head, Strategy, Investments, Reinsurance and Corporate Development

David Harney named President and COO, Europe

Declan Bolger appointed CEO, Irish Life Group

WINNIPEG, Feb. 13, 2020 /CNW/ - Great-West Lifeco Inc. today announced leadership changes to leverage organizational expertise with a focus on growth priorities, talent development and succession planning.

Arshil Jamal, currently President and COO, Europe & Reinsurance, will take on a newly created role at Great-West Lifeco: President and Group Head, Strategy, Investments, Reinsurance and Corporate Development. Working with these teams and operating company presidents, his focus will be on identifying and driving value creation initiatives across Great-West Lifeco. Raman Srivastava, EVP and Global Chief Investment Officer and Jeff Poulin, EVP and CEO of Canada Life Reinsurance will report to Mr. Jamal in this new role. Mr. Jamal will continue to report to Paul Mahon, President and CEO, Great-West Lifeco.

"Arshil has built a strong foundation for the next phase of our growth in Europe," said Mr. Mahon. "With this appointment, we will leverage his growth mindset more broadly across Lifeco. He will play a critical role in driving and executing our strategic plans, with a focus on creating substantial value for shareholders."

Mr. Jamal joined Canada Life in 1998 and has been President and COO, Europe & Reinsurance for the last nine years.

As a result of this appointment, David Harney, currently CEO of Irish Life Group, has been named President and COO, Europe, and Declan Bolger, currently CEO of Canada Life Europe, has been named CEO, Irish Life Group.

Mr. Mahon said these moves are examples of the company's continued and disciplined approach to leveraging talent and expertise. "Both David and Declan have guided their respective organizations to achieve strong results. I'm confident their excellent leadership track records, combined with their vision and dedication, positions each to deliver equally strong results in their new roles."

Mr. Harney has been associated with Irish Life for more than 30 years, including the last three as CEO. During this time, he led the organization in strengthening the Irish Life brand and customer focus while continuing to build on its leading market position. In his new role, Mr. Harney will report to Mr. Mahon and will provide strategic leadership and oversight of Great-West Lifeco's U.K., Irish, and German divisions.

Mr. Bolger was part of the founding team of Canada Life Europe in 2000 and has led the organization for the last 10 years as CEO. Under his leadership, the company, through strategic investments in innovative products and technology, has more than doubled in size to become one of the leading companies in the German broker market.

Mr. Bolger will continue to serve as the leader of the German business while a process is undertaken to choose his successor.

Full biographies and photos for each are available here.

About Great-West Lifeco Inc.??

Great-West Lifeco is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. We operate in Canada, the United States and Europe under the brands Canada Life, Empower Retirement, Putnam Investments, and Irish Life. At the end of 2019, our companies had approximately 24,000 employees, 197,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners - all serving our more than 31 million customer relationships across these regions.

Great-West Lifeco and its companies have over $1.6 trillion in consolidated assets under administration as at December 31, 2019 and are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO. To learn more, visit greatwestlifeco.com.

All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars, except as noted.

Media Relations: Liz Kulyk, 204-926-5012, media.relations@gwl.ca | Investor Relations: Deirdre Neary, 416-552-3208, deirdre.neary@gwl.ca??
Update: Mary Lou McDonald has rallied her new bumper-sized parliamentary party with a call of my friends, we have work to do.

In her opening remarks to the first meeting of her old and new TDs at Buswells Hotel next to Leinster House, Ms McDonald reiterated her stance that the electorate has called for change.

She said that before Saturdays election I said this election could shape life in Ireland for the next decade and could be seismic for the Irish political landscape.

Well my friends, lo and behold, I think that assessment proved to be correct, she said.

Sinn Fein has won the election.

She said that her partys mandate involves invoking solutions to the problems in Irish society.

Our objective is a Government that builds homes, cuts rents and freezes them. We want to reduce the pension age to 65, and to stand up to the vulture funds and the insurance industry.

She said that advancing on Irish unity is not just possible, but necessary at this time.

She said it is the duty of the Irish Government to plan for the process leading up to a referendum on a united Ireland, but said that unionists need not fear the debate and discussion about the future, because this needs to be an inclusive, engaging, and forward-looking debate.

We have a plan and the solutions and the team to deliver, she said.

Ms McDonald reiterated that she has already held meetings with the Green Party and People Before Profit, has spoken to Labour, written to Fianna Fail, and will today meet with the Social Democrats with a view to forming a Government.

Regarding the fact that Fianna Fail, in particular, has made it clear it will not go into coalition with Sinn Fein, she said were not in politics for power or status, like those who have spent decades in Government serving their own interests.

Thats why Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are so determined to keep us out of Government, have said that they will ignore our democratic mandate, but that stance has run out of road, she said.

Those days are over, because now is the moment for change and now is our time. If we do our job I believe Sinn Fein can lead such a Government, she said to rapturous applause.

Sinn Fein is expected to meet with representatives from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael next week.

Ms McDonald said that the key question is will Fianna Fail sign up for that kind of change, the type of change that the people have voted for?.

Micheal Martin has said that he is a democrat, that he respects the decisions of the people. He knows that people want change. So can Fianna Fail be part of that change, that is the big question, she said.

Rural Independent Group opts for Mattie McGrath as Convenor

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has confirmed that the newly configured membership of the Rural Independent Group is ready and willing to enter government formation discussions with all of the main political parties.

Mr McGrath was speaking after he was nominated and reappointed as Convenor of the group, which includes Deputies Michael Collins, Michael Healy-Rae, Carol Nolan and Danny Healy-Rae.

It followed a meeting in Portlaoise on Wednesday.

All the members of our group recognise the clear and fundamental shift that has occurred in Irish politics over the course of the last few days.The electorate, both rural and urban are demanding change, he said.

Mary Lou McDonald contacts Micheal Martin about government formation

Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald has contacted Micheal Martin to set up a meeting.

She has already met with the Greens, Solidarity-PBP, has spoken to Brendan Howlin, and tomorrow she will meet the Social Democrats.

Pearse Doherty, who is leading the party's negotiating talks, said there are big policy incompatibilities between the two parties.

He said that Sinn Fein wants a Government for change, saying: "Mary Lou McDonald said that we would talk to all parties after the election.

"She has already met with The Green Party and People Before Profit, has spoken to Brendan Howlin and tomorrow she will meet with the Social Democrats. Those talks will continue.

"Now we wish to meet with Fianna Fail, and later on with Fine Gael.

"The first step of that process is for our leader Mary Lou McDonald to meet with the leader of Fianna Fail Micheal Martin.

There are big policy incompatibilities between Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail.

"Our objective is a government that builds homes, cuts rent and freezes them, deals with the health crisis, reduces the pension age to 65, stands up to vulture funds and the insurance industry, gives workers and families a break and advances Irish unity."

Earlier: Fianna Fail parliamentary party split over coalition with Sinn Fein

Fianna Fail's parliamentary party meets later for the first time since it lost eight seats in the general election.

The party is split on what to do next and whether or not to work with Sinn Fein.

The reduced parliamentary party gathers in Leinster House with plenty wanting to air their views about what went wrong.

It will be Micheal Martin's first time addressing the group since the election.

The party also has to decide what to do next, and is completely split on whether or not to do business with Sinn Fein.

Some see it as political pragmatism, that the numbers are the numbers and the will of the people.

While others say they would entirely reject the idea of government with Sinn Fein.

Niall Collins has already added his voice to Jim O'Callaghan and Anne Rabitte in opposing a coalition with Sinn Fein.

The parties will continue to hold exploratory meetings, with the Social Democrats planning to talk to Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and the Greens.

However, everyone is still in the stage of feeling things out and assessing the numbers before any serious negotiations start.

Sinn Fein, who got the largest popular vote in the new Dail, yesterday kickstarted the race to form a new Government via constructive meetings with the Green Party and People Before Profit.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- To Onondaga Countys new library director, libraries are places to borrow a tie for a job interview. Theyre a refuge for bullied kids. Libraries, Christian Zabriskie says, can even be a place where people meet and fall in love  with each other, as well as with books.

When people say to me, Libraries are dead, I say: Obviously you havent come to a library in a while.

Yes, libraries should provide a quiet space to read, Zabriskie says. But theyre also spaces for kids to play, for teens to get support, for parents to take a break. As the new head of the Onondaga County Public Library system, he wants to add more senior programs, open up the systems historical collections for display and even add speed dating.

Zabriskie, 49, took over the county library system on Jan. 6. In his last job, he managed a library in Yonkers. But his career spans many skills and countries: Hes worked for the Defense Department, in a machine shop in northern Massachusetts and in libraries in Jamaica and New York City.

Here, hell oversee a system with a $15.5 million budget and 170 workers. Zabriskie has direct oversight of the citys 10 branches and the Central Library, which is downtown. Hell also work with the countys 21 member libraries. His salary is $106,936.

After about a month on the job, Zabriskie admitted he and his family had not yet made it to Wegmans or the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. He has, however, mastered the pronunciation of Beauchamp and Salina. One change already under his leadership: The renewal receipts that come with checked out materials now include estimates of savings when borrowing  rather than purchasing  a book.

Zabriskie, his wife, Vicky, and their 6-year-old daughter, Sydney, are living in Manlius. We spoke to him during two interviews. The conversations have been edited for length and clarity.

Christian Zabriskie is the new director of the Onondaga County Public Library system. Teri Weaver | tweaver@syracuse.com

Did you grow up with a library in your life?

I grew up in Amesbury, Massachusetts, a small, very blue-collar town right on the New Hampshire border. When I was in middle school, I was bullied, and I had a hard time adjusting. I had a really gifted middle school librarian, Mrs. Monica Blondin. She took me and my best friend and put us into an independent study program. She had us doing all kind of crazy projects. We were reading George Orwell. We were writing fantasy novels. That was really my comfort place. It got me through a difficult part of my adolescence. Im still in contact with Mrs. Blondin. I talked to her about my new job and she said, Oh I had nothing to do with any of that. Thats a very librarian thing to say. Obviously, she was a huge part of my success.

How does that library compare with what libraries are like today, and especially what you are seeing in Syracuse?

Libraries are relentlessly innovative. Mrs. Blondin was doing something new. She gave us a lot of freedom and access. I think that one of the biggest things thats happened is that weve become more engaged with our publics and our communitys education.

In classic libraries, its sort of this temple of knowledge. The librarians are these priests and priestesses. You come to us. We give you a scroll. You take the scroll away. If you get something out of it, thats on you. And if you dont, thats your problem too.

Nowadays were much more actively involved. Were much more engaged in teaching. We have resources through different media: electronic medium, databases, e-books, streaming services. And were really just jockeying to help people and back people up in ways they havent anticipated that they need yet.

When you talked about this idea of a temple of learning  that sounds so formal, so rigid. Do you see a difference in todays libraries?

Ive spent a lot of my career in some pretty rough, inner city libraries. Were offering kids a lot more and people a lot more than a formal relationship. Ive had guys who were just out of prison who were checking in with me to keep them on the straight and narrow, which is bizarre. Im just the local librarian, right? I had a guy telling me you and my mom are the only people keeping me out of jail. Dude, I barely know you! But we made this connection.

When he had an interview for a job, he came in and told me about it. I said, Whens the interview? And he said, Im going to it in an hour. And I said, Well, wheres the tie? And hes like, Im not wearing a tie. Its for a forklift driver. I took my tie off and put it on him. He said, Nobody there is going to have a tie. And I said, Nobody but you.

That was at a Queens library. After that, one of my colleagues and I started a thing called the tie-brary. We started circulating ties and checking out ties to people who were going to job interviews. It was a way of giving them confidence and maybe something they didnt think of or have access to.

Youve lived in Florida. Scotland. Bermuda. Queens. So how does Syracuse stack up?

My wife and I are really enjoying it. My wife had a pretty high-powered job with Columbia University. She was getting calls, pretty much 24/7 for her job. Now, shes home-schooling our daughter. Its a major lifestyle change for us. Were out in Manlius. We did 13 years in New York between Brooklyn and Queens, and my wife thought maybe we would do something a little bit different. But Ive spent a lot of time walking around (Syracuse), trying to get a feel for the streets, a feel for the community. I was at Mayor (Ben) Walshs State of the City address. I felt like the commitment to poverty was fantastic. Im excited about the countys focus on infrastructure and economic development and education. Those are all things that people dont necessarily think the library can key in on. But we can be part of all of that.

How old is your daughter?

My daughter is 6 now. Theyre home right now doing home school. We saw a six-month time period when it could be a lot more like our childhood. My mom was around all the time. My wife will go back to work eventually. But for them to have that amount of contact, I will work real, real hard for the citizens of Syracuse for my family to have that opportunity.

How did you get to Bermuda?

I applied for a job. Thats what I tell people all the time, apply for it. It took them a year to come back and hire me. I thought, Hey, why not me?

Where did you go to undergrad?

I went to the University of St. Andrews. I would go to St. Andrews for the school year in Scotland, from 18 to 21. I would come home for summers and work in Massachusetts in this machine shop doing heavy industry. I can run a drill press. I can run a milling machine, a press, a hydraulic press. Ive done grinders. Ive done cut-off saws, band saws. That kind of set a lot of my life. I would work in a very heavy-duty, blue-collar in the summers with a lot of guys I liked and they really liked me. And then during the school years, I was at the University of St. Andrews.

Is it the kind of place where you wore a coat and tie to class?

No, it wasnt quite that formal. But its pretty fancy. In my last year I lived in a 15th century tower house. That was pretty cool. But thats kind of the way Ive always approached things. It can be you. Thats what I tell children. You see these adventures people take. It could be you. Why shouldnt it be you?

What does it take to be a good librarian?

One of the things people dont understand is that we dont read books, we read people. When you hit a librarian who is really on their game, you go in and ask a question. It might seem like a simple question to you. But what youve got is someone who is inveterately curious, somebody who has a nimble mind whos going to weld their mind to your problem. In the five minutes that they have with you, theyre going to throw everything theyve got at trying to resolve this question for you. Maybe youre a gay, homeless teenager who needs a place to sleep. Maybe youre someone whos struggling with numerical illiteracy and youre a guy in your forties. Maybe youve read all the John Grisham novels and you want to read something thats similar. The scope of the problem doesnt really faze us so much. But its that almost aggressive search for answers that really comes out.

What are some of your other previous jobs?

Ive managed a number of libraries at the branch level. In my latest position, I ran a large branch in Yonkers, which was a 72,000-square-foot facility that had a theater and huge reading room.

I did a really interesting stint as a freelancer for the Defense Intelligence Agency as a researcher. It was a contract through Florida A&M University, through the DIA. The question that the government had set before us was: Should we encourage people to invest in Liberia or should we encourage them to divest in Liberia? Our strong recommendation was that this was a nation that had an opportunity for growth in this time, that American companies should invest and the U.S. government should keep the door open and the borders open to that nation. The U.S. government ultimately took our recommendation.

What do you think of the library properties in Syracuse?

Ive been to Mundy. Ive been to White. Ive been to Soule. Beauchamp as well. When I came up here for my interview, I came up a day early and hit a lot of libraries, both here in Syracuse and some of the member libraries as well. A lot of them have their own vibe, their own sense of community and a reflection of the community. Thats a good library, a library that makes you feel like the neighborhood youre in.

Im very impressed with your pronunciation of Beauchamp.

Oh, thanks. Ive been working on it. Its the small things. It took me a little while

To get Salina?

To get Salina right. Hey, to get Onondaga right? That took a while too. But its respect. I dont know how you can respect me if I cant correctly pronounce the building you work in.

You helped with the campaign to restore budget cuts in New York City. You helped during Superstorm Sandy, setting up mini libraries. When President Donald Trumps ordered a limit on travel for people from certain countries, you helped refugees get resources. Much of that work was through the non-profit you created with your friend and partner, Lauren Comito.

Urban Librarians Unite. Ooo-loo. At ULU, we do a conference every year, a book campaign for unaccompanied minors. People dont expect a wild-eyed radical whos going to hold your feet to the fire when they say librarian. I would never suggest were siren services. Were not firefighters. Were not policemen. But I do think that were intellectual first responders. I think that when the going gets tough and you feel lost, you can go to the library and somebody there will help you. And I think the thing we give people more than anything  we can give them books, we can give them movies  but the thing thats most important is that we can give them dignity. There arent many places in American society where you can sit and be warm and have access to things and be respected.

Youve spent a lot of your career in childrens and young adult sections. What does that mean for our libraries here?

Ive been going around the branches and doing story time. Its about half an hour that a librarian spends with a group of children. We read them stories, play games, do finger plays and sing songs. I usually like to throw a little baby yoga in there. Its a chance to encourage children in intellectual curiosity and reading. Its a chance to model to parents, how they can read to their kids and how they can make that happen. Its a chance for parents and children to be together in a safe space that allows them to be close to each other and share an experience for no cost. I dont know that there is another place in society that will allow you to have a shared experience with your toddler in public in a safe and friendly space. For no money.

And for teens, teens are great. Teens are a headache. They are infuriating. Theyre wonderful. Again, where are you going to go if youre a 15-year-old girl and people in society are not going to harass you but they are going to respect you, without spending money? You can sit in a coffee shop, but its still going to cost you money. In the library, you can play a video game. You can hang out with your friends. You can do some homework, which is what we hope theyll do but they never do. And thats a good thing, too. Its society with training wheels.

But libraries are not just about childrens services. Increasingly were starting to look at the other end of life. My pops was a reader right up until he died. He had some challenges for how that worked for him as he got older and his vision deteriorated and some of his acumen deteriorated. Just as we promote reading in youth, we promote reading in our senior years. It gave my father a lot of comfort as he finished out his days. His ability to read going away was one of the hardest things that he suffered from as his health declined. My mom burns through a novel almost every two days. And shes 85 now. And it keeps her sharp. She reads faster than I do.

She reads faster than I do.

But also theres a social aspect. Having things like tea and talk. One of my colleagues, a guy in Brooklyn, he had a great program. It was literally just making coffee and tea for a bunch of seniors, buying an Entenmanns cake and then this young guy in his 20s leading a conversation about current events. Friendships are formed. Connections are made.

Do you see starting programs like that here?

Absolutely.

What else would you like to do here?

I love the outreach were doing with veterans. I love the stuff we have in our local history collections. We have a lot of gorgeous, rare material. We have a signature of George Washington. We have a signature of Abraham Lincoln. Walt Whitman. Laura Ingalls Wilder. How do we make it so people can come and see something Abraham Lincoln put his hand to? That really brings history alive.

Id also love to reach out to what we call emerging adults. Youre in your 20s. You want to hang out somewhere. You want to have fun stuff. Lets make that fun stuff here. I want people to meet your future spouse at the library. I want people to get married at the library. Well, not really (laughing).

Really? Why not? Youve got all these people living downtown now. And Im not sure theyre all coming over to the Central Library right now.

I want that to happen. A quiet library is great. And there should be a space for quiet in the library, because the world is noisy. If the library can provide people with a space, for some solitude, solace, we want to do that.

Having said that, I mean, news flash: Smart is sexy. Its the 21st century. And maybe you dont drink. Maybe youre not into a club scene. Maybe you dont want to fight with (loud) music. We can set up a space where people can have a conversation. Maybe that conversation turns into coffee or dinner or a life together. Maybe it doesnt, and thats fine too.

At one of my last libraries I created a space for conversation. Because people use the library to do business meetings over the web. They use the library to take webinars. They use the library to tutor. They use the library to do group work.

Christian Zabriskie is the new director of the Onondaga County Public Library system. Provided by OCPLProvided by OCPL

Lets switch gears for just a second and talk hair.

Yeah, hair. A lot of people talk about that, huh?

I really worked hard on mine this morning. A fresh blowout, it took half an hour.

I really appreciate that. So did I. So did I.

Yours still looks better. Give me some tips. Some secrets.

You know, Im really fortunate. About the hair photo, the long hair: My not-for-profit did a fundraiser called Save it or Shave It. The idea was -- Should Christian shave his head or should he keep his hair long? And it was about $500 to about $50 to save it. I spoke to the (OCPL) board about it and the whole thing. Its the 21st century, nobody really gives a damn. I wear a suit. I wear a tie. At this point Im keeping my hair because people paid $500 for me to keep my hair. It was right before I got (this) job.

Well, now people in Syracuse will know who you are.

Everybody knows who I am. Its fun.

Have you heard of St. Baldricks?

I have.

Youll have to go observe at Kitty Hoynes.

I absolutely have considered that as well. My wife is ready for me to change it up. And Im up to that. However, my daughter is strongly, vehemently against me cutting it.

Is anything in our national discourse affecting our reading habits?

Lately, theres been the troupe of: Would you host a Nazi program in the library? Thats a bigger question. Wed have to look at that. Im not crazy about that. But Ive seen some fascinating things with people having conversations about gun control (at libraries) and then the library gave out trigger locks. I mean thats in the community. I think the library can be a space for that kind of dialogue. So long as we respect each other. Its hard for people to be mad at the library.

So what are you reading now? Do you have any reading goals this year?

Right now, I have this whole thing about the Newbery list. So Im reading this absolutely fantastic book called Rifles for Watie (by Harold Keith). Its a historical fiction about the Civil War. And the author does a brilliant job of having this character see every aspect of it.

What age group is it for?

Middle school. Its a very nicely drawn piece. Its earlier, so now we would look at it differently. Slavery gets an easy treatment in it. But theres a lot to it that fascinating about seeing both sides of a conflict and all kind of aspects of it. With my daughter, weve been reading Captain Underpants books for about two weeks solid now.

That sounds like a long time.

Theyre brilliant. I have a masters degree in modernist literary theory, and I can only wrap my head around so much Captain Underpants. But my kid keeps it all straight.

That gets to another thing. She loved The Witches (by Roald Dahl). But one of her best friends was terrified of The Witches. Come to the library. You dont have to buy it all. See what works best for your child. Amazon is great and all, in its own way. But I can get it for you cheaper, as in free.

One of the things weve just started doing is weve just started  and my team was fantastic on this, they flipped this in no time at all, I was so impressed. If you look at your checkout receipt now at the library, youll see how much you saved that day. It really is a testament to your tax dollars at work.

And its a ticker  its cumulative.

Oh yes. My familys been here for a couple of weeks, but as of yesterday we were up to like $300.

You talked about how libraries were a refuge for you when you were a kid.

Absolutely.

And you had been bullied.

Yep. Middle school stinks for everybody. Middle school is really, really hard, for a lot of kids. And I found a space in my life and a refuge in the library that I was free of that. I want to create a space in our society where kids can feel safe. Theres very few spaces in society where a young woman can go and not be hassled. And I want the library to be that space. I want a space for our veterans who have PTSD, who need a quiet space, who need to have some place where they feel solace. I want it for them too. I want a single mom to be able to take a break for 20 minutes and check her Facebook while her kid has something to do. The library can be a refuge for a lot of people, not just 12-year-old Christian. But it certainly was that to me.

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Labour leadership candidates (left to right) Emily Thornberry, Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey before they took part in Newsnights Labour leadership hustings (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

Emily Thornberry has claimed her shadow cabinet colleague Rebecca Long-Bailey failed to push for tougher action on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

During a tense moment in a Labour leadership debate, the shadow foreign secretary said she and Sir Keir Starmer had called for the shadow cabinet to be more involved in tackling the partys anti-Semitism problem.

But Ms Thornberry claimed she did not remember shadow business secretary Ms Long-Bailey doing the same.

Speaking during BBC Newsnights televised hustings, Ms Thornberry said: I think it would be right to say that the record shows that I have regularly called out anti-Semitism in my party.

Labour leadership candidates set out their stall in the TV debate (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

It also should be said that Keir and I were both in the shadow cabinet and would regularly, the two of us, call for regular reports to the shadow cabinet.

Asked whether she was saying Rebecca didnt demand such a role for leader Jeremy Corbyns top team, Ms Thornberry added: No, I dont think Rebecca did, but Keir and I did.

In a terse exchange during the 50-minute debate, Ms Long-Bailey responded: I did, I think youll find.

But Ms Thorberry added: Sorry, I dont remember.

Ms Long-Bailey said she would sign up to the 10 pledges on tackling anti-Semitism that had been set by the Board of Deputies of British Jews if she becomes leader.

As leader I will be signing up to the 10 pledges. I would expect my shadow cabinet and all those within it, all our members and MPs within Parliament to follow my lead on that, she added.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir added: If youre not prepared to fight anti-Semitism, you shouldnt be in the shadow cabinet.

We cannot go round as a party making promises to nationalise everything.Lisa Nandy

Lisa Nandy, the only backbencher left in the race, said there should be no one in the Labour Party that doesnt defend the right of Israel to exist.

The Wigan MP also criticised the scale of Labours nationalisation plans in the last manifesto, saying we cant nationalise everything.

She said: One of the things we did in the last election was we made promises we simply couldnt keep.

We cannot go round as a party making promises to nationalise everything, to slash or get rid of tuition fees but we hadnt got a clue how we would do it and how we would pay for it.

People are smarter than that. We have to be honest with them.

During the programme, all four candidates stated that they remained committed to scrapping university tuition fees and renationalising the water and electricity industries  pledges that were in the 2019 Labour manifesto.

But they jointly rowed back on scrapping private schools and introducing a four day week, two other controversial policies put forward during Mr Corbyns leadership.
Gum Disease Awareness Month has been an incredibly rewarding passion project for the IALD, and it has been exciting to see others come on board to help spread the word about the gum disease epidemic.

The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD) once again puts patients first by championing public education about gum disease during Gum Disease Awareness Month in February. Started in 2012, Gum Disease Awareness Month has evolved from a grassroots movement to an international effort, launching in Australia this year. As the new decade commences, the general public is still in need of education of the overwhelming prevalence and consequences of untreated gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, and the impact of successful treatment versus unsuccessful treatment.

The IALD has been committed to spreading the word about this serious and often underestimated disease, chiefly via its patient-facing resource FightGumDisease.com. The Australian effort, FightGumDisease.com.au, is headed by Christopher Barker, BDS, FRACDS, who practices in Queensland. Dr. Barker learned about Gum Disease Awareness month while attending training in Cerritos, California.

I was intrigued by the approach started by the IALD  educating the public through social media about a disease that has such a significant heath impact, stated Dr. Barker. Given gum diseases prevalence and its significant impact on total health, I was encouraged to begin creating awareness in Australia as well.

Gum Disease Awareness Month has been an incredibly rewarding passion project for the IALD, and it has been exciting to see others come on board to help spread the word about the gum disease epidemic, said Dawn M. Gregg, DDS, Training Director for the IALD. We are extremely grateful that Australia is the latest to join in this fight and hope to continue to increase awareness of periodontal disease.

FightGumDisease.com and its Australian counterpart highlight the gum disease epidemic, signs and symptoms, systemic connections to other health risks such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimers, rheumatoid arthritis, pre-term birth and erectile dysfunction, among others. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of the treatment method depends on the efficacy of killing bacteria and can lead to lower costs of medical treatments for diabetes, pregnancy and heart disease. Not all treatment options are equally effective.

Additionally, the websites provide information on prevention tips and treatment options.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LASER DENTISTRY: The IALD is a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in advanced laser dentistry therapies. Formed in 1999, the IALD is ADA-CERP and AGD-PACE accredited, and is nationally recognized for its continuing education programs. The IALD's ultimate goal is for the percentage of patients seeking treatment for periodontitis to reach the percentage of patients seeking general dental care.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Around the time US President Donald Trump will be visiting India this month, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will also be in the country.

"Yes, Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, will be visiting India later this month to address customers, partners, young innovators and developers," Microsoft said in a statement on Thursday.

Nadella is expected to attend a company event on February 24 and 25.

His visit comes barely a month after he had voiced his opinion on the new citizenship law (CAA). Nadella, who hails from Hyderabad and became the Microsoft CEO in 2014, said last month whatever was happening in India on this new legislation was just bad.

Talking to editors in New York in January, Nadella said he would like immigrants to come and set up startups in India. "I think what is happening is sad. It's just bad. I would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant who comes to India and creates the next unicorn in India or becomes the next CEO of Infosys," tweeted Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of buzzfeednews.com, who asked Microsoft CEO about the CAA at the meeting.

Later, Microsoft India issued a statement on behalf of Nadella. "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. In democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds," said the India-born CEO.

"I am shaped by my Indian heritage, growing up in a multicultural India and my immigrant experience in the US. My hope is for an India where an immigrant can aspire to set up a prosperous startup or lead a multinational corporation, benefitting Indian society and the economy at large," Nadella said.
Embattled defence contractor Babcock International suffered another setback as it trimmed its profits forecasts and told investors to brace for an 85million charge.

Warning it has suffered a 'frustrating' quarter, the Royal Navy supplier admitted to further problems in its business that flies workers by helicopter to oil rigs.

Contract delays and challenging oil and gas markets mean it is writing down the leases for its fleet of helicopters, landing it with a one-off 85million charge.

Shares sunk: Warning it has suffered a 'frustrating' quarter, Royal Navy supplier Babcock admitted to further problems in its business that flies workers by helicopter to oil rigs

Babcock said it now expects profits for the year of 540million, compared to a November forecast of between 540million and 560million.

It comes after it issued a shock profit warning last May and suffered attacks from a mysterious short-seller  research outfit The Boatman Capital  which alleged there was friction between it and the Ministry of Defence.

Winning a 1.3billion contract to build the new type 31 frigate  and in so doing breaking BAE Systems' stranglehold on UK shipbuilding  has not managed to undo the damage.

Sceptical Royal Bank of Canada analysts said whoever takes over from outgoing chief executive Archie Bethel, who announced his departure last week, will need to rebuild credibility and attract new investors.

Stock Watch - Itaconix Itaconix shares jumped as it signed new agreements with a North American detergent supplier. The AIM-listed group makes eco-friendly ingredients, specifically polymers, for household cleaners and hair-styling products. It will supply a new ingredient to New Wave Global Services, from later this year. The deal comes as part of a flurry of good news since it posted a profit warning in December. Shares rose 10.7 per cent, or 0.15p, to 1.55p.

Shares fell 3.9 per cent, or 21.4p, to 535p.

Premier Oil climbed 2.4 per cent, or 2.4p, to 104.3p after it managed to fend off an attack from its largest creditor, Hong Kong-based Asia Research and Capital Management, which was trying to derail a 2.2billion refinancing deal and a 670million North Sea takeover spree.

Premier got the backing of more than 80 per cent of creditors for plans the FTSE 250-listed group claims will bring in 760million by 2023.

The wider FTSE 250 rose 0.68 per cent, or 147.46 points, to 21,793.48, while the FTSE 100 added 0.47 per cent, or 34.93 points, to 7534.37, as fears about the spread of the coronavirus continued to subside.

Footsie-listed advertising giant WPP rose 1.8 per cent, or 17p, to 984.2p as it took over Miami-based marketing technology group Xumak for an undisclosed amount as the group is attempting to push ahead in internet advertising.

This is an area former boss Sir Martin Sorrell is also targeting with his new company S4 Capital (up 1.8 per cent, or 4p, to 222.5p).

Online womenswear brand Sosandar said it was placing just over 29.4m shares in a bid to raise 5million to invest in more TV ads and to increase stock levels.

It will place the shares at 17p each, though its stock fell 6.9 per cent, or 1.25p, to close at 19.25p.

Investors liked the sound of 7digital's 12-month deal to run the world's first dedicated streaming service for jazz music, called Jazzed. Shares rose 3.7 per cent, or 0.01p, to 0.42p.

Investors snapped up mining giant Anglo American as analysts at Swiss investment bank UBS upgraded its rating to 'Neutral' from 'Sell'.

It jumped 4.9 per cent, or 101p, to 2153.5p, though they said they still expect investors to question the takeover of cash-strapped Yorkshire potash miner Sirius Minerals for 405million, which was announced last month.

Fellow Footsie miner Polymetal now thinks there is more than twice the amount of gold at a Russian site after a geological study last October, compared with estimates compiled in 2015.

The Kutyn project is up for sale or in need of a joint venture partner. Traders were nonplussed by the update, with shares dropping 1.8 per cent, or 23p, to 1271p.

Online trading platform Plus500 saw profits fall to 146million from 388million a year ago due to a crackdown on high-risk betting. But its shares rose 0.02 per cent, or 0.2p, to 911p.
Journalists in troubled Somalia are "under siege", facing bombings, beatings, attacks and arrests, rights group Amnesty International said Thursday.

The East African nation has long been seen as one of the riskiest places to work as a journalist, with the twin threats of reporting on conflict and draconian restrictions imposed by the authorities.

But now the situation is getting even worse, Amnesty said, in a report titled "We live in perpetual fear", detailing what it called a "dramatic deterioration" in press freedom.

"A surge in violent attacks, threats, harassment and intimidation of media workers is entrenching Somalia as one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist," Amnesty said, calling on the government to take action.

Journalists face threats on all fronts, from attacks by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-allied Al-Shabaab fighters, to the internationally backed authorities.

However, Somalia's government rejected the report, calling it a "fabrication" and "ludicrous allegations", and accusing journalists who had fled the country of making up stories to secure asylum abroad.

"We find no concrete evidence worthy of accusing the Federal Government of Somalia of abuses against journalists," the Ministry of Information said in a statement.

At least eight journalists have been killed since 2017, and at least eight more fled the country fearing for their lives, the report said.

"From barely surviving explosive-wired cars, being shot, beaten up and arbitrarily arrested, journalists are working in horrifying conditions," said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty's head for eastern and southern Africa.

"This crackdown on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom is happening with impunity. The authorities hardly investigate or prosecute perpetrators of attacks on journalists," Muchena said.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Somalia 164th out of 180 countries on its global list of press freedom, with more than 43 journalists killed over the past decade.
Arab reactions to the US Middle East peace plan, or so-called Deal of the Century, from the resolutions of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to the flag burnings and trampling on pictures in Ramallah and Gaza, were natural and expected. No one disputes the fact that the substance of the US initiative violates previous agreements between the Palestinians and Israelis, not to mention international law on the administration of occupied territories. But then much the same can be said with regard to how other international conflicts have been handled. As for more international resolutions, whether from the UN Security Council, General Assembly or International Court of Justice, even if they surpass the US veto by registering a majority opinion, in terms of practical effect they will merely go the way of their predecessors. Meanwhile, the call for armed struggle declared by Palestinian factions and other Arab parties will contribute little to altering the Palestinian reality while adding another arena of violence to a region that has had more than its fill of foreign interventions, civil wars, popular uprisings, terrorist movements, funeral processions and waves of refugees and displaced persons.

The Palestinian situation pretty dire. The chasm between the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Hamas and its allies in Gaza is so deep that the quest for reconciliation is akin to chasing a mirage. What is needed is not more of the same, but new approaches. Perhaps the most important achievement of the Palestinian struggle was the Oslo approach in which Mahmoud Abbas and Yossi Beilin were instrumental in forging the first agreement to give the Palestinian people a political entity and a national authority. It is most regrettable that the achievements won through Oslo could not be preserved due to anticipatable Israeli intransigence and territorial ambitions, as well as to Hamass determination to undermine the agreement through militant violence when negotiations were in progress.

In any case, when we look back at the history of the Palestinian cause we will find that there are more than enough sins and foibles to go around. The US peace plan is another test among the many other tests and critical moments in the history of a conflict that is essentially about the balance of power to impose realities on the ground. Israel has always been the winner in this regard, from the Balfour Declaration to its emergence as a little expanding empire. But the Palestinians scored two successes: the creation of a Palestinian national authority on the ground in Palestine and the continued presence of more than six million Palestinians on the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. Current Arab reactions to the unjust US initiative do little to help preserve and build on these successes. Firstly, the plans architects do not recognise and do not even care that the Palestinians made a huge concession by even agreeing to negotiate over only 22 per cent of the historic land of Palestine. Secondly, they took the unjust realities that Israel created as their starting point for the plan and the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, the move of US Embassy to Jerusalem, and its condoning of the annexation of Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley to Israel were all intended to consolidate these realities.

Despite all the foregoing, from an Arab point of view, apart from the questionable pleasure of accumulating more international resolutions in our favour, approaching the US peace plan as a framework for negotiations in an Arab incubator offers more practical potential than a vote in favour of the Palestinian cause in international forums. Perhaps the recent meeting in Uganda between the Sudanese president and the Israeli prime minister best drives home the fact that Arab countries have vital interests that cannot be put off until a solution is reached to a cause that defies solutions.

Choosing the negotiating path on the basis of the proposed plan offers the Palestinians the opportunity to improve many of that plans conditions, bearing in mind that the Palestinians will be in a better negotiating position if the PA could act as a state, which entails holding a monopoly on the legitimate recourse to arms (a sine qua non of statehood that means that there should be no paramilitary entities). In negotiations, the Palestinians can, for example, demand a halt to measures to annex the Jordan Valley and Israeli settlements until negotiations have concluded, and the US would respond by making that demand on Israel. The Palestinians could also push to regard the Jordan Valley as a security issue as opposed to a prerequisite for Israeli sovereignty. After all, peace has a dynamism of its own: the security protocols in Sinai were lifted 40 years after peace had taken hold.

Without doubt, the Palestinians can benefit considerably from Israeli and US acceptance of the establishment of a Palestinian state, a halt to Israeli settlement expansion and the creation of a joint Palestinian-Israeli council to administer Jerusalem, its transport system and its infrastructure, even if the portion designated for the Palestinian state is on the outskirts. The crucial point is that the purpose of negotiations is to win greater manoeuvrability and advantages for the envisioned Palestinian state, especially after agreements are signed on projects designed to link the West Bank with Gaza which would give the PA access to the Mediterranean, Palestinian offshore natural gas resources and communications and transport networks between the various parts of the state. Certainly, the Gaza airport and seaport will offer the fledgling Palestinian state considerable edge when it comes to attracting foreign investment which, in turn, will curb Palestinian migration abroad. Maritime border agreements between Palestine and Israel and Palestine and Egypt will open a seat for the Palestinian state in the Eastern Mediterranean Forum and bolster the young state against Israeli pressures.

What I am proposing here is another approach to the flaw-filled US plan. I believe it opens a way that is unavailable under a current situation characterised by a deepening inter-Palestinian rift, dwindling Arab energies and declining international interest. The fact is that the Palestinian cause does not exist in a historical or geographical vacuum. It is impossible to ignore the many sweeping changes that have taken place in the Middle East and the world. Still, what is needed is not just fresh ideas and approaches but also a complete negotiating strategy that includes comprehensive and coordinated Arab action to bring the Arab peace initiative to the negotiating table, lending Palestinian negotiators moral and material support and energy, and forcing the Israelis to make a crucial historic choice between empire versus membership in the region, the benefits of its markets, and alliances against common enemies.

Negotiations are a difficult and dynamic process. They require considerable level-headedness and wisdom, as well as a lot of work to prepare a favourable negotiating climate. Current Palestinian anger is totally understandable. But an examination of the current situation forces us to derive some lessons from the past. One is that anger does not solve intractable problems. Another is that the responsibility for Palestine must include Palestinians.

The writer is chairman of the board, CEO and director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Babies are being put at risk because too many doctors and midwives in maternity units are so busy they cannot take time to update their training on vital monitoring equipment.

The stark warning is highlighted in the first overview of the country's 19 maternity units by the patient watchdog, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).

A key concern was the variation in the uptake of training in interpreting technology known as CTG - cardiotocogram tracing - which checks an unborn baby's heart rate for signs of distress.

This is caused if the oxygen supply to a baby in the womb is reduced or blocked. If this happens it can lead to rapid brain damage and even death.

The report highlighted how this training is mandatory and failures in reading or acting on abnormal CTG fetal heart readings were found in a number of key investigations into baby tragedies, including in Portlaoise Hospital, since 2011.

It found the rate of uptake of this training within the two-year time frame ranged from 19pc to 100pc and was not standardised.

Shortages

"Difficulties in releasing clinical staff to attend training because of staff shortages were reported as a key challenge by some maternity units and hospitals," said the report.

The cramped outdated buildings housing maternity hospitals and units, where most of the 60,000 babies are born annually, has been well documented. Hiqa estimated that only units in Wexford, Cavan, Drogheda and Cork are in surroundings physically fit for purpose. But the problems go well beyond the state of the buildings. Many are beset with staff shortages and overworked doctors and midwives.

The inspectors found maternity services were very reliant on front-line medical staff working onerous rosters and midwifery staff doing overtime.

This raised significant questions around "sustainability and service safety."

Around 15pc to 20pc of approved permanent jobs for consultants were unfilled.

Outside the four larger maternity hospitals, the provision of 24-hour maternity care was dependent on doctors who were not on a training scheme to be a specialist.

In many cases these doctors have been in their job for years and given vital service.

Six of the 19 units and hospitals did not have a full quota of approved doctors' posts filled.

The units which faced most difficulty recruiting and retaining doctors had rosters where they were on call one in every five nights.

There was particular worry about the uncertainty of availability of a specialist anaesthesiologist out of hours in some hospitals in the event of an emergency.

Pain

These specialists are needed in cases where a woman needs an epidural for pain relief or requires caesarean section.

Individual reports on the maternity units at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, and University Hospital Kerry found deficiencies in anaesthetic cover, although efforts were made to address this.

The report also disclosed five maternity units still did not offer fetal ultrasounds at the stages of pregnancy recommended in national standards. In 2017 it was confirmed five babies died at Portlaoise Hospital over a number of years due to failings that led to a lack of oxygen.

It led to promises to overhaul maternity services, particularly smaller units across the country, and pledges to fund the National Maternity Strategy.

However, the Hiqa report showed it is under-funded. It was estimated it would take 75m to implement its recommendations over 10 years. But in its first years it received just 8.5m.

Hiqa warned the investment would need to accelerate if it is to be implemented.

Hiqa's chief inspector Mary Dunnion said while it found good practice in how maternity services detect and respond to obstetric emergencies, it also identified opportunities for improvement to ensure they remain safe and effective.
Gardai in Portlaoise say they are still awaiting the full results of a post mortem carried out on the body of Tullamore resident, 44-year-old Gintas Nedaivodinas, whose body was discovered on Tuesday, February 4 in the Slieve Bloom mountains.

A native of Lithuania Mr Nedaivodinas came to Ireland 15 years ago and had been living in Tullamore.

Supt Anthony Pettit of Portlaoise garda station said, in particular, they are awaiting the results of toxicology tests. However, he added that gardai have "largely ruled out anything sinister in terms of an assault" or any other form of violence on the deceased but instead believe it was a "tragic accident."

Supt Pettit stressed that gardai are still investigating how the accident came about and the case is still open.

The body of Mr Nedaivodinas was found in the popular scenic spot The Cut and had been there from Saturday, February 1, until it was discovered on Tuesday, February 4.

Mr Nedaivodinas had worked at various jobs since coming to Ireland and more recently was working in horticulture in Meath.

While he didn't have any immediate family in Tullamore, Supt Pettit said he was living with his cousin and his cousin's daughter also lived nearby.

Mr Nedaivodinas was described by friends on Facebook as "good, friendly and fun and always trying to help a person." His sister and brother live in Lithuania.

A fundraiser to cover funeral costs was organised by friends hoping to raise 2,000 by February 20 but that was surpassed in a matter of hours.

Anyone walking near The Cut on Saturday or Sunday, February 1 and 2 is asked to contact Portlaoise Gardai on (057) 8674122 or Tullamore Gardai (057) 32 7600 or at any Garda Station.
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The discovery of two dead dolphins with grisly gunshot or stab wounds in Florida in recent weeks has prompted a plea for help by the federal authorities, who have offered a reward for information about whoever killed the animals. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found one male dolphin off Naples on Jan. 30, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission via The New York Times) --
The Rio Carnival could bring the first cases of the deadly coronavirus to South America as a million tourists descend on the Brazilian city from around the world.

Officials in Rio de Janeiro are preparing for an outbreak by freeing up 120 hospital beds and training health workers how to spot symptoms of the highly contagious disease.

They are also practicing how to quickly apply face masks to potential patients while themselves slipping into protective plastic suits ahead of the six-day carnival that starts on Friday next week.

Revelers take part in the 'Banda de Ipanema' street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last Saturday. Thousands have started attending the popular street parties ahead of the world's famous carnival festival that begins on February 21

Thousands have already started attending street parties ahead of the main event which is considered the biggest carnival in the world and sees around two million people on the streets every day.

There are now more than 60,000 coronavirus cases in 27 countries around the world, but so far there are none in South America.

A group of 34 Brazilians evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, are being held in quarantine at a military base but none have been confirmed as carriers.

Patricia Guttman, a municipal health official, told Reuters: 'It's worrying because there are a lot of people moving around and a lot of tourists coming into the country from all parts of the world.'

She added: 'We're ready for Carnival.'
PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-13 11:42:02

EURid Reveals Its Q4 2019 Progress Report

EURid, Reelika Kirna, press@eurid.eu

EURid released its Q4 2019 Progress Report today sharing the quarterly statistics, developments, and overview of the .eu website categorization study.

Highlights include:

- Three major releases;

- 161 690 new domain name registrations recorded;

- Norway tops the list of top growth countries at +10.9 %;

- An average renewal rate of 80 %

Total registrations decreased from 3 617 536 at the end of Q3 to 3 606 311 at the end of Q4. This is attributed to continuous uncertainties surrounding Brexit and the .eu extension.

Developments throughout the quarter included:

- participation in the Codeweek initiative for the fourth year running, with ten free workshops and interactive sessions for children and teachers;

- winning Registry of the Year at the 2019 CENTR Awards;

- launching the new eligibility criteria, extending the registration of .eu domain names to all EU citizens living around the world;

- adding a third extension to the portfolio  ., the .eu in Greek;

- launching the Abuse Prevention and Early Warning System (APEWS) in order to detect malicious registrations.

In addition, other high points of the quarter included the 2019 .eu Web Awards Gala on 20 November in Brussels where the winners were announced, winning the Eco (Association of the Internet Industry) Award for our APEWS platform under the Domain Category on 21 November, and the presentation of the 2019 IDN World Report at the IGF meeting in Berlin on 27 November.

Click here for EURids Q4 2019 Progress Report.

About EURid

EURid is the not-for-profit organisation that operates the .eu, . and . top-level domains, following a tender process and appointment by the European Commission. EURid works with over 700 accredited registrars. As part of its ongoing commitment to data security, EURid has been certified for the ISO27001 security standard since 2013. EURid is also registered by the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), which is an expression of its environmental commitment. EURid has its headquarters in Diegem (Belgium), and regional offices in Pisa (Italy), Prague (the Czech Republic) and Stockholm (Sweden). More information at: www.eurid.eu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005
Growing up in a black neighborhood of Chicago, Katherine W. Phillips was chosen in third grade to attend a nearly all-white magnet school. I was introduced at a young age to diversity, to difference, to ignorance, she later recalled.

The experience inspired a lifelong quest to delve into the specifics of how and why racially and ethnically diverse groups function differently than homogeneous ones. As a professor, most recently at Columbia Business School, she analyzed the ways that organizations, especially in their workplaces, can maximize the benefits of hiring employees with different backgrounds.

The first thing to acknowledge about diversity is that it can be difficult, Professor Phillips wrote in a 2014 essay for Scientific American. Diversity often provokes discomfort, conflict and more challenging interactions, she acknowledged.

But that friction frequently leads to better outcomes, as she demonstrated through experiments and groundbreaking empirical research. People in diverse groups work harder, share information more broadly and consider a wider range of views than those of just one race, culture or gender, she found.
LAKELAND, Fla.Vivien Carroll confessed today that, in the crowded lobby, after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts, she couldnt help but try to mimic the female dancers smooth, floating style of walking.

I was trying to figure out how the ladies do that. So I was in the lobby trying to walk like they do. Theyre so graceful, Vivien, a classical guitarist, said with a laugh.

Her husband, Ed Carroll, is a French horn player and the one who pointed out how Vivien was already practicing how to walk so gracefully in the lobby. His observation came after he heard her describe her deep feelings about New York-based Shen Yun and about why the company cannot perform in China today, the homeland of their cultural origin.

It makes me sad for all of the musicians and dancers [of Shen Yun], to know that they could never do this in their home country. And its something that I think the people of China would love dearly.  Its really wonderful that [Shen Yuns artists] do put it together so that those of us who have no idea of the history can at least begin to appreciate the difference in the cultures, Vivien said at the Youkey Theatre at RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida on Feb. 12, 2020.

Shen Yun is reviving traditional Chinese culture through such ancient and technically-challenging art forms such as classical Chinese dance, bel canto vocal music, original orchestral compositions, and more.

But the Chinese Communist Party has sought to wipe out traditional Chinese culture for the last several decades. They perceive traditional Chinese culture as a threat to their own legitimacy. As part of the campaign, those who practice the ancient Chinese spiritual discipline known as Falun Dafa, and people from other faiths, are persecuted, even to this day. Scenes of real-life persecution and the ways the believers are facing it with compassion and faith are included in the Shen Yun performance.

I didnt realize  the Communist Chinese Party, I mean I know that they are regressive and they are, but I didnt realize that you couldnt see a show like this in China, Ed said.

I think the show is very impressive. The dancers are phenomenal, and the orchestra is extraordinary, and its a very spiritual show, he continued.

Authentic Chinese culture contains a profound connection to the divine and spiritual practices that have been passed on for thousands of years: Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. These traditions appear throughout the stories and song lyrics in a Shen Yun performance.

I loved the technically crisp music, Vivien chimed in. The trumpet playercrazy good. And I do love that they want to express human kindness. And thats something thats really important and to acknowledge your Creator is very important. And so tie it to the music, which is our passion  to tie that with faith and then the beauty of the dance. And the ladies and the men are, the ladies are graceful and its beautiful to watch.

Having been a French horn player most of his life, Ed weighed with expertise about Shen Yuns live orchestra.

Obviously the musicians are very talented and professional, he said. And, like I was explaining to my wife when we came down to look at the pit, they have a very big sound. They sound like a complete orchestra to me, even though the instrumentation isnt quite as much as a complete orchestra, they sound like a complete orchestra.

Shen Yun incorporates Eastern and Western instruments together for an effect that is unique in the classical music world. According to Shen Yuns website, First, the Western orchestra serves as a foundation, accentuating the distinct sound of Chinese instruments. Second, the bedrock of soul-stirring melodies from the ancient Middle Kingdom is fully brought to life by a Western symphony. This is what makes Shen Yuns music unique and is a new frontier in classical music.

Ed had words of gratitude for Shen Yuns artists and the event organizers: We enjoy it very much. Thank you, thank you [Shen Yun] for coming.

With reporting by Yawen Hung 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.
ALBANY, New York, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Transparency Market Research has recently published a new report that provides in-detailed insights on the overall working dynamics of the global fungicides market. The research report predicts that the global market will exhibit a healthy CAGR of ~4% for the given forecast period ranging from 2019 to 2027. With this rate of growth, the global market will reach to valuation worth around US$22.3 bn by the end of 2027. Initially, the global market was valued at US$15.3 bn in 2018.

Fungicides are mainly used for controlling disease attacks on yield and crops from fungi. They play an important role in improving the overall production rate of crops by saving them from fungal attack. Thus, there is an increasing demand for these fungicides across the globe from farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry.

Download PDF Brochure - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=7241

Key Findings in the Research Report

The global fungicides market is divided in terms of product, crop, and region.

Based on product, the global market is further segmented into mancozeb, chlorothalonil, triazoles, strobilurin, and others. Of these, the sub-segment of triazoles accounted for a larger share in the global market in the year 2018. Higher levels of efficiency on broad range of fungi and the property to mix with other fungicides are some of the key factors that are driving the growth of the segment.

There has been a fundamental transition in terms of harvesting cash crops instead of cereal crops. This is particularly evident in countries such as India and China . Considerable growth in the number of food transportation and storage facilities are helping to fuel the demand for fungicides in these nations.

Explore a report with detailed research, incisive insights, and in-depth country levels estimations. Gain business intelligence on global Fungicides Market by Product: Mancozeb, Chlorothalonil, Triazoles, Strobilurin, and Others; Crop: Fruits & Vegetables, Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds, and Others - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2019  2027 at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fungicides-market.html

Global Fungicides Market  Key Driving Factors

The global population is increasing at an alarming rate. The population rose from 7.2 billion in 2015 to 7.5 billion in 2019. This has led to massive concerns about food production and security. With such growing demand, it has become even more imperative that agricultural yield stays unharmed so that it can cater to the burgeoning needs. This has thus been a pivotal factor that has helped in fueling the growth of the global fungicides market.

Another important factor that has helped in driving the growth of the global fungicides market is the increasing awareness about the use of such agrochemicals for improving the overall yield.

In addition to this, there has been a strong influx of investment and funding from both public as well as private sector that has helped in further development of the fungicides market.

A key trend that has been observed in the global fungicides market is of increasing preference towards eco-friendly alternatives for synthetic fungicides. This has prompted manufacturers to develop such products and help in improving the sustainability of their products. Moreover, these organic products are much more beneficial for the yield as well as the soil. This factor is also expected to help in pushing up the market growth.

This trend is expected to bring a fundamental transformation in the overall growth of the global market as the use of organic insecticides, herbicides, bio-based fungicides, and nematicides continues to grow.

Global Fungicides Market  Key Restraining Factors

One of the biggest restraining factor for the growth of the global fungicides market is the ill-effect of overuse of synthetic products on the environment. Synthetic fungicides are not only harmful for the crop yield, but also for the soil.

Another important restraining factor for the market growth is the resistance developed by fungi to the existing fungicides. Untimely and excessive use of these products can lead to developing fungi resistance. This makes the use of current products pointless and thus slowdown the market growth.

View Detailed Table of Contents at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/7241

Global Fungicides Market  Regional Outlook

With respect to value, the regional segment of Asia Pacific has been a dominant one and accounted for a majority share in 2018. The growth rate of the region is expected to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years of the forecast period.

has been a dominant one and accounted for a majority share in 2018. The growth rate of the region is expected to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years of the forecast period. The growing use of fungicides in the region can be mainly attributed to the increasing demand for food and dwindling arable land.

Agro-based economies such as India , Australia , and China are some of the key contributors for the overall development of the Asia Pacific market. The development of agriculture industry in these nations is expected to have a positive impact on the development of the overall market.

Analyze fungicides market growth in 30+ countries including US, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Poland, Benelux, Nordic, China, Japan, India, and South Korea. Request a sample of the study.

Global Fungicides Market  Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the global fungicides market is quite fragmented. This is because there are several notable brands that are operating in the global market. One of the key trend that has been observed in the competitive landscape of the fungicides market is growing focus on developing eco-friendly products that will help in improvement of crop yield.

Some of the key companies in the global market are, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., PI Industries, FMC Corporation, ADAMA Ltd., BASF SE, UPL, Corteva Agriscience, Nufarm Ltd., Quimetal Industrial S.A., and Bayer AG.

Global Fungicides Market  Segmentation

Fungicides Market by Product

Mancozeb

Chlorothalonil

Triazoles

Strobilurin

Others (Including Metalaxyl and Chloronitrile)

Fungicides Market by Crop

Fruits & Vegetables

Cereals & Grains

Oilseeds & Pulses

Others (Ornamentals and Lawns)

Fungicides Market by Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals and Materials Industry,

Biofungicides Market - Biofungicides market is expected to reach a valuation of USD $730 million by end of 2027. The valuation of the market stood at a meagre US$220 million in 2018.

Biopesticides Market - Global biopesticides market would grow at a CAGR of 14.2% over the period between 2019 and 2027. The total value of this market is slated to touch US$ 6.8 Bn by the end of 2027.

Microencapsulated Pesticides Market - Global microencapsulated pesticides market was valued at US$ 327.05 mn in 2017. During the forecast period from 2018 to 2026, the microencapsulated pesticides market is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 10.4%.

Agricultural Adjuvants Market - Global agricultural adjuvants market is likely to rise at a healthy rate of 6.6 % CAGR. The market is likely to touch a market valuation of US$ 4.16 Bn through 2024.

Insecticides Market - Global insecticide market is forecast to US$23 mn by the end of 2025, from US$14.6 mn, which was its value in 2016. During this period, the market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.3%.

Gain access to Market Ngage, an AI-powered, real-time business intelligence that goes beyond the archaic research solutions to solve the complex strategy challenges that organizations face today. With over 15,000+ global and country-wise reports across 50,000+ application areas, Market Ngage is your tool for research on-the-go. From tracking new investment avenues to keeping a track of your competitor's moves, Market Ngage provides you with all the essential information to up your strategic game. Power your business with Market Ngage's actionable insights and remove the guesswork in making colossal decisions.

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
India will pitch for inclusion of the endangered Asiatic Elephant, Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican in the world list of Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) during its conference in Gujarat next week, an official said.

The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of CMS would be held from February 17 in Gandhinagar, where environmentalists and wildlife conservation experts from 126 signatory parties across the globe will converge to discuss strategies on saving the endangered migratory species.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the five-day conference, which would also be attended by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, the official said.

The COP-CMS is an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations Programme (UNEP).

"The CMS has an appendix (list of endangered migratory species). India will propose for the inclusion of the Asiatic Elephant, Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican in the CMS appendix during the summit starting next week," Gujarat Chief Conservator of Forests Dr Dinesh Kumar Sharma told PTI.

Special efforts are made for conservation of migratory species included in the CMS appendix across countries which are part of these UN-inspired effort to save them, he said.

"As per the procedure, any country can propose inclusion of any species in the appendix. Discussions are then held over it at the conference. A decision is taken after thorough discussions between member countries. India will push for the inclusion of three species," he said.

The Gujarat government is the co-host along with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the conference held every three years.

India will head the COP-CMS for next three years after the conference is held in Gandhinagar. The 12th conference was held in Philippines.

The mascot for the COP-CMS to be held in Gandhinagar is the Great Indian Bustard, Sharma said.

India will also try to get dolphins included in the list of protected species, he said.

The Great Indian Bustard is among the heaviest flying birds. Once common on dry plains, as few as 150 of them were estimated to survive in 2018.

The Asiatic Elephant is found throughout the Indian sub-continent and South-East Asia. Since 1986, it has been listed as endangered as its population has declined by at least 50 per cent over the last three generations.

The Bengal Florican is native to the Indian sub- continent, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is listed as critically endangered because fewer than 1,000 birds were estimated to be alive as of 2017.

India has been party to CMS since 1983. It has also signed a non-legally binding Memorandum of Understanding with the CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian cranes, marine turtles, dugongs and raptors.

During the five-day conference, discussions will be held on various topics, including conservation of specific animals like jaguars, vultures and migratory species in the Himalayan landscape, and control of illegal trade of wildlife, including migratory species, Sharma added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the anti-coronavirus vaccine could be ready in 18 months and called upon the international community to consolidate efforts in fighting the virus in the meantime while there is still a chance to do so

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th February, 2020) The World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the anti-coronavirus vaccine could be ready in 18 months and called upon the international community to consolidate efforts in fighting the virus in the meantime while there is still a chance to do so.

Ghebreyesus spoke at a two-day international forum on coronavirus, which has now been officially labeled COVID-19, with over 400 scientists attending in person and via internet.

"[Vaccines] will take time to develop, but in the meantime we are not defenseless. There are many basic public interventions that are available to us now and which can prevent infections now. For instance, the first vaccine could be ready in 18 months, so we have to do everything today using the available weapon to fight this virus, while preparing for the long-term," Ghebreyesus said.

The WHO chief reiterated the international call for $675 million to be invested in the fight against the virus, extending thanks to countries that have contributed and urging those that have not to "contribute urgently.

"

"If we invest now in rational and evidence-based interventions, we have a realistic chance of stopping this outbreak. We have a window of opportunity," Ghebreyesus said, citing that while in China the infections count over 40,000, in other countries the toll is in its 300s.

"Let's be serious in using the window of opportunity we have. We shouldn't loose this window of opportunity. If we loose, we will regret it," he added.

The novel coronavirus strain was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December and has since spread to 24 countries. As of Tuesday, over 42,700 people count infected and over 1,000 killed by the virus in China. The toll in other countries stands at 393 cases with one confirmed fatality.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSXV:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTC:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report exploration results including assays from thirty-six drill holes from the 2019 drill program plus one area of channel sampling testing the Lone Star Zone along the Bonanza Fault on the Company's wholly owned 586 square kilometer Klondike District Property, Yukon Territory. The drill program was designed to test the Bonanza fault for Lone Star style mineralization over an additional 750m of strike length to the SE of the Lone Star zone, in an area of high gold-in-soil values up to 0.8 g/t Au. The program was successful in intersecting broad zones of gold mineralization containing local intervals of high-grade gold. The Company's latest interpretation however suggests the main "Lone Star' mineralized horizon has been fault offset slightly south and was untested in 2019 and remains a high priority target for 2020 drilling.

SUMMARY

Recent re-analysis of geophysical data sets covering the Klondike District property indicate the Bonanza Fault can be traced in both VLF-EM, and tilt derivative airborne magnetic survey data. The Bonanza Fault appears as a 7.0 Km magnetic low (fault) associated with gold mineralization traceable across the northwestern end of the property, starting near the confluence between Eldorado and Bonanza Creeks and trending southeasterly through the Lone Star Zone.

Drill results reported here are from along the Bonanza Fault, east of the Lone Star zone.

Overall drill and geologic results support the Company's interpretation that D4 structures are conduits for gold-bearing fluids and that both D4 and D3 structures are potentially gold mineralized exploration targets with a cross-cutting pattern analogous to a checkerboard.

Remaining 2019 drill results from various ancillary targets are pending release.

DRILL RESULT HIGHLIGHTS

The first Lone Star Zone drill hole of 2019, LS19-284 intersected mineralization from surface grading 0.60 g/t Au over 83.0 meters (4.00-87.00m), including 1.91 g/t Au over 16.50 meters (35.0 to 51.5m).

Hole LS19-290, intersected mineralization from surface grading 0.84 g/t Au over 18.50 meters (5.30 to 23.80m).

Hole LS19-300 intersected near-surface mineralization grading 0.69 g/t Au over 31.40m (28.20 to 59.60m), including 1.09 g/t Au over 17.80 meters (28.20 to 46.00m).

Hole LS19-305 intersected near-surface mineralization grading 1.25 g/t Au over 20.50m (51.50m to 72.00m).

The final Lone Star Zone drill hole of 2019, LS19-319 intersected mineralization from near-surface grading 1.45 g/t Au over 20.20 meters (20.80 to 41.00m).

LONE STAR ZONE DRILL RESULTS

Assay results for samples from thirty-six (36) drill holes (LS19-284 to LS19-319) are newly reported here. The thirty-six holes were drilled in an area of 300 meters wide by 700 meters (along strike) located east of the known Lone Star mineralized zone. Mineralization in drill holes reported here extends the known envelope of Lone Star Zone mineralization along the Bonanza Fault for up to 400 meters to the east and provides information for drill targeting further potential expansion in 2020. (Refer to Figure 1: Location Plan Map of Lone Star Zone drilling.)

Figure 1: Location Plan Map of Lone Star Zone drilling.

Significant intersections from these thirty-six holes are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Results from Lone Star Zone new drill holes LS19-284 to LS19-319.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Au (g/t) Length (m) LS19-284 4.00 87.00 0.60 83.00 including 35.00 51.50 1.91 16.50 LS19-285 NSA LS19-286 5.60 34.60 0.51 29.00 LS19-287 26.90 57.50 0.56 30.60 LS19-288 56.00 81.50 0.28 25.50 LS19-289 21.10 33.00 0.33 11.90 LS19-290 5.30 23.80 0.84 18.50 LS19-291 NSA LS19-292 NSA LS19-293 5.90 35.50 0.32 29.60 LS19-294 NSA LS19-295 NSA LS19-296 NSA LS19-297 8.95 34.00 0.22 25.05 LS19-298 3.00 64.30 0.39 61.30 LS19-299 15.80 73.00 0.27 57.20 LS19-300 28.20 59.60 0.69 31.40 including 28.20 46.00 1.09 17.80 LS19-301 63.00 126.00 0.20 63.00 including 124.00 126.00 2.58 2.00 LS19-302 46.30 80.30 0.35 34.00 LS19-303 33.75 35.00 1.59 1.25 LS19-304 3.35 28.00 0.24 24.65 and also* 115.70 129.54 0.52 13.84 LS19-305 20.00 92.50 0.48 72.50 including 51.50 72.00 1.25 20.50 LS19-306 36.80 45.50 0.73 8.70 LS19-307 NSA LS19-308 NSA LS19-309 NSA LS19-310 NSA LS19-311 NSA LS19-312 NSA LS19-313 43.30 44.30 0.52 1.00 LS19-314 28.00 56.80 0.41 28.80 LS19-315 4.35 46.00 0.35 41.65 LS19-316 14.00 14.60 1.21 0.60 LS19-316 50.00 53.30 0.95 3.00 LS19-317 41.00 50.00 0.42 9.00 LS19-317 57.40 58.40 3.14 1.00 LS19-318 51.00 52.00 0.73 1.00 LS19-319 20.80 41.00 1.45 20.20



NOTES:

The true thickness of reported drill intervals cannot be determined with the information currently available.

NSA: no significant assay

*Hole LS19-304 ended in mineralization.

LONE STAR ZONE GEOPHYSICAL MODEL OVERVIEW

The Lone Star Zone gold mineralization and associated Bonanza Fault is marked in geophysics by a coincident intense conductive northwest trending very low frequency electromagnetic ("VLF-EM") high and a magnetic "break' indicative of a major "D3" structure as defined in the Company's orogenic gold model (see News Release December 10, 2019). Recent compilation of work has recognized a 3 km extension of the "D3" structure to the northwest. The combined VLF-EM/magnetic target, associated with gold mineralization in outcrop, gold-in-soils, and gold intersected in drilling, is now traceable across the northwestern end of the Klondike District Property for a distance of 7 kilometers.

As currently understood, the location of the seven-kilometer long Lone Star Zone and the fifteen-kilometer Stander Zone are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Location of Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone Segments

The northwest 3-kilometer segment of the Lone Star Zone from "Km 0" to Km 3 has seen little systematic exploration, aside from soil sampling (which returned numerous anomalous gold values) and the airborne geophysics.

LONE STAR ZONE GOLD MINERALIZATION

Within the Lone Star Zone and continuing along the "D3" northwest striking and southwest dipping Bonanza Fault, gold mineralization occurs within localized zones of quartz veining and disseminated along microfractures. Both the Bonanza Fault, and also the nearby Nugget Fault (Stander Zone), are composite fault zones ranging from 30 to 150m wide. The later northeast strike and northwest dipping "D4" faults (orthogonal to "D3" in orientation, forming a checkerboard pattern), were conduits for the introduction of gold mineralization. The D4 faults apparently reactivated the earlier D3 structures, and both are considered conduits and deposition sites for gold-bearing mineralization.

Measured from the northwest end, gold along the Bonanza Fault occurs in drill holes at surface between approximately Km 3.5 and Km 7.0. (The Lone Star Zone area of closer-spaced drilling is from Km 4.6 to Km 5.6.) The gold is coarse, visible free gold usually 1-mm in size but occasionally occurs in larger clots to >1-cm size, hosted by quartz veining. Individual quartz veins range in size from 1 millimeter to 10 millimeters and rarely up to 1.0+ meters. As currently known, gold mineralization occurs mostly adjacent to and above (in the hangingwall of) the controlling Bonanza Fault.

LONE STAR ZONE CHANNEL SAMPLE RESULTS

Seven prospecting grab samples were collected in 2018 from a sub-cropping quartz vein discovery within the Bonanza Fault containing visible gold located 850 meters east of the eastern end of the Lone Star Zone. Samples assayed between 14.5 g/t Au to 38.5 g/t Au (average 25.1 g/t Au). Prospecting grab samples are selective in nature collected to test for the presence or absence of gold and other "economic' minerals. Systematic additional test results may vary significantly.

A trenching program in 2019 exposed the quartz vein discovery along a strike of 24 meters. The quartz vein and adjacent veinlets dips shallowly to the northeast consistent with veins noted locally in the Lone Star Zone. The true thickness of the mineralization is indeterminate.

The quartz vein exposure contains visible gold. A total of 29 channel samples cut by rock saw were collected from approximately 1-meter spaced lines continuously across the 1- to 4-meter wide exposures over a 24-meter strike length. Individual samples were 1.0 meter in length. A total of 11 composite channels were cut orthogonally across the 24-meter length and each ranged from 1.0 to 4.0 meters in total length. The objective of this work was to systematically examine the gold distribution through the length of the quartz vein and better understand the distribution of higher grade "pockets' of gold-bearing quartz veins generally.

All channel samples contained gold. The highest composite channel assay result was 28.2 g/t Au over 4.0 meters at the 4-meter mark along the exposure including a 96.3 g/t Au over 1.0 meter subinterval with visible gold. An adjacent composite channel assay interval at the 3-meter mark was 11.1 g/t Au over 3.0 meters. The average gold assay value collectively for the 29 channel samples is 7.7 g/t Au. The 29 samples had a total mass of 112.9 kg (average 3.9 kg per sample) and the 112.9 kg bulk mass-weighted assay value is also 7.7 g/t Au. These channel samples are selective in nature collected to test for the presence or absence of gold. Systematic additional test results elsewhere may vary significantly. A table of composite channel sample assays is summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of composite channel sample assay results.

Channel # (m) Au (g/t) Length (m) 1 0.4 3.0 2 0.6 3.0* 3 11.1 3.0 4 28.2 4.0* including 96.3 1.0* 5 6.1 3.0 6 2.2 3.0 7 1.6 3.0 8 9.0 3.0 9 2.7 2.0 22 3.5 1.0 24 7.3 1.0



*Visible gold noted in 1-meter sample.

2019 DRILL ASSAYS PENDING

Remaining 2019 drill results from 54 holes testing various ancillary targets are pending release.

DRILL HOLE STATISTICS

Drill holes LS19-284 to LS19-319 were NTW-diameter size core. Drill holes are generally oriented with 200 azimuth and -55 dip at collar, except where noted in the following table. The purpose of varying collar dip and azimuth was to test for cross-cutting structures and to obtain structural measurements from the use of oriented core tools.

Location, azimuth, dip and end of hole ("EOH") lengths for drill holes in this news release are listed in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Drilling Statistics

Hole Number Easting Northing Azimuth Dip EOH Core Size LS19-284 587290 7085895 200 -55 100.58 NTW LS19-285 587144 7085927 210 -55 24.45 NTW LS19-286 587277 7085983 200 -50 140.21 NTW LS19-287 587406 7085990 200 -55 123.44 NTW LS19-288 587497 7085913 200 -55 100.58 NTW LS19-289 587620 7085924 200 -55 122.83 NTW LS19-290 587650 7085779 200 -55 155.45 NTW LS19-291 587573 7085891 200 -55 131.06 NTW LS19-292 587688 7085891 200 -55 124.97 NTW LS19-293 587553 7085911 200 -55 66.14 NTW LS19-294 587516 7085746 320 -50 40.84 NTW LS19-295 587469 7085717 320 -50 40.23 NTW LS19-296 587511 7085790 200 -55 50.29 NTW LS19-297 587467 7085753 200 -55 47.24 NTW LS19-298 587251 7085915 200 -55 89.92 NTW LS19-299 587238 7085887 200 -55 129.54 NTW LS19-300 587375 7085895 200 -55 140.21 NTW LS19-301 587226 7086012 200 -55 176.78 NTW LS19-302 587529 7085839 200 -55 100.58 NTW LS19-303 587326 7086003 200 -55 140.21 NTW LS19-304 587322 7085957 200 -55 129.54 NTW LS19-305 587330 7086160 200 -55 150.88 NTW LS19-306 587583 7086102 200 -55 68.72 NTW LS19-307 587832 7086274 200 -55 165.81 NTW LS19-308 587802 7085895 200 -55 170.69 NTW LS19-309 587981 7085800 200 -55 140.21 NTW LS19-310 587775 7085823 200 -55 135.03 NTW LS19-311 587831 7085887 200 -55 121.28 NTW LS19-312 587203 7086088 200 -50 60.05 NTW LS19-313 587203 7086088 200 -75 70.1 NTW LS19-314 587239 7086060 200 -55 160.02 NTW LS19-315 587291 7086038 200 -55 129.54 NTW LS19-316 587436 7085918 200 -55 100.58 NTW LS19-317 587450 7085950 200 -55 100.58 NTW LS19-318 587181 7086031 20 -55 74.68 NTW LS19-319 587321 7085866 200 -55 50.29 NTW



SAMPLE AND ANALYTICAL PROTOCOLS

Lone Star Zone samples in this release are from NTW diameter drill core. Assay samples from drill core are cut using a diamond saw. Half the core sample interval is bagged, tagged, and sealed; the other half is returned to the core box with a corresponding tag and retained for reference. Three gold reference standards, blanks, coarse crush blanks, and sample duplicates are routinely inserted as part of Klondike Gold's quality assurance / quality control ("QA/QC") program, independent of and additional to the laboratory QA/QC program. A similar procedure is used for outcrop channel samples except all the individual sampled channel saw cut material is bagged for assay. See the Company website for additional information.

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Company further reports that Jasvir Kaloti has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company to replace Jessica Van Den Akker. The Company would like to thank Ms. Van Den Akker for her contributions and wish her well in future endeavours.

QUALIFIED PERSONS REVIEW

The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ian Perry, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration of Klondike Gold Corp. and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 policy.

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold Corp. is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon Territory, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-kilometer length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. To date, multi-kilometer gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 586 square kilometer property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, YT within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory.

ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

"Peter Tallman"

President and CEO

(604) 609-6138

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.com

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.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

"This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Klondike in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Klondike's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Klondike disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required."

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576268/Klondike-Gold-Reports-06-gt-Au-over-830-meters-and-145-gt-Au-over-202-meters-at-Lone-Star-Zone-Yukon
Many tiny patches of the ground on modern Mars may be capable of supporting life as we know it, if only very briefly, a new study suggests.

Water ice is abundant on and near the Martian surface, but conditions have to be just right for this stuff to give rise to liquid water. That's because the Red Planet's atmosphere is quite thin  just 1% as dense as Earth's air at sea level  so ice tends to sublimate, or turn directly into vapor, when temperatures rise sufficiently. (Specifically, the ice evaporates before temperatures rise enough to hit water's melting point.)

The study identifies a microenvironment that could host those just-right conditions: the areas directly behind certain boulders in midlatitude regions of Mars that lie in the rocks' shadows continuously during the winter months.

Related: Photos: The search for water on Mars

Three-dimensional view of Martian surface temperatures around an idealized boulder at latitude 30 degrees south. On the side opposite to the sun, temperatures are around minus 198 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 128 Celsius). As the sun rises, this area heats up rapidly, so frost melts on salt-containing ground before sublimating into the atmosphere. (Image credit: Norbert Schorghofer)

Water ice and carbon-dioxide ice accumulate seasonally in these shadowy spots, according to computer simulations performed by study author Norbert Schorghofer, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona.

When spring comes and sunlight hits these microenvironments again, temperatures there rise rapidly, from about minus 198 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 128 degrees Celsius) to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius) in just a few hours. The ice fades away, but the temperature transition is so fast that not all of the ice sublimates; some melts into the salty Martian soil, forming liquid brines.

The soil's saltiness is key to this process, because salt lowers the melting point of water to less than the usual 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). And the carbon-dioxide ice also appears to help things along.

"Dust contained in the CO2 frost facilitates the formation of a protective sublimation lag," Schorghofer wrote in the paper , which was published online Wednesday (Feb. 12) in The Astrophysical Journal.

"Overall, melting of pure water ice is not expected under present-day Mars conditions," he added. "However, at temperatures that are readily reached, seasonal water frost can melt on a salt-rich substrate."

Brine formation may last for just a few days in each locale that experiences it. But the phenomenon is a regular one, repeating every year, the study suggests.

Patches of winter boulder-shadow aren't the only parts of Mars that may experience seasonal surges of liquid water. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted dark features on multiple Red Planet slopes during the warmer months. Many researchers interpret these " recurring slope lineae " to be evidence of temporary brine flows, but other scientists argue that liquid water may not be involved .

Liquid water was abundant on Mars billions of years ago, when the planet still had a protective magnetic field and a much thicker atmosphere. Indeed, NASA's Curiosity rover has determined that its landing site, the floor of the 96-mile-wide (154 kilometers) Gale Crater, hosted a long-lived lake-and-stream system in the ancient past .

And there may still be lots of water underground on the Red Planet today. For example, Europe's Mars Express spacecraft recently spotted evidence of a huge lake beneath the planet's south pole.

Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, " Out There " (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate ), is out now. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook .
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Less than 60k: for 25 per cent of a one-bedroom flat, the entry point at Barking Riverside.

Full ownership starts at 262,500. London Help to Buy is available. Visit barkingriverside.london.
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Show Up! Its Showtime A look at this week in live music courtesy of the artist Its the middle of the month of February. That means that Valentines Day is right around the bend. Whats more, this year the lovers holiday happens to fall right at the beginning of the fabled weekend. That means there are plenty of shows to check out in Albuquerque's thriving live music scene. From rock, to hip-hop and from country and Latinx music, the musical flavors available to local listeners is diverse and just waiting for your participation. With that in mind, here are Weekly Alibis picks for the concerts that one should definitely show up for.

Thursday Part I Felix y Los Gatos have a gig on Thursday night, Feb. 13 at Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd. NE). If you havent heard this uniquely New Mexican band, this is your opportunity to learn what other Burquenos already know. The group plays a variety of hybridized Americana that mixes Texas blues, Southern rock and most importantly, zydeco, into a musical melange that is by turns rowdy, danceable and sentimentally real. The band calls this type of music Zydetejano Blues and it has, over the years, built a fan base that is loyal and expansive. 6pm  Free  21+. View in Alibi calendar

Thursday Part II The Dangerous Waters Tour, featuring DJ and electro wizard Sam Vogelwho is far better known by his stage name of Jauzcomes to The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino (54 Jemez Dam Rd., Bernalillo, N.M.) on Thursday, Feb. 13. Jauz, an up-and-coming EDM artist, creates musical landscapes that one dances to; his favorite genres are known as trap, house, dubstep and future bass. The sound is all-consuming; loud and deeply and provocatively rhythmic. Its also great fun to dance to while lights and lasers spin listeners into another world. The DJs known as Habstrakt and Tynan provide support, so get ready to dance the night away. 9pm  $35-$75  21+. View in Alibi calendar

Friday Part I Tractor Brewing (118 Tulane Dr. SE) presents an event called EX-orcism on Friday, Feb. 14, just in time for Valentines Day. This special concert is all about the end of the affair; breakup songs will be featured. Casey Mraz and Los Metamorforos are headlining the event. Los Metamorfos is a self-described psychedelic world fusion band led by Mraz, a composer and songwriter who blends jazz, blues and Latinx musical aesthetics into a sound that also features flaming riffs and spicy accordion solos. Throw in some cool cumbia and listeners will be all set to forget the past and embrace a stunningly rhythmic future. 8pm  Free  21+. View in Alibi calendar

Friday Part II Meanwhile, over at Tractor Brewing Wells Park (1800 Fourth Street NW), there will be a gathering called Bitterfest 2020: Love Bites, Dogs Dont, happening on Friday, Feb. 14. Concertgoers are urged to bring their mutts and settle in at the venues dog-friendly patio to listen to the best in local live music featuring Stem Ivory, Rainbow Danger and Moonhat. Proceeds for this soulful revisioning of romantic priorities benefit the local animal rescue heroes at Babes & Bullies. Merchandise supporting this excellent Albuquerque non-profit will be available for consumption as well. 8pm  $5  All-ages. View in Alibi calendar

Saturday Part I On Saturday, Feb. 15, there will be a huge rock music concert at Moonlight Lounge (120 Central Ave. SW). This small venue, a former jewelry store, has developed into one of The Duke Citys most potent live music venues of late, and the lineup for this special post-Valentines Day dance adds to the joints reputation. Hows this for a stellar, all local lineup: Local rock gods SuperGiant are at the top of the bill. They will be joined live and onstage by The Talking Hours as well as Burques funkiest punk outfit, Constant Harmony. Newcomers Timestable open this Saturday night rockfest. 9pm  $8  21+. View in Alibi calendar
Boston Globe

Joe Bidens chances of becoming president took a big hit with his fifth place finish in New Hampshire. At that moment, Sen. Amy Klobuchars chances were revived.

The candidate who could, but didnt until now, Klobuchar finished a strong third, crowding the boys in the moderate lane and staking out her claim as the pragmatic Democrat with a knack the others lack of winning big in Trump strongholds and getting things done.

The unity candidate with grit, New Hampshires latest Comeback Kid, she began her speech Tuesday night by reintroducing herself. Hello, America, Im Amy Klobuchar and I will beat Donald Trump," she said when the music cranked down, the only thing that matters. "My heart is full tonight."

Her late surge came after a smashing performance at last weeks debate, where the author of The Senator Next Door: A Memoir From the Heartland finally defined herself. She gave a shout-out to Republican Mitt Romney and took direct hits at the two frontrunners. Yes, shes concerned about socialist Bernie Sanders atop the ticket. And she hit it out of St. Anselms auditorium when she chided the ex-mayor of South Bend for his youth and inexperience. She ticked off her accomplishments as a prosecutor, a campaigner, and a senator with a hundred bills to her credit (take that Bernie).

The best was how she closed, recalling a man crying as FDRs funeral cortege passed by and telling a reporter that he hadnt known the president but the president knew him. She took off from there: If you have trouble stretching your paycheck to pay for your rent figuring out if you're going to fill your refrigerator or fill your prescription drugs, I know you and I will fight for you. She concluded: If you are tired of the extremes in our politics, of the noise and the nonsense, you have a home with me.

So much for the idea that debates dont matter.

Klobuchars third place looks bigger given that Sanders barely beat out Pete Buttigieig, and was below 30 percent as the last votes came in Tuesday night as compared to the 60 percent the Vermont senator collected here in 2016. Shes 59 to his 79, with two stents put into his heart during the campaign. He frightens those who dont want to surrender their private health insurance for some dream of Medicare For All.

Story continues

Buttigieig finished a few points ahead of Klobuchar, with the two of them combining for nearly twice Sanders total, but thats not how elections work. The 38-year-old former mayor is a Ted talk you could listen to forever but he has no South Bend miracle to tout and no resolution of the problems created by a mostly white police department in a black inner city. He boasts of winning reelection by 80 percent, but garnering 8,000 votes out of 10,000 cast running against a woman who made jewelry in her basement is not that impressive.

Mayor Pete looks like hes headed to a big defeat in South Carolina, with a population that looks more like America. Hell also soon be up against another mayor, Mike Bloomberg, who led the largest city in the country, weighed in at 15 percent in the latest Quinnipiac poll, and has unlimited money to spend as the contest moves to large states on Super Tuesday. Forget coffee shops and overheated living rooms. In California, two people in front of a TV set watching very expensive ads substitutes for a campaign rally. It will help to be a billionaire.

As for Elizabeth Warren in fourth place, she could have been somebody but soared too close to Bernies sun. When she modified her Medicare for All plan (Sanders never fully describes his), she lost altitude with purists. Bernie broke their pact and ran negative robo-calls against her. Their spat over whether he told her a woman couldnt be president redounded to her detriment. It reminded people she was of the sex thats never sat behind the Resolute Desk. In her speech, she complimented Klobuchar for not taking money from super Pacs and for showing just how wrong the pundits can be when they count a woman out.

As for Biden, he goes on, by turns angry, frustrated, and, friends say, grieving over his sole surviving son whom Republicans keep trying to put on trial instead of Trump. Biden got out of Dodge before the polls closed to land in South Carolina where he repeated that the real campaign, which hell win, begins.

Well know soon enough if that is a pipe dream akin to that of Rudy Giuliani in 2008 who led in the polls based on, Biden joked back then, stringing together a noun, a verb, and 9/11. Rudy ignored the early contests to compete in the friendlier state of Florida. Instead, like so many New Yorkers before him, he went to the Sunshine State to die, coming in an embarrassing third. Hes now only employable as Trumps private attorney and henchman.

Biden should not meet the fate Giuliani did in Florida. Let there be lines of voters waiting in the rain for him, the too-big rooms of New Hampshire too small in Charleston for all those wanting to shake his hand, if only for old times sake. Let him have another chance to remind us, and our allies, what human decency and good sense look like. The campaign is young. Hes outlasted tragedy, he always gets up. Maybe hell yet be the one to deliver us from the one that is Trump.

If he falls short, Klobuchar showed last night shes there to pick up the mantle.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The DOJs undermining of its own prosecutors in the case has prompted outrage from former DOJ officials and Democrats.

The intervention of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), who undermined their own prosecutors recommendation of a sentence for Republican operative Roger Stone, has prompted outrage from Democratic legislators and some former DOJ officials.

The department stepped in on Tuesday and revised their prosecutors recommendation that Stone, who helped President Donald Trump rise to power, face seven to nine years for his conviction on charges that include lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House of Representatives investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 election.

Instead of the sentence sought by their prosecutors, which was in line with federal guidelines, the DOJ chose not to recommend a sentence to the judge, who will make a final ruling on February 20.

The new filing came shortly after Trump derided the prosecutors initially requested sentence on Twitter. The DOJ and Trump both denied they coordinated on the decision, with the department claiming it decided to intervene before Trump had sent his first tweet on the sentence. Trump, however, praised DOJ officials after they announced their decision.

Four federal prosecutors withdrew from the case, with one resigning from the DOJ completely, shortly after the DOJ stepped in.

Christopher Hunter, a former federal prosecutor and nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, called the situation a complete and total outrage.

To overrule [the prosecutors recommendations], to then go and file a document essentially making no sentencing recommendation at all, especially given the context of the case, is a complete and total abomination of the rule of law, he told Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, David Laufman, a former Justice Department chief of counterintelligence and export control, tweeted that the intervention is a shocking, cram-down political intervention in the criminal justice process.

We are now truly at a break-glass-in-case-of-fire moment for the Justice Department, he said.

This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020

The imbroglio kicked off calls from Democratic legislators to probe the situation, with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying on Wednesday there should be an investigation.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also asked the DOJs internal watchdog to investigate, while, Democrat Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, said he also would probe the reversal.

Democrats on Wednesday said they would question Attorney General William Barr about the matter when he testifies before Congress on March 31.

How independent is the DOJ?

In the most recent incident, Trump has again reiterated how he views his power when it comes to the DOJ, telling reporters on Tuesday that while he didnt influence the department in this case: Id be able to do it if I wanted. I have the absolute right to do it.

The comments cut to the heart of a debate over how independent the DOJ, an executive department created in 1870 as the countrys main enforcer of federal laws, should be.

Some, like the National Review Institute senior fellow Andrew McCarthy, have argued that subordinate executive officers, like the employees of the Department of Justice, do not have their own power; they are delegated to exercise the presidents power. When they act, they are, in effect, the president acting.

In a 2018 article in the National Review magazine, McCarthy, a former chief assistant US attorney, continued: Prosecutorial power is executive in nature. Federal prosecutors, therefore, exercise the presidents power.





That does not mean the legislative branch is without recourse if they think the president is acting unreasonably, McCarthy wrote, as they can impeach the president. Or they can try to bend the president into better behavior by cutting off funding, refusing to confirm nominees, or holding oversight hearings that embarrass the administration.

Indeed, no constitutional provision or statute explicitly establishes prosecutorial independence, Bruce Green, Fordham Law School ethics professor, and New York Law School professor Rebecca Roiphe wrote in their 2018 paper Can the president control the Department of Justice?

However, they argued, prosecutorial independence has become a cornerstone of American democracy, built into the way the country is governed.

Bruce Fein, the former US associate deputy attorney general under President Ronald Reagan, told Al Jazeera that while a presidents close coordination with the Department of Justice, even in intervening in cases, is not on its face illegal, the presidents motive and purpose could constitute obstruction of justice, which is.

Under the constitution, [the DOJ] is part of the executive branch. Like other cabinet departments, the leadership is selected by the president, confirmed by the Senate. The president can fire people, Fein said.

For the president to intercede with a corrupt motive, like protecting friends, having a purely a personal or political agenda in mind  and if it became very clear that the president did do something for a corrupt motive, well that could be an obstruction of justice, Fein added.

Former prosecutor Hunter said the president continues to ignore the institutional norms of the United States system of government, in particular the justice department, which is supposed to be the entity that upholds the rule of law, no matter whos in power.

Disingenuous and false

Both former federal prosecutors Hunter and Fein, like Democratic legislators, had little confidence in the DOJ and Trumps denial that they had coordinated before intervening in Stones trial, with Hunter calling the denial disingenuous and false.

Fein pointed to the specific, and relatively minute, nature of the DOJs intervention as evidence of political influence.

At this granular level  It obviously looks very odd because the president and the White House cant possibly know all the detailed information about the background and sentencing guidelines better than the prosecutors on the scene, said Fein, adding the prosecutors withdrawal from the case is further evidence that they understood that this  had nothing to do with the professionalism of their calculation of seven to nine years as a reasonable sentencing guide to the judge.

On Wednesday, Trump, when questioned by reporters, declined to say if he planned to pardon Stone.
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Periodontal disease association with large artery atherothrombotic stroke (Oral Presentation 85) Researchers examined 265 patients (average age of 64; 49% white; 56% male) who experienced a stroke between 2015 and 2017, analyzing whether gum disease was associated with specific types of stroke.They found:Large artery strokes due to intracranial atherosclerosis were twice as common in patients with gum disease as in those without gum disease;Patients with gum disease were three times as likely to have a stroke involving blood vessels in the back of the brain, which controls vision, coordination and other vital bodily functions; and Role of periodontal disease on intracranial atherosclerosis (Oral Presentation 136)In 1,145 people who had not experienced a stroke, selected from the Dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (DARIC) Study, researchers used two magnetic resonance images to measure blockages in arteries inside the brain. Participants were an average age of 76; 78% were white, and 55% were female. Periodontal examinations were used to classify the presence and severity of gum disease.Researchers found:Arteries in the brain were severely blocked (50% or more) in 10% of participants;People with gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, were twice as likely to have moderately severe narrowed brain arteries from plaque buildup compared to those with no gum disease; andAfter adjusting for risk factors such as age, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, people with gingivitis were 2.4 times as likely to have severely blocked brain arteries."It's important for clinicians to recognize that gum disease is an important source of inflammation for their patients and to work with patients to address gum disease," Sen said The study excluded people who had gum disease serious enough to have resulted in tooth loss. "We are working on a current study to evaluate if treatment of gum disease can reduce its association with stroke," Sen said.Source: Eurekalert
The Republican-held Senate passed a resolution 55-45 today to constrain President Donald Trump from initiating offensive military action against Iran, likely setting the stage for a White House veto. Eight Republicans joined forces with Democrats in a rebuke of Trumps strike against Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani last month after a barrage of attacks on US forces and diplomatic facilities from Iran-backed Iraqi militias.

With passage of this resolution, we sent a powerful message that we dont support starting a war with Iran unless Congress votes that military action is necessary, said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who introduced the resolution, in a statement after the vote.

The Republicans who bucked the White House to vote for the Kaine resolution are Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana.

Why it matters: Trumps assassination of Soleimani has prompted Democrats to reassert Congress war-making authorities. Democrats argue that the Soleimani strike was illegal as it was not authorized by Congress. Most Republicans have sided with the Trump administration, which has claimed that Soleimani was planning an imminent attack on US assets in Iraq. The strike came after Iran had hit US interests in Iraq with a flurry of rocket attacks, leading to the death of a US contractor in late December. While the Trump administration has briefed Congress on the Soleimani strike behind closed doors, it has refused to publicize the evidence supporting its claim that the Quds Force leader was planning an imminent attack.

Whats next: The House passed a similar resolution 224-194 last month. But many war powers specialists argue that the House bill, introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., is nonbinding as it would not require Trumps signature. While the Kaine resolution could easily pass the Democratic-held House, the White House threatened to veto it today. Anti-war groups and progressive Democrats are also looking to relitigate a fight to cut off funding for offensive military action against Iran in a key defense bill later this year.

Know more: Read congressional correspondent Bryant Harris in-depth story outlining how presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and his ally Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., have played a key role in pushing Democrats left on war powers issues. And be sure to check out his coverage of the White Houses fight with Congress over Iran war funding.
South Africa: SONA is about "inclusive growth" - President

President Cyril Ramaphosa says fixing the fundamentals and deepening the reforms Government has already made, should put the country on course to achieve inclusive growth.

The President said this when he delivered his State of the Nation Address during a joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday evening.

He said this as the countrys economy remained constrained due to global pressures and domestic issues such as load shedding and high levels of unemployment.

This State of the Nation Address is therefore about inclusive growth.

It is about the critical actions we take this year to build a capable state and place our economy on the path to recovery. This year, we fix the fundamentals. We pursue critical areas of growth, he said.

As we fix the fundamentals, as we deepen the reforms we have made, we pursue critical areas of inclusive growth, he said.

Social compacting to answer the countrys many challenges

The President said over the course of the last two years  since he first stood in the House to deliver a State of the Nation Address  government has worked to forge compacts among South Africans to answer the countrys many challenges.

Through the Jobs Summit, the Presidency brought labour, business, government and communities together to find solutions to the unemployment crisis.

The Presidency continues to meet stakeholders at the beginning of every month to remove blockages and drive interventions that will save and create jobs.

We have brought business, labour and government together to craft master plans for those industries that have the greatest potential for growth.

We have come together as different spheres of government, as different state entities, as business associations and community groups under a new district development model that is fundamentally changing our approach to local development.

We have been building social compacts because it is through partnership and cooperation that we progress, he said.

Removing impediments for investment

The President said government has been deliberate in rebuilding institutions and removing impediments to investment.

We have acted decisively against state capture and fought back against corruption.

We have steadily improved the reach of education, improved the quality of health care and tended to the basic needs of the poor, he said.

President Ramaphosa said, however, that this has not been enough to free the economy from the grim inheritance of the past.

It has not been enough to spare the country from the debilitating effects of load shedding, nor from an unstable and subdued global economy.

The President said it called for the challenges to be confronted head-on. Because we choose to confront our challenges, our immediate, vital and overarching task is to place our economy on a path of inclusive growth, he said.

Shovel-ready projects to expand private investment

The President said the Infrastructure Fund implementation team has finalised the list of shovel-ready projects and has begun work to expand private investment into public infrastructure sectors with revenue streams.

These, he said, include areas such as student accommodation, social housing, independent water production, rail freight branch lines, embedded electricity generation, municipal bulk infrastructure, and broadband roll-out.

The team has a project pipeline with potential investments of over R700 billion over the next 10 years, including both government and non-government contributions.

The cranes and yellow equipment that we have longed to see across the landscape of our country will once again soon be an everyday sight.

He said the social housing programme to build rental housing for low-income families is at implementation stage, which could leverage as much as R9 billion of private investment in the construction of 37 000 rental apartments.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Amy Klobuchar says pro-lifers are part of the Democrat Party, wants to build 'big tent'

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Democrat 2020 hopeful Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said on national television this week that there is room for pro-lifers in the Democrat Party.

On the day of the New Hampshire Primary, Klobuchar appeared on ABCs The View where she was asked by co-host Meghan McCain about whether theres room for pro-life Democrats to vote for you.

The question came days after fellow 2020 hopeful Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders declared that being pro-choice is an absolutely essential part of being a Democrat.

Klobuchar, a 59-year-old attorney who is also a member of the United Church of Christ, responded first by affirming that she is pro-choice and has always been pro-choice. This can be verified by her voting record in support of taxpayer-funded abortion and her support for Planned Parenthood.

But I believe we are a big tent party and there are pro-life Democrats and they are part of our party, Klobuchar said. I think we need to build a big tent. I think we need to bring people in instead of shutting them out. That also includes independents right here in New Hampshire and moderate Republicans.

.@MeghanMcCain on @TheView: Do you think theres room for pro-life Democrats to vote for you?



Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Im strongly pro-choice. I have always been pro-choice, but I believe were a big tent party  I think we need to bring people in  https://t.co/ECpbtTFzQBpic.twitter.com/xMgs6zTE9C  ABC News (@ABC) February 11, 2020

Klobuchar surprised many Tuesday when she placed third in the New Hampshire presidential primary election and won the most support among voters who attend religious services weekly, according to exit polls.

Klobuchar has earned a 100 percent grade from the lobbying arm of the nations largest abortion corporation, Planned Parenthood.

To earn a 100 percent grade from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, members of Congress must always vote with Planned Parenthood.

Klobuchar vowed in December to reverse pro-life policies instituted by the Trump administration within the first 100 days in office.

The Trump administration has taken several steps to end taxpayer-funding of organizations that perform or promote abortion domestically and overseas, including banning Title X family planning funds from going to clinics that refer or provide abortions.

Last year, Planned Parenthood left the Title X program rather than have clinics stop promoting or performing abortions.

In the first 100 days I will remove Trumps gag rules, which I can do with no need of congressional involvement, Klobuchar told The Guardian in an interview. I will reverse funding decisions right away, and make sure that we only nominate judges for confirmation who are consistent with [Roe v. Wade].

The question has been raised for years about whether there is room for pro-life Democrats in the party.

Democrat National Committee Chair Tom Perez made headlines in 2017 when he said the party would withhold support from any candidates who did not consider themselves to be pro-choice. That statement was criticized by a number of prominent Democrats such as then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The head of the Congressional Campaign Committee said months later that there is no litmus test on abortion. Currently, there are two Democrat senators considered to be pro-life. Former pro-life Democrat Joe Donnelly of Indiana was defeated by Republican Mike Braun in the 2018 election.

Although Sanders said that being pro-choice is absolutely essential to being a Democrat, he received pushback in 2017 after he campaigned on behalf of a mayoral candidate in Nebraska who supported a bill that would have required doctors to notify women of their right to an ultrasound before an abortion.

Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who came in second in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, reiterated his support for a late-term abortion last week while speaking on The View.

[M]y point is that it shouldnt be up to a government official to draw the line, Buttigieg said. It should be up to the woman who is confronted with the choice.

Buttigieg has been criticized for citing the Bible in an attempt to defend his support for late-term abortion by saying there are parts of Scripture that talk about how life begins with the breath.

Elected mayor in 2011, Buttigieg was in office during the time abortionist Ulrich George Klopfer operated the Women's Pavilion abortion clinic in South Bend where he injured several women during abortion procedures.

In a previous comment to CP, Rose, founder of the pro-life group Live Action, accused Buttigieg of having protected Klopfer who performed thousands of abortions at that clinic.
Updated 3:36 p.m.

An Uber driver in southern Oregon is suspected of locking a passenger inside his car and raping her, according to police and court records.

Antonio Gonzalez-Salinas, 51, was arraigned Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court on charges of first-degree rape, kidnapping and sexual abuse.

He remains held in the Jackson County Jail on a $350,000 bail, records show.

What has been described is awful and something no one should ever have to go through," an Uber spokesman said in an email Wednesday. Were cooperating with law enforcement to support their investigation.

In a recent study, the company reported 3,045 sexual assaults during its rides in the United States in 2018.

Antonio Gonzalez-Salinas. (Jackson County Sheriff's Office)

Police said Gonzalez-Salinas had picked the woman up early Sunday in downtown Medford after she had been out drinking with friends.

The Uber driver was supposed to take the woman, 21, to the house of another acquaintance, according to Medford police. But he never did.

The womans friends became worried when they learned she didnt arrive at her destination and tried calling her phone, said Lt. Mike Budreau, a police spokesman.

Gonzalez-Salinas answered the womans phone and claimed he was having trouble finding the house, according to police.

Subsequent calls to the womans phone went unanswered, prompting her friends and a relative to search for her using the phones location data, Budreau said.

They eventually found the woman sobbing inside Gonzalez-Salinas black Lexus a few blocks from her acquaintances house, police said. The Uber driver was nowhere to be found.

During their investigation, detectives determined the driver had repeatedly locked the womans door while he sexually assaulted her, Budreau said.

Police later arrested Gonzalez-Salinas at his home, where they also recovered the womans phone.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
The next meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Hungarian Commission on Economic Cooperation will take place in Budapest on March 26 after a seven-year break.

"On March 26, I leave for Budapest. I and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto will restart the intergovernmental economic commission after a seven-year break," Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba posted on Twitter.

The construction of Mukachevo-Berehovo road, reconstruction of Mukachevo airport, border cooperation, health care and trade are on the agenda, the official informed.

The 3d meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Hungarian Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Budapest on December 16-17, 2013.

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The beleaguered Casey Council is a step closer to being sacked after a key government investigator recommended its dismissal in the wake of a damaging anti-corruption commission inquiry.

Local government sources said on Thursday night that senior figures at Casey Council have been informed that a report by monitor Laurinda Gardner had recommended its sacking.

Ms Gardner was appointed by the Andrews government last November to examine council's governance after it became the centre of a major corruption inquiry involving alleged bribes and influence involving developer John Woodman.

Developer John Woodman leaving an IBAC hearing in November. Credit:Justin McManus

Casey Council could now be sacked as early as next week. State Parliament sits from Tuesday and the sacking of the council requires parliamentary approval. Sources at Casey Council said Mayor Susan Serey expected to be dismissed then, along with the rest of the council. A spokeswoman for local government minister Adem Somyurek said only that the minister was "considering the report".
The hearing into the petition filed by Amazon seeking an interim stay on the Competition Commission of India (CCI) probe against it will continue for the third consecutive day on Friday as well as legal counsels of the competition watchdog and Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM) cornered the ecommerce giant justifying the CCI decision.

The matter is being heard by Justice PS Dinesh Kumar of the Karnataka High Court. The CCI represented by its legal counsels told the Court on Thursday that it is the duty of the watchdog to ensure that there are no practices that have an adverse effect on the ...
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.
Rajkummar Rao and Nushrat Bharucha starrer Chhalaang, which is helmed by Hansal Mehta, will now release on June 12, 2020. The producers of the film have taken this decision keeping in mind exams and a good distribution window.

The makers of Chhalaang shared the new poster and announced the new release date. While sharing the latest news about the release date makers write, "Ab Lenge #Chhalaang 12th June Ko! Masterji Khilayen Kaise? Bachche Busy Hain Exams Ki Padhayi Mein. Toh Masterji Khilayenge Garmi Ki Chhuttiyon Mein! Exams Ke Liye Best of Luck!"

Producer Luv Ranjan said in a statement, "We feel Chhalaang is one of the most inspiring and heartening movies to come out of Luv Films and such a special film deserves a better release."

Rajkummar Rao And Nushrat Bharucha Get Candid About Chhalaang

Earlier, while speaking to a media portal, Rao had said that it was fantastic working with Hansal Mehta again on such an intriguing story. "The two of us have a wonderful chemistry which has resulted in beautiful stories. It's the protagonist's aspirational journey with loads of fun."

Chhalaang is directed by Hansal Mehta, produced by Ajay Devgn, Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg.
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71, but it hasnt forgotten about its older smartphones. The Galaxy A50s has started receiving a software update to Android 10 with One UI 2.0.

Devices in Vietnam are already receiving notifications about an incoming software version A507FNXXU3BTB2 that brings the latest OS and user interface.

The Android 10 update brings clearer looks of the interface, better location and privacy controls, Digital Wellbeing feature and Googles new navigation gestures.

If you are an owner of a Samsung Galaxy A50s, head to Settings and select Software Update to see if it's already available to you.

Via
The Republican Party of Armenia of instigator of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will receive 5 million 200 thousand drams from the government.

The Armenian government made a decision at today's session to provide financial support to the political forces that had passed the 3% threshold during the last parliamentary elections, News.am reported.



In total, 103 million 725 thousand drams shall be allocated from the state budget. This amount will be distributed as follows: My Step alliance - 78 million drams, Prosperous Armenia Party - 9 million 150 thousand drams, Bright Armenia Party - 7 million drams, Republican Party of Armenia - 5 million 200 thousand drams and ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party - 4 million 300 thousand drams.
Before the current boom of black travel nomads and influencers, there were African-American pioneers who charted a course that would revolutionize the way black travelers traversed the world. More than 80 years ago, postal service worker and travel writer Victor Hugo Green had the foresight to create The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide that was initially the go-to source for black American travelers. It featured a list of recommended hotels, restaurants, and gas stations that catered to black patrons when Jim Crow laws and racial segregation were prominent in the U.S.

Born in Harlem, New York, Green published the first edition of The Negro Motorist Green Book in 1936, printing 15,000 copies every year. In 1952, he broadened the scope of the guide to encompass travel beyond road trips by changing the name to The Negro Travelers Green Book.

Victor Hugo Green and the cover of Green Book, 1960 with interior page from 1963-64. | Victor H. Green & Co.

And come June, visitors to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, will be the first to see a traveling exhibition dedicated to the Green Book. The exhibit will offer a look into Greens vision to inspire African-Americans to travel as well as inform a community of the safe spaces across the country. Were calling out some really great Green Book business owners and their stories with video and interviews, said Candacy Taylor, the curator and content specialist for the exhibit. Ive found and tracked down family members about artifacts, so theres about 50 objects, including my photographs of the buildings and businesses today.

Taylors new book, Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America, will serve as the companion piece to the new exhibition, scheduled to make its way around the U.S. through 2024. The book chronologically traces the social mobility and history of African-Americans over the last century.

The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America, by Candacy Taylor  Abrams Press, 2020; Author photo credit: Katrina Parks at Assertion Films

For the book, the cultural documentarian used her stepfathers firsthand accounts of growing up in the segregated South, her own travels to dozens of businesses listed in the Green Book, and her experiences working with literary scholars and cultural critics, like Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., an award-winning filmmaker and the director of the Hutchins Center for African & African-American Research at Harvard University. She poured all of her hard work into telling the story of a resilient community and culture.

Story continues

As much as black Americans have had so many challenges and hit so many really low points, its even in those low points that weve done incredible things, said Taylor. We have this incredible legacy. And part of that legacy, listed in the popular travel guide, includes the black-owned and operated businesses, from restaurants that served incredible soul food to fabulous nightclubs where patrons could see music icons such as Billie Holiday.

One of the key figures in Taylors book is Victor Hugo Green, who was determined to provide African-Americans with the necessary tools to travel in the U.S., and eventually abroad. In 1949, Green expanded his travel guide empire and launched Reservation Bureau, in a partnership with Maher Travel Bureau in New York. The company offered trips to the West Indies, Bermuda, Europe, South America, and Africa. As advertised in the Green Book from 1949 to 1957, this new liaison was not only meant to encourage African-Americans to travel abroad, but also to provide an underserved community with travel logistics, from applying for passports and visas to booking travel via airline, railroad, and at the time, steamship.

The 1950s were hailed as the golden age of travel. According to Taylors book, international travel was becoming more popular within the black community. The airline industry became the new mode of travel, offering perks like being able to arrive 30 minutes before a flight and gourmet in-flight meals. As more black jetsetters traveled beyond U.S. borders, they quickly took notice of the positive greeting they received abroad, especially at a time when African-Americans were still fighting for equality. Langston Hughes wrote how colored performers live normally as human beings overseas. He and other lauded artists and entertainers, such as Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, felt accepted and received warm welcomes when visiting Europe.

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In 1954, Freddye Henderson, who later founded Henderson Travel Service, the nations first African-American-owned travel agency, took a group of black female fashion designers to Europe. Much like the celebs, they raved to family and friends about their incredible travel experiences. My mother shared with my father how easy it was to plan the trip, and also how well-received they were as Negro women in Europe. This was the impetus for opening the doors of Henderson Travel a year later, said Gaynelle Henderson, Freddyes daughter and the companys current president.

For Freddye, the trip conjured an epiphany. She knew that if she spread the word about how African-Americans were being accepted abroad, they would travel overseas. In 1955, Freddye and her husband, Jacob, opened Henderson Travel Service in Atlanta to assist African-Americans who wanted to travel internationally. Coincidentally, it was also the same year that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

The agency planned and booked thousands of trips for black travelers, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s visit to Oslo, Norway, where he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. And Freddye tagged along, too.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr. Martin Luther King, says a few words as he prepares to board plane to New York on his way tp Oslo. King is accompanied by his wife Coretta, (L). Two of his four children Yolanda, (with mother), and Martin Luther King III, (R), were also on hand with many followers of the integration leader to see him off. | Bettmann Archive

During the agencys early years, the Hendersons saw the potential of specializing in travel to Africa. In the 1950s, they wanted to plan trips to encourage travelers to explore the continents diverse, rich cultures. There were only a handful of travel companies offering services to what was then known as the Dark Continent, but this travel agency provided exclusive services, including chartering planes to West Africa, an area where there were no commercial flights. Their decision to focus on trip planning and tours to Africa would not only become a revenue generator for the company, but it would also serve an underserved travel market and forge valuable connections in the black community.

We really had the advantage because our niche specialization was African tours, said Gaynelle. We had a well-known reputation because my parents, in particular, worked closely with almost all the major African-American professional associations during those early years. Those social and professional organizations included the National Bar Association, National Medical Association, historically black colleges and universities, as well as black fraternities, sororities, and churches.

A sampling of Henderson Travel's early tours to Africa. The first commercial airline routes to Africa asked Henderson Travel to work with them as official tour operators beginning in the very early 70s. | Courtesy of Gaynelle Henderson

With their credibility in the travel industry and long-standing trust among African-American travelers, Henderson Travel Service didnt escape a couple of changes in the 1980s  more than 30 years after opening their doors. In 1984, Gaynelle, one of Freddye and Jacobs four children, opened a new office in Washington, DC. Meanwhile, the Atlanta office remained open with her parents still at the helm. However, in 1989, Henderson Travel Service closed in Atlanta, and the Hendersons passed the baton to their daughter to take over the family business.

From an early age, Gaynelle remembers learning the ropes from her parents. I remember writing airline tickets with my sisters and brother. My mother would give us a list of names and a prototype of how to write the ticket with city segments, airlines, and departure times, she said. We would literally copy that ticket and just change the names manually in handwriting. On the weekends, Gaynelle and her siblings would use a mimeograph to print out the travel information that their mother would mail out to clients.

From handwritten tickets to printed tickets to electric boarding passes, Henderson has seen it all. And as times have changed, the agency has transformed its mode of operations, too. As the new president of the agency, Gaynelle wanted to diversify the company to increase its revenue stream. So, she received her AA certification in Small Business Administration in hopes that the agency would be able to compete and bid for federal government travel contracts, especially now that it was based in Washington, DC. Initially, her hard work and valiant efforts were not able to get her a seat at the table, so she decided to expand the company to include conference management, which required similar skills, including logistics planning and booking.

In 1989, it would prove to be a smart move. The first time we put a proposal together for a contract, we won it, she said. That happened to be a $1 million contract with Health and Human Services to plan and manage a series of conferences on AIDS and the minority community in different cities around the country. From this lucrative venture, Henderson Associates was born as a new consultant division under the Henderson Travel Service brand. Creating another valuable revenue stream, it helped the agency survive difficult times and stay afloat during the Great Recession that occurred from 2007 to 2009.

Gaynelle Henderson and members of a large professional association that she took to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and India. | Courtesy of Gaynelle Henderson

Henderson Travel Service continues to bolster its reputation for specializing in tours in Africa, including their most popular tour destinations of Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa. Meanwhile, Henderson Associates focuses on federal government contracts and assisting other countries in building their market shares. It breathed new life into the company, providing more valuable partnerships and connections. In 1990, for example, Ghana Airways sought out Henderson and appointed her the national manager for North America to increase the number of African-American travelers visiting the West African nation.

And in 2001, Henderson Associates was awarded a contract to work with Bermudas Minister of Tourism, David Allen, on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, where countries and people of African descent converged on the island nation to discuss how enslaved people have influenced their countrys or communitys history and culture.

Gaynelle with a group in a small African Village in Senegal where we stopped to leave gifts of clothing, cosmetics, and medicines. | Courtesy of Gaynelle Henderson

Over the last decade, Henderson Travel Service has survived the increase of travel apps and online travel aggregators by banking on its well-renowned reputation and expanding its tours to group-requested destinations such as India, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia, while still managing a few Africa tours per year. Henderson believes people are still intrigued by Africa because its an unfamiliar travel destination. People are just so uninformed about Africa that it really is a disadvantage in terms of travel planning. They dont know where to start, she said. Some people are still uncomfortable about planning on their own, and I think its best to come to a specialist who can plan your travel to Africa.

Left: Sisters, Shirley Henderson Coleman and Gaynelle Henderson in India. Right: Gaynelle gorilla trekking in Rwanda. | Gaynelle Henderson

Celebrating 65 years in the travel business this year, Henderson Travel Service lives on through Freddye and Jacobs daughter, as she and the agency continue to provide travelers with unique experiences in Africa. Henderson said shes semi-retired and has been contemplating the agencys next chapter. But for now, shes focused on planning more tours and writing a book that her mother started, which will give travelers, historians, and culture documentarians a glimpse into the lives of an African-American family that became true pioneers in the travel industry.
To shield US President Donald Trump from the sight of slums in India, Ahmedabad authorities have built a wall, while they say it is being built for "security reasons."



Trump is visiting India this month.

However, a senior government said the wall was being built for security reasons, not to conceal the slum district.

But the contractor building it told Reuters the government "did not want the slum to be seen" when Trump passes by on the ride in from Ahmedabads airport.

"Ive been ordered to build a wall as soon as possible, over 150 masons are working round-the-clock to finish the project," the contractor said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said the wall was part of a "beautification and cleanliness" drive.

Nevertheless, the 400-meter-long and seven-feet-high wall built for beautification, hides a slum district that houses an estimated 800 families.

Trump will visit India on February 24-25 to reaffirm strategic ties that have been buffeted by trade disputes.

The event is dubbed as "Kem Chho Trump" ("How are you, Trump") at a stadium in Ahmedabad along the lines of the "Howdy Modi" extravaganza he hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston last September.

Reuters

Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump quoted Modi as saying "millions and millions of people" would attend the rally.

But some slum dwellers whose homes will be cordoned off by the wall in Ahmedabad - the largest city in Modis home state of Gujarat - said the government was wasting tax-payer money to hide the poor.

"Poverty and slums are the reality of our life, but Modis government wants to hide the poor," said Parvatbhai Mafabhai, a day worker who has lived there with his family for more than three decades.
Up to 95 per cent of registered clubs in NSW are not in compliance with federal anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing laws, according to an internal ClubsNSW document.

The May 2019 paper provided to the organisations board, and obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald, was written by an executive at ClubsNSW, the peak body for the industry.

The federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie sought to table the document in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, but was blocked by the government, a move he described as a "cover-up".

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie attempts to table the ClubsNSW internal document at Parliament House on Thursday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Current levels of AML/CTF [anti-money laundering/counter terrorism financing] compliance are at best 5-10 per cent for the approximately 770 clubs in NSW that are full reporting entities under AML/CTF legislation, the document says.
InterManager - reducing enclosed space deaths

One of the biggest causes of death onboard vessels today is enclosed spaces - people collapse due to the atmosphere or other reasons, and cannot be rescued. Captain Kuba Szymanski, secretary general of InterManager, suggested some better ways we can try to reduce the risk.

One of the biggest causes of death onboard vessels is now enclosed spaces, where people collapse due to a non-breathable atmosphere or other reasons, and cannot be rescued, said Captain Kuba Szymanski, secretary general of InterManager. The normal techniques shipping companies use to minimise the risk, procedures, training and posters, are not solving the problem. So we need to look at new ways to reduce the risk, he explained. Examples of enclosed spaces are tanks for cargo, ballast or fuel, or a void space between the vessel hull and a tank. About three quarters of the deaths are seafarers, a quarter is people visiting a ship while it is in port. It is possible that one day, the family of any deceased seafarer could sue the shipowner, for not having provided sufficient environment for the seafarer to work. A very good American lawyer will go after the owner. Didnt follow procedures When people have accidents, the investigations will often report that it was due to the person not following procedures. In other words, blaming the person who died. People dont realise that in a typical marine situation, the procedures are hard to follow, and seafarers are under pressure to not to follow them to the letter in order to save time, he said. A typical attitude from shipping company management and regulators is to say, we have given seafarers a lot of training into enclosed spaces, we have put up posters about the risks, so if they have accidents, it must be their fault. Chapter 15 of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers, only 545 pages to read, available free online, has comprehensive instructions for working in enclosed spaces. Shipping company managers often keep it in their office. But they do not often refer to it, Mr. Szymanski said. The text is cramped in the printing, and it is written in a language where people who do not have English as a first language would struggle to understand, he said. And it would be a lot to memorise. Many seafarers are not confident enough in their relationships with their employers to say, they need to stop work while they go back to check it, he said. More usually, seafarers are afraid to admit they dont have a comprehensive understanding of it. He doesnt know it is OK to not know. That is the environment we have created, he said. The P+I Clubs can be held indirectly responsible for some of the problems  by selling shipping companies insurance against deliberate acts of seafarer negligence. This gives shipping companies an incentive to say that any problem is due to deliberate seafarer negligence if they can. No safety report repository Not all shipping companies are aware that the risks of enclosed spaces are so great. There is no central repository of safety incident reports in the maritime industry. Data is collected by bodies such as the International Bulk Terminal Association and the UKs Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB), and these are well known, but not global. The IMO has developed a central database of safety data called Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). But not all states submit data to it, including Denmark and Germany, he said. So it is empty. There are no statistics. No independent investigation The inclination to blame the seafarer can be stronger when the investigation is not independent. It is not independent if (for example) the regulations, created by a body also doing the investigation, may be part of the cause. In the US, the US Coastguard was the body responsible for investigating the El Faro container ship accident where 29 people died. Did they find the US Coastguard made a mistake? Of course not. They said, it must be the old man, he was told so many times not to sail. Similarly, the Costa Concordia accident was investigated by Italian authorities. Are they going to say anything about themselves? Of course not. InterManager survey InterManager decided to try a different approach  to start by surveying seafarers to ask about the reasons they were taking risks. The survey only had a single question, why are you killing yourselves in enclosed space, and collected nearly 5,000 responses. One of the biggest causes, cited by 30 per cent of respondents, was procedures and conflict within them. For example, OCIMFs ISGOTT (International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals) says that seafarers should not enter enclosed space in breathing apparatus unless it is an emergency. But typically Wall Wash Tests have to be carried out and many operators requires seafarers to wear breathing apparatus sets for this operational activity, he said. Ship design Not many seafarers saw it as their role to question how the ship has been designed, but they probably should do, he said. There is usually just a single small cover which is removed to access the space, big enough for one person to squeeze through. What if weve got someone having a heart attack, how are you going to get them out of there? Also the vents in the tank could be better designed to provide a breathable atmosphere. None of the people who designed enclosed space ever thought about humans working there, he said. There is a lot of industry discussion about unmanned ships. An unmanned ship would need to be designed with ballast tanks which never need inspections to be done on them  just as they would be designed to never need paper work to be done on them. But rather than wait for fully unmanned ships before we do these things, we could do it now. Short term hire Another issue is the employment relationship seafarers have, which strongly discourages them from complaining too much. 90 per cent of seafarers are hired for a specific vessel, so when they finish one contract, they frequently dont have the next one lined up, and cannot be sure there will be an assignment. The other 10 per cent of seafarers have a contract saying they have a certain amount of notice. This is usually just the master and chief engineer. You were working until Friday, and you may work on Monday, you dont know, he said. How do you relax on the weekend? Your wife says, what are you doing on Monday. You say, I dont know, they will call me. What if they dont call you? In such a working environment, are you going to rock the boat, when you may not work again? 30 years ago, 90 per cent of seafarers were employed by owners. Fourth engineers could see their steady progression up the ranks within the same company. But today, when people are asked where they think they will be in ten years, they typically say, they dont know, they just hope to be still working at sea. Any new master would be very reluctant to pick up the phone and say, Ive got a problem. Lack of trust When people are working with people they dont know, there is no trust. People are very concerned that they dont know who they are getting. They it takes months [to gain trust]. If people feel comfortable with their fellow crew members, they dont see the need to check what they are doing. But the opposite is true. He will be saying, why are you checking, I am an experienced chief officer. I say, well I dont know you Henrik. I am just covering myself. Training Seafarers are not formally trained how to inspect the structures of tankers. We dont know how to take a hammer and learn where to knock it. We learn on the job, provided we have a good mentor. Class societies teach their surveyors a special structure for writing reports. Seafarers are also expected to write reports about tanks, but without this knowledge. Theres no point in sending a chief engineer to the bunker tank, he has never been there with a surveyors hat, he said. Stakeholders In the second phase of the InterManager project, it identified the different stakeholders for the enclosed space issue, including class, shipyard and company senior management. A lot of [these people] do not see themselves as part of the problem, he said. They believe that preventing enclosed space accidents is the responsibility of seafarers themselves. But design of the tank is approved by class. Why is class not asking themselves the question what if, how? And people ashore can be oblivious to what happens on a ship. Never been used When Mr. Szymanski takes a ferry, he will often present his business card to the administrative office and ask if he can visit the bridge. He asks the second officer if they issue enclosed space certificates, and if they have oxygen meters onboard. The answer is nearly always now we have one, until last year we had zero, he said. It seems that 99 per cent of ships in the world which are not tankers have just one, which is the minimum. And the oxygen meter is in the chief officers cabin with a blanket, saying do not touch, it is for inspections. Carrying an oxygen meter is an essential safety precaution, because the concentration of oxygen can vary in different parts of a tank. Rescues Then there is the question of how someone is rescued if they collapse in an enclosed space. The hatch to enter tanks can be a little wider than one person  so impossible for one person to carry another out. They would also need to take in rescue equipment, such as a rope, torch and resuscitator. It is possible to buy an oxygen resuscitator, a device using positive pressure to inflate the lungs of an unconscious person who is not breathing, in order to keep them oxygenated and alive. Even the best companies are not investing in that equipment, he said. Sometimes people enter enclosed spaces without realizing they are enclosed spaces. For example, a cargo hold which was previously full of wood chips. They dont know theres no oxygen down there. Within minutes they are dead. Safe manning levels is another issue. A tanker might have only three crew members on deck, which need to periodically visit 35 tanks. If two people go into the tank, there is only one further person available to rescue them if something goes wrong. How is this going to work?




If his hospital statement is to be believed, triple intoxication manslaughter suspect Gregory Allen Smith was part of a growing statistic that more PCP-impaired drivers are getting behind the wheel on Houston roads.

Amid a city dealing with troubled traffic, Houston is the nations largest metro area to have a significant problem with the drug, researchers on Wednesday said. Their study found traces of PCP  also known as Phencyclidine and under the street name angel dust  in about 1 in 6 blood samples taken during DWI arrests between 2013 and 2018, with the typical user being black men in their 30s.

The synthetic drug ranked third behind alcohol and then marijuana, data from the study shows. The findings were published on the Journal of Analytical Toxicology website.

Smith, 31, was overheard telling Ben Taub Hospital officials that he smoked PCP prior to a fiery Feb. 5 crash that killed three generations of a family, authorities said. He tested positive for the same drug in April 2019 after a crash that landed him with a DWI charge, court records show.

His ex-girlfriend reported to police that Smith had been binging on PCP the same week as the 2019 crash, according to court papers.

Dayong Lee, who co-led the Houston Forensic Science Center research, said she noticed the trend in PCP cases when she came to Texas in 2015 from her post-graduate studies in Maryland and Florida.

Ive worked in other laboratories in other regions of the U.S., and we never saw PCP positive cases, Lee said. It was mind-boggling for me that high prevalence of PCP users in Houston.

While New York City and Washington, D.C., are also PCP hot spots, positive tests among those arrested on DWI charges show PCP is on the rise. The number of those found to have used PCP prior to an arrest were listed at 49 in 2013. That number increased to 271 in 2018, data shows.

Researchers have also spotted a recent shift in demographics, with more PCP use among women and younger people.

Statewide, the Department of Public Safety in 2017 identified Houston as having the highest number of DWI cases in which drivers tested positive for PCP from 2014 to 2016. Its data was comparable to what the city researchers found: The majority of users are in their 30s.

Peter Stout, another Houston Forensic Science Center researcher, which based the study on Houston Police Department arrests, warned that their results are likely an under count. Some samples went untested, he said. The citys report is based on 3,738 blood samples taken. About 16 percent , or 615 drivers, showed traces of the drug.

Im certain there is more PCP that is being used, more PCP thats in DWIs than were reporting here, Stout said.

Stout was unable to explain why PCP is so prevalent in Houston, other than to point to a Drug Enforcement Administration study from 1994 about a pattern of PCP trafficking from California to Texas.

When taken, the drug  typically a cigarette or joint laced with the illicit solution  separates people from reality, Stout said. The drug has hallucinogenic properties, and its users sometime exhibit psychotic breaks or violent behavior, he continued.

How people react to the drug is a concern to law enforcement because its users can be unpredictable.

It is probably the most dangerous street drug that we deal with, especially when it comes to somebody who is driving, Houston police Sgt. Donald Egdorf said. One moment they might be very cooperative and the next moment they want to fight everybody and try to kill whoever is in front of them.

In the case of Smith, after the crash, he had to be sedated because he was being combative at the hospital, authorities said. Smith is slated to appear in court Friday. By then, investigators hope to have pieced together what he was doing in the 24 hours before the wreck. How he procured the vehicle he was driving during the crash was being scrutinized and may result in more charges.

Egdorf declined to speak on how the results of the study related to Smiths arrest, which happened in northeast Harris County and was investigated by Harris County Constables Office Precinct 4. In 2019, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences found 72 cases of PCP impairment out of 5,504 samples, officials said. Results for prior years were not available.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Police interrogate Ran Zhoa (seated, right) over his alleged role in an illegal transnational surrogacy ring in Bangkok, Feb. 13, 2020.

Police in Bangkok arrested a Chinese couple and seven Thai women after raiding 10 locations throughout the city and in nearby provinces on Thursday during a sting to bust a cross-border surrogacy racket that provided babies to people in China, officials said.

The operation, which involved 200 police officers, found seven pregnant women and a 22-day-old baby at one of the locations. The Chinese suspects, Ran Zhao, 37, and his wife, Su Yingting, 48, are suspected of hiring the women, police Maj. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, told reporters.

We have been tracking down this gang since May of last year. The target of todays operation is a transnational criminal organization and this is a form of human trafficking, Torsak told reporters.

Police pointed to travel restrictions as the reason they found the baby during their raids.

[W]e believe the babies are left here because of the spread of the [novel] coronavirus. China has blocked travel to certain parts of the country, police Col. Manachai Kleebsatabutr said.

Those arrested face charges linked to alleged involvement in transnational crime, conducting commercial surrogacy and advertising surrogacy services, officials said. Police requested warrants for 10 people, but one remains at large, according to officers.

After a series of scandals involving foreigners and surrogate mothers, Thailand in 2015 passed a law to ban surrogacy as part of a business or profit-making enterprise in the country.

Under that law, a surrogacy broker, if convicted, could face a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to 100,000 baht (U.S. $3,210).

Assets seized on Thursday included vehicles, a house, and a company building valued at about 30 million baht ($963,000), according to Torsak, the deputy police commissioner.

Torsak said the gang had been operating in Thailand since 2012 and its agents offered women payments of between 400,000 and 600,000 baht (U.S. $12,850 and $19,275) to serve as surrogates for families in China.

The organization sent would-be surrogate mothers to reproduction clinics in neighboring Laos where they would be implanted with embryos. The women would return to Thailand for the duration of their pregnancies and be flown to China to give birth.

Thursdays raids were based on a tip from a similar effort in January when police had found eight women who said they were hired to get pregnant in a province of Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok, along with 15 babies in one house.

Torsak said at least 100 Thai women had been hired by the gang in recent years and at least 50 babies had left the country. Police said they expect to coordinate with their Chinese counterparts to locate those children.






TOKYO  Nissan may report its first quarterly loss in more than a decade on Thursday because of slumping sales, sources familiar with the company said, adding more pressure on efforts to rebuild the company after Carlos Ghosn's ouster.

Deteriorating profits underscore the challenges facing Nissan, which is unwinding many of the expansionist strategies championed by ex-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Ghosn by slashing jobs, production sites and product offerings to save cash and ensure its survival.

In addition to slumping sales, production disruptions caused by China's coronavirus outbreak could also drag profits lower.

Three senior officials at Japan's No. 2 automaker told Reuters that they anticipate a poor results announcement on Thursday, with one of them calling the figures "dismal".

Two of the officials cautioned that there is the possibility of an operating loss, which would be the first quarterly loss since the period ending in March 2009.

Nissan said it could not comment on its financial results ahead of its official announcement.

The company is likely to report operating profit of 48.6 billion yen ($442.5 million) for the quarter ending in December, less than half the 103 billion yen profit a year ago, according to SmartEstimate's survey of three analysts, who revised their forecasts in January.

However, those forecasts were issued before the release of the December vehicle sales figures on Jan. 30, which show third-quarter sales dropped by 11% from the year earlier period, according to Reuters calculations. That is the biggest quarterly slump of its current sales downturn that began two years ago.

That sales decline led one auto equities analyst based in Japan to scrap his forecast and also warn that Nissan could post a loss.

"It will be a question of whether there will be a profit or a loss. For the quarter, a loss is a possibility," he said, declining to be named as his forecast had not been updated to reflect his latest view.

Story continues

One of the three Nissan officials said there is a risk the automaker may cut its full-year profit forecast of 150 billion yen, which would be an 11-year low. The company announced that forecast in November after an initial 230 billion yen outlook.

Since the start of the fiscal year in April, Nissan's global sales have slumped 8.3% versus the year ago period as it struggles to sell its Rogue SUV crossover and its Sentra sedan, two of its three top-selling models in the United States, after years of heavy discounting in that key market has tarnished its image.

For the first nine months of the fiscal year, the company has sold 3.81 million vehicles. It risks missing its full-year target of 5.24 million, a decline of 5% from the prior year's sales, amid prolonged production halts in China.

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The coronavirus outbreak will hurt the Australian economy but will not hit the federal government's credit rating, according to one of the world's key ratings agencies.

S&P Global on Thursday morning said while it believes the virus will strip half a percentage point from Australian economic growth this year, that did not mean there would be a direct flow-on impact to the nation's credit standing.

Australia is one of 11 nations to have the top credit rating from the world's three major rating agencies which includes S&P.

Tourist visits to the Sydney Opera House have dropped since the coronavirus outbreak. S&P Global says despite the economic hit, the nation's top credit rating is safe. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The agency said said while both the virus and the summer's bushfires would deliver a short term hit to the economy and budgets of the federal and state governments, that did not mean credit ratings were at risk.
As cases of Coronavirus have been identified in neighbouring countries, and as an office in Dublin has closed its doors as a temporary preventive measure, it is time for Irish employers to make plans for when cases of infection are confirmed here.



Irish businesses are in a much better position to counter the outbreak of an influenza epidemic than they were in the past, as they are less dependent on centralised facilities and can allow more people to work from home.



However, many businesses conduct their affairs on a person-to-person basis, where it is more difficult to mitigate the risks of contamination. All business owners are now in a position to adopt basic levels of precaution ahead of Coronavirus entering the Irish population. The measures SMEs should take are:

Gather information on pandemic influenza and assign responsibilities for planning. Government advice is available.

Consult within your staff, customers and suppliers. If you have Asian suppliers, you need to talk to them immediately about their production and export plans.

Understand what are the high level impacts pandemic could have on your business, and prioritise the most impactful ones.

Nominate deputies for the key personnel in all roles.

Consider where you would be in a position to access contractors if your own workforce was to be significantly impacted.

Develop a business continuity plan, brief your staff on that plan, and test it in exercises. Maximise the use of remote and flexible working.

Discuss contingencies with your accountant and your bank should there be significant impacts on your suppliers or your customers.
It looks like the rumored drama between Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowell could get even uglier. After the actress was brought on to Cowells show, Americas Got Talent, they reportedly clashed immediately. Union allegedly spoke out against many troubling situations involving Cowell, which led to problems and caused a divide between them. As tensions continued and reached their breaking point, Union was allegedly fired from the show.

Now, the Bring It On star is reportedly thinking about fighting back. According to multiple outlets, Union is considering suing Cowell. Lets quickly recap their drama and discuss the alleged reason she might sue him.

(L-R) Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowell | George Pimentel/Getty Images North America; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Looking back at Gabrielle Union and Simon Cowells alleged problems

Sources told Vulture that problems began immediately after Union was brought on to the judging panel for AGT Season 14, which ran from May to September 2019.

According to the insiders, Union had issues with many things, including Cowells reported habit of smoking indoors, which is illegal in California. Beyond that, she is reportedly allergic to cigarette smoke.

When she complained, she was reportedly labeled as difficult by Cowell and AGT producers. NBC staffers also allegedly told her, No one could stop Cowell from smoking and that previous attempts by a fire marshal and NBC executives had been unsuccessful.

So they kept clashing, according to sources. Union reportedly flared tensions when she started calling out racist incidents and other troubling behaviors that allegedly happened on set. Then in November 2019, it was reported that she would not be returning for AGT Season 15.

Union has not directly said that she was fired from NBC series, but her husband, Dwyane Wade, suggested the reports were true in messages shared to Twitter.

Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Simon Cowell on the panel | Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

NBC defended itself and eventually launched a probe into the drama

NBC and series producer Fremantle defending themselves in a statement shared with Vulture that said:

Americas Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGTs enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.

But as the backlash mounted, NBC launched an investigation into the incident and said it would put new practices in place if necessary, per The Associated Press.

Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Terry Crews, Julianne Hough, and Simon Cowell |Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Gabrielle Union is now allegedly considering suing Simon Cowell

Multiple outlets reported during the week of Feb. 9 that Union is thinking about suing Cowell for endangering her life by allegedly smoking on the set of AGT.

Gabrielle was always cross that Simon would smoke when the cameras werent running, a source told The Daily Mail. For her, this is a big deal. She believes his smoking has put her life in danger. It can cause cancer and she doesnt think she deserves to have been at risk when she was at work. This lawsuit will be sent to Simon at any moment. She is determined to see this one through.

Oof. Well, stay tuned. It seems like theres more to come.
MANCHESTER, N.H.  If Amy Klobuchar is going to capitalize on her strong third-place finish in New Hampshire, shell need to use her Midwestern moderate appeal to win over Democratic voters in Nevada and South Carolina over the next two weeks. One issue that could help her accomplish this, especially in the latter contest in a more conservative state, is abortion.

Klobuchar struck a different note than other Democrats on this issue in a Monday interview on The View. While maintaining strong personal support for abortion rights, Klobuchar said the Democratic Party has to make room for pro-life voters and candidates.

I am strongly pro-choice. I have always been pro-choice. But I believe were a big-tent party, and there are pro-life Democrats, and they are part of our party. I think we need to build a big tent. We need to bring people in instead of shutting them out, Klobuchar said.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Her stance stands in contrast to comments from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who, during an MSNBC special last week, proclaimed, I think being pro-choice is an absolutely essential part of being a Democrat.

And its also a markedly more inclusive stance than the one taken by former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Asked by a female member of the group Democrats for Life whether he wanted her support, Buttigieg hedged.

Im 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, Buttigieg said. The best I can offer is that if we cant 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, its the woman whos faced with that decision in her own life.

As the race heads to the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29, the Democratic electorate in those two states is much more diverse than in the first two contests. As a result, Klobuchars big-tent answer on abortion could resonate, especially in South Carolina, even more so if she and Buttigieg are battling it out for non-Sanders voters.

Story continues

We are still a religious state, said Chip Felkel, a Republican political consultant in South Carolina who has grown disaffected with his party during the Trump era. Abortion is still something that makes a lot of people uncomfortable.

Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

Klobuchar performed exceptionally well in New Hampshire among voters who attend religious services weekly, winning that category of voter by 12 points, based on exit polling.

Felkel said there are undoubtedly some Democrats in South Carolina who would be receptive to Klobuchars more moderate tone on abortion. I just dont know if there are enough of them, he told Yahoo News in a phone interview.

Andy Brack, a former spokesman for late Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., who now runs StateHouseReport.com and the Charleston City Paper, said that South Carolina is a lot more conservative place even amongst Democrats than Iowa and New Hampshire. And so when I say that I mean black and white. So I think South Carolina is looking more toward a moderating voice.

I dont see them jumping on a Bernie bandwagon. I dont really see them jumping on a Pete bandwagon, not because hes left wing. The sad fact is the African-American churchgoing community is somewhat homophobic, so thats going to be a problem for him, Brack said in a phone interview, referring to Buttigiegs status as the first openly gay man to be a leading candidate for a partys presidential nomination.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., the third-ranking Democrat in the House, has repeatedly rejected the notion that black voters in the state are biased against Buttigieg because of his sexuality.

But Brack was also skeptical of Klobuchars chances at this point, noting that she has an uphill battle.

Nobody knows who the hell she is, Brack said. Shes got two weeks to sell her message.  It may be a day late and a dollar short.

Bakari Sellers, a former Democratic member of the South Carolina state Legislature, was even more dismissive of Klobuchars chances in the Palmetto State. Amy Klobuchar is not trying to win anywhere where voters of color live, Sellers said in a phone interview. He predicted that billionaire hedge fund manager and climate activist Tom Steyer would take the portion of the vote that Klobuchar received in New Hampshire.

Klobuchar has proved she can turn around her fortunes quickly, however. She went from fifth to third in the course of a few days in New Hampshire, largely on the back of a strong debate performance the Friday before the primary, and also thanks to consternation among many Democrats about who has the best shot of beating Trump.

I think that this election isnt about a single issue like abortion. The single issue is who can beat Donald Trump, Brack said.

That is undoubtedly true. And Klobuchar will have to convince voters she is that candidate if she is to have any shot at advancing past South Carolina. But a moderate stance on abortion could play into the matrix voters use to determine who is their best shot to beat Trump, as they think about who is tough and capable enough to stand up to the president but also has the ability to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents who are looking for a way to vote against Trump but cant stand the idea of a left-wing president.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved infusion of Rs2,500 crore into three State-run general insurance companies, namely Oriental Insurance Company, National Insurance Co and United India Insurance Co. Officials said this would be the first tranche of re-capitalisation of insurance firms.

We will start recapitalisation of general insurance companies in tranches The government will infuse more capital as and when required, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said after the Cabinet meeting.

Javadekar pointed out that the Centre had already infused some Rs3 lakh crore in State-run banks over the last three years, in several tranches. The capital infusion in the three State-run general insurers comes ahead of their proposed merger by the end of March 2020.

Earlier in January, the finance ministry had said that the merger of PSU general insurers was at an advanced stage and that could happen soon as the matter was pending before the Cabinet. In 2018-19, former finance minister Arun Jaitley had proposed a merger of the three insurance companies, and listing of the single entity on domestic bourses.

Three public sector general insurance companies  National Insurance Company Ltd, United India Assurance Company Limited and Oriental India Insurance Company Limited  will be merged into a single insurance entity and will be subsequently listed, Jaitley had said in his Budget speech.

The government is infusing capital into these (insurance) companies so that the solvency ratio becomes acceptable and it fulfils the criteria of IRDA (Insurance Regulatory Development Authority), Javadekar said.

Officials said another Rs6,950 crore may be infused in these three companies next year. However, the three insurance giants had sought a higher outlay for infusion of funds and the department of financial services within the finance ministry, which oversees them, had suggested an infusion to the tune of Rs12,000 crore. This apparently has been turned down by the finance ministry.

The infusion of funds was requested so as to maintain IRDAs solvency margins. Given the many government fiats that we carry out by giving low-cost insurance covers to various sectors, our solvency margins are below IRDAs requirement of 1.5 per cent, said the director of a State-run insurance company.

Market share

New India Insurance continues have the highest market share in the general insurance space at 14.28 per cent at the end of January 2020, followed by United India Insurance at 9.19 per cent, National Insurance at 7.67 per cent, and ICICI Lombard at 7.22 per cent.
[February 13, 2020] Securian Financial Subsidiary Acquiring Gerber Life Canadian Business

Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company, a Canadian subsidiary of Securian Financial Group, Inc., announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Canadian block of business from Gerber Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group Inc. Gerber Life's Canadian block of business consists primarily of Grow-Up whole life insurance policies for juveniles. Western & Southern will retain its Gerber Life business in the U.S. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in Canada, at which point Canadian Premier will fully assume the Canadian Gerber Life policies. The Gerber Life brand will no longer be marketed in Canada. Securian Financial acquied Canadian Premier in 2017-its first international expansion. Headquartered in Toronto, Canadian Premier offers group life, accident & sickness, credit and creditor insurance solutions to leading financial institutions, retailers and affinity groups throughout Canada.



"Canadian Premier has grown significantly since we acquired the company and this new book of business will accelerate that momentum," said Chris Hilger, Securian Financial's chairman, president and CEO. "We see a bright future in Canada and will continue evaluating opportunities to grow our business in the country." "This is an exciting acquisition for Canadian Premier as we focus on growing in the Canadian marketplace," said Suzette Huovinen, Canadian Premier's CEO. "We look forward to welcoming a new generation of customers to our company and providing them excellent products and service."

The transaction is expected to close early in the second quarter of this year. ABOUT SECURIAN FINANCIAL At Securian Financial, we're here for family. And we're here because of it. We're guided by our purpose: helping customers build secure tomorrows. Since 1880, we've been building a uniquely diversified company that has outlasted economic ups and downs while staying true to our customers. We're committed to the markets we serve, providing insurance, investment and retirement solutions that give families the confidence to focus on what's truly valuable: banking memories with those who matter most. Securian Financial is the marketing name for Securian Financial Group, Inc. and its affiliates. Insurance products are issued by its affiliated insurance companies, including Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Life Insurance Company, a New York authorized insurer. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. DOFU 02-2020 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005136/en/

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Five Fingers Rapids, in a photo taken by a drone. PA Photo/Tobias Barth.

Damon Smith receiving his Sourtoe Cocktail Club certificate at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City. PA Photo/Damon Smith.

Steve Watson and one of his giant cinnamon buns at Braeburn Lodge on the North Klondike Highway.

Gliding sweetly through wind-kissed undulations of crystalline snow, I foolishly take my eyes off the four Alaskan huskies charging excitedly round a sharp bend obscured by a silent guard of white spruce.

In exquisite slow motion, the mountain vista of Fish Lake tilts off its axis and my sled crashes ingloriously into a bank, throwing up a shimmering cloud that pin pricks the right-hand side of my face.

Expand Close Damon Smith sledding with Huskies at Sky High Wilderness Ranch in Whitehorse. PA Photo/Damon Smith. / Facebook

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After a few elasticated seconds of self-inflicted humiliation, being dragged on my side by four-legged charges - Siku and Taco up front, Cobalt and Nelly tethered close behind - there is momentary calm before a symphony of urgent barks and agitated backwards glances of glinting brown eyes compels me to dust myself off and concentrate.

Five layers of thermals and snug-fitting winter clothing ensure only my pride is bruised on an exhilarating first morning in Yukon.

The westernmost of Canada's three vast territories was immortalised in Jack London's 1903 short story The Call Of The Wild, which reframes the author's experiences of the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush through the eyes of a St Bernard-Scotch Collie mix named Buck.

A new film adaptation starring Harrison Ford is released in UK cinemas on February 19 and it's safe to say, the 77-year-old leading man commands a sled more convincingly than me.

Bordered by Alaska to the west, Yukon is almost twice the combined land mass of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but has fewer than 40,000 inhabitants, almost a quarter of whom are indigenous peoples.

The rights of the 14 Yukon First Nations to govern lands and nurture cultural practices and heritage was enshrined in 1993 by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (father of current premier Justin Trudeau).

Giddy on adrenaline from dog sledding, I buckle up as we venture off road in the afternoon, with experienced guide Tobias from Epic North Tour Experiences (epic.north.com) in a six-seater Viking all-terrain vehicle along sections of the Dawson Overland Trail - a 330-mile winter road built in 1902 linking Whitehorse and Dawson City.

Barren-ground and woodland caribou, featured on the reverse face of the Canadian quarter, outnumber humans by roughly 10 to one in the Yukon and are cherished in First Nation tribes' oral histories. The roar of the Viking's engine coupled with stereophonic screams as we slalom down steep inclines dissuade any herds from gracing us with their presence.

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As darkness falls, revealing a stunning overhead canopy of twinkling gems untarnished by light pollution, Tobias leads the hunt for aurora borealis, but heavy cloud cover shrouds Mother Nature's dazzling light show.

There are no direct flights from the UK or Ireland to Whitehorse, but the cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse seaport of Vancouver is a convenient gateway to the Yukon capital. The temperature drops almost 20 degrees Celsius during the two-hour flight northwest to the city, home to nearly 70 percent of Yukon's population on the traditional territories of the Ta'an Kwach'an Council and Kwanlin Dun First Nation.

A 30-minute drive from Whitehorse, the six clans of the Carcross Tagish First Nation people proudly adopt beaver, frog, killer whale, raven, wolf and woodworm crests in vibrant murals and carved wooden totems that stand guard over a community courtyard festooned with traditional crafts stalls.

The rose pink wooden fascia of the Matthew Watson General Store, the oldest operating shop in Yukon, is an austere neighbour to the haunted Caribou Hotel. The spectre of publican Bessie Gideon supposedly makes regular appearances, but tonight, brightly-gartered showgirls Sugar and Cinnamon join current owner Anne Morgan in the furnace-heated Surly Bird Saloon (named after a potty-mouthed parrot named Polly, who roosted on the premises) to serve refreshing tonics immortalised in Canadian poet Robert Service's 1940 verse, The Ballad Of The Ice-Worm Cocktail.

Expand Close Steve Watson and one of his giant cinnamon buns at Braeburn Lodge on the North Klondike Highway. / Facebook

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The 534km route along the North Klondike Highway from Whitehorse to Dawson City, where a badly malnourished Jack London developed scurvy while prospecting for gold, crosses the territory's rivers - the Yukon, Pelly and Stewart.

Bald eagles glide over our convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles, absorbing the rising heat as the traffic thins. Braeburn Lodge, the penultimate checkpoint of the 1000-mile Yukon Quest international dog sled race from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, provides a welcome rest break.

Homemade cinnamon buns, which dwarf the size of my out-stretched hand, are served warm by avuncular, white-bearded owner Steve Watson, as an unctuous accompaniment to steaming hot coffee.

A white-water stretch of the Yukon River known as Five Finger Rapids, where four basalt columns divide the fast-flowing water into channels, provides another picture-perfect pit-stop.

In The Call Of The Wild, woefully inexperienced gold prospectors Hal and Charles encounter a toothless old squaw at the rapids, and trade a revolver for horse hide to feed their dogs.

Today, frozen crystals hang like delicate jewels from tree branches and the water's austere, silvery surface is crowded with glistening ice lily pads.

Snow starts to fall as we pass Moose Creek campground, which proudly lists its wintertime population as "four great guys and gals, two friendly dogs", and romanticised flurries become an alarming blizzard as we reach the outskirts of Dawson City.

Before Klondike Fever took hold in 1896, the area was a fish camp to generations of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation people. Within the space of two years, around 40,000 gold seekers arrived, establishing the largest city west of Winnipeg.

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Jack London, then 21 years old, arrived in October 1897 and spent one gruelling winter working a claim on the north fork of Henderson Creek, roughly 120km south of Dawson City. A replica of his log cabin, constructed from original wood, is installed on the corner of Firth Street and Eighth Avenue and welcomes paying visitors to the Jack London Museum during balmy summer months.

Today, the city is home to almost 1,400 people and gold mining continues to drive the local economy alongside tourism. Wearing thick winter cloaks of snow, tumbledown buildings slump and heave on active layers of permafrost and a wooden-hulled dredge sits silently in Bonanza Creek, abandoned by a four-man crew that once processed 22 buckets of excavated gravel per minute through the belly of the gargantuan beast.

Talk to locals about climate change and they will tell you, it is literally dividing communities here. West Dawson, on the other side of the Yukon River, relies on freezing conditions to create a government-certified ice road during winter months. For the past three years, unseasonably warm conditions have rendered an ice bridge unsafe.

At night, risque can-can dancing girls distract prospectors seated at poker, roulette and blackjack tables in Canada's oldest licensed gambling hall, Diamond Tooth Gerties, and characterful watering holes offer toasty warm refuge to weary travellers and locals alike.

In the Sourdough Saloon of the Downtown Hotel, I'm cajoled into breaking 45 years of sobriety and order the notorious Sourtoe Cocktail comprising a generous glug of honey-flavoured Yukon Jack whisky garnished with a mummified human toe.

The rosy-cheeked bar mistress dons a splendid white captain's hat, recites an oath - "You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the gnarly toe" - and serves me a look that, were it a cocktail on the bar menu, would mix two measures of wry amusement with one measure of encouragement and a splash of pity.

Expand Close Damon Smith receiving his Sourtoe Cocktail Club certificate at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City. PA Photo/Damon Smith. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Damon Smith receiving his Sourtoe Cocktail Club certificate at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City. PA Photo/Damon Smith.

Sickly sweet nectar courses like molten lava down my throat as I successfully (and willingly) evade a 2,500 Canadian dollar fine for swallowing the severed digit.

When the Yukon issues its call to the wild, I answer.

Get there

Discover The World (discover-the-world.com; +44 (0)1737 886 131) offers a six-night Yukon holiday from 2,009/2,380pp.

The price includes scheduled flights with Air Canada from London Heathrow to Whitehorse via Vancouver, and domestic flights between Whitehorse and Dawson City, hotel accommodation, half-day dog sledding with transfers, guided aurora viewing and winter clothes hire.

For more information, visit travelyukon.com and explore-canada.co.uk.

The Call Of The Wild launches in cinemas this month..
Roh Tae-moon, the president of Mobile at Samsung, has claimed that the OEM has developed devices with "even more" hinges than the new Galaxy Z Flip. However, these multi-folding phones are apparently not ready for prime-time yet. This is due to the idea that consumers will want much more UX polish in such products.

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The Korea Herald reports that a Samsung executive has asserted the company already has projects for devices that fold at more points than its existing Galaxy Fold and Z Flip products underway. However, the company has yet to manufacture or release them, possibly due to a lack of certainty that they are really what the customer wants, or may be prepared to use.

Roh Tae-moon, the president of this company's mobile division, made comments to this effect at the Galaxy Unpacked event, which took place on February 11, 2020. The OEM's latest foldable was unveiled here; however, it seems it may gain successors that go beyond its relatively simple clamshell action in the future.

However, Tae-moon insisted that, while this hurdle has been cleared at Samsung R&D, the issue of "value to consumers" now remains. This may entail the optimization of One UI to the resulting form-factors, or simply figuring out how to make them most appealing to consumers. Nevertheless, the division head's vision of "large-scale screens" that unfold and fold to whatever size is required may be compelling enough for some buyers.

Buy Galaxy Fold now on Amazon
A 36-year-old Indian national, who was diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus in the UAE, is in a stable condition, according to a media report.

On February 10, the Indian national was diagnosed with the coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infection cases to eight in the UAE.

"The Indian expat is a 36-year-old male," an embassy official was quoted as saying by the Gulf

"He is a resident of the UAE," the official said but did not mention if the man had any travel history to China.

The Ministry of Health on Monday said the Indian national has been found to be infected with coronavirus in the latest case of virus infection in the UAE. The Indian national had interacted with a recently diagnosed person, the ministry had said in a statement.

"All reported cases are in stable condition, except for one case, who is being put under close observation by a team of senior consultants at the Intensive Care Unit," added the ministry statement.

The embassy official did not mention the state to which the Indian national belongs to.

He is among eight cases of coronavirus detected in the UAE so far. Others include six Chinese nationals and one from Philippines.

Earlier this week, the UAE also announced that one of the infected patients, a 73-year-old Chinese national, Liu Yujia, had recovered from the infection.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
B ritain faces blizzard conditions with more snow, downpours and 60mph gales set to sweep in even before Storm Dennis brings 72 hours of disruption beginning this weekend.

More than three inches of snow is expected to fall on Scotland and northern England from Thursday, leaving vehicles stranded in treacherous weather in the worst-hit areas.

Heavy rain is set to continue also across much of the UK, with a yellow weather alert warning of the potential flooding of homes and roads as the country continues its recovery from Storm Ciara.

But the worst is yet to come with the exceptionally deep low pressure system of Storm Dennis bringing a three-day period of intensely wet and windy weather to the UK from Saturday.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that while Dennis will not be as strong as Ciara, the new storm will be long lasting and still cause disruption up and down the country.

He said: Its going to be very windy for the whole weekend and even into Monday. Dennis is going to be a long-lasting storm, with not just the wind but also the rain too we are likely to see widespread disruption.

Its more common for low pressure systems to move through very quickly but the UK will feel the effects of Dennis throughout the weekend. The reason for this is that the low pressure centre is exceptionally deep.

UK Snow (January & February 2020) - In pictures 1 /69 UK Snow (January & February 2020) - In pictures An aerial view of the village of Allenheads in Northumberland PA Snow starting to fall in the Strand, London Jeremy Selwyn Wintry conditions surround the Angel of the North, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wea PA A woman walks a dog in snowy conditions in Bedale, North Yorkshire PA A traffic officer talks to the driver of a crashed car near Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire PA A boy enjoys the snowy weather on a sledge near Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales PA Snow covers the hills in Carrshields, Northumberland. As snow blankets northern parts of the country PA Sheep and lambs in the snow on a farm in Bainbridge in North Yorkshire PA An aerial view of the Killhope Lead Mining Museum, which was a 19th century mine in the Pennines in County Durham PA A car drives through wintry conditions near Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire PA An aerial view of the Killhope Lead Mining Museum, which was a 19th century mine in the Pennines in County Durham PA A child plays in the snow in Keele, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Reuters An aerial view of the village of Allenheads in Northumberland PA PA A gritter near Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire PA A sculpture is covered in snow in Bedale, North Yorkshire PA A car that has come off the road in snow in Bedale, North Yorkshire PA A Royal Mail worker delivers post in the snow in Nenthead, Cumbria. PA Traffic drives through wintry conditions at Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire PA Snow on fields and roads around Princetown on the top of Dartmoor, Devon, where snow has fallen on high ground PA A snowplough on the road at Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire PA Snowy conditions at the Tan Hill Inn in Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales PA Snow is cleared from the car park at Bedale Golf Club, North Yorkshire a PA Snow covered houses in Princetown on the top of Dartmoor, Devon, where snow has fallen on high ground. PA A crashed van near Burbage Bridge in the Peak District, as rain and wind gave way to hazardous amounts of snow and ice across the UK PA A car which has come off Upper Hightown Road near Belfast in snowy conditions PA A woman walks through the snow in Nenthead, Cumbria PA A car covered with snow drives through the streets in Princetown on the top of Dartmoor, Devon, where snow has fallen on high ground PA The high street in Princetown on the top of Dartmoor, Devon PA Heavy snow falls during the Women's Six Nations match at BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh PA A dog walker wraps up warm on snow covered footpaths in Princetown on the top of Dartmoor, Devon PA A pony walks in a snow covered field near Trinafour Scotland, Reuters A cyclist makes his way through the snow in Keele, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Reuters PA A Land Rover drives on a snow-covered road near Trinafour, Scotland Reuters A snow-covered tractor sits in a field near Trinafour Scotland Reuters Snowy conditions at the Tan Hill Inn in Richmond in the Yorkshire Dales PA Blair Castle is surrounded by snow in Blair Atholl, Scotland Reuters Airdrie, North Lanarkshire PA A lorry travels along the M6 near Shap in Cumbria as snow settles on the ground in after it was forecast for the highlands and high-level areas of northern England, where yellow weather warnings are in place PA Sheep graze in fields where snow has settled on the ground in Rhayader, Wales PA Sheep forage for food in a snow covered field near Killiecrankie, Scotland Reuters A man walks his dog near near Shap in Cumbria as snow settles PA Airdrie, North Lanarkshire PA Lorries travels along the M6 near Shap in Cumbria as snow settles on the ground PA A woman walks her dogs near Shap in Cumbria as snow settles PA Snow settles on a car in Llandrindod Wells, Wale PA Airdrie, North Lanarkshire PA A man walks his dog near near Shap in Cumbria as snow settles PA Snow settles on the ground in Llandrindod Wells, Wales PA A lorry parked close to the M6 near Shap in Cumbria during a snow blizzard PA Snow coats the grass in Eastleigh, Hampshire @KarenRadian

The snow warning comes after mountain rescuers scrambled to save 12 people who got stranded in their cars in Dumfries and Galloway on Tuesday night.

Moffat Mountain Rescue Team sent two off-road vehicles to the A702 Dalveen Pass, north of Durisdeer village, battling through treacherous conditions to reach the victims.

The 12 were pulled from their cars and ferried to safety in the teams Land Rover in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team (TVMRT) also reported helping Police Scotland recover a vehicle which had slipped off a road at a remote location in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday evening.

Moffat Mountain Rescue Team battle the snow to save 12 stranded motorists / PA

The emergency volunteers struggled through extreme blizzards on a 2.4-mile (4km) hike during the operation.

A host of yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office from Thursday until Monday.

Northern Ireland is covered by a warning of rain from midnight until 8am on Thursday morning, with forecasters saying this could bring transport disruption and flooding to some homes and businesses.

Another warning of snow has been issued for the north west of England from 2am to 11am on Thursday, which the Met Office said could again affect travel and cut off rural communities.

Vehicles struggle through snow on the B797 between Leadhills and Wanlockheadon / Getty Images

There is also a risk of blizzards over the high grounds of southern Scotland on Thursday morning which will push eastwards and clear away into the afternoon, the Met Office said.

Elsewhere, it will be windy with heavy showers across many parts of England and Wales, with some hail and thunder mixed in.

On Friday, a yellow alert is warning of rain and snow melt across southern Scotland from 9am to 5pm, that could affect roads and train and bus services.

Frost will have developed overnight, most severely in the north, with fog patches also arriving.

Waves crash on the beach next to Brighton pier as high winds continue following Storm Ciara / Getty Images

Wet and windy conditions in the north west will later on push south-eastwards across the whole country on Friday.

On Saturday, three warnings of wind and rain cover all of England, Wales and southern Scotland for most of the day.

Saturday is expected to be "the most hazardous day", Mr Burkill said.

But he added: "Whilst it's going to be very windy, they do look like they will be a touch down to what we saw with Storm Ciara.

Wind speeds reached 97mph under Storm Ciara and Mr Burkill said gusts from Storm Dennis will hit 60 to 70mph in exposed spots.

Strong winds and heavy rain will still be present on Sunday, with the whole of the UK covered by yellow weather alerts.

Mr Burkill said: "The unsettled weather won't subside massively any time soon".

The weekend's weather runs the risk of bringing further flooding to parts of the country, with the Environment Agency urging people "to stay safe and remain vigilant".
RESTON, Va., Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley-Martin Communities, LLC announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire the homebuilding assets of Essex Homes in North Carolina and South Carolina. The transaction is expected to close by the end of February 2020.

Columbia-based Essex Homes was founded in 1985 in Aiken, South Carolina, by Karl Haslinger. During the subsequent 34 years, Essex grew to become one of the largest homebuilders in the southeastern United States, with homebuilding operations in Columbia, Charlotte, Greenville, North Augusta, and Brunswick County. For the twelve months ending December 31, 2019, Essex closed 853 homes and controlled 8,332 lots. Karl Haslinger will join Stanley Martin as a Regional President and continue to manage operations in the former Essex Homes markets.

"Essex Homes is a perfect match for Stanley Martin. The markets in which Essex Homes builds are some of the strongest housing markets in the U.S. Karl and his team have done an outstanding job, and their commitment to quality construction and superior home design is impressive. We look forward to their joining our team as we work together to continue expanding our operations and delivering outstanding quality for our customers," said Steven Alloy, President of Stanley Martin.

Karl Haslinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Essex Homes, said, "Essex started as a custom homebuilder and over the last 34 years has grown to become a much larger builder operating in multiple markets. I am proud of what we have done and our success is the result of the hard work of many on our team. My conversation with Steve started with values, culture and the importance of people to Stanley Martin. I am excited about joining a company that shares our values, the opportunity for the employees of Essex to advance and most importantly an unwavering commitment to the homebuyer."

Founded in 1966, Stanley-Martin Communities, LLC is one of the leading homebuilders in the southeastern United States. The company builds in six metro areas: Washington D.C., Richmond, Charlottesville, Raleigh, Charleston, and Atlanta. Stanley Martin builds a wide selection of new housing options, including condominiums, townhomes, and single-family detached homes. The company combines a commitment to excellent design with outstanding quality construction, alongside exceptional customer service. For the twelve months ending December 31, 2019, Stanley Martin closed 1,774 homes and controlled 14,917 lots.

Stanley-Martin Communities, LLC is a subsidiary of the Daiwa House Group, which is headquartered in Japan and is one of the largest housing and construction companies in the world.

About Stanley Martin Homes

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Stanley Martin Homes builds new condos, townhomes and single-family homes in Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Charlottesville, Richmond, Raleigh, Atlanta and Charleston. Founded in 1966, Stanley Martin has been building homes and neighborhoods with quality and craftsmanship for more than 53 years. For more information, visit www.StanleyMartin.com .

Guildmaster Award Winner : 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018

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Winter is fading, spring is coming, and birds are singing.

The distinctive songs of eastern meadowlarks roll across prairies surrounding our metropolis. The males perch on fence lines, fence poles and utility lines with puffed-up yellow breasts while singing flutelike tunes.

To our ears, the meadowlarks song is a jubilant melody with the words spring-of-the-year.

Neighborhood birds have also begun singing pretty melodies. Right now, theyre calibrating their songs like violinists in an orchestra readying violin strings for a stirring concert.

American robins sing multituned chirrup-chirrup tunes in preparation for their mellifluous dawn song during spring that sounds like the words cheerily-cheerily-wake-up, wake-up.

A male eastern bluebird perched atop his yearly nest box in my yard softly sings chuwee-chuwee tunes. In March, hell croon with a lilting warbling song sounding like turee-turee-chuleee as the female dutifully begins nest building.

Since New Years Day, pine warblers have been perfecting their spring song of high-pitched trilling notes that reach the upper limits of human hearing. Luckily for us, theyve been singing low in the trees between feeding sessions at bird feeders.

Songbirds A bird sings from a bony vocal chassis called a syrinx resting in the chest at the base of the windpipe. Twin bronchial tubes branch from the windpipe into the lungs. Muscular action in the syrinx stretches and relaxes thin syringeal membranes. Song occurs as air from the bronchi vibrates the membranes while muscles adjust membrane tension, somewhat like a human drummer adjusting the skin on a drum. The more complex a bird's syringeal muscles, the more complex the song. Bird songs resonate within the syrinx, which allows birds to sing with beaks closed - human songs resonate within the oral cavity, which requires opened mouths. See More Collapse

When they return to the upper canopy of pine trees in spring, none but the keenest of human ears will hear their tunes.

No problem hearing the piercing song of a northern cardinal. The male is beginning to belt out his sonorous tune sounding like cheer, cheer, cheer, pretty-pretty-pretty as though heralding the blossoming of redbud trees.

Birds dont sing to entertain us, despite our joy in listening to them. They instead sing to conduct the business of producing a new generation.

Male birds first sing to declare territorial ownership. A males song says to other birds of his kind, This space is my breeding territory, not yours.

A male also sings to announce his availability to females. But he must compete with other singing males. For example, a male eastern meadowlark will pair up with two females, and his song must outdo the songs of other males for female attention.

For monogamous birds like northern cardinals, the male sings to assure his mate hes staked out breeding grounds with food for her chicks. Yet a male cardinal during his first year of breeding faces competition for breeding grounds and for a female against other first-year males.

The female usually selects a male with the most vigorous song because he will have healthy genes for her chicks.

Gary Clark is the author of Book of Texas Birds, with photography by Kathy Adams Clark (Texas A&M University Press). Texasbirder@comcast.net
Two suspected militants were killed in a shoot-out with the police in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, officials said.

Based on a tip-off on the presence of militants in Bagwani area of Dera Ismail Khan district, the police launched a search operation in the district near its border to tribal South Waziristan district.

During the search, the police signalled two persons on a motorcycle to stop but they tried to escape. After a short distance, the motorcycle-borne men started firing at the police, a regional police officer said.

Both militants were killed in the firing which went on for 15 minutes, he said. A pistol, cartridges and hand grenades were recovered from the militants, who were identified as Naveed and Waqar. The deceased were wanted for various crimes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As I become a better baker, I hope that I will continue to become a better doctor

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Growing up in a Korean household meant that I had very little experience with the type of baking that most Americans are used to; My grandma made rice cakes, not birthday cakes.

But during my third year of medical school, an intern recommended a show called The Great British Bake Off. After watching a few episodes and seeing what devoted home bakers could do, I was smitten and resolved to bake a few treats of my own. I started with Betty Crocker box mixes and then moved up to making my own cookie dough  I mixed it with a wooden spoon and baked it in my small graduate-school housing oven. I found the measuring, whisking, kneading, punching, and waiting to be very therapeutic; and the promise of a treat at the end made the process even sweeter.

Soon, my baked goods grew in complexity. Out of my humble apartment kitchen, I produced an eclectic variety of cookies, tea-infused cupcakes, apple pies, pumpkin pies, quick breads, and a number of other desserts.

At first, I abided strictly to the recipes from cookbooks and cooking blogs, heeding every instruction and ingredient. But as I began to understand the whys and hows of each step and component, I allowed myself to make changes to better suit my own palate  and more practically, what I actually had available.

This improvisation  based solidly on knowledge and experience  is something Ive also seen in the practice of medicine. There are many evidence-based guidelines on how to approach patient care. For example, we use the Centor score to diagnose a strep throat and the CHADS-VASc score to assess stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. These inventories, like time-tested recipes, were developed by skilled practitioners and have been validated by thousands more.

However, most human diseases lack strong, evidence-based guidelines for treatment. This means that physicians must rely on their own experiences and their understanding of the disease pathology to determine a course of action  perhaps like the bakers on The Great British Bake Off, who, on each episode, are tasked with creating a specific culinary masterpiece with limited direction. In medicine, when guidelines come up short, it becomes even more important for a clinician to work with the patient on a one-on-one basis, to inform them of the limits of medicine and to help them make the best decisions to address their unique needs.

But there are limits, in medicine and in baking. I found myself discussing both during my last residency interview when an associate program director threw me for a loop by asking, What was your biggest baking disaster?

I told him about the time I had attempted to make kasutera  a Japanese sponge cake with Portuguese origins  at my parents house. Kasutera rises solely by the air whisked into the egg foam, but I didnt have enough eggs or access to an electric mixer. With a whisk, I whipped for my life, until my biceps started to ache; but I still couldnt muster the rise I needed. When the kasutera came out of the oven, the cake was dense and stodgy.

I linked my baking disaster to the plight of my patients who lack the proper resources  including access to medications, follow-up care and health insurance  to effectively address their medical problems. Like me with the kasutera, these patients dont have the proper tools and ingredients for success. Is it any wonder that they end up with sub-standard results that fall short of their hopes and expectations for their health?

This is also where comparisons between medicine and baking fall apart. When a baking project goes awry, I can start from scratch, with minimal consequences; when a treatment course fails, a patients health or life is at stake.

As I become a better baker, I hope that I will continue to become a better doctor. I want to be a physician who knows when to let my experience guide me, and who will always remember to help patients with modest means receive the care that they need.

I hope that my future self, like my future katsutera, will rise to the occasion.

Yoo Jung Kim is a medical student who blogs at Scope, where this article originally appeared.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Novel coronavirus: China has deployed mental health services across the country to tackle the trauma inflicted on people due to the outbreak of coronavirus. The novel coronavirus had claimed 1,100 lives till Tuesday and infected more than 44,000 people.

State media Xinhua said that Wuhan has also opened two 24-hour hotlines to quell people's fear and address psychological health of the people. The services started on January 23 when Wuhan was put under a lockdown. Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and the Hubei Psychological Consultant Association are offering the mental health services to the people.

Xiao Jinsong, head of the Hubei Psychological Consultant Association said that they receive nearly 100 phone calls every day on an average. Xiao Jinsong also encouraged frontline medical staff who are constantly working with coronavirus victims to use the hotline to vent their negative feeling, the report stated. So far, on an average they only receive five calls out of the 100 from medical staff, Jinsong said.

Also read: Coronavirus: Why Xi Jinping did not wear the safer N95 mask to hospital

Jinsong added that most frontline medical staff are fully concentrating on their work with no time to relax. Moreover, some habitually work under high pressure which is not conducive to their mental health, added Jinsong.

The report said that the second batch of 148 medical staff was dispatched on January 28 to offer assistance in Wuhan Third Hospital. Psychological consultation rooms with psychologists and professional nurses have been set up in their working area and the hotel they are putting up in, so that they and the patients have access to one-on-one mental health services. Online mental health services are also available.

A 55-member emergency medical rescue team for Shanghai East Hospital was dispatched on February 4. The team has launched psychological training for its team members and is providing psychological support to frontline medical staff in Wuhan. The hospital had also compiled a book on psychological self-help and rescue and is handing hard copies free of charge in Hubei and Shanghai. Its electronic version is available for free download.

Multiple 24-hour hotlines have been initiated by Hubei, Shanxi, Shandong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Sichaun, Jiangsu and Henan provinces. Shanghai has also assigned psychiatrists to isolation wards.

Also read: Coronavirus scare: 'Help us, we want to go home,' 3 Indians isolated on British cruise ship in Japan tell PM Modi

Also read: Mobile World Congress 2020 cancelled amid concerns over coronavirus outbreak
The 'Hunar Haat' initiative has been a "mega mission" for empowering master artisans and has infused new energy into traditional crafts that were fading, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Thursday.

Naqvi, along with Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Hardeep Puri, inaugurated the 20th 'Hunar Haat', being organised by the Minority Affairs Ministry, at the India Gate Lawns, Rajpath.

The 'Hunar Haat' here is based on the theme of 'Kaushal Ko Kaam' and will be held till February 23. Master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts, including more than 50 per cent women, from across the country are participating at the Haat.

A 'Bawarchikhana' section has also been set up with traditional delicacies of several states available for people to savour.

Naqvi said 'Hunar Haat' has proved to be a 'mega mission' of empowering the legacy of the artisans.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs is strengthening Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dream project' to provide opportunity and market to the country's rich heritage of arts and crafts, he said.

The ministry is undertaking a historic task of preserving and promoting the magnificent heritage of the skilled people from every corner of the country, and providing them national and international market.

About three lakh master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts have been provided employment opportunities through 'Hunar Haat' in the last about three years, Naqvi said, adding that these beneficiaries include a large number of women artisans.

Rajya Sabha member and ICCR president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, senior officials of Minority Affairs Ministry and other ministries were present on the occasion.

Naqvi said that in the coming days 'Hunar Haat' will be organised in Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Dehradun, Patna, Bhopal, Goa, Kochi, Guwahati and Bhubneshwar, among other places.

Cultural programmes will be organized on a daily basis at the 'Hunar Haat'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
KYODO NEWS - Jan 19, 2020 - 16:58 | All, World, Japan

(EDS: INCORPORATING STORY HEADLINED "TRUMP HOPES JAPAN TO DO MORE FOR SECURITY ALLIANCE")

Japan and the United States pledged Sunday to strengthen their alliance to deal with an evolving security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, as they marked the 60th anniversary of the signing of their security treaty.

But they appeared out of sync on how to do that, as U.S. President Donald Trump put veiled pressure on Japan to make a bigger contribution in the face of China's military buildup and North Korea's nuclear threat.

At a commemorative reception in Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, "Today, more than ever, the Japan-U.S. security treaty is a pillar that is indestructible, a pillar immovable, safeguarding peace in Asia, the Indo-Pacific and in the world, while assuring prosperity therein."

The alliance should become even more robust, Abe said, to "safeguard freedom, liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, one that sustains the whole world, 60 years and 100 years down the road."

But shortly before the reception, Trump made a subtle push for Japan to step up its role. "I am confident that in the months and years ahead, Japan's contributions to our mutual security will continue to grow, and the alliance will continue to thrive," he said in a statement.

The treaty is the basis for the U.S. military's stationing of some 54,000 troops in Japan. Along with U.S. bases, Japan also hosts the Ronald Reagan, the only American aircraft carrier to be homeported abroad.

Their placement is aimed at allowing U.S. forces to respond quickly to contingencies in a region where China is increasing its military clout and where North Korea has conducted repeated missile tests. In return, they are obligated to protect Japan from threats together with the country's Self-Defense Forces.

Related coverage:

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Trump called the alliance "rock-solid" and acknowledged that it has been "essential to peace, security, and prosperity" for both countries and the region over the past six decades.

But he has been critical of what he perceives as the "one-sided" nature of the treaty, arguing that Tokyo should pay a larger share of the cost of hosting U.S. forces.

In June last year, Trump complained that under the pact, even if the United States were attacked, Japan would not be required to help and could "watch it on a Sony television."

The alliance has faced domestic criticism, too. Some point to Japan's sitting under the U.S. nuclear umbrella as being at odds with the country's efforts to abolish nuclear weapons as the world's only victim of an atomic bombing.

There is also persistent local opposition to hosting U.S. forces in Okinawa, which is home to about 70 percent of the total area of land exclusively used by U.S. military facilities in Japan, amid repeated accidents and cases of assault and rape by American troops.

Still, the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States said Friday in a joint statement that the alliance "has played and will continue to play an integral role in ensuring the peace and security of our two countries, while realizing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Signed in 1960 by the governments of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi -- Abe's grandfather -- and then President Dwight Eisenhower, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States replaced a 1951 agreement that helped form the basis of relations between the countries following the end of World War II.

The revised treaty removed a clause in the earlier version that allowed the United States to intervene to quell insurgencies within Japan, and made explicit Washington's obligation to defend Japan from an armed attack.

Abe has worked to boost Japan's role in the alliance, in 2014 removing an outright ban on exporting weapons and reinterpreting the pacifist Constitution to allow the SDF to protect allies in certain situations under collective self-defense.

Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of U.S. forces stationed in the country, said at Sunday's reception that "with the rapidly evolving security situation in the region, the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance grows stronger and more important every day."

"We continue to train and adapt our forces with our 'jieitai' (SDF) partners and I look forward to supporting the continued growth and integration of our combined capabilities."

Also attending on the American side were Joseph Young, charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Japan, and Mary Eisenhower, the former president's granddaughter.
Rishi Sunak has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid.

The ex-chief secretary was promoted from the number two job at the Treasury after his former boss quit in the bloody outcome of a power struggle with Number 10 aide Dominic Cummings.

Mr Sunak arrives just 27 days before he will have to deliver his first Budget on 11 March, and attention will now be focused on what changes he will make to the taxation and spending plans drawn up by Mr Javid.

Reports suggests that he accepted Mr Johnsons demand  rejected by Javid  for his special advisers to form part of a joint unit for 10 and 11 Downing Street appointed directly by Number 10.

Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government  and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty

The move effectively puts the relatively inexperienced Sunaks advisers directly under Number 10s control, in what was being seen as a power grab by Cummings which could leave him as chancellor in name only (Chino).

His surprise appointment at 39 and after less than five years in parliament makes him the second youngest Chancellor in more than a century, behind George Osborne.

But he wields far less personal clout than Osborne, who made up part of an effective power duo with close ally David Cameron when he entered 11 Downing Street aged 38 in 2010.

Javids insistence on sticking to his fiscal rules of balancing the current account budget by the middle of the next parliament and limiting borrowing for infrastructure to 3% of GDP is believed to have been the cause of tensions with 10 Downing Street, where Boris Johnson was eager to pour money into major building projects to stimulate the economy.

Sunak arrived in the House of Commons only in 2015 as MP for Richmond in Yorkshire and was appointed a junior environment minister by Theresa May in 2018.

He joined fellow up-and-coming one nation Tories Robert Jenrick and Oliver Dowden in making a high-profile declaration for support for Johnson in last years leadership battle and was rewarded last July with the post of chief secretary, attending cabinet.

The son of a GP and pharmacist from Southampton, in 2009 Sunak married Akshata, the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. The pair met while studying at Stanford University in California.
Police have released a sketch of one suspect sought in a fatal shooting last month in a Galleria-area neighborhood.

Two men tried to rob 61-year-old Andres Chan on Jan. 11 as he and his son were walking in the 3100 block of Fairdale Lane, about a block northwest of Richmond and Sage. They were walking about 6:40 p.m.
A British survivor of the Dresden bombing has said there is 'no excuse' for the terrifying air raid that killed thousands 75 years ago and revealed the devastating impact it had on him.

Riflemen Victor Gregg was one of hundreds of men being held as a prisoner of war in Dresden by the Germans.

He and his friend Harry were awaiting execution when the bombs began to fall on the night of February 13 1945.

Between 35,000 and 135,000 people died in the city between 13 and 15 February, with many burned to death by 1,500 tons of incendiary bombs.

Despite being at war for six years and seeing hundreds of men die before him Mr Gregg, now 100, said: 'Nothing prepared me for Dresden. It turned me into a psychopath.'

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on the 75th anniversary, he described the politicians who orchestrated the bombing as 'vile' and condemned their lack of apology.

Riflemen Victor Gregg was one of hundreds of men being held as a prisoner of war in Dresden by the Germans when the bombs began to fall. He is pictured on Good Morning Britain today

He told hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway, sat beside historian Dan Snow: 'The powers that be must have known. They planned it.

'I blame [Clement] Attlee, [Sir Winston] Churchill - all that lot. What they've done in my name is kill all these old people, and for what? To show the Russians what we could do.

'To me it was vile, I find no excuse whatsoever for it. I'd been in the war six years and I'd seen hundreds of men killed, with dead bodies lying on the ground like flowers. Nothing prepared me for Dresden.

'We were the good guys, we shouldn't have lowered ourselves to act the way we did. And they've never even made a formal apology.'

Describing the moment the bombs first fell, he said: 'We realised what was going to happen was when the pathfinders dropped their flares.

'The place they had us in was a public building with a glass cupola over the entrance hall.

'It was glass and you could see through it. So when they dropped their flares you know they were coming.'

After torching the factory where they were put to work and making multiple attempts to escape, Mr Gregg and his friend Harry were on death row at the time.

Mr Gregg is now 100 but is pictured in his soldier's uniform for an official photograph before the war

He continued: 'The place was absolutely packed with people in a similar position to me and Harry.

'There must have been people who had been through it before because they were screaming their heads off. The guards had locked it from the outside.

'We didnt give a thought to whether wed live through it. We didn't have time.'

The bombing of Dresden was highly controversial as its contribution to the war effort was minimal compared to other German cities.

Mr Gregg told GMB: 'The place was full up with old people. People who couldn't be used in the war. Refugees, women and kids.'

Describing the impact of the incendiary bombs, he added: 'When that incendiary comes out of the plane, anything within 300 yards was immediately incinerated.'

When the hosts suggested it was simply an act of war, Mr Gregg gave an impassioned reply.

He said: 'No, no, no. You've got people sitting in ovens being roasted alive. They were boiled to death.

'You heard all these screamings, the poor sods.'

The 100-year-old (pictured second right) appeared on GMB with historian Dan Snow (right)

'When you got to try and get them out of the shelters, in the last one I done, 5,000 people were in there.

'But there wasn't anything but a gooey mess on the floor and some bones. All those people had been alive.'

Describing the moment he lost his friend Harry he said: 'The first raid had been on for about half an hour.

'The main body had gone, and lines of stragglers were coming.

'A bomb landed outside the building and smashed it completely. It picked me up and threw me to the other side of the building.

'I was covered in dust and stuff. Harry must have taken a full concession, because when I came back to. He was dead.'

Into the inferno: Families boiled alive as they hid in water tanks and fleeing survivors trapped in molten tarmac... 75 years on, the most horrifically vivid account you'll ever read of the Allied bombing of Dresden  by a British PoW who saw it all

By Victor Gregg and Richard Stroud for the Daily Mail

During the final months of World War II, from February 13 to 15, 1945, Allied forces bombed the ancient, cathedral city of Dresden, in eastern Germany.

The bombing was controversial because Dresden's contribution to the war effort was minimal compared with other German cities  though it was a key transport junction and used by German forces to defend the country against Soviet forces approaching from the east.

Before the huge air raid, it had not suffered a major Allied attack. By February 15, however, it was a smouldering ruin  2,400 tons of high explosives and 1,500 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on the city. An unknown number of civilians, somewhere between 35,000 and 135,000, were dead.

British rifleman Victor Gregg was one of hundreds of men being held as a PoW in the city by the Germans. On the 75th anniversary of the start of the bombing, this is his eyewitness account of the devastation he left behind.

Huddled in a crowded German prison, my mate Harry and I watched day turn into night through the glass cupola above us. It was February 13, 1945.

We were both condemned men, awaiting our turn for execution. But Harry didn't seem to care.

'Something will turn up,' he said. And it did.

At about 10.30pm, the air-raid sirens in Dresden  one of Germany's most beautiful cities  began their mournful wailing. None of our guards seemed to take any notice. The inhabitants thought that as long as the Luftwaffe kept away from Oxford in England, their own city would never be bombed.

Suddenly, the sirens stopped. Then flares filled the night sky with blinding light, dripping burning phosphorus onto the streets and buildings. It was then that we realised we were trapped in a locked cage that stood every chance of becoming a mass grave.

The heavy pulsating throb of hundreds of heavy RAF bombers began to fill the air, getting louder by the second. Petrified prisoners wailed and banged on the doors, but our guards had by now all hot-footed it to shelters.

By February 15, Dresden, in eastern Germany, was a smouldering ruin  2,400 tons of high explosives and 1,500 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on the city

After serving for six years as a rifleman, I'd volunteered for the Parachute Regiment in 1944  chiefly because they promised us extra leave.

I'd experienced so much fighting by then that I thought of myself as indestructible. So I had no presentiments of death when I was hurled from a plane that September, along with a few thousand other men.

We'd been chosen to fight the battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands, which ended in a major defeat for our side.

Along with the other lucky ones who survived, I was marched into German captivity laughing and joking. By that stage of the war, my mind was conditioned to accept that killing was normal.

We ended up in a German work camp to the south of Dresden. My mate Harry and I had to work each day in a soap factory, about eight kilometres from the camp. As we had to walk there and back every day, we were given wooden clogs.

Eventually, Harry and I managed to sabotage the factory by causing a short circuit in the electrical system. The whole place caught fire and the building collapsed in a crescendo of smoke and flames.

After that, we were marched in front of the officer in charge of Dresden police, who told us there were strict penalties for sabotage: we were to be taken to a place where we'd wait to be executed.

For the first time since I'd joined the Army, I felt the floor moving. The sod was going to have the pair of us shot! We were taken by car to a building in the centre of Dresden, and thrown into a huge room.

A couple of Yanks there told us that the Germans took 30 men away every morning, and that was the last anyone ever saw of them.

Soon the fireworks began. Harry suggested to me and the Yanks that it might be a good idea for us to kick some of the other prisoners away from the wall and get down as low as we could to give us a better chance of survival.

Flares were still making their way to the ground when the first of the bomber streams flew over the city, dropping thousands of incendiaries and the first of the bombs. A whole string of them hit the ground, one after the other in rapid succession  like a drum roll.

Through the glass cupola, the sky changed from bright white to a dull red glow that danced, getting brighter and brighter before fading and dying. Without warning, around four incendiaries burst through our glass roof, shredding the men underneath.

The phosphorous clung to their bodies, turning them into human torches. Nothing could be done to help them. And then about 30 minutes into the raid, a bomb blew in an entire wall of our prison.

All I can remember is being picked up by a giant hand that threw me nearly 50ft to another part of the building. Then everything went dark.

When I came to, I managed to free myself from some fallen beams and lumps of stonework, and stumbled over the debris towards where I'd last seen Harry. I found him sitting against a wall, covered in dust and motionless. He was dead.

As the noise of the planes died away, people started to appear from the few houses that were still intact, while other survivors clawed their way up through huge mounds of rubble

I covered Harry up with his coat and stumbled out of the building  now shaking and slowly collapsing  and found myself at the centre of a huge bonfire. The heat was ferocious.

Dresden's old timber-framed houses were, one by one, succumbing to the fire, and most of the wreckage was landing on top of the cellars that people were using as shelters. Trapped in what were effectively ovens, they slowly roasted to death.

Some of the other prisoners had also made it out of the building. We were all in shock, with some screaming from the pain of their injuries. Only about a dozen of us were fit enough to walk.

As the noise of the planes died away, people started to appear from the few houses that were still intact, while other survivors clawed their way up through huge mounds of rubble.

The flames became more intense. Many people climbed into huge concrete water containers erected by the city authorities.

Once in, it was impossible to climb back up the smooth-faced concrete sides, and men and women were trapped in water that slowly rose to boiling point. I was now part of a small group that had bonded as a unit, though we didn't know each other.

We stumbled along the remains of a wide avenue, surrounded by fires and mountains of red-hot wreckage.

What saved me were the clogs I'd been given me to wade through snow to the soap factory. The soles were so thick that I managed to walk unharmed through red-hot cinders and burning rubble.

Finally, we found ourselves in open fields, and followed a railway line towards a station, from which a huge column of smoke and fire was climbing into the sky. We were intercepted by about two dozen firemen in uniform.

Their leader, a German officer, immediately selected those of us he judged most fit and tried to march us back towards the city. When three of our group refused to follow, he pulled a pistol from his holster and shot two of them at point-blank range. The third man started running as fast as he could to catch up with us.

About 30 of us, armed only with picks and shovels, marched back towards the flames. But we were stopped by the scorching heat.

Instead, we ended up fixing bits of wood to our picks and shovels to turn them into stretchers for the injured. At about midnight, our leader marched us back to the railway line, where reinforcements and a food wagon had somehow been shunted in.

Soon the sirens started their terrible wailing again, and I heard the throb of hundreds of heavy aircraft bearing down on us. There was no longer any need for flares to guide these bombers to their target: the whole city had become a gigantic torch.

As for Dresden itself, it had no defences, no anti-aircraft guns, no searchlights, nothing. Like a great car park in the sky, the heavens were suddenly full of aeroplanes, their outlines reflected in the glow of the flames.

The bombs they dropped this time were so big that we could see them falling through the air, then demolishing whole blocks of buildings in one explosion.

Even the incendiaries were much larger: instead of the metre-long sticks of the first raid, we were now subjected to enormous four-tonners. When they hit the ground, a ball of fire blossomed, incinerating everything within a radius of nearly 200ft.

Only 500 yards of open land separated us from the heart of the city, yet not one bomb landed on us. Even so, our bodies shook as the ground vibrated. Worse, we felt ourselves being sucked towards the inferno by a huge force as air rushed in to replace the vacuum caused by the blasts.

After half an hour, the second wave of bombers started to thin out. Everything that could burn was alight  even the roads were burning rivers of bubbling and hissing tar. Huge fragments of material were flying through the air.

As our German officer marched us towards the city again, more horrors came into focus. We could see people slowly being sucked into a vortex and then, with a final whisk, lifted up into the sky with their hair and clothing alight.

We could also hear the agonised screams of victims as they were roasted alive. Coming towards us, a small group of survivors tried to cross what had once been a road, only to get stuck in molten tar.

One by one, these unfortunates sank to the ground and died in a pyre of smoke and flame. Even the railway line was a mass of twisted steel. As more buildings collapsed, we were enveloped by a new, huge blast of heat, and the air became so hot it was painful to inhale.

The city was now a mass of flame rising into the night. There was nothing we could do, so we marched away and bedded down for the rest of the night.

Day two. When dawn broke, new gangs of men were already filling up huge craters along the railway and relaying the track.

After some hot soup, black bread and coffee made from acorns, I joined a team of 40 men  all selected by the German officer. I didn't mind: even if he was the hated enemy, he represented order among the chaos.

We trudged into the embers and started shovelling masonry in the hope of uncovering cellars where people had sheltered.

The officer noticed I was struggling and in pain. He gently lifted my shirt to reveal a mass of blisters across my back, then sent me to one of many aid centres that had sprung up outside the city.

It was while I was being attended to by a German doctor that the sirens started yet again. This time, it was the Americans. They must have known Dresden had no defences, because their fighters flew down almost to street level.

Only a few bombs landed in the burning city centre; most of their 1,000lb bombs were targeted at railway yards. I joined the rest of my group again for the heart-rending job of opening the cellars, dragging out what was left of the people inside and piling them up for burning with oil and petrol.

In the majority of cases, the victims looked as though they'd died peacefully through lack of oxygen, but the ferocious heat had shrivelled their bodies.

Day three. Again, I joined the crews unearthing shelters under tons of rubble. It usually took a couple of hours to force our way in. Many of the men were unable to bear the sight of the corpses, some so brittle that any attempt to move them resulted in a cloud of ash.

Day four. Two new leaders took over, one of them a boy in SS uniform carrying a Schmeisser machine pistol. They directed us to a small square that was now a bed of ash at least four inches thick.

The first three shelters we uncovered were empty, but further examination of the third revealed a tunnel leading to another shelter. After using timber to shore up this tunnel, we finally broke through in the late afternoon  and found four women and two small girls huddled together and still alive.

Even the guards cheered themselves hoarse. It took an hour to get the survivors to the surface but we all felt like heroes. Sadly, this was a one-off event. In spite of all our back-breaking toil, this was the only time I found anyone alive.

That evening, I was told I'd be joining a batch of British PoWs, unless I wanted to continue the rescue work for another day. My first reaction was: 'Good, can't wait to get back to my own mob.'

Then I thought: what if the Germans found out that I was condemned to death? So I stayed.

Day five. We were given orders to try to break into one of the main communal shelters. As it was so close to the raging flames, we were accompanied by a water truck with bags of wet rags and towels.

We found ourselves faced with a still-smouldering, 20ft-high heap of rubble. It was so hot that we had to take turns doing 20-minute shifts. Finally, a German officer told me, 'Come Tommy', and handed over a 5ft crowbar.

The door was a massive affair bolted from the outside  which had been the general practice to prevent overcrowding. This was OK in theory, but if there's nobody left to unbolt the door, the people inside are in trouble.

The heavy metal door opened slowly to reveal a horrific sight. There were no complete bodies, just bones, fat and scorched articles of clothing. We quickly closed the door.

I sneaked out before dawn the next morning, making my way towards the north side of Dresden.

No one challenged me as I walked against the people moving westwards, pushing their most treasured belongings in small handcarts, prams, anything on wheels.

They were trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the advancing Red Army. As the morning grew lighter, it seemed the whole of Germany was on the move. By the end of the second day, I'd walked around 40 miles.

As I write this now, I am 93. The sheer horror of what I witnessed remains burned into my memory, impossible to extinguish, and sometimes still wakes me at night.

I have every respect for the brave lads of the RAF who flew those bombers. But it's my belief that in the act of destroying the evil of the Third Reich, we committed terrible evils ourselves.

Postscript. On the third day of his trek, Victor was picked up by the Russians, who tended the blisters on his back and gave him new clothes. About two months later, they dropped him off at a transit camp, where he was told to board the next plane to 'Blighty'.

After the war, he had numerous jobs  including long-distance lorry-driver, chauffeur, author and spy. He celebrated his 100th birthday in October last year.

Adapted from Dresden: A Survivor's Story, February 1945 by Victor Gregg with Rick Stroud, published by Bloomsbury at 5.99.  Victor Gregg 2019. To order a copy for 4.80 (P&P free; offer valid to 27/2/20), visit mailshop.co.uk or call 01603 648155.
Motorcycles would be banned from parking on overcrowded footpaths in the CBD under a plan to be voted on by Melbourne City Council next week.

Melbourne is the only Australian capital city where it is legal for motorcyclists to park on footpaths as long as they do not obstruct pedestrians, parked cars or delivery vehicles.

Motorbikes parked on the footpath in Melbourne's CBD. Credit:Angela Wylie

But a council report said that during the morning and afternoon peaks 14 per cent of central city footpaths were so crowded that people had to walk on the kerb or road.
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Feb. 12, 2020. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Trump Might End Practice of People Listening in on Presidents Calls

Advisers and others might not be able to listen in on the presidents calls with foreign leaders, President Donald Trump said on Feb. 13.

I may end the practice entirely, Trump said during a radio interview with former Fox News host Geraldo Rivera.

Trump said his two phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last year included nothing inappropriate. They were both perfect, appropriate calls, he said.

But National Security Council staffer Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was detailed from the Department of Defense and was listening in on the July 2019 call, objected to some parts of the call, particularly Trump asking Zelensky to look into corruption allegations surrounding former Vice President Joe Biden and Bidens son Hunter.

I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma, it would be interpreted as a partisan play, which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained, Vindman told lawmakers during the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry.

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)

He reported his concerns to others.

Trump said on Feb. 13 that sometimes there are 25 people listening in on his calls, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Everyone else believed it was fine, Trump said. The only one that ran was this one, he said, referring to Vindman.

Trump also referenced Tim Morrison, another National Security Council staffer, who replaced Dr. Fiona Hill after she resigned on July 19, 2019. Morrison told lawmakers that he had concerns about Lieutenant Colonel Vindmans judgment.

Morrison said, Among the discussions I had with Dr. Hill in the transition [period] was our team, my team, its strengths and its weaknesses. And Fiona and others had raised concerns about Alexs judgment.

Trump said hed never met Vindman as far as he could remember. Im not a fan of him. If I just based it on what Tim Morrison said, Im not a fan, he told Rivera.

President Donald Trump (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

When we took him out of the building, many people in the building applauded.

Vindman was removed from the White House on Feb. 7. His brother, a lawyer for the council, was also removed.

National security adviser Robert OBrien told reporters this week that more cuts are coming as officials look to take the council to 110 staffers.

Its really a privilege to work in the White House. Its not a right, OBrien said. At the end of the day, the president is entitled to staffers that want to execute his policy, that he has confidence in, and I think every presidents entitled to that.

National security adviser Robert OBrien, listens as President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing U.S. troops, in Washington on Jan. 8, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Trump has defended Vindmans removal, calling him very insubordinate, and suggesting the military could punish him.

While top Democrats in Congress said the removal was an act of retaliation against Vindman for his testifying during the impeachment inquiry, Republicans said Trump had the right to oust Vindman.

Vindman was scheduled to leave the council over the summer, so the ousting effectively ended his detail to the council early. He is now working at the Pentagon.

Trump was acquitted on both articles of impeachment, abuse of office and obstruction of Congress, last week by the Senate.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 05:47:19|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned in promoting transitional justice.

The issue of transitional justice is one of the major areas of peacebuilding and should be carried forward within the framework of peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Relevant discussions must be strictly limited to conflict and post-conflict situations, said Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

In this regard, it is imperative to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned on the basis of the UN Charter and universally recognized international law, Wu told the Security Council, which met to discuss the issue of transitional justice.

There is a need to respect the countries concerned for their efforts to carry forward transitional justice processes step by step in a manner consistent with their own national conditions, he said. No models should be imposed from outside, let alone interference in their internal affairs or intervention in internal contentions.

Only by adhering to the principle of sovereignty can transitional justice efforts be justified, the trust of the countries concerned be won, and the role of promoting peace and development be claimed, said Wu.

It is necessary to help the countries concerned enhance capacity building with the focus on the functions of their judicial systems, he said.

In the long run, no special measure, interim measure or external measure can substitute a functioning domestic judicial system. After an extended period of turmoil and conflict, the rule of law of the country concerned must have been seriously affected, and shortages of and challenges in financial, technological, and human resources must be acute, he said.

Therefore, the international community should reach out to the countries concerned and enhance their capacity building. The Peacebuilding Commission, as a body jointly established by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council with the advantage of straddling political, security and development areas, has an important role to play, he said.

The relations between transitional justice and the political process, economic development, and social integration should be properly addressed. Comprehensive measures should be taken to promote the rule of law and judicial justice, said Wu.

Transitional justice is not just a legal issue. It should serve the interests of achieving lasting peace and stability, economic development, and social progress. Above all, it should serve the long-term fundamental interests of local populations, he said.

In the process of carrying forward transitional justice, security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration should be carried out. Economic and social measures, such as poverty eradication and job creation, must be taken so as to promote peace through development, achieve national reconciliation, and address the root causes of conflict, he said.
Nearly 44,000 tourists visited Punjab in 2018 thanks to initiatives launched by the Kerala government, a tourism department official said here on Thursday.

The southern state registered an 18 per cent increase in domestic tourists last year, the official said.

The state government has launched several initiatives for tourism promotion. The domestic tourists footfall in 2019 was nearly 1.8 crore, an 18 per cent increase over the previous year, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, Kerala Government, Muraleedharan P, told PTI here on the sidelines of a marketing campaign event.

He said 43,940 tourists from Punjab visited Kerala in 2018 while 12,064 tourists from Chandigarh travelled to the state that year.

Foreign tourist arrivals in 2019 was nearly 11 lakh, the official said.

As part of the marketing campaign, Kerala Tourism is holding partnership meets in 10 cities across the country and Chandigarh was the sixth city in the lineup, with similar campaigns slated to be held in Delhi (February 18), Jaipur (February 20), Bengaluru (March 3) and Chennai (March 5).

This is a trade meet, which is part of a marketing initiative for the promotion of Kerala tourism. In Chandigarh, we brought with us nearly 40 hotel, resort, houseboat operators from Kerala, who interacted with trade partners from Chandigarh region, he said.

The tourism industry is a major contributor to the southern state's economy accounting for over 10 per cent of the GSDP (gross state domestic product) and provides employment to over 1.5 million people there.

Talking about various initiatives to attract tourists, Muraleedharan said the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an international exhibition of contemporary art, will be held in December.

Another offering is the Spice Route Project that rekindled the 2,000-year-old ancient sea links and shared cultural and culinary legacies with 30 countries.

Besides, a global tourism meet called Kerala Travel Mart will be organised in September. For the past many years, Kerala has been an important tourist destination. The target for 2021 is 100 per cent increase in foreign tourist arrival and 50 per cent in domestic arrivals, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thus continues the dubious practice as old as the movie industry itself, whereby a smart, entertaining and original movie from overseas is adapted for American audiences, leaching most of what made it so good in the first place. A French feel-good movie titled The Intouchables starring the irresistible duo of Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy becomes an instant forgettable called The Upside, with Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. The astonishing vampire thriller Let the Right One In, by Swedish director Tomas Alfredson, becomes the okay-not-great vampire thriller Let Me In, with Chloe Grace Moretz. The tautly effective Argentine political drama The Secret in Their Eyes drops a definite article  and much of its potency  to become Secret in Their Eyes, with Julia Roberts and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
For proof that Republicans can be just as lazy, self-serving, and cowardly as Democrats, look no farther than the South Dakota Senate.

As reported by my colleague Tobias Hoonhout, this week Republican senators Duhamel, Rusch, Steinhauer, and Soholt of the Health and Human Services Committee all joined the 52 majority that effectively killed a bill designed to make it easier for gender-confused minors to attain financial compensation later in life  should they realize, before age 38, that the doctors who stunted their puberty, destroyed their fertility, and permanently impaired their sexual function had failed to meet the acceptable standards of (what are we calling it these days?) health care.

Listening to the two-and-a-half-hour hearing, as those pathetically useless Republicans did (and as you, too, can do here), it is impossible to come to any other conclusion: When faced with one of the greatest scandals in modern medicine, Republican officials stuck their fat heads between their legs and  well, you know what.

Lest you think Im being overly harsh, allow me to summarize.

The Vulnerable Child Protection Act, introduced in the South Dakota House of Representatives by Republican Fred Deutsch, would deter doctors from experimenting on gender-confused minors with hormones and surgeries by forcing them to consider the long-term consequences  if not for their patients, then for themselves. It passed the House of Representatives by a 4623 vote last month and was later amended to remove criminal penalties for doctors, inserting a civil cause of action instead. It was a significant bill, not only in the context of South Dakota but nationwide, as part of the coordinated resistance to medical experiments on gender-confused children.

The first witness in favor of the bill was Scott Newgent, a 47-year-old transgender man from Dallas, Texas. (Newgent is a female, lesbian, and mother who  for complicated reasons  recently underwent full chemical and surgical gender transition.) Newgent began by explaining that his own medical transition had cost him just under $1 million; that he will now be dependent on drugs and doctors for the rest of my life, and that this is not something a child can consent to. A hundred medically transitioned adults [are] standing behind me with a signed petition that they are also against medically transitioning children, he told the Senate.

Story continues

Newgent explained that the risks and complications of transition are all too often glossed over. After undergoing phalloplasty in 2017  in which skin from his arm was grafted to form a pseudo-penis  he has endured many medical complications, some of them life-threatening. The doctors who performed this and other surgeries couldnt fix or didnt want to fix his plethora of associated problems, such as a reccurring bacterial infection and post-traumatic stress disorder. But Newgent could find no attorney confident enough to file a medical-malpractice suit on his behalf, since there is no baseline for transgender health.

Newgent ended his testimony with the powerful statement that no doctor, psychologist, parent, or anyone else has the right to sign up these kids to become sterile for life and be locked into the medical system for life. Only an adult has the right to decide this. He warned that, without sufficient protections for minors, we will see a true suicide epidemic as these children reach adulthood.

Newgents statement was followed by testimony from a 20-year-old woman who spent a year as a trans man and was treated with mega doses of powerful testosterone that ravaged my body, caused me to gain 50 pounds and put me at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and teenage menopause.

I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a mental health condition. Im not putting all the blame on the mental health people or the doctors. These are regretful choices I made as a teenager, but I trusted the doctors advice.

The young woman said she had not been informed of alternative treatments or told that she might grow to accept her body without hormonal interventions. She warned that more and more young people are being deceived every day by being told that the solution to their insecurity and identity problems is to get a sex change.

After that, the Senate heard from doctors and psychiatrists, none of whom  unlike the bills opponents  benefit financially from medical transitions. Dr. Michael Laidlaw, a board-certified specialist in endocrinology from Rockland, Calif., warned that these procedures on minors are dangerous and experimental. He asked the Senate to consider the vested interest of lobby groups: You wouldnt trust cigarette manufacturers to give you health information on cigarettes. Why trust activists to give you true information on these harmful hormones?

Laidlaw observed that there are no rigorous long-term studies that show that these hormonal and surgical procedures . . . have any beneficial effect, and pointed to investigations happening worldwide: for instance, in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil.

Side effects include hypertension, cancer risks, permanent lowering of the voice. Males on estrogen have five times risk of deadly blood clots, increased risk of stroke . . . Theres an increased risk of heart attack and death from cardiovascular disease. These hormones are a pathway to sterilization. Surgeries for males include dissecting the penis and placing it into a pelvic wound, removal of the testicles; for girls, removal of the skin of the forearm, and then rolled up to look like a penis and then ovary removal.

Other witnesses emphasized the potential increase in the risk of suicide after medical transition, according to Swedish studies of transsexual adults, as well as the legal merits of the amended bill, which was modest in its scope. One witness, Dr. Don Oliver, another board-certified pediatrician with over four decades of experience and a longtime member of the recently disgraced American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), referenced the words of the world-renowned Swedish child psychiatrist Christopher Gilberg, who had called for an immediate moratorium on this experimentation on gender-confused children, stating that it is possibly one of the greatest scandals in medical history.

So, what did the other side have to offer?

Well, they had doctor lobbyists, employed by Sanford Health, a provider of medical transitions, and a lobbyist for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They were (surprise, surprise) opposed to making it easier for patients to sue them later in life, giving the usual spiel about this being a private matter between a patient and their doctor.

They were then joined by some colorful characters with a more spiritual perspective.

A lobbyist for the ACLU began by greeting everyone with a handshake from [her] heart, introducing herself as a queer indigenous two-spirit nonbinary person. Another witness spoke on behalf of Julian Bear Runner of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, informing the Senate that Mr. Bear Runner (whose relevance and absence wasnt explained) takes great offense when our civil liberties come under fire by government officials [and] when laws are used as weapons to prohibit the movements and prosperity of [his] people. Turning the poeticism up a notch, Lauren Stanley, leader of the Rosebud Episcopal Mission, suggested  without any supporting evidence  that the bill would cause the literal deaths of countless children, and asked:

Will you take a shovel and help bury that child? Will you pick up the flowers and place them on the graves? Will you come and explain . . . to the families and friends of the children who are going to die because of this? . . . I will demand that you come to the next funeral that I have to do so you can explain why this harm is being done to my babies.

Since few can be persuaded by such unscientific babble, it is fair to assume that the bills naysayers had a monetary incentive. But we need not assume. For David Owen, the president of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explicitly said so. He referenced the business boycotts in North Carolina (after they passed their transgender-bathroom bill) and warned about the similar inadvertent economic consequences this bill may bring to South Dakota.

Owens compared proponents of the North Carolina bill, who maintained that GDP would grow in spite of boycotts, to those arguing [that] cutting the arm off a teenager doesnt count because they got taller. But is he actually that dense? Doesnt he realize that South Dakotas Vulnerable Child Protection Act was designed to prevent doctors from literally cutting healthy body parts off of teenagers? We have members that are large employers that have called and said they want to support states that are inclusive, he rambled on, to be joined by Debra Owen, the director of public policy for the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. The bottom line is this, she said. As South Dakota moves forward and seeks to be open for business, diversity and inclusion is not an option.

But no, maam. The bottom line is not that. The bottom line is this: American children are being medically experimented on for profit. And we now have a public record showing that Republican cowards in the South Dakota legislature dont give a damn.

Editors note: This article has been revised since its original publication.

More from National Review
Former reality television show contestant Matt Goyder has faced a Perth court accused of distributing child abuse material online.

Police allege the 29-year-old, who featured on Farmer Wants a Wife in 2016, possessed and shared the material between January and February this year.

Officers then swooped on accommodation in East Perth where Goyder was staying, and seized several mobile phones and electronic devices.

Former reality television show contestant Matt Goyder has faced a Perth court accused of distributing child abuse material online

Goyder faced Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with possessing child exploitation material, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment, and distributing child exploitation material, which has a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.

He was not required to enter a plea and was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance on March 19.

Goyder, who currently has no fixed address, was a helicopter pilot at Bonney Downs Station in the Pilbara region.

Goyder shot to fame in 2016 after finding love with ex-Zoo Weekly model April Vaughan on the Channel Nine show

He was arrested by the WA Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team, which includes officers from the WA Police Force and Australian Federal Police.

Police say they are conducting further analysis of the seized devices.

Goyder shot to fame in 2016 after finding love with ex-Zoo Weekly model April Vaughan on the Channel Nine show.

The relationship broke up shortly after filming ended and Ms Vaughan failed to show up for the after party.

Goyer became a Lifeline ambassador after he spoke out about his battles with anxiety, depression and PTSD.
A directive canceling some New Orleans firefighters' vacations amid a labor dispute focused on the department's overtime policies could be reconsidered after Mardi Gras is over if staffing concerns are eased, Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell said Wednesday.

Once Carnival is over, the administration plans to meet with the firefighters to address their issues, McConnell said at a Wednesday evening press conference.

"Our intent is to meet with them and work with them," he said.

But while McConnell seemed to be seeking to de-escalate the growing fight between Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration and the firefighters, union President Aaron Mischler said his members were not willing to wait until after the holiday to at least get a sign the administration is taking their concerns seriously.

"After Mardi Gras is not going to cut it," Mischler said Wednesday. "They've got to promise to come to the table way before that."

NOFD boss cancels firefighters' vacations, might force OT after crews refuse it A pledge by New Orleans firefighters to refuse to work voluntary overtime to protest the Fire Department's staffing levels and other grievance

The clash between the firefighters and City Hall is focused largely on complaints about how overtime is calculated and comes as the city is in the midst of its Carnival preparations, an all-hands-on-deck affair. Firefighters play a key role in setting up for parades and being on call during the festivities.

McConnell on Wednesday sought to reassure residents that fire stations will be fully staffed through the coming weeks.

He praised firefighters but said the union's demands could not be met overnight and suggested that firefighters, who first met with administration officials about their complaints late last week, had jumped to a boycott too quickly.

"It was a short timeline," McConnell said.

But Mischler said union officials had notified the administration about their issues well ahead of last week's meeting. And he said they were only seeking a signed promise from the administration to work through their key issues over the course of the next year.

"We weren't holding them hostage. We just wanted a promise from them to work with us," Mischler said.

The union met with members of the Cantrell administration last week to call for changes to an overtime policy that they said denies them the pay they are due. They also want changes to other policies involving pensions, promotions and pay rates for off-duty details.

However, overtime has been a particular flashpoint, with union officials saying many of their members must work 90-hour weeks at times to compensate for understaffing at the department.

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The cost of the changes in overtime and pension policies the union wants would be about $4.7 million a year, McConnell said.

"Given the citys budget and budget constraints, thats not something that gets solved when you make an immediate request," he said.

New Orleans firefighters to refuse some overtime in spat with City Hall; move may impact events New Orleans firefighters said Monday they will no longer work voluntary overtime and other unscheduled hours beyond their regular shifts, esca

However, firefighters were not seeking immediate concessions at last week's meeting, Mischler said. Instead, he said, they asked that city officials sign agreements to work the overtime changes into the 2021 budget, form a committee to propose pension changes to the state Legislature next year and promise to sign a contract with the union, he said.

"Weve been made promises so many times before, and we believe what were asking for is beyond reasonable," he said in an interview. "Come to the table and sign what were asking you to sign."

After that request was rejected, the union announced on Monday that its members would refuse to work voluntary overtime shifts until the situation was resolved  a situation that city officials warned could leave shifts unfilled.

The department responded with McConnell's directive, which canceled vacations that have already been approved. The order allows for exceptions in cases where money had already been spent on trips, but those would have to be approved on a case-by-case basis.

"The goal was to make sure we had enough people on the firetrucks during Mardi Gras," McConnell said.

The union is seeking a temporary injunction to block the department's orders. Its request will be heard by a Civil District Court judge next week. McConnell said he was aware of the suit but had not yet seen it on Wednesday.

McConnell also said the city had reached out to state officials to make sure it has a backup in case more public safety personnel are needed. But he said he did not anticipate that would be necessary.

"As long as firefighters report for their shifts, we should be good," he said.

The primary concern for staffing would be if firefighters stage a "sickout," calling in sick in large numbers to put pressure on the city. Union officials have said they have no plans to do that.

McConnell's directive also allows the department to draft firefighters into mandatory overtime, something that is typically only done in emergencies.

McConnell said on Wednesday he didn't anticipate having to take that step as long as firefighters showed up for their shifts. And he pledged to "work immediately after Mardi Gras to establish some regular meetings with firefighters."
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk met with Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis to discuss areas of cooperation for 2020.

"As part of a working visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk held a bilateral meeting with Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis," the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

During the meeting, Zahorodniuk informed his colleague about the priority tasks of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces. They include deterrence of Russian armed aggression, defense reforms, and meeting NATO membership criteria.

The minister expressed gratitude to the Republic of Lithuania for the comprehensive support of Ukraine. Andriy Zahorodniuk and Raimundas Karoblis paid attention to the activities of the joint Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian military unit LITPOLUKRBRIG.

Karoblis expressed support for Ukraine's defense reform and noted that the Republic of Lithuania would continue to provide advisory and training assistance to Ukraine.

The parties emphasized the continuation of long-term cooperation in military-political and military spheres in the context of bringing the Ukrainian Armed Forces closer to NATO standards. The ministers identified areas of cooperation for 2020. In particular, the reform of military education, NCOs and the functioning of LITPOLUKRBRIG.

The parties also discussed participation in the 4th Ukrainian Reform Conference, which will be held in Vilnius on July 7, 2020.

ish
Somali Journalists (SJS) welcomes Amnesty International report entitled We live in Perpetual Fear: Violations and Abuses of Freedom of Expression in Somalia that documented violations and abuses against Freedom of Expression in Somalia in the past three years, which is the first ever report on the state of Press freedom of Somalia by an international organization since 2015 and the first report since President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo came to office in early 2017.

We call for authorities of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to respect the freedom of the speech and Freedom of Expression as enshrined in Articles 18 and 32 of the Federal Constitution as well as in Article 9 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We also call for the countrys security agencies to be educated with human rights principles including the press freedom.

Speaking at the launch of the report in Nairobi, the Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Abdalle Ahmed Mumin commended Amnesty International for the report which was timely.

The report specially highlights the grim and critical conditions under which Somali journalists operate along with recommendations to the Somali government and the international partners which support Somalia, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said It is important our Somali government to act and protect the journalists as uphold to its national and international obligations.

One of the biggest challenges for the Somali journalists is the media law which has been passed by both houses. The media law not only imposes legal challenges but also completely threatens any space media freedom could have in a country with no history of press freedom. We call for the Ministry of Information to immediately open review process into this law, Mr. Mumin adds.

Meanwhile, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) noted claims made by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism on the aftermath of the Amnesty International report today 13 February about its legality. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is a legally registered journalists trade union with its headquarters in Mogadishu and holds all required documentations and our members are based across Somalia. In addition, the Freedom of Association, Freedom of Assembly and the Right to Labor Relations have been guaranteed under Articles 16, 20, and 24 of the Provisional Federal Constitution.

The Ministrys point about SJS leaders and more than 70 others interviewed in the Amnesty International report and whose cases were properly documented is out of topic, however, the point is the Somali government to address findings made by Amnesty International report which highlights gross violations against the freedom of the press ranging from impunity, online harassment, censorship through bribing and police brutality to restricting access to information and draconian media law .
Boeing has forecasted that airlines in Southeast Asia will need 4,500 new airplanes over the next 20 years, valued at $710 billion at list prices.



Single-aisle airplanes continue to be the main driver of capacity growth in Southeast Asia. This growth helps to stimulate the demand for commercial aviation services, which are forecasted to be worth $785 billion between 2019 and 2038.



Three countries from Southeast Asia  Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia  made the top 10 list of countries that added the most airline seat capacity since 2010. Vietnam has experienced the strongest growth out of the three at nearly 15 per cent per year, followed by Thailand and Indonesia at approximately 10 per cent respectively, said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Commercial Marketing at Boeing.



"With an expanding middle-class, in market that continues to liberalize, coupled with a strong domestic, regional and international tourism sector, Southeast Asia has become one of the worlds largest aviation markets.



While single-aisle airplanes dominate the forecast, this region will also require a significant amount of widebody airplanes, in terms of value and the number of units. The demand is driven by airlines adapting to the evolving business environment and new long-haul expansion opportunities. Widebody airplanes will make up 19 per cent of new airplane deliveries, enabling carriers in the region to serve new international long-range city pairs.



Aviation growth in the region is expected to drive the need for 182,000 commercial pilots, cabin crew, and aviation technicians to fly and to maintain the airplane fleet across Southeast Asia. This demand is projected based on a mix of new airplane deliveries, annual aircraft utilization rates, crewing requirements by region and regulatory requirements.



In the air cargo sector, after declines in 2019, global freight volumes are projected to recover in 2020 due in large part to solid industrial production and world trade. Over the long-term, air cargo is projected to grow 4.2 per cent through the forecast period. Freighters will remain the backbone of the cargo industry with the need for 1040 new and 1780 converted freighters over the next 20 years.



Worldwide, Boeing projects the need for 44,040 new commercial airplanes valued at $6.8 trillion and the demand for aftermarket services totalled at $9.1T over the next 20 years.  TradeArabia News Service
New study shows Deepwater Horizon oil spill larger than previously thought

MIAMI--Toxic and invisible oil spread well beyond the known satellite footprint of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to a new study led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel school of Marine and Atmospheric Science. These new findings have important implications for environmental health during future oil spills.

The UM Rosenstiel School-led research team combine oil-transport modeling techniques with remote sensing data and in-water sampling to provide a comprehensive look at the oil spill. The findings revealed that a fraction of the spill was invisible to satellites, and yet toxic to marine wildlife.

"We found that there was a substantial fraction of oil invisible to satellites and aerial imaging," said the study's lead author Igal Berenshtein, a postdoctoral researcher at the UM Rosenstiel School. "The spill was only visible to satellites above a certain oil concentration at the surface leaving a portion unaccounted for."

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, releasing 210 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico for a total of 87 days, making it the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Oil slicks from the blowout covered an estimated area of 57,000 square miles (149,000 square kilometers).

These new findings, published in Science Advances, showed a much wider extent of the spill beyond the satellite footprint, reaching the West Florida shelf, the Texas shores, the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Stream towards the East Florida shelf.

"Our results change established perceptions about the consequences of oil spills by showing that toxic and invisible oil can extend beyond the satellite footprint at potentially lethal and sub-lethal concentrations to a wide range of wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico," said Claire Paris, senior author of the study and professor of ocean sciences the UM Rosenstiel School. "This work added a 3rd dimension to what was previously seen as just surface slicks. This additional dimension has been visualized with more realistic and accurate oil spill models developed with a team of chemical engineers and more efficient computing resources."

The new framework developed by the researchers can assist emergency managers and decision makers in better managing the impacts of future potential oil spills, said the authors.

###

The study, titled "Invisible oil beyond the Deepwater Horizon satellite footprint," was published on February 12, 2020 in the journal Science Advances. The study's co-authors include: Igal Berenshtein, Claire Paris, Natalie Perlin and Matthew Alloy from the UM Rosenstiel School; Samantha Joye from the University of Georgia; and Steve Murawski from the University of South Florida. Support for the study was provided by an award from The National Academies of Sciences - Gulf Research Program.

About the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School

The University of Miami is one of the largest private research institutions in the southeastern United States. The University's mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. Founded in the 1940's, the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, visit: http://www. rsmas. miami. edu and Twitter @UMiamiRSMAS

This story has been published on: 2020-02-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The virus COVID-19, which emerged late last year, has killed 1,367 people in mainland China, and three other fatalities have been reported  one each in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan. On Thursday, China reported 59,804 confirmed cases, up 15,152 from its previous figure. More than 13,000 of the newly reported infections were a result of a new method of counting cases. WHO said Thursday that there were 447 confirmed cases outside of China.
Greensboro, North Carolina, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Market America: Ethics & Standards

Founded in 1992, JR and Loren Ridinger created Market America to connect people to products while providing entrepreneurs with an opportunity to establish an ongoing income. Through their tracking system and digital aggregation, they have helped consumers wield their collective buying power on a global scale. The company prides itself on its ability to stay grassroots and global while providing what they say is an unmatched entrepreneurial opportunity.

Founded on Integrity, Proven in Numbers

Market America believes that prosperity and integrity are intertwined, and says that their success and longevity are a reflection of their corporate culture, which puts people above profits. Since the company's inception, it has grown for over 28 years. Market America has generated over nine billion dollars in accumulated retail sales, and helped tens of thousands of individuals earn a great side income; helping to build out the Gig Economy so many are leveraging. In addition, the company has developed a base of six million savvy shoppers who received 44 million dollars in cashback benefits.

Ethics and Standards

Market America and SHOP.COM have twice been the recipient of the Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for Marketplace Ethics. This award is the most prestigious accolade that the Better Business Bureau can present to a BBB-accredited business. Kevin Hinterberger, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central NC, said that the state of North Carolina and surrounding areas are fortunate to have Market America doing business in the region. He also stated that he is proud of their ethics, and "in a nutshell, they do what's right, even when nobody's looking."

Products Quality

Market America requires that all of their products must pass through two tiers of quality control inspections before they get shipped to any customers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada, and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) inspect all of their facilities to ensure Market America follows good manufacturing practices. Purity, potency, and contaminants are top factors that get checked for in every batch of products. Market America carefully inspects shipments upon receipt. Then paperwork is thoroughly checked, and products are tested and validated in Market America's lab. When all quality control is up to the company's expectations, products will ship to consumers.

Industry Recognition

Market America and SHOP.COM have proudly received top honors by some of the most distinguished organizations, including Newsweek, Triad Business Journal, Grant Thorton North Carolina Top 100, the Better Business Bureau, and more. Top media publications in the United States have written about Market America and SHOP.COM. Bloomberg, Forbes, Entrepreneur, TechCrunch, Internet Retailer, News & Record, USA Today, and more have all reported on the success of this company.

Business Practices

Often in the business world, some people attempt to self-promote and profit from successful businesses. The most common example of this is a practice called name hijacking. Name hijacking is when a person or company jump on a trending topic and uses that recognition to bring attention to their product or service. The trending topic of name hijacking is usually negative and will often end with a pitch for the customer to purchase or review something else. Since people are attracted to negative gossip, it is easy to be pulled in by search results asking if a prominent business is legitimate or a scam, but this is what those engaging in name hijacking are participating in by planting these results in search engines.

Indisputable Facts

Market America urges any consumer or potential entrepreneur to do their research before making any significant business decisions. They stress that it is utterly important to know the facts, which is that Market America is a product brokerage and internet one-to-one marketing company. After digging into this business, data shows that this 28-year-old corporation is a legitimate, multibillion-dollar business, providing a genuine opportunity to millions of people worldwide.
BEDFORD  For 20 years, Kiki Shumann's yearlong journey with grief was tucked away in shelves and drawers throughout her home.

After her mother passed away from a brain tumor in 2000 after a prolonged battle with brain cancer, Shumann  a native of New Jersey who moved to Mecklenburg County two years ago  coped with the loss through art, producing a series of 23 watercolor paintings, each with an accompanying poem, during the year that followed.

"These images and words would just come to me during that time," Shumann said. "Sometimes they would just come to me during the day and others came from dreams that were so real to me that I would wake up with tears in my eyes.

"I'm not not sure where they all came from but I know it was a good place," she said. "Whenever you find a way to keep going after you lose someone, it is a gift."

Shumann kept her work private for almost two decades before sharing it with Patricia Held, an old friend from New Jersey who also now lives in Virginia.

"I've known Patricia for years but never shared any of my work until recently," Shumann said. "I happened to mention to her one day that I dabbled in art and dug up some of my work from around the house."

Held said as soon as she saw her friend's work, she knew it was "something extraordinary."

"Kiki told me she 'dabbled' in art but I had no idea," Held said. "I was blown away. She does a little more than dabble in my opinion."

After seeing Shumann's collection, Held took samples of her work to Patrick Ellis and Mitchell Bond  co-owners of Goose Creek Studio in Bedford  who agreed the collection needed to be shared.

"The greatest thing about Goose Creek is that we don't have to go out looking for talent," Ellis said. "It always seems to find its way here."

Shumann's paintings and poetry are on display this month at the studio at 302 Court St. in Bedford. Ellis said the studio moved the opening of the show, which explores the themes of memory and loss, to last weekend because the work is "deeply personal."

"We usually do this during our Second Friday events," Ellis said. "However that sometimes gets so crowded that it's not a great opportunity for people to meet the artist. We wanted to do this in more of an intimate setting."

Ellis called the collection of paintings and poetry  which is titled "Nevermore"  an "absolute joy" to display.

"What Kiki brought us is not part of the marketplace," Ellis said. "This is personal. ... It is about healing, which is one of art's higher callings."

During the exhibit opening, Shumann discussed several of her poems and paintings, which chronicled her yearlong journey through the grieving process, from the first days following her mother's death to the day Schumann was able to accept the loss of her mother and move on.

"When you lose someone, the world is never quite the same after," Shumann said. "However, you have to eventually be able to move on in a world that isn't the same as it was before. That is what this was about for me."

Shumann said Saturday was the first time she saw the collection placed together, after Ellis and Bond framed and put the pieces on display.

"I can't believe it's really my work," Shumann said laughing. "These guys did a wonderful job of putting this together."

Shumann said she is considering putting her poetry and paintings into a book for possible publication. Ally Turner of Bedford, who came to the studio Saturday, said "that needs to happen."

"I'm astonished," Turner said Saturday. "I need her to publish. She has a message that younger generations need to hear."

Turner  who said she struggled with the loss of her own mother  said Shumann's work "called out" to her.

"I really connected with this because I understand how it is hard to let go of someone," Turner said. "It really spoke to me on a deep, personal level."
New Delhi: In Delhi's Bhajanpura murder case, a man was arrested for allegedly killing five members of a family for merely Rs 30,000. The cost of one life thus stands at Rs 6,000 in this ghastly murder case. The accused has been identified as Prabhu Mishra and is a relative of the family.

The victims were identified as Shambhu Chaudhary (43), Sunita (37), Shivam (17), Sachin (14) and Komal (12). The police received information at 11.16 am from neighbours, who complained of a foul smell emanating from the house.

Police arrested Shambhu's maternal uncle Prabhu Mishra on Thursday for the crime. Prabhu committed the gruesome crime as he was unable to return Rs 30,000 that he had borrowed from Shambhu who had been putting pressure on him to pay back the amount.

Both had quarreled over the money on several occasions as Sambhu was demanding that Prabhu should return the money at the earliest.

Initially, police arrested Prabhu on the basis of suspicion, but he broke down during interrogation and confessed his crime.

The Bhajanpura Police found no traces of loot in the house, and this has aroused a suspicion that the victims were murdered.

The decomposed bodies of the e-rickshaw driver, his wife, and three children were found inside their house under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday morning. The police broke open the door of the house and found the five decomposed bodies.

"The house was also not ransacked. We are investigating the matter and are going to file a case under section 302 (murder) as the matter is very sensitive," Surya told reporters. No note has been recovered from the spot," said Ved Prakash Surya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast).

Shambhu Chaudhary was earning his livelihood by driving an e-rickshaw in Bhajanpura. He had put as a tenant at the rented house for the past five months. He hailed from Supaul district in Bihar.
A North Korean official has been executed for going to a public bath while he was meant to be in quarantine, a report in the South has claimed.

The trade official was arrested and immediately shot after risking the spread of coronavirus by visiting the public bath, the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper reported.

The official had been placed in isolation after travelling to China, with Kim Jong-un imposing military law to enforce the lockdown, sources said.

North Korea has not yet confirmed any cases of the virus, but has taken drastic measures to stop it spreading over its border with China.

North Korean Premier Kim Jae Ryon, right top, has a meeting at the emergency anti-epidemic headquarter in Pyongyang, North Korea, yeterday

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (pictured) has imposed drastic quarantine measures - which reportedly led to a trade official's execution for visiting a public bath

From ex-girlfriends to 'missing' relatives , previous high-profile North Korean executions Singer Hyon Song Wol, 2013 South Korean media claimed in 2013 that singer Hyon Song Wol had been executed by firing squad in a salacious sex tape scandal. One newspaper even described her as Kim Jong-un's 'ex-girlfriend'. However, she was very much alive and later emerged as a key member of Kim's government, accompanying him in his meetings with Donald Trump. Kim's uncle Jang Song Thaek, 2013 Kim's uncle was executed in 2013 after a special military tribunal found him guilty of treason. South Korea's spy agency had initially revealed the purge, saying that Jang had been removed from office and an aide sentenced to death. In a rare public admission, North Korea subsequently confirmed the purge and announced that Jang himself had been executed. Official media claimed Jang had been plotting to seize power since the death of Kim's father Kim Jong-il in 2011. Military chief Ri Yong Gil, 2016 Seoul intelligence officials claimed in 2016 that military chief Ri Yong Gil had been condemned to death for corruption and other charges. The report appeared to be bolstered when official updates described someone else as chief of general staff, indicating that Ri had lost his job. However, state media later said that Ri was still alive and in possession of several new senior posts. Ri later returned to his post as chief of the military staff in 2018. Vice premier Kim Yong Jin, 2016 Claims of Kim Yong Jin's death came straight from officials at Seoul's Unification Ministry in 2016. Seoul said that Kim was executed by firing squad for unspecified anti-revolutionary and factional acts. He had also allegedly sparked anger for not keeping his posture upright at a public event. North Korea has not confirmed or denied the report, but Kim has never reappeared in public. Nuclear negotiator Kim Yong Chol, 2019 A South Korean newspaper reported last May that the North's top nuclear negotiator Kim Yong Chol had been exiled to hard labour after a failed summit with Trump. The report claimed that senior envoy Kim Hyok Chol was executed in the same purge. The claim about Kim Yong Chol's exile proved false within days when official media published pictures of him sitting at a concert just a few seats away from Kim Jong-un. Experts said the pictures also cast serious doubt on the claim of Kim Hyok Chol's execution, because he was the more junior official. Advertisement

The trade official was reportedly quarantined under a policy of isolating anyone who had been to China or had contact with Chinese people.

He is said to have fallen foul of a decree by Kim Jong-un which vowed to 'rule by military law' against anyone who left quarantine without approval.

Another official is said to have been exiled to a North Korean farm after trying to cover up his travels to China.

The second official was reportedly a member of the secretive kingdom's National Security Agency.

Claims of blundering officials being purged or executed are common in North Korea and are very hard to verify.

Last year, widespread rumours that a top official had been exiled over a failed summit with Donald Trump proved incorrect when he appeared with Kim in public.

Yesterday Pyongyang announced that quarantines had been extended to 30 days, beyond the 14-day period recommended by world health bosses.

Government institutions and foreigners living in North Korea were expected to obey it 'unconditionally', North Korean media said.

North Korea has almost completely closed the border with China, its only major diplomatic ally.

Flights have been reduced with road and rail links either closed or heavily restricted, while foreign tourists have been banned.

The DMZ between North and South Korea is already heavily fortified and very few people cross it in any case.

Pyongyang has also suspended operations at a liaison office it has jointly run with South Korea located just north of the border.

State media reported that North Korea's Red Cross Society had deployed to 'relevant areas' around the country to monitor people with possible symptoms.

'They are conducting information activities in various forms and by various methods at public places to introduce common medical knowledge about the epidemic and encourage people to give fuller play to the noble moral traits of helping and leading each other forward,' KCNA reported.

Tens of thousands of North Korean workers were believed to be working in China before a UN order for Beijing to send them back home expired in December.

It was unknown how many of them have returned home.

World Health Organisation officials based in Pyongyang have said they are not aware of any confirmed cases.

However, some South Korean media outlets have reported multiple cases and even possible deaths from the virus in the North.

North Korea took similar tough quarantine measures during the 2002-03 spread of SARS, which also began in China.

The North did not report any SARS cases at the time, according to the South Korean government.
SMART LNG, a Sovcomflot and NOVATEK JV, signs financing and time-charter agreements

SMART LNG, LLC (SMART LNG), a joint venture of Sovcomflot and NOVATEK, signed an agreement with VEB.RF Group for lease financing of four Arc7 icebreaking LNG carriers for the Arctic LNG 2 project.

At the same time, SMART LNG signed long-term time charter agreements for these tankers with Arctic LNG 2 LLC. The vessels will be constructed at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in the Russian Far East. Earlier, in October 2019, SCF Group signed financing and long-term time charter agreements for the lead vessel in this series. The design of the series draws upon the experience of operating Christophe de Margerie, the worlds first icebreaking LNG carrier, introduced in 2017. This led to the integration of various advanced engineering solutions into the design. These will provide the new ships with higher icebreaking capabilities and maneuverability, when operating in the challenging conditions across both the Western and the Eastern sectors of the Russian Arctic, compared with Arc7 gas carriers serving the Yamal LNG project. The vessels will be operated under the Russian Federation flag. The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) will provide technical supervision during the construction of the vessel series. Sovcomflot and NOVATEK agreed to establish SMART LNG LLC jointly in September 2019, with the company being originally referred to as SMART LLC. The joint venture will own and operate a fleet of LNG carriers serving the Arctic LNG 2 projects, as well as other current and prospective NOVATEK projects.




Teacher in Australia was tied to a chair before being hit and killed by a truck, police say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Authorities in Australia are asking for the public's help in investigating the mysterious death of a teacher they believe was tied to a chair before being hit and killed by a truck on a major highway this week.

Anthony Stott, 43, of Brisbane, was struck early Monday morning on the M1 near Cudgera Creek, a coastal town in Australia's New South Wales state, about 80 miles south of Brisbane. Stott was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7 a.m. local time, and the truck driver was taken to a local hospital for "mandatory testing," according to the New South Wales Police Service.

Stott's car, a silver BMW sedan, was found abandoned near the scene on the same highway about five hours earlier that morning, police said.

PHOTO: Police say Anthony Stott's vehicle was found abandoned on the M1 highway near the town of Cudgera Creek, Australia, on Feb. 10, 2020. (New South Wales Police Force)

Detectives investigating Stott's death later went to a home in Cudgera Creek, where they spoke with a 38-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man. The pair were subsequently arrested and charged with detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage, according to police.

MORE: Driver abandons school bus full of kids while taking them home

Investigators allege the man and woman detained Stott and "tied him to a chair at the property," police said. It's unclear why Stott was at the property or how he got there and whether he was released or had escaped.

Both the man and woman, whose names have not been released, were refused bail by a judge Tuesday and they will appear in the same local court Monday, according to police.

PHOTO: Anthony Stott is seen at Australia's Brisbane Airport on Feb. 9, 2020, a day before he was killed. (New South Wales Police Force)

Police said Stott had just returned home from a trip to Peru, landing at Brisbane Airport on Sunday afternoon. Detectives are looking to speak with anyone who may have had recent contact with Stott or who may have seen his vehicle Sunday afternoon.

MORE: Jackson State University president resigns following arrest in prostitution sting

"Piecing together his movements in the 24 hours prior to his death is crucial," Tweed/Byron Police District Commander and Acting Superintendent Brendon Cullen said in a statement Wednesday. "I urge anyone who may have any information to contact Crime Stoppers."

Stott reportedly worked as a primary school teacher at St. Peters Lutheran College Springfield in Australia's Queensland state, according to local media. ABC News has reached out to the school for comment.
During International Privacy Day, Kaspersky experts have looked into typical privacy risks and cyberthreats faced by users of its consumer products. In fact, 85% of Kaspersky Security Cloud users worldwide took advantage of its Account Check function on mobile devices and found out that their email addresses were in the public domain due to data breaches and other privacy-related incidents that have emerged in recent times. Nevertheless, it is certainly not the time to panic as cybersecurity products and digital hygiene can help consumers keep their digital data protected.

Modern technologies have given us a wide range of benefits  from video streaming and flexible working to matchmaking on dating apps. Services like Facebook, Tinder and even Netflix require users to hand over quite a bit of personal information and it is estimated that this year, the total amount of data used online will reach 44 zettabytes. To continue to reap the rewards of such services, it is important for users to understand the potential risks affecting their personal privacy and add layers of protection to maintain it.

For instance, one of the most frequently used techniques  phishing  often preys on people making unintentional mistakes and exploits human emotions. Kaspersky's special report for International Privacy Day 2020 shows that anti-phishing technologies prevented at least one phishing attack on 15% of Kaspersky users computers.

In Southeast Asia, Kaspersky has blocked phishing attempts in 22.36% of users in the Philippines, 20.47% in Malaysia, 16.65% in Indonesia, 15.63% in Vietnam, 15.33% in Thailand, and 6.15% in Singapore.

Another popular attack vector, which has become increasingly common, is password stealers. In 2019, there was a 72% rise in the number of users (two million in total) hit by malware designed to harvest consumers digital data. Password stealers infiltrate browsers and steal stored passwords, leading to users private data being accessed via online accounts without their permission and being raided by malefactors.

Technology has improved online communications and continues to build a closer, more integrated world. While ordinary consumers benefit from open opportunities these new technologies bring to them and enjoy the value, it is still important to be proactive in protecting the personal data that this technology relies on, comments Marina Titova, Head of Consumer Product Marketing at Kaspersky.

Today, there are many tactics to prise personal information from people, like password stealers or phishing. However, there are some simple steps anyone can follow to safeguard their digital privacy, adds Titova.

To keep sensitive information protected from privacy threats and ensure personal data remains secure, Kaspersky recommends:


The Spanish royal family will visit the United States on April 21, the White House and Spains Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on Tuesday. The broad plan for the trip, which comes at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, was confirmed last Friday following a phone conversation between Foreign Affairs Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to diplomatic sources.

This is the second time that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have been invited to visit the White House in less than two years. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, of the Socialist Party (PSOE), has not yet been extended an invitation.

The last time a Spanish royal made an official state visit to the US was in 2000

The royals have visited the White House on two occasions: in September 2015, at the invitation of then-US president Barack Obama, and in June 2018, with President Trump at the end of their tour of Louisiana and Texas. Neither occasion was an official state visit, which normally includes an official dinner at the White House and a visit to Capitol Hill, among other activities.

The last time a Spanish royal made an official state visit to the US was in 2000, when the former king of Spain, Juan Carlos I, was invited by then-US president Bill Clinton. Juan Carlos, the father of Felipe VI, also made an official visit to Washington in 1976, at the beginning of Spains transition to democracy, and in 1981, at the invitation of then-President Ronald Reagan.

(l-r) Donald Trump, King Felipe VI, Melania Trump and Queen Letizia during a visit to the White House in 2018. JONATHAN ERNST (REUTERS)

It is not typical for the king to visit the White House for a second time, with the prime minister yet to be extended the same courtesy. But this invitation came directly from Trump, who also set the date of the visit.

The president and the first lady, Melania Trump, were delighted to receive the Spanish royals at the White House in 2018, going to great lengths to welcome them and singing their praises.

The royals visit is a sign of the Trump administrations changing attitude toward Spain

The 2018 visit was organized under the government of former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who was invited to the White House in 2017. In the end, however, it took place just two weeks after Sanchez became prime minister, after he won a vote of no confidence he had filed against Rajoy in Congress.

The royals visit is a sign of the Trump administrations changing attitude toward Spain. The US president has gone from criticizing the Spanish government for its modest military spending  which is one of the lowest of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)  to thanking it for its cooperation in defense and security. This turn comes in large part as the United States seeks to increase its military presence at the US naval base in Rota, in Spains southern province of Cadiz.

The conversation between Gonzalez Laya and Pompeo on Friday, which was requested by the US secretary of state, was presented as an introductory call following the formers appointment as foreign affairs minister. But its purpose was much broader. Pompeo told Gonzalez Laya that the US would like to work more closely with Spain and expand the countries current ties, the foreign minister told EL PAIS in an interview last Sunday. She will meet with Pompeo in person during a security conference in Munich, Germany, that will be held between February 14 and 16.

Beyond the question of trade, which has been hit hard by the US tariffs on Spanish agriproducts  including wine, olive oil and cheese  the bilateral relationship between Spain and the US is also defined by the USs military presence at Rota and at the Moron air base, in southern Spain.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
LONDON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- British American Tobacco (BAT) has been named as one of the most sustainable companies in the world in the 2019 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards, which celebrate leadership, transparency, and commitment to sustainable business practices.

BAT has been awarded the SEAL Organizational Impact Award, which recognises overall corporate sustainability performance and represents the 50 most sustainable companies globally.

Winners were selected by combining and ranking the aggregated results of two rigorous, world-class sustainability assessments - the recently-released 2019 CDP A-List and the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

Simon Cleverly, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at BAT, said: "Our approach to sustainability is at the heart of our plans to build a long-term sustainable business and we have a clear purpose to provide consumers with a range of potentially less harmful products. We are also clear that our long-term sustainability will rely on successful delivery against all other environmental, social and governance measures. We are delighted that our integrated approach to sustainability, which drives value for consumers, employees, shareholders and wider society, has been recognised by inclusion on this prestigious list of top-performing global companies."

Matt Harney, SEAL Awards' Founder, adds: "Companies, CEOs and corporate boards have a simple but not easy choice before them: whether or not to exhibit real leadership by investing in sustainable business practices. The sustainability leaders  like our SEAL Award recipients  can secure lasting legacies for their grandchildren and corporate stakeholders alike; ESG leaders will have reputations and balance sheets that survive the climate crisis. Our mission at SEAL is to rigorously assess and then celebrate extraordinary sustainability leadership. We are excited to present this elite and impactful 2019 award winner group."

About the SEAL Awards

The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is an awards-driven environmental advocacy organisation.

Our core beliefs maintain that our environmental progress requires true leadership and sustainability leaders deserve recognition.

The SEAL Awards organisational pillars are:

Environmental Journalism Awards



Impact Projects



Environmental Research Grants

For more information, please visit https://sealawards.com

About British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco (BAT) is one of the world's leading, multi-category consumer goods companies, providing tobacco and nicotine products to millions of consumers around the world. It employs over 55,000 people, with market leadership in over 50 countries and factories in 48. Its Strategic Portfolio is made up of its global cigarette brands and a growing range of potentially reduced-risk products. These include vapour, tobacco heating products, modern oral products including tobacco-free nicotine pouches, as well as traditional oral products such as snus and moist snuff. In 2018, the Group generated revenue of 24.5 billion and profit from operations of 9.3 billion.

SOURCE British American Tobacco

Related Links

https://www.bat.com


Likening the Congress' poll debacle in Delhi to an "unmitigated disaster like coronavirus", senior party leader Jairam Ramesh has said it must "ruthlessly" reinvent itself or face the prospect of becoming irrelevant.

The note of caution for the Congress by Ramesh, a former union minister known for his outspoken views, came close on the heels of a call by fellow party leader M Veerappa Moily for a "surgical" action to revive the party.

"Congress leaders have to reinvent themselves. Congress party has to reinvent itself if it has to be relevant," Ramesh, 65, told PTI in an interview here on Wednesday.

"Otherwise, we are staring at irrelevance. Our arrogance has to go, even after six years out of power sometimes, some of us behave as if we are still ministers."



In Ramesh's view, local level leaders have to be encouraged and nurtured and have to be given freedom and autonomy.

"The substance and style of our leadership has to change," said the Rajya Sabha MP who is here to participate in the ongoing Krithi International Book Fair organised by a society controlled by the Kerala government.

On the Delhi Assembly poll outcome, Ramesh alleged that the BJP utilised the anti-CAA protests at its epicentre here in Shaheen Bagh to "polarise" votes.

"In the short run BJP has not won but the result is a disaster for the Congress party also.

"It is an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus for the Congress," he said. The Congress drew a blank while the BJP bagged 8 seats. The AAP scored a landslide victory bagging 62 seats.

The Congress leader claimed the Delhi election result was rejection of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's style of

"It is a resounding slap on his face and it is a rejection of the language used in the campaign, tactics used in the campaign," Ramesh said.

Ramesh also said the party was virtually non-existent in Bihar and almost extinct in Uttar Pradesh but added it was strong in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and has staged a comeback in Haryana.

Moily on Wednesday said the focus for the Congress should be now on reviving, rebuilding and rejuvenating the party.

"The Congress requires total rejuvenation. You can't point (fingers at) out one or two leaders (for electoral setbacks), accountability will have to be taken by every Congressman...rank and file," Moily said.

"Now, this is the time to act for rejuvenation of the party. It has to be revamped. Surgical action will have to be taken so that it starts yielding the results," he added.

Ramesh also spoke on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) and said it does not take away anyone's citizenship but was selective in providing one, to which he was opposed to.

Worried over the "propaganda" that the Congress is soft on minority communalism in the country, Ramesh said the party "cannot be selective" on the issue and suggested it should target the Popular Front of India(PFI)-type of communalism also.

The PFI or Jamaat-e-Islami type of communalism was as dangerous to India as "RSS type of communalism," he said, while echoing the views of senior party leader and former Defence Minister A K Antony who earlier said "we cannot be seen to be insensitive to the sentiments of the majority community."



Speaking on minority communalism, he said: "We(Congress) have to be very clear. We should not be pandering to any religious sentiment of anybody and that is real secularism.""Real secularism is fighting communalism of all types with aggression."Ramesh said the Congress has to be bold and aggressive against all forms of communalism.

"Unfortunately in the public, the propaganda is that the Congress is soft on minority communalism. It is a reality. We have to address this issue. We cannot live in a make-believe world. We should wake up."



"The Congress' policy is equal justice to everyone. But people have doubts whether that policy is being implemented or not.

"This doubt is created by the party's proximity towards minority communities and such a situation would open the door for the entry of communal forces into Kerala," he said.

Reiterating that the Congress has to fight "RSS-type of communalism, BJP-type of communalism as also PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami-type of communalism," Ramesh said, "we cannot be selective, we have to be upfront, bold and say minority communalism is as dangerous to India as (much as) majority communalism is."



"This is what Jawaharlal Nehru did. He took an uncompromising stand against all forms of communalism."



The Congress party should discover the same degree of aggression against minority communalism and outfits like the PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami, he added.

"There are so many outfits like these in different states...they should be targeted the same way we target the RSS.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MUSKEGON, MI  A man who shot and wounded a Muskegon police sergeant has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder a prison corrections officer.

Paul Alan Osborn, 51, was serving at least 44 years for assault with intent to murder the police sergeant when he repeatedly struck the corrections officer with a fan blade. He recently pleaded guilty to that assault -- his second attempted murder conviction.

Osborn was convicted in 2013 of ambushing and then shooting at several officers, striking Muskegon Police Detective Sgt. Monica Shirey. He had shot his neighbor earlier in the evening.

On March 21, 2019, while at Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon, Osborn placed a fan blade into a mesh bag and ambushed the corrections officer with it, striking her in the head several times, according to testimony at Osborns preliminary examination.

Video of the assault shown in court indicated there was no question Osborn approached the victim from behind and repeatedly struck her with the bag, Muskegon County District Court Judge Harold Closz said in binding Osborn over for trial.

Stitches and staples were used to close lacerations on the head of the victim who also suffered from memory issues and headaches following the assault, according to preliminary exam testimony by a Michigan State Police trooper.

Osborn ended up pleading guilty on Jan. 21 to assault with intent to murder. In return, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a charge of being a prisoner in possession of a weapon.

Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Hicks agreed to a sentence not to exceed nine years in prison. Sentencing is set for 8:30 a.m. March 18.

On Dec. 8, 2012, Osborn shot Shirey as she and three other Muskegon officers assisted sheriffs deputies in searching a rural neighborhood for Osborn who had assaulted his wife and shot his neighbor.

The four city officers were in unfamiliar territory, walking abreast down snowy River Road in near total darkness when they encountered the armed suspect who fired at them, according to testimony at Osborns trial.

The officers, including Shirey, returned fire and shot Osborn in the abdomen.

Shirey was hit by buckshot fired from Osborns shotgun. She ended up with five wounds - four that went through her left foot and calf - and one in her right heel. Her left fibula also was broken.

Shirey recovered and returned to service, but has since retired from the police department.

In addition to assault with intent to murder, Osborn was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, resisting and obstructing police and three counts of possessing a firearm while committing a felony. He was convicted as a four-time habitual offender, and sentenced to 44 to 70 years in prison.

Osborn is incarcerated at the Ionia Correctional Facility, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections website.

Read more:

Alleged cop-shooter Paul Osborn taunted officers after their sergeant was down with gunshot wounds

911 audio details shooting of Muskegon Police Sgt. Monica Shirey

Cop shooter accused of trying to murder prison guard
LONDON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud today met with the Supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber; Official Spokesman for the Coalition Forces Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen, Colonel Turki al-Maliki; His Excellency The Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department of International Development, Dr. Andrew Murrison MP; as well a number of ministers and officials from the British Parliament.

Following on from the exhibition earlier in the week, together they reviewed the historical relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and the existing partnership between the two nations. Ambassador Al Jaber introduced the Saudi humanitarian and development efforts in Yemen to the British representatives, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common interest in the development and humanitarian field.

Later, Ambassador Mohammad Al Jaber and Colonel Turki al-Maliki held a joint meeting at the Kingdom's embassy in London, with a number of officials in attendance. During the meeting, Ambassador Al Jaber highlighted the recent course of events in Yemen, including the work of SDRPY in the areas of development and reconstruction. He indicated the program's great efforts by reviewing more than 100 development projects across all Yemeni governorates, and the latest tangible impacts that have improved the daily lives of citizens significantly contributed to supporting the Yemeni economy.

Ambassador Al Jaber introduced the 7 critical sectors that are supported by SDRPY: Health, Education, Energy, Agriculture & Fisheries, Water, Transportation (Inc. Ports & Airports), and the Government Buildings sector.

He also explained that the program works in most Yemeni governorates including Aden, Hadramawt, Al-Jawf, Marib, Hajjah, Socotra and Mahra; whilst the impact of the program reaches all parts of Yemen through the program's active contribution to achieving sustainable economic stability.

Ambassador Al Jaber added that the program is intending to expand the reach of its support across all Yemeni governorates with the opening of several offices. Through these, SDRPY aims to continuously monitor the projects undergoing implementation, report on project progress and address any technical problems that may arise during implementation. In addition, these offices will study new projects according to the needs off the governate. SDRPY will hold frequent meetings with the governors and their citizens, and will then coordinate with the Yemeni government in order to progress new projects.

He added that there is close cooperation with international development organizations, including frequent meetings and workshops between SDRPY and many of these organizations - in order that all may benefit from discussion and the exchange of experiences in the field of sustainable development. Existing projects in the Agriculture sector that require Solar Energy have benefited greatly from this approach.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090210/SDRPY_joint_meeting.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090211/SDRPY_team.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090208/SDRPY_projects.jpg
No attention to detail seems to have been paid while introducing such a major provision and the wide arc of people it will take in its ambit, states Harsh Roongta.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Based on a quick Internet search it seems Budget 2020 puts India in very illustrious company.

We have joined the illustrious company of Eritrea (it is a small country in East Africa) and the mighty US of A as the third country that will tax its citizens on income earned outside the country even when the citizens reside outside the country.

It has been proposed as a provision to prevent tax abuse.

The proposal seeks to redefine the concept of 'resident in India' tax provisions for what are referred to as 'Stateless' persons.

The explanatory memorandum talks of High Networth Individuals who abuse these provisions for availing what the explanatory memorandum refers to as 'double non-taxation'.

One class of people who will be severely affected are the merchant navy personnel (most of whom are definitely not High Networth Individuals).

Currently, if they serve on foreign ships for more than 6 months in a year and get their salaries from their overseas employers, they do not pay taxes in any country including India.

They completely escape payment of taxes which is justified because they earn their income on the high seas.

But the tax department feels that most of them have their families in India and almost the entire time apart from on ship duties is spent in India.

Rest of their economic activities are also almost exclusively in India.

The proposed anti-abuse provision provide that if they are not paying taxes in any other country they will anyways be deemed to be Resident in India (even if they are serving on the ship for the entire year and not even setting foot in India for the whole year).

They will still have to pay tax in India.

That is a rather high price to pay for the Indian passport as they will end up paying tax on income earned outside India and they never even set foot in India for the whole year.

Although it does not seem to be the intention, the way the proposal is worded, even Indian citizens staying/working in zero tax countries such as Dubai may have to pay tax in India on incomes earned there even if they never visit India or have no economic connection with India.

No attention to detail seems to have been paid while introducing such a major provision and the wide arc of people it will take in its ambit.

On the other big thing that we will join the Illustrious company of US of A, Australia and Canada, is by having a Citizens Charter in our Income Tax Act.

I just looked up the existing charter put out by CBDT.

Currently, it is just meant as a statement of intentions rather than an enforceable charter.

For example, it provides that the income tax department will provide refund within 6 months of the return being received.

An appellate order will be given effect to within one month.

A request for rectification of an assessment order will be given in 2 months.

The issue is that none of this is currently legally enforceable. These are just intentions of the department.

Anyone who has dealt with the income tax department will tell you these time lines are laughable.

One assumes that the charter announced under the Income Tax Act will be legally enforceable and will provide penalties where the department transgresses the timelines mentioned there.

Without such penalties the charter, even if issued under the Income Tax Act, will remain a meaningless document.

With such penalties, it will be a powerful force for change and foster genuine trust in the department.

It will also be interesting what the timelines the department will commit to when the charter is provided under the Income Tax Act as compared to the current one.

The third big change is the availability of lower income tax rates to individuals who agree to give many exemptions/deductions such as standard deduction, HRA exemption, LTC, interest on home loans related to self occupied property, your insurance premium/ELSS/EPF contribution/medical policy premium, interest on education loan etc. and for self employed people many other deductions such as depreciation, etc.

The lower rates apply till the taxable income is Rs 15 lakh per annum.

The provisions are extremely convoluted.

The end result is that you may pay almost the same amount of tax, but you will be left with better liquidity as you will not need to invest your monies in the specified modes.

The good thing is that salaried individuals who don't have income from business, can exercise this option each year.

At first glance, it seems very few salaried people will be opting for this though some business consultants with low expenses may opt for it.

It is basically a boon for tax consultants who will be besieged with queries on whether to opt for this scheme or not.

Harsh Roongta is a Sebi-registered Investment Advisor.
Former White House chief of staff John Kelly said Wednesday that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, was right to raise concerns about Trump's July call to Ukraine's president, The Atlantic reported.

Kelly also believes that Vindman, who was fired from White House last week, told the truth during testimony before House investigators last fall.

"Having seen something 'questionable (in the call),' Vindman properly notified his superiors," Kelly said at an event at Drew University, according to the magazine. "When subpoenaed by Congress in the House impeachment hearings, Vindman complied and told the truth."

"He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave," he said, according to the magazine. "He went and told his boss what he just heard."

Kelly said that when Vindman heard Trump tell Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he wanted the country to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, the ask was for the aide "tantamount to hearing 'an illegal order,'" The Atlantic reported. Trump and his allies have repeatedly made unfounded and false claims to allege that the Bidens acted corruptly in Ukraine.

"We teach them, 'Don't follow an illegal order. And if you're ever given one, you'll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss,'" Kelly said, according to the magazine.

The comments by Kelly, a retired Marine general who left the White House in January 2019, come as Trump has suggested Vindman could face disciplinary action, though a US defense official with knowledge of the matter told CNN there is no Army investigation into the Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Although Kelly has previously voiced criticism of Trump since leaving the White House last year, he touched upon a wide array of subjects in the new interview and prompted a Twitter blast from the President later Thursday morning.

"When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X's, he misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut," Trump tweeted.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham called Kelly's comments criticizing the President "disingenuous" and said she was "disappointed" Thursday morning.

In addition to heaping praise on Vindman for his conduct during Wednesday night's 75-minute question-and-answer session, Kelly offered a litany of "misgivings" about his former boss, according to The Atlantic. He reportedly took issue with Trump's characterization in 2015 of Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and criminals, telling attendees that "it's wrong to characterize them that way." He also cast doubt on Trump's attempts to get North Korea to denuclearize, saying he "never did think (Kim Jong Un) would do anything other than play us for a while."

Kelly said during the event that he does not think the press is "the enemy of the people," as Trump has repeatedly claimed, according to both The Atlantic and the Daily Record, a New Jersey newspaper that also reported on the talk.

"The media, in my view, and I feel very strongly about this, is not the enemy of the people," he said, according to the newspaper. "We need a free media. That said, you have to be careful about what you are watching and reading, because the media has taken sides. So if you only watch Fox News, because it's reinforcing what you believe, you are not an informed citizen."

The former staffer also appeared to express regret over his decision to leave his White House post, according to the Daily Record, which reported that Kelly said: "I guess I feel bad, in a way, that I did leave, and I did know that if (Trump) didn't find someone like me that was willing not to stand up to him."

"But I stood firm and managed to get him to listen to all sorts of inputs and then he makes a decision, I knew this would happen," he said, according to the newspaper.

During the event, some protesters shouted at Kelly over the administration's now-reversed "zero tolerance" policy on the southern border and its travel ban on a number of foreign countries, Peter Nicholas, the article's author, told CNN.

The protesters were escorted out, though "Kelly handled it well, watching and in some cases trying to answer them," Nicholas said.

Last month, Kelly said he believes John Bolton's allegation that Trump told the former national security adviser that US security aid to Ukraine was conditioned on an investigation of the President's political rivals, adding that Bolton should be heard from. At the time, congressional Democrats were trying to get the Senate to subpoena Bolton to testify during Trump's impeachment trial but the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

In October, Kelly said the President would not be in the middle of an impeachment process if he were still chief of staff, implying that White House advisers could have prevented it. He also said before he left the White House he advised Trump on hiring his replacement.

"I said whatever you do, don't hire a 'yes man,' someone who won't tell you the truth  don't do that," Kelly said at the time. "Because if you do, I believe you will be impeached."
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Platform9, the leader in SaaS-managed hybrid cloud, today announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Promark, a premier, U.S.-focused value added distributor (VAD) and wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), the world's largest technology distributor and global leader in IT supply-chain and mobile device lifecycle services.

Under the new agreement, Promark will distribute Platform9's Managed Kubernetes (PMK) and Managed OpenStack (PMO) solutions to its growing base of channel partners in the U.S. PMK is the only Kubernetes service that ensures fully automated Day-2 operations with 99.9% SLA in any environment: data-centers, public clouds, or at the edge. PMO is a SaaS-based service that allows users to go live with OpenStack private cloud in minutes. With PMO, Platform9 takes care of the entire OpenStack lifecycle 24/7 health monitoring, alerting, troubleshooting and upgrades.

This alliance will greatly expand Platform9's reach in the marketplace by connecting them with world class VARs and partners through the industry's top distributor. While Platform9 will benefit from expanded reach in the market, there's also high demand and benefits for partners. The relationship between Promark and Platform9 offers a way to address the managed Kubernetes and OpenStack needs of their customers and adds a high margin service revenue to their businesses.

"Promark's expanding portfolio in hybrid cloud services combined with its deep technical expertise will help position Platform9 to better meet the growing need for managed Kubernetes and OpenStack services," said Sirish Raghuram, CEO of Platform9. "Kubernetes is complex but becoming increasingly important to digital transformation. We're proud to offer solutions that take away the burden of managing Kubernetes and OpenStack at scale."

Promark is Platform9's sole global distributor. The goal is not only to train and supply partners on Platform9's technology globally but also to bundle Platform9 with other leaders in the ecosystem.

"I am very excited to welcome Sirish and the Platform9 team to Promark," cited Promark President Jeff Brown. "Platform9's software offering enables companies to deploy, manage and maintain hybrid clouds across any infrastructure. This is a key orchestration component of Promark's Cloud Strategy and an integral part of our GTM around Containers, Kubernetes and OpenStack. We look forward to the challenges ahead, our continued leadership with advanced technologies and more importantly, guiding our VARS in their Cloud journey," added President Brown.

More information about Platform9 is available at https://platform9.com/, on Twitter and on Facebook.

About Promark Technology

Promark Technology, an Ingram Micro company, is one of the premier value added distributors (VAD) in the United States. Promark's core technology focus is distributing data storage and virtualization products and solutions through a two-tier distribution channel to value added resellers (VARs) and system integrators. Promark leverages its direct relationships with world class technology partners to provide solutions that meet the most demanding needs of its customers. Promark also offers a Public Sector Business Program that helps resellers navigate the government selling process and expand the reach of their Business. The program provides authorized resellers the ability to leverage Promark's GSA Schedule to market and sell products and solutions into both federal government and state and local organizations. Promark offers professional services in application integration, backup and recovery, network optimization, storage implementation and disaster recovery. To learn more about Promark Technology call 800.634.0255 or visit www.promarktech.com.

About Ingram Micro Inc.

Ingram Micro is the world's largest wholesale technology distributor and a global leader in IT supply-chain and mobile device lifecycle services. As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics and mobile solutions, technical support, financial services and product aggregation and distribution. The company is the only global broad-based IT distributor, serving approximately 160 countries on six continents with the world's most comprehensive portfolio of IT products and services. Visit IngramMicro.com.

About Platform9

Platform9 (platform9.com) delivers a SaaS-managed hybrid cloud solution that turns existing infrastructure into a cloud, instantly. We help enterprises drive digital transformation by enabling them to manage VMs, Containers and Serverless Functions on ANY infrastructure  on-premises, in public clouds, or at the edge  with a self-service, simple and unified experience. Customers such as Cadence, Autodesk, Veritas, Nanometrics, EBSCO, Bitly, LogMeIn, and Aruba see upwards of 300 percent improvement in IT efficiency, 33 percent faster time to market, and 50-80 percent improvement in data center utilization and cost reduction. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and is backed by Redpoint Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Canvas Ventures, and HPE.

Press Contacts:



Olivia Heel

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 13:32 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064490f9 1 Entertainment We-The-Fest,music,music-festival,concert,We-The-Fest-2020 Free

We The Fest (WTF) 2020, "a summer festival of music, arts, fashion and food" to be held on Aug. 14-16 at the JIExpo Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, has revealed that American hip hop group Migos is appearing as a headliner.

In a statement announcing its "phase one" lineup on Wednesday, WTF 2020 is to be Migos first performance in Indonesia.

Formed in 2008, Migos is the rapping trio of Takeoff, Offset and Quavo. The group released their breakthrough single Versace by American producer Zaytoven in 2013, which peaked that same year at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US.

Other international performers set to play this years We The Fest include Jamaican-born American musician Masego, American electronic music DJ trio Cheat Codes and alt-pop duo Oh Wonder from London.

Read also: Anne-Marie greets Indonesian fans at We The Fest 2019

Meanwhile, the Indonesian lineup includes Isyana Sarasvati, Naif, Sheila on 7 and The Changcuters.

Event promoter Ismaya Live said in the statement that more performers would be announced in the coming months.

Festival tickets are currently available online at wethefest.com, starting at Rp 1.2 million (US$87.65) for a three-day-pass.

As for festival enthusiasts from outside Jakarta, WTF 2020 is offering a complete package for Rp 7.05 million that includes two 3-day passes and a three-night stay at hotels near the venue. (jes/kes)
The Congress in Maharashtra on



Thursday said the contents of two articles on freedom fighter Veer Savarkar published in a party magazines are based on "facts" and there is no question of withdrawing them.

The critical articles on Savarkar, featuring in 'Shidori', a Marathi magazine of the Maharashtra Congress, have triggered a controversy with the BJP demanding a ban on the publication for carrying "malicious" content and also an apology from the party.

One of the articles has described Savarkar as an "apologist".

BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has demanded a ban on the magazine.

Rejecting Fadnaviss demand, state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said all references in the magazine about Savarkar are "factual" and hence party would not withdraw them.

Speaking to reporters, Sawant said, Fadnavis and his party are playing over Savarkar as references made in Shidori are based on facts and reality. The Congress will not withdraw the magazine or tender an apology.

"By bringing into the issue, the BJP is trying to pit member-parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi against each other, but we will not let their plan succeed," said the Congress leader.

Fadnavis has asked the Shiv Sena, a former BJP ally which is heading the MVA government, to clarify its stand on the anti-Savarkar articles.

Sawant asserted the BJP has no right to talk about the alleged insult of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Madhya Pradesh, where a bust of the Maratha king has been removed.

"Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has already ordered an inquiry into the removal of a bust of the Maratha king. The way it was removed was wrong, but the BJP should not play over it, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Even as the nation remembers martyrs of Pulwama attack on the first anniversary of the tragic incident in which CRPF jawans lost their lives during a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, promises made to their families are yet to be fulfilled.
Due to a procedural problem with the initial vote, the issue came before the commission again eight days later. This time, Republican Rep. Norine Hammond of Macomb made a motion, seconded by Republican Rep. Avery Bourne of Raymond, to find that the complaint showed sufficient evidence that the law had been violated. There was another 4-4 vote, and this one resulted in the report remaining secret.
COEYMANS  If one were sailing north on the Hudson River at the turn of the 18th century, there would be almost no structures to be seen on the journey between Kingston and Albany.

But as a boat came upon what is now Coeymans, a huge stone structure would rise from the landscape, castle-like in form with its three stone stories and two-story wood roof.

It was the home of mill owner Barent Coeymans, who built the house around 1700 for himself and his adult daughter, Ariaantje (pronounced ARIE-AN-JA).

But 250 years later, around the 1950s, the house was in danger of demolition  its historic interior neglected for decades and its massive floors split up into apartments, a longtime tenement for nearby brick workers and their families.

Now, though, the house has been restored to be as close to its original 300-year-old self as possible  thanks to the dedication of its owners, Paul and Sylvia Lawler, for the last 35 years.

The Ariaantje Coeymans house is one of the oldest in America. It dates to the same era as the Crailo State Historic Site, the home built by Hendrick Van Rensselaer in the early 1700s further north on the Hudson River in the city that now bears his name; that property was donated to the state in the 1920s.

The Lawlers  as well as the carpenters, masons, blacksmiths and tile workers who helped in the restoration  received recognition in December from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for Excellence in Historic Building Rehabilitation. In particular, the family took a structure that had been turned into a garage and used the original stone basement and wood floor to recreate what was originally the house's kitchen, dating from around 1720.

The kitchen house was recreated using the same materials and skills used in early 18th-century construction. This included using hand-forged iron nails and intricately stacking bricks to make the house's jambless fireplaces  a common Dutch construction in which the fireplace was open to the room, but not conducive to sucking smoke up the chimney or spreading heat through the house.

The restoration of what is now called the north house is so detailed, the family often invites elementary school students to tour it.

The Lawlers bought the house in the 1980s after Paul left a job at Columbia University to become vice president of finance at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. However, the herculean restoration of the home was begun in the 1970s by previous owners William Pillsbury, former curator of the New York State Museum and the Albany Institute of History and Art, and his life partner, Robin Michel.

However, only three rooms in the main house had been finished and it had been on the market for about three years when Paul saw a listing the previous owners must have splurged on in a special real estate section of the New York Times.

Sylvia, who had four small children at the time, viewed the opportunity to live in the Coeymans house with excitement, not trepidation. "I said, 'Paul, if you make me move from Westchester, it better be in a special place,' " she said.

At first, the family concentrated on the main house. What is the dining room now didn't have furniture and the children would roller skate on the wood floors. Two of the Lawlers' children, Nicholas and Alexander, became so invested in the rebuild that they became carpenters themselves. Sylvia said they, along with her husband, did 85 percent of the work themselves.

"I remember a carpenter handed me down through the floor to my dad," said Nicholas, who last week was chopping wood outside the house to use in the kitchen's wood stove.

The renovation has revealed remarkable details. Nicholas found a dark, heavy metal coin dated 1787 buried in mortar in a wall. Opening up an outside wall of the main house revealed a wood window that is original to the 1700 structure. A skull was also found while rebuilding the north house in 2008; it is believed to have been accidentally included as part of fill used to build the foundation hundreds of years before. The skull was analyzed by the New York State Museum, and to the shock of everyone involved, it had the cut marks of someone who had been scalped.

Dendrochronology (the study of tree rings) performed on timbers in the main house and north house revealed that the structures were older than anyone had thought. The romanticized story of how Ariaantje had the house built after her father's death in 1710 proved to be untrue, said John Bonafide, director of the state Division of Historic Preservation's technical preservation bureau. The main house's wood dated to 1700 at the latest, with the north house's wood dating to about 1720.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Ariaantje, which is spelled a few different ways in historical accounts, was considered a childless spinster who at age 51 married a man 23 years her junior. After her death, her widower married a relative of the famed Ten Eyck family, which eventually took ownership of the property. They tore the two-story roof off and made the interior a more formal Georgian design around 1760. As a result, the interior of the main house has smooth plaster walls and ceilings, and carved wood fireplaces and window seats that are different than the more medieval look the house would have had just before 1700, Bonafide said.

Author Helen Wilkinson Reynolds mused about what Ariaantje's life might have been like in the 1929 book, Dutch Houses in the Hudson Valley Before 1776.

Reynolds described an oil painting that exists of Ariaantje, the details of which "disclose to us a mature and obscure spinster, eager for elegance and beauty and affection, and reaching out for all three but doomed to ultimate disappointment," Wilkinson wrote. "Ariaantje's house still stands, her portrait is treasured; but she herself died in 1743 in her handsome house, a lonely figure."

While the north house is similar to a museum recreation of a Dutch home, it serves as guest house for the Lawlers' children and grandchildren. The basement of the north house is called the tavern, and is where family and friends play games and hang out. A huge canvas map conceals one of the only signs of modern times in the house  a flat screen TV.

The Lawlers are mostly retired now. Sylvia said her husband, who studied architecture in college, has had a dream  building a recreated mill on the Coeymans Creek much like the one Barent Coeymans owned. But it's likely impossible.

When asked why her family has invested so much of their lives in the restoration, Sylvia Lawler paused for a few seconds. "It never occurred to us to do it any other way," she said.

More for you Time puts a face on a mystery
Um Junghaeng, principal of South Koreas Ulsan Art high School, enjoyed the Shen Yun Performance at Ulsan Culture Art Center in South Koreas Ulsan City on Feb. 12, 2020. (Quan Jing-lin/The Epoch Times)

ULSAN, South KoreaUm Junghaeng, principal of South Koreas Ulsan Art High School, had a special birthday gift on Feb. 12, 2020, at the Ulsan Culture Art Center, where he attended the splendid performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts.

I was awed by the performance with lively and colorful dances, he said with praise. The dancers must have devoted tremendous efforts into it.

Shen Yun is truly remarkable, he continued. The perfect synchronization of dancers, music, and dynamic backdrops makes the audience feel Shen Yun truly admirable.

I thought that there would only be dances, so I didnt expect that the Chinese dance-dramas would be so wonderful, he said. Their exquisite and skillful performances touch the audiences heart though its an art form that is without words.

Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company established in New York in 2006. It performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers, Shen Yun website states. For 5,000 years, divine culture flourished in the land of China. Through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is reviving this glorious culture.

Um Junghaeng was also amazed by the dancers graceful movements with great unison and the original couture costumes with vibrant colors that feature various ethnic groups.

Every movement has its artistic value, he added. The costumes colors are vibrant and gorgeous.

I was especially impressed with some pieces of the program, and I just dont know how to explain it accurately, he noted. I was virtually immersed in the divine culture.

Its wonderful, he exclaimed.

As a professional in the music circles, the art school principal truly understands the truth behind the old saying: One minute on the stage needs 10 years of practice off stage.

It takes tremendous efforts. With their [Shen Yun artists] dedication, the dance movements are beyond the limits of the human body, he said. They are extremely beautiful.

He also hopes that his students are able to learn something from Shen Yun in the future. I hope to bring my students to see [Shen Yun performance] together with their teachers next time.

As a musician who had performed and seen many music performances in China, Um Junghaeng especially enjoyed Shen Yun music performed by the orchestra blending Chinese and Western musical instruments. Shen Yuns music is a higher level performance, which is unparalleled, he said.

Shen Yun music is different from other music, and it can make people feel refreshed, he said. If I had missed this Shen Yun performance, I would have regretted it.

He also spoke highly of the performances of Shen Yuns soprano and the conductor of the orchestra hat accompanied the performance.

[The conductor] is a well-established musician, he lauded. And Geng Haolan is a dramatic soprano with emotive voice.

Watching the Shen Yun is the best birthday gift I have ever received, he said with delight. I feel like seeing Shen Yun again when it performs in another city.

With reporting by Zhao Run-de and Billy Shyu.

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.
Srinagar: The second batch of 25 foreign envoys, who are in Jammu and Kashmir, will be briefed about the security situation in the region by Army on Thursday (February 13, 2020). The foreign envoys will visit Jammu today, where they will hold meetings with Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory, district administration officials and civil society members of Jammu division.

The group comprises of representatives from Afghanistan, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Rwanda, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

On Wednesday, the group visited Baramulla, Srinagar and Jammu and met representatives of the civil society, including youth from different ethnic, religious and socio-economic communities, local business and political leaders, civil administration and representatives of mainstream media.

They also received briefings about the development programmes being implemented, get an assessment of the security situation, and witness for themselves the progressive normalisation of the situation.

Last month, envoys of 15 countries including US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Philippines, Norway, Maldives, Fiji, Togo, Bangladesh, and Peru visited Jammu and Kashmir on January 9 and 10 to see first-hand efforts being made by the government in the region.

The demand for statehood, restoration of internet, development dominated the discourse during the envoy's meet with civil society in Srinagar.

US had called the visit an important step but raised concern over the detention of political leaders. US state dept's Alice Wells in a tweet had said, "Closely following @USAmbIndia & other foreign diplomats recent trip to Jammu & Kashmir. Important step. We remain concerned by the detention of political leaders and residents, and internet restrictions. We look forward to a return to normalcy."

In October 2019, a group of European parliamentarians were taken on a visit but that was in their private capacity.

(With Agency Inputs)
The body of a 6-year-old South Carolina girl who had gone missing earlier this week was found near the remains of an unidentified man, authorities said Thursday. Police are now treating the child's death as a homicide.

Faye Marie Swetlik.

Faye Swetlik was last seen playing in the front yard of her Cayce, South Carolina, home after school on Monday when she was reported missing.

"It is with extremely heavy hearts that we're announcing we have found the body, that the coroner has identified as Faye Marie Swetlik," Cayce Director of Public Safety Byron Snellgrove told reporters. "We are now treating this case as a homicide."

The girl's body was found in her neighborhood of Churchill Heights, near "a deceased male," according to police.

"That investigation has just begun," Snellgrove said of the man found near the girl.

Snellgrove declined to answer any questions or reveal how the girl died.

But, he said, "at this time we feel there is no danger to the community," just outside the state's capital city of Columbia.

No arrests were immediately made and police were seen combing through a wooded area of Churchill Heights following the announcement.

The Cayce Department of Public Safety released a statement saying they were working closely with the coroner's office to process a "large amount of physical evidence."

"While we grieve for Faye and try process this tragedy, we want to ensure you that our work continues," the statement said. "As we weep, we work."

The Lexington County Coroner's Office announced an autopsy will be conducted on Faye Swetlick on Saturday.

The search for the missing Springdale Elementary School first-grader had captivated the region.

"Our community is devastated," tweeted all-time basketball great Dawn Staley, who is the head women's basketball coach at the nearby University of South Carolina.

"We prayed for a different outcome but our hearts are filled with sorrow. This senselessness must stop. Godspeed to her family, friends and community."

Vice President Mike Pence, while speaking Thursday night at The Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina, said the FBI will offer support to state officials in the investigation.

"We were deeply saddened to receive word of the remains of Faye Swetlick were found," Pence said. "Hold this family in your prayers."
Indias Narenda Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is instigating violent police and vigilante attacks on opponents of its anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

In the run-up to last Saturdays Delhi assembly election, BJP leaders railed against those protesting against the CAA, accusing them of being in league with Pakistan, and repeatedly led their supporters in chants of shoot them down. As a direct result of this incitement, at least three gunmen targeted anti-CAA protesters in New Delhi within the space of four days, starting from January 30.

Protesters in Kolkata in December 2019

Delhis police force, which is under the direct control of Modis chief henchman, Home Minister Amit Shah, continues to run amok. In the latest outrage, a peaceful anti-CAA protest by Jamia Millia Islamia University students came under brutal police attack Monday.

The BJP government has been shaken by the mass opposition to the CAA, which it rushed through parliament and into law last December.

The CAA makes religion a criterion in determining citizenship for the first time in the history of independent India. It provides a virtually automatic path to citizenship to all who migrated to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan prior to 2015except Muslims.

The CAA is part of a flurry of government actions, including last Augusts constitutional coup against Jammu and Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority state, aimed at transforming India into a Hindu rashtra or Hindu state, in which Muslims reside on sufferance.

Faced with an economic crisis and mounting popular opposition to its austerity measures and other pro-investor policies, the BJP is whipping up anti-Muslim communalism so as to mobilize its Hindu-supremacist supporters as shock troops against the working class, and to divert social anger behind reaction and militarism.

While Muslim students and youth in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal initiated the anti-CAA agitation, it quickly engulfed all parts of the country, cutting across the religious, ethnic and caste divides that Indias ruling elite has systematically cultivated so as to divide the working class.

Rattled by the sudden emergence of mass opposition, the BJP responded with massive state repression, suspending internet use and imposing blanket bans on all protests across wide areas, and ordering a lethal police crackdown. At least 25 people were killed in December, including 20 in Uttar Pradesh, where Modi and Shah have installed as chief minister a Hindu mahant (high priest), Yogi Adityanath, already under criminal indictment for inciting attacks on Muslims.

In recent weeks the BJP, its ideological mentors in the fascistic RSS, and their Hindu supremacist allies have become even more venomous and threatening in their denunciations of the anti-CAA protests.

Last Sunday, Raj Thackeray the head of the far right Maharashtra Navniman Sena concluded a mass pro-CAA rally in Mumbai with threats of mass violence. Stones will be answered with stones and swords will be answered with swords, he thundered, adding that parts of Maharashtra have become the hub of illegal immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh, which need to be cleaned.

One of the main targets of the BJPs vitriol is the peaceful sit-in that hundreds of Muslim women have mounted day and night at a major intersection in the poor, predominantly Muslim south Delhi neighbourhood of Shaheen Bagh since the CAA was adopted by parliament last December 11.

The protest at Shaheen Bagh has become a symbol of the opposition to the CAA nationwide, incensing the government. The BJP leadership is particularly concerned about Shaheen Bagh protesters raising social issues, such as mass joblessness, rising prices and the safety of women, and more generally the intersection between opposition to its anti-democratic communalist agenda and growing working-class unrest across India over economic privation.

In the run-up to the February 8 Delhi assembly election, BJP leaders railed against the Shaheen Bagh protestors, likening them to pro-Pakistan traitors and terrorists. Speaking at a February 3 election rally, Modi claimed the Shaheen Bagh sit-in was a political conspiracy to destroy the countrys harmony. Two days earlier, at another election rally, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had tried to tie the BJPs main electoral opponents in Delhi to the sit-in, while insinuating the Shaheen Bagh protesters were terrorists. He denounced Delhis Aam Aadmi Party government, claiming it supplies biryani to the Shaheen Bagh protestors, while Modi and the BJP have been identifying every terrorist and feeding them goli (bullets) instead of biryani.

On January 28, Anurag Thakur, the junior finance minister in the BJP central government, was caught on video leading an election rally in chants of shoot them downa Hindu right war-cry that gained currency after the head of the West Bengal BJP, Dilip Ghosh, chastised the states chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, for not opening fire and ordering a lathi (police-baton) charge on those protesting against the CAA. Our governments in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka, he went on to boast, shot these people like dogs.

On the video, the BJP minister Thakur, speaking in Hindi, declares, desh ke gaddaron ko (Traitors who betray the country,), to which the crowd enthusiastically replies goli maaro saalo ko (Shoot them down).

Encouraged by these incitements to violence against those opposing the CAA, a young man shot at anti-CAA protesters at Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) on January 30, injuring one student. In a video, shared by the ANI news agency, the gunman can be seen walking and waving a pistol while dozens of policemen in riot gear stand by. Only after he opened fire, did police intervene. While being taken away, the gunman shouted Delhi Police Zindabad (Long live Delhi Police).

Less than 48 hours later, on February 1, a second gunman fired two rounds in the air at the Shaheen Bagh sit-in and shouted, No other community will have a say in this country. Only Hindus will. The third shooting in four days was reported on February 2, when an unidentified assailant fired outside the JMI campus.

Last December police illegally stormed the JMI campus and assaulted students with tear gas, rubber bullets and truncheons. More than fifty students were hospitalized, many with broken bones and other severe injuries. Since then police have repeatedly harassed and attacked anti-CAA protests led by JMI students.

On Monday, when JMI students sought to march on parliament they were meet with a mass cordon of heavily-armed police. When the students sought to assert their right to protest, they were brutally attacked by the Delhi police. As a result some students were forced to seek medical attention.

Speaking to India Today TV , doctors said that more than 10 woman students have been hit (by police) on their private parts. We have found blunt injuries on some of the protesters. One female JMI student told India Today: One of the women cops took off my burqa and hit me on my private parts with a lathi.

Despite the repression and BJP threats, opposition to the CAAand to the BJPs plans to use the 2020 National Population Register (NPR) and ultimately an all-India National Citizens Register (NCR) to mount an anti-immigrant witch hunt, in which poor Muslims will be the principal victimscontinues to grow. On January 29, Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, witnessed what the media termed one of the largest demonstrations in its history, as a large cross-section of the population took to the streets to oppose the CAA, NPR, and NCR.
COLOGNE, GermanyMr. Christopher Prufer, CEO of a Dusseldorf internet firm, and his wife attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts opening show at the Musical Dome Koln (Cologne) on Feb. 11, 2020.

Shen Yun Performing Arts, translated into English, means the beauty of divine from dancing. This explains in a true sense what the Shen Yun performers have brought to thousands of people worldwide.

Prufer, as well as his wife, were deeply touched by watching the performance. He said, The dances inspired me, and we were amazed to learn that these performers are a New York-based classical Chinese dance and music company. It is sensational that they endeavored to revive the 5,000 years of Chinas ancient culture through the fine arts of music and dance.

The Prufers felt that the Shen Yun performance was an oasis of inspiration, and the soprano can only be described for being world-class. Both felt that throughout the performance, the artists strengthened the idea that humans being the same, no matter where they were born.

Prufer shared that Everyone is connected and linked no matter where one comes from. Nationality does not matter, as we are all made of the same substance.

For him, language is of no importance. In the end, awareness of peace and happiness is longed and yearned for by everyone throughout the world.

With reporting from NTD Television and Heide B. Malhotra.

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.
Lyudmyla Denisova reminded that, at this moment, 116 Ukrainians are illegally staying in the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied Crimea

The Russian judiciary issued 29 sentences against Ukrainian citizens from Crimea, who refused to serve in the Russian army. This was reported by Ukraine's Ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova on her Facebook page.

"Today there are 29 sentences against our citizens who fled and did not want to serve in the armed forces of the aggressor country," Denisova said during a field meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Human Rights, de-occupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea.

According to Denisova, Ukrainians are now serving a sentence due to the refusal to serve in the Russian army. When they leave prison, they will again be called to the Armed Forces of Russia.

Denisova reminded that, at this moment, 116 Ukrainians are illegally staying in the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied Crimea.

As we reported earlier, It is planned to pass 138 prisoners to the territory controlled by Ukraine for the further serving of sentences from occupied territories of the Luhansk region.

As for today, 569 applications received from citizens and their relatives and 138 people expected to be passed from the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region. I express hope for further OSCE help in this process as it will facilitate the restoration of the violated rights of Ukrainian citizens, Ukraine's Ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova wrote.
Andre Ristaino, the ISA100 Wireless Managing Director, presented Mr. Gomez with ILBOC's award at the ARC World Forum. This large-scale deployment of wireless sensors demonstrated how ISA100 Wireless improved safety, environment, reliability, operations, maintenance, and reduced costs.

Iberian Lube Base Oil Company, S. A. (ILBOC), has won the 2019 ISA100 Wireless Excellence in Automation award. In so doing they join a list of distinguished end users which include BAPCO, Alcoa, Phillips 66, PETRONAS, NIPPON STEELE & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING.

Andre Ristaino, the ISA100 Wireless Managing Director, presented Mr. Gomez with ILBOC's award at the ARC World Forum. Vicente Blazquez, CEO of Bitherm, also participated in support of their customer, ILBOC.

Each year the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute honors one end-user who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and engineering excellence in the field of deploying ISA100 Wireless technology.

In winning, ILBOC was chosen from several potential candidates. Their use case was a 904 node ISA100 Wireless steam trap monitoring application. A steam trap monitoring application of this large size is a great example of the power of ISA100 Wireless technology. The installation also included a unique ESCO (Energy Services company) contract with Bitherm that had NO upfront costs. All payments to Bitherm from ILBOC are based upon energy savings.

Luis Sancho Gomez of ILBOC presented their experiences at the 2020 ARC World Forum in Orlando, Florida.

View ILBOC's presentation: https://isa100wci.org/en-US/Documents/Presentations/Excellence-and-Leadership-in-ISA100-Wireless-Appli.aspx

ILBOC is a joint venture (JV) between SK LUBRICANTS (South Korea, world leader in the lube base oil market) and REPSOL PETROLEO (first refining company in Spain). This JV was signed in 2012, same year of its plant construction started and only two years later, in 2014, ILBOC began its production becoming the biggest production plant of new generation lube base oils in Europe (Groups III & II), with a capacity of 630,000 tons per year.

Global monitoring of facilities and processes is a requirement in their Safety, Quality & Environmental (SQE) policies. Large-scale equipment monitoring (e.g. steam traps and valves) can be expensive and difficult to implement. The adoption and implementation of ISA100 Wireless has reduced costs related to installation of sensors and simplified the process of monitoring 904 elements (possibly the world's largest current ISA100 installation) by combining in a single management platform several applications:

1. Fight against Climate Change. Monitoring steam leaks and energy efficiency in steam traps.

2. Safety. Monitoring hazardous gas leaks in safety valves.

3. Employee Health and Safety. Detection of toxic gas (H2S) detection in the environment.

4. Prevention of Catastrophic Risks Detection of explosive gas (hydrocarbons) in the environment.

5. Safety & Reliability. Monitoring tightening torque on flange bolts & nuts (this is a specific experimental application for ILBOC needs to prevent dangerous Hydrogen leaks by gaskets between flanges, in R&D phase).

Other remarkable features of this project are the following:

a. Solar powered. All ISA100 wireless transmitters and sensors have been powered by rechargeable batteries with small solar panels. This allows the battery life to be extended extraordinarily.

b. All-in-one architecture. The wireless network has been deployed by the powerful all-in-one CDS VR950 Gateway, which contains all the necessary components for network management and comes with advanced features such as redundancy and network collocation. This has strengthened the ISA100 wireless network, simplifying installation and commissioning while reducing costs.

c. System redundancy. A VR950 ISA100 Gateway pair assures full system redundancy. In case of a hardware/software failure, the system recovers seamlessly and completely.

d. Sandbox environment. Due to enhanced hardware capability, one can add applications on top of the VR950 for local processing and storage.

e. Channel blacklisting. Avoids congested channels due to interference and enhances coexistence with other networks such as Wi-Fi.

f. Field device auto-discovery. Enables the automatic reading of field device characteristics so that sensor/actuator data can be sent/received without additional manual configurations.

g. Intensive Maintenance. This project has allowed the implementation of Intensive Maintenance, a methodology based on Smart Leak Detection and Repair (SLDAR), which has brought enormous benefits to ILBOC.

ILBOC's Learned lessons: "This large-scale deployment of wireless sensors demonstrated how ISA100 Wireless improved safety, environment, reliability, operations, maintenance, and reduced costs."

ILBOC's leadership in the development and implementation of large-scale wireless applications for Oil & Gas is groundbreaking. WCI believes ILBOC's work will serve as inspiration to drive the industry forward.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The community is invited to meet the two candidates for superintendent in Kalamazoo at public forums and open interviews next week.

The community forums and interviews for the two finalists in the search for the superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 17, and Wednesday, Feb. 19, according to the district.

Rita Raichoudhuri, executive director of early college and career education at Chicago Public Schools, and Efe Agbamu, assistant superintendent of schools at St. Paul Public Schools in Minnesota, were chosen last week by the districts school board to return for third-round interviews.

Raichoudhuri will meet will community members from 5-6 p.m. Monday before interviewing with the Board of Education beginning at 6:20 p.m.

Agbamu will interview with the board at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, which will also be preceded by a community open house from 5-6 p.m.

The board chose the two finalists from four candidates who interviewed Wednesday, Feb. 5, and Thursday, Feb. 6.

Raichoudhuri has worked in her current role with Chicago Public Schools since 2017. Prior to that, she worked as the principal at a Chicago high school for about four years. She holds a doctorate degree in urban education leadership from the University of Chicago, a masters degree in education and a bachelors degree in environmental science.

Agbamu has 30 years working in education, according to her resume. She noted a proven ability to work in unison with students, teachers and community members.

She holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership and masters and bachelors degrees from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. Shes worked as the assistant superintendent at St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minnesota since 2012. Prior to that, she was an executive director and high school principal in the district.

The search for a new superintendent began in May after longtime district leader Michael Rice was chosen as Michigans new state superintendent. The district chose Gary Start, deputy superintendent of business and finance, to serve as interim superintendent while the board conducted a search with help from the Michigan Association of School Boards.

The candidates full resumes, with some personal information redacted, are available online. Inquiries about the superintendent search should be directed to Greg Sieszputowski, director of leadership development and executive search services at MASB, by calling 517-327-9224 or emailing gregs@masb.org.

Also on MLive:

2 superintendent finalists will return to Kalamazoo for interviews

Finalists chosen in search for superintendent at Kalamazoo Public Schools
A prisoner on the run from Shelton Abbey held a knife to a neighbours face at her front door and threatened to cut her eye out.

Luke Taylor was unlawfully at large from the sheltered prison eight months into a four-year sentence when he carried out the threats to kill and also caused criminal damage to the neighbours property, Detective Garda Paul Radley said.

Luke Taylor, 21, of 11 Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, carried out the offences at the family home in another part of the same estate at Cherry Lawn.

The first two charges state that he threatened a man and a woman causing them to believe that he would kill or cause them serious harm.

Taylor was charged with producing a knife during the making of these alleged threats. The last two charges accuse him of causing 250 worth of criminal damage to the front door at the womans house and 870 damage to the mans car. He signed a plea of guilty to the charges.

Detective Garda Paul Radley said the injured party was home with her partner and children when Luke Taylor arrived at the front of the house shouting and roaring and she noticed that the wing mirror was missing from her partners car.

She went to her front door and he put a knife to her face saying he would take her eye out. He continued to make threats calling her partner to come out of the house.

The injured partys partner came out and the defendant ran at him with a knife. Fortunately, he got into the house and managed to close the door. Luke Taylor continued to kick the door and he broke a panel in the door. He continued to threaten them before he left the scene, Det Garda Radley said.

The detective said the woman said in her victim impact statement that after being threatened at knifepoint at her front door she had become a nervous wreck and had not slept properly since. She finds that the slightest noise now wakes her and the boarded-up damage to her door was a constant reminder of what happened.

Judge Brian OCallaghan noted that Taylor was serving out the original sentence in Cork Prison and was due for release in April 2021. The judge imposed a total sentence of four years on Taylor.

This sentence commenced today, concurrent with what he was already serving, but substantially increasing the time Taylor will spend in custody.

The judge said the threats to kill while armed with a knife were particularly serious offences.

Possession of a knife is the same as possession of a loaded gun. It is a weapon of harm. It is exactly the same as someone who arms themselves with a gun.

To go to a neighbour and carry out this activity, this court finds absolutely appalling. It is immaterial what background circumstances were in place.

In most places, we can rely on neighbours for comfort and support.

You committed these offences when basically on the run from Shelton Abbey. You put this knife close to her face, saying 'I will take your eye out'. Fortunately, her partner arrived and put the door between you and them.

Sadly, the court has not a huge expression of remorse from you to your neighbours and that is disappointing, the judge said.

Dermot Sheehan, defence barrister said the accused was immature and that it was foolish of him to abscond from Shelton Abbey.

Taylor had 42 previous convictions for crimes including aggravated burglary.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Watermark, a pioneer in educational intelligence, announced last year its new partnership with the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE). As a next step, Watermark is making SCALE's Embedded Signature Assessments (ESAs) available in Watermark's ePortfolio and student assessment solutions during a spring 2020 pilot with educator preparation programs (EPPs) at State University of New York College at Cortland, Salisbury University, Concordia College at Moorhead, and Nazareth College.

SCALE's Embedded Signature Assessments (ESAs) are customized, formative assessment tools embedded within existing curriculum to develop important skills for quality teaching, including providing feedback and asking questions. When used in conjunction with Watermark's outcomes assessment solutions, EPPs will have more robust evidence of student learning to inform program improvement and provide data for accreditation.

Two initial ESAs will be available for these Watermark clients to pilot, "Providing Effective Feedback" and "Using Effective Questioning Strategies."

"Feedback is only effective when the action results in a desired change. Building excellent questioning skills is one of the most empowering tools teachers can pull from their toolbox to inspire student learning and engagement. Helping teachers build these skills is an important task for all education programs. That's why we're excited to participate in the pilot and to use SCALE's ESAs in Watermark. Both assessments and related tasks have been designed specifically to improve teacher candidate performance for skills needed to be successful in our profession," said Dr. Chris Widdall, School of Education at SUNY Cortland.

Dr. Raymond Pecheone, Executive Director and founder of the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity, commented, "ESA development is grounded in rigorous theory and pedagogy, and each ESA aims to prepare teachers and students for the challenges of a changing world  promoting equity and access for all learners in order to reduce disparities in student outcomes. With Watermark as our key partner, all stakeholders will be able to produce this level of actionable data more easily and quickly so they can promote continuous learning and improve outcomes for all students."

Upon the successful conclusion of this pilot, all educator preparation programs will have the opportunity to add SCALE's Embedded Signature Assessments to Watermark.

"We look forward to this pilot so we can better support programs in providing the kind of feedback that helps candidates improve and grow, while also gathering valid, reliable data as part of their assessment process. Our partnership with SCALE underscores Watermark's strong roots in supporting educator preparation programs and reinforces our commitment to developing the solutions needed to meet the challenges of assessing teacher candidates, data collection, and accreditation reporting," said Kevin Michielsen, CEO of Watermark.

To learn how using SCALE's ESAs in Watermark can help your program improve candidate readiness, visit http://www.watermarkinsights.com.

About Watermark

Watermark's mission is to put better data into the hands of administrators, faculty, and students everywhere in order to empower them to connect information and gain insights into learning which will drive meaningful improvements. Through its innovative educational intelligence platform, Watermark supports institutions in developing an intentional approach to learning and development based on data they can trust. For more information, visit www.watermarkinsights.com .

Contact:

Victoria Guzzo

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Watermark

Related Links

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

The number of tourists from Uzbekistan visited Turkey amounted to 252,138 people in 2019, which is 4.52 percent more compared to 2018, Trend reports referring to the Turkeys Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Feb. 13.

The share of Uzbek citizens in the total mass of foreigners visiting Turkey in 2019 amounted to 0.56 percent.

In December 2019, 17,136 tourists from Uzbekistan visited Turkey, which is 27.51 percent more compared to December 2018.

In January 2020 the share of Uzbek citizens in the total number of foreigners visiting Turkey amounted to 0.8 percent.

Over 2.1 million tourists visited Turkey in December 2019, which is 10.11 percent more compared to December 2018.

In 2019, more than 45 million tourists visited Turkey, which is 14.11 percent more compared to 2018.

In the meantime, over 14.9 million tourists visited Istanbul and 14.6 million tourists visited Antalya.

The remaining 15.5 million tourists accounted for countrys other cities.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Defining African American preaching and 7 key characteristics of this tradition.

Image: Ben White / Lightstock

Some of the most stirring and inspirational words of hope and healing have come from black pulpits and the mouths of impassioned black preachers, down through the centuries. Much of this genius of the African American preaching tradition has been oral, and as such, has travelled in the oral tradition. Only in the last four plus decades, in the wake of Americas discovery of the power of black preaching in the public ministry of Martin Luther King, Jr., has the academic theological community paid serious attention to this tradition.

These efforts have culminated in the first PhD program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am privileged to direct the program and have begun training a cohort of scholars that will continue the scholarly exploration of the tradition. The cardinal belief of the program is that the beauty, depth, history, and transformative power of the African American preaching tradition can generate ...
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a cultural centre reflecting India's connect with its diaspora, was Thursday renamed Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in honour of the late external affairs minister known for her empathy in reaching out to distressed Indians globally.

The Foreign Service Institute, a renowned institution where diplomats are trained, has also been renamed the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.

The government's decision to name the two institutions in Delhi after Swaraj came a day before her 68th birth anniversary.

The illustrious leader who brought rare empathy and a human approach to India's diplomacy as external affairs minister in the previous Narendra Modi government died on August 6 last year following a massive cardiac arrest.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Twitter that the renaming of the institutes was a fitting tribute to a "great public figure who continues to inspire us".

"We all fondly remember Smt Sushma Swaraj, who would have turned 68 tomorrow. The MEA family misses her in particular," he said.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said the two institutions have been renamed in solemn tribute to the "invaluable contribution" of Swaraj to Indian diplomacy, the cause of the Indian diaspora and the ethos of public service.

"The announcement is being made on the eve of her birth anniversary falling on February 14 in honour of the legacy and decades of public service of the former external affairs minister," it said.

As External Affairs Minister, Swaraj brought a sense of assertiveness in India's diplomacy besides engaging the diaspora, a central focus of the country's foreign policy priorities.

Swaraj was one of the most followed foreign ministers on Twitter globally.

She was known for helping Indians stuck abroad as she was quick to respond to their calls for help on Twitter.

Swaraj even became popular in Pakistan for her response to people wanting to get visas for medical treatment in India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra located in the heart of the Capital was set up to recognise the contributions of the overseas Indian community to India's growth and development.

A museum in the Kendra depicts the history of migration of the overseas Indian community as well as their experiences and contributions.

Swaraj had many firsts to her credit -- the youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government, the first woman chief minister of Delhi and the first woman spokesperson for a national political party in the country.

She was Information and Broadcasting minister in the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1996 and got the Cabinet portfolio again after he led the BJP to power in 1998.

Long seen as a protege of veteran BJP leader L K Advani, she also was the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha between 2009-14.

Swaraj, a law graduate who practised in the Supreme Court, was elected seven times as a member of Parliament and three times as a member of the legislative assembly.
DELMAR  Bethlehem police arrested a Bethlehem Central High School student on Thursday for allegedly scribbling on a bathroom wall threats of violence targeting the school, police and school officials said.

The 17-year-old has been charged with one felony count of making a terroristic threat and one misdemeanor count of making graffiti, police said. The teen was transported to Albany County Court Youth Part, where the case will be handled.

The graffiti was first reported at approximately 10:30 a.m. Administrators contacted the police immediately, the school officials wrote in a memo to parents.

The Bethlehem Police Department quickly identified the alleged perpetrator following an investigation at the school. While police found there was no credible threat related to the incident, an investigation is ongoing.

"The Bethlehem Police Department and the Bethlehem Central School District is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all students and staff members," Chief Louis G. Corsi said in a statement. "We continue to work jointly in the sharing of information to continue this high level of safety and security for our school."

The school district has requested the police provide an increased presence at the school through Friday.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

"Please know that threats of violence of any kind will not be tolerated in the Bethlehem Central School District," Superintendent Jody Monroe said. "Any student who makes such a threat will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In addition, any student found to be making such threats will be subject to discipline under the districts code of conduct."

Monroe called on parents to have discussions with their children about reporting threatening behavior to trusted adults.

Anyone with knowledge regarding threats of school violence is encouraged to contact the Bethlehem Police Department at 518-439-9973 or by calling the department's confidential tip line at 518-439-1503.
Passengers on a cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over coronavirus fears cheered and clapped as the vessel finally arrived at a port in Cambodia on Thursday.

The MS Westerdam, carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew, docked in Sihanoukville in the evening after anchoring offshore early in the morning to allow Cambodian officials to board and collect samples from passengers with any signs of ill health or flu-like symptoms.

None of the fluid samples taken from 20 people and transported by helicopter to the capital Phnom Penh for tests came back positive for coronavirus, Cambodias health ministry said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said he would travel to Sihanoukville on Friday to personally welcome the passengers.

Weve had so many near moments we thought we were going home only to be turned away, Angela Jones, an American tourist on board, told Reuters in a text message. This morning, just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment.

Jones and her fellow passengers have spent almost two weeks at sea as several countries refused to let their ship dock.

The timing of their final journeys home was still uncertain, however, as the ship faces health checks by authorities and passengers need to be taken to Phnom Penh to catch flights.

The ships captain, Vincent Smit, initially told passengers in a letter that some could leave Cambodia as early as Friday,

But in a later announcement, he said there could be delays because of the number of organisations and authorities supporting the operation to disembark, as well as the short notice given to Cambodia requesting permission to dock.

Local officials in Sihanoukville told reporters that chartered planes to take people from the port town to Phnom Penh were not ready yet and the Westerdam had asked to delay disembarkation until Friday.

Passengers have had regular health checks throughout the journey, said Holland America Line, the ship operator and a unit of Miami-based Carnival Corp.

Nobody has fallen ill aboard, but the ship was turned away by Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand over fears that someone on board could have the new flu-like virus. The disease has killed more than 1,300 people and infected about 60,000 people, with the vast majority of deaths and cases in China.

In a video address shown on board the Westerdam, Orlando Ashford, the president of Holland America Line, thanked passengers for their understanding in incredibly unusual and challenging circumstances.

Im sure youll have some good stories to tell when you reach your final destination home, Ashford said in the video.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

The sound of cheering inside the ship could be easily heard from Sihanoukville port when the Westerdam finally docked.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Cambodia for its example of international solidarity that the WHO has been calling for.

Stoking authorities fears in countries on the ships route has been the quarantine in Japan of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, also managed by a unit of Carnival Corp. Of the 3,700 passengers and crew on that vessel, 175 have tested positive for the virus.

On Tuesday, the Westerdam tried to dock in Bangkok but was denied permission by Thai authorities. On Wednesday, a Thai Navy warship escorted it out of the Gulf of Thailand, and it set course for Cambodia, the Marine Traffic website showed.

In a video message, the U.S. ambassador to Cambodia, Patrick Murphy, said he had sent a team to help U.S. citizens with disembarking and continuing their journeys, and was coordinating with embassies of other nations.

Jones was still puzzled how she ended up on a fortnight-long cruise to nowhere.

Thousands of travellers by air interacting with hundreds of people can land no problem but a cruise ship that made a one-day stop in Hong Kong almost two weeks ago is rejected by so many countries, she said.

Still makes no sense.

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European shares closed lower on Thursday as the spread of the coronavirus remained the primary focus for investors.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was provisionally closed 0.15% lower, with most sectors and major bourses in the red.

Oil and gas stocks led the losses, with the sector down nearly 1%.

The death toll and number of new coronavirus cases recorded in Hubei province, the area at the center of the outbreak in China, rose sharply on Wednesday, according to figures from local health authorities.

The region reported an additional 242 deaths and 14,840 new cases for February 12, bringing the total number of people who have died amid the outbreak up to 1,310. The number of new cases rose dramatically after the province changed its method of reporting cases. The province said it is starting to include "clinically diagnosed" cases in its figures and that 13,332 of the new cases fall under that classification.

Investors are monitoring the situation and its potential effect on both the Chinese and global economies.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CNBC on Wednesday the new strain of coronavirus was "clearly more impactful" on the world economy than the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic.

The outbreak has led to the closure of Chinese factories and businesses, resulting in a rise in demand for business loans. Major global airlines have suspended flights to mainland China, while events around the world, including Barcelona's Mobile World Congress, have been cancelled to prevent the virus spreading.

Chinese policymakers are taking steps to minimize the shock to China's domestic economy. The country's central bank announced last week that it will ease monetary policy, while the Chinese government rolled out tax guidelines on Tuesday to help reduce financial pressure in key sectors.

On Wall Street, equities were under pressure, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 70 points. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes were both flat.

Back in Europe, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshaped his government on Thursday, with the U.K. looking to forge a future for itself outside of the European Union. In a surprise move, Finance Minister Sajid Javid resigned, and will be replaced by former Treasury official Rishi Sunak.
Brussels, Feb 13 : The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will resume its operations in Iraq, one month after the alliance suspended its mission due to the tension that occurred in the country following the US attack on an Iranian military leader early January.

"Today, ally ministers reaffirmed their support to Iraq and agreed in principle to enhance NATO's training mission," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference on Wednesday after the ministerial meeting in Brussels, Xinhua reported.

It is also agreed at a meeting attended by the defence ministers of NATO members to upscale their current operations in Iraq so as to ease the burden faced by the US-led coalition fighting against the militant group IS (the Islamic State).

"Ministers also agreed to explore what more we can do beyond this first step," Stoltenberg added, without elaborating on the type or size of operations that could be transferred from the US-led forces to the NATO structure.

NATO is now engaged in a non-combat mission in Iraq, focusing on mentoring and advising Iraqi national defence forces and military education institutions. The several hundred-strong team is led by a Canadian commander.

The mission was halted after a US drone attack that killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport on January 3 and triggered strong reaction both from Iraq and from Iran. NATO members then pulled out the majority of their personnel from Iraq out of security concern.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:47:53|Editor: Yurou

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TRIPOLI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Libya's east-based army Ahmad al-Mismari said Wednesday that it has controlled the majority of Libyan territories as the armed conflict with the rival United Nations-backed government continues.

"The Libyan Arab Armed Forces control 99 percent of the country, either by having areas where our forces are physically present or by having areas in the range of our air force or artillery," al-Mismari, spokesman for the army, told a press conference late Wednesday in the eastern city Benghazi.

"The army is committed to the ceasefire, but still has the right to firmly respond to any breach to the ceasefire, which explains the clashes that occur from time to time between our forces and terrorist groups," he said.

The spokesman also said that the main problem in the country is not economic or political, but a security problem "caused by militias and terrorists that control certain parts of the country".

"We aim to eliminate terrorism, dismantle militias and take control of all weapons in the country," he said.

Responding to a statement issued by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Wednesday, in which the Mission said the east-based army refused to grant permission for its planes to land in Libya, al-Mismari said that the UNSMIL's planes are "welcome to land in any airport in Libya."

He said that the army did not grant permission for the airplanes to land in the capital Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport because the airport is "fully controlled by a Turkish military commander, who grants such permission."

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 ceasefire on Jan. 12, but both parties exchanged accusations of breaching the truce.
China has demoted the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, the State Council said Thursday, following months of pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous city.

The shuffling of officials at China's top policy body on the financial hub's affairs comes after months of political unrest -- the starkest challenge to Beijing since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Senior Beijing official Xia Baolong, currently secretary-general at the national committee of China's top political advisory body, was promoted to director while Zhang Xiaoming was re-appointed as a deputy in charge of daily operations at the office.

In Hong Kong, millions have taken to the streets since June last year, originally in opposition to a now-abandoned proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China.

The movement then morphed into demands for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

In recent days, Hong Kong's leaders have faced criticism as well over shortages of masks and resources that emerged in their handling of a virus epidemic starting from the mainland.

Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political science professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, said 67-year-old Xia served as deputy to President Xi Jinping when was party secretary of Zhejiang province.

"I think Xi Jinping wanted to find someone he could trust," said Cabestan.

Cabestan said Xia, a former Zhejiang Communist Party chief, has since been known for a hardline approach in fighting the re-emergence of Christianity there.

The personnel changes are aimed at boosting coordination between Beijing and Hong Kong, he said, as well as giving more support to the pro-establishment camp in Hong Kong's Legislative Council.

"(Xi) wants fresh blood, people he can trust, who are going to bring Hong Kong closer to China," he said.

The State Council added that Luo Huining, head of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, and Fu Ziying, who heads the Macau liaison office, will also be given the roles of deputy director while still keeping their existing positions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai: Fire breaks out in an office building at Andheri East, Mumbai on Thursday (February 13). As many as 12 fire tenders reached the spot to douse the massive fire.

The reason behind the fire incident is yet to be ascertained. People near the building were evacuated as soon as the incident took place.

A level-III fire has been reported at Rolta company in Andheri East. The fire is said to be confined to the server room on the second floor of the Rolta company.

Meanwhile, the search operation is underway to search and rescue any trapped persons.

Because of aluminum cladding and glass facade and no ventilation situation is still grave.

Meanwhile, firemen are battling from inside as well as outside the building using special appliances, donning breathing apparatus sets, to douse the fire

A total of 27 vehicles have reached the spot, including 11 fire engines and 9 jet tankers, control the fire.
The bandh call given by some pro-Kannada organisations to demand implementation of a report which recommended job reservation to Kannadigas had little effect on normal life in Bengaluru and other parts of the state on Thursday.

Barring a stray incident of stone pelting at a bus in Dakshina Kannada district, the bandh was peaceful in the morning hours.

Buses and autorickshaws plied as usual defying the bandh call given by the 'Karnataka Sangathanegala Okkoota', a consortium of organisations in Karnataka.

The organisers of the bandh are demanding implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report which recommended that preference be given to natives of Karnataka in Central government and private jobs in the state.

In Bengaluru, city buses plied as usual though most of them ran almost empty as there were very few commuters.

Autorickshaws operated as usual though one of the autorickshaw drivers' associations had supported the bandh.

The main trade area of the city, KR Market and surrounding places had no effect of the bandh in the morning hours.

Pro-Kannada activists were on the city rounds appealing to traders to shut their shops in their support.

In Anekal near Attibele in the city on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, activists reportedly tried to shut shops and business establishments forcibly.

At Pirangipet in Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district, stones were pelted at a private bus in the morning.

Heavy deployment of policemen has been made at important locations to check untoward incidents.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had appealed to the pro-Kannda organisations to keep their agitation peaceful.

He said his government always stood for Kannada and Kannadigas and initiated measures to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
I still remember where I was when I learned Alberta, Canada, has a rat patrol.

I was sitting in a friends farmhouse in the middle of the Canadian prairie. We were talking about a lot of things. As the token sheep farmer from down south, I fielded many questions. (I was asked what I thought of then U.S. President Barack Obama. I responded, cheekily, that he seemed to be a good father to his daughters.)

We talked of how important agriculture is to the province. Then, the Albertans told me they have no rats  because of the rat patrol. I laughed. Sure. Wait  A rat patrol? Yep. Albertans are really proud of it, too.

This means war

Seventy years ago, Alberta declared war on the Norway rat. Norway rats are one of the most destructive creatures known to man, says the provincial governments webpage on rat control.  The people of Alberta are extremely fortunate not to have rats in the province. This situation is not by chance, but by design.

Native to northern China, the rat spread to every continent but Antarctica, thanks to international trade. They first hit North American shores around 1775, entered eastern Saskatchewan in 1920 and breached the eastern border of Alberta in 1950.

The deal with rats

Before we get any farther, there are pros and cons to the existence of these rodents.

Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute points out that the rats are both prey and predator and have helped move scientific research forward (white rats are derived from the Norway rat). They make good pets, too.

It adds though: It is estimated that rats cause nearly a billion dollars in damage each year in the United States alone and that, by spreading diseases, rats have been responsible for more human deaths than all of the wars and human conflicts combined over the last 1,000 years.

Rat crusade

There is no equivocation from Alberta on this though. The government began its crusade mainly because of the health concerns. The agriculture department became the tip of the spear as the campaign gained ground. They established a control zone and started educating residents, because no one knew what rats were or what to do. Pamphlets and posters preached urgency, a la classic World War II rhetoric. It fit the time.

National Post newspaper, based in Ontario, delved into the story, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, after a viral tweet in 2018. An illustration of rats worldwide territory blazes red everywhere, except for north of the Arctic Circle and a cutout of Alberta. What  what happened in Alberta, the tweet queried.

This war on the rats wasnt optional: The provinces Agricultural Pests Act made it an offence for property owners not to immediately eradicate every rat they encountered, writes Tristin Hopper, for the Post. Enforcement of the law was largely unnecessary, however. A population of Albertans fresh off two foreign wars were eager to set their sights on invading rodentia.

Learning curve

The first years werent perfect. It was expensive. Some livestock, poultry and pets fell victim to the poison used. It wasnt easy to win public support, in some cases. Remember, they make good pets. People worried about the human risk too. Officials went to great lengths to prove the programs safety, with one eating warfarin-laced oats at meetings. Warfarin is used as a blood thinner for humans.

It took about a decade to bring the rat invasion firmly in hand, according to the province.

Alberta remains very serious about its rat-free status. Rat discoveries are top stories. Inspectors still patrol, inspect and dig up areas where they could be living.

Not alone

Alberta isnt the only one. South Georgia Island, near Antarctica, spent about a decade eradicating rats, led by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Introduced by whalers and sealers in the last 1800s, the rodents wrecked havoc on the native flora and fauna, driving to near extinction some rare bird species, according to National Geographic.

A lot of rats were killed to achieve rat-free status, but its an acceptable cost, conservations say. We as human beings have introduced these animals into a place where they shouldnt be, Mike Richardson, of the South Georgia trust, told National Geographic. To me, on balance, the stronger moral argument is we have a duty to remove these animals.

Others agree. Australias Macquarie Island got rid of the rodents. More islands plan to follow suit. New Zealand wants to get rid of rats, stoats and Australian possums by 2050, in a bid to protect the kiwi.

Bug out

Why am I writing about rats? Because this week, we dig into whether or not Ohio is ready for a spotted lanternfly infestation. The answer? Were not sure. We asked questions. Its up to you to gauge the information we gathered.

Spotted lanternflies are invasive planthoppers, native to China, India and Vietnam. Its host plants include grapes, hops, a range of trees, and its favorite host, the tree of heaven, or ailanthus. Theyve reached U.S. shores. Currently, Pennsylvania is keeping them at bay. Virginia is as well. A number of surrounding states, including Michigan, have developed resources for their residents.

Yes, naturally, I thought about the rat patrol. What can I say? I collect odd knowledge.

In recent research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists project the bugs potential impact. Ohio is smack dab in the middle of a Midwestern swath. Other areas include the eastern portion of Pennsylvania and down into eastern Virginia, the West Coast, parts of Europe, Australia and Argentina.

There is the potential for far reaching economic damage if the SLF (spotted lanternfly) becomes widely established in the United States, according to the USDA.

Ohio has one of the countrys most significant economies, and agriculture plays a important role. Experts say the spotted lanternfly will make its way here. I hope were ready.
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Shares of Wockhardt slumped as much as 5.3 per cent to Rs 347.55 on the BSE on Thursday after Dr Reddy's Laboratories entered into a definitive agreement with the company to acquire select divisions of its branded generics business. "The Board of Directors have considered and approved the transfer of business comprising (a) 62 products and line extensions along with related business assets and liabilities, contracts, permits, intellectual properties, employees, marketing, sales and distribution of the same in the Domestic Branded Division in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and ...

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Pakistani court allows marriage of kidnapped Christian girl because she had first period

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A court in Pakistan has ruled against the family of a kidnapped Christian girl who was forced into an Islamic marriage, saying in its decision that no law was broken if the girl had already had her first period.

The Catholic Charity Aid to the Church in Need-Italy reports that the Sindh High Court in Karachi issued the Feb. 3 ruling in the case of 14-year-old Huma Younus, who was taken from her home on Oct. 10, 2019, and later married to a radical Muslim man.

According to the charity, which is supporting the family, judge Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Irshad Ali Shah ruled that the Catholic girls marriage to her alleged abductor, Abdul Jabbar, is valid under Sharia law because the child has already had her first menstrual cycle.

Once again justice has been defeated and once again has been proved that our state does not consider Christians to be Pakistani citizens, mother Nagheena Younus told Aid to the Church in Need-Italy after the hearing.

Younus parents said their daughters marriage violates the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act forbidding the marriage of girls age 18 and younger. Although the law was passed in 2014, it has not yet been applied.

We hoped that the law could have been applied for the first time in this case, lawyer Tabassum Yousaf was quoted as saying. But evidently in Pakistan, these laws are formulated and approved only to improve the image of the country in front of the international community, [and to] ask for funds for development and trade Pakistani products on the European market for free.

Muslim-majority Pakistan ranks as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on the Open Doors USA 2020 World Watch List.

As the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports, its estimated that as many as 1,000 women and girls are forcibly converted to Islam each year in Pakistan, many of whom are kidnapped, married and subject to rape.

Last year, Pakistan lawmakers rejected a national bill that would have raised the child marriage age to 18 after it was opposed by Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadari and other officials.

According to Aid to the Church in Need, Younus was due to appear in court during last Mondays hearing, as was requested during a previous hearing held on Jan 16. However, Younus was not present for the hearing.

The judges ordered a medical examination of the child to verify her age, a request made by the familys lawyer. However, Yousaf does not trust a fair examination will take place.

It is clear that since [investigation officer Akhtar Hussain] is in charge, there is a high probability that the test results will be falsified, the lawyer argued. But we keep hoping that the girls minor age will be proven so that she could at least be entrusted to a center for women, and taken away from her rapist.

The next court hearing in the matter is scheduled for March 4. But even if the girls age can be verified, the decision to validate the marriage because of menstruation reduces the chance that Jabbar will be held to account for his actions, the charity reports.

Nagheena Younus vowed to take the case all the way to the Pakistan Supreme Court if need be.

This mornings sentence casts shame on the Pakistani judicial system, ACN-Italy Director Alessandro Monteduro said in a statement. It is unimaginable that Sharia can prevail over the law of the state. We express all our outrage, but we wont give up for Huma and the over a thousand girls that every year in Pakistan are kidnapped, raped, converted by force to Islam and forced to marry their kidnapper.

Even today we have learned that all of that is legitimate, because in Pakistan even an 8- or 9-year-old girl can legally be given as a wife if she has already had her period, he added.

According to AsiaNews, the court allowed the child to file an affidavit declaring that she got married on her own free will. However, Yousaf contends that such an affidavit can't be filed legally until the child is presented with an identity card number at the age of 18.

News of the judges ruling drew much criticism on social media.

Underage #Catholic girl Huma Younus & other girls can be married as long as they have had their first menstrual cycle, the High Court in #Pakistan ruled. This is so wrong and disgusting! former European Parliament member Marijana Petir tweeted. I urge the @EU_Commission and the international community to stop all relationship with Pakistan.

Popular Pakistani actor, writer and choreographer, Osman Khalid Butt, also voiced his dismay on Twitter.

I immediately Googled the Sindh Court ruling thinking there must be some mistake, he wrote in a tweet. How could they consider a marriage valid when it was done under duress, after an abduction & forced conversion? Boy, was I naive.

For the past two years, Pakistan has been labeled by the United States State Department as a country of particular concern for tolerating or engaging in severe violations of religious freedom.

In addition to the tolerance of forced abductions and marriages as well as societal persecution against religious minorities, Pakistan is the worlds leader when it comes to the number of people imprisoned for blasphemy.

According to blasphemy law critic Shaan Taseer, a son of the late Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, about 200 people or more are in jail in Pakistan on blasphemy charges with as many of 40 of them on death row.
Russian President Vladimir Putin today stressed that marriage should be solely a heterosexual union.

'A marriage is a union of a man and woman,' he said at a meeting with a Kremlin-appointed committee discussing new amendments to the Russian constitution.

'This is the right idea and it should be supported. We need to only think about how to formulate it and where,' he said after conservative lawmaker Olga Batalina said Russia's constitution should uphold 'traditional family values.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin today stressed that marriage should be solely a heterosexual union at a meeting to discuss constitutional amendments

He told the Russian Federal Assembly: 'A marriage is a union of a man and woman'

She claimed the family is under attack from attempts to introduce new terms like 'parent number one' and 'parent number two.'

'This is not fantasy, this is reality in some countries,' said Batalina, a senior lawmaker in the majority United Russia party who has lobbied for Russia's ban on foreign adoptions and a 'gay propaganda' law which de-facto outlawed LGBT activism.

'As long as I'm president, we won't have (parent number one and parent number two). We will have 'dad' and 'mom',' Putin said.

Putin in January announced that Russia needed changes to the constitution written in 1993 and appointed a committee of dozens of lawmakers and celebrities to come up with ideas.

Conservative lawmaker Olga Batalina claimed the family is under attack from attempts to introduce new terms like 'parent number one' and 'parent number two'

'As long as I'm president, we won't have (parent number one and parent number two). We will have 'dad' and 'mom',' Putin said

At the televised meeting today, members advised putting into the constitution phrases about Russia being a 'peacemaking state' for humankind, and a country that was victorious in World War II, among a huge range of other offers.

One committee member Yelena Isinbayeva, who holds the world record in the pole vault, admitted she had never read the constitution prior to being tapped by Putin to join the group.

'Thank you for the opportunity, I have finally read the constitution, before there was no need. Now I understand it's a very important book,' she said.

Speculation has swirled over why Putin wants an overhaul in the country's balance of power, although the Russian leader, whose presidency expires in 2024, claimed the reforms are not intended to extend his own powers.

His latest stint in the Kremlin since 2012 has overseen a pivot to more conservative policies, with groups promoting fundamentalist Orthodox Christian views gaining more legitimacy and liberal viewpoints attacked as Moscow's relations with the West soured.
Tomeka Hart revealed on Wednesday that she was foreperson on the Roger Stone jury

The foreperson on the jury that convicted Roger Stone has come forward, and is revealed to be a failed Democrat candidate for Congress and activist vehemently opposed to President Donald Trump.

Tomeka Hart, a former Memphis City Schools Board President, came forward as the Stone jury foreperson in a Facebook post on Wednesday, voicing support for prosecutors in the case.

Hart confirmed to The Daily Memphian that she wrote the Facebook post, but she declined an interview with the newspaper.

Stone supporters were shocked when a review of Hart's social media posts showed that she posted on Twitter mocking Stone's dramatic arrest prior to being seated on the jury, and frequently denounced Trump, including calling the president and his supporters racists.

It's unclear whether Stone's political views and social media history were disclosed during jury selection, potentially raising questions about fairness that could impact the verdict on appeal.

Hart (left) is seen with former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile

Hart retweeted a post about Stone's arrest in January 2019, months before the trial

Hart came forward amid controversy over Stone's sentencing, after the four prosecutors on the case withdrew in response to Trump criticizing the government's recommendation that Stone be sentenced to nine years in prison.

Trump has said that the prosecution of his former campaign advisor Stone prosecution for obstruction, false statements, and witness tampering was handled in a manner that was 'ridiculous' and an 'insult to our country.'

'I have kept my silence for months. Initially, it was for my safety. Then, I decided to remain silent out of fear of politicizing the matter,' Hart said in her Facebook post on Wednesday.

'But I can't keep quiet any longer. I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis  the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial,' Hart wrote, referring to the prosecutors who resigned in protest.

'It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice. For that, I wanted to speak up for them and ask you to join me in thanking them for their service,' she said.

Hart unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012, and is an activist who has participated in anti-Trump rallies and protests

Hart unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012, and is an activist who has participated in anti-Trump rallies and protests.

Immediately, journalists and Trump supporters began scouring Hart's social media history, finding a trove of anti-Trump sentiment.

Independent journalist Mike Cernovich was the first to report on Hart's extensive history of anti-Trump social media posts.

In January 2019, Hart also re-tweeted a post by pundit Bakari Sellers mocking Stone's arrest, and suggesting that racism was the reason conservatives were upset about the use of force in the FBI's armed pre-dawn raid on his home.

Months later, Hart was impaneled on Stone's jury. On the day the jury convicted him, she posted emojis of hearts and fist pumps.

Hart has an extensive history of posting her unfavorable views about Trump

Meanwhile, it emerged that U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had denied a defense request to strike a potential juror on the case, who was an Obama-era press official with admitted anti-Trump views.

That juror's husband worked at the same Justice Department division that handled the probe leading to Stone's prosecution.

Another Stone juror, Seth Cousins, donated to former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and other progressive causes, federal election records reviewed by Fox News show.
Unarmed Trident II Ballistic Missile Launch  U.S. Navy/John Kowalski

By Fang Xiaozhi

The American website naval-technology.com reported that the US Navy has recently commissioned a new-generation tactical nuclear weapon, the first deployment of this kind in nearly a decade. It is said that the low-yield nuclear warhead, coded W76-2, has been fitted on the Ohio-class nuclear power submarine and will be used for deterrence or tactical nuclear attack.

Since he took office, Trump has changed his predecessors cautious policies and attached great importance to the research and development of nuclear weapons. Unlike strategic nuclear weapon in the nuclear deterrence system, the use of which may trigger a world war, tactical nuclear weapon features small size, strong maneuverability and dispersive manipulation and control. It is especially suitable for launching surgical strike at specific targets when combined with a high-precision carrier, while minimizing collateral damages, making itself a handy scalpel for nuclear powers on the battlefield. Washington has increasingly stepped up the R&D of tactical nuclear weapons in recent years, making them more precise, universal and real-combat-ready.

Against such a background, the US has taken faster steps to develop and deploy small, tactical nuclear weapons. After the first batch of about 50 W76-2 tactical nuclear warheads were delivered to the US Navy, more are planned to be fitted on other carriers than the Ohio-class nuclear power submarine, such as the USS Zumwalt destroyer, Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and F-35C shipborne fighter plane. They will turn the US Navy into a nuclear naval force capable of carrying out flexible nuclear tactical attacks, which, coupled with the land-based and air-based nuclear forces, will establish a full spectrum of deterrent means of various magnitude and destructive effects.

Americas accelerated R&D and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons sabotages the relative strategic stability in the present world.

Mainly targeting Russia, US Navys re-commissioning of tactical nuclear weapons is aimed to not only offset Moscows quantitative advantage in this kind of weapons, but also to make sure Americas nuclear deterrence will remain effective in a reasonable period of time, which will give Washington an extra card to play in order to curb Russia, hence realizing a new strategic balance.

Both the US and Russia have shown signs of further strengthening the R&D and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, which is sure to lead to mutual suspicion and escalated animosity and probably a new round of nuclear arms race. Following their lead, nuclear states in the second echelon will also develop relevant weapons or defensive technologies, which will further intensify the nuclear race and exert extensive influences in many fields.

While tactical nuclear weapons are much more flexible than strategic ones on the battlefield, they are riskier as well and may cause the warfare to escalate and get out of control, leaving a string of ethical issues in its wake. This is worth close attention of the international community.

(The author is a researcher at the BRI Institute of Strategy and International Security, Fudan University)
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Are you a school student? Fancy learning a classical language such as Prakrit, Tamil or Pali? That may soon be a reality.

Also, students who have flunked their boards may now get another go at the dreaded exams.

And for those in college, how about studying a bit of history even as you pursue a degree in math?

All this, and more, could soon become a reality if the National Education Policy (NEP), which will be released in March 2020, gets the Parliament nod.

The aim of the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) is to improve the quality and access to education in India.

Through a mix of regulatory changes and developmental initiatives, MHRD will institutionalise a new set of educational standards.

"We have received all the necessary feedback from the stakeholders. The policy is expected to give a boost to the way subjects are taught in secondary and higher education," said an official.

A holistic development of students is what the MHRD's aim is. The idea is that more the number of courses available in several languages, the better it is. However, nothing is expected to be mandatory and students will be given an option to choose whichever language they are interested in.

Ranging from curriculum to board examinations, here is how the new education policy could look like.

Boost to classical languages

The first move will be to give a boost to classical languages. Here, languages like Odia, Telugu, Tamil, Pali, and Malayalam apart from Sanskrit will be introduced in schools. This is likely to be from Classes 6 to 8.

The idea is to not have these languages as a mandatory subject but instead to have a fun approach to the languages. The phonetics behind the languages, the origin as well its history would be taught. Further, relevant literature from these languages will also be converted to the medium of instruction and be made part of the curriculum across subjects.

A special emphasis will be put on the study of Sanskrit. It is likely that facilities for the study of Sanskrit, its scientific nature, and including samplings of diverse ancient and medieval writings in Sanskrit from a diverse set of authors will be made widely available in schools and higher educational institutions. It will also be offered as an optional language across all educational institutions.

Emphasis on arts

In addition to a variety of languages, MHRD is also expected to give a push around classical arts. This would include playing an instrument, singing, sculpting, drawing, painting, or a vocational craft. The idea is to use technology to bring students closer to the art. Also, local artists and crafts-persons will be recruited and utilised in schools for both short-term and full-time courses.

Restructuring of board examinations

NEP is likely to make a series of changes in the way board examinations are conducted in India. Here, a new range of elective subjects according to the students choice would be offered. It is likely that a higher emphasis will be placed on core concepts and skills.

The biggest change could be a change in the way the examination is conducted. It is likely that students may get two to three chances every year to give the examination to reduce the stress of failure. Further, schools could be advised to have more regular semester examinations rather than one board examination where a lot of high stakes are involved.

Single regulator

The MHRD is looking to merge University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). There will be a single regulatory body, and the existing multiple regulatory bodies will evolve into playing new roles.

The National Higher Education Regulatory Authority (NHERA) will be set up as the single regulatory body for the entire higher education sector.

Post this, the university grants commission and existing regulatory bodies will be transformed into the Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) and Professional Standard Setting Bodies (PSSBs), respectively.

To complement these bodies, the General Education Council (GEC) will be constituted as an academic leadership institution.

RTE ACT changes

The Right to Education Act (RTE) calls for free and compulsory education for the 6-14 years age-group. All schools are required to provide a certain percent of seats to deserving students under the Act.

It is likely that the RTE Act will be reviewed comprehensively to enable the policy. Availability of free and compulsory quality pre-primary education will be included as an integral part of the RTE Act.

Over and above thus, availability of free and compulsory quality education for Grades 9-12 will also be made an integral part of the RTE Act in 2020. Hence, the scope of the RTE Act will now be upto the age of 18 years.

Choice of choosing subjects

At present, the system of education in India is compartmentalised. This means that a student studying Arts cannot take up Mathematics as a subject while one studying engineering cannot have History as a subject. It is likely that NEP will allow students to choose a series of elective subjects that are different than the programme of study.

Through a gamut of changes, MHRD wants NEP to enable India to become a top destination of education not just for Indians but also for international students.
San Francisco, Feb 13 : Search engine tech giant Google on Thursday completed its $2.6 bn acquisition of Looker Data Sciences after receiving approval from the UK's competition authorities.

The company announced the deal in June, the first major acquisition for its new cloud business Chief Executive Officer Thomas Kurian.

"Today, hundreds of joint customers already rely on Google Cloud and Looker to make smarter business decisions. And by joining together, we believe we will be uniquely positioned to address the data analytics and business intelligence demands of even more enterprises globally, across all industries," Thomas Kurian CEO, Google Cloud said in a statement.

Santa Cruz, California-headquartered Looker's tool enables analysts and other workers to define calculations as well as visualize trends in their data without writing complicated scripts.

"Looker will strengthen Google Cloud's analytics and data warehouse capabilities, including BigQuery, enabling our customers to address some of their toughest business challenges, faster-all while maintaining complete control of their data," Kuriant added.

Moreover, Looker customers and partners can expect continued support of all cloud data management systems like Amazon Redshift, Azure SQL, Snowflake, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and Teradata.
TV actor Rashami Desai has accepted that she went bankrupt and former boyfriend Arhaan Khan had claimed to have helped her during the time. Her manager, however, has now said that though the TV actor was out of work for a few months, she was never bankrupt.

Rashamis manager told Pinkvilla in an interview, Rashami and I have been working with each other since 2013. About bankruptcy, even if Rashami stops working today, for the next 10 years she cannot get bankrupt. For someone who owns a flat in a high-end building in a Mumbai, has four more vehicles. The time which Arhaan mentioned (where she allegedly was bankrupt), she owned two luxury cars which were on her own.

Also read: Angrezi Medium trailer: This is Irrfan Khan we have all been waiting for. Watch

He added,  Yes, I can say that she was in a space where she wasnt working on television. She was not getting her big monthly cheques. You can say that she took a break of 4-5 months which every actor takes which was her choice. Despite that she had been doing events. She is the queen of events from the world of television. She fends herself well even during her sabbatical.

Reminded that Rashami also said inside the house that she was bankrupt, Santosh said, We know Rashami accepted that she was bankrupt inside the house, she might have said it in a moment, just like she said she knew of Arhaans marriage initially. Once she is out, she might clarify that she was never bankrupt. Whatever relationship she had with Arhaan, but no one can never attach the word bankruptcy with Rashami.

Talking to Arhaan about her issues with Sidharth Shukla, Rashami had said admitted she was bankrupt. She claimed he was sent out of the show twice, adding that he would often abuse her and taunt her on the sets of Dil Se Dil Tak. When Arhaan questioned Rashamis silence at the time, she asserted her need for work. I was bankrupt, I had loans to pay back, I did not have a house. So I just decided I should ignore all that and stick to my professional attitude and work, she said.

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Parts of Australia's east could see more heavy rainfall and flooding this weekend - while northern regions are set to sweat in dry and scorching hot temperatures.

Northern NSW and southern Queensland have experienced the 'wettest week in decades', according to meteorologists.

The Gold Coast recorded its highest ever monthly rainfall total with about 566mm falling in the first two weeks of the month. The previous monthly record was in December 2010 with 490mm.

NSW received a record-setting rainfall earlier on in the week, with up to 550mm falling across parts of the northern rivers, mid-north coast, Central Coast, Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.

Major flood warnings remains in place for the Logan River, just north of the Gold Coast, and catchments throughout the state.

Much of NSW will remain dry on Friday, with wet weather expected to creep over the weekend.

Northern NSW and southern Queensland have experienced the 'wettest week in decades', according to meteorologists (Pictured: A man struggles with the wind and rain on Sunday)

Footage posted on social media showed ferocious rapids running down the road at Tamborine Mountain, with a wall of water inundating shops

Floodwaters will take some time to drain away however falls are expected to top 5-15mm over the weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology said

However, widespread heavy falls across the state's southeast corner are expected to ease on Friday, forecasters predict.

Falls of up to 5-15mm are expected over the weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Meanwhile, severe to extreme heatwave conditions are playing out almost everywhere north of Longreach to the northern peninsula area.

Those most extreme conditions are being felt between Cairns and Townsville, and northwest of Mt Isa.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the far north and Cape York from early next week, with showers returning to much of the state from Sunday.

A hazardous swell will continue into Friday, but ease over the weekend as ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi tracks south. Gold Coast beaches will remain closed.

An evacuation centre was established in the Gold Coast after flood warnings were issued for the Coomera River, affecting Oxenford, Hope Island, and Helensvale residents

On Thursday, Gold Coast residents were urged to move to higher ground as a torrential downpour swept away cars and flooded roads.

Footage posted on social media showed ferocious rapids running down the road at Tamborine Mountain, with a wall of water inundating shops.

Gold Coast woman Yang Chen, 26, had been walking with a man near Gorge Falls in the Tallebudgera Valley when he lost sight of her at 11am on Wednesday

Meanwhile, a search is ongoing for missing woman Yang Chen, 26, who disappeared in the Gold Coast hinterland while walking with a man near Gorge Falls in the Tallebudgera Valley.

Authorities hold concern as many creeks are still overflowing after the torrential downpours over the past week.

Her disappearance comes as a nine-year-old boy had to be rescued after he was sucked down a drain in the city on Wednesday.

The body of a man who had been kayaking on the Mary River on the Sunshine Coast was also discovered earlier this week.

An evacuation centre was established after flood warnings were issued for the Coomera River, affecting Oxenford, Hope Island, and Helensvale residents.

Floodwaters will take some time to drain away however falls are expected to top 5-15mm over the weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Warnings for coastal catchments between Bundaberg and the NSW border are in place.

This includes a major flood warning for the Condamine River, downstream of Warwick in southern Queensland, and the Coomera River.

Major flood warnings were in place on Thursday night as more than 140mm of rain were dumped across the northern suburbs in just a three-hour period. Pictured: Closed road due to flash flooding in the Gold Coast

A major flood warning in place for the Logan River at Beaudesert, along with a mild warning for the Albert River on Thursday will continue into Friday.

Widespread heavy falls across the state's southeast corner will begin to drop off on Friday, particularly on the Gold Coast, forecasters predict.

In the north, severe to extreme heatwave conditions are playing out almost everywhere north of Longreach, apart from the northern peninsular area.

Those more extreme conditions are being felt between Cairns and Townsville, and northwest of Mt Isa.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the far north and Cape York from early next week, with showers returning to much of the state from Sunday.

A major flood warning in place for the Logan River at Beaudesert, along with a mild warning for the Albert River on Thursday will continue into Friday

The wild weather comes as Tropical Cyclone Uesi makes its way south, towards the east coast

Hazardous swell that has lured some of Australia's top surfers to the Gold Coast will continue into Friday but east over the weekend as ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi tracks due east of the Queensland-NSW border.

Uesi continues to stir up wild weather including hazardous surf and swell conditions off the NSW coast, particularly around Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and the Hunter coast.

Flood warnings remain in place for rivers on the NSW coast as a low pressure trough moves further south in the wake of Uesi.

The affected areas include the Tweed, Wilsons, Brunswick, Marshalls, Wooli, Bellinger, Upper Nepean, Tuggerah Lake, Orara River, Weir River and Paroo River.

Sydney is facing more wet weather over the weekend after last week's deluge, with rain showers and thunderstorms expected on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, particularly over western Sydney.

Rain is also forecast for much of the NSW coast on Friday with major falls expected in Sydney, the Northern Tablelands, Mid-North Coast, Hunter and South Coast.

Cars travel through flooded roads in Sydney on Sunday after a heavy downpour hammered New South Wales

High rainfall in the past week - the worst in about 20 years - has caused havoc with flash flooding and storm damage to the Greater Sydney and coastal regions.

Thousands of Sydney siders are still suffering from power blackouts sparked by last weekend's torrential rains.

Some 15,000 homes and businesses are without power across Sydney and the Central Coast, including three schools in Arcadia, Peakhurst and Somersby and power providers have warned repair works aren't likely to be completed until the end of Sunday.

'In the hardest-hit areas, the network is being rebuilt from the ground up on a street-by-street basis,' Ausgrid said.

But the rain has also brought much-needed relief for firefighters and the NSW Rural Fire Service on Thursday was finally able to say there were no uncontained fires for the first time this season.

'All fires are contained so we can really focus on helping people rebuild,' NSW RFS deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said in a video posted on Twitter.

There are currently 24 fires burning in NSW, all south of Sydney.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/12/2020



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Angela Deem has shared that her mother, Glenda Faye Standridge, has sadly passed away at age 77.Angela made the announcement this past weekend on Instagram by sharing two photos of her mother, one of which included herself."We love you moma, But God love you more! Rest in peace mama. We love and will miss you," Angela captioned the photos.On Monday, Angela posted her mother's obituary on Instagram and wrote alongside it, "Thank you all for the Messages and prayers."According to the obituary, Glenda from Hazlehurst, GA, died on Saturday, February 8 at St. Vincent 's Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.Glenda, born on November 25, 1942 in Okeechobee, FL, was a homemaker and of Baptist faith."She is preceded in death by her husband, Marcene Standridge. Survivors include her daughter, Angela Deem , and son-in-law Michael Ilesanmi of Hazlehurst" as well as two sisters, two granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren, reads the obituary.Visitation and funeral services were held Tuesday, February 11 in the Chapel of Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home. Visitation began at 10AM, followed by the funeral service one hour later.Glenda's burial took place at Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.Angela appeared very close to her mother, as shown on multiple seasons of the franchise. In fact, Glenda lived with Angela prior to her death.Angela and Michael just starred on Season 7 of , which aired its finale on Sunday, February 9.Prior to the current season, Angela from Georgia and Michael from Nigeria starred on Season 2 of : Before the 90 Days followed by Season 3 of the TLC spinoff.Angela, a divorced grandmother, fell hard and fast for Michael, whose formal name is Kehinde Ilesanmi, after they met on Facebook.Angela and Michael got to know each other over the phone for several months, and then Angela decided to travel to Nigeria to meet Michael in person for the first time -- despite having received warnings from friends and family that he might be scamming her.Angela did discover some red flags with Michael in Nigeria, but she wanted to give her relationship a chance and needed more time to get to know Michael and his intentions better.As their romance continued, Angela developed trust issues and constantly accused Michael of lying to her about his social-media activity, partying and other alleged women in his life.Angela and Michael therefore seemed to fight more than they were happy together, but they always reconciled and resumed their relationship in the face of adversity.Another point of contention was that Michael's friends didn't approve of Angela, whom they called controlling and trashy, much to Michael's dismay.The main problem for Angela and Michael, however, is that Michael wants to have a baby so his family name will continue on. Given Angela's age, there isn't much hope she can carry a baby herself."I would be lying if I tell her I can be happy without a child," Michael confessed to cameras during the third season of : Before the 90 Days.Regardless, Angela and Michael wanted to get married, so Michael applied for a K-1 visa and went into his interview very prepared and confident."If Michael fails this interview, I told him, 'We're probably done'... I don't have the strength. I'm not getting any younger. It's either the K-1 or K-done," Angela told the cameras on 's seventh season.But Michael was ultimately denied the visa, and he and Angela got angry and emotional over the blow to their hearts.Angela and Michael exchanged professions of love, however, and promised to stay together in these difficult times.Angela was ready to "fight like hell" to get Michael over to the United States. The main reason she wanted to marry Michael in America was because of her sick mother, whom Angela desperately wanted at her wedding.After figuring out their options, Angela visited Michael in Nigeria again, and with the support from Michael's family, she came around to the idea of marrying her love in Nigeria so he could obtain a K-3 spousal visa to come to America.Based on advice from lawyers, a Nigerian wedding would speed the process along rather than submitting an appeal for Michael's K-1 visa denial."I came on this trip thinking, 'I am not getting married here in Nigeria,' but I'm going to give it a chance and be open-minded and discuss the spousal visa," Angela said in a confessional.However, Angela learned she would need a witness at the wedding, and she wasn't sure she could convince a family member to travel to Nigeria with her."The compromise me and Michael have come to is plan the wedding here in Nigeria, but if the K-1 letter comes in and it's good news from our lawyer, the Nigerian wedding is off and we're getting married in America," Angela explained. "We're going to do it either way."To read spoilers on Angela and Michael's relationship and whether Angela agreed to marry in Nigeria, click here Want spoilers? Click here to visit our Spoilers webpage!
COLUMBIA  U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, one of only two Democratic congressmen from South Carolina, forcefully rebuked U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday, jolting the state's "First in the South" presidential primary race just hours after the Vermont senator won in New Hampshire.

In a statement to The Post and Courier, the first-term congressman from Charleston said he does not plan on making an endorsement ahead of South Carolina's Feb. 29 primary but will "defend our Lowcountry values of opportunity, pragmatism and common sense.

South Carolinians dont want socialism," Cunningham said. "We want to know how you are going to get things done and how you are going to pay for them. Bernies proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the Lowcountry wants and not something Id ever support."

Asked if he would support Sanders if he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee, Cunningham rejected the question's premise.

"Bernie Sanders will not be the nominee," he said.

Sanders' campaign declined to respond.

Cunningham's statement represents the first time he has substantially waded into the presidential contest and comes just as national attention is turning towards his home state of South Carolina.

Sanders has soared into front-runner status after strong performances in the first two nominating states of Iowa and New Hampshire and is looking to build on that momentum in the Nevada caucuses and South Carolina primary.

Other candidates have long warned that they believe Sanders would have a damaging effect on down-ballot races if he is the Democratic nominee at the top of the ticket in November.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden, who remains the front-runner in South Carolina, has most explicitly made that case, arguing Sanders would hurt vulnerable Democrats in competitive districts like Cunningham as they try to win reelection.

In 2018, Cunningham flipped a seat that had been held by Republicans for four decades in large part by casting himself as a moderate Democrat who would look out for the district over partisan politics.

Several other moderate House Democrats in similar positions to Cunningham are reportedly increasingly anxious about the possibility of Sanders becoming the nominee, fearing it would imperil their chances of maintaining the House majority.

South Carolina Republicans did not cede any credit to Cunningham for criticizing Sanders, arguing the Democratic Party is already "the party of socialism."

"Joe Cunningham has a right to be nervous that Bernie Sanders' radical socialist agenda will drag his party down in defeat," said S.C. GOP spokesman Joe Jackson. "But it is laughable that he would actually stand up for 'Lowcountry values'  that was made clear the day he decided to put party over country and voted to impeach President Trump."

South Carolina's other Democratic congressman, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of Columbia, has also not endorsed in the race yet and has made clear that, if he does weigh in, it will not be until after the South Carolina primary debate on Feb. 25.

Clyburn has spoken fondly of Biden, with whom he shares the closest relationship among the Democratic primary field, and he has said from the outset of the race that he views Biden as the frontrunner in the state.

Biden supporters have described South Carolina as a "must-win" for his campaign, especially after his significant setbacks in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The former vice president has faced increasing competition from Sanders and businessman Tom Steyer, both of whom have invested substantial resources in South Carolina as they seek to chip away at Biden's lead among black voters, who comprise roughly two-thirds of the state's Democratic electorate.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk met with United States Secretary of Defense Mark Thomas Esper in Brussels today, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has reported.

"Zahorodniuk informed his U.S. counterpart about the state of the Joint Forces operation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, noting that despite the Russian armed aggression in eastern Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to reform and transform in order to meet criteria for NATO membership," the statement reads.

According to the minister, the restructuring of the Ukrainian Army is aimed at achieving a clear separation of authority between 2 bodies, based on NATO principles.

During the meeting, the parties also paid attention to the issues of bilateral defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United States of America. In this context, Zahorodniuk thanked the U.S. for its material and advisory assistance to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian side expressed interest in the development of military and technical cooperation in the field of defense procurement, expanding the military-political dialogue and holding consultations, in particular, on security issues in the Black Sea region.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense expressed support for Ukraine in implementing reforms and obtaining the EOP status. The parties agreed to continue the dialogue at the level of heads of defense agencies in 2020.

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Rocket attack slams into Iraqi base in remote province of Kirkuk where US troops are stationed, report says.

A rocket attack has slammed into an Iraqi base in the remote province of Kirkuk where US troops are stationed, security sources said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, AFP news agency citing Iraqi and US security sources reported on Thursday.

Three separate Iraqi security sources told AFP that the Katyusha rocket hit the K1 base at around 8:45pm local time (1745 GMT) and US military aircraft immediately began flying low over the area.

It was the first attack on the K1 base since December 27, when a volley of about 30 rockets killed a US contractor there, which Washington blamed on Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi military faction close to Iran.

The US then carried out retaliatory attacks that killed 25 Kataib Hezbollah fighters.

Days later, another strike killed the head of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani and Kataib Hezbollah cofounder, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

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Reporting from Baghdad, Al Jazeeras Simona Foltyn said the attack came at the end of a 40-day mourning in Iran over Soleimanis death.

There is the possibility that this has to do with the end of the 40-day mourning period for Qassem Soleimani today, she said, adding that the attack could reignite tensions in the region.

The attack infuriated Shia Iraqi legislators who voted to remove more than 5,000 US troops deployed in the country in a January 3 Parliament session.

Iran retaliated for Soleimanis killing with a barrage of missiles that targeted two airbases hosting US troops in Irbil and Ain al-Asad. The troops had prior warning and none were killed, but more than 100 have since been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

Iran and the US have since refrained from further escalation, but the issue of US troops has monopolised Iraqi politics.

There is a fear that such rocket attacks will trigger a response that will lead once again into an escalation in a crisis that has only recently calmed down, Foltyn said.
Sallie Krawcheck at Ellevate's Mobilize Women Summit in 2019. Ellevate Orange County is focused on creating value and impact in our community.

Ellevate Network, the nations leading community for women at work, celebrates the Orange County Chapters 3rd Anniversary on Wednesday, February 19th with a fireside chat event featuring Sallie Krawcheck, Chair of Ellevate Network and the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital-first, mission-driven investment platform for women.

With more than 40 chapters globally, Ellevate provides ambitious professional women with local opportunities to connect with one another to expand their network and develop their professional skills.

The fireside chat event will be held at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa, California and it will be an inspiring evening with intentional networking, light refreshments, and door prizes. The Chapter is grateful for the support of the local business community. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet high achieving professional Orange County women, discuss important tips for personal and professional success.

Ellevate Network CEO Kristy Wallace said, "Ellevate's community is full of change-makers in communities, businesses, and the world. Ellevate's community has a depth and authenticity that is unique and I'm thankful to the Orange County Chapter, especially the chapter leadership team, for making the Ellevate community stronger."

Before launching Ellevest, Krawcheck built a successful career on Wall Street: She was the CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney; US Trust; Citi Private Bank; and Sanford C. Bernstein, and CFO for Citigroup. Krawcheck has been called one of the top 10 up and coming entrepreneurs to watch by Entrepreneur Magazine, has landed on Vanity Fairs The 2018 New Establishment List and is considered one of the "Most Influential People in ESG Investing" by Barron's.

Judith Lukomski, Ellevate Orange County Chapter President and Chief Evolution Officer of Transitions Today, will be moderating the fireside chat. Judith shared, "We are thrilled to have trailblazer and industry innovator Sallie Krawcheck share her insights with the Chapter. Ellevate Orange County is focused on creating value and impact in our community. The growth of our diverse and inclusive group speaks to our commitment to accelerate women in leadership and ensure workplace equity."

Debra Fitts, Chapter Treasurer and Director of State & Local Government and Public Education at American Express said, "Ellevate Orange County hosts compelling topical events and offers opportunities to build meaningful relationships. Our members are a diverse group of professional women, not only from an industry perspective but also from a demographic and age perspective."

Kerry Corriveau, Chapter Marketing Lead and General Manager at Personnel Concepts recalls her experience with Ellevate. "I found Ellevate Orange County at a time of major transition for me professionally. I was attracted by their stated mission to eliminate the gender wage and achievement gaps. I stayed for the community and support.

Details for the event: Wednesday, February 19th, 5:45-8:00 pm PST at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel | 3350 Avenue of the Arts | Costa Mesa, CA. Tickets are $35 for members and $55 for non-members.

To register, click here. For more information about this event, contact the Ellevate Orange County Chapter at: orangecounty@ellevatenetwork.com.

About Ellevate Network Ellevate Network is a global network of professional women committed to elevating each other through education, inspiration, and opportunity. We believe that when ambitious professional women get more opportunity  to have a voice in important conversations, to have a seat at the table where decisions are made, to steer our collective economic power towards that which we care about  it ultimately benefits everyone and leads to a more equal world. We do this by providing women with a community to lean on and learn from. Ellevate also works with companies committed to gender diversity and has a proven track record of changing business culture from the inside out.
The 2020 presidential budget eliminates, among other critical services, Community Service Block Grant funding, better known as CSBG funding. This funding has been in the federal budget for more than 50 years. It has always had bipartisan support, and this year is no different.

Across the country, there are 1,000 community action agencies dispensing hope and critical services, with 25 community action agencies in New Jersey. These agencies serve individuals at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of three, this equates to an annual income of $27,150.

CSBG funding is unique. It is one funding stream that allows low-income residents to have a voice in what services should be provided and how they should be delivered. For many people, these evidenced-based and outcome-driven programs are the difference between homelessness and stable housing, the difference between hunger and nutritional food. These agencies serve our most vulnerable residents, and these are the services that connect our community members to opportunities.

It is truly disheartening to think these safeguards could be eliminated. For every $1 of federal CSBG funding, another $19.80 is leveraged in New Jersey by local, state and private funding across the network. CSBG funding, HR 1695, really is the glue that holds our communities together and should not be eliminated.

Georjean Trinkle

Hampton
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 00:34:09|Editor: huaxia

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Bernie Sanders speaks at a rally at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the United States, Feb. 2, 2020. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Bernie Sanders declared victory in a New Hampshire rally after the projections were announced, while Pete Buttigieg at his rally congratulated the Vermont senator on the result.

MANCHESTER, the United States, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The New Hampshire Democratic primary is in the national limelight as a tight race and two dropouts have defined the "starting gun" voting.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is less than 2 percentage points ahead of Indiana ex-mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is followed by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, according to a real-time tally by CNN.

Several U.S. media outlets have projected Sanders the winner in New Hampshire.

Garrett Gagnon, a resident of Manchester, New Hampshire, told Xinhua that he voted for Sanders because he thinks the progressive who supports "Medicare-for-All," a single-payer national health insurance program for all U.S. residents, has "the correct platform."

Sanders declared victory in a New Hampshire rally after the projections were announced, while Buttigieg at his rally congratulated the Vermont senator on the result.

According to the primary rules of the Democratic Party, New Hampshire's 24 pledged delegates will be allocated to the three contenders proportionally based on the results of the primary.

A number of other Democrats, including U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, are not expected to earn any delegates from New Hampshire, as none of them are projected to meet a 15-percent threshold to be considered viable.

Pete Buttigieg speaks at a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the United States, Feb. 1, 2020. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Tuesday's Democratic primary in New Hampshire came over a week after the party's caucuses in Iowa, in which Buttigieg and Sanders were also neck-and-neck.

Sitting President Donald Trump is projected to win the Granite State's Republican primary, also held on Tuesday, as he was facing no major challenges in the party. In a late night tweet, he touted the victory and claimed that "there is nothing too fabulous" on the Democratic side.

In 2016, Trump won New Hampshire's GOP primary, although he lost the state to his then Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in the November election by a 0.4-percent margin.

The New Hampshire primaries, the first voting events of this election cycle, began after midnight Tuesday, with the first group of voters casting ballots in several rural places, including Dixville Notch, a northern town close to the Canadian border.

"Midnight voting in New Hampshire, along with New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status, basically becomes the starting gun for the race," Tom Tillotson, Dixville Notch's election moderator, told Xinhua.

U.S. Democratic presidential contender Andrew Yang (front) attends a rally at George Mason University, Virginia, the United States, on Nov. 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Two Democratic candidates, tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, ended their campaigns shortly after polls closed in New Hampshire on Tuesday evening.

"I am the math guy, and it is clear tonight from the numbers that we are not going to win this race," Yang told supporters. "I am not someone who wants to accept donations and support in a race that we will not win. And so tonight I am announcing I am suspending my campaign for president."

David Axelrod, director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, called Yang "a breath of fresh air in the race."

"A unique, humane and often humorous voice, who shone a light on the impact of technological change and offered bold, thoughtful answers," Axelrod tweeted. "This is not the last we will hear from him."

Bennett, in a tweet, said New Hampshire could see him once again.

Nine contenders remain for the Democratic Party's nomination to challenge Trump. Deval Patrick, former governor of Massachusetts, said Tuesday that he will soon "make some decisions" on the future of his Democratic presidential campaign.

Biden, who is leading in national polls amid lackluster performances in both Iowa and New Hampshire, is turning to Nevada and South Carolina, the next two states in the Democratic nominating process.

"We just heard from the first two of 50 states. Two of them. Not all the nation, not half the nation, not a quarter of the nation, not 10 percent -- two. Two," Biden told supporters in South Carolina. "Where I come from that's the opening bell, not the closing bell."

Nancy Cooney, from Boston, Massachusetts, told Xinhua that she supports Biden and feels he's the "best person positioned to unite the Democratic Party," although she has concerns about his performance so far in the race.

"I think that he probably will do better in some of the other, later primaries for sure," said Cooney. "But it's kind of unclear now who's gonna be able to, you know, pull it all together." 
New York City, NY, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendio, the nations leading marketplace for small business loans, today announced plans to host its inaugural Women in Business Empowerment Workshop. Designed to address the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, the event will provide insight into what it takes to set up a business and prepare to access debt capital. Attendees will receive guidance from financial experts as well as the chance to network with other business owners and business groups from the community.

The free event is aimed at helping aspiring female entrepreneurs and business owners looking to launch or take a business to the next level. It will be held in New York City on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Presentations will be given by Denada Ramnishta, SVP of Lender & Partner Strategy at Lendio, as well as other small business finance specialists.

A Lendio study shows that only 24% of the businesses accessing capital in the past year are women-owned. Still, as online lending continues to grow, so does the number of women-owned businesses taking advantage of it. Lendio found that in the last quarter of 2019, the percentage of women-owned businesses borrowing money increased in 25 states.

Women-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs in the United States, yet theyre still financially underserved, said Ramnishta. As an industry, we are making progress but still have work to do. Its critical for lenders to step in to fill the gender credit gap that has existed for years. We at Lendio believe strongly in the power of bringing women together to talk about these common challenges and possible solutions.

Catering for the evening will be provided by a local, woman-owned business. RSVP Events is a boutique event catering and staffing company owned and directed by Renee Kehinde. Started in 2015, RSVP has served at well over 100 corporate and social events. Kehinde says as a female business owner she often feels underestimated, but loves the excitement of working in a challenging industry and locale.

Operating a catering business involves hiring staff and outside vendors, which I find personally rewarding by contributing to my local community and economy, said Kehinde. I care as deeply about my staff as I do the success of my clients events, so when the food is being devoured as fast as we serve it, the drinks are flowing and the guests and RSVP team are happy, that is the moment I feel most successful.

Ive seen so many entrepreneurs go through the grind of trying to access capital to start or grow a business. Once they do, they have the power to add real value to the worldeconomic and otherwise, continued Ramnishta. Nothing could be more inspiring to me. Lendio is pleased to be kicking off this series of womens empowerment workshops across the country as an important part of its quest to make small business lending more accessible.

Lendio is a free online service that helps small business owners find the right loans for their diverse needs. Founded in 2011 by Brock Blake and Trent Miskin, it is now the nations largest small business loan marketplace. To-date, Lendio has facilitated nearly $2B in financing through more than 100,000 small business loans, and has become a trusted advocate for small business owners seeking to understand their financing options.

Lendio thanks the co-sponsors of the Women in Business Empowerment Workshop, Tribeca Ventures and CommonBond. Interested attendees must register for the free event on or before March 1.

To learn more about Lendio, visit www.lendio.com.





About Lendio

Lendio is a free online service that leverages machine learning to help business owners find the right small business loans within minutes. With a network of over 75 lenders offering multiple loan products and over 100,000 small business loans funded, Lendios marketplace is the center of small business lending. Lendio was recently recognized by Glassdoor as one of the Top 50 Workplaces and has been certified for three years running as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work. In addition, Lendio ranks on Fortunes Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance and Inc.s Best Workplaces. For every new loan facilitated on Lendios marketplace platform, Lendio Gives, an employee contribution and employer matching program, provides a microloan to a low-income entrepreneur around the world through Kiva.org. More information about Lendio is available at www.lendio.com. Information about Lendio franchising opportunities can be found at www.lendio.com/franchise.
Over three-quarters of dairy farmers in Northern Ireland are 'not happy' with the current milk price situation, according to a survey.

The dairy questionnaire was conducted by the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) at the recent Winter Fair, to reflect the feeling on the ground.

The milk price being paid by dairy processors generated the most debate, the survey shows.

Over 77 percent of those interviewed in the questionnaire were not happy with their milk price, and 72% said they are in favour of constituent pricing.

Only 27 percent knew how their dairy processor calculated the monthly base price they receive.

While the majority of farmers were happy with the milk testing service, 38% felt the service provided was either fair or poor.

Just under half (48%) of farmers were optimistic about the future for dairying in Northern Ireland, 41% were unhappy and 11% were unsure about the future.

The survey attracted 212 respondents, representing 8.33 percent of dairy farms in Northern Ireland, the UFU said.

The union's deputy president Victor Chesnutt said: It is clear that a number of issues need to be addressed in the dairy sector, particularly the calculation of the base milk price that processors generate each month.

With the DEFRA consultation on milk contracts approaching, this is a timely opportunity to have this discussion.

Throughout 2019 the UFU challenged local processors on the farmgate milk prices and were not surprised to see so many expressing their discontentment about the milk base price they received.

Farmers have been calling for the debate to be opened on what constituent pricing may look like in Northern Ireland.

The union's dairy committee have agreed that in collaboration with the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, a body of work should be conducted to look at this.

Mr Chesnutt added that one of the most concerning results from the survey is that while the majority of farmers were optimistic about the future, a significant number were unhappy or unsure.

We must use the information we have gathered to help improve certain aspects within diary, to ensure that every farmer in NI is receiving fair returns and can be confident about the future of their business, he said.
New Delhi/UNI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday called for mutual assistance among the BIMSTEC countries to prevent drug trafficking, terrorism and transnational crime.

Inaugurating the two-day conference on controlling drug trafficking for BIMSTEC countries here, he said that India has prepared a strong policy to prevent this menace and has also reviewed the policies for prosecution and coordination among the various agencies working at different levels.

Assuring the participant countries ( Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan), that neither India will allow the entry of drugs from any part of the world nor will let the drug export from this soil, Mr Shah said that India has zero tolerance policy for drug trafficking and also taken some strong steps to prevent this problem.

He further said besides having diplomatic relations with the participant nations, India also shares the culture and traditions and the nations near Bay of Bengal have to work in close coordination to prevent this menace.

''India has taken major initiatives with United Nations(UN) and Interpol to have a better coordination with international agencies and revisited manuals and policies,'' Mr Shah said.

He also briefed about the measures taken by the Union Home Ministry such as setting up a National Coordination unit for better cooperation between various agencies at Centre and state levels, Joint Committee for the proper identification of drugs, digitalisation of drug data and e-portal.

The Minister also said that the enforcement agencies have arrested over two lakh people, including foreigners.

Referring to UN World Drug Report, the Home Minister said that 5.5 per cent of the world population between the age group of 15 -64 has been affected by the drug menace.

The profit earned through this illegal drug trade is mostly used in de-establising the Governments and the societies as well, he added.

The traffickers are using sea routes and in September last year, a huge quantity was seized near Andaman Islands.

Mr Shah said that India has initiated a campaign to create awareness among the internet and social media users as these have been in use for drug trafficking.

The two-day symposium has been organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau of India. Minister of States for External Affairs P Murlidharan, BIMSTEC Secretary General Shaidul Islam and Union Home Secretary and Director General NCB were present on the occasion.
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Fejiro Oliver, the publisher of the privately owned Secret Reporters news site, is scheduled to appear in court in Nigerias southwestern Lagos city on May 28, 2020, after years of adjourned legal proceedings, he told CPJ. Department of State Services (DSS) agents separately questioned him three times about his reporting in 2019, he said. Olivers real name is Tega Oghenedoro, but he goes by his pen name.

Police arrested Oliver in Uyo, the capital of Nigerias southern Akwa Ibom State where he is based, on March 16, 2017, according to an account he posted on Facebook at the time. They detained him for three days and confiscated his two phones, which have yet to be returned, he told CPJ in October 2019. Following his arraignment, Oliver was held for an additional month until he was able to fulfil bail conditions on May 11, 2017, the privately owned Sahara Reporters online newspaper reported at the time.

CPJ reached Kenneth Ogbeifun, the investigating officer in Olivers case in Lagos, in January 2020; he said the line was poor and asked for questions by email. CPJ did not receive responses to questions emailed to an address Ogbeifun provided or to follow up messages.

Oliver faces five counts of violating the 2015 cybercrime act in relation to February 2017 Secret Reporters articles detailing alleged corruption in Nigerias Sterling Bank, he and his lawyer Inibehe Effiong told CPJ. In a petition to police, bank staff said the reports involved threat to life, malicious publication and defamation of character, according to Sahara Reporters. The same staffers sued Oliver for libel over the same articles; that civil case was ongoing in February 2020, according to Oliver and Effiong. Dennis Ukpabi, a former staff member of Nigerias Lagos-based Sterling Bank turned whistleblower, was also charged, according to a copy of the charge sheet reviewed by CPJ.

In February, CPJ emailed request for comment on the criminal and civil cases against Oliver to two of Sterling Banks publicly listed addresses, but received no response before publication. Follow up calls to the banks publicly listed phone numbers on February 11 did not connect.

Both men were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit cybercrime and four counts of cyberstalking for emailing Secret Reporters articles to four employees of the bank between February 1 and 13, 2017, according to Oliver and Effiongthough Oliver told CPJ that Ukpabi was not involved in distributing Secret Reporters content. Under penalties listed in the cybercrime act, Oliver could face up to 19 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

DSS agents have separately summoned Oliver three times for questioning in relation to his reporting in 2019, most recently over September 21 and 23 articles concerning Nigerias oil politics and alleged corruption, he told CPJ. At the time of publishing, the two September 2019 articles had been temporarily taken offline, Oliver told CPJ. CPJs calls to Peter Afunanya, spokesperson for the DSS, went unanswered.

During the 2017 investigation, police pressured a chain of individuals connected to Oliver to lure him to a meeting so they could arrest him, according to CPJ interviews.

Olivers acquaintance Prince Kpokpogri told CPJ in an interview that back in March 2017 police detained him in Asaba, the capital of Nigerias southern Delta State where he lives, then drove him 220 kilometers to Uyo where they told him to arrange a meeting with Oliver. They told him they knew he spoke to Oliver often over the phone, he said. Kpokpogri is the publisher of Integrity Watchdog magazine.

They knew once [Kpokpogri] calls me I will answer, Oliver told CPJ. Police told him that previous efforts to find him had been unsuccessful, so they had tracked his most frequent callers, he said.

The policeman saidthey bugged Fejiros line and then discovered Im his frequent caller, Kpokpogri told CPJ.

Kpokpogri told CPJ that police held him overnight in Uyo, then took him and Oliver to Benin City, the capital of southern Edo State, where they released him without charge. Oliver told CPJ he was then flown on to Lagos. Both men told CPJ that the officersincluding one who told them his name was Mosesidentified themselves to them as being from Benin Citys Sapele Road police headquarters.

CPJ was unable to establish why the investigation involved officers from Benin City. CPJs mid-January calls to Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson for the Edo state police, rang unanswered.

An officer in Benin City who responded affirmatively to the name Moses when he answered CPJs phone call in January 2020, said Kpokpogri and Oliver were arrested on behalf of officers in Lagos. He disconnected the line when asked to elaborate, and subsequent calls rang unanswered or did not connect. CPJ was unable to confirm his full name.

Kpokpogri told CPJ that his friend Isaac Omomedia, an aide to the Delta State governor who did not know Oliver, was pressured into luring Kpokpogri to meet the police using similar tactics. Omomedia told CPJ he did not know why police tricked him to get to Kpokpogri. He described the experience as stressful. Kpokpogri told CPJ police had used him and wasted his time.

Telecommunications providers are legally required to assist criminal investigations under the Nigerian Communications Act, and related regulations governing enforcement and SIM card registration give law enforcement access to telecom user data with limited oversight, according to a CPJs review of the legislation and regulations, as well as reporting. Authorities may also surveil communications under the cybercrime act and regulations released by the Nigerian Communications Commission in October 2019.

Omomedia and Kpokpogri each said their telecom providers at the time were MTN. Oliver asked for the name of his telecom provider to be withheld from this report for privacy reasons.

CPJ reached Funso Aina, head of public relations for MTN in Nigeria, by phone in November 2019 and on request emailed questions about how and when MTN makes communications information available to security agencies, but received no response before publication; follow up calls and messages went unanswered.
On January 31, US President Donald Trump expanded his controversial travel ban to include six additional countries, including my home country, Eritrea.

Reportedly, Eritrea was included in the ban for three reasons: the Eritrean governments lack of cooperation with the US in its efforts to remove Eritrean nationals living in the country without proper documentation; widespread visa overstays by Eritrean nationals; and the African countrys inability to comply with the US information-sharing criteria on matters of national security and safety.

The decision was a devastating blow for thousands of already beleaguered Eritreans. Without the possibility of seeking safety in the US, they are now left to make an impossible choice between embarking on a deadly journey towards an unwelcoming Europe, facing gross abuses in Sudan, shuttered opportunities in Ethiopia, or tolerating what passes for life in the open-air prison that is Eritrea.

By expanding its travel ban to include Eritrean nationals, the US not only condemned thousands of innocent people to a life of oppression, uncertainty and pain, but it also signalled that it would do nothing to censor their oppressors.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf said the ban would see the United States suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of affected countries, but would not hinder the issuance of non-immigrant visas, such as those given to tourists, students and businesspeople.

Eritrea does not issue passports to its citizens except for in extraordinary circumstances, and most Eritreans who manage to leave the country only have refugee travel documents. This means there is almost no chance for them to score a non-immigrant visa and enter the US.

The perpetrators of repression in Eritrea, who hold official passports, however, will almost certainly be unaffected by the new travel restrictions. Politicians, military leaders and other supporters of the regime who are wreaking havoc in the country will continue to travel to the US whenever they need and want to conduct seminars, attend meetings, give music concerts, collect donations and even enjoy holidays. The new travel ban also spares holders of diplomatic passports, which means the Eritrean diplomats will be allowed to continue visiting the US and delivering their vicious propaganda. Ordinary Eritreans who have been forced to escape their homes due to the regimes flawed policies, however, will continue to suffer.

In response to the travel ban, the Eritrean Ministry of Information issued a statement, indicating that while they have no problem with the newly introduced travel restrictions on their citizens, they are disappointed with the reasoning behind them.

The government of Eritrea has consistently opposed automatic asylum and other misguided measures invoked by certain countries in the past 20 years for ulterior reasons of strategic depopulation against Eritrea, the statement said, adding that it had lodged protests against previous US administrations that followed similar asylum policies. But it nevertheless criticised the Trump administrations travel ban, only because the ban does not appear to stem from the concerns repeatedly voiced by the Eritrean government, and hence sends a negative signal to the Eritrean leadership.

The statement all-but-proved that the Eritrean government has no intention of negotiating with the US government to help reinstate its citizens right to travel and immigrate to the US.

Now, many Eritrean citizens only hope is that regional powers who have strong relations with the Trump administration, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will intervene to help Eritreans, as they have previously done by helping lift UN sanctions on Eritrea. Without such help, Eritreans will continue to be punished both by their own government and the governments of countries that they seek asylum in, simply for the misfortune of being born in Eritrea.

Escaping repression, not posing a threat

Trumps travel ban implies that Eritrean immigrants pose a threat to the US government and its people. This, of course, could not be further from the truth. Over the years, Eritrean immigrants made invaluable contributions to American society.

Many Eritrean-American artists made significant contributions to the US cultural scene, such as Tiffany Haddish and Nipsey Hussle, whose fathers fled from war and settled in the US. Olympian medalist and one of the most accomplished distance runners in American history, Mebrahtom Meb Kiflezghi, was born in Eritrea to Eritrean parents. Haben Girma, the first deaf and blind person to graduate from Harvard, who was named White House Champion of Change by President Obama, was born to Eritrean parents who fled war. The list of influential Americans of Eritrean origin also includes Dr Haile Debas, who was once described as a one person transformer for global health in California, at UCSF, in America, and around the world. Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, who has condemned the travel ban, is also the son of Eritrean immigrants.

One may argue that while Eritrean immigrants are clearly not a threat to the US, they should still be banned because they ignore US laws by overwhelmingly overstaying their visas. It is true that Eritrean immigrants are more likely than immigrants from other nations to violate their visa conditions: Overall only 1.9 percent of visitors to the US overstay their visas, while the rate among Eritrean visitors is 24 percent. But before making a judgement, it is necessary to ask some important questions: Who are these Eritreans who have overstayed their visas and why did they do so?

I can easily provide examples: I overstayed my visa. My sister, who is now a registered nurse in California, did, too. My younger brother, who is now a software engineer in the Silicon Valley, also did the same. Why did we overstay? Because we had no other option. Staying in the US was our only chance to escape repression. If we returned home when our visas expired, wed be thrown into a dungeon. The fact that most Eritreans who overstay their visas are eventually granted asylum should be seen as confirmation that they have legitimate reasons to do so.

Caught up in indefinite transit

Since 2010, 17,564 Eritreans have resettled in the US as refugees according to the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.

As mentioned before, the Eritrean state rarely issues passports to its citizens and allows them to leave the country officially. As a result, almost all Eritreans who were lucky enough to resettle in the US have many family members who have been stranded in Eritrea. The dreams of all these people of one day reuniting with their relatives in the US have been crushed by the Trump administrations new extended travel ban.

The 2018 peace deal with Ethiopia and the resulting easing of border restrictions had renewed many Eritreans hopes for leaving the country and joining their loved ones in the West. The USs very long and convoluted vetting process for issuing family reunification visas, however, made this almost impossible for many. As the US embassy in Asmara stopped issuing immigrant visas, many who want to immigrate to the US moved to neighbouring countries to complete the process. Now, they are stranded in limbo indefinitely, as they do not want to return to Eritrea and continue living under unbearable oppression.

Trumps travel ban also devastated Eritrean nationals in the US, like me, who were hoping to be reunited with their family members. As they do not have a government acting on their behalf and fighting for their rights, they do not know where to seek help. Following the announcement of the extended ban, I have no idea when and if I will be able to see my mother, who is still in Eritrea, again.

While facing tremendous external challenges, the Eritrean regime seems to care very little about improving conditions inside the country, something thats been the case for a very long time. Eritreans continue to flee their country at an alarming rate. Those left in the country face mounting challenges with little hope for improvement or redress.

I thought I had escaped from a repressive regime that retaliates against families for others perceived wrongdoing. Yet, the sad, familiar story has followed me and many of my countrymen/women. Now I must figure out how to explain to my daughter and nieces  who are Americans  why their government banned them from seeing their grandparents

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Many fear that the Earth is in peril as a one-kilometer wide asteroid is currently heading towards the Earth.

Scientists believe that this massive near-Earth object, or NEO, could be a possible planet killer, scarily similar to the one that ended the reign of the dinosaurs.

This monster asteroid called "Asteroid 2002 PZ39" will has a date with earth, it is expected to be one of the closest approaches in recorded history and will take place on February 15, the exact time is said to be at 6:05am eastern standard time.

NEOs have ended life 65 million years ago

Space rocks that are as immense as this can end the lives of millions on impact, and that includes upsetting planetary balances that eventually kill flora and fauna.

NASA says that if a meteoroid bigger than 25-meters, but not as big as one kilometer, did hit earth, it would cause an impressive amount of damage. However, that damage would be limited to the area around the impact crater.

The concern as with any meteoroid from the asteroid belt, that hammers down on Earth with a diameter of more than one kilometer is a potential planet killer. Its impact will spread far and wide, similar to the events 65 million years ago that essentially led to mammals becoming the dominant species on Earth. This asteroid could possibly do the same thing in this era too.

Response to the threat of NEOs

A report on near-earth objects was presented at the White House in 2018 to emphasize the dangers of asteroids near earth. NEOs are ever-present dangers that threaten planetary systems, whether inhabited or not.

Also read: Asteroid Alert: NASA Detects Four Asteroid Passing Earth's Orbit With One Closer Than Others

An asteroid hitting earth up to 1-kilometer could set into motion a number of cataclysms that would likely end life on earth, or at least inflict ebough damage that it would take millions of years to recover.

There is a National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan that is meant to warn of imminent impact. However, at that time, it would be too late.

Preferably NEOs that make contact are considerably smaller, as they do not cause much damage beyond the impact zone and yield samples for study as well.

An asteroid strike changed the earth 65 million years ago

Bigger asteroids left their mark on the Earth's surface, like the one that struck the Yucatan in the age of the dinosaurs. That one is believed to have been 10 kilometers wide and it drastically altered the earth forever.

Any large NEO that strikes the earth's surface will transfer tremendous energy and unleash fatal reactionary forces all over the planet.

What is most frightening is the velocity of Asteroid 2002 PZ39 as it will be traveling at an estimated 57,240 km/h, when it does the fly-by. By no means at this speed would the Earth survive. An impact at this speed would generate a force that is more powerful than all the nuclear bombs on earth.

Asteroid 2002 PZ39 is estimated to be about 1,443 feet thick with a 3,248 foot diameter, according to NASA.

NASA emphasizes the need to monitor asteroids near-earth as we must know more about them if we ever want to avoid imminent danger.

Will Asteroid 2002 PZ39 be a real menace?

Scientists at NASA have measured the closest intersecting trajectory at 5.77 million kilometers. This is considered safe and should keep flora and fauna safe until the next impending asteroid hitting earth set for August 25, 2034. Mark that date.

The Earth will survive as a giant rock orbiting an even larger star. The inhabitants however, may not be as lucky.

Related article: End of the World? Giant Asteroid Nearly Hits Earth

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Rep. Val Demmings (D-FL) said that the Stone prosecutor who resigned could testify before the House and explain whats happening at DOJ.

MSNBCs Chris Hayes asked Demmings, Just as a factual matter, a hypothetical, Jonathan Kravitz, who has an excellent reputation with the department of justice who rever this, career lawyer there, presumably he could be called to testify before the house judiciary committee to tell us what went down, right?

Rep. Demmings answered, He absolutely could. And thats another part that I hope every American is paying attention to. We have career prosecutors. These are people who have not spent their lives in the spotlight or the limelight. Theyve just been there reviewing the case, looking for elements of crimes, making appropriate charges and seeing those cases through. For these career people to either step away from a case because of the unjust interference or to actually resign, what a loss that is to America. I think it really sounds the alarm and sends a strong message to the American people about what is happening in the Department Of Justice.

Video:

Rep. Val Demmings (D-FL) says Stone prosecutor who resigned could be called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. pic.twitter.com/LCDDXDBHL6  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020

The House Judiciary Committee should launch an investigation into what Trump and Barr are doing to the Department of Justice. Rage and criticism have come from virtually every non-Trump circle of the political and legal worlds. The outrage is so intense that even a Stone trial juror is speaking out.

The American people need to hear from Kravitz. Trump is already cracking due to the blowback and a full investigation will keep this issue on the minds of voters and in the presidents head.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

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Turkey on Thursday threatened to use force against "radicals" in Syria's Idlib province after Russia accused Ankara of failing to "neutralise" jihadist groups under a 2018 deal.

"Force will be used in Idlib against those who do not abide by the ceasefire, including the radicals," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu agency.

"Any form of measure will be taken," he said.

Idlib - the last opposition bastion in Syria - is held by an array of rebels including the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, led by members of the country's former Al-Qaeda franchise.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have pressed ahead with an offensive in the region since December, killing more than 380 civilians, according to the monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The killing of 14 Turks in Idlib in government shelling has fuelled tensions between Ankara and Damascus, while raising stakes with Russia -- a key ally of Assad.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday accused Russia of committing "massacres" in Idlib and threatened to strike government forces anywhere in Syria if the slightest harm is done to Turkish troops.

In return, Moscow accused Ankara of failing to honour the 2018 deal, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the Turkish side "had taken upon itself an obligation to neutralise terrorist groups" in Idlib.

Under the bilateral agreement, radical groups were required to withdraw from a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region.

Turkey has also set up 12 observation posts in Idlib - of which three were encircled by Assad's forces, according to Turkish officials.

Erdogan has now given Damascus until the end of the month to push back its forces outside the military locations.

Turkey has sent reinforcements including troops and artillery to beef up its observation posts in recent days following the series of exchanges with the Syrian army.

Akar said: "We are sending additional units to establish a ceasefire and make it long-lasting. We will control the field.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned what it tagged hasty generalisation, blanket condemnation, and ridiculing of the countrys academia by a funding agency.

ASUU was reacting to an allegation by the director of research and development at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Salihu Bakari, that some lecturers in the country spend scholarships and grants to purchase houses and cars.

The director has also said he did not mean to disparage Nigerian scholars, saying he only referred to instances of a few cases of diversion of grants by some beneficiaries of the agencys scholarships and support.

He said, as a mentee of very many quality, honest and sincere scholars and researchers in the country, he can never bite the fingers that fed him.

PREMIUM TIMES in its report on Tuesday titled; Nigerian Scholars spend research grants on cars, houses exclusively reported the directors response to a question by one of the participants at a research conference organised by the agency in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on why conditions attached to accessing grants by TETfund are too stringent.

We will not take it- ASUU

In a telephone interview with our reporter, the National President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, said his union would not allow his members to be disparaged by any individual or institution before a global audience.

Mr Ogunyemi, a professor, said any attack on Nigerian lecturers by anyone would not go unchallenged.

He challenged the accuser to provide evidences of such claims and that his union would be ready to join forces at exposing the rot in the system.

He said; We reject this hasty generalisation in its totality and we will fight it to the end. ASUU will react appropriately very soon but I can assure you that this will never go unchallenged.

This kind of statement ridicules our members on the global scene and we cannot fold our arms when institutions or individuals bring us to disrepute. There are many of us who are managing many grants from global institutions and the results of their efforts have been wonderful and respected globally. What kind of image are we now creating? This is unacceptable and ASUU will not take it.

Mr Ogunyemi said he would not deny the fact that just like any other institution, there are the good, the bad and the ugly among the lecturers, but that the bad has never, and can never outnumber the good.

Academic institutions do not exist in a vacuum. They are extensions of the larger society, so it is not incorrect to say there are bad eggs, but that you categorise everyone to be bad is what we will never take. When our products move to the global scene, they excel and outshine their counterparts coming from backgrounds where teaching and learning environments are conducive. So if we are not doing well, would they have been doing well too?

Mr Ogunyemi said his union was part of TETFund assessment processes conducted round the institutions, and that if the agency had discovered such large-scale fraud as claimed by the director, it should have brought it to its notice and not disparage the whole people in such an embarrassing manner.

We are committed to sanitising not just the university system but the entire country, and we are not unaware of the general rot. But everyone knows that out of 100 individuals, if five are bad, you cannot claim the whole 100 are bad. There must be clarity and contexts to every claim. ASUU will definitely respond to this because this news has gone viral, and it must be corrected, he further said.

Corroboration

Corroborating the union leader was the former National President of the union, Sule Kano, who urged journalists to always prioritise the economic benefits their reports could attract and the likely consequences of damaging reports.

Mr Kano, a professor, who is also a participant at the ongoing research conference in Dubai, during an informal interaction with our reporter on the matter, said as a witness to the directors innocuous response to a question directed at him on the conditions attached to TETFund grant, he quite understands the misinterpretation of his good intention.

Mr Kano alleged a grand plan to disintegrate the vocal lecturers union by those he described as the global capitalists and imperialists, and advised the media not to join in such a dangerous exploits.

TETFund director clarifies position

In his response to the barrage of attacks he has received from some of the lecturers on his statement, the director, Mr Bakari, said he would never disparage an institution he belongs to.

Mr Bakari, PhD holder, said he was only reacting to a question from one of the participants on why there are new stringent conditions attached to the agencys various grants, and why 100 per cent of the grants cannot be released to researchers.

According to him, the few instances he raised, could not amount to generalisation. He said he must have been quoted out of context.

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He said; How can I disparage the same constituency I belong to? Does it not amount to me shooting myself in the leg? I must apologise to the lecturers and the union for being quoted out of context.

It was my response to a question during a panel session and I had only cited instances of some individuals who received scholarships but refuse to go for studies. Some even abscond. And this is not abnormal in a system where you have tens of thousands of individuals. Sanitising our system requires collaborations and the best collaboration can only come from ASUU as a body. So I apologise for the misrepresentation.

Mr Bakari added that the agencys senior members have many times been invited by anti-graft agencies to testify in cases of corrupt practices that may involve the agencys beneficiaries, and that on many occasions, TETFund staff would have to fill forms as both witnesses and accused.

Each time such a situation occurs, we would have to be bailed like a criminal, and this cannot be in our best interest and in the interest of our nation, he added.
will remain as the Pakistan Army chief until November 28, 2022, according to a notification by the Ministry of Defence.

The notification was issued on January 28 after the country's Parliament passed a law to settle the issue of the extension of army chief's tenure.

It said that the new tenure of army chief will be for an additional tenure of three years, effective from November 29, 2019 to November 28, 2022.

Bajwa, a close confidant of Khan, was to retire on November 29 last year at the end of his three-year original term but Prime Minister Imran Khan gave the 59-year-old Army chief another extension of same length citing regional security situation through a notification on August 19.

However, the Supreme Court on November 28 suspended the government order, observing that there is no law to give extension to the Army chief's tenure. But the apex court granted a six-month extension to Gen Bajwa after being assured by the government that Parliament will pass a legislation on the extension/reappointment of an army chief within six months.

The government after initial hesitation secured the support of the main Opposition parties and introduced three bills in the National Assembly to extend the retirement age from 60 to 64 years for the chiefs of army, navy and air force, and the chairman of the joint chief of staff committee.

Bajwa, a close confidant of Khan, was to retire on November 29 last year at the end of his three-year original term but Prime Minister Imran Khan gave the 59-year-old Army chief another extension of same length citing regional security situation through a notification on August 19.

However, the Supreme Court on November 28 suspended the government order, observing that there is no law to give extension to the Army chief's tenure. But the apex court granted a six-month extension to Gen Bajwa after being assured by the government that Parliament will pass a legislation on the extension/reappointment of an army chief within six months.

Later the government and the Opposition joined hands to amend the Army Act of 1952 to appoint and re-appoint an army chief and also extend his services.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:23:42|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- NASA officials on Tuesday broke ground on a new antenna for communicating with the agency's farthest-flung robotic spacecraft, according to a statement from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

As part of the Deep Space Network, the 34-meter-wide antenna dish being built represents a future in which more missions will require advanced technology, such as lasers being needed to transmit vast amounts of data from astronauts on the surface of Mars.

NASA will send the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024, which is part of its Artemis program, and apply lessons learned there to send astronauts to Mars.

When completed in two-and-a-half years' time, the new antenna could achieve 10-times higher the data rates of current tech and support future missions to the Moon and Mars, according to JPL.

"This new antenna, the fifth of six currently planned, is another example of NASA's determination to enable science and space exploration through the use of the latest technology," said Badri Younes, NASA's deputy associate administrator for Space Communications and Navigation.

Managed by JPL, the world's largest and busiest deep space network is clustered in three locations -- Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, Australia -- which are positioned about 120 degrees apart around the globe to enable continual contact with spacecraft as the Earth rotates.
February 12, 2020  Reuters, the worlds largest multimedia news provider, announced today the launch of a new fact-checking initiative aimed at identifying misinformation on social media, in partnership with Facebooks Third-Party Fact-Checking Program. The newly created fact-checking unit at Reuters will verify content posted on Facebook and Instagram and identify where media is false or misleading.

The fact-checking initiative is an extension of the media verification efforts Reuters has built through its long history of providing accurate and trustworthy news content. Reuters will now assess the authenticity of user-generated photos, videos, headlines and other content on social mediain the run-up to the U.S. election and beyondverifying for Facebooks U.S. audience in both English and Spanish and publishing findings on a specially created blog.

We are steadfastly recognizing the magnitude of misinformation taking place around the world. Its a growing issue that impacts society daily and its a responsibility for news organizations and platforms to halt the spread of false news, said Jess April, Director of Global Partnerships, Reuters. Reuters has a superior track record in sourcing, verifying and clearing user-generated content for distribution to thousands of clients globally and we are best placed in using our in-house expertise to fact check social media content.

Keren Goldshlager, Facebook Integrity Partnerships said Expanding our fact-checking program is an important part of our work to fight misinformation. We are thrilled that Reuters is joining our U.S. partnership, and know we'll benefit deeply from their expertise in visual verification and user-generated content."

Reuters has played an increasing role in researching and identifying various forms of synthetically generated media. Since 2018, Reuters has been working to educate the industry and the world about the ways in which images and videos can be distorted and how to spot them. Most recently, Reuters partnered with Facebook Journalism Project to develop an e-learning course to help newsrooms around the world identify and reject manipulated video, pictures and audio, available in four languages including English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

Reuters

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider. Founded in 1851, it is committed to the Trust Principles of independence, integrity and freedom from bias. With unmatched coverage in over 16 languages, and reaching billions of people worldwide every day, Reuters provides trusted intelligence that powers humans and machines to make smart decisions. It supplies business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Reuters: The Real World in Real Time.

CONTACT

Deepal Patadia

Communications Manager, Americas

Reuters

Deepal.Patadia@thomsonreuters.com
One of the participants of the meeting hosted by Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a representative of the Azerbaijani community of Germany said that after Pashinyan came to power, many people in Azerbaijan hoped that Armenian troops would be dislocated from Nagorno-Karabakh, but Pashinyan declared that Artsakh is Armenia, period. The representative asked the following question: What will happen to that hope?

I already stated the formula. The issue cant be solved through unilateral actions. Even if we assume that any government of Armenia takes unilateral actions, this will deepen the issue, not solve it, the Prime Minister said.

Nikol Pashinyan said Baku only talks about territories, but the Armenian side is concerned about security.

Azerbaijan loves to talk about territories, but its very important to understand that Armenia is talking about security. Azerbaijan is a country where people turn a person into a hero for killing an ArmenianI dont know if you or the attendees are aware that in 2004, NATO invited officers from Armenia and Azerbaijan to participate in a peace program during which an Azerbaijani officer axed an Armenian officer in his sleep. After the murder, a trial was held in Budapest and the Azerbaijani officer was sentenced to life in prison. After a while, the Hungarian government decided to extradite the officer to Azerbaijan, and as soon as he arrived in Azerbaijan, the President signed a decree on releasing the officer and paid the salaries that he hadnt received in the whole period. The officer received an apartment, a military rank and was encouraged and turned into a hero through the media. The buffer zone that Azerbaijan is talking about emerged because of this logic. When the Azerbaijanis were bombarding peaceful settlements, people, peaceful civilians and children wouldnt come out of basements for years.

When there are talks about territories, we Armenians view this as security. First of all, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic isnt ready to cede its security, not the Republic of Armenia. The solution to this issue may only be linked to security guarantees that havent existed and dont exist. As for my statement Karabakh is Armenia, period, there is a very clear and specific explanation for this. Armenia has stated that it will view Azerbaijans attack on Karabakh as an attack on the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of Karabakhs security, and this says it all.

I would like to make it clear that we havent seen any constructivism from Azerbaijan during the negotitions over the past year-and-a-half, but I would also like to assess the situation that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and I have reached since 2018 when we first met, and after our meeting, there has been unprecedented low tension in the region and on the border. I hope constructive discussions help us not only maintain this relatively stable and tranquil situation, but also move towards a legal resolution.
The United States has secured a seven-day reduction in violence in talks to help seek a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan, Pentagon chief Mark Esper said Thursday. The announcement came as NATO defence ministers met in Brussels and a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reported "notable progress" in negotiations with the Islamist insurgents.

"The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence," Esper told reporters, dubbing his meetings with NATO colleagues "productive."

"We've said all along that the best, if not the only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Progress has been made on that front and we'll have more to report on that soon, I hope."

Esper did not say when the partial truce would begin, but on Wednesday a Taliban official told AFP that the group would begin a "reduction of violence" on Friday.

"It is our view that seven days for now is sufficient but in all things our approach to this process will be conditions based, I will say it again, conditions based," Esper said.

"So it will be a continual evaluative process as we move forward, if we go forward." Washington and the insurgents have been locked in gruelling talks that have stretched over more than a year, seeking an end to what has already become America's longest war.

Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times has reported that President Donald Trump had given conditional approval to a deal with the Taliban to allow him to start withdrawing US troops.
Gentrification, as depicted in pop culture, tends to be a conflict between strangers. There are the original occupants of a suddenly desirable urban neighborhood, usually working-class immigrants and people of color. And then there are the relatively rich, young, college-educated white people who move in seeking cheaper housing or just the cachet of living somewhere authentic, only to drive up rents and displace the families and businesses that settled there long before the newcomers were born. But what if the line between gentrifiers and gentrified isnt so clear? What happens whendue to differences in education, language, dreams, experience and responsibilities, as well as the complexity of hybrid identitiessecond- and third-generation immigrants end up in the middle of a war between their elder relatives and their white peers?

These are the central questions of Gentefied, a bilingual dramedy premiering on Netflix Feb. 21. Adapted by creators Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chavez from their web series of the same name, with America Ferrera attached as executive producer, it follows three Mexican-American cousins in the predominantly Latinx East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights as they scramble to help their grandfather Casimiro (Joaquin Cosio of Narcos: Mexico) save his taqueria. Erik (JJ Soria of The Oath) is a sweet screw-up desperate to win back his upwardly mobile ex (Annie Gonzalez). A pragmatist saving for culinary school, Chris (MTV Tr3s alum Carlos Santos) works the line at a fancy restaurant. Ana (Karrie Martin, Pretty Little Liars) isto her mothers chagrinan artist, juggling her work with odd jobs and a serious girlfriend, Yessika (Julissa Calderon).

Boorish white people linger in the background throughout the 10-episode first season, swanning into the botanica in yoga pants for some cultural tourism and ignoring the mariachi band hired to enhance the atmosphere of their boozy brunch. But the real gentrification drama happens within Casimiros family and between other Boyle Heights natives. Chris efforts to satisfy his boss, an abusive chef who could make or break his career, earn him the scorn of Latinx co-workers; at the taqueria, his high-end menu tweaks mark him as a coconut (brown on the outside, white on the inside). Meanwhile, Anas ethnic identity, sexuality, politics and ambition come into conflict when a gay white man hires her to paint a homoerotic mural on a building he purchased in the neighborhoodand the older woman who operates a store inside it starts losing business. For these millennials, it seems impossible to make their dreams come true without selling out their heritage and their elders.

Story continues

Karrie Martin and Julissa Calderon in 'Gentefied' | Kevin Estrada/Netflix

Lemus and Chavez identify a catch-22 inherent in the American Dream: when you suffer to secure your kids a better life in a new country, that better lifeshaped as it is by the possibilities and values of a different culturewill probably look different from the one you imagined. And that might feel like a betrayal. This has been a theme of nearly every recent series about the children of immigrants, from Master of None to Fresh Off the Boat to One Day at a Time. Whats unique about Gentefied is the way it pulls back to situate that intergenerational conflict within a larger community, where a Chicana garment worker might have more common ground with the Chinese woman at the next sewing machine than with her own daughter. The show picks up on class differences among Latinx people in Boyle Heights, whether its business owners, their employees and a wide variety of customers or homeless families and the nonprofit workers charged with helping them find housing.

To a certain extent, this approach also distinguishes Gentefied from Vida, the exceptional Starz drama in which two adult sisters from the same neighborhood reunite at their childhood home after the death of their mother, who owned both the building they grew up in and the insolvent bar on its ground floor. The shows arent quite as similar as they might sound. (Some might still protest that we dont need two series about the children of Mexican immigrants trying to save their families Boyle Heights businesses. To them, I say: remember when NBC debuted two shows about the making of network-TV sketch comedies in the same season?) Vida tells a more intimate, mature story, one thats just as attuned to the complexities of gentrification yet also delves into themes such as womanhood, power and desire. Its deep where Gentefied is broad.

The elegance of Vidas storytelling throws its successors minor weaknesses into relief. Despite multifaceted characters and convincing performances (particularly from Cosio and Soria), Lemus and Chavezs dialogue sometimes feels preachy, mawkish or on-the-nose. When they argue, Chris and Erik are reduced to mouthpieces for diametrically opposite points of view. A few scenes, such as the one where a woman stares longingly into a bakery window full of pastries she cant afford, verge on cliche.

The show is best when it finds quieter ways to communicate: when it spends a full episode following a broke musician and his little boy; when Casimiro, a gentle widower in permanent mourning, takes a patient female friend on a date without realizing it; when we see it silently dawn on Yessika that Ana might care more about stardom than about giving back to her community. Of the many series about immigration, gentrification and cross-cultural identities that have sprung up in the past several years, Gentefied is among the most astute. It only needs to trust that its cast will convey everything thats left unsaidand that viewers will read between the subtitles.
A court program designed to help Indigenous people navigate the justice system is having to make do with less, even as Manitoba maintains the highest incarceration rate of any province with a majority of Indigenous inmates.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A court program designed to help Indigenous people navigate the justice system is having to make do with less, even as Manitoba maintains the highest incarceration rate of any province with a majority of Indigenous inmates.

Funding to the Indigenous Courtwork program (formerly known as Aboriginal Court Workers) was cut in 2017 and 2018, according to federal-government documents obtained by the Free Press through access-to-information laws.

The decline in provincial contributions, which is under a 50-50 cost-sharing agreement with the federal justice department, means federal dollars designated for Indigenous court programs have also been diverted out of Manitoba.

However, Manitoba Justice says its combined $1-million annual budget for the program hasn't changed, even though it says expenses are down due to staff turnover and retirements.

There are seven Indigenous court workers now with the program, the province said Wednesday. That's compared with 15 employees in 2014, the obtained documents show. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)

Manitoba's Indigenous court workers program is the only one in the country run directly by a provincial government. Its complement of staff has dwindled to half of what it once was, and its client numbers have dropped as well.

There are seven Indigenous court workers now with the program, the province said Wednesday. That's compared with 15 employees in 2014, the obtained documents show.

The workers helped 7,590 clients in 2018-19, compared with more than 10,000 two years earlier, according to the provincial justice department annual reports.

The program workers are expected to help Indigenous people understand the court process and their rights, and are typically called upon to be present with an accused in the courtroom or speak to them in their first language. Similar programs have been in place across Canada for more than 40 years.

In Manitoba, Indigenous court workers are expected to travel to circuit courts across the province and offer services in Cree, Ojibwa, Oji-Cree, Dakota and English.

As provincial budgets for the program shrunk, federal funding has been left on the table, the Ottawa briefing-note documents show. The program's budget was reduced by 25 per cent from 2018 to 2019.

"Thompson court is where everybody comes, from the North. They need somebody there, because people need the help, and nobody's helping them."  Thompson resident Joyce McIvor

Under a five-year agreement that expires in 2023, the federal government can contribute an annual maximum $735,313 to the program in Manitoba, but the province hasn't been getting the full amount.

Manitoba's justice department contributed $520,000 in 2017-18. In 2018-19, the province put up $389,000.

The provincial funding is being matched by Ottawa, the federal documents show.

Manitoba Justice didn't grant an interview Wednesday, but its most recent annual report states funding decreases are due to job vacancies in the courtwork program.

The department issued a statement to the Free Press saying it has maintained  not cut  the program's budget.

In the statement, the department said it recently started a consultation process about the courtworker program with members of Indigenous communities, "To ensure it continues to provide meaningful services to Indigenous clients, and this work is ongoing."

"I cannot stress (enough) how important these individuals are to the overall functioning, the overall infrastructure of the justice system."  NDP justice critic Nahanni Fontaine

In Thompson, the Indigenous court worker position has been vacant for more than two years.

The northern court has had problems offering timely bail hearings. Concerns about "assembly-line justice," as one judge described it, have prompted calls for an independent review into the workings of Manitobas northernmost court.

Joyce McIvor, a Cree-speaking Thompson resident, was employed as an Indigenous court worker with Manitoba Justice for about a year-and-a-half before she left the job in 2017.

McIvor said training opportunities were lacking, travel requirements were demanding and the pay  roughly $40,000 annual salary, she said  was lower than expected for the north.

"Thompson court is where everybody comes, from the north," she said Wednesday.

"They need somebody there, because people need the help, and nobodys helping them."

The job vacancies are "incredibly problematic," said NDP justice critic Nahanni Fontaine.

She said even one fewer Indigenous court worker position could affect proper access to justice for potentially hundreds of people.

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"I cannot stress (enough) how important these individuals are to the overall functioning, the overall infrastructure of the justice system," she said, saying courts can be "arduous and intimidating" at the best of times, even when the accused speaks English.

"All of these seemingly benign cuts translate in the system exponentially. So it really does bear witness to the lack of concern and urgency that this government has towards fixing justice, in particular as it relates to Indigenous peoples," Fontaine said.

Roughly three-quarters of people incarcerated in Manitoba are Indigenous. Statistics Canada data released last year showed Manitoba had the highest adult incarceration rate of all provinces, at 231 per 100,000 population.

 with files from Dylan Robertson

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
The calving season is in full swing for us, and our diary is filling up with numerous projects on the horizon.

We had veterinary students from UCD with us for a few weeks in January and there will be more visiting us every weekend in February to try their hands at calving cows, with more booked in for a few weeks in March.

We are all continuously learning so it's always a pleasure helping others to educate themselves.

In early January we were in Glasgow as I was asked to speak at the 30th annual Semex International Dairy Conference.

Semex is one of the leading global genetics companies, with over 1,100 bulls at stud selling in excess of 12m doses of semen globally every year. I was humbled by the response to my presentation, and myself and Paula left the event inspired.

The theme of the conference was 'Be Extraordinary' and the list of speakers lived up to that billing.

Market analyst Chris Walkland explained in great detail, backed up by 10 years of data, why 2020 will be a very positive year for global dairy markets.

Other speakers addressed why it is vital we as farmers communicate more with the public to counteract the anti-agriculture agenda.

I was particularly impressed by Dr Steven Larmer (genomics programme manager) and Jordan Leak (chief operations officer of Double A Dairy and Twin Ridge genetics).

Jordan farms 20,000 dairy cows in the US state of Idaho - Holstein, Jersey and crossbreds with a replacement rate at 28pc.

He also carries 20,000 replacement dairy stock, with all stock being genotyped using that information to make strategic breeding decisions.

It certainly seems to work for him as last year he sold 6,000 in-calf heifers to two clients in Asia, who demanded that all stock were genotyped and above a certain index.

Dr Larmer spoke about the information available to us through genomics. Fertility, milk production, health traits are all more accurately confirmed, but what really grabbed my attention was when he discussed the unknown.

Genotyping creates a wealth of information and currently what is holding it back is computer power to process the volume of data.

Steven was very adamant that within a short space of time computer power will become sufficient to process all the data.

This will unlock the genetic 'black box' to show us which cows produce less methane, require less antibiotics and ultimately ensure every genetic trait required for efficiency is considered.

The end goal is completely tailor-made breeding programmes for every dairy herd. Closing the conference Paul Larmer, CEO of Semex, summed up the last 30 years of genetics, also discussing the next decade ahead.

He said genotyped embryos will become the norm along with beef embryos being used on dairy cows, adding that GM dairy genetics is on the horizon. It's merely a case of which countries will accept GM genetics.

On the plane home, I found myself thinking why are more farmers not embracing genotyping?

We have been genotyping all females born on farm for five years now and when we look at the latest EBI proofs it certainly highlighted how it has helped us make more informed breeding decisions.

There is also a good return on investment - researchers say the payback is three to one with the cost of genotyping at a mere 22 per female being lower in Ireland than anywhere else in the world.

An estimated 15pc of genotyped stock have incorrect sires - in effect there are at least 250,000 dairy cows in Ireland with potentially incorrect parentage.

The reliability has increased further, and for those considering buying or selling dairy stock, it's surely a must-have piece of information.

Yet there are only 80,000 dairy females genotyped in Ireland. If we really want the Irish dairy herd to be highly efficient, we need to gather all available data.

It's back to calving for me now. For those of you on social media keep an eye out for the #FutureofFarming campaign over the next few weeks. Its something myself, Paula and the girls are delighted to be involved in for the year ahead.

Hopefully the spring will be kind to us all and we'll see maximum days at grass to keep the cows content.

Peter Hynes farms with his wife Paula in Aherla, Co Cork
PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-13 10:02:02

EUs LIFE program recognizes potential of GEs Green Gas for Grid (g 3 ) to help significantly cut global greenhouse gas emissions

The gas mass of g high-voltage equipment has more than a 99% reduced CO 2 equivalent compared to SF 6

A g 420 kV, 63 kA gas-insulated substation circuit-breaker will demonstrate that g technology can be applied to all other high-voltage levels of Europes electrical networks

EU Funding Accelerates GEs Development of Worlds First SF 6 -free 420 kV Circuit-Breaker

Allison J. Cohen

Allison.J.Cohen@ge.com

GE Renewable Energys Grid Solutions business (NYSE-GE) has been awarded 2.2 million through the European Commissions LIFE climate action [..] to help fund the development of a sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 )-free, 420 kiloVolt (kV) 63 kilo Amps (kA) gas-insulated substation (GIS) circuit-breaker.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005

For illustration purposes only, this is an example of a 420 kV SF6-insulated substation. Image courtesy of EU LIFE18 CCM/FR/001096 project.

The new circuit-breaker will rely on GEs industry-leading Green Gas for Gridor g3 (pronounced g- cubed)technology, resulting in the same high performance and compact size as a traditional SF 6 -insulated circuit-breaker, but with a gas mass having more than a 99% reduced CO equivalent value. Upon completion in 2022, the g3 circuit-breaker is expected to be the first SF 6 -free 420 kV gas-insulated substation circuit-breaker in the world.

A circuit-breaker is protective equipment used to cut power in case of a problem on the grid. High-voltage 420-kV circuit-breakers are found at electrical substations on long-distance transmission networks.

Due to its strong insulating and arc-quenching properties, SF 6 is widely used in substation equipment with the transmission industry accounting for approximately 80% of the worlds usage. Identified as the worlds most potent greenhouse gas by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, SF 6 is estimated to contribute 23,500 times more emissions than CO if leaked and can remain in the atmosphere for up to 3,200 years.

Our g3 technology is a game-changing alternative to SF 6 for high-voltage equipment and is part of GEs broader efforts to help the electric transmission and distribution industry reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, said Vera Silva, Chief Technology Officer at GEs Grid Solutions.

Because 420 kV is the highest voltage level used in most European countries, a proven g3insulated 420 kV circuit-breaker will demonstrate that g3 technology can be applied to other high-voltage levels, as well as all other gas-insulated substation components, such as disconnectors, earthing switches, voltage transformers, said Yannick Kieffel, Grid Solutions Materials and Eco Design Team Leader and Project Leader for the EU-funded g3 project.

Currently, GE offers the following g3 products: live tank circuit-breakers and gas-insulated substations up to 145 kV, gas-insulated lines up to 420 kV and instrument transformers up to 245 kV.

This project is a great fit for our recent round of LIFE financial awards due to its potential impact on Europes transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future, said Angelo Salsi, LIFE Programme Head of Unit at the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). The LIFE program is one of the most efficient and well known EU funding mechanisms that has supported nature, the environment and climate action for over 25 years. We look forward to the positive ripple effect this project will have across Europe over the next decade and beyond.

For the full press release on the g3 EU-funded circuit-breaker project LIFE18 CCM/FR/001096 LIFE GRID, click here.

GEs Grid Solutions

Grid Solutions, a GE Renewable Energy business, serves customers globally with over 17,000 employees in approximately 80 countries. Grid Solutions helps enable utilities and industry to effectively manage electricity from the point of generation to the point of consumption, helping to maximize the reliability, efficiency and resilience of the grid. https://www.gegridsolutions.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005
By the end of this year Polish tourism to Egypt could reach levels last seen in 2010.



There has been a steady increase since 2015 and we are getting close to half a million a year, which is what the figure was prior to the [January 2011] Revolution, says Michal Labenda, Polish ambassador to Egypt.



Hurghada is the top destination for Polish tourists. Already, Labenda told Al-Ahram Weekly, there is an established Polish community in the Red Sea resort and many Poles work in the travel sector which encourages the flow of tourists.



Polish expatriates in Egypt, including in Cairo and Alexandria, help consolidate the good and established relations that exist between Egypt and Poland, says Labenda.



Trade between our two countries stands at $600 million a year and covers many sectors, including agriculture, chemicals, mining and construction.



But bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Poland, Labenda says, involves more than tourism and trade. He is particularly hopeful about expanding cultural cooperation. Poland already has an established archaeological presence in Egypt.



In October a section in Alamein Museum commemorating the participation of Polish soldiers in World War II is due to be inaugurated.



Polish soldiers were in the battle of Alamein. There was not a specific division of the Polish army but the soldiers were part of the British troops, in North Africa, and we thought that, like other nations that took part in the battle, they should be represented.



A delegation from the Polish Museum for World War II was in Egypt last month to agree on the details of the Polish exhibit.



Remembering Polish participation in World War II is part of a wider effort his country is making to uncover Polish traces in Egypt, says Labenda.



In the early 20th century there was sizable Polish community in Helwan, large enough to justify two homes for the frail and elderly. Those houses are now gone, but at the time they were significant enough to merit visits from the leading Polish politician Jozef Pilsudski during his sojourns in Egypt in the early 1930s.



There is, too, Ignace Tiegerman, the legendary Polish pianist who lived in Egypt before and after World War II and who headed the conservatoire that bore his name in Champollion Street.



They are part of a forgotten history that Labenda is keen to foreground Poland, he says, is very much engaged in the historic aspect.



In spring Warsaw intends to convene an abridged round of the international Chopin Piano Competition in Egypt, one of the most important musical competitions that takes place in Warsaw. Labenda is also considering a plan to provide Arabic translation of Polish literature for the benefit of Egyptian readers, an initiative that has gained urgency with the 2019 Nobel Prize for Literature going to Polish novelist Olga Tokarczuk.



The Chopin competition, scholarships and summer course that Warsaw grants to Egyptian students of Polish and the growing presence of Polish students in Egypt to learn Arabic help boost bilateral relations between the two countries, says Labenda.



Meanwhile, Egypt and Poland constantly consult over ways to promote regional peace and security.



Cairo took part in the Warsaw Process launched, upon a Polish-American cooperation, in the Polish capital on 12 February 2018 to promote peace and security in the Middle East.

The Warsaw Process was launched to reduce tensions between Iran and the West, especially the US. It quickly adopted a wider concept of regional peace and security in the face of Washingtons lack of appetite to pursue serious rapprochement with Iran.



A year after the launch of the Warsaw Process a final meeting is scheduled to convene in Washington late in April to review work on a wide-range of issues including combating terrorism, energy, cyber, aviation and maritime security, refugees and human rights.



While the Washington meeting is not expected to result in detailed recommendations on the wide range of problems the region is facing it will offer guidelines in terms of a horizontal roadmap.



The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the foreign ministers of participating states to discuss ways of reducing tensions between Iran and the West and hostilities in Syria, and ways to support the UNs role in helping Libyans overcome their problems.

Following US President Donald Trumps offer of a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli struggle the meeting will also provide a forum for consultation on the matter.



We appreciate the efforts and the wish of the US administration to resolve this conflict but we believe that the resolution has to be based on a two-state solution and we dont think the Trump offer is a good basis for this, says Labenda.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Decomposed bodies of an e-rickshaw driver, his wife and three children were found inside their rented house in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura area under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday morning, police said.

New Delhi: Decomposed bodies of an e-rickshaw driver, his wife and three children were found inside their rented house in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura area under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday morning, police said. The deceased were identified as Shambhu Chaudhary (43), Sunita (37), Shivam (17), Sachin (14) and Komal (12), they said.

Police received information at 11.16 am from Shambhu's neighbours, who complained of a foul smell emanating from the house. Police personnel broke open the door of the house and found the five decomposed bodies.

The bodies of the three children were found in one room and that of the couple in another room, police said.

"Today, we received information that foul smell was emanating from a house. Police reached the spot and broke open the door which was locked from outside. They found the bodies of five people, including three children," Joint Commissioner of Police (East) Alok Kumar said.

"It is too early to say the reason for death. The bodies were in a highly decomposed state. The cause of death will be ascertained after postmortem," Kumar said.

The postmortem will be conducted at GTB hospital, police said.

A forensic team has also been called in, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Ved Prakash Surya.

"We are trying to find Shambhu's mobile phone. We have not recovered any weapon from the house," he said.

"The house was also not ransacked. We are investigating the matter and going to file a case under Section 302 (murder)," Surya said. No note has been recovered from the spot, he said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Shambhu, who hailed from Supole district in Bihar, used to drive an e-rickshaw, the DCP said.

He had been living in the rented house for the past five months.

Deepa Verma, director of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Rohini, said, "Teams from physics, biology and photo departments visited the crime scene to collect samples. The postmortem examination will clear whether it was a murder or suicide. We have requested the police to preserve the bodies so that DNA samples can be collected."
Sanders voters said in exit polls that they were drawn to him because of his positions on the issues. But his proposals have almost no chance of becoming law, particularly if the Senate stays in Republican hands. If there is to be some progress on health care, or college affordability, or income inequality, or the appointment of judges, it will come through the election of a new president with hefty coattails  the capacity to help candidates lower on the partys ticket. In particular, much will depend on the outcomes of Senate races in a handful of states.
Australian Liberal MP Peter Dutton in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Nov. 25, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Australian Politician Defends Virus Travel Ban Extension After China Calls It Extreme

Australias Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has spoken to ease concerns from China after Australia extended a coronavirus travel ban for another week.

The Chinese embassy in Australia has lashed the federal governments extreme decision.

Of course we want to work very closely with the Chinese government but our responsibility is to keep Australians safe, Dutton told the Nine Network on Friday. You can understand it from the Chinese perspective.

For another week from Feb. 15, foreign nationals who have been in mainland China will be banned from entering Australia for at least 14 days from the time they left.

The Chinese embassy says the ban should be lifted, given the World Health Organisation has not recommended travel or trade restrictions on China.

Australia is among 58 countries that have introduced some form of travel restrictions on passengers who have traveled through mainland China, the government said.

Australian citizens and permanent residents will still be able to enter, as will their immediate family members, but they must self-isolate for 14 days from the time they left mainland China. The restrictions will be reviewed in one week.

Australias Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the key concern was the spread of the virus, officially known as COVID-19, across China.

Of the 15 cases in Australia, six have been cleared and the remaining nine are all stable.

No quarantined Australians at Christmas Island or Darwin have tested positive for the virus, with the first group of evacuees due to return home on Monday.

Universities are contacting their Chinese students to ensure they understand how the extension of travel restrictions affect them and to provide support.

Meanwhile, an Australian public health expert is being sent to Japan to look at the handling of the cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantine process and provide assistance to the government.

More than 200 Australians are passengers on the ship, with 11 of them testing positive for the virus.

Work is also underway on extending existing domestic tourism campaigns to help businesses impacted by the downturn in foreign visitors.
There was a sense that we wanted to just clarify that high-ranking city officials and city employees that exercise management authority on contracts, that they have to be aware not only of the prime (contractor), but they have to be aware of the subs, Berlin said.
Oxfam Trailwalker is calling for volunteers to assist in a number of roles during the 50 or 100-kilometre walking challenge taking place next month for the final time in Whakatane.

A number of volunteer roles are available, from road marshals to trail clearing and finish line support.

Oxfam Trailwalker Volunteer Coordinator Olga Darkadaki says volunteering offers a rewarding way to get involved.

Volunteering is a fantastic way to share in the excitement of Oxfams biggest fundraising event, to meet people, bond with colleagues and friends, and, most importantly, make a difference. By volunteering, you'll be helping to support communities in the Pacific to overcome poverty.

You can choose your role, whether being part of the infectious excitement of the finish line, or out on the trail. You dont need any specific skills to volunteer for Oxfam Trailwalker. You can do it as an individual or we have roles available that are more suited for pairs or groups, she says.

Since 2016 Oxfam Trailwalker has raised over $4 million to fight poverty. Olga says the warm welcome and community spirit in Whakatane will be remembered by participants, supporters and Oxfam staff.

Our new hosts for 2021 have huge shoes to fill. Its been an absolute joy having Trailwalker here. The people of Whakatane have had to overcome more than their fair share of adversity over the past few years, with the Edgecumbe floods and more recently the Whakaari eruption. In the face of this, everyone is always supportive and welcoming.

For more information, visit www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz/volunteer
While in Khammuane, Minister Lam laid flowers at the Laos-Vietnam fighting alliance monument, visited the Ho Chi Minh relic site and met with Vietnamese living in the province.

The minister praised the Vietnamese community in Xieng Vang village (Khammuane province) for donating their land for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh relic site. He wished that the community will join hands with the Lao administration to preserve and upgrade the relic site, which is a beautiful symbol of the great friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Minister Lam affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always pay attention to overseas Vietnamese, and have issued many policies to encourage them to participate in the construction of the homeland.

He also urged the Vietnamese community in Laos to contribute to the development of Laos and the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
President Donald Trump this week proposed a modest 1% pay increase and less generous retirement benefits for federal workers.

The proposal, included in Trumps fiscal 2021 budget blueprint, is reigniting a longstanding debate over whether federal employees earn too much, or too little, compared to their private-sector counterparts.

The presidents budget cites a 2017 Congressional Budget Office study that found federal workers total compensation on average is 17% higher than private-sector workers in similar jobs, chiefly because of their benefits.

CBO found that, in comparison to the private sector, the federal government continues to offer a very generous package of retirement benefits, the budget plan says.

Trump and Social Security: Heres what president's proposed budget could mean for your benefits

Trump and student loans: Which student loan programs would vanish if Trump's proposed budget goes through?

Federal employee advocates disagreed.

For an administration that has added $3 trillion to the federal debt, gouging federal employee pay and benefits in the name of deficit reduction is ridiculous, Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said in a statement.

For the fourth year in a row, President Trumps budget proposal would starve federal agencies to the point of paralysis, pick the pockets of middle-class federal workers and their families, weaken our nations nonpartisan merit-based civil service, and deprive Americans of the basic services and protections that expect from their government.

The Federal Salary Council  which includes experts in labor relations and pay policy, as well as labor union representatives  found last year that federal employees earn an average 27% less than their private-sector counterparts. That analysis, however, did not take benefits into account.

Federal employees holding empty plates stage a rally to call for a vote on the shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Jan. 23, 2019.

Bezos splurges: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos buys $165-million Los Angeles mansion owned by David Geffen, reports say

Story continues

Here are the issues:

Is Trumps proposal likely to be the final word on federal workers raises?

Probably not. Under legislation introduced by Democrats in both the House and Senate, federal employees would receive an average 3.5% raise in fiscal 2021. For the prior year, Trump recommended a pay freeze but eventually agreed to an average 3.1% pay increase after negotiating with Congress. That included a 2.6% across-the-board bump and a varying premium based on locality.

How does Trumps proposed 1% increase compare with private-sector raises?

Hourly wage increases for private workers across the U.S. averaged 3.1% annually in January, according to the Labor Department. Pay gains averaged 3.1% in manufacturing, 2.9% in construction, 4.1% in retail, 3.7% in financial activities, 3.4% in leisure and hospitality and 1.5% in education and health services.

Whats the main argument in support of Trumps slight pay increase and retirement benefit changes?

Chris Edwards, an economist at the libertarian Cato Institute, says a 1% raise is reasonable considering many federal workers get wage bumps as they periodically rise through 10 steps, as well as across-the-board raises. He also says the modest increase makes sense in light of the disparity in benefits between federal and private-sector workers.

Edwards also backs Trumps proposal to curtail federal retirement benefits and require workers to contribute more toward those benefits. He notes that federal workers receive both a defined contribution plan, like a 401(k), and a defined benefit plan, such as a pension.

The administrations proposals to trim the federal defined benefit plan are a modest step given that such plans have mainly disappeared in the private sector, Edwards says.

What do opponents of Trumps plan say?

Daniel Zhao, a senior economist at job posting site Glassdoor, notes that employers are struggling to attract workers amid historically low unemployment. The federal government isnt immune from todays highly competitive labor market and must battle for the same qualified workers as their often higher-paying private sector counterparts, Zhao says.

Sudarshan Sampath, director of research at PayScale, a compensation software and data firm, says federal salaries are significantly lower than private wages for high-skilled jobs in fields such as cybersecurity and intelligence, potentially putting the country at a disadvantage.

You cant just expect their desire to work for the country to prompt skilled workers to accept lower pay, Sampath says.

Social Security in the crosshairs: Social Security: Heres what Trumps proposed budget could mean for your benefits

The CBO has found that from 2011 to 2015, federal workers with a high school diploma or less earned 34% more on average than similar private-sector workers. But federal workers with professional degrees or doctorates earned 24% less than comparable employees at American businesses.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump budget: Is president's 1% raise for government workers fair?


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As part of a working visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk met with Minister of National Defense of Canada Harjit Sajjan to discuss the results and further directions of bilateral military cooperation.

Andriy Zahorodniuk and Harjit Sajjan discussed the current state of bilateral military cooperation. In particular, during the period from 2015 to 2020, as part of Operation UNIFIER, more than 6,700 Ukrainian soldiers were trained on the basis of four training centers in the territory of Ukraine. There are currently 150 Canadian instructors in Ukraine," the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported.

During the dialogue, Zahorodniuk informed Sajjan about the current situation in eastern Ukraine and the measures taken by the leadership of the state and the defense agency to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Following the meeting, the ministers identified promising areas of bilateral military cooperation, including consultations on a political strategy for territorial integrity, political independence and security, cooperation in the framework of Operation UNIFIER, military-technical cooperation, and continuation of advisory assistance.

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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse)  Thu, February 13, 2020 22:02 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206463574 2 Lifestyle ikea,sleepovers Free

Forty guests will have the opportunity to spend a night in IKEA's Brooklyn and Costa Mesa stores on March 13.

The Swedish furniture giant will celebrate World Sleep Day with exclusive in-store sleepovers in its Brooklyn and Costa Mesa locations.

The event, dubbed IKEA Swede Dreams Sleepover, will offer IKEA Family members the opportunity to spend the night with the guest of their choice in showrooms of the Swedish furniture-maker.

This giant sleepover will take place on Friday, March 13, with IKEA teasing unique games and sleep-themed activities throughout the entire night.

While studies report that one in four Americans develop insomnia each year, IKEA also announced an Insomniac Lounge with ASMR experiences, a Silent Disco as well as sleep workshops for its night guests.

In addition to the IKEA Swede Dreams Sleepover, US customers will be able to participate on February 22 in various sleep-themed workshops and activities as part of IKEA After Dark Sleep Festival.

Read also: Thousands again try to play hide-and-seek in IKEA store

The raffle for IKEA Swede Dreams Sleepover will run from Feb. 11 to 23, with the 40 lucky winners announced on Feb. 24 (20 for each of the Brooklyn and Costa Mesa stores).

This initiative is launched less than four years after the Swedish giant saw a recrudescence in illegal sleepovers in its stores, with ten incidents reported in the United States, Canada, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Australia and Poland.

The trend started after two teenagers posted a video of their night in an IKEA store in Belgium on YouTube, garnering nearly 3 million views hours since its release in August 2016.

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Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 13:50 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20644aa05 1 Business Indonesia,telecommunication-tower,XL-axiata,sales,Protelindo,Centratama,Indosat-Ooredoo,Mitratel Free

After months of negotiations, telecommunication firm XL Axiata has agreed to sell its 2,782 telecommunication towers to two local companies and plans to use the proceeds to expand its 4G coverage, as well as to improve its mobile data network quality.

XL Axiata finance director M. Adlan bin Ahmad Tajudin said in Jakarta on Wednesday that 1,728 towers had been sold to PT Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Protelindo) and 1,054 towers to PT Centratama Telekomunikasi Indonesia.

The agreement on the sale of the towers was signed in Jakarta on Feb. 7. We will raise Rp 4.05 trillion (US$ 296.55 million) from the sales and expect to close the deal by the end of the first quarter, he said during a press briefing event in Jakarta.

Following the sales, Adlan said the company would continue to use the towers by leasing it back from the buyers for 10 years. Such a move would help the company save and increase its efficiency significantly in the long run.

By selling the towers, the publicly listed company could also reduce its operational costs and the risks that might come from the towers.

This way, we dont have to spend money on the towers maintenance, land lease, licensing and pay compensation to the communities around them, he explained, adding that with the sales of the towers, the company could focus on the telecommunication service.

Adlan said the company planned to use proceeds from the towers sales to support this years capital expenditure and working capital.

A similar move was also made by publicly listed telecommunication provider Indosat last October, during which it sold 3,100 telecommunication towers for Rp 6.39 trillion to PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi (Mitratel) and Protelindo.

Indosats chief executive officer, Ahmad al-Neama, said the sales would allow the company to accelerate the implementation of its strategy and continue to ensure the best experience for its customers.

Meanwhile, XL Axiatas president director Dian Siswarini said the company had allocated Rp 7.5 trillion in capex this year. Around 80 percent of the allocation will be used to expand its telecommunication network, specifically its 4G network, so that 95 percent of the population could be covered by the service.

She said the company would focus on expanding to certain cities and regencies, especially outside of Java, that had good business prospects.

The expansion will be carried out to cities and regencies that can give a return on investment in three to four years, said Dian.

The companys group head of technology strategy and architecture, I Gede Darmayusa, said it would also expand its fiber optic network in the countrys main cities to increase mobile data capacity.

This year, the company planned to expand its fiber optic network to 100 cities both in Java and outside of the island, he said. The expansion would increase its fiber optic network coverage to 70 percent, covering 300 cities.

This will help us encourage digital connectivity among our customers, he said.

Dian also said the company planned to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalize mobile data packages. The strategy was expected improve service and increase sales.

Hopefully with such a strategy , our financial performance will be better than the overall industry, she

The company booked a 15 percent year-on-year (yoy) increase in revenue to Rp 25.15 trillion in 2019 and a 17 percent yoy increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization to Rp 9.97 trillion.
The navigation app on a car found in Vietnam showing the nine-dash line. Photo by VnExpress/Manh Duc.

Companies importing cars with navigation systems in which Vietnamese maps are not accurate will hereafter have their licenses suspended and then revoked.

A regulation to this effect was issued by the government on Tuesday, and it also applies to companies temporarily bringing cars into the country for purposes other than selling them.

Violators have six months to "completely rectify" their error, and will have their suspension lifted if they do. Failure to do so within the six-month period will see their license revoked, and they have to return their license to the Ministry of Trade within five days.

But it is not clear how a business can "completely rectify" their error.

Last October Volkswagen Vietnam imported an SUV with a map showing Chinas fraudulent nine-dash line for display at the Vietnam Motor Show. The vehicle was confiscated by customs, who fined Volkswagen Vietnam and its importer unspecified amounts.

The infamous and controversial nine-dash line is a demarcation that claims 90 percent of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, for China.

It has been vehemently opposed by the international community.

Apart from violating Vietnams sovereignty, it also disdains claims by Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Last year Vietnam also banned online game Onmyoji developed by Chinese firm NetEase and stopped the screening of Hollywood animation movie "Abominable" for showing the nine-dash line.
Nio Inc  ADR (NYSE: NIO) shares were higher in four straight sessions, defying lackluster deliveries statistics for January and a warning of further weakness. The stock was pulling back Thursday amid a report that the company is delaying payment of salaries to employees.

Chairman and CEO William Li told employees that salaries would be paid out Feb. 14 instead of the normal schedule of Feb. 8 as the company takes stock of the situation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, Bloomberg reported, citing a message to employees that was subsequently confirmed to the outlet by a company representative.

Li also suggested that employees opt for restricted stock units in lieu of their upcoming bonuses, although the choice was left to the discretion of employees, the report said.

Such an alternative would give some breathing room to cash-strapped Nio, which is facing fundamental and macroeconomic woes that are now compounded by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak that has virtually shut down the country and the economy for an extended period.

After reporting a precarious cash position of $274.3 million at the end of the September quarter of 2019, Nio recently struck a debt financing deal that would give access to $100 million in funding.

The stock was down 3.2% at $3.94 at the time of publication.

Related Links:

4 Reasons Nio Shares Are Higher Despite Sales Warning

Nio Shares Continue Higher Despite Predictions Of Record Plunge In Chinese Auto Sales

Photo courtesy of Nio.

See more from Benzinga

 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Taxi driver Raj Singh knew something was amiss when his 92-year-old passenger said she needed a ride to a California bank to take out $25,000 to pay the IRS, Roseville police say.

Singh suggested it might be a scam, but the woman did not believe him, police wrote on Facebook.

He pleaded with her to reconsider, and she agreed to go with him to the Roseville Police Department outside Sacramento to explain the situation to police, the post says.

After arriving, Singh went inside to speak to an officer but had to wait to see one, police wrote. He didnt give up, though, and eventually an officer went back with him to his cab to persuade Singhs passenger not to pay the con artists.

We love this story because several times throughout, Raj could have just taken his customer to her stop and not worried about her wellbeing, police wrote. He took time from his day and had the great forethought to bring the almost-victim to the police station for an official response.

Police and Roseville Crime Stoppers gave Singh a $50 gift card to thank him, the post says.

His quick thinking saved a senior citizen $25,000 and for that, we greatly appreciate his efforts, police wrote.
Educare Springfield is ushering in a new era in early education with the opening of the 24th Educare school in the nation, and the first to be established in Massachusetts. This research-based program will prepare young, at-risk children for school success.

Educare Springfield is located next to the Elias Brookings School on land donated by Springfield College. Educare schools are specially designed places that nurture early learning and send a bold message about the value of investing in the first five years of learning, when a childs brain experiences its most rapid growth.

Educare Springfield will serve three target populations: 141 Head Start-eligible children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old; their families with intensive family engagement and workforce development opportunities; and our community as a landmark demonstration lab school for college students, researchers and other early education providers while also providing data for best practices and policy change in the early education field.

As someone who was born and raised in a home in the Mason Square neighborhood, my role as the first executive director allows me a full-circle experience. Mason Square and the surrounding neighborhoods are rich in history and with Educare Springfield, history in the making.

Having worked for much larger nonprofit organizations in the region, I am extremely blessed to be playing a role in the strategic planning and the building of powerful and sustaining partnerships to help Educare succeed in the place I call home.

While Educare Springfield itself is a brand-new facility, the Educare model has a 20-year history of impact and success. The Educare Learning Network consists of 24 schools and has a strong track record of providing high-quality, data-driven programs that have led to strong child and family outcomes. Educare Springfield was birthed from necessity and a spirit of service to the children and families of Springfield.

Growing from one school on the South Side of Chicago about 20 years ago, Educare now is a powerful national network serving thousands of children in schools across the country. In 2000, the Ounce of Prevention Fund and the Irving Harris Foundation worked together to create Educare Chicago, an early childhood school serving around 150 children. Three years later, the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and the Ounce of Prevention Fund joined forces to form what is now the Educare Learning Network (ELN).

Together, they worked to expand the effort of helping to narrow the achievement gap for more children living in poverty by building more schools and creating a network of early learning champions around the country.

The four core features of Educare are:

 Data Utilization  The Educare model is built on a foundation of research. We will engage in year-round intensive research with a local evaluation partner that will inform best teaching practices and ways to improve our school. As part of the mission to go Beyond the Walls, Educare Springfield will also serve as a statewide demonstration site where we can share professional development with other early education providers and serve as a learning hub for students of various disciplines at our many institutions of higher learning;

 Embedded Professional Development  Educare teachers are provided daily embedded professional development through master teachers who offer reflective learning as well as hands-on instruction. This embedded professional development is intended to support teachers in their daily work as well as encourage and enable them to have a successful career path. Through our model we are also able to offer professional development opportunities to early education providers outside of our network;

 High-Quality Teaching Practices  At the core of Educares quality is being able to offer teachers the best opportunity to give children the best instruction on a daily basis. Our model calls for three teachers per classroom, affording targeted time with each student. This, along with the instruction provided by master teachers and best practices derived from our research, ensures the highest quality teaching practices; and

 Intensive Family Engagement  We know that enriching children must be holistic in an approach that is inclusive of their families. We are engaging parents in a supportive, authentic and effective manner that helps to empower them as their childs first and most important teacher. Our practices also include two-generation workforce development and a host of family engagement and community services.

We know that all children are born with potential. Sadly, there are not always equitable opportunities available to realize such potential. We live in a society of excess and unfortunately, some children and families are carrying an excess of disparities in relation to housing, food insecurity, transportation, living wages as well as education.

With the birth of Educare Springfield, we aim to provide the tools needed to the children we will serve that will help them thrive and succeed in their lives.

Nikki Burnett is executive director of Educare Springfield. To learn more about Educare Springfield, go online to

educarespringfield.org.
Hyderabad: Like in the movie Khakee, a team of Banjara Hills camped in Bihar for a month to crack a sensational burglary in their area on December 8, 2019. The team succeeded in arresting four members of the inter-state gang and nabbed its leader on Wednesday.

Police suspect the gang consists of around 20 members and operates throughout India. The gang travels by train and reaches the targeted city. It then zeroes in on residences in posh residential areas. One of the gang members joins as a cook, driver or watchman at the house. At an opportune moment, they decamp with valuables and vanish. The gang has been operating since 2005, said A.R. Srinivas, joint commissioner of police (west zone). The gang got notoriety as it kills anybody who intervenes in the burglary. One such instance happened in Chennai.

On December 8, 2019, the gang made away with gold and diamond ornaments worth `1.5 crore when inmates of a house in Banjara Hills had gone out for a day. Forty-five days prior to it, kingpin of the gang Ramashish Muk-hiya had joined the house as a cook. He was waiting for an opportunity to steal. The opportunity came on December 8 and Mukhiya summoned his gang to the house for the burglary.

Next day, when the inmates reached home, they found it ransacked, with diamond and gold ornaments missing from the house. They looked for their cook but he was missing along with his belongings. Following this, house owner Kapil Gupta approached Ba-njara Hills police and lodged a complaint.

Investigators ana-lysed the CCTV footage and identified that six persons were involved in the crime. They traced one of the gangsters Bhola Muk-hiya, who acted as mi-ddleman and recommended Mukhiya as a cook. After committing the burglary, all the accused left for Bihar, said police commissioner Anjani Kumar.

The investigating team led by K. Ravi Kumar collected all details of crimes committed by the gang throughout India. The team then went to Bihar and stayed there for a month while keeping a tab on movements of the accused. The team was successful in nabbing three of the accused Mukhiya, Harishchandra Mukhiya, Bhagavat Mukhiya on January 12.
While Indemnis is headquartered in Toronto, the P&C broker operates in both the US and Canada. Indemnis focuses on trade credit and political risk insurance, and the firm takes a consultative approach to helping clients protect against catastrophic credit loss.

A release said that Tom Leonard, Indemnis principal, will serve as practice leader for NFPs Trade credit & political risk division.

Im excited to welcome Indemnis to NFP as we continue to expand our specialized P&C capabilities, said NFP executive vice-president and property and casualty division head Henry Lombardi.

Lombardi also said that as NFP continues to grow its presence in North America, the company is working to improve the support it provides to clients with global operations.

The solutions that Tom and his team are able to deliver, will make our clients more resilient and support their ability to grow their businesses, the EVP added.

We are thrilled to join NFP and contribute to their continued growth in the specialty P&C space, commented Leonard. We are proud of what weve built and look forward to extending the reach of our specialized expertise in collaboration with NFP offices across the US and Canada.

Last month, NFP acquired Elective Benefit Services  a group benefits and retirement planning firm based in Waterloo, ON.
Almost 8,000 people have fled into Nigeria from Cameroon in the past two weeks to escape clashes between the security forces and armed separatists, the UN refugee agency said Thursday.

The latest arrivals are crossing the border into Taraba and Cross Rivers states in eastern and southern Nigeria, bringing the number of refugees to almost 60,000, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.

"Refugees reported fleeing violence and some even arrived across the border with gunshot wounds," it said.

"According to new arrivals, most come from areas near the border and have trekked across savannah and forests to reach Nigeria."

In October 2017, an armed revolt erupted in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions bordering Nigeria, where insurgents want to break with the French-speaking bulk of the country.

The conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives, according to tolls compiled by NGOs. The UN estimates that more than 679,000 have been displaced from their homes.

Fighting at the weekend disrupted voting in parliamentary and local government elections, according to official sources and witnesses who asked not to be named.

Refugees in Nigeria are "being sheltered in public schools and health facilities or with local families", the UNHCR said.

About 51,000 registered refugees had been taken in by some 87 communities in four Nigerian states, before the latest influx.

"In addition, there are four settlements where UNHCR and humanitarian partners are providing protection, food, livelihood, shelter and healthcare," the statement said.

"Refugees also need support to become self-reliant," said the UNHCR's deputy representative in Nigeria, Roger Hollo.

"With access to education, health services and labour markets, they can take care of their families and give back to the local communities hosting them."
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday informed a court it had no call recordings or hard evidence to prove that Rs 1.95 crore allegedly meant to be paid to public servants, including then CBI special director Rakesh Asthana, was delivered to a middleman on December 13, 2017 on behalf of Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana.

Sana has claimed to have delivered the money to Sunil Mittal, father-in-law of Dubai-based Someshwar Srivastava, also known as Somesh Prasad in the CBI case.

The investigating officer  Satish Dagar  also informed special CBI judge Sanjeev Aggarwal that there was no corroborative evidence of Sanas claim that he had made another payment of Rs 1 crore to middleman and Someshs brother Manoj Prasad in Dubai sometime in 2017 as part of an alleged Rs 5 crore bribe to save himself from a probe against controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Sana has claimed that he had arranged the Rs 1 crore in Dubai through his friend Yahya Abraham.

CBI has, however, recovered WhatsApp pictures and travel details establishing Sanas meetings with brothers Manoj and Somesh Prasad in Dubai, Dagar said.

The IO claimed Punit Kharbanda, an employee of Sana, who is alleged to have arranged cash from Hyderabad and delivered it in Delhi to Mittal, was deceptive in his polygraph test. CBIs disclosures come at a time the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to file a charge sheet against Sana in its probe against Qureshi. An ED officer said the charge sheet against Sana might be filed on Thursday.

In the FIR on a complaint from Sana by then CBI director Alok Verma in 2018 against Asthana and deputy superintendent Devender Kumar, it was alleged that Rs 1 crore was paid to Manoj Prasad and Rs 1.95 crore to Somesh Prasads father-in- law and it was meant for CBI officers. Asthana and Devender were given a clean chit by the agency on Tuesday.

During the hearing, the judge lashed out at the CBI for arresting Devender and ruining his career.

Why did you arrest your own DSP when the main player (Someshwar), who promised to influence the CBI officers, is to be put behind bars? You arrested the DSP, sent him to jail and now you have put him in Column 12 in the charge sheet (giving a clean chit). You have ruined his career, the special CBI Judge told the IO. Aggarwal listed the matter for hearing on February 19.
Thailand refused to allow the MS Westerdam to dock at a Thai port after it had already been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan (stock photo)

The operators of a cruise ship that was barred from docking by four governments over fears of a new virus that originated in China announced yesterday it will finally disembark passengers in Cambodia.

Thailand refused to allow the MS Westerdam to dock at a Thai port after it had already been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

The ship was unwelcome despite assurances from operator Holland America Line that no cases of the viral disease now known as COVID-19 - coronavirus - have been confirmed among the more than 2,200 passengers and crew.

US Ambassador to Cambodia W Patrick Murphy confirmed on Twitter late last night that Cambodia had authorised the ship to dock in the port of Sihanoukville. He said he had dispatched an embassy team to work with the ship's representatives and Cambodian officials to help US citizens disembark and transfer to their onward destinations.

"We have also co-ordinated with foreign embassies of other nationalities," he wrote.

Fear about the spread of the disease has heightened since Japan's health ministry confirmed at least 174 cases aboard another cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama.

The Westerdam began in Singapore last month and its last stop before it was refused further landings was in Hong Kong, where 50 cases of the disease have been confirmed.
China reports 97 new deaths from coronavirus, bringing toll to more than 1,100 (Daniel SLIM / AFP)

The central Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, reported 94 new deaths. This includes 72 deaths in the provincial capital of Wuhan, where the virus first emerged.

Across mainland China, there were 2,015 new confirmed infections on Tuesday, the lowest since Jan 30. The total accumulated number so far has reached 44,653.

The new virus is believed to have emerged last year in a market that sells wild animals in Wuhan.

China's senior medical adviser said on Tuesday that the coronavirus outbreak in the country may be over by April, and the latest numbers of new cases may further feed that optimism.

The virus was officially named "COVID-19" at a conference in Geneva held by the World Health Organization, where the body's chief said countries had a chance of stopping its global spread.

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday that although 99 per cent of cases are in China, where it remains "very much an emergency", it also "holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world".

He urged countries to share data in order to further research the disease.

Chinese authorities dismissed two senior health officials from Hubei on Tuesday, where tens of millions of people have been under lockdown since late last month, and tightened restrictions in Wuhan.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington City Paper, D.C.'s weekly newspaper of 39 years, is the recipient of two grants from the Facebook Journalism Project that will support its work on D.C.'s maternal health crisis as well as the further development of City Paper's recently-launched reader membership program.

"Facebook's investments in our City Paper's impactful local journalism and our burgeoning community-supported business model are a powerful validation of the importance of our institution. Their support also proves that we are early leaders in an exciting trend of news organizations finding new ways to support their community journalism in an era of transformation across our industry," says Mark Ein, City Paper's owner since 2018. "With these grants and the continued growing support of our community, we will be doubling down on our important and award-winning local news coverage of the District."

City Paper's arts editor Kayla Randall, whose work elevated the conversation on maternal health in the District, has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Facebook Journalism Project Community Network to further her reporting amplifying mothers' voices through community-driven discussions on maternal and infant health outcomes.

"When it comes to maternal care, there are huge racial, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities," Randall says of this timely work. "Getting to the bottom of these issues means speaking with mothers and really listening to their stories and experiences. I've been reporting on the issues impacting D.C.'s moms since 2018, and I moderated a City Paper community conversation in 2019 that brought together mothers and maternal health experts to raise awareness about how our community can better support our moms."

Randall adds, "I believe listening is the only way to ultimately create change, and that's what I'm hoping to do much more of with this additional support." To that end, Facebook's support will enable City Paper to host free community events, produce features on maternal health, and launch a podcast series that incorporates D.C.'s moms and their support network.

This crucial work is one example of the impact of City Paper with the support of its most valuable asset: its community of readers. In November 2019, the paper launched a new membership program to engage its readers, including opportunities to interact with the journalists of City Paper in community forums.

Hundreds of readers have pledged to support local journalism through City Paper to date, and the second grant from the Facebook Journalism Project will give City Paper new tools, best practices, and access to a network of community-supported news organizations from across the country to develop its membership strategy as a part of the Facebook Membership Accelerator program. The Accelerator program, which begins in March, will involve three months of intense, hands-on training and, subsequently, a grant for implementation.

"As we enter our 40th year, we remain dedicated to bringing D.C. high-quality writing, reporting, and photography, and look forward to accessing new tools and bringing best practices to our membership model that will help propel City Paper into its fifth decade and beyond," City Paper's interim editor Caroline Jones says of the opportunity. "We are thrilled to be a part of these two programs that will allow our paper to grow and thrive."

ABOUT WASHINGTON CITY PAPER

Washington City Paper has been the locals' guide to life, culture, food, the arts, sports, and politics in D.C since 1981. The paper remains a free resource for every Washingtonian, regardless of ward or income, thanks to the support of grants, our community-supported membership program, and advertising from beloved local businesses. Find the paper on the streets every Thursday, online at www.washingtoncitypaper.com and on Facebook , Twitter ( @wcp ) and Instagram ( @washingtoncitypaper )

SOURCE Washington City Paper

Related Links

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com


Last May, Bruce Springsteen told an Italian newspaper, in plain English: We will go on tour next year. Ill record with the E Street Band in the autumn and when we are done, well go on tour.

But now, as autumn has quietly come and gone and were two months into 2020, prospects of a new monster roadshow with The Boss and his band seem to be diminishing.

In a Wednesday interview with SiriusXMs E Street Radio, as reported by the Asbury Park Press, E Street guitarist Steven Van Zandt reportedly said: Lets just say I thought I was going to be busier than I am," regarding his upcoming plans. "So at the moment, 2020 seems to have opened up.

While Little Stevens cryptic response doesnt automatically erase what Springsteen said last year, it certainly isnt good news for fans who havent seen Bruce play a full-band U.S. tour since summer 2016.

After the interview aired Wednesday, a fan pressed Van Zandt on the tour via Twitter, and the rocker walked back a little, responding: We dont know for sure either way. When Bruce wants to announce something he will. Meanwhile we should all walk our dogs and enjoy life!

Its also disconcerting that beyond a handful of vague Instagram posts from Springsteen producer Ron Aniello over the last few months  which show a few instruments and E Street keyboardist Charles Giordano playing for a moment, with all posts tagged to Colts Neck or Monmouth County aka Springsteens home studio  theres been no news on what would be the first full-band album since 2014s High Hopes.

It seems unlikely, based on what Springsteen has said, that a tour will happen before the album is scheduled for release, and theres no word on when that album might be finished.

Not all hope is lost, however; its still within the realm of possibility that an album could be announced for summer or fall and the band begins an arena tour in the winter before blowing it out for stadiums next year, akin to 2016s lengthy The River 35th anniversary tour.

But as for warm-weather MetLife Stadium shows in 2020, the clock is most certainly ticking.

Springsteen, 70, played his longest electric set in over a year last month at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, as he jammed a surprise performance during the Light of Day Foundations annual WinterFest.

Springsteens solo album, Western Stars, was released last May and an accompanying concert film hit theaters in October.

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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To the great dismay of Iran's religious and political establishment, the celebration of Valentine's Day has become so popular in Iran that even in in the holy city of Qom authorities have to warn shops not to sell Valentine's gifts.

Qom with its many seminaries and the Shrine of Fatimeh Masumeh, the sister of the eighth Shiite Imam Reza, is visited by thousands of pilgrims every day. It actually has a reputation of being the religious capital of Iran.

The religious establishment sees the celebration of the Day of Love as an element of the "cultural onslaught of the West" to corrupt the Iranian youth and has tried to prevent it for many years. But each February 14 young Iranians overwhelm mobile networks with Valentine's Day text messages.

Iranian law enforcement agencies issue warnings every year and sometimes even shut down businesses selling Chinese made teddy bears with red hearts on their chests, chocolate and candies tied with red ribbons, red balloons and even red roses. The hardest to control are the peddlers who sell Valentin's items and red roses in the streets.

On February 11 this year the Center for Reduction And Control of Social Harms of the Prosecutor's Office in Qom warned businesses that promote "anti-cultural symbols such as Valentine's symbols" threatening to shut them down from one to six months if they do not comply. The statement issued by Prosecutor's Office has also provided a number for the public to call to report "transgressions".

Young Iranians often celebrate Valentine's Day in cafes and restaurants. The government warns these establishments in advance to stop people from making a show of celebrating the banned Day of Love. No red candles or balloons, no exchange of gift, and obviously no special offers on the occasion.

Some secular Iranians who also do not approve of celebrating a non-Iranian holiday with roots in Christian tradition, have tried to offer an Iranian alternative to Valentine's Day.

The alternative they have tried to promote is the celebration of the day of Sepandarmaz, the goddess of fertility and earth in ancient Iranian culture and in the Zoroastrian religion.

Ancient Iranians celebrated the day of Sepandarmaz by offering gifts to women. The small community of Iranian Zoroastrians still ritually honor Sepandarmaz on her day and offer gifts to women.

This day falls on February 19, only a few days after Valentine's Day. In the absence of a commercial driving force, the celebration of the Day of Sepandarmaz has really not become a big challenge to its western rival, at least for now.

The Iranian religious establishment is obviously opposed to celebrating the Day of Sepandarmaz with equal fervor. After all, Islam came to Iran to eradicate Zoroastrianism and any attempt to revive ancient traditions is seen as working against Islam and Islamic traditions.

The Shiite establishment has tried to offer its own alternative, the anniversary of the marriage of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet. Fatima married the Prophet's cousin Ali who then became the first Imam of Shiites and the fourth Caliph of Sunnis. On a few occasions, authorities held big celebrations at universities to promote the anniversary as the Day of Love, but that, too, has not proved a worthy rival to the celebration of the banned Valentine's Day.

Iran is not the only country where the celebration of Valentine's Day is banned. Lovers have to celebrate it behind closed doors in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan and surprisingly, in Belgorod region of Russia where officials banned it for "going against Russian cultural traditions".
WASHINGTON  The career U.S. diplomat who was ousted from her post in Ukraine by President Trump, then was criticized by him as she testified at his impeachment hearings, warned that the State Department is facing a crisis with senior leaders who lack vision.

Marie Yovanovitch, accepting an award at Georgetown University on Wednesday, portrayed the department as in trouble and under threat even as she sought to encourage her audience of mostly students not to give up on diplomacy as a career.

Yovanovitch urged students to follow in her footsteps because the U.S. needs diplomats that are ready and capable.

This country needs a robust foreign policy, Yovanovitch, the former ambassador to Ukraine, said as she accepted the Trainor Award for excellence in diplomacy from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.

But she noted that the State Department is being hollowed out under Trump and that the art of diplomacy has become less of a priority under his administration.

Right now, the State Department is in trouble, Yovanovitch said in accepting the award. Senior leaders lack policy vision, moral clarity and leadership.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been criticized by former diplomats and others for not coming to the defense of Yovanovitch, a charge he has denied.

Yovanovitch praised the quiet work of diplomacy as a way to ensure peace and prosperity in the world.

It sounds so old-fashioned in our high-tech world, but diplomacy is about human interaction, and creating relationships of trust is more important than ever, she said. Its not as exciting as sending in the Marines, but its cheaper and usually more effective in the long term.

The award, named for Raymond Jit Trainor, a former official at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, is presented annually to an outstanding practitioner of diplomacy. Recipients have included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Thomas Pickering, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Yovanovitch showed courage not just at diplomatic posts in Russia and elsewhere but in her willingness to testify before Congress, when she was publicly denounced on Twitter by Trump.

She has, in every sense of the word, acted in the highest tradition of those who serve our country, said Pickering, himself a recipient of the Trainor Award.

Yovanovitch was making her first public appearance since her testimony to Congress about her efforts to press the government of Ukraine to address longstanding U.S. policy concerns about corruption. At that time a back-channel effort led by Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani sought to push the government of the eastern European nation to dig up political dirt to help Trumps reelection.

Giuliani was part of a campaign that led the Republican president to order Yovanovitchs removal from her post ahead of schedule last spring. Trump appeared to threaten her, saying she would go through some things, in a July phone call with the leader of Ukraine that was at the center of the impeachment case against Trump.

Yovanovitch made light of the call during the Georgetown ceremony in one of her few direct references to impeachment.

When you go through some things, she said, drawing laughter, to fall back on cliche you have to dig deep a little bit.

To be blunt, an amoral, keep em guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul, she said.

Yovanovitch, who was removed from her post in May 2019 with no public explanation, described to Congress a concerted campaign against her based on unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives.

Trump publicly criticized her as she testified, saying on Twitter that everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad. Yet, in a nearly 34-year career at the State Department, she received a series of promotions under both Republican and Democratic administrations, with positions that included ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Ben Fox is an Associated Press writer.
Fadnavis latched on two articles published in a Maharashtra Congress magazine, which are critical of the Hindutva ideologue.

Mumbai: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday came down heavily on the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra for ignoring attacks by its new ally Congress on freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

The former chief minister latched on two articles published in a Maharashtra Congress magazine, which are critical of the Hindutva ideologue, to ask why the Sena is feeling so "helpless". He demanded a ban on the Marathi magazine 'Shidori' in which the anti-Savarkar articles have appeared.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said, "These references are part of two separate articles published in the magazine. I wonder how much the Sena is helpless for power that its ally is defaming Sena's ideologue, Savarkar."

"The magazine should be banned and the Congress should apologise over the malicious content in the magazine against Savarkar, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said.

The articles also say the Shiv Sena, which is heading the government in the state, is averse to facts, he said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party, a former ally of the BJP, should answer how much insult it can tolerate by its ruling alliance partner, Fadnavis said. The Sena should make its stand clear on whether it agrees to the description of Savarkar by the magazine officially published by Congress, he said.

The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has removed a bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while the party-led dispensation in Rajasthan has ordered removal of paintings of Savarkar and Bharatiya Jana Sangh co-founder Deendayal Upadhyay from schools, Fadnavis said.

Despite all this, the Sena is sharing power with the Congress, he said. Besides the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP is also a key constituent of the ruling Maha Vikas Agadhi in the state.
London: Britain's financial regulators are probing links between Barclays chief executive Jes Staley and the US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, the bank says.

Barclays said its board had looked into media reports on Staley's relationship with Epstein, and probed the chief executive's characterisation of it.

Financial regulators are probing links between Barclays chief Jes Staley, pictured, and Jeffrey Epstein. Credit:Bloomberg

The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority were now investigating, it said, without giving any further details of the probe. The FCA declined to comment.

The bank said its board believes the chief executive has been sufficiently transparent about his ties to Epstein, whom Staley said he had not seen since taking over as Barclays CEO in 2015.
State and federal funding sources could cover between 55% and 76% of the $142 million price tag, leaving as much as a $64 million funding gap for local sources to fill, according to the fact sheet. The Illinois Department of Transportation is also moving forward with improvements to Green Bay Road, also known as state Route 131, that would include widening the roadway and making room for a new runway.
Sylvan Learning is in a league of its ownno other supplemental and enrichment education brand can boast the success enjoyed by the brand, whose proven model and 40-year-rich brand awareness has resulted in more than 750 points of presence. These differentiators, among many others, have allowed Sylvan Learning to make a name for itself as a legacy brand in the supplemental education space. Now, after another successful year, the brand is gearing up for explosive growth.

2019 was a banner year for Sylvan Learnings franchise development, said Georgia Chasen, Vice President of Franchise Development. Last year, Sylvan Learning brought on 52 new franchisees and opened 24 centers, in both domestic and international markets. Over the last four years, weve attracted more than 200 new franchisees to the Sylvan Learning system and we are confident that the trend will continue in 2020.

According to Chasen, a new generation of entrepreneurs is choosing Sylvan Learning over the competition because of the brands industry-leading support infrastructure, passionate network of franchisees and expert leadership team. Both our franchisees and corporate owners are mission-driven and do everything they can to drive success for the number one priority: the students, said Chasen.

Sylvan Learning has been paving the way for student success thanks to industry-leading technology like the personalized learning platform SylvanSync, proven ACT/SAT test prep curricula, in-demand STEM courses and more. That said, its not only a brands offering or model that drives successits the people. With an incredible network of franchisees, the Sylvan Learning team positions their owners for continued success as part of the growing family, including an opportunity as rewarding financially as it is emotionally.

This year, weve made several internal investments to create a stronger franchise opportunity, said CEO John McAuliffe. This includes developing a new scheduling and admin system to create easier operations, as well as migrating internal technology to the cloud to create more reliable platforms. Weve also invested in an in-home tutoring program and hope to roll that out system-wide next year. Through these innovations, weve stabilized the system and are excited for franchisees to reap the benefits of these internal investments in 2020.

Looking to the future, McAuliffe explains that the brand is hoping to increase its points of presence by 40 in 2020. In addition to internal innovation, weve invested heavily in franchise development and marketing by creating a strong team to find qualified candidates, said McAuliffe. Since our system is over 40 years old, we naturally had a large number of seasoned owners interested in retiring and exiting the system. This led to a significant number of resale locations, but now we are seeing a growing interest in purchasing new territories.

For 2020, Sylvan Learnings franchise development will focus on both established markets and candidate outreach in communities we know will benefit from a Sylvan Learning center, said Chasen. We have open territories all over the country and internationally and encourage candidates to reach out from any state. A few markets weve pinpointed as prime for expansion include Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Northern California.

After this unprecedented year of expansion, it is clear that 2020 is an exciting time to join the Sylvan Learning franchise family. With our significant investment in back-of-house infrastructure, operational efficiency, curriculum innovation and franchisee support, the Sylvan Learning brand and team is positioned for 40 more years of success.

The startup costs for a Sylvan Learning range from $68,680 to $159,085. The franchise fee is $24,000. To learn more about franchising with Sylvan Learning, visit https://sylvanfranchise.com/.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING, LLC

With more than 40 years of experience and more than 750 points of presence throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvans proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync technology on the iPad for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGESTEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. For more information, visit http://www.SylvanLearning.com or http://www.SylvanLearning.com/blog.
Wyoming Business Tips for Feb. 17-23

A weekly look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Mike Lambert, Market Research Center manager, Wyoming SBDC Network

As the manager of the Wyoming SBDC Networks Market Research Center, one of my jobs is to keep an eye on business trends that look like they will impact the businesses in our state. The list is a long one, but the following are my bets for trends that could impact you, your business and our state economy in the coming year.

-- Remote workers. Remote work, especially for office workers, is fast becoming commonplace. Remote workers dont generally work 100 percent of the time from home or a remote location, but allowing workers to work remotely two or three days a week gives both the worker and the business added flexibility. Younger workers find this type of flexibility important, and studies show that remote workers put in a full days work or more. It also helps small businesses that cant always afford to hire a full-time person for a special project but, by hiring a temporary person, can fill an immediate need.

-- The gig economy. In addition to working remotely, around 36 percent of workers -- and especially younger workers -- are involved in the gig economy. Many workers have a side hustle or secondary job. Many entrepreneurs start their businesses this way, but estimates indicate that it is not just business owners, as 36 percent of workers are in the gig economy. With Wyomings independent mindset, it is likely that more of our workers will like the flexibility of the gig economy.

-- Employee happiness. Businesses are increasingly focusing on employee happiness. If you look at Wyomings job market -- with our nearly full employment -- you can understand why finding ways to keep your current employees happy and engaged is important. Keeping your best workers is no longer simply reliant on competitive wages, so companies are focusing on boosting morale and engagement while retaining top performers.

-- E-commerce is dominating. E-commerce is expected to reach around $5 trillion in the next few years. Many retailers are moving from brick-and-mortar storefronts to online stores. If you arent online, how confident are you that your physical store will be able to continue to succeed?

Other trends that Wyoming businesses need to consider are the growth of the green market; the increasing importance of online user reviews; the shift to stories -- short video content that disappears after 24 hours; the fact that personalized customer service is vital; and the need to address the way you need to reach younger consumers. The only thing that seems to be constant in todays business world is that change is constant.

If you would like to learn more about these topics and how you can apply them to your small business, contact your local Wyoming SBDC Network adviser for no-cost, confidential assistance at www.wyomingsbdc.org.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their businesses. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY 82071-3922.
It's no secret that she has an incredibly good sense of taste.

And Nigella Lawson looked effortlessly stylish as she arrived for the opening night of Tom Stoppard's new play, Leopoldstadt, in central London.

The television chef, 60, rocked a long white jacket with black kick flares as she was spotted in the foyer of the Wyndham's Theatre.

Night out: Nigella Lawson looked effortlessly stylish as she arrived for the opening night of Tom Stoppard's new play, Leopoldstadt, in central London

She finished off her striking ensemble with a fresh pair of white trainers.

The personality wore her shoulder-length dark brown locks in loose waves with a centre parting.

Displaying her radiant complexion, the mother-of-two went with a minimal slick of make-up and mute pink lip.

Casual: The television chef, 60, rocked a long white jacket with black kick flares as she was spotted in the foyer of the Wyndham's Theatre

Classic: The personality wore her shoulder-length dark brown locks in loose waves with a centre parting

She later took to Twitter to sing the show's praises. 'Just out of Tom Stoppards Leopoldstadt. Uncharacteristically but understandably quiet,' she wrote.

'But I do want to say just beautifully directed by Patrick Marber. And what performances. Good timing - in many senses.'

Nigella's appearance comes as she marked turning 60 in an interview with the Sunday Times Style magazine last month.

Plot: Leopoldstadt is a semi-autobiograpical tale charting the life of an extended Jewish family in the eponymously-named district of Vienna

Historic: It runs from the quarters heyday as a cultural melting pot in the early 1900s, through annexation of Austria by Hitler in 1938, to the Holocaust

The famed chef said she had 'fought fiercely' against feeling ashamed of her age, but did find turning 60 'odd'.

She said: 'I wanted to be open about my age to stop myself ever being able to lie about it!'

Nigella, who hosted her first cookery show in 1999, added: 'I had been brought up, as many women are, to feel getting old was something to be ashamed of.

Arrivals: Other attendees to the opening night event included celebrated author Tom Stoppard, who was accompanied by his wife Sabrina Guinness

Hello there! Comedian and actor Stephen Fry arrives for opening night of Leopoldstadt

Winter wear: Tom Hollander wrapped up warm in several charcoal grey layers to make it to the theatre

Dapper: Aaron Neil (left) and Luke Thalloncut smart figures as they attended the event

Attendees: Lee Hall and Sonia Friedman were all smiles

Good mood: Michael Grade was in a chipper mood at the event

'I knew it was something I had to resist  and resist I do. But even without thinking that getting old is a personal failing, it takes some getting used to.'

The chef went on to say she felt like a 'traitor' when she turned 49, because it was the year she reached an older age than her mother ever did.

Meanwhile, Leopoldstadt is a semi-autobiograpical tale charting the life of an extended Jewish family in the eponymously-named district of Vienna.

Family values: Violinist Linzi Stoppard, the daughter-in-law of Leopolstadt's playwright Tom Stoppard, was also in attendance at the opening night

Ladies in red: Avye Leventis and Felicity Davidson turned heads in their bright red ensembles

Party-goers: Ed Stoppard (left) and Stephen Daldry struck a pose at the Leopoldstadt party

Cosy picture: Nickolas Grace and Elaine Paige were all smiles at the bash

Say cheese: Clara Francis and Jason Watkins posed for a sweet snap

It runs from the quarters heyday as a cultural melting pot in the early 1900s, through annexation of Austria by Hitler in 1938, to the Holocaust that saw two-thirds of Viennas Jewish population flee before the rest were deported to the Nazi death camps.

The stand-out characters are Adrian Scarborough as the businessman who marries a Catholic woman (Faye Castelow), who is having an affair with a devilishly dashing officer in the Austrian army (Luke Thallon).

Girl talk: TV producer Sabrina Guinness and actress Helen McCrory had a chat at the bash

Looking good: Former EastEnders actress Tracy Ann Oberman donned a black floral dress for the occasion

Proud: The play's casting director Amy Ball (left) posed for a snap with Nina Raine

Group shot: The cast and crew posed for a fun snap at the event

Other attendees to the opening night event included celebrated author Tom Stoppard, who was accompanied by his wife Sabrina Guinness.

Actors Stephen Fry, Tom Hollander, and Sanjeev Bhaskar were also spotted making their way through the theatre foyer.

Former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour chose the new show for a West End date night with wife of 26 years Polly Samson.

Leopoldstadt runs until May 16 at Wyndham's Theatre

The Show Must Go On: Former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour chose the new show for a West End date night with wife of 26 years Polly Samson

Smiles: Sanjeev Bhaskar with wife and frequent collaborator Meera Syal

Cheers: The couple were joined by Joe Murphy for a snap
Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk!

You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details.
At least two suspects were on the run in Germany after two or more people were shot and stabbed, police say.

The victims were attacked near the railway station in Plochingen, a town near Stuttgart in the south of the country, according to the Bild newspaper online.

Police and special forces launched a large-scale operation, with helicopters to help hunt for the suspects.

At least five people were wounded, according to FranceNews24, but police said two people were injured, and a search was under way for more victims.

According to a local news website, a shot was fired and a knife was used in an argument.

Nearby streets were cordoned off during the hunt for the suspects, and police advised people to avoid the area.

Half an hour after saying they were hunting for three suspects, detectives announced they had arrested one person, but it was not clear whether they were one of the three.

More follows
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) have agreed in principle to sign an agreement for providing electricity to industrial units of the province from 18MW Pehur hydropower project at cheaper rates

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2020 ) :The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) have agreed in principle to sign an agreement for providing electricity to industrial units of the province from 18MW Pehur hydropower project at cheaper rates.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Energy and Power Himyatullah Khan said in a statement that signing ceremony of the agreement on Pesco Pehur wheeling modal would be held at CM House, next week.

He said that Pesco board of directors had accorded approval to the KP government's Pehur wheeling modal under which cheaper electricity would be provided to industrial units of the province including Gadun Textile Mills Limited, Premier Chip Board Industries, AJ Textile Mills and Charrot Cement.

He described that agreement was a revolutionary step of the KP government and it would give boost to business activities and provide investment and job opportunities, he added.

He said the government was taking steps in the right direction towards achieving goals in energy sector which was included in the priorities of the government.
A MAN who died after falling from his electric skateboard was a fun husband and a magical loving father.

Brad Vissers widow paid tribute to her husband after his inquest where a verdict of death by misadventure was recorded.

Annie Visser also urged other people not to ride electric skateboards, scooters or hoverboards on the roads as it is illegal.

Mr Visser, 38, suffered a severe brain injury when he came off his skateboard near the familys home in Main Street, Stoke Row, at about 7.30pm on July 17 last year.

He died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford 10 days later.

The South African father-of-two, who ran his own bespoke furniture business in the village, had not been wearing a helmet.

In a statement released by Thames Valley Police after the hearing, Mrs Visser said: Although Brad was adventurous and loved his toys, had he known that being on a public highway on his electric skateboard was actually a road traffic offence, he would never have been on the road that evening.

In our grief, we hope that in future, other electric skateboarders, scooter and hoverboard users will now be more aware of the laws and the risks, so that no other family has to endure the sadness of losing a loved one in this way.

Brad was a superb, fun husband and a magical, loving father to both Ozzie and Chloe. He had a huge heart and was always ready with a smile to help anyone in need.

If anything positive can come from this tragic loss, spreading awareness of road safety, we would feel that his death would not be such an absolute waste of a brilliant life.

The inquest at Oxford Coroners Court on Thursday last week heard how on the day of the accident Mr Visser had been at his workshop making alterations to his skateboard, which had electric motors controlled by a Bluetooth handset.

He had only owned it for a couple of weeks and had fitted it with different tyres to make it more suitable for road use. He had also been drinking, although it was unclear how much alcohol he had consumed.

Sean Watts, a friend and work colleague, said: Brad started changing the wheels and had picked up some cans of Fosters lager and was drinking while changing the wheels.

I left just before 6pm and he was still working. He lived next to the workshop, which meant it was not unusual for him to work late.

The following morning, I went to the workshop and saw six or seven empty cans in the waste bin.

He said a man called Tony had had one can, adding: I dont know if anyone visited. I can only assume Brad had drunk the rest.

There were no witnesses to Mr Vissers fall but CCTV cameras filmed him beforehand travelling on the skateboard at around 20mph.

Sarah Joyce, who was walking in Main Street, said: My attention was drawn to the middle of the road when I saw a man riding on a skateboard. I was surprised by the speed he was going at.

I didnt think too much more about it and I walked for a few more minutes. I had not yet reached the pub [the Cherry Tree] when I heard a scuffing or dragging noise.

I saw the man on the skateboard lying on the far side of the road. I went over to see if he was okay. When I reached him I called out but he didnt respond.

He was breathing but heavily. I saw that he had a serious-looking injury with blood coming from his ear. He carried on breathing but didnt say anything. Another lady who stopped said she was a medical professional so she took over. It was five or 10 minutes later that the ambulance responder arrived.

The inquest heard how Mr Visser initially responded well to treatment in hospital but his family decided to stop it after being told it was unlikely he would return to his full physical and intellectual capacity.

Peter Clark, assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, told Mrs Visser: This must have been an absolutely dreadful shock.

It is clear he enjoyed his skateboard and this was a dreadful accident that will obviously have a deep impact but Im sure you will also have very good memories of Brad and his time with you.

It is illegal to use electronic skateboards on a public highway, including the pavement and only permitted on private land with the landowners permission.

Pc Mark Dunne said: These skateboards are capable of speeds in excess of 20mph and safety equipment should always be worn.

As a result of this tragedy, the assistant deputy coroner has said he will be writing to the Government department responsible, highlighting the risks and lack of public understanding on the use of similar devices.

Our thoughts remain with Bradleys family and we hope that the conclusion of this inquest will bring about some closure for them from this tragic accident.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:09:50|Editor: yan

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YAOUNDE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cameroon's People Democratic Movement (CPDM) won a sweeping victory in the municipal elections held last Sunday, according to results released by council supervisory commissions.

More than 30 political parties contested in the municipal elections. CPDM won the majority of the 360 municipal councils nationwide, including all councils of the capital Yaounde and the economic hub Douala.

Several petitions have been submitted to Cameroon Constitutional Council demanding cancellation or recounting of the results in certain councils.

The elections took place on Sunday, with authorities expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the polls, despite threats from armed separatists in the country's restive English-speaking regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the deaths caused in an accident on Agra-Lucknow expressway near Firozabad.

Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said, "I am deeply saddened to hear about the deaths in the accident on Agra-Lucknow Expressway. Many passengers have lost their lives in the incident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in the hour of the grief. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries in the accident."

At least 14 persons were feared dead when a bus collided with a truck here on the Agra-Lucknow expressway on Wednesday night.

"A double-decker private bus rammed into a stationary truck on Agra-Lucknow expressway at around 10 pm in the night. The bus driver did not take notice of the truck and hit it from behind. There were 40-45 passengers on the bus. There are many casualties and several people got injured. Around 10-14 casualties may be there," Sachindra Patel, SSP, Firozabad said earlier in the morning.

The injured have been sent to the Saifai Mini PGI for treatment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than 3,500 police



personnel will be deployed in and around the city ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the Coimbatore serial blasts, police said on Thursday.

BJP workers and Hindu outfits observe the anniversary by paying homage to those killed in R S Puram in the city, where the first blast occurred.

BJP leader L K Advani was scheduled to address an election rally there.

Police said tight security will be in place, particularly in communally sensitive areas and also at the homage venue, where senior BJP leaders are expected to address the workers.

The serial blasts on February 14, 1998 claimed 58 lives and injured over 200 people besides damaging property worth Rs 200 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On February 25, 2019, the Indian Air Force hosted a ceremonial farewell banquet for the outgoing Western Air Command chief Air Marshal C Hari Kumar at its sprawling Akash mess. The Then IAF chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and around 80 senior officials attended the function.

Nothing was unusual about the typical military sit-down dinner.

However, only a handful of the top officers present were aware of what was about to unfold over the next few hours: the air force would create history by launching it first peacetime air strikes against a terror base in Pakistan.

As Dhanoa retraced his decades-old association with Kumar that night, some of Indias finest fighter pilots were preparing to add a glorious chapter to Indias military history.

As India marks the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the unprecedented air action against the Jaish-e-Mohammeds facility at Balakot has turned the spotlight back on how the IAF chose the targets, planned the mission and executed the pre-dawn raid on February 26.

The decision to carry out air strikes was taken within 24 hours of the Pulwama attack, with the government giving the IAF two weeks to select terror targets and launch air strikes against them, three people familiar with the planning of the mission said, asking not to be named. The Balakot strikes are a classified operation.

Pakistan was expecting a response similar to the 2016 surgical strikes after the Uri suicide attack. It never imagined that India could launch air strikes deep inside its territory. Thats why we took that route  to shock and surprise them, said the first person cited above.

Over the next few days, the IAF worked with intelligence agencies before presenting a list of target options to the government on February 21. Topping the list of targets was the JeM terror base perched on Balakots Jaba Top. The IAF selected Balakot as it was an isolated facility with the least probability of collateral damage, the first person said. Intelligence indicated that there were more than 300 terrorists, their handlers and supporters at the Jaba Top target. Pilots who took part in the mission were given a detailed briefing two days before the IAF launched the strikes, the second person said. One of the most crucial things about the mission was the element of planned deception. The idea was to make Pakistan believe that we would hit, say Target A or B, when in fact we were prepared to strike Target C, said the second person.

The IAF launched a strike package of more than 20 fighters, including Mirage-2000s and Sukhoi-30s, from bases in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. These fighter jets flew in three separate formations to mask the IAFs real intent. One of the strike packages consisting of Su-30s flew towards the Rajasthan sector giving the impression to Pakistani observers that the IAF was planning to strike Bahawalpur, the JeM headquarters, the second person said. The move forced Pakistan Air Force to scramble F-16 fighters from the Mushaf air base in Sargodha, which is about 320 km to Bahawalpurs north.

Another IAF fighter package was flying along a radial pointed towards Sialkot and Lahore, creating further confusion in the minds of the Pakistanis. And while this was happening, six Mirage-2000 fighters were on their way to strike targets in Balakot..., the second person said.

The IAFs Mirages hit three targets in Balakot with five Israeli-origin Spice 2000 bombs with penetrator warheads that allowed them to pierce through the rooftops before exploding inside to cause maximum damage, the third person said.

Each bomb carried around 80 kg of explosives in a 900-kg steel casing, with the explosion caused by time-delay fuses sending a lethal quantity of shrapnel that would have instantly killed the occupants of the buildings.

In an interview to Hindustan Times last March, the then IAF chief BS Dhanoa said the Indian fighter planes struck their intended targets with precision. Pakistan reacted the next day by launching air strikes against Indian Army installations along the Line of Control. Its attempts to strike targets, however, failed.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman scripted military aviation history by downing an F-16. He was captured after he bailed out of his aircraft, but Pakistan returned him on March 1 after holding him captive for almost 60 hours. He was later awarded a Vir Chakra.

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Zero Gravity Communications has bagged the national digital media duties for Red Hunt post a multi-agency pitch. The agency based in Ahmedabad is recognized for its inclusive branding strategies and digital media work.

Adjavis Venture Limited (AVL) has created its own space in the Body Fragrance market in a short span with 2 brands - LAYERR SHOT for men and LAYERR Wottagirl for women.

Recently, AVL has nationally launched its 3rd brand Red Hunt - A range of Men's grooming products that include Body Sprays, Shower Gel, Facewashes, Hair Styling Wax, Shaving Foam and Perfumes. Many more are in the pipeline and will be hitting the market soon.

AVL management comes with an astute understanding and history in running multiple successful brands in the FMCG sector and believes in creating a value-driven product for masses at large.

Khushboo Solanki Sharma, Founder of Zero Gravity Communications, said, "We are indeed delighted to find an opportunity to work with such an experienced team at Adjavis Venture Limited. Red Hunt is an up-and-coming brand in the fast-growing FMCG men grooming category. The challenge is to explore new opportunities that digital media platforms can provide to brands in India and the International market. We have outlined a creative strategy, best media mix, and are looking for ROI driven digital action plan that helps the brand portfolio within the targeted audience - youth. We will be closely looking at behaviour economics in the target audience that helps connect with sales and larger brand building. Let's #gethunted "

Shail Patel, Director at AVL is the brain behind this new brand Red Hunt, Having launched the Mens range nationally with a communication targeting the youth of today, it was observed that in the men grooming category its important to tap the digital space. Digital space is where the youth of today spends a considerable amount of his time. This is the place to tap the potential target audience at one to one. We were looking at various agencies who can help the brand to tap this space. An agency that understands this space, the consumer mindset and subsequently takes this understanding to this consumer most effectively. In this connection, we felt Zero Gravity Communications run by a team of young and energetic people could deliver better and together we can build brand Red Hunt. We are really looking forward to a fruitful association in creating brands which are our DNA.

Zero Gravity Communication is swiftly growing with a strong regional portfolio in the advertising world and making a mark for itself. Zero Gravity Communications is also worked with some big brands like Arvind Men's Wear, KP Sanghvi, Astral Adhesives, MYBYK, Indira IVF, Emerald Motors, Grainspan Foods, Vadilal Icecreams, etc.
New York: US prosecutors have added trade secret theft charges to their bank fraud case against Chinese company Huawei, further escalating the US battle with the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker.

The new indictment, which supersedes one from last year, was filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, US time, and charges Huawei with conspiring to steal trade secrets from six US technology companies and to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act.

It also contains new allegations about the company's involvement in countries subject to sanctions, such as Iran and North Korea.

"The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organisation that lacks any regard for the law," US Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Burr and vice chairman Mark Warner said in a joint statement.
VoucherCodesUAE and WhatsApp have teamed up to deliver codes via cellphone.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Procuring coupon codes for favorite online stores just got easier, thanks to VoucherCodesUAE's one-of-a-kind WhatsApp service. Users can now get a much-awaited deal and coupon code just as quickly and easily as a message from a friend.

In order to receive codes via WhatsApp, users must go to the VoucherCodesUAE website and click on the WhatsApp button on the top right corner of the page. From there, they'll be connected to a voucher expert who will link to the coupons users want.

"Coupon codes aren't just easy to get through this new service - they're also easy to forward as gifts to friends and family," says Rahman Hussain, CEO. "Over 100 Emiratis who have used the service since its launch already love it."



This new service from VoucherCodesUAE allows users to save time by not having to browse multiple sites to get the best coupon code for their purchase. Instead, they simply ping this service via WhatsApp and chat with the expert on the other end.

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Defense ministers of NATO member countries reaffirmed the Alliance's commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and assured their counterpart Andriy Zahorodniuk of continued political and practical support.

This was announced in Brussels on Thursday at a press conference as part of a two-day meeting of the defense ministers of NATO member countries by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, commenting on the meeting of the allies with the Ukrainian minister as part of breakfast.

According to him, the meeting participants discussed the situation in and around Ukraine.

"All allies met with him [Zahorodniuk]. And all the allies expressed strong support to Ukraine's territorial integrity, to its sovereignty. And they also promised and stated clearly that they will continue to provide practical support and political support," NATO Secretary General said.

He recalled that last fall the North Atlantic Council and he personally visited Ukraine.

"It is important to continue to support Ukraine. To do so it is also important that Ukraine continue on the path of reform. We commend Ukraine for the progress made. We commend President Zelensky for the initiative he is taking to renew the efforts for peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine," Stoltenberg stressed.

The Secretary General also noted that the Allies welcome the meeting in the Normandy format, held in December last year, and the exchange of prisoners.

"We strongly support the efforts to find the peaceful solution. This is a war going on in Europe not far from NATO. Of course, this matters to all of us," he added.
The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin has insisted that the swapping of ministerial positions between Mr Bryan Acheampong and Mr Henry Quartey was normal in Ghanas politics.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday morning reassigned the Minister of State at the Ministry of National Security, Mr Bryan Acheampong and Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Minister of Interior with immediate effect.



"Hon. Bryan Acheampong, MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of National Security, is now Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior;"



"Hon. Henry Quartey, MP, deputy Minister for Interior, is now deputy Minister at the Ministry of National Security," said a statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin on Thursday morning [February 13, 2020].



The statement did not provide reasons for the reassignments, however, Graphic Online gathers there has been some talking in government circles and within the security agencies of friction between Mr Bryan Acheampong and the Minister of National Security, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah.



The issue of clarity of roles between the Minister of National Security and the Minister of State at the National Security came up during the work of the Emile Short Commission on the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence. The Commission's report indicated that there should be a clear role for the Minister of State at the National Security, however, that assertion was shot down by the government in its White Paper.



Responding to public concerns for an explanation on the swapping of roles in a radio interview Thursday afternoon, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin insisted that this is not the first time in Ghanas history a Minister of State, for example, has been deployed to the Ministry of Interior.



"We recall that on 24th of July 2007, the then President of the Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor appointed Nana Obiri Boahen to that particular Ministry [Interior] as a Minister of State, so this is not the first time, he said in the radio interview with Accra based Joy FM during the midday news which was monitored by Graphic Online.



Mr Arhin explained that his understanding was that the Ministry of Interior will not be assigned a deputy Minister as things stand now.



Reacting to the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission which suggested a clarity of role for the Minister of State at the National Security, Mr Arhin said, "if you recall, that assertion by the Emile Short Commission was shot down by government in its White Paper... we believe there was no problem at all with the two persons working at the National Security Ministry.



As I said when Bryan Acheampong was there..., he was assigned a specific role.



He explained that he [Bryan] is just going there [Interior] to be assigned a specific role by the President or the substantive Minister [Ambrose Dery] himself so I don't believe it is going to create any problems for us,... no problems were created whilst he was there at National Security, we don't believe he is going to create any problem at the Ministry of Interior with this new role he has been assigned by the President.



Asked if he will be working under the substantive Minister of Interior, Mr Arhin said: "he is going to be assigned a specific role, normally that is what a Minister of State... virtually do, assigned specific roles."



From my understanding, Mr Bryan Acheampong will be reporting to Mr Ambrose Dery, Mr Arhin said in the Joy FM radio interview.







Source: graphic.com.gh









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FORT HANCOCK, Texas  The fire chief of a small West Texas town was killed when the fire truck he was driving flipped, ejecting him from the drivers seat, authorities said.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said Fort Hancock Fire Chief Manuel Galindo Jr. died about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday when the truck slipped off the pavement on State Route 20 in the town 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of El Paso.

DPS said its unknown what caused the 71-year-old chief to lose control of the truck. DPS said Galindo wasnt using a seatbelt when the truck flipped over.
While we remain grateful for the Administrations commitment to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, we are concerned that deep cuts to overall global health programs will restrict the impact of the Gavi investment and undermine the global immunization work of our UN partners.

President Trump recently released his budget for fiscal year 2021. For the fourth consecutive year, his budget proposes substantial, damaging cuts to foreign affairs, global health, and global child vaccine programs. Overall, the budget calls for a 22% cut to development and diplomacy, slashes USAID global health programs by $3.1B, and significantly reduces funding for the global child immunization programs Shot@Life supports.

Specifically, the budget would:



Slash funding for global polio and measles programs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by $11M and $9M, respectively.

Significantly decrease global polio funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Eliminate funding for UNICEF, the United Nations agency responsible for protecting the health and wellbeing of tens of millions of children, the majority of whom live in the most fragile places around the world.

Dramatically restrict funding for other multilateral programs at the World Health Organization (WHO).

That said, one aspect of the budget related to child immunization deserves strong praise. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will begin its next 5-year strategic cycle in 2021 and is seeking at least $7.4 billion from global donors to realize its ambitious goal of immunizing an additional 300 million children between 2021-2025. This achievement would bring the total number of children Gavi has helped immunize to 1.1 billion since its launch in 2000.

Shot@Life commends the Administration for proposing full funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, at $290M for FY2021. We also applaud the Administration for committing the government to a multi-year pledge at that funding level, which will support Gavi with $290M through FY2023. This is a welcome announcement and Shot@Life would like to thank Administrator Mark Green, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), for supporting a multi-year pledge that will save childrens lives while leveraging support from other government, civil society, and private sector donors. During the strategic period, recipient countries will also contribute at least $3.6B in co-financing and self-funded vaccine programs.

On February 25, 120 Shot@Life advocates from across the country will come to Washington, D.C. for our 2020 Champion Summit to ask their members of Congress to fully fund global child immunization programs. While we remain grateful for the Administrations commitment to Gavi, we are concerned that deep cuts to overall global health programs will restrict the impact of the Gavi investment and undermine the global immunization work of our UN partners. All bilateral and multilateral global health programs must be fully funded so that we may halt outbreaks at their source, protect Americans at home and abroad, and save millions of children from preventable illness.
Sgt. Megan Cisneros-Schriever, a 2013 Byron High School graduate, is rising through the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps.

This April, she will be officially promoted to staff sergeant.

"A normal promotion to that rank would ordinarily require upwards of a decade to achieve, and Megan will have completed the task in half that time," said Cisneros-Schrievers boss, Chief Warrant Officer Mark Baldwin.

Her achievements should come as no surprise to those who know her. Cisneros-Schriever has been excelling since her school days in Byron.

Through the Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO), she graduated from Rochester Community and Technology College with an associates degree two months prior to her high school graduation.

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She completed her bachelors degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in only 18 months. Unfortunately, her quick work "hindered" her plans. Cisneros-Schriever, who hoped to pursue a law enforcement internship, was too young to apply. The minimum age was 21, and she was only 20 years old.

At that juncture, a Marine recruiter from Rochester reached out to Cisneros-Schriever via Facebook. When asked if she was interested in the Marines, she told the recruiter, "No, not really."

However, she eventually decided to "give it a try." Her initial reluctance has resulted in a laudable career with the Marine Corps. She graduated at the top of her recruit training class, and after spending time in Quantico, Va., she is currently stationed in Beaufort, S.C.

Not all who serve in the armed forces are deployed abroad. Cisneros-Schrievers administrative work is with a non-deployable unit. Still, her desk job still has her rising at 4 a.m. and leading daily morning workouts for the 34 Marines she oversees at 5 a.m. In addition to working 80-plus-hour weeks, Cisneros-Schriever has also earned a Masters degree and hopes to continue her studies in a Ph.D. program.

There are unknowns in Cisneros-Schrievers future. She has contemplated going the officer route instead of remaining enlisted. But no matter what the future holds for soon-to-be Staff Sgt. Cisneros-Schriever, Baldwin said, "She is the epitome of a Marine and exactly what Americans should strive to be."

Sew-ciety serving the community

For some, quilting is a solitary endeavor. For others, company is essential. The Rochester Quilters Sew-ciety, with over 260 active members, not only provides companionship, but also serves our community in a multitude of ways. Current Sew-ciety President Ruby Florine grew up watching her grandmother quilt using a treadle sewing machine. Today, Florine has that very sewing machine in her home and uses it for her own projects, continuing its longstanding history.

The Sew-ciety holds monthly meetings with guest speakers, has an extensive library available to members, offers classes and retreats, and hosts a quilt show every other year. Many members participate in local and national quilting competitions through the American Quilting Society. But it is the service to our surrounding area that is truly remarkable.

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Some of the Sew-cietys recent contributions include the Festival of Trees, serving the Elder Network and SEMCAC in Kasson (over 200 quilted placements were made for meals delivered during the 2019 holiday season), Quilts of Valor (presented to those who have served in the military), and making dementia activity aprons for Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys.

Florine shared the news of the organizations latest community service, supporting the Jeremiah Program, which is slated to open in Rochester this summer. The Sew-ciety is making 40-plus quilts for the children who will be living there. The quilts will be waiting on their beds upon arrival and will go with the children when their mothers graduate from the program.

At last weeks meeting, the Winona Quilt Guild also contributed five quilts to be included with Rochesters donated quilts. Additionally, the proceeds from the 2019 quilt show were presented to the director of the Jeremiah Program.
UPDATE: 2:52

Methodist Healthcare says the evacuee that was quarantined at JBSA-Lackland and now confirmed to have novel coronavirus is being treated at Methodist Texsan on the Northwest Side.

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES:

A patient under quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has been diagnosed with novel coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The individual is currently isolated, in stable condition, and receiving medical care at a designated area hospital. Officials with the CDC did not release the name of the hospital for the patient's safety.

"All people who lived or traveled in Hubei Province, China, are considered at high risk of having been exposed to this virus and are subject to a temporary 14-day quarantine upon entry into the United States," the CDC said in a statement. "This is the first person under quarantine at JBSA-Lackland who had symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19."

The patient, a solo traveler, developed a fever on Tuesday morning and was transported to the hospital. Samples were sent to the CDC for testing.

Authorities received the positive test result Wednesday evening, according to Jennifer McQuiston, a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service who is leading the CDC's quarantine efforts.

Officials are investigating where the patient went while under quarantine at Lackland and who they were potentially exposed to. They said the risk to the community is still considered low.

One official at a city press conference Thursday morning noted that bringing the individuals home from China may have saved their lives. Another emphasized the importance of empathy for people who were caught in China during the outbreak.

"We're Americans," McQuiston said. "We bring our people home and we take care of them."

This is the first confirmed coronavirus case in Texas. There have now been 15 diagnoses in the United States. Globally, the number of people infected has climbed to more than 60,000.

"There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan," the CDC said.

The evacuees under quarantine at Lackland are "a little bit suspicious" of one another, officials said, but in good spirits and counting down the days until they can reunite with their families.

Health workers caring for the evacuees wear personal protective equipment and are also being monitored for symptoms.

On Friday, 91 evacuees who had flown on a chartered plane from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the deadly outbreak, landed at Lackland for a 14-day federal quarantine.

Officials have not yet decided to extend the quarantine in response to the confirmed case.

READ MORE: CDC: Lackland coronavirus evacuees didnt travel with newly diagnosed passenger in California

Nearly a third of the evacuees at Lackland are children 15 or younger, health officials said, and all adults are under the age of 70.

An evacuee from China who was diagnosed with novel coronavirus in California did not travel with the passengers who were brought to Lackland, according to officials.

The evacuees at Lackland are not the only people in San Antonio under quarantine.

Officials noted Sunday that they are also "actively monitoring" Bexar County residents who had returned from China and are being self-quarantined at their homes.

At the news conference Thursday, an official said the self-quarantined individuals had been screened both in China and at ports of entry to the United States. Every one of them has been deemed "medium or low risk," and health officials are in contact with them every day.

The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. Health officials think it spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how the flu spreads.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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






Nissan Motor Co CEO Makoto Uchida holds a news conference on earnings Feb. 13 at the company's headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. / Reuters

TOKYO  Nissan, reeling from a scandal over its former superstar executive Carlos Ghosn, sank into red ink in the latest quarter as its vehicle sales fell around the world, and the Japanese automaker slashed its profit forecast for the year.

Nissan Motor Co. reported Thursday a loss of 26 billion yen ($237 million) for October-December, a reversal from the 70 billion yen ($638 million) profit recorded a year earlier  a drop of $875 million.

Quarterly sales slipped nearly 18% to 2.5 trillion yen ($23 billion), as Nissan's vehicle sales fell in Japan, the U.S., Europe and China.

Chief Executive Makoto Uchida told reporters at Nissan's Yokohama headquarters that a turnaround plan was in place, with details to be released in May.

The situation has worsened, but there is no moment to waste as we must keep investing in future products, he said. We are headed in the right direction, but it will take time.

He acknowledged Thursday's results didn't take into account possible damage from production halts in China caused by the new coronavirus outbreak, and further downward revisions may be coming.

Nissan's plants in China have halted over the virus, although preparations are underway to resume production later in the month. But whether such restarts can happen remains uncertain, not just for Nissan but also other manufacturers in China.

Some production was being scaled back at Nissan's Japan plants, although that was to be made up when the supply chain recovers, possibly next month, according to Nissan.

Nissan slashed its profit forecast for the fiscal year through March 2020, to 65 billion yen ($592 million), falling far short of its earlier forecast for a 110 billion yen ($1 billion) profit.

It now expects to sell 5.05 million vehicles globally for the fiscal year, a decrease of 4% from the previous forecast.

Story continues

Shareholders will get zero yen in dividends for the latest quarter.

Nissan's brand has been badly tarnished by Ghosn's arrest in late 2018 on charges of under-reporting future compensation and of breach of trust in diverting company money for personal gain.

Ghosn, who has repeatedly said he is innocent, skipped bail late last year and is now in Lebanon. He held a news conference and accused Nissan officials of a conspiracy against him.

He has said Nissan and some Japanese government officials sought to block his attempts to realize a fuller merger with alliance partner Renault SA of France.

Nissan has sought to distance itself from the allegations against Ghosn. It filed a civil suit this week against him seeking damages. His lawyers have not yet commented on the suit. In it, Nissan is accusing Ghosn of improperly using Nissan money for such things as overseas homes, use of corporate jets and consulting fees paid to Ghosn's sister.

Nissan as a company must also stand trial in the criminal case in Japan.

Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon, and so Ghosn's trial likely won't go forward here. Ghosn has said he fled Japan because he could not get a fair trial there. The conviction rate in Japan is higher than 99%.

Greg Kelly, an American former executive at Nissan who was implicated in the charges against Ghosn, will stand trial.

A date for the trial has not been set.

Uchida took over the helm of the manufacturer of the Leaf electric car, Infiniti luxury models and the X-Trail SUV in December, replacing Ghosn's successor, Hiroto Saikawa.

Saikawa tendered his resignation last year after acknowledging dubious income, although he said he did not know about the pay until later.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said statements like 'goli maro' and 'Indo-Pak match' should not have been made by BJP leaders while campaigning for the Delhi Assembly elections and that such remarks may have cost the party dearly.

He, however, said the BJP does not fight elections just for victory or defeat but believes in expanding its ideology through polls.

"Such statements should not have been made. Our party has distanced itself from such remarks," he told at a Times Now programme.

Shah was asked a question about a few BJP leaders raising slogans like 'goli maro' and talking about the 'Indo-Pak match' during the Delhi elections campaigning.

He admitted that the BJP may have suffered in the polls because of the statements made by some of its leaders.

"It is possible that our performance may have suffered because of this," he said.

Shah said his assessment on Delhi elections went wrong but asserted that the result of the polls was not a mandate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) or the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

He said anyone who wants to discuss issues related to CAA with him can seek time from his office. "(We) will give time within three days," he added.

Strongly defending the CAA, which provides for Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the home minister said there is no such provision in the new law that will take away the citizenship of Muslims.

"We have never discriminated against anyone on the ground of religion. There is no provision in the CAA which says that citizenship of Muslims will be revoked. Don't just criticise CAA, but discuss it on the basis of merits. CAA is neither anti-Muslim nor anti-minority. I am ready to meet anyone, but discussions need to happen on merit. Unfortunately, nobody wants to come forward and discuss CAA," he said.

Shah also said that so far the government has not taken any decision on rolling out the NRC for the whole country and made it clear that those unwilling to show documents during the the National Population Register exercise were free to do so.

He, however, said the NRC was a promise of the BJP in its election manifesto.

Asked about the ongoing agitations against the CAA, Shah said everyone has a right to peaceful protest but violence is not justified.

"We tolerate non-violent protests, but vandalism can't be tolerated. Silent protest is a democratic right," he said.

On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said everyone, including politicians, are free to visit the newly-created Union Territory whenever they want to and there is no restriction on anyone's movement.

Asked about the detention of three former chief ministers -- Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti -- he said it was a decision of the local administration to slap them with the Public Safety Act.

Omar Abdullah has approached the Supreme Court and let the judiciary take a decision on it, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A logo of Alstom is seen at the Alstom's plant in Semeac near Tarbes

By Maya Nikolaeva and Allison Lampert

PARIS/MONTREAL (Reuters) - Alstom's <ALSO.PA> board will meet late on Wednesday to discuss buying Bombardier's <BBDb.TO> rail unit, sources familiar with the matter said, and a media report said the French train maker had valued the business at just under $7 billion (5 billion).

French TV station BFM reported on its website that Alstom was set to make a firm offer for Bombardier's Berlin-based rail division.

Three industry sources familiar with the talks said a deal would involve Alstom acquiring Bombardier's largest unit in terms of revenue, but cautioned an agreement was not finalised.

Bombardier shares were up almost 8% in afternoon trading.

Alstom and Bombardier declined to comment.

A deal would help Montreal-based Bombardier improve its financial footing. The company, which will report its results on Thursday, faces higher-than-expected-costs in its rail division and $9.7 billion in outstanding debt, according to Refinitiv data.

An acquisition would help Alstom compete more effectively against Chinese giant CRRC Corp and in the U.S. market, a fourth industry source said. <601766.SS>

Desjardins analyst Benoit Poirier said in a note to clients that a $7 billion offer seemed high "considering recent operational challenges" in the rail unit.

A planned tie-up between Alstom and Germany's Siemens AG <SIEGn.DE> collapsed last year due to European regulatory concerns.

"After the failure of the Alstom-Siemens merger, (a deal) would be a good strategic rebound for Alstom," said a fourth source who was familiar with the French governments thinking.

Bombardier's rail assets are heavy in lower-margin rolling stock which are less attractive for Alstom, the source noted, but the deal would still offer synergies.

Alstom had recently made a non-binding offer valuing the business at $7 billion and a new offer would be binding but worth less, BFM said.

Story continues

Alstom would offer cash for Bombardier's 70% stake of its railway business and Alstom shares for the 30% held by Canadian pension fund manager Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, the report added.

Poirier of Desjardins said he assumed a value of $2.5 billion net of Caisse's stake in the division, but excluding "pension liabilities which could be significant."

Caisse, which acquired the stake for $1.5 billion in 2016, declined comment.

One of the industry sources told Reuters that several options were on the table, including Alstom raising capital and the Caisse becoming one of the French company's main shareholders with Bouygues <BOUY.PA>, a French conglomerate that owns a 15% stake in Alstom.

Bombardier is also weighing a sale of either its business jet or rail division.

The company is leaning towards selling rail because it would resolve the need to buy back the Caisse's share at a high cost, the second industry source said.

Under their agreement, Bombardier could buy back Caisse's convertible shares at either the fair market value of its stake, or at a minimum 15% compounded annual return, whichever is higher.

Reuters reported last month that Bombardier had approached Alstom and Japan's Hitachi to find a merger partner for its rail business.

(Reporting by Maya Nikolaeva in Paris, Allison Lampert in Montreal and Arno Schuetze in Frankfurt. Additional reporting by Gwenaelle Barzic in Beaufort and Michel Rose in Paris; Writing by Geert De Clercq; Editing by David Gregorio and Bernadette Baum)
ALTON  Guided two-hour shuttle tours of the Underground Railroad will begin again Saturday, Feb. 29.

Seats are available for the 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. tours featuring J.E. Robinson. The tours begin at the Alton Visitors Center, 200 Piasa St., Alton. Tickets are $25 per person; call 618-465-6676 or 1-800-258-6645 or visit www.visitalton.com/shuttle.

Robinson will take visitors to sites throughout Alton and Godfrey where escaped slaves took refuge as they worked their way to freedom more than 150 years ago. While there were no railroad tracks or trains, the effort to find freedom from slavery resulted in a series of deliberate and organized safe places for those escaping bondage.

Altons riverfront along the Mississippi River played a vital role in helping slaves connect to freedom in the northern U.S. Scattered throughout Alton and surrounding areas, remnants of this period in history still exist.

New Bethel-Rocky Fork AME Church, in Godfrey, originated before the Civil War when free people and slaves crossed the Mississippi River to begin life in Illinois which was a free state. According to the National Park Service, as early as 1816 Rocky Fork Church was one of the first free state stops for slaves escaping Missouri. In the 1830s, a more organized Underground Railroad route was established through the African Methodist Episcopal Church. This area continued to serve as both a way stop and escape community after the Missouri Emancipation Proclamation of 1865.

Altons Union Baptist Church is one of the oldest black churches in Illinois. It was populated by free Blacks and organized in 1836. John Anderson, Union Baptists founding pastor, was Alton abolitionist newspaper editor Elijah P. Lovejoys pressman prior to Lovejoys death in 1837 by an anti-abolitionist mob.

Additional Underground Railroad Shuttle Tours are planned March 28, April 25, May 30, June 27, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. For more information or to make registrations, contact the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau at 800-258-6645 or visit to www.RiversandRoutes.com.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : A Delhi court on Thursday adjourned till February 17 hearing on a petition seeking issuance of death warrant in Nirbhaya rape case, observing that condemned convicts are entitled to exhaust their legal remedies and it cannot afford to ignore their fundamental rights.

"Article 21 protects the life and liberty of condemned convicts till last breath. The condemned convicts are entitled to exhaust the legal remedies and the court cannot afford to ignore heir fundamental rights," Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana said.

The court also asked the new counsel representing a death-row convict, Pawan, to study the matter.

The court on Wednesday gave liberty to Pawan to choose his own counsel after his lawyer, A.P. Singh, refused to represent him in the matter.

The court directed the death-row convict to select his counsel from the list of empanelled advocates of the Delhi State Legal Service Authority.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in the national capital in December 2012.

Out of the four convicts, Pawan is the only one who has not yet availed of the remedy of either curative or mercy petitions, which will be the last judicial and constitutional resort available to him.
An "excited" US First Lady has said that she and President were looking forward to their first visit to India which would be an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the the two countries.

President Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Apart from New Delhi, the President and the First Lady will visit Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat, Modi's home state.

In a tweet, said her maiden trip to India as the First Lady is an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries.

The 49-year-old US First Lady also thanked Prime Minister Modi for the "kind invitation" to visit India.

"Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month," she said. President Trump and "I are excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India," she said.

was responding to Prime Minister Modi's tweet on Wednesday in which he termed the US President and the First Lady's visit to India as a "very special one".

"India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship," Modi said in his tweet.
The US has welcomed the conviction of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and said that his sentencing is an important step forward for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terror financing and holding the LeT accountable for its crimes.

The statement of a top State Department official came after Saeed, a UN designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, was sentenced to 11 years in two terror financing cases on Wednesday, four days ahead of a crucial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Paris where Pakistan will present its case to escape from being blacklisted.

According to Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it is in the interest of his country's future that it does not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil.

She said in a tweet: "Today's conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward both towards holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing".

Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack and Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief, was arrested on July 17 in the terror financing cases. The 70-year-old fiery cleric is lodged at the high-security Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

Anti-terrorism court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta sentenced Saeed and his close aide Zafar Iqbal to five and a half years each and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 in each case. A total of 11 years sentence will run concurrently.

The crackdown on Saeed's outfit last year followed a warning by the international terror financing watchdog to Pakistan to deliver on its commitments to curb terror financing and money laundering.

The verdict comes four days ahead of the crucial meeting of the FATF from February 16 to 21 in Paris where Pakistan will present its case to get itself off the Grey List.

The FATF in October last decided to keep Pakistan on its 'Grey List' for its failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

If not removed off the list by April, Pakistan may move to a blacklist of countries that face severe economic sanctions, such as Iran.

Since Pakistan continues to be in the FATF 'Grey List' , it would be very difficult for the cash-strapped country to get financial aid from the IMF, the World Bank, ADB and the European Union.

The FATF is backed by the UN Security Council passed resolutions which made its recommendations binding and in case of deficiencies, sanctions could be imposed.

Saeed-led JuD is the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

The US named Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. He was listed as a terrorist under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
When Daniel Dwyer saw flames taking over the wooden-frame house, he made a split-second decision to act.

Other firefighters on his search team were still rushing to the late-night blaze in Atlanta last June, but the flames were only getting stronger. So Mr Dwyer broke down the front door, pulling out a 95-year-old woman who had been trapped inside. She died soon after from her injuries.

Eight months later, however, Mr Dwyers actions that night have gotten him suspended from his job without pay, according to local TV stations, because the fire captain failed to follow protocol when he ventured inside by himself.

Firefighting is an extremely dangerous job, Atlanta fire chief Randall B Slaughter told a group of city lawmakers on Tuesday. Although rushing into a blaze alone may seem courageous and commendable, that person can also jeopardize other firefighters if they get trapped, he said.

The disciplinary rebuke against Mr Dwyer has nonetheless provoked anger among firefighters in Atlanta and beyond, as many of them questioned why Mr Dwyer is being punished  rather than praised  for what they see as an act of heroism.

The woman caught in the fire, 95-year-old Sallie Skrine, lived in the northwest Atlanta neighbourhood of Collier Heights, one of the first in the country created by black urban planners for black middle-class residents.

In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-1-reu.jpg Reuters In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California 32-droughtwinds4-ap_1.jpg AP In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California 32-droughtwinds3-rt_1.jpg Reuters In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California 32-droughtwinds2-rt_1.jpg Reuters In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California 32-droughtwinds1-afpgt_1.jpg AFP/Getty Images In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California 32-droughtwinds5-rt_1.jpg Reuters In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-12-reu.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-5-reu.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-7-getty.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-8-reu.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-6-getty.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-9-reu.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-10-reu.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-11-reu.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire2-getty.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire3-getty.jpg In pictures: More than 1,000 firefighters battle Springs Fire in California fire-4-getty.jpg Getty Images

Ms Skrine was a big-hearted matriarch and a pillar of her community, family members told WBNS, a television news channel, last June, and in the basement of her one-story home, the woman known to most as Ms Skrine operated a food pantry for residents in need.

In the early-morning hours of 27 June 2019, a fire started in her house on Collier Drive, likely in the kitchen. One of the burners on the stove had been left on, officials told WAGA, a television news channel, and had probably started the blaze.

When Mr Dwyer arrived on the scene around 1am, a team of firefighters was trying to fight the blaze with water while Ms Skrine was in the dining room. The house had burglar bars installed on the windows, and officials say the woman may have been trying to escape when Mr Dwyer broke down the front door.

He pulled her out of the blaze and onto her porch, as other firefighters joined him to carry her down away from the house. Despite their efforts, Ms Skrine died from her injuries.

Video of the blaze provided obtained by local news outlets shows Mr Dwyer pulling Ms Skrine through the front door and onto her porch, where his fellow firefighters help carry her down the steps onto the curb.

That seemed to be the end of the story  at least, in public  until this week, when WXIA, a local tv station, reported on Mr Dwyers upcoming suspension.

A notice of final action obtained by the TV station said that Mr Dwyer will be suspended without pay for a period of four days, until 19 February, because the fire captain broke protocol when he entered the house and attempted to rescue Ms Skrine.

You entered the structure without your crew members, the document said, which is in immediate conflict with no freelancing, accountability and maintaining crew integrity.

In a statement on Thursday to local media outlets, fire chief Slaughter declined to comment on the specifics of Mr Dwyers individual disciplinary case, noting that it would be inappropriate to publicly discuss a situation that has not been totally resolved.

Mr Dwyer can appeal his decision, local media reported, although that process can take up to several years. A spokesperson for the department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post.

The disciplinary process for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is designed to encourage safety and order, Mr Slaughter said. It also seeks to establish clear expectations in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

But the local firefighters union, the Atlanta Professional Firefighters Local 134, slammed the decision, arguing that Mr Dwyers actions that June night should receive only praise.

When the men and women in the station hear that fire captains are going to be punished for acts of valour, it just goes against in which anything a firefighter swears an oath to uphold, Paul Gerdis, the head of the union, told WAGA.

And in some sense, Mr Gerdis added, the suspension is almost akin to rubbing salt in the wounds left from the June blaze. Besides the guilt of not being able to save this homeowner, he said, the unpaid suspension will also create a financial burden for Mr Dwyer and his family.

On social media, the union seemed to take on a darkly ironic tone.

Tragic event when a firefighter upholds his oath to risk his life for a citizen he has never met, the union wrote on Facebook. The passing of Ms Sallie is heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to her family and community. We can promise the Citizens of Atlanta that we will always come for you.

The Washington Post
The first poster of Abhishek Bachchans The Big Bull is finally out and introduces him in a suited look as the man who sold dreams to India. The film is about Indias biggest securities scams, which shook India in 1992.

Abhishek is seen as a confident man on the film poster in a grey suit and brown shades. The actor shared it on his social media pages with the pages, #TheBigBull releases on 23rd October!! Stay Tuned.

The poster got a thumbs up from the audience who couldnt help comparing his look with his character of a businessman in 2007 film, Guru. A fan reacted to the poster, All the best. @juniorbachchan. Waiting eagerly to see that guru performance and going beyond. One of the very underrated actors. He is super talented for todays realistic cinema and life characters. Another compared him to his superstar father Amitabh Bachchan and wrote on Twitter, U look ditto like @SrBachchan frm Agneepath. Only difference is the moustache. This would be one of ur career defining movie n role. Hope u get a national award just like ur dad Amit ji got for Agneepath. All the best Junior B!

Directed by Kookie Gulati, The Big Bull has Ileana DCruz as the female lead and also stars Ram Kapoor, Sumit Vats, Sohum Shah, Nikita Dutta and Lekha Tripathi in pivotal roles. The film has been produced by Ajay Devgn and Anand Pandit.

Also read: Angrezi Medium trailer: This is Irrfan Khan we have all been waiting for. Watch

Talking about working with Abhishek, producer Anand Pandit had told IANS, Abhishek believes in acing everything he does and he is very committed to his craft. Coming from a family that has been around for many years, he makes sure everyone on set is comfortable. He makes sure to read his script thoroughly and doesnt waste peoples time. He has been an example to many people on set. As a producer, he is a dream to work with.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
a night at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, where a literally Frozen stay is beautifully decorated with intricate ice sculptures that capture the spirits of Norwegian folk heroes

Adventurous families can experience a one-of-a-kind spring break this year with a new Frozen-inspired experience designed by Up Norway. The one-week journey is filled with an array of Nordic experiences for the entire family from meeting Vikings in Oslo and a fjord cruise to dog and reindeer sledding, lasso throwing and an introduction to the stories that inspired Disneys Frozen.

The adventure begins in Oslo, where travelers can tour the Viking Planet digital museum, visit the Oslo Opera House, or soak in a private floating sauna. Then, its on to Myrdal with a breathtaking ride surrounded by towering troll-like peaks along the Flamsbana Railway, which National Geographic called one of the most scenic train rides in the world. After passing through Myrdal and arriving in Flam, travelers will embark on a fjord cruise to Gudvangen, an old Viking village surrounded by picturesque mountains, waterfalls and narrow valleys.

Frozen fans will love exploring Norways second largest city, Bergen, said to have been part of the inspiration for the films magical kingdom, Arendelle. While in the coastal city, travelers will see stunning Nordic architecture, such as the colorful wooden houses on the Bryggen warf, and learn about local gastronomy at a special Norwegian cooking class. Outdoorsy families will also be able to climb or take the funicular to the top of the citys Flyen Mountain, which offers panoramic views from hiking trails. Similar to Anna and Elsa, travelers will journey through an enchanted Norwegian forest while dog sledding with Alaskan huskies when they visit the next city on the itinerary, Alta. Accommodations in Alta include a night at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, where a literally Frozen stay is beautifully decorated with intricate ice sculptures that capture the spirits of Norwegian folk heroes.

Families will then head north to Norwegian Sapmi, the land of Norways indigenous Samis who served as inspiration to the Tundra People in Disney's Frozen. While in the city of Kautokeino, travelers will learn about their deep-rooted history including the Alta Controversy, a political conflict in the late 1970s that is said to have inspired the plot to Frozen 2. A day of nonstop Sami-inspired fun awaits the group, including a snowmobile ride, lasso throwing, reindeer sledding, and more. With an abundance of snow, its also the perfect place for kids to build a snowman like Olaf.

On the last night of the week-long adventure, travelers will enjoy a traditional Nordic meal served over a fire in a cozy lavvo tent, accompanied by joik, customary Sami song, which is the inspiration for Frozens opening song by Sami musician Frode Fjellheim.

The cost of the Norwegian Spring Break Experience is $3,419 per person based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Seven nights high-end accommodation with breakfast, select dinners, daily experiences, all local transfers and more are included. During the trip, families have access to Up Norways interactive Digital Travel Guide, which offers 24-hour chat service with an Up Norway Insider to assist families with all their traveling needs. For more information or reservations, please visit https://upnorway.com/journey/family-winter-adventure.

About Up Norway:

Established in 2016, Up Norways vision is to introduce quality conscious international travelers to truly unique Norwegian experiences. Its local expertise, sustainable approach, digital itineraries and passion for Norway open up new perspectives. Up Norway has sourced partners who share these core values. Native Norwegians take pride in serving local cuisine, showing off their vibrant culture, and breathtaking nature. Up Norways trips focus not on standard city tours but on getting people out into the countrys stunning landscapes and in contact with the local people. Curated accommodations include not only boutique hotels but also stilted log cabins, lakeside yurts, tent igloos, and a renovated lighthouse: cozy places where youre hosted by the owners and introduced to the local culture and traditions. The company takes pride in offering experiences off the tourist trail and offers access to sites and stories that would be a challenge to discover otherwise. With a Digital Travel Guide provided to their guests, Up Norway uses technology to enhance its personalized service, not to replace it.
Damn Margot really took Jennifers place. At least theyre the same age

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and she will be replaced soon after, once she wins an oscar and hits 30 its all over for her. Thats the cycle in hollywood.

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Low key expecting it to be Florence Pugh!

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Yeesh

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So in like... a few months?

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Its gonna go to shit the moment she turns 30

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she's OK but she doesn't have even half the charisma that Jen has tbh

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Christian Bale in a David O Russell film? How revolutionary

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revolves around a doctor and lawyer who..... form an unlikely partner.......ship.....



Love you Mike but no.

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how is margot replacing jlaw? maybe jlaw is just busy and wants to work with others?



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jlaws last movie was red sparrow in 2018 which flopped lol (i'm not counting dark phoenix since sophie was the lead)



according to her imdb shes announced to play elizabeth holmes in a bad blood movie which tbh i don't think she has the range but i'll watch it

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I still think elizabeth debicki would be perfect for that role

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Sigh. I wanted Bad Blood years ago, even with an open ending due to get ongoing cases.



It will be eclipsed by the Hulu miniseries Kate McKinnon. Or really, McKay will just end up hiring Florence Pugh.

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margo >

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He hasn't made a movie in 7 years.Damn how time flys.

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he made joy back in 2015, so 5 years but yeah. can't say anyone missed him

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The marvel /dc mashup we deserve. Lol

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https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates/status/1227673817054662657 I read on twitter that Lawrence, Foxx and Jolie all passed on this?

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i hope it's true that jen saw the light and turned DOR down, their relationship always grossed me out. mostly DOR just grosses me out. she can do so much better than his movies

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Mte

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i remember amy adams saying jen was like teflon and didnt let any of his abuse affect her. like.....he shouldnt be abusing her anyway??

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if she turned it down its not because they aren't on good terms. he was just at her wedding.

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David accepting a black man in his film? David still working? So glad the unlikely and likely balance each other out!

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"first once upon a time in hollywood, now this movie... is margot replacing jlaw as the it girl male directors want to work with?"



I'm not really seeing this? Other than being blonde and white. Also JLaw is taking a break.

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first once upon a time in hollywood, now this movie... is margot replacing jlaw as the it girl male directors want to work with?



let's hope. margot is the better actress.



but it's probably because jennifer's on a break, didn't she just get married?



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wtf. hope DOR drops dead



Edited at 2020-02-13 09:14 pm (UTC)

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Cancel Culture clearly isn't as big a threat as the poor lil men make it out to be if this asshole is still making movies.





Edited at 2020-02-13 09:18 pm (UTC)

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Xiantao in central Chinas Hubei Province has played its part in the nationwide battle against the novel coronavirus epidemic through curbing the virus and producing medical materials in full swing.

Photo taken on Feb. 8 shows workers busy with production of medical protective supplies in a workshop of a local company in Xiantao, central Chinas Hubei Province. (Hou Linliang/Peoples Daily)

Xiantao is known as Chinas famous industrial city of nonwovens as it abounds with non-woven fabrics. The city is also a member of the Wuhan City Circle, a regional economic union with Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus epidemic, being the center.

On Feb. 8, Xiantao, the county-level city managed to increase its daily output of medical protective clothing to 30,000, a figure that seemed impossible in the past.

Although it abounds with non-woven fabrics, Xiantao has very few manufacturers that can handle the whole process of production of medical protective clothing. Some local companies can only provide raw materials or semi-finished products.

At present, the whole country, especially Wuhan, is face with a shortage in medical supplies. We are going to fulfill the task whether we have the conditions or not. Theres no turning back but only mission and responsibility for us in front of the epidemic, said Zhou Zhihong, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xiantao municipal committee, after receiving the order from the provincial government of Hubei.

In an effort to improve production capacity, Xiantao has spared no effort to mobilize the whole city and make scientific arrangements to speed up production of relevant supplies and make full use of every minute.

The city has ensured overall coordination and unified procurement of equipment, unified supply of raw materials, unified protection and accommodation for employees, unified inspection, test and quarantine, unified loading and transportation, and unified budgetary appropriations for designated enterprises.

Meanwhile, the city has launched dedicated work teams to guarantee production of relevant supplies. Each team has been stationed in one local factory to organize production on site.

Photo taken on Feb. 8 shows workers busy with production of medical protective supplies in a workshop of a local company in Xiantao, central Chinas Hubei Province. (Hou Linliang/Peoples Daily)

According to Yan Zhichao, deputy mayor of Xiantao, a total of ten local enterprises have been involved in the production of medical protective clothing, with one of which providing raw materials and the other nine producing semi-finished products. All of the products were handed over to Winner Medical Group Inc., a provider of medical supplies headquartered in Shenzhen, south Chinas Guangdong Province, to go through procedures such as disinfection.

Production standards of medical protective clothing are extremely strict, especially those concerning joining two pieces of cloth together with a strip, according to Jiang Aiping, a quality inspector, explaining that only by sticking strips on relevant areas can the cloth be joined together and the effect of the clothing be strengthened.

It looks simply, but skilled workers are not easy to find, said Jiang, while demonstrating the process of pasting strips.

Its difficult to recruit workers during the Spring Festival holiday, and its even more difficult to find workers to stick the strips, added Sun Aimin, a staff member who stood nearby.

On Jan. 24, the eve of the Spring Festival, Xiantao started to mobilize resources for the production of medical protective clothing across the city. After a comprehensive survey, it was found out that there were only 70 skilled workers who can stick the strips on medical protective clothing and only 40 machines for the job.

A skilled worker can only handle the strips of up to 200 medical protective clothes a day even at full capacity, a speed which is too slow for achieving the goal of a daily output of 30,000.

Under such circumstances, Hu Changwei, secretary of the Party committee of Pengchang town, Xiantao, who has been stationed in a local company for the production of medical protective clothing, braced himself to create conditions to achieve the production target.

Hu asked manufacturers of relevant equipment about information of the buyers, and then looked for skilled workers in relevant cities to stick strips on medical protective clothing. He called these workers, offering them three times the pay and inviting them to work in Xiantao.

Hu sent cars to pick up workers in other provinces, and finally invited more than 150 workers from provinces including central Chinas Hunan Province, east Chinas Jiangxi Province, and central Chinas Henan Province.

At the same time, Hu organized training for over 200 local workers, and purchased more than 190 machines for sticking strips from cities including Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, through efforts of multiple parties.

Medical protective clothes are armors for medical workers. From cloth to finished products, each piece of these clothes involves as many as 20 manufacturing procedures. Every procedure must be carried out with special care, for even the slightest carelessness would ruin the clothes.

Winner Medical Group has sent more than 20 quality inspectors to Xiantao. Quality inspectors usually dont drink much water, so as not to waste time by going to the toilet, disclosed Feng Dan, a quality inspector.

Even a gap as small as a needle eye is not acceptable, stressed Feng, who pays close attention to every piece of clothes in her hands.

With amazing sense of responsibility and unrelenting efforts, Xiantao created marvelous results. Since the city resumed production on Jan. 24, the eve of Spring Festival, it increased the daily production of protective clothing to 7,000 pieces on Jan. 29, to 15,000 by Feb.10 and to 30,000 on Feb. 8.

At the thought of the doctors and nurses trying all out to save lives in ICUs, we know we must rise to the difficulties in production and provide armors for them, so that we can defeat the epidemic at an early date, said Zhou, who disclosed that the biggest challenge for Xiantao is the current traffic restrictions for vehicles, as the city has to purchase raw materials from other provinces.
The latest coronavirus epidemic has sent people scrambling for face masks like never before. The world is facing severe disruption in the market for personal protective equipment, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, warned last week. Demand is up to 100 times higher than normal and prices are up to 20 times higher. This, even though face masks are not, on their own, a proven prophylactic against infection from the new coronavirus (hand washing is more important, medical experts seem to agree).

And yet we shouldnt look upon this buying spree as a sign of irrational epidemic-panic. Consider mask-wearing in its historical and cultural context, and youll see that in China, for example, it serves as far more than simply a means of protecting oneself from infection. Masks are also a marker of medical modernity, as well as a signal of mutual assurance that allows a society to keep functioning during an epidemic.
ISLAMABAD -- The United States has praised the jailing of the alleged mastermind of deadly 2008 attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai as a "step forward" for Pakistan.



An anti-terrorism court in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on February 12 sentenced Hafiz Saeed to a total of 11 years in two terrorism-financing cases and fined him 30,000-rupees ($194).

However, Saeed is to serve 5 1/2 years in prison as the two sentences will run concurrently.



His lawyer, Imran Gill, said he would appeal against the verdict.



Co-defendant Malik Zafar Iqbal, one of Saeeds close aides was given a similar punishment.

Alice Wells, the top U.S. diplomat for South Asia, tweeted that the convictions were "an important step forward that will help keep Saeeds Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing."

She said the move would help keep Saeeds Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing."

Saeed was arrested in July last year and charged with collecting funds for a banned organization. He pleaded not guilty.

U.S. President Donald Trump hailed Saeed's arrest at the time, writing on Twitter: "After a ten-year search, the so-called 'mastermind' of the Mumbai Terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!"

Saeed is the founder of LeT, the militant group blamed by the United States and India for the Mumbai siege in which 160 people, including Americans, were killed.

Saeed has denied involvement in the Mumbai attack, but India has repeatedly called for his prosecution.

His jailing comes as Pakistan faces potential blacklisting by a world financial watchdog -- the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) -- for failing to curb terror financing.

Pakistani officials say they are working to meet the Paris-based FATFs demands ahead of the organization's plenary meeting on February 16.

Washington has long pressured Pakistan to try Saeed, who is designated a terrorist by the United States and the United Nations.

The United States offered a reward of $10 million for information leading to the conviction of Saeed, who has been repeatedly detained and released over the past 10 years.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa
LONDON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Robin Hood Bingo, one of UKs top Online Bingo sites, is celebrating its 8th Birthday. To celebrate the occasion, Robin Hood Bingo is upgrading its welcome bonus and offers a Prize Wheel with special perks throughout the month.

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Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 10:56 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206435fd1 1 Politics intolerance,Jokowi,Karimun,Riau-Islands,North-Sulawesi,religious-freedom,church-rejection,church,mosque,mosque-attack,freedom-of-religion Free

In response to a question about protests against a church renovation in Tanjung Balai, Karimun, Riau Islands, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said he had called for firm action to ensure that religious freedom was upheld, while adding that such matters were the responsibility of regional administrations.

Our Constitution clearly protects the freedom for every citizen and their right to worship according to their beliefs, Jokowi said in a press briefing at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.

I have instructed the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister and the National Police chief to take firm action against groups or people that disturb [peoples right to worship] according to the Constitution. Intolerance should not exist, he added.

The renovation of the 92-year-old Santo Joseph Catholic Church in Karimun, Riau Islands, was halted last week following protests by local groups.

Read also: Renovation of 92-year-old Catholic church in Riau Islands halted after protests

The church, which was established in 1928, obtained a building license for the renovation last October but had postponed activity after objections from the local United Muslim Forum and the Karimun Regency Caring Alliance.

Jokowi also mentioned an incident in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi, when a meeting hall for Muslims was vandalized by locals.

Read also: Eight named suspects for vandalizing meeting hall for Muslims in N. Sulawesi

I had hoped that the regional administrations could resolve these issues, he said. But because I did not see any action taken by the regions I have ordered the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister and the National Police chief to resolve both the incident involving the church in Karimun and the mosque in North Minahasa.

Jokowis comment about such incidents being the responsibility of regional administrations drew criticism from interfaith activist Alissa Wahid, the daughter of former president Abdurrahman Gus Dur Wahid.

Bapak,

Urusan agama tidak bisa diotonomi-daerahkan. Krn (umat) agama-agama menyebar di seluruh Indonesia. Sedangkan Kepala2 daerah hanya berfokus pd daerahnya sendiri & itu wajar. Harus ada penegakan hukum terpusat dg landasan hak konstitusi warganegara. https://t.co/wY2B0UEXfK  Alissa Wahid (@AlissaWahid) February 12, 2020

Sir, matters of religion cannot be left to regional autonomy, because the faithful are spread all throughout Indonesia, while regional heads are only focused on their own regions, which is understandable, she tweeted. There should be centralized law enforcement based on citizens constitutional rights.

She added that she hoped Jokowis instructions could be formulated into a more sustainable policy that could be applied to the whole country, not just Minahasa or Karimun. (dpk)
LAKEWOOD, CO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU; TSX: EFR) ("Energy Fuels" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as lead underwriter, sole book-runner and representative of the other underwriters, under which it has agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, US$16.6 million of common shares of the Company at a price of US$1.47 per share (the "Firm Shares"). The Company has also granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately US$2.5 million of additional common shares of the Company (the "Option Shares", and together with the Firm Shares, the "Offered Shares", and the "Offering") by providing notice to the Company within thirty (30) days of the date of the Underwriting Agreement. The Offering is expected to close on or about February 20, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

Use of Proceeds of the Offering

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to provide the Company with additional financial flexibility and enhanced options with respect to any or all of the following: (i) to fund various activities required to increase uranium and/or vanadium production at the Company's properties in response to the President of the United States' budget for fiscal year 2021, including: wellfield construction and other enhancements at the Company's Nichols Ranch ISR Project in Wyoming, development and mining activities at the Company's La Sal Complex in Utah, development and mining activities at the Company's Canyon Mine in Arizona, exploration drilling, development activities and wellfield construction at the Company's Alta Mesa Project in Texas, exploration, permitting and development activities at the Company's other projects, and various capital and sustaining capital expenditures at the Company's White Mesa Mill and other projects; (ii) to continue to pursue additional revenue-generating activities at the White Mesa Mill, including alternate feed material processing and land clean-up activities; (iii) to continue to finance evaluation of the high-grade uranium and copper mineralization at the Company's Canyon Mine, including further evaluation of processing options at the White Mesa Mill for the copper resources; (iv) to continue permitting the Company's projects, including Roca Honda; (v) to repay all or a portion of the Company's convertible debentures; (vi) for general corporate needs and working capital requirements; and/or (vii) to retain all or a portion of the net proceeds of the Offering in cash and/or marketable securities as collateral for advances under any credit facility that may be used by the Company for any of the foregoing purposes, and if necessary to repay any advances under such credit facility. However, management of Energy Fuels will have discretion with respect to the actual use of the net proceeds of the Offering, and there may be circumstances where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of the net proceeds is necessary.

The Offered Shares are being offered in the United States pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and became effective on December 26, 2018. The Offered Shares are being offered in Canada pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company's final short form base shelf prospectus dated December 27, 2018, which was filed in each of the provinces of Canada other than Quebec.

Before investing, you should read the prospectus supplements and other documents the Company will file with the Commission and the Canadian Securities regulators for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the prospectus supplements will be available for free by visiting the Company's profiles on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml or SEDAR at www.sedar.com, as applicable. Alternatively, investors may ask Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. or the Company to send them the prospectus supplements, when available, by contacting the Company's Investor Relations department at: (303) 974-2140 or Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation in Canada, attention: Equity Capital Markets, 181 University Avenue, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M5H 3M7, email: [email protected]; or Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 499 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York, 10022 or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the Offered Shares in any state or province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, or other jurisdiction.

About Energy Fuels : Energy Fuels is a leading US-based uranium mining company, supplying U 3 O 8 to major nuclear utilities. The Company also produces vanadium from certain of its projects, as market conditions warrant. Its corporate offices are near Denver, Colorado, and all of its assets and employees are in the United States. Energy Fuels holds three of America's key uranium production centers, the White Mesa Mill in Utah, the Nichols Ranch in-situ recovery ("ISR") Project in Wyoming, and the Alta Mesa ISR Project in Texas. The White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill operating in the U.S. today, has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year, and has the ability to produce vanadium when market conditions warrant. The Nichols Ranch ISR Project is in operation and has a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year. The Alta Mesa ISR Project is currently on standby. In addition to the above production facilities, Energy Fuels also has one of the largest NI 43-101 compliant uranium resource portfolios in the United States, and several uranium and uranium/vanadium mining projects on standby and in various stages of permitting and development. The primary trading market for Energy Fuels' common shares is the NYSE American under the trading symbol "UUUU", and the Company's common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR."

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the expected use of proceeds and closing date of the Offering. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "budgets," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with statements with respect to: the expected use of proceeds and closing date of the Offering; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the Company's website at www.energyfuels.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE Energy Fuels Inc.

Related Links

http://www.energyfuels.com


"When you break it down, the sink is the most used area in the kitchen by everyone in the household," notes Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. "By offering optional accessories with design details that include the low divide and apron front, we created a system that not only accommodates all users but enhances the workflow."

The new IKON sink's convenient low divide that sits just 5-1/2" from the sink bottom, makes it easier to handle large pots and baking sheets while still dividing the sink into cleaning and prepping bowls. Because apron front designs are installed further forward and eliminate the countertop, they minimize the need to lean over as much and help to reduce strain.

Optional accessories include a Floating Grid that provides an extra level within the sink. The extra level created by the Floating Grid eases the strain of placing a heavy pot into the sink while also creating another space to place a bowl of prepped ingredients. It can also be used as trivet on the countertop for placing hot cookware. A Floating Cutting Board that fits right on top of the sink instantly creates another workspace beyond the countertop while also making it easy to scrape chopped ingredients into a bowl placed below it. Additional accessories for the IKON 33" Apron 1-3/4 Low Divide include Small and Large Grids, a 3-in-1 Basket Strainer and a 3-in-1 Disposal Flange.

"Not only do these sinks enhance comfort, productivity and efficiency with their ergonomic design features, they are also beautiful statement pieces available in a range of on-trend colors constructed with our extraordinarily durable and easy to clean SILGRANIT material," says Maicher.

In addition to the 1-3/4 Low Divide, the IKON series includes 30" and 33" apron single bowls along with a 27" farmhouse option for smaller spaces. Available color options include Anthracite, Biscotti, Biscuit, Cafe Brown, Cinder, Metallic Gray, Truffle, White and Concrete Gray.

BLANCO IKON 33" Apron 1-3/4 with Low Divide

33" x 19", 9 1/4" deep, outside cabinet: 36"

Accessories

Small Grid



Large Grid



Floating Grid



Floating Cutting Board



3-in-1 Basket Strainer



3-in-1 Disposal Flange

MSRP: $1649

BLANCO IKON Apron Front Series Details

SILGRANIT  is a composite material made of up to 80% natural granite

is a composite material made of up to 80% natural granite Patented, scratch resistant and easy to clean

Repellent nonporous surface does not require use of any harsh chemicals

Includes Hygienic+Plus surface protection

Heat resistant up to 536F

To download full press release and images, click here.

About BLANCO

For three generations, BLANCO has quietly and passionately elevated the standards for luxury sinks, faucets and decorative accessories. Proud of its European heritage and award-winning German engineering, BLANCO is steadfastly committed to their tradition of high quality, innovative design and unsurpassed service since 1925. Dedicated to quality without compromise, every sink is closely inspected many times before it receives the BLANCO name.

A remarkable history of firsts emphasizes BLANCO's zeal for innovation including the first stainless steel sink to achieve a 10mm radius  STEELART  the first to market colored hard composite sinks in North America  BLANCO's pioneering MicroEdge technology with its virtual flushmount edge  and the first apron front sink in composite granite. BLANCO is also featuring a patented new sink material called DURINOX that is twice the hardness of stainless steel with a warm, velvety finish that is scratch and fingerprint resistant.

BLANCO has a long tradition of environmental stewardship and their production facilities operate to strict DIN EN ISO 14001 environmental performance standards.

BLANCO is the brand of choice in the luxury sink and faucet category for its unparalleled quality and an inspirational breadth of design possibilities. From the precision craftsmanship and artistic creativity of its STEELART brand to the stunning durability of its ground breaking SILGRANIT collection, BLANCO has proven that the sink is far more than a mere functional element in the kitchen.

For more information, visit www.blancoamerica.com.

SOURCE BLANCO

Related Links

http://www.blancoamerica.com


ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) announced today that Susan Band Horwitz, Ph.D., has been selected to receive the 2020 Szent-Gyorgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research. The Prize selection committee awarded Dr. Horwitz for pioneering the understanding, at the molecular level, of the mechanisms of action and resistance of multiple effective and widely utilized anti-tumor drugs, particularly Taxol, of natural product origin.

A Distinguished Professor and Rose C. Falkenstein Chair in Cancer Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, Dr. Horwitz most notably elucidated the mechanism of action of Taxol, a natural product obtained from the yew tree. Specifically, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, she discovered that the compound, whose generic name is paclitaxel, binds to microtubules in cells, stabilizing them, thereby leading to cell cycle arrest and subsequent cell death. This body of work enabled the successful translation of the drug into the clinic, and it is now one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the world for the treatment of ovarian, breast and lung cancers.

Her work with Taxol, which became a blockbuster drug, led to an interest in microtubule stabilizing agents, which has resulted in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of docetaxel (Taxotere), ixabepilone (Ixempra), carbazitaxal (Jevtana) and new formulations, including, most notably, nabpaclitaxel (Abraxane). Additionally, she has made major contributions to the understanding of many other naturally occurring molecules or their derivatives which serve as cancer treatments. These include camptothecin, bleomycin and the epipdophyllotoxins.

Funded continuously by NFCR for the past two decades, Dr. Horwitz's work now includes research into which isoforms of tubulin may have a role in resistance to Taxol, as well as efforts that may help predict which patients would be more likely to respond well to the drug.

The 2020 Szent-Gyorgyi Prize's independent selection committee was unanimous in its decision to recognize Dr. Horwitz's contributions. She will be honored at an award ceremony held Saturday, April 25, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Media are invited and encouraged to attend.

"Dr. Horwitz has made several seminal contributions, including the major finding of the mechanism of action of a drug that has been deployed in the treatment of over a million cancer patients," exclaimed Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the 2020 Prize selection committee, surgery branch chief of the U.S. National Cancer Institute and winner of the 2019 Szent-Gyorgyi Prize. "She has profoundly impacted and improved the treatment of cancer patients."

"Matching the key criteria for this prestigious prizeher seminal and extensive scientific achievements and lasting impact in saving patients' livesplaces Dr. Horwitz in the uppermost tier of cancer researchers," said Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., co-chair of the 2020 Prize selection committee and president and CEO of NFCR. "We are so proud that Dr. Horwitz becomes the third National Foundation for Cancer Research supported scientist to be awarded the Szent-Gyorgyi Prize, after Dr. Web Cavenee in 2007 and Dr. Harold Dvorak in 2006."

"I am deeply honored by this award from the National Foundation for Cancer Research and the Szent-Gyorgyi Prize selection committee," stated Dr. Horwitz. "It is a real privilege to be among the winners of this prize, all of whom have greatly advanced cancer research and treatment. And this award is also a testament to all the students, fellows and visiting scientists who contributed to the research conducted in my lab over the years."

About the Szent-Gyorgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research

The Szent-Gyorgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research was established in 2006 by the National Foundation for Cancer Research in honor of its co-founder, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, M.D., Ph.D., recipient of the 1937 Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine. The award recognizes and honors scientists who have made seminal discoveries or produced pioneering bodies of work that have resulted in, or led toward significant contributions to, cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment with a high impact of saving people's lives. Its past recipients (and their associated institutions at the time of the award) are:

Steven A. Rosenberg , M.D., Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2019

, M.D., Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2019 Douglas R. Lowy , M.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018 (shared)

, M.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018 (shared) John T. Schiller , Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018 (shared)

, Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018 (shared) Michael N. Hall , Ph.D., Biozentrum of the University of Basel , 2017

, Ph.D., Biozentrum of the University of , 2017 Mary-Claire King , Ph.D., University of Washington School of Medicine, 2016

, Ph.D., School of Medicine, 2016 Frederick W. Alt , Ph.D., Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 2015

, Ph.D., Boston Children's Hospital and , 2015 James Allison , Ph.D., University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 and Nobel Laureate 2018

, Ph.D., MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 and Nobel Laureate 2018 Alex Matter , M.D., Experimental Therapeutics Centre and A*STAR, 2013

, M.D., Experimental Therapeutics Centre and A*STAR, 2013 Zhu Chen , M.D., Ph.D., Chinese Ministry of Health, 2012 (shared)

, M.D., Ph.D., Chinese Ministry of Health, 2012 (shared) Zhen-Yi Wang , M.D., Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 2012 (shared)

, M.D., Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 2012 (shared) Beatrice Mintz , Ph.D., Fox Chase Cancer Center, 2011

, Ph.D., Fox Chase Cancer Center, 2011 Peter K. Vogt , Ph.D., Scripps Research Institute , 2010

, Ph.D., , 2010 Ronald A. DePinho , M.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School , 2009

, M.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and , 2009 Carlo M. Croce , M.D., The Ohio State University , 2008

, M.D., The , 2008 Webster K. Cavenee , Ph.D., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego , 2007

, Ph.D., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, , 2007 Harold F. Dvorak , M.D., Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 2006

The 2020 Szent-Gyorgyi Prize's selection committee was comprised of the following persons, each an authority in the field of cancer research:

Chair Steven A. Rosenberg , M.D., Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute (2019 winner)

, M.D., Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute (2019 winner) Co-Chair Sujuan Ba , Ph.D., National Foundation for Cancer Research

, Ph.D., National Foundation for Cancer Research Frederick W. Alt , Ph.D., Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School (2015 winner)

, Ph.D., Boston Children's Hospital and (2015 winner) Monica Bertagnolli , M.D., Harvard Medical School

, M.D., Webster K. Cavenee , Ph.D., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego (2007 winner)

, Ph.D., Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, (2007 winner) Carlo M. Croce , M.D., The Ohio State University (2008 winner)

, M.D., The (2008 winner) Ruggero De Maria , M.D., Catholic University and Alliance Against Cancer

, M.D., and Alliance Against Cancer Michael N. Hall , Ph.D., Biozentrum of the University of Basel (2017 winner)

, Ph.D., Biozentrum of the University of (2017 winner) Mary-Claire King , Ph.D., University of Washington School of Medicine (2016 winner)

, Ph.D., School of Medicine (2016 winner) Karen Knudsen , Ph.D., Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

, Ph.D., Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health Douglas R. Lowy , M.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute (2018 winner)

, M.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute (2018 winner) Crystal Mackall , M.D., Stanford University

, M.D., John T. Schiller , Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute (2018 winner)

, Ph.D., U.S. National Cancer Institute (2018 winner) Thea Tlsty , Ph.D., University of California San Francisco

, Ph.D., Suzanne L. Topalian , M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

, M.D., Peter K. Vogt , Ph.D., Scripps Research (2010 winner)

About the National Foundation for Cancer Research

The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides scientists in the lab the funding they need to make and apply game-changing discoveries in cancer treatments, detection, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. It has distinguished itself in the cancer sector by emphasizing long-term, transformative research often overlooked by other major funding sources. With the help of more than 5.3 million individual donors over the last 47 years, NFCR has delivered more than $380 million in funding to public education and cancer research leading to several important, life-saving discoveries. For more information, visit http://www.nfcr.org.

CONTACT:

National Foundation for Cancer Research

Bradley Gillenwater, Senior Director for Global Program Development

E-mail: [email protected] / Phone: 301-961-9161

SOURCE National Foundation for Cancer Research

Related Links

http://www.nfcr.org


YEREVAN.  At its session today, the Armenian government extended for three months the timeframe for imposing a state duty of 14,000 drams on imported cement.

The question was presented by Deputy Minister of Economy Avag Avanesyan.

"As a result of the duty, the monthly volumes of cement imports from Iran have declined somewhat, but the volumes of clinker imports have increased instead," he said. "Therefore, we propose to extend this period of operation until July 1 (...) in order to provide better regulation."

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, in turn, reminded that this regulation provided for a duty only for cement imports, and no duty was levied on clinkers.

"With this project, the implementation of the mechanism will only be extended for three months, during which we will understand the extent of further adjustments, and whether or not there will be a need to set a state duty for clinker, too, so that producers in Armenia can continue their production," he said.

Tigran Avinyan noted that this regulation was a necessity as the import of cement endangered the production of cement in Armenia.
By IANS

NEW YORK: US-India analysts tracking President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to India later this month are keenly watching for a much-anticipated trade deal that holds the promise of ending three years of escalating trade tensions, but are dialling down expectations of this being a "transformational" moment.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to visit India February 24-25 for the first time since he occupied the White House.

Speaking to reporters this week, Trump said the trade deal with India will happen if "we can make the right deal".

"I'll be watching most closely the much-anticipated trade deal, which is likely to represent some good progress in solving a handful of price caps and tariff issues, but as far as I can tell, (it) will not mark a transformational moment," said Alyssa Ayres, senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ayres served as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia from 2010 to 2013 and is the author of 'Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World'.

Bharath Gopalaswamy, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, said the "painfully negotiated" trade deal in the making will be a "win-win" for both sides.

"Other issues that are likely to come up are the evolving US-Iran relations as well as the implementation of US's free and open Indo-Pacific strategy," he said.

Ayres said the "challenges" in the US-India economic relationship go back many years and are "tough to resolve" although successive US and Indian governments have been chipping away at the task.

Explaining the gaps, Ayres said India and US discussed a Bilateral Investment Treaty for 10 long years "before both sides figured out that our model BITs on each side are just too far apart".

Despite these irritants, there remains "strong compulsion" and "convergences" for the two countries to collaborate, according to Daniel Twining, President of International Republican Institute, a think tank.

Speaking to IANS, Twining said, "The US will want India to lift protectionist restrictions on its growing domestic market, and India will want more US trade and investment as well as more predictability for highly skilled immigrants".

Twining added, "Both Modi and Trump also understand that more than any other factor, China's ambitions and growing influence risk undermining peace and security, and this creates convergences for the US and India to cooperate - as do climate change and new frontiers in clean energy, technological transformation, and the prosperity agenda."

For several weeks now, negotiators on both sides have been working on overdrive to seal the impending trade deal, just like they did before Narendra Modi's visit to the US last September.

The Trump administration comes into the negotiations riding high on recent deals with China and the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The US has been seeking greater market access for its technology exports, agriculture and dairy products. It has pushed back against Indian policies on medical devices and India's proposals related to data localisation and e-commerce.

India and the US should "focus on what is doable", according to Mark Linscott, Senior Fellow with the South Asia Program at the Atlantic Council, writing in The Hindu.

He writes: "A new, hybrid approach on investment would be a substantial step in the right direction. It will be critical to sustain momentum coming out of a first trade deal when the two leaders meet in Delhi. If India and the U.S. fail this test, the trade relationship is more likely to languish than blossom."

After Trump took office, the US has revoked duty-free treatment for some Indian exports under the Generalized System of Preferences and threatened sanctions on any Indian company importing oil from Iran. The GSP is designed to give duty-free market access to exports from developing countries.

The Trump government has reportedly been mulling a "Section 301 investigation", under the US Trade Act of 1974 which allows the executive branch to impose tariffs on countries it accuses of unfair trade practices.

Beyond the policy issues, the grand reception that awaits Trump in India is getting a lot of play.

"The President seems very focused on the rally in Ahmedabad, so I'm watching that too," Ayres said.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he expects to see "millions" of people on the way from the Ahmedabad airport to the Sardar Vallabhai Patel stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, where he is expected to address a massive public rally with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Extinction Rebellion eco-warriors have been arrested for digging up a lawn outside the Home Office to protest against coal mine expansion today.

The militant environmental group were protesting against the expansion of an open-cast coal site in Bradley, Durham this morning.

Campaigners dressed in suits mounted the side of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with spades and began digging up turf next door to the Home Office.

They carried banners addressing Tory Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick that read: 'If you're in a hole stop digging.'

Within the space of a few minutes, the green turf had completely disappeared, leaving brown earth in its place and all over the pavement.

Video footage shows dozens of police officers storming towards them as they lay down in the mud before being three women and four men were handcuffed and taken away.

Commenters on social media were confused by the protest, with many branding the group hypocritical for digging up grass to call for environmental action.

Police arrested activists after Extinction Rebellion dug up a lawn outside the Home Office to protest against coal mine expansion in the north of England today

The militant environmental group were protesting against the expansion of an open-cast coal site in Bradley, Durham, outside the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which is located next to the Home Office building in central London

Others called for the police to arrest them, with one tweeting: 'Disgusting vandals, zero sympathy for this. You should be ashamed of yourselves.'

Someone else posted: 'In the process digging up perfectly good soil which you could have planted trees and flowers. Ffs this is beyond hypocritical.'

Another person commented: 'Why would you even do such a thing!!! You should be arrested for criminal damage!!

'You say non-violent but you clearly think you are above the law!! I wish we had the water cannons available, then again you could plead you were being victimised then !!!! #Double standards.'

Commenters on social media were confused by the protest, with many branding the group hypocritical for digging up grass to call for environmental action

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Met officers have responded to a demonstration held by Extinction Rebellion at Marsham Street.

'Police had no prior knowledge of the demonstration and were called at 09.56.

'When they attended the scene, they found demonstrators digging up a grassed area.

'Seven people (three females and four males, no further details at this time) were arrested for criminal damage. They have been taken to a central London police station. Enquiries are ongoing.'

A Home Office spokesman added: 'While we support the right to peaceful protest, vandalism and damaging property is unacceptable.'

MailOnline has also contacted the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for comment.

It comes months after Extinction Rebellion (XR) brought London to a standstill with more than fortnight of crippling protests.

From occupying Smithfields meat market to blockading bridges over the Thames with 24-hour raves, the group caused havoc the length and breadth of the capital.

Riots nearly broke out at Canning Town Tube station in east London when activists clambered onto the top of a train to bring them to a halt.

Explaining why they decided to launch today's bizarre action, an XR spokesman said: 'We are sending a very visual message to its Minister, Robert Jenrick, telling him: 'If you're in a hole, stop digging!''

'Although Durham County Council are set to decide whether or not to allow the Banks Mining Pont Valley open-cast coal site to expand, Robert Jenrick holds the power to revoke planning permission for the expansion of the site.

Campaigners mounted the side of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with spades and began digging up turf next to the Home Office

'Campaigners are urging Mr Jenrick, who has a record of protecting heritage buildings in the UK and Middle East, to apply the same diligence in defending Pont Valley.

'The science is telling us that we need to start moving our society away from a reliance on fossil fuels  with the IPCC report concluding that we must bring about 'rapid, far-reaching & unprecedented changes in all aspects of society' to avoid the most appalling consequences.

'This means making brave decisions  including a move away from coal power and coal extraction.

'No such promises have been made for coal extraction in the UK. With coal power stations set to be phased out in the UK by 2025, but no deadline for the extraction of coal in the UK, we're in the midst of a dangerous coal mining scramble at the expense of our climate, local communities and natural environment.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:15:51|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities Thursday stressed differentiated measures for different regions to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak at a high-level meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.

The leading group of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak also demanded efforts to improve patient treatment and expedite research on drugs.

Epidemic prevention and control in Hubei Province, particularly in the capital city of Wuhan, remain the top priority, said the leading group headed by Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

While ordering Wuhan to speed up hospital admission and suspected case quarantine, the leading group instructed hard-hit cities in Hubei such as Xiaogan and Huanggang to carry out equally strict measures as in Wuhan in surveillance, quarantine and treatment.

The demand for more medics in Hubei and Wuhan should be fulfilled, and the departure channels of the city and the province need further control, according to the meeting.

Multiple steps such as spacing out return trips have prevented large-scale flows of people after the Spring Festival, said the meeting.

Each province is responsible for formulating differentiated epidemic prevention and control strategies based on their own conditions, according to the meeting.

No one-size-fits-all approach should be taken and unfair and extreme practices must be corrected without delay, said the meeting.

Effective drugs and treatment are the key to contain the epidemic, the meeting noted, stressing more studies on the nearly 6,000 cured cases to improve treating plans.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of speeding up the clinical trial of drugs.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the leading group, attended the meeting.
All fires burning in the Australian state of New South Wales have been declared contained for the first time this season.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service called it 'great news' after 'a very traumatic, exhausting and anxious bush fire season so far.'

The fire service's deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said it had been 'a truly devastating fire season for both firefighters and residents, who've suffered through so much this season.'

The announcement comes after months of fires in Australia left at least 28 people dead, about 3,000 homes destroyed and up to 1 billion animals affected.

Firefighters said there was still some fire activity in the far south of the state, but with all fires contained, emergency workers could 'really focus on helping people rebuild.'

But torrential rainfall sweeping in this week has brought major flooding, damaging winds and dangerous surf, with severe thunderstorms forecast for the coming days.

Heavy rainfall in New South Wales has led to the evacuation of several towns and scores of schools have been closed.

The fire service tweeted Monday, however, that the rains have helped to extinguish more than 30 fires since Friday, describing it as the 'most positive news we've had in some time.'

The torrential rain helped put out the Currowan fire on Saturday, according to James Morris, the fire service's media officer. That particular fire burned 499,621 hectares (1.23 million acres) of land over 74 days.

Meanwhile, Sydney has seen the highest sustained run of rainfall in 30 years and some dams are at capacity, with intense rain forcing some authorities to open floodgates to relieve pressure and prevent collapse.

Australia faces a fire season every summer, but it had already had months of extreme heat and one of the worst droughts on record when this one began.

There have been fires in every Australian state, but New South Wales was hardest hit, with smoke so bad in Sydney in December that air quality measured 11 times the 'hazardous' level.

The blazes have damaged World Heritage Areas, including the Blue Mountains and the Gondwana rainforests in New South Wales and Queensland, according to Australian authorities.

The Environment Department this week released a list of 113 species considered to be at risk, including 13 birds, 19 mammals, 20 reptiles, 17 frogs, five invertebrates, 22 crayfish and 17 fish species.
The primary season is underway. Iowa and New Hampshire have spoken, and voters throughout the rest of the country are preparing to weigh in soon. Joe Bidens and Elizabeth Warrens campaigns have unexpectedly struggled, some lower-tier contenders have left the field entirely, and Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar are looking surprisingly strong.

Here on the right side of the aisle, theres not a heck of a lot to do but watch. Outside a handful of open-primary states, Republicans wont be able to vote in the Democratic races. And come the general election, just like they did the last time, the vast majority of conservatives are going to pull the lever for Donald Trump, even if hes not the person theyd have picked to lead the GOP.

But not all right-wingers have gotten on the Trump Train yet. Some conservatives sat out 2016 or went with a third party  3 percent of voters pulled the lever for libertarian Gary Johnson, with another half a percent supporting Evan McMullin (and regretting it later)  and while Trump has in many ways governed as a standard Republican, there have also been plenty of dumb scandals and ridiculous antics to reinforce the concerns of these skeptics.

Are those folks destined to go third-party again? Will the Democratic nominee be so terrible that they come around to Trump after all? Or might the Democrats nominate someone an anti-Trump conservative could actually stand voting for? Before we look at the serious contenders in alphabetical order, a fair warning: Dont get your hopes up for one of the moderate pro-life and/or pro-gun Democrats you might have found a generation ago, the kind of candidate the party would nominate if it really wanted to give Republican voters who dislike Trump a tempting choice.

Joe Biden

Biggest red flags: Hardly a centrist or moderate. Wants a big expansion of the governments role in health care, would like to ban common guns and magazines, supports abortion rights, and played a starring role in the partisan attempt to derail Clarence Thomass nomination to the Supreme Court. Hes also not as sharp as he used to be, and he was never that sharp.

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The conservative case for him: He is a moderate in some ways. He fought forced busing in the 70s and 80s, was tough on crime in the 90s, and has worked with Republicans on assorted issues over the years. In general, hed be a pretty standard-issue Democratic president, the kind who would focus the Rights energy by doing plenty of bad things but wouldnt irreversibly ruin the country. Given his age, he also might not seek a second term, providing Republicans a chance to take back power in 2024 without having to beat an incumbent. He could function as a sort of palette cleanser, in other words.

Michael Bloomberg

Biggest red flags: Wants your guns. Wants your Big Gulp. Allegedly once told a pregnant female employee to kill it. Once described the highly controversial stop-and-frisk program he oversaw as mayor of New York City in a way that sounded an awful lot like cops were just running around randomly searching the pants of young minority men, just as his critics had charged and his conservative supporters had denied.

The conservative case for him: He has been a Republican in the past, and despite his excesses he did keep crime low in New York. His mayoral administration also advanced the cause of welfare reform. Like it or not, hes probably the closest thing to an actual GOPer in the running, even if he is most definitely not a Republican of the libertarian variety.

Pete Buttigieg

Biggest red flags: His moderation, like Bidens, is overstated. He supports a $15 minimum wage, a public option for health care, abortion on demand, gun bans, and so on and so forth. His corporate-drone speak is kinda creepy.

The conservative case for him: Buttigieg is no conservative, but he doesnt seem to hate conservatives; he appears to want to unite the country. This suggests he might be willing to moderate his positions once in office if it becomes clear that Congress wont go along with his campaign agenda.

Amy Klobuchar

Biggest red flags: She, too, is a normal progressive on all the major issues who only looks moderate in comparison to the nuts to her left. And there are, shall we say, concerns about her treatment of subordinates: If reports of the way she runs her Senate office are to be believed, shes the type of boss who will beat her interns into submission with a binder and eat their eyeballs with a comb.

The conservative case for her: Like Buttigieg, she seems to have a genuine desire to appeal to a broad cross-section of voters and might govern from the center if a divided Congress forces her to.

Bernie Sanders

Biggest red flags: The guy is a self-described socialist who spent his honeymoon in the Soviet Union and wants to spend trillions of dollars destroying private health insurance. His flags are about as red as they come.

The conservative case for him: Hes unlikely to get the crazier parts of his agenda through Congress, meaning he will have to stick to what he can accomplish through executive action. Hes historically been pretty moderate on guns, for example supporting the law that protects firearm companies from frivolous lawsuits trying to blame them for criminals misuse of their products, so he might not make gun-grabbing a big priority. Conservatives who prefer a restrained foreign policy might find a sympathetic ear in his Oval Office.

Elizabeth Warren

Biggest red flags: Wants to spend as big as Sanders, handing out government freebies to everyone, and has already promised insane misuses of executive action to bypass Congress, including canceling tons of student debt. Played a big role in creating the constitutional abomination that is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Lies through her teeth constantly, about everything.

The conservative case for her: Some conservatives have come to share some of Warrens skepticism of corporate power and Big Tech in particular. Other than that, shes mainly a candidate for people who think the Right needs to be soundly defeated and thoroughly humiliated before it can rise again in better form.

More from National Review
Boston, MA - A new study led by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute examines the benefits and barriers of Prescription Drug List coverage for preventive asthma medications. The study, "Preventive Drug Lists as Tools for Managing Asthma Medication Costs", appears in the February edition of The American Journal of Managed Care.

As drug manufacturers replace affordable generics with higher-cost name-brand drugs, U.S. families affected by asthma have seen a dramatic rise in the cost of medications. To reduce the financial burden of preventive medications and promote adherence, many insurance companies have introduced Preventive Drug Lists (PDLs). A type of value-based insurance design, PDLs are meant to supplement Health Savings Account-eligible high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) by allowing members to receive selected preventive medications for chronic conditions at low or no cost before meeting their deductible, but little is known about consumer experiences using PDLs.

Researchers conducted a qualitative study to explore PDLs from the perspective of families affected by asthma. The study team interviewed 22 U.S. adults enrolled in HDHPs with PDLs who either had asthma, had a child with asthma, or both. Study results showed that while some members reported financial benefit and increased medication adherence as a result of utilizing PDLs, many experienced barriers to PDL use. Barriers included lack of awareness of the PDL benefit; the exclusion or limitation of certain medications from the PDL; and inconsistency or shifting of PDL benefits.

Overall, researchers found that lack of awareness of members' access to PDLs impedes members' ability to seek out the lowest-cost medications. Employers serve as a source of information about PDLs, but greater outreach by health plans is needed to supplement member education and help facilitate use to maximize benefit.

"Our findings offer reasons to be optimistic that PDLs can help families manage asthma care costs and address disparities in asthma medication adherence," says senior author Alison Galbraith, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Population Medicine at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School.

Regarding future directions, lead author, Melissa Gilkey, PhD, Assistant Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, adds, "Our results suggest that additional research is needed to improve PDL design and to ensure that families are aware of --and make full use of--this benefit."

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About

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute's Department of Population Medicine is a unique collaboration between Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Harvard Medical School. Created in 1992, it is the first medical school department in the United States based in a health plan. The Institute focuses on improving health care delivery and population health through innovative research and teaching.
As Canada considers whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to help build this countrys next generation of wireless networks, the United States is warning its allies that the company can use its products to spy in countries where they are being used.

On Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department also laid criminal charges against the Chinese tech giant, alleging the company conspired to steal trade secrets from American competitors. The charges follow a report that Trump administration believes Huawei can secretly access sensitive and personal information, and says it has the evidence to back up the allegation, which Huawei has denied.

It all leaves the Canadian government in the middle of another fight between the U.S. and China, virtually guaranteeing that with any decision Ottawa makes on Huaweis future involvement in Canadian networks will anger one of the superpowers.

The American claims are not surprising, says Stephanie Carvin, a former intelligence analyst and a professor of international affairs at Carleton University.

Combined with other allegations that are being made about Huawei, it does paint a picture that this is a company thats willing to use nefarious practices, that will take support from (the Chinese state), or at least doesnt have any qualms about doing so, Carvin told the Star. And thats the concern.

But Ottawa should also consider the context in which the charges have been laid, said Fen Hampson, the director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.

The timing of the new charges strike me as orchestrated escalation against Huawei by U.S. authorities, which puts Canada in an even tighter vise than before, Hampson said.

Canadian officials have almost certainly been given access to the American intelligence on Huawei, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on allies to ban the Chinese telecom. Canadian and U.S. national security officials refused to comment on specific intelligence, but the two countries routinely share security information.

U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. OBrien said Wednesday that the allegations against Huawei are alarming because Chinese companies are required to follow directives from their government.

Strategically, we see a company that can use its position in the market to advance the aims of the Chinese Communist Party, OBrien said in a written statement to the Star.

It is hard to see how any global telecommunications firm could view the company as a trusted provider of mobile hardware and software.

At least one Canadian telecom doesnt seem to share OBriens concerns. On Thursday, Telus Mobility announced it would allow Huawei technology in nonsensitive portions of its future 5G network.

In a written statement, Huawei denied the U.S. accusation that it had built back doors into its products that allow the company to covertly access data. The allegation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

Huawei is only an equipment supplier. In this role, accessing customer networks without their authorization and visibility would be impossible, the company said.

In 2018, the Canadian government launched a national security review into 5G technology, the next generation of wireless infrastructure that will greatly speed up the transfer of data.

In January, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair made clear that the review would consider issues beyond cybersecurity.

Although the security concerns are very significant, we also want to make sure that we give full consideration to what is best for Canadians, what is best for the industry environment, best for our relationships with our allies and partners, Blair told reporters.

Canadas decision on Huawei could have important diplomatic implications. The Trump administration has been aggressively lobbying its allies to ban Huawei from building their networks, arguing that allowing the Chinese company to install 5G infrastructure would compromise cybersecurity.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested last year that the United States would think twice before sharing intelligence with countries that allow Huawei to build their networks. A chill on information sharing with the U.S. could pose major problems for Canadas national security agencies.

Among the Five Eyes  the international security and intelligence alliance of which Canada is a member  only Australia and the U.S have banned Huawei from their 5G plans. New Zealand and the U.K. have allowed the Chinese supplier limited access.

The U.K.s recent decision on Huawei infuriated U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report in the Financial Times last week. Trump was apoplectic and livid over the decision on a phone call with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Times reported, citing officials in Washington and London.

A Canadian ban on Huawei technology could deepen a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Beijing, which began when Canadian authorities arrested Huaweis chief financial officer at the Americans request. Meng Wanzhou is fighting extradition to the U.S., where she is wanted on fraud charges.

Since Mengs arrest, China has detained Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig on unspecified national security grounds, and imposed trade restrictions that have damaged the Canadian economy.

Banning Huawei technology could also complicate the Liberals election promise to lower cellphone bills by driving up the cost of building 5G networks.

The government has not said when their review of 5G will be completed.

We are taking all security factors into account, including those from our allies and our security agencies, a spokesperson for Blair said in a written statement.

We will ensure that our networks are kept secure and will take the appropriate decisions in due course, wrote Mary-Liz Power.
New drone technology is being developed with the capability of planting 40,000 trees a day.

Crowd-funded start-up AirSeed Technologies has developed a drone system that can plant seeds on a mass scale, firing specially encased seed pods into the ground at a rate of 2 seeds per second. AirSeed co-founder Andrew Walker believes this is a significant step in the restoration of deforested and bushfire effected areas.

Last month Australia saw one of the worst fire seasons on record, with extreme weather events predicted to become more frequent. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates that 8.4 million hectares have been burnt, with forests expected to take decades to recover.

"Deforestation leads to a reduced amount of carbon sequestration. So it means more C02 ... we're getting more wildfires, which is ultimately destroying more habitat. So our goal is to help," Mr Walker said.
The Alamo Colleges District is partnering with WGU Texas, an online college, to provide more options for its 90,000 students and staff to earn bachelors and masters degrees, the district announced Thursday.

Students at the five Alamo community colleges, which offer associate degrees, will have an easier pathway to continue their education with WGU, the Texas arm of Western Governors University. Its the 13th community college partnership for WGU.

Community college is the future of the state. For us to partner with the Alamo Colleges District is critical, WGU Texas Chancellor Steven Johnson said.

On ExpressNews.com: Online colleges degree of flexibility lures veterans

The online school offers bachelors and masters degrees in four areas: information technology, health, business and teaching. Over the past three years, 750 students from the Alamo Colleges have enrolled at WGU, and more than 150 have graduated.

By launching the partnership, the leaders of both institutions hope to enroll more than 1,000 Alamo Colleges students over the next three years.

Upon graduating from one of the Alamo Colleges, students will receive automatic admission to WGU Texas.

Students and employees of the Alamo Colleges will receive a 5 percent discount on tuition at WGU Texas, which ranges from $3,225 to $5,280 for six months, depending on the degree program. Students pay a flat fee and can take as many classes as they want during that time. Scholarships are available to prospective students who are affiliated with a partner college.

While the Alamo Colleges District has similar relationships with other four-year colleges to ensure a smoother transfer experience, the partnership with WGU is unique in that the online school offers flexibility to the students who are balancing work, family care and other responsibilities.

Ashley McBride 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. | Ashley.McBride@express-news.net | Twitter: @Ashleynmcb
Bill Turnbull has said he is 'very excited' to be reunited with former co-host Susanna Reid as he makes a return to present breakfast television.

The presenter, 64, will be making his return to live television since his prostate cancer battle to fill in for Piers Morgan.

The pair will co-host Good Morning Britain for three days at the end of the month while the controversial presenter takes some time off.

Back together: Bill Turnbull has said he is 'very excited' to be reunited with former co-host Susanna Reid as he makes a return to present breakfast television

Susanna first presented BBC Breakfast alongside veteran Bill in 2006 before moving to launch the newly created ITV morning show in 2014.

'Im thrilled to be working with Susanna again and really looking forward to being on Good Morning Britain,' Bill told the Mirror.

'We didnt work together long enough and we got on so well. I was sad when she left at short notice. So for her to ask me to sit alongside her is very exciting.

Old days: Susanna first presented BBC Breakfast alongside veteran Bill in 2006 before moving to launch the newly created ITV morning show in 2014 (pictured in 2007)

'Im in two minds about the early mornings. On one hand, its great to be back doing live television. The other part of me thinks: "What on earth am I doing? Having sworn never to do breakfast television again!"'

Bill, 64, who quit the show in 2016, has been fighting prostate cancer and now works on Classic FM. This move marks his return to live TV, but only for 'the short term'.

The journalist also jokingly promised not to be as opinionated as usual host Piers, saying he doesn't voice his thoughts 'as much as he likes to'.

Bill and Susanna did briefly reunite in 2016 when visited the ITV studio for a chat before being interrupted by Piers who described him as 'overrated'.

Taking charge: The presenter, 64, will be making his return to live television since his prostate cancer battle to fill in for Piers Morgan

Since leaving the BBC in 2016, Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has since spread to his bones.

Though incurable, last year Bill said he felt 'fantastic' after finishing a course of chemotherapy.

'My hair has grown back and I'm letting my hair grow long just to celebrate. I know I looked awful last year.

'I saw pictures of myself and I was, "Oh Lord, that was just ghastly". I was in the middle of the treatment.'
One of the three coronavirus-infected patients in Kerala was discharged from the Medical College Hospital in Alappuzha on Thursday after he consistently tested negative for more than a week. The second patient was likely to be discharged in the next couple of days and the third was reported to be stable, said authorities.

State health minister K K Shailaja said the battle was only half won and it was too early to say the worst was over.

I talked to him over phone. He is in good spirits. He promised to meet me once his home quarantine is over. I salute doctors, para-medical staff and health workers who toiled to realise this, she said speaking of the patient who was discharged.

ALSO WATCH | Coronavirus | Sending medical help to China as goodwill gesture: Harsh Vardhan

Also read: Will treat it as crime: Kerala on China returnees dodging health officials

Minister said the discharged patients results were consistent throughout the week but samples of the first patient-- a girl medical student admitted to Thrissur medical college-- were not so clear delaying her discharge. The minister said the first patient will also leave the hospital in a couple of days.

The state had pressed the emergency button on Feb 3 after a third coronavirus infected patient was found in Kasaragod in north Kerala. All three were China-returned medical students who travelled together. After declaring a medical calamity the state had carried out a massive drive to contain the secondary infection and isolated all contacts and started an awareness campaign at the grassroots level.

It seems our vigilance and surveillance really paid off. Whether it is surveillance, isolation, tracing contacts or home quarantine, many spent sleepless nights. These are good lessons for us. We will not lower our guard now, said the minister adding the health department will continue its campaign on hand hygiene, sneeze and cough precautions and cleanliness.

Also read: We overcame nipah, we will overcome coronavirus: Kerala health minister

The minister said initially she was really worried after students started returning from China in large numbers. During Nipah infection, two years ago, it was largely confined to Kozhikkode district only. But now China-returnees were spread in all 14 districts. So, then we thought an emergency is needed to contain the possible secondary infection, she said.

Having learnt a lesson from the Nipah outbreak two years ago, the state was on battle mode from the word go. At least 2,500 people are still under observation in their homes and 30 others are under observation in hospitals. Experts have lauded the state for restricting the spread of the disease its preparedness and quick response.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ramesh Babu Ramesh Babu is HTs bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism. ...view detail
With the Coronavirus scare gaining momentum, this article revisits the 2003 SARS pandemic, seeking insight into the potential impact on individual markets and travel as a whole.

As of the writing of this article, the Coronavirus pandemic is only a few weeks old, yet it is clear that this event is already having a significant impact on the travel industry. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus, now known as COVID-19, a global health emergency, and individual governments have imposed travel restrictions and other measures, principally directed at travellers arriving from China. To gain some perspective on the potential impact of the current Coronavirus scare on the lodging industry, this article looks at the SARS pandemic of 2003, which has strong parallels to the current Coronavirus situation. Both originated in China, and the diseases are similar in terms of symptoms, severity, and transmission. The SARS impact will be considered from two perspectives: how a pandemic scare can affect an individual market, and the broader impact on international travel.

The SARS Outbreak of 2003

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Based on further research, the earliest case dates to November 2002, while the last cases were reported in June 2003. During that period, a total of 8,098 cases were reported; of those cases, 7,324 people recovered, and 774 people died. Although the virus appeared in 37 countries, the majority of the cases were in Asia. The only country outside of Asia to report a significant volume of cases was Canada, and most of these were in the greater Toronto area.



Location and Number of SARS Cases and Deaths

Source: World Health Organization

As it has in the present situation, the WHO issued regular bulletins as information concerning the disease and identified cases became available. The first of these was issued on March 15 and was followed by regular updates. The bulletins generally addressed the number of cases and deaths, reported the areas affected, and discussed the progress in identifying and treating the disease and its symptoms. The WHO bulletins also addressed the issue of travel and, as it deemed appropriate based on the number of cases and the pace of new cases reported, issued travel advisories pertaining to specific regions. Notably, at no time did the WHO issue a travel restriction; the strongest advisory recommended that people postpone all but essential travel to specified destinations. The destinations initially specified were Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, China. Toronto, Beijing, Shang-XI Province, Taiwan, and Inner Mongolia were subsequently added to the list.



Toronto was the only region outside of Asia that was identified as an affected area for which the WHO issued a travel advisory. SARS was first reported in Canada in mid-March 2003; as of March 15, the WHO reported seven cases and two deaths. The chronology of SARS in Toronto is summarized in the following table.

Chronology of SARS in Canada Source: World Health Organization

The WHO identified Toronto as an area with recent, local transmission; this designation indicates that the cases are spreading internally within the region, rather than being brought in by travellers from outside the area. This designation was in place from March 22 through May 14, and reinstated for a second period, from May 26 to July 2, 2003. The recurrence of the area of recent local transmission designation is significant, in that it was the result of an outbreak that occurred at a point in time when SARS was believed to be under control in that area.



The travel advisory was in place for only one week, at the end of April. Yet even prior to the advisory, and well after it was lifted, the travel industry in Canada felt significant, adverse effects as a result of the media reports of the identification of SARS cases in the country. Impact of SARS on the Canadian Travel Industry To assess the impact of SARS on the Canadian lodging industry, we have reviewed trends in lodging demand in both Canada and the U. S. The following chart presents the percent change in total lodging demand in each country in the years preceding and immediately following the SARS outbreak in 2003.



Change in Lodging Demand in the U.S. and Canada  1992 through 2008 Source: STR

Historically, there has been a correlation between lodging demand in Canada and the U.S., which is logical given the close economic and geographic ties between the two countries. As the chart indicates, while the magnitude of the change differs, the direction and longevity of the trends are aligned. The absence of this correlation in 2003 reflects the impact of SARS on the Canadian lodging market. Following the sharp downturn recorded in 2001, U.S. lodging demand recorded steady increases as the market recovered from the recession and adverse impacts and aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The Canadian lodging market also experienced a downturn, albeit less substantial, in 2001. Data for 2002 indicate that a recovery in this market was underway, as well. However, in 2003, the SARS outbreak and related travel scare interrupted the markets progress. As a result of this scare, demand in Canada decreased by 4.7% in 2003; this is more than double the decrease recorded in 2001, and 40% higher than the decrease experienced by the U.S. in 2001. Impact of SARS on the Toronto Lodging Market Although SARS cases were reported in several regions in Canada, the vast majority were concentrated in the Toronto area. To gauge the magnitude of the impact of SARS on the Toronto lodging market, we have reviewed STR data for 17 hotels that comprised the principal lodging market in Downtown Toronto at that time. The following chart presents the percent change in demand levels for this set of hotels over the period from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2003.



Percent Change in Lodging Demand in Toronto  2001 through 2003 Source: STR

As the above chart clearly demonstrates, SARS had a far more dramatic impact on the Toronto lodging market than did the events of September 11, 2001. Demand dropped by 36.5% in April 2003, compared to April 2002, the first full month when the SARS situation was known. Although April showed the most significant decline, the market continued to experience demand decreases in excess of 20% through July of that year and continued to report demand levels lower than the same month of the prior year through November. As previously noted, the city was removed from the list of areas with recent local transmission on July 2, 2003. While the decreases in demand moderated somewhat thereafter, the extended span of the downturn is striking. In all, over the period April through November 2003, the market reported over 257,000 fewer accommodated room nights than in the same period of 2002. This equates to over CA$83 million in revenues. Over the full year 2003, demand was off by just under 220,000 room nights, and revenues were off by CA$80 million (rounded).



On the demand side, the market was able to recover the lost ground within a year. As the following chart shows, the number of accommodated room nights in 2004 was on par with, or exceeded, the demand levels recorded in 2002, prior to the SARS outbreak.

Occupied Room Nights by Month  2002 through 2004 Source: STR

The total occupied room nights in 2004 exceeded the number of room nights occupied in 2002, indicating that the market was able to recover the ground lost during the SARS scare relatively readily. However, it is not clear that the market was able to reach the levels that it could have been expected to attain by 2004, had the momentum of growth evident in the 2002 statistics been sustained. On the revenue side, the data for this set of hotels indicate that the market did not regain the revenue levels recorded in 2002 until 2006, as the lingering effects of the price discounts implemented in response to the SARS scare undermined the recovery of average rate (ADR) until that year. A review of the 2003 monthly data indicates that the aggregate ADR for this set of hotels dropped by over $20.00 in April. The decline increased to over $40.00 in May, June, and July; this represents a 25% decrease over the ADR reported in the previous year. Rates continued to be down, although not as significantly, through the balance of the year. Annually, the ADR in 2003 was 14%, or almost $24.00, lower than that achieved in 2002. Lessons Learned from the SARS Pandemic The good news is that the data indicate that demand lost due to a discrete phenomenon (such as a flu scare) can be recovered relatively readily, although not as quickly as it can be lost. More problematic is the question of momentum, and the impact of such an event on overall trends in the market. The Toronto market surpassed 2002 demand levels in 2004; however, had the market been able to maintain the pace achieved by comparable markets in the U.S., it would have surpassed 2002 levels in 2003 and could have achieved further growth in subsequent years.



The ADR issue is more compelling. The aggregate ADR for the Toronto hotels did not recover to 2002 levels until 2006, in large part due to the draconian discounts implemented by hotels in the city in an immediate response to the sharp drop in demand. In retrospect, given the reasons for the precipitous decrease in travel, it seems extremely unlikely that lower rates would induce any demand into the market. How high would the perceived value of a hotel stay have to be to overcome the fear of becoming infected with a potentially life-threatening disease? While discounting might be an effective tool once the perceived threat has passed, it is not likely to have affected demand levels during the period when fear was the dominant factor influencing travel. Other Examples SARS is the most comparable to the current Coronavirus pandemic, but not the only such event. The 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu epidemic had a significant negative impact on Mexico, which was the point of origin and the country with the most reported cases. Travel to Mexico City and the countrys multiple resort destinations dropped significantly that year, although it is difficult to isolate the impact of the H1N1 virus from the concurrent global economic downturn.



More recently, the Zika virus scare affected travel in 2016 and 2017. The highest incidence of cases was in Brazil; within the U.S., Florida reported the most cases. Concerns about exposure reportedly led to a downturn in travel to the state, and specifically Miami Beach and the surrounding markets, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory recommending that pregnant women not travel to a 4.5-square-mile area of Miami Beach. The advisory was in effect from mid-July through mid-November. As with the H1N1 scare, other factors in the market make it difficult to identify the specific impact of Zika on the travel and lodging industries during that period, including an influx of new supply, the closure of the Miami Beach Convention Center for renovation, and a variety of seasonal influences. However, media reports at the time indicated that hotel bookings were significantly down in August and noted that airfares targeted toward the leisure segment dropped in this period, as well. Broader Impacts  International Travel As discussed, there are strong parallels between SARS and the Coronavirus; both originated in China, and the diseases are similar in terms of symptoms, severity, and transmission. However, in terms of international travel and tourism, the context in which the Coronavirus is occurring is radically different from when SARS occurred in 2003.



Over the intervening years, China has emerged as a global force in tour and travel. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, in 2018, a total of roughly 150 million international travellers originated from China, up 15% from 2017 levels. In 2017, this source reported the total spending by all outbound Chinese tourists was valued at US$115 billion. Countries in Southeast Asia are the most popular, accounting for eight of the top ten destinations; in many of these countries, China is the top source of international tourism. The other two countries on the top ten list are the U.S. and Russia.



The U.S. has benefited from the surge in outbound Chinese travel. The National Travel and Tourism Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the roughly three million visitors from China accounted for 3.8% of total international visitors and 7.5% of overseas visitors (excluding Canada and Mexico) in 2018. The economic impact of these visitors comprised a disproportionate share of total travel exports (visitor spending in the U.S.); Chinas $34.6 billion is 13.5% of total travel exports and 16.3% of overseas travel exports.

International Travel to the U.S. by Country of Origin - 2018





Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

The data for 2018 reflect a 5.7% decrease in the number of visitors and a 2.2% decline in travel exports from 2017 levels. Statistics for the year-to-date through October 2019 period indicate a similar decline. The recent drops in Chinese tourism have been widely attributed to the trade wars with China. Nevertheless, the current level of visitation is over ten times greater than the number of visitors from China in the early 2000s, as is illustrated by the following graph.

Total Arrivals to U.S. From China Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

In terms of spending, the 2018 total of $34.6 billion is almost 15 times the $2.3 billion total spending by Chinese visitors to the U.S. recorded in 2002. Impact of SARS on Inbound Travel to the U.S. from China The following table presents the number of Chinese travellers and total travel and tourism exports over the period from 2000 through 2005, illustrating the impact of the 2003 SARS pandemic on travel.



Chinese Tourism and Spending 2000 - 2005

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism

Concurrent with the SARS pandemic, the number of arrivals to the U.S. from China dropped by over 30%, or 69,000. By 2005, the volume of arrivals had surpassed the earlier peak, and the value of travel and tourism exports to China had increased by $1 billion over pre-SARS levels. Impact of Zika Virus on Inbound Travel to the U.S. from Brazil The following table illustrates the impact of the Zika virus on the number of Brazilian travelers and total travel and tourism exports over the period from 2013 through 2018, illustrating the impact of the Zika virus pandemic on travel.

Brazilian Tourism and Spending 2000-2005





Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

Looking at the Zika virus pandemic, in 2016, the year of the outbreak, the number of arrivals to the U.S. from Brazil dropped by 22.6%. This is less dramatic than the 30.3% decline during SARS. Moreover, the Zika virus outbreak coincided with a downturn in the Brazilian economy, as evidenced by the Brazilian GDP, which fell by 3.6% and 3.4% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The economic challenges no doubt contributed to a decline in travel, and the limited recovery in total spending can also be at least partially attributed to this factor, as well.

Total Arrivals to U.S. from Brazil Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

Impact of Coronavirus on Travel The full impact of the Coronavirus on international travel will depend on the extent of the pandemic and the duration of related travel restrictions. The response of the public, the fear factor, will also influence the total impact, particularly with respect to the periods after the travel restrictions are lifted. Clearly, however, there is much more at stake than was the case in 2003. If the SARS impact were to be repeated, a 30% decrease in the number of visitors equates to 900,000 fewer travellers, and a 5% decrease in spending equates to $1.7 billion.



However, the profile of Chinese travellers to the U.S. has changed significantly in the intervening years. The following chart illustrates the breakdown of visitors by primary purpose of trip. To illustrate the traveller profile in the early 2000s, we have used data for 2005, the earliest year for which the detailed breakdown is available. The Other category includes health treatment, religious pilgrimages, and other reasons for visitation that are not depicted in the chart.

Main Purpose of Chinese Travel to U.S. - 2005



Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office



Main Purpose of Chinese Travel to U.S. - 2018



Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

All segments will be affected during the period in which travel restrictions are in effect. How quickly each segment recovers once the restrictions have been lifted will likely differ, depending on the purpose of the trip. Business travellers are likely to be among the first to resume traveling, as the lull in travel will presumably make resuming their business activity a priority. The Vacation/Holiday category and the Visit Friends/Relatives category both reflect travel that is typically discretionary. As a result, the timing and pace of the recovery of these segments will likely be more influenced by the perspective of individual travellers. On a positive note, a significant proportion of the Vacation/Holiday segment comprises group tours, and the entities that run these tours can be expected to push to restore their businesses as soon as possible. Finally, the Education segment is the least likely to be affected, largely for reasons of logistics. Given the timing of the outbreak, it is reasonable to assume that most Chinese students attending U.S. schools were already here, and they are unlikely to return to China during the semester or even over the summer. Thus, unless the outbreak and restrictions continue until the fall semester, this segment will likely demonstrate minimal impact.



Turning to the question of economic impact, the outlook for the education sector suggests some good news. Although individuals traveling for education represented only 18.2% of total travellers in 2018, the value of their spending comprised over 43% of the total travel exports. To the extent that impact on the education sector is minor, so too would be the impact on the spending by these travellers. However, the remaining $19.7 billion in travel exports is generated by all other sources of travel (further breakdowns are not available) and would be vulnerable to impact on the segments that comprise this category.

Inbound Travel to the US from China: Visitors and Spending 2018





Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

Just as certain segments may be more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic, certain regions of the U.S. are also more likely to be affected. The following graph illustrates the breakdown of visitors by regions visited. Some visitors travel plans included multiple destinations, accounting for the total of greater than 100%.

2018 Inbound Chinese Travelers - Destination by Region



Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office

While Chinese tourists visit all regions of the country, the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic regions are the most popular destinations. Within the Pacific region, most visitors indicated Los Angeles (23.4%) and San Francisco (14.1%) as their primary destination. New York City was cited as the destination by 24.5% of the 29.3% of visitors to the Mid-Atlantic region. Within the other regions, the major metropolitan areas were the primary destination, including Las Vegas (10.3% of the Mountain region), Boston (8.8% of the New England region) and Washington, D.C. (7.6% of the South Atlantic region).



Another factor that warrants consideration is the length of stay. Given the distance to the U.S. from China, most visitors plan a relatively long trip. According to a McKinsey & Company report entitled Chinese Tourists: Dispelling the Myths, published in September 2018, 55% of Chinese visitors stay eight to 13 days, and 21% stay for longer than 13 days. Based on the data, every visitor that does not travel to the U.S. due to the pandemic could equate to multiple room nights, exacerbating the impact on the hotel industry. Conclusion Ultimately, the impact of the Coronavirus on the global travel industry will depend on the course of the pandemic, the extent and duration of travel restrictions and, perhaps most significantly, the medias coverage of, and the traveling publics response to, these events. Clearly, the U.S. lodging industry and other sectors that benefit from travel and tourism will be negatively affected; some markets are already feeling this impact.



Over the longer term, however, the outlook is more optimistic. As is illustrated by travel patterns following prior pandemics, the volume of travel can recover relatively quickly. Moreover, China continues to be a significant source of tourism for the U.S., with the potential to generate substantially more visitors and economic impact than recorded in recent years. As the trade issues continue to be resolved, the U.S. can expect to participate in this expanding market.

About Anne Lloyd-Jones

Anne R. Lloyd-Jones, MAI, CRE, is Senior Managing Director of the New York office of HVS, the premier global hospitality consulting firm. Since joining HVS in 1982, Anne has provided consulting and appraisal services to over 5,000 hotels. Annes particular areas of expertise include market studies, feasibility analyses, and appraisals. She is also an expert in the valuation of management and franchise companies, and brands. Her experience includes a wide range of property types, including spas and conference centers. She has appeared as an expert witness on numerous occasions, providing testimony and litigation support on matters involving bankruptcy proceedings, civil litigation, and arbitration. For further information, please contact Anne at +1 (516) 248-8828 Ext. 208 or ALloyd-Jones@hvs.com

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Dateline: Massachusetts

Last week, a man accidentally killed his neighbor with a crossbow while attempting to save him from a pit bull attack. According to WWLP in Massachusetts, police were called to an apartment for a reported mauling in progress and found two pit bulls engaging in a volatile confrontation. The dogs reportedly attacked the officers, who used their department-issued weapons to shoot and kill the animals. While investigating the scene, officers found an unharmed child in an adjacent room and a dead man in the living room. The man had been shot with a crossbow arrow. Investigators say a neighbor heard the attack and called police before entering the apartment with a crossbow, hoping to save the man. The neighbor reportedly shot the crossbow at the dogs, striking one. The arrow passed through the animal, went through a door and then struck the man who had been mauled. The victim was reportedly attempting to barricade himself in a room when the arrow struck him. The DA's office told reporters that the man's death is being treated as an accident and called the neighbor a  good Samaritan. State Police crime scene services and forensic scientists assigned to the DAs Office are currently investigating the police shooting that led to the dogs' deaths along with Adams Animal Control, Adams Police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Dateline: Germany

An artist used a red wagon full of cell phones to trick Google Maps into reporting traffic jams on empty streets. Vice reports that Berlin artist Simon Weckert recently rented 99 Android smart phone devices and purchased 99 sim cards for them online. He then installed and opened the Google Maps app on each smart phone and loaded the devices into a red wagon. Pulling the wagon behind him, Weckert walked back and forth for an hour or more on empty streets until the app reported a traffic jam in the area. By transporting the smartphones in the street Im able to generate virtual traffic which will navigate cars on another route, Weckert told reporters. Ironically that can generate a real traffic jam somewhere else in the city. The artist said he'd produced the installation to point out that virtual spaces aren't actually real. The map is not the territory, Weckert said, quoting Alfred Korzybski.Maps have the potential as an instrument of power. They substitute political and military power in a way that represents the state borders between territories and they can repeat, legitimate, and construct the differences of classes and social self-understandings  data are viewed as the world itself, forgetting that the numbers are only representing a model of the world, he said.

Dateline: India

Last week, residents of an apartment building in India were shocked when they found a mixture of beer, brandy and rum pouring from their faucets. According to BBC News, brownish drinking water that smelled strongly of alcohol began issuing from the taps of an apartment building in Kerala, India, recently. The children couldn't go to school and even their parents couldn't go to work, said Joshy Malyiekkal, owner of the apartment complex. Residents contacted officials asking for help only to discover that a government agency was the behind the contamination. Officials said they'd recently confiscated around 1,585 gallons of illegal alcohol and buried it near the building. The alcohol seeped through the ground and into a well that supplied 18 apartments with water. None of the residents drank the contaminated water, thanks to the smell, but pumping the well clean could take a month to complete. Officials have been supplying residents with about 1,320 gallons of water a day. But residents say the well was their main source of drinking water and the government isn't providing enough for families to drink and bathe.

Dateline: Russia

The Russian Orthodox Church is proposing a new set of guidelines that will bar priests from blessing weapons of mass destruction. Reuters reports that if a document drawn up by an Orthodox Church commission is approved, the longtime practice of blessing military weapons with holy water will be banned. The blessing of military weapons is not reflected in the tradition of the Orthodox Church and does not correspond to the content of the Rite, the document's authors wrote. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly encouraged efforts to connect the church to the nation's military forces, leading to a number of highly publicized incidents of clergy blessing weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear missiles. The new document says this practice contradicts the teachings of the church by sanctifying weapons that can kill an indefinite number of people. The churchs Moscow branch is encouraging the public to take part in the debate before officials discuss the issue on June 1. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, will have the final say in the matter. It's unclear whether he will approve the proposal.

Dateline: Finland

A new study has found that men who own high-status cars are often jerks who drive unethically. Researchers at the University of Helsinki recently published a study in International Journal of Psychology that found that men who drive a high-status car such as an Audi, BMW or Mercedes are much more likely to ignore traffic regulations and drive recklessly. The researchers found that the behavior correlated with personality types rather than level of wealth. According to a press release from the university, owners of these car models are statistically self-centred men who are argumentative, stubborn, disagreeable and unempathetic. Those whose personality was deemed more disagreeable were more drawn to high-status cars, said author Jan-Erik Lonnqvist, professor of social psychology. These are people who often see themselves as superior and are keen to display this to others.
When someone is in distress, dialling police helpline number 100 can help. But not in Kolkata.

The entire system which hosted the number 100 and other emergency services like 112, 1090 and 1091 went down on Tuesday.

These are all BSNL landlines. We have no idea what went wrong. We are having problems with some other numbers as well, said an officer on duty at the control room in Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar on Wednesday.

The Kolkata Police sought the medias help in sharing alternative cellphone numbers.

In a social media post, Kolkata Police said, The landline numbers of Lalbazar Control Room( including 100) is presently out of order due to some technical snag. Efforts are on to set things right at the earliest. Till such time the numbers get functional, please contact the Control Room at the following numbers: 9874903465, 9432610446, 9432610443, 9432624365, Senior Citizen Helpline: 9830088884, Medical Helpline: 9830079999.

The police officers held a high-level meeting with BSNL officials on Wednesday and urged them to restore the services.
A walk through a flea market or a trip to the grocery store do not inspire a sudden scientific breakthrough for most people, but one Queensland University of Technology researcher says that is because we are not looking more closely.

Associate Professor Ziqi Suns work focuses on using structures found in the natural world and applying them to existing materials to try to discover new properties that can then be used for technological advances.

"By mimicking the periodic biological structures, then we can get extraordinary properties from the usual engineering materials," Professor Sun said.

QUT Associate Professor Ziqi Sun, is copying the structure of natural objects to develop sustainable energy solutions. Credit:QUT

"These are properties we cannot get from the conventional forms of the materials."
HANOVER, MD, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC: PCSA) a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing products to improve the survival and/or quality of life for patients who have a high unmet medical need, announced today that Geraldine Pannu was appointed to the Board of Directors.



Ms. Pannu has over 25 years experience in investment and financial management, fund operations, consulting and marketing. She is currently the Founding and Managing Partner of GLTJ Pioneer Capital that specializes in land acquisition, entitlement and vertical development of multifamily, student and senior housing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Previously, Ms. Pannu was the COO and Managing Partner for ChinaRock Capital Management, a leading hedge and venture capital fund company. She previously worked in McKinsey & Co, Monitor Company as management consultant. She had successfully raised capital for several hedge, venture capital and real estate funds. She also helped start-up companies to expand and diversify business categories, client verticals and grow revenue. Ms. Pannu was born in Shanghai and grew up in Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese.

We are pleased to welcome Geraldine to our Board of Directors at this important stage of Processas evolution. Her strong investment and finance skills as well as leadership experience will complement our existing board, said Dr. David Young, CEO of Processa Pharmaceuticals.

"I am excited about joining Processas Board," stated Ms. Pannu. "The Processa team has accomplished so much in a short amount of time and I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members and company management as we continue to build long term shareholder value.

About Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2017 in Hanover, Maryland, with a mission to develop products that can improve the survival and/or quality of life for patients who have a high unmet medical need. The company acquired the assets of Promet Therapeutics, LLC in October of 2017 and has assembled a proven regulatory science product development team, management team, and Board of Directors. The Processa Teams expertise is in developing drug products from IND enabling studies to NDA submission. The Company's combined scientific, development and regulatory experience has resulted in more than 30 drug approvals by the FDA (including drug products targeted to orphan disease conditions) and 100 FDA meetings. For more information, please visit http://www.processapharma.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual future performance outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents filed by Processa Pharmaceuticals with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which identify important risk factors which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

For More Information:

Patrick Lin

plin@processapharma.com

925-683-3218

# # #
The boos poked at President Muhammadu Buhari when he paid a condolence visit to Maiduguri, after an onslaught by Boko Haram, has been said not be a true reflection of the trust the people of the state have in the president.

Kashim Shettima, a former governor of the state, now a serving senator of Borno central, said this at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

President Buhari had in the 2019 elections scooped 90 per cent of the votes from Borno State, having pledged to defeat insurgency in the country.

But while the popularity Mr Buhari enjoyed a year ago seemed to have dwindled when residents thronged out saying the president should go, Mr Shettima maintained that people of Borno are on the side of the president.

Yes, we have challenges. Certainly, we have reached the nadir in our crisis, and we are going to bounce back as a people. The people of Borno love Buhari. Maybe their expectations were over-exaggerated, Mr Shettima said.

People thought he (Buhari) had a magic wand. He doesnt have one. But I believe it is a temporary hiccup. The people of Borno, the people of the northeast still passionately love Buhari.

Mr Shettima said by appointing two Borno sons  Tukur Buratai as Chief of Army Staff and Babagana Monguno as National Security Adviser  Mr Buhari has done extremely well for the people of Borno, and the northeast as a whole.

Read also:

The people and the government of Borno are fully behind the President, are fully in support of our security establishment who have lost lives while serving the nation.

Asked if the presidential blame on the leaders of Borno went down well with him, the lawmaker recoiled, saying the president couldnt have made such statement.

I doubt very much if the president blamed the people of Borno or the Borno elites, he responded. He might have made a general statement on the need for people to align themselves with the aspiration for restoring peace in the northeast but I doubt if the President blamed the people of Borno.

Mr Shettima, nonetheless, called for unity among Nigerians to battle the plethora of challenges facing the country.
No charges are expected to be filed against law enforcement officers responding to a domestic violence call in Boaz earlier this week that resulted in police fatally shooting the armed suspect, Marshall County District Attorney Everett Johnson said Thursday morning.

While the investigation is ongoing by the State Bureau of Investigation, Johnson said he has received no indication that officers violated the law in shooting and killing Thomas Ray Chamblee, whose identity was released Thursday. Chamblee pointed a handgun at officers at the scene and the officers fired on him, Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims said.

Law enforcement officials speaking in Albertville about Albertville police officer-involved shooting on Monday. Posted by al.com on Thursday, February 13, 2020

"It seems abundantly clear at this time that the officers, the law enforcement, involved on (Monday morning) in regard to all their actions certainly appears to be reasonable, necessary and appropriate," Johnson said at a press conference.

At this point in time, there certainly is no reason to believe there will be any sort of charges against anyone that will come out of this.

Sims said police from Boaz, Albertville and Douglas responded to the scene as well as Marshall County sheriff deputies. Sims declined to identify the agency from which the officers came who fired on Chamblee.

The officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave as part of standard operating procedure pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Sims said Chamblee was familiar to law enforcement in the area and had been arrested several times, including at least once on a domestic violence charge.

Sims said Boaz police responded to a domestic violence call in the citys jurisdiction and that Chamblee had already left the scene by the time officers arrived. Boaz police Chief Josh Gaskin said the victim, Chamblees wife, sustained serious injuries that included a broken left arm, broken left hand as well as skull fractures.

Boaz police issued an alert to surrounding law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for Chamblee. Albertville police found his vehicle south of the city and then were informed Chamblee was in a residence on Lazy Creek Circle near where the car was found.

Police went to the residence and began negotiations with Chamblee for his surrender.

They did a very good job talking to him, Sims said. They took their time talking to him. He came out of the residence holding a handgun. As soon as he came out, he leveled a handgun at officers. And thats when officers did what they had to do to protect themselves. It resulted in the death of Mr. Chamblee.

Updated today, Feb. 13, 2020, at 11:36 a.m. with new information throughout.

Updated today, Feb. 13, 2020, at 4:03 p.m. to clarify that the suspect was armed when he was shot, according to police.
[February 13, 2020] SPIE Photonics West 2020 Heralds the Benefits of Optics and Photonics Industry, Research

At the world's largest photonics conference, more than 20,000 attendees packed San Francisco's Moscone Center from 1 February through 6 February. Across one vibrant week, the SPIE Photonics West symposium, its BiOS, LASE, and OPTO symposia, and the inaugural AR/VR/MR conference boasted more than 1,300 exhibitors, 5,300 presentations, nearly 60 technical courses, and multiple industry-related special events. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005621/en/ ALL IN: SPIE Photonics West 2020 exhibition opens for business. (Business Wire: Photo) From the glamorous Prism Awards honoring the top new optics and photonics products and the energizing Startup Challenge pitch competition, to the brand-new, industry-focused Venture Summit and the annual SPIE Job Fair, Photonics West showcased and recognized the best optics and photonics technologies, trends, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Latest reserch presentations - including a plenary by Nobel (News - Alert) Laureate Eric Betzig - focused on both established and emerging areas, from 60-year-old laser technology and advancements in biomedicine, to AI, lidar, and quantum.



As part of a larger professional development track, popular courses included "Optical Technologies and Architectures for VR/AR/MR and HMDs," and the brand-new "Modern Optical Measurements: An Introduction with Practical Applications." And, during a special event, SPIE and the University of Central Florida unveiled the $650,000 SPIE-Glebov Family Optics and Photonics Graduate Scholarship Fund for the UCF's College of Optics and Photonics, the latest collaboration in the five-year, $2.5 million SPIE Endowment Matching Program. A perpetually busy industry stage featured dynamic panels on everything from equity in industry to AI in medical imaging, contributing to an already buzzing exhibition floor. "Hamamatsu Photonics considered Photonics West 2020 a great success," said Hamamatsu Vice President of Marketing Earl Hergert. "We appreciate having the chance to contribute to the photonics community through our exhibition presence, industrial presentations, and sponsorships of workshops and conferences. Photonics West is the premier photonics show in the world, and the biggest source of our new opportunities. We look forward to Photonics West 2021."

"We've had a super week both at BiOS and Photonics West this year," said M Squared CEO and Founder Graeme Malcolm. "I think the combination of those two shows is always a good barometer for the health of the industry, and we've had a really vibrant and inspiring week. We see a lot of areas underpinned by photonics really starting to come through - that's all the way from life sciences to chemical sensing to quantum. I think it's a really exciting time for our industry, and the show and the conference have really been a highlight of the start of this year, of 2020." "Chromacity have been attending Photonics West since the company was founded over eight years ago and we're excited to see the conference continue to grow as the leading photonics event worldwide," said Chromacity CEO Shahida Imani, who also participated as a Startup Challenge judge, as a mentorship-panel member for the Venture Summit, and as a part of a trio of photonics CEOs discussing equity in industry. "It's been an absolute pleasure to participate this year, and we look forward to attending again next year." "Schott is in ardent support of SPIE and Photonics West," noted Director of Sales of The Americas at Schott North America Stephen J. Sokach. "We've always enjoyed great successes here, as well as a cooperative relationship. There were concerns about attendance dropping off this year because of world events, but we have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the attendees as well as the quantity. We've had a very successful show, and we look forward to coming back next year." "The week has been incredible," noted Dan Ford (News - Alert), senior sales territory manager of MKS Instruments, Ophir Products. "The traffic has been steady and in high quantities, and the lead quality has just been terrific. We've been seeing customers that we've been in business with for many years: they've got new projects starting up, so we're seeing a very bright future in the industry here in the US and abroad." "The robustness and resiliency of the global photonics community shone through at Photonics West," said SPIE Senior Director of Global Business Development Andrew Brown. "We experienced an extremely vibrant gathering of the international community in San Francisco: the packed plenary sessions and conferences, dynamic networking and industry events, and hustle of business being conducted during the exhibition brought a sense of normality to a period of global uncertainty. This was also a time when the values of our community around diversity, inclusion and compassion were reinforced. We truly are a global family in the photonics industry, and Photonics West continues to be the welcoming venue for its annual reunion." Photonics West 2021 will take place 23-28 January at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The call for papers for the 2021 event will open in early April, with abstracts due 15 July. About SPIE SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Library. In 2019, SPIE provided more than $5 million in community support including scholarships and awards, outreach and advocacy programs, travel grants, public policy, and educational resources. www.spie.org View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005621/en/

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a

Monday, Jan 10th, 2022

In Greece, journalists feel the squeeze

By Yiannis Baboulias

Last November Ingeborg Beugel, a Dutch journalist who has been covering Greece for decades, was advised by her countrys embassy in Greece that she should leave the country for her own safety. Days earlier Beugel had attended a joint press...
Dr. Li Ran was at the start of his night shift in Wuhan's Tongji Hospital on Feb. 9 when a patient was rushed in by ambulance.

The elderly man was in a shock, and all the medical indicators pointed to a dire situation  his heart rate was 200 beats per minute, his breathing was abnormally rapid, and his blood oxygen level was way below normal.

At first, Li thought the man was beyond cure. But after he was put on high-flow nasal cannula  a special breathing machine  the patient showed signs of improvement after just two hours. When Li checked on him two days later, the elderly man was in an even better condition.

"I thought it was a miracle," Li recalled.

This miracle was exactly what Li set out to do when he rushed to Wuhan on Jan. 26. He was among the first batch of 20 doctors and nurses of Peking University People's Hospital to answer the call, and they were part of the first group of 121 medical workers sent by the National Health Commission from Beijing.

The group was given the name of the National Medical Team, and they have been joined by thousands more from across China in Wuhan and Hubei province to fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Li admitted he was nervous. "It was impossible not to be worried after seeing how severe the outbreak was. But as a doctor from the respiratory department, I couldn't and wouldn't leave myself outside of it."

Li's colleague, chief nurse of the respiratory department Wang Wen, was less anxious, having gone through the 2003 SARS outbreak. She was in fact anticipating the call to go to Wuhan after learning from the news that Shanghai had sent a team on Jan. 24. She packed her bags that very night  on Chinese New Year's Eve  and volunteered the next day.

The challenges awaiting them in the epicenter of the outbreak, however, were mountainous. With no special cure for the disease, doctors must work tirelessly to treat the symptoms of the infections. Li said he and his fellow doctors mostly rely on breathing machines  often advanced ones  to give life support to patients suffering from pneumonia, and that people in the most danger are the elderly and patients with pre-existing illnesses.

While they worked to treat the ever increasing number of people infected  the number of confirmed cases in Wuhan has risen to 32,994 as of Feb.12  the doctors and nurses also take all precautionary measures to protect themselves. They are covered head-to-toe in protective suits, goggles, and respirators. After a long shift in the thick gears, doctors are often drenched in sweat.

"Putting on the protective suits was itself an energy-consuming process, and you feel breathless in that suit," Li said. The 33-year-old has previously worked in the Tibet autonomous region, but he said it feels even harder to breathe in the suit than on high-altitude plateau.

Meanwhile, Wang and her fellow nurses are tasked with taking care of everyday needs of patients in quarantine. With sometimes entire families infected by the virus, many can only rely on the nurses to take care of them  from getting meals to going to the bathroom.

Both doctors and nurses also work to console their patients, so that panic cannot do more harm than the disease. Some of the patients spoke only local dialect, making the communication more difficult.

Despite all the challenges, Li and Wang both said they were never for a second feeling hopeless. Wang was especially proud of her team. "We might not notice this in everyday work before this, but when we came here, we took care of each other as brothers and sisters. Everyone was asking to do more so that their colleagues can get more rest."

She said she was also encouraged by seeing patients recovering from the virus, and many have. As of midnight of Feb. 11, a total of 4,740 patients across China infected with the novel coronavirus had been discharged from hospital after recovery.

"It was really a worthwhile thing to do, to save some patients back from the verge of death," Li said.
Ashley Benson's Swapped Her Signature Bob for Sleek, Shiny Inches for New York Fashion Week

Ashley Benson is going the extra mile for New York Fashion Week  or, at least, her hair certainly is.

The Pretty Little Liars alum is no stranger to hair transformations, but she broke out one on Wednesday (February 12) that was quite surprising, even after the bright pink bob she kicked off 2020 with.

Now, Benson has swapped out her shorter hair for some seriously to-die-for length, with pin-straight, nearly waist-long hair thanks to some gorgeous caramel extensions. She posed in a series of photos and videos on hairstylist Joseph Maine's Instagram, where Maine called attention to her veritable transformation into a "sleek"-haired siren.

"What bob?! #AshleyBenson sleek and chic," he captioned a double shot of Ashley, seen posing in a long-sleeved navy mock-neck shirt and striped trousers.

"Long and sleek today for #AshleyBenson attending #MichaelKors #ManebyMaine using @rpzlrpzl and @colorwowhair @miajonesmua," Maine captioned a video clip of his handiwork for Benson.

RELATED: Ashley Benson's New Bob Is Her Shortest Haircut Yet

To achieve the look, Maine relied on lengthy RPZL hair extensions and his own Color Wow hair products, which is a far cry from her typical wavy style. Benson herself showed off how long and shiny her new tresses are while posing with a Michael Kors sign on her own Instagram account.

"Thank you for having me @michaelkors," she captioned her post simply, as the compliments rolled in. Even celebrity pal Vanessa Hudgens chimed in: "Love this lewk babyyy."

Where will Ashley go from here for her next total hair makeover? We can't say, but it's hard to decide which style fits her best: short and tousled or long and sleek? It's really difficult to decide.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Bluestone Resources Inc. (TSXV: BSR) (OTCQB: BBSRF) ("Bluestone" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on underground development activities and on exploration and infill drilling at its Cerro Blanco gold project. Bluestone's 2020 drill program will primarily focus on infill drilling in the South Zone and build on the infill drill program recently completed in the North Zone of the deposit.

Underground Development Drift Sampling

The Company is pleased to report on further underground development work undertaken as part of an operational readiness and project de-risking initiative ahead of development. Two development drifts, on two individual veins, one located in the North Zone (VN_10) and the other in the South Zone (VS_10), were extended by blasting and mucking using Bluestone's mine equipment and personnel. Channel sampling of veins was undertaken at the drift face after each successive blast as the drift advanced. These new results have been combined with those announced previously (see press release dated September 4, 2019).

Drift N636 along Vein VN_10 in the North Zone was extended by 7.5 meters and averaged 18.8 g/t Au and 44 g/t Ag along its total length of 22.4 meters (26 samples)





(26 samples) Drift S314 along Vein VS-10 in the South Zone was extended by 7.7 meters and averaged 26.5 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag along its total length of 29.3 meters (42 samples)

North Zone Drift N636 plans and sections with assay tables can be accessed by clicking HERE.

South Zone Drift S314 plans and sections with assay tables can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Sampling continues to demonstrate consistent high grades and widths with good continuity, in particular Vein VS-10 which showed an increase in grade in the last drift face sampled, averaging 37.9 g/t Au and 144.8 g/t Ag over 1.0 meter (6 samples).

Reconciliation of resource block model grades against available muck pile grades (ore and waste) for each drift showed positive results, demonstrating higher average mined grades over block model grades by 19% and 37% for drifts N636 and S314, respectively.

Sampling Methodology

For each face, channel samples were taken perpendicular across the vein and where possible along the roof of the drift at spacings of approximately 1.0 meter using a portable core saw. Sampled headings are approximately 3-4 meters apart (depending on the advance of each blast) and individual vein widths vary between 0.7 to 1.2 meters (VN_10) and 0.5 to 0.8 meters (VS_10). In each case, minimum sample widths of 1.0 meter were taken to include hanging wall and footwall dilution around the veins. Veins comprise white chalcedonic quartz and minor adularia with dark grey banding due to the inclusion of silver sulphides and gold.

The objective of this ongoing work is to improve orebody knowledge by providing valuable information on grade continuity, vein orientation and the applicability of mining methods.

Infill Resource Drilling

Bluestone recently announced an updated resource estimate (see press release dated November 6, 2019) that resulted from a successful infill drill program which was primarily focussed in the North Zone. The 2019 updated resource estimate established Measured and Indicated Resources of 1.43 Moz at 10.3 g/t Au, an increase of 18% over the previous estimate.

The updated estimate was the result of an additional 8,567 meters of drilling in 66 holes. The resource estimate reflects a better understanding of the geological model, supported by over 3 kilometers of underground infrastructure and 526 underground channel samples.

Bluestone's 2020 drill program will primarily focus on infill drilling in the South Zone and build on the infill drill program recently completed in the North Zone of the deposit. A total of 9,000 meters are planned from both surface and underground. The focus of the program will be the definition of extensions to key veins outside of the current resource estimate and conversion of Inferred Resources.

Drilling is underway from surface and within the underground workings with two drill rigs. Two additional rigs will be added and are expected to be operational in March.

David Cass, Vice President Exploration commented, "Our drill program at Cerro Blanco for 2020 has kicked off in earnest and we look forward to adding momentum and news flow with the addition of more drill rigs by March. Our knowledge of the high-grade vein swarms at Cerro Blanco continues to improve with every hole and we remain to be impressed by their continuity and predictability in our targeted drilling, which continues to be confirmed by sampling of drifts as we have advanced our trial underground development ."

Quality Analysis and Quality Control

Assay results listed within this release were performed by Inspectorate Laboratories ("Inspectorate"), a division of Bureau Veritas, which are ISO 17025 accredited laboratories. Logging and sampling are undertaken on site at Cerro Blanco by Company personnel under a QA/QC protocol developed by Bluestone. Samples are transported in security-sealed bags to Inspectorate, Guatemala City, Guatemala, for sample preparation. Sample pulps are shipped to Inspectorate Laboratories in Vancouver, BC, Canada or Reno, NV, USA, and assayed using industry-standard assay techniques for gold and silver. Gold and silver were analyzed by a 30-gram charge with atomic absorption and/or gravimetric finish for values exceeding 5 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material, and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by Bluestone's QA/QC program, which involves the insertion of blind certified reference materials (standards) and field duplicates into the sample stream to independently assess analytical precision and accuracy of each batch of samples as they are received from the laboratory. A selection of samples is submitted to ALS Chemex Laboratories in Vancouver for check analysis and additional quality control.

Qualified Person

David Cass, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and verified that the technical information set out above in this news release is accurate, and therefore approves this written disclosure of the technical information.

About Bluestone Resources

Bluestone Resources is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its 100%-owned high-grade Cerro Blanco Gold project located in Guatemala. A Feasibility Study on Cerro Blanco returned robust economics with a quick pay back. The average annual production is projected to be 146,000 ounces per year over the first three years of production with all-in sustaining costs of $579/oz (as defined per World Gold Council guidelines, less corporate general and administration costs). The Company trades under the symbol "BSR" on the TSX Venture Exchange and "BBSRF" on the OTCQB.

On Behalf of Bluestone Resources Inc.

"Jack Lundin"

Jack Lundin| CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Bluestone Resources Inc.

Stephen Williams | VP Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Phone: +1 604 646 4534

info@bluestoneresources.ca

www.bluestoneresources.ca

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.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that Bluestone Resources Inc. ("Bluestone" or the "Company") believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation: to the market for Bluestone's common shares, preferred shares, deb securities, subscription receipts, units, warrants and share purchase contracts; the conversion of the inferred mineral resources; increasing the amount of measured mineral and indicated mineral resources; the proposed timeline and benefits of further drilling; the proposed timeline and benefits of the Feasibility Study; statements about the Company's plans for its mineral properties; Bluestone's business strategy, plans and outlook; the future financial or operating performance of Bluestone; capital expenditures, corporate general and administration expenses and exploration and development expenses; expected working capital requirements; the future financial estimates of the Cerro Blanco Project economics, including estimates of capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production and of sustaining capital costs, estimates of operating costs and total costs, net present value and economic returns; proposed production timelines and rates; funding availability; resource estimates; and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to Bluestone and often use words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "may" or variations thereof or the negative of any of these terms.

All forward-looking statements are made based on the Company's current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. Generally, these assumptions include, among others: the ability of Bluestone to carry on exploration and development activities; the price of gold, silver and other metals; there being no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environment; the exchange rates among the Canadian dollar, Guatemalan quetzal and the United States dollar remaining consistent with current levels; the presence of and continuity of metals at the Cerro Blanco Project at estimated grades; the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within estimated delivery times; metals sales prices and exchange rates assumed; appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in economic analyses; tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; the availability of acceptable financing; anticipated mining losses and dilution; success in realizing proposed operations; anticipated timelines for community consultations and the impact of those consultations on the regulatory approval process.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Bluestone. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the mineral identified as mineral resources from that predicted; risks and uncertainties related to expected production rates, timing and amount of production and total costs of production; risks and uncertainties related to ability to obtain or maintain necessary licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining development activities; risks and uncertainties related to the accuracy of mineral resource estimates and estimates of future production, future cash flow, total costs of production and diminishing quantities or grades of mineral resources; risks associated with geopolitical uncertainty and political and economic instability in Guatemala; risks and uncertainties related to interruptions in production; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; uncertain political and economic environments and relationships with local communities; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; developments in world metals markets; risks related to fluctuations in currency exchange rates; as well as those factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Bluestone disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Bluestone believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures

The Company has included certain non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") measures in this news release. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company and to compare it to information reported by other companies. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

All-in sustaining costs

The Company believes that all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") more fully defines the total costs associated with producing gold.

The Company calculates AISC as the sum of refining costs, third party royalties, site operating costs, sustaining capital costs and closure capital costs all divided by the gold ounces sold to arrive at a per ounce amount. Other companies may calculate this measure differently as a result of differences in underlying principles and policies applied. Differences may also arise due to a different definition of sustaining versus non-sustaining capital.

AISC reconciliation

ASIC and costs are calculated based on the definitions published by the World Gold Council ("WGC") (a market development organization for the gold industry comprised of and funded by 18 gold mining companies from around the world). The WGC is not a regulatory organization.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52377
By Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES  Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey on Thursday announced the dismissal of 66,000 marijuana convictions in the county, a move to undo decades of drug enforcement that disproportionately targeted people of color.

The top prosecutor this week filed a motion asking a judge to erase 62,000 felony convictions dating back to 1961 and 4,000 misdemeanor convictions in 10 cities across the county. Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta signed the order Tuesday.

That means 22,000 people no longer have felonies on their record in California and 15,000 no longer have a criminal record at all. Of the 53,000 people who received relief, 32% are black, 45% are Latino and 20% are white.

What this does is correct that inequity of the past, Lacey said in an interview. It gives them a start, a new start.

The effort was part of a partnership with Code for America, a nonprofit tech organization that developed a computer algorithm to quickly analyze county data to determine which cases are eligible to be cleared under Proposition 64, which in 2016 legalized, among other things, the possession and purchase of up to an ounce of marijuana and allowed people to grow up to six plants for personal use.

The technology can scan the records of 10,000 people in a matter of seconds, said Evonne Silva, Code for Americas senior program director of criminal justice.

State legislation signed in 2018 required that California prosecutors automatically clear such criminal records by July of this year. Illinois and New York have also passed laws that put the onus on officials to clear the records.

Before the move, people had to petition the court on their own, but the process was time-consuming and cumbersome. Not many people even tried.

Prosecutors said decades of drug enforcement disproportionately targeted minorities. Studies have shown that people of color are more likely to be arrested and punished in connection with marijuana offenses, even though whites, blacks and Latinos use and sell marijuana at similar rates. The result, critics say, is a cycle of poverty and incarceration that has kept many minorities from getting jobs, going to school or finding housing.

A 2016 study found that although African Americans make up just 6% of Californias population, they account for almost a quarter of those serving jail time exclusively for marijuana offenses.

The DAs office is holding off on automatically clearing 2,142 marijuana convictions it says are ineligible for relief because of the persons criminal history. Those individuals can still petition to be resentenced, the district attorneys office said.

Laceys announcement came hours before her challengers in the March 3 race for district attorney were scheduled to face off in a debate. She dropped out of the event last week, saying one of the sponsors was linked to the biggest donor to the super PAC of George Gascon, the former San Francisco district attorney who is running against her.

Lacey, who is in her eighth year as the countys top prosecutor, also pointed to hecklers who yelled and chanted as she spoke during the debate she did attend last month, when she squared off against Gascon and a second challenger, Rachel Rossi, a former public defender.

Thats not a fair debate, Lacey said. Im prevented from expressing my points or hampered by expressing my points because people are screaming and shouting.

Gascon was the first district attorney in California to announce a partnership with Code for America to clear marijuana convictions in San Francisco. His office wiped 9,362 marijuana convictions. Of those who received relief, 33% are black and 27% are Latino.

-- The Los Angeles Times
(Newser)  A tragic end to the case of the 6-year-old South Carolina girl who disappeared Monday after getting off her school bus: Faye Marie Swetlik was found dead Thursday, and a homicide investigation has been opened, authorities said. The body of a man also was found recently in the neighborhood where the child disappeared Monday, said Cayce Public Safety Director Byron Snellgrove. Snellgrove didn't immediately provide any evidence to link the two deaths, but said at a brief news conference to announce the developments that there was no danger to the public. He said no arrests have been made in the girl's death, the AP reports. Its with extremely heavy hearts that we announce we have found the body" of the child, Snellgrove said, speaking for only about a minute and taking no questions.

story continues below

The coroner confirmed the girl's death but has not released the identity of the dead man, Snellgrove said. The girl's disappearance had brought more than 250 officers to the neighborhood in Cayce, just across the Congaree River from the state capital of Columbia. Searchers knocked multiple times on the doors of every home in the neighborhood. They also checked trash cans and a nearby landfill and towed cars. The girl was last seen getting off the school bus Monday. Her family discovered her missing about 3:45pm and called 911 after looking for her for about an hour, authorities have said. The girl's mother, the mother's boyfriend and her father all cooperated with investigators, authorities said.

(Read more missing child stories.)
[February 13, 2020] DERMALOG Provides the World's First Biometric Border Control System With Integrated Fever Detection

BANGKOK and HAMBURG, Germany, Feb. 13, 2020 /CNW/ -- The spread of coronavirus shows that in today's world of fast global travel, outbreaks of infectious diseases can cross national borders within the shortest time. DERMALOG has developed the first biometric border control system with integrated fever detection, identifying potentially infected travelers right at border entrance to contain epidemics. The latest innovation of the German company has now been presented to the public for the first time in Thailand. As the first country in the world, Thailand has introduced a pilot for a new fever detection system, fully integrated into its biometric border control. The new solution was demonstrated to the press by the Thai Immigration Bureau deputy commissioner, Pol Maj-Gen Surapong Chaichan at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on February 12.



From now on, the biometric border control system in Don Mueang can capture not only fingerprints and faces, but also measures the body temperature of travelers who pass through the related counters. The temperature is displayed on the border officer's screen and, if someone with fever is detected, the officer is automatically informed and can send the affected person for a health check. DERMALOG, the supplier of the biometric border control system, has developed a special fever camera, which is fully integrated into the Thai entry-exit system. It automatically measures the exact temperature of the traveler while standing in front of the border counter. The high fever-detection accuracy at a distance of up to 1.5 m, is one of the system's outstanding features.

Border counters are the perfect spot for such fever checks, as travelers stop here one by one for a moment. DERMALOG's solution provides more accurate and precise results than camera systems that capture several travelers simultaneously. This makes the Thai borders more secure, also against the coronavirus. Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) Press contact

DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH

Sven Bockler

Press Relations

+49(0)40-4132270

[email protected]

www.dermalog.com SOURCE DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH

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In order to do this, it needed to bring large crowds to celebration events, but, as usual, the regime had to resort to force and bribery to get people to take part in their propaganda event.

Rally participants were offered free transport, free food, and free background checks, which are a big expense for people looking for employment.

While the regime forced government employees, students, the armed forces and their families to attend and even blocked streets so that the crowd couldnt deviate from the main procession, which would make the rally look larger.

Despite all this, the regime could still not fill the streets with big enough crowds to distract from its many crises, with even Western media outlets estimating attendance in the tens of thousands, which is far smaller than the estimate for the funeral for Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani last month.

Although, one should note that the regimes propaganda efforts were hard at work there as well. In fact, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) worked hard to dispute the regimes version of events and point out that Soleimanis mourners were largely forced or bribed to be there.

These events show that domestic support for the clerical regime is extremely thin, something reinforced by the nationwide uprisings of November and January.

The West are sometimes under the impression that the so-called reformer faction is supported by the people and will sway to democracy once the hardliners are removed. This could not be less true.

The reformers, headed by President Hassan Rouhani, are hardliners by a different name and do not challenge the Supreme Leader at all; not even when most reformer candidates for the parliamentary election have been disqualified by the Guardian Council, which is loyal to the Supreme Leader.

The MEK see the regimes weak domestic and international position and know that it wont be long until the regime is removed from office.

Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi urged Iranians to boycott the election this month and vote for regime change. This appears to be the most popular option, as even the regimes official estimates anticipate a mere 15% voter turnout. This shows up the idea of widespread support for the regime as a whole.

Read more:

Iran Regimes Demonization Campaign Against MEK: Part 1

Iran Regimes Demonization Campaign Against MEK: Part 2
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:06:09|Editor: zyl

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MUMBAI, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- An Indian political expert said he is confident that the Chinse government and people will overcome the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

"I am extremely impressed that the Chinese government has risen to this challenge with such speed, determination and sensitivity," Sudheendra Kulkarni, former chairman of the Mumbai-based think-tank Observer Research Foundation told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"The way the Chinese government has risen to this challenge is an inspiration for the entire world including India," Kulkarni said, noting that people have read reports of how new hospitals have been constructed within a few days, and how public places like gymnasium have been converted into boarding areas for people, who might have been infected.

"And what is also encouraging is that the common people of China are cooperating... they are helping others," he added.

Regarding the impact of the virus outbreak on the Chinese economy, Kulkarni expressed his confidence that China would emerge from the epidemic even stronger.

In an age of globalization, a crisis of this kind could happen anywhere, said Kulkarni, adding that the opportunities are global, and so are the challenges and the responsibilities.

"It is a global responsibility that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of China and the government of China and overcome this crisis," he said.
President Donald Trump's respected former chief of staff let rip against the "illegal" scheme in Ukraine that led to impeachment, The Atlantic reported Thursday.

In an unusually blunt speech late Wednesday, retired Marine Corps general John Kelly also criticized Trump's policies on North Korea, immigration and intervention in the case of a special forces soldier accused of war crimes.

Kelly, who served in the White House from 2017-2019, sprang to the defense of national security advisor Alexander Vindman, who testified against Trump in his impeachment probe, only to be fired last Friday in apparent retaliation.

Vindman lodged an alert after hearing Trump make his now infamous phone call to new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, demanding a probe into Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden.

Vindman, an army officer, was reacting as he should any time on hearing "an illegal order," Kelly said in the speech at Drew University in New Jersey, The Atlantic reported.

"We teach them, 'Don't follow an illegal order. And if you're ever given one, you'll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss.'" Kelly, who saw Trump up close during the heart of his first term, also criticized two of the president's highest profile initiatives.

He said that a dramatic attempt to secure a breakthrough over North Korea's nuclear arsenal by meeting twice with leader Kim Jong Un had failed.

"He will never give his nuclear weapons up," Kelly said of the North Korean leader. "I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively." He also blasted Trump's portrayal of illegal immigrants as dangerous criminals, saying "in fact, they're overwhelmingly good people."



"They're not all rapists and they're not all murderers. And it's wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times," he said. Trump's order for the Navy to reverse its expulsion of a Navy SEAL member, Eddie Gallagher, after he was convicted of posing for a photo with a dead prisoner in Iraq was "the wrong thing to do," Kelly said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hope Hicks is returning to the White House in a new role after resigning nearly two years ago as communications director, the Trump administration announced Thursday.

Hicks had been previously serving as the chief communications officer at Fox, and sources told The New York Times that Hicks would be returning to focus on reelection efforts for Trump, serving as a counselor to the president under Jared Kushner.

There is no one more devoted to implementing President Trumps agenda than Hope Hicks, Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, said in a statement. We are excited to have her back on the team.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham praised Hicks as one of the most talented and savvy individuals I have come across.

She has always impressed me with her quiet confidence, loyalty and expertise, Grisham said. I am beyond thrilled to welcome Hope back to the White House.

Hicks worked for Ivanka Trump on her fashion brand before joining the 2016 Trump campaign and rising up the ranks, eventually becoming one of the presidents closest confidants.

She resigned in 2018, days after testifying before the House Intelligence Committee on Russian interference in the 2016 election amid former special counsel Robert Muellers probe, during which she admitted to telling white lies as part of her role.

Hicks gave closed-door testimony to the House Judiciary Committee last year after being subpoenaed by Representative Jerry Nadler as part of further investigations into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

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The Crown is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to hear its appeal over a January ruling that has already upended high-profile Ontario sex assault and murder convictions and threatens dozens more.

The judgment, R v. Chouhan, was released by the Ontario Court of Appeal last month. The provinces top court had been tasked with ruling on the constitutionality of changes made to the jury selection process that took effect on Sept. 19. Among them, the federal government abolished what are known as peremptory challenges, which allowed both Crown and defence lawyers to reject a specific number of potential jurors without having to give a reason.

The court ruled that if an accused person opted for a trial by jury before Sept. 19, they had a right to use peremptory challenges during jury selection, even if it took place after that date.

The ruling potentially affects about 45 completed criminal cases, in which peremptory challenges were not used during jury selection, including murder and sexual assault cases. Those cases may have to be retried as a result of the Chouhan ruling.

The judgment also led to three mistrials being declared in ongoing trials in the days after the appeal ruling was released.

The Crown must first ask the Supreme Court for permission to hear its appeal  known as seeking leave  and there is no guarantee that the court will hear it. The Supreme Court hears appeals from less than three per cent of judgments from the Court of Appeal, according to the latter courts website.

The decision to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was made by the most experienced prosecutors in the criminal law division, said Ministry of the Attorney General spokesman Brian Gray.

Prosecutors will outline their arguments on why the top court should hear their appeal in a memorandum that will need to be filed by mid-March.

Gray said that the federal governments Bill C-75, which implemented the jury selection changes, did not include provisions that would have provided guidance on whether the amendments should be applied to ongoing court cases. (The federal department of justice has stated publicly that the amendments should only be applied to new cases.)

Ontario believes this case raises issues of national importance that requires guidance from the Supreme Court of Canada, Gray said.

The vice-president of the Criminal Lawyers Association said the possibility of so many retrials in an already-clogged system could have been avoided if the Ontario government had simply asked the Court of Appeal last year for guidance on whether the changes should only be applied to new cases, rather than maintain that the changes affected ongoing cases as well.

And so the provincial governments approach was reckless, it was irresponsible, and it now amounts to a further waste of precious court resources and leaves countless cases in limbo while they delay finding a solution to this problem, said vice-president Daniel Brown. What they should simply do is acknowledge their mistake, retry these cases or find another way to resolve them, and move forward.

While the Supreme Court decides whether to hear the Chouhan appeal, the Court of Appeal is expected to continue to hear appeals of potentially affected cases which could lead to retrials.

One affected case headed to the Court of Appeal is the College Street Bar case, in which owner Gavin MacMillan and manager Enzo DeJesus Carrasco were convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting and drugging a 24-year-old woman for several hours at the downtown establishment.

The pair was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in prison. They are appealing and their convictions are expected to be overturned as they were not allowed to use peremptory challenges during jury selection.

There is going to be another trial, said Court of Appeal Justice James MacPherson Wednesday, at a hearing to determine whether MacMillan should be granted bail pending his appeal.

This is very unusual.
The Texas man accused of a 2018 cross-country armed robbery spree that included a holdup in Queensbury was sentenced Wednesday to 75 months in federal prison.

Mark Triolo pleaded to three federal felony counts of robbery for May 2018 convenience store holdups in Vermont, a crime spree that ended when Vermont State Police cornered him in a rural part of southeastern Vermont and shot him three times during a standoff. He appeared in court in a wheelchair.

The Vermont robberies occurred after an April 30, 2018, robbery of the Speedway store on Aviation Road in Queensbury that Warren County sheriffs officers believe Triolo committed.

An arrest warrant for robbery was filed in Queensbury Town Court for Triolo, but in light of his arrest and prosecution in Vermont, he has not yet been brought to New York to address it.

Triolo, 48, is accused of threatening a clerk with a gun and making off with $200 or so. When police arrested him in Vermont days later, he had a black pellet pistol that resembled a handgun.

The next day he held up Small City Market in Vergennes, Vermont, netting about $5,600, and then committed two robberies in the Brattleboro, Vermont, area before police caught up with him.

Federal prosecutors sought a 144-month prison sentence for Triolo because of the seriousness of the offense and the danger Triolo poses to the public.

The Brattleboro Reformer newspaper reported that Triolo apologized during his sentencing, saying he has had to come to terms with the big man upstairs.

In addition, at the time of the crimes in Vermont, Triolo was on parole escape status and had been placed on parole after serving 17 years in prison in Texas for crimes similar to those which he committed in Vermont.

U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss declined and imposed 75 months, with an unspecified period of parole to follow. He will also have to complete his sentence in Texas, and deal with the Warren County charge as well as other robbery counts in Kansas ad Texas. He also must make $7,470 in restitution.

Don Lehman covers police and court matters, Warren County government and the outdoors. He can be reached at 518-742-3224 or dlehman@poststar.com

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This conference offers a great opportunity for those serving on a condo or HOA board to gather new insights as well as network with industry experts. We are happy to be able to share our expertise of working with communities and boards, said Michael Mendillo, president, FirstService Residential.

Join FirstService Residential, the leading residential community association management company in the Metro DC area, at Washington Metropolitan Chapter of Community Association Institutes (WMCCAI) 2020 Conference and Expo February 21 and 22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The expo is the largest event across all CAI chapters worldwide. FirstService Residential associates will join more than 2,100 industry professionals and residential community association board members for a comprehensive two-day event.

We are delighted to attend this important event, said Michael Mendillo, president, FirstService Residential. This conference offers a great opportunity for those serving on a condo or HOA board to gather new insights as well as network with industry experts. We are happy to be able to share the expertise weve gained through decades of working with communities and boards.

This years expo features sessions covering association management trends and topics, as well as opportunities to share, learn, network and discuss challenges and solutions. FirstService Residentials team will be participating in Shoots and Ladders: A Team Approach to Project Planning. Join them Saturday, February 22 at 8:30 a.m., as they cover the various, and often complex, aspects of project management. Bernie Guthrie, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, regional director, FirstService Residential and Drew Ahrensdorf, vice president, FirstService Financial, will participate on the panel.

For every person who enters our booth raffle, FirstService Residential will donate $5 to the Alice Ferguson Foundation to support the promotion of the environmental sustainability of the Potomac River watershed. The Foundations educational programs unite students, educators, park rangers, communities, regional organizations and government agencies throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area toward a common goal of protecting the valuable watershed.

We look forward to meeting with area community association board members, as well as helping to support an important initiative  by making a donation to the Alice Furguson Foundation, said Trent Harrison, president, MidAtlantic, FirstService Residential. We look forward to helping make a difference for the environment.

Visit FirstService Residentials associates and industry experts at booth 701, to learn about the benefits of collaborating with a professional residential property management company, as well as help support the Alice Furguson Foundation, just by entering the booth raffle.

http://www.fsresidential.com

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential is North Americas property management leader, partnering with 8,000 communities across the U.S. and Canada, including low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and cooperatives; single-family communities; master-planned, lifestyle and active adult communities; and mixed-use and rental properties. HOAs, community associations and condos rely on their extensive experience, resources and local expertise to maximize property values and enhance their residents lifestyles.

Dedicated to making a difference, every day, FirstService Residential goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional service. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (FSV), a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit http://www.fsresidential.com.
LOCKPORT  The Lockport Police Department is testing a new non-lethal restraint device that is billed as inflicting less pain than pepper spray, according to Police Chief Steven Abbott.

The department is trying out the BolaWrap eight months since city resident Troy Hodge died after a physical confrontation with police officers. Some have claimed that Hodges death was caused by police use of a Taser.

Officers from LPD and several other police agencies in the region gathered Tuesday at city hall to observe a presentation on BolaWrap 100, a restraint device manufactured by Wrap Technologies Inc.

BolaWrap works by using a partially charged .380 blank round to fire a cartridge that contains a Kevlar cord, with a fishing hook that anchors in the clothing or skin of a target. The single-use cartridge fires from a distance of 10 to 25 feet. A green line laser is used to assist in aiming the device.

Abbott said LPD was given two devices for testing purposes. BolaWrap 100 will be put into use once Abbott develops a policy and officers receive training from the company.

He described the technology as revolutionary.

I think if we dont at least test it out and evaluate it were doing us and the public a disservice, Abbott said.

After the presentation, police officers including Abbott tested the device in the basement of city hall, where LPD has a garage.

Asked whether it hurt, Abbott said, Nope, not at all.

It wrapped around my legs, he said. I couldnt move. It worked as described.

While Falls Police Superintendent Tom Licata said it was the first new thing hes seen in years, he said Tuesday night he wasnt sure if it was a device city police would be investing in.

I dont know if we would have the money for it or not, he said, adding, You can only carry some many (devices) on your (work) belt.

Mike Rothans, chief operating officer of Wrap Technologies, explained that the device was conceived about five years ago as a New York City investor and two retired executives from Newark Police Department followed reports about the department and excessive force.

In particular, they were paying to attention to use of force involving the mentally ill ... . They realized really nothing new had come about for decades, Rothans said.

They approached Elmwood G. Woody Norris, an award winning American inventor, who came up with the idea for BolaWrap. He considered the concept of the bola, which Argentinian cowboys used, and brought it into the 21st century.

Rothans said the tools that police officers typically use to gain compliance, such as the Taser, pepper spray, a baton or a gun, work by inflicting pain. BolaWrap is different, he said.

In Lockport, police were called to 217 Park Ave. June 16 after Troy Hodges mother, Fatima Hodge, reported that her son was behaving erratically and requested help. After officers arrived, Hodge reportedly told them he was going into the house to get a gun, prompting an altercation that drew in another three city officers and four Niagara County Sheriffs deputies. According to police, Hodge sustained facial injuries during the incident and an officer used a Taser on him once.

Hodges friends and family said he was handcuffed and on the ground when the Taser was used, and that officers body-slammed him onto the ground. Shortly after Hodge was handcuffed, he reportedly collapsed in medical distress. Three days later, the state Attorney Generals Office announced an investigation into the death. Last week, during a Falls visit, Attorney General Letitia James said there is no update on the investigation.

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The Minority caucus in Parliament is worried about the rate at which the NPP administration is spending Ghanas oil revenue.



Delivering a speech at NDCs Policy Dialogue Series dubbed Lets Talk About The Energy Sector held on Wednesday, 12th February, 2020 at Alisa Hotel, John Abu Jinapor indicated that former President Mahama did so much in his first three years with GHC 71 billion oil revenue in terms of infrastructure and development.



But, according to him, President Nana Akufo-Addo has misused GHC 141 billion oil revenue his government generated.



President Mahama received only GHC 3 billion of energy sector levies; President Akufo-Addo is receiving GHC12 billion of the energy sector levies. Not only have they retained it, they have increased the levies on petroleum. Theyve increased the levies on diesel. Theyve increased the levies on gas and theyve increased the levies on petrol.



When the BDCs are paid through the energy sector levies, instead of giving credit to the man who dreamt about it, who conceived it, who pioneered it; they rather want to take credit for what they did not show, he added.



Making reference to a delivery by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at a town hall meeting at Kumasi in Ashanti Region on Tuesday, Mr Jinapor said I think the time has come for us to be honest. The time has come for politicians to state the truth and be honest to the people of Ghana because politics can also be about the truth. Like I said, if you look at total revenues  and I decided to do three years [against] three years  if you look at the budget, President Mahama received GHC71 billion in the three years. President Akufo-Addo has received GHC141 billion in three years, and, so, you can see the little that President Mahama got in terms of revenue and the whopping amount that President Akufo-Addo got and compare the two to see who has done better given the circumstances that they find themselves in.



Due to this huge petroleum increases, and if you look at the 2018 budget, Ghana had a surplus in terms of the exports of petroleum and the imports of more than $1 billion, and, so the Finance Minister quickly comes to parliament and he announces that theyve done so well, the trade balance has improved  it is not positive.



But when you look at the trade balance, you clearly see that its on account of petroleum...Go and look at the current account and youll see a huge negative...and, so, Dr Bawumia can decide that hell do statistical galamsey and give you figures on only trade but wouldnt deal with the current account the lawmaker further said.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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A suicide attack targeting a military academy in the Afghan capital killed at least five people early Tuesday, the first major assault in the city in months. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the dawn attack, which came after nearly three months of relative calm in Kabul. The ministry of defence said five people were killed and at least six injured. The interior ministry, however, said six people died -- two civilians and four military personnel -- after the suicide bomber detonated the device at around 7:00 am (0230 GMT). Twelve others were wounded, ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said in a statement. The blast happened near the Marshal Fahim military academy, where the country's security officers are trained. "It was a big explosion that rocked our house. We also heard gunfire afterwards. Ambulances rushed to the area quickly," Samiullah, a resident who like many Afghans goes by one name, told AFP. A security source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told AFP that the attacker was on foot when he targeted a vehicle near a checkpoint as it was entering the academy. President Ashraf Ghani called the bombing "a crime against humanity" while repeating his call for a nationwide ceasefire. "The great nation of Afghanistan wants an end to violence, a ceasefire and a lasting peace," he said in a statement. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he was unaware of any claim for the bombing, adding that the insurgents were "investigating" the incident. The Islamic State group are also active in Kabul. - Taliban talks - In recent weeks the Islamist extremist Taliban have refrained from attacking major urban centres in an effort to keep talks with the United States on track, but violence in the provinces has continued. The last major attack in Kabul was in November, when at least 12 people were killed after a minivan packed with explosives rammed into a vehicle carrying foreigners during morning rush hour. Four foreign nationals were among those wounded. The military academy has been the scene of several attacks in the past, including one claimed by the Islamic State group last May. Tuesday's blast came as Washington and the Taliban wrangle over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. There appeared to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, however, prompting the insurgents to blame the White House and what they said were a growing list of demands. Late Tuesday, Ghani said on Twitter that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called to inform him "of the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Secretary informed me about the Taliban's proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence." "This is a welcoming development," Ghani said The United States and Taliban had been negotiating for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September 2019 when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing ongoing unrest. Talks were restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan. In his annual State of the Union address on February 4, Trump renewed his vow to negotiate a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. "We are working to finally end America's longest war and bring our troops back home," he said, offering his blessing for the negotiations with the Taliban.
A Delhi court Thursday appointed an advocate to represent Pawan Gupta, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, saying the Constitution makes no distinction between a law abiding citizen and a condemned convict in availing legal remedies.

Additional Session Judge Dharmender Rana, who will hear the case again on Monday on the pleas seeking fresh death warrants against all the four convicts, appointed the counsel after being informed by Tihar jail authorities that Gupta refused to chose a lawyer offered by Delhi Legal Services Authorities (DLSA).

"In my opinion the right to legal aid flows from Article 21 (no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law) of the Constitution of India which makes no distinction between a law abiding citizen and a condemned convict while protecting life and liberty against any unlawful violation," the jude said.

The court appointed advocate Ravi Qazi, who appeared before court on the instruction of the Secretary, DLSA.

The hearing also witnessed Nirbhaya's parents telling the judge that convicts have played with the patience of the court, and the patience of the society was also being tested and that they were leading a "luxurious life".

"If the convicts have not availed their remedies so far, it should be assumed that they are not going to avail it. Convicts have played with the patience of the court. The court must read the minds of criminals and see how they are frustrating the mandate of the law. The patience of society is being tasted. This court is duty bound to issue the death warrants.

"People's will is getting eroded, bulldozed because of inaction of the system. The convicts are leading luxurious life," said advocate Jitender Kumar Jha, representing Nirbhaya's parents.

The use of term "luxurious life" was opposed by advcoate A P Singh, representing some convicts in the case.

"It is wrong to say convicts are leading luxurious life. Since when jail is luxurious? It's the matter of death warrants. Please do not turn it into jokes," he said.

Qazi, appointed by the court to represent Gupta, said that "law has given remedies we (convicts) have not created. But since they are there, we have every right to avail them".

The court had on Wednesday directed Gupta to pick a counsel from the list of legal aids from the panel of DLSA after being told that he has removed the counsel who was representing him earlier.

It had said that a condemned convict is entitled to legal aid till his last breath.

Gupta is the only one among the four convicts who has not yet filed a curative petition -- the last legal remedy available to a person, which is decided in-chamber. He also has the option of filing a mercy plea.

On Thursday, Tihar jail authorities filed a report intimating the court that a list of impanelled lawyer was provided to Gupta yesterday.

"However, unfortunately Gupta has refused to accept the offer of legal aid and he has replied that he doesn't want any government advocate," they said.

The court then adjourned the matter for Monday, noting that the Supreme Court was seized of matters related to certain aspects of the present case.

"Nobody knows the outcome in Supreme Court. Let's wait for the outcome of Supreme Court judgment. No harm is done if the matter is deferred for a few days," the court said, while adjourning the matter.

It also noted that Qazi would need time to go through the documents related the case.

The court on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the delay in the process from Gupta's side, after convict's father informed it that he had removed his earlier lawyer and would need time to engage a new one.

On court's order, the DLSA then provided Gupta's father with a list of its empanelled advocates to chose from.

The court was hearing applications moved by Nirbhaya's parents and the Delhi government, seeking fresh death warrants for the four convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31).

The date of execution, first fixed for January 22 in Tihar jail, was postponed for 6 am on February 1 by a January 17 court order. The trial court later, on January 31 stayed, "till further orders" the execution of the four convicts in the case, who are lodged in Tihar Jail.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

Six people including the four convicts, Ram Singh and a juvenile -- were named as accused.

The trial of the five adult men began in a special fast-track court in March 2013.

Ram Singh, the prime accused, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Tihar jail days after the trial began. The juvenile, who was said to be the most brutal of the attackers, was put in a correctional home for three years.

The juvenile was released in 2015 and sent to an undisclosed location amid concerns over a threat to his life. He, when released, was 20 years old.

Mukesh, Vinay, Akshay and Pawan were sentenced to death in September 2013 by the trial court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of the start of new academic session from April, Patnas divisional commissioner Sanjay Kumar Agarwal held a meeting Tuesday evening with district education officials in connection with the schools increasing their fees.

Earlier, the state government had directed that no school can increase fee beyond 7%.

It is mandatory for all the schools to launch a website and upload all the necessary information related to fee structure, development charges, list of books and uniform by March 31.The principals have to inform the district education officer and regional deputy director of education after the website is ready, Agarwal said.

Also, all the private schools have to submit the details of fee structure during the academic session 2019-20 and 2020-21 to the district education officer, he said.

The Bihar Private Schools (Fee Regulation) Bill, 2019, passed by the legislative assembly in February last year, mandates not more than 7% annual increase in fees and imposes a heavy penalty on the institutions violating the law. However, the schools planning to increase fee over 7% will be required to submit documents mentioning appropriate reasons to the Fee Regulatory Committee six months prior to the commencement of the new session.

If any private school raises tuition fee exceeding the prescribed limit, parents, students or any other person can file a complaint at rdde.patna@gmail.com.

We have not received any complaint regarding the school fee hike in the last academic session. If any parent has a complaint, they can submit it on the official website. The administration will take action against the institution, Agarwal said.

Besides, the district education officer has been asked to hold meetings with the registration committee of private schools once a month. It was decided that a software will be developed for registration of students in private schools.Even if tuition fee is monitored, private schools find other ways like hike in stationary, books and uniform, making it costlier for the parents to afford the educational expense of the child, said Sunil Verma whose son studies in Class 8.

National president of Private Schools and Children welfare Association, Syed Shamael Ahmad, said, Increment in teachers salary, fuel price and other operational cost require raise in the tuition fee. Binding schools to this low per cent for fee hike will affect the quality of education and facilities rendered by the private schools.
Seasonal bushfires have burned for longer and with more ferocity this year, thereby intensifying the rift between believers and sceptics, says Kate Lamb.

Returning from a morning feeding his sheep, Jeff McCole, a 70-year-old farmer, paused to view a bittersweet scene: a few droplets of rain falling onto the remains of his fire-ravaged home. Nothing like the sound of rain on a tin roof, he said.

By the old front door was a charred metal toy truck his grandchildren once raced down the verandah.

A collection of books, his wifes pride and joy, had been reduced to feathery ash. And out back, the skeleton of a Valencia orange tree, planted by his mother 65 years ago, was now laden with baubles of charcoaled fruit.

Seasonal bushfires have struck Australia like never before, making for months of monster blazes and toxic haze, and instigating a polarising debate over climate change.

But in Buchan, a conservative-voting farming town in Victoria state, most locals said the fires had nothing to do with global warming.

Climate change was a load of crap, said McCole, an idea pushed by city folk with no experience in the bush and no understanding of Australias punishing,cyclical climate.

Weve had severe droughts, and everything like that, 70 years ago, said McCole.

It just keeps going around in circles. If you wait, its going to change.

For decades, scientists have warned that climate change would increase the risk of extreme bushfires in Australia.

This year, record-breaking drought and heat coalesced on tinderbox land. Before rains slowed their spread, the fires had burned 12m hectares, destroyed 2,800 homes, and killed 33 people.

One billion native animals died. Australia has one of the worlds highest carbon footprints per capita and is one of the largest exporters of coal and gas, so governments have been reluctant to adopt climate change policies they say could undermine the economy.

Now, the government is under increased pressure, from environmental groups, scientists, and broader swathes of the Australian public, to address climate change. People are more fearful of the future, because they glimpsed the future this summer, said Lesley Hughes, a professor and climate scientist at Macquarie University.

I think it has been really wounding of the Australian psyche.

In January, polling by the Australia Institute, a Canberra think tank, found that 79% of Australians said they were concerned about climate change; with 47% very concerned.

But the reremains scepticism that the severity of the fires is due to climate change, with many conservative politicians and media suggesting that arson, the length of cyclical droughts, or poor management of flammable vegetation are more responsible.

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, who had previously declined to discuss the link between climate change and the fires, recently acknowledged the connection but said his priority was managing the economic impact. Last week, Morrison cited hazard reduction.

This includes controlled burning to reduce the amount of flammable vegetation in the bush, which he said was as important as reducing emissions.

Climate scientists say that the bigger problems for Australia are longer droughts and hotter summers. Controlled burns are a deeply emotional issue in Buchan.

Climate change or not, said Donald Graham, a farmer. These fires were a disaster waiting to happen.

When the bushfires hit the town on December 30, they roared in on three fronts, with a ferocity that no locals had ever seen. For more than a month, fires had raged ominously in nearby bushland, finally bellowing in with one heck of a red glow, McCole said. From the verandah of his home, on 400 hectares of rolling hills, he watched a giant orange plume crest over the hill and rain down fiery embers.

We only had ten minutes to get out and I think that was the best call I ever made, he said.

For years, local farmers had urged the government to carry out burns to reduce the fuel load or the accumulation of trees, underbrush, and dry grass that can turn a small bushfire into an inferno. But it never happened.

Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer for Forest Fire Management Victoria, said that his agency had planned to burn 246,396 hectares of the states public land last year, but was unable to do so, because it would have been unsafe.

Scientists also say the drought and hotter weather mean there are fewer days that vegetation can be safely burned. Richie Merzian, climate and energy programme director at the Australia Institute, said it was not a case of failing to implement techniques that had worked in the past, but that such techniques were insufficient to address the scenario now.

You cant blame the dry conditions and say it has no relevance to climate change, he said. Its a combination of many different climatic changes that can be linked back to the overall trend.

Last November, Australias deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, described climate change concerns as those held by inner-city raving lunatics.

That messaging appeared to resonate in Buchan, where McCole said: They blame our cows (referring to earth-warming methane), but they are all jumping on trains and cars and God knows what in the city and there are millions of them, flying around the world in jumbo jets.
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Officials will close a full lane of Loop 410 this weekend near the Marbach Road intersection, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The closure will begin at 8 p.m. Friday and will last until 5 a.m. Monday and will include the U.S. 90 flyovers, TxDOT released over Twitter said.
Senate passes bipartisan resolution to curb Trump's war authority on Iran originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

The Senate passed a bipartisan war powers resolution on Thursday aimed at reining in President Donald Trumps ability to use military action against Iran without prior Congressional approval.

The final vote was 55-45.

Eight Republican senators supported the resolution, despite pushback from Trump and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill. All 47 Democrats also backed the resolution.

MORE: Defense secretary says Trump 'very concerned' about Iran attack brain injury victims

"With passage of this resolution, we sent a powerful message that we dont support starting a war with Iran unless Congress votes that military action is necessary. If we're to order our young men and women in uniform to risk their lives and health in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation. After years of Congress avoiding its constitutional duty on matters of war, Im grateful that a bipartisan majority of Senators affirmed that the President cannot send our troops into conflict without authorization," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., author of the resolution, said in a statement Thursday after the vote.

Kaine introduced the resolution last month after a drone strike, authorized by Trump, killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

PHOTO: Sen. Tim Kaine meets with reporters after the Senate advanced a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 12, 2020. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution. The resolution also requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. It does not prevent the U.S. from defending itself from an imminent attack.

Republicans including Sens. Todd Young of Indiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee supported the resolution.

Story continues

"This really is about the proper allocation of power between the three branches of government," Lee said. "This should not be controversial. If you really look into it, its not controversial."

MORE: Defense Secretary Esper privately warned lawmakers against debating war powers

PHOTO: President Donald Trump listens to questions while meeting with Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 12, 2020. (Tom Brenner/Reuters)

On Wednesday, Trump warned the Senate not to approve the resolution, saying it signals "weakness."

"It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani....," Trump tweeted.

"....If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!" he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also opposes the measure, and said it is "too blunt and too broad."

"Clearly, this resolution is not ready for prime time," McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "I believe it is just an effort to broadcast a political message. But even that message can be harmful to our troops and to national security."

PHOTO: Iranian mourners lift a picture of slain military commander Qassem Soleimani during a funeral procession in Tehran, Jan. 6, 2020, for him as well as Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and other victims of a U.S. drone strike. (AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

"Lets send the right message with our votes. Lets defeat this misguided resolution," he added.

The resolution now heads to the House, where it is expected to pass.

But Trump is all but guaranteed to veto the resolution once it reaches his desk -- and the Senate does not currently have the 67 votes needed to override his veto.
Kitchener, Waterloo, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global learning technology leader D2L today announced that McKendree University has chosen Brightspace as its learning management system.

McKendree University is based in Lebanon, Ill. and was founded in 1828  making it the states first institution of higher learning. It is an independent and private university that serves 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

D2Ls partnership with McKendree began through an unusual channel: social media. McKendrees director of information technology made a post on Twitter describing how the schools learning management system had gone down  and their previous vendor wasnt responding to their request for help. D2Ls President and CEO, John Baker, saw the tweet and replied immediately.

D2Ls Brightspace platform is more modern and user-friendly. When you open Facebook you get excited; and this will get you excited too, said Dr. Tami Eggleston, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness at McKendree University.

According to McKendree, Brightspace offered several advantages over competitor platforms including:

Ease of Use: Reviewers  including administration and faculty  found Brightspace intuitive and easy to us, especially for tracking learner outcomes.

Reviewers  including administration and faculty  found Brightspace intuitive and easy to us, especially for tracking learner outcomes. Mobility and Accessibility : the Brightspaceplatforms mobile responsiveness appealed to students in particular, as did its reliability across multiple browsers.

: the Brightspaceplatforms mobile responsiveness appealed to students in particular, as did its reliability across multiple browsers. Responsiveness and Partnership: D2L consistently showed a commitment to responsiveness and partnership, which was key in making the migration from the schools previous learning management system seamless.

D2L consistently showed a commitment to responsiveness and partnership, which was key in making the migration from the schools previous learning management system seamless. Data and Analytics: the platforms ability to track and report on outcomes and provide administrators with data to make accurate and efficient decisions were deciding factors.

Im really gratified that what began as a friendly exchange over social media has developed into such a strong working relationship, says John Baker, President and CEO of D2L. Were happy to be a part of the next chapter of McKendrees long history, and were thrilled to welcome them in to the Brightspace family.

ABOUT BRIGHTSPACE

Brightspace is a cloud-based learning platform that makes online and blended learning easy, flexible and smart. Brightspace is a quantum leap beyond traditional Learning Management System (LMS)  it is easy to drag-and-drop content to create engaging courses, supports all mobile devices, has industry-leading up-time, and is built with accessibility in mind for all learners. Plus, Brightspace enables the future of learning with a gaming engine, adaptive learning, video management, intelligent agents, templated interactives for course design, full support for outcomes or competency-based learning, and actionable learning analytics. D2Ls Brightspace was recently named the #1 LMS for Next-Gen Online Teaching and Learning by Ovum Research and #1 in Adaptive Learning by eLearning Magazine. In addition, Aragon Research included D2L in its highly coveted Hot Vendors In Learning list. To learn more, visit the Corporate page on our website.

ABOUT D2L

D2L believes learning is the foundation upon which all progress and achievement rests. Working closely with organizations globally, D2L has transformed the way millions of people learn online and in the classroom. Learn more about D2L for schools, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com.

D2L PRESS CONTACT

Erin Mills, VP of Demand Generation, D2L Corporation, pr@D2L.com

Twitter: @D2L

 2020 D2L Corporation.

The D2L family of companies includes D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, and D2L Brasil Solucoes de Tecnologia para Educacao Ltda.

All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks.
Boris Johnson has carried out a cabinet reshuffle (PA)

Boris Johnson has sacked a number of prominent Brexiteers in a reshuffle of his cabinet.

Attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox, housing minister Esther McVey, environment secretary Theresa Villiers, and business secretary Andrea Leadsom, all of whom have been consistent Brexit supporters, have been fired.

Meanwhile Sajid Javid stood down as chancellor of the exchequer in a shock move after refusing to cave to demands from Downing Street to sack an entire team of aides.

Heres a list of all firings and hirings so far that will be updated throughout the day

Quit:

Sajid Javid, chancellor of the exchequer

Nicky Morgan, culture secretary

Fired:

Julian Smith, Northern Ireland secretary

Esther McVey, housing minister

Esther McVey was one of the ministers to be sacked in Boris Johnson's reshuffle (Empics)

Theresa Villiers, environment minister

Andrea Leadsom, business secretary

Sit Geoffrey Cox, Attorney General

Nusrat Ghani, transport minister

George Freeman, transport minister

Hired:

Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer

Alok Sharma, business secretary and and minister for climate conference COP26

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, international development secretary

Oliver Dowden, culture secretary

Suella Braverman, attorney general

George Eustice, environment secretary

Stephen Barclay, treasury secretary

Northern Ireland minister and former chief whipp Smith was the first to be given the sack on Thursday morning.

Sources indicate the PM is poised to promote a number of female MPs to junior positions, with the overall gender balance of the 22-strong cabinet expected to stay the same.

Leadsom said it had been a privilege to serve in government, while McVey said she was very sorry to have been sacked as housing minister.

It has been a real privilege to serve in Government for the last six years, and in @beisgovuk for six months. I now look forward to focusing on my constituents and on my 20+ year campaign to see every baby get the best start in life. (1/)  Andrea Leadsom MP (@andrealeadsom) February 13, 2020

Im very sorry to be relieved of my duties as Housing Minister



I wish my successor the very best & every success



Im very grateful to the Prime Minister for having given me the opportunity to serve in his government & he will continue to have my support from the back benches  Esther McVey (@EstherMcVey1) February 13, 2020

Confirming her dismissal, Villers wrote on Facebook: What the Prime Minister giveth, the Prime Minister taketh away: just over six months ago, I was delighted to be invited by the Prime Minister to return to government after three years on the backbenches.

Story continues

This morning he told me that I need to make way for someone new.

Boris Johnson chairs a cabinet meeting before the reshuffle (PA via AP)

Smith thanked the PM and the people of Northern Ireland as he confirmed on Twitter that he had been shown the door.

Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to @BorisJohnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much.  Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) February 13, 2020

He was initially thought to be safe in his post after securing a power-sharing deal at Stormont after months of stalemate.

But there are concerns the deal could pave the way for prosecutions of British soldiers.

Irelands foreign minister Simon Coveney paid tribute to Smith and his work restoring government in Northern Ireland.

U have been such an effective SOS for NI at a time of real challenge & risk. Without your leadership I dont believe NI would have a Govt today. Thank you @JulianSmithUK for your trust, friendship and courage; UK & #Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it.  Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) February 13, 2020

Junior ministers Nusrat Ghani and George Freeman were also let go.

Universities minister Chris Skidmore announced on Twitter that he had also been fired, saying he would now have more time to spend with his gorgeous baby.

Got a promotion in the #reshuffle to be a better Dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one....



Thanks everyone who Ive had the chance to work with and the civil service teams that have supported me- you have all been amazing pic.twitter.com/RdvdMCEl1N  Chris Skidmore (@CSkidmoreUK) February 13, 2020

A Number 10 source said: The prime minister wants this reshuffle to set the foundations for government now and in the future.

He wants to promote a generation of talent that will be promoted further in the coming years.

He will reward those MPs who have worked hard to deliver on this governments priorities to level up the whole country and deliver the change people voted for last year.
A number of international flights heading to the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, have been diverted to the Kotoka International Airport over poor visibility caused by harmattan.



In an interview, Edward Baah, Director, Air Traffic Services at Kotoka, said since the night of February 11, 2020, a number of Lagos-bound flights have sought refuge at Kotoka pending clarity in the weather condition which is said to be poor particularly in the Benin airspace heading to Lagos.



He mentioned that more than five flights including two belonging to Emirates, one from Rwandair, British Airways and Qatar Airlines, have all had to stop over in Accra.



The diversion has led to unusual long passenger queues at Kotoka International Airports leading to health inspection and immigration services.



The size of aircraft that are diverting are wide-bodied that can carry about 400 passengers, so obviously they will create a lot of pressure at the immigration and the arrival hall, Mr. Baah sated.



According to him, the respective airlines have made arrangements to accommodate their passengers until visibility improves.



Mr. Baah said they expect more flights to make a detour to Accra, but he cautioned that there is a limit to how much flights Accra can accommodate, and that when the limit is reached, other diverted flights would have to seek refuge elsewhere.

Source: Citi News









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
NBS sells its mortgage banking arm

Norris, Beggs & Simpson announced that it has sold its commercial real estate mortgage banking group to Gantry, of San Francisco. The deal doesn't affect NBS' consulting business or its Morrison Street Capital platform. Those will remain active in Seattle and Portland, where the firm is based. NBS' Michael Wood, from the Seattle office, will join Gantry  as will Blake Hering and Paddy Ryan in Portland. Wood said in a statement, We have known the Gantry principals for decades. This familiarity and history mean our clients can expect a seamless transition into Gantry with no interruption to service or loan closings particularly with our mortgage banking staff joining Gantry. Privately held Gantry already has an office in Seattle.




Calling the charges judicial harassment, free expression watchdog PEN America is rallying international support for writer Asl Erdogan, who is facing jail time in Turkey for allegedly promoting terrorist propaganda. A verdict in Erdogans trial is slated for February 14 and she faces a possible sentence of up to nine years in prison.

PEN America is calling for the charges against Erdogan and her colleagues to be dropped.

A novelist and occasional columnist for Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish newspaper, Erdogan was arrested in the wake of the July 2016 Turkish coup attempt along with about 20 of her journalist colleagues and other staff who are also facing similar charges. First jailed and then banned from traveling, Erdogan was eventually able to leave Turkey and has been living in self-imposed exile in Europe.

Asl Erdogans 2017 fiction collection The Stone Building and Other Stories was published in the U.S. by City Lights.

She shares the plight of scores of journalists, writers and media professionals in Turkey. Following the July 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government imposed a state of emergency and moved to shut down scores of news outlets, efforts that have been denounced by PEN and other free expression organizations as suppressions of the Turkish free press and free speech.

Karin Deutsch Karlekar, director of Free Expression at Risk Program at PEN America, described the charges against Asl Erdogan as baseless, and the threat of a lengthy sentence after such a drawn-out, unfair trial on such flimsy grounds is devastating.

Karlekar added that the incarceration and ongoing legal harassment against writers, journalists, and creative artists in Turkey is an appalling assault on free expression that undermines Turkeys democratic traditions. We urge Turkish authorities to drop all charges against Erdogan and all other writers and journaliststhey must be free to speak out against the injustices in their country.
COLUMBUS, Ohio A new Ohio Supreme Court task force to examine ways to avoid wrongful convictions in the state has been convened by Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, according to a court release.

The Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Postconviction Review, which will start meeting in a few weeks, will analyze post-conviction review processes in Ohio and other states, as well as innocence commissions set up by some states outside Ohio.

The panel will issue recommendations by the end of the year about, among other things, revisions to state law and Supreme Court rules, adjusting education for judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys about conviction issues, and how best to incorporate DNA testing and other scientific advances into legal proceedings.

We know from exoneration data that justice isnt always served in our state, and this task force would be a great first step in making improvements, OConnor said in a statement.

OConnor later stated that the decision to convene the task force was not made in response to any specific case.

Justice (Michael) Donnelly voiced an interest to me shortly after he took the bench here, and he will be the justice sitting in on task force meetings," the chief justice told Supreme Court spokespeople, who forwarded her comments on in an email to cleveland.com.

Dozens of Ohioans have been released in recent years after serving 10 or more years for crimes they were wrongly convicted of. Between 2010 and 2018, Ohio compensated 20 wrongfully imprisoned individuals an average of $1.1 million per settlement, according to the non-partisan Legislative Service Commission.

Task force meetings will be open to the public; notices about meeting times will be posted on the Supreme Courts website. OConnor hasnt yet announced the members of the panel, who will serve without compensation.

Read more Ohio politics stories:

Ohio to use artificial intelligence to evaluate state regulations

Ohio Lottery through 7 months is on target for a record fiscal year

Republican Ohio secretary of state criticizes state GOPs steal the election rhetoric in fundraising email

Ohio Senate rejects Houses plan for EdChoice vouchers

State health departments hold back details on possible coronavirus cases. Thats a mistake, crisis communication experts say
Appointment

13 February 2020

Staybridge Suites Doha Lusail has welcomed Hadi Medawar as director of sales & marketing.

In his new capacity, Medawar will spearhead the hotel's initiatives to achieve growth, drive revenue and position it in the local market as the first of its kind in Doha.

Medawar assumes his new position with over 13 years of valuable sales and marketing experience in the field of hospitality. Aside from having a BA in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the Notre Dame University, he also acquired an MSC in International Events Management from the University of Brighton. Eager to further his education, he is currently pursuing a PHD Doctorate in Tourism at the Lebanese University.

Well acquainted with the Staybridge Suites brand, Medawar has previously worked as the director of sales at the brand's branch in Beirut, Lebanon.
Irrfan Khan fans finally breathe a sigh of relief because the actor is back and how! After winning hearts with comedy-drama 'Hindi Medium', producers of the franchise, dropped a fun-filled trailer of its next installment 'Angrezi Medium' today.

The trailer narrates a heart-warming story of Rajasthan based father-daughter duo portrayed by Irrfan Khan and debutant Radhika Madan. The film throws light on the obsession of people belonging to small towns to settle in foreign countries.

The trailer begins with Madan passing out from school and sharing her childhood dream of pursuing her higher studies in London with her father, essayed by Khan.

Khan at first is adamant about not allowing her daughter to pursue her further studies in London but eventually gives in owing to his love for her.

The trailer then unfolds a new quest where Khan is seen fighting tooth and nail to land his daughter in an esteemed foreign university but continues to struggle due to financial constraints.

Actors Deepak Dobriyal and Kareena Kapoor are also seen portraying pivotal roles in the film. While Kareena plays a cop in the film, Dobriyal and Manu Rishi play Irrfan's brother and cousin, respectively. The film also stars Dimple Kapadia.

What a dream ensemble cast, isn't it?

Irrfan presented the trailer for all his fans on social media. With the caption that sums up his feelings perfectly, he wrote:





Watch the trailer right here. (And, yes, Irrfan's entry will make you emotional)

The trailer has everything that an Irrfan Khan fan could have wished for! From drama, emotions to a perfect ensemble cast, Netizens are pretty emotional with what has come their way.

Watched the #AngreziMedium trailer and it spins a fresh takes on an individuals dream to be educated. @irrfank brings in the laughter and emotion, #RadhikaMadan is almost unrecognizable and #KareenaKapoor as always is stunning with the "unmatched swag". Seems to be a WINNER!  Himesh (@HimeshMankad) February 12, 2020

Welcome back, Superstar .@radhikamadan01, always proving why you deserve to be where you are. This will do wonders, spectacular cast backed by another heartwarming story #AngreziMedium https://t.co/a43BpRKePV  Garima. (@xcrazenx) February 13, 2020

Too good man...@irrfank at his very best and I'm too inside emotional and outside happy..#RadhikaMadan looks damn cute. #DeepakDobriyal as funny as ever and that last dialog " Boys played well" 

A sure shot BLOCKBUSTER...#AngreziMedium https://t.co/Glvo8FwHiJ  noshad (@noshad_raza_) February 13, 2020





I'm so so excited to see Irrfan & Kareena together first time! Can't wait for trailer and to watch the film. #AngreziMedium @irrfank 

 https://t.co/aYYPytpDHw pic.twitter.com/AMqvBvxvgn  sankit (@BuddhuSaMann) February 12, 2020

What an amazing trailer. And this ensemble cast is like a dream. Every second of Irrfan Khan after his return is solid Gold. We are not worthy. Watch #AngreziMedium : https://t.co/3QAr2kRq8n  Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 13, 2020

#AngreziMedium Trailer is EXTRAORDINARY. A Father can go to any extent to fulfill his daughter dreams. Film will definitely connect with audience. @irrfank is back & how, kareena will add more meat to the project. Deepak Dobriya is hilarious . SUPER HIT  Sumit kadel (@SumitkadeI) February 13, 2020

There is something so innocent, pure and heartwarming about the trailer of #AngreziMedium . The return of #IrrfanKhan , such a talented ensemble cast, an underrated director like #homiadajania . Really looking forward to this heartfelt storyline! #AngreziMediumTrailer pic.twitter.com/g8zpBs3VE3  ANMOL JAMWAL (@jammypants4) February 13, 2020

Watched the #AngreziMedium trailer yesterday & realised how much Ive missed watching @irrfank onscreen , so effortlessly good !He is endearing& goofy as the doting father .@radhikamadan01 as #IrrfanKhan s daughter is adorable. #KareenaKapoorKhan & looks amazing !What a fab cast  Rudrani Chattoraj (@rudrani_rudz) February 13, 2020

Sabse bura hota hai insaan ke sapno ka marr jana #AngreziMedium  Raj Rockstaar (@RajRockstaar) February 13, 2020

Earlier on Wednesday Irfan Khan shared a heartfelt audio message about the film for his fans where he was also shed light on the state of his health. He was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in March 2018 for which he had a successful surgery in September 2019.

Through the video, Irrfan urged his fans to shower 'Angrezi Medium' with the same amount of love it gave to 'Hindi Medium. 'Angrezi Medium' is the sequel to the 2017 hit film 'Hindi Medium', which starred Irrfan and Saba Qamar in the lead roles. The film is produced by Dinesh Vijan and will make it to the theatres on March 20.


Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: A passenger onboard SpiceJet's Bangkok-Delhi flight was quarantined after landing at Delhi airport after the airline suspected he was infected with coronavirus.

 The number of deaths and new cases from China's coronavirus outbreak spiked dramatically on Thursday after authorities changed the way they count infections in a move that will likely fuel speculation that the severity of the outbreak has been under-reported.

 The hard-hit central province of Hubei reported 242 deaths in just one day and 14,840 new patients  by far its biggest one-day tally since the crisis erupted last month.

 The jump raised the death toll to 1,355 and the total number of nationwide infections to nearly 60,000  just hours after President Xi Jinping touted "positive results" from the government's drastic measures to contain the virus and a top Chinese expert predicted the epidemic would peak this month.

 Officials in Hubei said they were broadening their definition for COVID-19 cases by including people clinically diagnosed" with the virus in the daily tally.

 This means officials can use lung imaging on suspected cases to diagnose the virus, rather than the standard nucleic acid tests.

 China has placed some 56 million in virtual quarantine in Hubei and its capital, Wuhan, since late last month and restricted movements of millions more in cities far from the epicentre in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus.

 Xi chaired a meeting of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee on Wednesday after figures showed that the number of new cases had dropped for a second straight day.

 China has been praised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its transparent handling of the outbreak, in contrast to the way it concealed the extent of the SARS virus.

 But it has faced continued scepticism among the global public, with suggestions that there may be similarities with the way it dealt with the 2002-2003 outbreak.

 Authorities in Hubei have been accused of concealing the gravity of the outbreak in early January because they were holding key political meetings at the time.

'Too early' to predict

 Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at China's National Health Commission, had said on Tuesday he thought the outbreak would peak in mid- to late-February.

 But in Geneva, World Health Organisation officials warned Wednesday against reaching premature conclusions on the Chinese data.

 "I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme.

 In Spain, organisers of the world's top mobile telecommunications trade fair, the World Mobile Congress, said the event would be cancelled following an exodus of industry heavyweights over coronavirus fears.

 The GSMA, which organises the annual show, set for Barcelona, said it was cancelled due to "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances."

 The announcement was made just hours after Vodafone, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, Britain's BT and Rakuten of Japan had pulled out, following in the footsteps of Intel, Facebook, Cisco and China's Vivo.

 US planemaker Boeing warned that there was "no question" the outbreak would hammer the aviation industry and the broader economy.

 The epidemic has threatened to harm the Chinese economy, the world's second-largest, with ANZ bank warning that China's first-quarter GDP growth would slow to 3.2-4.0 percent, down from a previous projection of 5.0 percent.

 It has also disrupted sporting events in China: motorsport's governing body FIA announced the suspension of the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, originally scheduled for April 19, due to the "continued spread" of the coronavirus. And this week's Singapore Air Show  Asia's biggest  was badly hit by exhibitors withdrawing and low attendance.

 Due to the impact of the virus, the OPEC oil cartel lowered its forecast for growth in global oil demand this year by nearly a fifth.

Cruise ship infections

 Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted flights to and from the country, as hundreds of people have now been infected in some two dozen countries.

 The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off Japan's coast.

 An additional 39 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive, raising the total number of cases to 174, while thousands of passengers and crew face a second week in quarantine.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : In the wake of nationwide protests against the CAA, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday vehemently defended the contentious law and said that anyone could seek time to debate the issue with him on merits.

"Whoever wants to clarify this issue can seek an appointment with me. I will personally clarify the issue to them. My office will provide time within three days," Shah said at the Times Now Summit here.

"The Citizenship (Amendment) Act has no provision that deprives anyone of citizenship, or that it is anti-Muslim or anti-minority. Gandhiji himself insisted that non-Muslims of Pakistan who faced persecution there should be given respect, dignity and citizenship in India." The Minister said that India had allowed for leniency in issuing long-term visas to Hindus and Sikhs from the 1960s. "Why is our approach seen in a different light?" he asked.

Hitting out at the Congress, he said: "Successive governments -- including those of the Congress -- have gradually expanded the scope of facilities afforded to these refugees. We are simply building on that legacy." Without naming any country, Shah said that the minorities in those countries had come down from 30 per cent to only 3 per cent of the total population. "It is very clear that these minorities need to be protected," said Shah, a senior leader of the BJP.

Speaking on the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens, Shah said that while the issue has been included in the Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto, nothing has as yet been decided on the matter.

Flashing some papers, the Minister claimed that a report by a Parliamentary Committee headed by then Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee had advocated for a nationwide NRC.

He asserted that no one needs to show documents for inclusion in the National Population Register.

"Nobody has been asked for documents in the NPR. Nobody will be asked either. People are supposed to get their details recorded orally," he said. He was obviously hinting at the 'kagaz nahi dikhayenge' slogans.

As for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's charge that the Modi government was anti-Dalits, he said that the amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes law to deny reservation in promotions in government jobs were actually passed by the then Congress government in Uttarakhand.

Shah claimed that detention of Kashmir leaders like Omar Abdullah was a "local matter" and that the courts were seized of the matter. He claimed that anyone could visit the Valley now.

On February 1, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that the government was willing to hold "structured talk" with those protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens.
Australias Education Minister says the Chinese government has agreed to ease some internet restrictions for university students stranded in China due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Universities are drawing up plans to cope with the fallout from the extended travel ban. Credit:Louie Douvis

The Australian government extended its travel ban from China by one week on Thursday, as the number of reported deaths from the virus spiked.

Both the head of the union for international students and the Morrison governments global reputation taskforce warned the ban would drive Chinese students away from Australia and into the arms of international competitors.

But federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said the government was making progress in its negotiations with China over relaxing its strict internet restrictions so almost 100,000 students barred from entering Australia can study remotely.
[February 13, 2020]

1st Price Feed for Handshake Cryptoasset Goes Live on Nomics.com

BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nomics, a provider of cryptocurrency market cap and pricing data, has completed an integration with Namebase.io, an exchange and registrar for Handshake domains. The successful integration lets Nomics list live pricing information for Handshake's HNS token. Nomics.com is the first crypto data aggregator to list pricing data for HNS.

The Handshake network enables the decentralized ownrship of top-level domains or TLDs (e.g. .com, .org), which can be used for websites, email addresses, or cryptocurrency wallet addresses. Anyone in possession of HNS tokens can bid on Handshake domains. Auction winners register their names on the network's Proof-of-Work blockchain.







Once on-chain, a domain generates passive income for its owner whenever someone registers a subdomain. Because Handshake domains are stored on blockchain, they are also resistant to censorship and tampering.

Namebase will facilitate the purchase, sale, and exchange of HNS tokens as well as the auction and registration of Handshake domains.

"We're thrilled to work with Namebase and be able to offer pricing data for Handshake so soon after its launch," said Nomics CEO Clay Collins. "We're impressed with everything Namebase and the Handshake network are doing to make the Internet stronger and more resistant to censorship. I've been personally following the project for a long time."

Users of the Nomics.com website and the Nomics cryptocurrency and market data API now have access to live pricing data for HNS, which includes current price, all-time high, market cap, volume, transparent volume, supply information, and more.

About Nomics

Based in Boston and Minneapolis, Nomics.com is an API-first market cap and pricing data company delivering services to institutional crypto investors and exchanges.

Media Contact

Clay Collins

Phone: 612-504-9929

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

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Related Links

Namebase

Handshake Token / HNS

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/1st-price-feed-for-handshake-cryptoasset-goes-live-on-nomicscom-301004280.html

SOURCE Nomics
ZHAMBYL, Kazakhstan -- The death toll in violent ethnic clashes last week between Kazakhs and ethnic Dungans in Kazakhstan's south, which shocked the Central Asian nation, has risen to 11.



Qanat Qulshymanov, an adviser to the governor of the Zhambyl region where the clashes took place, said on February 13 that the badly burned body of an unidentified person had been found two days earlier amid the debris of a commercial building destroyed during clashes in the village of Masanchi.



"Special forensic works are under way to identify the person," Qulshymanov said.



The violence erupted on February 7 between local Kazakhs and ethnic Dungans, a Muslim group of Chinese origin, in the villages of Masanchi, Sortobe, Auqatty, and Bulan-Batyr.



Dozens were wounded, including 19 police officers, while more than 30 houses, 17 commercial buildings, and 47 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the clashes.



Kazakh officials have said that the violence was sparked by a conflict on a highway, during which the occupants of two vehicles started a brawl following a road-rage incident. The deadly clashes followed the posting on the Internet of video footage taken from the brawl.



Thousands of people fled villages where the violence erupted, ending up in the neighboring Kyrgyz Chui region, where the majority of ethnic Dungans in Central Asia traditionally reside.

WATCH: Who Are The Dungans Of Central Asia?

Berdibek Saparbaev, who replaced the region's governor after the clashes, said on February 11 that some 8,000 Kazakh citizens who fled the area to Kyrgyzstan had returned to Kazakhstan following a call from the Kazakh government.



It is not clear how many Dungans from Kazakhstan remain in Kyrgyzstan.



Many top officials in the region were replaced following the clashes.

Dungans, also known as Hui, are Sunni Muslims who speak a dialect of Mandarin with many words and phrases borrowed from Arabic, Persian, and Turkic. Their ancestors came to Central Asia, which then was part of the Russian Empire, in the late-19th century after the Chinese governments violent crackdown of the Dungan Revolt of 1862-1877.



The number of Dungans living in the former Soviet Union is about 120,000, most of whom reside in Kyrgyzstan's northern region of Chui and the neighboring Kazakh region of Zhambyl.
Home minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday said that the state government had again requested the Mumbai Bagh protesters to call off the protest or shift to the space designed by the police.

The protest is in its 18th day and the police have already served the protesters notice under section 149 of the CrPC. They have been told that their protest has been going on without due permissions. We have also told them that the police can reconsider the notices served, if they positively responded to the appeal to call off the protest, Deshmukh said.

Meanwhile, Deshmukh said that the home department has asked Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Barve for few more details regarding the contract to digitise the records of Mumbai commissionerate to the firm owned by his son and daughter-in-law.

The decision to award the contract was taken in October [by previous government]. The order was issued by a deputy secretary in the home department, he said.
Nikki Taylor was an active, healthy 25-year-old when she underwent routine oral surgery on her wisdom teeth in January 2016.

Four months after she was treated by Dr. John Vecchione, Taylor had a heart attack and nearly died. Doctors who treated her found she contracted an infection after the dental surgery, which triggered the heart attack.

New Jerseys Attorney General announced this month that Vecchiones license has been suspended for five years and he was ordered to pay $293,500 in fines after infections from his practice sickened 15 people and led to one death. But because of the way the agreement was structured, he could practice in New Jersey again as soon as this August. And his dental license is still active in New York state.

The five-year retroactive suspension isnt enough, according to Taylors mother, who has actively voiced concerns about Vecchione in the years since her daughters heart attack.

I dont think he should have a license at all in the state of New Jersey, Maryann Taylor told NJ Advance Media. Im so angry with the Attorney General because he said, this puts this to rest. No, it doesnt. Youre looking at it as its off your books.

Nikki Taylor wasnt the only patient whose life was changed after going to Vecchione for oral surgeries. Fifteen other patients were sickened with serious heart conditions after treatment at his Morris County office, including one who later died. Officials say he failed to practice basic hygiene during surgeries.

Those 15 patients were diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis, a serious inflammation of the inner heart that can cause heart attacks, seizures and death. They all sued, but because Nikki Taylor was never formally diagnosed with that exact infection, she was told she was not a candidate to join the class action suit.

The class action lawsuit against Vecchione was settled in November for an undisclosed sum, court records show. John Lynch, the lawyer spearheading that effort, did not return multiple calls and emails.

Vecchiones New Jersey license was suspended in August 2016, pending an investigation by the Attorney Generals office. The five-year suspension handed down last week was retroactive to that date, and includes a year of probation, meaning Vecchione could begin treating patients in New Jersey as soon as Aug. 31 of this year.

Its just heartbreaking that our system is so broken that you can just say, you were a bad boy, go back to work on people in the medical field, Maryann Taylor said.

Shes also angry that the New York Office of Professions, which oversees dentistry licenses, said they cant take action against Vecchione in the absence of any New York-based complaints.

"If a doctor killed somebody here, they can go across the border and do whatever they want until the next instance? Taylor said.

A dental practice is listed under Vecchiones name in New York City. A message left with a person at the office was not returned to NJ Advance Media. Vecchiones lawyer, Russell Hewitt, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

An official at the New York Office of Professions said a specific complaint must be made in the state in order for them to investigate a doctor.

We take all allegations of misconduct and neglect of duties against licensed professionals extremely seriously. By law, we are not permitted to release complaints or confirm or deny if a complaint has been filed against a particular individual, the New York office said in a statement, adding they can only disclose a doctors name if they are found guilty.

Vecchiones name wasnt disclosed to the public during the early stages of the New Jersey investigation, something Maryanne Taylor says put her daughter in danger a second time.

Nikki Taylor broke her teeth when she fell during the heart attack, and saw Vecchione for a consultation on implants just days before the dentist agreed to a voluntarily license suspension.

Vecchione looked "like a deer in headlights when Nikki Taylor described her heart attack, her mom said. Her damaged teeth were later repaired by another dentist.

Maryann Taylor says she has written to the Attorney Generals Office and the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry to oppose the suspension.

When negotiating a settlement in which the state seeks to suspend or revoke a professional license, the state looks at several things, according to Paul R. Rodriguez, the acting director of the Attorney Generals Division of Consumer Affairs. They include the law, the facts, and the likelihood proving the case in an administrative court and before the professions licensing board, in this case the dentistry board.

"In resolving the allegations against Dr. Vecchione, the State reached a settlement that holds Dr. Vecchione accountable for his violations of infection control regulations, and puts in place controls and procedures to protect patients should he ever seek to reinstate his license and resume practicing dentistry in this state, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the division, though, is reviewing ways to increase communication with affected patients prior to settlement.

Maryann Taylor knows her daughter was fortunate to have survived her heart attack. Another patient of Vecchiones, Thomas Joseph Leahy III, underwent three open-heart surgeries in just over 10 weeks before his death.

His wife settled a lawsuit with Vecchione ahead of the license suspension. The terms of that settlement are confidential and the lawyer for his family declined to comment.

Nikki Taylor has a pacemaker and some mild memory loss, but shes otherwise a normal 28-year-old, chasing after her young son. Nikki Taylor, who is eight years sober, has used her brush with death in her counseling work with addiction recovery, and has a new outlook on life now.

Nikki says, Mom, it happened, its part of my life, I have to life with it, Maryann Taylor said. Shes moved on with her life.

Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. 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.
By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 22 times, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Feb. 13.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) welcomes the report by the Amnesty International focusing on Violations and Abuses of Freedom of Expression in Somalia and urge Somali authorities ensure freedom of media and freedom of expression in Somalia.

A surge in violent attacks, threats, harassment and intimidation of media workers is entrenching Somalia as one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

In a new report, aWe live in perpetual feara, the organization documents dramatic deterioration in the right to freedom of expression and media freedom since President Mohamed Abdullahi aFarmajoa took office in February 2017.

Journalists contend with targeted attacks from both Al-Shabaab and government security forces, increased censorship and arbitrary arrests, forcing eight to flee the country.

The Somali federal government and state authorities use various abusive tactics in an attempt to silence the independent media. Such tactics include arbitrary arrests, corruption ,censorship ,orced closures of media outlets, and constant intimidation.

Therefore, FESOJ urges the Somali government and Federal states to take the report Amnesty report very seriously and implement its key recommendations such as strengthening law and policy frameworks, fostering a conducive environment for all Somalis to express their opinions freely, particularly at such a critical juncture in Somaliaas political landscape, and ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses.

Amnesty International also documented 16 Facebook accounts that had been permanently disabled, 13 of them belonging to journalists, between 2018 and 2019, reportedly for violating Facebook aCommunity Standardsa.

aFacebook must ensure it is not manipulated by the Somalia authorities to undermine the right to freedom of expression, especially ahead of the elections later this year. They must strengthen due diligence when investigating purported abuses of the Community Standards,a said Deprose Muchena.

aAmnesty's report today is in-depth about the true nature of journalists and media workers in Somalia , so we are demanding the leaders of federal government of Somalia , members state and all stakeholders from national level to police to come up with genuine commitment in which the existing conditions can be totally be transformed and improveda Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu ,Secretray General of Federation of Somali Journalist said.

"Somali journalists are concerned about the attempts to limit the freedom of expression and fair reporting during Somaliaas upcoming elections in 2020-2021 . Therefore, we call on the leaders of the government, heads of states and opposition leaders to respect and guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of media and build acceptable environment where both local and international media can thrive by working effectively and with objectivity during elections,a said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, the Secretary General of Federation of Somali journalists

Amnesty Recommendations to Senior Somali Government leaders

TO THE PRESIDENT OF SOMALIA:

a Publicly condemn physical attacks, killings, threats, harassment, obstruction, intimidation and arbitrary arrests of journalists and other media workers;

a Issue clear instructions to all government officials and security forces to stop harassing, threatening or physically attacking journalists and media organizations and ensure that all government institutions including the security forces respect, protect and promote the right to freedom of expression of everyone and media freedom;

a Take immediate steps to ensure prompt, thorough, independent and effective investigation of abuses and attacks, including killings and threats against journalists, and to address the failure to adequately investigate and prosecute suspected perpetrators of such abuses and attacks;

a Publicly commit ahead of the elections to ensure that authorities and government institutions respect, protect, promote and fulfil the right to freedom of expression, and media freedom before, during and after the elections, including by providing a conducive and safe environment for journalists and other media practitioners to report on sensitive and public interest-related issues, such as security, election related debates; and publicizing news from opposition figures;

a Take steps to ensure a prompt, thorough and effective investigation of allegations that officials from your office routinely bribe media outlets for the purpose of achieving positive media coverage for the authorities and government institutions, and to ensure that anyone suspected to be responsible is brought to justice in fair trials;

a Direct government officials and security forces to allow journalists and media workers access to government information including by not putting impediments and restrictions on accessing government buildings and interviewing public officials;

a Direct government officials and others working on behalf of the government to not impermissibly restrict and interfere with the rights of individuals to seek, receive and impart information through any means of communication including the internet, through restrictive measures such as removing, blocking and filtering of content

.

TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF SOMALIA:

a Promptly ensure that relevant government agencies take immediate steps to address the failure to thoroughly, independently and effectively investigate and bring to justice suspected perpetrators of abuses and attacks against journalists and media workers;

a Direct government officials and security forces to allow journalists and media workers have access to government information including not putting impediments and restrictions on accessing government buildings and interviewing public officials;

a Direct government officials and others working on behalf of the government to not impermissibly restrict and interfere with the rights of individuals to seek, receive and impart information through any means of communication including the internet, through restrictive measures such as removing, blocking and filtering of content.

FESOJ finally focuses on Amnesty's recommendations to Somali media organizations which were summarized the continuation of monitoring and reporting violations and abuses against journalists throughout south central Somalia and Puntland; and urging the Somalia authorities to investigate all kinds of human rights violations and abuses against journalists in south central Somalia and Puntland.

In the other hand to enhance the professional capacity of journalists and other media workers in Somalia FESOJ has trained more than 150 journalists on basic skills ,safety of journalists ,female journalist trainings and labour rights of journalists in all regional states in Somalia with the support of the European Union and the Finnish Foundation for Media Development organization (VIKES), based in Helsinki.

End.

For further information, you may contact us

Midnimo Building ,Maka Almukarama road Waberi

Mogadishu-Somalia

+2526-851918

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.fesoj.org

Twitter: @FESOJ_Somalia
John Raffeto (left) and David Herman

Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications has acquired MIX PR, which will be folded into the firm. MIX principals Hally Wax and Matthew Mors will become senior vice presidents at RH Strategic, based in its Seattle office. The acquisition, intended to deepen the agencys expertise in cybersecurity, enterprise and emerging technology, will grow its staff to 30 professionals. Wax and Mors founded MIX in 2009 as a spin-out of the former Seattle Text 100 office. It has worked with such brands as the PCI Security Standards Council, Cisco, Malwarebytes and Websense. The addition of the MIX PR team, combined with our own organic growth, sets us up well to serve our clients evolving communications neds, said John Raffetto, RH Strategic co-founder and CEO John Raffeto. Rick Gould, managing partner of M&A Advisory firm Gould+Partners, advised the buyers and facilitated the transaction.

Brodeur Partners is launching Active Purpose, a data-driven diagnostic aimed at helping B2B organizations improve their CSR-sustainability communications and reporting efforts. The AP diagnostic will include four key support areas: issues & insights benchmarking, strategic blueprinting, communications campaign planning and stakeholder mapping. The proprietary offering will also include a series of research reports supported by a strategic academic partnership with Baruch Colleges Weissman Center for International Business, and its annual CSR-Sustainability Monitor. Brodeurs first benchmarking research report is scheduled to be released in mid-March. Headquartered in Boston, Brodeur Partners has four U.S. offices and operates in 33 countries globally.

Kathy Keating

ProsInComms, an online community designed to help freelancers and communications pros in the tech industry find jobs, access discounts on software and services, and get small business advice has been launched by FastStart PR founder and principal Kathy Keating. Before founding FastStart, Keating was responsible for global communications, influencer relations, content, M&A communications, and agency management at IBM. The ProsInComms team offers assistance in accounting and finance, employment law, human resources, communications and marketing. Hiring companies and agencies that work in the tech sector are also encouraged to join, post jobs and network with the platforms members.
TMC fumes over Mamatas missing invite, to skip metro launch event

India

oi-PTI

Kolkata, Feb 13: West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress today decided to protest against denial of invitation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor with a senior party MP and an MLA deciding to boycott the function, sources said.

Senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and MLA Sujit Bose have decided not to attend the programme, they said. The first phase of the East-West Metro corridor connecting Sector V with Salt Lake Stadium in the city will be inaugurated later in the day by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

"The East-West Metro corridor project was brainchild of Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as Railway minister from 2009-2011. It was she who had sanctioned the money in Railway budget. Now, when the project is being inaugurated she has not been invited. This is an insult to the people of Bengal," Ms Dastidar claimed during an interview to news agency Press Trust of India.

Mamata inducting ex-Maoists in TMC to counter BJP: Dilip Ghosh

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

According to TMC sources, neither Bose nor Bidhanagar Municipal Corporation Chairperson Krish Chakraborty will attend the programme, reported news agency PTI.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 15:14 [IST]
The Syrian town of Maaret al-Numan lies on a key highway connecting the capital, Damascus, to Aleppo. A former anti-government protest hotspot, it has suffered months of bombardment by Syrian government forces who eventually captured the strategic location late last month. In 2011, Maaret al-Numan was one of the first towns in Idlib province  the oppositions last standing stronghold  to rise up against President Bashar al-Assads rule. It was captured by rebels fighting against al-Assads forces in 2012.

Now, as the Syrian army advances in its battle on Idlib, civilians are the worst affected. Recounting the years of war, one doctor in Maaret al-Numan shares his story.

My name is Dr Tarraf. I was born in Al-Mashhad, one of the urban slums of Aleppo, on February 1, 1982  the day the terrifying Hama Massacre began. Over 27 days, Syrian soldiers razed the city, killing 20,000 people, to put down a rebellion against the rule of President Hafez al-Assad, the father of current President Bashar al-Assad.

My family is originally from a small village in Idlib province called Haas, about 10 kilometres (six miles) west of Maaret al-Numan. We moved back there in 1995 because our small apartment was not large enough for our growing family.

I was the second child in a large household of six boys and two girls. One of my brothers, Mustafa, has managed to move to Germany to start a new life. I call him the only survivor of the family.

Of the remaining five boys, two have been lost to Syrias war, two have had their lives and studies put on hold because of the fighting and detentions, and I no longer make plans for the future.

Dr Tarraf in surgery at Maaret al-Numan hospital [Photo courtesy of Dr Tarraf]

My work as a doctor has become unbearably exhausting  both physically and mentally  since the regime launched its Idlib operation last spring. At the time, I worked at two hospitals, Kafr Nabl surgery hospital and Maaret al-Numan central hospital. These facilities were the closest to the regimes front line, and came under intense bombing for a long period of time. There was a constant stream of casualties coming to the hospital. The medics literally did not get a chance to rest.

The choice

I remember one of the worst days, August 28, 2019, when the main vegetable market in Maaret al-Numan was targeted by an air raid from a Syrian army jet. We had six operating rooms in the hospital, and only eight doctors. Soon after the air raid, injured people began streaming in, along with dead bodies. Within five minutes all the operating rooms were full. I was the last surgeon to get there.

I walked in to find two patients, both needing immediate help. As a doctor, I had to choose which one to treat and which to transfer to another hospital some 30 minutes away  something we do when there are limited resources and many cases to attend to. The first patient was a man in his thirties who was in hemorrhagic shock. The other was a three-year-old-boy who was bleeding from shrapnel in his chest; he was also in shock.

Syrian government air raids have destroyed many civilian structures, including Dr Tarrafs home, pictured here [Photo courtesy of Dr Tarraf]

It was a terrifying moment in which I had to make a choice; one which would help one patient but might lead to another dying on the way to the referral hospital. I had no other choice but to choose, so I chose the child.

It was a difficult choice. But I thought about my two-year-old son. I saw that child as if he were my own, and so I chose to help him. I started treating him, I opened his abdomen, tried to stitch blood vessels. But after 15 minutes we, unfortunately, could not save him, and the anesthesiologist declared him dead. I went out of the operating room to find that the man was still there, still waiting for an ambulance, as they were in high demand.

I got back to work, trying to save him as well. I started a blood transfusion in the waiting room; I opened his abdomen and made thoracentesis. But unfortunately, the man also died after 30 minutes of trying to help him.

I had just left the operating room, frustrated and exhausted, when a local man asked me about the patient. I told him he had died. He then asked me about the child, and I told him he was dead, too. He then told me: You know, doctor. The two were a man and his son.

It was one of the worst, most traumatising, moments of my life. I will never forget it because I failed to save both the man and his son.

Saying goodbye

At the hospital, there were so many critical cases in urgent need of help. So I would always be under pressure and suffer from insomnia.

More than a month before that August day was another horrifying moment. It was after sunset on July 10 when Maaret al-Numan hospital came under attack. The facility was badly affected and the electricity generator was damaged.

I was the doctor on duty and, along with other colleagues, decided we needed to evacuate the hospital and all the patients. But the most worrying part was when we had to evacuate the newborn incubators. The hospital had six of them. All those babies needed to remain there; but we knew the regime might target the hospital again, so they had to be moved. We continued with the evacuation, but some of the babies died along the way.

Some of the patients, about 10 percent, refused to be evacuated. It was a very difficult moment. But as medics we decided to stay with them, accepting the potential risk of being hit a second time by the air raids. Two hours later, regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the town of Maaret al-Numan. The hospital received dozens of injuries. We managed to save most of them because we stayed.

Dr Tarraf with his children [Photo courtesy of Dr Tarraf]

After the regimes latest campaign in Idlib, I sent my family to the Turkey-Syria border where it is safer, while I remained working in hospitals in Idlib.

But for months before, every time I went to the hospital, I would say goodbye to my family as if I would never see them again. There was always the thought that I would go to the hospital and never come back.

It was mentally exhausting, because we had to work under constant bombing. Whenever I heard jets in the sky, I would think the hospital would be the next target. That put those of us in the medical field under enormous psychological pressure. And it made my family and loved ones worry constantly. They contact me every once in a while to make sure I am not hurt. Especially my parents, who have already lost two sons, Yusuf and Huzaifa.

Losing brothers

When we were young, our family did not have much. But my parents tried their best to provide a decent life for my siblings and I.

Although all eight of us were very good at school, life began to get harder when my brothers and I started college. My fathers salary was hardly enough to cover basic family needs. My eldest brother, Yusuf, went to medical school in 1999 and I did the same in 2000. My father started to borrow money, and those debts began to accumulate. With more college bills as the years continued, my family remained in debt until my brother and I graduated from college and started to work overtime shifts in hospitals in addition to our specialisation internships.

In 2011 the Syrian revolution started. Yusuf was by then a doctor at the Tishreen Military Hospital, near Damascus. He was a resident doctor specialising in general surgery and I was in my last year of a urology specialisation at the Al-Muwasat Hospital in Damascus. Our brother Huzaifa was in his last year at medical school.

Dr Tarraf with his father and brothers [Photo courtesy of Dr Tarraf]

Soon after, Yusuf left Damascus and moved to Idlib. Then he left his government job and started to help people in our hometown, where people were being shot during protests and later killed by regime bombardment. I remained in Damascus until I finished my thesis and got my degree.

Then, Huzaifa was arrested in late 2012 at the university campus in Damascus. I did my best to get him out and paid huge amounts of money to get him released. I reached out to an intermediary involved in these types of transactions. However, when he found out Huzaifa was a doctor he said he could not help.

It is easier to secure the release of a [opposition] militant or a protester from prison than doctors, he told me.

We found out two months later that Huzaifa had been tortured and killed in custody.

I moved back to Haas, our village, and the revolution had by then become militarised. Yusuf and I remained firm in our commitment to revolutionary principles by helping people in the field hospitals. Another one of our brothers, Qutaiba, was arrested during his last year of civil engineering college but later released, after which he decided to go back to the village and never dared to return to university.

Our youngest brother, Ubayda, finished high school and got into computer engineering college, but he did not dare to continue after his first year because he was afraid of being arrested. So we all remained in the village. All besides Mustafa, who went to college, where he started to study communication engineering, and then managed to move to Germany to continue his studies.

The village was bombed

In 2016, Haas was bombed. The regime targeted a complex of schools on October 26 in what later came to be called the Massacre of Pens, since the regime deliberately targeted the schools complex and all the roads nearby. Most of the victims were children in elementary school.

The family home in Haas was destroyed in an air raid [Photo courtesy of Dr Tarraf]

Many medics were killed, too. My brother Yusuf was in the village and rushed to the place that had been targeted because he wanted to help those in need of medical assistance. The regime planes targeted the same place deliberately and he was among the victims.

Regime forces always do that. They would target a location with air raids and when people come to help any survivors, they would target the place again several minutes later. And a third time as well.

Our house had been targeted repeatedly throughout the entire revolution, but with the help of my brothers we had always managed to fix it. The last time it was targeted it was destroyed completely, as was my house.

Now, I have no plans for the future. We live day by day, here. I cannot even think of tomorrow. Just today another battle started a few hours ago, with non-stop air raids and artillery shelling, injuries constantly coming to the hospital in the city of Idlib, where I now work.

My worst fear is for the future of Syria. Syria is turning into the worst possible thing a state can be: A failed state plus a dictatorship, combined under occupation. It cannot get any more evil than that.

This account, as told to journalist Zakaria Zakaria, has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:45:13|Editor: zyl

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KIGALI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda launched on Wednesday an awareness campaign to cease the use of single-use plastics in the country as stipulated in a law enacted last year.

"The law against single-use plastics was passed last year, but people continue to use the banned plastics which pose a serious threat to our environment and planet," Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya told a press conference in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.

The ban on single-use plastic items is part of an international effort to reduce environmental pollution and people should consider alternatives to single-use plastics, said Mujawamariya.

Single-use plastic items that are used only once before being thrown away or recycled such as plastic straws, water bottles, coffee stirrers and disposable dishes are prohibited in Rwanda and those caught dealing in those plastics will be punished by law, she added.

The year-long campaign will involve seizing all single-use plastic items from shops, hotels and restaurants and those violating the ban will face harsh penalties.

Rwanda enacted a law in 2019 prohibiting the manufacturing, importation, use and sale of single-use plastic items, tightening a 2008 ban that prohibits the importation and use of polythene bags.

Under the law, people who manufacture, import or sell polythene bags and single-use plastic items are liable to dispossession of those items and an administrative fine between 300,000 Rwandan francs (about 330 U.S. dollars) and 10 million francs (about 11,000 dollars).
As the United States continues to become more diverse, so does the countrys workforce.

In order to provide equal opportunity for all employees to achieve their professional aspirations, many industries, including health care, are focused on creating welcoming environments along with plenty of opportunities for advancement.

We want to remove any barriers that might affect the success of our employees and encourage and assist them in developing their talents, says Dr. Mark A. Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, the areas largest employer.

One of the many ways the health system is supporting its employees in unleashing their potential is through an English for Speakers of Other Languages program initiated last year at Baystate Medical Center.

We were extremely grateful to Lyman and Leslie Wood, who offered to fund an English language program for employees interested in advancing their careers at Baystate by improving their English communication skills, Keroack says.

Their generous donation to the Baystate Health Foundation allowed us to collaborate with the International Language Institute in Northampton to develop a 12-week course taught by (the institutes) professionals during work hours at Baystate Medical Center, he added.

Sixteen employees, many from the hospitality services area, were excited by the prospects of the pilot program and signed up to attend.

One of those employees is Pablo Diaz, who, with his wife, came to America looking for better opportunities when the economic crisis in Ecuador left him without a job or the ability to continue his masters in statistics.

The couples decision to move to the United States brought them to Springfield, where his grandparents, whom he describes as having a small house and a big heart, welcomed them into their home.

After finding a job at a bakery, a relative introduced Diaz to Baystate for a position as a food service inventory handler. Its an introduction that he considers one of the best things in my life.

In addition to the English program, Diaz has taken advantage of other opportunities he has been offered at Baystate, including working with a career adviser in talent management to write his resume and practice interview skills. A career mobility consultant in talent acquisition at the hospital is also helping him look for additional career opportunities within Baystate.

Community leaders and donors Lyman and Leslie Wood recall the emotions they felt attending an orientation to the program held at the hospital.

When we walked into the first class, we were just in the moment with them. It was amazing how the feeling in the room changed when everyone started connecting, Leslie Wood says. It was really one of my best days to see the students move from being nervous to being a part of something. They were empowered.

The couple worked with Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates, Baystate Healths chief diversity and inclusion officer, and Kathleen Bronner, of the foundation, to establish the Lyman and Leslie Wood Language Fund. The fund created the pilot program designed to assist employees with their English communications skills to feel more confident in their English-speaking interactions with both patients and colleagues.

Steven Boyle, senior director of hospitality, food and nutrition services, says programs such as English as a Second Language are important, since they remove barriers and maximize employees potential.

The role of a leader is to help develop talent, to support those who want to invest in themselves even if it means losing them to another department. It is part of having an engaged workforce, he says.

In addition to the career support Diaz has been receiving at Baystate, he also appreciates other growth benefits, such as the forgivable loan program for first-time home buyers. He will apply for the program now that he and his wife have a child.

Baystate Health is investing in employees and saying, You are important to us. They want you to grow, to improve your knowledge. I dont want to leave Baystate, he said.
A ballistics test has found that a Russian combat helicopter allegedly fired an armor-piercing projectile at one of the three Ukrainian Navy vessels in the Black Sea in 2018 that Russia impounded, said Ukraine's deputy envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Ihor Lossovskiy.

Speaking at a forum on security held by the Organization for Security and Cooperation Europe (OSCE), the Ukrainian diplomat said that the "shell hole on the armored cutter Berdyansk arose as a result of a direct hit by an armored-piercing projectile fired from a Russian Ka-52 helicopter," Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported on February 13.

Lossovskiy didn't specify which of the two versions of the Ka-52 helicopter allegedly attacked the vessel.

Russia's military uses the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, designed for ground assault, and has a newer amphibious version called the Ka-52 Katran that can be deployed on ships.

Both aircraft are equipped with armor-piercing rounds and capable of launching air-to-surface missiles.

Lossovskiy said the findings "clearly confirm the aggressive and illegal nature of the actions taken by Russia in the Black Sea in November 2018."

At the time of the incident, Russia insisted the Ukrainian Navy vessels were violating its territorial waters and refused to obey instructions.

Ukraine called the attack and subsequent capture of 24 crewmen aboard the ships a violation of international maritime law.

On May 25, the UN's maritime tribunal ordered Russia to immediately release the crewmen and impounded boats, a ruling that Moscow ignored.

The Ukrainian crewmen were released on September 7 and Russia returned the three severely damaged ships on November 19 in very poor condition.

Based on reporting by Ukrinform
The California lawmaker behind the controversial law making it harder to classify workers as contractors has proposed a new bill to prevent food delivery companies from offering drop-offs from restaurants that have not signed up and requires they share customer data with restaurants that do sign up.

Why it matters: State governments are turning up the heat on gig economy companies.

The big picture: Like her new labor law, California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez's new bill would directly curtail a common practice among these companies.

In October, GrubHub told investors it would begin to provide delivery of meals from restaurants that have not signed up for its marketplace, a move it said became necessary to compete with rivals that already do this.

Details: The bill prohibits food delivery services from offering food unless a restaurant has signed up.

And for those who do sign up, they will be able to get data about customers, including their email addresses, telephone numbers, delivery addresses and history of orders from that restaurant.

Go deeper: The gig economy hits roadblocks from state-level regulators
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made a rare foray into deadpan humour on Wednesday as he shrugged off a question about his lack of support on Wall Street.

Told by an interviewer that former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein had said he might be as divisive as Donald Trump, Sanders responded dryly: Let me see, a billionaire executive on Wall Street doesnt like me. I am shocked by that. Im really shocked.

Blankfein made his remark in a tweet, in which he also suggested Sanders could be worse for the US than Trump  so bad that he might be the Russians chosen candidate.

Its hardly surprising that Sanders would dismiss Blankfeins tweet out of hand, but that he would do so in good humour shows he may be finally opening up a comic side hes rarely displayed in the past.

Politicians dont laugh at themselves like they once did, and Sanders is no exception. When he began his first run for the presidency in 2015, he was known for being on the serious side, and his stump speeches were hardly renowned for their levity.

Sanders did appear on Saturday Night Live in a sketch with Larry David caricaturing him, but he was mostly given the straight lines over the punchlines.

At the time, some argued that Sanders was starting to embrace his own quietly effective brand of non-comedy. In the Washington Post, reporter Amber Phillips put together a case for Sanders as a master of deadpan, although she acknowledged that rather than carefully constructing a comic persona, he was mostly just being himself.

He seemed to understand this perfectly well, and even riffed on it now and again. At an Iowa rally in January 2016, he told the crowd: Im not here to tell you some good jokes  I have a bad sense of humour. It wouldnt work in any case.

Recommended Why the rise of Bernie Sanders is making some Democrats nervous

Four years later, Sanders sense of humour is still far from a personal hallmark. And some have pointed out that hes not only unforthcoming about his own wisecracks but also thin-skinned when it comes to mockery directed at him over his millionaire status or history of outlandish idealism.

Now that Sanders has wind in his sails after winning New Hampshire, however, he seems to be lightening up a little. Given the caustic ridicule and forensic attention hell have to endure should he secure the nomination  let alone the presidency  thats probably wise.
A 12-year-old street pianist who entranced a crowd of shoppers with a string of 1990s dance anthems has been playing since he was a baby, his father revealed.

Impressive footage of Harrison Crane playing hits like Children by Robert Miles, Eiffel 65's Blue (Da Ba Dee) and Darude's Sandstorm on a red Liverpool ONE piano has raked in more than one million views online.

The youngster's father Jonathan Crane, 40, has told MailOnline Harrison had displayed interest in music since he was very young, saying 'ever since he was one he used to sit and press the keys'.

School teacher Mr Crane and his wife Eleanor, 39, of Aughton, Lancashire, have been paying for piano lessons for Harrison since he was six years old as his natural aptitude for music was obvious.

Harrison Crane pictured with father Jonathan, mother Eleanor and 10-year-old sister Mia

Mr Crane told MailOnline Harrison, pictured, had displayed interest in music since he was very young, saying 'ever since he was one he used to sit and press the keys'

Harrison, who has already reached Grade 5 in piano and Grade 4 in drums, 'seemed to have a bit of a knack for it so we tried to get him lessons,' Mr Crane said.

He praised the 12-year-old's 'brilliant music teachers' Justine and Chloe, whose teaching style focused on helping Harrison learn songs he wanted to learn himself, rather than forcing him to play through dusty manuscripts by rote.

'He definitely wants to go into music as a career, even if it's just a session musician,' Mr Crane said.

'I think there's definitely something to be said for making a living doing something you enjoy.'

In his now-viral street set, Harrison attracts a large crowd of Liverpool ONE shoppers who cheer and burst into applause when he finishes his medley.

Harrison impressed passers-by with a string of 90s dance hits on a red Liverpool ONE piano

As he hammers out the final notes Elton John-style, the large crowd of Liverpool ONE shoppers cheers and bursts into applause

He has been attending a performing arts school for three hours every Saturday since he was four years old, and takes music lessons at the Adam Christopher School Of Musical Excellence in Omrskirk.

'The good thing about Harrison is he's chilled, he doesn't care that he's all over the internet,' Mr Crane said.

He added that he and his wife knew Harrison would be a natural performer ever since he was young, due to ability to stay in rhythm while tapping along and dancing to songs.

Harrison attends a performing arts school every Saturday for three hours.

'He's done that since he was four,' Mr Crane said. 'We could always tell he would be a bit of a performer.'

He also attends music lessons at the Adam Christopher School of Music Excellence in Ormskirk.

During his viral set, uploaded to his YouTube channel Harrison Plays two weeks ago, the pre-teen kicks off with the 1996 dance track Children by Robert Miles, causing a few shoppers to stop to listen and watch.

Harrison Crane (pictured) jumped onto the piano stool with no one around him as he launched into the 1996 dance track Children by Robert Miles, causing shoppers to stop and listen

Harrison then went into Eiffel 65's song Blue (Da Ba Dee) from 1998, before shifting into 1999's Sandstorm by Finnish DJ Darude as passersby watched and even filmed him

Young Harrison then slides into Eiffel 65's song Blue (Da Ba Dee) from 1998, before shifting into 1999's Sandstorm by Finnish DJ Darude.

By this time, Harrison's audience has swelled in size, with some watching and tapping their feet while others film him on their phones.

The boy then storms into The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army from 2003, before going back into Children for a grand finale.

As he hammers out the final notes Elton John-style, the large crowd of Liverpool ONE shoppers cheers and bursts into applause.

Harrison then shyly thanks the impromptu audience as he then shuffles towards his parents Jonathan and Eleanor.

He was just one of many local musicians given the opportunity to busk in Liverpool ONE's Tickle The Ivories festival last summer.

As he hammered out the final notes, the large crowd of Liverpool ONE shoppers cheered and burst into applause. Harrison, of Aughton, Lancashire, shyly thanked the impromptu audience as he then shuffled towards his parents Jonathan, 40, and Eleanor, 39

Harrison's September public performance was not his first, though, having played at the shopping centre up to a dozen times times since 2018.

Six months ago, his father Jonathan uploaded a video to his YouTube account showing Harrison bashing out a similar medley for passersby.

Last month, a video was uploaded that showcased Harrison playing keyboards with a young band in a cover of The Killers' Mr Brightside.

And in 2017, Harrison took to a public piano in Manchester Airport, where he entranced travellers with his rendition of I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi.
This video has the internet legitimately divided .

Dude is in the last seat on the plane. Seat doesn't recline.

Hers does. And she reclines.

He's upset, and is punching her seat incessantly so she records.

Who is right?!

Who is wrong?!

See you at 7p on #FOX5LION@fox5dc pic.twitter.com/jjjTLLwvEc

 Marina Marraco (@MarinaMarraco) February 12, 2020
A change in how the illness is diagnosed may partly explain the jump. Here are the latest updates and maps of where the virus has spread.

Political fallout: Chinas ruling Communist Party fired the leaders of Hubei Province and Wuhan, its largest city, today amid widespread public anger over the handling of the epidemic.

Economic fallout: One of the worlds biggest technology trade shows, Mobile World Congress in Spain, was canceled because of the outbreak. International students at Chinese universities have faced difficult decisions, and the cruise industry is suffering.

The Daily: Todays episode examines how Chinas government is handling public anger.

Prosecutors fears of presidential pressure

Top Justice Department officials intervention to reduce a sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone, a longtime friend of President Trump, has raised fears among career prosecutors.
I had pulled out all my notes on Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party machine, when a mail from Warsaw redirected me towards a different column. Ill get back to Mr Kejriwal next time. The mail said that creeping anti-Semitism in Europe and the United States was being largely ignored by the mainstream media in those countries. The mind went back to my schooldays when we became first acquainted with the term anti-Semitism because Mr Rayner, the only teacher who was allowed to smoke in class, took particular relish from the predicament of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender who is the central figure in William Shakespeares Merchant of Venice, which he taught. He consistently posed the question: Was Shylock a victim or a villain?

A pound of flesh closest to Antonios heart was what Shylock had insisted on in the event of default. He sought revenge because he had been insulted by the Christians; he had had his Jewish gabardine publicly spat upon. But Shylocks grief reaches epic proportions when Christians inflict a nasty bit of Love Jihad on him  his daughter Jessica runs away with Lorenzo, a Christian. Worse, she runs away with his ducats, the currency those days. O my daughter; O my ducats. I cannot remember a courtroom with such nail-biting suspense as when Portia saves Antonio from Shylocks blade.

Anti-Semitism, from much before Elizabethan times, remained a sentiment in two powerful strands. One was the direct Christian prejudice against Jews in Europe, which climaxed with Hitler in Germany. The Islamic conquest of Spain in the eighth century had led to the flourishing of a composite culture in which Muslims, Christians and Jews contributed in equal measure. The Reconquista, or the return of Christian rule in 1478, led to the Spanish Inquisitions, which were harsher on the Jews than on Muslims. Countries from Morocco upto the Ottoman Empire accorded hospitality to the persecuted Jews.

The basic conflict, whether in Northern Europe or in the Iberian Peninsula, was always between Christianity and Judaism, not the least because Christians blamed Jews for Christs death. What has puzzled me always is the deafening Jewish-Muslim acrimony. I shall never forget the day in the Royal Palace in Rabat, Morocco, when I found myself seated in the office of Andre Azoulay, the late King Hasans principal adviser. He was the second most powerful man in the kingdom. He was a Sephardic Jew like so many others in the country who held key posts. A mandatory annual event was the jamboree hosted by His Majesty for Sephardic Jews in the diaspora. This sentimental reunion was a continuation of a medieval tradition. When 50,000 Jews were expelled from Spain after the Reconquista, Morocco and other North African states had accorded the new refugees extraordinary hospitality. Even after Jews from this part of the world had made their homes in Israel, they remembered how well Morocco had treated them. I have seen photographs of King Hasan dominate Sephardic drawing rooms in Jerusalem.

By the 1980s the Jewish state and the international Jewry had become so powerful that even reworking Shakespeare became a legitimate intervention. Rather than discard the Merchant of Venice and select any one of Shakespeares plays in 1989, director Sir Peter Hall chose to tweak Shakespeare and impart rationalism to Shylocks character. Dustin Hoffman virtually reimagined Shylock, toning down his usurious rate of interest, thereby enhancing the sympathy factor for the moneylender. A sort of Christian ganging up against a hapless professional was played up. Shylocks tragic end is ironically the heart of the plays mirth.

The toning down of the Shakespearean prejudice against Jews was clearly a function of guilt on account of the excesses during the Second World War. The remarkable rise in anti-Semitism in recent decades by comparison leaves one aghast. Sympathy for Jews has given place to an awe for the Jewish state. The exceptional achievements of Jewish people will always shine through, but individuals are being submerged in unwholesome Zionist excesses.

These excesses are being amplified by Donald Trumps singularly one-sided support for anything that Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands. The general projection of both as heartless bullies automatically accelerates anti-Semitism. Take the Deal of the Century, Mr Trumps two-state peace plan for the Middle East, that only the duet and their closest supporters were ecstatic about. There will be a corresponding spike in ill-will.

Do you think American campuses are falling over each other in adoration for Mr Trump and his buddy after he signed an executive order aimed at combating anti-Semitism on US college campuses.

This is our message to universities  if you want to accept the federal dollars you get each year, you must reject anti-Semitism. What must students do to become good boys entitled to federal funds? Abandon the Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel movement, which has been popular on campuses.

Jewish lobbies in Poland, for example, were bringing to bear their considerable clout on property transactions. Properties owned by Jews before the war were being successfully reclaimed by the old owners at throwaway prices. When a Polish law sought to deter these transactions, the US state department intervened. Officials in Washington would keep a watchful eye to protect Jewish interests. Imagine how the Poles would respond to such interference.

The rise of anti-migrant, anti-Semitic leaders in Hungary, Germany, Austria and Poland is a depressing list. By their behaviour, the Trump-Netanyahu duet have only aggravated the situation.

At an international conference in Warsaw last year, Israeli foreign minister Yisrael Katz accused the Polish leadership of anti-Semitism. His language was unbelievably coarse: Poles suckle anti-Semitism from their mothers milk. How would this outburst have registered with the Primetime TV viewers in Poland?
Far-left EFF leaders demand the countrys last apartheid-era president, FW De Klerk, be removed from Parliament.

South Africas far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) legislators have protested inside Parliament, forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to abandon his annual state of the nation address for a while.

Speaker Thandi Modise on Thursday temporarily suspended proceedings, telling the EFF leaders: When you think you have unlimited freedom of speech to infringe on the rights of others, that is a disruption.

The EFF demanded FW De Klerk, South Africas last apartheid-era president, be ejected from Parliament, accusing him of being unrepentant.

We have a murderer in the house, we have a man who has got the blood of innocent people [on his hands] in this house, said EFF leader Julius Malema as Ramaphosa stood to deliver his speech.

Malema said Parliament was wrong to invite De Klerk, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela for their efforts to end the white rule in the country.

It is tradition for former presidents to attend the annual address given by a sitting president.

De Klerk is an unrepentant apologist of apartheid, who is not willing to accept that apartheid was a crime against humanity. It is an insult to those who died and [who were] tortured under the instructions of De Klerk to have De Klerk sitting in a democratic parliament, said Malema, whose party has 44 legislators in the 400-seat National Assembly.

I, therefore, suggest we please request de Klerk to leave this house.

The parliament speaker dismissed the request, saying the presence of De Klerk is proper and legal.

The opposition legislators were later sent out of Parliament at the resumption of proceedings.

The EFF has disrupted Parliament on several occasions during former President Jacob Zumas era and at times, descending into chaos with its legislators being forcibly removed.
An East Bay elementary school is being renamed to honor one of country's most recent First Ladies, according to the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Wilson Elementary School will be renamed "Michelle Obama Elementary School" once its currently under-construction Richmond campus opens its doors for the 2020-2021 school year. The school is temporarily housed at a location in El Cerrito.
Identical baby twins are the first in Britain to both be diagnosed with an incurable brain disease - the same which killed Coleen Rooney's sister in 2013, aged 14.

Amelia and Ruby Sampson have Rett Syndrome, which gets progressively worse and will rob them of the ability to speak or move freely, cause breathing and sleeping problems and interfere with the development of their brains.

Heartbroken parents Katie and Pete Sampson, from Birmingham, do not know what the future holds for their 17-month-old daughters.

New mother Mrs Sampson said the thought of not seeing her daughters grow up is gut wrenching.

While most people with Rett reach middle-age and beyond, some die at a fairly young age as a result of complications, such as heart rhythm abnormalities, pneumonia and epilepsy.

Rett claimed the life of Wayne Rooney's wife's sister Rosie McLoughin at 14 after she battled the syndrome her whole life.

Katie and Pete Sampson, from Birmingham, don't know what the future holds for their identical 17-month-old girls (all pictured) who have been diagnosed with an incurable brain disorder

The girls were born on September 7, 2018, but the parents soon noticed abnormalities in Amelia. She was floppy, struggled to hold her head up and was much more delayed than Ruby

A picture shared by Coleen on her Instagram, of her and her young adopted sister Rosie who died aged 14 after suffering with the same illness, in 2013

Mrs Sampson, who turns 30 tomorrow, said: 'When they were diagnosed I just screamed and cried and said to my husband "Why is this happening to us?"

Charity Rett UK said it is 'very unusual' for identical twins to both have the degenerative illness. Non-identical twins have both been diagnosed in Britain previously.

Rett syndrome barely exists among males, affecting just one in 12,000 girls annually.

It strips children of the ability to walk and talk - even if they have already learned to do so.

Around three quarters of sufferers will live into their 50s, according to Rett UK. The National Institute of Health says it's not possible to make reliable estimates about life expectancy beyond the age of 40.

Amelia was diagnosed first in November before her sister was diagnosed just two months later.

'We were utterly heartbroken,' Mrs Sampson said. 'I can't even explain how we felt on the day.

Rosie McLoughin died after battling Rett syndrome her whole life. Pictured, Rosie sitting on mother Colette McLoughlin's knee as the pair share a laugh

Amelia (left) and Ruby (right). The pair may not make it into adulthood after they displayed the worrying characteristics of Rett syndrome, being diagnosed soon after

'It is horrible to think they are some of the only twins in the world to be unlucky enough to have it. They may not make it.

'I have heard cases where kids have lost their life aged nine so we don't know how long we will have them.'

Mrs Sampson and her husband, 34, have wanted kids since they started dating seven years ago.

They tied the knot in 2017 and Mrs Sampson became pregnant shortly after.

She recalled: 'I cried out with happiness when I was told we were having twins.

'My husband just said "oh my god" and we were absolutely thrilled. Pete had this massive grin and we were both so excited.'

The girls were born on September 7, 2018, but the parents soon noticed abnormalities in Amelia.

She was floppy, struggled to hold her head up and was much more delayed than her sister Ruby, her mother said.

In June of last year, Amelia had her first of many seizures - a common characteristic of Rett sufferers. She now has them daily.

Scans in October revealed Amelia's oxygen levels were deteriorating, but doctors were still unsure why.

She spent 77 days in Birmingham Children's Hospital and ended up in intensive care.

Mrs Sampson said: 'I started talking to the neurologist about Amelia's future with seizures and she basically said she might not make it to adulthood.

'My husband wasn't here and I had to tell him over the phone that our daughter may not make it.'

In June of last year Amelia had her first of many seizures - a common characteristic of Rett sufferers. She now has them daily

'It is horrible to think they are some of the only twins in the world to be unlucky enough to have it. They may not make it,' Mrs Sampson said of her baby daughters

A month later it was confirmed Amelia had Rett syndrome.

Because it is a genetic disease their other daughter - who was showing no signs of sickness - was also tested.

The results came back in January and revealed the worst - Ruby also had Rett Syndrome.

She has not yet shown any signs of regression but it is likely to happen from when she is 18 months old - just one month away.

The parents have now learned to look after Amelia, who requires constant treatment at home.

Former IT consultant Mrs Sampson is now a full-time carer to the girls and is reliant on Universal Credit after ditching her job.

Mr Sampson is grafting extra shifts as a road planner to put food on the table.

They are keen to find out what the future may hold for their girls and knew Coleen's family had suffered the same devastating blow.

Rosie was chief bridesmaid at Coleen and Wayne's Italian wedding in 2008.

Coleen idolised her adopted younger sister and was devastated after her death seven years ago.

The wife of England's all time goalscorer was holidaying in Barbados when her sister's condition deteriorated. She flew home to be by Rosie's side in her final days.

Rosie was just 14 when she died and last month Coleen wrote on Instagram on the anniversary: 'Forever in our thoughts. Love you Rosie.'

The parents have now learned to look after Amelia (pictured) - who requires constant treatment - from home. Ruby has not yet shown any signs of regression but it is likely to happen from when she is 18 months old - just one month away

Mrs Sampson is now fundraising for two eye gaze pads to allow her precious daughters to one day be able to communicate.

The syndrome means children need constant help with communicating, as well as breathing and eating.

The technology - which can cost up to 10,000 each - uses a computer mouse which you can control with your eyes.

Mrs Sampson said: 'Because Rett affects their hands they can't function and won't be able to learn sign language. It will be a way for them to talk to us.

'I don't want to assume things for them, I want them to be able to tell us what they want. Everybody should have a voice.'

Rett syndrome currently has no cure but Mrs Sampson said she will never stop fighting until one is found.

Former IT consultant Katie is now a full-time carer to the girls and is reliant on Universal Credit after ditching her job

Despite a difficult start to parenthood, Mrs Sampson already has memories she will cherish forever.

She said: 'Amelia had her first giggle on Christmas Day which was beautiful.

'We rarely get a smile out of her let alone a giggle. I prompted it by tickling her and she never usually reacts. But she loves her cuddles and is a happy little girl.

'Ruby is really cheeky. She smiles, eats everything and grabs for everything and she is very outgoing already and knows her own mind.

'The twins are really close. Amelia doesn't overly respond to her but Ruby is always reaching out trying to touch her. She absolutely adores her sister.'

A spokesperson for Rett UK said: 'It certainly is very unusual to have twins with the disorder and clearly very difficult for the family to comprehend and deal with.

'There are several twins, non-identical, where one is affected.

'Rett syndrome is a particularly distressing disorder because parents are lulled into a false sense of security, thinking they have perfectly "normal" children and then slowly and insipidly they start to lose key skills walking, talking and feeding themselves.

'This is referred to as the regression. This normally happens in the second year of life but in those that are more severely affected it can happen much earlier.

'But that is just the start of it really. There are multiple comorbidities that occur with Rett syndrome - and they start to emerge after the regression - typically epilepsy, breathing problems, scoliosis, dystonia, gut and bowel problems to name just a few.

'With lots of support people with Rett syndrome can learn to communicate using alternative methods, including using eye gaze technology.'
A recent presentation to the Richmond Community Schools Board of Education outlined a plan for the early childhood education program, including additional hours and full-day options, tuition increases and a bump in the rate for childcare for the 2020-2021 school year.

A decision on the changes is expected to be voted on by members of the school board at their next regular meeting on Feb. 24.

We have not made changes in the preschool program from a funding and revenue source for five years, Superintendent Brian Walmsley said.

Will L. Lee Elementary School Dean of Students and Director of Early Childhood and Childcare Heidi Mangune made the presentation to the school board at its Feb. 10 meeting.

She said looking at enrollment trends over the past four years, numbers for 3- and 4-year-olds have increased by 41 students, which includes 23 new students from last year to this year.

A lot of this has to do, obviously, with whats going on in our preschool, but I also just want to thank all the other administrators and teachers because whats going on K-12 is whats bringing a lot of these families in, Mangune said.

Mangune said the district is looking to add an all-day preschool program that would provide an option for students whose parents are interested in a structured preschool environment, not just having the kids go to a daycare setting for the second half of the day.

They can still do a half-day, but the option for a full day is there, Mangune said, noting that it can be hard to build on things when the youngsters dont have that continuity.

The proposal for the program going forward would be providing 157 instructional preschool days for 4-year-olds, and the three-day preschoolers would have 92 classroom days.

Currently, tuition for the students who attend three days a week is $1,200 a year. The proposal would increase it by $150.

For 4-year-olds who go five half-days a week, the cost is $1,700. It would go up $350 to $2,050.

If an all-day 4-year-old program offered five days a week is approved, it would cost $4,600 a year.

Superintendent details costs

As Walmsley stepped in to explain the costs and possible increases to the board, he said the $1,700 charge for the program has not increased in five years. When looking at employee costs, there has been an increase in rates, including for aides in the classroom, amounting to an increase over the past five years of about $2 an hour.

Part of that has been strategic to get staff because we were not at a rate that was competitive to maintain staff, and our preschool staff is one of the best around, Walmsley said.

Looking at revenue and expenditures, Walmsley said the margin is becoming smaller and smaller each year. As personnel costs continue to increase, along with benefits to employees, even if the enrollment numbers are up, revenue is becoming almost identical to the expenditures.

This isnt designed to make the school district money, just to break even when offering programs to our students, Walmsley said.

The proposed increases will likely only allow the district to break even. As an example, Walmsley explained that a class with 11 students requires a teacher and an aide, plus supplies and custodial costs, which means it costs about $15,000 to run a three-day program.

For a full-day program five days a week for 4-year-olds, they looked at the costs versus a parent who might have the child in half-day preschool and the remainder of the day in childcare. Walmsley said the preschool program is actually less cost to the parent.

For all of these programs, we offer payment plans for parents. They can pay up front or have a monthly payment plan, and we spread it out each month to make if more manageable for students and families, Walmsley said.

Childcare program rates

Mangune shared information about the childcare program offered currently, noting that it is offered when preschool classes conclude at 10:30 a.m. and runs to 2:50 p.m. each day. She said recent increases have raised the number to 31 preschoolers staying all day for childcare. The cost is $4.50 per hour per child.

The before-school childcare program for all students is offered from 6:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. and costs a flat fee of $5. The after-school childcare program, which runs from 2:50 to 6 p.m., is a $7 flat fee.

Overall, Mangune summed things up by saying the proposal was seeking approval for four specific things: Additional preschool offerings based on need, a tuition increase, increasing the childcare offerings based on need and changing the childcare flat fees to an hourly rate of $4.50 per hour.

Board President Margaret Teltow asked if the board is to take two weeks to consider the proposals, yet the district hasnt had its preschool roundup yet, how the changes could be based on need.

Youre asking for the additional stuff based on need even though you dont know what that is yet? Teltow asked.

Walmsley responded that they would like to be able to offer the full-day sessions to parents at the March 11 roundup event, and if its not something they want, the district simply wont offer it.

Our philosophy is we do not turn away kids, Walmsley said. The biggest take away for the board to consider is do you want to change the childcare rates as well as the preschool rates.

The item is expected to be on the Feb. 24 school board meeting agenda. The Richmond Community Schools Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the media center at Richmond High School.

Barb Pert Templeton is a freelance reporter. She can be contacted at barbperttempleton.reporter@yahoo.com.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 (the Culinary Union) represents 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including workers at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. It is affiliated with UNITE HERE, which represents 280,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.

The Culinary Union is a powerful player in Nevada politics. It has been called Nevadas most powerful Latino turnout machine. The ability to turn out voters, Latino and otherwise, is particularly important to any candidate seeking to win caucuses.

The Culinary Union did not take a side during the 2016 Nevada Democratic caucuses, but pushed vigorously for Hillary Clinton in the general election. Clinton carried Nevada by 27,000 votes.

Bernie Sanders might have hoped to receive the Culinary Unions backing this time around. At a minimum, he might have thought the Union would remain neutral, as it did in 2016.

After all, the Culinary Union has links with the left. John Wilhelm was the longtime head of UNITE HERE. He spent a decade in Las Vegas building up the local.

Wilhelm is the cousin of New Yorks far left mayor Bill de Blasio (the mayor was born Warren Wilhelm, Jr.). De Blasio and his cousin are close and UNITE HERE worked hard to elect de Blasio and to attack his opponent.

The Culinary Union wont be supporting Sanders, though. In fact, it is working to defeat him in Nevada.

The Union has distributed a flyer to all 60,000 members in English and Spanish via text and email stating flatly that Sanders will End Culinary Healthcare and Require Medicare for All. It was the second flyer the union issued on the subject in three days, but this one was harsher on Sanders than its predecessor.

Here is how the American Prospect, which is none too pleased, describes the latest flyer:

The flyer purports to compare six leading presidential candidates on Culinary Union issues. But on good jobs and immigration, the candidates are all listed as having identical views. Only on healthcare is there any divergence. While Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyer will Protect Culinary Healthcare according to the flyer, Sanders will end it. For Elizabeth Warren, whose struggles over defining her position on healthcare are well-documented, the Culinary Union softens their tone, writing that she will Replace Culinary Healthcare after 3-year transition or at end of collective bargaining agreements. So this informational flyer really boils down to a hit on Sanders. . . .

Why the hit on Sanders? Maybe the Union genuinely believes that Sanderss health care plan would be bad for its members. Maybe it thinks the plan would be bad for the Unions finances.

Maybe its motive is political, based on a desire to boost Joe Biden and/or prevent the nomination of Sanders. Former Sen. Harry Reid is tight with the Union. Reid doesnt plan to endorse anyone until after the Nevada caucuses, but he may favor Biden and/or share the party establishments concern about nominating Sanders.

What impact will the Unions attack on Sanders have? It seems bound to harm Sanders, but how much?

The answer might depend on where union members who defect from Sanders take their support. Ten days ago, I would have expected most of them to take it to Biden. Maybe they still will, but Biden is damaged goods now.

Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar reportedly havent done any serious Latino outreach in Nevada and may not be well known to these voters. Elizabeth Warren has done Latino outreach in the state, but her health insurance plan isnt what the Culinary Union favors.

Maybe Tom Steyer will be the beneficiary. There is evidence that Steyer is gaining traction in South Carolina. If he does well in Nevada and South Carolina, maybe Sanders wont have have the left lane to himself after all.

So perhaps the real beneficiary of the Culinary Unions attack on Sanders will be chaos.
WASHINGTON  Last April, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler, proclaimed at an auto show here that he would soon roll back President Barack Obamas stringent fuel efficiency standards.

That, the administration contends, would unleash the muscle of the American auto industry. It would also virtually wipe away the governments biggest effort to combat climate change.

Nearly a year later, the rollback is nowhere near complete and may not be ready until this summer  if ever. In January, administration staff members appointed by President Trump sent a draft of the scaled-back fuel economy standards to the White House, but six people familiar with the documents described them as Swiss cheese, sprinkled with glaring numerical and spelling errors (such as Massachusettes), with 111 sections marked text forthcoming.

The cost-benefit analysis showed that consumers would lose more money than they would gain. And, because the new auto pollution rule lacks the detailed technical analyses required by law, the regulations would be unlikely to withstand court challenges.
By Rasana Gasimova

A center called Azerbaijan Shop is planned to be opened in Tokyo, Japan to promote Azerbaijani products.

This was noted during the meeting between the Chairman of Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation Natig Amirov and the delegation led by the President and CEO of Japans Tet International Development Taro Sawada held in Baku on February 13, AIC reported.

It was noted that Tet International Development implements a number of agricultural projects in Azerbaijan. Last year, the company invested in Oghuz region and begun the construction of a tobacco-curing station.

The company plans to purchase and install about 100-200 more tobacco curing chambers, as well as engage in production and processing of tobacco in Sheki, Gakh, Zagatala and Balaken regions in the near future.

Tet International Development plans to create 5,000 hectares of tobacco plantation in Azerbaijan. The company has also suggested organising the production of tobacco products under the trademark "Made in Azerbaijan, Designed by Japan".

Representatives of Tet International Development said that they are ready to cooperate at all stages, including production and sale of tobacco in Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, it was noted that this cooperation, which is important in terms of investment, professional staff, know-how, and management, will help to identify directions for achieving the goals set in the tobacco industry.

AIC Director General Kamran Nabizade stressed the importance of joint activities to establish long-term cooperation between the two organizations. He noted that such meetings have a positive impact on further strengthening of bilateral relations and expansion of economic cooperation.

Note that Tet International Development started its activities in Azerbaijan in 2017. Apart from tobacco sector, the company is interested in investing in such spheres as silk and cotton production and processing business, medical field and trading business.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where 10 more people tested positive for coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan. File Photo: REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

The apparent stabilisation in reported new cases of the coronavirus is reassuring but it is too early to predict if the epidemic is coming under control, Dr Michael Ryan, the Irish-born World Health Organisation (WHO) executive, said yesterday.

The Sligo native, executive director of the WHO health emergencies programme, was commenting on latest figures showing more than 1,100 people have died of the virus and 45,000 have been infected.

He said he would love to be able to predict the future, "but we need to be cautious".

However, he said reports of a stabilisation of cases were very reassuring.

"We expect to see the virus come under control but we're not going to talk about numbers or dates. It's way too early to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic," he warned.

Questioned on why the numbers of diagnoses was stabilising but the death rate was increasing, Dr Ryan said this was because the duration of the illness was comparatively long. It means we are now seeing the "end of life moments" of those who were diagnosed weeks ago.

Meanwhile all 83 people - including three Irish nationals - who have been in quarantine in England have been told their test results for coronavirus have come back negative.

The group was evacuated from Wuhan in China, the epicentre of the outbreak, nearly two weeks ago and they voluntarily went into quarantine for 14 days at Arrowe Park Hospital in the Wirral as a precaution.

They are expected to leave the accommodation some time today.

They include Co Kildare native Ben Kavanagh who was working as a teacher in Wuhan but opted to take the RAF flight out of the city.

He told RTE yesterday how his time in quarantine had passed quickly and they were well treated.

He helped pass the time playing poker with others in quarantine and sent school assignments to his pupils in China online while staying in the NHS accommodation.

"It was less isolating than being in my apartment in Wuhan. Every other night we were playing poker," he said.

However, two other Irish people, passengers on the cruise ship Diamond Princess off the coast of Japan, will have to stay on board until next Wednesday after 39 new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed.

It brings the total number of people infected on board the ship to 175.

The Diamond Princess was placed in quarantine for two weeks on arrival in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on February 3 after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus, despite not showing any symptoms while on board.

About 3,700 people are aboard the ship, which usually has a crew of 1,100 and a passenger capacity of 2,670.

The first case of the killer coronavirus has been confirmed in London, bringing the total cases in the UK to nine. The latest victim, a woman, was diagnosed yesterday afternoon and is currently being treated at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in south London.

She is believed to have flown into the UK from China a few days ago, with officials confirming she caught the virus in China.

So far around 65 people in Ireland have been tested for the coronavirus and all have proved negative. Dr Cillian De Gascun, chairman of the coronavirus expert advisory group, a sub-group of the National Public Health Emergency Team, said: "We're continuing to monitor reported transmission events in the UK, Singapore and Germany, but the number of confirmed cases in the EU remains low."

Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health, Dr Tony Holohan, said: "We remain prepared for a confirmed case of Covid-19 (coronavirus).

"Anyone returning from China in the last 14 days and experiencing symptoms associated with the coronavirus is instructed to self-isolate and contact the health service via phone or email."

More than 4,800 personal protective equipment packs have been distributed to doctors here so far.
The journey of the Glock 26 9 mm was detailed in a 2018 Tribune story that revealed how the so-called Baby Glock was passed along through both licensed and private sales until it wound up in the hands of a Wisconsin man who regularly sold guns over Armslist and, allegedly, into the hands of Shomari Legghette, a four-time felon, the lawsuit alleges.
ALBANY  Time is cruel. The young grow middle aged. The rebel gets staid. Around and around goes the circle.

And so it is that Albany County District Attorney David Soares, once the baby-faced, 34-year-old who upset Albany's tired old guard, now faces a young upstart who sees him as a roadblock to progress.

The upstart is Matt Toporowski, a 33-year-old former prosecutor who on Tuesday announced he is challenging Soares in the June 23 Democratic primary.

We have two unequal and unfair systems of criminal justice, Toporowski told Times Union reporter Steve Hughes. "One for rich people, predominantly white; one for people of color, working class people, everybody else. And we need a DA that understands this and is going to bring fairness for all communities."

Sixteen years ago  where has the time gone?  Soares sang similar tunes before he toppled Paul Clyne, then the incumbent and a fellow Democrat. Specifically, Soares blasted the Rockefeller drug laws that he rightly blamed for, yes, an unequal and unfair system of justice.

"We need to stop creating criminals and start creating hope," Soares said in 2004, leading Clyne to charge that his opponent wanted to be a social worker instead of a prosecutor. Voters liked what they heard.

Soares still talks that way, at times, but his critics  and I include myself among them  have long noted that his high-minded rhetoric is often at odds with his day-to-day running of the office.

As Alice Green of the Center for Law and Justice once put it, Soares disappointed those initially excited by his election by becoming a fairly traditional prosecutor. He did not overturn the apple cart.

Maybe that was predictable. Maybe your perspective changes when you become a district attorney. When faced with the daily flood of crimes, maybe you decide that protecting public safety doesn't allow for idealism. You start as an insurgent but realize the establishment wasn't all wrong.

But even if we give Soares the benefit of the doubt, we should acknowledge that he has often been terribly wrong.

Let's start with Marquis Dixon, the 16-year-old given a long prison sentence for a sneaker robbery. After community outrage, an appeals court ruled Dixon was wrongfully denied youthful offender status, leading to his release.

We could talk about Soares' refusal in recent years to take on public corruption, despite his Lodge Street office being just a short walk from a Capitol where so much malfeasance has occurred.

Or we could point to how he handled the police shooting of Ellazar Williams, who was shot in the back. Green and others charged that Soares, who refused to call on an independent prosecutor, manipulated the case to spare the officer from charges.

The list of failures could go on. (Toporowski says he saw them firsthand while working for Soares as an assistant district attorney.)

But the basic point is this: Soares deserves this challenge. It is outrageous he hasn't faced an opponent since 2012. He should be forced to defend his record.

Meanwhile, as Bill Mahoney of Politico New York noted, the debate on incarceration, marijuana legalization and the elimination of cash bail have moved from the fringes to the mainstream since Soares took office. Even President Donald Trump now portrays himself as a champion of criminal justice reform.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Citizen Action of New York, a progressive social justice group that has endorsed Toporowski, believes the sand has shifted under Soares' feet. Criticizing the DA's position on bail reform  which has been muddled, at best  the group says he is no longer aligned with forward-looking views.

"The conversation around mass incarceration has changed dramatically in recent years," said Jess Wisneski, an executive director at Citizen Action. "David just hasn't kept up."

Even if that's so, Soares will be hard to beat. For one thing, the public seems cool to bail reform  which is understandable, I suppose, given all the fear-mongering and misinformation surrounding the change. It's also not at all clear rank-and-file Democrats in the county have soured on Soares.

What's more, Soares is a skilled retail politician who comes alive in crowds. His politicking skills may be rusty, but he obviously has more campaign experience than Toporowski, who has never run for office.

But the race will be good for Albany County. It may force a debate on Soares and his approach to criminal justice that is long overdue. And maybe, just maybe, history will repeat itself, with the upstart defeating the insurgent.

More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at cchurchill@timesunion.com or 518-454-5442. See More Collapse

Around and around goes the circle.

Note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the year in which Soares most recently faced a political opponent.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
An extinct branch of human ancestry has been discovered lurking inside the DNA of modern-day West Africans which evolved around 500,000 years ago.

Traces of this so-called 'ghost population' were located in modern-day people and did not match the genetic fingerprint of Homo sapiens, Denisovans or Neanderthals.

Exactly what species the hominids belonged to is unknown, but humans mated with them around 50,000 years ago, researchers discovered.

No physical evidence  DNA from ancient bones, for example  was found, but a computer model indicates this mysterious species must exist.

Scientists at the University of California in Los Angeles say the unidentified species accounts for up to 19 per cent of the genetic ancestry of four populations in three countries: two from Nigeria, one from Sierra Leone and one from the Gambia.

Evidence of the so-called 'ghost population was found in modern-day people and did not match the genetic fingerprint of Homo sapiens, Denisovans or Neanderthals (pictured, artist's impression of a neanderthal)

Exactly what species the 'Ghost people' belonged to is unknown, but humans mated with them around 50,000 years ago, researchers discovered. The ancient species split from the common ancestor of humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans more than half a million years ago

Writing in the study, the authors say: 'These populations derive two to 19 per cent of their genetic ancestry from an archaic population that diverged before the split of Neanderthals and modern humans.'

The discovery of a new ancient human ancestor is still in its primitive stages.

But early indicators hint that the ghost population shared a common ancestor with Neanderthals, modern humans and Denisovans around a million years ago.

And at some point, up until around 360,000 years ago, it branched off to become its own species.

This group then later bred with the ancestors of modern west Africans around 50,000 years ago, according to the study.

As no physical evidence has been found, the range of dates is still very large.

This mingling of DNA and inter-species mating in Africa between 'ghosts' and humans was happening at the same time as Denisovans and Neanderthals were also mating with humans - albeit in Asia and Europe respectively.

The evidence of Denisovans and Neanderthals can be seen today in humans, with all people on Earth having a sliver of neanderthal DNA, while Aboriginal Australians and natives of New Guinea carry chunks of Denisovan DNA.

The stunning find, published in the journal Science Advances, came after the scientists analysed genetic material from 405 people.

It is not the first time 'ghost DNA' has been identified in the genes of Africans.

In January, DNA discovered in four skeletons that belonged to children buried at a rock shelter at an archaeological site called Shum Laka in Cameroon also point to the existence of a long-lost 'ghost' branch of the human family tree.

All four skeletons inherited about one-third of their DNA from ancestors similar to the hunter-gatherers of western Central Africa.

The remaining two thirds of their DNA, however, came from an ancient West African source, including a 'long lost ghost population' previously unknown to science.

This, coupled with the most recent discovery, further complicates the picture of how modern humans evolved.

Study authors Sriram Sankararaman and Arun Durvasula

TIMELINE OF HOW HUMANS EVOLVED AND MATED WITH OTHER HOMINID SPECIES One million years ago - Homo sapiens (modern humans), Denisovans, Neanderthals and an unidentified 'ghost' populations had not yet evolved. All that existed was a single common ancestor. Some theories claim this may be Homo erectus or Homo heidelbergensis 500,000 to 360,000 years ago - 'Ghost people' split off and formed its own species. 700,000 to 300,000 years ago - Neanderthals split from the common ancestor to form its own species and migrated to Western Eurasia 765,000 to 550,00 years ago - Denisovans split and formed its own species and dominated Eastern Eurasia 130,000 years ago - Common ancestors in Africa evolved into what we recognise today as Homo sapiens 100,000 years ago - A large wave of Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa 75,000 years ago - Neanderthals branched westwards and encountered deniovans. These two species subsequently mated. 50,000 years ago - Parts of the Homo sapiens population leaving Africa mated with Neanderthals 50,000 years ago - 'Ghost' people species in Africa interbred with Homo sapiens in Africa 50,000 years ago - Denisovans and Neanderthals were mating with Homo sapiens, albeit in Asia and Europe respectively. 40,000 years ago - Denisovans and neanderthals went extinct 30,000 years ago - European and East Asian Homo sapiens populations split Some Europeans then migrated back into Africa where they mated with native Africans 15,000 years ago - Homo sapiens migrated into the Americas Advertisement

It is thought that the interbreeding occurred roughly 50,000 years ago, around the same time that Neanderthals were breeding with modern humans elsewhere in the world (stock photo)

Sriram Sankararaman, a computational biologist at UCLA and one of the study's authors, said: 'It's almost certainly the case that the story is incredibly complex and complicated and we have kind of these initial hints about the complexity.'

He admitted that the mystery DNA didn't belong to Neanderthals or other known groups, such as Denisovans, and said that he and his co-author Arun Durvasula believe it is from a new group entirely.

Sankaraman added: 'We don't have a clear identity for this archaic group.

'That's why we use the term "ghost". It doesn't seem to be particularly closely related to the groups from which we have genome sequences from.'

In their research, they analysed the genomes of the West Africans and used a statistical model to identify different parts of the DNA.

They explained the technique 'pulls out chunks of DNA which we think are likely to have come from a population that is not modern human.'

Sharon Browning, a biostatistics professor at the University of Washington who has studied the mixing of Denisovans and humans told NPR: 'The scenario that they are discovering here is one that seems realistic.'

Browning adds the ghost DNA appears frequently in the genetic material which suggests that it is 'useful' to modern humans.

However, the study authors admit its unknown what role the ghost genes play in humans who carry them.
Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou leaves B.C. Supreme Court following her extradition hearing in Vancouver

Reuters

The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Chinese telecom company Huawei with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

The Trump administration has pursued charges against Huawei for close to a year now, as geopolitical tensions between the US and Huawei's home country China continue to rise.

The latest indictment includes information alleging Huawei tried to steal trade secrets from six different US technology companies and "made repeated misstatements to U.S. officials, including FBI agents and representatives from the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, regarding their efforts to misappropriate trade secrets."

It also alleges the company concealed its involvement with business and technology projects in Iran and North Korea using the code names "A2" and "A9."

Huawei denied the DOJ's allegations: "The government will not prevail on these charges which we will prove to be both unfounded and unfair."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Chinese telecommunications company Huawei and its CFO Meng Wanzhou will be charged with 16 counts of conspiracy and racketeering, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday.

A new superseding indictment filed in federal court said the company violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and included new charges alleging Huawei's theft of trade secrets from American technology companies.

The US accused Huawei of breaching confidential agreements with American technology companies after gaining access to their intellectual property. Huawei had a bonus program that rewarded employees who obtained confidential information from their competitors, and rewarded them, the Department of Justice alleged.

"As part of the scheme, Huawei allegedly launched a policy instituting a bonus program to reward employees who obtained confidential information from competitors," the DOJ wrote in a press release announcing the charges. "The policy made clear that employees who provided valuable information were to be financially rewarded."

Story continues

The DOJ also detailed new allegations against Huawei and its subsidiaries, accusing them of concealing their business in countries under US, EU and UN sanctions. For instance, the indictment alleges that Huawei used code names "A2" and "A9" in internal documents to refer to business in Iran and North Korea.

"When confronted with evidence of wrongdoing, the defendants allegedly made repeated misstatements to U.S. officials, including FBI agents and representatives from the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, regarding their efforts to misappropriate trade secrets," wrote the DOJ.

Huawei denied the DOJ's allegations and told Business Insider that the charges were repackaged from 20-year-old civic allegations, brought against it to stifle competition.

"The 'racketeering enterprise' that the government charged today is nothing more than a contrived repackaging of a handful of civil allegations that are almost 20 years old and that have never been the basis of any significant monetary judgment against Huawei," a statement from Huawei said. " The government will not prevail on these charges which we will prove to be both unfounded and unfair."

The Trump administration has pursued charges against Huawei for close to a year now, as geopolitical tensions between the US and Huawei's home country China continue to rise. The company was put on a US blacklist back in May, preventing it from doing business with other US companies without government approval. And Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is facing extradition proceedings in Canada after being arrested in December 2018 on charges of covering up Huawei's links to selling equipment to Iran.

The latest indictment follows the US government's accusation that Huawei spied on people by exploiting telecom "back doors," intended for use by law enforcement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It is generally believed that the first radio transmission was made by Guglielmo Marconi in 1895 and radio broadcasting of music and talk that was aimed towards a wider audience came into existence, albeit experimentally, sometimes around 1905-1906.

The radio came into existence commercially in the early 1920s. Radio stations came into existence almost three decades later and the radio and broadcasting system became a common commodity around the world by the 1950s.

Almost 60 years later, in 2011, Member States of UNESCO proclaimed February 13 as being World Radio Day. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 as an International event.

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One of the most widely consumed medium at the global level, the UN says the radio has the ability to shape a societys experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard.

ALSO READ: This World Radio Day, exploring love in the time of radio that used to be

Origin

Following a proposal from Spain, UNESCOs Executive Board recommended to the General Conference the proclamation of World Radio Day, based on a consultation process carried out by UNESCO in 2011. Subsequently, the then Director-General of UNESCO proposed the formation of United Nations Radio on February 13, 1946 and subsequently at its 36th session, UNESCO proclaimed February 13 as World Radio Day.

The UN General Assembly formally endorsed UNESCOs proclamation of World Radio Day on January 14, 2013. During its 67th session, the UN adopted a resolution proclaiming February 13 as World Radio Day.

Objective

According to the United Nations, the objective of World Radio Day is to raise greater awareness among the public and media regarding the importance of radio.

The day also aims to encourage radio stations to provide access to information through their medium and enhance networking and international cooperation among broadcasters.

Theme

The theme of World Radio Day 2020 is Radio and Diversity. According to UNESCO, radio stations should serve diverse communities and offer a wide range of programmes.

For World Radio Day 2020, UNESCO has called on radio stations to uphold diversity, both in their newsroom and on the airwaves.

The theme of World Radio Day can be broadly divided into three main categories, according to UNESCO.

Diversity in the radio landscape: The development of policy environments which can lead to transparency and diversity of media ownership is the cornerstone to the radio sector being pluralistic, inclusive and democratic.

Diversity in the newsroom: Radio stations could bring multi-cultural teams that offer different perspectives on issues, through equal opportunity and fair treatment policies.

Diversity on the airwaves: Radio stations can offer a variety of shows and programmes that range from reportage and documentaries to talk shows and podcasts. Within the programmes themselves, there can be diversity in terms of language, music and mood to reflect the diversity of humanity.

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A woman has told how her life was torn apart after she spent her childhood covering up her mother's sordid affair - with her husband's best friend.

Adrienne Brodeur, 53, a writer who lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, says she became embroiled in her mother's deceit aged just 14, and is adamant she won't make the same mistake with her own daughter - who is now the same age.

Speaking to The Mirror about the night the web of lies began, Adrienne told how her mother Malabar woke her up and said: 'Ben just kissed me. I'm going to need your help sweetie. I need to figure this out. How to make this possible.'

Ben Souther was the best friend of Malabar's husband, Charles.

Adrienne Brodeur, 53, a writer who lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, told how she was dragged into her mother Malabar's web of lies after she started an affair with her husband's childhood friend, Ben. Pictured together, when she was a teenager

Following the revelation, Adrienne, who grew up in Cape Cod, was drawn into a life of lies and found herself helping her 'self-centred' mother and Ben cover up their affair.

'My daughter is now 14  the same age I was when Malabar told me about Ben's kiss. But I'm interested in parenting  not being her best friend,' she said.

On reflection, Adrienne now realizes her mother was damaged from the events of her past.

Before she was born, Malabar had a child who died from choking at the age of two, leaving her depressed. Later, she divorced Adrienne's father, before tying the knot with Charles, who fell ill after suffering several strokes.

Then one evening, Charles' childhood friend Ben and his wife Lily were invited over for dinner - but when the other guests were elsewhere, Ben and Malabar kissed.

'She was so excited,' Adrienne told the publication. 'The whole thing was thrilling. I was eager for details of her illicit encounters with Ben.

Adrienne said as the secret deepened, it started affecting her mental health and she realized she needed help. Pictured, now

'Sometimes I would leave a note on her pillow instructing her to wake me as soon as she returned.'

From that moment on, Adrienne helped think up innovative excuses just so the pair could spend some quality time alone - and soon, it became routine.

Following dinner, Adrienne would suggest getting some fresh air and going for a walk, but with Charles and Lily frail, she knew it would leave just her, with her mother and Ben.

She says the loved up pair would passionately kiss with her in the middle, before dashing off to an empty house together.

At first, Adrienne was so desperate to get her mother's love and respect, she did everything in her power to cover up the affair. But as the months went by, it started affecting her health.

Then things went from bad to worse when a pal got wind of affair and requested Malabar pay her $10,000 (7, 707) to stop her from exposing it.

Thinking up yet a plan to discredit the friend in case she ever did write a letter to Charles' wife Lily, Malabar and Adrienne penned anonymous letters to Malabar's friends, alleging she was having an affair with their husbands.

The plan was successful, but five years into the affair, Charles died after a stroke. Malabar, Ben and Lily booked a holiday away together - along with Adrienne and Ben's son Jack.

But in another twist, Adrienne and Jack developed feelings for one another and before long, got engaged.

Adrienne added her daughter is the same age her mother Malabar was when she told her about the kiss with Ben - but she's focused on parenting rather than being her best friend. Pictured, Malabar and Adrienne, as a child

In time, Ben broke the news to Lily about his affair and she died of a heart attack two years later.

The following year, Ben and Malabar tied the knot, but while they were happy together, Adrienne sunk into a deep depression and her marriage to Jack started to crumble.

'I didn't know who I was. My whole life had been so intertwined with my mother's secret life,' said Adrienne.

'I hit rock bottom and realized I was living in the wrong city with the wrong man and working in the wrong profession.'

Following therapy and a change of profession, the pair got divorced and Adrienne met her current husband Tim Ryan, who she had two children with - Madeleine, 14, and William, 11.

Malabar - who now has dementia - was with Ben for 20 years, until he died in 2013 - while Adrienne still has a close relationship with her mother.

'I often get asked if I'm angry, or why I haven't cut her off, but anger is an emotion that can feed on itself and take down the host in the process,' she added.

'It's been a complicated and difficult relationship and it will be long after she's gone. Now that she's ill, we don't talk about what happened in the past.'

Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover and Me by Adrienne Brodeur (16.99, Chatto & Windus) is available now
The government of Turkmenistan has a long-established habit of ignoring bad news.

Dire economic problems, natural disasters, war on the border: as far as Turkmen authorities and state media were concerned, it never happened, even when the people of the country could see it for themselves.

The recent global concern over the spread of the new strain of coronavirus from China is another example.

As the world was finding out more every day in January about the spread of the coronavirus inside and outside China, neither the Turkmen government or the media mentioned the topic. Actually, they still haven't.

But at the end of January, Turkmen officials started quietly taking certain measures: flights to and from China were canceled, students and other Turkmen citizens in China were brought home -- not flown to Ashgabat but rather to the eastern Lebap Province, where a quarantine center had been set up.

Additionally, greater attention was paid to sanitary conditions at some public facilities, such as schools, kindergartens, and hospitals in Mary Province, where even the traditional Turkmen remedy of burning camel-thorn trees was employed.*

There still was not a word publicly from officials or state media specifically about the coronavirus, which, again, is not surprising for the Turkmen authorities, considering recent practice.

Sudden Policy Change

For that reason it is somehow disquieting that suddenly, just a few days into February, authorities in the capital, Ashgabat, started distributing booklets on "what to know about the coronavirus" to hospitals and schools.

Health workers are even passing out pamphlets about the virus to people on the streets around the capital.

Health officials are also reportedly speaking to students in Ashgabat about precautionary measures they should take to avoid the "flu and hepatitis."

And although there are no reports of booklets being distributed to people in the regions, Turkmen health officials have reportedly started speaking with people about the coronavirus in towns around the country.

While this new campaign to inform the public about the virus and how to prevent its spread is commendable, it is also unprecedented for Turkmenistan. There has never been such a public-awareness campaign in Turkmenistan about a potential health hazard before this.

It is tempting to say that because President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was previously the country's health minister, this a problem he understands.

But since he was a dentist by training, not a virologist, and his biggest accomplishment as health minister was closing down regional health centers, this reasoning seems unlikely.

The independent Turkmen.news website, which is based in Europe, reported on February 7 that one young man who had been evacuated from China had died in the quarantine camp in Lebap Province and that his body was cremated, which is an uncommon practice in Central Asia.

RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, could not confirm this report, but did confirm the presence of the quarantine area in Lebap and that Turkmen who had returned from China who were being kept there for observation -- far from the public eye -- were able to contact their relatives regularly.

There are an unknown number of Chinese workers at the Bagtyyarlyk gas field in Lebap Province, which is operated by the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC). Some of them are also reportedly in the Lebap quarantine camp.

There is no evidence that suggests the coronavirus is present in Turkmenistan.

Neighboring Central Asian countries have people in quarantine also, but so far, no Central Asian government has reported any confirmed case of coronavirus.

As for why the unprecedented campaign for public health unawareness started so suddenly and so late, that could be due to international health groups, such as the World Health Organization, urging countries to take steps to educate their populations about the virus and Turkmenistan has simply decided to finally comply with this advice.

It could also be that in this instance, Turkmenistan's elite are on equal footing with the population. A virus doesn't discriminate between ruler and the ruled.

Berdymukhammedov uncharacteristically vanished from public view for several weeks in July 2019 and was widely believed to have been severely ill. He is rumored to suffer from diabetes.

It could also simply be that for once, Berdymukhammedov sees that his future could be tied to the well-being of his people.

*According to the Turkmen Health Ministry, "Grass and flowers of camel thorn are used as anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Toymyrat Bugaev of RFE/RL's Turkmen Service contributed to this report. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL
Attorney General Bill Barr has admonished President Trump to stop commenting on criminal cases  saying it 'undercuts' his role as the nation's top law enforcement officer.

'I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,' Barr said in an extraordinary interview with ABC News.

Speaking in blunt language, Barr, who previously held the same position under President George H.W. Bush, said: 'I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.'

Barr's pushback comes after the Trump loyalist agreed to appear before the House Judiciary Committee as some Democrats renew calls for his impeachment.

It also follows powerful Democrats including Rep. Adam Schiff accusing the president of violating the 'rule of law' be interfering in a system of justice that is meant to be non-political - and one saying Congress would have to consider impeaching him again.

The crisis unfolded ahead of the scheduled sentencing next week of Roger Stone, the former Trump consiglierie who was found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.

Trump tweeted his fury at a demand Stone be jailed for up to nine years, a message followed hours later by anonymous senior Justice Department officials calling it 'excessive' and all four prosecutors on the case quitting later that day, with Democrats calling for an urgent investigation into whether Trump intervened in a live criminal case.

Now Barr has both denied being influenced, and called for the president to stop tweeting.

'I'm not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody ... whether it's Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president,' Barr told ABC News in an interview.

'I'm going to do what I think is right. And you know  I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me,' he said.

Barr made his extraordinary comments to ABC news amid a furor over Trump's intervention in the criminal case of Roger Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign, when he was an informal Trump advisor

Make it stop: How three days of tweets by Donald Trump aimed at Bill Barr, his prosecutors and a member of the federal judiciary stacked up

He said 'of course' he was prepared for the consequences of criticizing the president. Trump spent months ridiculing former attorney general Jeff Sessions for his failure to recuse himself from the Russia probe.

Barr said his actions in the case of the Roger Stone case had 'nothing to do with the president,' as the network put it.

After career prosecutors called for a sentence of seven to nine years in prison for Stone following his conviction, Trump blasted the move online.

'Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!' Trump wrote.

Stone was convicted of witness tampering and lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign, when he was an informal Trump advisor. Democrats say it was part of a 'coverup' to protect Trump.

Barr said it would be 'preposterous' to suggest he 'intervened' in the case, and DOJ has said previously this week that the timing was coincidental. Trump, however, has kept up a string of stinging commentary about the case.

BILL BARR: TRUMP'S LIGHTNING ROD Clashing in public with the president caps a year minus one day as attorney general for Bill Barr - he was confirmed by the Senate on February 14 2019. But mostly the clashes have been the other way with Barr positioning himself as a stout defender of the president, a man who has asked before: 'Where's my Roy Cohn?' in reference to his one-time personal attorney, the infamous McCarthy interrogator-turned New York-legal-enforcer. He refused to recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller inquiry, then provided a summary of its findings weeks before its publication, which said that Mueller had not established collusion between Trump and Russia - but which the Special Counsel wrote to Barr to complain 'inadequately portrayed' his conclusions and warned people were confused about what he had really found. Barr later denied it was a summary. On the day of Mueller's publication he held his own press conference before anyone had read it In April, he said he believed 'spying did occur' on the Trump campaign then defended the use of the word when the FBI denied it had spied. Then he announced a probe into the origins of the Russia investigation in the first place which remains ongoing, elevating it to a criminal investigation in October. He later called the Russia investigation 'completely baseless' despite the investigation not being over. And he contradicted the Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's conclusion that the Russia probe was not based on political bias, but offered no evidence it was. Other controversies have included his attacks on sanctuary cities, and one on 'militant secularists' in a speech at Notre Dame University which claimed they were running a 'campaign to destroy the traditional moral order.' Barr has tried to bring back the federal death penalty, backs a federal marijuana ban, and put the Justice Department's weight behind a case which critics say would gut Obamacare. Advertisement

Trump on Thursday said the juror Roger Stone's jury had 'significant bias' in his latest intervention into the criminal trial of his longtime advisor.

Barr says he already had spoken to staff about the Stone sentencing recommendation  which he indicated was too severe  before the president's early morning tweet. But the public blast put him in a bad position.

'Do you go forward with what you think is the right decision or do you pull back because of the tweet? And that just sort of illustrates how disruptive these tweets can be,' he fretted.

White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham responded that Trump was fine with the comments  while defending his right to speak his mind.

'The President wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions,' she said.

'President Trump uses social media very effectively to fight for the American people against injustices in our country, including the fake news. The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law,' she said, CBS reported.

Barr used the interview to offer his fullest version of his actions.

He said that he had not believed the prosecutors were going to ask for a set term for Stone and that when he heard on Monday night that they had, he told his staff to be prepared to act.

'Once the tweet occurred, I thought "now what do I do,' he said.

Asked directly if Trump had asked him to intervene in the Stone case, he said: 'Never.'

'I have not discussed the Roger Stone case at the White House,' he said.

And he also pushed back on accusations that he has acted as a bagman for the president, pushing politicized investigations, saying: 'If he were to say you know "go and investigate somebody because" and you, you sense that it's because they're a political opponent, an attorney general shouldn't and wouldn't carry that out.'

Asked if he was acting as 'the personal attorney of the president,' he said: 'I expect a lot of low blows, and there are a lot of blow lows, but I don't respond to that.

'The fact that the tweets out there and correspond to things that we are doing at the department give grist to the mill.'

Barr's defense suggests that he sees the Stone scandal as a threat like none before to him and his reputation. His detailed timeline in the interview is certain to be scrutinized by Democrats when he testifies to Congress.

In particular, they are certain to look at his assertion that the Washington D.C. U.S. Attorney, Timothy Shea, had told him that prosecutors wanted to make a seven to nine-year recommendation but he had agreed with Barr that they would defer to the judge.

Barr told ABC he was taken aback to learn about the recommendation being made and overruled it Tuesday morning.

Four career prosecutors asked to be removed from the case immediately afterward. Barr downplayed the revolt, saying he was 'a little surprised' to learn they had left. He said he had not spoken with the prosecutors beforehand.

Barr spoke just after Trump weighed in again with interviewer Geraldo Rivera on Thursday  this time disputing that the career prosecutors left in protest.

'What they did to Roger Stone was a disgrace,' Trump said in an interview that aired on Newsradio WTAM1100.

'I don't think they quit the case. I think they felt they got caught,' he said. 'I don't think they quit for moral reasons. I think they got caught in the act by me.'

'Now what am I going to do, sit back and let a man go to jail maybe for nine years when murderers aren't going to jail? You have some of the most serious horrible rapists and everything else. They don't go to jail for nine years,' Trump said.

When asked directly if he had a problem with the president's tweets, Barr responded, 'Yes. Well, I have a problem with some of, some of the tweets. As I said at my confirmation hearing, I think the essential role of the attorney general is to keep law enforcement, the criminal process sacrosanct to make sure there is no political interference in it.'

'And I have done that and I will continue to do that,' he said. 'And I'm happy to say that, in fact the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case,' Barr said.

Barr has traveled to Europe in connection to an investigation into the roots of the Russia probe, and tasked a career prosecutor with looking at any FBI misconduct  in a probe that puts Trump investigators on the defensive.

In his morning intervention, Trump jumped on revelations that the foreperson, who represents the jury during communications with the judge during a trial, had run for Congress as a Democrat, Tweeted about Stone's arrest, and posed with prominent Democrats.

The foreperson, Tomeka Hart, revealed her identity in a Facebook post where she defended the federal prosecutors who handled the case  after Trump publicly attacked them this week.

The president tweeted Thursday, amid an uproar in Congress over his interventions in Stone's case: 'Now it looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias. Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the 'Justice' Department. @foxandfriends @FoxNews,' he wrote.

Trump's blast came after he went after the judge overseeing Stone's case, Amy Berman Jackson, in an early morning tweet Tuesday.

'Is this the Judge that put Paul Manafort in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, something that not even mobster Al Capone had to endure?' Trump wrote. 'How did she treat Crooked Hillary Clinton? Just asking!'

President Donald Trump jumped on revelations that the foreperson in Roger Stone's trial had run for Congress as a Democrat and tweeted about Stone's arrest. Stone has been an informal Trump advisor for decades. He was convicted on seven counts including witness tampering and lying to Congress

Every cloud: Mike Bloomberg, the 2020 Democratic candidate, continued a day of trolling Trump with this tweet aimed at him after Barr spoke

He also blasted the sentence of up to nine years recommended by a team of federal prosecutors  an action that preceded the Justice Department's extraordinary turnaround and filing of a new sentencing memo to the judge that made no recommendation of jail time.

Following the turnaround, four career prosecutors had themselves removed from the case, and one left his position entirely.

Hart wrote that she decided to end her 'silence' on the case to 'stand up' for the four prosecutors, whose decision to withdraw was taken as an obvious protest.

Amid the uproar and Democrats saying President Trump is acting against the rule of law following his acquittal of impeachment articles in the Senate, Attorney General Bill Barr has agreed to testify next month before the House Judiciary Committee, breaking a year-long absence.

Tomeka Hart revealed on Wednesday that she was foreperson on the Roger Stone jury

Trump's dig on the Justice Department  putting its name in quotes  came a day after he saluted the agency for reversing itself following his complaints.

'The fact is that Roger Stone was treated horribly and so were many other people, their lives were destroyed,' Trump fumed in the Oval Office alongside the president of Ecuador.

'You have murderers and drug addicts  they don't get nine years. Nine years for doing something that no one can even define what he did. Somebody said he put out a tweet. And the tweet, you base it on that. We have killers, we have murderers all over the place, nothing happens. And then they put a man in jail and destroy his life, his family, his wife, his children. Nine years in jail it's a disgrace.'

Stone was convicted on seven counts including witness tampering and lying to Congress.

Earlier, Trump lauded Bill Barr for 'taking charge' of Stone's case.

He denied speaking to the Justice Department, although he added: 'I'd be able to do it if I wanted. I have the absolute right to do it. I stay out of things to a degree that people wouldn't believe.'

'But I didn't speak to them. I thought the (original) recommendation was ridiculous, I thought the whole prosecution was ridiculous,' Trump vented.

Trump's latest move comes after Hart was revealed to be a failed Democrat candidate for Congress and activist vehemently opposed to President Donald Trump.

Hart, a former Memphis City Schools Board President, came forward as the Stone jury foreperson in a Facebook post on Wednesday, voicing support for prosecutors in the case.

Hart confirmed to The Daily Memphian that she wrote the Facebook post, but she declined an interview with the newspaper.

Stone supporters were shocked when a review of Hart's social media posts showed that she posted on Twitter mocking Stone's dramatic arrest prior to being seated on the jury, and frequently denounced Trump, including calling the president and his supporters racists.

It's unclear whether Stone's political views and social media history were disclosed during jury selection, potentially raising questions about fairness that could impact the verdict on appeal.

Hart (left) is seen with former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile

Hart retweeted a post about Stone's arrest in January 2019, months before the trial

Hart came forward amid controversy over Stone's sentencing, after the four prosecutors on the case withdrew in response to Trump criticizing the government's recommendation that Stone be sentenced to nine years in prison.

Trump has said that the prosecution of his former campaign advisor Stone prosecution for obstruction, false statements, and witness tampering was handled in a manner that was 'ridiculous' and an 'insult to our country.'

'I have kept my silence for months. Initially, it was for my safety. Then, I decided to remain silent out of fear of politicizing the matter,' Hart said in her Facebook post on Wednesday.

'But I can't keep quiet any longer. I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis  the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial,' Hart wrote, referring to the prosecutors who resigned in protest.

'It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice. For that, I wanted to speak up for them and ask you to join me in thanking them for their service,' she said.
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Linkedin Susan Cornwell (Reuters) Washington, United States  Thu, February 13, 2020 18:46 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20645c072 2 World congress,US,budget,Donald-Trump Free

A handful of US lawmakers have a unique argument for asking President Donald Trump not to slash the food stamp program - they themselves once relied on it.

The Republican president this week proposed $15 billion in cuts to the $71 billion Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps, as part of his $4.8 trillion budget plan.

Trump argues that many Americans receiving food stamps do not need them, given the strong economy and low unemployment. His administration already has tightened eligibility guidelines for the food assistance program.

In their letter to Trump, nine Democratic lawmakers said they had each participated in the program "during times of financial struggle for our families."

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said he was a toddler when his parents, immigrants from India, received food stamps for a couple of years in the 1970s.

"My parents don't like to talk about it," he said. Krishnamoorthi's father was an engineering student in New York, whose job as a teaching assistant did not pay much. When that was suspended, "things were really rough" for them, he said.

Asking the administration to "remove all intended cuts" to the program, the lawmakers said in their letter: "We are writing today on behalf of the over 36 million American families who currently depend on SNAP, like ours once did, to make ends meet and help the next generation achieve upward mobility."

It was signed by Senator Patty Murray and eight House members: Krishnamoorthi, Barbara Lee, Robin Kelly, Rashida Tlaib, Salud Carbajal, Jahana Hayes, Gwen Moore and Alma Adams.

Trump's proposals for food stamp cuts are not expected to pass. Even when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress, the administration could not get lawmakers to approve them, and Democrats now control the House of Representatives.

But the Trump administration has already stiffened eligibility guidelines for food stamps, a move projected to end benefits for nearly 700,000 people.

Krishnamoorthi said it was important to send a message to the Trump administration that "you really are touching on a support system that a broader swath of society utilizes than you may think."

The congressman said he did not have a memory of the food stamps, "but I remember I was not hungry."
Filmmaker-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has lashed out at people criticising his new film Shikara: The Untold Story Of Kashmiri Pandits. He says those who have accused him of commercialising the plight of Kashmiri Pandits in the film are gadhe (donkeys).

3 Idiots, which I produced earned Rs 33 crore on its first day of release, and we knew the first day collection of Shikara will be 30 lakh. Despite that, we gave 11 years of our life to make this film. I feel today things are very funny because Ive made films that collected Rs 30 crore on its first day, and when I make a film that collects Rs 30 lakh on its first day in the memory of my mother, people say I have commercialised the pain of Kashmiri people. I feel people who think that way are gadhe (donkeys), and thats why I want to tell you, dont be donkeys. First see the film and then form your opinions, Chopra said during a visit to Mumbais KC College to promote Shikara: The Untold Story Of Kashmiri Pandits along with the films lead cast Aadil Khan and Sadia.

Shikara: The Untold Story Of Kashmiri Pandits is about the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in early 1990, in the wake of violent Islamist insurgency. The film was highly anticipated because the veteran filmmaker hails from the state.

After the films release, however, certain sections of people called out the film and its director Chopra. A video of a Kashmiri Pandit woman lashing out at the director at a screening in Delhi went viral. Calling it a ghatiya (pathetic) film and disowning it, she is seen saying the movie was too commercialised and not authentic.

The hashtag #BoycottShikara started trending on Twitter, and people were accusing Chopra of going soft on the subject rather than give an unflinching account of the horrific atrocities that Kashmiri Pandits suffered.

Also read | Varun Dhawan quashes wedding rumours after visiting girlfriend Natasha Dalals home with family: It was a birthday party

Chopra said renowned Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron has praised his film: This film opened with great reviews everywhere. I presume you would have heard about a man called James Cameron who has directed Titanic and Avatar. He called this film as a masterpiece in a four-page letter. In India, the film released to full houses and great reviews. Then, suddenly all this hate wave comes up.

He added: I am not on Twitter or on any social media. What came as a big surprise for us is that our rating on IMDb, which was around eight or nine, dropped to one. We found that on all these social media platforms, people have started putting up videos and saying this how you press the button to give the film a one-star rating.

Chopra said Shikara: The Untold Story Of Kashmiri Pandits is close to his heart: This is a very special film and this film talks about events that happened even before all of you (students) were born. Around 30 years back, four lakh Kashmiris were thrown out of their homeland, and my mother was one of them. I am technically a refugee in my own country because I am from Kashmir.

He added that he never compromised on anything while making films in his career. All my life I have never compromised on films I have made, whether it is 3 Idiots or the Munna Bhai series or Shikara. In every film, I tried and give you guys a message. In Munna Bhai, I talked about Jaadu ki jhappi and in 3 Idiots, I gave critical advice to students, to chase excellence and success will follow. I am happy to say that many lives changed with that film, he pointed out.

Chopra felt Shikara: The Untold Story Of Kashmiri Pandits would have the same impact. In the same way, in Shikara, we have a message that says, todo nahin, jodo (dont break, unite) because we are at a stage in life where it is becoming a norm to say, dont unite, break. Everything is breaking, be it systems or cities. I would urge you to watch this film and spread the message of this film because you (students) are the future. If you like the film, then go to social media and fix that rubbish (criticism about Shikara), and if you dont like the film then also remember message of the film, he said.

Chopra on Sunday had penned an open letter on Facebook to counter all criticism against his film. In the letter, the filmmaker elaborated on the sufferings that he, along with his family members, had to suffer when they were driven out of their homeland as a result of being targeted by Islamist insurgents three decades ago. He described the accusations as nonsensical and also urged people to not repeat past mistakes.

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Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May has spoken out following an altercation with a cameraman after landing in Australia.

The 72-year-old met with fans outside Brisbane Airport on Tuesday after arriving on a private jet.

A cameraman began filming May meeting fans which prompted the guitarist to repeatedly ask him to stop.

The cameraman obliged, before taking out his phone to film May, which seemingly infuriated the guitarist.

'Oh, you're clever aren't you?' May said, as reported by 7News. 'What a parasite you are.

May meeting fan Cooper Simmons near the Brisbane Airport on Tuesday before an altercation with a cameraman

'Just leave us alone will you. Do you not understand?'

The cameraman kept his phone rolling, prompting May to leave a young fan and approach him.

'You go away now!' he said.

He apologised to his fans for the outburst before leaving.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday the famous musician told his side of the story.

'There's a fine line between anger and depression, and I've been struggling with all of that since I got ambushed and harassed by a TV news team, fresh off the plane from New Zealand,' he said.

'I'm not exactly known for being aggressive, even in the face of provocation, but this guy caught me unawares  one of the rudest and most disrespectful video cameramen I've ever encountered.'

May said he tried to ignore the cameraman for as long as he could.

'He kept on filming, and aggressively turned the camera close-up on my face. That, to me, felt like deliberate invasion of my space, and downright unfriendly.'

Brian May of Queen attends the press conference ahead of the Rhapsody Tour at Conrad Hotel on January 16, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea

He said he lost his temper after the cameraman pulled out his phone to continue filming after being repeatedly asked to stop.

'I headed towards him with the intention of temporarily separating him from his phone, and actually put a hand on it, before my security guy gently dissuaded me.'

May said he has been working through his feelings of being 'publicly disrespected' and should not have fallen for the bait, being that the cameraman had the only footage of the incident.

He said he was extremely grateful for the support of fans who reached out to him in the last few days and said he is very fond of Queensland.

'Tomorrow morning I will get up and do my preparations with the intent to give the best performance of my life... and a determination to give our wonderful fans in Brisbane the best night of their lives'.

May is in the country for the Australian leg of Queen and Adam Lambert's Rhapsody Tour.

The band play shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast through February.

They will also play at the Fire Fight Australia charity concert to raise money for bushfire victims on February 16 at ANZ Stadium.
By Alexander Cornwell

DOHA (Reuters) - The coronavirus epidemic will have a only a marginal impact on global travel demand and the airline industry is healthy enough to absorb any economic slowdown in China, the chief executive of British Airways parent IAG <ICAG.L> said on Wednesday.

Dozens of airlines have suspended flights to China in response to the worsening health emergency that has killed close to 500, nearly all in the country, while a meeting of international aviation officials in Singapore was cancelled.

"The aviation industry is very robust. We may see some marginal impact," IAG CEO Willie Walsh told reporters in Doha at a CAPA aviation summit.

British Airways has suspended flights between London Heathrow and Beijing and Shanghai, which Walsh said represented around 1% of the airline's capacity.

There had been no impact on the group's other airlines, including Ireland's Aer Lingus and Spain's Iberia, as they do not fly to China.

Walsh, who steps down in March, said he did not expect the virus to deter people from travelling. Asked if the industry was healthy enough to absorb a downturn in China's economy, he said: "without question" adding that airlines were more capable of responding to economic shocks than in the past.

Qatar Airways, which owns a minority stake in IAG, has also cancelled passenger flights to China, though its chief executive said that was because other countries had placed entry restrictions on those who had recently visited China.

Akbar al-Baker said that made it difficult to staff China flights because those staff would not be able to operate flights to some other countries for some time afterwards.

A global airline lobby, the International Air Transport Association said it was too early to say how much the virus would impact the industry this year but is confident of a recovery.

"This industry has demonstrated its ability to overcome these type of difficult events and overcome them successfully," Chief Executive Alexandre de Juniac told Reuters.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Philippa Fletcher)
Eastern Libyan forces have said they would not allow the United Nations to use the only functioning airport in the capital Tripoli, hours after the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding the warring parties commit to a lasting ceasefire.

The self-styled Libya National Army (LNA) led by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar has been trying to capture the capital city from the internationally recognised government since April.

The UN earlier warned flight restrictions were hampering humanitarian and mediation efforts in the oil-producing country embroiled in a conflict between loose alliances from western and eastern Libya since 2014.

The LNA, which is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, has been trying since last April to take Tripoli but has failed to breach the citys defences.

However, it has air superiority thanks to UAE-supplied combat drones, which cover the whole of Libya via a satellite link, a UN report said in November.

LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari told reporters in the eastern city of Benghazi that the UN would have to use other airports such as Misrata because it could not guarantee the safety of flights into Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli as Turkey was using it as a base.

Turkey has supplied combat drones to Tripoli operating in the past out of Mitiga and also sophisticated air defences for the capital.

The UN warned flight restrictions were hampering humanitarian and mediation efforts [File: Hani Amara/Reuters]

Security Council resolution

Late on Wednesday, the 15-member UN Security Council passed its first resolution on Libya since the Tripoli war broke out, expressing grave concern over the exploitation of the conflict by terrorist and violent groups.

It demanded that the parties commit to a lasting ceasefire according to terms agreed by the countrys Joint Military Commission, which has representation from the LNA and the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli.

The resolution, which was drafted by the United Kingdom, was backed by 14 of the Council Members, with Russia abstaining. It expressed concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya.

David Schenker, the senior US diplomat for the Middle East and North Africa, told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee the task of bringing the Libyans back to the negotiating table had been complicated by the involvement of external actors.

Libya is not the place for Russian mercenaries, or fighters from Syria, Chad and Sudan. It is not the place for the Emiratis, Russians, or Turks to be fighting battles on the ground through intermediaries they sponsor or support, he said in prepared testimony.

The rival factions began UN-led talks in Geneva last week aimed at securing a ceasefire, but the first round of meetings failed to yield an agreement.

The resolution reaffirmed support for the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which said earlier the LNA had in the past three weeks several times blocked UN flights carrying staff to and from Libya.

A humanitarian source said Haftar was imposing a no-fly zone for Tripoli and there were concerns that UN flights could be a possible target.

UN envoy Ghassan Salame has been mediating between Haftar and the Tripoli government.

Relations have been difficult as UNSMIL has condemned air raids blamed on the LNA, though mostly without mentioning the force by name.

Ties worsened when the UN said in a report last month that Haftars main stronghold Benghazi had turned into a hub for illicit economic activities, including the sale of drugs and arms. The UN also criticised teh activities of armed groups in western Libya.

The LNAs Mismari again accused Salame of being biased against the LNA, a charge denied by the UN.

UNSMIL has a base in Tripoli and also provides humanitarian relief for migrants and people displaced by the conflict with about 170 staff spread between Libya and neighbouring Tunisia.
A barrister who said the courts should stay out of politics has been appointed as the Governments most senior lawyer amid Boris Johnsons growing battle with the judiciary.

Suella Braverman has joined the Cabinet as Attorney General after Geoffrey Cox was axed from the role. The 39-year-old studied law at Cambridge University, the Sorbonne and New York City, according to her website.

During her 10 years as a barrister she represented the Government on the Attorney Generals Treasury Panel and also defended the Home Secretary in immigration cases, the Parole Board in challenges from prisoners and the Ministry of Defence in the Guantanamo Bay Inquiry.

In a comment piece on the Conservative Home website last month, Ms Braverman said Parliament must retrace power ceded to the courts.

She said: Prorogation and the triggering of Article 50 were merely the latest examples of a chronic and steady encroachment by the judges.

Ms Braverman said Parliament must retrace power ceded to the courts / REUTERS

For in reality, repatriated powers from the EU will mean precious little if our courts continue to act as political decision-maker, pronouncing on what the law ought to be and supplanting Parliament.

Traditionally, Parliament made the law and judges applied it. But today, our courts exercise a form of political power.

She also said that while the Human Rights Act was noble in its intentions, that "the concept of fundamental human rights has been stretched beyond recognition.

She said she was not lambasting the judiciary or launching a diatribe against human rights but arguing that the delicate relationship between law and politics is off-balance, adding: I dont challenge the quality of our judges, but I do question their trespass into inherently political terrain for which a legal answer is wholly insufficient.

She replaces Geoffrey Cox / AFP via Getty Images

The article followed comments she made in December on Newsnight, where she said she hoped legal reforms would restore the principle of judicial deference, adding: Which means that our courts and our judges generally stay out of politics.

Simon Davis, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, congratulated both Justice Secretary Robert Buckland on his reappointment and Ms Braverman on joining the Cabinet, adding: We look forward to working with them to ensure that the rule of law is upheld in this country, that justice is available to all and that our strengths as a jurisdiction are maintained: an independent judiciary, a talented legal profession and laws which uphold business and human rights.

Caroline Goodwin, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said the organisation looked forward to working with Ms Braverman, adding: A government that stands up for the rule of law acts in the best interests of the people  Parliament included.

But Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Daisy Cooper described the appointment as an assault on the rule of law and accused Ms Braverman of being intent on weakening our courts, adding: Suella Braverman clearly believes that Tory ministers should be above the law. That makes her unfit to serve as Attorney General.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that Boris Johnsons decision to suspend Parliament was unlawful / AFP via Getty Images

On Thursday Mr Cox suggested MPs and peers could scrutinise the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court but insisted the Government has no desire to see politically appointed judges.

But his idea appeared to be at odds with Mr Buckland who last week said he did not want to see a system of judges being put in front of select committees and asked about their political past or views.

The Tories pledged at the general election to examine the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts, and vowed to set up a Constitution, Democracy & Rights Commission within a year to come up with proposals to restore trust in democracy.

The Conservative manifesto promised to examine the judicial review (JR) process to ensure it is not abused for political reasons and pledged to update the Human Rights Act.

Gina Miller successfully challenged the Government over then prime minister Theresa Mays right to trigger Article 50 without a vote in Parliament / TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images

The seeds of the Governments battle with the courts were sown during the Brexit rows, when campaigner Gina Miller successfully challenged the Government over then prime minister Theresa Mays right to trigger Article 50 without a vote in Parliament.

The Supreme Court ruling in 2019 that Mr Johnsons decision to suspend Parliament was unlawful fuelled Tory suspicions about judicial activism.

Earlier this week the Government appeared to step up its battle with the judiciary following the Court of Appeal decision to prevent the deportation of 25 foreign offenders to Jamaica.

Downing Street said it bitterly regretted the courts decision and Government sources said the row over the deportation flight showed why an examination of JR was needed.

Dominic Cummings, one of the Prime Ministers closest aides, reportedly said there must be urgent action on the farce that judicial review has become following the courts decision.

Amanda Pinto QC, chairman of the Bar Council, praised Mr Cox as a staunch supporter of the rule of law and a great supporter of the Bar, adding: We congratulate Suella Braverman and look forward to working with her and Robert Buckland on ensuring access to justice and protecting the rule of law.
Pune, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Air Crane Helicopter Market size is expected to reach USD 2,650.3 million by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.1% during the forecast period. The growing usage of helicopters in oil and gas offshore plants for pipeline monitoring and surveillance, equipment handling, excavation activities, operational (inter-field) transport, and others will boost Air Crane Helicopter Market trends. The requirement from the oil and gas industry to provide transportation means for installations and rescue purposes will create opportunities for the market. The increasing application of helicopters in recovery support for the offshore workforce will also augment the healthy growth of the market in the forthcoming years.

Furthermore, firefighting helicopters witnessed significant growth during the forecast period due to an increase in the number of bushfire incidences, fire incidences in remote locations, and increased use of helicopters in forest service propels the growth of the Air Crane Helicopter Market. For instance, Crane helicopters such as Sikorsky, Airbus, Russian Helicopter and Agusta are mostly used for firefighting use due to its features such as ease in operations, fuel-efficient, long-range, and high load-carrying capacity. These helicopters reduce the transportation risk involved in firefighting activities.

According to the report, published by Fortune Business Insights in a report, titled Global Air Crane Helicopter Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Application (Power Line Construction, Aerial Firefighting, Logistics Operations, Oil & Gas, and Others), By Endurance (Up to 5,000 feet and Up to 10,000 feet), By External Load Capacity (Up to 3,000 pounds, Up to 6,000 pounds, and Up to 12,000 pounds, Up to 15,000 pounds), By End User (Civil & Commercial and Military), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 the market size stood at USD 2,037.4 Million in 2018.



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The Air Crane Helicopter Market report executes a PESTEL study and SWOT analysis to reveal the stability, restrictions, openings, and threats in the market. Combined with the market analysis capabilities and knowledge integration with the relevant findings, the report has foretold the robust future growth of the perfumery glass bottle market, and all articulated with geographical and merchandise segments. Moreover, it also shows different procedures and strategies, benefactors and dealers working in the market, explores components convincing market development, generation patterns, and following systems. Additionally, the figures and topics covered in this report are both all-inclusive and reliable for the readers.

List of the Major Companies in the Global Air Crane Helicopter Market Include;

Bell Textron, Inc.

The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Kaman Corporation

Airbus

Russian Helicopter

Delivery of 1,000th Super Puma Helicopter by Airbus Helicopters to Aid Expansion

Airbus Helicopters, a leading helicopter and turbine manufacturing company, headquartered in France. delivered its 1,000th Super Puma helicopter: a twin-engine multi-role H215 assembled in Marignane, France, and handed over to the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) to support the German Havarie Command, which manages maritime emergencies off of Germanys coast. The delivery of the 1, 000th Super Puma helicopter is expected to create lucrative business opportunities for the market in the foreseeable future.



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This delivery completes the German Federal Polices order for four H215s, the first three of which were delivered in December 2018, and increases the German Federal Polices Super Puma fleet to 23, including 19 AS332 L1s, making the police force one of the largest operators of Super Pumas in the world today.

Furthermore, Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said in a statement. The Super Puma family of civil and military helicopters has consistently performed well thanks to its ability to appeal to many different mission segments, whether youre fighting fires, building power lines, transporting troops, or saving lives in extreme environments,

Presence of Major Helicopter Manufacturers to Influence Growth in Europe

Europe is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period owing to the rising demand for air crane helicopters in commercial sectors. The presence of prominent helicopter manufacturers, such as Russian Helicopters in the region will drive the market in Europe. The market in North America stood at USD 861.3 million in 2018 and is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period. The growth in the region is attributable to the well-established aviation industry, higher expenditure on the defense sector. Furthermore, the presence of key helicopter OEMs such as Bell Textron Inc., The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, and Kaman Corporation will further accelerate the Air Crane Helicopter Market share in North America.



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Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Industry Developments  Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Value Chain Analysis

Global Air Crane Helicopter Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application Power Line Construction Aerial Firefighting Logistics Operations Oil & Gas Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Endurance Up to 5,000 feet Up to 10,000 feet Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By External Load Capacity Up to 3,000 pounds Up to 6,000 pounds Up to 12,000 pounds Up to 15,000 pounds Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End-User Civil & Commercial Military Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the world



TOC Continued!



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The muddle was still the message even after the Iowa Democratic Party finally released partial results from Monday night's caucuses following an agonizing and unprecedented delay.

When the unfinished count eventually materialized Tuesday evening, it recorded a pileup at the top of the leader board between former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and five candidates attracting double-digit support for the first time ever in the caucuses.

Visit CNN's Election Center for full coverage of the 2020 race

Even if the final numbers, or the order of finish among the candidates, shift somewhat when the last votes are released, one large point is already apparent: The candidates' convergence captures the reality of a Democratic Party balkanized by race, education, age and ideology -- and made clear that the leading candidates have not yet built coalitions big enough to transcend those divides or to pull away from their rivals. The Iowa Democratic Party's disastrously long delay in reporting results compounded the sense of confusion and haziness surrounding the outcome.

"Everyone has waited for the breakout star and none have emerged yet," says Matt Bennett, executive vice president for public affairs at the centrist Democratic group Third Way. "I don't think it's any great admission to make that we don't have a breakout star in this field. We just don't and it's evident."

The meltdown in reporting results made it extremely unlikely that the full momentum that has often followed a caucus victory would flow to any of the candidates, even Buttigieg and Sanders, who seem certain to finish one-two. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who finished well behind the leaders and relatively closely to one another in the partial results, all will likely benefit from the shift of media focus from the results to the breakdown of the reporting process -- and whether that will doom Iowa's already embattled first-in-the-nation status. That could be a reprieve above all for Biden, whose lackluster showing is bound to increase the anxiety of Democratic leaders over whether his campaign is strong enough to stop Sanders.

Most inconclusive results in decades

Yet even if the long delay denies the caucus its typical impact, the results may still be revealing, as much for what they don't show as what they do. The failure of any candidate to score a more decisive victory points toward a potentially long and grinding struggle for the party's nomination. The preliminary results of the entrance poll conducted by Edison Research for a consortium of news organizations that included CNN showed the leading candidates dividing up the party's key constituencies in a manner that highlighted each of the contenders' limitations at least as much as their strengths. Unless one of the top finishers can broaden his or her appeal in the coming weeks, Democrats may be headed for a springtime of uncertainty and discontent as all of the candidates struggle to span the party's differences.

When the first partial results were finally released, they pointed toward the most inconclusive Iowa outcome since at least 1976, when an uncommitted slate finished first, ahead of eventual nominee Jimmy Carter. If sustained through the final results, the roughly 27% of the state delegates that Buttigieg captured to lead the field would represent the lowest total for the top finisher since the Democratic caucuses began in 1972. In no previous caucus had voters divided to the point that five candidates reached double-digit support, as Buttigieg, Sanders, Warren, Biden and Klobuchar all did.

The preliminary entrance poll results pointed toward the same fragmentation. The survey showed Sanders, as in 2016, dominating among young voters and leading among those aged 30 to 44, but falling off sharply among those who were older. Buttigieg led among those 45 to 64, while Biden led solidly with seniors (though he, astonishingly, drew fewer than 1 in 20 voters younger than 45). Warren was generally stable across the age spectrum but weakest with the youngest voters, though that may be largely because Sanders monopolized so many of them.

Likewise, Sanders dominated among voters who described themselves as very liberal (followed by Warren), but he drew less than half as much support among those who identified as somewhat liberal and even less among moderates. Buttigieg led among the somewhat liberal group and he and Biden tied among the moderates, with Klobuchar close behind.

The candidates likewise separated along other key fault lines in the party: Buttigieg finished first among the roughly half of caucus attendees with college degrees, with Warren next (though only slightly ahead of the other three); but Sanders and Biden topped the results among the other half, without advanced education. Sanders led with men; Buttigieg with women.

In all, Buttigieg clearly displayed the most balanced support of the major contenders in Iowa, according to the entrance poll. But he managed that in a virtually all-white electorate: Both national and state polls still show him attracting minimal backing from African American voters and Latinos, who together will likely cast more than a third of all votes in the Democratic primaries this year.

While Biden's camp must be nervous about his showing, if the results hold, it can take some solace in the fact that he stayed relatively close to the others in a state where his best constituency -- African Americans -- represented less than 5% of the electorate, according to the entrance polls.

Candidates' support fragmented

In all these ways, the results reinforced one of the dominant impressions from the last week of Iowa campaigning. Following the contenders across the state over the past few days, it was clear that each of the top-tier candidates is operating in a distinct niche, with less overlap among them than usual.

Biden's audience is middle-aged and middle of the road, loyal Democrats who loathe Trump but are looking more to restore civility and predictability in Washington than to upend it with the sort of "political revolution" that Sanders promises. Biden voters invariably stress his electability and his steadiness. Marti Elston, a retired social worker from Ames who came to see Biden during a recent stop there crystallized those sentiments when she told me, "I like Biden because he makes me feel calm, and I'm not feeling real calm and comforted right now."

Almost unanimously, the Biden voters I spoke with see Sanders as too extreme and question his loyalty to the party. Warren provokes the same ideological concerns, only to a slightly lesser extent. And while many say they have been impressed with Buttigieg's intelligence and fluency, it's common for them to say his time has not yet come -- even if his energy fans the doubts that even some Biden supporters hold about whether his time has passed.

"I wish Mayor Pete was 10 years older," Larry Jenkins, a retired salesman from Boone, told me before one Biden event, "or that Joe was 10 years younger."

In turn, almost all the Buttigieg and Warren supporters I spoke with said they considered Biden too old and conventional.

"I like Biden personally, but I just think maybe his time has come and gone," Donisue Rupp, an investment adviser, told me at a Warren rally in Des Moines.

Dave Graves, her colleague at an investment firm, was equally dismissive of Biden. "Every time I see him at those debates it seems like he is stumbling," he told me. "Everyone thinks he's a safe bet [against Trump] but I'm not sure he's that safe a bet."

Buttigieg and Warren occupy different poles of the Democrats' ideological debate, but in Iowa they appealed to an overlapping demographic constituency. Both of them generated enthusiastic crowds during the final days in white-collar suburbs around the state crowded with college-educated professionals drawn to their intellect and lucid presentations. It was easy to imagine many of their supporters in a Peloton ad.

Hele Spivack, an artist from Des Moines, had no trouble ticking off her reasons for supporting Buttigieg at a crowded rally for him late last week in Ankeny, a growing nearby suburb. "Why not?" she said. "He's young, he's energetic, he's the smartest one running. What else do we need to know? I think he's really a representation of what America needs to be."

Suzanne Lydon, an event planner from Des Moines, used very similar language to explain why she was backing Warren. "She's very thoughtful," Lydon told me. "She's done a tremendous amount of work to clarify her policy goals. She's done more work to back up those plans than a lot of other Democratic candidates."

It's probably not a surprise that most of the Buttigieg supporters I spoke with considered Sanders too extreme, but so did many of those at the events for Warren, who is much closer ideologically to the Vermont independent.

Lydon, for instance, says she's very uneasy about a possible Sanders nomination. "I would have a real hard time with that," she said. "I'm not a socialist."

Like Biden voters, Warren supporters admire Buttigieg, but would prefer a little more seasoning. "I don't know how you go from being mayor to being president," Paul Ebel, a Warren supporter in Iowa City, told me.

How Sanders' supporters stand out

More than any of the other candidates, Sanders operates in his own pool. His supporters tend to be younger, and more liberal, but also more alienated from both parties; they thundered in applause at his big rally last weekend in Cedar Rapids when he declared "we are taking on the entire political establishment, both the Republican establishment and the Democratic establishment."

A few nights earlier a Sanders audience in Des Moines enthusiastically joined Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, in a chorus of boos for 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. It seems guaranteed that the breakdown of the caucus process will only deepen the hostility and suspicion of Sanders' supporters toward the institutional Democratic Party.

One distinctive element at Sanders' rallies is the presence of a group of voters who are rare to see at events for any other Democratic candidate not only this year, but also in any recent campaign: young, white, non-college-educated men.

Tyler Dyson, who works at a pest control company; Cordell Gandy, a heating unit installer; and Shane, a grain inspector who did not wish to give his last name, all attended Sanders' rally Saturday night. All three had voted for him in the 2016 caucus and then voted for libertarian Gary Johnson in the general election because they did not like Clinton. Their passion for Sanders is undimmed four years later.

"He's for the average person, struggling every f---ing day," Gandy said. "The dude doesn't waver. He believes in what he stands for and he sticks to it."

All three said that this time they would vote for any Democrat over Trump, but they were as uninspired by Biden as they were by Clinton. "Clinton then is what Biden is now -- they feel like they are entitled to everyone's vote," Dyson told me.

Compared with Iowa, the electorate in the New Hampshire primary looming next week has usually been slightly younger and better educated and considerably more tilted toward independents.

In Iowa, the entrance poll found Sanders running away from his rivals among younger voters; Buttigieg, followed by Warren and Klobuchar, performing the best among those with college degrees; and Sanders strongest among independents, followed by Buttigieg.

One common thread is that none of those groups were very good for Biden, and now he must face a state with more of each of them. New Hampshire in recent years has often reversed the results of Iowa, but if it throws a lifeline to the struggling former vice president, that might represent the Granite State's most surprising Iowa reversal yet.
A doctor has been found guilty of defrauding Medicare out of more than $360,000 by submitting thousands of false claims including for dead patients.

A jury in the District Court in Brisbane found Tony Mufutau Oluwatoyin Bakare, 50, guilty on Wednesday after deliberating for less than two hours.

Bakare lodged about 4000 false claims for providing services to patients who had died, or on dates when he was overseas.

Tony Mufutau Oluwatoyin Bakare (pictured) has been jailed for four years after being found guilty of filing almost 4000 fake Medicare claims

Bakare pleaded not guilty to a single count of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Judge Tony Moynihan sentenced Bakare to four years jail for the offense and will be eligible for parole in 20 months, ABC News reported.

'This was a persistent course of conduct involving a series of dishonest acts,' Judge Moynihan told the court.

'You were in a position of trust  the Medicare system relies on authorised doctors acting honestly.'

He said Bakare would also be suspended from practicing medicine as a result of his conviction.

'You will endure the shame that your offending will cause you in the future,' he said.

Judge Moynihan also pointed out Bakare's mother was very ill and there's a chance she could pass away while he was in jail, making his sentence 'more onerous'.

The claims were submitted through Medicare's online system.

The number of false claims filed by Bakare had defrauded Medicare out of $360,000 which Judge Tony Moynihan described as a persistent course of 'dishonest' conduct

His barrister Mark McCarthy admits Bakare could not have seen patients on the dates provided in Medicare's online claim system.

But that did not mean he hadn't provided the services on other occasions.

Mr McCarthy said it made no sense for Bakare to deliberately submit false claims.

Mr McCarthy argued there must have been a 'system error' because the prosecution's case 'just makes no sense'.

Prosecutor Daniel Caruana argued the pattern of claims wasn't consistent with poor record-keeping, but was consistent with deliberate deception.

Mr Caruana said Bakare was lodging claims, knowing the dates for providing the services were incorrect.

Among the claims were six submitted for a woman, starting two days after she died, Mr Caruana told the court.

Bakare had also submitted claims for about 200 services while he was overseas in April and May 2014.
China announced a massive spike in the number or novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases on Wednesday, with Hubei province reporting an additional 254 deaths and 15,152 new cases following the adoption of a new methodology for diagnosing cases. Chinese officials said the surge in numbers is because they have started including clinically-diagnosed cases in the total number, which has added 13,332 new cases in a single day, taking the total number of Covid-19 cases to 48,206. The death toll in Hubei also soared by a record 254 on Thursday, taking the total to around 1,360.

The diagnosis criterion has been widened to include suspected cases with CT scans showing indications of the disease so that more people with symptoms may receive the same treatment as a laboratory-confirmed cases, according to Chinese officials. An online release cited a national-level virus response plan issued last week, but it is unclear why Hubei suddenly started implementing the new methodology this week.

Despite the surge in numbers, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the Covid-19 behaviour doesnt seem to be as aggressive or accelerating outside of Hubei province.

The sudden change and surge in numbers, however, has revived suspicion of China underplaying the extent of the epidemic, which has led in the worlds largest ever lockdown that has placed millions in virtual house arrest in a desperate attempt to contain the spread of the virus that has triggered public anger against the government bungled management. China responded to public anger by sacking Jiang Chaoliang, the party chief of Hubei province, even as a district of the Chinese city of Shiyan in central Hubei province as implemented war time measures to combat the virus.

Cambodia came to the rescue of passengers marooned aboard Holland Americas MS West liner and granted it permission to disembark at Sihanoukville after the ship spent two weeks at sea because no other country would allow it to dock because of fears of infection. The virus continued to play havoc on sea, with Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan reporting another 44 Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of cases aboard to 218.

In India, no new cases have been reported after the diagnosis of three students who came back home to Kerala from Wuhan, where they were studying medicine. To date, only three students in Kerala are confirmed laboratory positive for Covid-19 two last week. Two of them are already free of infection, but all three continue to be quarantined.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 19:55:15|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government will cut airline fees and provide incentives to hotels and tourism businesses to reinvigorate tourism in the country.

The measures would mainly be applied to the resort island of Bali province, Riau Islands province and Manado city in North Sulawesi province as well as the other centers of the country's tourism, Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said on Thursday.

The government will cut lending charges and airport fees for carriers while urging hotels to give the best prices to travelers.

"These are undertaken to reinvigorate the tourism sector and encourage people to make holidays," the minister said.

Although the foreign tourist arrivals ticked up 1.88 percent to 16.11 million people last year, it was still short of the government's expectation of 18 million people amid frequent catastrophes, according to the country's Central Agency of Statistics.

This year, the government set a target of attracting 17.3 million foreign tourists with a higher expected revenue of 21 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Tourism Ministry.
In September 2019, he was arrested and extradited back to Singapore with the help of the Royal Malaysian Police.

According to the police, Tang was one of the leaders of a motor insurance fraud syndicate that preyed on Singaporean insurers. One of his accomplices, who acted as a stunt driver, was sentenced to 38 months in jail in 2018. Several other accomplices have been convicted in recent months.

The report said that Tang participated in the planning and staging of the accidents, as well as recruited owners and phantom drivers and passengers to take part in the scam and have a share in the proceeds of the fraudulent insurance claims for property damage and injuries.

Tang was charged with 42 counts of engaging in a conspiracy to cheat, six counts of giving false information to a public servant, and five counts of driving a vehicle in a manner that endangered the public.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response of the Income Tax Department on a plea by arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari who has challenged the proceedings initiated against him, under the black money law, for attempted tax evasion and non-disclosure of foreign assets.

Justice Anu Malhotra issued notice to the tax department and sought its stand on Bhandari's plea by February 24.

The court also directed the agency to place before it all the records pertaining to the case.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the court that for proceedings for attempted tax evasion to be initiated, first there has to be an assessment.

"But till date there has been no assessment," he told the court.

He said the allegations in the complaint against his client were that he did not disclose his foreign assets, properties and bank accounts.

However, the notices sent to Bhandari did not contain details of such assets, properties and bank accounts which he had allegedly not disclosed, Sibal told the high court.

Apart from proceedings under the Black Money Act, Bhandari is facing a money laundering case and is also an accused in a 2016 case under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) relating to the recovery of confidential documents of the Ministry of Defence from his residence during an Income Tax raid in 2016.

He was declared a proclaimed offender by a trial court here in January 2018, but in July 2018 the order was set aside by the high court.

During the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe in the money laundering case, the agency had found that Bhandari had helped Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in purchasing a property in the UK.

The ED has lodged a money laundering case against Vadra and his close aide Manoj Arora, accusing them of acquiring the London property in an illegal manner.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A co-author from Kazan University, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Chair of the Department of Astronomy and Space Geodesy Ilfan Bikmaev, explains how the new system was found.

"The gravitational lensing method is one of the most powerful space exploration tools. In space, photons deviate from the rectilinear direction when passing near a massive body (star) under the influence of its gravitational field. If we take as a lens a celestial body, which is a sphere, then it will bend the space spherically symmetrically. However, the gravitational fields of many space objects do not have spherical symmetry, so more complex curvatures may appear. After their path has been curved, the photons will be summed up with those that hit the receiver earlier, and, as a result, an increase in the brightness of the star will occur. As a result, an increase in the brightness of the object is displayed on the light curve of the source, and this increase is not associated with a change in the physical parameters of the source itself.

"If between a star of our Galaxy and an observer on Earth a massive object (a star-lens) moves across the line of sight, then when the lens passes exactly upon the line of sight, the effect of gravitational lensing will manifest itself in the form of a short-term (hours to days) brightening of the background star. Such events are called gravitational microlensing events. They are quite rare, isolated, short-lived and unpredictable."

As the interviewee, in order to register a microlensing event in the Milky Way, you need to track the brilliance of hundreds of millions of stars daily. In particular, the space mission of the European Space Agency (GAIA) is engaged in this. Any brightness changes amounting to tens of percents from celestial sources that fall into the field of view of the GAIA space observatory are reported to Earth. And then the international network of telescopes around the globe begins to track these objects and identify the nature of variability.

"Since 2016, astronomers of Kazan Federal University, together with Turkish colleagues, have been participating in the GAIA satellite object classification program. The vast majority of variable objects are cataclysmic variables, some are supernovae, and some are active galactic nuclei, which change their brightness from time to time. But there are objects that, while not being a variable, change their brightness for a short period of time, and then it attenuates. Such cases are unique," says Bikmaev. "So, in August 2016, the GAIA satellite discovered an object that received the designation Gaia16aye, the brightness change of which exceeded the accuracy of registration of the telescope and continued to increase. Turkish colleagues, analyzing the nature of the brightness change, suggested that this is not a variable object, but the microlensing effect. Polish colleagues, experts in the field of research on the effects of microlensing, organized an international campaign on photometry of this source, which was soon joined by Kazan Federal University. Observations of this unique object were carried out both in Turkey with the RTT 150 telescope and at the North Caucasian Astronomical Station.

"The data obtained make it possible for the first time to simulate a situation where an observer on Earth makes a yearly motion around the Sun, a gravitating body moves in the form of a binary system around the center of mass, and the binary system has its own motion in the Galaxy. This is a rather complex kinematic movement. Therefore, the system of these maxima is complex. And what we can do is accurately measure the brightness change.

"With a single passage, a single maximum is observed, and then the brightness curve of the object drops to the initial level. In the case of the Gaia16aye event, after the first maximum, the light curve did not drop to the initial level. Therefore, astronomers have made the assumption that the gravitational lens is not a single object, but a binary system. And then the third peak appeared and everyone understood that it was, without a doubt, a binary system. Perhaps the geometry of the system is even more complex. In this article, a group of Polish scientists, based on international cooperative observations and their own theoretical calculations, built a geometric picture of the occurrence of the Gaia16aye microlensing phenomenon," concludes Professor Bikmaev.

###
Mr. John Peter Amewu, Minister for Energy and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Hohoe Constituency has promised to provide financial support to 55 women groups in the Constituency.



The groups, with membership of over 2,000 women fall under an umbrella group named Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA).



Mr. Amewu said each group would receive an amount GHC 200.00 per week as seed capital on which the various groups would trade for interests.



He said the gesture was prompted by efforts by the women to support themselves and grow the local economy and called for support from the electorate so he could win the Parliamentary seat to do more for the Municipality.



Mr Daniel Kafui Wudome, Volta Regional Manager of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) commended the women groups for the initiative to put their little resources together to help members engage in various economic activities.



He said MASLOC was ready to support them grow their businesses and improve on their livelihoods.



Madam Evelyn Amedo, Field Officer, Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA) who expressed gratitude to the Minister on behalf of the Association said VSLA was a group of people that saved together and took small loans from the savings.

Source: GNA









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A high-end auction house has been ordered to further compensate a British art collector for selling him a statue it claimed was by a renowned Inuit artist, even though it knew the piece was fake.

In its decision, Ontarios Divisional Court agreed that Nathaniel Rubner deserved prejudgment interest and other costs related to his battle with Toronto-based Waddingtons.

Mr. Rubner was denied the use of his funds for a long period of time due to Waddingtons intentional misconduct, Justice Frederick Myers said in his recent decision.

The case arose in November 2006, when Rubner bought a statue at a Waddingtons auction he was led to believe was an authentic piece by Andy Miki, the late sculptor and carver. Miki, from Arviat, Nunavut, was known for his simplified abstract sculptures that depicted animal rather than human figures.

Court records show Waddingtons assured Rubner  both in its catalogue and after the sale  that the piece he bought for $10,710 and took home to England was a genuine Miki. The assurances came even though Rubner learned before picking up the piece that someone had raised doubts about its authenticity with the auction house.

Waddingtons assured Mr. Rubner that the work was authentic, and it impugned the motives of those who might say otherwise, Myers said. Mr. Rubner accepted Waddingtons expertise and its assurances that the statue was a superb and authentic work of Andy Miki.

A dozen years after the purchase, Rubner had the Miki statue valued. The appraiser questioned its authenticity, and a leading London auctioneer refused to accept it for sale given the doubts. As a result, Rubner decided he could not in good conscience sell the statue.

Rubner also discovered in early 2018 that the person who had originally warned Waddingtons about the works authenticity was a credible expert.

The concerns had not been raised by some malicious or self-interested individual as Waddingtons had told Mr. Rubner at the time of the purchase, Myers said.

Rubner successfully sued the auctioneer in small claims court. Waddingtons offered no evidence to show the piece was authentic or that it had reasonable grounds to believe it was.

The small claims judge found the auctioneer had been negligent, misleading and acting in bad faith when it told Rubner the piece was real. She ordered Waddingtons to take back the statue and refund the purchase price, which happened last year. However, the trial judge made no mention of the 13 years of prejudgment interest Rubner had asked for in his suit.

Rubner turned to Divisional Court to ask for $6,000 in interest. Waddingtons objected, arguing the trial judges silence on the issue was intended to mean he didnt deserve the money.

Myers, however, saw it differently, finding the failure to award interest was either a simple oversight or a legal error.

His loss occurred when he received a worthless fake statue in 2006 and was deprived of his funds, Myers found. Mr. Rubner is entitled to prejudgment interest as compensation for the lost use of his money from the time the cause arose in 2006 until the date of the judgment.

Myers awarded Rubner his $6,000 in interest and another $5,386 to cover his costs in coming back to Canada and pursuing the appeal.

Waddingtons did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
Teens grab condoms from a heart shaped bowl during an event hosted by Teen Health Week at the Mutter Museum on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Students learned about sexual health and could get tested for STIs. Read more

Three days before Valentines Day, 65 teens gathered at one of the less romantic spots in town  the Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia  to learn about safe sex and healthy relationships, and get tested for HIV.

Bowls filled with colorful condoms sat next to dishes overflowing with lollipops and packs of M&Ms. Educators from Planned Parenthood and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation gave brief presentations.

At the end of the event, pairs of teens competed in a Jeopardy!-style tournament to answer trivia questions about sexually transmitted diseases, abusive behaviors in relationships and the hormones that drive puberty.

Its not dysentery?," one teen asked his friend after they failed to come up with the medical term for menstrual cramps  dysmenorrhea.

The event, cheekily named Condoms and Candies, is part of the Mutters annual Teen Health Week, a statewide initiative to raise teens awareness of vaccines, mental health, substance use, and sexual development. The four-year-old initiative has expanded to include Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, and California, with events held all year long. (The bulk of this years Teen Health Week will take place from April 6 to 12 at the Mutter.)

The students at the Mutter on Tuesday participate in the museums educational programs for teens interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. The programs started a decade ago after staff noticed how fascinated high school students were by the museums famous exhibits of medical oddities and other marvels, said Jacqui Bowman, director of education at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

This is a place where teenagers want to come to because its not a clinical space, its not a medical space, its just a place of history and learning, Bowman said. They become very comfortable being here and get to know the staff very well.... We start to see the challenges theyre facing and things they wish they knew.

The museum focuses on youths from low-income backgrounds, teens affected by violence, LGBTQ youth, and girls from Africa or the African diaspora.

Sex education is particularly important in Philadelphia, where syphilis occurs at more than twice the national rate at 26 cases per 100,000 people in 2018. The citys gonorrhea and chlamydia rates also exceeded national averages, and the opioid epidemic has driven up the number of new HIV cases in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania does not require schools to provide sex education. (State Rep. Brian Sims introduced a bill in June to change that.) School districts may choose their own sex education curriculums, which often stress abstinence rather than providing information for teens about sex and relationships.

A lot of the stuff were talking about here is stuff that schools are supposed to teach, but because of constraints with teachers and curriculums, theyre not able, said Anjali John, an 18-year-old student at Masterman High School. Abstinence-only sex education is not always productive and doesnt actually help teens.

Kyle Brown, a 19-year-old student at Roman Catholic High School, said that hes concerned about how many of his peers dont practice safe sex because they think that nothing can happen to them.

I feel like we really have to raise awareness for people, open their eyes and be like, This could happen, you have to be safe out there, he said. Even if it was a random person, I would tell them this information because if you let someone walk around with false information, it could really harm them in the future.

A relatively new challenge is helping teens learn how to sort through misinformation they might find online, said Sarah Lumbo, teen health programs coordinator at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

This space gives them exposure to all the different resources they can go to to learn more, so they can go online and learn how to understand what is fact and what is not, she said. It also allows them to have their first experience getting tested be in a space thats familiar to them, where theyre not going to be judged.

Museum leaders hope these teens will take their knowledge back to their schools and talk about health with their peers. Mastermans John said that before joining one of the museums teen programs, she would never tell someone how to have safe sex or about an STD.

But now Im more educated and more willing to talk about it, John said. For teens, its not always fun to listen to adults, but if other teens tell you the information, youre more receptive to the information.
More than 30 years after the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded killing all seven astronauts aboard, a federal appeals court has upheld a lower courts ruling against a former NASA manager from Alabama who sued over his portrayal in a movie about the 1986 disaster.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the lawsuit by Judson Lovingood, deputy manager of the space shuttle projects office at NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville at the time of the explosion, did not overcome the filmmakers First Amendment rights to tell their story or established law on the harming of a persons reputation.

The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch Jan. 28, 1986 on a frigid morning at Floridas Kennedy Space Center. The cause was eventually determined to be a failed O-ring, or circular seal designed to keep hot gases from escaping the joints in the shuttles segmented solid rocket boosters. The cold weather hardened the rings, hot gas escaped from one and hit the main fuel tank, causing a hole and fuel explosion.

The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), Discovery Communications and The Open University produced the made-for-TV film The Challenger Disaster about the investigation that followed the explosion. The movie centered on Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who served on the presidential commission that investigated the disaster. Feynmans famous demonstration placing a small O-ring in a glass of ice water and showing its resulting lack of flexibililty explained the disasters cause to the public. The movie was shown on the Discovery Channel in 2013.

Lovingood sued the producers and screenwriter in 2014 alleging it defamed him, invaded his privacy and held him up to the public in a false light. He asked for $7 million in compensatory damages and $7 million in punitive damages, numbers that evoked the memory of the seven dead Challenger astronauts. the appeals court agreed the movie took some liberties with the story. Undisputedly, Lovingoods testimony scene is a fictionalization, the panel said.

The law allows people to sue publishers who publish false and defamatory statements about them. But the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the First Amendment limits those laws when the person suing is a public official. A public official must prove that a false statement about his or her professional performance was made with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not, the federal appeals court panel explained.

Lovingood claimed he was not an official, just a public employee, but the federal court that first heard the case and the appeals court panel both disagreed. Among other evidence, NASA itself held him out as a public official when it sent him to testify before the presidential commission investigating the disaster, the appeals court stated in its Feb. 7 ruling.
By Juno McEnroe, Cianan Brennan, and Daniel McConnell

The general election has claimed its first major casualty with the resignation of Labour leader Brendan Howlin, as parties jostle and bargain in an effort to try and cobble together a government.

A divided Fianna Fail will hold its first post-election meeting today and debate its bruising results as well as the contentious issue of whether to go into coalition with Sinn Fein.

Party leader Micheal Martin and senior TDs have played down the chances of working with Mary Lou McDonalds party, citing huge policy gaps.

Some TDs have left the door open on Fianna Fail holding exploratory talks with Sinn Fein, amid pressure to avoid a hung Dail or the prospect of a second general election.

Labour is facing a leadership race after Mr Howlin announced his resignation, saying he wanted to pass on the baton.

Stepping down after Labours disappointing six-seat election win, Mr Howlins resignation is expected to see TDs Ged Nash, Alan Kelly, and Aodhan O Riordain express interest in leading the party in opposition.

TD Sean Sherlock ruled himself out of the race last night, saying he would not put his name forward as he wanted to help rebuild the party and serve the people of Cork East.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he expects to be the next leader of the opposition and that it is up to Sinn Fein, which won the popular vote, to negotiate a coalition and government.

We were defeated in this election, there is no point in trying to dress that up in any way, he said.

Mr Varadkar added that Fine Gael, if needed to give the country political stability with governance, would be willing to talk to other parties.

Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein will hold their first post-election meetings in Dublin city centre today while a number of parties continue coalition-building talks.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan met Ms McDonald yesterday, with sources in both parties pointing to the importance in talks of finding a middle ground on carbon-emission targets as opposed to carbon taxes.

Ms McDonald will also meet the Social Democrats today, while the latter party will talk to Fianna Fail, Labour, and the Green Party.

The Social Democrats held its first meeting in Leinster House yesterday after trebling its Dail tally to six in the election.

Party co-leader Roisin Shortall played down the chances of a left-wing minority coalition that might be reliant on support from the opposition.

I think it is unlikely. Confidence and supply didnt work very well in the last Dail and I think it is unlikely to be a composition in this Dail.

Co-leader Catherine Murphy insisted talks with other parties would need to produce targets to tackle housing and health reform: It is all about outcomes, timelines. It is not just a question of a list, she said.

Speaking of his meeting yesterday with Ms McDonald, People Before Profits Richard Boyd Barrett said a deal of common ground exists between the parties but that the detail of any programme for government is still to be worked out.

Theyre keeping their options open, but were only interested in left government, he said.

Mr Boyd Barrett said Ms McDonald had indicated that no such programme is likely to be agreed before next Thursday, February 20, when the new Dail meets for the first time.

One of the first acts of the 33rd Dail will be to agree on who is ceann comhairle.

Mr Howlin ruled himself out for the role, despite having more experience than most in the new Dail.

Fine Gael has suggested TD Bernard Durkan  who ran for the role in 2016  could be suitable while Independent TD Sean Canney denied speculation he might put his name forward.
A week ago, Adriana Oplanich was in Argentina's Chaco province during the peak of summer, when the temperature was nearly 40 C.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A week ago, Adriana Oplanich was in Argentina's Chaco province during the peak of summer, when the temperature was nearly 40 C.

On Thursday, she was climbing a ladder at Whittier Park, shovel in hand, carving a snow sculpture the day before the 2020 edition of Festival du Voyageur began, as temperatures felt like - 40 with windchill.

Alongside Oplanich, snow sculptors from across the world  including France, Great Britain and the exotic land known as Saskatchewan  were out crafting their creations; all around, the festival literally was taking shape.

Lisa Muswagon performs an honour song at the Festival du Voyageur kickoff event. She will be appearing at this year's festival. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

In a tent nearby, organizers and contributors gathered to kick off the festivities for the 51st annual event, one that coincides with the 150th anniversary of Manitoba joining Confederation.

"As we commemorate Manitoba's 150th anniversary... it is only right to remember those early partnerships between settlers and Indigenous peoples, and acknowledge the need to continually advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples here in Manitoba," said Rochelle Squires, minister of francophone affairs and MLA for Riel.

Festival executive director Darrel Nadeau said this year's edition will have all of the expected traditions  music, maple syrup, a lot of francophone pride and no shortage of He Ho  but will also take steps toward being more environmentally conscious and inclusive of Indigenous culture.

Moves include a festival-wide composting program, no plastic or Styrofoam packaging and a water-refill centre to discourage single-use bottles. There will also be a modern Indigenous cuisine pop-up, art installations, a market and a conversation with Beatriece Mosionier, author of In Search of April Raintree.

Jaccques Boulet (left) and David MacNair work on an owl as part of the Festival du Voyageur's snow sculpting contest. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

The festival's 2020 logo was created by Winnipeg artist Jordan Stranger, a member of Peguis First Nation. It marries festival themes and cultures of Indigenous people who live in Manitoba into one cohesive design.

"They gave me free rein to come up with the idea myself," Stranger said Thursday.

The image includes a teepee with a sacred hoop and a symbol representing the four directions, along with fire, musical notes, snowflakes and a representation of the creator, all wrapped up in a red sash.

"I think it was a sign of change. Reconciliation, that's really what it is, and I feel like it should be happening everywhere," Stranger said.

Robert Regnier fixes Liliane Regnier's cap before the Festival's press conference. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

His father, Wayne, is also making an artistic contribution to the festival, crafting a snow sculpture in the central gallery.

Nearby was a team from North Dakota and Minnesota, chiselling at a giant block.

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"It's going to eventually be two castles on top of a mountain with a dragon wrapped around it," one man explained through his scarf.

"I call it Tranquil Beast," shouted another.

In total, about 20 sculptors from around the world applied to build a piece of outdoor art, said Christel Lanthier, co-ordinator of the snow sculpture symposium. None of the seven successful applicants were from Winnipeg.

"It's my first time in Canada, and my first time carving snow. I work on restorations of cathedrals, so this is a bit different, but the same sort of mindset," said Will Davis, a stone mason from Winchester, England.

"It's my first time in minus 30," he said, moustache tips encased in ice. "It's brilliant."

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
The vote moves the ERA one step closer to enactment, but faces obstacles in the Senate and Supreme Court.

Washington, DC  The United States House of Representatives voted along party lines on Thursday to remove the deadline for state ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would provide equal legal rights regardless of sex under the US Constitution.

The 232-183 vote, though only symbolic as the Senate is not expected to pass the measure, gives impetus to lawsuits that may go to the US Supreme Court and that may seek to force government recognition of the amendment and renew a political fight between Democrats and Republicans over not just equal rights for women, but also reproductive choices.

With this resolution we take a giant step toward equality for women, progress for families and a stronger America, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a rally on Wednesday with leaders of advocacy groups that support the ERA.

The ERA was formally proposed by Congress in 1972. At the time, however, Congress set a deadline for ratification by the states. Amendments must win ratification from two-thirds of US states, or 38 out of 50, to take effect. Only 35 states had ratified the proposed amendment when the deadline expired.

But the situation changed when Democrats won control of the legislature in Virginia last year and the state became the 38th state to ratify the ERA in January.

A vote for equality

Now, backers hope that by retroactively removing the deadline, Congress can recognise ratifications by Virginia and two other states, Illinois and Nevada.

Because women are not recognised in our founding document, the Constitution, as fully equal to men, we are not equal, said Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat.

Thursdays vote is a vote for equality. Its a vote for justice. Its a vote for sisterhood, and motherhood, survival, dignity and respect, Speier said.

US Representative Jennifer Wexton, centre, applauds after a vote by the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, during an ERA event at the Capitol in Washington, DC [J Scott Applewhite/AP Photo] [Daylife]

The ERA is broadly supported by most Americans, polling suggests. The House vote serves a broader political agenda for House Democrats to motivate women voters going into the upcoming US elections.

But the bill will likely face pushback in the Senate.

Many Republicans oppose the ERA largely because they see it as an attempt to sweep away state-level restrictions on abortion.

It is now well understood that the language used in the ERA would prevent states voters from enacting any limits on abortion, up to the moment of birth, said US Representative Doug Collins, a Republican.

Equal Rights Amendment supporters demonstrate outside the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia [File: Steve Helber/AP Photo]

Just in the last few years, an increasing number of pro-abortion advocates have openly argued that the language of the 1972 ERA would require unlimited abortions with no restrictions whatsoever, nationwide, regardless of the view of the voter, Collins said.

The Trump administrations Department of Justice issued a legal opinion in January arguing that the proposed ERA could not be certified because fewer than 38 states had met the 1982 deadline. Other critics highlight that five states have voted to revoke their ratifications.

Obstacles

To the extent Republicans voted against the ERA on Thursday, the issue may spell potential trouble for US President Donald Trump in his re-election bid. The president already faces a significant gap in support from women.

Women disapproved of Trumps performance in office by a 58 percent to 41 percent margin in a Fox News poll conducted in December.

There are three lawsuits making their way through the courts regarding the ERA. At least one is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court.

The court has a conservative majority, but even liberal justices have signalled it may be time to restart the ERA debate altogether.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a longtime ERA advocate, said earlier this week that theres too much controversy about latecomers.

Id like to start it over, she said at an event at Georgetown University Law, US media reported.

Ginsberg had already said she hopes the ERA will be put back in the political hopper, starting over again, collecting the necessary number of states to ratify it.
You may have seen hundreds of leaks related to the Xiaomi Mi 10 in the last two months and it is finally here. The Mi 10 series is the best Mi series flagship to come out from Xiaomi's stable and it has a lot of promising features. The Mi 10 has the latest and greatest chipset from Qualcomm, has a set of capable cameras that rank high on DxOMark, and some nifty Xiaomi additions. The regular Mi 10 is interesting on paper but the spiced up Mi 10 Pro offers the best camera on paper and faster charging system.

While Xiaomi is offering great specifications, the prices are still in the affordable range. The base Mi 10 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage starts from as low as CNY 3999 (approximately Rs 40,800) whereas the top-end variant of the Mi 10 Pro goes up to CNY 5999 (approximately Rs 60,500) and it ends up giving 12GB RAM as well as 512GB storage. These are great prices for such promising numbers. The best part is that the Mi 10 will come to India and hence, it is of more interest to us than ever.

If you are interested in getting the Mi 10, here are a few things you should know.

Xiaomi Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro specifications:

Display: The Mi 10 series gets a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display with curved edges, refresh rate of 90Hz, and a JNCD rating of

Chipset: Both the phones get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset with 5G support.

RAM: The Mi 10 series uses the LPDDR5 RAM. You get either 8GB and 12GB RAM.

Storage: The Mi 10 series uses UFS 3.0 storage and you can spec it up with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB (only for Mi 10 Pro).

Rear cameras: The camera setup varies highly on the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. The Mi 10 uses a 108-megapixel camera with a 1/1.33-inch sensor along with OIS. The second camera involves a 13-megapixel ultra wide camera with 123-degree FOV while the other cameras include a 2-megapixel macro sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

The Mi 10 Pro gets a 108-megapixel main camera with F1.6 lens that's paired with a 20-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera and a 12-megapixel depth camera.

Front camera: The Mi 10 series uses a 20-megapixel selfie camera sitting in the punch-hole cutout.

Battery: The Mi 10 relies on a 4780mAh battery that comes with 30W fast wired and wireless charging. The Mi 10 Pro comes with 50W fast wired charging but you can use a 65W fast charger for faster refills.

OS: The Mi 10 series runs on the latest MIUI 11 based on Android 10.

Xiaomi Mi 10 series features:

-The Mi 10 is one of the few phones in the world to rely on the Snapdragon 865 chipset, along with Samsung Galaxy S20 phones. This chip brings 5G connectivity to these phones courtesy of the Snapdragon X55 5G chip from Qualcomm. Xiaomi has also thrown in Wi-Fi 6 to make for overall faster download and upload speeds via Wi-Fi networks.

-Helping the Mi 10 is the UFS 3.0 storage that we have seen before in the OnePlus 7 Pro. The UFS 3.0 storage helps with faster read/write speed which means apps load faster. The RAM has also been upgraded to the faster LPDDR5 type.

-Compared to the modern 120Hz displays, the Mi 10 display only has a 90Hz refresh rate. However, the Mi 10 has a better JNCD rating of

-The Mi 10 Pro has bagged a DxOMark rating of 124, beating all other smartphones in the world in terms of camera performance. The Mi 10 Pro uses a 108-megapixel sensor as the main camera and this one is known for capturing higher details. You also get better zoom performance than before with a 12-megapixel and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera. This setup is similar to the cameras on the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 that was launched late last year.

-The Mi 10 Pro also gets the 50W fast wired charging system but it supports up to 65W fast charging. You will need to buy the 65W charger separately though. The phone also supports 30W wireless charging as well as 10W reverse wireless charging system.

Xiaomi Mi 10 series pricing and availability

The Mi 10 series prices start at CNY 3999 (approximately Rs 40,800 ) for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The other variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage comes in at CNY 4299 (approximately Rs 43,500). The absolute top-end variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage costs CNY 4699 (approximately Rs 47,500).

The Mi 10 Pro goes a notch up with its pricing, starting at CNY 4999 (approximately Rs 50,500) for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. For CNY 5499 (approximately Rs 55,500), you can get 12GB RAM and 256GB storage in the Mi 10 Pro. The top end variant comes at CNY 5999 (approximately Rs 60,500) and it gets 12GB RAM as well as 512GB storage.

The phone will go on sale in China soon and Xiaomi India is also expected to bring the regular Mi 10 to our shores.
Yangon: Outrage is growing in Myanmar after the emergence of a 12-minute porn video shot in Bagan, the country's best-known tourist hotspot and UNESCO heritage site of thousands of hallowed Buddhist pagodas.

The video was posted on PornHub by users "YeeesYeeesYeees", who describe themselves as a 23-year-old Italian couple with piercings and tattoos.

According to the site, the pair boasts more than 81,000 subscribers and over 35 million video views since they joined 11 months ago.

But the couple's naked antics against one of Bagan's ancient pagodas have been less than well-received in Myanmar, with condemnation spreading online.

"Our Bagan pagodas are The Holy Land," wrote Mg Khin Gyi on Facebook with multiple angry emojis.

The video in question had been viewed nearly a quarter of a million times by Thursday evening -- but had registered twice as many dislikes as likes.

Managing Director of New Fantastic Asia tour company, Tun Tun Naing, questioned what seemed to be "negligent" security at Bagan's sites and called for action.

Mandalay chairman of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association added his voice to the rising clamour, saying the case was bad news for an industry hit hard by coronavirus woes.

"It's a difficult time for us because not many tourists are coming here," he said.
PLANO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Amazing Energy Oil and Gas Co. (OTCQB:AMAZ) ("Amazing", "Amazing Energy", or "the Company"), today announced that the Company has contracted with Benjamin Jacobson III as its new CFO upon the departure of Marty Dobbins who resigned for personal reasons. Mr. Jacobson will assume all corporate responsibilities previously held by Mr. Dobbins.

"We are excited that Ben has joined Amazing Energy as its new CFO," stated Will McAndrew, III, the Company's Chief Executive Officer. "He brings tremendous experience and a proven track record of financial and corporate success. He will help align our capital structure to optimize the value of our considerable oil and gas and field service assets.

"I would also like to personally thank Marty for his contributions to Amazing," continued McAndrew. "His knowledge and professionalism will be missed. Over the past year, we have accomplished several important strategic and financial milestones positioning us to expand our production base, reserves and cash flows."

Amazing Energy represents a compelling opportunity," said Mr. Jacobson. "The Company's strong management team and significant asset base of development opportunities provide a great platform to improve capital structure and grow enterprise and equity value. I look forward to working with the team as it continues to improve the Company's capital discipline and grow returns from its asset base."

Prior to joining Amazing Energy, Mr. Jacobson co-founded ICP, LLC, a company focused on investing in Exploration and Production companies targeting acquisition and development of highly profitable domestic oil fields. ICP was formed to capitalize on cyclical commodity pricing by acquiring distressed and proven producing oil assets while creating value through improved operational and financial efficiencies. Ben also spent time working as a consultant and capital advisor to a high growth oil and gas service company focusing on financial structuring and creating exit strategies. Previously Ben spent over a decade as an alternative investment manager and Specialist with New York Stock Exchange Member firm, Benjamin Jacobson & Sons where he was a partner and subsequently 6 years as Vice President of Goldman Sachs after its purchase in 2001. He directed the trading operations and risk management activities while serving a clientele of major global corporations. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver. Ben serves on the staff of his church as well as certain charitable organizations.

About Amazing Energy Oil and Gas

Amazing Energy Oil and Gas, Co. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Plano, Texas. The Company's primary leasehold is in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The Company controls over 75,000 acres between their rights in Pecos County, Texas and assets in Lea County, New Mexico, and Walthall County, Mississippi. The Company primarily engages in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. Amazing Energy's operations are currently focused in the Permian Basin and Gulf Coast regions. More information may be found on Amazing Energy's website at www.amazingenergy.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate," or similar expressions. Such forward looking-statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of future success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof. Information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, which can be obtained on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov .

Investor Relations Contact

Derek Gradwell

Investor Relations

Phone: 512-270-6990

Email: ir@amazingenergy.com

Web: www.amazingenergy.com

SOURCE: Amazing Energy Oil and Gas Co.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576308/Amazing-Energy-Welcomes-Incoming-CFO-Benjamin-Jacobson-III-Announces-Resignation-of-Marty-Dobbins
Bangkok, Feb 13 : A shopping mall in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima that became the gruesome epicentre of a mass shooting that shocked the nation over the weekend, reopened on Thursday with a Buddhist ceremony to honour the victims.

Sgt. Jakrapanth Thomma killed 29 people, most at the Terminal 21 shopping mall, in a bloody rampage on Saturday afternoon before he was shot dead by police the following day, Efe news reported.

Another 58 people were injured in the attack.

On Thursday, Buddhist monks led the religious ceremony ahead of the reopening, which was attended by hundreds of people, including members of the security forces.

"Korat (another name of Nakhon Ratchasima), together we are stronger, let's move forward together," was the motto adopted for the event on social media.

Prasert Sriuranpong, the head of Siam Retail Development, which owns Terminal 21, told a press conference that all stores in the mall had reopened, except two that were still undergoing checks for damage.

He said businesses in the shopping complex would not have to pay rent for the month.

Siam Retail also said it would allocate 100,000 baht (about $3,000) to those injured in the shooting and to the families of those killed and 50,000 baht to children who lost their parents.

According to authorities, Jakrapanth began his attack on Saturday afternoon when he shot his military superior and then his mother-in-law.

He drove to the military base where he was stationed in Nakhon Ratchasima, some 259 km northeast of Bangkok, where he stole several automatic weapons, including an M60 and an HK33, and ammunition.

The assailant proceeded to open fire in the city's streets. He later fired indiscriminately on shoppers at the mall.

He was killed on Sunday morning, some 18 hours after he launched his deadly rampage.

He was responsible for the death of 23 civilians, three police officers and three soldiers.

The Army has launched an investigation into the events and has pledged to improve security at military barracks. It will also help compensate the victims' families.
Demonstrator phase launched: Future Combat Air System takes major step forward

@AirbusDefence @dassault_onair @MTUaeroeng @Safran @ThalesGroup

Paris/ Munich, 12 February 2020 - The governments of France and Germany have awarded Dassault Aviation, Airbus, together with their partners MTU Aero Engines, Safran, MBDA and Thales, the initial framework contract (Phase 1A), which launches the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

This framework contract covers a first period of 18 months and initiates work on developing the demonstrators and maturing cutting-edge technologies, with the ambition to begin flight tests as soon as 2026.

Since early 2019, the industrial partners have been working on the future architecture as part of the programme's so called Joint Concept Study. Now, the FCAS programme enters into another decisive phase with the launch of the demonstrator phase.

This phase will, in a first step, focus on the main technological challenges per domains:

Next Generation Fighter (NGF), with Dassault Aviation as prime contractor and Airbus as main partner, to be the core element of Future Combat Air System,

Unmanned systems Remote Carrier (RC) with Airbus as prime contractor and MBDA as main partner,

Combat Cloud (CC) with Airbus as prime contractor and Thales as main partner,

Engine with Safran and MTU as main partner.

A Simulation Environment will be jointly developed between the involved companies to ensure the consistency between demonstrators.

The launch of the Demonstrator Phase underlines the political confidence and determination of the FCAS partner nations and the associated industry to move forward and cooperate in a fair and balanced manner. The increased momentum enables industry to deploy the necessary resources and best capabilities to develop this decisive European defence project. FCAS will be the cornerstone project guaranteeing Europe's future operational, industrial and technological sovereignty.

The next important step in the FCAS programme will be the onboarding of Spain and the involvement of additional suppliers from Phase 1B onwards, which will succeed Phase 1A after its successful conclusion.

* * *

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of  64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Media contacts

Martin Aguera martin.aguera@airbus.co m +49 175 227 4369

Florian Taitsch florian.taitsch@airbus.com +49 151 168 31052

This and other press releases and high resolution photos are available on: AirbusMedia

About Dassault Aviation

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,500 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets and military drones. In 2018, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 5.1 billion.

The company has 12 750 employees.

Media contact

Nathalie Bakhos Nathalie-Beatrice.Bakhos@dassault-aviation.com +33 (0)1 47 11 92 75

About MBDA

MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air).

With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2018 MBDA achieved revenue of

3.2 billion euros with an order book of 17.4 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems. In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.

MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).

Media contact

Jean Dupont jean.dupont@mbda-systems.com +33 (0) 633 37 64 66





About MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines AG is Germany's leading engine manufacturer. The company is a technological leader in low-pressure turbines, high-pressure compressors, turbine center frames as well as manufacturing processes and repair techniques. In the commercial OEM business, the company plays a key role in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-tech components together with international partners. Some 30 percent of today's active aircraft in service worldwide have MTU components on board. In the commercial maintenance sector the company ranks among the top 3 service providers for commercial aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines. The activities are combined under the roof of MTU Maintenance. In the military arena, MTU Aero Engines is Germany's industrial lead company for practically all engines operated by the country's military. MTU operates a network of locations around the globe; Munich is home to its corporate headquarters. In fiscal 2018, the company had a workforce of some 10,000 employees and posted consolidated sales of approximately 4.6 billion euros.

Media contact

Eckhard Zanger eckhard.zanger@mtu.de +49 176 1000 6158

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global technology leader shaping the world of tomorrow today. The Group provides solutions, services and products to customers in the aeronautics, space, transport, digital identity and security, and defence markets. With 80,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated sales of 19 billion in 2018

(on a pro forma basis including Gemalto). Thales is investing in particular in digital innovations - connectivity, Big Data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity - technologies that support businesses, organisations and governments in their decisive moments.

Media contact

Maria Mellouli maria.mellouli@thalesgroup.com+33 (0)1 57 77 84 57





About Safran

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aircraft propulsion and equipment, space and defense markets. Safran has a global presence, with more than 95,000 employees and sales of 21 billion euros in 2018. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes Research & Development programs to meet fast-changing market requirements, with total R&D expenditures of around 1.5 billion euros in 2018. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

For more information: www.safran-group.com / Follow @Safran on Twitter

Media contacts

Catherine MALEK catherine.malek@safrangroup.com +33 (0)6 47 88 03 17

Charles SORET charles.soret@safrangroup.com +33 (0)6 31 60 96 79

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Kale Sligh is a corporate executive with a background in communications and marketing; he gives his thoughts on the shifting world of modern reputation and tips to maintain a positive web reputation.

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 12, 2020 / "When I was a teenager, the only digital device I had on me was a pager, and what you had to worry about was receiving a phone number with 911 after it." Says Kale Sligh. "Today, my 4-year-old is obsessed with getting on our smartphone and watching other kids open toys or play video games. This is to say; times have changed dramatically."

Kale Sligh is an experienced Senior Marketing Executive with broad expertise in marketing strategy, digital transformation, user experience design, product development, and project management. Kale Sligh has over a decade of telecommunications and marketing experience, and he uses his professional and personal experience to provide some pieces of advice on how to manage your web reputation. "No longer can you get in trouble or do something dumb (we've all been there), learn from it and move on. Now, the Internet most often is permanent, and those stupid decisions can follow you for the rest of your life. This knowledge may seem scary, and if I'm honest, it should be. So what do you do?"

Kale Sligh provides his tips on how the average person can best manage their online reputation.

Be aware - The quickest and easiest thing you can do for yourself online is to search for yourself. Put your name into Google or any other search engine to gain and keep a firm understanding of what you or your kids are putting out there. Never put something on any online profile (private or not) that you wouldn't want your boss, mother, or entire world to see. Even a comment on a random post can be found and can ultimately reflect very poorly on you.

Educate yourself on how the Internet works and especially search engines - There's no excuse anymore; this technology is here to stay. If you don't think employers look up people before they hire, you're wrong. There are plenty of resources out there that explain very directly on how search engines work; it is in your best interest to study or read about how they work. A recent study has shown that over seventy-seven percent of employers do at least cursory search engine research on all applicants, with over thirty-five percent of applicants being rejected based on the results of the search. The number of employers doing searches is just going to continue to go up as time passes.

Control the narrative - your story is going to be online regardless if you want it to be or not. My suggestion is to accept this fact and go to work. Be proactive in your web reputation and build social profiles that reflect who you are. A reliable way to control your narrative is to build personal websites; there are dozens of low-cost options out there to do this in a short amount of time. If you have the means, some companies can manage this for you.

For more tips and best practices on managing your Online Reputation, you can contact Kale Sligh at kalesligh.com.

SOURCE: Web Presence

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576282/Kale-Sligh-Gives-Tips-For-Personal-Web-Reputation-Management
Helena Public Schools will soon issue a request for proposals from organizations interested in making use of the 7th Avenue Gym.

The gym, which is located on the Central Elementary School campus, has seen various stages of use since 2013, when it was last used as the school's gymnasium. Late last year, the district contracted with SMA Architects to analyze the structure for possible uses. Now the district is seeking potential partners to take over the building and do something with it.

An overview document regarding the request suggests the district suspects a potential partner would have to invest somewhere between $500,000 and $3.7 million, depending on the use. The monetary investment is largely due to the building's age. Completed in 1908, the building is considered to be a historical location. The analysis by SMA outlined several key issues the building may face in the future. However, the study did find the building to be "generally sound as a structure."

The school district's Superintendent Tyler Ream said this request process is a bit different than usual because it regards a building rather than a project. He told the board of trustees not to expect anything back on the request until at least August. This multi-stage process is expected to take the remainder of this year and will likely extend into next year.

After the request for proposals is released, the next steps will include a tentative award, a funding and design phase, a final award and the renovation process itself.

"Due to the nature of this RFP, I believe potential bidders will need time to come up with proposals," Ream said. "The hope is that the building can be used for the good of the community."

Ream said the district won't be asking for a full architectural plan upfront due to the investment of capital that requires. However, the board will be seeking a full concept of what the bidder wants to do, and renderings will help in that process.

The district is working to assemble a team whose members have a vested interest in seeing this project succeed, including a local Realtor and representatives of the Montana Historical Society and Helena Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We're really not trying to make any money off it," Ream said. "We just want to see it put to good use for the community."

Full architectural plans will be required prior to any final award taking place and are expected within 12 months.

The school district's director of support services Kali Kind said she recently contracted with Tim Moore of Moore Appraisal Firm to conduct an appraisal on the property. According to Moore, this is only the second time in his career that he has completed an appraisal on a property with a negative value. The land under the building is estimated to be worth approximately $204,000, and it would cost approximately $206,000 to abate and demolish the gym, making the total property worth approximately negative $2,000.

"Really the value in the building is the personal attachment," Kind said.

One topic of uncertainty with the property is whether or not the school district would hand over ownership of the building or lease it. Regardless, there would be a clause in any contract stating that ownership of the property reverts to Helena Public Schools if the bidder doesn't fulfill their end of the contract.

"It appears we must keep this as school district property to maintain control of it," said board Vice-chair Terry Beaver.

Beaver also said he is unsure if Montana law would allow any for-profit business to lease the building, as it wouldn't pay property taxes due to operating out of school district property. Board Chair Luke Muszkiewicz said he hopes the district will eventually find someone to take ownership of the building, and that he "doesn't want the district in the business of being landlords."

The building's close proximity to Central Elementary School is one potential deterrent to relinquishing ownership. If the district has no ownership, it has no control over what shares a plot with the school. Ream said it will also be important for the district to consider if any proposed improvements hinder the use of the building for other purposes in the future.

Trustee Jeff Hindoien said it is important that the board remain pragmatic with its expectations. He said there is a very narrow scope of making this work and stressed the importance of the possibility that this simply won't be successful.

"I remain optimistic that we can find a partner willing to invest in this building," Muszkiewicz said. "However, I think it's going to take a value judgement by this board, this administration and this community."

Muszkiewicz said he is confident in the two-phase request process and that the district is taking it slow and being considerable throughout. Other trustees expressed their desire to see this request process move forward and observe what responses the district receives.

"There is a lot to consider," said Kind. "This is not a straightforward process."

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Right-wing groups swing into action when Valentines Day is around the corner, with a lot of responsibility on their shoulders -- supposedly of preserving the Indian culture. Hindu Sena, a fringe Right outfit, issued a Valentine's Day threat in Delhi saying the day threatens Indian civilisation. Read more

Here's more top news of the day:

1) Delhi Cops Kicked Us In Private Parts, Tore Hijabs: Women Share Gory Details From CAA Protests

Over the past few months, incidents of police brutality in Delhi have remained in the forefront, hitting a new low every time, with every new incident. Even as anti-CAA protesters and students fight public apathy, police brutality continues unabated. Read more

2) In The Newly-Elected Delhi Assembly, 43 MLAs Have Criminal Cases, Including Rape, Against Them

AFP

According to the latest report by Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), three-fourth of the new Delhi MLAs are millionaires, one-third have not studied beyond senior secondary and more than half have criminal cases against them. Read more

3) Some Guru Is Advising Couples To Have Sex On Even Date For Male Child. Gyaan That We Don't Need

Indians are obsessed with a male child and their obsession could be among one of the causes of our exploding population. And adding to that obsession, a popular Marathi kirtankar (preacher) Indurikar Maharaj, has suggested that having inercourse with a woman on an even date will beget a male child. Read more

4) Air Pollution From Fossil Fuels Costs India $150 Billion & Kills One Million People Each Year

reuters

India is facing an air emergency with most of its biggest cities becoming unbreathable over the years. A report said that burning of fossil fuel that leads to severe air pollution costs India $150 billion each year. Read more

5) Now That The Delhi Polls Are Over, AAP Should Ensure Delhi's Air Becomes Breathable Now

AP

Delhi's air continues to remain in the 'very unhealthy' category and this has been going on for a few years now, even worse. At present, Delhi air quality index (AQI) around various parts of the city is hovering around 230 which is considered 'very unhealthy'. Read more
More than 9,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco lost power on Wednesday night when equipment in an underground Pacific Gas & Electric Co. vault caught fire.

San Francisco fire Battalion Chief Mark Hayes told The Chronicle a power surge in an underground vault prompted a small fire, which firefighters extinguished.

At the corner of Laguna and Hayes streets, firefighters blocked off the intersection with flares and yellow caution tape. Workers from at least two blue PG&E trucks were examining an electrical transformer, which onlookers had said popped earlier in the night. Workers lowered themselves underground through metal coverings in the sidewalk and investigated the area.

The outage affected PG&E customers in the Hayes Valley and Haight-Ashbury areas and blacked out the War Memorial Opera House during a performance of the San Francisco Ballet. The performance was canceled because of the outage, according to ballet officials.

At German restaurant Suppenkuche, located across the street from the incident at Laguna and Hayes, workers closed its kitchen and stopped serving Wiener Schnitzel after the outage, but kept pouring beer for customers in the darkened restaurant.

It tastes even better in the dark, said Brian Jones of his Pilsner. He joined other customers who stayed in the restaurant despite the outage, their beers only lit by a dozen table candles.

Rachel Skay, a San Francisco resident who lives a few blocks away from the site of the surge, used the flashlight feature on her iPhone to check out the scene in person. She described the darkened streets as eerie and scary.

You cant see your surroundings, Skay said.

Meanwhile, the piano music continued at a darkened Noir Lounge. Residents dined in ill-lit restaurants and the twinkly lights strung along the sidewalk were dark bulbs.

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.

PG&E spokeswoman Karly Hernandez said the outage began at 7:52 p.m. Crews at the scene determined the outage was caused by an underground equipment failure, she said.

All customers impacted by the outage had their power restored at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday, Hernandez said.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor
Islamabad, Feb 13 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is slated to arrive in Pakistan on Thursday on a two-day official visit, which officials and observers believe, hold great significance against the backdrop of regional and international developments.

Erdogan is leading a high-powered delegation comprising cabinet ministers, senior government officials, as well as heads of CEOs of leading Turkish corporations.

The visit comes at a time when Pakistan is trying to control damage caused because of its absence from the Kuala Lumpur summit Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad hosted last December to discuss issues facing the Muslim Umman and suggest way forward, The Express Tribune said in a report.

Initially, Prime Minister Imran Khan was to attend the summit but pulled out at the last minute citing concerns expressed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the gathering of leaders from Malaysia, Turkey, Iran and Qatar.

Saudi Arabia viewed the summit as an attempt by certain Islamic countries to create a new bloc within the Muslim world. However, host Malaysia and Pakistan dismissed such perceptions.

A statement, issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday said that during the visit, Khan and Erdogan will have one-on-one discussion, after which they will co-chair the 6th Session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in the joint cabinet format.

At the conclusion of the session, a Joint Declaration will be signed. A number of important agreements and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) are expected to be concluded.

Erdogan will also separately meet President Arif Alvi and the former will also address a joint session of parliament.

This will be the fourth time that Erdogan addresses the Pakistani parliament, a Dawn news report said.

The Turkish President was scheduled to pay an official visit to Pakistan on October 23, 2019.

But the visit, however, was postponed after Turkey's involvement with a military offensive against Kurdish militants in Syria that raised tensions with Washington and other Western nations.

Erodgan last visited Pakistan in 2016 when he had addressed Parliament.
Actively participating in local organizations such as the Evanston Chamber of Commerce is essential to our business! Through community involvement and strong networking relationships, we are able to communicate our brand and wide array of service offerings. Nasutsa Mabwa, President

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons' Nasutsa Mabwa was recently named to the Evanston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Executive Committee, as Vice President for the incoming year. The Evanston Chamber of Commerce, the only nonprofit business organization in the region solely supported by private industry, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce provides programs, services and leadership opportunities to help its member-businesses thrive.

The Chamber held its Annual Celebration & Awards event marking 100 years in Evanston on January 24th at the Hilton Orrington Hotel. At the event, the incoming Board of Directors were introduced and the Chamber celebrated Evanston's dynamic business community, non-profit organizations, and the City of Evanston.

Mabwa previously served as Government Liaison, to the Evanston Chamber in 2019, providing communication between the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and Evanston's City Council. In this role, Mabwa attended Evanston City Council meetings and various committee meetings in matters affecting Evanston's business merchant community.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons:

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is an MBE/WBE certified firm and family-run company serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides disaster restoration services including Water & Flood Damage Restoration, Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning including Hoarder & Clutter Cleaning, Post-Construction Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning and Upholstery Cleaning to residential and commercial customers residing in Chicago, Oak Park-River Forest, and the North Shore. For more information, give us a call at 773-376-1110 or visit http://www.servicemasterbysimons.com.
For his first feature, You Go To My Head, the Belgian director Dimitri de Clercq decided to see what he could do with just four crew members, two main characters and a single, stunning location. It turned out to be quite a lot.

Stranded in the Sahara after a car accident, a lovely young woman (Delfine Bafort) is found, unconscious, by Jake (Svetozar Cvetkovic), a withdrawn architect. When a doctor explains that the woman has post-traumatic amnesia, Jake names her Kitty and claims shes his wife. Later, installed in Jakes striking home  a place without neighbors or, more disturbingly, furniture  Kitty struggles to connect to a life, and a partner, as alien to her as the desert itself.
A deputy director of Parliament security branch has been demoted for posting offensive, derogatory, demeaning and sarcastic remarks on social media against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some union ministers and chief ministers, according to an order.

This is the first time a parliament official has faced action for his or her social media activities, people familiar with the development said.

Urujul Hasan has been demoted to a lower grade of security officer for five years, the notification issued on February 12 said.

Hasan had been under suspension since June 2018.

The order, signed by Rajya Sabha director K Sudhakaran, also says that he would not be able to regain his current position after five years.

Parliament has a separate branch called the Parliament security service which is headed by an Indian Police Service officer. Officers are recruited in the service through exams.

Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu took the final call on Hasans demotion after an internal committee found him guilty of misconduct.

The order, uploaded to the intranet of Rajya Sabha, adds that Hasan also shared a number of posts indicating his active involvement/assistance/ indulgence in political activities, canvassing in connection with an election to the legislature, failure to maintain political neutrality.

The action has been taken under provisions of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules that bars officials from any conduct which is considered unbecoming of a Government servant. Another section of the rule that prohibits government servants from being associated with an organisation that takes part in politics or assisting any political movement or activity was also invoked against him.

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The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.

The apex court said political parties will also have to upload reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases on their website.

A bench headed by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said the reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases should be justifiable with reference to qualification and merit and not merely on winnability.

The court passed orders on a contempt plea which raised the issue of criminalisation of politics claiming that directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict relating to disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates are not being followed.

It also directed that political parties will publish these details on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and in one local vernacular and one national newspaper.

The top court said political parties will have to submit a compliance report in this regard to the Election Commission within 72 hours of selecting candidates having pending criminal cases against them.

It directed that the EC shall bring it to the notice of the apex court in case of failure of political parties to comply with its directions.



While pronouncing the order, the bench said it appears that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics in the last four general elections.

The apex court had earlier observed that the issue of penalising political parties or candidates for not disclosing criminal antecedents has to be dealt with carefully as serious allegations with "political overtones" are often being made against candidates.

In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench had unanimously held that all candidates will have to declare their criminal antecedents to the Election Commission before contesting polls and called for wider publicity, through print and electronic media about antecedents of candidates.

It had left it to Parliament to "cure the malignancy" of criminalisation of politics by making a law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter the political arena as the "polluted stream of politics" needs to be cleansed.

During the hearing on the contempt plea, the EC had told the court that increase in the number of MPs having pending criminal cases was "disturbing" and as per the statistics, there were 43 per cent MPs in Parliament who have criminal cases against them.

The poll panel had agreed with the suggestions of senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing BJP leader and petitioner Ashiwini Upadhyay, including that all political parties should mandatorily upload on their website details of candidates with criminal antecedents along with the reasons as to why those without any criminal record could not be selected.

However, the EC had said it was not agreeable to the suggestion regarding penalising the political party or its candidates under Article 324 of the Constitution for their failure to disclose criminal antecedents, as it does not have this power.

The Election Commission has also agreed with the suggestion that political parties may be asked to furnish details on its website regarding criminal antecedents of candidates and give reasons as to why he or she has been given the ticket.

On 10 October 2018, the EC had issued the notification regarding the amended Form-26 and directions to political parties and candidates for publication of criminal antecedents.

However, the plea filed by Upadhyay alleged that the EC neither amended the Election Symbol Order, 1968 nor the model code of conduct (MCC) so the said notification has no legal sanction.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:40:22|Editor: huaxia

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SKOPJE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Police of North Macedonia uncovered 53 migrants in a cargo truck during a routine check on a road in south North Macedonia, the Interior Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

According to the press release, the police stopped the cargo vehicle driven by a man identified as F.S. near the village of Dorlombos close to Strumica town around 7:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday night and discovered that he was illegally transporting 53 migrants.

Among the migrants, 37 were from Afghanistan, 12 from Pakistan, two from India, one from Iraq and one from Egypt.

According to the police, the driver was immediately taken into custody while the migrants were transported to reception centers in Skopje and in Gevgelija.

North Macedonia is on the main route for migrants who want to illegally reach European Union countries. After the huge migrant waves in 2015 and 2016, the borders were closed, but the smuggling and illegal transport of migrants through the territory continues.
Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum, left, and East Mississippi Community College President Scott Alsobrooks sign a memorandum of understanding to allow students with technical degrees from EMCC to transfer credits into the bachelor of applied science program now offered by MSU.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:25:49|Editor: Yurou

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LAGOS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a shooting attack in Nigeria's north-central state of Kadunaon has risen to 21, local police said Wednesday.

The attack took place on Tuesday afternoon when unidentified gunmen attacked Bakali Village in the Fika district of Giwa area of the state.

Muhammad Jalige, a police spokesperson, said that police operatives had been deployed to the scene of the incident.
Research Roundup is a monthly feature that offers a sample of recent grants and publications for Emory faculty and staff. It is published the second Thursday of each month. To suggest items for the March 12 column, please email your submission to researchroundup@emory.edu by Feb. 25.

As an academic research institution, Emorys faculty and staff conduct studies across every discipline, from the sciences to the humanities. Heres a sample of recent grant awards and the work they will support, plus highlights from some published research findings.

Grants highlighted:

Publications highlighted:

Grants

Advancing promising therapies for multiple myeloma

The Winship Cancer Institute multiple myeloma team has been awarded a five-year, $5 million Specialized Center for Research (SCOR) grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

This team science award focuses on translational research to improve adoptive cell therapy of myeloma and bring the next generation of promising therapies to the clinic. It is led by principal investigator Madhav Dhodapkar, director of the Winship Center for Cancer Immunology, and project leaders Sagar Lonial, chief medical officer for Winship; Larry Boise, professor of hematology and medical oncology; and Kavita Dhodapkar, director of the Pediatric Immuno-Oncology Program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

Advanced imaging studies of Parkinsons disease

Emory neuroscientists led by Yoland Smith and Thomas Wichmann were awarded a five-year, $3.5 million grant to study synaptic changes and imbalanced neural activity in Parkinsons disease. The grant comes from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The project includes both non-human primate experiments at Yerkes National Primate Research Center and a longitudinal ultra-high-field MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) study of patients with Parkinsons disease at the University of Minnesota. The studies may lead to new imaging biomarkers or interventions, says Smith, chief of the Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Disease at Yerkes National Primate Research Center.

Beyond dopamine: Neural signaling in Parkinsons

Parkinsons disease is well-known for the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. A grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke supports research on secondary effects on other neuron signaling systems, such as NMDA and AMPA receptor signaling, in the striatum.

Emory neuroscientists led by Stella Papa, associate professor in the School of Medicine, and Stephen Traynelis, professor of pharmacology, were awarded a four-year, $2.5 million grant to study changes in striatal projection neurons in animal models of Parkinsons disease. The project will use advanced optogenetic techniques, and the ultimate goal is to uncover and validate new therapeutic targets for improving motor function in Parkinsons

A human-factors approach to strengthening infection prevention and control

Researchers in the School of Medicine have received a three-year, $1.1 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify prevention methods for health care-associated infections. The project leverages Emorys unique experience with the safe care of patients with Ebola virus disease and human factors evaluations of high-level personal protective equipment (PPE) use.

The research will apply experts knowledge and methodologies to more commonly encountered clinical situations in the acute care hospital setting. The study and training aim to provide recommendations for the design of PPE and best practices for observing, training and measuring the infection prevention and control practice competency of health care providers, which may inform CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee HICPAC guidelines.

The lead Emory investigators include Colleen Kraft and Jesse Jacob, associate professors of medicine; Sharon Vanairsdale, nursing instructor and program director for serious communicable diseases, Emory University Hospital; Joel Mumma, adjunct faculty in infectious diseases and nursing; and Erik Brownsword, senior program coordinator in the School of Medicine.

Public health solutions for commercial sexual exploitation

Emorys Rollins School of Public Health has received a $1 million grant to support systems-based solutions to help end commercial sexual exploitation.

The grant, led by Dabney Evans, director of the Center for Humanitarian Emergencies, will address the immediate needs of those at risk for or experiencing commercial sexual exploitation in Fulton County, Georgia, while transforming systems to prevent it. The grant, from the NoVo Foundation, is for Emorys work in partnership with youthSpark, Inc. and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights LGBTQ Institute and International Human Trafficking Institute.

The collaboration is uniquely situated to provide direct services to survivors and at-risk youth, and to drive the systemic change necessary to end commercial sexual exploitation of children in Atlanta, says Evans, associate professor of public health.

Winship Invest$ pilot grants for innovative cancer research

Winship Invest$, a peer-reviewed program designed to fund novel, innovative cancer research, will award over $750,000 in funding for new cancer research projects to 12 Winship investigators.

Winship Invest$ has two funding cycles every year and is supported by philanthropic contributions and developmental funds from Winship's Cancer Center Support Grant awarded by the National Cancer Institute. Learn more here.

Modeling and mapping dengue fever dynamics

Emorys School of Medicine and Emory Colleges Department of Environmental Sciences received a $250,000 seed grant to define dengue virus transmission dynamics using a framework of ecological immunology, leveraging data on the virus, the vector and the host.

The two-year award is from Emorys new basic science initiative, From Molecules and Pathogens to Populations and Pandemics (MP3), aimed at taking a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary approach to the threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. For information on how to apply, visit the MP3 Funding Opportunities site.

Results will be integrated with existing epidemiologic data to generate a dengue susceptibility map that predicts novel strain introduction. The model will be validated by historical and prospective dengue surveillance, providing an invaluable tool for high priority public health activities.

The principal investigator is Matthew Collins, assistant professor in the School of Medicine. Co-PIs are Anne Piantadosi, assistant professor in the School of Medicine, and Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, associate professor in Emory College.

The microbiome and immunity against pneumococcal disease

Rollins School of Public Health and the School of Medicine received a $250,000 seed grant to evaluate whether encapsulated Streptococcal bacteria that are part of the human upper respiratory tract microbiome are associated with antibodies that could protect again invasive pneumococcal strains.

The two-year award is from Emorys new basic science initiative, From Molecules and Pathogens to Populations and Pandemics (MP3), aimed a taking a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary approach to the threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. For information on how to apply, visit the MP3 Funding Opportunities site.

Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of illness and death. If commensal microbiome organisms elicit antibodies, they might potentially boost vaccine-induced or natural immunity in highly vulnerable populations, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa, where pneumococcal disease is not well controlled, in spite of immunization programs.

The principal investigator is Cynthia Whitney, professor at Rollins. Co-PIs are Nadine Rouphael, associate professor in the School of Medicine, and Jesse Waggoner, assistant professor in the School of Medicine.

Publications

Basic + Translational Research

Model of a sticky situation in pediatric cardiology

Heres an example of how 3D printing can be applied to pediatric cardiology. Its also an example of how Georgia Tech, Emory and Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta all work together.

Biomedical engineers used a modified form of gelatin to create a model of pulmonary arteries in newborn and adolescent patients with a complex (and serious) congenital heart defect: tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. The model allowed the researchers to simulate surgical catheter-based intervention in vitro.

The results were recently published in Journal of the American Heart Association. Biomedical engineer Vahid Serpooshan and his lab collaborated with Sibley Heart Center pediatric cardiologist Holly Bauser-Heaton; both are part of the Childrens Heart Research and Outcomes Center. Images here.

Transplant research: Immune control via Fc receptors on T cells

Emory transplant researchers have identified a control mechanism the immune system uses to tamp down chronic inflammation. The findings provide insight into how some people were able to stop taking immunosuppressive drugs after kidney transplant.

In addition, they may be important for a full understanding of how many drugs for cancer and autoimmune disorders (therapeutic antibodies) work. The results were published on Jan. 14 in Immunity.

Mandy Ford, scientific director of Emory Transplant Center, and colleagues probed the functions of Fc receptors on T cells in mice and also looked at markers from a kidney transplant clinical trial. More here.

Microbiome critical for bone hormone action

Intestinal microbes are necessary for the actions of an important hormone regulating bone density, according to two papers from the Emory Microbiome Research Center. The papers represent a collaboration between Roberto Pacifici, director of the Division of Endocrinology, and colleagues in the Department of Medicine and the laboratory of Rheinallt Jones, assistant professor, in the Department of Pediatrics.

Together, the findings show how probiotics or nutritional supplementation could be used to modulate immune cell activity related to bone health. The two papers, published in Nature Communications and Journal of Clinical Investigation, are the first reports of a role for intestinal microbes in the mechanism of action of PTH (parathyroid hormone), Pacifici says. More here.

Elimination of latent TB in animal model

A major goal of tuberculosis research is to find a way to treat people with the latent form of the disease to keep them from developing symptomatic TB. A study using a new non-human primate model developed for this purpose showed that a combination of two classes of antibiotics can wipe out this hidden threat.

The study was published in the American Journal for Respiratory Clinical Care Medicine. The study was conducted at Tulane and Emory. Yerkes National Primate Research Center immunologist Jyothi Rengarajan was co-principal investigator. More here.

More NMDA but less excitotoxicity? Now feasible

Emory pharmacologists have discovered a new class of potential drugs that might allow them to have their cake and eat it too  with reference to NMDA receptors, important control sites in the brain for learning and memory.

Many researchers have wanted to enhance NMDA receptor signals to treat disorders such as schizophrenia. But at the same time, they need to avoid killing neurons with excitotoxicity, which comes from excess calcium entering the cell. Excitotoxicity is thought to be a major mechanism of cell death in stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Usually more sensitivity to NMDA activation and excess calcium go hand in hand. In a new Nature Chemical Biology paper, pharmacologist Stephen Traynelis and colleagues have identified a group of compounds that allow them to separate those two aspects of NMDA signaling. More here.

Clinical + Public Health Research

Separating rotavirus vaccine from polio vaccine could improve kids outcomes

A study published in PLoS Medicine has found that when children in low-income countries receive the rotavirus vaccine separately from the polio vaccine, the bodys immune response is stronger, potentially leading to a decrease in rotavirus contraction.

As part of the effort to eradicate polio, the oral poliovirus vaccine is being withdrawn globally and replaced with inactivated polio vaccine delivered through a series of shots, says lead author Julia Baker, a postdoctoral fellow at Rollins School of Public Health. That withdrawal may result in improved rotavirus vaccine performance, especially in low-income settings where deaths from rotavirus infection are greatest.

Setting the goalposts for ALS clinical trials

Emory neurologists, with advice from other experts, have created a new disability rating scale for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This is a set of questions patients or their caregivers answer to gauge how much ALS is eroding someones ability to manage daily life.

ALSs attack on motor neurons makes it progressively more difficult to accomplish tasks such as household chores, daily hygiene and, eventually, speaking and eating.

Lead author Christina Fournier, co-director of Emorys ALS Center, and her team think the rating scale can become a resource for testing new treatments for ALS in clinical trials. The research used to develop the new rating scale was published on Dec. 30 in JAMA Neurology. More here.

Race and Alzheimers/MCI protein biomarkers

A study on underlying racial differences in clinical biomarkers for Alzheimers disease suggests that race is an important factor when interpreting those biomarkers, especially in early stages of diagnosis. The results were published in JAMA Network Open.

Scientists at Emory Brain Health Center, led by lead author Ihab Hajjar, investigated levels of widely studied Alheimer's proteins (amyloid and tau) in cerebrospinal fluid in a case-control study of 362 adults 50 years of age or older.

African American participants with mild cognitive impairment had lower levels of tau-based biomarkers compared with white participants with mild cognitive impairment, after adjusting for demographic characteristics. Those differences were not seen in study participants with normal cognition.

Using the ratio of amyloid and tau was less affected by race and could result in better diagnostic accuracy and increase inclusion of African Americans in important clinical trials, says first author Stephanie Garrett. Garrett is an assistant professor of medicine and geriatrics and Hajjar is an associate professor of neurology and medicine.

How conventional therapy impacts pancreatic tumor microenvironment

Winship researchers led by Gregory Lesinski, co-director of Winships Translational GI Malignancy Program, looked at whether pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumors exposed to conventional therapies may preferentially modulate immune biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment. The study was published  with striking images showing the nests created within pancreatic tumors  in JCI Insight .

New option for multiple myeloma treatment

For patients with multiple myeloma resistant to available therapies, an experimental drug displayed a 31 percent overall response rate and is thus a significant new option, leading oncologists report.

The investigational agent, belantamab mafodotin, was tested in a phase II study, led by Winship Cancer Institutes Sagar Lonial, and conducted at 58 cancer centers in eight countries. The results of the DREAMM-2 study (DRiving Excellence in Approaches to Multiple Myeloma) were published in Lancet Oncology. More here.

Diabetes diagnostic mismatches possible

Relying only on hemoglobin A1c, a common test for diabetes, could lead to mismatches in diagnosis, meaning both false positives and false negatives, an Emory team warns. Their analysis was published in Diabetic Medicine.

Researchers led by Mary Rhee, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, analyzed test results from more than 3,000 people without known diabetes. They combined results from two previous diabetes screening studies.

Participants likely to be overdiagnosed were more likely to be black, male, older and to have higher BMI. Glucose tolerance tests and/or fasting glucose testing should be performed in most individuals, the authors recommend.

Mapping the Hepatitis C epidemic

HepVu, an online platform that visualizes data on the U.S. Hepatitis C epidemic, has launched new interactive maps illustrating the prevalence of Hepatitis C between 2013-2016. The maps, stratified by age, sex and race, are published in Hepatology Communications.

The data demonstrates that the epidemic continues to disproportionately impact males, the Baby Boomer population (those born between 1945 and 1969), Black Americans and, increasingly, young persons in states highly affected by the opioid epidemic  a result of injection drug use.

The data highlight health disparities among certain populations and areas of the country and underscore the continuing need for consistent, well-grounded data that can help public health decision makers develop tailored strategies to address Hepatitis C, according to Patrick Sullivan, professor of epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health and principal scientist for HepVu.

Asthma treatment to protect patients with multiple food allergies



A nationwide clinical trial is testing whether omalizumab, an FDA-approved treatment for asthma, could be effective at protecting patients with multiple food allergies.

Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, in partnership with Emory University, was selected as one of 10 OUtMATCH clinical trial sites nationwide. Brian Vickery, associate professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, is serving as the site principal investigator.

The study will be the largest trial to tackle the major unmet medical need associated with multiple food allergies, which affect 30 to 40 percent of food allergy patients, Vickery notes. More information about the study is available from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
As we count hours to Valentines Day, revered Kenyan media personality Julie Gichuru has issued a special message to all the lovers planning to celebrate the occasion.

In a powerful post to her Instagram page on Wednesday, the former Citizen TV news anchor addressed men and women separately. To the men, Julie advised her sons not to bow down to the pressure of delivering beyond their means.

According to Julie, if a man feels pressured to spend beyond his means, he should seek a woman who is more understanding.

To my sons, there is no need to feel pressure to deliver what is beyond your means or even simply imprudent or impactical. One rose and your time is more than enough and any woman worth her salt would get it. If you feel pressured to live beyond your means maybe you need to look for the woman who will be your friend, partner and equal. Give love, respect and attention every day, that is the true gift  , wrote Julie.

And to her daughters, Julie challenged them to take the hull by the horns and spoil their men if they are able to.

To my daughters,

There is nothing more empowering than deciding to break the mold and take control. Get him a rose. Give him a gift. Take the drivers seat and spoil him if you can. A woman must know that she needs nothing from any external forces other than God. She must know that she can handle her business. She therefore needs no man but is able to choose her partner  her homie/lover/friend. That is powerful. Be that woman  Be different.

Do it your way.

No pressure.

Hii mwaka haitaki makasiriko ???? she concluded.
Indias seafood exports to China are not likely tohave any adverse impact of coronavirus, the deadly virus, that has mostly hit Wuhan province of the East Asian country, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said here on Thursday.

"Seafood exports to China have increased substantially in the current financial year as compared to the same period last year. In April-December 2019, the total exports stood at 2,42,218 tonnes valued at USD 1,032 million as against 1,65,950 tonnes valued at USD 589 million in the same period last year, said MPEDA chairman K S Srinivas.

MPEDA functions under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry as an autonomous nodal agency for holistic development of seafood industry.

The increase is 46 per cent in terms of quantity and 75 per cent in terms of value," he said.

Around 500 traders export seafood from India to China and the exporting community in general has not raised any issue on exports to that country on account of the coronavirus there, he said.

However, a few of them have expressed concern over shipping to China as the shrimp consumption might reduce, an MPEDA press release said here.

But there is a strong possibility of the Chinese consumers switching to healthier seafood options leaving behind other items such as reptiles of various kinds, it said.

At the just-concluded India International Seafood Show (IISS) 2020 in Kochi, Srinivas had said the coronavirus outbreak had not affected the shrimp consumption in China where Wuhan, the epicentre of the disease, is a small province.

India is the second largest aquaculture producer in the world and the largest exporter of shrimp to USA.

The country also exports a significant volume of shrimp to Europe and other markets in South-East Asia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fourteen US citizens, who were passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, have tested positive for coronavirus as they were evacuated home from Japan.

More than 300 US citizens are being repatriated after spending almost a fortnight isolated on the ship off the coast of Yokohama in Japan since February 3.

The ship has become one of the focal points of the outbreaks as 3,500 people were quarantined on the ship while hundreds fell ill with the Covid-19 virus.

Passengers were finally given the green light to disembark the ship over the last few days.

During the evacuation process of US passengers, it emerged that 14 individuals had tested positive for coronavirus, the US State Department and the Department of Health and Human services said in a joint statement.
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Inverter Market by Type (Solar Inverters, Non-solar Inverters), Output Power Rating, Output Voltage, Sales Channel (Direct, Indirect), End User (PV Plants, Residential, Commercial, Automotive), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Inverter Market is projected to grow from USD 12.8 billion in 2020 to USD 26.5 billion by 2025; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% from 2020 to 2025. The inverter market is likely to exhibit lucrative growth potential during the forecast period. The growth of the inverter market is expected to be driven by rising number of residential solar rooftop installations and surging demand for various household devices in vehicles. The market also has several opportunities that can be explored by existing and entry-level companies to expand their businesses.

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The non-solar inverters segment of the inverter market is projected to grow at a higher CAGR than the solar inverters segment during the forecast period.

The growth of this segment can be attributed to the introduction of hybrid electric and electric vehicles that has brought new opportunities and challenges in the power electronics industry, especially in terms of the development of the main traction motor drives. The multilevel inverter structure allows these vehicles to reach to high voltages and power levels without using transformers. Moreover, limited installation spaces have also led to the requirement for energy-efficient inverters.

Among end users, the residential segment held the largest share of the inverter market in 2019.

Rising energy costs, coupled with supportive government policies worldwide, have led to the increasing adoption of energy conservation measures such as solar rooftop PV installations for controlling the increased energy expenditure in residential applications. Countries such as the US, Australia, and the Netherlands, which are among the prominent markets for residential rooftop PV installations, have widely adopted solar inverters over conventional non-solar inverters. In addition, countries such as India, Mexico, the UK, and Brazil are currently witnessing significant growth in the residential solar energy market.

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"The solar inverter market in APAC projected to grow at the highest growth rate during the forecast period.

In APAC, several operational solar inverter installations are carried out for residential, commercial, and PV power plant applications. Japan and Australia are major adopters of solar inverters, especially micro inverters in APAC. Moreover, the rise in the number of residential rooftop solar PV installations in India and Japan is encouraging inverter manufacturers to cater to the requirements of potential customers in this region.

Huawei Technologies (China), Sungrow Power Supply (China), SMA Solar Technology (Germany), Power Electronics (Spain), and ABB (Switzerland) are the major players operating in the inverter market.

Please Explore Relevant Report:

Micro-Inverter Market by Component (Hardware, Software, and Services), Type (Single Phase and Three Phase), Communication Technology, Sales Channel, Application (Residential, Commercial, and PV Power Plant), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

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South Carolina authorities have towed two cars from the home of missing six-year-old, Faye Mary Swetlik (pictured) but they haven't confirmed what evidence, if any, was found in the vehicles

South Carolina authorities said Thursday that they have towed two cars from the home of a missing six-year-old girl as they search dumpsters and trash cans for evidence.

Sgt Evan Antley with the Cayce Department of Public Safety confirmed that the vehicles were removed from the home but said he couldnt share details of anything that 'may or may not have been found in those vehicles'.

The sergeant also confirmed that Faye Mary Swetlik's home had been searched 'multiple times'.

Police have closed off the neighborhood where the girl lives to everyone except residents, their visitors and delivery trucks. An officer is also stationed outside of her residence.

When asked if Faye's case is a search mission or a recovery mission, Antley said: 'We are working to bring Faye home.'

Antley said he couldnt comment on specific suspects or any persons of interest.

Police expanded their search for Faye outside the Churchill Heights neighborhood where she lives.

Authorities said they are doing everything they can - searching trash cans and landfills, towing cars and even closing off a neighborhood to everyone except residents - as they look for Faye.

Hundreds of officers in Cayce, along with state police and FBI agents, are working around the clock to try to find the little girl.

Scroll down for video.

Sgt Evan Antley confirmed that the vehicles were removed from the home but said he couldnt share details of anything that 'may or may not have been found in those vehicles'. Officers block an entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood

The sergeant also confirmed that Faye;s home had been searched 'multiple times'

Officials said they have identified the person driving the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but investigators are still seeking information about the silver vehicle

Antley said the trash searches, towed cars and multiple searches of the girl's home are all to make sure no piece of evidence is left behind.

'In a case of this nature we are leaving no stone unturned,' Antley said. 'Whether we find that in the backyard of a residence in Churchill Heights. Whether we find that in a trash truck ... we just want to get it.'

Police initially said they were hunting for two cars that were seen in the Churchill Heights neighborhood before Faye vanished after getting home from school on Monday.

Faye was last seen playing in front of the Londonderry Lane home in Cayce, near Columbia, at approximately 3.45pm.

Her family reported her missing at 5pm, saying they had been searching for her.

Cayce Department of Public Safety posted images of the cars, saying: 'The two vehicles shown were in the neighborhood during the time #FayeSwetlik was last seen.'

Since that update, officials said they have identified the person driving the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but investigators are still seeking information about the silver vehicle.

Authorities released the video Wednesday morning as they announced that the search for Faye has been expanded

In the footage, the little girl (pictured) is seen getting out of her seat and walking to the front of the bus

Faye (center) is then seen speaking to the bus driver (left) before exiting the bus

Police did not say whether the person driving the Trailblazer lived in the Churchill Heights neighborhood.

Authorities also released footage of Faye getting off her school bus on Wednesday morning as they announced that the search for the girl had been expanded.

In the footage, Faye gets out of her seat, speaks to the bus driver and then exits the vehicle. According to a witness, this was at around 2.50pm Monday.

Authorities still say they are checking all possibilities, from the girl wandering away from home to being kidnapped or harmed by someone she knows.

Their latest lead is trying to determine who was driving a silver sedan seen in blurry home surveillance footage in the neighborhood.

Faye - a student at Springdale Elementary School - was last seen wearing a black shirt with neon colors, a flower print skirt and polka dot rain boots. The shirt had the word 'peace' written on it.

Police have said that investigators have not found any evidence that Faye was abducted.

Cayce Department of Public Safety, Byron Snellgrove said Faye's mother, her mother's boyfriend and Faye's father are all cooperating with the investigation.

For the past few days, Faye's grandmother, Ruth Collins (left with Faye and right), has been pleading to the public on social media for help with finding her granddaughter. 'I'm going crazy not knowing where she is,' Collins said

On Tuesday night, community members (pictured) gathered at Trinity Baptist Church to pray for Faye's safe return

When asked if family members are being issued polygraph tests, Antley said he could not comment on that.

For the past few days, Faye's grandmother, Ruth Collins, has been pleading to the public on social media for help with finding her granddaughter.

'I'm going crazy not knowing where she is,' Collins wrote in a Facebook post.

In a statement, the family told ABC News that 'Faye is a bubbly and happy little girl'.

'She's not the type of kid that will up and walk away... Faye pays attention to her surroundings. We just want to find Faye and bring her home.'

On Tuesday night, community members gathered at Trinity Baptist Church to pray for Faye's safe return.

Faye - a student at Springdale Elementary School - was last seen wearing a black shirt with neon colors, a flower print skirt and polka dot rain boots

Officials described her as being lactose intolerant with a speech impediment from having a tethered tongue

The child had been playing in front of her home (pictured) at the time she went missing

Through tears, Collins told ABC Columbia: 'I want my baby back. You got to find her.'

Officials said the child is lactose intolerant with a speech impediment from having a tethered tongue.

Tethered tongue, or ankyloglossia, is when a thick band of tissue tethers the bottom of the tongue to the tip of the floor of the mouth.

Flyers with Faye's picture have sprouted up all over Cayce, a city of 14,000 neighboring the state capital of Columbia.

'When she walks into a room she brightens it up. Everyone loves Faye,' Snellgrove said.

'Faye loves dresses, fancy shoes, spending time with her family, cats and playing outside.'

She is described as being 3'10" and 65lbs with strawberry blonde hair.

A special hotline has been created for anyone with information about the girl's whereabouts.

Cayce Dept of Public Safety asks anyone with information to call 803-205-4444. This is a dedicated hotline just for calls about #FayeSwetlik
The Medical University of South Carolina is moving forward with plans to build a hospital along the state line near Charlotte, about a year after it bought another hospital nearby.

The health system's board of trustees on Thursday approved a $10 million purchase of 87 acres in an unincorporated town less than a mile from the border with North Carolina.

The full-service hospital will complement the 211-bed Lancaster Medical Center that MUSC bought as part of a package deal.

MUSC Health CEO Dr. Pat Cawley said a new facility in Indian Land would be in the northern part of Lancaster County, where more of the area's population lives.

Atrium Health, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that operates 40 hospitals across the Carolinas, has hospitals across the border in nearby Pineville and Waxhaw.

Cawley secured initial approval for the project from the board in October. He said the hospital system has not yet applied for permission from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, which regulates the construction of new health care facilities within the state. The process can be time-consuming because it allows competitors to challenge expansion plans.

The full cost of the Indian Land project has not been disclosed. If it moves forward, the campus will house an emergency department, operating rooms, and imaging and outpatient care services.

Formerly known as the Springs Memorial, MUSC purchased Lancaster Medical Center from Community Health Systems under a $137 million deal that also included hospitals in Florence, Mullins and Chester.

The population in Lancaster is growing at one of the fastest rates in the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but most of that is concentrated in the northern section of the county. Cawley said MUSC could benefit by serving the growing base of commuters close to Charlotte.

"You need to be where the patients are," Cawley said. "Patients seek the care closest to them."

Also Thursday, the MUSC board selected an architecture firm to design a new hospital in the Pee Dee region.

The project has been in the works for about a year. MUSC plans to replace the Williamsburg Regional and Lake City Community hospitals with a brand-new medical center along U.S. Highway 52 between Kingstree and Lake City for an estimated $50 million.

The existing facilities are about 20 miles apart, and they have struggled financially. Williamsburg Regional has been operating from a temporary building after flooding in 2015 took its hospital out of service.
Newspaper chain McClatchy, owner of publications such as the Miami Herald and Kansas City Star, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday after grappling with a pension crisis and the news industry's financial challenges.

The Sacramento, California-based company, whose 30 newsrooms also include the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Charlotte Observer, proposed a deal to transfer ownership to one of its lenders and its largest shareholder, hedge fund Chatham Asset Management, and other lenders.

As part of the deal, the McClatchy family is expected to give up control of the company after more than 160 years.

"McClatchy remains a strong operating company with an enduring commitment to independent journalism that spans five generations of my family,'' Kevin McClatchy, chairman of McClatchy's Board of Directors and great-great grandson of the company's founder, James McClatchy, said in a statement.

"This restructuring is a necessary and positive step forward for the business, and the entire Board of Directors has made great efforts to ensure the company is able to operate as usual throughout this process."

The newspaper chain also said it expects to transfer management of its $1.4 billion pension plan to the U.S. government's Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. The costs of the company's pension plan, a legacy of an era in which the newspaper industry was rich with profits, weighed it down in recent years.

McClatchy, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 13, 2020, owns the Sacramento Bee.

Although bankruptcies can result in pensioners receiving less than they were due, McClatchy said Thursday that it believes its plan "would not have an adverse impact on qualified pension benefits for substantially all plan participants."

In a court filing, McClatchy listed the PBGC as its largest unsecured creditor with a claim of $530 million. The PBGC and a federal judge would have to sign off on the company's pension plan and sale.

Statement from PBGC on McClatchy bankruptcy filing:

Story continues

PBGC and McClatchy continue to engage in discussions to find the best path forward for the people covered under the companys pension plan, as well as the millions of people in the other plans PBGC insures. As always, our goal is to protect the retirement security of workers and retirees," the PBGC said in a statement.

CEOs of new Gannett: 'Pivot' needed for digital transformation as merger is completed

McClatchy's pension plan was founded in 1944 and covered nearly 24,500 people as of Jan. 1, 2019. The company also assumed other pension plans with various acquisitions in recent decades. By July 2019, the company's pension shortfall totaled $805 million, according to a court filing.

Hopes of last-minute relief were dashed in late 2019 when the Internal Revenue Service declined the company's request to be covered under a federal act aimed at easing pension funding standards for community newspapers.

With total daily paid print circulation of 1.1 million and 55.7 million monthly unique visitors, the company remains a major force in local journalism. For example, the Herald played a key role in exposing disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's alleged ring of sexual abuse.

Since McClatchy's 2006 acquisition of newspaper chain Knight-Ridder, which was purchased with $5 billion in debt, the company has been suffering from the same factors that are affecting traditional news media companies.

From 2006 to 2018, the company's advertising revenue and circulation revenue declined 80% and 59%, respectively, according to a court filing.

McClatchy has slashed costs and paid off debt in recent years in a bid to halt its downward spiral. The company has gone from more than 15,000 employees in 2006 to fewer than 3,000 in 2019, according to a court filing.

Competitors, including USA TODAY owner Gannett, have faced similar hurdles. In 2019, Gannett agreed to a sale to GateHouse owner New Media Investment Group in a deal that created the largest U.S. news company by print circulation and one of the largest by digital audience.

Bankruptcies often come with the risk of closures, asset sales and layoffs, if not outright liquidation.

McClatchy spokesperson Jeanne Segal said in an email that there would be "no layoffs associated with this filing. Our newsrooms are operating as usual, providing strong independent local journalism essential to the communities we serve."

Chatham told McClatchy in a statement that it's "committed to preserving independent journalism and newsroom jobs. We look forward to working with the company in the best interests of all stakeholders."

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McClatchy files Chapter 11 bankruptcy after pension woes
The man accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe gave gardai an untrue account of where he had been when questioned the day after the shooting, his barrister has told the Central Criminal Court.

The trial of Aaron Brady also heard that a garda inspector noticed a "conflict" between what Mr Brady told him and an account given by the man he said he had spent much of that day with. Inspector John Moroney said the times the two men gave "didn't marry" and he also found it "strange" that Mr Brady said he didn't know about the previous night's shooting until he got up that morning.

Counsel for the defence Michael O'Higgins SC said his client told gardai that the initial account he gave was "untrue" and that when asked why, Mr Brady said he didn't think gardai would "look into it much".

Aaron Brady (28) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately e7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location.

Inspector John Moroney told prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC that on January 26, 2013 he was coordinating search teams along the road near Lordship Credit Union. At about 12.35pm he saw a silver BMW 5-series with a W registration approaching the Ballymascanlon roundabout coming from Lordship. He asked the driver to pull in. Aaron Brady was in the front passenger seat.

The witness recognised him because he was prosecuting a matter before Dundalk Circuit Court which concerned Mr Brady. The driver of the vehicle, who can't be named for legal reasons, told him his name and gave him an address in the United States. He said he was home visiting his mother who lived nearby. Mr Brady gave him an address at New Road, Co Armagh.

When the garda asked for an account of Mr Brady's whereabouts the previous night the accused said he had been with the BMW driver and they spent the early part of the day driving around the area. At between 4pm and 5pm they went to a local restaurant named Superbites. At 7pm the driver took him to his girlfriend's house on Concession Road in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh where he stayed until 3am when he was again collected by the driver of the car. They went to the driver's house and played a Fifa computer game, he said.

Mr Brady told Insp Moroney that he wasn't aware of the previous night's incident at Lordship Credit Union until that morning when he got up. When the inspector asked Mr Brady to contact him if he had any information, the inspector said Mr Brady responded: "It might help me with my Circuit Court case."

Inspector Moroney said Mr Brady was "very relaxed" and they spoke to one another sitting on a barrier between the footpath and the grass verge.

When Inspector Moroney spoke to the driver he told him he had been with the accused the previous day and dropped him off at Mr Brady's house at about 8pm or 9pm and then went to a friend's house in Lismore, Crossmaglen for about one hour. He said he then collected the accused and brought him to his girlfriend's house.

Inspector Moroney told Mr Grehan that the driver was "more nervous and said he wasn't great with times."

The witness said he also noticed a "conflict in the times" given by each man and he thought it "strange" that Mr Brady said he didn't know about what happened at Lordship Credit Union until that morning considering he told him he was staying in a house that was inside the garda cordon set up following the shooting.

Under cross examination Inspector Moroney agreed that the shooting was on "every bulletin" that morning and the area around Lordship was "saturated with guards". He further agreed that Mr Brady didn't give him a vague account of where he had been but named specific people he was with and places he visited.

Mr O'Higgins said his account "lends itself to verification". The witness replied that it was up to the incident room to decide what to do with the information. Inspector Moroney also agreed that the first time they were asked to account for their movements the accused and the driver gave "completely contradictory statements."

The witness said he didn't know about a subsequent statement given to gardai in which Mr Brady said his initial account was untrue and that he didn't think the gardai would "look into it much". Inspector Moroney said that he would expect anything said by Mr Brady to be checked but added: "That doesn't mean others would expect it to be checked."

Earlier the jury heard from Gda Finbar Gurhy who said that at 3.05am, less than six hours after Det Gda Donohoe was shot dead, he was one mile from the scene when he saw the same BMW driving towards him. He flashed the lights of his patrol car, switched on the siren and when the car pulled up he spoke to the driver through the car window. Mr O'Higgins said it is accepted that the passenger in the car was his client Aaron Brady.

The witness agreed with Mr O'Higgins that if, as the prosecution says, Mr Brady and the driver of the car were "up to their necks in this murder," being stopped by the gardai with flashing lights and a siren would have been a "very uncomfortable moment".

Gda Gurhy told Mr Grehan that the driver of the car told him that he lived nearby and was on his way home. The garda continued on his way to Dundalk and the driver went on his way, he said.

Gda David Byrne said he saw the same BMW driving along the stretch of road from Lordship three times during the early hours of January 26.

The trial continues this afternoon in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of eight men and seven women.
"These are verified ratings from real consumers," said Scott Fredericks, CARFAX Vice President of Marketing. "These ratings help other shoppers feel confident about choosing where to take their business. This exclusive group of top-rated dealers is setting the standard for service."

This week the CARFAX Top-Rated Dealers are starting to receive a kit which includes customized door decals and table tents, so they can share their excellent ratings from CARFAX.com. They also received a digital version of their award to help them highlight their achievements through their online presence, including social media using #CARFAXtoprated.

Dealers attending the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Feb. 15-17, can learn more about the CARFAX Top-Rated Dealer award at the CARFAX booth #3315C.

About CARFAX

CARFAX, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, own and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides exclusive services like CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Own, Sell  Show me the CARFAX. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

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The relatives of the four convicts, on death row in the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, said on Thursday that they are innocent.

Give him one chance, said the mother of Mukesh Kumar, adding that she has no one except him. His brother Ram Singh, the prime accused in the case, committed suicide in Tihar Jail in 2013.

The sister of another accused Pawan Gupta also demanded that her brother should not be hanged. He is innocent, she told HT.

ALSO WATCH | SC reserves order on Delhi gangrape convicts mercy plea rejection

The mother of the third convict Vinay Sharma said that five people cannot be hanged for the death of one person.

The family members were protesting outside the Delhi court which is hearing the petition of the 23-year-old victims parents seeking death warrants against the four convicts. The court adjourned the hearing in the case till Monday (February 17) stressing on the rights of the convicts under Article 21 of the Constitution for his decision.

In my considered opinion, Article 21 of the Constitution protects the life and liberty of a condemned prisoner till his last breath. It is a matter of right to exhaust his legal remedies and the court cannot afford to ignore the fundamental rights of the convict, said Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana.

He said that deciding this application would lead to further legal complications.

The judge also appointed an advocate to represent Pawan Gupta, one of the four death row convicts in the case, after he refused to take a lawyer offered by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA) as legal aid.

The adjournment led to a protest by the victims parents outside the court.

The Delhi High Court had on February 5 given a weeks time to them to exhaust all legal options; that period ended on February 12 and the parents moved the trial court after nod from the Supreme Court.

The physiotherapy intern was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

Six people - the four convicts, Ram Singh and a juvenile - were named as accused.

The trial of the five adult men began in a special fast-track court in March 2013.

Ram Singh, the prime accused, committed suicide by hanging himself in Tihar jail days after the trial began. The juvenile, who was said to be the most brutal of the attackers, was put in a correctional home for three years.

He was released in 2015 and sent to an undisclosed location amid concerns over a threat to his life. He, when released, was 20 years old.

Mukesh, Vinay, Akshay and Pawan were sentenced to death in September 2013 by the trial court.
Police arrested a 19-year-old resident of Guru Arjun Dev Nagar here for allegedly taking a 16-year-old girl to Amritsar and raping her.

The victim, a school dropout, said she had befriended the accused, Vinod Kumar Gupta, on the social networking site, Facebook, and exchanged phone numbers with him.

She said on February 9, the accused called her to come near a hospital on Tibba Road, from where he took her to Amritsar after boarding a train from the railway station.

The victim said after paying obeisance at Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar, the accused took her to a hotel and raped her. She said the accused also took pictures of her and told her to keep mum after she objected to it.

A day later, the accused dropped her near her house and fled. However, she confided in her mother on Wednesday, who took her to the police to lodge a complaint.

Tibba station house officer (SHO) sub-inspector Sukhdev Raj said a case under Sections 363 (kidnapping) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was registered against the accused.

The accused was produced before the court on Thursday and remanded in two-day police custody, the SHO said.

JAGRAON MAN KIDNAPS 24-YEAR-OLD COUSIN, BOOKED

The Sudhar police booked a man for kidnapping his 24-year-old cousin on Wednesday. The accused has been identified as Iqbal Singh of Lamme Jattpura village of Jagraon.

The case was registered following the statement of Jagtar Singh of Tugal village of Sudhar, who said he got woken up on the intervening night of February 10 and 11 by some noise outside. He said he checked and saw that a turbaned man forcibly pulled his daughter Pawanpreet Kaur into a Marurti Suzuki Swift car and fled. He jotted down the number of the car and informed the police.

Later he found that the car belonged to his brother-in-law (sisters husband) Jagrup Singh of Lamme Jattpura, and it was the latter's son, Iqbal Singh, behind the kidnapping.

Jagtar said Pawanpreet was depressed for the past few days, but she did not share anything with him despite repeated requests. Jagtar said he checked her phone and found messages sent by Iqbal.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Anil Kumar, who is investigating the case, said an FIR under Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against the accused.

The reason behind the kidnapping will be ascertained after his arrest, the ASI said.
It's hard to put a price on a place where a president grew up. A brush with history doesn't count in housing comps, but it can spur buyers to go above and beyond a list price. And when you factor in the cost of living in Hawaii, prices can really spiral.

So while $2.2 million for an otherwise unremarkable home on Oahu may seem exorbitant, it's a pittance if you're into presidential history. From 1964 to 1967, former President Barack Obama resided in this Craftsman-style, 1,976-square-foot home in Honolulus Manoa neighborhood.




Adams Oshiomhole

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has stated that candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Douye Diri cannot be sworn in on Friday as Bayelsa Governor because he did not meet the requirements of the Supreme Court.

According to a report by TheNation, Oshiomhole pointed out the judgement of the Supreme Court said the certificate of return should be issued to the candidate, who has the required spread in the election aside from David Lyon.

He said there was no candidate in the election that met the requirement apart from Lyon, adding that the implication is that from Friday Bayelsa will be without a Governor.

Details shortly
Katie Maxwell (pictured) revealed a lump on her scalp turned out to be skin cancer

A mother whose hairdresser persistently asked her to get a lump on her scalp checked was shocked to discover she was actually suffering from skin cancer.

Katie Maxwell, from Melbourne, initially noticed a painless fingernail-sized lump on top of her head, 'right in the middle' of her hairline shortly after the birth of her daughter Maeve two years ago.

But after getting her bump checked, the 34-year-old office worker claimed her GP misdiagnosed it as a 'sebaceous cyst' - a non-cancerous, slow-growing lump beneath her skin - and she was told she 'didn't need any treatment, removal or further attention'.

'He said "it'll just be cosmetic... If it's not hurting or worrying you, then there's nothing to worry about",' Ms Maxwell told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was just a little bump, it didn't hurt at all. So I left my appointment and thought nothing more of it, content with my doctor's diagnosis.'

However, over the next two years, her concerned hairdresser would question the suspicious lump on her scalp every time she visited the salon.

But two years after a GP told her she had nothing to worry about, she underwent surgery to get the cancerous lump removed from her head (pictured after surgery in December last year)

While she was waiting for surgery, she discovered a second spot on her forehead was also cancerous (pictured of her stitches after getting the second spot removed from her forehead)

What is basal cell carcinoma (BCC)? Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a slow-growing form of non-melanoma skin cancer that begins in basal cells, which are small, round cells found in the lower layer of the skin's epidermis. It is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for roughly 70 per cent of cases. BCC typically appears as a white, waxy lump, or a brown, scaly patch on sun-exposed areas, most commonly the face, neck and back. The first warning sign is usually a tiny bump or sore that doesn't heal. Symptoms may include: a pearly lump

a scaly dry area that is shiny and pale or bright pink in colour How to prevent it: Avoid being in the sun from 10am to 4pm, when UV rays are most intense

Avoid the use of tanning beds

Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher every day

Use protective clothing and accessories with built-in sun protection Source: Cancer Council Australia Advertisement

'I was seeing the hairdresser every two to three months. Every [appointment], she would say to me "that lump is still on your head",' Ms Maxwell said.

'The more times she said it, the more I got a bit curious about it. But after the GP's advice, I just thought it was fine.

It wasn't until December last year, she was running her fingers through her hair when she noticed her lump started to hurt.

'I felt the lump and it was sensitive. For the first time, it felt sore to touch. I got my partner to take a look and he said "It's definitely changed in colour and size",' she said.

His response convinced Ms Maxwell to see another GP to put her mind at rest.

She said the doctor took one look at her lump, and 'straight away, he said "I'm confident that will be cancerous cancerous".'

'I was really shocked,' she said.

Her biopsy results returned a week later confirming her seemingly innocuous lump was actually a non-melanoma skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Ms Maxwell was referred to a plastic surgeon but was told the lump was in 'such a tricky spot' so she was admitted to hospital for the procedure.

As she waited to undergo surgery, she decided to book a full skin check just as a precaution after noticing a spot on her forehead.

Besides using sunscreen every time she's outdoors, Ms Maxwell said she will be wearing a hat for extra sun protection from now on

The mother posing in her hospital gown before going in for her surgery to remove the lumps

She claimed the doctor examining her skin didn't pick up on any warning signs on her second spot - but she was still not convinced.

'I started to turn to Dr Google. The closer I was getting to my surgery, the more I wanted to educate myself on what cancer is and what was happening,' she said.

'I was seeing pictures of BCC so I said to myself, "I've got another spot on my forehead". So I took myself to a dermatologist for another full skin check.'

She said the full body mole mapping confirmed the spot on her forehead was another BCC.

'I was just really shocked and quite annoyed at myself for not being on top of my skin checks on a regular basis,' she said.

Ms Maxwell underwent surgery to get both skin cancers removed, which led to stitches and 30 staples in her head.

'I was in a lot of discomfort,' she said.

'I started to feel worried about the results, or what cancer it would be or how aggressive it was - these were the things going through my mind. It was a very stressful time, I didn't know how things would go.'

Ms Maxwell said she wanted to share her 'confronting' pictures to remind everyone about reality of overexposure to the sun (pictured of the 30 staples after getting the lump removed)

She will have skin checks every six months for the rest of her life - but she's grateful the cancer scare has made her more vigilant about being in the sun

What is skin cancer? Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged, for example, by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your chance of avoiding surgery or, in the case of a serious melanoma or other skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even death. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor about your level of risk and for advice on early detection. Become familiar with the look of your skin, so you pick up any changes that might suggest a skin cancer. Look for: any crusty, non-healing sores

small lumps that are red, pale or pearly in colour

new spots, freckles or any moles changing in colour, thickness or shape over a period of weeks to months Source: Cancer Council Advertisement

Thankfully, her surgery was a resounding success after doctors were able to remove all traces of cancer before it could spread.

The mother has since been given the all-clear - and she had the stitches and staples removed from her head just last week.

She will have skin checks every six months for the rest of her life - but she's grateful the cancer scare has made her more vigilant about being in the sun.

Ms Maxwell said she wanted to share her 'confronting' pictures to remind everyone about reality of overexposure to the sun.

'I've always been cautious with covering up with sunscreen growing up but I never really considered wearing a hat,' she said.

'It's crazy how much sun can impact our bodies and our health. But we really need to think about how often we spend time in the sun, even if it's just for a 10 minute walk. It's a daily reminder to be sun smart and wear sunscreen and a hat.

'Skin checks are so crucial. Everyone should get the annual skin check, just like a dentist appointment - we all have to stay on top of it. I didn't get a skin check in quite a few years but I'll be staying vigilant for the rest of my life.

'I think another thing is to stick with their gut feeling. If something doesn't feel right, don't feel silly about asking for a second option. If I didn't listen to my gut instinct, I probably won't still be here.'
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) -Veritas Pharma Inc. (CSE: VRT) (OTC: VRTHF) (FSE: 2VP) ("Veritas" or the "Company") announces its preliminary human study results of its lead cannabis treatment for acute pain, CTL-X, as well as, the Company's new strategy going forward.

Preliminary Results of Clinical Trials

The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Cannevert Therapeutics Ltd. ("CTL"), identified a lead cannabis strain, CTL-X, as a potential treatment for acute pain from chemical and biological studies. CTL hired Fundacion de Investigacion ("FDI"), a Puerto Rican clinical research organization to assess the preliminary safety and efficacy of CTL-X in a group of normal healthy subjects with simulated pain. FDI completed the last subject for this study in the first half of 2019 and then started to process the study data in the latter part of the year with the help of CTL monitors for subsequent statistical analysis.

Safety & Toxicity

Preliminary observations and analysis tend to indicate that subjects tolerated CTL-X in vaporized form and that no notable adverse effects were observed as a result of the use of CTL-X.

Clinical Efficacy

This preliminary observations and analysis tend to indicate a mild pain relief effect. These results would be indicative of the need for follow-up study to investigate the effects of CTL-X at higher doses and varying exposure times, the aim would be to optimize both the dosing and delivery of this strain for potential clinical use.

CTL-X Marketing & Commercialization

Given the positive results from the animal studies, the establishment of the safety of CTL-X and the incomplete clinical trials, Veritas may still move forward to commercialize CTL-X as a cannabis product with potential pain relief benefits.

Research and Development Operations

Considering the above preliminary human trials results and the prospect of further substantial research investment, the current state of the cannabis industry and the fact that CTL has been unable to establish any other viable product pipelines, Veritas' management has decided to suspend all research and development operations and to dismiss all staff involved with such operations.

New Direction and Focus

During 2019 and early 2020, the Company took various measures to reduce costs and off load assets with no prospect of generating revenue in the short to medium term. These assets included 3 Carbon extractions Inc., as well as the Company's real estate asset in Sechelt, BC.

Veritas' Interim CEO, Mr. McFadden commented, "our aim during the past 2 quarters has been to refocus, reshape and prepare the Company to mature into a revenue generation phase. The first phase of this strategy was to divest itself from assets with no prospect of producing revenue within the short to medium term. We believe that the Company must focus its efforts on opportunities with a proven outlook of profitability."

Mr. McFadden further stated that "within the first two quarters of 2020, our focus will be to enter into mergers and/or acquisitions with the prospect of taking the Company into revenue generation. During the past months, we have identified various opportunities and have been in active negotiations with various entities. Our immediate priority is to complete such a transaction and start to generate revenues within the first two quarters of 2020."

About Veritas Pharma

Veritas Pharma Inc. has developed some intellectual property relating to various cannabis strains. It is the Company's aim to advance the science behind medical cannabis, by developing the most effective cannabis based treatments for specific disease conditions and acquire income producing assets in the cannabis industry. The Company's mission is to commercialize its proprietary cannabis products. In addition, Veritas aims to utilize its expertise to enter into mergers and acquisitions with various cannabis industry participants in order to generate revenue by the end of the second quarter of 2020.

Veritas Pharma Inc. is a publicly traded company in Canada, on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker VRT; in the United States, on the OTC under the ticker VRTHF; and in Germany, on the Frankfurt exchange under the ticker 2VP.

For more information, please visit our website: veritaspharmainc.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Peter McFadden"

Peter McFadden

Interim Chief Executive Officer & CFO

Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.veritaspharmainc.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the CSE website at www.thecse.com.

Investor and Public Relations Contact

Veritas Pharma Inc.

Telephone: +1.416.918.6785

Email: ir@veritaspharmainc.com

Website: www.veritaspharmainc.com

The CSE has not reviewed, nor approved or disapproved the content of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52413
Beijings iconic Summer Palace tourist resort is the home of a huge new ice rink thats opened just ahead of the Winter Olympics. The rink measures 300,000 square meters and consists of two areas designed for different types of activities. The city has opened seven municipal ice rinks and four snow resorts to the public. Since 2014, ice and snow activities in municipal parks have attracted nearly 2 million visitors, according to the Beijing Municipal Administration Center for Parks

Jan 11, 2022 07:26 PM
Governors of the South-east geo-political zone, on Wednesday, endorsed the new community policing model of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), for effective security in the zone.

Rising from the South East Geo-political Security Summit, initiated by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, the governors in a communique read by the Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, David Umahi, said that contents of the new community policing strategies of the police were not different from their security measures already in place in the zone.

Mr Umahi disclosed that South-east governors, before the summit, had a closed-door meeting with the Inspector General of Police, at the Government House, Enugu, where the police chief explained to them extensively the concept and effectiveness of the community policing in addressing security challenges in the zone.

Other governors at the event include the host governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and the governor of Imo State, represented by his deputy, Placid Njoku.

See photos:

The governors and other dignitaries taking a group photograph after the summit

The governors and the IGP at the summit

South-east governors endorse NPF community policing model

Religious leaders and traditional rulers at the summit

Other attendees at the summit
Astronauts on the ISS will get faster internet and better communication with Earth thanks to a 'revolutionary' new British invention.

The 'Columbus Ka-band Terminal' (COLKa) will bring 'home broadband' speeds of up to 50 Megabits per second to the space station.

The contract for designing and building the fridge-sized device was awarded to MDA Space and Robotics Limited, a communications company based in Oxfordshire.

A Cygnus supply ship will carry COLKa from Wallops Island in Virginia, USA up to the International Space Station just before 21:00 GMT on Friday.

It is the first British industrial contribution to the International Space Station.

The space antenna will sit outside the Columbus module and 'beam' data from the station back to the UK before going on to the control centre in Germany

The communications device is expected to be installed later this year outside the Columbus module - which is the ISS's science laboratory.

It's data will then have a bit of a roundtrip - it will go from COLKa, transmitted to a ground station at Harwell in Oxfordshire where MDA is based then on to Germany.

It is going on to Germany as that is where the Columbus Control Centre is based and will allow data from experiments to be distributed across Europe.

The data from COLKa will be transmitted to a ground station at Harwell in Oxfordshire where MDA is based. Here it is being inspected before transport to the station

The Columbus module on the ISS was conceived and designed over 20 years ago, when the internet was in its infancy.

The laboratory was launched to the Station in 2008 and uses it's network and NASAs infrastructure for communications with the Germany based control centre.

The upgrade will ensure faster communications, independent from the NASA system, the UK Space Agency said.

Dr Graham Turnock, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said it would 'revolutionise' the ability of scientists from the UK and Europe to access the results of their experiments running on the station.

According to the European Space Agency, ColKa will allow 'astronauts and researchers to benefit from a direct link with Europe at home broadband speeds'.

The contract was awarded to MDA following the UK Space Agency's investment of 40m in ESA's space exploration programme in 2012.

The know-how gained from designing, building and running COLKa could be used for ESAs communications package that is being designed for the Lunar Gateway  an outpost over 1,000 times further from Earth than the International Space Station.

The Gateway is being developed by NASA, with support from ESA and other agencies, as a staging post for missions to the Moon.

In November 2019 the UK committed a further 180 million to the global exploration programme run by the European Space Agency including the Lunar Gateway.

The Columbus module, pictured, on the ISS was conceived and designed over 20 years ago, when the internet was in its infancy.

Dr Turnock says the UK involvement and funding for ESA will also include work on a project to bring back rock samples from Mars and another to clear space junk.

'This is yet another example of the UK economy benefiting, through investment, jobs and new skills, from our collaboration with the European Space Agency,' he said.

David Kenyon, Director of MDA UK based in Harwell, which designed and built COLKa, said it firmly established the UK as a leading provider of space equipment.

He said it positioned the UK as a place for 'continued business growth and new jobs in both communications and space sensor markets.'
The second batch of 25 foreign envoys here on Thursday met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu.

The foreign envoys, including those of Germany, France, and Mexico, are on a two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir to witness the ground situation in the region nearly six months after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

They also held meetings with Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Gita Mittal.

The delegation reached Jammu from Srinagar where, early in the day, they were briefed by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon regarding the security situation in the region.

Yesterday, the foreign diplomats held extensive discussions with the prominent business community and political leaders in Srinagar.

The business community told envoys that they suffered losses due to abrogation of Article 370 followed by restrictions and at the same time they also said they are hopeful that promises of fast pace development by the centre would be fulfilled.

Envoys also met more than 100 members of civil society from across the section of Kashmir including engineers, doctors, lawyers, and students.

Civil society members told envoys that internet blockage continues to remain an obstacle in the restoration of full normalcy and they believe that full Internet should be restored.

The group comprises of representatives from Afghanistan, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Rwanda, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

Last month, envoys of 15 countries including US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Philippines, Norway, Maldives, Fiji, Togo, Bangladesh, and Peru visited Jammu and Kashmir on January 9 and 10 to see first-hand efforts being made by the government in the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Varanasi, Feb 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the newly-built Vaidik Vigyan Kendra or the Centre for Vedic Sciences at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), during his visit to his parliamentary constituency on Sunday.

The Centre has been set up to explore Vedic corpus for knowledge, related to various sciences, and conduct multi-disciplinary research and promote scientific approach into the vision of seers.

Modi had laid the foundation of the centre, being established with financial support of the Uttar Prdesh government, in September 2018.

BHU Vice-Chancellor Professor Rakesh Bhatnagar said there was a need for research on establishing a linkage between ancient wisdom and modern knowledge and exploring the Vedas, the illustrious source of knowledge.

The Centre will play a major role in this. It will prepare reference documents/books, formalize scientific study of various aspects of Vedic intellectual heritage, promote logical and scientific achievements of Vedic scholars and collaborate with national and international research institutions to conduct joint research.

The Centre's coordinator Upendra Kumar Tripathi said that the centre would run research projects and collect Vedic manuscripts for publication.

"It has been established to explore the glorious past of Vedic sciences for popularizing them and has a modern state-of-art laboratory for study and research on effect of Vedic mantras, rituals, yoga and meditation on human mind through neuropsychological studies," he said.

Various branches of Vedic studies like rituals, music, architecture, astrology, astronomy, cosmology, medicine, surgery, yoga, mathematics, metallurgy have remained unexplored and the centre aims at bridging the gap by connecting them with modern science and technology.

The Uttar Pradesh government had made a provision of Rs 16 crore for the Centre in the 2019-20 state budget.

Earlier, the government had provided Rs 12 crore for the construction of building and Rs 2 crore for infrastructure development.
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A Pennsylvania mom is publically criticizing her local school board . after their 6-year-old daughter was allegedly reported to the police for threatening a teacher. Maggie Gaines said her daughter Margot, who has Down syndrome, was in her kindergarten class last November . when she made a gun shape with her finger. Margot then pointed the finger at her teacher and said, I shoot you. The 6-year-old was then taken to the principals office, where, according to Gaines, the teacher realized Margot did not intend to threaten anyone. Still, in accordance with the school districts threat assessment policy, administrators called the police. The mom went public with her story in January, openly criticizing the administrators for overreacting. Gaines and her family are now appealing the districts policies. Pennsylvania state senator Andrew Dinniman has joined the familys cause, speaking publicly in support of a change in the rules. the School District said it has heard Gaines concerns, adding that it created its current policy with many groups in mind
OK, for most its a three-day weekend and thats a plus.

And, yeah, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are worth celebrating, even if mostly with mattress sales and deals on Toyotas.
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The Great Lakes keep rising.

Last year the five lakes that together hold 20 percent of the fresh surface water on the planet broke 10 high-water records, and more are expected to fall this year. The inundation follows a 15-year span from 1999 to 2014 when the so-called upper lakes of Superior, Michigan and Huron experienced the longest period of low water in recorded history.

The lakes have always been tempestuous neighbors, but today they appear to be entering a new era of volatility that is testing the region as never before. The simple explanation is that the last five years have been the wettest in history in the Great Lakes watershed, which encompasses parts of eight states and two Canadian provinces. But some scientists believe a more complicated dynamic is at work: a warming climate that will continue to cause extreme fluctuations in weather and water levels, threatening havoc for lakeside homeowners, towns and cities, tourism and shipping.

To guard against rising waters, the city of Chicago has installed flood barriers along the lakefront in various locations. The State of New York has pledged $300 million to raise roadways, upgrade sewers and armor shorelines to help blunt wave action and reduce flooding on the south shore of Lake Ontario. And in Wisconsin this week Gov. Tony Evers asked President Trump to declare three counties to be federally designated disaster areas because of extensive flooding and damage along Lake Michigan. Chicago made a similar request last week.

All of this has many lakefront property owners reconsidering their relationship with the lakes they love. Should people living in areas prone to flooding and shoreline erosion pack up and leave? Or should they stay, and at what cost to themselves and taxpayers? How much are communities willing to spend to protect against storms and rising waters?
As climate change activists call for the wholesale divestiture of fossil fuel investments, Mayo Clinics 87 Texas wells are pumping out an estimated 45,000 gallons of oil and 13 million cubic feet of natural gas a day, tallying up to $28 million in revenue in 2018.

The American Medical Association labels climate change as a "public health emergency." Climate change activists, like Greta Thunberg, are calling for organizations to divest of fossil fuel investments.

Harvard University and Georgetown University both recently announced plans to stop investing in fossil fuel companies. Students across the U.S. rallied on Thursday as part of "Fossil Fuel Divestment Day," a national day of action to push colleges and universities divest from oil, gas and coal companies.

Given the climate, is profiting from fossil fuels appropriate for Mayo Clinic? A local activist says no and calls Mayo Clinics oil and gas holdings "problematic" and "frustrating."

"Theres a certain moral failing for the worlds leading health care organization to remain silent on issues of climate change, which is the worlds most pressing health care disaster in history," said Rick Morris, Rochesters Sierra organizing representative and clean energy campaign organizer. "And beyond that to actively profit from the central cause of climate change ... It seems to violate the First Do No Harm oath every doctor vows."

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The oil and gas production is under the umbrella of Latigo Petroleum LLC, based in Texas. The oil and natural gas wells are all on land in Roberts and Ochiltree counties in the Texas panhandle.

Latigo has operated 87 active wells in 2019, according to ShaleXP, a news site that tracks wells. ShaleXP data shows that Latigo wells have produced 97.61 million gallons of oil and 18.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas, since 2013.

Mayo Clinic reported its revenue from the fossil fuels production in 2018  $28 million  as the highest in the history of the 7-year-old venture. Thats up from $18 million in 2017.

Oil and gas revenue collected by Mayo Clinic has fluctuated in recent years. It reported revenue of $11 million in 2016, $14 million in 2015 and $23.8 million in 2014.

Mayo Clinic inherited the Texas property from Barbara Woodward Lips in 1997. The clinic and other investors formed Latigo to manage the fossil fuel holdings in 2013.

International movement

Urging companies and nonprofit organizations to pull the plug on oil and gas investments has become an international movement in recent months.

La Crosse, Wis.-based Gundersen Health took a different approach in 2014. While it didnt get rid of its investments, it decided to freeze all future investments in fossil fuels as part of a strategy to "set the standard for environmental stewardship in health care."

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Mayo Clinic declined to answer questions about any possibility of selling its oil and gas wells, or the specifics of its ongoing fossil fuels investment with Latigo in Texas. It referred to information it provided for a 2017 Post Bulletin article about the oil and gas wells.

"Latigos status has not changed. It is a minor holding in Mayos investment portfolio. We do not operate the company; it is a passive investment. Per Mayo policies, detailed information on Mayo Clinics investment portfolios is confidential. We do not disclose publicly any more about our investments than is included in our audited financial statements," wrote Mayo Clinics Kelley Luckstein last week. "All proceeds from our investments are used to support Mayo Clinics mission of research, education and clinical care."

In 2017, Mayo Clinic spokeswoman Susan Barber Lindquist wrote that "Latigos oil and gas development activities will enhance the future mineral interest royalties that flow to Mayo in addition to generating a minor amount of operating income."

No matter the size of the investment, Morris believes profiting from fossil fuel is hypocritical for Mayo Clinic and it should divest itself of the oil and gas holdings.

Mayo Clinic has touted its reduction of energy consumption by 20% and has received awards for its "green" environmentally friendly projects. It is supportive of the City of Rochesters pledge to get 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030.

"Were doing all of this work in town (to reduce fossil fuel usage) ... and with two pumps of a Mayo Clinic oil derrick, its undone," he said. "Mayo Clinic is green washing. It only wants the good PR, while what they are actually doing is causing far more harm than their publicity stunts help."

Latigo and the Permian Basin

Latigo is led by longtime Texas oil man D. Kirk Edwards, who previously managed Mayo Clinics oil assets before becoming president and CEO of Latigo. In 2015, Edwards received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Odessa, Texas, Chamber of Commerce.

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Edwards told the chamber audience that he sold his oil conglomerate of Las Colinas Energy Partners, with more than 9,000 wells, so he could work for Mayo Clinic full time.

"Latigo had grown so big, so fast with the drilling we were doing that it was time to concentrate on that part of my business," Edwards said in an article in the Odessa American newspaper.

He added that Latigo developed an estimated $50 million worth of oil wells in 2014, though it slowed down after prices dropped below $50 per barrel.

In July 2019, Latigo drilled a new horizontal well at a depth of 6,900 feet. It drilled nine new horizontal wells in 2018 and 12 in 2017.

All of the wells are located in the Permian Basin oil field, which is known for its use of fracking to produce natural gas as well as the widespread usage of "flaring" to burn off excess natural gas.

"Id say right now  everybody, operators, people that are living here, probably feel that we are flaring more than wed like to," " Edwards was quoted in a KMID-ABC 2 TV report as saying in May 2019. "Its a black eye of the industry."

The same KMID-ABC 2 piece estimated that 300 million cubic feet of natural gas is being burned in the Permian Basin.

"To put that in perspective, a billion cubic feet a day heats about 5 million homes, so its the equivalent of heating about 2.5 million homes a day," the report quoted Edwards as saying.

To help transport that excess natural gas, as well as oil, several pipelines are under construction into the Permian Basin, near Mayo Clinics property.

While Edwards is the top executive at Latigo, Rochester-based Mayo Clinic Senior Investment Officer and Assistant Treasurer Ricky J. Haeflinger serves as a director and vice president of the oil company. He has worked with the firm since 2013. He was paid a total salary of $641,711 by Mayo Clinic in 2018.

Mayo Clinic also reports that the primary activity of a related organization  BWL Holdings, Inc.  is "oil and gas exploration."

The directors of BWL include Haeflinger, Mayo Clinic Treasurer Harry N. Hoffman and Mayo Clinic Investment Officer Jonah Waxman. Mayo Clinic paid Hoffman $1.33 million in 2018. In an interview with students from his alma mater, Colby College, Waxman described his duties at Mayo Clinic as "co-managing the real assets portfolio, with a primary focus on oil and gas "

Requests for more information about BWL and its relationship with Mayo Clinic were denied.

Would divestiture help?

Given Mayo Clinics position that its investment in fossil fuels is small and passive, would divesting of the Latigo and BWL holdings actually help the environment?

"Divestment has a real effect ... real consequences. Divestment is one of the ways that we can actually take a systematic approach to stopping climate change," Morris said. "We can run around and exhaust ourselves putting in energy-efficient light bulbs, but its not going to do much if the oil keeps getting pumped out of the ground."

He points out that continuing to invest in health-damaging fossil fuels is not about the patients, but solely an economic choice.

"These are dollar and cents decisions," he said. "Its not peanuts ... To say the investments are such small peanuts because they are such a big organization is to ignore their actual practices on the ground."

Mayo Clinic and other investors formed Latigo Petroleum LLC in 2013 to manage its oil and gas holdings in Texas.

It reports the revenue from Latigo in annual audited reports.

2018:$28 million

2017:$18 million

2016:$11 million

2015:$14 million

2014:$23 million

2013:$700,000
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Telangana appears to have become an investment destination not only for Information Technology firms but also for food processing and other industries. The latest company to utilise the ideal conditions that the State offers for its business is Quadrant Resources, which will be setting up its centre at Madikonda IT Hub in Warangal.

The foundation stone for its centre would be laid by IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao on February 16. The facility will come up in 1.5 acres and will create jobs for about 500 local youth. Cyient and Tech Mahindra have already chosen Madikonda IT hub for their expansion.

In Govindpur, Sangareddy district, Hatsun Agro-Products Ltd will be setting up Indias largest ice cream manufacturing facility. The company will commence its commercial production in October this year. Hatsun is investing Rs 207 crore which will create direct employment to 250 youngsters and indirect employment for an equal number of people. Another added advantage is that it would benefit more than 4,000 dairy farmers in the region.

Rama Rao, during a review meeting with officials of IT and Industries Department at MCR HRD Institute on Wednesday, said it was heartening to note that the companies were preferring Hyderabad and Telangana to open their facilities.Major companies from food processing sector are also keen to invest in Telangana and the announcements to this effect will be made soon. The government will provide complete assistance to the companies which are willing to come to Telangana, he said.

Largest incubator

The Minister is keen that the IT industry should be decentralised by promoting investments in Tier-II cities. He said that efforts of the government to take the IT sector to Tier II cities of the State are yielding good results. For instance, IT-Hub in Tier-II city of Karimnagar will come into effect from February 18. This bears testimony to the efforts the State was making to promote IT in areas other than Hyderabad, he said.

The Telangana governments proto-typing facility T-Works and T-Hub Phase II will soon be ready for inauguration, he said, adding that T Hub has all the traits of becoming the largest incubator.

Stating that the construction of IT Towers in Nizamabad, Khammam and Mahbubnagar was going on at a brisk pace, he asked the officials to liaise with the representatives of the companies who have already evinced interest and ensure that they would set up their units at these centres.

The IT Minister cautioned officials against any laxity in providing infrastructure facilities for the investors. He wanted Industries Department officials to pay more attention to provision of facilities that the companies expect from the government. He inquired with officials of the TSIIC the status of proposed industrial parks in several places and other infrastructure facilities in the state. The Minister also disclosed that investors were keen to park their money in food parks at Buggapadu, Bandamylaram and Banda Thimmapur.

The Minister, reviewing textile sector in the State, told officials that investors were evincing interest in Warangal Mega Textile Park and therefore they should pay attention to speed up infrastructure facilities at the park.

Those who attended the review meeting included Industries Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Industries Commissioner Manik Raj and Textiles Director Shailaja Ramayyar and TSIIC MD Venkata Narasimha Reddy.
The Supreme Court is deciding if carers required to perform overnight shifts should be considered working when asleep.

Carers in the United Kingdom who have to sleep at their workplace in case they are needed overnight should be paid minimum wage for their whole shift, Supreme Court justices have heard in London.

In a case that could cost the UK care industry billions if it is decided in favour of workers, lawyers told a panel of five judges that carers who work so-called sleep-in shifts are like a night watchman.

The court is considering the case of Claire Tomlinson-Blake, a Mencap support worker in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

She is challenging a 2018 Court of Appeal ruling in favour of her employer, the Royal Mencap Society, which concluded that carers were only entitled to minimum wage when they were required to be awake for work  and not while asleep.

That ruling had overturned a 2015 Employment Tribunal decision, which ruled that such workers were entitled to minimum wage payment for the entirety of their shift.

Their job ... is to be there to identify when a task arises and to identify who is the person responsible for dealing with it Sean Jones QC

Sean Jones QC, representing Tomlinson-Blake, told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that, during a good shift, carers in this situation do not have to do anything.

However, he added: But their job  is to be there to identify when a task arises and to identify who is the person responsible for dealing with it.

Jones said those in Tomlinson-Blakes situation were getting less than minimum wage for the shifts they work, and that being paid the minimum hourly rate was not a path to riches.

The Court of Appeal in 2018 heard Tomlinson-Blake received a salary for her full-time job, helping vulnerable adults living in their own homes, and sometimes had to work a sleep-in shift between 10pm and 7am.

For those shifts, she was paid an allowance of 29.05 pounds ($37.58), which included pay for an hours work.

If she was woken in the night and had to work for more than an hour, she would receive extra pay for the time worked.

The 2015 Employment Tribunal found she used her listening ear and her experience to know when she was needed, and was working even when she was asleep.

She was, therefore, entitled to receive an hourly minimum wage, which would have been more than 60 pounds ($78) per shift.

The only time that counts for national minimum wage purposes is time when the worker is required to be awake for the purposes of working Lord Justice Underhill in 2018, over-ruling the 2015 Employment Tribunal

But in 2018, Lord Justice Underhill, sitting with two other senior judges, said: I believe that sleepers-in  are to be characterised for the purpose of the regulations as available for work  rather than actually working, and so fall within the terms of the sleep-in exception.

The result is that the only time that counts for national minimum wage purposes is time when the worker is required to be awake for the purposes of working.

Tomlinson-Blakes appeal is being opposed by Mencap, a charity that works with people with a learning disability.

John Shannon, a Surrey care home worker who failed to convince the Employment Appeal Tribunal that he should have been paid the minimum wage for shifts when he was on call, is also bringing an appeal.

Following the Court of Appeal ruling, Care England  the body that represents independent care providers  said the case could have cost the sector 400 million pounds ($520m) in backdated pay and 200 million pounds ($260m) a year from 2020, if the court had ruled workers should be paid the minimum wage.

The Supreme Court hearing is due to conclude on Thursday.
CBD, formally cannabidiol, is a compound of the marijuana plant

Pregnant and breastfeeding women have been warned to avoid CBD by 'concerned' regulators.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) made the recommendations in light of animal research which shows CBD can be toxic to unborn babies.

The CBD market has boomed in the past couple of years. But the FSA said there is still no human studies looking into the health effects of High Street products.

As a precaution, they've urged all vulnerable people, including those on medication, to steer clear of the trend.

For other adults, they recommends no more than 70mg a day - about 28 drops of five per cent CBD - the first time such advice has been given.

CBD, formally cannabidiol, is a compound of the marijuana plant, and has been infused into oils, candles, drinks, bakery products, makeup and skincare.

Products don't contain THC - the element of cannabis which makes you 'high'.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women have been warned to avoid CBD products by 'concerned' regulators. CBD, formally cannabidiol, is a compound of the marijuana plant

The FSA, part of the UK government, said their warnings to vulnerable people follows research by the governments Committee on Toxicity (COT).

Professor Alan Boobis, chair of the COT, said: 'My committee has reviewed the evidence on CBD food products and found evidence there are potential adverse health effects from the consumption of these products.

'We are particularly concerned about pregnant or breast-feeding women and people on medication.

'We dont know enough to be sure about such a risk but I am pleased with the sensible and pragmatic approach the FSA is taking.'

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THC AND CBD Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are both derived from the cannabis plant. Together, they are part of the cannabinoid group of compounds found in hashish, hash oil, and most strains of marijuana. THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the euphoric, 'high' feeling often associated with marijuana. THC interacts with CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and brain and creates the sensations of euphoria and anxiety. CBD does not fit these receptors well, and actually decreases the effects of THC, and is not psychoactive. CBD is thought to help reduce anxiety and inflammation. Advertisement

In a meeting in January 2020, COT stated that research on several pregnant animals suggests harm to unborn babies if the mother is given CBD at 'clinically relevant doses'.

As no human data exists, 'FDA has advised caution'.

For those breastfeeding, studies have shown toxic harm in lactating rabbits and rats when the mother was given CBD.

The discussion report said: 'Given that CBD is highly protein bound and will likely pass freely from plasma into milk, as a precaution, breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment.

'In general, dose selection for an older patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range.'

CBD has been touted as a remedy for anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation, sleep deprivation, and weight loss. But there is limited research on efficacy - it's mainly anecdotal.

Despite an explosion of CBD products, very little advice has been by health officials on how much is 'safe'.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says: 'To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.'

The FSA, who can only comment on food and drinks products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has made its first consumption recommendations to be on the safe side.

Emily Miles, chief executive of the FSA, said: 'Today, we are suggesting an upper limit of 70mg a day for everyone else [aside for vulnerable people] taking the product.'

'CBD products are widely available on the high street but are not properly authorised. The CBD industry must provide more information about the safety and contents of these products.'

Businesses cashing in on the CBD hype have been given until March 31 2021 to submit applications for an EU Novel Food Status to sell CBD.

The move will ensure novel CBD foods meet 'legal and safety standards'. Otherwise, businesses must take their products off the market.

Manufacturers have come under fire for making wild claims, such as that CBD can cure cancer.

However, there is strong scientific evidence for its ability to help treat some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes which typically dont respond to antiseizure medications.

Some cannabis-based medications are available on prescription only. One example is Epidyolex, which contains a purified form of cannabidiol at concentrations much higher than you would get on the High Street
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has invited online applications from eligible and experienced candidates' for filling 430 Group A, B and C vacancies in various capacities comprising Scientists-II, Technicians, Stenographers, Operation Theater Assistants (OTA), Junior Hindi Translator (JHT), Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), etc. posts through direct recruitment to be posted in AIIMS, New Delhi/NCI Jhajjar, Haryana. The application process towards the same started on February 12, 2020 and closes on March 12, 2020.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Group A, B and C posts Organisation All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi Educational Qualification Class 10/Matriculation or equivalent; 10+2/Class 12 or equivalent; possess Ph.D; Post Graduate Degree; Masters' Degree; M.Sc; Bachelors Degree, Diploma in relevant/concerned discipline Experience As detailed in the notification Skills Required Desirable Job Location Delhi, Haryana Salary Scale As per AIIMS norms Industry Medical Application Start Date February 12, 2020 Application End Date March 12, 2020

Age Criteria And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for Group A, B and C posts through AIIMS Delhi Recruitment must have attained 27 years of age and not be more than 45 years as on January 1, 2020 with relaxation (upper age limit) to reserved categories as per the AIIMS norms and guidelines.

Candidates must pay a prescribed amount of Rs. 1,500 (Gen/UR/OBC) and Rs. 1,200 (SC/ST/EWS) respectively as application fee through online (net-banking/credit/debit etc) mode.

NHAI Recruitment 2020 For 170 Managers And Deputy General Managers (Technical) Post On Deputation

Educational Criteria And Experience

Desirous candidates applying for Group A, B and C posts through AIIMS Delhi Recruitment must passed Class 10/Matriculation or equivalent; 10+2/Class 12 or equivalent; possess Ph.D; Post Graduate Degree; Masters' Degree; M.Sc; Bachelor's Degree, Diploma in relevant/concerned discipline from a recognised University/Institute with appropriate years of post-qualification experience as detailed in the notification.

Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates for Group A, B and C posts through AIIMS Delhi Recruitment will be done through a Computer Based Test (CBT), Skill Test and Interview.

Shortlisted candidates for Group A, B and C posts through AIIMS Delhi Recruitment will be paid emolument as per the AIIMS norms.

APPSC Notification 2020 For 79 Vacancies In Multiple Departments, Apply Online Before March 13

How To Apply

Candidates applying for Group A, B and C posts through AIIMS Delhi Recruitment must register and submit their applications through mode only on the official AIIMS Delhi web portal at https://www.aiimsexams.org/index.html on or before March 12, 2020.

To read the detailed notification about AIIMS Delhi Recruitment for Group A, B and C posts click here
An electric car is just one of the many unusual objects that have left the confines of Earth.

Humankind has been fascinated with space for our entire existence, and it seems as soon as we could start sending things up there  be it animal, toy or food  we did. Here's a list of some of the more bizarre things humans have launched into space.

Other creatures of Earth

Ham the chimpanzee made a suborbital spaceflight three months prior to Alan Shepard's historic first spaceflight for an American. (Image credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center)

All About Space This article is brought to you by All About Space. All About Space magazine takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through our solar system and beyond, from the amazing technology and spacecraft that enables humanity to venture into orbit, to the complexities of space science. Save up to 56% with our latest magazine deal.

Sadly, during the early stages of space exploration in the 1940s to the 1960s, animals were used in spaceflight tests; those wonderful animals helped us get to where we are now with human spaceflight. In recent times, no animals are harmed in the development of space exploration.

The first animal sent to space was Laika, the Soviet dog. Laika was whisked from the streets of Moscow and became the first animal to orbit Earth with the launch of Sputnik 2 on Nov. 3, 1957. Unfortunately, Laika did not survive the spaceflight.

Ham is another popular character in animal spaceflight as he was the first chimpanzee to be launched into space, by the United States in 1961, three months before Alan Shepard's trailblazing flight. Ham was trained to perform tasks during the spaceflight, and became the first animal to interact with a spacecraft rather just riding in it.

Musical instruments

Schirra (seated) and Stafford snuck their instruments onto Gemini 6. (Image credit: NASA)

When humans made the journey into space, it wasn't long before music followed. The first instance was a Christmas-themed prank aboard NASA's Gemini 6A spacecraft conducted by astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr. and Thomas P. Stafford.

"We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in polar orbit. Looks like he might be going to re-enter soon," reported Schirra on Dec. 16, 1965. "I see a command module and eight smaller modules in front. The pilot of the command module is wearing a red suit." After reporting this to teams on the ground Schirra broke out into "Jingle Bells", on his tiny, four-hole, eight-note Hohner Little Lady harmonica, with Stafford accompanying him on five small bells.

This prank by Schirra and Stafford was the first recorded instance of musical instruments played in space. The harmonica and bells are now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Voyager's Golden Records

The Golden Record's cover gave instructions for how to play it as well as a map of Earth's place in the galaxy. (Image credit: NASA/JPL)

In the 1970s, famous astronomer Carl Sagan's opinion carried a lot of weight when it came to the construction and implementation of deep-space exploration missions. Sagan held the view that if these spacecraft were to be picked up along the way by an extraterrestrial intelligent life form, how would they know it was from Earth?

This line of questioning is what led to the famous Voyager Golden Records. NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 were launched in 1977, only 16 days apart, and they sent back remarkable pictures of our solar system. Before launching the twin spacecraft, Sagan and his committee created and fitted a 12-inch (30 centimeter) golden record to each one, with instructions on how to play it.

The records include 115 images in analog form, greetings spoken in 55 languages followed by the "sounds of Earth" and a 90-minute selection of music throughout the ages from around the world.

Related: The Golden Record in Pictures: Voyager Probes' Message to Space Explained

Pizza delivery

Pizzas are not convenient for space flight  but they are delicious! (Image credit: Martin Lee / Alamy Stock Photo)

In 2001, Pizza Hut became the first company to make a delivery into space when, through an odd turn of events, they struck a deal with the Russian space agency Roscosmos to have a pizza delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The delivery was reportedly worth $1 million at the time. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov was the lucky recipient and enjoyed the Earthly comforts as he posed for the cameras with a big thumbs up.

This pizza was tweaked slightly to undergo this unusual delivery. Salami was used instead of pepperoni, as pepperoni did not withstand the 60-day testing process, and extra salt and spices were used in order to tingle the taste buds that are depleted in microgravity.

Space burials

New Horizons, and Clyde Tombaugh's ashes, left Earth on Jan. 19, 2006. (Image credit: JHUAPL/NASA)

Space is teeming with dangers that could potentially kill anyone who ventures there. But if you're already dead, what do you have to lose, right? This may seem peculiar, but it has been the last wish of certain people who feel a strong affinity with the night sky and space to have their remains launched into space  a space burial.

The first occurrence of this was in 1992 with Gene Roddenberry, creator of the original "Star Trek" television series. In Roddenberry's will, he requested that his remains boldly go where no one has gone before. So, a portion of his ashes was launched from Earth on the space shuttle Columbia for the STS-52 mission.

Another famous example is Clyde Tombaugh, the American astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930. Tombaugh's ashes are onboard NASA's New Horizons mission, which was shot at insanely high speeds towards the distant dwarf planet in 2006.

Luke Skywalker's lightsaber

R2-D2 and NASA astronaut Jim F. Reilly posed with the lightsaber prior to the 14-day STS-120 mission. (Image credit: NASA)

"Star Wars" has inspired generations of sci-fi fandom, still present and popular today. This series of space adventures, where the heroes travel at light speed and visit endless worlds, has inspired many to delve into the world of astronomy and space exploration.

The lightsaber that Luke Skywalker (played by actor Mark Hammill) wielded in the 1983 film "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" was flown into space and back in 2007. The lightsaber flew with a team of seven astronauts who were jettisoned into space to deliver and assemble the Harmony module, also known as Node 2.

The event commemorated the 30th anniversary of George Lucas' incredible franchise.

Related: NASA Shuttle to Launch Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber

Lego figurines

Onboard NASAs Juno spacecraft are Lego minifigures of the Roman god Jupiter (right), his wife Juno (center) and the discoverer of the planet, Galileo Galilei (left). (Image credit: NASA/LEGO/)

"NASA has a long-standing partnership with the Lego company," Scott Bolton, principal investigator for the Juno mission, said at a press conference right before the launch. "Any of you that have children know that Legos are very popular with kids, as well as really helping to teach them about building and engineering."



NASA's Juno spacecraft was launched on Aug. 5, 2011, and along with a well-tuned instrumental suite capable of probing the enormous gas giant Jupiter, there were three Lego mini-figurines  Roman god Jupiter, the spacecraft's namesake; Jupiter's wife, Juno and Galileo Galilei, who made several important discoveries about Jupiter.

This trio was placed on the Juno spacecraft as part of the "Bricks in Space" project  an outreach program between the Lego Group and NASA to inspire children's interest in STEM-related subjects.

Starman heading for the stars, man

SpaceX's Starman mannequin sits inside Elon Musk's red Tesla Roadster with Earth in the background, shortly after the initial launch of SpaceXs Falcon Heavy rocket on Feb. 6, 2018. (Image credit: SpaceX)

On Feb. 6, 2018, SpaceX performed an extravagant launch of the Tesla Roadster and Starman  SpaceX's spacesuit-clad mannequin driver. Both Tesla and SpaceX are owned by Elon Musk, and he and his team thought that this car delivery would be an appropriate way to commemorate the maiden launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket.

SpaceX shared a live stream from within the car as it floated through space. The words "Don't Panic!" could be seen on a screen next to the steering wheel. Musk said that the car's stereo would be blaring David Bowie's "Life on Mars" on repeat as it traveled through space. And in space it will remain, at least for the foreseeable future  the car is in orbit around the sun which crosses the orbit of Mars before overlapping with Earth's orbit for a bit. Models predict the car will crash into Venus or Earth a few tens of millions of years from now.

Additional resources:

Email Lee Cavendish at lee.cavendish@futurenet.com. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Medical schools in the UK are unprepared to deal with the racism and racial harassment experienced by black and ethnic minority students, an investigation by The BMJ has found.

The BMJ sent freedom of information requests to the UK's 40 public undergraduate medical schools. Of the 32 that responded, only half (16) collect data on complaints from their students about racism and racial harassment. And since 2010 they've recorded just 11 complaints.

This number is lower than that documented by UK universities in general. Last year the Equality and Human Rights Commission reported that UK universities recorded just 560 complaints of racial harassment over three and a half years, although 60,000 students said they had made a complaint.

The figures were described as "sad and shocking" and showed that some universities were "oblivious to the issue" of racism.

It is against this background that the British Medical Association (BMA) has today launched a charter for medical schools "to prevent and effectively deal with racial harassment" and guidance for students on addressing and preventing racial harassment.

The issue of racism in medical schools is important because students from ethnic minority backgrounds make up 40% of undergraduates, compared with 22% in universities generally.

And perhaps more importantly, racial harassment is seen as a contributing factor to the attainment gap observed between ethnic minority and white students, and later between doctors.

In the charter Chaand Nagpaul, chair of council at the BMA, said such behaviour "damages self-esteem and confidence, affects learning, and contributes to the ethnic attainment gap that emerges through medical education and training."

The BMJ's investigation also finds that lines of responsibility for medical students during clinical placements are not always clear. Although most medical schools have a published protocol for dealing with complaints from students about racial incidents while they are on university premises, this is not the case when students are in hospitals or GP surgeries.

Dr Nagpaul said that medical schools needed to take ownership of the current situation. "Medical students are the future of the profession. They need to know that they can expect an inclusive and safe environment at medical school and on work placements."

The BMJ also looked at the ethnic makeup of students and staff. It found that while 40% of the UK's medical students are from ethnic minority backgrounds, this applies to only 13% of teaching staff.

In its charter, the BMA recommends that all medical schools have a policy aimed at improving the diversity of medical school lecturers.

###

Peer-reviewed? No

Evidence type: Investigation

Subjects: UK medical schools
A Gurugram constable posing as the chief executive officer (CEO) of a company helped catch four gang members red-handed in November after the police received a complaint from the CEO of a Gururgam-based company that he had been duped by the gang after he befriended them on an online dating app for gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The operation was carried out by four teams consisting of 10 police personnel on Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) towards Kherki Daula late in the night as the stretch is not lit well and is hardly used by people at night except truckers, the police said.

So far, only one victim has formally lodged a complaint that a gang member befriended him on Grindr and then blackmailed him. There are at least 150 victims, the gang members who were caught told the police. At least 80 of them have been identified, the police said

Gurugram police commissioner Muhammad Akil said the first incident was reported in the first week of November and it was the first of its kind in the city.

We formed four teams and with the help of the victim, we traced their {gang members} mobile numbers. Two of the crime team members were assigned a task to befriend them on dating sites and invite them to the city. After a week of struggle, the suspects fell prey to the trap and visited Sector 29 parking, he said.

One of the constables, posing as a well-dressed executive wearing a pair of denims and a leather jacket with high-ankle boots reached the spot in a luxury car. Within minutes one of the suspects knocked the car window and was seated on the front seat. The constable offered to go for a long drive and asked the suspect if he knew some isolated stretch in the city. As suspected, he guided him towards SPR, said Akil.

After driving for more than half an hour, the suspect allegedly asked him to park the car in an isolated stretch near Sector 72 and started opening his shirt.

The constable was keeping a close watch on his activities and had noticed him giving missed call to his aides. Two cars of suspects were following them and three cars of police personnel in private cars were behind them. The suspects could not make out that they were trapped and as soon as they intercepted the car of the constable, the police teams surrounded them and caught them red-handed, said Akil.

Akil said the police recovered data of the victims from the gang members laptops and hard disks but the victims refused to lodge complaints, fearing social stigma. The records recovered from the suspects show that more than 300 senior executives had been in touch with them and had shared their details with the suspects without even meeting them.

We have requested the victims to at least record their statement but they have refused. Out of 150 victims, only five have approached police so far but havent lodged any complaint. We have even promised to keep their identities secret but they are not ready to utter a word fearing the gang might tarnish their image on social media by exposing their pictures, he said.

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President Donald Trumps post-impeachment acquittal behavior is casting a chill in Washington, with Attorney General William Barr emerging as a key ally in the presidents quest for vengeance against the law enforcement and national security establishment that initiated the Russia and Ukraine investigations.

In perhaps the most tumultuous day yet for the Justice Department under Trump, four top prosecutors withdrew on Tuesday from a case involving the presidents longtime friend Roger Stone after senior department officials overrode their sentencing recommendationa backpedaling that DOJ veterans and legal experts suspect was influenced by Trumps own displeasure with the prosecutors judgment.

With Bill Barr, on an amazing number of occasions  you can be almost 100 percent certain that theres something improper going on, said Donald Ayer, the former deputy attorney general in the George H.W. Bush administration.

The president has only inflamed such suspicions, congratulating Barr on Wednesday for intervening in Stones case and teeing off hours later on the prosecutors, calling them Mueller people who treated Stone very badly.

The president said he had not spoken with Barr about the matter, but Ayer called the attorney generals apparent intervention really shocking, because Barr has now entered into the area of criminal sanction, which is the one area probably more than any other where its most important that the Justice Departments conduct be above reproach and beyond suspicion.

To many of Trumps critics, the episode was the most alarming in a series of Trumps post-acquittal reprisals: Last week, he dismissed two officials who were key witnesses in his impeachment Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and U.S. Ambassador to the E.U. Gordon Sondlandand a third, NSC ethics lawyer Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, whose main indiscretion seemed to be his last name. The Vindmans, who are twin brothers, have returned to the Army.

Story continues

Barrs evident intervention in matters of personal interest to the president, particularly as they relate to former campaign advisers once at the center of Muellers Russia probe, has now put the reputation of an entire institution at risk, DOJ veterans said. It sent an alarming signal to hundreds of line attorneys inside the department, who may now fear that any work touching on the presidents allies will be subject to political interference, they said. And it could undo decades of post-Watergate work to separate the president from the justice system, in ways that could damage DOJs credibility with federal judges and with the public as a whole.

I do have concerns regarding the independence of that office on certain matters, and to some extent, the offices credibility, particularly with judges, said Channing Phillips, who served as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia from October 2015 to September 2017.

The presidents campaign of retribution apparently doesnt stop there: He also pulled former U.S. Attorney Jessie Lius nomination to serve in a senior Treasury Department post, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed during a hearing on Wednesday.

As the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Liu oversaw the prosecutions of Stone, Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, while the offices case against former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabewho Trump has repeatedly lambastedhas languished without an indictment.

Mnuchin would not tell the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday why Lius nomination was withdrawn. Liu, who at one point was considered for the No. 3 job at the Justice Department, would likely have faced tough questions from lawmakers about the presidents conduct during her public confirmation hearing that was scheduled for Thursday.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the record on Wednesday. But DOJ veterans and other legal experts who spoke to POLITICO unanimously agreed that Tuesdays act of protest by the career prosecutors on the Stone case was unprecedented.

I've never seen anything this dramatic, said Mary McCord, the former acting assistant attorney general for national security, who accused Barr and his deputy Jeffrey Rosen of being willing to do the presidents bidding for political purposes in individual cases.

The four attorneys who withdrew from the Stone case should be seen as heroes in some respects, said Phillips. It was obviously a courageous action on their part.

Its a pretty dramatic thing to do, said Edward MacMahon, Jr., a veteran D.C. defense attorney who has dealt with the D.C. U.S. attorneys office for decades. Ive never seen anything quite like this.

Trump criticized the prosecutors in harsh terms in his off-the-cuff remarks on Wednesday, contrasting the high end of their recommended sentence for Stone to those doled out to murderers and drug addicts.

They put him in for nine years, Trump said. Its a disgrace.

That argument angered even some Republicans, who said it amounted to a demand for favorable treatment for the president's allies.

There are literally tens of thousands of people in prison under such very harsh sentences, said Charles Fried, the former solicitor general under President Ronald Reagan. The question is: Do you get to be treated differently from this vast army of harshly punished persons because you are in fact a crony of the president? Well, I think the question answers itself.

Nor is Stone the first Trump ally to benefit from his attempts to influence the justice system, others noted.

Eddie Gallagher, a retired Navy SEAL who had been demoted and charged with war crimes, was freed from pretrial detention and had his rank restored by Trump after being convicted of posing for a picture with a dead ISIS fighter. Richard Spencer, the Navy secretary at the time, asked Trump not to intervene further and was fired; Special Warfare Rear Adm. Collin Green, a Navy admiral who clashed with Trump over the Gallagher case, will reportedly resign his post early.

Trump declared on Tuesday that he had an absolute right to intervene in the Stone case, though he denied doing so. And his allies cautioned that the post-Watergate model of clear boundaries between the president and the Justice Department is just an accepted norm, not a legal imperative.

John Dowd, a former DOJ attorney who was Trumps personal lawyer for a portion of the Mueller probe, said that this idea that DOJ is independent of the president is nonsense.

Dowd said it appeared to him that the prosecutors, the same crowd wedded to the Mueller agenda, had been grossly insubordinate in recommending a steep sentence for Stone despite senior DOJ officials reported objections, and that Barr was doing the right thing by cleaning up the D.C. U.S. attorneys office.

Trump wasnt out of line, Dowd added. He is the chief law enforcement officer. He has the right to react, and [the sentencing recommendation] was horrible.

Mark Corallo, a former Bush DOJ official who also served briefly as the spokesman for Trumps legal team, said he thought Barr had finally done the right thing.

The idea that career prosecutors would ask for a 9-year sentence against Roger Stone on a process crime is the very definition of cruel and unusual punishment, he said.

MacMahon, the defense attorney, noted that while he believes the sentencing guidelines are out of whack, and that the 7-9 year sentence prosecutors recommended for Stone was heavy and unrealistic, Trumps comments were still inappropriate. Should the president be intervening publicly in a criminal case? he said. I dont think so.

Barr works for the president. Thats a matter of fact, he added. But that doesnt mean DOJs decisions have to be politicaltheyre supposed to be in furtherance of the rule of law.

Not even members of the conservative Federalist Society, whose co-chairman Leonard Leo has helped Trump stock the nations courts with conservative judges, seemed completely comfortable with the presidents conduct.

Im not super bothered in that it isnt uncommon for senior members of DOJ to interfere with individual prosecutions done by U.S. attorneys, said one member of the Federalist Society who clerked for a conservative Supreme Court justice. But from an optics perspective, sure, it is concerning, this person acknowledged, adding that it looks like Trump is getting involved in his friends cases.

The fact that Stones crime was related to election interference, which is what Trump was impeached over, only makes it look worse, this person said.

Another Federalist Society member and former Trump administration official acknowledged that the prosecutors withdrawal had damaged the image of the Justice Department, but characterized the furor over the Stone case as the result of a horrible lack of communication between DOJ leadership and the prosecutors on the case.

But DOJ veterans disputed that.

Under department policy, the sentencing recommendation would have been reached after consultation all the way up through the attorney general, McCord said.

Former FBI general counsel Jim Baker echoed that assessment, noting that the ethos of DOJ is to operate by consensus.

The prosecutors withdrawing from the case is a sign that that didnt happen, Baker said, and is a very strong statement that something seriously wrong was afoot.

Ultimately, Stones fate will be left to Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who Trump has attacked with unfounded accusations of political bias.

Jackson denied Stones motion for a new trial last week and Stone is set to be sentenced on February 20. Baker said he expects Jackson to put the lawyers on the record about the sentencing confusion, to find out why DOJ so dramatically changed its legal position and all of the lawyers resigned from the case, he said. The revised memo the DOJ put out on Tuesday was signed by Timothy Shea, interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, and John Crabb, Jr., the acting chief for that offices criminal division.

Stones allies, meanwhile, are still hoping for a presidential pardon. This entire investigation was a political hit job, and we believe the MAGA movement agrees: The president should pardon Roger Stone, said Michael Caputo, a former Trump campaign adviser who founded a committee on Wednesday aimed at encouraging a pardon for Stone.

Trump has not ruled it out. But a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed hope that the president opts against it.

Its not necessary. Because the guy committed serious crimes, the official said, referring to Stone. Donald Trump is impressed when people do a good job for him and dont make themselves the story. Oh, and dont break the law.

Quint Forgey contributed.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2020) -- With the standing up of Army Futures Command and the establishment of the modernization priorities, the Army is focused on preparing for the future. In a new book, Army researchers describe the roles that science, especially artificial intelligence, will play in future military operations.

In the book, Nonsimplicity: The Warrior's Way, Dr. Bruce J. West, a senior scientist at the Army Research Office, and his coauthor, retired Army Brig. Gen. Chris Arney, Ph.D., discuss in a nontechnical, informal style how the military can grow and change to prepare itself for its future. This book is the first in a series of books being published by the Cyber Defense Review, a journal associated with the Army Cyber Institute at West Point.

ARO is an element of U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory.

"Our world is complex -- uncertain, irrational, chaotic, foggy, and full of paradox," West writes. "To serve the American society in this complex time, the U.S. military must become non-simple and agile. That means being able to meet its missions in all their forms--major conflict, full spectrum combat, cyber and information warfare, asymmetric war, unconventional war, disaster relief, stability operations and cognitive challenges."

In the book, the authors recommend a new set of Information Age Principles of War and identify the strategies, tactics, systems and weapons that the modern warriors need to develop and use.

"The new principles are based on the conceptions of nonsimplicity, nonlinearity and the broader, more modern view of warfare," Arney writes. "Some of new principles are flexibility, synchronization, cooperation, integration and awareness. Gone from the list are the means to restrict the force to simplicity such as offense, mass, economy of force and unity of command. These old conceptions of the military can still play roles in planning and implementation, but no longer rise to the level of an Information Age Principle of War."

"Modern warriors will need new cognitive and leadership skills to be able to adapt their thinking and planning to the forthcoming deceptions and paradoxes that easily confuse and defeat industrial age thinking," West said. "The information age military requires new talents and combinations of warriors - data analysts, complex problem solvers, cyber experts, information scientists, network scientists, roboticists and interdisciplinary modelers."

An electronic copy of the book is available for free at Cyber Defense Review; a version for e-readers is also available.

###

The CCDC Army Research Laboratory is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army's corporate research laboratory, ARL discovers, innovates and transitions science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that it structured $13,096,000 in financing for Crown Point Health Suites, a skilled nursing facility in Lubbock, Texas, and $33,600,000 in financing for Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Huntsville, Alabama.

Walker & Dunlop Managing Director, Kevin Giusti, led the origination team, which has extensive experience with senior housing and skilled nursing facilities across the country. Leveraging their knowledge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) lending platform, the Walker & Dunlop team utilized HUD's LEAN 232/233(f) refinance program, which provides long-term and reduced-rate financing for specialty healthcare facilities. The permanent financing will replace the existing debt previously provided by Walker & Dunlop's bridge lending program.

"The Walker Dunlop team did it again! They continue to provide excellent customer service and work hard to understand the needs of my company so they can craft the most efficient solution," commented Rick Stern, Partner at Regency Senior Living.

Rick Ruble, CEO of Crown Point Health Suites, further commented, "Walker & Dunlop was incredibly communicative, proactive, and efficient throughout the HUD loan process. Walker & Dunlop advocates for their clients, always problem-solving to find the quickest resolutions to get the job done."

Built in 2011, Crown Point Health Suites is a 96-unit, Class A+ facility located in West Texas. Crown Point Suites is family-owned and operated and provides a resort-like community to its clients, featuring private suites, numerous dining options, personal laundry service, 24-hour nursing coverage, and special daily activities. The facility currently holds a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and has consistently maintained a top rating since its delivery.

Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville is a 312-unit CCRC built in 1980, with the addition of a skilled nursing facility in 2016. The property offers residents varying levels of senior care, providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation care, independent and assisted living, and memory care services. In 2019, the subject received an American Health Association's Commitment to Quality Award.

Walker & Dunlop ranked as the 3rd largest HUD lender in 2019 based on MAP initial endorsements, closing over $94 million of seniors housing and healthcare transactions. Learn more about Walker & Dunlop's ability to lend on seniors housing and healthcare properties:

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 800+ professionals in 40 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : A habeas corpus has been filed in the Delhi High Court by Md. Suhail who claims his wife has been wrongfully detained by her family.

The plea stated that the couple got married on March 15 last year with the consent and blessings of only the groom's family as the bride's were opposed to the marriage.

Despite that the couple managed to stay together for few days.

A month after the wedding, on April 16 when the wife went to convince her family, they unlawfully/illegally detained her at her paternal home.

"Ever since, she has been facing mental and physical torture from her family members," said the plea filed by advocate Bibhuti Bhushan Mishra and his firm Corpus Juris India before a division bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice C. Harishankar.

"The present petition portrays the absolute high handedness of the police officials of Delhi police in dealing with the people especially when they are poor," the plea also said.

The matter is likely to come up for hearing on February 14.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday urged the Madhya Pradesh government to reinstate Chhatrapati Shivaji's statue, which was removed in Chhindwara district.

"Madhya Pradesh government should immediately reinstate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue on the very same place & apologise to Nation. People of India & Maharashtra will not tolerate such insult of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!" Fadnavis tweeted.

On Monday night, some organisations had the statue installed after which the district administration removed it in the night itself by saying that there was no permission sought for its installation.

Shiv Sena and other Hindutva organisations had also given a memorandum to the municipality to install a statue of Shivaji at Sausar's Mohgaon Tiraha in Chhindwara district.

After the memorandum, the Municipal councilor visited Mohgaon Tiraha and designated a place for the statue's installation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[February 13, 2020] Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Announce Proposed Settlement in the Valeant Securities Settlement

The following statement is being issued by Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP regarding the Valeant Securities Settlement:







UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY In re VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS ) Master No. 3:15-cv-07658-MAS-LHG INTERNATIONAL, INC. SECURITIES LITIGATION ) CLASS ACTION ) Judge Michael A. Shipp This Document Relates To: ) Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman Case No. 3:15-cv-07658-MAS-LHG. ) Special Master Hon. Dennis M. Cavanaugh, U.S.D.J. (Ret.) )

SUMMARY NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION TO: ALL PERSONS AND ENTITIES THAT PURCHASED OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRED VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC. ("VALEANT," NOW KNOWN AS BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.) COMMON STOCK, VALEANT DEBT SECURITIES, OR CALL OPTIONS ON (News - Alert) VALEANT COMMON STOCK, OR SOLD PUT OPTIONS ON VALEANT COMMON STOCK, DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 4, 2013 AND MARCH 15, 2016, INCLUSIVE (THE "CLASS PERIOD") THIS NOTICE WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE COURT. IT IS NOT A LAWYER SOLICITATION. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a hearing will be held on May 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., before the Honorable Dennis M. Cavanaugh, U.S.D.J. (Ret.), Special Master, at the Clarkson S. Fisher Building & U.S. Courthouse, 402 East State Street, Courtroom 1, Trenton, New Jersey 08608, to determine whether: (1) the proposed settlement (the "Settlement") of the above-captioned action as set forth in the Stipulation of Settlement ("Stipulation")1 for $1,210,000,000.00 in cash should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable and adequate; (2) the Judgment as provided under the Stipulation should be entered dismissing the Litigation against all Defendants with prejudice except PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"); (3) the Class should be finally certified for purposes of the Settlement only; (4) to award Lead Counsel attorneys' fees and charges and expenses out of the Settlement Fund (as defined in the Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class Action ("Notice"), which is discussed below) and, if so, in what amount; (5) to award Plaintiffs out of the Settlement Fund pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78u-4(a)(4) in connection with their representation of the Class and, if so, in what amount; and (6) the Plan of Allocation should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable and adequate. IF YOU PURCHASED OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRED VALEANT SECURITIES2 BETWEEN JANUARY 4, 2013 AND MARCH 15, 2016, INCLUSIVE, YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS LITIGATION. To share in the distribution of the Settlement Fund, you must establish your rights by submitting a Proof of Claim and Release form by mail (postmarked no later than May 6, 2020) or online (no later than May 6, 2020). Your failure to submit your Proof of Claim and Release by May 6, 2020, will subject your claim to rejection and preclude your receiving any of the recovery in connection with the Settlement of this Litigation. To exclude yourself from the Class, you must submit a written request for exclusion so that it is postmarked no later than May 6, 2020, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Notice. If you request exclusion, you will not recover money pursuant to the Settlement. If you have not received a copy of the Notice, which more completely describes the Settlement and your rights thereunder (including your right to exclude yourself from the Class or to object to the Settlement), and a Proof of Claim and Release, you may obtain these documents, as well as a copy of the Stipulation and other settlement documents, online at www.ValeantSecuritiesSettlement.com, or by writing to: Valeant Securities Settlement

c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC

P.O. Box (News - Alert) 43337

Providence, RI 02940-3337 Inquiries should NOT be directed to Defendants, the Court, or the Clerk of the Court. Inquiries, other than requests for the Notice or for a Proof of Claim and Release, may be made to a representative of Lead Counsel: ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN & DOWD LLP

Rick Nelson

c/o Shareholder Relations

655 West Broadway, Suite 1900

San Diego, CA (News - Alert) 92101

Telephone: 800/449-4900 IF YOU ARE A CLASS MEMBER, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE SETTLEMENT, THE PLAN OF ALLOCATION, THE REQUEST BY LEAD COUNSEL FOR AN AWARD OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND EXPENSES AND/OR THE AWARDS TO PLAINTIFFS PURSUANT TO 15 U.S.C. 78u-4(a)(4) IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR REPRESENTATION OF THE CLASS. ANY OBJECTIONS MUST BE FILED WITH THE COURT AND MAILED TO LEAD COUNSEL AND VALEANT'S COUNSEL BY MAY 6, 2020, IN THE MANNER AND FORM EXPLAINED IN THE NOTICE. DATED: January 23, 2020 BY ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY ____________________ 1 The Stipulation can be viewed and/or obtained at www.ValeantSecuritiesSettlement.com. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Stipulation. 2 "Valeant Securities" means Valeant equity securities as defined in 15 U.S.C. 78c(11) and 17 C.F.R. 240.3a11-1, and Valeant debt securities, including Valeant common stock; options on Valeant common stock, defined to be the purchase or acquisition of call options and the sale of put options; and the following Valeant senior notes: (1) 5.375% senior notes due 2020; (2) 5.875% senior notes due 2023; (3) 6.125% senior notes due 2025; (4) 5.5% senior notes due 2023; (5) 5.625% senior notes due 2021; (6) 6.75% senior notes due 2018; (7) 7.5% senior notes due 2021; (8) 6.375% senior notes due 2020; (9) 7.25% senior notes due 2022; (10) 6.75% senior notes due 2021; or (11) 7.0% senior notes due 2020. This definition does not include securities at issue in the Canadian Actions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005006/en/

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The Montgomery City Council unanimously and regretfully accepted the resignation of Jon Bickford from Place 1 on Tuesday at City Hall.

Prior to the meeting, Bickford submitted his letter of resignation on Feb. 5, effective Feb. 12., after serving the growing city for nearly a decade.

I leave the role and city in what I believe is nothing less than amazing condition, Bickford wrote.

The city leadership team (City Administrator Richard Tramm, City Secretary Susan Hensley, and Police Chief Anthony Solomon) are doing an exceptional job keeping the business of the city on track, the letter continued. Our commitment to manage funding and expenses has been (and looking out for the foreseeable future is) exemplary, and the groups commitment to managing the amazing growth weve seen in a way that (to every extent possible) maintains the look and feel of the Montgomery of Old means the world to the citizens of the city.

In the letter, Bickford described his gratitude for an amazing and unforgettable experience. He shared intentions to sell his home in Buffalo Springs and move to Huntsville over the next few weeks where he and his family have finished building a home and look forward to starting a new chapter.

We cant thank you all enough for all youve done for us as citizens, for the friendships weve created (and I expect will continue), and most importantly, for the memories well always have from living in this amazing city, Bickford stated in the letter.

Despite his plans, during Tuesdays meeting Bickford could be heard asking questions for the council to consider regarding the agenda items, including related to the $9,900 investment in the annual Antiques Festival and the long term impact of rezoning to commercial for a parking lot expansion. It prompted some humor from his fellow council members.

You wont be around anyway, Councilman John Champagne, Jr. said jokingly to laughter in the room.

Its still my town, dammit, Bickford barked back playfully.

Tramm said he appreciated the confidence Bickford stated for him as new city leader and described his observation of the outgoing councilman in the past year.

He pays close attention to the materials that have come in front of him, Tramm said during a phone interview on Wednesday with The Courier. Hes considered it to be of high importance to see that the citys growth occur in a way that is productive and beneficial to the citizens of the city and he has a high concern to see that city ordinances are followed.

Bickfords term was not set to expire until May 2021. A special election will be held on May 2 to fill his vacancy. Applications must be filed by 5 p.m. on March 3. Early voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 20-25 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 27-28. Polls will be open for voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 2 at the following polling locations in Montgomery:

For persons located at Voting Precinct 9: Dobbin-Daucus Community Center at 695 South FM 1486. Those in Voting Precinct 19 can vote at the Montgomery City Hall at 101 Old Plantersville Road. Those in Voting Precinct 38 can vote at West Montgomery County Annex at 19380 Highway 105 W., Suite 507. Those in Voting Precinct 39 have a polling place at Lake Creek High School at 20639 FM 2854.

Ballots voted by mail should be sent to Suzie Harvey, Elections Administrator, at P.O. Box 2646, Conroe, Texas, 77305-2646. Email: election.ballot@mctx.org. Fax 936-788-8340. If an application for Ballot By Mail is submitted by email or fax or if a Federal Post Card Application is submitted by fax, to be effective, the application must also be submitted by mail and received no later than the fourth business day after it is received by email or fax, according to information from the city.

mellsworth@hcnonline.com
A federal jury Thursday found San Antonio oilman Brian Alfaro guilty on all seven counts of mail fraud for allegedly misusing investor money to support an extravagant lifestyle.

Alfaro, 51, showed no emotion when the verdicts were read. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery directed Alfaro be taken into custody to await his sentencing on June 22.

Alfaro faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.

The 12 jurors deliberated about four hours over two days before reaching their verdict. The trial lasted eight days.

Were extremely disappointed with the verdict, Michael McCrum, Alfaros defense lawyer, said. We disagree with the verdict. He declined to comment further.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Surovic said he was pleased with the outcome.

Justice has been done, he said. Now well see how he gets sentenced.

Alfaro did not take the stand to testify in his own defense. Had he testified, prosecutors could have called into question his credibility given alleged prior misstatements.

At a hearing last month, Alfaro told the judge he was current on a mortgage loan. In fact, the lender on Alfaros $3 million Shavano Park estate had moved days earlier to foreclose on the grounds that the loan was in default.

Biery referred the matter to the U.S. attorneys office for a possible perjury prosecution.

Alfaros wife, Kristi, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization Feb. 3  the first day of Alfaros criminal trial  in a legal maneuver that stopped a foreclosure scheduled for the following day. It marked the second time she had filed for bankruptcy to stop a foreclosure.

In Brian Alfaros criminal case, prosecutors alleged he had misled investors who purchased units in oil and gas drilling ventures by telling them he would not take transaction-based compensation from their investments. But investor money was deposited in a company account and then went directly to Alfaro, prosecutors claimed.

Alfaro used some of the money to buy a $500,000 Lamborghini and Spurs season tickets for seats behind the team bench, among other purchases, prosecutors said.

The oil and gas industry is a high risk business, we recognize that, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Almonte told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday. But the biggest risk in all of these transactions was getting into business with Brian Alfaro, who knew he was misleading investors at the time.

McCrum disputed that Alfaro received transaction-based compensation, saying his client had a right to draw on profits from oil wells under the terms of the contracts investors signed. Prosecutors presented no evidence that Alfaro acted with criminal intent, McCrum said.

Thats what this case is all about  intent, McCrum said. You have to decide whether Brian had a conscious intent to defraud, his conscious intent was to deceive, his conscious intent was to cheat. Thats the courts instructions.

McCrum blamed Alfaros troubles on a rogue accountant at Alfaros company, Primera Energy. The accountant disliked Alfaro and committed numerous breaches of fiduciary duty, including diverting profits from one well to cover unexpected costs in two other wells that he personally invested in, McCrum said.

This is a perfect example of sabotage, McCrum said in closing arguments. Its known as corporate sabotage or corporate terrorism by somebody on the inside bringing down a company.

For some Alfaro investors, his conviction was a long time coming.

A group of investors had sued Alfaro in state District Court in San Antonio in 2015 alleging that they had been defrauded.

Among them was Tom Gillette, vice president of San Antonios Gillette Air Conditioning Co., who testified as a witness for the prosecution during the criminal trial.

You cant cheat that many people and not suffer the consequences, Gillette said in an email after learning the verdict. Justice served.

The jurys verdict makes our community safer, added Lawrence Morales II, an attorney for the investors. With Mr. Alfaro finally behind bars, he cant continue preying on our citizens.

Primera filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection not long after investors filed their lawsuit, which was removed to bankruptcy court.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta held a six-day trial in 2017 and later found that nine of 28 investors had proved fraud by showing that Alfaro had transferred more than $700,000 investor funds to a family trust and used the money to buy personal items, including a $189,000 Bentley.

Gargotta awarded the nine investors almost $8 million. In his ruling, Gargotta determined Alfaros testimony was inconsistent and evasive at times. The litigation served as the basis for the criminal charges against Alfaro.

This article will be updated later.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
I just hate the fight.

This statement was reiterated several times in the Feb. 6 reading of Same Blood: Stories of Inequity of 10 Black Women Living in Indianapolis at Trinity Episcopal Church. For an hour, five local actresses shared the stories of 10 local women who have experienced discrimination in the health care system.

Lauren Briggeman, co-founder of Summit Productions, a local, female-based theater company, took interviews conducted by Dr. Sally Wasmuth, an assistant professor at IUPUI, with Black women from around the city and pieced together the interviews to create the play. The play features conversations regarding medical treatment, obstacles in recovery for Black women and how the issue of race permeates most areas of life for African American women.

The reading was part of Trinity Episcopal Churchs Social Justice and Reconciliation Committees effort to address social issues within the community.

Bill Coleman, chair of the committee, said focusing on racial disparities in health care was an easy choice after hearing about maternal and infant mortality in the news and after visiting the Indiana Minority Health Coalition.

According to the Office of Minority Health, African American women have a life expectancy of 78, as opposed to 82 years for white women. The likelihood of death among Black women following a stroke, asthma attack, giving birth and pneumonia are all higher than the rates of death for white women.

It was this underlying theme that connected the experiences of the 10 anonymous women who shared their stories through what Wasmuth called narrative medicine.

Listening to stories of people who have been through something is a predictor of better health outcomes, Wasmuth said.

Evoking empathy and understanding was one of the reasons Coleman and the committee wanted to bring the play, originally performed at Phoenix Theatre, to the church.

Same Blood wove together horror stories of being left in the hallways of an emergency room, not being offered medical tests when symptoms arise and being ignored by doctors. The women went on to talk about discrimination theyve faced in the workforce, including a gay, Black woman who felt ostracized by her peers, a biracial woman who felt she had to choose between being Black or being white, and a woman with a teenage son, constantly worried he will have a fatal run-in with a police officer.

While the play offered multiple examples of the problems Black women face in health care and beyond, no solutions were offered. In this instance, art imitates life. According to the National Womens Law Center, racial bias causes doctors to spend less time with Black patients, underestimate their pain and provide them with less effective care, increasing their risk of dying unnecessarily.

But, despite discouraging statistics and experiences, the actresses left the audience with the message that self-advocacy and standing up for others facing discrimination can make positive change for African Americans.

You have a voice, actress Enjoli Desiree said. Use it.

Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
You are here: World

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday met with visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud here discussing bilateral ties and Iran, said the U.S. State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 12, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Pompeo talked about the U.S.-Saudi partnership to confront Iran's threats, said the department in a statement.

The two sides also discussed recent violence in Yemen and the need to return to de-escalation, the statement added.

Since its unilateral exit from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, Washington has been mounting pressure on Tehran through a series of sanctions. Iran has maintained a tough stance and scaled back its nuclear commitments in response.

The strained U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated sharply since Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, was killed near Baghdad International Airport by U.S. drone strikes in early January.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas  Police in a Dallas suburb shot dead a knife-wielding man suspected of assault in a motel courtyard, officials said.

Dewayne Brian Bowman, 30, died Wednesday of gunshot wounds to the head and chest at the Grand Prairie, Texas, motel where he lived, the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office said in a statement.

Grand Prairie police said officers had gone to the Budget Suites about 1 a.m . Wednesday. O fficers went to the motel in response to reports that a man had assaulted at least one person and was chasing the motel security guard through the parking lot with a knife, according to a police statement.

Two officers arrived to find the knife-wielding man, but after they tried several times to defuse the situation the man moved toward them with the knife.

After the officers retreated and the man continued to advance, both officers shot the man repeatedly.
* Malaysia Q4 GDP growth slows to decade-low * Indonesia hits over 1-wk low * Singapore leads gainers, up over 1.4% By Arundhati Dutta Feb 12 (Reuters) - Singapore and Thailand stocks rose over 1% on Wednesday on hopes that the worst of the coronavirus outbreak in China might be over, while Malaysia shares fell as data showed its fourth-quarter economic growth had slumped to a decade-low. China reported the lowest number of new virus cases since late January on Wednesday, supporting the country's senior medical advisor's prediction that the epidemic would be over by April. Singaporean shares closed 1.5% higher, with heavyweight financial stocks United Overseas Bank and DBS Group Holdings gaining more than 1%. Malaysian equities slipped 0.6% after data showed southeast Asia's third-largest economy grew 3.6% in October-December from the same period a year earlier, prompting the central bank to signal 'ample room' for rate cuts. Financials were top losers, with Hong Leong Bank and Public Bank shedding 4.3% and 2.8%, respectively. Malaysia's lacklustre GDP data and Singapore's collapsing tourist numbers have increased the odds of monetary easing by the countries' central banks, said Jeffrey Halley, market analyst at OANDA, in a note. Singapore expects visitor numbers to decline by about 25-30% this year due to the virus outbreak, the city state's tourism board said on Tuesday. Indonesian stocks dropped 0.7%, hitting its lowest level in about one week, weighed down by consumer stocks. Instant noodles maker PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk tumbled 6%. The country's health minister asserted on Tuesday that Indonesia was not hiding anything over coronavirus, after U.S. researchers said that infections may have gone undetected in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. Indonesia remains the only country in Southeast Asia with no confirmed virus cases, despite having had direct flights to Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus. The Thai index ended 1% higher, marking its best day in a week, lifted by financial companies. The Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikornbank were up 4.6% and 1.8%, respectively. Philippines closed 0.8% lower, while Vietnam ended up 0.3%. For Asian Companies click; SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS STOCK MARKETS Change on the day Market Current Previous close Pct Move Singapore 3223.37 3175.57 1.51 Bangkok 1539.84 1523.93 1.04 Manila 7383.1 7439.4 -0.76 Jakarta 5913.081 5954.397 -0.69 Kuala Lumpur 1542.94 1551.48 -0.55 Ho Chi Minh 937.68 934.67 0.32 Change so far in 2020 Market Current End 2019 Pct Move Singapore 3223.37 3222.83 0.02 Bangkok 1539.84 1579.84 -2.53 Manila 7383.1 7,815.26 -5.53 Jakarta 5913.081 6,299.54 -6.13 Kuala Lumpur 1542.94 1588.76 -2.88 Ho Chi Minh 937.68 960.99 -2.43 (Reporting by Arundhati Dutta; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel)
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: In a big U-turn, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn its opposition to handing over of the Elgar Parishad case probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). "We have decided to hand over the case to the NIA. We have no objections the NIA taking over the probe," state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said.

However, differences have cropped up among Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi partners over the issue. Deshmukh, who belong to the NCP, admitted that his decision of not handing over the case to the NIA was overruled by Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

It is the right of the chief minister to overrule the decision of the home ministerSo we have no objections over this decision, Deshmukh said even as he made his displeasure clear. The state agencies were investigating the Koregaon Bhima (Elgar Parishad) case... The Centre handed over the investigation to the NIA. As the home minister, my stand was that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before taking the decision.

Last week, Thackeray had, in an interview with Saamana, criticised the Centres decision, saying it had all the right to step into the probe, but should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the investigation to the NIA.

However, he was not keen to enter into a confrontation with the Centre over the matter, sources said. "When the NCP had earlier opposed the case being transferred, the CM and other party leaders did not make any comment," a Sena leader pointed out.

Recap

Last month, the Centre had transferred the Elgar Parishad probe from Pune Police to the NIA. The case is related to speeches at Elgar conclave in 2017.
Complaint filed against surgeons marketing trans surgery to teens on Instagram, posting gruesome photos

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A coalition of parents in Canada filed a complaint against a gender clinic and two of its surgeons who use gruesome photos in their marketing of transgender surgeries to young people on Instagram.

The complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario highlights the McLean clinic in Mississauga and Drs. Hugh McLean and Giancarlo McEvenue, asking the organization to review the impact social media has on impressionable young minds and the standard of care applied to youth who self-identify as transgender.

The parent coalition that filed the complaint includes Canadian Gender Report, Parents of ROGD Kids, Canadian Womens Sex-based Rights and GNC Centric.

"There is a several thousand percent increase in the number of youth seeking medical means to change their gender in Europe, Australia, and North America. In the past year, the Ministers of Health of the UK and Australia have ordered government inquiries to understand why the number of adolescents seeking gender transition is increasing so rapidly," the complaint notes.

"The exponentially increasing rates of youth presenting as gender dysphoric, combined with the increasing numbers of detransitioners emphasize the need to take a more cautious approach in terms of intervention until more research has been conducted."

Such detransitioners  individuals who once lived and identified as transgender or nonbinary  have become more visible in recent months as the experimental medicalization of gender has begun receiving more government scrutiny, court cases have been initiated, and young men and women who pursued that pathway but now regret doing so take to social media to speak about their experiences, detailing how their bodies were harmed.

"With more and more detransitioners coming forward, the medical community would be negligent if they don't take a closer look at what's going on. And I don't think the general public is aware of how experimental the treatment is and how much marketing and promotion is behind it," said Pamela Buffone, founder of the Canadian Gender Report, in an interview with The Christian Post Monday.

"What we can see is that there have been lots of stories of successful and happy transgender people in the media with their experiences depicted in highly positive and simplistic terms. There is almost no discussion in the media about detransitioners although we are only starting to see this trend of young people expressing regret very recently."

Asked how the complaint originated, Buffone said that many parents of kids who have been affected by what is known as rapid-onset gender dysphoria (ROGD) have been monitoring McLean Clinic's social media activity for a while and noticed how the outfit has openly solicited business for female-to-male "gender-affirming" surgeries.

"It is obvious from the social media channels they use and the nature of their posts, that theyve identified teenage and young adult women as their target market. Even their website URL is carefully crafted to leverage specific keywords so that their clinic will come up first in a Google search (https://ftmtopsurgery.ca), and their frequent blog posts are rich with targeted keywords to ensure their website will remain at the top of Google search results," Buffone explained.

"Theyve designed a marketing strategy around an extremely vulnerable group of young people and we filed the complaint to raise this issue to the College of Physicians and Surgeons so they can decide whether this is in breach of their professional standards."

Some of the photos that appear on the McLean clinic's Instagram account show the results of gender surgeries, particularly shirtless post-surgery young women who have had their breasts removed, bearing their scars. One such image shows McEvenue wearing both a surgical mask and a Santa hat while holding up two small buckets labeled "breast tissue."

"The patient information disclosed on the McLean Instagram site is protected health information per Section 4 of the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)," the complaint states, and the clinic is disclosing information that identifies an individual, or, according to the text of the law, for which it is reasonably foreseeable in the circumstances that it could be utilized, either alone or with other information, to identify an individual.

Posting such content contravenes CPSO guidelines, which state that doctors ought to consider how technology use can cause the public to view them as unprofessional, the complaint goes on to say, noting how the amputated breasts and body tissue of patients are not treated with dignity in the Instagram photos and that many such patients seem to be minors.

The complaint concludes by asking CPSE to order McLean and McEvenue to stop their posting of material that violates PHIPA patient privacy requirements for trans-identifying persons on social media and to clarify the ethical requirements for members about the marketing of surgical procedures to minors, particularly those who may be suffering from mental illness or gender confusion.
In that version, the typical priest is one like Kindiy: somebody who juggles his duties, sometimes has to rearrange his schedule, and watches movies or plays chess with his kids on days he gets home early enough. His family gathers together with all the others at a church cafe after Mass. He has asked parishioners to serve as godparents. Sometimes, Kindiy takes his 10-year-old son on visits to the sick. If they ask for a blessing, his son serves as cantor.
A legislative committee in Colorado headed by Democrats voted down two bills this week that would have prohibited late-term abortions and punished doctors for neglecting to care for babies born alive following an abortion procedure.

According to The Christian Post, the bills, which were sponsored by Republicans, were rejected after seven hours of testimony along party lines.

One of the bills, introduced by Republican Rep. Shan Sandridge of Colorado Springs, would have created a doctor-patient relationship with the abortion doctor and a child born alive after an abortion. It would require a doctor to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child. Any doctor who ignored this care would be subject to a class 3 felony and a civil penalty up to $100,000.

The second bill would have punished doctors who performed abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy to a class 1 misdemeanor charge.

Democrats feared that the bills would create a precedent for limiting abortion rights in the future.

I do believe the effect of this bill to create a new felony for this kind of action would have the effect of limiting access to abortion in this state, said Committee Democrat Chair Chris Kennedy. I think that is a legitimate concern and a real problem.

Meanwhile, Republicans argued that the Kill Committee didnt give the bills a fair chance.

Both of these bills had support from Coloradans across all political spectrums and neither received a fair hearing in the Kill Committee, the CO House Republicans tweeted.

Both of these bills had support from Coloradans across all political spectrums and neither received a fair hearing in the "Kill" Committee.



We will always stand in defense of life. It is our duty to defend those who can't defend themselves. #AbortionIsNotHealthcare #coleg February 12, 2020

You can always count on Democrats to say theyll protect the little guy, except when the little guy weighs 6 pounds and is 19.5 [inches] long. [T]hen the little guy needs to fear for his life, the CO House Republicans Tweeted later.

You can always count on Democrats to say they'll protect the little guy, except when the little guys weighs 6 pounds and is 19.5 long - then the little guy needs to fear for his life. #coleghttps://t.co/2U6fq0DbYJ  CO House Republicans (@COHouseGOP) February 12, 2020

Director of the Centennial Institute think tank at Colorado Christian University and chairman of the Western Conservative Summit, Jeff Hunt, voiced his concern, as well.

The Colorado legislature just voted down a bill that would require a doctor to provide medical care to a child who is born alive after surviving an abortion, he said. A child is born, in need of help, and the Colorado legislature voted against mandating care. God have mercy.

The vote comes only a few days after the Senate Judiciary Committee debated the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, as previously reported by Christian Headlines. Though it would not punish doctors, it would require medical professionals to give babies who survive a fighting chance. To refuse, the act states, would be infanticide.

This hearing is not about overturning Roe v. Wade. In fact, this hearing is not actually about limiting access to abortion at all, said Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) who sponsored the act. This hearing isnt a debate about third-trimester, or second-trimester, or first-trimester abortion. This hearing is about making sure that every newborn baby has a fighting chancewhether shes born in a labor and delivery ward or whether shes born in an abortion clinic.

Democrats have argued that the bill is unnecessary since infanticide is already a punishable crime.

Photo courtesy: Rawpixels

Mikaela Mathews is a freelance writer and editor based in Dallas, TX. She was the editor of a local magazine and a contributing writer for the Galveston Daily News and Spirit Magazine.
Ukraine's economy ministry: Some 200 farmers start using State Agrarian Register

15:54, 13.02.20 639

The pilot project is being implemented in six Ukrainian regions.
The current coronavirus infecting thousands of people in China (COVID-19) is making public health authorities around the world responsible for screening millions of people going through airports, returning from cruises, and crossing borders by land. The number one tool is the thermometer and checking is usually done by placing it against the forehead of every individual undergoing screening. This is slow, tends to cause people to bunch together, and puts staff in close proximity to the people whose temperature theyre measuring, all contributing to increased chances of transmission of the virus.

Just in time, Singapores Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS) and a company called KroniKare has developed and is now testing a new fever screening system that uses thermal and laser cameras, coupled with a smartphone, to measure peoples temperature at a distance. The technology can help to speed travelers through transit hubs, hospital entrances, and other places, while alleviating the need for large numbers of screeners to manually measure everyones temperature.

Dubbed as iThermo, the device accepts a smartphone within a built-in cradle and the combo can be placed on a tripod near a door or anywhere else there are people passing by that have to be screened. Using artificial intelligence, the technology is even capable of measuring the temperature of people that are wearing hats, glasses, face masks, and other head-wear. It does this by recognizing the forehead of those passing in front of the cameras and compensates accordingly, including for the ambient temperature.

The system has been undergoing testing at two hospitals in Singapore and it is hoped that if the virus continues to spread, there will be many iThermo units ready soon to be able to separate the sick from the healthy.

St. Andrews Community Hospital (SACH) is privileged to partner IHIS to be a pilot site for iThermo, said Ms Tan Lay Kheng, Director of Operations and Allied Health, St. Andrews Community Hospital, Singapore, in a press release. We are piloting this new AI-powered temperature scanning solution to see if it can be a viable and cost-efficient solution for the screening of temperature of community hospital visitors. iThermo has the potential to cut down on the time taken to check each visitors temperature compared to the manual method. Our visitors would certainly benefit from a more efficient screening and registration process here.

Heres a video report about the technology:

Via: IHIS
Seriously.

It took the government no time at all to step in and overthrow a clumsy cupcake missive from a school principal who dared try and dictate whether parents could send mountains of delicious treats to school on their kids birthdays.

WA's issue of the day? Fight for the right to cupcake.

Premier Mark McGowan went as far as contacting his Education Minister, Sue Ellery, to make sure she would right this wrong after the cupcake controversy came to light. A controversy that wasnt helped by the principals explanation that his directive in part reflected the culturally diverse community at his Ellenbrook school, and the issue that some families did not want "animal byproducts" in the food their children ate.

As if a kind of veganism was now a protected cultural or religious right and the rest of us better fall in line.
Teresa Giudice may play the long-suffering wife on The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, but she wasn't always the one on the defensive.

She admitted on Wednesday's show that she knew her husband Joe Giudice, 47, had cheated on her, as old clips of his belittling behavior played.

But when she was younger, Teresa, 47, was the aggressor, beating up women at a club after they flirted with her boyfriend, her friend Dolores Catania, 49, revealed.

Tough girl: Teresa Giudice after admitting that she knew her husband cheated also confessed to being a tough girl on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of New Jersey

'Teresa beat up two girls and a guy,' Dolores said as the RHONJ cast enjoyed a nostalgic visit to the Jersey Shore.

'That was my boyfriend,' Teresa countered, admitting that she'd tackled a woman after seeing her hold her ex's hand, which had Dolores calling her 'an animal.'

Her brother, Joe Gorga, 40, remembered how tough Teresa once was, saying, 'Her boyfriends, if they ever looked at other girls, she abused them.'

It was hard for him to believe how much she'd changed, he said, especially when it came to the way she denied the cheating rumors.

Group trip: The 47-year-old reality was confronted with her past and present during a group trip to the Jersey Shore

Rough sister: Joe Gorga recalled how his sister would abuse her boyfriends if they looked at other girls

Old friend: Dolores Catania said that Teresa when she was younger beat up women at a club after they flirted with her boyfriend and called her an 'animal'

'That's why I'm shocked with her,' he affirmed. 'She was like, ''I need proof.'' Oh, I see pictures of him having sex, but she never told me!'

'He didn't tell me he had intercourse, so I don't believe it,' Joe's wife Melissa Gorga, 40, chimed in, imitating Teresa.

Teresa had earlier confessed that she knew Joe cheated on her, ending years of denial and avoidance of the topic. As her friends stood around the kitchen of their Jersey Shore rental home, she told them how tough life with Joe had been.

Kitchen conversation: Teresa's friend and sister-in-law Melissa Gorga listened intently as she confessed that she knew Joe cheated on her

'I signed a pre-nup a week before I was getting married,' Teresa began.

'He said to me, 'The reason why I made you sign the pre-nup is becauseI didn't really even wanna get married.'

'I think he's an a**hole for saying that to you,' said Dolores' ex, Frank Catania, 55.

Prenup agreement: The mother of four told her friends how Joe told her that he never wanted to get married to her

'I have a lot of resentment,' Teresa agreed. 'I feel like I didn't deserve that, 'cause I was, like, the perfect, perfect f***ing wife.'

'But do you think he was as good a husband to you as you were to him?' Frank asked.

'No, because there was rumors out there,' Teresa said.

Perfect wife: Teresa called herself the 'perfect f***ing wife' as her brother Joe stood by her side

'Do you think he ever fooled around behind your back?' wondered Joe Benigno, the husband of her friend Margaret Josephs, 52.

'Listen, he had a separate cell phone with one girl,' Teresa replied, explaining that she'd found it. 'It was his ex-girlfriend's sister. He said she was going through her divorce [and] he was helping her trying to sell her house.'

'Like, I quit my job,' she continued. '[My daughter] Gia was three, and I was like, 'What am I gonna do?' I shoulda left then, right? I didn't because he denied it to me. I believed him.'

Separate cellphone: Dolores reacted as Teresa finally admitted that she knew about Joe's cheating

Her brother asked her what everyone was wondering: 'Today, do you believe he cheated on you?'

'Yeah, now I do,' Teresa affirmed, as everyone looked shocked to hear it.

'Listen, I don't think it's news to anybody's ears that Joe was cheating on Teresa,' Melissa said in a confessional. 'What the news is here, is Teresa's finally admitting it.'

In old show footage, Joe was shown calling Teresa 'my b**** wife,'

Harsh words: Old footage showed Joe referring to Teresa as his 'b**** wife'

Clips from a 2015 reunion also showed ex-cast member Jacqueline Laurita, 49, pointing out that Teresa had found Joe fooling around with another woman in his office.

'I'm just saying, sometimes you're blind,' Teresa observed.

'It took a long time, and it still is really hard for me to admit, but I owe it to myself to open my eyes to it,' she added in a confessional.

Rocky marriage: A 2015 reunion clip showed ex-cast member Jacqueline Laurita, 49, pointing out that Teresa had found Joe fooling around with another woman in his office

At dinner that night, Joe and Melissa made gentle fun of her obliviousness, which rankled Teresa.

'It's not really funny,' she told the cameras. 'I mean, this is my life, and I really don't think it's something to laugh about.'

Everyone shared their memories of the Jersey Shore, with Gorga recounting how he'd met Melissa in Cancun, then spent every weekend at the Shore looking for her.

Not funny: Teresa after being teased by her brother and his wife over her obliviousness said it wasn't funny

'I found her,' he crowed, remembering that his heart had been racing when they ran into each other again, though she'd shrugged and walked away.

The cast then learned that Danielle Staub, 57, was going to be at the Shore, which had Melissa saying both Danielle and Jennifer Aydin, 42, were 'on thin ice' with her.

Melissa and Jennifer had recently had a spat in which Jennifer threw food at Melissa.

Going strong: Joe during dinner recalled how he pursued Melissa at Jersey Shore

Catching up: Teresa caught up with Danielle Staub before going to Jersey Shore with friends

The next day, as they all headed to the pool, Melissa joked that maybe Teresa could find 'a little boy' there, which had Teresa regretting what she'd said about Joe.

'My daughters adore their dad,' she told everyone, though she admitted she 'had resentment' for all the things she'd done for him, and the money she'd spent.

'I should be so much further in life,' Teresa admitted. 'Everything came crashing down because of the legal stuff. And I'll be honest, I stress about money all the time.'

Felt bad: The reality star felt bad afterward for talking ill of Joe and noted that her daughters adore him

'You know what Milania did say the other day, which made me feel really bad?' she added, referring to her 15-year-old daughter. 'She said, 'Ma, I don't care about money. I want how it used to be.' I worry every day about my kids.'

Margaret bonded with Teresa over lawsuits they were facing, but Jennifer pointed out that Margaret had much more support from her spouse than Teresa did at the moment.

'My daughter wants me to be home every single day,' Teresa shared. 'I'm like, 'I have to work.'

Jennifer's husband Bill empathized, saying that kids didn't realize how hard their moms worked.

Hard work: Bill Aydin empathized with Teresa that people don't realize how hard moms work

'I didn't know Jen worked,' an annoyed Margaret cracked.

Jennifer seethed. 'Excuse me?' she said in a confessional. 'Raising five kids isn't work? My job is 10 times harder than what she does. So check that, b***.'

Before the cast went on their trip, Teresa threw Gia a party for her prom, trying to make up for her eighth-grade dance, which she missed when she was in prison.

Good one: Margaret Josephs cracked that she didn't know that Jennifer Aydin worked

Gia's date was Frankie Catania, Jr., the 20-year-old son of Dolores and Frank, who joked about an arranged marriage.

Gia's father called her as she got ready, saying that he was 'choked up' that he couldn't be there, which made her cry.

Elsewhere on the episode, Jennifer took her daughter Gabriella, 12, to see her uncle Steven Altinel direct an event for the Long Island Musical Theatre Festival.

Prom time: Gia talked to her father Joe who was in an ICE detention facility while she got ready for her prom

Cute couple: Frankie Catania Jr was Gia's prom date

Jennifer hoped Steven's courage in living his life as a gay man could inspire Gabby, who'd been bullied by girls at school.

As the evening concluded, Steven's mother told him that she supported and loved him, which was her way of saying she accepted him.

'Seeing how far he's come is an example to Gabby to just stay true to herself,' Jennifer opined. 'If Steven found where he fit in, then she can too.'

Musical theater: Elsewhere on the episode, Jennifer took her daughter Gabriella, 12, to see her uncle Steven Altinel direct an event for the Long Island Musical Theatre Festival.

Gay son: Jennifer's mother told her gay son Steven that she loved and supported him

In another scene, Dolores and her beau David Principe discussed how they would decorate their new home together, and the commitment each of them was making.

'David gives me a lot of things other men haven't,' Dolores said in a confessional. 'He's never lied. He's never cheated. And right now, that's more important to me than a ring.'

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey will return next week on Bravo.
Ms Hishmeh claimed she lost control of her car around a bend and unintentionally struck the group, despite the state alleging there were no indications of emergency braking at the scene. Jacob Cummins died on the street, while Robert Bell, Augustine Janga, Mark Kickett and Anwre Ige suffered serious injuries. Prosecutor Les Hobson, in his closing statements at Ms Hishmehs Supreme Court trial on Wednesday, said distressing footage captured from two different angles from nearby houses showed Ms Hishmehs intent to murder. A picture is worth a thousand words, he said. Thats not loss of control ... thats driving directly into that group of boys. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Ms Hishmeh allegedly told her then-fiance, I didnt mean it, as Mr Kickett, who had crashed through the windscreen, lay lifeless in his lap.

Anwre Ige, Augustine Janga and Mark Kickett were also struck by the car. She then got out of the car and ran to where Mr Cummins lay injured and hysterically cried out for someone to help him. While Ms Hishmeh admitted she was looking for the boys in her car, she claimed she only wanted to warn them to stay away from her siblings and alert police to where they were. Two of the boys, who were of African descent, had been in the group Ms Hishmeh chased outside McDonald's. Mr Hobson alleged when Ms Hishmeh saw two lighter-skinned boys seriously injured in the immediate aftermath of the crash, her reaction was in response to injuring the wrong people.

Consider that when she says she didnt mean it, he said. Aya Hishmeh's father was visibly distressed during his daughter's first court appearance the day after the crash. Credit:Heather Mcneill But Ms Hishmeh's lawyer Anthony Elliott said while she was angry that day, her intent was never to run the group down. The question for you [the jury] is not whether Ms Hishmeh did something wrong that day, but whether or not it was murder or something less, he said. Is there a real possibility that she drove too fast and simply misjudged the bend, the speed or stopping distance because she was distracted?

Mr Elliott said the power of Ms Hishmehs vehicle was just too much car for a little girl with four years driving experience. She clearly went too fast for her level of driving skills, he said. Mr Elliott said Ms Hishmehs demeanour in the aftermath of the crash was the most telling of her intention; she said she "didn't mean to" about 24 times in her police interview. "If you accept that was her state of mind at the time, the prosecution cannot prove intention," he said. "She doesnt say, Im happy thats done, they got what they deserved, I wanted to kill them, She says, I didnt mean to.

"She was hysterical in the aftermath and hysterical beforehand [at McDonalds] and the prosecution want to prove that right in the middle of these two things she was a calculated, cold-blooded murderer." He said Ms Hishmeh had no criminal record and had told police she sped up when she saw the boys on the pathway only because she was angry. "Emotion is variable in that it goes up and down ... and so too can intention," he said. "When [Ms Hishmeh] gets angry, she shouts and swears and paces, thats what she was doing that afternoon. "It might not be what you or I would do, but its exactly the sort of thing Ms Hishmeh would do."
Shortly before her death in 2003, Florence Reavley summoned her husband of six decades to their apartment in Bellingham, Wash., to make a pronouncement.

When I die, I want you to marry Carolyn King, she said, referring to her husbands colleague on the federal appeals bench.

Well, why would I do that? Thomas Reavley asked, jolted by the suggestion, according to the story hes told countless times.

Because she will take good care of you, his wife said. If you dont marry Carolyn King, youll go to seed, youll be a burden to your daughters.

A few months later, after the new year, the bereaved 82-year-old senior judge invited King, 65, of Houston, to lunch in Malibu, Calif. Then, on a veranda overlooking the Pacific Ocean, he trotted out the story about what his late wife had said in her final days. Hed mulled it over, he said, and Ive decided Florence is right.

King, a divorced mother of three grown sons, couldnt fathom what her old friend was saying. Reavley had a smile on his face and an air of complete confidence, King recalled.

It was a good first try, thought the chief judge of the conservative 5th Circuit. You know, were doing this a little backwards, she offered. We might ought to talk about this a little.

Talks stretched out over weeks. The courthounds kept their courtship quiet while they contemplated logistics. That summer Reavley and King married and merged their universes. Now 98 and 82, the senior judges occupy side-by-side offices at Houstons federal courthouse on Rusk  with a secret door between their chambers so they dont have to trudge out into an external hallway for visits.

Florence Reavleys crazy notion turned out to be ingenious. Despite their obvious differences, the first married appeals court judges were a terrific fit.

Ken Ellis/Staff

First meeting in a D.C. hearing room

Their friendship was forged a quarter of a century earlier after President Jimmy Carter tapped them for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Theyd been invited on the same day, June 25, 1979, to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C.

An omnibus act of Congress in 1978 had increased the judiciary by one-third, adding 152 lifetime posts. Carter was determined to appoint a broad cross-section of jurists to the coveted positions, and he was explicitly looking to nominate qualified women and people of color.

Reavley, who was raised in a small East Texas town in the 1930s, had years of experience as a state Supreme Court justice, trial judge and prosecutor. Though the Harvard man had followed a predictable path to the bench, hed been passionate from an early age about challenging inequity. At 14, hed given a sermon to his Nacogdoches congregation about racial injustice; later, as a Democratic gubernatorial staffer, hed advocated for equal access to schools and as a judge ruled against housing discrimination.

His-and-hers biographies Thomas Reavley Hometown: Senior U.S. Judge Thomas Morrow Reavley was born in Quitman in 1921. Brushes with history: He served on a Navy convoy during World War II that transported President Franklin Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference. He met John F. Kennedy while he worked with Lyndon Johnson. Resume highlights: Before his 40-year stint on the federal bench, he was a private lawyer, a prosecutor, a state district judge and Supreme Court justice and Texas secretary of state. Circuit stats: Reavley has authored at least 4,200 opinions since 1979, according to available data. He has conferred on 5,993 cases and attended 2,731 sittings since 1995. Carolyn King Hometown: Senior U.S. Judge Carolyn Dineen King was born in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1938. Brush with history: King's father served as superintendent of insurance for New York Gov. Thomas Dewey, who lost the presidency to Harry S. Truman. During a summer stint at the Justice Department during law school, she attended a meeting in Robert F. Kennedy's office. Resume highlights: She worked as a transactions attorney specializing in federal securities law from 1962 to 1979. On the 5th Circuit, she served as chief judge from 1999 to 2006. She chaired the executive committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States, which oversees the federal court system, from 2002 to 2005. Circuit stats: King has authored 6,744 opinions since 1979, based on available data. Since 1995, she has conferred on 10,351 cases and attended 4,002 sittings. See More Collapse

Carolyn Dineen Randall was more of an anomaly in the Senate hearing room that day. The Republican transactions attorney had been raised in an Irish Catholic enclave in Syracuse, N.Y. The Yale law grad been rejected for a job as a federal prosecutor in the early 60s. The U.S. attorney in Houston had draped his arm around her and used a racist epithet to explain that hed already hired him a black and a Messican, but he wasnt up to hiring a woman just yet.

Despite stellar billing hours and client reviews at the corporate firm that did hire her, she was denied partnership there in the early 70s. Still, she likened lawyering to eating ice cream 24/7. But by the end of the decade, she reluctantly agreed to seek the circuit-court nomination after a member of the selection committee convinced her few women in the region had her credentials. She lacked litigation experience, joking for anyone who asked that she had earned her reputation by keeping her clients out of court.

She saw entering the judiciary as a form of tithing, which her family had taught was essential. Though she intended to return as swiftly as possible to lawyering, the Yankee transactions lawyer would become the second woman ever appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals  before Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day OConnor, who became her friends, earned seats on the federal bench.

In the hearing room that day were her lawyer parents, whod backed Thomas Dewey over Harry Truman, along with her in-laws, as she sat quaking in her boots, prepared for a grilling by the Judiciary Committee.

Reavley, on the other hand, was a seasoned Democratic wingman whod been on the campaign trail with Lyndon Johnson and opened doors for John F. Kennedy with Houstons Protestant clergy. The father of four traveled alone to Washington that day but seemed entirely in his element. The senator leading the questioning delightedly welcomed Reavley, telling fellow lawmakers theyd known each other for quite a long time.

The questioning was light for most of the nominees, including men who became the first Mexican American on the federal bench and the first African American on the 5th Circuit as it was configured at the time. Two white contenders from Georgia  who ultimately made the cut  occupied the majority of the committees time with questions about why they belonged to country clubs that didnt allow people of color or Jews to be members.

The future couple were confirmed together the following month at a Senate session that touched on the resettlement of South Asian refugees, the SALT treaties and the safe return of Skylab.

Long friendship

The reluctant judge introduced Reavley to her mentor on the 5th Circuit, and a friendship blossomed. They would meet over dinners at the Rib Room before court sittings in New Orleans. But the Carter appointees lived in different cities and didnt speak often.

In the intervening years, Dineen Randall divorced and remarried. She nursed her second husband, John King, through a series of debilitating medical crises that began with a traumatic brain injury.

I went to the hospital every morning and every night, she recalled. I learned so much medicine I consider myself a doctor now, to the great dismay of some of my doctors.

Her second marriage ended amicably after 14 years. John King died years later.

At work, King saw herself as a meticulous i-dotter and a t-crosser. A good appellate ruling had to be precise and demonstrate fidelity to the facts, the record and the law. Like a tapestry where each stitch had to be just so.

She asked probing questions and could forge a consensus in the prickliest scenarios. She thrived in leadership positions, chairing the executive committee of the Judicial Conference at the request of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and playing leading roles on boards at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of St. Thomas.

KING QUITS BOARD: Prominent judge quits St. Lukes post after heart transplant troubles revealed

As chief judge, she guided the courts through a financial crisis, shoring up resources along the border during the Clinton administration and executing complex disaster plans for staff across the entire circuit during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, making it possible, as a Louisiana district judge put it, for the rule of law to survive the storm.

To fellow judges, King is the more intimidating of the two. Blunt, serious, efficient. Shes admired for her intellect and analytical rigor. Peers from her charitable work laud her biting wit and grace.

Her 11th-floor hallmate once said of his bride, No matter how many briefs or how much work awaits her attention, she never cuts short the conversation or turns her attention from someone in need.

Reavley is the gentle, old-fashioned type. He is sharp and concise in his opinions and guarded in praise for young lawyers. But he shakes every hand, remembers names and asks after family members. Peers may disagree with him, but they universally revere him and like him.

REAVLEY ON SCHOOL SCANDAL: Appeals court to decide if HISD bribery case should proceed

As a judge, hes deeply reflective. He has a knack for getting to the essence of the case, boiling it down to the bottom line and delivering a crisp, sound and forward-thinking opinion.

Ken Ellis/Staff

Both are throwbacks to an era when its inconceivable they would have an agenda. King sees Reavley as a big and broad-gauged person.

Theres nothing petty or small about Tom Reavley, she once said. He has a heart as big as the universe, and he has a very broad view about the world that he lives in and about his country, so he does not feel challenged or threatened by what it is that I do for a living and what it is that Ive been able to achieve. Hes proud of me. He accepts me as I am.

Walking the hallways together

Thousands of opinions and sittings after their first auspicious encounter, both still keep an active docket, although Reavley has suffered a series of health setbacks. Hes not the most patient patient, friends say, but he keeps bouncing back, as if the law itself is keeping him going.

At home, they pore over newspapers and discuss current events and share an almost giddy mutual admiration. Theres lots to connect on and little to disagree over, he says. King, 82, plies him with excellent cooking and ardently oversees his medical care. They ruminate about their children  some already retired  grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

They arrive separately to work, but courthouse regulars occasionally spot the old couple leaving together down the marble hallway. Out the back door they amble, arm in arm, King next to Reavley in his wheelchair or walker. Their perpetual conversation ongoing.

Reavley marvels that the essence of our existence comes in the moments we get outside ourselves: Only by caring for people and causes, only by catching the gleam of a distant horizon and responding to a stirring song  can we find it all worthwhile.

King has no misgivings or bitterness about her role in Florence Reavleys scheme. Theres something about older marriage that enriches a relationship, she says: Its an adventure to share a life together.

Ken Ellis/Staff

Illustrations by Ken Ellis
Kelly has described Trump as amoral and a deeply flawed man in private, saying he only obsesses about his news coverage and thinks very little about what matters to the United States when making decisions. He has told associates that Trump is naive when it comes to foreign policy because he only cares about what foreign leaders think of him and what makes him look strong in the moment, people who have heard his comments say.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 11:13 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20643b381 1 National coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-Indonesia-zero-case,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,Indonesia Free

The Health Ministrys research and development agency has examined 68 out of 70 samples from patients suspected of being infected by the Wuhan coronavirus, now called COVID-19 by the World Health Organization. All 68 specimens tested negative, according to a ministry official.

The other two samples are still being tested, the Health Ministrys surveillance and quarantine director, Vensya Sitohang, said on Wednesday.

Based on the results, Vensya emphasized that there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia to date.

She also guaranteed that all testing followed WHO standards, saying that each test took two to three days to complete.

We hope there will be no more suspected cases; no more people should be examined for having similar symptoms to the new coronavirus.

Read also: Climate, immunity, incompetence? Indonesia's zero recorded coronavirus cases raise questions

COVID-19, which is believed to have originated in a market selling wild animals in Wuhan, China, has killed 1,113 in the mainland and infected more than 44,600 people as of Wednesday, AFP reported.

Indonesia continues to insist that it has no confirmed coronavirus cases despite positive diagnoses found in neighboring Singapore, Malaysia and Australia, raising concerns among scientists worldwide that the virus might be spreading in the country undetected.

A study conducted by researchers from Harvard University found that Indonesia should have already confirmed at least one to 10 cases of the new coronavirus, given the high average daily air-travel volume from Wuhan to the country.

The Harvard study stated that Indonesia's zero confirmed cases "may suggest the potential for undetected cases in these locations given the expected connection before travel control measures were implemented.

The ministrys research and development agency head, Siswanto, played down the report on Tuesday, saying that the study was based only on mathematical calculations to predict the spread of the virus, so it might not reflect the facts. (syk)
The House Judiciary Committee voted in favour of advancing a bill that would withdraw Trumps controversial travel ban.

The United States House Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday to advance a bill that would repeal Donald Trumps travel ban that targets several Muslim majority countries, and would limit the president from imposing future restrictions based on religion.

The House of Representatives panel voted along party lines in favour of advancing the NO BAN Act, which was introduced amid widespread outrage over Trumps travel ban. The measure now moves to the full House.

Civil rights groups welcomed the House panels move.

Congress took a huge step forward today, sending the message to the president and the country that Muslims and other communities of colour are welcome here. Now that the bill has passed out of committee, we look forward to its swift passage in the House without any further changes, Mana Waheed, senior legislative and advocacy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a statement.

We must end these bans and prevent presidents from using rank prejudice to discriminate against black and brown people, Waheed added.

Today's NO BAN Act hearing sends the message to the President that we are ALL welcome here. https://t.co/gqKjLve7ml  ACLU (@ACLU) February 12, 2020

The NO Ban Act was introduced in April, and is supported by nearly 250 members of Congress and hundreds of civil rights, faith, national security and community organisations from across the country. It would overturn the travel ban and prevent the president from establishing future restrictions unless the administration provides strong evidence before Congress.

Muslim Advocates, a civil rights organisation based in Washington, DC, said in a statement that tens of thousands of American Muslims have been cruelly separated from their families by the ban.

This needless suffering has not made us safer and instead furthers President Trumps bigoted agenda of excluding Muslims, Africans, immigrants and other people of colour from the story of America, according to the statement.

Trump announced his first travel ban in 2017, without warning, days after taking office. It affected several Muslim majority countries and led to chaos at airports across the country as hundreds of travellers were detained and thousands of previously issued visas to the US were revoked.

After lower court rulings invalidated the first two iterations of the ban, the Supreme Court on June 2018 upheld the third version, which applied to citizens of five majority-Muslim nations  Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen  and put restrictions on some travellers from Venezuela and North Korea.

Earlier this month, Trump expanded the ban to include some restrictions on six additional countries including, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. His administration argued these countries failed to meet US security and information-sharing standards.

In a tweet, Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal said the travel ban is a dark moment in our history and sets a standard that the president of the United States can target and discriminate against anyone, without consequences.

The Trump Administration's implementation of the Muslim Ban is a dark moment in our history. It calls into question all Americans basic rights. It sets a standard that the president of the United States can target and discriminate against anyone, without consequences. #NoBanAct  Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 12, 2020

Even if NO BAN Act passes the Democratic-led House, it has little chance of clearing the Republican-controlled Senate.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee argued on Wednesday that the bill would limit the presidents ability, saying the measure effectively eviscerates the ability of the administration to take quick and decisive action to protect our homeland when concerns arise.

Trump campaigned in 2016 on a promise to ban Muslim immigrants and refugees from entering the country, and has made imposing harsher immigration laws a focus of his presidency and his reelection drive for the 2020 election.
A cyclist has shared footage of the moment he ploughed into a courier's car before going over the handlebars.

Cyclist Dean Adam shared the footage from west Auckland in New Zealand to Twitter on Wednesday.

'I keep watching this thinking I should have stopped, I should have seen him, what did I do wrong. Actually, #NotMyFault,' he wrote.

A New Zealand cyclist shared footage of a Suzuki hatchback turning into his path before he slams into the side of the car and flies over his handlebars

Twitter user Dean Adam (pictured face planting into the car) shared the footage and said he only ended up with a few bumps and bruises

'Yes I had a moment inattention. I think I was checking the rear view mirror, but that car shouldn't have been there! Give way to oncoming traffic!!'

The video shows the cyclist riding down a busy street before a small Suzuki swift suddenly turns into his path while trying to reach a drive way.

The cyclist can be heard swearing as he smashes into the side of the car and flies over the handlebars.

Poll Who do you think is in the wrong? The cyclist The courier driver Who do you think is in the wrong? The cyclist 127 votes

The courier driver 92 votes Now share your opinion





Most Twitter users who responded to the post supported the cyclist and agreed he wasn't in the wrong.

'Not your fault. You ok?' one user asked.

'Far out. Glad you're ok. Similar to a bad crash I had riding along Greenlane Rd in the 'bike lane', driver turning right across a gap in the traffic failed to check the bike lane,' another added.

'Good grief Dean I'm glad you ok,' another wrote.

But not everyone was in agreement.

'Hey man, this sucks - but aren't you in a bus lane? Is that all good?' one user replied.

'Looks like you are biking in bus lane? Car should also not have turned without vision and same time a car left gap for them,' another wrote.

However he said when police arrived on the scene he was informed it was not illegal for him to cycle in the bus lane.

'Yes I was...it's legal, not arguing about it, just had the police confirm it in a practical example. Leaving a gap doesn't change responsibilities to give way to incoming traffic. He couldn't see so he shouldn't have gone. That simple,' he wrote.

He claimed the courier was picking up parcels for Speedy Couriers when they were turning into his path.

A spokeswoman for Speedy Couriers told Daily Mail Australia the courier gave a statement to police before officers dismissed the incident.

A New Zealand Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia they are looking into the incident to confirm if police were called to the scene or not.
A top US commander warned ending a security pact with the Philippines' would hurt counter-terrorism efforts in the country's restive south Thursday, putting him at odds with commander-in-chief Donald Trump.

Washington's top military officer in Asia-Pacific Admiral Philip Davidson said he hoped Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to scrap a deal allowing US forces to be based in the country would be rethought.

Manila has given "180 day notice so we have some time for diplomatic efforts," Davidson said at an event in Sydney.

"I hope we can get to a successful outcome."



Trump has said he would be "fine" with the end of the visiting forces agreement as it would save the United States "a lot of money".

But Davidson insisted the move would hamper military operations in Duterte's home island of Mindanao -- where separatist and Islamist violence has killed some 100,000 people.

"Our ability to help the Philippines in their counter-violent extremist fight in the south, our ability to train and operate within the Philippines and with Philippines armed forces would be challenged without that visiting forces agreement," he warned.

Though a landmark peace deal with the largest of the rebel groups, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was sealed in 2019, the most brutal extremist factions were not included.

Those groups include the Islamic State-aligned BIFF and Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ransom gang that has been behind some of the nation's deadliest attacks.

In late December at least 17 people -- including soldiers -- were injured in a dual hand grenade and IED attack on the island.

The rotating deployment of US troops in the country -- coupled with a long-standing mutual defence pact and regular military exercises -- is also seen as a bulwark against rising Chinese influence in the region.

Davidson praised the efforts of Indonesia in fending-off Chinese poaching in their waters and called for further cooperation between Pacific nations.

"I'm optimistic that the region is not only waking-up to that aggressive behaviour but, more importantly, beginning to take a stand against," he said.

He warned Australia to be aware of the threat of a Chinese base in the Pacific, which would help project Beijing's influence well beyond its territorial waters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Hartford, N.Y. -- Claudia Tenney announced on Wednesday the endorsement by President Donald J. Trump in her campaign against Congressman Anthony Brindisi.

.@ClaudiaTenney is a fantastic candidate running in New York, where she was a Great member of Congress. She is Strong on Crime, Borders, Cutting Taxes, your #2A, and she Loves our Military and Vets. Claudia has my Complete and Total Endorsement! https://t.co/pU36bNWR3t  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

I am humbled and honored to have the support of President Trump, Tenney said. As a single mother and small business owner who is a native of Upstate New York, my number one priority is working with the President to continue growing our strong economy and delivering results for the hardworking men and women of our district.

Tenney will face Republicans George Phillips and Franklin Sager from Broome County in the primary.
With the exception of Islamic State and child pornographers, everybody wants the internet to be a better, safer place.

Nobody with a shred of decency wants to see horrific images of murder, torture, the sexual exploitation of adults or children, or of self-harm plastered across the web.

Just ask the family of Molly Russell, the 14-year-old who took her own life after viewing graphic suicide material on Instagram.

Now the Government is acting to make that happen. It has announced plans to make the media regulator, Ofcom, an online watchdog charged with protecting users from harmful and illegal content on the internet.

An undated family handout photo shows Molly Russell, 14, who took her own life after viewing content on social media linked to suicide, self-harm and depression

Culture Secretary Baroness Morgan and Home Secretary Priti Patel were at pains to reassure MPs yesterday that the measures are not intended to infringe on free expression, and no doubt they are acting with the best intentions. But as the pre-internet proverb reminds us, the road to hell is paved with those.

The great danger is that Ofcoms powers to police the internet will not actually make us or our children safer, but will instead give rise to censorship, whereby internet companies will censor legal user-generated content just to protect themselves from Ofcom interference.

Under the Governments proposals, every online publisher which allows users to post content and comment  whether it is Facebook, Google, Mail Online, Trip Advisor or a personal blog  will have a legal duty to react to concerns over harmful content and improve the safety of their users. They will have to publish explicit rules on the content they allow on their sites.

Ofcom hasnt specified what will happen to those who dont enforce these rules  though it has been mooted that publishers, regardless of whether theyve even seen the offending post, could be hit with big fines or even prison sentences.

Culture Secretary Baroness Morgan and Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured in Parliament) were at pains to reassure MPs yesterday that the measures are not intended to infringe on free expression, and no doubt they are acting with the best intentions. But as the pre-internet proverb reminds us, the road to hell is paved with those

These rules will apply not only to posts that are clearly illegal, such as an Isis recruitment video, they will also cover those deemed legal and harmful, such as someone sharing an Isis recruitment video without a comment.

More concerning is that news stories or comment articles about controversial subjects could become unpublishable.

Let me explain. Even tech giants such as Google, You Tube and Facebook dont have the resources to scroll through everything that users post. Instead they rely on automated algorithms. But they arent as smart as many might think. They cant, for example, distinguish between a terrorist live-streaming a murder spree and a news bulletin using the footage.

So in order to avoid Ofcoms punishments, it is likely these companies will make their algorithms as cautious as possible. That means important news coverage of a terrorist attack, a grooming gang trial or rape case  all of which contain sensitive subjects  could be automatically blocked.

Worryingly, these sites already have form for doing this. In 2016, Facebook famously censored a historic photo of a young girl burnt by napalm running down a road  the defining image of the horrors of the Vietnam War  because it contravened its nudity policy. Under new regulations, we can expect much more censorship of this clumsily labelled harmful content.

Ofcom's new chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawe (pictured yesterday) is a civil service mandarin hailed as a diversity and inclusion champion  the very embodiment of political correctness

But the big question the Governments plans raise, as with all attempts to monitor or restrict what we can watch, read or write, is this: who decides where to draw the line? Who decides what content is considered harmful? After all, one persons offensive post could be anothers risque but essentially harmless joke.

Lets not forget that Ofcom is an unelected, unaccountable quango staffed by Government appointees. Its new chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, is a civil service mandarin hailed as a diversity and inclusion champion  the very embodiment of political correctness.

The irony is that, only six months ago, then Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stood on a stage with Amal Clooney and told 1,000 delegates from around the world that Britain was a champion of a free media, which was a vital component in the open exchange of ideas [that] allows the genius of a society to breathe.

How sad that post-Brexit Britain is now creating clunking rules that risk sacrificing that freedom on the altar of public safety  a slogan cited by every dictatorship, not least the current Chinese regime, as an excuse for state censorship.

Mick Hume is the author of Trigger Warning: Is the fear of being offensive killing free speech?
Mike Bloomberg has terribly misguided beliefs about what caused the 2008 financial crisis, which should probably disqualify him from becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. But I think some of his recently unearthed comments about the crash are being misinterpreted ever so slightly. Theyre damning but not quite in the way some people seem to think.

On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that, At the height of the 2008 economic collapse, then-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the elimination of a discriminatory housing practice known as redlining was responsible for instigating the meltdown. If true, this would be an incendiary and racist position. Redlining was a long-standing and notorious practice in which banks essentially refused to lend to borrowers in minority, and especially black, neighborhoods. It was officially banned under the Fair Housing Act of 1968, but its effects have lingered in American cities to this day and have played a large part in the wealth gap between black and white families in this country. Suggesting that barring gross lending discrimination is what led us to the financial crisis would beto use the technical termabsolutely bonkers.

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But I dont think thats what Bloomberg was actually trying to say. Heres the clip:

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And heres the key passage:

I would say it all probably started back when there was a lot of pressure on banks to make loans to everyone. Redlining, if you remember, was the term where banks took whole neighborhoods and said people in these neighborhoods are poor, theyre not going to be able to pay off their mortgages. Tell your salesmen dont go into those areas. And then Congress got involved and local elected officials as well. And said, Oh, thats not fair. These people should be able to get credit. And once you started pushing in that direction, banks started making more and more loans where the credit of the person buying the house wasnt as good as you would like.

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This riff is awkward at best. Bloombergs failure to mention that redlining was largely based on race and ethnicity, and not just income (even well-off black neighborhoods were deemed unacceptable credit risks), makes it sound like hes either ignorant of Americas history of housing discrimination or trying to downplay it. But reading the comments closely, I suspect he wasnt trying to say that banks should have never been forced to lend to black people. Rather, hes saying that government officials tried to fix the legacy of redlining by pushing banks to make loans to low-income Americans, which led them down a slippery slope to taking greater and greater credit risks. In other words, its a story about good intentions leading to government overreach.

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That would be more in keeping with comments Bloomberg made later on about the financial crisis. It was not the banks that created the mortgage crisis, he said in 2011. It was, plain and simple, Congress who forced everybody to go and give mortgages to people who were on the cusp.

To be clear, hes still wrong. The problem with Bloombergs read of the crisis is that it was a myth meant to downplay Wall Streets culpability. After the crash, conservatives made a concerted effort to blame it on policies like the Community Reinvestment Act that were designed to open up credit to lower-income communities, as well as the affordable housing goals placed on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. None of these claims were ever really supported by the data; writers like Barry Ritholtz and Joe Nocera famously referred to the idea that the government was at fault as the big lie of the crisis. Bloomberg, who made his billions selling information technology to big banks, seemed to swallow that lie wholesale, which helps explain why he later criticized the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms that were designed to prevent a similar economic calamity in the future.

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Bloombergs campaign has done a poor job trying to explain away Bloombergs comments. Heres the AP:

Campaign spokesman Stu Loeser said that Bloomberg attacked predatory lending as mayor and, if elected president, has a plan to help a million more Black families buy a house, and counteract the effects of redlining and the subprime mortgage crisis. The campaign also pointed to efforts by Bloombergs private philanthropy to help other cities craft policies that will help reduce evictions. He promised in a January speech to do a version of the very thing he criticized in 2008: Ask lenders to update their credit-scoring models, because millions of black households dont have a credit score which is needed to get a mortgage. Hes saying that something badthe financial crisisfollowed something good, which is the fight against redlining that he was part of as Mayor.

Im willing to trust that Bloomberg really does oppose racist lending. But Im not willing to trust his views of the financial industry, or how it wrecked the economy

Listen to Mike Pesca discuss Bloombergs record on race on The Gist:
A historic oak tree at the Limestone County Courthouse was toppled during Wednesday nights storms.

Heavy rain and winds brought down the tree on top of four cars. No one was injured, including three people who were inside one of the cars hit by the tree.

Athens Utilities and first responders worked to clear the tree and restore power. The CSX crossing arm westbound on Washington Street was also damaged during the storm. City officials said CSX has been notified.

City officials said they believe the tree was planted in the 1950s or 60s. It is on property owned by Limestone County and the commission said it will discuss the future of preservation of the remainder of the tree.

Residents who have historic photos of the tree are asked to send them to hhollman@athensal.us.

Athens Utilities & first responders working as quickly as safely possible to remove fallen trees, restore power etc. Motorists: use caution in Athens & Limestone County. At malfunctioning traffic signals treat intersection as 4-way stop. Marion St in front of Courthouse closed pic.twitter.com/jBDhoUkJXJ  City of Athens, AL (@AthensAL) February 13, 2020
CATCHES OF THE WEEK

At Eagle Nest Lake, Manny Lujan and Garon Ian Fulgenzi, of Las Vegas, New Mexico, caught 57 perch and two trout using Swedish Pimple jigs tipped with mealworms Feb. 1.  Luke Grossetete, Fisher Joe and Freddy Lawrence, of Albuquerque, caught three 18-inch rainbow trout using small ice fishing jigs.

Mateo Martinez, 10, of Velarde, caught a 12-inch rainbow trout on the Red River near the hatchery using salmon eggs.

Jeorje Valenzuela, 7, and Joshuah Valenzuela, 5, of Carlsbad caught seven rainbow trout ranging in size from 12 to 16 inches using garlic PowerBait at Bataan Lake.

AROUND THE STATE

FISH FOR FUNDING: The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is holding a fishing event Feb. 17 to rally support for permanent funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund collects money from offshore energy production to acquire lands for conservation in all 50 states.

Legislation pending in Congress would ensure that the roughly $900 million a year that should flow into the fund isnt spent elsewhere.

Key parcels that have been acquired using LWCF funds in New Mexico include the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains and Tingley Beach, Albuquerques premier fishing pond.

The event is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tingley Beach. Bring your fishing rod and bait. NMWF will also have rods and bait available and will also provide hot dogs and drinks.

OUTDOOR SHOW: The Outdoor Adventures Hunting & Fishing Show 2020 will be held Feb. 14-16 at the Manuel Lujan Building at Expo New Mexico.

The show runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 14, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Feb. 15 and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Admission is $3 for adults or free to youth under the age of 18 or anyone who holds a valid hunting, fishing or furbearer license.

The latest OHVs, RVs, boats, kayaks will be on display by local dealers.

Conservation organizations, outfitters and guides will be available to answer questions.

There will also be a free fishing derby and rock climbing wall.

NOTES from GAME & FISH:

Fishing for trout in the quality waters section of the SAN JUAN RIVER was fair to good using size 24 and 26 midge nymph patterns, size 22 red larva, chocolate emergers and size 24 gray adult midge dry fly patterns. Fishing for trout in the bait waters, downstream of the Red Chile Special Trout Waters where any legal bait is allowed, was fair to good using flies, PowerBait and salmon eggs.

Fishing for trout on the RED RIVER was good using salmon eggs and bead-head nymph flies.

Fishing for all species at UTE LAKE is very slow.

Fishing for trout at ALUMNI POND was fair using salmon peach PowerBait, worms and corn.

At LAKE ROBERTS, fishing for trout was fair to good using night crawlers.

Fishing for trout at QUEMADO LAKE was fair to good using purple PowerBait. There were only a couple places with open water to fish from the bank, with the rest of the lake covered in a thin sheet of ice.

At TREES LAKE, fishing for trout was fair to good using live worms.

At YOUNG POND, fishing for trout was fair to good using orange glitter PowerBait, red worms, marshmallow and rainbow PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at ALTO LAKE was fair using corn and garlic PowerBait.

At BATAAN LAKE, fishing for trout was good using garlic PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at BOTTOMLESS LAKES was good using salmon eggs and PowerBait.

The Department of Game & Fish is conducting a habitat improvement project through Feb. 14 at BILL EVANS LAKE. The road to the north side of the lake will be closed to the public during this time. The south side of the lake will remain open.

CLAYTON LAKE is closed to fishing and boating until March 1.

At CONCHAS LAKE, fishing for walleye was fair using green grubs.

Ice fishing for perch at EAGLE NEST LAKE was good using Swedish Pimple jigs tipped with mealworms.

Ice fishing for trout at LAKE MALOYA was good using PowerBait and dough bait.

At TINGLEY BEACH, fishing for trout was fair to good using wax worms, garlic PowerBait and homemade dough bait.
Workers tend to plants at a Joliet marijuana growing room on Dec. 17, 2019. The Chicago City Council zoning committee on Feb. 13, 2020, for the first time gave approval to locate a marijuana grow facility in the city. The indoor weed farm would be in the Burnside neighborhood on the Far South Side, but the project still needs the states OK to proceed. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)
Death toll in Delhi now at 42, number of injured 250

After the violence, an outreach programme by police

Delhi violence: One of five injured men, forced to sing National Anthem, dies

Footover bridge collapses at Bhopal railway station, 8 injured

India

oi-Deepika S

Bhopal, Feb 13: A foot-over bridge collapsed at the Bhopal Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday leaving more than eight people injured.

The accident occurred at platform number 2 at the Bhopal railway station. The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, a public relations officer of the West Central Railway told PTI.

"8 people are injured. Our team is investigating the matter. A team of doctors and our railway team is looking after the injured, they are being given medical help," said I A Siddiqui, Railway PRO.

However, some eyewitnesses said stairs leading to the over-bridge collapsed, injuring nine to ten people.

5 killed, 7 injured after an under-construction wall collapse in Jhansi

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

Bhopal railway station also serves as a connecting point for various pilgrims from Asia to visit the Stupa of Sanchi, an important Buddhist stupa, which is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from this station.
Residents of The Woodlands who were following the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire noticed an unknown candidate vying for votes in the Feb. 11 primary  David John Thistle, who lists his residence as The Woodlands.

Thistle, 49, received 53 votes in the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary, far below front runners such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and a list of other Democratic hopefuls. In 2016, Thistle also appeared on the ballot for the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire, garnering more than 200 votes.

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire Democratic primary, narrowly edging Pete Buttigieg

Despite his two bids for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020, not much is known about Thistle and his connection to The Woodlands.

However, while local residents may have never heard Thistles name before, U.S. Navy veterans across the nation have  that is because Thistle is alleged to have been fabricating a military career resume that some say includes his false claims of being an elite U.S. Navy SEAL.

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: A victory, a caution: Takeaways from New Hampshire's primary

Thistle vigorously denied those allegations in a telephone interview with The Villager.

According to Don Shipley, a retired Navy SEAL Senior Chief who now resides in Maryland, the claims by Thistle to have been a SEAL are, as he says, phony.

Shipley is widely known in military circles as a detective of sorts who is on a mission to track down people who make false claims about their military service, especially those who may claim they were once a SEAL or even a prisoner of war. Shipley works with his wife, Diane, in helping track down imposters, news of which he posts onto his popular website. The couple also operate a business in Maryland where former military veterans, many of whom are handicapped, can hunt and relax at his rural property.

CAUGHT ON CAM: Montgomery Co. judge candidate faces backlash after removing candidate door hangers

Shipley said he became aware of the alleged false claims of being a SEAL supposedly made by Thistle in 2015 when he said another former SEAL tipped him off.

Since then, Shipley added, hes used his access to U.S. Navy records to prove Thistle was never a SEAL, although he did serve in the Navy and began the first phase of the arduous quest to become a SEAL known as BUDS, Basic Underwater Demolition School, but later cycled out.

He started BUDS but cycled out. (Thistle) Is a very strange guy, Shipley said in a telephone interview with The Villager on Feb. 13. Thistle is what I call a frequent flier, he is still doing it (making false claims of being a SEAL). He is not intimidating, threatening or violent, though. He was at the recent New Hampshire primary event two days ago where he was making these nasty remarks about other candidates. He told someone there he was a SEAL and an admiral.

The incident Shipley referred to happened on Feb. 11 at a candidate event in New Hampshire. A now retired former U.S. Navy commander, who asked that his name not be used for this article, said he was working for the campaign of Pete Buttigieg as a volunteer when he met Thistle. The man claims Thistle told voters he was an admiral and a SEAL. When the man asked Thistle for his military credentials, he says Thistle refused to provide them and walked away.

Thistle spoke with The Villager on Feb. 13 and denied that he has ever claimed to have been a SEAL. He also said that the incident described by the Buttigieg volunteer did happen, although he denied claiming he was an admiral or a former SEAL.

I never said I was a Navy SEAL, Thistle stressed in a telephone interview. I was (in the Navy) stationed there with the SEALs. There is a lot of friction between me and the SEALs because I was a command criminal investigator and I investigated them. I have never said I was a SEAL.

Thistle provided The Villager with an application for employment he filed with the State of Texas recently for a job he was seeking.

One box lists his time as a SEAL trainee, with the dates of service as a SEAL trainee listed from Feb. 10, 1989, until Nov. 1, 1991. In the application, he states he was a member of SEAL Team 1 and a duty under instruction as a U.S. Navy SEAL candidate. Completed Hell Week with (BUDS) Class 163 obtaining basic combat swimmer qualification. Obtained final Secret security clearance.

Thistle also said he served in the U.S. Navy over two different periods of time, the first being from 1988 through 1992 totaling four years, four months and 28 days, and second stint in the Navy from which he claims he was medically discharged from in 1996 while, wheelchair bound. His presidential primary biographical page from a New Hampshire political organization lists him as U.S. Navy Retired, and in several videos on his campaign YouTube page, called Thistle2020, show military documents on the walls of his apartment. In some videos viewed by The Villager staff, he refers to Navy SEALs in discussions about various topics.

I went to SEAL training at age 19, but I was never pinned as a Navy SEAL, Thistle added, referring to the famed Trident pin that all officially graduated SEAL candidates are awarded.

Despite denying he has ever claimed he was a SEAL, Thistle did admit that he has worn an official SEAL Trident pin on his clothes on many occasions.

He said an un-named former SEAL gave him the Trident several years ago as a gesture of respect and friendship, and that he has worn it on his clothing at times.

Shipley said he does not believe that claim, saying in an email to The Villager, No SEAL would ever give his Trident to anyone let alone (Thistle).

Aside from the controversy over his status as a SEAL and the ongoing dispute he has had with Shipley and other military veterans, Thistle said he is seeking the presidential nomination for the Democratic party mainly because he feels that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs needs to be reformed and cleaned up. He is also an advocate for full legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis at the federal level. He is also in favor of allowing undocumented immigrant children to become U.S. citizens, but is against a ban on military-style assault rifles.

Thistle said he left the U.S. Navy on a medical discharge after he suffered a tramautic brain injury, also known as TBI, which has caused him many problems throughout his life. He claimed the injury was mishandled by doctors as various VA hospitals, which worsened the damage to his brain and led to him being prescribed a long list of psychoactive medications and opioids that negatively impacted him.

That misdiagnosis, injury and mis-prescribed medications, Thistle said, were what led to his arrest in 2008 in Williamson County. Thistle said reports of him entering the Williamson County Courthouse with a samurai sword, stripping naked and laying on a balcony are accurate. He apologized for the incident and said he has been working to be more healthy since the incident. He said he was placed in a Veterans Affairs psychiatric unit for a period of time.

Originally from Massachusetts, and with a stint living in New Hampshire, Thistle said he relocated to Texas several years ago and has resided in the Austin area, in Houston and now lives in The Woodlands. His political campaign is listed as the UPS Store in the Village of Grogans Mill shopping center and Thistle said he resides along Lake Woodlands, where he has lived since April 2018. He has no plans to place his name on the primary ballots in other states, he noted, because of the financial burden of applying in many states which he cannot afford.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Singapore recently hosted the 9th Forum of Small States Fellowship. It was a privilege for the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development to meet with the delegation and to share our work.

Small states are often disadvantaged by their size, remoteness, and lack of resources. But bring smart city innovation into the equation, and these qualities could become strengths.

Small states such as Singapore, El Salvador, Micronesia, and the Maldives form a significant portion of the membership of the UN. While, they are more likely to be affected by defining challenges such as migration and climate change, they are also particularly well-positioned to use innovation to tackle many of these issues.

Much of the discussion of the role of smart cities has focused on large countries and major cities. However, smart city approaches have enormous relevance to small states.

This is because they are about applying broader innovation to improve lives and livelihoods whether through technology, developing different ways of working, or even nature-based solutions. Innovation can play a key role in strengthening governance, building citizens skills, improving public realms, and increasing citizen engagement. Each of these are priorities for any country, whether small or large.

Start small, think big

Small states are, by their very nature, agile, useful for becoming an innovation testbed. They can move quickly to try new technology, providing innovators big and small with real-world environments for testing new ways of working. Singapore is leading efforts here, including having designated much of the island-nation as an autonomous vehicle testbed.

The city of Sonsonate in El Salvador is one of the first in the region to explore the potential of intelligent lighting. With closer oversight of the workings of government, and less complexity, small states are also able to build smart city initiatives nation-wide. Malawi is making interesting progress in this area, with its Digital Malawi initiative aiming to build the foundations of a digital state.

In this context, innovation can range from building national industries focusing on delivering smart city components, through to attracting talent and investment as highlighted by Estonia's eResidency initiative. Innovation can also be a catalyst for the broader digital transformation as being explored in Micronesia.

Innovation as a strategic advantage

Innovation transcends borders. Many of the technologies behind smart citiesautomation, artificial intelligence, big data, and the future of workwill affect every country. Its necessary for small states to engage with the technological innovation that is at the heart of smart cities.

Smaller states, which typically have less political and economic weight, are always at the risk of being dominated by their larger country counterparts. The need for small states to engage with innovation is growing, so that they can shape trends, make themselves relevant and ensure they are not left behind. Organizations such as the Forum of Small States are an excellent opportunity to shape smart city strategies.

Small states also have the advantage of fewer legacy systems, and more streamlined processes that can help them pull ahead of their larger counterparts. The new city of Hulhumale in the Maldives, which is still being built, will be founded on full-fibre connectivity. Samoa is developing a foundational digital ID solution to increase the accessibility of public services. This also provides an exciting opportunity for larger states to learn from their more nimble, and forward-thinking, small state partners.

Looking forward

Singapore is a success story like no other. It has become a global leader in applying technology and innovation. The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development, a partnership between UNDP and the government, is building on this national expertise. Singapore is uniquely positioned to enable the next generation of smart cities, both large and small, across Africa and Asia. Get in touch if you'd like to learn more, or work with us on this important issue.
Amid the deadly Coronavirus outbreak, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday in a media briefing hit out at Rahul Gandhi as he dismissed the Congress leader's accusation that the Central government was not serious about combatting the disease's threat.

The Union Minister said that he had elaborated on the situation of Coronavirus in the Lok Sabha, which he briefly wondered if Rahul Gandhi heard. Dr Harsh Vardhan also stated that India was one of the first countries to react to the situation, even before the WHO, we had started taking precautions from January 17 only by declaring it a world emergency.

READ | Union Min Harsh Vardhan Lauds Agencies Involved In Evacuation Of Indians From Wuhan

Rahul Gandhi's accusation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday had accused the BJP-led Central government of not taking the Coronavirus threat "seriously". Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said that the Coronavirus is an "extremely serious threat to our people and our economy." He added that "Timely action is critical." However, he failed to explain why he felt that the Government has not taken the threat seriously. He had also posted a map relating to Coronavirus which had incorrectly depicted India, ceding parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to Pakistan and China, which he later deleted.

READ | 65 More Coronavirus Cases On Japan Cruise Ship: Government

Union Health Minister briefs Parliament over Coronavirus

As the Congress leader accused the government on Wednesday, the Union Health Minister, two days earlier on Monday had briefed the Parliament about the Coronavirus situation. Dr Harsh Vardhan had addressed the seriousness of the situation stating that the WHO had declared the outbreak "a public health emergency of international concern." He also revealed how a number of details regarding the novel disease that are still unknown including the functioning of the virus and the time frame that it works in and elaborated extensively on the measures taken by the Indian Government to control the epidemic.

"After a person is infected with the disease, it takes nearly 14 days for the symptoms to hit in. There are 10-20% cases that are serious enough for the person to be on a ventilator because of pneumonia, 2% of cases show the possibility of death," he said.

READ | Coronavirus: Over 1.97 Lakh Travellers From 1,818 Flights Screened So Far

READ | Taiwan's F-16 Intercepts Chinese Bombers, Tsai Urges To Focus At Coronavirus
NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP >> The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors welcomed a new member to its board and welcomed back a board veteran during its reorganization meeting on Jan. 3. District Judge Mick Petrucci administered the oath of office to newly-elected supervisor Elen Snyder and re-elected supervisor Kyle Davis. Snyder, a Democrat and former member of the townships Environmental Advisory Council, ran on a platform of protecting...
A federal judge this week ordered Kentucky to pay an atheist man more than $150,000 in attorneys fees after the state denied his request for a personalized license plate reading, IM GOD.

Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove issued the Feb. 10 decision three months after he declared the states action unconstitutional.

The state argued it had a legitimate government interest in promot[ing] highway safety by denying the plate because potentially controversial messages . . . could lead to confrontation or distraction on its highways.

But in his Nov. 13 ruling, Tatenhove wrote, Vanity plates are private speech protected by the First Amendment. The state, he noted, had permitted plates stating IM4GOD and LUVGOD but denied the request by plaintiff Ben Hart for an IM GOD plate. Therefore, he argued, the states position was not viewpoint neutral.

The Commonwealth does not allow drivers to say anything they want with a license plate message, the judge wrote. Thats fine, but the First Amendment also imposes limits on the Commonwealth. And in this case  the Commonwealth went too far.

Hart is a self-described atheist and freethinker, and was represented by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). FFRF calls itself an organization of atheists, agnostics and skeptics of any pedigree.

Tatenhove on Feb. 10 ordered the state to pay Hart and his attorneys a total of $151,206.74 in attorneys fees and litigation costs.

Hart has received his IM GOD plate from the state, the Freedom From Religion Foundation said on its website.

Groups such as ours have to put in a lot of work to ensure the constitutional rights of ordinary folks, said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. We truly appreciate that the court recognizes this.

Tatenhove, a nominee of President George W. Bush, is the same judge who in 2016 sided with Answers in Genesis in its legal battle to win tax incentives for the Ark Encounter.

Photo courtesy: Fox19 Facebook

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
On January 30, the Russian government approved a number of acts concerned with rendering new economic benefits and subsidies to businesses or investors willing to engage in projects in the countrys High North. The Jamestown Foundation reports in its article Russia Prepares Ambitious Economic Strategy for Arctic Region that the adopted proposals were jointly prepared by the Ministry of Finance (Minfin), the Ministry of Energy (Minenergo) and the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East (Minvostokrazvitya).

Taken together, this initiative provides a steady foundation for the introduction of Russias Arctic strategy until 2035, which is premised on the following documents:

 The Federal Law on a Special Economic Regime of the Arctic;

 The Foundations of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Until 2035;

 The Strategy on the Development of the Arctic Zone Until 2035; and

 The Foundations of State Policy in the Arctic.

This legal framework covers Murmansk Oblast, Chukotka, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and Nenets Autonomous Okrug as well as portions of five other federal subjectsArkhangelsk Oblast, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Komi.

As a means to attract foreign financial capital to the above-mentioned Arctic territories, Russia has outlined four main groups/types of projects under consideration for various government benefits:

 The extraction of hydrocarbons located offshore, on Russias continental shelf, with a severance tax (imposed on the removal of natural resources) set at 5 percent for oil and 1 percent for natural gas over the next 15 years, starting from the inception of industrial extraction. It is also rumored that the Russian state might be willing to provide additional benefits for surveys, assessments and exploration for hydrocarbons in this area;

 The extraction of hydrocarbons on the continent, with an emphasis on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas-chemistry (gazokhimiya). New investors are expected to be promised a severance tax of zero percent in the next 12 years upon starting industrial extraction;

 The production of LNG (as well as other projects related to the gazokhimiya industry). Investors will have to pay the severance tax in full only after 17 years of industrial production;

 Other projects (prospective benefits will largely depend on what will be extracted and the scope of the project). Aside from non-hydrocarbon-related branches (including minerals), this group will include various infrastructure projects (such as seaports and pipelines).

The head of the Ministry for Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, Alexander Kozlov (appointed in 2020), has stated that the key idea behind the proposed benefits and stimuli for investors is premised on Moscows strong determination to break the post-1991 trend in the region. Specifically, he argued that the Arctic zone, whose actual share of Russian GDP is close to 10 percent and receives 10 percent of total foreign direct investment (FDI), suffers from chronic under-population, containing less than 1.5 percent of the total Russian population. Furthermore, he argued that all major components of the Human Development Index (HDI), including education, healthcare, employment and economic wellbeing, are lower in the High North than the Russian average. As a result, he stated, For the past 15 years, the local population has decreased by 0.3 million. Sergey Veller, the president of the Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs of Murmansk Oblast, expressed similar concern and argued that the only way to stop further depopulation of the Russian Arctic is to increase its attractiveness through new economic opportunities and job creation (Murman.ru, June 19, 2019).

These and other concerns are all reflected in the above-mentioned government planning documents. The main expectations pinned to the initiative are premised on the prospect of creating more than 21 new large regional mega-projects (including the Indiga Port, in Nenets Autonomous Okrug), exploration of large deposits of platinum and other metals in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Murmansk Oblast, and the creation of a full-cycle lumber/timber-producing complex in Arkhangelsk Oblast. These and hundreds of smaller commercial initiatives (to become fully operable within the next 15 years) are expected to result in the creation of 200,000 additional jobs in the region and make the Arctic attractive to Russian youth and young specialists.

That said, it is important to underscore that Russias main economic interests the Arctic region actually boil down to just two elements. First is production of liquefied natural gas, which, in the upcoming 15 years, could turn Russia into one of the largest players on the global LNG market. This will be achieved primarily through Yamal LNG (located in Sabetta, on the Yamal Peninsula) and Arctic LNG 2 (Gyda Peninsula). Second, Russia is making huge investments in the so-called Northern Sea Route, intended not only to give Russia access to Arctic natural resources, but also to provide a maritime corridor for Chinese goods traveling to the European Union. Russia aims to be solidify its role as the main transportation artery between the twoboth on land and by sea.

Importantly, in line with the above-mentioned legal documents and proposals, some specific suggestions have already been voiced. Namely, it has been argued that a subsidized mortgage program (2 percent annual rate) should be created to aid all who are willing to move to the Arctic region. Additionally, Minvostokrazvitya proposed creating a new state corporation, Roshelf, specifically tasked with the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in the High North and the Far East. Accordingly, this corporation should be given exclusive rights to represent Russias interests and to exploit [Russian] resources and grant the right to participate in projects [to] private investors.

Two important inferences should be drawn from these developments related to the Russian Arctic. First, for the first time, an initiative of this scope and ambition has been jointly drafted by three powerful institutions, with one of them being made directly responsible for the region. Second, the Arctic Strategy has outlined Russias most important national interests in the High North. And aside from its economic aspects, this Strategy clearly points to a necessity to defend Russian sovereignty and territorial integrity in this remote but resource-rich region.
(CNN) -- Here's a look at the 2020 presidential candidates and key dates in their campaigns as well as election results.

Republican Candidates

Donald Trump - 45th President of the United States. Running for reelection.

Primary Campaign Committee - Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.

Website - https://www.donaldjtrump.com/

January 20, 2017 - The day he is inaugurated, Trump submits paperwork to the Federal Election Commission to be eligible to run for reelection in 2020.

February 27, 2018 - The Trump campaign announces Brad Parscale, the digital media director of his 2016 campaign, has been hired to run his reelection bid.

Bill Weld - Former Massachusetts Governor

Primary Campaign Committee - 2020 Presidential Campaign Committee

Website - https://www.weld2020.org/

April 15, 2019 - Announces he is running for the Republican nomination for president on CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper.

Joe Walsh - Former US Representative from Illinois

Primary Campaign Committee - Walsh 2020

Website - https://www.joewalsh.org/

August 25, 2019 - Announces he is running for the Republican nomination for president on ABC's "This Week."

February 7, 2020 - Walsh tells CNN's John Berman on "New Day" that he is ending his candidacy for president.

Mark Sanford - Former governor of South Carolina

Primary Campaign Committee - Sanford 2020

Website - https://www.marksanford.com/

September 8, 2019 - Announces he will launch a primary challenge for the 2020 Republican nomination on "Fox News Sunday."

November 12, 2019 - Announces he is suspending his presidential campaign.

Democratic Candidates

John Delaney - US Representative from Maryland's 6th District

Primary Campaign Committee - Friends of John Delaney

Website - https://www.johnkdelaney.com

July 28, 2017 - In a Washington Post op-ed, Delaney announces he is running for president.

January 31, 2020 - Delaney announces that he is ending his 2020 presidential campaign.

Andrew Yang - Entrepreneur, Founder of Venture for America

Primary Campaign Committee - Friends of Andrew Yang

Website - https://www.yang2020.com/

February 2, 2018 - Announces he is running for president via YouTube.

February 11, 2020 - Announces he is suspending his presidential campaign.

Richard Ojeda - Former state senator from Virginia

Primary Campaign Committee - Ojeda for President

November 12, 2018 - Announces he is running for president at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

January 25, 2019 - Announces he is suspending his campaign for president.

Julian Castro - Former mayor of San Antonio, Texas, and former secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under US President Barack Obama.

Primary Campaign Committee - Julian for the Future Presidential Exploratory Committee

Website - https://www.julianforthefuture.com/

January 12, 2019 - Officially announces he is running for president.

January 2, 2020 - Announces he is suspending his presidential campaign.

Tulsi Gabbard - US Representative from Hawaii's 2nd District

Primary Campaign Committee - Tulsi Now

Website - https://www.tulsi2020.com/

January 11, 2019 - "I have decided to run and will be making a formal announcement within the next week," the Hawaii Democrat tells CNN's Van Jones.

February 2, 2019 - Gabbard officially launches her 2020 presidential campaign at an event in Hawaii.

Kamala Harris - US Senator from California

Primary Campaign Committee - Kamala Harris For The People

Website - https://kamalaharris.org/

January 21, 2019 - Announces she is running for president in a video posted to social media at the same time she appears on ABC's "Good Morning America."

December 3, 2019 - Harris ends her 2020 presidential campaign.

Marianne Williamson - Author and activist

Primary Campaign Committee - Marianne Williamson for President

Website - https://www.marianne2020.com/

January 28, 2019 - Williamson formally launches her 2020 presidential campaign with a speech in Los Angeles.

January 10, 2020 - Announces she is ending her presidential campaign.

Cory Booker - US Senator from New Jersey

Primary Campaign Committee - Cory 2020

Website - https://corybooker.com/

February 1, 2019 - Releases a video announcing his candidacy, appears on the talk show, "The View," participates in multiple radio interviews and holds a press conference in Newark, New Jersey.

January 13, 2020 - Booker ends his presidential campaign.

Elizabeth Warren - US Senator from Massachusetts

Primary Campaign Committee - Warren for President, Inc.

Website - https://elizabethwarren.com/

February 9, 2019 - Warren officially announces she is running for president at a rally in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Amy Klobuchar - US Senator from Minnesota

Primary Campaign Committee - Amy For America

Website - https://www.amyklobuchar.com/

February 10, 2019 - Announces her presidential bid at a snowy, freezing outdoor event in Minneapolis.

Bernie Sanders - US Senator from Vermont

Primary Campaign Committee - Bernie 2020

Website - https://berniesanders.com

February 19, 2019 - Announces that he is running for president during an interview with Vermont Public Radio.

Jay Inslee - Governor of Washington

Primary Campaign Committee - Inslee for America

Website - https://jayinslee.com/

March 1, 2019 - Announces his presidential bid in a video.

August 21, 2019 - Announces he is suspending his presidential campaign.

John Hickenlooper - Former governor of Colorado

Primary Campaign Committee - Hickenlooper 2020

Website - https://www.hickenlooper.com/

March 4, 2019 - Hickenlooper launches his campaign with a biographical video entitled, "Standing Tall."

March 7, 2019 - Officially kicks off his campaign with a rally in Denver.

August 15, 2019 - Hickenlooper ends his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Beto O'Rourke - Former US Representative from Texas

Primary Campaign Committee - Beto for America

Website - https://betoorourke.com

March 14, 2019 - Announces his presidential bid in a video.

November 1, 2019 - Announces he is ending his presidential campaign.

Kirsten Gillibrand - US Senator from New York

Primary Campaign Committee - Gillibrand 2020

Website - https://kirstengillibrand.com/

March 17, 2019 - Officially declares her Democratic candidacy for president via YouTube.

August 28, 2019 - Announces that she is ending her campaign.

Wayne Messam - Mayor of Miramar, Florida

Primary Campaign Committee - Wayne Messam for America

Website - https://wayneforamerica.com/

March 28, 2019 - Officially declares his Democratic candidacy for president in a video released to CNN.

November 20, 2019 - Messam announces that he is suspending his campaign.

Tim Ryan - US Representative from Ohio's 13th District

Primary Campaign Committee - Tim Ryan for America

Website - https://timryanforamerica.com/

April 4, 2019 - Announces his presidential bid during an appearance on ABC's "The View." The televised announcement came just minutes after Ryan's campaign website went live.

October 24, 2019 - Announces he is dropping out of the presidential race.

Eric Swalwell - US Representative from California's 15th District

Primary Campaign Committee - Swalwell for America

Website - https://ericswalwell.com/

April 8, 2019 - Announces he is running for president during a taping of the "Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

July 8, 2019 - Announces he is dropping out of the presidential race.

Pete Buttigieg - Mayor of South Bend, Indiana

Primary Campaign Committee - Pete for America

Website - https://peteforamerica.com/

April 14, 2019 - Officially announces he is running for president during a rally in South Bend, Indiana.

Seth Moulton - US Representative from Massachusetts' 6th District

Primary Campaign Committee - Seth Moulton for America

Website - https://sethmoulton.com/

April 22, 2019 - Announces, via campaign video, he is running for president.

August 23, 2019 - Announces that he is ending his presidential bid during a speech at the Democratic National Committee summer meeting in San Francisco.

Joe Biden - Former US vice president

Primary Campaign Committee - Biden for President

Website - https://joebiden.com/

April 25, 2019 - Announces he is running for president in a campaign video posted to social media.

Michael Bennet - US Senator from Colorado

Primary Campaign Committee - Bennet for America

Website - https://michaelbennet.com/

May 2, 2019 - Announces his candidacy during an interview on CBS' "This Morning."

February 11, 2020 - Announces he is ending his presidential campaign.

Steve Bullock - Governor of Montana

Primary Campaign Committee - Bullock for President

Website - https://stevebullock.com/

May 14, 2019 - In a video posted online, announces that he is running for president.

December 2, 2019 - Announces he is ending his presidential campaign.

Bill de Blasio - Mayor of New York City

Primary Campaign Committee - de Blasio 2020

Website - https://billdeblasio.com/

May 16, 2019 - Announces he is running for president in a video posted to YouTube.

September 20, 2019 - Announces that he is ending his campaign.

Joe Sestak - Former US Representative from Pennsylvania's 7th District

Primary Campaign Committee - Joe Sestak for President

Website - https://www.joesestak.com/

June 23, 2019 - Announces his candidacy in a video posted to his website.

December 1, 2019 - Announces he is ending his presidential campaign.

Tom Steyer - Former hedge fund manager and activist

Primary Campaign Committee - Tom 2020

Website - https://www.tomsteyer.com/

July 9, 2019 - Announces his candidacy in a video posted online.

Deval Patrick - Former governor of Massachusetts

Primary Campaign Committee - Deval for All

Website - https://devalpatrick2020.com/

November 14, 2019 - Announces his candidacy in a video posted to his website.

Michael Bloomberg - Former New York mayor

Primary Campaign Committee - Mike Bloomberg 2020

Website - https://www.mikebloomberg.com/

November 24, 2019 - Officially announces his bid in a letter on his campaign website.
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Live frogs are being crammed together in tubs and sold in food markets in east Asia, destined for painful deaths, an investigation has found.

Thousands of the amphibians were filmed being poured into large buckets at street markets in Vietnam, where workers frantically rifle through them, then stuff them into bags for sale.

Animal-welfare experts say the trade is not just agonising but also increases the risk of the extinction of the species, as creatures are taken from the wild.

Studies show the practice also damages natural food chains. And scientists say piling up live frogs in such conditions risks spreading disease among the amphibians.

In a joint investigation by the Moving Animals group and The Independent, bins full of living frogs were found in the seafood section of Binh Dien market.

The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Show all 30 1 /30 The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Black salamander Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth White-lipped island pitviper Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Mossy frog Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Colourful rhinoceros viper Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Albino alligator, USA Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Siamese Peninsula pitviper Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Golden dart frog, Colombia Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Satanic leaf-tailed gecko, Madagascar Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Purple harlequin toad Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Red salamander Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Two-headed corn snake Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Plumed basilisk Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Cameroon dwarf gecko Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Rock monitor Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Strawberry poison frog, Panama Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Tokay gecko Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Western blue-tongued skink Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Guiana Shield Leaf Toad Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Boelen's python Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Baja Blue Rock Lizard, Mexico Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Blue beauty snake, Vietnam Blue beauty snake - not the reptile bitten by a man in Uttar Pradesh Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Azure Dart Frog, Suriname Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Doi Suthep bent-toed gecko, Thailand Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Blue rock iguana Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Costa Rica nelson frog Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Yellow-banded poison dart frog Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Gran Canaria blue-tailed skink Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Hairy bush viper, DR Congo Matthijs Kuijpers The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Photographer Matthijs Kuijpers on a trip many years ago Supplied The most rare and strange cold-blooded creatures on Earth Photographer Matthijs Kuijpers with a galapagos tortoise Supplied

They are taken from stacked delivery crates and poured into buckets, where workers frantically grab them by hand to sort them, said one investigator. The sorted frogs are then stuffed into a bag, ready for sale  all while still alive.

We also saw the mangled bodies of dead or dying frogs scattered across the market floor  frogs who managed to jump out of these tubs while being sorted ended up squashed under the feet of passers-by or under the wheels of motorbikes speeding down the hectic market corridors. It was shocking.

Taking the creatures from the wild disrupts natural systems and risks the species' future, say experts (Amy Jones / Moving Animals)

It is estimated more than three billion frogs are eaten worldwide each year, which are mostly caught from in the wild in Indonesia, but they are also farmed. France is the biggest consumer, eating 4,000 tons a year, but America has been catching up, and they are also popular in Asian cuisine.

Fears of falling populations have long been raised, leading France to ban farming and capturing frogs in the country in 1979.

However, the EU still imports the legs of tens of thousands of the amphibians from Asia each year, to the dismay of conservationists.

Recommended Coronavirus outbreak sparks renewed calls to end wildlife trade

Activists claim frogs are often forgotten in welfare laws. They are often skinned, and have their snouts and rear legs cut off with scissors or a blade while still alive. Their torsos are then tossed aside in a pile of other bleeding frogs and they endure a slow, agonising death, according to the Washington-based Animal Welfare Institute.

A 2011 report, Canapes to Extinction, by international animal groups, said scientists had found frogs pain perception was similar to mammals and when their legs were cut off they struggled until they reach complete exhaustion.

Other witnesses have reported that in many cases only the hind legs are used for food, with the body thrown away.

Worldwide, amphibians are already suffering catastrophic population declines from interacting pathogens, scientists say. Fungal disease chytridiomycosis is thought to have caused the extinction of 90 species and marked declines of at least 491 others. Globalisation and the wildlife trade have been given most of the blame for the pandemic.

Research shows that the mass movement of frogs for human consumption  often unregulated or mislabelled  also plays a role in ecosystem collapse and spreading disease.

Wiping out frogs leaves snakes starving and allows disease-carrying mosquitoes to multiply, new research has found.

Until 1987, India was the worlds primary exporter of wild-caught frogs, leaving populations heavily depleted and farmers dependent on large quantities of pesticides to control pests and mosquitoes. Ecologists fear that Indonesia, now the source of more than two-thirds of frogs legs in supermarkets worldwide, is heading the same way.

And keeping frogs in such cramped conditions, without water, allows them to succumb to viruses.

Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at Nottingham University, said although the risk to humans was probably very small, there was certainly the risk of spreading disease among frogs.

The 2011 report said: Due to the mounting evidence that the chytrid fungus and ranaviruses are distributed through frogs traded live, in 2009 the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), specified conditions for handling processed and live frogs (eg health certificates and risk mitigation measures) in its Aquatic Animal Health Code.

A spokeswoman for Peta Asia said: Not only is this cruelty and suffering abhorrent, but eating animals  whether its frogs or chickens  fuels the demand for live animal markets. The typically filthy conditions of these markets are hotbeds for deadly viruses to multiply and spread. For the good of all living, feeling beings  including humans  they must all be shut down immediately.
Congress leader Digvijaya



Singh on Thursday claimed that the traditional voters of his party voted in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi Assembly polls to ensure the defeat of BJP.

He also alleged that the saffron party cannot win any election without the help of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Talking to reporters here, Singh said the Congress voters focused on defeating the BJP in Delhi.

"As usual, the BJP turned its campaign as a Hindu vs Muslim issue on citizenship. People expressed their anger against this campaign (in Delhi Assembly polls). All the Congress voters polled (in support of AAP) to ensure BJP's defeat," Singh told reporters.

He was responding to a question about the Congress debacle in Delhi Assembly polls.

Replying to a question on BJP's defeat in other states over the past two years, the Congress veteran said, "These people are not able to win any election if they don't get the help of EVMs."



When asked about the recent price hike of LPG cylinders, Singh said the Centre initially ended the subsidy on LPG and asked the people to surrender it.

"But now it has increased the price when the prices of gas in the international market are going down," he added.

"Where are the BJP leaders who used to protest against even a small hike in LPG prices during the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre?" he asked.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 10th-grade English teacher in Upstate New York was accused of using a racial slur in front of students while teaching and explaining a line of text from Shakespeares MacBeth.

Jim Quinlisk, who teaches at Brighton High School in Monroe County, returned to his position in January after being suspended with pay for the first half of the 2019-2020 school year WROC-TV reported.

The State Education Department Division of Employer-Employee Relations ruled that termination of employment was not the appropriate penalty in this case," but did find Quinlisk guilty of five charges brought against him in a complaint by a student. He was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

According to testimony given in August, a student was reading MacBeth out loud in class in 2018 when the student hesitated at the line Be not a niggard of your speech.

Quinlisk explained at the time that the word has a different meaning from the racial slur that sounds similar when spoken. It is an archaic expression that means stingy or miserly." He also told students that we have a choice about letting words have power over us and used the actual N-word during his explanation.

One student was offended by his use of the word and was removed from class. The student said Quinlisk used the actual N-word word several times in his explanation, but Quinlisk said he only used it once.

No other students complained about the incident, but the student and the students mother complained to an assistant principal.

Quinlisk was found guilty of:

Use of inappropriate language

Improper interaction with a student

Failure to properly assess students for AP courses

Improper interaction with students

Failure to properly administer final exam

The word niggard has caused several other controversies due to its similarity to the racial slur, despite having roots in the Middle Ages and a different meaning.

In similar incident in 2002, a white 4th-grade teacher named Stephanie Bell was reprimanded for using the word in a discussion about literary characters in her class in Wilmington, North Carolina. A parent found the word offensive, and the teacher was made to issue an apology to all parents of students in her class. The teacher did not use the actual N-word in that case, however.
The continent already has many of the worlds lightning hot spots, with storms that can be extremely destructive and, sometimes, deadly. This month, for example, a conservation group reported that four rare mountain gorillas had been electrocuted by lightning in Mgahinga National Park, Uganda. In a calamitous episode in 2011, a lightning strike on an elementary school in the same country killed 20 children and injured nearly 100.
Approximately one-third of caregivers in the United States tend to their loved ones health needs at the expense of their own self-care, according to a 2018 survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Knowing what resources are available can reduce the emotional, financial and time-investment burdens of caregiving. CarePartners and Northwest Assistance Ministries are joining forces to provide resource information to people caring for loved ones with Alzheimers, dementia and other needs.

Related: Researchers study over-the-phone dementia care for northwest Houston seniors

The two nonprofits will host Caregiver Conference 2020 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Harrell Family Opportunity Center. The center is located behind NAMs main facility at 15555 Kuykendahl Road.

The event is free. People can preregister by calling 713-682-5995 or visiting www.carepartnerstexas.org. Registration can also be done at the event. Complimentary respite care will be provided during the event by Youre First LLC. To reserve a spot for a loved one, call 281-382-2754.

In its third year, the conference will offer six workshops covering caregiver-relevant topics.

Like things to ask your primary care physician, said Daryan Jones, caregiver education and digital specialist with CarePartners. Were going to do dementia caregiving from a caregivers perspective, so a woman whos gone through this journey herself with her grandparents  she was kind of thrown into it overnight  shes going to share her story and all the tips and tricks she learned that she wished she knew.

AARP representatives will host a HomeFit session with information on making homes safe and comfortable for loved ones.

A caregiver wellness panel of Holly Hall Retirement Community representatives will answer questions about wellness for caregivers and those theyre caring for.

Were also doing the importance of funeral preplanning, Jones said. We know that its not a fun topic, but its also something that everyone goes through and it can be expensive if youre not prepared. We want to not only provide people with helpful information, but also financial information. And then were also doing VA benefits for caregivers.

Aside from the workshops, the conference will have exhibitors from companies and organizations offering information about local caregiver resources.

Caregiver conferences have information geared toward people with Alzheimers, dementia or memory issues, but the event is open to caregivers of every kind.

A lot of the topics  sometimes well do stress management or nutrition and health and those kinds of things  I think everyone can use, Jones said.

Related: Houston Methodist Willowbrook partners with Texas A&M to become a teaching hospital

Caregiving is a 24-7 job that many people take on while working fulltime or taking care of children. These situations can make people feel isolated and alone, Jones said; a goal of the conference is to make sure people know that theyre not.

CarePartners has provided resources to caregivers of people with Alzheimers and dementia for 33 years. The nonprofit began offering educational workshops in 2002. Since then, CarePartners has expanded their workshops to areas across greater Houston and Waco. They began partnering with NAM on a Caregiver Conference in February 2018. NAM is a nonprofit offering social services to assist with a variety needs including food, shelter and health.

NAM Director of Senior Services Grace Jackson said that having been a caregiver herself, she understands the challenge of navigating medical care, insurance coverage and respite service options.

(CarePartners) wanted to expand their outreach to the people in the northwest part of Harris County, so we were a great candidate to work together and since we are concerned about seniors and caregivers and working with the general population in the community, we said this would be ideal for us, Jackson said.

As the population of northwest Harris County increases, so too does the senior population. Attendance at the conference has grown over the years. Last years event occurred during a torrential storm, but people still managed to attend, she said, which speaks to the need for caregiver resources. This year, Jackson said there may be close to 100 attendees.

People are suffering out there and they dont know whats available for them, so anytime that we can have people to come together and learn about opportunities that exist out there, that is a blessing and a benefit for the community, Jackson said.

One of the perhaps lesser-known resources for seniors seeking information on benefits, legal assistance, caregiver support and other topics, are Area Agencies on Aging, or AAA  not the car service organization, Jackson clarified.

The (Area Agencies on Aging) are all across America and through them, they can contact them to find out all kinds of information, even if they just want to ask a question about whats available for seniors, Jackson said.

The Harris County AAA can be reached at 832-393-4301.

The Alzheimers Association also has a 24-hour helpline. People can call 800-272-3900 with questions about care resources and local support groups.

Caregiver support groups serving the greater northwest Houston area include:

Caregiver Support Group at The Forum at The Woodlands

The Forum At the Woodlands

5055 W Panther Creek Dr

The Woodlands, TX 77381

Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month at 7-8:30 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group at Montgomery County Central Library

Montgomery County Central Library

104 Interstate 45 N

Conroe, TX 77301

Meets: 1st Friday of each month at 10-11:30 a.m.

Caregiver Support Group at Vertical Life Church

Vertical Life Church

12414 N Eldridge Pkwy

Cypress, TX 77429

Meets: 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:35-10:35 a.m.

Caregiver Support Group at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

20155 Cypresswood Dr

Cypress, TX 77433

Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month at 7-8 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group at The Auberge at Cypresswood

The Auberge At Cypresswood

10225 Cypresswood Dr

Houston, TX 77070

Meets: 3rd Monday of each month at 6-7 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group at Brookdale Cypress Station

Brookdale Place Cypress Station

303 Lantern Bend Drive

Houston, TX 77090

Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month at 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group at North Montgomery County Community Center

North Montgomery County Community Center

600 Gerald St

Willis, TX 77378

Meets: 1st Thursday of each month at 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

mfeuk@hcnonline.com
(Natural News) A top Hong Kong medical official has warned that, apart from full containment, the novel coronavirus could end up infecting upwards of 60 percent of the global population, leading to 45 million deaths.

According to Professor Gabriel Leung, even a one percent death rate from the Wuhan coronavirus could lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths  and likely many more if the actual death is closer to 15 percent, which a recent study published in The Lancet contends.

Currently there are close to 50,000 official cases of coronavirus worldwide, with the vast majority of these in China. Should the virus reach its full infection potential, with each infected person passing it on to 2.5 other people, on average, then most of the world will eventually contract it.

Leung, who chairs public health medicine in the city of Hong Kong, warns that with a global population of around seven billion, the Wuhan coronavirus has the potential to infect more than four billion people, assuming its spread continues to accelerate as he predicts it will.

Even if only one percent of those infected die, this amounts to 45 million people who will soon lose their lives. And if the 15 percent figure published in The Lancet is correct, then as many as 600 million people could end up dying.

Is the global financial system at risk of collapse from the spread of Wuhan coronavirus? Be sure to watch the following episode of The Health Ranger Report with Mike Adams to learn more:

World Health Organization says everything is just fine

At the same time as these independent studies are predicting mass casualties from Wuhan coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) is trying to reassure everyone that theres nothing to worry about.

One of the groups heads, in fact, recently told virologists warning about a potentially high death rate from the disease to stop throwing around figures that there is no basis for because the number of new coronavirus cases in China is supposedly leveling off, potentially indicating that its on the decline.

While this doesnt necessarily mean that the outbreak has peaked, government scientists claim that its an encouraging sign of a possible wane, meaning the world can rest easy and not worry.

But not everyone agrees, including those who are watching the infection rate continue to ravage an already stricken Wuhan. And because many coronavirus cases are mild or even completely asymptomatic, at least at first, keeping tabs on the true count remains difficult.

In Leungs view, the top priority currently is to establish the size and shape of what he describes as the epidemic iceberg  meaning how much of the outbreak is hiding underwater just waiting to emerge?

Everyone is talking about staying calm and keeping our populations calm, says Mike Ryan, the executive director of the WHOs health emergencies programme, dissuading all concerns about any type of epidemic iceberg.

Yet, every chance we get we seem like we want to accelerate the infodemic and not contain the epidemic. Lets be careful in throwing around figures, speculation and scaring people. I just caution everybody to not start throwing around figures that there is no basis for at the moment.

At the same time, CDC department head Dr. Nancy Messonnier contended during a recent National Press Club event that she and her agency absolutely assume that the reported cases are an underestimate, which suggests that theres more to worry about than what Ryan and others at the WHO claim.

To keep up with the latest coronavirus news, be sure to check out Pandemic.news.

You can also keep up with the Health Rangers take on Wuhan coronavirus by visiting The Health Ranger Reports official Brighteon channel.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com

Brighteon.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (Metals Creek) is pleased to announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlining terms whereby Deep Blue Trading Inc. (DBT) (a private company owned by an arm's length third party) can earn a 100% interest in the Clarks Brook Gold Property, located in central Newfoundland.

The Clarks Brook property is located approximately 25 kilometers south west of the recently announced 19 metres of 92.86 g/t gold in a drill hole by New Found Gold (see Mexican Gold Corp news release dated January 26, 2020)

See Table Below for Previous Drill Intercepts at Clarks Brook:

Hole From To Length Au g/t CB-17-01 99.20 99.50 0.30 5.583 and 100.85 102.40 1.55 2.372 CB-17-02 127.75 130.75 3.00 3.369 incl 127.75 128.00 0.25 26.878 CB-17-03 33.40 34.15 0.75 1.252 and 51.40 51.90 0.50 3.364 CB-17-04 107.35 108.05 0.70 1.546 and 117.00 118.55 1.55 2.339 CB-18-05 113.20 116.30 3.10 3.744 incl 113.20 113.80 0.60 14.735 and 125.75 126.50 0.75 1.113 CB-18-06 85.00 85.50 0.50 1.36 and 106.60 123.10 16.50 0.942 incl 106.60 110.90 4.30 2.453 CB-18-07 97.15 97.65 0.50 1.936 and 118.25 120.65 2.40 1.354 and 161.35 162.65 1.30 0.77 CB-19-08 33.00 33.60 0.60 3.319 and 46.65 53.30 6.65 1.186 and 63.80 89.60 25.80 1.004 incl 73.60 80.00 6.40 2.045 85.80 88.80 3.00 2.263 and 110.05 110.45 0.40 1.946 and 142.00 145.00 3.00 2.614 and 435.50 437.40 1.90 1.512 and 441.80 442.55 0.75 2.326 and 446.80 447.40 0.60 3.312 and 491.95 493.00 1.05 1.03 CB-19-09 151.70 156.00 4.30 0.396 and 176.35 176.75 0.40 1.397 and 254.45 257.35 2.90 0.299 CB-19-10 209.25 210.65 1.40 0.529 and 254.15 257.65 3.50 0.343 and 318.45 319.40 0.95 0.564



To earn a 100% interest in the Clarks Brook property, DBT must make cash payments of $195,000 over three years ($20,000 on signing) and issue a total of *1,500,000 common shares over three years (*200,000 due when the company is announced). Metals Creek will retain a 2% NSR, one half (1%) which can be purchased by DBT for $1,000,000. DBT must also complete a 43-101 report on the property by the first anniversary.

(* The common shares will be issued from a publicly trading company.)

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Goldcorp, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF). In addition, Metals Creek has recently signed an agreement with Newmont Goldcorp, where Metals Creek can earn a 100% interest in the past producing Dona Lake Gold Project in the Pickle Lake Ming District of Ontario.

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below. Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com.

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.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO

Metals Creek Resources Corp

telephone: (709)-256-6060

fax: (709)-256-6061

email: astares@metalscreek.com

MetalsCreek.com

Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes

Facebook.com/MetalsCreek

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52401
Ascend Performance Materials, the largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, announced today it signed an agreement to purchase Poliblend and Esseti Plast GD from DOttavio Group. The acquisition includes a manufacturing facility in Mozzate, Italy, the masterbatch portfolio of Esseti Plast GD and the engineering plastics portfolio of Poliblend, which consists of virgin and recycled grades of PA66, PA6, PBT and POM.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005673/en/

Ascend Performance Materials CEO Phil McDivitt and D'Ottavio Group president Giancarlo D'Ottavio signing an agreement for the purchase of Poliblend and Esseti Plast GD. (Photo: Business Wire)

This strategic acquisition marks an important transformation for our company as we grow our European manufacturing and distribution footprint. More importantly, it helps us provide our customers with a broader portfolio of high-performance, sustainable products to meet increasing demand, said Phil McDivitt, Ascends president and CEO.

Poliblend was founded in 1999 and offers compounding and masterbatch services, including color and additive concentrates that enhance the appeal and end-use performance of plastics products, packaging and fibers. Its certifications include ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO TS 16949.

The ability to offer our sustainable products in an ever-changing global business environment is a game changer for Ascend, said John Saunders, Ascends European leader.

Giancarlo DOttavio, Poliblends president, will continue to run Poliblends operations and join Ascends European management team.

This is an exciting chapter for Poliblend. Combining the shared expertise of our companies creates opportunities to expand our reach while continuing to provide the high-quality products and service that our customers have come to trust, said DOttavio.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter.

About Ascend Performance Materials

Ascend Performance Materials is a global premium provider of high-quality plastics, fibers and chemicals and is the worlds largest integrated producer of PA66 resin. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Ascend has nine global locations, including five fully integrated manufacturing facilities located in the southeastern United States and an engineering plastics compounding facility in Europe, all dedicated to innovation and safe production. With three of the worlds largest chemical processing facilities, Ascends materials form the building blocks for products used in everyday applications from apparel to airbags, cable ties to circuit boards and carpets to car parts. Ascends 2,600-person global workforce is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve and leading the development of material solutions that inspire everyone, everywhere, every day.

About Poliblend and Esseti Plast

Poliblend S.P.A. manufactures and markets various basic technopolymers (PA-PBT-POM), elastomerized, reinforced and loaded compounds, self-extinguishing, lubricated for the global market.

With a large fleet of dedicated extruders, Esseti Plast is a leader in the production and sale of colored masterbatches and specific additives.

More information about Poliblend can be found at https://www.poliblend.it/it/chi-siamo.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005673/en/
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said Thursday he is considering ending the practice of allowing aides and administration officials to listen in on calls with foreign leaders, after a whistleblower complaint over his phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky triggered his impeachment.

"Thats what theyve done over the years when you call a foreign leader, people listen," he told Geraldo Rivera in a radio interview that aired Thursday. "I may end the practice entirely."

The White House has long allowed aides, National Security Council personnel, top State Department officials and members of the intelligence community to sit in on the president's calls with world leaders to take notes and prepare a summary that serves as an official record of the call.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was among the administration officials who sat in on Trump's July 25 call with Zelensky, in which Trump solicited his Ukrainian counterpart to publicly announce investigations that would politically benefit him. The call prompted an anonymous whistleblower to file a complaint about the call, which launched a House impeachment inquiry.

Trump's Ukraine call: How are records kept for the president's conversations with world leaders?

His comments came in response to a question about last week's White House dismissal of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert on the National Security Council who provided pivotal testimony in the House impeachment inquiry last fall. Vindman was among several aides who listened to Trumps call with Zelensky. At the time, Vindman reported concerns to superiors that Trump requested investigations of Biden and his son Hunter, who had business interests in the country.

Trump said he viewed Vindman's actions as "insubordinate" and said that after he was escorted from the White House Friday, "many people in the building started applauding."

Story continues

In this photo taken Jan. 28, 2017, President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

In the week since his acquittal on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Trump has looked to settle the score with those who testified against him during the impeachment saga.

Vindman and his brother Yevgeny, who worked as a lawyer an ethics official at the NSC, were fired on the same day. Trump also dismissed Gordan Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union who became a high-profile witness during the impeachment inquiry.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted the Governors Ball in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 9, 2020.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Trump says he might stop allowing aides on foreign calls
HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Buckeye Partners, L.P. (Buckeye) announced today that it is soliciting consents (the Consent Solicitations) from the holders of its (i) 4.150% Notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes), (ii) 4.350% Notes due 2024 (the 2024 Notes) and 5.600% Notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes), (iii) 3.950% Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes), (iv) 4.125% Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes), (v) 6.750% Notes due 2033 (the 2033 Notes) and (vi) 5.850% Notes due 2043 (the 2043 Notes and, collectively with the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2044 Notes, 2026 Notes, 2027 Notes and 2033 Notes, the Notes) for the adoption of proposed amendments (the Proposed Amendments) to the indentures governing the Notes (the Indentures) to substantially conform the reporting covenant in the applicable Indenture to the reporting covenant to be contained in the indenture governing Buckeyes 4.125% Senior Notes due 2025 and 4.500% Senior Notes due 2028, which were priced on February 11, 2020 and are expected to be issued on February 19, 2020.



The Consent Solicitations are being made pursuant to a Consent Solicitation Statement, dated February 13, 2020 (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the Consent Solicitation Statement). Each Consent Solicitation was commenced today and will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 24, 2020, unless extended by Buckeye (each such date and time, as the same may be extended, is referred to as the Expiration Time). Only holders of the applicable Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 12, 2020 (such date and time, including as such date and time may be changed by Buckeye, from time to time, the Record Date) are entitled to consent to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the applicable Consent Solicitation.

The Proposed Amendments will be set forth in supplemental indentures relating to the Notes and are described in more detail in the Consent Solicitation Statement. To amend any Indenture, Buckeye must receive consents from holders (as of the Record Date) representing a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding (not including any Notes which are owned by Buckeye or any of its affiliates) of such series of Notes (with respect to any such series, the Requisite Consents); provided that the indenture governing the 2024 Notes and 2044 Notes may be modified if Buckeye receives consents from holders representing a majority in aggregate principal amount outstanding (not including any Notes which are owned by Buckeye or any of its affiliates) of 2024 Notes and 2044 Notes, voting as one class, and the Requisite Consents related to such two series of Notes shall be such majority.

With respect to each Consent Solicitation, Buckeye will, within three business days of the Expiration Time, provided that all applicable conditions to the Consent Solicitations as described in the Consent Solicitation Statement have been satisfied or waived, pay to Holders of Notes (of such series) who deliver a consent and for which the applicable Requisite Consents have been delivered and not validly revoked for the applicable series of Notes, a cash payment equal to $2.50 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes in respect of which such Consents have been validly delivered prior to the applicable Expiration Time and not validly revoked by such Holders as total consideration for such Consent (with respect to any series, the Consent Fee, and, collectively, the Consent Fees). No Consent Fees will be paid to any Holder of Notes for which series the Requisite Consents have been obtained unless such Holder delivers a consent in accordance with the terms of the Consent Solicitation Statement prior to the applicable Expiration Time. The consummation of each Consent Solicitation is conditioned on the receipt of the applicable Requisite Consents for each of the other Consent Solicitations.

Subject to applicable law, Buckeye reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (i) extend, terminate or withdraw the Consent Solicitations at any time with respect to one or more Consent Solicitations without extending such date for any other Consent Solicitations or (ii) otherwise amend the Consent Solicitations in any respect, including waiving any or all of the conditions to the Consent Solicitations set forth in the Consent Solicitation Statement, at any time and from time to time. Buckeye further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any deliveries of consents with respect to the Notes. Buckeye is making the Consent Solicitations only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is acting as solicitation agent for the Consent Solicitations and can be contacted at its telephone numbers set forth on the back cover page of Consent Solicitation Statement with questions regarding the Consent Solicitations.

Copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Consent Solicitations. Requests for copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement should be directed to D.F. King at +1 (877) 732-3619 (toll free), +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or buckeye@dfking.com.

Neither the Consent Solicitations nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Consent Solicitation Statement or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

The Consent Solicitations are being made solely on the terms and conditions set forth in the Consent Solicitation Statement. Under no circumstances shall this press release constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of Buckeye or any of its affiliates. The Consent Solicitations are not being made to, nor will Buckeye accept deliveries of consents from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Consent Solicitations or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities of blue sky laws of such jurisdiction. This press release also is not a solicitation of consents to the Proposed Amendments to the Indentures. No recommendation is made as to whether holders should deliver their consents with respect to the Notes. Holders should carefully read the Consent Solicitation Statement because it contains important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitations.

About Buckeye Partners, L.P.

Buckeye Partners, L.P., a wholly owned investment of the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund, owns and operates a diversified global network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage, processing and marketing of liquid petroleum products. Buckeye is one of the largest liquid petroleum products pipeline operators in the United States in terms of volumes delivered, with approximately 6,000 miles of pipeline. Buckeye also uses its service expertise to operate and/or maintain third-party pipelines and terminals and perform certain engineering and construction services for its customers. Buckeyes global terminal network comprises more than 110 liquid petroleum products terminals with aggregate tank capacity of approximately 118 million barrels across its portfolio of pipelines, inland terminals and marine terminals located primarily in the East Coast, Midwest and Gulf Coast regions of the United States as well as in the Caribbean. Buckeyes global network of marine terminals enables it to facilitate global flows of crude oil and refined petroleum products, offering its customers connectivity between supply areas and market centers through some of the worlds most important bulk storage and blending hubs. Buckeyes flagship marine terminal in The Bahamas, Buckeye Bahamas Hub, is one of the largest marine crude oil and refined petroleum products storage facilities in the world and provides an array of logistics and blending services for the global flow of petroleum products. Buckeyes Gulf Coast regional hub, Buckeye Texas Partners, offers world-class marine terminalling, storage and processing capabilities. Buckeye is also a wholesale distributor of refined petroleum products in certain areas served by its pipelines and terminals. More information concerning Buckeye can be found at www.buckeye.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Buckeyes perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. This press release includes forward-looking statements that we believe to be reasonable as of todays date. All statements that express belief, expectation, estimates or intentions, as well as those that are not statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Such statements use forward-looking words such as proposed, anticipate, project, potential, could, should, continue, estimate, expect, may, believe, will, plan, seek, outlook and other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These statements discuss future expectations and contain projections.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Although the expectations in the forward-looking statements are based on Buckeyes current beliefs and expectations, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by federal and state securities laws, Buckeye undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. All forward-looking statements attributable to Buckeye or any person acting on Buckeyes behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this press release. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur.

Contact: Kevin J. Goodwin Vice President and Treasurer irelations@buckeye.com (800) 422-2825






Erdogan visits Pakistan to attend high-level meeting

During his visit, President Erdogan will address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum, which brings together leading investors and business-people from both sides.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday arrived in Pakistans capital Islamabad on a two-day official visit.

PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED PRESIDENT ERDOGAN

Prime Minister Imran Khan together with his Cabinet members welcomed the Turkish president, accompanied by a high level delegation, at Nur Khan Airbase, a military base used to receive foreign government officials.

The First Lady, Emine Erdogan, is also accompanying the president.

Two children presented bouquets to the president and the first lady. Pakistans premier himself drove the president to the Prime Minister House, where a guard of honor is to be presented.

Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan together with his Cabinet members welcomed the Turkish president, accompanied by a high level delegation, at Nur Khan Airbase.

Erdogan will co-chair a high-level meeting with Khan during his visit -- fourth since 2002, and second since he became president. The Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) will also be attended by senior politicians and Cabinet members from both sides.

At the conclusion of the session, a joint declaration will be signed, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A number of important agreements/MoUs are expected to be concluded. The two leaders will have a joint press stakeout," the statement added.
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Team members of Utah-based Fortem Technologies and officials from the state-funded, non-profit organization, Deseret UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) will be on hand at the Utah State Capitol this Thursday, February 13 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for Industry Day on the Hill hosted by the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED).

Exhibiting with other professionals from the Aerospace, Life Science and Technology Industries, Fortem Technologies and Deseret UAS will showcase cutting-edge technology that will revolutionize safe drone flight in urban environments. Founded in 2017, Fortem Technologies is a security and defense technology company developed to keep the skies safe as drones proliferate. Fortem's TrueView radar technology and AI-driven SkyDome software system can see everything in the airspace and autonomously alert security professionals or pilots as to what objects enter a given area. The technology performs day and night, in complex weather conditions, thereby ensuring the safe flight of drones in all environments.

As the premier organization in Utah dedicated to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Deseret UAS offers flight test ranges that advance UAS/UAM commercial operations by providing opportunities for companies to commercialize their technologies.

WHAT: Industry Day on the Hill

WHEN: Thursday, February 13 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Utah State Capitol Building Rotunda

WHO: Dave Preece, Chief Data Officer and VP Marketing

VISUALS: SkyDome at University of Utah hospital, uses in North Carolina at WakeMed in Raleigh, Fortem DroneHunter

Media Contact

Jen Colton / VP Public Relations & Government Relations

[email protected] / +1 415 420 5516

SOURCE Fortem Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.fortemtech.com


The U.S. Department of Justice has hit telecommunications giant Huawei with new charges, including stealing trade secrets and violating sanctions by doing business with North Korea.

A new superseding indictment filed Wednesday in the Eastern District of New York also adds racketeering conspiracy charges to the allegations already facing Huawei.

The 16-count indictment includes the charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud laid last year against the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. from Vancouver.

Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, faces no new charges in the superseding indictment.

The existing charges allege she lied to banks about Huawei's control of a subsidiary that was violating U.S. economic sanctions against Iran.

A 'formal policy' to steal secrets

The new allegations against Huawei come as the Canadian government is deciding whether to allow the company to be part of Canada's 5G network.

The U.S. has excluded Huawei from its telecommunications grid and is pressuring its allies to follow suit. Last month, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the Chinese company could play a limited role in Britain's 5G network.

Ben Nelms/CBC

The allegations laid out in the superseding indictment build on U.S. fears that Huawei has long engaged in intellectual property theft.

American prosecutors accuse Huawei of entering into confidentiality agreements with the owners of intellectual property and then violating those agreements by misappropriating the information.

They also allege Huawei "launched a formal policy instituting a bonus program to reward employees who obtained confidential information from competitors."

And they accuse the company of using third-party university professors as proxies to gain access to trade secrets.

None of the allegations has been tested in court.

Story continues

In an emailed statement issued by Huawei on Thursday, the company said the charges are without merit and largely based on civil disputes that have already been settled in the courts. It says it will prove the allegations are unfounded.

"This new indictment is part of the Justice Department's attempt to irrevocably damage Huawei's reputation and its business for reasons related to competition rather than law enforcement."

Involvement in North Korea

In one case outlined in the superseding indictment, a Huawei employee was allegedly "discovered in the middle of the night" after a trade show "removing the cover from a networking device and taking photographs of the circuitry inside."

The individual allegedly wore a badge listing his employer as "Weihua"  Huawei spelled with its syllables reversed.

The Associated Press/International Crisis Group/The Canadian Press

The company allegedly claimed he was a junior engineer. But the superseding indictment claims he was a "senior R&D engineer" who had worked at Huawei for seven years.

The new charges also outline concerns that financial institutions had about Huawei's presence in North Korea.

The indictment says Huawei representatives and employees repeatedly denied Huawei's involvement in numerous projects in North Korea.

But U.S. authorities claim Huawei was active in North Korea since at least 2008.

"Internal Huawei documents referred to the geographic locations of projects in North Korea with the code 'A9,'" the court document says.

"Huawei employees took steps to conceal Huawei's involvement in projects in North Korea."

The new indictment says Iran was referred to internally at Huawei by the code A2.

Awaiting ruling on 'double criminality'

Meng is awaiting a ruling on a key part of her extradition hearing that was held in January in B.C. Supreme Court.

The judge overseeing the case is expected to rule in the coming months on the question of double criminality  whether the offence Meng is accused of committing would be considered a crime if it had occurred in Canada.

She is accused of lying to an HSBC executive in Hong Kong in 2013 about Huawei's ownership of a Tehran subsidiary that allegedly attempted to sell American computer equipment in violation of U.S. economic sanctions.

The banks allegedly made decisions based on her assertions that put them at risk of violating sanctions.

Meng's lawyers claim the offence would not amount to a crime in Canada because Canadians did not have the same economic sanctions against Iran at the time the U.S. gave the authority to proceed with the case.

But the Crown alleges Meng's offence is fraud, plain and simple.

If Meng wins the double criminality argument, the extradition would come to a halt. If not, the case would move to arguments in June over an alleged violation of Meng's rights at the time of her arrest.

Meng was arrested at Vancouver International Airport in December 2018 on what was supposed to be a stopover on her way from Hong Kong to Mexico City. Her final destination was Argentina.

The 47-year-old has been living under house arrest in one of two multimillion-dollar homes she owns in Vancouver since she was released on $10 million bail a little more than a week after her arrest.

She is forced to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet under the terms of her release and is under the constant guard of a private security firm for which she foots the bill.

Meng says she is innocent of all the charges against her.

The case has sent relations between China and Canada into a tailspin, with the detention of two Canadians within a week of Meng's arrest.

Entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were later formally arrested and now face accusations of spying in China, where they are incarcerated without access to lawyers or family.

China also cut off Canadian canola and meat imports in the past year, lifting a ban on pork and beef in November.
Houston, Feb 13 : The suspect accused of killing 22 people in a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, last year, has pleaded "not guilty" to 90 charges, among them hate crimes and murder.

On Wednesday, Patrick Crusius, 21, appeared before magistrate judge Miguel Torres in the El Paso federal court, where federal charges against him over the August 3, 2019 incident were formally read, reports Efe news.

"We are going to do everything in our power to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America," David Lane, Crusius' defence attorney told reporters.

Crusius, who didn't speak, refused to listen to the 90 counts - 22 of using a firearm to commit murder, 22 of committing hate crimes resulting in death, 23 of using a firearm in a crime and 23 of committing a hate crime with intention to kill.

He then pleaded "not guilty" in writing.

Prior to the charge reading hearing, the defence had requested that Crusius, originally from Allen, Texas, appear unrestrained and without a uniform.

The judge only allowed him to shave and dress in a suit but insisted that his hands and feet be cuffed in a session that allowed no access to cameras or microphones, but did allow relatives of the victims because it was a federal case.

"The Court finds it appropriate that the Defendant be restrained at his initial appearance ... using the customary restraints used by the US Marshals under the circumstances," Torres wrote in an order prior to Crusius' court appearance, adding that he posed a security risk.

The next hearing is scheduled for February 18, but Lane said he would look for a way for neither him nor his client to appear.

Crusius had already pleaded "not guilty" in October 2019 over homicide state charges in connection with the killing.

The alleged perpetrator of the shooting, in which 22 people died and 25 others were injured, confessed to police when arrested that his goal was to kill as many Mexicans as he could. Of those killed in the incident, eight were Mexican citizens.

Crusius told police that it was he who opened fire on a crowd at a Walmart shopping centre in the border city where many Mexicans often come to shop.
The US and the Taliban have agreed a seven-day reduction in violence  potentially as the precursor to a more lasting and long-sought peace deal.

US defence secretary Mark Esper told reporters at Nato headquarters in Brussels, that the arrangement, which he did not describe as a ceasefire, came after a series of negotiations with members of the Taliban.

Donald Trump, who campaigned to become president with a plan to remove the US troops from foreign wars, last Autumn had announced that talks with the Taliban leadership, and a possible visit to the presidential retreat in Camp David, had been halted.

He claimed the Taliban had not met its undertaking to reduce violence, though in reality both sides had been stepping up military operations as the talks progressed, something that is not uncommon.

The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence, said Mr Esper.

Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Show all 10 1 /10 Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Donald Trump laughs with US troops after serving them Thanksgiving dinner at Bagram airbase during a surprise visit to Afghanistan AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan It was the president's first visit to Afghanistan AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan As is traditional with senior politicians, he was happy to help serve the troops  his vice-president Mike Pence did the same for US forces in Iraq a few days earlier AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Mr Trump gets stuck in. He told troops he had only been able to have a mouthful of mashed potatoes  and no turkey  before being dragged off to address them AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan The president applauds as his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani addresses troops AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Mr Trump said that he was willing to restart talks with the Taliban REUTERS Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan He told US troops: "The Taliban wants to make a deal. And we are meeting with them and we say it has to be a ceasefire and they didn't want to do a ceasefire and now they want to do a ceasefire, I believe. It will probably work out that way." AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Mr Trump was accompanied on his trip by his national security adviser, Robert O'Brien. While it was his first trip to Afghanistan since becoming president in January 2017, he has been to a warzone once before when he visited troops in Iraq AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan The president told troops that he had flown 8,331 miles to be there to tell them the US has never been stronger. He said: "There is nowhere I'd rather celebrate Thanksgiving." AFP via Getty Images Trump makes surprise Thanksgiving visit to US troops in Afghanistan Mr Ghani and Mr Trump holding talks at Bagram airbase. Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians and more than 2,400 American service members have been killed since America's longest war began 18 years ago AP

Im here today consulting with allies about this proposal, and weve had a series of productive bilateral and collective meetings about the path forward.

Meanwhile, in Germany, secretary of state Mike Pompeo told the media travelling with him, that Mr Trump had given the authority to continue the talks and Washington was seeking a significant reduction in violence before more deeper discussions involving all Afghans could.

[There has been a] pretty important break through, Mr Pompeo said on Thursday.

The Reuters news agency said sources had said a US-Taliban peace deal could be signed this month if the Taliban significantly reduced violence, which could lead to an eventual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

 Democratic debate: Joe Biden breaks from Obama-era Afghanistan policy: 'I'm the guy who was against the surge'

The developments came a a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said there had been a possible breakthrough in US-Taliban talks in Qatar.

Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Talibans political office in the Qatari capital Doha, said progress has been made, but refused to share further details.

Doha has been the venue for talks between the warring sides since 2018 even as fighting has continued across the country, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers as the Taliban have expanded their territorial control.

A former senior Afghan official said on condition of anonymity that Mr Ghani would discuss the negotiations with Mr Pompeo this week on the sidelines of the annual security conference they were attending in the German of Munich.

The talks had been deadlocked in part over a US demand that the insurgents agree to sharply reduce violence as part of any American troop withdrawal accord.

There are about 13,000 US troops as well as thousands of other Nato personnel in Afghanistan, 18 years after a US and UK-led coalition invaded the country following attacks of September 11.

It will be a continual evaluative process as we go forward  if we go forward, said Mr Esper.

Additional reporting by agencies
At the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine on February 12, the agreements on the disengagement of troops near the village of Hnutove, Donetsk region, were reached virtually.

"The agreements on one of the disengagement sites near the village of Hnutove, which was previously proposed by the Ukrainian side, have been reached virtually. Other sites are being negotiated. The emphasis is laid on the need to ensure complete and comprehensive ceasefire, which is now being violated by the illegal armed formations of the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Darka Olifer, the Spokesperson for Ukraines representative in TCG Leonid Kuchma, posted on Facebook.

According to the OSCE SMM, their patrols have been banned from visiting the occupied territories 146 times since the beginning of the year, Olifer noted. Therefore, the Ukrainian side insists on ensuring the safety of the mission members and the unhindered access of the OSCE SMM to the whole territory of Ukraine, as stipulated by its mandate.

In the political subgroup, the Ukrainian side emphasized the need to implement the PACE resolution of January 30, 2020, which contains immediate demands on the Russian Federation: paragraph 4.9 of this document, in particular, highlights the importance of fulfillment of Russias commitments under the Minsk agreements and the cessation of military invasion and support for illegal armed formations in eastern Ukraine.

"We emphasize that the complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of armed formations and military equipment from Donbas, the restoration of control over the border are the basic prerequisites for the start of the political process, including the elections," Olifer noted.

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Representatives with Black Hive Ink and Arts announced today the company will be hosting Valentine's Day flash tattoo event in its tattoo studio at 7960 Raeford Road, Fayetteville.

We are excited to host Valentine's tattoo specials event, said Luis Guzman, owner and spokesperson for Black Hive Ink & Arts. We will be offering flash tattoo specials for those who love Valentines Day & those who dont love it as much.

Join us on Friday, February 14 at 12:00 pm EST for the event, said Guzman before adding, Designs will be drawn in advance and will be by a first-come, first-serve basis only.

Designs are for arms and legs only and will be available to view the day of the event.

Regarding pricing of the tattoo designs for the event, Guzman released the following options:

Couples: $100 (2 tattoos from our Black Hive Inks flash sheet)

Valentines Day: $40 options, $100 options

Anti-Valentines: $40 options, $100 options

Black Hive Ink & Arts is known for hosting tattoo special events. The company hosted a Friday the 13th Nightmare with Christmas tattoo specials in December.

The Fayetteville, NC-based firm also provides free consultations to those who are considering a tattoo.

Were pleased to be able to offer consultations at no charge, which helps potential and current customers and artists to meet, speak, and discuss ideas before booking, highlighted Guzman.

This is to ensure that you are paired with the right artist for your new art piece, Guzman stressed.

The company recently completed two years in business.

It has been an honor serving our clients for two years, said Guzman. It seems like yesterday, and for us to see it blossom the way that it has for the past two years, were very excited about what the future holds.

Black Hive Ink is Fayettevilles new premier tattoo studio. Its goal here is to offer the highest quality experience for each one of our customers. With over 30 years of experience combined, Guzman noted that they recognize the value of its clients and the responsibility that comes with creating beautiful art on their bodies.

All our tattoo artists have traveled nationally and internationally to gain knowledge and experience from renowned artists, Guzman revealed, before adding, This has only served to enhance their skill set. The Black Hive experience starts with our customer service and continues to each custom art piece that is created. We want the overall experience to be unforgettable.

Black Hive Ink & Arts serve clients in Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Durham, Southern Pines, Pinehurst in North Carolina.

Guzman highlighted that Black Hive Ink & Arts now offers free consultations for potential customers and current customers and artists to meet, speak, and discuss ideas before booking. To receive a free consultation, fill out the form located here, and a representative will be in contact with you to schedule the consolation within the next 24-48 hours.

For more information, please visit https://www.blackhiveink.com/blog

About Black Hive Ink & Arts

Black Hive Ink is Fayettevilles new premier tattoo studio. Its goal here is to offer the highest quality experience for each one of our customers.

Contact Details:

Luis Guzman

7960 Raeford Road

Fayetteville, NC 28304

United States

Phone: 910-226-2464

Source: Black Hive Ink & Arts
As Senator Bernie Sanders and his supporters revelled in his victory in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, Jimmy Tawaters mood was less celebratory.

I love Bernie Sanders. Love Bernie, love his ideas. But he cant win, said Mr Tawater, 72, of Ringgold, Georgia.

Late on Tuesday, Lloyd Blankfein, the former Goldman Sachs chief executive, wrote on Twitter that the Vermont senator would ruin our economy if elected president.

And on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, representative Dean Phillips, a centrist Democrat from Minnesota who flipped a Republican House seat in 2018, said he was worried that Mr Sanders would doom his re-election campaign  and cost Democrats their House of Representatives majority.

Im the first Democrat to win in my district since 1958, said Mr Phillips, who backs his home state senator, Amy Klobuchar. I attracted a lot of independent and moderate Republican support, many of whom probably voted for a Democrat for the first time in a long time. And while I respect Bernie Sanders as a senator, as a candidate, his candidacy is very challenging for people who come from districts like mine.

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

Forty-eight states have yet to render judgment on Mr Sanders and the other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for president. But with Mr Sanders solidifying his standing at the top of the field, concerns about his electability and whether a possible Mr Sanders nomination might alienate some swing voters rippled through different corners of the country on Wednesday  from Wall Street to the halls of Congress to the Bessie Smith Cultural Centre in downtown Chattanooga, where more than 1,000 people turned out in the rain to hear Michael Bloomberg speak.

Jenny Gaines of Chattanooga couldnt help doubt whether the Democratic Party was in a healthy place. Were very divided, Ms Gaines, 58, said. And let me say this: If we dont come together, Trump is going to be back in office.

Mr Sanders has now won the most votes in the first two nominating contests, energizing many liberal voters by championing Medicare for All and free public colleges and fighting against income inequality and climate change. He has also proposed sharp tax increases on the wealthiest Americans and on corporations to pay for much of his agenda, and he has been a sharp critic of Wall Street excesses.

Mr Sanders, in turn, unsettles many upper-income and moderate Democrats who worry about the political, economic and personal consequences if a self-described democratic socialist becomes president. Some Wall Streeters compared Mr Sanders to failed candidates like Jeremy Corbyn, the British Labour Party leader who was soundly defeated by prime minister Boris Johnson in a recent election.

Mike Novogratz, a Goldman Sachs alumnus who runs the merchant bank Galaxy Digital, said Mr Sanders oppositional nature had prompted too many friends to say they would vote against him in November. And they hate Trump, he said.

Sanders supporters react during a Primary Night event at the SNHU Field House in Manchester New Hampshire on 11 February 2020 (Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

In Washington, the anxiety is particularly acute among a small but politically important group of freshman House Democrats who helped their party win control of the House in 2018 by flipping Republican seats in districts that President Donald Trump won in 2016. Now, they fear that having Mr Sanders at the top of the ticket could endanger them with the independent-minded voters who dislike Mr Trump but would probably not vote for a self-described democratic socialist.

But concern is also building among centrists in the Senate, where Democrats face an uphill battle in their quest to flip the four Republican seats they would need to regain the majority, and must defend moderates like senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen, who has not endorsed any candidate, said she was not concerned by Mr Sanders but sounded frustrated on Wednesday by the suggestion that he had won big in her state.

He did not win big! she exclaimed. (Mr Sanders took about 26 per cent of the vote, just ahead of Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.)

In the House, members of the group of about three dozen moderates  often called front-liners or majority-makers have toiled to carve out political identities distinct from their partys progressive base, and most are facing competitive re-election challenges from Republicans who bill them as radicals who have empowered a far-left agenda in Congress.

Eight of the front-line Democrats, including Representatives. Haley Stevens of Michigan, Max Rose of New York and Lucy McBath of Georgia, have endorsed Mr Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor. Others, including several military veterans  representatives Conor Lamb and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Elaine Luria of Virginia  are coalescing around former vice-president Joe Biden.

Two former chairmen of the partys House campaign arm  Steve Israel, who has endorsed Mr Biden, and Rahm Emanuel, who is not backing any candidate  said the lawmakers were right to be worried. Mr Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, led Democrats to retake the House in 2006 using a playbook he called metropolitan majority  a centre-left agenda aimed at uniting urban and suburban voters.

Back in 2006, we created Red to Blue as a political entity, Mr Emanuel said, referring to a program Democrats made to help candidates flip Republican seats. We never established or created blue to deep blue. Thats not how you create majorities.

Mr Israel sees two reasons for concern: The race for president will be won or lost in seven swing states and about 20 to 30 swing counties. And the down-ballot effect  the tendency for the candidate at the top of the ticket to dominate voters assessments of other candidates of his or her party  is very strong in a presidential race.

Donald Trump will paint every Democrat  whether theyre running for US Senate or county sheriff  as a socialist, as a Bernie Sanders socialist,  he said, and thats a tough deal in a lot of these districts.

Anxiety in the Democratic Party is exactly the sentiment that Mr Bloomberg hopes will propel his unorthodox presidential bid. He is the only candidate who is skipping the four states that vote first in the nominating process  Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Instead, he has been campaigning and spending heavily on advertising in states like Tennessee that vote in the 3 March Super Tuesday contests.

And while the candidates trying to appeal to the countrys political middle  Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg  jockey for advantage in the early states, Michael Bloomberg is betting that enough voters will come to see him as the consensus alternative to Sanders.

Im a believer that if were going to unite this country, we should unite the whole country, Mr Bloomberg said on Wednesday. So Ive been going to small states as well as big states, states that are on Super Tuesday and states that dont vote for a long time.

Over the next several weeks, Mr Bloomberg plans to campaign heavily, starting on Wednesday in Tennessee before going to North Carolina and Texas on Thursday, then Virginia on Saturday. All four states vote on Super Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Chattanooga, Mr Bloomberg said he saw nothing productive about joining in the criticisms of Mr Sanders. And in a speech to prospective voters, he made an appeal for unity. The stakes couldnt be higher, he told the crowd, only 500 members of which made it into the main room to hear him speak while 500 more waited in an overflow room or stood outside in the rain. The way to defeat Trump is by appealing to the broadest possible coalition  Americans of all backgrounds and parties  to stand shoulder to shoulder.

The New York Times
WESTPORT  Just one day after the Board of Education voted to delay start times by 30 minutes for the upcoming school year, a local elementary school parent has started a petition to reverse the decision. And as of Thursday, she had gathered over 300 signatures.

This petition is in support of allowing changes for the High School students, based on supporting research, but not to the detriment of Elementary and Middle School students, the petition states.

Signers of Elena Shmoninas Change.org petition, which posted Tuesday morning, have left comments expressing concern for the new later dismissals for elementary and middle school students.

As it stands, Staples High Schools daily schedule would run from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Saugatuck Elementary School and the middle schools from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.; and Coleytown, Greens Farms, Kings Highway, and Long Lots elementary schools from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Its much more complicated than half an hour, Shmonina said when reached Thursday, adding she could lose hours of time with her children.

Next week, she said she hopes to reach out to town representatives with the petition.

Several petition signers highlighted the negative impact the time changes could have on working parents, while others said a before-school care option should have been incorporated prior to the vote.

The burden of before-school care for dual income working households is unfair. The vote should not have passed without the sharing of the detailed plan for before-school care and its cost, wrote parent Betsy Amitin.

A recommendation to delay start times came backed by research that showed adolescents need to sleep later into the morning, regardless of individual bedtimes. The presentation made to the education board in mid-January also outlined a list of mental and physical problems that accompany sleep deprivation.

While some parents question why all dismissals were changed, compared to just the high school, BOE Chair Candice Savin explained Thursday the proposal included fiscal constraints. Modifying start times for a few schools while maintaining others could have hiked transportation costs. Currently, there are no additional bus costs required to carry out the approved plan.

We have a three-tier busing system, Savin said. To get to a two-tier busing system it would cost nearly $1 million.

The district administration is looking into ways of helping parents, including potential before-school programs.

You do want to address the needs of working parents, Savin said, noting the school board has also received a lot of support for the change.

(Interim Superintendent David Abbey and former Superintendent Colleen Palmer) also both strongly supported this plan because they wanted to do whats best for the kids, Savin said.

The School Start Time Committee that brought the proposal forward was comprised of many stakeholders, including district adminstrators, school board members and parents.

The research is incredibly clear that there are serious consequences for elementary students as well, if they dont get enough sleep, committee member Christine Meiers-Schatz said, adding there had been several meetings with the elementary school PTAs. I stand behind the work that we did on the committee. It was a thorough committee with lots of different stakeholders, and we met over a long period of time and addressed a lot of different issues.

Westports direction with start times is similar to that of neighboring municipalities, some of which have faced challenges in incorporating the shift.

Last year, Norwalk approved a decision to push back start times for high school students to 8:30 a.m. for the 2020-21 school year The move  estimated to cost the district $457,000 for extra buses  was the subject of debate, as residents voiced concerns on the impact of after-school sports, traffic, extracurricular activities, and families reliant on day care.

For New Canaan schools, a similar proposal is under scrutiny due to major salary increases outlined in the districts budget. While New Canaans school board allotted nearly $954,521 in their $9.8 million budget for the time change, the effect on teachers contracts remains unclear.

While potential budgetary implications play out in New Canaan and Norwalk, other towns have shown mixed results.

During a Westport education board meeting on Jan. 13, member Karen Kleine  one of two members who voted in opposition to the change  noted a study showed Wilton students were still showing high levels of stress and anxiety, despite introducing later start times in the early 2000s.

In 2017, over 1,200 Wilton High School students participated in an extensive survey conducted by Suniya S. Luthar, a professor of psychology at Arizona State University whose research focuses on vulnerability and resilience among various populations.

The study, which had an 80 to 85 percent participation rate, reported nearly 30 percent of Wilton students experienced above average levels of internalizing symptoms, compared to a national norm of 7 percent. Students also showed high levels of anxiety and depression.

I also spoke to the superintendent in Wilton, and he said very clearly grades didnt go up, Kleine said.

Also in 2017, Greenwich moved its school start time from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for high school students. A Greenwich High School student-led survey in 2019 showed more parents approved of the later start time (48 percent) than educators (33 percent).

While the benefits or ramifications of the time change in Westport schools have yet to be seen, public opinion appears relatively split, with an online poll conducted Tuesday revealing roughly 51 percent of 27 respondents were against the half-hour delay, and 48 percent in favor.

dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 12, 2020 | 04:52 PM | PADUCAH

Campbell appeared in McCracken District Court on Tuesday after a deal was offered last month by the County Attorney's office, but Judge Todd Jones would not accept the deal. It would have probated her sentence for 24 months after Campbell served 45 days in jail, and would not have allowed her to have any pets.





Campbell faces 51 counts of 2nd degree cruelty to animals. She was charged in October after a search of her home led to discovery of more than four dozen Chihuahuas in poor living conditions, and some of the animals died.





Campbell's next court appearance is on February 18, when a date for a jury trial is likely to be scheduled.





Campbell's father, Harold, is facing the same charges, but did not appear in court on Tuesday. His next court appearance is also set for February 18.

The case against animal cruelty suspect Jennifer Campbell will not be settled with a plea deal.

On the Net:
(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:00:02] Julie: This week on AARP's The Perfect Scam.

[00:00:05] She pretended to love me. The whole purpose is to get my money. My judgment was terrible, but judgment is not criminal. What she did was criminal.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:00:18] Julie: Welcome back to AARP's The Perfect Scam. I'm your host, Julie Getz, and for those of you who are joining us for the first time, I'd like to introduce my co-host, Frank Abagnale. Frank, thanks for being here.

[00:00:30] Frank Abagnale: Hi, Julie, great to be with you today.

[00:00:32] Julie: Frank, our topic this week is sweetheart scams. We've talked about them before, but there always seems to be another story of someone who falls victim to one. Now one thing we've learned while doing this show is that this type of scam really resonates with our listeners, whether it's because they themselves have been victimized, or a family member, or someone they work with that went looking for romance, hoping to be swept off their feet, but instead found themselves wrapped in a scam. Earlier this year, the FTC reported that romance scams ranked number one on total reported losses, and just to unpack that a little bit further, the number of romance scams reports more than doubled, and reported losses increased more than fourfold, from 2015 to 2018. Frank, why is this scam such a lucrative business?

[00:01:19] Frank Abagnale: Well first of all, I think it's easy for people to find some people that are lonely, and they're looking for companionship, and they're very easy to get to know those people, on the internet, over the telephone, and these type of romance scams work for a long, long time. You know, people say, well, you know, I, before I ever sent any money, I was talking on the phone and visiting all the time, almost nightly, and emails back and forth for over a year. Well that's because he had 20 different people he was scamming at the same time. It wasn't you he was devoting one year of his time to the romance scam. He had 20 different people, and then he has on his computer everything he said to you the last time he spoke to you, and then he has, oh, this person over here, so he's just getting back on script, and knows where he left off with you, and you think he's, everything's devoted to you, but it was always at some point that's that red flag again that's going to come up and at some point he's going to, money's going to come up, and ask you for money.

[00:02:20] Julie: We all want to be loved, so taking advantage of that vulnerability in someone is just, it's awful.

[00:02:26] Frank Abagnale: It's devastating.

[00:02:27] Julie: So I guess it would be safe to say that pretty much anyone can fall victim to the sweetheart scam. Thanks, Frank, and let's talk more after we hear this week's story.

[00:02:35] Frank Abagnale: Right, thanks, Julie.

[00:02:36] Julie: This week we're talking to Jerry, a retired builder who lives in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Although Jerry was married to the love of his life for over 40 years, his wife passed on several years ago. They never had any children and he now lives alone.

(telephone ring)

[00:02:53] Jerry Needleman: Ya, hello.

[00:02:54] Julie: Hi Jerry, this is Julie Getz from AARP. How are you?

[00:02:57] Jerry Needleman: Oh yes, I'm fine, thank you, and you?

[00:03:00] Julie: I'm well, thank you. Have you had a good morning so far?

[00:03:03] Jerry Needleman: Yes, everything is, everything is going well.

[00:03:05] Julie: Right now Jerry is 91. But this story begins seven years ago when he was a youthful 84. He's just gone out on his daily walk when he comes across a woman sitting on a park bench. She's extremely distraught.

[00:03:19] Jerry Needleman: I was walking from my house to Central Park on a nice sunny day, and she stopped me on the street.

[00:03:25] Julie: The woman introduces herself as Sylvia Anderson. She confides through her tears that she's at the end of her rope.

[00:03:31] Jerry Needleman: She had just left her husband that used to beat her. She had two young teenaged children. She was broke, sleeping on the floor, and she was going to look for a place, an apartment to live in, and uh asked me to help her look for it.

[00:03:46] Julie: Out of all the people in Manhattan, Sylvia's picked the right person to ask. Jerry isn't the kind of guy to leave a woman crying on the street, even if she's a perfect stranger.

[00:03:57] Jerry Needleman: I've helped people all my life. I had a sister that I cared for throughout her life. She was an artist. Her father died very young and I took care of my mother. I've taken care of other people. This is my nature. I just wanted to help her, she sounded like she needed help, and I didn't think beyond that. I helped her find an apartment, and I had to guarantee the rent and also pay the rent, where she didn't have it.

[00:04:23] Julie: A week or so after the two of them meet, Sylvia settled into a new apartment, just a mile away from Jerry. He checks in on her regularly and he's astonished that the 38-year-old woman seems to know so little about the modern world.

[00:04:38] Jerry Needleman: She was entirely different than everything I was ever familiar with. If I would talk to her about something she didn't know, she would get very excited. I once showed her a map of the world, I laid it out on a table. She didn't know what she was looking at.

[00:04:53] Julie: Sylvia might not know how to read a map, but she does know how to read Jerry. It isn't long before she starts asking him for favors, and Jerry's only too willing to give.

[00:05:04] Jerry Needleman: She and her son would buy used vans, fix them and, and resell them. So I loaned them money for that purpose so they could buy, fix up, and resell vans. She said that there were some jewels that her grandfather left for her, it was diamonds and rubies and gold and platinum and her husband had pawned it, and uh, the pawn shop insisted that she redeem it, or they were going to sell it, and she said she couldn't bear the thought of not, not owning that, that was left to her by her grandfather, and she pleaded with me to give her money to get it out of the pawn shop. I said, how much is that? $86,000.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:05:47] Julie: For most people, $86,000 is a pretty big ask, especially when you barely know them, but Jerry Needleman has extremely deep and generous pockets, built from a lifetime of frugal living.

[00:06:01] Jerry Needleman: As a young man, I had no money. When I became successful, I lived modestly. I had 2 million dollars when I met her. I couldn't have spent 2 million dollars the way I live, no matter how long I live.

[00:06:13] Julie: Over the next two years, Jerry opens his checkbook to whatever Sylvia wants; $60,000 for a dowry for her son, paid three times after each relationship breaks up, $50,000 for a daughter who's having custody issues, expensive clothes, furniture, jewelry, phones, trips, all for Sylvia herself. His reward, Sylvia's enthusiastic gratitude which gradually turns into more.

[00:06:41] Jerry Needleman: Well, at some point she began to express her, her love for me. I guess what I was doing for her, uh both verbally and in writing. She expressed her great love, eternal love that she would, when I died, she'd jump in a box. She often said that. And I can show you greeting cards and writings that she undertook, promises eternal love, care.

[00:07:06] Julie: Sylvia never gets tired of asking for more. Jerry is happy to give. Two years after they meet in the park, Sylvia makes her biggest request yet.

[00:07:16] Jerry Needleman: At some point she pleaded with me for me to marry her. I said, Sylvia, I'm not interested in marriage. I didn't find her attractive, certainly there was no romantic interest, nor at 85, I was not looking for a hot young dame.

[00:07:30] Julie: But Sylvia's pleas are convincing and earnest, and little by little Jerry begins to wonder if after all these years of giving to others, it may finally be his turn to get something back.

[00:07:41] Jerry Needleman: The fact is, I was growing old, growing frail, and I didn't want to end up in a nursing home. I wanted somebody who had a desire to take care of me because of what I've done for them. Not just paid attendants. And I thought if I took care of her and the children, she would keep her promises and take care of me in old age. So after all that pressure, I finally gave in.

[00:08:08] Julie: On September 8th, 2015, Jerry takes Sylvia to the New York City Clerk's Office. The ceremony is short and sweet, but the marriage itself soon turns out to be a bitter pill to swallow.

[00:08:21] Jerry Needleman: We had sex twice before we got married, when she talked me into it. After we got married, we never had sex, never, never. She would stay up until 3 in the morning. Sometimes she went out and didn't come home until 3 in the morning if she came home. Never made breakfast for me. Very rarely cooked dinner.

[00:08:40] Julie: This isn't the marriage that Jerry hoped for. His 40-year marriage to his late wife, Giddy, had its ups and down, but it wasn't anything like this. Sylvia's moods are unpredictable and unnerving. Even worse, it seems that she's gotten back together with her ex-husband and cheating with him on the side.

[00:08:58] Jerry Needleman: Very short after she married me, she moved down to Bowie, Maryland, for a year, for the purpose, stated purpose of getting her son married. And she posted, I think two weeks after she left me, posted on Instagram a photograph of her and her husband celebrating their happy 23rd wedding anniversary. So she was living with me very, very little.

[00:09:25] Julie: The tiring drama goes on for months. The arguments, the pleading, the reconciliation. But now that he's gotten himself into this mess, Jerry can't seem to find anyone to help him find his way out.

[00:09:37] Jerry Needleman: All my relatives had died. All the good friends, three of them, all died in one year. I really didn't have friends. I had some acquaintances. And well, they thought I was nuts. I mean those, those that knew my first wife couldn't understand how I could put up with someone like this compared to the woman that I had.

[00:09:59] Julie: Nearly two years into the marriage, Jerry decides that he's had enough. He files for divorce, and finally (audio cuts out) that gets Sylvia's attention.

[00:10:10] Jerry Needleman: She pleaded with me to remarry her, promised that everything that was wrong with the first marriage she would, would correct. She said she would take care of me; it's what I wanted to start with. Well we remarried, six days later I filed for annulment. She was lying again. She moved out of here the end of the first week in November 2017. She fled in anger. I never saw her again after that.

[00:10:40] Julie: Nearly four long confusing years after Jerry Needleman meets Sylvia Anderson on a park bench near Central Park, the cold, hard truth of their relationship hits him like a ton of bricks.

[00:10:52] Jerry Needleman: She pretended to love me. The whole purpose is to get my money. My judgment was terrible, I don't, I don't question that. But judgment is not criminal. What she did was criminal.

[00:11:07] Julie: When Jerry realized that he'd fallen victim to the scam, he started looking for help. Enter Bob Nygaard, a bulky ex-cop who's now a private investigator. His specialty, investigating fraud, especially sweetheart scams.

[00:11:23] Bob Nygaard: A lot of times I get called, and it's from a family member, a son or a daughter who are, you know, say in the Midwest and they're calling me about their elderly father in Florida, and they say, and "Hey Bob, you know, we have a problem," and I say, "What's going on?" And they say, "Oh, well, you know, my father just told me he's getting married." And I say, "Well, what's so bad about that?" And they said, "Well Bob, he's 80 and she's 25." So then I end up going over there and finding out that the old man was just, you know, accosted in a public place, and you know, he's all alone, and he's sitting there looking at a TV set every day, um, you know, eating a frozen dinner, and uh with nobody uh watching after him or taking care of him, and the next thing you know, he's got this young woman saying, "Hey, I want to come over and cook you a hot meal," and then she's sitting on his lap, she's rubbing his leg, she's got the two little kids with her, she's taking him out to lunch. Within a week she's taking him out to dinner. The next thing you know, they're at a car dealership and she's getting him to, to lease a car for her, and the next thing you know, she's getting him to change his will, so she owns his million dollar apartment.

[00:12:26] Julie: So Bob, when Jerry hired you to help him and to start looking into Sylvia's background, what did you find out?

[00:12:32] Bob Nygaard: Sylvia Anderson, she had previously had a civil suit filed against her in Massachusetts in 2011, where she had scammed an old man out of a lot of money. She met him out of the blue, and she told him that she was homeless and that she had two teenaged children and she was fleeing an abusive relationship. So she used the same story on an--, on another old man, back in 2011.

[00:12:57] Julie: But that's not all the investigation uncovers. Nygaard finds that Sylvia has a sister, and that she targeted Jerry first.

[00:13:06] Bob Nygaard: The sister, who is known as Sandra Cooter Anderson, who has been arrested in the past for sweetheart swindles, had approached him first, and then he had written two checks for $10,000 to her but had cancelled them and then uh, you know, when that didn't work out, uh next thing you know, within two weeks, uh he meets a, a young attractive woman on a corner and it happens to be the sister of Sandra Cooter Anderson who is Sylvia Anderson, aka Sophia Anderson, and she came at him with a different approach.

[00:13:38] Julie: For those of us that don't really know that much about how sweetheart swindler scams work, is that normal? Is that typical to work as a team?

[00:13:45] Bob Nygaard: It's not typical to work as a team, no.

[00:13:47] Julie: So, Bob, another thing that's not typical was that you were actually able to get testimony from Sylvia's family to back up Jerry's account. Can you tell me about that?

[00:13:56] Bob Nygaard: The family of the alleged sweetheart swindler, Sylvia, were willing to come forward, which is very rare in one of these cases where family members of the, of the suspect will actually agree to cooperate. But in this case, Sylvia, she had left the gypsy husband for another man, and uh, there was a whole chain of events that occurred between the son and the, and the husband, and the new lover, and uh that uh was one of the reasons that sparked their willingness to come forward and want to help uh, with the case.

[00:14:29] Julie: So what did the family tell you, and how did that help build your case against Sylvia?

[00:14:33] Bob Nygaard: I spoke to the husband and the jewelry that she claimed the husband pawned, that was, it was just a, a ruse to get $86,000 out of Mr. Needleman. Another thing is during the course of the scam, uh she told uh Mr. Needleman on three separate occasions that her son needed to get married and that there was a $60,000 dowry that needed to be paid to the other family, so on three occasions Mr. Needleman paid $60,000 for a total of $180,000 in order, you know, out of the goodness of his heart, so that, that the young man could get married and they would have a dowry. And meanwhile I had an interview with the young man. He told me, "Bob, I was never getting married like that. I never, it was never any $60,000 dowries that were needed." So it was one, one complete scam.

[00:15:17] Julie: What did Sylvia's son think about what his mother was doing?

[00:15:21] Bob Nygaard: Sylvia's son told me "Bob, my mom's been conning this man, old man for the last couple of years, and I've had enough of it, and I'll go to the police with you, and I'll do whatever has to be done to have her arrested."

[00:15:33] Julie: It sounds like you had a really strong case against them if it ever does go to trial.

[00:15:38] Bob Nygaard: Yeah, these cases are not hard to prove. And if you get the facts in front of a jury, people have a great propensity to see the truth.

[00:15:45] Julie: And what was the total financial loss for Mr. Needleman?

[00:15:48] Bob Nygaard: I came out with a figure of one million, seven hundred and eight-four thousand dollars.

[00:15:52] Julie: Wow.

[00:15:52] Bob Nygaard: For me, it, it's just so reprehensible that someone would come in and, and take someone's life savings, you know, almost two million dollars over the course of a of couple years under the guise that she's going to be there for him.

[00:16:07] Julie: So how did this whole situation affect the way that Jerry is living now?

[00:16:11] Bob Nygaard: I mean what, what does an elderly person do when they're wiped out of their life savings? They can't go back to work. Mr. Needleman he, he went, and he went out and he said, "Bob, I'm going to look for jobs." And he went out and started to look for jobs. He says, "But Bob, no one will even give me an interview." He said, "Who's going to hire me?" And he goes, "They won't even give me an interview 'cause if they turn me down, they'll be worried that it's age discrimination." And Mr. Needleman, he doesn't even have money for food, and he was going to get kicked out of his apartment. Luckily, a, like a long lost relative uh came forward and got a few other relatives together and agreed to pay Mr. Needleman's rent for him.

[00:16:48] Julie: Bob, Jerry Needleman's out, almost 1.8 million dollars, over a four year sweetheart swindler scam. What happened to Sylvia?

[00:16:55] Bob Nygaard: Sylvia's still out there. Nothing happened to Sylvia at all.

[00:16:59] Julie: Okay, and Jerry is presently trying to figure out a way to get his money back, correct?

[00:17:04] Bob Nygaard. Correct. I'm still working on trying to find someone in law enforcement that will agree to take the case, and agree to prosecute the case. Right now, you know, everybody's innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and uh, you know, I just built the case and, and I'm trying to uh, report it to law enforcement.

[00:17:21] Julie: When you say trying to report it, what do you mean? I know that Jerry talked to a police detective but had some challenges in getting law enforcement to take this scam seriously.

[00:17:30] Bob Nygaard: There's a misconception, I know that, that, that the police detective had said to Jerry that well you've got basically this beautiful young woman, and uh you know, you paid for her and basically, you know almost like, you know, you got what you paid for kind of a, an attitude. And it, it really irks me, okay, because that was a total misconception of what went on here, and that's what a lot of people don't understand. That this is not an elderly man in these situations that is looking to pick up a hot young woman. This is an elderly person who is scared that they're not going to be able to take care of themselves. So these are nontraditional organized crime suspects. They uh take advantage of the criminal justice system's uh propensity to treat nonviolent offenses with leniency.

[00:18:26] Julie: And hopefully things will change. Bob, thanks again, so much, and as always, it's so great to have you on the show. Have a great rest of your day.

[00:18:34] Bob Nygaard: Thank you. Thank you.

[00:18:35] Julie: Thank you.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

[00:18:38] Julie: Frank, I'll be honest, of all the scams we've covered in this podcast, the sweetheart scam stories really hit me extra hard. Poor Jerry. He loses his wife and then he finds himself in a scam that financially ruins him. And what I find interesting is that the FTC reported that people who said they were ages 40 to 69, lost money to romance scams at the highest level. More than double the rate of people in their 20s. Now, at the same time, people 70 and over reported the highest individual losses. Frank, what can you say about romance scams, and what are the key elements in pulling this scam off?

[00:19:13] Frank Abagnale: Well, first of all, they take the time to win over that person's affection, that person's to care about them and trust them, and that's what I think is why it's one of the most devastating of all the scams, because you've come to learn to trust somebody, and then you find out they truly were deceiving you the entire time. The fact that you've been just so mistreated, and they had that thought of your feelings so worthlessly like that, that that becomes very deceiving. So I think of all the scams, it's one of the most harmful scams emotionally for individuals, because they've been deceived. And it's very hard because you get emotionally involved as the person, so you automatically trust that person. So just 'cause they asked you for some money for whatever the reason is, you don't immediately think, oh, they're trying to scam me, and this is a romance scam. So I think they're very easy to work, and as we know, there's been cases where we discussed here last time where it starts out as a sweepstakes scam, or a travel scam, and then the person turns into a romance scam, 'cause they get involved with the person who's trying to scam them.

[00:20:15] Julie: Okay, Frank, last question. We know that most romance scams happen online. Is there a way that we can prevent our friends and family members from falling into this devastating trap?

[00:20:25] Frank Abagnale: It's very important that people understand that if you, you have someone like that, it's great to have someone to talk to, it's great to have someone to share email with and etc., uh but again, you always have to keep in your mind that you never saw this person, you never met this person, you really don't know other than what they told you. So, when it comes to the part of them having to separate again with some money or some personal information, that's where you have to just stop and ask yourself, do I really know this person? Have I ever actually met this person? Again, I always believe in sharing, getting advice from a trusted friend that says, you know, I met this person online, I've been having this great relationship. That's been really great. It keeps me, it gives me a lot of company at night, somebody to talk to, and we have a lot of things in common. But recently, he asked me about giving him some money for an operation or sending him some money for this reason. So then your friend can say the exact thing, do you know this person? I mean, have you actually met them? Do you know who they are, that they say they are? Get a different perspective about it, but I can obviously understand why people fall for it, and why people get very trusting, and that's because they're willing to take the time and devote the time to basically play you, scam you. But always, I remind people, you're not just the only one. They're scamming a number of people at the same time.

[00:21:43] Julie: And are there any clear warning signs?

[00:21:45] Frank Abagnale: The warning signs are the signs that we discuss all the time, and they're the same signs with every scam, and that is, that at some point in this relationship, I have to benefit from it. So I'm either going to ask you for money, for whatever the reason might be for you to send me money, or I'm maybe start asking information. So Helen, where do you actually do all your banking, 'cause I bank at Chase in New York. Well I bank at Wells Fargo. Oh really? Well how long have you banked there? Do you have any credit cards that you use from them, 'cause I have a lot of trouble with my credit card... they're starting now to get information from you. They're asking you personal things that you probably don't want to share with anybody, no less somebody you never actually met. So the, the red flags are the same.

[00:22:29] Julie: Frank, one more tip that I heard about is if I receive an email from someone with a photo attached, and this person claims to be him or her, that I can copy and paste the photo into the Google search image feature and see if the photo image pops up anywhere.

[00:22:43] Frank Abagnale: If that's a real person. Or go to, you know, you can, you may go to LinkedIn, you can go to some other things to see if they are really who they say they are. If I told you I graduated from Columbia University in New York and this is the year I graduated, you can go online to Columbia University's yearbook for that year and see if there actually is a person that graduated from that class and that school. That's what I mean. There are so many resources today that we didn't have 15 years ago, that you can check these things out. But if you're going to devote enough time to have this romance scam and be involved with this person, you can devote a few minutes to go check out that they're saying. You know, I always tell people, there's nothing wrong with being skeptical; it's a virtue to be skeptical. And so, you want to make sure that you know you're getting involved with somebody that you can trust.

[00:23:26] Julie: Thanks, Frank. It's always so great to talk to you and hear from your experience.

[00:23:29] Frank Abagnale: Okay, Julie, thank you.

[00:23:32] Julie: If you or someone you know has been the victim of a fraud or scam, call AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. Thank you to our team of scambusters; producer Brook Ellis, our audio engineer Julio Gonzales, and of course, my co-host Frank Abagnale. Be sure to find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. For AARP - The Perfect Scam, I'm Julie Getz.

(MUSIC SEGUE)

END OF TRANSCRIPT
Reuters

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -More than 1 million Indians received their third COVID-19 vaccine dose on Monday as the country rolled out boosters for frontline workers and vulnerable elderly, with the Omicron variant fuelling an eight-fold rise in infections in 10 days. The health ministry said only 5% to 10% of the infected have sought hospitalisation, compared with 20% to 23% during the Delta-driven last wave that peaked in May. Authorities say most people have shown no or only minor symptoms and have recovered quickly at home. "The situation is dynamic and evolving, therefore, the need for hospitalisation may also change rapidly," Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote in a letter to state authorities asking them to regularly review staffing levels.
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Feb 13 (ANI): The second batch of 25 foreign envoys on Thursday reached Jammu where they will meet GC Murmu, the Lieutenant Governor of the newly-formed Union Territory.



The foreign envoys, including those of Germany, France and Mexico, are on a two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir to witness the ground situation in the region nearly six months after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

In Jammu, they will also hold meetings with Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Gita Mittal, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory, district administration officials and civil society members of Jammu division.

The delegation reached Jammu from Srinagar where, early in the day, they were briefed by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon regarding the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Yesterday, the foreign diplomats held extensive discussions with the prominent business community and political leaders in Srinagar.

The business community told envoys that they suffered losses due to abrogation of Article 370 followed by restrictions and at the same time they also said they are hopeful that promises of fast pace development by the centre would be fulfilled.

Envoys also met more than 100 members of civil society from across the section of Kashmir including engineers, doctors, lawyers, students.

Civil society members told envoys that internet blockage continues to remain an obstacle in the restoration of full normalcy and they believe that full Internet should be restored.

The group comprises of representatives from Afghanistan, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Rwanda, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

Last month, envoys of 15 countries including US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Philippines, Norway, Maldives, Fiji, Togo, Bangladesh, and Peru visited Jammu and Kashmir on January 9 and 10 to see first-hand efforts being made by the government in the region. (ANI)


WASHINGTON  Eight Senate Republicans broke with President Donald Trump on Thursday  joining all the chamber's Democrats to support legislation that would restrict the president's ability to wage war with Iran.

The 55-45 vote marked a rare bipartisan effort to curb Trump's powers and underscored lawmakers' concerns that U.S. tensions with Iran could escalate into a full-fledged war.

Democrats said Congress had to act to rein in an unpredictable president, arguing Trump brought the United States to the brink of war with Iran when he green-lighted a deadly strike targeting Tehrans most powerful military leader, Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

I fear that the presidents erratic decision-making, his lack of strategy, his inability to control his impulses may bumble us into a war  even if he doesnt intend it, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said during Thursdays debate.

Schumer said Thursday's vote was "a clear shot across the bow" to Trump that Congress will not support another "endless war" in the Middle East.

Sen. Todd Young, an ex-Marine and conservative Indiana Republican, praised Trump's decision to target Soleimani but said lawmakers have an obligation to debate the use of U.S. military force.

"For nearly two decades, Congress has been AWOL on certain matters of national security and attempted to pass the buck to our commander in chief when things go wrong," Young said. "Its time for us to do our job."

Most of the Senate's 53 Republicans voted against the measure, which would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. military force engaged in hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, left, and Susan Collins of Maine were among the Republicans who supported Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who sponsored a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in military action against Iran.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday that she would bring the Senate measure up for a House vote this month. Even if it passes the House, Trump is almost certain to veto it. There's little chance that proponents of the measure could get the two-thirds House and Senate supermajority needed to override a veto.

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"It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution," Trump tweeted Wednesday. "We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness."

Republican opponents said the Senate proposal would severely limit the Pentagon's ability to defend the USA against threats posed by Iran. They blasted Democrats for their criticism of the Soleimani killing.

"This was not some reckless act. It was a calculated and limited response to a significant, growing threat of attack against U.S. personnel in Iraq by an emboldened adversary," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a Senate floor speech this week. Trump's decision, he said, restored deterrence and reduced the risk of war.

The chief sponsor of the measure, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said the debate was less about Trumps Iran strategy and more about Congress exercising its constitutional responsibilities to declare war.

"An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition," Kaine said during Wednesday's debate. "If we're to order our young men and women ... to risk their lives in health and war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the people's elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person."

Kaine conceded he didn't have enough support to override a veto but said he hoped Trump would be influenced by the congressional vote.

"Were listening to our constituents, and were telling him blundering into another war" would be a mistake, Kaine said.

In addition to Young, the other Republicans who voted yes on the resolution were: Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jerry Moran of Kansas and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Lee dismissed criticism from his fellow GOP lawmakers that the measure would tie Trump's hands or signal "weakness" on the part of the United States.

"We dont send a message of weakness when we stand up for the rule of law," Lee said Wednesday. "That's a message of strength."

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, flanked by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, left, and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., argue that President Donald Trump must seek congressional approval before military action against Iran.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senate votes to limit Trump's Iran war powers. A veto is likely.
FILE PHOTO: Damage is seen after a shell fell on a residential area in Hadba al-Badri district, in Tripoli

By Ayman al-Warfalli and Ulf Laessing

BENGHAZI, Libya/CAIRO (Reuters) - Eastern Libya forces will not allow the United Nations to use the only functioning airport in the capital Tripoli, a spokesman for the group that has been trying to capture the city from the internationally recognised government said on Wednesday.

The U.N. earlier warned flight restrictions by commander Khalifa Haftar's forces known as the Libya National Army (LNA) were hampering humanitarian and mediation efforts in the oil-producing country embroiled in a conflict between loose alliances from western and eastern Libya since 2014.

The LNA, which is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, has been trying since last April to take Tripoli but has failed to breach the city's defences.

However, it has air superiority thanks to UAE-supplied combat drones, which cover the whole of Libya via a satellite link, a U.N. report said in November.

LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari told reporters in the eastern city of Benghazi that the United Nations would have to use other airports such as Misrata because it could not guarantee the safety of flights into Tripoli Mitiga airport as Turkey was using it as a base.

Turkey has supplied combat drones to Tripoli operating in the past out of Mitiga and also sophisticated air defences for the capital.

On Wednesday, the 15-member U.N. Security Council passed its first resolution on Libya since the Tripoli war broke out, expressing "grave concern over the exploitation of the conflict by terrorist and violent groups" and demanding that the parties commit to a lasting ceasefire according to terms agreed by the country's Joint Military Commission.

It expressed concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya.

David Schenker, the senior U.S. diplomat for the Middle East and North Africa, told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee the task of bringing the Libyans back to the negotiating table had been complicated by the involvement of external actors.

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"Libya is not the place for Russian mercenaries, or fighters from Syria, Chad and Sudan. It is not the place for the Emiratis, Russians, or Turks to be fighting battles on the ground through intermediaries they sponsor or support," he said in prepared testimony.

The Joint Military Commission includes five senior officers from the LNA and five aligned with the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

The rival factions began U.N.-led talks in Geneva last week aimed at securing a ceasefire, but a first round failed to yield an agreement.

The U.N. mission in Libya (UNSMIL) earlier said the LNA had in the past three weeks several times blocked U.N. flights carrying staff to and from Libya.

A humanitarian source said Haftar was imposing a "no-fly zone" for Tripoli and there were concerns that U.N. flights could be a possible target.

U.N. envoy Ghassan Salame has been mediating between Haftar and the Tripoli government.

Relations have been difficult as UNSMIL has condemned air strikes blamed on the LNA, though mostly without mentioning the force by name.

Ties worsened when the U.N. said in a report last month that Haftar's main stronghold Benghazi had turned into a "hub for illicit economic activities, including the sale of drugs and arms". The U.N. also criticized activities of armed groups in western Libya.

The LNA's Mismari again accused Salame of being biased against the LNA, a charge denied by the United Nations.

UNSMIL has a base in Tripoli and also provides humanitarian relief for migrants and people displaced by the conflict with about 170 staff spread between Libya and neighbouring Tunisia.

(Reporting by Omar Fahmy, Ulf Laessing, Ayman al-Warfalli and Emma Farge; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom and Humeyra Pamuk in Washington; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Grant McCool and Christopher Cushing)
Photo: The Canadian Press

A protest blocking the CN Rail lines at New Hazelton is threatening the economy of northern B.C., according to Prince Rupert Port Authority president Shaun Stevenson.

Stevenson gave an interview to CBC Daybreak North on Wednesday, but didn't respond to a request for comment from Glacier Media.

Already yesterday a number of terminals ceased operation," Stevenson told the CBC in a quote shared on the port authority's Facebook page. "Without trains moving, there is lots of concern were starting to hear in the community, and its important to understand where we come from... there are 6,000 jobs that are involved in the transportation system, that are in Prince Rupert but also in places like Terrace, Smithers, and across northern B.C., and all of those jobs are reliant on the reliability and the service that the Port of Prince Rupert has developed over the last number of years...Were hopeful that a peaceful resolution can be reached and we can get back to operating.

In an email Wednesday, a spokesperson for VIA Rail said all passenger rail service between Prince George and Prince Rupert is cancelled until further notice.

"VIA Rail is processing full refunds for the cancelled trips automatically which could take up to 10 days due to the volume of transactions," the emailed statement said. "This refund applies to all services affected by the blockades as well as related connections.

VIA Rail passengers can call 1-888-VIA-RAIL for the latest information.

VIA did not provide information about the number of passengers affected on the Prince George to Prince Rupert line, however another protest in Belleville, Ont. disrupted traffic between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, prompting the cancellation of 223 trains and impacting 34,200 passengers as of 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the VIA Rail statement said.

Protests in New Hazelton and Belleville began on Feb. 6, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by CN Rail.

"The blockades near Belleville... and on CN's northern mainline in B.C. between Prince George and Prince Rupert are impacting all Canadians' ability to move goods and enable trade," the CN Rail statement said. "Hundreds of trains have been cancelled since the blockades began... The impact is also being felt beyond Canada's borders and is harming the country's reputation as a stable and viable supply chain partner."

CN Rail president J.J. Ruest said the blockades are stopping companies from shipping goods like lumber, aluminum, grain and other commodities.

"Factories and mines will soon be faced with very difficult decisions. The Port of Prince Rupert is effectively already shutdown," Ruest said. "We have obtained court injunctions for both locations and we are working with local enforcement agencies to enforce the orders."

A spokesperson for CN Rail said the company had no further comment on the issue in an email on Wednesday. Neither CN Rail or North District RCMP responded to The Citizen's requests for comment regarding the potential enforcement of a court injunction to remove protesters blocking the rail line in New Hazelton.

The protests in New Hazelton and Belleville are in support of eight Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters who were blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline through their traditional territory from Jan. 3 until Thursday when RCMP began enforcing a B.C. Supreme Court injunction to remove them. On Tuesday the RCMP completed their enforcement and reopened the Morice West Forest Service Road and Morice River Bridge, which had been barricaded by Wet'suwet'en supporters.

On Wednesday, two Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs launched a constitutional challenge in B.C. court against the 670-kilometre Coastal GasLink pipeline project. The $6.6 billion natural gas pipeline will feed the $40 billion liquefied natural gas export terminal under construction by LNG Canada in Kitimat.

On Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. a screening of Invasion, an 18-minute mini-documentary about the ongoing dispute, will be held at UNBC's Canfor Theatre (Room 6-213).

A #ShutdownCanada rally is planned in front of the Prince George RCMP detachment on Victoria Street on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in support of the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs.
Jellyfish are very sneaky about stinging. Most are silent. Some have venom that kicks in on a time delay. Many species even manage to get in a few zingers after theyre dead.

But according to research published Thursday in Communications Biology, the stealthiest stinging strategy belongs to Cassiopea xamachana, a species of upside-down jellyfish found in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and warm parts of the Western Atlantic like the Florida Keys. When disturbed, this creature acts like a space-movie mother ship  it emits tiny balls of stinging cells that then swim around on their own, zapping anything in their path.

These self-propelling microscopic grenades, which the researchers have named cassiosomes, also appear to stun and kill prey for the jellyfish, said Cheryl Ames, an associate professor at Tohoku University in Japan and lead author of the study.

The finding is paradigm-shifting and will change how researchers think about how jellyfish eat and sting, said Angel Yanagihara, a jellyfish envenomation expert at the University of Hawaii who was not involved with the study.
Chinese tech giant Huawei has been hit with fresh US criminal charges alleging a "decades-long" effort to steal trade secrets from American companies. A US indictment unsealed in New York alleges Huawei and its proxies conspired "to misappropriate intellectual property" from six US firms as part of a strategy to grow and become the world's largest telecom equipment maker. The new charges, including a federal racketeering allegation, add to an indictment unsealed in January 2019 that alleged Huawei stole trade secrets from US carrier T-Mobile. The indictment names Huawei and several subsidiaries, as well as the company's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who has been arrested in Canada over a related probe into Huawei's violations of US sanctions. Huawei called the latest charges "unfounded and unfair" and predicted the case would be dismissed. "This new indictment is part of the Justice Department's attempt to irrevocably damage Huawei's reputation and its business for reasons related to competition rather than law enforcement," the company said. "The 'racketeering enterprise' that the government charged today is nothing more than a contrived repackaging of a handful of civil allegations that are almost 20 years old." Huawei, one of the world's largest tech firms, has been blacklisted by Washington amid concerns over its ties to the Chinese government and intelligence services. The sanctions are aimed at blocking Huawei from getting any US telecom equipment contracts and prevent the transfer of American technology to the Chinese firm. But on Thursday the US Commerce Department delayed the implementation of some sanctions for an additional 45 days, saying it would help avoid disruption for certain telecom firms as they seek alternatives to Huawei. - 'Long-running deception' - The new 16-count indictment says Huawei employed a "long-running practice of using fraud and deception to misappropriate sophisticated technology from US counterparts," a Justice Department statement said, without naming the American companies. "Huawei's efforts to steal trade secrets and other sophisticated US technology were successful," according to the statement, which said the company "obtained nonpublic intellectual property relating to internet router source code, cellular antenna technology and robotics" to gain an "unfair competitive advantage" over rivals. According to the indictment, Huawei entered into confidentiality agreements with US tech firms and then violated those deals. Huawei is accused of recruiting employees of other companies and "directing them to misappropriate their former employers' intellectual property." The indictment also claims Huawei used "proxies" such as professors working at research institutions to steal trade secrets and "launched a policy instituting a bonus program to reward employees who obtained confidential information from competitors." The fresh charges come amid heightened US-China trade tensions and efforts by Washington to keep Huawei from obtaining contracts for 5G, or fifth-generation wireless networks. China on Friday repeated previous allegations that the US treatment of Huawei amounted to "economic bullying." "We urge the US to immediately cease its unreasonable oppression of Chinese enterprises," a foreign ministry spokesman said. According to the 56-page indictment, Huawei is also accused of using its subsidiaries around the world to conceal its dealings with Iran and North Korea, which are subject to US sanctions. Meng, arrested in late 2018, is under house arrest in Canada pending a ruling on whether she will be extradited to face charges in the United States. Meng is accused of lying to HSBC bank about Huawei's relationship with its Iran-based affiliate Skycom, putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions against Tehran. The US administration has had mixed results in persuading allies to steer clear of Huawei for 5G networks. France announced Thursday it would not bow to American pressure to exclude Huawei from supplying equipment for its 5G networks, though the Chinese firm could be subject to restrictions. Last month the EU and UK both released guidelines saying that governments should avoid dependence on "high risk" suppliers of 5G equipment when building their next-generation mobile networks, but stopped short of banning any one vendor outright. burs-dma/hg
ONSTED, MI  After days of floating at sea without a destination, Holland Americas Westerdam cruise ship has found a spot to land in Cambodia.

Multiple countries turned the ship away because of coronavirus concerns, since the ship departed Feb. 1 from Hong Kong  a hot spot for the deadly virus.

All 802 crew members and 1,455 guests on board are healthy  including Onsted resident Steve Muth and his family. There are no known or suspected cases of coronavirus on the ship, a Holland America news release said.

"All approvals have been received and we are extremely grateful to the Cambodian authorities for their support," the release said.

Japan and Thailand originally were going to allow the Westerdam to port, but eventually denied entry. Cambodia allowed the ship to arrive early Thursday morning local time, cruise officials said.

The ship has anchored about a mile from shore, Muth said. While guests have been tested continuously for the virus, Muth said everybody is being tested again before being allowed on dry land.

The two-week cruise was supposed to make seven stops in the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. But it's spent all but one day at sea, per Holland America.

Its been a long ride, thats for sure, said Muth, whos on the cruise with his wife, daughter and her boyfriend.

From left to right, Steve Muth, Jane Muth, Kate Muth and her boyfriend Erik Deneau pose for a picture. The four are aboard the Holland America's Westerdam cruise ship.

Despite the issues, Muth said the cruise has been top notch and that the crew has done well adapting to the situation.

Holland America is chartering everybody from Cambodia to Vietnam, paying for everybody to fly home, refunding the cruise and giving a 100-percent credit for a future cruise to all guests.

The Westerdam was never under quarantine, unlike a Diamond Princess cruise ship thats stuck at sea near Japan. More than 200 people have tested positive for the virus on that ship, per news reports.

The new concern for families aboard is how they'll be received, once they get home.

"Even people in the community are saying (we) shouldn't come back, because we could infect all of Lenawee County," Muth said, as he's been following the news stories and social media buzz. "It's like, 'No, people, nobody's sick. It's OK, trust me.'"

The Muth family has already arranged to get tested again for the virus once they return to the Detroit airport.

We dont want this hanging over us for the rest of our lives, Muth said.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has directed the immediate probe of suspended officials who were accused of contravening governments directive on Treasury Single Account.

The officials are the Vice Chancellor of the Kogi State University, Mohammed Abdulkadir; Rector of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Mohammed Atureta; Chief Medical Director Of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Ahmed Attah; and the Chief Medical Director Of the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital.

The state government had earlier announced the suspension of the top officials for alleged disregard of the instruction on all government agencies to adopt the single account.

Disclosing this while briefing the press at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said the governor is determined to ensure accountability and transparency in the system.

According to him, the government will sanction any organisation that violates its anti-corruption policies.

Mr Fanwo said the governor has reiterated the determination of his government to ensure that the newly created Ministry Of Solid Minerals rakes in enough revenue to power government programmes and projects.

The Kogi State Government is poised to use the newly created Ministry Of Solid Minerals to compete effectively in the mineral exploration world.

To this end, the Deputy Governor of the State, Edward Onoja, has been directed to ensure the ministry starts on a strong footing.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner for Health, Saka Haruna, said the Council has approved the upgrading and rehabilitation of three hospitals across the three Senatorial Districts as well as the establishment of the Psychiatric Department at the State Specialist Hospital l, Lokoja.

The State Executive Council today, approved the establishment of more departments in the State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.

Also, Council has also approved the upgrading and rehabilitation of hospitals in Okene, Idah and Kabba. The spread of the project is in line with the policy of the New Direction Administration to spread projects equitably, he said.
JEROME  The City of Jerome is experiencing a boom in population and economic growth, with more projects on the way to bring more housing and infrastructure to the city.

City officials and community leaders discussed the future of Jerome at the Feb. 12 State of the City event hosted by the Jerome Chamber of Commerce.

If you drove around the town youll notice even during the winter months construction has not really slowed down, Jerome Mayor Dave Davis said.

Residential and commercial growth

There are now 125 new buildable lots in Jerome, with 48 new residential permits in 2019. Residential permits in Jerome have been in an upward trend for almost a decade. Construction is not limited to new housing and also includes remodeling projects.

This is significant, sustainable growth that weve been experiencing in the last few years, Davis said.

In order to mitigate a shortage of affordable housing and continue downtown revitalization efforts, the city is planning to use the old Central Elementary School site as a mixed-use development that will include green space, commercial space and market-rate housing.

Theres no need for the city to have seven acres of property when were trying to revitalize and redevelop downtown, Jerome City Administrator Mike Williams said.

Theres only so many things we can control, but the development of property that we own is one thing.

There were 67 commercial permits issued in 2019, with new businesses moving in to Jerome in the next few years.

Among the new business coming to Jerome are Western Transport, Smiles 4 Kids and an expanded Family Health Services, which will move from its location on Pioneer Court to a building twice the size of its current facility.

Community development

Jerome has various projects to improve and remove existing infrastructure to beautify the town, improve safety and save money.

After five years of planning for a new police station, the city has $1.8 million saved to rebuild its existing station or purchase and remodel new property, Davis said.

If anybodys been in our police station, its too small and its dangerous, Davis said. Its basically a gauntlet for somebody to come in and go down through that hallway and take care of some of our citys finest. We owe it to them to have a better facility.

The city will be removing a lift station for the Jerome Estates subdivision to the wastewater plant and replace it with gravity flow, saving it $20,000 in maintenance and opening the space up for more residential projects. It also has a goal to upgrade all parks with better facilities, including toilets, playground equipment and shelters.

Were going to look at other parks and do the best we can financially to be able to upgrade them to make them more appealing for use for families and residents of this community, Davis said.

Connectivity plan

There are three projects in the works as part of the connectivity plan that it passed in 2015. There will be a curb, gutter and 10-foot pathway built on East 10th Street between Lincoln Avenue and Fillmore Street. The project is out for bid and construction will begin this summer.

Notice the kids out there in the road, Davis said, referring to a photo of the street, which has no sidewalk. That is a major problem and safety issue in our community. A lot of children walk up and down East 10th Street  and yet we dont have a pathway for these children.

The city is temporarily funding a pathway project on North Date Street. It applied for grant funding, but failed to obtain it. It will also receive a 10-foot detached pathway in an area that connects Jerome High School and Summit Elementary where there is high foot traffic from children and teens.

It also applied for grant funding to build a pathway, curb and gutter between Jerome High School and the Sinclair service station on East Main.

Urban Renewal Agency investments

Williams, who is also executive director of the Jerome Urban Renewal Agency, said that projects like the Southeast Industrial Park, near Idaho Milk Products, have been successful because of the agencys investment in them. The industrial parks total taxable value when it was acquired in 2008 was approximately $1 million. Its value is now $100 million.

That taxable value goes into the agency to reinvest for continual growth, Williams said.

Debt from the $5.5 million, 20-year bond used to provide infrastructure for Idaho Milk Products is expected to be paid off in April 2022, six years before its due date and will provide an opportunity for property taxes to go down.

Through a partnership with the agency and the city to get out of debt and reinvest the money, city officials hope to rebuild Main Street, particularly the site near Lincoln Avenue that was damaged by a fire six years ago.

A lot of you have seen whats happened to Twin Falls, their downtown and their revitalization of Main, Williams said. The seed there was planted 20 years ago when they established their Urban Renewal District. Everything thats happening there I dont believe would have happened with the assistance of Urban Renewal to help pay for their upgrades. Were not so much different here.

Megan Taros is a Times-News reporter and Report for America corps member covering the Magic Valleys Hispanic community and Jerome County. You can support her work by donating to Report for America at http://bit.ly/supportRFA.

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US First Lady Melania Trump has said that she is "excited" for her trip to India along President Donald Trump later this month.

In a tweet, Melania Trump said her maiden trip to India as the First Lady is an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries.

She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the "kind invitation" to visit India.

"Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month," she said. President Trump and "I are excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India," she said.

Melania Trump was responding to a tweet by Modi tweet wherein he termed the US President and First Lady's visit to India as a "very special one".

"India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship," Modi had said in the tweet.

President Trump and the First Lady are scheduled to travel to India on February 24 and 25.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Gas price in Ukraine at ten-year low  market participant

19:50, 13.02.20 4895

The price throughout 2020 will remain within $120-$150 per 1,000, head of ETG.UA suggests.
Industrial associations in



Aurangabad district have voiced their opposition to the proposed hike of electricity tariffs by state utility Mahadiscom from April 1, saying that the increase in rates would be detrimental to the industry.

Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA) on Thursday raised the concerns before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) here during a hearing.

It said that although the Mahadiscom claims that the hike would be two to four per cent, its impact in the five- year period would be around 15-20 per cent.

"This will be dangerous for industries in Marathwada region," CMIA member and energy expert Hemant Kapadia said.

The fixed charges will increase by over 63 per cent from the current Rs 391 per unit to Rs 638 till 2025, which is a burden to industries, he said.

"We are struggling for new projects and make current projects sustain. This rise will surely hit the growth of industry in Marathwada," Kapadia added.

According to Kapadia, the tariffs are charged at Rs 7.07 per unit.

"A rise of 10 paisa per unit per year is proposed by Mahadiscom. This will lead to an increase in tariffs to Rs 7.47 in next five years," he said.

Marathwada Industries of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA) and some local companies also objected to the proposed tariff hike.

"New electricity tariff would create problems for new as well as existing companies. The rates in the state are already high for industries, and we have demanded measures in favour of industry by not raising the rates," MASSIA secretary Manish Agrawal said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin will face angry demands from TDs to allow them to serve in opposition after a disastrous general election.

The move could fast-track Mr Martin's resignation and trigger a leadership contest.

Brendan Howlin became the first senior politician to fall on his sword yesterday after he resigned from the Labour Party leadership.

Before he announced his resignation, Mr Howlin revealed Labour's six TDs would not be entering government during the next Dail term.

Opposed

The decision significantly damages Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald's plans to lead a left-wing coalition.

Mr Martin is expected to tell a parliamentary party meeting today that he is opposed to entering into government with Sinn Fein.

This would leave open the door to Fianna Fail speaking to Fine Gael about a coalition which is supported by some in Mr Martin's party.

However, senior frontbench Fianna Fail TDs, including deputy leader Dara Calleary, Barry Cowen, Darragh O'Brien and Willie O'Dea among others, are opposed to entering into coalition with either Sinn Fein or Fine Gael.

Ruling out both parties significantly reduces the party's options, especially if Fine Gael will not support them through a confidence-and-supply agreement.

Ahead of the meeting, senior party figures were suggesting Mr Martin's almost decade-long leadership will come to an end sooner rather than later.

A number of TDs said even if Mr Martin manages to become Taoiseach, he will not lead the party into the next general election.

"There shouldn't be any need for a heave and Micheal must know himself that he will have to say when he is going, even if he's Taoiseach," a senior Fianna Fail TD said.

Another TD said: "At the end of the day he won't be leading us into the next election so he can go now or wait a year and go then."

However, others in the party were less eager for their leader to step down.

"No point in taking the captain off the pitch if you don't know who's coming on to replace him," a TD said.

Backlash

Mr Martin has not spoken publicly since he left the door open to a coalition with Sinn Fein after the election.

However, party loyalists were yesterday suggesting Mr Martin was "buying himself some time" after the election.

Fianna Fail TDs have been getting a backlash from their supporters over Mr Martin's failure to rule out a coalition with Ms McDonald.

There is an expectation at the most senior ranks of the party that Mr Martin will rule out a coalition at today's meeting.

Fine Gael are also split on going into government with Fianna Fail.

Yesterday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he expects to lead Fine Gael into opposition but also suggested there could be a second election.

"I think the likelihood is that at the end of this process that I'll be the leader of the opposition and obviously (if) my new parliamentary party still want me to do that, I will want to do that," he said.

However, some Fine Gael ministers believe they should approach Fianna Fail about forming a coalition.

But the Taoiseach's view is supported by other senior figures in the party.

Sinn Fein's negotiating team opened talks with smaller parties yesterday as Ms McDonald sought to form a government, with the Green Party and People Before Profit holding talks with the Sinn Fein team led by Pearse Doherty.
More Syrians return 'home' from Lebanon One million in Lebanon since war began

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, FEBRUARY 13 - More Syrian refugees crossed back into their home country on Thursday from several areas of Lebanon.



Both Lebanese and Syrian media reported the news. The Syrian government-run news agency SANA said ''dozens'' had, while its Lebanese counterpart said ''hundreds'' had. Since 2011, up to one million refugees have entered Lebanon from Syria, fleeing the conflict in their home country. Lebanon has a local population of fewer than four million. Repatriation of Syrians is being organised by the Lebanese government in collaboration with its Syrian counterpart and are being called ''voluntary''. Local analysts say that these Syrians are in practice basically being forced back to their home country given the difficult conditions they are experiencing in Lebanon and the lack of a legal framework protecting them from discrimination in Lebanon. (ANSAmed).




Moneycontrol's Anvita Bansal gets in conversation with Siddhesh Raut, Shraddha Sharma, Nachiket Deuskar and M Saraswathy from the newsroom to find out the top stories of the day.

In the February 13 edition of In The News podcast, host Anvita Bansal gets in conversation with Siddhesh Raut, Shraddha Sharma, Nachiket Deuskar and M Saraswathy from the Moneycontrol newsroom to find out the latest updates from India and around the world.

First up, she talks to Raut about Yes Bank delaying Q3 results as the lender is in conversation with prominent investors to raise capital.

Next, Sharma gives updates on the coronavirus outbreak after a SpiceJet passenger was suspected of the infection and was quarantined at Delhi Airport.

Following that, Deuskar talks about the Supreme Court order to political parties to provide details of candidates with criminal records and display the same on their official websites. Political parties have also been asked to give reasons as to why the candidate has been selected.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

Lastly, Saraswathy discusses the tax those aspiring to study abroad will have to pay if their course costs over Rs 7 lakh.
Hundreds of thousands of face masks are displayed at the Korea Customs Service's office at Incheon. Customs officials have scuttled attempts to illegally ship out 730,000 face masks over the past week. Yonhap



Customs authorities have scuttled attempts to illegally ship out about 730,000 face masks over the past week, the government said Thursday, stepping up its efforts to ease the supply shortage of masks caused by the spread of the new coronavirus.



The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said it intercepted exports of 100,000 masks in 62 cases and put 630,000 masks in 10 shipments under an investigation during its intensive crackdown from last Thursday to Wednesday.



The 730,000 masks detected by the KCS are worth about 1.4 billion won (US$1.18 million).



South Korea last Wednesday announced tougher penalties for the hoarding of protective masks and hand sanitizer after the coronavirus outbreak sparked a sharp rise in demand. Hoarders of such products can face a prison sentence of up to two years or a maximum fine of 50 million won.






NANJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- "Science can make a better world" is not just a slogan of Frimec (Jiangsu) Environmental Technology Co., but also a motivating cry, as the Portuguese firm has pitched in with China's epidemic battle.

Invested by Portugal's air conditioning giant Frimec International, the company located in the city of Zhenjiang, east China's Jiangsu Province, focuses on providing air conditioning solutions, including air cleaning equipment for hospital operating rooms.

"After the epidemic broke out, we received many urgent orders from the hospitals that were treating infected patients. We immediately set up a task force to meet their needs," said Sun Jian, general manager of the company that opened in 2019.

"Our company has been strictly following the rules that employees must first complete a two-week-long self-quarantine before getting back to work," Sun said.

To mitigate the risk that human contact may further spread the virus, Chinese authorities had extended the Spring Festival holidays. Work has begun to resume since Feb. 10.

The Portuguese company resumed operation Monday, together with a large number of enterprises across the country. "We have to work around the clock now to produce more machines for the hospitals, including Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital which served in the SARS fight 17 years ago," Sun said.

The company encourages its office staff to work from home as more employees working in the factory means a greater risk of infection.

"Some of our orders were postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, but we believe that the negativity is temporary," he said. "The Chinese market is huge."

The company is determined to stick to its investment plan of 300 million yuan (43 million U.S. dollars) this year because they believe when the epidemic dissipates, they will see a new round of strong demand.

It has also begun to seek new opportunities in building a data center and rolling out air cleaning products in China. "I believe we have many new opportunities in the Chinese market," Sun added.
Dear patient readers,

Sorry for the indecision, but my trip to Dallas looked problematic, but now it is on and so is a meetup. It will likely be small due to the late announcement, but come on regardless! Based on past experience, you are sure to find good company and lively conversation.

The location is the Whiskey Cafe, which I am told has tasty food and ought to be fairly convenient for Dallas, given the sprawl of the city and its burbs.

Details:

Time: Thursday February 13, 5:00 to 8:00 PM

Whiskey Cafe

3601 Dallas Parkway

Plano, TX 75093

972-993-2253

Website: https://www.whiskeycake.com/locations/plano-tx/

Below are zoomed out and zoomed in maps:

Hope to see you soon!
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:54:47|Editor: yan

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LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The bill for renovating Big Ben, Britain's most famous clock tower, has leaped by a third after the discovery of extensive damage caused during World War II, local media reported Thursday.

The House of Commons (lower house of parliament) Commission said Thursday it was "extremely disappointed" that the cost of repairing the Elizabeth Tower housing the Big Ben bell will have to rise from 61.1 million pounds (about 79.8 million U.S. dollars) to 79.7 million pounds (about 104.2 million dollars).

A statement from the House of Commons Commission said: "It is very frustrating to learn that the Elizabeth Tower project requires yet more funding."

The need for another 18.6 million pounds (24.3 million dollars) was only realized following the discovery of a bomb damage during World War II, among other problems. The new budget will have to be approved by the accounting officers of the Houses of Parliament.

Ian Ailles, director general of the House of Commons, said the Elizabeth Tower restoration -- which began in 2017 and is scheduled to continue until next year -- "had been more complex than we could have anticipated."

It had not been possible to understand the "full extent of the damage" until scaffolding had gone up and a survey was carried out, said Ailles.

Examination of the 177-year-old tower has uncovered decay and damage to hundreds of intricate carvings, asbestos in the belfry, extensive use of toxic lead paint, broken glass in the clock dials and the need for a clock specialist.

Big Ben was silenced in 2017 to protect the health and safety of workers involved in what was initially estimated to be a 41-million-dollar refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower.

Last month, a campaign to enable Big Ben to chime on the Brexit day failed due to high cost.
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Linkedin John Whitesides and Amanda Becker (Reuters) Manchester, United States  Thu, February 13, 2020 12:00 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206440331 2 World #USA,#politics,Democratic-party,Bernie-Sanders Free

Democrats vying for the right to challenge US President Donald Trump turned their focus on Wednesday to Nevada and South Carolina after Bernie Sanders solidified his front-runner status by narrowly beating Pete Buttigieg in New Hampshire.

While Sanders, a progressive senator from neighboring Vermont, and Buttigieg, a moderate former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, finished first and second in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, the contest also showed the growing appeal of centrist Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who placed third after surging over the past few days.

Two Democrats whose fortunes have been fading - progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and former Vice President Joe Biden - who was once the front-runner in the race - limped out of New Hampshire, finishing fourth and fifth respectively amid fresh questions about the viability of their candidacies.

New Hampshire was the second contest in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump, a Republican, in the Nov. 3 election.Sanders and Buttigieg finished in a virtual tie in the first contest last week in Iowa and in New Hampshire won an equal number of delegates - who formally vote at the party's convention in July to select a nominee.

More than 294,000 voters cast ballots in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, the state party said, breaking the record of 288,000 set in 2008, when Barack Obama's historic candidacy energized the party.

Noting the turnout, Sanders said in a statement on Wednesday: "Our campaign is successfully reaching out to working people, young people, communities of color and all those who believe in a government of compassion and justice. This is the coalition that wins elections.

But many mainstream Democrats worry that the unapologetically liberal Sanders would lose a matchup with Trump.

The New Hampshire vote came on the heels of a chaotic effort to count the votes of caucus-goers in Iowa that slowed the momentum of the leading candidates and led on Wednesday to the resignation of Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price.

Problems with an app used by the party to tabulate voter choices plunged the first-in-the-nation nominating contest into disarray, with the results not known for days and an anticipated rechecking of the results in numerous precincts.

INCREASED DIVERSITY

The states coming up on the campaign calendar are more demographically diverse than largely white and rural Iowa and New Hampshire. The next contest is on Feb. 22 in Nevada, where more than a quarter of the residents are Latino, followed a week later by South Carolina, where about a fourth are African-American.

After that, 14 states, including California and Texas, vote in the March 3 contests known as Super Tuesday, which will also be the first time voters see the name of former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the Democratic presidential ballot.

With an eye toward a potential general election campaign against Trump, Bloomberg announced on Wednesday the opening of a campaign office in New Hampshire. Bloomberg also picked up endorsements from three black members of the US House of Representatives after he came under scrutiny over past support for a policing tactic known as stop and frisk that disproportionately affected racial minorities.

In New Hampshire, Sanders drew 26% of the vote and Buttigieg had 24%. Klobuchar had 20%, Warren 9% and Biden 8%.

Buttigieg said on Wednesday his strong results in Iowa and New Hampshire showed he had momentum. His campaign said it would double its organizing staff in Nevada to 100. Buttigieg also launched a television ad in the state emphasizing his healthcare proposal that would provide access to a government-run Medicare plan but let people keep their private insurance if they want.

Sanders' Medicare for All proposal would replace private health insurance with a government-run plan based on the Medicare program for older Americans.

'WHOLE NEW LOOK'

Buttigieg, who would be the first openly gay US president if elected, still faces questions about what opinion polls show is his weakness with black voters, one of the most loyal and vital Democratic voting blocs.

Asked how he could gain the confidence of minority voters, Buttigieg told MSNBC he was focused on economic empowerment and suggested he had learned lessons, sometimes "the hard way," as mayor of South Bend. He pointed to a plan he released last summer aimed at fighting racism.

"I think we're getting a whole new look from black and Latino voters who have so much riding on making sure that we defeat Donald Trump, because they are among those with most to lose if they have to endure yet another term of this president," Buttigieg said.

The Democratic field shrank to eight candidates after New Hampshire. Deval Patrick, 63, the former Massachusetts governor, dropped out on Wednesday.

Businessman Andrew Yang and Senator Michael Bennet, who had trailed in the polls and also performed poorly in New Hampshire, dropped out on Tuesday night.
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13 2020

Bali tourism stakeholders have rebuffed an online report in a British tabloid suggesting that the resort island had become a ghost town due to a decline in the number of Chinese tourists following Indonesia's travel ban.

The Indonesian government imposed a ban on all flights to and from mainland China on Feb. 5 amid fears of the novel coronavirus spreading to the country.

Its a hoax, Bali Tourism Agency head Putu Astawa told journalists on Monday, after meeting with industry players in the provincial capital of Denpasar.

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New Patterns of Evidence film examines biblical miracle: Parting of the Red Sea

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Patterns of Evidence filmmaker Tim Mahoney is gearing up to release the next installment in his series of archaeological and scientific investigations into historical biblical accounts. His latest film looks at the Exodus miracle of the parting of the Red Sea.

The biblical account of the parting of the Red Sea is found in Exodus 14 and details the Israelites' escape from slavery led by Moses as the Egyptian army pursued them.

Following the success of Mahoney's previous award-winning "Patterns of Evidence" projects, he believes this film, like the others, will refute secular scholars claims that the Bible is mere fiction and do so in a way that is understood by people worldwide.

Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle, a Thinking Man Films production, will be in select theaters nationwide for one day only on Feb. 18 through Fathom Events.

The following is an edited transcript of The Christian Post's interview with Mahoney who has been investigating biblical accounts for over 20 years. In the interview he detailed what it was like to retrace the steps of Moses and the Israelites as he searched for archaeological evidence to create Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle Part 1 and 2.

The Christian Post: In the film you describe the Egyptian and Hebrew accounts of the parting of the Red Sea. Most Christians visualize the Charlton Heston version of that account, which you said you have also done. Can you explain the two positions?

Mahoney: When we make a Patterns of Evidence film we look for a way to explain the different viewpoints that are being used to explain biblical events such as the Red Sea miracle.

In this new film, we identified what we termed an Egyptian Approach which believes that the Exodus account borrowed Egyptian words to describe the crossing location. And they believe these words point to the crossing at one of the reedy lakes near the border of Egypt.

The other viewpoint we call the Hebrew Approach disagrees with a near Egypt location. They believe that the words used to describe the location where Moses and the Israelites crossed are Hebrew words and do not have a connection to Egypt. They also point to other biblical references that place the sea of the Exodus at the Gulf of Aqaba.

CP: In the film you also explain the importance of the Hebrew and Egyptian translations of individual words when discussing the parting of the sea account. How revealing was the actual translation in your research?

Mahoney: What we know is that the sea was first called Yam Suph" in Hebrew. Centuries later it is translated into Greek as Red Sea. Over time people also called the location Sea of Reeds. What we would learn is that reeds dont grow in saltwater, they grow in freshwater. The Egyptian approach believes that the word Suph might be a translation from the Egyptian word Pa Tufy which means place of reeds.

Yet, the Hebrew Approach challenges this connection claiming that Moses was writing an eyewitness account to Hebrews using Hebrew words and Hebrew meanings, not Egyptian.

CP: What were you most surprised to find out about the parting of the sea?

Mahoney: This is the first film of a two-part film event. The Red Sea Miracle part 1 (in theaters on Feb. 18) really lays out two distinctly different ways people see God working in a miracle. The Egyptian Approach sees the parting as a naturalistic event where wind was the agent and it moved water naturally. The miracle would be in the timing.

The Hebrew Approach primarily believes that the miracle was not only caused by wind but that God miraculously parted the water. The depth of the water would not be a problem for the God of the Bible who created the universe.

CP: What would you like for others to take from this new installment of Patterns of Evidence?

Mahoney: We all are faced with difficult times in our lives, when we think we are not going to make it. We are trapped at the sea with the Egyptians behind us. But God wants us to call on Him and trust Him for the solution to our dilemma.

CP: Have your discoveries impacted historians' beliefs about these biblical accounts?

Mahoney: I have learned that many historians dont change their minds once they declare a position. But I am OK with that. I enjoy hearing what they believe and why they believe it. I couldnt make these films without them. I do think I have help raise the awareness of these questions about the historical credibility and have shown a pattern of evidence that matches the biblical events. At the end of the day, its up to the viewer to decide if these films make sense. But it will give them a lot to think about. Thats why we call our company Thinking Man Films.

CP: What's next for the "Patterns of Evidence" series?

Mahoney: The "Red Sea Miracle" part 2 (in theaters on May 5), thats when we look closer at the locations for the sea's parting. We will look at how the sea was parted [and] was it naturalistic or supernatural, which depends [on] where you place the crossing.

We will also look to see if claims of chariot wheels on the bottom of the seafloor have any merit.

And finally, we will explore the question of miracles. What is a miracle and do they still happen today?
The so-called Deal of the Century will threaten international peace and stability and spread the law of the jungle if urgent steps are not taken to stop the Trump administration from forcing it on the Palestinians, warn Palestinian observers and analysts. They believe that action should begin with the Palestinians who should work to conclude Palestinian reconciliation as soon as possible. Until they mend the rift that has torn the Palestinians apart for so long, it will be impossible to mount an effective challenge against that inequitable scheme that seeks to bury the Palestinian cause, especially given regional and international circumstances and a general reluctance to go beyond declarations of condemnation and censure.

The major practical thrust of the US-Israel scheme is to create an archipelago of Palestinian ghettos, said Palestinian political analyst Jihad Harb. It would consist of six isolated cantons hemmed in by the Separation Wall, that the occupation began to build in 2002, and linked by Israeli-controlled by ring roads and checkpoints. Such a condition puts paid to all notions of sovereignty, territorial contiguity and other prerequisites for a genuinely viable state.

Harb observes that the provisions for Palestinian sovereignty over the splotches of green inside Israel on the so-called Conceptual Map are a far cry from sovereignty as defined by international law. To the architects of the plan, sovereignty is an amorphous concept that evolves over time. Under their plan, it has evolved into a recipe for withholding the right to national sovereignty and self-determination, imposing an apartheid order within an Israeli state that spans the whole of historic Palestine. Regardless of the terms it uses, for all practical purposes the plan pushes the one-state option, but formulated in a way that can only pave the way for a mass civil rights struggle against an inherently racist system.

Walid Al-Qotati, a Palestinian researcher and analyst, described Washingtons deal as a plan to consolidate de facto realities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus announcement of the annexation of West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley were the concrete prelude to the plan which takes the Israeli occupation, decades long control of Jerusalem, the Judaicisation of Jerusalem, the confiscation and demolition of Palestinian homes and lands, the mushrooming of settlements in the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza, as a starting point.

What we are seeing is the culmination of the process that began with the Balfour Declaration and passed through the UN partition resolution, the establishment of the State of Israel, the Camp David and Oslo Accords  all episodes in the drive to gobble up Palestine, Al-Qotati said, adding: The phase of US conflict management is over. The phase of ending the conflict has begun against a backdrop of Arab impotence and Palestinian division. Al-Qotati hopes that the Palestinians can now build on their unanimous rejection of the Trump plan, turning that rejection into a national programme for liberation, resistance and return.

Will Trump and Netanyahus actions precipitate a third Intifada or war between Israel and the Palestinian resistance? Political analyst Riham Awda predicts escalation, but limited  probably no more than some missiles fired by the resistance into Israel and Israeli bombardement in return. I dont expect much new to happen before the Israeli elections and a new government is formed. Taking the decision to go to war is not easy as it requires the approval of the cabinet and a comprehensive military strategy.

In Awdas opinion, Netanyahus bellicose rhetoric and threat to launch a major military offensive is election propaganda. He wants to project himself to Israeli voters as forceful and strong on security. The person who wins the forthcoming elections in Israel will be the one who will determine whether there is another war or not. Awda believes that if Benny Gantz, a former chief of staff, wins the elections, the chances of major military confrontation in Gaza will be higher. Relative calm along the northern borders with Lebanon and Syria and with respect to Iran would further increase the likelihood of an Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Dalal Arikat, professor of strategic planning and conflict resolution at the Arab American University in the West Bank, offered an explanation of the 181-page deal which was given the title Peace to Prosperity and that bills itself as a Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People. The plan is divided into two main sections: a political framework and an economic framework. The former deals with the major political issues, such as Jerusalem, prisoners, refugees, borders, security, sovereignty, the state, UN resolutions and international law, foreign and regional relations.

The plan reaffirms US recognition of Jerusalem as the indivisible capital of Israel and relegates the capital for the proposed State of Palestine to the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem. Arab residents of Jerusalem would be given three options regarding their national identity: they could become citizens of the State of Israel, become citizens of the State of Palestine or retain their status as permanent residents in Israel.

The plan grants Israel sovereignty over security, water, airspace, roads, borders and crossings. The Palestinian state would not have an airport or seaport at first and it would not have the right to establish diplomatic relations without Israeli approval. Palestine would also not have the right to join international organisations or pursue legal action against Israel in any international court, arbitrating body or police agency, such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court or Interpol.

Also, under the deal, Palestine and Arab states would be required to cease support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and any other effort to boycott Israel. The plan also expects Palestine and the Arab states to work together with Israel to counter Hizbullah (since it takes as its premise that Iran is the primary threat to the region), as well as the Islamic State group and Hamas.

The plan openly acknowledges that it is security focused and that this focus was informed by Israeli considerations, including full Israeli control over borders, crossings, air, land and sea. The Israeli state is to be regarded as the nation-state of the Jewish people, a status to be recognised throughout the world. The Palestinian state is to be fully demilitarised but enjoy the legal status and international standing of a state plus an innovative network of roads, bridges and tunnels that enables freedom of movement for the Palestinians. The state will ensure a level of security satisfactory to Israel, adopt educational curricula that promote peace and take part in a joint commission on acceptance and tolerance. It will also be required to stop salary payments to the families of political prisoners and martyrs of the resistance.

The vision calls for the release of Palestinian prisoners and administrative detainees held in Israeli prisons, apart from those convicted of murder or attempted murder, or conspiracy to commit murder, which includes murder by terrorism. Released prisoners will be required to sign a pledge to promote the benefits of co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians. Prisoners who refuse to sign this pledge will remain incarcerated. All Israeli captives and remains have to be returned to Israel first.

The plan speaks of both a Palestinian and a Jewish refugee problem created by the Arab-Israeli conflict. It also speaks of a just and realistic solution and, in the same breath, jettisoned the right to return enshrined in UN Resolution 194 and other international instruments. Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA would be entitled to several options, but subject to an array of limitations. Once the deal is signed, UNRWA would end its mission and refugee camps would be dismantled and replaced by housing projects. The plan calls for an appropriate mechanism separate from the Israel-Palestine Peace Agreement to deal with Jewish refugees. According to the plan, the State of Israel also deserves compensation for the costs of absorbing Jewish refugees from neighbouring countries.

The US plan offers a unique perspective on Gaza which should be fully demilitarised and subjected to a separate security regime and separate economic regime that offers the prospects of turning Gaza into another Singapore.

As for Jewish settlements in the West Bank, they are referred to as pockets that will be annexed to Israel rather than dismantled. The Jordan Valley is to be placed under Israeli sovereignty while Palestinian farms there can be allowed to continue operations under Palestinian law, but only after obtaining permits from Israel. The plan claims to avert population transfers, but it contradicts itself when it comes to territorial exchanges involving inhabited areas.

In the section covering the economic framework, the plan pledges a $50 billion investment to guarantee the creation of a million job opportunities in 10 years, to double GDP and to reduce the poverty rate by half. In addition to an innovative network of tunnels, roads, bridges, trains and crossing points to make the Palestinian state geographically contiguous, the plan proposes an international support fund to finance such infrastructural projects, the creation of a free trade zone between Palestine and Jordan, a mechanism to facilitate Palestinian export commerce through a Jordanian airport, a free trade agreement between the US and Palestine to boost Palestinian economic development, and access to designated facilities at Israeli seaports (Haifa and Ashdod) and the Jordanian port of Aqaba. Then, if all goes well, in five years time, assuming the full satisfaction of the Gaza Criteria, the State of Palestine shall have the right, subject to the satisfaction of State of Israels security and environmental requirements, to create an artificial island off the coast of Gaza to develop a port to serve Gaza, as well as an airport for small aircraft.

Arikat described the economic aspect as a deal in every sense of the word in that it offers a detailed plan with a strategic vision, clearly identified goals, target dates, funding and executive mechanisms, projected budgets, etc. However, she added, despite all the economic proposals that might seem attractive to some, a truly just peace in accordance with UN resolutions and international law and on the basis of a two-state solution that would establish a genuinely sovereign Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders would promise the Palestinians many more times the material benefits than those listed in the deal.

She also observed that the architects of the deal are not waiting for the Palestinians to respond. The deals unveiling was the notification of the beginning of the implementation of a vision intended to put paid to the Palestinian peoples remaining territorial and human rights under the rubric of a two-state solution. The Palestinian leadership will never lend itself to such a ruse no matter the warnings.

They have to stop underestimating peoples intelligence, Arikat said. Its patently clear that they used the term facilitator instead mediator because they know the former is someone who bridges different views between parties. It is an admission the plan is a business deal and shouldnt pretend to be a peace initiative.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Industry-Leading Learning Management System (LMS) Provider Signs Multi-Year Lease for Expanded Space at TELUS Sky in Downtown Calgary

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Absorb Software, provider of the Absorb Learning Management System (LMS) and the newly introduced Absorb Infuse, today announced plans to relocate the company's corporate headquarters to the new TELUS Sky mixed-use tower in downtown Calgary. Following a remarkable year of growth, Absorb has signed a multi-year lease for 80,000 square feet (7,430 square metres) of office space in the newly constructed 60-story tower, which is expected to open at the end of this month.

"Calgary has been a great home for Absorb, and since our business has grown so rapidly in recent years, it was time for us to move into a location better suited to accommodate our current team and anticipated growth. We're thrilled we can remain in the area while we continue to expand and deliver the industry-leading solutions to our customers," said Absorb CEO, Mike Owens. "Moving to this unique and impressive towera transformative landmark for the citywill not only provide Absorb with the tech-focused amenities necessary to support the company's ongoing expansion, but help us attract and retain the best talent."

"With Calgary poised to become a significant tech hub in Canada, TELUS Sky is designed to meet and exceed the expectations of the city's growing creative and technology sectors," said Roz McQueen, a leasing executive at Westbank, developer of TELUS Sky, in partnership with Allied and TELUS. "We are excited to welcome Absorb to TELUS Sky, knowing the company will make full use of the amenities that the building has to offer. Not only will TELUS Sky be the company's new workplace, but it also has the potential to be a home for their international talent, through the project's furnished short or long-term residential offerings on floors 30-58."

Designed by global architectural firm, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), TELUS Sky offers state-of-the art workspaces in downtown Calgary, in a projected LEED Platinum certified building. The lobby of TELUS Sky features a living green wall and 11-story atrium which serves to enhance the 100% fresh air in the building, while operable windows and natural light sources contribute to wellness in the workplace.

Absorb will occupy five levels of open-concept workspace with balconies on floors 20 and 22-25 and have access to the wellness centre and health-food concepts in the building. This deal brings the commercial space of TELUS Sky to 60% leased, as the project prepares to open toward the end of February 2020.

Photos of the office building can be found here.

About Absorb Software

Absorb Software is a learning technology company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with global offices in London, Dublin, Shanghai, Sydney, Boston, Tampa and Salt Lake City. Absorb offers both Absorb Infuse, the first true in-the-flow learning experience, and its flagship product, Absorb LMS, an industry-leading and award-winning Learning Management System for businesses, higher education, government and non-profit agencies around the world. Learn more at www.absorblms.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.

ABOUT TELUS SKY

TELUS Sky is a mixed-use tower designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, a LEED Platinum showcase and a transformative project for Calgary. In addition to the project's creative workspace, TELUS Sky includes 326 homes for short-term or long-term stay on 28 residential floors, creating an environment that will be active and vibrant 24/7, 365 days of the year. TELUS Sky is at once layered and holistically designed, a total work of art. Designed by Bjarke Ingels to create a new landmark on the Calgary skyline, in addition to the unique architecture, a fully programmable art installation by author/artist Douglas Coupland, titled Northern Lights, extends the length of the north and south facades. Using integrated LED lighting wrapped around each window frame or "pixel" of the building, Coupland has created a series of animation sequences which will illuminate the project.

ABOUT ALLIED

Allied is a leading owner, manager and developer of (i) distinctive urban workspace in Canada's major cities and (ii) network-dense urban data centres in Toronto that form Canada's hub for global connectivity. Allied's business is providing knowledge-based organizations with distinctive urban environments for creativity and connectivity.

ABOUT WESTBANK

The core of Westbank's mission is to create a body of work with a high degree of artistry that helps foster more equitable and beautiful cities. Westbank is active across Canada and in the United States, with projects including residential, hotels, retail, workspace, rental, district energy, affordable housing and public art. Established in 1992, they are one of North America's leading developers, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Hong Kong, Seattle and Tokyo, and over 25 billion dollars of projects completed or under development. Westbank is driven by the belief that beauty and culture in all forms and in the broadest definitions, are essential to human existence. In committing their efforts fully towards the fight for beauty and the creation of culture, they have evolved beyond the definition of a traditional real estate development firm, to become a culture company.

Media Contact:

Andrea LePain

eMedia Junction

[email protected]

617-89401153

SOURCE Absorb Software

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ALBANY  Incumbent Democratic Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, has two challengers vying for the Republican line in the 113th District.

Greenwich resident Jeremy Messina, 24, and Stillwater resident Michael York, 37, both are seeking the Republican line for the Assembly district in the states June primary.

The two Republicans stressed the importance of improving the economy and provide tax relief to small businesses in the 113th District, which includes parts of Saratoga and Washington counties.

Im running for office because I believe somebody needs to step up for upstate New York. When you look at our economy were lagging in many areas, Messina said. We need to repeal harmful business regulations that are causing businesses to flee our state.

Messina, who owns Oak Tavern in Greenwich, said he knows first-hand how the states regulations and policies can overtax a small business. He also said the states plans to lower the legal blood-alcohol content level from .08 to .04 percent would inadvertently hurt some businesses.

York echoed Messinas comments, pointing out that particular unfunded mandates by the state, like prevailing wages, hold back smaller municipalities because of the associated costs. Prevailing wages set a standard pay for construction labor that municipal governments contract for.

If we focus on mandate relief  prevailing wages and others  we would be able to, without raising taxes, give more resources to our towns and villages, said York, who serves on the board of the Capital Region Chamber and the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.

York is a director of sales and marketing for a rental complex.

Woerner said during her years in the Assembly she has fought to ensure resources businesses need are readily available and helped keep the costs of doing business low. For example, she pushed legislation that kept insurance costs low for farmers expanding into agritourism.

The assemblywoman also has supported educational programs that help prepare students for jobs in engineering, science and mathematics, Woerner said.

We have to keep our eye on that ball, she said. Its about energy infrastructure, workforce development, quality of life and preserving a quality of life in our region.

Both Republican candidates also said the bail reform law must be revisited, calling for changes or a full-out repeal to start over.

Woerner has introduced several bills that tackle the concerns that have surfaced since the reforms took effect Jan. 1. She said she did not vote for the reforms initially, recognizing the issues that lie ahead in their implementation.

The criminal justice reforms eliminated cash bail for some felony charges and most misdemeanor charges and adjusted timing for pre-trial discovery, but Republican and some Democratic lawmakers have sought revisions over a perceived increase in crime involving offenders released from custody.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Both York and Messina said the system needed to change and people should not be jailed for being poor, but they are advocates for revisions to law as its written.

Woerner and Messina both said they are willing to work across the aisle, the incumbent emphasizing bills she has passed in collaboration with Republican Assembly members. Messina, who is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, said he would be a strong voice for the 113th District.

Upstate New York needs a change, he said. Im doing this for my community and to fight for upstate New York and our values.

York said he was motivated to run for office because of the direction New York is headed, which he does not agree with. He said allowing for late-term abortions went too far, and government should not force parents to give their children vaccinations.

Thats not the kind of lifestyle or direction the state should be going in, he said. Any time we have a situation where there is a risk involved, a chance of something going wrong, it should be the choice of the parent to decide, not the choice of the government to decide.

New Yorks Reproductive Health Act passed last year allows for abortions after 24 weeks if a health care professional determines the health or life of the mother is at risk, or the fetus is not viable.

Woerner emphasized at that point a woman has started setting up the nursery, come up with names for the baby, and her family could be planning a baby shower. Its not one that is made lightly, she said.

That woman is faced with the decision to terminate her pregnancy or to risk her life. It is perhaps the hardest decision she will ever have to make, she said. I dont think that in this personal, private decision between a woman, her partner, her doctor and her god, there is any role for the government.
Russia has been discussing the construction of aircraft carriers for many years. However, the plans cannot be implemented because of a lack of finances and production capacities. Experts believe frigates and submarines should be an absolute priority for the Navy and the rest can wait, the Independent Military Review writes.

Petr Veliky destroyer and Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier sailing toward Syria (Picture source: Russian MoD)



The latest USS Gerald Ford nuclear aircraft carrier costs 12.7 billion dollars. An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer of the latest modification costs 1.8 billion dollars. It means seven destroyers can be procured for the price of one aircraft carrier. The Gerald Ford has a crew of 2,500 men and the same strength of the airpower personnel. The Arleigh Burke has 380 men. It means seven destroyer crews can be formed from one aircraft carrier crew. The attack destroyer usually carries 60 Tomahawk missiles and each one costs over 1.5 Mn dollars. It means seven destroyers will have 420 Tomahawks for 650 million dollars. In case of engagement, the missiles will be fired from a safe zone due to the long range of the Tomahawks. It minimizes the risks for pilots.

The standard airpower of an aircraft carrier comprises 48 combat aircraft and the same number of auxiliary airplanes and helicopters. A Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet costs 70.5 Mn dollars and the whole airpower - 3.4 Bn dollars. It is sufficient to procure over 2,000 Tomahawks. If the airpower comprises the latest Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II, the price increases to 4.8 Bn dollars. However, an F-35C carries a smaller payload than an F/A-18E/F.

An aircraft has to fire missiles or/and smart bombs. Their range is shorter than the Tomahawks one, and prices range from 100,000 to 800,000 dollars depending on specific modification.

The stronger is the potential adversary, the less sense is in aircraft carriers and more sense in Tomahawk carriers. There is no need in costly aircraft carriers against much weaker adversaries.

Naval aviation offers more effective air defense than antiaircraft missiles. Aircraft can carry more air-to-air missiles than a destroyer can. The firing range is bigger than antiaircraft missiles have. On the other hand, a destroyer does not have to enter an enemy air defense zone due to the long range of its cruise missiles. A destroyer can defend itself with artillery and antiaircraft missiles and therefore can operate solo. An aircraft carrier cannot defend itself and has to operate along with several nuclear submarines, cruisers and destroyers. Its airpower depends on the weather, in contrast to cruise missiles.

Why do the Americans continue to build aircraft carriers? Firstly, they continue to prepare for past wars. The inertia of mentality is very strong. Secondly, the US military have to absorb budget appropriations.

Russia should learn the mistakes rather than repeat them. Russia does not have shipyards to build aircraft carriers. It lacks professional personnel and money. It is unable to catch up with the USA and China in the number of aircraft carriers.

The fire on the Admiral Kuznetsov last year offered a good pretext to get rid of the warship. The Russian Navy does not need aircraft carriers that only swallow huge money from the Defense budget. As an aircraft carrier cannot defend itself, it is necessary to build cruisers, destroyers and frigates to protect it. It is completely unfeasible and impossible from the financial and production points of view, even in a distant future.

Destroyers can be built in small numbers or the military can focus on frigates. If a destroyer is five times more expensive than a frigate, it is better to build five frigates. It is easier for the adversary to sink one destroyer than five frigates. One destroyer can be in one place and five frigates in five places. Only such big ships as the Admiral Nakhimov and the Petr Veliky are likely to remain in the Russian Navy.

Submarines are important for Russia. Their construction should be an absolute priority. The remainder can wait, the Independent Military Review said.

 Copyright 2020 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Oakdale, CA  While they say they appreciate Governor Gavin Newsoms help to settle what has been billed by many as a massive water grab, two water districts are crying foul over his solution.

Tri-Dam Partners the Oakdale (OID) and South San Joaquin (SSJID) irrigation districts, which developed New Melones and maintain senior water rights, recently sent a letter outlining their concerns to Mother Lode Congressman Tom McClintock and U.S. Representatives Jerry McNerney and Josh Harder. Among those ccd were California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, seven other U.S. Representatives, and the heads of CalEPA and NRA.

The letter was intended as both an update and a squeaky wheel complaint to the lawmakers that the proposal constitutes unfair treatment to their constituents.

The communication argues that Governor Gavin Newsoms latest proposed framework for voluntary settlement agreements among the stakeholders is still not cutting it because the proposal fails to include a sustainable operations plan for the Stanislaus River and it ignores the Bureau of Reclamations new biological opinion and other local science.

The Water Board back in December of 2018 approved setting in place a contentious plan to require 40 percent unimpaired water flows on the Stanislaus River as a primary approach to improve fish habitat. It resulted in a flurry of multiagency lawsuits still ongoing, including one filed in Tuolumne County by the Tri-Dam Partners.

The two general managers state that the Governors proposal actually appears to be even more onerous since it would require nearly the same flow commitments from the Stan along with sizeable financial contributions of $7.5 million from the districts to support habitat development outside the districts communities and the purchase of water outside of the river basin for additional Delta outflow.

Knell dryly acknowledges, Its just another lap around the track with Sacramento regarding voluntary agreements on the Stanislaus River.
N0ew Delhi, Feb 13 : Union Health Minister Harshvardhan said that India is preparing to combat the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID2019), through its various timely measures and sturdy systems of surveillance.

On Thursday, briefing the media, Harshvardhan said that so far only three cases have been tested positive for the COVID2019 out of 1,071 samples. He said that a total of 15,991 persons are being followed up for a period of 28 days of which 3,058 have completed 28 days of observation period. 497 suspected cases have been isolated.

Clinical samples of the 654 evacuees at Manesar and ITBP camps have also been tested and all of them were found to be negative.

Referring to the coronavirus cases which have tested positive in the country, Harshvardhan said that the three positive cases from Kerala are all Indian students from Wuhan in China.

He stated that all ministries and states have done commendable work, in particular Kerala, which has put up a sturdy system of surveillance. He also said that outreach is being made to every village in the districts adjoining Nepal border through the Gram Sabhas. Daily situational reports are generated and a 24-hour control room-cum-call centre is also operational.

In his briefing which came after a meeting of the high-level GoM, earlier in the day, Harshvardhan said that regular review meetings are also being held with the ministries and senior officials of textiles, pharmaceuticals, commerce, panchayati raj, and other officials including chief secretaries of the states.

"We have good and effective coordination among ministries, robust surveillance system, network of laboratories to support diagnosis, upgraded medical facilities, trained health workforce and media presence that can reach even remote areas. We have put all these resources at our disposal to prevent / contain outbreak of novel coronavirus in India," he said.

Elaborating upon measures taken by the government, Harshvardhan said that advisories/ guidelines have been issued to the states on surveillance, sample collection, packaging and transportation, infection prevention and control, and clinical management.

The novel coronavirus that first surfaced in Wuhan, China, has left hundreds of people dead, with thousands of people testing positive for the disease.
The second party in the Tunisian parliament, Heart of Tunisia, will not be part of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakhs expected cabinet despite lobbies by various other parties including Ennahdah movement.

Nominal Prime Minister Fakhfah is expected per the constitution to provide President Kais Saied the list of his cabinet, on Friday. Fathi Ayadi, a prominent member in the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, said he has indications that the party of former presidential candidate Nabil Karoui will not be part of the expected government, Tunisie Numerique reports.

Ennahdha pressured Fakhfah to include Heart of Tunisia in his consultations but the former Finance Minister refused to change his mind.

Prime Minister-designate accuses Heart of Tunisia of corruption, in connection with Karouis detention on corruption and money-laundering charges last year.

Fakhafah, who appears to be willing to impose himself, has also sidelined acting tourism and transport minister Rene Trabelsi, reckoned for reviving Tunisias flattened tourism sector. He is likely to be replace by Mohamed Ali Toumi, member of Tunisia Alternative, an opposition force in the legislature.

Analysts say Trabelsis departure will deal a blow to the tourism industry, which has been rated third in Africa by the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, in 2019.

The industry nearly collapsed in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in 2015, which scared foreign holidaymakers. Over 70 people, mostly foreign nationals, were killed in the three attacks that occurred in capital Tunis and Sousse.
After playing down the risks of cryptocurrencies at the beginning of Mr. Trumps term, Mr. Mnuchin said over the summer that they posed a national security threat. He also said that he had very serious concerns about Libra, the digital currency that Facebook is developing.

President Trump has also expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies, declaring last year that he was not a fan and that their value was volatile and based on thin air. He warned at the time that Facebook must seek a banking charter and follow all bank regulations if it wanted to be in the digital currency business.

As part of his effort to more closely police cryptocurrencies, Mr. Mnuchin has been pushing to relocate the Secret Service back to the Treasury Department from the Department of Homeland Security. In the budget proposal the White House released this week, the administration cited the importance of the Treasury Department and Secret Service working together to monitor the use of cryptocurrencies, which it cited as an emerging threat.

The United States is also exploring the costs and benefits of developing its own digital currency. While Mr. Mnuchin said on Wednesday that he did not believe one was necessary in the next several years, Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, said at a separate Senate hearing that the central bank had been studying what one would look like.

The benefits would include perhaps greater financial inclusion, lower costs, more convenience, Mr. Powell said, noting that there would also be a risk for more fraud and reduced privacy. Theres a lot to weigh and a lot to work on there. Every major central bank in the world right now is doing a deep dive on digital currencies, and we think it is our responsibility to be at the very forefront of knowledge and thinking about a central bank digital currency.
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The authorities of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam filed an FIR against a former contractual colleague for allegedly not surrendering the password of the sensitive document while an NGO has lodged a complaint against former NRC state coordinator Prateek Hajela for tampering with records.

The FIR was filed against Ajupi Baruah whose resignation coincided with Hajelas transfer.

She resigned without surrendering the password to the NRC data records system.

According to the FIR, she had handed over charge on November 11 following resignation but did not share the password of official email IDs cpm.nrc.assam@gmail.com and pm.spmunrc@gov.in.

The NRC authorities contacted her several times and sent her written reminders but she allegedly never responded.

As she has already resigned, she is no longer authorised to hold the password. An FIR has been filed against her for violating the Official Secrets Act, an NRC official said.

ALSO READ | Once Wipro makes NRC data live, it will be available for public: Hitesh Dev Sarma

He said the NRC data went offline from December 15 as the cloud service provided by Wipro was not renewed.

The official informed that Wipro had been already contacted.

Once they make the data live, it will be available to the public, he added.

Meanwhile, in its complaint, the Assam Public Works (APW) urged the Criminal Investigation Department of the police to register a case against Hajela for tampering with valuable records pertaining to NRC final list published on August 31 last year.

The APW, which had first moved the Supreme Court seeking the NRCs updation, also demanded an inquiry into Hajelas alleged involvement in cybercrime in the whole process of NRC.

Hajela is an IAS officer who was transferred to his home state Madhya Pradesh in November last year following an order issued by the apex court which is monitoring the NRC exercise.
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A juror in Roger Stones trial is standing up for the prosecutors who stepped down and speaking out against Trump and Barr.

CNN reported:

Tomeka Hart said she had remained silent about the case for months out of concern for her safety and politicizing the matter.

But the events this week led to her to post on her Facebook account that she cant keep quiet any longer. A copy of the posting was shared with CNN. Hart confirmed to CNN that she wrote the post but did not want to discuss it further.

I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis  the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial, she wrote in the post that was shared with CNN. It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice.

The behavior of Barr, who is operating at the direction of Donald Trump, is an attack on the concept of rule of law, and the integrity of the Department of Justice. The prosecutors did their job, but Trump decided to abuse his power to get his felon buddy off the hook.

Trump melted down at the White House when talking about Roger Stone. The White House appears to have been totally unprepared for the backlash that continues to mount against the actions of the president and his administration.

The American people are outraged, and the aftershocks are so intense that they cant be ignored by Trump.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
Opinion Article

13 February 2020

In 2007, CBRE introduced Trends in the Hotel Spa Industry in response to the spa industry's rapid expansion within hotels and resorts and its relevance to hotels' bottom lines. For the second time in the history of the publication, spa revenue increased at a higher rate than rooms revenue and total operating revenue. During 2018, the 159 hotels in our survey sample of achieved a 3.7 percent growth in RevPAR, which led to a 3.8 percent rise in total operating revenue. Concurrently, spa department revenue increased by 4.8 percent. With RevPAR forecast to increase less than 1.5 percent through 2021, the Spa Department represents an opportunity for hotel owners. Wellness is a growing desire in the minds of guests, and hotels can capitalize on this trend.

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The Makeup of the Hotel Spa Guest

Hotels continue to diversify their spa and wellness offerings to generate more revenue, but it is important to look at the mix of customers. The customer segmentation for all the hotel spas in 2018 was comprised of 53 percent hotel guests, 4 percent spa members and 43 percent locals/others. When looking at urban hotel spas, the customer segmentation differs in that the percentage of locals is higher, at 61 percent. This suggests there is an opportunity for hotel owners to provide packages to entice the local community into their hotel spas for different services. In addition, there is opportunity to convert these local patrons into members and provide a steady income stream.

Photo: CBRE Hotels

Conversely, resort hotels attribute 62 percent of their customer base to hotel guests, 32 percent to locals/others and 6 percent to spa members. Resort hotels are likely located in destinations, outside of cities, and therefore rely heavily on their overnight guests to utilize the spa facilities. Resort hotel spas also have an opportunity to capture business by engaging with guests prior to their arrival. It is interesting to note that members are a higher percentage of customers at resort hotels than urban hotels. Resort hotels are effectively converting local guests into members largely because of greater square footage and expanded facilities.

While the United States has seen record-breaking numbers of travelers, it is important for hotel spas to note the difference between the psychographic profile of the travelers in order to capture more revenue. Knowing the customer is important to refine the treatment menu and ensure the hotel spa is providing the proper services and mix of facilities. According to Expedia and The Center for Generational Kinetics' 2018 Generations on the Move study, there is an emerging trend within the American economy in which citizens are shifting from placing value on material things to placing value on experiences. Out of the 1,000 adults in the United States sampled for this study, aged 18-65, 74 percent reported prioritizing experiences over products or things. Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) see traditional travel experiences, such as sightseeing or touring, as the most important, while Millennials (born between 1977 and 1995) and Gen X (born between 1965 and 1976) desire relaxation, such as the beach or spa time, more than anything else. There is a valuable opportunity for hotel spas to increasingly target younger generations, Millennials and Gen X, to provide memorable experiences and capture greater revenue.

Photo: CBRE Hotels

The study also suggests Americans across all generations like to travel with family members, such as spouses, children, parents, or other family members. The national study found that 58 percent of Gen Z respondents' parents and 24 percent of Millennial respondents' parents paid for trip expenses when they traveled together over the past year. This finding suggests there is an opportunity for hotel spas to offer family packages and customize the experiences based on each family member, which will allow hotels spas to capture the highest amount of revenue.

2018 Hotel Spa Performance

Improvements in both revenues and profitability were seen in all hotel spas categories. Hotels with Fewer than 200 Rooms posted the highest increase in revenue at 13.3 percent, as well as the highest increase in profit at 12.5 percent. As in prior years, despite rising labor expenses, decreases in other department operating expenses, along with revenue increases led to profit gains for all hotel spas.

Photo: CBRE Hotels

In 2018, both urban and resort hotels experienced increases in spa revenues, of 3.3 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, as well increases in spa department profit. For the first time in seven years, resort hotels (6.4 percent) showed more significant percentage increases in spa department profit compared to 2.3 percent at urban properties. This is despite the fact that labor costs increased to a greater degree at resort properties compared to urban properties.

Under the size category, hotels between 200 and 700 rooms saw the smallest increase of spa department revenue (3.0 percent) during 2018. Hotels with more than 700 rooms increased spa revenue by 3.6 percent and hotels with less than 200 rooms increased spa revenue by 13.3 percent.

Photo: CBRE Hotels

In today's globalized environment, hotel spas face ongoing challenges such as the rise of the social media and a tight labor market. The evolution of social media and review sites has elevated customer expectations and provided customers influence on the success of hotels spas. Although the consequences can be tremendously beneficial, the risk of one bad review tarnishing a hotel spa's reputation exists. Moreover, the current labor market has led hotel spas to encounter challenges recruiting and retaining qualified employees. While the culture shift towards health-consciousness and environmentalism provides hotels spas opportunities to capture more revenue through creative initiatives, rising labor costs have put upward pressure on operating expenses. Hotel spas will be successful through the adoptions of cost-reducing initiatives, cross-training, and customer-centric offerings.

Practice Leader Mark VanStekelenburg, and Director Jenna Finkelstein are located in the Hotels Advisory department of the CBRE office in New York City. To purchase a copy of the Trends in the Hotel Spa Industry report please visit https://pip.cbrehotels.com/store, or call (855) 223-1200. This article was published in the January 2020 edition of Lodging.
Among the sites highlighted as opportunity-zone development candidates is a two-acre assemblage of retail buildings beside the Allegheny station on the SEPTAs Market-Frankford Line. Tenants include a Walgreens pharmacy and a Dunkin Donuts. Read more

Drafters of the qualified opportunity zone provision of President Donald Trumps 2017 tax law wanted to give investors an incentive to buy property in the nations poorest neighborhoods.

For Mark Nicoletti, its an incentive to sell some.

Nicoletti has put on the market nearly a quarter of the roughly two million square feet of commercial property owned in the city by his familys Philadelphia Suburban Development Corp., more than half of it in areas designated as opportunity zones.

The opportunity zone incentive, which enables investors in selected areas to earn potentially big savings on their taxes, has boosted some of his property values to the point where selling made sense, he said.

He anticipates earning about $100 million from the sales of the 44 properties, which he will use to build houses, offices, and shopping promenades on land that PSDC has been acquiring in affluent suburban enclaves such as Malvern in Chester County and Warrington in Bucks County.

Its amazing in such a short period of time how the qualified opportunity zones are affecting the value of real estate," Nicoletti said. It was the QOZs that made the decision to sell so much easier.

The opportunity zone program, passed as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, empowered city and state officials to nominate census tracts from among the citys poorest as targets for investment.

Under the legislation, people and companies owing tax on investment income can put off paying those levies for up to seven years by directing the earnings into real estate ventures or other businesses set up in designated zones.

Investors also qualify for reductions of those deferred taxes if they keep their money parked in the ventures long enough, with the biggest breaks going to those who stay invested for the full seven years.

And once 10 years pass, investors can sell their stakes in opportunity zone projects or businesses without being taxed at all on gains from that transaction.

The aim of the provision was to attract investment into the nations poorest areas in hopes of encouraging economic growth in those communities.

It may also be raising some property values, since investors are willing to pay more upfront if their ultimate return is supplemented by not having to pay taxes on their gain when it comes time to sell, said Ken Mallin of MPN Realty Inc., one of the brokers hired by Nicoletti to market his holdings.

As an example, Mallin mentioned 545 N. Broad St., a former Goodyear garage property that sold in September to developers planning an apartment building for $6 million  more than four times its price when it last traded hands in 2005.

If youre not going to pay any tax, then your returns can be incrementally higher, which means you might pay  and probably would pay  more for a property, he said.

Study questions broad revitalization

While some existing landowners appear to be profiting from the program, its unclear whether the deals are doing much to foster community revitalization, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Connecticut, and Maastricht University in the Netherlands wrote in a May 2019 study.

Their research was based on a stipulation of the opportunity zone rules that requires investors to spend at least as much on construction or renovation at a property as they spent to buy the site. That threshold is difficult to meet with newer or recently rehabbed buildings that dont need much new investment.

With this in mind, the authors conducted a nationwide survey of property sold in tracts that had been designated as opportunity zones, comparing prices paid for aged structures or vacant land with those paid for recently renovated buildings.

If the designated tracts were broadly benefiting from the program, they reasoned, prices should go up for all property in the tracts, even those that dont lend themselves to opportunity zone investment.

But that didnt happen. Price appreciation, they found, was concentrated among the candidates for opportunity zone projects.

Our findings call into question the capacity of the program to create long-term value in low-income communities, the studys authors wrote. Rather, the program may instead be offering higher prices to existing OZ landowners."

Nicolettis father, Robert, began buying property in 1962 when he founded PSDC, which is based in King of Prussia. Its Philadelphia holdings, largely consisting of low-rise commercial buildings tenanted by retail chains, nonprofits, and government agencies, now sprawl throughout the city.

About 500,000 square feet of that development, spread over 26 properties, is being marketed by MPNs Mallin and by Michael Hinchman, with the commercial brokerage Marcus & Millichap Inc.

Rent or redevelop?

Properties range from an office building on Broad Street near Oregon Avenue thats partially occupied by the Philadelphia Performing Arts charter school, to a retail property with a mobile-phone shop and foot-massage salon on Washington Avenue near the Italian Market, to a mental-health outpatient center at 55th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia.

Although half of those buildings are in opportunity zones, they may be more immediately attractive as sources of rental income than as opportunity zone projects, due to the amount of additional investment that would be required to qualify for the program. But Nicoletti said many sit on vast parking lots that can be split off into development sites.

Also up for sale are 18 vacant parcels covering some 14 acres, an area twice the size of Rittenhouse Square, 56% of which sits in opportunity zone tracts, according to calculations based on data from MPN and Marcus & Millichap.

Among the sites highlighted as opportunity zone development candidates is a two-acre assemblage of retail buildings beside the Allegheny station on SEPTAs Market-Frankford Line. Tenants include a Walgreens pharmacy and a Dunkin Donuts shop.

Marcus & Millichaps marketing brochure features a site plan that demonstrates how those properties could instead support a complex of midrise office and residential buildings.

The assemblage represents additional value that has yet to be fully harnessed  an incoming investor can control almost an entire city block with unparalleled access to the Allegheny SEPTA Station, wrote the brokerage.

Nicoletti said PSDC would reinvest proceeds from the Philadelphia property sales to expand on the 500,000 square feet of real estate it has developed in the suburbs, so far mostly in Montgomery Countys Lansdale borough, including a Marriott hotel, homes, and offices.

The additional development will rise at sites including two large tracts in Malvern bought from the big real estate firms Trammell Crow Co. and Liberty Property Trust, which was recently acquired by a competitor. PSDCs Warrington project is planned on land it owns near the Shops at Valley Square retail center.

This is a generational, strategic plan to diversify, Nicoletti said. The QOZs pushed the value to a point that we made a decision to sell.
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New York, February 12, 2020  The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Nigerian authorities to drop all charges against Agba Jalingo, the publisher of the privately owned news website CrossRiverWatch, and set him free. Jalingo is set to appear at a federal high court in Calabar city tomorrow on amended charges, including cybercrime relating to his outlets reporting on Cross River Governor Benedict Ayade, and terrorism, according to a charge sheet, which CPJ reviewed, and Jalingos lawyer, Attah Ochinke, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview.

The ongoing, opaque prosecution of Agba Jalingo for his journalism remains a grave display of the threats journalists face working in Nigeria, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Nigerian authorities should drop the charges against Jalingo, stop using cybercrime and anti-terrorism legislation to silence the press, and reform these laws to ensure they cannot be used against journalists.

Jalingo has been jailed since August 22, 2019, when he was arrested and initially charged with disturbance of public peace and treason, as CPJ documented at the time. In October 2019, he was denied bail and a federal high court in Calabar blocked public access to the courtroom and granted anonymity to individuals expected to present evidence against him, a move his lawyer said would limit the defenses ability to challenge false testimony, CPJ reported at the time. Jalingo currently has another bail application pending, Ochinke said.
Police arrested a 15-year-old juvenile, of Mattapan, for carrying a stun gun with a group of 8-10 juveniles who officers observed placing ski masks over their faces at the entrance to a Macys in Boston on Wednesday.

Boston police responded to several incidents at a Macys located at 450 Washington Street on Wednesday. The first, which took place at roughly 3:43 p.m., involved a group of unruly juveniles that were destroying property inside," police said.

While employees were escorting the group out of the store, a girl swiped a shelf full of perfume onto the floor causing them to shatter, Authorities estimate she caused $1,000-worth of damage.

A few minutes later, police were called to the basement of the store, where they were told the juveniles were damaging the fabric with knives and burning holes from marijuana. The group was asked to leave.

Officers then responded to the store again at 4:45 p.m., where they found the group of 8-10 juveniles putting on the ski masks. The 15-year-old suspect was then arrested.

The girl will be summonsed into Boston Juvenile Court and was released to her parent. The 15-year-old suspect is expected to be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court as well.
Foreigners who recently travelled to critical areas are being urged to stay home

Two out of twelve districts in Hanoi, Thanh Xuan, and Ha Dong have announced to order medical isolation for people that have visited an area of the current coronavirus epidemic, regardless of whether they are infected with the respiratory disease.

Accordingly, the Peoples Committee of Nhan Chinh ward in Thanh Xuan district ordered self-quarantine for 26 cases, mostly foreigners, for fourteen days from the date they entered Vietnam.

Meanwhile in Hadong district, Van Phuc ward ordered medical isolation for two people currently residing in Goldsilk Complex. Phu Lam ward also decided to order the same measurements for a citizen from China who currently resides in the social housing area for monitoring.

Elsewhere, other apartment buildings are also home to many foreigners, such as an apartment complex in My Dinh where the management board constantly updates the health status of residents and is prepared to take timely measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Hateco Apollo apartment management in the same district announced that residents who go in and out of the building must wear a face mask. Households that are rented to foreigners must also register with the building management.

Mipec Riverside apartments in Long Bien district also posted notes at elevators for quick updates. The management board of VOV Me Tri apartment in South Tu Liem district issued a notice asking residents to wear a medical mask when entering and leaving the apartment, to avoid crowds, and regularly wash their hands with soap and clean water, or alcohol-based hand sanitisers. In the high-class apartment building Vinhomes Green Bay, where many foreign guests rent apartments, the management has conducted a general cleaning and disinfection of public areas such as apartment halls, elevators, and corridors.

More than 1,000 Chinese experts, managers, executives, and workers living and working in industrial areas in Ho Chi Minh City are also being monitored and have been put under quarantine.

According to Le Minh Tan, director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, workers from Wuhan city and Hubei province will be admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City for surveillance. Workers in other provinces are advised to quarantine themselves within 14 days in hotels and apartments and work remotely instead of going to their companies work. Also, business owners must arrange separate areas for employees living in factories and enterprises.
Those moves followed an October Tribune report that Heidner, owner of Gold Rush Amusements, had longstanding business ties with Rocco Suspenzi, chairman of Parkway Bank and Trust. In 2003, the FBI and the Illinois Gaming Board exposed Suspenzi and his son Jeffrey for concealing their own ownership stake, as well as that of a reputed mob figure, in the infamous Emerald casino project, which regulators killed after finding the purported involvement of organized crime.
South African Rand exchange rates remained under pressure on Thursday after China reported a spike in Covid-19 cases.

Todays jump in cases and the death toll rising by a daily record of 242 has crushed investors hopes that the outbreak had begun to slow.

Wednesday saw the number of new reported cases decline, which buoyed risk appetite. The decline in daily cases provided further weight to predictions from Chinas senior medical advisor, who suggested the outbreak could be over by April.

However, the number of cases increased after a new diagnostic method was introduced.

Commenting on the unexpected rise in cases, senior strategist, Asia-Pacifix at Rabobank, Michael Every stated:

Those market quants [quantitative analysts] who have been merrily looking at the recent decline in the day-to-day new virus cases woke to a shock this morning.

Using the new diagnosis method, Chinas Hubei province reported a sharp increase of 14,840 new cases on Thursday.

However, domestic data revealed that mining production in South Africa jumped by an annual 1.8% in December.

The countrys mining production was provided an upswing of support after gold output unexpectedly surged by the most in four years.

Despite this, data also showed that the rolling blackouts weighed on operations at many platinum mines, and output for the year was -1.3% lower than 2018.

Thursday saw Sterling (GBP) jump against the South African Rand after an unexpected resignation from British Chancellor Sajid Javid.

GBP received a boost as Rishi Sunak took up the vacant post, as markets now expect Prime Minister Boris Johnson will now have a tighter grip on the Treasury, which could ultimately result in higher growth.

According to Capital Economics Paul Dales:

We already thought that the Budget on 11th March would involve an extra loosening in fiscal policy worth 0.5% of GDP, which coming on top of the extra government spending announced in September 2019 would mean a fiscal boost of 1.0% is in the pipeline. Its now possible that the Budget will provide a bigger bang.

South African Rand Outlook: Ramaphosas State of the Nation Address in Focus

Traders are going to be focused on this evenings State of the Nation Address, in which the President is expected to give details on the governments plans to tackle the struggling Eskom.

If President Cyril Ramaphosa mentions the economic outlook for the country does not look great, ZAR will extend today's slump.

Meanwhile, at the end of this week, the Rand could be sent lower if risk appetite continues to fall.

If the number of new Covid-19 cases increases at a similar pace seen during todays session, the South African Rand is likely to slump against a handful of currencies as investors seek safe haven currencies.
Indian members of cruise seek govts help.

crew members and 6 passengers are Indians. Sources said that as on Wednesday, altogether 174 people have tested positive for n-CoV, including 2 Indian crew members on the ship.

New Delhi: The Indian Embassy in Tokyo has reached out to the Indian crew members and passengers on board Japanese luxury cruise Diamond Princess that has been kept in quarantine for Novel Coronavirus (n-CoV) at anchor, off the coast of Yokohama (Japan).

Out of 3,711 persons on-board, including 2666 guests and 1045 crew members, 132 crew members and 6 passengers are Indians.

Sources said that as on Wednesday, altogether 174 people have tested positive for n-CoV, including 2 Indian crew members on the ship.

All 174 have been taken to hospitals for adequate treatment, including further quarantine, in accordance with the Japanese health protocol.

The Indians on the ship in a video recorded message has urged the Narendra Modi government to help them out and segregate the Indians on board after several persons on the ship tested positive to n-CoV.

Sources added that those who have not tested positive, irrespective of their nationality, have not been allowed to disembark.

However, an exception has been made for critically ill passengers/crew members, who have been allowed to be taken to hospitals/medical facilities, under supervision, for further treatment and quarantine.

The Embassy of India in Tokyo has been in constant contact with the relevant Japanese authorities to ensure welfare of Indian nationals on-board the ship as well as the possibility of their early disembarkation, in case they are not found to have tested positive for nCoV. Japanese authorities have confirmed that they are following the designated health protocols, sources said.

They added that the Indian Embassy has also reached out to the Indians on board the ship through emails and telephone calls and explained to them about the health and safety regulations of Japanese authorities and have requested for cooperation.

None of the Indian nationals have complained of discriminatory treatment meted out to them. The Embassy has been in constant touch with the ship management company  Princess Cruises (for the crew members)  and the employer of the six passengers, to tie up their travel back to India, sources added.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The overall death toll from coronavirus crossed 1,100 on Wednesday.
On Aug. 27, I was transported to Vietnam on a chartered commercial airplane. We stepped onto the tarmac into steamy heat, equipped with uniforms that had been designed for a war in Europe. Tropical fatigues and jungle boots were not in the regular supply chain yet. We were also unprepared in ways far more serious than just our gear.

My infantry unit was conducting search-and-destroy missions in Tay Ninh Province near the Cambodian border. Search and destroy sometimes seemed euphemistic for the Army using us as bait to lure enemy soldiers out of hiding. At 26, I was relatively old for my unit, and one of my 19-year-old medics jokingly called me Pops. My forward aid station was about 500 feet from the perimeter machine guns. I was the only one who seemed concerned that I had been issued an M16 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol but had virtually no weapons or combat training. Medical personnel were instructed to carry weapons in the field and to not wear the red cross insignia. Our command believed that we were specifically targeted by the Viet Cong. After the first few weeks, I carried only a holstered sidearm. It seemed more likely that I would injure myself or one of my buddies with my M16 than any of the enemy.

By late December, Karens romantic letters had gradually become less frequent. She had told her boyfriend about our hospital romance, and her anxiety and ambivalence about our relationship became more acute. Then, just after the new year, a sensitive but final letter of apology told me that she was engaged to be married that summer. This was not a surprise, but it was deeply disappointing. I loved her and wanted her to be happy, but I also wanted her with me, not with someone else. It seemed particularly ironic that the chaplain who performed her wedding ceremony was my drinking buddy, and the obstetrician who eventually delivered her babies was my intern partner and best friend.

I carried Karens photo for luck while I was in-country, but I no longer looked at it. It was time to move on from this failed relationship and focus on more immediate issues. My life and the lives of men in my unit were at risk, and I was responsible for treating life-threatening injuries with novice skills and little more than the contents of a medics bag. There was also the dilemma of knowing that each time I declared my patient well enough for duty, I might be writing a prescription for his death.

When I returned to the United States, I didnt try to find out about Karen or her newly married life. It seemed inconceivable that our brief infatuation at the hospital had occurred just one year earlier. I started dating again and met the woman I would eventually marry and raise two children with.
In the face of harsh criticism from religious authorities and the Iraqi public, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on his followers to retreat Feb. 8 from protests where they had clashed with anti-government demonstrators.

Sadr leads the Sadrist political current in Iraq and a group of followers among them called "Blue Hats.

The outspoken, influential Shiite cleric's sentiments change frequently. He formed the Blue Hats in October in support of the public protests against the government. Soon, Blue Hats filled Tahrir Square in central Baghdad with an initial directive to protect protesters. But Sadr withdrew his support, and his followers, from the protests in late January. Within a week, however, he sent his followers back out, this time to subdue the protests.

Protesters objected and cheered against Sadr. In southern Iraq, student coordination committees attended a massive protest Feb. 4 in Baghdad to reject the Blue Hats behavior.

Recently, Sadr recalled them again, but not before they allegedly killed protesters in Najaf.

The Blue Hats raided a Najaf protest center Feb. 5, where initial reports said at least eight people were killed and 20 wounded. (Medical personnel later said 23 protesters were killed and 197 wounded, but those figures have not been confirmed.) The Blue Hats also had deployed against protesters Feb. 6 in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad. Sadr's call that time came soon after he publicly announced he would endorse Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, whom the protesters reject as being under Iranian influence.

Sadr had the Blue Hats retreat again from the square Feb. 8. Security forces replaced them to keep order, and the protests reportedly stabilized.

This week, on Feb. 11, Sadr changed course once again, saying he might not endorse Allawi after all.

Among all these contradictions are conflicting reports about the Blue Hats' actions. An activist told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Sadrs followers who are part of the Blue Hats [were] torturing protesters in Tahrir Square, and they expelled protesters from the 'Turkish Restaurant' that constitutes the main protest platform in Baghdad. The followers destroyed many tents, under the pretext that their owners are vandals tarnishing the protests and offending Sadr.

Videos posted online Feb. 4 showed the Blue Hats attacking protesters. A demonstrator in Tahrir Square told Al-Monitor, This attack coincided with the appointment of a new prime minister, which means there is an agreed-upon political goal between the government and parties to subdue the protests.

A leader in the Sadrist current, Hakim al-Zamili, begged to differ, saying the videos online were fabricated and take events out of context, and are part of a "distortion campaign" against Sadrists. Sadrist protesters were the first to stand up against the government. They boosted the protests, and if it werent for them, demonstrations would have died out a long time ago," he told Al-Monitor. The Blue Hats deterred vandalizing armed militias in Tahrir Square and the Sanak area. In Khalani Square in Baghdad, those militias tried to rob stores and take over the Central Bank of Iraq.

He also dismissed allegations claiming that the Blue Hats are armed militias.

They are volunteers who believe in the political and ideological convictions of the Sadrist current. They do not receive any support or salary from anyone, he said. They are barely 2,000 to 3,000 individuals from across Iraq, and they are unarmed. They never participated in military or security sessions to be dubbed militias.

Watheq al-Jabri, head of the Iraqi Institute for Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor the Blue Hats initially withdrew support from the protests because demonstrators had not backed Sadr's "million-strong" march Jan. 24 against the US presence in Iraq, and because protesters "tried to block roads to prevent Sadr supporters coming from the provinces from reaching Baghdad."

Rami al-Sukeini of the Sairoon Alliance, led by the Sadrist current, responded to the accusations of violence by telling Al-Monitor, Since the beginning of the protests, Sadr has invested his efforts in complying with the will of the people and working on giving them the rights they were deprived of and standing by them against the political class. His supporters have been alongside the protesters since the outbreak of the protests, and this is documented in statements and actions.

He added, Concerns about vandals infiltrating the protests and messing up the situation to harm Sadrists  prompted Sadrists to wear blue hats to stand out and prevent [outside agitators from] taking the protests in another direction to achieve partisan interests and certain ends.

Sukeini admitted, The Blue Hats made mistakes in the public square protests, which is expected among such massive crowds. But these mistakes weren't intentional and did not aim to terrorize protesters. The Sadrist current is popular in the streets and in public square protests, and it derives its strength in politics from this popularity.

Tamimi Ali Tamimi, a legal expert and former judge, told Al-Monitor, Regardless of the violent parties and their names, the constant truth is that protesters are being killed. Security forces are responsible, as they are the only official group that should provide protection  not the Blue Hats or any other party.

Ali al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor, The violations in protests have been ongoing since Oct. 1. Official institutions are the only ones that should provide protection. Clearly, the confrontations are escalating because of the increasing number of party and political bloc supporters, not just protesters, in the squares. Protests have become the front yard of political disputes.
The Jack in the Box restaurant in San Franciscos Union Square neighborhood, which earlier this week was told by a San Francisco Superior Court judge to fix its faulty plumbing, has temporarily closed.

A note on the restaurants door Thursday morning said the location was closed due to maintenance until further notice.

The closure comes one day after The Chronicle reported an injunction had been ordered to make Jack in the Box stop any leaks from the refrigerators and freezers up to and including unplugging the appliances at the restaurant. The owner of the fast food restaurant did not respond to The Chronicles initial requests for comment.

Jack in the Box shares a building at Geary and Mason streets with Biscuits and Blues, which opened in 1995 and is one of the oldest blues venues in the city. For several months last year, the burger joints plumbing leaked water and feces into Biscuits and Blues, forcing the blues business to shut down. It remains closed.

The order does not specifically state which repairs need to be made at Jack in the Box. During a Jan. 29 court hearing, Gordon J. Calhoun, who represents the franchisee of Union Squares Jack in the Box, Saeed Khan, said fixing the plumbing could require structural work on the buildings foundation, which would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

The two businesses have spent the last 10 months in court trying to decide who should pay to fix the plumbing. Over the course of several hearings, Biscuits and Blues claimed it was Jack in the Boxs responsibility. The fast-food restaurant owner said it was the duty of the landlord. The landlord said the operator should pay for the work.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @JustMrPhillips
Fruit drinks brand Punchy goes plastic-free in packaging redesign

London-based Punchy Drinks has ditched plastics in a re-branding for its range of natural fruit punches.

The company's new cans, adorned with a paper label, are 100-per-cent plastic-free and recyclable. It is also donating 1 per cent of all profits to 1% For The Planet, a global movement to help the environment.

Alongside its classic punch of peach, ginger and chai, available with or without rum, Punchy is launching two new soft drink flavours: refreshing cucumber, yuzu and rosemary, which also comes in a 4% gin version; and zesty blood orange, aromatic bitters and cardamom, which also comes as a 4% whisky punch.

The drinks are vegan, gluten free, low in sugar and calories, and are free from preservatives and artificial sweetners.

With its new releases and eco-friendly packaging, Punchy Drinks is hoping to tap further into its millennial and Generation Z target markets, who tend to be more health-conscious and are consuming less alcohol than previous generations.

"We are offering a new generation of drinkers a new way to drink," said Paddy Cavanagh-Butler, founder of Punchy Drinks.

"We are hugely excited to share our new brand and flavours as we truly believe there is a real opportunity to capture the fun, enjoyment and sociability of punch while giving people the choice to drink alcohol or not."

13 February 2020 - Bethany Whymark
Italian food has given the world so many different ways to carb-load, and it only makes sense to pay homage to one of Italys oldest recipes, cacio e pepe.

The legend of cacio e pepe first started around the time of Romes birth  about 2,500 years ago when shepherds and merchants carried around the dishs key ingredients in their sacks. Since shepherds lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, they had to bring food with them that didnt go bad. Typically, theyd carry dry pasta, pecorino cheese and black pepper.

The 101 Best Pizzas in America

Over the years, there have been many different variations of this signature dish, but one of the best is at New York Citys Lupa Osteria Romana.

A lot of people consider our cacio e pepe one of the best in the city, James Kelly, executive chef at Lupa told The Daily Meal. The popular, trattoria-style restaurant has been serving the dish since it first opened 21 years ago.

So how does Lupa keep this traditional pasta dish a main attraction so many years later? The secret ingredient, according to Kelly, is butter.

After seasoning the boiled water with a handful of salt, chefs at Lupa use bavette, a classic noodle from Rome for their cacio e pepe. For the sauce, Kelly said the biggest key is toasting about 30 cracks of fresh ground black pepper for one serving. Once the black pepper and extra virgin olive oil are mixed well, Kelly tosses in the butter  Lupas staple ingredient.

"Classically they wouldnt use butter, but Kelly said it helps the sauce bind to the actual pasta. After combining the noodles and pasta sauce, Kelly makes sure that the cheese is thoroughly melted before serving Lupas iconic cacio e pepe to guests.

If youre looking for the golden standard for cacio e pepe then there is no better place than New Yorks Lupa. But there are, of course, other restaurants where you can try this iconic dish and a good place to start would be at one of the best Italian restaurants in America.
Senior Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim said he discussed the handover of power with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday and claimed that the much-anticipated transfer would be determined during a meeting of the ruling coalition on Feb. 21.

At their meeting on Thursday in Putrajaya, Anwar said he raised the matter of leadership transition after receiving reports that several groups were seeking signatures calling for Mahathir to serve out his full five-year term.

I tend to believe that he will continue leading the country until the end of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC), said Anwar, Mahathirs anointed successor. However, the matter will be finalized at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Presidential Meeting on February 21.

Anwar is president of the Peoples Justice Party (PKR), the linchpin of the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition, which swept into power in the 2018 general election.

Anwar said Mahathir assured him that he was not involved in the signature campaign and that the 94-year-old leader even said emphatically that he would step down as promised.

The meeting took place two months after Mahathir  the worlds oldest prime minister  suggested during the Doha Forum in Qatar that he may have to stay in power after 2020, saying he wanted to fix issues he had inherited from the previous government before handing over power to Anwar.

Despite his recent statements related to the transition of leadership, Mahathir had not made it clear exactly when he intended to leave office.

But he told Reuters in an interview that he would keep his promise, although the hand over would not take place before a summit of APEC countries that Malaysia will host in November.

I made a promise to hand over and I will, accepting that I thought that a change immediately before the APEC summit would be disruptive, Mahathir said.

Mahathir said he would fulfill his promise irrespective of whatever allegation people may have against his anointed successor, alluding to fresh claims that Anwar had tried to force a former aide to have sex.

If people dont want him, that is their business, but I will do my part of the promise, Mahathir said. Anwar has denied the allegations.

Anwar was the nations most famous political prisoner until he received a royal full-pardon in May 2018, when the opposition alliance that he jointly led with Mahathir pulled off a stunning election victory, ushering then-Prime Minister Najib Razaks political downfall.

Anwar, who once served as deputy prime minister in the 1990s, was sacked by the ruling party after a bitter feud with Mahathir, his political mentor. He served years in prison on what his supporters claimed were politically-motivated sodomy charges, including one that was allegedly orchestrated by Najib.

To defeat Najib, Anwar and Mahathir set aside their bitter feud. Mahathir had pledged during the campaign for the May general election that he would hand over power to Anwar after two years serving as an interim premier.

Anwar, in his statement Thursday, said he told Mahathir that he and his allies would continue to defend the pact that they signed on Jan. 7, 2018, in which they agreed that he would eventually take over as prime minister.

I also reminded that during almost two years under Pakatan Harapan, that agreement has not been challenged by any of the coalition partners, he said.
A special court here on Thursday



rejected the bail application of Humayun Merchant, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case involving late gangster Iqbal Mirchi.

This was Merchant's second bail application to be rejected by the special PMLA court judge P Rajvaidya.

After being denied bail in November, Merchant made another attempt after filing of a charge-sheet by the ED.

His lawyer had argued that Merchant, a senior citizen, has been in jail for over 110 days and as the investigation is over, he should be granted bail.

However, the court did not accept his submissions and rejected the bail plea.

Merchant, said to be an aide of Iqbal Mirchi, a close associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in October last year.

He is being probed by the ED in connection with the alleged illegal real estate deals of Mirchi and his family.

The ED is probing Mirchi's purchase of three properties of Sir Mohammad Yusuf Trust in Worli area in the metropolis in September 1986 for Rs 6.5 lakh through his Rockside Enterprise.

Besides Merchant, the central investigating agency has arrested over five people, including Kapil Wadhawan, the CMD of crisis-hit Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL) in this case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Frank Ryan is a CPA, a retired Marine Reserve colonel, and Iraq War veteran who got himself elected to the state House in Harrisburg two terms ago, promising to watchdog the peoples money. That includes our biggest pile of capital, the $60 billion school pension fund (PSERS).

I specialize in keeping companies out of bankruptcy, says Ryan (R., Lebanon). Its what I do for a living." He was a rescue CFO at troubled firms and, once, for a bank.

At the rate Pennsylvania is funding and spending its government -- $36 billion this year, or $2,800 worth of medical and school aid, social work and law enforcement, for each resident -- plus as-yet unfunded future commitments, Ryan expects the state will spend its way to insolvency, forcing radical cuts or giant tax hikes, unless it restructures its finances over the next few years. (Pennsylvanias credit ratings are among the worst of U.S. states, but Wall Street isnt predicting default.)

I have apprehensions about how Pennsylvania is funded, across the board, Ryan says. So he has become a lead sponsor of several reform bills that could change the way PSERS is run.

The PSERS staff, headed by former State Rep.-turned-executive director Glen Grell and chief investment officer Jim Grossman, has new reasons to care what Ryan thinks: His fellow Republicans who control the state legislature last year put Ryan on the PSERS board, which last month named him vice chairman.

The PSERS staff has a long record of favoring private investments -- hedge and buyout funds, shopping malls and farms, oil and commodities ventures, junk debt -- some of them lucrative, some costly. The staff has persuaded most of the board, led until last month by retired Poconos math teacher Melva Vogler, to buy more of those private investments, instead of doubling down on S&P 500 index funds, for example.

Count Ryan with the insurgents: Im in lockstep with the [Democratic] treasurer, Joe Torsella, and the banking commissioner, who until last week was Robin Wiessmann, a Gov. Tom Wolf appointee. Torsella, joined by Wiessmann when she voted, led the scant opposition to buying all those private investments, which Torsella doubts are worth their fees.

Weissmann is now the ex-bank commissioner and will presumably be replaced on the PSERS board by her successor, Richard Vague, the credit card innovator-turned-Philadelphia investor and donor -- another independent thinker who is an experienced operator of public and private companies. Even as a bloc, Torsella, Ryan, and Vague would be outvoted on the 15-member board. Just not as fast.

What PSERS earns from its vast holdings is not nearly enough to pay all the pensions. PSERS is one of the largest, steadiest-growing expenses in the Pennsylvania state and local school district budgets, consuming $5 billion in public employer contributions this year, up from $0 in the early 2000s. The states burden will grow $119 million this year, according to Wolfs new budget, more than any state expense except health care.

Blame former Gov. Tom Ridge, who back in 2001 boosted pensions and cut funding, under the theory that dot.com stocks would save us all. And former Gov. Ed Rendell, who signed laws delaying pension funding.

Gov. Tom Corbett trimmed pension eligibility, and Wolf trimmed pension guarantees. These moves have slowed the growth of PSERS deficit and should in time reduce it.

PSERS wants to speed that up. The system says its investments routinely beat its benchmarks. But a pension review commission chaired by State Rep. Mike Tobash (R., Schuylkill), assisted by Torsella, posted a fat 2018 report ranking PSERS near the bottom of state pension systems, and recommending reforms, such as combining operations and buying plain-vanilla investments, to cut costs and boost returns. PSERS Grossman, Wolf, and legislative leaders pledged support.

Ryan points out that PSERS assets dropped by more than $20 billion amid the investment-market meltdown of 2009-10, and nearly half as much in 2001-2, part of which was lost forever, as pensioners had to be paid and assets liquidated cheap, before markets recovered.

Thats one of the reasons the [annual state contribution] is as high as it is, Ryan says. Im trying to get people to recognize we cant just get money from taxpayers, lose it, and then get it from taxpayers again."

PSERSs Esack noted the system was more heavily invested in stocks in those down years.

Ryan wants to cut the systems long-term annual return target, now 7.25%, to a more conservative 6%. The price of this realism: It would make the PSERS deficit projection look worse, and force bigger taxpayer contributions.

Ryan, Tobash, and dozens of their Republican allies have sponsored a string of pension reform bills up for hearings this year. Some highlights:

House Bill 1960: Sets up a single Commonwealth Pension Investment Office, replacing the separate offices that now run money for PSERS and the State Employees Retirement System, with a board of finance professionals, professors, and CPAs.

Unlike SERS and PSERS members, who get free meals, hotels, and trips but no state cash, investment board members would be paid. Public meetings will be televised. A Contribution Fund will collect state and school district funding, making it harder to skirt payments in times of fiscal pressure

The states Independent Fiscal Office, using data that PSERS contractors provided, estimated that setting up a new agency could cost more, not less.. But Rep. Tobash says a single office would be more efficient. SERS and PSERS sometimes pay the same money managers different rates, and SERS buys Microsoft on Monday while PSERS is buying it on Thursday, boosting broker paydays at public expense.

Bill 1962 requires an annual Stress Test to show what happens if the markets fall 10% or 20% a year. PSERS already does stress tests. Tobash says thats not good enough: We need a stress test that can be delivered clear and simple for the General Assembly.

Bill 1964 originally mandated quarterly reports of all payments and returns -- included carried interest or profits kept by private equity and real estate managers, which are currently secret. The bill was amended and softened last fall by Ryans fellow PSERS board member, State Rep. Matthew D. Bradford (D., Montgomery).

Bill 1995. Ryans pet project, the Keystone Solvency Operating Study Commission, will review state and agency income and spending, including pensions, and recommend steps to avoid long-term state insolvency. It would use planning benchmarks embedded in the federal PROMESA Puerto Rico financial reform act.

Bill 1996. This would require five-year control audits of the pension funds, plus separate executive, independent audit, and risk committees. "This represents a change in the culture of the pension problems. I think thats prudent,' Tobash said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 02:44:05|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday said that 14 refugees have been evacuated from Libya to Sweden.

"A total of 14 Eritrean refugees left Tripoli Wednesday, traveling to Sweden under the resettlement program," UNHCR tweeted, adding that "three of them will be reunited with their relatives in the host country after years of separation."

Due to the state of insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya became a preferred point of departure for many illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward European shores.

Shelters in Libya are currently overcrowded with thousands of immigrants rescued at sea or arrested by the Libyan authorities, despite international calls to close them.

As of Feb. 6, some 1,040 refugees and migrants have been registered as rescued or intercepted at sea by the Libyan Coast Guard and have disembarked in Libya, an increase of 121 percent compared to the same period in 2019, the UNHCR said.
Technavio has been monitoring the smart air purifier market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.71 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 14% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

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Technavio has published a new market research report on the smart air purifier market from 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Growing respiratory problems due to the increasing air pollution have been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, high price and low awareness of smart air purifiers in developing countries might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report

Smart Air Purifier Market 2019-2023: Segmentation

Smart Air Purifier Market is segmented as below:

Product

Dust collectors

Fume and smoke collectors

Technology

HEPA

Activated carbon

Others

Geographic segmentation

North America

APAC

Europe

South America

MEA

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This study identifies increasing adoption in healthcare facilities as one of the prime reasons driving the smart air purifier market growth during the next few years.

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NBWs issued against Khalistani terrorist for dropping arms in Punjab via drones

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 13: A Special NIA Court at Mohali has issued non-bailable warrants against Ranjeen Singh Neeta, a Khalistani operative based in Pakistan in connection with the dropping of arms case.

The case pertains to the dropping of arms, ammunition, explosives, communication devices and fake Indian currency with the help of drones originating from Pakistan.

The probe revealed that Neeta the head of the banned terror outfit, Khalistan Zindabad Force was behind this incident. Further, the probe also found that Gurmeet Bagga, operating out of Germany was also part of this conspiracy.

In September 2019, investigations conducted by the police learnt that drones were used to drop off arms and ammunition in Punjab.

India on state of very high alert as Pakistan looks to launch rogue drones

The ISI which has been shielding operatives of the KZF, Babbar Khalsa International and other Khalistan terror groups had been using the networks of these groups to smuggle in the arms and then transport it to Jammu and Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that recent incidents of Pakistan-origin drones dropping consignments of arms and ammunition is a new and serious dimension on Pakistan's sinister designs in the aftermath of Article 370 being abrogated.

He urged the Home Minister to solve this problem at the earliest.

Investigations have shown that these weapons were being dropped off in Punjab were meant to be transported to Jammu and Kashmir. Over the past 10 days, the drones are said to have carried out 8 sorties to drop the weapons, which also include satellite phones.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

BSF working on tech solutions to combat drones along Indo-Pak border, says DG V K Johri

The heavy lifting drones can carry up to 5 kilograms and also capable of flying fast and low to evade detection, a source in the Punjab Police informed OneIndia. The first clues came in after the police found a burnt drone at Tarn Taran. The drone was burnt down by the terrorists after it failed to fly back to Pakistan.

This led to the recovery of arms and ammunition in Amritsar near the Pakistan border. There has been enhanced activity by Pakistan especially on the Punjab border. The intention is to drop off as many arms and other material so that it can be smuggled into Jammu and Kashmir for the terrorists over there to use.

Counter Intelligence Officials tell OneIndia that the focus for the ISI is on J&K. With security at an all-time high, it is unable to move the arms through the border. Hence the ISI has been using the Punjab border to drop off the arms. Further, the agency has also directed the operatives of the KZF and BKI to activate its networks and help move the consignment into Jammu and Kashmir. The ISI has been looking to launch a major strike in J&K and hence wants to facilitate the terrorists there with arms and ammunition.

Earlier, the Intelligence issued an alert after it was found that 8 Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were plotting an attack on an Indian Air Force base in J&K.

The IB warning states that terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammad are looking to carry out this attack. It has further been warned that the JeM had trained 8 of its terrorists for this attack.

This alert comes in the wake of another warning that was issued last week in which it was said that the Jaish-e-Mohammad had started training 40 jihadis to strike in India.

Incidentally, these terrorists are undergoing rigorous training at the Ballot facility of the JeM that was hit by the Indian Air Force.

Pakistan to procure more advanced drones: IB report

The information that is based on Intelligence gathering suggests that these 40 jihadis are being trained to strike at Jammu and Kashmir as well as other parts of the country. In the past few weeks, the Intelligence has indicated that Pakistan would up the ante and strike at various locations that include, Maharashtra, Gujarat and some of the southern states.

After the IAF strikes, the Balakot facility had been shut down. However, this is for the first time that the facility has been activated following the strike.

In March 2019, the IAF had hit the terror facility and also managed to destroy four intended targets.
Newark, NJ, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by Fior Markets, the global potato starch market is expected to grow from USD 5.19 Billion in 2017 to USD 8.32 Billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period from 2018-2025

Potato starch is starch removed from potatoes. The cells of the root tubers of the potato plant cover starch grains (leucoplasts). The potatoes are crumpled and the starch scraps are released from the destroyed cells to make starch. The starch is then eroded out and dried to powder. Potato starch is a very refined starch which contains less protein or fat and is clear white in colour. The cooked starch displays unique characteristics like neutral taste, good clarity, high binding strength, long texture and a minimal tendency to form foam or turn yellow. Potato starch is used in numerous ready-to-mix and ready-to-eat products, such as baked goods, curry, and dessert mixes. It is also used in convenience food products. The increasing consumption of convenience food across the globe is expected to drive the growth of the potato starch market in forthcoming years. Potato is measured to be popular feedstock for manufacture of starch owing to its soft, tasteless and odorless properties. It suggest many health benefits including absorption of toxic and carcinogenic compounds, regulates blood sugar levels and absorption of several minerals like calcium and magnesium, resulting into increased product demand.

Rapid increase in population, changing lifestyle coupled with disposable income are key factors contributing towards the growth of textile industry. Starch is primarily used in textile sizing for cotton yarns, which are preferred for sizing medium and coarse yarns, thereby stimulating potato starch market demand.

Increase in purchasing power of consumers in several developing countries and expansion in the consumption of potato starch are also fuelling the market growth.

Increasing demand for various food products counting ready to mix and ready to eat products, such as baked good, curry and dessert mixes may drive industry growth. Moreover, it is used in textile industry to stiffen fabrics, in pharmaceuticals to produce antibiotics and in paper industry for its adhesive properties, thus stimulating product demand.

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The key players operating in the global Potato Starch market include Emsland Group, Cargill, Inc., SUDSTARKE GMBH, PEPEES Group, Ingredion, Novidon, Avebe, AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG, Tereos, AKV Langholt, Finnamyl Ltd, Roquette, Skrobarny Pelh?imov, Manitoba Starch, Vimal PPCE, ALOJA-STARKELSEN, Lyckeby, PPZ Trzemeszno Sp., and Starch Pvt. Ltd. and among others. To improve their market situation in the global potato starch market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint venture, collaborations, and partnership.

In February 2018, AKV Langholt AmbA, a cooperative owned by 160 potato growers in Denmark, produced potato starch and potato protein as well as by-products. Cargill and AKV Langholt AmbA, its Danish potato starch partner, would invest in a new potato starch production unit at the Langholt facility in Denmark.

The organic starch segment dominated the potato starch market with USD 3.28 Billion in 2017

The nature division is classified into organic and conventional. The organic starch segment conquered the potato starch market with USD 3.28 Billion in 2017. Potato starch is starch mined from potatoes. To extract the starch, the potatoes are creased; the starch grains are released from the destroyed cells. The starch is formerly washed out and dried to powder. Thus, it is organic in nature.

Modified method is the fastest growing segment with the highest CAGR of 8.5% in the forecast period

Type segment includes native and modified. Modified method is the fastest growing segment with the highest CAGR of 8.5% in the forecast period. Major food manufacturers are focusing on using cost-effective acid-modified potato starch which is a hydrolyzed starch and acts as an alternative gelling agent to replace materials such as gelatin and regular starch.

The textile industry segment conquered the market with the highest share of 29.40% in 2017

End use division is divided into segments such as food industry, paper industry, textile industry, pharmaceutical, personal care and others. The textile industry section dominated the market with the highest share of 29.40% in 2017. Starch is mostly used for textile sizing, particularly for cotton yarns. It is favoured for the sizing of coarse and medium-count yarns. Starch forms the adhesive component during the size mix process, due to various factors such as starch properties can be tuned as per requirement.

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Regional Segment Analysis of the Potato Starch Market

North America (U.S. , Canada, Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of the Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan India, Rest of APAC)

South America (Brazil and Rest of South America)

Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

The regions analysed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Europe region conquered the global potato starch market with USD 2.19 Billion in 2017 where as the North America region held the second dominant position in the market.

The Europe potato starch market demand, driven by Germany, UK, France and Italy is likely to witness a significant growth over the projected timeframe. Favourable government legislation with increasing pharmaceutical companies with growing health concerns should drive the regional industry growth.

North America led by, the U.S., Canada and Mexico potato starch market demand should go faster with substantial gains by 2025. Increasing demand for convenience food products and various functionalities of the product in food owing to its thickening property, good texture and taste and in non-food products for binding and texturing is probable to propel the potato starch market demand.

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The global potato starch market is analysed on the basis of value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porters five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution and marketing channels analysis.

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Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored at Yokohama, Japan on February 6th (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)



The Diamond Princess carrying 2,700 passengers and 1,050 crew members docked at Chan May Port in Thua Thien-Hue at 6:30 am on January 27th.

As many as 1,252 passengers left the ship and joined in registered tours in the locality.

The Tan Hong travel agency reported with Vietnam News Agency that 454 passengers of the cruise participated in two tours of Hue city during the day. All passengers and crew members returned to the ship the same day, and it left at 17:00 for the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

The international cruise ship is being quarantined offshore Yokohama, Japan, after a passenger was found infected with nCoV. By now, the number of confirmed infections on the ship has surpassed 60.

Vietnam confirmed the 15th nCoV case in the country on February 11th. So far, 6 patients have been cured and discharged from hospital./.

Vietnamese labourers account for 55% of foreign labourers in Japan

Japan attracts a large number of Vietnamese labourers. (Photo: Fujiedu)

Statistics from the Immigration Bureau under the Japanese Ministry of Justice show that Vietnam has the largest number of labourers granted visas under the new policy with 901 people, followed by Indonesia (189 labourers) and the Philippines (111 labourers).

As a result, Vietnamese labourers account for 55% of labourers granted visas based on the new policy that Japan has applied since early April 2019.

The new policy allows foreign labourers with Japanese language and specific professional skills to work up to 5 years in 14 industries such as construction, agriculture and healthcare. Meanwhile, labourers with profession in construction and shipbuilding can work in Japan a longer time./.

Compiled by BTA

Japan attracts a large number of Vietnamese labourers. (Photo: Fujiedu)

Phan Thiet Airport project starts in 2020

Work on Phan Thiet Airport in the central province of Binh Thuan is set to begin in 2020, using the total investment capital of about VND10 trillion



According to the aviation transport development plan until 2020, with a vision to 2030, the Phan Thiet airport is one of the 15 facilities serving domestic flights in Vietnam. It will be used for both civil and military purposes.

Vietnam News Agency quoted Binh Thuans authorities saying that they have completed site clearance and handed over 400 hectares of land to the provincial Military High Command and the remaining 145.6 hectares to the private investor who will build the airport in the form of BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer).

During a meeting with relevant agencies on February 11th, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Ngoc Hai called on the Defence Ministry to submit a pre-feasibility study report on the building of the airports military enclave to the Prime Minister soon to seek project approval, which will be a legal basis for the ministry to carry out the next steps.

This is a big project of political significance, so relevant parties need to promptly complete procedures so as to start the construction in 2020, he added./.
MBABANE  All eyes will once again be on Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg tomorrow as he presents his second budget speech for the 2020/2021 financial year.



Although Rijkenberg is the focal person when it comes to presenting the budget, it should be noted that he does not do this by himself as all government ministries make a contribution in mapping the way forward.



However, to say that the minister has had a tough 2019/2020 financial year would be an understatement as for the past 12 months, government has been singing the same tune of being in a fiscal crisis or facing cash flow challenges.



During his maiden speech last year, the minister stated that the national budget, which stood at E21.83 billion, would be self-funded in that money which would be used was what government would have collected.



The minister addressed many issues which he said would be delivered such as an extra meal for pupils to enjoy in schools, but this was not achieved as there was non-implementation of the project which was supposed to fall under the Ministry of Education and Training.

Meanwhile, the Finance minister was successful in implementing some of the things which the public took as a bitter pill to swallow such as the fuel levy hike and the implementation of the Alcohol and Tobacco Levy.



The minister had also minced no words when he said the cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) would not be implemented and even though there were numerous protests over it, government did not budge.



Among other things which were supposed to be implemented was the operationalisation of the Ngwenya-Oshoek Boarder Gate to at least operate 24 hours under the ease of doing business.

This was to be implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Although the Minister Princess Lindiwe met with her South African counterpart, progress has been slow.



Another ministry which has not yet implemented one of its projects was that of Health regarding commencement of the construction of the National Referral Hospital, which didnt take off. In a brief interview yesterday, the minister said it was important to note that most of the information that he had in his speech was from the ministries.



He said the relevant ministries would have more accurate information on implementation.

You must also keep in mind that all the projects mentioned have been initiated during the year, but not finalised, Rijkenberg said.

He added that the fact that they were not showing results yet did not mean that nothing had happened.



We take a look at what the minister highlighted in his last budget speech.



E400m govT property SALE

The minister had stated that with the passage of new revenue measures which would increase domestic revenue collection by E900 million. This would include an estimate of E400 million linked to the sale of government assets. However, no government assets were sold which included property of shares. The minister, in previous interviews, explained that disposing of the property was no easy feat.

He had said without improving the nations revenue collection, the present economic crisis could not be abated. He said it was imperative that this exercise was taken seriously and supported strongly by every liSwati. He said non-compliance with the countrys tax laws would not be tolerated.



Rijkenberg said this would be addressed through revenue diversification and a broadening of the tax base and would include an increase in consumption taxes, such as an increase in the tax on fuel and the implementation of Value Added Tax on Electricity. While some of the consumption taxes were implemented, government failed to sell its assets to make the projected E400million.

Implementation rate 3/5



E30m farm subsidy



In his speech, the minister said government would continue with the farm input subsidy programme and an allocation of E30 million had been set aside for this. The programme is currently being managed by the National Maize Corporation (NMC). Although the programme is underway, it was a challenge for many farmers as a majority of the government tractors sometimes experience breakdown and sometimes there is no fuel.

The minister said the achievement of increased crop and livestock production addressed the challenge of food insecurity and poverty. High production levels were expected to ensure food self-sufficiency while at the same time facilitating import substitution and export promotion.



Additionally, he said the second phase of LUSIP which seeks to develop approximately 5 200 hectares which will be used for agricultural production under irrigation, has now reaching completion.

The achievement of increased crop and livestock production addresses the challenge of food insecurity and poverty. High production levels are expected to ensure food self-sufficiency while at the same time facilitating import substitution and export promotion. Through the High Value Crops and Horticulture Project, cold storage facilities and pack-houses have been established in strategic locations to facilitate the storage, handling and marketing of high-quality farm produce.

Implementation rate: 4/5



Water, sanitation provision

Mr. Speaker, in an effort to achieve 100 per cent potable water coverage by the year 2022, government will implement the Manzini Integrated Water Supply and Sanitation Project which covers four Tinkhundla, said minister had said.



He said the project would cost up to E825 million and was expected to benefit 76 000 people in the four peri-urban and rural areas under the Manzini Region. This project is also already being implemented although the residents have complained about the lack of water during the implementation stage.



He further stated that the Ezulwini Sustainable Water Supply project was in the final stages of implementation and this has already commenced, which is a good thing.



This project is aimed at providing potable water to the rapidly growing Ezulwini and surrounding areas. The construction of the water infrastructure under this project will cost up to E180 million.

Implementation rate: 3.5/5



No new additional meal



The Finance minister had stated that in 2019, Government would introduce an additional meal to improve learners concentration and participation as well as to boost their nutritional status while at school.

However, no additional meal was introduced and instead, some schools even ran out of food. This project fell directly under the Ministry of Education and Training.



He further said government had made significant strides in the implementation of state-funded primary education. He said the Primary School Net Enrolment rate stood at about 95 per cent in 2018. He added: To increase enrolment, reduce absenteeism and enhance childrens nutritional status, government was implementing the School Feeding Programme.



The programme currently covers every public secondary school and 99 per cent of public primary schools. During 2018, the school feeding programme benefitted 241 745 primary school learners and 119 740 secondary school learners. Government has continued to provide FPE and meals.

Implementation rate: 2/5



No Health Referral Hospital

The minister had highlighted the commencement of the construction of the National Referral Hospital, but this did not see the light of day.

The hospital is expected to be constructed at Elangeni. It is expected that the project will commence this coming financial year. However, he did say to improve access to health services government would operationalise four new clinics and complete the construction of Emergency and Referral Complex at Mbabane Government Hospital

He further stated that there would be conducted a System of Health Accounts assessment to generate consistent and comprehensive data on health expenditures in Eswatini.

Meanwhile, in continuing the fight against malaria, he said government would establish a malaria elimination fund with the aim to make Eswatini malaria-free by 2030.

The 2019/20 budget provides E5 million as seed money for the fund in line with the countrys leadership role in the fight against malaria. Although there hasnt been much noise about it locally, other countries also took up the initiative to set up a similar fund.

Implementation rate: 3/5



Strictly no-CoLA

Although the issue of the cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) has in a thorn to civil servants, the minister, in his speech made it clear that there would be no allocation made. This is despite the protests made, by the civil servants last year, but government stood its ground. In his speech, the minister said CoLa was the most contentious economic issue in the country and he was compelled to address it.

He said the growing wage bill was placing insurmountable pressure on the budget and government had been under immense strain to pay salaries due to the cash flow crisis.

He said for wages and pensions, expenditure would increase from E8.2 billion in 2018/19 to E8.5 billion in 2019/20, this was despite the current hiring freeze.

Given the state of the economy, it is not prudent or possible to budget for a cost-of-living-adjustment in 2019/20, as the country simply cannot afford it, he said.

He appealed to the public service associations (PSAs) and its members to appreciate the current financial strain and to join them in actively addressing these challenges.

Implementation rate: 5/5



Ease of doing business

Rijkenberg had stated that government was committing to certain initiatives in order to boost private sector investment and improve Ease of Doing Business. He said this would be done through improving access to land for business development by reviewing land ownership laws and polices.

He said this would be the implementation of the 24-hour border operations with the Republic of South Africa and unlock the mining sector.

He further said government would operationalise the Sectional Titles Act and review work permit and immigration policies to be investor friendly. However, the above has not happened and if there is any progress, it has been very slow. He said the country would convene investment summits in Eswatini and internationally to present stimulus packages.

Implementation rate : 2.5/5



Debt clearance challenge

Mr Speaker, allow me to express, on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, our sincere apologies to all its suppliers and service providers who have been affected by the cash flow crisis in the recent past and commits to using this fully financed budget, a strong strategic plan and an implementing partner to approach the debt markets to raise earmarked financing for an arrears clearance strategy, the minister had stated last year. Rijkenberg said going forward, they were committed to meeting their obligations in a timely manner.

He said they would not allow any unanticipated financing shortfalls to result in arrears accumulation and would instead re-align the budgetary allocation. The ministry has started this process of paying the suppliers, although he reported that it was discovered that some of them (suppliers) had made fraudulent claims. He requested a six-week extension for the payment.

Implementation rate: 3.5/5



Where is IFMIS?

The minister informed the nation that the Treasury Department was implementing an Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) to replace the existing Treasury Accounting System. He said this would serve as an effective platform to implement many provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, including implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting standards.

He said government was simultaneously working on a new multi-dimensional Chart of Accounts for configuration in the IFMIS. Better classification of transactions would multiply the reporting capacity of the IFMIS and would provide more comprehensive and detailed reports for better formulation and execution of fiscal policy.

He added that strong public financial management systems and procedures were critical for any government to develop a sound fiscal policy and a credible fiscal consolidation road map.

However, during the sitting of the Public Accounts Committee, the Treasury Department was always hesitant on when the IFMIS system would be implemented.

This was after it was discovered that double payments were sometimes made though the current system and in some instances, payments were inflated. The department said this would happen in the 2020/2021 financial year.

Implementation rate: 3/5



Fuel, Alcohol, Tobacco Levy

Cabinet has already considered and approved the E1.20 per litre increase in fuel tax that will be effective in the next fuel pricing session, said Rijkenberg in his speech. The amount implemented was eventually 85 cents. The minister had said through this adjustment, an additional E383 million would be generated. The new revenue measures where I request the support of the House are; the Finance and Alcohol and Tobacco levy bills that should give us an additional E280 million in 2019/20, he had submitted. These too were eventually approved and passed by Parliament. I have also tabled the Savings and Development Bank Amendment that seeks to bring our bank within the tax net, in line with all commercial banks, he said.

The SRA Act amendment seeks to transfer all Government Revenue offices to the Revenue Authority to efficiently run and curb revenue losses. However, the revenue offices are still not under SRA.

Implementation rate: 4/5



Total = 33/50

66 PER CENT
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted for a complete control on drug trafficking in India, saying that the government has devised a plan to establish an "impregnable" mechanism to curb inflow and outflow of such substances.

Speaking at the BIMSTEC conference on 'Combating Drug Trafficking', the Minister said that India is determined to stop the smuggling of narcotic substances in the whole world.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation comprising seven countries -- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, that fall in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.

Expecting that the conference will open various new ways in combating drug trafficking, Shah said: "I assure you all that neither we will let narcotic substances enter into India from anywhere in the world nor allow such drugs to go out from India." The Minister said that the Indian government has prepared a plan to control the smuggling of narcotic substances in a complete way and that it has been working to overhaul the current mechanism of prosecution agencies to deal with the menace.

"We are going to establish an impregnable mechanism for complete restriction on smuggling of narcotic substances and cases related to it by changing the current frame of prosecution agencies as well as the mechanism to ensure coordination between all enforcement agencies," he said.

Mentioning that India has adopted "zero tolerance" policy for narcotics substances, the Home Minister appealed to all BIMSTEC member countries for their united efforts to deal issues like drug trafficking.

"All the countries connected with Bay of Bengal are very close to India in cultural, geographical, political way so there is a need for our united efforts on different subjects." He said that this is the purpose for which "we all are present in this forum today".

Talking about the seriousness of the drug trafficking issue, Shah quoted the UN's World Drug Report and said that over 5 per cent of the global population between 15-64 years of age is addicted to narcotics and use of illicit drugs.

The Home Minister expressed concern that the rate of addiction is showing a fast increase a 30 per cent rise in the last 10 years and termed drug addiction as a curse for mankind.

Shah cited an estimate of over $400 billion of yearly illicit drug trade happening globally, giving an idea of the size of the mammoth issue facing humanity.

The Minister said that Manipur and Mizoram having borders with Myanmar and other coastal states are sensitive and may become a gateway for illicit drugs entering India, which needs to be prevented.

On steps taken by the Centre in combating drug trafficking, Shah said that the union government has laid down a well thought out strategy to increase coordination among the agencies of the Centre as well as states and the Home Ministry has established a joint coordination committee to increase surveillance over drug trafficking.

The two-day conference, beginning on Thursday, aims to deliberate on the threats posed by drug trafficking in the seven member BIMSTEC countries and steps to negate them. India first time hosted the BIMSTEC nations' conference on 'Combating Drug Trafficking'.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the federal agency for drug law enforcement, organised the conference here at the Vigyan Bhawan. The conference is the result of the commitment made in this context by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 4th BIMSTEC summit in Nepal's Kathmandu in 2018.

A recent seizure of 1,527 kgs of methamphetamine in two tranches by the NCB established the fact that the Bay of Bengal region was impregnated with the drug-trafficking menace, the agency has said.
Cassel's capabilities amplify TASI Packaging Integrity Group's customer-focused mission to help ensure packaging quality, protecting end-users worldwide

TASI Group (www.tasigroup.com) and Cassel Messtechnik GmbH (Cassel) (www.cassel-inspection.com) announce their strategic alliance, as TASI Group acquired Cassel, effective January 31, 2020. The acquisition will enable the Packaging Integrity segment of TASI Group which includes ALPS Inspection, Sepha, and Bonfiglioli Engineering to further expand its global reach in product inspection and packaging integrity and reinforce their mission to help customers ensure the highest quality in product manufacturing.

Cassel is a leader in the design and construction of metal detection and x-ray inspection systems for industrial applications. With over 60 employees located near Hannover, Germany, Cassel provides manufacturers with the testing equipment necessary for quality control and ensuring the safety of consumer goods. Cord Cassel, who founded the company over 25 years ago says, "Cassel has experienced strong growth and was looking for the right strategic partner to help take the business to the next level. I feel confident that an alliance with TASI will not only reinforce our current position, but will help strengthen and grow our presence in our key industries."

Both Cassel and TASI are motivated by quality and driven to provide solutions that enable their customers to provide products of the highest integrity. Like other TASI Group Packaging Integrity businesses, Cassel has earned its long-standing reputation by protecting the reputations of their customers.

Kris Fair?eld, President of TASI Packaging Integrity, anticipates realizing many synergies between the businesses. "As our customers are at the center of everything we do, I am inspired by the expanded solutions we'll provide that enable our customers to provide the best quality product to their end-users," he says. "We are not only welcoming more than 60 talented colleagues to the Packaging Integrity team and the greater TASI Group family, but we are also strengthening and expanding our innovative solutions portfolio to the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and building materials markets by offering a complete line of metal detectors and packaging x-ray machines."

"The acquisition of Cassel completely aligns with our strategy to add adjacent technologies and to build out our Package Integrity Segment," notes TASI CEO John McKenna.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005913/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Annmarie Stafford, Marketing Director, TASI Packaging Integrity

E-mail: astafford@alpsleak.com

Phone: +1 828 337 1386
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 02:43:04|Editor: zyl

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Sajid Javid arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, on Feb. 13, 2020. Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid resigned Thursday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet. Johnson named then Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak as the new chancellor of the exchequer. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid resigned Thursday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet.

Javid had been expected to keep his job. But media reports claimed he quit after a row with Johnson during a meeting Thursday at 10 Downing Street.

Minutes after Javid's decision, Johnson named then Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak as the new chancellor of the exchequer.

The BBC reported that Javid rejected an order to fire his team of aides, saying "no self-respecting minister" could accept such a condition.

"Whilst I was very pleased that the prime minister wanted to reappoint me, I was unable to accept the conditions that he had attached, so I felt that I was left with no option other than to resign," he told the BBC.

Javid, former home secretary, was appointed chancellor of the exchequer in July last year by Johnson when he became prime minister.

Javid was scheduled to deliver his post-Brexit budget next month. The budget is expected to be delivered by the 39-year-old Sunak, who was succeeded by former Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay as chief secretary to the treasury.

However, at a media briefing Thursday night, Downing Street officials were unable to confirm whether the budget would go ahead as planned next month.

In another development, business secretary Andrea Leadsom, environment secretary Theresa Villiers, attorney general Geoffrey Cox and a number of second-level ministers, were out of the government. Nicky Morgan also stepped down as culture secretary, replaced by Paymaster General Oliver Dowden.

Alok Sharma was promoted to secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy. Anne-Marie Trevelyan has succeeded Sharma as the new secretary of state for international development.

George Eustice has become secretary of state for environment, food and rural Affairs.

Suella Braverman succeeded Cox as attorney general. She previously served as a Brexit minister but resigned over the deal former Prime Minister Theresa May brokered with the European Union.

Security minister Brandon Lewis was promoted to Northern Ireland secretary, succeeding Julian Smith.

Johnson has kept a number of ministers in their jobs, including Dominic Raab as foreign secretary and Priti Patel as home secretary. Michael Gove also stays on as chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster and cabinet office minister.

Also staying are health secretary Matt Hancock, defense secretary Ben Wallace, transport secretary Grant Shapps, education secretary Gavin Williamson, housing and communities secretary Robert Herrick and Therese Coffey as work and pensions Secretary.

Elizabeth Truss remains as trade secretary and president of the board of trade, as well as minister for women and equalities. Robert Buckland remains as lord chancellor and justice secretary.
More than 36 tons of face masks was shipped overseas from HCMC within one week even though the domestic market is falling short of the product and the Government is finding ways to shore up mask supplies.

A big crowd of people are seen elbowing one another to buy face masks at the Hapulico Medicine Market in Hanoi in this file photo. Over 36 tons of masks was shipped overseas by air from Tan Son Nhat International Airport within one week

The customs agency at Tan Son Nhat International Airport said it had completed procedures for the outbound sales of over 36 tons of masks from January 30 to February 4.

Most of the masks were exported to China where the coronavirus outbreak is raging, while the remainder went to Singapore and Malaysia.

As the flu-like virus is spreading, the Ministry of Finance has proposed a pricing control system for face masks and hand-sanitizing gels.

Last week, Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung signed a decision exempting several hygiene products from import tariffs in the fight against the viral epidemic.

The list of products includes medical face masks, liquid handwash and the materials needed to produce them as well as protective gear, helmets, goggles and gloves approved by health authorities. The exemptions will last until the end of the epidemic.

Mask prices have been soaring across the country, and drugstores are running out of supplies as locals are seeking protection from the deadly pneumonia-causing virus.

Local mask manufacturers are running at full capacity but are struggling to source raw materials since China has banned exports as it seeks to contain the spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Finance has proposed Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assign the Ministry of Health to seek out import sources for masks to meet the domestic demand. SGT

Face masks in demand amongst Hanoians to prevent spread of nCoV At Dong Xuan Knitting stores throughout Hanoi, crowds of people have been seen queueing up in recent days as they try to purchase face masks to combat the novel coronavirus (nCoV) epidemic.
American bank BNY Mellon is looking to add up to ten per cent to its 13,000-strong employee base in India to serve the global markets, a top official said on Thursday.

The bank's employees are spread across two centres in Pune and Chennai, and handle both operations as well as technological functions.

The announcement comes at a time when some of the back offices in India promoted by global financial majors are facing difficulties with headlines like job cuts dominating largely due to the woes of the parents.

"We will continue to hire on a net basis as we have been doing for the past two years, where we have added 5-10 per cent on a net basis," BNY Mellon International Operations' country chief executive Sudish Panicker told PTI.

He said from an infrastructure perspective, its facilities in Chennai and Pune can handle the additional 1,000-odd people.

The new hires will include both freshers and also laterals, Panicker said, declining to comment specifically if the troubles of peers who might be downsizing are helping its hiring.

He said the company has not been facing troubles with hiring in India and may not want to play an opportunistic play given the overall scenario.

The company is also looking at skilling of its existing staff on digital skills and technologies by creating in-house modules which help the employees' career progress as well, he said.

At present, 30 per cent of its 6,000 people on the operations side have taken at least one digital course and the target is to take the number up to 70 per cent by end of the year.

Panicker said at present, India has a third of the total workforce for the bank globally, which making it the largest single geography outside of North America by staffage.

He, however, made it clear that the bank does not look at head count alone but by the complexity of the work that its employees do here.
[February 13, 2020] nCoup launches the nCartes EHR to EDC Platform at SCOPE 2020

FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- nCoup, Inc. will launch nCartes, its Electronic Health Record to Electronic Data Capture System (EHR to EDC) Platform at the Summit for Clinical Operations Executives (SCOPE) annual conference later this month. nCartes provisions the secure, compliant, and timely delivery of clinical, lab, and other patient data from sites to research and manufacturing users and systems. nCartes is timely: sponsors face substantial issues with elapsed time, cost, and complexity in fulfilling clinical trials and getting new therapies to market. In pharma-funded proofs of concept from 2017-2019, nCartes reduced the time and cost to complete trial data population in an EDC by more than 50% on the studies piloted. One project was presented in a poster session at the 2019 Clinical Research Innovation Conference of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), shown here: https://www.aaci-cancer.org/Files/Admin/CRI/2019-Poster-65.pdf. EHR to EDC integration is not new to nCoup. The companyformerly Velos, Inc. before the 218 sale of the market-leading Velos CRMS product line to industry leader WCGlong ago completed a large multi-site EHR to EDC implementation for a group of major U.S. cancer centers. In that project, researchers went from patient visit to FDA data submission with zero manual data entry for data sourced electronically from medical record systems. That work was described in an article published in Applied Clinical Trials entitled "A to Z Trial Integration" by nCoup CEO John McIlwain.



With nCartes, nCoup, Inc. has provisioned a new cloud concept in technology that integrates with existing EDC solutions used by sponsors. It can acquire data from any EHR. Sites and sponsors can leverage their existing EHR and EDC solutions to harness the value of nCartes. A brief visual explanation is at https://youtu.be/u6c5TvwzcGc. "For years, we've worked with many of the world's largest and most prestigious clinical research institutions," said John McIlwain. "This front-row seat allowed us to see clearly that the amount of time wasted on finding information in the EHR and the duplication of data entry into EDC systems for clinical trial fulfillment remains staggering. Sponsors suffer delays, inaccuracies, risks, and heavy costs due to these inefficiencies. nCartes solves this problem."

See https://ncartes.ncoup.com About nCoup: nCoup provides innovative cloud solutions that address specialized operational needs of organizations conducting clinical research. nCoup, Inc. is privately held with headquarters in Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.ncoup.com. CONTACT: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ncoup-launches-the-ncartes-ehr-to-edc-platform-at-scope-2020-301003330.html SOURCE nCoup, Inc.

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Aboard a US cruise ship that was rejected at Asian ports over coronavirus fears, stoic passengers kept their spirits up with poolside yoga, spin classes, comedy shows and a few drinks. But the 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members of the Westerdam really rejoiced on Wednesday after learning Cambodia had given permission for the cruise liner to dock at Sihanoukville, on its southern coast. The scheduled arrival Thursday will bring an end to what was meant to be a dream 14-day cruise across Asia -- beginning from Hong Kong on February 1, and disembarking on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan. Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand all refused to allow the ship to dock, despite Holland America insisting there were no cases of the deadly disease -- which has killed over 1,100 -- on board. Several other cruise ships have been refused entry at ports across the Asia-Pacific region -- from Singapore to Tonga -- as fears over the virus spike. Cambodia's decision to receive the Westerdam comes as its strongman leader has voiced vocal support for China -- with premier Hun Sen going so far as to travel to Beijing last week in a show of solidarity. The Southeast Asian nation -- with just one confirmed case of the SARS-like virus -- has been the recipient of billions of dollars in soft loans, infrastructure and investment from its superpower ally. "Guests will be able to go ashore," operator Holland America said in a statement. "We are extremely grateful to the Cambodian authorities for their support." Even with their holiday plans in tatters, passengers made the most of the extraordinary circumstances -- some taking to social media to share amusing asides on life unwanted and at sea. "Not a bad place to be captive. I'm in the salon having my hair done right now and getting ready to hit the buffet," Christina Kerby said on Twitter, where her photos of yoga or posts on morning spin classes have bounced around. Speaking to AFP after hearing of their final destination, her reaction was one of elation -- "Thrilled! Thank you, Cambodia!" she said, adding a heart emoji. The mood on board was "relieved and upbeat". "At this point we're just happy to have a destination," she told AFP. - Barred from docking - The atmosphere is in stark contrast to the gloom aboard the Diamond Princess, a quarantined Japanese cruise ship riddled with the virus which has forced passengers into a depressing lockdown in cabins. "We're all good. The mood is positive... there's no tension on aboard" said Lorraine Oliveira, from Ireland, on the ship with her husband and two children. Before it was barred from docking, boat operator Holland America Line initially said the cruise will disembark on Thursday at Thailand's Laem Chabang port, a few hours east of Bangkok. With no idea of where they would make land or when, passengers cancelled onward flights, travel plans scrambled by events -- and governments -- beyond their control. Holland America said Wednesday that all onward travel from Sihanoukville will be arranged and paid for, and full refunds will be given to guests. "All guests on board are healthy and, despite erroneous reports, there are no known or suspected cases of coronavirus on board," it added. Passenger Stephen Hansen confirmed to AFP that there was "no sickness on board". He also believes Thailand's refusal to let Westerdam dock was "a political situation, not a health one". Health authorities in Tonga have refused entry to three cruise liners -- CMV Astor, CMV Columbus and Crystal Serenity -- due to dock in the Pacific island nation on Wednesday. A fourth passenger ship Wind Spirit, which had been set to arrive on Saturday, was also told to stay away. The diversion notice did not say where the ships were headed but online trackers suggested the Astor was steaming towards Auckland, Columbus and Serenity were Fiji-bound and Wind Spirit was still near Tahiti. Meanwhile Cunard's Queen Mary 2 luxury liner, currently off the coast of Malaysia, has been diverted to Freemantle in Western Australia, cancelling stops in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. burs-apj/dhc/fox
Mr Webb's third statement, dated 21/8/2012, details how he flew to the UK with a number of exhibits for DNA testing to be carried out.

These items included a number of hairs on glass slides, eye lashes and four fingernails (AJM40, AJM42, AJM46, AJM48).

He said he retrieved the items from the Pathwest secure freezers on 30/8/2008 and the next day he flew to London with a Macro detective, who had in the days prior police-sealed the items.

The items remained in the possession of Mr Webb throughout the flight, which arrived in London on September 1, 2008.

The items were then handed to the FFS lab the same day, and two days later Mr Webb attended their lab to advise on the testing required.

In January 2009, he received the results back from the UK lab, which revealed a possible male profile detected on AJM40/42.

"On evaluation of the mixed DNA profile ... I was able to deduce the possible male alleles," he said.

"Over the following days, I used this information ... to search the WA DNA database for possible matches.

"I identified the possible male component ... as matching a 1995 crime scene DNA profile.

"This 1995 DNA profile was obtained from a high vaginal swab, sperm cell fracture."

After discovering the match, he requested further, more updated testing of the Karrakatta rape victim's rape kit swabs be tested to confirm the match.
DJ Khaled channelled his inner Salt Bae for a series of amusing social media videos on Wednesday night.

The 44-year-old music producer paid a visit to the celebrity chef at his flagship Nusr-Et restaurant in New York City, doing his best impression of the social media sensation.

Salt Bae, 37, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was treated to a slap up meal from DJ Khaled, who imitated the viral star's signature way of seasoning meat - which has earned him an Instagram following of 25.6 million.

Served with style: DJ Khaled channelled his inner Salt Bae for a series of amusing social media videos on Wednesday night

DJ Khaled wrote: 'Told my brother @nusr_et take the day off!! I got this!! Enjoy! #IGTVALERT'.

'Some boy have there cheat day at fast food spot, man like me have cheat day at @nusr_et', he joked.

The Wild Thoughts hit-maker is seen preparing a huge slab of meat, slapping it with gloved hands before letting it sizzle on the grill.

Open wide! The 44-year-old music producer paid a visit to the celebrity chef at his flagship Nusr-Et restaurant in New York City (Salt Bae pictured right)

Popular: Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was treated to a slap up meal from DJ Khaled, who imitated the viral star's signature way of seasoning meat - which has earned him an Instagram following of 25.6 million

Getting into character: The Wild Thoughts hit-maker is seen preparing a huge slab of meat, slapping it with gloved hands before letting it sizzle on the grill

He then presents it with flair on a wooden board, serving it up to Salt Bae in the restaurant in front of amused diners.

'My friend, you work very hard, you deserve a day off!', he told him. 'Let me take care of you now!'

Khaled then clears the table in dramatic fashion before carving up the meat, seasoning it using Salt Bae's signature move and then feeding it to him on the end of a knife.

Such flair: 'My friend, you work very hard, you deserve a day off!', he told him. 'Let me take care of you now!'

King of seasoning: The persona of 'Salt Bae' first rose to international attention after a video showed his peculiar way of sprinkling salt on his meats

The persona of 'Salt Bae' first rose to international attention after a video showed his peculiar way of sprinkling salt on his meats.

The video went viral and helped vitalize Gokce's career as a celebrity chef and restaurant owner.

His Instagram account, which has more than 23 million followers, sees him posing with global celebrities like Neymar, Roger Federer and Bruce Willis.

Salt Bae's chain of steakhouses can be found in Dubai, Miami, New York, his native country Turkey and other locations.

Onlookers: Salt Bae was served at his own NYC restaurant in front of amused diners
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
London GP surgery closed

Nine confirmed cases in the UK

Tube could spread virus more quickly, say experts

Baby boy feared to be among victims

London virus victim took herself to hospital by Uber

The NHSs top doctor has warned that many more UK citizens may be forced to self-quarantine as coronavirus spreads in the UK.

Sir Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England and NHS Improvement, issued the warning as more than 80 people quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral were allowed to leave following 14 days in isolation.

He said: As our first group of guests leaves Arrowe Park Hospital, we want to thank them for the highly responsible, pragmatic and stoical way they have played their part in keeping both themselves and others safe.

They have set an important example, recognising that over the coming weeks many more of us may need to self-isolate at home for a period to reduce this viruss spread.

Our Chief Executive Simon Stevens thanks all NHS staff involved in the care of Arrowe Park Hospital guests, and highlights the ways we can prevent the spread of infection. #ThankYouNHS #Coronavirus https://t.co/SjMYbs6Zmn pic.twitter.com/y2Yvx5Aimr  NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) February 13, 2020

In our time of turmoil you took care of us with compassion.  Guests share their heartfelt gratitude to staff at Arrowe Park Hospital. Thanks to all NHS staff, volunteers, local residents and others who made their stay as safe as possible. #ThankYouNHS #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/G9VxNxruIM  NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) February 13, 2020

Guests expressed their joy and gratitude as they left the isolation unit, based in NHS staff accommodation, on Thursday afternoon.

Story continues

One man shouted on release: Were free! as he left isolation after testing negative for coronavirus.

Matt Raw, 38, was one of 83 people allowed to leave isolation at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, after being kept at the facility following their return from Wuhan, China.

Matt Raw, a UK national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves Arrowe Park Hospital where he spent two weeks in quarantine (PA)

He raised his fist as he was let out through locked gates surrounding the apartment block where he has been staying and said: Were free  and the suns shining.

Earlier doctors warned how the London Underground could spread the coronavirus more quickly, as it emerged that an eight-month-old baby may be the youngest suspected case in the UK.

The baby is said to have all the symptoms of the deadly infection after the little boy and his mother were quarantined in their home after being treated by one of two infected Brighton GPs.

The infants father believes his four-year-old daughter has also been exposed. The family were taken to A&E in Worthing, West Sussex, to be tested for the virus on Wednesday and are expected to get the results on Friday.

The London Underground could be a hotbed for the spread of coronavirus, doctors warned (PA)

The father, who was not named, told the Daily Telegraph: "We're in hell, completely petrified. My ex-partner keeps breaking down in tears.

Were staying in the house and giving the kids Calpol and paracetamol, but nothing's working.

My little boy has haemophilia and a lung condition, so hes already poorly."

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK so far (PA)

The suspected case comes as a ninth person in the UK  and the first person in the capital  tested positive for the deadly infection on Wednesday.

According to reports in the Guardian, the London coronavirus victim self-presented at Lewisham Hospital after arriving in an Uber.

Two hospital staff members are now in isolation at home after coming into contact with the woman, a Chinese national who had recently arrived from China.

There are also concerns the capitals transport hub could exacerbate the spread of the virus, however doctors have said the risk of infection for residents in the capital remains low.

A sign at the entrance of the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice in Brighton (PA)

Risks

Dr Robin Thompson of Oxford University said: "In general, if an initial case is in a densely populated area, then the risk of sustained person-to-person transmission following is higher.

This is exacerbated by the fact that London is a transport hub, and the underground could provide a network to spread the virus quickly.

"As a result, given this case was in London, it might be expected that there is an increased risk posed by this case compared to the others we have seen.

Read more: Hunt to track down patients who came into contact with coronavirus GPs

Dr Michael Head, from the University of Southampton, added: "It should also be noted that of the 1,750 tests carried out so far in the UK, over 99% of those tested have been negative for the coronavirus.

"Thus, risks to Londoners and UK residents remain low, though people should continue to keep an eye on guidance for the general public.

Confirmed cases of coronavirus around the world (PA)

While the latest person to test positive for coronavirus has now been quarantined at a specialist NHS centre at Guy's and St Thomas' in London, Dr Thompson says the risk of the virus spreading depends on the woman's interactions prior to being placed in isolation.

"The key factor here is the number of contacts that this infected individual has had prior to being isolated," he said.

"If this is low, then the risk of sustained human-to-human transmission is also low.

Read more: How to wash your hands to ward off coronavirus

As Public Health England investigates the patient's movements, Dr Nathalie MacDermott from the National Institute for Health Research said London commuters should continue to go about their business as usual.

"Provided the individual followed the government's advice (to self-isolate) there should be little concern of transmission to the general public in London," she said.

A ninth case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the UK after a patient was taken to St Thomas' hospital in south London on Wednesday. (PA)

It is understood two prisoners at HMP Bullingdon have tested negative for coronavirus. (PA)

New cases

The number of new coronavirus cases in Wuhan, China may peak by the end of the month, researchers estimate.

The outbreak of Covid-19 could reach its peak as between mid and late February, according to preliminary estimates from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Residents wait to enter a checkpoint with a sign which reads "Returnees to Beijing registration point" in Beijing, China (AP)

A shopper wearing a face mask walks past empty supermarket shelves in Hong Kong (PA)

There have been more than 44,000 cases of Covid-19 and more than a thousand deaths  the vast majority in China where it started.

The researchers used a model to estimate the average number of people who were likely to have caught the disease from one infected person over time.
A plea was filed in the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College of the Delhi University in the national capital last week.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain the petition and had directed the petitioner, a lawyer, to move the high court. Hours after the apex court's decision, the lawyer filed the petition in the high court.

The petition, by advocate M L Sharma, has sought the preservation of all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus. It has also sought the arrest of the people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy".

Sharma, in his plea, has alleged that it was a planned political and criminal conspiracy hatched in the backdrop of the Delhi election and no action was taken after the incident. The petition further blamed the chief minister of Delhi for not taking any action against the accused.

"It is a clear criminal conspiracy hatched by the political party to deploy accused persons to provoke the Delhi public for effecting voting in their favour. Despite the presence of Delhi Police ... On February 6, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons," the PIL claimed.

A total of ten people, between the ages of 18-25 years, were arrested by the Delhi Police on February 12 (Wednesday) in connection with the incident.

On February 6, a group of men broke into the Gargi College during the 'Reverie' fest and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees, who claimed that security officials stood watching when the incident took place. The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their ordeal and alleged that security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.

Besides the security arranged by the college, the area had Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel who were stationed there for the Assembly poll.

According to the police, a case was registered under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
The most romantic cities in Australia have been revealed, with lovers in a surprising location expected to enjoy a better evening than most on Valentine's Day.

The rankings, compiled by analysts at e-commerce website Picodi, tracked romantic search terms such as 'flowers' and 'love confession' in the lead up to February 14.

While most Australians increased their online searches for love related experiences, in some locations the numbers slumped before the romantic occasion.

The most romantic cities in Australia have been revealed, with some surprising locations expected to enjoy a better evening than most on Valentine's Day (stock image)

Analysts ranked which cities were found to be searching for romantic terms such as 'flowers' and 'love confession' in the lead up to Valentine's Day. Pictured is Launceston in Tasmania which ranked first

At the top of the list was the riverside Tasmanian city of Launceston, known for breathtaking views, walking trials and Victorian architecture.

Darwin came in second place, while the Queensland city of Bundaberg continued the coastal theme as the third most romantic.

The city most likely to serve up an underwhelming evening was Gladstone, six hours north of Brisbane, coming in last at 46th place.

While most Australians increased their online searches for love related experiences, in some locations the numbers slumped before the romantic occasion

The Queensland city of Bundaberg continued the coastal theme as the third most romantic

Although Gladstone does feature beautiful coastal views, best known as the home of one of Queensland's biggest shipping ports.

The list only included cities with a population of 30,000 of more.

Other cities with a surprising lack of interest in romance included Coffs Harbour in second last place, while Sydney barely broke into the top 20 in 19th position.

Other capital cities fared better, with Brisbane ranked the fifth most romantic, while Canberra ranked twelfth followed by Perth in thirteenth place.

The city most likely to serve up an underwhelming evening was Gladstone, six hours north of Brisbane, coming in last at 46th place
WASHINGTON  Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee boycotted a rare public hearing organized by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., over objections to the committees impeachment investigation and lack of response to a report detailing abuses in the governments secret surveillance processes.

Himes, who chaired the hearing Wednesday, blasted the Republicans decision not to attend the hearing on emerging technology and national security, as a completely unwarranted tantrum.

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, indicated Wednesday night that Republicans might sit out House Intelligence hearings in the future until they get a desired hearing on reported abuses of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Well Ill just say I hope we have a response," Stewart said.

He said even when the committee was the epicenter of the polarizing impeachment debate, the lawmakers could prioritize national security in bipartisan cooperation.

This is a sad and dangerous moment, Himes said.

On Wednesday morning, Republicans on the committee sent House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a letter outlining their decision. The letter alluded to the committees lead role in the impeachment inquiry.

It also objected to the fact that the committee did not hold a hearing or briefing on a bombshell December Department of Justice Inspector General Report finding that Federal Bureau of Investigations submitted two deficient warrants to surveil a Trump campaign adviser, among other errors and oversight issues.

The House Intelligence Committee has strayed far from its mandate of overseeing the intelligence community, the letter from nine Republicans said. We hope this Committee can move past political investigations and publicity stunts and get back to the important work we have traditionally undertaken on a bipartisan basis.

Himes called the letter as wrong-headed as it is mendacious. Himes attributed the Republican decision not to attend to the committee's impeachment work, referencing an earlier conversation with Stewart. Stewart said Himes should not have spoken about their private conversations publicly.

"I texted him and I said, Private conversations should remain private, Stewart said. "And I was disappointed in him.

The Republican boycott left half the hearing dais empty. Democrats not on the Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research subcommittee attended the hearing, including House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y.

Maloney called the boycott "childish."

Their argument seems to be because there are subjects of importance to them that are not happening at this hearing, there can be no hearings on any other subject  which of course ignores how critical issues like 5G, quantum computing, advanced technologies are to our national security," Maloney said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is now preparing for hearings on the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the Justice Department's report, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. told CBS Monday. The Intelligence Committee will also have hearings regarding FISA oversight later this year, Himes said.

"I think they will find a bunch of willing partners by the way one our side to talk about whatever abuses there may be in the FISA system," Maloney said. "This is a subject that were not afraid to discuss, but there are critical issues of U.S. national security that have nothing to do with that. This morning is a great example.

Himes said that he had been planning the hearing for months and holding meetings with technology experts, data scientist and top national security minds to prepare. He invited Republicans to participate in every meeting and invite witnesses to the hearing, he said.

In every case, I have been met with silence, he said.

Four witnesses testified Wednesday to the committee about steps the U.S. should take to combat foreign advances in technology and computing and bolster American technological dominance to protect national security.

They included the current commissioner on the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, the former and first U.S. Chief Data Scientist, a member of the National Science Board and the former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer. These same experts have also held leading positions in universities, technologies companies and venture capital outfits. They emphasized the need to bring government, academia and industry together to push U.S. advancements in emerging technology ahead.

Over the next 50 years, the ongoing battle for technical supremacy will once again determine the winners and losers in great power competition in the world, said Chris Darby, president and CEO of In-Q-Tel, a non-profit strategic investor working on behalf of the U.S. intelligence community. This technology battle will likely determine the norms and values that govern our lives.

Technological investments and advances by China and Russia formed a back-drop for the two-hour hearing, prompting lawmakers to worry about what happens if the U.S. falls behind  or is it already? Multiple speakers compared the current race for technology innovation to the Cold War nuclear arms race.

Borrowing the language of the 1960s when President John F. Kennedy announced a mission to put a man on the moon, DJ Patil, a senior fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, advised the government to launch a moonshot approach  a well-funded, all-government effort to spur advances in artificial intelligence, 5G wireless, microelectronics, bio-technology and other areas to protect American national security and soft power.

The witnesses recommended that the government increase federal funding for research and development. They pitched the creation of a national technology strategy and the creation of interagency groups and offices to direct and implement it.

Supporting education in science, technology, engineering and math, helping foreign students obtain visas to study and work in the U.S. in technology sectors, reducing student debt obligations for STEM-field workers, promoting collaborative projects between U.S. agencies and universities and facilitating fellowships and other career opportunities that move people from academia to government and vice versa should be top priorities, the witnesses said.

The recommendations may form the basis for future legislation and changes to a 2021 bill authorizing intelligence operations, Himes said.

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 07:58:42|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution to endorse the outcome of last month's Berlin Conference on Libya.

Resolution 2510 won the support of 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council. Russia abstained.

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the vote that there should have been no rush in the council.

Resolution 2510 endorses the outcome of the Berlin Conference held on Jan. 19 and notes that the outcome represents "an important element of a comprehensive solution" to the situation in Libya.

Participants of the Berlin Conference, including the representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council, agreed to respect an arms embargo imposed on Libya by the Security Council and to work in military, economic, and political spheres toward peace in Libya.

Resolution 2510 condemns the recent increase in levels of violence and demands the parties in Libya commit to a lasting cease-fire.

It welcomes the nomination of representatives to the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) of the UN-backed government in Tripoli and the rival east-based Libyan National Army (LNA), and calls for the meetings of the JMC to continue to take place in order to agree on a permanent cease-fire, including the terms of reference for a cease-fire monitoring and verification mechanism, the separation of forces, confidence-building measures and the establishment of associated working groups supported by the United Nations.

The resolution requests the UN secretary-general to submit an interim report on the necessary conditions for, and proposals on effective cease-fire monitoring under the auspices of the United Nations, when a cease-fire is agreed on by the Libyan parties.

The resolution recalls the commitments made at the Berlin Conference to abide by the arms embargo and demands full compliance by all member states with the arms embargo, and demands all member states not to intervene in the Libyan conflict or take measures that exacerbate the conflict.

Libya has been plagued by insecurity and political division since the fall of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The latest major conflict began in April 2019 when the LNA launched an offensive on Tripoli and the UN-backed government there.
Press Release

February 13, 2020 On a Post-VFA Philippines More at: https://pinglacson.net/2020/02/13/on-a-post-vfa-philippines/ The Filipino people are resilient and our soldiers are no different. We will survive, no doubt. We know how to improvise and we can adapt to crises the way we did many times before. But in the meantime, we remain exposed to terrorist threats, both domestic and foreign, not to mention the continuing security threat in the West Philippine Sea posed by China, and even the need for timely humanitarian response and assistance that the US is capable of deploying during disasters, natural or man-made. Also affected by the VFA's abrogation is the maintenance and repairs of military hardware, mostly air assets provided by the US under the AFP modernization program. Exploring other options like inking similar defense treaties with other nations as posited by the AFP Chief of Staff is fine but the reality is, it doesn't happen overnight. It will take a series of back-and-forth negotiations in pursuit of the concerned parties' self and national interests before going through lengthy deliberations for ratification by the Senate. While admittedly, the VFA is not perfect for the Philippines as far as equitability is concerned, the timing and reasons for its abrogation are way off the mark. The thing is, it is not the smartest move of the President to expose ourselves naked first before looking for other options for cover.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

The global eyelashes enhancing agents market is expected to reach US$ 579.43 Mn in 2027 from US$ 370.36 Mn in 2018. The market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 5.1% from 2019-2027.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05862128/?utm_source=PRN



Driving factors of the eyelashes enhancing agents are growing prevalence of eye diseases, and growing cosmetics industry are anticipated to fuel the growth of market. However, side effects associated with eyelash enhancing agents is likely to have a negative impact on the growth of the market in coming years.



In Europe, natural and organic cosmetic products are gaining high prominence due to increasing awareness and preference for luxury personal care brands. In the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other countries, consumers are increasing their consumption of beauty products such as eye care, skincare, and hair care, due to their enhancing characteristics.



According to the European trade association firm Cosmetics Europe, the UK cosmetics market was the third largest market with a value of 11.1bn (USD 12.543 Bn) in 2017. This market is largely driven by the successful coexistence of large and small leaders (e.g. Lashfactor London, VicCos Diffusion, and others) in the market



Increasing number of personal care & cosmetics industries is snowballing the eyelashes enhancing agents market in the US.The growth of market is also supported by the wave of innovation in the cosmetic industry.



The introduction of nanotechnology has resulted in the development of advanced eyelashes enhancing agents.There are several nanotech formulated eyelash serums that boost the growth of eyelashes.



Therefore, growing cosmetic industry and advancements in eyelash growth solution is expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period.



The global eyelashes enhancing agents market is segmented by type, application and content type.The global eyelashes enhancing agents market, based on content type has been segmented into bimatoprost, serum, and others.



The serum segment held a largest share of the market in 2018. Moreover, the serum segment is also anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period, owing to the benefits and the ingredients being used in serums that ensure better enhancement of the lashes post application.



Some of the important primary and secondary sources included in the report are, Food and Drug Administration, Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme, International Trade Administration, National Cancer Institute, National Health Service and others.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05862128/?utm_source=PRN



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  A Florida jury acquitted a Chinese woman Wednesday of trespassing at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort after she testified she didn't understand a security guard who told her to leave.

However, jurors did find Jing Lu, 56, guilty of resisting a police officer without violence during her Dec. 18 arrest. The incident marked the second time in 2019 that a Chinese national was charged with illicitly entering Trump's Florida resort.

Image: Lu Jing.

Prosecutors told jurors that Lu purposely intruded in a calculated" and planned" manner. She has been in custody since her arrest because her visa to remain in the United States has expired.

Prosecutors said she ignored a warning to leave the grounds and returned through a side entrance and continued taking pictures. Mar-a-Lago is now Trump's official residence, moving there from New York City last year, but he was not in Florida when Lu was arrested.

Lu, testifying through a Mandarin interpreter, said she paid $200 for a Chinese guide to drop her off at various South Florida locations. She said her language barrier prevented her from understanding a security officer's orders to leave the property.

Security guard Murray Fulton told jurors he used hand gestures to make his warnings clear to her.

Lu's tour guide then took her to Palm Beach's Worth Avenue shopping district, where she was stopped by two Palm Beach police officers. They testified that she wouldn't consent to being questioned and resisted when they tried to handcuff her.

Lu testified that she was scared when the officers approached her, adding that she didn't know why she was being handcuffed.

Palm Beach County Judge Mark Eissey set Lu's sentencing for Friday. She faces up to one year in jail on the misdemeanor charge.

Mar-a-Lago has had a rash of security breaches, with at least three trespassing events over the past 14 months, two of them involving Chinese nationals.

Story continues

Last March, Yujing Zhang, a 33-year-old Shanghai businesswoman, gained access to Mar-a-Lago by telling Secret Service agents she was there to swim. Club staff then confused her for a member's daughter and admitted her before she was stopped in the lobby by a suspicious clerk who alerted other agents.

Zhang was carrying a laptop, phones and other electronic gear, which led to initial speculation that she might be a spy, but she was never charged with espionage and text messages she exchanged with a trip organizer indicated she was a fan of the president and wanted to meet him or his family to discuss possible deals.

Zhang was found guilty in September of trespassing and lying to Secret Service agents. She was sentenced in November to time served and ordered deported.
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
New breakthrough in energy cooperation between China and Cambodia: China's first export of natural gas to Cambodia

This photo shows the Chinese employees. (Photo provided by CNOOC /Chinanews.com)

Departing from Beibu Gulf Port of China, the liner carrying five LNG tank containers arrived at Sihanoukville Port of Cambodia. It's China's first export of natural gas to Cambodia, marking a new breakthrough in energy cooperation between China and Cambodia.

The Chinese party indicated that the two nations' cooperation along Belt and Road has deepened and more solidified, eventually providing energy access for the application of clean energy in Cambodia.

The cooperation was carried out by CNOOC Gas and Electricity Group Co., Ltd. (CNOOC) and Cambodian Natural Gas Corp., Ltd. (CNGC).

Relying on CNOOC's professional capabilities, CNGC has completed the preparation stages which include storage, transportation and marketing. Both parties have worked together to achieve the first application of LNG in Cambodia, successfully filling the gap in Cambodia's energy market. (Compiled by Zhang Xinfeng)
- One in 10 Americans said that they used a spy app called stalkerware to get information from their exes

- The app runs stealthily in the background when installed without sending any notification to the user

- Users' activities on and reactions to the app were collected in a poll conducted by NortonLifeLock

One in 10 Americans has admitted using a special spy app called stalkerware to steal information from their partners devices.

This was contained in the result of a poll conducted by NortonLifeLock released on Wednesday, February 12, CNET reports.

The poll also revealed that the men are more twice likely to use the software to stalk their exes, than women.

Kevin Roundy, a researcher at NortonLifeLock, said that the app is most times advertised as theft protection or a tool for child-monitoring.

The researcher further said that the app is able to work secretly because it runs in the background without sending notifications.

With that, the victim of the ware would not even detect the app has been installed on their phone, making it more dangerous.

Stalkerware secretly collects information and victims are not even aware. Photo source: CNET

Source: UGC

This report is coming after many antivirus companies carried out a thorough operation to scan customers devices of the stalkerware

Despite the fact that the app steals information, advocates and academics said that it is still being sold legally.

Some respondents of the poll said that they dont see using the app a big deal, while 35% said they are indifferent as long as they are not the victims.

Forty-three per cent of men said that they are well disposed to the app as 27% of women thought otherwise.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that WhatsApp said that its instant messaging app will stop working on all phones running Microsoft Windows OS from Tuesday, December 31.

It was gathered that Facebook, the owner of WhatsApp, stopped people from creating new accounts on Windows phones earlier in the year.

PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update

The reason for doing so, according to the company, was because it has stopped developing updates for the platform, and as such there would not be new updates or features for the OS.

The app company was also reported to have said that it is stopping support for devices whose operating systems do not have the capabilities that are needed to expand the apps features.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: We have upgraded to serve you better

Nigerians storm National Assembly to protest social media bill | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng
Talking to the President, Tam said Vietnam always attaches importance to cooperation with Northern European countries, especially Finland, and expressed hope for welcoming high-ranking delegations from Finland to Vietnam in the coming time.

She pledged to spare no effort to further develop the bilateral relations for the sake of the people of the two countries.

President Niinisto, for his part, hailed contributions by the Vietnamese community in Finland to the local socio-economic stability, thus contributing to mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

The President highly valued Vietnams socio-economic achievements and effective cooperation between the two countries in recent times, while wishing to create breakthroughs in bilateral economic collaboration, especially in the context that the European Parliament freshly ratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He said Finnish enterprises are interested in the Vietnamese market, and more than 100 Finnish firms are operating in the Southeast Asian nation. He asked the Vietnamese Government to create further favourable conditions for Finnish companies operation.

He highlighted potential for the two countries to promote existing cooperation and open up orientations for new collation in the fields of circular economy, innovation, technology transfer and startup.

He expressed his belief that the Ambassador will make contributions to enhancing friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Finland.
Australias longest running travel program, Getaway, is back for its 29th season this weekend on Nine.

The 29th season will feature Catriona Rowntree, Jason Dundas and the rest of the team visiting international destinations including Chile, Iceland  and a voyage to Antarctica on the worlds first discovery yacht, the Scenic Eclipse.

Later in the year special guest Adam Liaw will also join the team for a trip to the south of France.

In the aftermath of one of our worst bushfire disasters on record  and the ongoing drought  it has never been more important to travel around Australia and support our local towns, businesses and tourism operators.

This week David Reyne takes us to Kangaroo Island, 100km south-east of Adelaide, almost half of which was badly affected by the bushfires.

The fires also caused extensive damage along the Sapphire Coast in southern NSW. Sam McClymont visits two local operators who are open for business again when she takes a kayak trip on the Towamba River and tours an oyster lease on Pambula Lake.

Charli Robinson makes a pit stop at picturesque Airlie Beach in Far North Queensland and tours the resort town via a tuk tuk.

And Tim Blackwell and David Reyne team up for a boys own adventure as they cruise down the mighty Murray River from Echuca in a luxurious houseboat.

Saturday at 5.30pm on Nine.
By Jun Ji-hye



JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul to run Ripe Wine Dinner Feb. 19





JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul's BLT Steak will present Ripe Wine Dinner, Feb. 19, to offer visitors a full-course dinner with wines.



The menu includes creamy carrot soup and dry-aged, USDA prime beef sirloin steak, in addition to desserts such as milk pudding.



The hotel's BLT Steak is the second international branch of the world's renowned American steakhouse in Asia after one in Hong Kong. It offers acclaimed selection of steaks, fresh seafood and creative sides and desserts.



Ripe Wine Dinner is available from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the price of 150,000 won ($127).



InterContinental launches Rosy Days Package







InterContinental Seoul COEX showcases the Rosy Days Package for a month to White Day which falls on March 14 March.



The promotion caters for each guest to delight in a rose-themed amorous night, complete with roses and wine along with a rose-scented fresh sleeping mask offered with each guest room.



The Rosy Days Package is offered exclusively for club superior rooms, which is an upgrade from standard rooms.



Each guest room pampers guests with the romantic welcome amenity and a rose deep hydration sleeping mask from the premium natural cosmetics brand Fresh worth 67,000 won.



The romantic welcome amenity consists of flower decorations featuring roses, a bottle of red wine and seasonal fruits.



Guests can also enjoy private check-in/out services at Club InterContinental and relish the exclusive benefits of Club Lounge ranging from breakfast buffet, afternoon tea to cocktail hour.



In addition, an indoor swimming pool and fitness facilities complete with natural lighting are available without additional charge. The package costs from 325,000 won.



JW Marriott Hotel Seoul announces new general manager



Allen Howden, British and South African native, joined JW Marriott Hotel Seoul as general manager, on Feb. 10. He began his career in the hospitality industry as an intern at Hyatt Regency Denver in Colorado.





Allen Howden, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul / Courtesy of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul
She's one of the best managers in the business and seems to juggle her children's stellar careers with ease.

But even the boss has to take a break sometimes and Kris Jenner was ready for a relaxing afternoon in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 64-year-old matriarch wore her favorite color in a mix of fabrics as she joined Faye Resnick at Basta Restaurant in Agoura Hills, California.

Let's eat! Even the boss has to take a break sometimes and Kris Jenner was ready for a relaxing afternoon in Los Angeles on Thursday

Kris was positively beaming as she walked into the trendy eatery located in the Whizin Market Square on the outskirts of Los Angeles County.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians matriarch looked sensational in a structured black blazer.

She paired a tight turtleneck top with black leggings and wore matching velour boots on her feet.

So chic: The 64-year-old matriarch wore her favorite color in a mix of fabrics as she joined Faye Resnick at Basta Restaurant in Agoura Hills, California

Monochrome mama: Kris was positively beaming as she walked into the trendy eatery located in the Whizin Market Square on the outskirts of Los Angeles County

Sticking with her monochrome theme, Kris carried a black alligator leather bag by her side while clutching her keys and and iPhone.

Her chocolate brown pixie cut was perfectly styled and she kept her signature pair of over-sized shades on her eyes.

Jenner seemed to be in great spirits as she met up with longtime friend and reality star sidekick, Faye Resnick.

Crisp: Faye played the angel to Kris' devil as she walked into the restaurant wearing an all-white outfit

Faye played the angel to Kris' devil as she walked into the restaurant wearing an all-white outfit.

Her silky white blouse was tucked into a pair of tailored trousers and she wrapped up in a short matching blazer.

Kris shares four children with her late husband Robert Kardashian; Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob, and has two children with ex-husband Caitlyn Jenner; Kendall and Kylie.

She's reportedly responsible for managing all of their careers, in addition to serving as a grandmother to 10 grandkids.
The pending merger between Sprint and T-Mobile has now been approved after a US court denied the claims in a lawsuit brought by several states to halt the deal. Thats according to recent reports citing a 170-page court document outlining the ruling.

The primary concern brought in the case was the argument that the merger would stifle competition. The states also argued that costs to consumers would rise as a result. However, Sprint and T-Mobile have made a number of concessions since the merger was first entertained in 2018. Not least among those is the promised creation of thousands of jobs.

The two carriers have also agreed to sell out a significant number of assets previously owned by Sprint. In particular, those are assets associated with MVNO carrier Boost Mobile. Thats in addition to a promised 3-year freeze on service plan rates so that consumers wont be paying more over the next several years.

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The US Federal District Court  in this case, the Southern District of New York  ultimately agreed that those concerns were valid. The concessions made by the carriers are cited by the court as the deciding factor in getting the T-Mobile and Sprint merger approved.

The Sprint, T-Mobile merger was finalized last year but paused

The $26-billion merger between the two carriers in question was actually approved by the appropriate government bodies last year. The Department of Justice was the final agency to sign off on the deal back in July. But the deal faced stiff opposition from the start, including a lawsuit brought by no fewer than 13 State Attorneys General.

In the interim, several states dropped out of the suit, including Mississippi and later Colorado. That latter decision was reached after Dish Network agreed to locate its wireless headquarters in Colorado. Dish Network is set to take a wide variety of assets from Sprint as part of the T-Mobile merger. That places it in a position to plausibly become the nations fourth-largest wireless provider.

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As part of the Dish deal with Colorado, the company also agreed to create 2,000 full-time jobs within the state and to keep its headquarters there for at least seven years. Moreover, Dish Network will be launching its 5G service with Colorado among the first 10 states to be included. Thats on top of T-Mobiles promise to bring 100Mbps 5G to at least 68 percent of the Colorado population. It will have a three-year period to accomplish that.

After those states dropped, the case continued with California, New York, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin, and the Commonwealths of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia still in opposition.

T-Mobile and Sprint had both agreed to hold off on merger plans until after the lawsuit was finalized.

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Where do the carriers go from here?

Sprint and T-Mobile estimate that the process of merging into the New T-Mobile could be finalized as early as the first of April. But the case may still be far from over. The remaining Attorneys General could still take the case through appeals. Those appeals could potentially go as far as the US Supreme Court.

If the states choose to appeal, the merger between the carriers would undoubtedly drag on for some time. That could put finalization and the end of the process as far out as 2021.
Investors with ironclad stomachs can invest in just about anything they want. The rest of us have to be a little more cautious, focusing on lower-risk stocks that provide a balance between risk and reward. Here are three dividend payers that provide a good compromise, with a touch more emphasis on safety: Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL), Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD), and VEREIT (NYSE:VER).

1. The food maker

Hormel is probably best known for making SPAM, an iconic potted meat product. But the truth is it is a branded food powerhouse, with over 40 brands that are number one or two in their category. Its top and bottom lines have been under pressure lately because of changing consumer buying habits, but Hormel isn't sitting around hoping for the best -- it is actively adjusting its portfolio, selling older, stale brands (like Diamond salt) and buying newer ones that resonate with today's consumers (like Wholly Guacamole).

Despite making a series of relatively large deals in the last few years, Hormel's balance sheet remains incredibly strong. Long-term debt makes up less than 5% of its capital structure, and it covers its interest expenses by a huge 66 times. The dividend payout ratio is a reasonable 45% or so. While the yield is a modest 2%, that's actually toward the high end of the company's historical range, and it has been increased annually for over five decades, with an incredible compound annual growth rate of 16% over the past 10 years.

Honestly, Hormel isn't an exciting stock to own. But if history is any guide, it will keep trucking along and rewarding investors with big dividend increases along the way. This low-risk stock should be on a dividend growth investor's radar today.

2. The mover, but not the shaker

Next up is master limited partnership Enterprise Products Partners. It might strike you as odd that an energy stock would show up on a low risk list, but don't be too quick to judge. Enterprise operates one of the largest and most diversified midstream businesses in North America. That means that its collection of pipelines, processing, and storage facilities move oil and gas from the well to the end customer -- it does not drill for oil. In fact, roughly 85% of its gross margin is derived from fees that are usually linked to long-term contracts with built-in price escalators.

Essentially, Enterprise's business will remain strong as long as demand for oil and natural gas remains strong -- and demand doesn't appear likely to materially change for decades to come. Thus, volatile oil prices aren't a big issue.

Now layer on top of a solid core business the fact that Enterprise is one of the most conservative midstream companies in the industry. For example, its financial debt to EBITDA ratio is a modest 3 times or so, at the low end of its peer group, and it covers interest expenses a solid 5 times over. It also covered its distribution by a robust 1.7 times in 2019 (1.2 times is considered strong in the midstream space).

What's most notable here, however, is the impressive 6.9% distribution yield. That payment has been increased every year for over two decades. The growth rate is modest, usually in the mid single digits, but with such a high starting yield, income-oriented investors would do well to take a close look here despite Enterprise's oil ties.

3. Changed for the better

Last up is a name that might seem a little controversial: VEREIT. This real estate investment trust (REIT) is probably best known for an accounting scandal that occurred in 2014. It's not that company anymore, though, and it has finally put the legal fallout from the issue behind it. At this point, it is basically a very boring REIT.

However, there are some key factors to keep in mind. The company has one of the largest portfolios of net lease assets in the country. Net lease properties require that the tenants pay for most of a building's operating expenses, a low risk proposition for the landlord. It is also among the most diversified, with retail at 44% of its portfolio, restaurants 21%, office 18.5%, and industrial 16.5%. And while it has spent the last five or six years working to gain back investor trust, the new leadership team has basically lived up to every goal it has publicly set for itself.

The real draw here is that, with the legal headwinds behind it, VEREIT is getting ready to start growing its business again. And it looks cheap, with a price to adjusted funds from operations ratio of around 14, compared to peers that trade at over 20 times. Add in a 5.6% yield, and low-risk investors willing to dig into this REIT's story just a little bit should like what they find.

Sticking it out

Hormel, Enterprise, and VEREIT all provide a decent amount of dividend income backed by solid businesses. It's unlikely that a bear market will change that, giving you something tangible to hold onto even in the worst of times. If you are looking for low-risk investments, this trio is worth a deep dive today. It's likely that one or more could end up in your portfolio.
MBABANE  At least 166 SANU graduates want the High Court to order government to pay the institution E11 379 for each of them, which they allegedly owed before completing their studies.



The former students informed the court that when they graduated on October 30, 2019, instead of being given their academic certificates, they allegedly received statements showing how much they owed the institution.



According to the students, the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) allegedly increased tuition fees without consulting their sponsor, government, and withheld their certificates when they graduated because they owed the institution.



Fees



They submitted that the outstanding fees were in respect of the increment that was effected by SANU on their tuition. The veracity of these allegations is still to be tested in court. SANU is yet to file responding papers. The former students are represented by Leo Ndvuna Dlamini.



They also want the vice chancellor of SANU to be imprisoned for 30 days for failing to comply with a court order that was issued in 2018, which declared the unilateral increment of tuition fees by the institution invalid and unenforceable since the students were sponsored by government.



The affected students are 25 in Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery, 21 in Bsc Medical Laboratory Science, 21 in Pharmacy and 100 others.



Results



One of the former students, Zamokuhle Mamba informed the court that when the students were issued their final year results, they were allegedly given a Congratulations on your achievement letter and a statement of the outstanding tuition fees instead of their certificates. He said they were informed that they owed E11 379 each.

He stated that they signed similar scholarship agreement forms that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security shall pay their tuition fees to SANU. Mamba alleged that they were told that they would be given their certificates upon paying the outstanding fees, which is E11 379 per student.

The former students argued that the payment of the said outstanding fees would not be in line with the scholarship agreement that was entered into by the students and government.



The first and second respondents (vice chancellor and registrar of SANU) increased the fees chargeable against the dictates of the main sponsor being the third respondent (Labour PS) in terms of the Public Enterprises (Control and Monitoring) Act 1989, said Mamba. Mamba emphasised that they were fully sponsored by government and that their fees were paid directly to SANU in terms of the Standing Committee on Public Enterprises (SCOPE).



I verily believe that I have a clear right and we are entitled to be awarded the certificates and I am entitled to get the BSNM year 4 2018/19 because I have passed the final year course and I am sponsored by the thirst respondent.



Approval



I verily believe that the third respondent has fully paid all applicants fees. I verily believe that the applicants are owing the respective sums herein because the first respondent has illegally increased the fees without the approval of the sponsor being the third respondent.

The former students also argued that government fully paid SANU in terms of the approved sums between the vice chancellor and principal secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.



Mamba submitted that SANU allegedly increased the fees illegally and government should be held liable to pay the increased amount, which he said was raised without the approval of the main sponsor.

The conduct of the respondent is in contravention of the law as provided for in the Public Enterprise (Control and Monitoring) Act 1989.



Prison



The former students also want the vice chancellor and the registrar of SANU to show cause why they should not be sent to prison for contempt of court.

They further prayed for an order directing SANU to issue their academic certificates and to review and set aside the statements of their outstanding fees.

Mamba said the matter was urgent because the former students were denied their right of access to education by the vice chancellor who allegedly refused to issue their academic certificates.



In 2018, the government took SANU to the High Court seeking an order that the unauthorised increment of tuition fees at the time be declared invalid and unenforceable against Temalangeni Dlamini who was a student.



Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Thulani Mkhaliphi submitted in governments affidavit that SANU increased the tuition fees in excess of the stipulated limit without the required approval in terms of the Public Enterprises (Control and Monitoring) Act.



Therefore such action is contrary to the applicable legislations and cannot be imposed against the government or the students sponsored by government, he said.



He said Section 5 of the Higher Education Act 2013 provides for powers and functions of the Higher Education Council. The section regulates review and or advice by the council which shall not exceed the limit set in terms of the Public Enterprises (Control and Monitoring) Act.



Comply



The PS submitted that as a Category A public enterprise, SANU, being a tertiary institution, was susceptible to comply with the applicable regulatory frameworks.



Mkhaliphi told the court that SANU was precluded from making adjustments in excess of fees or charges without written approval of the SCOPE.

The court ordered that the unauthorised increment was invalid. The former students argued that SANU had defied this order. The matter is pending in court.
LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tightened his grip on the government Thursday with a Cabinet shake-up that triggered the unexpected resignation of his Treasury chief, the second-most powerful figure in the administration.

Sajid Javids resignation was the most dramatic moment i n a shuffle that saw Johnson fire a handful of Cabinet members he viewed as under-performing or untrustworthy, and promote loyal lawmakers to senior jobs.

Javid smiled as he entered the prime ministers 10 Downing St. office on Thursday morning to meet Johnson along with other ministers who were being promoted or kept in place. But a spokesman confirmed soon after that Javid had quit.

Speaking later, Javid said Johnson had asked him to fire all his aides and replace them with staff approved by the prime ministers office.

I dont believe any self-respecting minister would accept such conditions, Javid said.

I felt that I was left with no option other than to resign.

Johnson quickly replaced him with Rishi Sunak, who had previously been a deputy to Javid at the Treasury and is widely regarded as a dependable loyalist to the prime minister .

Johnsons office confirmed it was creating a new team of advisers covering both the prime ministers office and the Treasury.

Javids resignation followed reports he had clashed with Johnsons powerful adviser, Dominic Cummings, a self-styled political disruptor who is mistrusted by many lawmakers and officials.

Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge, said John McDonnell, finance spokesman for the opposition Labour Party.

Javid, who became Chancellor of the Exchequer when Johnson succeeded Theresa May as prime minister in July, had been due to deliver his first budget in less than a month  a crucial staging post for the government in the wake of the countrys departure from the European Union last month.

The prime ministers office could not confirm Thursday whether the budget would take place as scheduled on March 11.

In the wake of Brexit, Johnson has vowed to take a more interventionist economic approach than some of his Conservative predecessors in order t o boost poorer regions outside the economic hub of London and southeast England. That involves ambitious infrastructure plans, including a 100 billion-pound ($130 billion) high-speed railway connecting London to central and northern England.

Paul Dales, chief U.K. economist at Capital Economics, said Javid, a fiscal conservative, had appeared reluctant to increase public borrowing to fund higher spending.

He said Javids departure should allow the government to push through even bigger increases in public investment and perhaps resuscitate tax cuts that previously looked dead in the water.

That appeared to be the main sentiment in financial markets, as traders calculated that the higher spending would inevitably lead to the Bank of England having to raise interest rates more quickly than anticipated. The pound got a boost, trading 0.8% higher at $1.3058.

The resignation was a curve ball in a Cabinet shake-up that comes in the wake of the Conservatives big election win in December. That victory allowed Johnson to take Britain out of the EU last month, delivering on his key election promise.

Now his Conservative administration faces the even bigger challenge of negotiating a new trading relationship with the EU while also seeking trade deals with the United States and other countries.

Britain and the EU are aiming to have a deal covering trade, security and other areas in place by the time a post-Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31.

So far, the two sides are far apart in their demands. And even with a deal, the U.K. faces a huge adjustment when decades of seamless trade and travel with the EU end at the start of 2021.

Johnsons office had earlier said the Cabinet changes would be modest, and apart from Javid most senior ministers kept their jobs. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel, and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove were among those staying in post.

Several high-profile women in Johnsons government, including Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Housing Minister Esther McVey, were fired. Others were promoted, including Suella Braverman to the position of attorney general and Anne-Marie Trevelyan to the post of international development secretary.

Johnson also sacked Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith  another surprise move. Smith had been widely praised for helping to end political deadlock that left Northern Ireland without a regional government and assembly for three years. After pressure from the British and Irish governments, the main Irish nationalist and British unionist power-sharing parties returned to work last month.

Brandon Lewis, a former security minister, was named to replace him.

As well as reworking his Cabinet, Johnson appointed a new leader for the U.N. climate change conference that Britain is due to host later this year. The summit, known as the 26th Conference of the Parties, or COP26, is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.

Planning for that has got off to a rocky start, with Johnson last week firing Claire ONeill, a former British government minister appointed last year to head up the event.

The government said Thursday that Alok Sharma, previously in charge of international development, would become business secretary and also take charge of COP26.

___

Follow APs full coverage of Brexit and British politics at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit
(Bloomberg) -- Sign up for Next China, a weekly email on where the nation stands now and where it's going next.

Trip.com Group Ltd., Chinas biggest online travel service provider, is seeking to raise a $1.2 billion loan in a test of investor risk appetite as the leisure industry reels from the coronavirus outbreak.

The company is in talks with international and Chinese lenders for the facility, according to people familiar with the matter. The loan is for refinancing and working capital, said the people who are not authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be identified. Trip.com declined to comment in an emailed statement.

The loan comes amid challenges to its business following the new coronavirus that has claimed over 1,300 lives. More than 50 countries or territories have imposed travel restrictions and tightened visa requirements to contain the spread of the disease, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Trip.coms last loan was in July 2019 when it signed a $2 billion three-year facility, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.

--With assistance from Lulu Yilun Chen.

To contact the reporter on this story: Apple Lam in Hong Kong at alam271@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Chan Tien Hin at thchan@bloomberg.net, Finbarr Flynn

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 19:12:07|Editor: zh

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A cured patient waves goodbye to medical staff through the window of a bus at Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 13, 2020. Huoshenshan Hospital, a makeshift hospital built in Wuhan amid the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) epidemic, Thursday saw its first seven cured patients. (Photo by Fan Xianhai/Xinhua)

WUHAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Huoshenshan Hospital, a makeshift hospital built in Wuhan amid the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic, Thursday saw its first seven cured patients.

The cured patients walked out of the hospital without assistance on Thursday afternoon and were sent home by vehicles dispatched by the hospital.

Among the recovered was a 66-year-old patient, who bowed to medical workers to express appreciation before leaving.

The hospital has carried out personalized treatment plans, said Zhang Sibing, head of the hospital.

Zhang added that patients can receive comprehensive treatment services including nutritional therapy, psychological counseling and rehabilitation training.

After being built in 10 days in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, the hospital received its first batch of patients on Feb. 4. More than 1,000 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been admitted to the hospital as of the end of Wednesday.
The Coronavirus has created some debates, arguments and controversies among Muslim academics and jurists. Some argue that the spread of this deadly virus is nothing but a divine punishment. Others argue this is nothing but testing the Chinese government.





by Dr SLM Rifai Naleemi





How should we read, analyse and examine this natural calamity of coronavirus? As a Muslim community how should we respond to this natural disaster? How should we share our thoughts and ideas about this natural tragedy on Chinese people? How should we express our sympathy and empathy for the people of China in this difficult time?













Islam promotes a sense of universal human brotherhood. People of China are our brothers and sisters in humanity. Islam teaches us to take care of people in their suffering and difficulties, even if they do not share our faith and culture. Islam demands us to look after people when they are sick and difficult situations. Muslims all over the world must help people of China in this difficult situation. We are obliged morally and religiously to offer our moral and material support for all those who have been inflicted by this contagious virus in this way. Rather than expressing our sympathy and empathy in this difficult time, it is unfortunate to see some section of Muslim community to engage in some philosophical and religious arguments over this coronavirus.





This is not merely a problem of Chinese people alone rather this is a universal problem of humanity. It has become a humanitarian crisis that posts an existential threat not only for Chinese community rather for the international community. If this virus becomes an uncontrollable virus, it could post a greater danger for human family. At this crucial movement, there is no need to engage in any philosophical or theological argument about this problem. It could hurt feelings and sentiments of Chinese people. Instead of engaging in unnecessary polemic arguments, we must make special prayers and supplications to save people of China from this natural catastrophe. Yet, we notice Muslims are prejudicial and judgemental as if Almighty God has given them a special permission to speak on behalf of Him on this issue. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, tsunamis, outbreaks of plagues and diseases are taking place in accordance some physical and natural laws. We cannot rationalise divine wisdoms behind all these natural disasters. Yes, nothing happens in this world without a divine knowledge and without a divine permission. Yes, according to Islamic theology, even a leaf from a tree would not fall without divine knowledge.





Human beings cannot rationalise divine actions and divine acts. We cannot provide a rationalization for all divine actions. We can not ask God why He lets all these natural disasters take place?Quran tells us about God and His qualities. He cannot be called to account for anything He does, whereas, they will be called to account (Quran: 21:23). Commenting on this issue, Yasir Qadhi notes that No one among us is qualified to speak on behalf of Allah. We are not in a position to declare why something is happening. Or to link a general tragedy to specific evil. And we are not demonstrating mercy when we claim all the people being subjugated to this are being punished for a crime most of them have nothing to do with So, to claim that this calamity inflicted on Chinese people because their government has persecuted Uighur Muslims does not convince us that much.





The Coronavirus has created some debates, arguments and controversies among Muslim academics and jurists. Some argue that the spread of this deadly virus is nothing but a divine punishment. Some others argue this is nothing but a testing and warning for Chinese government. Some others argue this is nothing but a natural disaster like many other natural disasters. We should examine the different dimensions of this problem. There are some cultural, social, medical and religious dimensions attached to this problem. I do not deal with all those dimensions in detail here. Unlike, Judo-Christian and Muslim people, Chinese people eat many wild animals, insects and creatures. It is claimed that this virus has spread through human interaction with snakes, bats and other animals. It is claimed by some Muslims that Chinese people are eating some animals that are prohibited in Islamic law that is why this virus has spread. Quran and prophetic traditions have laid some general rules about eating animals. Each edible animals, insect and creatures are not mentioned in the primary sources of Islamic law. All what Quran says is that  ( Prophet) say,  in all that has been revealed to me I find nothing forbidden to people to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood, pigs meat-it is loathsome or a sinful offering over which any name other than Gods has been invoked (9:145). In addition to this, the prophetic traditions have alluded to some animals and birds that are forbidden to eat. The Prophet forbade the eating of any wild animals with a canine tooth. This includes predatory animals such as lions, wolves, dogs, and cats and of any bird with talons. This includes falcons, eagles and other similar birds. Yet, we can not make a generalization to say that Chinese people have eaten unlawful things in Islamic law and that is why they have been inflicted with this disease. One can argue that they have been eating all these animals for centuries and yet, this is the first time they have been inflicted with this disease. Moreover, people in Middle East and Africa did not eat dogs and snakes. Yet, they were inflicted similar virus such Mers and Ebola.





Some section of Muslim community believe that this contagious virus is a divine punishment for Chinese government for its atrocities against innocent Uighur Muslims. There is no secret that this Chinese Government has been persecuting over one million Uighur Muslims for no reason except they are Muslims. Islamic identity of this Muslim community has been wiped out, their names have been changed, their Islamic dress has been changed, their mosques have been demolished, their children have been separated from parents and Chinese officials have stopped Muslims from praying and fasting. They have burned down the holy Quran, they have been indoctrinated with Chinese communist ideology in their so called -Re-Education camp. It is reported Chinese government has written their version of Bible and Quran. It is reported that Uighur Muslim ladies have been raped and killed by Chinese armies. Chinese armies have been beating and torturing Muslims in this so-called modern world for no reason, but these people are Muslims. Yet, international community could not do anything about it. 1.6 billion Muslims in 53 Muslim countries could not do anything about it. The entire world-maintained silence over this broad day atrocity. UN could not do anything about it. Human right commissions could not do anything about it. over one million innocent Uighur Muslims are being tortured for no legal reason except they are Muslims. According to some Islamic scholars divine intervention comes down when there is not any human protection for innocent people. They argue that the entire world let them down and God intervened with his divine punishment on Chinese government by sending his army of Coronavirus. This is in fact, a theological and philosophical argument.





Quran tells us God sent his invisible forces (Quran: 9: 26). According to this group of Muslim scholars, this coronavirus is nothing but an invisible divine force that sends a warning to Chinese authorities. No doubt that contagious virus is has shaken Chinese establishment. It is reported that Chinese premier went to some Chinese mosques asking Muslims to pray for the country to recover from this disaster. According Bible and Quran the divine intervention comes down to earth when aggression, injustice and transgression exceed all divine limits and boundaries. The Holy Quran tell us how previous nations were destroyed when the rulers violently transgressed,the divine intervention came down in many occasions.





Just consider this verse.  Have you ( Prophet) considered how your Lord dealt with people of Ad of Iram the city the lofty pillars, whose like has never been made in any land and the Thamud, who hewed into the rocks into the valley, and the mighty and powerful pharaoh, all of them committed excesses in their land and spread corruption in there. Your Lord let a scourge of punishment on them and your Lord is always watchful. (Quran: 88: 6-8). This is supported by many verses in the Quran. corruption has flourished on land and sea as a result of peoples actions and He will make them to taste the consequence of some of their own actions so that they may return back Quran: 30;41. They claim that they Chinese authorities has inflicted heavy punishment on innocent Muslim people and yet, no one defended all these innocent people and yet, divine intervention came in support of these people to teach a lesson to all these aggressive Chinese armies. This is likeness of the concept of Karma in Buddhism and in some other religions. actions affect both doers and those around them in unimaginable ways.





This group of Islamic scholars argue that divine intervention comes on earth in many forms. It could be through natural disasters, it could be through calamites, it could be through infectious diseases like this. They make some sort of affinity and connection between divine punishment and human actions. They strongly believe that nothing happened on this universe without divine wisdom and without any reason. They believe that there is a reason for all incidents in this universe a big or small one. Some could argue that it is Chinese government that has done all this yet, this contagious virus is killing people indiscriminately babies, children, old and young. Why innocent Chinese peoplesuffer with this natural disaster for the wrongdoing of Chinese government? A lot of atheists and nonbelievers believe that there is not any connection between this virus and religion. They argue that this is a health problem rather than a religious problem. This virus does not discriminate between Muslims and Non-Muslims, between Chinese and non-Chinese rather this a humanitarian problem that humanity faces today. They strongly believe that there is no need to relate this virus with any religious faith.





Anyway, we should not be hastily judgmental on any natural disasters. Natural disasters can strike any nation, community and any individuals any times. China with its mighty armies and technology could not stand for an invisible virus. This tells a lot about weakness of man in front of mighty divine power. Modern man is so arrogant with his advancement in science and technology: He thinks he has conquered nature with his knowledge and yet, natural disasters like this reminds him of his weakness and powerlessness in front of Almighty God. This virus has sent a greater message to all dictatorial political leaders around the world. They behave arrogantly with their military and political power and yet, invisible virus like can teach them a memorable lesson in life. Will they learn any lesson from this?
The seemingly natural sparkle Anne Hathaway brings to her screen performances looks drained out of her for The Last Thing He Wanted, an adaptation of Joan Didions 1996 novel. This is apt. Hathaways journalist character Elena McMahon is an exemplary Didion heroine: a woman worn down to her last nerve.

Directed by Dee Rees (Mudbound), who wrote the screenplay with Marco Villalobos, the movie plunges Elena into the 1980s geopolitical turmoil around the United Statess funding of Contras in Nicaragua. Didions novel keeps historical details obscured: The book never mentions Ronald Reagan or his secretary of state, George Shultz. They appear here; Schultz, played by Julian Gamble, is practically a supporting character. Elenas misadventure motivation is personal: Her ailing father (Willem Dafoe) is himself a gun runner, and she imprudently chooses to carry out his last big score.
Thousands of candidates approved for parliamentary elections in Iran have launched their campaigns on February 13 ahead of voting next week. This comes even after the Iranian authorities reportedly prohibited thousands of others from running including reformists and moderates. The elections on February 21 come amid the most heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington in the last four decades.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has slammed the disqualifications of parliamentary elections. However, earlier this week while addressing Iranians at country's 41st anniversary, he insisted that the citizens should turn out for the voting in huge numbers. According to international reports, the vote will be seen as a test of the apparently moderate and pro-reform bloc led by the Iranian President who has struggled to deliver his promises.

Read - US Senate Debates Restricting Trump's Iran War Powers

The current Iranian parliament which has 290 members, was elected in 2016 and has more than 100 reformists and moderates. However, rest of the chamber is reportedly split between independents and conservatives. Iran's constitutional watchdog which approves the candidates reportedly barred at least 9,000 people from 16,000 who had initially applied in December last year. Therefore, currently, 7,000 candidates will be running in the parliamentary elections.

Economy crippled by sanctions

After even more than 40 years since the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, the country's economy has crippled as a result of heavy sanctions by the United States. If a larger number of people turn out for the vote next week, it will reportedly be seen as the confidence in Iran's Shiite theocracy which the country has tried to showcase amid the crisis with US President Donald Trump's administration.

Read - Iran Denies US Allegations On Its Satellite Launch, Calls It 'civilian Matter'

According to international reports, tensions with the US could further strengthen by reinforcement of long-embedded distrust of the Western countries. The relations between the two countries further degraded after American air raid near Baghdad's international airport killed General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) 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.

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 - Puducherry Assembly Passes Resolution Against CAA, Despite Obligation From LG Kiran Bedi

Read - Pentagon: 109 Troops Suffer Brain Injuries From Iran Strike

(With AP inputs)
An Army Chetak chopper on Thursday made an emergency landing at a village in Punjab's Roop Nagar district due to a technical snag, a senior police official said here.

The helicopter landed on a field in Ban Majra village around 11:30 am, he said.

He said all three crew members were safe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Centre to "keep in mind" the suggestions like having OTP authentication, instead of using biometrics, given by a court-appointed amicus curiae to prevent misuse of Aadhaar information.

"You (Centre) keep in mind the suggestions given by the amicus," a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar said.

The court also directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues Aadhaar numbers, that in instances of misuse, it should take action in accordance with the law and facts of each case.

With the direction, the bench disposed of a PIL initiated by the high court on its own while hearing a criminal case wherein a mobile shop owner had misused Aadhaar details of unwary customers to issue fresh SIM cards for use in fraudulent activities.

The shop owner, during Aadhaar verification of a SIM, used to make the customer give his thumb impression twice by saying it was not properly obtained the first time; the second round of authentication was then used for issuing a fresh connection to some third party, the high court had noted while initiating the PIL.

Subsequently, the high court had appointed senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and advocate Rushab Aggarwal as amicus curiae (friends of the court) to assist it in the matter.

The amicus, during the hearing, suggested that UIDAI should consider having OTP authentication instead of using biometrics where "security concerns are more pronounced" and "loopholes are easily accessible".

They also said that the authority should create awareness among the general public about the possible misuses of Aadhaar.

Besides that, they suggested putting in place a "cooling off period" between authentications, "to ensure that if multiple authentications take place in quick succession the UIDAI systems would not respond, and thus effectively blocking loopholes as is highlighted in the instant case".

The other suggestions proposed were that FIRs in such cases should be forwarded by the investigating agencies to UIDAI so that it has information of these loopholes and can create methods to address them.

The UIDAI should also file a complaint under the Aadhaar Act to ensure prosecution to the fullest extent of the persons who carry out such activities, they said.

The two lawyers also suggested that "incidents of this nature must be given wide publicity through both the UIDAI and the investigating agency as the scope/ nature of the breach cannot be adequately assessed without all concerned parties being put to notice."



"This would enable the general public to assess whether they were also victims and to take remedial action if necessary," they said.

The loophole in question was first noticed by a single judge of the high court while hearing the bail application moved by the shop owner in a cheating case lodged against him.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva had noted that the "loophole can not only have disastrous consequences for the said individual but also raises serious law and order issues and could have serious repercussions on the safety and security of the nation".

Noting the scope of misuse of the sensitive personal data, the judge had forwarded the matter to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to consider taking up the issue as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The court had also dismissed the mobile shop owner's bail plea.


If you are paying income tax, you are [currently] paying at the same rate as everybody else in this room and every other billionaire in the state, Harmon said. That is a rarity. Most every other state that imposes an income tax and the federal government has a fair tax. I think the flat tax is unfair.
General Insurance Corporation of India informed that it has obtained license from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation for its subsidiary company, GIC Perestrakhovanie, Moscow, for commencement of reinsurance business.

The scrip rose 2.08% to Rs 243.15. It traded in the range of Rs 239 and Rs 243.15 so far during the day.

The license was received by the corporation on 12 February 2020. The license enables subsidiary to commence transacting domestic and international reinsurance business in Russia based on the capital invested by the corporation.

The company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 1035.54 crore in Q3 December 2019 as compared to a net loss of Rs 377.34 crore in Q3 December 2018. Total incomes in the December quarter rose 20.3% YoY to Rs 10091.16 crore.

General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC RE) provides general insurance services. The company offers reinsurance products and solutions to direct general insurance companies which includes fire, marine, motor, engineering, agriculture, aviation, space, health, liability, credit, financial, and life insurance. It serves customers worldwide.

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A man who posed as an Uber driver has been jailed for sexually assaulting a terrified woman who tore skin off her body when she jumped from his moving car to escape the attack.

John Howard Waddell, 54, appeared in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to a range of offences including sexual assault, assaulting a police officer, and possession and distribution of child exploitation material.

Waddell flagged down the woman, 26, as she left Caboolture Station in Brisbane's north on September 11, 2018, and convinced her he was an Uber driver, according to the Sunshine Coast Daily.

John Howard Waddell, 54, flagged down a woman, 26, leaving Caboolture Station (pictured), north of Brisbane, before he fondled her which forced her to jump from a moving car

Prosecutor James Bishop said once they were inside the car Waddell entered her address into his phone's GPS and drove towards her home.

But as they drove he questioned the young woman about her sex life and continued past her home as she pleaded with him to stop the car.

Waddell fondled the woman's breast while swearing at her before she escaped by jumping from the moving car.

'As she took off her seatbelt, Waddell grabbed the back of her pants to attempt to stop her escaping,' Mr Bishop said.

'She opened the door and jumped from the car, hitting her head and torso, causing a sprained ankle and her skin to be torn away from her left hip and torso area.'

When police finally caught up with Waddell that October, he bit a police officer on the wrist during the arrest.

When police finally caught up with Waddell in October he bit a police officer on the wrist during the arrest (stock image of Uber ride share vehicle)

After searching his phone, police discovered a stash of child porn.

They also found Waddell had attempted to groom two young girls and asked them to send naked pictures of themselves to him.

Waddell's lawyer, Matt Jackson, claimed the child porn was simply Waddell 'messing around' online and noted his client had a mild intellectual disability.

Chief Judge Kerry OBrien said he struggled to determine the appropriate sentence given Waddell's range of crimes.

Waddell was sentenced to four years in jail with immediate parole as he had already spent 17 months in prison.
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI  Several blogs are claiming the California-based Hells Angels motorcycle club has recently set up a charter in mid-Michigan.

On Feb. 8, the website www.gangsterreport.com reported the Hells Angels in January opened their first Michigan charter near Mount Pleasant in Isabella County. The charter is reportedly dubbed the Hells Angels Michigan Nomads.

The article, credited to Scott Burnstein, cites an announcement on the clubs website as the source of the information. A brief line on www.hells-angels.com states a new charter was established in Michigan in February. A map on the website shows a charter established in Michigan in 2020. The location shown on the map is closer to Lansing than Mount Pleasant. No additional details are provided.

The rival Outlaws motorcycle club has four chapters in Michigan, specifically in Bay City, Grand Rapids, and two in Detroit, according to their website.

Isabella County Sheriff Mike Main on Thursday said he has read the report about the Hells Angels and has looked into its claims.

I can tell you, weve seen nothing, Main said. Weve received no actual intelligence indicating such. Anything could happen and well keep our eyes open and monitor the situation.

Mount Pleasant police echoed the sheriffs sentiment.

We actually have nothing to support that that is occurring at all," said Officer Autume Balcom, the Mount Pleasant Police Departments public information officer. We have no information on that. We have run it by a couple of people in the department and our detectives, but we just have no information to support that.

MLive was unable to reach a Hells Angels representative or Burnstein.

The first Hells Angels club was founded in 1948 in the Fontana/San Bernadino area of California, according to the organizations website. Since then, the club has expanded its presence to 26 states and dozens of countries worldwide.
The coronavirus is "the worst enemy you can ever imagine" and poses a greater global threat than terrorism, the World Health Organisation has warned.

Urging the world to "wake up" and be as aggressive as possible in tackling the outbreak, the UN health agency has given a new name to the disease that has sickened more than 44,600 people.

It is now going to be officially known as COVID-19 - CO stands for corona, VI for virus, D for disease and 19 for the year it emerged.

Chinese health officials have expressed hope that the outbreak will be over in April, but the head of the World Health Organisation was far less optimistic.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the first vaccine for COVID-19 was 18 months away, adding: "To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, social and economic upheaval than any terrorist attack. It's the worst enemy you can imagine."

WHO officials added that they have gone to great lengths to ensure the name did not refer to a geographical location, animal or group of people.

In other developments:

Details of British cases emerge

The Department of Health has stressed that all services at Worthing Hospital - including surgeries and outpatient appointments - are continuing normally despite an A&E worker being diagnosed with COVID-19.

It is understood this is not the same person as the locum doctor working in Brighton, who is also one of the eight confirmed cases in the UK .

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Meanwhile, two prisoners at HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire are being held in isolation as they are tested for the coronavirus - and access to that wing has been restricted.

The prison, which has capacity for 1,114 inmates, remains operational.

Thai officials have told Sky News that they do not believe the prisoner who was transferred to the UK had coronavirus when he left the country.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that anyone concerned about the coronavirus should "simply take the advice" of the NHS.

Story continues

He added: "We are a great country, we have got a fantastic NHS, we have got fantastic doctors."

The British man believed to be a "superspreader" of the coronavirus has said he has fully recovered after being diagnosed in Brighton on 6 February with COVID-19.

Steve Walsh contracted the virus while at a business conference in Singapore before going to the French Alps for a ski holiday, and then returning to his home in Hove, East Sussex.

The 53-year-old appears to have unwittingly infected 11 other Britons who were in France with him. Five of those Britons are now in the UK, five are in France and one is in Majorca.

He is still in quarantine at St Thomas' Hospital in London, and said in a statement: "I would like to thank the NHS for their help and care - whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus."

New cases confirmed on cruise ship

Japan's health ministry has said that 39 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed on the cruise ship currently quarantined off the coast of Yokohama.

Foreign nationals are among the latest people to be diagnosed.

A total of 174 cases have now been identified aboard the Diamond Princess - a British man who was on his honeymoon is among them.

Health officials have been conducting medical checks on all of the ship's 3,700 passengers and crew - but a quarantine officer is among those who have now fallen ill.

A total of 78 British passport holders are on board the luxury cruise liner, and a 14-day quarantine continues.

Economic impact

Stock markets around the world surged to record highs on Tuesday after Zhong Nanshan, a Chinese medical adviser who played a role in combating the SARS outbreak in 2003, predicted that COVID-19 cases will peak this month.

But even if the epidemic ends soon, the coronavirus will have a lasting impact on China's economy.

Some companies have already begun to lay off workers, while others say they will need loans running into billions of dollars if they are going to stay afloat.

There is another dilemma. The virus could further spread if businesses start reopening in China - but if they don't, there are fears that medical supplies could run low.

Postal operators in the US, China and elsewhere have also said that the suspension of flights is having a major impact on global flows of letters and parcels.

Reports suggest that top health officials in Hubei province, where the city of Wuhan is based, have been relieved of their duties following criticism their response to the crisis was too slow and ineffective.

'Too early to say epidemic is in decline' - analysis by Thomas Moore, science correspondent

It's far too soon to say that the COVID-19 epidemic in China is in decline.

Figures released by the country's health ministry show there were 2,015 new cases in the last 24 hours, down from 2,478 the previous day and 3,062 the day before that.

But two days of declining numbers isn't long enough to point to a trend.

New cases have been fluctuating up and down from day to day for the last week: 3,694 to 3,143 to 3,399 to 2,656 to 3,062 to 2,478 to 2,015.

It may be that the travel restrictions extended Chinese New Year holiday and factory closures have interrupted the transmission, as they were designed to do.

But it may also be that reports of new cases take longer to filter through from some parts of China, so they are coming in batches.

Diseases also have a habit of flaring up again, just like a wildfire.

Some factories are beginning to reopen, which will give the virus new opportunities to spread.

Epidemiologists are extremely cautious about claiming victory over a disease.



With the Ebola epidemic in West Africa the World Health Organisation waited 42 days with no cases - twice the incubation period - before declaring it over.
The Moroccan police of the Northern city of Tetouan arrested on Wednesday a 20-year old man and his mother, 48, accused of being suppliers of a dealer who was nabbed earlier in possession of 18,000 Rivotril psychotropic tablets.

The young man was arrested near his home in Sidi Boughaba district in Fnideq, Northern Morocco, says a press release issued by the National police.

Search carried out in his home led to the seizure of 7,020 ecstasy pills and over $5000 cashed from the sale of the recreational drugs. His mother was already wanted by the Casablanca police for similar criminal acts.

Ecstasy pills can sometimes kill drug takers but more commonly induce nausea, panic, paranoia and agitation. Experts warn the drug is getting stronger, leading to a rise in the number of people going to hospital for treatment for mental and behavioral issues.

Convinced of the necessity of a comprehensive approach to combat drug-related issues, Morocco has adopted an anti-drug strategy seeking to fight traffickers, distribution networks, suppliers and consumers.

This strategy also focuses on prevention, education, medical treatment of addicts, creation of job opportunities for the youth and speeding of socioeconomic development of vulnerable zones.
Coronavirus epidemic has spread panic across the globe and if the World Health Organisation is to be believed, rightly so. WHO has warned that the coronavirus outbreak is the 'worst enemy you can ever imagine' and is a greater threat to humanity than terrorism.

China is hoping that the virus--that has officially infected 44,500 people and claimed the lives of more than 1000--will be contained by April.

Daily Mail

But according to WHO's director general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the coronavirus epidemic might go on for more than a year. A vaccine could take at least 18 months to develop, he said addressing the 400 scientists and experts gathered in Geneva to look for solutions to the crisis.

To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, social and economic upheaval than any terrorist attack. It's the worst enemy you can imagine, Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

Daily Mail

A top Hong Kong medical official recently predicted that the coronavirus could infect more than 60 per cent of the world's population if containment methods fail and the virus hits its spread potential.

People who are taking the epidemic lightly, sneaking out of Wuhan and China to enter other countries without any screening are putting more and more people at risk and that's one of the main reasons why containment methods by countries might fail.

Reuters

It should be treated seriously and precautions should be taken even by the general public in order for it to remain contained.
A third teenage boy has been arrested and charged over the alleged murder of an auctioneer and father-of-three who was found dead in bushland after using the dating app Grindr.

The body of Peter Keeley, 56, was discovered in Broulee on the New South Wales South Coast on February 2.

It is understood Mr Keeley was found close to a Honda Jazz he had driven there and that his legs and wrists were tied together with duct tape.

Peter Keeley's (pictured) body was discovered near bushland in Broulee, on the NSW South Coast on February 2

Police believe the 56-year-old arranged a meetup on Grindr before driving two hours from Canberra to Batemans Bay, just north of Broulee, that morning.

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested in the Broulee area about 6am on Thursday and charged with the murder of the Canberra father.

NSW Police said they arrested a third teenage boy in the same area just before 3pm and also charged him with murder.

Police believe the 56-year-old arranged a meetup on Grindr before driving two hours from Canberra to Batemans Bay, just north of Broulee, that morning

Two 17-year-old boys were earlier arrested on Thursday and charged over the murder of Mr Keeley

Images showed the boys being led out of their homes in handcuffs by investigators. A third teenage boy has been arrested on Thursday afternoon over the alleged murder of the auctioneer

He was also charged with detaining in company with the intent to occasion actual bodily harm.

Officers have seized mobile phones, laptops and other electronic equipment following the three search warrants.

Police footage showed the boys arrested earlier being led out of their homes in handcuffs.

One of the boys was barefoot as he made his way towards a police car.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told news.com.au one of the boys was still a school student and 'their parents were present' during the search warrants.

A post mortem examination was inconclusive but found Mr Keeley suffered head and facial injuries.

A post mortem examination was inconclusive but found Mr Keeley suffered head and facial injuries

Speaking to the media two days after Mr Keeley's body was found, NSW Homicide Squad Commander Doherty said Grindr may have played a role in the death.

'Upon arriving in Batemans Bay, we believe this man may have been using the dating app Grindr to meet with another person before his body was found,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

According to Nine News, Mr Keeley had been a 'successful auctioneer'.

When his body was found, he was wearing a dark blue sleeveless fitted t-shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers.

Mr Keeley's family released a statement thanking police for their support.

The Canberra father's body was discovered near bushland in Broulee, on the NSW South Coast, about 4.50pm on February 2

'Our family is devastated and still coming to terms with the fact we have lost Peter,' the statement read.

'All that can be said is we have been deeply affected by this tragedy and we are still grieving.

'We are grateful for the overwhelming support from family and friends.

'Thank you to the NSW Police Force and ACT Police detectives who have supported our family during this terrible time.

'As we continue to process this news, our family has requested privacy at this time to allow us to support Peter's children.'
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While she announced plans to officially end her 22-year marriage to Colin Firth in December, the pair have remained friendly exes.

And Livia Firth, 50, looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out for a special screening and reception for Greed in London on Thursday evening.

The Italian beauty wowed as she arrived at the English capital's Ham Yard Hotel a black top with bell sleeves, which she teamed with an eye-catching patterned skirt.

Night on the town: Livia Firth stepped out for a special screening and drinks reception for Greed, held at London's Ham Yard Hotel on Thursday evening

Teaming her ensemble with opaque black tights and matching booties, the environmental activist accessorised with large hoop earrings, while she styled her brunette tresses in a sleek bun with a centre parting.

She mingled with a host of well-heeled guests, including Steve Coogan and Michael Winterbottom at the screening of the British comedy, which tells the story of billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie (Coogan) whose retail empire is in crisis.

A satire on wealth, much of the film centres around Richard's 60th birthday party which takes place on the island of Mykonos.

The ex factor: Her night out comes two months after it was announced that her 22-year marriage to Colin Firth was officially coming to an end. Pictured together in May 2019

Chic: The Italian beauty wowed as she arrived at the English capital's Ham Yard Hotel a black top with bell sleeves, which she teamed with an eye-catching patterned skirt

Sophie Cookson plays Richard's daughter Lily in the flick while Isla Fisher stars as his ex wife Samantha.

Shirley Henderson, Pixie Lott, Stephen Fry and David Mitchell all also have roles in the film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Last month, Livia and Colin Firth, 59, proved they were friendly exes as they teamed up to host a special screening of The Great Hack in London.

The screen star and his estranged wife posed for snaps with their industry pals as they discussed the documentary - based on the FacebookCambridge Analytica data scandal in early 2018.

In good company: She mingled with a host of well-heeled guests, including (L-R) Steve Coogan and Michael Winterbottom at the screening of the British comedy

Storyline: A satire on wealth, Greed tells the story of billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie (Coogan) whose retail empire is in crisis

The former couple appeared in great spirits alongside former intelligence officer Christopher Steele, author Carole Cadwalladr, and filmmaker Mike Lerner, after insisting they would maintain a 'close friendship' following the split.

Amid the news of their split, Colin and Livia said they remain 'united in their love for their children' almost two years after it emerged she had an affair with her childhood friend.

Actor Colin confirmed the news in a statement late last year, and insisted he would maintain a 'close friendship' with Livia.

The couple have been married for 22 years, and share two sons, Luca, 18, and Matteo, 16.

Chilling: Livia shared an image of Colin and their friends sat out on their deckchairs in the sunshine, presumably taken on New Years Day

A statement from their publicists said: 'Colin and Livia Firth have separated. They maintain a close friendship and remain united in their love for their children. They kindly ask for privacy. There will be no further comment'.

Their split comes after it was revealed in March last year that Livia was alleged to have had a year-long affair with Italian journalist Marco Brancaccia.

She sparked a police investigation after claiming her childhood friend Mr Brancaccia harassed her with a 'frightening' barrage of messages.

The Oscar-winner confronted his wife over a 'heartbreaking and malicious' email from her ex-lover in March 2018.

Confirmed: Actor Colin confirmed the news of their marriage ending in a statement in December, and insisted he would maintain a 'close friendship' with Livia

The message contained revelations 'designed to wound' the King's Speech star - who has maintained a dignified silence over the affair.

At the time, a friend of Colin said: 'This guy Marco basically told Colin everything he had been doing with his wife for a year. The email was a detailed diatribe, humiliated Colin and was designed with no other motive than to wound.

'He described intimate meetings that would devastate any husband  no matter what the state of their marriage. And he did so with the misguided and hopeless belief he could destabilise the efforts being made by Colin and Livia to sort things out.

Rumoured: Their split comes after it was revealed last year that Livia was alleged to have been having an affair with Italian journalist Marco Brancaccia (pictured)

'Colin presented this to his wife and in what must have been a very difficult confrontation. But he is the man that he is and has maintained his dignity throughout.'

As well as the email to the screen star, his wife claimed she received phone calls, lived in terror and believed she was being followed.

The brunette also said emails containing pictures of her were sent to her 57-year-old husband after the pair reunited.

But Mr Brancaccia, 55, told The Times that she had invented the claims to cover up their affair, which happened between 2015 and 2016.

Family: The pair, pictured together at the London premiere of the sequel to Mamma Mia! in July last year, have two children together called Luca, born in 2001, and Matteo, born in 2003

A spokesman for the couple at the time said: 'A few years ago Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate. During that time Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr Brancaccia. The Firths have since reunited.

'Subsequently, Mr Brancaccia carried out a frightening campaign of harassment over several months, much of which is documented. For obvious reasons, the Firths have never had any desire to make this matter public.'

The Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA winner shares a son with former partner Meg Tilly, his co-star in the film Valmont.

The pair, who have a home in Chiswick, London, and Umbria, Italy, are often seen together at red carpet events.
Preeja Prasad By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Karnataka bandh called by the Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkuta on Thursday, is unlikely to hit many services in Bengaluru. The bandh has been called to demand the implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report, which recommends job reservations to Kannadigas in the state in both the private and public sector.

Meanwhile, CM BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday invited pro-Kannada organizations for talks to discuss their demands on the implementation of the Dr Sarojini Mahishi Committee report and appealed to them to call off the bandh.

Bangalore University and Bangalore Central University postgraduate exams which were to be conducted on Thursday have been postponed, while Primary and Secondary Education Minister Suresh Kumar said government schools will function normally, but the respective District Commissioners may take a call.

College students may enquire with their respective college managements whether colleges would remain open or not in their respective towns and cities.

Public transportation including the Namma Metro and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will function as normal. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) staff and workers associations have stated that they will not be taking part in the protest but are in full support of the bandh.

However, cab services including those from cab aggregators and autos may take a hit from 6 am to 6 pm as those who are part of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Union and Jai Bharatha Vehicle Owners and Drivers Association will be taking part in the bandh.

Top cop warns against damage to property

We have asked for a shutdown in the state but departments have not complied. We have had a meeting with the Chief Minister and DyCM two months ago but so far nothing has been done. Over 15,000 supporters are expected to take part in the protest. We are demanding a 75 per cent reservation, H B Nagesh, Okkuta president, told The New Indian Express. Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao told the media that stern action would be taken if public property is targeted.

KSRTC Managing Director Shivayogi Kalasad said buses will run as per schedule. We are hopeful and confident about it. We also appeal to the law enforcement officers to ensure protection of the buses as it is public property, he said.

The Karnataka government under Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde had appointed a committee in 1983 which was led by MP Sarojini Mahishi to look into reservation for Kannadigas in the state.

The report was finalised in 1986 and it recommended job reservations for Kannadigas in government jobs, public sector units and even in the private sector. It made 58 recommendations. Of these, 45 recommendations were accepted by the state government for implementation.

Services to be hit

Ola, Uber, taxis and autorickshaws

Services running

KSRTC, Namma Metro, BMTC, Govt schools and colleges, banks

Milk and essentials wont be affected
U.S. authorities had been seeking to extradite McCallum from Pakistan, where she was believed to be living, to stand trial in the slaying of her husband, Robert Caraballo. In 2002, he was beaten and suffocated, and his body was dumped and burned in a blueberry patch in western Michigan.
Failed Presidential candidate hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Stephen Atubiga claims Ghanaians are facing intense economic hardship under President Akufo-Addos administration.

Stephen Atubiga pointed out that despite the promises by the NPP to give Ghanaians a comfortable life, many people are worse off now than they were before the last elections.

According to him, the NPP Government is even worse than any government Ghana has ever had.

"Although some past governments were referred to like ones that superintended over economic hardships, the difficult times Ghanaians are currently living in under the Akufo-Addo administration is the worst, in many years, Stephen Atubiga exclusively told Kwame Tutu on Anopa Nkomo on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7.

He therefore called on Ghanaians to throw their support behind John Dramani Mahama for victory in 2020.

According to him, the economic mismanagement by the Akufo-Addo administration has brought untold hardship on teachers, drivers, traders, farmers, and public sector workers, among others.

He stressed that Ghanaians are going through hardship forcing the youth to engage in illegal activities to feed themselves with such acts beginning to fester on.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday addressed the media about the status and action taken by the government on the deadly Coronavirus. He said that travel advisories have been disseminated regularly by the government, along with guidance for self-reporting if symptoms are observed. He also mentioned that the Government of India is in touch with Japan regarding the two Indian crew members on board the quarantined Diamond Princess ship who have tested positive.

This address comes after high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) reviewed the current status, and actions for prevention and management of the Novel Coronavirus at Nirman Bhawan in Delhi.

'Strong surveillance mechanism'

Addressing the media, Harsh Vardhan said, "India was probably the first country to issue a travel advisory and to strengthen state machinery for a response to Coronavirus (COVID2019) on January 17 itself. Detailed guidelines were issued to all states."

He added, "The thermal screening was started at four international airports right after the travel advisory on January 17. This is now extended to 21 airports. Sturdy advisories for screening travellers across the Nepal border have been shared with the States bordering it. Travel Advisories have been disseminated regularly, along with guidance for self-reporting if symptoms are observed. Along with 645, seven Maldives citizens have been evacuated from Wuhan. They have been found to be negative for Coronavirus, and are being monitored."

READ | Two Passengers Put In Isolation For Suspected Coronavirus At Kolkata Airport

"We are sending some medicines and supplies to China as a goodwill gesture in its efforts against the virus. We have a very strong surveillance mechanism under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network which does contact tracing for prevention of the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. Persons kept in isolation are for precautionary measure, and are not necessarily persons having the virus," he added.

READ | Coronavirus Death Toll Surges As China Alters Method Of Diagnosis

Further speaking about the Indians stuck on the cruise ship off the Japan coast, he said, "All 402 people kept in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) quarantine facility have tested negative and their condition is stable. Ship Diamond Princess (of Japan) has been quarantined. Two Indian crew members on board the ship tested positive. The Ministry of External Affairs is keeping a close watch on it. We are coordinating and in touch with Japan, but we cannot force them to send our people from there. Till date, 2,51,447 airport passengers have been screened. Screening also being done at 12 major and 65 minor ports."

"Total of 1756 samples have been tested so far. More than 4000 calls have been received on the 24*7 Control Room Helpline number. We have been extending help and support to Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. 3 persons who tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala now stable. We are monitoring the 3 cases in India very minutely. We have traced their contact history. We are really grateful that everybody is contributing. We are doing everything, so do not panic," Vardhan stated.

READ | 2nd Case Of New Coronavirus Confirmed Among China Evacuees

READ | China: Various Hotlines Spring Up As Coronavirus Fears Take Toll On Public's Mental Health

Centre
Missile Fired at Base Hosting US Troops in Kirkuk, Iraq: Officials

A missile fired at a military base hosting U.S. troops near Kirkuk, Iraq, on Wednesday caused few losses, according to Iraqi military officials.

At least one missile landed inside the K-1 base and caused no significant losses, said Iraqs official Security Media Cell, which falls under the jurisdiction of the prime ministers office.

Security forces are conducting a search operation to search for the perpetrators, the officials wrote, adding that they found a launching base carrying 11 missiles that have not yet been fired. The seized materials have been dealt with.

The base in Kirkuk houses U.S. forces. A similar missile attack in December killed an American contractor, prompting the United States to launch an airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. Top White House officials said Soleimani was plotting more attacks on American assets.

In the December attack, about 30 missiles were reportedly fired at the K-1 base, which the United States blamed on Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization. Days later, the United States launched attacks on Kataib Hezbollah, triggering a response from an angry mob and Iran-backed militia groups who tried to storm the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, according to the State Department.

Iran then fired about two dozen missiles at two Iraqi airbases that house American troops, leaving about 100 with mild brain injuries, according to Pentagon officials in updates weeks later. However, the K-1 base wasnt one of the facilities that Tehran attacked.

The K-1 base, located northwest of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, was built by the Iraqi government before it was taken over by U.S. forces following the 2003 invasion that also toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein. The base was briefly captured by the ISIS terrorist organization in 2014 before Kurdish forces pushed them out. Iraqi special forces have since controlled the base, and it has hosted U.S. and coalition personnel to fight ISIS.

U.S. troops belonging to the same anti-ISIS coalition said they came under fire in northern Syria on Wednesday and were forced to open fire.

After coalition troops issued a series of warnings and de-escalation attempts, the patrol came under small arms fire from unknown individuals in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, said Colonel Myles Caggins, a spokesman for the coalition, in a statement on Wednesday. Out of self-defense, the patrol returned fire and the situation was de-escalated, he said.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a resolution that would seek to curb President Donald Trumps war powers with Iran, saying the president would need to get Congressional approval first. The measure is expected to be vetoed.
[February 13, 2020] Sweet Launches New Mobile App Providing a More Accessible, Affordable Phone Service

Insurgent phone service startup raises $3 million to become the first mobile service to offer customers the ability to join in seconds, save and get personalized service 24/7 DETROIT, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sweet , the modern phone service that helps people save, today announced the launch of its mobile app that finds users a better phone plan in seconds. Its estimated Americans will overpay by $60 billion this year alone for phone services. Sweet aims to tackle this issue by evaluating the user's current phone usage, coverage, and device requirements and creating a personalized plan for that specific customer. In todays day and age, there is simply no reason people should be fighting for a good experience and a fair price  thats where Sweet comes in, said Hunter Rosenblume, Sweet CEO. At Sweet, we're building a phone service that works for you, not against you." Sweet handles all of the work finding the best phone plan deal for its customers, while leaving the work of building networks and providing dependable service to the major networks. The app is now available on iOS and Android  users can sign up in three easy steps that take an average of 2.2 minutes and get a personalized plan in only 60 seconds. With the 1-Tap Switch tool, Sweet connects with th users provider, including all of the nations largest networks, to confirm the switch. Before committing to a new plan, Sweet users will be able to see their new price, device compatibility and coverage plans. No contracts, commitments or credit checks are required to switch  and to top it off, Sweet only recommends plans that allow users to keep their current phone.



We are committed to offering our users an experience that provides both speed and convenience, said Neil Shah, Sweet Chief Product Officer. Sweet is fundamentally customer-first and the design of the app not only helps users save money, but also revolutionizes how the entire phone service experience works. The company has raised a total of $7 million in funding to-date, with efforts led by former CEO and Chairman of AOL, Steve Case. The funds will be put toward product development, expanding service features, partner integrations, marketing campaigns and scale operations.

Sweets mission is to build a phone service that people trust and love. In doing so, Sweet recognizes phone service is complicated and switching is never easy. If users have trouble switching, or are not happy with their new service within 30 days of payment, Sweet will issue a refund. Finding users a better, more affordable phone plan is the ultimate goal. About Sweet

Sweet is a modern phone service that helps people lower their phone bills and get a better plan. The company is the first mobile service where customers can join in seconds, save, and get personalized service 24/7. Founded in 2019 by CEO Hunter Rosenblume, Sweets mission is to provide accessible, affordable phone service for everyone. Download the Sweet app from the Play Store or App Store for Android and iOS devices, or visit Sweet online at www.savewithsweet.com . Media Contact

Praytell, [email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1aa2020-101b-4460-a059-d80490cb9631 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2beae0a-be57-4c9b-8281-2b474943a5a0

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U.S. Attorney William McSwain, center, compared Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, left, and District Attorney Larry Krasner, right, to slave owners who sparked the Civil War and Southern segregationists who opposed civil rights. Read more

U.S. Attorney William McSwain on Wednesday invoked the memory of President Abraham Lincoln to compare Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner to slaveholders who sparked the Civil War and Southern segregationists who opposed civil rights.

His reasoning? Kenney and Krasner support a sanctuary city policy in immigration matters, as well as legal supervised injection sites for opioid users  in contravention of what McSwain cited as the supremacy of federal law.

What an amazing concept, McSwain told about 500 people gathered for lunch at the Union Leagues annual Lincoln Day celebration. Its one that would have elated those who opposed the desegregation of lunch counters. Or those who told Rosa Parks to go to the back of the bus. Or those who stood in the schoolhouse doorway to prevent African American children from entering. And this concept would have absolutely thrilled Southern slave owners, a sanctuary from federal law where they can continue their practice of human bondage.

McSwain praised Lincoln and the Union Army that won the Civil War, before suggesting that fight goes on.

The secessionists who fled Union authority during our national Civil War may be gone, but they are not forgotten, he said. "They did not fight in vain. No, their mind-set and their spirit live on right here in Philadelphia, in the cradle of liberty. Their spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those who would make our city a sanctuary city.

Sanctuary cities decline requests from federal agencies to detain people who are in the United States illegally but scheduled to be released from jail, unless the agency seeks a warrant from a judge. Supervised injection sites offer places where opioid users can inject drugs, surrounded by offers of treatment for addiction and medical assistance to prevent overdoses.

McSwain received a standing ovation from the crowd after his speech but declined to comment about the escalation of his rhetoric in an ongoing conflict with Kenney and Krasner.

In a statement, Kenney noted that federal judges have sided with the city on the policies McSwain complained about. Kenney aimed higher up the power chain, at McSwains bosses, President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Barr.

Thousands of children remain separated from their families because of the policies of the Trump Administration, and yet Mr. McSwains boss, the Attorney General, continues to further politicize the Department of Justice and degrade our democracy by doing the personal bidding of the President, Kenney said. And how dare Mr. McSwain, of all people, invoke the name of a true American hero like Rosa Parks and others who fought against racial injustice, when everyday he crusades for a President who personifies racism and bigotry.

Krasner spokesperson Jane Roh touted the dedicated prosecutors in her office and said targeting undocumented people for deportation does not improve safety in the city.

We do not have time to engage in slap fights with a Trump appointee whose desperate attempts to make a name for himself get more bizarre by the day, Roh said in a statement. We are proud to serve a city of immigrants in a nation of immigrants. Any public official who does not share these Philly values should do us all a favor and leave.

McSwain has previously accused Krasner of enabling violent crime in the city and knocked Kenney for the release from jail of a man in the country illegally, even after a federal agency obtained a warrant.

McSwain, who quoted extensively in his speech from addresses Lincoln made in 1863 at Gettysburg and in 1838 at Lyceum, also lamented the citys history of political corruption, including three currently imprisoned politicians: former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, former District Attorney Seth Williams, and former Sheriff John Green.

He also cited two City Council members  Bobby Henon and Kenyatta Johnson  who are still on the job while under federal indictment, facing corruption charges.

Our mayors reaction to this is complete indifference, McSwain said of the indictments. But the City Council president reaction to this was even worse. [Darrell Clarke] has rewarded both of these councilmen with a promotion, handing them plumb committee assignments and chairmanships.

Clarke last month said, The lineups in terms of committees were assigned based on, one, an individuals willingness to serve, and, two, their ability to serve.

McSwain, a Republican, made no mention of political parties in his speech. The elected officials he criticized are all Democrats.
The EVIPA was passed with 407 votes for, 188 against and 53 abstentions; and the EVFTA, with 401, 192 and 40, respectively.

The EVFTA is expected to create a major push for Vietnams exports, helping diversify the countrys exports and markets. Under the agreement, Vietnam will cut 65 percent of import tax on EU commodities right after the deal takes effect, while the rest will be erased in a 10-year period.

Meanwhile, the EU will cut more than 70 percent of tariff on Vietnams commodities right after the deal takes effect, while the rest will be abolished in the seven subsequent years.

The two documents were signed in Hanoi on June 30 last year. They include intensive, extensive and comprehensive commitments covering the fields of economy, trade, investment and sustainable development issues.

According to a research by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the two deals will help Vietnam increase its GDP by 4.6 percent and its exports to the EU by 42.7 percent by 2025. Meanwhile, the European Commission has projected the EUs GDP to increase by US$29.5 billion and its exports to Vietnam by 29% by 2035.

The investment intensive and extensive commitments will replace bilateral investment agreements between Vietnam and the EU members, helping the country continue to reform its economic structure, perfect business environment and institutions, and facilitate EU investors business in Vietnam.
Russia on Thursday announced the death at 103 of veteran Soviet spy Alexei Botyan, whom it hailed as a hero for "saving" the Polish city of Krakow from the Nazis, although Poland disputes Moscow's version of events.

Russia's SVR military intelligence agency said Botyan, who lived in Moscow, had died after turning 103 on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences, saying he always admired Botyan's "daring, patriotism and courage," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

According to the SVR's account, in January 1945, "Lieutenant Alyosha" -- as he was affectionately called by locals -- helped blow up a munitions depot containing explosives the Nazis planned to use to destroy a dam and flood Krakow.

The SVR said Botyan considered his role in helping save the picturesque city the crowning achievement of his life.

Putin awarded Botyan Russia's highest medal, the Hero of Russia, in 2007, telling the veteran: "Old Krakow -- Europe's most beautiful city -- was preserved for Poland and the entire world culture in many ways thanks to your personal courage."



Russia has played up Botyan's exploits in recent years under Putin's rule even though the story of his saving Krakow doesn't always align with other historic accounts.

Poland's post-war Communist authorities did not attribute Botyan a key role in their propaganda despite awarding him the Order of the Virtuti Militari, the highest honour for military feats.

"Polish historians generally question the Russian version of events, a version that appeared (only) when Vladimir Putin was in power," wrote daily Rzeczpospolita when Botyan was honored in Moscow on his 100th birthday.

Another Polish daily, Gazeta Wyborcza, said that in the Russian official narrative Botyan had replaced another Soviet agent, the Ukrainian Yevgen Berezniak, who was also hailed for his role in saving Krakow.

Born in 1917, Botyan grew up in a rural family in Poland in an area that is now part of Belarus.

When World War II broke out in 1939, he served in an air-defence unit of the Polish army. After his unit surrendered to Soviet troops, Botyan joined the Red Army and became a Soviet citizen, the SVR said.

After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, Botyan joined the NKVD secret police and was trained to conduct intelligence operations behind enemy lines. In September 1943, he oversaw an operation in the Ukrainian town of Ovruch that killed some 80 Nazi officers.

After the end of WWII Botyan worked as a secret agent on foreign missions, the SVR said.

Russia this year will hold a massive military parade for the 75th anniversary of Soviet victory over the Nazis as tensions run high between Moscow and Warsaw.

Putin recently accused Poland of being in cahoots with Hitler during World War II while not mentioning the secret Soviet-Nazi pact to invade and carve up Poland.

Warsaw has criticised Moscow for "renewing Stalinist propaganda" and "wasting" reconciliation efforts to improve ties.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Memoirs are often the best books to read if you wish to be inspired by the lives of people who have truly lived it all. The variant themes of memoirs make us wonder about our lives and how we should react to a given situation. In other words, memoirs influence our perspective on life. The best books of 2019 are enlisted below.

Here are some of the best memoirs to read

1. Hitch-22 by Christopher Hitchens

Hitchens outlines his decisions to create a difference in the world in this book. He talks about his political ideologies along with all the initial struggles. It is as if Hitchens almost plays with words as he remembers his friends from the writing industry. In all, this is a clever piece of writing, revolving around the life of Christopher Hitchens.

2. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

In this book, Alison goes very personal as she recounts the suicide of her father. Her experiences, coupled with her fathers secret sexual life forms the theme of the story. Alison also references other books from eminent authors that have inspired her entire family. This book is a modern take on society and the acceptance of otherwise conventional beliefs.

3. Lives Other Than My Own by Emmanuel Carrere

Yet another masterpiece, this memoir is studded with Emmanuel's personal experiences. The story of her girlfriend and his sister-in-law with the setting of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka can chill the reader to the core. Emmanuel talks majorly about himself in the entire story but through the experiences of others.

Also read | Winnie The Pooh's Quotes That Will Not Only Leave You Nostalgic But Will Also Motivate You

4. A Lifes Work by Rachel Cusk

Rachel has accounted for her experience of becoming a mother in this book. The complications related to pregnancy, then the hardships of motherhood have been described here. Amidst all the chaos, her love for her new-born weighs more than anything else. This book serves as a guide for all potential mothers if they wish to know what is about to come.

Also read | Disney Films: The Most Iconic And Menacing Quotes By Disney Villains

5. Giving Up The Ghost by Hilary Mantel

This book is more than a memoir, it will send chills down your spine as you read the memoir. The finesse with which Hilary describes this gruesome experience is impeccable. It is the story of a girl, who goes through a lot of turmoil under the guardianship of her cruel stepfather. After reaching the adult threshold, she has to undergo the worst ever experience of her life.

Also read | WB Yeats' Poems That Have The Best Quotes You Can Use For Your Instagram Caption

Also read | Beautiful Rumi Quotes For You To Start The Year On An Inspiring Note!

Image courtesy: Nicolas Hoizey, unsplash.com
By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not mind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to end a decades-old military agreement with the United States, a position at odds with that of his defense secretary who viewed the move with dismay.

By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not mind Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to end a decades-old military agreement with the United States, a position at odds with that of his defense secretary who viewed the move with dismay.

Duterte on Tuesday announced termination of the two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the decision "unfortunate" as Washington and its allies press China to abide by "international rules" in Asia.

The U.S. embassy in Manila called it "a serious step with significant implications." Duterte's decision, sparked by the revocation of a U.S. visa held by a former police chief who led Duterte's bloody war on drugs, takes legal effect in 180 days and U.S. officials have expressed hope it can be reversed or delayed.

"I don't really mind if they would like to do that, it will save a lot of money," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about Duterte's move and whether anything could be done to get him to reconsider. "My views are different from others," he added.

Trump has frequently expressed a desire to bring U.S. military forces home from decades-long deployments abroad and has strong-armed some allies into paying more for the right to U.S. defense.

Trump said the United States had helped the Philippines defeat Islamic State militants. He said he had "a very good" relationship with Duterte and added: "we'll see what happens."

Duterte's decision could complicate U.S. military interests in the broader Asia-Pacific region as China's ambitions rise. Some Filipino senators quickly sought to block the move, arguing Duterte had no right to unilaterally scrap international pacts the country's senate had ratified.

The VFA is important to the overall U.S.-Philippines alliance and sets out rules for U.S. soldiers operating in the Philippines, a former U.S. territory. Washington has called the relationship "ironclad," despite Duterte's complaints that include allegations of U.S. hypocrisy and ill treatment.

Ending the VFA complicates Washington's efforts to maintain an Asia-Pacific troop presence amid friction over the presence of U.S. personnel in Japan and South Korea and security concerns about China and North Korea.

Esper referred to the period before Duterte's decision takes effect when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

"One hundred and eighty days. We've got to work through it, and we'll just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time ... I don't get too excited about these things. We've got a process we have to work through."

Some lawmakers in the Philippines are concerned that without the VFA, two other pacts that make up the long-standing U.S. alliance with Manila would be irrelevant, namely the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement made under the Obama administration, and a 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty.

Supporters of the agreements say they have helped deter Chinese militarization in the South China Sea and $1.3 billion of U.S. defense assistance since 1998 has been vital in boosting the capabilities of under-resourced Philippine forces.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, David Brunnstrom and Phil Stewart; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Sonya Hepinstall and David Gregorio)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
In a field bathed in winter light, Hasan Siber patiently harvests his olives. It's a common sight in Cyprus, but his "oil for peace" represents a rare glimmer of hope on the divided Mediterranean island. Turkish-Cypriot Siber's oil is to be sold via Coliveoil, a start-up he founded with his Greek-Cypriot friend Alexandros Philippides. The pair in their early 30s, who met at university in London, want to "take the peace process forward" by selling oil from both sides of the island. "You never know where an entrepreneurial adventure and friendship might lead," says Philippides. Based in the buffer zone of Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe, Coliveoil is a rare example of a start-up bringing together the island's two communities. Cyprus has been split since 1974, when the Turkish army invaded and occupied the northern third following a coup aimed at incorporating the island into Greece. Reunification talks have been suspended since 2017 -- but that same year, Siber and Philippides set up their company with the aim of building bridges across the divide. The project has enthused Siber's family, some of whom fled the south during years of conflict. "Working here today fills me with hope," says Ayhen Eminel, Siber's retired uncle, who himself tried to set up a bi-communal business in the 2000s but faced rejection by Greek Cypriot authorities. He uses a rake to pick olives in a sunlit grove owned by Greek Cypriots, in the formerly mixed village of Agios Ioannis. The septuagenarian, who speaks Greek as well as Turkish, recalls fleeing the Paphos area in southwestern Cyprus after having been a prisoner of war. Siber's aunt Sidika Hudaoglu, a primary school teacher in her 50s, said the project has brought back memories of a childhood spent among the olive groves in the island's south, which she fled in 1974. And the entrepreneur's father Turgut, a 65-year-old cardiologist, has invested in his son's start-up and has come from Istanbul to support it. "Working together, it's the start" of living together, he says. "I think others will follow... It sets an example." - 'Bring down the barriers' - While bi-communal projects enjoy some support among Cypriots, this one faces several obstacles. Without a legal framework for registering bi-communal enterprises, Coliveoil has two legal entities, two bank accounts, two phone numbers and two addresses -- one of each on each side of the divide. The company in the south must buy from the one in the north in order to export to the European Union. Complicating the export process is the fact that EU laws are not applied in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), only recognised by Ankara. Olives harvested in the TRNC can't be registered as organic by the EU, even though the pair say all the olive groves they use are. "We have to bring down these barriers," Siber says. On the northern side of the checkpoint, Siber and Philippides examine olive groves in Meric, a village surrounded by hills on which two huge flags have been drawn -- one of the TRNC, the other Turkish. When they first took olives into the south in 2017, customs officers asked them to clean the northern olives for export to the south, they recall, even though nothing in the European regulations indicates this. Resolving the Cyprus problem could boost the island's overall gross domestic product -- estimated at around 23 billion euros in 2017 -- by up to 17.4 billion euros ($19 billion) over 20 years, according to the Peace Research Institute Oslo Cyprus Centre (PCC). But since a summit in Switzerland collapsed in July 2017, there has been no movement in UN-sponsored negotiations for the divided Mediterranean island. - 'Breaking taboos' - Yet Coliveoil worker Cemre Berk says she feels she is an active part of the peace process for the first time. "We're breaking taboos", the Turkish-Cypriot says. "The more people get used to seeing Turkish-Cypriots working on the Greek side and vice versa, the more normal it will become." Many Turkish Cypriots express regret about the outcome of a referendum on a United Nations reunification plan in 2004 -- the year the divided island entered the European Union. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan, but Greek Cypriots voted it down. Coliveoil gives 10 percent of its profits to the "Home for Cooperation", which houses the start-up in the buffer zone of Nicosia alongside pro-reunification non-government groups. Jammed between the low checkpoint walls, Coliveoil works with the digital platform CyprusInno, which connects entrepreneurs from both sides of the island. Such initiatives still attract stigma, says Steven Stavrou, one of CyprusInno's co-founders, who met his business partner online. Burak Berk Doluay was the first Turkish-Cypriot he had ever met. They started their digital platform in 2013 during the country's economic crisis, and they now count 2,600 members. "It has changed our lives," says Stavrou, who was also a witness at his associate's wedding. "By coming together through business, sometimes things go beyond that." Turkish-Cypriot Hasan Siber (L) and Greek-Cypriot Alexandros Philippides walk in an olive grove in Mora (Meri), a village in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of North Cyprus near the divided capital Nicosia Olives picked in northern Cyprus face obstacles making it to market Workers pick olives during harvest season in the Greek-Cypriot village of Agios Ioannis
Egypt stopped importing LNG in September 2018 after major discoveries of gas fields in Egyptian territory in recent years, including the giant offshore gas field Zohr in the Mediterranean

Egypt did not import any liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2019, compared to $1.1 billion in LNG imports in 2018, the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) said on Thursday.

The statement said that Egypt's total exports reached $4.9 billion in 2019 compared to $4.6 billion in 2018, a 4.54 percent increase.

Exports of LNG increased to $1.2 billion compared to $497 million in 2018, a 148.7 percent increase, the statement said.

Egypt stopped importing LNG in September 2018 after major discoveries of gas fields in Egyptian territory in recent years, including the giant offshore gas field Zohr in the Mediterranean, which holds an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The statement added that Egypt imported crude oil worth $2.9 billion in 2019 compared to $3.5 billion in 2018, whereas $1.05 billion worth of butane gas was imported in 2019 compared to $1.3 billion in 2018.

In recent years, the Egyptian government has been working to capitalise on the recent discoveries of gas fields to turn the country into a regional energy hub.

In January 2020, Egypt began to import liquefied gas from Israel's offshore gas field Leviathan for re-export.

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Heres one sick part: I dont feel good using the word assault. Part of the reason is my feeling of complicity. Part is my humiliation. And finally, theres the thought that someone reading this will think that its not as big of a deal as intercourse. That I am being overly dramatic. That the poor guy was just trying to make a sad girl feel better.

But that, in fact, is the worst part. The blur.

For some women, the way it feels for someone to force himself on you in a nearly emotional way carries with it a certain diabolical confusion.

I didnt kick the man in the head. I didnt scream. Deplorably, I felt that if I kicked him, Id not only be considered unreasonable but even unhinged. I remember, with an indescribable nausea, that I didnt want the man to feel he was not doing a good job. Even just writing those words makes me feel powerless, existentially subjugated. Self-hating.

After the two rapes Ms. Haleyi allegedly suffered at the hands of Mr. Weinstein, she went on to write to him, to ask him for work and advice. If you havent been in a similar situation, it might be nearly impossible to hear that testimony and not feel a shred of suspicion. Why, if she was so despicably assaulted, would she continue to speak to the man? Even if she were afraid to contact the authorities, why would she not keep away from the monster?

I kept in touch with that man for a year or so after that evening. There were a number of reasons, not least of which was the emotional support he provided. On top of that, he professed to love me. He didnt need anything from me except my willingness to let him be there for me. I was missing a father and he subtly played that role. I made it clear  with my words and my actions  that I wasnt interested in anything more and he made it clear that he didnt need anything more.

The confusion, the imbalance of that relationship, culminated in that night. That I did not kick him, that I did not scream when I found his head between my legs and my underwear pulled down around my ankles. I merely asked what he was doing. That moment was the ultimate symbol of my complicity. That is why, even though I was passed out, I feel tremulous using the word assault.

She could have just used her feet to shove him off, come on.

I wanted to stay awake that night, but I fell asleep. In the months that followed, the event did pale in intensity. I had larger wounds to heal: Another person I loved died. I didnt see the man as a monster, exactly, but I was repulsed by his face, by his greedy eyes, by the way he still looked at me like I was that prostrate girl in her lonely, white bed, whom he was drawing up from the bowels of hell.

I woke the next morning to find that he had covered me in my fathers yellow blanket, as though he were giving me something else that I didnt realize I needed.

Lisa Taddeo (@lisadtaddeo) is a columnist for The Sunday Times in London and the author of Three Women.

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Most convicted criminals receive visits from their lawyer or probation officer  not from one of the richest and most powerful bankers on the planet.

But while the late Jeffrey Epstein was jailed in Florida for procuring a child for prostitution, who should pop in but Jes Staley, who was then a high-ranking executive at J P Morgan, and is now the embattled chief executive of Barclays.

The high street lender denies that its boss actually visited Epstein behind bars, saying Staley saw the paedophile billionaire at the latters office in Palm Beach, where he was allowed out on work release during the 13 months he served of his 18-month sentence.

Powerful friends: Jes Staley, circled, with Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein in 2011. Now  and not before time  Staleys relationship with Epstein has come under the scrutiny of City regulators who are determined to root out the truth

It is still, however, extremely unorthodox for a titan of the City and Wall Street such as Staley  who is responsible for billions of pounds of British savers money  to consort with a known criminal undergoing a prison term. No doubt Barclays 24 million UK customers, who have entrusted his bank with their deposits and mortgages, will take a dim view of him fraternising with any jailbird, let alone a notorious multimillionaire paedophile.

Now  and not before time  Staleys relationship with Epstein has come under the scrutiny of City regulators who are determined to root out the truth.

They are investigating whether he was as open as he ought to have been with the board at Barclays when they hired him as their 6 million-a-year CEO in 2015, or whether he understated the extent of the ties between himself and Epstein.

For Epstein, then a financier with his own firm, Staley was a gateway to the power brokers of Wall Street. Pictured: Jes Staley with his wife Debora in 2012

Even if the watchdogs find there was no impropriety, the affair raises questions about Staleys judgment, which is worrying given his position at the helm of a 31 billion bank, one of the pillars of this countrys financial system.

In the past he has claimed to have been at best an acquaintance of Epstein and certainly not a close friend. Now he admits the pair enjoyed a close professional relationship for years, a connection established when he was running J P Morgans private bank and asset management division from 2000 to 2009.

For Epstein, then a financier with his own firm, Staley was a gateway to the power brokers of Wall Street. But why, one might ask, would a grandee such as the Barclays boss consent to mix with such a sordid character?

Mr Staley and his Brazilian heiress wife Debora visited Epstein on Little St James, one of his two private islands in the Caribbean (pictured)

The answer lies in Epsteins Svengali-like ability to attract wealthy and influential friends and to act as a fixer.

Any qualms at J P Morgan over his record as a sex offender appear to have been outweighed by the lucrative business he might bring their way. Epstein was an uber-networker, a magnet for important people, and that is valuable currency for a banker like Jes, said one City source.

In Staleys defence, he was not the only one taken in. A photograph taken at his Manhattan mansion nine years ago shows Epstein at the centre of a line-up of moguls, among them former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. A broadly smiling Staley, looking relaxed with his hands in his pockets and wearing an open-necked shirt, is at the edge of the group. He claims he has had no contact with Epstein since joining Barclays in December 2015. However, the two kept in touch up until very close to that point.

In April of that year, by which time Staley had left J P Morgan and joined hedge fund Blue Mountain, he and his Brazilian heiress wife Debora visited Epstein on Little St James, one of his two private islands in the Caribbean.

Staley claims the couple were on holiday on their luxury 90ft yacht, the Bequia, and happened to sailing past Epsteins hideaway. They dropped in for lunch and did not discuss business.

Shortly after, he is believed to have broken off ties when he became a serious contender for the top job at Barclays. Intriguingly, however, just before his appointment was confirmed in the autumn of 2015, our sister paper The Mail on Sunday reported that Epstein had been cheerleading for his friend to be taken on as chief executive on a previous occasion in 2012.

At that time, Staley, who denies asking Epstein to lobby for him, lost out on the job.

Barclays says its board was not lobbied by Epstein. But its easy to see why the disgraced financier would have wished to see his friend Jes installed in one of the biggest banking jobs in the world. Epstein may have tried off his own bat to drum up backing on his behalf, however ineffectually.

Staley has committed other lapses. He was fined by City regulators for trying to unmask a whistle-blower, and also became embroiled in a dispute with private equity firm KKR when he intervened in a row on behalf of his brother-in-law.

Embarrassingly, he was taken in by a prankster posing as the Barclays chairman in an email exchange. Then he was forced into doing a U-turn last year over an ill-advised move to bar customers from taking cash out over the counter at Post Offices after a Daily Mail campaign.

Patience with him was already wearing thin in government circles after that debacle.

Barclays has already dropped its sponsorship of Prince Andrews initiative to help entrepreneurs, Pitch@Palace, in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

The question now is whether the banks own chief executive can survive the toxic fallout.
NEW PHILADELPHIA  Dale Phillips, former superintendent of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, has joined the board of the New Philadelphia Association.

Phillips, a New Jersey native, earned a bachelors degree in American history from York College of Pennsylvania. In 1976, he began his career with the National Park Service as an interpreter at Gettysburg National Military Park. For the next 41 years, Phillips held positions in which he contributed to the historic interpretation and preservation of such National Park Service historic sites as Fort Sumter in Charles, South Carolina; Chickamauga/Chattanooga National Military Park and George Rogers Clark National Park.
Tri-State COVID cases surge, but number falls in Washington County

While the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Tri-State area skyrocketed in the past week, the number cooled slightly for Washington County.
It seems like we are taking one step forward only to take two steps backward.

The politics of homicides and all of their ugliness have been on full display since the tragic shooting death of Kimari Hunt, Braxton Ford, Jalen Roberts and Marcel Willis.

This past week a bi-partisan group of mostly white legislators decided they were going to host a press conference without engaging the Black community.

Yes, a bunch of politicians announced the creation of a citizen driven commission to look at violence happening in the city. This was good  sort of.

The bi-partisanship was positive  its a signal that the political parties are prepared to work together  but a basically all white press conference led by an organization that acted against the Black community during the Aaron Bailey shooting and politicians who have actually passed legislation that hurt the Black community (Rep. Mike Speedy is why we cant raise a minimum wage in Marion County)  yeah that was ill conceived implementation to say the least.

That they had too few citizens  especially Black citizens with them was more than problematic for a citizen driven commission.

So, the community showed up and asked pointed questions both about representation, inclusion and their plans  hopefully the lesson learned is you might want to talk to more Black people, not just the Black folks that are willing to speak with you when working on initiatives that disparately impact our community.

And until that happens perhaps you might want to chill out on press conferences and plans  especially if they require Black community buy-in.

But at least they are doing something Black leaders seemed absent last week with the notable exceptions of Earl Phalen and city-county council President Vop Osili.

One of the few Black leaders at the press conference was unfairly targeted at the event. Pastor James Jackson has been doing the work of the community for years outside of the limelight. Hes been employing youth in the summer for years and advocating for Black business development.

Community advocates would do well to recognize that they arent the only ones out here doing work or having meetings.

Im really sick and tired of the politics surrounding the violence happening in our community.

Of all the issues it would seem that both sides would have a vested interest in not politicizing people dying in our city.

Do we need to study violence in our city? Of course we do. Simple answers like poverty, drug use, food insecurity dont actually explain the disparate level of violence happening in the Black community.

Nearly half the county is living pay check to pay check. The truth is large swaths of the community live in food deserts. White people use drugs just as much as Black people.

And we actually have a white poverty issue in the community.

None of these factors taken by themselves or as a whole explain why the vast majority of homicides and non-fatal shootings are happening in the Black community.

We also need to figure out why judges have so many defendants whose only charge is resisting law enforcement. Is our electronic monitoring regime working for all parties involved? Can it be fixed?

We need a crime prevention taskforce, not just because we dont know why violence is occurring in some communities and not others, but also because we need the opportunity to all be together so we understand who the enemy is and who it isnt.

Right now it seems like politicians just cant get out of the way enough to not be viewed as partly part of the problem.

In addition, and to the mayors credit, the community needs to take the time to learn about all of the efforts the city is doing  which is actually quite a lot.

A community crime prevention taskforce with community, business, nonprofit and civic leaders would empower the community with knowledge and sets of actions we can take beyond calling 911.

Right now, the business community, major nonprofits, and various institutions have not been enlisted by city leaders to fight this fight. Theyve not been given marching orders.

I need my marching orders.

What I am hearing 

We need to do more to protect Black mothers and SB 342 is a first step in the right direction. The bill calls for an interim study committee to look at pregnancy and childbirth accommodations in Indiana.

According to the March of Dimes, the preterm birth rate for Black women is 13.1% while the white preterm birth rate is 9.4% in Indiana.

Marion County has seen some improvement in infant mortality moving from 8.7% in 2016 to 7.5% for all races in 2017. The Black infant mortality rate in Marion County was 11.6% versus 4.5% for white mothers in 2017.

Between 2013 and 2017 there were 603 infant deaths for all races and 292 of them were Black babies.

According to the CDC, Indianas maternal death rates is more similar to countries like Iraq and Vietnam.

Too often we ignore the policy concerns of Black women in our community. This is an issue where I hope our community can agree that we all need to find solutions to addressing this problem.

Marshawn Wolley is a lecturer, commentator, business owner and civic entrepreneur. Contact him at marshawnwolley@gmail.com.
Ivy + Bean author Annie Barrows recently embarked on a national tour in celebration of the release of The Best of Iggy, kicking off her new middle-grade series illustrated by Sam Ricks (Putnam, Jan.). The series stars Iggy Frangi, a mischievous but loveable boy. The tour started in California, with additional stops in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, before returning to the West Coast. Barrows has connected with thousands of kids over the course of the events. Weve gathered a selection of photo highlights from her travels.

The author with a welcome sign made by the students at Hedenkamp Elementary in Chula Vista, Calif.

Barrows demonstrates a Bad-O-Meter inspired by The Best of Iggy at Seawell Elementary School in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Meeting young readers at Glenwood Elementary School in Chapel Hill.

Southern Pines (N.C.) Elementary School hosted Barrows for a presentation.

Showing off a promo display while signing stock in the story corner at A Childrens Place in Portland, Ore.

Reading with a fan at Convent & Stuart Hall in San Francisco.

Barrows speaks with kids after her presentation at Springmont School in Atlanta, GA.

One of the gang at Springmont School.

Barrows will appear as keynote speaker at the Andersons Childrens Literature Breakfast in Woodridge, Ill., on February 22. She will also attend the Tucson Festival of Books on March 14.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:23:42|Editor: Xiaoxia

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YINCHUAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Basma Ossama Sarwat, a 27-year-old Egyptian student finishing her PhD program in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, chose to stay in China amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.

"I have stayed in China for seven years. I want to stand together with the Chinese people at their time of hardship," Sarwat said.

QUIET CAMPUS LIFE DURING EPIDEMIC

After studying Chinese for four years at her hometown of Ismailia, Satwat came to the University of Ningxia to learn ethnology. "I went to Beijing for summer camp during my sophomore year, that's when I made up my mind to come back to China to study," she said.

"I've been to big cities like the southern cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, but my favorite place in China is Ningxia," she said, "It reminds me of my hometown."

Having given herself the Chinese name "Xiao Xiao," meaning "smile" in Chinese, Sarwat has stayed optimistic amid the coronavirus outbreak. She has followed the school's instructions to stay in and not leave campus.

Although students who stay on campus are unable to leave the school gate, as long as they list their required daily necessities in a WeChat group, the school will arrange people to deliver them. The goods are packed in a bag with the name and dormitory number written on it.

"All I need to do is to go and get it, without contact with anybody, which is safe and convenient," she said.

The dorms and the hallways of the dorm building have been disinfected every day, she said, adding that the dorm manager measures her temperature when she goes out to throw away trash once in a while. "I feel that I have nothing to worry about," she said.

Sarwat has learned to make some Chinese food by herself in her dorm room, including her favorite hotpot and malatang (hot spicy soup). She has been posting videos of herself making food online, sharing her life with friends from China and back home.

STAYING STRONG AND OPTIMISTIC

Sarwat didn't panic when the news about the virus spread all over the media. "I have confidence in the Chinese government, and I believe that everything will be fine as long as we follow their guidance," she said.

With all the measures taken by the government including shutting down large public areas, postponing the resumption of work and school, launching strict traffic control, and most importantly, quarantining the city of Wuhan, the worst-hit place of the novel coronavirus, Sarwat believes that few countries could have handled the situation as well as China.

"Suspending the work of the factories will cause significant economic loss, but the Chinese government has prioritized people's safety, and that takes a lot of courage," she said.

Sarwat has conducted a lot of research and read books about Chinese culture for her final essay "social and cultural issues of Chinese people in Egypt," but what has truly helped her understand Chinese society is the Chinese man she fell in love with.

She met her fiance in Ningxia's capital city of Yinchuan a couple of years ago. "My biggest wish for 2020 is to get my PhD degree and start my career in China," Sarwat said, adding the thing she wants to do the most right now is to spread Chinese history and culture, especially culinary culture, back to her hometown.

"I want to translate 'A Bite of China' into Arabic, letting people from my world know what the real China looks like," she said, adding that people from her hometown have shown a growing interest in China in recent years.

China is developing at an incredibly fast pace, Sarwat said. "I was amazed by how fast the two makeshift hospitals Huoshenshan and Leishenshan in Wuhan were built, that's one of the reasons that I have great faith in China winning the war against the virus," she said.
High River, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited (TSXV: WI) ("WICC" or "Western") announced today that it has distributed a message to shareholders from President & CEO Scott Tannas.

In his message to shareholders, WICC CEO Scott Tannas provided the following commentary:

"Last December marked the third anniversary of the commencement of operations for The Western Investment Company, whereby we completed our initial investment in GlassMasters Autoglass, the leading Alberta based autoglass repair and replacement company. Between then and now, we have continued to build our little investment company. Here are some key milestones of the past three years:

Within a few months of completing the GlassMasters Autoglass investment, we substantially increased our equity base, closing on a $12 million common share offering, and welcoming hundreds of new shareholders in the process.

Using our network of contacts, we identified and ultimately negotiated the purchase of a partnership in Golden Healthcare, the largest private nursing home management company in Saskatchewan. We purchased a direct ownership share in three nursing homes operated by Golden.

We negotiated a partnership with the owners of Ocean Sales, Canada's leading company in the demonstration sales retail channel.

Together with our partners at ATB Financial, we successfully completed the purchase of Foothills Creamery, makers of high quality butter and ice cream products, with a strong and established brand in western Canada.

Since inception, we actively searched for a way to enter the insurance business. We recently found the perfect opportunity with Fortress Insurance. Together with our partners, we developed a bold plan to engage the western Canadian market with specialty insurance products. After an extensive regulatory review and approval process, our plan is in now in action, and demonstrating some early success.

I'm addition to the above, we:

Sourced and reviewed over 100 potential investment opportunities.

Established effective, entrepreneur friendly governance systems with each of our portfolio companies.

Provided value added management and consulting services to our companies including helping them to establish planning and KPI rhythms.

Reacted to the unique needs of each business as they encountered challenges in the course of business. We have helped with hiring, firing, sales, strategy, banking, and other operational leadership tasks. All while respecting the unique partner relationships we have forged with the founders and managers of our portfolio companies.

The economic downturn in Alberta and Saskatchewan tested some of our companies beyond anything they had encountered prior. In some cases, we needed to make difficult decisions, but we did so always with the long term health of the business in mind. While the economic headwinds still continue to blow, we have done the hard work to position our companies to survive and thrive.

All of the above has required thousands of hours of hard work, patience and creativity. And it's been worth it. Today, we have a portfolio with five active investments in vibrant western Canadian companies. Added together, our portfolio companies represent:

$96 million in annualized sales

290 employees

120 years of successful operations in western Canada.

Western's $17.5 million of shareholder equity (book value) equates to 55 cents per share, as of Q3 2019, and will grow though future retained earnings.

2020 and beyond

While we have accomplished much in the past three years, we have a lot of work to do to secure all the potential value our efforts have created. As we look forward:

We need to continue to nurture our companies as they navigate the difficult market conditions in the West.

We must help Fortress seize on the opportunities presented by the unusual insurance market conditions that exist today. This will require a significant investment of time and effort, and possibly additional capital. But the potential rewards are exceptional. We have a rare opportunity right now to build a very valuable financial institution.

We will keep our expenses low, allowing us to have flexibility with capital flows to and from our portfolio companies.

We must continue to grow net income.

We will focus more attention on rewards to shareholders including a concerted effort to see our stock price better reflect our intrinsic value. We will develop a methodology and begin to report on our best estimate of the increased market value of our investments to help current and prospective shareholders better understand Western's intrinsic value. Also, we will develop and communicate a clear timeline toward the commencement of a dividend program.

We will report on these imperatives as we move through 2020. We are determined to be evaluated by shareholders on our success, and will continue to work hard to keep the trust you have vested in us.

As we report financial results, we will provide further updates on our efforts and goals for 2020. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me with any concerns, comments or questions you may have."

About The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited

WICC is a unique publicly traded, private equity company founded by a group of successful Western Canadian businesspeople, and dedicated to building and maintaining ownership in successful Western Canadian companies, and helping them to grow. Western's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol WI.

For more information on Western, please visit its website at www.winv.ca

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited

Scott Tannas President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 652-2663 stannas@winv.ca

Advisory

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements, including without limitation, statements pertaining to future plans, acquisitions, financings and returns. Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'expects', 'plans', 'seeks' and 'anticipates' and any other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. All statements included herein involve various risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances beyond Western's control. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Western's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Any forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Western does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52375
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jetty , the financial services company on a mission to make renting a home more affordable and effortless for everyone, today announced its partnership with Asset Living , the largest third party property management company in the nation for campus living. Asset Living has implemented Student Housing Express , the first-ever platform designed to speed up and simplify the leasing process for student housing property managers with real-time underwriting.

In just five months since adopting Jetty, Asset Living's partnership has seen success nationwide, with thousands of students choosing Jetty as their cosigner at more than 130 properties in 30+ states. To date, Jetty has provided over $1.6 million in protection within the Asset Living portfolio.

"Jetty's flexible and scalable solution adds value to every applicant profile within our portfolio," said Julie Bonnin, Chief Operating Officer at Asset Living. "We've been impressed with the fast and widespread adoption of Jetty's offering, and we're excited to build on this momentum to get more qualified students into great housing."

By creating a flexible solution that meets the needs of diverse properties, Jetty can quickly, easily, and safely scale across any portfolio. With Asset Living specifically, students are opting to use Student Housing Express in place of a traditional guarantor even at the moment of lease renewal, an unexpected but welcome conversion moment.

The option to use Jetty's Student Housing Express gets qualified students in the door who may not have had access to a traditional guarantor, might not otherwise fulfill the financial requirements, or simply prefer not to share sensitive information. This helps the property site teams sign more leases faster, and increase retention at the time of renewal.

Jetty works with top property managers across the country to increase lease conversion rates, reduce bad debt, and streamline operationsthereby increasing net operating income. Partners include Greystar, LivCor, Related, Pinnacle, MG Properties, Cortland, Trammell Crow, Griffis Residential, and many more, representing more than one million units nationwide. Jetty's products are written on A-rated paper, and are admitted in 49 U.S. states and D.C, meaning they have been approved by each state's Department of Insurance, which provides additional consumer protections. Jetty is backed by Munich Re, the largest reinsurer in the world.

ABOUT ASSET LIVING

Founded in 1986, Asset Living ("Asset") is a Houston-based real estate management firm. With a growing portfolio that includes a multitude of properties across the nation, Asset provides services to a variety of clients that include property management, asset management, receivership, and investment services. Asset is a member of The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), and is recognized as an Accredited Management Organization (AMO). Asset Living presently manages a portfolio consisting of approximately 65,000 units and 140,000 beds.

ABOUT JETTY

Jetty is on a mission to make renting a home more affordable and effortless for everyone. As a financial services company, Jetty's solution helps property managers increase lease conversion, reduce bad debt, and streamline operations. For the renter, Jetty lowers the barrier to entry, saving residents thousands of dollars on move-in costs. Jetty is available nationwide, was founded by Mike Rudoy and Luke Cohler, and is headquartered in New York. To learn more about how Jetty can benefit your property, visit www.jetty.com .

CONTACT

Jetty

Hadley Stecker, 978-473-1754

[email protected]

SOURCE Jetty

Related Links

https://www.jetty.com


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Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a developmental disorder associated with a lack of social communication/interaction and restricted or repetitive behavior. The disorder is typically diagnosed within the first 2 years of life.

Emotion emoticons used by a psychologist during a therapy session with a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Image Credit: By Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

How does autism develop?

Although the exact etiology of autism is still unclear, it is believed that both genetic and environmental factors are responsible for the development of the disorder.

Certain risk factors are associated with autism. For instance, children born to older parents are at higher risk. Similarly, having siblings with autism increases the risk of developing the disorder. Other risk factors include preterm birth and low birth weight.

Moreover, children with certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Rett syndrome, are more susceptible to develop autism.

What are the early signs and symptoms of autism?

As mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a child with autism generally presents with the following symptoms:

Difficulty communicating or interacting socially

Repetitive behavior

Restricted interests

Functional restriction in school, workplace, and other situations

The signs and symptoms of autism vary from person to person, and there is a wide variety of types and intensities of the symptoms.

The symptoms related to impaired social interaction/communication can include avoiding direct eye contact; being unwilling to listen to people; difficulty participating in conversation; having unusual vocal tone, facial expressions, and gesture; resistance to even small changes in daily routines; and difficulty understanding the feeling or actions of other people. Autistic children can show an intense reaction to sensory input, such as noise, light, temperature, etc.

Children with autism can show repetitive behaviors and restricted interests in things. They often tend to repeat words or phrases, which is medically known as echolalia.

Autistic children can have a considerable interest in certain topics, such as numbers or facts. They often have an in-depth learning ability and can remember things for a prolonged period of time.

How can autism be detected early?

The detection of autism is often challenging as there is no direct laboratory test for the condition. A diagnosis is generally made by analyzing the behavior and development of a child. Although the condition can be diagnosed in the early months of life, a reliable diagnosis is only possible at the age of 2 years.

The diagnosis is made in two phases: developmental screening and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

In developmental screening, a doctor takes short tests to analyze the childs ability to learn the necessary skills. A doctor also checks if there is any delay in the learning process.

During the screening, a doctor may ask the parents about the social interaction patterns and behaviors of the child. Besides, a doctor can talk to or play with the child to understand his/her learning ability, speaking ability, behaviors, and movements. A delay in development in any of these areas can be a sign of autism.

For effective and timely detection of autism, all children should undergo screening for developmental delays during regular well-child doctor visits at the ages of 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months. Besides, all children should undergo specific autism screening tests at the ages of 18 and 24 months.

If any symptom of autism is detected during the developmental screening, a doctor may recommend a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for further confirmation.

A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation performed by a team of specialized doctors, including developmental pediatricians (specialized in child development), child psychologists/psychiatrists (specialized in brain development and behavior), neurologists (specialized in detecting and treating neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders), and speech-language therapists (specialized in treating communication difficulties).

In addition to interviewing the parents, the team generally aims to evaluate the thinking ability, speaking ability, cognitive level, and age-matched basic skills (eating, dressing, and toilet habits) of the child.

Given the fact that autism can be associated with other medical conditions, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation may also include vision and hearing testing, genetic testing, blood testing, and neurological testing.

Autism could be detected early using a hearing test finds research. Image Credit: Midkhat Izmaylov

The formal diagnosis of autism is made only after evaluating the results of all screening tests. According to the newly revised version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), certain medical conditions (autistic disorder, Aspergers syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified), which were previously recognized as separate conditions, are now grouped together as autism spectrum disorder.

References

National Institute of Mental Health. 2018. Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. Screening and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/screening.html

National Autism Center. Facts about Autism. https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/autism/

Smith A, Storti S, Lukose R, Kulesza Jr RJ. Structural and Functional Aberrations of the Auditory Brainstem in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2019;119(1):4150. doi: https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2019.007.

Further Reading:Autism]
Michael Macor / The Chronicle 2014

Palo Alto cloud computing and software company VMware laid off over 200 employees last month, including multiple people at the executive and director level.

About three quarters of the employees who will lose their jobs are based in Palo Alto, with the rest working remotely, according to a notice the company filed with the California Employment Development Department late last month. The notice, required by law, said the layoffs are expected to begin around April 1, but in many cases they take place sooner.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Playing on the narrative of nationalism, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar has urged his cabinet colleagues to design a campaign themed Har Kaam Desh Ke Naam  underlining that every welfare work was dedicated to the nation to inform people about the work the Centre has done.

In the letter, Javadekar has asked all Union ministers to come up with a campaign that will highlight the welfare work done by their respective ministries and inform the people of the schemes. He also urged the ministers to issue directives to officials for the campaign.

The publicity drive comes following BJPs drubbing in the Delhi Assembly elections, especially the Aam Aadmi Party earning praise from various quarters, including other opposition parties, for winning the election on the plank of development. The BJP, meanwhile, was criticised for running a polarised campaign.

The letter sent to the ministers said the publicity campaign should be around a month-and-a-half long.

Javadekar had issued the letter on Tuesday evening in which he asked ministers to inform people about the public welfare work through television, newspapers, outdoor and digital mediums between February 15 and March 31.
The United States Senate backed legislation on Thursday to limit President Donald Trumps ability to wage war against Iran, rebuking the president after a strike against an Iranian military commander and Tehrans retaliation last month raised fears of broader regional conflict.

The measure, authored by Senator Tim Kaine, says Trump must win approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran. Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the resolution by a 55-45 vote.

Kaine and other supporters said the resolution was not about Trump or even the presidency, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.

While Trump and other presidents must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there, Kaine said. An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.

Trump veto expected if House passes

The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate, nonbinding war powers resolution last month. The House could take up the Senate resolution later this month, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Two-thirds votes in the House and Republican-run Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto.

Answering a claim by some of Trumps supporters and Trump himself that the measure would send a signal of weakness to Iran and other potential adversaries, Kaine said the opposite was true.

When we stand up for the rule of law  in a world that hungers for more rule of law  and say this decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision, thats a message of strength, Kaine said.

Republican Senator Mike Lee agreed. Lee supports Trumps foreign policy, including towards Iran, but said Congress cannot escape its constitutional responsibility to act on matters of war and peace.

What the American people and the entire world will see from the debate were about to have in the Senate is that there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran, Lee said Wednesday. And as part of that, we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorised is in fact properly authorised by Congress. That doesnt show weakness. That shows strength.

US soldiers inspect the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Assad air base in Iraq. [File: John Davison/Reuters]

The principle of congressional approval is established for an important reason, Kaine said.

If were to order our young men and women  to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the peoples elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person, Kaine added.

Trump disputed that, arguing in two tweets Wednesday that a vote against Kaines proposal was important to national security and pointed to the January 3, Trump-ordered drone attack in Iraq that killed Irans top general, Qassem Soleimani.

We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani, Trump said.

If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day, he added. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!

M uch needed and long overdue

Tehran responded to the US attack on Soleimani by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. The attack caused traumatic brain injuries in more than 100 US soldiers, the Pentagon said.

Democrats and Republicans alike criticised a briefing by the Trump administration shortly after the drone strike, saying US officials offered vague information about a possible attack being planned by Iran but no substantial details.

Kaine has long pushed for action reasserting congressional power to declare war. At Republicans request, he removed initial language that targeted Trump in favour of a generalised statement declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war. The resolution also directs Trump to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress.

Republican Senator Susan Collins a co-sponsor, called the resolution much needed and long overdue.

She said that over the past decade, Congress has too often abdicated its constitutional responsibility on authorising the sustained use of military force.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many other Republicans opposed the resolution, saying it would send the wrong message to US allies.
Airtel and Nokia have partnered to offer private LTE based Industry 4.0 solution to enterprises. The partnership will address the emerging requirements of enterprises across banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), information technology enabled services (ITES), media and services, manufacturing and distribution with technologies such as cloud, IoT, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and edge computing concepts.

In addition, the two companies will explore the development of 5G use-cases for the enterprises.

Industry 4.0 relies on low-latency, high-reliability networks as well as capabilities in robotics and artificial intelligence to drive new levels of automation and data exchange in manufacturing industries, resulting in improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. The LTE Technology has over time evolved and matured to provide reliable, secure, high-capacity connectivity for industrial applications and digitalization. An ABI Research report estimates Private wireless networking market opportunity to be worth over US$16 billion by 2025.

Airtel serves over 2,500 large businesses and over 500,000 SMBs and technology start-ups across India.

Airtel and Nokia partnership will open the doors for Industry 4.0 revolution with private LTE for the enterprises in India. This partnership will enable delivering extensive private wireless portfolio with intrinsic security, mission-critical reliability and vast coverage to meet the growing demand for a network that can support high volume of data with low latency along with wide range telecom portfolio of Airtel.

To demonstrate the potential of the partnership, the two companies have collaborated on Industry 4.0 deployment at Nokias state-of-the-art telecommunication equipment factory at Chennai on 10th Jan 2020. The deployment focuses on digitization, predictive & prescriptive analytics and robotics connected through low latency & secure LTE technology to maximize efficiency and productivity. The deployment is a showcase of innovation and benefits that private LTE based Industry 4.0 can provide the enterprises.

Ashish Arora, CEO  Enterprise Business, Airtel Business, said, We are pleased to expand our strategic partnership with Nokia to build cutting edge Industry 4.0 solutions for enterprises. At Airtel, our ambition is to be a key enabler of digital transformation of businesses and with our future ready connectivity platforms and ecosystem of partners, we are uniquely positioned to serve this massive demand.

Naresh Asija, Vice President & Head of Customer Team for Bharti Airtel at Nokia, said: Telecommunication service providers play a key role in transforming Digital India We are delighted to partner with Airtel as the operator leads the way in driving 4th industrial revolution in India for enterprises. Nokia will contribute with our end-to-end portfolio and deep industry expertise with over 120 private wireless customers across industries globally.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court deferred the hearing on Centre's plea seeking separate execution of four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case to Friday and asked the convicts to file their replies by then.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna on Thursday also appointed senior advocate Anjana Prakash as amicus curiae to represent one of the convicts, Pawan Kumar Gupta.

The bench said it is deferring the hearing till 2 pm Friday in wake of a trial court asking the District Legal Services Authority to provide Gupta's father with a list of empanelled advocates to choose from to represent the convict.

The trial court, which has expressed anguish over the delay in hearing of the applications moved by Nirbhaya's parents and the Delhi government for fresh death warrants, will hear the matter again at 3 pm Thursday.

Gupta is the only convict who has not filed a curative petition  the last legal remedy available to a person.

He also has the option of filing a mercy plea against the death sentence.

On Tuesday, convict Vinay Sharma challenged the rejection of his mercy petition by the president in the Supreme Court.

The same day, the top court sought a response from the four convicts on Centre's appeal against a Delhi High Court verdict refusing to set aside the stay on their execution.

The top court, however, granted liberty to authorities to obtain a fresh date for execution of the death warrants from the trial court, saying pendency of Centre's and Delhi government's appeals before it "will not be an impediment".

The trial court has stayed "till further orders" the execution of the convicts  Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Gupta (25), Sharma (26) and Akshay (31).

Two death warrants have stayed so far in the case.

During a hearing in the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said authorities were "struggling to execute them" despite the appeals of the convicts being dismissed by the top court in 2017.

He said the court has to keep in mind the impact of this situation on the society.

On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who later came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gangraped and savagely assaulted in a moving bus in South Delhi.

She died after a fortnight.

Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused.

Ram Singh, the sixth person, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail days after the trial began.

The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.
There are still many unknowns surrounding the coronavirus, the mysterious illness that originated in Wuhan, China that has killed at least 1,000 and continues to spread around the world.

One unanswered question is whether the virus can be passed on through animals, including pets.

Scott Weese, a professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, tells Yahoo Canada News that despite not having concrete answers about how the coronavirus affects animals, using extra caution is the safest best.

The general line were trying to get across is that if we dont know, we should assume theres risk to various species as opposed to trying to do damage control later, he says. In the absence of evidence, we want to assume theres some risk.

The concern traces back to SARS, another coronavirus from 2002 and 2003 that killed 774 people worldwide. The origin of the respiratory disease was eventually traced back to cave-dwelling bats in Yunnan province. The bats spread it to civet cats, which then spread it to humans through wildlife markets in Asia.

Grave consequences

However, Weese says there isnt much research into whether the virus was able to spread through domestic animals. If that were to happen with the current coronavirus, the consequences could be grave.

What we dont want to happen is to have this virus establish in the domestic animal population to create another reservoir for it, Weese says.

When it comes to stopping the spread from humans to pets, Weese says its a matter of common sense. North America has seen a limited number of cases of the current coronavirus, which the World Health Organization formally named Covid-19.

Essentially what it comes down to is managing infected people, by keeping them away from other people, and keeping them away from animals, Weese says.

If a person who is infected comes in contact with his or her family and pets, that means the family and the pets would have to be quarantined.

If someone is infected, and quarantined, they should stay away from their animals too, he says. We dont want someone staying in the basement of their house, quarantined from their family, with their dog and cat running back and forth between the two.

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If you want to protect your pets from contracting illnesses:

Avoid direct contact with them;

Wash your hands regularly;

Dont let the animals come close to your face, or allow them to lick you.

If youre unsure whether your pet is well, be sure to speak to your veterinarian. Its important for domestic animals to go in for routine check-ups and to make sure vaccines are up to date.
Addressing student mental health has been a priority for University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel since taking office last summer. This week, shes unveiling the first step shes taken toward that initiative, a comprehensive scan of programs and services the university offers to support the mental health and wellness of students on all the campuses.

On Thursday and Friday, Gabel and the Board of Regents will review the report. It shows that while individual parts of the university are making good efforts to meet those needs, there are ways to make those services easier to access.

Student mental health needs are up around the country, and Minnesota is no exception. At the University of Minnesota, the number of diagnosed mental health disorders among students has gone up 25 percent from 2015 to 2018. The number of students seeking help at campus health services has gone up by nearly 40 percent.

Gabel said the universitys scan shows that there are plenty of services available on the different campuses. The question, she said, is how best to deploy them  Are the services easy to find? Are they efficient? And do they contribute to higher levels of student wellness?

Counseling is a cornerstone of the university services, Gabel said, and the trick is to make the most of it.

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"The number of counselors we have, we want to make sure we hit the exact right amount, but also where they are physically," she said, "because we want our students to be able to get to counseling services easily."

On the Twin Cities campus, the university has begun implementing plans to shift some counselors from the East Bank to the West Bank to make it easier for students to access them. The U is also looking at expanding telehealth and other services to make sure that students can access the help when they need it.

This story originally appeared at: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/02/12/u-leaders-address-student-mental-health-needs of story Questions or requests? Contact MPR News editor Meg Martin at newspartners@mpr.org  2019 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved.


The draft GIS-based Master Plan-2031 for Ghaziabad city will include a new feature that proposes to offer all official details of each housing unit in the district at the click of a button.

Geographic information system or GIS mapping is a framework for gathering and analyzing data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes and helps reveal patterns, relationships, and situations for smart decision-making.

The new plan is being drafted as Master Plan-2021 will lapse next year. The new plan will include of Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Loni areas. The report is scheduled to be completed within 540 days and the agency preparing it submitted its inception report on Thursday, Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) officials said.

Under the few feature every housing unit in Ghaziabad will be identified and all details of the property will be made available online under one head. The details will be available on the GDA website. It will also help us manage real estate, manage land use and check illegal activities in different areas. The feature will also help us readily share relevant details with the municipal corporation, discom etc., GDA chief architect and town planner Asheesh Shivpuri said.

Making a GIS-based master plan will especially help citizens. The map will have 25 different layers, each with different information. One layer will have all the roads, another will indicate all transportation facilities, third will show green belts, etc. So anyone interested in housing or property development will be able to see nearby infrastructure facilities available and make an informed decision, Shivpuri said, adding that all the housing, whether legal or illegal, will be indicated in the new plan.

To develop the GIS-based plan, officials of DDF Consultants Pvt Ltd (DDFCPL) said they will obtain satellite images from Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Agency.

The maps obtained from the agency (GDA) will indicate the number of buildings present in different areas. After this, we will deploy manpower for on-ground survey covering each household. The existing maps can only indicate a building, but on ground that building may have several flats or housing units. So, these details will be ascertained through a survey, DDFCL senior manager (urban planning) Sunil V Popli said.

Ghaziabad is among the 61 cities in UP identified under Centres Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation scheme. Master Plan-2031 is being developed under this scheme.

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South Africa: SONA wish-list on the red carpet

In anticipation of President Cyril Ramaphosas State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening, Members of Parliament have used the red carpet to make known their wish-list.

The economy, job creation, energy and the digital economy came out top of the agenda, ahead of the Presidents address which takes place at 7pm.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said he expects the President to give the country hope and talk about how government is going to grow the economy and create jobs for young people.

Telecommunications, Communications and Postal Services Minister Stella Ndabeni Abraham said she looks forward to the fall of data costs and spectrum release.

I look forward to hearing about when data costs will fall and of course the release of the spectrum.

Ndabeni-Abrahams Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana backed her, adding that communication regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, is hard at work to ensure spectrum release is realised.

As a country, we are looking forward to the spectrum release. ICASA is putting its hands on deck to make sure that happens. Our industry is ready. As the department, we are ready and I think that in itself will be a game changer, said Kekana.

Newly elected Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) board member, Senamile Masango, said energy was top of mind for her.

I look forward to hearing about energy integrated systems and young people studying something that is relevant to the 4IR, said Masango.

Member of Parliament of the official opposition and DA Youth leader Luyolo Mphithi expressed interest in hearing about governments effort to tackle youth unemployment and also touch on the green economy.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane also added to the wish-list emphasising that the SONA encapsulates a follow through of governments achievements from the previous year.

I want to hear from the President about what he has done with regards to the promises he made last year - especially with issues relating to crime, basic provision of services and education, said Mkhwebane.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said while he looked forward to the SONA, he was encouraged by the progress made by government in as far as its borders.

We were able to implement the issues from the last SONA such as the e-visa, the issue of visa-free regimes there were nine that were selected to add to and the issue of border management authority.

The bill on this has already been passed in the NCOP [National Council of Provinces]. It's just waiting to go to the National Assembly, said Minister Motsoaledi.

The President will deliver the SONA at 7pm to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Panaji, Feb 13 : The Congress in Goa on Thursday slammed the state government for imposing section 144 in the North Goa district for a period of 60 days.

Drawing a parallel between the government's decision and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress spokesperson Trajano D'Mello said: "So, is the government trying to say that the situation in Goa is as bad as the situation in Kashmir?" On Wednesday, the North Goa district administration imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for a period of 60 days ahead of a tenant verification drive, citing inputs of a terror alert along the Western coast of India.

At a press conference here, D'Mello also said since the prohibitory order cited terror inputs for imposition of Section 144 in the district, the government should first close down casinos operating in the area, because they were vulnerable as terror target.

"Such indiscriminate orders created a sense of alarm among people and were especially harmful in a tourism-oriented state," D'Mello said.

"What are you telling tourists, do not come to Goa? That Goa is not a safe place?" he said.

The Congress spokesperson also said, that in view of a terror alert, casinos operating in North Goa district should be shut for a few days, because they could be on the terror radar.

"The hideout for any terrorists are the casinos, where Goa Police and law enforcing authorities do not have free access. They should be stopped for a few days, otherwise you are playing the fool with the people of Goa," D'Mello said.

"When the Supreme Court says one should not indiscriminately use Section 144 to stifle voice of people and restrict them from showing dissent, how can the Goa government impose the same prohibitory section for a period of two months?" D'Mello said.

D'Mello said, that if the terror alert is genuine, then other states, along the coastline including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala should have also imposed similar prohibitory orders.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the Indian mission in Tokyo is providing all assistance to the crew and passengers of the cruise ship that has been quarantined off the Japanese coast in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Two Indian crew on board the cruise ship 'Diamond Princess' have tested positive for the coronavirus infection.

"2 Indian crew members have tested positive for Coronavirus. Will keep you updated," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

"Our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo is in constant touch with the crew and passengers of Diamond Princess off Yokohama, Japan, rendering all necessary support & assistance. Passengers & crew are currently quarantined by Japanese authorities," he said.

The cruise ship with 3,711 people on board arrived at the Japanese coast early last week and was quarantined after a passenger who de-boarded last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the virus on the ship.

A total of 138 Indians, including passengers and crew, were on board the ship.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bhang Cannabis-infused Chocolates Now Available in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan



MIAMI, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bhang Inc. ("Bhang" or the "Company") (CSE:BHNG) (BHNGF), a global cannabis CPG brand company with an extensive, award-winning portfolio of products, announced today that its cannabis-infused milk and dark chocolates are now available for sale in Canada through its joint venture with Indiva Limited (NDVA.V) (NDVAF). Bhangs chocolate can be purchased in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan and will soon be available in Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

As previously announced in April 2018, Indiva and Bhang have a 50/50 joint venture to produce and distribute Bhang Chocolate. Through the joint venture, Indiva creates Bhang Chocolate in its state-of-the-art facility based in London, Ontario. Each chocolate contains 10 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and comes from sustainably sourced cacao. Chocolates are scored into four pieces, so they are perfect for sharing. Looking ahead, Bhang and Indiva intend to bring cannabidiol (CBD) chocolates to Canadian consumers later in the year.

Were fortunate to have established partners like Indiva to help us provide Canadian consumers with the highest quality of edibles available in the recently launched Cannabis 2.0 market, said Bhang President & CEO Jamie Pearson. Deloitte analysts estimate that the Canadian market for edibles, extracts and topicals could be worth C$2.7 billion annually, with cannabis edibles accounting for C$1.6 billion alone. We see significant opportunity in the Canadian market and are proud to bring our exceptional chocolate to our friends up north.

In addition to its Canada joint-venture, Bhangs multi-state cannabis platform includes licensees in Florida, Nevada, Michigan, New Mexico, Illinois and Ohio. The Companys hemp-derived CBD products are available throughout the U.S. in brick & mortar stores and online as well as in Puerto Rico, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the U.K.

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In the decade since Bhang was founded, the company has received dozens of top honors for its edible cannabis and cannabidiol-based products. Most recently, Bhang won the Best Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Award at WeedCon West 2019 as well as Best Cannabis Chocolate in New Mexico from Dank Magazine. Other top edible honors included numerous High Times Cannabis Cup Best of Awards, and acknowledgments from a diverse range of competitions such as the Medical Cup, Chalice Cup, Patients Choice and the 805 Cannabud Cup, among many others.

Bhangs brand portfolio of 100+ cannabis, hemp-derived CBD and non-cannabis products includes an assortment of chocolate, tinctures, pre-roll straights, gum, capsules, gummies as well as range of organic beverages and powders spanning the lifestyle segment through its wholly owned subsidiary Red Ace Organics.

About Bhang

Bhang is committed to delivering exceptional sensory experiences to consumers at every point in their cannabis journey through its award-winning portfolio of brands. Bhang is a trusted global cannabis company with an extensive portfolio of over 100 cannabis, hemp-derived CBD and terpene products, including chocolates, pre-rolls, gums, and beverages through its wholly-owned Red Ace Organics division, among others. Since 2010, Bhang has mastered the art of harnessing mutually-beneficial partnerships to bring safe, consistent and delicious products to the world. Learn more at www.bhangnation.com and purchase our award-winning CBD products at http://www.bhangcbd.com/.

About Indiva

Indiva sets the standard for quality and innovation. Indiva aims to bring its exceptional portfolio of products to Canadians and cannabis enthusiasts around the world as laws permit. Based in London, Ontario, Indiva creates premium pre-rolls, capsules and edible products. In Canada, Indiva produces and distributes the award-winning Bhang Chocolate, Ruby Cannabis Sugar, Sapphire Cannabis Salt, Gems, and other Powered by INDIVA products through license agreements and joint ventures. Click here to connect with Indiva on social media and here to find more information on the Company and its products. Click here to connect with Indiva on social media and here to find more information on the Company and its products.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements which constitute forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities. Forward looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and include information regarding: (i) statements regarding the future direction of the Company (ii) the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business and financial objectives, (iii) plans for expansion of the Company into new jurisdictions, and (iv) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Companys managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Companys future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forwardlooking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forwardlooking information are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and in particular in the ability of the Company to raise debt and equity capital in the amounts and at the costs that it expects; adverse changes in the public perception of cannabis; decreases in the prevailing prices for cannabis and hemp products in the markets that the Company operates in; adverse changes in applicable laws; or adverse changes in the application or enforcement of current laws; the cannabis market is highly regulated and those regulations and enforcement priorities of governmental authorities may change; compliance with extensive government regulation and related costs; and other risks described in the Companys Listing Statement dated July 9, 2019 and filed on www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forwardlooking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forwardlooking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to any U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

INVESTORS CONTACT:

Jamie L. Pearson

President & CEO

Bhang Inc.

406-208-3488

invest@bhangcorporation.com
More hate for the Astros.

This time, it was ex-Yankees closer David Robertson, now with the Phillies, tearing into them for their 2017 cheating scheme.

"Its a disgrace what theyve done and theyre going to have to live with it and everyone knows, Robertson said, according to NBC Philadelphias Jim Salisbury.

The White Sox had traded Robertson to the Yankees for the second-half run and he became a key piece of New Yorks bullpen late in the year and through the playoffs.

Before joining Chicago, Robertson took over as Yankees closer for Mariano Rivera in 2014 after several successful years as a reliever.

Robertson signed with the Phillies last season.

Hes still fuming over pitches that the Astros either hit or laid off as they knew what was coming thanks to a live-camera feed the team used to tip hitters off as to what pitch was coming next.

Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, PrimeSport

From the report:

I got roughed up in Game 6, he said. And I felt like in that game I threw as well as Ive ever thrown in my entire life. I had some pitches that got hit that I was a little shocked by and some pitches that didnt get swung at that I was a little shocked by. At the time, I wasnt thinking about what we know now. But it all comes together now and, you know, Im upset about it, thats for sure.

Im never going to get 2017 back. I cant say moving forward Ill never get to pitch in a LCS again, but Ill never get that season back with that group of guys and that opportunity to win a World Series.

Like I said, Im still upset about it. I dont want to say something Im going to regret but Im definitely not happy about it.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
The United States has secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan that it hopes will allow it to strike a deal with the Taliban, officials said Thursday. The announcement came a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reported "notable progress" in negotiations with the Islamist insurgents. "The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said after a NATO meeting in Brussels. "We've said all along that the best, if not the only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Progress has been made on that front and we'll have more to report on that soon, I hope." Esper did not say when the partial truce would begin, but on Wednesday a Taliban official told AFP that the group would begin a "reduction of violence" on Friday. "It is our view that seven days for now is sufficient but in all things our approach to this process will be conditions based, I will say it again, conditions based," Esper said. "So it will be a continual evaluative process as we move forward, if we go forward." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to reporters on board a plane to the Munich Security Conference where he is expected to meet Ghani, said talks had "made real progress over the past couple of days." "We hope we can get to a place where we can get a significant reduction in violence not only on a piece of paper but demonstrated, the capability to actually deliver a serious reduction in violence in Afghanistan," he said. "If we can get there, if we can hold that posture for a while, then we'll be able to begin the real, serious discussion, which is all the Afghans sitting at a table, finding a true reconciliation, a path forward." Washington and the insurgents have been locked in gruelling talks that have stretched over more than a year, seeking an end to what has already become America's longest war. - 'Long overdue' - Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times has reported that President Donald Trump had given conditional approval to a deal with the Taliban to allow him to start withdrawing US troops. "It will be a difficult set of conversations, one that's long overdue," Pompeo said. "It would also give us the opportunity to reduce the footprint not only for Americas forces there but for all forces." The United States currently has between 12,000 and 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, more than 18 after it invaded to overthrow the then Taliban government in the wake of the September 11 attacks. The only other time there has been a Taliban ceasefire since the regime's overthrow was in 2018, during the first three days of Eid at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It led to moving scenes such as Afghans sharing ice cream with Taliban fighters and snapping selfies. But afterwards, the violence resumed. The number of clashes between the insurgents and US-backed government forces jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, according to a recent US government watchdog report.
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FILE PHOTO: A sign is seen in front of the Exxonmobil Baton Rouge Refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp does not have a timeline for restarting fuel-producing units at its second-largest U.S. refinery following a fire Wednesday that cut production, sources said, as the shutdown boosted gasoline prices on Thursday.

Some units remain in operation at the refinery including a crude distillation unit (CDU), gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) and a coker, the sources said.

A blaze on Wednesday cut output at Exxon's 502,500 barrel-per-day (bpd) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, refinery. It was the third Exxon petrochemical plant along the U.S. Gulf Coast to suffer damage in less than a year. 2

No injuries were reported because of the fire that broke out from a natural gas pipeline shortly before midnight on Tuesday and burned for about seven hours on Wednesday, the sources said.

The blaze affected pipes laid on racks 50 feet in the air, and forced the shutdown of multiple units at the oil refinery and adjoining chemical plant, the sources said.

The fire forced the shutdown of three CDUs and an FCCU, but was confined to the pipe bundle where it broke out.

Operations at the refinery and chemical plant continue, Exxon spokesman Jeremy Eikenberry said on Thursday. He declined to discuss the status of individual processing units.

Exxon was meeting contractual commitments and expected to meet all customer commitments, he said.

The company and other refiners are suffering from weak margins due to excess supplies and falling demand for some fuels. Exxon U.S. refining profits fell 42% last year over 2018 due to weak margins and higher maintenance costs.

CDUs are the heart of the refining process, providing the primary breakdown of crude oil into hydrocarbon feedstocks that other production units convert into motor fuels and feedstocks for plastics.

Traders on the New York Mercantile Exchange attributed a jump in gasoline futures since on Wednesday and Thursday to the combined impact of an FCCU outage last week at the Phillips 66 Bayway refinery in Linden, New Jersey, and the Baton Rouge fire.

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U.S. gasoline futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange gained 0.18%, or 0.28 cents at $1.5838 per gallon on Thursday. On Wednesday, it rose 4.4%, or 6.68 cents.

The blaze was the third major fire to hit Exxon's U.S. operations since last March when a fire broke out in a Baytown, Texas, refinery unit. In July, a fire in Exxon's Baytown Olefins plant injured 37 workers.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; additional reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Diane Craft)
The California Supreme Court has ruled that Apple must pay employees for time spent waiting for their bags and personal electronic devices to be searched when they leave work.

The decision means that the tech giant will have to pay millions of dollars to more than 12,000 hourly workers at California retail stores who fall under the mandatory bag-search policy.

According to court documents, Apple employees are required to clock out before submitting to an exit search which can take from five to 20 minutes. On the busiest days, employees say the wait time can be as long as 45 minutes.

Those who refuse to have their belongings searched are subject to discipline, including termination.

A lower court had previously sided with Apple, ruling that time spent by employees waiting for the exit searches cannot be considered "hours worked" under California law.

The plaintiffs escalated the case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which asked the Supreme Court to address the state law issue.

The state's high court in its decision issued on Thursday rejected Apple's argument that its employees could easily avoid a search by choosing not to bring a bag or iPhone to work.

Quoting from a US Supreme Court decision, it noted that cell phones are "now such a pervasive and insistent part of daily life that the proverbial visitor from Mars might conclude they were an important feature of human anatomy."



"The irony and inconsistency of Apple's argument must be noted," the court added.

"Its characterization of the iPhone as unnecessary for its own employees is directly at odds with its description of the iPhone as an 'integrated and integral' part of the lives of everyone else."



Apple representatives could not immediately be reached for comment on the ruling. The Apple case is the third the state high court has considered in recent years as related to minimum wage and time during which workers are under employers' control.

In 2018, the court ruled that Starbucks has to pay for off-the-clock work -- such as going through the checklist for closing the store -- that can last a few seconds or minutes past someone's shift.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lucknow, Feb 13 : A bomb explosion took place at a Lucknow court on Thursday, leaving one persons seriously injured while two others suffered minor injuries.

The explosion took place in the Lucknow Collectorate near the District Magistrate's office.

According to sources, the bomb attack was a result of a dispute between two groups of lawyers.

The bomb blast is believed to be an attempt to attack a lawyer present in the court.

Sanjeev Lodhi, joint secretary of the Lucknow bar association, claimed he was the target.

Lodhi, who is the Lucknow Bar Association joint secretary, claimed that he was the target of the attack because he has been complaining about a few judicial officers.

He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber in which he and two other lawyers were injured.

"One bomb exploded but the other two did not unexplode," he said Bomb disposal and dog squads reached the site and recovered the live bombs.

The police have identified the bomber as one Jeetu Yadav. The bomb used was a crude ones.

Last month, lawyers had struck work in protest against the recent attacks on them in the state.

The Allahabad High Court had also directed the state government to make proper security arrangements for the court and the lawyers.
By Rasana Gasimova

SOCAR Georgia Gas, a subsidiary of SOCAR (Azerbaijans State Oil Company) has acquired several gas pipelines in Georgia.

Pipelines with a total length of 155.310 meters were transferred to the company for 6.2 million lari (about $ 2.2 million) in direct sale, the official website of Georgias government said in a message.

SOCAR Georgia Gas has received gas transmission networks located in five municipalities: Dedoplistskaro, Chokhatauri, Khashuri, Zugdidi and Martvili.

According to the terms of the deal, the cost of the real estate purchased by the company should be paid starting from 2027 and be phased in equal shares (615,437 lari annually) for 10 years.

Note that in July 2019, SOCAR Georgia Gas acquired gas pipelines in several regions of Georgia with a total length of 708.5 meters for 24.2 million lari ($8.4 million). In 2018, the company purchased 594,000 meters of gas pipeline for 21.3 million lari ($7.4 million).

On December 26, 2008, the Georgian government and SOCAR signed an agreement to transfer 23 regional gas distribution companies, gas facilities and networks to SOCAR for investment in gas infrastructure.

In October 2012, SOCAR became the owner of Itera Georgia, subsidiary of Itera International Energy LLC, becoming almost the only supplier and distributor of natural gas to the regions of Georgia, except Tbilisi.

SOCAR is currently Georgias main natural gas supplier. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the expansion and modernization of the countrys gas distribution systems, development of a petrol stations network under the SOCAR brand, and own an oil terminal in the Georgian Black Sea port of Kulevi, from where Azerbaijani oil and oil products are shipped to world markets.

Over the years of work in Georgia, SOCAR has invested more than $1.5 billion in various projects. SOCAR Georgia Gas laid 6,000 km long gas pipelines, which allowed supplying gas to more than 250,000 new subscribers. Now the company serves over 600,000 gas subscribers in Georgia.

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OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will revisit provincial court rulings that declared federal provisions on the solitary confinement of prisoners to be unconstitutional  an examination that could have implications for new legislation intended to improve procedures for separating inmates from others.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Supreme Court of Canada is seen in Ottawa on January 16, 2020. The Supreme Court of Canada will revisit the decisions of courts in British Columbia and Ontario that said the federal law allowing prolonged solitary confinement in prison was unconstitutional. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will revisit provincial court rulings that declared federal provisions on the solitary confinement of prisoners to be unconstitutional  an examination that could have implications for new legislation intended to improve procedures for separating inmates from others.

The high court agreed Thursday to jointly hear the federal government's challenges of the provincial appeal-court decisions.

The Supreme Court also said it would hear cross-appeals from civil liberties groups in each case that argue the provincial decisions did not go far enough.

The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled last March that prolonged solitary confinement constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

It placed a hard cap on the practice, saying inmates could no longer be isolated for more than 15 days due to "foreseeable and expected harm which may be permanent" from lengthy segregation.

In June, the British Columbia Court of Appeal said the practice breached the right to life, liberty and security of the person in allowing indefinite isolation and failing to provide external review of decisions to segregate inmates.

Although it asked the Supreme Court for permission to contest the provincial decisions, the federal government brought in new legislation it said would end the practice of segregating prisoners who pose risks to security or themselves. Bill C-83 came into force Nov 30.

The government says inmates requiring isolation will now be kept in "structured intervention units" that allow better access to programming and mental-health care and ensure human contact.

An advisory panel, chaired by University of Toronto criminologist Anthony Doob, has been appointed to monitor implementation of the new intervention units, said Mary-Liz Power, a spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

Independent, outside decision-makers with expertise in human rights, criminal law, Indigenous issues and administrative decision-making are able to review cases of inmates in the units, she added.

Rights organizations have criticized the changes as a mere rebranding of long-standing practices.

As usual, the Supreme Court gave no reasons Thursday for agreeing to hear legal arguments about the previous regime. But the high court's coming review, for which no date has been set, will give the federal government, civil liberties groups and other concerned parties an opportunity to stake out their positions on the highly controversial issues.

The government is appealing to the Supreme Court because the B.C. and Ontario decisions on the former provisions "make statements on the law, including the charter, that have impacts beyond the case at hand," said Power.

"It is important to have clarity in the law."

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which took the federal government to court in the Ontario case, has argued the new measures will not end the cruel practice of prolonged solitary confinement.

The government, by pursuing its appeal in the Supreme Court, has made it clear that it will continue to fight for the ability to hold people in solitary for extended periods, the association said Thursday.

"The harms of keeping a person in isolation can include panic, depression, rage, hallucinations, self-mutilation and worse," said Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, the association's equality program director. "This is a terrible way to treat human beings, and it is contradictory to the goal of community safety."

It is time to end the "broken and dangerous system" that leaves prisoners more damaged and less able to lead productive lives, said Grace Pastine, litigation director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.

The association teamed up with the John Howard Society of Canada, which advocates for changes in the criminal justice process, to pursue the case against the government in the B.C. courts.

"We are heading to the country's top court to argue that long-term, indefinite solitary confinement must be abolished in Canada," Pastine said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.

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The Lotte New York Palace is already well-known as a luxurious New York City hotel that provides every amenity a guest could ever need. However, thanks to its new partnership with Hastens, the hotel is now giving guests amenities they never even dreamed of. That includes a night on a $200,000 mattress.

In November, the hotel unveiled its Ultimate Sleep Suite, featuring the Vividus king bed by Hastens, which retails for $200,000. The room also comes with other Hastens-branded accessories including bathrobes, sleep masks, and custom linens, as well as Hastens pajamas and slippers that every guest gets to keep.

Courtesy of Lotte NY Palace

At Hastens, we are about family and that feeling of family, Jan Ryde, executive chairman and fifth-generation owner at Hastens, told Hotel Business. We met with the Lotte New York Palace team over a sleep consultation at one of our stores, and we could see there was a connection of an extensive history for both brands and shared goals. We had this dream of offering a Sleep Suite and sharing our mattresses with the hotel industry, but our main goal is to deliver the best sleep in the world. We believe that in order to make that happen, people need to try our beds.

As Hastens explains of the mattress on its website, its a masterpiece of the finest natural materials, traditional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. It takes an un-rushed 45 days to complete a single order  and even then, there are nine of the worlds most foremost bed artisans on the task.

Each bed, including the one found in the hotel, is crafted with horsetail hair, cushioning flax, slow-growing pine, superior wool, and long-fiber cotton, making for the softest sleep experience one can imagine.

However, the mattress isnt the only reason to book the room. The entire sleep suite is actually a 2-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot masterpiece that comes with a spacious living/dining area, open kitchen, dining table seating six, a library nook, massive bathrooms with soaking tubs and glass showers, and some sweeping views of New York City below.

Story continues

Courtesy of Lotte NY Palace

And, as part of the stay, guests will get a free consultation with a "sleep curator" before they arrive. According to House Beautiful, the consultant will work with guests to optimize their sleep by asking about the guests pillow preferences, wake-up call time, ideal sleep temperature, and more.

While the suite sounds relaxing the hotel may want to watch out for its investment. After all, more guests steal hotel mattresses than you may realize.
Solid H1 FY20 on High Basis of Comparison

+2.7% Organic Sales Growth (+5.6% Reported)

+4.3% Organic Growth in PRO1 (+8.1% Reported)

New FY20 Guidance2 Reflecting Current COVID-19 Assumptions:

Organic Growth in PRO Between +2% and +4%

Regulatory News:

Press release Paris, 13 February 2020

Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI):

SALES

Sales for H1 FY20 totalled 5,474m, with organic growth of +2.7% and reported growth of +5.6%, with a favourable FX impact linked to USD and Emerging market currency appreciation vs. Euro.

Pernod Ricard delivered solid results in a challenging environment, with broad-based growth:

Diversified growth across Regions, with robust performance of Must-win markets USA, India and China, further enhanced by earlier Chinese New Year 3

across Regions, with robust performance of Must-win markets USA, India and China, further enhanced by earlier Chinese New Year Dynamic performance of Strategic International Brands, in particular Jameson, Martell, The Glenlivet, Malibu, Ballantine's, Royal Salute and Beefeater

in particular Jameson, Martell, The Glenlivet, Malibu, Ballantine's, Royal Salute and Beefeater Continued strong pricing: +2% on Strategic brands

Focus on operational excellence and resource allocation, driving strong organic improvement in PRO margin +51bps.

We continued to roll-out the Transform Accelerate 3-year strategic plan:

Implementation of 2030 Sustainability Responsibility roadmap

Launch of Reconquer project to resume growth in France and reorganisation of Wine business to reignite its performance

to reignite its performance Active portfolio management: completion of TX, Rabbit Hole and Castle Brands acquisitions.

Sales growth was robust, with a very strong basis of comparison: +2.7% vs +7.8% in H1 FY19. The Must-win markets posted the following performance:

USA: +4%, good growth driven by Whiskies and Specialty brands

good growth driven by Whiskies and Specialty brands China: +11%, strong H1 on a high comparison basis (H1 FY19 +28%), enhanced by earlier Chinese New Year 3

strong H1 on a high comparison basis (H1 FY19 +28%), enhanced by earlier Chinese New Year India: +5% good H1 in a volatile context, with a high basis of comparison (H1 FY19 +24%)

good H1 in a volatile context, with a high basis of comparison (H1 FY19 +24%) Travel Retail: robust Sell-out, but H1 FY20 impacted by shipment phasing.

There was diversified growth throughout the Regions:

Americas +2%: good growth in USA partially offset by weaker Mexican market and phasing in Travel Retail

good growth in USA partially offset by weaker Mexican market and phasing in Travel Retail Asia-RoW +3%: growth driven mainly by China and India, dampened by the transfer of Imperial Korea to a third-party distributor

growth driven mainly by China and India, dampened by the transfer of Imperial Korea to a third-party distributor Europe +3%: strong growth with improving trends, driven by Germany, UK and Eastern Europe acceleration, but difficulties remaining in France.

Q2 Sales were 2,991m, with +3.8% organic growth (+6.9% reported), following a soft Q1 FY20 (at +1%), and enhanced by earlier Chinese New Year.

RESULTS

H1 FY20 PRO was 1,788m, with organic growth of +4.3% and +8.1% reported. For full-year FY20, the FX impact on PRO is estimated at c. +70m4

The H1 organic PRO margin was up by +51bps, thanks to:

Strong pricing on Strategic brands: +2%

on Strategic brands: Gross margin in slight decline -15bps, following particularly strong H1 FY19 (+71bps): Positive impact of earlier Chinese New Year but negative mix of India Cost of Goods headwinds (in particular agave and grain neutral spirit (GNS) in India)

following particularly strong H1 FY19 (+71bps): A&P: increase broadly in line with Sales, with strong arbitration and focus behind strategic priorities

with strong arbitration and focus behind strategic priorities Structure: -2% thanks to strong discipline and favourable phasing (growth expected for full-year FY20)

thanks to strong discipline and favourable phasing Positive FX impact of +59m thanks mainly to USD (EUR/USD 1.11 in H1 FY20 vs. 1.15 in H1 FY19) and Emerging market currency appreciation vs. Euro

The H1 FY20 corporate income tax rate on recurring items was c.24%; the rate is expected at c. 25% for full-year FY20

Group share of Net PRO was 1,216m, +10% reported vs. H1 FY19, thanks mainly to strong improvement in PRO.

Group share of Net profit was 1,032m, +1% reported vs. H1 FY19, despite strong improvement in PRO due mainly to non-recurring items.

FREE CASH FLOW AND DEBT

Free Cash Flow was 570m, while increasing Capex and the ageing stock inventory build, as expected.

Net debt increased by 1,608m5 vs. 30 June 2019 to 8,228m at 31 December 2019 due mainly to increased M&A cash-out, an increased dividend payment and the start of the share buy-back programme6 with 223m purchased in H1 FY20. In H2 FY20, the programme will continue, with a new clip of 300m maximum, to be executed by 30 June 2020.

The Net Debt/EBITDA ratio at average rates7 was 2.7x at 31 December 2019.

As part of this communication, Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, declared, "H1 FY20 demonstrated solid growth and resilience of our business model. Our 3 year-plan Transform& Accelerate is driving success, as evidenced by the diversification of the sources of growth in terms of geographic footprint and categories, continued strong pricing and ultimately the improvement in operating leverage.

Looking to H2 FY20, the environment remains particularly uncertain from a geopolitical standpoint, with the additional pressure related to the COVID-19 outbreak. While we cannot currently predict the duration and extent of the impact, we remain confident in our strategy. Our first priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees and business partners. I would like to praise the exemplary behaviour of our teams during this difficult time. We fully support their efforts, as well as those of the Chinese people and authorities to contain the epidemic.

Assuming a severe impact of COVID-19, mainly on Q3 FY20, we are at this stage providing a guidance of organic growth in Profit from Recurring Operations for full-year FY20 of +2% to +4% and will continue to closely monitor our environment. We will stay the strategic course and maintain priority investments in order to continue maximising long-term value creation."

All growth data specified in this press release refers to organic growth (at constant FX and Group structure), unless otherwise stated. Data may be subject to rounding.

A detailed presentation of H1 FY20 Sales and Results can be downloaded from our website: www.pernod-ricard.com

Audit procedures have been carried out on the half-year financial statements. The Statutory Auditors' report will be issued following their review of the management report.

Definitions and reconciliation of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures

Pernod Ricard's management process is based on the following non-IFRS measures which are chosen for planning and reporting. The Group's management believes these measures provide valuable additional information for users of the financial statements in understanding the Group's performance. These non-IFRS measures should be considered as complementary to the comparable IFRS measures and reported movements therein.

Organic growth

Organic growth is calculated after excluding the impacts of exchange rate movements and acquisitions and disposals.

Exchange rates impact is calculated by translating the current year results at the prior year's exchange rates.

For acquisitions in the current year, the post-acquisition results are excluded from the organic movement calculations. For acquisitions in the prior year, post-acquisition results are included in the prior year but are included in the organic movement calculation from the anniversary of the acquisition date in the current year.

Where a business, brand, brand distribution right or agency agreement was disposed of, or terminated, in the prior year, the Group, in the organic movement calculations, excludes the results for that business from the prior year. For disposals or terminations in the current year, the Group excludes the results for that business from the prior year from the date of the disposal or termination.

This measure enables to focus on the performance of the business which is common to both years and which represents those measures that local managers are most directly able to influence.

Profit from recurring operations

Profit from recurring operations corresponds to the operating profit excluding other non-current operating income and expenses.

1 PRO: Profit from Recurring Operations 2 Guidance given to market on 29 August 2019 of organic PRO growth between +5% and +7% 3 Chinese New Year: 25 January 2020 vs. 5 February 2019 4 Based on average FX rates projected on 11 February 2020, particularly a EUR/USD rate of 1.11 5 Including 531m of lease liability, pursuant to implementation of IFRS16 norm 6 of up to 1bn over FY20 and FY21, announced on August 29th, 2019 7 Based on average EUR/USD rates: 1.12 in 2019

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of 9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes, as well Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard's brands are distributed across over 160 markets, and by its own direct salesforce in 73 markets. The Group's decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of "Createurs de Convivialite." As reaffirmed by the Group's three-year strategic plan, "Transform and Accelerate," deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard's strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "We bring good times from a good place." In recognition of Pernod Ricard's strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in Vigeo Eiris for the beverage sector. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation's Global Compact LEAD company. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

Appendices

Emerging Markets

Asia-Rest of World Americas Europe Algeria Mongolia Argentina Albania Angola Morocco Bolivia Armenia Cambodia Mozambique Brazil Azerbaijan Cameroon Myanmar Caribbean Belarus China Namibia Chile Bosnia Congo Nigeria Colombia Bulgaria Egypt Persian Gulf Costa Rica Croatia Ethiopia Philippines Cuba Georgia Gabon Senegal Dominican Republic Hungary Ghana South Africa Ecuador Kazakhstan India Sri Lanka Guatemala Kosovo Indonesia Syria Honduras Latvia Iraq Tanzania Mexico Lithuania Ivory Coast Thailand Panama Macedonia Jordan Tunisia Paraguay Moldova Kenya Turkey Peru Montenegro Laos Uganda Puerto Rico Poland Lebanon Vietnam Uruguay Romania Madagascar Zambia Venezuela Russia Malaysia Serbia Ukraine

Strategic International Brands' organic Sales growth

Volumes

H1 FY20 Organic Sales growth

H1 FY20 Volumes Price/mix (in 9Lcs millions) Absolut 6.3 -1% 1% -2% Chivas Regal 2.6 -2% -3% 1% Ballantine's 4.4 5% 3% 1% Ricard 2.4 -5% -5% 0% Jameson 4.6 9% 9% 0% Havana Club 2.5 6% 0% 6% Malibu 2.0 13% 9% 4% Beefeater 1.9 12% 13% -1% Martell 1.6 4% -3% 8% The Glenlivet 0.7 15% 8% 6% Royal Salute 0.1 17% 12% 5% Mumm 0.5 -3% -6% 3% Perrier-Jouet 0.2 1% -12% 13% Strategic International Brands 29.8 4% 2% 2%

Sales Analysis by Period and Region

Net Sales

( millions) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Americas 1,389 26.8% 1,461 26.7% 72 5% 22 2% 15 1% 35 2% Asia Rest of World 2,266 43.7% 2,415 44.1% 149 7% 68 3% 16 1% 64 3% Europe 1,530 29.5% 1,598 29.2% 69 4% 47 3% 7 0% 14 1% World 5,185 100.0% 5,474 100.0% 289 6% 137 3% 39 1% 113 2% Net Sales

( millions) Q1 FY19 Q1 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Americas 636 26.6% 674 27.1% 37 6% 14 2% 2 0% 21 3% Asia Rest of World 1,084 45.4% 1,116 44.9% 32 3% (4) 0% 4 0% 32 3% Europe 667 27.9% 694 27.9% 27 4% 21 3% 2 0% 4 1% World 2,387 100.0% 2,483 100.0% 96 4% 31 1% 8 0% 57 2% Net Sales

( millions) Q2 FY19 Q2 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Americas 753 26.9% 788 26.3% 34 5% 8 1% 13 2% 14 2% Asia Rest of World 1,182 42.2% 1,299 43.4% 117 10% 73 6% 12 1% 32 3% Europe 863 30.8% 904 30.2% 42 5% 26 3% 5 1% 10 1% World 2,798 100.0% 2,991 100.0% 193 7% 106 4% 31 1% 56 2%

Summary Consolidated Income Statement

( millions) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Change Net sales 5,185 5,474 6% Gross Margin after logistics costs 3,239 3,419 6% Advertising and promotion expenses (799) (842) 5% Contribution after A&P expenditure 2,440 2,577 6% Structure costs (786) (789) 0% Profit from recurring operations 1,654 1,788 8% Financial income/(expense) from recurring operations (157) (164) 5% Corporate income tax on items from recurring operations (379) (392) 3% Net profit from discontinued operations, non-controlling interests and share of net income from associates (13) (15) 17% Group share of net profit from recurring operations 1,105 1,216 10% Other operating income expenses (66) (152) NA Financial income/(expense) from non-recurring operations 1 (1) NA Corporate income tax on items from non recurring operations (18) (31) NA Group share of net profit 1,023 1,032 1% Non-controlling interests 14 14 4% Net profit 1,036 1,046 1%

Profit from Recurring Operations by Region

World ( millions) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Net sales (Excl. T&D) 5,185 100.0% 5,474 100.0% 289 6% 137 3% 39 1% 113 2% Gross margin after logistics costs 3,239 62.5% 3,419 62.5% 180 6% 78 2% 20 1% 82 3% Advertising promotion (799) 15.4% (842) 15.4% (43) 5% (21) 3% (7) 1% (15) 2% Contribution after A&P 2,440 47.1% 2,577 47.1% 136 6% 57 2% 13 1% 66 3% Profit from recurring operations 1,654 31.9% 1,788 32.7% 134 8% 71 4% 3 0% 59 4% Americas ( millions) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Net sales (Excl. T&D) 1,389 100.0% 1,461 100.0% 72 5% 22 2% 15 1% 35 2% Gross margin after logistics costs 942 67.8% 986 67.5% 44 5% 5 1% 11 1% 28 3% Advertising promotion (276) 19.8% (285) 19.5% (9) 3% (1) 0% (2) 1% (6) 2% Contribution after A&P 666 48.0% 701 48.0% 35 5% 4 1% 9 1% 22 3% Profit from recurring operations 470 33.8% 486 33.3% 16 3% (8) -2% 5 1% 18 4% Asia Rest of the World ( millions) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Net sales (Excl. T&D) 2,266 100.0% 2,415 100.0% 149 7% 68 3% 16 1% 64 3% Gross margin after logistics costs 1,353 59.7% 1,442 59.7% 89 7% 38 3% 6 0% 45 3% Advertising promotion (309) 13.6% (341) 14.1% (32) 10% (20) 7% (4) 1% (8) 2% Contribution after A&P 1,044 46.1% 1,101 45.6% 57 5% 18 2% 2 0% 37 4% Profit from recurring operations 766 33.8% 833 34.5% 67 9% 36 5% (2) 0% 33 4% Europe ( millions) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Change Organic Growth Group Structure Forex impact Net sales (Excl. T&D) 1,530 100.0% 1,598 100.0% 69 4% 47 3% 7 0% 14 1% Gross margin after logistics costs 944 61.7% 991 62.0% 46 5% 35 4% 3 0% 9 1% Advertising promotion (214) 14.0% (216) 13.5% (2) 1% 0 0% (1) 0% (1) 1% Contribution after A&P 730 47.7% 775 48.5% 45 6% 35 5% 2 0% 8 1% Profit from recurring operations 418 27.3% 468 29.3% 50 12% 43 10% (0) 0% 7 2%

Foreign Exchange Impact

Forex impact H1 FY20

( millions) Average rates evolution On Net Sales On Profit from

Recurring

Operations H1 FY19 H1 FY20 US dollar USD 1.15 1.11 -3.7% 50 29 Chinese yuan CNY 7.91 7.80 -1.3% 8 6 Indian rupee INR 81.93 78.59 -4.1% 25 8 Russian rouble RUB 76.13 71.19 -6.5% 10 8 Other 20 7 Total 113 59 For full-year FY20, a positive FX impact on PRO of c. +70m is expected1 Notes: Impact on PRO includes strategic hedging on Forex 1. Based on average FX rates projected on 11 February 2020, particularly EUR/USD rate of 1.11

Sensitivity of profit and debt to EUR/USD exchange rate

Estimated impact of a 1% appreciation of the USD and linked currencies(1) Impact on the income statement(2) ( millions) Profit from recurring operations 15 Financial expenses (1) Pre-tax profit from recurring operations 14 Impact on the balance sheet ( millions) Increase/(decrease) in net debt +41 (1) CNY, HKD (2) Full-year effect

Balance Sheet

Assets 30/06/2019 31/12/2019 ( millions) (Net book value) Non-current assets Intangible assets and goodwill 17,074 17,640 Tangible assets and other assets 4,002 3,626 Deferred tax assets 1,590 1,615 Total non-current assets 22,665 22,882 Current assets Inventories 5,756 6,046 aged work-in-progress 4,788 5,047 non-aged work-in-progress 79 76 other inventories 889 923 Receivables (*) 1,226 2,159 Trade receivables 1,168 2,101 Other trade receivables 59 58 Other current assets 359 302 Other operating current assets 291 295 Tangible/intangible current assets 67 7 Tax receivable 105 89 Cash and cash equivalents and current derivatives 929 1,180 Total current assets 8,375 9,776 Assets held for sale 5 97 Total assets 31,045 32,755 (*) after disposals of receivables of: 674 827 Liabilities and shareholders' equity 30/06/2019

restated* 31/12/2019 ( millions) Group Shareholders' equity 15,987 15,687 Non-controlling interests 195 220 of which profit attributable to non-controlling interests 27 12 Total Shareholders' equity 16,182 15,907 Non-current provisions and deferred tax liabilities 3,584 3,619 Bonds non-current 6,071 7,618 Lease liabilities non-current 424 Non-current financial liabilities and derivative instruments 379 92 Total non-current liabilities 10,034 11,753 Current provisions 149 213 Operating payables 2,187 2,429 Other operating payables 1,058 770 of which other operating payables 660 721 of which tangible/intangible current payables 398 49 Tax payable 307 389 Bonds current 944 948 Lease liabilities current 93 Current financial liabilities and derivatives 182 240 Total current liabilities 4,826 5,082 Liabilities held for sale 2 14 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 31,045 32,755

Analysis of Working Capital Requirement

( millions) June

2018 December

2018 June

2019 December

2019 H1 FY19 WC

change* H1 FY20 WC

change* Aged work in progress 4,532 4,581 4,788 5,047 64 123 Advances to suppliers for wine and ageing spirits 10 29 12 13 19 1 Payables on wine and ageing spirits (96) (172) (105) (182) (77) (77) Net aged work in progress 4,447 4,439 4,695 4,878 7 47 Trade receivables before factoring/securitization 1,641 2,704 1,842 2,928 1,054 1,070 Advances from customers (6) (6) (24) (17) (1) 7 Other receivables 353 305 338 340 (1) (20) Other inventories 869 849 889 923 (16) 15 Non-aged work in progress 71 84 79 76 11 (3) Trade payables and other (2,471) (2,719) (2,717) (2,951) (238) (206) Gross operating working capital 457 1,217 405 1,299 809 864 Factoring/Securitization impact (610) (772) (674) (827) (162) (143) Net Operating Working Capital (153) 445 (269) 472 648 721 Net Working Capital 4,294 4,884 4,427 5,350 654 768 * at average rates Of which recurring variation 651 763 Of which non recurring variation 3 5

Net Debt

( millions) 30/06/2019 12/31/2019 Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total Bonds 944 6,071 7,015 948 7,618 8,566 Syndicated loan Commercial paper Other loans and long-term debts 177 363 540 226 81 307 Other financial liabilities 177 363 540 226 81 307 Gross Financial debt 1,121 6,434 7,555 1,174 7,698 8,873 Fair value hedge derivatives assets (13) (13) (15) (15) Fair value hedge derivatives liabilities 2 2 0 0 Fair value hedge derivatives (12) (12) (15) (15) Net investment hedge derivatives assets Net investment hedge derivatives liabilities Net investment hedge derivatives Net asset hedging derivative instruments assets Net asset hedging derivative instruments liabilities 0 0 4 4 Net asset hedging derivative instruments 0 0 4 4 Financial debt after Hedging 1,121 6,422 7,543 1,178 7,684 8,862 Cash and cash equivalents (923) (923) (1,152) (1,152) Net financial debt excluding lease liability 198 6,422 6,620 26 7,684 7,710 Lease Liability * 93 424 517 Net financial debt 198 6,422 6,620 120 8,108 8,228

*Lease liabilities at 31 December 2019 include the contract previously qualified as "Financial leases" and disclosed under "Other loans and financial debts" at 30 June 2019 for an amount of 28 million.

Change in Net Debt

( millions) 31/12/2018 31/12/2019 Operating profit 1,588 1,636 Depreciation and amortisation 111 174 Net change in impairment of goodwill, PPE and intangible assets 26 8 Net change in provisions 4 75 Retreatment of contributions to pension plans acquired from Allied Domecq and others 3 Changes in fair value on commercial derivatives and biological assets (5) (3) Net (gain)/loss on disposal of assets (1) (7) Share-based payments 18 21 Self-financing capacity before interest and tax (1) 1,744 1,903 Decrease (increase) in working capital requirements (654) (768) Net interest and tax payments (374) (401) Net acquisitions of non financial assets and others (131) (164) Free Cash Flow (2) 585 570 of which recurring Free Cash Flow (3) 622 627 Net acquisition of financial assets and activities and others (103) (540) Dividends paid (636) (843) (Acquisition) Disposal of treasury shares (54) (228) Decrease (increase) in net debt (before currency translation adjustments and IFRS 16 non cash impacts) (208) (1,041) IFRS 15 opening adjustment 16 Foreign currency translation adjustment (69) (36) Non cash impact on lease liabilities (4) (531) Decrease (increase) in net debt (after currency translation adjustments and IFRS 16 non cash impacts) (5) (260) (1,608) Initial net debt (6,962) (6,620) Final net debt (7,223) (8,228) Note: IFRS16 impacts are: (1) +56M (2) +42M (3) +38M (4) -531M (5) -489M

Net Debt Maturity at 31 December 2019

billions

[Missing charts are available on the original document and on www.pernod-ricard.com]

Note: Available cash at 31 December 2019: 1.2bn in cash and 2.5bn syndicated credit not used (syndicated credit coming to maturity in June 2024)

Gross Debt after hedging at 31 December 2019

13% floating rate and 87% fixed rate

46% in EUR and 54% in USD

Bond details

Currency Par value Coupon Issue date Maturity date EUR  850 m 2.000% 3/20/2014 6/22/2020  650 m 2.125% 9/29/2014 9/27/2024  500 m 1.875% 9/28/2015 9/28/2023  600 m 1.500% 5/17/2016 5/18/2026  1,500 m o/w: 10/24/2019  500 m 0.000% 10/24/2023  500 m 0.500% 10/24/2027  500 m 0.875% 10/24/2031 USD $ 1,000 m 5.750% 4/7/2011 4/7/2021 $ 1,500 m 4.450% 10/25/2011 1/15/2022 $ 1,650 m o/w: 1/12/2012 $ 800 m at 10.5 years 4.250% 7/15/2022 $ 850 m at 30 years 5.500% 1/15/2042 $ 201 m Libor 6m spread 1/26/2016 1/26/2021 $ 600 m 3.250% 6/8/2016 6/8/2026

Net Debt EBITDA ratio evolution

Closing rate Average rate(1) EUR/USD rate Jun FY19 -> Dec FY20 1.14 -> 1.12 1.14 -> 1.12 Ratio at 30/06/2019 2.3 2.3 EBITDA cash generation excl. Group structure effect and forex impacts 0.1 0.1 Group structure(2) and forex impacts 0.2 0.3 Ratio at 31/12/2019 2.7 2.7 (3) (1) Last-twelve-month rate (2) Including IFRS 16 impact (3) Syndicated credit leverage ratio restated from IFRS16 is 2.6

Diluted EPS calculation

(x 1,000) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 Number of shares in issue at end of period 265,422 265,422 Weighted average number of shares in issue (pro rata temporis) 265,422 265,422 Weighted average number of treasury shares (pro rata temporis) (1,215) (1,462) Dilutive impact of stock options and performance shares 1,274 1,303 Number of shares used in diluted EPS calculation 265,481 265,263 ( millions and /share) H1 FY19 H1 FY20 reported Group share of net profit from recurring operations 1,105 1,216 10.0% Diluted net earnings per share from recurring operations 4.16 4.58 10.1%

Current COVID-19 assumptions, with impact on FY20 PRO

China:

On-trade

All outlets closed in February, and till end of June in Hubei province

Gradual recovery starting from March, back to normal by June

Off-trade

Significant impact on Traditional and Modern outlets in late January and February

Recovery in March

Travel Retail Asia

Reduction in Chinese passenger numbers of c. 2/3 in February and March

Gradual recovery starting from April, back to normal by June

FY20 Impact from China Travel Retail Asia lost Sales:

Impact on Group FY20 Sales: c. -2%

Priority investments maintained throughout Group, while activating targeted mitigation measures

Impact on Group FY20 PRO: c. -3%

Upcoming Communications

DATE EVENT Tuesday 10 March 2020 North America Conference Call Thursday 23 April 2020 Q3 FY20 Sales Tuesday 26 May 2020 Sustainability Responsibility conference 1 The above dates are indicative and are liable to change

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005993/en/

Contacts:

Julia Massies VP, Financial Communications Investor Relations +33 (0)1 41 00 41 07

Charly Montet Investor Relations Manager +33 (0)1 41 00 45 94

Fabien Darrigues External Communications Director +33 (0)1 41 00 44 86

Alison Donohoe Press Relations Manager +33 (0)1 41 00 44 63

Emmanuel Vouin Press Relations Manager +33 (0)1 41 00 44 04
"When we stand up for the rule of law ... and say This decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision, that's a message of strength,'' Kaine said. "If we're to order our young men and women ... to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the people's elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person.''
At least three lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded outside the chamber of one of them in a Lucknow court compound on Thursday

At least three lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded outside the chamber of one of them in a Lucknow court compound on Thursday.

The Joint Commissioner of Police, Lucknow, said that prima facie, it appeared to be a matter of rivalry between two parties and that the investigation is on.

1/2 .   ,          (-),                     . FIR            . @lkopolice pic.twitter.com/YVPLxHt69I  UP POLICE (@Uppolice) February 13, 2020

The commissioner added that people nearby did not hear a blast or bomb exploding and that the plaintiff Sanjiv Kumar Lodhi has not been hurt in any way.

Lodhi, the Lucknow Bar Association joint secretary, claimed he was the target of the attack because he had been complaining about a few judicial officers. He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber in which he and two other lawyers were injured. "One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded," he said, questioning the security on the premises.

Bomb disposal and dog squads have reached the site of the blast.

Last month, lawyers struck work in protest against the recent attacks on them in the state. The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had asked bar associations to abstain from work to put pressure on the government to pass legislation to protect lawyers.

On 7 January, lawyer Shekhar Tripathi (32) was beaten to death with sticks by five men in Lucknow, triggering anger among his colleagues who sat with the body at the district collectorate demanding justice. On 17 December, a man was killed and two policemen injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at Bijnore Chief Judicial Magistrate's court.

With inputs from PTI
Days after Iran failed to launch its latest satellite, Iranian government has denied allegations by the United States that Iran's satellite programme has a military dimension. The country's state news agency quoted Defence Minister Amir Hatami saying that the subject satellite launch is a 'civilian matter'. Hatami added that even though satellites can be used for defence purposes, the satellite launcher is a 'completely non-defensive subject'. According to him, 'there is no prohibition in the world' against the programme.

Iran had attempted to launch a satellite, 'Zafar' which is Farsi of 'Victory' few days before the Islamic Republic celebrated the 41st anniversary and then parliamentary elections. However, the satellite failed to reach the orbit. Meanwhile, Washington also accused Tehran that the country is using satellites in order to cover up its missile programme. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly said that the technology involved to launch the satellites was'virtually identical' to the know-how for long-range ballistic missiles.

Read - Pentagon: 109 Troops Suffer Brain Injuries From Iran Strike

However, reportedly Hatami has said that Tehran was doing similar to 'all other countries' with satellite programmes. Since the launch of Zafar failed, he has also promised that the country will release an updated version by early next year. The Zafar 2 will reportedly be launched with the Simorgh launcher.

The US 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.

Read - 'CAA Cannot Be Questioned Or Deliberated In Any Manner', Kiran Bedi Tells Puducherry CM

US-Iran tensions

Tensions between the US 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 American 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.

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 - IAEA Chief: Working With Iran A 'two Way Street'

Read - Salehi: Iran Will Never Hesitate To Strike Back

(With agency inputs)
Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party.

The Sinn Fein trolls came out in force when I branded them exclusionary nationalists on Twitter. We dont exclude anyone, they saidexcept colonialists.

Colonialists, you may ask, who are they? This is, after all, 2020. Ireland has been independent since the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The last Governor-General hung up his hat in 1936, and Sinn Fein at least officially accept the terms of the 1998 Agreement that a United Ireland can only come about if a majority of the people living there want it to.

By Colonialists, they mean the British, and the Unionist population of Northern Ireland (here Im reminded of a Dublin friend who threw a Sinn Fein member at an anti-racism demo into utter confusion by asking him if Brits Out! was a racist slogan).

Its just one of several examples of the partys dark record that it managed to persuade voters to ignore during an absurdly short three-week election campaign. At a party event celebrating his victory, newly elected David Cullinane praised the IRA hunger strikers, and for good measure ended his speech to supporters with the old chant of Up the Ra!. Another candidate arrived at her count singing Come Out Ye Black and Tans. Confronted on Irish TV on Monday night, Eoin OBroin, a Sinn Fein TD, insisted that they were just emotional speeches and a distraction from the real issues of housing and healthcare on which the party had chosen to campaign.

Its undoubtedly true that these social and economic matters are what drove the Sinn Fein surge. Though its now a century since what everyone in Ireland except Sinn Fein recognises as independence, Ireland is not a country in the grip of a nationalist commemorative fever. But what its voters have done is to elect the largest number of nationalists with questionable (to say the least) commitment to constitutional democracy, since 1932, if not 1919.

This history provides the alternate view of this election. Irish politics is in many ways the story of different factions of the IRA giving up violence and transforming themselves into a political parties. I need only to think of my own grandfather who, in contemporary terms, would have been a young man vulnerable to radicalisation, and having fought to secure an Irish Free State then joined its police force. The pro-Treaty side of the Irish Civil war turned into the party that is the ancestor to todays Fine Gael. Fianna Fail was formed by men who abandoned guerrilla warfare in 1932. The Workers Party is descended from the Official IRA. Could this not be Sinn Fein making the same journey?

Its quite clear that they havent yet. Law enforcement says that the IRA Army Council still exists, and calls the shots in what was always a unified movement. And even if those intelligence conclusions were exaggerated, there is a further and vital political difference. Cumman na nGaedheal (which would become Fine Gael) and Fianna Fail never organised politically north of the border. Sinn Feins core base and real leadership is not only stained by violence, it also operates within another state, and their interest is not building more affordable housing in Dublin but the political reunification of the island.

Such reunification, however, can only happen with the support of the majority of the population of Northern Ireland. That much is required by the Belfast Agreement. It is impossible without persuading a significant proportion of the unionist community that their values and interests would be safeguarded in such a state. Thats not as far-fetched as it might have been a few years ago. Recent opinion polls have suggested Brexit shifted opinion among some Unionists towards government from Dublin rather than Westminster, and the Unionist former head of the Ulster Farmers Union has even been elected to the Irish Senate. But these took place with Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach, whose Fine Gael would be less of a threat to the Unionist community and more of a coalition partner in an all-Ireland parliament. Sinn Fein is a rougher beast. The Ra which its candidates exalt murdered hundreds of Unionists.

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Feins leader, has said she would try to reach out to our Unionist brothers and sisters and convince them they would be a welcome part of the new Ireland they want to create. As long as their activists call them colonialists and candidates glorify the IRA, her words will be as convincing as a Hannukah greeting from Jeremy Corbyn.
The Logan and Albert river catchments in south-east Queensland have received up to 150 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours, while creeks overflow on Tamborine Mountain.

The current drinking water supply capacity of the SEQ Water Grid was 64.9 per cent on Thursday afternoon, which has increased from last week's 56.4 per cent capacity.

Tamborine Mountain was flooded with Curtis Falls Cafe copping some water damage. Credit:Nine News

An emergency flood alert issued at 2pm by the Gold Coast council for residents near the Coomera River was cancelled about 6pm after concerns of heavy rain impacting properties by floodwater had eased.

But parts of Tamborine Mountain experienced flash flooding. The Curtis Falls Cafe experienced flood damage, while fencing was washed away.
Bengaluru: The young man whose Bentley ran over a motorcycle and then an autorickshaw on Bellary Road three days ago surrendered to the traffic police on Wednesday, sobbing that it wasnt he at the wheel.

Mohammad Nalpad is the son of powerful Congress politician S A Harris.

The accident injured an auto driver, his wife and six-year-old child and left the biker with a fractured leg.

The incident took place at around noon February 9 near the Mekhri Circle underpass on Bellary Road.

Nalpad went to the Sadashivanagar traffic police station with his lawyer and was given station bail.

He said it was not he at the wheel, but his driver Balu, when the Bentley went out of control.

I was very much there but I wasnt driving the car. I shifted the injured to hospital and even picked up the expenses, he said.

Sobbing, Nalpad said he had had to answer anxious queries from his aged grandfather and grandmother.

I have not committed anything wrong.

Earlier, joint commissioner (traffic) Ravikanthe Gowda was certain that Nalpad was indeed driving the car when the incident happened.

Nalpads advocate Usman lashed out at joint commissioner Ravikanthe Gowda for blaming his client. Was joint commissioner present on spot when the incident happened? Nalpad was not driving the car, he maintained.

Police sources said there was an attempt to make Nalpads gunman surrender in his stead. However, investigations are said to have nailed his involvement in the accident. Sources said that if this is indeed proved true, the police would have to file a criminal case.

Nalpad was allegedly involved in an assault case earlier in which he landed in prison for 116 days. The incident made it difficult for his father S A Harris to secure a Congress ticket. He managed to get one and won from Shanthinagar constituency.
By PTI

KOLKATA: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal on Thursday decided to boycott the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor, after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's name was found missing from the invitation card for the programme, party sources said.

The first phase of the East-West Metro corridor, connecting Sector V with Salt Lake Stadium in the city, is scheduled to be inaugurated later in the day by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

Senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, state fire services minister Sujit Bose and Bidhanagar Municipal Corporation Chairperson Krishna Chakraborty, who have been invited to the inauguration, have decided to give the event a miss, in protest against "the insult meted out to Banerjee and the people of Bengal".

"The East-West Metro corridor project was the brainchild of Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as the railway minister from 2009-2011. It was Banerjee who had sanctioned money (for the project) in Railway budget. Now, when the project is being inaugurated, she has not been invited. This is an insult to Banerjee and the people of Bengal," Dastidar told PTI.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bose said, "Why should we attend the event when our chief minister has not been invited? The BJP should refrain from such petty politics."

Railway officials, however, have declined to comment on the matter

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's name missing from the invitation for the inauguration of Phase I of the East-West Metro corridor between Salt Lake Sector-V to Salt Lake Stadium. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/FFWcXcaKqE  ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020

Defending the decision to not invite the CM, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, the TMC is "paying for its past sins".

"During the Left rule, Mamata Banerjee, as the railway minister, had not invited the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, on several occasions. So they (TMC) should be the last to talk about courtesy," Ghosh said.

"In several administrative meetings in Bengal, BJP lawmakers have not been invited. Was that a sign of courtesy? The railways have invited local public representatives. Now it is up to them to decide whether they would attend the inauguration," he added.
The number of Arabic speakers has quadrupled in Manitoba in the last 20 years but for-credit Arabic language classes at the University of Manitoba struggle to survive.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The number of Arabic speakers has quadrupled in Manitoba in the last 20 years but for-credit Arabic language classes at the University of Manitoba struggle to survive.

The school says its up to the Arab community to raise money to fund them, as Icelandic, Polish and other communities have with other language programs. The university's Arabic language instructor worries the classes -- and cultural identity linked to language -- are at risk of dying.

"We have to raise money outside the university," said Rawia Azzahrawi, who's taught Arabic at the U of M for a decade and struggled to raise money for the elementary, intermediate and advanced classes. "Students are saying 'should we register for next year?' They're not sure if the Arabic class will be available."

University of Manitoba spokesman John Danakas said language courses offered through the faculty of arts need financial support from the community to sustain them. It's often a challenge to attract students and funding, he said.

Unlike Icelandic and Polish populations that arrived generations ago and are well established in Manitoba, the Arab community's roots are newer. From 2001 to 2016, Manitoba's Arabic speakers nearly quadrupled to 4,695 from 1,230, Statistics Canada data show.

"(Financial) support from the Arabic-speaking community is a struggle," said Azzahrawi. Many of the recent arrivals are resettled refugees starting over with few resources. The instructor said she has had to raise $12,000 for each level of the course that's been limited to elementary and intermediate since the advance class was cancelled four years ago. Her elementary and intermediate classes have averaged between 15 and 20 students. She fears the intermediate level will be dropped next and students will only be offered elementary Arabic.

Azzahrawi, who's a doctoral candidate at the U of M's faculty of education and a member of Manitoba for Arabic Education's board, donated $1,000 of her own money to support the classes because she feels so strongly about them. Language is linked to cultural identity, family connections and self esteem, she said, and she fears the next generation of Arab speakers will lose it.

"If they lose the language, they are losing part of their identity," said Azzahrawi. Learning Arabic helps them understand where they come from and who they are now, she said.

"They're feeling good about themselves," she said. "It doesn't mean they're losing their Canadian identity -- it will strengthen their Canadian identity."

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A former student of hers said Arabic classes are a sound investment in Manitoba.

"We're living in a very globalized world," said Adnan al-Olabe, president-elect of the Arab Students Association at the U of M. His parents immigrated to Canada from Syria in 1999 when he was two. He took Azzahrawi's intermediate class last year and learned how to write in Arabic. He'd take the advanced Arabic course if it was available, he said.

"Right now, economic hubs are in Abu Dhabi and Dubai," said the third-year science student, who wants to transfer to engineering.

Having Arabic speakers gives Manitoba a global edge in business, said al-Olabe. "The Arab community is growing and we're getting a lot of new people", but it's still young and doesn't yet have deep pockets or financial clout.

"Until that happens, I don't see how we can get more funding for the Arabic courses for the university," said al-Olabe.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A woman suspected in the 2002 killing of her husband, whose badly burned body was found in an Ottawa County blueberry field, has been arrested in Rome, the Associated Press said.

Former Eaton County resident Beverly McCallum was arrested after checking into a hotel in Italy where hotels are required to put guests names into a police database.

McCallum had an international arrest warrant.

The burned remains of Roberto Caraballo, 37, were found in 2002 in a foot locker in a Grand Haven Township blueberry field. His identity was a mystery for 13 years before his family saw a video, Jack in the Box, by former Hope College professor David Schock about the discovery of the body.

At the time, investigators had called the John Doe remains Jack.

During the joint investigation, police determined that Carabello was killed in the basement of a house on Horatio Street in Charlotte.

Eaton County prosecutors filed murder charges against McCallum, her daughter, Dineane Ducharme, and Ducharmes acquaintance, Christopher McMillan of Grand Rapids.

Police arrested Ducharme and McMillan last year. McCallum was thought to be living in Pakistan. She apparently met a man there on the internet, the AP said.

McMillan has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, Eaton County court records show. He awaits sentencing.

Ducharme awaits trial on charges of open murder, conspiracy to commit open murder and disinterment or mutilation of a dead body, records show.

Michigan man pleads guilty in killing of man found burned in a footlocker in 2002

Officer demoted 3 years ago for cover-up earns police department honor in 2020

U.P. inmate sent to solitary after trying to incite riot, prison officials say
Cedric Rondeaux and Ryan Hsu bring their market data and trading experience to global teams

Vela, a leading independent provider of trading and market access technology for global multi-asset electronic trading, today announced the expansion of its global Product and Account Management teams with new hires in London and New York.

Based in London, Cedric Rondeaux joins Vela from ICE Data Services as Product Manager, reporting to the Chief Product Officer, Ollie Cadman. As a subject matter expert, Rondeaux will work as part of the global Product Management team, responsible for setting the product strategy and managing the roadmap for Vela's market data business. Rondeaux will drive Vela's response to key client, market and regulatory trends impacting the industry as a whole by identifying opportunities to expand the product set.

Rondeaux commented: "I'm excited by the move to a financial technology firm and using my 15+ years of experience in market data to support Vela's continued investment in this space. This role is an excellent opportunity for me to contribute my expertise in a culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in a fast-paced working environment. I am delighted to be joining such a well-established and respected leader like Vela."

"Given our focus on expanding our market data feed, SuperFeed, Cedric brings valuable experience to the role, particularly with his background in managing real-time consolidated market data feed products. His appointment will help ensure success in the execution of our aggressive global roadmap," said Cadman. "Cedric's experience and skills will also drive our overall market data strategy and the continued growth of our Ticker Plant Appliance."

Ryan Hsu joins Vela as an Account Manager based in the New York office, reporting to Keith CacciolaChief Customer Officer. Prior to joining Vela, Hsu held roles at Starfuels, TP ICAP and MF Global.

Cacciola said, "Ryan's extensive background as an oil derivatives broker and his detailed options knowledge will enable him to create, develop and maintain positive partner relationships with clients, not only supporting Vela's automated trading platform, Metro, but also with our market data and execution products."

In addition to these Product and Account Management roles, Vela has made a number of new hires in its Engineering, Client Services and Corporate teams across New York, Chicago, Belfast and Manila in the last three months.

About Vela

Vela is a leading independent provider of trading and market access technology for global multi-asset electronic trading. Our software enables clients to rapidly access global liquidity, markets, and data sources for superior execution. We help firms successfully differentiate and innovate in an ever-changing, increasingly-regulated and fiercely-competitive landscape, while also reducing total cost of ownership.

Vela's ticker plant, execution gateways, trading platform, and risk and analytics software deliver a unique, ultra-low latency technology stack to simplify and streamline electronic trading. We leverage the latest innovations in technology to deliver cutting-edge performance, features and reliability. Our modular stack provides access to a comprehensive set of trading, data and risk APIs and can be delivered as-a-Service from multiple co-location data centers globally.

With access to more than 250 venues, Vela provides global coverage across all major asset classes. Clients are supported by an award-winning team of technical and business experts available 24x7 from our multiple offices in the US, Europe, and Asia. Vela's clients include traders, market makers, brokers, banks, investment firms, exchanges, and other market participants.

Visit us at www.tradevela.com. Follow us on Twitter @TradeVela.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005128/en/

Contacts:

For media inquiries:

Melanie Budden

The Realization Group for Vela

melanie.budden@therealizationgroup.com

Tel: +44 7974 937970
DAMASCUS, Syria - Syrias air defences engaged hostile targets over the capital of Damascus, state-run media said late Thursday.

Residents reported loud explosions that rocked the city shortly before midnight.

State news agency SANA quoted reports saying Syrian air defences intercepted a number of missiles. It said the missiles approached from the southwest over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

No further details were immediately available nor was it clear what was hit. A video carried by SANA showed what appeared to be Syrian air defences firing over Damascus.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, said suspected Israeli missiles targeted posts for Iranian-backed militias in the area between the Damascus international airport and the Sayeda Zeinab neighbourhood, south of the capital. The Observatory said some of the missiles hit their targets. It didnt say whether there were any casualties.

Israel does not usually comment on reports concerning its airstrikes in neighbouring Syria, though it has frequently attacked what it says are Iranian targets there.

Iranian-backed fighters, including those of Lebanons militant Hezbollah group, have joined Syrias war and are fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assads government forces.
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian experts have recently expressed confidence in China's economic recovery from the setbacks caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

They said they believe that any slowdown in China would be temporary, thanks to the size and status of the Chinese economy in the global supply chain.

Economics professor Yeah Kim Leng, of Sunway University, praised the efforts made by the Chinese government to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact on the economy.

"The Chinese government has already taken several stimulus measures to offset the economic slowdown caused by the epidemic outbreak," he said.

"Due to its large economic size and concerted efforts to support growth, the Chinese economy is likely to rebound as soon as the spread of the virus is contained, and the daily life and economic activities return to normal," said the expert.

"The combination of government stimulus measures, recovery and pent-up demand could restore the economy to its 6-percent growth trajectory," Yeah added.

Meanwhile, the economics professor said, intervention by the authorities and financial institutions will be necessary.

He noticed that Malaysia has taken steps to help affected sectors ride out any slowdown in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in China.

"It is heartening to note that some banks are already providing some financing flexibility and relief to affected firms and individuals. The government may need to allocate some emergency funds to help the firms stay in business and not to reduce jobs," he said.

Oh Ei Sun, principal advisor for Malaysia's Pacific Research Center, said the challenges generated by the outbreak may lead to improved practices to mitigate any similar occurrence in the future.

"As China enters a new normal state of economy, the outbreak would further dent the growth figures in the short term. In the long run, however, as the outbreak subsides, the Chinese economy would no doubt rebound," he said.

Oh added that the situation would lead to stricter requirements on China's part for quality products and services, which would in turn restore confidence in the country both at home and abroad.

"The quality of production, as well as all sorts of standard procedures for strict hygienic requirements will be improved," he said.

Lee Heng Guie, executive director of Malaysia's Socio-Economic Research Center, expected that the Chinese economy will rebound in the second half of this year, adding that the Chinese government has the policy tools to counteract the impact of the novel coronavirus on the economy.

"China will definitely stabilize and rebound in 2H 2020 (second half of 2020) if the outbreak is contained and stabilized towards the second quarter," he said.
A British father-of-four has been arrested in Egypt after patting a airport security guard on the back, his friends have claimed.

Tony Camoccios family fear he may be falsely accused of sexual assault after the alleged incident at an airport on February 8.

Mr Comaccio, who lives in London, was at the end of his holiday with his wife and a group of friends at the time of the alleged incident.

The 51-year-old is believed to be in police custody after being detained at a check point in Hurghada International Airport.

More than 3,000 people had signed an online petition by Thursday evening calling for him to be released.

A statement on the petition website reads: "He was at final checkpoint where he was, as a standard procedure for all outbound passengers, patted down by a security officer.

"Tony then gently patted the officers back, and is now facing serious accusations.

"He was held in a general population cell overnight where he remained in handcuffs petrified for his life as he did not know what he was supposedly being charged with or what he had done wrong."

The Foreign Office has said it is in contact with the family and the authorities in Egypt.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of the Detained in Dubai human rights organisation, said authorities had extended Mr Camoccio's detention for another two weeks to investigate the allegations.

"We are appalled by the arrest and detention of Mr Camoccio, and fear for his safety," she added.

Mr Camoccio is described as having "a loving wife and many friends".

His father Peter, 73, a retired company director from Sutton, south London, told the MailOnline: "The case went to court but it could not proceed because the man he was supposed to have upset was not there.

"My daughter-in-law was told if she apologised to the man it might make it good so they went to the airport but he was not there and he could not be found.
LUCKNOW: A lawyer was attacked by some unidentified men inside the court complex in broad daylight in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. According to information available, the lawyer was attacked with crude bombs, however, he escaped unhurt.

The attackers threw two crude bombs on lawyer Sanjeev Lodhi, one of which exploded near him while the other failed to explode.

The lawyer was guarded by his assistants who escorted him away to safety after the incident. The shocking incident took place in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow.

According to the eyewitnesses, the crude bombs were hurled towards Lodhi's chamber. The lawyer has blamed another lawyer Jitu Yadav for the incident.

A group of lawyers have started a protest against the attack and demanded security for the lawyer and inside the court premises.

The Lucknow Police, which immediately reached the spot, have recovered three bombs from the court complex.

They have begun to probe the incident and launched hunt for the attackers.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:17:43|Editor: yan

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TOKYO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The total number of fatal accidents caused by elderly drivers in Japan declined in 2019, the police agency here said Thursday, although concerns still remain rife about the number of accidents being caused by senior citizens amid Japan's rapidly aging population.

According to the National Police Agency (NPA), in 2019, drivers aged 75 or older caused 401 fatal traffic accidents, which comprised 14.4 percent of the national total.

But while the number was marginally lower than a record high logged the previous year, with 59 less cases, the latest figure remains worryingly high, in light of the rapid rate the population is aging in Japan.

The police agency's data also showed that the number of fatal traffic accidents per 100,000 license holders aged 75 or older stood at 6.9 in the recording period.

This marks a decline of 1.3 from 2018, yet is more than double the figure of 3.1 fatal traffic accidents per 100,000 license holders caused by those aged under 75, the agency's data showed.

Among the 401 fatal accidents, 77 involved collisions with inanimate objects such as utility poles and road signs, while 67 collisions involved other vehicles when overtaking or passing. Of the total, there were 60 head-on collisions as well as 55 involving cars veering of roads, the data showed.

Regarding 385 fatal accidents not involving motorbikes, 107 of them were down to driver error, the NPA also said.

Fifty three of these were found to involve mistaken steering maneuvers, while 28 fatal accidents were due to the driver mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake.

The NPA is planning to submit a bill to revise the law so that elderly drivers who already have records of driving violations will have to have their driving ability retested when they apply to renew their licenses.

A new license will also be introduced, the NPA said, which will limit certain drivers to only operating cars equipped with special safety features, such as automatic brake systems to prevent unintentional acceleration.

In April last year, a fatal car crash which killed a three-year-old girl and her mother shocked the nation and punctuated the need for the preventative measures to be taken.

The accident involved an 88-year-old, ex-senior bureaucrat, who was found to have driven his car through pedestrian crossings in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, hitting 31-year-old Mana Matsunaga and her three-year-old daughter Riko who were riding on a bicycle.

The mother and daughter were killed and eight others, including the driver and his wife who was in the passenger seat at the time, were injured.

The elderly driver had said of the crash that he may have mistaken the gas pedal for the brake.

Other high profile cases in recent years involved a woman in her 70s crashing her car through a hospital window and into the lobby of hospital in Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan, leaving 13 people injured.

Several pedestrians, meanwhile, were struck on a road in a city southwest of Tokyo, by a driver in her 90s. The accident, which killed one person and injured six others, was the result of the elderly female driver pulling out from a company building and onto a main street, while ignoring traffic signals.

In doing so, she struck four people who were on a crossing walk and two other people who were on a side street.

Such accidents caused by the elderly and the fact that Japan's "silver tsunami" demographic crisis is set to worsen has made the topic of elderly drivers a national talking point, with such accidents rarely out of the headlines.

By 2023, the number of driving license holders aged 75 and older is expected to reach 7.17 million, jumping from 5.64 million senior-aged drivers as of the end of 2018, official statistics have shown.
The list includes 112 entities including Airbnb, Bookoing, Expedia Group and Motorola Solutions. The accusations include the supply of equipment for the expansion of settlements, the demolition of Palestinian properties and financing. Israel threatens boycotts. Palestinian satisfaction. UN: controversial issue.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - From Airbnb to Bookoing, from Expedia Group to Motorola Solutions, these are just some of the 112 companies - some of them among the giants of e-commerce - which according to the United Nations carry out illegal activities in the Israeli colonies in West Bank. The list is contained in a report presented yesterday by Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (Ohchr), and has already raised the harsh condemnation of the Israeli government, while Palestinians speak of "victory for international law".

The UN body's report comes at a time of deep tension between Israel and Palestine, which has intensified in the last period following the publication of the so-called "Deal of the century" by US President Donald Trump. A peace plan that created further tension leading to Palestinian attacks on Israelis and the harsh response of the Israeli army.

The study published yesterday started in 2016 on the initiative of the UN Human Rights Council, which gave a mandate to the OHCHR to provide a database of companies involved in specific activities related to the settlements. This includes: supply of equipment and materials that facilitate the expansion of settlements and the barrier in the West Bank; supply of equipment for the demolition of Palestinian private properties and homes, farms, greenhouses, olive groves, crops; supply of tools and services for the maintenance of the settlements; banking and financial operations that help maintain or develop settlements, including construction loans.

Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu warned that "those who boycott will be boycotted" referring to the blacklist of companies. "Instead of dealing with human rights - he added - the commission only tries to denigrate Israel". This is echoed by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who stamps the document as a "shameful surrender to pressure from countries and organizations", as well as a "stain" on the OHCHR. Criticism also from opposition leader Benny Gantz (Blue White coalition), according to which the publication is "a dark day for human rights".

The reaction on the Palestinian side is, of course, different. The PA's foreign minister speaks of "the victory of international rights and diplomatic efforts to drain the resources of the colonial system" which is represented by "illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories". Controversy and clashes held in account by the UN, as confirmed by Michelle Bachelet who says she is aware that "the issue is and will continue to be controversial".
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Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture has invested $9 million in four, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 3,744 rural households, 31 businesses, 41 farms and a critical community facility in Tennessee. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDAs ReConnect Pilot Program investments.Our core mission at USDA is to increase rural prosperity through boosting economic opportunity in rural America, Secretary Perdue said.We know that rural communities need robust, modern infrastructure to thrive, and that includes having access to broadband e-Connectivity. Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is proud to partner with rural communities to deploy this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.Ben Lomand Holdings Inc. will use a $2.2 million ReConnect Program grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network to rural northeastern Cumberland County. The funded service areas include 222 households, six pre-subscribed businesses and three pre-subscribed farms spread over 100 square miles.North Central Communications Inc. will use a $1.4 million ReConnect Program grant to provide broadband service to residents and businesses in rural Smith County. The funded service areas include 164 households, 10 pre-subscribed businesses and 21 pre-subscribed farms spread over 22 square miles.Peoples Telephone Company, dba TEC, will use a $1 million ReConnect Program loan and a $1 million ReConnect Program grant to provide broadband service to residents and businesses in rural Houston, Henry, Stewart and Montgomery counties. The funded service areas include 642 households, two pre-subscribed businesses and five pre-subscribed farms spread over 38 square miles.United Communications Inc. will use a $3.3 million ReConnect Program grant to provide broadband service to residents and businesses in rural Wilson, Rutherford, Williamson and Maury counties. The funded service areas include 2,716 households, 13 pre-subscribed businesses, 12 pre-subscribed farms and a critical community facility spread over 48 square miles.Background:In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called ReConnect, including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding will open Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close no later than March 16, 2020.A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Forces findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/tn.
Speaker of Latin Americas Parliament, Jorge Pizarro Esteban Soto, has voiced firm backing to the efforts made by the Secretary General of the United Nations for the resolution of the Sahara issue.

Speaking to journalists after meeting Wednesday in Rabat Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita, Mr. Esteban Soto said talks were an opportunity for the Latin American MPs delegation to be informed about latest developments of the Sahara issue and about the UN-led political process for the settlement of this conflict, expressing support to the UN process.

He also praised the excellent ties existing between the Parliaments of Latin America and Morocco, saying that the two sides are determined to enhance further political, commercial and cultural relations to take up common international challenges.

The Speaker of the Latin American Parliament also conferred with speakers of the two chambers of the Moroccan parliament on means to strengthen relations between the legislative institutions.

The two parties underlined the dynamism characterizing the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Moroccan parliament and its Latin American and Caribbean counterpart and welcomed the initiative to create a parliamentary forum that includes the parliaments of African countries and Latin America and the Caribbean. The forum will be a venue for joint action and a mechanism for parliamentary political dialogue and consultation on priority strategic questions.

This parliamentary diplomacy mechanism will explore ways to enhance regional integration and south-south cooperation, in accordance with a strategic, participatory, integrated, solidarity-based development perspective, which is based on fostering economic and commercial interests and human ties between Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The two parties agreed to organize two events, namely a symposium of speakers of regional and continental parliaments, next July, and an international symposium, next September, to discuss the effective launch of the Africa-Latin America and the Caribbean parliamentary forum.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:09:50|Editor: yan

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GABORONE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Botswana will on Sunday launch a new initiative aimed at fully engaging community leaders in the fight against the pandemic HIV, the virus that causes the infectious AIDS.

In partnership with the United States government through the President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the initiative will see leaders of faith based organizations and traditional leaders being engaged to fight the scourge.

Botswana has the second highest HIV prevalence in the world with the latest reports estimating it to be around 17.6 percent for the general population and 24 percent for 15 years and above age group.

Recent statistics further estimated that 48.9 percent of women aged 30-34 years while 33.3 percent of pregnant ones are HIV positive.

Traditional and faith based leaders play a critical role in influencing decisions of members of the community hence bringing them on board in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Lemogang Kwape, Botswana's health and wellness minister, said in a telephone interview on Thursday.

"Faith and traditional leaders play a critical role in their communities and would draw upon their influence and wisdom in fighting this scourge," said the minister, adding that the community leaders to be engaged are pastors, religious leaders, traditional doctors and tribal chiefs.

According to Kwape, the envisaged initiative that will target men and children and code named faith and communities initiative.

For his part, U.S. ambassador to Botswana, Craig Cloud said the initiative is meant to reach HIV infected men and children with testing services by engaging faith leaders, raising community awareness and bring critical prevention as well as treatment interventions.
[February 12, 2020] Pearl Abyss Reveals Global Beta Test Date for "Shadow Arena"

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearl Abyss announced that Shadow Arena, an upcoming Fantasy Arena Fighter from the creators of Black Desert, will be available on Steam for a global Beta test that will run from February 27 to March 8. With successful tests in Korea and Russia, this global Beta test will reach more players across the globe and offer improved gameplay features and support in 14 languages, including English, Thai, Indonesian, and Turkish. Starting February 27, players can experience the Fantasy Arena Fighter where 40 players compete against each other to be the sole survivor. During atches, players can grow stronger by hunting monsters or acquiring and upgrading items. Players can choose among various unique fighting styles by selecting one of nine characters--Jordine Ducas, Ahon Kirus, Yeonhwa, Gerhard Shultz, Haru, Herawen, Goyen, Orwen, and Badal the Golden.



Shadow Arena offers both Solo and Team Modes. Players can show off their individual combat prowess by going solo or devise complex strategies by playing as a team. They can also hone their skills with any selectable character through Practice Mode or play with select groups of people in Private Matches. Regardless of what mode is chosen by players, impeccable skill execution and evasive maneuvers are critical to turn the tides of battle and ultimately secure victory. Players who wish to participate in the Beta test can sign up on the official website until February 24. They can also watch the trailer here and visit Shadow Arena's Discord , YouTube , and Facebook for more information.

Shadow Arena is planned for release on PC during the first half of 2020 and is expected to launch on console sometime thereafter. [Supported Languages] Korean, English, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Turkish, Indonesian, and Thai. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200212/2718361-1 SOURCE Pearl Abyss

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Born2Global Centre , a major Korean government innovation agency that operates under the country's Ministry of Science and ICT and greatly contributes to the Korean startup ecosystem, is now introducing Korea's innovative technologies to the Middle East market.

Through the Born2Global Centre, Seerslab, winner of the AIM 2020 National Pitch Competition held in Korea earlier this month, will go to the Middle East to participate in the AIM 2020 Global Startups Champions League.

The AIM National Pitch Competition was organized in cooperation with the Born2Global Centre, the official partner of AIM (Annual Investment Meeting) in Korea. The winner of this competition gets the opportunity to introduce its technology and establish itself in the Middle East market. AIM is an investment platform under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai and is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy.

Seerslab will be in the final stage of the AIM 2020 Global Startups Champions League, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center from March 24 to 26. The company will compete against more than 100 selected companies from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Germany, the UK, India, Rwanda, Japan, and Singapore. As the winner of the AIM National Pitch Competition, Seerslab will run an exhibition booth in AIM 2020 and get to participate in networking events and business meetings with global investors. The final competition is expected to be witnessed by more than 16,000 visitors from all over the globe.

At the national competition, Seerslab received high scores for its AR technology service expansion and its impressive strategy for entering the Middle East market.

CEO Jinwook Jung of Seerslab said, "We are pleased to have been recognized for the value of ARGear, Seerslab's all-in-one AR solution, as well as to have this opportunity to introduce ARGear to the Middle East through our participation in AIM 2020, in which we will compete with innovative technology companies. We hope that the release of our platform will make it easier for developers to access AI technologies and content." Jung added, "We aim to become a leader of the global market, including the Middle East, based on our experience in building AI services for mobile phone manufacturers, telecommunications companies, and e-commerce."

AIM Regional Manager Kaosar Nazia said, "We know that Korean companies and technologies are thriving in the Korean startup ecosystem and going on to find success in the global market with their excellent technologies and global competitiveness. By working with the Born2Global Centre, one of the leading organizations in the industry, we can help Korean companies establish themselves in both the Dubai and Middle East markets."

After this pitch competition, the Born2Global Centre will continue increasing its presence in the Middle East. In particular, it will actively support Toss lab (business collaboration tool), Dtonic (spatio-temporal big data engineering platform), VisualCamp (AI-based eye-tracking technology), and GSIL (smart construction safety management system), which were runners-up in the contest.

Starting the road show by participating in AIM 2020 Dubai in March, the Born2Global Centre and the winning company will also participate in the Dubai Expo 2020 project, complete the PMF (Product-Market-Fit) program for Middle East market verification, and meet with local experts to discuss strategies for successful market entry.

Chief Executive Director Jongkap Kim of the Born2Global Centre said, "We are in close communication with various local partners, including AIM, which has an excellent pipeline in the Middle East, as well as investment companies, global corporations, and government agencies. Going forward, we plan to develop various cooperative business models to help Korean companies grow and gain momentum."

For more detailed information on Born2Global, visit www.born2global.com.

About AIM

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM, www.aimcongress.com), the World's Leading Investment Platform in the Middle East and North Africa, will hold its 10th edition on March 24-26 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Under the theme 'Investing for the Future: Shaping the Global Investment Strategies', AIM will gather high-ranking government officials, decision makers, corporate leaders, policy makers, businessmen, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and investment experts to address the global challenges of securing viable investment aimed at contributing to economic growth. AIM is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy and is under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

About Born2Global Centre

Born2Global Centre (www.born2global.com) is a full-cycle service platform for global expansion. Since inception in 2013, Born2Global has been setting the standard for successful startup ecosystem as the main Korean government agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Born2Global has expanded and transformed startups to be engaged, equipped and be connected with the global market.

Media Contact

AIM

Kimberly Dela Cruz, Marketing Coordinator

Kimberly.delacruz@aimcongress.com

Born2Global Centre

Jina Lee, PR Manager

jlee@born2global.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1089958/Born2Global_Centre_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1089959/Born2Global_Centre_2.jpg

SOURCE Born2Global Centre
(SAD) stalwart on Thursday said minorities have to be taken along to successfully run a government, asserting that all religions should be respected.

The remark came against the backdrop of criticism of the BJP, an old ally of the SAD, over the amended Citizenship Act and plans to implement a Register of Citizens.

Addressing a rally here, Badal also expressed "grave concern" over the situation in the country.

"It is a matter of grave concern that the present situation in the country is not that good. I will say that all religions should be respected and take along minorities, take along your allies if you have to be successful in running the government so that all brothers (countrymen) consider themselves part of a family," Badal said.

"Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs brothers should embrace each other rather than we sow seeds of hatred," he added.

The SAD had earlier wanted Muslims to be included in the CAA, a legislation which seeks to give citizenship to the persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Akalis, who are part of the NDA, even refused to contest the recently held Delhi Assembly polls after it was asked by the BJP to change its stand on the CAA.

Badal said those in power at the Centre and the states should ensure that the country was run strictly in accordance with secular democratic ethos as enshrined in the Constitution.

"It is written in our Constitution that our country will have secular and democratic rule," he said.

"Any deviation from the sacred principles of secularism can only weaken our country. Those in power at the state as well as others must work unitedly and tirelessly to safeguard, preserve and protect India as a secular democracy.

"This is the legacy we inherited from the great Guru Sahiban, saints and seers. And this is the legacy we must leave for the coming generations," Badal added.

The Akali leader lashed out at the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government for failing to keep poll promises, asking him either to honour the promises made to people or quit.

He also targeted senior leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who were expelled from the party, saying they were given every post they desired for but still they chose to backstab the party at the instance of "anti-panthic" forces.

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal said the people would not allow Amarinder Singh's move to "break" the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to succeed.

He also accused the CM of "befooling" the people by making "false" promises in the name of the 'Dasam Pitah' (Tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh).

The SAD chief alleged that electricity had become "expensive" in Punjab due to the "mismanagement and scams" of the Congress.

He added that Congress leaders had struck "underhand deals" with the management of the private thermal plants which resulted in a loss or Rs 4,100 crore to the state exchequer.

Sukhbir Badal claimed that power purchased at Rs 3 per unit was being sold to consumers at Rs 9 to Rs 10 per unit.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 02:19:16|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The interior minister of Libya's UN-backed government said on Wednesday that Libya refuses to settle illegal immigrants on its territories.

The remarks were made by Fathi Bashaga during his meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio in the capital Tripoli, according to a statement issued by the Libyan Interior Ministry.

"The idea of settling immigrants, along with any other issue that affects Libyan sovereignty, is rejected and unaccepted by the Libyans," Bashaga said.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for migrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward Europe because of the insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

More than 600,000 illegal immigrants are stranded in Libya, many of whom are in need of assistance especially as the deadly armed conflict continues, according to International Organization for Migration (IOM).

IOM estimates that more than 110,000 illegal immigrants made their way to Europe through the Mediterranean in 2019, while 1,283 died on the way.

IOM has repeatedly noted that Libya is not a safe port for disembarkation of immigrants because of the deteriorating security conditions in the country.
President Donald Trumps re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee have collectively raised more than half a billion dollars since the beginning of 2019, with more than $60 million raised in January 2020 alone.

The Associated Press, which received the fundraising figures from the RNC and the Trump campaign, reported Thursday that the pro-Trump groups have more than $200 million cash on hand for the 2020 race, crushing previous fundraising records. The presidents team hopes to raise $1 billion in this election cycle.

The January fundraising came during the run up to the presidents acquittal on charges that got him impeached by the House of Representatives in December. The campaign frequently used fighting impeachment as a theme as it asked supporters for donations.

Since Democrats ignited the impeachment inquiry in September 2019, the Trump campaign and RNC say theyve gained more than 1 million new digital and direct mail donors, the AP reported. Trump, at a campaign rally in Manchester on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, said, Thank you, Nancy, in reference to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Brad Parscale, Trumps 2020 re-election campaign manager, quickly turned the acquittal into an opportunity to declare the president totally vindicated and to drum up support against Democrats.

This terrible ordeal was always a campaign tactic to invalidate the 2016 votes of 63 million Americans and was a transparent effort to interfere with the 2020 election only nine months away, Parscale tweeted.

This terrible ordeal was always a campaign tactic to invalidate the 2016 votes of 63 million Americans and was a transparent effort to interfere with the 2020 election only nine months away.



Full campaign statement: pic.twitter.com/ZwSphjRaXL  Brad Parscale - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@parscale) February 5, 2020

Parscale told the AP that Democrats shameful impeachment hoax and dumpster fire primary process have boosted the record-breaking financial support for Trumps re-election effort.

With President Trumps accomplishments, our massive data and ground operations and our strong fundraising numbers, Parscale said, this campaign is going to be unstoppable in 2020.

Ronna McDaniel, the RNC chairwoman, told AP, We already have 500,000 volunteers trained and activated, and this record-breaking support is helping us grow our grassroots army even more.

AP reported that the Trump team has more than doubled former President Barack Obamas and the Democratic National Committees fundraising haul and cash on hand by the same point in 2012 race.

On the Democratic side in 2020, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has topped his rivals in fundraising while edging former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in the first two voting contests of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Sanders raised $25 million in January alone, more money than any other candidate in a crowded Democratic presidential primary raised during any full quarter in 2019. His campaign raked in $34.5 million over the final 2019 fundraising quarter.

Sanders, who like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has spurned big-donor fundraising events throughout the campaign, has fueled his 2016 and 2020 bids with grassroots support from small donors. He has frequently touted that his campaign has received more money, from more donors, than any candidate in the history of American politics.
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 day testing site.
In case it had escaped your notice, this Friday is Valentines Day, an event in which the martyrdom of a Roman priest in the third century has strangely transmogrified into a festival of romantic love, cellophane-wrapped teddy bears, identikit red roses and social media showboating.

But halt! You dont need to go out for the overpriced set menu, or show the world how #blessed you are with your perfect partner, when you could shut yourself alone in a room with a good book. What could be more romantic?

For as long as writers have touched ink to paper, they have explored the agonies, ecstasies and ambiguities of romance, from the medieval tradition of courtly love (note to Petrarch: shes just not that into you) to the modern novel. Literature is at its best when it prods at the constraints society places on people, making love the perfect topic: a battleground between our most basic biological urges and the changing social mores around what constitutes an acceptable relationship.

In this round-up of literary love stories, constraints are explored in all their forms: from lovers crossing the spidery cracks of class differences in Georgian England to those stepping across dangerous chasms that have divided people based on sexual orientation or faith. Some celebrate romantic success, some help you feel youre not alone in your heartbreak, others question the boundaries and meanings of love itself.

Click through the gallery or read below to see the 10 greatest love stories:

The 10 greatest love stories of all time Show all 10 1 /10 The 10 greatest love stories of all time The 10 greatest love stories of all time 10. The Rosie Project, buy Graeme Simsion Lets start with something light: a successful relationship usually means adjusting to how someone else sees the world. This is more of a challenge when that someone is Don Tillman, who cooks exactly the same thing every week according to The Standardised Meal System, calculates everyones BMI on first glance, and decides to find a wife by distributing a questionnaire. Enter chaos in the form of Rosie, who meets none of the criteria but nonetheless, well, ticks his box. Beneath the fun and the fluff there is a quietly profound exploration of the assumptions around autism and what it means to have an atypical  or a typical  brain. The 10 greatest love stories of all time 9. Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez This is a luscious, complicated tale of lingering teenage passion, told by Colombias Nobel prize-winning master of magical realism. Two young lovers, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza, are parted by the latters disapproving father. Fermina marries someone else; they live separate lives and grow old. Once Fermina is widowed following an unfortunate incident involving a mango tree and a parrot, they meet again and become a couple. The novel explores what it means to be faithful and the subtle nature of a successful marriage. The 10 greatest love stories of all time 8. Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy Love and marriage belong in two different boxes in this sprawling, epic account of the married Countess Anna Kareninas doomed love affair with Count Vronsky. Her brothers womanising is tolerated; Annas less so. Caught between fierce love, insecurity, hypocritical social pressures and the plodding presence of her husband, she finds if impossible to extricate herself. It does not end well. If youre having relationship problems, think: What would Anna Karenina do? Then do the opposite. UPI Media The 10 greatest love stories of all time 7. The Great Gatsby, by F Scott Fitzgerald Whats the difference between love and obsession? Not a great deal if youre rich kid Jay Gatsby, standing on your lawn under the stars and sighing after Daisy Buchanan. This elegant and elegiac novel pairs a decadent moment in American culture with the solipsism of romantic fixation. Gatsby projects his own needs onto Daisy, and the gap between imagination and reality is beautifully exposed. Warner Bros The 10 greatest love stories of all time 6. Under the Udala Trees, by Chinelo Okparanta One of a number of Nigerian writers to draw inspiration from the countrys Biafran war, Chinelo Okparanta uses the conflict as a backdrop to this love story about two young women. Ijeoma is a Christian Igbo, and Amina is a Muslim Hausa. Suffice to say, things are complicated. This is an evocative portrayal of how passion pushes against the strictures of faith, family, class and pretty much everything in its path. The 10 greatest love stories of all time 5. Middle England, by Jonathan Coe Do opposites attract, or will marriage between a Remainer and a Leaver always end badly? This is one of the many questions deftly explored in Coes funny, touching novel about Britain before and after Brexit. While the conventional relationship is between two gently mismatched lovers  university lecturer Sophie and driving safety instructor Ian  its the relationship between dreamy novelist Benjamin and his sister that warrants the inclusion here. Not in a Game of Thrones kind of way: Coes novel is a reminder that we fetishise romantic love and overlook the significance of other bonds. The 10 greatest love stories of all time 4. A Single Man, by Christopher Isherwood The opposite of a happily ever after, Isherwoods novel explores what happens when the person you love dies. The bereaved in question is George, a gloriously prickly professor struggling to get over the loss of his partner, Jim. His isolation is compounded by the homophobia of the Sixties. This concise novel captures the legacy of love and the utter discombobulation of grief, as well as showcasing Isherwoods laconic brilliance. Rex Features The 10 greatest love stories of all time 3. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte From the red room of childhood nightmares to the mad woman locked in an attic, this Victorian novel has lent us some powerful symbols. It also stands as an enduring love story between the overlooked but fiercely intelligent governess of the title and Mr Rochester, who gradually learns to value whats in front of him. rarebookschool.org The 10 greatest love stories of all time 2. The Fault in Our Stars Even while dealing with terminal illness, the teenaged characters in this book pulse with life. A support group for kids with cancer isnt the obvious setting for a romance, but this emerges as a tragicomic triumph. Its a hymn to the importance of being in the moment, with a twist at the end that would make a sociopath snivel. The 10 greatest love stories of all time 1. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen There is a reason this novel is basically synonymous with romance, spawning endless tributes and adaptations over 200 years after it was written: it captures what so many people long for in a relationship. No, not an ornamental lake and a man in britches, but for someone to see your true value. Darcy puts aside his concerns over Elizabeths lower social standing; Elizabeth moves past his terrible line in small talk. Theres a beautiful symmetry in the way their relationship sloughs off faults on both sides, while Austens barbed prose is a timeless joy. chipkidd.com

10. The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion

Lets start with something light: a successful relationship usually means adjusting to how someone else sees the world. This is more of a challenge when that someone is Don Tillman, who cooks exactly the same thing every week according to The Standardised Meal System, calculates everyones BMI on first glance, and decides to find a wife by distributing a questionnaire. Enter chaos in the form of Rosie, who meets none of the criteria but nonetheless, well, ticks his box. Beneath the fun and the fluff there is a quietly profound exploration of the assumptions around autism and what it means to have an atypical  or a typical  brain.

9. Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This is a luscious, complicated tale of lingering teenage passion, told by Colombias Nobel prize-winning master of magical realism. Two young lovers, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza, are parted by the latters disapproving father. Fermina marries someone else; they live separate lives and grow old. Once Fermina is widowed following an unfortunate incident involving a mango tree and a parrot, they meet again and become a couple. The novel explores what it means to be faithful and the subtle nature of a successful marriage.

8. Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy

Love and marriage belong in two different boxes in this sprawling, epic account of the married Countess Anna Kareninas doomed love affair with Count Vronsky. Her brothers womanising is tolerated; Annas less so. Caught between fierce love, insecurity, hypocritical social pressures and the plodding presence of her husband, she finds it impossible to extricate herself. It does not end well. If youre having relationship problems, think: What would Anna Karenina do? Then do the opposite.

7. The Great Gatsby, by F Scott Fitzgerald

Whats the difference between love and obsession? Not a great deal if youre rich kid Jay Gatsby, standing on your lawn under the stars and sighing after Daisy Buchanan. This elegant and elegiac novel pairs a decadent moment in American culture with the solipsism of romantic fixation. Gatsby projects his own needs onto Daisy, and the gap between imagination and reality is beautifully exposed.

6. Under the Udala Trees, by Chinelo Okparanta

One of a number of Nigerian writers to draw inspiration from the countrys Biafran war, Chinelo Okparanta uses the conflict as a backdrop to this love story about two young women. Ijeoma is a Christian Igbo, and Amina is a Muslim Hausa. Suffice to say, things are complicated. This is an evocative portrayal of how passion pushes against the strictures of faith, family, class and pretty much everything in its path.

Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

5. Middle England, by Jonathan Coe

Do opposites attract, or will marriage between a Remainer and a Leaver always end badly? This is one of the many questions deftly explored in Coes funny, touching novel about Britain before and after Brexit. While the conventional relationship is between two gently mismatched lovers  university lecturer Sophie and driving safety instructor Ian  its the relationship between dreamy novelist Benjamin and his sister that warrants the inclusion here. Not in a Game of Thrones kind of way: Coes novel is a reminder that we fetishise romantic love and overlook the significance of other bonds.

Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Show all 19 1 /19 Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by Shoshana Zuboff Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalrymple Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Lot: Stories by Bryan Washington Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Normal People by Sally Rooney Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Orphan Masters Son by Adam Johnson Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Solitary by Albert Woodfox Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Topeka School by Ben Lerner Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 Trust Exercise by Susan Choi Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 We Live in Water: Stories by Jess Walter Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 A Different Way to Win: Dan Rooneys Story from the Super Bowl to the Rooney Rule by Jim Rooney Barack Obama's favourite books of 2019 The Sixth Man by Andre Iguodala

4. A Single Man, by Christopher Isherwood

The opposite of a happily ever after, Isherwoods novel explores what happens when the person you love dies. The bereaved in question is George, a gloriously prickly professor struggling to get over the loss of his partner, Jim. His isolation is compounded by the homophobia of the Sixties. This concise novel captures the legacy of love and the utter discombobulation of grief, as well as showcasing Isherwoods laconic brilliance.

3. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

From the red room of childhood nightmares to the mad woman locked in an attic, this Victorian novel has lent us some powerful symbols. It also stands as an enduring love story between the overlooked but fiercely intelligent governess of the title and Mr Rochester, who gradually learns to value whats in front of him.

2. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

Even while dealing with terminal illness, the teenaged characters in this book pulse with life. A support group for kids with cancer isnt the obvious setting for a romance, but this emerges as a tragicomic triumph. Its a hymn to the importance of being in the moment, with a twist at the end that would make a sociopath snivel.

1. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

There is a reason this novel is basically synonymous with romance, spawning endless tributes and adaptations over 200 years after it was written: it captures what so many people long for in a relationship. No, not an ornamental lake and a man in britches, but for someone to see your true value. Darcy puts aside his concerns over Elizabeths lower social standing; Elizabeth moves past his terrible line in small talk. Theres a beautiful symmetry in the way their relationship sloughs off faults on both sides, while Austens barbed prose is a timeless joy.
erdikocak/iStock(FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio) -- Drug overdose deaths are reaching record highs in Ohios most populous county, straining resources, forcing hospitals to hold on to the dead and pushing the coroners office to consider opening a second morgue, the Franklin County coroner said.



Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 9, Franklin County has experienced almost 30 deaths due to suspected opioid overdoses, Dr. Anahi Ortiz, the county coroner, told ABC News. The figure includes 10 overdose deaths on one day.



While other Ohio counties have seen a decrease in overdose deaths, Franklin County has not. Between 2018 and 2019, the county, which includes the majority of Columbus metropolitan area, saw a 10 percent increase in overdose deaths.



Ortiz believes the increased use of fentanyl is behind the rise.



About 75 to 80 percent of our overdose deaths involve fentanyl or a fentanyl analog, she said.



Fentanyl has just gotten into everything. We're seeing fentanyl in cocaine, fentanyl in methamphetamine, we've seen black market oxy with fentanyl in it. It's just everywhere, she added.



The county has struggled to find the resources for the increase of deaths. Our folks are tired, Ortiz said. Its straining our capacity.



We've had to switch the freezer over to a cooler in order to accommodate more [dead bodies] in our facility. And we have several times been to the point where we're thinking of calling for a temporary morgue, she added.



The coroners office has also asked hospitals to hold on to bodies while the office continues to process overdose victims. If someone dies at a hospital, we've had to ask hospitals to hold on until we have spots open, Ortiz said.



Over the last decade, many states have been gripped by the opioid crisis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 130 people die in the U.S. each day after overdosing on opioids.



While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that overdose deaths were down more than 4% last year, overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl increased by nearly 10 percent.



The total amount of opioid deaths has also carried a significant human toll.



Internally, it's taking a physical and emotional toll on everyone. We are working on trying to get a counselor who is experienced in social work and trauma to come in to hold sessions for the staff on a regular basis, Ortiz said.



But the community is reeling and Ortiz has seen the pain.



I see [families] frustration," she said. "I read about their frustration. I read about their angst. I'm constantly reading about this one's son and that one's daughter. Its a lot of frustration and you know, just despair.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
The CEO of Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited (HKG:7) is Say Hoe Chui. First, this article will compare CEO compensation with compensation at similar sized companies. Next, we'll consider growth that the business demonstrates. And finally - as a second measure of performance - we will look at the returns shareholders have received over the last few years. The aim of all this is to consider the appropriateness of CEO pay levels.

View our latest analysis for Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group

How Does Say Hoe Chui's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies?

At the time of writing, our data says that Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited has a market cap of HK$3.2b, and reported total annual CEO compensation of HK$660k for the year to December 2018. Notably, the salary of HK$660k is the vast majority of the CEO compensation. When we examined a selection of companies with market caps ranging from HK$1.6b to HK$6.2b, we found the median CEO total compensation was HK$2.6m.

A first glance this seems like a real positive for shareholders, since Say Hoe Chui is paid less than the average total compensation paid by similar sized companies. However, before we heap on the praise, we should delve deeper to understand business performance.

You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group has changed over time.

SEHK:7 CEO Compensation, February 13th 2020

Is Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited Growing?

On average over the last three years, Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited has shrunk earnings per share by 9.2% each year (measured with a line of best fit). In the last year, its revenue is up 631%.

The reduction in earnings per share, over three years, is arguably concerning. On the other hand, the strong revenue growth suggests the business is growing. It's hard to reach a conclusion about business performance right now. This may be one to watch. Although we don't have analyst forecasts you might want to assess this data-rich visualization of earnings, revenue and cash flow.

Story continues

Has Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited Been A Good Investment?

Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited has served shareholders reasonably well, with a total return of 16% over three years. But they would probably prefer not to see CEO compensation far in excess of the median.

In Summary...

Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group Limited is currently paying its CEO below what is normal for companies of its size.

It's well worth noting that while Say Hoe Chui is paid less than most company leaders (at companies of similar size), share price performance has been somewhat uninspiring. But on this analysis I see no issue with the CEO compensation. CEO compensation is one thing, but it is also interesting to check if the CEO is buying or selling Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group (free visualization of insider trades).

If you want to buy a stock that is better than Hong Kong Finance Investment Holding Group, this free list of high return, low debt companies is a great place to look.

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.
Twitter went into meltdown over Hayley Vernon's eye-popping ample assets on Wednesday's episode of Married At First Sight.

But it seems some fans were more interested in the whereabouts of her nipples, taking to social media to voice their concern, including one who wrote: 'Where are Hayleys nipples?'

Another tweeted: 'Does Hayley not have nipples?! How are they not showing in that atrocity of a "dress"?'

'They forgot to reattach them after her boob job!' Married At First Sight fans voiced their concern over Hayley Vernon's (pictured) missing nipples during Wednesday's episode

'They forgot to reattach Hayleys nipples after her boob job,' someone else wrote. 'I'm just here to free the nipple, Hayley,' another viewer shared.

On Wednesday, audiences were left stunned after Hayley slipped into a racy frock with a plunging neckline.

The navy dress showcased her trim and taut figure but it was her ample assets that stole the show.

Where are they? Some fans tweeted their concern over the whereabouts of the Hayley's nipples, including one who wrote: 'Where are Hayleys nipples?'

Voices of concern: 'Does Hayley not have nipples?! How are they not showing in that atrocity of a "dress"?' Tweeted one bamboozled Married At First Sight fan

Fans who shared their thoughts on Twitter couldn't help but comment on her busty display, including one who wrote: 'What is up with that rogue boob though Hayley.'

'That one boob is getting more air time than most couples tonight,' one joked.

The former finance broker revealed to The Kyle and Jackie O Show last week that she couldn't afford plastic surgery in Australia because she's just 'a girl from the 'burbs'.

Busting out: On Wednesday, audiences were left stunned after Hayley slipped into a racy frock with a plunging neckline. The navy dress showcased her trim and taut figure but it was her ample assets that stole the show

Gone rogue: Fans who shared their thoughts on Twitter couldn't help but comment on her busty display, including one who wrote: 'What is up with that rogue boob though Hayley.' 'That one boob is getting more air time than most couples tonight,' one joked

'I'm a girl from the 'burbs. I spent $4,000 on my boobs. Went to Thailand,' she said, beaming with pride.

In addition to her breast implants, Hayley also boasts an intricate sleeve tattoo on her right arm and another running down her right leg.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine
A young schoolgirl from Somerset is being hailed as the next Mary Anning after the famed palaeontologist inspired her to take up fossil hunting.

Amelie Rosser, 8, regularly scours Britain's Jurassic Coast with her parents and brother Jacob, 12, in search of interesting artefacts.

Amelie and her family, from Chard, Somerset, have already found fossils, a pendant with Virgin Mary engravings and a 22-carat Victorian ring.

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Amelie Rosser, 8, regularly scours Britain's Jurassic Coast with her parents and brother Jacob, 12, in search of interesting artefacts

Amelie Rosser with a fossil she found on the beach. Little Amelie Rosser, who counts fossil collector Mary Anning as one of her inspirations, has found a host of treasures - on the same beaches as her hero

Mary Anning, the 19th-century palaeontologist behind the nursery rhyme 'she sells sea shells by the sea shore', inspired the young schoolgirl.

The tiny 22-carat gold wedding band was found in a pile of rocks beneath a cliff in Lyme Regis, Dorset.

She ran off to show her mum, Renata, after locating the piece of jewellery.

Proud dad Mark, 45, described his daughter as 'like a human metal detector' due to her aptitude at finding lost objects.

Mr Rosser joked that his little girl could even wear the ring herself in future, if she got married.

A young schoolgirl from Somerset is being hailed as the next Mary Anning after the famed palaeontologist inspired her to take up fossil hunting. Pictured: an ammonite fossil she found on the Jurassic coast beach

Amelie and her family, from Chard, somerset, have already found fossils, a pendant with Virgin Mary engravings and a 22-carat Victorian ring

He says the ring most likely ended up on the beach from an old tip at the top of the cliff.

He said: 'That part of the beach is the site of an old tip that falls from the cliffs above, so the ring could have been lost down the back of a sofa, left in a drawer, the pocket of some old clothes.

'I don't think it was the result of a broken-hearted wife tossing her ring out to sea.

'We found a nice silver chain to keep it on and its stored safely in its own seashell box.

'Amelie wants to keep it for now, maybe it could be sold in the future to pay towards university or something, maybe she could keep it as a wedding ring for herself if she ever decided to get married.

'She's a human metal detector, with very good eyes.

'It can be hard to pick out shapes amongst the jumble of rocks and metal but she seems to have the gift.'

Mum-of-two Renata, 41, looked up the hallmarks and the family were excited to learn the ring dated from 1850 and was 22 carat gold.

Pictured, the beach of Charmouth, Dorset. The Jurassic Coast of Britain is now a protected UNESCO world heritage site
Congressman Urges Firing of CalPERS CIO for Deep China Links, Investments

WASHINGTONGov. Gavin Newsom should immediately fire California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Chief Investment Officer Yu Ben Meng because of his long and cozy relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.).

In a Feb. 12 letter to Newsom, Banks pointed out that, with $360 billion in assets, CalPERS is the biggest public employee pension program in the United States and it has a long history of shareholder activism, in which officials leverage the funds wealth to influence corporate and government policies around the world.

Mr. Meng was hired as the deputy CIO of Chinas State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) in 2015. SAFE is a Chinese Communist Party agency responsible for managing $3 trillion in state-owned assets, Banks told Newsom.

Mr. Meng, who first moved to the United States at 25, told the Chinese newspaper Peoples Daily regarding his return to China, that in a persons life, if there is an opportunity to work for the motherland, this responsibility and honor is unmatched by anything.

Rep. Jim Banks. (office of Jim Banks)

Banks said that, if it were his decision and given Mengs record, he would fire Mr. Meng immediately, because of his loyalty to the CCP and status as a former senior official with one of Beijings most critical financial assets.

At the least, I think a thorough investigation of Mr. Mengs relationship to the Chinese Communist Party and a comparison of CalPERS investments in Chinese companies before and after his hiring by the pension are needed, Banks added.

The Indiana Republican noted that Meng was recruited to SAFE through Chinas Thousand Talents Program (TTP). TTP is a program which brings talented businessmen, researchers, and scientists trained abroad back to mainland China, where they apply their expertise in service to the CCP.

According to FBI Assistant Director Bill Priestap, TTP is a part of Chinas non-traditional espionage against the United States. Presumably, a TTP members mission is lifelong, Banks told Newsom.

Banks listed the most significant of CalPERSs massive investments in China, estimated in 2018 to be $3.1 billion in at least 172 Chinese firms. He also noted that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the nations governors, including Newsom, during a Feb. 9 speech that CalPERS is invested in companies that supply the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) that put our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines at risk.

Banks said its most recent investment report confirms that CalPERS holds shares of China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC), which has constructed PLA naval bases in the South China Sea, and in China Shipbuilding Industry Corp., a state-owned enterprise, and the largest manufacturer of Chinese naval ships.

CalPERS also owns shares in China Aerospace Times Electronic Co. and China Avionics System Co., both of which supply the Chinese military with aerospace electronic products, Banks continued.

Under Mengs leadership, Banks said, CalPERS has invested heavily in a wide variety of Chinese firms, including those providing surveillance and other products used in Beijings extensive violations of human rights such as the regimes repression of Uyghur Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang Province.

CalPERS is invested in Hikvision, a Chinese video surveillance manufacturer that supplies Xinjiangs security forces with surveillance tools used to monitor the Uyghur minority.

The U.S. federal government stopped doing business with Hikvision last August over concerns with its role in Chinas treatment of Uyghurs. CalPERS also holds $74,000,000 worth of China Unicom stock, the firm that runs North Koreas internet.

Banks also expressed concern about CalPERS investments under Mengs leadership that boost Chinas overall economy in its drive to surpass the United States as the worlds leading economic, political, and military power.

CalPERS owns $75 million in China Telecommunications Corp. stock  Chinas dominance in the telecommunications industry is widely recognized as a significant national security risk.

Another CalPERS investment is in China Communications Construction Co., which is the biggest builder in the Belt & Road initiative, which seeks to establish China as the dominant leader in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern trade, Banks told Newsom.

A spokesman for Newsom didnt respond to The Epoch Times request for comment on the Banks letter. A CalPERS spokesman also didnt respond to a request for comment.

Marcie Frost, CalPERSs chief executive officer, told Reuters that Bankss letter and demand for Mengs termination are a reprehensible attack on a U.S. citizen. We fully stand behind our chief investment officer who came to CalPERS with a stellar international reputation.

Contact Mark Tapscott at Mark.Tapscott@epochtimes.nyc
L ast month was the hottest January since records began, US officials have said.

The global average land and ocean surface temperature was 1.14C above the average January temperatures for the 20th century, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

In parts of Russia, Scandinavia and eastern Canada, temperatures exceeded the average by 5C.

Warmer temperatures mean melting snow and ice. The extent of Arctic sea ice was 5.3 per cent below the average from 1981-2010, and Antarctic sea ice was 9.8 per cent below average.

According to NOAA, it beat the record for the previously hottest January, which was set in 2016.

It added that the four warmest Januaries on record have occurred since 2016, while the 10 warmest Januaries have taken place since 2002.

Australia Wildfires & Heatwave: December 2019 - In pictures 1 /30 Australia Wildfires & Heatwave: December 2019 - In pictures A firefighter conducts back burning measures to secure residential areas from encroaching bushfires AFP via Getty Images A helicopter drops fire retardent AFP via Getty Images Tourists Julia Wasmiller (L) and Jessica Pryor take a selfie at Mrs Macquarie's chair, wearing face masks due to heavy smoke Getty Images Smoke haze from bushfires shrouds the harbour bridge and city skyline in Sydney AFP via Getty Images People flock to St Kilda beach as a heat wave sweeps across Victoria, Australia via Reuters Tourists take photos of a smokey Sydney Getty Images Smoke haze from bushfires shrouds the harbour bridge and city skyline in Sydney AFP via Getty Images Fire and Rescue personal watch a wildfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin in Sydney, Australia Getty Images A property burns from bushfires AFP via Getty Images A farmer drives a tractor as he uses a hose to put out a fire burning in his paddock and near homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin, Sydney Getty Images A property burns from bushfires AFP via Getty Images An old car burns from bushfires in Balmoral, southwest of Sydney AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images A fireman fights a wildfire AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Smoke haze from bushfires shrouds the city skyline in Sydne AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Tourists take photos of a smokey Sydney Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AP AFP via Getty Images

The hottest January after the second hottest year on record is one of those indications that things are warming dramatically, said University of Illinois climate scientist Don Wuebbles.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has doubled down on her coronavirus warning and called for Australia's borders to be closed.

The federal Senator sparked controversy for the second time within 24 hours with her latest rant, which she posted on Facebook on Thursday.

'I will always put the safety of Australians ahead of tourists and strongly support an extension to the travel ban I first called for,' she wrote.

'We cannot be too cautious when dealing with such a contagious disease thats killed far too many people across the globe already.'

'If we reopen our borders to China ahead a vaccine being discovered, we will only cripple our own domestic tourism based on a sense of fear.'

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Pauline Hanson (pictured in federal parliament on Wednesday) is calling for tougher measures

Australia is expected to extend its China travel ban as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread.

Saturday will mark two weeks since Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a temporary 14 day ban on foreign travellers who have left or passed through mainland China from arriving on our shores.

Health Minister Greg Hunt warned earlier this week the travel ban will likely be extended as the worldwide death toll surges towards 1400.

'We expect it will continue. We're not putting a timeframe on it,' the minister said.

'Ultimately, our job  our responsibility, is to provide protection and national health security for the Australian people.'

The federal government has admitted the ban has already taken a toll on the tourism industry, which is losing an estimated $1billion a week.

Australia is expected to extend its current ban on on foreign travellers who have left or passed through mainland China from arriving on our shores

Senator Hanson's Facebook post was inundated with supportive comments within minutes.

'Yep, close it down. Safety before money. Unfortunately too many countries, like Australia, have relied too heavily on the Chinese economy, instead of protecting their own economies,' one person commented.

Another added: 'Yes we need to for at least a couple of weeks, then reassess the situation.'

But not everyone agreed.

'Closing borders temporarily could help but it isn't a permanent solution,' one commented.

Senator Hanson's latest rant comes after her controversial comments about Aboriginal people, where she said children who get raped should be taken away from their communities.

The controversial Senator's post was inundated with comments within minutes

She slammed the federal government's Closing the Gap initiative to improve Aboriginal communities in a fiery speech in the senate on Wednesday.

Labor and Greens senators called her racist after she suggested Aboriginal people were addicted to 'grog and drugs' and failed to turn up to work or take their children to school.

But in an interview with Sky News host Paul Murray later that night, Senator Hanson stood by her views and said government efforts were not working.
Prominent barrister Robert Richter made an appearance at the Royal Commission into the management of police informants on Thursday. This time he was there to work rather than to provide a statement. Richter was representing former Victoria Police homicide squad boss Ron Iddles, with the help of criminal lawyer Paul Galbally. Of course, Richter and Galbally know one another from the time they represented another well-known Melbourne identity, George Pell. Attending the commission felt rather old hat for Richter. Robert Richter, QC. Credit:Simon Schluter His former clients Mick Gatto and Faruk Orman have emerged as central figures throughout the proceedings. Richter also used to work alongside Lawyer X Nicola Gobbo inside William Crockett Chambers. During his own statement to the commission in December, Richter recalled working with a younger Gobbo from 2005.

When I referred to conflict in this context, I did not mean intentional betrayal of confidences or duty but rather an inability to judge boundaries of propriety, Richter said in his statement. She also made reference to her sexual prowess with both clients and police  she appeared to be simultaneously troubled and brash. Gobbo notably acted as junior barrister for Richter representing Orman. He was freed after 12 years behind bars in 2019 when the Court of Appeal found Gobbo breached her legal obligations while representing him. Ormans legal fees for the initial trial were paid for by a fundraiser held by Mick Gatto. Cosy. JOSTLING IN THE STALLS The Victorian Racing Club directors are prepped for a month of serious negotiations as they respond to the sudden resignation of Elisa Robinson. Outgoing VRC chairm Amanda Elliott. Credit:Jason South

At the same time, the club is due to appoint a new chairman to take the place of Amanda Elliott, who has come up against age rules which punt the chairman once they turn 68. Loading Its well known VRC chief executive Neil Wilson is considered to be the frontrunner for the chair position. And helpfully, Robinsons departure frees up a spot on the ten-person board which Wilson could slide into as bona-fide director, as opposed to the current board spot that he holds as chief executive. Wilsons ascension into the top job would be a break with convention. After all, the chair is usually succeeded by the vice chairman. At the end of last year, the then-vice chairman John ORourke was expected to slide into the role, until it became apparent half the board under Elliott were backing Wilson. ORourke was replaced in the veeps chair before the December annual general meeting by Michael Ramsden. Could he be interested in the top job?

Members say they are prepared for some healthy competition around the directors table. After all, Ramsdens father, Andrew Ramsden, served as chairman for five years until 2003 and, if anything, the VRC sure knows how to stick with tradition. LIBERAL WITH HIS THOUGHTS Could things get any messier inside Victorias Liberal Division? Possibly, but not by much. State official Jean Hawkins quit her party leadership position on Monday, citing internal dysfunction and colleagues riven by factional and self-interest. But state director Sam McQuestin has another debacle on his hands. He is trying to expel member Peter Adimus for writing weekly newsletters allegedly defaming, denigrating and harassing senior party members, MPs and officials.
The Baltimore Ravens re-signed safety Jordan Richards on Thursday to a one-year contract in a move that helps replenish their collection of special teams contributors.

Richards, 27, was in line to enter free agency in March but will now remain with the team for the immediate future. Its possible hell need to perform well in training camp to secure a spot on the regular-season 53-man roster.

After the Patriots waived Richards midway through last season, the Ravens were quick to claim him as a replacement for former Pro Bowl special teams contributor Justin Bethel. Richards appeared in nine games for Baltimore, playing 234 snaps on special teams and just one on defense.

Anthony Levine, who led the Ravens in special teams playing time last season, will become a free agent March 18 if he doesnt re-sign with Baltimore before then. So will safety Brydnen Trawick and wide receivers Chris Moore and DeAnthony Thomas.

Those expiring contracts left Baltimore with a dearth of players whove served on kick and punt return and coverage units.

The Ravens have room to rebuild their special teams groups through free agency and the draft, but on Thursday, they started that process by re-signing Richards.

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.

Aaron Kasinitz covers the Baltimore Ravens for PennLive and can be reached at akasinitz@pennlive.com or on Twitter @AaronKazreports. Follow PennLives Ravens coverage on Facebook and Youtube.
By Yawen Chen and Elaine Lies

BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) - The Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in deaths and thousands more infections using a broader definition on Thursday, while Japan became the third place outside mainland China to suffer a fatality.

The epidemic has given China's ruling Communist Party one of its sternest challenges in years, constrained the world's second largest economy and triggered a purge of provincial bureaucrats.

With China's streets, restaurants and flower markets bare, a miserable Valentine's Day was expected on Friday.

Japan confirmed its first coronavirus death - a woman in her 80s living in Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo - adding to two previous fatalities in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Japan is one of the worst affected of more than two dozen other countries and territories that have seen hundreds of infections from the flu-like sickness.

The Japanese woman fell ill in January but only later showed symptoms of pneumonia and was hospitalised, with coronavirus confirmed after her death and the contagion route under investigation, the health minister said.

However, the big jump in China's reported cases reflects a decision by authorities there to reclassify a backlog of suspected cases by using patients' chest images, and is not necessarily the "tip of an iceberg" of a wider epidemic, a top World Health Organisation official said on Thursday.

Mike Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme, said that more than 14,000 new cases reported in Hubei province overnight came after a change to include results from quicker computerised tomography (CT) scans that reveal lung infections, rather than relying just on laboratory tests to confirm cases.

"We've seen this spike in the number of cases reported in China, but this does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak," Ryan told a briefing in Geneva.

Story continues

The biggest cluster of infections outside China is on a cruise liner now quarantined off a Japanese port and a further 44 cases were reported on board on Thursday, raising the total to 219. But authorities said some elderly people would finally to be allowed to disembark on Friday.

"Outside the cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship we are not seeing a dramatic increase in transmission outside China," the WHO's Ryan said.

He added that the main U.N. health agency expected the rest of a special WHO team to arrive in China over the coming weekend to investigative the epicentre of the epidemic.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised China over its response and said Washington was working closely with Beijing. "I think they've handled it professionally, and I think they're extremely capable," Trump said in a podcast broadcast on iHeart Radio.

But Trump's top White House economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, was more critical. "We're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese, these numbers are jumping around... there was some surprise," he told reporters.

CHINA DEATH TOLL CLIMBING

In central China's Hubei province, officials said 242 people died on Wednesday, the biggest daily rise since the flu-like virus emerged in the provincial capital Wuhan in December.

Total deaths in China are 1,367.

The rise, following a forecast earlier this week by China's senior medical adviser that the epidemic might end there by April, halted a global stocks rally.

But it appeared largely due to the change in methodology.

Hubei had previously only allowed infections to be confirmed by RNA tests, which can take days. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, carries genetic information allowing identification of viruses.

But it has also begun using CT scans of lungs, the Hubei health commission said, to pinpoint and isolate cases faster.

As a result, another 14,840 new cases were reported in the province on Thursday, up from 2,015 new cases nationwide a day earlier. But excluding cases confirmed using the new methods, the number of new cases rose by only 1,508.

About 60,000 people have been infected in total, the vast majority of them in China.

BACKLASH AGAINST BUREAUCRATS

The outbreak, believed to have emerged from a Wuhan market where wildlife was traded illegally, has triggered a backlash against local political leaders.

Provincial Communist Party boss Jiang Chaoliang was fired as secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee, and Ma Guoqiang removed as party chief in Wuhan, state media said. They were the two highest-profile officials to be axed since the outbreak.

Chinese scientists are testing two antiviral drugs and preliminary results are weeks away, although WHO chiefs have cautioned a vaccine could take 18 months.

While the Princess Diamond cruise liner remained in quarantine, another luxury liner, the MS Westerdam, was finally allowed to dock in Cambodia after being barred from Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand over fears that one of its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew might have the virus - even though none had tested positive.

The Westerdam's passengers clapped and cheered on their arrival at sunset.

(Graphic: Online site for coronavirus news link: https://www.reuters.com/live-events/coronavirus-6-id2921484)

(Graphic: Comparing new coronavirus to SARS and MERS link: https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-VIRUS-COMPARISON/0100B5BY3CY/index.html)

(Graphic: Reuters graphics on the new coronavirus link: https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-GRAPHICS/0100B5CD3DP/index.html)

(Reporting by Dominique Patton, Zhang Yan, Roxanne Liu, Huizhong Wu, Min Zhang and Se Young Lee in Beijing; Winni Zhou, Brenda Goh, Josh Horwitz and David Stanway in Shanghai; Keith Zhai, John Geddie, Tom Westbrook in Singapore; Rocky Swift and Elaine Lies in Tokyo; James Pearson in Hanoi; Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi; Kate Kelland in London; Susan Heavey and Jeff Mason in Washington; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne and Mark Heinrich; Editing by Alex Richardson and Toby Chopra)
Bohdan was fired from his post on February 11.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's ex-chief of staff Andriy Bohdan has been declared a "persona non grata" by a Kyiv-based cake shop.

A photo with the corresponding announcement on the shop's doors was posted by the news outlet Strana.ua.

Read alsoZelensky dismisses Head of President's Office Bohdan

"Andriy Bohdan is not allowed," says a piece of paper in a transparent folder posted on a glass door.

The Kalyna cafe, located at 29a Moskovska Street, is reportedly owned by Mykhailo Brodskyy, a Ukrainian politician, leader of the Party of Free Democrats, and a businessman.

Cake shop staff explained to reporters that the announcement had appeared on the owner's instructions, since Bohdan is an 'unwanted guest.'

As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelensky appointed Andriy Yermak as head of the President's Office, having dismissed Bohdan from the post.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) wears a protective facemask as a health official (right) checks his body temperature during an inspection of the coronavirus prevention and control work at the Anhuali Community in Beijing on Feb 10, 2020. (JU PENG/XINHUA/AFP)

President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee after figures showed that the number of new cases dropped for the second straight day, fuelling hopes the epidemic could peak later this month.

Xi said there were "positive results" but warned that the country "must not relax" its epidemic control efforts, according to state media, as authorities have kept tens of millions of people under lockdown.

China still faces a "large-scale war" and a "big test", said state broadcaster CCTV in a readout of the gathering.

Authorities said on Wednesday another 97 people had died in China, raising the national toll to 1,113, while more than 44,600 people had been infected by the COVID-19 virus.

'TOO EARLY' TO PREDICT

In Geneva, World Health Organisation officials warned against reaching premature conclusions on the Chinese data.

"I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme.

The number of newly reported cases from China has stabilised, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"But that has to be interpreted with extreme caution," he warned. "This outbreak could go in any direction."

In Spain, organisers of the world's top mobile telecommunications trade fair, the World Mobile Congress, said the event would be cancelled following an exodus of industry heavyweights over coronavirus fears.

The GSMA, which organises the annual show, set for Barcelona, said it was cancelled due to "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances."

The announcement was made just hours after Vodafone, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, Britain's BT and Rakuten of Japan had pulled out, following in the footsteps of Intel, Facebook, Cisco and China's Vivo.

The epidemic has threatened to harm the Chinese economy, the world's second-largest, with ANZ bank warning that China's first-quarter GDP growth would slow to 3.2-4.0 per cent, down from a previous projection of 5.0 per cent.

It has also disrupted sporting events in China: motorsport governing body FIA announced the suspension of the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, originally scheduled for Apr 19, due to the "continued spread" of the coronavirus.

And this week's Singapore Air Show - Asia's biggest - was badly hit by exhibitors withdrawing and low attendance.

Due to the impact of the virus, the OPEC oil cartel lowered its forecast for growth in global oil demand this year by nearly a fifth.

While the full impact of the outbreak on the global economy remains unclear and a vaccine isn't in sight, investors appear to think the worst of the emergency has passed - and stock markets posted strong performances in Europe and the United States.

"The markets are ready to seize upon any sign of good news, so the fact there is evidence the number of new cases in China is falling was plenty of reason to push higher," said SpreadEx analyst Connor Campbell.

US plane manufacturer Boeing, however, warned that there was "no question" the outbreak would hammer the aviation industry and the broader economy.

CRUISE SHIP INFECTIONS RISE

The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off Japan's coast.

An additional 39 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive, raising the total number of cases to 174, while thousands of passengers and crew face a second week in quarantine.

Most of the deaths and majority of cases however have been in central Hubei province, whose capital, Wuhan, is the epicentre of the outbreak. Some 56 million have been placed under virtual quarantine in the province.

In a positive development, the number of new cases has fallen in Hubei for two straight days with some 1,600 reported, according to figures from the National Health Commission.

Outside the province, the number of new patients has declined every day for the past week.

In addition to locking down Hubei, authorities have restricted movements in several other cities far from the epicentre in its unprecedented effort to contain the virus.

Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted flights to and from the country, as hundreds of people have now been infected in some two dozen countries.

The case of a British man who passed on the virus to at least 11 other people - without having been in China - has raised fears of a new phase of contagion abroad.

The 53-year-old man was infected while attending a conference in Singapore and then passed it on to several compatriots on holiday in the French Alps, before finally being diagnosed back in Britain.
The supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the related faction, fearing the emptiness of the polling centers, have tried to fill the gap with the 41 anniversary of the Iranian revolution in order to turn this show into a maneuver to boost morale among their forces, and give them the motivation to be present at the ballot box.

The official IRNA news agency clarified this need of the regime and while warning about lower participation risk than previous periods it wrote:

The participation rate of the elections has always been of great importance to the Islamic Republic of Iran and reflects the popular image of the system (regime), especially as it is one of the most important documentation of our sacred system for denying the baseless claims and propaganda of foreign enemies about the loss of popular support of the Islamic Republic. (IRNA, 8 February 2020)

Young Hezbollah government

Khameneis strategy of dealing with this surgery and getting rid of the rival faction is nothing more than an effort to unify the regime to counter upcoming protests. In the meantime, as Khamenei has said before, he is also in search of a future government that he hopes to be completely unified.

Mohamad Ali al-Hashimis remarks in the Tabriz Friday praying ceremony are very clear, This parliament can guarantee the future of a young Hezbollah government.

In order to show that he is aware of the danger and gab that can be opened, he immediately added:

It is natural that, given the importance and sensitivity of the parliamentary elections, the enemy does not sit idle and carry on with his evil deeds and prepares, so we should not fight each other in this regard.

Just like Al-Hashim, Friday Prayers Imam of the Ezhieh in Isfahan province used the phrase Hezbollah government to make it clear that such a state its foundation is created in the parliament.

The Young Hezbollah Government is a phrase first used by Khamenei himself. Addressing Basij students complaining about President Hassan Rouhani and his government on 22 May 2019, he said:

If you, young people provide the foundation for the coming of the new Hezbollah government, your sorrows will be over, and these sorrows are not just for you.

Regimes hard situation and aggravation of the crisis

On the other hand, the continuation of the faction war in the media on both sides not only signifies the escalation of the internal crisis over the elections but is also a confirmation of the hard situation for Irans supreme leader; which can make the confronting faction against the supreme leader more aggressive and attacking his unlimited powers.

The statements of the current member of the parliament, Shahabedin Bimeghdar, are very intuitive in this respect. Speaking to the state-run news agency ILNA, while calling for revising the constitution, he attacked Khamenei and complained: Appointment organizations have a great deal of power and can easily use their legal powers.

If we want the Islamic Republic to remain stable, we must pay special attention to the republican system, but in the constitution, unfortunately, the powers are combined in one place. (Setareh-e-Sobh daily, 8 February 2020)

In this regard, the IRNA news agency also reported on 5 February, about a letter from the President to his Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri calling for Preparing a bill to reform the election monitoring section. Rouhani in addition to this that is a clear threat, while remembering the control of the government over the Otaghe Tajmi (vote count/rigging room) and threatened to prevent counterfeiting of votes.

Confirm the competence of corruptors and thieves

Khameneis factions newspapers, in numerous articles, have endorsed the Guardian Councils move to remove the reformist candidates and attacked Rouhani.

For example, in an article published on the website of the state-run newspaper Vatan Rooz on 9 February 2020, titled You cant confirm corruptors and thieves, it supported the Guardian Councils actions and attacked Rouhani:

The words against the Guardian Council during this period are unfortunately those saying who were approved by this Council of Guardians for some periods and were representing the parliament. And have been approved for the presidency two times and have been in charge of this system (regime) for 40 years. 

What is certain is that under the current conditions of the regime, the infightings will not extinguish very soon. But the question is, how far the president will go and threats, or at what point he is intimidated and forced to retreat by the attacks of the Vilayet-e Faqih (Supreme Leaders rule) and his faction, are questions that will become clearer in the coming days.

Read more:

Khamenei Begs for Votes in Horror of Election Boycott
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:54:56|Editor: yan

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday expressed serious concerns over the U.S. approval of sale of a defense system to India as it would generate an arms race in the already volatile region.

The U.S. State Department approved this week a 1.867-billion-U.S.-dollar foreign military sale to India of an Integrated Air Defense Weapons System.

"Pakistan has seen the advance notice issued by United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency, notifying State Department's approval of Foreign Military Sale to India of an Integrated Air Defense Weapons System," the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said.

"Sale of such sophisticated weapons system to India at this time is particularly disturbing as it would further destabilize the already volatile region," foreign office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said.

Farooqui said at the weekly press briefing that the U.S. decision would "disturb the strategic balance in South Asia with serious security implications for Pakistan and the region."

Farooqui said South Asia can not afford an arms race and conflict, adding it is therefore incumbent upon international community to prevent further destabilization of the region.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency issued a notification stating the State Department's approval of the deal with India to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries and modernize the existing architecture of the Indian air defense framework.
Admission is free unless otherwise indicated.

Portland writer Marie MacMillan presents her memoir, The Reboot: 50 Dates With Myself. Noon Friday, Feb. 14, Base Camp Brewing Co., 930 S.E. Oak St., Portland, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Rose City Book Pub, 1329 N.E. Fremont St., Portland.

Ukulele star Emily Arrow hosts a singalong and a signing of her new book, Kids Guide to Learning the Ukulele: 24 Songs to Learn and Play for Kids. 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Made You Look, 2418 E. Burnside St., Portland.

Writers Margaret Adams, Ben McPherson Ficklin, Jennifer Fliss, Marcelle Heath and Alvin Park read from their work in The Best Small Fictions: Anthology 2019. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Mother Foucaults Bookshop, 523 S.E. Morrison St., Portland.

A staged reading of Matt Coxs Puffs: The Essential Companion: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic will benefit Portlands TransActive Gender Center. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Books With Pictures, 1401 S.E. Division St. Suggested donation $10.

Portland author and illustrator Maggie Rudy reads from her new Cinderella-inspired picture book, Sootypaws, which features her beloved mouse characters in handmade outfits and dioramas. 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Green Bean Books, 1600 N.E. Alberta St., Portland.

Mary Doyle, wife of the late Lake Oswego author Brian Doyle, and their sons, Joe and Liam, read from his essay collection One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Lance Olsen discusses his novel My Red Heaven with Portland literary podcaster David Naimon. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Linguist Dennis Baron presents his new book, What's Your Pronoun?: Beyond He and She. 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.

Gayle Brandeis discusses her novel in poems, Many Restless Concerns: The Victims of Countess Bathory Speak in Chorus, inspired by a 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman arrested on accusations of being a prolific serial killer, with Portland author Rene Denfeld. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Jim Ottaviani presents his nonfiction graphic novel for kids, Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.

Journalist and historian Craig Fehrman presents his book Author in Chief: The Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Theodore Van Alst discusses his linked short story collection, Sacred Smokes, in a Multnomah County Library event, Urban Native Experience, tied to the librarys Everybody Reads 2020 title, Tommy Oranges There There. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, Central Library, 801 S.W. 10th Ave.

The HOCUS literary reading series presents poetry and prose along the theme Familiars. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, Rose City Coffee Co., 3370 S.E. Milwaukie Ave., Portland.

Jaclyn Friedman, editor of the #MeToo anthology Believe Me: How Trusting Women Can Change the World, discusses the book with contributors Katherine Cross and Sassafras Lowery. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Gabriel Urza, whose novel The White Death: An Illusion is a 2020 Oregon Book Award finalist, appears as part of the creative writer speaker series The Mouths of Others. 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Mt. Hood Community College, Visual Arts Theater, 26000 S.E. Stark St., Gresham.

Washington State Poet Laureate Claudia Castro Luna appears at a reading celebrating poetry along the Columbia River. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb 20, Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

Journalist Kate Murphy discusses her book Youre Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters with Kathryn Zerbe, OHSU professor of psychology, in a conversation moderated by Megan Labrise, editor-at-large of Kirkus Reviews. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.

Oregon author Jason Brown presents his linked story collection about several generations of a Maine family, A Faithful But Melancholy Account of Several Barbarities Lately Committed. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Annie Blooms Books, 7834 S.W. Capitol Highway, Portland.

Co-author Shamus Khan presents Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Neuroscientist R. Douglas Fields presents his book Electric Brain: How the New Science of Brainwaves Reads Minds, Tells Us How We Learn, and Helps Us Change for the Better. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Powells Books on Hawthorne, 3723 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland.

Portland author Lidia Yuknavitch and St. Paul, Minnesota, writer Danez Smith appear on Live Wire Radio. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St., Portland. Tickets: $20-$35, livewireradio.org.

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But many of the people who cause problems are likely the ones who could benefit from a long-term city partnership with a mental health service provider.
Former pastor fatally shoots himself, wife and son also found dead

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Police in Sugar Land, Texas, are investigating the death of Richard Logan, a former pastor and CEO of faith-based anti-poverty nonprofit Attack Poverty, who was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday, while his wife and son were also found shot dead in the family's home.

According to news station KPRC, police officers went to the home of the 53 year old to perform a welfare check after law enforcement in Guadalupe County informed them that Logans body was found with what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound on the property of a company called TAS Environmental.

Police Chief Eric Robins said no one answered the door and when they eventually gained access to the home they found the bodies of Logans wife, Diana Lynn, as well as their 11-year-old son, Aaron. The couples daughter, Ambrielle, who is the only surviving family member, was away at college at the time of the tragedy.

Police are investigating the possibility that the suicide in Guadalupe County might be related to the double (homicides) in Sugar Land, Adolph noted.

He said Diana's and Aarons bodies showed signs of trauma and gunshot wounds. They also appeared to have been dead for at least several hours.

Staff at River Pointe Church, where the family were members and where Logan served as youth pastor for several years and Diana Logan also served as a small group leader, were shocked.

"We knew the Logans very, very well, pastor Patrick Kelley, a friend of the Logans for 15 years, said, according to KHOU 11. "And something like this, their death, as tragic as it is, is something you cannot predict or foresee."

He added, "I stand here in shock with everyone else who knew these precious people. I think the healing part and the direction well give is to be together and voice your grief, because we have a shared grief in this case."

Logans nonprofit, Attack Poverty, said he started the work in 2011 after being moved by a desire to transform the lives of people in need through community partnership. It has since evolved into a global organization that serves locally, adopting pockets of poverty and launching what we call Friends Communities.

These are long-term commitments that require mutual relationships and collaborative efforts with local organizations, churches, residents, and stakeholders committed to community transformation. Our community programs include: in-school student support, after school programs, literacy, Adult GED completion, English as a Second Language classes, job readiness training and home repair, the organizations website states.

Staff at Attack Poverty also expressed shock at Logan's suicide.

The Attack Poverty family is in shock to learn of the tragedy involving our Chief Executive Officer, Richard Logan and his family. We are cooperating with investigators and waiting for more information as we try to process this loss with our staff, volunteers and community. Please keep the Attack Poverty staff and all involved in your prayers, a statement on their website said.

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District also sent a letter to parents Tuesday night, mourning the death of Aaron.

We are saddened by the death of a member of our Cougar family, Aaron Logan, a fifth-grade student at Campbell Elementary, the district wrote. The Campbell Elementary administration is doing everything we can to provide comfort and assistance to our students in this time of grief.

Greg Speck, youth and family communicator at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, said in a statement on Facebook that he had been friends with Logan for many years and was also shocked at his suicide.

Richard Logan was a friend who traveled with me on Royal Servants, we have known each other for many years. I am saddened and shocked to say that it appears he committed suicide and his wife and son were found shot and killed. There is a daughter that was away at college. My heart is broken, please pray..., he wrote on Wednesday.

A GoFundMe campaign is now seeking to raise $50,000 to help support Ambrielle who is a senior in her final semester at Texas State University.
[February 13, 2020] AM BestTV: Australian Fires Could Impact Earnings, Reinsurance Markets, Says AM Best Associate Director

In this episode of AMBestTV, AM Best Alex Rafferty, associate director, analytics, said many Australian insurers appear positioned to absorb losses from the recent bushfires, but the fires could affect earnings and reinsurance renewals. Click on http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=australiabushfire220 to view the entire program. Estimated losses from the ongoing Australian bushfires stands at AUD 2.2 billion (USD 1.5 billion), but is expected to increase. "Ultimate loss estimates may take some time to be determined; however, it is clear that the current bushfires will be one of the costliest on record in terms of the volume of insured losses and from a property damage point of view," said Rafferty. Rafferty also addressed the capabilities of the Australian insurers to manage these losses. "AM Best is of the view that insurers are well-placed to withstand these losses. In recent years, Australian insurers have demonstrated their ability to absorb natural catastrophe event losses. This is reflected in their strong capital positions and the support they receive from their reinsurance partners," he said. Additionally, Rafferty believes that the reinsurance market could be impacted by the bushfires. "Meaningful losses passed on to reinsurers could result in upward pressures on reinsurance rates, as well as potential timing on terms and conditions, on upcoming renewals." To access a copy of this commentary, titled, "Australian Insurers Able to Contend With Mounting Bushfire Losses," please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=293900



Recent episodes of AMBestTV include: Coronavirus Affecting China Economy, Earnings, Say AM Best Analysts : AM Best Asia-Pacific analysts Christie Lee, senior director, analytics, and James Chan, senior financial analyst, said the coronavirus outbreak is slowing China's economy, reducing insurance sales and impacting investment income: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=chinacoronavirus220.

: AM Best Asia-Pacific analysts Christie Lee, senior director, analytics, and James Chan, senior financial analyst, said the coronavirus outbreak is slowing China's economy, reducing insurance sales and impacting investment income: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=chinacoronavirus220. Innovation Important, but Only One Element of Evaluation, Says AM Best Managing Director : At the St. Joseph's University's InsurTech Symposium in Philadelphia, PA, John Andre, managing director, AM Best , discusses the credit rating agency's approach to innovation, but added that rating evaluations also focus on items that include performance, business profile, risk management and capitalization: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=andre220.

: At the St. Joseph's University's InsurTech Symposium in Philadelphia, PA, John Andre, managing director, , discusses the credit rating agency's approach to innovation, but added that rating evaluations also focus on items that include performance, business profile, risk management and capitalization: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=andre220. IFRS 17 Will Present a Clearer View of Insurers, Says AM Best Associate Director: Tony Silverman, associate director, AM Best, said the change to IFRS 17 accounting standards is not expected to have a near-term impact on insurers' credit ratings: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ifrs170120. AM BestTV covers exclusive AM Best and insurance industry information and reports, targeted topics and key developments in the insurance, reinsurance and related sectors daily. Sign up for alerts of episodes at www.ambest.com/multimedia/ambtvsignup.html. View AM BestTV episodes at www.ambest.tv.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2020 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005820/en/

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Sky's new UK studios will be the most eco-friendly film and TV hub in the world, it claims.

The blockbuster development at Elstree, near London, will cost hundreds of millions of pounds and host companies owned by Sky and fellow Comcast-controlled businesses Universal Pictures, NBC and Dreamworks Animation.

It will be 'carbon neutral', rely on renewable energy, and have enough battery storage for 25 per cent of its power needs.

An artist's impression of Sky's planned new studios at Elstree which will will be 'carbon neutral' and have enough battery storage for 25 per cent of its power needs

It will use electric vehicles, solar panels and collect rain for water.

Gary Davey, chief executive of Sky Studios, said: 'Even the electricity used by the actors' trailers is going to be renewable.'

Sky said the site, with 12 sound stages, will open in 2022.

It expects to create more than 2,000 jobs and lead to more than 3billion of production investment in the UK over five years.
Jennifer Aniston cant seem to go anywhere in Hollywood without tripping over someone she has dated. While the world is busy speculating about a potential love connection between Aniston and her ex-husband, Brad Pitt, she met up with a different former love for an intimate dessert. Aniston was reportedly spotted sharing a sweet treat with her old flame, John Mayer. So, is romance in the air or is Aniston just so fabulous that all of her former lovers want to stay friends? It looks like the latter might be right.

Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer met up for dessert

Aniston and Mayer have everyone talking after a Feb. 7 meet up at the Sunset Tower Hotel. The pair werent getting a room, though. They were enjoying some dessert before parting ways. The meetup wasnt just the two of them either, insists Page Six. Mayer was apparently out and about with Andy Cohen when the pair decided to head over to the Sunset Tower Hotel to meet up with Aniston. Aniston, reportedly, was dining with Amanda Anka. Anka, who is best known for her work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is the co-producer of The Morning Show.

An insider told Page Six, that the pair had a friendly chat and discussed Anistons 51st birthday before they slipped out separately. It is not the first time that Aniston and Mayer have met up. In fact, he was on-hand to help her ring in her 50th birthday in February 2019. Pitt was also a guest at her 50th birthday party.

Is something romantic going on?

While it might seem like romance is in the air for Aniston, insiders insist that the pair are just excellent friends. The former couple has apparently kept up with each other ever since their 2009 breakup, and they have nothing but respect for each other. In fact, Aniston seems to remain close with most of the men shes dated in the past.

Aniston and Pitts relationship has been a source of speculation ever since she ended her marriage to Justin Theroux, and Pitt divorced Angelina Jolie. Aniston also remains friendly with Theroux, who gave his ex-wife a shoutout on Instagram for her 51st birthday. Anistons take on relationships might be the reason why she remains so close for so long after the love ends.

In a sit down with Vogue in 2008, Aniston said,  Whoever said everything has to be forever, thats setting your hopes too high. Its too much pressure. And I think if you put that pressure on yourselfbecause I did! Fairy tale! It has to be the right one!thats unattainable. She has echoed the sentiment in the years since and has long insisted that the ending of all of her relationships have been amicable. While many stars say it, for some reason, we believe it when it comes from Aniston.

Why did Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer break up?

While most people remember Anistons two marriages, she and Mayer dated pretty seriously for about a year. The couple met in 2008 at a party for the Academy Awards and were together pretty consistently for a year before they called it quits. Mayer was lambasted for comments he made in Playboy that suggested Aniston was too old for him. Mayer famously said, In some ways, I wish I could be with her. But I cant change the fact that I need to be 32.

Jennifer Aniston | Steve Granitz/WireImage

While most people assumed Mayer ended the relationship due to Anistons age, it looks like the pair merely connected at the wrong time in Mayers life. While Mayers much older now, and has been pretty shy about his personal life, it doesnt look like romance is about to bloom, although both seem to absolutely adore each other.
The talks aim to reach a comprehensive agreement over the rules for filling and operating the Ethiopian dam

The second day of talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) kicked off in Washington on Thursday, Egyptian foreign ministry said.

The talks, which are being attended by the ministers of foreign affairs and water resources from the three countries, aim to reach a comprehensive agreement over the rules for filling and operating the Ethiopian dam, according to Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez .

The talks are being hosted by the US administration, represented by the US Treasury Department, as well as the World Bank, both of which are acting as observers in the talks.

This latest round of negotiations between the three countries began on 28 and 29 January and saw an extension of two days.

The ministers of foreign affairs and water resources of the three countries agreed in the last round of talks on a schedule for the filling plan and a mitigation mechanism for the filling and long-term operation of the GERD during times of drought and prolonged drought.

The signing of a final comprehensive agreement is scheduled for late February, and the ministers have instructed their technical and legal teams to prepare the points for the final agreement.

Tensions were building between Egypt and Ethiopia in recent months after talks on the technical details governing the operation of the dam had failed to make progress.

Ethiopia hopes that the massive $4.8 billion project on the Blue Nile, which has been under construction since 2011, will allow it to become Africas largest power exporter. Egypt, however, worries that the project will reduce its supply of water from the Nile.

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A Pennsylvania mom is publicly criticizing her local school board after their 6-year-old daughter was allegedly reported to the police for threatening a teacher.

Maggie Gaines said her daughter Margot, who has Down syndrome, was in her kindergarten class at Valley Forge Elementary last November when she made a gun shape with her finger. Margot then pointed the finger at her teacher and said, I shoot you, KYW-TV reports.

The 6-year-old was then taken to the principals office, where, according to Gaines, the teacher realized Margot did not intend to threaten anyone. Still, in accordance with the school districts threat assessment policy, administrators called the police.

Gaines told KYW-TV that she supported the schools handling of the issue until they decided to report it to the authorities. The mom went public with her story in January, openly criticizing the administrators for overreacting.

I was fine with everything up until calling the police, Gaines said. And I said, You absolutely do not have to call the police. You know, this is ridiculous.'

According to a statement Gaines made last month, she believes her daughter had no idea what her words or actions meant. She said Margot had been asked to do something she didnt want to do and was simply trying to say no.

I imagine the utterance was not unlike the instances when Ive told her its time for bed and she says, I hate bed. I hate mommy,' Gaines statement said.

She really didnt understand what she was saying, the mom added in an interview with KYW-TV. And having Down syndrome is one aspect, but Im sure all 6-year-olds dont really know what that means.

Gaines and her family are now appealing the districts policies. Their claim states that the elementary school is misinterpreting rules surrounding so-called transient threats.

After [the policy], my husband and I did not see anywhere in the text that required the school to call the police for a transient threat, Gaines wrote last month.

Story continues

Pennsylvania state senator Andrew Dinniman has joined the familys cause, speaking publicly in support of a change in the rules.

As a state senator, an educator, and a parent, I am concerned when I hear that such important decisions appear to be guided blindly by written policy or legal interpretation without those in positions of authority using their judgment, experience, and commonsense to weigh in, Dinniman said in a statement. Furthermore, I am alarmed that a school seems to be acting as an extension of the police department in promulgating data and records on children as young as kindergarteners.

Meanwhile, the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District said it has heard Gaines concerns, adding that it created its current policy with many groups in mind.

When developing the current practice, the District worked collaboratively with parents, law enforcement and private safety/mental health agencies and legal consultants to ensure our safety measures reflected considerable input from both our local community and experts in the field of school safety, the district wrote in a statement.
Former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigori Karasin said that a Russian delegation will attend the Council of Europe ministerial in Tbilisi on May 14-15, 2020.

He added that as of now he does not know the composition of the Russian delegation, RIA Novosti reported.

Karasin himself will not participate in this event, despite his many years of talks with Georgias Special Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze on humanitarian Russian-Georgian issues. This was announced by Zurab Abashidze in the interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.



"We are not expecting Karasin in Tbilisi, despite the fact that we continue our meetings in Prague. Karasin now works in the Federation Council, not in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so the issue of his participation was not raised," the Georgian diplomat explained.

Political scientist Gela Vasadze called on the Georgian authorities to hold this meeting in Brussels, not in Tbilisi. "It would be the best option for the Georgian Dream and the government. The visit of Russian representatives to Georgia can provoke 'an explosion' in the country, because the situation is already tense. One needs to understand that the government is sitting on a powder keg, and the persistence in holding the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi looks like playing with fire," he stressed.
By Rasana Gasimova

Baku has hosted an assembly on Caucasus wine route called "Iter Vitis Qafqaz" that will cover Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia.

The event was organized by Azerbaijan Tourism Board jointly with the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the Iter Vitis Cultural Route.

Addressing the event, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid noted that Azerbaijan has great potential to develop wine tourism.

"Azerbaijan has great tourism potential, and this project will contribute to the development of tourism both within the country and the entire Caucasus region," he said.

On the sidelines of the event, the head of the Tourism Product & Destination Development Department of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Sharifa Hasanova said that this tourism project will give an impetus to the development of wine tourism in the Caucasus.

"The route has already been launched. Presently, trainings are being held for companies involved in the wine products production. An exchange of experience between winemakers from the three countries is planned. New tourist destinations will also be marked on the route to further provide tourists with information about new wine routes," Hasanova said.

As part of the event, an action plan within the Caucasus wine route for 2020 was approved. This year, member countries will implement a series of activities along this route, actively participate in its popularization on international platforms, as well as in the implementation of cultural and tourist exchanges between the countries.

It was noted that the wine associations of each participating country will conduct a series of trainings to exchange experience and develop winemaking.

Note that Azerbaijans tourism route was included in the Iter Vitis wine route at the Assembly held in Croatia in November 2019.

Being a cultural route of the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the European Union, Iter Vitis unites wine routes of more than 19 countries. Iter Vitis aims to popularize the history and traditions of its member countries.

Winery occupies one of the most important places in the food industry in Azerbaijan. The country is famous for its high quality grape varieties.

About 40 winemaking enterprises, producing natural wine, sparkling wine, liqueur, brandy, vodka, ethyl alcohol, cognac, etc. operate in the country.

Currently, specialized wine houses of Azerbaijan operate in two cities of China. Recently, a wine house of Azerbaijan opened in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. As many as 120 wine products and alcoholic beverages of Azerbaijani producers are presented in the wine house.

Azerbaijani wine brands won 2 silver and 10 bronze medals, and 20 "Encouraging" award at the International Wine Competition (IWC) held in Shanghai in July 2019.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The UN has released a list of 112 companies with activities in Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, including Airbnb, Expedia and TripAdvisor. The move was cheered by the Palestinians but slammed as "shameful" by Israel, where officials fear the list could be used to boycott firms with ties to the settlements. The UN report comes in response to a 2016 UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for a "database for all businesses engaged in specific activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory". The UN rights office said that listing companies in the database was "not, and does not purport to be, a judicial or quasi-judicial process". Among the businesses on the list are a range of large international companies, including Airbnb, Alstom, Booking.com and Motorola Solutions. "I am conscious this issue has been, and will continue to be, highly contentious," UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said. But she added that the findings had been subject to an "extensive and meticulous review process" and the report "reflects the serious consideration that has been given to this unprecedented and highly complex mandate". - 'Contemptible effort' - Israel, which routinely accuses the UN and especially the Human Rights Council of bias against it was quick to slam Wednesday's publication. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at retaliation. "Whoever boycotts us will be boycotted," a statement from his office quoted him as saying. "We strongly reject this contemptible effort." Foreign Minister Israel Katz labelled the move "a shameful surrender to pressure from countries and organisations who want to harm Israel." His Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Malki meanwhile described the publication as "a victory for international law and diplomatic efforts." The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates a wide-ranging embargo of Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians, welcomed the list. The database was scheduled to be released three years ago, but has repeatedly been delayed. The rights office initially evaluated more than 300 companies. But the final report published Wednesday cited 112 business entities that the office had "reasonable grounds to conclude have been involved in one or more of the specific activities referenced" in the 2016 resolution. It said 94 of the listed companies had their headquarters in Israel, while 18 others were spread across six other countries. The UN agency said compiling the database had been a "complex process" involving "widespread discussions" with states, think tanks, academics and the companies themselves. Human Rights Watch's deputy advocacy chief Bruno Stagno celebrated the publication of the database. This "should put all companies on notice: to do business with illegal settlements is to aid in the commission of war crimes," he said. Wednesday's report meanwhile stressed that companies were not doomed to remain on the database forever. "Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that... the business enterprise is ceasing or no longer involved in the relevant activity, the business enterprise would be removed from the database," it said. The report recommended that the database be updated annually, and urged the Human Rights Council to appoint a group of independent experts to handle this task. Israeli settlements established in occupied Palestinian territory are considered to violate international law, and have long been seen as a major obstacle to peace, since they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state. More than 600,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem among three million Palestinians, with tensions often high.
Since tensions have mounted between Turkey and Syria, Turkey has sent a large number of reinforcements to its observation posts in Idleb reports Arabi 21.

The Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak said that Turkish preparations for launching a military operation against the Syrian regime supported by Russia and Iran have reached a high level.

The newspaper said in a report, translated by Arabi 21, that the number of observation points established in the de-escalation zonewhich had been 12 sitesreached about 21 observation points in February.

Regarding the number of Turkish soldiers currently in Idleb, the newspaper pointed out that there had been 1,200 Turkish soldiers, the number reached 10,000 this month.

The report noted that the number of military vehicles shipped to Syria in the past few weeks numbered about 2,000, noting that during just the past two days, about 1,000 vehicles had crossed the border towards the city of Idleb.

It added that Turkish forces had intensified their deployment extensively around the international M5 highway that extends from Hama to Aleppo, as well as the international M4 highway from Lattakia to Aleppo, pointing out that Ankara is continuing its operations against the Syrian regime to remove it from the strategic city of Saraqeb, while reinforcing its military base in Taftanaz in Idleb.

The newspaper said that Turkish forces are on standby, pending orders for the actual attack, while talks between the Russian and Turkish delegation in Ankara have ended with no concrete results.

The paper said that, the final decision will be issued after an upcoming phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, noting that, if diplomatic efforts fail completely, the Turkish army will begin operations against Syrian regime targets and Iranian militias on several fronts.

It added that Turkish forces would push the Syrian regime to the area that reaches towards Aleppo, in order to secure the international M4 and M5 highways and observation points.

Also on Wednesday, the Turkish army strengthened its observation points in the de-escalation zone in Idleb with commando members of the special forces.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Local Labour MPs Jan Tinetti, Tamati Coffey and Angie-Warren Clark say Nationals ghost plans to get tough on crime are little more than hot air.

The MPs say the Government is actually rolling up its sleeves and working alongside police, iwi and the Tauranga community to tackle organised crime.

Firstly, we acknowledge the grief of all families caught in the recent tragedies within the Western Bay of Plenty, including those of our brave police men and women who have increased their presence in our community, to provide the people of Tauranga Moana with stronger peace of mind, says Jan Tinetti, List MP for Tauranga.

Local police have assured me organised crime is their number one priority in the Bay of Plenty. They have seized more than $6.4 million in assets from local gangs, since the start of the 17/18 financial year and they are keeping the pressure on.

While these facts fly in the face of Mr Mullers recent comments, the truth is National had their chance to be tough on crime for nine years. They werent and they still arent.

Jan says the recent tragedy included a semi-assault rifle, the kind the Government quickly banned from shelves in the wake of the March terrorist attack and bought back off many respectable gun owners across Aotearoa.

Now, we are backing our police force in targeting organised crime, and ensuring their weapons find similar fates.

Parliament will soon vote on tougher penalties for people who supply firearms to gang members and other unlicensed offenders.

Jan is challenging Tauranga MP Simon Bridges to walk the talk and support these new gun laws, as up till now he has tried to block them.

Police have closed State High Two following a fatal shooting. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive.

MP for Waiariki Tamati Coffey says National wants to create Strikeforce Raptor to target gangs, like some comic book solution to organised crime in New Zealand.

He says the reality is iwi, whanau and communities need us to be smarter.

Lets not kid ourselves its only people wearing patches who are driving this. We need to tackle organised crime, including white collar drug criminals, from multiple angles, such as education, rehabilitation, housing and poverty  like this Government is actually doing.

I specifically want to acknowledge Corrections Minister, Kelvin Davis for launching Hokai Rangi  a dedicated strategy created alongside Maori, to reduce our high rates of reoffending and imprisonment  one which is already starting to see positive results.

List MP for Bay of Plenty Angie Warren-Clark says the Coalition Government is pouring more resources into Policing, with an extra 91 fulltime Police officers in the Bay of Plenty District, over and above those who have left.

Minister of Police, Stuart Nash advises me thats a 14 per cent increase since start of 17/18 financial year.

While there is more mahi to do, this is a huge relief for local families, when Police numbers dropped across the country in the last five years of the previous government.

We all have a part to play in giving nothing to organised crime. We encourage anyone who may know anything about the recent tragedies, to anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and help us create safer communities for our families.
Tidjane Thiam, chief executive officer of Credit Suisse, speaks during an earnings news conference in Zurich, Switzerland, on April 24, 2019.

Credit Suisse beat market expectations with its latest earnings on Thursday, posting a 69% increase in annual net income despite the spying scandal that emerged during 2019.

The Swiss lender reported a net income of 3.4 billion Swiss francs ($3.48 billion) for 2019. For the final quarter of the year, the Swiss bank posted a net income of 852 million Swiss francs.

Analysts had estimated a net income of 838.5 million Swiss francs for the fourth quarter and 3.2 billion Swiss francs for the year.

Here are some other highlights for the year:

Net revenues reached 22.4 billion Swiss francs, vs 20.9 billion Swiss francs in 2018.

Operating expenses rose 1% from 2018 to 17.4 billions Swiss francs.

Return on tangible equity hit 9% in 2019, vs 5% in 2018.

Its CET1 ratio stood at 12.7%, vs 12.6% at the end of 2018.

"We have started the year strongly across all of our divisions, and as a result, are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the year ahead," the bank said in a statement.

Credit Suisse also said it wants to grow its revenues in wealth management in 2020, increase profitability further and keep "cost discipline."

The bank is proposing a cash dividend of 0.2776 Swiss francs per share for the financial year of 2019. Credit Suisse shares are up by 12% over the past year.
 Flash

Russia will be forced to retaliate if the United States decides to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, a senior Russian diplomat said on Wednesday.

However, it is premature to discuss what the retaliation would involve as Washington has not yet announced the withdrawal, said Vladimir Yermakov, director of the Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Moscow relies on the sanity of its foreign partners and calls for the preservation of the treaty "as one of the few remaining pillars of the security architecture in Europe," he said.

While the White House mulls pulling out of the treaty, Congress is considering the Open Skies Treaty Stability Act, which, if passed, will prevent the president from unilaterally withdrawing the United States from the pact.

The Treaty on Open Skies took effect in 2002 and currently has 34 party states, including Russia, the United States and some other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The confidence-building and arms-control agreement has established a system of observation flights over its members to gather information about their military forces and activities.
Doctors and other experts say at least 50 more people, many of them elderly or ill, likely died as a result of the 2018 wildfire that devastated the town of Paradise, California, but were not counted in the official death toll, an investigation by the Chico Enterprise-Record found.

Authorities have said the deadliest wildfire in California history killed 85 people. But the newspaper reported Tuesday that it had identified at least 50 more people whose deaths were linked to the fire but not attributed to it.

The additional people lived in homes, retirement communities and nursing facilities in the towns of Magalia, Paradise and Concow, according to addresses on wrongful death claims filed as part of a legal case against Pacific Gas & Electric. The utilitys equipment was blamed for starting the fire.

Each claim was vetted by a medical expert and a lawyer, and claimants had to gather evidence showing the person would not have died if not for the fire. Some claims were turned down, lawyers said, because the evidence would not necessarily stand in court.

Attorneys said the online database used to record claims is not perfect, so the number may not be exact.

Joe Earley, a lawyer representing several claims against PG&E and a survivor of the fire, called the list the tip of the iceberg. He said most of the people whose family members he represents had health issues, were elderly and died shortly after the fire.

I believe those people are just as much a victim as everyone else, he said.

Obituaries and GoFundMe pages offer an additional glimpse into their lives. A husband and wife who were deeply involved in Paradise community organizations passed away within a few months of each other. There was also a grandmother for whom losing her home was just too much stress. One person had a stroke after leaving anti-stroke medication behind when fleeing, Earley said.

Another person on the list is Ramona Ward, a 95-year-old who had a rental business and lived on her own, according to her daughter, Virginia Kraft. She was in rehabilitation in Paradise after a successful surgery when the fire hit and was moved to a Chico facility where she got sick with a norovirus. She died in January. Her death certificate cites hypertension and a cerebrovascular accident.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Trends Wildfire
After the recent Brexit, people in the UK are hoping for decent and fair trade deals with the EU and other partners Photo: AFP

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland officially left the European Union at 11pm UK time on January 31, and entered into an 11-month transition phase, despite two of the constituent countries (Scotland and Northern Ireland) voting to remain in the bloc when the country went to the polls in 2016.

That vote, won by the Leave side on a percentage of 52-48, has resulted in over three years of wrangling and heated discussion both within the UK and the other 27 nations that comprise the EU on how exactly a country with the status of the UK leaves such a massive trading bloc in an orderly fashion.

Now that the country has officially exited, UK Foreign Office staff have been banned from using certain words and phrases in discussing Brexit, including the word itself, unless in certain narrow circumstances. The directive underlines the degree to which the government is determined to frame Britains departure from the EU as a clean break.

The opening sentence of the directive stated that, Brexit is completed. So do not use the term, save as a historical event that took place on January 31, 2020.

Now focus is to be placed on negotiations over the future relationship, which is expected to start in early March. An EU official confirmed a report in December from The Guardian that the next phase of talks would take place in both London and Brussels, Belgium.

Just days after officially leaving, the gap between the UK and the EU on hopes for the transition phase appeared to be a wide one.

Working on a deal

In negotiations to create a major free trade deal, Brussels is expecting the UK to dynamically align on state aid and competition regulations to prevent the British government from subsidising parts of the economy such as in the steel, aerospace, or automobile industries.

The EUs chief negotiator during Britains withdrawal, Michel Barnier said last week, The text of the political declaration talks about a level playing field and the objective of having fair and open competition. Both sides say that we are keen to avoid any distortion of competition and any unfair competitive advantages.

Barnier said a level playing field had to be a condition for a zero-tariff, zero-quota deal. We are in favour of free trade but we are not going to be naive, he added.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on the other hand, insisted that Britain should not abide by EU rules any more than Brussels should have to follow UK regulations after Brexit.

There is no need for a free trade agreement (FTA) to involve accepting EU rules on competition policy, subsidies, social protection, the environment, or anything similar, any more than the EU should be obliged to accept UK rules, Johnson said.

In a speech last week to mark the UKs new social and economic journey outside of the EU, Johnson explained his vision of setting out into the world, moving on from the tangled debate over withdrawal, and using new powers to create its own path.

I have no doubt that Britain will prosper. And of course our new relationship with our closest neighbours will range far beyond trade. We will seek a pragmatic agreement on security, protecting our citizens without trespassing on the autonomy of our respective legal systems, Johnson said.

The goal for both sides is to create an FTA, but also additional deals that touch on other issues revolving around security and foreign policy. To the surprise of many outsiders, Britain wants to wrap things up by the end of the year, a deadline seen as breathtakingly optimistic by many trade experts. But even though time is short, it will take a little time before talks really get going.

This is the early phase, and the chest-beating phase of the negotiation, said Sam Lowe, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform in London. In the next couple of months we will see both sides standing firm and appealing to domestic audiences.

Along with fear of subsidy of parts of the economy by the UK, the EU argues that its negotiation stance is vital to prevent Britain, a relatively large nearby competitor, from lowering labour and environmental standards which would, in turn, bring down the price of goods and services.

The British, meanwhile, pointed out that such conditions were not imposed on Canada in exchange for its FTA with the Europeans.

Negotiations for a trade deal between Canada and the EU began in 2009 and ended five years later  and, though the deal was approved by the EU in 2017, even today only parts of the deal have been provisionally applied. If any UK-EU deal is created in less than a year, insiders expect it to be a bare bones agreement covering only particular, sensitive, or important areas.

PM Johnson maintained last week that rather than accept alignment with European rules, he would prefer a trading relationship similar to that of Australia, which currently has no FTA with the EU.

The choice is emphatically not deal or no deal. The question is whether we agree a trading relationship with the EU comparable to Canadas, or more like Australias, Johnson stated.

Choosing the next path

Both of those arrangements would be a distinct change from the pre-Brexit status, and create advantages and disadvantages for the country.

The EUs deal with Canada was regularly mentioned during the Brexit campaign and seems to have emerged as the prime ministers preferred model. The agreement is popular among some in the UK because it allows free trade without remaining in the EUs single market, removing the need for aligned rules and free movement of people.

Under such an arrangement, Britain would stop paying financial contributions to the EU budget and the UK would regain control of its immigration rules and other internal regulations.

It would, however, be a sizable downgrade from the UKs current trade relationship with the bloc, as it will create trade and regulation barriers that have not been in force for decades.

In terms of Johnson mentioning a less-concrete arrangement like that with Australia, experts note that it is essentially a rebranding of the nuclear option of a no deal Brexit  referring to the possibility of the UK leaving without any deal at all. It would involve doing business on World Trade Organization (WTO) terms in most areas, with tariffs on goods and an agreement on the processes to reduce several regulatory barriers.

Australia and the EU began negotiations for an FTA in 2018. The EU as a whole is Australias second-largest trading partner and third-largest export destination.

The current arrangement between the two does not bind Australia to EU regulatory oversight or immigration rules, and Australia does not have to make financial contributions to the EU budget.

The UK government would be happy with that situation  however, Australia is not a member of the European customs union or single market. That means its goods exporters are subject to EU tariffs and quotas, and Australian service providers do not have preferential access to the continent.

Each of the remaining 27 member states will have veto rights over the new agreement with the UK. While the bloc kept a largely united front during Brexit withdrawal talks, the stance of some members could shift as varying countries will be affected by different elements of any potential trade deal.

In some areas, such as the minimum wage, maternity leave, and the elimination of single-use plastics, British standards already significantly exceed EU minimums.

For now, British citizens are no longer EU citizens; British ministers will play no further part in EU lawmaking; and no British prime minister will attend EU summits. If PM Johnson does not ask for a transition phase extension by June (which he insists will not happen), the UK is at risk of falling back on basic WTO terms after 2021, with untold economical and logistical consequences for the country.

It is now up to those in charge to thrash out a deal that is at least somewhat acceptable to both sides, and one which protects citizens both in the UK and further afield.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SBG Technology Solutions, an industry leader and one of the fastest growing engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence service providers in the country, is pleased to announce that it is teaming with Zee Force, an upstart staffing industry leader.

Carlos Zuniga, President & CEO of Zee Force, stated how proud he and his team of professional recruiters are to support the SBG Team with their staffing requirements. Zee Force will focus on ensuring SBG's continued growth by recruiting high-caliber candidates from various industries to fulfill current and future contracting demands. Zee Force's expertise in the industry, coupled with their unique ability to recruit candidates into "hard-to-fill" positions, will allow SBG to grow faster and expand their footprint nationwide.

Carlos Zuniga is a Marine Corps combat veteran and a proven leader with over 27 years of experience in the staffing and recruiting industry. Carlos previously held positions at Headquarters Marine Corps responsible for the screening and selection of Presidential Appointments, and of other candidates to the White House Military Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Navy and Office of Legislative Affairs. Carlos excelled throughout his military career as an advisor to various flag officers responsible for directly managing the manpower and retention program of over 26,000 employees across multiple career paths. Carlos' efforts contributed directly to the transition of thousands of Marines and Sailors across the globe. Carlos and Zee Force are now completely focused on achieving client satisfaction, putting people first, integrity and an unparalleled commitment to quality.

Carlos Del Toro, President of SBG Technology Solutions, commented that "Zee Force is completely committed to fulfilling SBG's staffing requirements and to our mutual desire to help put to work as many of our nation's transitioning servicemembers and Veterans, as possible."

About SBG Technology Solutions: SBG Technology Solutions, Inc., is a nationwide provider of professional engineering, IT modernization, IT governance, cyber security, and artificial intelligence services to federal and commercial clients. A representative sample of our clients include: Department of Veterans Affairs; Department of Health and Human Services, Defense Health Agency; U.S. Navy; Army National Guard, Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and the Transportation Security Administration. Additional information about SBG Technology Solutions can be found at our new website http://sbgts.com.

SOURCE SBG Technology Solutions, Inc.




By Jung Min-ho







A Korean woman in her early 20s has died after a tram hit her in Milan.





According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday, the victim, who was visiting the city with two Korean friends, was struck near Porta Venezia in the northeast of the city center about midnight Monday (local time).





She was about to start her first year at college in Britain.





The Korean Consulate General in Milan said it has told her family in Korea of the accident.





A local media outlet

Tuesday that the incident occurred when the tram was rounding a curve. Police are investigating.





The friends and the tram driver were taken to a nearby hospital suffering shock.


Roger Stone, left, with his wife Nydia Stone, leaves federal court in Washington, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Stone, a longtime friend of President Donald Trump, has been found guilty at his trial in federal court in Washington. Read more

Russians have a great phrase to describe what can happen when the Kremlin or a senior bureaucrat takes a personal interest in a court case.

They call it telephone justice. That means the official picks up a phone and tells the judge what verdict to deliver. Its a phrase that dates back to Soviet Union days, when the Communist Party always dictated outcomes to the judge.

Under President Donald Trump, we havent quite reached the telephone justice phase yet. Not quite.

But the presidents interference in the Roger Stone case, which provoked the resignation of four career prosecutors, disrespects our justice system  as do his Twitter attacks on judges. His misuse of the Justice Department. to go after political rivals and enemies  abetted for the past year by Attorney General William Barr  is scary. (Barrs sudden pushback against Trumps attacks in the Stone affair comes too late to be credible.)

Indeed, Trumps ugly threats against those who testified in the impeachment hearings are the kind of rhetoric wed expect from the autocrats he openly praises, in Russia, China, the Philippines, and elsewhere.

Consider what Vladimir Putin did when he faced a potent liberal political opponent in the early 2000s. Oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested on fake tax charges and sent to a Siberian prison for a decade, then banished to exile.

We dont have Siberia  but Trumps relentless insistence on pursuing the investigated-to-death Hillary Clinton email story, years after he defeated her, is pathological. A Justice Department investigation, started two years ago to mollify Trumps far right and Fox News, has produced nothing. Heaven knows what the president will trump up if he wins in 2020.

And then there is Barrs recent announcement that the Justice Department still intends to consider information from Rudy Giuliani about Ukraine, including possible claims about Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Even after witness upon witness at the impeachment hearings laid out in painstaking detail how Giuliani consorted with corrupt Ukrainians and spewed total falsehoods.

 READ MORE: Prominent NGO official in Kiev talks about Giuliani shakedown I Trudy Rubin

Barr knows, as do any GOP senators interested in facts, that Biden was fighting corruption, while Giuliani was promoting it. Biden sought the ouster of a corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, who was refusing to prosecute the co-owner of Burisma, the energy company on whose board Hunter Biden sat. The European Union, International Monetary Fund, Ukraines top anti-corruption organizations, and its parliament all wanted Shokin fired  because he was corrupt.

"Prosecutor Shokin had to go because he was unwilling to prosecute Burisma, says Brian Bonner, executive editor of Ukraines Kyiv Post, which exhaustively covered this story. Yet Giuliani, who pursued shady characters and business deals in Kyiv, turned the truth on its head.

And Barr, who admitted Giulianis evidence couldnt be taken at face value, is still willing to consider his information. Why? Are we headed for telephone justice here, egged on by Trump?

But we have independent courts, you say. Yes, we still do. Trump does not have the freedom of, say, a Xi Jinping, another autocrat Trump praises, whose courts are officially required to accept the Communist Partys dictates.

 READ MORE: Trump's Ukraine scandal as seen from Kiev I Trudy Rubin

Yet Trump frequently and viciously attacks judges whose rulings he dislikes, including the judge who will be handing down the Stone sentence, with slurs like gift to the criminal, so-called judge, or Trump hater. Often these judges have also returned rulings favorable to him, or are GOP appointees, but that matters not.

This is not normal, said U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman of the District of Columbia in a powerful speech last year. This kind of personal attack on courts and individual judges violates all recognized democratic norms.

Indeed, Trumps sliming of the judiciary has become so outrageous that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. felt compelled to issue a rare rebuke of Trumps criticism of a so-called Obama judge who ruled against him. We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges, Roberts said in 2018. The independent judiciary, he continued, is something we should all be thankful for.

Trump, however, doesnt want an independent judiciary that follows the law and the Constitution. If its my judges, he told a campaign audience in 2016, you know how theyre going to decide. To this president, that means in favor of Trump.

Whats even more unnerving is Trumps admiration for vigilante justice. He praised the Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, for his unbelievable job in dealing with the drug problem. Duterte has notoriously encouraged public vigilantism and 7,000 so-called drug dealers were shot dead on the streets in his first few months in office. At rallies, Trump has subtly egged on his followers toward vigilante justice.

A look at the justice systems of Russia, China, and the Philippines reminds one of the rare value of rule of law and judicial independence. And what are the alternatives if the president keeps undermining the publics belief in their importance? Telephone justice? Vigilante justice? We can have that if thats what Trump convinces the public it wants.
Syrias parliament Thursday recognised the 1915-1917 murder of up to 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, as tensions run high with Turkey after deadly clashes in northwest Syria.

The parliament condemns and recognises the genocide committed against the Armenians by the Ottoman state at the start of the twentieth century, the legislature said in a statement.

The Armenians seek international recognition that the mass killings of their people under the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1917 amounted to genocide. They say 1.5 million died.

Turkey strongly denies the accusation of genocide and says that both Armenians and Turks died as a result of World War I. It puts the death toll in the hundreds of thousands.

The move comes after weeks of tensions between Ankara and Damascus over deadly clashes between the two sides in northwest Syria that Ankara says has killed 14 of its soldiers.

Russia-backed government forces have since December upped their deadly bombardment of the last major bastion of opposition in northwest Syria, where Ankara supports the rebels and has deployed troops.

The offensive on the jihadist-dominated bastion of Idlib has also forced 700,000 people from their homes towards the closed Turkish border, the United Nations says.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday threatened to strike Syrian government forces everywhere if its soldiers come under renewed attack. Damascus hit back that he was disconnected from reality.

Beyond Idlib, Turkey and its proxies have conducted three operations in Syria against both the Islamic State group and Kurdish fighters it views as terrorists.

After the last incursion, Turkey set up a so-called safe zone in a 120-kilometre (70-mile) long strip inside Syrian territory along its southern border.

Parliaments in nearly 30 countries have passed laws, resolutions or motions recognising the genocide.

The US congress in December recognised the mass killings as genocide, angering Turkey. President Donald Trumps administration said it did not agree.
SpendEdge has been monitoring the global PaaS market and the market is poised to experience spend growth of more than USD 12 billion between 2018-2023 at a CAGR of over 20% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages

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The rapid adoption of cloud-based development tools and cloud-enabled DBMS among end-user industries is favoring spend growth in the global PaaS market. Businesses in the IT development and services industry are exhibiting strong demand for cloud-based development tools, programming languages, libraries, and database management systems in order to reduce their on-premise infrastructure and software costs. This is generating significant growth opportunities for PaaS service providers.

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The Top PaaS Service Providers Enlisted in this Report:

The rising global shortage of cloud architecture developers and designers and the growing need for retaining existing employees are expected to increase operational costs for service providers. Such an incremental expenditure is likely to be compensated by buyers in the form of an excess procurement spend. Considering this possibility, this report has enlisted the top PaaS service providers, SLA agreement insights, and the selection and negotiation strategies that buyers must undertake to achieve optimal and cost-effective procurement in this market.

Microsoft- It is among the technological giants with high brand value and visibility in the market, which allows this PaaS service provider to lower its spend on marketing expenses. Such service providers are primarily vertically integrated, which allows them to operate on thin margins to capture a large number of clients by offering the best competitive prices in the PaaS market.

Amazon- This service provider has built-in cloud monitoring tools such as the Amazon Cloudwatch. Buyers can seek bundling opportunities for such tools while procuring PaaS from this service provider. These tools also help category managers evaluate the performance of service providers, which can be used during the contract renewal phase.

VMware- While negotiating, it is imperative that buyers derive complete information regarding the prices that will be charged as per the resources utilized. They should actively negotiate for performance guarantees in the contract to avail the best possible service during periods of high demand.

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Farm Bills: Farmers' organisations call for Karnataka bandh, likely to be held on September 28

Karnataka bandh over Maratha board: What is open, what is closed

Karnataka bandh today: Govt for Kannadigas, have initiated measures to implement report, says CM

India

oi-Deepika S

Bengaluru, Feb 13: Stones were pelted at a Tirupati-Mangaluru bus in Farangipet as the 12-hour Karnataka bandh call by several pro-Kannada organisations outfits demanding the implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report by providing more jobs for Kannadigas in the state.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday met the protesting leaders and said the government had initiated measures to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report.

"Government always stood for Kannada and Kannadigas and initiated measures to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report," said Yediyurappa.

Pro-Kannada activist Praveen Shetty has been kept under house arrest.

There is no official holiday declared for schools and colleges. However, the district administration is allowed to take the decision on holiday depending upon the situation in the respective districts.

Karnataka bandh today: What is open, what is closed

BU postpones PG exams

In view of the bandh, the Bangalore University has postponed all the post-graduate examinations scheduled for February 13 (Thursday).

The bandh is likely to affect cab and autorickshaw services as unions of drivers, including those in app-based aggregators, are supporting the bandh.

Govt open for talks

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa appealed to the organisations not to cause any inconvenience to the general public as he asserted his government was always pro-Kannada.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

"Those agitating, if they are willing to talk to me, I'm always ready to talk to them. We have already done several that are possible (to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report), what other things can be done, I'm ready to talk to them," said Yediyurappa.

Bengaluru top cop Bhaskar Rao said permission has not been given to the protest and none can forcibly shut shops or businesses.
[February 13, 2020]

Pasternack Debuts New High Frequency Waveguide Straights, Bends and Twists

IRVINE, California, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pasternack, an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of RF, microwave and millimeter wave products, has just launched a new series of waveguide straight sections, bends and twists that are commonly used in satellite communication, radar and airport security system applications.

Pasternack's new waveguide transmission components feature high frequency ranges from 90 GHz to 220 GHz in 3 waveguide bands, with waveguide sizes including WR-8, WR-6 and WR-5 and UG-387/U mod round cover style flanges. The waveguide straights are available in 1", 3", 6", 9" and 12" lengths; the waveguide bends are available in 90 degrees E-plane and 90 degrees H-plane configurations; and the waveguide twists are available in 90 degrees, 45 degrees right-hand and 45 degrees left-hand configurations. Additionally, all new high frequency waveguide components feature low VSWR performance of 1.15:1 typical.

"We are pleased to offer this newline of high frequency waveguide straights, bends and twists to satisfy our customers' demands for waveguide components supporting frequencies up to 220 GHz. These new products complement our growing portfolio of waveguide components, giving our customers even more options available for same-day shipping," said Steven Pong, Product Manager at Pasternack.







Pasternack's new high frequency waveguide straights, bends and twists are all in-stock and available for immediate shipment, with no minimum order required.

For inquiries, Pasternack can be contacted at +1-949-261-1920.

About Pasternack:

A leader in RF products since 1972, Pasternack is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and supplier offering the industry's largest selection of active and passive RF, microwave and millimeter wave products available for same-day shipping. Pasternack is an Infinite Electronics brand.

About Infinite Electronics:

Based in Irvine, Calif., Infinite Electronics offers a broad range of components, assemblies and wired/wireless connectivity solutions, serving the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Infinite's brands include Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, Aiconics, KP Performance Antennas, PolyPhaser, Transtector, RadioWaves, ShowMe Cables, Integra Optics and INC Installs. Infinite Electronics serves a global engineering customer base with deep technical expertise and support, with one of the broadest inventories of products available for immediate shipment.

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FOR CHOREOGRAPHER HELENE Weinzierl, dance is a joy of life. The Austria-based performing artiste is the artistic director of performance at Tanzimpulse Salzburg, the body that organises dance festivals. She is also the founder of CieLaroque, the South-Central European States most popular touring dance ensembles that is visiting the city now. Hosted by Pickle Factory, the dance group that marks its silver jubilee this year was in Santiniketan last week and will be conducting workshops and performing at different venues here. Not new to India or Kolkata, Weinzierl, who has more than 40 productions to her credit and who draws attention to socio-political realities of the world, reflects on her journey with CeiLaroque, her definition of dance and more. Excerpts:

How have you evolved with CieLaroque since 1995?

As an artiste, working on a production excites me more than choreography. I have enjoyed being on stage but the process in the rehearsal room is a greater challenge for me. Even before the foundation of CieLaroque, I had worked with other dancers in a collective and the creative process was always very important to me. The separation from the collective and the foundation of CieLaroque took place in 1995 when I realised that I had to decide to go my own way; to realise my ideas in the form that seemed important to me.

Why did you choose As Far as We Can and Its All About for the Kolkata tour?

To be honest, one of the reasons is that these two productions are up to date in the repertoire. Second, I have a strong affinity towards these two projects as they are interactive and the interactions are received and reflected differently in different cultures and countries, making it exciting and challenging.

What is dance for you?

For me, dance is everything that moves. Its the joy of life, an inspiration and a philosophical discussion. I started dancing when I was 14 and as a child gymnast, I dreamt of becoming a ballet dancer. I was always interested in movements and dance was a way to express myself, to reflect my environment and to raise questions.

Out of the many productions which is closer to your heart and why?

There are many older productions that I love like Democrazy, Dua Para Ella, and The Damage Done, among others, apart from some new ones, owing to their interactive aspects.

What is your next project?

The rehearsals for the new project start in midApril. It is an outdoor production and explores the paradoxical combinations of voyeurism and participation of intimacy and strangeness. A total of nine performers create an interactive, participatory puzzle landscape and the public space becomes a 10th performer here. CieLaroque will be performing today and tomorrow at Kolkata Centre for Creativity.
Novel coronavirus: Two passengers who arrived at Kolkata international airport on Thursday have been placed in isolation for suspected coronavirus. The passengers flew in from Bangkok. A Kolkata airport official said that both the passengers have been sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital.

Earlier, a passenger onboard a SpiceJet flight from Bangkok was quarantined over fear of coronavirus in Delhi on Thursday.

Before that, two individuals - Himadri Barman and Nagendra Singh - were quarantined on Tuesday and Wednesday as per government officials in Delhi. Additionally, another passenger called Anita Oraon had shown signs of fever during thermal scanning in Kolkata, as per airport director Kaushik Bhattacharjee.

So far, two airlines - IndiGo and China Eastern Airlines - with direct flight between Kolkata and China have suspended their flights.

IndiGo that suspended its flights to Guangzhou from February 6 said the flights have been suspended till February 26. They said they move comes in line with the WHO guideline to contain spread of coronavirus.

China Eastern Airlines suspended its flights between Kolkata and Kunming from February 10 to February 29.

Passengers of flights coming to Kolkata from Kunming and Guangzhou in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are being screened since January 17. At present, passengers arriving from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are being screened as no flights are operating to and from China.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China has risen to 1,367, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Thursday. There were 15,152 new confirmed infection cases across mainland China bringing the total to 59,804, it said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also read: Coronavirus: China starts mental health services for people in trauma

Also read: Passenger onboard SpiceJet flight from Bangkok to Delhi suspected of coronavirus, quarantined
R ishi Sunak was appointed as the Chancellor of the Exchequer after Sajid Javid resigned amid Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle in February.

Mr Javid, also a former Home Secretary, stepped down when Mr Johnson demanded that he sack his entire team of special advisers. Other senior politicians, including Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Geoffrey Cox, were sacked by the PM in the major Cabinet shake up.

The PM later appointed Mr Sunak to head up the Treasury. It came just weeks before his Government was due to unveil its first Budget.

The new 39-year-old Chancellor, who was dubbed a "rising star" in the Conservative Party, will unveil the Budget 2020 in the Commons at 12:30pm today.

Here, we take a look at Mr Sunak's political career in more detail.

Sajid Javid has been replaced as Chancellor by Rishi Sunak / PA

Who is Rishi Sunak and what has he done in his political career so far?

Mr Sunak, 39, took up the post after Mr Javid resigned.

He had previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, flanked by Rishi Sunak / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Mr Sunak won the seat for Richmond, Yorkshire in 2015, taking over from former Foreign Secretary William Hague, who stepped down.

Ahead of the 2016 EU Referendum, Mr Sunak was vocal in his support of the Leave campaign, controversially stating that Britain did not "need" a free trade agreement with the EU post-Brexit.

He was then re-elected in the 2017 General Election, with an increased majority of over 23,000 votes, and also voted for Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Again, Mr Sunak secured his Richmond seat in the recent 2019 election, before being appointed as Mr Johnson's Chief Secretary to the Treasury in July that year.

Mr Sunak also became a member the Privy Council on July 25.

On February 13, 2020, he replaced Mr Javid as Chancellor.

What Budget 2020 challenges does Rishi Sunak face?

Mr Sunak faces a tough challenge as he brings in his own changes to Mr Javid's work before February 13.

This budget also needs to satisfy the needs of several very different audiences.

These range from traditional Labour voters in the Midlands and the north of England - who gave the PM his 80-seat majority - to traditional Tory voters, the financial markets and foreign governments.

The Conservatives have promised that the Budget's main focus will be following through on election pledges to reduce the economic inequality between the south and the north.

It also comes after the FTSE 100 saw its worst day since the 2008 financial crisis amid Covid-19 concerns.

Why did Sajid Javid resign?

Mr Javid quit in Mr Johnson's February reshuffle following months of tensions between Downing Street and the Treasury.

It came to a head when the PM's chief special adviser Dominic Cummings fired one of Mr Javid's aides, Sonia Khan, without his permission.

Mr Johnson promised to keep Mr Javid as chancellor after the general election in December.

However, in weeks leading up to the reshuffle, media reports suggested that a new rival finance ministry could be established with Mr Sunak at the lead to reduce the power and political influence of the Treasury.

Mr Javid resigned as chancellor on February 13, the day of a cabinet reshuffle, following a meeting with the PM.
Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for 114 combat aircraft to bolster its fighter stream and eyeing top jets from the United States of America, Europe and Russia for the same. Major defence companies have responded to the multi-billion dollar deal and USA's Boeing, which has already put its F/A-18 Super Hornet in the race, may also offer its twin-engine, twin seater F-15EX fighters to the IAF.

Boeing has put forward its proposal to the US President Donald Trump's administration seeking the licence for its possible export to India to bag the lucrative deal worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore (approximately $18 billion) for 114 fighter jets. "While awaiting further definition on the Indian Air Force's requirements, we have requested a license for the F-15EX so that we're ready to share the full spectrum of potential solutions across our fighter portfolio when appropriate," Boeing issued a statement according to news agency PTI.

Boeing India Managing Director Surendra Ahuja has already stated that the company was ready to establish a manufacturing facility in India to ensure regular and unhindered supply of the aircraft and spare parts if it wins the deal.

IAF had in April 2019 issued an RFI (Request for Information) to buy 114 combat aircraft to replace the older and retiring fighters. Several top jets which included Lockheed Martins new F-21, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Aviation's Rafale F3R, Eurofighter Typhoon, Russia's Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 35 and Sukhoi Su-35 and Saab's Gripen E have responded to the RFI.

Boeing is also eyeing Indian Navy's tender for 57 multi-role fighter for its aircraft carriers. The combat jets compatible with Indian Navy's aircraft carrier are Russia's MiG-29K, French Rafale, US F/A 18 Super Hornet, F-35B and F-35C, and Sweden's Gripen. Even Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is eyeing the Navy deal and the aircraft is already carrying out carrier takeoffs and landings to prove its utility.

IAF already operates several Boeing-made aircraft including CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
South Africa: Media interacts with government ahead of SONA

Media practitioners and government communicators used Wednesday evening to bolster their working relationship at a networking session held on the eve of the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The session, which was co-hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and partners Media24, Kagiso Tiso Holdings and Diageo, provided media an opportunity to interact with government communicators ahead of the SONA.

GCIS Acting Director-General Phumla Williams explained that the session provides fertile ground for media, as the watchdog, and government to fine-tune their working relationship.

When we began this event, it was initially about addressing the concerns that media brought to us, as the GCIS, about difficulties they had in getting hold of [some] spokespersons, as they did not answer their phones. Over the years, we have found value in this engagement and partnership, said Williams on Wednesday evening.

Media24 Manager for Afrikaans News, Justin Langeveld, said the pre-SONA media networking session offers government and the media an opportunity to network and share information in an amicable setting before the big day.

Kagiso Tiso Holdings CEO Paballo Makosholo emphasised the importance of partnerships, which carry governments mandate forward and ultimately, that of society.

Turning his sights on the big day, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said the President will touch on topical issues such as gender-based violence, corruption and the high unemployment rate amongst the youth.

The President will not be done with his State of the Nation Address unless he deals with the question of unemployment, particularly among our youth, he said.

Mthembu called on the media fraternity to use the networking session for the greater good of the country.

We must think about what [can be done] through this network for those who are worse off than ourselves, said Mthembu. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Senate is expected to pass a bipartisan war powers resolution on Thursday aimed at reigning in President Trumps ability to use military action against Iran without prior Congressional approval, ABC News reports.

Several Republican senators support the resolution, despite pushback from Trump and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.

"We should not be at war with Iran unless Congress votes to authorize such a war," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "While the president does and must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there. An offensive war requires a Congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition."

Kaine introduced the resolution last month after a drone strike, authorized by Trump, killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution. The resolution also requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. It does not prevent the U.S. from defending itself from an imminent attack.

Republicans including Sens. Todd Young of Indiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, and Rand Paul of Kentucky, support the resolution -- guaranteeing that it has the 51 votes necessary to pass if all 47 Democrats also vote in support of the measure.

"This really is about the proper allocation of power between the three branches of government," Lee said. "This should not be controversial. If you really look into it, its not controversial."
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday dismissed the by-elections being held next month to over 12,500 Panchayat seats in Jammu and Kashmir as a farce in view of the continued incarceration of top leaders of major parties.

Jammu and Kashmirs chief electoral officer, Shailender Kumar, on Thursday announced the by-polls will be held in eight phases from March 5 to March 20.

PDP spokesman Tahir Sayeed called the announcement a farce. The vital decision for participation in the elections has to be taken by the leadership of the political parties... but the entire top leaderships of the parties are either detained under the PSA [Public Safety Act] or has been placed house arrest, said Sayeed.

Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) and Mufti were last week booked under the stringent PSA that allows for detention without trial for up to two years. Another former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, was booked under the PSA in September.

The three were among hundreds of politicians and activists, who were detained to prevent protests against the nullification of the Constitutions Article 370 that stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status in August. A communications blackout and a lockdown were also imposed in August when the region was also split into two Union Territories. Most of the curbs have since been eased.

Sayeed said the government of India has made a joke of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. For the last two years, they have been claiming that elections were successful. Today, it was proved that thousands of panchayat seats were vacant, he said.

Around 60% of the total panchayat seats in the Kashmir Valley had remained vacant when the rural bodies elections were last held in 2018. The NC and the PDP had boycotted the 2018 polls citing concerns over threats to Jammu and Kashmirs special status.

Sayeed accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of trying to misguide people about Kashmir. He added the government has no plan.

NC leader Hasnain Masoodi, who represents Anantnag in Lok Sabha, said only his partys leadership can take a decision whether or not to participate in the by-polls.  But one thing is clear that the government should release the leaders so they could meet and form a strategy. If the party president, vice president, and general secretary are in jail, then how can a decision be taken? If they [government] will not release the party leadership, then it is clear that it does not want the participation of a particular party.

State Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga echoed Masoodi and said the by-poll schedule has been announced even as three former chief ministers and heads of their parties remain under detention. Let them free all of them and provide a level playing field to all the leaders, then only we can say that elections are being held in a conducive atmosphere.

Monga said that several Congress leaders remain under house arrest or their security has been withdrawn. In Kashmir, it is very difficult to move from one place to another. The government should give equal opportunities to all political parties and not a single party. Then we could strengthen democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur welcomed the announcement. The decision to hold these polls on party basis is a very good decision. The parties, which had boycotted the panchayat polls last time, should also participate in these elections for the development of the villages.

The newly-formed Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party chairman, Junaid Mir, said that they will contest the polls. Our people are ready to contest the polls and also assembly elections whenever they are held.
13.02.2020 LISTEN

The Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress, NDC in their Press Conference on Wednesday, 12th February 2020 disclosed to the media that the 47 motorcycles which were meant for onward distribution by the Regional NADMO Office to the district and zonal offices in the three regions, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo were rather sold out to these officers by the Regional NADMO Director, Mr. Rasheed Konlaabig.

Mr Konlaabig, who is also the NPP Bono Regional Organizer on Monday, 10th February 2020 at the Bono Regional Coordinating Council, held a brief occasion to deliver the 47 motorcycles which have been received from the government from Accra for onward delivery to the District, Municipal and Zonal NADMO officers.

At this function, the NDC Regional Communications Officer alleged that Mr. Konlaabig, informed these officers that they will have to pay an amount of Gh800.00 each before the motorcycle will be given to them; a strict condition that he insisted, must be followed before any officer can take his motorcycle.

The NDC Regional Communications Officer, Mr. Charles Akowuah Tuffour further stated that 8 officers were denied their motorcycles for failing to pay the Gh800.00 each when they demanded receipts for their payment.

Mr. Akowuah, therefore, called on the security agencies to investigate the matter and instruct Mr. Konlaabig to account for the monies collected from these officers as soon as possible and subsequently order him to release the motorcycles to the officers for their work.

See the full press statement:

PRESS CONFERENCE BY NDC BONO REGIONAL

SECRETARIAT  Wednesday, February 12, 2020

NPP BONO REGIONAL ORGANIZER SELLS NADMO MOTORCYCLES FOR GHC 800.00 EACH

We have convened todays Press Conference to share with you the level of corruption in this Akufo-Addos NPP Government in the Region and today, our focus is on only one sector.

Government in support of disaster management recently supplied a total of 47 Motorcycles to Municipal, District and Zonal Offices of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions of Ghana to enhance the mobility of frontline NADMO Staff.

The 47 Motorcycles were to be deployed in the 29 Municipalities and Districts of the 3 Regions. These Motorcycles were meant to equip NADMO to continue to undertake activities that would prevent and manage disaster as well as mitigate its impact in the country. These bikes are to enable District Directors and Staff of the organization to effectively discharge their duties by responding quickly and timely to issues of disasters.

Districts and Municipal Directors were grateful to government for the gesture, saying the bikes would enhance the Organizations capacity to deliver effectively on its core mandate in the Districts and Municipalities across the three Regions.

The Regional NADMO Director, Mr. Rasheed Kolanbig who is responsible for the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions is also the NPP Regional Organizer for Bono Region.

To the surprise and dismay of the 29 Municipal and District Directors of NADMO, Mr. Kolanbig is allegedly demanded an unexplained Eight Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH 800.00) fee from each Director before handing over the bikes to them. Some of these 29 Directors who could not pay upfront the (GH 800.00) fee had to return to their various Districts and Municipalities without the bikes.

As we speak today, there are 8 Districts who are victims of this illegality and therefore have been denied these motorcycles.

We urge Mr.Konlaabig; The Bono Regional Organizer of the NPP to be minded that his current position as Bono Regional NADMO Coordinator is a public position and he must respect it as such. We entreat him to ensure that he does not further deny the NADMO Zonal Offices the remaining 18 bikes under his auspices awaiting distribution.

We further call for the attention of the Ghana Police, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to investigate this embarrassing development and prosecute Mr. Rasheed Konlaabig if he is culpable.

We entreat our Security Agencies to subsequently retrieve the remaining 18 Motorcycles being hoarded by him for distribution to deserving Zonal NADMO Officers.

Signed

Charles Akowuah Tuffour

Regional Communications Officer

Bono Region
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan commented on the question relating to the recent early parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan.

Armenpress presents the MFA spokeswomans full response:

Question: Parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan and their international assessment is already available. At the same time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a statement on the parliamentary elections, which inter alia states that voters from Nagorno Karabakh participated in those elections as well, and some newly elected parliamentarians are also elected representatives of Nagorno Karabakh. How would you comment on this?

Answer: On a number of occasions, we have stated that the establishment and enhancement of democratic societies in the region are in the interests of regional stability, development and prosperity.

We are aware of the assessment of those elections by the international observers. As it was assessed by the preliminary report of the international observation mission and the heads of the observation mission, the elections were marred by systematic and gross violations.

Once again Azerbaijan tries to instrumentalize the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as a cover up of its failure in democracy and extremely low level of legitimacy of the elections. The false and empty claims of Azerbaijan pretending that representatives of Nagorno Karabakh have been elected in those elections vividly illustrate Azerbaijan's distorted perception of democracy.

The people of Artsakh have never participated in the elections of Azerbaijan either now, or throughout the entire history of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

We would like to recall that the people of Artsakh will exercise their right to vote in the upcoming nationwide elections to be held in their Homeland on March 31, in which the people of Artsakh will elect their representatives - the President and the members of the National Assembly through free expression of will.
Climate change aggravates global health problems, above all for people in Africa. The group "Climate change and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) studies climate-induced damage to health in Burkina Faso and Kenya. Within this project, a team of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) develops a high-resolution forecast model for the spread of malaria. It strongly depends on temperature, precipitation volume, and humidity in the respective region.

"Malaria still is one of the most dangerous diseases in particular in tropical countries," says Professor Harald Kunstmann, expert for regional climate and hydrology at the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU) at KIT's Campus Alpine. According to the World Health Organization, 216 million cases of malaria and 445,000 malaria deaths were recorded in 2016 alone. In the respective regions, spreading of the disease via the anopheles mosquito strongly depends on temperature, precipitation volume, and humidity. The threshold values of these parameters play an important role for the spreading of the mosquito and the plasmodium pathogen. "Considering the increasing variations of temperature, precipitation, and humidity due to climate change, precise knowledge of the changes in these variables indicating the malaria risk is more important than ever," Kunstmann emphasizes.

Research of the KIT team focuses on the regions of Kisumu in Kenya and Nouna in Burkina Faso, in which detailed health and malaria data exist. Moreover, the meteorological measurement network is planned to be extended by another five weather stations. Based on the high-resolution climate data and the already existing health data, the scientists will develop a new computer system to model in very high detail the hydro-meteorological variables determining the spreading of malaria. In addition, the system will model the temporal and spatial propagation of the parasite. The simulation will also take into account findings on how changing of land use influences the spreading of malaria.

Within the next three years, the experts will develop and validate their computer model system chain on a small regional scale and quantify its uncertainties. "This work may give rise to an instrument to forecast the spread of malaria as a function of the local climate conditions in larger regions or even on a nation-wide scale," says climate researcher and hydrologist Kunstmann.

Climate Change and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

Apart from the increase in malaria, the DFG research group will also focus on malnutrition of children and the consequences of heat stress. Under the direction of the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, the group will start work on January 01, 2020 and will be funded with about EUR 5 million by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the next three years. Apart from KIT, the consortium members are, among others, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam-Rehbrucke, Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the Centre de Recherche en Sante de Nouna in Burkina Faso, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Kisumu.

###

More about the KIT Climate and Environment Center: http://www.klima-umwelt.kit.edu/english

Press contact: Sarah Werner, Redakteurin/Pressereferentin, Tel.: +49 721 608-21170, <sarah.werner@kit.edu>

Being "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association", KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,300 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 24,400 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visited the Indian Military Academy here on Thursday to strengthen engagement and defence cooperation between the two countries.

She was accompanied by a 20-member delegation of Thai diplomats and senior dignitaries.

The 64-year-old princess interacted with IMA Commandant Lt Gen J S Negi and held a range of discussions on training and administrative aspects of the prestigious institution.

Princess Sirindhorn has also been an instructor and teaches history at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA).

CRMA is the military academy of Thailand Army that has graduated many of the southeast Asian nation's rulers, including its current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

Princess Sirindhorn was promoted in 1996 to the highest military rank of 'General' and was conferred later with the title 'Professor' for her expertise in historical subjects in 2000.

The delegation appreciated the training infrastructure at IMA and also commended the training staff for imparting the highest standards of military training to the gentlemen cadets.

On behalf of Thailand, the princess expressed keen desire to take defence cooperation with India to the next level.

India and Thailand conducted a joint military exercise at Umroi in Meghalaya as part of 'Maitree 2019'.

Conducted since 2006, the annual exercise aims to conduct joint training of troops in counter-terrorism operations in jungle and urban terrains. Both countries are keen to further strengthen such engagements.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Northern Data and SBI Crypto to strategically cooperate in areas of applied blockchain technologies

- A wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's SBI Group, SBI Crypto to be hosted at Northern Data's new data center facility in Texas

- Other areas of cooperation identified

Northern Data AG (XETRA: NB2, ISIN: DE000A0SMU87) and Whinstone US Inc., announce a strategic cooperative relationship with SBI Crypto Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of SBI Holdings Inc. (Tokyo: 8473) in the areas of applied blockchain technology.

SBI Crypto will be one of the first enterprises hosted at Whinstone US' new data center in Texas being delivered from March 2020. In addition, both parties have further identified other areas of strategic development, including projects relating to blockchain technology infrastructure and joint software development and deployment. SBI Crypto is also positioned for potential equity participation in Northern Data. SBI Crypto is dedicated to crypto mining-related operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's SBI Group. The SBI Group is a leading online financial services conglomerate that has been building out its Fintech 2.0 ecosystem since 2016 through in-house development and acquisition of innovative technologies and businesses, including its Japan-licensed digital asset exchange, various wallet and key management technologies, cybersecurity, interbank settlement platforms, and crypto-related mining businesses.

"We are very pleased to have SBI as a great partner and one of the leading international financial and technology holding companies by our side," said Aroosh Thillainathan, CEO of Northern Data AG. "With its activities to date, SBI Holdings has impressively demonstrated its leadership in the emerging crypto and blockchain industry. This partnership gives us the potential to grow even faster by joining forces."

"We have been planning with Whinstone and Northern Data for the Texas mining farm since early 2019," says Carson Smith, CEO of SBI Crypto. "I am excited to see the results and to see a continuing strengthening of our relationship that will benefit the ecosystems we are creating."

About SBI:

SBI Crypto Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the SBI Group, engages in cryptocurrency mining activities. The SBI Group was established in 1999 as a pioneer of Internet-based financial services in Japan. Since then, the SBI Group has formed the world's first Internet-based financial conglomerate, providing financial services in a broad range of fields including securities, banking and insurance. In addition, the SBI Group provides Asset Management Business, with a prime focus on investment in venture companies an activity undertaken since before the Group's founding. In this sphere, the SBI Group has made focused investments in the IT and biotechnology sectors, which are the 21st century growth industries. Currently, the development of new technologies is accelerating within FinTech, IoT, AI, Big Data and related fields thus attracting global attention. The SBI Group is proactively investing in venture companies within these fields.

About Northern Data:

Northern Data AG is building a global infrastructure for the field of High-Performance Computing (HPC), which goes far beyond Bitcoin and blockchain applications. The globally operating technology Company evolves from the merger of German Northern Bitcoin AG and American Whinstone US, Inc. and specializes in the infrastructure for blockchain applications, such as Bitcoin mining. For this purpose, the Company offers solutions both stationary in large data centers and in mobile containers, which can be located at any location worldwide. In doing so, it combines self-developed software and hardware with intelligent concepts for sustainable energy supply. In Texas, Whinstone is currently building the largest data center in the USA and, at the same time, the world's largest Bitcoin mining facility. The HPC data center infrastructure built by Northern Data Group is designed to be used not only for blockchain applications but also for numerous other industries, such as game streaming, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving.

Disclaimer:

This press release represents neither an offer to sell nor a request to submit an offer to purchase Northern Data AG, nor does it constitute a securities prospectus for Northern Data AG. The information contained in this press release is not intended to serve as a basis for financial, legal, tax-related or other business decisions. Investment or other decisions should not be taken solely on the basis of this press release. As in all business and investment matters, please seek qualified professional advice. This press release and the information it contains are not intended for direct or indirect communication to or within the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan.

Language English Company Northern Bitcoin AG

Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 6

60313 Frankfurt/Main

Germany Phone +49 69 34 87 52 25 E-mail info@northernbitcoin.com Internet www.northernbitcoin.com ISIN DE000A0SMU87 WKN A0SMU8 Listed Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich (m:access), Tradegate Exchange

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212006033/en/

Contacts:

Name:Susan Hoffmeister

Tel:+49 89 125 09 03 30

Email:sh@crossalliance.de

ir@northernbitcoin.com



Press Contact:

Northern Data AG

Dr. Hans Joachim Durr

Head of Corporate Communications

Mail: h.duerr@northerndata.de

Phone: +49 69 348 752 89



Investor Relations:

Sven Pauly

Mail: ir@northerndata.de

Phone: +49 89 125 09 03 31
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As I have mentioned before, after ten years of chunking out weekly columns, sometimes the old creative well runs a little dry. However, due to the internet presence of Native Sun News Today, I have made many new friends and fans, scattered across the county and indeed the world  one person from Africa of all things.

I ask that friend about Swahilis, great warriors and he asks me about Northern Cheyenne, great warriors as well, we often noting the commonality of those experiences and warrior cultures. The Swahili, for example beat back the formidable English several times, armed with only long spears and great courage, just as our ancestors beat back the 7th Cavalry against all odds.

One of the best of my new email buddies is Dennis Malloy, up-state New Yorker, a faithful reader and now telephone friend, except he does not like stories or columns about Vietnam Vets with sad endings, him nearly one himself. Each week, usually on our Sunday morning call, he is curious about my next column.

Doris "Dorie" Miller, Mess Attendant Second Class, USN (1919-1943) is shown just after being presented with the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, on board USS Enterprise (CV-6) at Pearl Harbor on May, 27, 1942. The medal was awarded for heroism on board USS West Virginia (BB-48) during the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor Photo: U.S. Navy

Duuno, I usually say. After all, I still have 24 hours to come up with that. This week, Im a little stumped.

Do you ever write a column upon request? This one from an old fat Irish guy about a black guy - a true hero? That Vet got mentioned on our local TV for about two minutes, but he deserves more than that. NSNT does get around and maybe could give him a little more credit.

That would be a new twist, I laughed. What is it?

So, he told me about Dorie Miller , a black guy from back east who served in WW 11 on a ship as a cook. Dorie apparently was a very large feller and an excellent cook, content with that duty. However, in 1943, the ship he served upon was attacked by Japanese planes, during Pearl Harbor, immediately killing many of the sailors.

Dorie, the fat jolly black cook somehow raced to up decks, grabbed artillery (maybe, they think, machine guns), downing three Japanese planes, saving the lives of many of his comrades in the process. However, the planes had severely damaged their ship which was sinking.

Cook Dorie Miller than went bottom side, shoving several skinny sailors through port holes to safety. He, however, was too large for that escape, going down with the ship.

Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com

Copyright permission Native Sun News Today

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CARROLLTON, Texas, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FASTSIGNS franchisees and their employees, vendors and FASTSIGNS International, Inc. corporate staff participated in a "FASTSIGNS Community Giveback" by assembling 20,000 meals for local children and their families with the organization, Feeding Children Everywhere. This event occurred during the 2020 FASTSIGNS International Convention held January 15-18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. assembled 20,000 meals during the 2020 FASTSIGNS International Convention in Phoenix

"Through our FASTSIGNS Community Giveback Projects, our meeting attendees and vendors come together to support a local cause and make a positive impact in the cities that host our events," said Tracy Lake, Director of Events at FASTSIGNS International, Inc. "We are so grateful for organizations that work to end hunger. With the help of our partners in giving, we were honored to join Feeding Children Everywhere to help make a dent in hunger for Phoenix and the surrounding areas."

Under the direction of Feeding Children Everywhere leadership, attendees measured, weighed, packaged and boxed 20,000 meals by forming 16 assembly lines. This was accomplished in 45 minutes during the FASTSIGNS Community Giveback Breakfast with a Purpose event.

"Our partners are Hunger Heroes," said Sarah Davila, Public Relations Manager at Feeding Children Everywhere. "Our partnership with FASTSIGNS creates the opportunity to impact thousands of families struggling with hunger. Together we are able to provide over 20,000 meals to children and families in need."

This event was also made possible by the generous support of the FASTSIGNS Community Giveback sponsors including Avery Dennison, Click2Sell, CoreBridge Software, Faces, Grimco, GSG, Ornamental Post & Panel, Pocket Folders Fast, Ricoh, Sign Source, Steel Art, Vision Engraving and Routing Systems, Window Film Depot, Summa and JDS.

About FASTSIGNS

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. celebrates its 35th anniversary in business in 2020 as the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 725 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS centers in 9 countries including the United States and Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, the United Arab Emirates, Malta, France and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE).

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive signage and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, promote their products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points. FASTSIGNS has been ranked the #1 franchise opportunity in its category in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 for the past four years, a 2019 Top Franchises for Veterans by Franchise Business Review and a 2019 America's Best Franchises to Buy list by Forbes magazine.

Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com . Follow the brand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fastsigns , Twitter @FASTSIGNS or Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS . For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679).

ABOUT FEEDING CHILDREN EVERYWHERE:

Feeding Children Everywhere is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the vision of a hunger-free world in our lifetime. Since 2010, FCE has activated more than 760,000 volunteers to package and distribute over 126 million meals to children and families in need.

Contact:

Leah Edwards

FASTSIGNS Corporate Communications

214.346.5792

[email protected]

SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.fastsigns.com


After our previous report on database leaks from medical websites around the world, WizCases security team diligently continued their research. They discovered 3 additional unsecured medical databases with confidential information, including full names, passport numbers, birth dates, addresses, and phone numbers.

These databases were found in the context of performing research to help companies secure their data. They were left unencrypted and required no password to access the sensitive information within.

Every company and their hosting provider has been contacted with the security teams findings. Our goal is to inform them of the leaks so they can secure the exposed servers, protecting their patients private information.

Latest Breaches Found (January 2020)

Whats Happening in the Medical Industry?

You trust companies in the health industry to keep your private data completely secure. But with how quickly technology is advancing, security measures are having a hard time keeping up. Its a concern since your medical records contain some of your most personal information.

Following our initial article, our web security team at WizCase, led by Avishai Efrat, made several more alarming discoveries. 3 unsecured medical databases were found from companies in India, Singapore, and Argentina.

Some of the personal data we found includes:

Patient  full names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, email addresses, ID and passport numbers.

 full names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, email addresses, ID and passport numbers. Information about doctors and confidential company data

Scans of prescriptions given to patients

Medical information  exposed information about appointments, possible surgeries, lab tests, patient medical status, and more.

What Medical Data Got Leaked?

Our team found 3 more unsecured servers, bringing the total to 12.

The 3 leaks in this report were found in Argentina, India, and Singapore.

You can read more about the previous data leaks in our comprehensive report.

1. HX Wellness Private Limited (Aermed App)  Online Pharmacy

Country : India

: India Database Size : 4 GB

: 4 GB Exposed Records : ~ 230,000

: ~ 230,000 Whose Data Leaked : Patients and doctors

: Patients and doctors Server Type: MongoDB server and Amazon AWS S3 bucket

Redacted information from the Aermed app leak

HX Wellness Private Limited is a start-up company in India that allows its users to order a range of medicines and lab tests online through its Aermed app. The company seems to serve only patients who are based in India.

The exposed server was hosted in Singapore. The data leaked contained sensitive patient details including full names, age, location, email, gender, medical records, order information, and prescription information. Patients medical scans could also be accessed without authentication from the exposed Amazon bucket. Full names, emails, and phone numbers of doctors can also be found associated with patient information.

2. Mobile Health Pte (MaNaDr Mobile Health)  Doctor Consultation App

Country : Singapore

: Singapore Database Size : 578 MB

: 578 MB Exposed Records : ~ 842,000

: ~ 842,000 Whose Data Leaked : Patients

: Patients Server Type: ElasticSearch server

Censored patient information from the MaNaDr leak

Mobile Health Pte is a company based in Singapore that owns MaNaDr  a healthcare app that lets patients consult with doctors, book appointments and home visits, and get test results directly on their smartphones. Patients seem to mostly be in Singapore, but the app is also used in Australia.

The unsecured server was hosted in the US. Leaked data includes confidential patient data, like full names, addresses, NRIC (Singapores ID number), phone numbers, and birth dates. Information about appointments was found, including patient ID numbers, and medical information such as lab test results. Doctors names, clinics, and lab details were also found.

In our correspondence with MaNaDr, we found they had closed the leak. They told us the exposed data was not real patient data, but test data used for demo purposes. However, we have been unable to verify this claim. We always randomly check records when we investigate leaked databases  we found some records that appear to be legitimate patient data.

3. Zaldivar Institute  Ophthalmological Treatment Center

Country: Argentina

Database Size: 72 MB

Exposed Records: ~ 8,600

Whose Data Leaked: Patients

Server Type: ElasticSearch server

Redacted data found on the unsecured Zaldivar server

The Zaldivar Institute is an ophthalmic center in Argentina with over 60 years of experience performing innovative eye surgeries and treatments. The institute seems to treat mostly local patients  with worldwide recognition, its likely patients are also from other countries.

The two exposed servers were hosted in the US, holding more or less identical information. The data found on the servers had confidential patient information, including full names, Argentinian ID and passport numbers, emails, phone numbers, general details of professions, birth dates, nationality, and addresses. Thousands of medical entries were also found with information regarding appointments and possible surgeries.

Medical Data Leaks: What are the Consequences?

Medical data leaks not only expose your confidential data in a huge invasion of privacy  they also make it possible for hackers and scammers to get your information.

Identity Theft

This is a huge risk with databases that hold complete PII (Personally Identifiable Information) records. Should a scammer get a government ID number (like an SSN), full name, address, and date of birth, its easy for them to steal your identity.

Phishing and Phone Scams

These scams rely on appearing credible and your belief that your information is secure. Once a scammer has your contact details, they can use your leaked PII to convince you to click on a suspicious link or give up even more information over the phone.

Skilled scammers deliberately target more vulnerable individuals  those who will believe an authentic-looking email or phone call from someone with information about their condition, the clinic they attend, or the treatment they receive.

Blackmail

Patients who want to keep their medications or treatment secret can be blackmailed as a result of data leaks. Scammers know that revealing certain information could cost the patient their financial security or even their family life.

Fraud

Scammers can use information like unedited scans of prescriptions and reproduce them for fraudulent purposes. They could also use the PII details they took from the leak to pretend to be a patient and commit fraud.

What Does This Mean for the Data Leak Victims?

The following shows one example of risk per leak, though there are more:

HX Wellness Private Limited  Blackmail Medical observations like scans and lab results and prescription details from the exposed server could be used to blackmail patients  the number of records that were leaked gives a scammer a huge pool of potential victims. Mobile Health Pte  Phone Scams A huge number of patients had their phone numbers leaked. Patient IDs were also leaked, along with information about treatments and test results. Patient IDs can be linked to individuals and the data used to establish trust over the phone, persuading vulnerable patients to hand over even more information. Zaldivar Institute  Fraud and Identity Theft Leaked information included personal identification numbers (DNI  Argentinian identification numbers and passport numbers) and full names, making these victims prime targets for having their identities stolen and used fraudulently.

2 More Ways to Keep Your Private Information Secure

Its hard to guarantee that your information will always be kept safe, especially if its shared with third-party companies. Its important to stay vigilant by consistently monitoring your online accounts. Follow the 2 recommendations below as well as the advice from our previous report to keep your personal data as secure as possible.

1. Encrypt Your Data Online

When youre sharing sensitive information on a website or app, ensure the connection is encrypted and secure. Check the website URL for HTTPS as this ensures your online communication is encrypted and guarantees the integrity of the site. You can also use a VPN to encrypt all of your internet traffic  using both together makes it extremely difficult for third-parties or hackers to access your personal data while its in transit.

2. Limit the Information You Share on Social Media

If a breach occurs and a scammer gets hold of your information, theres a chance they could use it to try and find you through your social media accounts. Keep your accounts private, only add people you know, and dont overshare.

Who is WizCase?

WizCase is at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry. Our dedicated web security team works hard to ensure that if leaks are found, the company is informed so they can secure the breach and keep user data safe.

Securing the data isnt always an easy task as the companies involved tend to disregard our warnings. While we were working on this research, we reached out to Dissent Doe, who helped make sure the data was secured.

From breaches in the hospitality industry to dating apps and exposing vulnerable webcams, our research team reports the news to the public so we can all enjoy a more secure digital life.
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Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 13:03 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206445f30 1 National cruise-industry,coronavirus,Sabang,aceh,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,cruise-ship,outbreak,Wuhan-coronavirus Free

The mayor of Sabang, Aceh has called for foreign cruise ship MS Artania to delay its planned arrival to the city in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter addressed to the Sabang Free Trade Zone and Port Management Body (BPKS) seen by The Jakarta Post, Sabang Mayor Nazaruddin had asked the BPKS head to prevent the foreign ship from entering Sabang to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading to the region.

After taking feedback from the public into consideration [] we have requested that the cruise ship postpone its visit to Sabah until the World Health Organization declares that the situation is safe enough, Nazaruddin wrote in the letter.

The MS Artania, which has 1,200 passengers and 502 crew members on board, planned to make a stop in Sabang on Feb. 16. The passengers mostly hail from European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Norway.

The rejection and quarantine of cruise ships is the latest effort by governments around the world seeking to contain the outbreak ever since Japan quarantined the Diamond Princess cruise ship and its 3,700 passengers in Yokohama after one of the passengers tested positive for the virus.

Another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, has been denied entry into port by five countries, most recently Cambodia.
The bombshell announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to step down as senior members of the royal family has truly divided the monarchy. It has been the biggest plot twist that the Buckingham Palace has endured since the abdication of King Edward VIII.

While the infamous "Megxit" is said to have caused a rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the members of the royal family, the Queen made herself clear that she is in full support of Meghan and Harry's decision. She backed up their decision to lead a private and independent life and split their time between the United Kingdom and North America.

Just recently, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II even gave a subtle nod on Meghan and Harry's life in Canada, as she wore an eye-catching Canadian snowflake brooch during a church service at St. Peter & St. Paul Church in West Newton, Norfolk.

Earlier this February, Sunday Times reported that the 93-year-old monarch invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their nine-month-old son Archie back to the U.K. to attend the annual Commonwealth service on the 9th of March.

While the rest of the U.K. and the royal family are excited to welcome back the Sussexes with open arms, a source said that the 35-year-old Prince is not excited to go back home and see the rest of their relatives.

According to a royal insider, Prince Harry is not keen on flying back to Buckingham Palace as he "still holds (a) grudge against the royals."

Apparently, the sixth heir to the crown still resents some members of the royal family who mistreated his wife Meghan and did not even protect her from both public and media scrutiny.

"He's angry about the way they treated Meghan differently from the rest of the family and accused them of not doing enough to protect her," the source told In Touch Weekly.

"So, I wouldn't say he's exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of seeing them," the insider added.

The royal insider also said that while there is still a rift between the Sussexes and Cambridges, the Queen is hopeful that they will be mature enough to put their differences aside and unite as one family during the Commonwealth service day.

As of writing, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have yet to confirm if they will accept the Queen's invitation to attend the said annual royal family event, especially now that they are no longer considered as working royals.

Meghan and Harry are currently staying in a rented mansion in Vancouver Island, where they are said to be living quite a normal life. The couple reportedly enjoys hiking, doing yoga sessions, and cooking meals for the family.

On February 6th, E! News reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had made their first joint appearance at a private investment summit sponsored by JPMorgan. The couple is present in the said summit to speak in an audience filled with wealthy entrepreneurs and investors.
BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authorities Wednesday called for establishing and improving coordination mechanisms between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia.

The National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine jointly issued a circular, calling for efforts to strengthen the system for joint consultations of TCM and Western medicine doctors.

Health authorities and TCM administrative organs at all levels should establish coordination mechanisms between TCM and Western medicine to treat COVID-19 patients, as well as those with other infectious diseases, the circular said.

A certain number of TCM experts should be included in provincial level expert groups, it added, noting that medical institutions for infectious diseases should make institutional arrangements to include TCM into their treatment plans.

Local authorities should establish and improve joint consultation systems for TCM and Western medicine doctors, the circular noted, calling for efforts to ensure the deep involvement of TCM in preventing, controlling and treating infectious diseases.

The circular also called for more detailed methods to introduce TCM into treatment, stressing effective ways to integrate TCM and Western medicine in the clinical treatment of patients with COVID-19.
Archipelago International, Southeast Asia's largest privately owned and independent hotel operator, announced a new long-term strategic partnership agreement with Maison Privee, one of Dubai's fastest-growing holiday homes and corporate rental management companies.



The License Agreement will see Archipelago enter the UAE market with the upscale 'Maison Privee powered by Aston' brand. The deal, which involves incorporating Maison Privee onto Archipelago's hotel platform, will also give Maison Privee access to Archipelago's scaling expertise, distribution, marketing and corporate infrastructure in Southeast Asia.



In 2018, Maison Privee announced the securing of a $4m Series A capital investment by a private investor. Both the Series A investment and the License Agreement with Archipelago secure an appropriate platform for Maison Privee to rapidly scale up its room inventory going forward.





Commenting on the deal, Gerard Byrne, managing director of Archipelago Overseas, said: "While not unique in the international context, this is the first deal of its kind in the UAE, and not only serves to complement the government's strategic accommodation goals for Expo 2020 but also gives our Southeast Asian customers a broader choice when visiting Dubai directly or via the holy cities in Saudi Arabia, as part of an Umrah or Hajj plus pilgrim package."



In a joint statement on the transaction, Paul Mallee and Rami Shamaa, co-founders and joint managing directors of Maison Privee, said: "Having successfully secured significant private Series A investment in 2018, it was vital that we created the right environment for that investment to work and to help us achieve our ambitious growth targets over the next three years. Archipelago provides us with this platform and together with the brand equity of Aston and Archipelago's reputation generally, both in this region and in Southeast Asia, we feel very confident about this next stage of our development." - TradeArabia News Service
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 02:12:02|Editor: yan

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KIEV, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Minister of Defense Andriy Zahorodniuk took part in a multilateral meeting with the heads of delegations of the defense departments of Britain, Canada, Poland, Lithuania and the United States, who expressed support for Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's press service said Thursday.

According to a press release from the ministry, a meeting took place in Brussels on Feb. 12 during a working visit of the Ukrainian delegation to NATO headquarters.

Zahorodniuk thanked the partners for their continued support, noting the importance of expanding cooperation in multilateral and bilateral formats.

During the U.S.-Ukrainian consultations, the Ukrainian official informed U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper about the ongoing reforms of the nation's defense industry to meet the standards for NATO membership. The minister also said Ukraine is interested in developing military-technical cooperation in the field of defense procurement, expanding the military-political dialogue and holding consultations, particularly on the security issues in the Black Sea region.

Amid the meetings of defense ministers of NATO member countries, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reassured Zahorodniuk of his continued political and practical support.

"We praise Ukraine for the progress already achieved; we also praise President Zelensky for his initiatives and renewed efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

Last year Ukraine's parliament backed amendments to the Constitution confirming Ukraine's path toward NATO, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kiev was ready to speed up the preparations for NATO membership.
Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State has sent a red signal to his predecessor, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari,...

Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State has sent a red signal to his predecessor, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari, to stop unnecessary comments against his personality or face possible arrest by his government.





The governor disclosed on Wednesday while receiving supporters of the All Progressives Congress, who defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state.





Matawalle explained that his predecessor had been making some utterances and criticisms against his person and administration just to give his government a bad image.





I must let him know that presently, I am the landlord of Zamfara Government House and the number one citizen of the state. If he dares me any more with his negative statement about my position as the chief executive of the state, I must make him understand that I am in control of the state and I will order for his arrest , he threatened.





He stated that he has never underrated the former Governor Yari even when he was in control even though he was with the opposition party then and as such he expected the same respect from the immediate past governor .





Constitutionally, Yari should respect my position as his governor, but since he doesnt recognise my position, I will therefore show him that I am in charge of the state.





The governor reminded Yari that he was his senior as far as politics was concerned , pointing out that he was a commissioner when he ( Yari ) was an ordinary driver.





I was also in the House of Representatives when he ( Yari) was the Zamfara State ANPP Secretary,he thundered.





Matawalle, however, called the former governor to order, saying that he must show some kind of respect to him and be thankful to Allah as a man who rose from grass to grace .





He, therefore, called on the people of the state, particularly those who are still loyal to the former governor to as a matter of necessity to understand that he was brought into the office by the Almighty God, saying that whosoever that is challenging his government was only fighting with God because the Almighty has already ordained him as a leader.
B ig Bens restoration costs are set to rise again as it is revealed an 18.6 million will be needed to repair the tower that houses it.

The new costs would see the bill increase by almost a third from 61.1 million to 79.7 million, parliamentary authorities have been told.

It comes after the discovery of asbestos and extensive Second World War bomb damage in the Elizabeth Tower.

A House of Commons Commission spokesman said members were "extremely disappointed" by the request for "yet more funding".

Big Ben is silenced for four years 1 /10 Big Ben is silenced for four years Big Ben is to be silenced today for the next four years AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio A row has broken out about the silencing of the bells Rex Workers installed scaffolding as the major restoration was beginning Rex Big Ben will fall silent at midday Jeremy Selwyn Tourists gathered to hear the bell silence for the last time in several years Jeremy Selwyn Workers erect scaffolding around Big Ben's tower Jeremy Selwyn The bells were silenced to protect workers' hearing Jeremy Selwyn Tourists take a selfie in front of Big Ben's tower AP

"It is very frustrating to learn that the Elizabeth Tower project requires yet more funding, having agreed an extra 32 million in 2017," he said.

"We have requested more detailed information about the lessons learned from this experience - as well as assurances that more robust estimates are prepared for works of this nature in the future."

The full scale of the work needed to complete the refurbishment by the late 2021 deadline only became clear when the renovation team began the first ever "intrusive surveys" on the 177-year-old structure, officials said.

The discoveries included asbestos in the belfry, broken glass in the clock dials, extensive use of toxic lead paint and defects in previous work.

Ian Ailles, director general of the House of Commons, said the works are proving "more complex than we could have anticipated".

"With a 12m square (130 square feet) footprint and a prime location right in the middle of a busy working Parliament, understanding the full extent of the damage to the Tower was impossible until the scaffolding was up," he said.

"Alongside other issues, such as the impact of often inappropriate conservation methods used by our predecessors, the corrosive levels of pollution in the atmosphere and the discovery of asbestos in unexpected places, we have only now been able to fully understand the full investment required for this project."




At least 13 learners at Chitenje Secondary School in Karoi were yesterday struck and injured by lightning as heavy rains wreak havoc in different parts of the country.





Houses, livestock and property were destroyed in Chinhoyi. This followed the death of one person in Binga on Tuesday and the extensive damage to infrastructure in the area and in Chimanimani, where 181 homes were destroyed, while two bridges were swept away.





The Department of Civil Protection Unit said it was on high alert and will continue to work with relevant authorities, including the police, Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), education officials, relief agencies and traditional leaders to see how they can reduce the damage caused by floods and heavy rains.





The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has forecasted scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers to continue today in all Mashonaland, Harare, Midlands and northern parts of Manicaland provinces, while the rest of the country is expected to start experiencing a decline in rainfall activity starting today.





There were widespread rains across the country on Wednesday, with considerable amounts recorded at Mukandi (94 millimetres), Sutsuku 92mm, Nyakomba 75mm, Chimhanda 67mm, Nyanga 62mm and Mutasa 56mm.





Zimbabwe has been experiencing significant rains since February 6, and these rains persisted in most parts of the country, said MSD yesterday. Heavy downpours greater than 100mmm in 24 hours were recorded at a number of stations.





The rainfall was not evenly distributed as some had localised heavy downpours, while some areas could receive much less rainfall. The significant reduction in rainfall activity is expected starting today with southern areas, including Matabeleland North, Bulawayo metropolitan southern areas of Midlands as well as Masvingo.





The intensity of the rainfall is expected to decline as we move into Saturday and Sunday.





Department of Civil Protection director Mr Nathan Nkomo yesterday urged people in Chimanimani, Manicaland, and Mashonaland Central to be on high alert as the ground had reached saturation levels which will result in floods.





He said in Binga, rescue operations were continuing.





We are liaising with Petrotrade, the only company which is running a fuel station there to ensure that supplies are in place to ensure mobility of rescue teams, said Mr Nkomo.





We had a successful stakeholders meeting this afternoon (yesterday) where it was agreed that focus on disaster preparedness activities should not only be focused on Binga, but Manicaland and Mashonaland Central, as the risk of flooding is high because heavy rains are still expected there until Saturday.





In Masvingo, hundreds of schoolchildren across the provinces seven administrative districts have over the past few days failed to attend lessons after failing to cross flooded rivers.





While provincial education director Mr Zedious Chitiga could not give exact figures of affected schoolchildren, he said the development was worrisome.





Mr Chitiga said they were still waiting for reports from districts indicating the extent of the problem.





We have noted with concern that pupils are foregoing school as they fail to cross flooded rivers in most areas and its a sad scenario, he said.





Some of the flooded rivers blocking schoolchildren from learning include Mutirikwi and Pokoteke in Masvingo District, Runde and Chiredzi rivers in Chiredzi and Devure and Mungezi rivers in Gutu.





Masvingo District Civil Protection Unit chairman, Mr Roy Hove said: The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) is on high alert for tragedies likely to emanate from the heavy rains and river flooding.





The CPU will continue to work hand-in-glove with the police, education officials and traditional leaders in this regard.





Acting Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa urged parents to accompany their children to school to prevent flood risks associated with crossing flooded rivers.





In Mashonaland Central, one person drowned in Mbire, while several people in five villages in Muzarabani were displaced due to the rising water levels in Hoya River.





The province has already activated its civil protection committees. The CPU is on standby for evacuations in Mbire and Muzarabani, which are the two flood prone areas that are now at risk.





Bindura District development coordinator Mr Richard Chipfuva yesterday said a house was struck by lightning, while another collapsed in Mbire.





The incessant rains have caused dam levels to rise, especially in low-lying areas of Mbire and Muzarabani, he said.





There is imminent threat to settlements downstream. A village head in Mbire, Mr Kapembere, drowned while trying to cross Hunyani River.





One house was struck by lightning in Kanyemba and all properties were lost. Seven members of the family were not injured.





In the same area, a house collapsed leaving three family members homeless.





Water levels in Hoya, Musengezi and Nzoubvunda rivers were reported to be rising rapidly, affecting villages in Chadereka, while some families have started moving to higher ground.





Areas like Kairezi, Chiwenga, Mutemapungu are now cut off because there is no bridge that can connect them.





In Chadereka, five homesteads were razed to the ground and one man was injured when the house he was sleeping in collapsed, said Mr Chipfuva. Livestock and a granary were swept away. Most of the crops in the fields were destroyed.









Civil protection units in Mbire and Muzarabani have stocked non-food items and require assistance with foodstuffs. Civil protection units in Mbire and Muzarabani have stocked non-food items and require assistance with foodstuffs.




 Close Eric Swalwell says Trump's impeachment not off the table in Stone case

Donald Trump lashed out at his former chief of staff John Kelly while the White House welcomes back former communications director Hope Hicks after her stint at the parent company of Fox News.

The president has meanwhile been accused of spearheading a descent into authoritarianism by another possible rival, Elizabeth Warren, after admitting he asked his attorney general William Barr to intervene in the sentencing of Republican political trickster Roger Stone and refusing to rule out pardoning him.

Attorney General Barr warned that he won't be "bullied" by the president amid his attempts to make it "impossible" for him to do his job, he said. "I'm not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody ... whether it's Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president," Mr Barr told ABC News. "I'm gonna do what I think is right. And you know ... I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me."

Mr Barr has agreed to appear before the House Judiciary Committee next month to explain himself after chairman Jerrold Nadler wrote to him to express concern over his politicisation of the Justice Department at the presidents behest since taking office. Hes an enabler, commented Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. Thats a kind word.

Another top prosecutor from the office overseeing the case of longtime political operative Stone has resigned from the administration, days after the president withdrew Jessie Liu's nomination to the treasury department. Several prosecutors have fled Justice Department after the president's intervention in the latest criminal case involving his political allies.

Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump styles his 'You're fired!' pose in his Trump Tower office in June 2012. At the time he was known as a reality TV star on The Apprentice Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He was also well known as the patron of the Miss Universe competition Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Early signs of Trump's ambition for the presidency can be found everywhere. Not least in his 2011 book 'Time to get tough: Making America #1 again' Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump with Piers Morgan in November 2010. Piers Morgan has long held that he and Trump are good friends Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump appeared on Fox & Friends, his favourite show, in August 2011 Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump considered running in the 2012 election, where he would have faced Barack Obama. He is speaking here at an event for a Republican women's group Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump was subject to a Comedy Central roast in 2011. He is pictured here being roasted by rapper Snoop Dogg Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Given that this Trump store is in the lobby of Trump Tower, it can be said that Trump sells merchandise of himself out of his own home Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump held meetings with prominent Republicans when considering his 2012 bid. He is pictured here with Alaska governor Sarah Palin Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He didn't end up running in 2012 afterall, instead endorsing Republican candidate Mitt Romney AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump's golf course in Aberdeen proved controversial in 2012 when he began lobbying the Scottish government against wind power in order that they wouldn't install turbines off the shore by his new course Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He even gave evidence to a Scottish parliamentary committee discouraging wind energy AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves He still found time for a round of course AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves On 16 June 2015, Trump announced that he would run for the presidency of the United States in the 2016 election as a Republican Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves His campaign was divisive, courting controversy wherever he went. Ultimately he was declared the Republican candidate in June 2016 Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump took part in the TV debate against opponent Hillary Clinton on 9 October Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump and wife Melania vote in the presidential election on 8 November 2016 AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Hillary Clinton conceded defeat at 2:50am on 9 November and president-elect Trump swiftly delivered his victory speech to a crowd of supporters Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves News coverage around the world focused on the huge political upset that Trump's victory spelled AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump met with president Obama to discusss transition planning on 10 November. AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pose in the golden elevator at Trump Tower on 12 November 2016. Farage was the first British politician to meet with Trump after the election LeaveEUOffical/Twitter Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves The inauguration of Donald Trump took place on 20 January 2017. Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer boasted that the crowd was the 'largest ever' to witness an inauguration, a claim that was proved not to be true Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves In his first 100 days as leader, Trump signed 24 executve orders, the most of any president AFP/Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves One of Trump's most memorable election pledges was to build a wall between the US and Mexico. He is standing here in front of a prototype for a section of the wall Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump's meetings with other world leaders have provided no short supply of photo opportunities Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Trump was welcomed to the UK by the Queen and a state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in his honour Reuters Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Not everyone welcomed the president. Mass protests were held in London throughout his visits in both 2018 and 2019 EPA Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves One of the most significant meetings Trump has held with another leader was with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. In June 2019, Trump became the first sitting president to set foot in North Korea Getty Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves 2020 will see president Trump fight for a second term in office, who knows what the next decade will bring? Getty

The president also attacked 2020 contender Michael Bloomberg on Twitter, calling him a 54 mass of dead energy, only for the Democratic candidate to hit back and label the president a carnival barking clown, deriding his chequered real estate career as one defined by stupid deals and incompetence.

Mr Trump met with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday to seemingly establish yet another "quid pro quo" by attempting to reach a deal on the state's immigration policies if he agreed to drop all investigations of the president's personal life and businesses.

New York's trusted traveller and Global Entry programmes was suspended by the administration over the so-called "Green Light Law," which allows undocumented people to apply for state driver's licenses and ID and bans federal agents from looking at state motor vehicle records.

In a rare show of bipartisanship in the Senate, Democrats were able to narrowly pass a resolution that limits the president's war powers with Iran, establishing that Mr Trump must receive congressional approval before military action in the country.

Follow coverage as it happened:
Calls for unity and promises of bringing Americans together have been a staple in nearly every Democratic candidate for presidents campaign. Joe Biden says we need a president who can bring people together. Pete Buttigieg says he wants to lead a United America. And while appearing on The View, Senator Amy Klobuchar said we need to bring people in instead of shutting them out, including people who are against access to abortion care.

Kumbaya-esque mental images of people who support unfettered bodily autonomy and those who oppose it might seem ideal to the centrist Democrat from Minnesota, but Klobuchar arguing that the Democratic party should make room for anti-abortion voters is disqualifying. In an effort to bring people together, Klobuchar is throwing the people who consistently show up for the Democratic party under the proverbial bus.

On Tuesday, The View host Meghan McCain asked Klobuchar, Do you think theres room for pro-life Democrats to vote for you? Klobuchar responded, Im strongly pro-choice. I have always been pro-choice, but I believe were a big tent party. And there are pro-life Democrats, and they are part of our party. And I think we need to build a big tent.

She shared a similar sentiment with a potential male voter who asked her if theres room in her coalition for pro-life people. According to this voter, Klobuchar said, Yes of course. He also asked if shed try to find common ground on bringing down the number of abortions, and Klobuchar responded by saying yes and sharing her work in the adoption caucus in the Senate.

Klobuchar isnt the only Democrat running for president who has attempted to appease anti-choicers. Senator Bernie Sanders, who won the New Hampshire primary, campaigned for an anti-choice mayoral candidate in 2017. While touting the need for a more progressive party, Sanders defended his decision, telling NPR We have got to appreciate where people come from, and do our best to fight for the pro-choice agenda. But I think you just cant exclude people who disagree with us on one issue.

But the right to access safe, legal, affordable abortion care, sans unnecessary waiting periods and other legislated barriers, is more than just a political issue. Studies have shown that when pregnant people cannot have the abortions they want and need, theyre more likely to experience serious pregnancy complications, more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, and more likely to stay with abusive partners. Theyre also more likely to live below the federal poverty level, and more likely to give up on career and/or educational aspirations.

Limiting access to abortion also hurts children. The Turnaway Study, which examined what happens to when when theyre denied abortion, found that children of those who cannot access the care they need are more likely to live in poverty and less likely to achieve developmental milestones.

These negative impacts are felt by black, brown, and poor pregnant people the most  the very people who are responsible for the Democratic partys success. While white voters are more inclined to vote Republican, according to the Pew Research Study, black, Latinx, and Asian voters are overwhelming Democrat. And even though 53 per cent of white women voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, 56 per cent of women overall affiliate with or lean toward the Democratic party.

The big tent Klobuchar wants to build for anti-choice voters will be built on the backs of the very people she needs to ascend to the presidency.

The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony. She has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord Vice News The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty

At a time when the right to access abortion care is under siege  when 90 per cent of counties in the US do not have an abortion provider, six states only have one clinic that provides abortion, and over 200 GOP politicians have signed an AMICUS brief urging a now conservative-leaning Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade -- the last thing the American people need is a president who believes winning is worth risking pregnant peoples bodily autonomy.

We dont need a president worried about bringing down the number of abortions  we need a president who will focus on decreasing the number of abortion restrictions, increasing the number of abortion providers, and expanding access by repealing the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funds from paying for abortions.

We need someone who doesnt debate abortion because they know it is not up for debate  the majority of Americans support access to abortion care. We need a leader who knows that to play politics with a constitutional right afforded to every person who can get pregnant is to take a page from Donald Trumps political playbook. Once proudly pro-choice, Trump changed his mind to secure the evangelical vote, a vote that no-doubt helped him secure the presidency in 2016. He showed voters early on that his so-called principles were for sale, and now we have children in cages on the southern border.

If Democrats are going to continue to hail themselves as the party of moral order, then every Democrat should avoid building a tent and, instead, draw a line.
Health officials said they are no longer monitoring close contacts of the couple, though they declined to say how many people they had been watching for symptoms. Some health care workers who were in contact with the couple are still being monitored, said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. The couple was released from Amita Health St. Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates last week and have returned home, though they are still being monitored.
European health ministers expressed concern about stocks of medicine and medical supplies Thursday and urged EU member states to work together against the new coronavirus outbreak.

There haves so far been only around 35 detected cases of the COVID-19 strain in the EU, and no-one has died, but the scale of the outbreak in China has raised concerns in Europe.

Each of the 27 EU member states is responsible for its own decisions on imposing emergency measures like quarantine, tighter border controls or travel warnings.

But, meeting in Brussels, the ministers called for increased vigilance and cooperation to help track and halt the virus, and to organise the joint procurement of medical supplies.

A statement urged "enhanced coordination between Member States to ensure effectiveness of all measures, including, if necessary, measures regarding travel, while safeguarding free movement within the EU."



EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides stressed that member states had a "good level of preparedness" and refused to speculate about what might happen if the outbreak explodes to epidemic levels.

"The health systems as the situation stands now are able to cope and we are also looking at how we can further assist member states," she said.

"We are currently finalising the assessments on stock levels, especially regarding personal protective equipment and today we informed the ministers that we are indeed ready to launch joint procurement with member states to procure more equipment."



"And so far, as you know, only a few cases have been reported and confirmed in the EU. But of course we all know viruses know no borders," she said.

Finland's health minister Krista Kiuru noted that the EU pharmaceutical industry is dependent on active ingredients imported from China, where the virus outbreak began.

"We see two factors: firstly, a long epidemic could affect the transport of goods ... from China and above all the pharmaceutical industry in China would be faced with a shortage of manpower," she said.

"It is obvious that the management of shortages is fundamental for the maintenance of health care."



In addition to the medicines and active ingredients themselves, around 50 per cent of the protective equipment used by medical professionals is imported from China.

"Member states have already, and we have, communicated with industry within the European Union to see how that they can follow up on on increased supplies," Kyriakides said, stressing that "so far" no shortages have been reported.

"So we are looking at this very closely monitoring it very closely, so that we're able to step in if this is needed." According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Germany has seen 16 COVID-19 cases, France 11, Italy three, Spain two, and Belgium, Finland and Sweden one each.

Outside the European Union, Britain has detected eight cases and Russia two, as of February 12.

The situation is much more serious in China, where official figures indicate that 1,367 people have died and 60,000 been infected.

European governments are reviewing travel rules, but the ministers said there was no immediate need to ban all flights from China.

"We need to go further, to coordinate on barrier measures, arrival of travellers, epidemiological analysis of cases, protective stocks," France's Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said.

Buzyn warned that the crisis would develop over "several months".

Aside from the health dangers posed by COVID-19, Europe is also braced for economic fallout.

The European Commission said Thursday that it would maintain its eurozone growth forecast at 1.2 percent from 2020 and 2021 but warned that the new strain of coronavirus could hit trade with China.

And French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he expected the outbreak to shave 0.1 percentage points off his country's growth.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
Turkish bombers have violated the air space of Greece near the Aegean Islands a couple of times in the course of hours, reports the Greek Kathimerini newspaper. The Turkish F-16s flew over Oinus and Panagia islands.

Turkeys violations in the air space of Greece are typical, and the Greek government has addressed international bodies with this issue several times. Turkey is in a dispute over the air space surrounding the Aegean Islands and refutes any violation.

In November 2019, Turkey signed an agreement with the Libyan government according to which Turkey and Libya are considered marine neighbors. Greece declares that the deal overlooks a large portion of territorial waters surrounding its islands and that the goal is to block the natural gas pipeline that Greece is planning to build with Cyprus and Israel.
Good Morning Britain hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway had their 'first row in 20 years' on Thursday morning during a debate about reclining seats on planes.

However following the dispute, viewers appeared to take aim at Ben and accused him of being 'rude' and 'cutting off' Kate as their spat became more heated.

It came after a viral video was circulated of an American Airlines passenger continually smashing the back of a headrest after the woman in front reclined.

Spat! Good Morning Britain hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway had their 'first row in 20 years' on Thursday morning during a debate about reclining seats on planes

Ben seemed to believe that under no circumstances should you recline your seat during a short-haul plane journey because it is inconsiderate to others around you.

Whereas Kate was more lenient and suggested that she could recline but not completely, however Ben 'cut her off' and stated it was never okay.

Ben said: 'No OK, but the seats don't go fully back. The seats only go a small portion back.'

Kate attempted to explain: 'Hey, let me finish. We haven't had a row in 20 years. It might kick off this morning.'

At odds: However following the dispute, viewers appeared to take aim at Ben and accused him of being 'rude' and 'cutting off' Kate as their spat became more heated

Not happy: It seemed that the majority of the viewing public appeared to agree with Ben that it is strictly never acceptable to recline on a short haul flight

Ben responded: 'Here's the thing. You're absolutely right. There's a reclining function on all these seats.'

Although she tried to get a word in, Ben continued: 'Just because you can, should you do it when you're on a short haul flight and make everyone uncomfortable?'

However it seemed that the majority of the viewing public appeared to agree with Ben that it is strictly never acceptable to recline on a short haul flight.

Source of the debate: It came after a viral video was circulated of an American Airlines passenger continually smashing the back of a headrest after the woman in front reclined

No way! Ben seemed to believe that under no circumstances should you recline your seat during a short-haul plane journey because it is inconsiderate to others around you

Ben's co-hosts declared that he looked 'smug' when it was revealed that 76 per cent of the viewers agreed with him.

Ben said: 'Currently the poll is considerably in my favour.'

However Kate fired back: 'That's because you keep setting up the story in your favour. No one is talking about reclining the seat all the way back.'

But Ben quipped: 'I don't need to put my case forward as the majority of viewers are putting it for me.'

Kate remarked: 'Because I've not had a chance to.'

Understanding: Whereas Kate was more lenient and suggested that she could recline but not completely, however Ben 'cut her off' and stated it was never okay

Reaction: Viewers watching at home took to Twitter to suggest that Ben was being 'rude' to Kate during the discussion and suggested he was 'pushing his opinions'

Viewers watching at home took to Twitter to suggest that Ben was being 'rude' to Kate during the discussion and suggested he was 'pushing his opinions'.

One person wrote: 'Ben Shephard is being extremely rude this morning; constantly cutting Kate off and aggressively pushing his opinions #GMB.'

Another user said: '@GMB wish Ben would pipe down and let Kate speak for one.'

One person wrote: 'Ben Shephard is being extremely rude this morning; constantly cutting Kate off and aggressively pushing his opinions #GMB'

While one person said they were a fan of Ben, they weren't happy with his approach, and said: 'Ben you are not allowing Kate to put her point across clearly because you keep butting in, though we love you Ben! Let Kate finish her point! @GMB.'

A fourth person added: 'There's nothing more inconsiderate to fellow passengers, if it's a nighttime long haul flight and everyone is asleep, that is a different matter.

'Also you very were rude talking over Ben just to give your subjective opinion Kate.. tut, tut.'

Another user said: '@GMB wish Ben would pipe down and let Kate speak for one'

Another said: 'So Ben, it's ok for someone to sit in 'a little bit of pain' for 2 hours so you have a little less head room? Not everyone in pain wants to advertise it, don't dismiss Kate's out of hand!'

One viewer suggested the debate wasn't 'black and white' and said: '@GMB Love Ben Shephard, but listen to Kate Garraway about the reclining seat issue.

'I also need to recline partially to take the pressure off my back - short or long haul. The man on the flight was a brat. This is not a black and white argument, Ben. X'

Another person didn't seem to see the problem between the pair, saying: 'Do love a discussion with Ben and Kate, they both manage to get there point across, without getting loud.'
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is raising alarm over an "increase in the harassment" of journalists in Armenia, who the watchdog says are being subjected to defamation suits and attacks on their right to protect their sources.

"We are disturbed by the tendency for Armenian media to be sued or prosecuted," Jeanne Cavelier, the head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said in a statement on February 12.

Cavelier said Armenia's judicial system "is being manipulated for partisan purposes to bring abusive legal proceedings designed to gag and obstruct media by forcing them dedicate a lot of resources to defending themselves."

The number of lawsuits alleging defamation or insult has tripled in the past four years, with Armenia's justice department reporting 74 cases last year compared to 24 in 2016, RSF said.

It said the lawsuits against journalists and media outlets were usually brought by politicians or businessmen, and sometimes by other media.

Cavelier urged the authorities to promote the use of existing nonjudicial solutions to settle disputes in order to "avoid criminalizing journalism."

RSF cited the case of Sona Harutyunian, a journalist working for the news website 1in.am, who was sued by pro-opposition news site News.am for suggesting in a Facebook post that News.am was owned by former President Robert Kocharian.

A court has ruled that she should have "quoted her source" and "verified the facts" although she was "just expressing an opinion on an informal platform," the Paris-based media freedom group said.

As a result, Harutyunian had to post a retraction of her comments on Facebook on January 31.

Another victim of harassment is Qnar Manukian, the editor of the daily Zhoghovurd, who is facing criminal proceedings for refusing to reveal her sources, RSF said.

"More and more journalists are being summoned for questioning about stories they have covered although Article 5 of Armenia's mass-media law supposedly guarantees the confidentiality of their sources," according to RSF.
"Most people probably haven't heard of 'Barking Dogs Never Bite' _ a quirky black comedy about a struggling academic trying to settle a score with a neighbor's dog that won't stop yapping," he said. "It's probably still my favorite film by Bong Joon Ho. It doesn't take itself as seriously as his later works, and yet it has these wonderfully observed everyday moments that really haunt you for a long time after it's over."
More recently, a conservative website attacked her nomination to the Treasury Department, accusing her of being part of the deep state and blaming her for a sweetheart plea deal with James Wolfe, the former Senate aide who pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. about his contacts with reporters.

Ms. Lius office struck an agreement in which Mr. Wolfe pleaded guilty to one charge of making a false statement; two other charges of the same offense were dropped. Prosecutors recommended that he be sentenced to two years in prison, but a judge sentenced him to two months, in line with the sentencing guidelines.

Fox News has amplified the critique of the Wolfe case, and Mr. Trump on Tuesday echoed it on Twitter. He did not address significant differences in the cases, including the fact that Mr. Stone did not admit his guilt and forced the government to go through a trial, that a jury convicted him of many more offenses, including witness intimidation, and that Ms. Lius office recommended a sentence of two years for Mr. Wolfe, not two months.

When it became clear that Ms. Liu would not stay until she was confirmed, it raised suspicions among some in the U.S. attorneys office. Those were only compounded in late January when Mr. Barr designated Timothy Shea, a longtime trusted adviser, as her temporary successor rather than letting her top assistant serve as caretaker.

Mr. Shea arrived on Feb. 3 with David Metcalf, another perceived Barr loyalist, to serve essentially as his chief of staff. Mr. Metcalf immediately caused discord when he moved a prosecutor from her office so that he could work adjacent to Mr. Shea, according to two people familiar with the move. A Justice Department official said Wednesday that the office next to Mr. Sheas had already been vacated.

One week later, they faced a dilemma when the four career prosecutors working on the Stone case proposed recommending a sentence of seven to nine years, in line with nonbinding federal sentencing guidelines.
Mini Mike is a 54 mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians, Trump wrote to his 72.4 million followers in a tweet that understated Bloombergs reported height by four inches. No boxes please. He hates Crazy Bernie and will, with enough money, possibly stop him. Bernies people will go nuts!
By Abhishek Takle BAKU (Reuters) - Formula One's Chinese Grand Prix in April has been postponed due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus in the country, organisers said on Wednesday. The race, in an important market for Formula One, was originally set to be held in Shanghai on the 19th but the governing FIA and Formula One said they had jointly agreed to postpone it.

By Abhishek Takle

BAKU (Reuters) - Formula One's Chinese Grand Prix in April has been postponed due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus in the country, organisers said on Wednesday.

The race, in an important market for Formula One, was originally set to be held in Shanghai on the 19th but the governing FIA and Formula One said they had jointly agreed to postpone it.

"As a result of continued health concerns and with the World Health Organisation declaring the coronavirus as a global health emergency, the FIA and Formula One have taken these measures," the two bodies said in a statement.

"All parties will take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates for the Grand Prix later in the year should the situation improve."

The flu-like virus has killed more than 1,100 people and infected more than 44,000 in China after it first emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year.

A host of international sporting events have been cancelled due to coronavirus, including the all-electric Formula E motor racing series that abandoned plans for a race in the Chinese city of Sanya next month.

Formula One chairman and chief executive Chase Carey said fitting the race back into an already packed calendar with few spare weekends would pose a challenge, however.

"At this point it's tough to make too many specific plans when there are so many unknowns around it," he told Reuters at a conference in the Azeri capital and Formula One host Baku.

Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul, speaking at a team launch event in Paris, welcomed the fact a decision had come before sea freight was sent next week.

"The fact we know this week will avoid unnecessary aggravation from a cost perspective," he told Reuters.

"The Chinese race is an important race on the calendar and China and the U.S. are the two strategic priorities for (Formula One's commercial rights holder) Liberty Media and we support that," he added.

"We hope that there will be another slot even though I know it will be challenging to find one this season."

RICCIARDO REACTION

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo said he had mixed feelings.

"Personally I really enjoy the circuit, had success there, I had a win (with Red Bull) in 2018 and got my first points with Renault there last year," he told reporters.

"I feel for the fans and everyone that's going to miss out but more importantly I feel for China and what they are going through at the moment. On the flipside, I'm glad some initiative has been taken and we're not putting anyone else at risk."

Carey said the sport was also keeping an eye on the spread of the virus outside China, with Vietnam set to host its first race on April 5.

"The reality of today, in most other countries, the number of people affected is a handful," he said. "But we don't know what it will be in a week or two."

The last race to be cancelled was the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix, due to social unrest in the island Kingdom.

In that case, the country still paid the hosting fee, reportedly $40 million.

If China cannot be rescheduled, the calendar will be pared back to 21 races from a record 22 with a four-week gap between new addition Vietnam and the returning Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on May 3.

Asked about the possibility of a one-off race elsewhere in place of China, Carey said Formula One was evaluating all contingencies.

The time available is short, however, and organisers would also likely expect their hosting costs to be underwritten.

"We're not going to do something that isn't good for us or the teams," said Carey. "We like the 22-race calendar (but) we're fine with a 21-race calendar."

(Additional reporting by Hardik Vyas and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, Alan Baldwin in Paris; Editing by Peter Rutherford, Alex Richardson, Pritha Sarkar and Toby Davis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 12, 2020 / Omni Commerce Corp. (TSXV:OMNI)(FRA:0MZA) ("Omni" or the "Company") announces that it is in negotiations with Dreamfields Brands, Inc. ("Dreamfields") to further extend the outside closing date (the "Outside Date") of the previously announced Transaction Agreement (as defined below) with Dreamfields to an expected date of March 13, 2020, such that Dreamfields will have sufficient time to deliver its audited financial statements to the Company. The Company expects to have these negotiations concluded by February 14, 2020 and the Company has been informed that Dreamfields anticipates the audited financial statements will be delivered to the Company by the end of the first week of March, 2020.On September 13, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive transaction agreement, as amended by an amending agreement dated as of December 30, 2019 and a second amending agreement dated as of January 30, 2020 with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Omni ("Omni Subco") and Dreamfields (as amended, the "Transaction Agreement"), whereby, among other things, the parties agreed that the securityholders of Dreamfields would exchange their Dreamfields shares for shares of Omni in connection with the merger of Dreamfields and Omni Subco, resulting in the reverse takeover of the Company (the "Reverse Takeover"), pursuant to which the business of Dreamfields would become the business of the Company.Dreamfields - Corporate UpdateFor the 2019 calendar year, Dreamfields reported annual unaudited revenue from sales in California of CAD $39.2 million, with CAD $12.2 million in revenue generated in the final quarter of 2019.Jeeter is Dreamfields' premier cannabis brand, with products including pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls, and vapes. Jeeter has increased its presence in the California pre-roll market and is quickly becoming a top selling brand in the State.Puffy Delivery, a prominent delivery service in California, recently added Jeeter pre-rolls to their menu in November, 2019. Jeeter's pre-rolls have since become the top selling pre-roll on the Puffy Delivery menu, with demand outweighing supply.The Syndicate, a chain of cannabis dispensaries located in California, recently entered into a supply agreement with Jeeter providing for Jeeter's infused pre-roll to be the exclusive infused pre-roll in all three of The Syndicate's current retail stores, along with two anticipated new retail locations opening in summer 2020. The supply agreement provides for a minimum order of CAD$132,000 per month. The exclusive deal came after Jeeter established itself as a customer favourite, top selling pre-roll at The Syndicate's retail locations.Jeeter will be launching its "Live Resin sauce joint" to the market on February 14, 2020, in collaboration with Cookies, a prominent cannabis retail store in California. It is anticipated that Jeeter will be taking over the Cookies flag ship store on Melrose Avenue this Friday, February 14, 2020, and will create an immersive pop-up experience.About DreamfieldsDreamfields' group of companies operates as a California-based "House of Brands" in which it operates as a State-licensed vertically-integrated cannabis manufacturing, distribution, branding, sales and events company.About OmniOmni is a publicly listed company currently listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading under the symbol "OMNI". Omni is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a reporting issuer in British Columbia and Alberta.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDOMNI COMMERCE CORP.Per: "Peter Clausi"Peter Clausi, President & CEOFor further information, please contact:Anthony Balic, CFOPhone: (604) 312-2425Email: abalic@ katunicapital.com Neither 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 news release.All financial reporting contained in this news release with respect to Dreamfields was supplied by Dreamfields for inclusion herein and remains subject to Omni's ongoing due diligence. Neither Omni nor any of its respective directors or officers assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for any failure by Dreamfields to ensure disclosure of events or facts that may have occurred which may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information.Forward-Looking Statements:This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, the extension of the Outside Date, the closing of the Reverse Takeover, the performance of the obligations established under the supply agreement between Jeeter and The Syndicate and the launch of Jeeter's "Live Resin sauce joint" at Cookies. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements.SOUR
LAS VEGAS, NV, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- International Spirits & Wellness Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS: ISWH) (ISWH or the Company), a top-tier brand incubator in the Spirits, CBD-Infused Products, and Home Healthcare markets, is pleased to update shareholders on several key themes, including the Companys recent reverse share split and restructuring.

A shareholder-friendly restructuring was necessary to strengthen our relationship with capital markets, pursue a near-term uplist to a higher exchange tier, and set in motion our operational strategy for 2020, commented Alonzo Pierce, President and Chairman of ISWH. We have a number of very compelling catalysts set to roll out, but we needed to provide a viable context  to lay a foundation for that success  as an initial step. We have achieved that with our restructuring and reverse split last week.

Management notes that the Company performed a reverse split effective February 6, 2020. This step was taken to realign the stock with the interests of current and prospective investors and to provide a more recognizable standard for pricing transactions in the stock going forward.

The new share pricing standard better reflects the Companys underlying value and will provide for a more effective relationship with capital markets capable of supporting the Companys future growth agenda.

This is truly all about embracing a very aggressive growth-oriented future path at ISWH, continued Pierce. We have put in place a winning framework as a genuine disruptor in the health and wellness space, and we continue to see dramatic growth in that endeavor, including strong financial performance over recent quarters. We are also entering several new markets, with a true edge already in place, and will be providing details on those strategic moves over the very near term. Long story short: we have some very exciting announcements ahead and we wanted to provide a solid structural foundation in the stock ahead of those catalysts for the benefit of our committed shareholders.

About ISWH: ISWH is a global brand management holdings company with diverse operational interests, including commercial-stage operations in the spirits, CBD, and home healthcare markets, and development-stage operations in the logistics and supply chain and renewable energy markets.

Based in Nevada, the Companys expertise lies in the strategic development and aggressive early growth of its brands and the establishment of these brands as viable and profitable as an incubator. ISWH nurtures emerging brands through critical stages of market development, including conceptualization, go-to-market strategy, supply chain and logistics engineering, integrated marketing, and distribution. ISWH is creating and managing brands across a spectrum of disruptive industries. The Company has now established itself as a health and wellness leader with a focus on reshaping the CBD products and home healthcare markets through state-of-the-art technology and execution. The company has also partnered with Bengala Technologies to develop and commercialize enterprise and B2B software technology products targeting the logistics and supply-chain marketplace with VOLUM.

Forward Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could", "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements so as to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed from time to time with OTC Markets (www.otcmarkets.com).

Contact:

For Additional Investor Information:

ISWH

info@iswholdings.com
Amazon's doomed search for HQ2, its second headquarters, came about because Jeff Bezos was envious of the large incentive Elon Musk was able to command from Nevada for Tesla's giant battery factory, a new report says. There's a lesson there for every leader: Be careful of letting emotions, especially negative emotions, drive your business decisions.

The search for HQ2 lasted more than a year and consumed untold hours of time from Amazon executives and government officials in 238 cities and counties. When it was over, the company had only half a deal, with Northern Virginia, which promised $573 million in incentives in return for for 25,000 of the planned 50,000 HQ2 Jobs. The other half of HQ2, planned for Queens, fell apart spectacularly when Amazon met with deep resistance and bad publicity over the $2.5 billion in incentives from the city and state, and the company's unapologetic anti-union stance.

Now, a new report by Bloomberg suggests that Jeff Bezos was driven by envy over a $1.3 billion incentive package the state of Nevada gave Tesla to build a gigafactory there. Bezos reportedly wondered why Amazon was getting much smaller subsidies. It was a theme he "returned to often" according to Bloomberg's unnamed sources. Then in 2017, Amazon received a $40 million subsidy for building a new air hub near Cincinnati. The executive in charge of those negotiations considered it a win and sent out an email congratulating his team, but Bezos, annoyed by what he considered too small a sum, decided it was time for new tactics to bring in bigger incentives. He noted that Tesla had created competition among five Western states for its gigafactory, and the idea for the HQ2 contest was born.

"F--k you, we're Amazon."

Amazon drew up a request for proposals in which the word "incentive" is used 21 times. According to Bloomberg, some Amazon executives were uncomfortable with the language. They knew the company would be offered incentives but to demand them, especially given Bezos's vast wealth, might expose Amazon to precisely the accusations of greed and arrogance that it later faced in Queens. But those who advocated a kinder, gentler approach were reportedly sent to work on other projects. According to news accounts, Bezos had set a $1 billion target in incentives for Amazon projects. (An Amazon spokesperson disputed this, Bloomberg says.) Internally, sources told Bloomberg, the negotiation strategy for HQ2 was informally referred to as "F--k you, we're Amazon."

You know the rest. After what may be the most highly publicized location search of all time, Amazon selected not one but two HQ2 locations, Northern Virginia's Crystal City, and the Long Island City neighborhood in Queens. New York offered subsidies that were twice as big as what Tesla got from Nevada. But when these details emerged, some of New York's local leaders were incensed and protests sprang up. Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio hoped the company would stay the course, but instead, less than four months after announcing the contest's two winners, Amazon pulled out of Queens.

There's a pretty obvious lesson here: Business decisions should be based on the needs of your business and not envy of a different company in a completely different industry. It should have been apparent that a battery factory -- which can go pretty much anywhere there is lots of space -- is very different from an urban office complex to be staffed with tens of thousands of software engineers. Not many places can supply engineers by the tens of thousands, and those that can are not usually suffering for lack of good jobs. To me, the most surprising aspect of the episode is that Amazon got already-thriving New York City to cough up $2.5 billion.

The other lesson may be less obvious but it's even more important. Jeff Bezos is, by a wide margin, the richest human on Earth. He built his mega-company from scratch to become the nation's second-largest employer. If ever anyone was satisfied with their own accomplishments, you'd think it should be him. Instead, he apparently got so obsessed over what Elon Musk got that it clouded his usually impeccable judgment.

No matter who you are, or how successful you are, there will always be something you want that you don't have. Sometimes that can drive healthy competitive zeal. Just don't let it push you into doing something that's all wrong for your company, or for you.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Argo Gold Inc. (CSE: ARQ) ("Argo Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Kenneth Williamson (M.Sc., P.Geo) as a Consultant to Argo Gold. Mr. Williamson is a professional geologist with over 15 years of experience in the gold mining industry. Kenneth graduated from the University of Laval with a Masters Degree in Structural Geology, in 2002. From 2004-2010, Kenneth worked as a Special Projects Geologist at the Goldcorp Red Lake Gold Mines, where he developed a strong interest in integrating his structural geology expertise and mapping skills into 3D geological models. Kenneth has been, amongst other tasks, in charge of the elaboration of both the unified Campbell-Red Lake deposit-scale and Red Lake district-scale 3D litho-structural models. In 2010, Kenneth accepted a job for the "Bureau de l'Exploration Geologique du Quebec" (BEGQ) where he had the opportunity to work on a regional mapping campaign in the Matagami area which culminated with the elaboration of the Matagami district scale 3D model. From 2011 to 2013, Kenneth took the position of Project Geologist with InnovExplo, a Val-d'Or-based consulting firm, where he developed his Mineral Resource Estimate skills. Late in 2013, Kenneth joined Premier Gold Mines first as a Senior Geologist and later as the Manager of the Technical Services, where he was responsible for providing geological, modelling and resource estimate expertise to various project teams. In 2017, Kenneth returned to the consulting business and joined up with MRB & Associates, another Val-d'Or based consulting firm.

Since September 2018, Kenneth is an independent geological consultant (operating under Kenneth Williamson 3DGeo-Solution) and is providing structural geology expertise, as well as 3D litho-structural modelling and integrated Mineral Resource Estimate solutions to various clients.

Argo Gold also announces that, effective February 13, 2020, it has granted an aggregate of 1,400,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.15 per share and expiring on February 13, 2023 to a director, officer and consultants of the Company. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four-month hold period from the original date of grant.

About Argo Gold Inc.

Argo Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company, focused on gold exploration projects in central and northwestern Ontario. Argo Gold's flagship Uchi Gold Project is comprised of 22 km2 of multiple mineralized trends and widespread gold mineralization. High grade gold intercepts from the Company's winter 2019 drilling program include 132 g/t Au over 1.8 metres at the Woco Vein. All of the Company's projects are 100% owned and have the potential for economic mineralization. Information relating to the Company and its properties can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.argogold.ca. Argo Gold is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (www.thecse.com) under the ticker ARQ and on the OTC under the ticker ARBTF.

For more information please contact:

Judy Baker

CEO

Argo Gold

(416) 786-7860

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52399
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The UN Security Council resolution adopted Wednesday, which aroused hopes for ceasefire in Libya, was hardly implemented when the armed clashes resumed Thursday in Tripoli
T he family of a British backpacker missing in New Zealand have told how they have been left feeling helpless as the search continues.

Stephanie Simpson, 32, messaged her family on Thursday about plans to go tramping at Mount Aspiring National Park on the South Island.

The alarm was raised when she failed to turn up to her landscaping job on Monday, sparking a search of the region where flooding claimed two lives.

Ms Simpsons brother-in-law Sam Hazelton has said the family are really struggling but just hanging in there as the search mission goes on.

He told Sky News: We hope upon hope for good news.

"It's the waiting. We go to bed thinking 'what more can we do', which is very little.

We don't sleep and then we get up and Stephanie hasn't been found, and then there is a whole other day to get through. We all feel so helpless."

On Wednesday, drones with thermal imaging were to be deployed in the area along with search and rescue teams on the ground and a helicopter.

Flash floods and incessant torrential rains hit New Zealand's South Island last week leaving several hundred tourists stranded for days.

It was not clear if Ms Simpson's hike at the Mount Aspiring National Park was affected by the rains.
Da Nang police say a hotel fined for withholding information on Chinese guests who shouldve been quarantined has got away very lightly.

The hotel in question was fined for not reporting that it was hosting 16 Chinese who should have been quarantined over the novel coronavirus epidemic.

The Van Xuan Hotel on Vo Nguyen Giap Street in Da Nangs Son Tra District was fined VND3 million ($130) on Wednesday.

Colonel Phan Minh Man, head of the district's police department, said the fine was for not providing guest information to the police as required.

He said the penalty was not strong enough, because even if the police had found 1,000 Chinese hiding in the hotel, the fine would have been the same.

On February 8, the immigration office under Da Nangs police department and Son Tra police detected the 16 Chinese staying in the hotel without their presence being reported to the authorities.

All the 16 visitors had come as tourists. None of them had come from Wuhan City of Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic.

Two of them entered Vietnam on January 27, the third day of the Lunar New Year, and the rest came to the country before the holiday began.

As the coronavirus crisis kept worsening in China during the holiday, the group decided to hide themselves in Da Nang instead of returning to their home country.

According to local authorities, all 16 Chinese are in stable health condition and none of them has run a fever or developed a cough.

"Its lucky that none of them had contracted the virus," Colonel Man said.

On February 3, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered that all Vietnamese and foreigners entering Vietnam from China must be quarantined for 14 days.

The order applied to everyone who had passed by 31 provinces in China that have reported the new coronavirus infection.

Vietnam had declared the novel coronavirus outbreak an epidemic on February 1.

So far, the country has confirmed 16 infections, seven of whom have been discharged from hospitals.

As of Thursday morning, the death toll from the epidemic had reached 1,369 people, two of them outside mainland China.
S ajid Javid resigned as Chancellor today after refusing to accept a power grab over the Treasury by Boris Johnson.

The Chancellor walked out when the Prime Minister demanded that he sack his entire team of special advisers.

Rishi Sunak was instantly promoted to replace him - the swiftness seen as a sign that No 10 was fully prepared for its ultimatum to trigger a departure.

And in a sign of No 10 increasing its iron grip, maverick advisor Dominic Cummings will drive a new delivery unit to chase progress across Whitehall and focus on priorities.

Former Chancellor Sajid Javid / AFP via Getty Images

The drama erupted without warning after Mr Javid strolled smiling through the front door of No 10 in the middle of the reshuffle.

Five senior ministers had been sacked earlier but No 10 had indicated via sources that the Chancellor would be asked to stay on.

Mr Johnson told him he would indeed keep his job - but he had to agree conditions.

The first was to replace his special advisers, whom No 10 believed had broken ranks by announcing the Chancellors backing for HS2, and kite-flying on a Mansion Tax and cutting tax relief on pensions.

Rising star: Rishi Sunak is replacing Sajid Javid / PA

The second condition was a new economic unit, jointly run between No 10 and the Treasury, which would effectively mean handing partial control over his department to the PMs office.

Mr Javid baulked, in particular at being ordered to sack his aides, saying no self-respecting minister could bow to such terms.

We hoped he would not resign, said a source close to the Prime Minister. There is no ill will towards the former Chancellor.

But the relationship between the PMs office and the Treasury is the most important in Government.

"We cannot have a political team that displays even a cigarette paper of difference.

Mr Javids allies saw things differently, with some saying he had been forced onto his own sword.

Certainly, Mr Javid had been the target of sniping attributed to No 10. He was branded a Chino - Chancellor in Name Only - by the PMs allies.

And Mr Johnsons aide Cummings last summer had a senior Treasury aide Sonia Khan fired and frogmarched out of the building without Mr Javid being informed.

The PM's top aide Dominic Cummings / REUTERS

Significantly, he had reined in the PM from making fresh spending announcements during the election.

He turned down the job [of Chancellor] because the Prime Minister told him to fire all his Spads [Special Advisers], said a source close to Mr Javid.

The astonishing drama dominated the reshuffle and amounted to a huge power grab over Whitehall by the Prime Minister.

Among other changes, the PM was planning to slim down the overall size of Cabinet meetings, cutting the number of ministers who attend.

Mr Johnson started the day by firing five ministers after breakfast.

Boris Johnson started the day by firing five ministers / REUTERS

First for the chop was Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith for mishandling a political storm over new investigations into historic allegations against members of the security forces. He was replaced by Brandon Lewis.

Senior Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom, the Business Secretary who campaigned at Mr Johnsons side in the 2016 referendum on EU membership, was next to be despatched.

Housing Minister Esther McVey, another Brexiteer, paraded her dismay on Twitter after she, too, was given her marching orders.

Im very sorry to be relieved of my duties... she tweeted.

Booming-voiced Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers - both Brexiteers - were axed too.

Out: Geoffrey Cox / AFP via Getty Images

Mr Cox made clear he did not go willingly. I am now leaving the Government at the PMs request, he said.

Ms Villiers was more philosophical: What the prime minister giveth, the prime minister taketh away, she wrote.

At 10.30am Mr Javid walked smiling to the front door of No 10, apparently heading a parade of survivors and winners. Half an hour later he was out of the Cabinet.

The biggest winner was his deputy, Mr Sunak, a former banker married to the daughter of an Indian billionaire.

Rishi Sunak has replaced Sajid Javid as Chancellor

He impressed Mr Johnson with his plans for free ports and assured manner, and he played a high profile role in the general election campaign.

Another big winner was Alok Sharma who was promoted to Business Secretary, replacing Ms Leadsom.

He also takes on the potentially poisoned chalice of the presidency of the COP26 environmental summit, which will be the biggest and most important gathering of world leaders in Britain this year but has been beset by chaotic planning.

Mr Sharma impressed colleagues with his quiet competence in his first Cabinet role as International Development Secretary.

Before that, as Minister for Housing, he handled the Governments response to the Grenfell tragedy and was moved to tears while giving a statement in the Commons.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan joins the Cabinet as International Development Secretary, having previously been a defence minister.

Oliver Dowden has become a full Cabinet member as Culture Secretary, having previously attended the meetings as paymaster general.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster minister Michael Gove, Trade Secretary Liz Truss, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Health Secretary Matt Hancock were all confirmed as staying put.

Mr Smiths was the most spectacular downfall - fired after just after 204 days as Northern Ireland Secretary, and weeks after being hailed as architect of a deal to restore power-sharing in the Province.

Sacked: Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith / AFP via Getty Images

His fall follows allegations that he secured the agreement by promising Republicans an investigation into historic allegations of wrongdoing by the security forces, raising the prospect of elderly former Royal Ulster Constabulary officers going on trial.

Downing Street was said to have been furious at being bounced into the controversy.

In a statement, Mr Smith said: Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege.

"I am extremely grateful to Boris Johnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country.

Irish premier Leo Varadkar led tributes to Mr Smith as one of Britains finest politicians of our time.

Although several female ministers were axed in the reshuffle, Downing Street indicated that there would not be a reduction in the number of women around the Cabinet table.

Former culture secretary Baroness Morgan had already said she was leaving her role.
The number of soldiers being moved in convoys along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has dropped to almost a trickle a year after a car bomb attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama on February 14 last year left 40 troopers dead and brought India and Pakistan on the brink of war, officials aware of the matter said.

Material, rations etc are moved through the same road and soldiers move with convoys to protect the material, an official said on condition of anonymity. The official added a year ago convoys comprising 10-70 odd vehicles moved between Jammu and Srinagar ferrying soldiers daily. In contrast, only 7-8 convoys ferrying material and some soldiers are moved in a month now.

The Pulwama attack prompted India on February 26, 2019, to carry out an airstrike on a terror camp in Pakistan, which retaliated a day later. Pakistan captured and later released an India pilot after an air combat.

A second official said counter-insurgency operations following the Pulwama attack neutralized much of the terror network but convoys are moved under extra security. Extra caution like link roads connecting the JammuSrinagar are sealed when convoys are moved. A network of close circuit cameras monitoring the route from Jawahar Tunnel till Srinagar is also partially functioning and likely to completely functional soon.

In addition, before convoys move, the route is checked for IEDs [improvised explosive devices] continuously by special teams and convoys are not allowed to move if they cannot reach the destination before sundown, the second official said.

A bulk of the CRPF troopers, or about 70 to 80% of them, are moved on Air India flights. Thrice a week Air India airlifts soldiers and officers between Jammu and Srinagar. The thrice a week flights between Jammu and Srinagar continue and are largely used by soldiers and officers who belong to Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, a third official said. More troops are moved by air...

The CRPF has ensured that the kin of all 40 soldiers killed in the attack have been compensated. All the families, except one, have received at least Rs 1.3 crore on an average. In addition, they have also given alternate employment, a fourth senior official said. The benefits to one family had to be withheld because of a dispute over who the next of kin is.

The CRPF has also launched a mobile phone application to keep in touch with all the 2,199 soldiers killed in action recently.
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong takes a series of strong measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

By Linda Bordoni and Marie Duhamel

The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has issued a general dispensation from Mass obligation to help the faithful avoid public gatherings and stem coronavirus infections.

The Diocese announced the suspension of public Masses on Sundays and weekdays from 15 to 28 February, and cancelled the Ash Wednesday liturgy that marks the beginning of the Lenten season.

Cardinal John Tong, the Apostolic Administrator of Hong Kong, described the measures as disappointing, but said the decision had been taken because the next two weeks will be a crucial time to suppress the epidemic.

So while granting a dispensation to the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, the Hong Kong diocese is providing a live-streamed Mass so that people can still participate and receive Holy Communion spiritually, rather than physically.

Hong Kong has reported 50 confirmed cases and one death. Hundreds of people are now under self-isolation or observation.

French missionary Father Nicolas de Francqueville, who is currently running a Hong Kong parish, told Vatican Radio it's a time of trial, but he hopes the crisis will help people slow down and rediscover certain values.

Listen to the interview with Father Nicolas de Francqueville

Father Nicolas said his parish was getting organized after having received the information that because of the virus we have to be very careful to the extent we have to suspend all the Masses, for two weeks, until 28 February.

It is a strong measure, he said, and everyone is quite surprised, but thanks also to social media everyone is already aware of the measure and of the need to react quickly in order to follow the Dioceses instructions.

We will cancel all Masses, but on Sunday we will provide Eucharistic Adoration from 10am to 2pm, he said, noting that the churches are open so anyone who desires can enter the church and pray on their own.

So while everyone is welcome in the Church, nothing will be organized, including, meetings, catechesis lessons and all other activities that normally take place, because the main focus is to avoid people gathering in big groups because of the risk of contamination.

Fear and opportunity

Father Nicolas said many people are worried, even desperate, but at the same time we know it is a trial.

He explained that in Chinese, the word crisis is expressed with two characters: the first indicates something dangerous, while the second means opportunity.

So I hope that in this dangerous time of the virus it can also be an opportunity for Christians, and for everyone, to maybe show more solidarity, to slow down their lives which are usually so busy, so that maybe people can be more with their families, have more time to pray, to reflect on the sense of their lives, perhaps spend more time doing other things, he said.

The French priest concluded expressing his hope that in this crisis we do not only think about danger and fear, but that we may also trust in the Lord: may it become an opportunity to trust in the Lord and continue to love, as Christ asks us to do.
Netflix just dropped the sequel of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, on the streaming platform. The original has been one of the biggest releases from Netflix in 2018 and became an instant classic in the romance genre.

The sequel hit the streaming service on Wednesday and has already become a fan favourite among the subscribers. To see what the fuss is about, Netflix is offering a chance for non-subcribers to watch the first film in the trilogy for free until March 9, 2020. The film is said to be available for everyone in the US as well as other few markets including India.

Love is in the air! To celebrate, To All The Boys Ive Loved Before is available for anyone without a Netflix account to watch through March 9! pic.twitter.com/mLuHcxlvh7  Netflix US (@netflix) February 11, 2020

Earlier Netflix offered a free look at The Crown season 3 first episode in the UK last year, and has also tried similar tactics India and South America to bring in more subscribers.

To All The Boys I Have Loved Before, follows a Korean American teen as she beings to understand love, for the first time out of the romance novels she has been living in. When her old love letters get sent out, she finds it easier to fake date a friend than to talk about her feelings.

Soon she begins to fall for her fake boyfriend and is forced to confront her feeling again. To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, follows Lara Jean Covey as she starts her first relationship and experiences all her first, including a love triangle.

Miss Americana Documentary Review: Taylor Swift Plans To Empower The Young With Music

Oscars 2020: Where To Watch 92nd Academy Awards Best Picture Nominated Films
A groom was beaten up by the family of his wife in Pakistan as he tried to marry for the third time without his spouses permission. This incident took place in Karachi's north Nazimabad area. As per media reports, the groom filed a case against the attackers for gate-crashing the wedding and assaulting him.

Polices response to the act

The police, after the incident, advised both the parties to approach the court. They said that they cannot keep the groom in custody for a long time. They suggested that the matter could be solved in a court dealing with civil cases. The incident took place within the remit of Taimuria police station in Block L of North Nazimabad.

Read: Pakistan's renowned physicist calls Jinnah 'confused', says Pak born in state of confusion

Media reports suggest that the police sent the groom to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital since he was seriously injured after the attack. However, the groom also wanted to initiate legal action, so the police assisted him to begin the medico-legal formalities.

Read: Pakistan Court accepts Hafiz Saeeds plea to pronounce verdict after all trials

Claims made by husband and wife

As per media reports, the groom who was beaten up by his wifes family stated that the woman was his first wife. He claimed that his relationship with the woman had ended. Claiming that their relationship ended a few days ago he also said that he will be sending a legal notice to his assaulters and his wife. He added that he will ask his lawyers to speak to them as well.

Read: Hafiz Saeed convicted by Pakistan anti-terror court for 5 years, on FATF plenary eve

Meanwhile, the woman asserted that the groom was her husband and he tied a knot for the second time in 2018. She said that the man was caught attempting a third marriage in a similar manner now. As per the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, written permission is required from the first wife before tying the knot for a second time.

(Image Source: PTI)

Read: Kiren Rijiju confirms 'unofficial' Kabaddi that's gone to Pakistan has no permission
Amaravati, Feb 13 : A senior Andhra Pradesh police officer, suspended last week for alleged 'acts of treason', here on Thursday challenged the order in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

Terming the suspension politically motivated, Director General of Police-ranked officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao sought its quashing. The Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1989 batch submitted to the tribunal that he was not paid salary since May 31.

The state government on Saturday suspended Rao for serious misconduct in the security equipment procurement. According to a confidential report, Rao endangered 'national security' by disclosing intelligence protocols to an Israeli defence manufacturing firm.

The officer was also asked not to leave Vijayawada without the government permission.

According to the report, Rao while working as the Additional DGP (Intelligence) during the previous regime, colluded with Israeli firm RT Inflatables for award of critical intelligence and surveillance contract to his son Chetan Sai Krishna, CEO, Akasam Advanced Systems, primary bidder on behalf of RT Inflatables.

"Based on facts uncovered via investigation, prima facie evidence is established on the grave misconduct and irregularities, which were wilfully committed by the accused resulting out of conscious and premeditated act of treason towards the state and nation," it said.

The official, however, denied the charges.

Rao, considered close to former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was removed as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director after the YSR Congress Party, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, came to power in May 2019. He was without posting since then.

Earlier, in April 2019 on the eve of polls, the Election Commission had ordered transfer of the intelligence chief following a YSRCP complaint. It, as opposition party, alleged that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was using the police to subvert election procedures in the state.

The YSRCP had also claimed Rao was behind defection of nearly two dozen YSRCP legislators to the Telugu Desam Party.
No. 9 Alabama softball was dealt a blow before opening a difficult weekend stretch in Clearwater, Florida.

Before playing No. 1 Washington and No. 3 UCLA, the Crimson Tide announced senior outfielder Elissa Brown is out indefinitely with a broken hand. She had successful surgery this week and is expected to be back later this season, the school said.

The Elmore County High graduate batted .328 last year starting 68 games in centerfield while leading the team with 48 stolen bases.

Brown went 4-for-9 in the opening weekend in four games with Florida State and North Carolina.

Alabama (1-3) will start KB Sides in center when opening the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational at 8:30 a.m. CT Thursday against Liberty.

The Tide will also start freshman Abby Doerr at catcher in her first collegiate game after being cleared by the NCAA on Monday. And at third base, Maddie Morgan will see her first action of 2020 after being suspended by the team for the first weekend.

Alabama faces top-ranked Washington at 3 p.m. CT Friday before playing defending national champ UCLA at 3 p.m. Friday.

St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational

-- Alabama vs. Liberty, 8:30 a.m. CT Thursday

-- Alabama vs. No. 1 Washington, 3 p.m., CT Thursday

-- Alabama vs. South Florida, 9:30 a.m., CT Friday

-- Alabama vs. No. 2 UCLA, 3 p.m. CT Friday

-- Alabama vs. No. 16 Oklahoma State, 9:30 a.m. CT Saturday
PARIS - As widely announced in previous days, French president Emmanuel Macron visited Mer de Glace on Thursday morning, a well-known glacier on the French side of Mont Blanc that is rapidly shrinking. The visit was a chance for the president to get closer to the effects of global warming and reiterate his commitment to step up environmental protection policies. The visit is of highly symbolic value and is an attempt to convince voters that he is serious about his pledges, though many claim the move was simply being an attempt to rake up voters ahead of elections. In a blue track suit, Macron walked on the glacier, which is shrinking by 8-10 meters per year and has lost about 2 km since 1850.



It has lost 120 meters of width in the past century. "What we see with this glacier melting is irrefutable proof of global warming," Mr Macron said in Chamonix after visiting the Mer de Glace, calling the scene of rock now exposed by the melting ice ''shocking''. ''The glacier makes the invisible visible. It shows how the absence of decisions has brought us to this situation,'' glaciologist Luc Moreau said, who was accompanying the president. New initiatives for the environment were announced in Chamonix, as well as the creation of a French Office of Biodiversity (OFB), tasked with monitoring and restoring the French environment.



On Wednesday evening, Macron dined in a refuge at 2,000 meters above sea level with the climatologist Jean Jouzel, the biologist Camille Parmesan, and biodiversity expert Anne Larigauderie.



Many feel that this 'green change' is mostly simply marketing amid polls that show that the Europe-Ecologie Les Verts party will do better in the upcoming elections.



''A mountain of hogwash and hypocrisy,'' was the comment by Francois Ruffin, MP from the France Insoumise party as well as bitter rival of Macron.



The two attended the same school together in Amiens when they were young.


The 25-member delegation of foreign diplomats, who are in Jammu and Kashmir held extensive discussions with the prominent business community and political leaders in Srinagar.

The business community told envoys that they suffered losses due to abrogation of Article 370 followed by restrictions and at the same time they also said they are hopeful that promises of fast pace development by the centre would be fulfilled.

Some members of the business community told envoys that they want the government to bring pace in investments in the region.

Representatives of apple growers informed envoys about how neighbouring country is trying to sabotage their businesses.

The business delegation also told envoys that restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir is key to fast-paced development.

The business delegation included entrepreneurs from Valley and other parts of Kashmir. The 15 members who exchanged views with envoys are -- Amit Amla, Roop Kr Pandita, Shahala Sheikh, Tariq Tramboo, Mohd Asshraf, Altaf Hussain Mir, Surjit Singh, Mohd Sultan, Tabish Habib, Mudassir Panzara, Qaiser Mohiuddin, Gh Rasool Mir, Faizan Pervez, Vishal Sharma, Irfan Ganjoo.

Envoys also met more than 100 members of civil society from across the section of Kashmir including engineers, doctors, lawyers, students.

Civil society members told envoys that internet blockage continues to remain an obstacle in the restoration of full normalcy and they believe that full Internet should be restored.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the week since his acquittal on impeachment charges, a fully emboldened President Donald Trump is demonstrating his determination to assert an iron grip on government, pushing his Justice Department to ease up on a longtime friend while using the levers of presidential powers to exact payback on real and perceived foes.

Trump has told confidants in recent days that he felt both vindicated and strengthened by his acquittal in the Senate, believing Republicans have rallied around him in unprecedented fashion while voters were turned off by the political process, according to four White House officials and Republicans close to the West Wing who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.

Since then, Trump and his aides have moved with haste to clear his administration of those he sees as insufficiently loyal, reaching all the way back to the time of former special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Democrats and outside analysts are raising red flags that Trump is exhibiting a post-impeachment thirst for vengeance that's gone beyond bending norms and could potentially cause lasting damage to institutions.

Some Republican senators, including Tennessee's Lamar Alexander, Maine's Susan Collins and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, said they found Trump's effort to pressure Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy inappropriate. But they also expressed hope following his acquittal that Trump had learned a lesson from the episode.

Murkowski acknowledged Wednesday that there haven't been very strong indicators this week that he has.

After Trump vented on Twitter this week about federal prosecutors recommending up to nine years in federal prison for his confidant Roger Stone, the Justice Department abruptly announced that it would reevaluate the recommended sentence.

Justice officials insisted the timing was coincidental; they'd already been planning to pull the recommendation.

Stone was convicted in November of tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election.

The Justice Department move to back away from the sentencing recommendation prompted the four attorneys who prosecuted Stone to quit the case. One left the Justice Department altogether.

In recent days, the White House has yanked a senior Treasury Department nomination away from a former Justice Department official who supervised the prosecutions of several of Trump advisers.

The administration also fired an EPA official who claims he was ousted because he was deemed too friendly with Democrats.

Trump even suggested this week that the Pentagon investigate and potentially discipline former White House aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who provided damaging testimony about the president in the impeachment inquiry.

That came after White House officials last week told Vindman and his twin brother, also an Army officer who had been detailed to the White House National Security Council, that their services were no longer needed and that they would be reassigned to new duties by the Pentagon. Security then escorted the brothers off White House grounds.

We are witnessing a crisis in the rule of law in America unlike one we have ever seen before, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Schumer called for the Justice Department's independent inspector general to probe the department's action in the Stone case. Later, House lawmakers announced Attorney General William Barr would come before them next month to answer questions.

Former Justice Department officials struggled to recall a precedent, describing it as norm-shattering turmoil that raises troubling questions about the apparent politicization of an agency meant to function independent of White House sway.

I've never seen anything like it, said Michael Bromwich, a former federal prosecutor and Justice Department inspector general who has been representing former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe in a criminal investigation before the same US attorney's office.

Trump turned testy during an Oval Office appearance when reporters asked him about interfering in the Stone case and whether he learned anything from his impeachment ordeal.

He slammed the four prosecutors who recommended the stiff sentence for Stone and asserted they ought to apologize for a lot of the people whose lives they've ruined.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is laying out certain parameters for the countrys huge packaged sweets (mithai) and namkeen market, a move that will see the makers of such packaged food reduce usage of sugar, fat, salt, as well as ensure better use of raw materials in their products.

On Tuesday, members of Federation of Sweets and Namkeen Manufacturers met with the FSSAI that saw homegrown snacking companies such as Haldirams, Bikanervala, and Das Pendawala discuss ways to ensure that a threshold is set for such branded and packaged food items, especially those that qualify as high in fat, sugar, and salts or HFSS category of foods.

The idea is to promote and brand healthier variants (of sweets and namkeens) with low fat, salt and sugar, FSSAI said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The food regulator and food manufacturers will work towards developing certain thresholds for developing such food items. These include variants that are low on sugar, salt, have no trans-fat, use better quality cooking oil, are free of preservatives, and ensure that raw materials such as khoya, and milk, used in their products are of good quality.

Once the thresholds are set, the FSSAI will allow manufacturers to use a label or a logo on their products that will communicate these differentiated food items to consumers. Four to five such parameters will be set for manufacturers to ensure they qualify for the labelling, said a person familiar with the plans of the regulator. Manufacturers who meet the standards will be allowed to use Same Taste, Better Health logo, the person cited above said. The logo is not mandatory but voluntary.

Sweet and namkeen manufacturers have been asked to lay out a list of their top food items where such changes can be implemented without necessarily changing the taste of such food items.

We were called by the FSSAI to join hands with them to create a common identity for Indian traditional sweets, and namkeens. In the past, there have been no such standards for the industrywe have been following the general food safety standards much like everyone else, said Firoz H. Naqvi, managing director, Federation of Sweets and Namkeen Manufacturers (FSNM). The FSNM represents interests of over 400 manufacturers of Indian sweets and namkeens from markets such as Bikaner, Indore, among others.

We want to promote Indian sweets and namkeen globally as healthy food and snacks and create our own identity, he added. Naqvi said that benchmarking such Indian snacksoften considered fatty and unhealthywill help manufacturers compete with multinational companies, and even home-grown players that sell salted chips, and cookies.

Indias savoury snacks market is estimated at Rs 33,500 crore according to research firm Euromonitor. Small, and large homegrown players that sell traditional namkeen occupy a large chunk of Indias snacking market. Mithai, on the other hand, is a quintessential sweet food consumed by millions across the country especially on festive occasions, weddings, and celebrations.

Over the next few weeks, manufacturers of such foods will work with researchers, food scientists and the FSSAI to identify foods where salt, and sugar content can be reduced.

FSSAI has been working actively with food manufacturers and regulatory bodies to overhaul food labelling regulations to ensure more transparency on what Indians consume.

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The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution curbing President Donald Trump's authority to launch military operations against Iran.

The measure, authored by Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat-Virginia) says Trump must win approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.

Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the resolution by a 55-45 vote.

Kaine and other supporters said the resolution was not directed at Trump, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.

Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war -- not the president.



Trump and his supporters say the measure sends the wrong signal to Iran and other potential adversaries.



"It is very important for our Country's SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness," the president tweeted.

Trump is likely to veto the measure, having dismissed limiting the president's war powers as a sign of "weakness."

The president recently used his veto on a War Powers Resolution on Yemen.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a separate, nonbinding war-powers resolution last month, as Democrats and some Republicans fumed over Trump's failure to fully inform them about his Iran strategy.

The move came after Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, outside Baghdad.

He did not inform Congress until after the strike.

In response to Soleimani's killing, Tehran launched missile strikes on two bases hosting U.S. troops in Iraq.

The Pentagon says 109 U.S. service members have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury following the attack on the Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq, though no one was killed.

The House could take up the Senate resolution later this month.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and RFE/RL's Radio Farda
Diana and Allan Chow just wanted to enjoy a luxury cruise vacation.

Instead, the Toronto couple is stuck in their small cabin docked at a Japanese port, seeking answers on a massive floating quarantine site.

There have been 218 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on board the Diamond Princess, and cruise line Princess Cruises has announced that passengers may soon be allowed to complete their quarantine period on land. But the Chows say straight answers about the situation have been non-existent.

"Right now, our experience is like being in jail. A floating jailhouse," Allan Chow told CBC News via a Skype call from the ship Thursday morning. "We don't want to go outside, because we worry that we might get the virus."

"You cannot ask any questions. Nobody will give you answers in the ship. All they'll say is, 'No, sorry, we don't know anything.'"

The 19-storey ship's 3,500 passengers have been holed up since Feb. 4, after a man tested positive for the virus dubbed COVID-19 after disembarking in Hong Kong.

The ship now contains the biggest concentration of confirmed cases outside of mainland China, according to the World Health Organization. There are 255 Canadian passengers on board.

Submitted by Tiffany Chow

Of the passengers in Japan who tested positive for the coronavirus, 12 are Canadian, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters while travelling with the prime minister in Senegal.

"The latest count was 12 [Canadians] which had contracted the coronavirus. We have three, potentially four, which are going to be in hospitals, which have been hospitalized, to receive all the assistance they would need," Champagne said.

"So we are still monitoring the situation very carefully with the Japanese authorities."

A lack of transparency

Champagne says emergency response teams and consular officials are in Japan to make sure Canadians are receiving the help they need.

Story continues

"We know that there are some people who need medications on board, they want to have contact with their families. We're facilitating that," he said.

Cheryl and Paul Molesky via The Associated Press

Simply monitoring the situation isn't enough, the Chows say. Diana Chow says they have tried contacting Princess Cruises, the ship's captain, and the Canadian government  but no one can tell them exactly what's going on, or when they might be able to leave.

"There's no solutions," she said. "No one's really providing the answers that we're looking for  We're sitting in the dark. [There's a] lack of transparency."

"It's like [being] sitting ducks. That's how you feel," Allan Chow said.

Cleanliness concerns

Compounding the issue, the Chows say, is what they see as a lack of proper sanitation, which could lead to the virus's spread.

One example, they say, is health officials using the same ear thermometer to check multiple patients without sterilizing it in between. Allan Chow said when their temperatures were taken, the same thermometer was used in his ear and then in his wife's, with no cleaning in between.

Chow then called a friend on board and asked if the same thing happened to them  and it had.

"There is no cap. There is no cleaning," he said.

In the first few days of the quarantine, food was also delivered uncovered, he says, which worried him.

"Now, the last few days, they've started putting everything in a box," he said.

Princess Cruises did not respond to questions about those specific issues.

The company did say in a news release that Japan plans to move passengers who wish to leave the ship in phases, with the most "medically vulnerable" guests being moved in the first phase.

That first group will be tested, and if they test negative, they will be taken to a quarantine housing facility. If they test positive they'll be moved to a health facility, the company said in its statement.

The shore-side quarantine centre will include individual rooms with private bathrooms, and while passengers will continue to receive their medical prescriptions, they will not have access to specialized or western meals. They will be served Japanese bento boxes for the duration of the quarantine, according to the release.

Everyone who wishes to stay on the ship will also be allowed to do so, the company says.

adam.carter@cbc.ca
Former Farmer Wants a Wife contestant Matthew Goyder appeared in a Perth court on Thursday after he was allegedly found with child exploitation material.

Police arrested the Pilbara farmer on Wednesday night after a search of his accommodation in East Perth revealed several mobile phones and other electronic devices allegedly containing the images.

Matthew Goyder, 29, has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material. Credit:Instagram

Mr Goyder shot to fame in 2016 after finding love with model April Vaughan in the Channel Nine reality show. The relationship broke down shortly after filming but Mr Goyder continued to pursue a reality TV career in Channel Seven's Outback Pilots.

He claimed to be a Lifeline ambassador on social media and shared his battle with depression, anxiety and PTSD, which included a five-month stint in a Thai rehab clinic in 2014.
Paul Quinn was not a criminal. After 13 years, Conor Murphy still can't say those six simple words.

By not doing so, he is prolonging the agony of a heartbroken family.

A family that has already been to hell and back.

It is surely unthinkable that a senior minister in any other European country would not act to swiftly and comprehensively address the wrong he had committed against his own bereaved constituents.

Conor Murphy is a highly ambitious politician and, for reasons of self-preservation alone, his actions are bizarre.

Unless he believes that his fellow politicians and the media will let him off the hook.

The Finance Minister created the scandal in the first place, and he alone is now prolonging it.

Why did he choose in 2007 to utter those harsh, untrue words about a battered boy just weeks in the grave?

He said them not on the spur of the moment but in a sit-down pre-recorded BBC interview.

He chose not to withdraw them for 13 years.

Even more bizarrely, he denied he had even said them.

He told the Irish News in 2017 that claims he had called Paul a criminal were "totally without foundation". That effectively made liars out of parents Breege and Stephen Quinn.

Mary Lou McDonald said he had told her the same.

"He is very clear he never said that," she told RTE last week.

The Finance Minister then said his party president had got it wrong.

It was "a misunderstanding on her behalf", he claimed.

But Mary Lou's confident assertion fits with what the Irish News had previously printed.

Mr Murphy must be asked to explain that.

Sinn Fein clearly hoped that its minister's letter to the Quinns would put the whole controversy to bed.

But the very fact that he did not unambiguously state that Paul wasn't a criminal means that the family are still understandably aggrieved.

What will Mary Lou McDonald now do? Will she speak to her Finance Minister and instruct him to utter those six simple words, or will she cop out?

Sinn Fein is known for its top-down approach and iron discipline, so let's see whether Mary Lou cracks the whip or lets Murphy away with it.

Breege and Stephen Quinn genuinely appreciated her telephone call last week, but they need her to convince her minister to fully put right the wrong he did them 13 years ago.

The response of the other Stormont parties and the media will be crucial for the family.

Will they drop the issue now the Dail election is over, or will they keep asking questions of the minister?

Conor Murphy would be much happier being quizzed in Parliament Buildings about budgetary matters than about Paul Quinn.

This is a test not just of the Finance Minister, but of all those who claim to hold power to account.
A mural potentially painted by mysterious street artist Banksy has been discovered in Bristol.

The new Valentine's Day-inspired artwork appeared on the side of a building in Barton Hill on Marsh Lane overnight, with residents discovering it around 6.20am on Thursday (13 February).

Numerous locals tweeted a photo of the possible Banksy, with one revealing the painting was not there at 10pm the previous night.

One eyewitness wrote on Twitter: Me and my girlfriend were heading that way to the gym this morning at about 6:20 and there were people with scaffolding up. Thought it was odd and then we walked passed it again this morning!!

The Bristol Somali Community Association hailed the mural as remarkable, adding: We hope its Banksys work.

This particular mural includes the depiction of a child  seemingly, in this instance, cupid  which some are noting is similar to previous works painted by the enigmatic artist.

In November, a Banksy artwork that was obscured by scaffolding in Notting Hill since 2008 was uncovered.

Just one month later, he created a modified Nativity scene at a hotel in Bethlehem.

Best of Banksy Show all 68 1 /68 Best of Banksy Best of Banksy Westwood, California A Banksy piece in California depicting a child wielding a machine gun, in black and white surrounded by colored flowers AFP/Getty Best of Banksy Manhattan, New York A rat on the clock of an old bank building Getty Best of Banksy Camden Town, north London Near the Oval Bridge PA Best of Banksy 'Sweeping It Under The Carpet' The piece, commissioned by this newspaper, is intended to represent a metaphor for the west's reluctance to tackle issues such as Aids in Africa Getty Images Best of Banksy 'Di Faced Tenners' In 2004, Banksy printed one million pounds worth of his 'Tenners' PA Best of Banksy 'Love is in the Bin' During Sotheby's Contemporary Art Sale on 5th October the Banksy artwork 'Girl with Balloon' shredded through the bottom of the frame as it was sold. Getty Images Best of Banksy 'Urban decay' Seen on the side of building on Wilder Street in Bristol PA Best of Banksy 'Glory' Previously on view at Sotheby's New Bond Street, London PA Best of Banksy 'Balloon Debate' Banksy headed to Palestinian territories and created images on Israel's highly controversial West Bank barrier Getty Best of Banksy 'Kissing Coppers' Pictured on display in Lazinc Gallery in London in 2018 AFP/Getty Images Best of Banksy 'Spy Booth' On the side of a house in Cheltenham. PA Best of Banksy 'Escape' A Banksy artwork piece on Israel's highly controversial West Bank barrier in Abu Dis Getty Images Best of Banksy 'The Son of a Migrant from Syria' Artwork representing Steve Jobs, founder and late CEO of Apple, at the migrant camp known as the "Jungle" in Calais, northern France AFP/Getty Images Best of Banksy Artwork in 'Walled Off Hotel' Banksy launched a hotel in Bethlehem. The rooms of the hotel were filled with the artist's work, much of which being about the conflict Getty Images Best of Banksy 'One Nation Under CCTV' In the yard of a Royal Mail depot in Newman Street, central London PA Archive/PA Images Best of Banksy 'Brexit' A painted mural depicting a workman chipping away at one of the stars on a European Union flag in Dover Getty Best of Banksy 'Art Attack' Seen on Israel's highly controversial West Bank barrier Getty Best of Banksy Artwork in 'Walled Off Hotel' A piece of artwork in Banksy's 'Walled Off Hote'l in the Israeli occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem Getty Best of Banksy 'Let Them Eat Crack' A large mural of a rat wearing a tie and carrying a briefcase on a wall on Howard St and Broadway in New York PA Best of Banksy Artwork in 'Walled Off Hotel' An installation hanging inside one of the rooms Banksy's 'Walled Off hotel' AFP/Getty Best of Banksy Paris Napoleon Bonaparte wearing a headscarf inspired by the original painting by Jacques-Louis David AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'Burning Tyre' A Banksy mural which was painted on the side of one of the classrooms at Bridge Farm Primary in Bristol during a half-term PA Best of Banksy 'Les Miserables' Artwork depicting the girl from Les Miserables affected by tear gas, opposite the French embassy in Knightsbridge, London PA Best of Banksy Zehra Dogan Banksy's 70-foot-long mural in New York, made to draw attention to the imprisonment of Zehra Dogan, a Kurdish painter from Turkey AFP/Getty Images Best of Banksy Paris A girl painting over a swastika cross AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'Girl with Balloon' Originally on the stairs to Waterloo Bridge on the South Bank, London AFP/Getty Images Best of Banksy 'Cardinal Sin' On display at the Walker Art Gallery in 2012 Getty Best of Banksy Rage, Flower Thrower Painted on a wall of a gas station in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Best of Banksy "Madonna with a pistol" In Naples AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'No Ball Games' In Tottenham, North London PA Archive/PA Images Best of Banksy 'Cash Machine Girl' In Finsbury, North London PA Best of Banksy 'Peckham Rock' Installation of Banksy's at the British Museum in London. The artist secretly placed the mock historical piece in a gallery at the museum in 2005 and it went unnoticed for three days PA Best of Banksy Stained Window' A collaboration between Banksy and the City of Angels public school in Los Angeles AFP/Getty Best of Banksy Barbican Centre, London One of two murals near the Barbican Centre in London PA Best of Banksy Clerkenwell Green, London Described by its creator as "a monument to liars, thieves and bullies" Getty Images Best of Banksy 'Civilian Drone Strike' Capstan House in East London PA Best of Banksy 'Armoured Dove' In West Bank town of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'The Painter' Portobello Road, West London PA Best of Banksy 'Yellow Lines Flower Painter' Pollard Street, London Getty Best of Banksy "Kids on Guns" AFP/Getty Best of Banksy Barbican Centre, London The second of the two murals painted by on the Barbican Centre, London PA Best of Banksy "Cans" London AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'Sorry' East London AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'Napalm, (Can't Beat That Feeling)' Displayed in an unauthorised 2006 retrospective in London Getty Images Best of Banksy Calais, France A child with a suitcase looking through a telescope with a vulture perched on it, in tribute to migrants and refugees on a beach in Calais AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'Banksus Militus Vandalus' Displayed in an unauthorised 2006 retrospective in London Getty Images Best of Banksy London Artwork depicting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill AFP/Getty Best of Banksy 'Donkey Documents' Moved from Jerusalem PA Best of Banksy 'A Girl with a Pierced Eardrum' A defaced piece of art on a wall in the city of Bristol, at Hanover Place PA Best of Banksy 'Sperm Alarm' Banksy's name is reflected in the glass covering his piece. One of seven initially stolen works by the artist. Getty Best of Banksy 'Art Buff' In Folkestone, Kent PA Best of Banksy 'The Mild, Mild West' Stokes Croft, Bristol PA Best of Banksy Paris A man holding a handsaw behind his back and offering a bone to a dog which leg has been cut off AFP/Getty Best of Banksy Peeing Dog Los Angeles PA Best of Banksy Bethlehem Painting on a wall in Bethlehem in the West Bank Getty Best of Banksy 'Slave Labout' A poor child making Union Jack flags on a sewing machine, located on the wall of a Poundland discount shop in the Wood Green area of north London Getty Best of Banksy Lower East Side, New York Painted during Banksy's month in New York Getty Images Best of Banksy 'Jay Zeavis' Glastonbury, Somerset PA Best of Banksy Paris Banksy said that he "blitzed" Paris with up to a dozen murals as a tribute to the May 1968 uprising and even took aim at the French government's hard line on migrants AFP/Getty Best of Banksy "I Love New York" A large mural of a rat wearing on Wooster and Grand Street in New York PA Best of Banksy Camden Town, north London A piece under Camden Street Bridge, almost directly behind the British Transport Police building in Camden Town PA Best of Banksy 'Very Little Helps' A child raising a Tesco's plastic bag as a flag in London Getty Best of Banksy 'I Don't Believe in Global Warming' Camden Town, north London PA Best of Banksy Camden Town, north London PA Best of Banksy Bataclan concert hall, Paris Artwork on a side street to the Bataclan concert hall where a terrorist attack killed 90 people in 2015 AFP/Getty Best of Banksy New Orleans, Louisiana Getty Best of Banksy 'Christ with Shopping Bags' Lazinc Gallery in London AFP/Getty Images Best of Banksy "Stop and Search" Shown at Artcurial French auction house sale in Paris AFP/Getty Images

The work, titled the Scar of Bethlehem, depicts Jesuss manger in front of the separation barrier in Israel.

Following what seemed to be an attempt to destroy it, the damage caused a dent in the shape of a star, which looks over the scene.
Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

Bengal govt fumes over Mamatas missing invite, to skip metro launch event

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on Thursday decided to boycott the inauguration of the first phase of the East-West metro service by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal since chief minister Mamata Banerjee had not been invited to the programme.

Read More

Delhi judge defers death warrant for 2012 rape convicts, stresses on rights of condemned prisoners

A Delhi court on Thursday adjourned hearing on a petition filed by the parents of the 2012 gangrape case for fresh death warrants for the four convicts till 2 pm on Monday. Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana pointed to the rights of the convicts under Article 21 of the Constitution for his decision.

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Rahul Gandhi takes dig at govt over LPG price hike with a Smriti Irani pic

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a dig at the BJP over the LPG cylinder price hike by tweeting a UPA-era picture of the saffron partys leaders protesting an increase in prices of cooking gas at the time, and demanded a roll back.

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Virat Kohli reacts after RCB remove picture and name on social media

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have removed their profile picture and posts from various social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. This has sent fans and players in a tizzy. Taking to Twitter, RCB captain Virat Kohli expressed his surprise at the development.

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Saif Ali Khan says role play keeps the spark in marriage alive, Kareena Kapoor is stumped

The latest episode of actor Kareena Kapoor Khans radio show features her husband and actor Saif Ali Khan. During the conversation, which revolved around modern marriages, Kareena asked Saif what is the one thing that couples should do to keep the spark in their marriage alive. He joked that it was role play.

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AAP has big announcement about Arvind Kejriwals swearing in ceremony.

The mini mufflerman is in the spotlight again after AAP tweeted about a big announcement. They wrote that baby Mufflerman is invited in the swearing in ceremony of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhis chief minister.

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Wendell Rodricks envisioned fashion as a tool for empowerment

A designer with an international presence, Wendell Rodricks envisioned fashion as a tool for empowerment. He believed fashion was meant for employment long after a fashion show was over and everyone except models could wear these clothes too.

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An Ohio day care owner has been charged with child endangerment after a two-year-old boy was found riding a toy tricycle along a busy street alone in frigid weather.

Jillian Jaunzemis, who runs a day care from her Sandusky home, pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge on Tuesday.

Police responded to a Good Samaritan's report of a boy riding a red plastic trike in the middle of Polk Street at around 10am on Monday.

A two-year-old boy was found riding this red trike alone in Sandusky, Ohio, without a coat or shoes after escaping day care Monday

Day care operator Jillian Jaunzemis (pictured) has been charged with misdemeanor child endangerment in connection to the incident

Jaunzemis told police she thought the child was sleeping downstairs while she was upstairs doing housework, but he managed to exit through non-childproofed door

Responding officers saw that the toddler was not wearing a jacket or shoes, and had wet socks and pants on in 35-degree weather, according to a police report.

The child was said to be shivering from the cold but could not say anything to the police because of his age.

Patrolman David West determined the toddler had come from Jaunzemis' home in 1400 block of Prospect Street, where she was looking after six other children at the time.

Jaunzemis told West she thought the child was sleeping downstairs while she was upstairs doing housework. Police believe the two-year-old, who had only recently entered the day care, exited out the front door because it had not been childproofed.

'We tried to explain to her maybe [install] some child proofing, door knob covers, if shes watching more than one kid maybe get an alarm on the door, so if the door opens there is a beeping sound,' West told News 5 Cleveland.

Jaunzemis said she installed a new safety latch on the front door the same day (left). She claimed nothing like this has ever happened before, but police beg to differ

The boys parents were contacted and they came to pick him up. Police said the child appeared unharmed.

Jaunzemis said she installed a new safety latch on the front door the same day. She told Fox 8 that she has children of her own and that nothing like this has ever happened before.

According to the police, however, this is the fourth time in less than five years that officers have been called to Jaunzemis' home day care about incidents involving children she watches.
SUMGAYIT, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Nargiz Ismayilova - Trend:

Azerikimya Production Union (PU) of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR has signed a cooperation agreement with Petkim Petrokimya Holding A.S. owned by SOCAR in Turkey in order to use the company's international experience in Azerbaijan, Trend reports Feb. 13 from the SOCAR press tour in Sumgayit city.

An exchange of modern knowledge and experience will be held between employees of SOCAR enterprises in Turkey and Azerbaijan.

In the first quarter of 2020, a group of young engineers at Azerikimya PU will be sent to Petkim Petrokimya Holding A.S. to participate in intensive practical training.

Azerikimya PU became subordinate to SOCAR in 2010. The union includes the ethylene-propylene plant, consisting of EP-300, Polymer-120 units, isopropyl alcohol production unit, steam and electric energy production unit, as well as repair and construction department.

Set up in 1965, Petkim maintains its business operations as the first and only integrated petrochemical producer of Turkey. Producing approximately 60 petrochemical products at its production facilities in Aliaga, Izmir, Petkim provides contributions to national industry and production.

SOCAR Turkey acquired and made Petkim focal point of its investments in 2008.

The petrochemical products, produced by Petkim, are used in several industrial branches such as automotive, electrics, electronics, agriculture, packaging, textile, pharmaceutics, paints, construction, detergent and cosmetics.
What makes for a successful year in the mind of rising Standardbred star Austin Sorrie? When everything is twice as nice as the year before. Literally.

He hasnt been in the sulky nearly as long as most of the drivers he faces each night, but the teenage reinsman from Montague, PEI, has shown he can hold his own against the competition.

Its one of the reasons why the soft-spoken Sorrie thinks big before the calendar turns to January 1 each year.

I always want to double my number of wins from the year before, started the 20-year-old. I had 32 wins down home in 2018, so I wanted to get to at least 64 last year. When I started out, I thought it was going to tough to reach that. Once I got past it, I just kept on going.

He hasnt slowed down, on or off the racetrack, since then.

A finalist for the 2019 Future Star Award  the honour went to Dave Kelly at this years OBrien Awards in Mississauga, Ont.  Sorrie has been turning heads and garnering rave reviews since he made the move to the Ontario horse racing circuit in January 2019.

Sorrie had already made a name for himself in the Maritimes. He won those 32 races in his rookie campaign in 2018. His first victory came at the Charlottetown Driving Park with his own Thebestofme (2:02:1) in May of that year.

Moving to Ontario, it really helped a lot, said Sorrie, who at the age of 14 drove Onehotvett to a 1:57.2 triumph in The Kilted Race, Pinette Raceways signature race. It was something I had to do if I was going to continue driving horses. Everything just kind of took off and its worked out.

Even more than he had imagined.

Its been way better than I thought it would. Being here for a year and a bit now, to be nominated for an OBrien Award, the drives Im getting from people  its pretty cool.

On December 7, he netted his first win at Woodbine Mohawk Park, as he teamed with Bugsy Maguire (1:52.2) for the milestone score.

Driving mostly at Western Fair and Flamboro, Sorries earned the trust of numerous trainers.

I think its because Ive gone out there and given their horse the best shot to do well. Youre not getting caught in all of the time, and youre not getting parked all the time. The bottom line is that you are winning them races.

To date, Sorrie, whose driver colours are blue, yellow and white (his father, Wade, who wears blue and yellow, has over 400 combined wins as a driver and trainer), has racked up 19 wins on the year.

Well on pace to surpass last years win and purse earnings totals, hes not letting any of the adulation go to his head.

He uses the faith trainers have shown in him as a motivational tool each time he lines his horse up behind the starting gate.

You show up every day of the week and whether its one drive or 10, you work hard and give your best. If you have a bad night, well, you have to get over it because the next night you have new horses to drive and new opportunities to win. You cant go into any race with the attitude of, My horse has no shot. You go in there with the same mindset of wanting to be successful. Sometimes that ends up being a win, sometimes it ends up being that you pick up a cheque. The bottom line is you go out there and give your top effort.

Horsepeople have taken notice. So, too, have others.

A friend of mine, in racing, mentioned a short time ago that Austin looks so 'chill' in the bike and that's exactly what he appears to be  very calm and cool sitting behind the horses, said Shannon Sugar Doyle, the announcer at The Raceway at Western Fair District. He's got this natural ability and the horses want to try for him.

I like his style. Rarely do I see him in 'panic mode' during a horse race. He's usually well placed and can stickhandle through traffic if needed. It's that natural ability he has and it likely comes from being around the horses his whole life.

A busy life on the racetrack leaves little Sorrie time for non-racing pursuits.

His favourite pastime isnt actually a pastime at all.

For down time, you want to get naps in as fast as you can, for as long as you can, because you can get really tired. You dont know when youre going to get the one. Other than that, its really all about the racing.

Which suits Sorrie just fine.

He has other pursuits to focus on, specifically, chasing the number 160.

At the end of this year, on December 31, if I look back and say that I had a good year, that would mean I had double the wins I had in 2019. Now, I just have to go out and do it again.

The odds are definitely in Sorries favour.

It's not an easy task, as a new driver, to show up here in Ontario and fit right in, said Doyle. Austin has done that and I think we're going to see him do some great things going forward.

(Ontario Racing)
Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp spilled the beans about the future of the show when he paid a visit to Lorraine on Thursday.

The actor, 15, admitted he was 'sure' there would be a fifth season after the confirmed fourth outing of the Netflix sci-fi programme.

Noah plays Will Byers, whose life is forever changed after being abducted by the Demogorgon and taken to the alternate dimension called the Upside Down.

Good news for fans: Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp spilled the beans about the future of the show when he paid a visit to Lorraine on Thursday

Host Lorraine Kelly quizzed Noah about whether the fourth season would be the end for them all - and he seemed shocked at the idea.

He said: 'Well, I mean, I don't know if I can say, but from what I think, I'm sure there will be another [season] after this.

'I can't imagine this being the last. I feel like we'd know if it was. I don't want it to end, it's so good!'

Noah also discussed his close friendship with cast mate Millie Bobby Brown, 15, with whom he has become inseparable over the past few years.

'Millie is the closest in age to me so we naturally became so close straight away, yeah she's the best', he enthused.

In character: Noah (left) plays Will Byers, whose life is forever changed after being abducted by the Demogorgon and taken to the alternate dimension called the Upside Down

Going strong: The actor, 15, admitted he was 'sure' there would be a fifth season after the confirmed fourth outing of the Netflix sci-fi programme

Noah proudly talked about the success of 80s themed Stranger Things, which became Netflix's most-watched show last summer.

'I think everyone relates to it in their own way, especially as the main characters are kids', he said.

The talented teen was putting in an appearance on Lorraine to chat about his new film, Waiting For Anya.

He plays a boy who teams up with a reclusive widow to smuggle Jewish children into Spain in the World War II drama.

Close bond: Noah also discussed his friendship with cast mate Millie Bobby Brown, 15, with whom he has become inseparable over the past few years

Roaring success: Noah proudly talked about the popularity of 80s based Stranger Things, which became Netflix's most-watched show last summer

Admitting his nerves about playing the lead, he said: 'I was really excited to be main role of movie, but a bit worried as I had to put on French accent and I didn't know if I could pull it off.

'It's so important to make these movies to make people aware of what happened.'

Noah has his sights set on a bright future, revealing he would one day love to step into the role of Spider-Man.

He declared: 'Thats my dream role! Ive worked it out and when Tom Holland is the right age to retire from the role, I should be at the right age to step in!'
The dangerous trend of Ukraine returning to times of politically motivated persecution may call into question the progress achieved by Ukraine over the past five years.

This issue was discussed at a meeting between former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine Marius Janukonis.

"I informed [Janukonis] about the persecution by law enforcement agencies of European Solidarity MP Sofiya Fedyna for expressing her own opinion. He emphasized that this situation is absolutely unacceptable," Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook page following the meeting.

During the meeting, Poroshenko and Janukonis discussed the strategies of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine and the holding of the regular Ukraine Reform Conference this July at Lithuania's initiative.

"I was impressed by the ambassador's excellent knowledge of the Ukrainian language. I thank Marius Janukonis for a constructive conversation, as well as for his strong support for Ukraine, which has always been demonstrated by both Lithuania and Ambassador Janukonis personally," Poroshenko said.

Fedyna, a member of the European Solidarity party, was served with a suspicion notice at the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) on February 12.

In late November 2019, investigators of the SBI's central office sent to the Office of the Prosecutor General for approval a draft notice of suspicion in "threatening to kill the President of Ukraine" to MP Fedyna and volunteer Marusya Zvirobiy. They are defendants in criminal proceedings launched on the basis of their remarks made against President Volodymyr Zelensky on October 26, 2019.

On February 6, an SBI investigator handed over a suspicion notice to volunteer Marusya Zvirobiy (Olena Bilenka) and submitted a petition to court to choose the measure of restraint for her in the form of personal recognizance. Zvirobiy is charged with violation of Part 1 of Article 346 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (threat or violence against a state or public figure).

op
TOKYO  For a moment on Thursday, John and Carol Montgomery thought they might be departing early from the cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, where new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed almost daily.

Japans health minister said a few categories of passengers could spend the remainder of the two-week quarantine ashore. The Montgomerys thought they qualified because they share a cabin without windows or a balcony and Mr. Montgomery, 68, has diabetes.

Their hopes were quickly dashed. The health ministers statement, it turned out, had been ambiguous. The captain of the vessel, the Diamond Princess, announced narrower criteria for offshore quarantine: passengers 80 or older with underlying medical conditions or windowless cabins.

Looks like were not going anywhere, said Ms. Montgomery, 67.

The misunderstanding punctuated what critics call Japans bungled communications during the crisis, reinforcing how the nation has been vexed by an epidemiological challenge that grows each day. With more and more of the Diamond Princess 3,400 anxious passengers and crew getting sick  possibly infecting one another  health officials have even raised the possibility of prolonging the quarantine, now set to expire next Wednesday.
Women will no longer have to travel to the doctor to get their contraceptive pill after a company launched Australia's first ever delivery system.

Kin Fertility is now allowing Aussie women to order their next pill subscription over text and have it arrive within three days.

The revolutionary process will save the 1.6 million Australians who use the pill the tedious doctor visit that's needed as often as every three to six months.

Founder of Kin Fertility, Nicole Liu, said she had struggled with polycystic ovary syndrome and was determined to erase the stigma around fertility and contraception.

Kin Fertility is now allowing Aussie women to order their next pill subscription over text and have it arrive within three days

'What we're really trying to do is empower women to be in control of their bodies,' Ms Liu told Daily Mail Australia.

'I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and told I may be infertile and that raised a lot of questions for me.

'We started Kin Fertility so women could get better information about health and reproduction.

HOW IT WORKS Australian women will complete a 40 question assessment online This will be assessed by health professionals If a women is deemed safe to use the pill she can have it delivered to her door in one to three business days Women will pay an annual membership fee of $55 as well as the price of the specific pill they are on The pill will arrive two weeks before their script is due to run out Advertisement

'There's so much stigma around fertility. It's not really talked about unless something goes wrong. We wanted to create a place where that stigma is gone,' she said.

The process to having the pill delivered to the door is as easy as three steps.

The first step is for women to fill out an online health questionnaire with 40 questions that doctors at Kin Fertility will assess.

The doctors review the information and have a consultation with the patient over text message to discuss any issues.

If the doctors deem it safe for the woman to be on the pill they can have their contraception delivered in one to three business days.

Customers will pay a $55 annual membership fee as well as the cost of the pill subscription.

Founder Nicole Liu (pictured) said it was a way to empower women to take control of their own health

'The membership fee covers multiple doctor consults across the year so anytime you have any side affects or if you feel like changing the pill you can speak to a doctor,' Ms Liu said.

These consults are all over text.

The pill will be shipped out two weeks before a woman's subscription is expected to finish and they will be alerted over text every time the date is approaching.

Kin Fertility launched the delivery system on Wednesday and have been trialing it for two weeks.

She said the response has been overwhelming from women who often 'didn't have time' to visit the doctor to fulfill their script.

Customers pay an annual membership fee of $55 as well as the price for the pill and can discuss any issues with their doctor over the phone

Sometimes these women would go months without contraception.

'The response has been awesome. A lot of people are like it's about time people focus on something for women and women's issues,' Ms Liu said.

'Some people have even said that it's better than any other in-person consult they've done.

'We've also gotten a lot of feedback from people living in rural areas who have to wait weeks at a time to get the pill.'

Since launching the service, Kin Fertility has 100 customers and plans to continue to grow their company for women's health.

'I'm personally excited to be a part of this woman's movement,' Ms Liu said.

The service offers 35 brands of the pill.
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Plans for a new highway in Russia's capital have led to protests. Locals say the project cuts straight through an industrial site contaminated with radioactive waste. A state-owned company has blamed high radioactive readings in the area on faulty equipment.
Hours after the Balakot air strike of February 26 last year, the then foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale read out a brief statement that implicitly marked a far-reaching doctrinal shift in the way India would handle Pakistan-sponsored terror in future. Many aspects of the sequence of events that began with the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14, exactly one year ago, and concluded with Pakistan returning Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on March 1 have attracted considerable attention; the doctrine though has not.

The statement asserted inter alia, Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. In the face of imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary. Earlier, the statement had noted that Pakistan had always denied the existence of terrorist training camps, despite information being provided, and that Pakistan had not taken action to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil. The obvious implication was that if Pakistan did not take action, India would do so to protect its people. That can only be accomplished through pre-emptive action.

The foreign secretarys statement marked a dramatic departure both from the policy followed by successive Indian governments prior to the surgical strikes after Uri in 2016, but also to what those strikes represented. They were retributive  as distinct from being directly pre-emptive  and carried the expectation that Pakistan would draw the right lesson: That the era of making the use of terror as part of its security doctrine against India was over. Clearly, that lesson was not learnt; hence, Pulwama.

Prior to the surgical strikes, India followed a policy of hardening defences to prevent terrorist attacks and diplomatic responses whenever they did take place and led to large loss of life. The objective was to bring such international pressure to bear on Pakistan that it was left with no alternative but to abandon the use of terror. This never happened. Why?

The interest of the major powers lay in preventing an escalation of India-Pakistan tensions and armed hostilities, not in avoiding the loss of Indian lives. This is the harsh reality of international relations where States act to safeguard and promote their interests and not out of altruism. Thus, India was applauded for its responsible and wise conduct, while Pakistan only, if at all, gently rapped on the knuckles.

The fact is that India pursued the diplomatic path in dealing with Pakistani terror, because it did not, certainly from after the late 1990s, consider it as a strategic threat. It did so obviously because of the thinking that Pakistan could not wrest Jammu and Kashmir out of the Union. In relegating the threat, Indian political and strategic classes ignored the political, economic and social costs that Pakistani terror was really extracting. The pre-emption doctrine has put not only Pakistan on notice, but also signalled to the world that India is no longer willing to bear these costs.

The Balakot action has posed a very serious challenge, especially in doctrinal terms, to Pakistans pursuit of terrorism for that relied on the shield provided by nuclear weapons. For decades, it had sought to prevent kinetic Indian action by putting forth the argument that such action would set in motion a dangerous escalation between the two nuclear-armed countries. Pakistan had assiduously pushed that viewpoint to the international community, whose first interest naturally was to prevent such escalation between two nuclear countries.

That point is again being made by members of the Pakistani security community. Recently, Lieutenant General (retd) Khalid Kidwai, the chief ideologue on strategic issues of the Pakistani army brotherhood, told an audience in London that Pakistans doctrine was quid pro quo plus, as demonstrated through its counter to the Balakot strike. He stressed that Pakistan would always respond with greater force to any Indian attack. He underlined that Indian kinetic action would be irresponsible and escalatory. Kidwais comments were laced with the current usual Pakistani invective against India and particularly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Not surprisingly, what was missing from Kidwais statement was a reference to Pakistans reliance on terror as a part of its security doctrine and its role in provoking India in an attempt to keep it on the defensive. The point that the government and Indias security community need to vigorously make on the anniversary of Pulwama and Balakot is that terrorism, and not the Indian response to it, is the first step on the escalatory ladder.

As India marks the anniversary of the sacrifice of the Pulwama martyrs, it is necessary for the government and the political class to reiterate the pre-emption doctrine in clear terms so that the global players take note that the only sure way to prevent the dangers of escalation is to ensure that Pakistan changes stance on terrorism, for India is no longer willing to accept loss of innocent lives and other costs.

Vivek Katju is a former diplomat

The views expressed are personal
by Purushottam Nayak

Participants observed a minute's silence. The Marian shrine, which is located in the Diocese of Berhampur (Odisha), draws the faithful of all religions. The only source of true happiness is the Lord, says the local bishop.

Berhampur (AsiaNews)  More than 200,000 pilgrims, both Christian and Hindu, came from across Odisha (Orissa) to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes at the shrine dedicated to her in Dantoling, Diocese of Berhampur.

At the opening of the ceremony, on Tuesday, participants observed a minute of silence for the victims of the coronavirus outbreak.

Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur led a thanksgiving Mass; at least 60 priests and 65 nuns attended the service.

In his homily, the prelate quoted the Gospel of John where Christ says: I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (15:11).

Thus, him, The only source of true happiness is the Lord. All of the things you receive in your life that give you happiness are because you believe in God. We truly long for God for that joy in life.

Catholics are not alone in loving the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Momata Nayak and Bisikeson Nayak, a Hindu couple, took part in the celebration. We received a son after eight years of marriage only through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes of Dantoling, they said.

Meghanjali Majhi, a high school student, was also present. on 11 February, World Sick Day I came to pray for the good health of my mother, brother, sisters and relatives, she said. I have great faith and trust in the Lord through Mother Mary, she added. I have come to seek wisdom and knowledge to succeed in my studies.

According to Fr Sanjeev Kumar Nayak, vicar general of the diocese, "the huge assembly of pilgrims is the sign of the great faith in Jesus Christ through the mediation of Mother Mary.

The local pastor, Fr Sanjeev Biro, said that he was very proud of the people of all faiths who have great respect and reverence for Our Lady. The faithful ask for her help and intercession every day of the year.

Every year, the Marian shrine draws thousands of people of all faiths, who find consolation in prayer, and claim to have benefitted from miracles that have healed their mind and body.

in India millions of people have died over the past few centuries from drought. In Odisha, the worse crisis came in 1866 with an outbreak of cholera and smallpox.

The first to respond to the disaster were the French missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales, who picked up the sick, as well as orphans or abandoned children and brought them to the orphanage at the Surada mission.

In Dantoling, the first Christian settlement dates back to the mid-1800s with some 260 families.

The shrine was built in 1917 in gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. People from all religious backgrounds wanted to thank Our Lady for her protection in times of pestilence and famine.
A visit by Nadella would be in the midst of the government taking a tougher stance against foreign technology firms competing in domestic market by drafting laws aimed at more tightly-controlled cross-border data flows.

Bengaluru: Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is planning to visit India later this month, multiple sources familiar with the plans told Reuters, a test for the Indian-born head who recently criticised Indian immigration policy.

India is a major market for Microsoft and other technology companies. Hyderabad, where Nadella grew up, is home to Microsofts biggest research and development center outside the United States.

Nadella is planning to be in India between 24 and 26 February will likely visit New Delhi, tech hub Bengaluru and the financial capital of Mumbai, two people familiar with the plans said.

He is also likely to meet senior Indian industry leaders during his visit, the sources said. The sources did not want to be identified because the company is yet to make a public announcement.

Microsoft declined to comment when asked about a visit. We dont have anything to share at the moment, a company spokeswoman said.

Microsoft also is trying to arrange for Nadella to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the sources added, although the meeting has yet to be confirmed. The Prime Ministers office did not respond to requests for comment.

Nadella last month stoked controversy in India when he was quoted by Buzzfeed as saying here a new law implemented by Modi's government that eases the path to citizenship for non-Muslims in nearby nations was "just bad".

His comments drew sharp criticism from Modis ruling party. Microsoft issued a statement later quoting Nadella as saying that every country has the right to protect and define its borders.

A visit by Nadella would be in the midst of the government taking a tougher stance against foreign technology companies competing in the domestic market by drafting laws aimed at more tightly-controlled cross-border data flows.

The visit would also be a month after Amazon.com Inc CEO Jeff Bezos made a trip to the country and was snubbed by senior members of the government.

India has taken a hard stance against the US e-commerce sector, with Amazon and Walmarts Flipkart facing an antitrust probe and criticism from brick-and-mortar traders against their business practices.

When Bezos visited India last month and announced a new $1 billion investment, Indias trade minister brushed him off by saying Amazon was doing no great favor to India. Modi also did not meet Bezos despite repeated requests by the company.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: Indian-origin American politician Sara Gideon has raised USD 7.6 million in her bid to enter the US Senate from the state of Maine. Gideon (48), daughter of an Indian-American father, is currently the Speaker of the Maine State Assembly.

She hopes to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November Congressional elections. Incumbent Collins has raised more than USD 10.9 million in this election cycle. Gideon's campaign said that she has raised USD 3.5 million in the last quarters ending on December 31, taking her total to USD 7.6 million.

While Collins leads in the fundraising efforts, Gideon in the last quarter raised more money than the incumbent Republicans.

Gideon, whose mother is from Armenia, announced to run for the US Senate in June last year. "Over the past seven months, we've built a strong grassroots movement travelling to every corner of the state, holding 'Suppers with Sara' and talking to Mainers about the challenges they face," Gideon said in a recent statement.

"Washington is broken - it's too responsive to special interests and that's why I'm not accepting any corporate PAC money in this race," she said.

In the Democratic primary, she is contesting against lobbyist Betsy Sweet of Hallowell, former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse and defence attorney Bre Kidman of Saco. A graduate from the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, Gideon served as an intern for US Senator Claiborne Pell.

She was first elected to the Maine House in 2012. In 2014, she was chosen as the Assistant Majority Leader of the Maine House of Representatives. In 2016, she was elected by her colleagues to serve as the Speaker.

Launching her campaign in June last year, Gideon said she is running for Senate to make a difference. "At one point, maybe Senator Collins was different but she doesn't seem that way anymore: taking over a million dollars from drug companies and the insurance industry and voting to put Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court," she said.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has endorsed her. According to India Abroad newspaper, Gideon's father immigrated from India and worked as a pediatrician in Rhode Island, where Gideon, the youngest of four children, grew up.

She moved to Maine after meeting her husband Ben Gideon, a personal injury trial lawyer with the firm of Berman and Simons.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by PennLive/The Patriot-News, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter.

Story by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
Kate Middleton wears Catherine Zoraida Gold Fern Drop earrings on her UK tour, but we have found a more affordable version. (Getty images)

Yahoo Lifestyle is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

The Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise visit to The Ark Open Farm in Northern Ireland yesterday.

The 38-year-old royal dressed down for the occasion, wearing a Barbour jacket, John Lewis jumper and Penelope Chilvers boots.

But it was the mum-of-threes gold leaf earrings that proved to be a hit with social media users.

Duchess Catherine visited The Ark Open Farm in Northern Ireland yesterday wearing the Catherine Zoraida earrings. (Getty images)

Buy it: Gold Fern Drop Earrings | 165 from Catherine Zoraida

One fan tweeted: Stunning earrings, while another gushed: beautiful.

Duchess Catherines highly coveted earrings are from British-based boutique label Catherine Zoraida, a brand loved by celebrities including American supermodel Gigi Hadid and actor Emma Watson.

The Gold Fern Drop Earrings are made from 18ct gold-plated silver, and cost 165.

However, at 165 theyre likely out of the price range of most.

Fortunately, M&S is selling a similar pair of earrings, which are very similar to Duchess Catherines.

The longstanding high street retailer has created a pair of drop down leaf earrings, which also have fish hook fasteners similar to Kates earrings.

Buy it: Gold Leaf Earrings | 5 from M&S

The M&S design, which is from their Skin Kind range, is made from mixed materials so they are ideal for people with sensitive skin looking for hypoallergenic jewellery.

The best part of the purchase is the price tag.

The M&S leaf earrings will only set you back 5, which is a fraction of Kates purchase.

Later in the day Kate visited the Social Bite cafe in Scotland. (Getty images)

The royal changed for a visit to the Social Bite cafe in Aberdeen, Scotland, she swapped her Barbour jacket for an ice blue tailored coat.

The visit was part of the Duchess UK tour to promote her current early years survey, titled Five Big Questions.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Style UK
Venezuela asks court to investigate U.S. over sanctions: Venezuela has asked the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate U.S. officials for what it called crimes against humanity resulting from sanctions imposed by Washington, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said. However, the filing in The Hague by Caracas against its political rival does not automatically lead to an investigation, and the ICC does not hear cases between states. The United States has targeted Caracas with sanctions and, like dozens of other countries, recognizes opposition politician Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate interim leader.
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GlobalSCAPE, Inc. (NYSE American: GSB), a worldwide leader in the secure movement and integration of data, today announced it has been named one of the 2020 Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The awards program is an employee survey project of Texas Monthly, the Texas Association of Business (TAB), The Texas Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Best Companies Group. The 2020 Best Companies to Work for in Texas list is made up of 100 companies, and this is the eighth time GlobalSCAPE has been named in the prestigious list.

"It is an honor to be repeatedly recognized as one of Texas' best places to work," said Mark Hood, Chief Operating Officer at GlobalSCAPE. "We have worked hard to build a high-performance culture dedicated to client success and our operating results over the past year reflect this focus. This award is a testimony to the men and women at GlobalSCAPE, a team committed to providing clients unmatched data transfer solutions that make business flow brilliantly."

GlobalSCAPE offers innovative employee programs, excellent benefits and competitive compensation to retain top talent. Standard perks such as training, individual development programs and tuition reimbursement are just a few ways that GlobalSCAPE emphasizes its commitment to professional growth and company culture.

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, GlobalSCAPE enables companies to increase business agility by unleashing the power of data. From line-of-business stakeholders struggling to connect multiple cloud applications, to IT professionals tasked with integrating partner data into homegrown or legacy systems, GlobalSCAPE flexibly provides cloud services known for automating workloads, securing data, and integrating multiple applications, all while enhancing visibility to those who need it.

GlobalSCAPE has also been previously named a top workplace by Computerworld, the San Antonio Business Journal and the San Antonio Express-News, among others. Last year, GlobalSCAPE was named one of the "Top 30 Most Valuable Companies to Watch in 2019" by CIO Bulletin.

For more information on GlobalSCAPE's solutions, contact us here.

For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in Texas program, visit www.BestCompaniesTX.com.

About GlobalSCAPE

GlobalSCAPE, Inc. (NYSE American: GSB) is a pioneer in securing and automating the movement and integration of data seamlessly in, around and outside your business, between applications, people and places, in and out of the cloud. GlobalSCAPE provides cloud services that automate your work, secure your data, and integrate your applications  while giving visibility to those who need it. GlobalSCAPE makes business flow brilliantly. Visit www.globalscape.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words "would," "exceed," "should," "anticipates," "believe," "expect," and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause the actual results of the operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the overall level of consumer spending on our products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; the Company's ability to protect patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights; any breaches of, or interruptions in, our information systems; legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets; the results of our reduction in force; the discovery of additional information relevant to the internal investigation; the possibility that additional errors relevant to the recently completed restatement may be identified; pending litigation and other proceedings and the possibility of further legal proceedings adverse to the Company resulting from the restatement or related matters; the costs associated with the restatement and the investigation, pending litigation and other proceedings and possible future legal proceedings; and our decreased "public float" (the number of shares owned by non-affiliate stockholders and available for trading in the securities markets) as a result of share repurchases. More information on potential risks and other factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date hereof.

GlobalSCAPE Investor Relations Contact:

[email protected]

GlobalSCAPE Public Relations Contact:

Zintel Public Relations

Matthew Zintel

[email protected]

SOURCE GlobalSCAPE, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.globalscape.com


As China continues its crackdown on ethnic minorities, including Uighur Muslims, as many as a million people have been detained in internment camps over three years. Paul Mozur, a technology reporter for The New York Times based in Shanghai, has been covering the Chinese governments campaign of surveillance and coercion on The Daily podcast.

Listen to the coverage through the links to each episode below.
Private sector lender Yes Bank has delayed the announcement of its third quarter (October to December) results of current financial year on the ground of fund-raising exercise which is currently underway.

The bank has received non-binding expressions of interest from several prominent investors including JC Flowers and Compamy LLC, Tilden Park Capital Management LP, OHA (UK) LLP (part of Oak Hill Advisors) and Silver Point Capital.

Reports said JC Flowers, a private equity fund specialising in turnaround of financial firms around the world, is leading a consortium that plans to invest as much as two billion dollars (about Rs 14,250 crore) in Yes Bank.

The bank said its management is deeply engaged with the exercise which includes extensive work with investment bankers, legal and accounting advisors, investors and independent vendors for legal due diligence commissioned for investors.

"Given that the current capital raising process has the bank's fullest attention, it would like to inform the exchanges that it will publish its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine month period ending December 31, 2019 on or before March 14, 2020," it said in regulatory filings at stock exchanges.

This exceeds the 45 day period from the end of the relevant quarter as stipulated under Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015, it added.

"While we will keep the exchanges apprised of progress with respect to capital raising, in themeantime, we request you to kindly take note of our decision to announce our quarterlyfinancial results for Q3 FY 2019-20 on or before March 14," said the bank.

For the second quarter of current fiscal year ending September (Q2 FY20), Yes Bank had Friday reported a whopping loss of Rs 600 crore due to a one-off deferred tax asset (DTA) adjustment of Rs 709 crore on account of change in corporate tax rate regime.

The bank's financials came under scrutiny last year due to burgeoning bad loans and management uncertainty after the Reserve Bank of India declined to extend the term of founder Rana Kapoor as the chief executive in 2018.

Under the new Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill, the bank has managed to raise one round of funds through share sale to institutional investors so far.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Heavy rains are pummeling the South, leading to flooding across the region, including the Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio river valleys. The American Red Cross urges people who may be impacted to follow these safety steps.

Right Before a Flood

Know the difference between a watch and warning. A watch means that a flood or flash flood is possible in your area, while a warning means that flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

Be prepared to evacuate quickly if directed and know your routes and destinations. If someone needs to find a shelter they can visit redcross.org/shelter.

Check emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply. Keep it nearby.

During a Flood

Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground. Evacuate if directed. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.

Indoor Safety

Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.

Boil tap water until supplies have been declared safe.

Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage.

Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

Dont use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded until after they have been checked for safety.

Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water.

Outdoor Safety

Avoid already flooded areas and areas that are subject to sudden flooding such as dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc. Stay away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains.

The National Weather Service reports that nearly half of all flood fatalities are vehicle related. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams or water covered roads.

If caught in a flash flood, try to get to higher ground and stay there. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.

Turn around and find another route if you come upon floodwater, rapidly rising water or barricades.

Dont allow children to play in or near flood water. It may be contaminated with sewage.

After a Flood

If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.

More information is available here.

DOWNLOAD APPS People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for their area and where loved ones live. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.
ST. MAARTEN/CHICAGO:--- Award-winning Caribbean comedian, Onicia Muller, celebrates the third anniversary of her weekly humor column, 'Just Being Funny' this month.

'Just Being Funny' (JBF), which is best described as chicken soup for the naive skeptics soul debuted on February 11, 2017, in The Daily Heralds WEEKender. Each entry is a wild ride with hilarious quotables and pop culture references.

This is Mullers second long-running column for the newspaper. She says she is determined to keep JBF fresh and in circulation for at least five years. If the people continue to love it, Ill tap into my inner Tyler Perry and make Black history by running it for a really long time.

According to Suzette Martinez Standring, a past president of The National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC), 34% of columns run for less than five years. The average column lifespan is seven years.

I was about six months into JBF when I realized I could run out of high-action adventures. So, I decided to switch gears by highlighting my observations and silly thoughts. Mullers comedy speaks to politically-active Millennials and Gen-Xers who identify as both righteous and ratchet.

Should her humor column run for seven years, Muller has to write 364 entries.Im not afraid of running out of ideas now that my storytelling and comedy skills are more fine-tuned. Its easy to write 500 words on everyday misadventures like waxing my upper lip, hugging hobos, or fighting a Jamaican school girl for a library book.
Ireland's largest party Fianna Fail has said it will try to form a government with anyone except Mary Lou McDonald's nationalist Sinn Fein.

Party leader Micheal Martin told a meeting of his TDs (MPs) today that they could not seek a deal with the socialists because of the damage they would do to the country.

A source from the centre-right party told the Irish Independent there was 'pretty unanimous support' for Mr Martin's decision.

Mr Martin made note of Waterford Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane's shout of 'up the Ra (IRA)' at a party bash after last weekend's election success. 'The mask slipped,' Mr Martin told his colleagues and revealed why Sinn Fein are not fit for office.

Sinn Fein Leader, Mary Lou McDonald speaks to the media as the newest members of the Sinn Fein Parliamentary Party meet for the first time at Leinster House in Dublin. Ms McDonald told reporters today it would be 'very, very tricky to construct such a government'

Leader of Ireland's Fianna Fail party, Michael Martin, told a meeting of his TDs today that they would seek to form a government with anyone except Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and the centre-right Fine Gael Party of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar each secured just under a quarter of the seats in the election, meaning it will be hard to form a government unless at least two of the three cooperate.

Mr Varadkar's party, which has 35 seats in the 160-seat parliament, has already ruled out a deal with Sinn Fein, which is on 37. Fianna Fail has 38 seats.

Sinn Fein on Thursday effectively admitted it could not enter power without one of the two large parties, with Ms McDonald telling reporters it would be 'very, very tricky to construct such a government.'

Fianna Fail's rejection of Ms McDonald's party raises the chances of Ireland being forced to go to the polls again in the coming months, a development analyst have said could further boost Sinn Fein, whose support surged 50% in last weekend's election in part due to anger at a housing crisis.

Senior Fianna Fail lawmaker Niall Collins told Reuters after today's meeting: 'We gave the party leader licence to speak to whoever he needs to speak to, with the exception of a Sinn Fein.'

'The party is fully behind the position', he added.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have long shunned Sinn Fein, citing policy differences and the party's historic links to the IRA, which fought British rule in Northern Ireland for decades in a conflict in which some 3,600 people were killed before a 1998 peace deal.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's party has35 seats in the 160-seat parliament, behind Sinn Fein which has 37 and Fianna Fail which has 38

Both parties are also opposed to Sinn Fein's high-spending promises, its pledge to scrap property tax and plans to hike income taxes on high earners they say would discourage foreign multinationals that employ one-in-ten Irish workers.

Surveys showed that voters rejected the traditional parties over the campaign issues of healthcare and the high cost and low availability of housing, won over by Sinn Fein's high-spending promises and a pledge to freeze residential rents.

Asked what the most likeliest government was now, Mr Collins said 'who knows, it may not be possible' to form a government.

Asked if Fianna Fail would talk to Fine Gael about the formation of a government, Mr Collins said, 'That wasn't really discussed.'

One source told The Independent: 'The general consensus is Sinn Fein out, out, out and we've given a mandate to our leader to enter into talks with other parties, particularly the Greens and Social Democrats.

'There was no appetite to go in with Fine Gael ... He's got a mandate. There's no rush.'

Some Fianna Fail lawmakers suggested the party could lead a minority government similar to the previous administration Mr Varadkar led via a co-operation deal with Fianna Fail, then the main opposition party.

But Foreign Minister Simon Coveney of Fine Gael repeated his personal view that another minority government was not a good idea after both parties suffered in the election.

Another such arrangement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would allow Sinn Fein to continue to build in opposition, Coveney told national broadcaster RTE.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vandegrift High School Band and Vision Dance Company conducted its 2019 fundraiser generating a record-breaking $103,053 for student activities exceeding a $65,000 campaign goal. The successful fundraiser was powered by Fund-Team.com, a leading email fundraising solution.

See how Fund-Team.com easily helps teams exceed their fundraising targets Fund-Team.com: The Email Fundraiser for Teams Vandegrift Band & Vision Dance Company

"This has been our most successful fundraiser to date, providing our students with resources for new gear and enabling them to travel," said Mike Howard, Head Band Director at Vandegrift High School. "The students and donors found Fund-Team.com easy to use and the results speak for themselves. We couldn't be more pleased."

The 400-member team of the Vandegrift Band and Vision Dance Company, recently named Bands of America 2019 Grand Champion, conducts annual fundraisers to offset their numerous expenses including props, travel, music and choreography. This year there were additional expenses associated with the team's travel to Indianapolis for the BOA Grand Nationals finals.

"We were delighted to help the Vandegrift Band and Vision Dance Company exceed their fundraising goals," said Mike Panoff, CEO of Fund-Team.com and a local resident. "Unlike other sales-based fundraising methods, more than 92% of the raised funds are delivered to the team."

In today's busy world, many organizations such as the award-winning Vandegrift Band and Vision Dance Company are moving away from traditional fundraisers where members sell products to family, friends and neighbors. Door-to-door sales are time-consuming, can be dangerous, and sales often need to be local for delivery purposes. Online fundraising is easy, effective and presents an attractive alternative for busy teams.

Congratulations to the Vandegrift Band and Vision Dance Company named Bands of America 2019 Grand Champion, and on their successful fundraising campaign in support of their outstanding performances.

Fund-Team.com is the leading email fundraising platform for teams, schools, clubs and organizations. With unlimited geographic reach, Fund-Team.com is an easy and effective fundraising solution. Using the power of the Internet, Fund-Team.com generates personalized emails that are sent to each team member's family and friends who donate online. Unlike product-based fundraising methods, teams using Fund-Team.com receive more than 92% of all funds raised. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 512-522-1338.

Inquiries and Media Contact:

Mike Panoff

512-522-1338

[email protected]

https://www.fund-team.com/s/G2B78K586

SOURCE Fund-Team.com
San Antonio Rep. Joaquin Castro said Thursday that federal authorities have been working well in collaboration to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected tens of thousands of people across the globe, though mostly in China.

The 15th confirmed case in the U.S.  and the first in Texas  surfaced Thursday after Centers for Disease Control officials announced that a patient under quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio tested positive for the virus. That afternoon, authorities announced the patient had been moved to Methodist Texsan on the Northwest Side.

Castro, on a conference call with reporters, said although he was not informed ahead of time about the use of the base as a quarantine site for about 250 travelers from China, he has since been in touch with CDC and local officials on a daily basis.

In terms of how theyve conducted their work since then, I think theyre doing a very good job, Castro said.

For subscribers: CDC: Patient under quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has coronavirus

Castro said his staff has been working to ensure that protocols are in place to prevent hospital workers and others in contact with the patient from getting sick.

My job as congressman for San Antonio is to make sure the people of San Antonio are safe and protected, Castro said, adding about the CDC, Health and Human Services Department and Department of Defense: Ive been confident in their work so far.

He emphasized that it will be important for the CDC to have a strong and robust budget going forward to combat this growing problem and said he will ensure that local officials are reimbursed for the care they are providing.

The most urgent thing is the care of that person and also making sure that everything is well in the community, he said.

Note: This story has been updated to include new information about the location of the patient who tested positive for coronavirus.
Mumbai, Feb 13 : In the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, sales of smartphones in China may decline 20 per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to an estimate by Counterpoint Research on Thursday.

While companies like Huawei, OPPO and Vivo could suffer the most due to this decline, the impact may be limited on smartphone makers like Xiaomi, OnePlus and Realme "as they are more online-centric and overseas-focused".

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which originated in China's Wuhan area in December 2019 has impacted social and production activities in the country.

To curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the Chinese government issued a strict travel ban on January 24 following which retail and commerce activities slowed sharply, Counterpoint said.

"Demand-wise, we see the market getting impacted severely. We estimate more than a 50 per cent YoY (year-onyear) decline in offline smartphone sales during the lock-down period. Therefore, we have lowered our sales forecast 20 per cent for Q1," Brady Wang, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, said in a statment.

"The situation may worsen and we may lower our forecast even more depending on the February sales. The plummet in Q1 is likely to generate a surge in channel inventories and further influence shipments and new products launches through Q2," Wang said.

The coronavirus outbreak has led to the death of over 1,300 people in China.

"Huawei group is likely to suffer as China has accounted for over 60 per cent of its total smartphones sales. OPPO and Vivo will also be impacted because of their greater reliance on offline sales channels. The influence on sales of Xiaomi, OnePlus and Realme will likely be less severe as they are more online-centric and overseas-focused," Flora Tang, Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, said.

As Apple announced a shutdown of its offline stores across China until February 15, the company could face a sales loss of about one million units of iPhones.

"Apple's new product development plans will also be affected as engineers from the USA and Taiwan cannot travel to China. The iPhone SE2 set for a late March launch is likely to have troubles in ramping up volume due to the insufficient labour force in Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory," Mengmeng Zhang, Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, added.
The World Bank has offered solutions for Vietnam to prevent a recurrence of its grid capacity shortage caused by indiscriminate licensing of solar plants.

Last year 91 solar farms with a total capacity of 4,550 MW began operations. Most were built before June 30 to take advantage of a price incentive.

But the surge in output overloaded the national grid, underlining the need for an upgrade to the transmission infrastructure.

So far solar plants with a total capacity of 25,000 MW have been licensed, far exceeding the governments target of 4,000 MW by 2025.

To prevent a similar bottleneck in future, the World Bank suggested two options in a report it released on Wednesday.

One is for the government to identify substations with available grid capacity and invite bids for new solar plants to optimize the use of existing capacity.

One admitted downside of this proposal is that if the number of substations is not large enough there could be major competition for land around existing ones, which would drive prices up.

The scheme has been successfully deployed in Mexico, and a variation is used in Germany.

The second proposal is to set up a dedicated site for solar projects and acquire land and build basic infrastructure such as roads before inviting bids, though this means the government needs to spend upfront.

This method has been adopted in India and Morocco.

The World Bank will offer technical and financial support to deploy these schemes this year, with pilot tenders of 500 MW planned for each.

It said they could increase Vietnams solar capacity from 4.5 GW to dozens of GW in 10 years while generating up to 25,000 new jobs.

Hoang Tien Dung, general director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, voiced support for the proposals.

"The World Banks support to the governments effort in shifting from a feed-in tariff (FIT) policy to a competitive bidding mechanism for solar power could be applied to other types of renewable energy in future."

Vietnam is considering moving from an incentive FIT policy to competitive bidding for solar plants.
Flagging presidential hopeful Joe Biden tried to reassure his supporters over the phone last night, telling them 'I'll be damned if we're gonna lose this nomination to Donald Trump.'

The former Vice President was outstripped in Iowa last week and then again in New Hampshire this week where he came fourth and fifth respectively, as Bernie Sanders became the favorite to win the Democratic Primaries.

Biden ducked out of the state on an early bus as his competitors lapped up their successes and now faces spooked donors looking to throw their cash behind another runner.

'It wasn't expected that he would perform great in Iowa or New Hampshire. But we did not anticipate that he would fare this poorly. It was a significant decline,' one New York finance beast told the New York Post.

Biden meanwhile made a 13 minute phone call on Wednesday evening saying 'there's been no drop off in our endorsers.' It was not made clear by Politico who Biden was speaking to, but it appears to be to a group of supporters rather than an individual.

According to a recording of the call obtained by Politico, the former Vice President said: 'I'll be damned if we're gonna lose this nomination, particularly if we're gonna lose this nomination and end up losing an election to Donald Trump' (pictured: in Columbia, South Carolina on Tuesday)

Bernie Sanders, 78, lapped up his victory in New Hampshire as he cruised to become the favorite

The latest odds on Paddy Power have Sanders priced at 13/8, Michael Bloomberg 9/4, Pete Buttigieg is 5/1 and Biden is flagging a few lengths back on 9/1

According to a recording of the call obtained by Politico, the former VP said: 'I'll be damned if we're gonna lose this nomination, particularly if we're gonna lose this nomination and end up losing an election to Donald Trump.'

NEW HAMPSHIRE RESULT 1. Bernie Sanders (nine delegates) 2. Pete Buttigieg (nine delegates) 3. Amy Klobuchar (six delegates) 4. Elizabeth Warren (no delegates) 5. Joe Biden (no delegates) 6. Tom Steyer (no delegates) 7. Tulsi Gabbard (no delegates) 8. Andrew Yang - dropped out 9. Write-ins 10. Deval Patrick - dropped out Advertisement

He added that he 'feels really good' and was not attempting to 'sugarcoat' the situation. The situation being that Biden is now the 9/1 outsider to be the nominee, Sanders has steamed well ahead and Buttigieg lies between them in the field.

But Biden has pointed to his staying power in the South, saying on the call: 'I think it's going to be fairly hard for people like [Pete] Buttigieg to go South. I think it's going to be awful hard for Amy [Klobuchar]  and they're good people  to go South.'

Indeed two days ago in Columbia he told a campaign rally: 'I've said many times you can't be the Democratic nominee and you can't win a general election as a Democrat unless you have overwhelming support from black and brown voters.'

In Iowa and New Hampshire white Democrats form the majority, whereas in South Carolina they make up two-thirds of the Democratic vote.

'I know this is going to be the fight of my life,' Biden told about 200 enthusiastic supporters gathered near the South Carolina Capitol.

'We just heard from the first two of 50 states. Two of them,' Biden said. 'Thats the opening bell, not the closing bell.'

Still, there is little Democratic precedent for the kind of comeback Biden is trying to pull off. Since 1992, no Democrat has claimed the nomination in the modern primary system without winning either Iowa or New Hampshire.

Biden's campaign had said for months they didn't have to win either state, but that strategy didn't necessarily consider finishing so far off the pace. In recent days, Biden's donor base has since grown nervous, raising questions about his financial viability if he doesn't rebound quickly.

Biden boarded a private jet in Manchester on Tuesday evening - even before New Hampshire primary polls closed - ending an eight-day whirlwind that saw the former vice president go from a national front-runner for the nomination to a battered underdog.

He finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses, and with votes still being tabulated in New Hampshire, Biden was vying for fourth alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Each was at risk of finishing without winning any delegates out of the nations first primary.

The former vice president has said he would do better in more diverse states, claiming he has the most support from the black community than any other candidate

In his remarks Tuesday night, Biden praised Iowas and New Hampshires opening roles, but argued that 99.9% of African Americans and 99.8% of Latinos havent yet had the opportunity to cast Democratic primary ballots.

'Do not let anyone take this election away from you,' he said in a speech that touted his deep political ties to South Carolina and to the black community.

Biden mentioned his relationship with South Carolinas lone Democratic congressman, Jim Clyburn, the highest ranking black lawmaker on Capitol Hill. He noted his service as President Barack Obamas top lieutenant. He recalled meeting South African leader Nelson Mandela. And he promised black Americans a seat at the table in the Oval Office.

'Too often your loyalty, your commitment, your support for this party has been taken for granted,' he said. 'I give you my word as a Biden that I never, ever, ever will.'

Biden was introduced by his campaign co-chairman, Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Richmond recalled for the crowd the first question he asked himself when deciding who to support: 'Who do I trust?'

South Carolina has been a springboard for the nominee before. Four years ago, Hillary Clinton and Sanders battled to a draw in Iowa and Sanders beat her in New Hampshire, prompting a round of hand-wringing from some party leaders and national media. Clinton went on to crush Sanders in South Carolina and the diverse states that immediately followed, building a delegate lead he could never overcome. Eight years earlier, it was Obama, the nation's first black president, who used the black vote to put distance between his campaign and Clinton.

This isn't a two-person race, though, and Biden is looking merely to return to contender status. But 2020 already has proven unusual, with no candidate having demonstrated the ability to build a broad coalition across the party's racial, ethnic and ideological factions. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg achieved a split decision in Iowa and Sanders barely edged out Buttigieg in New Hampshire.

Sanders, a Vermont senator and democratic socialist, has paltry support among the party's establishment core, and for months he has trailed Biden in support among non-white Democrats. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has struggled to corral meaningful support from black or Latino voters.

Senator Bernie Sanders (left) emerged as the victor Tuesday night, but former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (right) continued to close the lead over night as more precincts reported results

The same is true for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who finished just behind Biden in Iowa but finished third in New Hampshire.

Biden does have competition for the black vote in South Carolina. Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer has spent large sums on advertising, while Biden's financial struggles have left him largely absent from the state's airwaves. The former vice president will depend on voters like Tina Herbert, a Columbia attorney who was eager to see him Tuesday night.

'I thought it was important that I showed my face and showed my support for him tonight,' she said. 'I've been with him since Day One.'

Herbert said she wasn't concerned about Biden's finishes in any other early states.

'We are not really receptive to outsiders, so we don't listen to their opinions, even when we should, good or bad,' she said.
Syria's parliament Thursday recognised the 1915-1917 murder of up to 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, as tensions run high with Turkey after deadly clashes in northwest Syria.

"The parliament... condemns and recognises the genocide committed against the Armenians by the Ottoman state at the start of the twentieth century," the parliament said in a statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Calling the Congress poll debacle in Delhi an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus, senior party leader Jairam Ramesh has said it must ruthlessly reinvent itself or face the prospect of becoming irrelevant.

The note of caution for the Congress by Ramesh, a former union minister known for his outspoken views, came close on the heels of a call by fellow party leader M Veerappa Moily for a surgical action to revive the party.

Congress leaders have to reinvent themselves. Congress party has to reinvent itself if it has to be relevant, Ramesh, 65, told PTI in an interview here on Wednesday.

ALSO WATCH | Delhi gives thumbs up to Kejriwal: What it means for AAP, BJP & Congress

Otherwise, we are staring at irrelevance. Our arrogance has to go, even after six years out of power sometimes, some of us behave as if we are still ministers. In Rameshs view, local level leaders have to be encouraged and nurtured and be given freedom and autonomy.

The substance and style of our leadership has to change, said the Rajya Sabha MP who is here to participate in the ongoing Krithi International Book Fair organised by a society controlled by the Kerala government.

On the Delhi Assembly poll outcome, Ramesh alleged that the BJP utilised the anti-CAA protests at its epicentre in Delhi in Shaheen Bagh to polarise votes.

In the short run BJP has not won but the result is a disaster for the Congress party also.

It is an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus for the Congress, he said. The Congress drew a blank while the BJP bagged 8 seats. The AAP scored a landslide victory bagging 62 seats.

The Congress leader claimed the Delhi election result was a rejection of Union Home Minister Amit Shahs style of politics.

It is a resounding slap on his face and it is a rejection of the language used in the campaign, tactics used in the campaign, Ramesh said.

Ramesh also said the party was virtually non-existent in Bihar and almost extinct in Uttar Pradesh but added it was strong in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and has staged a comeback in Haryana.

Moily on Wednesday said the focus for the Congress should be now on reviving, rebuilding and rejuvenating the party.

The Congress requires total rejuvenation. You cant point (fingers at) out one or two leaders (for electoral setbacks), accountability will have to be taken by every Congressman...rank and file, Moily said.

Now, this is the time to act for rejuvenation of the party. It has to be revamped. Surgical action will have to be taken so that it starts yielding the results, he added.

Ramesh also spoke on the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) and said it does not take away anyones citizenship but was selective in providing one, to which he was opposed to.

Worried over the propaganda that the Congress is soft on minority communalism in the country, Ramesh said the party cannot be selective on the issue and suggested it should target the Popular Front of India(PFI)-type of communalism also.

The PFI or Jamaat-e-Islami type of communalism was as dangerous to India as RSS type of communalism, he said, while echoing the views of senior party leader and former Defence Minister A K Antony who earlier said we cannot be seen to be insensitive to the sentiments of the majority community.

Speaking on minority communalism, he said: We(Congress) have to be very clear. We should not be pandering to any religious sentiment of anybody and that is real secularism. Real secularism is fighting communalism of all types with aggression. Ramesh said the Congress has to be bold and aggressive against all forms of communalism.

Unfortunately in the public, the propaganda is that the Congress is soft on minority communalism. It is a reality. We have to address this issue. We cannot live in a make-believe world. We should wake up.

Reiterating that the Congress has to fight RSS-type of communalism, BJP-type of communalism as also PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami-type of communalism, Ramesh said, we cannot be selective, we have to be upfront, bold and say minority communalism is as dangerous to India as (much as) majority communalism is. This is what Jawaharlal Nehru did. He took an uncompromising stand against all forms of communalism. The Congress party should discover the same degree of aggression against minority communalism and outfits like the PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami, he added.

There are so many outfits like these in different states...they should be targeted the same way we target the RSS.
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 13 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 21,698 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,546 pence 20.18 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,536 pence 20.05 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,540 pence 20.10 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 13 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 13,070 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 20.00 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 20.00 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 20.00 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 13 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 25,351 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 20.05 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 19.96 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 20.00 USD

PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 27.73 USD 21.40 GBP which was calculated as of 11 February 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 203,679,459 Public Shares outstanding, or 209,374,312 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 7,277,291 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005803/en/

Contacts:

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
A n ever-growing group of creative women in the design world are forming their own companies, becoming powerful influencers and taking their place in the boardrooms.

Here we meet just a few of them.

Sophie Ashby: go-to designer of hip London restaurants and smart homes

Interior designer Sophie Ashby, the go-to designer for some of Londons hippest restaurants and smart homes, learnt her skills at college, where she studied art and design.

Sophie, 30, who lives in Marylebone with her husband, the fashion designer Charlie Casely-Hayford, decided to put her creative skills to good use by founding an interiors practice, Studio Ashby, which she has run for five years.

I wanted to be an interior designer from about the age of 17. I think my industry is changing and its really exciting to see the likes of up-and-coming designers such as Beata Heuman and Fran Hickman.

I feel appreciated for my skills now. Within my company weve produced a body of work that speaks for itself and I am no longer fighting to justify our seat at the table. It surprises me that in most commercial projects I am still the only woman at the boardroom table.

"I think women and men should be considered equals as designers and judged on talent and skill over anything else. But I do think women are better listeners and that women are more aware of domestic needs when designing a home.

"My advice is to support other women. I love the shine theory  that if you help another woman shine, then you shine too.

Ilsa Parry: product designer

Ilsa Parry, 38, lives with her husband Anthony, a design and technolgy teacher, in Liverpool, and works on projects and a gift range from a city-centre studio. She featured in the recent BBC2 series The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts. 

By the age of 24 I had finished my degree in 3D design and was teaching in an all-boys high school. I moved to a college of further education and it was around that time that I got my first studio, a tiny 6ft by 10ft space.

"I am quite independent minded. I think this helps in terms of overcoming preconceived ideas, for example in getting the students to relate to me, especially when I am trying to introduce them to new skills.

Ilsa Parry: the Liverpool-based designer says womens sense of purpose and resourcefulness makes them productive designers. Her Sphere fibre-glass seat spears into the ground. Her ghost lamp delights children

My product designs are often based on an empathetic approach, such as my walking stick or the ghost lamp I designed for kids.

"Women are good at design because they are purposeful and resourceful, and they understand peoples needs whether emotional or physical. I think there has been a shift in society, and women now have more confidence and self-belief.

Pereen dAvoine: architect

Third-generation architect Pereen dAvoine, 39, lives in Limehouse with her partner and fellow architect Mathew and their daughter.

She founded her practice, Russian for Fish, in 2006 with her co-director Nilesh Shah. They work on a range of projects, from home extensions to whole houses and work spaces.

My dad has his own architecture practice and has always maintained a strong female presence in the team. My mother ran her own accountancy firm and my aunts all worked for themselves, so I never questioned my decision to train as an architect or my subsequent decision to set up my own practice.

I have definitely seen the women in architecture movement grow stronger and more prominent in recent years. Architecture is a demanding profession but because I run my own practice I can be flexible.

"The proportion of female-led practices is low and I believe that the professional demands on time are the reason.

"There are lots of wonderful people and practices to help women considering architecture, where gender is not seen as relevant, and personality and skill are valued.

"Architecture is a small world. Meet, talk and listen to people, and use the information you glean to apply to the companies you feel are right for you.

Dara Huang: architect

Dara Huang, 35, is single and lives in Chelsea and Hong Kong. She co-parents her son, known as Wolfie, with her former partner Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Huang studied architecture at Harvard and heads the team at Design Haus Liberty, her own practice based in London and founded in 2013.

Dara Huang: she studied architecture at Harvard and runs her London practice, Design Haus Liberty. A mother herself, she says too many new mums disappear from the workplace

When I had to pick a degree I naturally gravitated towards architecture because my parents were insistent on a professional qualification. At first they didnt love the idea of me being an architect but I think they are fine with it now. I only thought about what I wanted to do and what excited me.

I dont think we give enough options to working mothers and there is a huge decline in the profession after a certain age. The most talented women that went to Harvard with me have disappeared from the industry.

I try to mentor the young women in my studio and Im also a working mother, so leading by example is the best way, setting the way for other mothers not to lose confidence or feel compromised.

Were not fragile flowers  were tough as nails.

Bethan Gray: designer

Born in Cardiff, Bethan Gray was inspired to learn woodwork from her grandfather. She completed a degree in 3D design and won a scholarship to work at Habitat.

She has become a huge infuence in modern design, with 16 collections to her credit featuring beautiful combinations of materials such as stone, shell and ceramics.

Bethan Gray: with Emily Johnson of the ceramics company 1882 creating their Lustre collection of bone china tableware

Women have always done amazing things in design, but they are a lot more visible now.

"When I was at college I looked up to historical figures such as Eileen Gray and Charlotte Perriand, but I wasnt aware of many contemporary female designers. Now there are a whole host of brilliant women in the public eye.

Running your own business can be really empowering. Part of the reason for setting up my own design studio and making my own work was to escape the limitations and expectations of the corporate world.

If you can, find a mentor or a champion farther up in your company or within the wider industry. Having a woman who has been where you are and who can offer insightful advice is absolutely invaluable.
US media, The Hill, shed light in a detailed article on the central role played by Morocco in African-American relations citing notably the convergence of views between the two countries on a set of regional and security issues, including the Iranian threat.

The US is looking to Sudan and Morocco as key partners in the effort to counter Tehran, part of a larger American and Middle East alliance led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, the author of the article, Laura Kelly, wrote.

The article, citing experts, went on to highlight Moroccos growing influence on the continent saying that the Kingdoms return to the African Union was a strategic decision. The North African country really sees Africa as its future market and has been working hard across the continent to develop strong relations.

Morocco has backed the US in its measures to contain Iran. The North African Kingdom severed ties with Iran in mid-2018, accusing it of extending military backing to the Algerian-backed Polisario separatists through its proxy Hezbollah.

The article came amid reports of a possible US establishment of a consulate in the Sahara region in exchange for Morocco re-establishing ties with Israel. No official confirmation has been made in Morocco or elsewhere, however.
Love is not in the air on Facebook for the time being, after the social network decided to postpone the launch of its dating service in Europe.

The tech giant was planning to introduce a Tinder rival to European users before Valentine's Day but ran into issues with its lead EU regulator, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC).

Facebook Dating is an opt-in feature that allows users to create a separate dating profile to their existing Facebook account.

The feature was launched in the US back in September last year and is also available in another 19 counties in Asia and the Americas.

However, Europeans will have to wait a while longer thanks to the decision of the DPC, which appears to have been concerned about late notice.

The DPC said it was first informed by Facebook about its intentions on February 3, just 10 days before an intended roll-out on Thursday.

Facebook jumped into the dating game with Facebook Dating last year, which allows users to connect with people in and outside of their friend network.

DPC claims no relevant information or documentation was provided on February 3, such as a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), which firms are required to submit in accordance with GDPR.

'We were very concerned that this was the first that wed heard from Facebook Ireland about this new feature, considering that it was their intention to roll it out tomorrow, 13 February,' the regulator said in a statement last night.

'In order to expedite the procurement of the relevant documentation, authorised officers of the DPC conducted an inspection at Facebook Ireland Limited's offices in Dublin on Monday last, 10 February and gathered documentation,' the regulator said.

In response, the social network decided it was best to put the brakes on its move into playing matchmaker in Europe.

Facebook says the DPIA was completed ahead of the proposed launch and shared with the regulator when it was requested.

WHERE IS FACEBOOK DATING AVAILABLE? In addition to the US, Facebook Dating is currently available in 19 other countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam. It's now unknown when it will be available in Europe. Advertisement

'It's really important that we get the launch of Facebook Dating right so we are taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market,' a spokeswoman said.

'We worked carefully to create strong privacy safeguards, and complete the data processing impact assessment ahead of the proposed launch in Europe, which we shared with the IDPC when it was requested.'

Facebook Dating was first tested in Colombia in September 2018 before expanding to other locations including the US a year later.

The feature makes use of Facebook's wealth of user data, including likes, events and groups, to connect both Facebook and Instagram users looking for love.

Any Facebook user can choose to opt-in to the service if they are 18 years of age or older.

Secret Crush (pictured above) gives users the option to connect with their direct friends. If both users mutually add one another to the list, they will be notified.

Unlike Tinder, however, Facebook Dating doesn't require users to mutually 'match' before being able to connect.

Users can browse profiles via a familiar card-style cue and interact with the ones that interest them.

Facebook says users can interact with profiles in two ways: by liking a profile to let someone know that they're interested or by commenting directly on a picture.

A feature of the service known as 'secret crush' also matches up two Facebook users who are already friends.

Dating hopefuls can add up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers to a list, and if both of the users add each other to the list, it will notify them.
MANILA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The spokesman of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that Manila's move to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States "is in the right direction."

From the point of view of the Philippines, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the decision to terminate the VFA "is a move in the right direction that should have been done a long time ago."

The Philippine government on Tuesday officially notified the U.S. government about Duterte's decision to scrap the VFA that allows the U.S. forces to take part in large-scale joint military exercises with Philippine troops.

Duterte decided to scrap the VFA after the U.S. cancelled the visa of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, his longtime aide, over Dela Rosa's role in the war on drugs during his term of Philippine National Police chief.

"I think the cancellation of Senator dela Rosa's visa was the immediate trigger," Lucio Blanco Pitlo, the Research Fellow on international relations at the Philippine think tank Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, told Xinhua.

Specifically, Duterte was angered by the U.S. lawmakers' demand to free detained Senator Leila De Lima, who has been detained over drug-related charges since February, 2017.

"The visa cancellation was taken by Duterte as an affront to one of his key domestic policies which is the anti-drug war and an interference in the Philippine justice system as there is an ongoing case related to the detention of De Lima," Pitlo said.

"I suppose he wants to send a strong message of displeasure against what he sees as persistent foreign interference in the country's domestic affairs," Pitlo added.

Pitlo said Duterte's actions also fit with his foreign policy which is to distance his administration from the United States.

Spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Wednesday that reliance on another country for his own country's defenses against the enemies of the state will ultimately weaken and stagnate its defense mechanisms.

"We must stand on our own and put a stop to being a parasite to another country in protecting our independence and sovereignty," he said.

"It is about time that the Philippines strengthen our defense capabilities," Panelo added.

He said, "Our studied action is consistent and pursuant to our chartering an independent foreign policy, with our foreign relations anchored solely on national interest and the general welfare of our people."

Panelo has said the termination will take effect 180 days later and will not need U.S. concurrence.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday that Manila's withdrawal from the VFA "would be a move in the wrong direction."

Panelo slammed Esper for making such a statement, saying the U.S. defense chief's commentary "is expected given that the VFA favors the U.S. and its abrogation affects its global strategic defensive positioning."

Pitlo said the Philippines-U.S. relations "will certainly experience turbulent times" under Duterte's term which ends in 2022. "The military-to-military ties will be seriously affected if VFA will be terminated," Pitlo warned.

U.S. State Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper said on Monday that the U.S. has about 300 engagements and exercises that the U.S. forces conduct bilaterally with the Philippines.

Asked what is at risk without a VFA, Cooper said, "Well, without a VFA, it puts at risk things like these engagements, like these exercises."

The Philippines and the U.S. signed in 1998 a VFA allowing joint Philippine-U.S. military operations. The Philippine senate ratified the agreement in 1999, seven years after the closure of the last U.S. base on Philippine territory.

When Duterte came to power in 2016, he vowed to scrap the VFA and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the U.S. and chart an independent foreign policy.
I was in 10 Downing Street on the evening last August when the seeds of Sajid Javids shock resignation were sown.

I was there to meet an official when I became aware of a contretemps nearby.

Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnsons senior adviser, had just fired one of Javids advisers on the spot.

Suspecting the Chancellors special adviser Sonia Khan of leaking information to a senior aide of Philip Hammond, Javids predecessor at the Treasury, Cummings demanded to see her phone.

Johnson and Cummings want to turn on the spending taps to end austerity and consolidate support among the working-class Red-Wall voters in the North who switched from Labour to vote for Johnson in the election. Mr Cummings is pictured above in Whitehall this week

Miss Khan, a shy 27-year-old, handed it over. Not that one, scowled Cummings, your personal phone.

She meekly pulled it from her bag and gave it to her glowering, unshaven accuser  who took one look at the screen and declared her guilty as charged.

Cummings told her she was fired and to get out. Now.

Next, he summoned a policeman, who, like most Downing Street police, was armed.

Such is Cummings unbridled authority, the policeman didnt even stop to question his right to administer summary justice.

So Khan was unceremoniously frogmarched out of Downing Street.

Its like the Gestapo! I remarked to the person I was meeting, only half in jest.

Javid, a former banker, is politically cautious and has warned there are risks if the Tory Party, which likes to contrast its prudence with Labour profligacy, abandons the fiscal rules designed to keep a grip on budgets. He is pictured leaving Downing Street after his resignation as Chancellor

Cummings had good reason to be paranoid about the Hammond camp. Hammond had lost his job as chancellor weeks earlier and was leading a rearguard Remain campaign to sabotage Johnsons Brexit plans.

But Javid was furious about the sacking. He told Johnson that if Cummings treated him like that again he would resign.

Yesterday, that resignation came to pass after Javid was summoned to Johnsons Commons office and told he could stay as Chancellor  but only if he agreed to replace his team of special advisers with a new joint No 10 and No 11 team.

The Prime Minister must have known he was making Javid an offer he had to refuse  not least because the new team would be Cummings team, hand-picked by him and answerable to him.

Suspecting the Chancellors special adviser Sonia Khan of leaking information to a senior aide of Philip Hammond, Javids predecessor at the Treasury, Cummings demanded to see her phone

No sooner had the meeting ended than Javid effectively accused Johnson of trying to humiliate him.

He said no self-respecting minister could accept the forced sacking of his loyal backroom team.

In reality, relations between Johnson and Javid had never recovered from that moment in August.

In recent weeks there has also been sniping between Javid and Cummings over HS2.

Cummings is against it, publicly calling the rail link a disaster, while Javid led a Cabinet campaign to encourage an undecided Johnson to back it.

Javid then infuriated No 10 by jumping the gun, saying the scheme was going ahead before Johnson had signed it off.

There was tension, too, over next months Budget. Johnson and Cummings want to turn on the spending taps to end austerity and consolidate support among the working-class Red-Wall voters in the North who switched from Labour to vote for Johnson in the election.

But Javid is said to be sceptical of Johnsons claim that he can kick-start the post-Brexit economy in this way, with a dose of what the Prime Minister calls boosterism.

Javid, a former banker, is politically cautious and has warned there are risks if the Tory Party, which likes to contrast its prudence with Labour profligacy, abandons the fiscal rules designed to keep a grip on budgets.

But personal and political differences aside, there is a bigger picture here. No 10 is intent on annexing No 11, crushing any hope of its independence, and has moved to exert control with a ruthlessness that has not been seen in years.

The relationship between prime ministers and chancellors has long been the most important  and potentially most problematic  of all ministerial relationships.

This is mainly because chancellors, in charge of the economy, have such power over the countrys  and therefore the Governments  well-being.

Successive chancellors have fallen out with No 10 over the decades.

Margaret Thatchers first chancellor Geoffrey Howe started out as a close ally in Cabinet and served loyally for years  but ended up as her assassin, delivering a scorching statement in the Commons that triggered her downfall.

Thatchers second chancellor Nigel Lawson resigned in fury after her own No 10 economics adviser, Sir Alan Walters, published an article in a newspaper questioning his policies.

When Lawson demanded Walters be sacked, Thatcher refused, and it was Lawson who went.

Tony Blair engaged in years of guerrilla warfare with his chancellor Gordon Brown, but found himself powerless to dislodge Brown  partially because the economy was performing well but also because of Browns respected intellect and huge levels of support in the Labour Party.

The Prime Minister must have known he was making Javid an offer he had to refuse  not least because the new team would be Cummings team, hand-picked by him and answerable to him. The PM is pictured arriving at Downing Street for a cabinet meeting

More recently, Theresa May and Philip Hammond also endured a tense relationship.

Rivalry between No 10 and No 11 is all but inevitable. And Johnson, with his insistence on one team of advisers answering to Cummings and looking after both PM and chancellor, is determined to impress his authority over what happens at the Treasury.

Javids departure will help him to do so. According to one senior Conservative: There has never been much personal chemistry between them. Sajid is not the most clubbable type and can be stiff.

Many will be surprised that Javid has departed in such a manner.

The Pakistani bus drivers son went to comprehensive school in Bristol and had to persuade his father to pay for him to do the maths O-level that the school wouldnt let him do.

He went on to make a fortune in the City before becoming the first British Asian to hold one of the great offices of state, initially as home secretary and then as chancellor.

One person in No 10 who will be sorry to see him leave as a neighbour is Carrie Symonds, Boriss partner.

Tony Blair engaged in years of guerrilla warfare with his chancellor Gordon Brown, but found himself powerless to dislodge Brown  partially because the economy was performing well but also because of Browns respected intellect and huge levels of support in the Labour Party

She was a special adviser to Javid when he was communities secretary and has had her own run-ins with Cummings.

In the past she has clashed with him over his attempt to gain complete mastery over the Whitehall media machine.

Symonds supporters say that she is as experienced as Cummings in handling media relations  she was Tory head of communications  and believes his reckless approach is damaging Johnson.

They cite as evidence the recent incident when parliamentary lobby journalists staged a revolt after selected members of the media deemed hostile to the Government were banned from an official No 10 briefing on Cummings orders.

But while Symonds may mourn Javid, Johnson  and Cummings  certainly will not. They now have their own man, Rishi Sunak, in No 11.

And they fully expect him to do their bidding  not least in next months Budget.
Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg are all seeking the presidency (Bill Sikes/Robert F. Bukaty/Andrew Harnik/AP)

Super Tuesday is beginning to concentrate the minds of Democrats vying for their partys presidential nomination  but contests in two states come before next months big day.

Nevada and South Carolina will have their say after the opening events in Iowa and New Hampshire but those dates are warm-ups to March 3 when more than a dozen states will make their decision on who should be the partys challenger to Donald Trump in Novembers presidential election.

Senator Elizabeth Warren was holding a town hall meeting on Thursday night in the Washington suburb of Arlington, Virginia, a day before Senator Bernie Sanders makes two North Carolina stops and then goes to Texas.

We are going to beat Donald Trump in November. But to do that, we need to win primaries in states like Tennessee, where early voting starts today. LIVE: https://t.co/Az8UEeE7FV  Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 13, 2020

Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, will campaign in California between fundraisers in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

All four states vote on March 3, along with a crush of others, from Alabama to Colorado and from Maine to Utah, as well as Ms Warrens home state of Massachusetts and Mr Sanders native Vermont.

More than 1,300 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are at stake, about a third of the total.

The focus on Super Tuesday comes at a pivotal point in the campaign.

For Mr Sanders and Mr Buttigieg, who have emerged in strong positions after contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, the travel gives them an opportunity to show their national appeal and woo larger concentrations of non-white voters.

For struggling candidates like Ms Warren, it is a signal that they are still in the fight.

Bernie Sanders has started the campaign well (Matt Rourke/AP)

And for everyone, it is a chance to prove they will not cede this swathe of delegate-rich states to Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York mayor who has spent months building his campaign around Super Tuesday.

He campaigned in Tennessee on Wednesday and will be in Texas and North Carolina on Thursday.

All bets are off this cycle, said Texas Democratic strategist Colin Strother, who is bullish on Mr Bloombergs chances of resonating in his state and beyond.

So far, theres no sign that candidates are completely bypassing Nevada or South Carolina.

Every leading contender will be in Nevada this weekend as early voting begins.

Democrats will caucus there on February 22.

But some are shifting their resources as they begin an awkward balancing act of paying attention to the remaining early states while stockpiling enough money to keep themselves in the conversation in the bevy of contests unfolding next month.

Thank you to everyone who came out to vote and made their voices heard yesterday in New Hampshire!



We are building a winning coalition and we will beat Donald Trump in 2020. pic.twitter.com/D81uz7AoYe  Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) February 13, 2020

Ms Warren, for instance, will be in South Carolina on Friday but is pulling television advertising from the state after this weekend.

Some of that money will instead go to the Super Tuesday state of Maine.

Bloomberg, who is self-funding his campaign, does not have to make such considerations.

He has skipped the first four states to deploy a political shock-and-awe campaign after that, spending heavily on television ads while already hiring more than 2,100 staffers in 40 states and US territories, including all voting on Super Tuesday.

Past candidates have tried to forgo the early states in favour of larger ones voting later, with little success, including another former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani, in 2008.

But Mr Bloomberg is making a larger bet on doing so than anyone has.

He is worth an estimated $60 billion and has already spent more than $200 million to hastily build a campaign infrastructure with promises of plenty more where that came from.

The candidates doing battle before Super Tuesday, meanwhile, are a study in contrasts.

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg (C.B. Schmelter/AP)

Ms Warren has deep campaign infrastructure in around 30 states but little momentum.

Former Vice President Joe Biden left New Hampshire for South Carolina before the polls even closed on Tuesday, has important connections there and is counting on that to carry him in other southern Super Tuesday states.

But he, so far, has fared worse than Ms Warren.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar finished a strong third in New Hampshire but has not yet built a national campaign, while Mr Buttigieg is on a roll but faces questions about his appeal beyond the early majority-white states.

Fresh off his New Hampshire win, Mr Sanders has already predicted victory in Nevada and California, pointing in part to his campaigns outreach to Hispanic voters.

But he has also bet on record turnout that never materialised in Iowa, despite his efforts to grow the electorate.

Ms Warren and Mr Sanders have been sharply critical of Mr Bloomberg, accusing him of trying to buy the election.

The Democratic nominee will duel with Donald Trump for the keys to the White House (Michelle Devane/PA)

In a memo coming out of New Hampshire, Ms Warrens team sought to reassure supporters that it will find its political footing on Super Tuesday, arguing the senator should win the minimum support required to claim delegates, at least 15%, in 108 of the 150 districts voting, or two-thirds of the Super Tuesday map.

Warren is poised to finish in the top two in eight of 14 Super Tuesday states and in the top three in all of them, Ms Warrens campaign manager, Roger Lau, wrote.

States like Texas and California are so large that on-the-ground retail politicking often does not work well there.

But Super Tuesday state residents have already seen weeks of Bloomberg ads, Mr Strother said, and that could potentially already be swaying those participating in early voting, which is underway in places like Minnesota.

Its unprecedented what hes doing and the money hes spending, Mr Strother said.

Hes running a national campaign, which is what all these other candidates wish they could do.
Dr Michael McBride (centre), Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, speaks at the briefing along with Dr Gerry Waldron (left), PHA head of health protection

Health chiefs have confirmed that 21 people have so far been tested for the coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

However, none of these cases tested positive.

While health authorities will not comment publicly on individual tests for suspected coronavirus and will only confirm diagnosed cases, tests to date are believed to include one on a patient who presented to a Co Down hospital last Friday.

Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry was deep-cleaned after the adult was assessed in an isolation unit.

The previous evening a full quarantine operation was launched at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry after a woman and her infant son also presented with symptoms similar to the virus.

The health service is continuing to make comprehensive arrangements for dealing with the problem.

The total number of cases of Covid-19, the name of this strain of coronavirus, is around 45,000 globally, with the number of deaths in mainland China reaching 1,113.

Almost 1,400 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK, the Department of Health said.

Eight people have so far been diagnosed in the UK, including two GPs.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) said it was working with partners across the UK, including Public Health England, the Department of Health and local health trusts, and the health service in the Republic of Ireland over the response to the virus.

Health Minister Robin Swann previously said Northern Ireland was likely "at some point in time" to have a case, but the region is prepared for it.

That message was echoed yesterday by Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, who said the arrival of coronavirus was "inevitable".

"I think we will see cases in Northern Ireland at some stage, which is why we are preparing for a range of eventualities - and will be ready to respond to those," he said.

PHA head of health protection Dr Gerry Waldron added that the health service was monitoring for any potential cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

Dr Waldron confirmed that the Belfast Trust's regional viral laboratory was one of 12 centres in the UK testing for the virus.

"Until this week, all samples taken from people suspected of having the virus here were sent to England for testing, but the new local facility will speed up results," he said.

A helpline has also been established for anyone in Northern Ireland who has travelled to China, Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the past 14 days.

Those with concerns that they may have caught coronavirus are being advised not to attend their GP surgery or turn up to emergency departments.

Dr Adrian Mairs, the PHA's acting director of public health, said: "For anyone who feels that they may have the virus by having been in contact with a proven case, (who has) travelled from one of the affected countries or who feels symptomatic, the advice is to remain at home, self-isolate and contact our helpline number."

The PHA's helpline number is 0300 200 7885. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To help reduce any potential spread of coronavirus, people are also being urged to follow the recommended steps for similar illnesses such as cold and flu - catch, bin it, kill it.

Always carry tissues to catch your cough or sneeze, dispose of the tissue as soon as possible after using it, and clean your hands as soon as you can because germs can spread to every surface you touch.

Earlier this week the Government announced new powers in England to keep people in quarantine to stop the virus spreading.

The local Department of Health said it would be "a matter for the Executive to consider if they wish to introduce similar regulations here".

A spokesperson added: "The department is keeping the situation in Northern Ireland under constant review."

Further information is available at www.pha.site/coronavirus.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the international advocacy organization representing the cell and gene therapy and broader regenerative medicine sector, today released the agenda for its second annual Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean. The event will be held from April 15-17, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.



The event, modeled after ARMs highly successful Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa, is expected to attract more than 500 attendees, including senior executives from leading cell therapy, gene therapy, and tissue engineering companies worldwide, large pharma and biotech representatives, institutional investors, academic research institutions, patient foundations, disease philanthropies, and members of the life science media community.

The agenda includes:

Plenary Session:

Lessons Learned from the Advanced Therapy Sectors Commercial Pioneers

Keynote Address:

Guido Rasi, Executive Director, European Medicines Agency (EMA)

Panels:

Hospital Exemption

Cell and Gene Therapy to Treat Chronic Conditions

The Next Wave of Commercial Development

Disruptive Technologies That Will Change the Cell Therapy Landscape

The State of Money

Throughout the two-day event, participants can also attend presentations by more than 50 publicly traded and emerging private companies, highlighting clinical and commercial progress in cell therapy, gene and gene-modified cell therapy, tissue engineering, biomaterials and more. In addition to their presentations, representatives from these organizations will also be available for one-on-one partnering opportunities throughout the conference.

2020 presenting companies include: Adaptimmune, AGTC, Ambys Medicines, AskBio, Aspect Biosystems, Atara Biotherapeutics, Autolus Therapeutics, Avectas, AVROBIO, Axovant Gene Therapies, bluebird bio, Bone Therapeutics, Cabaletta Bio, Caribou Biosciences, Celavie Biosciences, Cellatoz Therapeutics, Cellect Biotherapeutics, CEVEC, Cryoport, Cynata Therapeutics, Flexion Therapeutics, Fraunhofer IZI, Genethon, GenSight Biologics, Healios, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Kiadis Pharma, Kytopen, LogicBio Therapeutics, MeiraGTx, Minerva Biotechnologies, MolMed, Novadip Biosciences, Orchard Therapeutics, Oxford Biomedica, PDC*line Pharma, Polyplus-transfection, Precision BioSciences, Promethera Biosciences, PTC Therapeutics, Recombinetics, REGENXBIO, ReNeuron, Rexgenero, Sangamo, SmartPharm Therapeutics, Standards Coordinating Body for Regenerative Medicine, Theradaptive, ThermoGenesis, Tmunity Therapeutics, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, VERIGRAFT, and Vineti.

For full details on the agenda and further information about the event, please visit www.meetingonthemed.com .

Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the media. For members of the media interested in attending, please contact Kaitlyn Donaldson Dupont at kdonaldson@alliancerm.org or Consilium Strategic Communications at ARM@consilium-comms.com.

About the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine

The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is an international multi-stakeholder advocacy organization that promotes legislative, regulatory, and reimbursement initiatives necessary to facilitate access to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine worldwide. Founded in 2009, ARM works to increase public understanding of the field and its potential to transform human healthcare, providing business development and investor outreach services to support the growth of its 350+ member organizations worldwide. ARM represents the interests of therapeutic developers, academic research institutions, major medical centers, investors, and patient groups that comprise the broader regenerative medicine community and is the prominent international advocacy organization in this field.

ARM has 70+ members across 15 countries in Europe. ARM aims to work closely with European stakeholders, leveraging its membership to create a supportive commercial and regulatory environment to create better conditions for the development and commercialization of ATMPs in Europe; develop strong stakeholder support around proposed solutions to improve patient access to ATMPs; promote clear, predictable and efficient regulatory framework across Europe; and promote international convergence of key regulations and guidance. For more information, visit alliancerm.org.
The second batch of 25 foreign envoys on Thursday reached Jammu where they will meet GC Murmu, the Lieutenant Governor of the newly-formed Union Territory.

The foreign envoys, including those of Germany, France and Mexico, are on a two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir to witness the ground situation in the region nearly six months after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

In Jammu, they will also hold meetings with Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Gita Mittal, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory, district administration officials and civil society members of Jammu division.

The delegation reached Jammu from Srinagar where, early in the day, they were briefed by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon regarding the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Yesterday, the foreign diplomats held extensive discussions with the prominent business community and political leaders in Srinagar.

The business community told envoys that they suffered losses due to abrogation of Article 370 followed by restrictions and at the same time they also said they are hopeful that promises of fast pace development by the centre would be fulfilled.

Envoys also met more than 100 members of civil society from across the section of Kashmir including engineers, doctors, lawyers, students.

Civil society members told envoys that internet blockage continues to remain an obstacle in the restoration of full normalcy and they believe that full Internet should be restored.

The group comprises of representatives from Afghanistan, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Rwanda, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

Last month, envoys of 15 countries including US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Philippines, Norway, Maldives, Fiji, Togo, Bangladesh, and Peru visited Jammu and Kashmir on January 9 and 10 to see first-hand efforts being made by the government in the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu and the six South West governors under the aegis of South West Governors Forum on Thurs...

The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu and the six South West governors under the aegis of South West Governors Forum on Thursday agreed on the security outfit created by the governors in the region, Amotekun.





This was the outcome of the stakeholders summit on community policing involving the IG, the governors, commissioners of Police as well as Commissioner for Justice from the six states in the region, other security agencies in the state, Royal fathers, Community Development Committees (CDCs) and other stakeholders at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.





The chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu and Adamu, who addressed reporters at the end of the closed door deliberations, identified Amatekun as a community policing strategy to tackle crime in the region.





But they stated the outfit is not a regional but community initiative.

Akeredolu said: It is clear that community policing which the Nigeria police is anchoring is one that will benefit all of us from the ward up to the state level.

adding that after the meeting all stakeholders agreed to embrace community policing in its entirety.





He however, said that Amotekun is not a regional police stating: We have made things clear to everybody and we want all of us to know now that when we said we are having Amotekun, it is not that we are creating a regional police, Amotekun is not a regional police.





Amotekun is state based because we dont have regions in the country anyway. We only have states and all of us have agreed that when you have laws in your respective states backing Amotekun or any security outfit, then you can go ahead for as long as it is within the legal bound.





So we have come out happy, all of us have agreed and its been a wonderful resolution of few dark areas, which we have put light into but we cant give you full details because this is a security summit. I can assure you that we are on the same page in respect of this.





Adamu corroborated every state right has one form of security outfit or the other working with security agencies to fight crime, adding community policing is infused into all the existing states security structures.





The IGP said: Amotekun is not a regional security outfit, as it is existing now every state has one form of outfit, whether it is vigilante or neighbourhood watch, that are working with security agencies of the state to fight crimes.





This area must be clarified. It is not a regional structure, it is a state structure and it must be backed by law for it to be effective so we are saying the same thing, the structure must be in tandem with community policing, Adamu said.





Asked whether the police will be involved in the training, deployment and payment of salaries of operatives of Amotekun, Adamu said community policing is nothing but partnership.





He explained whatever structure is in place must be in partnership with the police to deal with problems that are associated with crimes and criminality.
@Airbus @Bombardier A220



Bombardier transfers its remaining interest in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) to Airbus SE and the Government of Quebec

Airbus now holds 75 percent of Airbus Canada with the Government of Quebec increasing its holding to 25 percent for no cash consideration

Bombardier work packages for the A220 and A330 will be transferred to Airbus, through its subsidiary Stelia Aerospace, securing 360 jobs in Quebec

Bombardier will receive US$591M, net of adjustments, of which US$531M was received at closing, and is released of its future funding capital requirement to Airbus Canada

Over 3,300 Airbus jobs secured in Quebec

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands and MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Airbus SE (EPA: AIR), the Government of Quebec and Bombardier Inc. (TSX: BBD.B) have agreed upon a new ownership structure for the A220 programme, whereby Bombardier transferred its remaining shares in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) to Airbus and the Government of Quebec. The transaction is effective immediately.

This agreement brings the shareholdings in Airbus Canada, responsible for the A220, to 75 percent for Airbus and 25 percent for the Government of Quebec respectively. The Government's stake is redeemable by Airbus in 2026 - three years later than before. As part of this transaction, Airbus, via its wholly owned subsidiary Stelia Aerospace, has also acquired the A220 and A330 work package production capabilities from Bombardier in Saint-Laurent, Quebec.

This new agreement underlines the commitment of Airbus and the Government of Quebec to the A220 programme during this phase of continuous ramp-up and increasing customer demand. Since Airbus took majority ownership of the A220 programme on July 1, 2018, total cumulative net orders for the aircraft have increased by 64 percent to 658 units at the end of January 2020.

"This agreement with Bombardier and the Government of Quebec demonstrates our support and commitment to the A220 and Airbus in Canada. Furthermore it extends our trustful partnership with the Government of Quebec. This is good news for our customers and employees as well as for the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry," said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury. "I would like to sincerely thank Bombardier for the strong collaboration during our partnership. We are committed to this fantastic aircraft programme and we are aligned with the Government of Quebec in our ambition to bring long-term visibility to the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry."

"I am proud that our government was able to reach this agreement. We have succeeded in protecting paying jobs and the exceptional expertise developed in Quebec, despite the major challenges we faced in this regard when we took office. We have consolidated the government's position in the partnership, while respecting our commitment not to reinvest in the program. By opting to strengthen its presence here, Airbus has chosen to focus on our talents and our creativity. The decision of an industrial giant like Airbus to invest more in Quebec will help attract other world-class prime contractors," the Premier of Quebec, Francois Legault, stated.

"This agreement is excellent news for Quebec and its aerospace industry. The A220 partnership is now well established and will continue to grow in Quebec. The agreement will allow Bombardier to improve its financial situation and Airbus to increase its presence and footprint in Quebec. It's a win-win situation for both the private partners and the industry," pointed out Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.

With this transaction, Bombardier will receive a consideration of $591M from Airbus, net of adjustments, of which $531M was received at closing and $60M to be paid over the 2020-21 period. The agreement also provides for the cancellation of Bombardier warrants owned by Airbus, as well as releasing Bombardier of its future funding capital requirement to Airbus Canada.

"This transaction supports our efforts to address our capital structure and completes our strategic exit from commercial aerospace," said Alain Bellemare, President and CEO Bombardier, Inc. "We are incredibly proud of the many achievements and tremendous impact Bombardier had on the commercial aviation industry. We are equally proud of the responsible way in which we have exited commercial aerospace, preserving jobs and reinforcing the aerospace cluster in Quebec and Canada. We are confident that the A220 program will enjoy a long and successful run under Airbus' and the Government of Quebec's stewardship."

The single aisle market is a key growth driver, representing 70 percent of the expected global future demand for aircraft. Ranging from 100 to 150 seats, the A220 is highly complementary to Airbus' existing single aisle aircraft portfolio, which focuses on the higher end of the single-aisle business (150-240 seats).

As part of the agreement, Airbus has acquired the Airbus A220 and A330 work package production capability from Bombardier in Saint-Laurent, Quebec. These production activities will be operated in the Saint Laurent site by Stelia Aeronautique Saint Laurent Inc., a newly created subsidiary of Stelia Aerospace, which is a 100 percent Airbus subsidiary.

Stelia Aeronautique Saint-Laurent will continue the production of the A220 cockpit and aft fuselage production, as well as A330 workpackages, for a transition period of approximately three years at the Saint-Laurent facility. A220 workpackages will then be transferred to the Stelia Aerospace site in Mirabel to optimize the logistical flow to the A220 Final Assembly Line also located in Mirabel. Airbus plans to offer all current Bombardier employees working on the A220 and A330 work packages at Saint-Laurent opportunities around the A220 programme's ramp-up, ensuring know-how retention as well as business continuity and growth in Quebec.

At the end of January 2020, 107 A220 aircraft were flying with seven customers on four continents. In 2019 alone, Airbus delivered 48 A220s, with the further ramp-up to be continued.

For more information about A220-Family

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of  64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Contacts for the media - Airbus Marcella Cortellazzi (Mirabel) marcella.cortellazzi@abc.airbus (mailto:marcella.cortellazzi@abc.airbus) +1 514 244 83 14 Annabelle Duchesne (Mirabel) annabelle.duchesne@abc.airbus (mailto:annabelle.duchesne@abc.airbus) +1 438 402 42 76 Anne Galabert (Toulouse) anne.galabert@airbus.com (mailto:anne.galabert@airbus.com) +33 609 240 974 Stefan Schaffrath (Toulouse) stefan.schaffrath@airbus.com (mailto:stefan.schaffrath@airbus.com) +33 616 095 592

About Bombardier

With over 68,000 employees, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.



Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries as well as a broad portfolio of products and services for the business aviation, commercial aviation and rail transportation markets. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchangeor follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 21:41:29|Editor: huaxia

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RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The better choice for the Palestinians to topple the U.S. Middle East peace plan, better known as the Deal of the Century, is to rely on the international support, according to Palestinian analysts.

On Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN Security Council (UNSC) in an attempt to gain sympathy and support from the world's great powers in rejecting the U.S. plan.

The U.S. plan "can never achieve peace or security because it annulled the resolutions of the UN and the UNSC and that the plan is unilateral and serves Israel's interests," Abbas said in his UN speech.

Ashraf Ajrami, a Ramallah-based political analyst, believed that the worst part of the U.S. plan "is violating and ignoring the Palestinian legitimate rights that are recognized by the United Nations and the Security Council."

"Knocking at the doors of the UN and the UNSC is to warn of the dangers of the plan which is an attempt of the United States to erase the role of the Security Council," said Ajrami.

Actually, the large international opposition of the U.S. plan "has internationally isolated and surprised Washington," the Palestinian analyst noted.

The European Union, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union have all voiced opposition to the U.S. plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

"I expect the United Nations and the Security Council to oppose the plan as well, although a U.S. veto is expected to thwart any resolution that might be taken by the Security Council against the plan," Ajrami said.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled the so-called Deal of the Century that calls for establishing two states and recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.

Nabil Amro, a former Palestinian diplomat, said Washington is waging a war against the Palestinians and uses all its resources to block them from gaining enough support.

"The U.S. efforts, however, can't thwart the international support for the Palestinian cause because the Palestinian issue remains a matter of the world's deep concern until a peace deal is reached and accepted," he explained.

Abdul Nasser al-Najjar, another Ramallah-based political analyst, noted that a semi-international consensus has been struck that Trump's plan doesn't achieve real peace based on international resolutions.

"The plan doesn't meet the minimum requirement of the Palestinians, or at least get them back to the negotiating table," al-Najjar said.

"The plan itself can never be a base for a permanent solution that ends the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he added.

Hani al-Masri, director of the Ramallah-based Masarat Center for Research and Studies, said the international opposition to the plan had compelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the annexation of the West Bank territories until after the Israeli elections scheduled for March 2.

"The world's reactions against the U.S. plan are growing and it is expected to escalate after so many countries clearly understood the context and the content of the plan and found out that it aims at eliminating the Palestinian cause," he said.
A Miami Beach police officer who was cut during a knife attack last month suffered more serious wounds than originally believed and the police department is asking the public to help with the familys expenses.

In an email sent to media outlets on Thursday, Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said Officer Ricardo Castillo has a long road to recovery and that his wife, who is eight months pregnant, had to stop working to care for the familys 10-month-old infant.

The Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police has arranged for donations due to the financial impacts he and his family are experiencing, Rodriguez said. Anyone wishing to donate can do so on the groups website.

Castillo and his family have refused requests for interviews.

Officer Ricardo Castillo suffered wounds in a knife attack that were more serious than was originally thought, said a Miami Beach police spokesman.

Castillo suffered deep gashes to his arm and leg on Jan. 18 and has been hospitalized since then. On that day, police converged on Ryan O. Simms on the east side of Ocean Drive just across the street from the Clevelander South Beach Hotel and Bar. Cellphone video captured by a bystander showed an officer using his electronic Taser on Simms before he fell to the ground. It then showed officers rushing toward Simms and quickly backing away before firing their weapons.

Simms was killed. Before his encounter with police, surveillance video showed Simms standing in front of Mangos Tropical Cafe a couple of blocks south of where he was shot and waving a large blade back and forth as tourists passed by. A worker there notified police, who trailed Simms north to the spot where he was killed.
A court in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district has sentenced a police sub-inspector and his parents to two years imprisonment for harassing his wife for dowry.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Raj Magal Singh Yadav has also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the convicts.

Rekha was being harassed for dowry demands for many years, her lawyer said. The couple got married in 2007.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 05:05:16|Editor: zyl

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A rally against war with Iran is held outside the Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the United States, Jan. 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a resolution curbing the U.S. president's ability to use military forces against Iran without congressional approval.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 55-45 to pass the war powers resolution, which demands the U.S. president terminate the use of U.S. troops for hostilities against Iran without congressional approval.

Eight Republican senators joined the Democrats to support the resolution despite opposition from President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has indicated it will take up the resolution, which does not seek to prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack.

The White House has threatened a veto if the resolution is sent to Trump's desk, while the Senate will not have enough votes to override the veto.

The House last month passed a similar bill aimed at restraining Trump's war powers against Iran, but it was largely symbolic and not taken up by the Senate.

Thursday's vote came over a month after a U.S. strike under Trump's order killed Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which has raised fears of an uncontrolled conflict between the United States and Iran.
State Senate Democrats have reached a compromise among themselves on cash bail  but that does not mean that changes to recently enacted criminal justice reforms are happening anytime soon, in light of the opposition from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Cash bail would be completely eliminated and judges would be allowed to consider the dangerousness of criminal defendants when deciding whether they should be jailed pretrial, under a state Senate proposal first reported by Newsday on Feb. 12. Defendants could either be jailed pretrial, released on their own recognizance, or electronically monitored under the proposal. Such parameters are very similar to what Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed last year. For state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, that might be a compromise that bridges the divide between her liberal and moderate members. But Heastie is doubling down on his position that it is too early to consider changes to reforms that took effect on Jan. 1. The only way to get the Assembly on-board with revising the new law  if any exists  may be legislative horse trading between chambers and the governor during budget season.

The two legislative leaders have conflicting electoral incentives when it comes to criminal justice reforms. Stewart-Cousins leads a majority that hinges on swing districts in the suburbs that the GOP is targeting in the 2020 elections. While New York City lawmakers make up the bulk of the Democratic conference, it is the suburban senators who account for the partys eight-seat majority in the 63-person chamber. These political realities factored into the creation of a working group of eight Democratic senators  five of whom are from New York City  that was tasked with finding common ground on the issue, City & State reported on Feb. 11.

Criminal justice reform activists have urged lawmakers in both chambers to stand by the reforms they passed in the state budget last year, which eliminated cash bail for most nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors. New laws also required prosecutors to make the discovery process faster and fairer by providing defendants with evidence within 15 days after arraignment. Stewart-Cousins is trying to avoid left-wing backlash by presenting the new proposal as a step forward rather than backwards. We are getting rid of cash bail completely, she said in a Feb. 12 statement. We would give judges some discretion but with extremely strict guidelines and guardrails and almost all misdemeanors and non-violent felonies would not be eligible for remand. Specific legislation has yet to be introduced in the state Senate.

There still appears to be some apprehension in the Senate conference over allowing judges to determine who is too dangerous to release before they have been tried. That has to be discussed with the conference in general, state Sen. Luis Sepulveda, a member of the working group, said about the newest proposal. One Democratic senator said that it was developed by the working group as a show of force by the Senate Democrats that may or may not lead to an actual bill that would pass the chamber in the near future. Even if the state Senate does pass a bill in the upcoming weeks, that does not guarantee the Assembly will do the same. I expect it will be in the budget, said state Sen. David Carlucci of Rockland County. But in order to make that happen, there have to be incentives to make Heastie overcome his objections to making changes so soon after the reforms went into effect.

Heastie for his part told reporters on Feb. 12 that there is not enough data after six weeks, only cherry-picked stories to substantiate the need for changes to the laws. I cant say there will be a rollback or anything, he said. Its so early to make that determination because nobody has given me real hard data about whether it is working. While Assembly members from the suburbs and politically moderate, mostly white parts of the outer boroughs have joined their Senate counterparts in advocating for changes, they too are waiting to see if the Senate takes more concrete action than merely announcing a deal. Id have to see the bill language to be honest with you, said Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, who is from Queens.

Pressure from more than 100 activist groups, however, has become more vocal in recent days, at a time when Republicans have joined forces with law enforcement in highlighting media stories of criminal defendants who have been accused of committing additional offenses after being released pre-trial. New Yorkers had worked hard to give Democrats the majority in both houses, said Stanley Fritz, political director of Citizen Action of New York, a left-leaning group that opposes changes to the reforms. And now a couple of white dudes with buzz cuts and MAGA flags in their backyards and closets are mad at you, and you want to backtrack? Such criticism may have less political sway in the Senate than in the Assembly, considering the dominance that liberal New York City lawmakers have in the lower chamber.

Electoral threats primarily come from the political left rather than the right in the Assembly. Candidates backed by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, as well as other left-leaning insurgents, are primarying several longtime incumbents in the Assembly. This includes Assemblyman Joe Lentol of Brooklyn  who chairs the Codes Committee that oversees criminal justice issues  as well as Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz of Brooklyn. Heastie and incumbents targeted by primary challenges not only have a political interest in blocking changes on bail, they also say its a matter of principle. We have to remain firm in our convictions, Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright of Brooklyn, who is vying for an open Senate seat against two leftist opponents, told activists on Feb. 12 in a rally opposing any changes to criminal justice reforms.

Whether Senate Democrats pass a bill in the near term changing laws on cash bail and discovery remains to be seen. However, the new deal underscores a common talking point from Stewart-Cousins that her conference is taking the concerns of police, prosecutors and constituents seriously. The fact that the Senate Democrats have announced a conference position so early in budget season also reflects how important the issue is to a legislative conference that has been attacked by Republicans incessantly even before the laws took effect. Suburban senators like Anna Kaplan of Long Island, one of eight Democrats who flipped a Republican-held seat in 2018, can now breath easier now that the conference position on bail has tilted their way. I'm very happy, she said of the proposal. If it was up to me it would have been taken on yesterday.

Cuomo has said he too favors changes to the bail laws, but the big question mark remains the Assembly. While Heastie may not want to budge on the issue, other concerns like school funding and Medicaid are in the mix during budget season. If the political pressures from the governor and Senate ultimately push Heastie towards making concessions on bail, then it stands to reason that he will have political leverage to use against the Senate and governor in budget negotiations on other important issues. Only time will tell how Heastie would want to use that to his conferences advantage.
The federal government has re-arraigned Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, on a two-count charge of treasonable fe...

The federal government has re-arraigned Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, on a two-count charge of treasonable felony.





At the court on Thursday, Aminu Alilu, the prosecution counsel, asked that the previous seven-count charge, which was filed in September 2019, be substituted with an amended charge.





Upon re-arraignment, Sowore and Olawale Bakare, his co-defendant, pleaded not guilty to the charges.





In the new charge, the offences which bordered on fraud, cyber-stalking and of insulting the president were removed.





The government accused them of staging a revolution campaign on 5th day of August 2019, tagged #RevolutionNow aimed at removing the president during his term in office by unconstitutional means.





The prosecution counsel informed the court of the presence of the first witness whom he said was ready to give evidence.





But Abdul Mahmud, counsel to the defendants, told the court they cannot proceed with the trial because the prosecution was yet to comply with the order directing it to provide statements of the witnesses it intends to call.





He said only the summarised statements of witnesses were served on them.





We were served with summary statements of Moses Amadi, Usman Bafa, Paul Okafor (technical video engineer) and Paul Clement (financial analyst/investigator), he said.





Mahmud added that the video recording and tape mentioned in one of the witnesses statement had not been served on them.





Aliyu said since all his witnesses would be referring to the video evidence, he would need two weeks to enable him serve the necessary evidence on the defense.





Aliyu also informed the court that the N200,000 cost awarded against them has been paid to the defense team. Mahmud confirmed payment of the said sum.





Ijeoma Ojukwu, the judge adjourned the case to March 11, 12, 13 for continuation.




Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief Upendra Kushwaha on Thursday caused a flutter by proposing that veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav be projected as the "chehra" (face) of the Grand Alliance in Bihar ahead of the assembly polls due later this year.

The suggestion made by Kushwaha, seconded by another alliance partner Mukesh Sahni, who heads Vikassheel Insaan Party, was being seen as a snub to the RJD, which leads the five-party formation and had recently declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate without taking allies into confidence.

"Sharad Yadav is a highly respected leader. Grand Alliance has been plagued by a leadership crisis in the absence of Lalu (jailed RJD supremo). It would be beneficial for all if Sharad ji is projected as the face of the coalition", Kushwaha a former Union minister, who joined the anti-NDA grouping before the Lok Sabha elections last year said.

Sahni, a former Bollywood set designer, who is yet to make a mark electorally though perceived to be enjoying support of his sizeable Nishad community, echoed the sentiments expressed by Kushwaha.

"Sharad ji will be an ideal choice. He is already a well-known face and we all can benefit from his experiences", he said.

Yadav, who formerly headed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U) and has been in the political wilderness after having been forced to part ways, appeared to be enjoying the sudden limelight.

"I am always happy to offer my services and carry out whatever responsibilities I am assigned", said the former Madhepura MP, who has since floated his own outfit Loktantrik Janata Dal comprising, mostly, JD(U) rebels, but had to suffer the ignominy of unsuccessfully contesting the last Lok Sabha polls on an RJD ticket.

RJD leaders were bemused by the development. While its national spokesman and Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha asserted "there is no alternative to Tejashwi", the partys veteran national vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said leader of opposition is an obvious choice for chief minister.

He qualified the statement with the observation "Sharad Yadav is a national leader. He cannot be confined to a state- specific role".

The Congress, the second largest Grand Alliance constituent after RJD, asserted that any decision on leadership must be taken after consultations with all the coalition partners.

"The question of leadership shall be decided jointly by all Grand Alliance constituents at an appropriate time. People are free to express individual opinions until then, though", BPCC spokesman Rajesh Rathore said.

The episode was yet another indication of the turmoil prevailing in the oppisition grouping which has been struggling to pick up its threads after suffering decimation in the general elections last year.

Lack of trust in young Tejashwi Yadavs ability to steer the coalition has grown in the aftermath of the RJD drawing a blank in the Lok Sabha polls, which was the first occasion for the party to face an election without its charismatic founding president leading from the front.

Founded by Prasad in 1997, the once mighty RJD is now a pale shadow of its earlier self and matters have been made worse by the infighting in his family which controls the party. His three children active in Tejashwi, Tej Pratap and Misa Bharti are not known to be on the best of terms.

Yet another problem has been tantrums thrown by mercurial allies like former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha and keeps issuing threats of exit from the Grand Alliance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PHILADELPHIA - A federal judge sentenced a former Philadelphia Navy Yard worker on Thursday to six months in prison for lying to the FBI about his ties to a white nationalist group in order to obtain security clearance.

Federal authorities said Fred C. Arena, 42, lied on his application for a national security clearance and then to FBI agents who later questioned him about his association with the group Vanguard America. Arena, who changed his plea to guilty in December, told the court Thursday that he was no longer affiliated with white nationalist groups.

I would like to say Im not part of that stuff any more. Ive realized it was stupid, Arena said in court Thursday. I dont believe Im a danger or anything like that.... I got sucked into this left-right stuff and I just took it too far.

Senior U.S. District Judge John R. Padova said the sentence should serve as a deterrent to anyone who would consider lying on applications or to agents when they sought security clearances, saying it was a serious threat.

According to court documents, Arena pleaded guilty to five counts of providing false information to federal authorities. Two of those counts were related to lying about his affiliation with Vanguard America and about having a car repossessed on his application for security clearance for a position with a safety contractor at the Navy Yard. The other three charges came from lying to FBI agents during the investigation.

Court records did not say how Arenas affiliation with the white nationalist group became known to federal investigators, but documents said Arena had chatted with at least one agent who posed as someone with similar ideals online.

Arena, who listed a Salem, New Jersey address, was denied bail late last year after federal prosecutors argued he was a danger, saying he had advocated for violence and made threats online against people who might have co-operated with investigators.

Prosecutors submitted some of those Facebook posts in their sentencing request Thursday, including one with a photo of Arena holding an assault rifle, on which he commented, Coming to a synagogue near you soon. They also noted that he had bragged about being involved in street brawls at the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, rather than simply saying he attended.

Arenas attorney Brian Zeiger said his client was not a member of Vanguard America when he lied on the application. Zeiger said his client lied because he was living in his car and was trying to get money to be able to pay bills and support himself.

Zeiger cautioned that the punishment should not be increased because we are so offended by his speech.

Padova said the six-month sentence will include credit for the almost four months that Arena has been in custody. It will be followed by two years of supervised release and a prohibition from being involved in or affiliated with any group that seeks to use force to stop someone else from practicing their constitutional rights.

What youve said is in the record, Mr. Arena, Padova said, adding he hoped Arena meant that he was no longer involved with the group. Im counting on you to have been truthful.
"What are the chances of us getting infected?", "What will happen to our families?". These were among the queries that greeted Air India's Captain Amitabh Singh as he put together a 19-member crew to bring back hundreds of Indians stranded in coronavirus-hit Wuhan.

Singh, who is the national carrier's Director of Operations, flew as an executive commander in the double-decker Boeing 747 aircraft that operated two rescue flights to Wuhan on January 31 and February 1.

A total of 647 Indians, as well 7 Maldivians, were evacuated from the Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic.

An "eerie feeling" crept into him when the first flight was landing, Singh recalled, as all the roads and buildings were well lit but it looked like a "dead city" as no human beings were around.

Disinvestment-bound Air India might have done many evacuations before, but the Wuhan flights were the first of their kind in terms of evacuating people in a medical emergency.

"We conquered our fears" as we did not know what to expect, an Air India personnel, who was onboard both the flights, said.

He was also all praise for the people who were evacuated from Wuhan, saying none of them misbehaved.

Back to work this week after a seven-day isolation period, Singh told PTI that the heartening thing about the flights was that no crew member refused to fly, rather they were more than willing to do it.

Talking about preparations at a short notice for the rescue flights, he said there were questions and apprehensions from the crew members, which were answered satisfactorily.

"What are the risks involved, what are the chances of us getting infected, what will happen to us after the flight, what will happen to our families?" were among the questions, Singh said.

They spoke to doctors about precautions to be taken and all their queries were answered, he added.

"This is a humanitarian flight. We are here to help in this hour of need and take you back to India... Keep your movement to the minimum and crew will come only if someone is unwell." These were among the announcements onboard before the flight took off for Delhi.

A total of 34 people, including 20-member Air India crew, doctors and support staff, were there in each flight. The carrier had 15 cabin crew and five cockpit crew, including Singh.

Doctors, cabin crew and others were in the upper deck. The first flight had doctors from RML Hospital and the second one had doctors from Safdarjung Hospital.

Recalling his experience, Singh said it was a "dead city" when they reached there.

"It was an eerie feeling. When we were landing, all roads and buildings were well lit. Everything was normal but there was no human being around," he said.

While noting that the only thing "alive" was the chat with the Air Traffic Controller there, Singh said the plane had to wait for more than six hours the first time before taking off from Wuhan due to the procedures involved.

On the second occasion, the wait was more than eight hours, he noted.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated high-level commitment to duty showcased by the officials of Air India and the Ministry of Health who conducted evacuation operation of the stranded Indians in Wuhan, according to an official release.

Wuhan is the epicentre of the novel coronavirus, which has spread to many other countries, including India.

When asked whether another flight to Wuhan might be in the offing, Singh said, "I have not heard of... but we are ready".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and the United States do not seem to be entirely on the same page on ways to make Pakistan stop supporting cross-border terrorism, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government is preparing to host American President Donald Trump in New Delhi and Ahmedabad later this month.

The US State Department lauded Prime Minister Imran Khans Government in Islamabad after a court in Pakistan sentenced Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed to imprisonment for 11 years after convicting him in two cases. New Delhi, however, remained skeptical about Pakistan's sincerity in squeezing the flow of funds to terrorist outfits and stopping exporting terror to India.

What also raised hackles in New Delhi is the Trump Administration's plan to restart training for soldiers of the armed forces of Pakistan. The US State Department of late sought approval from the American Congress to spend $ 72 million in the next financial year to restart the International Military Education and Training scheme for Pakistan.

The IMET scheme was a component of the larger US security aid package, worth $ 2 billion annually, for Pakistan, but the entire programme was suspended by Trump Administration in January 2018 to force Islamabad to combat the menace of terror more effectively. The US move to restart the IMET programme for Pakistan signaled a change in Trump Administration's approach to Khan Government, which might hold it up as an endorsement by Washington D.C. for its endeavor to combat terror, sources told the DH in New Delhi.

India also has reservations over the US move to clinch a deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan too. New Delhi has been warning Trump Administration about the possibility of Pakistan continuing to provide support to terrorists in Afghanistan even after the peace-deal.

A day after the Anti-Terrorism Court at Lahore in Pakistan convicted Hafiz Saeed and his aide Malik Zafar Iqbal of money-laundering and raising fund for terrorist outfits; New Delhi noted that it was among the long-pending international obligation of the government of the neighbouring country to put an end to support to terrorism.

Alice Wells, acting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs, however, said that the conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate was an important step forward by Pakistan  both toward holding (the) LeT accountable for its crimes and for meeting the international commitments of Khan Government in Islamabad to combat terrorist financing.

And as @ImranKhanPTI has said, it is in the interest of #Pakistans future that it not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil, Wells posted on Twitter. Her post signaled US willingness to lend credence to Islamabad's argument export of terrorism from Pakistan to India and other countries in South Asia were handiwork of the non-state actors. India, however, has been arguing that the terror infrastructure in Pakistan could not have run without support from the state actors, including the elements of the powerful military establishment of the neighbouring country.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.13

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

Plan of Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) for projects support in 2019 was 446.5 billion tenge ($1.1 million), DBK Deputy Chairman of the Management Board Duman Aubakirov told Trend.

Aubakirov noted that in accordance to DBKs development strategy, the bank is planning to allocate approximately 4.4 trillion tenge ($11.5 billion) for development of processing industry and industrial infrastructure through 2023.

Aubakirov disclosed that over the course of 2019,DBK approved funding of nine investment projects total cost of which was 935 billion tenge ($2.4 billion) and DBKs support of which amounted to 374.7 billion tenge ($982.7 million), as well as funding of three pre-export operations with 8 billion tenge ($20.9 million).

"The currency structure of DBKs loan portfolio continues displaying increase of tenge-denominated loans share," Aubakirov said.

He noted that share of tenge-denominated loans in banks loan portfolio increased from 42.5 percent in 2018 to 51.8 percent as of Nov. 30, 2019 and amounted to 859.6 billion tenge ($2.2 billion). At the same time, share of US dollar denominated loans amounted to 47.5 percent.

"New manufacturing capacities were launched at five ventures in 2019, total cost of which was 140 billion tenge ($367.1 million), whereas DBKs support exceeded 83 billion tenge ($217.6 million). Manufacturing of power transformers, ferrosilicon, poultry meat, as well as the production of green energy is being carried out at these ventures," Aubakirov said.

Talking DBKs Plans for 2020, Aubakirov noted that bank will go on funding major projects in processing industry and infrastructure.

"DBK is interested in projects aimed at manufacturing of highly processed goods, development of manufacturing, which affect related industries and have high export potential," Aubakirov said.

Along with long-term and short-term projects funding, DBK will continue use of measures such as joint funding, provision of DBK guarantees, leasing and equity financing via its subsidiaries in 2020, Aubakirov noted.

"At the same time, within the framework of export-oriented local manufacturing support, DBK will focus on searching for promising niches at the markets of key trading partners of Kazakhstan. In order to expand banks support measures, DBK will provide both exporters and importers with new measures in the form of additional loan and documentary operations," Aubakirov said.

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
" " A grey seal swims in the Farne Islands off the coast of Northumberland, England. The Farne Islands are the breeding grounds for one of Europe's largest grey seal colonies, with around 4,000 adults giving birth to 1,500 pups every year. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

We've known for a while that seals like to clap. We've turned the seal clap into meme after meme. Seals gleefully smacking their flippers together has become so iconic that actress Nicole Kidman's unorthodox method of applauding at the 2017 Academy Awards became known as "seal hands" clapping.

Until now, this practice had been largely limited to observing seals clapping on land or above water. But a study, led by Monash University in Australia and published in January 2020 in the journal Marine Mammal Science, blows our previous understanding of seal clapping out of the water.

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The researchers captured on camera the first-ever observation of a wild seal using what the study authors call "percussive signaling." In the video, a male grey seal swims off the coast of the Farne Islands near northeast England. He swishes by another seal and swims off, but not before quickly smacking his forelimbs together in succession, producing a sharp sound each time. The video footage was recorded, after 17 years of diving and trying, by naturalist Dr. Ben Burville, a visiting researcher with Newcastle University, U.K. It's a pretty quick 'look-away-and-you-miss-it' moment, as the claps last less than a second each.

Due to the fact that this clapping male seal initially swims by a female uttering guttural noises, the researchers speculate that the clapping might play an important role in social interactions such as breeding. The female seal swims off, but when she returns on-screen later in the video, the male claps once more and gets a little frisky by nearly biting the female, lending some support to this theory of social bonding.

It seems that only males clap underwater, and they usually target other seals with their smacks, leading the study's authors to hypothesize that the clapping functions as a mating behavior "to ward off potential competitors and/or advertise fitness to females." It's unclear whether other breeds of seals make the same gunshot-like clap, but similar sounds can be found across the marine mammal spectrum, such as when harbor seals and humpback whales slap their pectoral flippers.

Now That's Interesting Speaking of underwater sounds, leopard seals are also known to sing under the depths of the ocean during the breeding season. It's unclear exactly why the seals produce these vocal surprises, but for now, enjoy the sound of their haunting tunes.
On Thursday morning, Slate legal correspondent Dahlia Lithwick testified before the House Judiciary Committee hearing, Protecting Federal Judiciary Employees from Sexual Harassment Discrimination and Other Workplace Misconduct. Below is her testimony in full.

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member and Members of the Committee:

I am honored to be invited to speak with you today on the issue of sexual harassment and misconduct in the federal judiciary. I am here in my individual capacity and my views do not represent those of any entity or publication.

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I am here in several capacities; as a former 9th Circuit law clerk, and a journalist who has covered several stories of harassment and abuse both in the judiciary and in the law clerk pipeline that begins in law school. I have spoken on the topic at the Judicial College and at multiple federal circuit conferences. In every such presentation I am at pains to say that this is not a sex or abuse problem, but rather a power problem, and also that this is fundamentally a problem of closed systems that rely, often reasonably, on secrecy and discretion on the part of every member of a judicial chambers. But that same secrecy that protects the reputational and dignitary interests of the weakest branch of government can also become the kind of toxic and corrosive secrecy that allows abuse and harassment and bullying to go unaddressed. At its worst, this is the same secrecy that forces victims to report such conduct by way of journalism or committee hearing, which is emphatically not the best way to police misconduct. I want to say that again: Journalism and congressional oversight become necessary when the judiciary fails to police itself. They are not the solution to this problem, but rather a symptom.

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The judge-clerk experience can be one of the most important relationships in a young attorneys life. I can say without reservation that my clerkship made me the person I am today. Judicial clerk families become vital job contacts, cherished wedding guests and lifelong boosters. But when it is cast in terms of family and secrecy and loyalty, abuse can flourish there as well, and most young clerks, persuaded that they are on a trajectory to bigger and better clerkships and lucrative signing bonuses, are willing to endure almost any kind of abuse in the short term, in exchange for long-term gains. Indeed, prestigious clerkships are now essential for highly competitive jobs as federal prosecutors, public defenders, and civil rights lawyers. And for many first-generation lawyers, without contacts in the profession, giving up a law clerk network that can level the playing field a bit with their better-connected law school peers is illogical. But there is a fundamental difference between a demanding, exacting judge and a bully or misogynist, and there are insufficient mechanisms to sort the difference. The ethos of the judiciary has long been to let other judges run their chambers and their courtrooms as they please, without outside comment or interference, which is why open secrets about abusive or inappropriate judges become well-known, but never acted upon. My reporting also suggests that abusive and inappropriate relationships may begin even in law school, as students feel pressured, even in their first weeks at school, to form relationships with law professors who are known feeders to influential judges. And as is the case in any situations in which one person appears to have the power to make or break entire legal careers, that power can be abused, and also go unredressed, over years.

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I understand that there must be at least some temptation to say that law students and lawyers are adults, and enter into these asymmetrical relationships with their eyes wide open. My experience is that in some of the cases that I have reported on and learned of, the abuse can do horrific damage, careers can be short-circuited, and trauma can be lasting. This abuse transcends race and gender in some cases, and calls the integrity of the entire judiciary into question. I am very aware of the fact that judges rely on a certain amount of blind reverence and mystification in order to preserve public legitimacy. But when secret-keeping and abuse are eventually revealed it is the judiciary as a whole that suffers. That is all the more reason to craft open, transparent, and fair policies to deal with complaints from law clerks and the other support staff that work in and around Article III courts. The judiciary must be beyond reproach, and judicial misconduct should not be minimized or swept under the rug in the hopes that the public never learns of it. Right or wrong, the public always finds out.

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I am immensely grateful to the Chief Justice and the various circuit courts who have begun the work of improving systems by which abuse, harassment, and bullying can be reported, although I am not persuaded that the systems have entirely solved the problems. I have heard more than one Article III judge tell me that he has solved the problem himself by refusing to hire female clerks, or that the problem has been solved because only one bad apple was implicated and he stepped down. Neither of those are systemic solutions, and, as you will hear today, the problems are not yet solved. Rightly or wrongly, the legal profession is among the most conservative and risk-averse of any modern profession, and the impulse to look away, downplay, secret-keep, and justify is stronger among attorneys than any group I know. In addition to helping judges figure out how best to police themselves, we need to create a culture of bystanders willing to step up and report abuse, and to defend victims, even if at some personal and professional cost. We entrust the judicial branch with the sole power and authority to adjudicate complicated matters every day; finding out what has happened in a given chambers and why should not be an impossible task. The only cure I know for open secrets and suggestions that young lawyers might benefit from abusive hazing is transparency and sunlight. The alternativewhisper campaigns and summary dismissalsdoesnt only hurt individual victims, but also slowly undermines the judiciary as a whole.

I want to thank the committee for including me in this important conversation and look forward to answering any questions you may have.

Read some of Dahlias work on sexual harassment and the judiciary:

How Judge Alex Kozinski Made Us All Victims and Accomplices

Investigation at Yale Law School, written and reported with Susan Matthews
At least three lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded outside the chamber of one of them in a Lucknow court compound on Thursday. Lucknow Bar Association Joint Secretary Sanjiv Kumar Lodhi claimed he was the target of the attack because he had been complaining about a few judicial officers.

He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber in which he and two other lawyers were injured. "One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded," he said, questioning the security on the premises. Bomb disposal and dog squads have reached the site of the ...
NEW HAVEN, Conn.  The U.S. Education Department is investigating foreign gifts made to Harvard and Yale as part of a broader review of international money flowing to American universities, officials said.

The department said Wednesday it is reviewing whether the Ivy League schools potentially failed to report hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts and donations from countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and China.

The department previously opened investigations at schools including Georgetown University and Texas A&M as part of a campaign to scrutinize foreign funding and to improve reporting by universities.

Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all. We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent, as required by the law, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said.

A Yale spokeswoman, Karen Peart, said Thursday the university is preparing a response to the Education Departments requests for information about foreign funding.

Yale takes very seriously the importance of ensuring that funding from foreign sources does not in any way compromise American interests, and it respects the Education Departments requirements about reporting of such funding, Peart said.

A Harvard spokesman, Jonathan Swain, said it is reviewing the notice and preparing a response.

Federal law requires U.S. colleges to report contracts and donations from foreign sources totaling $250,000 or more. The Education Department said some of the foreign governments and corporations that donate to American universities are known to be hostile to the U.S. and may be seeking to steal proprietary research and spread propaganda benefiting other governments.

In Yales case, the department said it discovered in recent weeks that the university may have failed to report at least $375 million in foreign gifts and contracts. It said in a letter to Yale that the university appeared not to have reported a single foreign source gift or contract in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 despite having a significant presence abroad.

Peart said that after Yale became aware of the oversight last year, it submitted in November the required reporting of foreign funding for the four missing years. She said the university believes its reporting is current and complete.

Yale does not conduct classified or secret research, and the research we do conduct is published and available to the public through scholarly journals and other outlets, Peart said. Yale upholds the free inquiry of its faculty and does not accept, from any source of funding, restrictions on its research or teaching.

At Harvard, a professor was charged last month with lying about his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program and concealing payments he received from the Chinese government for research. The Education Department noted the arrest in its announcement Wednesday and said it is concerned Harvard may lack appropriate institutional controls over foreign money and may have failed to report fully all foreign gifts and contracts.

The department said its enforcement efforts since July have prompted the reporting of approximately $6.5 billion in previously undisclosed foreign money. It said $3.6 billion of that was reported by 10 schools: Cornell University, Yale, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Texas A&M, and Carnegie Mellon University.
(Natural News) Earlier this week, we reported how China rushed biotech industry virus testing kits into production, compressing the normal 2-3 years of testing and validation into just 2-3 weeks. The result? The test kits are a joke, producing 50%  70% false negatives, which means people who have the coronavirus are falsely confirmed to be virus-free.

Now, the CDC is admitting that its own test kits which were widely distributed to hospitals and clinics across all 50 U.S. states, are also failing. They producing both false negatives (missed infections) and false positives (saying people are infected when they really arent), both of which lead to horrific errors in deciding who should be quarantined or treated.

When states receive the kits, they verify that the kit works the same in their lab that it worked at the CDC. When some states were doing the certification, they found that the tests didnt work as expected, reports The Epoch Times.

This admission comes from Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, who we have previously profiled as a remarkably honest scientist working for the CDC. From the best we can tell so far, Dr. Messonnier operates with a surprising degree of transparency, given the total dishonesty of the agency she works for. Dr. Messonnier didnt have to admit these test kits were failing, for example, and her rapid admission speaks to the level of transparency and honesty coming out of her department within the CDC.

We hoped everything would go smoothly as we rushed this, Dr. Messonnier explained. But things didnt go as smoothly as they had hoped.

Put another way, Dr. Messonnier admitting these early errors in the testing kits actually gives us confidence that certain elements of the CDC might actually be willing to admit keep us informed with some degree of transparency. Whats suspicious is when government agencies tell us everything is perfect and nothing has gone wrong. Thats called propaganda, and thats whats coming out of communist China. So in a sense, Dr. Messonniers admission here actually lends credence to the CDC on all this.

These test kits produce false negatives that miss infected people

From previous reporting, it appears that hundreds of thousands of these test kits were sent out across America. Like many such test kits, their proper use requires careful following of the test procedures, including proper sample gathering (swabbing the patient), proper transfer of the sample to a liquid medium, proper labeling, proper adding of reagents, etc. Typically such tests require very precise steps for mixing, adding, shaking (vortexing), waiting, transferring to another container, and so on. Any failure to follow these steps can result in a failed test, and those failures can take many forms including false positives and false negatives.

The danger here, obviously, is that a false negative could lead to a local hospital or clinic believing a person is virus-free when, in reality, they are infected with the coronavirus and spreading it to others. That person could easily be allowed to return home (or to work) where they would spread the infection to others.

The rapid turnaround time of such tests does not make up for the fact that the test itself is producing false negatives. If you get bad results really quickly, theyre still bad results. In fact, a rapid test thats inaccurate just results in doctors and clinicians making bad decisions more quickly, further accelerating the spread of the virus.

Stay informed. Read NaturalNews.com and listen to the following podcast for more details:

Brighteon.com/80928f50-05a0-44ef-bf97-cfe7cb64233c
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are parked on the tarmac after being grounded, at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California on March 28, 2019.

Southwest Airlines on Thursday pulled the Boeing 737 Max from its schedules until mid-August, meaning the low-cost carrier expects to go another peak summer season without the fuel-efficient planes.

The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing changes Boeing made to the planes but has not yet approved them to reenter commercial service. Regulators around the world ordered airlines to stop flying the planes last March after two fatal crashes  in Indonesia in October 2018 and in Ethiopia less than five months later  killed all 346 people on the two flights.

After months of overly optimistic forecasts from Boeing, the company ousted Dennis Muilenburg as CEO in December. A month later, it estimated the planes would be cleared to fly in mid-2020.

Because airlines need at least a month to train pilots  for which Boeing now recommends simulator training  and perform other tasks to get the planes ready to fly commercially, it could take weeks after federal approvals to return the jets to schedules.

Southwest, which operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, pulled the planes from its schedules through Aug. 10, from a June 6 target previously.

"We remain confident that, once certified by the FAA, the enhancements will support the safe operation of the Max," the airline said.

That means the cancellation of about 371 weekday flights from peak schedules of 4,000 flights a day, the airline said.

Southwest said the Max grounding cost it $828 million in operating income last year. The company reached a compensation agreement with Boeing last year, but the cost could continue to climb as the grounding wears on.

Southwest had 34 Max planes in its fleet at the time of the grounding and expected to have 75 by the end of last year and 38 delivered this year. Boeing has halted deliveries and production of the planes because of the grounding.
Man escapes crashed plane just before it's hit by train
The Plainview City Council set preferred criteria related to Business Park Economic Development Policy during their Tuesday night meeting.

The preferred criteria will be used as a tool when evaluating prospective businesses. The preferred criteria focuses on a targeted industry, $2.5 million capital investment and 20 new jobs. The council was presented with three different options to add to the criteria regarding salary requirements. Option 1 was an average wage of equal or greater value based on the Texas Work Commission salaries. Option 2 was an average wage of $35,000 and Option 3 was that an average wage will be a determining factor.

City Attorney Matt Wade reminded the council, this policy was to be used as a tool. Regardless of the option, there was still some flexibility to look at the economic impact of the applicants individually

Teressa King made a motion, which was seconded by Eric Hastey, for Option 3.

King said she felt this was the most appropriate way to go so they can judge on an individual basis. Larry Williams agreed adding this would also help current local businesses by not mandating a wage they would have to compete with.

Susan Blackerby and Nelda Van Hoose voiced concerns about not setting a minimum salary expectation for the potential business at the Business Park. Blackerby added by setting no minimum it could set expectations low and we need to raise the expectations, especially since the city has put a lot of money into the park.

The motion was passed on a 6-2 vote with Blackerby and Van Hoose voting against.

Plainview Police Chief Ken Coughlin presented the 2019 Racial Profiling Report.

The Plainview Police Department has not had any complaints regarding racial profiling since the law was enacted in 2002.

A total of 6,514 stops occurred in 2019 with 5,997 occurring on city streets. Of those stops, 4,059 resulted in a verbal warning, 2,047 resulted in a citation, 343 arrests were made and 22 written warnings were given.

The city council also unanimously approved a resolution regarding the refund of the contract revenue bonds from the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority. The resolution was needed to move forward and waive notice requirements.
Since the conversation on sexual harassment in the workplace broke open (again) in the fall of 2017, many smart people have tried to explain the dynamics of the abuse. Again and again it has come back to a simple maximthat harassment is not only, or even predominantly about sex; it is about power. And so we have spent the past few years trying to unpack how various industries and offices foster power imbalances that allow for such abuse, from the casting couch to academia (and beyond and beyond). One field that operates around a particularly terrible set of power dynamics is the one that is hypothetically tasked with correcting these problems: the law.

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It cannot be overstated how influential the clerkship is in elite legal circles. Young law students at the countrys top law schools often start thinking about their clerkship opportunities in the first weeks of their first year of law school, since whom they first clerk for can determine whom they might go on to clerk for, all the way up to the opportunity to clerk at the Supreme Court, an honor that comes not only with professional opportunities but with extraordinarily lucrative signing bonuses. Top students often secure their clerkships in that very first year of law school and go on to workit is understood, ferociously, constantly, and without complaintfor federal judges who are beholden to no real system of accountability. As a result of reporting in Slate and elsewhere over the past few years, it has become clear just how dangerous that lack of accountability can be.

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On Thursday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing on Protecting Federal Judiciary Employees From Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Other Workplace Misconduct. Congress is the body that oversees the federal judiciary, and, as the press release announcing the hearing notes, Under current law, employees of the Federal Judiciary do not have protections from harassment, discrimination, and retaliation afforded under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. That release also notes that new rules and policies on how to handle workplace harassment in the judiciary were put into place just under a year ago, in March 2019, after several former clerks (including my colleague Dahlia Lithwick) disclosed that they had been harassed by or had witnessed harassment by a specific judge, Alex Kozinski, who retired from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals but whose behavior was never formally investigated nor punished. In fact, when onetime Kozinski clerk Brett Kavanaugh was asked at his Supreme Court hearing about the allegations against Kozinski, he insisted repeatedly that he never witnessed any untoward behavior from the judge. (In announcing his retirement, Kozinski wrote, It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; this was never my intent. For this I sincerely apologize.)

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Warren says that in her first days as a clerk, Reinhardt asked her if an image he had drawn, of nipples on a sine curve, was an accurate representation of her breasts.

Kozinskis record had been complicated even before these women spoke up: In 2008, the Los Angeles Times broke a story about a private email server he maintained to send crude, often sexually themed jokes, and he was lightly reprimanded by the judiciary for maintaining a publicly accessible website that contained pornographic images (the reprimand was that he had been careless in letting it be public). Thursday at the House Judiciary hearing, another former clerk, Olivia Warren, testified about her experiences clerking for a different judge, one with no such recordformer 9th Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt. When Reinhardt passed away in March of 2018, Slates obituary described him as possibly the nations most liberal federal judge, a man whose career included unapologetically defending LGBTQ equality, abortion access, womens rights, immigrants rights, and free expression while opposing capital punishment, mass incarceration, and police brutality. He, like Kozinski, was also known as a feeder judge for Supreme Court justices.

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Warren testified Thursday that he was also a sexual harasser. Warren, a graduate of Harvard Law School, spoke to the House Judiciary Committee about her experiences clerking in Reinhardts chambers from May 2017 until the judge passed away in March 2018. Her testimony, which was followed by Lithwicks own, is sickeningly familiar. She recounts being told by everyone around her at Harvard that a clerkship would be a singular opportunity and how a former clerk for Reinhardt, who was also her mentor, helped her secure a coveted spot with Reinhardt in her first year of law school. She talks about the unquestionable prestige attached to the clerkship and her excitement about Reinhardts reputation as a liberal lion given her professional ambitions. She tells of being warned by several people, including former Reinhardt clerks, that she would need to brace herself for your grandfathers sexism. And then she goes on to detail her experience with that sexism, which was more than sexism, and how it felt.

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Warren says that in her first days as a clerk, Reinhardt asked her if an image he had drawn, of nipples on a sine curve, was an accurate representation of her breasts. She learned of Reinhardts tendency to ask his other clerks to judge his selection of future clerks based on their physical appearance, of the shelf he reserved in his office for photos of him with the clerks he deemed attractive, and his code words for attractive and unattractive clerks. And, Warren says, he harassed her personally, directly, specifically. From her testimony:

Judge Reinhardt routinely and frequently made disparaging statements about my physical appearance, my views about feminism and womens rights, and my relationship with my husband (including our sexual relationship). Often, these remarks included expressing surprise that I even had a husband because I was not a woman who any man would be attracted to. In that vein, Judge Reinhardt often speculated that my husband must be a wimp, or possibly gay. Judge Reinhardt would use both words and gestures to suggest that my wimp husband must either lack a penis, or not be able to get an erection in my presence. He implied that my marriage had not been consummated.

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Warren was clerking for Reinhardt at the same time that several women were speaking out about the harassment they had experienced as clerks for Kozinski. She recounts in her testimony how this infuriated Reinhardt and how he responded by telling Warren that women were liars, that he would not hire female clerks going forward, and that he was more at risk of sexual harassment from her than she was at risk from him. When Slate published Lithwicks piece describing the harassment she witnessed from Kozinski, Reinhardt, according to Warren, had his clerks read the piece and then started a conversation on it by stating, No one ever ogled Dahlia Lithwick. (I am Lithwicks editor, and I edited and fact-checked that piece.)

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In her testimony, Warren also outlined her efforts to use her own personal experiences with sexual harassment in other contexts to explain the reality of abuse to her boss, whose job, it is worth remembering, is interpreting and dictating the law. I have not attempted here to recount every instance of sexual harassment that I experienced or witnessed while clerking for Judge Reinhardt, she said Thursday on Capitol Hill. Indeed, after Dec. 8, 2017, there may have been a day in which I was not harassed (whether by reference to my physicality, my intellectual capacity, my feminism, my gender identity, or my sexuality), but I cannot remember one after searching my memory. She spoke about her fruitless attempts to report the harassment to anyone at the judiciary or at Harvard after Reinhardt had died and, crucially, of the difficulty in speaking up at all:

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There are systemic barriers to reporting harassment and misconduct by judges that are unique to the legal profession, and uniquely formidable in the context of the relationship between law clerk and judge. The consequences of miscalculating the risk of possibly offending a judge are fraught with a peril that does not dissipate with time and can hang over ones entire professional career. For a law clerk, at the precipice of his or her legal career, alienating a federal judge can spell doom for their life in the law. And it is not only the judge him or herself from whom retribution is feared. Judges have networks of former law clerks to whom the judges reputation is inextricably intertwined with their own: These former clerks have made their name, in part, by reference to the reputation of the judge for whom they clerked. This group therefore has reasons both devoted and selfish to want to protect the judges reputation at all costs. Judge Reinhardts clerks are dazzling, particularly to a young lawyer committed to public service. The Reinhardt clerks are legal luminaries in the field of public interest law whose accomplishments befit having clerked for a liberal lion: law school faculty, politicians, and prominent members of the civil rights and criminal defense bars. I was terrified of offending them; I still am. I draw attention to this fact because it is yet another barrier to reporting harassment for law clerksthe possibility of immediate retaliation by the judge is supplemented by the possibility of long-term retaliation by those devoted to protecting his reputation and remaining in his good graces.

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In 2018, Lithwick and I reported on a facet of this toxic system: how the clerkship pipeline seemed to incentivize Yale Law students to tolerate harassing behavior from their professors, out of a desire not to rock the boat or possibly jeopardize crucial letters of recommendation they might need to get in the door in the first place. (In her testimony, Warren noted that in her conversations with Harvard Law faculty, she emphasized that students rarely hear about negative clerkship experiences for many of the systemic reasons that I have explained, and that she told several members of the Harvard Law administration how misled I felt by the institutional push to clerk.)

When asked to elaborate on how she felt the system had failed her, Warren spoke of the desperation of seeking answers and allies and finding only silence.

The hearing was not intended to try a judge for something he is not able to answer for but rather to bring these dynamics into the open, to explain them to the very committee tasked with overseeing the judiciary. The new rules enacted in 2019 emphasize judges requirement to report misconduct and clarify that retaliation against those who do report is unacceptable, but there is little transparency around corrective actions for judges as courts are not required to publicly disclose how they resolve such complaints. Broader judicial reforms are still in the works, including from the newly created Office of Judicial Integrity, and the hearing was one step in an attempt to gain more information about the problem.

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After Warrens testimony, the members of the subcommittee asked questions. When asked to elaborate on how she felt the system had failed her, Warren spoke of the desperation of seeking answers and allies and finding only silence, and of trying to find a safe way to report the abuse. This burden should not have been on me, she said.

Warren told the committee that other women considering clerkships had heard rumors of abusive judges and asked her for advice on how to proceed. She had tried to help those women, but she expressed frustration about law students reliance on whisper networks in the absence of real protections. It is not fair that only a few people should understand the risks, she said. When asked about her decision to come forward, Warren made it clear that it wasnt an easy one to make. For a long time, she told almost no one. It was only after Dahlia Lithwick published her piece that I reached out to a mentor of mine, she said. The mentor told her something she had never considered before: that she had the option to leave the clerkship. But as other women in the hearing made clear: Prestigious clerkships like the one Warren had with Reinhardt are considered an opportunity just too valuable to question.

Additional reporting by Molly Olmstead.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:03:47|Editor: Yurou

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CANBERRA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Chief Scientist has backed the government's plan to rely on gas for electricity generation during the transition to renewable sources.

In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Alan Finkel said that the transition would take decades and "we cannot abruptly cease our use of energy."

"Make no mistake, this will be the biggest engineering challenge ever undertaken. The energy system is huge, and even with an internationally committed and focused effort, the transition will take many decades," he said.

"It will also require respectful planning and re-training to ensure affected individuals and communities, who have fuelled our energy progress for generations, are supported throughout the transition."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged using gas as Australia's primary source of energy generation until solar, wind and hydrogen are reliable enough to keep up with demand.

Finkel said that natural gas was a much cleaner alternative than coal-fired power generation.

"Ultimately, we will need to complement solar and wind with a range of technologies such as high levels of storage, long-distance transmission, and much better efficiency in the way we use energy," he said.

"But while these technologies are being scaled up, we need an energy companion today that can react rapidly to changes in solar and wind output.

"An energy companion that is itself relatively low in emissions, and that only operates when needed.

Members of the governing Coalition continue to push for government subsidies for coal-fired power but Finkel on Wednesday rejected the notion - warning of the dangers of climate change.

"The link between climate change, a rising number of forest fire danger days and our season of bushfires is clear, and has resulted in a steep collective cost that can be measured in billions of dollars in economic damage, which pales to insignificance when compared to the greater costs behind the statistics," he said.
According to Plato, At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet and the reams of romantic verse that will be unleashed for Valentines Day is testament to his wisdom.

For Amy OConnor, however, it was the heartbreak that often comes with love which was the catalyst for the publication of her debut poetry collection.

When a significant relationship came to an end, OConnor found that poetry provided some solace in the emotional fall-out.

Poetry in a way was my outlet, it was a medium through which I could express my emotions and I think I really fell in love with it then because it was my way of dealing with everything. I was putting it down on paper and getting it out. It was a stress reliever and a coping mechanism.

The 26-year-old Tipperary native, now based in Cork, was encouraged to take the leap from just writing for herself to sharing her poetry with the world when she began to receive encouragement from friends and family, as well as her online followers on the social media platform Instagram.

Over the years, I might read something to my dad or someone in my family but for a long time, I wasnt showing my work to people. I was probably going through the worst of the break-up about two years ago when I was in Canada and I was writing quite a bit. I would write in the evening and the girl I was living with would ask if she could see some of my work. I had nothing to lose so I showed my stuff to her.

"She said that it really connected with her. When I understood that other people could relate to it, that is when I got a bit of confidence and thought maybe this belongs in the world and I shouldnt be keeping all of it to myself.

OConnor, who works in communications, ultimately took the self-publishing route to launching her collection, A Beautiful Complexity.

Originally, like most people involved in writing, I wanted to go down the traditional publishing route but only a select number of publishers will work with poets. I put a sales pitch for the book together and I sent it off but while I was waiting to hear back, I was doing my research into self-publishing.

OConnor received positive feedback from publishers but no deals were forthcoming so she began the self-publishing process. OConnor says she would recommend it to others who want to get their work out into the public domain.

The whole process took about eight months from when I decided to self-publish to when I got my proof copy. I would recommend it to people, if you want a piece of art that you want to get out there and people are saying no, I dont think that should stop you. The whole thing cost me about 1,500, so it is affordable.

"The likes of Amazon will do print per purchase, so you dont have to go away and buy a thousand copies of your book and hope that they sell.

OConnor has also found a sizeable audience for her poems on Instagram, where a new generation of poets are now showcasing their work. There is a whole scene online, on Instagram and Facebook. Its shorter poetry because we are consuming things online at a quicker rate. I like the work of people like Rupi Kaur and Lang Leav.

The work of contemporary poets such as Kaur and Leav attracts an audience of millions on social media but OConnor acknowledges that there is still a view that it is not proper poetry.

There is an argument out there about whether Instagram poetry is real poetry I know in the literary world, they often dont think so but I think it takes a skill to be able to put so much emotion into a short space and resonate with the reader.

However, OConnor also acknowledges that there are drawbacks to sharing ones work online.

It is fantastic to be able to engage one-on-one with people who appreciate your writing because you dont get the opportunity to do that a lot. But there will be some days when I will take a break from the account.

"You have to prioritise your head space and your mental health. I cant be constantly be fixated on what others think of my work or the demand for it either.

"The last thing I want is to be just writing to keep the account going. If you are going to go online with your work, do it for the love of it and not for the demand.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East, Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah has been named the best performing MP of the New Patriotic Party in the Ashanti Region.

This was captured in a research conducted by the Center for Progressive Governance (CenProG) ahead of the parliamentary primaries of the ruling government on April 25.

The exercise covered all the 44 constituencies in the Ashanti region, 1 of which was/is an NDC stronghold (New Edubiase) and another which is a swing seat (Ahafo Ano North).

At the end of the research, the Data accumulated confirmed that Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah stands tall amongst all the other NPP MPs in the region.

In an Executive Summary from CenProG released and signed by its Executive Secretary Sawadogo Mahmoud, it said: The youngest legislator in the parliament of Ghana, Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah is the most liked NPP MP in the Ashanti region. Respondents cite charisma, eloquence, attractiveness to floating voters and integrity as the qualities they look for in a Member of Parliament."

The report continued, Out of respondents in the Kwabre East constituency who said they were NPP members, 96% named her as the candidate with the qualities they wanted in an MP. 89% said there were satisfied with her performances; out of with 90% indicated there were very satisfied. 92% of the floating voters named her as the candidate with the qualities they want in an MP, 87% were satisfied with her performance; out of which 88% said they were very satisfied.

Hon. Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah scored a rating of 94% beating Hon. Mathew Opoku Prempeh (Manhyia South) and Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu (Suame).

Hon. Joyce Adwoa Akoh Dei (Bosome Freho), as well as Hon. Collins Owusu Amankwah, (Manhya North) bounced onto the list of top 5 NPP performing MPs in the Region.

About CenProG:

Center for Progressive Governance (CenProG) is a governance research and social advocacy group based in Ghana.

Over the last couple of years, we have contributed to critical national issues especially in the area of our good governance with analysis on both the government and the opposition parties.

Data collection for the research:

Our volunteers visited all 44 constituencies in the Ashanti region which have MPs from the New Patriotic Party: 1 of which was/is an NDC stronghold (New Edubiase) and another that is a swing seat (Ahafo Ano North).

We agreed before the commencement of the project that due to limited time and resources, the constituencies were zoned into 6 based on their geographical location which are the Kumasi Metro Zone, The Ahafo Ano Zone, The Adansi Zone, The Asante Akyim Zone, The Nwabiagya/Mponua Zone and the Afigya/Sekyere/Kwabre Zone. Apart from the Kumasi Metro Zone where we spent 3 days, a minimum of 5 days was spent in each zone.

We agreed that since most of the constituencies in the region had more than 100 polling stations, it would serve our purpose if we chose an equal number of respondents from each constituency. To also give a fair representation, we interviewed 120 party members and 80 people who said they had no political party affiliations (floating voters). About 80% of the party members we interacted with said they either belonged to a branch or were branch executives. We did not interview any constituency or regional executive for this survey. In all, we interviewed 8800 people:

4840 female and 3960 male respondents.

Respondents were among other things asked what factors would influence their choice of Member of Parliament. They were also asked if they were satisfied with the performance of their Member of Parliament in terms of : [1] Incorruptible [2] Response to the party grassroots [3] Relationship with constituents [4] Regard for the party structures [5] Effective communication [6] Development projects. And if they were satisfied, how satisfied were they with the performance of their MP.

Respondents were also asked which qualities they wanted in an MP and to name the person they think possess those qualities. Respondents who said they had no allegiance to any political party were asked if they had ever voted for an NPP Presidential candidate whiles voting for a Parliamentary candidate from another party or vice versa.
I am thankful for what Trumps impeachment and acquittal have established about the US, its constitution and presidency.

Pity Donald Trump.

In the days since his acquittal by Republican senators, the president of the United States has gone, as always, off the rhetorical deep end.

At a national prayer breakfast the morning after his political salvation, Trump confirmed, once more, that he is unfamiliar  to put it charitably  with many of the 10 Commandments, particularly the one that implores believers not to bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Instead, Trump launched into a grievance-ridden diatribe against the neighbours in Washington, DC and beyond he holds responsible for his impeachment in the House on two counts  obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.

As everybody knows, our great country and your president have been put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people, Trump said. They have done everything possible to destroy us and, by so doing, very badly hurt our nation.

Trumps at times incoherent speech was, arguably, a classic expression of what psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud recognised as projection  assigning undesirable feelings or emotions onto someone else, rather than admitting to or dealing with the unwanted feelings.

Although he would be loath to admit it, I suspect Trumps already fragile ego endured an infuriating beating before and after his impeachment and the subsequent Senate show trial as Hamid Dabashi aptly put it recently in another Al Jazeera opinion piece.

So rather than continue to attack Trump and his mercurial psyche, I am inclined these days to thank him. Yes, thank him, for what his impeachment and acquittal have now established beyond any reasonable doubt about the presidency, the US constitution, Congress, and America.

Apparently, Trump is proof the sentimental trope that anyone can become president of the United States is no sentimental trope.

American boys and girls now know that if they grow up to be narcissists and racists without a scintilla of introspection, remorse or empathy, they too can become the leader of the free world.

Oh, and Trumps trajectory from a human brand to the Oval Office has made it plain to those same plucky kids that if they learn to lie as easily as they breathe while flouting the law and decency to amass a fortune as a reality-TV star, chances are they may be called Mr or Madame President one day.

Indeed, future presidents taking the oath of office should say: Thank you, Mr President, for finally and emphatically making obsolete the solemn pledge to  preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States.

The US constitution has been on life-support for decades. Richard Nixon bombed Cambodia illegally. Former US President George W Bush invaded Iraq and spied on Americans illegally. Then, Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney let loose the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the US military to torture detainees illegally.

Barack Obama, an ex law professor and former US president, said he would do something about all the illegality as president, but did not. In time, he compounded the illegality by keeping open the dungeons of Guantanamo Bay and killing lots of innocent people with drones in the legally-dubious name of the perpetual war on terror.

Trumps naked quid pro quo with Ukraine  making military aid contingent on publicly announcing a criminal probe of the Biden family  was certainly in keeping with his predecessors self-serving and malleable attitude towards the constitutions supposed supremacy.

One of Trumps lawyers during the Senates faux trial, the emeritus Harvard law professor-turned-cable TV darling, Alan Dershowitz, told senators: If a president does something which he believes will help him get elected in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.

Dershowitz argued, in effect, that Trump and any other president for that matter, can do whatever they want to, whenever they want to, to whomever they want to, for whatever reason they want to and there is nothing Congress can or ought to do to stop it.

The implicit, if not explicit, legacy of Trumps acquittal is that the president must be considered the legal embodiment of the state and, as such, whatever the president does, for whatever reason the president does it, it is, de facto, always in the interests of the state.

Emboldened, Trump expelled his perceived enemies who testified during the House impeachment hearings that the presidents Ukraine gambit was improper and constituted a quid pro quo.

The huffing and puffing over Trumps purge of Ambassador Gordon Sondland and Lt Col Alexander Vindman (and his twin brother, a National Security Council lawyer) lasted a little longer than a news cycle before yielding to the horse-race coverage of the Democratic caucus in Iowa and the New Hampshire primary.

After it quickly faded, two facts emerged: Dershowitz was right about the presidents impunity and the so-called leader of the free world is as eager to conduct enemy-cleansing purges as any tin-pot dictator the US corporate media has, for so long, been fond of deriding.

I am pleased that Trump and complicit company have extinguished any more silly, discredited talk of US exceptionalism.

Happily, another risible myth that imploded during Trumps impeachment was the notion that the US enjoys three co-equal branches of government.

Sure, House Democrats impeached him, but Trump knew he would be acquitted by his loyal Republican subjects who were content to mimic the proverbial see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil monkeys.

Chief Justice John Roberts gave the whole, sorry charade the imprimatur of judicial probity and seriousness by presiding over the trial with stoic restraint, as the New York Times gushed. (Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell awarded Roberts the Golden Gavel for mock services rendered.)

There was no trial. There were no witnesses. It was a show designed to demonstrate the Senate and Supreme Court had not devolved into a transparent racket in the service of the potentate, but were performing their constitutionally protected duties.

Still, I am grateful to Trump for laying bare this pitiful pantomime.

Finally, what to make of the reaction of Americans to Trumps non-impeachment impeachment?

His supporters, blinded by their unwavering, cult-like fidelity, remain convinced of his innocence and devotion to make America great again  whatever that gibberish means. His opponents, depressed, angry and aggrieved, largely take to Twitter or MSNBC to vent.

Perhaps it is time for an American spring. Perhaps it is time for Americans who claim to detest how Trump has transformed and disfigured America to get off Twitter and TV and take, en masse, to the streets  or preferably the voting booth  and get rid of him.

I may be thankful, but I am not optimistic.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Philadelphia, PA, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beyond Celiac has been serving up content for the coeliac disease and gluten sensitive communities for years. Notable in recent months is a spike in the number of searches for information about the gluten status of various types of alcohol.

The short answer is yes, pure, distilled liquor, even if made from wheat, barley, or rye, is considered gluten-free. Most liquors are safe for people with coeliac disease because of the distillation process. However, people with coeliac disease and gluten sensitivity need to be on the lookout for hidden gluten in liquors that add flavorings or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contamination in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye.

Maria Luci, Beyond Celiac Assistant Director of Digital Media, noted the spike in related searches over the December holidays. We believe that interest is coming not only from people who are diagnosed with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity out at bars and restaurants, but also people who are throwing parties and want to be inviting and inclusive for all their guests. Some alcohol can be especially confusing. For example, rye whiskey is made from rye, a gluten-containing grain. It is rendered gluten-free in the distillation process. Its easy to understand why someone might be unsure and do a quick search to confirm if its safe to drink while pouring over a drink menu, Luci added.

A liquor product that may contain gluten is ouzo, due to grains sometimes being added after the distillation process. More information about the gluten-status of many common alcohols can be found on the Beyond Celiac website.

A Note on Beer

Beer is fermented, not distilled, so it goes through a different creation process. Regular beer is made with barley and is not safe for people with coeliac disease. There are non-barley based gluten-free beers on the market, as well as hard ciders and ales.

Members of the coeliac disease and gluten sensitive communities can stay up to date with the latest information in research, in addition to accessing gluten-free recipes and other helpful tips and downloadable resources by signing up for the free monthly enewsletter.

XXX

About Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease (spelled celiac in the United States) is a serious, genetic, autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1% of the population, the majority of whom are still undiagnosed. The disease can cause debilitating symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to serious long-term health problems including infertility and some types of cancer.

Beyond Celiac:

For more than 15 years, Beyond Celiac has been the leading patient advocacy and research-driven coeliac disease organization in the United States working to drive diagnosis, advance research and accelerate the discovery of new treatments and a cure. By engaging with the top scientists in the field, awarding research grants, and supporting the community, Beyond Celiac envisions a world in which people with coeliac disease can live healthy lives and eat without fear  a world Beyond Celiac. www.BeyondCeliac.org.

Contact:

Claire Baker

Beyond Celiac

cbaker@beyondcoeliac.org

267-419-2111

Attachment
The massive fire overnight Tuesday at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Baton Rouge is suspected of releasing cancer-causing chemicals benzene and 1,3 butadiene, as well as other chemicals that are toxic at high enough concentrations, a Louisiana State Police report says.

But the amounts of those releases are unclear and likely will remain so for about a week, when ExxonMobil provides estimates to state regulators in what's known as a "seven-day" report.

State officials have said the blaze likely combusted many of those harmful chemicals, converting them into other materials  some of which are also toxic. Air monitoring inside, around and away from the plant did not detect harmful concentrations of chemicals being released into the air or among the broader public, according to state officials and public data.

The initial incident report from State Police details ExxonMobil's response to the blaze, which took nearly seven hours to extinguish. The report shows brief updates over an 11-hour period from 11:58 p.m. Tuesday to 11:16 a.m. Wednesday, hours after the fire had been put out but while flaring was still underway.

ExxonMobil officials pointed out Thursday that the report, which is required by law no more than an hour after an emergency incident is discovered, captures early estimates from company officials as they are still trying to find out what is happening. They also inform firefighters, regulators and others about how they should help respond to the incident and protect the public.

The reports are written to err on the side of being more protective of public health, company officials said, adding estimates of chemical releases can change in later reports.

"We are very conservative. We tend to report early and often, and we can always retract it later," Robert Berg, ExxonMobil's state regulatory adviser, said Thursday.

Berg and company spokeswoman Stephanie Cargile emphasized that rigorous air monitoring shows the chemical release did not expose the broader community.

The first paragraph-long dispatch from ExxonMobil, as recounted by a state trooper, provides a sense of the battle with the raging fire by company officials and their internal firefighting force.

"We believe that we have a high potential of flammable vapor material being released," Exxon told police at the start of the incident. "We are currently working to contain the fire and will follow-up with an estimate once the fire is contained. The fire has not been secured at this time. Unknown release amount at this time. Fire visible from outside the facility."

The report says the fire had been discovered at 11 p.m. Tuesday. ExxonMobil didn't notify the State Police hotline until 58 minutes later, just under a one-hour deadline for emergency incidents. At the time, wind was recorded as blowing 8 mph from the northeast, the report says.

The report says ExxonMobil's firefighters cut off a fuel line suspected of helping to keep the fire going, eventually gaining full control of the blaze.

"The fire was extinguished at 5:45 a.m.," the report says.

Other chemicals that ExxonMobil officials believe were released, according to the incident report, were unspecified "flammable vapor," crude oil and hydrogen sulfide. Company officials added in their dispatches to State Police that flaring necessitated by the "unit upset" from the fire had resulted in releases of sulfur dioxide that exceeded 500 pounds.

Flaring is when a facility intentionally burns material for safety or environmental reasons.

"Flammable vapor" is a term used in reporting hazardous incidents and encompasses a category of chemicals on a state list that could contribute to a fire, ExxonMobil officials said. Acknowledgement of that kind of vapor is meant to inform regulators about potential risk, but it wasn't immediately clear Thursday to what chemical the term referred in this instance.

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The report does not indicate how much benzene was released from the fire and suggests that ExxonMobil officials were still trying to figure out that total in the first hours of the fire.

The Advocate obtained the report Thursday from State Police through a public records request.

The fire inside the 2,100-acre refining, chemical and plastics complex off Scenic Highway did not cause any injuries. ExxonMobil also said the blaze did not hinder its ability to meet contractual commitments.

Citing anonymous sources, Reuters reported Thursday that the fire had cut production at the 502,500 barrel-per-day refinery and forced the shutdown of multiple units in the refinery and chemical operations.

The fire has prompted investigations by the state Department of Environmental Quality and by ExxonMobil to determine its cause. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also been monitoring the fire and its aftermath, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been on the scene.

Sources have told The Advocate and Reuters that the fire happened in the refinery's crude distillation unit, the rough starting point of the oil refining process.

+7 Massive ExxonMobil blaze extinguished without injury or environmental impact A fire inside the massive ExxonMobil refinery cast an orange glow across the Baton Rouge sky early Wednesday, alarming residents but causing n

Crude is fed into the unit and heated to temperatures surpassing 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to allow impurities to come out and to break down the oil into different products as the temperature rises. They include lighter end products like butane and naphtha, mid-range products like kerosene and diesel, and heavier products like fuel oil, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The State Police report appears to hint further that the distillation unit was affected. One summary paragraph in the report appears to call it, erroneously, the "crude discolation unit."

ExxonMobil officials say they don't comment on the operational status of specific units.

While benzene and 1,3 butadiene are known human carcinogens for long-term, chronic exposure, they are also highly flammable, according to materials safety data sheets and federal health websites.

The chemical 1,3 butadiene, in particular, is known to be extremely flammable and can pose a serious risk of fire and even explosion if accidentally released.

The State Police report indicates at least 10,000 pounds of the gaseous chemical were released. The gas, however, doesn't rise to the sky when released but is heavier than air and will linger along the ground, raising the danger of ignition.

Benzene is clear liquid at outside temperatures but is highly volatile, meaning it quickly evaporates into the air.

Several residents living near the plant reported hearing what they thought was an explosion from ExxonMobil, though Baton Rouge fire officials have said no explosion occurred.
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The XSellerator division of Quorum Information Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture: QIS) ("Quorum" or the "Corporation"), today highlighted its manufacturer certifications in the US.



The industry-leading dealership management system (DMS) was previously widely-known among General Motors franchised dealerships, but has expanded its market coverage and availability to include many other franchises in the US and Canada.

Our DMS is now available to all General Motors, FCA, Ford, Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan and Infiniti franchised dealerships in the US. In Canada, we serve nearly all brands, commented Mark Allen, Quorum DMS Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Services. Most General Motors dealerships in the US are already aware of Quorum and XSellerator, but with the recent addition of Ford, Lincoln, Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan and Infiniti certification, we are eager to bring our industry-leading technology to more dealers with those brands.

The companys stated strategy is to become certified for all brands, and to offer dealers a seamless technology-enabled suite of business solutions without the need for additional expensive third party systems. Quorum and XSellerator have made significant strides over the past several years with adding manufacturer certifications in both the US and Canada.

I encourage dealers with any of the brands that we currently cover to come see what makes XSellerator truly different at the upcoming NADA show and convention. We are even offering dealerships a gift card for their time if they view a demonstration. We hope to see you there, added Allen.

Quorum is an exhibitor at the NADA Show in Las Vegas February 15th  17th, 2020 (Booth #3292C). Visit www.QuorumDMS.com/NADA2020 to schedule your appointment.

About XSellerator

XSellerator is Quorum Information Technologies (Quorum) (TSX-V:QIS) flagship Dealership Management System (DMS) that automates, integrates and streamlines key processes across all departments in a dealership with a focus on capabilities that help dealers generate revenue and satisfy their customers. Launched over 20 years ago, XSellerator includes tools designed to maximize revenue opportunities for dealerships such as Sales Customer Relationship Management and service vehicle inspection and quoting processes. Quorum is a Microsoft ISV Gold Partner and XSellerator is developed with modern mobile-enabled technology. For additional information, please visit www.QuorumDMS.com .

About Quorum Information Technologies Inc.

Quorum is a North American company focused on developing, marketing, implementing and supporting its portfolio of software and services for automotive dealerships and is traded on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V) under the symbol QIS. For additional information please go to http://www.quoruminformationsystems.com/ .

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words suggesting future outcomes. In particular, this press release includes forward-looking information relating to results of operations, plans and objectives, projected costs and business strategy. Quorum believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and involves a number of risks and uncertainties some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking information necessarily involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Quorum's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed this release and neither accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/f0573af1-b9f3-4f2c-9a20-93e1e156b21a




Its no wonder that cruise ships have become a B-plot in the coronavirus outbreak: Nothing stands to help germs spread quite like hundreds and hundreds of people stuck together on a boat, then being released, possibly while drunk, onto the beaches of one country after another. In January, thousands of people aboard Carnivals Costa Smeralda were quarantined in an Italian port after a passenger came down with a fever (it turned out to be the flu). Holland Americas Westerdam roamed the coast of East Asia for nearly two weeks, turned away from ports over fears that people on board were sick (there were no confirmed cases of the virus) before finally being allowed to dock Thursday morning in Cambodia. Its not all unwarranted panic: Excluding places in China, the most coronavirus cases per capita can be found on the Diamond Princess (218 so far, among 3,700 passengers), which is currently quarantined in a harbor in Japan.

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How do you care for people when a virus is spreading, no one can leave, and all of the dining venues are communal? To get a sense, I recently spoke with Phil Brewer, currently the University Medical Director at Quinnipiac University, and a former cruise-ship doctor who has done more than 50 stints sailing in Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe. In our interview, which has been condensed and edited for clarity, Brewer explained how to tell if a ship is actually clean, how cruises are handling suspected cases of the new coronavirus, and the surprising way that cruises figure out which passengers have diarrhea.

Shannon Palus: What does a day look like on a ship?

Phil Brewer: On a typical day you spend about four hours in the clinic seeing patients. Youll typically have around 30 to 60 minutes of administrative things to do. The rest of the day youre pretty much free to do what you want. You can get off the ship for three or four hours at a time. Ive got a folding bicycle small enough I can fit it inside a full-size suitcase. I would pack my bicycle, when the ship was at port I would ride around and find stuff randomly. Once, I got chased by a brown bear in Alaska. If youre having a very rough passage and theres a lot of people getting seasick, or if theres an intestinal virus, you can be extremely busy and pretty much work around the clock and catch little naps here and there. Thats pretty infrequent. Ive been through that a couple times.

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What would you do if you were a cruise doctor now, and it seemed like someone might have the new coronavirus?

Anybody with a fever may be refused boarding if there is any suspicion theyve been in contact with the virus. During the cruise, lets say somebody calls the medical center from their cabin. They have a fever and theyre coughing a lot, maybe theyre short of breath. You would ask questions on the phone, then you would send somebody up to the room with isolation gear on, an N95 mask. If they do have a fever, if theyre stable to stay in their room, thats what they do. You also would have to isolate the other people that they are rooming with. This is routine for all sorts of contagious things. In one case this 5-year-old girl I diagnosed with chicken pox, for the entire rest of the cruise she had to stay in her room. She was going stir-crazy.

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For the older people who have medical conditions, they can take a nosedive when they come down with an illness. If youre in a position to get them off the ship, you may try to do that. It depends on how sick they are. The most dramatic but kind of routine thing you do is have somebody taken off the ship by helicopter.

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How do you stop panic from spreading?

What hurts you more than anything is when people dont know what to expect. On Princess, until two weeks have passed with no new coronavirus cases, nobody is leaving the ship. They dont know how long the incubation period is but its no more than two weeks. That should be clearly communicated that to all the passengers hoping that will incentivize them to obey the rules, because everybody wants to get off. Theyre stuck there. Theres no other way to do it.

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How do you know if people who are who are supposed to be isolated actually stay in their cabins?

Random phone calls. Surveillance cameras. All of the hallways on the ship have cameras. When youre on a cruise there will be a cabin attendant assigned to your cabin. They recognize you on sight. Theyre always around. If you leave your cabin, they will immediately inform the officers on the ship. If youre sick and you keep leaving your cabin, they can lock you in a room that people can be detained in. Its certainly not something that they advertise.

Did you ever get sick yourself?

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Not that I recall. Its always a lot of luck, but its also really being a stickler about hygienic precautions. For instance, were currently having a norovirus outbreak at school. Ive probably washed my hands 60 times today. Before seeing every patient, after seeing every patient, before and after the bathroom, before and after eating. I did miss the boat once, in Estonia. They moved the all-aboard time up by an hour and a half and I didnt notice. That was a disaster. They had to sail with only one doctor on board. Luckily it wasnt busy.

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How could I tell ahead of time which ships will be sticklers for handwashing?

Google CDC Vessel Sanitation Program. Any ship that picks up or discharges passengers in any U.S. port by law has to submit to inspections at least twice a year by the U.S. Coast Guard and the CDC. They have very, very, very detailed standards for what constitutes acceptable conditions. When they do these inspections, each ship starts with 100 points. With every deficiency, they deduct points depending on how serious it is. They consider a passing score to be 86, but frankly I would never take my family on any ship that has a score of less than 96. Theres just no reason to do it.

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What are common reasons cruise ships lose points?

Most of them have to do with food. For instance, chicken is considered to always be contaminated by salmonella. It should be on the lowest shelf possible, so if it drips it doesnt drip onto anything else. If you have chicken thats being stored higher than beef, or anything else for that matter, that will be a point off. If you have a dirty surface anywhere, thats a point off. If they test temperatures of the food in the food line, its supposed to be a certain temperature to prevent bacteria growth. Theres a lot that has to do with the swimming pools, and the Jacuzzisthats a major source of contamination.

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I pulled up a report for the ship that was stranded, the Westerdam. In July it got a 98. One of the problems is the surveillance log wasnt filled out correctly in a couple instances.

Every ship has to keep a GI surveillance log. They have to log in every passenger they see with either vomiting or diarrhea or both. With vomit theres a little bit of leeway because people get seasick. Its a little on the honors system. With diarrhea theres no leeway at all. That also included people who go to the gift shop and buy anti-diarrheal medication, even if they dont go to the medical center. Because all these transactions are done with your ship card, they know who they sold it to, and what cabin theyre in.

Whenever the number of people on that log exceeds 2 percent of the total number of people on the ship, that has to be reported. When the ship docks it cannot clear customs and allow people to get off until a group, usually its sanitation inspectors from the CDC, comes on board and determines whether this represents a threat to the health and safety to the population of the port itself. All of the people who are signed up for various excursions are stuck.

Anything else we should know?

Dont eat the shrimp in the buffet line.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said he is glad to have a meeting with Chancellor of Germany for the third time over the past one-and-a-half year of his term of office. His remarks came during his meeting with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel on Thursday.

Germany is Armenias close friend and partner, and we feel the power of the friendship. Germany is one of the strong bridges that links Armenia to the European Union, European civilization and culture. Today, I can surely state that our friendship is hinged on common values.

I am glad to state that today we are also linked by mutually beneficial cooperation and projects, and we are ready to do everything possible for further strengthening and advancement of the cooperation.

After a short while, Mrs. Merkel and I will have the opportunity to discuss the entire agenda of our cooperation. I would especially like to stress the support that Germany provides to the reforms taking place in Armenia. We are grateful to Germany and the European Union for their moral, political, expert and financial assistance. This is very important to ensure irreversibility of democracy in Armenia and to strengthen rule of law and reform economic and political institutions, he stated.

The Prime Minister stressed the fact that Armenia made the transition to a parliamentary system of governance in 2018 and that Germany is a successful model for Armenia.

In the context of the support provided by Germany, I would like to set aside the partnership with GIZ and KfW in Armenia. During our meeting, a large part of our discussion will be devoted to the economic agenda, and in this context, Armenia attaches importance to the conduct of the regular session of the Armenian-German Intergovernmental Commission.

I am glad that a delegation of German businessmen will visit Armenia in late February and that the German Economic Association will hold the 2020 Armenia-Germany Economic Forum in October. Armenia is very interested in the entry of German companies into the country.

I am more than happy that Armenia and KfW have signed an agreement on the establishment of a TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Berlin.

The Chancellor and I will also touch upon cooperation in the spheres of culture, science and education. Armenia is interested in further dissemination of German language and culture in Armenia. Armenia fully hopes that the Goethe Center, which opened its doors in Yerevan in December 2017, will turn into a full-fledged institute.

Summing up, allow me to state that German-Armenian relations are currently at the highest level that they have ever been at, he added.
The community of North Bay Village took a step to protect its future on Tuesday by implementing a new concept designed by University of Miami faculty members and graduate students to prolong the life of seawalls that encircle the island village in Biscayne Bay.

Workers poured 50 feet of concrete to build the top of a seawall on the eastern edge of the village. But it was not a typical seawall. This one was fortified with a material called glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebarwhich College of Engineering researchers said can help the seawall last much longer. Although steel rebar is more commonly used in construction today, with time, seawater often corrodes the frame and weakens the entire structure, said Roberto Rodriguez, a Ph.D. student at the college.

Its a small success, but hopefully this will lead to a lot of future projects with this material in South Florida, Rodriguez said. Today we took the first step in proving that GFRP technology is a viable solution for seawall construction.

The idea for a test section of the seawall occurred last fall when North Bay Village Mayor Brent Latham and Village Manager Ralph Rosado visited campusand spoke with Antonio Nanni, College of Engineering professor and chair of the Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Department. They liked his ideas about using GFRP to extend the life of concrete structures and collaborated with a condominium association that owns the property to provide the last 50-foot section for the experiment. Rodriguez designed a frame for the seawall cap using GFRP, and it was put in place on Tuesday.

North Bay Village Mayor Brent Latham talks with professor Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, as well as graduate students Roberto Rodriguez and Alex Nyberg, and contractor Troy Wilson from Southeast Marine Construction. Photo: Evan F. Garcia/University of Miami.

This can extend the life of the seawall from an average of 20 to 30 years to more like 100, said Latham, who also noted that the village is updating its building codes to include a seven-foot high seawall requirement. If we build better, higher seawalls, we dont have to worry as much, and it becomes a more economically compelling solution.

North Bay Village leaders are looking for any novel ways that the community of 10,000 residents can protect itself from storm surge and sea level rise. The three islands that make up the village are surrounded by five miles of seawall, but Latham estimates that 80 percent to 90 percent of that is below the new seven-foot code because of an acceleration in sea level rise that builders did not anticipate.

During the fall visit, Latham and Rosado also met with a University Laboratory for Integrative Knowledge (U-LINK) team led by engineering professors Prannoy Suraneni and Esber Andiroglu to explore the next generation of coastal structures in Miami. They hope to develop multi-functional seawalls using plants and man-made solutions, which not only prevent coastal erosion, but also contribute to healthier bay water quality. This is a significant concern for South Florida communities that are especially vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surge, Andiroglu said. He and biology professor Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, also on the U-LINK team, watched as the new seawall was poured.

Since they are building seawalls around the entire community of North Bay Village, it gives us the opportunity to deploy other innovative structures that our U-LINK team is currently working on, Andiroglu said.

The University and North Bay Village officials are already talking about collaborating on future seawall projects, where innovative ideas such as the use of Seacon, or concrete that uses seawater, can be utilized. In addition, Andiroglu said that village officials are interested in using another innovation developed by engineering professor Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos called SEAHIVE, which is a perforated hexagonal tube that can be used to dissipate wave energy and prevent shoreline decay, while also supporting healthier marine life.
Acclaimed fashion designer Wendell Rodrigues was laid to rest on Thursday evening in a solemn ceremony attended by friends, relatives and acquaintances including representatives of Goas political class, the fashion industry and Bollywood.

Rodricks, 59, who passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday evening was laid to rest at his native village of Colvale in North Goa. The renowned fashion designer chose to settle down in Colvale after a career that took him across the globe in the fashion industry and made a name for himself in India.

Rodricks is survived by his partner Jerome Marrel, and his three brothers who him remembered for his down to earth nature, his love for the environment and his artistry with fabric that offered a foretaste of heaven.

Among those present for the funeral included Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, Goas leader of opposition Digambar Kamat, industrialist Shrinivas Dempo, representatives of the fashion and film industry as well as his close friends,villagers and well-wishers. Goas Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also paid tributes to Rodricks.

He was a very dear friend of mine, very helpful. One of the nicest people I have met in my life. His love for Goa was at another level. I miss him a lot, Arshad Warsi said, adding that he had forged a strong bond with Wendell over the years and used to visit him every time he came to Goa.

Tributes poured in for Rodricks through the day after news of his sudden passing away emerged late Wednesday evening.

Deeply shocked & saddened by the sudden demise of world renowned fashion designer & a niz Goenkar Padma Shri Wendell Rodricks. His exemplary work has left an indelible mark in the world of fashion. My heartfelt condolences to his family, may God comfort them in this hour of distress, Goa CM Pramod Sawant tweeted.

Besides fashion, Rodricks legacy will be for the causes especially the environmental causes he lent his support for. Back in 2012 in the wake of the Shah Commissions report on mining Rodricks who ran a boutique store at the Goa Marriott Resort shut down the boutique leaving the owners of the hotel -- the Salgaocars-- who also among Goas miners accused of illegal mining but also counted as his friends upset.

He was frank, jovial and yet firm when it came to the destruction of environment and heritage trees in particular. Wendell was vociferously at the forefront in our fight against cutting of age-old heritage trees at Guirim and Colvale. We have not just lost a friend, but a good human being who sincerely cared for Goa, Avertino Miranda the convener of the Goa Green Brigade an environmental activist group said.

Rodricks who was on course to launch a museum at his ancestral house had barely a week ago tweeted images of finishing touches being done on the Moda Goa Museum that was due to be inaugurated. Rodricks has authored several books on fashion with a specific focus on the historical fashion including The Green Room, Moda Goa and Poskem a novel based on the lives of Poskem or adopted children in Goa who were often adopted by rich aristocratic families only to serve around the household.
- Allotey Jacobs wants John Mahama to nominate a running mate who has pedigree like Bawumia

- He also says NDC communicators must not respond to Bawumia economic lectures

- Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has been advised to go for a running mate who can match the NPPs Mahamudu Bawumia boot-for-boot.

According to a former chairman of the NDC in the Central Region, Bernard Allotey Jacobs the party needs someone with pedigree and repute to discuss matters of economics and not party communicators.

He made the pronouncement on Accra based Peace FM on Wednesday, February 12.

READ ALSO: Franklin Cudjoe praises NPP; says they have done more on the economy

Mr. Allotey Jacobs also said the NDC downplays Dr. Bawumia at their own peril. He stated that the NPPs running mate has built credibility and is very relevant in Ghanas political space.

"The greatest problem my party is facing is that up till now we have not nominated our Vice President candidate, he said.

"What I am saying is, who (in the NDC) can punch holes into the presentation of Vice President Bawumia? Monkeys play by sizes. We need someone who can match him, 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 however, pleaded with the NDC communicators to can their facts right before responding to Dr. Bawumia.

READ ALSO: Aliko Dangote remains Africas wealthiest person for 9th time

"Left to me alone, if Vice President Bawumia speaks, I am begging my NDC communicators, I would be insulted for this but the fact is we have to get someone who can stand up to Dr Bawumia, he said.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has indicated the management of the cedi over the last three years is the best in the history of the country.

According to the Dr. Bawumia, his assertion is backed by data from the Bank of Ghana. The cedi exchange rate under the NPP (2017-2019) is twice as stable as it was under NDC (2013-2016).

The average depreciation under NDC was 18%, compared to 8.7% under President Akufo-Addo, he stated in Kumasi on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

How convenient is it to use the new GHC 200 note at the market? | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: Over thousand people tested positive for HIV in Tema in 2019

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 Calcutta University on Thursday refused to allow a programme which was to be addressed by JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh on its campus, sources said.

The authorities have not cited any reason for the refusal to allow the programme of a Left-leaning organisation, 'Calcutta University Save Autonomy Save University Forum', they said.

Ghosh was a speaker in the seminar that was scheduled to be held in the College Street campus of the Calcutta University.

The JNUSU leader had suffered head injuries during the violence at the JNU on the night of January 5 as a group of masked people armed with sticks attacked students and teachers, besides damaging property on the campus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PG&E Corp. told a federal judge it opposes his proposals to intervene in the companys wildfire prevention efforts after it admitted to not fully complying with the terms of its criminal probation.

The bankrupt northern California utilitys pushback is a response to U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who last month threatened to order the company to hire more tree trimmers and restrict how management doles out bonuses.

The San Francisco judge is overseeing PG&Es probation after it was convicted in 2016 of gas-pipeline safety crimes. Failure to comply with any law is a violation of probation. Alsup is testing how far he can push the utility to prevent its equipment from causing another devastating wildfire as it simultaneously navigates a complicated exit from bankruptcy.

The judge has set a Feb. 19 hearing to determine what he should do after PG&E reported in January that it fell short on commitments to inspect and repair lines, and clear vegetation and branches to maintain safety standards in compliance with California law.

While PG&E appreciates the courts desire to find ways to speed up the completion of that work, an order directing PG&E to hire tree trimmers as part of its own workforce would be counterproductive, PG&E said in a filing late Wednesday. There is a critical statewide (indeed, nationwide) shortage of qualified and experienced tree workers that the courts proposed hiring condition will not solve.

Alsup is also contemplating restricting bonuses and incentives for supervisors and executives, requiring the utility to redirect the money to wildfire prevention and safety goals. PG&E took issue with that in its written response.

There is no evidence suggesting that making safety performance the exclusive criterion rather than the most important criterion (as PG&E does) improves safety outcomes, the utility said. Moreover, PG&E is unaware of any utility that gives no weight to financial performance in its incentive calculations.

In a $2.6 billion safety plan that PG&E filed with state regulators this month, the company plans to continue its fire-proofing work including aggressive tree-trimming and grid hardening programs. The utility plans to prune or remove 1 million trees this year from power lines.

It will also install 240 miles of covered electric wires, up from 171 miles deployed last year, and add hundreds of additional weather stations and cameras to help it monitor fire conditions in its service territory.

PG&E was forced into bankruptcy after its equipment was blamed for sparking deadly fires, and took the extreme measure of widespread shutoffs last year as a way to prevent blazes during dangerous weather. California Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened a state takeover of PG&E if it cant improve its safety practices.

The case is U.S. v. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., 14-cr-00175, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco).

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Trump puts nuclear negotiations on backburner



The denuclearization dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington is expected to remain deadlocked until the November U.S. presidential election. The long-term hiatus in nuclear disarmament negotiations between the two countries will be inevitable as President Donald Trump has put top priority on his re-election.



It is understandable that Trump can now ill afford to spend much time and energy on the nuclear issue due to his strenuous efforts to extend his term for another four years. He has shifted his focus to domestic issues to boost his re-election bid, especially after he was acquitted of impeachment charges Feb. 5.



Unfortunately, the nuclear talks have now been put on the backburner. Trump has oftentimes boasted about Pyongyang's moratorium on nuclear and ICBM tests as a major foreign policy achievement after he held the historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June 2018. But the negotiations hit a snag following the Hanoi summit in February 2019 due to differences over the scope of denuclearization and reciprocal sanctions relief.



A recent realignment of Trump's nuclear negotiation team has also cast a dark cloud over prospects for the North's denuclearization. Stephen Biegun, who led negotiations with Pyongyang as special representative for North Korea, has been promoted to deputy secretary of state. His promotion may have an adverse effect on the nuclear talks because he has to deal with many other issues with other countries around the globe.



Last month, Mark Lambert, the U.S. special envoy for North Korea, was also assigned to a new position. This week, Alex Wong, the deputy U.S. special representative for the North, was tapped as a representative to the United Nations. Their departure is seen as a setback to the team dealing with North Korea. It is feared to weaken the team's negotiating capacity, prolonging the current impasse in the talks.



Of course, the core problem is that Trump has little incentive to resume the stalled negotiations with Pyongyang. He seems to prefer to maintain the status quo as far as the North's nuclear disarmament is concerned. In other words, he is not willing to actively engage with the North; nor is he ready to risk betting on the complete denuclearization of the recalcitrant country.



According to media reports, Trump made clear that he would not have another summit with Kim before the presidential election. He made no mention of North Korea during his State of the Union address, indicating his diminished interest in the denuclearization talks.



Chairman Kim is certainly well aware of Trump's policy shift. Kim has already threatened to take a new path unless the U.S. gives up its maximum pressure and sanctions against the North. He even warned of a new strategic weapons test. Against this backdrop, Pyongyang has returned to its "byeongjin" policy of simultaneously pursuing its nuclear weapons program and economic development.



The prolonged stalemate will deal a blow to President Moon Jae-in's policy of active engagement with the North. It remains to be seen whether Moon can keep the dialogue momentum not only for inter-Korean reconciliation but also for the North's denuclearization.




Jaipur, Feb 13 : Thirteen people were injured in an LPG cylinder blast in a house on Thursday in Rajasthan's Sikar town.

Nine of the injured have serious injuries and were referred to SMS Hospital in Jaipur.

Officials said neighbours and the family in the house were trying to check the leakage in a gas cylinder when it exploded leaving 13 people severely injured.

The blast impact was so strong that it caused cracks in nearby houses.

State Health Minister Raghu Sharma directed officials to ensure the injured get medical assistance in Sikar as well in Jaipur.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Windy with sunshine. High 36F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 29F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Family-owned Howard Baer Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee, ceased operations Jan. 31, citing government regulations, the ongoing struggle to find qualified drivers and soaring insurance costs as the main reasons behind the company's decision to close after 69 years.

Owner Greg Baer told FreightWaves he made the decision to retire and wind down operations after his son decided he didn't want to take over the family business Greg's dad started back in 1951.

The shuttered refrigerated carrier had nearly 200 drivers in April 2018, according to its last filing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, but the company was down to around 35 drivers at the time of its closure.

"Trucking just isn't worth it anymore," Baer told FreightWaves. "The government has piled on so many regulations on these drivers that most young people don't want to become truck drivers."

Baer said he lost his best drivers when the federal electronic logging device (ELD) mandate took effect in December 2017.

"My drivers said, We are older and tired and just want to retire instead of dealing with ELDs,'" he said. "I couldn't blame them."

Lawsuits and soaring insurance costs also factored into Baer's decision.

"I hope all of those ambulance chasers burn in hell," he said.

Over the past 24 months, Howard Baer Inc. trucks had been inspected 90 times and 26 were placed out of service, according to the FMCSA SAFER website. Its trucks were involved in seven crashes, including one fatal wreck, over the same two-year period.

Greg Baer said Hogan Transport, headquartered in St. Louis, is leasing the shuttered carrier's building in Nashville and hired most of its remaining drivers.

A skeleton crew is still working to collect accounts receivable owed to the company, but the plan is to completely wind down operations in the next few weeks.

"We're not broke, but it's just not worth running anymore," Baer told FreightWaves. "I want to retire and spend more time with my grandchildren."

Story continues

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Paul Allens sprawling Atherton, California, mansion has found a new owner. The 21,000-square-foot home, which a trust tied to Allen bought new in 2013 for $27 million, is officially off the market after being sold for $35.25 million. The home was originally listed for a bit more, with an asking price of $41.488 million last October.

The custom residence features seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and a detached guesthouse, with a house managers suite tucked into the five-car garage. Situated behind a long gated driveway, the Transitional-style home is all clean-lined inside, with enough floor-to-ceiling windows, marble countertops, and open spaces to encourage a positive flow of energy throughout. The double-height great room is a highlight of the residence, as is the master suite, which features its own sitting room and boutique-style dressing area. In total, there are seven fireplaces. A screening room is another noteworthy space within.

See the video.

Out back, a pristine pool sits across from the main house, alongside a poolside cabana with its own bathroom and changing facilities. There are patios for outdoor dining, as well as a sleek modern outdoor fireplace.

Other personal effects that Allen left behind when he died in 2018 include a 414-foot megayacht called Octopus, which was listed for $325.5 million last year, and a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet that was listed last summer. An undeveloped plot of Los Angeles land that he also owned was recently sold to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for $90 million.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
OTTAWAThe Assembly of First Nations says its taking the federal government to court to seek damages for thousands of children and their families affected by federal child-welfare policies on reserves.

The national Indigenous group says it has filed a federal class-action lawsuit asserting that Canadas child-welfare system discriminated against First Nations kids.

AFN national chief Perry Bellegarde says the system punished children just for being First Nations, and the government caused them and their families harm and suffering.

The lawsuit follows a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision last year that the government did discriminate against Indigenous children living on reserves by not properly funding child and family services.

The tribunal ordered compensation, and while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has emphatically agreed that its needed, his government is still challenging the ruling.

The AFN says the lawsuit is broader and covers those not included in the tribunals decision.
Pakistan: Shrimp farming training workshop held in Bahawalpur

February 13,2020 | Source: Urdu Point

Under the supervision of Fisheries Department, Government of Punjab, a shrimp farming training workshop was held in Yazman. Director, Fisheries Department, Dr. Riaz-ud-Din Qureshi, Deputy Director, Chaudhary Tanvir Ahmed and other officials put a light on important of shrimp farming. They said that the provincial government had been executing project of shrimp farming over 2,500 acres of land in several districts of Punjab including Bahawalpur, Multan, Rajan Pur, Mazaffar Garh and others.



"An investor can easily earn around one million rupees income per acre annually from shrimp farming," they said. They said that shrimp seeds imported from Thailand were being provided to the farmers interested in shrimp farming. They added that food served to shrimps was also being given to the farmers on subsidized rates by the Fisheries Department. The Fisheries Department was also offering its consultancy and guidance in this regard.
Kansas City police officer granted immunity in federal wrongful death lawsuit KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - A federal judge has sided with the Kansas City police officer who killed a man near the Power and Light District in 2013. The family of Ryan Stokes sued the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners in federal court after stokes was shot and killed stokes of a parking garage July 28, 2013.

This update has more information and insight into ongoing outcry legal action over a deadly shooting that occurred nearly 7 years ago. What's important here is the reporting form MANY SIDES of the debate that also offers police perspective, addresses the question of liabilityongoing protest amid the argument for local control of police.Read more:
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received today Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

Ombudsman Tatoyan introduced the activities of his Office, including the cooperation with the international structures.

The sides discussed issues relating to the human rights, judicial reforms, as well as exchanged views on the proposed Constitutional amendments.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Parts of south-east Queensland have received more than 200 millimetres of rain overnight, leading to flash flooding, swift water rescues and the evacuation of a nursing home as other areas keep a close watch on rising and already flooded waterways.

Severe thunderstorm warnings were in place for the south-east coast region overnight, with a further alert for heavy rainfall around Beenleigh and the Logan River mouth issued at 9.30am.

Flooding at Nambour on Wednesday. Credit:7News Sunshine Coast

The weather bureau expects the rain to ease heading into the weekend, as Tropical Cyclone Uesi brings hazardous surf conditions instead.

The Sunshine Coast bore the brunt of the heavy falls overnight, with 232 millimetres recorded at the airport since 9am Thursday and 209 millimetres at West Woombye.
Political turmoil in London on Thursday when Prime Minister Boris Johnson shook up his cabinet -- and jettisoned a senior member who didn't toe the line.

Sajid Javid was still finance minister on his way into Number 10 Downing Street, but ended up tendering a shock resignation once inside.

Because he was told to fire his advisers and replace them with others from Johnson's own office.

It's a sign of how Johnson wants to tighten his grip on government and suggests he won't tolerate dissent.

A source quoted Javid as saying 'no self-respecting minister would accept those terms'.

It shook up the 'business as usual' image Johnson wanted to portray as he gets down to the nitty gritty of sorting out Brexit.

The prime minister quickly appointed an ultra-loyalist, Javid's deputy Rishi Sunak, as replacement chancellor.

Another cabinet member was in for a surprise -- Northern Ireland Minister Julian Smith.

Fired just a month after he helped broker the restoration of government in the British province after a long hiatus due to political deadlock there.

His firing was condemned by politicians on both sides of the Irish border.

Opposition politicians called Johnson's reshuffling a mess.
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Linkedin Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Blitar, East Java  Thu, February 13, 2020 09:17 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064311c4 1 National coronavirus-mask-rush,coronavirus,East-Java,Wuhan-coronavirus,Hong-Kong,Taiwan,Singapore Free

The administrations of Blitar, Tulungagung and Trenggalek regencies in East Java plan to send face masks to migrant workers following reports of mask shortages in a number of countries, especially Hong Kong.

The three regencies are among the provinces top suppliers of migrant workers.

The regents decided to take the step after several migrant workers asked their relatives at home to send masks to protect against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Blitar regency administration announced it would send 10,000 face masks to Indonesian migrant workers from Blitar in Hong Kong.

"I have been informed by some workers from Blitar in Singapore about the difficulties faced by Blitar workers in Hong Kong in obtaining face masks. Today we will send face masks to them," Blitar Regent Rijanto told reporters on Wednesday.

However, he added that the administration would take care to ensure the face masks would still be available to residents in Blitar itself.

The Blitar Manpower Agency recorded that 4,377 migrant workers had left the regency to work abroad in 2019, with a majority being placed in Hong Kong and Taiwan. More than 95 percent are women working in the informal sector, mainly as domestic workers.

The Tulungagung and Trenggalek administrations also plan to send masks to migrant workers in Hong Kong.

Tulungagung administration public relations head Galih Nusantoro said it would send 4,000 face masks to Tulungagung migrant workers in Hong Kong via the Indonesian consulate there.

"This is the first phase. We will keep monitoring the situation especially in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and will send more face masks to them if the situation requires us to do so," he said on Tuesday.

The Trenggalek administration said it would also send masks to Hong Kong.

"Today, we will send 10,000 face masks to our friends who work in Hong Kong. Migrant workers from Trenggalek can get them from the Indonesian consulate once they arrive," Trenggalek Regent M Nur Arifin said on Tuesday.

According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE), there were more than 45,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, with 50 in Hong Kong, 47 in Singapore and 18 in Taiwan. (dyk)
Civilized societies around the globe recognize such a thing as The Rule of Law as the fundamental premise of human rights and democracy.





by Ruwantissa Abeyratne

Writing from Montreal





What a sad era when it is easier to smash an atom than a prejudice. Albert Einstein





It was Mahatma Gandhi who said: Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. Besides the inevitable apprehension and fear of a pandemic spread of the Coronavirus, another misfortune that befalls humanity  racism and xenophobia  has again raised its ugly head against the backdrop of the disease. Vox reports: The panic has exposed a deep-seated xenophobia, and with it, a symptom of its own has surfaced: hostility toward East Asian people. The Los Angelis Times reported: Viruses often spark panic. But the coronavirus has spread something else besides misinformation and false rumors: xenophobia and anti-China sentiment. People have fielded vitriolic attacks in public spaces, including suspicious looks and nasty comments; theyve seen others scrambling to avoid them.













An article written by Laurie Chen in the South China Morning Post says: Social media campaigns like JeNeSuisPasUnVirus (I am not a virus), a hashtag originated by Asians in France to combat xenophobia, have emerged in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.





The era we live in is one where people are willing to overlook bigotry. Racism is often brought to bear in society through hatred and hate speech that is prompted by a sense of superiority and entitlement that is calculated to exclude those who are subject to the scourge of racism. Inasmuch as there would be no peace if normalcy in daily human intercourse were not restored, it is incontrovertible that there will be no lasting peace if the attendant hatred that goes into human conflict is not eradicated and obviated. In this context, the classic meaning of the word obviate (which is to make unnecessary) is intended. Inherent in any process of racial or national hatred is a certain intellectual abdication of the values instilled in a society, through a democratic process, encompassing legal, philosophical and epistemological principles. Also endemic to hatred from a national perspective, is the preeminent role played by hate speech. It is therefore imperative that a peaceful society brings to bear an irrevocable resurgence calculated to apprehend this social phenomenon both in its individual and collective incarnations. Above all, the issue must as of necessity be addressed with an openness to unforeseen questions which may divide nationalities and races and estrange them from their foundational bases".





A nation is not measured by its successes and achievements but by its compassion. Antithetical to this premise is the fact that, because the virus originated in China, is called by some a Chinese virus where all Chinese (and other East Asians) are jeered at as bat eaters and with similar epithets. Moreover, children should not be shunned in school or banned from school with no infection present in the premises. This is both arbitrary and capricious for a civilized nation. CBS has reported: An Ontario school board is urging parents to not make assumptions about the new coronavirus that could stoke xenophobia and racism against the Chinese community.





Following the discovery of two cases of the virus in Toronto, thousands of parents signed a petition calling on the York Region District School Board to keep students whose family have visited China home from school for 17 days. (The virus outbreak began last month in Wuhan in the country's Hubei province).





The petition also demands that schools keep track of these students' travels and inform other parents so they can decide whether to pull their kids out of class.





The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its Preamble states that the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family should be recognized as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. The Declaration cautions against disregard and contempt for human rights which would result in barbarous acts that could and have outraged the conscience of mankind. It entreats humankind to make way for a world that would have human beings enjoying freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want. The absence of these aspirations could well provoke the victims to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression.





Article 2 of The International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination requires States parties, at all levels, to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination and to prohibit any form of racial discrimination by any persons, groups or organizations and, Article 4 requires States to adopt measures to prohibit any forms of dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, incitement to racial discrimination and acts of violence and incitement of such acts, and any form of assistance to such activities.





Article 1of The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - a human rights proclamation issued by the United Nations General Assembly - states that discrimination on the basis of race, colour or ethnicity is "an offence to human dignity" and condemns it as a violation of the principles underlying the United Nations Charter, a violation of human rights and a threat to peace and security.





Civilized societies around the globe recognize such a thing as The Rule of Law as the fundamental premise of human rights and democracy. This is embodied in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - that no one is above the law  and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.





It was Dr. Martin Luther King in his speech I have a Dream who said: I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls. I am sure all of us would like this famous quote now to apply to little Latino girls and boys, and little Chinese boys and girls as well. Of course, all little Asian boys and girls should also be included. I m sure Dr. King would have fought equally, for all of them.





Nelson Mandela supported Dr. King by saying:  Let it never be said by future generations that indifference, cynicism or selfishness made us fail to live up to the ideals of humanism which the Nobel Peace Prize encapsulates. Let the strivings of us all, prove Martin Luther King Jr. to have been correct, when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war
The United States government on Thursday added fresh charges to its case against Chinese smartphone maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd  a case that has angered China and hurt US-Chinese diplomatic relations.

The superseding indictment was filed in the federal court in Brooklyn, New York. It charges Huawei with conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and to steal trade secrets from six US technology companies to grow its business.

The indictment also contains new allegations about the companys involvement in countries subject to sanctions, such as Iran and North Korea.

Among other accusations, it says Huawei installed surveillance equipment in Iran that was used to monitor, identify, and detain protesters during the 2009 anti-government demonstrations in Tehran.

The indictment is part of an attempt to irrevocably damage Huaweis reputation and its business for reasons related to competition rather than law enforcement, Huawei said in a statement.

It called the racketeering accusation a contrived repackaging of a handful of civil allegations that are almost 20 years old.

Huawei is the worlds largest telecommunications equipment maker. It pleaded not guilty last year to an indictment unsealed against the company in January 2019, charging it with bank and wire fraud, violating sanctions against Iran, and obstructing justice.

Its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in December 2018 in Canada on charges that are in that indictment. She has said she is innocent and is fighting extradition.

New charges

The new trade secret theft charges relate to internet router source code, cellular antenna technology, and robotics.

For example, beginning in 2000, Huawei and its subsidiary Futurewei Technologies Inc are accused of misappropriating operating system source code for internet routers, commands used to communicate with the routers, and operating system manuals, from a company in Northern California. Futurewei was added as a defendant in the latest indictment.

Huawei then sold their routers in the US as lower-cost versions of the US companys products, the indictment says.

Although the US company is not identified, Cisco Systems sued Huawei in Texas in 2003 over copyright infringement related to its routers.

Huawei is also accused of recruiting employees from other companies, making efforts to get intellectual property from those companies and using professors at research institutions to obtain technology.

The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organization that lacks any regard for the law, US Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Burr and vice chairman Mark Warner said in a joint statement.

The Republican and Democratic Senators called it an important step in combating Huaweis state-directed and criminal enterprise.

The indictment also accuses Meng and Huawei of conspiring to defraud HSBC and other banks by misrepresenting Huaweis relationship with a company that operated in Iran.

It references reporting by Reuters from seven years ago about Huaweis ties to Skycom Tech Co Ltd, which offered to sell US-origin goods to Iran, in violation of US law. It also mentions news reports in Reuters and the Wall Street Journal that claimed Huawei assisted the government of Iran in domestic surveillance.

In addition to accusing Huawei of lying about its operations in Iran, the latest indictment says Huawei falsely represented to banks that it had no business in North Korea.

The US Commerce Department in May put Huawei on a trade blacklist that restricted US suppliers from selling parts and components to the company.

On Thursday, in some positive news for the company, the Commerce Department announced it was extending a temporary general license for 45 days allowing US companies to continue doing some business with Huawei. The move is intended to maintain existing equipment and allow providers in rural communities more time to find alternatives to the companys networks.

At the same time, the US is weighing new regulations to stop more foreign shipments of products with US technology to Huawei.

And Washington has continued to pressure other countries to drop Huawei from their cellular networks over its claim the equipment could be used by Beijing for spying.
After over a year of investigation, one of two former Starbreeze executives suspected of insider trading has been found guilty of selling shares before the decision to restructure was made public.

Reporting from the Swedish publication Dagens Industri (via Reddit) notes that the unnamed exec has been convicted of insider trading and fined his part in the illicit deal.

A separate report from GamesIndustry identifies that ex-executive as former CFO Sebastian Ahlskog, and names that fine as SEK 40,000 or just over $4,100.

The investigation was made public knowledge near the end of 2018 as the Swedish Economic Crime Authority raided Starbreezes Stockholm office to seize evidence and arrest one of the individuals thought to be involved.

The accusation at the core of the investigation was that certain individuals with knowledge of Starbreezes then-impending financial strife moved to sell shares in the company before those issues, and the resulting year-long restructuring period, was announced to the public.

Former CEO Bo Andersson was also suspected of insider trading for much of the investigation, but was cleared as a suspect last month.
The Bisonettes perform during OBUs Hanging of the Green in December 2018.

Bisonette Glee Club Announces March 1 Performances in Fairview, Newalla February 13, 2020

The Bisonette Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. Jim Vernon, will perform at two local churches Sunday, March 1. The Bisonettes will perform at Fairview Church in Fairview, Oklahoma, at 10:40 a.m. and at the First Baptist Church, in Newalla, Oklahoma, at 6 p.m.

The Bisonette Glee Club is a 45-voice womens choir that performs regularly throughout the State of Oklahoma and the region. Formed in 1954, the choir consists of students from all over the country, from states including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, California and Arkansas. The group features students with majors in music, nursing, biblical studies, education, mathematics, psychology and English.

Fairview Church is located at 1600 East State Road in Fairview, OK, 73737. The Bisonettes will be singing as part of the morning worship service, beginning at 10:40 a.m. Visit the churchs website or call (580) 227-4730 for more information about the service.

First Baptist Church of Newalla is located at 20800 SE 59th in Newalla, OK, 74857. The Bisonettes will perform a full evening concert, beginning at 6 p.m. Visit the church's website or call (405) 391-6266 for more information about the service.

Both services are free and open to the public. The Bisonettes encourage all community members, OBU students, faculty and staff to attend these performances.
Natalie Portman drew praise on Oscar Sunday with a bold fashion statement honoring snubbed female directors. Now, she is drawing criticism from some who claim she is part of "the problem."

Actress Rose McGowan was particularly unimpressed with the "Lucy in the Sky" star's red carpet performance, slamming Portman on Facebook on Tuesday and asking her to "stop pretending you're some kind of champion for anything other than yourself."

Portman's black-and-gold ensemble featured a cape embroidered with the names of several filmmakers, including Greta Gerwig ("Little Women"), Lulu Wang ("The Farewell"), Lorene Scafaria ("Hustlers"), Marielle Heller ("A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"), Mati Diop ("Atlantics"), Melina Matsoukas ("Queen & Slim"), Alma Har'el ("Honey Boy") and Celine Sciamma ("Portrait of a Lady on Fire").

Once again, no women received recognition from the motion picture academy in the directing category this year.

"Some thoughts on Natalie Portman and her Oscar 'protest," McGowan's post began. "The kind of protest that gets rave reviews from the mainstream media for its bravery. Brave? No, not by a long shot. More like an actress acting the part of someone who cares. As so many of them do."

A representative for Portman did not immediately respond to the Los Angeles Times' request for comment on Wednesday.

McGowan's critique went on to suggest that Portman's activism is "fake" and hypocritical, as the Oscar winner has worked with only two female directors over her decadeslong career  one being herself. (Actually, Portman has worked with a total of three female directors on feature films _ two of whom shared directing credits on their projects with other filmmakers. Portman also directed herself and others in 2015's "A Tale of Love and Darkness.")

"What is it with actresses of your ilk? You 'A-listers' ... could change the world if you'd take a stand instead of being the problem," McGowan's message continued. "Yes, you, Natalie. You are the problem. Lip service is the problem. Fake support of other women is the problem. ... I am singling you out because you are the latest in a long line of actresses who are acting the part of a woman who cares about other women. Actresses who supposedly stand for women, but in reality do not do much at all."

In order to walk the walk, McGowan suggested the "Black Swan" actress start by hiring more female filmmakers through her production company, Handsomecharlie Films. According to IMDb, the company has so far made seven feature films, and enlisted only one female helmer  Portman  for " A Tale of Love and Darkness."

"There is no law that says you need to hire women, work with women, or support women," McGowan wrote. "By all means, you do you. But ... until you and your fellow actresses get real, do us all a favor and hang up your embroidered activist cloak, it doesn't hang right."

Portman also sparked backlash from others on social media who shared McGowan's frustration. Oscar-winning "Black Panther" production designer Hannah Beachler was among the first wave of skeptics to call the industry veteran out on Twitter on Monday.

"Be the change you want to see, do the hard work, take the first steps," Beachler wrote. "I applaud you for the dress, but let's do, not perform."

Sunday was not the first time Portman has used her platform to champion female directors at an awards show. While presenting the best director honor alongside Ron Howard at the 2018 Golden Globes, she famously took a swipe at the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.  which has a long history of shutting women out of the directing category  saying, "Here are the all-male nominees."



___

(c)2020 Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Mia Goth has discussed her new role in Emma, her humble beginnings and the backlash of her banned fashion advert in a new interview.

The screen star, 26, who rose to fame in erotic art film Nymphomaniac, has teased her fans will be left 'surprised' by her portrayal of well-mannered Harriet Smith in the Jane Austen adaptation, insisting she's 'not just a spooky actress'.

Speaking to ES Magazine, the thespian also touched on being appreciative of her working-class upbringing and feeling 'very taken aback' by the removal of Miu Miu's SS15 campaign from magazines for appearing to 'sexualise' a child.

'I'm not just a spooky actress': Mia Goth has discussed her new role in Emma, her humble beginnings and the backlash of her banned fashion advert in a new interview with ES Magazine

Mia was catapulted into the spotlight for starring in Lars von Trier's experimental film Nymphomaniac, alongside her now-ex- husband Shia LaBeouf in 2013.

The Suspiria actress is now taking on a more conservative role in Emma, which she believes may come as a shock to viewers.

The comedy-drama - set for release on Friday - follows the story of confused matchmaker Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy), who takes Harriet under her wing.

On her supporting appearance, the TV and film star shared: 'I think Emma will probably surprise some people in terms of my range as an actor.

Commanding attention: The actress and model, 26, posed up a storm in vibrant numbers as she graced the cover of the publication

She's versatile! The screen star, who rose to fame in erotic film Nymphomaniac, has teased her fans will be left 'surprised' by her portrayal of Harriet in the Jane Austen adaptation (pictured)

'I'm definitely not just a spooky actress who's drawn to peculiar projects for peculiarity's sake. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know I have a lot more of myself to show the world.'

While the striking blonde beauty boasts a successful seven year-strong career in the industry, the London-born native was raised by just her waitress mother and was educated at a state school in Sydenham, after briefly living in Brazil.

'My mum was a waitress my entire life. It was just me and my mum growing up;, Mia explained.

'It wasn't always the easiest, but... in terms of empathy and compassion, especially for my characters in what I do now, I think it's helped me immensely.

Rise to fame: Mia was catapulted into the spotlight for starring in Lars von Trier's experimental film Nymphomaniac in 2013 (pictured)

'I wasn't being exploited': The thespian also touched on feeling'very taken aback' by the removal of Miu Miu's SS15 campaign from magazines for appearing to 'sexualise' a child

Controversial: In May 2015, the model featured in a campaign by the Italian fashion house, which was banned from running in Vogue due to a complaint to Advertising Standards

'I went to Sydenham girls' school, a state school not a private school, and all different walks of life went there. There were girls getting pregnant at 15, and others whose parents were upper-middle-class doctors.

'That social structure was an immense education. I wouldn't have had it any other way.'

Mia said she appreciates her hometown after moving to Los Angeles in her late teens: 'Being in a place that couldn't be further removed from London helps you recognise how much you're actually from there.

'I miss the people, the culture and the museums. Hot days when all you can do is go to a park and put the radio on. Getting a pint at a pub. Things like that don't really exist here.'

Available now: The full interview appears in this weeks issue of ES Magazine, out now

In May 2015, the model featured in a campaign by Italian fashion house Miu Miu, which was banned from running in Vogue magazine due to a complaint to The UKs Advertising Standards Authority which claimed her 'child' role was 'sexualised'.

The company, owned by Prada, said the advert used three different models which 'showed glimpses of the models through doorways and placed the viewer at the heart of a multidimensional, multi-room story'.

Mia, who was 22 at the time, stands by her decision to star in the controversial two-page spread as she explained: 'I was very taken aback by it, because I didn't feel I was being exploited. I didn't feel it came across in any way sexual at all.

'I was literally just sat in a room. It says more about the people who had an issue with it than the actual campaign, because in my eyes it was a beautiful piece of art.'

The Staggering Girl actress also defended Nymphomaniac amid #MeToo - a social media movement against sexual harassment which grew following a wave of allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

'I've been a huge Lars von Trier fan for a very long time and I knew the scope of what I was auditioning for. Everything I did was completely with my own intent', she shared.

The full interview appears in this weeks issue of ES Magazine, out now.
Press Release

13 February 2020

LAS VEGAS - MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) ("MGM Resorts" or the "Company") today announced that Jim Murren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has informed the Company's Board of Directors that he will step down from his position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company prior to the expiration of his contract. Mr. Murren will continue to serve in his current leadership roles until a successor is appointed. The Board has formed a committee of independent directors to conduct the search process. The committee is working with a nationally recognized executive search firm to promptly identify and evaluate candidates to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer.

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"On behalf of the entire MGM Resorts Board of Directors, I want to thank Jim for his years of dedication to the Company and the community," said Roland Hernandez, Lead Independent Director of the MGM Resorts Board of Directors. "Jim has led the Company through growth, transforming it into a global entertainment company with a worldwide footprint and creating value for MGM Resorts shareholders. As CEO, he has spearheaded significant achievements across our properties, including the development of the CityCenter destination and has turned resorts into showcases of entertainment and sophisticated architecture. The Board is focused on continuing to create long-term value for MGM Resorts shareholders. The search committee, along with the entire Board, will be dedicating significant attention and resources towards identifying and naming Jim's successor. Jim will continue to lead the Company during this process. We will also look to the talented management team in place to help guide the Company into this next chapter."

"Leading MGM Resorts has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience in my professional career," said Mr. Murren. "It has been an honor to work with such a talented group of men and women who provide millions of guests with memorable life experiences every day all over the world. We have a solid leadership team in place, and I am confident that they will work with my successor to continue the Company's trajectory of growth and expansion. Until my successor is named, I will continue to lead this Company just as I always have and will remain focused on executing our strategy and am fully committed to supporting a seamless transition."

Mr. Murren has served as Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts since 2008 and has been with the Company since 1998. His impact and leadership has shaped not only MGM Resorts, but also Las Vegas as a whole. He was instrumental in the establishment of professional sports in Las Vegas, and he was deeply involved in the building of T-Mobile Arena and bringing the Vegas Golden Knights, the Las Vegas Aces and the Las Vegas Raiders to the city. Mr. Murren was an early and strong supporter of diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in Las Vegas. As CEO of MGM Resorts, he oversaw a period of responsible construction unique to the industry. CityCenter remains one of the world's largest green developments, specifically designed to reduce energy consumption, and MGM has been recognized 14 consecutive years by Diversity, Inc. as a top company for diversity. Mr. Murren also has led the MGM Resorts' expansion in Asia, with the opening of two properties in Macau and the current effort to obtain a license in Osaka, Japan.
CPI(M) general secretary



Sitaram Yechury on Thursday termed the National Population Register exercise as a precursor of the National Register of Citizens and urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik not to allow it in Odisha.

As governments of 13 states including Odisha have already announced not to allow NRC and six chief ministers opposed the NPR, it can be said that half of India is against the two, he said.

"So, the NPR and the NRC cannot be completed (across the country) because of their adverse impact on the nation's unity," Yechury at a CPI(M) rally here.

Yechury said he wanted to meet Patnaik but could not due to the chief minister's prior engagements.

"However, I spoke to him over the phone and apprised him that NPR, 2020 is not the same as it has been earlier. Now, the Centre has added some questions in the NPR format to get the information required for the NRC," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have said that no discussion was held on implementing the NRC, but the central government told the Parliament nine times that it would be taken up across the country, Yechury asserted.

"I appealed to Naveen Patnaik not to allow NPR in Odisha as this is the initial exercise for the NRC," he said.

People who will not be able to provide all information during the NPR exercise may be tagged as doubtful citizens and their names will not appear in the NRC list, Yechury claimed.

Tribals, Dalits, poor and destitute people and widows may not be able to arrange the requisite documents to satisfy the official requirement, the CPI(M) leader said.

He claimed that there would be no separate survey for the NRC as the Centre plans to collect the required information during the NPR exercise.

"Everybody should understand that the NRC will cause more harm than good. Because of the Centre's design, the NPR exercise will also suffer," he said demanding withdrawal of the CAA and halting of the NPR and NRC processes.

He said the CPI(M) activists will undertake door-to- door campaign across the country in February and March to make people aware of the adverse impact of the CAA, NRC and NPR.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Power stocks were trading in green, with the S&P BSE Power index increasing 1.24 points or 0.07% at 1898.73 at 09:52 IST.

Among the components of the S&P BSE Power index, Torrent Power Ltd (up 7.6%), CESC Ltd (up 2.92%),Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd (up 1.61%),Adani Transmission Ltd (up 0.69%),Adani Power Ltd (up 0.66%), were the top gainers. Among the other gainers were K E C International Ltd (up 0.43%), and Siemens Ltd (up 0.28%).

On the other hand, Tata Power Company Ltd (down 1.52%), Thermax Ltd (down 1.13%), and NTPC Ltd (down 0.69%) turned lower.

At 09:52 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 93.73 or 0.23% at 41472.17.

The Nifty 50 index was down 26.95 points or 0.22% at 12174.25.

The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.09 points or 0% at 14731.14.

The S&P BSE 150 Midcap Index index was down 17.33 points or 0.34% at 5087.25.

On BSE,757 shares were trading in green, 778 were trading in red and 63 were unchanged.

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(TNS)  Federal money to bring fast internet to a rural community has arrived in a $4.4 million grant, the first time the government has picked a Georgia project to receive a share of $600 million worth of funding.The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that the money will go to the Ellijay Telephone Co., which will build 90 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure in Gilmer County in North Georgia, serving more than 2,100 households and 22 poultry farms.Georgia legislators have debated for years how to extend internet service to about 1.6 million residents who lack access to high-speed connections for small businesses, farmers, schools and hospitals.But money for internet construction has been lacking The state government is creating a map of every location in the state without high-speed internet, an effort that will identify areas that could receive future funding The funding from USDA illustrates the importance of investing in progress, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. Broadband access will not only boost the local economy in Ellijay, but it will also enhance the quality of life for families in that community.The USDA last year awarded a $14.3 million loan to Forsyth CableNet to finance internet construction in Monroe County.The grant in Gilmer County comes from the USDAs $600 million ReConnect program , authorized by Congress in 2018. An additional $550 million in ReConnect funding will be available this year.
SRINAGAR: Banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has created a new group of highly-trained terrorists called 'Ghaznavi Force' to carry out Pulwama-style terror attacks in India, the intelligence agencies have warned.

According to the inputs gathered by the Indian intelligence agencies, Pakistan's notorious spy agency - the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) - has chalked out an elaborate plan to carry out more deadly terror attacks in India led by the Jaish fighters.

The newly-created armed group, which is being called the ''Ghaznavi Force' comprises fighters from other banned terror outfits like LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen, AuGH and Al Badr. The terrorists belonging to this group might attempt to target security forces, their convoys, vital installations and border outposts by planting IEDs, the agencies have warned.

The jihadis of the 'Ghaznavi Force' may also use explosives-laden trucks, vehicles to carry out attacks on the Indian security forces operating in Kashmir and border areas, according to the intelligence inputs.

In view of the fresh inputs, an alert has been sounded and the security forces operating in the Kashmir Valley have been directed to remain vigilant and exercise caution. Various agencies operating in the Valley have been asked to increase coordination for accurate and timely analysis of inputs being intercepted by the Indian intelligence agencies.

The warning comes in the wake of reports that 27 Jaish terrorists were being trained in the PoK region to launch terror attacks in India. The Balakot camp, targeted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a reprisal for the suicide bombing in Pulwama by a Jaish terrorist and also to prevent further attacks against India, is currently headed by Yusuf Azhar, kin of Maulana Masood Azhar, reports said.

The group is currently providing training to 27 terrorists for launching attacks against India, the reports said. Out of the 27, eight are from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. They are being trained by two instructors from Punjab, Pakistan and three from Afghanistan. At the time when India launched strikes at Balakot, there were no less than 300 terrorists being trained there.

In January this year, the Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad module in Srinagar and arrested five of its operatives, averting a major terror attack planned on January 26. A large cache of incriminating material and explosive substances, including gelatine sticks, explosives, detonators, arms, explosive body vests, batteries and nitric acid, were also recovered following searches based on their disclosures.

Central Kashmir Range Deputy Inspector General of Police VK Birdi told reporters the five men were active cadres of the proscribed terror outfit and were involved in recent terror incidents in Srinagar. The five, who were were working towards executing sensational incidents like terror attacks and causing IED explosions, were nabbed in two phases, he said.
Several funding opportunities lined up for local projects this year
UK Treasury chief Sajid Javid resigned Thursday, in a shock development on the day that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is shaking up his Conservative government, becoming the shortest-serving chancellor of the exchequer since 1970.

Javid had been widely expected to keep his job in the Cabinet shakeup.

But a spokesman confirmed Thursday that he had quit.

Javid's resignation follows reports he had clashed with Johnson's powerful adviser, Dominic Cummings.

Javid had been due to deliver his annual budget next month. His resignation shakes the government as it faces the challenges of negotiating a new relationship with the 27-nation EU by the end of this year.

Johnson also has ambitious infrastructure plans including a 100 billion-pound ($130 billion) high-speed railway.

Britain's Press Association news agency reported that Javid had quit after being told to fire all his aides and replace them with staff appointed by the prime minister's office.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shook up his government on Thursday, firing and appointing ministers to key Cabinet posts.

Johnson was aiming to tighten his grip on government after winning a big parliamentary majority in December's election. That victory allowed Johnson to take Britain out of the European Union last month, delivering on his key election promise.

Now his Conservative administration faces the even bigger challenge of negotiating a new relationship with the 27-nation EU by the end of this year.

The two sides are aiming to have a deal covering trade, security and other areas in place by the time a post-Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31.

So far, the two sides are far apart in their demands. And even with a deal, the U.K. faces a huge adjustment when decades of seamless trade and travel with the EU end at the start of 2021.

Several high-profile women in Johnson's government, including Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and Housing Minister Esther McVey, all said they had been fired on Thursday morning.

Johnson also sacked Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith _ a surprise move. Smith had been widely praised for helping to end political deadlock that left Northern Ireland without a regional government and assembly for three years.

After pressure from the British and Irish governments, the main Irish nationalist and British unionist power-sharing parties returned to work last month.

As well as reworking his Cabinet, Johnson needs to appoint a new leader for the UN climate change conference that Britain is due to host later this year. The summit, known as the 26th Conference of the Parties, or COP26, is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.

Planning has got off to a rocky start, with Johnson last week firing Claire O'Neill, a former British government minister appointed last year to head up the event.

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Rosario Dawson is best known for her dramatic film roles and social activism. Cory Booker is best known for his political work, including a recent run at the Democratic presidential nomination.

Since politics and Hollywood dont always cross, some of the fans of either of these celebrities may not realize that the pair are in a long-standing relationship. Recently, Dawson opened up about her personal life and included some sweet tidbits about her relationship with Booker, including his adorable morning habit.

Rosario Dawson is no stranger to politics

Rosario Dawson | Greg Doherty/Getty Images

While Dawson is best known for her time on the big screen, she is no stranger to politics. She got into acting with a role in the controversial but critically-acclaimed drama Kids and has since gone on to star in several television series and films.

Some of her most notable roles include the film version of Rent and Sin City. More recently, she has taken on a part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Claire Temple, a role she has played in the TV series of Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and Luke Cage.

When shes not busy filming, however, Dawson has been a staunch advocate for many political causes. She launched the organization Voto Latino as a way to promote voting among Latino youth. She has even been arrested for her political protests including in a 2004 anti-Iraq war protest and a 2016 Democracy Spring protest.

Shes also teased a potential run for office at some point. She considers it a responsibility for everyone.

I take it back to the conversation of civic duty: that all of us at some point, in some shape or form, should contribute to civil society, she explained.

Rosario Dawson and Cory Booker began dating

While the exact date of their relationships start isnt clear, the pair became an item sometime in late 2018. They were spotted flirting at a Broadway show in January 2019 and some reported overhearing Dawson tell Booker she loved him in a playful way.

The pair had certainly known each other for years by that point, having met back in 2017 at a political event. By February of 2019, Booker confirmed that he was in a relationship, telling reporters: I got a boo.

The next month, Dawson also confirmed her relationship status by saying that she was grateful to be with someone that I respect and love and admire so much. By April, the relationship was Instagram official.

While rumors swirled that they may have split when Dawson was noticeably absent from some of the Democratic debates, she showed up for a later event and put the speculation to rest.

Rosario Dawson revealed a sweet morning routine

Speaking to Womens Health, Dawson opened up about her personal habits and her relationship. While she said they arent engaged, she did admit she and Booker have been discussing marriage.

In addition to the deeper look into their relationship, Dawson revealed some sweet details about the little things that make their time together special.

Every morning that we dont wake up together, he sends me a song, which means every morning he holds our relationship in his mind and his heart for a few minutes before he goes off into his big day, Dawson explained.

She also wears a constant reminder of him to keep their relationship in her mind as well. He gifted her with an anchor necklace, a symbol of the stability he hopes to provide for her.

Dawson gushes about the maturity and support of their relationship: Ive never been this close to someone. We make sure we connect. Thats something Ive taken for granted in the past.
A special NIA court sentenced a Bangladeshi resident to six years in jail for his involvement in distributing fake Indian currency notes, officials said on Thursday.

Mijan was convicted by the ?NIA court on Wednesday under sections 120B, 489B and 489C of the IPC and section 14 of the Foreigners Act and sentenced to six years of imprisonment with a fine of Rs 5,000.

On August 28, 2018, personnel of Shamsherganj police station in West Bengal seized Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) of face value Rs 8,03,000 in the denomination of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 from the possession of Rahim and Mijan of Bangladesh near Pilki Mor in Murshidabad and arrested both the accused.

Later, the NIA took over the case and re-registered the case on September 25, 2018.

After completion of investigation, the NIA filed charge sheet against the two accused.

Mijan pleaded guilty to the charges against him and the NIA Court accepted the plead guilty petition of the accused and pronounced him guilty.

During investigation, it was found that the accused along with his associates in Bangladesh hatched a criminal conspiracy for procuring and circulating fake Indian currency notes in India.

Investigation revealed that fake currency notes were smuggled from Bangladesh and were to be circulated in other parts of the country.

According to the NIA, the trial against the second accused was on.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hospitals have been ordered to establish Coronavirus isolation pods in car parks to keep potentially infected people away from Accident and Emergency Units.

One of the first hospitals in the country to introduce its pod was the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where Britain's first cases were confirmed.

The pods are designed to keep people who suspect they may be carrying the virus away from vulnerable people.

NHS hospitals have been ordered to establish Coronavirus isolation pods in car parks away from Accident and Emergency Units to prevent possible further infection

Patients who suspect they may have the disease are asked to wait in the pods for assistance

Medics have been equipped with protective clothing to help reduce the chance of spreading the highly-contagious virus

Pods are to be rolled out at every hospital in the UK, the NHS said.

Brighton is at the centre of the outbreak in Britain with one super spreader at the source of all but two cases in the UK.

A sign inside a doorway next to A&E says: 'NHS 111 Coronavirus priority assessment pod this way'.

Health officials are increasingly concerned about the possibility of mass infections.

Once in a pod, the patient can call a dedicated response team who will determine the risk of infection based upon their recent travel and interactions.

Meanwhile, dozens of Britons who were rescued from the Chinese city of Wuhan amid the coronavirus outbreak are to be freed after two weeks in quarantine, as a woman in London became the ninth person to test positive for the illness.

Eighty-three people will leave Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside on Thursday, 14 days after they arrived on an evacuation flight.

All of the group - who had signed a contract agreeing to the quarantine period - have tested negative for the virus.

It comes after a ninth UK case was confirmed on Wednesday evening - the first instance of coronavirus in London.

The patient, who is now being treated at a specialist NHS centre at Guy's and St Thomas' in the capital, got the virus in China, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said.

As with the previously confirmed cases, officials are working to identify recent contacts she had.

A patient has been admitted to a clinic at St Thomas's Hospital in London. The patient picked up the virus while in China according to England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty

Kharn Lambert, one of the quarantined patients in Merseyside, told the PA news agency ahead of the release: 'I'm ecstatic and I'm so happy that everyone has come back with negative test results.'

During their time in quarantine one of the group had threatened to abscond from the isolation unit, prompting the Government to announce new legal powers allowing people with the illness to be forcibly quarantined, and forcibly sent into isolation if deemed to pose a threat.

The evacuated group's release comes a day after Steve Walsh, the businessman at the centre of the UK outbreak of coronavirus, was given the all-clear and discharged from hospital.

Mr Walsh, a 53-year-old scout leader from Hove in East Sussex, contracted coronavirus on a business trip to Singapore - and is linked to five other people diagnosed with it in the UK.

On his way back to the UK from Singapore, he stopped off at a ski region in France, where five other Britons were subsequently infected with coronavirus, now also known as Covid-19.

Mr Walsh is also linked to a Briton taken ill in Majorca, taking the number of confirmed cases linked to him to 11.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) cautioned that while the number of newly confirmed cases reported in China has stabilised, it remains a threat.

'This outbreak could still go in any direction,' director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing on Wednesday at which he said the organisation is developing a 'masterplan' to tackle the virus, which will focus on diagnostics and treatments.

Dr Paul Cosford, from Public Health England, on Wednesday admitted more cases of coronavirus in the UK are 'highly likely' due to people returning after travelling abroad.

While researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have estimated the number of new coronavirus cases in Wuhan could peak by the end of the month, the WHO said it is too early to make such a prediction.

Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, told the briefing: 'I think it's way too early to try and predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic.'

Elsewhere a major technology show has been cancelled after a number of firms pulled out over coronavirus fears.

Organisers of the Mobile World Congress, which had been due to take place in Barcelona at the end of the month, said it had become 'impossible' to hold it this year due to 'global concern' around the outbreak.

Of the nine people so far diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK, two are GPs.

Officials know that the pair worked at a nursing home, Worthing Hospital A&E and two GP practices between them.

Public Health England (PHE) confirmed on Wednesday it has traced and advised all close contacts of the two GPs, including about 12 patients.

Meanwhile, in Brighton, pupils at several schools have been told they could stay at home after reports that some teachers and families feared they had come into contact with the virus.

The Department for Education has issued advice to schools to follow instructions given by PHE regarding self-isolation for people who have recently travelled from Wuhan or specified countries.

There have been more than 44,700 cases of the virus in China, with more than 1,100 deaths.

In the rest of the world more than 400 cases have been confirmed across 24 countries. One death has occurred outside China.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : A Delhi court on Thursday appointed advocate Ravi Qazi to represent one of the death-row convicts, Pawan Gupta, in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case after his erstwhile lawyer denied him legal aid.

The court gave Pawan the "liberty to choose" his counsel from the list of empanelled advocates of the Delhi State Legal Service Authority on Wednesday.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana appointed Qazi after he was apprised that the death-row convict has refused to avail legal aid offered by DSLA.

Public Prosecutor Irfan Ahmad told the court, "The jail authorities approached Pawan but he refused to take legal aid and specifically said that he will not opt for a government lawyer." The case pertains to the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in the national capital in December 2012.

Out of the four convicts, Pawan is the only one who has not yet availed of the remedy of either curative or mercy petitions, which will be the last judicial and constitutional resort available to him.
Seoul, Feb 13 : Prosecutors have launched an investigation into Samsung heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong's suspected drug use, while the top conglomerate has flatly denied the allegation.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office began the probe after a whistleblower reported the case to the state anti-corruption watchdog, demanding an investigation into the allegation, Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing legal sources.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which referred the case to the prosecution, is known to have commented that there was no specific evidence, such as call transactions, other than some mobile chat messages and a recorded phone call.

The case first emerged after local media outlet Newstapa reported on it in an interview with the whistleblower, who claims to be the boyfriend of a nurse who is suspected of regularly injecting Lee with propofol.

Newstapa's reports raised allegations of Lee visiting a plastic surgery hospital in Seoul's Gangnam Ward for multiple propofol shots in 2017.

The report carried messages between the hospital chief, surnamed Kim, and the practical nurse, surnamed Shin, as well as messages exchanged between Shin and a figure it claimed to be the Samsung vice chairman.

Propofol is a prescription substance used to induce anesthesia during certain surgeries and tests but has frequently been abused by many here, apparently due to its relatively easier access than other illegal substances.

The prosecution plans to summon the whistleblower, as well as Kim and Shin, for further questioning.

The plastic surgery hospital shut down late last year after Kim and Shin were indicted and detained for giving propofol shots to a member of the South Korean conglomerate Aekyung's owning family.

Samsung has flatly denied the allegation, saying legal steps will be considered against those who have raised and published the allegation.

Lee said he had only been given the sedative for legitimate tests and treatment, and "the allegation of illegal use is completely false." "(I) plan to consider civil and criminal measures against the broadcaster for its malicious false report," he added in a statement released by his company.
Still, analysts say recent attempts to restore parole in California, Pennsylvania and elsewhere were beaten back amid political pressure on lawmakers over concerns that someone released on parole could commit a serious violent crime.

Even after Virginia lawmakers abolished many forms of parole in the 1990s, some types of it remained available, including the possibility of parole for prisoners older than 61 and for inmates arrested before Jan. 1, 1995.

Gone, though, for new inmates was the sort of parole most inmates had previously been released on. On parole, offenders are generally allowed to serve the remainders of their sentences outside of prison with stipulations that they meet regularly with a parole officer, stay employed, get counseling, and pass drug and alcohol tests. If they fail to adhere to the rules, they will often go back to prison.

Separate from parole, Virginia has retained a probation system for jail inmates, who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes and who are also monitored regularly by the authorities. The state also allows prison inmates to be released early for good behavior, although prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.

Even in Virginia, where Democrats won majorities in both chambers of the Legislature in November, and which also has a Democratic governor, Ralph Northam, the question of expanding parole remains politically perilous. This month, Democrats shelved a bill that would have restored the possibility of parole for nearly 17,000 inmates  more than half the states prison population. Instead, Democrats have focused on more modest efforts to restore parole to older inmates.

The prevailing attitude of policymakers is weve come to the limit because they dont want to release violent offenders, said Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project, a nonprofit that advocates shorter sentences and other policy changes to the criminal justice system.

There is no significant difference in violent crime rates between states that allow parole and those that do not, according to federal data.
Ypsilanti, MI, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Students at Eastern Michigan University will have the opportunity to train for productive careers in civil engineering, in which they can make crucial contributions to the health of Michigans and the countrys infrastructure, in a new program approved by the Board of Regents Feb. 13.

The Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering will emphasize concepts in structural engineering, transportation, water resources, environmental engineering, and construction engineering.

This program is a critical addition to our academic offerings, and continues our strong growth in engineering and other programs, said Mohamad Qatu, dean of the EMU College of Engineering and Technology. The health of our infrastructure, that is, bridges, drinking water, rail, roads, transit and waste water treatment, is a critical component in the welfare of our society and within the U.S. economy and the State of Michigan.

Filling a deep need in state, country

The new program will help fill a glaring need in Michigan and the country in terms of rebuilding crucial infrastructure. The most recent American Society of Civil Engineers report on the infrastructure rated Michigan as D+.

The report said an investment of $3.6 trillion in the U.S. is needed to fix infrastructure issues. Michigan, meanwhile, needs $31 billion of investments in various systems, including schools ($9 billion), wastewater systems ($4 billion), drinking water infrastructure ($14 billion), and transportation systems ($4 billion), according to the report.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest projections of national employment projected an 8 percent growth in Civil Engineering employment from 2014-2024 time.

The new program offers students the distinct advantage of EMUs General Education program, which helps prepare them to participate in the global community. Students in the B.S. in Civil Engineering program will learn in and beyond the classroom, and graduates will be ready to solve future engineering problems locally and globally.

Students will take courses that involve civil engineering materials, soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, construction, transportation engineering, and concrete and steel design.

The curriculum will culminate with a capstone design project experience, requiring students to draw from their knowledge in mathematics and engineering science in solving engineering design problems supplied by external customers.

New program maintains significant growth in the CET

The addition of civil engineering continues the rapid growth of the CET, which in recent years has launched programs in mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering, along with advanced laboratories in cyber security, vehicle security and virtual reality.

Students graduating with a bachelors of science in engineering are enjoying an employment rate of nearly 100 percent, with starting salaries ranging from $60,000 to $75,000, and climbing to $100,000 within five to 10 years.

The program will be housed in Sill Hall, home of the CET, which is undergoing a $40 million renovation and expansion of the building. The project will provide renovated lab space for research and student projects, along with lecture halls, collaborative learning spaces and administrative offices.

The previous 92,635 square feet at Sill Hall is being renovated along with expanding the building space by an additional 16,000 square feet. Phase I, including design lab space, a virtual reality lab and mechanical engineering lab space for car design, opened this past fall, with the overall project set to be completed before fall 2020.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Bath Township man is charged in federal court with running a darknet operation that prosecutors said laundered more than $300 million worth of cryptocurrency often used for illegal transactions in underground marketplaces.

Larry Dean Harmon faces several charges detailed in an indictment handed up by a grand jury in Washington, D.C. Federal prosecutors say Harmon, 36, ran a service that allowed customers to send bitcoin and obscure its origin. Such services are known as mixing or tumbling.

Federal prosecutors say Harmons operation, called Helix, partnered with the online underground marketplace AlphaBay to provide money laundering for customers who accessed the marketplace through the darknet, which is not accessible through internet browsers used by most of the public.

AlphaBay was known as a place where customers went to buy drugs, fraudulent ID documents and other illegal items. Federal authorities shut it down in 2017 and said drugs bought on what was then the largest darknet marketplace were tied to overdose deaths.

Helix exchanged at least 354,468 bitcoins, the equivalent of about $311 million at the time of the transactions, the indictment states. In addition to AlphaBay, the service was used in connection with the marketplaces Agora Market, Nucleus and Dream Market.

The grand jury indicted Harmon in December, and his case was unsealed in federal court in Akron on Feb. 6, the same day IRS and FBI agents arrested him and searched his home and office properties in the Akron area. The same day, authorities in Belize searched a vacation property that Harmon leased, according to a court filing by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Riedl and Christopher Brown.

Harmon, who owns the businesses Coin Ninja and Harmon Web Innovations, is charged with conspiracy to launder money instruments, operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money transmission without a license.

Federal prosecutors are seeking millions of dollars in financial penalties and want Harmon to forfeit his house on Yellow Creek Road, as well as additional property in Akron and Aurora, Colorado. Harmon has massive cryptocurrency assets, Riedls and Browns filing says. They cite a spreadsheet agents found that they say lists cryptocurrency and U.S. dollar assets totaling nearly $57 million and wrote that he may have other holdings the government hasnt yet identified.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Burke in Akron on Tuesday ordered that Harmon remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and sent to Washington, D.C. for prosecution. She wrote in an order that the case against him appears strong, that he faces a long prison sentence if convicted and that he has ties outside the country.

Harmons attorney did not immediately return a phone call.

In addition to Helix, Harmon owned a darknet search engine called Grams. His two operations were affiliated and some referred to them as Grams-Helix, the indictment says.

Prosecutors said in court records that they found a photograph in Harmons email account that showed a laptop with browser tabs open for Helix and an administrator page for Grams. Authorities also recovered evidence during the search of his unit at the Grand Caribe resort in Belize that tied him to Gram and Helix, including external hard drives and tools used with cryptocurrency, Riedl and Brown wrote.

Harmon advertised Helix as a way to hide transactions from law enforcement, writing in August 2014 that there is no way LE would able to tell which addresses are helix addresses, according to prosecutors.

Helix partnered with AlphaBay in November 2016. AlphaBay operators recommended that customers use a bitcoin tumbling service and provided a link for Grams-Helixs website, the indictment states.

An FBI agent transferred 0.16 bitcoin from an AlphaBay bitcoin wallet to Helix on Nov. 8, 2016. Helix exchanged it for an equivalent amount, less a 2.5 percent fee, according to the indictment.

Riedl and Brown wrote in their filing that Harmon was aware of the potential threat of law enforcement. He posted in one comment that he didnt want any UC, or undercover agent, working for him and asked Can you guys think of any ways I could make him prove he wasnt a UC?"

Harmon started shutting down Grams and Helix in December 2017, prosecutors say.

The Justice Department said Canadian citizen Alexandre Cazes, known online as Alpha02 and Admin, was AlphaBays creator and administrator. He killed himself while in custody in Thailand in July 2017, according to a news release.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesdays crime and courts comments section.
Students were allegedly molested and sexually assaulted during a cultural festival last week after outsiders barged into Gargi College.

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday sent all arrested accused in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College in Delhi, to judicial custody for 14 days.

Ten people have been arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the recent incident at Delhi University's all-women Gargi College, where students were allegedly molested and sexually assaulted during a cultural festival last week after outsiders barged into the college.

All the accused were produced at Saket district court where the concerned magistrate decided to send all the accused to Tihar Jail under judicial custody for fourteen days.

The case was registered at Hauz Khas Police Station and several teams were constituted to investigate the case. They have been looking into technical details available and visited various sites in NCR for identification of suspects.

"The probe team had also spoken to Gargi College authorities," said A Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South Delhi to media. Police said that as many as 23 CCTVs have been examined and three of these were focused on the ground where the festival was on.

"Initial probe suggests the college was at fault. The college authorities had not informed the police about the festival," said the police. Delhi Police on Monday received a complaint from Gargi College against the alleged harassment and sexual abuse of female students by a number of unidentified men during their annual cultural fest on 6 February.

A case was lodged under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Hauz Khas police station. "A complaint has been received from Gargi College authorities and a case under sections 452, 354, 509 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code is being registered at Hauz Khas police station," police said.
This is to convey my unqualified support for Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza to be re-elected on March 3. As a 19-year member of the Napa County Planning Commission representing District 4, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Alfredo for seven years and with Bill Dodd for 12 years as the planning commissioner for District 4.

Both men were standout leaders of the Board of Supervisors on which they served. With Bill now our state senator, we have the opportunity to re-elect Alfredo to continue his work on our next Board of Supervisors. He has performed so well in his service to the Napa County that to deny that experience, service and leadership for the next four years would be foolhardy indeed.

No one has provided better and wiser leadership in our community since Bill was elected to Sacramento. Alfredo's steady hand, energetic leadership and willingness to work together with his peers and other counties to get things done is well known and widely appreciated.

As a result, he is about to serve as president of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. In this position, he will serve the entire Bay Area as well as Napa County in a critical leadership role. Being elected to that inter-county position by his Bay Area peers is proof of both his demonstrated leadership, ability to represent Napa County and the respect he has earned by collaborating with other elected representatives throughout the Bay Area.

I, along with Sen. Dodd and others, recommended that Gov. Jerry Brown appoint Alfredo to the open Board of Supervisor's seat that Sen. Dodd left when he was elected to the Assembly. During these past seven years, Supervisor Pedroza has more than earned the faith I had in his ability to lead our county forward. Bill and I have never regretted supporting him in his many roles of service to the city of Napa, Napa County and the Bay Area.

Alfredo is a very capable and highly functioning county supervisor for both District 4 and our entire county. As we have often heard in seeing and recognizing performance excellence in government, "If it's not broken, don't try to fix it."

Clearly, our Supervisor for District 4 "is not broken and needs no fixing" to continue serving as the most effective and capable supervisor to represent the residents of District 4 and Napa County as a whole.

Terry Scott

Napa
UPDATE: Joseph Delusant was found safe, authorities announced at 11:40 p.m.

Police reached out to the public Wednesday night for help in finding an 18-year-old who went missing earlier in the day in Hunterdon County.

Joseph Delusant was last seen in the area of Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner at 4 p.m., according to a statement from the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office.

No other details of his disappearance were shared by the office.

Police and fire units were actively searching for him in the Glen Gardner area late Wednesday.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office at 908-788-1129 or Lebanon Township Police at 908-638-8515.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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[February 13, 2020] Fortune 500 Telecom Company Reduces Customer Churn with the Help of Customer Lifetime Value Modeling

Quantzig, a global data analytics and advisory firm, that delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems has announced the completion of its recent engagement that sheds light on how Quantzig's customer lifetime value modeling solutions helped a Fortune 500 telecom company achieve a 50% reduction in churn rate. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005538/en/ Customer Lifetime Value Modeling Engagement: Business Outcome (Graphic: Business Wire) The case study aligns perfectly with Quantzig's commitment to helping its clients transform business processes through innovative customer lifetime value models. Customer lifetime value or CLV is the discounted value of future profits generated by a customer. The word profits here include costs and revenue estimates, as both factors play a pivotal role in estimating the true value of a customer. Knowing what truly drives customer lifetime value opens new investment opportunities for telecom companies and helps them improve sales and customer relationships. Request a FREE proposal to learn how customer lifetime value calculation can help. With the global telecom being driven by advancements in technology, businesses face several challenges in acquiring new customers. Such challenges along with the eroing pricing power of telecom companies globally are one of the reasons why telecom companies find themselves in a downward spiral of price deflation and margin pressures. Quantzig's recent success story offers comprehensive insights on how telecom companies can become more customer-centric while building greater competitive advantage with the help of customer lifetime value modeling.



Advanced analytics solutions with built-in capabilities such as data extraction, reporting, and deep-dive analytics make uncovering insights faster. Don't you agree? Speak to our analytics experts to get started! Key Questions Answered

1. Why customer lifetime value modeling is important in the telecom industry? 2. How customer lifetime value analytics help correlate data obtained from multiple sources? 3. Can telecom companies reduce churn rates and improve loyalty using customer lifetime value modeling? According to Quantzig's customer lifetime value analytics experts, "To drive profitable outcomes, it's crucial to not just acquire new customers, but to ensure you address their requirements and enhance loyalty. We've developed a comprehensive portfolio of customer lifetime value modeling solutions that can help you strengthen customer relationships while driving loyalty." Customer lifetime value modeling can help you analyze customer data and act on insights to reduce churn. Wonder how it works? Book a FREE Demo to get a glimpse of our advanced customer analytics platforms. How Customer Lifetime Value Modeling Helped the Telecom Company 1: Improved decision-making and reduced churn by over 50% 2: Designed new initiatives to improve customer relationships by addressing their needs 3: Identified factors leading to customer churn and a decline in sales As customer demands and requirements increase with the proliferation of communication systems and embedded devices, it becomes crucial for telecom companies to address the dynamic needs of customers to stay profitable in the long run. Our customer lifetime value modeling solutions integrate technology and data modeling techniques to help businesses improve operations, strengthen customer relationships and achieve business goals. Take a look at the complete portfolio of advanced customer analytics solutions here: https://bit.ly/31XyvNi About Quantzig Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 15 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit: https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005538/en/

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Dividend paying stocks like Tern Properties Company Limited (HKG:277) tend to be popular with investors, and for good reason - some research suggests a significant amount of all stock market returns come from reinvested dividends. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments.

A 1.2% yield is nothing to get excited about, but investors probably think the long payment history suggests Tern Properties has some staying power. The company also bought back stock during the year, equivalent to approximately 13% of the company's market capitalisation at the time. Some simple analysis can offer a lot of insights when buying a company for its dividend, and we'll go through this below.

Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis

SEHK:277 Historical Dividend Yield, February 13th 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. While Tern Properties pays a dividend, it reported a loss over the last year. When a company is loss-making, we next need to check to see if its cash flows can support the dividend.

Tern Properties paid out a conservative 40% of its free cash flow as dividends last year.

Remember, you can always get a snapshot of Tern Properties's latest financial position, by checking our visualisation of its financial health.

Dividend Volatility

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. Tern Properties has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. The dividend has been cut on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was HK$0.02 in 2010, compared to HK$0.054 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10% a year over that time. Tern Properties's dividend payments have fluctuated, so it hasn't grown 10% every year, but the CAGR is a useful rule of thumb for approximating the historical growth.

Story continues

Tern Properties has grown distributions at a rapid rate despite cutting the dividend at least once in the past. Companies that cut once often cut again, but it might be worth considering if the business has turned a corner.

Dividend Growth Potential

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share (EPS) are growing - it's not worth taking the risk on a dividend getting cut, unless you might be rewarded with larger dividends in future. Tern Properties's earnings per share have shrunk at 58% a year over the past five years. With this kind of significant decline, we always wonder what has changed in the business. Dividends are about stability, and Tern Properties's earnings per share, which support the dividend, have been anything but stable.

Conclusion

When we look at a dividend stock, we need to form a judgement on whether the dividend will grow, if the company is able to maintain it in a wide range of economic circumstances, and if the dividend payout is sustainable. We're a bit uncomfortable with the company paying a dividend while being loss-making, although at least the dividend was covered by free cash flow. Earnings per share have been falling, and the company has cut its dividend at least once in the past. From a dividend perspective, this is a cause for concern. With this information in mind, we think Tern Properties may not be an ideal dividend stock.

Now, if you want to look closer, it would be worth checking out our free research on Tern Properties management tenure, salary, and performance.

If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of dividend stocks yielding above 3%.

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.
Trailer stolen from Paradise logger

Deputies are searching for a car thief who stole a California logger's trailer. The victim who lives in Paradise said he purchased the trailer just three weeks earlier with cash. The victim says that without this trailer it is very difficult to work. Investigators are hoping there is a surveillance video of the crime.

Butte County Sheriff's Office arrests Oroville man in 2018 murder case

The Butte County Sheriff's Office says 40-year-old Jasson Stepp of Oroville is responsible for the murder of a Berry Creek man back in January of 2018. For the past 7 months, butte county detectives collected evidence and last month arrested Stepp for an unrelated burglary. He has been at the Butte County jail since January.

Man convicted of murdering his wife, DA says

An Anderson man is facing prison time after a jury found him guilty of murdering his wife. A Shasta County jury convicted Kenneth Vorreiter of Anderson of second-degree murder in the death of his wife. He will be sentenced on March 6.

NWS warns dry weather could bring early fire season

It's been a dry February so far. Which means some fire crews in the state are already getting ready for fire danger. At the National Weather Service, satellite imagery shows a strong ridge of high pressure has built up over the western states. If the dry weather continues, CAL FIRE says it's a mixed bag for increased fire danger.

Chairman of Iowa Democratic Party resigns after caucus catastrophe

In the wake of the Iowa caucus chaos, the Democratic Party chairman of that state has resigned. Troy price issued a resignation statement Wednesday, just over a week after the caucus debacle. Price came under fire after last Tuesdays caucus that took days to release a full vote count. Price says he will call an emergency meeting of the state central committee Saturday to select an interim chair.

China sees largest single-day death toll from coronavirus

New figures out of China about the coronavirus are giving health officials cause for concern. Overnight, the Chinese government reported its largest single-day death toll from the disease at 242. That brings the total number of reported deaths to more than 1,300. Now, the CDC says the U.S. should be prepared for the disease to gain a foothold here as well.

Judge denies Roger Stone's request for a new trial

Tensions are rising in Washington as Democrats accuse President Trump of ignoring the rule of law, again. This time citing the presidents comments on the sentencing of his longtime ally Roger Stone's trial for lying to congress. Democrats are saying this is interfering in the trial. They are also asking for Attorney General William Barr's resignation for the role he has played in the same trial.
EDWARDSVILLE  State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will host a seminar on Starting a Small Business in Illinois 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Morris University Center at Southern Illinois University.

People will learn how to create a viable business plan, register a business with state or local agencies and explore different financing options. Registration and a $10 admission fee are required; visit https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/32020 to register. For more details call 618-365-6650 or email repkatiestuart@gmail.com.
Police reports did not indicate that the administrator was injured in the fall, he said. The Chicago Fire Department said it did not respond to the incident.
The CRPF is set to intensify its operations against Naxals in their "stronghold" of Bastar in the southern part of Chhattisgarh, officials said on Thursday.

The paramilitary force, deployed as the primary combat unit against Maoists in the state, has launched a special operation called 'Lakshya' (target) to hit the ultras in remote and thick jungles of Bijapur and Sukma districts.

CRPF Director General (DG) A P Maheshwari also reviewed the operation after he visited the state on Wednesday in the aftermath of two commandos of its elite jungle warfare unit CoBRA being killed in such an operation early this week.

Maheshwari has sought intensification of the operations in coordination with state authorities, a senior official said.

He said the force chief urged the CoBRA and other Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units present in the state to make "in-roads into Naxal strongholds and ensure that the ultras are eliminated without any collateral damage to civilians".

The force, along with the state police, is also planning to take on the dreaded and armed first People's Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) battalion of Maoists that operates in the interiors of south Bastar area with a number of states bordering it.

The recent operation in Bijapur district led to unearthing of a weapons and explosives manufacturing base of Maoists in Irrapalli and intelligence inputs suggest about four Maoists of the first battalion were killed while another 10 injured.

Two commandos of the 204th battalion of the CoBRA were killed while six others, including a deputy commandant-rank officer, were injured in this gunbattle. A Naxal body was also recovered after the encounter.

The force chief met field commanders in Bastar and spent a night at a CRPF camp on Wednesday. He also praised the troops for their operational achievements and interacted with them.

It was also directed by Maheshwari that development initiatives like road construction and creation of civic amenities should go hand-in-hand with operations, the official said.

The DG also met the injured personnel at a hospital in state capital Raipur and promised them all assistance in their recovery and well-being, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Whats extremely dangerous is if youre in a mind palace alone with Adam Schiff. You stare into his bulging eyes and cant help but believe him when he insists that hes got evidence Trump colluded with Russia, and that Trump will be impeached. The eyes grow larger, the stories more fanciful.
Cambodia welcomes liner - Anutin not convinced cruise ship virus-free

WORLD: A cruise ship carrying 1,455 guests and 802 crew that was turned away by Thailand and four other countries on concerns over coronavirus, was finally given permission yesterday (Feb 12) to dock in Cambodia, its operator announced.

tourismmarinetransporthealthCoronavirusCOVID-19

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 13 February 2020, 09:58AM

The navy frigate HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej is seen from the MS Westerdam liner in waters off the Thai coast. Photo: Angela Jones/Handout via Reuters photo

A senior Cambodian government official told Kyodo News that the decision to let the Westerdam cruise ship operated by Holland America Line to dock in the southwestern seaport of Sihanoukville was based on humanitarian grounds.

We will arrive at 7am local time on Thursday [today] ... and will remain in port for several days for disembarkation. Guests will be able to go ashore. All approvals have been received and we are extremely grateful to the Cambodian authorities for their support, the company said in a situation update on its website.

Since it sailed off from Hong Kong on Feb 1, the cruise ship had been turned away by Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Guam and Thailand over fears that some of its passengers may have been infected by the new coronavirus.

All guests on board are healthy and despite erroneous reports there are no known or suspected cases of coronavirus on board, nor have their ever been, the company said.

It also stated at hollandamerica.com that guests will disembark in Sihanoukville over the next few days and transfer via charter flights to Phnom Penh for onward travel home. Holland America Line will arrange and pay for all flights, in addition to the already-pledged full cruise refund and credit for a future cruise.

Earlier yesterday (Feb 12), Thailand had been pressed to allow the ship to dock at Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri province after the operator asked for help from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and governments. Thai authorities, however, denied permission for the ship to dock, citing precautionary measures against the coronavirus outbreak.

Passengers hopes rose after spending almost two weeks afloat without disembarking when the captain announced he was steering the vessel into the Gulf of Thailand.

But by late afternoon, HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, a Thai navy frigate, was escorting the Dutch-flagged ship away from shore after the government barred the cruise ship from docking at Laem Chabang.

But passengers remained hopeful of making landfall and escaping the ship.

Captain reports that ship is coordinating closely with Thai authorities, the WHO and govts of US, Canada, Holland and others, tweeted passenger Christina Kerby.

MS Westerdam left Singapore on Jan 16 before being turned away by Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines.

As it entered Thai waters yesterday, the plan was to dock on the eastern coast before passengers were ferried to Bangkok from where they could take flights home.

The ship was carrying 21 Thais, including 19 crew members, but the Thai government needed to deal with the matter carefully and offer the ship only humanitarian assistance, including medical help food supplies and fuel, deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

The WHO chief called me Tuesday (Feb 11) night, saying every passenger remained healthy and asking Thailand to take care of them, Mr Anutin said.

But I was not convinced because the WHO chief was not aboard the ship.

The minister said he was not confident that the medical team on the cruise ship were capable of testing whether or not passengers had caught the virus.

Though authorities from many countries also said the ship was safe, their accounts had insufficient information and failed to change the governments decision, Mr Anutin said.

Also, Thailand was also never a planned destination on the ships route, he said.

Why should Thailand have to cope with this pressure? We have to think why other countries rejected the ship.

Thai officials may have felt the need to adopt the strict stance after several dozen passengers on another cruise ship, the Princess Diamond, tested positive for the virus.

The ship, which is carrying 3,700 people, is currently quarantined at the port of Yokohama in Japan.

So far up to 174 out of 492 suspected coronavirus cases have tested positive on the vessel, the NHK reported.

The medical checks began after an 80-year-old Hong Kong man who had been aboard the ship last month fell ill with the virus, according to the BBC.

However, the Cruise Ship Professional Association yesterday asked the Thai government to review its decision because it was confident authorities and health experts could deal with the viral outbreak effectively.

We want every relevant state agency to help all passengers and crews under humanitarian principles, the group said.

In Thailand, one more patient has been discharged from hospital, bringing the number of people in the country who have recovered from novel coronavirus, or Covid-19, after treatment to 11.

That leaves only 22 of the 33 Covid-19 cases registered in Thailand so far still in hospitals, Disease Control Departments chief Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said yesterday.

Were also going to discharge three more patients soon, he said, adding one of them is a Thai man who was among 138 Thais airlifted last week from Wuhan, the Chinese epicentre of the outbreak. The man, who works as a tour guide, recently tested negative for the virus.

If he tests negative again, he can return home with no further need to be quarantined, Dr Suwannachai said.

Two other patients who are being treated at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi and Rajavithi Hospital will be also discharged if their lab test results are negative, he said.

Health experts have also cleared 587 suspected cases after finding most of them were suffering influenza. They are among a total of 799 suspected cases under surveillance.
Paul McIntyre arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court where he is appearing charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in April 2019 (Brian Lawless).

Protesters show their support for Paul McIntyre outside Londonderry Magistrates Court as the 52-year-old from Derry, appears in court charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee on February 13, 2020 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Paul McIntyre, the man charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court on February 13, 2020

Paul McIntyre, the man charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court on February 13, 2020

Protesters show their support for Paul McIntyre outside Londonderry Magistrates Court as the 52-year-old from Derry, appears in court charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee on February 13, 2020 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

A man charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee is accused of picking up casings from the bullets used to kill her, a court heard.

There were scuffles outside Londonderry Magistrates Court between police and supporters of Paul McIntyre, who was remanded in custody following Thursdays hearing.

Ms McKee, a 29-year-old author, was shot dead by dissident republicans while observing a riot in Derry in April last year. An extremist group styling itself the New IRA said it carried out the killing.

During a 50-minute remand hearing, McIntyres lawyer Derwin Harvey said: The allegation against Mr McIntyre is that Mr McIntyre is at this riot and a male shoots the gun and that Mr McIntyre, after the gun was shot, picks up the cases.

Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.

Before Thursdays hearing, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.

Ahead of proceedings, supporters of 52-year-old McIntyre held placards saying he is a political hostage and a British scapegoat as they scuffled with up to 40 police officers when they refused to move from the entrance to the court.

There were loud cheers as McIntyre was brought out of a Range Rover and taken inside.

Lyra McKees sister Mary Crossan outside Londonderry Magistrates Court (Brian Lawless/PA)

McIntyre is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and belonging to or professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.

His address was given in court as Kinnego Park in Derry. Dressed in a grey jumper, he sat throughout the hearing.

The court heard a lengthy defence submission applying for bail, but the judge adjourned the hearing until he received further information from the prosecution about the evidence linking McIntyre to the charges.

Mr Harvey said the case rests on a snapshot of low-quality mobile phone footage which the prosecution claims shows a man wearing clothing matching what his client was wearing earlier in the day.

A PSNI detective, who said she could connect McIntyre to the charges, outlined the extent of evidence police had examined in the last nine months.

Ms McKees partner Sara Canning arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court (Brian Lawless/PA)

That included five hours of footage taken by an MTV camera crew which was making a documentary in the area, mobile phone footage, and witness statements from members of the public and police.

The detective said senior legal counsel consulted by prosecutors had concluded that the test for prosecution had been met.

The officer objected to bail on the grounds of potential interfering with witnesses, risk of further offending and of fleeing the jurisdiction.

McIntyre appeared before a judge in May last year charged with riotous behaviour and arson linked to the disorder that culminated with Ms McKees murder.

Supporters of Paul McIntyre clash with police outside court (Brian Lawless/PA)

His lawyer said the crux of the case against him was an expert report that compared clothing worn by the man seen picking up the bullet casings with two clips of footage of McIntyre in Derry earlier in the day.

He said the key items of clothing were a pair of Adidas trainers, ONeills tracksuit bottoms and a black cap.

He highlighted that the expert who compiled the report did not definitively state that the person picking up the casings was McIntyre, instead saying the person was a suitable candidate for matching the accuseds appearance.

He said two witnesses police had spoken to described McIntyre as being between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall. He added that his client was 5ft 2in, representing a massive discrepancy.

Mr Harvey said: There is no clear evidence linking Mr McIntyre to this event.

Lyra McKee was killed last April (Chiho Tang/Oranga Creative/PA)

He said his client denied involvement in the murder more than 50 times during police interviews.

Mr Harvey said that when the charges were put to McIntyre on Wednesday night, his client replied: I did not murder anyone. If police speak to witnesses it will show it was not me.

The solicitor said footage that showed a man picking up bullet casings was a matter of seconds long and taken on a mobile phone rather than high-definition MTV cameras. He noted the film crew had left the scene by that stage.

The lawyer said there were insurmountable hurdles to proving a charge of murder by joint enterprise  noting that prosecutors had to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt an accused had prior knowledge a murder was going to be committed.

Addressing the issue of potential intimidation of witnesses, District Judge Barney McElholm expressed concern about sinister graffiti in the Creggan area where Ms McKee was killed, and vile posters showing a badly wounded police officer.

He said those behind such incidents were doing McIntyre no good whatsoever.

The judge said his main concern was that everyone was treated fairly in the case.

It is very important that the murderers of Lyra McKee are brought to justice, but we need to get the right people and every person deserves a fair trialDistrict Judge Barney McElholm

A young woman with her entire life ahead of her, and it was a very promising life, was murdered mindlessly and pointlessly, like all other murders carried out in this country, he said.

It is also very important that the murderers of Lyra McKee are brought to justice, but we need to get the right people and every person deserves a fair trial.

He asked prosecutors to provide further information about issues related to height and biometric testing, and points Mr Harvey had raised about witnesses who could potentially exonerate his client.

The judge remanded McIntyre in custody to next appear in court on February 27.

Ms McKee was living in Londonderry with her partner Sara Canning, who was in court for the hearing.

Ms McKees sisters Nichola Corner and Mary Crossan were among several people in the public gallery wearing T-shirts emblazoned with her picture and the words Speak out for Lyra. They comforted each other at points during the hearing.

The journalist was an LGBTQ rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland, having been part of the generation which reached adulthood during peacetime.

Her funeral was attended by then prime minister Theresa May, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins, at St Annes Cathedral in Belfast.

Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.

Days later, the UK and Irish Governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.

Powersharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.
Sinn Feins first big and (sort of) public event following its earthquake electoral success followed the same well-worn approach seen on the campaign trail.

For three weeks the partys public utterances were well choreographed, with policy launches practically non-existent, in contrast with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael who fired so many promises into the ether it was easy to become confused between them.

Yesterdays big introduction followed the same choreography - Mary Lou McDonald was to give a five-minute victory speech rehashing most of what we already know, with a couple of applause-generators added in for spice, albeit of a less controversial bent than some of her experienced TDs had recently come out with in the heat of the moment.

No questions were to be allowed. That is anathema to the media, which doesnt like being summoned to cover an inauguration without being allowed to probe the crown-wearers in waiting.

The problem with such an approach is that the human element will always be present when 19 new TDs are added into what would have been an already crowded room. Perhaps the room had been booked before the first polls started to emerge across the campaign, as one journalist wryly noted.

Then the PA system in the hotel suite had a fit, and for 30 seconds it sounded like the Garda helicopter was running at full tilt one floor up.

Everywhere, the newly elected representatives, many of whom had failed at last years local elections, wandered around blinking and keeping their mouths shut at all costs.

Many of them had never met each other before, and set about making introductions, akin to delegates at a tech conference in some unfamiliar city.

By contrast, the partys established TDs were in fine form. David Cullinane, the Waterford TD who had managed to sour his partys surge by getting filmed shouting up the Ra at a post-count celebration, was happy to discuss the size of his victory - with more than 20,000 first preferences received.

"Even people who voted Fine Gael all their lives were voting for us, he said, adding that as far as he was concerned Ra-gate amounted to a storm in a teacup.

Meanwhile Wicklows John Brady, fresh from sprinting home in his own race after pre-election speculation that he might struggle, said he didnt know how things were going to go. He denied another election is the logical conclusion though. No one wants that, he said.

Ms McDonalds speech ended up being the precursor to the main event - a contretemps between herself and John Lee, the political editor of the Irish Daily Mail, who had made no secret of his unhappiness at there being no Q&A.

The press are gathered here, ready to ask questions Mary Lou, why wont you take questions? Mr Lee asked, suggesting that the refusal amounted to bullying of the press.

Youre the bullies, shouted one of the assembled in response. Whos that? asked another. Your man from the Mail.

Youre being childish John, this is a Sinn Fein event, Ms McDonald responded. Mr Lee responded that organising an event with the media in attendance and then kicking them out before theyd a chance to ask anything amounted to regal behaviour, which led to a collective intake of breath across the room, it qualifying as possibly the biggest insult you can lay on a Shinner.

Meanwhile, the partys housing spokesman Eoin O Broin filmed the whole exchange on his phone with a happy smile on his face.

But the point stood. If Sinn Fein wants to negotiate for the formation of a Government and leave behind accusations that it isnt a normal political party, then affording hacks the chance to have their say is a must.

It must have hit home too, because a press opportunity was hastily convened on the plinth in the aftermath of a photo opportunity for the newly expanded parliamentary party.

There Ms McDonald reiterated that the country had voted for change, for a totally new Government. She admitted however, that the numbers would make it very tricky indeed to come up with a coalition without either of Fine Gael or Fianna Fail.

You could understand their reluctance to keep things to their own agenda mind you, with the party leader having to bat aside questions regarding the murder of Paul Quinn, her own representatives tendency to invoke the IRA when they think no-ones looking, and whether or not Sinn Fein has an anti-vaccination wing after it emerged new deputy for Co Clare Violet Anne Wynne had been more than vocal on the subject in the recent past.

Whod be a leader of the countrys most popular party?
The family of a man whose body was found bound in bushland say they are still trying to come to terms with his sudden death.

Peter Keeley, 56, from Canberra, was found dead near Broulee, on the NSW south coast, on February 2 with head and facial injuries.

"All that can be said is we have been deeply affected by this tragedy and we are still grieving," his devastated family said in a statement on Thursday.

"We are grateful for the overwhelming support from family and friends."

Two teenage friends are arrested by NSW police hours before being charged with Mr Keeley's alleged murder. Source: NSW Police

The family thanked police for their support during this terrible time before requesting privacy to allow them to support Mr Keeleys children.

Two teenage friends, both 17, were arrested on Thursday morning and charged with Mr Keeley's alleged murder, NSW police said.

They have both been charged with murder and taking/detaining in company with intent to get advantage, occasioning actual bodily harm.

The youths are due to face court at a later date.

A third 17-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday afternoon at a home in the Broulee area. He has since been charged with murder and take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.

He is due to face a childrent court on Friday.

NSW Police Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Mr Keeley had communicated with one of the teens via gay dating app Grindr.

Police believe Peter Keeley had been talking to one of the teens via the gay dating app Grindr. Source: NSW Police

"One of the lines of inquiry is the method of communication used by the victim," he said.

"That was investigated and a number of dating apps were used, and one of those was Grindr."

Officers said they seized mobile phones, laptops and other electronic equipment while executing three search warrants.

Det Supt Doherty said police were investigating possible motives for the alleged killing  including whether it was a gay hate crime.

"There's a number of motives that I can't talk about and can't elaborate on," the homicide squad commander said.

"We have to look at other considerations, such as whether there was anything drug-related, whether it was robbery-related, or whether it was a hate crime. It's unclear at this stage."

Story continues

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By Azernews





By Rasana Gasimova

Azerbaijan presented it tourism potential at the International Mediterranean Tourism Market 2020 (IMTM 2020) exhibition held in Tel-Aviv on February 11-12.

The country's tourism companies participated in the exhibition with the organizational support of the State Tourism Agency and the Azerbaijan Tourism Board.

Azerbaijan was represented at the exhibition by the 80 square meters stand, as well as four hotels, three tour operators and the Mountain Jews Museum, State Tourism Agency reported.

Bahruz Asgarov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Azerbaijan Tourism Board said that in recent years, Israel has been showing particular interest in Azerbaijan.

We can confidently say that the indicators will increase even more, because the vast tourism potential, the ancient Jewish heritage in Azerbaijan, as well as friendly relations between the two nations create great opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

Rufat Sadikhov, Regional Manager in International Markets Management Department at Azerbaijan Tourism Board emphasized that information tours for representatives of a number of Israeli media and travel agencies were organized in 2019, and promotional events will continue this year.

He noted that health tourism is one of the main types of tourism that Israeli tourists are interested in and for this reason more intensive measures will be taken in health tourism destinations, such as Galaalty, Duzdag, Naftalan, etc.

As part of the visit, the presentation of the Mountain Jews Museum was held. Speaking at the event, the executive director of the museum Igor Shaulov noted that the museum created in Guba is already operating on a trial basis and it will officially open in the near future.

Note that Krasnaya Sloboda - the Jewish settlement located in Guba has been preserved for centuries as one of the most obvious examples of multiculturalism.

Azerbaijans Tourism Board is preparing a tourist route covering Baku, Guba, Oguz, Ismayilli and other regions where the Jewish heritage exists.

The exhibition hosted B2B meetings with local and international travel agencies, as well as Israeli travel agencies and they assessed the opportunities for cooperation.

Note that in 2019, the number of Israeli citizens visiting Azerbaijan amounted to 47,000 people, which is 66.8 percent more compared to 2018. In January 2020, 1,722 Israeli citizens visited in Azerbaijan, which is 158 percent more compared to the same period in 2019.








FREDERICTON - Just a day after New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs conceded that a growing backlash to his government's health-care reforms could hurt him politically, one of his own backbenchers spoke out against the changes.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs delivers the State of the Province address in Fredericton on January 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray

FREDERICTON - Just a day after New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs conceded that a growing backlash to his government's health-care reforms could hurt him politically, one of his own backbenchers spoke out against the changes.

Bruce Northrup issued a statement Thursday to say he cannot support the decision to eliminate the overnight emergency hours at the Sussex Health Centre in his riding.

"As the MLA for the riding of Sussex-Fundy-St. Martins, for the past 13-plus years, I have always put my constituents first, and will continue to do so," Northrup wrote. "Over the past few days, I have done a lot of soul-searching, gathered information at meetings from Horizon Health and various stakeholders, and most importantly I have listened to the people I represent."

New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA Hugh J. A. (Ted) Flemming, Q.C., centre, is sworn in as Minister of Health at the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton on November 9, 2018. There is growing backlash in New Brunswick to health care reforms announced Tuesday that include closing the emergency departments of six community hospitals overnight. Dr. Hubert Dupuis, president of Egalite Sante en Francais -- a group that lobbies for equal health services for francophone New Brunswickers -- says the changes are irresponsible and will lead to the defeat of the Tory minority government. Health Minister Hugh Flemming says the changes are needed to improve care and address a shortage of human resources. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James West

Sussex is one of six communities that will lose their emergency rooms in the overnight hours, from midnight to 8 a.m., effective March 11. The others are Sackville, Perth-Andover, Ste-Anne-de-Kent, Caraquet and Grand Falls.

"This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make in my political career," wrote Northrup. "I realize that difficult decisions must be made to move our province forward and I will continue to support the government in other areas in my capacity as MLA for this riding."

Deputy premier Robert Gauvin has also publicly expressed concerns with the health reforms and said he'll have an announcement about his political future on Friday.

The closures announced this week by the Horizon and Vitalite health networks are intended to address a shortage of human resources.

A defiant Higgs addressed reporters Wednesday, saying his government is convinced it is doing the right things to ensure the sustainability of the province's health-care system.

Higgs repeated his position Thursday, but acknowledged the possibility the issue could prompt an election for his minority government.

"If through it all, it comes down to there's no other avenue than an election, then so be it. We are doing this for a reason. We are doing this for reasons that are very evident. We are doing it for reasons that are going to give better health care to our citizens," he said.

Higgs said he was pleased Northrup had decided to remain in caucus and support the government on other matters.

The premier said he had spoken with Northrup a number of times in the hours ahead of his announcement, but had not spoken with Gauvin in several days and had no idea what his deputy premier would announce on Friday.

The six affected communities will get added mental health services, and 120 acute care beds will be converted to long-term chronic care beds, mainly for seniors awaiting a nursing home.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.
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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 08:11 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20642ea5d 1 National Batang-Toru-dam,Batang-Toru-forest,Batang-Toru-hydropower-project,South-Tapanuli,North-Sumatra,North-Sumatra-Hydro-Energy Free

A hydropower plant project in the Batang Toru ecosystem in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, has been lauded for its future role of supplying electricity to the supposedly underpowered province and helping curb the countrys greenhouse gas emissions.

However, these claims have been refuted in a new report from an energy consultant, who argues the Rp 22 trillion (US$1.6 billion) project is entirely unnecessary [...] for future energy needs and poses a critical threat to the local ecosystem and the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan.

David Brown, an energy consultant with Brown Brothers Energy and Environment, said upon the reports launch in late January that parties that supported the project had mischaracterized, exaggerated or just manufactured much of the rationale for the dam.

Supporters said the dam would supply electricity necessary to support children across the province to study at night. However, North Sumatra is one of the most electrified provinces in the country, with 95.8 percent of its population having access to electricity, Brown said.

He added that most of those who did not have access to electricity  600,000 people  lived on Nias Island. They wont get benefits from electricity production on the Sumatran mainland.

Brown went on to argue that the power produced by the dam would not help North Sumatra, which is set to build dozens of other new power plants by 2028.

According to state-owned electricity company PLNs 2019-2028 electricity procurement plan (RUPTL), 80 new power plants will be built across the province, including 49 hydropower plants.

Combined, the new hydropower plants alone will produce four times more power than the Batang Toru power plant, Brown said.

He also refuted claims the hydropower plant would replace several diesel-powered plants currently operating across the province, as no such plants are currently in operation, according to the electricity company.

He added he reached the conclusions based on data provided by PLN and did not personally support the construction of gas-powered power plants.

Read also: Scientists slam govt for giving nod to Batang Toru dam

The company that will operate the Batang Toru plant, PT North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE), claimed the dam would help the country achieve its climate change mitigation targets. Under the Paris Agreement, Indonesia pledged in its nationally determined contribution (NDC) to reduce its emissions by 29 percent below a business as usual (BAU) projection, or by up to 41 percent below BAU with international assistance.

The company claimed the Batang Toru hydropower project would reduce the countrys carbon emissions by 1.6 to 2.2 million tons per year, or 4 percent of its NDC.

The actual figure, however, would not be as high as claimed. If the dam replaces a power ship currently powering up the province, it would only reduce 1.1 million tons of CO2  smaller than claimed by the company, Brown said.

The construction of the power plant has been met with protests from scientists and activists since 2018. They argued the project could potentially endanger the Tapanuli orangutan, an endemic species to the Batang Toru ecosystem.

Scientists confirmed in 2017 that the Tapanuli orangutans were a separate species from their Bornean and Sumatran cousins. The dam project was kicked off in 2012.

Researchers believe only 800 Tapanuli orangutans remain in their habitat of Batang Toru, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to include the species on its red list as critically endangered.

Scientists believe the construction of roads, power lines and the dam itself would pose increased risks to the already endangered species.

The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) has filed a lawsuit against the plan, claiming the dam would impact the livelihoods of farmers downstream as the dam would arrest the flow of the river for 18 hours a day.

Read also: Endangered Tapanuli orangutan found malnourished, injured out of habitat near Batang Toru

NSHE spokesperson Firman Taufick dismissed the study, describing Brown as not credible.

He is not part of the government responsible for developing the power system in the country. He is also not an electricity expert, Firman said in a recent statement.

The company alleged that Browns report was a part of a campaign launched by global environmental group Mighty Earth against the construction of the hydropower plant.

This is a campaign launched by Mighty Earth. Everyone knows who they are, as well as their motivation and interests. One thing is for sure, their interests are not for Indonesia. We know that, said Firman. NSHE is cooperating with Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company, to build the dam.

In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Friday, Brown regretted that Firman did not comment on [his] reports actual findings but did see it fit to make two remarks about [him].

Brown added that the information in his report on the provinces electricity sector originated from PLNs most recent RUPTL. With that said, normal arithmetical analysis of information sourced from PLNs 2019 RUPTL is fair game. I drew logical conclusions from public information that PLN itself has promulgated.

Regarding Firmans criticism of Browns qualification, the energy analyst said he and his brother, Jeffrey D. Brown, who co-authored the Batang Toru report, had more than 50 years of energy experience.

David said he had worked as an energy policy advisor to members of the United States Congress, before working as an oil, gas and mining advisor with the World Bank in Indonesia. He recently wrote a feasibility study and an investment proposal for the proposed purchase of a bioenergy plant in East Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, Jeffery was senior vice president at Seattle-based clean energy development firm Summit Power Group. He had also worked for 20 years as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs, advising clients related to virtually every type of energy and electricity generation project.

In light of the qualifications outlined above, I would respectfully submit that Brown Brothers Energy and Environment is qualified to take a view on electricity supply and demand in North Sumatra, particularly when our view is largely in line with the electrification plans of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and PLN, said Brown.

People-Centered Business and Economic Institute (IBEKA) founder Tri Mumpuni said the government should focus on building micro hydropower plants in areas not yet electrified across the archipelago, rather than promoting the construction of large projects, such as the Batang Toru dam.

We should focus on promoting energy sovereignty, especially for people living in remote areas, because it will also empower them financially, among other things, said Tri, who has been promoting the development of micro hydropower plants in several villages across the country.

Editor's note: This article has been updated on Feb. 18 to accommodate a clarification by David Brown.
British financial regulators are investigating Barclays (BARC.L) chief executive Jes Staley over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced former financier who died by suicide last year while under arrest on sex trafficking charges.

Barclays said in a statement on Thursday the UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) were investigating Staley over the characterisation of his relationship with Epstein.

The New York Times first reported on Staleys relationship with Epstein last July. An article stated Staley visited Epstein while he was serving time for soliciting prostitution from a minor and suggested the pair had a close business relationship over many years.

Barclays said the FCA and PRA were investigating Jes Staley over his 'characterisation' of his relationship with Epstein. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Regulators asked questions about Staleys links to Epstein in the wake of the report and launched a full probe last December. It had not been disclosed until this week.

The investigation centres around Mr. Staley's characterisation to the Company of his relationship with Mr. Epstein and the subsequent description of that relationship in the Company's response to the FCA, Barclays said.

I feel very confident I have been very transparent, Staley told journalists on Thursday.

The FCA and PRA confirm there is an investigation concerning Mr Staley, the agencies said in a statement provided to Yahoo Finance UK. We are unable to comment any further.

I thought I knew him well

Staley said his relationship with Epstein dated back to 2000 when he took over JP Morgans private bank.

He was a client when I joined the private bank, Staley told journalists. The relationship was maintained during my time at JP Morgan but as I left [JP] Morgan the relationship tapered off significantly.

Epstein was in New York financial services, working at investment bank Bear Sterns before starting his own firm.

Obviously I thought I knew him well, Staley told journalists. I didnt. For sure, with hindsight of what we all know now, I deeply regret having had any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Story continues

Jeffrey Epstein. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

Epstein died by suicide last year while under arrest facing charges of underage sex trafficking. He had previously reached a plea deal in Florida on charges of procuring an underage girl for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.

Epsteins arrest and subsequent death sparked a global scandal due to his extensive contact with high-profile figures, including Microsoft chief executive Bill Gates and Prince Andrew. Epsteins little black book was renowned.

Barclays said it had investigated Staleys relationship with Epstein and concluded the chief executive had only a professional relationship with Mr. Epstein early in his career. Staley has had no contact whatsoever with Mr. Epstein at any time since taking up his role as Barclays group CEO in December 2015 the bank said.

Read more: Barclays surprises with better-than-expected results

Staley has the full confidence of the Board, and is being unanimously recommended for re-election at the Annual General Meeting, Barclays added.

The Board will continue to cooperate fully with the regulatory investigation, and will provide a further update as and when it is appropriate to do so.

The Epstein probe is the second investigation by UK regulators into Staley in recent years. Staley was fined 642,430 ($832,939) by the FCA and PRA in 2018 for attempting to unmask a whistleblower at the bank.

Barclayss disclosure of the Staley investigation came alongside better-than-expected full-year results.
The Bright Armenia Party was suggesting the creation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs last year, but our proposal was rejected. Today, the authorities are introducing a bill on the creation of that ministry. This is what deputy of the Bright Armenia faction of the National Assembly Karen Simonyan said during a discussion on reforms in the Police of Armenia today, adding that he welcomes the changes.

According to him, this reform will unquestionably increase the accountability of the Police to the parliament. In addition, this reform is in line with Armenias international commitments. The reforms need to be implemented within the scope of transformation of the entire judiciary, he stated.

Earlier, the representative of the Ministry of Justice had declared that a Ministry of Internal Affairs will be established within the scope of reforms in the legal system in the course of two to three years.
Some of the aircraft on show at Air Waves Portrush 2019.

A Northern Ireland councils decision to cut funding for the popular Portrush airshow is to cost the North Coast economy 2.5m, a councillor has said.

One councillor said he was losing sleep over decisions that needed to be made to cut services for ratepayers.

This years Portrush Air Waves event was called off after having its funding withdrawn as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council looks to slash its 68.7m debt.

Alliance Councillor Chris McCaw said council estimates suggest that the event brings in around 2.5m in revenue to the Portrush area every year, but that councillors had been left with no choice but to make the difficult decision.

Faced with staggering debt, the council has been forced to find massive savings.

Councillors are set to meet on Thursday evening and could strike the highest rate rise in Northern Ireland.

Jobs at the authority are also at risk and there are likely to be further cuts to services.

The Air Waves event is one of the tourism highlights of the year on the North Coast, attracting people from across the country to watch the breathtaking aerial displays. Around 100,000 people regularly attend.

Calling off the two-day event will save the council 240,000 in funding.

Other measures taken to address the financial crisis include the closure of popular tourist destination Waterworld, with a predicted annual saving of 80,000, car parking charges are also set to be introduced at various locations across the borough.

The measures were approved by councillors at a long-running meeting on Wednesday night.

The council is also considering moving from fortnightly to monthly black bin collections, worth an estimated 400,000 saving annually.

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Councillor McCaw said he was losing sleep over the stark decisions facing councillors.

When I was elected last year I never thought I would find myself in this position, he said.

We were told this was all we could do, the alternative was the Department of Communities coming in and raising the rate even higher.

The Alliance councillor expressed hope the air show could return in the future.

Id love to see that, this is only happening due to the financial situation weve found ourselves in. The event was worth 2.5m to the Portrush area, Councillor McCaw said.

Its just the financial situation we are in, its difficult and Im very annoyed we are having to take services away from the public, from the people I represent, but we have to be responsible to the ratepayer. We have no other choice.

Councillor McCaw said that experts from the NI Audit office had confirmed the scale of the councils financial crisis.

The full impact remains to be seen, the independent experts say the figures are exact, its unfortunate but neccesary.

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While the Air Waves event, which normally takes place in the area in early September, will not go ahead in 2020 no decision has been taken over funding for future years.

The line up at the event consisted of aviation performances including fighter jets and planes from across the world, with the RAF Red Arrows a regular attraction. The event also featured firework displays and a concert in Portstewart.
Agro chemical firm Dhanuka Agritech on Thursday reported a 90 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 27.67 crore for the quarter ended December.

Its net profit stood at Rs 14.60 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income rose to Rs 279.32 crore in the third quarter of this fiscal year from Rs 220.57 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Dhanuka Agritech manufactures a wide range of farm input products. It has a network of more than 8,000 distributors and dealers selling to over 75,000 retailers across India and reaching out to more than 10 million farmers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China), the leading foreign chamber in the region, today released details of its fundraising effort to combat the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in China. As of the date of announcement, AmCham South China members and its business community have donated 38 million US dollars in cash and 1.05 million US dollars in-kind to aid Wuhan, Hubei, and other areas in need.

Below is brief list of the total contribution.

over 38 million USD [1] ( 258.49 million yuan ) in cash

( ) in cash approximately 1.05 million USD ( 7.2 million yuan ) worth of goods:

( ) worth of goods: 54,021 masks



180,000 pairs of clinical gloves



400 pieces of air purifier



5.5 million yuan worth of medicine

worth of medicine

6,000 pieces of protective suits



592 goggles

As a foreign non-profit, non-partisan business organization with long-term dedication to the public welfare, AmCham South China is making an all-out effort by calling on members and individuals to donate fund and supplies to help contain the virus outbreak, especially medical supplies and protective items, including face masks, protective caps, suits, goggles and disposable latex gloves.

"Our members have been working hand in hand with our Chinese counterparts to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak. Let's continue the fight as I know together we will succeed," said Dr. Harley Seyedin, president of AmCham South China.

About The American Chamber of Commerce in South China

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. In 2019, AmCham South China hosted more than 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China is a fully-independent organization accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions.

[1] Exchange rates applied in this press release is 1 dollar equals 6.8 yuan.

SOURCE AmCham South China
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 13:26:18|Editor: Liu

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KABUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani left here for Germany on Thursday to attend a security conference, the Afghan Presidential Palace said.

"President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani left for Germany this morning to attend the 56th Munich Security Conference," the palace said on Twitter.

The Munich Security Conference, which is a world's leading forum for debate on international security policy, is scheduled to be held in Germany's Munich from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16.

On the sideline of the conference, the Afghan president will meet with heads of delegation from participant countries to discuss peace, security and issues related to Afghanistan, the palace noted.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Delhi Police on Thursday arrested two more persons in the case of alleged molestation of students at Delhi University's all-girl Gargi College on the Day 3 of annual cultural fest - Reverie 2020 - on February 6.

One arrested accused (22) is preparing for competitive examinations and the other (19) works as a tele-caller in a company.

Earlier on Wednesday, the police arrested 10 people in connection with the incident. All of them, in 18-25 age group, are students. The scanning of the CCTV footage revealed that they barged into the college and also broke the college gate, the Delhi Police said.

The police have formed 11 teams to work on the case. These teams are looking at the technological details and visiting various areas to identify the suspects. "Many persons are being questioned and several suspects have been identified," said DCP (South) Atul Thakur.

Many Gargi College students alleged that they were manhandled, molested and sexually assaulted on February 6.

A second-year student of political science told IANS, "Around 6.30 p.m, we three friends were moving through the huge crowd that had assembled for Reverie 2020. I lost contact with friends due to sudden push from the crowd. And in the next 10-15 minutes I was molested thrice." "I was groped, somebody reached inside my skirt. And due to the crowd, I couldn't even get out," she said in a choked voice.

Speaking to IANS, Promila Kumar, the college principal, had said, "We condemn the outrageous incident. We are committed to the safety and security of students. We have set up a fact finding committee." "The Delhi Police have registered an FIR and have assured us swift action and investigation in the incident," she said
NewstalkZB reports:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is defending her deputy, and New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters, amid criticism over donations to his party from the racing industry.

Yes she is defending NZ First having massive secret donations from the racing industry and in return delivering huge financial windfalls to the racing industry with taxpayer money.

Peters, also Minister of Racing, has delivered lucrative benefits to the industry since taking the portfolios reins in 2017.

National finance spokesman Paul Goldsmith said this afternoon New Zealanders needed reassurance that there had been no undue influence as a result of the donations.

We have New Zealand First ministers making large decisions about large spending and all New Zealanders want to be assured about the integrity of the decision-making.

But Ardern said these sorts of accusations were not fair.

Racing policy, decisions, bills, as with any decision we make, as a Government, goes through considerable scrutiny  no one policy is ever decided by one party, they go through all of us.
Collaboration reflects shared values and ambitions to support the future growth and success of San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Real estate development practice Westbank and Urban Community have officially announced their partnership to develop a portfolio of sites in Downtown San Jose.

"Ultimately our goal for Downtown San Jose is to create a community for the creative economy that brings companies out of their existing 'industrial parks' and integrates them within the city's urban fabric," said Westbank Founder Ian Gillespie. "Our ambition is to demonstrate how strong city-building can help address some of our greatest challenges. Our goal is to respond meaningfully to the climate emergency, help create more healthy, diverse communities and build the elements of life that are essential to our happiness, such as beauty, nature, social interaction, and a sense of belonging, into each of our projects."

Urban Community has assembled properties, from St. James Park to the SoFA District, with an eye on helping to catalyze positive transformation for the entire area through long-term investments in the community. Westbank, along with frequent partners Peterson Group and OPTrust, have invested in this portfolio of sites and will be partnering with Gary Dillabough and his team at Urban Community on their development in the coming years. With a 25-year history of development and city-building, which began in Canada, Westbank has a history of strong community commitments, through projects including residential, rental and affordable housing, hotels, district energy, creative retail and workspace and public art. Westbank and Urban Community share an ambition to be an integral part of San Jose's transformation into a leading tech and creative economy hub. This collaboration reflects their shared vision, to support the future growth and success of San Jose.

"Westbank's investment in San Jose highlights a growing interest from globally renowned companies who prize iconic design, sustainable development and impactful city-building. Their experience in cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle and Tokyo, shows bold vision and attention to detail," said City of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. "The Westbank/Dillabough partnership will make an important mark in San Jose's historic core, and I applaud their desire to move forward quickly."

"I am excited to welcome Westbank to San Jose. I've had the opportunity to see firsthand the transformative projects that Westbank is building in Seattle," said City of San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez, "The Westbank/Dillabough partners clearly have the vision to not only see how great San Jose is today, but also to see the incredible opportunity that is before us in San Jose, as we work together to build an even brighter future."

Repositioning the Bank of Italy building at 12 South 1st Street, will be the first project for the development partners, as Westbank focuses on the creation of a master plan for their overall San Jose portfolio, which includes: the Bank of Italy Building, Museum Place, BoTown Valley Title, Fountain Alley, and 255 West Julian.

"From the first day we met Ian, we were struck by his vision and knew that we'd be extraordinarily fortunate to inspire him with the unique city-building opportunity in downtown San Jose," said Urban Community developer Gary Dillabough. "We look forward to working closely with the entire Westbank team to bring their pioneering approach to our city."

About Urban Community LLC

Committed to enhancing the urban user experience in downtown San Jose, as a real estate developer, Urban Community collaborates with community members, designers, technologists, city officials, and builders alike to re-envision downtown San Jose. Based in San Jose, through their projects, Urban Community strives to create exceptional environments that catalyze community at every layer. Learn more at https://urbancommunity.com/

About Westbank

The core of Westbank's mission is to create a body of work with a high degree of artistry that helps foster more equitable and beautiful cities. Westbank is active across Canada and in the United States, with projects including residential, hotels, retail, office, rental, district energy, affordable housing and public art. Established in 1992, they are one of North America's leading developers, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle and Tokyo, and over 25 billion dollars of projects completed or under development. Westbank is driven by the belief that beauty and culture in all forms and in the broadest definitions, are essential to human existence. In committing their efforts fully towards the fight for beauty and the creation of culture, they have evolved beyond the definition of a traditional real estate development practice, to become a culture company. https://westbankcorp.com

About Peterson Group

The Peterson Group is a family owned private company based in both Vancouver, Canada and Hong Kong. The Company has a variety of commercial real estate holdings in Hong Kong, the UK, Canada and the US and also maintains business interests in a variety of sectors in regions across the world.

About OPTrust

With net assets of almost $20 billion, OPTrust invests and manages one of Canada's largest pension funds and administers the OPSEU Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan with almost 95,000 members and retirees. OPTrust was established to give plan members and the Government of Ontario an equal voice in the administration of the Plan and the investment of its assets through joint trusteeship. OPTrust is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees, five of whom are appointed by OPSEU and five by the Government of Ontario.

Media Contact for Urban Community

Sarah Farrant | NINICO Communications | [email protected]

Media Contact for Westbank

Jill Killeen | Killeen Communication Strategies | [email protected]



SOURCE Urban Community LLC

Related Links

https://urbancommunity.com


ANKARA, Turkey - Direct clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops amid a Syrian government offensive in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib province are threatening to escalate into a full-blown conflict between the two neighbours and also shatter an alliance forged between Turkey and Russia.

Intent on halting the advance, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to take military action everywhere in Syria if another Turkish soldier is killed or wounded. Earlier, he warned Syrian government forces that they have until the end of February to retreat to the limits of a previously agreed cease-fire line in Idlib.

Turkey and Russia are simultaneously rivals and allies in different parts of the Middle East, including in Syria and Libya. Their interests align when it comes to gas supplies and weapons trade, even if they find themselves on opposite sides of proxy wars. And they both have a shared interest in defying U.S. influence in Syria.

Turkey and Russia had been working together to keep the calm in Idlib, negotiating cease-fires between the Moscow-supported Syrian government and the rebels, who are backed by Ankara. So far, talks between the two have failed to lift the impasse in Idlib.

As Syrian government forces advance with Russias support, Turkey has refused to abandon its military posts in Idlib and has threatened to pressure Syrian forces to retreat. That has boxed Turkey into a corner and leaving it with few options but the possibility of a confrontation with both Syria and Russia.

The Idlib crisis comes as Turkey finds itself in the middle of an economic downturn and increasingly isolated internationally. In the eastern Mediterranean region, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece and Israel have reached agreements on hydrocarbon exploration.that exclude Turkey. That has forced Turkey to reach widely criticized maritime and security deals with Libyas U.N.-recognized government.

Emre Ersen, an expert on Turkish-Russian relations at Istanbuls Marmara University, says Turkey and Russia were engaged in posturing, trying to strengthen their hands before they reach a new accord on Idlib, which he called inevitable.

Turkey would be loath to trigger a new crisis with Russia like in 2015, Ersen said, referring to punishing Russian sanctions after Ankara shot down a Russian warplane over Syria.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War noted last week that Russia has alternated between military and diplomatic phases in the campaign, slowing its progress, but facilitating Russian and pro-regime gains, both territorially and diplomatically.

Erdogan does not bluff, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund in Ankara . Whenever he has threatened an intervention in Syria, he has carried it through.

Unluhisarcikli said he does not think Syria, even with its backing by Russian air power, will be able to put up resistance against Turkeys military, the second-largest army in NATO.

He added that Turkey may have been emboldened by recent statements from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who condemned Syrian attacks in Idlib, and James Jeffrey, the U.S. special representative for Syria, who visited Ankara on Wednesday and voiced Washingtons support.

Erdogans threat drew a quick rebuke from Moscow, where top officials blamed Turkey for the tensions.

It remains unclear, however, whether Turkey would risk using all its military might against Syria. Russias military help has allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad to reclaim control of most of the country, and with the Kremlins blessing, Assad now wants to extend his control to Idlib.

Russian officials have argued that the Syrian offensive in Idlib became necessary because Turkey has failed to honour its obligations to rein in al-Qaida-linked militants who have mounted regular attacks against the Syrian army there and also have launched raids against a Russian base in Syria.

The exacerbation of tensions is rooted in co-ordinated attacks by terrorists on neighbouring regions of Syria that triggered retaliatory action by the Syrian government forces, the Russian Defence Ministry said. It charged that the militants in Idlib used civilians as shields, adding that Turkey exacerbated the situation by sending in troops and weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Turkeys failure to neutralize terrorist groups in Idlib encouraged their attacks. This is inadmissible, he said.

Turkey considers Idlib strategically important and is determined to maintain its military presence in the province to prevent a possible influx of refugees at its borders. The country, already home to 3.6 million Syrian refugees, believes that Damascus is deliberately driving displaced Syrians toward the border as a way to punish Ankara.

There are fears that after it takes Idlib, the Syrian army will advance to Turkish-controlled secure zones along the border, where Turkey hopes to resettle some of the refugees.

A Turkish presence in Idlib also gives it leverage in talks on Syrias future that could potentially help minimize security threats from its southern neighbour. Turkey is also concerned that a Syrian government victory in Idlib would end U.N. and other diplomatic efforts for a political resolution of the conflict.

Everything on the ground shows that the only obstacle in front of regime forces are the Turkish soldiers, wrote columnist Barcin Yinanc in Hurriyet Daily News newspaper. So, basically, Turkey is giving the message that it will not leave Syria, because if it were to leave Syria then it will not have a meaningful say for the future of Syria.

Assads forces have been on an offensive for weeks to retake Idlib and parts of nearby Aleppo province, with backing from Russia and Iran.

The advance has unleashed a humanitarian crisis, with about 700,000 people fleeing their homes and surging north toward the Turkish border.

Two separate clashes between the Syrian and Turkish troops killed at least 13 soldiers on each side, including five Turkish soldiers who were killed Monday.

Pressing ahead with their advance, Assads forces on Wednesday took the strategic M5 highway that runs through the rebel-held territory and links the capital to northern Syria, opening up supply routes.

For its part, Turkey has been massing troops in Idlib, rolling in armoured vehicles while repeatedly calling on Russia to intervene to halt the Syrian government aggression.

The Syrian army has said the Turkish threats will not dissuade the (Syrian) army from continuing its operations in Idlib and western Aleppo province to cleanse them of terrorism.

Turkeys Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told The Associated Press this week that four out of dozen observation posts that Turkey set up in Idlib to monitor the cease-fire are surrounded by Syrian troops.

A Russian delegation arrived in Turkey for talks on the tensions but failed to reach an agreement on a new truce. Erdogan discussed the escalation in Idlib with Putin by telephone Wednesday, hours before he reiterated his threat to attack Syrian targets.

The Russian Defence Ministry said top military officers of Russia and Turkey discussed Idlib in a phone call Thursday. No details were released.

In his column, Yinanc said Erdogan is forcing Putins hand.

Does he want to be the only power to call the shots in Syrias future? Yinanc asked. The consequence of that might be military confrontation with Turkey, which ironically currently stands as the most pro-Russian country among NATO members. Or will he accept a compromise solution whereby Turkey will continue to have a say in Syrias future?

___

Associated Press writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed.
(Newser)  The Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and two of its US subsidiaries, accusing the company in a plot to steal trade secrets from competitors in America, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. The company is also accused of installing surveillance equipment that enabled Iran to spy on protesters during 2009 anti-government demonstrations in Iran, and of doing business in North Korea despite US sanctions there, the AP reports. The case comes as the Trump administration is raising national security concerns about Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and is lobbying Western allies against including the company in wireless, high-speed networks. Trump administration officials, including Cabinet secretaries, have recently leveled national security allegations against Huawei in an effort to encourage European nations to ban the gear from next-generation cellular networks.

story continues below

The new indictment brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, which includes charges of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to steal trade secrets, adds to the legal woes in the US for Huawei, which already faced charges in that district of lying to banks about deals that violated economic sanctions against Iran as well as separate trade secrets theft case in federal court in Seattle. The latest allegations accuse Huawei of plotting to steal the trade secrets and intellectual property of rival companies in the US. In some cases, prosecutors said, Huawei directed and provided incentives its own employees to steal from competitors by offering bonuses to those who brought in the most valuable stolen information. The company also used proxies, including professors at research institutions, to steal intellectual property, prosecutors said.

(Read more Huawei stories.)
A husband who tracked down an 85-year-old driver who is accused of a hit-and-run accident that killed his wife, cried as he exclusively told DailyMail.com how he kissed his spouse for the last time at the morgue.

With tears in his eyes, Rod Richardson said: 'She was cold. She's never cold when I've kissed her in the past. She was just lying there, her body was covered and the only thing I saw was her face and hands', as he recalled his visit to the Riverside County morgue on Monday.

His wife Brenda Jean Richardson, 48, died from her injuries after a white Lexus turned left into her path and struck her motorcycle in Corona, California last Wednesday.

Distraught from Brenda's death, whom Richardson shared eight children with including a 28-year-old and eight-year-old twins, Richardson decided to go looking for the car so he could get answers.

He said: 'I needed to get closure for my children, they were hurting so bad, that's the only reason why I went out to look for the vehicle. They wanted to know why and who? I needed to do it for them.'

Richardson, a former police officer with Oregon State Police, eventually found the badly damaged car, which led to the arrest of Tashiro Isa, 85, on Friday.

Through tears, he added: 'My wife was the greatest women I ever met. She was my soulmate. Now this guy who hit and killed my wife gets to go on with his life and I'm left with planning a funeral for my wife and raising our children without their mother.'

Brenda Jean Richardson, 48, died after a white Lexus turned left into her path and struck her motorcycle in Corona, California last Wednesday. Her grieving husband Rod Richardson has spoken exclusively to DailyMail.com, breaking down when recounting going to the morgue and giving his wife one final kiss

Distraught from Brenda's death, whom Richardson shared eight children with including a 28-year-old and eight-year-old twins, Richardson decided to go looking for the car so he could get answers. Richardson, a former police officer with Oregon State Police, eventually found the badly damaged car, which led to the arrest of Tashiro Isa (left and right), 85, on Friday

Through tears, Richardson said: ' My wife was the greatest women I ever met. She was my soulmate. Now this guy who hit and killed my wife gets to go on with his life and I'm left with planning a funeral for my wife and raising our children without their mother.

Richardson said he set off on his search after he was told by the Corona Police Department that the car that hit Brenda was a white or cream colored sedan that would have extensive damage to its passenger side.

He said: 'I jumped on my motorcycle and went driving through various neighborhoods near the scene of the accident trying to locate the vehicle that killed my wife'.

After driving in and out of several gated communities with no luck, Richardson said he decided to try one last one.

I needed to get closure for my children, they were hurting so bad.

He said: 'The gate was closing, [but] I was able to drive in before the gate shut. After driving around the complex for a few minutes I couldn't believe my eyes. I saw what I thought was the vehicle.

'I knew it was the car from the moment I saw it. The driver side of the car was badly damaged.'

Richardson immediately called the Corona Police Department, who were also out looking for the vehicle.

He then shared a photo of the suspect's 2006 Lexus ES330 on Facebook, writing: 'It is the car!!! I think I found the car that killed my wife.'

He waited for police to arrive then left before they made contact with owner Isa, who was arrested for felony hit and run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

His next court appearance is April 22 in Riverside Superior Court.

Arresting officer Jason Gardner exclusively told DailyMail.com: 'When we questioned Isa, he gave us several answers about the accident.

'He first told us, he may have been hit, then he hit a curb, then he thought he may have side swiped a car.'

The impact of the accident threw Brenda from her motorcycle causing severe injuries, including a broken back and her pelvic area was split in half. Richardson said: 'I couldn't hold her hand because her wrists were broken. I was able to rub her feet... I told her I loved her before she died.' Pictured: Brenda was driving this Kawasaki 300cc motorcycle when she died

Corona Police Department said the car that hit Brenda was a white or cream colored sedan that would have extensive damage to its passenger side. After driving around a complex for a few minutes, Richardson said he 'couldn't believe my eyes. I saw what I thought was the vehicle'.He then shared a photo of the suspect's 2006 Lexus ES330 on Facebook (pictured), writing: 'It is the car!!! I think I found the car that killed my wife.

'Isa's vehicle had been parked in his garage after the accident, the battery in his car was dead so he called AAA earlier in the day to give him a jump start on his vehicle.

'They told him to drive the vehicle around the neighborhood for a short time to recharge the battery and then parked it outside in a parking stall.

'His car had been parked in the stall for only a few hours when Richardson found it.'

After police impounded Isa's vehicle, they found parts of Brenda's motorcycle inside his car.

'Upon impact there were some motorcycle parts that were embedded into his vehicle. Isa told us that he removed these parts from the outside of his car and placed them inside his vehicle,' Gardner added.

He also said Isa returned to the crash scene after eating dinner hours later, as the accident only happened about 300 feet away from his house.

Gardner said: 'Isa told us he came back to the crash scene to see if he had side swiped any vehicle. I guess he checked the various parked vehicles on the street and didn't see any with damage on it, so he went back to home.'

The impact of the accident threw Brenda from her motorcycle 30ft in the air and caused several severe injuries.

Richardson said Brenda was conscious at the scene, but added: 'When I saw her in the hospital you could see on her face the pain she was in.

Just hours before the accident, Richardson said Brenda gave him big hug and kiss goodbye and told him she couldn't wait to get home to spend time with him

With tears in his eyes, Richardson said: 'She was cold. She's never cold when I've kissed her in the past. She was just lying there, her body was covered and the only thing I saw was her face and hands', as he recalled his visit to the Riverside County morgue on Monday

Richardson said: 'Sunday was Brenda's birthday, she would have been 49 years old, we were supposed to go have a nice dinner, instead I was planning her funeral and consoling our children. Richardson and Brenda had eight children between them - including a 28-year-old and eight-year-old twins. They are seen above with their eight children, including Brenda's daughter's husband

'My wife suffered two broken wrists, a broken back, her pelvic area was split in half up to her hip area- here entire lower extremities were ripped apart.

'I couldn't even hold her hand because her wrists were broken. I was able to rub her feet and push her hair back from her face. I told her I loved her before she died.

'I only saw my wife for a few hours before she passed because she was in and out of so many surgeries.

'Over the course of the next 18 hours doctors frantically attempted to save her life, she underwent eight surgeries and more than 11 blood transfusions.'

Sadly, Brenda died around 2pm the next day with Richardson by her side.

Just hours before the accident, Richardson said Brenda gave him big hug and kiss goodbye and told him she couldn't wait to get home to spend time with him.

Richardson knew Brenda, who went by the nickname 'Pinky', from when they went to high school together in Washington State, later reconnecting and getting married three years ago.

She was a US Navy Veteran and worked at the Veterans Affairs in Long Beach, California for the past 22 years.

Richardson said: 'Sunday was Brenda's birthday, she would have been 49 years old, we were supposed to go have a nice dinner, instead I was planning her funeral and consoling our children.

Richardson knew Brenda, who went by the nickname 'Pinky', from when they went to high school together in Washington State, later reconnecting and getting married three years ago. She was a US Navy Veteran and worked at the Veterans Affairs in Long Beach, California for the past 22 years

The Richardson family have started a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses scheduled at the end of the month in Brenda's home state of Washington

'For her birthday gift she wanted me to rewire our house to make it a ''smart house.'' I'm still going to follow through with that gift. There isn't a thing I don't miss about her. '

Richardson said he doesn't hate Isa, but wonders why he didn't stop when he allegedly hit Brenda, saying: 'Even if he thought he hit a curb, one would usually stop and assess the damage to the vehicle, not just drive off.

'I was notified on Facebook a few days ago [Isa] hit [someone else's] vehicle, [but] they didn't report the accident. I was dumbfounded, because if these people would have turned him in for that accident because of his age, who knows?

'I just hope he can make it right with God because God is going to be the one that's going to judge him.'

The Richardson family have started a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses scheduled at the end of the month in Brenda's home state of Washington.
Fairfax County fire officials gave no details on what type of smoking materials were involved or how they were wrongly discarded. A fire official at the scene Saturday said the blaze reached five alarms, but Hildebrandt said Thursday it topped out at four.
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YEREVAN.  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in Germany on a working visit, today met with President Wolfgang Schauble of the German Bundestag, informed the Information and Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister's Office.

The President of the Bundestag welcomed the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and noted that the promise made in the same period last year was fulfilled: The Bundestag has ratified the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Schauble expressed confidence that the Prime Minister's visit to Berlin would give a new impetus to the further development and strengthening of Armenian-German relations.

Prime Minister Pashinyan thanked for ratifying the above-mentioned agreement, and noted that it will contribute to the implementation of reforms in Armenia. He said that Armenia has made great progress over the last year in all the rankings on democracy. He added that Germany is also interesting for Armenia as an established parliamentary state, as in 2018, Armenia has transitioned from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary system, highlighting the exchange of German experience in this regard to make the system more functional in Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the goal of his government is to make democracy, an independent, reliable judicial system become as irreversible in Armenia as they are in Germany.

The Prime Minister also referred to April 5 referendum on constitutional amendments in Armenia and its circumstances. Pashinyan invited representatives of the German Bundestag to come and observe this referendum.

Wolfgang Schauble expressed German support for the ongoing judicial reforms and democratic processes in Armenia, stressing that they are closely following developments in Armenia.

The interlocutors also referred to the development of cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the European Union (EU). Schauble expressed hope that Armenia will continue its efforts to promote the development of relations between the two unions.

The head of the Armenian government also highlighted the search for new EEU-EU cooperation formulas, and noted that the issue is being discussed within the EEU, too.
Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Wednesday announced it would acquire Wockhardt's select divisions of branded generics business in India and a few other international territories of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives for a consideration for Rs 1,850 crore.

The deal, say analysts, is well in line with the Dr Reddy's stated goal of growing its presence in the Indian market. It is expected to strengthen its acute therapeutic area (sudden onset ailments such as cough, cold and some types of pains etc). Although Wockhardt is selling what some analysts see as its crown jewels, the funds so raised will help the company strengthen its balance sheet and release resources to invest in its new drug discovery-related programme in antibiotics.

The business being acquired from Wockhardt comprises a portfolio of 62 brands in multiple therapy areas such as respiratory, neurology, VMS (Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements), dermatology, gastroenterology, pain and vaccines. Over the last couple of years, Dr Reddy's has focussed on growing the business in the Indian market. In the pecking order of top pharma firms, it has moved from 16th position to 14th, getting closer to 13th spot. The company officials hope to break into the top 10 in the near future.

Post the deal, the portfolio comprising 62 brands will be transferred to Dr. Reddy's along with related sales and marketing teams; and the manufacturing plant located in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh with all plant employees. The business undertaking is being transferred on a slump sale basis. "India is an important market for us and this acquisition will help in considerably scaling-up our domestic business. The acquired portfolio shall enhance Dr. Reddy's presence in the high growth therapy areas with market leading brands such as Practin, Zedex, Bro-zedex, Tryptomer and Biovac. We believe the portfolio holds a lot of potential and will get an impetus under Dr. Reddy's," said G V Prasad, the Co-Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Reddy's in a note.

The transaction is expected to close by the first quarter of the financial year 2020-21. Habil Khorakiwala, founder chairman of Wockhardt says the intended sale of business portfolio is in line with his company's strategic plan to shift from acute therapeutic areas to more chronic business-like anti-diabetes and CNS etc. and also to its niche antibiotic portfolio of NCEs. "The divestment will ensure adequate liquidity to bring in robust growth in the chronic domestic branded business, international operations, investments in Biosimilars for the US market apart from the company's global clinical trials of break-through anti-Infectives (NCEs approved under coveted QIDP program of United States Food & Drug Administration) and R&D activities," he said.

The deal, according to Wockhardt, will enable adequate liquidity for robust growth in international operations and investments in Biosimilars for the US market; augment the remaining domestic branded business portfolio of the company and re-focus towards chronic segment with differentiated product portfolio; continue its ongoing research and development activities; be able to take necessary action for completion of clinical trials of the company's breakthrough NCEs in the anti-infective space, approved by coveted QIDP Program of United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA); apart from strengthening the balance sheet.

After the sale of this business, Wockhardt will continue to own all its international operations in UK, USA, Ireland and other locations through its step down subsidiaries; the formulation plants located at Waluj, Shendra and Chikalthana in Aurangabad, Bhimpore and Kadaiya in Daman; bulk drugs plant at Ankleshwar and manufacturing facilities at all existing international locations apart from the research & development centres located at Chikalthana, Aurangabad, India and existing facilities in the international locations.

Also read: New antibiotics may turn around fortunes of beleaguered Wockhardt

Also read: Dr Reddy's to acquire select divisions of Wockhardt for Rs 1,850 crore
From Western Wyoming Community College

Western Wyoming Community College will host a cultural tour of the British Isles in early summer of 2021. The informational meeting for the tour will be held in room 2021 on Feb. 20, at 7 p.m.

The nine-day tour of England, Ireland, and Wales will take participants through Killarney, Blarney, Holyhead, British Midlands, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Oxford and London. The tour includes round-trip airfare, land transportation, hotels with private bathrooms, breakfast and select meals, full-time tour director, sightseeing tours, select entry fees as well as free...
Bengaluru, Feb 13 : The burgeoning Indian IT sector is cautiously optimistic about its outlook for the ensuing fiscal 2020-21 in the face of global risks, said its apex body on Wednesday.

"Though growth and hiring outlook for the IT industry is sound, our CEO survey revealed that the executives professed cautious optimism as risks abound in an uncertain world," said the sector's representative body Nasscom in a statement here.

According to Nasscom's CEO survey for fiscal 2020-21, 53 per cent of the top Indian IT executives foresee a strong world economy in 2020 as 72 per cent of the CEOs expect their global clients to demonstrate better growth in the year ahead.

In the developed markets, 60 per cent of the surveyed CEOs are eyeing growth in technology spending.

The three growth drivers for technology spending are enabling digital at the core of enterprise, augmenting customer experience and digital operations, powered technologies such as cloud, data, AI, machine learning and cyber security.

Larger digitalisation deals, key BFSI and retail verticals growth and enhanced business opportunities in Europe and Asia Pacific are expected to propel the IT industry, the survey said.

The strategy CEOs are adopting to capitalise on digitalisation in 2020 include reskilling and building the right talent pool, identifying key products and platforms and forging partnerships and co-innovations.

As many as 73 per cent of the CEOs believe 2020 to be strong, but outlined that lack of digital capabilities and skills to be a key hiring risk.

Other risks the CEOs highlighted for the IT industry in the next fiscal featured macroeconomic factor and global economic uncertainties and cyber security.

Giving a hint of how things would be for the IT sector in 2030, the Nasscom CEO survey showcased the five mega trends such as data-led economy riding on 175 zettabytes, disrupted future of work, environmental sustainability stress, Asian economic eminence and mass urbanisation and hyper personalisation.

"Revenue from data-led solutions will offset new capital expenditure on data and analytics infrastructure, chief data officers will be ubiquitous. Megatrends 2030 will create unprecedented business and consumption shifts, pushing digitalisation-led global output to nearly $100 trillion or 40 per cent of 2030 global GDP," the survey said.

Terming the 2009-19 decade as an unparalleled techade, Nasscom said the IT industry created two million direct jobs, attracted $50 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) and created 10,000 technology companies, including 27 unicorns.

According to the industry body, the decade also added 500 million new internet users and generated $50 billion e-commerce revenues.

Focusing on 2019, Nasscom said the economy experienced a slowdown, but the spending on tech remained stable.

It said the global tech expenditure grew by 5.6 per cent as the global sourcing market clocked up to $213 billion in revenues.

Some new technologies changing businesses and identified by Nasscom included AI, 3D printing, blcokchain, big data and analytics, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, immersive media and cloud computing.

Further breaking down the financials of the IT industry in fiscal 2019-20, Nasscom said IT services generated $97 billion in revenue, business process management $38 billion, engineering and Research and Development $33 billion, software products $9 billion, hardware $16 billion and e-commerce $54 billion.

Among all the constituents within the IT industry, e-commerce grew the highest year-on-year at 26 per cent in 2019-20, Nasscom said.

Other Nasscom highlights in the analysed fiscal included IT sector cornering 46 per cent share in services exports, attracting more than $4 billion startup funding, Indian enterprises going digital with $2 billion expenditure on digital transformation and the country continuing to be the top location for global capability centres.

Recognising the growing share of digital revenues, Nasscom said revenue from digital constituted 28 per cent share of the IT industry revenues, clocking 23 per cent year-on-year growth.

Digital skilling of employees also emerged crucial with nearly nine lakh digitally skilled employees and the top five Indian IT companies employing 50,000 such employees in the US.

Spending up to one per cent of the revenues on research and development, Indian IT companies filed more than 6,500 patents in the 2019-20, propelled by more than 150 innovation centres of excellence as 20 global unicorns have their Research and Development centres located in India.
Charlotte Qiu is doing online lessons from her home in Shanghai while schools are shuttered due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo: AFP/NOEL CELIS)

China remains in crisis mode weeks after the epidemic exploded, with much of the country shut down and the government pushing work-from-home policies to prevent people gathering together.

That has been a boon for telecommuting platforms developed by Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba, Tencent and Huawei, which have suddenly leapt to the ranks of China's most-downloaded apps, leaving them scrambling to cope with the increased demand.

Tencent said its office collaboration app WeChat Work has seen a year-on-year tenfold increase in service volume since Feb 10, when much of the country officially came back from a virus-extended Lunar New Year holiday.

Alibaba's DingTalk has observed the highest traffic in its five-year existence, company officials told state media, with around 200 million people using it to work from home.

Huawei said its WeLink platform is experiencing a fiftyfold increase, with more than one million new daily users coming on board.

Eric Yang, chief executive of Shanghai-based iTutorGroup, which operates a range of online courses, said his company's business has surged 215 per cent.

"We just helped an art education school open online painting classes, and are also helping another music school to open virtual classes," Yang said.

"More kids in third- and fourth-tier cities are increasingly taking our online courses because of the outbreak. In the past, most users came from first-tier cities (such as Beijing and Shanghai)."

The online migration received an implicit endorsement from President Xi Jinping, who on Monday was shown on the nightly state television news broadcast watched by tens of millions giving a pep talk to medical staff in the contagion epicentre city of Wuhan via Huawei WeLink.

LONG-TERM SHIFT

The virus, which has killed more than 1,100 people and infected nearly 45,000, has shuttered factories across the country and is forecast to cut Chinese economic growth.

But China's highly developed online sector and population of more than 850 million mobile internet consumers may soften the blow.

The similar Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome of 2003 is widely credited with helping to kickstart e-commerce development in China, and the coronavirus also is expected to "further the long-term structural shift" to an online economy, said S&P Global Ratings.

Hospitals, overwhelmed by people seeking a virus test at the first sign of sniffles, have pivoted to online telemedicine to help sort through the patients, with tens of millions of consultations taking place, state media said.

Countless museums and cultural sites have been closed, but many including Beijing's Forbidden City and the terracotta warriors in Xi'an have put exhibits online or created new virtual tours, and animal lovers can watch the Beijing Zoo's pandas on social media.

Even China's foreign ministry briefing - the government's primary daily interface with the outside world - has been converted into an online Q&A.

With schools nationwide shut until March, online learning has received a particular jolt. Institutions are scrambling to comply with an Education Ministry order to "stop classes, but don't stop learning."

Grace Wu, whose nine-year-old daughter Charlotte attends the now-shuttered Shanghai American School, had faced the prospect of a lengthy learning break with the family "self-quarantining" at home.

"It's like kind of a double worry. We worry first about the virus ... the second worry is about learning," Wu said.

But the school last week re-launched lessons online until normality returns.

Charlotte and her classmates have embraced the situation, even organising a virtual birthday party on video-conferencing platform Zoom.

"It's a birthday party in the cloud," said Wu, a 37-year-old blogger.

Alibaba said that as of Monday, schools in more than 300 cities across 30 provinces were utilising a classroom function, with participating students totalling 50 million.

SPIKE IN TRAFFIC

It has not all been smooth.

Users across the country complained last week that major Chinese platforms were glitch-prone or crashed frequently due to heavy traffic, sending providers scrambling to shore up their networks.

Alibaba told state media it had installed more than 10,000 new cloud servers in response.

Some providers were creating new features such as allowing users to blur their backgrounds to avoid looking "unprofessional" by logging in from their living rooms.

Chinese already are deeply connected to their mobile phones, going online to shop, order meals, find partners, pay bills and express themselves.

Wang Guanxin, an instructor with iTutorGroup, said this would only grow as a result of the virus.

Speaking after a video-conference training session he gave to a wall-length bank of 36 Chinese-language instructors on screen at the company's Shanghai offices - including one woman who lay in bed in red pyjamas - Wang said the virus was a "turning point" for his industry.

"Objectively speaking, it will allow people who didn't really trust or rely on online learning to change their views," he said.
A camera over the banner of Munich Security Conference is pictured on February 15, 2019 in Munich, Germany.

MUNICH  More than 500 global leaders gather here over the weekend to discuss everything from the development of 5G networks to nuclear weapons to the recent coronavirus outbreak.

The 56th Munich Security Conference, held at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, brings together more than 35 heads of state, 100 foreign and defense ministers as well as leaders from business and international organizations. The conference will run Friday through Sunday.

This year's attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The theme of the conference, highlighted in the 2020 Munich Security Report, focuses on the feeling of "westlessness"  a widespread uneasiness that Western countries are becoming "less Western."

"Recent years have seen estrangement and diverging positions on crucial policy challenges  ranging from arms control and global trade to climate change or the role of international institutions," wrote the authors of the report.

This year's conference is expected to gauge international reaction to the Trump administration's unpredictable foreign policy, frequent trade battles and use of military force as the U.S. braces for a presidential election.

The Trump administration has pulled the U.S. back from global commitments while pushing for the denuclearization of North Korea, escalating tensions with Iran, engaging in a bitter trade war with China and continuing efforts to negotiate the end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

"The prime challenge will be to agree on a common transatlantic or broader Western approach, as the ongoing difficulties in dealing with Russia, China or Iran demonstrate," the Munich Security Report authors wrote.
Malta and Salerno uni sign accord for business incubators As well as technology transfers and investment attraction

(ANSAmed) - NAPLES, FEBRUARY 13 - The Economy of the Mediterranean collaboration agreement signed Thursday between the University of Salerno and Malta Enterprise, an agency for economic development of the Maltese government, aims to promote research and development.



It will also create a business incubator as a hub for technology transfer and the attraction of new investment to the Mediterranean area. Signing it was the University of Salerno rector Vincenzo Loia and Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia. ''This is part of our strategy,'' Farrugia said. ''To attract new start-ups and spin-offs. It is an honor to work with the University of Salerno since we have shared aims in the Mediterranean basin, starting with creating new opportunities for the young. Malta, strategically located in the centre of the Mediterranean, thus acts as a bridge between Europe and Africa.'' The agreement, Loia said, is part of the university's strategies for internationalisation.



''The importance of this agreement,'' he said, ''is shown by the possibility to create an incubator to which the University of Salerno will contribute with its know-how in a country that is strategically important for the entire Mediterranean area.'' The agreement started to be implemented already through the visit by university representatives to Malta in December and will continue through the presentation and inauguration of the incubator, which will occur in the coming months. (ANSAmed).




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When the U.K. launched an initiative to support media freedom in the waning days of Jeremy Hunts tenure as foreign minister, CPJ was skeptical that this government-led effort would be more than a feel-good campaign. However, we chose to engage, given the current vacuum of leadership on press freedom globally. As the U.S. pulls back from its historic support, we need other countries to step up  including the U.K. and Canada, which in July published a global pledge on media freedom.

But we also need governments to take action, not just make rhetorical pledges.

That is why CPJ endorsed a report on the use of targeted sanctions to protect journalists released today by a panel of legal experts convened by the U.K.s special envoy for media freedom, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

Clooney, who authored the report, recommends that governments use targeted sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes to punish and deter serious press freedom violators, including those who murder or jail journalists. It calls on signatories of the media freedom pledge to introduce and amend what have become known as Magnitsky laws. The reference is to Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in prison in 2009 after exposing official corruption.

The report assesses the limited number of countries where Magnitsky laws have been adopted or are under consideration, and recommends their expansion to respond to a wider array of abuses against journalists and systemic restrictions on the media, including abduction, physical violence, arbitrary detention, and wide scale censorship, including of the internet. It makes the case that both state and non-state actors, such as companies, should be included as potential targets. It notes that sanctions not only curb access to financial gain and luxury goods but can also isolate perpetrators and deter copycats.

At a time when multilateral efforts to enforce human rights through the UN Security Council and international criminal courts are in decline, targeted sanctions can be one of the few ways, or in some cases the only way, to enforce international norms, Clooney writes in the report.

Download and read the full report here.
Im the mom who brings snacks for everybodys kids.

Thats how a Lebanon woman explained what inspired her to launch a business selling self-made environmentally-friendly products that replace and outlast conventional paper and plastic bags, napkins, and towels, as well as wraps and covers, face pads, and heat/ice packs.

Several years ago, Rebecca Maso began to seriously weigh the environmental ramifications of the material she used to carry snacks she fed to her own two children, as well as to their peers.

Whenever I took my kids out to the park or on play dates, I needed something to pack their snacks in, Maso said. And I never wanted any (other kids) to see my kids eating at the park and be like, Mommy, I dont have a snack. So I just made sure I had a ton, but I also had a ton of plastic I was bringing to the park with me.

Maso began to order custom- and mainsteam-printed fabrics from Etsy and, with her sewing machine, to create products made from 100% cotton that replaced the paper and plastic products used by her children.

At the encouragement of her friends and family, in August of last year Maso decided to extended her customer base and to start selling the handmade items through her Facebook page and Etsy profile.

(They) said to me that you should really be selling these; you should really be showing people that theres another option to Ziplock bags and Saran Wrap," Maso said.

Today, Maso uses one of 180 different kid-friendly designs to create her washable and reusable products, the making and distribution of which she prioritizes after putting her two children to bed each night.

Definitely the most important thing is my kids. So, this is something I work on when I have free time," Maso explained.

The sandwich bags, the durability of which has enabled them to replace at least 100 or so paper or plastic bags, have been Masos most popular product so far.

Sandwich bagsCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The purpose of these is to be able to keep moisture in. So you can put fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, chips or any other types of snacks," Maso said. As long as theyre taken care of properly -- not thrown into the dryer on high heat -- they will last for a long time."

Maso said that her children have been using the same sandwich bags for three years and counting, demonstrating their long-lasting character.

The sandwich bags come in different sizes, and can be opened and closed via velcro strips, button, zipper, or flip-top.

The flip-top is definitely the easiest for children, and its definitely the most eco-friendly because theres less stuff youre adding to the bag itself," Maso said.

The larger sandwich bags are currently sold for $6.50 a piece, and the smaller for $5.

Maso also created and sells wax-wrap bags, made with wax, pine, and organic coconut oil, and as an added environmental plus are compostable.

The wax-wrap bags are $6 a piece, and $10 for a set of three.

Wax-wrap bagCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Maso was inspired to create the bags after discovering that her children often did not finish their fruits and vegetables in one sitting.

They were having a really hard time wrapping them up themselves and throwing them in the refrigerator. And I wanted them to be self-sufficient, so I made the bags so they could just shove their half an apple in and close it, Maso explained.

In addition to the wax-wrap bags, Maso also created wraps made with damar resin, natural beeswax, and coconut oil.

WrapsCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

According to Maso, the warmth of ones hand alone allows the wrap to fix itself around a bowl or tray, eliminating the need for tape.

Maso said her husbands frequent night shifts at work, which results in his dinner usually ending up in the refrigerator, inspired her to create the product.

I was unhappy with throwing away plastic within a few hours because he was coming home and eating his dinner, and then it was just going right into the trash," Maso said. "Throwing away 15 pieces of plastic wrap just wasnt what I wanted to do.

Maso sells the wraps in sizes large, medium and small at a rate of $10 per set of three.

Similar to the wraps are Masos bowl covers, the price of which vary depending on the size of the bowl.

Bowl coverCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Rounding out her products that traditionally accompany the preparation or preservation of meals and snacks are Masos unpaper towels and napkins, reusable cotton, terry cloth, or flannel products that Maso washes every night to reuse the next day.

Unpaper napkinsCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Theyre just sown into squares, and theyre stitched on the inside and outside so the edges dont fray," Maso explained.

A set of 12 unpaper can be purchased for $16, and a set of 12 unpaper towels for $25, or $30 if customers buy them with snaps that Maso said enable the towels to be "on a continuous roll.

Maso has also created 100% cotton and compostable produce or shopping bags that last a really long time and that local residents are encouraged use in alignment with various municipalities recently instituted plastics ban.

Produce bagCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Looking beyond food-related products, Maso also used the same cotton and compostable material to design reusable face pads and hot/cold packs. While the face pads can be used to remove makeup or for face washing, the double-stitched packs can be placed in the freezer without ever getting too cold, or in the microwave for a length of 30 to 45 seconds for use as a heating pad.

Face padsCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Heat/ice packsCaroline Fassett I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The packs are being sold for $6 each. Bigger packs are sold for $10, and a very large pack that Maso said she makes only if someone asks for it is $16.

While Maso said that she was driven to create these products in her goal to get as many people as possible to replace single-use plastics with reusable products, she admitted that she had been a completely different person in terms of her environmental consciousness prior to becoming a mother.

I had my daughter, and everything changed, Maso said. I never thought about any of these things, ever. And then once I had her and started worrying about what was going to happen for her future and what kind of stuff I was using around her, thats when I just started looking up more things and seeing different ways to do stuff, and it just snowballed from there.

Building upon this notion, Maso labeled the primary objective of her business to diminish individuals every day plastic use" in order to create a better, more aware future for my children.

I want their home to remain beautiful and not scattered with litter everywhere, Maso said.

She added that even if someone isnt buying from me, she hoped that they are learning something new" through becoming knowledgeable of her business.

If we keep going the way were going, were going to see a lot more damaging effects, and it is avoidable. Its very easily avoidable, Maso said.

To learn more about Rebecca Masos products, message her through Facebook.

Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com.

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NEW DELHI: Five members of a family who were found dead in a house in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura locality on Wednesday were actually murdered, sources told Zee Media on Thursday. According to them, all five deceased were murdered with a sharp-edged weapon. Injury marks have been found on their neck and other parts of the body.

The Bhajanpura Police have registered a murder case in this regard and begun its investigation into the case. Importantly, no traces of loot has been found in the house, which has aroused suspicion that the victims were murdered. The autopsy will be performed on victims' bodies today and the post-mortem

The decomposed bodies of an e-rickshaw driver, his wife and three children were found inside their house in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura area under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday morning.

They were identified as Shambhu Chaudhary (43), Sunita (37), Shivam (17), Sachin (14) and Komal (12). The police received information at 11.16 am from neighbours, who complained of a foul smell emanating from the house.

The police broke open the door of the house and found the five decomposed bodies. A forensic team was also called to the spot to collect evidence, said Ved Prakash Surya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast).

"The house was also not ransacked. We are investigating the matter and are going to file a case under section 302 (murder) as the matter is very sensitive," Surya told reporters. No note has been recovered from the spot, he added.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Shambhu Chaudhary was earning his livelihood by driving an e-rickshaw in Bhajanpura. He had put as a tenant at the rented house for the past five months. He hailed from Supaul district in Bihar.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  The Philippines should also charge tax evaders with money laundering to tighten its watch against ill-gotten wealth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

In its recent health check on the nation's economy, the global authority said the Philippine government can further strengthen controls on money laundering by adding tax evasion to the list of predicate crimes related to illegal fund transactions.

Money laundering involves wealth secured through illegal means, but went through a different process or channel to make the accumulation of wealth legitimate.

Other unlawful activities linked to money laundering include kidnap-for-ransom, drug trafficking, plunder, robbery, piracy, smuggling, and terrorism financing, to name a few. When these crimes are committed, those charged could also face money laundering raps.

READ: BIR files tax evasion raps vs. KAPA founder's wife

The Duterte administration repeatedly vows to go after individuals and companies who have not been paying the right taxes to the state, as it also hopes to raise revenue collections to fund various government projects.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and even President Rodrigo Duterte have called on Congress to pass a bill that would lift the restrictive bank deposits secrecy law which have been in place for decades.

READ: Duterte calls for lifting of bank secrecy after vetoing general tax amnesty

This crackdown should come alongside easing rules on deposit secrecy, which prohibit even government regulators from peering into bank accounts to check if an account holder's money is more than what they declare to make.

"Relaxing the stringent banking secrecy law and establishing a robust beneficial ownership registry would not only support the AMLCs efforts but also help in fighting tax evasion and corruption," the IMF said.

Meanwhile, the multilateral lender said that tax reform would be crucial in funding more public projects.

"The pending bill to streamline and improve the oversight and design of current extensive tax incentive regime, currently being discussed in Congress, would make the regime more accountable and effective in encouraging business investment, job creation, and development," the body said, noting that additional taxes on alcoholic drinks and e-cigarettes would further raise revenues.

"Tax reform will be essential for sustaining higher spending in support of longer-term growth while safeguarding fiscal sustainability," it added.

RELATED: Dominguez very confident 18th Congress will approve more tax reform bills
People in Hong Kong wearing facemasks as a preventative measure following a coronavirus outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan. (Photo: AFP/Anthony Wallace)

The death toll from the new coronavirus epidemic in China has climbed past 1,350, but hopes have risen that the outbreak could peak later this month.

The IMF is expecting a "V-shaped impact", with a sharp decline in activity in China followed by a sharp recovery, meaning there likely will only be a "mild impact on the rest of the world," Georgieva said on CNBC.

But she cautioned: "It is still too early to make projections", and the global economy is "somewhat less strong" than it was when China faced the SARS virus epidemic in 2003.

"China was different, the world was different. This virus is clearly more impactful and the world economy then was very strong," she said.

The IMF projects China's economy will grow 6.0 per cent this year, compared to 10 per cent in 2003.

US officials likewise are reluctant to provide forecasts but say the impact on the American economy probably will be short-lived.

"There's no question it's having a significant impact in China," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told legislators Wednesday.

"I don't expect that the coronavirus will have an impact beyond this year," he added.

He echoed the comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, saying, "we're obviously monitoring very carefully."
Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge DHS to Revive Dialogue With Colleges to Combat Foreign Exploitation

In an effort to protect Americas higher education institutes from foreign exploitation, a bipartisan group of House Representatives is encouraging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to re-engage a forum for discussion between homeland security officials and academic experts.

In Feb. 11 letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, 13 Republican and 38 Democratic lawmakers said DHS should expand the departments outreach to American colleges and universities through the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC), a forum for DHS and the higher education community to discuss overlapping interests.

Re-established by Trump Administration in 2018, HSAAC aims to help DHS officials to discuss with higher education representatives issues such as protecting academic research, campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness, and cybersecurity. However, it has not held a single public meeting since July 2017, and the membership of the council no longer includes major higher education associations.

In the letter led by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Ralph Norman (R-SC), the lawmakers argue that the enhanced dialogue between DHS and the academic community would be mutually beneficial, especially as American colleges and universities are trying to protect themselves against foreign influence or illicit access to research and having problems attracting foreign talent because of delays in visa processing.

It is imperative that our academic communities and homeland security officials have ready access to each otherto increase the long-term national security of the United States, to engage experts across the spectrum, and to support our students, said Rep. Krishnamoorthi in a press release.

It is to protect this great national asset that we are calling on greater collaboration between our institutions of learning and our institutions of homeland security, said Rep. Norman. The intense pressure from increased global competition and the escalation of hostile foreign intelligence operations exposes the vulnerabilities posed by open research environments to our national economic security.

Roman added that intellectual property (IP) theft had cost the United States as much as $600 billion each year, likely referencing a 2017 IP Commission report, which estimates that the country loses $225 billion to $600 billion annually in counterfeit goods, pirated software, and theft of trade secrets.

Earlier this January, A federal judge charged a Chinese national with attempting to smuggle biological material for cancer research from a Harvard University medical lab at the behest of the Chinese government. Zaosong Zheng, who held a Harvard-sponsored visa to study in the United States, has been detained since he was caught at Boston Logan International Airport with 21 vials of specimens in a sock packed in his luggage. Also charged was Charles Lieber, a prominent nanoscientist at Harvards Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, for lying about his involvement in the Thousands Talents Plan, a Chinese governments global program to lure high-level experts into bringing their knowledge and experience to China and reward them for stealing proprietary information.
TRACKER, a comprehensive range on the market allowing all patients treated with Infliximab to be monitored

Regulatory News:

THERADIAG (Paris:ALTER) (ISIN: FR0004197747, Ticker: ALTER), a company specializing in in vitro diagnostics and theranostics, has obtained conclusive results from its new i-Tracker Infliximab and i-Tracker Anti-Infliximab tests, which were presented at the ECCO (European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation)Annual Congress on chronic inflammatory bowel disease held in Vienna (Austria) from February 12-15, 2020.

Revived interest in monitoring kits

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialists from all over the world attended the 15th ECCO Annual Congress to present the latest scientific community publications on the topic. The growing use of monitoring kits in a large number of centers testifies to their efficiency and utility in monitoring and rapidly adjusting the treatment administered for these diseases, which were given extensive coverage at this year's ECCO congress.

Infliximab is a widely used biotherapy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. In order to improve monitoring for biotherapy-treated patients, Theradiag developed the Tracker range, the most complete range of such products available on the market. Theradiag subsequently announced the completion of its latest generation of innovative products, the i-Tracker kits designed to be compatible with the i-Track10 random access automated analyzer. The authorization granted by the ECCO Congress for publication of the clinical results generated by i-Tracker Infliximab and i-Tracker Anti-Infliximab demonstrates the interest and recognition of the scientific community for this new product line.

Excellent results obtained for the monitoring of Infliximab

The accuracy and efficiency of the new i-Tracker Infliximab and i-Tracker Anti-Infliximab kits were demonstrated thanks to their rapid quantification of different samples of Infliximab and Anti-Infliximab antibodies, fully automated via the i-Track10 analyzer. These innovative tests, which have been standardized in accordance with the first international WHO standard for Infliximab, deliver accurate and reproducible results over an accelerated timeframe, allowing clinicians to adjust their treatment immediately.

Theradiag CEO Bertrand de Castelnau said: "We are delighted to present our results at the ECCO Congress. The quality of the data obtained opens up new avenues for improving treatment for IBD patients. The results further confirm the merits of our i-Tracker test range designed to allow clinicians to individually monitor drug therapy, in line with the quality of the results and the effectiveness of the i-Track10 solution developed by Theradiag."

Financial agenda:

FY 2019 results , March 18, 2020, after market close

, March 18, 2020, after market close Annual General Meeting, May 14, 2020

Upcoming events attended by Theradiag:

March 5-6, 2020: Journees du Syndicat des Jeunes Biologistes Medicaux Biomed-J 2020, Paris

March 6-7, 2020: GETAID Seminar, Paris (Therapeutic Research Group for Inflammatory Disorders of the Digestive Tract), Paris

March 26-29, 2020: 2020 JFHOD Hepato-gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Congress, Paris.

About Theradiag

Capitalizing on its expertise in the distribution, development and manufacturing of in vitro diagnostic tests, Theradiag innovates and develops theranostics tests (combining treatment and diagnosis) that measure the efficiency of biotherapies in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Theradiag is thus participating in the development of customized treatment, which favors the individualization of treatments, the evaluation of their efficacy and the prevention of drug resistance. Theradiag notably markets the Lisa Tracker range (CE marked), which is a comprehensive multiparameter theranostic solution for patients with autoimmune diseases treated with biotherapies. The Company is based in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, and has over 60 employees.

For more information about Theradiag, please visit our website: www.theradiag.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005586/en/

Contacts:

Theradiag

Bertrand de Castelnau

CEO/Managing Director

Tel.: +33 (0)1 64 62 10 12

contact@theradiag.com



NewCap

Financial Communications Investor Relations

Sandrine Boussard-Gallien

Claire Riffaud

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

theradiag@newcap.eu



NewCap

Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

nmerigeau@newcap.fr
Nandini Pandey at Marginalia:

What a joy it is to journey back into the Aeneid with Quint as our Sibyl. The latter warns Aeneas that in Italy he will wage wars as cruel as Troys, again over a stolen bride, but with aid from a Greek city. She thus articulates from within the poem its famous division into two halves, the second a repetition and reversal of the Iliad. No less inspired, but far more meticulously detailed, is Quints structural pronouncement: that chiasmus shapes the Aeneids architecture on a fractal scale, from its microscopic details to the thousand-year sweep of its plot. Expanding on this figures normative definition as an A-B-B-A arrangement of words, Quint elucidates a range of intertextual symmetries and reversals by which, in his argument, Vergil double-crosses his own epic. This grand unified theory seeks to interlink and explain the poems meaning, structure, and notorious ambivalence: the self-questioning tendencies that have prevented easy interpretation, and divided the poems readers, since its publication.

more here.
The United States meanwhile welcomed the conviction of Saeed.

New Delhi: India on Thursday made it clear it was unimpressed with the conviction of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed by Pakistani court on Wednesday, with government sources saying the efficacy of this remains to be seen, given that it comes just ahead of global anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATFs) plenary meeting in Paris on February 16.

The United States meanwhile welcomed the conviction of Saeed. All eyes are now on the FATF meet to see if Pakistan extricates itself out of the FATFs greylist in which it is in currently. Earlier, Pakistan was in danger of falling into the FATFs blacklist but that appears extremely unlikely now.

Indian government sources on Thursday said, We have seen media reports that a court in Pakistan has sentenced UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed in a terror financing case. It is part of a long pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism. The decision has been made on the eve of FATF plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen. It has to also be seen whether Pakistan would take action against other terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control, and bring perpetrators of cross-border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot to justice expeditiously.

In its reaction meanwhile, the United States was quoted by news agency reports from Washington, as stating, Todays conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward both towards holding (terror outfit) LeT accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing.

As reported from Lahore on Wednesday, an anti-terrorism court had convicted Hafiz Saeed on terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to five and a half years in prison. In the court in Lahore, Saeed was found guilty of having links with terrorist groups, raising funds for terrorism and having illegal property.

It may be recalled that last month, French diplomatic sources had said that France - the host of the forthcoming FATF plenary meet - is determined to continue combating money laundering and terror financing, and will objectively evaluate, without any concession, Pakistans actions regarding Islamabads obligations mandated by the FATF.
The Bahrain Real Estate Investment Exhibition 2020 launches the third edition tomorrow under the patronage of Shaikh Salman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of Real Estate Regulatory Authority President of Survey and Land Registration Bureau on Thursday, 13 February 2020 at the Galleria area of Bahrain City Centre Mall. The exhibition will run over three consecutive days from 13 to 15 February 2020 during the mall timings, and it is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors.

Aseel Al Mohandes, Exhibition Chairman and Founder of Expressions PR and Events, the event organiser, said: The real estate community in Bahrain celebrates the opening of the third edition of this unique property exhibition that gathers elite sponsors and exhibitors of property developers, managers and brokers. Ms Al Mohandes added: The innovative concept of BREIX20 focuses on the housing and property investment opportunities offered at the Bahraini local market.

The exhibition also emphasises the offerings of readily available and licensed properties all at the convenience of a shopping mall which guarantees for visitors easy access to a wide array of quality projects in one place. The exhibition is also organised in strategic partnership with Tamkeen and the support of 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 as Prime Sponsors, and Naseej as the Signature sponsor. There will be 12 exhibiting companies ranging between property developers, brokers and service providers. The exhibition 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; create a periodic event where real estate investors and professionals can meet and interact.
Air India's Director of Operations, Captain Amitabh Singh, who led the team that evacuated Indians from China's Wuhan city in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak there, has said that it was a "challenging operation".

Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Singh said, "Air India is the second line of defense whether it is a conflict, natural disaster or a disease like this. It has always served the country. It was a challenging operation. We have a team and every department knows its role."

"I was the executive commander of the flight. It was the first time we got involved in going to the so-called epicentre of the epidemic. There was no other airplane there. All roads and buildings were empty. It was as if we came to another planet," he said.

A total of 64 people were involved in the evacuation operations. These included 30 cabin crew, 8 pilots, 10 commercial staff of Air India and one senior officer from AI CMD Secretariat.

The team was led by Air India's Director of Operations, Captain Amitabh Singh.

"The passengers were tired and scared. Orders were to fly in, evacuate and fly out, keeping everyone safe. So we had some very good doctors," Singh added.

The two special flights returned to New Delhi carrying 647 Indians and 7 Maldivians on February 1 and 2 from Wuhan - a Chinese city of more than 11 million people which has been the epicentre of the new streak of deadly coronavirus, named COVID-19 by the WHO.

Those evacuated from Wuhan were sent to quarantine facilities in Manesar and Chhawla managed by the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) respectively.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Let's get right down to it: The key to successful SEO is concentrating on long-tail keywords.

Although these keywords get less traffic than more generic terms, they're associated with more qualified traffic and users that are typically further down their path of intent.

The good news is that choosing the right long-tail keywords for your website pages is actually a fairly simple process -- one that's made all the more simple and quick when you use the right tools to perform your keyword research.

In this post, we'll cover the nine best tools out there for performing keyword research for your website content. Before we get started though, let's briefly go over two important things to consider as you do your research: relevance and (if applicable) location.

Keyword Relevance

Relevance is the most important factor to consider when choosing the right keywords for SEO. Why? Because the more specific you are, the better.

For instance, if you own a company that installs swimming pools, it's likely that you'd attract more qualified prospects by targeting a keyword such as "fiberglass in-ground pool installation," rather than "swimming pools." That's because there's a good chance that someone searching for "fiberglass in-ground pool installation" is looking for information on installation or someone to perform the installation ... and that could be you!

Sure, optimizing for "swimming pools" has its place. But there's no doubt that this keyword will attract a much more generic audience that may not be looking for what you have to offer. Go for the relevant, long-tail keywords instead.

Location-Based Keywords

Another major factor to consider when optimizing for the right keywords is location-based searches. When looking for contractors and services in their specific area, search engine users will usually include their location in the search. So, "fiberglass in-ground pool installation" becomes "fiberglass in-ground pool installation in Boston, MA."

If you operate in one geo-location, you may want to consider adding location-based keywords to all of your pages, since traffic from other locations isn't going to be very much help to you. If your business operates in several geo-locations, it is also a wise choice to create a separate web page dedicated to each location so you can make sure your brand is present when people are searching for individual locations.

Now, how do you choose the right keywords for your business? We certainly don't recommend guessing, for obvious reasons. Instead, there are many ways to research and find long-tail keywords that are right for your business.

Here are nine awesome free and paid keyword research tools you can use to quickly and easily identify strong long-tail keywords for your SEO campaign.

Free Keyword Research Tools Google Keyword Planner Google Trends Keyword Tool.io

Free Keyword Research Tools

Google has a few tools that make it easy to conduct keyword research, and their free AdWords tool called Keyword Planner is a great place to start -- especially if you use AdWords for some of your campaigns. (Note: You'll need to set up an AdWords account to use Keyword Planner, but that doesn't mean you have to create an ad.)

When you input one keyword, multiple keywords, or even your website address into Keyword Planner, Google will spit out a list of related keywords along with simple metrics to gauge how fierce the competition is around each one and how many searches it gets on both a global and local search level.

It'll also show you historical statistics and information on how a list of keywords might perform -- and it'll create a new keyword list by multiplying several lists of keywords together. Since it's a free AdWords tool, it can also help you choose competitive bids and budgets to use with your AdWords campaigns.

Image Credit: Google

Unfortunately, when Google transitioned from Keyword Tool to Keyword Planner, they stripped out a lot of the more interesting functionality -- but you can make up for it somewhat if you take the information you learn from Keyword Planner and use Google Trends to fill in some blanks.

Which brings me to the next tool ...

Google Trends is another free tool from Google. It lets you enter multiple keywords and filter by location, search history, and category. Once you enter that information in, it'll give you results that show how much web interest there is around a particular keyword, what caused the interest (e.g., press coverage), and where the traffic is coming from -- along with similar keywords.

The best part about Google Trends is that it doesn't just give you static keyword volume numbers like most keyword research tools. Instead, it generates colorful, interactive graphs that you can play with, download, and even embed on your website. It'll also give you more dynamic insight into a keyword with information like relative popularity of a search term over time.

Interestingly, its data doesn't include in repeated queries from a single user over a short period of time, which makes results cleaner. It also groups together searches that it infers to mean the same thing, like misspellings.

One way to use Google Trends? If you're trying to decide between two keyword variations for your latest blog post title. Simply perform a quick comparison search in Google Trends to see which one is getting searched more often.

Keyword Tool is pretty rudimentary online keyword research tool, but if you're just looking for a list of long-tail keyword suggestions related to one you already have in mind, then it can be useful. It's also totally free -- to use the most basic version, you don't even need to create an account.

What Keyword Tool does is use Google Autocomplete to generate a list of relevant long-tail keywords suggestions. The search terms suggested by Google Autocomplete are based on a few different factors, like how often users were searching for a particular term in the past.

This type of suggestion tool can help you understand what people are searching for around your topics. For example, bloggers might use a tool like this to brainstorm blog post titles that'll do well in search.

Again, all the free version does for you is generate other keyword suggestions in alphabetical order -- it doesn't tell you anything about search volume or cost-per-click (CPC). To get that information, you'll have to upgrade to Keyword Tool Pro. The Pro version will also let you export the keywords and use them for content creation, search engine optimization, CPC/PPC, or other marketing activities.

Best Keyword Research Tools Term Explorer Moz's Keyword Difficulty Tool SEMrush Ahrefs GrowthBar Accuranker HubSpot Serpstat

Paid Keyword Research Tools

Price: $34/mo. for Basic; $97/mo. for Pro; $499/mo. for Agency

Term Explorer offers probably the deepest research reports of any keyword research tool on the market. From one single seed term, you can get over 10,000 keyword variations.

Best of all, the tool does a great job of keeping the results as relevant as possible and pulling through lots of supporting metrics with them.

It'll give you data for all the results on page one of search engine results pages (SERPs), including the number of results, link strength, trust score, and keyword difficulty. To help you get a handle on your competitors, you can use the tool to research domain age, page ranking, and links, as well as the word count, page rank, links, outbound links, and the number of keyword occurrences in title, URL, and headers for individual webpages. You can also export all this data into a CSV for your own analysis.

Image Credit: Term Explorer

Note: If you only plan on using it a few times a day, there is actually a free version of this tool that'll do five tiny keyword jobs and five keyword analyses per day, with no queue priority.

Price: $99/mo. for Standard; $149/mo. for Medium; $249/mo. for Large; $599/mo. for Premium

The keyword difficulty tool from Moz is one of the most useful components of their paid suite. It's a fantastic resource for analyzing the competitiveness of a keyword and for unearthing low-hanging fruit.

When you input a keyword into this tool, it'll find the top 10 rankings for that keyword. Then, it'll assign that keyword a "Difficulty Score" based on the pages that currently rank for that word. You can look at search volume data for your keywords, then pull up the SERP to see the top 10 results for each term.

Image Credit: Moz

Want to do some competitive keyword analysis? You can use the tool to see who else is ranking for your targeted keywords, along with information like each site's page authority and the number of root domains linking to their page.

You can also export all this data into a CSV for your own analysis.

Price: $69.95/mo. for Pro; $149.95/mo. for Guru; $549.95/mo. for Business

SEMrush is a competitive research tool that lets you keep an eye on on your competitors' keywords to find opportunities to bump them out for a top position in Google's and Bing's organic search results. You can compare a number of domains against one another to evaluate the competitive landscape, including their common keywords and positions in Google's organic, paid, and shopping search results.

Position tracking is kind of like a sophisticated version of Google Trends, letting you see a keyword's position in SERPs and analyze the history of rises and drops. Their colorful, visual charts are also super helpful for more quickly understanding trends and analyzing results.

Image Credit: SEMrush

Price: $99/mo. for Lite; $179/mo. for Standard; $399/mo. for Advanced

Ahrefs Keywords Explorer is similar to SEMrush, but with some extra bonuses and a much more intuitive design.



For example, its able to estimate how many searches become real page visits. Not all of them do so, since Google gives instant answers for some queries. With Clicks and Clicks Per Search metrics, youll figure out traffic-generating keywords and skip dead-end options.

When it comes to the number of relevant keyword suggestions, Ahrefs goes the extra mile. It runs the biggest database  5.1 billion keywords for over 200 countries  which means it can detect opportunities other tools could be missing.



Ahrefs can also help you with competitive research. Their Site Explorer tool lifts the veil on competitors' keyword strategies, while Content Gap lets you compare competitor keywords with your own to identify your might-have-beens.

Ahrefs will also email you about even the smallest ranking progress of your competitors. Backlinks have a direct impacton ranking, and backlink research is one of Ahrefs strongest muscles.

Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko, say that Ahrefs is his #1 go-to tool for backlink analysis: "I've tested over 25 link analysis tools and none come close to Ahref's in terms of index size, freshness, and overall usability."

Price: 5-Day Free Trial, $29/mo. for Pro; $79/mo for Scale

GrowthBar is an SEO software tool for marketers and bloggers that helps perform keyword research, competitive analysis, rank tracking and content generation. GrowthBar enables you to explore your competitors backlink data, their paid Google ads, organic keyword rankings, and even their Facebook Ads. It also unlocks critical data points and gives recommendations through a simple and easy-to-use dashboard.

What makes GrowhBar stand out is their AI-powered blogging tool. Once you enter a keyword you want to rank for, GrowthBar generates an outline for you to follow in order to write SEO-optimized content. In order to do this, GrowthBar uses OpenAI GPT-3, the largest language model ever created.

Price: $19.95/mo. for Beginner; $29.95/mo. for Pro 300; $44.95/mo. for Pro 600; $74.95/mo. for Pro 1K

Accuranker is a keyword rank tracking tool with a key differentiator: It's lightning fast while being extremely precise. So if you're used to spending hours monitoring the rank progression of your keywords, this'll end up saving you a ton of time.

Other advantages of this tool? It has built-in proxies to get a quick glance at whose ranking within the SERPs for any given keyword. If you plan to report keyword metrics to your manager or your team, you'll like its scheduled weekly reports feature.

Image Credit: Accuranker

It's also one of the best rank trackers out there that offers highly localized search engine rankings for your keywords. So if you're marketing your business to an international audience, it's a great tool for analyzing which pages are ranking in different countries.

Finally, it has integrations available with Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Social Monitoring, and YouTube so you can keep an eye on statistics and estimated search traffic for your keywords straight from your AccuRanker dashboard.

HubSpot also has its very own Content Strategy tool within the Marketing Hub. The Content Strategy tool helps you identify and research topics, find keywords or subtopics to go after, and ultimately help grow your content presence for generating more organic traffic over time.

If you're a HubSpot customer, you can access the Content Strategy tool, click on Content > Strategy.

Price: $69/mo. for Lite, $149/mo. for Standard, $299/mo. for Advanced, $499/mo. for Enterprise

Serpstat provides you with a list of historically profitable keywords used by competitors to make them rank high in search results. It also figures the value of your keywords using different factors, like number of search results and cost-per-click.

The software will offer suggestions for more suggestive keywords as well as provide long-tail keywords, which are low-volume keywords related to your business. Plus, if your business is international, you can adapt keywords to different countries in the tool's database.

Finally, with Serpstat, you can check the relevancy of your webpages and analyze the trends that might be attractive to browsers.

Serpstat will be extremely useful to you if you want full analyses of keywords that work well for competitors. It's also a great tool for making sure your page has a lower chance of losing a favorable ranking on SERPs.

Now that you know about all these great tools, get out there and start discovering your best keywords for SEO.

What tools and methods do you use to find long-tail keywords? Share your favorites with us in the comments below.
Swastik WeSecureApp has been serving customers across the globe for the past few years and have demonstrated deep expertise in enterprise security & compliance

WeSecureApp, an enterprise cyber security solutions company headquartered in Texas, announced today that seasoned silicon valley leader Swastik Bihani has joined the advisory board.

In his new role, Swastik will lead an advisory role for product marketing and branding of the newly launched award-winning product Strobes. He will work to expand WeSecureApps brand awareness and develop strategic partnerships in the North American market.

Swastiks experience in working with successful startups and their products through their life cycle will help WeSecureApp achieve its business goal of becoming the front runner in the cybersecurity industry, said Venu Rao, CEO at WeSecureApp.

Swastik, an alumnus of UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business, comes to WeSecureApp with more than 15 years of experience in managing and shepherding high-performance teams across engineering, product management and technical marketing spanning multiple geographies (US, UK, Brazil, India) in the cybersecurity industry. He is currently the Head of Products & GM, at Paypal, India, where he is overseeing all aspects of operations. Before this role, he was also the founding VP of Products at Simility, which got acquired for $120M. He also previously held marketing leadership positions at Juniper Networks and CipherCloud.

WeSecureApp has been serving customers across the globe for the past few years and have demonstrated deep expertise in enterprise security & compliance! said Swastik.

About WeSecureApp:

WeSecureApp is an enterprise cyber security solutions company specializes in establishing a secure eco-system for enterprises by designing an efficient security roadmap in congruence with all the stakeholders to meet compliance.

With its recent product launch; Strobes - A Risk-based Vulnerability Management Platform, WeSecureApp has won RSA Singapore Launchpad Award - Best Product Startup of APAC & Japan, Microsoft Highway to a Hundred Unicorns - Emerge-X, Nasscom Product Conclave - Top 5 Product Showcased and few more.

For more information, visit us at http://www.wesecureapp.com

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
Thursday, February 13th, 2020 (10:46 pm) - Score 6,895

Cable ISP Virgin Media UK (Liberty Global) has published their Q4 2019 results, which reveals that their gigabit capable broadband and TV network was extended to another 154,000 premises in the quarter (up from 119K in Q3) and their total broadband base now stands at 5,271,000 (up by 1.9K in Q4 vs 2.4K in Q3).

The main development for Virgin Media since the last update has been the on-going expansion of their 1Gbps (Gig1Fibre) capable DOCSIS 3.1 network upgrade (here), which has now reached Reading (inc. surrounding areas), Greater Manchester, Southampton and is due to cover their entire network by 2021. The operator also opened a new HQ building in Reading and they gave those on slower packages a free upgrade to 108Mbps (here).

Outside of that there hasnt been much to report in the last quarter and we continue to await news of Liberty Globals ambition to establish a new alternative network (Liberty Networks) in the UK, which could potentially serve the UKs other 10 million premises  outside of Virgin Medias existing network area (here)  with FTTP. In keeping with that were also waiting to see if Virgin Media opens their existing network up to wholesale access (here).

Sadly todays results didnt include any major surprises, but in terms of their latest customer figures the results are as follows.

VM UK Customer Figures for Q4 2019

5,271,000 Internet  (up from 5,269,100 in Q3)

4,605,500 Phone / VoIP  (down from 4,633,600)

3,179,500 Mobile  (up from 3,137,000)

3,687,400 Video / TV  (down from 3,765,000)

Meanwhile todays results reveal that the pace of their Project Lightning network expansion, which originally aimed to add 4 million extra premises by the end of 2020 (2 million via FTTP), has increased a little during the quarter (Q4 is generally always a strong one). Overall they added 154,000 extra premises to their UK network coverage (up from 119K in the previous quarter) and this makes for a total of 2.1 million UK premises since 2015/16.

As it stands Virgin Media has contracts that will see their build continue until at least 2023 (here) and so at the very least theyre not in a rush to reach the original 17 million premises target.

Project Lightning Rollout Since 2017

Q4 2019 = 154,000 Premises

Q3 2019 = 119,000 Premises

Q2 2019 = 130,000 Premises

Q1 2019 = 102,000 Premises

Q4 2018 = 144,000 Premises

Q3 2018 = 109,000 Premises

Q2 2018 = 118,000 Premises

Q1 2018 = 111,000 Premises (likely impacted by heavy snow)

Q4 2017 = 159,000 Premises

Q3 2017 = 147,000 Premises

Q2 2017 = 127,000 Premises

Q1 2017 = 102,000 Premises NOTE: Q1 is traditionally a slower quarter for build due to various issues (weather, holidays etc.). The last cumulative cost per premises estimate was c.690 (just the build costs would be 660) and this was achieving 30-35% penetration after 3 years. Virgins UK network currently covers a total of 14,894,400 homes.

On the financial front Virgin Media reported quarterly revenue of 1,331.7m (up from 1,281.7m in the previous quarter), although as above theyre clearly still struggling to add new customers and this is likely to be a concern for the operator given their current roll-out programme. On the other hand their new Project Lightning build areas seem to be the ones generating new customers, which is a positive indicator.

Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, said: 2019 was a transformational year on many fronts. In July, we sold our operations in Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic to Vodafone for over $21 billion. We are now geographically concentrated in five attractive Western European markets, while enjoying substantial financial firepower with over $11 billion of total liquidity. Technologically, we continued to push the boundaries of our fiber-rich HFC networks by accelerating our gigabit broadband rollouts to more European homes and businesses. As a result, millions of our customers currently have access to 1 gigabit download speeds, far surpassing what our competitors are able to offer across the vast majority of our footprint. In the U.K., our largest market, our focus on fixed-mobile convergence drove record mobile subscription growth in 2019. Last fall, we announced a transformational MVNO deal with Vodafone, which will allow Virgin Media to launch 5G mobile speeds. Combined with our fixed-line gigabit broadband speeds, our cutting-edge FMC bundles place us in an enviable position as we continue to extend the reach of our network with Project Lightning. And while we expect some unavoidable headwinds in 2020, we believe the medium-term outlook in the U.K. remains attractive, especially as we evaluate strategic options for value creation. From a leadership perspective, we recently appointed Severina Pascu as CFO and Deputy CEO of Virgin Media, and expect her depth of operating expertise to make a significant impact over the coming years.

The brief mention of how Liberty Global continues to evaluate strategic options for value creation (in the UK) means that they have yet to reach a final agreement on their plans for Liberty Networks. At this stage its unclear what the hold-up is, although attempts to get Sky (Sky Broadband) on-board as an ISP partner appear to still be on-going.

UPDATE 14th Feb 2020  2:33pm

Liberty Global has this afternoon published a copy of the presentation that they used after the results were released, which sets out  we think for the first time in an official capacity  what theyre exploring for their future network strategy with respect to Liberty Networks. Broadly its the same as weve been reporting for the past few months but its nice to have them confirm that.

On top of that we also got some updated details about the strong take-up in Project Lightning areas and the related cost per premises coming down.
By Zhu Hongliang and Zhou Na

BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- With approval of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, the Chinese military will send additional 2,600 medical personnel to Wuhan to help fight against the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).

By referring to the operation mode of Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, the 2,600 military medial personnel will undertake the tasks of treating patients that have been diagnosed and confirmed in the Wuhan Taikang Tongji Hospital and the Guanggu Branch of Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital.

The Wuhan Taikang Tongji Hospital plans to open 860 beds, and the Guanggu Branch of Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital plans to open 700 beds. Both hospitals will set up clinical wards with auxiliary departments for infection control, testing, special diagnosis, radiological diagnosis, medical devices, disinfection supply, information and medical engineering.

The 2,600 military medical personnel are drawn from the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, Joint Logistic Support Force and Armed Police Force. According to the above two hospitals treatment capacity and construction progress, the military medical personnel will be deployed in batches. The first group of 1,400 personnel has arrived in Wuhan on February 13 and scheduled to carry out medical treatment as soon as possible.

Up to now, the Chinese military has sent 3 batches of more than 4,000 medical personnel to support Wuhan in fighting against the epidemic of novel coronary pneumonia (COVID-19).
New Delhi/Washington, Feb 13 : US First Lady Melania Trump, who is visiting India with her husband President Donald Trump later this month, has expressed her excitement about the forthcoming trip.

In a tweet, Melania, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation, saying: "Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month. POTUS and I are excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India." She was responding to Prime Minister Modi's tweet which described their visit as a "very special one" which "will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship".

India, he said, will "accord a memorable welcome" to them.

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama, who visited India with former President Barack Obama in 2015. had created a buzz with her dressing and fashion sense. Melania is also known for elegant style quotient.

President Donald Trump will get a red carpet welcome in Gujarat later this month, on a grander scale than the event organized for Modi in Houston last year.

The government is organizing 'Kem Chho, Trump', the Gujarati equivalent of the Texas event 'Howdy Modi' in the Prime Minister's home state, Gujarat.

President Trump and Modi are scheduled to do a roadshow from the Ahmedabad airport and visit Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, President Trump will inaugurate Ahmedabad's newly-constructed Sardar Patel Stadium with a seating capacity of over 100,000 people.

The welcome 'Kem Chho, Trump' to the US President will be accorded at the stadium.
This article was originally published in the Houston Chronicle on Feb. 10, 1975. At the time, Hamm was the Chronicle's home furnishings editor.

For a while we had a rash of calls from men who all began with the same question: How much does it cost to furnish an apartment?  young interior designer Janice Coons said.

Designers for Fingers began to compare calls and found they were hearing from the new bachelors, recently divorced men, usually between 35 and 45, whose ex-wives wound up with most of the furniture.

Janice and another designer, Betty Oelschlanger, decided to join forces and plan a functional model living room geared with this new bachelor in mind.

It had to be fairly sophisticated, as most of the callers were professional men, accustomed to nice surroundings, Betty explained.

They selected an earth tone color scheme, which is quite current, livable and, in this case masculine.

HoustonChronicle.com: Name change after marriage, divorce no impediment to ability to inherit

Camel velvet totally covers matching armless chairs with silver nailheads outlining the shape. An imported bamboo chair recalls late movie scenes of smoky bars with ceiling fans on tropical islands. Close by is an old oak icebox recycled as a bar. This, the designers imagined, was one of the few items the man retained, as it had belonged to his grandparents.

When you say bachelors pad, people automatically add the word swinging. But thats for the younger man, usually. The man we have in mind is more mature; he entertains small groups -- perhaps a few couples for cocktails after going out to dinner. Were definitely not talking about the black-light poster and waterbed type.

Also, he wants his new home to be a place where he can entertain his children, if he has any, and make them feel at home, Janice said.

The brightest color in the room is the rich rust of the carpet, which is repeated in the handsome, big leaf patterned fabric used to cover two walls, drape the windows and cover throw pillows for the white sofa. The window wall is covered with a subtle vinyl wallpaper that has the look of soft straw.

Now, about the cost of furnishing this room -- the new bachelor is probably in for a shock if he hasnt been furniture shopping in a few years. For instance, those striking armless chairs by Thayer Coggin are $228 -- each. The popular bakers rack holding everything from TV to record player to plants is more than $600, new. And most antiques dealers with the luck to have old bakers racks know they can get good prices for them.

So, in answer to those inquiries, Janice and Betty put together a room most men would enjoy for about $3,500. That doesnt include the cost of the TV, plants and small accessories.
I ts currently the only conversation in London: coronavirus, and how to stop its march, is dominating offices, WhatsApp groups and university campuses. Last night, the first London case of the virus was confirmed. A Chinese woman who flew into the capital a few days ago developed symptoms after landing at Heathrow. She was rushed to the specialist centre at Guys and St Thomas NHS trust in central London last night.

This is not panic: as a spokesperson from the Mayors office observed this week, the risk to individuals remains low and they are continuing to monitor the situation closely and ensure London is fully prepared to respond as necessary. Also, the capitals Blitz spirit persists in the face of everything from Tube strikes to pandemics. But there is a sense of mobilisation: from offices sending out all staff emails about hand-washing, to strategies at big banks to limit international travel, behind the scenes theres an operation in progress, and even the most germ-positive commuters are brushing up. This is how the capital is preparing for the virus.

Project pandemic

There have been nine cases of coronavirus (official name: COVID-19, or 019-nCoV) confirmed in the UK so far, with one in London (symptoms, should you be concerned, include a fever, coughing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties). Constant vigilance is the order of the day.

An internal GLA group led by Fiona Twycross, deputy mayor for fire and resilience and chairwoman of the London Resilience Forum, the body whose sole remit is to prepare London for emergencies, is meeting twice a week to monitor the effect of this latest health scare. It hasnt yet deemed establishing a Strategic Coordination Group necessary, which is some comfort  that is a kind of London-centric Cobra team folding in both Public Health England and NHS London to co-ordinate the citys response.

Global companies, including Goldman Sachs, Linklaters and Morgan Stanley, have temporarily suspended non-essential business travel to mainland China and require anyone returning from the country to work from home for two weeks afterwards. At London Fashion Week, starting tomorrow, there will be deep-clean every evening of the central hub at 180 The Strand, and antibacterial hand sanitisers will be made available.

Westminster School is recommending foreign students with homes in China do not to return for the half-term school holidays to areas currently at risk. Other schools have implemented more idiosyncratic advice. One teacher at a school in west London confesses that pupils and staff are bumping elbows instead of shaking hands.

Bugged out: Cillian Murphy in the movie 28 Days Later, about a mystery virus that spreads across the capital

Medic Aid

Health authorities have introduced advanced monitoring at airports that receive direct flights from China. At Heathrow and Gatwick, a team made up of seven medics will help any patients on arrival from China who feel unwell. In China, thermographic monitors  scanners that display the core body temperature of those who pass through them  have been set up, although a thermometer under the armpits is a more prevalent temperature check. One British man was this week prevented from leaving Wuhan in China, where the virus originated, because his temperature was 37.5C (he claims hed been wearing two jackets). A soaring temperature, associated with fever, is therefore enough to land you in quarantine.

[All] this is useful, but imperfect, admits Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton. Youre looking for passengers with a fever which displays quite generic symptoms. Infected individuals may not yet be showing symptoms, and the diagnostic test is done in a laboratory, so take at least a few hours before results are known.

The problem of detaining members of the public against their will has been well documented. In the UK the spread of coronavirus was upgraded to a serious and imminent threat to the public this week after a patient in isolation threatened to abscond despite signing a contract agreeing to remain within care (a higher threat rating means the authorities have greater powers to impose quarantine). Designated priority assessment isolation rooms have already been set up at The Royal Free, Newham and Whipps Cross hospitals to prevent those who show symptoms from mixing with vulnerable patients.

Then theres the race to find a cure. The mortality rate is still low (about two per cent). But there is currently no vaccine, and antibiotics are ineffective. Good news: Professor Robin Shattock, of Imperial College, who heads one of the few labs in the world developing a coronavirus vaccine, began animal trials this week  which could lead to human trials in as little as five months. Meanwhile, a research team at Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute is preparing to begin clinical testing of a novel coronavirus vaccine. Theres financial support, too: the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged up to $100 million to help contain the outbreak.

Keep it clean

How do you prevent yourself becoming a super-spreader? The message is keep calm and carry on but adopt good respiratory hygiene, says Professor Sally Bloomfield, chairwoman and member of the scientific advisory board of the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use sanitiser that contains 60 per cent alcohol or more.

Can you use public transport without touching people? Yes (although hypochondriacs might want to avoid touching the Tubes greasy poles). Sound practice is to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Dr Robin Thompson, from Oxford University, has said that the Underground could provide a network to spread the virus quickly after a first London case was confirmed, but restraint is advised until we know more about the patients interactions in the city. Prepper-types are, as ever, helpful to no one but themselves: certain sellers on Amazon have said deliveries of surgical masks will be delayed for weeks as individuals bulk buy to hoard vast supplies.

Its not about wearing a mask  its less of the handshaking, touching and kissing. The virus can live on your fingers for two hours after contact

Masks are effective at preventing the spread of viruses in droplets of spit or phlegm. But according to Dr Jake Dunning, head of emerging infections and zoonoses (any infection or disease that is transmitted to humans from lower vertebrates) at Public Health England, there is very little evidence of widespread benefit from their use outside of these clinical settings. Facemasks must be worn correctly, changed frequently, disposed of safely and used in combination with good hygiene behaviour in order for them to be effective. Research also shows compliance with these recommended behaviours  the good hygiene  reduces over time when wearing facemasks for prolonged periods. So, frankly, dont bother.

Indeed its not about wearing a mask  its less of the handshaking, touching and kissing, says John Oxford, Emeritus Professor of virology at Queen Mary University London, who believes the viruss weakness lies in reducing transmission events where it can be spread by contact (Happy Valentines Day, everybody). There are so few cases in the UK that youd have to go to a lot of gyms to get sick in any meaningful way, he adds, but adapting your behaviours in case the isolated cases become an outbreak cant hurt. The coronavirus can live on your fingers for up to two hours after contact  so go cashless and avoid touching the escalator on the Tube. Skip the hugs, handshakes and air kisses at meetings. On Valentines Day, he advises, um, breathing less on your partner. I have more chance of being struck by a meteorite on the Northern line than catching the coronavirus right now, says Oxford. But, if circumstances change, these are all good habits to have picked up.

The resisterhood

Poor Steve Walsh. The 53-year-old businessman was forced to go public after intense media scrutiny surrounded the identity of a super-spreader who unwittingly infected 11 other Britons who were in France with him at a ski resort. Its an unhelpful term, say experts, referring to significantly more people with a disease than usual. In this case, thats two or three people per infection. The World Health Organization does not recognise it as a definition.

Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, told The Independent there are two possible theories about how super-spreaders function. One could be that some individuals shed large amounts of virus so they are more likely to pass this on, and are therefore likely to be sicker so more likely to be hospitalised and present a risk of hospital transmission.

Alternatively, super-spreaders cope better with the virus and dont show any symptoms at all  so dont know they have it and conduct business as usual. Some are tougher than others  women. A Lancet paper reported that of 99 patients admitted to hospital in Wuhan, 67 were men and 32 women.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 21:02:25|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith on Thursday became the first major casualty of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's shake-up of his ministerial team.

Smith, hailed just weeks ago as a key figure in securing the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly after a three-year suspension, had been widely tipped by political commentators to go.

Although there was no official confirmation that Smith had been fired, the Northern Ireland secretary made his comments on Twitter.

"Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to Boris Johnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth and support from people across NI (Northern Ireland) has been incredible," he said.

Political commentators who closely monitor political events in Belfast were quick to comment on Smith's departure, with one describing it as bizarre.

"What a bizarre decision. Smith most liked (and respected) Conservative SoS (Secretary of State) for N Ireland in decades," said one comment.

Conservative politicians were expected to learn their fates -- some promoted, some fired, others continuing as before -- in what was expected to be a day-long process of changes to the Downing Street cabinet.

Johnson arrived early at his office in the Houses of Parliament where, away from prying media eyes, he was able to pass on the bad news to those surplus to his requirements as members of his ministerial cabinet.

In the run-up to the Johnson reshuffle, there had been widespread speculation that the size of ministers allowed to attend Downing Street cabinet meetings would be culled.
HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In an article published today in Science magazine, University of Houston Law Center Professors Jim Hawkins and Jessica L. Roberts call for stronger consumer safeguards to protect the privacy of personal information collected online by health-related companies.

The article, "When health tech companies change their terms of service, consumers may have limited control over their data," explains that because most health-related apps and websites are not operated by health care providers, they are largely unregulated in the tracking and use of intimate digital data. Consumers and companies enter into an agreement that outlines their rights and obligations in the use and protection of data. Many companies, however, reserve the right to unilaterally change terms of service agreements as to what they can do with user data, such as share it or sell it to other companies.

The authors write that most users of health-related apps and online sites do not read the fine print of the agreements and are unaware when the terms are changed. Consumers who assumed their data was confidential are vulnerable to loss of privacy as personal information, including genetic data, details about mental health, and medical history and even doctor appointments could be shared with other companies. Courts have generally sided with the companies, leaving consumers little recourse.

Hawkins and Roberts suggest several options Congress could take to protect consumers, including: require mandatory notice to users that changes are being made to the terms of service; allow users to opt out of any changes and revert to the original terms; and require user consent for significant changes as is the case with all other contracts.

"Health tech companies can change minor things that don't affect the consumers' experience with the product in substantial ways," Hawkins concluded. "They can fix small bugs in their terms of service, but for things that really matter to the consumer, we argue for the old fashioned way  get the person to agree to them."

Hawkins, the Alumnae College Professor in Law, conducts research and teaches in the areas of commercial and business law, the fringe banking industry and the fertility business.

Roberts, the Leonard Childs Professor in Law Roberts and director of the Health Law & Policy Institute, specializes in genetics and the law, health law and disability law. Her research operates at the intersection of health law, ethics and social justice.

Science, an online weekly magazine, is the peer-reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It publishes original scientific research as well as science-related news, opinions on science policy and other matters concerning science and technology.

Read the Science article here.

Watch video commentary from the authors.

Media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected] ; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, [email protected] ; John T. Kling, Communications Manager, 713-743-8298, [email protected] ; and John Brannen, Senior Writer, 713-743-3055, [email protected] .

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 46,000 students.

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center
Tomballs newest junior high continues to take shape as the school districts board of trustees unanimously approved the new name for the school and its attendance zone.

The new school, opening in August 2021, will be named Grand Lakes Junior High, fitting with its neighboring elementary school, Grand Oaks Elementary. The name is also in reference to the schools locations, both at a new complex near Grand Parkway and Cypress Rosehill Road.

Related: TISD sets new elementary zoning boundaries

There was some debate over the name after board members Mark Lewandowski and John McStravick attempted to motion for the school to be named Rosehill Junior High.

One of the things I think is important is what we name our schools, Lewandowski said during the February board meeting. We can either honor a community as a historical community or we can honor a tollway, and I would rather honor a community.

McStravick agreed with him, though said there was a certain flow to using grand for both schools but felt the Rosehill community deserved to be memorialized.

More Information See the attendance zone for Grand Lakes Junior High here. See More Collapse

Board Member Kathy Handler said she thought it would be confusing when they already have a Rosehill Elementary, and said she preferred the flow of Grand Lakes.

Lee McLeod, another board member, said he never considered Grand Parkway as the influence of the name; he thought it flowed well with the name of the new elementary school.

I thought of Grand Oaks Elementary and it just seemed to flow well, and it sounds grand to me, McLeod said. It sounds really, really grand.

After the motion failed for the Rosehill name, a motion was made for the Grand Lakes name, which was approved unanimously.

Related: Tomball ISD construction projects proceeding on budget

Board members also unanimously approved the attendance zone for Grand Lakes Junior High, after they asked the committee to meet again to give greater relief to Tomball Junior High and Willow Wood Junior High. The board approved the attendance zone for Grand Oaks two months prior. A forecast of the schools capacities shows each are expected to have around 800 students in the 20-21 school year, a few hundred below capacity.

Petra Cochran, a mother who was on the zoning committee, said the current enrollment at Willow Wood Junior High was 1,506, with a target enrollment of about or under 950. This new zone would reduce the amount by 560 students.

Shelley Gifford, another committee member, said the response from the community was significantly lower than it was for the elementary school, with about seven community members showing up to the public forum and nine survey responses, compared to the elementary schools 150 responses.

The new attendance zone now includes all of Canyon Pointe Elementary, which gave Willow Wood its added relief, and Gifford said they feel confident they will maintain balanced enrollment for the next five to six years.

Tomball ISD Chief Operating Officer Steven Gutierrez also said he had strong confidence they would keep balanced enrollment for the next five years.

Within that next five years, we feel like the schools will be very balanced, Gutierrez said. And anytime youre doing boundary work and you can get five, six, seven years, youve done a really good job.
In ordering a special prosecutor in the Smollett case last summer, Toomin echoed what hed said in the Aleman case, ruling that since States Attorney Kim Foxx had not properly recused herself from the investigation, the entire case was essentially invalid from start to finish. Prosecutors could use the ruling to argue there was never any real legal jeopardy for Smollett in the first place.
O n China's deadliest day of the coronavirus so far, it was revealed there were now nine cases of the disease in the UK.

The ninth patient is said to be a woman who flew into London from China.

The news came after it was reported there had been 242 deaths in just one day in China, and 14,840 new patients.

The spike raised the death toll to 1,355 and total number of infections in the country to 60,000.

Authorities also noted there had been a further fall in new cases of the virus. But, the latest stats have fuelled speculation that Chinese authorities could be underreporting cases.

The UK and Covid-19

Britain's ninth confirmed case of the coronavirus strain Covid-19 was confirmed on Wednesday, February 12.

She is being treated in a specialist NHS centre at Guy's and St Thomas' hospital in central London.

Two staff members at a Lewisham hospital are in isolation after the woman arrived unannounced.

Meanwhile, UK doctors have warned the London Underground could be a hotbed for the spread of coronavirus.

There are concerns the city's status as an international transport hub could exacerbate the spread of the virus.

Although medical experts say the risk of infection for residents in the capital still remains low, Dr Michael Head said "the UK can expect to see more cases".

The senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton said: "It should also be noted that, of the 1,750 tests carried out so far in the UK, more than 99 per cent of those tested have been negative for the coronavirus."

The 83 people isolated in Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral have been let out and allowed to return home having tested negative for the Covid-19.

And an Islington GP surgery has closed due to coronavirus. The Ritchie Street Health Centre directed anyone with symptoms to call 111 and "not come into the practice".

China and Covid-19

AFP via Getty Images

The death toll in mainland China has increased by 97, increasing the total to 1,113 deaths.

Authorities also noted there had been a further fall in new cases of the virus.

Forty-four more people have tested positive for the coronavirus known as Covid-19 on board a quarantined cruise ship off Japan, authorities have said.

The countrys health ministry said 218 people of the 713 tested on board the Diamond Princess have been infected by the virus.

The ship, which is still carrying more than 3,500 passengers and crew members, returned to the Yokohama Port on February 3 and has been in quarantine since.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has written to Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel urging him to review the decision to revamp Sheesh Mahal, the site of the coronation of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, in north-west Delhi.

"Auranzeb was the most hated ruler who forced lakhs of Hindus to convert to Islam... history holds him as the most cruel ruler. The people of the country irrespective of religion, caste or creed disapprove of Aurangzeb's conduct," Kapoor's letter said.

He said as a Delhiite, he is "deeply disturbed to know that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to conserve a monument related to cruel ruler Aurangzeb whose memory should not be celebrated".

However, he said, he has no objection if the monument area is developed and the neighbourhood park in Shalimar Bagh, where the monument is located, is transformed.

He also demanded that the park be named after Abdul Hamid, the Param Vir Chakra winner who laid down his life for the nation in 1965 war against Pakistan.
Education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday pitched India as a destination for Canadian students for niche courses including yoga and ayurveda. Nishanks emphasis on attracting Canadian students came at his meeting with a Canadian delegation led by the Speaker of the Senate, Parliament of Canada, George J Furey. The two sides explored ways to grant more exposure and quality education to students of both countries, an official statement later said.

Nishank told the Canadian side that India is an ideal education destination where students from foreign countries can come to study niche courses like yoga and ayurveda, along with other disciplines in some of the countrys best institutions.

The human resource development (HRD) minister also spoke about the upcoming New Education Policy and how it holds the potential to make education in India more accessible, inclusive and high quality.

Pokhriyal also invited students from Canada to study yoga, ayurveda, hindi, sanskrit and other Indian languages along with science and technology in various Indian educational institutions. He also talked about the work being done by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI), a bi-national organization created by virtue of a pact between the two governments in 1968 to promote academic exchange between the two countries.

The minister also suggested that the two sides should strive to develop a system where top Canadian companies and Indian companies take students on internship students. The minister also underlined the need to promote collaborative research in nanotechnology, green energy, ecology and medicine.

Pokhriyal said there was a need to make special efforts to enhance exchange of students between the two countries. The minister hoped the meeting would effectively help in developing strategies to promote balanced international mobility of students and faculty between higher education institutions between India and Canada.
New footage has emerged of vandals who allegedly destroyed street art in Melbourne's iconic Hosier Lane.

Eight young men with face masks and paint-filled fire extinguishers sprayed over iconic graffiti in the Melbourne lane-way at 7.25pm on Saturday as a drone flew above them.

Police released CCTV footage that showed the alleged vandals walking around the inner-city brandishing the makeshift paint guns.

CCTV footage showed the alleged vandals walking around the inner-city brandishing the makeshift paint guns

It is believe the group fled the scene towards Melbourne Park, south of the CBD.

Dashcam footage also showed the men walking on to the Batman Ave Bridge from Flinders St minutes after the alleged attack, without their masks The Herald Sun reported.

It remains unclear what prompted the attack, with many in the underworld street art scene believing it was a swipe at the lane-ways commercial appeal.

Street artists see the brazen attack as an act of 'reclamation' of a space which has become 'too commercial'.

Dashcam footage also showed the men walking on to the Batman Ave Bridge from Flinders St minutes after the alleged attack

CCTV footage shows the men in face masks valdalising the iconic Melbourne lane way

Once targeted by graffiti artists looking to boost their street reputations, Hosier Lane has now become a selfie spot for suburban Melburnians and tourists.

Melbourne street magazine Acclaim Magazine even went so far as to call for it to be torn down.

'Hosier lane is not real, it's a toothless tiger, beautiful to look at and without any threat  and it needs to go,' it stated in an undated article.

'The current state of Hosier is appalling  quality work doesn't exist or disappears instantly, while swarms of paid street art tours and an endless sea of tourists and flood the street.'

The alleged vandals used fire extinguishers filled with paint to destroy the famous street art

As the group stormed the cobblestones with makeshift spray guns, onlookers could be seen filming the commotion rather than trying to stop it

Social media is awash with other theories.

Some Twitter users speculated the vandals were covering up pro-Hong Kong or pro-Taiwan art in the lane.

Twitter user Michael R asked: 'Was there any pro Hong Kong art, or anti-CCP art still on display when Hosier Land was vandalised? If so, the leader of these "vandals" might be a Chinese agent'.

Another named Frank added: 'There is (was?) a lot of pro Hong Kong messages and Tiananmen Square references. I suspect that local agents of the Chinese Govt. are behind the cleansing. Their paranoia knows no bounds.'

Eight men allegedly sprayed over iconic graffiti in the Melbourne lane-way on Saturday as a drone (pictured) flew above them

Other Twitter users speculated the vandals were covering up pro-Hong Kong or pro-Taiwan art in the lane

WHY IS HOSIER LANE FAMOUS? Hosier Lane is Melbourne's most iconic street art lane way and is one of the main tourist attractions in Melbourne. In 2010, Banksy used the abandoned street to stencil a rat wearing a parachute. Since then, artists used its walls to make political statements and paint murals of celebrities, including Taylor Swift. Hosier Lane was once voted the best free tourist attraction by Lonely Planet. Advertisement

But Chinese-Australian artist Baudico, who claims he is 'hunted' by the CCP for his anti-government artwork, rubbished the theory, saying the vandals were just youngsters messing around.

'Just west kids protest game,' he wrote on Twitter.

Hong Kong and Taiwan, regions with a level of independence from China, have long been at odds with the Chinese Communist Party.

Last year huge protests flared up in Hong Kong over a new law that would allow suspects to be extradited to the mainland.

Other Twitter users said the conspiracy theory was 'racist' because it is only based on the appearance of the vandals.

Before: Hosier Lane was covered with vibrant portraits before it was attacked by vandals

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp described the attack as 'an extreme act of vandalism' in a statement with police

'Maybe one was Chinese one was white... I wouldn't jump to conclusions... sounds super racist,' wrote Aluna Kay.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp previously told Daily Mail Australia the attack is 'not in keeping with the spirit of Hosier Lane'.

'We see this act as vandalism particularly given the damage they've done to the pavement and cobblestones.'

Ms Capp described the attack as 'an extreme act of vandalism' in a statement with police.

'It has caused damage to the city of Melbourne and private property,' she said.

'The random nature in the way the young people used fire extinguishers filled with paint to cover street art that we value is unacceptable.'


Dark days are here, you may think, when an official representative of a democratic government can tell the press they are giving them "alternative facts" and expect to be taken seriously. Dark days, but not unprecedented ones, as Polish director Agnieszka Hollands film Mr Jones  set in the Soviet Union in the early 1930s  reminds us. When it came to official obfuscation, media manipulation and diplomatic strong-arming, Joseph Stalin set an early high bar.

James Norton, who stars in Mr Jones, says the world needs journalism more than ever. Credit:

"The biggest victims of Stalin were the Russian people who died in gulags or of starvation or in badly conducted wars, but what to me is interesting is that the Russian people somehow accept it," says Holland who, at a robust 72, has a clear memory of life under totalitarian communism. "Stalin didnt become the bad guy, as Hitler did in Germany." On the contrary: according to opinion polls, Russians see him as the enduring leader of the nation; in the West, he was a hero after World War II. "Stalinist propaganda was even made by American film studios," Holland continues. "It shows that it is no new thing when Putin influences American elections, because Stalin was influencing American politics in the '40s."

Mr Jones also shows the crucial role played by journalists in unearthing actual facts. Gareth Jones, a real character played here by James Norton (familiar from televisions War and Peace and McMafia), is a young foreign affairs adviser to David Lloyd George, former prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party. Unusually for the time, Jones spoke several languages, including fluent Russian. He is suspicious of the supposed Soviet economic miracle. When a journalist friend calls from Moscow to tell him he has unearthed a good story about the regime, Jones decides to go there himself.

He arrives to find his friend has been murdered, purportedly by muggers. Papers he left behind reveal, however, that he was investigating the Ukraine: Russias breadbasket. Jones uses his political connections to swing an escorted trip there then gives his minders the slip and heads to the out-of-bounds villages. The story is happening right in front of him. Ukraine is still sending wheat to Moscow but is in the throes of a genocidal famine that would become known as the Holodomor. People are dying of starvation  in their millions.
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France  Thu, February 13, 2020 07:16 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20642aa63 2 World #France,#religion,Emmanuel-Macron,teen,blasphemy,Instagram Free

French President Emmanuel Macron has defended a French teenager who received death threats after an expletive-laden Instagram rant against Islam, saying the right to blaspheme was enshrined in the constitution and she needs to be protected, in comments published Wednesday.

The case of 16-year-old Mila -- who has received a slew of death threats for calling Islam "a shitty religion" -- has revived debates in France about freedom of speech and again showed up divisions in the country.

The furore prompted Mila's family to be put under police protection and meant she could no longer attend her school in southeast France.

"We have forgotten that Mila is an adolescent," Macron told the Dauphine libere regional newspaper.

"We owe her protection at school, in her daily life and when she moves around. The state has assumed its responsibilities."

The government announced earlier this month that a solution had been found to allow Mila to continue her schooling, without giving details.

Macron added that children needed to be better protected against "new forms of hate and harassment online".

And he said: "The law is clear. We have the right to blaspheme, to criticise and to caricature religions."

The government has largely distanced itself from remarks by Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet who declared the death threats received by Mila were "unacceptable in a democracy" but added her remarks about Islam were "clearly an infringement on freedom of conscience".

The controversy has come just over five years after a group of French cartoonists from the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were gunned down by jihadist gunmen after poking fun at the Prophet Mohammed.
Linda Lee Beauverd, 93, of Tall Timbers, MD died on February 11, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Linda was born on May 25, 1926, in Oakland, CA to Herbert Leslie Burgess and Adelaide Marie Lind Burgess.



On April 13, 1946, Linda married her beloved husband, Arthur "Buddy" Beauverd, Jr. in Bethesda, MD. Together they celebrated over 67 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in February 2014.



Linda is survived by her sons, Bruce L. "Skip" Beauverd (Barbara) of Tall Timbers, MD, and Arthur A. "Bud" Beauverd III of Mechanicsburg, PA; her sister, Nancy Jean Dessez of Knoxville, TN; 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Arthur A. "Buddy" Beauverd, Jr.



Linda was an extremely talented quilt maker and knitter producing garments enjoyed by her family and friends. Along with her husband, she delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years and instructed many groups on guided tours of St. Marys City. Linda mentored children at Piney Point Elementary school and taught catechism at St. Georges Catholic Church. Her strong spiritual faith nurtured her keen concern for other people's wellbeing and feelings. She nurtured her extended family's harmony by holiday visits and hosting summer gatherings.



The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. George's Catholic Church, 19199 St. George's Church Road, Valley Lee, MD 20692. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Paul Nguyen at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.



Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons: Bruce Beauverd, Jr., Ivan Beauverd, Chris Beauverd, Nick Beauverd, Easton Beauverd, and Arthur Beauverd IV. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.
Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) recently announced the Lansing campus will be moving locations this fall.

The new location will be able to hold the growing student population. Carpentry will be added to the new location making it four trades taught in Lansing. The Lansing Kick-Off event recently was held at the Lansing Brewing Company. At the event, supporters, board members, apprentices and training partners gathered in attendance.

The event presentation started out with past GMCA President Jimmy Greene discussing the history of GMCA. A presentation was shown of the current and future Lansing facility while Greene discussed the importance of investing in GMCA's future.

Greene went on to introduce Stephanie Davis as the new president of GMCA. Davis touched how we will need the community to get behind the expansion of the Lansing facility. Davis introduced Dave Mollitor, of Consolidated Electric, as well as Steve Russell, of A/C Electric, to discuss why they chose to support GMCA.

There were also apprentices at the Kick-Off that provided their testimonies on why GMCA was/is beneficial to them, what it meant to them and how it led to where they are now. The apprentices that shared their stories included Andy Lowney, of A/C Electric (third level apprentice at GMCA); Ray Bruton, of Consolidated Electric (attended and graduated from GMCA, taught at GMCA and his son is now a student at GMCA); and Sean Phillips, of Consolidated Electric (fourth year apprentice at GMCA).

Davis introduced Cathy Geiger, director of fund development and community affairs. Geiger will play a vital role as she reaches out to partners and potential donors to help fund this project.

"We have been working to find the right location in Lansing and are so happy to have finally done that. This new facility will provide the space we need for our increasing numbers," Davis said.
WASHINGTON  The Senate voted on Thursday to require that President Trump seek congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran, as Democrats joined forces with eight Republicans to try to rein in the presidents war-making powers weeks after he escalated hostilities with Tehran.

The bipartisan vote, 55 to 45, amounted to a rare attempt by the Senate to restrain Mr. Trumps authority just over a week after it voted to acquit him of impeachment charges, and nearly six weeks after the president moved without authorization from Congress to kill a top Iranian security commander.

But it was a mostly symbolic rebuke of the president, as support for the measure fell short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to override a promised veto by Mr. Trump. The House passed a similar measure last month on a nearly party-line vote that also fell well short of that margin.

Still, indignant at the administrations handling of a drone strike in Iraq last month that killed a top Iranian official  a major provocation that pushed the United States and Iran to the brink of war  an unusually large number of Senate Republicans crossed party lines in an attempt to claw back their authority to weigh in on matters of war and peace.
(@FahadShabbir)

BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2020) Bolivia intends to suspend a project conducted in collaboration with Argentina to build nuclear medicine centers due to violations during their construction, the Bolivian Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN) said on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the ABEN said that Bolivia was suspending a joint project with Russia's Rosatom on the construction of a nuclear research facility in the South American country "until the parliament and the prosecution have spoken on the matter."

"As for the construction of a network of nuclear medicine centers, [ABEN Director General Juan Alfredo] Jordan said that he would order to immediately suspend the work as violations have been detected during their construction due to lack of control by the companies responsible for the work's implementation," the agency said.

The agency added that it hoped for the early settlement of these issues.

In February 2018, INVAP, a leading Argentine nuclear technology development company, signed an agreement with ABEN on constructing three nuclear medicine facilities in the Bolivian cities of El Alto, La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The project was estimated at $150 million.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks out from the Door of No Return at the slave house on Goree Island, Dakar, Senegal, on Feb. 12, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Ottawa Must Pander to Dictators to Join UN Security Council, Expert Says

News Analysis

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on his second official trip to China in late 2017 in the sunny days of Ottawas pursuit of warmer ties and a possible free trade deal with Beijing, human rights groups said Canada has been failing to call out China on its human rights record. In the end, it was Ottawas insistence on making the agreement a progressive trade deal that derailed preliminary discussions.

Trudeaus trip to Africa this week, just over two years later, is similarly being criticized for lacking substantial talks on human rights. This time, the deal Ottawa is pursuing is a seat on the U.N. Security Council, with support of African countries being crucial since they account for over a quarter of the votes in the United Nations.

According to Shuvaloy Majumdar, a former adviser to Canadian foreign affairs ministers, pursuing a principled foreign policy and a bid for the U.N. Security Council at the same time is a paradox.

By the very nature of pursuing a seat in the U.N. Security Council, you have to pander to dictators and despots around the world, and soften your positions on the most important and crucial moral voices, Majumdar, now a Munk senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, told The Epoch Times.

Canada lost its bid for a seat as a non-permanent member on the council in 2010. The council consists of five permanent members, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by all member-nations in the General Assembly. In the upcoming elections for two seats in June, Canada is up against Norway and Ireland, who both outspend Canada in foreign aid as a percentage of their GDP.

Those vying for Ottawa to get a seat at the council think that it would give Canada a chance to rub shoulders with higher-level decision-makers on global security issues, explains John Soroski, an associate professor of political science at MacEwan University.

The enthusiasts say Canada would have less opportunity to contribute if it only had its [U.N.] General Assembly contribution, Soroski told The Epoch Times.

During his Africa trip, Trudeau said the council is a place where the biggest issues facing our world are debated, and that its important for Canada to have a voice at the table.

According to Adam Chapnick, a professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada, membership in the council offers unique advantages. But he adds it may not be the right time to go after a seat.

Service on the [U.N. Security Council] offers an exclusive outlet to shape international norms and, in some cases, to advance specific policy objectives, Chapnick wrote in a paper for the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Nonetheless, the Trudeau government chose the wrong time to run. Contested elections that require NATO allies and EU trading partners to make deals with rogue regimes to secure their support are in no [Western] countrys interest.

Others are not so sure if there ever will be a right time to join the council, arguing that the United Nations in its current form isnt making meaningful contributions on the world stage. This could be even more so considering not only the economic costs of Ottawas marketing campaign to get on the council, but also the political costs in terms of the concessions made to those whose votes Canada is counting on, at the expense of raising the ire of other allies.

In general, I perceive the United Nations is not making substantial contribution to real outcomes, said Soroski. I think it advances doctrines and provides resolutions, but without actually changing circumstances on the ground.

Majumdar said for the United Nations to be effective, it needs an update in its composition, including within the Security Council.

Weve seen that the global bureaucracy housed within the United Nations is trying to establish the notion of a one-government world. But thats not the idea, he says.

There is value in multilateral alliances to tackle world issues, he notes, but they have to be done in a way aligned with Canadian values and interests, which include the promotion of security and prosperity.

We have some amazing, remarkable relations with the United States, Majumdar said. The question is how can we use that as a bedrock to build new and bigger relationships with other countries around the world, in which democracies and those who share our values and our outlook of the world can work together.

With files from The Canadian Press
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has thanked former Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Bohdan for cooperation and looks forward to continuing a strong partnership on reform with his successor, Andriy Yermak.

The diplomatic mission reported this on Twitter.

"We thank Andriy Bohdan for his partnership and commend his efforts to support the recent historic pace of reforms in Ukraine. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership on reform with Andriy Yermak," the tweet reads.

On February 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Bohdan as head of the Office of the President and appointed Yermak to the post.

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KAMPALA  The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ephraim Kamuntu on Thursday, February 13, 2020, made his maiden visit to Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) as part of his line ministerial role.

Kamuntu was received by the URSB top management led by the Board Chairman Amb. Francis K. Butagira and the Registrar General, Bemanya Twebaze.

He took time to visit the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre underscored the need for increased working relations between the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) not only in the domain of ICT but in other service delivery areas that will enable the public access Government services.

He further requested the URSB management to explore other partnerships as a viable model for the implementation of their mandate. He noted the pivotal role played by URSB in the Governments vision of transforming the country from a subsistence to a modern economy through the formalization of businesses.

Amb Butagira in his remarks said URSB has been growing tremendously over the last seven years listing the achievements that included decentralization of services that have enabled wider access to services across the country and the growth of Non-Tax Revenue from 7.51bn in the 2011/2012 Financial Year to 56.8bn in 2018/19.

The Registrar General appreciated the Board of Directors for providing an enabling environment for URSB to implement its Strategic Development Plan that laid out the aspirations of the institution across the board.

He further underscored the need for technology-driven processes which had resulted in the All-Digital-All-Online by 2020 strategy.

The Registrar General said this would relate to areas of service turn-around management, electronic records management, online registration of the business, marriage returns filing, information sharing, and collaboration.

The RG also emphasized the need for integration of information systems among all players in the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) as a mechanism for improving effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.

Hon. Kamuntu further thanked URSB for the warm welcome and said he is was eager to support the institution since he was impressed with the level of commitment to service delivery especially in formalizing the economy. The Minister added that URSB contributed to improved access to services in the Justice sector and facilitated citizen empowerment through their other mandate like registration of marriages.

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

The volume of Azerbaijan's industrial production increased by 2.1 percent year-on-year in January, amounting to 4.2 billion manats ($2.47 billion), the State Statistics Committee (SSC) told local media.

The growth in industrial production in the non-oil sector in the above-mentioned period amounted to 16.6 percent.

In January, extractive industries accounted for 68.4 percent of the production volume, 26.4 percent - the processing industry, 4.6 percent - the sphere of production and distribution of electricity, gas and steam, and the rest 0.6 percent - the sphere of water supply, treatment and waste processing.

In the structure of the processing industry, growth was recorded in the production of computers, electronics and optical products (2.2 times), other vehicles (89.8 percent), wood products (82.8 percent) , automobiles, trailers and semi-trailers (72.8 percent), clothes (70.1 percent), finished metal products (63.9 percent), pharmaceutical products (60 percent), furniture (53.3 percent).

Moreover, during the reporting period, growth registered in the beverages production (40.8 percent), chemical products (40.5 percent), metallurgical industry products (38.8 percent), building materials (35.2 percent), installation and repair of machinery and equipment (30.7 percent), oil products (21.3 percent), rubber and plastic products (3.5 percent), tobacco products (1.6 percent), food products (1.1 percent) )

In the field of production and distribution of electricity, gas and steam, the growth in production in January 2020 amounted to 6.4 percent, in the field of water supply, treatment and waste processing - 1 percent.

At the same time, in January, a decline was recorded in the production of textile products (1.4 percent), cardboard and paper (9.1 percent), printing products (30.3 percent), electrical equipment (33.3 percent), machinery and equipment (44 percent), leather and leather products and shoes (59.7 percent).

Note that the growth of industrial production in Azerbaijan amounted to 4.3 percent in 2019.

Increasing industrial production in the country is one of the main goals to strengthen the non-oil economy in Azerbaijan.

The State Program for the Development of Industry in Azerbaijan for 2015-2020, the successful industrialization policy, activities of industrial parks and districts are yielding positive results.

Presently, there are five industrial parks in Azerbaijan - Sumgayit, Garadagh, Mingachevir, Pirallahi and Balakhani, as well as 3 industrial districts - Neftchala, Masalli and Hajigabul. In addition, work is underway to launch the Sabirabad industrial zone.

The state program envisages modernizing the industry and enhancing its structure, rising export possibilities of the non-oil sector and expanding competitive industrial goods, as well as training highly-qualified staff for new spheres.

The results expected from the state program include transformation of the non-oil industry into the main driver of the economic growth as a result of its modernization and diversification, increase in the share of regions in industrial production, increase in the number of enterprises applying technological innovations, widening of the use of international standards in the industry, etc.

The state program is funded from the state budget, extra-budgetary funds, funds of the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support and the resources of the Azerbaijan Investment Company. There are also additional minor sources of support provided by local budgets, private investments, foreign direct investments and financial and technical assistance of the international and foreign organizations.

---

Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld schools authority to let transgender students use restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity, rejecting claims that the policy violated privacy and religious freedom.

A school district in Oregon was seeking to create a safe, non-discriminatory school environment for transgender students with its policy, and did not interfere with any established constitutional rights of other students or their parents, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The right to privacy, under the 14th Amendment, does not include a right to avoid all risk of intimate exposure to or by a transgender person who was assigned the opposite sex at birth, Judge A. Wallace Tashima said in the 3-0 ruling, which upheld a federal judges decision. The court also rejected claims that the policy exposed students to sexual harassment and violated parents right to control their childrens education and upbringing.

The court, which hears appeals from federal courts in nine states, including California, is the second appellate tribunal to rule on the issue. A federal appeals court in Philadelphia issued a similar ruling in 2018, and the Supreme Court denied review of that case last year. The high court has also declined to consider suits, pending in lower courts, by transgender students challenging their schools policies.

A 2013 California law requires schools in the state to allow transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. President Barack Obamas administration issued guidelines in May 2016 advising school districts nationwide to follow that policy, but President Trumps administration repealed those guidelines in February 2017.

Tyler Smith, attorney for Parents for Privacy, which challenged the Oregon school district policy, criticized Wednesdays ruling but declined to say whether the organization would seek Supreme Court review.

The parents dont want their children to go through the emotional and psychological trauma of having to be naked next to someone of the opposite sex, Smith said. The rights of one person to go wherever they please are impacting the rights of everyone else.

Gabriel Arkles, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who argued in support of the Oregon districts policy, said he was relieved by the ruling.

Trans students have a hard enough time in school without (a lawsuit) claiming school districts have an obligation to discriminate against them, Arkles said.

The case comes from the Dallas School District in western Oregon, where a high school student who had been born female identified as male in September 2015 and asked to use the boys restroom and locker room. The district established a policy allowing transgender students to use their chosen restrooms, while establishing new training programs for teachers and staff.

Some male students objected, saying they suffered embarrassment and stress by being present when the transgender youth changed clothes or used the bathroom. Some parents protested to the school board that the change interfered with their moral and religious teachings. The school offered options, such as allowing students to change in a different restroom, but told objecting parents that they should transfer their children to another school.

In the lawsuit, Parents for Privacy noted past rulings finding privacy violations from government-sanctioned viewing of the naked body of someone of the opposite sex. But the court said those cases involved forcible intrusions  a male parole officer entering the bathroom stall of a female parolee, or a female officer conducting a strip search of a male detainee  and not merely the risk of being exposed briefly to opposite-sex nudity in a locker room shared by a transgender student.

Rejecting arguments that the policy exposed students to sexual harassment, the court said the suit did not allege that transgender students were threatening, taunting or touching other students, or deliberately flaunting nudity, but simply harassing them by their presence in restrooms and locker rooms.

This cannot be enough, Tashima wrote. The use of facilities for their intended purpose, without more, does not constitute an act of harassment simply because a person is transgender.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Thursday that more than one million people have joined the party since its victory in Delhi Assembly elections. AAP won 62 out of 70 seats which went to polls on February 8, close to its 2015 tally of 67.

More than 1 million people have joined AAP within 24 hours of our massive victory. To join AAP, give a missed a call on: 9871010101, the party said in a tweet on Thursday morning.

More than 1 million people have joined AAP within 24 hours of our massive victory.



To join AAP, give a missed a call on :

9871010101#JoinAAP pic.twitter.com/o79SV8bj01  AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 13, 2020

The mobile number was released on Tuesday when AAP won the Delhi Assembly elections.

Nearly 11 lakh people have participated in the campaign by giving a missed call. This number was distributed to people across the country through various media. The party leaders asserted it is historical that politics of work is getting such large support for nation-building from people across the country, AAP said in a statement.

Despite all the efforts of BJP, the AAP did not deviate from the politics of work. The voters of Delhi have kept their faith with the AAP and its politics of development, it added.

The party is going to form a government in Delhi for the third time. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi chief minister at Delhis Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

Many political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Rahul Gandhi, congratulated Kejriwal for the victory. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was AAPs principal opponent in Delhi polls, could manage to win only eight seats. The Congress, once again, could not open its account.

Acknowledging the mandate from Delhi, Kejriwal gave a big I love you shout-out to the city and thanked it for reposing its faith in its son. He further added that AAPs victory will give birth to kaam ki rajneeti (politics of work).
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wright's Media today announced that it has named Michelle Myers as its first Chief Revenue Officer and a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. Michelle joins Wright's during a time of fast growth and brings over 25 years' experience in publishing where she has a demonstrated track record of growing revenues and creating innovative marketing solutions.

"Michelle is an accomplished media executive with a diverse publishing background and is known for growing brands, identifying new revenue streams and fostering deep relationships in the media community. Domestically, she will be a key liaison with our current partners to grow and enhance their business. Internationally, she will help lead us as we navigate and identify trends in the international market where we look to expand in 2020" said Richard Wright, President & CEO.

Most recently Myers was President of the Women's Choice Award where she leveraged her experience in accolades and brand licensing to develop omnichannel retail programs and content strategies for their brand partners. Prior, Michelle held the role of Chief Revenue Officer for Brides at one of Wright's largest clients, Conde Nast. At Conde she was honored with the first ever Business Transformation Award for spearheading the brand to greater profitability through breakthrough ideas such as brand licensing and new ways to monetize social media. Myers also held Vice President & Publisher roles at Lucky Magazine, People StyleWatch and Star Magazine and was Associate Publisher of Allure and Shape.

"I am thrilled to be a part of the Wright's Media team during a time of such explosive growth," Myers said. "Having worked for some of the top publishing companies in the U.S. gives me the unique ability to provide a new perspective on how we can continue to enhance our content and accolade business and deliver new revenue opportunities to our brand partners."

About Wright's Media

Wright's Media provides award and editorial licensing solutions to businesses such as Conde Nast, Hearst, Meredith Corporation, Informa and U.S. News & World Report, that drives revenue and steers brands to the forefront of content licensing. Whether seeking to outsource reprints, monetize current content or build new licensing programs, Wright's is one of the publishing industry's most respected providers of multimedia and content management solutions.

SOURCE Wright's Media

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A Mosaic in Beatrice resident was recently one of six Nebraska musicians of Czech and Polish descent to be recognized for their significant contributions in preserving Czech musical traditions in Nebraska and the Midwest by being inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame.

Doug Blecha, 57, grew up singing with his fathers band, Bob Blecha and the Bouncing Czechs, and attended roughly 70% of the dances played by the group with Bob playing button accordion and vocals and mother Donna as the groups drummer. Blecha later sang in his brothers band, the Greg Blecha Trio, and the Mosaic Choir.

Blechas parents said he was taught to sing in German, Czech and English, and that he can tell whenever someone sings off-key or makes another musical mistake.

Over the years, Blecha has sung at the Table Rock Fair, Pawnee County Fair, Elk Creek barbecue, nursing homes, the Easterseals Telethon in Lincoln, a live radio broadcast for station KOTD in Plattsmouth and in 12 states.

Blecha said he favorite song to sing is Roll out the Barrel.

He is also an employee for Neapco, an honorary member of the Pawnee City Fire Department and the Table Rock Fire Department, and has bowled in the Special Olympics in Beatrice and Lincoln.

The other musicians honored were Galen Kuska from Exeter, Jim Mastny from Dwight and Don Hamsa, Milt Jaworski and Jan Lhotak from Omaha.

Debra Polacek, a committee member for the Musicians Hall of Fame, said it was created in 1999 to recognize the talents of local Czech-American musicians for their efforts in promoting and preserving the Czech heritage, especially those individuals who may not achieve regional or national recognition for their contributions.

The ceremony and following accordion jamboree was held at Rons Tavern in Milligan on Jan. 18, and the inductees names are engraved into a plaque displayed there.

Musicians for the 2021 Musicians Hall of Fame inductions can be made by contacting committee members Randy Korbelik at 402-416-1300, Debra Polacek at 402-469-6986 or Sue Placek at 402-641-0669. Selections are made in the fall.

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The lack of an 'agreed' plan for the future of Portlaoise hospital is 'a major barrier' to sealing an agreement to secure maternity services at the facility, according the health services watchdog that has carried out a third big report on the Laois facility since 2015.

The issue is highlighted in a new report on Ireland's maternity services by the health watchdog HIQA. It s called 'Overview report of HIQAs monitoring programme against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services, with a focus on obstetric emergencies'.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has also produced 19 individual reports on the hospitals and units including the service at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. The individual reports were carried out following unannounced visits.

The reports highlight improvements at the Laois unit since controversy engulfed the facility in 2014 when it emerged that babies had died there unnecessarily. Key to overhauling services subsequently was memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Coombe Women and Children's University Hospital in Dublin. It is one of the big three maternity hospitals.

While significant steps have been taken in this process since it was signed in 2015, HIQA now finds that the absence of a decision on the overall future path for all medical services in Portlaoise is preventing its full implementation.

"Progress in implementing the MOU had not led, however, to the full establishment of a maternity network as defined in the National Maternity Strategy. This means that the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospitals senior management team had no direct oversight or responsibility for maternity services provided at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

"The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital told HIQA that the lack of an overall agreed future plan for the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise represented a major barrier to further progress on establishing a maternity network under a single governance structure," it said.

The lack of a plan and its impact is also elaborated upon in the individual report on the maternity unit.

It says HIQA notes and welcome the "very positive developments" that have been progressed to improve collaboration and cooperation between tPortlaoise and the Coombe over the past number of years. However, it says notwithstanding the collaborative efforts made to date, progress on the full clinical and corporate integration has not progressed in the last three years.

It says hospital management identified a number of strategic priorities in their annual report of 2017 that were to be advanced to enhance the quality and safety of maternity services at the hospital.

These included the:

 upgrading of facilities in the maternity unit

 recruiting midwifery, nursing staff and allied health professionals

 appointment of Clinical Midwife Specialist in bereavement

 recruiting consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology, perinatal psychiatry and perinatal pathology.

HIQA say that while the hospital had identified the above strategic priorities, hospital management told inspectors that the absence of any national and regional guidance and direction for the hospital had "significantly impacted" on the hospitals ability to develop a clear strategy for maternity services within the short, medium and long term.

HIQA says this finding remains consistent with those findings made by HIQA in its 2016 follow-up review at the hospital.

Overall, HIQA found that Portlaoise had formalised leadership, governance and management arrangements in place with clearly defined reporting structures within the maternity service and through the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group to ensure the quality and safety of the maternity service provided at the hospital.

"However, any strategic planning of the maternity services within the hospital is constrained by the lack of any clear national and regional guidance and direction on the services in the hospital," says HIQA.

While staffing was not found to be a problem, HIQA once again reported that absence of a strategic plan presents problems.

"Inspectors were informed by hospital management that despite continually campaigning to recruit staff, the hospital had experienced difficulty in recruiting and retaining midwives, consultant obstetricians and paediatricians. The uncertainty of the future and range of services to be provided at the hospital impacts on the hospitals ability to attract and retain permanent staff. The HSE and Dublin Midlands Hospital Group should ensure that the hospital is supported to address these challenges so as to ensure the safety and quality of the maternity service at the hospital," said the individual report.

The overall document and 19 inspection have their roots in a process which began with HIQA's statutory investigation into Portlaoise hospital ordered by the Minister for Health in 2014 following an RTE Investigates programme.

The subsequent 2015 report highlighted many managerial and safety shortcomings in the maternity unit and elsewhere in the hospital. Among the key recommendations was that a plan be drawn up for Portlaoise hospital by the HSE. It did not outline what this should recommend other than that the hospital be in a position to deliver services safely.

The hospital was the subject of a follow up HIQA report in 2016 which noted improvements but highlighted the absence of a plan for the future and the need to decide what services could be safely delivered there. However, it also noted the positive impact of the integration of the Portlaoise unit and the Coombe.

The promised integrated network was viewed as the future to securing services in Portlaoise as it meant any complicated births or pregnancies would be handled by the Coombe.

The HSE eventually presented a controversial plan to the Minister for Health Simon Harris in late November 2017. It was linked to an overall plan for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. The plans proposed a downgrade of Portlaoise removing A&E, ICU, paediatrics, maternity and most surgery. It proposed relocating them to reconfigured hospitals in Dublin, Kildare and Offaly. It was costed and included a timeframe and claimed to be backed by national clinical leads employed by the health service.

However, its implementation has stalled in the face of public opposition including a major march organised by the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee. Minister Simon Harris never rejected the plan which remains on his desk in the Department. He did promise to consult locally on the future. He said he would appointed an independent facilitator. This never happened.

However, the outgoing Minister said in a two paragraph letter in the run up to the General Election that Slaintecare now takes precedence over previous reconfiguration plans. He said there was no plan to 'reduce capacity'. He did not elaborate on what other proposals were in the pipeline.

HIQA says that under the memorandum of understanding a senior consultant obstetrician from the Coombe was assigned as the Clinical Director for Integration and attended the maternity unit in Portlaoise for two days each week to provide support and clinical leadership at the maternity unit.

HIQA says that policies, procedures and clinical practice guidelines for maternity care were shared across both sites, where relevant. Learning from perinatal mortality and morbidity meetings were shared across both sites.

Two consultant neonatologists, who had joint appointments with both hospitals provided training, support and advice for medical and nursing staff in the special care baby unit in Portlaoise. They also assisted with the standardisation of policies, procedures and clinical practice guidelines to improve neonatal care at the special care baby unit in the midland hospital.

More than 1,400 babies were born in Portlaoise in 2019 and births have increased there since a dramatic drop after 2014. However, it remains one of the units with the smallest number of deliveries in the country.
At least $60 million separates CarePoint Health and RWJBarnabas Health from reaching a deal for the sale of Jersey Citys Christ Hospital, sources with knowledge of the discussions said.

Representatives of the two healthcare networks sat down with Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and state legislators on Tuesday in an effort to revive negotiations for the sale of Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center. But the two sides appear tens of millions of dollars apart, with the value of the Christ Hospital property being a major sticking point in those discussions, the sources said.

The 3.8-acre plot of land is perched atop a cliff that overlooks the New York skyline, but is zoned for medical use only. Fulop said publicly last week that if the hospital closes, there is zero chance we entertain any changes to the existing zoning.

Including the hospital site, CarePoint Health owns 12 properties associated with Christ Hospital that were valued at $135 million in 2012.

RWJBarnabas, one of the states largest networks of hospitals, announced in October it intended to purchase both facilities from CarePoint Health, but the deal has stalled in recent weeks. A spokeswoman for RWJBarnabas said last week that CarePoint rejected a fair appropriate offer to buy the two hospitals.

Spokespeople for CarePoint and RWJBarnabas did not return messages seeking comment on Wednesday.

The negotiations for Christ Hospital and HUMC also involve a third party: Avery Eisenreich, the owner of a chain of North Jersey nursing homes, Alaris Health. With a 25% stake in both the Christ hospital business and property, Eisenreich increased his position in hospital real estate last year when he purchased the BMC property and a 70% stake in the HUMC land. Eisenreich also owns 25% of the HUMC business.

The high stakes negotiations are playing out as state lawmakers from Hudson County sound the alarm that Christ Hospital and Bayonne Medical Center  CarePoints third hospital  are both in danger of bankruptcy and eventual closure. In a letter sent to Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, all nine of Hudson Countys state legislators urged Murphy to take aggressive action to assure the survival of these hospitals and access to quality health care for the residents of Hudson County.

A spokeswoman for Murphy declined to comment on Wednesday.

The lawmakers wrote that the near bankruptcy is directly related to CarePoints use of management companies to siphon more than $157 million from the three hospitals between 2013 and 2016. The state Commission of Investigation, which reported on the practice, noted that the management companies had no employees and were operated by CarePoints owners.

CarePoint asserts the SCI report found no illegal behavior.
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Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas and Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 17:09 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206459200 1 Business labor-union,Manpower-Ministry,omnibus-bill,omnibus-law,job-creation,sweetener,bonus Free

The government will make it compulsory for employers to provide bonuses or so-called sweeteners to reward employees in the omnibus bill on job creation.

The draft of the bill, obtained by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, stipulates that employers must give the reward to improve worker welfare.

Businesses would be required to provide a bonus equal to one month of salary to those who have worked for less than three years at the company, a two-month salary bonus to those who have worked between three and six years, a three-month salary to those who have worked between six and nine years, a four-month salary to those who have worked between nine and 12 years and a five-month salary for workers with a tenure of more than 12 years.

The sweetener will be paid one time only if the bill becomes law and is to be paid to employees working before the law takes effect.

Read also: Omnibus bills submitted to House, public remains in dark

"This will be a reward for workers," Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah told reporters after a meeting with House of Representatives Commission IX overseeing manpower in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The government submitted the long-awaited draft to the House on Wednesday afternoon after failing to meet its own deadline several times. If passed into law, the omnibus bill will amend more than a thousand articles in about 80 prevailing laws and is expected to attract more investment to help stimulate the countrys sluggish economy.

Labor unions have voiced their objection to the bill, which has provisions overhauling the Labor Law, saying it will undermine their rights.

The bill caps the compensation for laid-off workers at eight months of salary for 21 years of service from 10 months of salary for 24 years of service.

The sweetener provision will not be applied to micro and small businesses.

Read also: Palace operatives scramble to lobby labor groups over omnibus bill

"We have communicated with employers and decided to rule out small businesses because not every employer is able to provide workers with sweeteners," said Ida.

According to Law No. 20/2008 on micro, small and medium businesses, micro businesses are those that have a maximum of Rp 300 million (US$21,900) of annual sales while small businesses are those that have annual sales between Rp 300 million and Rp 2.5 billion.
Now, the group is heading for contesting the polls under the heart symbol. At the moment, it is weighing the pros and cons of such a move





by Kelum Bandara





The United National Party (UNP) is hit by another political storm these days triggering fears whether the grand old party of Sri Lanka is teetering on the brink of another major split on the scale of the debacle that it experienced in 1990 when its stalwarts Gamini Dissanayake and Lalith Athulathmudali defected from the party and caused a dent in its traditional vote base.













The present crisis has been exacerbated after the Elections Commission recognized Samagi Jana Balawegaya formed by the faction led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in collaboration with the like-minded parties such as Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). The new alliance has adopted Heart as its symbol despite the UNP leadership insisting that the upcoming General Elections should be conducted only under the partys cherished Elephant symbol no matter what.





According to the letter issued by Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake, the new alliance had been recognised on February 6, 2020.





However, it was placed in the public domain only on February 13. It compounded the internal squabbling of the UNP.





Mr Premadasa is its leader and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara its General Secretary.





Now, the group is heading for contesting the polls under the heart symbol. At the moment, it is weighing the pros and cons of such a move. Nevertheless, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his loyalists are adamant that the UNP should have its Parliamentary representation under the elephant symbol.





A policy contrast has emerged accordingly between the two groups, and it is bound to result in the possible breakup of the UNP ahead of the general elections unless sanity prevails among its leaders.

The party had its Working Committee meeting on Monday evening to discuss the issues at hand. There was general agreement for contesting the elections in alliance with the like-minded parties. Also, no resistance came for the appointment of Mr Bandara as its general secretary. The real conflict erupted on the symbol issue.





At the Working Committee meeting, all of a sudden, newly appointed member Sunil Silva raised the matter first and said the elephant symbol should not be compromised no matter what. His remarks, in favour of the elephant symbol, prompted a few other MPs to air similar sentiments





These MPs are Palitha Range Bandara, John Amaratunga, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera and a few others.





Mr Amaratunga said he joined Parliament in the 1970s along with leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

We have always contested the general elections under the elephant symbol. We contested under different symbols at the time at the presidential elections. This is the symbol known to many in the country. So, we should not deviate from it, he said.





Also, he said the party constitution provides for contesting the general elections only under the elephant symbol.





The Premadasa faction was in disbelief following the sudden emergence of the symbol issue. Today, they believe it is something stage-managed by the UNP leadership to scuttle the formation of a new alliance under the leadership of Mr Premadasa because of the general elections.





One by one, the Premadasa loyalists such as Harin Fernando, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Kabir Hashim and Thalata Athukorale started confronting the members who insisted on the elephant symbol only.





Mr Hashim countered Mr Amaratunga saying that the elephant symbol would not be an issue in the event of an alliance cobbled together to contest elections.

Besides, MP Fernando said:





If you are against a common symbol, why did you ask us to form a common alliance? If we drag on the matter, we will become a laughing stock. Now, it has been announced that an alliance will be formed. Its leader and general secretary have been nominated. 





Mr Fernando was also critical of an orchestrated campaign to slander Mr Premadasa and Mr Bandara in the social media over the defeat of their respective electoral districts  Monaragala and Hambantota.





These are the most difficult districts for the UNP. If there is anyone who can win them for the party, let them do it. It is unbecoming of anyone to resort to character assassination on anyone over the loss of these districts at the presidential elections, he said.

Colombo district MP Dr Harsha de Silva also sought clarification from Mr Wickremesinghe about the reasoning behind the insistence on the elephant symbol despite an agreement to form the new alliance. Mr Wickremesinghe is reported to have replied saying that it is an option only.





Mr Premadasa sounded worried about the latest development at the Working Committee. Instead, he asked for authority to handle the affairs of the new alliance as its leader and the opposition leader without any obstacle placed on his way.





If I am the alliance leader, let me handle it, he said.





He assumed that deliberations would not lead to anywhere. He turned furious when Mr Wickremesinghe mentioned a few names as members to the nomination boards to select candidates. MP Ravi Karunanayake is also among the members announced by the UNP leader as members of the nomination board.





I have been appointed the leader of the alliance. I have nominated the general secretary. Then, what is the use if I am not allowed to nominate members to the nomination board, Mr Premadasa said.

No sooner had he made such remarks than he left the meeting. Seven other members also joined hands with him.





The alliance has now been recognized by the Elections Commission. The two factions of the UNP have two options- to patch up differences and reach the common ground or to part ways.





For the allies of the UNP, it is not a difficult job at all to agree on the heart symbol. Some MPs of the Premadasa group, who believe that the UNP should be rebranded with the injection of fresh outlook and policies. A new symbol is acceptable to all of them. But, there are thoroughbred UNPers who are sentimentally attached to the elephant symbol. Though they are politically loyal to Mr Premadasa, it looks like a Herculean task for them to abandon the elephant symbol.





In the event of the Premadasa faction deciding to break ranks, it wont be that easy for it to attract an overwhelming majority of the MPs. Against the backdrop, Mr Premadasa has called for a meeting of the UNP MPs tomorrow to seek their views. That is to see who else is willing to team up with him. However, some of his loyalists have already advised him to make decisions after careful calculations of things as otherwise, things would be counterproductive. Every possible attempt is made to keep the party united by these MPs, be their loyalty lies with Mr Premadasa or Mr Wickremesinghe.





MP Mangala Samaraweera, who was a key strategist for Mr Premadasa at the presidential elections, has reportedly said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would get two thirds in case the UNP remained divided at the elections.





It suggests apprehensions in some quarters of the UNP about possible implications of a split ahead of the elections. No matter what a few would have or be compelled to leave the party as a consequence of this crisis.





If the Premadasa faction leaves the UNP, the present leadership is mulling the introduction of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as the frontrunner at the elections.





( Courtesy: Daily Mirror, Colombo)
In a study recently published in Nature Communications scientists at Okayama University describe the detailed molecular pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy in mice lacking the fukutin gene (Fktn), the causative gene for Fukuyama muscular dystrophy.

(A) Structure of the heart in healthy (top panel) and fukutin-deficient (bottom panel) mice in the presence or absence of tamoxifen, the elimination of fukutin gene-inducing drug. (B)Tamoxifen treatment resulted in microtubule clumping (green) and golgi body fragmentation (red) in fukutin-deficient mice.

Heart failure is the major cause of death for muscular dystrophy patients; however little is known for the molecular mechanism of muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy. In this study, a research team spearheaded by senior lecturer Katanosaka Yuki at Okayama University demonstrate for the first time the cellular and molecular pathomechanisms of muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy using mouse models of Fukuyama muscular dystrophy with a deficiency for the fukutin gene (Fktn- dystroglycans (DG).a), which encodes a Golgi-based ribitol-phosphate transferase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of tandem ribitol-phosphate structure on As DG and proteins of the dystrophinglycoprotein complex provide structural support for the sarcolemma in muscle tissue, a loss of membrane fragility was thought to be a cause for cardiac dysfunction in these diseases collectively known as a-DGpathies. However, their data show that cardiac dysfunction in muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy occurs at the cellular cardiomyocyte level.

In this study, although cardiac Fktn -DG glycosylation and dystrophin-glycoprotein complex proteins in sarcolemma at all developmental stages, cardiac dysfunction was observed only in later adulthood, suggesting that membrane fragility is not the sole etiology of cardiac dysfunction. Younger Fktn-deficient mice show a vulnerability to hemodynamic stress conditions via impaired compensative hypertrophic response of cardiomyocytes. Adult Fktn-deficient mice exhibit altered cardiac morphology and dysfunction, suggesting that FKTN is critical for maintaining contractile function of individual cardiomyocytes.

In addition, the team show that acute Fktn-elimination causes the disordered Golgi-microtubule network in myocytes. Finally, the team show that treatment with colchicine (an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever) improved cardiac dysfunction of Fktn-deficient hearts via the recovery of myocyte shortening, which may open a new avenue for therapeutic strategies.

Background

Muscular dystrophy and heart failure: Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition that results in debilitating muscle weakness from childhood. Symptoms range from difficulty with walking and running, frequent falls, and muscle stiffness to extreme pain. Although there are various types of muscular dystrophy, Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (FCMD), the second most prevalent in Japan, typically leads to cardiac and neurologic issues. FMCD results from a genetic mutation leading to loss of the fukutin protein.

Heart muscles: The heart muscles make up the walls of the heart and are responsible for it beating rhythmically. Damage to these muscles can result in heart attacks, arrythmias (irregular heartbeats), and heart failure. Proper myocyte structure and intracellular Ca2+ handling are important factors for healthy hearts. Microtubule are filaments required for the myocytes proper structure. The disorganization of microtubule induces the altered Ca2+ homeostasis in myocytes. In turn, golgi bodies are required for maintenance of the microtubule structure.
Facebook could launch the first of a 'constellation' of satellites into space as early as next month in a bid to bring broadband to the world - competing with SpaceX.

The social media giant has long held space ambitions, which form part of its goal to spread the web to disconnected areas, according to a report by Business Insider.

Facebook could send up the first satellite as a test on the Arianespace Vega rocket when it resumes launches in March, the report claims.

A Facebook spokesperson said satellite technology would be important for the next generation of broadband but couldn't comment on the report of a March launch.

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Facebook could launch the first of a 'constellation' of satellites into space as early as next month in a bid to bring broadband to the world - competing with SpaceX

Recent public filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) point to the prospect of an imminent launch.

The filings have been made under the name of a shell company called PointView Tech that is owned by Facebook, according to Business Insider.

They suggest that the satellite would be experimental and the first stage of a broader project to create a network of orbiting devices.

In a statement Facebook said satellite infrastructure would make it possible to bring broadband connectivity to rural regions where internet is lacking or non-existent.

The idea of a network, or constellation, of satellites isn't new and other companies have already started launching their networks.

It is the model being used by Elon Musk's SpaceX for its Starlink satellite broadband network and by British company OneWeb for its constellation.

Business Insider suggests that if Facebook is successful in its trial we could see a fleet of thousands of satellites owned by the social media company.

Facebook's plans to bring the world broadband by satellite have been beset by problems, including an early prototype blowing up on a SpaceX rocket.

It happened in 2016 and saw the destruction of the $200million Amos-6 satellite built for Facebook to bring 'free internet' to 14 African countries.

Since then the company has expanded its work to build low-Earth-orbit satellites under the codename Athena, Business Insider reports.

Study of spectrum and FCC filings suggest the first launch would be a test to 'determine whether such satellite communications can effectively provide broadband to unserved and underserved areas throughout the world'.

The first launch was due to happen early last year but it never took place but filings from December 2019 suggest it is back on.

Facebook could send up the first satellite as a test on the Arianespace Vega rocket when it resumes launches in March, the report claims

It is expected to be launching on the Arianespace Vega, a 'light commercial launcher' designed to put small-to-medium size satellites into orbit.

The French owned launcher has a payload capability of 1,500kg and can put satellites into a 700km circular orbit.

Launches on the European rocket were put on hold due to a failure that caused millions of pounds of damage in July 2019.

It's due to start launching again in March and Business Insider says it looks like the Facebook trial satellite will be among its payload.

The first flight is likely to be a proof-of-concept small spacecraft mission service flight with 42 satellites from different companies.

The first of the Athena constellation could be among them, says Business Insider.

Arianespace hasn't commented on the contents of the payload for the flight but other confirmed payloads include similar low-Earth satellites.
Forty elements of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) armed group were captured in Beni region, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, after a massacre of civilians, the UN Mission in the country said on Wednesday.

On February 9, 2020, at around 10:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. GMT), a joint action (peacekeepers  Congolese army) launched against the ADF enabled the FARDC to arrest 40 ADF combatants near Makeke and take them to the FARDC base in Mangina, in North Kivu province, said Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Raoul Djehoungo, military spokesman for MONUSCO.

The operation was conducted following the assassination of at least seven civilians in Makeke the same evening, he said at a press conference.

Cornered to the east of Beni, the ADF fighters ran off into the forest where they perpetrated atrocities against the civilians, mainly in areas north-west of Beni, explained the Lieutenant-Colonel Djehoungo.

The ADF are Ugandan Muslim rebels who settled in eastern DRC in 1995.
Social media isnt always a source of comfort, but a new trend spreading on Twitter is a heartwarming one.

Rapper Meek Mill started a challenge on Thursday that encourages others to share pictures demonstrating how believing in themselves got them through hard times. Seemingly inspired by his new song Believe, featuring Justin Timberlake, which dropped Feb. 7, Meeks tweet urged followers to post your progress no matter how far you came, the Grammy-nominated artist said in his tweet, along with the #BelieveChallenge hashtag.

#believechallenge post your progress no matter how far you came!!! pic.twitter.com/MyleZVBz1e  Meek Mill (@MeekMill) February 13, 2020

Meek Mill, who was born as Robert Rihmeek Williams, is also a criminal justice reform activist whose battles with the American justice system was explored in last summers Amazon Prime documentary series, Free Meek. That he has struggled for his own freedom makes it all the more emotional that so many people responded to the challenge with their own stories of making their dreams come true after a prison sentence.

From prison to a penthouse suite pic.twitter.com/YvQ9Z01lgN  1090Aaron (@AaronBilzerian) February 13, 2020

Mark Morton, the guitarist for metal band Lamb of God, shared his progress from a kid with a guitar to playing in front of a massive live audience. DJ Showcase posted a similar tweet to highlight how far he has come in his success as an artist.

Musician Jmere shared a picture from a performance at his 2014 high school graduation, along with the time he opened for Cardi B last year.

Story continues

From performing at my high school graduation to opening up for Cardi B last spring break. 2014/2019. (This year Im opening for DaBaby) #BelieveChallenge pic.twitter.com/XSdYWAUBGP  Jmere (@Jmeremusic) February 13, 2020

The inspirational replies also extended to people who triumphed after struggling with medical issues, as well as athletes who never gave up on their dreams.

From Bedridden/Wheelchair bound to 300lbs to walking again to naturally loosing 150lbs. I am still a work in progress but I #believechallenge I will be/do more!! pic.twitter.com/r4AqOIT8Bx  Michelle J. Routson (@Shelly375) February 13, 2020

#believechallenge from 17, depressed, obese, and living an awful home life to 22 in this one winning an amateur Muay Thai title that would set me up to start my business that I currently run to this day at 25. First store opening later this year! pic.twitter.com/udef6SrpV3  JZ (@BicepGod) February 13, 2020

Philadelphia animal shelter Morris Animal Refuge shared stories of how some of their furry friends were nursed back to health.

#BelieveChallenge: poor Philly puppy Scooby was also in terrible shape when he came to us, but we werent giving up on this sweet little guy. He got lots of love, he got much better - and he got adopted! Just #Believe, and dont give up. pic.twitter.com/8r6waHcYmE  Morris Animal Refuge 2020 (@MorrisAnimal) February 13, 2020

#BelieveChallenge: little four week old puppy Mutt-Mutt was rejected by his mom, starving, and badly injured. But we believed in him, found him a foster family to give him tons of TLC - and they ended up adopting him!  pic.twitter.com/g2HOmduqVf  Morris Animal Refuge 2020 (@MorrisAnimal) February 13, 2020

In addition to the earnest replies, some people had fun with the trend, with one user sharing a side-by-side of Cate Blanchett crying in Blue Jasmine juxtaposed with her holding the Oscar she won for the film in 2014. (True fans keep mental notes of these things.)
By Alun John, Scott Murdoch and Sumeet Chatterjee

HONG KONG, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Last October, nearly four dozen banks in Hong Kong confronted a nightmare "stress test" scenario: a pandemic that swept through the city, followed by a major cyberattack and a telecoms breakdown.

In the simulation, a fast-spreading disease led to as much as a third of the workforce not showing up, and the electronic chaos disrupted what remained of everyday operations.

Months later, part of that hypothetical came true as the then-unnamed SARS-CoV-2 exploded onto the scene.

"The actions that we are taking to deal with the coronavirus are very close to the simulated exercise," said one executive at an international bank who was involved in the event. "That also dealt with a cyberattack, but at this point - thankfully - we only have one crisis."

The coronavirus has killed more than 1,300 people worldwide and infected more than 60,000, mostly in mainland China. There has been one death from more than 40 infections in Hong Kong, a financial services centre with assets worth $6 trillion. About 30% of bank branches have closed.

In real life, as in the exercise, financial institutions in Hong Kong have allowed staff to work from home and dispersed others to different offices. One senior banker at a large European bank in Hong Kong said the absentee rate due to the coronavirus was much lower than in the simulation.

The banker, who is involved in forming his institution's response to the virus, said the simulated cyber attack pushed his employer to reconsider how it handled sensitive documents when staff were working from home on less secure systems.

After the exercise, his bank sought approval from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to allow more for documents to be signed digitally - and implemented that plan when the coronavirus hit, he said.

"In October, practising for a virus seemed crazy given the political protests going on outside, but not now," said another person involved in the exercise, which was arranged by an industry group and observed by local regulators.

Story continues

Participants in the "stress test," code-named Whole Industry Simulation Exercise, or WISE, spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media.

STRESS TEST

The scenario consisted of a swine flu pandemic originating in Indonesia, jumped to humans and moved to Hong Kong, followed by internet connectivity issues and a cyberattack by insiders at one bank, angry at being forced to work during the pandemic.

The four-hour long exercise - which did not pass, fail or grade participants - involved crisis-management teams from 42 banks, including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs.

Teams in each bank's offices were sent information about the evolving situation every 10 minutes.

A fourth participant, from a Wall Street investment bank, said his team had approximately 20 people and included legal, communications and technology staff, plus several chief operations officers.

As the exercise unfolded, participants were sent regular updates in the form of news videos, a "ticker" showing market movements, and social media posts - some of which contained false information.

Participants wrote news releases and policy statements to simulate their crisis communications strategies, which the other banks could see.

"The simulated exercise dealt with a scenario which was changing every five minutes, but the actual reality is a little more balanced. We are getting updates each day on how the situation with the virus is evolving," said the first banker.

The United States and Britain have run similar exercises, called QUANTUM DAWN and WAKING SHARK, respectively.

WORKING REMOTELY

Banks in the exercise found that having staff work remotely because of the virus, while necessary, left them exposed in other areas such as cybersecurity and fraud control.

Nearly half of the participants said afterwards that they found the pandemic and absenteeism the least challenging part of the exercise on their own. But the infrastructure outage and insider cyber attack complicated matters.

"We tried to force the participants to manage a degradation of their capabilities, and then respond to a cyberattack when they already had staff working from home, had introduced social distancing and were managing potential reputational damage due to their response to the pandemic," said Ben Wootliff, a partner at Control Risks, a consultancy that helped run the exercise.

An HKMA spokeswoman said precautionary measures taken so far amid the coronavirus outbreak "form part of the banks' business continuity plans, which have been subject to periodic drills to ensure their effectiveness."

Nonetheless, the bankers warned that mitigation efforts could only do so much. "Despite all the preparedness, the real impact of the current situation will, however, depend on how long the outbreak will continue and what will be the overall impact on clients and their businesses," said the European bank executive. ($1 = 7.7633 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Alun John, Scott Murdoch, and Sumeet Chatterjee; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
SPRINGFIELD  The unwieldy prosecution of the so-called Nathan Bills case just got a bit lighter after a Superior Court judge dismissed all charges against retired Springfield Police Sgt. Louis Bortolussi.

Bortolussi was among a group of current and former police officers accused in an alleged departmental cover-up following a 2015 melee between a group of off-duty cops and civilians who initially clashed inside Nathan Bills bar and restaurant.

What began as a verbal altercation over a woman inside the popular East Forest Park bar blossomed into a physical confrontation hours later in a parking lot outside. Members of both factions were injured in the fracas, according to witnesses. The fight also has become an enduring black eye for the police department.

Fourteen current and former police officers were charged in connection with the alleged assault and what state attorneys general have characterized as a cover-up in their ongoing prosecution of the case. Bortolussi was the supervising officer on the night of the fight, and prosecutors argued he lied about leaving the scene without knowing off-duty cops had been involved.

Bortolussi told his then-superiors and a grand jury that the civilian witnesses were uncooperative, and he didnt know some of the rank-and-file may have been at the center of the fight. He was charged with perjury, misleading and filing a false police report. Judge Mark D. Mason, however, dismissed the last of the three charges in a ruling issued Tuesday. He had previously dismissed the false report charge.

In these circumstances, any conclusion that Bortolussi knew that any off-duty officers were involved in the ... assault was not based on common sense, Mason wrote, citing the legal standard, but rather on suspicion alone.

Bortolussis attorney lauded the judges decision.

It was evidenced by the facts that Sgt. Bortolussi did nothing wrong, defense lawyer Raipher D. Pellegrino said. Its unfortunate that he was forced to go under indictment and through the criminal process.

A spokeswoman for state Attorney General Maura Healeys office declined comment.

Mason also dismissed all charges against former Springfield Police Officer Nathaniel Perez, now a Massachusetts state trooper. Criminal charges remain against a dozen current and former cops, plus two of the bars owners. Lawyers for many of the defendants have pending motions to dismiss their cases.

A series of trials is scheduled to begin before Mason on March 30.
Spain is bracing itself for probably one of the most radical shake ups to the workplace.

A debate is raging after a company that stopped paying employees during smoking breaks has won a case in the countrys high court this week.

Galp, a Portuguese petrol company with a presence in Spain, said it was implementing domestic law when it began deducting time spent off-premises from employees working days.

The policy also includes a coffee break or breakfast with a colleague. The court relied on an earlier ruling in which it was ruled that workers do not have the right to a paid break to smoke, have coffee, or have breakfast.

The trade union that brought the case to court intends to appeal the decision. With the exception of Italy and Portugal, Spanish workers put in more hours annually than the majority of other Europeans.

A company in Spain could expect their employees to work 1,701 hours in 2018  compared to 1,363 in Germany or 1,538 in Britain - where wages are much higher.

Recent changes to Spanish law require companies to record employees entrances and departures from the workplace.

The monitoring was supposed to prevent workers exploitation and increase flexibility in working contracted hours - not to stop people having a coffee or fag break.
The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) announced its keynote presenters for the 2020 ISPE Europe Annual Conference. Taking place on 30 March1 April 2020 in Madrid, Spain, keynote addresses showcase senior-level global pharmaceutical industry leaders offering compelling and enlightening presentations on industry-critical technical developments.

This is Europes most comprehensive event on the latest innovations in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and this years conference programme is packed with 40+ content-rich sessions led by a dynamic line-up of compelling regulatory and industry experts.

Keynote Presenters:

Myles ONeill, Global Head of Operations, Eli Lilly

Myles will discuss Lilly's perspective on future pharmaceutical operations.

Frederic Revah, CEO, Genethon

Frederic will examine innovations in biotechnology.

Teresa Rodo, Head of Global Healthcare Operations, Merck KGA

Teresa will explore how to boost and sustain your operations performance for tomorrow.

Steffen Lang, Global Head of Novartis Technical Operations, Novartis

Steffen will provide insight into the technical operations at his organisation.

Maria Jesus Lamas Diaz, PhD, Director, Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)

Dr. Jesus Lamas Diaz will share key regulatory developments in Spain.

Brendan Cuddy, Head of Manufacturing and Quality Compliance, EMA

Brendan will join Dr. Jesus Lamas Diaz in providing key regulatory updates.

Leaders representing EMA, FDA, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, WHO, and EDQM Strassbourg will provide compelling and thought-provoking insights during a Plenary Panel Discussion with Regulators.

The 2020 ISPE Europe Annual Conference will feature the Executive Forum Keynotes on 30 March, plant tours on 2 April, and in-depth training on 23 April.

To explore the programme and to register, please visit ISPE.org/EUAC20.

About ISPE

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Palm oil powerhouse Malaysia urged Europe on Thursday not to forget the world's farmers when it strives to meet its Green Deal ambition for carbon neutrality. The European Union in December embarked on an major plan committing member states to build a carbon neutral economy by 2050 along with other climate-friendly measures including a boost in investment. This would be in addition to Brussels existing commitment to ban palm oil as a biofuel in Europe by 2030, a plan that has angered Malaysia, the world's second biggest palm oil producer after Indonesia. "When we talk about Green Deal and we talk about sustainability we are talking about touching the lives of the people," Teresa Kok, the Malaysian minister responsible for palm oil told AFP. The EU "should not ... forget about the life of the people, especially the poor," said Kok, who was in Brussels on a mission to win a change of attitude in Europe towards palm oil. Palm oil is a major ingredient in a wide range of products from food to cosmetics but it has long been controversial. Environmentalists say it drives deforestation, with huge swathes of rainforest logged in recent decades to make way for plantations. Its use in food and cosmetics has already dropped in Europe, partly due to pressure from green groups on major corporations, but has been increasing in biofuels. Kok insisted to AFP that palm oil farming has turned a corner in Malaysia with over two-thirds of dedicated land now certified as sustainable. This was despite about 40 percent of output being farmed by smallholders that are often illiterate and of an older generation. They are being pushed "to implement the sustainability measures ... so I hope the EU can appreciate all the efforts by the Malaysian government and also the industry," she said. - 'Which is more sustainable?' - Kok said she was in Brussels to "engage" with EU officials, but added that Malaysia was poised to join Indonesia in fighting the bloc's anti-palm oil policies at the World Trade Organization. She said her government "will decide later" on whether the country would go to WTO court, but that she hoped the EU would recognise Malaysian certification on sustainable palm oil farming. "Our honest response ... is that we hope we don't need to go to the WTO but we can get the (Malaysian) MSPO standard be accepted by EU," she said. Kok said she believed that the EU's palm oil phase out was protectionist as Europeans choose to promote oils from their own soybean, rapeseed and sunflower crops. "Because if they really believe in sustainability, they should choose palm oil," she said. "Your soybean, your sunflower, you have to plant every year, but for us the tree will be there producing oil for 25 years. Which one is more sustainable?" Experts say that soybean and rapeseed crops would require 10 times the amount of land to produce the same yield as palm oil.
San Francisco, Feb 13 : Apple has signed up as a board member of the Fido Alliance, an organisation committed to eliminating the need for passwords.

Besides Apple, most technology giants including Amazon, Facebook, Google are board members of the the alliance which wants password-only logins to be replaced with secure and fast login experiences across websites and apps using the emerging standard WebAuthn, ZDNet reported on Wednesday.

In 2019, WebAuthn became an official W3C web standard. Browser support for the newest set of FIDO specifications was also introduced for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Opera.

The FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance was formed in July 2012 to address the lack of interoperability among strong authentication technologies, and remedy the problems users face with creating and remembering multiple usernames and passwords.

It aims to change the nature of authentication with standards for simpler, stronger authentication that define an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms that reduce reliance on passwords.

"We know that realising the FIDO Alliance's mission to move the world beyond the password 'shared secret' model of authentication requires making FIDO a ubiquitous feature across all of the devices, operating systems and browsers we use every day. Given the platform enablement progress of this year, we are well on our way to that ubiquity," Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and Chief Marketing Officer of the FIDO Alliance while presenting the organisations 2019 progress report in December.

"Never before have service providers and developers had the ability to enable convenient, cryptographically secure authentication to a user base this broad. Service providers are now taking advantage of these new capabilities on a global scale," Shikiar said.
BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan says Russia plans to install new air- and missile-defense equipment and drones at its air base near the former Soviet republic's northern city of Kant.

Nurlan Kirisheev, the deputy chief of the Kyrgyz armed forces General Staff, said in a statement on February 13 that Russia will renovate runways at the air base, in moves that will "improve security in the region."

According to Kirisheev, the deployment of drones and air- and missile-defense systems will be conducted in accordance with agreements signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Kyrgyzstan last summer.

Kirisheev's statement came the same day that Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov told lawmakers in Moscow about plans to deploy air-defense equipment at the air base.

Russia's air base at Kant was opened in 2003 under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which includes Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.

A U.S. air base outside the capital, Bishkek, began hosting U.S. troops in 2001 as part of the campaign in nearby Afghanistan, but Kyrgyzstan shut it in 2014 under pressure from Moscow.

In 2017, the Kant air base and three other Russian military facilities in Kyrgyzstan were consolidated into a single base.
Four persons, including a woman, were arrested here on Thursday by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly duping thousands of people on pretext of offering them holiday packages, officials said.

The gang was held around 5 pm from a shopping mall in Greater Noida. The four accused had come there for a meeting but were tracked down by a joint team of the Lucknow and Noida units of the STF, the officials said.

The gang had multiple websites which offered holiday packages. Their contact address would also be different in those websites. They would wait for queries regarding travel and holidays and then call back the gullible people and ask them to transfer money, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, STF, Raj Kumar Mishra.

So far over 2,000 complaints have been received against the group and most of them are from Rajasthan, UP and Haryana. Recently, they had duped a man of Rs 1.20 lakh by offering a holiday package in Lakshadweep, Mishra said.

Those held have been identified as Aamir Sohail, Vibha Tiwari, Surya Pratap Singh and Deep Kishor, the STF said.

An FIR under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (fraud) and provisions of the Information Technology Act, has been registered against them at Kasna police station, the STF said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:25:26|Editor: huaxia

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Retired doctor Dong Jie, once combated the SARS epidemic in 2003, joins the frontline of China's coronavirus battle.
Health authorities here have urged the people to regularly clean surfaces of commonly used items, including phones.

During a news conference on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health's director of medical services Kenneth Mak advised people to ensure that they clean the surfaces of their phones, stressing that the virus is spread by droplets and contamination of surfaces, according to Channel NewsAsia.

He added that there is currently no established evidence that the deadly virus which has claimed at least 1300 deaths and infected more than 60,000 others so far spreads in the air.

Mak also said that there have been messages "with good intentions" circulating among the public to encourage good practices, but reiterated that hand-washing is the "single best defence" against community spread.

"The best form of advice I can give you to defend yourself is, in fact, washing your hands regularly and frequently with soap and water, and also to be mindful of the things that you commonly touch," he said.

Those who are sick should see a doctor as soon as possible, he said, adding that patients should not go to multiple doctors as this could make it difficult to establish if they have been sick for prolonged periods of time.

Meanwhile, TODAYOnline, a Singapore-based English-language digital news provider, in one of its report, has stated that out of the 50 patients who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus Covid-19 in Singapore so far, more than a handful had visited a doctor twice or thrice before it was confirmed that they were infected by the virus.

The initial symptoms of the Covid-19 coronavirus are similar to flu or the common cold, said Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, and that is why general practitioners are sometimes not able to identify patients who are suspected of having the virus on their first visit to the clinic.

This is the reason why some patients receive a diagnosis after one visit to the clinic while others require multiple visits before testing positive for the virus, the online daily noted.

As the virus may not be easily detected in some infected patients early in the course of the disease, a second sample for testing taken on a different day or at a different time would help to reduce the risk of a false-negative result, said Prof Hsu.

In situations where a patient is a high suspect case and his test comes back negative, Dr Leong said he should go to see the doctor again to look for an alternative diagnosis.

Till Wednesday, six more patients were discharged from the hospital, bringing the number of people who recovered to 15. Thirty-five cases remain in hospital, including eight in the Intensive Care Unit.

The coronavirus originated from a seafood market in city of Wuhan, the capital of central Chinese province of Hubei, last December.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON  For Bernie Sanders, not all victories are created equal.

In 2016, Sanders carried New Hampshire by 22 points, pummeling Hillary Clinton and setting the stage for a protracted fight over the Democratic presidential nomination. On Tuesday, he won the states primary by less than 2 points, raising questions about his ability to broaden his coalition beyond his most loyal supporters.

But the Vermont senator is benefiting from a crowded and fractured primary field, with several moderate candidates dividing up the rest of the vote. Taken together, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Joe Biden drew support from more than 50% of New Hampshire voters  twice as much as Sanders.

Its clear that a majority of Democrats do not want Bernie Sanders to be the nominee, said Ben LaBolt, who advised President Barack Obamas 2008 campaign. But if the more pragmatic candidates do not consolidate in the weeks ahead  especially those hanging by a thread in the single digits  Sanders has a very real chance of winning the nomination.

Sanders has energized young voters and liberals with his calls for a Medicare for All health care system and free college tuition. Yet his pricey policy proposals and his standing as a self-described democratic socialist have some in the party on edge, fearful he would struggle to defeat President Trump and damage Democrats prospects of holding or picking up congressional seats in more moderate parts of the country.

Yet the top tier of the Democratic field shows no signs of shrinking as the primary shifts to more diverse states. And it will only get more crowded as Mike Bloomberg, who is blanketing the delegate-rich states that vote March 3 with hundreds of millions of dollars in advertisements, starts showing up on ballots.

If anything, questions about Sanders strength, and uncertainty about which moderate is best to take him on, seem to be giving candidates incentive to stay in as long as they have money to fund their campaigns. That fundraising challenge becomes more urgent for Biden, as well as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a progressive candidate who finished a disappointing fourth in New Hampshire.

Though the Democratic race is in its early stages  just two states have voted and the vast majority of delegates are still in play  the primary has echoes of the 2016 Republican primary. Trump consistently won contests with about one-third of the vote, while his competitors split up the rest of the electorate.

In the 2016 New Hampshire primary, for example, Trump carried 35% of the vote, while more centrist competitors John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Chris Christie divided up more than 40% of the electorate.

Julie Pace is an Associated Press writer.
Diners at a hotel in Naivasha, Nakuru County scampered for their lives after a sickly-looking man of Asian descent entered the eatery and ordered food.

K24 TV on Tuesday reported that the incident occurred near Kamere Estate at a restaurant that is popular with foreigners. As the Chinese looking man ordered his food, diners fled the scene out of fear of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

The man was definitely sick and due to fear of the coronavirus, people fled from the hotel before he also left, an eyewitness identified as Joel Wahome told K24 TV.

He said residents in the area have been living in fear given that there are tens of Chinese nationals working in various projects in the area, including geothermal drilling and SGR.

Health officials who were alarmed by the incident at the restaurant went to the scene but found the foreigner had left. They, however, resolved not to take any chances and began training workers in disease surveillance in the county.

Our officers had been informed of an ailing foreigner but on arriving in the hotel he had already left and no one had is personal details, Nakuru Health Chief Officer Samuel Kingori said.

We shall conduct a three-day training workshop for select health workers in the country in the wake of the outbreak in China, he added.

Kingori noted that Nakuru would be the first county in Kenya to train its health workers on surveilling the new coronavirus.
Love Island fans were left unimpressed with newcomer Jamie Clayton on Wednesday's episode after he scolded Callum Jones for his behaviour in Casa Amor.

Jamie, 28, promised Shaughna Phillips that he'd speak to her scaffolder ex, 23, after he cheated on her with his now new partner Molly Smith.

And the Scottish recruitment consultant stayed true to his word as he sat Callum down for a 'brutally honest' chat.

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Oh dear: Love Island fans were left unimpressed with newcomer Jamie Clayton on Wednesday's episode after he scolded Callum Jones for his behaviour in Casa Amor

Jamie said: 'Can I have a quick talk, see where you are at. How do you think you handled things in Casa Amor?'

He added: 'If I was going to be brutally honest, if I had any mates that were potentially thinking about swaying, I'd probably be like, "Look mate, hold back"...'

To which Callum replied: 'To me, it wasn't a decision  "is it Shaughna or is it Molly?"  as soon as I clicked, I thought this is right for me.'

A chat: Jamie, 28, promised Shaughna Phillips that he'd speak to her scaffolder ex, 23, after he cheated on her with his now new partner Molly Smith

Awks: And the Scottish recruitment consultant stayed true to his word as he sat Callum down for a 'brutally honest' chat

He continued: 'No right or wrong way to go about it, when in there, Casa Amor, the way it was feeling, it was natural. It was just there, I was going to do what was right for me at the end of the day.'

With Jamie asking: 'If it were to happen again for example, with Molly, then...,' to which Callum insisted: 'I know for a fact it wont happen again... I am dead set on Molly.'

Jamie later commented in the Beach Hut: 'I just think, if anyone was in the position to tell Callum, especially from a male perspective, that simply isn't on, then that should be me.'

Position: Jamie later commented in the Beach Hut: 'I just think, if anyone was in the position to tell Callum, especially from a male perspective, that simply isn't on, then that should be me.'

While Callum was left confused over the confrontation, as he later remarked in the private room: 'I thought it was strange, he doesn't know me.'

And Mike Boateng was equally as baffled as he observed their chat and remarked: 'What is he trying to do... be a knight in shining armour?'

And the chat didn't go down well with fans who asked who Jamie 'thinks he is' for pulling Callum over for a chat.

Confused: While Callum was left confused over the confrontation, as he later remarked in the private room: 'I thought it was strange, he doesn't know me.'

Baffled: And Mike Boateng was equally as baffled as he observed their chat and remarked: 'What is he trying to do... be a knight in shining armour?'

One person said: 'Eh who does that Jamie think he is telling Callum off [crying laughing emoji] #LoveIsland.'

A different user put: 'Who does Jamie think he is to be telling Callum he was wrong. Just shut up man #LoveIsland.'

Another follower commented: 'Who does Jamie think he is trying to tell Callum about himself? Hes just walked into the villa #LoveIsland.'

Not impressed: And the chat didn't go down well with fans who asked who Jamie 'thinks he is' for pulling Callum over for a chat

While a different account added: 'Who does Jamie think he is, pulling Callum for a chat about his behaviour... he doesnt know you mate looool #LoveIsland.'

Yet despite his heroic efforts, Jamie failed to win over Shaughna as the democratic services officer, 25, randomly admitted she has feelings for Luke Mabbott, 24.

Love Island continues on Thursday at 9pm on ITV2.
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HARRISBURG  The top Republican in the Pennsylvania Senate announced late Wednesday that he is not running for reelection, becoming the second ranking GOP lawmaker in the Capitol to seek retirement in a pivotal election year.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) said in a statement that his decision was personal, not political, and that he looked forward to spending more time with his family after nearly 20 years in the legislature.

I have worked with five governors and throughout this time I am proud to have been a leading advocate for rural Pennsylvania values, Scarnati said in a statement.

He declined to comment further when reached by phone Wednesday evening.

Though he largely worked behind the scenes, Scarnati has for the better part of a decade helped set the policy agenda in the Capitol. Unlike some Republican leaders in Harrisburg, he was widely viewed as able to compromise with Democrats at a time of increasing partisanship.

His willingness to work with Democrats at times became a double-edged sword, with more conservative Republicans complaining that he conceded core GOP ideology for the sake of cutting deals.

Early in his tenure in leadership, Scarnati also came under scrutiny for accepting a free trip to the Super Bowl from a natural gas driller (he later said he intended to repay the company).

And last year, a series by Spotlight PA and The Caucus revealed that Scarnati topped the list of lawmakers who shielded lavish campaign spending  including overseas trips and expensive meals  by not reporting the details to the public.

Scarnati is the second top Republican in as many months to announce his retirement. Earlier this year, House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) said he would not run for another two-year term.

The retirements are expected to be a blow to GOP fund-raising efforts in a critical election year. Outside the policy arena, Scarnati, like Turzai, had been a prolific fund-raiser for Republican legislative candidates across the state. It is a role he was widely expected to step into again this year, as Democrats in both chambers seek to take the majority from Republicans.

Scarnatis announcement came just days before the states deadline to file petitions to get on the ballot. Several candidates are expected to vie for his seat.

John Herm Suplizio, the city manager of DuBois, was introduced earlier this week at the Elk County Republican Party meeting as Scarnatis replacement candidate.

Grace Jesberger, a longtime member of the Elk County Republican Party, said in an interview Wednesday night that State Rep. Cris Dush (R., Jefferson) was at the meeting and spoke to members about his interest in running for the seat. He left nomination papers behind, she said.

Reached for comment Wednesday, Dush said: I am running.

Spotlight PA receives funding from nonprofit institutions and readers like you who are committed to investigative journalism that gets results. Become a Founding Donor today at spotlightpa.org.
The provincial Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a Winnipeg man convicted of several drug trafficking charges during a national sting in 2014.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The provincial Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a Winnipeg man convicted of several drug trafficking charges during a national sting in 2014.

Jason Morris Ong was one of 14 people, including nine Manitobans, charged during what the Manitoba Integrated Organized Crime Task Force called Project Distress, a 15-month investigation that culminated in officers raiding several houses in Winnipeg and one in the R.M. of MacDonald.

Ong was convicted in 2017 of three counts of trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and the possession of proceeds of crime. He received two concurrent eight-year sentences as a result, but went before the Court of Appeal on Jan. 30 of this year in an attempt to get his charges dropped.

Along with the others charged, Ong was convicted after a civilian agent with a history of drug trafficking was brought in by the task force with the intention of negotiating transactions with buyers. That agent, using a privacy software called PGP, negotiated three sales with someone with the PGP address ChicagoCubs.

"Several months after...the accused was arrested in possession of the ChicagoCubs phone," the court decision said.

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Ong then challenged his arrest, and sought to have the phone excluded as evidence in his trial under Section 24.2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, arguing that the police lacked reasonable grounds to believe he was ChicagoCubs.

A judge ruled the information supporting the conclusion that Ong was ChicagoCubs was "substantial" and that the phone itself served as circumstantial evidence. At trial, the appeal decision reads, more evidence, including testimony, was brought forth, and the judge was "satisfied that 'the only reasonable inference to be drawn...is that [the accused] was ChicagoCubs.'"

In appeals court, it was decided that the trial judge didn't "materially misapprehend" evidence or make any error with the circumstantial evidence."

"We are also not convinced that the verdicts were unreasonable," the decision reads. "It was for the trial judge to draw the line between speculative and reasonable inferences; in our view, she could reasonably have come to the decision she reached."

In January, the R.M. of Macdonald's Jared Devloo, also convicted following Project Distress, had his appeal of his 10-year sentence for drug trafficking dismissed by the court of appeal.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
L loyd Blankfein is a sensitive soul. You might think that a personal fortune estimated at north of

$1 billion would insulate you from normal insecurities, but the former Goldman Sachs chief is a worrier.

Lately hes been tweeting about politics, getting into rows with the Democratic Presidential candidates, none of whom seem to fit his bill.

Senator Elizabeth Warren was accused of tribalism and heading towards a kind of demagoguery after some fairly mild proposals for a wealth tax which he saw as a war on billionaires.

He used to be a moderate Democrat, but was now seen as a Right-winger because: I dont want to blow up the financial system. Since he was CEO of Goldman Sachs during the financial crash of 2008 and saw his firm enjoy massive government support to get through it, we might think he certainly had a decent crack at blowing it up. Hes not big on irony.

Yesterday Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders earned his ire because he will ruin our economy and doesnt care about our military. Really.

I had a group meeting with Blankfein once. On matters related to Goldman or banking in general, he was impressive. On pretty much everything else he was like your dads drunk brother, sitting in the corner ranting about the French, as if they had anything to do with dinner being late.

Someone asked him a question about the economy. Suddenly he was banging on about communism, which was apparently everywhere.

Everyone looked at each other and shrugged. What did communism have to do with it?

Some say Blankfein should pipe down. I hope he keeps going. When bankers talk about things outside their expertise it serves to remind us that they arent that much cleverer than the rest of us.
The race to replace Brendan Howlin as leader of the Labour Party could be even more crowded as a further TD failed to rule himself out of any contest.

TDs Alan Kelly, Aodhan O Riordain and Ged Nash are all understood to be interested in seeking to lead the party with its new reconfigured Dail team of six.

And newly-elected TD Duncan Smith has now also not ruled himself out of entering a race: There are people I respect in the party, in the local organisation that I want to discuss that with.

Mr Smith added that it is unlikely at this stage that he would enter the leadership race but repeated: Im not ruling anything out."

Labour's executive board will meet this weekend to approve arrangements for the election of the next leader. The nomination period is then expected to remain open for at least a week. The race can then be allowed run for up to six weeks.

Any candidate who wishes to contest the position will need the nomination of two Oireachtas members, one which can include themselves; or five local party branches which amount to a minimum 10% of the Labour's membership.

Mr Howlin announced his resignation on Wednesday evening after another disappointing election for Labour. The party won six seats in the general election, down from a high of 37 back in 2011, when it last went into government with Fine Gael.

Aodhan O Riordain

Previously a school principal at a Dublin inner city school, Aodhan O Riordain rose through the Labour ranks quickly in the 2011 coalition, where he was a junior justice minister, with responsibility for drugs.

He was a prominent figure in the abortion repeal campaign and has campaigned for free education.

He managed to retake his seat in Dublin Bay North in the recent election, after spending the last term in the Seanad. There is mixed support for O Riordain for the leadership, but he is by far one of the strongest voices for Labour and citizen's rights.

Nonetheless, he could find it difficult to secure membership support outside the capital.

Ged Nash

A strong supporter of trade unionism and workers rights, Ged Nash managed to retake his seat in Louth in the general election, after spending the last term in the Seanad.

He worked to increase the minimum wage and to strengthen workers' rights as a junior enterprise minister in the previous Fine Gael-Labour coalition.

Nash commands wide support among the party membership. His strength would be the traditional support from unions, while he could be a compromise candidate if the leadership race threatened to split the party.

The Drogheda-native also campaigned and legislated against zero-hours working contracts when in power.

Alan Kelly

Tipperary TD Alan Kelly has made no secret of his leadership ambitions in the party, but was outnumbered last time when Brendan Howlin took over.

The outspoken party health spokesman is a firebrand TD and has made a name for himself fighting for supports for cervical screening patients among others, while he also had a prominent role in the high-profile Public Accounts Committee in the last Dail.

He was also housing minister in the previous Dail under the then Fine Gael-Labour coalition.

He may command huge support from the party's membership, particularly from outside Dublin, but he could struggle in a leadership race to attract the backing of Labour TDs or senators.
The UN Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war in Libya on Wednesday and condemned the recent increase in violence in the oil-rich North African country.

The vote on the British-drafted resolution was 14-0, with Russia abstaining even though Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the 12 leaders who agreed to the plan at a conference in Berlin on Jan. 19.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said he abstained because the government has ``serious doubts'' about whether the resolution can be implemented and end the war between rival governments ``in the way we'd like to see it.``

He said the Berlin plan ``has one defect ... and that is a lack of clearly expressed consent from the Libyan sides themselves.''

``Events will show us who was right,'' Nebenzia said. ``And if the resolution will have a positive impact in resolving the conflict, I will be the first to acknowledge I was wrong.``

British Ambassador Karen Pierce countered that ``the resolution is viable,'' saying all it does ``is give concrete expression to the commitments that leaders adopted at Berlin _ and that included adoption by President Putin.''

``We all want to see it implemented,'' she said. ``But it will be up to the parties on the ground and their foreign backers as to whether or not it gets implemented. So to the Russians and the others who have very close interests in Libya, I would think the remedy is in their hands.''

Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when a civil war toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed. In the chaos that followed the country was divided

A weak administration that holds the capital of Tripoli and parts of the country's west is backed by Turkey, which recently sent thousands of soldiers to Libya, and to a lesser degree Qatar and Italy.

On the other side is a rival government in the east that supports the National Libyan Army's commander Khalifa Hafter, whose forces launched an offensive to capture the capital last April and are backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as well as France and Russia.

Acting US deputy ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet told the council after the vote that it's ``very unfortunate that foreign mercenaries, including from the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group, are making an inclusive political solution harder to achieve'' and making it harder for the two sides to get together.

The resolution demands that all countries refrain from interfering in Libya's conflict and its internal affairs and observe a UN arms embargo, ``including by ceasing all support for and withdrawing all armed mercenary personnel.'' Russia sought unsuccessfully to change references to growing involvement of mercenaries in the initial draft to ``foreign terrorist fighters.''

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week that the Berlin agreement has been repeatedly violated by continuing arms deliveries to the warring parties and escalating fighting.

He called the current offensives by rival forces ``a scandal,'' saying the commitments ``apparently were made without a true intention of respecting them.''

The resolution welcomes last week's cease-fire talks between Libya's warring sides in Geneva and calls for their continuation ``without further delay in order to agree a permanent cease-fire.''

It asks Guterres to submit his views on conditions for a cease-fire and proposals for effective monitoring of a truce, with a view to making detailed recommendations when a cease-fire is announced.

The African Union, European Union and Arab League have been mentioned as possible participants in cease-fire monitoring along with the UN.

Germany's deputy ambassador, Juergen Schulz, said the council was sending ``an important signal for peace in Libya, reaffirming the concrete commitments of all the participants of the Berlin conference.''

He welcomed the timing _ ahead of a Feb. 16 follow-up ministerial meeting of Berlin conference participants on the sidelines of the Munich security conference.

``The swift implementation of the Berlin conclusions is now crucial in light of the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law and reports of mounting civilian casualties,'' Schulz said.

The resolution threatens sanctions against those supporting acts that threaten peace which Schulz said demonstrates the council's ``resolve to hold violators accountable.''

South African Ambassador Jerry Matjila, whose country chairs the African Union, stressed Libya's roots in Africa, saying the arms embargo must be observed to prevent the conflict spilling into the Sahel.

``The African Union has been very ready to play a central role, including the issue of monitoring of peace,'' he said. ``The road ahead is going to be very, very difficult, long. So it really needs all hands on deck, and you couldn't do that without African hands.''

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Damen Shipyards has signed a contract with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications & Transport of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for the supply of five inshore ferries to carry tourists visiting Pemba Island and others nearby in the Zanzibar Archipelago of Tanzania.



Delivery is scheduled for July, when they will begin contributing to the economic development of the semi-autonomous region, said a statement from the company.



The contract is for three vessels of the Damen Ferry 804 design and two of the Damen Ferry 1204 design, together with a spare parts package for the first year of operation and on-site training in operating and maintaining the vessels.



Eight metres and twelve metres in length respectively, they are new variants in Damens small ferry range, capable of carrying 30 and 70 people on benches on an open, self-draining deck with full length awnings.



The hulls are welded aluminium. As part of the brief to deliver easy to maintain vessels, the propulsion systems are single waterjets powered by four-stroke, four-cylinder diesel engines with enclosed cooling systems giving an operational speed of around five knots for both types.



Intended to be capable of fulfilling duties additional to that of transporting tourists and their luggage, Damen has included benches and both types feature bow ramps to allow easy unloading / disembarkation directly on to the sand beaches that are common around the islands.



This procedure is further facilitated by the waterjet propulsion systems that, with stainless steel pumps, are well suited for operations in water with high concentrations of sand and silt.



The ferries are being built at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in the Netherlands, to international standards of both construction and safety.



Paul van der Werf, Damen area service director Africa, said: We are very pleased to be continuing our strong relationship with the government of Zanzibar.



We recently delivered a new Damen Double Hull Oil Tanker 3500, together with a long-term service agreement and training package, and we are confident that these new inshore ferries will provide years of service supporting the local tourism industry, he said.



We have designed them to be ideal for light passenger traffic in warm, protected waters anywhere in the world, particularly in remote locations where support may not be immediately available, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has acknowledged that it will be very, very tricky to construct a Government of the left excluding Fianna Fail and Fine Gael given how the numbers have fallen after last Saturdays election.

What hasnt changed is the need for any new Government of change to be different, and to deliver differently and in terms of connection with peoples everyday lives, Ms McDonald said this afternoon at a photo call for her partys 32 returned TDs at Leinster House.

She said her party is now in discussions with the parties who, along with Sinn Fein, won the election, they being the Social Democrats and the Green Party.

Todays meeting with the former had been a very good meeting, a very constructive meeting, and were going to talk again, she said.

However, she acknowledged that she had also written to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. I havent had a response to that correspondence, but I would also hope to meet with him, she said, adding the caveat there are huge differences between ourselves and Fianna Fail.

She added that so far as she is concerned Mr Martins position of unwillingness to enter Government with Sinn Fein is untenable.

To say that he will not speak to us, to people who represent such a significant section of Irish opinion and citizens anyone who followed the election cant have missed the appetite for change, it was writ large, she said.

Asked regarding the possibility now mooted that Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens might form a grand coalition without Sinn Fein, she said that our analysis is that the best outcome is a totally new Government without Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, I accept that the numbers make that very, very difficult.

The worst outcome would be five more years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael together. I strongly believe that would be step backwards, and I absolutely know that that is not the Government that people voted for, she said.

In terms of Dail salaries should Sinn Fein representatives attain ministerial office, Ms McDonald said that things would continue as they currently do, with deputies contributing 2,500 from their salary to the party each year with their constituency office funded from the remainder.

The party finally abandoned its mandatory requirement that TDs only take home the average industrial wage in the aftermath of the 2016 election. Since then the policy has been a voluntary one.

I imagine it would be the same because as you know the party has grown enormously and we are represented in multiple institutions, she said, adding the party cannot inappropriately intervene in that.

Theres nobody in Sinn Fein who is elected to any office for big careers or big money.

The newest members of the Sinn Fein Parliamentary Party meet for the first time at Leinster House.

Ms McDonald said she is concerned that the British State is rowing back on legacy issues in Northern Ireland with the sacking of Northern Secretary Julian Smith.

We had commitments from Julian Smith that he would move fairly swiftly on these matters, she said.

Mr Smith, who had only been in his role for a number of months, had received broad acclaim for successfully overseeing the restoration of the Northern Irish executive after a period of three years without an administration.

We will look to see who Julian Smiths replacement is, and well be looking to meet with them as a matter of absolute urgency, she said.

Asked meanwhile whether or not she would agree with one of her partys advisers who tweeted - and subsequently deleted - if Sinn Fein representatives could desist from making unnecessary comments that do nothing but sabotage recent and volatile electoral success, Ms McDonald was unequivocal.

Absolutely, bravo, she said.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Junior Achievement of New York (JA New York) announced that Ana Rua, Government Affairs Manager at Crown Castle has joined the Board of Directors. Since 1929, JA New York has worked to provide K-12 students from New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley with the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.

Ana Rua currently leads Crown Castle's New York Government Affairs City & State strategy, where she works to empower underserved communities with telecommunications. She helps shape public policy and opinion by working with residents, influencers, and elected officials. As an immigrant from Colombia, Rua emphasizes social responsibility in her work in both public and private sectors.

Prior to her role at Crown Castle, Rua led Governor Andrew Cuomo's $500 million initiative that connected rural and remote regions of New York State with internet access, and she managed a portfolio of $70 million legacy projects, keeping them on track and on budget by establishing resources for minority and women-owned businesses.

"JA New York has a dynamic relationship with Crown Castle in both New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley, and we are thrilled to welcome Ana Rua to our Board of Directors to continue this great partnership," said Joseph A. Peri, President and CEO of JA New York. He added, "We are confident Ana's experiences working across New York State to empower disenfranchised communities will have a unique and positive impact on the work we do at JA New York."

ABOUT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW YORK

Junior Achievement of New York is the local affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. We recruit, train, and mobilize more than 7,600 corporate and community volunteers to provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA New York delivers more than 102,000 student experiences per year to 330 NYC, Long Island and Lower Hudson Valley schools. Visit www.jany.org for more information.

CONTACT:

Stephanie Zlotnick

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 212-907-0050 ext. 146

SOURCE Junior Achievement of New York
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Congress on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Courts directive asking political parties to publicise on their websites, social media platforms and in newspapers details of candidates with criminal backgrounds they pick to contest elections.

The court expressed concerns over increasing criminalisation of politics on Thursday and said the details should include the nature of the offences, and whether charges have been framed against the candidates.

It [the direction] strengthens the electoral democratic process in enabling the voters to make a choice keeping all factors in mind, said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli. He added that the directive has to be complied with.

Congress spokesperson, Jaiveer Shergill, called the directive an important step towards decriminalising politics. He added it is a vindication of Congress leader Rahul Gandhis fight against the criminalisation of politics and his stand to make politics free from crime and criminals.

Shergill attacked the BJP and called it is a believer in politics of crime and criminals and not clean and clear politics.

He added the historic direction has come at a time when the BJP has appointed Anand Singh as a minister in Karnataka despite 15 cases of corruption against him.

Singh, who was arrested in 2015 on charges of illegal transportation of iron ore, was inducted into chief minister B S Yediyurappas ministry in Karnataka on February 6. The pending cases against him include one under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.

Shergill said Singhs appointment is a stamp of approval for the Bellary mine scam by none other than the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] and the state chief minister.

He added Singhs induction is also an endorsement of the fact that the BJP does not believe in corruption-free government rather believes in corruption and corrupt loaded government.

The crux of the matter today is that the BJP is the provider, protector, and beneficiary of the gang of criminals and gangsters who are mushrooming in this country and now sitting in Parliament of India.

Shergill said the Congress was on the path of decriminalising politics with a strong commitment to cleanse politics and to make it free from crime and criminals. ...no political party today can admit that their candidates selection is absolutely crime-free. But looking at the statistics prevalent in the public domain and if you have to weigh them in the scales of who has the clear intent to cleanse the politics, it is the Congress. Out of the 106 members of Parliament, who have cases of serious crime registered against them, 92 are from the BJP and 6 from the Congress. This is why we will achieve the target of decriminalisation of politics in a fast and speedy manner.

The BJP declined to comment on the allegations.

Congresss chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, tagged a news report on Singhs appointment in Karnataka as the forest, environment and ecology minister and tweeted: Today itself, Modi ji has torn to shreds the orders of giving reasons for giving tickets to leaders accused in cases.
Days after two people were killed in a car accident at a village in Ballari district, reports have emerged that a Karnataka minister's son was allegedly involved in it even as police dismissed them.

Speaking to media, Ballari Superintendent of Police C K Baba ruled out the involvement of the minister's son and said a pedestrian and a person in the car were killed.

The car driver suffered minor injuries, he said.

The SP said the Mercedes Benz car was proceeding to Bengaluru when it fatally knocked down the 19-year-old pedestrian.

".. patient cannot be changed while being treated in the hospital. You must have seen the vehicle.. There is no question of changing the driver," he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress demanded a through investigation into the accident.

"Innocent man killed due to reckless driving by a minister's son should get justice. Police should conduct thorough investigation," it tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Politicians, union members, teachers and parents gathered at the Cione Recreation Center for a press conference calling on Governor Wolf to declare a state of emergency over the asbestos crisis in Philadelphia. Read more

A group of federal and local officials is preparing to ask Gov. Tom Wolf to issue a formal disaster declaration for the Philadelphia School District, citing the growing number of school closures because of potentially toxic asbestos exposure.

Their push, detailed at a Thursday news conference, came as district officials closed two more city schools  Barton Elementary in Feltonville and Sullivan Elementary in Frankford  because of damaged asbestos. So far this school year, nine schools and an early childhood program have been shut because of the potential danger to children and staff.

In 2018, Wolf formally declared a state of emergency over the opioid epidemic, which allowed the state broader latitude to fight a public health problem.

Jerry Jordan, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president, said such a declaration is necessary because we need something to happen now. Children attend this school system, and our members are working in these buildings every day."

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Phila.), also speaking at the news conference, called the districts environmental situation a four-alarm fire. We need help from Washington, and we need help from Harrisburg.

State Sen. Larry Farnese said Philadelphia students were being treated as second-class citizens.

How many more schools do we need to have closed before Harrisburg takes action and recognizes that we are in crisis? Farnese asked.

Asked about the possible disaster declaration during an unrelated visit to West Chester University on Thursday morning, Wolf said he had not yet been approached about such a move, but agreed that Philadelphias asbestos problem has to be addressed quickly.

 READ MORE: Dangerous dust, missed asbestos: How Philadelphia's Ben Franklin project went wrong

Wolf last month proposed approving $1 billion in state funding to schools throughout the state for remediation of asbestos and lead. The money would come from an expansion of Pennsylvanias Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

But that remains a proposal, with unlikely prospects of success in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Lyndsay Kensinger, a spokesperson for the governor, addressed a suggestion made Thursday by some legislators that Wolf dip into the states Rainy-Day Fund to pay for a disaster declaration.

The governor cannot take money from the Rainy-Day Fund without two-thirds legislative approval, she said. Declaring a state of emergency would not provide any additional funds for this purpose.

The governors proposed budget contains more than $1.1 billion to be spent on reducing the risk of asbestos, lead, and similar toxins from schools, day-care centers, and other locations, Kensinger added.

At Barton and Sullivan, asbestos problems were flagged in part by staff, who submitted photos of areas they suspected of damage through the PFTs app.

In response to concerns from staff, Jerry Roseman, the PFTs environmental scientist, said he went to Sullivan this month and saw several areas of damaged asbestos, including an imminent hazard in Room 300. He alerted district officials, who closed off the room.

The district had completed a federally mandated inspection of Sullivan in early December. That inspection, by a district-hired environmental firm, flagged about 50 areas of asbestos in questionable condition, Roseman said.

But only one area had been fixed, Roseman said, when he visited Sullivan on Feb. 5. The other areas were considered minor and left alone.

Of equal concern were several areas of damaged lead paint that Roseman saw during his inspection, including in the gymnasium, which doubles as a cafeteria.

There was damaged lead paint right over lunchroom tables, said Roseman.

Contractors are in the midst of a classroom modernization project at Sullivan, and it appeared as if lead paint was disturbed during the construction work without following the districts own in-place procedures for lead paint, Roseman said  a breach similar to one found at Hopkinson Elementary in Juniata, where workers apparently replaced ceiling tiles without precautions necessary for material adjacent to asbestos-insulated pipes.

The decision to close Barton was made Wednesday after Roseman and district environmental consultants walked through the school and documented several areas of damaged asbestos, also discovering an attic heavily contaminated by the carcinogen.

As in so many Philadelphia School District buildings, the Sullivan and Barton situations arose as a result of long-term neglect, Roseman said. All of these schools were found to have damaged asbestos in multiple locations that are normally occupied by students and staff.

Jordan said the district agreed to a quick closure, a change from some closures that the district fought.

Weve been battling with them about schools that needed to be closed  like McClure and Ben Franklin  and they resisted, Jordan said. But this was the right decision.

Staff writer Susan Snyder contributed to this article.
This is a two-part feature on graduate students Crystal Grant and Daniel Desautels who were named Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellows by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.



Part 2: Daniel Desautels

Daniel Desautels is one of two students from the Laney Graduate School participating in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicines Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. from Jan 21 to April 10.

The fellowship is named in honor of the late NAS Policy Fellow Christine Mirzayan, who was murdered before completing her fellowship to move on to the Association for the Advancement of Sciences Congressional Fellowship. Now the Mirzayan grant gives graduate students hands-on experience with the development of science and technology policy by way of research projects.

A student in the Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution (PBEE) program at LGS, Desautels studies how infectious diseases are affected by the environment with biology professor David Civitellos Lab. Specifically, he is researching the relationship between invasive plants and parasitic worms called schistosomes or blood flukes, which cause schistosomiasis in humans.

Its one of the most pervasive neglected tropical diseases in the world, Desautels said. I want to understand how the plants affect how the disease spreads so we can learn how to manage the plants, which are a problem of their ownwithout inadvertently increasing the number of humans exposed to the disease.

During his undergraduate studies in microbiology and life sciences communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Desautels became interested in science policy while studying with a professor who encouraged him to combine his various areas of interest, such as biology, sociology and human health.

All different types of things that I was interested in, look at big picture world problems, Desautels explained. I chose to do biology in graduate school to become an expert in my field and take that scientific knowledge into the policy world.

The research Desautels conducts with his lab is a prime example of how policy and science intersect. One of the field sites where the Civitello Lab studies schistosomiasis is Lake Victoria in Kenya. While in Kenya, lab members have looked at the ways in which local communities manage invasive plant species.

Here at Emory, I am replicating very small, hundred-liter versions of the lake and trying out different management protocols to see what the effect on human health will be, Desautels explained. A further step would be interacting with those communities, involving them in the process

According to Civitello, many of Desautels experiments are difficult to pull off, and while Desautels work will not necessarily be implemented as a policy, developing an effective means to manage the invasive plants will require Desautels to take into account the social, cultural and economic factors that will impact the communities around Lake Victoria before the residents use the management techniques.

His interest in the project is fueled by his broader interest to connect science and policy, and that really motivates him to pull off these tough experiments, Civitello said. My main goal is to help students identify their career goals and the freedom to pursue important early career training experiences. Dan earned this opportunity against a competitive field of applicants, and I know it will impact his career in science policy.

Gaining hands-on experience of how all of these political factors come together is Desautels next step as he prepares to work with the NASs Committee on Population.

He will be working on three separate projects that will focus on the increase of mid-life mortality, the implications of an aging workforce, and health outcomes for LGBTQ youth in the U.S. Most of the scientific work for the LGBTQ youth project has already been completed, so Desautels will work on writing up the final policy recommendations and the research summary.

But his other two assignments will be more intensive.

Our goal is to work on all three so that I can see what goes into these projects at different stages for a breadth of understanding so that, in the future, I can pinpoint what aspects of science policy interest me, Desautels said.

At Wisconsin-Madison, Desautels participated in science outreach programs with his lab, working in conjunction with Wisconsin Science Festival through Wisconsin-Madisons Institute of Discovery to host science nights for elementary school students. Desautels sees the Mirzayan Fellowship as an avenue to become more involved in science advocacy.

Desautels believes scientists should be more active in politics. Demonstrations like 2017s the March for Science are one example of advocacy in which he would like to see members of the scientific community participate. For him, the generation of knowledge through science takes on a new life once it has been published.

The science has to go out into the world and into society and affect everyones everyday lives, Desautels said. Even if you dont go into science policy, just understanding how your science affects policy can help you be a better scientist andbe mindful of the connections your work has with other aspects of society.
BRIDGEPORT  The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has turned to subpoenas in response to Connecticuts sanctuary policies for immigrants.

On Thursday, ICE served immigration subpoenas to the State of Connecticut Court Support Services Division officials, requesting information on three criminal alien public safety threats, ICE said in a statement.

Its unfortunate that elected officials in Connecticut seem unable to grasp the public safety threat posed by the criminal illegal aliens these officials are attempting to shield, said Todd M. Lyons, the ICE acting director for the Boston field office. These are the same criminals whove already been arrested for crimes by state and/or local law enforcement, often perpetrated against the very immigrant communities these officials claim to be protecting. Despite these short-sighted, reckless sanctuary-for-criminal-aliens policies, ICE will continue to use all available legal tools to safeguard the public.

ICE, according to the statement, has not had to resort to subpoenas to get information from law enforcement in other states.

Connecticut, however, is not alone. ICE, in recent weeks, has issued immigration subpoenas to authorities in New York City and Denver, the statement said.

In Connecticut, the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security is seeking details on three men who were arrested, convicted and later released by the state Department of Correction. For all three, ICE had lodged a detainer against them.

According to the ACLU, an ICE detainer is known as an immigration hold.

An ICE detainer is a written request that a local jail or other law enforcement agency detain an individual for an additional 48 hours after his or her release date in order to provide ICE agents extra time to decide whether to take the individual into federal custody for removal purposes, the ACLU said.

A spokesperson for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch said the subpoenas have been forwarded to the Judicial Branchs Legal Services unit for review.

The spokesperson also provided a link to the Trust Act, which was amended in May and set conditions for state and local law enforcement authorities for voluntary cooperation with ICE. The modified law prohibits law enforcement from detaining someone solely on the basis of a civil immigration detainer unless the person is guilty of the most serious felonies, is on the terrorist watch list or a judicial warrant has been issued.

None of the three men were convicted of the most serious felonies: class A or B. The statement from ICE did not state if any are on a terrorist watch list or if a judicial warrant had been issued.

An immigration judge did issue a final order of removal against one of them. A 31-year-old Honduran man who was illegally in the county was convicted of second-degree manslaughter following a hit-and-run incident that caused the death of a Connecticut driver in New Haven in 2016. The Honduran national, who had served three years of a reduced sentence, was released in January 2020 by the state Department of Correction despite a final order of removal issued and despite ICEs having lodged a detainer against him, ICE said.

ICE is also seeking information on a 20-year-old Guatemalan man who was arrested in Stamford and convicted of third-degree burglary and second-degree robbery charges in October 2019. He was released by the state of Connecticut Department of Correction in January 2020, as a result of Connecticuts sanctuary policies, despite ICE having lodged a detainer against him, the statement said.

Finally, a 21-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, who was convicted of two counts of narcotics possession with intent to sell, was released by the state of Connecticut Department of Correction, despite ICE having lodged a detainer for him. The ICE statement did not say when he was released.

ICE is attempting to locate all three removable aliens who remain at large, and present a threat to the public, as a direct result of the State of Connecticuts deliberate policy of providing sanctuary for criminal illegal aliens, the statement said.
As the sun rose, vibrant shades of purple, pink and yellow glimmered, playing hide and seek from the protective husks of the glass gem corn. City-based sustainable farmers Abhinav Gangumalla and Renu Rao rejoiced as they harvested the corn after years of trial and error at their farm at Kaukuntla, near Vikarabad in Hyderabad.

For Renu Rao, a designer by profession, who is Abhinavs partner at the farm, holding the corn in their hands for the first time was quite a momentous affair. Glass gem corns, a crop native to North America, are vibrant-hued corn kernels that look like gems. We have been trying to crack the process since 2013 but finally managed to grow this rare species of corn. We are ecstatic, says an excited Renu.

The duo had planted the crops seeds in November last year and harvested it in February this year. Initially, we waited imagining that the final crop will be of the normal size of corn. But despite being fully grown, the corn was only one-third the size of the corn we usually get in India, Abhinav explains.

As regards their repeated failed attempts to grow the glass gem corns, Telangana soil is very different from that of the native environment of these corns, so to grow them here, we had to use raised beds of black soil," explains Renu. But from now on, we plan to plant the seeds in both red and black soils to check if they grow in the same manner or not.

Bringing back biodiversity

Since their inception in 2014, the farm Beyond Organic has been conserving native seeds and growing new varieties in a seasonal manner. Abhinav and Renu, who travel for extensively their respective works, get seeds of plants and veggies local to the regions they travel to, hoping to can grow them at their farm, too. With the latest addition of glass gem corn, both Abhinav and Renu are all gung-ho about working together towards biodiversity in the future, too. As we come to the end of our interaction, Abhinav tells us that all the produce from the farm are for personal consumption. We distribute them to our near and dear ones, too. Sometimes, we get calls from chefs asking if we can produce speciality crops, which is when we produce and sell commercially. For the future, we are looking forward to expanding our horizon of biodiversity while raising awareness among others about it, he says concluding.
The Guangdong Women's Federation offers service of delivering fresh vegetables to medical worker's families. [cnwomen.com.cn]

Women's federations across the country are making great efforts to care for the families of the medical workers aiding the novel coronavirus control efforts in Central China's Hubei Province. The federations have raised money for the medical workers' family members, delivered fresh vegetables, and offered psychological counseling services to them, helping the medical workers better concentrate on their work.

Fresh Vegetables Delivered to Medical Workers' Families in Guangdong

An activity of caring for the families of the medical team members of South China's Guangdong Province to aid epidemic control efforts in Hubei Province was held on February 8. It was organized by the Guangdong Women's Federation, Guangdong Provincial Health Commission and the Guangdong Women and Children's Foundation (GWCF).

On that day, 470 boxes of fresh vegetables, rice, eggs and sweet potatoes were packaged to be delivered to the medical workers' families.

Yang Jia, Vice-President of the Guangdong Women's Federation, said that the activity was expected to care for the medical staff assisting the epidemic prevention and control efforts in Hubei and their families, to help the medical workers relieve their anxiety.

Women's federations in the province rapidly responded to the move. The Guangzhou Women's Federation collected the information of the medical workers' family members, understood their needs, and it mobilized all sectors of society to donate to the families. The Guangzhou Women Entrepreneurs Association, Guangzhou Women Entrepreneurs Development Promotion Association and Guangzhou Ruisen Biotechnology Co. Ltd donated 300,000 yuan (US $42,967) to the GWCF. A housekeeping service platform prepared to offer housekeeping services to the families in the future.

The Shantou Women's Federation together with the Shantou Women Entrepreneurs Association initiated a charity activity to care for the city's medical staff working on epidemic prevention and control on February 9. Free vegetables, meat and eggs will be offered twice a week for five consecutive weeks to the families of 100-plus female medical workers.

Women's Federations in Jiangsu Provide Considerate Services

Mobilized by the Jiangsu Women's Federation and the Jiangsu Women and Children's Foundation, the women's federations at all levels in East China's Jiangsu Province have offered services to the family members of the province's medical workers aiding the epidemic prevention efforts in Hubei.

Officials of the women's federations have sent protective equipment to the family members, purchased sport suits for frontline medical staff in need, and delivered free vegetables to their families once a week. The federations have also provided psychological assistance to the families through the hotline "12338," to help them relieve pressure and solve their legal questions. Women volunteers have offered one-on-one services to impoverished families.

The Wuxi Women's Federation used an app to offer vegetable delivery services to the families of the city's medical workers fighting against the virus in Hubei. The families will receive the vegetables the next day after they place an order.

The Taizhou Women's Federation started the vegetable delivery service on February 7. The first batch of fresh vegetables was delivered to the families of 15 medical workers aiding the epidemic prevention efforts in Hubei.

The province's federation and women and children's foundation launched an action on January 26, to raise money for the frontline medical workers. Enterprises, public-benefit institutions and individual donors donated more than 14 million yuan (US $2.05 million).

Women's Federations in Xinjiang Show Concern for Medical Workers' Families

Officials of the Urumqi Women's Federation served as psychological counselors to medical workers' family members.

In Hami City, volunteers delivered meals for more than 40 medical personnel in the Hami Central Hospital. A women volunteer in Altay City provided free food to children and elderly people whose family members were working on the frontline.

The Kashgar Women's Federation learned that the family members of 5,180 frontline medical workers needed to be taken care of, so it mobilized the women's federations at the city and county levels to learn the needs of the family members and care for the families in need.

A work team composed of officials from the Women's Federation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region sent books to the family members of the frontline medical workers in Qunbusi Village, and guide them to learn the prevention knowledge.

Huaibei Women's Federation Brings Care to Medical Workers' Families

The Huaibei Women's Federation mobilized the women's federations at various levels in Huaibei, a city in East China's Anhui Province, to organize women volunteers to care for the family members of all the 14 medical workers aiding the epidemic prevention efforts in Hubei and the frontline medical workers fighting against the virus in the city.

The women volunteers have visited their homes and helped them solve their problems, including looking after children and the elderly people, delivering daily necessities, doing household chores and offering psychological counseling.

On the day of Lantern Festival, the city's federation sent fruits, vegetables, milk and yuanxiao, sweet dumplings made of glutinous rice flour, to 20 families of the medical workers.

(Source: cnwomen.com.cn/Translated and edited by Women of China)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  As Madison Bumgarner stood behind a podium, wearing a Diamondbacks cap and street clothes after his first workout at Salt River Fields, he paused a good while when asked if he knew that his final-game at-bat against Clayton Kershaw in San Francisco in September was his last moment with the Giants.

I dont know if I would say that, Bumgarner finally responded. I definitely wouldnt say that.

That was the closest Bumgarner has come to suggesting that he really wanted to return to the Giants, who would not match the five-year, $85 million contract he got from the Diamondbacks. The Giants offered him four years at just more than $70 million.

Bumgarner has a story about his negotiations with the Giants but still was not ready to tell it Wednesday.

Just like his introduction news conference in December, Bumgarner wanted to limit his comments to his new team and was vague about San Francisco.

Free agency is kind of an interesting road to go down. he said Wednesday. It was fun, a lot of ups and downs throughout the whole deal. I was kind of prepared for a lot of different things.

Right now, Im just excited to be here and excited to get started with the Diamondbacks.

Bumgarner does not expect to face the Giants or any National League West opponent in the Cactus League, but asked if he was already thinking about how he will pitch his former mates during the regular season, he smiled and said, Oh yeah.

He heard about Brandon Belts comments before FanFest that he hopes to homer off Bumgarner, and Brandon Crawfords expectation that he will hit the Big Fella, too.

I wouldnt have seen it, Bumgarner said, but 60 people sent it to me.

Bumgarner was able to answer one question without hesitation, on his expectations for his own work in 2020 and beyond in Arizona.

What I expect of myself is winning a World Series again, he said. Thats why everyone plays this game.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer
Our glaciers are melting thanks to global warming. The result? An alarming video shows a huge chunk of ice more than three times the size of Paris breaking off of one of Earth's most critical ice shelves, Pine Island Glacier (PIG).

The frozen river, along with its neighbor Thwaites, connects the ocean to mainland Antarctica. Increasing global temperatures are affecting the glacier, which if it collapses would lead to a global rise in sea level of four feet.

ESA

A satellite captured the huge chunk of calved ice swiftly breaking into smaller icebergs, called 'piglets'. Scientists at Copernicus have been monitoring the remote glacier for several years via satellites. 57 different images taken over 12 months were brought together in a short video by the European Space Agency (ESA).

It shows a 120square mile (312 sq km) chunk of ice break off from the glacier's main body.

For perspective, this is approximately the size of the island of Malta and three times the size of Paris.

The Copernicus twin Sentinel-1 all-weather satellites have established a porthole through which the public can watch events like this unfold in remote regions around the world. What is unsettling is that the daily data stream reveals the dramatic pace at which climate is redefining the face of Antarctica, Daily Mail quoted Mark Drinkwater, senior scientist and cryosphere specialist at ESA as saying.

ESA

Pine Island is Antarctica's most vulnerable glacier and is the single largest contributor to sea-level rise of any ice stream in the world, so if it keeps depleting at the same rate or faster, it might flood seas across the world.
Three Bangladeshi nationals,



including two women, were arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city for allegedly staying in the country illegally using fake documents, police said on Thursday.

The accused were arrested along with four Indians for their alleged involvement in fabricating documents, counterfeiting currency, prostitution and kidnapping.

The police have arrested Bangladeshi nationals Begum Khatoon alias Megha (30), Lima Haldar (21) and Roni Shaikh (21), who is a pimp, deputy inspector general (Indore) Ruchivardhan Mishra said.

The case came to light when the trio, including Khatoon's husband Kishore Khandare, were arrested on February 8 for allegedly kidnapping a person and demanding a ransom of Rs 2 lakh, he said.

During interrogation, the police found suspicious documents in the accused's possession, he said, adding that the trio had entered India at different times without valid documents.

Khatoon had come to Mumbai about a decade ago and married Khandare, a resident of Maharashtra's Washim district, the senior official said.

She later went back to Bangladesh, got a passport there and returned to India in 2017 after obtaining a visa on the basis of a Bangladeshi passport, he said.

Khatoon later got an Indian passport on the basis of forged documents, the official said.

Khandare also printed counterfeit notes of Rs 100, Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations and circulated them in Pithampur and Mhow, he added.

The three Bangladeshi nationals have got several documents, including Aadhaar cards and school mark sheets, the DIG said.

The police have arrested locals Shiv Kumar Yadav, Ashok Aggarwal and Babulal Gaur for fabricating these documents, he added.

The case is being investigated and the intelligence agencies have been informed about the accused, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Gunn Historical Museums Washington History Club at Night will next meet Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Gunn Memorial Library in Washington.

The meeting will feature a conversation about the town road crew and Washingtons past and present roads.
Kolkata, Feb 13 : Alleging that its supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been "ignored" at the inauguration of the East West Metro, the state's ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday decided to boycott the programme.

The much-awaited project is slated to be inaugurated by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday evening. The metro authorities, however, invited local MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, local legislator Sujit Bose and Chairperson of the Bidhannagar Municipality Krishna Chakraborty, whose names figured in the invitation card.

But the Trinamool Congress took strong exception to Banerjee's name being not there on the card.

Senior Trinamool and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim described it as an "uncivilised act".

"Every metro project here, be it the East West metro, or Airport Metro, all of them were planned by Mamata Banerjee. She got these projects sanctioned when she was Railway Minister. The work on East west Metro was also being done by Union and state Urban Development Ministries.

"Mamata Banerjee had then handed it over to railways. She had fast tracked it," said Hakim.

"Today, I am surprised that she has not been invited. There cannot be a more uncivilised act than the state Chief Minister, who had also planned the project, being ignored and the state government kept in the dark during the inauguration.

"The roads on which the East-West metro will run are all under the supervision of the state Urban Development Department. The state government made these roads free of encumbrances.

"As per the Chief Minister's directive, I have waived a lot of fees and charges concerning these metro projects," he said.

Dastidar said how they could go to the programme when Banerjee herself was ignored.

"If Banerjee is kept away from the inauguration of a project she had planned, why should we be there? There is no question of us attending it. Not inviting Banerjee shows their lack of courtesy," she said.

Chakraborty said she was busy with a number of other important programmes scheduled for the past three months.

Union Minister Babul Supriyo, however, hoped those whose names are printed on the invite would grace the function.

"When Mamata Banerjee was Railway Minister, she had promised to complete it as a central project. But the project got stalled for four years," said Supriyo.

"Hakim's name is there on the invite. The names of local MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, and local legislator Sujit Bose are also there. I hope they will attend the programme. In the interest of the state, we should leave aside our politics. It's a great day for all of us," he said.

However, contrary to Supriyo's claim, Hakim's name was not there on the card.

State BJP President Dilip Ghosh said Banerjee deserves such treatment as she has never shown any respect to anybody.

"We have maintained protocol by inviting the people's representatives - MP, MLA, chairperson of the civic body of the area where the function is taking place.

"Why does Mamata Banerjee indulge in didigiri everywhere? Why should she be called? Has she shown any respect to anybody ever? Does she ever call our MPs, MLAs and councillors at state government programmes? "Do opposition leaders find place in any state panel? On the other hand, she forcibly inaugurates highways, circuit bench (of the Calcutta High Court in Jalpaiguri). She deserves this. Whatever has happened is perfect," said Ghosh.

CPI-M legislator and the leader of the Left Front legislative party Sujon Chakraborty said Trinamool has no moral right to complain, as Banerjee herself, as Railway Minister, had started the trend of opening railway projects without inviting the state government functionaries.

"So, neither Trinamool, nor Mamata Banerjee has any moral right to complain,"he added.
Redlands Fresh Flowers owners Jatinder and Mandeep Nijjar's love blossomed 18 years ago thanks to the help of a "cupid" in the family.

Their arranged marriage in India was a case of good matchmaking skills of an uncle over love at first sight.

The happily married couple and parents to two children spend their days at Redlands Fresh Flowers and the Brisbane Flower Market working together.

Redlands Fresh Flowers' Jatinder and wife Mandeep Nijjar are preparing for one of their busiest days - Valentine's Day 2020. Credit:Jocelyn Garcia

Mr Nijjar handles the farming side while Mrs Nijjar works in customer service.
Cotonou, Benin (PANA)- Beninese Police have apprehended and detained two alleged killers of Gracia Prunelle, a girl abducted by a neighbour, according to a statement by the public prosecutor
What Komasa and company fail to convey, however, is a sense of why Daniels actions are so, well, unforgivable. In the Catholic faith, when a man sets out to become a priest by the appropriate path, the process culminates in his being named an alter Christus, or Christ-like surrogate to his congregation. Theres a divine dimension to this transformation, and yet the movie implies that the community Daniel deceives is better off for his influence, when in fact, he leaves them in greater turmoil than he found them. This points to the ultimate paradox found in nearly all religious-themed cinema: What are we to make of any of it, when the simple act of storytelling obliges the director to play God over his characters? Relative to that, impersonating a priest seems at most a minor peccadillo by comparison.
BARI - From February 15 to March 30, Bari's Castello Svevo will be once again hosting the exhibition 'By Sea: Landings and Shipwrecks'.

The exhibition focuses on migration and the pain that it involves and will be back in the southern Italy port on the occasion of a gathering of Mediterranean bishops at Castello Svevo February 19-22.

The gathering is meant as a chance for reflection on spirituality and will end on February 23 with a mass held by the pope in Piazza Liberta.

Through a seruies of installations, the four artists involved in the exhibition tell of the pain and problems faced by those forced to leave their homeland to survive. Welcoming the 20,000 Albanian refugees from the Vlora ship in 1991 was, for the city of Bari, a historic act.

Duli Cara, an Albanian himself, remembers this in his work entitled 'Exodus-The Pain', which is tapestry with buttons that bear witness to the psychological state of migrants. The welcoming of the survivors of the Adriaticu Dures shipwreck in Bari in 1997 was for Beppe Gernone an experience that left its mark on him as a young reporter, which he shows in the photos exhibited. The shipwreck of the Kir pushed Nicola Genco, years later, to commemorate those 81 deaths at sea years later who had followed a dream that would never become a future. The works of Romolo Belvedere instead sum up the path of a tired humanity, injured and uncertain about what the future holds. A makeshift and always temporary bed of a migrant, made up of a myriad of plastic soldier figurines, evokes the field of a useless battle that invades his dreams.
SPRINGFIELD  Representatives of local building trades unions, meeting with city councilors on Tuesday, renewed a plea that more should be done to ensure that major construction projects in Springfield create more jobs for residents.

Approximately 20 representatives of the building trades met with several councilors during the first meeting of the councils new Workforce Issues Ad Hoc Committee. The union representatives said too many Springfield trades laborers are out of work.

Union representatives said the $960 million MGM Springfield casino project created great construction work for area unions and residents, helping to fulfill city and state mandates for local jobs. The city and state set hiring goals for residents, minorities, veterans and women on the casino project.

Hundreds of those workers, however, are now out of work as many projects, involving or not involving public funds, have gone to contractors outside the region and out-of-state, the union officials said.

"Does it make any sense that these local workers are sitting home with no healthcare or unemployment benefits left and workers from another state are doing their job? said Michael Langone, president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council. "I thought it was great that some of the city councilors wanted to sit down with local labor leaders to hear our concerns, opinions and ideas on the city's workforce issues."

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno defended his record.

My administration has treated the building trade unions very good and my record clearly speaks for itself, Sarno said. Wednesday, declining further comment.

Langone said the main goal of the labor representatives at the meeting was to ensure that city construction projects are being done by local contractors and local workers.

Councilor Victor Davila, chairman of the committee, worked with council President Justin Hurst to create the committee to hear the labor union concerns and seek out solutions.

The goal is for "open lines of communication," Davila said.

Councilors said they have long supported the goal of local hiring including the passage of a stronger Responsible Employer Ordinance (REO) and Tax Increment Financing ordinance in Springfield. Union representatives praised the legislation but some said that additional steps and additional enforcement is needed.

The REO requires contractors on public construction projects to meet minimum hiring requirements for women, minorities, veterans and city residents. It targets projects over $500,000.

The meeting was conducted at the new East Forest Park Library.

Some labor representatives pointed out that the new city library, involving public funds, resulted in the city hiring a Connecticut company as the general contractor.

Peter Garvey, the citys director of capital asset construction, said the library project was publicly bid, and the city hired WJ Mumford of Windsor, Conn., as the successful low bidder. The city was required by law to hire the responsible low bidder, and had also sought sub-bids from contractors in advance of the general contractor related to different aspects of the work, he said.

The unions have raised objections in the past about other construction projects, including a demonstration last May outside the privately owned Skyview Downtown apartments renovation project at 10 Chestnut St.

Related Companies of New York City, the property owner, defended the project at the time, saying that although hiring a New Jersey contractor, most of the work was being done by Springfield-area subcontractors and primarily by union labor, with labor representatives disagreeing. In addition, the project involves private funds, the city solicitor said.

Union representatives have also objected to renovations of the Mason Square Apartments as involving labor done by employees primarily from Eastern Massachusetts. The project involved private and public financing including state and federal historic tax credits.

Some of the labor union representatives this week suggested stronger legislation or stronger enforcement of ordinances regarding projects that involve local funds or local tax incentives.

In addition, some suggested the city consider adopting project labor agreements -- agreements between labor unions and developers by some cities on major projects to guide the construction process and to set work rules.

The project labor agreements do not create added costs for the taxpayers because the union labor is paid the prevailing wages, Langone said.

Councilors attending the meeting included Davila, Hurst, Melvin Edwards and Adam Gomez. Some of the issues that may be discussed in future months could be referred to other council committees for action, councilors said.

Edwards, who was chairman of the committee that developed the Responsible Employers Ordinance for city-funded projects, said it took many years to get legislation on the books.
Surfing the jet stream reduces aviation radiation

Last weekend, British Airways Flight 112 made headlines when it flew from New York to London in less than 5 hours, smashing the speed record for subsonic flight. It did it by surfing the jet stream.

The plane's early arrival had an unintended benefit: Passengers absorbed significantly fewer cosmic rays. Surfing the jet stream, it turns out, is a good way to manage aviation radiation.

Read the full story on Spaceweather.com.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has indicated that he will make concessions to President Donald Trump in a long-standing dispute over the state's pro-immigrant 'sanctuary' policies.

In radio interviews on Wednesday, Cuomo said he would allow federal officials limited access to a Department of Motor Vehicles database if the Trump administration reverses its move to block state residents from Global Entry and other programs that allow travelers to avoid long border security lines.

The governor's unexpected comments came just hours before he is set to meet Trump on Thursday to discuss the issue that's had the pair at odds for the past week.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo indicated that he will make concessions to President Donald Trump in a long-standing dispute over the state's pro-immigrant 'sanctuary' policies just hours before the pair are set to meet on Thursday

New York officials filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the Department of Homeland Security's move to block New York residents from 'trusted traveler' programs, including Global Entry.

Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli announced last week that New Yorkers would no longer be allowed to enroll or re-enroll in the traveler programs.

The ban will affect at least 175,000 residents enrolled in the programs - which include Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST - and about 30,000 commercial truck drivers who make crossings into the US from Canada.

New York's lawsuit claims the Trump administration's decision was intended to punish the state for enacting the Green Light Law - which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses and bars federal immigration agents from accessing state motor vehicle records.

But Cuccinelli said it was a necessary step because New York's new law had endangered public safety by making it tougher for immigration and border agents to quickly confirm someone's identification, check for fugitive warrants or see if a person has a criminal record.

New York officials filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the Department of Homeland Security's move to block New Yorkers from 'trusted traveler' programs, including Global Entry

Cuomo, a Democrat, previously called the Trump administration's move 'extortion' and an effort to punish New York for political purposes, noting that federal officials can access criminal records from the FBI, while state driving records can contain lower-level driving violations.

New York's DMV database now includes people who are in the US illegally but who have driver's licenses.

Cuomo said he believes Trump simply wants access to records on those people, so federal immigration officials can have a 'feeding frenzy.'

He noted that people who are in the US illegally couldn't apply for the 'trusted traveler' programs anyway because it would be tantamount to turning themselves over to federal agents.

'I will never give them access to the DMV database,' Cuomo said Friday. 'And I think that's what they really want.'

The governor said he's calling the Trump administration's 'bluff'.

'Because if they don't accept this, then what they're admitting is they're just playing politics,' Cuomo said.

He pulled back on Wednesday ahead of his meeting with Trump, saying that he will propose limited access to state driving records, but only those belonging to applicants for traveler programs who undergo a sit-down interview with federal officials and supply documents such as a passport.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said Wednesday that the president simply wants to keep Americans safe.

He said that New York City residents understand the importance of ensuring people have proper identification when they enter the country in light of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the city.

'I hope that Gov Cuomo can work with the president and come forward with some type of solution that allows the federal government to do its main function, which is to protect all Americans and their families,' Gidley said.

Trump called Cuomo 'stupid' over the issue last week after he claimed the governor canceled a meeting they had planned.

'Very hard to work with New York - So stupid. All they do is sue me all the time!' the president tweeted.

Trump called Cuomo 'stupid' last week after he claimed the governor canceled a meeting they had planned to discuss the Department of Homeland Security's trusted traveler ban

Trump was responding to a tweet by New York Republican Rep Elise Stefanik, who criticized the Green Light Law.

Stefanik wrote: 'Once again, Governor Cuomo's reckless Green Light Law is hindering our federal and state law enforcement and other agencies from doing their jobs, and is now preventing law abiding citizens from receiving access to important travel programs.

'I warned Governor Cuomo that this irresponsible policy would inhibit our CBP officers at the Northern Border from doing their jobs,' she added.

When the Green Light Law was signed last June, immigrants were seen lining up at DMVs around New York to get their hands on licenses.

More than a dozen states have passed laws allowing people who are not legal US residents to get driver's licenses.

Trump attacked so-called sanctuary cities in his State of the Union address, singling out New York for particular criticism.

Trump highlighted the case of Reeaz Khan, 21, an illegal migrant from Guyana accused of raping and murdering 92-year-old Maria Fuertes in Queens.

ICE has accused New York authorities of denying a detainment request they placed on Khan because of his immigration status after he was arrested six weeks earlier for assaulting his father with a broken coffee mug.

ICE argued the state's sanctuary policies were to blame for the release.
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has mocked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, for saying insurgents had been defeated.

Recall that Buratai said the military had won the war against insurgency as the Boko Haram terrorists do not control any territory in Nigeria.

However, Shekau dismissed his claim, insisting that the insurgents had the upper hand in the war.

He said: Buratai, I am addressing you in your own language; I am speaking your language, but you may not understand it. You claim you have defeated us, but it is a lie. You are a real liar.



He also mocked followers of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, and the Tijjaniyya sect led by Dahiru Bauchi, stressing that the people of Kano and Kaduna were in trouble.

Shekaus statements were contained in a video released 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari visited Borno over last Sundays killings at Auno, even as the Senate, Thursday, urged the Nigerian Army to set up a base at Auno to prevent a recurrence of the killings in the village.

Also, in the video, Shekau said for the remaining Chibok schoolgirls in his custody to be released, the Federal Government must release his men.

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Kabul, Feb 13 : Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) eight times, the maximum number of his trips to a foreign country, since assuming office in 2014, attracting widespread speculation over the nature of these trips, a media report said.

The report by TOLO News on Wednesday showed that in all the eight trips to the UAE, Ghani was accompanied by his security chiefs, including National Security Advisor, the head of National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Abdul Salam Rahimi, his former chief of staff and the current state minister on peace affairs.

The Presidential Palace has claimed that these trips were aimed to further boost economic and political cooperation between the two countries.

"We need to have very close relations with the UAE to enhance our business ties and to find markets for our products," said Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani.

But Sayed Eshaq Gailani, head of Nahzat-e-Hambastagi Afghanistan party, said: "There is a possibility that the trips were made as part of some secretive discussions, but it is certain that these trips brought nothing for Afghanistan." Although the UAE was one of the first governments that officially recognized the Taliban, the relations between the country and the Taliban have faced challenges following the killing of UAE diplomats in Kandahar city on January 10, 2017.

During the NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels in 2017, UAE showed readiness to send its military personnel to Afghanistan if needed.
Elsewedy Industrial Development, a leading regional industrial park developer, service provider and subsidiary of Elsewedy Electric, has kickstarted one of its biggest roadshows across Europe, in Paris, France.



As a part of this initiative which opened during the French Egyptian Commercial and Industrial Day, Engineer Ahmed Elsewedy, president and CEO of Elsewedy Electric and chairman of Elsewedy Industrial Development, and Engineer Mohamed El Kammah, CEO of Elsewedy Industrial Development met with key representatives from the French industry to promote Egypt as a significant investment destination, as well as highlighting Elsewedy Industrial Developments broad scope of businesses, said a statement from the company.



The roadshow will continue through Munich, Stuttgart and Dusseldorf in Germany, over next few days.



In light of the long-standing bilateral relations between Egypt and France and the emerging opportunities in Egypt, Elsewedy Electric signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its clients Business France, a key player who is enhancing French exports and investments worldwide and foreign investments in France.



This MoU aims at promoting joint business initiatives and opportunities between the two organisations through combined efforts.



As a part of this agreement the companies will also, employ their capabilities to expand cooperation and optimise gains for their respective counterparts in Egypt, Africa and Middle East.



Engineer Mohamed El Kammah, CEO of Elsewedy Industrial Development, said: As a market leader in integrated industrial development in the region, we have strong business ties with our clients and looking forward to further expand our relationships with smart and savvy business stakeholders who recognise the potential for strong returns from investing in Egypt.



Our industrial parks provide a valuable opportunity for investors given the cutting-edge facilities and service offerings as well as a strong supply of well-trained human capital, he said.



Philippe Garcia, commercial counsellor at the French Embassy in Egypt and Business France Director, said: Now, more than ever, fostering business relationships in Africa, and notably Egypt, is among our priorities for French investors.



Our objective is to position Paris as the European destination for venture capitalists from Africa. The signing of this MoU plays an important role in the exchange of investment information and opportunities between French investors and the significant opportunities available in Egypt and Africa, he added.



The objective of the event is to raise awareness around Egypt's geo-economic importance and exploring opportunities for investment in the imports and exports of products and services with Egypt as well as key sectors for investment and development with more than 150 EU dignitaries, diplomats, investors, bankers, manufacturers and key business decision makers.



Several dignitaries and diplomats spoke at the event including Mister Stephane Romatet, French Ambassador in Egypt; the Egyptian Ambassador in France; Mister Christophe Lecourtier, CEO of Business France and Mister Phillipe Garcia, Commercial Counsellor of the French Embassy in Egypt.



Engineer Ahmed El Sewedy shared his perspective as an investor in the Egyptian market and the significant business opportunities available in Egypt. The event was followed by a series of fruitful business to business meetings to answer questions and share mutual expertise.



Engineer Ahmed El Sewedy, president, and CEO of Elsewedy Electric, said: As a pioneer in the areas of energy solutions and infrastructure, Elsewedy Electric plays a key role in highlighting Egypts diverse investment opportunities and prospects to the world.



The same value we bring to our clients  strong geographical presence and deep market insight, world-class technical and commercial competencies, are mainstays of the Egyptian investment experience as well. With a prime geographic location, strong and mutually-beneficial free tariff agreements with neighbour countries, Egypt is positioned as a key industry hub for the Middle East and North Africa, he added.



Going forward, Elsewedy Industrial Development and Elsewedy Electric will be taking their expertise to Germany in cooperation with key partner, Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.



The roadshow will continue to highlight efforts made by the Egyptian government to support ease of investment in Egypts new industrial zones. Engineer Mohamed El Kammah, CEO of Elsewedy Industrial Development will participate in a panel discussion to present the portfolio of products and solutions to key prospects and interested manufacturers.



Elsewedy Industrial Development builds fully fledged sustainable industrial and logistics parks capitalizing on more than a decade of diverse experience. With five industrial cities in operation and a land bank of 25 million sq m across 10 projects in Egypt and Africa, Elsewedy Industrial Development provides state-of-the-art infrastructure and manufacturing facilities, utilities and value-added service offerings for over 250 clients including Loreal, Mantrac, Kapci, Indomie, and many others, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Console Mattiacci Law, LLC represents two 49-year-old current employees of IKEA, William Antonelli, Jr. and Brandon Paine, who assert that the company discriminated against them and other employees over the age of 40 in stores across the US in promotional decisions. The Court conditionally certified the cases to proceed as collective actions and authorized the issuance of notice to other older workers in each if they fit the criteria. This means that other older eligible employees across the country will be notified of the Paine and/or Antonelli lawsuits and will have the opportunity to join in suing the retail giant for age discrimination. The lawsuits seek recovery including monetary damages for harms suffered as a result of IKEAs violations of the federal age discrimination law.



A few months ago, the Court conditionally certified the first age discrimination lawsuit brought against IKEA filed by Console Mattiacci Law, Donofrio v. IKEA US Retail, LLC, Case No. 2:18-cv-00599-AB, to proceed as a collective action. In its May 15, 2019 opinion, the Court found that Console Mattiacci Laws client, Mr. Donofrio, presented evidence that shows beyond mere speculation that IKEA may have discriminated against older employees in promotion decisions and that IKEAs allegedly discriminatory policies and procedures could have affected all putative class members similarly.



As it did in the Donofrio matter, Console Mattiacci Law will soon mail all eligible individuals Notices of the Right to Join the Paine and/or Antonelli lawsuits along with Consent to Join forms, and they will have 60 days from the date of mailing to send their Consent to Join Forms if they decide to opt-in.



The cases are Paine v. IKEA Holding US, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-00723-AB and Antonelli v. IKEA Holding US, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01286-AB, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania before The Honorable Anita B. Brody.

About Console Mattiacci Law, LLC



Console Mattiacci Law, LLC is an employment rights law firm with offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Moorestown, New Jersey and New York City, New York. Since its inception in 1990, the firm has focused its practice on the representation of current, former and potential employees concerning work-related matters.



The lawyers at Console Mattiacci Law, LLC counsel whistleblower-employees who have been retaliated against and individuals who have been victimized by illegal employment discrimination and retaliation, including sex, race, religion, disability and age discrimination and sexual harassment at work. They also represent employees concerning medical leaves, disability benefits, wage and hour claims, employment contracts, severance agreements, stock option plans, and class action lawsuits.








Travellers to Europe can make their way there, and back, for $800. Photo: Getty images

Aussies looking to leg it London, or tour it in Europe will be running for their credit cards after tour organiser Trafalgar dropped an astounding return flight fare to the continent this Thursday.

A part of their summer tour offerings, the deal will offer those booking eleven days or more abroad the chance to nab a return fare for $800.

Best of all, the airlines on offer are Qatar and Singapore Airlines, notoriously high-end service airlines.

Available to book until February 27, the travel dates available run from March through to October - the European summer season.

Of course, the fare is only available to those looking to book one of the organisations tours, but will slice a solid chunk off your typical spend.

The return fare is one of several killer deals this year. Photo: Getty Images

With over 100 tours included in the deal, anyone looking for a guided escape stands to win with the savings, with trips to Ireland, Paris, Spain, London and beyond.

With a one-way trip setting you back $400, Trafalgar says they hope the added incentive will get budding travellers to explore beyond our own backyard.

This is the perfect chance for them to get the best deal on our range of over 100 trips to choose from, that offer unrivalled and exclusive experiences as well as leaving a positive impact on the places they visit, says Jason Wolff, Trafalgars Managing Director.

Other bargain fares to Europe this week include a London return fare from Brisbane with Flight Centre from $1,100, and the bargain week comes on the back of some truly jaw-dropping prices on flights that kicked off 2020.

Last week United Airlines released flights to LA return for $850.

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com
Chandigarh, Feb 13 : An Army Chetak helicopter with three people on board on Thursday made an emergency landing in fields in Punjab's Ropar district.

The police cited technical snag for the emergency landing.

The helicopter, belonging to Army Aviation Corps, was on a routine sortie when the pilot, apprehending a fuel leak, made the landing after clearance from air traffic control, an official told IANS.

Senior Superintendent of Police Swapan Sharma told the media that police cordoned off the area after the emergency landing.
Justin Moehns vast amiibo collection, comfortable gaming chairs and a large screen set up in a very specific way in his Richmond bedroom are evidence of his highly focused affection for video games. Jess Faermans small apartment in Houston has a single chair shes willing to sit on and a circular path for her compulsive need for pacing.

For Hannah Warren, who lives in Southeast Houston, a velvety soft covering on an air mattress and drops of lavender oil are her keys to a good nights sleep, for now, anyway.

All three have autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, a developmental disability whose cause is still a mystery to researchers. As they, educators and parents all look for ways to cope in the classroom and at home, one thing they know for certain is that the right interior design can help children and adults manage the anxiety and behaviors that typically accompany autism, improving life for them and other members of their family.

Important elements include color, texture, lighting and the durability of furnishings, say parents and experts.

Don Lawrence, who works in health care facility planning at CannonDesign, comes to the topic with two points of view: one as a trained design planner and the other as a father of a 29-year-old son who has autism.

Research has taken off in the last five years, Lawrence said of both searching for information about cause, treatment and daily coping skills.

Lawrence, who lives in Sugar Land, had a background in health care when he returned to the University of Texas to study architecture years ago. Now he works exclusively in health care design planning, and recently finished work on an autism clinic at Childrens Hospital of Orange County in California.

We did research on current thinking about interventions, primarily looking for ways to create a calming and relaxing environment. Theres a lot of research on color and sound and transitions from space to space, Lawrence said, noting that design elements that work in a clinical setting work in homes and schools, too.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 59 children has a diagnosis of ASD, a number on the rise in part because of a broader definition and increased awareness. Children often get the diagnosis by age 3, and though there is no cure, early intervention can improve a childs development.

How children and adults with ASD are affected can vary widely, from people unable to speak to others who are completely verbal. Some have intellectual disabilities while others are extremely intelligent. Some are good at managing behaviors, and others can have outbursts or meltdowns over something as simple as a toy being out of place or the irritating hum of a fluorescent light bulb. All struggle with social skills.

Color and light  both natural and artificial  are two important elements of home design, and theyre big factors in homes that have a child or adult with autism.

Lawrence explained that the slight flicker of a fluorescent light bulb, which are still used extensively in offices, stores and schools, can seem to a person with autism as the rest of us might see a strobe light. Imagine all of the homes built in the 1980s and 1990s with light boxes for fluorescent tubes over their kitchen islands  every one of them is a problem if someone in the household has autism.

Lawrence and special education consultant Robin Rettie of Lighthouse Learning & Resource both said that soothing colors are essential. In a bedroom, pale greens and blues with gray undertones are often talked about as calming colors  the same holds true for people with autism. Muted shades of lavender or purple also help calm people with ASD. Bright colors such as red, orange or yellow  colors you see often see in classrooms and toys for young children  appear so harsh that they can cause outbursts.

Nearly everyone with autism avoids bright lights. In Moehns bedroom  where he spends a good deal of his time  he has just a single bulb in the three-light ceiling-mounted light fixture and usually keeps the plantation shutters on his only window closed.

Rettie and Lawrence both said dimmable lights and bulbs with a warmer glow are best, so they can be adjusted for the affected person.

Texture is a huge factor  people with autism generally prefer soft, silky fabrics over anything rough or scratchy  so bedding and upholstery have to be chosen carefully. You dont have to use them everywhere in your home, just in the autistic persons bedroom  its advisable they have their own room  and in a place they like to sit when theyre with others.

Moehn, 37, who lives with his parents, treats his room as his own retreat, with satin sheets on his bed to help him sleep. Faerman, 33, who has her own apartment, puts a soft blanket on the only chair she will sit on in her apartment. The softness of the plush toys on her bed helps soothe her.

Janice Warren has struggled to help her daughter, 12-year-old Hannah, whose challenges change as she ages. She slept on a twin bed but wore it out  jumping on furniture can be an issue, so it needs to be more durable. While she looked for a new bed, she let Hannah sleep on an air mattress that had a soft, velvety cover. Her daughter was getting the best sleep shed ever had, so she halted the new-bed search.

Warren has also incorporated aromatherapy, using plant-based lavender oil that helps calm her daughter, who is mainstreamed in school but not highly functional and has poor verbal skills. She adds the oil to shampoo and lotion and occasionally puts a couple of drops on her pillow and in dresser drawers, which, by the way, have labels for individual items that go in them.

Structure is vital for people with autism, so organizing systems help them cope. Knowing which shelf in a pantry, drawer in a refrigerator or container in a closet has their things fosters independence via daily living skills and is comforting. When things are out of place, though, it can be overwhelming, and the person may shut down or act out.

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Thats one reason why clutter can send people with autism into a tailspin. For some, simply having art on a wall is a bother. A kitchen counter full of gadgets or toys scattered on a floor are problems.

Affirmations and reminders are important, so having bulletin boards or chalkboards for messages is a big need. Faerman keeps a whiteboard with reminders above her computer and an index card with a list of things she needs (phone, keys, wallet, inhaler and self-care stuff) on the inside of her apartment door.

Moehns room features things that reinforce his accomplishments: a certificate for perfect attendance his senior year in high school, a certificate in PC technical support he earned at Wharton County Junior College and artwork hes proud of from elementary school.

Theyre part of why he loves his room, and remind him of what he can do. Not long ago he started a part-time job at a mental health provider that treats children with autism.

It shows employers that people like me can do a job, Moehn said. And I think it gives hope to parents who come in with their kids. Something is possible.

diane.cowen@chron.com
President Donald Trump risked Europe's and our security. Here's a scenario had there been no whistleblower:

Our president illegally blocks payment of military aid to the Ukraine and demands President Zelenskiy investigate Joe Biden. Zelenskiy refuses. Trump, who never backs down, continues the withdrawal of aid. Russia recognizes withdrawal of U.S. support and completes the annexation of the Ukraine, in spite of European attempts to prevent it. The Europeans blame the U.S., and the Russians now proceed to further expansion, perhaps in the Baltic states. A new cold war ensues. Europe loses all trust in the United States. Our commitments are worthless. Our name is mud.
Prosecutors Oppose Flynns Motion to Dismiss Case

Prosecutors handling the case of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn have laid out their opposition to his request for the court to dismiss the case.

In a Feb. 12 court filing, they argued that the government misconduct Flynn alleges doesnt exist, was already rejected by the court, or isnt related to Flynns offense (pdf).

Flynn, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump and former head of military intelligence during the Obama administration, pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2017, to one count of lying to FBI agents during a Jan. 24, 2017, interview.

On Jan. 14, Flynn asked District Judge Emmet Sullivan to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea. In a Jan. 29 declaration, he proclaimed his innocence and the intent to fight to restore his reputation.

On Jan. 29, Flynn also asked the court to dismiss the case. His lawyers, led by former prosecutor Sidney Powell, pointed to FBI misconduct revealed in a Dec. 9 report by the Justice Departments Office of Inspector General (OIG). They also raised irregularities in how the FBI report from the Flynn interview was produced, the leverage the prosecutors used to get Flynn to plead guilty, and the prosecutors withholding, for more than a year, documents that the defense deems exculpatory.

Mr. Flynn was framed and set-up by his own government in a shockingly inappropriate and wrongful conduct by the leadership of the FBI, DOJ, and intelligence officials, Powell said in the court filing.

OIG Report

The OIG report details how the FBI, in a counterintelligence investigation dubbed Crossfire Hurricane, withheld multiple pieces of evidence from the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and was thus able to obtain four surveillance warrants, three of which were renewals, to spy on former Trump 2016 campaign aide Carter Page. Two of the warrants have since been declared invalid and illegal by the Justice Department (DOJ).

Flynn was among a number of targets in Crossfire Hurricane, which probed alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to sway the 2016 election. The investigation, taken over in mid-2017 by a special counsel, former FBI head Robert Mueller, was unable to establish any collusion.

The same top-level agent responsible for the Page warrants, Peter Strzok, then-deputy assistant director for counterintelligence operations, and supervisory special agent Joe Pientka, were the ones who interviewed Flynn.

The prosecutors of the Flynn case say that the OIG findings are potentially impeaching of Pientkashowing him as an unreliable witnessbut not exculpatory since his fault regarding the Page warrants is unrelated to his interviewing Flynn. The Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that defendants dont have a right to impeaching information before they plead guilty (pdf).

The prosecutors didnt respond to the argument regarding Strzok.

Intelligence Briefing, Predication

Powell also pointed to the fact that the FBI sent Pientka in 2016 to a strategic intelligence briefing to the Trump campaign to snoop on Flynn. Powell called it an intolerable breach of trust and deceitful conduct.

The prosecutors pointed out the OIG found this wasnt misconduct on Pientkas part.

The OIG, however, raised the issue as a matter of serious concern. Using a strategic intelligence briefing to snoop on a former head of military intelligence and presidential campaign adviser is likely an unprecedented move for the bureau.

As the prosecutors note, The OIG recommended developing policy or guidance to address such briefings in the future.

The prosecutors also noted that the OIG concluded that the FBI had sufficient predication to open [a] full counterintelligence investigation of Flynn.

This issue, however, is still being investigated by U.S. Attorney John Durham, who already has signaled he has more to say on the topic.

We advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the reports conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened, Durham responded to the OIG report in a rare statement.

Original 302

Powell also criticized the fact that it took the FBI agents about three weeks to complete a report from the Flynn interviewthe FBI form FD-302even as FBI rules say it needs to be done within five days. Moreover, the first draft of the 302 provided to the defense was from Feb. 10, 2017more than two weeks after the interview. Powell previously said she found a witness who saw an earlier draft of the 302 stating that Flynn was honest with the FBI.

She alleges the draft was either destroyed or is being suppressed by the government.

The prosecutors havent addressed the allegation and have focused on the judges previous ruling that there were no material changes between the 302 drafts and the final 302 the defense was provided.

Lobbying Papers

Powell has also argued that the DOJ rushed Flynn to file foreign lobbying paperwork for his defunct consultancy, Flynn Intel Group (FIG), in 2017 and then threatened to prosecute him for lying on the forms, even though they were substantially correct in all material respects.

The prosecutors have argued that Flynn lied on the forms because he failed to tell his previous lawyers, who prepared the papers, about communications that Turkish officials had with Turkish businessman Kamil Ekim Alptekin regarding a job that FIG did for Alptekins firm in 2016.

Powell said Flynn didnt lie to the lawyers and depended on them to do the paperwork properly. She pointed out that it wasnt until December 2019 that prosecutors handed over a pile of documents, including reports from 2018 FBI interviews with Flynns former lawyers, that revealed the main prosecutor, Brandon Van Grack, knew the threatened lobbying paperwork charges against Flynn were bogus, Powell said.

The prosecutors say the interview reports werent helpful to the defense and, regardless, they provided them in time, since Flynn hasnt been sentenced. They portrayed the lobbying paperwork as unrelated to Flynns plea, since he only pleaded to lying to the FBI and not on the papers.

Powell previously pointed out the main reason for the plea was the threat of a charge over the paperwork, since Flynns son also worked for FIG and the prosecutors worked out an under-the-table deal with Flynn to leave his son alone if he agreed to the plea.

Correction: A previous version incorrectly listed the categories prosecutors put Flynns arguments in. They argued that the government misconduct Flynn alleges doesnt exist, was already rejected by the court, or isnt related to Flynns offense.
YEREVAN.  We've had a lot of debate over the operation of an airport in Karabakh (Artsakh), because we really want to find a solution to this issue. Tatevik Revazian, Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia, stated this at the February 13 sitting of the National Assembly.

However, according to her, the fact is that Azerbaijan has decided to close the airspace of Artsakh.

"We, as the Civil Aviation Committee, have no right to give permission for flights to Karabakh," Revazian said. "This is a political issue that cannot be resolved at our level."

Sasun Mikaelyan, an MP of the ruling My Step Alliance, inquired whether Armenia was trying to hold discussions on this issue internationally. In response, Revazian stated that there were no such discussions at their level.

"At a higher levelI have not checked," the head of the Civil Aviation Committee added. This is not the decision that can be made and implemented at our level; this is a political issue."
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  February 13, 2020  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM, Chevron Corporation CVX, Hess Corporation HES and CNOOC Limited CEO.

Here are highlights from Wednesdays Analyst Blog:

Why Chevrons a Better Big-Oil Stock than ExxonMobil

With massive market caps of $256.1 billion and $210.3 billion, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Chevron Corporation dominate the energy sector. Both the companies businesses are primarily guided by oil and natural gas prices. However, there are some key factors need to be analyzed elaborately before ranking the two integrated energy firms.

Doppelgangers

ExxonMobil and Chevron are among the leading integrated energy players with strong presence in upstream and downstream operations.

ExxonMobil

The company has upstream presence in the United States and abroad. Apart from operations in the most prolific domestic play  Permian  ExxonMobils upstream portfolio includes Guyana and Brazil. In the Permian, the company plans to produce more than 1,000 thousand oil equivalent barrels per day (KoEB/D) by 2024.

Moreover, with 16 discoveries in the Stabroek Block, located off the coast of Guyana, ExxonMobil has estimated gross recoverable resources of more than 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent. In fact, the leading integrated energy player estimates 750,000 barrels of oil production per day from the offshore region by 2025. Other major energy players having interests in the Stabroek Block are Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited. Additionally, in Brazil, the company has more than 2.3 million net acres of upstream resources.

ExxonMobil also has a strong downstream presence with interests in more than 20 refineries across the world. Notably, the company has estimated its total refining capacity at 4.7 million barrels of oil per day.

Story continues

Chevron

The companys core upstream assets comprise Permian and Deepwater Gulf of Mexico along with resources in Australia, Kazakhstan and Nigeria. In Permian, Chevron has 16.2 billon barrel of oil equivalent (BBoE) resources as of 2019-end, significantly up from 9.3 BBoE in 2017. Moreover, majority of the companys refining capacity is located in the United States, while the rest is in Asia.

Both Are Dividend Aristocrats

If a company raises dividend for at least 25 successive years, it gets the status of dividend aristocrat. ExxonMobil has successfully managed to grow dividend payments over the past 37 years at an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. Meanwhile, Chevron has hiked dividend payments for 33 straight years (excepting 2015).

Not only are these integrated energy players dividend aristocrats, the firms pay higher dividend yields than the Zacks S&P 500 composite. Currently, the dividend yield for ExxonMobil and Chevron is a respective 5.75% and 4.28%, way higher than the Zacks S&P 500 composites 1.68%.

Although it seems that dividend investors might choose ExxonMobil over Chevron for more than one percentage difference in their yields, the question lies with sustainability considering ExxonMobils aggressive capital spending plans.

Chevrons Edge Over ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil has an aggressive capital spending program in place as compared to Chevron. In 2020, ExxonMobil is planning to invest $33 to $35 billion, while $30 to $35 billion will likely be allocated from 2021 through 2025. Chevron, in comparison, is planning to spend $18 to $20 billion in 2020. From 2021 through 2023, Chevron is planning to allocate $19 to $22 billion capital.

While ExxonMobil intends to invest heavily in coming years, this might require the company to divest assets and rely more on debt funding. This could weaken ExxonMobils balance sheet and lower the companys free cashflow that will be available for dividend payments. This has probably justified the question of the companys sustainability of paying higher dividend yields than Chevron.

Importantly, investors are constantly pressing companies to focus more on returns rather than solely on production. Hence, ExxonMobils aggressive capital spending program, mostly for oil and natural gas production, might have disappointed investors.

However, though Chevron has a conservative capital program in place, it is projecting compound annual production growth rate of 3-4% in five years, reflecting strong operational efficiencies. In case of the Zacks Rank as well, Chevron has a clear lead with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) while ExxonMobil carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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The vast majority (80pc) of travel managers believe it is likely their travellers will change plans to avoid flying and business travel (stock photo)

There's nothing more worrying in business - especially in the travel and aviation sectors - than uncertainty. And the uncertainty over coronavirus has eclipsed all other business threats - politics and terrorism included.

With airlines avoiding China until the end of this month, March onwards is crunch time to decide on action in the longer term regarding the world's second-biggest economy.

But even in the last few weeks, the disruption has been considerable, with travel managers spooked.

A survey by the Washington DC-based meetings and travel body the Global Business Travel Association, which has 9,000-plus members, found that 89pc reported they have employees who travel to China and other international destinations for business travel. Of those, nine in 10 are concerned about the virus spreading around the world, with 40pc saying they are "very concerned".

And those in the front line - business travellers - are worried, with seven out of 10 travel managers reporting their employees have expressed "a lot" (27pc) or "some" (42pc) concerns about the disease's spread.

Health screenings at airports are also a major issue, with half of those surveyed admitting their employees are concerned about screenings.

The vast majority (80pc) of travel managers believe it is likely their travellers will change plans to avoid flying and business travel.

Almost half (46pc) of travel managers say it is "very likely" their travellers will change their plans.

The evidence is there from the last few weeks. Global travel and data analytics company Ascend by Cirium says nearly 10,000 flights have been cancelled since the outbreak in China.

And those figures - mainly of domestic trips in China - are only up until the end of last month, before the mass cancellations by global carriers from the Middle East and North America. The difficulty is that it's hard to quantify the actual knock-on economic effects, but Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell warned the US Congress on Tuesday that the disease could hurt the global economy.

"We will be watching this carefully. What will be the effects on the US economy? Will they be persistent? Will they be material? That's really the question," he said.

Powell, who was also meeting with Congress leaders yesterday, added: "We know there will likely be some effects on the United States."

The only upshot, for now, comes from Ascend by Cirium's chief economist, who noted that "data clearly shows the dramatic impact that coronavirus is having" and "the outbreak will inevitably cause significant disruption of schedules and travel patterns in the short and medium term".

But he also believes that the Sars outbreak - and its containment - 13 years ago is a source of hope: "The precedent of the Sars outbreak indicates to us that the underlying demand for travel driven by GDP growth will in time produce a robust recovery."

How long a disruption, and when the recovery comes, are the two over-riding concerns.
Firefighters battled to contain a major blaze that started in one of the floors of a three- storey commercial building on Thursday and later spread to other parts of the structure in suburban Andheri, but no casualty has been reported so far, a civic official said.

The fire broke out in the ground-plus-three storey building located in Rolta Technology Park in the Marol area around 11.30 am and was yet to be brought under contral, he said.

Around 4.30 pm, the Fire Brigade informed that the operation to douse flames was still going, but so far there was no report of any casualty or anyone being trapped in the premises.

At least 12 fire engines and 11 jumbo water tankers are engaged in extinguishing the inferno, the official said.

According to civic sources, initially the fire was confined to the server room of the building, but later it spread to other parts of the strucuture, gutting a major portion of it.

As a major part of the building was engulfed by flames, the Fire Brigade escalated the fire call to "level four" (serious) around 1.50 pm, they said.

Mumbai's Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale said dense smoke engulfed the building and its staircases, posing difficulties in the fire-fighting operation.

"The situation is deteriorating as there is no ventilation in the building. Firemen are facing difficulty in the operation due to intense heat and dense smoke inside the building, he said.

The situation is grave because of aluminium cladding, glass facade and lack of ventilation in the building, the Fire Brigade said.

"The firemen are battling to contain the blaze from inside as well as outside using special equipment and donning breathing apparatus sets, Rahangdale said.

The cause of the fire was not yet known, the sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:01:15|Editor: Xiaoxia

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NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Thursday praised the Chinese government for its relentless efforts to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The Kenyan government commended China for "the efforts it has undertaken to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus disease-19 in China and in particular, in keeping safe and healthy Kenyan students caught up at the epicenter of the epidemic," the country's health ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said there has been no confirmed case of the viral disease, known as COVID-19, in the country as it continues to maintain a heightened surveillance system at all points of entry, health facilities and communities.

"So far, the ministry through its surveillance system, has been able to pick seven suspected cases who have all tested negative for the disease," the statement said, adding that there have been no new suspected cases since Feb. 7.

The ministry also assured the public that the Kenyan government is working with other agencies to strengthen its capacity to mitigate the consequences of any potential importation of the novel coronavirus.

Some 400 health workers in both public and private health facilities and at points of entry have been informed on how to deal with suspected cases.
* "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , January 2022.

* "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , January 2022.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018.

* IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013.

* Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011.

2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100.

* Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010.

* Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010.

* Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010.

* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.
This week, Ireland's Garda Commissioner added his voice to those calling for a backdoor 'key' to encrypted devices such as iPhones. Drew Harris said that this would be "very useful" in investigating "serious crime, like child abuse". He also questioned why absolute encryption is completely necessary, suggesting a balance of rights ranged between privacy and security.

He even called for new legislation to compel the owners of encrypted devices to serve up their passwords or encryption keys. Do his comments represent a widening of international pressure on tech companies to moderate their stance on encryption or 'absolute' privacy?

How would such a move stand with privacy advocates and civil rights groups?

What prospect is there of an incoming government introducing laws to create such an effect?

Harris made his remarks this week at an event where Ireland's biggest internet service providers agreed to tighter blocking measures against websites hosting child abuse material.

The move was a limited one, based narrowly on an Interpol list (which currently outlaws 1,857 websites).

But exploring where the Garda Commissioner believes the fight against criminality online should go, this newspaper asked Harris whether the issue of encryption was ultimately in the sights of Ireland's authorities. Harris gave a cautious reply.

"If there was a key that could be used by law enforcement so that we could get to data and evidence of crime, that would be very useful to us," he said.

"We understand entirely the issues around very strong, almost undefeatable, encryption that there is in certain places. One would wonder why that's there."

This is a common view among police forces and security agencies. As they see it, absolute encryption gives too much leeway to darker forces in society, from terrorists to distributors of child abuse material.

Asked if he favoured legislation requiring the handing over of digital passwords in criminal investigations, Harris said that "it should be part" of Garda resources in its efforts to fight crime: "I think in certain cases around very serious crime such as the possession of child abuse images, or other serious offences, yes, that should be a power that is open to us, and it should therefore then be part of our ability to search for evidence."

Harris also said that he knew about the reasons why encryption was a hot- button debate and the privacy side to it. In this context, he said that the Gardai had resourced themselves with occasionally successful alternatives to backdoor keys.

Asked by this newspaper whether this included hacking or handing devices over to third parties which specialise in breaking device security (as the FBI did in a recent case where it unsuccessfully sought a backdoor entry from Apple into a suspect's iPhone), Harris was careful in his response.

"There are various investigative methods," he said. "But sometimes one can be entirely locked out of certain phones. That is a reality. We are unable to defeat that encryption. But there are other methodologies that allow us to come in from a different route. I don't want to go into those methodologies.

"It would be wrong for me to inform the criminals of the techniques that we use, and the resources and the equipment that we have available to us."

Harris's comments will be noted by politicians, security agencies, technology firms and civil liberties groups.

The issue of a backdoor security key has become a recurring flashpoint in confrontations over how to fight serious crime.

On one hand are those who say encryption gives too much cover for criminals.

On the other are those who argue that the ability to communicate privately and securely is sacrosanct and authorities cannot, in the long term, be trusted with the keys to access our private correspondence.

The issue has become increasingly politically charged in recent months.

In January, US president Donald Trump publicly accused Apple of refusing to unlock phones used by "killers, drug dealers and other violent criminal elements".

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At the same time, the US attorney general, William Barr, also formally asked Apple to unlock two iPhones used by a Saudi air force officer who shot dead three Americans at a Florida naval base in December. Apple stopped short of unlocking the iPhones, but did turn over the shooter's iCloud back-ups in compliance with a legal request.

UK authorities, including two of the last three prime ministers there, have repeatedly called on Apple to decrypt iMessage or otherwise give British police a backdoor key.

Each time, Apple has said no and the authorities have backed down.

However, Apple reportedly dropped plans to let iPhone users fully encrypt back-ups of their devices in the company's iCloud service, after the FBI complained that the move would harm investigations, Reuters recently indicated.

Although it infuriates politicians and police chiefs, Apple is broadly supported in its position by a wide range of civil liberties groups, privacy advocates and competing tech firms.

All of these bodies say that to weaken encryption on iPhones and iMessage would ultimately lead to weaker security for everyone and could give criminals an upper hand.

"They say that privacy and security are a trade-off, but we see that as a false choice," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, speaking in Dublin last month.

Asked by this newspaper whether there is any room for nuance or a lower standard of privacy should authorities seek it, Cook said that there was not.

"No," he said. "I think that everybody has seen some of what's at stake over the last several years in some form. And perhaps it's not well-understood by everyone about how important privacy is. But our view is that it's the base at which many other things exist. It's the basis for freedom of expression, as just one example.

"So I think society is waking up to this and I don't think people in most countries in the world would be satisfied with the continuation of where we are today."

So what happens next in Ireland? The edges of Irish legislative intent in this area may be tested by the new Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. This is mainly aimed at social media companies to tackle cases of "harmful content" that, in particular, can damage children.

But the draft legislation also says that it will apply to "private communication services" and "private online cloud storage services".

This explicitly raises the prospect of a clash between a soon-to-be-created State body and providers like Apple (iMessage) and Facebook (WhatsApp), with their encrypted online messaging services.

And even though the law acknowledges the 'balancing' of privacy versus security, it appears to give priority to security.

"It is provided that the Media Commission's code making powers in relation to these services be explicitly limited to matters relating to content which it is a criminal offence to disseminate," it says. The Government has not yet elaborated on how it intends to proceed with requests to the encrypted service providers.

It may quietly never do so, instead leaving the prosecution of such activity to cases where clear evidence has been obtained outside the encrypted service.

In the meantime, it is unlikely that Garda Commissioner Harris's remarks on encryption will be the last we hear on this issue this year.

There is a fundamental tension between absolute privacy and optimum security. Ireland has yet to clarify which ideal it favours.
This story originally ran May 1, 2019. It has since been awarded the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Americans 

dislike abstraction in their daily lives.

are slow workers and have fat fingers.

live in a culture where children are showered with encouragement, leading to overconfidence.

These are just some of the beliefs about Americans that Chinese supervisors hilariously and alarmingly feed to their Chinese workers. The odd thing is that those briefings arent taking place in China but in the American heartland: Dayton, Ohio.

Related: Alibaba's Billionaire Founder Jack Ma Says Companies Forcing Staff to Work Overtime Are 'Foolish'

So begins American Factory, the intriguing new Tribeca Film Festival documentary (and upcoming Netflix offering) which had its New York premiere on April 26 and was one of five festival films curated by four New York-based film critics.

The story: In 2015, Cao Dewang, chairman of Fuyao Glass America, arrived in Dayton to check out the construction and hiring progress for the U.S. branch of his world-leading automobile-glass company, on the site of a shuttered GM plant. He was attempting to do the seemingly impossible: put Chinese workers to work alongside American workers and meld their two dramatically different cultures.

As filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert show, even well-meaning Chairman Cao seemed a tad gob-smacked two years into his bold experiment.

Here, after all, were American workers insisting on limiting themselves to an eight-hour workday; holding an election to consider inviting in the UAW union; and pressuring the company for a rigorously safe factory environment (1,200-degree glass furnaces and the very breakable product they produce being dangerous to human health.)

Are the struggles revealed in the film cause for alarm for American entrepreneurs working with or considering partnering with the Chinese companies? Were not making a promotional film to promote working with China or not working with China, Steven Bognar told Entrepreneur following last weeks screening and Q&A.

Were not trying to make a scary movie," Bognar continued. "Were trying to make a movie about how hard it is. It wasnt easy when the Japanese set up factories here, either, but there are ways you can build bridges or decide not to build bridges."

In the film, executive-produced by Jeff Skoll, Participant Media's founder (and eBay's first president), we view an initially hopeful scene: Hundreds of workers are being promised new jobs, having been laid off by GM in 2008 ( a devastating event which Bognar and Reichert chronicled in their Oscar-nominated film The Last Truck).

In 2015, this sudden new influx of jobs, designed to revive that Rust Belt city from its long economic nightmare, are far better than those at the Payless distribution center or at McDonald's. That's why new energy and optimism abound at first in this Ohio city, which once had more automobile manufacturing than any metropolis outside Detroit.

No wonder Chairman Cao wants to document his great project: "The important thing is how this will change the American view of China," Cao says in the film.

Bognar-Reichert were natural choices to be the filmmakers, but they insisted on and got editorial control. "He's kind of a maverick," Reichert said of the chairman during the Q&A. "It wasn't as though many American CEOs would allow filmmakers to be in their plant for three years." GM, she commented dryly, had allowed the filmmakers into its former Dayton plant for a grand total of 20 minutes.

Bognar echoed this upbeat view of Cao, saying "He believes in transparency." That is apropos for a glass manufacturer but it also allowed for amazing insights into the lives of the workers the filmmakers profiled during the factory's first three years. Among them were:

Wong He, a 20-year veteran furnace engineer at Fuyao China who has been brought to Dayton for a difficult two years away from his young family. In Dayton, he lives with four other Chinese men. During the day he's so attuned to working that his "lunch" consists of a packet of Twinkies.

Rob Haerr, a furnace supervisor who invites his Chinese co-workers to his country home for an American Thanksgiving, where the men dine on turkey, try out Haerr's Harley and practice target-shooting using his twin revolvers.

Jill Lamantia, a forklift operator, who was economically felled by the 2008 layoff and recession, but is able, thanks to her new Fuyao job, to move out of her sister's basement. Delight turns to disenchantment, however; and Lamantia becomes a union supporter and is fired for it.

John Crane, a safety manager at Fuyao who grows frustrated at the safety issues at Fuyao and at being forced to lie to Fuyao's automotive company clients. He eventually resigns.

Image Credit: Fuyao Glass America | Facebook

Culture clash among workers

Things quickly went south at the Dayton plant. "All the Chinese workers were so loyal to the company," Lulu Men, a Chinese field producer for the film, said during the Q&A. "They had this culture of having been trained to dedicate their lives to the company. The difference is, Chinese culture is all about unity, and the American [culture] is about individuality. So I think that made a huge difference, and a culture clash."

Serious injuries proliferated. OSHA fines were levied. American supervisors were replaced by Chinese. The American workers complained about being forced to train off the clock and about their wages -- pre-treatment inspector Shawnea Rosser tells the filmmakers she used to make $29-plus an hour at GM; at Fuyao, she says, her wage is $12.84.

The Chinese workers also complain; their American workers are heading home after eight hours while they work 10 and 12 hours and come in weekends, they say. "I think they are hostile to the Chinese," Chairman Cao tells his board members, noting a $40 million loss in the plant's first months of operation.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Another overall difference: "Workers in China are given orders, and they tackle them," Reichert says in the film's production notes. "Here in the U.S., workers want to know why they're being asked to do something; they also expect there will be some praise."

More happily, the film chronicles a big Chinese New Year's party at Fuyao's Chinese headquarters in Fujian Province, to which about a dozen U.S. supervisors are invited. These scenes in the film are somewhat comic to Western eyes: big-bellied Midwestern white men towering over their Chinese bosses. Chinese workers lining up for their morning check-in, in military formation, and singing out motivational company slogans ("To stand still is to fall back.")

Meanwhile, the party itself is an over-the-top three hours of garish costumes, fervent songs about the company's "blessings" and even a wedding of five employee-couples. "We're one big planet. A world somewhat divided but one," a teary-eyed U.S. supervisor says to the camera late in the alcohol-fueled evening.

But back in Dayton, there is no partying. Workers are unhappy ("Everybody is upset in their own language and everybody just walks away," Lamantia, the forklift operator, says.) The workers set an election to try to bring the union in.

The company, for its part, is not amused, spending $1.25 million to hire the Labor Relations Institute (its motto: "Winning NLRB elections for almost four decades") to dissuade a "yes" vote. Ultimately, the union is rejected, 868-444, but its supporters are fired -- an illegal action in the United States, Reichert says, but hardly an uncommon one.

The film ends with flows of workers, Americans and Chinese alike, entering and leaving their shifts. Added in are voiceovers by workers -- with comments like, "We're never going to make that kind of [GM] money again," versus, "I believe in the American Dream; we can't give up on that."

Back in China, Chairman Cao is also filmed, making the extraordinary statement that when he looks back on his life's journey from intense poverty and the Cultural Revolution to today's capitalism, he asks himself, "Am I a criminal or a contributor?"

Related: China Blocks Microsoft's Bing, Despite Offering Censored Search

"One thing we tried to do is not root this film in Midwestern unease about China," Bognar said at the Q&A. "I think China is a miracle in many ways: Millions of people are no longer in poverty because of this amazing last 30 years. So we hope this movie sparks conversations and gets people talking about these issues, with the hope that they'll focus on people, whether they're Chinese or American.

"Is this global hypercapitalism sustainable?" Bognar continued, repeating the question he asked himself throughout production. "And what is the impact on the environment and working people?"

Related:

Academy Award-Winning Documentary Examines a Chinese Factory in the Heart of America

Five Facts Every Businessman Should Know About China

How Indian Startups Are Grabbing A Larger Slice of Chinese Investments



Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
By SA Commercial Prop News

Vukile Property Fund CEO Laurence Rapp says the company is delighted with the strong support received from the auction.



Vukile Property Fund, on Tuesday, announced that its R500 million senior unsecured corporate bonds with three and five-year maturities were both substantially oversubscribed.

The issue was significantly oversubscribed with demand exceeding the maximum offer by 4.2 times.

It drew orders from 15 different investors and attracted bids worth more than R2 billion. The three-year bonds were placed at a favourable margin of a 141bps, which was below guidance.

We are delighted with the strong support received. The success of the auction shows strong support for Vukile and has further diversified our debt capital market investors, says Laurence Rapp, CEO of Vukile.

The capital raised will increase Vukiles split of unsecured debt and be used to redeem secured notes that are expiring in June and July 2020. As the proceeds of the issuance will be used to repay existing debt, the issuance is neutral for the companys loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.

Acting as sole lead arranger, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking applauded the success of Vukiles bond issue. The auction received wide institutional support based on the high quality of Vukiles credit profile, balance sheet and underlying business strategy, says Marcus Veller from Absa Debt Capital Markets.

GCR Ratings recently upgraded Vukiles national scale issuer ratings to AA-(ZA) and A1+(ZA) for the long and short term respectively, with a stable outlook.

Last month, the JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Vukile, said it will sell its Namibian assets valued at nearly R1 billion by the end of 2020, which it wanted to invest in SA and Spain.

The company first invested in Spain in 2017, and the group has since acquired interests in two Spanish portfolios through its partner Castellana Properties, which had performed better than expected, it said.

Its Spanish exposure was worth R17bn and accounted for 48% of its total assets. Its directly held SA properties are worth about R15bn, while its Namibian assets are worth about R950m.

It also owns stakes in SA property groups Fairvest and Arrowhead Properties, worth R552m and R515m, respectively.
Bernard Looney has hit the ground running as chief executive of BP. Proposals to get the company to carbon zero by 2050 are bold.

None of the other oil majors has been so radical, although Spains Repsol is moving in the same direction.

Among the most profound changes is that BP is taking responsibility for customer emissions too.

Slick move: New BP Boss Bernard Looney is abolishing the historic BP structure which separates upstream exploration and production from downstream distribution and sales

That could be irrelevant in the UK, should plans to get new diesel, petrol and hybrid motors off the roads within 12 years be implemented.

To achieve the new goals, Looney is abolishing the historic BP structure which separates upstream exploration and production from downstream distribution and sales.

He is building four new groups, each with the goal of more transparent carbon reporting and delivering on the reduction and elimination of emissions, and alternate energy sources.

On paper it all looks hunky-dory, but it will never please the green lobby which regards oil companies with the same disdain and horror as tobacco peddlers.

The new BP strategy has a familiar ring. Almost two decades have passed since former chief executive John Browne made Beyond Petroleum the BP slogan and introduced the sunburst logo.

Around the same time, he was doubling down on oil by buying up US producers Amoco and Arco.

After some heavy-handed cost-cutting, BP was hit by the fatal Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 followed by the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Looneys predecessor Bob Dudley spent a decade steering the enterprise away from near-bankruptcy and back to safer ground.

Among his biggest deals was to consolidate BPs Russian interests by becoming a 19.75pc minority holder in the Russian behemoth Rosneft.

It is hard to see how that can ever be consistent with its climate change aims. But the market has given BP the benefit of the doubt over the new objectives and moved the shares up 1 per cent.

The 95billion group has stolen a march on rivals. But delivering on some very precise numerical objectives will be a struggle.

Going West

Plumbing group Ferguson is no Unilever. Yet it is a British champion, and is the worlds biggest plumbing distributor.

Last year, under pressure from US activist Nelson Peltz, it did the splits, spinning off its historic Wolseley brand as a separate FTSE 350 firm from its bigger US operations.

Now we learn that Ferguson is exploring leaving the FTSE 100 and shifting its listing to the US. Having done the splits, much of the group turnover is on the other side of the Atlantic.

Fergusons chairman Geoff Drabble and recently installed chief executive Kevin Murphy need to bear in mind its history.

It was mainly UK shareholders who funded the old Wolseleys expansion into the US in the first decade of the 21st century.

The same investors kept faith by supporting a rights issue when Wolseley nearly came a cropper in the US housing crash at the core of the financial crisis.

Long-term investors should feel aggrieved if Ferguson, now a 17billion firm with big exposure to the US, were to kiss Britain goodbye as it enters a new era outside the EU.

Fergusons corporate brokers might care to remind the board of what happened at other UK-quoted firms which looked at moving their share listing abroad.

In 2018, Paul Polman at Unilever wanted to shift the quote to Rotterdam. After a vigorous media campaign and strong opposition the group dropped the idea. A few months later Polman stood down.

Last year, medical equipment and prosthetic limbs supplier Smith & Nephew proposed a move to the US at the behest of its chief executive Namal Nawana.

He was aggrieved that he was not paid enough and reckoned he could pocket much more in America. Investors rebelled and after just 17 months Nawana was on his way.

Many UK fund mandates require the companies in which they invest to be quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

If the listing is moved overseas the fund managers are required to disinvest  a good reason why Ferguson should not do a runner.

Soft spot

Is Masayoshi Sons Softbank, owner of Cambridge tech champ Arm Holdings, the new Woodford?

The group values its assets at 175billion but shares trade at a 52 per cent discount. Ehhhh!
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tarik F. Haydar, Ph.D., an award-winning neurobiologist whose research teases out how brain development differs in people with typical cognitive function compared with people with developmental disabilities, like Down syndrome, has been named incoming Director of the Center for Neuroscience Research at Children's National Hospital. Haydar, a professor in the department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine, will join Children's National on Sept. 1, 2020.

As Director of the Center for Neuroscience Research, Haydar will oversee teams whose bench research informs clinical efforts to prevent or treat neurological, developmental and behavioral disorders that manifest during childhood but often have their origin within the womb.

"I am thrilled that our nationwide search identified Dr. Haydar as the premier candidate for this important position," says Vittorio Gallo, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer at Children's National. "We were impressed with his vision for our future and inspired by his enthusiasm in fulfilling the promise of additional research collaborations as we open and build out the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus," Gallo adds.

"I'm really excited. It almost feels like fate," Haydar says. "Children's National is where I established my first lab as a new assistant professor way back in 2002. It's like coming home. One of the things I have been remembering and recommitting myself to is what translational research really means and the opportunity that a place like the Children's National Research Institute (CNRI) enables: Being responsive to the clinical needs of patients and leveraging the power of CNRI and the Center for Neuroscience Research to investigate the underlying causes of neurodevelopmental disorders and working towards potential solutions," he says.

On either side of that translational work, Haydar thinks of "superheroes" working together on vexing questions, such as how Zika viral infection leads to an arrest in brain development  best understood in the lab. And, once the mechanics are understood at a micro level, collaborating on innovative therapies and treatments to be used in the clinic.

"We hear a lot about 'bench to bedside,' which means basic research in the lab eventually making its way into the clinic and being applied as medicine for people," he adds. "But it is also crucial to support that flow in the other direction, to start with needs or observations in the clinic and then engage basic research to provide insights that inform an improved standard of patient care."

The timing of Haydar's appointment enables him to be intimately involved with the opening of the hospital's new regional innovation hub. Children's National Research & Innovation Campus is the first of its kind dedicated to pediatric health care innovation. It is scheduled to open in December 2020 and will be anchored by the Center for Genetic Medicine Research and the Rare Disease Institute on a nearly 12-acre portion of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus.

In addition to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, the new campus is physically close to federal research partners, especially the National Institutes of Health, with whom Children's National has fruitful research collaborations.

"I am looking forward to being in that environment with our academic affiliate, the George Washington University, as well as the University of Maryland and now, Virginia Tech, as research partners," he says. "Having the new campus as the epicenter for these public-private research collaborations opens the potential to improve medicine for the benefit of not only Children's National patients but for all kids."

Tweets:

Tarik F. Haydar, Ph.D., an award-winning neurobiologist currently at Boston University, named incoming Director of the Center for Neuroscience Research at Children's National Hospital

Tarik Haydar: We hear a lot about 'bench to bedside,' but it is also crucial to support that flow in the other direction, going from the clinic to engage basic research

About Children's National Hospital

Children's National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., celebrates 150 years of pediatric care, research and commitment to the community. Volunteers opened the hospital in 1870 with 12 beds to care for Civil War orphans. Today, 150 years stronger, it is the nation's No. 6 children's hospital. It is ranked No. 1 for newborn care for the third straight year and ranked in all specialties evaluated by "U.S. News & World Report." Children's National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. In 2020, it will open the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus, the first in the nation dedicated to pediatric research. It has been designated twice as a Magnet hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C., metropolitan area, including the Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs. Children's National is home to the Children's National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and is the nation's seventh-highest NIH-funded children's hospital. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.

For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE Childrens National Hospital
Bengal in throes of third Covid wave, infections curve may rise more

WBJEE 2022 application correction open: How you should do it

WB guv Jagdeep Dhankhar issues show cause notice to CBPBU VC for not inviting him to convocation

India

oi-PTI

Kolkata, Feb 13: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Vice Chancellor of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University (CBPBU) Debkumar Mukhopadhyay for not inviting him to the convocation of the educational institute.

The governor, who is also chancellor of the university, has asked the VC to reply within a fortnight.

The Raj Bhavan, in a note, said, "Dhankhar has invoked the process for consideration of removal of CBPBU VC Debkumar Mukhopadhyay."

In a notice mailed to the VC, the governor said, "Under Section 9 of the CBPBU Act, you have been called upon to respond within 14 days. It has been indicated that you may also avail oral hearing."

A copy of the mail was also sent to the principal secretary, Higher Education Department. Repeated calls to Higher Education Minister Partha Chatterjee over the issue went unanswered.

On Wednesday, Dhankhar had expressed dismay over not being invited to the third convocation of the university. Dhankhar had tweeted though he has the "right to preside" over Friday's convocation, he was not invited while many ministers were requested to attend the event.

"Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University Convocation will be held on Feb 14. Ministers Partha Chatterjee, Goutam Deb, Rabindra Nath Ghosh and Binay Krishna Barman are invited for (sic) the Convocation. Chancellor, who has right to preside, has just no information! Where are we heading!" the governor had tweeted.

Bengal Governor flags bigotry, intolerance in country

The university's vice-chancellor later said an invitation was supposed to be mailed to the chancellor and he would enquire why it did not reach him.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 23:57 [IST]
TOKYO and LONDON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sosei Group Corporation ("the Company") (TSE: 4565) provides an update on operational activities and reports its consolidated results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2019. The full report can be accessed by clicking here.

Operational Highlights for Q4 2019

US$3 million payment received from Genentech - triggered by the nomination of a new GPCR disease target under the multi-target research collaboration and license agreement, signed in July 2019

- triggered by the nomination of a new GPCR disease target under the multi-target research collaboration and license agreement, signed in July 2019 Positive results announced from Phase III IRIDIUM study of QVM149 in patients with uncontrolled asthma announced by Novartis - QVM149 is an investigational, once-daily, inhaled combination treatment for asthma submitted for registration in Europe (Q2 2019) and Japan (Q3 2019) in which Sosei Heptares has an economic interest

- QVM149 is an investigational, once-daily, inhaled combination treatment for asthma submitted for registration in (Q2 2019) and (Q3 2019) in which Sosei Heptares has an economic interest US$5 million clinical milestone from Pfizer - triggered by Pfizer dosing the first subject in a clinical trial with a new drug candidate nominated from the multi-target drug discovery collaboration between the two companies

- triggered by Pfizer dosing the first subject in a clinical trial with a new drug candidate nominated from the multi-target drug discovery collaboration between the two companies US$3 million pre-clinical milestone from Pfizer - payment resulted from the nomination of a third clinical candidate from the multi-target drug discovery collaboration between the two companies

- payment resulted from the nomination of a third clinical candidate from the multi-target drug discovery collaboration between the two companies Creation of Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) - new SAB includes experts from academia and the pharmaceutical industry in the US and Europe . The SAB will provide valuable insight and perspective relevant to strategic areas of focus for Sosei Heptares

Operational Highlights for the Full Year 2019

Two new multi-target collaborations initiated with major global partners - Genentech and Takeda - together, these collaborations are expected to generate up to US$52 million in the form of upfront and early progress payments over the next two to three years, with potential for significant future milestone payments plus royalties

- Genentech and Takeda - together, these collaborations are expected to generate up to in the form of upfront and early progress payments over the next two to three years, with potential for significant future milestone payments plus royalties Excellent progress with other partnered programs - AstraZeneca (AZD4635), Pfizer (two candidate nominations), Novartis (QVM149), all triggering progress-related milestones

AstraZeneca (AZD4635), Pfizer (two candidate nominations), Novartis (QVM149), all triggering progress-related milestones Creation of two spin-out companies - Spin out of discovered assets (orexin agonists targeting neurological diseases) into Orexia Ltd and Inexia Ltd with funding of up to 40 million from Medicxi, an international investment firm focused on the life sciences sector. Significant progress, triggering release of funding, reported in January 2020

Spin out of discovered assets (orexin agonists targeting neurological diseases) into Orexia Ltd and Inexia Ltd with funding of up to 40 million from Medicxi, an international investment firm focused on the life sciences sector. Significant progress, triggering release of funding, reported in R&D Day for investors ( September 2019 ) - successful event held in Japan showcasing the Company's state-of-the-art UK R&D center, the potential of StaR technology and artificial intelligence in drug discovery and how this positions Sosei Heptares to continue delivering high-quality drug candidates, strategic partnerships and significant shareholder value

Financial Highlights for the 12-month Period ended 31 December 2019

Revenue totalled JPY 9 ,726 million ( US$89 .2 million) (an increase of JPY 6 ,176 million ( US$57 .0 million) vs. the prior corresponding period), and related primarily to strong growth in milestones, upfront fees from new partnerships plus royalty payments received.

,726 million ( .2 million) (an increase of ,176 million ( .0 million) vs. the prior corresponding period), and related primarily to strong growth in milestones, upfront fees from new partnerships plus royalty payments received. Total cash operating expenses [1] were down to JPY 6 ,101 million ( US$55 .9 million) (an improvement of JPY 2 ,865 million ( US$25 .4 million) vs. the prior corresponding period), primarily due to a decrease in R&D costs.

were down to ,101 million ( .9 million) (an improvement of ,865 million ( .4 million) vs. the prior corresponding period), primarily due to a decrease in R&D costs. Cash profit [2] totalled JPY 2 ,802 million ( US$25.7 million ) vs. a cash loss of JPY 5,704 million ( US$51.7 million ) in the prior corresponding period, as a result of strong revenue growth and tight cost management.

totalled ,802 million ( ) vs. a cash loss of ( ) in the prior corresponding period, as a result of strong revenue growth and tight cost management. Net profit totalled JPY 1,432 million ( US$13.1 million ) vs. a net loss of JPY 6,919 million ( US$62.7 million ) in the prior corresponding period, on the back of strong business plan execution.

( ) vs. a net loss of ( ) in the prior corresponding period, on the back of strong business plan execution. Term loan facilities were fully repaid in FY2019. New 5bn ( $45m ) commitment line (undrawn) established with Mizuho Bank provides financial flexibility for the future

) commitment line (undrawn) established with provides financial flexibility for the future The Company remains well capitalized, with Cash at Hand of JPY 15,375 million ( US$140.3 million ) as at 31 December 2019 .

*Convenience conversion to US$ at the following rates: 2019: 1US$ =109.035 JPY; 2018: 1US$ =110.291 JPY

[1] Non-IFRS measure

[2] Non-IFRS measure

Shinichi Tamura, Chairman, President and CEO of Sosei Heptares, commented: "We are delighted with the multiple successes we have delivered in 2019 as we execute our strategy of achieving sustainable profitability through drug discovery, early development and partnering. The new collaborations that we signed in the latter part of the year with Genentech and Takeda illustrate this strategy in action and complement the important strategic partnerships we already have in place with AstraZeneca, Pfizer and others. During the year, we also signed an innovative deal with Medicxi, which agreed to provide up to 40 million to create and support two spin-out companies based on our orexin agonist discoveries. These companies have made an excellent start resulting in the release of funds to advance into the next stages. Over the course of 2019 we continued to extend the capabilities of our GPCR-focused drug discovery platform through the integration of cutting-edge technologies and expertise. We believe that these enhanced capabilities will improve both our ability to generate novel molecules and to create the further strategic partnering opportunities that are central to our strategy to deliver shareholder value."

Abbreviations used: GPCR - G protein-coupled receptors

About Sosei Heptares

We are an international biopharmaceutical group focused on the discovery and early development of new medicines originating from our proprietary GPCR-targeted StaR technology and structure-based drug design platform capabilities. We are advancing a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, immuno-oncology, gastroenterology, inflammation and other rare/specialty indications.

We have established partnerships with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, including Allergan, AstraZeneca, Daiichi-Sankyo, Genentech (Roche), Novartis, Pfizer and Takeda; and with innovative biotechnology companies, including Kymab, MorphoSys and PeptiDream. Sosei Heptares is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with R&D facilities in Cambridge, UK.

'Sosei Heptares' is the corporate brand of Sosei Group Corporation, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 4565). Sosei, Heptares, the logo and StaR are Trade Marks of Sosei Group companies.

For more information, please visit https://www.soseiheptares.com/

LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | Twitter: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei Group Corporation's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Enquiries:

Sosei Heptares

Shinichiro Nishishita - VP Investor Relations

+81 (0)3-5210-3399

IR@SoseiHeptares.com

Candelle Chong - VP Corporate Strategy and Communications

+44 (0)1223-949-392

Comms@SoseiHeptares.com

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Yas Fukuda - Japanese Media

+81 (0)3-4360-9241

Yas.Fukuda@citigatedewerogerson.com

Mark Swallow, David Dible - International Media

+44 (0)20-7638-9571

SoseiHeptares@citigatedewerogerson.com
The latest:

Death toll reaches 1,367, up 254 from the previous day.

Apparent spike in cases and death toll relates to new method of diagnosis for COVID-19.

China has worked through backlog of cases from earlier in the outbreak, some now clinically confirmed positive.

China now has 59,805 laboratory and clinically confirmed cases, up 15,152.

Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan, is largest cluster outside of China.

12 Canadians who were aboard have the illness.

No additional countries are reporting cases.

A new method of diagnosing the illness caused by novel coronavirus is allowing front-line medical workers in China to get patients into care more quickly and public health departments to then track down people who may have come into contact with the virus.

At a World Health Organization news conference Thursday, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's emergency program, explained an apparent spike in deaths and new cases reported by Chinese authorities.

China now has 59,805 confirmed cases, up 15,152 from Wednesday, and the number of deaths increased by 254 to reach 1,367.

The increase comes after many suspect cases from Hubei province that had been backlogged were reclassified using patients' chest images, rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation, said Ryan.

So, the increase is largely due to a change in how cases are being diagnosed and reported, he said.

Aly Song/Reuters

"Crucially, we understand that most of these cases relate to a period going back over days and weeks and are retrospectively reported as cases, sometimes back to the beginning of the outbreak itself," he said.

"We've seen this spike in the number of cases reported in China, but this does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak."

The number of countries reporting cases of the illness has held steady at 24.

Higher numbers may contain some good news

Medical experts say the higher numbers likely reflect a more accurate picture of the illness.

Story continues

Dr. Mike Tildesley, an associate professor at the University of Warwick in the U.K. who studies zoonotic diseases  those that spread from animals to humans  said many of these new cases were previously defined as "probable" cases.

"Given this change in classification, it is unsurprising that we have seen an increase in confirmed cases, but this does not necessarily mean that we are seeing an increase in the rate of infection," he said in a written statement.

"What it does mean is that we may now have a more accurate measure of the true extent of the outbreak, which in the longer term will improve our ability to predict how the virus may spread in the future."

Indeed, cases are not rising dramatically outside China apart from among passengers on a cruise liner now quarantined off the Japanese port of Yokohama, said Ryan.

12 Canadians test positive on cruise ship

A further 44 cases were reported on the vessel Thursday, raising the total to 219. Authorities said some elderly people would finally to be allowed to disembark on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said 12 Canadians who were aboard the ship have contracted COVID-19.

Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

They've since been moved to Japanese health facilities, and at least three require hospitalization, he said.

Champagne said emergency response teams and consular officials are in Japan to make sure Canadians are receiving the help they need.

"We know that there are some people who need medications on board, they want to have contact with their families, we're facilitating that," Champagne said at a briefing in Senegal, where he is on a diplomatic trip.

Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

As for Canadians still in the centre of the viral outbreak, Champagne said all the 400 or so Canadians who wished to leave Hubei, the Chinese province that includes the city of Wuhan, have been repatriated and are quarantined in southern Ontario, at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

The last flight chartered by the Canadian government to evacuate people from Wuhan, which landed at CFB Trenton on Tuesday, was the last the government plans to send to the region. Those Canadians who chose to stay behind in Hubei have been provided with consular services, Champagne said.

Death toll steady around 2%

Mark Fielder, a professor of medical microbiology at London's Kingston University, said the new clinically confirmed cases are now added to those previously identified only through nucleic acid-based lab tests.

"I am reassured that despite the rise in numbers, the death rate still stands at around two per cent," said Fielder.

"As it stands, I think the data and the situation remain one that we need to have global eyes fixed upon. We should be concerned and take it seriously, but not worry."
Chinese nurses wearing protective clothing and surgical face masks gather at the Fangcang mobile cabin hospital where patients infected with the new coronavirus and pneumonia are hospitalized in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province on February 12th, 2020. (Photo by YFC / Costfoto/Sipa USA)

Japan has announced its first death from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, taking the global total to 1,710.

Health minister Katsunobu Kato said the victim was a woman in her 80s who had been in hospital since 1 February, when she was diagnosed with pneumonia, with the COVID-19 diagnosis coming after her death.

The woman was a resident of Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo, but officials have refused to comment on Japanese media reports that she was the mother-in-law of a taxi driver who is also a confirmed case.

There have now been two deaths outside China, with the other coming in the Philippines, with the vast majority of confirmed cases and fatalities still restricted to Hubei province - the epicentre of the outbreak.

On Wednesday night, more than 14,800 new cases of the COVID-19 , the disease which is caused by the coronavirus, were reported in Hubei.

Health officials there also confirmed 242 new deaths from the flu-like virus - the fastest rise since the pathogen was identified in December.

The latest global figures:

There had been optimism that the number of infections was beginning to slow down, with China having reported its lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in two weeks on Tuesday.

Despite the apparent spike, the World Health Organisation has played down fears that it represented a major shift in the trajectory of the outbreak.

Officials said the increase was "largely down to a change in how cases are being diagnosed and reported".

Doctors in China can now make clinical diagnoses based on chest imaging, rather than wait for laboratory confirmation, allowing for cases to be confirmed more quickly.

It also means suspected cases from previous days and weeks, including some going right back to the end of December, are now being included in the latest updates from Hubei.

It means figures from Hubei - including those from Wednesday night - now include confirmed laboratory cases and suspected cases based on the chest imaging tests.

Story continues

In other developments:

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Global markets had surged to record highs when Zhong Nanshan, a Chinese medical adviser who played a role in combating the SARS outbreak in 2003, predicted that COVID-19 cases will peak this month.

The latest figures from Hubei province will spark fears that an end to disruption in the world's second-largest economy is far from over.

One health expert has warned that countries around the world are only at "the beginning of the outbreak".

Hundreds of infections have been reported in more than 20 countries, but only two people have died from COVID-19 outside of China to date.

And Dr Mike Ryan, the head of the WHO's emergency programme, has cautioned that it is too early "to predict the beginning, the middle or end of the epidemic".

Vaccine could be months away

Tests have been taking place to see whether antiviral drugs used to treat HIV are effective against the coronavirus - however, results are only expected in a few weeks.

The WHO has held a two-day meeting aimed at speeding up the development of tests, drugs and vaccines for the new virus, but experts have warned that treatments may be months away.

Across China, more than 60 million people have been affected by an unprecedented lockdown.

Cruise ship docks

A cruise ship turned away by five countries over fears that someone on board has the coronavirus has docked in Cambodia after two weeks at sea.

The MS Westerdam arrived early on Thursday morning - and one passenger on board said "just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment".

Passengers on board the ship have been subjected to regular health checks throughout the troubled journey.

Even though no one on board has fallen ill, the ship was denied permission to dock by Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines and Thailand.
Former RJD minister and Tej Pratap Yadavs father- in-law Chandrika Rai on Thursday lashed out against his partys leadership while praising Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and predicting a victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming assembly polls this year, stoking speculations of his impending crossover to the Janata Dal United.

People have faith in Nitish Kumar and the NDA will romp home, said Rai, who previously served as a minister in Lalu-Rabri cabinets, and added that the discontent in the RJD was growing and a large number of legislators and workers were feeling restless over the manner in which party affairs were being conducted.

Many of them are disgruntled by the drift in the party and want to leave, he said.

Son of former chief minister Daroga Prasad Rai, the Parsa legislator unsuccessfully contested the 2019 parliamentary polls from Chapra and claims his loss was due to an open sabotage by important party leaders.

The party has failed to initiate any action against such elements, who worked to ensure the defeat of official nominees in several constituencies he added.

In an apparent swipe at the leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad YadavLalu Prasads younger son-- Rai said party leaders disillusioned with Tejashwis leadership have been pointing out that the young leader easily gets tired after attending two meetings.

Rais relations with Lalus family soured after Prasads elder son Tej Pratap Yadav filed a divorce petition against Rais daughter Aishwarya Rai within six months of their marriage in May 2018.

In the ensuing family drama, Aishwarya had to leave Rabri Devis home prompting her father to announce that he would expose Lalus Prasad family.

Though Chandrika maintains that he was yet to firm up his plans, he sounded confident of again fighting from Parsa assembly seat.

I will be contesting my home seat, he said, in response to a question about the choice of seat in event of his joining the JD (U).

His response suggested that for contesting Parsa seat, JD (U) was the only viable option.

Interestingly, the Parsa MLA has not renewed his primary membership of the RJD, stoking speculations that his days in the party were numbered.

I will convey my decision to the media when the time comes, he said.

Political sources indicate that all matters relevant to his switchover are settled and a formal announcement will take place shortly after the Holi festival.

As an indicator of things to come, JD (U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh said he is a big leader. We will welcome him to our party fold.

It is being said that the JD (U) is more than willing to induct the former minister into its fold as it is likely to be a reply to the proposed switch by party MLC and former minister Javed Iqbal Ansari to the RJD in the run-up to the polls.

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Frank Liu had an opportunity in 2001 to buy 109 acres in a working class section of Spring Branch for an enviable price: just over $1 per square foot. Yet he wasnt immediately convinced the then-rough-and-tumble neighborhood  far off the radar of most Houston builders  would be the right spot for an upscale residential development.

So he got in his car, day after day, and drove the area, passing overgrown lots and rusty warehouses.

At first I just didnt quite fully get it, Liu said on a recent tour of the property. But then all of a sudden I realized when you have 109 acres it helps create that sense of community  even in a transitional area.

He bought the land, waited several years, and started developing it slowly and in phases. He hired a prominent architect to design a plan for the property and a modern farmhouse aesthetic for the homes, which have porches in the front and garages in the back, accessible by alleys. The first homes there sold for around $200,000 less than a decade ago.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Former Barbara Jordan Post Office to be reborn as mixed-use project

There are about 190 homes on the site today, selling for as much as $600,000 in the newest phase of the project.

Liu, 63, has repeated this formula in other parts of town. Hes focused on neighborhoods in and around the 610 Loop where he could buy large enough parcels, by urban standards at least, to fashion miniature master-planned communities complete with dog parks, jogging trails and swimming pools.

Over the past two decades, his company, InTown Homes, has built thousands of three- and four-story homes and townhomes in EaDo, South Main, Cottage Grove, Spring Branch and other close-in neighborhoods. Liu was often the first to go into these areas with new housing that pushed the limits on prices Houstonians had historically been willing to pay.

Really its Frank more than anybody else that convinced people we could have the kind of urban real estate environment we have today, real estate analyst Scott Davis said. He was the one who convinced people it could work at scale.

College ties

Born in Taiwan, Liu, who owns a trio of real estate companies  InTown Homes, Lovett Commercial and Lovett Homes  moved to Vietnam a few years later when his father took a job as a textile engineer. He came to the United States in 1971 and to Houston two years later. Liu attended Rice University, graduating in 1978 with a civil engineering degree.

In 1980, Liu and his college roommate started Lovett Homes, named after their dormitory at Rice. Lovett Commercial was founded in 1995 followed by InTown Homes in 2003 to focus on high-density housing in emerging neighborhoods.

The companies have developed upwards of $3 billion in projects, including housing, shopping centers, offices and industrial buildings, throughout Texas.

Chris Weekley, executive vice president at David Weekley Homes, which builds in many of the same markets as InTown Homes, began working in Houstons urban real estate market about a decade ago. At that time, he recalls, the big names were Perry Homes and Frank Liu.

I would say theres no doubt Frank and his team opened up various parts of the city and proved up areas, Weekley said.

He also noted Lius vast amount of real estate holdings and his ability to hold property for future development.

Through whatever means, hes been able to hold land over the long term, Weekley said. We are buying something in todays prices hopefully to sell homes in a year.

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In an industry known for promoters and big personalities, Lius style is comparatively modest. He often speaks to student groups but rarely gives interviews, preferring to stay out of the public spotlight.

The young people talked me into doing this, he said of a recent interview during the tour of his Spring Branch project, called Kolbe Farms.

Its gotten harder in recent years to keep such a low profile. In 2016 his familys philanthropic foundation donated $16.5 million to Rice, launching the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The lab is an on-campus collaborative workspace space for students, faculty and staff that hosts lectures, competitions and workshops.

Expanded ambitions

In 2015, he was the winning bidder on the downtown post office property, a 16-acre complex on the north edge of downtown thats being transformed into an array of mixed uses: culinary market, shops, coworking space, concert venue, hotel and rooftop farm. By repurposing the 57-year-old building, a state historical landmark, Lovett was able to earn federal and state historic tax credits.

Its likely Lius most ambitious project yet. He tapped OMA, an international architecture partnership founded by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Rem Koolhaas, and Hoerr Schaudt, the Chicago-based landscape architects behind Houstons McGovern Centennial Park, to design it. Lius son, Kirby Liu, is leading the project, called POST Houston.

The developers more recent investments have made headlines too.

Listen on HoustonChronicle.com: The Loopie Awards reveal the best and worst of Houston real estate

He spent $10 million late last year to buy the Farmer Brothers coffee plant in the East End, just south of Navigation where Turkey Bend curves off Buffalo Bayou. Liu hasnt revealed what his plans are for the six-acre site, but its likely a ways off. The coffee maker stuck a deal to lease back the property for three years.

The timing could align with the planned revitalization of Buffalo Bayou east of downtown. The Buffalo Bayou Partnership last fall announced a master plan for the eastern section of the waterway. Turkey Bend, near the coffee plant, is one of several sites the Partnership plans to repurpose into an arts and events facility, a boating center and gathering spaces.

Spring Branch boom

Back in Spring Branch, InTown Homes has broken ground on another large project called Avondale. The development has been designed to include 165 homes, each with a contemporary architectural style.

The homes, which start in the low $300,000s, have flat or metal roofs with large overhangs, oversize picture windows and brick, stucco, cinder block and corrugated metal siding.

Liu is hoping the modern designs will be attractive to Houstonians. A similar project in Austin, he said, was one of his most successful.

Spring Branch has boomed over the last five to 10 years and competition has picked up among builders adding new homes catering to families and millennials who cant afford inner-loop real estate.

Prime Property: Get Houston real estate news sent directly to your inbox

Liu said he emphasizes design as a way to set himself apart.

Warren Buffet always says you dont want to be in the commodity business. The commodity business is basically dog eat dog. You just compete on price, he said. You want to have something a little bit different. If someone really likes this feel, guess what, theres not too many choices for them out there.

Competitive advantage

Lius flexibility has offered other advantages.

In 2010, he negotiated a deal with the city of Houston to be reimbursed $20 million in public infrastructure improvements to three future residential sites, including Kolbe Farms. The agreement was part of a statewide economic development program in which reimbursement dollars come from the the incremental property taxes the projects create. So if the homes are never built or enough taxes aren't generated, the developer is not reimbursed.

Those kinds of deals take time and patience most builders dont have, Weekley said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Architect Jon Pickard on how Houston could be better

Davis, president of Houston-based Location Strategy, has followed local builders for much of his career. He compares Lius vision to that of Houston real estate legends whose careers were defined by their some of their biggest professional risks: George Mitchell, founder of The Woodlands; Frank Sharp, developer of Sharpstown; and Ed Wulfe, who transformed Meyerland Plaza.

Theres the kind of developer we refer to as a promoter; someone who has crazy ideas no one thinks will work but by their sheer will they can get it done. And Frank is not that kind of guy, Davis said. Franks projects are organized and planned and reasonable. There are no smoke and mirrors.

Uniquely Houston

Angela Blanchard, president emerita of BakerRipley, a community development organization, got to know Liu when he developed the groups new home in the East End.

She said his story is uniquely Houston.

He didnt arrive with a trust fund or somebody that was going to bankroll anything he came up with, she said.

Blanchard, a senior fellow in International and Public Affairs at Brown Universitys Watson Institute, invited Liu to speak at Brown last fall. The presentation was called Urban Social Policy Meets Real-World Capitalism. In an environment where societys capitalistic ills are heavily scrutinized, she said, Lius talk was well-received.

Im sure he has his critics, every developer does, Blanchard said. But his is a true Houston entrepreneurial story  capitalist at its core. A man and a company evolving in response to a fast-growing, dynamic region.

nancy.sarnoff@chron.com

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Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020

The government plans to unify regional taxes and impose fiscal punishments on regional administrations whose bylaws are not in line with the national policy in a bid to attract investment.

Finance Ministry Fiscal Balance Director General Astera Primanto Bhakti said the plan was part of an omnibus bill on taxation that would overhaul regional taxation as the government seeks to provide certainty to investors.

If a regional administrations policies are not in line with the national fiscal policy then we will impose sanctions, such as by [cutting] the regional transfer amount or revoking the bylaws, Astera said during a press briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday.

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Haiti - Politic : PM Lapin, announces measures to combat insecurity





Wednesday, following the resurgence of kidnappings (at least twenty kidnapping since the beginning of the year) and insecurity, in order to respond to the concern of the population, Prime Minister ai, Michel Lapin also President of the Council Superior of the National Police (CSPN) announced at the end of a meeting of the CSPN held at his official residence in Musseau that the State was going to assume its responsibilities and that measures are taken to combat insecurity "[...] We have discussed this situation of insecurity which concerns us at the highest level. We have heard the cries of the population through the media. We have thought of a 3-level security plan. The police presence will be reinforced : Through the traffic service and the other brigades, the police will do systematic identification work. Then, the PNH will implement an action strategy that we cannot reveal."



Prime Minister Lapin affirmed that these measures would be in place the same evening and was firm on the impartiality of the road controls specifying that he had authorized the police to identify the occupants of all vehicles except those of the diplomatic corps "There will be no exception for vehicles registered State or Official Service. The police will also check vehicles with tinted windows. The police and the justice system will crack down on occupiers who do not want to comply with this new measure."



Concerning the reinforcement of the equipment of the PNH for fight against crime he suggested that most of the needs of the PNH have been met with the exception of those which require approval at the international level, in the process of being finalized, recalling that Haiti has been under embargo on the import of weapons of war and ammunition for more than 25 years...



Note that Friday, February 14, a citizen march against insecurity is planned in Port-au-Prince.



TB/ HaitiLibre


















A former Uber driver who gave rides to people illegally crossing the U.S.-Canadian border was sentenced to a year in prison today.

Jaswinder Singh, 30, previously admitted to knowingly transporting illegal aliens within the United States for the purpose of financial gain, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a press release.

Singh is a citizen of India who was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prosecutors said. Singh had sought and received asylum in the U.S., according to prosecutors.

Singh made several pick-ups at the border, in St. Lawrence County, from January to May 2019, officials said in the press release. Singh would pick up people who had illegally crossed into the U.S. from Canada and drive them further into the interior of the U.S., prosecutors said.

He was arrested on May 20, 2019 during such a trip. He drove to St. Lawrence County to pick up two people, one of them a child, for $2,200, prosecutors said.

U.S. District Court Judge David Hurd sentenced Singh to one year in prison. He now faces deportation proceedings as a result of his conviction, prosecutors said. If Singh is allowed to remain in the U.S. after his prison sentence, he will be placed on supervised release for two years, prosecutors said.

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government, education and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992

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Long term investing works well, but it doesn't always work for each individual stock. It hits us in the gut when we see fellow investors suffer a loss. For example, we sympathize with anyone who was caught holding Manas Resources Limited (ASX:MSR) during the five years that saw its share price drop a whopping 86%. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 50% in the last year. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 33% in the last 90 days.

While a drop like that is definitely a body blow, money isn't as important as health and happiness.

View our latest analysis for Manas Resources

Manas Resources recorded just AU$46,454 in revenue over the last twelve months, which isn't really enough for us to consider it to have a proven product. We can't help wondering why it's publicly listed so early in its journey. Are venture capitalists not interested? So it seems shareholders are too busy dreaming about the progress to come than dwelling on the current (lack of) revenue. It seems likely some shareholders believe that Manas Resources will find or develop a valuable new mine before too long.

We think companies that have neither significant revenues nor profits are pretty high risk. There is almost always a chance they will need to raise more capital, and their progress - and share price - will dictate how dilutive that is to current holders. While some companies like this go on to deliver on their plan, making good money for shareholders, many end in painful losses and eventual de-listing. Manas Resources has already given some investors a taste of the bitter losses that high risk investing can cause.

When it last reported its balance sheet in June 2019, Manas Resources could boast a strong position, with cash in excess of all liabilities of AU$7.8m. That allows management to focus on growing the business, and not worry too much about raising capital. But since the share price has dropped 32% per year, over 5 years , it seems like the market might have been over-excited previously. You can see in the image below, how Manas Resources's cash levels have changed over time (click to see the values). You can click on the image below to see (in greater detail) how Manas Resources's cash levels have changed over time.

Story continues

ASX:MSR Historical Debt, February 13th 2020

Of course, the truth is that it is hard to value companies without much revenue or profit. Given that situation, would you be concerned if it turned out insiders were relentlessly selling stock? I'd like that just about as much as I like to drink milk and fruit juice mixed together. You can click here to see if there are insiders selling.

What about the Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?

We've already covered Manas Resources's share price action, but we should also mention its total shareholder return (TSR). Arguably the TSR is a more complete return calculation because it accounts for the value of dividends (as if they were reinvested), along with the hypothetical value of any discounted capital that have been offered to shareholders. Manas Resources hasn't been paying dividends, but its TSR of -81% exceeds its share price return of -86%, implying it has either spun-off a business, or raised capital at a discount; thereby providing additional value to shareholders.

A Different Perspective

Investors in Manas Resources had a tough year, with a total loss of 50%, against a market gain of about 20%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 28% per year over five years. We realise that Buffett has said investors should 'buy when there is blood on the streets', but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Case in point: We've spotted 5 warning signs for Manas Resources you should be aware of, and 3 of them are a bit concerning.

But note: Manas Resources may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges.

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.
Laois County Council has invited the public to make submissions to Irelands Wind Energy Guidelines 2006 which are being updated.

Council CEO John Mulholland made the invite in his monthly management report to the January council meeting.

The review will address guidelines on sound, noise, visual amenity setback, shadow flicker, consultation obligations, community dividend and grid connections.

It is 2013 since a draft review of the 2006 guidelines was first promised by the Government. That year Laois politicians called in unison for a halt on wind turbine developments until the guidelines were updated, to no avail.

It followed the launch of the Midlands Wind Project to harness wind energy for the UK, and predictions of 450 turbines in Laois of 185m in height built by companies including Bord na Mona and Element Power (now owned by Statkraft).

The then Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte told the Leinster Express in 2013 that progress would not be halted to wait for updated guidelines.

I dont think it will take long to complete the process (of updating guidelines). he said.

The public is invited to email submissions to WEDGReview: housing.gov.ie or write to WEDG Review Submissions, Planning Policy and Legislation Section, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1, DO1W6X0.

The consultation period closes at 5pm on February 19.
Nicki Minaj was on brand when she attended the Marc Jacobs show on closing day of New York Fashion Week this Wednesday.

The 37-year-old rap diva showed off her sculpted legs in a Marc Jacobs fil coupe ruffle dress that retails online for $9,500.

She could be glimpsed outside the fashion show cuddling up to her dashing husband, manslaughter convict Kenneth Petty.

Legs for days: Nicki Minaj was on brand when she attended the Marc Jacobs show on closing day of New York Fashion Week this Wednesday

Look of love: She could be glimpsed outside the fashion show cuddling up to her dashing husband, manslaughter convict Kenneth Petty

Nicki's stylish ensemble featured a white guipure collar and a set of raised shoulders, with multi-tiered sleeves cut off above the elbow.

The 5'2" superstar lent herself a bit of extra stature by balancing on a pair of sky-high stiletto camel-colored boots.

Sharpening her unmistakable features with makeup, she swept her hair back and added a touch of dazzle with drop earrings.

Nicki slung a canary yellow handbag on the crook of her right arm and cinched an orange belt around her enviably trim waistline.

When you got it: The 37-year-old rap diva showed off her sculpted legs in a Marc Jacobs fil coupe ruffle dress that retails online for $9,500

Details: Nicki's stylish ensemble featured a white guipure collar and a set of raised shoulders, with multi-tiered sleeves cut off above the elbow

Height of fashion: The 5'2" superstar lent herself a bit of extra stature by balancing on a pair of sky-high stiletto camel-colored boots

Meanwhile, her hunk teamed a grey-and-tan color block hoodie with a matching pair of skintight tan jeans that emphasized his toned legs.

He pulled on camel-toned low-top boots that matched his wife's, and could be seen posing up a storm with her inside the event.

Nicki could be seen mingling at the fashion show with Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele, a stylist who hails from Saint-Tropez.

Last year during their whirlwind romance Nicki included him in the lyrics to her single Megatron: 'I f***him like I miss him. He just came out of prison.'

Bombshell: Sharpening her unmistakable features with makeup, she swept her hair back and added a touch of dazzle with drop earrings

Sizzling sensation: Nicki slung a canary yellow handbag on the crook of her right arm and cinched an orange belt around her enviably trim waistline

Then 10 days before Halloween Nicki announced on Instagram that she was married to Kenneth, who apparently goes by the nickname 'Zoo.'

Kenneth spent seven years behind bars for first degree manslaughter, which he pleaded guilty to after being charged with second degree murder, TMZ reported.

Citing insiders in law enforcement, the website claimed that Kenneth shot one Lamont Robinson three times on a street corner in Queens in April 2002.

Kenneth and some associates allegedly drove to a point across the street from Lamont, whereupon Kenneth emerged from the vehicle and walked over to his victim before firing into his stomach.

Meanwhile: Her hunk teamed a grey-and-tan color block hoodie with a matching pair of skintight tan jeans that emphasized his toned legs

Beefcake: He pulled on camel-toned low-top boots that matched his wife's, and could be seen posing up a storm with her inside the event

Doing the rounds: Nicki could be seen mingling at the fashion show with Carlyne Cerf De Dudzeele, a stylist who hails from Saint-Tropez

Lamont identified a photograph of his killer to police before dying in the hospital shortly after being shot, per court documents.

An investigator dismissed the reason for the shooting as 'bulls***' to TMZ, whose sources theorized that the violence was gang-related.

Kenneth, 41, earned his sex offender status after being convicted in 1995 of the first degree attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl.

He made use of a 'knife/cutting instrument' during the crime, according to public records from the New York Division Of Criminal Justice Services.

'He just came out of prison': Last year during their whirlwind romance Nicki included him in the lyrics to her single Megatron: 'I f***him like I miss him'

Relationship history: Then 10 days before Halloween Nicki announced on Instagram that she was married to Kenneth, who apparently goes by the nickname 'Zoo'
Scientists have a pretty good handle on how the birds and the bees work, but it comes to mating, almost all millipedes have been a mystery--until now. For the first time, researchers have puzzled out how these tiny creatures' complex genitalia work, thanks to new imaging techniques and blacklights that make the different tissues glow. The findings are published in a new paper in the journal Arthropod Structure and Development.

"This is the first time we've been able to understand these millipedes' mechanism of insertion, how the male and female organs interact with each other. Before this, we had no idea how he would actually get the sperm into her," says Petra Sierwald, an associate curator at the Field Museum in Chicago and one of the paper's authors.

Millipedes are centipedes' chill vegetarian cousins. They're in a different animal group from insects and spiders, but they're part of the same big umbrella of arthropods. They have dozens of legs, but they're slow movers--they eat decaying plants, so they don't need to be speedy to catch a meal.

"Millipedes are mulch munchers," says Sierwald. "They are in waste management, and they're very good at it."

There are over 13,000 different species of millipedes known to science (with many more discovered every year), and they each have their own unique way of mating. The genus that Sierwald and her colleagues focused on in this study, Pseudopolydesmus, is made up of half-inch-long brown millipedes from North America. They're not too exciting to look at, but their behavior makes them stand out to scientists: they're unusually eager to mate, even in laboratory conditions.

"One of the problems with millipedes is that they do a lot of things while they are dug into the ground, and if you take them out, you will disturb them and they'll stop what they're doing," says Sierwald. Not Pseudopolydesmus, though. "They will even mate in the lab in the Petri dish under the light."

But while Pseudopolydesmus are the exhibitionists of the millipede world, it's still hard to see exactly what's going on down there--there are a lot of legs in the way.

"This paper has been a long time in the making. It started out when I found a pair of this genus, a male and female, in copula, sort of attached. Their legs were obscuring everything," says Sierwald.

To solve this problem, Sierwald and her colleague, Field Museum co-author Stephanie Ware, experimented with different lighting and imaging techniques. Ware took dozens of photographs of the tiny subjects at slightly varying distances, and then used a computer program to stack the images together and combine them so that all the miniscule details were in focus. so She took photos in both natural and ultraviolet light conditions since the millipedes' genitals glow under UV light, making it easier to tell the different tissues apart. The resulting blacklight photos look like a rave, albeit one made up of microscopic millipede genitalia.

To get further information about the structure of the millipedes' genitals, Xavier Zahnle at the University of California Davis, the paper's first author, conducted micro-CT scanning. "You can put these tiny millipedes into test tubes and do CT scanning on them, and you don't have to dissect the specimen, so it remains intact," explains Sierwald. "That is the really cool thing. The CT scan takes images of slices, and Xavier worked out the entire complex software program to analyze the slices and put them back together."

All of these images of the millipedes' genitalia, both on their own and locked together in the act of mating, helped the researchers figure out how the process actually works for Pseudopolydesmus.

In most millipedes, including Pseudopolydesmus, the male's testes are located in the body starting behind his second pair of legs. But his gonopods, the specialized pair of legs used to insert sperm into the female, are way back on his legs of the seventh body ring. "He has to ejaculate and then dig his seventh-ring gonopods into that ejaculate," she explains. "It's a blue-ish liquid."

Once the male has gotten his gonopods covered in blue ejaculate, he's ready to insert them into a female's vulvae. "She has two openings, one on each side between her second pair of legs," says Sierwald. The microscopic images showed the tiny fleshy part of the male's gonopods that actually enter the vulvae. "We had no idea for this entire group, which part is inserted and where it is inserted in the female," says Sierwald. Tiny claws on the end part of the male gonopod hook behind ridges on the female vulva.

After mating, the female's vulvae get sealed up with a gooey secretion, trapping the sperm inside. Later, when she lays her eggs, they get coated with the stored sperm on their way out of her body. The new imaging in this study also helps show how that process works.

"Before this study, we had no idea really where the secretions came from. I always thought it came from the male, because I thought the male wanted to seal off the female so that she couldn't mate again," says Sierwald. "But now, having seen the glands inside the female's vulvae through the CT-scanning, I think most of that secretion comes from the female. I don't know whether that is her way of protecting her vulvae or preserving the sperm. Those are interesting fields for further study."

In addition to giving us a better understanding of the mechanics of millipede sex, Sierwald hopes the project will enable scientists to better understand the relationships between different millipede species, which could shed light on how they evolved.

"This study will be important for understanding how millipedes in this genus are related and how they're distributed," says Sierwald. "They can tell us about the geologic history of North America. As mountain ranges and rivers formed, groups of millipedes would get cut off from each other and develop into new species." And, she notes, Pseuopolydesmus is just the tip of the iceberg.

"There are 16 orders of millipedes in the world, and for most of them, we have only faint ideas what the vulvae look like."

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Pooja Bedi has hit back at Twitter users who trolled her over daughter Alaya Fs debut after she tweeted against reservation and said that merit should be rewarded. The actor was promptly reminded that her own daughter got a dream launch in Bollywood.

Nepotism nepotism nepotism!! the run to word when u want to bash a star kid because u have no other tools in hand! so Let me make it clear. GRATITUDE is when you count your own blessings & JEALOUSY is when you count the blessings given to others. cheers! she wrote, in response to the trolls.

Nepotism nepotism nepotism !!  the "run to" word when u want to bash a star kid because u have no other tools in hand!  so Let me make it clear. GRATITUDE is when you count your own blessings & JEALOUSY is when you count the blessings given to others.  cheers!  Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) February 12, 2020

A Twitter user told Pooja that calling it jealousy was myopic and that outsiders parents were not whining about unfair treatment so celebrity parents should not complain either. If youre damning someone for being born into a family.. then its resentment and jealousy. U need to see their hard work and its results. If someone has performed fabulously & their years of hard work show they deserve their space on the screen why should their birth irk someone? she replied.

If you're damning someone for being born into a family.. then its resentment and jealousy. U need to see their hard work and its results. If someone has performed fabulously & their years of hard work show they deserve their space on the screen why should their birth irk someone?  Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) February 13, 2020

It all started when Pooja responded to Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadras comment and said that reservation should be done away with. Dear @priyankagandhi I think its VERY positive that @BJP4India wants 2 end the quota & reservation systems! if we believe in ONE india & merit & an end to divisive politics.... this is definitely a step in right direction. This reservation system cannot be a FOREVER entitlement, she wrote on Twitter.

Dear @priyankagandhi I think its VERY positive that @BJP4India wants 2 end the quota & reservation systems! if we believe in ONE india & merit & an end to divisive politics.... this is definitely a step in right direction. This reservation system cannot be a FOREVER entitlement https://t.co/ZXR6FokFzc  Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) February 11, 2020

When one Twitter user reminded Pooja about the practice of manual scavenging and the atrocities against backward castes, she replied, We have graduates sweeping floors because someone with way lesser marks got their job based on quota. Yes, Atrocities were inflicted in past. But Thats no reason 2 punish the good & deserving youth of today. Reward merit & INDIA will flourish! Caste system is a misused vote bank.

We have graduates sweeping floors because someone with way lesser marks got their job based on quota. Yes, Atrocities were inflicted in past. But That's no reason 2 punish the good & deserving youth of today. Reward merit & INDIA will flourish! Caste system is a misused vote bank  Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) February 11, 2020

Pooja was then reminded that she was at an advantage, being the daughter of veteran actor Kabir Bedi, and that her daughter Alaya did not have to go through the same struggle as hordes of others looking for a break in Bollywood.

Also read: Alaya F was asked what she has that Ananya Panday doesnt, her savage reply is a good answer on nepotism

Alaya made her big screen debut last month with Nitin Kakkars Jawaani Jaaneman, which also starred Saif Ali Khan and Tabu. In an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, she said that she did not use her family connections to land her first film.

Maximum my mother and grandfather would do is get me meetings with makers to show them my work, my portfolio, my acting reel. They would say you have great potential, very good, but that was about it, I never heard from them again. That was more to meet people in the industry. But getting my film and everything was through my agency, she said.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
A former college student who was raped following a party has told how she was left feeling suicidal after her attacker filed a case against her, accusing her of lying.

Like any student about to start their freshman year, Laurie Katz, now 26, from Boston, was excited to see what her first year in Chicago would bring. But little did she know that just three weeks into her first semester, aged 18, her life would come crashing down.

During what was supposed to be a fun night out with her friend Sarah, Laurie was raped at a party.

Traumatized and confused, she set out to get justice against her attacker Noah, but when her college dismissed her case, and warned her that she could be expelled, she was left feeling 'trapped' and isolated with nowhere to turn.

While it seemed things couldn't get any worse, Laurie, who used pseudonyms for Noah and Sarah and did not name her Chicago college, then revealed that her attacker then filed his own case against her through their school, accusing her of lying about the attack in an attempt to get her expelled.

'Therapy helped me accept what happened and that it was not my fault,' Laurie, who is set to release a memoir about the ordeal - 'Liar Liar' - on February 20, explained. 'It helped me to take back my self image and self-confidence.'

Laurie Katz, 26, from Boston, has waived her right to anonymity and spoken out about the night she was raped following a party she attended while at university, aged 18

'I was suicidal when I started and having someone to listen and believe me helped to keep me going.'

'I learned coping skills for anxiety and depression and just talking about the whole thing helped me to come to terms with it. I still go and it continues to help me.'

In September 2011, Laurie, then 18, was in her third weekend of her first term at college when she headed out to a party.

'It was my first time away from home and I didn't have a lot of partying or drinking experience,' she explained. 'I had gone to school with my best friend from home, Sarah*, and she had quickly made new friends, so I was excited when she invited me to go out with her.'

'Sarah and I had gone shopping for new outfits to wear that night and I had gotten ready by doing my makeup and putting on my new clothes. We had gone to the party and I got very drunk.'

With her school very strict about drinking, Laurie says she didn't want to risk returning to her dorm drunk in case she got kicked out. Instead, she and Sarah went to the apartment of an acquaintance.

'Sarah and I were with two guys she knew, so the four of us went to the apartment,' explained Laurie, who is now an elementary teacher. 'I was very tired and felt pretty sick.

'When we got in I used the bathroom and when I got out everyone was sitting on chairs or the couch, so with no where to sit I leaned on the wall. I could barely keep my eyes open.'

Laurie went on to explain how her attacker Noah then came out of his bedroom, and started being 'very kind' to her.

'He started talking to me and it made me feel seen and special,' she explained. 'He saw that I was swaying and not doing too well from the alcohol and asked if I wanted to lay down.'

'I was so grateful and just wanted to sleep. I laid down and we spoke for a little and then I passed out.'

The former university student revealed she was 'suicidal' - and has praised therapy for helping her take back her 'self image and self-confidence'

Unaware the others in the apartment had left to go to a park for a smoke, Laurie was alone with her attacker.

'I woke up to him kissing me and then everything else,' she said. 'When they were out, he raped me. They came back just as it ended.'

'I begged my friend to leave with me. I was in shock and in so much pain.'

'Noah told them that while they were out he had taken care of me, and Sarah thanked him.'

Afterwards, Laurie headed back to her dorm in 'total shock,' where she sat on her bed and 'couldn't move.'

'My roommate came back and this kind of snapped me out of it, so I went and took a very long shower,' she explained.

'The next day I told Sarah that something had happened with Noah.'

Laurie is set to release memoir Liar Liar: Breaking the silence on sexual assault

'She said it sounded like I had sex and then regretted it. As my mental health deteriorated in the coming weeks, Sarah got fed up and for a time I was left friendless and alone.'

Two weeks later, after confiding in a senior trained peer leader, Laurie was contacted by housing services, who she claimed 'persuaded' her the best thing to do would be a judicial case through the college's hearing process.

'I have since learned through the stories of others that universities don't want to have rapes tarnish their image,' explained Laurie.

'It's disturbingly common for these attacks to be covered up and for people to be pressured into not going to the police and to do hearings through the school instead.'

In 2012, Laurie brought a case against Noah for sexual misconduct to the dean of students through her university's hearing process.

Noah was suspended for two terms, but he appealed the decision and was back at school after a week.

But at the end of the school year, Laurie was horrified to hear that Noah had launched a case against her - accusing her of making the whole thing up.

'The case against me was through the school so I could have been expelled, but instead I was given a warning and a letter put in my school file that I had made the story up, so that if it happened again they would know I was lying,' explained Laurie. 'They said if it happens again we'll know it's, "Liar Laurie."'

Laurie told that after Noah launched the case against her, she was left feeling 'worthless' and 'responsible'

Laurie said she hopes her book will help others, as it's the type of thing she wished had existed when she was 18

She continued: 'It was devastating. I then struggled in silence for about four years. I was so depressed and alone. I felt worthless and like what happened didn't matter. I felt responsible.'

She continued: 'When I found out about the case against me, I came very close to suicide and had a plan. That night I couldn't stop crying and I literally felt trapped with no way out.'

'The idea of ending it all felt like my only solution and the only anchor that made sense. Getting out and seeing people that night helped me to get a little bit of space from what was happening and to not be so trapped in that head space.'

While no conviction was ever made against Noah, in March 2015, a professor realized that Laurie was struggling after reading a story she had written for a creative writing class.

When I found out about the case against me, I came very close to suicide and had a plan... I literally felt trapped with no way out

'It was pretty much an account of the night of the rape,' she explained. 'He checked in with me about it and I finally confided in him what happened and he pushed me to seek therapy.'

'I had been holding it in for so long it all spilled out. The rape. The cases. Everything. I was so tired of carrying it all by myself. It was amazing to be believed and to have what happened taken seriously.'

While Laurie admits therapy was very hard at first, she says she's so happy she started and stuck with it.

'It has given me the tools to take my life back,' she said. 'My view of the world was changed by what happened. How could it not be?'

'But in most of my days I lead a very typical life as a teacher. It took me a while to feel safe dating, but in the spring of 2016 I met my now fiance.'

'Therapy helped tremendously for me to start dating. I hope that my book will help others. It's the type of thing I wish existed when I was 18, just to know that what I experienced in the aftermath is normal and valid.'

Chicago has more than 50 colleges and universities.

Laurie Katz's memoir Liar Liar is published by Trigger Publishing $13.03 (9.99)
One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Uni-President China Holdings Ltd (HKG:220).

Uni-President China Holdings has a ROE of 10.0%, based on the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each HK$1 of shareholders' equity it has, the company made HK$0.10 in profit.

View our latest analysis for Uni-President China Holdings

How Do I Calculate ROE?

The formula for return on equity is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

Or for Uni-President China Holdings:

10.0% = CN1.3b  CN13b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.)

Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. You can calculate shareholders' equity by subtracting the company's total liabilities from its total assets.

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 profit over the last twelve months. A higher profit will lead to a higher ROE. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses.

Does Uni-President China Holdings Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. The image below shows that Uni-President China Holdings has an ROE that is roughly in line with the Food industry average (9.6%).

SEHK:220 Past Revenue and Net Income, February 13th 2020

That's not overly surprising. ROE doesn't tell us if the share price is low, but it can inform us to the nature of the business. For those looking for a bargain, other factors may be more important. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Story continues

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 first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

Uni-President China Holdings's Debt And Its 10.0% ROE

Uni-President China Holdings has a debt to equity ratio of 0.15, which is far from excessive. Its very respectable ROE, combined with only modest debt, suggests the business is in good shape. Careful use of debt to boost returns is often very good for shareholders. However, it could reduce the company's ability to take advantage of future opportunities.

But It's Just One Metric

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company.

Of course Uni-President China Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have high ROE 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.
The complaint also contained an email sent from a Juul customer service address advising a young customer how to get around age restrictions. In the email from support@juulvapor.com dated Feb. 21, 2018, the complaint says, Don from the Juul Care Team told a consumer whose order had been canceled due to an age verification failure: The legal age to purchase nicotine products in Milton, Mass. is 21 years old and above. If you have friends or relatives in Quincy, Mass., you may use their address as a shipping address for your order.
A second case of new coronavirus has been identified in San Diego among evacuees from China, bringing the total number to eight in California and 15 in the United States.

The person was aboard a flight from the city of Wuhan that arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California last week, the CDC said.

The patient was in isolation at a San Diego hospital, UC San Diego Health confirmed.

Also in isolation is a woman who was mistakenly released because of a mislabeled sample that hadn't been tested for coronavirus. She was returned to the hospital on Monday after testing positive for the virus.

Originating in Wuhan, the new coronavirus has infected more than 60,000 people and killed more than 1,300 worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The majority of cases are in China, but the virus has spread to at least 25 other countries. Two deaths have been recorded outside mainland China, one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.

In the U.S. 15 cases have been identified: eight in California, two in Illinois and one each in Arizona, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

In California, Santa Clara, San Benito and now San Diego counties have seen two cases each, and there is one each in Los Angeles and Orange counties. (See maps in gallery above to see where cases have been found in the U.S. and around the world.)

ALSO: 'Emotional roller coaster': Bay Area woman stuck on cruise ship barred from shore due to coronavirus

The newly diagnosed patient in San Diego is expected to make a full recovery.

This new patient and the previously diagnosed one arrived on different planes and were housed in separate facilities; there are no epidemiologic links between them," a CDC statement said.

A third person whose test results are pending also is hospitalized in isolation.

We want to reassure our patients, their loved ones and the community at large that there is no exposure risk at any UC San Diego Health hospitals or clinics," the health system said in a statement.

Hundreds of people, including U.S. State Department employees and their families, have arrived at military bases in California, Texas and Nebraska aboard chartered flights from Wuhan, a city of 11 million that is the epicenter for the virus.

Recent chartered flights have sent hundreds of Wuhan evacuees back to the U.S. They are being held in quarantine at military bases in California, Texas and Nebraska.

A plane carrying 178 American coronavirus evacuees from Wuhan landed early Wednesday at Travis Air Force Base, 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. All evacuees will be quarantined for 14 days and staying in isolation at the Westwind Inn on Travis AFB. They won't have any contact with people living and working on the base. Five of the evacuees taken to Travis Air Force Base were hospitalized after showing symptoms of the virus and on Wednesday they were confirmed to not have the virus.

The only confirmed evacuee cases were at Miramar, where about 200 people are being held under quarantine until all are cleared.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Amy Graff is a digital editor at SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.
The collection includes handwritten documents as well as the original translation of Mahfouz's novel Children of Gebelawy, which was published in 1970 in English

Writer Naguib Mahfouz's only surviving daughter, Umm Kulthum, has donated 257 books of various translated editions of works by her late Nobel winning father to his newly opened museum, which is located in Islamic Cairo and is housed in Tekkyiet Abul-Dahab.

The donations include translated editions of Mahfouz's works in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish and Chinese, as well as a handwritten paper that contains a short story.

Most notably, the donation includes the original translation of Mahfouz's novel Children of Gebelawy, which was published in 1970 in English, in addition to some handwritten documents, including a paper titled 'A Suggestion for a New System to Create Political Parties,' and the writer's famous coat.

Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem expressed her pleasure over the new addition to the museum, saying that Mahfouz will always be remembered as an icon in the history of global creativity. The minister asserted that there is constant coordination with Mahfouz's family to ensure the addition of more of Mahfouz belongings to the museum.

The museum was opened on 14 July 2019, 13 years after the renowned writer's passing.

The museum is in the Muhammad Bek Abul-Dahab Complex, which was built in 1774 under Ottoman rule and is located beside the main entrance of Al-Azhar Mosque.

The museum takes up two stories and includes a wing for Mahfouz's medals and honours, as well as a wing for his personal belongings and handwritten documents. Mahfouz's books, both old and modern editions, have their own section, and a library holds most of what has been written about Mahfouz. The museum also has a cinema and a seminar room.

On its opening, Mahfouz's daughter gave the museum her father's Nobel Prize certificate and the case in which the golden medal came, but kept the medal itself as "it was a gift from my father to me." Mahfouz's initials are engraved on the grey box.

The museum includes hundreds of pictures, documents and honours belonging to the late writer.

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An Army Chetak chopper on Thursday made an emergency landing at a village in Punjab's Roop Nagar district due to a technical snag, a police official said here.

The helicopter, on its way to Pathankot from Chandigarh, landed on a field in Ban Majra village here around 11:30 am, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ravi Kumar said.

All three crew members were safe, he said.

While making the emergency landing, the chopper escaped a 66-KV high tension power line passing through the fields, the official said.

The area was cordoned off by police and another army helicopter with a maintenance team reached the spot to repair the fault.

The helicopter resumed its flight around 1:30 pm, the police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PHOENIX - Two children were sexually abused by Catholic priests about 40 years ago in an Arizona parish and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix covered up the problem, according to newly filed lawsuits.

Both lawsuits were brought Monday under a 2019 state law that extends the right of people who say they were abused as children to sue until their 30th birthday  a decade longer than before.

The law also opened a one-time window for people who missed the cutoff. They now have until the end of this year to file suit.

Robert Pastor, one of the attorneys who filed the new lawsuits, said the law will help hold the church accountable.

We are able to uncover the pattern and practice of transferring (sexually abusive) priests, he said.

In one suit, a man alleged he was sexually abused by the then-Rev. Joseph Henn in the St. Mark Roman Catholic Parish in Phoenix during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In addition to the civil claim, Henn faces child molestation and other sex charges. Authorities say Henn, who has been defrocked, fled Arizona for Italy in 2003 after being charged with the crimes. He was returned to Arizona last year.

The other lawsuit was brought by a woman who alleges that the Revs. Donald R. Verhagen and James Bretl sexually abused her in the same parish around the same period. Verhagen died in 2001, and Bretl died in 2010.

The priests in both lawsuits were affiliated with the Society of the Divine Savior USA Province, a religious order based in Milwaukee thats also known as the Salvatorians, according to the lawsuit.

The Phoenix diocese declined to comment on the specific allegations in both lawsuits, though it said in a statement that no prior allegations against Verhagen and Bretl were ever brought to its attention.

The diocese did say it is disheartened by any allegation of clergy abuse, and stands with all those who grieve and suffer because of the abuse caused by clergy.

The abuse of any child is a crime and a sin, and we continue to pray for the healing of survivors and their families, and to work for truth and justice. it said in a statement

The Society of the Divine Savior USA Province didnt return calls seeking comment on the lawsuits.

Brittany Lamb, an attorney representing Henn in his criminal case, didnt immediately return a call Wednesday seeking comment on her clients behalf.

The lawsuit alleged the church failed to report the suspected abuse to police and that the three priests were part of a pattern of covering up abuse by transferring priests who engaged in sexual abuse. It also alleged the two victims were physically and emotionally harmed as a result of the abuse.

The lawsuits didnt specify the amount of damages being sought. The two people who filed the suits were identified in court papers by pseudonyms.
The on Thursday directed all to upload on their website details of pending against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.

The apex court said will also have to upload reasons for selecting candidates with pending on their website.

The court passed orders on a contempt plea which raised the issue of criminalisation of politics claiming that directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict relating to disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates are not being followed.

A bench headed by Justice F Nariman also directed that will publish these details on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and in one local vernacular and one national newspaper.

The top court said political parties will have to submit a compliance report in this regard to the Election Commission within 72 hours of selecting candidates having pending against them.



It directed that the EC shall bring it to the notice of the apex court in case of failure of political parties to comply with its directions.

While pronouncing the order, the bench said it appears that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics in the last four general
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Greyson Technologies, Inc., one of Florida's fastest growing technology services companies, announced its recertification as a Cisco Gold Partnerthe highest certification level attainable within the Cisco Channel Partner program. This exclusive distinction recognizes Greyson's commitment to maintaining the highest degree of expertise across enterprise networks, security, collaboration, data center, and IP next-generation networks.

Greyson Technologies, a Cisco partner since 2010, has maintained Gold Partner status for nearly a decade, providing business-focused solutions to clients across the state of Florida. Greyson's proven expertise in specific solution areas has enabled the organization to achieve Cisco Specializations including:

Advanced Collaboration Architecture Specialization

Advanced Data Center Architecture Specialization

Advanced Enterprise Networks Architecture Specialization

Advanced Security Architecture Specialization

"Our partnership with a world-class organization like Cisco is rooted in our shared passion for helping companies thrive and using technology to improve lives in our local communities and around the world," said Greg Nordone, Greyson President and CEO. "We are honored to be recognized by Cisco for our industry leadership and thrilled to once again recertify our designation as a Cisco Gold Partner."

Cisco requires Gold Certified Partners to demonstrate the broadest range of expertise across multiple technologies. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates a partner's technology skills, Cisco Lifecycle Services expertise, business practices, customer satisfaction, presales and post-sales support capabilities, and other critical factors that customers consider when choosing a trusted partner.

About Greyson Technologies

Greyson Technologies is one of Florida's fastest growing technology services companies, providing clients across the state with security, managed services, advanced network, data and unified communications solutions that help build their businesses. We simplify technology adoption by understanding our clients' challenges and co-owning their delivery objectives. www.greyson.com

Follow Greyson Technologies: LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

About Cisco

Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that has been making the Internet work since 1984. Our people, products, and partners help society securely connect and seize tomorrow's digital opportunity today. Discover more at newsroom.cisco.com and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.



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SOURCE Greyson Technologies, Inc.

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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Germany is one of the power bridges linking Armenia to the EU, the European civilization and culture, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the correspondent of ARMENPRESS informs from Berlin.

Germany is Armenias close friend and partner and we can feel that power of friendship in terms of both emotionally and practically. Today I can record with confidence that our friendship is based on common values, Pashinyan said, adding that it fosters cooperation in various spheres.

Pashinyan added that this is his 3rd meeting with Angela Merkel, which shows the high level of bilateral relations.

I am glad to note that today we are also linked with mutually beneficial cooperation and practical programs. We are ready to do everything to further strengthen it, Pashinyan said.

Nikol Pashinyan particularly emphasized the assistance of Germany to the reforms in Armenia and expressed gratitude to Germany and the EU for the moral, political, and financial support. It is of key importance for ensuring the irreversibility of democracy in our country, he said.

The Armenian PM informed that at the end of February Armenia expects the visit of the delegation of German businessmen, while in October Armenia-Germany economic forum 2020 will take place.

We are greatly interested in the entry of German companies to Armenia. I have to record with satisfaction that following our last years meeting we have tangible progress over almost all the agreements. We are very happy for the agreement with KfW Bank on establishing a TUMO center in Berlin. Its a great honor for us to share our experience with a technological giant like Germany, PM Pashinyan said.

He expressed the interest of Armenia to further popularize German language and culture in Armenia. We hope that the Goethe Center in Yerevan opened in December 2017 will become a full-fledged institute in the near future. Summing up my speech, let me record that today the Armenian-German relations are on the highest ever level. PM Pashinyan said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
One way will be to move Jeffersons library front and center into the new ground-floor orientation space. Jefferson sold Congress his 6,000-book library for $26,000 to replace those destroyed by the British in the War of 1812. The library, which has been updated over the years, is displayed in a corner room on the second floor. You have to know, almost, that its there, Hayden said.
Uros Trainovic remembers when his small village in eastern Serbia was home to about 200 families.

Now, over 60 years later, his village of Blagojev Kamen is a kind of ghost town. Only eight people live there now.

This kind of population loss can be found in other parts of Serbia, where a shrinking population raises questions about the economic well-being of the country.

Population changes are a fact of life across Europe.

So Serbia, with a low fertility rate, is like many other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Serbia takes in a small number of immigrants, but has high migration rates.

The World Bank reports that Serbias population, of around 7 million, could fall to 5.8 million by the year 2050. That would represent a 25% drop since 1990.

The Serbian government considers the shrinking population a kind of national emergency. The United Nations has even stepped in to help. It sent a group of seven international experts to the country last month on a fact-finding mission.

Blagojev Kamen is evidence of the problem. A nearby gold mine kept the local economy alive before and after World War II. The village suffered after the mine closed in the 1990s.

Uros Trainovic said there are still gold and other minerals in the mine, but that it needs investment and hard work.

One of my sons is in Germany, and the other one is in Austria, he said. They visit often but they have nothing to return to.

The changes in Blagojev Kamen are not unusual in a country that experienced years of war and sanctions in the 1990s after the break-up of Yugoslavia.

Wolfgang Lutz of Austria is an expert on demographics at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. He told The Associated Press that the main problem is related to the kind of people who are leaving Serbia.

We see that it tends to be the better-educated, the more highly skilled, the more highly motivated mobile people who are leaving and that is certainly a drain of the human capital, Lutz noted.

Serbias government has tried to stop the decline in population. It has offered financial assistance to families with two or more children, supported schools and day care centers and given aid to families in rural areas.

It is not only Serbian officials who are worried. Serbias neighbor Croatia has made the pressing issue of demographic challenges a top issue. More than 15% of Croatias 4.2 million people are living and working overseas.

Bulgaria and Ukraine are two other countries seeing population declines.

Stjepan Sterc, a Croatian expert on demography, thinks the efforts to deal with the problems across the Balkans are not enough. He thinks that the tax system can be amended to support population growth.

Demography should be recognized as the essence of economic development so that the most important encouragement tool [taxes] is directed toward it, he said.

I'm John Russell.

Jovana Gec reported on this story for The Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

ghost  n. a very small amount or trace (as in ghost town, a town with few remaining inhabitants)

migration  n. movement from one area to another

mission  n. an important job or duty

sanction  n. a threatened punishment for disobeying a law or rule

tend  v. used to describe what often happens or what someone often does or is likely to do  followed by to + verb

motivated  adj. describes someone who has a strong reason for doing something

drain  n. a thing that uses up something; the continued loss of something

challenge  n. a call to take part in a competition

demography  n. the study of changes (such as the number of births, deaths, marriages, and sicknesses) that take place over a period of time in human populations also : a set of such changes
3 1 of 3 Hamden Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Google maps Show More Show Less 3 of 3





HAMDEN  One person was killed and another injured when a motor vehicle slammed into a Dixwell Avenue bus stop shelter around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Police arrested the driver, identified as Pinky McBurrows, 31, of Ansonia. She is charged with reckless driving, evading responsibility, operating without a license and failure to drive in the proper lane. Additional charges for McBurrows are likely, police said.
WASHINGTON  Legal experts and former federal prosecutors say the Justice Departments reversal of the sentencing recommendation for President Trumps former campaign adviser is an extraordinary development that could have a long-term impact on public perception of federal law enforcements independence from political interference.

Roger Stone, a longtime friend of Trump, was convicted last November for lying to Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. The Justice Department overruled the seven-to-nine-year sentencing recommendation prosecutors made in the case.

The controversy over Stones sentencing deepened this morning when President Trump took to Twitter to congratulate Attorney General William Barr for taking control of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought.

Former Trump adviser Roger Stone, with his wife, Nydia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The case against Stone, a fixture in GOP politics, was a result of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. While the investigation looked at Stones role in the release of hacked emails, he was ultimately charged with lying to Congress and threatening a congressional witness.

He was convicted in November on all charges.

The four federal prosecutors on the case all withdrew from it yesterday; one of them resigned from the Department of Justice after headquarters had recommended an unspecified term in prison. Today the House Judiciary Committee announced it wants Barr to testify next month about the decision in this case as well as the removal of U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu, who oversaw the prosecutions of President Trumps deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and President Trumps longtime political adviser Roger Stone.

Trump yesterday withdrew Lius nomination for a senior post at the Treasury Department.

Scott Fredericksen, whose nearly 30-year career in public service includes a stint as chief of the criminal division for the Eastern District of Virginia, said that the seven-to-nine-year recommended sentence for Stone falls within federal sentencing guidelines and that while it was arguably a heavy recommendation, it was well within the expected range for a defendant convicted for Stones crimes.

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It wasnt a number that was just picked out of thin air by prosecutors to be tough. Its determined by the federal sentencing guidelines which is applicable to everyone who ends up being convicted before our federal courts, Fredericksen said in an interview.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr. (Michael Brochstein/Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

The prosecutors were right to be upset over the reversal, according to Fredericksen.

They resigned based on principle, he said. The principle is that the president of the United States has absolutely no business involving himself in criminal prosecutions.

Fredericksen said he was particularly troubled by the fact that Barrs decision to overrule the prosecutors coincided with a tweet from the president expressing his dismay at the sentencing recommendation.

It was inappropriate for the attorney general to weigh in and countermand the recommendations of career prosecutors, he said. There is no precedent like this in the history of the Department of Justice of which Im aware and thats why it is a sad day for the Department of Justice.

William Yeomans, another veteran federal prosecutor, called the episode incredibly unusual.

I dont know of an example like this, Yeomans, who spent 26 years in the civil rights division at the Department of Justice and subsequently served as chief counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an interview with Yahoo News. Whats extraordinary about this is the Department of Justice filed its sentencing recommendation in court and then the president tweeted and then the Department of Justice criticized its own sentencing recommendation.

Yeomans, now a professor at Columbia Law School, said he worries that the attorney general's decision to overrule his own prosecutors is a sign that Trump will pardon Stone.

This looks inescapably like political influence forcing the Department of Justice to change its position, and its particularly troubling, because this is a case where the president has a strong interest in the defendant, Roger Stone, who was convicted of obstructing Congresss investigation into the presidents campaign and its connection with Russia, Yeomans said.

A recent former senior Department of Justice official said he believes the episode may have resulted from the career prosecutors not checking with the U.S. attorney overseeing the case before issuing their recommended sentence. Who was watching this? the former senior official said. It should not be the case that a recommendation has been made by the Department of Justice and the criminal division leadership hasn't been briefed on the recommendation and this is one of the highest profile cases in the country.

People in the know agree that they didn't get the right sign offs before they sent this letter [recommending 7-9 years] over, the former official said.

An email sent to one of the prosecutors, Jonathan Kravis, was not answered and the Department of Justice did not return calls seeking comment.

The former senior official said that while there is not an absolute rule requiring federal prosecutors to check with leadership before issuing a sentencing recommendation, in a case as politically sensitive as Stones, it is highly unusual to see a U.S. attorney and criminal division leadership surprised by a sentencing recommendation.

This official added that while the seven-to-nine years recommended may be within the sentencing guidelines, everybody knows there are aspects of the guidelines that are out of whack with justice. ... Sometimes the guidelines overstate the seriousness of the charges because they enhance sentences.

Jennifer Daskal, a former counsel for the assistant attorney general for national security in the Obama administration and now a professor at American University Washington College of Law, told Yahoo News she is worried about the precedent Barr has set.

The use of the criminal justice system, including sentence length, to punish and reward individuals based on whether or not they support the president is hugely concerning, Daskal said. Whether or not that happened here, it certainly looks like it. And even the appearance of that kind of politicization seriously undermines the rule of law.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The union representing 14,000 Safeway workers from Eureka to Monterey canceled its contract with the grocery chain after negotiating for a year and a half and is pushing to strike, although the company hopes to avert that outcome.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 needs the go-ahead from its international counterpart, which could take a couple of weeks. In the meantime, local workers are planning a series of escalating actions starting with an informational picket outside the Belmont Safeway at 1100 El Camino Real on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Workers want higher wages and more full-time instead of part-time opportunities because they say its faster to climb the wage scale. Bay Area residents argue they cant live off the same wages as their counterparts in the San Joaquin Valley, which Safeway was proposing, because of the cost of living. The last time Safeway workers in Northern California went on strike was in 1995, the union said.

A spokeswoman for Safeway, which is headquartered in Pleasanton and owned by Albertsons, said the grocery chain offered to schedule more bargaining sessions and keep negotiating new contracts that are fair for both our employees and the company with the goal of reaching an agreement without a strike or any form of a labor dispute.

Safeway remains committed to bargaining in good faith with the union to reach an agreement that will provide employees a competitive compensation package, maintain affordable health care, and provide a pension for their retirement, while allowing our company to stay competitive in the Northern California market, spokeswoman Wendy Gutshall said in an email.

Safeway workers make anywhere from $9.50 to $22.22 an hour depending on how long theyve worked there and in what position, according to the unions wage scale. The union rejected a proposed contract that would have raised each workers wages by $1.50 per hour over the next three years.

The union represents everyone from grocery baggers to butchers to delivery drivers. In San Francisco, clerks are represented by a different union, which is voting on its own contract Friday.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

The union said only around 20% of positions are full-time, which can work for students or those with temporary needs, but once workers get older, they want full-time jobs, which are less likely to be available.

Employees have been working off extensions of the expired contract since October 2018 as bargaining continued, until the contract was finally canceled Monday.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter@mallorymoench
This situation was handled today according to protocol, and the safety and security of our students and staff were never at risk, he said in the email. As a precautionary measure, additional security will be in place at the school tomorrow.
Tokyo, Feb 13 : Japan on Thursdayday confirmed that the number of people who tested positive for the deadly coronavirus on board a quarantined cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama has increased to 218, after the emergence of over 44 fresh cases.

Some 218 COVID-19, the official name of the disease, cases have already been detected aboard the Princess Diamond cruise ship, on which 3,700 people have been quarantined since February 3 at the Yokohama port, south of Tokyo, after a passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the illness, reports Efe news.

In his daily press conference about the status of those on board, Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the 44 new cases came from tests carried out on 221 people.

Counting the cases detected on land, Japan has already confirmed 247 cases of coronavirus under its jurisdiction, the largest number outside China, where the country's authorities said on Thursday that 59,539 have been been infected.

The health ministry also announced its decision to authorize the disembarkation of those over 80 with underlying health problems and whose rooms lack windows.

Of the 2,666 passengers aboard the ship when the quarantine began (those who tested positive were already transferred to hospital centres), 226 are over 80.

The possibility that Japan allowed the disembarkation of elderly passengers had been considered for several days after medical experts said the stress generated by remaining in the ship for so long could aggravate their health.

The World Health Organization on Tuesday officially named the disease COVID-19, while the virus which causes it has been called SARS-CoV-2 (changed from its provisional name 2019-nCoV) by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.

The organization said "CO" stands for "corona," "VI" for "virus, "D" for "disease" and "-19" for "2019" - as the outbreak was first detected December 31.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sources said that BJPs Delhi unit likely to see complete overhaul in organizational structure after February 20.

New Delhi: Amid speculation of his resignation after humiliating defeat of party in Assembly polls, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday said that neither has he offered to step down nor has he been asked to resign from the post in the wake of the partys poor performance in the assembly elections in the national capital.

Sources, however, claimed that Mr Tiwari had contacted a top party functionary and offered to step down as the partys city unit president after the BJP suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Neither have I been asked to resign nor have I offered my resignation, Mr Tiwari told reporters. On Tuesday, addressing a press conference after the announcement of Delhi Assembly election results, Mr Tiwari had said whether he continues as Delhi BJP chief or steps down is an internal matter of the party.

The BJP, which was hoping to return to power in the national capital after more than two decades, was restricted to a eight seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly by the AAP. The AAP won the remaining 62 seats.

Mr Tiwari, who was appointed as Delhi BJP president in November 2016, has already completed his three-year tenure. The organisational elections of the party due last year were postponed because of the assembly elections.

But sources said that BJPs Delhi unit likely to see complete overhaul in organizational structure after February 20.

The appointment of new state president which is already due will now imminent and it will place after February 20, he added.

It is also learnt that Delhi BJP Yuva Morch president Sunil Yadav, who contest polls against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Ravinder Negi, who lost a tight fight to deputy chief minister Manish Sisodida, are likely to be rewarded for their incredible performance.

Mr Yadav reduced the victory margin of Mr Kerjiwal by 10,000 votes while Mr Negi gave a tough fight to Mr Sisodia. Party likely top reward them with some bigger responsibilities in coming days, a party insider added.
Another presidential election is before us. If the Democrats are truly concerned about social issues, they would see just how Planned Parenthood is targeting the Afro-American communities. It is called genocide.

John Maddock stated in a recent letter (Jan. 31) that Republicans should care about mothers. If (for example), as in China, sex selection does not allow these young girls to ever be born, how can there ever be any social rights to give them in the first place?

If Democrats are truly concerned about womens health, why do they fight requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital? Do they even believe women today can die from an abortion? Do Democrats know that a uterus can be punctured or that women can bleed to death following any medical procedure of that kind?

Democrats are willing to allow minors to have major surgery without parental knowledge or consent when these young women could go home and bleed to death.

Think twice, John Maddock. These U of Mary students are not fooled. When they vote Republican, they very well know what they are doing. That is the party and the president who have created many jobs in the first place. You must have a job first in order to get a just wage.

Unemployment is low in North Dakota. Give credit where credit is due; to the hard working Republicans in this state.

The millennials have reflected seriously, John, first things first. They are more knowledgeable than previous generations.

Way to go U of Mary students and faculty for taking part in the recent very large March For Life in Washington, D.C., to defend those who cannot speak for themselves.

Evelyn Jacob, Mandan

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DES MOINES  Troy Price, the beleaguered chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, resigned on Wednesday, a week after overseeing the chaotic Iowa caucuses that embarrassed the state and national party and left Democrats open to accusations of incompetence by President Trumps re-election campaign.

The Iowa Democratic Party failed to report any results from its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses on Feb. 3 until the next afternoon. When it did report results, they were filled with errors. Even once the Iowa Democratic Party released what it said were full results, errors remained in the tabulations, and the campaigns of the two victors, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., and Senator Bernie Sanders, have both asked for a partial recanvass of the results.

Mr. Price, 39, has been the public face of the Iowa caucus debacle, as he has struggled to offer reassuring explanations about the integrity of the caucus reporting process and final results.

While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward, and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult, Mr. Price wrote in a letter to party officials. Therefore, I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of my replacement. The party said its State Central Committee would elect an interim chair on Saturday.
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
Emmanuel Macron has promised to protect Mont Blanc from littering tourists months after a Briton sparked outrage by leaving a rowing machine near the summit.

The French president, who will visit Europe's highest alp today, is to announce measures to keep the mountain clean, including a squad of biodiversity police and fines for rule-breaking climbers.

It comes after he received a public dressing-down from Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of Saint-Gervais on the French side of Mont Blanc, for failing to protect it from "wackos".

"Mr president, tackling the Amazonian forests is all well and good," he wrote in an open letter. "But to ignore what is going on on Mont Blanc and allowing disrespect to continue is no longer tolerable".

A UK Royal Marines veteran attempted to scale the 4,809m peak with a rowing machine on his back last August, only to abandon the device less than 1,500ft from the summit.
Ying Yong

China has reshuffled top officials in Central China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) outbreak, by appointing a new Party chief to the province and capital city of Wuhan with both having a background in legal affairs for years and considered as "firefighters" who is decisive in dealing with public health crisis.



Ying Yong was appointed secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), replacing Jiang Chaoliang, according to a decision by the Central Committee of the CPC on Thursday.



Also, Wang Zhonglin, a member of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Party Chief of Jinan, was named Wuhan's new Party chief, replacing Ma Guoqiang.



The official announcement of the major reshuffle came after a series of problems were exposed in the epidemic prevention and control work amid the CODIV-19 outbreak.



Since the outbreak, the central government sent an inspection group to guide the epidemic control work in Hubei, and a number of local officials have been questioned and punished for failing to fulfill their duties in the prevention and control work.



The central government also removed top officials from their posts amid the SARS outbreak between 2002 to 2003. From the first confirmed case reported on December 15 in 2002 in South China's Guangdong Province to an official announcement of the sacking of two ministerial-level officials -- former health minister Zhang Wenkang and former mayor of Beijing Meng Xuenong -- on April 20 in 2003, it took four months to reshuffle high-level officials amid the public health crisis.



The ongoing CODIV-19 outbreak also prompted a major reshuffle of top officials in the coronavirus epicenter Hubei, and it only took about two months to see that change since the first CODIV-19 case was reported on December 8, 2019, reflecting a quick response from the central government in dealing with a public health emergency.



Faced with the sudden CODIV-19 outbreak, problems such as sloppiness and poor management of work have been exposed among Wuhan and Hubei authorities, reflecting severe loopholes in local governance. The appointment of new officials will not only enhance prevention and control measures against the outbreak but also aim to highlight the urgency of improving crisis-handling capability among officials, analysts said.



Born in November 1957 in Xianju, East China's Zhejiang Province, Ying's previous work experience focuses largely in the public security, political and legal affairs sphere. He has been working in Shanghai since 2007 when he undertook the position as an official in the Shanghai High People's Court.



In his effort in combating the virus in Shanghai, Ying, also head of Shanghai's leading group for virus containment, emphasized grass-roots level units' strength in fighting the battle. He also conducted detailed and thorough discussion with people working in residential communities, hearing their opinions concerning the containment work.



He also underlined the role that science plays in this battle. Ying suggested Shanghai use its edge as a "scientific highland" to support the prevention and control of the virus. Speaking at a conference on Tuesday, Ying suggested scientific achievements should race against time, against virus, to gain initiative of fighting the coronavirus.



Ying received on-the-job college education and a Masters degree in law and the title of the national grade-two grand justice, according to his resume available online.



An anonymous Shanghai-based expert praised Shanghai's virus containment work. He told the Global Times that Shanghai, home to millions of migrant workers, could be the next epidemic center for the coronavirus.



However, with effective and scientific measures, which do not disturb people's normal life, Shanghai has managed to keep the infection at a moderate level compared with other provinces and municipalities. The city reported 311 confirmed cases of the CODIV-19 infection.







The expert attributed this to Shanghai's top-level officials' "modest nervousness" which means they did not panic when faced with the virus outbreak, but they also made urgent and scientific decisions based on data and professional knowledge of the epidemic.



Ying kept a clear mind at the early stage of the outbreak, said the expert, noting that Ying is also an official willing to take advice from other people.



In early February, Ying held a symposium in which he invited some officials who fought the SARS outbreak in Shanghai, in order to draw from their experience in fighting the new battle against the novel coronavirus, local media reported.



Ying was also reported as saying in late January after the virus broke out that "a non-sloppy government is one brave enough to face supervision; a government eager to make progress is one willing to accept criticism," in order to inspire residents to give advice on virus containment.



Wang Zhonglin

Born in 1962, Wang spent most of his career as a civil servant in East China's Shandong Province. After graduating from the department of criminal law in East China's University of Political Science and Law in early 1980s, he worked at the public security bureau in Zaozhuang, a city located about a two-hour drive from Jinan, the capital city of the province.



Wang was appointed as Party chief and director of Shandong Development and Reform Commission in 2015 and then became a member of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Party chief of Jinan in 2018.



"He is very energetic, decisive and highly motivated, usually responding to questions very quickly," a former official close to the Shandong government told the Global Times. At such a crucial moment in fighting the disease, the appointment aims to allow the official to use his experience in dealing with problems.



In the fight against the outbreak in Shandong, Wang also served as the general commander in giving instructions to the prevention and control work in Jinan, and showed up at different public places including markets, residential areas, and railway stations without reminding local officials in advance, according to media reports.



He also required no one to accompany him and no briefing in the office but made an inspection in the field to guide prevention and control work.



Shandong's efforts in strengthening the prevention and control work while also ensuring agricultural production and export-driven business have been highly praised by the public as it set an example for provincial-level governance and crisis management capability amid the outbreak, according to analysts.



During the outbreak, the province also donated a large amount of food, vegetables, fruit and medical supplies to Hubei, which some netizens saw as a way of "moving home" to support the most severely coronavirus-hit area.



As of Monday, a medical team composing of 129 medical personnel from Shandong were dispatched to support Wuhan and Huanggang, another city hit by the outbreak, and in total 2,500 tons of fruit and vegetables have been donated to the region, media reports said.



"There has got to be someone in the local leadership to take responsibility for the current situation in Hubei," a resident in Wuhan surnamed Huang, who has been closely observing the outbreak in the city, told the Global Times.



Since the outbreak, more than 100 officials in Hubei have been held accountable for their incompetence in dealing with the prevention and control work, according to media reports.



Most recently, Zhang Jin, Party chief of the Hubei Provincial Health Commission, and Liu Yingzi, director of the committee, were both removed from office, China Central Television reported on Tuesday.



Also, on Tuesday, central government officials summoned those from Wuhan for talks, following the latest incident in which local officials failed to fulfill their duties when transferring a batch of coronavirus patients to a designated hospital.
A Y-20 transport aircraft taxis in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 16, 2016.

China's domestically developed large transport aircraft Y-20 for the first time conducted a large-scale military operation in a situation other than war, arriving Thursday in Wuhan, epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak with medical reinforcements and supplies to join the battle against the epidemic.

The arrival of the homemade strategic aircraft has become another confidence boost to the Chinese people, and showed China's determination to eliminate the coronavirus threat as quickly and effectively as possible, analysts said.

A total of 11 transport aircraft of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, including multiple Y-20s, Il-76s and Y-9s, arrived at Wuhan's Tianhe International Airport from multiple locations across China on Thursday morning, carrying a military medical team of 947 people and 74 tons of medical supplies, media reported on Thursday.

Photo: China Military Online

According to a social media post by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the developer of the domestically produced aircraft, six Y-20s joined the operation.

This is the first time the Y-20 has conducted a large-scale military operation in a situation other than war, and also the first time the PLA Air Force has conducted a large-scale emergency aerial delivery mission systematically featuring large and mid-sized cargo planes, the PLA Air Force said in a statement on Thursday.

The Y-20, with a takeoff weight of up to 200 tons, is a strategic transport aircraft capable of transporting large batches of personnel, equipment and supplies, and has similar functions to the imported Russian Il-76, a military expert who asked not to be named told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that the domestically made Y-20 is not dependent on any other country and is more technically advanced than the Il-76.

To fight the viral outbreak, the PLA Air Force dispatched three transport aircraft to Wuhan on January 24, and eight more arrived on February 2, sending medical teams and supplies that were much needed there. The aircraft used in these two missions were Il-76s.

The deployment of large transport aircraft to fight the epidemic is an indication of China's determination to end the crisis as quickly as possible, as the military has shown a high level of efficiency due to its discipline and expertise, the expert said, noting that the three batches of military transport aircraft deliveries since January showed the Chinese military's strong emergency response and medical support capabilities.

Featuring not only the strategic transporter, the Y-20, but also the domestically made Y-9 tactical transport plane, the operation on Thursday showed the PLA Air Force has a complete family of homemade transport planes, and the two types of aircraft are ready to join any battle, air defense expert Fu Qianshao told the Global Times on Thursday.

Seeing the Y-20, a symbol of China's power in action, has also become a confidence boost for Chinese public.

"Go forward, Chinese military! Let the great hawk spread its wings and expel the plague!" reads a typical comment on the social platform Sina Weibo.

Approved by Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping, 2,600 additional medical personnel from the armed forces are tasked with treating patients in two hospitals in Wuhan, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

They will treat confirmed patients of COVID-19 infection in Taikang Tongji Hospital with 860 beds and the Guanggu branch of Hubei Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital with 700 beds following the operation model of Huoshenshan Hospital, the first makeshift hospital with 1000 beds established in early February during the epidemic.

Analysts said that the Huoshenshan model means the military would take over the two hospitals, providing effective and comprehensive treatment accompanied with nutritional therapy, psychological counseling and rehabilitation training.

These two hospitals will significantly boost their capabilities in dealing with the epidemic, analysts said.

The first group of 1,400 military medical personnel have arrived in Wuhan on Thursday, and medical treatment is set to begin as soon as possible.

The 2,600 medical personnel are being transferred from several medical institutes from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force, Joint Logistics Support Force and Armed Police Force.

As of Thursday, the military had dispatched three groups of more than 4,000 medical personnel to Wuhan since the COVID-19 outbreak began.

Another expert who asked for anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday that the Chinese military with strong capability to organize and mobilize is highly disciplined and possesses the military equipment that can play a special role in treating patients. The military is a timely help, acting as an assault team in the epidemic battle.

Hubei and especially Wuhan are now lacking medical forces and need more manpower and supplies, the expert said, noting that the involvement of the military still cannot reverse the tide immediately, and people from all walks still need to work together.
(CNN)  Some of the last mammoths on Earth suffered from mutated genes that reduced fertility, caused diabetes, affected their development and even kept them from being able to smell flowers, according to a new study.

While woolly mammoths were once plentiful across the northern hemisphere, they actually went extinct in two separate events. The first wave of mammoth extinction occurred on the heels of the last ice age and global warming led to the loss of their habitat, around 10,500 years ago.

But isolated populations of mammoths survived for much longer on St. Paul Island in Alaska and Wrangel Island, until about 5,600 years ago and 4,000 years ago, respectively. Wrangel Island is in the Arctic Ocean, located off the Siberian coast.

Previous research in 2017 identified genomic defects that likely had a detrimental effect on the Wrangel Island mammoths.

"When we did our own research on the Wrangel Island mammoth it was clear that it had a lot of bad mutations," said Rebekah Rogers, author of the 2017 study and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. " We saw many genes that were broken and far more mutations than you would expect based on chance alone. How bad were the effects of these mutations? How did they change what was happening in cells or the ways that the animals could act?"

A new study, published recently in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution, took a closer look at those mutations. Rogers was not involved in the study.

Woolly mammoth genomes have been sequenced previously, so the researchers involved in the new study used a Wrangel Island mammoth genome and studied the genes and their mutations. These were compared with DNA from Asian elephants and mammoth DNA from animals that lived many years before the Wrangel Island mammoth, when their populations were plentiful.

The researchers found that the Wrangel Island mammoth's genes were essentially broken. Sometimes mutations don't necessarily have an affect. But in this case, the mutated genes had a detrimental effect on what is thought to be the last living mammoth population.

"The 2017 study predicts that Wrangel Island mammoths were accumulating damaging mutations," said Vincent Lynch, lead study author and evolutionary biologist at the University at Buffalo. "We found something similar and tested those predictions by resurrecting mutated genes in the lab."

The cause of extinction for these island mammoths is unknown, but researchers do know they suffered a rapid population decline due to their isolation. The small population would have led to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity, according to the study.

They found that the mutations would have affected a variety of areas for the mammoths in their last days.

"Many of the mutated genes are involved in male fertility [making sperm, in particular], cognition and motor control, and the perception of smell, so we can be reasonable sure at least some of these things were not normal in the last mammoths," Lynch said.

The researchers identified the altered genes of the Wrangel Island mammoth and inserted them into living cells to test how the mutations interacted.

"We know how the genes responsible for our ability to detect scents work," Lynch said. To resurrect the mammoth gene, the researchers grew cells in a lab and tested whether the smell gene functions normally in those cells. "If it doesn't  and it didn't  we can infer that it probably means that Wrangel Island mammoths were unable to smell the flowers that they ate."

The reduction in smell would make it more difficult for them to locate their food source. And the researchers also found evidence that they suffered from insulin signaling, causing diabetes.

"We've know for a while that as populations get smaller they tend to have an increased number of genetic mutations that contribute to disease," Lynch said. "It's one of the reasons animal breeders try to avoid inbreeding. No one wants to end up rulers of an empire but crippled like the Habsburgs!" (The Habsburg dynasty was a German royal family that ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 1438 until 1740, when the male line died out due to inbreeding. The inbreeding also led to facial deformities such as a large lower jaw and chin called the "Habsburg jaw," and humped "Habsburg nose.")

This new research aligns with previous studies about the decline of the Wrangel Island mammoths, such as Rogers' 2017 study.

"Lynch's group was able to take a more precise look at the biochemical changes," Rogers said. "This was an interesting study because it showed how these mutations damaged smell or how they were likely to affect fertility. In the future, I expect researchers will be able to do more exciting studies like this to show how mutations in animals that are now long gone could have affected their biology."

Lynch's research has inspired more questions. The researchers want to know if the genetic changes were unique to the DNA of the one Wrangel Island mammoth genome they studied, or if they applied to the entire population. They're also curious about other potential mutations and when they occurred on the timeline of the mammoth's extinction. And only more data will tell the tale.

"The take-home message is that the last mammoths may have been pretty sick and unable to smell flowers, so that's just sad," Lynch said. "Beyond suggesting that the last mammoths were probably an unhealthy population, it's a cautionary tale fora living species threatened with extinction: If their populations stay small, they too may accumulate deleterious mutations that can contribute to their extinction."

This story was first published on CNN.com "Inbreeding among the last woolly mammoths may have led to extinction"
A French teacher has told how her new boyfriend saved her life when a cuddle on the sofa as they enjoyed a quiet night in led to him finding a lump on her right breast.

Nicky Hewitt, 40, from Thame, Oxfordshire, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer soon after and had a mastectomy in March 2016.

She remains eternally grateful that Ben Brewer felt the lump while 'copping a feel' on the sofa.

Four years on, Nicky, has just celebrated her 40th birthday - a landmark she says that, without Ben, 35, a senior manager at Heathrow Airport, she might never have reached.

Still taking hormone therapy, which has plunged her into early menopause, she said: 'I had a big party at the St Albans Museum and Ben, who I am still very happily involved with, was my very special guest.

Nicky Hewitt (left), 40, from Thame, Oxfordshire, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer soon after her boyfriend Ben Brewer (right), 35, found a lump on her right breast. Doctors later offered her a mastectomy straight away, due to the size of the 6cm tumour

The French teacher (pictured in a cold cap) was referred for a breast screening scan and a biopsy. She has avoided any 'serious side effects,' by using a cold cap which reduces blood flow to the head, and restricts the amount of chemotherapy reaching that area

Nicky said she remains eternally grateful that Ben 'copping a feel' meant she caught the disease early

'I will never forget the night, back in 2016, when he found the lump.

'I was lying in my bra and pyjama bottoms one Friday night at his house, just after we'd started seeing each other and he was 'copping a feel' while watching telly.

'He noticed the lump and told me straight away - then it all unravelled from there.

'If he hadn't have been so worried about it, I might not have survived to turn 40.'

Nicky and Ben started dating in December 2015, nine months after first being matched on Tinder. While they had exchanged texts, neither had been free at the same time.

She said: 'He just looked really nice and seemed like a down to earth person.

'He avoided the things people often say and the photos people often use on Tinder - like flexing muscles and showing off.

'He'd come out of a 12-year relationship and had wanted a bit of fun when we'd first matched.

'But, by the time he was finished having fun, I was seeing someone and then when I was free I sent him a text to see if he was on the market and he was seeing someone. It was all very complicated.

Nicky (pictured in hospital) went to see her GP within days and was then referred for breast screening on February 8 at St Albans' City Hospital, in Hertfordshire

Nicky (left in a wig and right on her 40th birthday) said that due to her hair being so thick even after losing a quarter or so of it, it was hard to tell she had lost any

The teacher told how she was initially convinced that she was not old enough to get breast cancer

'Then, one day he messaged to tell me he'd just split up with his girlfriend and I replied, ''Look on the bright side - you're free to meet me now''.'

Agreeing to go to a local Italian restaurant, Ben arranged to pick Nicky up at home.

She recalled: 'I was running late, in my jogging pants doing marking and he even helped me with my workload.

'I think because we'd been chatting for nine months, it felt like we already knew each other.'

He then invited her to a Christmas party his mother was hosting at her house on their second date.

She said: 'The whole family were there as well as his best friend.

'They were all quite shocked, saying I must have guts to meet them already, but it didn't faze me - I was quite happy, really.'

Nicky agreed to proceed with chemotherapy as advised and knew she could not take the risk of not having it. She had the cancer-fighting drugs administered once every three weeks through an IV (left) over a three month period. Pictured right: Nicky's hair fell out after treatment

Nicky and Ben, a senior manager at Heathrow Airport, started dating in December 2015 after being matched on Tinder

Nicky told her how her relationship with Ben had gone from strength to strength following her diagnosis and he was 'such a positive person'

Setting the pace for the rest of their relationship, the couple's third date was on New Year's Eve at a friend of Ben's house.

And in January 2016, he was introduced to Nicky's sisters, Jennifer, 36, a graphic designer, and full-time mother Samantha, 42, for dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Immediately spending most weekends together, it was just a month into their fledgling relationship that Ben made the discovery that changed Nicky's life.

Going to see her GP within days, he referred her for breast screening on February 8 at St Albans' City Hospital, in Hertfordshire, where she was examined, before having a mammogram and an ultrasound scan.

'I was pretty calm,' she said. 'I was convinced I wasn't even old enough to get breast cancer - I had no idea I should be checking my breasts.

'Then the sonographer kept going over the same spot with the ultrasound and that's when I started to panic.

'The consultant told me they had found calcium deposits in my breast and wanted to run a biopsy.

After being told that she could freeze her eggs before undergoing chemotherapy, Nicky told how Ben would inject her with hormones for two weeks that encouraged my body to produce eggs

In spite of the strain cancer put on her, Nicky said that Ben was 'the perfect antidote' to what she was facing and he insisted he wasn't going anywhere

'The day after my hospital visit I was back at work but, for the first time in my career, I walked out of the classroom, as it was all too much to bear.

'My mind was racing and all I could think was, ''Oh my god, I have cancer.''

Two days later, Nicky's biopsy results confirmed that the tumour in her right breast was cancerous.

'Ben came with me to the appointment and I told him I completely understood if he wanted to be with someone else and to call it a day,' she explained.

'At the start of a relationship you should be having fun. This wasn't what he'd signed up for.

'He was brilliant though and insisted he wasn't going anywhere.

'I know if I hadn't met him I wouldn't have gone to the doctors when I did and, by the time I'd noticed a lump, it could have been too late.

'It's scary to think about - it could have been terminal.'

When she discussed her treatment options, Nicky's consultant offered her a mastectomy straight away, due to the size of the 6cm tumour.

She continued: 'I didn't grasp the gravity of what the doctor was telling me - it was so surreal.

Four years on from her diagnosis and Nicky remains eternally grateful that her cancer was caught early

The teacher recently celebrated her 40th birthday (pictured) with friends on January 26 - a landmark she says that, without Ben she might never have reached

The teacher (at her 40th birthday) had a big party at the St Albans Museum to celebrate her turning 40

'In my head I'd be given a couple of tablets and sent on me way.'

While she is not aware of anyone in her family ever having breast cancer, Nicky had genetic testing, which showed the cancer was not hereditary.

'They couldn't tell me what had caused it and the doctor was very honest, telling me it was just 's*** luck,'' she added.

Scheduled to have a mastectomy to remove her right breast on March 10, 2016, at Hertfordshire's Watford General Hospital, at first, Nicky made an excuse not to go.

She said: 'When my consultant told me the date for the operation, my first response was, "Sorry, I can't do that - my class have their first oral exam".

'She turned to me and said, 'I don't think you understand - we need to move as quickly as possible.''

The first time Nicky had ever had surgery, she admits that she was terrified.

'I'd never been in hospital before, let alone had a proper operation, and I was petrified I would die,' she said.

'I asked Ben to look after my cat, Peanut, in case anything happened to me. I was convinced something would go wrong.

Nicky (with a cardboard cut out of John Travolta) completed her three-month chemotherapy course and then began hormone therapy to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back

The teacher will continue to receive hormone therapy as injections and tablets for up to 10 years - coming off it if she wants to get pregnant

'They took me to theatre and I felt sick to my stomach. I passed everyone one last time and said goodbye.

'Luckily, the lovely medical staff calmed me down, making me laugh and cracking jokes before I was finally put under.'

Waking up from the three-hour operation, which also included a full breast reconstruction, Nicky and her mum, former corporate services assistant, Elizabeth, 69, were told it had been a success.

The 6cm tumour had been removed, but further tests needed to be run on her lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread.

A week later, Nicky saw her oncologist alone, who told her cancer had been detected in her lymph nodes, meaning it was classed as stage two.

Agreeing to proceed with chemotherapy, as advised, she said: 'I was told I didn't have to have it, but I knew I couldn't take the risk of not having it.

'Still, the idea completely destroyed me. It sounds awful, but the thought of losing my hair was what tipped me over the edge.'

Told that some of the treatment she needed would also put her into early menopause, doctors offered to freeze her eggs.

Nicky said: 'Once again, Ben was a lifesaver.

'He injected me every day with hormones for two weeks that encouraged my body to produce eggs. I just couldn't face doing it myself.'

Harvesting 14 eggs after the two-week hormone therapy, Nicky was asked whether she wanted her eggs to be fertilised before they were frozen.

'It already felt like we'd thrown Ben in at the deep end with everything,' she said.

'Suddenly, the poor guy was being asked for his sperm as well! In the end, I said it wasn't fair and it could lead to problems further down the line if we didn't stay together.'

Nicky, pictured with Ben at her 40th birthday celebrations, said that their relationship has gone from strength to strength

Starting chemotherapy a month later, on May 11, 2016, Nicky had cancer-fighting drugs administered once every three weeks through an IV, over a three month period.

Describing herself as 'lucky' to have avoided any 'serious side effects,' she used a cold cap - a cooling hat reducing blood flow to the head, and restricting the amount of chemotherapy reaching that area - which stopped her from losing her hair.

'It did make me feel worse for the first five minutes, but it really did work,' she said.

'Luckily, my hair is so thick that even after losing a quarter or so of it, you couldn't tell unless you knew me.

'That didn't stop me from crying when I brushed my hair and some fell out though.'

Completing her three-month chemotherapy course, Nicky then began hormone therapy to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back, which she will continue to receive as injections and tablets for up to 10 years - coming off it if she wants to get pregnant.

Putting her into early menopause, Nicky said: 'It lowered my mood and made me cry nonstop.

'I was constantly worrying about things that I shouldn't have been. Don't even get me started on the hot flushes and sweats.

'Luckily my body's adjusted now and I'm no longer in the thick of it.'

At the moment, Nicky is not ready to have children and does worry that stopping the treatment would increase her cancer risk.

She said: 'Some days I really want kids and others I can't think of anything worse.'

The one big benefit of her breast cancer battle, has been the bond it has created between her and Ben.

She said: 'Ben and I have gone from strength to strength,' she said. 'He's put up with such a lot.

'Me losing a breast, going through fertility treatment, worrying about losing my hair and now going through early menopause with my hormone therapy.

'He's such a positive person and that's so good for me and he's taken it all in his stride.

'Cancer puts a strain on you at the best of time and Ben is the perfect antidote to that.'

Approaching the fourth anniversary of her diagnosis this February, Nicky, was told there was no evidence of cancer at her most recent check-up in October last year.

She added: 'It gave me a real reason to throw a party to remember for my 40th.'

Nicky is supporting 'Re-Write Cancer', a 20m fundraising appeal from Cancer Research UK, The Christie and The University of Manchester to help meet the cost of a new 150m cancer research facility.

Find out more and donate at cruk.org/rewrite
Iraq's capital Baghdad awoke to see a thin layer of fresh snow, an extremely rare phenomenon for one of the world's hottest countries, and delighted residents declared it an omen of peace. The people of Baghdad are more used to heat than cold. The 2008 snowfall in Baghdad was seen for the first time in about a century. Although Baghdad sometimes sees hail and sleet, the snow has never been witnessed in living memory. As Iraq enjoys only the second snowfall in a century, social media is currently exploding with flabbergasted users sharing photos & footage.A man is seen cleaning snow off of his car in Baghdad, Iraq. (Image: AP)
Zhuo Changli talks with domestic workers of Sunshine Sister, her domestic-service company. [For Women of China]

Zhuo Changli, who is in charge of the domestic-service company, Sunshine Sisters, in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, has helped many domestic workers live better lives by providing quality services to customers. With more than 60,000 domestic workers, Sunshine Sisters has brought services to 2.15 million households.

In March 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping participated in a panel discussion, attended by deputies from Shandong Province, during the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing. Zhuo, as an NPC deputy, gave a brief report on the current situation and development of the domestic-service industry.

After listening to her report, Xi said housekeeping was a sunrise industry, and it played a significant role in providing jobs to migrant workers and catering to the needs of urban families, especially in terms of child and elderly care. Xi encouraged Zhuo to work hard in the industry, and to serve people in need.

"The President's words gave me a lot of confidence, and I was greatly inspired," Zhuo said. "I'm determined to do a better job in the housekeeping industry."

Some domestic workers of Sunshine Sister pose for a photo. [For Women of China]

Standardized Services

Zhuo began running a hotel, in Jinan, in the 1990s, after she was laid off. Under her leadership, the hotel expanded its business, and its employees improved their lives. Zhuo was honored as a model worker, in the province, for her success in managing the hotel.

In October 2001, Jinan Women's Federation established Sunshine Sisters, aimed at training laid-off and migrant workers, and college graduates, and aimed at helping them find jobs in the domestic-service industry. Two years later, Zhuo took charge of the company.

At that time, due to the lack of industry regulations, there were often customer complaints, and domestic workers were in low spirits, and such issues hindered the development of the industry.

To change the situation, Zhuo introduced an international-quality-management system to the industry. "Housekeeping should no longer be viewed as trivial jobs, like cooking, cleaning and babysitting," Zhuo said. "It should be transformed into a series of standardized services."

The management system regulates how domestic services should be provided. The standards cover small details in household services, such as how to slice a potato and how to fold a cleaning cloth. Thanks to standardized management, the satisfaction rate of customers has risen from 70 percent to more than 98 percent.

To date, the company has helped establish five national standards, nine provincial standards and more than 1,140 corporate standards.

Sunshine Sisters has more than 60,000 domestic workers, and more than 200 chain organizations. It has trained about 340,000 domestic workers, and it has provided services to about 2.15 million households. Thirty-one services are provided in four sectors  maternal and child care, service for the aged, housework service and looking after patients in hospital.

The company's employees receive baby care training, so they can offer professional and attentive domestic services. [For Women of China]

Bring Warmth to Families

"My biggest sense of achievement is that the laid-off workers and unemployed migrant workers have turned into highly skilled talents that are useful to society after they have received training from Sunshine Sisters," Zhuo said.

"People are at the core of the domestic-service industry. What we do is turn nannies into talents," she added.

Approximately 60 domestic workers from Sunshine Sisters have become chief technicians, or technicians with outstanding contributions, and they have received governmental subsidies. More than 6,000 domestic workers have acquired advanced-vocational-qualification certificates. Some of the employees have also participated in the formulation of industrial standards, the development of training courses and the compilation of teaching materials.

"Helping one person find a job, bringing warmth to two homes" has always been the mission of Sunshine Sisters. "It also embodies our corporate social responsibility. Employment and warmth are the two key words for Sunshine Sisters," Zhuo said.

"We not only provide training to our employees, so they can offer professional and attentive domestic services, we also care for their growth and help them out when they encounter difficulties. In addition, we care about the needs of our customers, and we pay attention to protecting the rights of both workers and consumers," she added.

Zhuo believes domestic service is a special industry. "The service providers enter the home of their employers, a private space. They pass their love and happiness to the family of the employers through their work," she said.

High-Tech Innovation

"A company cannot move forward without the power of technology. In the information era, we should have strong technological strength, and a strong capacity for innovation," Zhuo said.

Sunshine Sisters has cooperated with an electronic-technology company to develop a kind of domestic-service robot. "Providing customized and intelligent services is our future development direction," Zhuo said.

Based on the Internet and big-data technology, Sunshine Sisters has established an information- and integrity-management platform to ensure customers have a thorough and real-time understanding of the domestic workers.

On August 27, 2019, the company was listed by the Ministry of Education as the only housekeeping company in China that has the qualification to evaluate vocational education and training. It is qualified to issue the maternal and child care vocational-skills certificate.

"I am full of confidence in the future development of China's homemaking industry. Sunshine Sisters will make more efforts to perform better in this sunrise industry," Zhuo said.

Domestic workers of Sunshine Sister pose for a photo. [For Women of China]

(Women of China English Monthly January 2020 issue)
LISBON, Portugal (AP)  A Portuguese banker named in a major Angolan money-laundering and corruption scandal has died in an apparent suicide at his home, police said Thursday.

Nuno Ribeiro da Cunha, named as a suspect by Angolan authorities in an investigation targeting the billionaire daughter of Angolas former longtime leader, appeared to have hanged himself in the garage of his Lisbon apartment building late Wednesday, a police statement said.

Ribeiro da Cunha was the head of private banking at Lisbon-based EuroBic where Isabel dos Santos, reputedly Africas richest woman, holds a majority 42.5% stake. The bank says she now intends to sell her stake.

Angolan authorities suspect Dos Santos embezzled millions of dollars from the countrys state oil company and laundered it through foreign banks.

Ribeiro da Cunha's death occurred hours after Angolas attorney general, Helder Pitta Gros, speaking in the country's capital Luanda, named him and Dos Santos among five suspects in the investigation. All the suspects are living outside Angola and have business links with Dos Santos, Pitta Gros said.

Pitta Gros arrived Thursday in Portugal to ask his countrys former colonial ruler for help investigating the case which spans several countries in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Angolan authorities suspect that Dos Santos embezzled from the state oil company Sonangol, which she once headed. She is suspected of mismanagement at Sonangol and misappropriation of company money.

Four others, all believed to be close to Dos Santos and including , are suspects in the investigation, which was started after Dos Santos' successor at Sonangol alerted authorities. All the suspects are living outside Angola, Pitta Gros said.

One of them, Mario Silva, a Portuguese businessman thought to be Dos Santos' right-hand man, stepped down Thursday as chairman of the board of Banco de Fomento Angola, the Luanda-based bank announced on its website.

Story continues

Dos Santos has denied any wrongdoing. She has numerous business interests in Portugal, including stakes in telecoms and energy companies. Senior Angolan officials have long made major investments in Portuguese real estate and companies.

Pitta Gros told Portuguese public broadcaster RTP at Lisbon airport he planned to meet with his Portuguese counterpart Lucilia Gago. He said he had traveled to Lisbon to ask for a lot of things, but he didn't elaborate. Portuguese officials didn't confirm the meeting.

Chief detective of the Portuguese police, Luis Neves, said preliminary reports indicated Ribeiro da Cunhas death was suicide and that nobody else was involved. He told reporters his staff are prepared to help with the Angolan investigation whenever a formal request is made.

Last December, a Luanda court froze Dos Santos' major assets, which include banks and a telecom company. The government says it is trying to recover $1.1 billion it says the country is owed by Dos Santos, her husband and a close associate of the couple.

Dos Santos was appointed head of Sonangol by her father, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, before he stepped down in 2017 after 38 years in power. Human rights groups long accused Jose Eduardo dos Santos of heading a kleptocracy which left most people in the oil- and diamond-rich country living in poverty.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists earlier this week accused Isabel dos Santos of using unscrupulous deals to build her fortune, estimated at $2 billion.

The allegations were based on more than 715,000 confidential financial and business records provided by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa, an advocacy group based in Paris, as well as hundreds of interviews. The cache of documents is known as the Luanda Leaks.
CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Robert D. Richards (the "Acquiror") has today filed an early warning report dated February 13, 2020 advising of holdings in Appulse Corporation (the "Issuer").

The Acquiror owned 3,990,500 Common Shares representing 28.8% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in the Issuer prior to the acquisition referred to below; and joint actors with the Acquiror ("Joint Actors") owned a total of 2,308,891 Common Shares representing 16.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Issuer prior to acquisition referred to below.

On February 13, 2020, the Acquiror acquired 64,700 Common Shares of the Issuer pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement and the Joint Actors acquired a total of 538,303 Common Shares of the Issuer pursuant to purchase and sale agreements.

As a result of the above transaction, the Acquiror now beneficially owns and controls a total of 4,055,200 Common Shares which represents 29.2% of the issued Common Shares of the Issuer; and the Joint Actors now beneficially own and control a total of 2,847,194 Common Shares which represent 20.5% of the issued Common Shares of the Issuer.

The 603,003 Common Shares were acquired by the Acquiror and the Joint Actors pursuant to Section 4.2(1) of National Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids.

The Early Warning Report has been filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Review ("SEDAR") under the Issuer's profile and can be viewed at www.sedar.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE REPORT REQUIRED BY SECURITIES REGULATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:

Robert D. Richards

Telephone: (403) 236-2883

SOURCE: Robert D. Richards

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576395/Shareholder-Early-Warning-News-Release
Bengaluru, Feb 13 : The BJP's Karnataka official twitter handle was blocked temporarily on Tuesday for 24 hours, following the account violating the social media's "hateful conduct policy", a source confirmed on Thursday.

"As per the social media giant's enforcement options, the referenced account (BJP Karnataka) was temporarily locked for violating the hateful conduct policy," the source confirmed to IANS.

According to twitter, people using the platform across the globe should refrain from promoting hatred, threats or harassment of other people using its services.

"You may not promote violence against, threaten, or harass other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease," twitter's hateful conduct policy mandates.

On Tuesday, twitter blocked BJP Karnataka's official handle for 24 hours, owing to the account's "views on liberals".

"If you go through BJP Karnataka twitter timeline, you will see there is a notice which says this tweet is no longer available because it was actioned (blocked) for violation of twitter rules and policies, so hence the action," the source said.

A notice is on display from Twitter on BJP Karnataka account's timeline on February 10 saying, "This tweet is no longer available because it violated the twitter rules. Learn more." Clicking the link leads to a twitter engagement rules page which outlines the micro-blogging site's policies and general guidelines.

"Twitter's purpose is to serve the public conversation. Violence, harassment and other similar types of behaviour discourage people from expressing themselves, and ultimately diminish the value of global public conversation. Our rules are to ensure all people can participate in the public conversation freely and safely," said Twitter about rules of engagement.

The company individually addressed a list of topics, and cautioned the account holders how not to abuse the platform.

The topics included violence, terrorism and violent extremism, child sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, hateful conduct, suicide or self-harm, sensitive media and illegal or certain regulated goods or services.

Elaborating on violence, Twitter said, "You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people. We also prohibit the glorification of violence." According to the source, in addition to deleting violating tweets, twitter's range of enforcement and censoring extends between 12-hour account lock-outs to indefinite lockouts or complete blocking, known as account suspension for not adhering to the micro-blogging site's well-defined rules.

"It depends on which policy a person has violated, how many times a person has violated the policy. Again there are different criteria for that kind of enforcement," said the source about account suspensions.

Vinod Krishna Murthy, Karnataka state BJP Yuva Morcha Vice President, told IANS that Karnataka BJP IT cell has been telling the world what the liberals, leftists and Congress have done, and commenting about why the liberals are going against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was not openly talked about.

He said the BJP Karnataka IT cell fired a series of tweets in the past couple of days, which were deleted by the social media giant.

He said he did not keep an account of the number of tweets disseminated and later taken off by twitter even as the source also could not exactly specify the tweet or tweets which earned twitter's wrath.

In another video post on February 8 on twitter, BJP Karnataka showed a long queue of burqa-clad women waiting to vote in the Delhi assembly elections.

The Muslim women were seen showing their voter identity cards one after the other as someone asked them to do so in Hindi.

"Kaagaz nahi dikhayenge hum!!! Keep the documents safe, you will need to show them again during National Population Register (NPR) exercise. #DelhiPolls2020," tweeted BJP Karnataka showing them.

The Delhi polls video post is still available on the BJP Karnataka twitter timeline.

After being locked out for 24 hours, on Wednesday, BJP Karnataka tweeted, "It is unfortunate that our handle was locked out by twitter for speaking the truth about liberals." Though Murthy told IANS that BJP national social media and IT cell played a role in getting the party's Karnataka twitter account unblocked in one day, the source confirmed this claim to be false.

"Nothing like that, no, no," told the source to IANS, confirming that twitter did not unblock BJP Karnataka on the party's Delhi-based national social media and IT cell's approach.

However, after getting unblocked on Wednesday, BJP Karnataka fired another tweet vowing that it will not step back.

"We will not step back in our efforts to bring out the truth in the public domain," tweeted BJP Karnataka.

Murthy said the social media major did not seek any assurance or warn the BJP Karnataka IT cell as it unblocked the account.

"If you look at our tweets, we are taking on Congress head-on and with facts. We have also been taking on the liberals straight-on, whoever has been misleading the public with a lot of issues they are not even aware of and which is not even relevant to the topic," said Murthy.

He asked for fair play for everybody on a platform like twitter.

Interestingly, it is not known if twitter actioned (blocked) BJP Karnataka suo motu or on somebody's complaint.

(Sharon Thambala can be contacted at thambalasharon@gmail.com)
Donald Trump went on the attack against John Kelly Thursday morning claiming he wasn't suited to be chief after staff after a report emerged that the former administration official unloaded on the president for several foreign policy and national security issues.

'When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head,' Trump asserted on Twitter. 'Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him.'

'He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X's, he misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut, which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do,' he continued.

Kelly originally came on as Department of Homeland Security secretary at the start of Trump's presidency, but was reassigned as chief of staff about six months later after Reince Priebus' ousting.

Donald Trump went after his former chief of staff, claiming John Kelly was 'way over his head' and that he 'couldn't fire him fast enough'

He added that the retired Marine Corps general has a 'military and legal obligation' to 'keep his mouth shut' about his time with the administration

Kelly unloaded during a speech Wednesday, hitting at several of Trump's foreign policy and national security initiatives

The president said in his Twitter attack against his former adviser that he has respect for Kelly's wife, Karen (right), who was the one who initially urged him to take a position with the Trump administration

The president insisted he has respect for Kelly's wife Karen, who initially urged him to take a position with Trump's White House.

'His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that 'John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.' Wrong!' Trump tweeted.

Kelly spoke with audience members for more than an hour on Wednesday at a college in New Jersey where he used his time to air his criticisms of Trump.

The president's former chief of staff defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified in the House impeachment investigation and who the president fired last week after he was acquitted by the Senate.

Kelly, a retired Marine Corps General, said during his remarks at Drew University, according to The Atlantic, that Vindman did nothing wrong in reporting what he heard as he listened in on the call between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart over the summer.

'He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave,' Kelly told listeners. 'He went and told his boss what he just heard.'

The former Trump administration official also made clear he felt the call proved that Trump had conditioned military aid to Ukraine on an investigation into political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter  which is what Democrats attempted to prove was an impeachable offenses the past few months.

Kelly lambasted Donald Trump during a speech and Q&A session at a New Jersey college Wednesday

Kelly bashed the president for the language he used when talking about migrants and illegal immigrants. 'They're not all rapists and they're not all murderers,' he said. 'And it's wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times'

Kelly bashed Trump for firing former National Security Council Advisor Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (pictured), who testified in the House impeachment inquiry after reporting the call the president held with his Ukrainian counterpart over the summer

He also said that Trump should not have intervened in the case with Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher and pardoned him after the Military had convicted him for posting a photo with an ISIS fighter's corpse

Vindman specialized in Ukraine policy at the National Security Council, which is why he was included in listening in on the call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnky on July 25.

Trump fired both Vindman and fellow impeachment witness and then-Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland on Friday, less than 48 hours after the Republican-majority Senate acquitted him of the two articles of impeachment  abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

While bashing him for firing two individuals, Kelly was also critical of the president's decision to pardon former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher.

An audience member asked Kelly about the situation with Gallagher, and the former military leader faulted Trump for intervening.

Gallagher was convicted last year of posting with the dead body of an ISIS fighter, but the president reversed the NAvy's decision to kick him out of the military and strip him of his SEAL trident.

The chain of events led to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer's eventual resignation.

'The idea that the commander in chief intervened there, in my opinion, was exactly the wrong thing to do. Had I been there, I think I could have prevented it,' Kelly said, and the audience clapped.

A woman in the crowd said Trump 'elevated' Gallagher with his actions, Kelly said, 'Yep.'

Kelly also used his 75-minute remarks and Q&A session to bash more of Trump's national security and foreign policy.

Before becoming the president's chief of staff, Kelly headed Trump's Department of Homeland Security, and there was responsible for advancing the administration's efforts to stop illegal immigration.

Kelly said he disagreed with Trump's idea of building a border wall and said he also didn't see eye-to-eye with the president on the scope of the illegal immigration problem.

In continuing to attack foreign policy initiative, Kelly said North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un never intended to make a denuclearization deal

'I'm also a realist, and I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively,' Kelly said

During his speech at Drew University, Kelly lambasted the president for the language he used when talking about migrants, specifically pointing to When Trump announced his candidacy in 2015 and described Mexican migrants as 'rapists' and criminals.

'In fact, they're overwhelmingly good people,' Kelly said, claiming most are just looking for better opportunities in the U.S. and jobs.

'They're not all rapists and they're not all murderers,' he said. 'And it's wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times.'

Several reports were published while Kelly was serving as chief of staff that described frequent clashes between him and Trump.

Kelly also had some choice words for Trump's dealings with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump and Kim have held bilateral meetings a few times since the president took office, specifically with the U.S. goal of moving toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Talks have since been suspended amid rising tensions and an increase in nuclear missile tests  despite Trump's claim that he has good rapport with the totalitarian leader.

Kelly lamented that Kim 'will never give his nuclear weapons up.'

'Again, President Trump triedthat's one way to put it. But it didn't work. I'm an optimist most of the time, but I'm also a realist, and I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively,' he continued.

Kelly said he was 'fascinated' by Trump's campaign but when he was offered the DHS position, he wasn't sure if he wanted to join the administration, but was urged by his wife to help.

'I frankly think he needs you and people like you.' Kelly quoted his wife.

Some former Trump officials opt to stay silent after they leave the administration. Notably, former Trump Defense Secretary James Mattis, also a retired Marine Corps general, has stayed largely under the radar.

But others either come out publicly in favor, like Sarah Huckabee Sanders, or against the president  and many use the opportunity to write a book about their time serving under Trump.

Kelly began his open criticism of the president last month, about a full year after leaving his post at the White House.

He openly said that he believed ousted National Security Advisor John Bolton, who reportedly wrote in an unpublished book that Trump explicitly directed pressure on Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.

The report of Bolton's unpublished manuscript also came as Republicans made it clear they would not vote to call additional witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial.
A day after Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve acknowledged that his family-run firm had been given a project to digitise the city police's records, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmkh on Thursday sought details of the project and called Barve for a meeting.

The minister gave this information to reporters.

"I have sought details of the project and called Barve for a meeting today," he said.

The project was awarded to the firm, CrispQ Information Technologies Pvt Ltd, owned by Barve's son Sumukh Barve and wife Sharmila Barve, by the Devendra Fadnavis-led government for five years.

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh met Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at 'Matoshree', the latter's residence in Bandra. However, what transpired at the meeting could not be known.

The project, awarded by the previous BJP government in before the assembly elections in October last year, did not take off due to some technical issues.

On Wednesday, Barve had acknowledged that the firm owned by his son and wife was given the project to digitise the city police's records, but said that the services were offered free of cost and there was "no question" of any financial gain.

The firm, CrispQ Information Technologies Pvt Ltd, offered its services "free of cost and there was no question of any financial gains to it", Barve had told PTI.

"The company had offered its service pro bono and it was for the benefit of the Mumbai Police," he said.

Barve retires from service on February 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
TDT | Manama

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister, yesterday awarded eight government service centres that have received gold classification under the second edition of the Taqyeem service evaluation programme, at Riffa Palace.

HRH the Crown Prince highlighted the Kingdoms continued commitment to enhancing the performance of public services, in line with Bahrains comprehensive development led by HM the King. In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince emphasised the importance of innovation within government work streams to ensure optimal performance and service delivery excellence, in the interest of citizens.

The government service centres, which received the award included Information and E-Government Authority Centre for ID Card Services located in Muharraq, Northern Municipal Service Centre located in Hamad Town, affiliated with the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Bahrain Investors Centre, affiliated with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Precious Metals and Gemstone Testing Directorate, affiliated with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Customer Service Centre located in Mazaya Plaza, affiliated with the Electricity and Water Authority, the main reception centre, affiliated with the Social Insurance Organisation, the reception centre located in Seef Mall Muharraq, affiliated with the Social Insurance Organisation and the Customer Service Centre located in Seef Mall, affiliated with the labour fund, Tamkeen.

HRH the Crown Prince commended the Government Service Centres Evaluation Committees efforts for their thorough assessment of the services provided by the public centres, noting that the second edition of Taqyeem has set high standards and accelerated competition, supporting the governments aim of delivering quality services for all. For their part, the senior government officials in attendance expressed gratitude for HRH the Crown Princes continued support for enhanced public sector services, noting that positive service outcomes benefit citizens and help to ensure Kingdoms overall development. A number of senior government officials attended the ceremony
TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lift & Co. (TSXV: LIFT) (OTCQB: LFCOF) (the Company) today announces key updates for Cohesion, the Companys cannabis consumer insights platform. Starting today, Cohesion clients can build custom, real-time dashboards using more than 100 available dimensions to better meet the specific needs of organizations of any size. Insights can be easily shared across teams at all levels to align businesses to a single source of truth.



We are at a pivotal moment where marketing dollars for cannabis companies need to go further than they ever have, said Matei Olaru, CEO of Lift & Co. Cohesion is a timely solution in todays market that will accurately track sales, enable custom consumer segmentation and deploy targeted digital marketing to these segments all in one place. Todays major release enables organizations of all sizes and budgets to improve their marketing efficiency, impacting both top-line and bottom-line performance.

Cohesion draws from Lift & Co.s millions of cannabis consumer and budtender data points, accumulated over the past five years through verified reviews, purchase receipts and brand research, and on the Lift.co and CannSell platforms. Unlike traditional CPG and cannabis data providers, Lift & Co.s combination of actively and passively collected behavioural data (e.g. purchases) and attitudinal data (e.g. product sentiment) at a single source provides a 360-degree view for consumer insights. To gain an even deeper competitive edge, Cohesion clients can also compare their own brand to their competitors along each dataset.

Lift & Co.s data sources inform three primary dashboards on Cohesion:

Purchase behaviour : Sales tracking, market share, basket size and composition, consumer demographics, and more.

: Sales tracking, market share, basket size and composition, consumer demographics, and more. Product sentiment : Detailed product review and rating insights (volumes and analysis), repeat purchase intent, and more.

: Detailed product review and rating insights (volumes and analysis), repeat purchase intent, and more. Brand equity: Overall brand awareness including sentiment, brand value, perception, and more.

"Leveraging data is the best way consumer brands can get a competitive advantage but, too often, too many resources are spent sourcing, stitching together and analyzing the data just to deliver those insights to the business, said Sean Copeland, VP of Data, Lift & Co. Cohesion will make any product or marketing cycle more efficient by enabling the gathering of key consumer insights, advertising directly to target audiences, and tracking the success of those campaigns on one platform. The emergence of a major new industry has created new data intelligence opportunities and were delivering on that with Cohesion.

With todays release of Version 2, Cohesion clients can manipulate any combination of metrics from these three primary datasets on their own dashboards, personalized to their strategy, to answer common questions such as:

How did my most recent marketing campaign elevate brand awareness?

How does market share currently break down by brand, and is my brands market share trending up or down?

How likely are consumers to purchase my product(s)? How will this affect my top line?

Who is my consumer and what else do they buy?

More than 30 Canadian cannabis brands are on the Cohesion platform since it launched in September 2019. Following the introduction of consumer purchase receipt uploading to Lift & Co. in 2018, and the addition of high-value rewards like travel contests, the Company has had an accelerated increase in data volume with a 498% increase in total submitted receipts and 326% increase in total reviews for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019 compared to the previous year. This increased volume has resulted in improved accuracy on Cohesion with a margin of error of +/- 5% at a 95% confidence level for the top 50 brands in Canada.

Also launching in 2020 is Cohesion Segmentation - powered by Nielsen, which will combine Lift & Co. cannabis data with Nielsens CPG consumer insights. Brands will be able to identify custom consumer segments based on cannabis and non-cannabis buyer trends, and track how they and their competitors brands interact with those segments. Cohesion Segmentation will also include Adobe Advertising Clouds DSP to seamlessly deliver programmatic, compliant digital advertising to targeted consumers. This brings much-needed industry-standard advertising solutions to cannabis, as well as the ability to track the results of those campaigns on Cohesion dashboards. With these enhancements, the Company estimates that Cohesion clients will be able to increase click-through-rates by over 20% and reduce digital customer acquisition costs by as much as 30%.

Industry participants looking to find out more about Cohesion, please contact Lift & Co. at sales@lift.co



For media inquiries, please contact Nikki Laoutaris, Director of Communications at nlaoutaris@lift.co

About Lift & Co.

Lift & Co. is a publicly traded technology company modernizing the cannabis industry.

Forward-looking statements

This news release and each of the documents referred to herein contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, is expected, expects, scheduled, intends, contemplates, anticipates, believes, proposes or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of management and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company.

Although Lift & Co. has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release, and subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and the Company does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Lift & Co. Corp. (Lift or the Company)

For further information:

Lift & Co.:

Nikki Laoutaris

Director of Communications

647-464-0148

nlaoutaris@lift.co

Kasia Malz

Chief Financial Officer

416-953-6657

kasia@lift.co

Investor Relations:

Thesis Capital

Prit Singh

905-510-7636

psingh@thesiscapital.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5065a4e2-7e07-421f-96d0-c17025a7b631

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d25faaf-ef64-4028-9609-5fa4c32a00f8
A video recording of how Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was killed at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region has been admitted as evidence in the trial of the 14 people accused of killing the military officer.



The prosecution sought to tender the flash drive containing the video as evidence at the Accra High Court on February 5, 2020, but defence lawyers raised an objection.



The investigator of the case, Chief Inspector Samuel Agyakwa, in his evidence-in-chief during the last hearing of the case on February 5, 2020, told the Accra High Court that two of the 14 alleged killers had shot the military officer, while the others had beaten and hit him with cement blocks, sticks and metal rods.



Videos



When asked by the prosecutor, Mrs Evelyn Keelson, a Chief State Attorney, during the last hearing on February 5, how he arrived at that conclusion, the police officer said he had watched the videos which showed how Major Mahama was killed and interviewed witnesses and suspects.



Chief Inspector Agyakwa was the 14th and last witness presented to the court by the prosecution to prove its case.



Continuing with his testimony, Chief Inspector Agyakwa, said all the accused persons, with the exception of William Baah, John Bosie, Bismarck Abanga, Kwadwo Anima and Bismark Donkor, were captured in the videos which showed the killing of the military officer.



According to the witness, one of the videos was five minutes, 20 seconds long, while another was one minute, 20 seconds long.



He added that he copied the videos onto a flash drive after watching them.



Objection



A defence counsel, Mr Theophilus Donkor, argued that the videos must be watched in court to enable the defence team to know its content to aid further objection.



Another defence lawyer, Mr George Bernard Shaw, was of the view that the witness was not the author of the original videos and that the videos were got from social media platforms.



Counsel was of the opinion that the defence would be deprived of the opportunity to question the person who actually took the videos if the witness was allowed to tender it.



He further argued that in this digital age and era of fake news, the videos could have been doctored to suit the prosecutions case.



Ruling



But delivering a ruling on the video matter yesterday , Justice Mariama Owusu, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High Court judge, said it was better for the video to be admitted as evidence first before it could be shown in the open court.



The presiding judge held that if the video was first played in the open court before it was admitted as evidence, it would prejudice the court process as the jury would form opinions and even if the court rejected the video later, such opinions could not be erased on the minds of the people.



"I have not watched it and I am not going to watch," Justice Mariama Owusu said, pointing out that she had even admonished the jury to refrain from listening to all discussions on the case in the media, particularly radio and television.



She adjourned the case to February 27, 2020.



She said one of the jury members was indisposed and that with the given time-frame of the adjournment, the indisposed jury member would have recovered.



Facts



Major Mahama was killed at Denkyira Obuasi on May 29, 2017.



He was said to have been lynched during a morning walk that led him to Denkyira Obuasi.



A video recording of how he was supposedly lynched went viral on various social media platforms.



Fourteen persons, including William Baah, a former Assembly Member of Denkyira Obuasi, are standing trial in connection with the death of the military officer.



Others are Bernard Asamoah, alias Daddy; Kofi Nyarko, aka Abortion Akwasi Baah, Kwame Tuffour, Joseph Appiah Kubi and Michael Anim.



The rest are Bismark Donkor, John Bosie, Akwasi Baah, Charles Kwaning, Emmanuel Badu, Bismark Abanga and Kwadwo Anima.



They have all pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from murder, abetment to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Source: Daily Graphic









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.

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United Arab Emirates-based Dana Gas (DANA.AD) said on Wednesday it has received bids from some companies for its assets in Egypt.

We have received a number of bids from a number of companies, the companys CEO Patrick Allman-Ward said on an earnings call, declining to say how many bids or from which companies.

The CEO said a final decision had not been taken on whether the company will sell its Egyptian assets. He said offers would be submitted to the companys board for review and that a decision is expected by the end of March.

Allman-Ward said the company would cover its outstanding sukuk, or Islamic bonds, of $397 million, due on Oct. 31, with the potential sale of its Egypt assets.

The company is in talks with banks to refinance the sukuk if the sale does not cover the whole amount, or if there is no sale, he said.

We received bids for the entire package of onshore and offshore assets in Egypt, the CEO said, adding that the bidders were given flexibility to only bid for development leases and exclude exploration deals.

Production from Egypt fell 4% to 33,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in 2019 from 34,500 boepd in 2018, the company said in a statement.

Allman-Ward said the company was disappointed by the Egyptian government failing to make overdue payments by the end of 2019.

The payments are part of $111 million in receivables expected from Egypt. He said part of that amount is overdue and part is in the process of payment.

The company, the Middle Easts largest regional private sector natural gas company, made a profit of 575 million dirhams($156.56 million) in 2019 from a loss of 682 million dirhams in 2018. Allman-Ward said it was Dana Gas highest full-year profit in more than seven years.

Overall production rose 5% to 66,200 boepd last year from 63,050 boepd in 2018.

Revenue fell to 1.68 billion dirhams in 2019 from 1.72 billion dirhams in 2018 due to lower realized prices and lower production in Egypt partly offset by increase in production in KRI.

Allman-Ward said the company was pushing ahead with the development of its assets in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where over 90% of Dana Gas proven reserves are located.

The companys expansion plan in the KRI is on schedule, with delivery from the first gas train expected in 2022. This will raise production to 650 mmscfd.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:08:49|Editor: yan

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NEW DELHI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a four-day state visit.

This is Rebelo de Sousa's first visit to India.

On Friday Rebelo de Sousa will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourts of President's House, after which he will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After one-to-one and delegation-level meetings between the two sides, several agreements are expected to be inked and exchanged, said the official itinerary issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

President Rebelo De Sousa will also meet with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind.

On Saturday he will arrive in India's financial capital Mumbai.

On the following day, the Portuguese president will be in southern state of Goa, which has a considerable number of Portuguese population.
PANAMA CITY - Panamanian police on Thursday recaptured a Dominican man convicted of kidnapping and murdering five young people of Chinese descent, two weeks after he escaped prison for a second time.

National Police Director Jorge Miranda told local media that Gilberto Ventura Ceballos was found in the province of Chiriqui bordering Costa Rica.

Authorities had announced Feb. 4 that Ventura Ceballos had escaped. The latest escape prompted the resignation of the countrys security minister and the firing of the interior minister.

Ventura Ceballos was sentenced along with a fellow Dominican accomplice to 50 years in July 2018 for the abduction and killing of the five university students about a decade ago. He acknowledged murdering them and burying them beneath the floor of a home in the town of La Chorrera west of Panama City, authorities say.

Investigators said at least two were buried alive. The Dominicans ran a cellphone sales business and had collected nearly a quarter-million dollars in ransom payments from relatives.

Ventura Ceballos escaped the first time in December 2016. He was recaptured the following September in Costa Rica where he had died his hair and was living under a different name, working at an auto shop.
Johnson & Johnson are investigating after dozens of parents claimed their baby wipes caused painful 'burns' to their children's faces.

Pictures from concerned parents show red rashes which they say appeared after using Johnson's cotton touch ultra sensitive wet wipes, and the company's review page has been flooded with comments complaining of 'burn-like' marks.

Gemma Adamson from Tadworth, Surrey, complained that her two children were left 'in tears' after they both developed the same reaction to the wipes last week.

She said her six-month-old son Jesse was left with a painful rash on his face and blistering skin on his bottom after Ms Adamson used the wipes to change his nappy. Pictures show Jesse's face still red two days after his mother stopped using the wipes.

Another photo shows ten-year-old son Jake's flushed red face - which he said 'felt like it was on fire'.

Gemma Adamson's six-month-old son Jesse was left with a painful rash on his face and blistering skin on his bottom after Ms Adamson used the wipes to change his nappy

Pictures show Jesse's face still red two days after his mother stopped using the wipes

Now Johnson & Johnson have revealed they have stopped shipping the wipes while they investigate. The company said in a statement: 'Our first responsibility is to the mums, dads and families who use our products and we were saddened to learn that some babies had skin reactions.

'Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we have stopped shipping Johnson's Cottontouch Extra Sensitive Wipes in the UK while we conduct a full investigation.'

An Asda Spokesperson said: 'The safety and wellbeing of our customers is really important to us and we are currently investigating this with the brand to understand what has happened.'

On Thursday morning more than half of the reviews left on the product's Johnson's Baby web page rated the wipes just one star out of five.

The wipes have 140 one-star reviews, five two-star reviews, nine three-star reviews, 32 four-star reviews and 65 five-star reviews.

Sarah Tattersall from Pembroke, Wales reported her son Oska, pictured, developed a similar rash back in 2018

Now Johnson & Johnson have revealed they have stopped shipping the wipes while they investigate

One of the negative reviews is titled 'Burnt my baby... this product should be recalled!', and another said they left her son with a 'bright red and burning face'.

One review, titled 'Awful', was from a parent who said their one-year-old daughter 'came out in a red burn like a rash... she cries in pain as it has made her so sore'.

Another reviewer, from Birmingham, writes: 'I have used all other types of Johnsons baby wipes with both my children and never had an issue however these new wipes have caused my sons face to go bright red and look like he has burns.

'I have tried them on myself and I dont know what chemicals are in them but you can feel your face burn as soon as you use them. This product needs to be reviewed ASAP.'

A grandmother from Burnley said she had been using extra sensitive wipes for nine months and her grandson loved them, but the 'new cotton touch wipes are dreadful'.

Ms Adamson said her 10-year-old son Jake, pictured, was 'left in tears, saying his face felt like it was on fire and it was incredibly hot to touch'

Ms Adamson said: 'You never assume wipes would cause such a huge reaction especially when they are deemed extra sensitive and hypoallergenic.' Pictured is her son Jesse

She writes: 'Face and neck was bright red like it had been burnt. Hot to touch and baby crying terribly. Will never use again. Took pictures as I was so horrified!! What products have been added to these? You have let us all down terribly Johnsons.'

Posting on the Johnsons Baby website, Gayle Gray, from Dundee, said: 'I used the cotton touch wipes on my little boy's face and within minutes he developed a bright red rash and was very irritated.

'It was still red a couple of hours later. I tried the gentle all over wipes but the smell is over powering and is nipping not only his eyes but mine too.

'I am appalled considering they are both supposed to be extra sensitive and safe for babies!

'I have used Johnsons wipes for years on my older daughter and now my son - What have you put in these to make them so bad. I cannot use these and have resorted to other brands.'

On Thursday morning more than half of the reviews left on the product's Johnson's Baby web page rated the wipes just one star out of five.

One review, titled 'Awful', was from a parent who said their one-year-old daughter 'came out in a red burn like a rash... she cries in pain as it has made her so sore'

Donna Gibbons, from Cork, Ireland said her 21-month-old son Ethan, pictured, was left with 'blotchy burn marks' pictured after she used the wipes on him last week

Ms Adamson, 32, had bought a 5.95 box of the wipes at her local Asda and took to social media to warn other parents about them. She posted photos of the wipes with the caption: 'Do not use these wipes! Biggest Parenting Fail!'

She said two of her children, including her six-month-old, both experienced 'burns to their face immediately after using them', adding that when she used them herself her 'face was on fire'.

'I looked on the Johnson's website for contact info and whilst there saw what bad reviews this product has!' she added. 'Loads of children had suffered burns to their skin after using them! Absolutely shocking!

'This is meant to be a reputable brand, and the product is extra sensitive & hypoallergenic. Although my children don't have sensitive skin they had a very bad reaction.'

The wipes have 140 one-star reviews, five two-star reviews, nine three-star reviews, 32 four-star reviews and 65 five-star reviews

Ms Adamson's post, which has clocked up more than a thousand likes online, prompted many other parents to come forward.

Valerie McCabe wrote: 'I bought two boxes of these. My daughter and granddaughter both got burnt faces.'

Jenna Ridley added: 'This has happened to my son too! I wasn't sure why until I stopped using the wipes and his face is slowly calming down - still pretty bad though.'

Donna Gibbons, from Cork, Ireland said her 21-month-old son Ethan was left with 'blotchy burn marks' pictured after she used the wipes on him last week.

Similarly, Sarah Tattersall from Pembroke, Wales reported her son Oska Asbury developed a similar rash back in 2018.

Gemma Adamson, 32, had bought a 5.95 box of the wipes at her local Asda and took to social media to warn other parents about them

The company said in a statement: 'Our first responsibility is to the mums, dads and families who use our products and we were saddened to learn that some babies had skin reactions'

Johnson's wipes are branded as 'extra sensitive' and safe for use on 'delicate' faces.

Ms Adamson said: 'Our baby was crying every time we wiped his face or nappy changes but as you do, we assumed he just disliked it.

'Now with great guilt we realised what the real reason is.

'At the time of use our six-month was hitting the usual milestones of teething and weaning so we assumed these may be the causes initially.

'Until our 10-year-old helped himself and used one that's when the penny dropped.

'Jake was left in tears, saying his face felt like it was on fire and it was incredibly hot to touch.

'We were obviously using the same wipes to change Jesse's nappy and his bottom was blistered and bleeding from them.

'You never assume wipes would cause such a huge reaction especially when they are deemed extra sensitive and hypoallergenic.'

Asda told Ms Adamson the product would need to be sent back to Johnson's for testing.
Meeting hears about history of Hill House

Locals gathered at Goring Village Hall on Monday evening for the public launch of a campaign to prevent the sale of a much-loved youth hostel.

Last November, the Newbury Weekly News reported on the formation of the Stop the Sale of the Streatley YHA campaign, which champions the cause of Hill House, a village institution for almost 85 years.

Hill House was donated to the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) in 1935.

Prior to this, it had been operated by the Reisses, a philanthropic family headed by de facto manager Florence Reiss.

The Reisses made it their life mission to host London children at the house, many of them from deeply impoverished backgrounds.

These guests were able to explore the surrounding countryside and engage with local people.

The hostels social ethos has declined in significance over time, though it has welcomed thousands of tourists, hikers and schoolchildren through its doors over the years.

It offers access to scenic walking routes, including the Thames Path National Trail and the Ridgeway National Trail.

The present management has presided over significant development of the premises.

Now, however, the YHA is advertising to sell it.

The organisation  which owns more than 150 hostels across England and Wales  argues that Hill House is in need of essential maintenance and that it cannot afford the upfront costs.

This is despite the popularity of the Streatley facility, among the most profitable hostels in the UK.

By way of a concession to concerned locals, the YHA demands that any prospective buyer must operate the premises as a hostel for three years after purchase.

Critics have pledged their opposition to any sale which endangers the establishments present status.

Among them is Dr Sarah Steed, great-granddaughter of Florence Reiss.

At Mondays meeting, attended by around 30 people, Dr Steed spoke on the history of Hill House and outlined the campaigns case.

At the centre of the controversy are the circumstances surrounding Florence Reiss decision to donate the hostel to the YHA in 1935.

Campaigners believe that the transfer of ownership was agreed under a covenant, with the YHA bound to keep Hill House open as a hostel in perpetuity.

This document  if it exists  has yet to be recovered.

However, Dr Steed has enlisted local lawyers and historians in an effort to locate it.

In the interim, she stressed that there is much villagers can do to help the campaign.

Hundreds of letters and emails of complaint have already been sent to the YHA.

Streatley resident Mark Kibble  a campaigner against the sale  said: The meeting unanimously voted to support the campaign in its objectives of getting the YHA to withdraw the property from the market and to explore many of the funding opportunities that are coming to light to keep the hostel open.

The campaign has drafted a document outlining the history and the opportunities for the future which will be published in the next few days.

As the YHA celebrates its 90th anniversary year, it would be shocking if it did this by closing a unique hostel that was gifted to them, and lose a fantastic asset to those that enjoy coming to this area of outstanding natural beauty.
If it rains in the Coast Range, chase down some waterfalls.

When most Oregonians want waterfalls, we head to the Columbia River Gorge, home of dozens of iconic plunges. But head toward the Oregon coast instead and you can find a dozen more, hidden in the forests of the Coast Range mountains.

On this weeks episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk about some of the most impressive waterfalls in the northern Coast Range, with tips on where to find them and how to create a waterfall-hunting itinerary of your own.

Its a more rugged adventure than seeing waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge, but its one worth taking when the inevitable winter rains drench the coastline.

Here are some highlights:

What are some of the best waterfalls in Oregons northern Coast Range?

Visit Oregons own Niagara Falls  just a little smaller than the famous landmark.

Why you should visit these waterfalls during the rainy season.

Drift Creek Falls is a popular day hike on the coast with a great waterfall view.

For a less accessible, but impressive waterfall, head to University Falls.

How do you find directions to some of these more remote waterfalls?

How to make an itinerary for a Coast Range waterfall trip.

Prepare to get wet while hiking these trails.

See Jamies stories on Niagara Falls and Drift Creek Falls.

Also check out our list of the 10 things to pack for a day hike in Oregon, and get some tips on rainy day hiking in our previous episode of the podcast.

To find directions to some of the more remote waterfalls, as well other hikes around Oregon, head to OregonHikers.org.

Heres the full episode. You can subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Follow Peak Northwest on Instagram at @PeakNorthwest.

-- Jim Ryan and Jamie Hale
A number of high-profile MPs have been sacked during Boris Johnson's much-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.

It is the Prime Minister's first major shake-up since leading the Conservative Party to a win in the December election.

Big names have been axed and hirings are underway with hopeful contenders seen coming and going from Number 10.

The shock resignation of Sajid Javid has also raised questions about Mr Johnson's future plans.

What prompted the reshuffle?

A new generation of ministers are wanted at Number 10 / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

February's reshuffle will not be as dramatic previous reshuffles, such as Mr Johnson's so-called Valentine's Day Eve massacre after he took over as Prime Minister from Theresa May, when 15 Cabinet ministers were sacked.

However there will be an emphasis on bringing in new blood.

There has previously been an emphasis on putting rising stars in junior ministerial roles to give them the experience to take key roles in future.

It was reported that Mr Johnson wanted to cut down the size of the Cabinet and bring onboard more women MPs.

Who was sacked in Boris Johnson's latest Cabinet reshuffle?

A number of Cabinet members have been sacked

Julian Smith

Julian Smith was the chief whip and one of Theresa May's allies and was said to not be fully entrenched within Mr Johnson's team.

The Skipton and Ripon MP spoke out against Mr Johnson's Brexit strategy in the autumn prior to the election and has been rumoured for the chop since then.

However, as Northern Ireland Secretary he was able to secure the deal which led to the return of the Stormont assembly.

The former businessman was respected in Northern Ireland and viewed by the country as a good minister.

But tensions between Mr Smith and Mr Johnson were always going to make him a target.

Andrea Leadsom

Leadsom was one of the MPs to get the chop / AFP via Getty Images

The former Conservative leadership candidate and senior Brexiteer has been removed from her role as Business Secretary.

She has served in the Cabinet since 2016 and was one of two contenders in the Tory leadership election, alongside Esther McVey, who has also been sacked.

At the end of Mrs May's term, Ms Leadsom became leader of the Commons and made headlines with an ongoing feud between herself and Commons Speaker John Bercow.

Ms Leadsom was at the forefront of modernising the process for which people working in Whitehall could report cases of bullying and sexual harassment.

Her replacement is likely to be someone who Mr Johnson has faith in to properly prepare companies for Brexit and the inevitable custom checks to follow.

Esther McVey

McVey is out / PA

The former GMTV presenter turned politician is a fan of blue-collar conservatism and a Brexiteer.

She has entered and exited the Commons and Cabinet on a number of occasions.

Under Mrs May she was promoted to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She gained criticism for "misleading" parliament over Universal Credit.

She launched her bid to be leader of the Conservatives in 2019 but had little success.

Theresa Villiers

Britain's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Theresa Villiers arrives at Downing Street / REUTERS

Vote Leave campaigner and one of the most senior female Tory politicians, Ms Villiers has been MP for 15 years.

She had been Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for six months before being ousted.

She debuted as an MP on former Prime Minister David Cameron's front bench as Transport Minister and then Northern Ireland minister.

She has been a vocal critic of the Heathrow Airport expansion.

Geoffrey Cox QC

Mr Johnson says goodbye to Mr Cox / AFP via Getty Images

The Attorney General was rumoured to have fallen out of favour with Mr Johnson for his condescending behaviour in Cabinet and was not considered a "team player".

He is a former barrister and entered the Commons under Mrs May and is the highest earning MP.

He has defended tax havens and acted on behalf of companies in British-run Cayman Islands.

Chris Skidmore

The Kingswood MP plans to spend more time as a dad / Getty Images

Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore has been sacked from his post as Universities and Science minister.

He announced the news by posting a picture of himself with his baby daughter writing: "Got a promotion in the #reshuffle to be a better dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one."

Nusrat Ghan

Ms Ghani is no longer Transport Minister / Matt Writtle

As Transport Minister, Ms Ghani had been tipped to get the new job overseeing HS2 but has been subsequently sacked without explanation.

George Freeman

George Freeman / PA Images

Seen as a moderate Conservative, Mr Freeman was Mrs May's former policy chief. He is not tipped for any other Cabinet office. He tweeted that he was sad to be "on my bike".

Resignations

Savid Javid

The shock announcement was made just before midday / AFP via Getty Images

The Chancellor has resigned from his position because of an apparent row with Mr Johnson over advisers.

The news was confirmed shortly before midday after Mr Javid was seen entering No 10.

A source close to Mr Javid said he was told to "fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers".
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

A South Side Locos street gang member arrested on drug and weapons charges told members of an FBI task force that  in addition to drugs and cash  he had a machine gun and other firearms in his house because Albuquerque is a crazy place and very violent.

The agents were investigating a gang that was robbing street-level drug dealers when they raided the home of Manuel Humberto Bolivar, 21, earlier this month.

Bolivar, who is known as Manny, Gino, G and Little Sapo, was charged in federal court with possession of a machine gun, possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

After arranging for undercover drug purchases from Bolivar, agents conducted a predawn raid on his home in Southwest Albuquerque, finding 3 pounds of methamphetamine, almost $16,000 in cash, five pistols and two rifles, 96 blue fentanyl tablets, 155 packaged strips of suboxone and a bulletproof vest, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.

During the raid, agents found a full-automatic selector switch that, when installed, allows a Glock 9mm pistol to be fired as a fully automatic firearm, according to court records. The switch can be installed in seconds and turns the weapon into what is considered a machine gun under federal law, according to the complaint filed against Bolivar.

A lower-level drug dealer had told agents that Bolivar, who faces a potential life sentence, was a big-time plug who had supplied him with drugs more than a thousand times. The lower-level dealer told agents Bolivar received drugs from an organization in Mexico.

Federal court documents identified Bolivar as a member of the South Side Locos and included photographs of Bolivar flashing gang signs.

According to court records, Bolivar talked with agents after his arrest and admitted he was selling methamphetamine and blue pills marked M-30 but said he thought they were oxycodone, not fentanyl, which is more dangerous. He also told agents that three of the pistols they found were his, one of which he bought outside a gas station for $100. Three of the handguns found in Bolivars home had been reported stolen.

According to the court records, Bolivar told agents he used the firearms for protection of his home and family.

Agents also said they found more than eight pounds of marijuana that Bolivar claimed was for his personal use.

Robbing the competition

Over the past six months, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force has been investigating a group suspected of robbing street-level dealers while also selling drugs, including fentanyl.

Members of the robbery group in Albuquerque, according to court records, are affiliated through their association with the South Side Locos street gang.

Bolivars arrest was the fourth in connection with the investigation in the past four months.

Over the course of the investigation, agents have seized an additional machine gun, other firearms, a silencer, high-capacity magazines, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and $10,000.

The South Side Locos gang originated in Southern California and has factions in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.

According to court records, when South Side Locos gang members are in prison they associate with the California Surenos under the leadership of the Mexican Mafia.

If convicted, Bolivar faces a minimum of 10 years to life in prison for methamphetamine possession, up to 20 years in prison for fentanyl possession, up to 10 years in prison for possession of a machine gun, and a consecutive sentence of a minimum of five years in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The FBI task force is made up of agents and members of the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and New Mexico State Police.
3 Women Die After Crossing Mexico Border, Getting Lost in Mountains: Officials

Three women died after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego, California, before getting lost in the Laguna Mountains, according to Border Patrol officials.

The three were part of a group of five unauthorized immigrants who traveled over the border on Monday night, said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke in a statement.

Unfortunately, rescue efforts for 3 of the 5 people were unsuccessful. The three remaining people on the mountain have died. Due to severe weather, recovery of the bodies must wait until tomorrow, he wrote on Twitter.

The agency said that on Monday, the California Highway Patrol received a 911 call before police dispatchers relayed information to Border Patrol agents of a group in need of immediate medical attention in the Laguna Mountains.

As they neared the area, agents began searching to locate the group in the remote and rugged terrain, the news release said. Agents then located two men from the group and identified them as Mexican nationals who entered the United States illegally.

Agents were later able to locate the three women, and agents quickly triaged them both and attempted to resuscitate two of them to no avail before trying to save the third woman, who was in and out of consciousness, according to the news release.

Unfortunately, rescue efforts for 3 of the 5 people were unsuccessful. The three remaining people on the mountain have died. Due to severe weather, recovery of the bodies must wait until tomorrow. Agents & @CALFIRESANDIEGO have cleared the scene for now.  Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke (@USBPChiefSDC) February 11, 2020

Due to the inclement weather all rescue efforts were fruitless and all lifesaving attempts were exhausted, it said, adding that the three women ultimately succumbed to their injuries.

Heitke, in the release, said their deaths could have been avoided.

We have said it many times, do not place your life or the lives of your loved ones in the hands of ruthless smugglers, he said in the release. I am proud of the heroic efforts that these agents and our partners made to locate and provide aid to those in need. Our agents also put their own lives at risk traversing the dangerous routes that these criminal organizations smuggle people through in an attempt to avoid apprehension.

The two men from the group were arrested by Border Patrol agents on suspicion of illegally entering the country and were taken to a processing center, according to Border Patrol.

A storm dumped several inches of snow Mount Laguna on Monday, according to local station KSWB.
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Around 240 flights to and from Amsterdams Schiphol airport, one of Europes busiest, were cancelled on Sunday as a powerful storm blew in off the Atlantic Ocean with wind gusts of up to 120 km per hour.



Owing to the disruptive storm, an Air Europa flight's landing was interrupted. According to reports, the plane attempted repeatedly to land at Amsterdam airport during Storm Ciara, only to have to turn back.

During the landing attempt amid severe turbulence, a woman passenger onboard suffered a serious panic attack. The incident which was filmed on a co-passenger's phone has now gone viral.

Grote paniek aan boord van dit vliegtuig dat wilde landen op Schiphol vanavond. Door de storm lukte dat tot vijf keer toe niet. Het toestel keerde daarom terug naar Madrid. https://t.co/N2jIujC2sR pic.twitter.com/1etiiIIJSB  RTL Nieuws (@RTLnieuws) February 9, 2020

The woman can be heard screaming and crying hysterically off camera before repeating oh my God while the plane shakes.



Other passengers reportedly vomited during the nearly hour-long ordeal, which ended when the pilots turned around and returned to Madrid. Passenger Mark Haagen, of Kamerik in the Netherlands, described the harrowing experience.

People screamed and were puking. The turbulence was enormous, everything vibrated and went back and forth, Haagen told RTL Nieus.

"The turbulence above Schiphol was enormous. The pilot really stopped the landing twice at the very last moment. We took off again at 150 meters (490 feet) above the runway. Really not cool, he said.

The luggage flew back and forth. I am used to flying, but I have never experienced this, he added of the turbulence.

A spokeswoman for Air Europa told Metro: The Flight UX1093 from Madrid to Amsterdam couldnt land at Amsterdam airport due to bad weather and returned to Madrid.

Twitter/Storm Ciara

Passengers were attended to at all times, accommodated in hotels and alternatives to reach their destinations the day after were managed by our staff.

Severe warnings have been issued across parts of northern Europe as Storm Ciara sweeps across the continent. High winds and heavy rain continue to batter areas of Ireland, France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Scandinavia.




We have been following the efforts of the Peoples Mosquito for some years now. The group has steadily made headway on their efforts to build an airworthy de Havilland Mosquito for Britain. This is a grass-roots effort, relying heavily upon small individual donations, as their name suggests. Even without the benefit a major financing source, they have been methodically working their way through the enormous technical and logistical issues in their endeavor, and have made remarkable progress. Working with Retrotec Ltd., the highly-experienced team with a proven track record of major restorations of both airframes and engines for museums and flying collections around the world. Retrotec has been hard at work recreating a set of fuselage moulds for the project. The following details, adapted from their recent press release, show where things stand at present

Since the last update, Retrotec has begun engineering the in-fills between the moulds bulkheads. To form these parts, they needed an affordable material that was both efficient to shape and sufficiently sturdy. deHavilland originally used mahogany for this purpose, but this hardwood is not sustainable today sadly, and expensive. Thankfully, Retrotec found a ready substitute in Jelutong, a sustainable wood with the right material properties to sustain the significant pressures exerted during the moulding process. You will note in the photograph the trial fitting of two steel straps over the forward end of the mould; these will be used to apply pressure to the sandwich of plywood and balsa layers which will make up the fuselage.

As you can see from the main picture one of the moulds stands is now painted in bright RAF maintenance yellow. The mould in the picture is sitting in the new factory space which Retrotec is having constructed, a thoroughly green facility which includes the latest insulation technology in the roof, and a method for collecting rainwater for use in the bathroom facilities.

To date, The Peoples Mosquito (TPM) has invested just over 80,000 in the design and construction of the first Mosquito moulds in Britain for over 72 years. We are very close to completing them, both in financial and engineering terms, but we could really use your help in closing the gap  if you have a spare 1, please click on the donate button below.

How else you can help? Become a TPM Club Member, buy some merchandise, run a fundraiser or make a direct donation with gift aid or volunteer to help with our fundraising. In our next issue of this newsletter, we will be announcing how you can support more and find yourself associated for life with this historic part of Mosquito engineering!

In additional news, we were delighted this month to receive a very kind donation of some woodworking tools from supporter Lloyd Matthews. These were not just any old tools, but ones which were used to repair Mosquitos during World War Two!

Lloyds father, Royden Matthews, served with the RAF in Burma, India and Singapore. The Mosquitos deployed here came into Roydens RAF maintenance unit for repairs, typically as a result of enemy action, and particularly from ground fire. Lloyd explained that his Father was under orders not to photograph the Mossie lest the Japanese got hold of the images! The lovely donation of these well travelled tools with a great Mosquito connection was certainly appreciated! We will be displaying them at our air show events this year, add a human story to the effort behind the project. What have you got in your attic, garage or shed? We would love to hear from you! Please contact us if you can HERE.
Jessica Simpson appears to be the current target of animal rights activists after two of her Open Book tour stops fall victim to protest.

Going forward, Simpson will have 'extra venue security' and guests in attendance 'will have to have purchased a ticket and a copy of Jessica's book to be allowed entry' into the event, according to TMZ.

Simpson shared a snapshot of her head-to-toe look for Wednesday's tour stop in Chicago, which marks her first date back since Monday's anti-fur spectacle in Los Angeles.

Prepared: Jessica Simpson has beefed up her security, following two of her Open Book tour stops falling victim to ant-fur protests, according to TMZ on Wednesday

Simpson looked cozy in a monochromatic camel ensemble, as she posed before a photograph of a commercial airplane.

'Windy City Ready #OpenBookLOOKS,' captioned Simpson who has been documenting her various 'looks' on Instagram while embarking on her cross country book tour.

The unassuming fashion post comes just two days after a dramatic anti-fur protest interrupted an interview Simpson had with fellow author and Christian, Katherine Schwarzenegger.

Days prior during her stop in New York, Simpson was accosted by the same animal rights group, while signing copies of her memoir at a Barnes & Noble.

Disruptive: Due to the disruptive nature of the protests, Jessica and her team agreed that security would have to be heightened for everyone's safety

Los Angeles: Simpson was interrupted by a slew of angry anti-fur protesters during her Open Book tour stop in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon

The animal rights group has set their focus on Simpson for having donned fur in the past.

With the recurrence and aggression of the protests, Jessica and her team have ordered extra security to be present at all further Open Book tour dates.

Venues hosting the upcoming events are 'on notice' and, according to TMZ, are being 'proactive' when it comes to preventing any further disruptions from occurring.

The gossip site also spoke to handful of venues revealing that, one venue will subject attendees to body searches where 'security will be checking for all the normal red flags like weapons.'

Taking the high road: Simpson responded to her protesters by stating that it's 'beautiful' what they believe in, but that they are going about their cause in the wrong way

Interview: The incident occurred during a portion of the event that required Jessica to sit down with fellow author and Christian, Katherine Schwarzenegger

Venue security will also be on the lookout for protest related materials like signs, banners, and/or noisemakers.

Simpson remained calm as she addressed the protesters during Monday's disruption in Los Angeles.

'God bless you guys! It's beautiful that you stand up for what you believe, but not through hatred.'

Despite her remarks, Just Jared reported that another protester stood up and shouted out: 'Please stop wearing animals, please stop wearing fur.

Open Book: In Jessica's memoir Open Book she discusses her childhood trauma and her issues with alcoholism and toxic relationships

'There are so many other choices. Please stop wearing fur, Jessica. Animals are electrocuted!'

After the protester was removed, Jessica added: 'These are the types of moments where you know, when you're trying to speak about helping other people get through their own problems and their life, and when you talk about god, that is when darkness tries to seep in.

'And I know that god is stronger than that and nothing will hold me back from my calling.'
[February 13, 2020] Dominion Energy, Facebook Add to Partnership on Renewable Energy in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy and Facebook are continuing their joint effort to increase renewable energy generation by adding a new solar facility in Greensville County, Va., to the list of those that will be dedicated to Facebook. Sadler Solar, a 100 MW facility located in Greensville County, Va., was approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission on Jan. 22, 2020 and is expected to become operational by the end of 2020. Dominion Energy will build, own and operate the solar facility. Facebook will purchase the environmental attributes generated by the solar facility. Sadler joins eight other Dominion Energy solar projects in Virginia and North Carolina that support Facebook's operations with renewable energy. "Partnerships with companies like Facebook help drive the addition of renewable energy to the grid," said Emil Avram/span>, Dominion Energy's vice president, Business Development. "We are honored to work with them to help meet their sustainability goals as well as continue to expand renewable energy across the Dominion Energy service area."



"We are proud to continue to grow our partnership with Dominion Energy by adding this new 100-MW project to the grid," said Urvi Parekh, head of Renewable Energy at Facebook. "Since 2017, this partnership has resulted in over 690 MW of new solar energy in Virginia and North Carolina and has helped strengthen the renewable energy market in the region." This partnership helps to enable Facebook's goal of supporting its global operations with 100% renewable energy in 2020. Partnerships with voluntary renewable energy buyers like Facebook are important to making possible Dominion Energy's goal of adding 3,000 MW of new solar and wind energy in operation or under development in Virginia by 2022.

About Dominion Energy

More than 7 million customers in 18 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy with more than $100 billion of assets providing electric generation, transmission and distribution, as well as natural gas storage, transmission, distribution and import/export services. The company is committed to achieve net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dominion-energy-facebook-add-to-partnership-on-renewable-energy-in-virginia-301004624.html SOURCE Dominion Energy Virginia

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Poverty, language barriers and limited trauma support in schools can keep young refugees from going to class, says a new report that recommends teachers develop a holistic approach to educate newcomers who have limited formal schooling.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Poverty, language barriers and limited trauma support in schools can keep young refugees from going to class, says a new report that recommends teachers develop a holistic approach to educate newcomers who have limited formal schooling.

On Wednesday, researchers made public a 48-page report on the gaps in education for older refugee youth who arrive in Winnipeg with a background of interrupted schooling, and how Manitobas education system can fill them.

"They may have had interrupted schooling due to conflict, potentially living in a refugee camp or having inadequate quality education for another reason  and that has repercussions for a lot of youth," said Nicole Jowett, lead author of Supported Transitions: Effective Educational Approaches for Older Refugee Youth with Interrupted Schooling.

In order to better understand those repercussions, Jowett and her colleagues organized interviews with educators, community members and refugee youth between the ages of 15 and 21 enrolled in Winnipeg schools.

Students surveyed reported housing instability, unaffordable transit, and miscommunication about both age and high school diploma requirements  as a result of language barriers and cultural differences  as challenges to catching up to classmates their same age.

Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press. Abdikarim Abdi, of Peaceful Village, speaks from youth perspective during a presentation about educational approaches for older refugee youth with interrupted schooling.

Added stresses, the report states, are both the pressure on youth to take on child-care responsibilities or to work to contribute to the family income. Administrators also noted trauma as a key challenge for youth working towards their high school diplomas.

"The biggest challenge for me? English, the new language. I overcame that situation, but Im still learning," said Abdikarim Abdi, who moved to Winnipeg in 2016 without ever having attended a formal school.

Abdi was born in Somalia, but spent most of his life in refugee camps in Djibouti and Ethiopia. His mother could only afford to send his eldest brother to school, so until he enrolled in General Wolfe Junior High School at 13, he had only ever been home-schooled by his sibling.

Now 16, Abdi is fluent in English, although he continues to work with tutors, watch the local news and read novels to practise his language skills. He is expected to graduate in 2021 with other students his age.

An average of 105 high school students enrolled in Manitoba between 2016 and 2018 had incomplete schooling prior to entering the provinces education system. On average, 33 students entered with no formal schooling.

Since reporting systems for such demographics are inconsistent, its unclear exactly how many students fall into the interrupted schooling category. The minimal data on the population is, in part, what prompted the research.

Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press Jennifer Chen (left), Member and WSD Trustee and Vice Chair of Newcomer Education Coalition, listens during a presentation about educational approaches for older refugee youth with interrupted schooling at Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall at the University of Winnipeg.

More than a year in the making, the research was undertaken in collaboration with Education Coalition, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, and the Community Engaged Research on Immigration Network. It was funded by the Child and Youth Refugee Research Coalition.

Programs for refugee youth vary across the city, but students are often introduced to Winnipegs schooling system in small, "sheltered" classrooms where they learn basic language and literacy skills. They later transition to "mainstream" classrooms, and can seek additional community programs such as tutors after regular school hours.

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 report calls for additional funding and a holistic approach that sees both schools and community organizations partner to support youth. Kathleen Vyrauen, chairwoman of the Newcomer Education Coalition, said its important youth are supported by cultural liaisons, intercultural support workers and counsellors.

"There isnt one blanket approach thats going to work for every single student," Vyrauen said. "Its easy to do that, to think of people that way, but you cant, especially when it comes to older refugee youth.

"If you dont take into account things like mental health or interrupted school or family dynamics, it becomes very hard for that blanket method to work."

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.
They protest against the annulment of last years presidential election vote by the top court.

Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in Malawis capital Lilongwe demanding the chairwoman of the countrys electoral commission resign.

The top court last week annulled last years presidential election vote, citing widespread, systematic and grave irregularities.

Al Jazeeras Laura Burdon-Manley has more.
A paper released by five researchers at Harvard University last week suggested it was statistically unlikely there were zero cases in Indonesia, given the volume of air traffic between China and Indonesia. (Bali's airport received 6.2 million passengers last year, while Jakarta welcomed 2.4 million). Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto attacked the Harvard study as "insulting" but just 77 people have been tested for the virus, with 75 confirmed negative cases and two still being processed. Those figures pale in comparison to neighbouring countries that have populations three to 50 times smaller, all of which have conducted far more tests and have recorded infections. Health department briefings emphasise the country has 100 hospitals on stand-by, 2000 test kits and a lab that can detect the virus, thermal scanners measuring body temperature at airports and health registration cards being handed out to airport arrivals.

They've even run a tour of the lab for journalists, to demonstrate that everything is just fine. The question is not whether Indonesia's medical researchers can detect the virus. They can. Loading But just one lab, the Ministry's Research and Development Laboratory, is currently running tests to confirm positive cases of COVID-19. Offers of assistance from Eijkman and Airlangga University have been deferred because of the low number of cases. If the labs aren't being given enough cases to test - perhaps because border screening measures aren't watertight, perhaps because people aren't self-reporting to doctors - then it's axiomatic that detection of infection is less likely.

Tourists have questioned the efficacy of border screening and some have reported being turned away from hospitals such as Sanglah in Bali when seeking help. A woman wears a protective face mask as she passes an information banner on coronavirus at a train station in Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit:AP When The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed last month Indonesia did not yet have the specific test kits that can rapidly detect this new strain of coronavirus in a matter of hours the Health Ministry denied it, (though the WHO later confirmed it). Health department officials insisted they had had the kits since late December - even though the details of the chemicals required were only publicly released on January 14. Health Minister Terawan criticised the story and said Indonesia was not poor and could afford test kits.

At best, the officials were saving face. Loading Perhaps they meant they had the pan-coronavirus test, which tests for all strains of the virus including the common cold, COVID-19, SARS and MERS and which has been widely available for years? That test must be followed by gene sequencing after an initial positive to confirm novel coronavirus-19. The specific COVID-19 test kits are now in Indonesia but still there are zero infections reported. Ordinary Indonesians have twigged to this. The price of face masks has spiked. Some brands of hand sanitiser are getting harder to find at online retailers. Rumours and doubts about the zero infection claim ripple through social media and are denied by the government.

Achmad Yurianto, the Health Ministry's secretary-general for disease control, said on Thursday that lab tests were "not the first intervention". A health official scans the body temperature of a passenger as she arrives at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia. Credit:AP Body temperature checks (which prove nothing if the patient is carrying the infection but isn't sick yet), travel history checks and close contact with people who have been infected all happen first. But at a seminar at Eijkman on Wednesday institute researcher Professor David Handojo Muljono supported more, and wider, testing of potential cases. "We have proposed this, we have communicated with our colleagues".

As fellow researcher Dr Herawati Sudoyo put it "I dont think one institution can do the screening for all of Indonesia". "Its not that we would like to get a positive, [but] we dont want to be in a position where we arent really sure [of] the conditions in our country." Loading As the virus spreads in the countries that surround Indonesia, officials seem more concerned with controlling the message than rooting out possible infections to obtain the true picture on the ground.
Baghdad, Feb 13 : Thousands of women rallied on Thursday in Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces to support the ongoing anti-government protests and reject violence against female protesters.

In downtown Baghdad, hundreds of women gathered in al-Tahrir Square, the epicenter of anti-government protests, holding Iraqi flags and chanting slogans demanding comprehensive reforms, Xinhua news agency reported.

They condemned the sporadic attacks by militants affiliated with some religious and political parties against women who participated in the anti-government demonstrations.

The provinces of Babil, Dhi Qar, Najaf, Karbala and Basra also witnessed similar protests by women.

"We are protesting against corruption and corrupt people, and we support the protests' rejection to tasking Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi (with forming an interim government) because we want the candidate to be politically independent," Hadil Mohammed, a college student participating in the protest, told Xinhua news agency.

This nationwide women protest was first motivated by attacks and abductions against female activists participating in the anti-government protests.

Mass anti-government demonstrations have been continuing in the capital Baghdad and other cities since October 2019, demanding comprehensive reform, fight against corruption, better public services and more jobs.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A federal court ruled a veteran Kansas City, Missouri, police officer's fatal shooting of an unarmed man in a parking garage near the Power and Light District nearly seven years ago was reasonable.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 13:46:21|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Don't be surprised to get cold calls from your community to ask about your health condition during the epidemic, though the one on the other end of the line might not be a human being.

Many communities across China are using AI-backed smart outbound dialers to take the pulse of their residents' health and ferret out suspected infection cases.

China's fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is gaining traction with some promising signs, while challenges remain. Epidemic control of the country's vast networks of communities and villages stands to be an uphill last-mile task that entails smart aids.

"WORTH OVER 1 BILLION YUAN"

Community and village epidemic control is now high on governments' agendas due to the increasing people flow as more and more return to work after an extended holiday.

Nearly 4 million community workers are fighting on the front line of 650,000 urban and rural communities following the outbreak.

Community epidemic prevention and control is by no means easy: every community is guarded by an average of six community workers, each of whom serves 350 residents, according to Chen Yueliang, an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Several cities including Beijing and Guangzhou have ramped up community management, including compulsory temperature-taking to keep the virus at bay.

"The job is arduous," said Chen, who encouraged big tech firms to develop handy community management tools. "A good public service app might be worth over 1 billion yuan (about 143.5 million U.S. dollars) in terms of contribution to the anti-virus fight."

CALL ANSWERED

An army of smart community epidemic control apps have come to the aid of overstretched community workers and village officials.

Fintech giant JD Digits, the developer of some auto outbound dialers for epidemic control, is also sharing a smart mobile survey tool with communities to help them collect information in a safe and swift fashion.

In the countryside, some 590,000 people have followed a public WeChat account serving villages, which has released over 7,000 pieces of epidemic control information.

Loudspeakers are still widely used as a tool for notices in the rural area. Thanks to an app developed by China Telecom, village officials no longer have to go to the office to shout into a microphone as they can now broadcast the message by speaking into their smartphone.

The COVID-19 outbreak might push China's digital drive further from smart cities and governments to more concrete fields, said Li Yongjian, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"As the internet goes deep into social governance and service, digitalization will take a big step forward," Li said.
A small fire ignited in an underground Pacific Gas and Electric vault in San Francisco Wednesday night, knocking out power to thousands of customers.

Black smoke  and a startling fireball  were captured on video by resident Kaleb White at Hayes and Laguna in Hayes Valley. After plumes of dark smoke can be seen swirling from a grate, the video shows flames licking out of the vault.
Fed Investigates Ivy League Schools Over Billions Received From Hostile Foreign Governments

The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into Harvard and Yale Universities for allegedly failing to disclose hundreds of millions of dollars in gifts and contracts from foreign governments.

In a Feb. 12 statement, the Education Department said that Yale may have failed to disclose in its records $375 million in foreign funding over the past four years. According to student newspaper Yale Daily News, the Department has sent a letter to Yales resident Peter Salovey on Feb. 11, demanding that the school submit records on contributions from foreign governments between 2014 and 2017.

The Department also sent a letter to Harvard president Lawrence S. Bacow, requesting information about contributions from the governments of China, Iran, Russia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, reported student newspaper The Harvard Crimson. Both letters specifically asked for any records related to Chinas telecommunication giants Huawei and ZTE, Russias Kaspersky Lab and Skolkovo Foundation, and Irans Alavi Foundation. Those companies and organizations have raised national security concerns because of their activities to advance their interests in the United States at the behest of foreign governments.

This is about transparency, said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. If colleges and universities are accepting foreign money and gifts, their students, donors, and taxpayers deserve to know how much and from whom. Moreover, its what the law requires. Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all. We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent, as required by the law.

Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, universities must report gifts and contracts from foreign sources valued at more than $250,000 per year.

According to the Departments statement, the letters to Harvard and Yale are part of an ongoing investigation, which has so far revealed that at least ten American institutions have failed to report $3.6 billion in foreign funding properly. Since July 2019, the Department has uncovered approximately $6.6 billion in unreported foreign gifts from countries including Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to colleges and universities across the United States.

The Departments announcement comes in the wake of federal charges against Charles Lieber, a prominent nanoscientist at Harvard University, for making false statements about funding he received from the Chinese government. Lieber also allegedly lied to Pentagon investigators about his participation in the Thousand Talents Plan, a Chinese government global program to lure high-level scientists into bringing their knowledge and experience to China and reward them for stealing proprietary information.
The autopsy report was released Wednesday on an Oklahoma man whose body was found on a popular hiking trail in Tucson, partially eaten by wild animals, but the cause of death was redacted.

Steve Mark Brashear, 66, reportedly left Bartlesville, Oklahoma on Dec. 7, likely arrived in Tucson the next day and was not seen again, according to his family. His remains were found Dec. 30 along the Pima Canyon Trail.

A toxicology report showed opioids in Brashears system. And his remains showed significant postmortem animal activity and evidence of carnivore damage and exposure to the environmental conditions, said the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiners report.

Daylan Jacob Thornton was arrested in Tucson in early January on suspicion of stealing Brashears SUV. No additional charges have been filed in the case, according to the Pima County Sheriffs Department. Thornton is currently out on bond, said Deputy Marissa Hernandez.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department determined the animals disturbing the body included mountain lions, which are commonly found in the area.
MEXICO CITY  The former head of Mexicos state-run oil company, who faces charges of tax fraud and bribery, was arrested in southern Spain on Wednesday, officials said, delivering a boost to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico in his fight to curb the nations endemic corruption.

The former official, Emilio Lozoya Austin, had been on the run since May, when the Mexican authorities accused him of receiving bribes in connection with the purchase of a fertilizer plant by Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, the oil company he led from 2012 to 2016.

Mr. Lozoya has denied any wrongdoing.

The case against Mr. Lozoya, a top ally of Mexicos former president, Enrique Pena Nieto, stems from a probe into a vast corruption scandal centered on Odebrecht, a Brazilian multinational construction conglomerate. Odebrecht has admitted to doling out about $800 million in bribes to government officials throughout the Americas and elsewhere to secure lucrative contracts.

The Spanish police said Mr. Lozoya was detained near a residential development in Malaga. Mr. Lozoya is believed to have been hiding recently in a luxury residential compound in the upscale seaside resort of Marbella, outside of Malaga, according to several Spanish media reports citing police sources.
Pink gin is swirling across social media. Rhubarb, raspberry, rose petal, and pampelmousse-infused cocktails are served up in coupes topped with froth and edible flowers. Bottles of rosy gins, tinted by petals and fruit, are joining esoteric new floral and herbal gin blends on shelves in local liquor stores and are gracing many an Instagram post.

But where and how did the pink gin love affair begin? Essentially, there are three pink gins. The new, the old, and the hybrid, and we'll walk you through each category.

Related: Which Glass Should I Use? A Helpful Glossary of Cocktail Glassware

The New

Rosy in the bottle, aesthetically charged gins are fresh to cocktail culture. They were born about a decade into the 21st century, when international interest in gin-brewing exploded and the popularity of rose wines accelerated. Craft gin makers responded by pinking their ginssometimes accidentally, as they tried new infusions. From British imports like Gin Lane 1751 Victoria Pink Gin ($32.99, caskers.com) and American craft makers like Wolffer Estate's Pink Gin ($55.99, wine.com), to the big gin guns, like Gordon's and Beefeater, everyone has gone pink. Gin makers have infused their distillations with botanicals that instantly draw the eye. Hibiscus, blackberry, pomegranate, red grape skins, strawberry, and food coloring. If it is pink, it will photograph well. Pink gin has officially gone mainstream.

The Vintage

Then there is a more austere, sparkling, rusty drink where the sense of juniper blends with the scent of a lemon twist. The effervescence comes, of course, from the best botanical tonic water, because in the age of gin-plenty, the tonic companies have upped their game dramatically. This is the original pink gin. That russet color traditionally comes from a small bottle of Angostura bitters. Developed in Venezuela in the early 19th century by the German surgeon general of Simon Bolivar's army, Angostura (now made in Spain) became the most commercially successful bitter in an era when blends of concentrated botanical tinctures, known as bitters, were routinely taken for medicinal reasons. (Another well-known bitter, Peychaud's, was born in New Orleans around the same time.) Literally bitter and unpleasant to swallow on their own, dropped into sweet Plymouth gin, bitters went down very nicely as a mixed drink. This is the medicinal harbinger of the classic pink gin cocktail that evolved to use tonic water as a mixer. (Tonic water itself is a 19th century British Empire-born creation, it was used as a prophylactic against malaria, thanks to its bitter quinine content.)

Story continues

In the mid-20th century Ernest Hemingway unintentionally re-invigorated the home bar scene with his precise prosehe was an exceptional food writer. In Islands in a Stream, his protagonist is about to be driven across the Cuban countryside to Havana and gives an order: "Make me a Tom Collins with coconut water and bitters." He sips this drink, "tautened by the bitters that gave it color" as he is chauffeured into the city. The gin is Gordon's, there is freshly squeezed lime juice, and the drink itself is rusty-colored. That's a pink gin.

The Hybrid

Blending modern bitters or syrups based on ingredients that fall within ayou guessed it, pink!range of botanicals, such as cherry blossom, figs, rose hips, and red currants, is an easy way to flush the liquid with that photogenic blush; doing so creates a riff off both styles of pink gin and satisfies the contemporary obsession for any pink drink. There is no limit to the blending potential. Our Pink Gin Martini is also in deliciously hybrid territory. It combines classic gin with cherry liqueur, kirsch, and Angostura bitters to achieve its signature pink hue, plus vermouth to take this cocktail into martini territory.

Whether you like your drink purist-clear, bedazzled with botanical finery, or blended with home-crafted infusions, this is the new age of pink ginenjoy them all.
Published on 2020/02/13 | Source

Actor Lee Je-hoon's latest film, "Time to Hunt", has been invited to the annual Berlin International Film Festival.

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The film will have a special gala screening at the festival, which runs from Feb. 20 to March 1.

The Berlinale, one of the most prestigious film festivals along with those in Cannes and Venice, would make an ideal place for the premiere of the Korean thriller, since the venue is equipped with Dolby Atmos immersive audio technology for added suspense.

"Time to Hunt" revolves around four friends who come up with a criminal plan to turn their lives around, and a mysterious man who chases them.

The film, also starring Choi Wooshik -- the star of Oscar-winning "Parasite", Park Jung-min and Ahn Jae-hong is set for release here on Feb. 26.

Meanwhile, director Hong Sang-soo will also attend the festival as his latest film, "The Woman Who Ran", starring his muse Kim Min-hee, was selected as one of 18 films to compete for this year's awards.

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"Time to Hunt" is directed by Yoon Sung-hyun, and features Lee Je-hoon, Ahn Jae-hong, Choi Wooshik, Park Jung-min, Park Hae-soo, Lee Seo-jun. Release date in Korea: 2020/02/26.
By ANI

After winning hearts with comedy-drama 'Hindi Medium', producers of the franchise, dropped a fun-filled trailer of its next installment 'Angrezi Medium' on Thursday.

The trailer narrates a heart-warming story of Rajasthan based father-daughter duo portrayed by Irrfan Khan and Radhika Madan.

The film throws light on the obsession of people belonging to small towns to settle in foreign countries.

The trailer begins with Madan passing out from school and sharing her childhood dream of pursuing her higher studies in London with her father, essayed by Khan.

Khan at first is adamant about not allowing her daughter to pursue her further studies in London but eventually gives in owing his love for her.

WATCH TRAILER:

The trailer then unfolds a new quest where Khan is seen fighting tooth and nail to land his daughter in an esteemed foreign university but continues to struggle due to financial constraints.

Actors Deepak Dobriyal and Kareena Kapoor are also seen portraying pivotal roles in the film.

While Kareena plays a cop in the film, Dobriyal and Manu Rishi play Irrfan's brother and cousin, respectively. The film also stars Dimple Kapadia.

Earlier on Wednesday Irfan Khan shared a heartfelt audio message about the film for his fans where he was also shed light on the state of his health. He was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in March 2018 for which he had a successful surgery in September 2019.

Through the video, Irrfan urged his fans to shower 'Angrezi Medium' with the same amount of love it gave to 'Hindi Medium.

'Angrezi Medium' is the sequel to the 2017 hit film 'Hindi Medium', which starred Irrfan and Pakistani actress Saba Qamar in the lead roles.

Directed by Homi Adajania and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Jio Studios, the film is all set to release on March 20, 2020.
Late last year Lenovo hinted that it would expand its Legion brand to include gaming smartphones as well as gaming laptop and desktop computers.

Now the company has pretty much confirmed that a gaming phone is on the way  a post on Chinese social media site Weibo makes it clear that the company is working on something powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor.

Other than that, the only thing we really know about the phone for now is that itll pack a 5G modem (as does every phone with a Snapdragon 865 processor), and itll probably have the letter Y somewhere in the name (theres a prominent Y in the teaser image, and its a letter Lenovo uses in model names for its Legion gaming PCs).

Lenovo wouldnt be the first company to launch a smartphone aimed at mobile gamers. Razer, Asus, Xiaomi (Black Shark) and Nubia (Red Magic) all have their own gaming phones  often with special features such as high screen refresh rates, liquid cooling (or even active cooling), and side trigger buttons.

Its unclear what gimmicks/tricks Lenovo has up its sleeve to make its own entry into the space find out  especially at a time when many modern flagships are perfectly respectable gaming phones with speedy processors, plenty of RAM, 90Hz or higher screens, and other features that may attract gamers.

Theres also no word on whether this phone will be widely available outside of China if and when it launches  while Lenovo has a global presence in the smartphone space due to its ownership of the Motorola brand, the company doesnt tend to sell phones under its own name in the US market.

via GizmoChina and Zol
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said the Delhi assembly election results clearly showed the people have kept away the "divisive politics" of the BJP and that his party was introspecting on the shortcomings that lead to its defeat.

"In elections victory or defeat is common, all efforts that were required for elections was put by the party (Congress), but we did not get success," Kharge said.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, he said, "But, one thing is certain, those (BJP) who were confident of victory in the name of religion, despite campaigning from Prime Minister, Home Minister, several Ministers, CMs, MPs and MLAs, the principles that they believed in did not get the success.

"The basis on which they campaigned did not get the recognition and the people have kept their divisive away."



Regarding the Congress' performance, Kharge said, "we will discuss in the working committee and introspect on the shortcomings and what were the fundamental faults that resulted in our loss."



The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party gained a stupendous victory in the February 8 Assembly polls in Delhi, dealing a body blow to the main rival BJP and completely decimating the Congress in a keenly-watched battle in the midst of anti-CAA protests.

The Congress could not even manage a single seat and ended with 4.26 per cent vote share.

Responding to a question whether AAP's development worked in its favour, the veteran Congress leader said, some time development agenda works and some time emotive issues and false promises take precedence.

Quoting his own example of 55 years in and 48 years in electoral politics, Kharge said despite doing several developmental works in Gulbarga region without any stain, people this time in the Lok Sabha polls did not recognise it and voted for someone (BJP) who did not do any work.

"So, some time victory may be because of development, some time it will be based on agenda, like Narendra Modi gaining votes using emotive issues and false promises," he pointed out.

Responding to a question on Karnataka Congress, Kharge said, let's see now that the elections are over new state president and office-bearers will be appointed.

The Congress in the state continues to remain in "virtualvacuum" with new president and Legislature Party leader yet to be announced.

Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao had quit their posts in December, after the party posted a poor show, winning only two of the 15 seats in the bypolls while it had held 12 of them.

The Congress high command is yet to accept their resignations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kolkata got its second metro line on Thursday, 36 years after the country's first underground connectivity system came into being in the city, but the event came under the shadow of political acrimony with the ruling Trinamool Congress boycotting it.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal flagged off the first phase of the East-West corridor of the mass rapid transport network but the TMC gave the event a miss protesting against the absence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's name from the invitation card for the programme.

The first phase of the East-West Metro corridor connecting the Sector V of Salt Lake, the IT hub of the city, with the Salt Lake Stadium in the area.

The inaugural train zoomed off from Sector V station to traverse a 4.88-km distance to the Stadium, as Goyal said that the entire 16.5-km stretch of the corridor - till Howrah Maidan - is likely to be completed in two years.

"The entire stretch of the East-West Metro corridor from Sector V to Howrah Maidan is likely to be completed in two years, provided bottlenecks affecting it are cleared through local support," Goyal said in his speech.

Commercial services, connecting six overground stations - Sector V, Karunamoyee, Central Park, City Centre, Bengal Chemical and Salt Lake Stadium stations - will commence on Friday.

Obliquely blaming the Trinamool Congress government for the delay in completion of work on the East-West Metro corridor, Goyal said, "Though work on the project started in 2009, it was stalled from 2012 to 2015 on the pretext of route realignment."



He said that his predecessor, Suresh Prabhu, had taken care of the realignment work, following which construction on the stretch resumed.

"The delay also caused cost escalation," Goyal said, adding that Rs 6,500 crore have so far been spent for the East-West Metro project.

The TMC leadership boycotted the inauguration programme after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's name was found missing from the invitation card for the programme.

Senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, state Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose and Bidhanagar Municipal Corporation Chairperson Krishna Chakraborty were invited to the event but stayed away from it.

"The East-West Metro corridor project was the brainchild of Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as the railway minister from 2009-2011. It was Banerjee who had sanctioned money (for the project) in Railway budget. Now, when the project is being inaugurated, she has not been invited. This is an insult to Banerjee and the people of Bengal," Dastidar told PTI.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bose said, "Why should we attend the event when our chief minister has not been invited? The BJP should refrain from such petty politics."



Railway officials, however, declined to comment on the matter.

Defending the decision to not invite the CM, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, the TMC is "paying for its past sins".

"During the Left rule, Mamata Banerjee as the railway minister had not invited the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to a number of events. So they (TMC) should be the last to talk about courtesy," Ghosh said.

The Metro project, scheduled to be completed by June 2021, had faced an unprecedented jolt last year, when a tunnel-boring machine hit an aquifer in Bowbazar area of the city, causing severe ground subsidence and damage to several buildings.

The accident further delayed the completion of work by another year, with the authorities now eyeing a 2022 deadline.

Goyal said that the first underground station of the Metro corridor - Phoolbagan - would be ready within three to four months and services will be extended by October.

"Other Metro railway projects in the city are also getting affected owing to land issues. They need more cooperation of the state government," he insisted.

The five ongoing Metro railway projects in the city have been allotted a budgetary grant of Rs 1,542 crore for fiscal 2020-21.

The East-West Metro corridor has received a grant of Rs 905 crore -- the highest among the five projects currently underway in Kolkata.

The New Garia-NSCBI Airport link, slated to be completed by June 2021, has been allotted Rs 328 crore, while the Noapara-Barasat line has received a grant of Rs 200 crore.

Another 16.6-km Joka-BBD Bag route, connecting the south-eastern suburbs of Behala with the heart of the city, has been granted Rs 99 crore, and the Barrackpore-Baranagar and Dakshineswar stretch, covering a distance of 14.5 km, allotted Rs 10 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Find out why the Integrated Resorts project in Japan is bound to be a raging success. The multi-billion project will transform the local economy in a big way.

What Are the Main Benefits of the Integrated Resort Project?

Have you ever wondered what the Integrated Resort project would bring to Japan? According to international observers, that is a massive economic boost, with the world's gambling elite flocking to enjoy some of the finest casino options. Ask anyone, ask aaaaa if you will, and you will arrive at the same conclusion a the Integrated Resort is going to have a significant impact on the country's finances, offering a fresh source of revenue that is definitely welcome by everyone in Japan.

Japan Stands to Benefit a Lot

The simple truth is that the upcoming Integrated Resort will be one of the most lucrative investments ever done in the gaming sector a but not only that. According to observers, Japan stands to complete eclipse similar gaming hubs in the region.

Macau, the Philippines and even South Korea are now cognizant of the simple truth that a new giant of recreational fun is rising in the East and Japan, despite some of the internal strife between politicians and citizens, is right on track to benefit from the project.

Even ahead of the first resort, the country is always looking at multi-million investments down the road. According to rough estimations, the net foreign investment in the country should reach over $50 billion within the next 10 years just from setting up the casino sector, bringing in the infrastructure for each respective region.

There will be additional economic windfall as well, of course, and that would come from hiring locals to work at the resorts as well as boosting the regional economies because food and other supplies would be necessary.

These results are only going to go up as Japan will advertise itself as a place where high rollers can come and play.

The High Rollers a The BackBone of Any Casino Economy

Even though Japanese citizens aren't big on playing in casinos a and these games have been mostly looked down upon a it is true that the country is in a perfect position to advertise itself as a haven for high roller players. This is great for at least several reasons, not least of all because this will infuse a lot of money into the economy right off the start.

True, Japan has been very generous with taxing players' winnings, allowing non-residents to simply travel back home with their money instead of taxing them. But in doing so, Japan is not foregoing any revenue a it is, in fact, boosting its standing as one of the hottest destinations out there and that is very likely going to show soon after the integrated resorts start working.

Of course, this could take a while. By early 2021, the first location and construction work should start on time for the first resort which is expected to arrive in 2024/2025. The government of Shinzo Abe and all potential investors have agreed that this would be the best timing to match the World Expo hosted in Japan, which will attract crowds from all over the world.

All things considered, the Integrated Resort holds an immense promise for the economy. The $50 billion in down investments should quickly continue to grow. Of course, places like Macau will probably try to keep up, which will make the competition in the region far more cut-throat. Yet, this is the surest way for casino-goers to benefit from a diverse and exciting portfolio of gaming opportunities.

Until the project comes to fruition, though, there are still some challenges to address a such as picking a venue and generating sufficient cash to pour into development of the first stages of the integrated resort. Reportedly, a total of three IR will be built by 2030.
At just 18, Jess Glennie could pass for one of the students she works with every day.

Glennie is a student learning support officer  formerly known as a teachers aide  at Alesco Illawarra Nowra Outreach centre, an independent school for year 9 and 10 students who have become disengaged from mainstream schooling.

Glennie herself was once a student at the centre, and after graduating in 2017 decided she wanted to use her own experience to help other young people facing the same difficulties she did in the mainstream education system.

Jess Glennie decided she wanted to use her own experience to help other young people facing the same difficulties she did in the mainstream education system.

Alesco Illawarra gave me the confidence that I could learn, she said. Here I can relate to the students because I have been through the same sorts of things they are going through. Sometimes they dont believe me because Im not much older than they are and its hard to explain to them I know how they feel.
The 47th annual conference of NPSC was held at India International Centre on February 11 and 12. The theme was centred on Winds of Change: Reshaping the Landscape of Education wherein various engrossing sessions were taken up by eminent speakers all of whom are contributing positively to the field of education with immense experience and practical knowledge.

The pre-conference session, for the same, began with Dastan-e-Mahabharata, a retelling of the eternal epic by Fouzia Dastango and Firoz Khan. Dr Akhil Katyal enthralled the audience with his dynamic odyssey of poetic excellence.

The inaugural session on February 11 began with the lighting of the lamp and the presence of the Almighty was invoked by the students of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavans Mehta Vidyalaya followed by a welcome address by Malini Narayanan, chairperson NPSC and principal, Army Public School, Shankar Vihar, New Delhi. She reiterated the motto of NPSC: Quality, Commitment and Excellence. The chief guest was His Excellency Dr Tariq Mohammad Saleh AL Gurg, CEO, Dubai Cares. He spoke on the topic Towards an Equitable Society: Education for All. His emphasis was on teacher training programmes to bring about a comprehensive change in the pedagogy of teaching. All children, irrespective of gender, disability or religion, should have access to education. Education is at the core of sustainable development.

The guest of honor was His Excellency Dr Ahmed Albanna, ambassador of UAE to India. Among other dignitaries were Vineet Joshi, director general, National Testing Agency and the keynote speaker was Rajiv Chandran, National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan.

Rajeev Chandran elaborated upon the need to provide multi-cultural affordable education in a global environment for lifelong learning in his keynote address on the topic Intercultural education for a globalised world. The plenary speaker for the conference Vineet Joshi elucidated on the topic Redefining possibilities and Leading Transformation.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of UN and engagement with NPSC schools in development of sustainable goals for one and a half decades, the UN NPSC calendar featuring the winning entries of a doodle competition titled UN & Me was released. The release of books featuring winning entries of NPSC Annual Essay Writing competition for teachers titled Leading the change within and a compilation of case studies titled Learning Platform was done by the dignitaries.

The first day had four sessions in which eminent speakers participated. Kamla Bhasin, advisor Sangat and Swami Chidrupananda Acharya, Chinmaya Mission, brought out importance of beautiful thinking and wholesome play of mind, body and soul to counter the stress and struggle of a students life. Gaurav Shorey, founder and director, PSI, and Dr Kartik Ganesan, research fellow, CEEW spoke on Bulwark Gaia: Crusades against climate change. They talked of a Green curriculum to promote community participation in the implementation of sustainable and effective practice for utilisation of limited natural resources.

Marie Elangovan, choreographer and Bharatnatyam dancer practically proved that art integration can break barriers and make learning interesting and experiential.

Dr Prathap Rao, social instructor and researcher and Shridhar Venkat, CEO, Akshaya Patra Foundation explained why it is important for an education policy to blend missionary spirit and professionalism to deliver value.

The second day of the conference commenced with an invocation to the strength and courage within us which helps us to overcome all barriers. This was presented by Bal Bharati Public School, Noida.

Rocky Singh, a motivational speaker, spoke about the significance of Do what you love or love what you do for a happy and fulfilling life. Dr K P Krishnan, former secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and entrepreneurship spoke on integrating skill with education on TVET policy (i.e. Technical, Vocational, Education, Training) for metamorphic change in education.

Bikram Singh Bedi, president, Grofers India and Dr Vinnie Jauhari, director, Education Advocacy, Microsoft India, spoke on Evolving Algorithms: What lies beyond- Leveraging Technologies. The world of puppetry was brought alive by Sangya Ojha and Hashim Haider, co-founders, The Puppetarians. They demonstrated how arts can break prevailing barriers of ignorance, intolerance and indifference and can help in communicating in a universal language.

Prof Namita Ranganathan and Prof Shyam B Menon from the department of education, University of Delhi elaborated on an educational model that facilitates critical thinking focusing on key concepts in their talk Visible learning for an evolving future.

Jo Chopra Mc Gowan, co-founder and executive director, Latika Roy Foundation and Dr Sudesh Mukhopadhyay, former chairperson, Rehabilitation Council of India, spoke on helping students to become empowered individuals.

Pinky Anand, additional solicitor general of India, Supreme Court of Inida, presented politico legal aspects in developing new partnerships and models to encourage equity oriented education policy.

The valedictory session started with an invocation by students of Birla Vidya Niketan, Puhp Vihar. The chief guest was Dr Satbir Bedi, IAS, chairperson, NCTE. She said that under her guidance, teacher training programmes are being developed in which stress will be laid on mentoring teachers to bring passion and happiness in a teachers personality.

The vote of thanks was given by Asha Prabhakar, joint secretary, NPSC and principal, Bal Bharati Public School, Noida. An overview of the conference was given by Aditi Mishra, joint secretary, NPSC, director principal, DPS Sector-45 Gurugram.

The two-day session came to an end with the hope that the mutual passion for transformation of education would help society to come together to achieve the above mentioned goals and to open new doors in the lives of youth to unlock their potential.
Panaji, Feb 13 : Goa's style doyen Wendell Rodricks, who breathed his last on Wednesday, was known to sashay through the green rooms of top-billed fashion shows in Indian metros and global fashion capitals, as easily as he dug into grassroots activism in his native state.

Raised in Mumbai, Rodricks who moved to Goa several decades ago and anchored his signature fashion chores from his grand mansion in the idyllic riverside village of Colvale, lent his unique touch to several projects related to the state, be it creating a special uniform for the Goa Police or lending his creative touch to civic activism movements.

"He designed our first Goa Bachao Abhiyaan band 'Save Goa', which was distributed at the first press briefing on the Regional Plan on December 3, 2006," says convenor of the Abhiyaan, Sabina Martins.

The Abhiyaan was a people's movement against a proposed move by a Congress-led coalition government to convert large swaths of pristine forest and agricultural land into settlement zones.

In the 1990s, Rodricks was also roped in by then Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane to design a new 'people-friendly' uniform for the Goa Police to replace the dour khaki. Rane had just returned from a junket to Singapore and had returned impressed by the natty attire of the police in the Southeast Asian country.

Rodricks responded with a white (shirt) and blue (trousers) uniform, complete with depiction of a badge of coconut palms on the shoulders. While the uniform was a refreshing change, a subsequent regime headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar reverted the police uniforms to khaki after cops complained that white uniforms were tough for upkeep, especially in the sultry and dusty weather conditions in Goa.

Rodricks' legacy continues to an extent, with the Goa Police traffic department personnel continuing with the uniform which he had designed.

Rodricks was also requested to design a uniform for the Enforcement Directorate in in 2014, soon after he was conferred the Padma Shri, but the proposal did not catch on.

A few months before he died, Rodricks led an agitation to save six, nearly two century old mango trees in his village of Colvale, which were on the chopping block to make way for an expanded highway connecting Goa to Mumbai.

While Rodricks along with a few locals rushed to the site and prevented the chopping of trees in March 2019, the trees were eventually hacked in December last year, when the designer was sailing on an international cruise liner.
Friendswood police recently investigated cases of reported fraud and an incident in which a grocery store customer reportedly unsuccessfully attempted to use counterfeit money in a transaction.

A Friendswood man discovered fraudulent activity on his Valero card after a gas purchase was declined, according to a Jan. 28 police report. Two unauthorized transactions were made at a business on West Little York in Houston, police said.

A customer attempted to pay for groceries with four counterfeit $10 bills Jan. 26 at H-E-B, 701 W. Parkwood Ave., according to a Jan. 28 police report. When the cashier requested a manger, the suspect allegedly left the store, leaving the counterfeit money and the merchandise. The suspect was described as a black male in his mid-20s wearing a red shirt and black shorts, police said.

A Friendswood mans PayPal account was used without authorization to purchase a Green Dot card at Walmart, according to a Jan. 31 police report.

Assault

Police charged a Friendswood woman, 34, with injury to an elderly individual and interfering with an emergency request for assistance Jan. 27. She allegedly assaulted her 83-year-old mother at her parents home in the 300 block of Westwood Drive. She also took her mothers phone away from her, according to the report.

A Friendswood man, 55, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly hit his stepson in the head and face with a piece of wood Jan. 28 at Exxon Icebox, 1401 S. Friendswood Drive, police said. A witness reportedly approached and took the board away, stopping the assault. Friendswood EMS treated the victim, but he refused transport to a hospital, according to the report.

Police charged a Friendswood man, 31, with assault causing bodily injury Feb. 2 after he allegedly pushed a victim to the ground and punched him at Salem Square Apartments, 107 Clearview Ave. The victim had confronted a child about littering, according to the report.

A 49-year-old Friendswood man was charged with two counts of assault causing bodily injury, family violence Feb. 2, police said. He allegedly assaulted his wife and stepson at their home in the 600 block of Fernwood Drive.

Narcotics

Police charged an Alvin man, 33, with possession of a controlled substance after an undercover officer reportedly observed a hand-to-hand narcotic exchange Jan. 27 at a gas station in the 1400 block of South Friendswood Drive. An officer followed one of the suspect vehicles and conducted a traffic stop after it allegedly made an unsafe lane change. The officer found methamphetamine inside a fried chicken box and several types of pills, including alprazolam, during a search, according to the report.

Police charged a 17-year-old Friendswood High School student with possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone and possession of tobacco products by a minor after an anonymous tip Jan. 28. A dab pen containing THC oil reportedly was seized.

A Houston man, 30, was charged with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop for license plate and insurance violations Jan. 29 in the 3300 block of FM 528, police said. He reportedly exited the vehicle and revealed a bag of methamphetamine. An 18-year-old Houston woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance, according to the report. She allegedly had a pipe filled with methamphetamine in her clothing as well as an outstanding warrant for credit or debit card abuse. A second passenger, a 22-year-old La Porte man, was taken into custody for an outstanding assault warrant, police said.

Police charged a Pearland woman, 34, with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop for license plate and insurance violations Jan. 30 in the 1900 block of West Bay Area Boulevard. The officer reportedly found Xanax, Dilaudid and a bottle of synthetic urine during a vehicle search.

Police charged a Friendswood woman, 29, with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop for driving into oncoming traffic Jan. 31 in the 4200 block of Ravine Drive. The officer found cocaine during a vehicle search, according to the report.

A 21-year-old Houston man was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop for speeding Feb. 2 in the 800 block of South Friensdwood Drive, police said. A vehicle search reportedly yielded a glass bong, a grinder and marijuana.

Driving while intoxicated

Police charged a Rosharon woman, 35, with DWI after a traffic stop for failure to maintain a single lane Jan. 30 in the 2700 block of East FM 528.

A League City man, 40, was charged with DWI and unlawfully carrying weapons after a traffic stop for speeding and making a wide turn Jan. 31 in the 2200 block of Pilgrims Point Drive, police said. The officer reportedly found two guns during a vehicle inventory.

Police charged a Webster man, 46, with DWI after a traffic stop for expired registration Jan. 31 in the 2800 block of Plymouth Colony.

A Houston man, 25, was charged with DWI after a traffic stop for a license plate violation Feb. 1 in the 4400 block of FM 2351, police said.

Police charged a Friendswood woman, 32, with DWI after a traffic stop for failure to maintain a single lane Feb. 1 in the 3400 block of FM 528. The passenger, a 53-year-old Alvin man, was charged with public intoxication, police said.

A 60-year-old Friendwood man was charged with DWI after a traffic stop for speeding Feb. 3 in the 600 block of East Parkwood Avenue, police said.

Public intoxication

Police charged a Friendswood man, 49, with public intoxication Feb. 2 in the 2900 block of West Bay Area Boulevard.

Tobacco

A 17-year-old Friendswood High School student was found in possession of an electronic cigarette, according to a Jan. 29 police report. He allegedly was vaping in an on-campus bathroom.
Scala's retail concepts address what brick-and-mortar retailers need to tackle in order to grow their business: operational efficiency, personalization at scale, in-store intelligence and frictionless customer experiences. Scala retail experts will also demonstrate how sensor-based insights, from our in-house retail analytics platform, Walkbase, help retailers to learn deeply about their business and enable targeted promotional or task-based messaging on any digital display.

"Recent surveys show that the customer demand for a 'start anywhere, finish anywhere' approach is critical in choosing the retailer they favor," says Harry Horn, General Manager EMEA for Scala. "These so called 'shared cart across channels services' are important pillars for a truly holistic shopper experience, combining both online with offline channels and the ability to pick click and collect, or choose in-store and home-deliver on a per product basis, enabling fully personalized shopping preferences. Scala fully acknowledges these needs and trends for innovative retailers and brands. We build our offerings around these shopper needs."

Booth demonstrations and discussions will include:

Delivering an interactive shopping in the store

Personalized end-to-end shopping experiences

Understanding floor operations and customer behavior

Interactive product discovery and ad network monetization solutions

Strategies to increase sales and reduce labor and material waste

Innovative, automated queuing and pick-up

Manolo Alamagro, managing partner of STRATACACHE's retail consultancy division Q Division, will be speaking this year on the Retail Technology Stage in hall 6. This session will be held 18 Feb at 16:00 and will help brands + retailers look outside their own industry for new opportunities in disruptive innovation.

Get full details on Scala's EuroShop booth at https://www.scala.com/en/events/euroshop-2020/.

About Scala

Scala solutions deliver engaging retail experiences by connecting networks of digital signs, kiosks, mobile devices, websites and Internet-connected devices. Scala, a STRATACACHE company, provides the platform for marketers, retailers and innovators to easily create and centrally manage deployment of shopping experiences while retaining the flexibility to rapidly adapt to local business conditions and preferences of customers in the store. With 30 years of experience entertaining, informing and educating audiences, Scala is well-known for its innovation and leveraging best-of-breed technologies, such as mobile and predictive analytics, to create award-winning solutions that are easy-to-use, yet infinitely customizable. With the US headquartered near Philadelphia, PA and EMEA headquartered in the Netherlands, Scala's network of partners and developers located in more than 90 countries drives more than 500,000 screens worldwide. Learn more about Scala's advanced marketing technology solutions at www.scala.com, on Twitter @ScalaInc or on Facebook.

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(ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - Matteo Renzi dared Premier Giuseppe Conte to open a government crisis by kicking his Italia Viva (IV) party out of the ruling coalition as a row over changes to the statute of limitations escalated on Thursday. "If Conte wants to open a crisis, he can," Renzi said.

"Mr premier, the ball is in your court. We haven't opened a crisis.

"You can change the ruling majority, premier. "You know how to do it because you've done it in the past.

"If we are in the opposition , you don't have a majority". Italia Viva's (IV) two female ministers Teresa Bellanova and Elena Bonetti were set to skip Thursday night's cabinet meeting in a sign of opposition to the so-called "lodo Conte bis" compromise solution to a wrangle about a statute of limitations reform. The other three parties support the government back the compromise.

Bellanova is the farm minister and Bonetti the minister for equal opportunities and the family.

Earlier on Thursday Conte called on IV to give "clarification" about its stance, saying it was "surreal, paradoxical" that the party was conducting "aggressive and somewhat rude opposition" while being within the government.

He also said he would consider the absence of the IV ministers to be unjustifiable. But Renzi's hit back, saying the "lodo Conte bis" was a mess and arguing the premier was not a school principle who could decide whether an absence was justified.


LONDON/MILAN, Feb 12 (Reuters) - An accord between private equity firms Carlyle and Permira for the sale of Golden Goose values the Italian luxury sneaker brand at 1.28 billion euros ($1.40 billion), two sources close to the matter said on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday a source familiar with the matter said U.S. investment firm Carlyle had agreed to sell the Venice-based maker of 400 euro a pair sneakers to Permira.

Carlyle had been working on the sale process with Bank of America since late 2019, with a view to achieving a valuation of no less than 1.2 billion euros, sources had said. ($1 = 0.9161 euros) (Reporting by Pamela Barbaglia and Elisa Anzolin, editing by Valentina Za)
Every weekday at noon since Jan. 27, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams gathers his outbreak response team for a meeting on coronavirus.

Missouri has yet to have a confirmed case of what officials are now calling COVID-19, but about 20 people statewide are being monitored for the novel viral infection originating from Wuhan, China. While 15 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. so far, tens of thousands of people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,300 have died. Global  and local  fears of the spread of the respiratory virus are fueling concerns about a lack of preparation in the U.S.

Missouri health department staff have been working overtime preparing for if, and when, the cases come by ensuring they have adequate supplies of non-expired protective gear like masks and planning how to trace the movements of those who have come in contact with potentially infected people.

They're also helping set up coronavirus testing capabilities at a regional lab based here in the state capital to evaluate potential cases from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has started shipping testing kits around the country.

Coronavirus may not require a front-line battle yet in places like Missouri as it does in states with confirmed cases, such as Washington, California, Illinois and Texas. But it's still taxing public health officials in Missouri, which has one of the lowest levels in the nation for public health spending per person. And they, like health officials in other states, are stuck in the tricky position of trying not to be over- or underprepared for a potential public health crisis that may never come.

Missouri's legislature is considering an additional $300,000 in emergency funding for events like coronavirus. This money is vital for responding to outbreaks in the state, Williams said, including more common concerns like mumps and measles or ongoing fights against hepatitis A and tuberculosis.

However, according to Williams, the legislature denied such an appeal for $300,000 last year.

"We are essentially like a fire department, right? People want us to be available when theres a fire," the director said. "But when theres not a fire, they dont really give a lot of thought to it."

Limited budget

As state officials gear up for possible problems from coronavirus, local health departments in Missouri are at a disadvantage because they have lost staff amid state budget cuts, according to Lindsey Baker, research director for the Missouri Budget Project, a nonprofit focused on public policy decisions.

Similar patterns hold true across the nation. Almost a quarter of local health department jobs have been lost since 2008, according to the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and a quarter of local health departments experienced budget cuts last year.

While federal funding has supplemented public health funding in Missouri, Baker said, the federal cash comes with strict rules on how it can be used.

Williams stressed that, despite Missouri's limited budget, his state ranked in the top tier for emergency preparedness by Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit advocacy group promoting public health.

Money notwithstanding, viruses like COVID-19 force the staff to work longer hours, according to state epidemiologist Dr. George Turabelidze, as the health department juggles its existing workload with pressing concerns.

"Everything else is happening  its not like we can switch, we have to do all this at once," Turabelidze said.

Plus, he added, since this outbreak involves world travelers arriving at all times of the day, his staff has had to work weekends to track down where travelers have come from and whether they've had contact with infected people. For now, salaried staffers  who do not receive overtime  are expected to shoulder the extra load.

Even as they work extra hours, some routine health department matters such as onsite sewage inspections "get put in the back seat," said Adam Crumbliss, chief director of Missouri's Division of Community and Public Health.

If coronavirus reaches a pandemic level  in which it spreads worldwide  Crumbliss said the National Guard could be activated.

Relying on existing relationships and stockpiles

Vital to any public health emergency response are the underlying relationships, stressed Paula Nickelson, the state's program coordinator for health care system readiness. Knowing whom to call and having an established rapport with key health care providers such as the Missouri Hospital Association is critical during a crisis.

As is experience. Nickelson said the state's response capabilities were tested and strengthened during a successful practice transport of a hypothetical Ebola patient from St. Louis to the University of Iowa in May.

Through that exercise, they learned that the material of their ISOPODs  portable, see-through isolation units that quarantine infected patients while allowing them to still see and speak to other people  was so thick it made it hard to hear those inside. Now, they are equipping them with walkie-talkies.

Another major question in recent days is a potential onslaught of shortages of protective medical equipment  everything from masks to latex gloves - often manufactured in China. Nickelson said the state has assessed what materials are on hand.

"Theyre fairly small amounts," she said. "What we found over the course of a decade is that a lot of that stuff sits on the shelf, doesnt necessarily get used, and so were better off to have just-in-time, vendor-managed processes in place."

Still, Nickelson noted, that could become a problem for everyone if a pandemic occurs and those vendors become swamped with orders.

"This is by no means a sprint," Crumbliss said. "This is a long wind race."
Bilateral, trilateral meetings expected with US, Japan



By Kang Seung-woo



Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha flew to the German city of Munich, Thursday, to participate in a security forum, raising expectations that she may meet with her U.S. and Japanese counterparts to discuss pending issues.





Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha walks through Incheon International Airport, Thursday, before leaving for Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference. / Yonhap

The Munich Security Conference, established in 1963, is an annual conference on international security policy. This year's edition kicks off Friday and runs until Sunday.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kang will attend a main panel discussion on multilateralism and speak of Korea's perspectives and proposals on upholding this, a value challenged by rising nationalism and trade protectionism. It is the first time for a Korean foreign minister to address the security conference's main session as a panelist.

Given that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will also travel to Germany, Kang may talk with them on the sidelines of the security conference. They held a meeting in San Francisco last month to discuss North Korea's nuclear issues and other matters.

"Minister Kang plans to hold multiple bilateral talks with other countries' counterparts," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim In-chul said.

According to the ministry, Seoul and Washington are still in consultations to arrange a meeting between Kang and Pompeo.

If they meet in Munich, the government's drive to expand inter-Korean cooperation and exchanges, and the cost-sharing deal for stationing the U.S. Forces Korea are likely to be high on the agenda.

President Moon Jae-in proposed the idea of individual tourism by South Koreans to the North in a New Year press conference, Jan. 14, to revive the momentum for dialogue between the North and the United States.

Earlier this week, Alex Wong, U.S. deputy special representative for North Korea, visited Seoul to hold a working group meeting with his South Korean counterpart to coordinate policy on the North.

"If there is a chance, I have many pending issues to discuss with Pompeo such as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations," Kang told reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Munich.

Regarding an envisaged meeting with Motegi, they are expected to discuss efforts to address their countries' protracted row over Japan's wartime forced labor and export curbs.

In response to the Japanese government's trade restrictions on Korea, Kang warned last week that it is still a viable option for Korea to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) unless Tokyo puts an end to its export controls. GSOMIA is an information-sharing accord with Japan and Seoul temporarily delayed the expiry of the security arrangement in November.

The top diplomats of South Korea, Japan and the U.S. could also hold a trilateral meeting as well.
A Home Office worker told police 'I was being a perv' when he was caught taking an upskirt photograph of a woman at Oxford Circus tube station, a court has heard.

Richard Thomas, 35, used his phone to secretly snap a woman's underwear at the central London station in October last year, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

He was signed off work at the time and had developed a drinking problem and is alleged to have tried walking away when caught taking the photograph.

In court, he admitted upskirting and will be sentenced at a later date. He also admitted to having cannabis in his possession that day.

Thomas, of Croydon, south London, (pictured outside court yesterday) admitted upskirting and possessing drugs. He was granted unconditional bail ahead of sentence on March 11

Describing the incident, Leila Nahaboo, prosecuting, said: 'The victim initially thought it was a hand, but heard a click.

'She challenged him about it and he was told by members of the public that he couldn't do this. Thomas was asked to show what he'd done on his phone.

'He said "I did not take a picture" and tried to walk off. Police intervened and asked what he had taken a photo of.

'He said: "Her legs". The officer asked why. He said, "I was being a perv".

'There was a video that showed the complainant's legs up her skirt, where her knickers could be seen.

'You can hear the challenge being made by the complainant and others.'

Thomas also had a small amount of cannabis on him, the court heard.

Kiran Chahal, defending, said Thomas had been signed off from work because of stress and had developed a drinking problem.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court, Thomas was also found to have had cannabis in his possession on the day he was caught taking the photograph

She said: 'At the time of this incident he had been drinking to excess.

'Drinking still today is playing a part in his life. He's been binge drinking every week.

'He has suffered a number of bereavements, close family members.

'He is also expecting his first child with a person who he did not expect to plan a future with.

'He has done something here out of character. He didn't even recall meeting the officer who arrested him.

'He was signed off sick from a job he has held since 2008 - a case worker at the Home Office.

'This will have a devastating impact on his livelihood.

'Working at the Home Office you have to go through security clearances.

'There is no doubt in my mind this will have an impact on his prospects of continuing to work.'

Magistrate Chair Paul Brooks said: 'We're not going to sentence you today because we think it's right the probation service prepare a pre-sentence report.'

Thomas, of Croydon, south London, admitted upskirting and possessing drugs.

He was granted unconditional bail ahead of sentence on March 11.
Primary election voting in Montana is still about 15 weeks away, but the Democrats running for governor are declaring Republican Greg Gianforte the GOP winner and vowing to turn him away in November.

Entrepreneur Whitney Williams and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney each described themselves as the Democrats best bet to defeat Gianforte in the fall. Gianfortes two Republican opponents, state Attorney General Tim Fox and state Sen. Al Olszewski, were never acknowledged.

The Democrats, speaking at a Wednesday forum at Montana State University Billings' Petro Hall, identified Gianforte as wrong for opposing legal abortion, and for being on the wrong side of making tax credits available to religious schools. About 100 people attended the event.

As governor I will veto any attempt to put public money into private or religious schools. That is a red line, and I will not cross it, Williams said. Meanwhile, Greg Gianforte, literally arguing in front of our Supreme Court to do the opposite. Rather than siding with the State of Montana and our Constitution. He sides with those who want to give hard-earned taxpayer money to private and religious schools.

Williams was referring to the lawsuit brought against the state by Kendra Espinoza and two other Montana mothers who want to use a state-sponsored scholarship program to offset their religious schools costs. The case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court where Espinoza was in the courtroom for arguments Jan. 22. Gianforte didnt argue the case. He did praise the religious schools advocates, as did U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who posted video from outside the court. It isnt known whether Gianforte was in the courtroom.

Gianforte has provided significant funding to Montana Family Foundation, a group that persistently sought the tax credit for religious schools over the years. Jeff Laszloffy, president of the Montana Family Foundation, was in the courtroom Jan. 22 for the Supreme Court hearing.

Williams' red line against public dollars funding private and religious schools was also counter to the position taken by Cooneys boss, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, who did not veto the scholarship program, essentially a tax credit created by the 2015 Legislature. Bullock allowed the credit to become law.

Williams dinged Bullock again during the forum saying that state funding of mental health services had gone underfunded for years. She didnt name the governor, but she referenced his years in office as the ones when mental health service funding was inadequate.

The candidates were asked about what they would do for coal communities affected by the decline of coal-fired power and coal mining. Cooney said it was important not to leave the communities behind.

Ive been to Colstrip and Ive had conversations with the folks down there. Ive been down there when I worked for the Department of Labor and Industry, Cooney said. And we introduced the retraining programs down there, and there are dollars down there right now that are ready and willing to be deployed to the people when they start leaving their jobs because of the companies down there.

Both candidates said they thought that renewable energy development was a big part of Montanas future. Neither brought up the struggles faced by renewable energy developers in the state currently, or NorthWestern Energys current attempt to add more coal power to its portfolio, possibly for another 20 years. Neither Cooney nor Bullock have said anything on the topic.

Williams repeatedly emphasizes renewable energy and improving internet and cellphone service as necessary for improving economies in rural Montana.

Williams is a philanthropist and businesswoman with deep family roots in Montana Democratic politics. Williams' father, Pat, was a U.S. Representative for 18 years, first representing the states western district before becoming the states at large representative in 1993 after Montana lost its second House seat. Pat Williams was the only Democrat to win Montanas at large U.S. House seat, which has been held by Republicans since 1996.

Whitneys mother, Carol, is the first woman to hold a majority leadership position in the Montana Senate. She is the founder of Carols List, which works to get Democratic women elected. Carol led the Montana delegation at the 2016 National Convention to nominate Hillary Clinton.

Whitney Williams worked in the Clinton White House where she was Hillary Clintons trip coordinator after graduating from college, then worked for a large social services fundraising organization before becoming CEO of Williamsworks, a consulting business with a presence Seattle and Missoula that works with large nonprofits, corporations and philanthropic groups on public policy issues.

Cooney, Bullocks third lieutenant governor, is also a former state legislator and former Montana secretary of state. This is his third governor's race  he was Bullocks running mate in 2016 and a 2000 Democratic primary candidate for governor. Mark OKeefe won the three-way Democratic primary in 2000, but Cooney got 16.2% of the vote.

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Matt Gaetz doesnt want to shake my hand when I walk into his office. Considering what he is doing, Im glad he doesnt. I dont want to get concealer on you, he explains, turning away from his mirror to greet me. I promise Im not doing this for effect for your interview. A MAC Cosmetics case sits open on a nearby table. He turns back to the mirror and resumes dabbing his face. Go right ahead with your questions, he says.

Gaetz, a 37-year-old Republican congressman from Florida, is in a rush. Its mid-January and a House procedural vote related to President Trumps impeachment had run long. Now hes due in a neighboring House office building for a Fox Business appearance. Before the vote, hed done a hit for Fox News Radio and another for War Room, a podcast hosted by former Trump guru Steve Bannon, former Trump campaign staffer Jason Miller, and former Breitbart London editor Raheem Kassam. That evening, hell head to a studio to appear live on Hannity, the premier platform for any Trump-loving lawmaker. Gaetz is a regular guest.

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Outside of maybe President Trump, there isnt a politician in Washington who exerts as much care over his media presence as Gaetz, who since 2017 has represented Floridas ultraconservative 1st District, a swath of Panhandle known for its large military presence. He plasters his face across Fox News; he feuds with his enemies on Twitter; he orchestrates controversial publicity stunts like inviting Holocaust denier Charles Johnson to the State of the Union in 2018 (Gaetz later claimed he didnt know about Johnsons anti-Semitism), or introduces dead-in-the-water legislation to disband the Environmental Protection Agency. Following this years State of the Union, he announced plans to file a bogus ethics complaint against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for ripping up a copy of Trumps speech.

Story continues

The result has been headlines, which are worth their weight in committee assignments in the reality-TV fun house Trump has fashioned out of Washington. Gaetz cant seem to go more than a week or two without manufacturing a clickbait-ready piece of chum to throw to the press, which has largely obliged him.

Look, after 10 months I figured out that you only really matter if you can move substantial sums of money, or substantial blocs of votes, he says. If you couldnt do one of those things you are an extra in the movie in the United States Congress. I had no interest in that. I started to realize that to serve my constituents, I had to bring forces to bear outside of that traditional paradigm that they teach you in orientation.

Gaetz has claimed its all done in the service of delivering outcomes, but what happens if what hes trying to accomplish for his district doesnt jibe with the presidents agenda? Trumps haphazard carnival barking may have put him in the White House, but where will it lead Gaetz and others aiming to capitalize on the disoriented media landscape? Isnt it inevitable that the endorphin-fueled drive to rack up engagement stats, to cater to the outrage-chasers, to get headlines at any cost, to own the libs, will hinder a lawmakers ability to make life better for the people theyre supposed to represent?

I ask Gaetz about this, but he doesnt particularly care for the question, visibly taking offense at the suggestion that an agenda predicated on clicks should be carried out with caution. Its a hell of a note from a Rolling Stone reporter to tell me Im too entertaining, he snaps. I guess Ill take it as a compliment.

He also, sitting in his office, has other things to worry about, and hes still in a hurry. Im having a terrible hair day, he says, but were going to have to go anyway.

Youre bad luck, Gaetz tells me once we arrive at the Cannon House Office Buildings rotunda. This has never happened to us before. Hundreds of TV hits. Two years of doing it. Weve never had a cameraman bail on us.

The cameraman who was scheduled to shoot his spot on Making Money With Charles Payne is out to lunch  literally. Gaetz tells his chief of staff to text the producer. She already has. While were waiting, she shows me some of the metrics they keep of Gaetzs media appearances. In 2019, he appeared on TV 264 times, with 174 of those appearances coming on Fox News or Fox Business. Gaetz talks about his media presence as if its a carefully curated financial portfolio, noting that he does around two MSNBC or CNN hits a quarter, and that hes trying to diversify his presence with hits on platforms like Cheddar, the streaming news network founded in 2016. Everything is quantified. If you dont measure it, it doesnt really matter to you, he says.

The great thing about social media is that you get instant feedback on the extent of your engagement, Gaetz says. I know within three minutes whether or not one of our tweets is going to be widely consumed. There are times when were able to inform the content of our social media based on the engagement.

Over the course of so many media appearances, so many talking points tread and retread, Gaetz has attained a kind of flow state with his performative self. I try to stay in a constant state of preparation, he says. Walking around here, a reporter can stick a microphone under your nose and ask you a question at any moment in time, and they frequently do with me. I think the relationship Ive built with the press is that they expect an honest answer from me.

Gaetz certainly makes his arguments to the press with conviction, but, as is the case with Trump, the bombast often seems to be in service of obscuring the truth. Throughout the impeachment process launched by House Democrats last fall, Gaetz enthusiastically cycled through a Rolodex of dubious talking points  that Trump is sincerely concerned about corruption, that the career officials who testified as part of the inquiry were not credible, that Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff is a liar who needs to be investigated  in an effort to absolve the president of any wrongdoing.

But part of the reason Gaetz has been able to elevate himself is that hes willing to take it a step further, as he did in October when he put together a stunt in which a group of House Republicans stormed a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility where Intelligence Committee members were deposing witnesses with knowledge of the Trump administrations dealings in Ukraine. Gaetzs move was arguably illegal, and at the very least set a dangerous precedent for ignoring rules to safeguard national security. Gaetz didnt care, nor did he care about the need for the depositions to be conducted in private so witnesses couldnt coordinate their testimony  something that, as a lawyer, he surely understood. But the move got headlines, and thus Trumps approval.

This kind of fealty to Trump is at the heart of Gaetzs media presence and political stature, and along with the presidents precious online nods and phone calls, it has garnered him IRL invites to Mar-a-Lago and the World Series, where Gaetz made sure to snap a selfie to broadcast back to his constituents.

Considering Floridas 1st District voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton by a 40-point margin in 2016, his strategy makes sense. I think hes a pretty calculating guy and that hes looking to where the puck is going in his party right now, says Steve Schale, a Florida Democratic strategist and friend of Gaetzs for years. I think he sort of plays for that audience. Matt, at his core, is a raw political creature.

One of the reasons Gaetz is so effective at garnering media attention is that he isnt simply mimicking Trump. Gaetz was just as controversial and liable to feud publicly with those who opposed him during his time in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 2010 until his election to Congress, in 2016.

The issues were different and there wasnt as much Fox News coverage, but you could argue he was doing the same things in the state Legislature, says Schale, adding that Gaetz was a disruptive force who wasnt afraid to take a shot at his own colleagues and that there were people who grudgingly respected his ability to create his own news cycle.

He was able to do this by occasionally bucking party orthodoxy  Gaetz has a strong libertarian streak and (at times) has expressed support for legalized marijuana and LGBTQ rights  but also by using his trollish social media presence. In 2012 he mocked the gays holding a kiss-a-thon to protest Chick-Fil-As anti-LGBTQ ownership. A year later, he lamented the sight of a woman whose back was covered in tattoos using a welfare card at a grocery store. In 2015, he singled out two black lawmakers from a group of 13 Florida state senators who filed a lawsuit related to the health care expansion, blaming them for what he felt was a poorly drafted lawsuit. The tweet drew bipartisan condemnation, and Gaetz issued a non-apology.

Gaetzs father, Don, was a powerful figure in the state Senate, serving as president from 2012 to 2014. The rub I heard on Matt Gaetz was that he always had an entitlement mentality, says John Tobia, an ally and former roommate of Gaetzs while the two served in the state Legislature. Not necessarily financially, but heck, his dad was in leadership over there in the Senate. You heard that if that wasnt the case then he wouldnt be sending out tweets that were directly counter to leadership positions.

Tobia makes clear that this isnt how he felt personally, only that it was the sense he got from others whom Gaetz had rubbed the wrong way. This includes Cris Dosev, a Trumploving combat veteran who ran for the House seat Gaetz won in 2016 before unsuccessfully trying to primary him two years later. He had a lot of cover from his dad, says Dosev. The kid knows how to make sure he has an umbrella of protection over him, and hes very effectively done the same thing with President Trump.

Circling around the second floor of Cannon, I bring up the entitlement issue with Gaetz. This question, he doesnt mind at all. I think its a sign of strength, not weakness, to build strong partnerships, he says. Of course I was stronger in the Legislature because my dad and I worked together on projects. So was he. Of course Im stronger in Washington because I work closely with the president. I dont regret any of that.

Gaetz performs his role as Trumps pre-eminent impeachment defender during his spot on Charles Payne, which eventually goes forward thanks to a cameraman borrowed from Fox News. The segment begins and Gaetz comes to life, cycling through bite-size quips with the enunciation and energy of a boardwalk pitch man.

Weve been playing pin the tail on your favorite impeachment theory, he says with a flourish. Its sort of like staring at the ink blot and hoping that you see the same thing they see, he adds of the Democrats. Like an addict cant get off something theyre addicted to, Democrats cant get off impeachment as their political strategy.

But the conversation ends on a thorny issue for Gaetz: his decision the previous week to buck Trump and vote in favor of a House resolution to curtail the presidents war powers. He was one of only three Republicans to support the measure, and his office sent an email lobbying others to do the same, according to The Washington Post.

Many of Gaetzs colleagues were shocked by the move, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who implied on Lou Dobbs Tonight that Gaetz was a RINO, a Republican in Name Only.

I ask Gaetz if he was surprised by the intensity of the reaction from the right. What reaction? he says dryly. When I explain, he ultimately blames fake news. I do think that some of the blue-checkmark brigade backlash on Twitter that you all in the media so predictably overreact to is non-organic, he says, using the Trumpworld shorthand for verified Twitter users. (Gaetz is a verified Twitter user.)

As a matter of fact, he continues, I got back a poll from the Florida Chamber of Commerce today, and Republicans in Florida would do unspeakable things for the numbers I have with the base.

But the blowback over the vote was real, both in Congress and back in Florida. A lot of people were very upset about that, says Jeff Hinkle, GOP chairman of Okaloosa County, Florida, which lies in Gaetzs district. There was a lot of Who can we find to run against Matt? Hes blown it. This is ridiculous.

Hinkle concedes the ire toward Gaetz in the panhandle is likely temporary, but the uproar is a reminder that residents of northwest Florida bow to the president and expect their congressman to do the same  unconditionally.

Though Gaetz claims his relationship with Trump is as rosy as ever, the president was clearly frustrated. When the White House released a list of eight House Republicans to assist with his impeachment defense in the Senate, Gaetz wasnt on it. He chalked up the omission to a personal vendetta by Trump adviser Eric Ueland. I dont know why it would serve someone in the White House to manufacture a divide between the president and one of his best communicators during impeachment, Gaetz told Politico.

But there were other indications Trump wasnt happy. The Post reported Trump fiercely complained about Gaetz after he learned of his lobbying efforts, and Gaetz didnt appear on the presidents Twitter feed in any form for nearly a month following the January 9th war-powers vote. But Trump did acknowledge him on February 6th during an hour-long victory speech delivered the day after the Senate acquitted him of impeachment charges. A day later, Trump resumed retweeting Gaetzs praise and clips of his media appearances. That weekend, Gaetz posted a fresh selfie from Mar-a-Lago. He was wearing a Trump International Golf Club polo.

Assuming Gaetz is back in the fold, it will be interesting to see if hell dare take another stand against a president who demands total supplication, and whose endorsement is arguably more valuable to Gaetz than anything he could accomplish legislatively for his constituents  like, say, voting to constrain the presidents war powers on behalf of the military members and their families in his district.

Gaetz has also split with his party on climate change, an issue of pressing relevance to his Gulf Coast district. While he undercut any serious claim he might have to being an environmentalist with the stunt bill to abolish the EPA, he recognizes the validity of climate science. But he rarely brings it up when hes in front of a microphone. Its a fair critique that Ive been unsuccessful in convincing many of my Republican colleagues about the challenges associated with climate change, he says.

It took a while for Gaetz to find his footing in a Washington tailor-made to beat the idealism out of young lawmakers. He describes his first 10 months in Congress, which he says included only one television hit, as frankly some of the most unhappy times of my entire life.

Gaetzs disgust with how Congress works matches what many lawmakers say  though typically not on the record. What I hated is that you were supposed to spend most of your time at bended knee for the lobbying corps, he continues. Either sucking up to them for money, or serving as their valet in the halls of Congress. I hate doing both of those things.

So, as Schale describes it, Gaetz set himself on fire, blitzing the airwaves to defend Trump in the face of the Mueller investigation, casting the lone no vote against an antihuman trafficking bill, appearing on the radio show of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and inviting Johnson to the State of the Union  in just over a month. The medias attention quickly followed. So did Trumps. Its almost a function of growing up in a powerful political family, Schale says of the means Gaetz took to make himself relevant. Hes not used to his voice not mattering.

Gaetz says his affiliation with Trump has made him a power broker. I figured out that if you can favorably impact the presidents perspective on something, you have the ability to impact outcomes beyond the halls of Congress, he says. I became aware that the president was frustrated with the Paul Ryan view of congressional service in the Trump era, which was that Trump was a condition to be managed. I view it as an opportunity to be seized, to break from the shackles of this place and actually engage and excite the public, and also have substantial impact on the administration in a good way.

To what degree Gaetz is able to impact the administration is unclear. And is he really so unshackled if he isnt even able to advocate for a constitutionally conservative position like giving war powers back to Congress without Trump blackballing him?

When I ask Gaetz if there are any Democrats using new media effectively, he cites Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But, unlike Gaetz, her internet savvy and gift for online engagement has allowed her to push party leadership to keep its promises to constituents and institute the type of big changes that make the partys traditional industry allies uncomfortable. Gaetz, on the other hand, says the feedback hes received from GOP elders has mostly been encouraging as the party has now congealed around Drain the Swamp messaging while embracing lobbyists en masse. As of 2019, Trump had appointed 281 lobbyists to his administration, four times as many as Obama appointed in his first six years, according to ProPublica. This is what Gaetz, who bemoans the influence of special interests in Washington, is supporting.

Gaetz relishes the idea that he is a contrarian firebrand who wants to subvert the political establishment, party be damned. But unlike with his father, the cover hes received from Trump is far from unconditional. Gaetz may not have as much leeway to stray from the orthodoxy of the new establishment thats been created around Trumpism, which seems just as oppressive as the traditional paradigm that frustrated Gaetz when he arrived in Washington.

But hell always have his engagement metrics, which he can goose at any time with the flick of a tweet. Two days before I meet him in Washington, he generates headlines after attacking Chris Latvala, a nemesis from the Florida state Legislature, for posting a picture of himself with Al Sharpton. Latvala fired back, accusing Gaetz of starting a contest while he was in the state House in which lawmakers were awarded points for sleeping with various categories of aides and legislators. Gaetz denied any knowledge of the game. After his spot on Making Money, I ask him why he felt the need to attack Latvala, which only seemed to result in speculation that Gaetz was behind a demeaning sex game.

He was bestowing honor to Al Sharpton, someone who deserves no such honor, Gaetz says, later slipping in that Latvalas dad was against much of what I was doing in the state Legislature.

This often seems to be the point for Gaetz, to demean those who oppose him, lib or otherwise, even when there are far more important issues at hand. I bring up a heated exchange in the Judiciary Committee last fall in which Gaetz repeatedly dredged up what he viewed as racist remarks Sharpton made decades ago. Sharpton had been called to Congress to discuss policing practices alongside Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, an African American father who was killed on camera in 2014 after being put in a police chokehold, famously pleading to the officer, I cant breathe.

Gaetzs badgering of Sharpton drew rebukes from committee Democrats, who argued the line of inquiry was non-germane to the life-and-death issue at hand. Gaetz had a different take on how his turn questioning Sharpton went. That, he beams, was one of our most highly viewed YouTube videos.

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MILWAUKEE - A judge on Wednesday declined to dismiss a complaint charging a Wisconsin pediatrician with physically injuring an infant he was adopting with his wife.

John M. Cox, 39, was charged last month with felony child abuse after an incident last May when he took his daughter to Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin, where he worked as an emergency room doctor. Cox told a colleague he had fallen asleep with the child, woke to her crying and feared he might have rolled onto her and accidentally broken her collarbone.

Initial X-rays did not show the break, which was confirmed later, but bruises on the girls arms prompted a routine referral to a child abuse specialist at Childrens. Days later, Child Protective Services workers removed the girl from Cox and his wife.

Coxs attorney filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. But after a hearing attended by about 30 people who appeared in support of Cox, Circuit Judge Stephanie Rothstein rejected the motion, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The case is getting attention from the medical community around the county, with physicians disagreeing on what exactly caused the injuries to the adoptive daughter of Cox and his wife, Sadie Dobrozsi, a pediatric oncologist at Childrens. They have experts who reviewed the case and who question the conclusions from Childrens physicians, whose initial investigation led to Coxs charges in January.

NBC News first reported Coxs story. The organization has been partnering with the Houston Chronicle on investigative stories about mistaken abuse accusations, child protective services and family separations.

Coxs attorney, Michael Levine, argued at the hearing that rather than show bias for Cox, and just sending him home, the first doctor he consulted did the right thing and referred the case to the child abuse team and did his own further investigation before concluding the childs injuries were not from abuse.

Deputy District Attorney Matthew Torbenson had countered that the complaint provides expert medical opinion that the babys injuries are consistent with a specific abusive mechanism and inconsistent with the Defendants account of events.

A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 18.
13.02.2020 LISTEN

This write-up is not meant to slander anyone but to convey a message of advice to he who cares about seeking wisdom. To Ghanaians and NPP faithful, especially their leaders, I invite you to cogitate about the content of this publication, if not to come and drink from the overflowing fountain of wisdom of the son of Kumawu/Asiampa soil. The wisdom of this writer is God-endowed made possible through his parents.

This message of admonition came to me at around 14:35 (2:35 pm) on Tuesday, 11 February 2020, when I was in my bathtub having a bath. I was musing about the alleged or obvious strategic mistakes, thus the political incorrectness, being constantly committed by the ruling NPP when out of the blue, the underlying analogical messages came to me. They are meant to correct the NPP leaders who often shut their ears, and close their eyes, to those who struggle to bring them to power. From many of the accusations levelled against them, they indeed bite the hand that feeds or fed them whenever they are lucky to come to power.

When you happen to be killing a dangerous venomous snake whose quick single bite can send you to your grave, you don't start with chopping it up into pieces from its tail. You rather hit it hard from the head or the neck upwards. Once you destroy it from the head, you can safely cut it up into whatever number of pieces you want. Don't think you had better relish in inflicting maximum painful strokes on it before it dies by starting to hit it from the tail upwards. If you do, it can turn round to give you its most poisonous bite if you are unlucky, to kill you first, before you complete killing it.

For a human being, yes, if you are a callous murderer, you can kill him or her by inflicting maximum pain on them as sorrowfully done to the late Brigadier General Akwasi Amankwaah Afrifa, Ghana's former Head of State and Sergeant Samuel Doe of Liberia. The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), a military junta, led by former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, killed Brigadier General Akwasi Amankwaah Afrifa by firing squad at Teshie-Nungua Firing Range by shooting him from his legs upwards. They wanted him to suffer a maximum painful punishment before his death. Most of us thought Afrifa was brave and had too much protective juju to still keep him alive hence shouting for more fire each time his military killers released bullets into his body. It was a military Warrant Officer who said no, it wasn't any juju that sustained him for that long. It was just that they wanted him to suffer a lot more pain before dying hence shooting from his legs upwards but not his head or chest to kill him instantly.

The military Head of State of Liberia, Sgt Samuel Doe, was killed by his captors, first by cutting off his ears, arms and etc., when he was overthrown in the bloody Liberian civil war. However, you don't do that to a dangerous snake when you are unlucky to come by one and intend to kill it.

In the Nigerian civil war, between the secessionist Ibos led by Army General Ojukwu in what was the Biafran war and the rest of Nigeria led by General Gowan, the sound advice by Baba Awolowo, an astute Nigerian Yoruba politician, helped end the war same as the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima by the Americans culminated in the termination of the 2nd World War. According to sources which I have not bothered myself to research for accuracy, Awolowo advised Gowan to cut off the food and essential supplies to the Ibos. He had questioned the wisdom in continuously supplying the secessionists with food and other imported essentials like drugs etc. He said the more you continue to supply them such items, the more you strengthen their arms and willpower to continue to fight. When all such supplies were blocked from reaching the Ibos, thus the Biafrans, although the civil war had lasted for years, the Biafrans finally capitulated with Ojukwu escaping to Ivory Coast to seek political asylum. The civil war then came to an end, thanks to Gowan heeding the advice by Awolowo.

Do the NPP leadership understand what is positive discrimination? Positive Discrimination by definition is, "(in the context of the allocation of resources or employment) the practice or policy of favouring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against previously". When the late South African President His Excellency Nelson Mandela took over power from His Excellency Frederik Willem de Klerk in 1994, thus from the Afrikaners' Apartheid regime, he subsequently introduced the policy of positive discrimination in South Africa. The black people had been denied not only lucrative jobs but jobs in many sectors of the economy hence the blacks remaining principally poor and handicapped in many respects. To redress the imbalance, blacks were given preference in filling most of the job positions and trainings that became available.

Does positive discrimination make any sense to the NPP leadership when it comes to governance? The answer is a Big NO! People allege that the NPP leaders say, everybody is a Ghanaian so all should be treated fairly. I agree with them 100%. Therefore, anyone in job or applying to fill a job vacancy must be treated equally without looking at their political colouration. This is where NPP has got it all wrong and lack political strategies to sustain them in power when they win election.

Under the NDC regimes, they look after their members and give job preferences to NDC people. They even refused to employ people of Ashanti extraction into certain jobs if they are not known to be diehard NDC activists. I published articles about this attitude by the NDC. Why is it that the NPP, the originators of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, you just name it, they brought them about and uphold the principles wholeheartedly, don't get the essence of positive discrimination to help the NPP members that had been disadvantaged under the NDC?

I understand they still award lucrative government contracts to NDC contractors or people at the expense of the NPP people who voted them into power. Does it make any sense? Is it because there are selfish, greedy and short-sighted individuals out there in NPP in positions of authority who being scared of their own shadows, should NPP go into opposition, are preparing a safety net against their possible arrest and prosecution hence doing favours to NDC people so that they will consider them when they come to power?

Does it make sense to continue to enrich the NDC to empower them financially to successfully fight you at elections while you impoverish your own NPP people to cost NPP funds to execute successful re-election campaign? This is political incorrectness! For the fear of NPP not having money to fund their campaign, some people decided to raise money for NPP by going into the banned galamsey activities. They have landed themselves in prosecutable offence.

I don't get the NPP when they deny their people jobs by telling them they are not graduates or do not have University degree. When they were campaigning for, and donating money to, the party, why did the leaders not ask them to stop because they are not graduates or do not have University degrees? Is it every job that only a University graduate or degree holder can do in Ghana?

No wonder that the NPP are unable to stay in power longer when they happen to win an election which even they hardly do. They are not good politicians with the needed strategies to sustain them in power. First, look after the collective interests of Ghanaians. Second, see the benefits of positive discrimination to avail your self of, or to practise!

I end by advising you to see the wisdom in killing a dangerous snake as well as the admonition by Awolowo to Gowan. You don't continue to arm your enemy who is about to fight, or is fighting, you, but you rather seek to disarm him. Have the messages I received but which are jumbled up in this publication make any sense to NPP and the reading public?

Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Do you kill the messenger come to deliver a message to you? NO!!!

A word to the wise is enough.

Rockson Adofo

Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Labor leader Anthony Albanese was "furious" with a group of pro-coal Labor MPs who met to influence the party's position on the industry, with several saying the leader or his allies threatened to discipline them after the group's existence became public.

The emergence of a pro-coal faction within federal Labor ranks has again exposed divisions within the Opposition over climate policy, as a newly formed "Otis Group" pushes Mr Albanese to publicly strengthen his support for the domestic coal industry.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese is playing down tensions within his party over its position on coal . Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Senior Labor sources told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Mr Albanese was angry at media reports a group of 20, including nine shadow ministers, were meeting regularly to raise concerns at the policy direction of the party.

But one Labor figure close to Mr Albanese said it has "embarassed" the group involved and strengthened his position within caucus. "He's not angry," the source said. "Just disappointed".
Agreement secures a 2D patented printing technology that will significantly boost production capacity and reduce production costs

Further protects CAUMZ and HCC011 with four additional manufacturing patents



OTTAWA, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tetra Bio Pharma Inc. (Tetra or the Company) (TSX-V:TBP) (OTCQB:TBPMF), a leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development, today announced it has signed a definitive manufacturing agreement with Vitiprints LLC, for the commercial scale production of CAUMZ and HCC011. This agreement will further protect CAUMZ and HCC011 with four additional patents on manufacturing know-how.

VITIPRINTS has developed a proprietary and patented manufacturing system, which can be used by Tetra to manufacture its CAUMZ drug on commercial scale. As part of the manufacturing agreement Tetra has obtained a Vitiprints exclusive license to use this technology for commercial manufacturing CAUMZ and HCC-011 at high speed and volume in a manner that will permit it to be used in a vaporization system (CAUMZ kit). This proprietary technology will operate under pharmaceutical GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) regulations and will ensure a "pill-to-pill" consistency that meets inhalation drug standards.

In exchange of this exclusive license Tetra will be required to make milestones and royalty payments on CAUMZ sales. From a financial standpoint this proprietary technology will allow Tetra to reduce it Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) for CAUMZ by approximately 75% and will significantly improve CAUMZ gross margin.

Vitiprints will perform a thorough assessment of the Quantum Facility in Moncton next week with an objective of implementing its technology in the spring for the production of commercial batches. The previous technology used for the manufacturing process was excellent but unfortunately it was limited by its maximal batch size capacity. said Dr. Guy Chamberland, Tetra Bio-Pharmas CEO and Chief Regulatory Officer. In a first phase of implementation, Tetras production capacity will increase from 2,500 dosing capsules in a 3-day shift to 100,000 CAUMZ dosage units in a single 8-hour shift. The second phase will involve a scale-up and transfer of this proprietary technology to a Greater Montreal Pharmaceutical facility.

"Tetra is now moving full speed into the implementation of it commercial manufacturing of its key assets CAUMZ and HCC011. This agreement provides Tetra with high speed and volume and flexibility to meet the global demand for CAUMZ and HCC-011. Tetra must manufacture batches of CAUMZ using its commercial manufacturing process to complete the quality section of the New Drug Application. It is very important for Tetra to ensure it can meet the global demand of patients who are suffering from cancer. Back orders are not an option! said Dr. Guy Chamberland, Tetra Bio-Pharmas CEO and Chief Regulatory Officer.

Andrew Ferber, Chairman of Vitiprints stated " Vitiprints is excited about bringing our unique and scalable technology to the Pharmaceutical Industry. Tetra is a perfect partner to work with and develop the system to commercial scalability. It was a natural extension of our work in the health and wellness space. We look forward to scaling up the great developments and work of Tetra and Dr. Chamberland and providing pain relief to cancer patients on a global scale and alleviating the use of opioids."

About Vitiprints

Vitiprints is a leader in advanced printing technology to uniquely manufacture food and non-food grade products by eliminating water & fillers in vitamins, beverages, milks, pharmaceuticals, personal care and cleaning products by dramatically reducing weight, size and cost. Vitiprints proprietary technology addresses environmental impact, logistics constraints, and profit margin pressure by printing fully functional, cost-effective products reducing any need for plastic packaging or components. Vitiprints customizable print technology platform utilizes high speed, high efficiency printing equipment for quick and cost-effective scaling of production capacity across many high-volume industries.

About Tetra Bio-Pharma

Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development with a Health Canada approved, and FDA reviewed, clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. The Company has several subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabis and other medicinal plant-based elements. With patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies.

For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com

Source: Tetra Bio-Pharma

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.

Forward-looking statements

Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company's business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company's research and development strategies, including this trial, the ability to obtain orphan drug status, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. While no definitive documentation has yet been signed by the parties and there is no certainty that such documentation will be signed. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.

For further information, please contact Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.

Investor Contact:

Bruce Mackle

LifeSci Advisors LLC

646-889-1200

TetraInvestors@LifeSciAdvisors.com

Media Contact US:

Andrew Mielach

LifeSci Public Relations

646-876-5868

amielach@lifescipublicrelations.com



Media Contact Canada:

Carol Levine

Energi PR Inc.

514-288-8500 ext. 226

carol.levine@energipr.com


A female college student on Thursday accused the principal and two teachers of sexually harassing her.

A complaint has been registered against the principal and two teachers, police said.

"A complaint has been registered. If others want to give their statement, they can come forward. The investigation is on," said Alok Mishra, Deputy Superintendent of Police, told ANI.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Farm Bills: Farmers' organisations call for Karnataka bandh, likely to be held on September 28

Karnataka bandh over Maratha board: What is open, what is closed

Karnataka bandh today: No Ola, Uber, autos, how to travel in Bengaluru today

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Bengaluru, Feb 13: There would be a Karnataka Bandh today. The bandh has been called by the Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkoota for increasing reservation in jobs for Kannadigas in both government and private sectors.

The organisation is demanding the implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report which recommends a certain percentage of jobs to Kannadigas in the public sector undertakings, private companies, and multinational companies. The report was submitted in 1984 but is yet to be implemented.

The auto and taxi unions have extended support to the bandh. Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners Associations have extended support to the bandh. Service by the Taxi-for-Sure will also be affected.

Bhim Army chief calls for Bharat Bandh on Feb 23 against SC ruling on reservation

The bandh would last between 6 am and 6 pm. The KSRTC and BMTC said that they would extend moral support to the bandh. Sampath Kumar of Adarsh Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union said that auto services would be affected in many parts.

The others who have extended support to the bandh are the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), and the lorry owners association.

What is Sarojini Mahishi report? And why Kannadigas call for bandh?

There would however be no holidays for schools and colleges. The administration, however, have the discretionary power to declare a holiday said that education minister of Karnataka, Suresh Kumar.
Hailing from the award-winning Sasini Estates, this bold and complex coffee is cultivated on six independent family farms that have operated for generations in the foothills of Mount Kenya north of Nairobi. Hand-picked, wet-pulped and naturally fermented before being sun-dried on raised screen beds, the Kenyan Arabica beans are finished with a medium roast to enhance the flavor that bears distinct citrus notes and a subtle floral aroma.

"For each of our Seven Reserve coffees, we search the world for interesting and unique varietals that we think coffee-lovers will seek out and appreciate," said Michelle Cram, 7-Eleven senior category manager for hot beverages. "Kenyan coffee is a particular favorite of mine, and this one is brewed from beans with an heirloom heritage that give it an especially rich taste. For a full flavor experience, pair a cup with our freshly made delicious apple fritter, with real apples and cinnamon."

Introduced in 2018 by the world's largest convenience retailer, Seven Reserve is a proprietary line of specially curated coffees. Available at participating 7-Eleven stores, Seven Reserve premium-brewed coffees are offered at the same low price as all other hot beverages.

7-Eleven continues to grow its portfolio of sustainable coffees, which now account for as much as half of its green coffee purchases. Since 2016, 7-Eleven has introduced Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Sumatra, Colombia, as well as an African blend from Ethiopia and Rwanda, all responsibly grown. Single-origin 100 percent Colombian Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee is now a permanent offering and top-seller on the hot beverage bar.

The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that seeks to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods. Carrying the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal with the little green frog means the 100 percent Arabica beans are sourced from coffee-growers whose farms are required to meet strict standards designed to protect the environment, conserve wildlife and promote the well-being of local communities.

7-Eleven continues to seek responsibly sourced coffees, products and packaging with less environmental impact. Future Seven Reserve coffees will include both exotic blends and single-origin brews from top growing areas around the world.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 70,000 stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards loyalty program, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in 28 participating markets, or rely on 7-Eleven for bill payment services, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.7-eleven.com/


Appeals court upholds dismissal of $9.6 mln claim against Interior Ministry

 RAPSI

11:27 13/02/2020

MOSCOW, February 13 (RAPSI)  The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of a petition of Tsentralnoye Obshchestvo company, (Tsentralnoye Strakhovoye Obshchestovo prior to August 9, 2019), the license of which was withdrawn and which is in the process of bankruptcy, seeking to claim 609 million rubles ($9.6 million) from the Interior Ministry, according to the courts materials.

The petitioner challenged a decision of a lower court of October 23, 2019.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry has made a public contract with the company as to insure life and health of its officers.

However, in 2018 the Bank of Russia withdrew the companys insurance license. Later, the temporary administration of Tsentralnoye Strakhovoye Obshchestvo turned to courts seeking recognition of the companys bankruptcy. In April of 2019, a commercial court dismissed the respective petition.

Last August, the Commercial Court of the Moscow Region stayed the bankruptcy proceedings with respect of the company.
Small and medium businesses still face uncertainties about the government's proposed business growth fund as investor groups push for access to investment deals first.

A senate standing committee on economics held a hearing on Thursday afternoon about the proposed fund, which the big banks have committed funding towards in order to provide an alternative form of funding for small businesses.

Small business ombudsman Kate Carnell has long argued for a business growth fund following the model already launched in the UK. Credit:AAP

Groups representing private investors are pushing for an amendment to the fund proposal that would mean instead of simply advancing capital to businesses, the fund would underwrite, or guarantee, a portion of capital to a business and then make an investment offer to the broader community to give them the opportunity to buy in.

Under the amended model, the growth fund would be able to invest to bridge the gap in required funding once the appetite from mum and dad investors, private equity funds and venture capitalists had been tested.
Advocate Christ Medical Center (in Oak Lawn) is the only Level I trauma center on the Southwest Side, its the busiest trauma center in the state of Illinois, and the chances of a stopped train along the Elsdon line preventing emergency responders from getting someone in distress to the hospital, theres a high likelihood of that, he said in an interview with the Southtown last week.
Senegal's President Macky Sall on Wednesday defended his country's ban on same-sex activity, saying during a visit from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that it "has nothing to do with" homophobia.

More than half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa -- 28 out of 49 -- have legislation prohibiting or repressing homosexuality.

Same-sex activity is punishable by up to five years in prison in Senegal.

Sall said the West African state's laws reflected its cultural norms and that Senegalese citizens would reject legalising homosexuality.

"This has nothing to with homophobia," Sall told reporters at a press conference in the capital Dakar.

Trudeau -- who is in Senegal after visiting Ethiopia -- said he had "briefly" raised the issue of gay rights with his counterpart.

"I bring up human rights everywhere I go, every time I have an opportunity to meet a leader I talk about Canadian values," Trudeau told reporters.

Senegal has a reputation as a beacon of stability in an often turbulent region, which Trudeau praised, saying that it shares with Canada values such as peace and democracy.

The prime minister nonetheless admitted that "there's always more work to be done."

Sall said gay people are not ostracised in Senegalese society, however, and that every country had its own "metabolism" for change.

"Society will change, it will take the time it takes," he said.

Sall did not respond to a question from a reporter asking how the existence of anti-gay laws did not amount to homophobia.
Benjamin, Youda and Reuben Tehrani lie down on one the Persian rugs at their store in Bryn Mawr. Read more

The Tehrani brothers, Reuben, Youda, and Benjamin, pass time at their Bryn Mawr rug store waiting for customers and sipping sugared tea, concerned about the drift of American feelings against Iranians but more fearful of the disastrous trends facing the familys high-end rug business.

Last year, during the tensions with Iran, they changed the stores name to Bryn Mawr Rugs from Tehrani Brothers to make it less Iranian-sounding, after Reuben heard go home from passing drivers. But the brothers called the police in December when someone vandalized the store facades Persian tiles.

A responding officer said that they should install a surveillance camera and that the department would boost patrols.

But added police protection and a new store name havent solved the Tehranis biggest problem: how to rejuvenate a rug business devastated by automation, millennials opting for modern designs, Amazon, and a rug glut with downsizing baby boomers unloading decorative Oriental rugs.

"Also, the Main Line changed, Reuben Tehrani said with resignation. The newer generation, they dont have the feeling, you know, for fine Persian rugs.

Not only on the Main Line, but everywhere.

Einstein Moomjy, the iconic New Jersey-based retailer with six stores there and in Manhattan, filed for bankruptcy protection in late 2011. Brothers Ted and Ernst Einstein and Walter and Albert Moomjy launched the business in 1955 in Bloomfield, N.J. When the firm liquidated its final inventory in April 2012, its website called it "the largest bankruptcy liquidation in the history of Oriental rugs. Oriental refers broadly to decorative, hand-knotted rugs, while Persian describes those hand-knotted rugs from Iran. They could be modern or antique.

A 2016 New York Times article datelined from the cradle of the Persian rug business -- Shiraz, Iran -- talked about the effects of Iranian sanctions on rug exports and the growth of machine-made, or robo-tufted, rugs in China and India. The headline: The Persian Rug May Not be Long for This World. A New York Times article two years later didnt do the industry any favors either: The Rich Have Abandoned Rich-People Rugs.

Roy Maloumian, a big Philadelphia-area dealer, shuttered his 15 stores in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, and Arizona over the last two years and has been liquidating inventory for many months in his Mount Airy warehouse. I have closed those down and now Im working my way out, he said. The rug market hasnt been that bad," Maloumian said. "Im closing. Ill be 77 in March. Its time to enjoy the sweet part of life.

Maloumian agrees that millennials consume differently from boomers, but he believes the Oriental rug business could stabilize and "go back to a carriage trade focusing on high-end buyers instead of a mass market.

Two-thirds of the 15 to 18 Oriental rug stores in the Philadelphia area have closed since the good times, Reuben Tehrani estimated.

Rug Insider editor Michael Christie dates the origin of the Oriental rug crisis facing the Tehrani brothers -- Orthodox Jews whose family lost almost everything when they fled Iran in the late 1970s -- to the last recession.

All the crash of 08 did was reveal that the hand-knotted rug market was buoyed by aspirational buyers who didnt have the real financial means to buy the product," Christie said. "The hand-knotted market was lucky for the last 25 to 30 years to be riding on the housing bubble. And we were not prepared for that bubble to go away.

Bankruptcies and closings pared the number of Oriental rug stores to hundreds in the United States from thousands, Christie said.

In 2020, its who has the right size and the right time at the right price all over the world, Christie said. "Its all of these market forces conspiring against a business model that has not kept up with the times. Were not a fast fashion product. We have a very old-world craft product that has not found its way in the modern world.

Still, there are glimmers of hope. I have a friend in Alabama who moves rugs like its still the 1980s," Christie said. I dont know how she does it.

Paige Albright, proprietor of Paige Albright Orientals near Birmingham, Ala., said by email that she markets her business as Why Knot? -- a play on the words for hand-knotted Persian and Oriental rugs as compared with robo-tufted, machine-made rugs taking over the market. She says she isnt afraid of new approaches such as selling washed Persians for customers seeking a new look.

She and her clients have inherited our grandmothers pieces and they are sentimental, so we incorporate those and mix with new pieces. I am also selling contemporary rugs along with the antique pieces."

"It is about color, texture, pattern, she added. We might put a linear Tibetan with soft blue/grays next to a navy Heriz. ... It really is all about the mix. We will also put modern art and contemporary furniture on top of an antique Heriz.

Oriental carpet crash

Reuben, Youda, and Benjamin Tehrani opened their first store in Rosemont in 1980 as the family rebuilt their lives in the United States after the Iranian revolution. Moshe, their father, sold his store and inventory in Iran. But the devalued Iranian currency meant that he came here with very little, Reuben said.

Seeking to connect with mansion-owning Main Liners, the brothers opened a concession inside Eadeh Rug in Wayne, which had opened in 1939. As the business grew, the brothers bought a building near the Wayne Hotel, in 1990. These were the Oriental rug go-go years. Wayne supported several stores.

In the late 1990s, the Tehrani brothers opened the second location in Bryn Mawr, hiring the architect who designed the former Shiraz restaurant in Devon. It looks today like a slice of Arabian Nights across from a Rite Aid.

Everybody was making money until the bottom fell out, along with the global financial system.

In 2008 suddenly our business dropped very dramatically, like 65 to 70%, you know, our gross sales," Reuben said. After 2008 we tried to hold on to the business of the two locations, but in 2011, we closed our main Wayne location, but we kept our Bryn Mawr location.

The U.S. economy recovered from the financial shock. But the rug business limped along and the Tehrani brothers did what they could to survive financially, sometimes selling rugs at auction for revenue.

As a rug enthusiast, I like more of the antique Persian traditional designs rather than these modern [designs]. But if the customer wants modern, we have modern, Reuben said. The kind of rug you find here is not the kind of rug you find on the Internet. ... We are a boutique-type of operation but we have outlet prices.

Looking for divine intervention

After about an hour of interview with Youda and Reuben, no customer has entered the store. Reuben gets up and walks around, proudly showing off his stock. Antique rugs hang on the wall.

He climbs the stairs to the second floor, to a room filled with string-tied antique Persian rugs -- all discounted. Reuben points to a large rug that he could have sold for $100,000 a decade ago but has been marked down to $40,000. He admits he would consider $25,000, given the market.

For rugs that would have sold for $6,000, he would now consider $2,500. He also sells smaller rugs between $500 to $600. They are the lowest prices ever in the history of the antique Persian rug market, Reuben said.

Youda says hes saddened by the rug decline. He has two children. Benjamin has four children, while Reuben has raised five children.

Reuben said that the brothers close their store on Saturdays to observe the Sabbath and for holidays such as Rosh Hashanah.

If we were not very religious, we would close the place," he said. "But we also love the business. I dont know anything else to do. People tell me things have changed. But I say: 'Listen, if God wants to help me, he will help me. He has helped me so far. 
A gun rights supporter stood last week on the state Capitol steps, armed and wearing tactical gear. Gun rights advocates warned the crowd of the potential need for forceful resistance in the future at a gathering outside House of Representatives chamber. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service

By Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service

OLYMPIA (Jan. 31)--Roughly 100 gun rights activists marched on the State Capitol on Friday and rallied in opposition to recently proposed gun regulation bills.

Matt Marshall, leader of the Washington Three Percent gun rights advocacy group, spoke to an excited crowd after announcing earlier this month he would run for the seat of House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, after criticizing Wilcox's leadership regarding issues surrounding Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane.

Shea was expelled from the House Republican Caucus and stripped of his committee appointments after a private investigative report paid for by the House of Representatives and conducted by the Rampart Group accused Shea of participating in acts of domestic terrorism for his involvement with armed standoffs with law enforcement in Nevada and Oregon.

"Today closes my first month of fundraising," Marshall said to the crowd. "I am happy to announce that it is going to be a shock throughout the Republican establishment."

Joey Gibson, founder of the Patriot Prayer group, spoke to the crowd, praising Shea's willingness to stand up for the rights of citizens in Bunkerville, Nev., and Priest River, Id., when he felt the government had impeded their rights.

It is alleged that Shea organized armed support to prevent the government seizure of firearms from a veteran in Priest River and helped to organize and negotiate during the Bundy family's armed standoff in Bunkerville.

Gibson led supporters to the office of House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox to demand due process for Rep. Matt Shea.

An armed member of Washington Three Percent cursed Wilcox and called him a coward when he did not show up to address the marchers. The man yelled profanities as he made a gesture with his middle finger towards Wilcox's office.

Gun rights advocates wore tactical gear and carried assault rifles in front of the House Chamber as they spoke to the crowd of the need for resistance against a "tyrannical" government.

Meanwhile, resistance to gun regulations such as voter-approved Initiative-1639 continues as county commissioners from Stevens County this week adopted a resolution to nullify the initiative, claiming the regulations are an infringement on Second Amendment rights.

Nearly 60 percent of the state's voters approved I-1639 in Nov. 2018,which took effect July 1, 2019. The law calls for enhanced background checks, requires firearm safety training, raises the age for gun ownership to 21 and contains gun storage provisions.

Several law enforcement officials in the state vowed last year not to actively enforce the law, claiming that some of its provisions are unconstitutional.

And now, at least one county government has deemed it unconstitutional.

Stevens County Commissioner Steve Parker said any gun regulation to be implemented would be an infringement or restriction on constitutional rights. Parker urged that laws just be enforced as they currently exist.

The Legislature is currently considering bills that would outlaw gun magazines that automatically feed more than 10 rounds and a bill that would require firearm training for people who obtain permits to carry concealed guns.

Alexander Roggenkamp urged people to train themselves physically; he handed out cards for his firearm and survival training courses.

"If we have to fight, you guys need to actually be ready to fight," he said to the crowd.
Research

PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-12 23:55:23

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Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, IndiaBusiness Development+1 6269994607 (US) +91 7507349866 (IND)

The report is the perfect asset that worldwide and local Car Wash System players and financial specialists need to peep into the eventual fate of their business and plan out successful development procedures. It is an assemblage of clever and precise research and examination contemplates that help players in the Car Wash System business to comprehend the development examples of driving portions and locales, nature of rivalry, and other huge viewpoints. Purchasers of the report are given dependable figures for complete income, utilization, deals, CAGR, creation, and other significant elements.Readers of the research report can get distinct information on important drivers, restraints, developments, and opportunities in the Car Wash System Enterprise. They can also study trending technologies, manufacturing strategies, investment strategies, products, and applications that Car Wash System key players should be taking note of. Every segment is deeply studied by the authors of the record to help key players identify key growth pockets and make the proper investment choices in their Car Wash System Commercial enterprise. All the segments taken into consideration for the research have a look at are analyzed on the basis of percentage, consumption, boom fee, client choice, and numerous other parameters.Scope of the Report:The Car Wash System industry is not highly concentrated, and high-end products mainly come from North America and Western Europe.In the world wide, major manufactures mainly are WashTec, Daifuku, Otto Christ, Istobal, Ryko, MK Seiko, Tommy Car Wash, Takeuchi, Autobase, Carnurse, Belanger, Zonyi, Haitian, Siang Sheng, Broadway Equipment, Risense, Tammermatic, Washworld, PDQ Manufacturing, PECO, KXM, Coleman Hanna, AUTOEQUIP, D & S, Zhongli and etc.In 2015, China is the largest consumer of Car Wash System and is expected to retain the higher growth rate, due to strong growth in downstream industry. North America, Europe and China have witnessed a major chunk of the production and consumption of Car Wash System in the world. Actually, that is why manufacturers have several plants, usually close to aimed demand market.All manufactures in the world are committed to the improvement of product. These two years, some of Chinese manufactures can almost catch up with the world's leading technology too. Most technologies are developed by the manufacturers instead of importing from other companies.The import and export business of this industry is not frequent. The main reason lies in that many international manufacturers expand their business through building factories or investments in targeted markets. Also, many major players have built up plants in developing countries, like China, India and Thailand.The worldwide market for Car Wash System is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly 4.5% over the next five years, will reach 22 million US$ in 2024, from 17 million US$ in 2019, according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study.This report focuses on the Car Wash System in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Request for sample with TOC @ https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1824662 -Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers : WashTec,Daifuku,Otto Christ, Istobal,Ryko,MK Seiko,Tommy Car Wash,Takeuchi,Autobase,Carnurse,Belanger,Zonyi, Haitian,Siang Sheng,Broadway Equipment,Risense,Tammermatic,Washworld,PDQ, Manufacturing,PECO,KXM,Coleman Hanna,AUTOEQUIP LAVAGGI,D & S,Zhongli-Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers : North America (United States, Canada and Mexico),Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy),Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia),South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)-Market Segment by Type, covers : Gantry Car Wash,Conveyor Tunnel System,Others-Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into : Passenger Vehicle,Commercial VehicleThe content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:*Chapter 1, to describe Car Wash System product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.*Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Car Wash System, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Car Wash System in 2017 and 2018.*Chapter 3, the Car Wash System competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.*Chapter 4, the Car Wash System breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2014 to 2019.*Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2014 to 2019.*Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2014 to 2019.*Chapter 12, Car Wash System market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2024.*Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Car Wash System sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.Answers that the research report acknowledges:- Market length and growth rate throughout the forecast period.- The important thing factors of the market of Car Wash System- Key market trends have dampened the growth of the Car Wash System market.- Challenges for market boom.- The main vendors of the market of the Car Wash System .- Targeted swot analysis.- Possibilities and threats going through current vendors in the worldwide Car Wash System market.- Trend elements influencing the marketplace in geographic regions.- Strategic tasks focused on key suppliers.Contact Us:Email: sales@ researchtrades.com Call us: +1 6269994607 (USA), +91 7507349866 (IND)Web: www.researchtrades.com Skype ID: researchtradescon
YEREVAN, 13 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 13 February, USD exchange rate is down by 0.18 drams to 479.11 drams. EUR exchange rate is down by 1.97 drams to 521.37 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.07 drams to 7.52 drams. GBP exchange rate is down by 0.57 drams to 621.50 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is down by 113.84 drams to 24086.83 drams. Silver price is down by 2.34 drams to 270.49 drams. Platinum price is down by 36.39 drams to 14818.4 drams.
UPDATED 11.30PM: A large section of State Highway 2 is expected to be remain closed tomorrow, following a firearms incident in Tauranga tonight.

An earlier statement from Police said the closure was in the harbour bridge area.

However, the closure begins at the Moffat Road roundabout in Bethlehem and ends near the Tauranga CBD.

"Residents in the Bethlehem area heading to the Cameron Road or Elizabeth Street areas, or toward the harbour bridge, will need to travel via State Highway 29 (the toll road), or via Brookfield," says a police spokesperson.

Diversions are in place, however motorists are advised to avoid the area or delay travel if possible.

NZTA advise motorists travelling from Cambridge Rd, turn right onto Waihi Rd, then turn left onto SH2 ramp for Takitimu Drive north or continue on Waihi Rd and turn right onto Cameron Rd for SH2A south.

UPDATED 9PM: One person is dead following a shooting in Tauranga tonight.

Police attempted to stop a vehicle at 7.46pm on Carmichael Road in Tauranga, in relation to the ongoing double-homicide enquiry.

The vehicle failed to stop and a firearm was shot at police, says a police spokesperson.

The vehicle fled toward the CBD, and continued to fire shots at police.

"The vehicle then stopped and an occupant continued to discharge the firearm.

"Police returned fire and in the exchange the offender was fatally wounded.

"The Armed Offenders Squad is in attendance and there is no further risk to the public."

Road closures are in place around the harbour bridge.

UPDATED 8.32PM: State Highway 2 is now closed between Bethlehem roundabout and Cameron Road, due to a police operation.

A number of people have called SunLive this evening to report a large police presence in the Bethlehem area.

"Due to a police incident, SH2 Southbound is closed between Cambridge Rd and Fifteenth Avenue," says the NZTA.

"Please expect delays and use an alternate route."

A reporter in the area says there are massive traffic delays.

"There are police armed with rifles on the side of the road. They are on Takitimu Drive, where it merges with the 15th Ave off-ramp heading towards Mount Maunganui.

"Traffic is being turned around and diverted back up to Cambridge Road."

We are working on getting more information and will provide updates when we can.

EARLIER:

Reports are coming in of a large police presence in the Bethlehem area this evening.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says there three or four police vehicles in the Westminster Drive area.

"We have heard gun shots."

People are advised to avoid the area if possible.

A another caller says she has just left her mother's house and found that police have closed the Cambridge Road off-ramp onto Takitimu Drive.

"Traffic is being diverted down Waihi Road toward Judea.

SunLive is working on getting more information and will update this story when we can.




Haiti - Cuba : Revival of bilateral cooperation in education





Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of National Education accompanied by his Director of Cabinet Jackson Pleteau and his Director of communication Miloody Vincent held a working meeting this week with the Cuban Ambassador accredited to Haiti, Luis C. Campos, who was accompanied for the occasion by two senior officials of the Cuban Embassy, Mario Amaro, Advisor for Collaboration and Julio Sierio, education brigade specialist.



This working meeting focused on Haitian-Cuban cooperation in education. At the end of the exchanges on the problems encountered in the implementation of the projects, the two men undertook to relaunch the activities planned within the framework of the action plan of this cooperation, in particular in the field of literacy.



To this end, particular attention will be paid to the functioning of the office of the Secretary of State for Literacy, which must ensure the steering of the programmed activities.



At the end of this meeting, Minister Cadet and Ambassador Campos reiterated their desire to work together for the benefit of the Haitian people.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Russia has called for a meeting of the UN Security Council on Ukraine to be held in connection with the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Minsk agreements, the Interfax news agency has reported, citing Russia's First Deputy Permanent to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy.

"In connection with the fifth anniversary of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which is marked on February 12, and in connection with the fifth anniversary of the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2202 (February 17), Russia has requested the holding of a briefing of the Security Council," Polyanskiy said.

According to him, the meeting can be scheduled for the afternoon of February 18.

On January 30, 2020, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution recognizing Russia as a "party to the Minsk agreements."

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he did not agree with the sequence of actions regarding Donbas, when elections should first take place and Ukraine will then be able to regain control of the border with Russia.

On January 23, Ukraine's representative in the political subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk, Oleksiy Reznikov, said that Ukraine would insist on the review of the Minsk agreements.

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A driver in Texas crashed through a fence and ended up in a swimming pool, police say. Then he was arrested.

Balch Springs Police got a 911 call on Wednesday that a car was in a swimming pool, a police news release said. It was at the bottom of a community swimming pool at an apartment complex, NBCDFW reported.

Balch Springs Police received a 911 call in reference a suspicious vehicle when in reality it was a vehicle in the swimming pool.

Someone had asked the driver if he was OK, but the driver pulled a gun, police said. When police arrived, they found the suspect half a mile away.

Police recovered a gun and narcotics nearby, the news release said.
4.1 million of the Company's common shares returned to treasury

MIAMI, FL, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Cansortium Inc. (CSE: TIUM.U) (OTCQB: CNTMF) ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in Florida, Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania, today announced an important first step in its planned exit from the Colombian cannabis market by recovering 4,124,166 common shares of Cansortium previously issued to its in-market partner, Vision Science and Technology, S.A.S. The shares have been returned to treasury for cancellation.

Cansortium retains 50% of the equity of the Colombian business, Cansortium Colombia S.A.S., which owns the Colombian cannabis cultivation and manufacturing licenses and cultivation assets.

Neal Hochberg, Chairman of the Board and of the Special Committee, commented, "Cansortium is laser-focused on creating long-term value for all stakeholders by capitalizing on its growth opportunities in Florida, Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Today's announcement is an important first step in our plans to fully exit the Colombian market. With the return to Treasury of approximately 4.1 million shares, together with the recently announced private placement of approximately $4.6 million in equity capital, restructuring of approximately US$25.0 million of near-term obligations, and the pending sales of non-core assets in Canada and Puerto Rico, Cansortium significantly improved its balance sheet flexibility and increased liquidity while limiting dilution to existing shareholders."

About Cansortium Inc.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and operating under the Fluent brand, Cansortium is focused on being the highest quality cannabis company in the State of Florida where it operates 18 dispensaries and two cultivation facilities, including an indoor facility in Tampa. driven by unrelenting commitment to operational excellence from seed to sale. Cansortium has developed strong proficiencies in each of cultivation, processing, retail, and distribution activities, the result of successfully operating in the highly regulated cannabis industry. In addition to Florida, Cansortium is seeking to create significant shareholder value in the attractive markets of Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania, where the Company has secured licenses and established operations.

Cansortium Inc.'s common shares and warrants trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and "TIUM.WT.U", respectively, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol (OTCQB: CNTMF). Investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release, may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The securities referenced in this press release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from registration is available.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in this private placement within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined under Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act).

SOURCE Cansortium Inc

Related Links

www.cansortium.com


BOISE  The Idaho State Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Land Management are introducing a new app created to provide ease and flexibility for ranchers participating in the Cooperative Photo Monitoring Program. Survey123 is a platform created by Esri, a data analysis software, and is available to download for free on any mobile device.

The Photo Monitoring Program is designed to identify trends in rangeland health by equipping ranchers to collect data and photos from the same site locations each year.

We want to be able to look at a 10-year data set and detect change from the photos, said Thadd Strom, range management specialist with the agriculture department.

Through specialized training provided by the department of agriculture, permittees help boost the amount of data available for management decisions.

Its important for us to get involved in photo monitoring so we have data to back up some of the decisions that are being made, both for us and for an agency, Owyhee County rancher Brenda Richards said.

Before the development of Survey123, photo monitoring involved a cumbersome series of paper forms, but by storing a permittees data in the app, Survey123 provides streamlined data collection. Additionally, the app is not limited by the availability of cell service, which is an advantage for many permittees on Idahos public lands.

You dont have to worry about being in cell service, Strom said. Any smartphone will save your information until you get back to a phone signal or Wi-Fi.

The data provided by photo monitoring helps provide guidance for the BLM.

It gives us a way to know well be getting consistent data, BLM Rangeland Management Specialist Nika Lepak said. We incorporate that data into our own monitoring files and use it for land health assessments and grazing permit renewals.

For more information about the Survey123 app, watch the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=545adonP-gg or contact the ISDA Range Management Program at 208-332-8500.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Rajamannan, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology and Valvular Institute Medical Director, continues the effort to inform the patients of the clinical studies using heart valves invented by surgeons across the United States. The Energy and Commerce House Committee has received the new evidence this week regarding statements by Northwestern University made in December 2019 to the Illinois Supreme Court stating that the heart device, the Myxo ETlogix was "FDA approved in 2006," during the clinical study published in the Lead Journal of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons in July 2008.

Presenting evidence to the Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Finance Committee

The Energy and Commerce Committee held oversight hearings in August 2009 which included Dr. Marcia Crosse from the Government Accountability Office and Dr. William Maisel who at the time of the hearings, was an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School with more than 15 years of clinical experience as a Boardcertified cardiologist. Dr. Maisel is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Office of Device Evaluation at FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. He is responsible for providing leadership in the development, implementation, execution, management and direction of the Center's broad national and international biomedical science programs. Dr. Maisel confirmed to the oversight committee that the device was not approved for use in humans during the study and that the device was placed on recall after the patients received the device without FDA oversight.

Dr. Rajamannan, who has submitted evidence to the Energy and Commerce committee from 2009 to 2020, also presented the FDA Affidavit summarizing the patients' injuries, as published in The Daily Northwestern in May 2019.

The New Evidence Provided to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce include:

Device Manufacturer states that the device is "FDA approved" as of September 2007 in a 2 line email, and the hospital/University confirms this status in statements to the Illinois Supreme Court as of December 2019 .



in a 2 line email, and the hospital/University confirms this status in statements to the Illinois Supreme Court as of . FDA states to Senate Committee that the device is not "FDA approved" as of March 2009 and is on recall.



and is on recall. FDA confirms to Congress that there are no plans to inform any of the 667 patients that the device was not approved during the surprise FDA study.



The Energy and Commerce Committee has oversight over use of Medicare and Medicaid Funding, and has maintained follow up of the new evidence brought forth to the Senate this week for the failure to investigate pre-authorization from Medicare for the FDA study to test the device.



Northwestern University never reverses their position from the 2007 email claiming "FDA approval" despite receiving the status of the FDA decision not to approve the device as of July 16, 2009 .

The Energy and Commerce Committee health committee which has oversight Jurisdiction includes public health and quarantine; public health insurance (Medicare, Medicaid) and private health insurance; medical malpractice and medical malpractice insurance; the regulation of food, drugs, devices, cosmetics, and tobacco (the Food and Drug Administration); drug abuse; the Department of Health and Human Services; the National Institutes of Health; the Centers for Disease Control; Indian Health Service; and all aspects of the above-referenced jurisdiction related to the Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. Nalini Rajamannan is a heart valve expert in the field of cardiovascular medicine. She earned her undergraduate science pre-professional degree from the University of Notre Dame, her Medical Doctorate from Mayo Medical School and her post-graduate training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic and Research Fellowship on the NIH training Grant. She also worked at the Mayo Clinic as a staff consultant in Internal Medicine and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University and the Lakeside and Westside VA. Currently, she practices consultative valvular medicine and Osteocardiology at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology and Valvular Institute, WI.

Press Contact

Oscar Delgado

Press Officer for Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cardiology and Valvular Institute

Former NBC Bureau Chief Latin America

773-573-6890

[email protected]

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Dr. Rajamannan presenting evidence to Congress in Washington DC

Presenting evidence to the Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Finance Committee

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VANCOUVER  Authorities say a resident who opened fire in the lobby of a Vancouver building for senior residents, killing a man and wounding two women in October, has died.

Robert Breck, 80, was taken from jail to an area hospital on Feb. 5 because of an illness, according to the Clark County Sheriffs Office. Breck died Tuesday at the hospital of natural causes, the sheriffs office said.

On Oct. 3, Breck killed 75-year-old Dean Tunstall and wounded 77-year-old Enelia Montoya and 44-year-old Shawne Garris in the Smith Tower Apartments, then barricaded himself in his apartment before surrendering, police said.

According to court documents, the shooting stemmed from a dispute Breck had with the man. Authorities say one of the women shot used to be Breck's caregiver. Court documents say Breck had offered her money to become his mistress, she refused and he later fired her.

Breck had pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. A judge had also filed an order for a competency evaluation for Breck.

-- The Associated Press
A spokesman for the Libyan National Army on Wednesday denied blocking United Nations planes from landing in the country, following claims that forces loyal to General Khalifa Hifter were hampering the world body's aid and peace efforts.

In a televised statement from Benghazi, Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Mosmari said he was "surprised" by such statements when the UN was "welcome in all the regions secured by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces."

Al-Mosmari said Mitiga Air Base near Tripoli, for example, was considered a military operations area and within a no-fly zone to protect aircraft and passengers from any "terrorist" operations. He added that the base is currently under the control of the Turkish military ruler in Tripoli.

The United Nations Mission to Libya, in a statement issued on Wednesday morning, expressed regret that its regular flights flying staff to and from Libya did not obtain permission to land, adding that the matter was repeated on several occasions over the past few weeks.

Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 when a civil war toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi who was later killed.

A weak UN-recognized administration that holds the capital Tripoli and parts of the country's west is backed by Turkey, which recently sent thousands of soldiers to Libya.

On the other side of the conflict is a rival government in the east that supports Hifter, whose forces launched a surprise offensive to capture the capital last April.

On Wednesday the UN's Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war in Libya and condemned the recent increase in violence in the oil-rich North African country.
Activist Quannel X publicly confronted Fort Bend County Attorney Roy Cordes recently over an ongoing federal civil rights case that alleges county officials didnt properly supervise a female volunteer mentor who allegedly sexually assaulted an underage boy hundreds of times while he was being held at the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center.

The confrontation happened during the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12, while commissioners were meeting with County Judge KP George in closed session.

During an interview with media consultant and former TV reporter Wayne Dolcefino, Cordes was asked to comment on the federal civil case which involves allegations 64-year-old Deborah Helen Sutter sexually molested a minor during private weekly mentor sessions for more than a year. The weekly mentor sessions were reportedly filmed by security cameras. When confronted with the evidence, Sutter reportedly confessed according to an arrest warrant filed by the Fort Bend County Sheriffs Department. Sutter, who is also named as a defendant in the case, is scheduled to go to trial on April 14 to face two felony counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.

This is an agency with a history of problems. The public has a right to know what happened, wouldnt you agree? Dolcefino asked.

Im not going to comment, Cordes said, who has maintained it is not appropriate to discuss the case with reporters as county officials are involved in prosecuting Sutter.

How is it that someone gets molested three or four times a week for more than a year and no one here wants to discuss with the public how this could have happened? Dolcefino asked.

It was at this point that Quannel X, who stood with others who were listening nearby, spoke out.

Its because its a black child, he interjected. Its all because its a black child, thats what it is.

Cordes again declined to comment on the case.

The brief exchange grew heated as Quannel X accused county officials of trying to sidestep the issues.

If the victim in this case was a little white child being raped by a black perpetrator three to four times a week, over 300 times being molested, Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and their legal council would look at this case totally differently, he said.

In an interview after the confrontation, Quannel X voiced his concerns the countys silence and inaction were racially motivated.

The legal department and the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court are dancing and dillydallying and running and hiding from the real questions, he said. They dont want to address this case appropriately. Why? Because they dont care about a black young child that is being victimized and raped over and over again. And so, theyre passing the buck. Theyre blaming everybody else. Theyre pointing fingers all over the place.

These men as leaders need to stand up, accept responsibility for happened to this child and do something that sends a message to everyone in Fort Bend County that theres zero tolerance for this kind of behavior and they love every citizen of Fort Bend County, regardless what the race of the victim is.

The federal civil rights case was filed on behalf of the victim and his family in the Southern District of Texas Houston Division of the United States District Court on Feb. 7, 2019, by the Foley Law Firm and is led by attorney Taft L. Foley II. On Sept. 30, 2019, attorneys for Fort Bend County officials filed a motion asking the case be dismissed. Federal Court Judge Sim Lake is expected to issue a ruling on the motion in the coming weeks.

knix@hcnonline.com
Wedding chain Noahs Event Venue closed abruptly last week, leaving numerous engaged couples without a place to have their ceremonies including Eva Hung and A.J. Kruk of Houston and Kristina Kucey and Billy Hunt of San Antonio.

The Utah-based company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Act in May 2019, according to the Better Business Bureau. A judge and a U.S. Bankruptcy trustee overseeing the case changed it to a Chapter 7 liquidation last Thursday, the company's attorney Kenneth L. Cannon II, told other media outlets.

Hung and Kruk received no notice from Noahs and only learned about the closing from the Internet.

HUNGRY FOR LOVE: 18 Valentine's Day dining specials in Houston

The couple, who are expecting around 150 guests to attend their nuptials on Feb. 29, 2020, booked the space at 21402 Merchants Way in Katy last Feb.

We cant delay the wedding. Its not possible. Our friends and family have taken vacation time and paid to fly in," Hung told the Houston Chronicle. We chose it because it had enough space for our guests and it offered do-it-yourself options while allowing outside vendors. It was a happy medium for us."

The couple reserved the space by making several upfront payments, which total an estimated $12,000. Thus far, no refund has been offered from Noah's. We are trying to work with our credit card company to see if they can help us," Hung said.

HoustonChronicle.com: He's dying of cancer. She survived it. They had their wedding at Houston Methodist.

With only weeks to go before their wedding date, the couple is now in search of a replacement venue. We are narrowing it down by whether or not they have the date available. We are crossing our fingers, Hung said.

When Kucey and Hunt of San Antonio found out theyd lost their venue last weekend, they were shocked. It felt like a punch to the stomach, Hunt told mySA.com.

The bride- and groom-to-be, who had already paid around $3,700 to Noahs, booked the venue last summer for their Oct. 3, 2020, wedding. "If we knew they filed for bankruptcy, we would have not booked with them," Kucey said.

Kucey and Hunt were also left scrambling to find another venue. "It's been eye-opening to see how the community of wedding planners and caterers are rallying together to help all of us. It's nice to see others trying to help, Hunt said.

The Better Business Bureau advises people with a monetary claim against Noah's, which includes couples who booked the venue, to obtain a proof of claim form from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and submit it to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Utah, 350 Main Street #301, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101. Case number 19-23840 should be included on the form.

There is a Facebook group that is for couples affected by the closure.

Marcy de Luna is a reporter. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna.
The NFU has asked farmers across the UK to make mental health a priority during this week's #MindYourHead campaign.

The annual industry initiative is focusing on the physical and mental wellbeing of an industry under pressure.

It also aims to educate those living and working in the UKs agricultural communities about the various mental health threats facing them.

The NFU is joining in on efforts in raising awareness, urging farmers to recognise the importance of making mental wellbeing a priority.

NFU Vice President Stuart Roberts said that while farming is a sector full of innovative and resilient people, like any industry it comes with challenges.

Like many business owners, farmers can struggle with stress, worries and anxiety, and with the isolated nature of farming these feelings can often be amplified, he said.

Dealing with mental health issues can be incredibly difficult but help is at hand. For many people, the first step is recognising when there is a problem and talking to someone about it and, where needed, getting professional help.

I would urge anyone struggling to cope with any issue to open up to someone they trust. We can all do more to listen and make time for each other.

Mr Roberts has raised the issue of funding for mental health treatment in the NHS with the former Chief Medical Officer and Defra ministers.

He has also spoken to Lord Gardiner, who is the Defra representative on the team to develop a strategy to combat loneliness in society.

Lord Gardiner has looked at how poor broadband and mobile phone coverage affect rural areas, as well as how village halls could reduce rural isolation.

In particular, Mr Roberts highlighted the issue of mental health in the rural community.

He said: In general the industry is made up of lots of people, some of who are like me, we are butch, macho blokes, we dont have anxiety, we dont have worries, we dont have concerns, we dont have fears  well, yes we do.

We forget that theres a question mark at the end of how are you? And we have all got to get better at that because it will come into very sharp focus as we start to see big changes.
/ -- Come February and New Year wellness resolutions are all but forgotten. Keeping this in mind, to help realign their wellness goal, Nimba Nature Cure Village is offering patrons a physical, psychological and spiritual health overhaul, with the help of the power of nature.

Nimba one of the largest Naturopathy centres in India, located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat is offering health conscious individuals the chance to revive the crucial equilibrium of the five basic elements of life: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Ether, and more crucially adhere to their New Year wellness resolution. At Nimba, these elements also known as 'Panch Mahabhoota' are treated bringing them back to normalcy, thereby restoring the optimum health of the body.

At the beginning of each year, like a ritual, people pledge to improve their individual wellbeing by setting achievable goals. However, they often end up investing in only one aspect of their well-being, which is fitness.

Though used interchangeably, the two words - fitness and wellness are significantly different. The word fitness is associated with the physical health of an individual, which includes strength, flexibility, and the composition of the body, wherein wellness is a broader concept that includes the integration of emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, physical, environmental, occupational, financial, and cultural health of a person.

The Interconnected Dimensions of Wellness



Wellness is beyond living disease free and having the desired body type. Holistic wellness demands a lot more than mere physical fitness. Mental health is one of the important aspect of well-being. The ability to reflect on how one feels about life is important; being self-aware of one's thoughts, actions and their potential consequences makes a significant contribution to the person's wellness.

Moreover, a single aspect is always interrelated to many others; being physically unwell can affect the mental, emotional and financial well-being as well.

Let Nature Be the Summer Umbrella



At the beginning of every season, a person needs to detox oneself from the residual habits of the previous season. It's time to get rid of the impurities and remove the toxins accumulated in the body.

Now that the warm months are here, people are relaxed and cheerful, but also unproductive and may get lazy. Offering bright and vivid colors, and blooming flowers, Nimba encourages a person to relish the changing seasons thorough rejuvenating naturopathic and ayurvedic treatments at Nimba.

Moreover, consumed by technology and gadgets, people have lost connectivity with nature. It's time for a digital detox. RJ Archana of 94.3 MY FM, who recently visited Nimba for a rejuvenation session validated the importance of digital detox, saying, "Our habits decide our future. After visiting Nimba, your one habit will change for sure, which is, to constantly check your phone. Nimba is the perfect place for the digital detox you require."



Find Wellness With Fitness at Nimba Nature Cure



Known for its ingenious blend of modern science and traditional practices, Nimba caters to the spiritual, psychological, and physical wellbeing of an individual. Using nature as its fundamental ingredient, it heals, cures, and prevents illness and diseases. Focusing on the effective balance of the mind, body, and soul, Nimba revives the optimum health of the body.

About Nimba:



Nimba Nature Cure is one of the largest naturopathy and wellness centres in India which can benefit you from distinctive synergisms between modern science, traditional practices and ancient wisdom. Using naturopathy at the core, Nimba offers treatments for different kinds of ailments, be it respiratory, gastrointestinal, muscular skeleton or endocrine problems. With the help of ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga and special therapies, Nimba restores the optimum health of the body.

For more information, visit https://www.nimba.in/



Video: https://www.youtube.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) social media antics have not gone down well with skipper Virat Kohli as he on Thursday said that the side should have informed him before deleting the posts on social media.

RCB on Wednesday removed their profile picture and posts from various social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

"Posts disappear and the captain isn't informed. @rcbtweets, let me know if you need any help," Kohli tweeted.

On Wednesday, Yuzvendra Chahal and AB de Villiers said that they are hoping that it is just a social media strategy.

"Folks at @rcbtweets, what's happened to our social media accounts? Hope it's just a strategy break," de Villiers tweeted.

"Arey @rcbtweets, what googly is this? Where did your profile pic and Instagram posts go," Chahal tweeted.

RCB's performance in the premier T20 tournament has not been up to the mark as the side finished last during the 2017 and 2019 campaign.

In 2018, they finished at the sixth spot. Their last best performance came in 2016 as they made the finals of the tournament.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As Australia are gearing up to tour South Africa for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal, pacer Josh Hazlewood has said batsmen and "try and take as much heat as they can and keep the younger guys out of the spotlight."

"Think Steve and Dave have ticked off pretty much every box since coming back and this is just another one of those; don't think it will faze them one bit," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Hazlewood as saying.

"They probably play better when it's like this, probably try and take as much heat as they can and keep the younger guys out of the spotlight. It's nothing we haven't experienced before; it's quite a long time ago now and a lot of different players from that Test team," he added.

Warner, Smith and Cameron Bancroft were involved in the ball-tampering scandal which took place in 2018 during the Cape Town Test. After the incident, Warner and Smith were handed a one-year ban while Bancroft was banned for nine months.

Australia are scheduled to tour South Africa for three T20Is and as many ODIs. The first T20I between South Africa and Australia will be played on February 21.
One of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case claimed in the Supreme Court on Thursday that while rejecting his mercy plea the President did not consider his mental illness following torture in jail, an allegation denied by the Centre saying "he is fit and has sound mind".

Vinay Sharma through his counsel made a last ditch effort to escape from the gallows claiming that all the relevant records were not brought before the President including that he had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment in jail due to which he had developed mental illness.

The Centre however opposed his claim and produced a medical report dated February 12 which said he was fit and had a sound mind.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna, which reserved its order on Sharma's plea challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by President said it will pronounce the verdict on Friday at 2 PM.

The top court also rejected Sharma's counsel A P Singh's request to peruse the original file of recommendation made by the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi home minister Satyendra Jain for rejection of his mercy petition.

"Though the Court has informed counsel that Home Minister of Government of NCT of Delhi and Lieutenant Governor have signed the proposal on the mercy petition, counsel insisted upon on looking into the original files. Request for perusal of the original files by learned counsel appearing for the petitioner-Vinay Sharma is declined," the bench said in its order.

Singh contended that signatures of Delhi home minister and LG were not obtained on the original files recommending rejection of mercy petition of Sharma.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and NCT of Delhi, opposed the arguments of Singh and said that signatures were obtained on the original files and submitted the documents for the perusal of the court.

"The contention of Dr AP Singh, counsel appearing for the petitioner-Vinay Sharma, is that Home Minister of Government of NCT of Delhi and LG have not signed the recommendation rejecting the mercy petition of the petitioner and, therefore, counsel wanted to look into the original file and make submission on that aspect," said the bench.

It said, "The concerned files have been produced before us which we have perused and on perusal it is seen that Home Minister of Government of NCT of Delhi and Lieutenant Governor have signed the same".

The bench after rejecting the request of Singh asked him to continue with his arguments while making him clear that judicial review of rejection of mercy petition by President has a very limited scope and the court has only to see whether there was proper application of mind.

Singh said that all relevant materials were not before the President, who rejected the mercy petition within 48 hours of filing of the plea.

"The President did not consider that Sharma has been subjected to torture and ill-treatment in prison, as a result of which he experienced grave mental trauma and even developed mental illness for which he has received psychiatric treatment in prison," Singh said, adding that mental illness is one of the ground to commute his death sentence.

He said that Sharma was also kept in solitary confinement by the jail authorities and subjected in-human treatment, which was against the guidelines of apex court.

Singh argued that there was history of physical assaults on Sharma and his medical records establishes the fact that he was taken for psychiatric treatment several times.

Mehta opposed the arguments saying all due process of law was followed and read out the file noting made by Union home minister Amit Shah, on the recommendation sent to the President which said that his case fall in rarest of rare category and does not deserve clemency.

Mehta said that prison records suggest that he was not kept in solitary confinement.

The apex court had earlier dismissed a plea filed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, another death row convict in the case, challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President.

The trial court had on January 31 stayed "till further orders" execution of the four convicts in the case -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31), who are lodged in Tihar Jail.

Pawan has not yet filed a curative petition -- the last and final legal remedy available to a person which is decided in-chamber. Pawan also has the option of filing a mercy plea.

The mercy petition of Akshay was also rejected by the President.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

Six people including the four convicts, Ram Singh and a juvenile -- were named as accused.

The trial of the five adult men began in a special fast-track court in March 2013.

Ram Singh, the prime accused, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Tihar jail days after the trial began. The juvenile, who was said to be the most brutal of the attackers, was put in a correctional home for three years.

The juvenile was released in 2015 and sent to an undisclosed location amid concerns over a threat to his life. He, when released, was 20 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Washington: Welcoming the conviction of the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, the United States called it as an important step towards holding the Lashkar-a-Taiba (LeT) accountable.

"Today's conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward both towards holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing," Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it is in the interest of his country's future that it does not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil, Wells said in a tweet.

Wells' tweet came after a court in Pakistan sentenced Saeed, a UN designated terrorist, for five and half years.

Saeed-led Jamatud Dawa is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 21:01:24|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China saw rising demand for medical waste treatment as the output of such waste soared amid the combat against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the China Securities Journal reported.

Newly-added medical waste is expected to total 179,000 tonnes nationwide in 2020 including 162,000 tonnes of used masks, surging over 25 percent from 2018, according to Ping An Securities.

Faced with the rising amount of medical waste, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stressed separate treatment of infectious medical waste, safe transfer of the waste and reinforcement in emergency management.

The country's efforts also strengthened at the local level. Statistics showed that the medical waste disposal capacity in Hubei Province stands at 317.5 tonnes per day, a notable increase of 137.5 tonnes per day from before the outbreak.

The disposal capacity in Wuhan has almost doubled, with the total amount of disposed medical waste reaching 1,123.8 tonnes since Jan. 20.

Guangdong Province requires separate transfer of waste from designated medical institutions, quarantine locations and households.

Northeastern Liaoning Province urged the collection of used marks, setting up 36,000 facilities for mask disposal.

China's environmental enterprises beefed up operations to deal with the waste, with the average daily treatment capacity of Dongjiang Environmental Co., Ltd. rising 30 percent to 40 percent in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

China Tianying Inc. obtained patents related to plasma gasification and almost completed a project capable of treating 3 tonnes of medical waste each day.

Two waste-to-energy plants of Yonker Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. kept running at full capacity in February and the company has increased investment in the industry.

The industry is likely to grow fast in the post-epidemic period, China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. said, citing the potential of improvement in construction cost of treatment facilities and market concentration.

Changjiang Securities also appreciated the prospect of the industry, expecting development at the county and township level.
Huawei can secretly tap into communications through the networking equipment, states a U.S. official , while White House urge allies to ban the Chinese giant.

This week The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials say Huawei can covertly access telecom networks where its equipment is installed.

U.S. officials say Huawei Technologies Co. can covertly access mobile-phone networks around the world through back doors designed for use by law enforcement, as Washington tries to persuade allies to exclude the Chinese company from their networks. states The Wall Street Journal .

Intelligence shows Huawei has had this secret capability for more than a decade, U.S. officials said. Huawei rejected the allegations.

On Tuesday evening, after The Wall Street Journal quoted him as one of the officials that are accusing Huawei, the U.S. national security adviser, Robert OBrien, made the statement at an Atlantic Council forum.

The U.S. national security adviser, Robert OBrien, made the statement at an Atlantic Council forum on Tuesday evening, but he did not provide any evidence of the presence of the alleged backdoors.

Huawei issued a statement on Wednesday denying any accusation, it has never and will never covertly access telecom networks, nor do we have the capability to do so.

In November 2018, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Government was urging its allies to exclude Huawei from critical infrastructure and 5G architectures.

The United States continues to highlight the risks to national security in case of adoption of Huawei equipment and is inviting internet providers and telco operators in allied countries to ban Huawei.

Chinese equipment is broadly adopted in many allied countries, including Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Many countries are going to build 5G infrastructure, but the approach of their governments is completely different.

Both the UK and the European Union did not ban the Chinese equipment, the British authorities excluded Huawei from supplying equipment used in the core of the national 5G network.

Independent cybersecurity experts say the intelligence services of global powers including the United States routinely exploit vulnerabilities in networking equipment  regardless of the manufacturer  for espionage purposes. reported the AP News.

The United States and other countries require that so-called lawful intercept capabilities be built into networks, though the equipment manufacturers are not supposed to have secret access to them.

Some experts pointed out that while the US intelligence has yet to disclose evidence for the presence of the backdoors in the Chinese equipment, the NSA has deployed surveillance implants in the equipment from several vendors in the past, including Huawei and CISCO.

Pierluigi Paganini
A young disabled woman who was kidnapped and tortured for more than eight hours before being thrown from a bridge has slammed the length of her tormentors' sentence.

Kayla Kendrigan, then 19, who was born without her left hand, was thrown from the seven-metre high Windsor Bridge in north-western Sydney and into the Hawkesbury River in September 2018.

Brooke Levina Jane Brown, 20, and Matthew James Leuthwaite, 23, were sentenced to a minimum of four and five years in prison on Thursday for their role in the 'gratuitous cruelty' inflicted on Ms Kendrigan.

Kayla Kendrigan (pictured following attack) has hit out at her tormentor's sentence after they were given sentences of between four and five years in prison on Thursday for their role in the horrific ordeal

Matthew James Leuthwaite, 23, (pictured in black T-shirt) and Brooke Levina Jane Brown, 20, were sentenced to a minimum of four and five years in prison on Thursday for their role in the 'gratuitous cruelty' inflicted on Ms Kendrigan

Brown, Leuthwaite and two teenagers, who can't be named for legal reasons, kidnapped Ms Kendrigan - who was then tied to a chair, stabbed and had her eyebrows shaved off.

She was then bundled into the boot of a car and subsequently thrown off Windsor Bridge.

Ms Kendrigan's horrific ordeal was filmed by the couple on camera and she survived after landing in the river below.

'Gratuitous cruelty was involved in this offence,' Judge Mark Buscombe told Penrith District Court on Thursday.

'It was clearly an horrific ordeal and will have a lasting impact on [Ms Kendrigan].'

Brown will serve at least four years behind bars, while Leuthwaite was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison for his role in the abuse.

Brown (pictured) will serve at least four years behind bars, while Leuthwaite was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison for his role in the abuse

Ms Kendrigan criticised the sentencing outside court on Thursday, telling reporters simply 'no' when asked if she was satisfied with the jail terms handed down.

In an interview aired on Thursday evening, she said she was battling to move on with her life but admitted the process was a struggle.

'I can be happy, but inside I'm still hurting. I'm focused on finding a job and hoping to forget everything that has happened to me,' she said.

The convicted pair had originally faced up to 25 years in prison.

In an A Current Affair episode aired the week following the attack Ms Kendrigan said she didn't think she would survive the attack - and had to swim to the water's edge and knock on a stranger's door for help.

'I thought I was just going to not survive I was not going to see anyone anymore,' she said at the time.

The now-convicted couple's three-year-old son was reportedly being looked after by a family member on the night of the incident.
6:03 pm: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi warns of first-quarter smartphone hit

The chief executive of smartphone maker Xiaomi said the the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak could impact first-quarter sales, but CEO Lei Jun said Thursday that he believes demand will bounce back in the second and third quarters. "Due to the outbreak of (the) virus, this year's first quarter smartphone sales will face an impact, but we believe that in the second and third quarters they will strike back. Overall, the impact might not be that serious," the CEO said, according to a translation of his comments from the company provided to CNBC's Arjun Kharpal.

5:48 pm: Japan will spend 10.3 billion yen ($93.9 million) to fight the coronavirus, Abe says

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that the cabinet will decide on Friday to spend 10.3 billion yen from the country's budget to respond to the coronavirus, Reuters reported. Steps to tackle the outbreak will total 15.3 billion yen, he added after a meeting of a task force.

5:26 pm: Travel slump spreads from China to Asia-Pacific region, data shows

The coronavirus is causing travel demand to slump across the whole Asia-Pacific region, according to data released by travel analytics firm ForwardKeys on Thursday, with the region seeing a 10.5% slowdown in outbound travel bookings for March and April (excluding trips to and from China and Hong Kong). As of February 9, the setback looks likely to be most marked in northeast Asia, where outbound bookings for March and April, are 17.1% behind where they were at the equivalent moment last year.

5 pm: Global oil demand set to see first quarterly decline in over 10 years, IEA says

Global oil demand is now expected to see its first quarterly contraction in over a decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), as the new coronavirus and widespread shutdown of China's economy hits demand for crude. Demand is now expected to fall by 435,000 barrels a day in the first quarter of 2020, down from the same period a year ago, and marking the first quarterly contraction in more than 10 years, the IEA said in its monthly oil market report Thursday.

4:12 pm: China confirms 15,152 new cases, 254 additional deaths

In a Thursday press conference, China said it confirmed 15,152 new cases and 254 additional deaths. Those figures include the ones reported earlier by Hubei province under its new diagnosis methodology. (See 7:55 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. updates). That brings the country's total death toll to 1,367 as the number of people infected hit 59,804, according to the government. A spokeswoman for the Shanghai Health Commission said at a press conference that the methodology for diagnosing coronavirus has not been changed in any Chinese provinces or municipalities except for Hubei. Health workers in Hubei province began using a new method to diagnose the virus this week. Previously, infections were only allowed to be confirmed with nucleic acid tests, which can take days to process, but Hubei province is now using CT scans which can diagnose the virus more quickly.  Wang, Cheng, Taylor

3:13 pm: China says no new confirmed cases of foreigners with coronavirus

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there are no new cases of foreigners infected with the virus. It also said another foreign national had been discharged, bringing that total figure to eight cases.  Cheng

3:07 pm: Chinese autos sales plunge in January, industry association says

Reuters reported that preliminary data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers suggests that China's January auto sales dropped 18%. The news agency noted that local governments began imposing travel restrictions in the last two weeks of the month.

2:57 pm: Hubei province extends work shutdown again

Hubei, the Chinese province hardest hit by the virus, extended shutdowns in the region, telling businesses to not resume work before Feb. 21. Authorities also said that school reopenings have been postponed, but did not specify a date.

1:25 pm: China's national-level infection and death numbers delayed again

As of 1:25 p.m., China's National Health Commission had not yet released the death toll and number of infections nationwide. This is the second day running that the numbers have been delayed. On Wednesday, the data was reported about two hours later than the usual release time of just before 8 a.m. Beijing time. Figures published on Wednesday showed the nationwide death toll in the country from the coronavirus outbreak topped 1,100 as of Tuesday night.

12:30 pm: 44 new cases on Diamond Princess cruise ship

Another 44 people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Japan's health ministry. That brings the total to 218 infected among people on the ship. The ship, currently docked off the coast of Japan and carrying more than 3,700 passengers and crew, has been quarantined since early February after a previous guest tested positive for the disease six days after disembarking.

11:35 am: China replaces Hubei chief

A shakeup is occurring among senior ranks in the virus epicenter of Hubei, amid heavy criticism on how officials there have managed the outbreak. Shanghai's mayor Ying Yong will replace Jiang Chaoliang as party secretary of Hubei province, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said Thursday. It was a decision made by the central committee of China's Communist Party, according to the report. The Party Secretary of Jinan, Wang Zhonglin, is also set to replace Ma Guoqiang, the party secretary of Wuhan municipality.

11:15 am: China's military sends more medical personnel to Hubei

China's military is sending 2,600 additional medical personnel to Hubei to help primarily with virus control efforts in Wuhan, state news broadcaster CCTV said Thursday. The first batch of 1,400 personnel arrived in Wuhan on Thursday, the report said, adding the military has dispatched a total of three batches of more than 4,000 medical personnel.  Cheng

11:00 am: Hong Kong extends school closures for third time

Hong Kong extended a suspension of schools for the third time since the Lunar New Year, with the exact date of resumption still unconfirmed. Schools will use online learning platforms in the meantime, said Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong's secretary for education, adding that students should try to stay home, and avoid crowded places. Hong Kong's tally of infected cases stands at 50, as of Wednesday.  Kam

10:40 am: Hubei changes method of reporting cases

Health authorities in Hubei province said Thursday that "clinically diagnosed" cases accounted for much of the increase in the "confirmed case" count, resulting in a surge in new confirmed cases for the prior day. (see 7:55 am update) The change was made so that more patients could receive the same treatment as a confirmed case would, according to a CNBC translation of the official announcement's Chinese text. The online release cited a national-level virus response plan issued last week, which expanded the definition of clinically diagnosed cases in Hubei province to include suspected cases for whom CT scans showed indications of the disease. It was not immediately clear why Hubei was implementing the measures this week.  Cheng

9:40 am: United Airlines extends China cancellations until late April

United Airlines on Wednesday said it would extend cancellations of its China service until at least April 24, about a month later than the carrier previously planned, as coronavirus cases continue to climb. United normally operates 12 flights a day from its U.S. hubs to Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong and the carrier has more service to China than any other U.S. airline. The extension follows a similar step American took a day earlier. "We will continue to monitor the situation in China and evaluate our schedule as we remain in close contact with the CDC and other public health experts around the globe," United said in a statement.  Josephs

9:20 am: Shunned cruise ship finally docks in Cambodia

A cruise ship which was turned away by five countries on fears that someone aboard might be infected, was finally accepted by Cambodia. It landed in the country on Thursday, according to Reuters citing ship tracking data. The MS Westerdam was rejected by Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and Guam, and has spent around two weeks at sea. The case of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where thousands have been quarantined, had stoked fears. Diamond Princess is currently quarantined off the coast of Japan, and more than 170 people onboard have been found to be infected as of Feb. 12.

8:55 am: 14th coronavirus case in US confirmed

The CDC confirmed a new case in California, taking the total number of cases in the U.S. to 14. The patient is among a group under quarantine after they returned to the U.S. on a chartered flight from Hubei.

7:55 am: Hubei province reports 14,840 new cases

China's Hubei province reported an additional 242 deaths and 14,840 new cases as of Feb. 12  a sharp increase from the previous day. The province said it is starting to include "clinically diagnosed" cases in its figures and that 13,332 of the new cases fall under that classification. The government said that a total of 1,310 people have died in the province and that 48,206 people have been infected in the region.

7:41 am: Singapore cases hit 50, one of the highest outside China

Singapore's health ministry said as of Feb. 12, noon, the total number of confirmed infection cases hit 50, with three additional ones reported. The city-state has one of the highest number of reported cases of the virus, next to China and Japan, as well as more than 170 cases onboard a cruise ship that's quarantined off Japan's coast.

The health ministry said contact tracing for the confirmed cases is ongoing and that test results for 125 suspected cases are pending. Of the confirmed cases, more than half are a result of local transmissions where the affected individuals did not have any travel history or links to China. Singapore in recent days saw a surge in panic buying of groceries and other essential household items. Roy Choudhury All times below are in Eastern time.

2:12 pm: Mobile World Congress canceled after major tech companies pull out

Organizers of Mobile World Congress, the world's largest trade show for the mobile phone industry, have canceled the conference slated to start in Barcelona in less than two weeks. Facebook and other major companies have pulled out of MWC in recent days amid growing fears over the outbreak. "With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," GSMA said in a statement.  Browne

12:29 pm: IMF chief says coronavirus 'clearly more impactful' on global growth than SARS

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CNBC's Sara Eisen on Wednesday the new coronavirus that started in China is "clearly more impactful" on the world economy than the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. "China was different [then], the world was different," said Georgieva, in an interview with Ivanka Trump from a State Department event on economic empowerment for women. During the SARS outbreak, China was only 8% of the global economy, Georgieva pointed out. "Today, China manufactures 28%, with possible impact through value chains on other countries."  Belvedere

11:50 am: CDC prepares for community outbreaks in US
Twelve people have been arrested by the Railway Police for allegedly brutally thrashing a 26-year-old man in Mumbai-Latur-Bidar Express after which he lost his life.

The incident took place at around 12.45 am at Daund railway station in Maharashtra over the possession of a seat.

The victim identified as Sagar Markad was allegedly beaten up by a group of people over the seat, the Railway Police told ANI.

According to the police, the injured was brought to the hospital in Daund city where he was declared brought dead.

An FIR under section 302, 34, 147, 148, 323, 504 of IPC has been registered.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Arconic Inc. to Host Investor Day for Howmet Aerospace Inc. and Arconic Corporation on February 25, 2020

Arconic Inc. (NYSE: ARNC) announced today that it will host an Investor Day for Howmet Aerospace Inc. (Howmet Aerospace) and Arconic Corporation (Arconic Corp.) on February 25, 2020, in New York.

Schedule of events is below:

10:00 AM ET Howmet Aerospace

1:00 PM ET Arconic Corp.

Detailed agenda and a real-time audio webcast of the events will be available on the "Investors/Events and Presentations" section of www.arconic.com, where a webcast replay will be available for 30 days following the presentation.

About Arconic

Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) creates breakthrough products that shape industries. Working in close partnership with our customers, we solve complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, build and power. Through the ingenuity of our people and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing techniques, we deliver these products at a quality and efficiency that ensure customer success and shareholder value. For more information: www.arconic.com. Follow @arconic: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.







Dissemination of Company Information

Arconic intends to make future announcements regarding Company developments and financial performance through its website at www.arconic.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005958/en/
ROME An American woman wanted in the 2002 death of her husband, whose remains were so badly burned they werent identified for more than a decade, has been arrested in Rome, Italy, police said.

Rome police said Thursday they arrested Beverly McCallum overnight after she checked into a small Rome hotel. Italian hotels are required to register guests in an online system linked to a police database.

The process revealed that McCallum had an international arrest warrant against her, according to a police spokeswoman who declined to give her name in line with police policy.

U.S. authorities had been seeking to extradite McCallum from Pakistan, where she was believed to be living, to stand trial in the slaying of her husband, Robert Caraballo. In 2002, he was beaten and suffocated, and his body was dumped and burned in a blueberry patch in western Michigan.

In Michigan, the Eaton County sheriffs office said it was aware of the arrest but had no immediate comment.

Calls to the U.S. Embassy in Rome werent immediately answered. Police said McCallum was being held at Romes Rebibbia prison.

Caraballos badly burned remains were found in a scorched footlocker in a wooded area in Ottawa County in the days following his death. The identify of the victim remained unknown until an anonymous tip in 2015 led police to identify the remains as his.

In the years after the slaying, McCallum reportedly met a man from Pakistan over the internet and moved there.

Murder charges were filed last year against McCallum, her daughter, Dineane Ducharme, and Christopher McMillan, of Grand Rapids. The three also were charged with conspiracy, and disinterment and mutilation of a body.

McMillan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He had been expected to testify against the other two. Ducharme was also in custody.

McMillan, a friend of Ducharme, told investigators that the slaying was planned and a test run was performed before killing Caraballo, Eaton County sheriffs Detective James Maltby testified at a hearing last year.

According to the Lansing State Journal, Maltby said McMillan told investigators that McCallum pushed Caraballo down the basement stairs of a home, then beat him with at least one hammer in an attack so vicious that it got lodged in Caraballos skull. McCallum wrapped a plastic bag around the head of the still-breathing Caraballo, Maltby testified.

Ducharme, who was 21 at the time of the slaying, told police her mother killed Caraballo and that she helped dispose of her stepfathers body, according to Maltby.

Maltby testified that the one of the children said McCallum had told her she killed Caraballo in self-defense.

Sometime after the killing, Ducharme and her mother moved to Pasadena, Texas. McCallum subsequently moved to Pakistan after learning that the investigation into the slaying was progressing, Maltby said.

By Nicole Winfield
By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Moldova Gudsi Osmanov and Moldovas Prime Minister Ion Chicu discussed the prospects of cooperation in energy and transport sectors as well as the organization of a business forum.

"During the negotiations, it was agreed to organize a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation between the two states," the website of the Moldovan government press service website reported on February 13.

During the meeting, the sides discussed organizing a business forum for entrepreneurs, and also spoke about the prospects of partnership in the energy and transport sectors.

Osmanov emphasized that Azerbaijan is ready for mutual cooperation.

In turn, Chicu expressed Moldovas intention to continue to develop trade and economic relations between the two countries.

The minister noted that Moldova intends to offer Azerbaijani investors better conditions if new jobs are created, as well as competitive services and products.

Azerbaijan and Moldova closely cooperate within international organizations. Cooperation in various international and regional programs and projects, including the energetic and transportation ones in the framework of the Silk Road, TRACECA, GUAM and Eastern Partnership, opens a good perspective for joint actions.

Trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $4 million in January-September 2019. During the reporting period, Azerbaijan exported products worth $376,000 to Moldova, while imports from Moldova were about $3.7 million.

In September 2019, Azerbaijans Patent and Trademarks Center Public Legal Entity and the State Agency on Intellectual Property of Moldova (AGEPI) signed memorandum on cooperation (MoU).

The document envisages exchange of experience between the two countries, cooperation in delivering specialized intellectual property services to customers, exchange of information on legislation relating to industrial property and its future development and participation in intellectual property awareness campaigns.

---

Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn had clashed in the House of Commons on February 12 while discussing the deportation of foreign offenders. Corbyn accused Johnson of misleading the country along with the nature of offences that foreigners commit and said that some deportees were also the victims of drug gangs. The Labour leader called the Conservative British government as cruel and callous for their deportation policy.

This cruel and callous government is trying to mislead the British people into thinking that it is solely deporting foreign nationals who are guilty of murder, rape and other serious offences," Corbyn said.

According to the official statement by the Downing Street, Robert Buckland had unveiled the urgent laws in order to ensure that terrorist offenders are not released before the end of their sentence without a thorough risk assessment by the Parole Board.

Read - UKs Labour Party To Replace Jeremy Corbyn On April 4

Moreover, these new rules will be applicable to offenders who are sentenced for crimes like training for terrorism. However, the Labour leader thinks it is not the case, the British PM defended the legislation for deporting at least 17 men to Jamaica earlier this week. Corbyn also mentioned the Windrush controversy in which several British citizens were wrongfully either detained or deported.

The British PM not only said that the Labour had no right to conflate the actions of foreign offenders who were deported along with the mistreatment of the Windrush families who had come from Commonwealth to work in Britain after the war.

Johnson said, "I think quite frankly the honourable gentleman demeans himself and besmirches the reputation of the Windrush generation who came to this country to work in our public services and teach our children, to make lives better for the people of this country."

Read - Jeremy Corbyn Lauds Julian Assange, Asks UK President Boris Johnson To Halt Extradition

Home Office listed crimes of deportees

According to the Home Office, the offenders who have been sent to Jamaica had combined jail sentences of nearly 75 years. Among the 17, reportedly two were convicted of rape and one other who was sentenced for 11 years and others for four years to six months. While Corbyn questioned if it was the right move to deport a black man who had arrived in the UK at the age of five, on February 11 the government released a list providing limited detail of the crimes of the people deported. However, according to the update by the British Parliament, the bill has been passed undisputed to the Committee stage.

The Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill passed its Second Reading without a division.



MPs are now debating the Bill in a Committee of the Whole House.



Read more about the Bill: https://t.co/6KEgOTKdae



Watch here: https://t.co/brD4MNrGrJ pic.twitter.com/FRH0SABTWX  UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) February 12, 2020

Read - Jeremy Corbyn Criticised For Nominating John Bercow For Peerages

Read - British Woman Draws Comparison Between Meghan Markle And Corbyn, Netizens Divided
A frightening weeklong odyssey is nearing an end for almost 1,500 passengers on board the cruise ship MS Westerdam, which had been turned away from ports in four virus-wary countries before being allowed to anchor this week in Cambodia.

Officials said passengers would be permitted to disembark Friday in the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville provided a health check showed they were free of COVID-19, the deadly, fast-spreading coronavirus first reported in Wuhan, China.

The government of Cambodia, which has strong ties to Beijing, finally allowed the stranded cruise liner to anchor off its coast Thursday morning. The vessel, with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board, had previously been turned away by Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Thailand.

Another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, has been off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, for 10 days, with at least 218 passengers infected by the coronavirus.

The MS Westerdam arrived off Preah Sihanouk provinces Sihanoukville town about 7 a.m. local time Thursday, according to provincial authorities, but passengers have not been allowed off the ship, which is owned by U.S.-based Holland America Line. The ship left Hong Kong on February 1.

'It is taking time'

Holland America posted on its Facebook page Thursday morning, Inspection and clearance procedures are proceeding. Given the number of organizations involved in supporting todays complex operations, it is taking time. We are grateful to everyone in Cambodia who are helping and welcoming us.

Local Cambodian authorities said the passengers could disembark only after clearing a health check, and if they had confirmed flight bookings from Sihanoukville International Airport. Passengers who meet these requirements are expected to come ashore on Friday, according to the provincial governor, Kuoch Chamroeun.

Lou Kim Chhun, director general of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, said the cruise ship would remain anchored 2.5 kilometers offshore and cleared passengers would be taken by buses to the airport on Friday.

A fleet of buses with Welcome to Cambodia signs was parked on shore all day Thursday.

They will be able to leave if they have the flight tickets to go back. If they have a ticket, we will help coordinate, said Kuoch Chamroeun, the provincial governor, who added that 80 health workers were onboard performing health checks on the passengers and had found some passengers to be unwell. The governor did not provide additional details.

20 ill, but no coronavirus

Or Vandine, a Health Ministry spokesperson, said 20 passengers showed symptoms of the flu, diarrhea and stomachaches. She said these passengers underwent tests for COVID-19 and samples had been flown to Phnom Penhs Pasteur Institute.

We have received the information that there are people whose health is not normal. But there is no case of COVID-19 so far, she said.

Mam Bunheng, Cambodias health minister, said later Thursday that 20 ill passengers had tested negative for the coronavirus.

We did the test and the result is negative, he said. It is done, he added when asked if there would be more tests.

Christina Kerby, a passenger onboard the MS Westerdam who has been tweeting about the ships wanderings, said the captain had told passengers the clearance process was proceeding but was taking longer than anticipated.

U.S. Embassy spokesperson Emily Zeeberg told VOA Khmer there were more than 600 U.S. citizens on the MS Westerdam cruise ship.

The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh is working closely with the government of Cambodia to help facilitate the docking and a safe disembarkation, she said.

Zeeburg said that a U.S. Embassy team was assisting U.S. citizens transiting to their destinations.

It remained unclear if countries that had refused to allow the ship to dock would now allow passengers who passed Cambodias health screening to transit through their airports.

However, The Nation newspaper in Thailand quoted an immigration official Thursday who said that the passengers would be allowed to travel to other countries, including Thailand.

We have requested the Cambodian government to submit the list of any passengers who want to enter Thailand as well as their health examination results, said Archayon Kraithong, commander of Immigration Police Division 3.

Hun Sen downplays risks

Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen has downplayed the risks from the COVID-19 outbreak by refusing to restrict air and sea connections with China, even encouraging Chinese nationals to continue to travel to Cambodia.

He balked at evacuating Cambodian students from Wuhan, saying it was more important to show solidarity with the Chinese people.

The prime minister and Cambodia have received praise, though, for allowing the cruise liner to dock at Sihanoukville.

Cambodia wants to show that Cambodia doesnt only cooperate with China, but we cooperate with all nations because this has become a global concern, Hun Sen said in an interview with local media on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Hun Sen posted on his Facebook page that he would go to welcome [the passengers] in Sihanoukville as the host country which has solidarity and responsibility.

'Welcome act of solidarity'

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, praised Cambodia on Twitter, a tweet that was quickly posted by the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh.

This is a welcome act of solidarity at a time when the world has a window of opportunity to stop COVID-19 and avoid stigma and fear, Ghebreyesus tweeted.

Since the outbreak, Cambodian authorities have confirmed only one case of COVID-19. The Chinese nationals case was confirmed on January 27. He tested negative three times and was released from a Sihanoukville hospital earlier this week, according to a Ministry of Health spokesperson.
Open source

Moldova might ban the import of poultry and eggs from Ukraine due to the risk of avian influenza spread, NewsMaker reports, citing the document of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment of Moldova.

According to the draft, the embargo will be imposed until the World Health Organization announces the elimination of avian influenza in Ukraine.

A document, which should be signed by Moldovas Cabinet of Ministers, states that the ban will be implied on the following categories: poultry, captive birds or other birds, products and by-products derived from them that are susceptible to avian influenza virus; semen, ova and embryos of birds, which are susceptible to avian influenza virus; meat, meat products and other products containing poultry meat and eggs; raw materials for feed and compound feed.

As we reported earlier, the European Union stopped the import of chicken meat from Ukraine, as the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection stated.

According to the operational message from the European Commission, which was received yesterday in the evening, the import of chicken meat, meat products from chicken and thermally unprocessed products from chicken from Ukraine to the territory of the EU. However, eggs and egg-products do not fall under these restrictions, the message said.
Harry and Meghan will spend most of their time in Canada once they formally step back from the Royal Family (Getty)

While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may still be working royals, questions remain as how they will make their own money once they are cut from the Crowns purse.

The couple made a surprise announcement in January that they did not want to be senior royals any longer, seeking the opportunity to be financially independent.

The Times has reported Harry is in talks with Goldman Sachs, and could be a guest speaker at their events. Palace sources told the MailOnline on Wednesday that similar reports he would be working with the bank were categorically untrue and he was working with them for one of his charities.

Prince Harry at the UK-Africa Investment Summit (Getty)

However, its thought Goldman Sachs doesnt pay its guest speakers, which means Harry might have to think about the opportunity the profile brings to earn some money.

Andy Barr, founder of PR firm 10 Yetis, told Yahoo News UK said any potential deal between Harry and a corporation the size of Goldmans could be worth millions: I think they are talking 5m plus for working with them in a longer-term role.

Its similar to when a senior politician leaves a job, they have knowledge and influence. They [Goldman Sachs] are buying access to high net worth people that they have not been able to get.

You would probably be talking about two to three years of work and then a review, but it opens up the doors to other brands coming on board.

The couple's decision was dubbed 'Megxit' (Getty)

Mr Barr, whose firm has worked with brands like National Trust and Superdry, said companies would be likely to want to sign Prince Harry to a non-compete clause, meaning he couldnt work for similar brands at the same time.

Eliot Wilson, head of research for PR company Right Angles, said: Its difficult to monetise [speeches], but Hillary Clinton, to take one example, can earn around $250,000 for a single appearance, and tens of millions of dollars in a year, so a proper commercial relationship with Goldman Sachs would have to be of that order: at least eight figures a year.

It could be more if the duke and duchess were to appear or act as a couple.

Story continues

But the world of work might not be what Harry hopes. Mr Barr suggested the Duke of Sussex might find himself having to be more careful about how he campaigns and what he says when he is being paid, than as a non-political royal.

Mr Barr added: I dont think he will struggle [to get offers] but he will realise he is a brand.

He will have to behave or he will lose endorsements.

I imagine his campaigning days and not having to worry about what he says are over.

Harry may find he has to be more careful after leaving the royals (Getty Images)

Prince Harry may also have to weigh up how endorsements he take line up with charities he will continue to hold patronages for.

Mr Barr said: It will be interesting to see if the charities slowly go.

Say you have a charity that might be looking at the least wealthy in society, and [they will need to know] how that lines up with Goldman Sachs.

Hayley Smith, director of BoxedOut PR, said the deals for the couple could include ambassadorship and network expansion.

The couple had spent an extended break in Canada before they made the announcement (Getty)

She said: Prince Harry has always been charitable and selfless, and we have seen this in the couple when still on royal duty.

It would have been a negotiation, or condition of them working with Goldman Sachs, and nothing is to say that JP Morgan didnt donate either.

Harry is still very much involved in his charity work, and he would want them to benefit as well as himself, and this would be a significant donation to help the charity with their work, so in that sense, it is very much a long term plan.

Mr Wilson added: The issue of personal causes and charities is a tricky one: the business world is full of messy compromises.

But a determined leader can leverage commercial relationships to benefit good causes, and the freedom from close association with the working side of the royal family may give Harry more latitude to operate in that space.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were reported to have been paid somewhere around 400,000 for an appearance and speech at a JP Morgan but, as they are still working royals, they would not have been able to accept or command a fee.

Harry has been speaking openly at various events since he announced he would step back (Getty)

But the appearance is likely to help them as they start to carve the path they want to outside the walls of Buckingham Palace, and may set the tone for a future appearance fee.

Mr Barr told Yahoo News UK the appearance will likely act as a gateway for more work.

Meghan is reported to have signed a voiceover deal with Disney but this is said to be in exchange for a donation to an elephant conservation charity.

Buckingham Palace told The Mirror it would not comment on the personal diaries of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Yahoo News has requested comment.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
Kevin McCloud's Rough Guide To The Future

Rating:

A Very British History

Rating:

The great thing about the future is how obvious and inevitable it appears in retrospect.

None of us was expecting Phillip Schofield's revelation on Twitter last week, for instance, but now the This Morning presenter has come out, it all seems to make sense.

Kevin McCloud lacked the advantage of hindsight on his Rough Guide To The Future (C4) so what he was predicting was actually the present. All of the innovations he foretold exist right now: they have to, or he wouldn't have been able to show them to us.

Kevin McCloud (pictured) lacked the advantage of hindsight on his Rough Guide To The Future (C4) so what he was predicting was actually the present

Nothing he envisaged resembled the futurism that James Burke and Raymond Baxter used to explore on Tomorrow's World. This was Channel 4, so Kevin had two basic questions: will we have to eat insects in the future and will we have sex with robots?

And because it was Channel 4, the answers were yes and yes.

Kevin despatched comedian Phil Wang to a market in China, where he tucked into fried spider and centipede on a stick. Delicacies like these used to exist only in Monty Python (remember their chocolate-coated 'crunchy frog'?) and Terry Pratchett's Discworld (where street vendors do a brisk trade in delicious rat-on-a-stick at public executions).

Soon, according to Phil, we'll all be eating them.

Or perhaps we won't, because in the wake of coronavirus, no one in their right mind would visit a Chinese market, let alone tuck into a potentially diseased spider. But the viral pandemic was still in the future when this show was filmed, and sadly Kevin didn't see it coming.

Radio 1's Alice Levine was staying in a Tokyo micro-apartment so cramped that the only place to sit was in the shower cubicle. After the next population explosion, she implied, everyone will live like this.

Radio 1's Alice Levine was staying in a Tokyo micro-apartment so cramped that the only place to sit was in the shower cubicle

At least we won't need space for a double bed, if we become 'digisexual'. Alice met a shy young man named Mr Kondo, who married his pop star wife Miku in a 13,000 ceremony last year.

Miku is a cartoon character, visible as a hologram in a jar on Mr Kondo's table. Alice tried to talk to her, but the hologram could only wave back: apparently her personality was accidentally deleted in a software update. And she was so young . . . it's tragic.

Speaking of predictions, I wonder whether as a rising TV star Kevin ever foresaw that one day he'd be presenting bilge like this?

Musician Angela Moran was looking backwards as she explored her Irish roots on A Very British History (BBC4), but what she found out offered genuine hope for the future.

Uphill battle of the week: The scariest bit of White House Farm (ITV) was not the brutality of the Bamber killings, but the refusal of police chiefs to admit errors. Anyone hoping to overturn injustice must despair. Advertisement

Her father was born in Birmingham, shortly after his parents left their rural cottage in post-war Ireland.

Angela visited its ruins, and marvelled at family stories of dancing in the parlour  it was barely bigger than a Japanese micro-apartment.

Her grandad found it hard to shake off country ways. He used to follow the milkman's horse-and-cart with a shovel, to collect manure for his rhubarb.

One old boy remembered how his landlady in the Fifties didn't want the other lodgers to know she took in Irish tenants  so he had to stay in the pub all evening and come home after midnight. That was his excuse, anyhow.

The documentary took a dark turn with IRA recruitment in the city during the Troubles, and the horror of the pub bombings.

But two generations on, 'Brummagem' loves its Irish families and celebrates St Patrick's Day with enthusiastic revelry. Divisions have healed.

Here's hoping that's how the real future will always look. Slainte!
iland, an industry-leading provider of secure application and data protection cloud services built on proven VMware technology, today announced CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Koorosh Khashayar, iland vice president of global channels, to its list of 2020 Channel Chiefs.

CRNs annual Channel Chief honorees are considered to be among the most significant and innovative executives in the industry with a proven track record of crafting and supporting elite partner programs. Members of this prestigious list are chosen each year by CRNs editorial staff based on their professional achievements, standing in the industry, dedication to the channel partner community and strategies for driving future growth and innovation.

We could not be prouder of the work Koorosh has done during his highly successful tenure at iland, first as director of channel and now as vice president of global channels, said iland CEO and co-founder Scott Sparvero. His steady leadership, vision, and decades of IT experience serving channel partners has fueled the rapid growth of our channel program.

Khashayar has been an integral part of ilands commitment to expand its channel presence with tools and services that help partners build long-term sustainable cloud businesses. Training programs and resources like iland Catalyst, a complementary cloud assessment tool, along with ilands award winning cloud platform continue to drive partner success.

A seasoned business development executive with a solid technical background, Khashayar is credited with creating and maintaining channel revenue through partnerships with VARs, MSPs and agents.

In August 2019, after a successful transformation that doubled the companys annual channel revenue, Khashayar spearheaded an expansion of ilands global channel sales program to address substantial partner growth and customer demand for its secure cloud backup, infrastructure and disaster recovery solutions in North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The new iland channel program includes a partner portal for training, certification and sales management, expanded opportunities for regional partners in North America through the addition of a new cloud region in Canada, and Catalyst to help partners and customers plan and manage their data and workloads in the cloud. iland has been recognized by CRN in its Cloud Partner Program Guide for two years in a row.

CRNs 2020 Channel Chiefs list can be viewed online here. Additional coverage will be featured in the February issue of CRN Magazine.

About iland

iland is a global cloud service provider of secure and compliant hosting for infrastructure (IaaS), disaster recovery (DRaaS) and backup as a service (BaaS). They are recognized by industry analysts as a leader in disaster recovery. The award-winning iland Secure Cloud Console natively combines deep layered security, predictive analytics and compliance to deliver unmatched visibility and ease of management for all of ilands cloud services. Headquartered in Houston, Texas and London, UK, iland delivers cloud services from its data centers throughout North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Learn more at http://www.iland.com.


House prices have risen across the country for the first time in 18 months amid a surge in confidence among buyers and sellers following the Tory election triumph.

There has been a noticeable pick-up in the housing market since Boris Johnson defeated Labours Jeremy Corbyn in December, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.

But estate agents have said the bounce is driven by buyers chasing a shortage of homes for sale and urged those who want to move home to get their properties on the market at realistic prices now, to capitalise on renewed optimism while it lasts.

House prices have risen across the country for the first time in 18 months amid a surge in confidence among buyers and sellers following the Tory election triumph

Newly-agreed sales have risen - above the 0% balance line - having been in the doldrums for some time, Rics chart shows. Agents put this down to buyers acting after the election, but say the bounce is being driven by a low level of homes for sale

While sellers may appreciate more confidence in the market and rising prices, first-time buyers and those moving up the property ladder will lose out from more expensive homes.

Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former Rics residential chairman, said: There is more activity but we are not yet seeing enough realistically-priced instructions to satisfy demand in most price ranges as stock levels overall remain low.

We probably wont know until the end of February/beginning of March whether this renewed interest can translate into robust sales giving us more confidence that this housing market recovery is robust and sustainable.

Inquiries from buyers, agreed sales and new instructions from sellers all picked up over January, according to Rics, although this is coming from low levels at the end of last year.

The industry insiders said they were seeing house prices climb across the UK for the first time since July 2018.

However, expectations for house price rises this year remain modest and agents are urging sellers not to be overambitious if they want to move.

It remains to be seen how long this newfound market momentum is sustained for Simon Rubinsohn, Rics

Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at Rics, said: The latest survey results point to a continued improvement in market sentiment over the month, building on a noticeable pick-up in the immediate aftermath of the General Election.

'The rise in new sales instructions coming onto the market is a noteworthy and much needed development, given the lack of fresh listings over the past few years had pushed stock levels to record lows.

'It remains to be seen how long this newfound market momentum is sustained for, and political uncertainty may resurface towards the end of the year.'

This Rics chart shows how the market is bouncing back from a low level with sales per estate agent branch over the past three months remain below the long-term average in most places

Rics estate agents broadly expect prices to rise over the next three months but some are more confident than others, with expectations lower in East Anglia, Yorkshire & Humber and the West Midlands

Rics estate agents said they expect house prices to rise over the next three months and the year ahead.

Across Britain 19 per cent more surveyors were seeing a rise rather than a fall in the number of homes being listed for sale in January  up 8 per cent on December.

The number of people looking to buy also climbed and agreed sales edged up for the second month in a row.

Estate agents: We need more homes to sell, but don't overprice Property market has picked up after sinking to levels not seen since the financial crisis, this chart of average sales per estate agent shows Estate agents' reports on local markets in the survey were mixed, with the overriding message being that there was a shortage of homes for sale compared to the number of prospective buyers. However, even as evidence of a bounce has emerged, agents have cautioned sellers to be realistic and not expect big gains, as sentiment remains fragile and buyers are constrained by already high prices. David Knights, of David Brown & Co, in Ipswich said: 'Early New Year bounce, on the back of increased optimism, faded in the last two weeks. Not as many new instructions as expected. Good level of interest in the lower price ranges.' Early New Year bounce, on the back of increased optimism, faded in the last two weeks Meanwhile, John Andrews of Doolittle and Dalley, in Stourport, said: 'Generally more interest across all price ranges, although shortage of properties coming onto the market is frustrating and it is hoped it will improve as spring approaches.' Ben Hudson, of Hudson Moody, in York, said: 'Increase in buyer confidence as Brexit and election are behind us, but a lack of instructions.' Lucy Pendleton, of London estate agent James Pendleton, said: Sellers are coming to market in much greater numbers because they are reassured that a stronger stream of buyers will ensure they get the right price. 'Buyers are ploughing into negotiations with a degree of confidence thats been sorely lacking over the past few years. If this continues it will be the residential markets busiest first quarter this century. Buying a home has got slightly cheaper in recent years but affordability is still an issue with house prices near record levels compared to wages and agents say that this means sellers must be realistic

The most recent major house price index reports have shown a modest pick-up in the property market, which pre-dated the election.

Estate agents are pinning the rise in property market sentiment on Boris Johnson's defeat of Jeremy Corbyn in December's election

Nationwide said house prices climbed 0.5 per cent in January - adding 615 to the cost of the average home.

In its first full month's report since the General Election, Britain's biggest building society said cheap mortgages and a 'healthy labour market' helped boost Britain's housing market in January.

In the year to January, average property prices rose by 1.9 per cent, marking a 14-month high for house price inflation.

Buyers can now expect to fork out around 215,897 for a home, but Nationwide poured cold water on talk of a sizeable Boris bounce for the housing market and forecast a 'broadly flat' year ahead for property values.

Average house price inflationacross the UK has tailed off in recent years. This chart shows the price of the average home on Nationwide's index

Halifax reported house price inflation of 4 per cent in the year to January, but its figures have consistently outstripped rivals and be questioned by analysts over the past year.

The ONS / Land Registry report, which uses sold prices data and lags rival reports, said that house prices were up 2.2 per cent in the year to November.

Separate data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the number of new houses which builders started to construct last year hit its highest level since before the financial crisis in 2007-2008. A total of 202,440 new homes were started  up from 196,890 in the previous 12 months.
Last week, two New York state Forest Rangers arrived in the town of Webb to assist a man from Pennsylvania who lost control of his snowmobile and was ejected into a tree.

That incident and others below involving Forest Rangers took place between Jan. 3 to Jan. 9. All specifics were supplied by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Town of Webb, Herkimer County

Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Matthew Savarie overheard radio communications from Herkimer County 911 about a snowmobile crash with injuries. A short time later, Chief Ron Johnston of the Town of Webb Police Department requested Forest Ranger assistance. Forest Rangers Savarie and Brandon Poulton responded to the accident location where a 50-year-old man from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, had lost control of his snowmobile and was ejected into a tree. The first-time snowmobiler suffered multiple injuries and was kept comfortable by Rangers Savarie and Poulton until Big Moose EMS arrived. The subject was transported by Mercy Flight to a hospital in Syracuse for further treatment. Forest Rangers waited at the location until the snowmobile towing service arrived and were cleared of the scene at approximately 6 p.m.

Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County

Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 5 at 4:59 p.m., DECs Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Hamilton County 911 reporting that Long Lake EMS was responding to a snowmobile accident on state land. The snowmobiler struck a tree behind a home just outside of Long Lake. Forest Ranger Jason Scott responded and found that the 48-year-old man from Ballston Spa was out of the woods and being treated by Long Lake EMS. Forest Ranger Scott remained at the location to assist State Police with the accident report.

Town of Babylon and City of Lindenhurst, Suffolk County

Community Outreach: On Feb. 5, the Suffolk County Explorers invited Forest Rangers Joseph Pries, John Scott, and Scott Hicks to give a presentation about the duties of a Forest Ranger. Sponsored by the Suffolk County Police Department, the Explorers are a group of young adults, aged 14 - 21, interested in law enforcement careers. The Rangers shared detailed descriptions of a Forest Rangers duties, roles in search and rescue efforts, fighting and managing wildland fires, and the police basic training academy. The Rangers also displayed a wide range of equipment such as the Forest Ranger police patrol uniform and duty belt, ice rescue suits, wildland fire packs, technical rope rescue equipment, and a multitude of other safety and law enforcement tools. The 13 Explorers and six group advisors were engaged and inquisitive and many of the young Explorers expressed a keen interest in applying for the next Forest Ranger Civil Service exam.

Town of Keene, Essex County

Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 6 at 3:29 p.m., a call came into DECs Ray Brook Dispatch from inReach GPS services reporting a distress signal from a group of hikers on the Phelps Trail in the High Peaks Wilderness, including a 61-year-old male hiker from Brooklyn who was vomiting from severe dehydration. The hikers managed to make it slowly down to the Slant Rock lean-to where they warmed up, started a fire, and changed into dry clothes. The hiking party was requesting assistance in getting back to their camp at Peggy-O Cabin. Forest Rangers Kevin Burns, Peter Evans, James Giglinto, Jamison Martin, Robbi Mecus, Art Perryman, Rob Praczkajlo, Scott Sabo, and Mark St. Claire responded with snowmobiles and a UTV for quicker access into Johns Brook Lodge, which brought them closer to the ill hiker. At 6:45 p.m., Forest Rangers assisted the hiker to a waiting ambulance. At 10:18 p.m., the hiker was transported by Keene Valley Ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia and dehydration.

Town of Cheektowaga, Erie County

Public Outreach: On Feb. 8, at the annual Reinstein Woods Nature Preserves Winter Wonderland event, Forest Rangers John Kennedy, Justin Thaine, Wayne Krulish, and Zack Robitaille led a flat ice rescue presentation. The Rangers demonstrated various techniques to rescue a subject who breaks through the ice and used rescue tools to show how to perform a self-rescue. Approximately 65 people attended the demonstration.DEC reminds New Yorkers to be safe when heading out on the ice. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. For more information about being safe on the ice, go to DECs Ice Fishing website.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DECs Hike Smart NY and Adirondack Backcountry Information webpage for more information.

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"The timeless Romarita is a fan-favorite cocktail that has been a staple menu item for more than 20 years," said Bob Gallagher, Senior VP, Culinary & Retail at Tony Roma's. "This week long celebration raises a glass to Tony Roma's ongoing commitment to use only the best ingredients and create quality dining experiences that bring people together. This ongoing tradition at Tony Roma's will continue for years to come."

In the 1990's, Tony Roma's put a twist on the traditional margarita by introducing the world to its popular Romarita line of beverages, and guests have been sippin' away globally ever since. At the center of the line is the Classic Romarita, which is the perfect mix of Sauza Gold tequila and Cointreau topped off with a salted rim and a zesty garnish. The crafters of the Romarita wanted to enhance every guest's pallet by implementing a drink designed to be paired with one of their guest's favorites, including the World-Famous Baby Back Ribs, savory Grilled Shrimp Skewers and the crispy Onion Loaf.

Shake things up this February by enjoying this irresistible deal at participating Tony Roma's locations, including: Orlando, Fla.; Sunny Isles, Fla.; Bloomington, Ill.; and Denver, Colo. Try one of Tony Roma's tasty creations  including the Romarita  inside their modern dining private rooms, classic lounge area or outside patio area for a truly unique and flavorful experience.

About Romacorp, Inc.

Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Roma's restaurants, the world's largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has more than 135 restaurant locations in more than 25 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Roma's restaurant opened 46 years ago in North Miami, Florida. For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Roma's, visit www.tonyromas.com.

SOURCE Romacorp, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.tonyromas.com


The U.S. budget-negotiation season kicked off Feb. 10 when the White House submitted to Congress a $740 billion national security budget request. The document laid out a potential roadmap for defense spending over the next five years, offering some good news and bad news for various defense contractors.

It's important for investors to view the request as the opening salvo in a negotiation and not a final spending plan. Congress has the power of the purse, and lawmakers can and will cut and add to procurements over a long, drawn-out process.

This budget carries even more uncertainty than usual, as it's an election year. And lawmakers are sure to seize on the proposed cuts to nondefense discretionary spending at a time when defense spending is set to hold steady.

With that said, the budget request is a glimpse at how defense leaders prioritize various programs and provides a guide for what to expect in the years to come. Here are the programs and contractors that look like winners in the budget, as well as a few that could see difficult times ahead.

Winner: Nukes

The Pentagon has said modernizing the nation's aging nuclear triad is a top priority, and backed it up with more than $45 billion in fiscal 2021 funding split between the Pentagon and a semiautonomous Department of Energy department that manages nuclear security.

The triad is the nation's land, sea, and air deterrent, designed to give the United States broad ability to launch a nuclear counterstrike should the country come under attack. It was a plan designed in the early days of the Cold War, and much of the equipment currently in use dates back to that era.

The budget requests more than $4 billion to be invested in the Columbia-class submarine program, led by General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), with help from Huntington Ingalls (NYSE:HII), with the Columbia seen by many inside the Pentagon as the nation's top military priority. There's also $2.8 billion earmarked for development of the B-21 bomber, a Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) program, as well as $1.5 billion for the intercontinental ballistic missile-replacement program, expected to be awarded to Northrop.

The one-year totals are a small part of the estimated $494 billion the U.S. will have to spend over the next decade to fully implement its modernization program. But the large totals funneled into research and development (R&D), in a budget where a lot of programs once thought to be U.S. priorities were sidetracked due to cost, is a sign of the long-term stability of General Dynamics' and Northrop Grumman's flagship programs.

Winner: Textron's tiltrotor

The U.S. Army has been laying the groundwork to modernize its helicopter fleet over the next decade, and the 2021 budget request would turn those plans into action. The new budget proposes to spend $1.57 billion annually on the Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), designed to replace its UH-60 Black Hawk, up from $950 million annually last year.

The Army hopes to award a contract by fiscal 2022 and eventually buy upwards of 700, at a total program cost of about $40 billion.

Textron (NYSE:TXT) is expected to battle a joint bid from Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) and Boeing (NYSE:BA) in a final bake-off, and I like Textron's chances of winning the final award. Textron is offering the V-280 tiltrotor, which has the ability to reach airplane-like speeds while maintaining helicopter-like maneuverability. The V-280 has been flying since 2017 and matured to the point of demonstrating futuristic features, including autonomous flying.

Lockheed and Boeing, by comparison, are offering their Defiant prototype, which has a coaxial design with two main rotors spinning in opposite directions. A coaxial helicopter on paper is more stable and able to fly faster than a traditional one-rotor design, but it's tricky to get right. The Defiant only got airborne last year, two years behind schedule, and will have to play catchup quickly to compete with the V-280.

The Defiant, if it works as planned, should be the favorite to win a separate planned competition to replace the AH-64 Apache. But FLRAA could provide a much-needed boost to Textron.

Winner: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin's trillion-dollar F-35 program continues to be a favorite with Congress, in part because its supply chain is spread among a number of districts. Last year, the Pentagon asked for funding to buy 78 jets, and Congress provided cash for 98.

This year's request is for 79 jets, and I'd expect the final number to again come in higher after lawmakers have their say. As the fleet grows, Lockheed Martin and United Technologies, makers of the plane's engines, are also seeing secondary benefits. The Pentagon is upping its request for funding for aircraft modernization and continued maintenance to accommodate the larger number of planes available for deployment.

The budget also includes $106.6 billion earmarked for research and development, which the Pentagon says is the largest single-year research request in history. That total is going to be spread around the contractor base, but with a heavy emphasis on hypersonics -- missiles that travel at least five times the speed of sound.

Expect Lockheed Martin to be a major beneficiary of the uptick, as it's viewed by the Pentagon as the clear leader in hypersonics. Look for Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) to also benefit from the focus on research spending, as the company is both the most likely rival to Lockheed Martin in hypersonics and also a leader in microelectronics, sensors, and other areas ripe for Pentagon investment.

Winner: Space Force

This is Space Force's first year as an official budget priority, and the overall spending request, at $15.4 billion, is significantly above the $12 billion space figure from a year ago. Some of that is start-up costs and operations, but $10.3 billion is slotted for research and development.

Expect that funding to be split among a large number of contractors, but the investment and focus on space should benefit companies including L3 Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) and Northrop Grumman. An under-the-radar potential space winner is Leidos Holdings, (NYSE:LDOS) a government-services company that just completed a $1.65 billion deal for Dynetics. The target is a research shop headquartered down the street from NASA's massive George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and has made deep inroads into the military space sector.

Loser: Shipbuilders

The Navy is requesting funds to buy eight warships, down from the 12 funded in fiscal 2020. The Pentagon has an ambitious goal to build the fleet to 355 ships, but the high costs of building and staffing ships is standing in the way of that goal.

Speaking to reporters after the budget was released, Vice Adm. Ronald Boxall said that "we have a desire to get" to 355 ships, but he suggested the fleet growth won't be driven entirely by new orders for large ships from General Dynamics or Huntington Ingalls. He mentioned the growth of unmanned vessels, including a submarine built by Boeing and autonomous surface vessel trials as an important part of the long-term plan.

Not only are those ships more affordable, but they also have lower ongoing operating costs because they don't need to be crewed.

Textron was also among the losers on the Navy side, with its Ship-to-Shore Connector hovercraft among the cuts. The Navy isn't seeking to procure any in 2021 and wants to cut its orders in fiscal 2022 and 2023.

There's still work for the major shipbuilders, with Huntington Ingalls' carrier program continuing and the emphasis on subs as part of the nuclear triad. But it's safe to say that the promise of a 355-ship fleet, which seemed so lucrative to shipbuilders when first discussed, might not turn out as originally envisioned.

Loser: Oshkosh

Oshkosh (NYSE:OSK) was among the losers in last year's budgeting process as the Pentagon reduced its request for Oshkosh-made Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) from 5,900 in fiscal 2019 to 4,090 in fiscal 2020. The news isn't much better this year, with the request coming in at 4,247 vehicles for fiscal 2021. That's about $1.37 billion in spending, down from $1.928 billion in fiscal 2019.

The Army is in the process of making difficult decisions as it tries to figure out how to pay for priorities, including the aforementioned helicopter-modernization push. Overall, the Army plans to cancel 41 programs and cut or delay another 39, freeing up $13.5 billion over the next five years.

The JLTV is an impressive vehicle, but it's increasingly becoming a product of a lost age. The vehicle was designed specifically to address the shortcomings that the last-generation Humvees were found to have while operating in the desert, including the legacy-vehicle's vulnerability to improvised explosive devices. With the Pentagon currently fixated on its so-called great-power competition against China and Russia and not the Middle East, the JLTV seems to be fading as a priority.

The Army had originally planned to spend at least $28 billion over the next 20 years to acquire more than 49,000 JLTVs. The vehicle is clearly still wanted in the arsenal, but with each passing budget, it seems less likely that the original goal will be met.
National army soldiers stand guard at the site of suicide attack near the military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan on Feb. 11, 2020. (Rahmat Gul/AP Photo)

US, Taliban Negotiate Proposed 7-Day Reduction in Violence

The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposed pact that centers around reducing violence in Afghanistan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said.

The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence. Im here today consulting with allies about this proposal and weve had a series of productive bilateral and collective meetings about the path forward, Esper said Feb. 13 during a press conference in Brussels.

Esper, who spoke after a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, said he hoped to have more to report on the situation soon.

Weve said that the bestif not onlysolution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Progress has been made on this front and well have more to report on that soon, I hope, he said.

Details of the agreement werent released. Meanwhile, two Taliban officials said Feb. 12 theyd issued an ultimatum that if Washington didnt reply to their offer of a seven-day reduction of violence, they would walk away from the negotiations.

The truce is sought by the Taliban because the group doesnt want to commit to a formal cease-fire until other components of a final deal are in place. They have previously said a cease-fire could blunt their battlefield momentum if the United States or Kabul renege on their promises.

The ultimatum came from chief Taliban negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who met earlier this week with White House envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Qatari foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to two Taliban officials familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because they arent authorized to speak to the media.

Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi (R) meets U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Jan. 31, 2020. (Pakistan Foreign Office via AP)

Before Espers comments, Washington said late Feb. 11 that an agreement on the insurgents reduction of violence offer was days away. Also, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter that he had received a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo telling him of notable progress in the talks with the Taliban.

The agreement, which President Donald Trump would have to endorse, calls for both Taliban and U.S. forces to pledge to adhere to a weeks reduction of violence that would lead to an agreement signing between the United States and the Taliban. That would be followed, within 10 days, by all-Afghan negotiations to set the road map for the political future of a post-war Afghanistan.

Ghani, whose political future remains uncertain following last Septembers presidential election, which still has no official winner, has previously demanded that the Taliban negotiate with his government and has called for a permanent cease-fire.

Other conditions in the deal would include a Taliban pledge not to associate with al-Qaeda, ISIS, or other militant groups.

The Taliban have repeatedly carried out attacks in Afghanistan in recent weeks, killing dozens. Afghan forces have hit back, killing 51 in one mission in late January.

Pompeo said earlier this month that the United States wanted demonstrable evidence that the Taliban can and will reduce violence before signing a deal that would lead to Afghanistan peace talks and a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

Were working on a peace and reconciliation plan, putting the commas in the right place, getting the sentences right, he said. We got close once before to having an agreement: a piece of paper that we mutually executed and the Taliban were unable to demonstrate either their will or capacity or both to deliver on a reduction in violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The coronavirus, which first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan, had up until 11 February killed 1,016 people with 42,638 confirmed cases in China alone. Fears of infection have stimulated huge demand for protective masks, including in Egypt.



We have a sufficient stock of masks in Egypt, and we have adequate production. The same applies to antiseptics and detergents. We are not suffering any shortage, Egypts Minister of Health Hala Zayed said on 3 February during a telephone interview with TV talk show host Amr Adib.



Zayed added that if there is a surplus in production, we export abroad.



According to Ali Ouf, head of the pharmaceuticals division of Egypts Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the rush for masks has prompted a Chinese merchant to request the import of 145 million masks from a medical supplies factory in Egypt.



In that context, Health Ministry Spokesman Khaled Megahed said on 5 February in a telephone interview with Sherif Amer of MBC Masr that the ministry is ready to supply China with any quantity of masks it needs to prevent the coronavirus.



Megahed echoed the comments by the health minister. We have a strategic and sufficient stock of masks, enough to export, Megahed said.



He added that Egypt has already sent medical supplies, including masks, to China as a gift to the Chinese people.



Earlier this month the ministry provided China with 10 tons of preventive medical items including masks and alcoholic antiseptics on a plane that was sent to bring back Egyptians from Wuhan as part of Egypts support to the Chinese people given the deeply-rooted and strong ties between both countries. More supplies could have been sent were it not for the planes capacity, Megahed stated.



Cabinet Spokesman Nader Saad denied news of Egypt sending masks to China. Speaking to TV talk show host Ahmed Moussa, Saad said Egypt produces 60 million masks per year, a quantity equivalent to what China produces in three days Chinas mask shortage will not be resolved with Egyptian masks, he said.



China alone produces around half of all masks made globally, 20 million masks each day, or more than seven billion a year. However, its production has been cut to around 10 million per day, due to its New Year holiday as well as the impact of the virus itself.



According to BBC, China bought 220 million face masks from South Korea between 24 January and 2 February.



Since the beginning of February, Chinese authorities have removed tariffs and duties on imported medical supplies.



The US firm 3M, a major producer of high-quality face masks, says it is making increasing numbers at facilities around the world in order to meet demand. We are ramping up production, including in the US, Asia and Europe, as quickly as possible, Jennifer Ehrlich of 3M told the BBC.



Head of the pharmaceuticals division of Egypts Federation of Chambers of Commerce told Al-Ahram Weekly that Egypt has 10 medical supplies factories that produce 60 million masks annually.



The local production of masks in Egypt is not enough to meet local consumption, and the countrys main dependence was on importing from China. Prior to the Chinese crisis Egypt used to import 120 million masks annually from China to meet local consumption which is about 180 million masks, Ouf said.



Ouf added that the Chinese order to import 145 million masks from an Egyptian factory had been declined because the production capacity of the factory cannot meet such amount, and even the total annual manufacturing output of protective masks in Egypt doesnt come closer to this quantity. The maximum that these factories can produce if they operate at full capacity is 120 million masks, Ouf said.



He, however, said that the local market still has a sufficient stock of masks until another exporter replaces China to supply the local market with the required quantities. Meanwhile, Egypt is looking for alternate suppliers of protective masks other than China, including Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Korea, Ouf noted.



Cabinet Spokesman Saad did not deny the increase in the cost of medical masks in the local market. The prices of masks may have increased because of the unjustified rush to buy them, he said.



Saad urged Egyptians not to rush to buy masks for no reason, stressing that Egypt is free of coronavirus cases and that the domestic production of masks is sufficient. Hence, no need to worry.



On the ground, the Weekly not only observed a steady rise in the price of masks, but also a shortage in pharmacies. It also noticed a variation in their prices from one outlet to another.



We have limited quantities of masks available compared to the growing demand, Mahmoud Helmi, a branch manager of a pharmacy chain located in Gizas Mohandessin district.



Among the various kinds of masks available are those locally produced which protect the respiratory system from dust and wind, and the imported N95 mask, which offers higher protection of the respiratory system.



The price of the regular locally-produced mask doubled from LE2 to LE4, while the imported N95 mask rose to LE15 from LE8, Helmi told the Weekly.



Elsewhere, in Cairos Nasr City, another pharmacist who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity also confirmed the shortage of masks in the market and said the N95 mask reached as high as LE60, while the regular mask is sold for LE2.



The other day, somebody asked for 2,000 packs, each containing 50 imported masks. They were willing to pay any price. Even if I had that number of masks, I would not have sold them to him. Although there were no instructions from the Ministry of Health to limit the quantity sold to each customer, I ordered the pharmacists in the branch not to sell more than five pieces per person in order to cover the largest number of people, Helmi said.



A supplier of medical materials told the Weekly on condition of anonymity that merchants are now buying most of the masks on the market to export them and reap huge profits. That, he said, led to a 100 per cent increase, or more, in the price of medical masks in the Egyptian market.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under headline: Lucrative market for masks

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The outlook for Westfield is bright. The state of our city is strong. From where I stand, thats a good thing.

I hope things are good because I love Westfield, and I am her new mayor. Ive been on the job for five weeks.

Prior to becoming Westfields mayor I served for six years as the state senator for the 11 Western Massachusetts communities that make up the 2nd Hampden & Hampshire District after serving five-and-a-half terms in the House of Representatives.

The perspective Ive gained working in Boston, traveling the commonwealth and representing 10 communities, along with Westfield, has been a valuable thing. Ive had the chance to compare and contrast issues and conditions in Westfield with other cities and towns and see how our city fares comparatively.

The numerous meetings I have had with city officials, department heads, workers and other elected officeholders assure me that there is nothing wrong with Westfield that every other city in this state isnt experiencing: fees and taxes; infrastructure problems; confidence in their politicians; education concerns; health and safety; and quality-of-life issues.

Westfield is just coming off a year of celebrating the 350th anniversary of our founding as a town. That means we are an old community with some of the ailments that come with advanced age.

On the plus side, though, it means were not newbies with no clue how to get things done. We have experience on our side. Weve got this!

As I say, Theres nothing wrong with Westfield that whats right with Westfield cant fix.

Our free cash was certified by the state at over $4 million. We have companies expressing interest in locating in our city. The regional and national economy is strong. Unemployment is at near record lows. There are more state resources coming our way.

We have a census to conduct in 2020, a Senate special election on March 31 and THE election in November.

And, fortunately, there is no sign that the favorable economic bubble were living in will be bursting anytime soon.

So things look good in Westfield, and we know what to do to make them even better.

Donald F. Humason Jr. is mayor of the city of Westfield. To learn more about the city, visit the municipal website, cityofwestfield.org.
Customers wearing face masks shop inside a supermarket following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province, China February 10, 2020.

China Daily via REUTERS

China is working to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan, and has placed the city and 15 others on lockdown.

The disease has so far killed more than 1,000 people and infected over 42,000 worldwide. A large majority of the deaths have occurred in the Hubei province, where Wuhan is the capital.

Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine put together a mathematical model to determine the spread of the disease in Wuhan, and they said it was likely to peak in mid-to-late-February.

Adam Kucharski, an associate professor at the research center, told Bloomberg that based on their estimates, at least one out of every 20 people in the city  or about 500,000 people  could be infected by the time the virus peaks.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

At least 500,000 people may become infected with coronavirus in Wuhan, China  the epicenter of the deadly outbreak  by the time the number of cases peaks within the coming weeks, a new report suggests.

The disease has killed more than 1,000 people and infected over 42,000. So far, cases have been reported in at least 25 other countries. A large majority of the deaths have occurred in the Hubei province, where Wuhan is the capital.

Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a public research center in Camden, put together a mathematical model in order to estimate the transmission of the virus in Wuhan.

According to their analysis, the disease is likely to peak in mid-to-late-February, though there is still uncertainty around when and how extensive the peak may be. Researchers have based their predictions on assumptions about the virus, including that the standard incubation period is 5.2 days and that the population of Wuhan at risk was roughly 10 million people.

Adam Kucharski, an associate professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the research center, told Bloomberg that based on current data, the disease is likely to have a "peak prevalence" of 5% of the Wuhan population.

Story continues

According to Kucharski, this could translate to at least one out out of every 20 people in the city being infected by the time the virus peaks, or about 500,000 people.

As of Sunday night, the Hubei government estimated that there have been a total of 29,631 cases of the virus in Hubei province, including 16,902 in Wuhan. The government estimated the fatality rate for the disease in Wuhan City was roughly 4%, as of Sunday.

Chinese authorities have quarantined Wuhan and about 15 other Chinese cities in order to curb the spread of disease, leading to a lockdown on an estimated 60 million people. Both the death toll and the number of infected patients now exceed those of the 2003 SARS outbreak.

The World Health Organization last month declared the outbreak a public-health emergency, and Chinese President Xi Jinping said the virus poses a "grave threat."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The 2020 Bay Area Black Comedy Competition and Festival begins Thursday in Pleasanton, organizers said.

An opening night celebration gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at Tommy T's Comedy Club at 5104 Hopyard Road. The festival, with seven shows and more than 60 comedians, ends Sunday.

More information can be found at www.blackcomedycompetition.com.

A smash-and-grab burglary suspect died when their vehicle crashed into a tree Wednesday afternoon in Vallejo, police said.

Vallejo police dispatchers received two calls about one or more burglaries. The first came at 11:18 a.m. from a witness who reported a burglary from a vehicle near 980 Admiral Callaghan Lane.

The second call arrived at 12:36 p.m. from someone who confirmed the first caller's description of the suspect's vehicle, which was a silver Honda Accord.

Police said officers went to 708 Admiral Callaghan Lane where they located the Honda. Officers tried to stop the driver, but the person sped away in the car. An officer pursued the Honda but lost sight of the car and ended the pursuit.

Another officer located the Honda and pursued it onto Interstate Highway 780, but again police lost sight of the car. Officers shortly thereafter located the Honda at Highway 780 and Glen Cove Road where it had crashed into a tree. The driver died there, despite life-saving attempts by police.

Two pedestrians suffered life-threatening injuries and a third person complained of pain following a possible DUI late Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco, police said.

Officers responded at 4:20 p.m. to a traffic collision at 23rd and Mission streets.

Police said preliminary information shows that a Toyota Prius was traveling west on 23rd Street and turned north onto Mission Street, striking the pedestrians.

The car continued along Mission Street, went onto the sidewalk, struck a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus and a passenger getting off the bus.

Police said the driver of the car and a passenger left the area but returned later and were detained. The pedestrians were taken to the hospital while the bus passenger was evaluated at the site of the collision and released.

About 15 to 20 homes were affected by a water main that broke Wednesday afternoon in Portola Valley, a Cal Water superintendent said.

Someone called Cal Water at about 2:30 p.m. to report a break on Westridge Drive between Alpine Road and Alamos Drive, sheriff's officials and superintendent Martin Gonzalez said.

A 6-inch pipe that supplies water to homes broke, Gonzalez said. Crews expected to restore water service to the homes by about 7:30 p.m.

The cause of the break is still being determined. Sheriff's officials encouraged drivers to take other routes in the area.

Teacher contract negotiations in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District are at a crossroads, with teachers having recently voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike vote, and district officials on Monday presenting what they call their "best and final" three-year contract offer.

On Monday, a mediator said that no additional progress toward an agreement is on the immediate horizon. The next step, a union official said, likely will be "fact finding," in which an independent fact finder analyzes the facts of the bargaining process and works to identify potential compromises or points of agreement.

There is no set date for the fact-finding to begin, said Ann Katzburg, president of the San Ramon Valley Education Association.

Katzburg said Tuesday that since Jan. 27, 98.2 percent of the union's 1,688 member teachers voted to authorize a strike if necessary. The main points of contention, she said, are class size and serving special education students.

Thursday will be mostly cloudy. Highs will be in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Southwest winds will be 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday night will be mostly cloudy. Lows will be in the mid 40s to lower 50s. West winds will be 5 to 10 mph.

Friday will be cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly cloudy. Highs will be in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Northeast winds will be up to 5 mph, before becoming west winds 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.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - In 2019, some 32,653 people were arrested by the Malian National Police and 15,772 brought before the courts, the Directorate General of the National Police told PANA on Thursday
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 1,300 people in China, has led premium Asian airlines like Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd to drastically cuts their flight schedules

Montreal/Beijing/Singapore: A drop in airline flights from China and Hong Kong due to the coronavirus is increasing demand for private jets as wealthy passengers try to get out, executives say, but travel bans and nervous crew have kept that from translating to more business.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 1,300 people in China, has led premium Asian airlines like Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd to drastically cuts their flight schedules.

UK-based consultancy Ascend by Cirium said the number of flights scheduled to operate to, from and within China had dropped by 34 percent from 23 January through 11 February.

Those cuts have left stranded passengers to rely on government-led evacuations. For those who can afford it, there are private jet charters carrying smaller groups and promising less risk of exposure to the virus, executives said.

Strict quarantine requirements travel bans on Chinese citizens and concerns for crew safety have left only a limited pool of private jet operators willing to fly to China compared with the situation during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, operators said.

This time the operators and countries have put lots of restrictions on the usage of private jets to the countries affected by this virus, said Logan Ravishkansar, chief executive of Singapore-based charter operator MyJet Asia Pte Ltd. Business leaders are scared and confused to go in and out of Asia. Flight crews are afraid to fly as well.

Private jet companies VistaJet and NetJets said they have suspended their China operations, while manufacturers Gulfstream and Bombardier Inc cancelled plans to market jets at this weeks Singapore Airshow.

While we are receiving an uptick in inquiries, it has not amounted to more flights, said Patrick Gallagher, president sales and marketing for Berkshire Hathaway Incs NetJets.

A South American government asked PrivateFly, a global booking service for charter flights, to set up four flights out of Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, although the request might not be possible, chief executive Adam Twidell told Reuters.

Onboard a private jet carrying passengers away from coronavirus outbreaks, the volunteer flight crew and passengers would wear masks that they change every hour, and a medical crew would be dressed in full protective gear, he said. After the flight, the crew get three weeks of paid leave but must stay close to home.

Unlike a regular business jet flight, passengers would serve themselves food from a spread laid out in the cabin.

Movement during the flight is kept to a minimum and there is very little interaction between anyone onboard to reduce any chance of infection, Twidell said.

Jackie Wu, president of Hong Kong-based JetSolution Aviation Group, said her company had received a significant increase of private flight charter requests, from Asia.

The requests are mostly for flights departing from Hong Kong or China to destinations like Auckland, Taipei, Phnom Penh, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

She said she cannot fulfill about half of those requests because of travel bans on visitors from China.
Ten students from different government and private colleges in Delhi-NCR have been arrested for allegedly molesting students of Delhi Universitys Gargi College after gatecrashing a fest in the all-girls campus last week, police said on Wednesday.

Atul Kumar Thakur, deputy commissioner of police (south district), said the arrested students are all aged between 18 and 25 years. They had gathered outside gate number 2. They had pushed a caterers parked van against the gate to break it open. One of them then entered the broken gate to open it from inside, the DCP said.

The officer said the suspects then went on to join the fest by jumping over barricades put up by private security guards in the campus. According to students of the college, the drunk intruders groped and dragged girls and performed obscene acts. None of them had passes to attend the fest, said the DCP.

DCP Thakur said footage from CCTV cameras installed at the gate as well as electronic surveillance helped identify and nab the suspects. The police are questioning private security guards and college staffers who were manning the entry gate.

Our 11 teams are working to identify and nab all the people involved in the crime, said the officer.

He said around 30 suspects had been identified in all and about 15 suspects had been questioned so far. More arrests are likely in the near future, he said.

The DCP said the suspects were arrested from Delhi and neighbouring cities. While a few of them belong to Delhi University, the others study in private and government universities in the NCR region. The police didnt individually identify the arrested suspects or pin-point their colleges.

The officer said while a few of them knew each other, many others were around the college when they decided to barge in.

Another senior police officer, who didnt want to be identified, said that so far there is nothing to suggest that the college authorities informed the local police about the fest.

While the alleged incident happened on February 6, the police registered a case only on Monday  after much outrage against the alleged sexual harassment. Students held a protest at the college premises, alleging inaction by the college authorities.

Delhi police had then said they did not get any complaint from the college or the students on the day of the incident. Police had said though they were not informed about the fest, they sent police personnel in plainclothes as a precautionary measure.

Students and teachers had posted about the incident on social media. According to their posts, groups of unruly, drunk men forced their way during the college festival. The students said they were groped, molested and assaulted by the outsiders.
Mechanical bulls, face painting, dog tricks, leading and riding horses and more delighted more than 600 special needs students at the Katy Independent School District Special Rodeo.

As the districts middle and high school special needs students poured off busses, accompanied by FFA (Future Farmers of America) and other students, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center, they were all smiles and excitement.

As part of the 77th Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo, students, teachers and parents took some time to stroll around the rodeo arena and experience inclusion, the special needs students bonded with their new friends.

Joe Bochat, FFA adviser at Seven Lakes High School, helped start the Special Rodeo 10 years ago and said while one might think the special needs students get the most from it, actually all the students enjoy the event.

So I was looking at it from the standpoint of the special needs kids and doing something for them, but Ill be honest with you, if you talk to these [FFA] kids, this is the highlight of their year, said Bochat.

Related: Chili cook-off supports Katy ISD FFA programs

FFA goes far beyond raising an animal, he said. Many students in fact do not raise any. Brianna Jones is a senior and an ag officer at Seven Lakes. For three years, she has been involved in several different areas of FFA, including wildlife management, entomology, public speaking and the quiz team but has never raised an animal. She said she was just never really interested in that part.

Jones said though that she mostly kept to herself before but has made lots of friends since joining FFA. She plans to study engineering at the University of Houston.

While Bochat admitted that none of his students would probably go on to be farmers after high school, he said they do use the skills they learned to be successful in a variety of fields like genetics, engineering and especially agriculture because if youre feeding people or youre clothing people, thats ag. He said even with the popular plant-based meats today, that still takes agricultural skills to create.

Were more than cows, plows and sows, which is, you know, its a catchphrase. But theres a lot of diversity of what we do. So we use agriculture, and agriculture is a huge part, Bochat said. Its a big part of everyday life for everybody, he added.

Bochat pointed out that the Special Rodeo would not be possible without financial supporters like the Rotary Club of Katy, the Katy ISD Committee, Westside Chevrolet, Don McGill Toyota and Katy ISD itself.

Related: Get free kolaches for a year at Kolache Factory opening in Katy

Melissa Mitchell came with her special needs daughter Hayley for their second year. Hayley is a big fan of animals and rides horses as part of her therapy. The experience, Mitchell said, helped Hayley get over a fear of animals and helped her become the social butterfly she is today. Hayley smiled and held up her hand, telling everyone around to not tell her horse that she would be petting other ones that morning.

Pennie Mahon with Houston Disc Dogs & Trick Dogs was out at the rodeo performing with her herding dogs that run, leap and catch frisbees. Most of the dogs she works with are rescue dogs that she says have too much energy as high-drive work dogs like Australian shepherds and shepherd-heeler mixes to make great pets. She puts them to work instead doing all sorts of tricks like agility and high jumps.

Mahon said she donates her services because it brings joy and good clean family fun to the special needs students and others that attend the event.

The first year we came, we were hooked, Mahon remarked.

The Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo continues through Saturday, Feb. 15, and has lots of activities.

tracy.maness@hcnonline.com
"We want to reiterate: putting the system out to bid does not require the township to accept any bid we receive. This is still part of the process, to make sure any sale of the system makes sense financially," said board Chairman Chuck Wilson.
We are squarely focused on improving student outcomes, not politics, Ferebee wrote. Our decision to close Washington Metropolitan was one that we did not take lightly and one that we believe is in the best interest of our students.
The last thing Joe Haldeman wanted to do with his life was get drafted to fight in Vietnam. Rather than go he even considered going to Canada -- or even jail.

But in the end he did his duty anyway, and the kid raised on John Wayne movies and GI Joe comics became Joe Haldeman the Army combat engineer, arriving in Vietnam on Feb. 29, 1968.

Little did he know it was his Vietnam War experience that would color the rest of his non-military life.

"In my work, it always comes back to the jungle," he once wrote in "Proceedings," the magazine of the U.S. Naval Institute.

Haldeman went on to become a renowned science fiction writer, penning the award winning sci-fi classics "The Forever War" and "The Hemingway Hoax."

Prior to receiving his draft letter he was far from some hippie, prospective draft-dodger who liked to write as a hobby. Instead, he was thinking about pursuing a career at NASA, perhaps becoming an astronaut, and already had a degree in astronomy. But he knew if he opted out of going to Vietnam, his NASA dreams would disappear. Besides, despite his pacifist beliefs, he wanted to prove he could be a soldier.

Arriving in Vietnam as an enlisted private in the aftermath of the 1968 Tet Offensive, he and other members of his platoon were hit by a booby-trapped munitions cache. The wounded Haldeman would receive a Purple Heart and a ticket home for the incident.

Joe Haldeman in Vietnam. (Joe Haldeman)

Upon returning home, he found that the pastime he once wished to explore, writing, suddenly became a passion -- and his work was now colored by his experiences during the war.

"And a lot of us, like me, had been drafted against our will and wound up fighting, even though we either cared nothing about the politics or we were on the other side of the fence," he told NPR in 2011.

The budding young author soon attended the Milford Writer's Workshop, a science fiction writing conference that has been held since the mid-1950s. Getting immersed in a creative environment and surrounded by fellow writers was the turning point for the young Haldeman.

So instead of pursuing a post-Army career in computer science, Haldeman used his connections at Milford to get his first book deal for a fictional story inspired by his combat experiences in Vietnam.

Called "War Year," the 1972 book is about a combat engineer in Vietnam who struggles with the war he sees there. This reflective book comes from the things he wrote to his wife while deployed, things even he had trouble talking about.

"There was no designation for what we had," Haldeman said, referring to post-traumatic stress disorder. "I went to a psychiatrist and tried to find some sort of solution. And through a combination of talk therapy and less and less powerful psych drugs, I wound up getting the better of it, I think."

The cover of Joe Haldeman's "War Stories."

In his following books, be they sci-fi or traditional fiction, a pattern emerges in the stories he tells. His protagonists are often pacifists, sometimes in Vietnam but just as often on another planet or in a distant galaxy. The influence of the young pacifist's experience in Vietnam weighs heavily on the author's mind and he transmits his wartime experiences onto a page.

Although today's veterans may not know what it's like to fight in the jungles of Vietnam, the wartime experience is still very similar. There's something in Haldeman's work for everyone, veteran and civilian alike.

"I think younger readers can read the book and enjoy it without seeing any parallel with Vietnam, which is ancient history, of course," Haldeman told NPR.

Read more of Joe Haldeman's reflections on his works at The Portalist.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com.

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A family whose home burned to the ground over Christmas has been dealt another tragic blow with the sudden death of father-of-three Michael Claxton.

The Claxton family's home in Hackham, in Adelaide's southern suburbs, was destroyed by a fire last December.

Now, less than three months later, the death of Mr Claxton from a heart attack while on a business trip to Sydney at age 37 has compounded the family's woes.

Mr Claxton's devastated widow Marelka said their three kids, Macey, 9, Madders, 5 and baby Macklin, were his world.

Father-of-three Michael Claxton died of a heart attack last week while on a business trip in Sydney, aged just 37

Mr Claxton's devastated wife Marelka said Mr Claxton was left traumatised after saving his eldest son from the fire that ravaged their home

'He did everything for them... he'd bathe them, be the first to tuck them in,' she told 7News.

'The little ones are still looking for him. He was absolutely everything to me and the children.'

Mrs Claxton said her husband had a 'heart of gold' and she didn't know 'how I'm going to live life without him'.

The mother said Mr Claxton was left traumatised after saving his eldest son from the fire that ravaged their home.

The Claxton family's home in Hackham, in Adelaide's outer suburbs, was destroyed by a fire last December

'The images of our little boy trapped in that fire played on his mind constantly. He couldn't sleep at night,' she said.

The family, which had relied solely on Mr Claxton's income as a scaffolder, was now struggling to stay afloat financially.

Because of an insurance policy loophole, the family-of-five was not covered for fire and had no money to rebuild a home which they are still paying a mortgage on.

A Go Fund Me page with a goal of $100,000 has been started to help rebuild the family home.

'The aim is to put a roof over this family's head in this time of grief and despair and get them back on their feet,' family friend Luke Woolman said.
Christian group sends face masks, food to China as coronavirus death toll rises above 1,000

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A Christian humanitarian organization has announced a new campaign to provide aid to Chinese families in cities that have been deemed high risk for the deadly coronavirus as the death toll rises above 1,000.

World Help, an organization serving the physical and spiritual needs of people in impoverished communities around the world, announced that it's partnering with pastors on the ground to distribute emergency relief in the provinces surrounding Wuhan.

The aid will include protective face masks and food for those living in areas where the coronavirus is spreading.

The situation in the areas surrounding Wuhan is critical. Our partners tell us people feel helpless  they dont know if they are going to be the next person to get infected. Worst of all, they cant find or afford the supplies they need to protect their families and keep them healthy, said Vernon Brewer, founder of World Help. Theyre scared. And they need our help.

The death toll from the coronavirus  a respiratory illness with pneumonia-like symptoms  is continuing to climb, Chinese officials said on Tuesday. By the end of Monday, 1,016 people had died from the coronavirus  an increase of 108 from the previous day, the government said.

The number of confirmed infections in China also skyrocketed to at least 42,638 from about 40,000 a day earlier. Most of the infections are in Hubei.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus has resulted in police-enforced quarantines and lockdowns across the country. Increasing demand has created a shortage of protective face masks, and food supplies are running low as prices continue to rise.

According to World Help, $20 will provide a weeks worth of food and a protective mask to one person.

Thankfully, many brave Christians and pastors are still visiting their sick neighbors and congregation members, Brewer said. They are ready and willing to pass out the lifesaving aid that supporters make possible so people in China can experience the love of Christ. As Christians, we have a responsibility to show the love of Christ to our neighbors in crisis  whether they live next door or around the world.

Please stand with these Chinese families in their darkest hour, said Brewer.



The deadly virus is continuing to spread into other countries, with almost 500 of the 43,138 confirmed cases elsewhere. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the 13th case in the U.S.

The World Health Organization on Monday proposed an official name for the illness caused by the coronavirus: COVID-19.

The director-general of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that under international guidelines, the WHO had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease, he said on Twitter.

With 99 percent of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world, Tedros said.

Chinese authorities have been accused of failing to inform the world about the severity of the coronavirus and of silencing those who appealed for donations of medical supplies on social media.

Dr. Li Wenliang, who last week died from the deadly illness, was forced on Jan. 3 by police to sign a letter saying he spread untrue speech for warning colleagues about the virus, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Amid the unrest, numerous reports have emerged of Christians in Wuhan distributing masks, sharing the Gospel, and offering shelter to those fleeing from Hubei province who face housing discrimination.

A video shared by Father Francis Liu from the Chinese Christian Fellowship of Righteousness showed that encouraging sermons were being broadcast to their communities through speakers placed on balconies. According to ICC, a Christian rode his bike to a pharmacy where people gathered and played a sermon through a portable speaker.

Another video circulated on social media showed Christians distributing face masks and Gospel pamphlets to passersby on the streets as a sermon plays in the background.

Earlier during the week, a Chinese pastor living Wuhan, identified only as A Wuhan Pastor, wrote to the international faith community, urging them to pray and revealing that fellow pastors from around the world had been reaching out.

It is readily apparent that we are facing a test of our faith, the pastor wrote. The situation is so critical, yet [we are] trusting in the Lords promises, that His thoughts toward us are of peace, and not evil (Jeremiah. 29:11), and that He allows for a time of testing, not to destroy us, but to establish us.

He continued, Therefore, Christians are not only to suffer with the people of this city, but we have a responsibility to pray for those in this city who are fearful, and to bring to them the peace of Christ.  [When] disaster strikes us, it is but a form of Gods love. Spoken for today, Wuhans pestilence cannot separate us from the love of Christ; this love is in our Lord Jesus Christ.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.  A West Warwick parish priest said he could have expressed himself more clearly when he said in a television interview that unlike abortion, pedophilia doesnt kill anyone.

The Rev. Richard Bucci of Sacred Heart Church said Tuesday that hes well aware that victims of sexual abuse suffer immensely. He knows about the toll of child sexual abuse, he said, because he has supported victims and because he was the first one to blow the whistle on an abusive priest.

I should have made it clearer that I wasnt saying there was no suffering to the person who is abused physically, Father Bucci said Tuesday. Especially a child who puts their trust in faith, whether it be a priest, a rabbi, an uncle, a parent. Thats absolute.

The outspoken Bucci has made multiple rounds of headlines since he barred Rhode Island lawmakers who voted to codify abortion rights in the state from receiving Communion. Bucci said in a letter that they were also barred from acting as witnesses to marriage, godparents, or lectors at weddings, funerals or any other church function.

Father Bucci issued the flier to his parishioners last Sunday, and mailed them to the state legislators who voted for the law. The Roman Catholic Diocese did not explicitly condemn the flier, which Father Bucci also mailed to the homes of several legislators.

In an interview on Sunday with WJAR-TV, Bucci said: Were not talking about any other moral issue, where some may make a comparison between pedophilia and abortion. Well, pedophilia doesnt kill anyone, and this does.

Parishoners at Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick received a flier last Sunday from their pastor, the Rev. Richard Bucci, listing legislators who he said would be denied Holy Communion and face other sanctions because of their support for the abortion law passed in Rhode Island in 2019.

But Bucci said he did not mean to suggest that pedophilia was not a grave offense against children. He also acknowledged Tuesday that sexual abuse of children can be fatal: He knows of one victim personally who died by suicide after suffering abuse, he said.

It kills the spirit, it kills childhood, Bucci said. I was focusing on the fact that there is no future at all for an unborn child who is aborted, whereas a child who is molested, with a great deal of effort and prayer and therapy and medicine, can at least lead a life that can accomplish things.

Story continues

The tongue is a fire:: Southern Baptist church fractures over secrets and spiritual abuse

Bucci said he was the first person to report the Rev. William OConnell to the state police when they served together as priests in Bristol in the early 1980s. He did so anonymously, he said, but nothing was done about it. OConnell, now dead, was eventually arrested and charged, but only after other victims came forward, Bucci said.

After he spoke out about OConnell, Bucci said, the diocese at the time ostracized him for doing so. The retaliation lasted for years, he said.

Now, though, he said he is thankful for the leadership of Bishop Thomas Tobin.

Bucci said he stands by his decision to deny Communion to lawmakers who voted to codify abortion rights in the state, and stood by the general proposition that abortion is worse than pedophilia.

I do believe killing an innocent child is the worst possible sin, Bucci said.

A dozen state lawmakers called on Rhode Islands Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin to suspend Bucci, including state Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, whose sister, Ann Hagan Webb, was a victim of childhood abuse at that parish.

"Father Buccis statements, they are unacceptable to all of us. They are horrible," said McEntee. "They have inflicted pain upon the victims and the survivors that have already endured so much at their hands."

McEntee was on the list of people no longer allowed to receive Communion at Sacred Heart.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island priest said abortion worse than pedophilia
live bse live

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Bharat Forge, India's largest forging company, is eyeing business orders from India's defence forces for heavy lift drones, that can transport emergency supplies beyond enemy lines.

The Pune-based company showcased a concept drone, also called quadcopter, at the recently held Defence Expo in Lucknow alongside an array of guns and armoured vehicles.

The supposed drones can lift weights of 65 kilograms and fly at an altitude of 6,000 meters, a senior company official stated in a conversation with analysts.

"We had some very interesting products at the Defence Expo including drones for carrying cargo. So if emergency supplies have to be sent such as medical, food or radio sets this can do it," said Amit Kalyani, deputy managing director, Bharat Forge.

Drones are expected to play a vital role in aerial warfare and intelligence gathering leading corporates to jump onto the bandwagon. Construction major Larsen and Toubro (L&T) on February 7, signed an MoU with drone making company ideaForge to offer unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for defence use.

Founded in 2007 ideaForge claims to be India's largest manufacturer of drones. The organization, set up by IIT-Bombay alumni, is a licensed manufacturer of UAVs approved by Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Bharat Forge signed four MoUs at the Defence Expo. The company will collaborate with General Atomics to develop new technologies in India for surface, undersea naval and advanced projectiles for weapons platforms.

The company will collaborate with Paramount Group to form a JV in India to co-develop land system and aerospace platforms.

Bharat Forge and JSC Dastan are also set to partner for up-gradation of CET-65E torpedoes.

Besides it will join hands with BEML for developing mounted gun systems on 44 platform, manufacture and supply of power train aggregates, critical armoured machined forgings for recovery vehicles and explore export business potential for armoured personal carrier.

"The products we had on display at the Defence Expo were armoured vehicles, unmanned vehicles, bullet and blast-proof vehicles," Kalyani added.
Newly re-elected TD Helen McEntee has spoken of her heartbreak at the suicide of her politician father Shane in 2012.

The Fine Gael deputy for Meath East said her family often wondered where they might be today if the Junior Agriculture Minister had got over his moment of crisis.

Mr McEntee took his own life at the age of 56 when he was under huge public pressure after the Fine Gael-led government voted to cut funding for a range of public services during the recession.

Shortly after his death daughter Helen, 33, announced she would stand for his seat and got elected in 2013.

Speaking to former President Mary McAleese for RTE series All Walks of Life, which will be broadcast Friday, Ms McEntee said: I think the election itself was  I wouldnt say a haze  but I decided quite quickly that thats what I wanted to do. It wasnt forced upon me.

I just knew before anyone even asked me thats what I wanted to do.

The election was hard because you are meeting people and they are telling you stories but as time went on I actually found it very comforting.

It was probably a challenge because it was so soon afterwards.

We all talk about him a bit and we have our moments and I know I could certainly talk about him for hours and hours and be absolutely fine and then another day I could think of him and tears will start welling

I think its more difficult for some people to talk about when they have lost a loved one particularly when its suicide. For me, I like to talk about him.

Asked if it bothered her that some people might say her dad gave up on life, she said: I dont see it that way at all because hes someone who loved life and that moment, whatever happened, was overwhelming.

Thats the challenge for us  if he had got over that moment where would we be now?

He loved life, he loved people, he loved celebrations. I wouldnt for a second want him to be remembered for anything other than that.

The former Minister of State for European Affairs, from Castletown, Co Meath, said her mother Kathleen had been a rock during the tragedy.

Over the years mum has become more of a friend to me as Ive gotten older.

Shes been a very, very strong figure in my life always, particularly with dad dying and shes not someone who has given up on life because she has lost her partner.

Shes someone who gets on with life in the way that she can.

For me, thats the way I see I have to do it as well. We cant change whats happened but we can be there for each other and once we have our family thats everything.

Ms MeEntee, one of four siblings, said she still felt a connection to her father.

I think hes here somehowand I think its more if I see a beautiful sunset.

I visit the grave sometimes and (I talk to him) a little bit if I have something difficult in work or if theres something going on.

I have a great team around me and that makes a big, big difference. And I suppose I would feel that dad is there somewhere.

Wiping away tears she said: I think of him as part of that team as Im only there because of him. Yes, hes part of the team, hes what started the team.

Talking about her job as a TD Ms McEntee said: It can be difficult and you dont always get the result you want.

At the same time, when you do its a fantastic feeling. Its an interesting life as well.

The TD, who made the TV documentary before last Saturdays general election, chatted to Mary McAleese as they walked along St Feichins Way near Fore, Co Westmeath

The deputy asked the former president if she had ever lost anyone close to suicide.

Mrs McAleese replied: Unfortunately, yes. Too many.

All Walks of Life is on RTE One Friday night at 8.30pm
Why Prof Liyong Was Not Altogether Out Of Keel

"There is a difference between inciting people on what doesn't exist and airing out grievances on what can be factually proven or disproved. I would have used a different language and tone but we have a problem that should not be brushed aside and frowned at on the mention of "Dinka."

By Kuir E Garang

I don't agree with Professor Taban Lo Liyong's sweeping generalization because it borders on exaggeration. The 63 against 64 should not come from a person of Uncle Taban's caliber.

There are parameters beyond which renown figures like him cannot go. The talk of "They" that is not specified is also problematic.

People in my home village are suffering from flood devastation and Murle attacks and no amount of "Jieengness" can help them.

The writings of Professor Taban are not equal to the writings of any average Ojullu, Gatluak or Deng. His words carry a lot of power and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Uncle Taban should not forget that he is one of the literary giants in East Africa.

People like Kuirthiy can have grievances; but people like Uncle Taban should always think of solutions no matter how hopeless we feel in the face of Kiir's dictatorship and myopia.

There is an African saying that says that elders do not quarrel if the village is burning. #fact

However, that does not mean that Uncle Taban should be suspended or fired because he has written on a very sensitive issue. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend that what he is saying is not happening.

Is all that Professor Taban is saying factually wrong? There is a difference between inciting people on what doesn't exist and airing out grievances on what can be factually proven or disproved. I would have used a different language and tone but we have a problem that should not be brushed aside and frowned at on the mention of "Dinka."

There are indeed Jieeng living in Nimule; most of the people supporting the 32 states are Jieeng; most of the national decision-making are in the hands of Jieeng elites...

Of course, there are non-Jieeng who are benefiting more from Kiir than the average Jieeng in the villages. Jieeng are killing themselves more under Kiir than even under the Jallaba regimes.

However, we need to get used to the idea of focusing on what is said rather than our pre-conceived ideas about those putting their grievances across.

We need inter-tribal conversations. How can Jieeng in Nimule live peacefully with their host? That's what we should think about NOW not "HOW DARE HE!"

In 1992 in Yondu, there was a time when the relationship between us as displaced people and the local Kakwa people became heated that a meeting had to be called to address the local people's grievances.

When we left Yondu after the Jallaba were capturing towns and we arrived at a place called Kirwa (I think), the local people did not want us there so we had to leave. It was only at Mangalatore that we found a place, not without problems, but relatively welcoming.

But it was also at Mangatore at a makeshift school that an old Pajullu woman told us that "if you Dinka were a piece of cloth, I would not buy you at the market." Let's not pretend there is no problem.

However, we, as South Sudanese, are the ones to solve this. Let's not dismiss problems, and let's not exaggerate them.


The growing scandal at NMC Health has left the FTSE 100 hospitals group battling for survival.

It has also left founder and chairman BR Shetty's dreams in tatters.

The Indian billionaire started NMC in the 1970s in the United Arab Emirates. He also founded Finablr, the finance group that owns Travelex.

Critical condition: NMC Health was once a darling of the stock market, but now finds itself under attack from hedge fund Muddy Waters

But his decision to list them both in London has brought scrutiny like never before.

And while NMC was once a darling of the stock market, it now finds itself under attack from hedge fund Muddy Waters.

In a further setback, Shetty this week stood back as chairman of NMC while an investigation clears up confusion over the exact size of his stake. The debacle has raised questions about the rest of the board.

NMC Health Chairman BR Shetty started the hospitals group in the 1970s in the United Arab Emirates

Carson Block, boss of Muddy Waters, claimed directors should have sounded the alarm about problems years ago 'if they had been doing their job'.

Yesterday, he said: 'We suspect that NMC's outside directors were hand-picked for their sycophancy and incompetence.'

Here we reveal the British players at the heart of the crisis:

MARK TOMPKINS

Joint chairman Mark Tompkins, 79, has been on NMC's board since its float eight years ago.

He has been paid 1.4million since then  or 204,000 per year on average. An investment banker who started at London's Samuel Montagu & Co, he worked at Slater Walker Securities in the 70s before it collapsed during the secondary banking crisis.

From 2007 to 2009 he was chairman of UK care provider Allied Healthcare International and also at Healthcare Enterprise Group from 2005 to 2008, a health products firm which collapsed in 2011.

At Healthcare Enterprise, Tompkins received as much as 180,000 in 2007 including a 165,000 'consultancy' fee paid to his firm Thurloe Capital Partners. With Shetty temporarily stepping back from board duties, Tompkins is sole chairman.

JONATHAN BOMFORD

Jonathan Bomford is the senior independent director.

He joined in 2013 and has been paid nearly 503,000 since then. The 71-year-old chartered accountant was an auditor at Ernst & Young (EY) for nearly 39 years, eventually becoming a partner.

He is currently a business mentor at Prince Charles's Prince's Trust as well, according to NMC's website. But Muddy Waters has singled out Bomford as one of the directors it believes is not truly 'independent'.

The short-seller points out EY  his former employer  has been NMC's auditor and that Bomford is also on the board of Finablr, another Shetty company.

Noting that Abdul Rahman Basaddiq, also formerly of EY, is an independent director too, Muddy Waters likened NMC to 'the retirement plan for former Ernst & Young partners'.

EARL OF CLANWILLIAM

Patrick James Meade, previously known as Lord 'Paddy' Gillford, is the 8th Earl of Clanwilliam, a title dating back to when Britain ruled Ireland.

The Old Etonian, 59, is an independent non-executive and has been paid 583,400 since 2012.

He is chairman of NMC's audit committee which is responsible for scrutinising the company's books, despite having 'no apparent accounting experience', Muddy Waters said.

Clanwilliam was previously chairman of London-listed Eurasia Drilling Company, which was bought by Russian oligarch shareholders for a price some investors claimed was heavily-discounted.

He maintained he was acting as an independent figure when recommending the offer, when in fact he was a board member on one of the buyer's companies.

The peer, who once served with the Coldstream Guards, is also chairman of oil and gas firm Angus Energy and has close ties with the Tory party.

He backed David Cameron's bid to be Conservative leader in 2005 and donated 10,000 to the party five years later.

He has been described by friends as an eccentric, and likened to Mr Toad in Wind In The Willows.

After his second marriage in 1995, he is said to have whisked his wife away in a pink tank. And he reportedly once shot one of his fingers off at a stag do in 1989.
MORE than 2,450 jobs were created in Limerick in 2019, with the live register down by almost 20%.

Thats according to a new economic survey, released this week by Limerick City and County Council.

The Limerick Economic Monitor (LEM), published for the second year in a row, has seen the EY-DKM consultancy analyse Limericks economic status across a number of indicators, including employment, enterprise, investment, customer sentiment and commercial property.

The monitor suggests that there has been a 68% drop in the numbers of people out of work from a low recorded in January 2010.

And data for 2019 indicated that foreign direct investment had already matched the level for the whole of 2018 in the first nine months of the year.

Investment announcements came from a number of companies including Johnson and Johnson, Regeneron, Edwards Life Sciences, Cook Medical, Northern Trust and Nautilus.

The indigenous labour market also thrived in 2019, according to the report, with 561 new start-ups.

In all, there were approximately 4,500 new company registrations between 2013 and Q3 2019, the LEM finds.

Other key figures validating Limericks status as one of Irelands leading locations to live and work in was that disposable income was 21,979  the highest outside the capital. Some other notable milestones achieved in 2019 included securing the Ryder Cup for Adare Manor, the LEM states.

Speaking about the monitor, Mayor Michael Sheahan said the report is both positive and timely.

We had a fantastic launch of our new brand position, a brand that will promote Limerick both domestically and internationally for inward investment across tourism, business and education. To have the economic monitor come out with such positive findings a week or so later reaffirms why Limerick has such reason for confidence, he said.

The report suggests affordability remains a major competitive advantage for Limerick when it comes to attracting and retaining talent and investment. In addition to high disposable income, another key aspect is the relatively lower housing costs in Limerick, with median growing by almost 18% in the year to September 2019 yet they remain 18% lower than the national median. Likewise, rent levels were up 6% but remain 15% below the national average. Rents in Limerick county, while also rising, are almost 35% below the national average.

Vincent Murray, the councils director of economic development added: This latest report reflects the continued progress of our city and county. 2019 has seen many significant milestones occur for Limerick as we continue our ambitious plans to develop into the future. The statistics speak for themselves. Limerick is very much on an upward curve.

The monitor suggests that a strong focus for council in 2020 should be to tackle both urban and rural dereliction.

Revitalising the city centre is also a key priority for it and it has established a group to address underperformance in the city centre, they report.

Looking to Brexit, it found that Limericks diversified economic base and the benefits of Shannon-Foynes Port and Shannon Airport should help to mitigate impacts in the region.

David McNamara, director with EY-DKM economic advisory said: One year on, our second LEM shows that momentum continues to build in Limerick. Its a city most definitely on the up and the LEM shows strong growth across a diverse range of indicators  from the economy to quality of life measures. There are many reasons to be positive about the future. The University of Limericks multi-million-euro investment plan for a city-centre campus, the re-development of OConnell Street and the increasing workforce of global firms will help to improve the city centre and facilitate its resurgence.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The meeting between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took place in Berlin.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime MInistye rof Armenia, welcoming Armenian Prime Ministers visit, the German Chancellor emphasized its importance as she was confident that the visit came as an opportunity to discuss issues on the bilateral agenda. Mrs. Merkel went on to assure that her government will continue to back the Armenian side in an effort to push ahead with the ongoing democratic reforms.

Coming to economic developments, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that high growth rates had been recorded in various sectors of the economy. The Premier said his government eager to see broader involvement of German capital in Armenias economy, and invited German companies to take part in investment projects in Armenia.

The parties discussed a broad range of issues, including cooperation in the fields of industry, infrastructure, tourism, information technology, education, etc. Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the upcoming April 5 referendum on constitutional changes in Armenia. He pointed out that the Government is going to invite international observers to monitor the referendum.

On behalf of her government, Angela Merkel expressed support for Armenias judicial reform. She emphasized the importance of those steps taken by the Armenian government to develop democratic institutions.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Some of the cartel cash seized this week

Detectives seized over 100,000 in cash in their latest operation against the Kinahan cartel after they intercepted two vehicles on the capital's Naas Road on Tuesday.

The primary target of the operation was a 41-year-old Drimnagh man who, despite having barely any criminal convictions, is suspected of becoming a key player for the cartel in recent months.

The Herald can also reveal that he is a close associate of cartel kingpin Liam Byrne and his brother David, who was murdered in the Regency Hotel gun attack in 2016.

Two women aged 38 and 29 were also arrested in the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) surveillance probe.

Seizure

All three were still being questioned last night at Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Ronanstown Garda stations, where they were being held under money laundering legislation.

Gardai announced details of the cash seizure saying it was part of "an ongoing intelligence-led investigation targeting serious and organised crime" and that the DCOB were supported by a special crime task force.

"Investigating officers have undertaken a number of related searches, in the Dublin area and a further quantity of cash was recovered," a garda spokesman said.

"The total value of cash seized in this operation is estimated to be in excess of 100,000."

Tuesday's major cash seizure is the second large cash bust in the space of eight days by the DOCB.

In a completely separate investigation, on Monday night of last week the bureau seized 400,000 which was allegedly owned by an Eastern European crime gang when they intercepted a suspected cash hand-over on the N25, near Rosslare, Co Wexford.

Two arrests were made on that occasion and gardai believe the seized money was to be driven to Rosslare Europort and then on to continental Europe.

In total so far this year, the DOCB have seized over 1 million in cash from crime gangs.

Tuesday's cash seizure is just the latest success as gardai continue to dismantle the Kinahan cartel over four years after the Regency Hotel bloodbath and the unsolved murder of key cartel member David Byrne by the Hutch mob.

In a hugely significant development last week, senior cartel mobster Liam Brannigan (37) was convicted of conspiring to murder a Hutch associate as part of the deadly gangland feud which claimed 18 lives.

Brannigan was tasked with organising the murder of Gary Hanley and was at the "centre of the wheel" of the plot before it was foiled following a lengthy Garda surveillance operation.

He became the fifth gang member to be convicted in relation to the Hanley plot but was considered the most senior of the murder gang.

The jailing of Brannigan and the life sentence imposed on his first cousin 'Fat' Freddie Thompson in a separate murder case has led to the streets of the south inner city becoming a "lot calmer and safer" in recent times, according to local gardai.

Thompson was convicted of the 2016 feud-related murder of David 'Daithi' Douglas and last month the Herald revealed how the suspected gunman in that case had been arrested by police in Manchester on foot of a European Arrest Warrant after three years on the run.

The suspect has still not consented to being extradited back here from the UK.

Like the three other men prosecuted for the murder, he is expected to be tried at the Special Criminal Court.
A Delhi court has adjourned for February 17 the hearing on the plea of the state and Nirbhaya's parents seeking issuance of the death warrant, as a petition challenging the rejection of mercy plea of convict Vinay is pending before the Supreme Court.

The lawyers of the victim's parents have objected to adjourning the matter for February 17, and have asked for hearing the matter on February 15.

The Patiala House Court observed that Article 21 of the Constitution protects the life and liberty of the convicts till the last breath of life.

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved the order on the issue of rejection of mercy petition of Vinay Kumar Sharma, one of the convicts in Nirbhaya gang-rape case.

A bench of Justice R Banumathi heard the case and the order has been reserved for Friday at 2 pm.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Delhi government, said that convict Vinay Sharma was not kept in solitary confinement as it was argued by convict's lawyer AP Singh in the Supreme Court.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalising of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, by six people including a juvenile in Delhi. She died at a Singapore hospital a few days later.

One of the five adults accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail during the trial of the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON  Citing a report from Fox News, President Donald Trump said Thursday the jury that convicted his friend Roger Stone had a biased member  a claim by the defense team that had been dismissed by a federal judge a day earlier.

Trump wrote on Twitter: Now it looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias. Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the Justice Department. @foxandfriends @FoxNews
A Texas-sized piece of paradise awaits one lucky buyer three hours west of San Antonio.

That travel time can be shortened if you fly into the airport located on Monarch Ranch, a 40,000-acre property on the market for $26,089,700.

The ranch, situated on the Devils River north of Del Rio, features deep canyons and the largest cave in the state by volume, according to the listing.

Thousands of bats call Fern Cave home during the summer. The cave is estimated at around 300,000 cubic meters.

"I believe the main selling point for this ranch is the tremendous diversity not only of the geography and ecosystems, but in things to do on the ranch," broker Jeff Boswell said.

"Miles of the cleanest and most private river in the state to fish, swim and kayak all year, great hunting for deer, turkey, quail and exotics  plus so much to explore as it relates to Texas history from the fort to the tremendous history of the native Americans that made the area home for thousands of years."

READ ALSO: Texas ranch larger than the city of San Antonio for sale for $320 million

Monarch Ranch also contains an abundance of wildlife, from white-tailed deer to mountain lions, and the remains of Fort Hudson.

The owner of the ranch donated a conservation easement on the property, intended to preserve the areas along the Devils River  considered the purest water in Texas  in their natural state.

While the current lodging on the ranch is limited to modular homes and a lodge, a total of six new compounds could be built by a future owner.

"It could be another 30 years before a ranch of this size and diversity comes back on the market again," Boswell said.

Click through the gallery above to see the pristine landscape available at Monarch Ranch.
Moodys Analytics, a leading provider of financial intelligence, today announced the launch of the Moody's Analytics Discount Curve Service for IFRS 17. This new service offers insurers a convenient, flexible, and robust solution to the significant challenge of building discount curves required to value future cash flows under IFRS 17.

To develop this solution we have built upon our expertise in financial economics, and are capitalizing on our operational infrastructure to offer a reliable and timely service that enables customers to meet demanding reporting timelines. The new service offers illiquidity-premium term structures for a range of credit classes, allowing insurers to tailor the content to the characteristics of their liabilities under valuation, such as duration, liquidity, and currency.

Constructing discount curves for IFRS 17 presents insurers with a number of challenges, said Christophe Burckbuchler, Managing Director at Moodys Analytics. These include the selection of an appropriate methodology that provides stable and robust valuations of liabilities, and production of curves and necessary documentation to meet reporting timelines. Our new service addresses these challenges and enables insurers to accelerate their IFRS 17 project and production timelines.

The launch of the Moodys Analytics Discount Curve Service for IFRS 17 expands our offerings for IFRS 17, which include the RiskIntegrity for IFRS 17 solution and the AXIS actuarial system.

This month, Moodys Analytics won IFRS 17 Solution of the Year at the annual InsuranceERM awards.

About Moodys Analytics

Moodys Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moodys Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moodys Corporation reported revenue of $4.4 billion in 2018, employs approximately 10,900 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 44 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005401/en/
CHARLESTON, S.C. - An 18-year-old girl is in custody, accused of vandalizing a mosque in South Carolina, police said.

Charleston Police arrested Hailey Elizabeth Riddle on Thursday on a charge of malicious injury to a place of worship for alleged vandalism at the Islamic Center of Charleston on Jan. 30. It was unknown if she is represented by an attorney.

Police said officers were called to the centre after someone spray painted the words utterly blessedon the north side of the building in pink and blue paint. A tip led investigators to Riddle.

Investigators in Charleston shared surveillance video on Feb. 3 that showed a car and three people suspected in the case. They sought the publics help in finding them, The State reported. A woman in one of the photos appears to be carrying a can of spray paint.
A shipment of advanced weapons and weapon components seized during a maritime interdiction operation in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations on Feb. 9, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)

US Warship Seizes Suspected Iranian Weapons in Arabian Sea

The U.S. military said on Feb. 13 that a Navy warship had boarded and seized weapons from a ship holding 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three surface-to-air missiles, among other components. Everything seized was believed to be of Iranian design and manufacture.

Crew of the USS Normandy (CG 60) boarded a boat on Feb. 9 while conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. Central Command area of operations in the Arabian Sea and found a large cache of weapons. The boarding was done in accordance with international law.

The weapons seized include 150 Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), which are Iranian-manufactured copies of Russian Kornet ATGMs, the Command said in a statement.

The military also seized other weapons components, including three Iranian surface-to-air missiles, Iranian thermal imaging weapon scopes, and Iranian components for unmanned aerial and surface vessels, as well as other munitions and advanced weapons parts.

Many of the weapons systems that were seized in the cache were identical to weapons seized by guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) in a previous incident that also occurred in the Arabian Sea on Nov. 25.

Those weapons were determined to be of Iranian origin and assessed to be destined for the Houthis in Yemen, which would be in violation of a UN Security Council Resolution that prohibits the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of weapons to the Houthis, the military added, referring to the weapons seized in the Sherman case.

The weapons taken in recently are still currently in U.S. custody awaiting final disposition. As the operation continues, international partner nations and other organisations are also being invited to inspect the items seized.

Tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies, including Saudi Arabia, have escalated since Washington pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Trump pulled the United States out of the deal because it failed to protect Americas national security interests and enabled its malign behavior, while at best delaying its ability to pursue nuclear weapons and allowing it to preserve nuclear research and development, according to the White House.

Trump has repeatedly vowed that Iran would never succeed in building an atomic weapon.

Meanwhile, the Senate on Feb. 13 passed a bipartisan resolution to limit Trumps ability to take military action against Iran in the wake of the airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander last month.

Eight Republicans voted in favor of the measureSens. Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), Todd Young (Ind.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (La.), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)joining Democrats, who voted unanimously. It passed 55 to 45.

The resolution was introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) after Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed in January. The administration said the move was necessary because forces loyal to Soleimani were plotting attacks on American assets in the region and noted that those same forces killed an American contractor just days earlier.

The resolution would direct the U.S. military to pull back from conflicts with Iran that dont have congressional approval.
CISA chief Chris Krebs

Officials from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency often describe their role in election security as helping to coordinate and advise the larger ecosystem of election stakeholders.

In a newly released strategic plan, the agency lays out its strategy for protecting the 2020 elections by largely leaning into that facilitator role, breaking down its coordination activities across four lines of effort: elections infrastructure, campaigns and political infrastructure, the American electorate and warning and response.

To help protect digital and physical elections infrastructure, such as voting machines, election software systems and polling places, CISA views its role as largely complementary to that of states and localities, vendors and others on the front lines of election administration. Thus, getting those organizations to adopt better security practices through outreach and offers of federal resources are its prime tools.

The plan notes that CISA has "identified incident response and reporting as a capability gap" in its engagement with state and local governments, something a government watchdog report released just last week determined was an issue during the 2018 mid-term elections. With local officials unsure of who to contact when faced with different cybersecurity incidents, one tactic for closing that gap is a series of emergency response guide posters for polling places, election offices and storage facilities that offer step-by-step instructions on who to contact when variables such as weather, a violent incident, fire or cybersecurity events cause a disruption during an election.

The agency has also deployed physical and cybersecurity advisors to different regions across the country who act as the primary point of contact between the federal government and election stakeholders, offering vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, phishing tests and incident response services upon request. Some members of Congress want CISA to go even further and have introduced legislation that would have the agency designate cybersecurity coordinators for all 50 states.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told FCW that while he wasn't opposed to the legislation, he believes CISA and other federal agencies are already listening to states.

"What we know is that our friends at DHS, at FBI, CIA, [Office of the Director of National Intelligence] have all been very receptive to suggestions that we have made over the last three years, and they have adjusted their programs, adjusted their responses  to be helpful to us whenever we've introduced something to them," Merrill said in a January interview when asked about the bill.

Bodies like the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and Election Information Sharing and Analysis Center are also viewed as key arteries for quickly disseminating threat intelligence from the federal government to states and localities.

This week, CISA Director Chris Krebs told Congress he was committed to providing the Center for Internet Security -- which helps manage both centers and has a contract with Department of Homeland Security -- with the funding it needs going into the 2020 elections.

The agency's game plan for political campaigns is similar, offering services, testing and training to individual campaigns, joint briefings to campaigns on the latest threats and meeting with party organs like the Democratic and Republican National Committees.

While CISA primarily focuses on protecting the physical and technical infrastructure used to run elections, it stood up a task force focused on countering foreign influence operations during the 2018 election cycle. However, that group was limited to mostly studying the issue, and agency leadership routinely deferred questions about operational activities to the FBI, which leads federal efforts on countering foreign influence.

Whereas a years' long and multi-pronged covert campaign by Russia dominated the 2016 election, intelligence officials and disinformation experts have warned that 2020 could be a more crowded affair, with countries like China, Iran, North Korea, Turkey and others waging their own campaigns online.

The same day CISA's strategy was released, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter announced they had shut down a series of inauthentic accounts spreading content targeted at U.S. politicians and media outlets. These accounts impersonated legitimate journalists, commented on posts from members of Congress, posted videos of interviews discussing American politics and shared or amplified authentic accounts commenting on issues like President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the Trump 2020 presidential campaign and Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemen war.

FireEye, a cybersecurity threat intelligence firm that reviewed the accounts at Facebook's request, gave a low-confidence assessment that the campaign was organized in support of Iranian political interests. Neither FireEye nor Facebook have directly attributed the activity to the Iranian government.

Lee Foster, FireEye's senior manager for information operations analysis, characterized the new activity as part of a larger online influence campaign the company first identified in May 2019, which saw accounts impersonating candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. Still, he told FCW that "U.S. domestic politics is electoral politics" and whether you consider the campaign to be targeting the upcoming 2020 elections depends on where you draw that line.

"For some people election interference would have to meet the threshold of Iran actively trying to bolster  or discredit a candidate for them to say this is election interference," said Foster. "But again, they're seizing on controversial, sensitive, domestic U.S. political issues that by their very nature  are associated with electoral politics."

Foster also said it's not immediately clear from open source data what specific goals or target audience the campaign was attempting to influence, beyond generally promoting Iranian interests.

A report released this week by the Atlantic Council found that "Iranian influence capabilities have gone largely unstudied" in the United States until 2018 and are likely to become more prevalent following the killing of Iranian Quds General Qassem Soleimani. From what is known, they tend to differ from Russian operations in that the goal is not to create chaos or confusion but rather to tell a distorted version of "Iran's story" and further its geopolitical interests across different mediums.

The Atlantic Council report calls for DHS to create a new intergovernmental entity under CISA to publicize foreign influence operations and for intelligence agencies to attribute them back to foreign governments where possible.

CISA's strategic plan is less ambitious, mostly outlining a continuation of previous research and educational efforts, like its "War on Pineapple" flyer for how to understand influence operations online. In previous cycles, the agency has worked to prop up states and localities as the authoritative source of election night information for voters. Officials plan to repeat those efforts in 2020 while also acting as a switchboard to route concerns about disinformation campaigns targeting specific election jurisdictions.
Attorney general William Barr has said Donald Trumps tweets about the sentencing of Roger Stone made it impossible for me to do my job  and insisted he would not be bullied by the president.

In a rare rebuke of the man for whom many said he performed the duties of a personal lawyer, and who has repeatedly defended through various controversies, Mr Barr said the president had never asked him to interfere in a case.

Yet, he said Mr Trumps tweets about the sentence recommendations for Stone, which came after the department of justice has drawn up recommendations, had created major problems.

Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody ... Whether its congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president, Mr Barr told ABC News.

Im gonna do what I think is right. And you know  I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.

All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Show all 6 1 /6 All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Alan Dershowitz Dershowitz is a controversial American lawyer best known for the high-profile clients he has successfully defended. Those clients have included OJ Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. One longtime Harvard Law associated told the New Yorker Dershowitz "revels in taking positions that ultimately are not just controversial but pretty close to indefensible." Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Ken Starr Starr became a household name in the 1990s as the independent counsel who led the investigation that led to Bill Clinton's impeachment. That investigation began as a look into a real estate scandal known as Whitewater, and eventually led to impeachment after Mr Clinton lied under oath about having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. AP All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Jay Sekulow Sekulow is the president's longtime personal attorney, and, now, personal lawyer in the White House. He has been accused by former Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas of being "in the loop" during the Ukraine scandal. Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Pam Bondi Bondi is the former attorney general in Florida, and a longtime backer of the president's. She made a name for herself in Florida for taking hyper partisan stances on issues, and her penchant for publicity. She is likely to be a prominent public-facing figure during the trial. AFP/Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Pat Cipollone Cipollone is the White House counsel, and leading the president's defence team. Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Rudy Giuliani While not officially named as one of the president's impeachment lawyers, it is hard to ignore Giuliani's outsized role in this process. The former mayor of New York has been making headlines for months as he defends his client, and for his apparent role in the effort to compel Ukraine to launch the investigation into Joe Biden. We'll see how he figures in the actual trial, which he has said he would like to be a part of. Reuters

Mr Barr, 69, joined the Trump administration in February 2019, replacing Jeff Sessions, who had a mercurial spell as attorney general. It was the second time Mr Barr had occupied the role, having previously served as the nations top legal and law enforcement official under George HW Bush.

As such, he took on the role with considerable experience and respect from the Republican and legal establishment.

Much of that was destroyed when he went to bat for Mr Trump once Robert Mueller published his report into Russias interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

While Mr Mueller highlighted 10 possible instances of obstruction of justice by the president, it was Mr Barr who took the decision that the evidence did not not meet the level required for the presidents prosecution.

 Trump interference in Roger Stone case is 'abuse of power' Pelosi says

As such Mr Barrs comments are all the more significant and potentially damaging to the president. No other serving member of his cabinet has chastised him like this, especially in regard to his loved use of social media.

The attorney general spoke out after his department was forced to respond to a demand from the president to review the sentencing recommendations for Stone, who was last year found guilty on seven charges relating to Mr Muellers Russia probe.

Federal prosecutors had recommended seven to nine years, but that was altered after the president tweeted: This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!

Asked if he would rather the president stopped tweeting, Mr Barr said: I think its time to stop the tweeting about department of justice criminal cases.

A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on Mr Barrs explosive interview

Asked if he was prepared for the possible consequences of publicly criticising the president, Mr Barr said of course. He said his job was to run the justice department and make decisions on what I think is the right thing to do.

He added: As I said at my confirmation hearing, I think the essential role of the attorney general is to keep law enforcement, the criminal process sacrosanct to make sure there is no political interference in it.

And I have done that and I will continue to do that.
I International Dairy Congress will be held in Kyiv

The main event of the dairy industry will be held in KievExpoPlaza on March 3-4

XIII International Dairy Congress is a platform that brings together over 1,500 dairy business participants each spring to discuss key industry issues. This year among the invited guests there are:

- industry experts: Andrii Dykun, Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC); Mykhailo Sokolov, Deputy Head of UAC; Hanna Lavreniuk, vice-president of the Association of milk producers (AMP); Andri Yarmak, FAO Investment Department economist and others;

- representatives of the government: Taras Vysotsky, Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture for Agrarian Policy; Roman Leshchenko, Authorised Representative of the President of Ukraine for Land Affairs; Olena Alshanova, Deputy Director of the Department of Agrarian Policy and Agriculture and others;

- Representatives of international organizations: USAID, FAO, EBRD, World Bank, etc.;

- People's Deputies: Mykola Solsky, Serg Labazuk, Ivan Chaikivskyi, Igor Kolykhaiev and others;

- representatives of embassies of Belorus, Check Republic, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, the USA and others;

- owners and managers of leading farms in Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia;

- Owners and managers of leading farms in the country;

- Media representatives.

The main issues that will be discussed during the congress:

New land legislation: an impetus for the development or decline of dairy farming?

State support for the industry: how and why dairy industry is supported in the world? What formula does Ukraine need?

Industry prospects until 2030;

Cooperation as a way dairy industry development;

New legislative requirements for food safety as an indispensable condition for raising the image of dairy products "made in Ukraine" domestically and at export markets.

How to produce extra-grade milk: the experience of Ukrainian dairy farms.

National dairy industry performance and key trends for 2020.

Technology of milk production and management of modern dairy farm.

In addition, a National Veterinary Conference will be held within the Congress.

The organizers of the congress: Association of milk producers (MP), Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) and the Dykun company.
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Route1 Inc. (OTCQB: ROIUF) ("the Company"), an advanced North American technology company that empowers their clients with data-centric solutions necessary to drive greater profitability, improve operational efficiency and gain sustainable competitive advantages, while always emphasizing a strong cybersecurity and information assurance posture. The CEO of the Company, Tony Busseri, joined host Everett Jolly for an interview at the Stock Day studios.

Jolly began the interview by noting that the Company was named the "Genetec AutoVu Premier Partner of The Year - North America", and asked what this means for PCS Mobile and Route1 Inc. Busseri explained that the Company has owned PCS Mobile for eight months. "The award that PCS Mobile received from Genetec means that they are the number one seller of the Genetec AutoVu technology in North America," shared Busseri. "Actually, it is five years running that PCS Mobile has won that award," added Busseri.

"Ultimately, what it means is that we're doing a very good job of partnering with Genetec, bringing their technology, our services, and our incremental solutions to the table for our public safety clients as well as those that own parking lots," explained Busseri. "We're delivering an outcome that our collective clients are looking for," said Busseri.

Jolly then asked about the Company's transition from a software vendor to a data centric solutions company. Busseri explained that the transition was instigated by the decision to build a business around an advanced security technology. "We leveraged some of our core competencies," explained Busseri. "Ultimately, we deliver that software application through a private cloud infrastructure called MobiNET, or in the instance when we're servicing our federal government in Washington it's called a DEFIMNET," said Busseri. "That private cloud infrastructure allows us to quickly deliver security-based software applications," he continued, noting that the Company eventually developed numerous software applications for this infrastructure.

Busseri then commented on the Company's expansion into data analytics and data visualization, which lead to the acquisitions of GroupMobile and PCS Mobile. "As we stand today, we've gone from a software vendor with one solution to a much more diversified outcomes-based company that can address your data security issues, data analytics issues, data visualization issues, and use the clients' data to make excellent, real-time security decisions."

"How did you guys leverage your software engineering toolbox to drive your business model?" asked Jolly. "The fact that we were built off of being a software engineering shop, and particularly with a strong bent towards security, gives us something really unique," said Busseri. "It means that we can deliver new technology and new applications to meet your exact needs."

Busseri then updated listeners on the Company's 2019 financials and elaborated on the potential of 2020, especially considering the Company's transformation over the past few years. "We think Q1 and Q2 are set-up to be very strong quarters," said Busseri. "That is a reflection of us having a vision and strategy and executing around it."

Jolly then asked about the Company's growth strategy, as well as their plans to fund future acquisitions. "We are going to hopefully do multiple deals in 2020," said Busseri. "What's important for our shareholders and stakeholders to know is that we continue to look to acquire high-end sales talent and new clients," said Busseri. "That could be within current market areas that we have or new ones."

"The other things you will find from us this year is that we will release new technology that supports what we believe our clients want to deliver their outcomes or we may acquire pre-revenue technology," shared Busseri.

Busseri then commented on the Company's ability to deliver technology that provides both security and transparency in a cost-effective manner to their public safety clients.

"We are generating good cash flow right now. We use that cash flow to make strategic investments, so it's going to be a combination of our own cash, maybe a little bit of vendor notes, and from time to time we will issue some of our common shares," said Busseri when explaining the Company's strategy for funding upcoming acquisitions. He also noted that the Company will be looking to avoid dilution when it comes to financing these acquisitions.

"We hope to exit this year with a run rate of somewhere between sixty to seventy-five million dollars in revenue," said Busseri. "We think we have the resources to do it, but we will obviously do what is best for our shareholders," closed Busseri.

To view Tony Busseri's entire interview, follow the link to the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LebhlAp06zQ

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/

About Route1 Inc.

Route1 Inc., also operating under the tradenames GroupMobile and PCS Mobile is an advanced North American technology company that empowers their clients with data-centric solutions necessary to drive greater profitability, improve operational efficiency and gain sustainable competitive advantages, while always emphasizing a strong cybersecurity and information assurance posture. Route1 delivers exceptional client outcomes through real-time secure delivery of actionable intelligence to decision makers, whether it be in a manufacturing plant, in-theater or in a university parking lot. Route1 is listed on the OTCQB in the United States under the symbol ROIUF and in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ROI. For more information, visit: www.route1.com.

For More Information, Contact:

Tony Busseri

Chief Executive Officer

+1 416 509 1496

tony.busseri@route1.com

This news release, required by applicable Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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.

 2020 Route1 Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted or otherwise used in whole or in part or by any means without prior written consent of Route1 Inc. See https://www.route1.com/terms-of-use/ for notice of Route1's intellectual property.

This news release may contain statements that are not current or historical factual statements that may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including, price and liquidity of the common shares, expected financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, and development activities and like matters. While Route1 considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risk factors described in reporting documents filed by the Company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of these and other risks and should not be relied upon as a prediction of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Estimates used in this presentation are from Company sources. Past performance is not guarantee of future performance and readers should not rely on historical results as an indication of future results.

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. Stock Day recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona.

SOURCE:

Stock Day Media

602-441-3474

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52400
"AIP Publishing is fortunate that Phil Castellano is coming on board as Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Physics Reviews . With his track record of research leadership and innovation, we are confident that he will successfully shape a new journal that attracts novel, important research that will spark interest and innovation among a diverse group of scientists worldwide," said Jason Wilde, Ph.D., AIP Publishing's Chief Publishing Officer.

CPR will follow the editorial model of Applied Physics Reviews. An in-house team of scientific editors will support the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board by ensuring that CPR's published research aligns with the journal's scope and is of significance to the community it serves.

Dr. Castellano commented. "I look forward to working closely with AIP Publishing and the CPR team to build a unique publication that is comprehensive in scope, authoritative in presentation, and forward looking. We all share a vision to provide timely research, reviews, relevant tutorials, and original experimental and theoretical research for the chemical physics and physical chemistry communities."

The journal's scope will include all areas of chemical physics, such as catalysis, computational chemical physics, dynamics in chemical processes, energy storage and conversion, environmental and green chemistry, material surfaces and interfaces, nanoscience, photonics, polymers and soft matter, and supramolecular chemistry. The new journal will cover both fundamental science and applications in medicine, engineering, and other branches of science. Students and postdocs entering these rapidly expanding areas will benefit from comprehensive reviews that survey, summarize, and contextualize the current literature on important research topics or practical experimental approaches.

Dr. Castellano was formerly the Director of the Center for Photochemical Sciences while he was a Professor at Bowling Green State University, and then moved his research program to NC State in 2013. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University in 1996 and held an NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) since 2015, Dr. Castellano earned the I-APS Award in Photochemistry in 2019. His current research focuses on metal-organic chromophore photophysics and energy transfer, photochemical upconversion phenomena, solar fuels photocatalysis, energy transduction at semiconductor/molecular interfaces, photoredox catalysis, and excited state electron transfer processes.

AIP Publishing's portfolio currently consists of 33 journals, including six open access titles, flagship titles Applied Physics Reviews, Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Applied Physics and The Journal of Chemical Physics, and Scilight, a weekly publication highlighting the most interesting new research in the physical sciences. Chemical Physics Reviews and Biophysics Reviews will publish their first articles in Fall 2020. AIP Publishing serves 10 scholarly societies, providing a full suite of publishing services, from manuscript submission to online hosting.

ABOUT AIP PUBLISHING

AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). AIP Publishing's mission is to support the charitable, scientific and educational purposes of AIP through scholarly publishing activities in the fields of the physical and related sciences on its own behalf and on behalf of our publishing partners to help them proactively advance their missions.

SOURCE AIP Publishing

Related Links

http://publishing.aip.org


ISABELLA COUNTY, MI -- The Michigan Attorney Generals Office and a female sexual assault victim say they were blindsided when a defense attorney released details this month of an internal AG investigation into a fired assistant attorney general.

Joseph Barberi, the defense attorney for ex-Central Michigan University student body president Ian Elliott, released a 16-page document summarizing an internal Attorney Generals Office investigation into one of its former prosecutors after Elliots re-sentencing on a sexual assault charge on Friday, Feb. 7.

Barberi said he believes the information includes key findings of the investigation.

The investigation has not yet been made public by the AGs Office.

Barberi said the 16 pages were compiled from 200-300 pages of documents given to him by the AGs Office.

The summary highlights portions of the AGs internal investigative report into former Assistant Attorney General Brian Kolodziej, who was fired after it was discovered he had a relationship with a female victim. It also alleges Kolodziej forged police reports and influenced victim testimony.

The summary also states that former AG Chief of Staff Laura Moody and other members of the AGs office were aware of Kolodziejs unethical behavior, but did not not raise those concerns with Attorney General Dana Nessel. Moody is now with the U.S. Attorney Generals Office, The Detroit News reports.

Kolodziejs attorney did not return calls for comment.

Barberi also included part of the investigative report prepared by a special agent with the Attorney Generals Office who conducted interviews during the Elliott case, presenting it as the more accurate police report. Elliott, a former Central Michigan University Student Government Association president, was accused of sexually assaulting two women, Rachel Wilson and Landrea Blackmore.

The attorney general allowed Elliott to withdraw his plea of no contest to one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and entered a no-contest plea to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct after Kolodziej was accused of having a sexual relationship with Wilson.

Ian Elliotts long and distressing case results in new sentence, AG says

He was resentenced on Feb. 7 by Isabella County Chief Circuit Judge Eric R. Janes, the result of an agreement between the defendants lawyer and the Michigan Department of Attorney General following the mishandling of the case. Elliott will serve five years of probation. The first year will be spent in the Isabella County Jail and the second year on a continuous alcohol monitoring tether.

The document released by Barberi includes parts of the investigative report that includes multiple interviews with Blackmore, who Elliott allegedly assaulted on Nov 16, 2014.

Blackmore does not understand why Barberi released the information.

I feel like its definitely (Barberi) just trying to discredit us more and its frustrating because I thought we were over that at this point, she said.

Kelly Rossman-McKinney, a spokeswoman for the AGs Office, said she was blindsided by the documents release. She said the internal investigation report was shared in confidence with Barberi.

Sharing it with the rest of the world was not appropriate to do and were really disappointed, she said.

Kent County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Becker, who is handling a criminal investigation into Kolodziej, said Barberi called him and told him he planned to do a news conference about the AGs internal investigation. Becker said he asked Barberi not to release any details while other investigations were ongoing.

Barberi, a former Isabella County Prosecutor, says he was never given any constraints on releasing the report.

I was encouraged not to release the report until the criminal investigation is done and Ive honored that, he said. "The report is not being released at this time, but that doesnt mean I had to have a muzzle put on me as far as what I could say or what I couldnt say, so I dont have any apologies to give in that regard.

Barberi said he believes victims lied in the case and other state officials reportedly knew about the inappropriate relationship.

So here we are, having my client enter another plea and going back to jail again," Barberi said. "All of those things happened because people changed their testimony, people said things under oath and then a year later changed their testimony.

Barberi said he does not believe anything he released in the report will interfere with the current investigation.

It is what it is, he said. I dont apologize for releasing some sections of that report. I, in fact, gave Attorney General (Dana) Nessel credit for being transparent.

The Attorney Generals Office could not provide further context on what Barberi released until the entire report is released, according to Rossman-McKinney. The full report will not be made to the public until further litigation is complete.

Moving forward, Blackmore said she just wants to put the entire case behind her.

This isnt justice," she said. "This isnt what it should have been. Even the original sentencing wasnt.

What happened with the Elliott case is why people dont come forward, Blackmore said.

Were not going to get true justice and the system is really screwed up and I think, at the end of the day, you just have to take care of you and sometimes that means not going forward and thats OK, she said.

Read more here:

Former CMU student body president gets new plea deal in sex assault case

Woman hopes for justice after plea could be set aside in CMU sex assault case

Plea could be set aside in CMU sexual assault case after AG investigation

Victim in CMU sexual assault case says accusations against ex-assistant AG are tip of the iceberg
(Newser)  The Senate has approved restricting President Trump's authority to wage war on Iran. The resolution, passed 55-45, would require the president to end any military action within 30 days unless he had the approval of Congress, the Hill reports. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, introduced the War Powers resolution after Trump ordered an airstrike last month that killed a top Iranian general. Six Republicans joined Democrats to put the resolution over the top: Sens. Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Mike Lee, Jerry Moran, Lamar Alexander, Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski. That wasn't enough to make passage veto-proof, so it sets up a veto by Trump. The House has approved a similar measure, per the New York Times, which also lacked the votes to override a veto.

story continues below

Although that means the votes would be merely symbolic, senators cast them as an attempt for Congress to reassert its authority in declaring war. "This is not about the presidency.  This really is about the proper allocation of power between the three branches of government," Lee said. "Congress has ceased to be in the war declaration driver's seat." Before the vote, Kaine said, "War is the most solemn responsibility we have, and it cannot be outsourced to anyone." Trump had told GOP senators by tweet to vote against the resolution, and the administration said the resolution "fails to account for present reality." But foreign policy is one area where Senate Republicans have bucked Trump, though they've usually run into vetoes. A measure passed in December 2018 to end backing for Saudi-led operations in Yemen, for example, as did one to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia. (Read more War Powers Act stories.)
Colorado Democrats vote down bill requiring doctors to help babies born-alive after abortion

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A Democrat-chaired legislative committee in Colorado has voted down two bills that would have banned late-term abortion and punished doctors who do not attempt to save babies born alive during an abortion procedure.

After seven hours of testimony on Tuesday, the two Republican-backed pieces of legislation were rejected by the Colorado House of Representatives' state Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

The vote came after lawmakers heard personal stories and graphic descriptions of abortion procedures, according to ColoradoPolitics.com.

A bill that would have held doctors accountable for not helping babies born despite an attempted abortion was introduced by Republican state Rep. Shan Sandridge of Colorado Springs. The bill sought to establish a physician-patient relationship between a child born alive and abortion doctors carrying out the abortion.

It would have required abortion doctors to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child just as any doctor would for any other child born alive.

Doctors who failed to abide by such laws would have been subject to class 3 felony charges and a civil penalty of up to $100,000. A conviction under such a law would also be marked as unprofessional conduct for licensing purposes.

As several states have introduced late-term abortion ban bills, House Bill 1098 introduced by Republican state Rep. Dave Williams would have banned abortion in Colorado past 22 weeks of pregnancy.

The bill would have subjected anyone who performs an abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy to class 1 misdemeanor charges.

According to the state politics blog, the committees vote in opposition to the bills was along party lines.

Committee Chair Chris Kennedy, a Democrat from Lakewood, argued that Sandridges born-alive bill would essentially make a medical decision a crime.

"I do believe the effect of this bill to create a new felony for this kind of action would have the effect of limiting access to abortion in this state," Kennedy contended, according to ColoradoPolitics.com. "I think that is a legitimate concern and a real problem."

The vote drew the ire of conservatives.

You can always count on Democrats to say they'll protect the little guy, except when the little guys weigh 6 pounds and is 19.5 [inches] long, tweeted the Colorado GOP House Caucus. [T]hen the little guy needs to fear for his life.

The Republican caucus contends that both bills had the support of residents from both sides of the political aisle but neither received a fair hearing from what the GOP calls the kill committee.

Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute think tank at Colorado Christian University, also voiced his displeasure. Hunt is also the chairman of the Western Conservative Summit, the largest annual conservative gathering in the Western U.S.

The Colorado legislature just voted down a bill that would require a doctor to provide medical care to a child who is born alive after surviving an abortion, Hunt wrote in a tweet. "A child is born, in need of help, and the Colorado legislature voted against mandating care. God have mercy.

The failure of the Colorado bills comes as about two-dozen states passed pro-life legislation in 2019. Several states passed their own late-term abortion bills. A Georgia bill, blocked by a federal court, prohibited abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

One of the most controversial pro-life bills passed last year was in Alabama, where the states Human Life Protection Act makes it a felony to perform abortions except when the life of the mother is in danger. That bill was also blocked by a federal court last fall.

According to Catholic News Agency, several state-level pro-life bills across the country have cleared legislative hurdles in the past week.

At the federal level, Democrat control of the House will make it difficult to get any pro-life legislation passed. However, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear its first abortion-related case since the appointment of two justices by President Donald Trump.

The case surrounds the legality of a Louisiana law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. In 2016, the nations high court struck down parts of a Texas law that similarly required abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital near the clinics where they work in case a patient they performed an abortion on suffers a medical emergency.

This could be absolutely game-changing, Catherine Glenn Foster, president of Americans United for Life, told The Christian Post of the Louisiana abortion law case.

It could change the entire landscape of abortion lawsuits and law in America. There are potentially huge ramifications. We don't know what the decision will be and it could be quite limited. But it has huge potential.
DALLAS  American Airlines and Alaska Airlines say they will cooperate more closely on West Coast service, including new American flights from Seattle to Indias technology hub in Bangalore.

The airlines already share revenue by selling seats on each others flights, but they had planned to reduce that partnership next month.

Instead, they announced Thursday that they will expand revenue-sharing to cover international flights in Seattle and Los Angeles.

American initially said U.S. Transportation Department approval was needed but later said that was not the case. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

American said it will begin flying to Bangalore in October. No U.S. airline currently flies to Bangalore.

Its one of Amazons largest travel markets out of Seattle, said Brett Catlin, Alaskas managing director of alliances, referring to the Seattle-based online retail giant. He said about 200 Alaska Airlines customers fly daily between the San Francisco Bay Area and Bangalore, and about 80 a day from Seattle  trips that currently require at least one stop.

American said it will also launch Seattle-London service next year, and could add other international destinations from Seattle.

Alaska will become a full-fledged member of oneworld, one of the three global alliances that dominate the industry. American is already a member.

Alaska hopes a closer tie-up with American will help it grow and start filling a gap in its service. The airline flies to Canada and Mexico from its hometown of Seattle, but it faces growing competition from Delta Air Lines, which has built an international gateway there with flights to Europe and Asia.

American, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas, has tried and failed before at flying to India. In 2012, when American was going through a bankruptcy reorganization, it dropped flights between Chicago and Delhi.

The Indian market is much, much more mature than it was then, said Vasu Raja, the airlines senior vice president of network strategy. There are so many U.S. companies with such big bases of operations in India, and Bangalore is one of the highest-growing business markets for our corporate customer base.
Pauline Hanson has doubled down on her controversial rant about Aboriginal people and said children who get raped should be taken away from their communities.

The One National leader slammed the government's Closing the Gap initiative to improve Aboriginal communities in a fiery speech in the senate on Wednesday.

Labor and Greens senators called her racist after she suggested Aboriginal people were addicted to 'grog and drugs' and failed to turn up to work or take their children to school.

But in an interview with Sky News host Paul Murray later that night, Senator Hanson stood by her views and said government efforts were not working.



Pauline Hanson shared her interview with Paul Murray on her Twitter account

Pauline Hanson (pictured at Uluru) says she cares deeply about Aboriginal children and reducing inequality - but does not believe current methods are working

She recalled the case of a two-year-old girl who tested positive for an STD in the Northern Territory town of Tennant Creek after she was allegedly raped by a 24-year-old family friend in February 2018.

'We have problems with kids being raped. How can a two-year-old have an STD?' Senator Hanson said.

The two-year-old girl in this case was removed from her family's care by the Department of Child Protection South Australia.

But Senator Hanson said neglected and abused children should be taken from their communities more often.

'If that was happening in white society, Paul, they would take the children away and we don't,' she said.

'We turn our back, you can't get involved because of cultural issues, we're not protecting the children.'

Pauline Hanson has doubled down on her controversial rant about Aboriginal people and said children who get raped should be taken away from their communities

Senator Hanson again said the Closing The Gap initiative was failing and that nothing has changed since her maiden speech in parliament in 1996.

'The inequality is still happening [even though] we are throwing tens of billions of dollars at this,' she said.

Urging the government to spend less on the initiative, she added: 'Closing the gap is about treating people equally.'

'We don't need any more organisations that are set up. They don't need any more programs. They need to be held account for the money that's been given to them.'

On Wednesday Scott Morrison revealed the initiative was only meeting two of its seven targets.

In her speech in the senate, Senator Hanson slammed the program as 'complete rubbish' and a 'joke'.

'The biggest problem facing Australian and Aboriginal Australians today is their own lack of commitment and responsibility to helping themselves,' she said.

Senator Hanson attacked indigenous mums and dads for being behind poor school attendances, noting one school with 400 children enrolled often had a 50 per cent attendance rate.

Pauline Hanson has been slammed as 'racist' after claiming Aboriginal Australians are disadvantaged by their 'own negligence'

'Whose fault is that? Lazy parents. You can't blame the whites when it's your own negligence,' Senator Hanson said.

Labor frontbencher Jenny McAllister said Senator Hanson's speech was not OK.

'Her racist comments - and they are racist - have no place in this chamber,' she told the upper house.

Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters apologised to anyone listening to Senator Hanson, saying a code of conduct was needed to stop hate speech in parliament.

'It's the racism that we've come to expect from her and her party,' she said.

'They don't reflect the sentiment of this chamber or vast majority of Australians.'

Senator Hanson insisted she was speaking on behalf of 'quiet Australians' and claimed her comments were echoed by many indigenous people that meet with her.

'When you spend billions of dollars a year on any group of people you expect outcomes but sadly those billions have gone to the non-productive, unrepentant aboriginal industry,' she said.

Pauline Hanson and candidate for Geraldton Wayne Martin chats with indigenous people in March 2017

She said Closing the Gap was a marketing term used by politicians and bureaucrats to pretend they're doing something to 'lift remote First Nations people out of their self perpetuating hellholes.'

The One Nation leader said indigenous people should 'stop playing the victim.'

'If you want to close the gap start taking some responsibility for your own people,' Senator Hanson said.

'We've provided the schools - it's now up to you to send your own kids to school. We've provided the jobs but it's up to you to turn up when you're rostered on, not when it suits.

'It's up to the Aboriginals to stay off the grog and the drugs.'

Senator Hanson has been criticised throughout her career for racism but denies she discriminates against people.
DAMASCUS, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Syrian Parliament will debate and put up for vote a resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, Secretary of the Syrian Parliament Rami Saleh said.

According to Gandzasar Weekly, the agenda will include a resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide and other representatives of the Syrian nation by the Turkish government in the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century. The resolution has been introduced by the Syria-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Commission.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
The managing director of the development company behind the 320-apartment Civic Heart project on South Perth's peninsula has slammed the influence of 'NIMBYs' over the approvals process.

Artist's impression of the approved development looking up from the Labouchere/Mill Point intersection. Credit:Finbar

In fiery remarks delivered during a Property Council forum on Thursday, Finbar's Darren Pateman launched into the Save the South Perth Peninsula group, which had opposed the development, accusing them of attempting to deny others the opportunity of living in their community.

"This NIMBY group, they live on the South Perth peninsula, they live in a Finbar project that we developed in the late 90s, they were the beneficiaries of the town planning scheme changes of that time  sure, it went to nine storeys and not 38 storeys like we're doing now  but the point is, I'm sure they enjoy the restaurants that are thriving because South Perth has the population," he said.

"They probably catch the ferry which is now 15 minutes in intervals instead of an hour into the city.
As the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, more new cases have been confirmed in Europe, writes Khadija El-Rabti

The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been in the news headlines worldwide for the second month in a row, exceeding the 2003 epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in reaching 811 deaths by last Saturday.

According to Chinas National Health Commission, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus recorded in the country has risen to over 37,000, more than those infected by SARS in 2003.

With 99 per cent of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world as well, said World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Several Chinese officials have been removed from their positions as the death toll mounts, with it showing no sign of stopping and recording 1,016 deaths in the Hubei province alone. According to the Chinese media, investigations into the virus outbreak across the nation have accelerated.

The senior officials who have been removed included the secretary of the Hubei Health Commission and the head of the commission. They will be replaced by the Deputy Director of Chinas National Health Commission Wang Hesheng.

Public anger was stirred in China when the whistleblower doctor who had warned against the coronavirus in its early days died from the virus. Li Wenliang had attempted to warn the authorities against the virus in December last year but was silenced by police who initially thought he was spreading rumours.

The 34-year-old ophthalmologist died after contracting the virus while treating patients in Wuhan.

The virus, first detected in Wuhan in China, has continued to spread in different parts of the world as the affected areas become wider and wider. In Britain, a new coronavirus case was confirmed on Sunday, taking the total of those infected up to four. According to UK Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, the latest patient was a contact of a previous infected case.

The patient has been transferred to a specialist centre at the Royal Free Hospital [London], and we are now using robust infection-control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus, Whitty said in a statement.

The last evacuation flight from Wuhan carried 200 people back to the UK, where they were quarantined for 14 days at a conference centre in Milton Keynes.

Eleven people, among them a child, in the French Alps have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and they are believed to have been infected by the same man. One British man had contracted the virus while at a conference in Singapore before leaving for a holiday at the French Alps. He was only diagnosed when he returned to the UK.

Although there has been speculation about the source of the virus, including from bats and snakes, scientists are still searching for answers and evidences as back up. Chinese officials who have been studying the virus have said that most cluster cases of the virus have been found in the same families.

Cluster cases refer to more than a couple of infected cases within a limited space, according to virus expert Wu Zunyou at Chinas Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. They can be found in families as well as in institutions such as schools, work places and even supermarkets.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Coalition MPs and church leaders have dismissed a call for the government's religious discrimination bill to be scrapped, with the chair of the committee set to review it warning "we should not let perfect be the enemy of the good".

Senior Liberal backbencher Concetta Fierravanti-Wells this week said the Morrison government should ditch the controversial bill in favour of a new anti-discrimination framework because it was too "flawed" and religious leaders continued to raise "serious concerns".

Queensland government senator Amanda Stoker has warned against abandoning a proposed religious discrimination bill. Credit:Edwina Pickles

But several government MPs dismissed Senator Fierravanti-Wells' idea on Thursday, saying a consolidated framework of all anti-discrimination laws was "unrealistic" and "risky".

Victorian Liberal and free speech advocate James Paterson said he was "completely opposed to abandoning an almost complete religious freedom process in favour of a wildly ambitious and risky project to consolidate all anti-discrimination law".
Get in touch with Quantzig's Analytics Experts for Detailed Insights

Quantzig, a global data analytics and advisory firm, that delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems has announced the completion of its recent engagement that sheds light on how Quantzig's customer lifetime value modeling solutions helped a Fortune 500 telecom company achieve a 50% reduction in churn rate.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005538/en/

Customer Lifetime Value Modeling Engagement: Business Outcome (Graphic: Business Wire)

The case study aligns perfectly with Quantzig's commitment to helping its clients transform business processes through innovative customer lifetime value models. Customer lifetime value or CLV is the discounted value of future profits generated by a customer. The word profits here include costs and revenue estimates, as both factors play a pivotal role in estimating the true value of a customer.

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With the global telecom being driven by advancements in technology, businesses face several challenges in acquiring new customers. Such challenges along with the eroding pricing power of telecom companies globally are one of the reasons why telecom companies find themselves in a downward spiral of price deflation and margin pressures. Quantzig's recent success story offers comprehensive insights on how telecom companies can become more customer-centric while building greater competitive advantage with the help of customer lifetime value modeling

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As customer demands and requirements increase with the proliferation of communication systems and embedded devices, it becomes crucial for telecom companies to address the dynamic needs of customers to stay profitable in the long run. Our customer lifetime value modeling solutions integrate technology and data modeling techniques to help businesses improve operations, strengthen customer relationships and achieve business goals.

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Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 15 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit: https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005538/en/

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We hope to reach even more crowdfunding backers on Indiegogo InDemand as we continue to promote the portability, simplicity, functionality and reliability of Cuppa.

After lighting up backers on Kickstarter, who invested more than $150,000 in the worlds first LED lamp that integrates full-body touch control technology with cordless design, crowdfunding for the Cuppa cordless LED lamp is continuing on Indiegogo InDemand.

We want to thank all the backers who made Cuppa such a success on Kickstarter, pushing presales more than 30 times higher than our initial campaign goal, said Cuppa Founder Kevin Smith. We hope to reach even more crowdfunding backers on Indiegogo InDemand as we continue to promote the portability, simplicity, functionality and reliability of Cuppa.

Inspired by the shape and size of a coffee cup, Cuppa is a smart lamp that works without WIFI, Bluetooth, APPs, a smart phone or a remote controller  and features patent pending 360-degree Any Touch technology that allows it to be turned on with a touch anywhere on its base. Being cordless and lightweight makes it extremely portable  and its available in three colors so it looks great with all furniture styles and home and office decor.

Cuppa has the following features:



Cordless

Offers 360-degree Any Touch, allowing it to be turned on and off from any part of its base

LED Bulbs, saving up to 80 percent in energy use and easy on the eyes

Features Stepless Dimming

Waterproof

Flame - Resistant

Eliminates the risk of electrical shock

Weighs about two pounds, making it easy to move and difficult to topple

Cuppa is also equipped with a memory mode, that allows it to be returned to its previous brightness level. Both the memory mode and stepless dimming make it easy for users to customize Cuppa to their favorite light level.

The portable light also features Type C fast charging, which means it can provide light for as long as 12 hours with a full charge (2.5 hours)  and can last for two hours with only 10 minutes of charging. Cuppa can also be charged with a power bank, which makes it the perfect back up lamp in case of an electrical black out.

While there are other LED touch lamps on the market today, most of them come with either long cords that make your desktop messy or short ones that limit the lamps use to specific areasor they cant be used at all if there isnt a socket nearby, Smith said. Cuppa solves all those problems, which is why we think even more crowdfunders will invest in this unique lamp on Indiegogo InDemand.

For more information, or to pre-purchase Cuppa at a crowdfunding discount, visit the Cuppa Campaign Page on Indiegogo InDemand.
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Nurse wearing respirator mask holding a positive blood test result for the new rapidly spreading Coronavirus. (Getty Images)

As leading health experts around the world scramble to contain the coronavirus, the death toll continues to climb.

Many of those who have succumbed to COVID-19, the name for the illness associated with the virus itself, had underlying health conditions or were over age 60.

The disease also took the life of Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor who tried to warn officials about the spread of the virus (and who was reprimanded for doing so). The whistleblowing physician from Wuhan, whose medical history isnt known, was just 34 years old.

How the virus affect younger, seemingly healthy individuals

At this point in time, scientists are still figuring out how the virus works.

It is early days regarding how the COVID-19 virus interacts with the body and how it produces symptoms and, occasionally, kills people, says Vikram Misra, professor in the department of microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

3d visualisation of the coronavirus

Here are a few things we do know. The novel virus belongs to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses. Named for their telltale crown-like spikes that protrude from their surface, they infect mostly bats, pigs, and small mammals, but they can travel from animals to humans, and from one human to another.

Several strains can infect humans, including two that have proven especially deadly: SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

When COVID-19 enters the bodythrough droplets in the airit appears to attach to a particular receptor found in lung tissue. From there, it hijacks the host cells mechanisms to make more copies of itself. Tissue damage happens as a result of viruses taking over the cell completely, causing it to die, or when immune cells mount a defence against the viral infection, leading to cell death.

ALSO SEE: 'I am just breaking down': Selma Blair reveals she feels 'vulnerable' in candid new Instagram post

Story continues

If large numbers of cells die, then the affected organin this case, the lung cant function effectively.

Typically, coronavirus causes respiratory infections, says Matthew S. Miller, associate professor at Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Diseases Research within McMaster Universitys McMaster Immunology Research Centre. The common coronaviruses that infect humans every year usually cause mild, uncomplicated upper respiratory infection.

Whats different and unique about the virus thats causing this outbreak is that it can cause acute respiratory distress, says the head of the universitys Miller Laboratory. That means that the patients lungs can accumulate fluid, for example, which is more typical of pneumonias. Its respiratory failure or cardio-respiratory issues that lead to patients dying.

Those with severe cases of COVID-19 are experiencing a clinical phenomenon known as a cytokine storm, Miller says. The term describes an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds (cytokines). A surge of activated immune cells enters the lungs.

London, January 26, 2020. People wearing a face masks to protecting themself.

This essentially means too much of a good thing: The strength of the immune response can put a healthy person at risk for complications associated with respiratory illness.

The immune system overacts to the infection, and its the immune system thats causing the damage to the lungs rather than virus itself, Miller says. Cytokine storm is also consistent with the disease that SARS caused and is also consistent with what we sometimes see in people who are severely ill with influenza virus infection.

An immune system analogy might be: Instead of using a fly swatter to squash a fly you use a sledgehammer and punch a hole in the wall, he says.

The lungs are highly vascularized, Miller explains: Theres a lot of blood flow in lungs, because theyre the site of gas exchange. Normally, you want your airways to be relatively dry so that you can breathe in air, which gets transferred to red bloods cells and carried to the rest of body.

ALSO SEE: 'This is a devastating blow': Father of three in critical condition after developing threatening strep infection

During infections or immune responses, the tissue becomes damaged, then fluid thats normally contained in the blood vessels starts to leak into airways, Miller says. That build-up of fluid in lungs is what can cause breathing distress, because now lungs arent exchanging gas very efficiently.

Cytokine storms can have other effects on the lungs, such as inflammation.

You can have a lot of inflammation in the lungs, Misra says. Inflammation is always a bad thing. With the 1918 influenza virus that killed millions of people, experiments done in last 10 years show that inflammation was the killer in that case as well, because of the cytokine storm.

Another possible outcome is kidney failure, he adds.

(Getty Images)

Early research into patients in Wuhan found that 17 per cent developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. Among them, 11 per cent worsened in a short period of time and died of multiple organ failure.

Misra heads the University of Saskatchewans Bat Zoonoses Lab, which is studying why bats, which can carry the novel coronavirus, dont get sick from it but people do. So far, early experimental research with MERS suggests that buts have an efficient way of shutting down the inflammatory response.

Its very likely that overblown inflammatory response is a factor with this coronavirus, but its likely a lot more complex than that, Misra says.

ALSO SEE: 'How is this happening?': Mom speaks out after suffering heart attack at 29

Unlike many other infections, specific antiviral medication for the novel coronavirus doesnt exist, and clinical trials into other pharmaceutical treatments havent been done. The primary treatment at this point is supportive care for breathing, Miller notes. People who end up hospitalized with mild infections may need oxygen in the nose; others might require ventilation and assisted breathing if their lungs are severely compromised.

Symptoms of the novel coronavirus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, confusion, headache, and chest pain.

One of the most effective ways to avoid contracting viruses is to wash hands properly.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter, coming soon.
Manitoba reeves want to shake up police operations in rural areas where crime is on the rise.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba reeves want to shake up police operations in rural areas where crime is on the rise.

"Policing is, in some municipalities, the fastest-growing (part of) their budget," said Denys Volkov, head of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.

"We need to look for creative solutions."

Volkov spoke Wednesday on the sidelines of closed-door meetings with federal officials, who are reviewing contracts for RCMP policing in most of Manitoba.

The crime rate outside Winnipeg was 42 per cent higher than in the city in 2017, the last year Statistics Canada compared those jurisdictions.

Rural RCMP detachments are funded by the provincial and federal governments, and some municipalities pitch in. Under the "contract policing" model, the cash-strapped force has consolidated detachments. Some reeves argue that has driven up response times.

"We want to work collaboratively with the provincial government and community citizens, to make sure that were doing everything we can to keep our communities safe," said Loren Schinkel, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet.

Schinkels community recently started its own Citizens On Patrol Program, which has 54 branches across Manitoba, often paid for by the province.

"I think everyones facing the issues with the influx of methamphetamines, and everybody knows property crimes are on the increase because of that," he said.

Schinkel, a former Winnipeg and RCMP police officer who used to co-ordinate the provincial governments outreach to Aboriginal and municipal police forces, co-chairs a justice committee run by the association and the province. "Were all facing the same issues, and theres got to be a better way to deal with that, in a cost-effective way," he said about the meetings in Ottawa this week.

Volkov said rural crime is taking up the associations agenda; the group normally focuses on topics such as economic development.

"Last November, crime was dominating the ministerial forum, I think for the first time ever," he said.

Volkov said Ottawa could consider beefing up federal enforcement efforts. Police have urged border guards to crack down on drug smuggling, since officials believe meth from Mexico is contributing to Winnipegs crime surge.

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He also said the association has asked Ottawa to provide information on whether cannabis legalization has boosted policing costs for municipalities. The Pallister government has rebuffed reeves and mayors who want a share of the tax collected from marijuana, to deal with those costs.

Schinkel said part of this weeks discussions involved co-ordinating social services to respond to the issues that drive crime.

The RCMP has had a tough time finding recruits, who are paid less than city police officers and have little say about where theyre posted. The recent unionization of the force could add to municipalities costs, Volkov said.

Ottawa could strong-arm provinces into providing more money for RCMP by changing the funding formula, but Schinkel said the talks between Ottawa, Manitoba and municipalities have been positive.

In 2018, Prairie residents told the House public safety committee about hours-long response times, and city-based drug dealers preying on small communities. In Manitoba, efforts are still in the works to shift from 10-digit emergency numbers to 911. Many RCMP detachments are served by operators in Winnipeg, causing delays when residents report a crime near a landmarks instead of a street address.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Genocide Memorial Complex in Quba, north of the capital Baku, commemorates thousands of Muslims said killed by Armenians. If this citys main tourist attraction bears a striking resemblance to Jerusalems Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum, theres a good reason: underneath this site are the bones of as many as 60,000 victims of a mass murder that allegedly took place more than 100 years ago.

The Quba Genocide Memorial Complex is located in Quba (also spelled Guba), a city  and district  located 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Azerbaijans booming capital, Baku, Times of Israel writes in the article Azerbaijan memorial for little-known 1918 genocide sits on bones of 60,000. Ziyaddin Aliyev, Qubas mayor, said his mountainous, apple-producing district has 172,000 inhabitants living in 149 towns and villages throughout its 2,600 square kilometers (roughly 1,000 square miles). That makes Quba the largest of Azerbaijans 75 districts. Its also home to Krasnaya Sloboda, an all-Jewish town of about 3,000 residents whose Russian name means red village.

In fact, Quba has a sister city in Israel: the Upper Galilee town of Maalot-Tarshiha, whose new mayor, Arkady Pomerantz, happens to be from this area. Quba is the best example of tolerance in our country, Aliyev, 58, said in a recent interview at city hall, noting the presence of more than 70 mosques and two synagogues. We have more than 20 ethnicities in our district, and we all live with each other in an atmosphere of friendship.

But in 1918  only three years after Turkeys widely publicized slaughter of one million ethnic Armenians  something terrible happened here: the mass murder of tens of thousands of Azerbaijani men, women and children at the hands of Armenian nationalists.

The precise number isnt known, but 60,000 is the minimum. Its probably more than that, because bones of up to 100,000 people were found, said Aliyev. The bones are believed to be those of Muslims who lived in the area and were murdered in April and May of 1918, when 167 villages were completely destroyed and Quba itself was set on fire.

With its minimalist triangle-shaped design, long underground exhibit halls and black granite tombstones, this genocide memorial complex looks very much like Yad Vashem, Israels memorial to the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Brutal cruelty of the genocide is heartbreaking and causes severe pain, states a pamphlet handed out to visitors at the entrance. Because of the serious and dramatic tension, heaviness and sorrow of the genocide, the architects specifically avoided the use of decorations and ornaments, as a sign of honor to the victims of the tragedy. The museum was commissioned by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and inaugurated in 2013 by President Ilham Aliyev, who has ruled this country ever since the 2003 death of his father, Heydar Aliyev.

Dozens of black-and-white photographs adorn the walls of this solemn museum complex, including those depicting Azerbaijani Jews in the early 20th century, before the 1918 upheavals. Tour guide Aygun Agamirzayeva said 83,000 people visited the genocide complex in 2019, of which 60 percent were from Israel. Most of the remaining 40% came from Iran, Georgia, Turkey and other nearby countries. Thats not exactly a surprise, considering Azerbaijans close friendship with Israel. The two countries enjoy strong diplomatic and economic relations, and Azerbaijan  despite its predominantly Muslim population and a long border with Iran  is a major customer of Israeli weaponry. It also supplies an estimated 40% of Israels crude oil needs, with 2018 bilateral trade exceeding $1.3 billion.

In addition, weekly direct flights link Tel Aviv to Baku, and more than 40,000 Israelis  many of Azerbaijani origin  are expected to visit this year.

In September 2018, Moldovan-born Avigdor Liberman, then Israels minister of defense, planted an apple tree at the Quba Genocide Memorial Complex, accompanied by Aliyev and other officials. People from Israel feel sorry, of course, because they somehow connect with this history, the mayor said, noting that religious leaders  including those of the Eastern Orthodox Church  have also paid their respects here. Even the patriarch of Russia visited our memorial.

"The complex is open for everyone. Those are the facts, and its a sad chapter of our history. If Armenians want to come and visit, they can come. We hope that one day, Armenians will admit what they did and apologize, the way the Germans did after the Holocaust," Aliyev says.

Unlike Germany and Israel, however, which are not at war with each other, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in a bitter territorial dispute for more than a century. Armenia has occupied Nagorno-Karabakh ever since  leading to charges of ethnic cleansing, human rights abuses and unspeakable atrocities. Yet thanks to offshore oil and gas deposits in the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is doing far better economically than Armenia. The Aliyev regime is using its energy windfall not only to buy Israeli weaponry to fight the Armenians but also to resettle an estimated 700,000 internally displaced persons in 106 new settlements scattered throughout Azerbaijan.
HONG KONG, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM China Holdings Limited ("MGM China" or the "Company"; SEHK Stock Code: 2282) today announced the selected unaudited financial data of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the three months and 12 months ended December 31, 2019 (the "Year").

During the Year, MGM China saw revenue up by 19% to approximately HK$22.8 billion . Adjusted EBITDA grew by 28% year-on-year to approximately HK$6.2billion .

. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 28% year-on-year to approximately . Adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 197 basis points to approximately 27.2% from approximately 25.2% a year ago.

MGM China recorded a growth of approximately 37% year-on-year for mass table win, 1% growth for slot win; and flat year-on-year performance growth for VIP table game win.

Overall occupancy reached 93.1% (2018: 92.6%).

Full year market share rose to 9.5%, up from 7.9% in 2018, the highest in five years.

MGM China sees approximately 86% of profit from non-VIP businesses last year.

MGM COTAI continues to ramp since the property opened in February 2018 . It recorded growth across all business segments. Adjusted EBITDA was up 177% to HK$2.4 billion . Main floor table games win was up 77% year-on-year to approximately HK$6.9 billion . Slot win was up 41% to HK$1.0 billion . VIP table games win was up 220% to approximately HK$4.0 billion .

. It recorded growth across all business segments. Adjusted EBITDA was up 177% to . Main floor table games win was up 77% year-on-year to approximately . Slot win was up 41% to . VIP table games win was up 220% to approximately . Meanwhile MGM MACAU remains resilient and generated solid profit on the Peninsula, where accounted for about one-third of overall Macau gross gaming revenue in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA was down 4% to HK$3.8 billion last year with a margin of 30.9%. The property has completed a seven-month renovation on the casino floor in October. We have seen encouraging initial results on mass performance and look forwards to further optimization on gaming floor.

remains resilient and generated solid profit on the Peninsula, where accounted for about one-third of overall gross gaming revenue in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA was down 4% to last year with a margin of 30.9%. The property has completed a seven-month renovation on the casino floor in October. We have seen encouraging initial results on mass performance and look forwards to further optimization on gaming floor. Premium focus remains the key strategy for MGM as we continue to focus on growth and profitability. We have opened all the villas of Mansions last year as part of our unique high-end offerings to boost player retention and new player acquisition.

MGM hotels are now closed, followed the Macau government decision on February 5 to temporarily suspend operations of all casinos in the city to prevent the spread locally of the coronavirus infection.

Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China said: "We are grateful for the decisive actions and leadership of the Macau government it takes to contain the coronavirus. MGM places high importance on the health and safety of our team members, guests and all Macau citizens, and fighting against the epidemic is its current topmost priority. We will continue to work with government and our MGM team as we are preparing for the recovery."

About MGM China Holdings Limited

MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/subconcessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

SOURCE MGM China

Related Links

http://www.mgmresorts.com


Greek islanders that have been hit the hardest by the country's refugee crisis have set up protests in Athens to march against plans to build new detention camps.

Officials called off a meeting that had been planned with the government today and staged the demonstration outside parliament.

They were joined by hundreds of island residents.

A woman holds a Greek flag and a placard reading 'Close the borders, Deport the illegal migrants ' as she take part in a demonstration against the governments plans to build new migrant camps on the islands, in central Athens

The word 'NO' in Greek is written on the side of a hill as residents of the island of Chios demonstrate at the place where the government is planning to build a new migrant camp

Lesbos, Samos and three other islands in the eastern Aegean Sea are struggling to cope with severe overcrowding at camps for refugees and migrants following a surge in arrivals from nearby Turkey.

The government earlier this week announced an initiative to build detention facilities on the five islands, arguing that the move is vital to properly organise the registration of asylum seekers and deport migrants denied international protection.

But island authorities are planning legal challenges and blockades at the sites where the new camps are planned, to try to block construction.

Stratis Kytelis, mayor of Lesbos capital Mytilene, said the protests had started after the government failed to fulfil a pledge to drastically reduce the number of migrants on the island over the winter months.

Lesbos, Samos and three other islands in the eastern Aegean Sea are struggling to cope with severe overcrowding at camps for refugees and migrants

Stratis Kytelis, mayor of Lesbos capital Mytilene, said the protests had started after the government failed to fulfil a pledge to drastically reduce the number of migrants on the island over the winter months

A protester holds a Greek flag during a demonstration outside the Interior Ministry in central Athens

'We don't believe their assurances that all existing structures will be shut down,' Kytelis told the Associated Press.

'People on the islands ... opened their homes and gave what little they had to help (refugees) but unfortunately, because of bad policies the situation is now out of control,' he said.

'Europe has put up walls against us, and trapped immigrants and refugees on our island.'

A resident of the island of Lesbos holds placards during a demonstration over the overcrowding migrant camps and against the creation of new camps. The placard in Greek reads 'The village of Moria cannot live under threat'

Mayor Kytelis said: 'Europe has put up walls against us, and trapped immigrants and refugees on our island'

Residents of Greek islands in the Aegean take part in a demonstration over the overcrowding migrant camps and against the creation of new camps on the Aegean islands, outside the Interior Ministry in Athens

A surge in migrant arrivals last year has caused serious overcrowding at existing refugee camps on the islands, with some 20,000 at a facility on Lesbos built to house 3,000.

Migrants on the islands are forbidden to travel to the Greek mainland without special permission under a 2016 agreement between the European Union and Turkey, aimed at limiting the number of illegal crossings to Europe.

Today's protest ended peacefully and no arrests were reported, police said

Protesters hold placards as they demonstrate outside the Interior Ministry in central Athens
Parents have lashed out at a primary school after its principal said students weren't able to bring cupcakes and lolly bags to class to celebrate their birthday.

Arbor Grove Primary School in Ellenbrook, Perth issued a letter to parents saying the food would no longer be allowed due to health and cultural reasons.

Principal Glen Purdy said students who brought in unhealthy food items would have their stash confiscated by their teacher and returned at the end of the day.

Arbor Grove Primary School (pictured) in Ellenbrook, Perth issued a letter to parents saying lolly bags and cupcakes would no longer be allowed due to health and cultural reasons.

In the lengthy letter warning parents of the new rule, Mr Purdy said the ban was due to an increasing amount of students with allergies as well as the 'cultural diversity' of its students.

'Whilst teachers at Arbor Grove are happy to celebrate the birthdays of students in the classroom, we must do so in the most inclusive, practical and appropriate way,' he said.

'During our deliberations we have been mindful of the increasing number of students with food allergies and intolerances, the cultural diversity of the school and the beliefs and traditions of these cultures.

'As of Monday 17 February we would ask that parents no longer send students with cupcakes, lolly bags or other unhealthy options for students to share with their classmates for their birthdays.'

The school's principal Glen Purdy said he recognised the ban wouldn't be popular but would be put in place from Monday

The principal said that while it wasn't a 'universally popular decision' it would help avoid the risk of a child suffering a 'life threatening health issue' if they had any allergies.

Mr Purdy also said the rules were 'respectful to the cultural diversity within the school', which has students from 14 different nationalities.

The letter was flooded with criticism from parents, with some saying they should have been able to vote before the ban was put in place.

'Why didnt they ask the parents to vote? Out of a school over 500 students, lets say 125 are of cultural difference. What ever happened to majority rules. Man Im p****d,' one mother said in a parents Facebook page for the school.

'Absolutely disgusting. There are a lot more important issues this school should be concerned about & trying to fix NOT STOPPING OUR KIDS FROM BEING KIDS,' another parent wrote.

'What a pathetic joke of a school. Bowing to the minorities once again!!! This school should be ashamed of itself!' someone commented.

Students who do bring cupcakes or lolly bags to celebrate their birthday will not be able to share and will have them returned to them at the end of the day (file image)

Many were outraged that they had to change Australian traditions to meet those of other cultures.

'So we can send the kids to school with healthy/toy loot bags and that would still be deemed as breaching cultural diversities? Im calling racism and unfairness on our Aussie traditions here and I am extremely offended by this action,' a father said.

'I dont put my children through our Australian school to be told that we have to abide by other beliefs, traditions and cultures against and over our very own. It is bloody Australia and we have traditions of our own.'

'Dont even get me started... so its okay to sell soft drinks at a school disco for fundraising but not ok to bring a cupcake to school for a birthday,' a mother wrote.

One parent suggested children be allowed to bring in non-food items like balls or coloured pencils.

'It would be a very sad day when a child is not allowed to celebrate their birthday at school,' they said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the school for comment.
Beauvallet, a major player of the meat industry in Europe, will be launching a new brand in the Middle East: Or Rouge, alongside with its NFC traceable halal meat technology, at Gulfood, to be held in Dubai, UAE.



The event, a leading annual food and beverage trade exhibition, will run from February 16 to 20 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).



Beauvallet is a company specialised in the manufacturing (selection, processing, cutting and packaging) of high-end French halal butchers meat in beef, young cattle, lamb and offal of these species. The brand produces a primary ingredient of the French cuisine, as a symbol of tradition.



On February 18, Beauvallet will be discussing the certification approach on its booth. The managers of the Halal Food Quality certification will be answering questions of visitors concerning the qualities and requirements of Halal Food Quality in Hall 3, Meat & Poultry G3-1.



This will be followed by meat tastings. Besides, the company will showcase innovations of new packs and cuts of meats.



Beauvallet is already exporting beef, poultry meat and processed products, fresh and frozen, throughout three continents: Africa, South America, Asia. The launch of the brand Or Rouge in the Middle East is the occasion to introduce a new major asset for them: the Premium French Limousine breed, certified halal beef.



Helder Pereira, export sales manager, Beauvallet, said: The specialisation of the Limousine meats involves a stability and finesse of its meat grain, a good muscle development of the cattle and an excellent yield of lean meat: more than 70 per cent on live weight, more than 75 per cent on muscle weight over carcass weight as well as lower proportion of bones and fat (11 per cent).



The company offers complete transparency on the Or Rouges product traceability allowed by the NFC chip integrated on label. It locates the farms and the origin of all animals by using the NFC technology with contactless detection.



Gulfood, along with the launch of NFC microchip signals a watershed for Or Rouges development in the Middle Eastern markets. The company wishes to spread the word among visitors such as mass retail, wholesalers, industrial companies, caterers, restaurants, large and medium-sized stores and buyers. Beauvallet is certified Halal Food Quality by the GCC Accreditation Center GAC, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Gazprom Neft Company is ready to discuss various schemes for oil deliveries with Belarus. The head of the Russian company Aleksandr Dyukov made the relevant statement after representatives of oil companies met with Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak, BelTA reports.

When asked about the possibility of exporting oil to Belarus, Aleksandr Dyukov said: We are ready to discuss various schemes. He noted the company is ready to discuss deliveries on a give-and-take basis.

Earlier on Wednesday Press Secretary of the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim Aleksandr Tishchenko was quoted as saying Belneftekhim had not made decisions to restrict supplies of oil products to Russian refueling station chains in Belarus. Russian companies were invited to consider cooperation via a give-and-take scheme.
Realcreditrepair.org 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 23 Jan 2016, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

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The death toll from the coronavirus in mainland China spiked 23% Wednesday amid new counting methods adopted by Chinese health officials, who eased their criteria for confirmed cases.

Deaths rose by 252, to a total of 1,367 worldwide. All but two deaths had been recorded in mainland China, although on Thursday Japan confirmed its first death. Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed cases spiked to over 60,000 - an increase of over 15,000 from the previous day.

Only 14 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. thus far.

Your guide to coronavirus: Everything you need to know about Covid-19

The spikes overseas are at least partly due to new counting standards implemented by China, which reported Wednesday that it is tallying infections differently. The nation previously only counted a coronavirus case as confirmed when a person tested positively for the virus, but that thinking has been revised, Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency said Wednesday night.

Employees wear a protective masks whilst carrying vegetables from trucks at a hospital on Feb. 10, 2020 in Wuhan, China. Flights, trains and public transport including buses, subway and ferry services have been closed for the nineteenth day. The number of those who have died from the Wuhan coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, in China climbed to 909.

The government is no longer requiring a positive test, the news agency said, a decision made partly because testing kits are in short supply. New cases are now being confirmed if a person is simply diagnosed by a doctor or other health professional; China says the new standard will help treat people more quickly once they exhibit symptoms of the virus.

The new numbers of deaths push the coronavirus well past that of the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003, officials said. But the mortality rate - a statistic that measures the deadliness of the virus on infected persons - of SARS is still significantly higher than coronavirus. The latest figures show that coronavirus has a mortality rate of 2.3%, compared to nearly 9.6% for SARS.

Also Wednesday, a second case of coronavirus was confirmed in the U.S. among evacuees from China, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.

The person was aboard a flight from the city of Wuhan that arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California last week, the CDC said.

Story continues

The patient was in isolation at a San Diego hospital, UC San Diego Health confirmed.

U.S. health officials said Wednesday that it is too early to predict a foreseeable end to the crisis.

Its way too early to try to predict the beginning of the end of the virus outbreak that erupted in China in December, Dr. Mike Ryan, the head of emergencies for the World Health Organization (WHO), told reporters in Geneva.

His comments followed a report earlier in the day from China that suggested that the 2,015 new cases counted on Tuesday was the second straight daily decline, down from nearly 3,900 a week ago. Commission spokesman Mi Feng said the situation is still grim, but we have seen some positive changes.

Like Ryan, however, Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautioned not to read too much into the latest reports.

Im going to be optimistic that is a sign that their aggressive actions have been effective, but I really do think its too soon to say that for sure, not having hands on the data ourselves, she said.

Messonnier said she hopes an advance team from WHO now in China will be able to examine the findings: It would certainly be reassuring if we were now seeing at least a slowdown of this outbreak in China.

Two people have died outside of China, one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. The virus outbreak started in December in Wuhan, China.

There have been 14 U.S. cases of coronavirus in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin. One U.S. citizen diagnosed with the coronavirus has died in Wuhan.

There are 420 people who've been tested in 41 states. Test results came back negative for 347, and the remaining 60 are pending, according to the CDC.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus cases spike in China; American from Wuhan flight diagnosed
Bareilly : , Feb 13 (IANS) Four prisoners, serving sentences for separate cases, died in two Bareilly jails within 72 hours. The jail authorities said that the deaths were due to 'age-related ailments'.

The bodies of the prisoners were handed over to the families after the post-mortem.

One of the prisoners, Ramchandra, 74, from Pilibhit, had killed five people in 2001 and was serving a sentence at the Central jail.

On February 8, he collapsed and was rushed to the district hospital, where he died during treatment.

According to doctors, Ramchandra died due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) with senile degenerative changes," added the jailer.

Similarly, on February 8, 58-year-old Ram Avtar, who was serving a life term in a murder case, collapsed at the district jail and was immediately shifted to the district hospital, where he died during treatment.

Another prisoner at the district hospital, Hardwari, 87, who was also serving life imprisonment died due to hyper-tension.

The fourth prisoner at the district jail, Rajnish, 35, complained of chest pain and died shortly after.

District Magistrate Nitish Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shailesh Kumar Pandey rushed to the central and district jails to take stock of the situation and to ensure that inmates are getting all facilities they are entitled to under the jail manuals.

District jail Senior Superintendent U.K. Mishra said: "It is a mere a coincidence that three prisoners lodged here passed away in the past couple of days."
Sophie Turner and husband Joe Jonas will become proud parents later this year.

The 23-year-old Game of Thrones star and her rockstar beau will welcome their first child into the world 'in the middle of summer,' according to US Weekly.

Turner and Jonas are still in the throws of newlywed bliss nearly nine months after their surprise Las Vegas wedding.

Baby bliss! The 23-year-old Game of Thrones star and her rockstar beau will welcome their first child into the world 'in the middle of summer,' according to US Weekly; seen in January

News broke yesterday that the happy couple are expecting their first child.

'The couple is keeping things very hush hush but their friends and family are super excited for them,' a source tells Just Jared.

Another insider added: 'Sophie has decidedly been choosing outfits to wear on and off the carpet to accommodate her changing body.'

Happy: Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas, seen here in London on February 4, are expecting a baby, according to a new report

DailyMail.com has contacted Sophie's spokesperson for comment.

Joe and Sophie, who is best known for playing Sansa Stark on the HBO fantasy television series Game of Thrones, shocked fans when they held a surprise wedding in Las Vegas less than two hours after attending the Billboard Music Awards in May.

Their DJ pal Diplo livestreamed the ceremony - without their permission - and showed the pair exchanging vows while an Elvis Presley impersonator officiated.

Joe later admitted his own parents found out about his Vegas wedding on the internet.

Power couple: The pair, seen here at the Grammy Awards in January, married in a whirlwind ceremony in Las Vegas in May before exchanging vows for a second time in Europe in July

He said at the time: 'They did find out online. Well, in my mind, you know, that was the legal portion of the marriage. So I was thinking, like, 'Look, this is not the most important day' There's an important day, I mean, I'll keep private, but ahead of us. So we were, like, this is just whoever's in town.'

Sophie said her father was thrilled at her choice of husband.

She said: 'My dad was beyond pleased when I married a musician because it was always kind of, "You have to marry a rugby player or a musician." So I got one of them right ... He's getting into the Jonas Brothers. They weren't his demographic, but he's getting into them now and he loves them and the new music is fantastic.'

Pretty in pink: Sophie stunned at the SAG Awards on January 19

The pair married again in front of family and friends at an intimate ceremony at Le Chateau de Tourreau in July in Sarrians, France.

Sophie's maid of honour was her co-star and best friend Maisie Williams whilst Joe's brothers Nick and Kevin attended with their wives, Priyanka Chopra and Danielle Jonas respectively.

Wilmer Valderrama and his girlfriend Amanda Pacheco were also joined at the wedding reception by fellow guests Ashley Graham and husband Justin Ervin.

After being been married for just a few weeks, Sophie said she was still getting used to calling Joe her husband.

Mrs. Jonas: Sophie and Joe married in front of family and friends at an intimate ceremony at Le Chateau de Tourreau in July in Sarrians, France as the bride wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown

She admitted: 'I keep going from boyfriend, to fiance, to husband. I can't figure out what to say! ... It's early days but we're very happy.'

Sophie and Joe have been together since late 2016; the pair met through mutual friends and kicked things off by DMing each other.

They sparked dating rumors when they attended a Kings of Leon concert in the Netherlands in late 2016. They got engaged in 2017, a year after their first date.

Sophie later told Harper's Bazaar: 'We had a lot of mutual friends and they'd been trying to introduce us for a long time. We were following each other on Instagram and he direct-messaged me one fine day, out of the blue.'

Rumours that they were an item first swirled when they were seen cosying up at the MTV EMAs in November 2016, pictured on several occasions afterwards at various other events.

Out of nowhere! Before that they tied the knot in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony in May

Making a splash: DJ Diplo took to his Instagram Story to share videos from the nuptials just hours after the 2019 Billboard Music Awards were held in the same city

Dressed for the occasion: Sophie wore a white jumpsuit and long veil while Joe had on a suit with a white rose in the buttonhole

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jonas: Photos of the newlyweds posing on the hood of the pink Caddy wearing pink tinted glasses were shared via social media after their Vegas wedding

The pair then made it 'Insta-official' in January 2017, when Sophie shared a snap of Joe smoking a cigar on a boat in Miami.

When questioned at the Golden Globes about it by Extra TV host Mario Lopez, Sophie just said: 'I'm not saying anything... I'm very happy.'

They were seen in March 2017 for Paris Fashion Week, holding hands, and then Sophie spoke about Joe in a chat with Marie Claire, discussing what it's like to be in a celebrity coupling.

'You do feel like youre living in a fishbowl Its frustrating [that] its the most mundane things that make the news  how boring! There are really no other headlines?' she vented.

Sweet: The happy couple rung in the New Year together with a kiss as The Jonas Brothers performed at Fontainebleu in Miami

In July 2017 she told The Sunday Times, 'I'm in a relationship, but it's a very private relationship', and that autumn the pair adopted a husky puppy together, Porky Basquiat.

They became engaged shortly after, in October 2017, with Sophie saying in an interview afterwards: 'Its lovely to be engaged. Not like I achieved anything, but I found my person, like Id find a house that I love and want to stay in forever. Theres a sense of peace that comes with finding your person.'

She told Rolling Stone in March 2019: 'I was fully preparing myself to be single for the rest of my life. I think once you've found the right person, you just know.

'I feel like I'm much older a soul than I am in age. I feel like I've lived enough life to know. I've met enough guys to know - I've met enough girls to know. I dont feel 22. I feel like 27, 28.

'Everyone experiments. Its part of growing up. I love a soul, not a gender.'
A man from Texas has pleased not guilty to hate crimes charges over the mass shooting a supermarket, an incident in which Donald Trumps racist and divisive rhetoric was alleged to have contributed.

Patrick Crusius, 21, entered the not guilty plea in an arraignment waiver document filed after his first appearance in federal court in El Paso, six months after the shooting at a Walmart store killed 22 people.

Mr Crusius faces a separate capital murder trial in state court on the shooting. He has also pleaded not guilty to those charges.

In the aftermath of the shooting, critics of Mr Trump claimed his rhetoric had contributed to the toxic environment that had allowed such an incident to take place.

The alleged shooter was said to have kept an online manifesto in which he wrote racist remarks about Latinos.

El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Show all 39 1 /39 El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store CCTV images of the gunman identified as Patrick Crusius The 21 year old, as he entered the Cielo Vista Walmart store in El Paso. The gunman was armed with an assault rifle and opened fire on shoppers at a packed Walmart store, killing 20. KTSM 9/AFP/Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Law enforcement agencies respond The Texas citys police chief said the assault on a Walmart store on Saturday, which left another 26 people wounded, was being investigated as a potential hate crime. AFP/Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Shoppers exit with their hands up Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store FBI released a picture of gunman Patrick Crusius The police officially identified the 21-year-old white male from Allen, Texas, a Dallas suburb some 650 miles east of El Paso. FBI/AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store A woman reacts after the mass shooting The attack came just minutes after a far-right manifesto appeared online. If authentic, it would make it the third mass shooting this year announced in advance on the website, which often features far-right and racist content. Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Law enforcement responds to the active shooter The racist four-page document, titled The Inconvenient Truth, calls the Walmart attack a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas and expresses support for the gunman who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand earlier this year. AFP/Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store A shopper hiding with an old lady behind the return and exchanges counter as the shooting began. Aaron Castaneda/Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Ambulances in the car park near the scene It is ranked as the eighth-deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, after a 1984 shooting in San Ysidro, California, that claimed 21 lives. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Kendall Long (left) comforts Kianna Long (right) who was in the freezer section of Walmart. EPA El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store EPA El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Shoppers exit with their hands up. Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Shopping carts sit next to a curb after the shooting. EPA El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store El Paso Fire Medical personnel arrive at the scene. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Walmart employees react after. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store A woman runs to police near the scene. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Several law enforcement agencies respond. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People arrive at MacArthur Elementary looking for family and friends as the school is being used a re-unification centre. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Residents Erica Rios, 36, and Alma Rios, 61, cry outside a reunification centre. AFP/Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People gather in Juarez, Mexico, in a vigil for the Mexican nationals who were killed. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store A child takes part in a vigil in Ciudad Juarez AFP/Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Francisco Castaneda joins mourners taking part in a vigil at El Paso High School. Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Presidential candidate and former congressman Beto O'Rourke, right, meets with mass shooting survivor, Rosemary, at University Medical Centre Beto O'Rourke Facebook via AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store From left, Melody Stout, Hannah Payan, Aaliyah Alba, Sherie Gramlich and Laura Barrios comfort each other during a vigil for victims of the shooting. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store A sign is posted near the scene Getty Images El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Police cars parked below the Walmart sign block a road outside while investigating. EPA El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Sherie Gramlich reacts during a vigil. AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store A man places flowers at the site Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People take part in a rally against hate a day after a mass shooting at the Walmart store Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Lupe Lopez holds a picture of a victim during a vigil for victims AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store REUTERS El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Elsa Mendoza Marquez, a Mexican schoolteacher who was married and the mother of two adult children, was one of the victims Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People with the Mexican flag and the US flag take part in a rally against hate a day Reuters El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People raise their arms in the air during a vigil for victims AP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People react and embrace each other Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Women light candles at a make shift memorial at the site of a mass shooting EPA El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Adria Gonzalez (centre) who is being hailed as a hero for leading some Walmart customers to safety, speaks to the crowd AFP/Getty El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store People hold up their phones AFP/Getty Images El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store Beto O'Rourke speaks to the crowd AFP El Paso mass shooting: 20 killed at Walmart store AFP/Getty

He is alleged to have driven almost ten hours from Dallas to attack the El Paso Walmart, because it was known to be used by Mexicans who crossed the border legally to shop there.

Following the shooting, among those to directly link what had happened to Mr Trumps words and actions, was former congressman Beto ORourke, who called for the authorities to launch a buy-back of the kind of semi-automatic weapons used in the incident.

He told The Independent last summer: There are people in positions of extraordinary power who are inviting this kind of intolerance and violence.

 Hundreds of people attend El Paso shooting victim Margie Reckard's funeral

He added: When he calls immigrants rapists and criminals, when he describes those who come to this country as an infestation and invasion ... when he stokes this kind of fear, incites this kind of racism, invites the kind of terrorism that we saw, then we have to call him out for what hes done, call this out for what it is.

And ask everyone to stand up and be counted at this moment of truth.

Mr Crusius, in shackles and wearing a suit, appeared before judge Miguel Torres and was informed of his rights. Mr Crusius did not speak during the hearing, communicating through his attorneys.

His court-appointed lawyers in the federal trial, David Lane and Rebecca Hudsmith, declined to comment after the hearing.

Mr Crusius confessed while surrendering and told police he was targeting Mexicans, according to a police affidavit released days after the shooting. Most of those killed were Latinos.

Additional reporting by Reuters
Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra celebrated its 13th Anniversary, which falls on 15th February, during the hotels annual religious ceremonies on Monday, 27th January 2020, which was determined the most auspicious day for the ceremonies this year.

The ritual began at 8:00 am with the blessing of the Brahmin priests at the shrine to Lord Brahma on the hotel grounds near the hotel lobby. This was followed at 10:00 am by a Buddhist religious ceremony at a well-appointed pre-function room within the hotel. The General Manager was invited to participate in the ritual of the Three Gems, and nine monks from the local temple were present to officiate the ceremony. Staff were blessed and holy water was sprinkled around the hotel in accordance with Thai Buddhist tradition. After lunch, a Muslim blessing ceremony was performed at the Staff House, followed by a ceremony in the hotels pre-function room.

All heads of departments and available staff were welcome to attend these religious ceremonies wishing well for the hotel business, all its employees and the hotel guests.

For further information, please contact 075 627 800 Email : H6184-RE@SOFITEL.COM

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On Tuesday, February 11 started a new strike in Greeces LARCO Metal Industry. The workers of LARCO Industry went on strike against the announcements of the government to completely privatize LARCO, one of the biggest producers of nickel globally.





The Greek government announced its decision to impose complete privatization of the industry or shut it down. In both cases the victims will be the workers and their families.

PAME , unions, federations, students took part in the strike demonstration in front of the factory and declared they will continue their struggle under the demands Hands Off LARCO, LARCO belongs to the workers and not to the capitalists, and demanded state funding to ensure the functioning of LARCO and all jobs.





The strike protest was attended by Christos Katsotis, MP and member of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), who delivered a message of support and solidarity to the workers.





The workers announced that the will proceed to a new demonstration on February 18th, participating in the nationwide strike





On Wednesday, with the votes of the governmental New Democracy MPs, the Greek Parliament cleared an amendment which stipulates the appointment of an administrator in March to liquidate LARCO, cut wage costs by an average 25% and push ahead with a fast-track tender to sell a smelting plant and some of its mines.





KKE: Solidarity and support to the workers





The MPs of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voted against the governments amendment which leads to LARCOs privatization. Speaking at the Parliament, the General Secretary of the CC of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas demanded the withdrawal of the amendment and expressed the KKEs support to the just struggle of the workers.





Koutsoumbas also pointed out that the company must be supported in order to continue operating under state control and underlined that the jobs and rights of all the workers must be guaranteed. LARCO belongs to the workers, it belongs to the Greek people he said and condemned the other amendments passed by the governmental majority (selling of Skaramagas shipyards, ports privatizations) which benefit the capital.
Dublin, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) - Epidemiology Forecast - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical & forecasted epidemiology trends of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France and the United Kingdom), and Japan.



Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Report Insights

The report covers a descriptive overview of the Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy explaining its causes, risk factors, pathophysiology and diagnosis.

Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the 7MM countries covering the United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and Japan.

Assesses growth opportunities in the 7MM countries with respect to the patient population.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Report Key Strengths

10 Year Forecast

7MM Coverage

Total Patient Pool with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Gender-Specific Patient Pool of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Painful DPN Patient Pool



Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Disease Understanding



Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) also known distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) is defined as the symptoms and/or signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction and nerve damage in diabetic patients after the exclusion of other causes. It is a predominantly sensory neuropathy with autonomic nervous system involvement, although there are often motor features with advancing disease.



Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - Epidemiology



The Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy epidemiology division provide insights about historical and current patient pool and forecasted trend for every 7 major countries. It helps to recognize the causes of current and forecasted trends by exploring numerous studies and views of key opinion leaders. This part of the report also provides the diagnosed patient pool and their trends along with assumptions undertaken.



The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology (Total Diagnosed Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in 7MM, Gender-Specific Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in 7MM, Total Diagnosed Prevalence of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in 7MM), scenario of Total Diagnosed Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in 7MM in the 7MM covering United States, EU5 countries (Germany, Spain, Italy, France and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2017-2030.



The publisher's estimations suggests the total prevalent cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the 7MM was found to be approximately 25,332,829 in 2017. Among 7MM, United States has the prevalent population of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy with about 12,522,483 cases in 2017. Among EU-5 countries, Germany has the highest prevalent cases with 3,904,730 cases, followed by Italy with 1,636,426 cases in 2017. However, Spain has the least number of diagnosed prevalent cases.



In 2017, the prevalent population of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Japan was found to be approximately 2,332 cases.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Key Insights



2. Executive summary



3. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN): Patient Overview at a Glance

3.1. Total Patient Share (%) Distribution of DPN in 2017

3.2. Total Patient Share (%) Distribution of DPN in 2030



4. Epidemiology Methodology



5. Disease Background and Overview: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Classification of Diabetic Neuropathies

5.3. Signs and Symptoms

5.4. Risk Factors

5.5. Pathogenesis

5.6. Diagnosis

5.7. Recent developments in early diagnosis of DPN with POCDs

5.8. Differential Diagnosis



6. Epidemiology and Patient Population: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)

6.1. Key Findings

6.2. Total Diagnosed Prevalent cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) in 7MM

6.3. United States

6.3.1. Assumptions and Rationale

6.3.2. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the United States

6.3.3. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the United States

6.3.4. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the United States

6.4. EU5

6.4.1. Assumptions and Rationale

6.5. Germany

6.5.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Germany

6.5.2. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Germany

6.5.3. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Germany

6.6. France

6.6.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in France

6.6.2. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in France

6.6.3. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in France

6.7. Italy

6.7.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Italy

6.7.2. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Italy

6.7.3. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Italy

6.8. Spain

6.8.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Spain

6.8.2. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Spain

6.8.3. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Spain

6.9. United Kingdom (UK)

6.9.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the UK

6.9.2. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the UK

6.9.3. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in the UK

6.10. Japan

6.10.1. Assumptions and Rationale

6.10.2. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Japan

6.10.3. Gender-Specific Cases of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Japan

6.10.4. Total Prevalent Cases of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Japan



7. Treatment and Management of DPN

7.1. Guidelines for the management of DPN



8. Unmet need



9. Bibliography



10. Appendix



11. Report Methodology



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9m2xi4

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
Scientists have found evidence of a ghost population that lived in Africa around 500,000 years ago and are genetically linked to modern-day humans.

The existence of the mysterious ancestor was uncovered by researchers who were studying the genes of four West African populations.

Up to 19 per cent of human's genetic ancestry could come from this ancient population, according to their estimates.

However, the identity of these archaic humans  early species of humans which are now extinct - is unclear.

That is why we use the term ghost', Sriram Sankararaman, one of the researchers, told radio station NPR.

Neanderthals 'bred with early humans' Show all 1 1 /1 Neanderthals 'bred with early humans' Neanderthals 'bred with early humans' 368133.bin Science Photo Library

Scientists know Neanderthals and Denisovans - other archaic humans  contributed to the genetic make-up of modern day man outside Africa

However, the contribution of archaic hominins to the genetic variation of present-day Africans remains poorly understood, researchers wrote in an article published in the journal Science Advances.

Mr Sankararaman and fellow researcher Arun Durvasula said: Our analyses provide support for a contribution to the genetic ancestry of present-day West African populations from an archaic ghost population.

Recommended Ancient human ancestor homo erectus survived far longer than thought

It is believed the mysterious ancient species may have split from the ancestors of Neanderthals and modern humans around 625,000 years ago, and then bred with the ancestors of modern west Africans thousands of years later.

The scientists from the University of California analysed the genes of four populations: two from Nigeria, one from Sierra Leone and another from Gambia.

Their breakthrough follows the ancestral home of all humans being discovered by scientists last year.

The earliest Homo sapiens - the only surviving human species  were traced back to an area of northern Botswana around 200,000 years, according to a research paper published in the journal Nature.
Vaccinated? Now get 10% discount on Indigo air ticket: How to avail it?

6 Covid positive cases reported after screening 3,476 passengers from travellers from 'at risk' Countries

International Passengers subject to random COVID-19 test can leave airport after sample is given: MoCA

25 international passengers who arrived in Maharashtra since Nov 1 tested positive for COVID-19: State govt

14 killed, 31 injured in bus-truck collision in Uttar Pradeshs Firozabad

India

oi-Deepika S

Firozabad, Feb 13: Fourteen passengers were killed and more than 30 people have been injured after a private bus rammed into a stationary truck in Firozabad on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.

The injured have been moved to the PGI at Safai in Etawah for treatment. Reportedly, there were around 50 passengers in the sleeper bus out of which 35 are said to be in serious condition.

Superintendent of Police (rural) Rajesh Kumar told PTI that the accident took place at around 10 pm on Wednesday in Nagla Khangar Police Station area of Firozabad.

"The sleeper bus was going from Delhi to Motihari (Bihar). The double-decker bus hit the container truck from behind," he said.

Deadly road accident in Bikaner kills 10, injures 22

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the district magistrate and senior superintendent of police to reach the spot and oversee relief work.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

He also issued directives for proper treatment of the injured, a statement issued by the state government in Lucknow said.
Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to India later this month, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is building a wall in front of a slum along the road connecting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Indira Bridge.

However, city mayor Bijal Patel denied having knowledge in this regard.

"I have not seen it. I do not know anything about it," Patel told reporters here.

On Wednesday, a thorough security check was conducted at Sabarmati Ashram ahead of Trump's visit to Ahmedabad.

According to the (MEA), Trump is expected to attend an event at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on the lines of the 'Howdy Modi' function that was addressed by the US President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Houston in September last year.

Trump is slated to pay a two-day visit to India on February 24-25.

During the visit, Trump, who will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, will attend official engagements in New Delhi and Ahmedabad, and interact with a wide cross-section of the Indian society, the MEA said in a statement.

The announcement of Trump's first official visit to India was earlier made by the White House on Monday, which, in a statement, said that the US President and PM Modi had agreed during a recent phone conversation that the trip will "further strengthen the United States-India strategic partnership and highlight the strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people".
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and parent company Alphabet, on Monday called for government regulation of artificial intelligence technology in a speech at Bruegel, a think tank in Brussels, and in an op-ed in the Financial Times.

There is no question in Pichais mind that artificial intelligence should be regulated, he reportedly said in Brussels. The question is what will be the best approach.

Sensible regulation should take a proportionate approach, balancing potential harm with potential good, he added, and could incorporate existing rules, such as the EUs General Data Protection Regulation.

We need to be clear-eyed about what could go wrong, Pichai wrote in his FT column. There are real concerns about the potential negative consequences of AI, from deepfakes to nefarious uses of facial recognition.

He pledged to be a helpful and engaged partner to regulators, and offered them Googles expertise, experience and tools to navigate the issues surrounding AI.

AI has the potential to improve billions of lives, and the biggest risk may be failing to do so, he wrote. By ensuring it is developed responsibly in a way that benefits everyone, we can inspire future generations to believe in the power of technology as much as I do.

Pretty Weak Sauce

Pichais editorial is pretty weak sauce, wrote entrepreneur, journalist and author John Battelle in Searchblog, but he did find one of Pichais statements worthy of note: Companies such as ours cannot just build promising new technology and let market forces decide how it will be used.

Pichai is late in coming to that realization, Battelle suggested.

I wish Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple had that point of view before they built the AI-driven system we now all live with known as surveillance capitalism, he wrote.

Pichai is correct when he says AI must be regulated, observed Greg Sterlingvice president of market insights at Berlin-basedUberall, a maker of location marketing solutions.

Society cannot allow technology companies to self-regulate with technology that can be easily abused, Sterling told the E-Commerce Times. Its already happening in China and elsewhere.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

That said, what forms the specific regulation takes, and how global the consensus will are open to question, he noted.

In the U.S., at least, the government needs to consult with a wide array of experts and then come up with legislation and regulations that permit innovation but dont allow these technologies to be used for discriminatory purposes, Sterling said.

Decisions about hiring, healthcare, insurance and so on should not be made by AI, which has no morality, no ethics, and no sense of social good, he continued.

Machine learning and AI will do whatever theyre programmed to do  whatever the algorithms dictate, added Sterling. Humans must set limits on the application of these technologies and absolutely draw bright lines around certain use cases to prevent their abuse by unscrupulous actors. 

Building Blocks of Sensible Regulation

What I most appreciated about Sundar Pichais piece is his acknowledgment that AI principles documents will be an important source of norm building, and facilitate the creation of sensible regulation, Jessica Fjeld, assistant director of the Cyberlaw Clinic at Harvards Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, told the E-Commerce Times.

Three dozen prominent AI principles documents formed the basis for a report on AI ethics that Fjeld and Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Christopher Nagy andMadhulika Srikumar released last week.

In the documents, the researchers found eight common themes that could form the core of any principle-based approach to AI ethics and governance:

Privacy  AI systems should respect the privacy of individuals.

Accountability  Mechanisms must be in place to ensure AI systems are accountable, and remedies must be in place to fix problems when theyre not.

Safety and Security  AI systems should perform as intended and be secure from compromise.

Transparency and Explainability  AI systems should be designed and implemented to allow oversight.

Fairness and Nondiscrimination  AI systems should be designed to maximize fairness and inclusivity.

Human Control of Technology  Important decisions should remain under human review.

Professional Responsibility  Developers of AI systems should make sure to consult all stakeholders in the system and plan for long-term effects.

Promotion of Human Values  The ends to which AI is devoted and the means by which it is implemented should promote humanitys well being.

The eight themes contribute a view that is ethical and respectful of human rights to the foundational requirements for AI, the researchers noted.

However, theres a wide and thorny gap between the articulation of these high-level concepts and their actual achievement in the real world, they added.

Difficult to Regulate

As determined as regulators may be to keep AI on a short leash, they may find the task a daunting one.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The reality is that once technology is introduced, people are going to experiment with it, observed Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research, a high-tech research and advisory firm based in Phoenix.

The whole idea of regulation is foolish. AI is going to be used in good ways and bad ways, he told the E-Commerce Times.

You hope that you can limit the bad, and that people have respect and integrity in using and developing the technology  but mistakes will be made, and some people will use it nefariously, McGregor said. Just look at what Google, Facebook and other companies have done with their technologies for tracking people, monitoring information and sharing data.

Regulating AI will become increasingly difficult as it spreads, he added.

By 2025, youre not going to be able to buy a single electronic platform that doesnt use artificial intelligence for something, whether its local, in the cloud or a hybrid solution, McGregor predicted.

It could be for something as simple as managing battery power to as complex as operating an autonomous vehicle, he said. Whenever a new technology comes out, theres always this knee-jerk reaction from some segments of the population that says, Its bad. Everything new is bad. In general, though, technology has benefited mankind.
WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases

Coronavirus: Group of Ministers chair meeting to review, monitor and evaluate deadly virus

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Centre on Thursday constituted a second round of high-level Group of Ministers meeting headed by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan over the issue on coronavirus outbreak and its impact in India.

The Group of Ministers (GOM) has been put in place to review, monitor and evaluate the measures taken to tackle the deadly virus outbreak in the country.

During the meeting, Harsh Vardhan confirmed that three positive coronavirus cases have been recorded in India. All the cases are from Kerala with a travel history to Wuhan in China.

Coronavirus outbreak: 2 test positive in Kolkata, 1 quarantined in Delhi

It is reportedly said that the ministers were informed that a total of 2,315 flights have been screened at various airports across the country. It is also said that more than two lakh passengers have been screened.

Speaking to reporters Harsh Vardhan said, "We have been monitoring the situation with all states chief secretaries via video conferencing every day. We have been interacting with foreign affairs ministers of other countries and defence ministry on the coronavirus outbreak."

"Even in Parliament session, I have made statements and shared all the necessary information in both Houses," he added.

The cases that have tested positive for coronavirus were also discussed in the meeting. Measures that were taken to prevent the spread of the deadly virus were also discussed.

Coronavirus: 19 Chinese crew allowed to enter Kolkata after being quarantine

Meanwhile, more than 15,500 people are presently under community surveillance in more than 30 states and Union Territories. Out of a total of 1,671 samples, only 3 were found positive.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 16:18 [IST]
Actor Kalki Koechlin, who gave birth to her daughter Sappho recently, has expressed her gratitude towards the help that pregnant women need and get before, during and after their delivery.

Doula. I cant experience childbirth and not talk about this word. The word comes from the ancient Greeks and meant a womans maid, it is now a support system of women for women during the process of pregnancy, labour and post partem care. I didnt know about the function of a doula myself until I got pregnant. No matter how much you read up, prepare or ask your doctor, there are challenges in childbirth that one can only know from experience and practice. A doula provides massages, breathing techniques and excercises during active labour, other support like hypnobirthing, a birth plan for the hospital, your first bonding with your baby, breastfeeding and so many other essentials which believe me, when youre a first time mum, feel like your first day at a new school all over again!

In this photo Im with my doula @newbeginningzz in the transitional phase of labour, when you are almost ready to push the baby out and contractions are at their peak. For me it was by far the hardest part (so its quite appropriate that the picture is a blur), and without Sanams strong hands and steady voice guiding me through the breathing Im not sure I wouldve been able to bear it. Ive also had unbelievable support from Reba, a doula from @birthvillageindia whos constantly checking on me and making sure Im not alone through all this.

Kalki announced the arrival of her daughter with a post and wrote, Please welcome Sappho. Born 07/02/20. She just spent 9 months wrapped up like a momo in my uterus. Lets give her some space. Thank you for all the good wishes and positive energy pouring in. And respect to all the women who go through the intense and gruesome experience of birth, be it vaginal or c section, so many of whom are not given credit or support for the biggest challenges they face, but are expected to do it out of some kind of duty. The process takes a huge toll both psychological and physical and should have the backing of an entire community to truly heal.

Kalki also posted a family photo that had boyfriend Israeli musician Guy Hershberg and her, holding baby Sappho in their arms as they pose with their doctors and nurses.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Since announcing his second bid for the presidency nearly a year ago, Sanders has consistently remained a top-tier candidate in polling numbers, has repeatedly attracted large crowds at his events, and notably, has raised gargantuan sums of money from small donations  besting all the competition. Yet, for much of the 2020 presidential race, Sanders campaign has been treated by many in the media like an afterthought.

In the middle of February, however, Bernie Sanders has won the second-most votes in a chaotic caucus whose legitimacy will forever be in question and won the first primary of the race  the latter of which exceeded 2008s level of participation. It's worth noting that in Iowa, the Sanders campaign contends it won the popular vote as well.

Unfortunately, when I turned on cable news, all I kept hearing about was how awesome it was for Amy Klobuchar to make it to third place (but not so great for Elizabeth Warren a week ago, mind you) while adding that second place is super cool, too. As for first, apparently, the Sanders campaign should still feel bad that the turnout in Iowa was low (although youth participation, a Sanders campaign bragging right, was up) and downright awful for not winning New Hampshire with as high a percentage as he did in 2016 when he was running against just one person.

Whether you like it or not, however  and lots of commentators have made it clear that they do not  Bernie Sanders now has far more of a plausible path to the nomination than most candidates left in the race.

What about Mayor Pete, I hear you cry? Well, I know white cable pundits keep trying to make fetch happen with Pete Buttigieg, but he still acts like he didnt start really interacting with black people until he caught a matinee of Get Out two years ago, and while it is clear he is chasing the cadence of former President Obama, soon black voters will remind him that he could never and will never. The same can be said of Klobuchar, who keeps talking about her ability to unite, but, much like Buttigieg, is too little, too late on remembering black people have a say in this process, too. Based on Klobuchars exchange with fellow former prosecutor Sunny Hostin about her controversial background as a prosecutor on The View, it wont get any better for her.

Im lifting Elizabeth Warren for president in prayer and Im sure someone is saying a rosary on behalf of Joe Bidens stalling bid, but you know, its not looking good. Oh, Michael Bloomberg, another moderate fantasy: money can only go so far, and I doubt he can fix stop and frisk before his campaign is f...foiled, well go with foiled.

So lets talk about what happens if and when Sanders does get the nomination. And this conversation starts with a tweet by David Axelrod:

Axelrod is far from the first to caution Sanders supporters to vote for the nominee, whomever he or she is. It is in response to the Bernie or Bust days of yore, when some Sanders supporters in 2016 said they would only vote Democrat if Bernie was the candidate. Indeed, many claimed they would vote for Donald Trump over Hillary, if it came to it. And it seems that a few of them did.

In 2016, I wrote an essay called "Bernie Sanders or bust? That's a stance based on privilege" that got me some very obnoxious, often bigoted emails for a long time. In sum, I said the idea that it doesnt matter if Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump won because they are one and the same was a mighty white response not rooted in reality, because for a lot of people, who wins does mean a great deal.

See: marginalized people living in hell under Donald Trump.

Bernie or Bust was a selfish choice in my opinion, but at this point, isnt it about time we also started asking people who arent Bernie supporters to back him if he is the nominee? You know, as opposed to pretending he hasnt been building a multicultural coalition; hasnt been raising lots of money; hasnt got high favorables; isnt actually winning.

As of this week, there are people still arguing about the dangers of Bernie or Bust  but that is the wrong argument to be having. Simple facts tell us we need to be having the same conversation, not with angry progressives, but with potentially bitter moderates when their chosen candidate falls by the wayside. When Pete Buttigieg doesnt make fetch happen.

The race has not been settled. So many things can happen. But it is unfair to Bernie Sanders and his supporters to consistently lecture them on the importance of supporting the nominee when it seems they are not willing to offer the same level of consideration.

As Bernie and his supporters were once told  including by the likes of me  the numbers eventually become what they become, and if your interest is in defeating a demagogue before he brings further ruin, you will suck it up and do what needs to be done. These things were true for progressives in 2016  and they are true for moderates now.
Right now as I type, I am cozy inside my blanket inside the world's most magical place: my bedroom. I also have a face-mask on.

If you ask my editor, she would rather have me work from home every single day because it upsurges my productivity. I write a lot better and a lot faster. But those who work in a regular office know that the option of working from home is far from being a norm; it's certainly a privilege.

But given the Coronavirus outbreak, working from home has now become a necessity as a lot of businesses are trying to figure out how to stay operational in our virtual world.

China was supposed to get back to work on Monday but the deadly coronavirus outbreak has forced factories, shops, restaurants, hotels, co-working spaces, and all offices to remain shut. But businesses that can't afford to shut down have issued working from home for most white-collar job workers in China and outside. Worldwide, companies have asked their employees if they have visited China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore to work from home and quarantine themselves for the next two weeks.

The number of people now working from home due to coronavirus outbreak is humongous. It has ushered in the world's biggest work-from-home experiment.

In an interview with The Time, Alvin Foo, managing director of Reprise Digital, a Shanghai ad agency with 400 people that are part of the Interpublic Group, said, "Its a good opportunity for us to test working from home at scale. Obviously, not easy for a creative ad agency that brainstorms a lot in person. Its going to mean a lot of video chats and phone calls, he said.

But what about businesses that can't actually work from home?

This is worrying as it is bound to impact the world's second-largest economy and in turn the world economy.

According to a report by CNN Business, Huawei, the country's top smartphone maker, reopened its Shenzhen headquarters 40,000 people are currently employed. But employees found themselves returning to a drastically altered environment.

When they clock in each morning, workers must now provide details about their body temperature and whereabouts for the last two weeks. There will also be temperature checks at office buildings and parking lots, while face masks and hand sanitizers are being dispensed all over campus as precautionary measures.

A lot of reports also highlight how workers are unhappy with working at home. From cancellations to transactions on hold, work has started to suffer.

The inability of workers to get to work because of the coronavirus outbreak has developed a new challenge for organisations.

Most organisations are built around plans on losses and gains such as facilities, technology or people, but polices don't even take into consideration a deadly crisis like the coronavirus outbreak. Unfortunately, they'll be learning on-the-go how to manage this and that is bound to lead to some confusion.
Albany NY, United States -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/12/2020 -- Competition in the global eye and face protection market is stimulated by innovation and cost-friendliness, says a Transparency Market Research report. As requirements of consumers evolve, players in the global eye and face protection market are striving to rollout products that will bear relevance. Further, products with higher comfort and lower cost are also the target among existing players.



Some of the prominent names in the global eye and face protection market are Avon Rubber Plc., Ansell Limited, E I Du Pont De Nemours and Co., Kimberly-Clark, Honeywell International Inc., 3M Co., Msa Safety Inc., Uvex Safety Group, Grainger, Inc., and Bullard. Other organic strategies adopted by companies to stay ahead in the competition include acquisition and mergers, and opening new manufacturing facilities.



Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/eye-face-protection-equipment-market.html



The global eye and face protection market is expected to grow at a modest CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period  2017-2026. Further, TMR analysts state that the market will attain an overall value of US$4.5bn by the end of the forecast period.



Geographically, the global eye and face protection market has wide spread and analysts deduce that North America will emerge as the leader in the coming years. The stringent labor laws and safety regulations will drive demand from industries in the future. At the same time, anti-laser and anti-UV eyewear will be the engines of demand in the global eye and face protection market.eye-face-protection-market.jpg



Stringent Policies on Industrial Safety to Fuel Demand



In order to strengthen their economies, many countries have adopted labor-friendly laws, and policies that are inclined towards protecting workers and environment. As a result, industries are required to ensure safety of their employees. Many organizations are procuring equipment and safety gear that invokes demand in the global eye and face protection market.



For More Details, Request A Sample Report@

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18155



Another aspect that drives demand in the global eye and face protection market is the rising pollution levels across the world. Pedestrians and motorists are finding it difficult to drive through polluted roads. It results in respiratory disorders and to protect themselves from particulate matter and polluting gases, people wear gears. This is expected to surge demand in the global eye and face protection market.



Construction industry is predicted to drive growth in the global eye and face protection market. Countries in Asia Pacific are the cusp of development and as a result, the number of realty projects are shooting up. A trend here to be noticed is the demand for high-rises where workers are required to work with highest levels of precautions. This is considered to augment demand in the global eye and face protection market.
How Chinas Totalitarian Regime Has Worsened the Coronavirus Spread

In this episode of The China Report we speak with Daniel Wagner, author of The America-China Divide: The Race to Control the World, about how the totalitarian communist regime in China has worsened the spread of the coronavirus, and about the true goals of the regimes China Model.
Department of Justice prosecutors penchant for exploiting their information advantage over judges at the expense of defendants civil liberties may not be limited to the FISA process, according to a striking internal memo obtained by National Review.

The existence of the memo, which was drafted by thenDOJ prosecutor Ankush Khardori, was first reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this month. In it, Khardori makes the case that another obscure bureaucratic process that relies on transparency and a certain level of trust has been routinely weaponized to circumvent the protections afforded to defendants by statutes of limitation.

Khardori, who was on administrative leave while being investigated for an unrelated, allegedly unauthorized media leak about misconduct among senior officials, submitted the memo to the DOJ inspector general on January 31, just before he resigned from his position. In it, he alleges that senior officials in the DOJs Fraud Section allowed prosecutors to needlessly file Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) requests to foreign governments for the purpose of buying time to build cases that would otherwise be constrained by statutes of limitation. It can take months or even years for a foreign government to respond to such a request, during which time a case remains open even if the statute of limitations on the charges has passed.

Khardori specifically charges that Fraud Section chief Robert Zink, Market Integrity and Major Fraud (MIMF) Unit chief Brian Kidd, and MIMF assistant chief Henry Van Dyck presided over a culture in which MLAT abuses were routinely overlooked or even encouraged. (The DOJ and the inspector generals office declined to comment on the memos allegations.) He writes that he witnessed evidence of such abuses in two cases he worked on during his time at the DOJ: the prosecution of Robert Bogucki, the former global head of fixed-income trading at Barclays PLC who was accused but ultimately acquitted of front-running, and the prosecution of Bank of America Merrill Lynch traders accused of a price-manipulation tactic known as spoofing.

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* * *

The memo alleges that prosecutors sought Boguckis travel records from the United Kingdom in an MLAT request in August 2016, days before the five-year statute of limitations on the cases central conduct was set to expire. Once he was assigned to the existing case, Khardori writes that he reviewed the MLAT request, which had already been drafted, and determined that it was pretextual. He shared his concerns with fellow prosecutors along with an article by a former national-security prosecutor about how the MLAT statute was vulnerable to abuse. HAHAHAHAHHAAH! one colleague wrote back in response. The National Security Division wouldnt recognize a statute of limitations if it punched them in the face. I give this guy no credit, wrote another.

Undeterred, Khardori writes that he then shared his concerns with his superiors, Zink and Kidd, who also ignored them until the missteps he pointed out threatened to derail Boguckis prosecution. In a series of emails and conversations, Khardori argued that because Barclays had, up to that point, gone out of its way to cooperate in order ensure a swift resolution to the case, and had actually signed a commitment to continue cooperating with authorities as part of a previous settlement, reliance on the MLAT made no sense.

Khardori writes that he was also troubled by the appearance that prosecutors assigned to the case had dragged their feet when responding to questions about the MLAT request. In a normal situation, prosecutors respond to those types of questions quickly  that is, if they actually want the evidence, the memo reads.

The sections senior officials only began to pay attention to Khardoris concerns after the MLAT was challenged by Boguckis attorneys. The government eventually abandoned the MLAT after a district court judge agreed to hear the defenses challenge and ordered the government to provide discovery. That likely would have yielded a number of emails in which Khardori warns his fellow prosecutors  as well Zink and Kidd  that they should not rely on the MLAT.

According to Boguckis attorney, the entire exercise was clearly pointless, because the prosecutor who filed the MLAT request already had the travel records it sought in her email inbox from a previous round of discovery. And even if that hadnt been the case, the requested documents could probably have been obtained through a subpoena, because the hotel and airline companies at issue have significant footprints in the U.S.

* * *

After losing the Bogucki case, rather than reforming the MLAT process to avoid further issues, Kidd held a meeting with dozens of other prosecutors present in which he admitted that the MLAT that had derailed the case was pretextual, Khardori writes. According to his memo, however, Kidd suggested such conduct would be tolerated if it was not memorialized in writing.

Following the case, Khardori was assigned in 2018 to work on a case involving spoofing, which in the context of financial transactions refers to making an offer only to intentionally withdraw it in order to manipulate the price of the desired asset. The case involved two former Bank of America Merrill Lynch traders. It would have been closed due to the statute of limitation before Khardori was assigned to it if not for an MLAT request. Khardori writes that he intended to rely on the MLAT to defend the timeliness of the charges, until a colleague warned him that he should first review internal emails from the time the request was filed. When he did so, he discovered that a prosecutor on the case had explicitly referred to the time limit imposed by the statute of limitation in an email reminding colleagues that the MLAT request needed to be filed urgently. Kidd was copied on that email and remained expressionless when Khardori told him it was cause for concern.

While Khardori worked directly on only two cases that allegedly relied on fraudulent MLAT requests to circumvent statutes of limitation, the response he received from senior officials when he raised concerns led him to believe it is common practice in the section.

The participation in and tolerance of this conduct by senior, veteran Department personnel in the Section  particularly Mr. Zink and Mr. Kidd, both of whom have worked in the Department for approximately 10 years  suggests that they may have engaged in such conduct in their own careers and cases, the memo reads. It also suggests that they may have advised or instructed others to engage in such conduct in their cases, or otherwise tolerated such behavior. The number of MLAT requests filed also suggests the DOJ has come to rely more heavily on the process, for whatever reason. There were 1,178 such requests filed in 2016 compared to just 497 in 2014.

* * *

These seemingly arcane legal matters raise important questions about prosecutorial misconduct and defendants rights, some legal experts say. Even if they arent ultimately charged, prolonging an investigation past the applicable statute of limitation can do substantial harm to defendants. In many cases, it empowers the government to seize an accuseds private communications and other documents when a search warrant is issued and, if the individual is charged, it exposes them to immense reputational harm.

Statutes of limitation are there for a reason: Evidence grows cold, memory grows cold. People shouldnt be placed in a situation of having to defend themselves from allegations that are years old, said John Eastman, a professor at the Chapman University Law School. He added that in cases involving opaque financial transactions, circumventing the statute of limitations can also have dire consequences for a persons ability to exonerate himself: Even the IRS only requires you to keep tax records for a certain number of years, so youve now discarded the evidence that would allow you to vindicate yourself.

The conduct Khardori describes in the memo mirrors the misconduct detailed in the FISA warrant filed to surveil Carter Page as part of the DOJs investigation of the 2016 Trump campaign. In both cases, prosecutors selectively withheld information that could have made the presiding judges skeptical. Both FISA and MLAT applications are filed with judges who make rulings without hearing from the defense. The defendants in both cases were not entitled to review the applications, which made the judges expectation of total transparency all the more vital. And the prosecutors in both cases not only selectively withheld information but also eliminated any potential evidence of their abuse: In the case of the Page FISA application, this was accomplished by substantively doctoring an email, and in the case of the MLAT requests discussed in Khardoris memo, it was allegedly done by consciously avoiding the creation of a paper trail.

In the memo, Khardori argues that the responsible parties, specifically Kidd and Zink, violated both ethical rules and criminal statutes by intentionally misleading federal judges: In the two episodes described earlier, the circumstantial evidence indicates that there was a deliberate effort to deceive the relevant judges into believing that the Section had, in fact, made its requests for foreign evidence because of a legitimate interest in obtaining that evidence.

When the IG exposed the abuses Carter Page was subjected to, his defenders surmised that his treatment resulted from the institutions animus toward President Trump, but no such motive exists in the cases that Khardoris memo refers to, which suggests that the practices exposed by the IG in the Page case are not confined to the prosecution of political targets. And that should be cause for broad, bipartisan concern.

More from National Review
A British mother who vanished from a Coles supermarket in Sydney just days after touching down in Australia for a holiday has been found safe and alive.

Lynn O'Reilly, 69, who suffers from mild dementia, was last seen shopping at Coles in Crows Nest, in Sydney's north on Wednesday afternoon.

She was captured on CCTV buying laundry detergent and leaving the supermarket at 3.45pm, but never made it back to her apartment less than 600metres away.

Her daughter Karen Parsons spent the night searching the streets of Sydney with her father and took to Facebook with a desperate plea for help.

Lynn O'Reilly was last seen leaving Coles in Crows Nest, Sydney on Wednesday afternoon (pictured). She was found safe and alive 16km away on Thursday afternoon

The British mum (pictured) hasn't used any of her bank cards or turned on her phone since vanishing at 3.45pm on Wednesday

Ms Parsons said her mother had no cash on her and hadn't made any transactions on her credit or debit cards.

She said her mobile phone had been switched off since she vanished.

'She has very mild dementia and is often not aware of her surroundings and can make a wrong turn, but she has more than enough mental capacity to approach someone to tell them she is lost,' Ms Parsons said.

It wasn't until just after midday on Thursday that Ms Parson revealed her mother had been found safe and alive 16 kilometres away in the suburb of Pymble.

'I can not begin to express my gratitude, and thank you to everyone that shared this post to reach as far as Pymble where she was located,' she said.

Mrs O'Reilly had arrived in Sydney with her husband from the UK last Wednesday.

Lynn O'Reilly (pictured with husband) had arrived in Australia from the UK on Wednesday to visit her daughter Karen Parsons
The net appears to finally be closing in around big tech firms, albeit far too slowly. Google was in court on Wednesday, attempting to overturn the first of three EU fines totalling 8.25bn (6.92bn) for abusing its dominant position as the internets most important gatekeeper.

Meanwhile, US competition regulators ordered Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple and Facebook to hand over details on their takeovers of hundreds of smaller firms over the past decade.

The Federal Trade Commission wants to know if big tech has been buying up small tech in order to snuff out any competition before it poses a threat. There are almost certainly plenty of examples of exactly this happening, the question is whether it broke anti-trust law or not.
Thousands of Iranian candidates approved to run in parliamentary elections kicked off their campaigns Thursday ahead of next week's vote, even after authorities barred thousands of others from running, mainly reformists and moderates.

The February 21 parliamentary elections come amid some of the highest tensions between Tehran and Washington in the past four decades.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has slammed the disqualifications but earlier this week, he urged the crowds in Tehran marking the anniversary of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution to turn out at the polls in large numbers.

The vote is seen as a test of the popularity of the relatively moderate and pro-reform bloc led by Rouhani, who has struggled to deliver on campaign promises to improve people's lives as Iran's economy buckles under the weight of US economic sanctions.

Also, a high turnout in the polls will be seen as a vote of confidence in the country's Shiite theocracy, something Iran has tried to showcase amid the crisis with Washington.

Tensions with the United States could strengthen hard-liners by reinforcing long-held distrust of the West.

The crisis escalated further after a US airstrike in January that killed Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani, and led to a tense confrontation in which Iranian forces accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane after it took off from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.

The shootdown, and attempts by officials to initially conceal the cause of the crash, sparked public anger and protests in Iran.

The current 290-member parliament, elected in 2016, has more than 100 reformists and moderates, while the rest of the chamber is split between independents and hard-liners.

The powerful Guardian Council, the country's constitutional watchdog which vets prospective candidates, had barred more than 7,000 people from out of over 14,000 who had applied in December to enter the race. That left over 7,000 candidates running in the February 21 elections for the 290-seat parliament.

The council, which consists of senior clerics and legal experts, also rules out individuals if it considers their views or behavior incompatible with the theocratic system.

Half its members are appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The majority of those rejected were reformist and moderate candidates but there were also some hard-liners among those barred and 90 current lawmakers.

The hopefuls now have a week for campaigning, which is to end next Wednesday.

In Tehran, which accounts for 30 seats in the chamber, there are only several relatively well-known moderates and reformists on the list, with the rest not known to average citizens.

The hard-liners running for seats in the next parliament are headed by former Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Their list includes 12 young and new faces.

In May, Khamenei met with a group of university students and urged for preparing the ground for the formation of a young and Hezbollahi administration.

Hezbollahi is usually a reference to commitment to hard-line causes. The next presidential election is expected in mid-2021.

The moderates and reformists have championed improved ties with the West and expanded social freedoms, but they suffered major setbacks since President Donald Trump's election.

Trump pulled the US out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, setting the agreement which was championed by Rouhani hurtling toward collapse, and reimposed new and tougher sanctions on Iran, which sent its economy into free fall.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over half (55%) of Irish businesses do not have an integrated cloud security plan in place. This is according to research from Logicalis Ireland which involved more than 100 IT decision makers across Irish businesses.

The research found that almost a quarter (24%) are concerned about losing data to the dark web. Despite this, 13% admitted their organisations have no response plans in place for security incidents, with a further 26% only acting reactively as and when incidents arise.

The three biggest concerns in relation to cloud security are data breaches (70%), human error (60%) and permanent data loss (44%). Furthermore, almost three quarters of respondents are more worried about cloud security threats in 2020.

Commenting on the research, Sales Manager at Logicalis Ireland, Loman McCaffrey said, "As well as maximising security, organisations need to consider platforms that also help to keep costs under control, support staff productivity and enable better management of data, regardless of the cloud environment theyre using."

He added, "Furthermore, as more organisations move their workloads into the cloud, its vital they have a clearly defined and continually evolving security strategy that covers all aspects of the business, including staff training to reduce the risk of falling victim to cybersecurity attacks. Otherwise their fears could be realised."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
A young woman from Idaho who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a 2018 van crash while traveling to a Christian conference in Portland, Ore. with her youth group is suing the church and the youth pastor who was driving the van.

Leona Ranstrom alleges in the lawsuit filed in Umatilla County, Oregon that she was unable to finish her freshman year of college due to her brain injury and has cognitive deficiencies and difficulty with daily activities, the East Oregonian reported Thursday.

She is seeking $750,000 in damages, including money for medical expenses and tuition reimbursement.

Ranstrom was one of 11 passengers in the van from River City Church in Lewiston, Idaho when it crashed near Hermiston, Oregon. Nine people were injured in the wreck and two were hospitalized.

The driver, Largent Reeb, of Lewiston, Idaho, pleaded no contest to a citation for failing to travel within a lane and was convicted two days after the crash. He was 28 at the time and is currently listed on the churchs website as a youth pastor, the newspaper reported.

Reeb failed to negotiate a lane change while trying to merge onto Interstate 84 from Interstate 82 and the van slid off the exit ramp and rolled, the newspaper reported.

Representatives from River City Church did not respond to a request for comment.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Auto Oregon
Wuhan, Feb 13 : Approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping, 2,600 additional military medical personnel will be tasked with treating patients in two hospitals in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

They will follow the operation model of Huoshenshan Hospital and be tasked with treating confirmed patients of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Taikang Tongji Hospital and a branch of Hubei's Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, reports Xinhua news agency.

The two hospitals, with a planned capacity of 860 and 700 beds respectively, have clinical wards, as well as departments for infection control, examination, special diagnosis, radiation diagnosis, medical equipment, sterile supply, information and medical engineering.

The reinforcement medics come from healthcare institutions affiliated with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Joint Logistic Support Force, as well as the Chinese People's Armed Police Force.

Of them, a first group of 1,400 medical and nursing professionals will arrive in Wuhan on Thursday before starting treating patients there immediately.

So far, the armed forces have dispatched healthcare professionals in three batches, totaling 4,000, to support Wuhan in the fight against the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital city, reported 14,840 new confirmed cases and 242 new deaths on Wednesday, the highest daily increases so far.

This brought the total number of confirmed cases in China to 48,206, with the overall death toll at 1,310.
The US Senate opened debate on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's authority to go to war with Iran, with passage likely after eight Republicans sided with Democrats to advance the bill.

A vote on the war powers resolution could take place as early as Thursday, amid concerns that Trump could embark on open military conflict with Tehran without consulting Congress.

Passage could embarrass the president, who has been able to count on the Republicans' solid majority in the Senate to block legislation he disagrees with.

While Trump is expected to veto the legislation, he warned the Senate on Wednesday to vote it down and not limit his policy choices.

"It is very important for our Country's SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution," he tweeted.

"We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness... If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party."



In January the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed its own version of the law, after Trump's order to kill Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran dramatically escalated tensions and raised fears of a devastating war between the two foes.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, the sponsor of the Senate resolution, said it aimed at preventing unilateral war.

"Congress has got to reassert our constitutional role in matters of war and peace," he said.

The two chambers' versions will have to be reconciled before being sent to the White House, which could all take place by the end of February.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON  Louisiana's Republican U.S. senators split as the GOP-controlled Senate voted Thursday to rein in President Donald Trump's ability to take military action in Iran without congressional approval.

Despite Trump's fierce objection to the proposed war powers resolution, the measure passed the Senate on a 55-45 vote. It now heads to the U.S. House for consideration, where a similar, though not identical, proposal passed last month. The effort is expected to end with a Trump veto.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, voted in favor of the Senate resolution; U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, voted against it.

It was the Senate's first major vote since acquitting Trump of impeachment charges last week and after several days of the president harshly condemning those who clashed with him on impeachment as "evil" and "corrupt."

During an appearance Wednesday, Trump said the lesson he learned from impeachment was that "The Democrats are crooked. ... That they're vicious."

Trump has voiced his opposition to the war powers resolution but hasn't signaled that he's preparing for another public fight with Cassidy or any of the Republicans who in last week's votes supported his acquittal on charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress through his dealings with Ukraine.

Citing Congress' war authority outlined in the Constitution, the measure approved by the Senate would direct the president to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran."

The measure wouldn't affect the ability to defend the United States against an imminent attack.

Supporters argue that the resolution is an attempt to recalibrate Congress' war-making authority after decades of ceding control to presidents and that it was not directly aimed at Trump, who ordered a strike last month that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. Trump has said Soleimani was in the process of plotting an attack and had been responsible for the deaths of countless Americans.

The Rundown: Louisiana's new Health secretary, legislative priorities and more Louisiana politics news Today in The Rundown: Gov. Edwards has named a new Health secretary; the BP oil spill may have been even worse than thought; educators ask the

Eight Republican senators, including Cassidy, sided with Democrats after lengthy negotiations with Democratic leaders and several hours of open remarks on the Senate floor.

This resolution protects our constitutional system of checks and balances while allowing presidents to defend our country from attacks," Cassidy said in a statement on his vote. "If this resolution was in effect at the beginning of the year, President Trump would have still been able to carry out strikes against Iran and Gen. Soleimani (which I supported)."

"The founders gave Congress the power to declare war under Article I of the Constitution; we should fulfill this responsibility," Cassidy added.

Kennedy declined comment.

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The White House already has signaled that a veto is likely and the Senate vote Thursday didn't reach a veto-proof threshold, so it's likely to become more of a symbolic measure.

A day before the vote and as senators debated its merits on the floor, Trump sent a series of tweets stressing his opposition to the resolution and urged his allies to vote against it.

We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani, Trump wrote.

If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day, he added. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!

When the similar proposal came up in the House on Jan. 29, 11 Republicans voted in favor of it  none from Louisiana.

The Louisiana Republican Party declined to comment on the war powers resolution votes or the senators' split vote Thursday.

The Senate vote to scale back Trump's military authority comes just a week after the same body voted to acquit the president on two articles of impeachment related to allegations that he leveraged military aide to Ukraine to hurt his 2020 political rival and former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat. Only one Republican, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, crossed Trump and voted for him to be found guilty of abuse of power.

Since then, Romney has been a frequent target of Trump's scorn. In public remarks and on Twitter, Trump has repeatedly dismissed Romney, who cited his faith in his guilty vote, as a "failed presidential candidate" who is jealous that Trump won the election after Romney lost to President Barack Obama in 2012.

Meanwhile, many of the Republicans who defended Trump in the impeachment saga have been lavished with praise  including Cassidy, who was invited to a White House acquittal celebration the day after the acquittal.

"What a guy," Trump said after urging Cassidy to stand for applause. "Great man."

Cassidy, 62, is up for reelection this year on the same ballot as Trump's re-election bid. Cassidy has worked closely with the White House on developing health care and paid family leave proposals.

How the senators from Louisiana voted

In favor of resolution restricting president's authority: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge.

Against: U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville.
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Roger Stone's legal team bolstered its ranks Thursday with a former Mafia lawyer who helped mob scion John 'Junior' Gotti beat racketeering charges, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Attorney Seth Ginsberg will appear 'pro hac vice'  on one particular occasion  for the convicted former Trump aide, according to a motion filed overnight in Washington, D.C. federal court.

Ginsberg declined to go into specifics about his role in the Stone case, which has been embroiled in chaos since Attorney General William Barr overruled his own lawyers this week by ripping up their nine-year sentencing recommendation.

He told DailyMail.com: 'Roger has a fine team of attorneys and I'm pleased that he has asked me to assist them during the sentencing phase.

'My role will be to provide representation to Roger, along with his current team of attorneys, in the sentencing phase.'

Ginsberg's slick corporate profile hails his federal court expertise in helping 'high net worth individuals in complex matrimonial and commercial matters'.

Hired: Seth Ginsberg (right) is best known for his role in the acquittal of John Gotti Jr. (center), the son of the Teflon don and head of the Gambino crime family. Ginsberg was part of a legal team led by Charles Carnesi (left) during five trials in Manhattan, which ended in Gotti's acquittal

Sentencing due: A hearing to sentence Roger Stone is scheduled for next week

New target: Amy Berman Jackson, the Obama-appointed federal judge who will sentence Roger Stone, found herself in Trump's twitter crosshairs after a day of unprecedented drama involving the Department of Justice

But he's best known for representing Gotti - the former head of the Gambino crime family and son of notorious 'Teflon Don' John J. Gotti - who faced four trials in five years before he was cleared of racketeering in 2008.

Gotti could have faced 70 years behind bars but walked free when a third jury decided that, while he was likely behind the abduction and shooting of talk-show host Curtis Sliwa, the government had not proved a pattern of crimes, a necessary step to finding him guilty.

Ginsberg, who qualified for the bar in in 1994, assisted famed mob lawyer Charles Carnesi in the trials and went on to represent another Gambino soldier, Thomas Orefice, who is serving 96 months for racketeering and sex trafficking.

The association caused embarrassment for Ginsberg in 2010 when was he barred from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York for trying to enter with a bag of pot in his suitcase.

Ginsberg protested his innocence after a corrections officer found a small amount of the drug tucked inside a sandwich bag, blaming the find on his brother who had recently borrowed the case.

'Thankfully, Mr. Gotti has not required my representation since the last charges against him were dismissed ten years ago,' Ginsberg said of his mob links.

'I have practiced criminal defense in the federal arena for more than 25 years and have been privileged to represent a wide range of individuals.'

Ginsberg enters the Stone fray after days of confusion triggered by a Justice Department u-turn asking for a lighter sentence for the self-proclaimed political dirty trickster, 67, who was convicted last November of lying to Congress about his efforts to procure stolen Democratic Party emails from WikiLeaks.

That prompted Aaron Zelinsky, a special assistant US attorney who was part of Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, to resign in outrage over apparent political meddling, and he was swiftly followed by assistant US attorney Jonathan Kravis, special assistant US attorney Adam Jed and Assistant US attorney Michael Marando.

In a fresh twist, it emerged today that the foreperson on the jury that convicted Stone of lying to lawmakers to try to help Donald Trump become President was a failed Democratic candidate for Congress herself and an outspoken Trump critic.

Hart (left) is seen with former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile

Hart retweeted a post about Stone's arrest in January 2019, months before the trial

Tomeka Hart, a former Memphis City Schools Board President, outed herself in a Facebook post on Wednesday voicing support for prosecutors.

'I have kept my silence for months. Initially, it was for my safety. Then, I decided to remain silent out of fear of politicizing the matter,' Hart wrote.

'But I can't keep quiet any longer. I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis  the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial.

'It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice.

'For that, I wanted to speak up for them and ask you to join me in thanking them for their service.'

A review of Hart's social media posts showed that she had frequently denounced Trump, including calling the President and his supporters racists.

Hart unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012 and participated in anti-Trump rallies and protests.

She had also re-tweeted a post by pundit Bakari Sellers dismissing Stone's claims that the FBI used excessive force when they arrested him at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida home in January 2019. Sellers listed black victims of 'police force', including Sandra Bland, Walter Scott and Eric Gardner, scoffing: 'But Roger Stone!!! Think about that.'

After serving on the Stone jury and finding him guilty of making false statements to Congress, obstructing a congressional proceeding and witness tampering, Hart took to social media again to post emojis of hearts and fist pumps.

Neither Stone's lawyers, nor the government, have commented so far on her disclosures or the impact they could have for Stone ahead of his sentencing hearing next week.

Stone's lawyers have already made one failed attempt to secure a re-trial, arguing last week in a completely unrelated motion that a different juror was biased.

They argued the juror, an IRS employee who worked with the Justice Department on criminal tax cases and admitted reading news articles about Stone's arrest, should have been struck from the panel.

The juror denied having any opinions about Stone when asked about it by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson during proceedings.

She ruled this week that there were approximately 1,400 lawyers at the IRS and that the defense had failed to demonstrate the 'sort of inherent bias' that would have excluded one of their rank from being impartial.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is endorsing Mike Bloomberg for president, giving the former New York City mayor his biggest Texas endorsement yet as early voting is set to begin in just five days.

We need a president who knows how cities run, Turner said. Its why Im proud to endorse Mike for president, and I look forward to sending him to Washington in November.

The endorsement comes as Bloomberg is scheduled to be in Houston on Thursday night to launch a new initiative called Mike for Black America, which is supposed to help address issues important to the black community and boost voter turnout. Bloomberg is announcing that program just after 8 p.m. at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum at 3816 Caroline St.

Earlier, Bloomberg will speak at the Harris County Democratic Partys annual Johnson, Rayburn Richards Dinner at the Marriott Marquis Houston.

Its already Bloombergs third visit to Houston in the last six weeks. And in each of those visits, hes been focused on the black community. In his last visit just two weeks ago, Bloomberg was promoting an economic program he plans to launch that he says will create one million more black homeowners and 100,000 new black-owned businesses.

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As mayor, Mike embraced New Yorks diversity and made smart investments that brought better infrastructure and greater opportunity to all five boroughs, Turner said.

Bloomberg heaped praise back on Turner, a fellow Democrat who just won re-election in December.

Being a great mayor of a large, diverse city means taking on big challenges that affect millions of people, like infrastructure and climate change, and issues specific to certain groups, like expanding opportunities for young men of color  and Mayor Sylvester Turner has done both amidst the melting pot of cultures in Houston, Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg has been working on getting endorsements from mayors and former mayors. Hes previously announced endorsements from San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Bloomberg got into the presidential race in November, more than six months after the other leading contenders. But hes skipped the traditional early voting states including Iowa and New Hampshire. Instead, he has been spending big in Super Tuesday voting states, including Texas and California as well as more than a dozen other states.

Polling shows Bloomberg has surged over the last two months. A Quinnipiac University Poll released last week showed that 15 percent of national Democratic voters are supporting Bloomberg  just two percentage points behind former Vice President Joe Biden for second place. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders was leading that poll with 25 percent.

Bloombergs gains in the black community have been a big reason for the jump. His support among black voters jumped to 22 percent in that Quinnipiac Poll. In December, only 4 percent of black voters were supporting him.

Biden, vice president under President Barack Obama, was an early leader in the race and has won endorsements from key Texas Democrats in Congress: U.S. Reps Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen; Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas; Colin Allred, D-Dallas; Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth; and Filemon Vela Jr., D-Brownsville.

Bloombergs visit comes at a time other campaigns are also ramping up activities in Houston and in Texas. Sanders's campaign is scheduled to open a new office in Houston on Thursday night, and Sanders himself will hold a rally in Mesquite in North Texas on Friday night. California billionaire Tom Steyer is opening his first Texas office in Houston, on Thursday morning as well.
[February 13, 2020] YuJa Announces Site-Wide Agreement with Austin Peay State University to Provide Streaming Media and Closed Captioning Services

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- YuJa Inc. formally announces a site-wide YuJa Enterprise Video Platform licensing agreement with Austin Peay State University, a southern university, widely recognized as one of the fastest growing universities within the state of Tennessee. The university's adoption of the Video Platform will provide students and faculty with campus-wide media streaming capabilities and an accessible closed-captioning solution. "Digital accessibility is a fundamental aspect in shaping the future of teaching and learning," said Dr. Ajit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of YuJa, Inc. "We are excited to partner with forward-thinking universities like Austin Peay State University to support the specific needs of every learner." The contract was awarded following a rigorous Request for Proposal (RFP) process that defined the institution's minimum service requirements for content development features, LMS integration, and standards based captioning integration. The YuJa Enterprise Video Platform provides Austin Peay State University with the solutions needed to ensure that all their users' content meets their accessibility requirements, including a vendor that provides uman captioning capabilities.



About YuJa

YuJa is a leader in enterprise video solutions. Our products harness the power of video to educate, engage, inspire and collaborate. We serve organizations of all sizes, within all sectors, including higher-ed, K-12, government, healthcare, non-profit and corporate delivering engaging video experiences. Our portfolio includes products for lecture capture, live streaming, video management, video conferencing, video test proctoring, digital asset management and enterprise accessibility. We have legal headquarters in Delaware with primary U.S. offices in Silicon Valley, California and Canadian offices in Toronto. About Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University is located on an urban campus that for over 180 years has been used for educational purposes and on which the buildings of five colleges have stood. APSU is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the state's fifth largest and youngest city. The school is named after former Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, a Clarksville native. Austin Peay is a four-year public, masters level university offering over 56 majors and 63 different concentrations.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yuja-announces-site-wide-agreement-with-austin-peay-state-university-to-provide-streaming-media-and-closed-captioning-services-301004252.html SOURCE YuJa

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By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

Earlier this month, US Public Interest Group (US PIRG) published a short squib discussing one modest recent development in the battle over the right to repair, LOBBYING AGAINST RIGHT TO REPAIR IS RISKY. The post concerned Comp TIA, which certifies repair and IT technicians.

Alas, although Comp TIA provides repair services, the organization found that when it lobbied in a manner that was consistent with its pro-repair orientation, its advocacy upset some of its customers.

Here Im going to reproduce most of US Pirgs post, as I think this is an important and reasonably optimistic development, which deserves wider attention. Advocates of the right to repair need to celebrate the small victories they can eke out, as the forces arrayed on the opposing side are vast and powerful, despite the inherent popularity of right to repair perspectives.

Right to Repair laws, which make it easier for consumers to fix their own stuff, are broadly popular with the public. So when companies lobby against it, it can upset their customers. CompTIA, a leading provider of certifications for repair and IT technicians, found this out the hard way. As Right to Repair aims to expand opportunities for repair technicians, you might expect that CompTIA would support the campaign. After all, 96 percent of hiring managers in the IT repair field use their A+ certificate as recruitment criteria. With this huge portion of the technicians CompTIA certified, they have built a very visible presence among repair technicians. Instead, CompTIA was one of the leading groups advocating against Right to Repair reforms. In doing so, they opposed the idea that manufacturers should provide access to the parts and service information needed to repair modern gadgets, a policy that would help many of their members. But earlier this month, CompTIA changed their tune.

Now, the reason for this shift was a change among the policy views of its membership, catalyzed by increased scrutiny of its lobbying practices arising from Right to Repair hearings:

Louis Rossmann, a repair shop owner and Right to Repair advocate, has built a significant YouTube following that includes many CompTIA members. His recent coverage of Right to Repair hearings increased scrutiny on the trade organizations lobbying efforts, and holders of the A+ certification started speaking out. They took to Twitter with confusion and outrage, and were among the more than 3,000 individuals to sign Rossmanns petition rebuking the trade groups lobbying practices.

I must say I find it somewhat odd that an organization that seeks to provide repair and certification services would lobby to the contrary. so COMP TIAs policy shift now seems to be a bit more aligned with the natural order of things.

CompTIA quickly took notice. Right to Repair advocates used the public outcry to convince CompTIA to stop lobbying on the Right to Repair issue, telling Rossmann, Were stepping back from the debate going forward. The reason CompTIA was simultaneously representing repair technicians and lobbying against Right to Repair is potentially linked to the 2014 acquisition of the lobbying firm TechAmerica. At that time, CompTIA was primarily focused on its education and certification business, but had little influence on public policy. They acquired TechAmerica to amplify the industrys already powerful voice in Washington, D.C. Apple, one of the leading voices opposed to Right to Repair reforms, is reported to be a client of that lobbying work, and has lobbied alongside CompTIA in states including California. CompTIA bowing out of the Right to Repair conversation is the latest demonstration of the broad and deep support for these reforms. With Right to Repair legislation in Massachusetts and Hawaiialready clearing important hurdles, and the American Farm Bureau making the issue a legislative priority, the campaign has built significant momentum in the early days of 2020. Getting in the way of that momentum, even when funded by a trillion dollar conglomerate, is risky, and industry is starting to buckle.

******

Another thing I want to mention: the right to repair and the US military. Readers may recall that last November, Captain Elle Ekman published a NYT op-ed that shocked even this cynical observer of US politics, Heres One Reason the U.S. Military Cant Fix Its Own Equipment:

As I posted shortly shortly thereafter, Lack of Right to Repair Limits Ability of US Military to Maintain its Own Equipment:

Apparently, even the US military doesnt enjoy a right to repair for materiel it purchases, and instead must ship some equipment back to the states, for maintenance and repair by the original manufacturer, rather than fixing it locally. No joking. Why? Over to Captain Ekmans op-ed: A few years ago, I was standing in a South Korean field, knee deep in mud, incredulously asking one of my maintenance Marines to tell me again why he couldnt fix a broken generator. We needed the generator to support training with the United States Army and South Korean military, and I was generally unaccustomed to hearing anyone in the Marine Corps give excuses for not effectively getting a job done. I was stunned when his frustrated reply was, Because of the warranty, maam. At the time, I hadnt heard of right-to-repair and didnt know that a civilian concept could affect my job in the military. The idea behind right-to-repair is that you (or a third-party you choose) should be able to repair something you own, instead of being forced to rely on the company that originally sold it. This could involve not repairing something (like an iPhone) because doing so would void a warranty; repairs which require specialized tools, diagnostic equipment, data or schematics not reasonably available to consumers; or products that are deliberately designed to prevent an end user from fixing them. I first heard about the term from a fellow Marine interested in problems with monopoly power and technology. A few past experiences then snapped into focus. Besides the broken generator in South Korea, I remembered working at a maintenance unit in Okinawa, Japan, watching as engines were packed up and shipped back to contractors in the United States for repairs because thats what the contract says. The process took months.



I also recalled how Marines have the ability to manufacture parts using water-jets, lathes and milling machines (as well as newer 3-D printers), but that these tools often sit idle in maintenance bays alongside broken-down military equipment. Although parts from the manufacturer arent available to repair the equipment, we arent allowed to make the parts ourselves due to specifications. The right to repair has become more prominent on the political agenda, with both Senators Sanders and Warren endorsing versions of the concept, as has the editorial board of the New York Times (see Right to Repair Initiatives Gain Support in US). The Federal Trade Commission debated the idea during a workshop this summer, and Ekman and captain Lucas Kunce submitted a comment letter, Comment Submitted by Major Lucas Kunce and Captain Elle Ekman, which provides details that support her NYT op-ed.

Now, for those readers who missed my earlier post  or who read it. and fancy an update  this week Popular Mechanics published a piece that makes clear that right to repair in the military is a persistent problem, which has not gone away:

U.S. troops in the field are running up against increasingly restrictive licensing agreements signed by the Pentagon that limit their ability to service their own equipment. This presents a readiness and equipment confidence issue, which could make American forces less effective in wartime. An article at Foxtrot Alpha takes a look at the right to repair issue faced by todays military. The article reports on how changes to the military procurement system allowed the Pentagon more leeway in buying civilian equipmenta good thing by any measure. Unfortunately, those agreements often include similar versions of the civilian warranty, which effectively prohibits civilians from servicing their own equipment. The right-to-repair issue is relatively new in the world of consumer rights. Restrictive warranty agreements, from iPhones to John Deere tractors , often prevents consumers from making repairs to their own devices or having a third party perform the repairs without voiding the warranty. Manufacturers claim the warranties are necessary in order to ensure the repairs are done correctly, but the repairs are often expensive and more time consuming than allowing the consumer to do it.<

Even for those of us not already completely worn down by accounts of overpriced, bloated weapons systems not fit for purpose, the lack of an ability to repair military equipment  an absence of any military right to repair  is just another variation on the theme of how the US military manages to waste resources in new and ever more rococo variations.

Ill close by suggesting that a right to repair is an idea whose time has come  for both civilian and military applications.
BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Trust Walden Company is pleased to announce several promotions.

Leanne Moore has been promoted to portfolio manager, joining the Small and SMID Cap equity portfolio management teams. These strategies continue to be led by Kenneth Scott, who has served as the lead portfolio manager for the Small Cap strategy since 1999 and as the lead portfolio manager for the SMID Cap strategy since the strategy's inception in 2010. "Leanne is a strong, experienced analyst and a valuable contributor to the entire portfolio management process," said Mr. Scott.

Richard Williams, who joined the firm in 2013, and serves as a portfolio manager on the firm's Small, SMID, and Mid Cap equity teams, has been promoted to Managing Director and has been appointed to the firm's Board of Directors. Mr. Williams will continue in his current roles.

Mark Zagata has been promoted to the Mid Cap equity portfolio management team. Stephen Amyouny, lead portfolio manager for the Mid Cap strategy, said: "The expansion in Mark's portfolio management responsibilities reflects his strong contributions to the investment process over the last decade." Mark is also a portfolio manager on the firm's Large Cap Value strategy.

Belinda Cavazos, who was a member of the Small, SMID and Mid Cap portfolio management teams, has left the firm.

Also, as of April 1, 2020, William Apfel will step down from his role as Executive Managing Director. Mr. Apfel will continue to serve as the firm's Chief Investment Officer and lead portfolio manager for the firm's Multi-Asset, US Large Cap Value, and International Developed Equity strategies. He will remain a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Amyouny and Mr. Scott, who have served on a three-person Executive Management Committee with Mr. Apfel since January 2017, have been appointed Co-Chief Executive Officers by the Board.

Said Mr. Apfel: "Our business is healthy and rests on a solid foundation. Steve and Ken are outstanding investors and leaders, and are committed to achieving excellent outcomes for our clients."

Regarding these changes, Mr. Amyouny said: "As a firm, we remain focused on our role as responsible stewards of our clients' assets, including the thoughtful execution of our investment philosophy. We are committed to remaining an employee-owned business, which we ardently believe is the best model for our clients. Effective management of our resources, particularly our people, is crucial to realizing our objectives."

Boston Trust Walden Company, including its investment adviser subsidiary Boston Trust Walden Inc., manages more than $10 billion in assets for both institutional and high net worth clients. Our team of professionals is committed to a distinctive investment philosophy, disciplined approach, and impact investing leadership.

Media inquiries: Heidi Vanni, [email protected], (617)-726-7136

SOURCE Boston Trust Walden Company
Departmental leaders are among the most qualified public servants in the Federal Government. They are dedicated to ensuring the guidance and management necessary to support the health and well-being of the nation. Learn more about the Department's leadership:

Secretary and Deputy Secretary
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:36:59|Editor: yan

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BERLIN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of agricultural businesses in Germany would decline from the current 267,000 to only around 100,000 by 2040, according to a study by DZ Bank published on Thursday.

At the same time, the average size of farms would increase noticeably from around 63 hectares to some 160 hectares as the total farming area in Germany would mostly remain unchanged, said the study.

Changes in the country's demographic structure and a resulting shortage of successors for smaller businesses "reinforce this development," it noted.

In the long term, there would be a "threat of turning away from the centuries-old model of the rural family farm." The study stated that there were around 1.5 million farms in Germany back in 1960.

The last two record summers which had caused significant harvest losses, as well as German consumers being "unwilling to pay higher prices for quality food" have further added economic pressure on farmers, the study indicated.

The management of agricultural businesses in Germany has been increasingly resembling that of an industrial enterprise in which digitization would make production processes more efficient.

The study believes that information about the condition and temperature of the soil through GPS data, for example, would make possible a "time-optimized sowing and spatially precise fertilization and pest control."

But it also found that "digitization was driving job losses" in the agricultural sector. Of the almost 1.9 million jobs in 1991, only around 650,000 remains now, and the number of jobs in German agriculture businesses would fall another 50 percent by 2040.

The study noted that by 2040, the share of Germany's total farming area used for organic farming would increase to around 20 percent.

The German Association of Organic Farmers, Food Processors and Retailers (BOELW) announced on Wednesday that consumers spent a total of 11.97 billion euros (13 billion U.S. dollars) on organic food and beverages last year, almost 10 percent more than the previous year.

"In total, the organic acreage has increased by almost 50 percent in the last five years," said Peter Roehrig of the BOELW. "Every tenth hectare in Germany is fit for future generations."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:26:43|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of 5,911 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been discharged from hospital after recovery by the end of Wednesday, Chinese health authorities announced Thursday.

Wednesday saw 1,171 people walk out of hospital after recovery, according to Mi Feng, spokesperson with the National Health Commission.

By the end of Wednesday, a total of 1,367 people had died of the disease and 59,804 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in China.
London

Organizers of the world's biggest mobile technology fair are pulling the plug over worries about the viral outbreak from China.

The annual Mobile World Congress will no longer be held as planned in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 24-27.

"Global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," John Hoffman, head of the GSMA organizing body, said in a statement Wednesday.

The decision comes after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out, with the latest cancellations by Nokia, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and Britain's BT on Wednesday. Other companies that dropped out earlier include Ericsson, Sony, Amazon, Intel and LG. The companies cited concerns for the safety of staff and visitors.

Organizers and government officials had sought to hold out against growing pressure to cancel the annual tech extravaganza, which had been expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors from about 200 countries, including 5,000 to 6,000 from China. The show normally represents a huge source of revenue for hotels, restaurants and taxi companies. Authorities have estimated the show was to generate 473 million euros ($516 million) and more than 14,000 part-time jobs for the local economy.

Spain's vice president, Carmen Calvo, said there was "no public health reason" to call off the show. She said Spain had a good health response system and was following all of the recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Dr. Mike Ryan, the WHO's emergencies chief, said before the cancellation that the show could have gone on.

He said that while no mass gathering is ever risk-free, with the potential for food poisoning, injuries or building collapse, most events "can continue if the proper measures can be applied."

Spanish labor unions said that the show was called off due to the panic of the major technological companies. The CCOO union's regional leader, Javier Pacheco, denounced "the alarmist attitude of the technological companies that, from their position of global supremacy, don't care about the local impact."

But Tim Bajarin, president of consultancy Creative Strategies, said cancellation was prudent with all the unknowns surrounding how the new virus is spread and the fact that many companies had already pulled out.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

These days, most big companies hold their own product launch events anyway, as Samsung did Tuesday in San Francisco. But Bajarin said Mobile World Congress was still an opportunity for many people in the mobile industry to meet in one place.

"It allowed for a lot of networking and business dealings, so in that context, it was a significant loss," he said.

The GSMA, the wireless trade body that organizes the fair, had said it was meeting regularly with global and Spanish health experts and its partners to ensure the well-being of attendees. It had already urged participants to avoid handshakes and planned to step up cleaning and disinfecting while making sure speakers don't use the same microphone.

Earlier Wednesday, Nokia said it had decided to withdraw "after a full assessment of the risks related to a fast-moving situation." The company said "the health and well-being of employees was a primary focus" and that canceling its involvement was a "prudent decision."

The departures of Nokia and Ericsson had left China's Huawei, a major sponsor of the fair, as the only remaining major network gear maker still planning to attend. But even Huawei was scaling back by assigning European staff to the show instead. Its chairman had planned to hold a media briefing by video because he wouldn't get to Spain with enough time to undergo a two-week self-quarantine period.

Organizers were caught between risking potential backlash over public health concerns if they went ahead or facing big financial losses if they canceled, said Stephen Mears, a research analyst at Futuresource Consulting.
Three women have died and two men have been taken into custody after illegally crossing the border from Mexico into California and getting caught in a storm in the Laguna Mountains of San Diego.

The women were discovered on Monday afternoon after border patrol officers received a call from a 911 operator informing them that five people were in need of assistance.

A rescue team located the women in the mountains near the Cuyapaipe Indian Reservation around 5pm, just hours after being alerted.

According to Fox News, two of the women were unresponsive when they were discovered and the third woman died about two and a half hours later.

Three women died after illegally crossing the border and getting caught in a storm in the Laguna Mountains of San Diego. The photoshows the area where they were found in the storm above

A rescue team located the women in the mountains near the Cuyapaipe Indian Reservation around 5pm, just hours after being alerted

The weather prevented the bodies from being recovered, but rescuers were planning to return when conditions improved.

The bodies will then be handed over to the San Diego County Medical Examiner.

The officers were able to save a 22-year-old man and a 37-year-old man, both Mexican citizens.

The men were taken into custody for processing for illegally crossing the border.

News of the women's deaths come as the Trump Administration continues to crack down on illegal immigration.

On Monday US Attorney General William Barr announced that the administration will begin piling sanctions on sanctuary cities whose policies protect immigrants who are illegally in the states.
Sudan will pay a $30 million settlement to the families of 17 US Navy sailors killed in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in a bid to get itself removed from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, Sudanese officials said.

Sudan's government 'explicitly denies' its involvement in the attack and says the payout announced Wednesday is intended to 'settle the historical allegations of terrorism left by the former regime.' The country's longtime President Omar al-Bashir was ousted in a military coup in April following a lengthy popular uprising.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the agreement was made 'to meet the conditions set by the US administration to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism in order to normalize relations with the United States and the rest of the world.'

The Cole was attacked by suicide bombers in a small boat filled with explosives while refueling in the port of Aden in Yemen. The attack also wounded 39 sailors.

The bombing was attributed to al Qaeda and foreshadowed the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, less than a year later.

In 2014, a US court concluded that Sudan had provided Qaeda with aid that led to the attack, awarding the families $35 million in compensation.

Negotiations are now underway to come up with a settlement agreement for the victims of the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Sudan's Minister of Information Faisal Mohamed Saleh told CNN.

The settlements could clear the path for Sudan to obtain debt relief. The country is crippled by a dire economy that's prevented its transitional government from tackling fuel shortages and a long-term liquidity crisis.
The son of a senior Congress MLA in Karnataka was questioned on Wednesday in connection with a hit-and-run case, where a Bentley car rammed a series of vehicles at Mekhri circle in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Mohammed Nalapad, the son of MLA Nalapad Ahmed Harris, was granted bail after questioning.

Police suspect that Mohammed Nalpad was behind the wheel of the Bentley which rammed other vehicles in which at least four people were injured - two of them seriously - and are still in hospital.

Nalapads bodyguard Balu alias Balakrishna had surrendered before the police on Tuesday, claiming he was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. However, Joint Commissioner of police (traffic) B N Ravikanthe Gowda had said that CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts confirmed that it was actually Nalapad who was driving and so, he was summoned for questioning.

Speaking to the media, Nalapad denied the accusation. I am innocent and I was not driving the car. I was in a Lamborghini which was ahead of the Bentley being driven by Balu. This is a conspiracy against me. Anyway, this is not the first accident in the world.

Nalapad is accused of beating a businessman Vidwat at a well-known pub in the city in 2018 and had been arrested and jailed for 118 days before being granted bail in that case. At that time, he was the general secretary of Bengaluru district youth Congress.

Gowda, meanwhile, said that investigation into the hit-and-run case will continue.
Paris: After a sudden jump in the number of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus in China, here is what we know about the disease, how it spreads and how it might be contained.

What's the toll?

China's official death toll spiked dramatically on Thursday after authorities changed their counting methods.

While fuelling fears that the epidemic may be far worse than being reported, the new method uses lung imaging and could help faster diagnosis.

So far more than 60,000 people have been infected, the vast majority of them in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

A total of 1,370 are known to have died from the virus, all but three in China.

Calculating the mortality rate of the new virus strain is tricky because of the time lag between reported cases and confirmed deaths.

One study from Imperial College this week put the mortality rate at 18 percent inside Hubei province.

Globally however the toll is likely to be far lower -- between 0.5 and 4.0 percent of cases, the study said.

If this bears out, it is likely that the novel coronavirus is less deadly than other strains, such as SARS and Mers, with mortality rates of 9.5 percent and 34.5 percent, respectively.

How infectious is it?

According to a study in the New England Medical Journal by Chinese researchers, each person who falls ill with coronavirus will infect 2.2 others on average.

That is a higher rate than winter flu (1.3), lower than an infectious disease such as measles (more than 12), and comparable to SARS (3) -- the last major virus that broke out in China, in 2002-03.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said the key question is how quickly the disease is spreading beyond China.

"The detection of a small number of cases may indicate more widespread transmission in other countries; in short, we may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg," he warned in a recent tweet.

A study this week, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, estimated that transmissions in Wuhan -- the city at the centre of the outbreak -- were likely to peak in mid-February.

Rowland Kao of the University of Edinburgh welcomed the research but cautioned: "It does not imply that the disease is necessarily under control.

"If previously unexposed populations become infected, the outbreak could start rising again," he said.

When is it contagious?

Scientists initially thought the virus became contagious several days after symptoms started to appear, as happened with SARS, Arnaud Fontanet of the Institut Pasteur told AFP.

They now think it could be infectious earlier than that.

"Today, everybody agrees that the contagious period starts as soon as symptoms appear," said Fontanet, a specialist in tracking emerging diseases.

There had even been a few cases of transmission from people who showed no symptoms, he added.

One reason these cases are rare is that coughing is a major means of transmission -- and a symptomless carrier does not cough.

Despite rumours to the contrary, a study published Wednesday in the Lancet medical journal found no evidence that pregnant women suffering from the virus can pass it to their babies.

What are the symptoms?

A study of 99 coronavirus patients published last month concluded that around half of cases occurred in people with underlying chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

All patients had pneumonia, most had a fever, 80 percent were coughing and more than half had trouble breathing.

Identifying coronavirus symptoms is all the more important -- and difficult -- because of a simultaneous epidemic of seasonal flu, which has similar symptoms.

Where did it come from?

Many animals are capable of transmitting viruses to other species, and nearly all strains of the coronavirus contagious to humans originated in wildlife.

Bats are known carriers of the latest strain of the disease, but scientists think that the virus was spread to humans in Wuhan via another mammal species.

Chinese researchers last week suggested that the pangolin -- a widely trafficked and endangered mammal -- could be the "missing link" that transferred the disease to humans.

The official name for the virus -- which is in the same family as SARS -- is SARS-CoV-2, while the name given to the disease it causes is COVID-19.
Dorothy Ann Flynt, wife of historian Wayne Flynt and a friend of author Harper Lee, has died.

Mrs. Flynt, who went by the nickname Dartie to her family and friends for most of her life, died on Tuesday, Feb. 11. She was 81.

Although she stood barely five feet tall counting the feather in her hat, I was the one looking up to her, said the Rev. Tripp Martin, pastor of Auburn First Baptist Church, where she was a member. She was a giant.

Wayne and Dartie Flynt often visited Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, when she moved from New York back to her hometown of Monroeville. In addition to the visits, Lee frequently wrote letters to both of them, from 1992 until her death in 2016, which are included in a book Flynt wrote called Mockingbird Songs.

Martin said that Mrs. Flynt always held her own in literary company. She was a heavyweight in a petite frame, he said. She could sit in any room with any acclaimed author or journalist and she could still speak her mind, speak her conscience. She was speaking the truth in love and in service to others. She knew small things done with great love are the greatest things.

She was born in Fairfax and grew up in Sheffield and Gadsden. She was feisty, very feisty, said her brother, Charles Smith. She knew how to decorate, entertain, provide care and love to people.

When she went off to college, she declared she no longer wanted to be called Dorothy Ann, but insisted on Dartie, a nickname she gained from fellow students because she darts everywhere, her brother said.

Mrs. Flynt met her future husband in 1958 at Howard College in Birmingham, which was later renamed Samford University. They married in 1961. She taught English in middle schools and high schools, in Gadsden and Tallahassee, Fla.

When she had the first of her two sons, David and Sean, she stayed home to raise them.

But she also served as something like a mother to many students who took her husbands history classes, at Samford University and later Auburn University.

Carol Ann Vaughn Cross, who studied history at Auburn and later joined the faculty at Samford, recalled that when she was a student, Mrs. Flynt counseled young women in her husbands classes on traveling tips and how to dress.

She was his partner in everything he did, Cross said of the Flynts.

Mrs. Flynts fashion advice included encouraging women to wear fashionable hats, especially to church, as she was known for. She was the daughter of Baptist Pastor W.A. Smith and his wife, Annie.

Mrs. Flynt served as a deacon and lay leader at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and later at Auburn First Baptist Church. She went on mission trips to Alaska and Spain, helping build and paint churches. She taught vacation Bible school and English as second-language classes, and coordinated the Loaves and Fishes food program for the poor and elderly in Auburn.

Flynt said his wife carried him through difficult times, such as in the 1990s when his outspoken progressive views rankled some trustees at Auburn, who lobbied to have the esteemed professor of history fired.

Youll never know, Flynt said. I told her, Im sorry Im putting you through this. She said, Youre not putting me through anything.

Although she had been in poor health, Mrs. Flynt attended the Alabama Womens Hall of Fame induction for Harper Lee on March 7, 2019 at Judson College with her husband.

Friends of Harper Lee, historian Wayne Flynt and his wife, Dartie, attended the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame induction for Harper Lee on March 7, 2019. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)
Ukraines Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Riabchyn and Norways State Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen discussed the development of Ukrainian-Norwegian cooperation in the energy sector.

They met in Oslo on February 12, 2020. The meeting was also attended by Ukraine's Ambassador to Norway Vyacheslav Yatsiuk and representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, the press service of the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine reported.

During the meeting, the parties noted the key role of Ukrainian-Norwegian cooperation in the energy sector. Important attention during the meeting was paid to the already started investment projects of Norwegian companies in Ukraine in the field of renewable energy.

State Secretary Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen reaffirmed the Norwegian Governments commitment to facilitate the effective implementation of energy agreements between Ukraine and Norway, noting the significant potential of bilateral cooperation in this direction.

ish
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has posted its fourth-quarter and year-end 2019 financial results in a news release available on the company's website at the following link: duke-energy.com/investors.

Lynn Good, chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Steve Young, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will discuss the company's financial results and other business and financial updates during an investor presentation at 10 a.m. ET today. The call can be accessed via the investors section (duke-energy.com/investors) of Duke Energy's website or by dialing 888-204-4368 in the U.S. or 323-994-2093 outside the U.S. The confirmation code is 9324332. Please call in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

A replay of the conference call will be available until 1 p.m. ET, Feb. 23, 2020, by calling 888-203-1112 in the U.S. or 719-457-0820 outside the U.S. and using the code 9324332. An audio replay and transcript will also be available by accessing the investors' section of the company's website.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states  North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states  North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2020 "World's Most Admired Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact: Catherine Butler

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Analysts: Bryan Buckler

Office: 704.382.2640

SOURCE Duke Energy
France will allow Huawei to bid to supply equipment for its 5G network but will place restrictions around nuclear and military sites if it wins the contract.

The country says it will not 'bow to American pressure' to exclude Chinese technology company Huawei from supplying equipment.

US President Donald Trump has already ordered American firms to cease doing business with Huawei, and has urged allies to follow suit.

The latest move by France follows the UK in giving the company the right to supply technology but also placing restrictions on where it is installed.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Paris would give priority to European supplies such as Nokia and Ericsson but wouldn't exclude Huawei from bidding.

France will allow Huawei to bid to supply equipment for its 5G network but will place restrictions around nuclear and military sites if it wins the contract

'There is no discrimination towards Huawei... No, Huawei will not be excluded from the 5G in France,' Le Maire told BFM TV.

5G stands for fifth generation, the latest in cellular mobile communications offering vastly higher speeds which could unlock a variety of new applications.

There has been intense debate in Europe about whether or not to exclude Huawei from supplying equipment for 5G mobile networks.

Critics, led by Washington, say Huawei is too close to Beijing and its equipment could be used as a tool for spying - a contention the company strongly rejects.

US Attorney General Bill Barr last week said the United States and its allies should take controlling stakes in Nokia, Ericsson or both to battle Huawei's dominance of the 5G market.

Asked if France could give preferential treatment to Nokia of Finland and Ericsson of Sweden, Le Maire replied: 'We have two European operators who supply 5G and supply quality equipment.

'It is normal if we look first if they can provide the solution. And I think our Chinese partners can understand that.'

He insisted: 'Huawei will be not be discriminated against. If Huawei has a better offer from a technical point of view or price it can have access to 5G in France.'

Britain last month allowed the use of Huawei equipment it is 5G networks, but excluded the Chinese firm from 'sensitive' core infrastructure.

The European Union followed suit, limiting but not banning Huawei equipment in 5G networks.

Le Maire's comments came as the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration believes Huawei can covertly access mobile networks around the world through 'back doors' designed for use by law enforcement.

It cited US officials saying the company has had this 'secret capability' for more than a decade.

The US kept the intelligence highly classified until late last year, when officials provided details to allies including Britain and Germany, the paper said.

There has been intense debate in Europe about whether or not to exclude Huawei from supplying equipment for 5G mobile networks

However Huawei vehemently denied the report, saying in a statement it 'has never and will never covertly access telecom networks, nor do we have the capability to do so.'

The EU has struggled to find a middle way to balance Huawei's huge dominance in the 5G sector with security concerns pressed by Washington.

With Huawei widely viewed as providing the most advanced 5G equipment.

British telecoms group BT said it would take a 500million hit from the UK restrictions and Vodafone about 200million, as it would require changes to their own equipment.

French telecoms operator Orange said last month it had chosen Nokia and Ericsson to supply equipment for its 5G network in the country once authorities make frequencies available later this year.

Orange's chief executive Stephane Richard told BFM Business the US should make public any proof it has of Huawei misbehaviour.

He compared the claims to the 2003 search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

'What is certain is that in the industry Huawei has never been caught red-handed and we don't have the information that the American services seem to have,' he said.

'But if they have this information it is in everyone's interest that they make it public.'
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) is pleased to provide an update on construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning activities at its 100 percent owned Lindero gold Project located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. Construction progress in December and January was delayed due to a shortfall in contractor personnel; however, the Project continues to advance and is now scheduled to transition from construction and commissioning to operations in the second quarter of 2020.



Jorge A. Ganoza, President, CEO and Director, commented, Lindero encountered challenges during December and January due to a shortfall in manpower in our main electro-mechanical and piping contractor. We have reduced the scope of this contractor and have brought in additional resources to address this issue. Mr. Ganoza added, Early in January, the Project underwent a leadership change. Since then, the Company has completed an extensive review of the Projects remaining schedule through to operations. Placement of ore on the leach pad and first dore pour is now scheduled for the second quarter of 2020.

Construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning highlights:

As at the end of January, the overall project is 89% complete

Primary and secondary crushing circuits: Pre-commissioning activities are concluded; crushing circuits are being commissioned with ore

Pre-commissioning activities are concluded; crushing circuits are being commissioned with ore Tertiary crushing circuit: Vendor representatives returned to site on January 24 th and are dedicated to finalizing the mechanical completion of the HPGR; pre-commissioning activities have commenced on the conveyors and transfer systems of this circuit

Vendor representatives returned to site on January 24 and are dedicated to finalizing the mechanical completion of the HPGR; pre-commissioning activities have commenced on the conveyors and transfer systems of this circuit Agglomeration plant: Mechanical work almost completed; piping and electrical installation is in its final stages due to the delay caused by shortfalls in contractor manpower during December and January; pre-commissioning activities have been pushed back to March

Mechanical work almost completed; piping and electrical installation is in its final stages due to the delay caused by shortfalls in contractor manpower during December and January; pre-commissioning activities have been pushed back to March Power generation: 8-megawatt power plant and medium voltage power distribution system have been commissioned and are sourcing power to the project and unit operations

8-megawatt power plant and medium voltage power distribution system have been commissioned and are sourcing power to the project and unit operations Industrial water supply: Commissioning of the industrial water system is scheduled to be completed this month

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/00680065-4e1d-4a03-b7a0-013e80a5a105

18,750 tonnes per day crushing circuit and agglomeration plant

Primary and secondary crushing circuits

Pre-commissioning activities of the main equipment has been completed; commissioning with ore to stockpile has been initiated.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0dc08324-7e33-45c3-8ab3-530f44714381

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e2f7559-909f-4c52-910d-06635cbf0b70

Tertiary crushing circuit

Vendor technicians are concluding with final mechanical and instrumentation activities on the HPGR. Pre-commissioning of the conveyors and transfer systems were initiated this month.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/399047ff-24d3-45ed-a159-7be3d48c845e

Agglomeration plant

Delays in mechanical and electrical activities during December and January due to a shortfall in contractor manpower have pushed back pre-commissioning to March.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d86fc182-bb64-44ac-bea6-5a60a3552f13

8-megawatt power plant

Commissioning of the mines 8-megawatt power plant and medium voltage power distribution system has been completed. The plant has been connected to the mines grid and is sourcing power to the mine and project.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/759d0abf-e350-4a63-a7dd-165385d01e0a

Leach pad and solution ponds

Leach pad

Construction of the 31-hectare start-up leach pad area and solution ponds has been completed. Assembly and installation of the stacking system from the agglomeration plant to the leach pad is in progress but behind schedule due to a shortfall in contractor manpower during December and January and is expected to be completed in April; making it on the critical path of the project.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/355d3303-7fb4-43af-8816-211f91ef12b5

Solution ponds

Mechanical and piping installations are in progress. Pumping and solution management systems are planned to be commissioned in April.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe3eae4e-4b76-4d7a-9016-55d4bda9a320

Process Area

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aed79348-351a-4578-9c52-d6ca85daca10

ADR plant

Equipment installation has been completed with piping and electrical work in progress. Pre-commissioning activities are planned to conclude in May.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95358985-2161-479e-85d1-e93de161a979

SART plant

Mechanical and piping installation work is progressing with pre-commissioning activities scheduled to conclude in May. The SART plant is not mission critical for the start of gold production.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c60b6079-b9a0-4342-a686-2e48e699308e

Industrial water supply

The 13-kilometer water pipeline to the mine site is being pre-commissioned. Commissioning of the industrial water system is scheduled to be completed this month.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a71beccf-3f93-4a66-bf17-806b5b2d41e7

Assay laboratory

Construction and implementation of the on-site assay laboratory has been completed. Sample preparation and analysis for gold using fire assay with an atomic absorption finish has been conducted at this facility since the end of January 2020.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44ba3a70-fba6-46e4-b8ae-e9fe2cc76cd7

Further updates on the construction of the Lindero gold Project will be provided as the development of the Project proceeds. Please click on the following link to access Linderos construction photo gallery: https://fortunasilver.com/mines-and-projects/development/lindero-project-argentina/construction-gallery/crushing-circuit/ .

About the Lindero gold Project, Argentina

In September 2017, the commencement of construction at Lindero was officially launched (see Fortuna news releases dated September 21, 2017 and December 21, 2017 ). Lindero has been designed as an 18,750 tonnes per day owner operated open pit mine with a pit life of 13 years based on current Mineral Reserves. Crushed ore will be placed on a leach pad with the pregnant solution pumped to SART and ADR plants prior to electrowinning and refining where gold will be poured to dore bars.

About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Fortuna is a growth oriented, precious metals producer focused on mining opportunities in Latin America. Our primary assets are the Caylloma silver Mine in southern Peru, the San Jose silver-gold Mine in Mexico and the Lindero gold Project, currently under construction, in Argentina. The Company is selectively pursuing acquisition opportunities throughout the Americas and in select other areas. For more information, please visit our website at www.fortunasilver.com .

Jorge A. Ganoza

President, CEO and Director

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Trading symbols: NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI

Investor Relations:

Carlos Baca

T (Peru): +51.1.616.6060, ext. 0

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward looking statements which constitute "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward looking Statements"). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forward looking Statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements about the Company's plans for its mines and mineral properties; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlook; the merit of the Company's mines and mineral properties; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; the Companys exploration activities, including related capital expenditures; the timing of the completion of construction at Lindero; the timing of the completion and commissioning of the plant, the timing of the placing of ore on the leach pad and the first dore pour; the stock piling of ore prior to first production; the timing of the commencement of commercial production; the construction costs at the Lindero Project and proposed expenditures at the Lindero Project. Often, but not always, these Forward looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "planned", "reflecting", "will", "containing", "remaining", "to be", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; changes in prices for silver and other metals; further delays in the completion of the construction and commissioning at Lindero may cause delays in the commencement of production; start up delays in production may increase the costs of the Lindero Project; technological and operational hazards in Fortuna's mining and mine development activities; risks inherent in mineral exploration; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral reserves, mineral resources, and metal recoveries; governmental and other approvals; political unrest or instability in countries where Fortuna is active; labor relations issues; as well as those factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2019 and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward looking Statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to expectations regarding the Company's plans for its mines and mineral properties; mine production costs; expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource and reserve estimates; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained; that there will be no significant disruptions affecting operations and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward looking Statements.
The efficacy of Pakistan's decision to send Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed to jail remains to be seen as it came just days ahead of a global watchdog's review on Islamabad's action against terror networks operating from the country, official sources said on Thursday.

A Pakistani court on Wednesday sentenced Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai terror attack, to 11 years' prison in two cases relating to terror financing.

The sentencing of Saeed came just four days ahead of a meeting of global anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Paris to review Pakistan's compliance of an action plan prescribed by it to contain terror groups in the country.

Last year, the FATF asked Pakistan to fully implement its anti-terror action plan by February 2020 or face severe action. Pakistan was already kept under the "grey list" of countries by the FATF for failing to contain terror financing.

Indian government sources said it is part of a long-pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism and that efficacy of Saeed's sentencing remained to be seen.

"The decision has been made on the eve of FATF Plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen," an official source said elaborating on the government's assessment of the action.

The sources said it's also to be seen whether Pakistan would take action against all other terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control.

India has been pressing Pakistan to take action against all those involved in cross-border terror attacks including the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.

It has to be seen whether Pakistan brings perpetrators of cross border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot to justice expeditiously, the sources said.
DECATUR  If you feel lousy, you have company.

Thousands of Central Illinoisans are sick with influenza, flu-like illness and strep throat, keeping kids home from school, parents home from work and health care providers busy.

"It seems like the kids are running higher fevers and it's lasting longer with a lingering cough," said Angie Wetzel, health services coordinator for Decatur Public Schools. "The numbers seem to be about the same, but they're sicker this year. It's hitting them harder this year. We've had influenza turned into pneumonia and things like that."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that so far this season, there have been at least 22 million flu illnesses, 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from flu. In Illinois, the Department of Public Health said 532 people were admitted to intensive care with flu complications this flu season as of Feb. 1.

People of all ages are being affected, some seriously. Joey Sandhaas, a 16-year-old junior at Glenwood High School in Chatham, died Monday after first coming down with the flu, then developing pneumonia, according to a GoFundMe page for the family.

The number of flu patients has spiked this year at both Decatur hospitals.

Decatur Memorial Hospital said staff at the hospital, Express Care and physician offices have seen more than 700 positive test results since October. That represents an 80% increase in flu compared to the same time frame from 2019, according to Sharon Norris, affiliate vice president and chief nursing officer.

At HSHS St. Mary's Hospital, flu numbers also have been unusually high and continuing to trend upward, said Rachel Deerwester, infection preventionist.

From October 2019 to Wednesday, the hospital treated 374 patients who tested positive for flu. That's up from the prior year, when 252 flu patients were seen from October 2018 to March 2019.

A number of area school districts also have reported an increase in occurrences. At Lutheran School Association, the last two weeks of January had an absence rate of 5%, said Principal Allison Nolen. Ten to 18 students have been out each day along with a number of adult staff.

Central A&M officials said the worst seemed to be about three weeks ago, when a significant number of both students and staff were out sick.

Argenta-Oreana High School reported an average absence rate of 8.7% in the last month, and about five students a day were absent from the elementary school. Still, Superintendent Damian Jones said few parents actually specify the flu when calling to report a child's illness.

In Decatur Public Schools, Wetzel said the absence rate has been roughly 5% to 7.5% on average. Custodians are working hard to keep the facilities clean, using an ionizing solution to kill germs, she said. The district also sent letters to parents encouraging them to keep their children home while they are sick.

"They need a couple of extra days to get over it," Wetzel said. "It's hitting the adults (teachers and staff) as well.

"It's just not a very good flu season this year for sure."

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Recognize these photos of Decatur High School?

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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JERUSALEM, Feb 12 (Reuters) - U.S.-Israeli cybersecurity firm Deep Instinct has raised $43 million in late-stage funding to help expand its business globally, the company said on Wednesday.

The round was led by Millennium New Horizons, with participation from London-based investment firm Unbound, LG , and existing investor Nvidia. The investment brings the company's total funding to $100 million.

Deep Instinct, which is headquartered in New York with offices in Tel Aviv and Sydney, says its system uses a deep learning platform to identify and prevent advanced cyber threats.

The company last year announced an OEM threat prevention partnership with HP, which is also an investor in Deep Instinct. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Tova Cohen)
John Kelly, then White House chief of staff, looked down at his desk with a grimace one night in January 2018 as Donald Trump stood in the doorway of his office. The retired Marine Corps general said nothing, but his face suggested discomfort.

Mr Kelly had invited a group of reporters into his West Wing office to discuss a coming White House immigration reform plan for a semi-formal chat. Then, the door swung opened and the president leaned inside. Kelly smiled, then put one hand on his desk and looked down. Such awkward and slightly tense moments were common during his run as Trump's right-hand man.

The military man left the White House later that year after several dust ups with his boss, merely the latest Cabinet or senior White House official to do so after falling out of favour with Mr Trump. Kelly has dropped a wry and critical comment about his former boss since returning to civilian life, but mostly has kept his opinions and insider tales to himself. That changed on Wednesday night, went Mr Kelly pulled back the curtain, revealing a naive and impulsive president who he says, in so many words, just doesn't get it.

Here are three takeaways from Mr Kelly's appearance at Drew University in Morristown, New Jersey.

'Illegal order'

The retired Marine left no doubt about whether he believes Mr Trump might have abused his power or even committed a criminal act when he asked Ukraine's president to "do us a favour though" by investigating top US Democrats like the Bidens immediately after the pair had discussed a $391m military aid package Kiev wanted in its standoff with Russia.

Mr Kelly defended Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified in the House's impeachment inquiry that he was alarmed by Mr Trump's words on the call, and worried the president had gone too far. Mr Kelly said Mr Vindman did the right thing by speaking up because military personnel are trained to resist "an illegal order."

"We teach them, 'Don't follow an illegal order. And if you're ever given one, you'll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss,'" he said.

With that one comment, the veteran of Washington policy-making said, Mr Trump altered years of cross-administration policy towards a key Eastern European ally.

"Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against ... the Russians," Mr Kelly said. "And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And that's what that guy [Vindman] was most interested in."

But Mr Trump and some Republican lawmakers say he "did nothing wrong," with the president continuing to describe that 25 July phone call as "perfect." Kelly did not speak out while the Senate was considering two House-passed impeachment articles based on that diplomatic phone call, meaning doing so now injects his views into the 2020 presidential race.

Less than half of Americans polled by the nonpartisan Gallup organisation, 47 percent, approve of Mr Trump's handling of foreign policy. But his approval rating only climbed during the Ukraine-based impeachment trial and now stands at an all-time high, 49 percent, according to Gallup.

Getting 'played'

In less formal settings with reporters while he still worked for Mr Trump, the then-chief of staff acknowledged he knew his boss often had what had long been considered fringe views.

He once described his job as a "gatekeeper" of information, and said he tried to steer some widely dismissed views from landing inside Mr Trump's head. Mr Kelly made clear on Wednesday night that he was simply unable to talk the president out of holding two summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a man Mr Trump once called "Little Rocket Man."

"He will never give his nuclear weapons up," Mr Kelly said of Mr Kim. "Again, President Trump tried -- that's one way to put it. But it didn't work.

"I'm an optimist most of the time, but I'm also a realist," he said in the longstanding Washington tradition of distancing oneself from a failed policy push after it crashed and burned. "And I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively."

The president has been pressed by reporters on whether he did indeed get, as Mr Kelly puts it, get "played." He contends Mr Kim is willing to give up his atomic arsenal, and has not ruled out a third summit -- showing again how Mr Trump puts his own perceived personal relationships above the advice of senior advisers, even ones like Mr Kelly who have been dealing with national security issues their entire careers.

After all, the president has remarkably described himself and Mr Kim as "in love."

Having it both ways

Can a former military leader or top White House aide have it both ways in the US political system? Without a doubt, yes. And Mr Kelly's Drew University comments and his actions since leaving the West Wing show why.

He joined the board of a company that provides shelters for immigrants. And then on Wednesday night, he said the president's proposed southern border wall need not stretch "from sea to shining sea."

Mr Kelly claims he disagreed with his boss that many migrants to the United States from the south are "killers" and "rapists" and general criminals.

"In fact, they're overwhelmingly good people ... They're not all rapists and they're not all murderers," he said of immigrants. "And it's wrong to characterise them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times."

But while he was on the White House payroll, the retired four-star general was considered part of the immigration hardliner camp on Mr Trump's staff.

During several attempts by the White House to negotiate an immigration reform bill that could muster enough Democratic votes to pass both chambers of Congress, Democratic members involved said Mr Kelly never sought a truly moderate deal -- he was pushing the same conservative plan as Mr Trump.

One pro-immigrant group, America's Voice, summarises Mr Kelly tenures as Homeland Security secretary and White House chief of staff by labeling him as "extremist as his boss and a conduit for translating the administration's anti-immigrant extremism into disastrous policies."

The White House sharply fired back. "I worked with John Kelly, and he was totally unequipped to handle the genius of our great President," Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said Thursday morning on Fox News.

A couple hours later, the president himself opted to take on his former chief of staff.

"When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X's, he misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut," he wrote, making clear he demands and expects silence from aides whom he sometimes presses to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The president also claimed in a second tweet that Mr Kelly has a "military and legal obligation" to remain quiet about his time in the West Wing and his views about Mr Trump. Only that Mr Kelly has never mentioned signing a non-disclosure pact and was not an active-duty Marine when he worked in the administration.

Mr Trump then got personal, writing about the former chief of staff's spouse.

"His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that 'John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.' Wrong!"
Srinagar, Feb 13 : Police have arrested a cross-LoC trader Tanveer Ahmad Wani in tainted DSP Devinder Singh Case, sources said on Thursday.

So far, six people have been arrested in this case. Sources said Wani's role is being investigated over money transfers to Hizb commander Naveed Babu.

Sources said he acted as a conduit of money trail from pakistan to militants groups including Hizbul Mujahideen.

Wani was the President of LoC traders association. His house was searched in July 2019 in a case related to cross-LoC trade.

According to sources, Wani was summoned to Delhi from Pulwama and arrested there.

On January 11, police arrested Davinder Singh on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway when he was transporting Naveed, Rafi and Irfan to Jammu.

After initial investigations by the J&K police the case was handed to the NIA.

Police sources said that the two terrorists and the lawyer had planned a travel to Pakistan after reaching Jammu.

Singh was earlier shifted from Srinagar to Jammu on a transit remand where an NIA team questioned him. After his arrest by the J&K police, multiple raids were conducted at his residence in Srinagar.

Singh was posted with the anti-hijacking wing of J&K Police in Srinagar, and was part of the security staff that had received a group of foreign diplomats who visited Kashmir.
The Michigan Senate voted to reject Gov. Gretchen Whitmers pick for a panel that oversees hunting regulations Thursday morning in a rare rebuke of a governors appointment to a state board or commission.

In a 20-16 vote, the Senate Republican majority rejected the appointment of Anna Mitterling to the Natural Resources Commission, a move Whitmers office characterized as sexist, partisan games.

Under Michigan law, the state Senate has overview power over gubernatorial appointments to most boards and commissions, legally known as advice and consent. A majority of senators can reject appointments subject to their review within 60 days of the appointment, but any appointment not disapproved during that time frame stands confirmed.

The Senate has an Advice and Consent Committee tasked with an initial review of the governors appointments. Currently chairing that committee is Sen. Pete Lucido, R-Shelby Township, who is under investigation by the Senate Business Office over sexual harassment allegations made by fellow Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, and Michigan Advance reporter Allison Donahue.

Mitterling is an independent and is a biology professor at Lansing Community College, and previously served as a wildlife coordinator with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, according to a statement released by Whitmers office when she was appointed in December.

In a statement, Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown said Senate Republicans demanded the governor pull another recent Natural Resources Commission appointment, George Heartwell, in exchange for keeping Mitterling on the panel.

Now, theyre threatening to reject a qualified woman who has dedicated her career to wildlife conservation because they didnt get what they want, Brown said. Sen. Shirkey had promised to turn over a new leaf, but its now clear that they care more about their sexist, partisan games than the well-being of our state.

Heartwell is a former Grand Rapids Mayor who previously served on the Michigan Transportation Commission. The NRA Institute for Legislative action recently criticized his appointment to the Natural Resources Commission over concerns hes supported gun control legislation.

No Republicans spoke on the Senate floor about the rejection, but following Senate session, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, disavowed claims that the move was sexist, and said Mitterling was rejected due to concerns over her ability to understand the immensity of the commission and the very important need to provide guidance.

She looked like she just came across as being a little bit not willing to make tough decisions, quite frankly, he said.

Shirkey declined to comment on whether the rejection had to do with Heartwell, but said its not unusual to negotiate and try to find a middle ground with the governors office as part of the advice and consent process.

I think its shameful, quite frankly, for a governor, in particular this governor, to invoke race and sex on something of this nature because that just diminishes the candidate themselves," he told reporters.

Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-East Lansing, passionately defended Mitterlings resume and record on the Senate floor and said she didnt deserve to be rejected by the Senate.

Quite frankly, most of you would be lucky to have a resume like this...she is obviously qualified. There is zero question of it, Sen. Curtis Hertel said.

He continued: The reality is that those in the majority are mad about a man, so theyre going to take it out on a qualified woman.

Hertel told reporters Mitterling was at the Natural Resources Commission Thursday morning and was pulled out mid-meeting following the Senate vote.
A mother who took her two young daughters with her to dump their father's body in Michigan after he had been beaten with a hammer and burned beyond recognition has been arrested in Italy after 18 years on the run.

Beverly McCallum was arrested in Rome on Thursday over the 2002 death of her husband Robert Caraballo in western Michigan.

McCallum, who had an international arrest warrant against her, was caught after checking into a small Rome hotel overnight.

Italian hotels are required to register guests in an online system that is linked to a police database.

Beverly McCallum was arrested in Rome on Thursday over the 2002 death of her husband Robert Caraballo in western Michigan. U.S. authorities had been trying to extradite McCallum from Pakistan where fled and later married another man (pictured above in an undated photo)

Prior to her arrest, U.S. authorities had been trying to extradite McCallum from Pakistan where she is believed to have fled to in the years after her husband's violent slaying.

Murder charges were filed against McCallum last year over her husband's slaying.

Robert Caraballo's body was found in a footlocker dumped and burned in a blueberry patch in western Michigan in May 2002 just days after his death. His remains were so badly burnt that he went unidentified until 2015

Her daughter from a prior marriage Dineane Ducharme and her friend Christopher McMillan were also charged.

All three were additionally charged with conspiracy, and disinterment and mutilation of a body.

The victim's body was found in a footlocker dumped and burned in a blueberry patch in western Michigan in May 2002 just days after his death.

His remains were so badly burnt that he went unidentified until 2015 when authorities received an anonymous tip that led them to McCallum's daughter who was 21 at the time of the murder.

Ducharme told police that her mother killed Carabello and that she and her friend helped clean and dispose of the body.

She said her mother made her do a practice run the day before and that the murder took place in the basement of a home in Charlotte.

Police say McCallum pushed her husband down the basement stairs and then all three attacked him when he tried to get back up.

McCallum, who had an international arrest warrant against her, was caught after checking into a small Rome hotel overnight. Italian hotels are required to register guests in an online system that is linked to a police database

McCallum's daughter from a prior marriage Dineane Ducharme, who was 21 in 2002, has also been charged with Caraballo's murder. She admitted to helping her mother dispose of her step-father's body. They are pictured above in an undated photo

McCallum's daughter Dineane Ducharme (left) and and her friend Christopher McMillan (right) are already in custody in the United States. They are also charged with murder

They allegedly beat him with at least two hammers and one became lodged in the victim's head.

McCallum then allegedly put a plastic bag around Carabello's head to suffocate him.

They loaded his body into the metal footlocker and drove to the blueberry patch.

The two daughters McCallum and Carabello shared, who were aged 9 and 11 at the time, later recalled a scuffle in the basement and then driving to the remote location with the tin box.

They also recalled the fire burning when the locker was left there. One of the children said she later asked her mother about that night after realizing her father was likely in the box, police said.

McCallum allegedly told her daughter that she killed their father in self-defense.

Authorities say McCallum fled to Pakistan after learning that the investigation into the killing was progressing. She went on to marry a man there that she had met online.

McCallum is now being held at Rome's Rebibbia prison.

Both Ducharme and McMillan are already in custody in the United States.
Text this number to tell the Chinese authorities everywhere youve been recently.

To combat the spread of the coronavirus, Chinese officials are using a combination of technology and policing to track movements of citizens who may have visited Hubei Province.

Mobile phone owners in China get their service from one of three state-run telecommunications firms, which this week introduced a feature for subscribers to send text messages to a hotline that generates a list of provinces they have recently visited.

That has created a new way for the authorities to see where citizens have traveled.

At a high-speed rail station in the eastern city of Yiwu on Tuesday, officials in hazmat suits demanded that passengers send the text messages and then show their location information to the authorities before being permitted to leave the station. Those who had passed through Hubei were unlikely to be allowed entry.

Other cities were taking similar measures.

Companies in China generally shy away from sharing location data with the local authorities, over fears it could be leaked or sold. And there were some signs that the companies were uncomfortable with the new rule.
Ludacris shares an adorable picture of his two daughters looking like his mini-mes, calling them "daddy's girls."

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Proud dad Ludacris shared a beautiful picture of his two daughters, Cai Bella and Cadence, looking like twins in matching outfits.

The little girls wore their hair in pigtails and had on matching pink jackets and cream fur coats to keep them warm. Of course, Luda made sure to call them "daddy's girls," something that's been proven in the multiple pictures she's shared of them through the years.

Ludacris recently obtained citizenship in Eudoxie's home country of Gabon.

Rapper Ludacris and Eudoxie Mbouguiengue attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Justice League' at Dolby Theatre on November 13, 2017 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images/GlobalImagesUkraine

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ON HOW FATHERHOOD CHANGED HIM

Ludacris has always been vocal about how fatherhood changed his life, and since then, his first priority has always been his children. He once said:

"Fatherhood changed my whole perspective on life. I went from being selfish to selfless overnight."

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HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH EUDOXIE BRIDGES

The rapper-turned-actor shares his youngest daughter Cadence with wife Eudoxie Bridges, while he shares Cai Bella with longtime friend Tameka Fuller.

While Eudoxie could have easily left him after finding out he had a love child while they were together, she stayed and their relationship is stronger than ever. After reconciling shortly after Ludacris welcomed Cai, they got married and welcomed their own daughter two years later, in 2015.

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BECOMING A FAMILY OF DUAL CITIZENS

In fact, to prove just how committed he is to Eudoxie, Ludacris recently obtained citizenship in her home country of Gabon. On January 3, 2020, the Bridges family received citizenship from Gabon, Africa.

On Instagram, he shared about the proud moment right after kicking in the new year, saying:

"Starting My New Year off with Dual Citizenship! [Gabon] AFRICA IM OFFICIAL!! Momma & Kids Too. The Best Gift of the Decade. Award goes to [Eudoxie]."

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After obtaining their citizenship, Luda made sure to take a tour of his new homeland by taking a tour via chopper, which was the beginning of his African tour that brought him back to his roots.

This is also something he hopes to instill in his daughters, making sure they embrace their African roots as they grow up.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  A new TV series will take up the complex political and private life of Palestine Liberation Organization's "Red Prince Abu Hassan Salameh, who was assassinated by Israel with a 1979 car bomb in Beirut.

The Red Prince was a nickname given by Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir to Salameh, the smooth and well-educated son of Sheik Hassan Salameh, who died in 1948 fighting the emergence of Israel. Producer Sadek Sabbah said that he considered Salameh to be one of the most charismatic figures among the Arab militants that have fought for Palestinian liberation.

It will be the first TV series to tell the story of a top Palestinian leader. Previous cinema productions centered on less central figures such as Naji al-Ali, a 1990 film on the life of Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali who was assassinated in London.

In the series written by Hassan Sami Youssef and directed by Samer Barqawi, Salameh will be portrayed by Syrian actor Taim Hasan, known for his interpretation of Syrian poet and diplomat Nizar Qabbani and King Farouk of Egypt.

Hasan told MBC Jan. 16 that he was happy to take up the challenging role of a key political figure with a rich private life.

The 15-episode series is expected to ignite debate on many topics including the loyalties of Abu Hassan, the lieutenant and confidant of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and one of the masterminds of Black September, the Fatah subgroup that took hostage and killed 11 Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Part of the controversy was due to his good relations with US diplomats in Beirut, where he lived, as well as with US intelligence. He was also on good terms with all the Lebanese sides, including the Kataeb (Phalange) Party, which was hostile to the PLO and Palestinian cause. His private life was no less multifaceted. He had a playboys life before he fell in love with Georgina Rizk, a Lebanese model and Miss Universe of 1971. The son of a Muslim sheik married the Christian model in Beirut  his second wife  in 1977 and took her to honeymoon in Florida's Walt Disney World. Many thought the visit to be courtesy of the CIA.

Salameh was relentlessly pursued by Israeli security forces that blamed him for multiple operations abroad including the Munich operation and sending explosive packages to Mossad agents in Europe.

Sabbah said that the series is a multifaceted production and approaches the subject in a "non-classical way.

The series is expected to be streamed after the end of Ramadan on video-on-demand site Shahid, which MBC group launched Jan. 15. Beirut-based Sabbah Media Corporation has released a trailer that includes black-and-white archival footage of Salameh with Arafat and Rizk. The teaser ends with Taim Hasan in the role of Salameh, telling Arafat over the phone that an assassination attempt failed when operatives killed another person who looked like him. Salameh was killed using a car loaded with heavy explosives in Beirut in January 1979.

Baker Abu Baker, chair of the Fatah Intellectual Academy, also known as Martyr Othman Abu Gharibeh Academy, told Al-Monitor that such historical and biographical productions offer a glimpse at the patriotic figures who left a footprint in the Palestinian liberation movement and encourage the younger generation to learn about them.

Focusing on his humanitarian side and his love for life does not undermine his role as militant, he said.
BUTTE, Mont. and SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019. Net income for the period was $202.1 million, or $3.98 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $197.0 million, or $3.92 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018. This $5.1 million increase in net income is primarily due to a reduction in revenue in 2018 related to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act regulatory settlements, higher volumes due to colder winter weather and customer growth, and a larger income tax benefit recognized in 2019. These improvements were partly offset by a smaller benefit related to an electric Qualifying Facilities (QF) adjustment and higher operating expenses in 2019.

Non-GAAP Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the period were $3.42; within the $3.38 - $3.48 guidance range communicated for the year. See "Significant Items Not Contemplated in Guidance" and "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" sections below for more information on these measures.

"2019 is behind us but we have much to look forward to in building on the great foundation laid during the year. We planned for higher expenses in 2019 to focus on risk mitigation, system maintenance and planning for the future. We accomplished this while delivering another year of record customer satisfaction, solid safety and reliability performance, and modest earnings growth. Additionally, we took an important step in 2019 by announcing our Carbon Vision for NorthWestern Energy in Montana; a commitment to reducing our carbon intensity in Montana by 90% by 2045," said Bob Rowe, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Looking ahead, construction will soon be underway on a project to replace 60 megawatts of capacity with more reliable and cost-effective natural gas units in South Dakota. These newer and more efficient - and therefore lower carbon - units will allow us to get more benefit for our customers from participating in the Southwest Power Pool. In Montana we just kicked-off an all-resource competitive solicitation process to add up to 280 megawatts of much-needed capacity and have recently filed our request with the Public Service Commission to approve acquisition of an incremental 185 megawatts of capacity at Colstrip for a one dollar purchase price - without taking on additional closure responsibility for the amount purchased and keeping customer rates flat. These added capacity resources will be valuable in our planning as we prepare to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market just over a year from now. Much like the Southwest Power Pool has done for our South Dakota customers, this real-time energy market to the west is expected to provide lower cost energy for our Montana customers, provide greater power grid reliability and more efficient use of renewables."

Additional information regarding this release can be found in the earnings presentation found at www.northwesternenergy.com/our-company/investor-relations/presentations-and-webcasts.



Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019

2018

Revenues $ 1,257,910



$ 1,192,009



Cost of sales 318,020



272,883



Gross Margin (1) 939,890



919,126













Operating, general and administrative expense 318,229



307,119



Property and other taxes 171,888



171,259



Depreciation and depletion 172,923



174,476



Total Operating Expenses 663,040



652,854



Operating income 276,850



266,272



Interest expense, net (95,068)



(91,988)



Other income, net 413



3,966



Income before income taxes 182,195



178,250



Income tax benefit 19,925



18,710



Net Income 202,120



196,960



Basic Shares Outstanding 50,429



49,985



Earnings per Share - Basic $ 4.01



$ 3.94



Diluted Shares Outstanding 50,752



50,237



Earnings per Share - Diluted $ 3.98



$ 3.92













Dividends Declared per Common Share $ 2.30



$ 2.20







(1) Gross Margin, defined as Revenues less Cost of Sales, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below for more information.

Significant Highlights and Regulation

Electric Resource Planning - Montana

In August 2019, we issued our final 2019 Electricity Supply Resource Procurement Plan (Montana Resource Plan) that included responses to public comments. The Montana Resource Plan supports the goal of developing resources that will address the changing energy landscape in Montana to meet our customers' electric energy needs in a reliable and affordable manner.

We are currently 630 MW short of our peak needs, which we procure in the market. We forecast that our energy portfolio will be 725 MW short by 2025, considering expiring contracts and a modest increase in customer demand. Based on our customers' future energy resource needs as identified in the Montana Resource Plan, we issued a competitive solicitation request in February 2020 for up to 280 megawatts of peaking and flexible capacity to be available for commercial operation in early 2023. An independent administrator and evaluator is being used to administer the solicitation process, with the successful project(s) selected by the first quarter of 2021. We expect the process will be repeated in subsequent years to provide a resource-adequate energy and capacity portfolio by 2025.

The solicitation process will allow us to consider a wide variety of resource options. These options include power purchase agreements and owned energy resources comprised of different structures, terms and technologies that are cost-effective resources. The staged approach is designed to allow for incremental steps through time with opportunities for different resource type of new technologies while also building a reliable portfolio to meet local and regional conditions and minimizing customer impacts.

Proposed Colstrip Unit 4 Capacity Acquisition - In February 2020, we filed an application for pre-approval with the Montana Public Service Commission (MPSC) to acquire Puget Sound Energy's 25% interest, 185 megawatts of generation, in Colstrip Unit 4 for one dollar. In addition, we are seeking approval to sell 90 megawatts to Puget Sound Energy for roughly 5 years at a price indexed to hourly prices at the Mid-Columbia power hub, with a price floor reflecting the recovery of fixed operating and maintenance and variable generation costs. Our proposal includes zero net effect on customer bills while setting aside the benefits from the transaction - estimated to be $4 million annually - to address environmental compliance, remediation and decommissioning costs associated with our existing 222 megawatts of ownership. Puget Sound Energy remains responsible for its presale 25% ownership share of all costs for remediation of existing environmental conditions and decommissioning regardless of the proposed acquisition or when Colstrip Unit 4 is retired. We expect the MPSC to establish a procedural schedule in this docket in the first quarter of 2020. If this capacity acquisition is approved, this will reduce our need for capacity identified above in our resource plan by 170 MW, which is the accredited capacity.

We also entered into an agreement with Puget Sound Energy to acquire an additional 95 MW interest in the 500 kV Colstrip Transmission System for net book value at the time of the sale, if the generation transaction is approved. The net book value is expected to range between $2.5 million to $3.8 million. After expiration of the roughly 5-year purchase power agreement with Puget Sound Energy, we will have the option to acquire another 90 MW interest in the 500 kV Colstrip Transmission System for net book value at that time. These transmission acquisitions are conditioned upon approval and closing of the Unit 4 acquisition.

Recovery of the additional rate base from these transactions, if completed, will be subject to review in the next Montana general electric rate case.

Electric Resource Planning - South Dakota

In April 2019, we issued a request for proposals for 60 MW of flexible capacity resources to begin serving South Dakota customers by the end of 2021. As a result of a competitive solicitation process, we expect to own natural gas fired reciprocating internal combustion engines at Huron, South Dakota. Dependent upon selection of manufacturer, we anticipate 55 - 60 MW to be online by late 2021 at a total investment of approximately $80 million. The selected proposal is subject to the execution of construction contracts and obtaining the applicable environmental and construction related permits.

We anticipate financing this project with a combination of cash flow from operations, first mortgage bonds and equity issuances. Based on current expectations, any equity issuance would be late 2020 or early 2021 and would be sized to maintain and protect current credit ratings.

Montana General Electric Rate Case

In December 2019, the MPSC issued a final order approving our electric rate case settlement for rates effective April 1, 2019, resulting in an annual increase to electric revenue of approximately $6.5 million (based upon a 9.65% return on equity (ROE) and rate base and capital structure as filed) and an annual decrease in depreciation expense of approximately $9.3 million. Various parties have filed petitions for reconsideration of parts of that December 2019 order, and we expect the MPSC to issue an order on these requests during the first quarter of 2020.

FERC Filing - In May 2019, we submitted a filing with the FERC for our Montana transmission assets. The revenue requirement associated with our Montana FERC assets is reflected in our Montana MPSC-jurisdictional rates as a credit to retail customers. We expect to submit a compliance filing with the MPSC upon resolution of our Montana FERC case adjusting the proposed credit in our Montana retail rates.

Significant Earnings Drivers

Gross Margin

Consolidated gross margin for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $939.9 million compared with $919.1 million for the same period in 2018. This $20.8 million increase was a result of a $20.2 million increase to items that have an impact on net income and $0.6 million increase to items that are offset in operating expenses, property tax expense and income tax expense with no impact to net income.

Consolidated gross margin for items impacting net income increased $20.2 million, due to the following:

$22.1 million increase related to revenue deferred in 2018 for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act customer refunds;

increase related to revenue deferred in 2018 for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act customer refunds; $17.3 million increase in electric and gas retail volumes due primarily to colder winter weather and customer growth;

increase in electric and gas retail volumes due primarily to colder winter weather and customer growth; $4.4 million increase in Montana electric retail revenue recognized consistent with the order in our electric rate case, effective April 1, 2019 , as discussed above;

increase in electric retail revenue recognized consistent with the order in our electric rate case, effective , as discussed above; $3.9 million increase related to the recovery of Montana electric supply costs resulting from changes in the associated statute, partly offset by higher supply costs in 2019 as compared with 2018; and

increase related to the recovery of electric supply costs resulting from changes in the associated statute, partly offset by higher supply costs in 2019 as compared with 2018; and $0.5 million increase in other miscellaneous margin items.

These increases were partly offset by the following items:

$20.9 million decrease related to the adjustment of our electric Qualifying Facility (QF) liability as compared with 2018 due to the combination of:

decrease related to the adjustment of our electric Qualifying Facility (QF) liability as compared with 2018 due to the combination of: A lower periodic adjustment of approximately $14.2 million due to price escalation, which was less than previously estimated; and

due to price escalation, which was less than previously estimated; and

A lower impact of the adjustment to actual output and pricing for the contract year resulting in approximately $6.7 million in higher supply costs for these QF contracts due primarily to outages at two facilities in 2018.

in higher supply costs for these QF contracts due primarily to outages at two facilities in 2018. $5.6 million reduction in demand to transmit energy across our transmission lines due to market conditions and pricing; and

reduction in demand to transmit energy across our transmission lines due to market conditions and pricing; and $1.5 million decrease in Montana natural gas rates associated with the annual step down for our Montana gas production assets.

The change in consolidated gross margin for items that had no impact on net income represented a $0.6 million increase primarily due to the following:

$3.0 million increase in revenues for property taxes included in trackers, offset by increased property tax expense;

increase in revenues for property taxes included in trackers, offset by increased property tax expense; $1.7 million decrease in revenue due to the increase in production tax credit benefits passed through to customers in our tracker mechanisms, which are offset by decreased income tax expense; and

decrease in revenue due to the increase in production tax credit benefits passed through to customers in our tracker mechanisms, which are offset by decreased income tax expense; and $0.7 million decrease in revenues for operating costs included in trackers, offset by a decrease in associated operating expense.

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses

Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were $318.2 million compared with $307.1 million for the same period in 2018. This $11.1 million increase was a result of a $17.3 million increase to items that have an impact on net income and $6.2 million decrease to items that are offset in gross margin and other income (expense) with no impact to net income.

Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses for items impacting net income increased $17.3 million, including:

$4.2 million higher hazard tree line clearance costs;

higher hazard tree line clearance costs; $3.7 million higher maintenance costs at our electric generation facilities;

higher maintenance costs at our electric generation facilities; $2.2 million increased labor costs due primarily to compensation increases;

increased labor costs due primarily to compensation increases; $1.7 million higher distribution costs due to proactive system maintenance;

higher distribution costs due to proactive system maintenance; $1.5 million higher natural gas transmission maintenance due to compressor repairs and increased compliance costs;

higher natural gas transmission maintenance due to compressor repairs and increased compliance costs; $1.5 million higher general legal costs;

higher general legal costs; $1.2 million higher technology costs associated with security measures and maintenance agreements;

higher technology costs associated with security measures and maintenance agreements; $1.2 million higher employee benefit costs due primarily to increased pension expense as a result of higher funding of our Montana plan, partly offset by lower medical costs; and

higher employee benefit costs due primarily to increased pension expense as a result of higher funding of our plan, partly offset by lower medical costs; and $0.9 million higher costs associated with preparation to enter the Western Energy Imbalance market. This was partly offset by an

higher costs associated with preparation to enter the Western Energy Imbalance market. This was partly offset by an $0.8 million decrease in other miscellaneous expense items.

The change in consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses for items that had no impact on net income decreased $6.2 million primarily due to the following:

$7.8 million decrease due to the regulatory treatment of the non-service cost components of pension and postretirement benefit expense, which is offset in other income;

decrease due to the regulatory treatment of the non-service cost components of pension and postretirement benefit expense, which is offset in other income; $0.7 million lower operating expenses included in trackers recovered through revenue; and

lower operating expenses included in trackers recovered through revenue; and $2.3 million increase in the value of non-employee directors deferred compensation due to changes in our stock price, offset in other income.

Property and Other Taxes

Property and other taxes were $171.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, as compared with $171.3 million in the same period of 2018. This increase was primarily due to plant additions and higher estimated property valuations in Montana. We estimate property taxes throughout each year, and update based on valuation reports received from the Montana Department of Revenue. Under Montana law, we are allowed to track the increases in the actual level of state and local taxes and fees and adjust our rates to recover the increase between rate cases less the amount allocated to FERC-jurisdictional customers and net of the associated income tax benefit.

Depreciation and Depletion Expense

Depreciation and depletion expense was $172.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, as compared with $174.5 million in the same period of 2018. This decrease was primarily due to the depreciation adjustment consistent with the final order in our Montana electric rate case, as discussed above, partly offset by plant additions.

Operating Income

Consolidated operating income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $276.9 million as compared with $266.3 million in the same period of 2018. This increase was primarily due to higher gross margin, as discussed above, offset in part by the overall increase in operating, general, and administrative expenses.

Interest Expense

Consolidated interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $95.1 million, as compared with $92.0 million in the same period of 2018, due primarily to higher borrowings.

Other Income

Consolidated other income was $0.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $4.0 million during the same period of 2018. This decrease was primarily due to a $7.8 million increase in other pension expense that was partly offset by a $2.3 million increase in the value of deferred shares held in trust for non-employee directors deferred compensation, both of which are offset in operating, general, and administrative expense with no impact to net income. This decrease was also partly offset by $1.6 million higher capitalization of AFUDC (Allowance for Funds Used During Construction).

Income Tax

Consolidated income tax benefit for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $19.9 million as compared with $18.7 million in the same period of 2018. The income tax benefit for 2019 reflect the release of approximately $22.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits, including approximately $2.7 million of accrued interest and penalties, due to the lapse of statues of limitations in the second quarter of 2019. The income tax benefit in 2018 reflects a benefit of approximately $19.8 million associated with the final measurement of excess deferred taxes associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Our effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was (10.9)% as compared with (10.5)% for the same period of 2018. We currently estimate effective tax rate will range between (2)% to 3% in 2020.

The following table summarizes the differences between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate for the periods:

(in millions)

Year Ended December 31,





2019

2018

Income Before Income Taxes

$ 182.2





$ 178.3





















Income tax calculated at federal statutory rate

38.3

21.0 %

37.4

21.0 %

















Permanent or flow-through adjustments:













State income, net of federal provisions

1.2

0.7 %

1.6

0.9 %

Release of unrecognized tax benefit

(22.8)

(12.5) %



 %

Flow-through repairs deductions

(19.7)

(10.8) %

(19.3)

(10.8) %

Production tax credits

(11.5)

(6.3) %

(10.9)

(6.1) %

Plant and depreciation of flow-through items

(4.0)

(2.2) %

(2.2)

(1.2) %

Amortization of excess deferred income tax

(1.7)

(0.9) %

(3.7)

(2.1) %

Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

(0.2)

(0.1) %

(19.8)

(11.1) %

Prior year permanent return to accrual adjustment

0.6

0.3 %

(3.0)

(1.7) %

Other, net

(0.1)

(0.1) %

1.2

0.6 %

Subtotal

(58.2)

(31.9) %

(56.1)

(31.5) %

















Income Tax Expense

$ (19.9)

(10.9) %

$ (18.7)

(10.5) %



Net Income

Consolidated net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $202.1 million as compared with $197.0 million for the same period in 2018.

Reconciliation of Primary Changes from 2018 to 2019





Year Ended December 31,



($millions, except EPS) Pretax Income Net Income (1) Diluted EPS



2018 reported $178.3 $197.0 $3.92

Gross Margin









Tax Cuts and Jobs Act impact 22.1

16.5

0.33





Natural gas retail volumes 10.9

8.1

0.16





Electric retail volumes 6.4

4.8

0.10





Montana electric rates 4.4

3.3

0.07





Montana electric supply cost recovery 3.9

2.9

0.06





Electric QF adjustment (20.9)

(15.6)

(0.31)





Electric transmission (5.6)

(4.2)

(0.08)





Montana natural gas rates (1.5)

(1.1)

(0.02)





Other 0.5

0.4

0.01





Subtotal: Items impacting net income 20.2

15.1

0.32

















Property taxes recovered in trackers 3.0

2.2

0.04





Production tax credits flowed-through trackers (1.7)

(1.3)

(0.03)





Operating expense recovered in trackers (0.7)

(0.5)

(0.01)





Subtotal: Items not impacting net income 0.6

0.4



















Total Gross Margin 20.8

15.5

0.32



OG&A Expense









Hazard trees (4.2)

(3.1)

(0.06)





Generation maintenance (3.7)

(2.8)

(0.06)





Labor (2.2)

(1.6)

(0.03)





Distribution maintenance (1.7)

(1.3)

(0.03)





Gas transmission maintenance (1.5)

(1.1)

(0.02)





Legal (1.5)

(1.1)

(0.02)





Technology costs (1.2)

(0.9)

(0.02)





Employee benefits (1.2)

(0.9)

(0.02)





Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) costs (0.9)

(0.7)

(0.01)





Other 0.8

0.6

0.01





Subtotal: Items impacting net income (17.3)

(12.9)

(0.26)

















Pension and other postretirement benefits 7.8

5.8

0.11





Operating expenses recovered in trackers 0.7

0.5

0.01





Non-employee directors deferred compensation (2.3)

(1.7)

(0.03)





Subtotal: Items not impacting net income 6.2

4.6

0.09

















Total OG&A Expense (11.1)

(8.3)

(0.17)



Other items









Depreciation and depletion expense 1.6

1.2

0.02





Property and other taxes (0.6)

(0.4)

(0.01)





Interest expense (3.1)

(2.3)

(0.05)





Other income (includes pension / comp. offset above) (3.6)

(2.7)

(0.05)





Permanent and flow-through adjustments to income tax

2.1

0.04





Impact of higher share count 



(0.04)





Total Other items (5.7)

(2.1)

(0.09)

















Total impact of above items 3.9

5.1

0.06

















2019 reported $182.2 $202.1 $3.98

















(1) Income Tax Benefit (Expense) calculation on reconciling items assumes blended federal plus state effective tax rate of 25.3%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2019, our total net liquidity was approximately $141.1 million, including $5.1 million of cash and $136.0 million of revolving credit facility availability. This compares to total net liquidity one year ago at December 31, 2018 of $124.7 million.

Dividend Declared

NorthWestern's Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.60 per share - a 4.3% increase - payable March 31, 2020 to common shareholders of record as of March 13, 2020.

Significant Items Not Contemplated in Guidance

A reconciliation of items not factored into our adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance of $3.38 - $3.48 for 2019 and $3.35 - $3.50 for 2018 are summarized below. The amount below represents a non-GAAP measure that may provide users of this data with additional meaningful information regarding the impact of certain items on our expected earnings. More information on this measure can be found in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below.

(in millions, except EPS)























Actual Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Q4 2019

Full Year 2019

Pre-tax Income Net(1) Income Diluted EPS

Pre-tax Income Net(1) Income Diluted EPS

Pre-tax Income Net(1) Income Diluted EPS 2019 Reported GAAP $122.0 $142.1 $2.80

$60.1 $60.0 $1.18

$182.2 $202.1 $3.98























Non-GAAP Adjustments:















Remove impact of (favorable) unfavorable weather (8.0)

(6.0)

(0.12)



0.7

0.5

0.01



(7.3)

(5.5)

(0.11)

Remove impact of unrecognized income tax benefit 

(22.8)

(0.45)













(22.8)

(0.45)

























2019 Adj. Non-GAAP $114.0 $113.3 $2.23

$60.8 $60.5 $1.19

$174.9 $173.8 $3.42





















































Actual Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

Q4 2018

Full Year 2018

Pre-tax Income Net(1) Income Diluted EPS

Pre-tax Income Net(1) Income Diluted EPS

Pre-tax Income Net(1) Income Diluted EPS 2018 Reported GAAP $135.1 $130.5 $ 2.61



$43.2 $66.5 $1.31

$178.3 $197.0 $3.92























Non-GAAP Adjustments:















Remove impact of unfavorable (favorable) weather (2.3)

(1.7)

(0.03)



1.0

0.7

0.01



(1.3)

(1.0)

(0.02)

Gain on QF Liability (2) (17.5)

(13.1)

(0.26)











(17.5)

(13.1)

(0.26)

Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Settlements 







9.4

(12.8)

(0.25)



9.4

(12.8)

(0.25)

























2018 Adj. Non-GAAP $115.3 $115.7 $2.32

$53.6 $54.4 $1.07

$168.9 $170.1 $3.39



























(1) Income Tax Benefit (Expense) calculation on reconciling items assumes blended federal plus state effective tax rate of 25.3%. (2) Due to our expectations regarding remeasurement of our Qualifying Facilities (QF) liability, we no longer reflect this adjustment as a non-GAAP measure. Absent a QF liability adjustment, our 2018 Adjusted Non-GAAP Diluted EPS would have been $3.65 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The 2019 QF adjustment, as noted in our gross margin discussion herein, was $6.3 million ($3.3 million liability reduction plus $3.0 million lower actual output and pricing).













































2020 Earnings Guidance Affirmed

NorthWestern affirms its 2020 earnings guidance range of $3.45 - $3.60 per diluted share based upon, but not limited to, the following major assumptions and expectations:

Normal weather in our electric and natural gas service territories;

A consolidated income tax rate of approximately (2%) to 3% of pre-tax income; and

Diluted shares outstanding of approximately 50.9 million.

Company Hosting Investor Conference Call

NorthWestern will host an investor conference call and webcast on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time to review its financial results for the year ending December 31, 2019.

The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet at www.northwesternenergy.com under the "Our Company / Investor Relations / Presentations and Webcasts" heading or by visiting https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1050/32737. To participate, please go to the site at least 10 minutes in advance of the webcast to register. An archived webcast will be available shortly after the call and remain active for one year.

About NorthWestern Energy

NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 734,800 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We have generated and distributed electricity in South Dakota and distributed natural gas in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and have generated and distributed electricity and distributed natural gas in Montana since 2002. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as other financial measures, such as Gross Margin, Adjusted Non-GAAP Pre-Tax Income, Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income and Adjusted Non-GAAP Diluted EPS, that are considered "non-GAAP financial measures." Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

We define Gross Margin as Revenues less Cost of Sales as presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Management believes that Gross Margin (revenues less cost of sales) provides a useful measure for investors and other financial statement users to analyze our financial performance in that it excludes the effect on total revenues caused by volatility in energy costs and associated regulatory mechanisms. This information is intended to enhance an investor's overall understanding of results. Under our various state regulatory mechanisms, as detailed below, our supply costs are generally collected from customers. In addition, Gross Margin is used by us to determine whether we are collecting the appropriate amount of energy costs from customers to allow for recovery of operating costs, as well as to analyze how changes in loads (due to weather, economic or other conditions), rates and other factors impact our results of operations. Our Gross Margin measure may not be comparable to that of other companies' presentations or more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report.

Management also believes the presentation of Adjusted Non-GAAP pre-tax income, net income and Diluted EPS is more representative of normal earnings than GAAP pre-tax income, net income and EPS due to the exclusion (or inclusion) of certain impacts that are not reflective of ongoing earnings. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures is intended to supplement investors' understanding of our financial performance and not to replace other GAAP measures as an indicator of actual operating performance. Our measures may not be comparable to other companies' similarly titled measures.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the information under "Significant Items Not Contemplated in Earnings". Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," or "will." These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual future business and financial performance may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:

adverse determinations by regulators, as well as potential adverse federal, state, or local legislation or regulation, including costs of compliance with existing and future environmental requirements, could have a material effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition;

changes in availability of trade credit, creditworthiness of counterparties, usage, commodity prices, fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, weather conditions, transportation problems or other developments, may reduce revenues or may increase operating costs, each of which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations;

unscheduled generation outages or forced reductions in output, maintenance or repairs, which may reduce revenues and increase cost of sales or may require additional capital expenditures or other increased operating costs; and

adverse changes in general economic and competitive conditions in the U.S. financial markets and in our service territories.

Our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE NorthWestern Energy

Related Links

http://www.northwesternenergy.com


The annual visit from flocks of greater snow geese migrating to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County from points south to their breeding grounds in the arctic has begun.

On the night of Feb. 10, there were 130,000 birds. They didnt stick around for long and the numbers dropped to 75,000 birds as of Tuesday morning. Other waterfowl species are staying roughly the same for now but this weekends cold snap will be the first below-freezing temperatures in the last week or two.

The best times to view snow geese on the lake are sunrise (before they leave to feed in neighboring fields) and sunset (as they return from feeding to roost). Other waterfowl including tundra swans, Canada geese and many species of ducks can be viewed throughout the day.

If you are deciding to make the trip to Middle Creek soon, the Visitors Center is closed on Presidents Day but will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
The government here continues a baffling campaign to rename joint drills with the U.S. so as to avoid agitating North Korea.

Early last year, the U.S. and South Korea staged substantial joint drills under the name " Alliance 19-2" that replaced the annual "Key Resolve" exercise.

But officials here labor under the impression that what North Korea really objects to is not the drills themselves but the name, so this year they will be called something else again. "No decision about the name has been made yet, but it seems that the term 'alliance' won't be used," a military spokesman here said Wednesday.

The Pentagon traditionally uses vaguely martial-sounding word salads for all its operations, and "alliance" plus the year and the sequential number was supposed to tone that down.

But someone in the upper echelons here became convinced that North Korea was bristling at the word "alliance" so the second drill last year, which was logically going to be called "Alliance 19-2," was renamed in secret and in the end no official name was announced at all.

There is no evidence that North Korea looks kindly on large-scale military exercises on its doorstep no matter what they are called.

"We're now in a situation where we might have to cancel even a command post exercise that is really more a computer wargame depending on the reaction from the North," a military officer said. "I worry that this could weaken the preparedness of the South Korea-U.S. combined forces."


"Through Living Soils, Moet Hennessy aims to unite its communities across the world and develop a global social responsibility program." Philippe Schaus

The rising concern around climate change affects us all. This "Living Soils" forum is intended to move the conversation forward and facilitate a discussion and ultimately raise awareness without taboo.

"A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world" - Louis Pasteur. This philosophy has been at the heart of Moet Hennessy's vision for continuous progress on the human side, as well as in terms of knowledge, methods and technology. Climate change, preservation of the soils, water and energy conservation, as well as sustainability in supply chains all factor in to the protection of the "Living Soils". On this occasion, Moet Hennessy made three announcements:

In 2020, all of its vineyards in Champagne will be herbicide-free and the Division will provide support to winegrower partners to help them become certified sustainable.

Moet Hennessy will invest 20M in a research center in the Champagne Region devoted to scientific research around sustainable viticulture

A "University of Living Soils" will be created to encourage the sharing of knowledge and best practices. Its aim will be to enrich the debates on progress toward a more sustainable future for wine and spirits in an inclusive way.

Moet Hennessy's vision across all Maisons is to lead the way for future generations, so that all employees, consumers and winemakers can continue to enjoy and discover its wines and spirits in a consistent and integrated way that is respectful of nature.

ABOUT MOET HENNESSY

Moet Hennessy is the wine and spirits division of LVMH, the world's leading luxury products group. Moet Hennessy, the largest luxury wines and spirits company in the world, encompasses 22 prestigious brands internationally renowned for the richness of their land, the quality of their products and the expertise with which they are crafted: Hennessy, Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Perignon, Ruinart, Krug, Mercier, Belvedere, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Chandon, Newton, Terrazas de los Andes, Cloudy Bay, Cape Mentelle, Numanthia, Ao Yun, Volcan De Mi Tierra, Woodinville Whiskey Company, Clos19, Chateau du Galoupet, Cheval des Andes & Chateau d'Esclans.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1089567/Philippe_Schaus.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1034652/Moet_Hennessy_Logo.jpg

Contact: Chrystel Brossette, Communication & Press Relations Manager Moet Hennessy Corporate, [email protected]

SOURCE Moet Hennessy SNC
English French

@Airbus @Bombardier #A220



Bombardier transfers its remaining interest in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) to Airbus SE and the Government of Quebec

Airbus now holds 75 percent of Airbus Canada with the Government of Quebec increasing its holding to 25 percent for no cash consideration

Bombardier work packages for the A220 and A330 will be transferred to Airbus, through its subsidiary Stelia Aerospace, securing 360 jobs in Quebec

Bombardier will receive US$591M, net of adjustments, of which US$531M was received at closing, and is released of its future funding capital requirement to Airbus Canada

Over 3,300 Airbus jobs secured in Quebec

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands and MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Airbus SE (EPA: AIR), the Government of Quebec and Bombardier Inc. (TSX: BBD.B) have agreed upon a new ownership structure for the A220 programme, whereby Bombardier transferred its remaining shares in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) to Airbus and the Government of Quebec. The transaction is effective immediately.

This agreement brings the shareholdings in Airbus Canada, responsible for the A220, to 75 percent for Airbus and 25 percent for the Government of Quebec respectively. The Governments stake is redeemable by Airbus in 2026 - three years later than before. As part of this transaction, Airbus, via its wholly owned subsidiary Stelia Aerospace, has also acquired the A220 and A330 work package production capabilities from Bombardier in Saint-Laurent, Quebec.

This new agreement underlines the commitment of Airbus and the Government of Quebec to the A220 programme during this phase of continuous ramp-up and increasing customer demand. Since Airbus took majority ownership of the A220 programme on July 1, 2018, total cumulative net orders for the aircraft have increased by 64 percent to 658 units at the end of January 2020.

"This agreement with Bombardier and the Government of Quebec demonstrates our support and commitment to the A220 and Airbus in Canada. Furthermore it extends our trustful partnership with the Government of Quebec. This is good news for our customers and employees as well as for the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry, said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury. "I would like to sincerely thank Bombardier for the strong collaboration during our partnership. We are committed to this fantastic aircraft programme and we are aligned with the Government of Quebec in our ambition to bring long-term visibility to the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry.

I am proud that our government was able to reach this agreement. We have succeeded in protecting paying jobs and the exceptional expertise developed in Quebec, despite the major challenges we faced in this regard when we took office. We have consolidated the governments position in the partnership, while respecting our commitment not to reinvest in the program. By opting to strengthen its presence here, Airbus has chosen to focus on our talents and our creativity. The decision of an industrial giant like Airbus to invest more in Quebec will help attract other world-class prime contractors, the Premier of Quebec, Francois Legault, stated.

This agreement is excellent news for Quebec and its aerospace industry. The A220 partnership is now well established and will continue to grow in Quebec. The agreement will allow Bombardier to improve its financial situation and Airbus to increase its presence and footprint in Quebec. Its a winwin situation for both the private partners and the industry, pointed out Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.

With this transaction, Bombardier will receive a consideration of $591M from Airbus, net of adjustments, of which $531M was received at closing and $60M to be paid over the 2020-21 period. The agreement also provides for the cancellation of Bombardier warrants owned by Airbus, as well as releasing Bombardier of its future funding capital requirement to Airbus Canada.

This transaction supports our efforts to address our capital structure and completes our strategic exit from commercial aerospace, said Alain Bellemare, President and CEO Bombardier, Inc. We are incredibly proud of the many achievements and tremendous impact Bombardier had on the commercial aviation industry. We are equally proud of the responsible way in which we have exited commercial aerospace, preserving jobs and reinforcing the aerospace cluster in Quebec and Canada. We are confident that the A220 program will enjoy a long and successful run under Airbus and the Government of Quebecs stewardship.

The single aisle market is a key growth driver, representing 70 percent of the expected global future demand for aircraft. Ranging from 100 to 150 seats, the A220 is highly complementary to Airbus existing single aisle aircraft portfolio, which focuses on the higher end of the single-aisle business (150-240 seats).

As part of the agreement, Airbus has acquired the Airbus A220 and A330 work package production capability from Bombardier in Saint-Laurent, Quebec. These production activities will be operated in the Saint Laurent site by Stelia Aeronautique Saint Laurent Inc., a newly created subsidiary of Stelia Aerospace, which is a 100 percent Airbus subsidiary.

Stelia Aeronautique Saint-Laurent will continue the production of the A220 cockpit and aft fuselage production, as well as A330 workpackages, for a transition period of approximately three years at the Saint-Laurent facility. A220 workpackages will then be transferred to the Stelia Aerospace site in Mirabel to optimize the logistical flow to the A220 Final Assembly Line also located in Mirabel. Airbus plans to offer all current Bombardier employees working on the A220 and A330 work packages at Saint-Laurent opportunities around the A220 programmes ramp-up, ensuring know-how retention as well as business continuity and growth in Quebec.

At the end of January 2020, 107 A220 aircraft were flying with seven customers on four continents. In 2019 alone, Airbus delivered 48 A220s, with the further ramp-up to be continued.

For more information about A220-Family

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of  64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the worlds leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Contacts for the media - Airbus Marcella Cortellazzi (Mirabel) marcella.cortellazzi@abc.airbus +1 514 244 83 14 Annabelle Duchesne (Mirabel) annabelle.duchesne@abc.airbus +1 438 402 42 76 Anne Galabert (Toulouse) anne.galabert@airbus.com +33 609 240 974 Stefan Schaffrath (Toulouse) stefan.schaffrath@airbus.com +33 616 095 592

About Bombardier

With over 68,000 employees, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.



Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries as well as a broad portfolio of products and services for the business aviation, commercial aviation and rail transportation markets. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. The company is recognized on the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Contacts for the media  Bombardier Jessica McDonald jessica.mcdonald@bmbardier.com +1 514 861 9481 Patrick Ghoche patrick.ghoche@bombardier.com +1 514 861 5727

About Stelia Aerospace

With a turnover of 2,4 billion euros and 7,100 employees worldwide (4,500 in France and 2,600 in North America, Tunisia, Morocco and Portugal), Stelia Aerospace is one of the world leaders in the field of aerostructures, pilot seats and Business Class and First Class passenger seats.

Stelia Aerospace designs and manufactures the front fuselage sections for the entire Airbus family, as well as fuselage sections and specific sub-assemblies for Airbus, fully equipped wings for ATR, fully equipped central fuselages for Bombardiers Global 7500, and complex metallic and composite aerostructure parts for Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Northrop-Grumman.

Contact for the media - Stelia Aerospace Caroline Brown caroline.brown.rp@gmail.com +33 622 088 623

About Investissement Quebec

The mission of Investissement Quebec is to participate actively in Quebecs economic development by stimulating business innovation, entrepreneurship and the growth of exports and investment in every region of Quebec. The Corporation provides enterprises and entrepreneurs with support services, including technology-based measures, as well as adapted financial solutions and investments. Through its Investissement Quebec International division, the Corporation assists enterprises with exports and prospects for foreign investments.

Contacts for the media - Investissement Quebec Ewan Sauves Prime Minister's Office Press Manager +1 514 585 44 51 Mathieu St-Amand Press Manager of the Minister of the +1 418 691 56 50 Economy and Innovation and Lanaudiere region

This and other press releases and high resolution photos are available on: AirbusMedia
President Trump easily won the New Hampshire Republican primary on Tuesday, but his challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, was able to secure nearly 10 percent of the vote.

With 85 percent of precincts reporting, Trump has 85.7 percent of the vote, and Weld has 9.2 percent of the vote. Write-in candidates received 5.3 percent.

Weld was in New Hampshire on Tuesday, and visited more than a dozen polling locations. He told The Boston Globe he was "going to declare that I've exceeded expectations no matter what. The goal is to go all the way, ideally -- to catch lightning in a bottle."

Several dozen supporters attended Weld's primary night party, including community college professor Karen Mason. She told the Globe she left the GOP after Trump was elected, and she will vote for anyone but Trump in the general election. Writer K. Peddlar Bridges echoed her sentiment, and dismissed the idea that he wasted his vote on Weld. "If you vote by conscience, that doesn't matter," he said.

More stories from theweek.com

The Democratic establishment is out of time

In Twitter rampage, Trump attacks federal judge set to sentence Roger Stone

Attorney General Barr is intervening in Roger Stone's case and others important to Trump, officials say


Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2019, file photo, a man uses his smartphone as he stands near a billboard for Chinese technology firm Huawei at the PT Expo in Beijing. The Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and two of its United States subsidiaries, accusing the company in a plot to steal trade secrets. The indictment from federal prosecutors was announced Thursday by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

The Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and two of its U.S. subsidiaries, accusing the company in a plot to steal trade secrets from competitors in America, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

The case comes as the Trump administration is raising national security concerns about Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and is lobbying Western allies against including the company in wireless, high-speed networks.

The new indictment brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn adds to the legal woes in the U.S. for Huawei, which already faced bank fraud charges in that district and a separate trade secrets theft in federal court in Seattle.

The latest allegations accuse Huawei of plotting to steal the trade secrets and intellectual property of rival companies in the U.S. In some cases, prosecutors said, Huawei directed and provided incentives its own employees to steal from competitors by offering bonuses to those who brought in the most valuable stolen information.

The company also used proxies, including professors at research institutions, to steal intellectual property, prosecutors said.

A lawyer for Huawei did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden addresses the crowd during a South Carolina campaign launch party on February 11, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. Sean Rayford | Getty Images

Joe Biden is set to rally more than 250 Wall Street and big-money donors Thursday at a pair of fundraisers in New York after his presidential campaign stumbled in Iowa and New Hampshire. A guest list, first obtained by CNBC, shows that the events will draw some of the biggest names in the financial services community to Biden's side, despite his campaign's recent struggles. Biden landed in fifth place in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday and finished fourth in last week's Iowa caucuses. Biden's campaign is expected to raise at least $1 million between the two gatherings. The list shows names such as former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack, Centerview Partners' Alan Hartman, Citigroup executive Ray McGuire, Blackstone operating chief Jonathan Gray, Snap Chairman Michael Lynton and former Obama economic advisor Jeffrey Zients, who is also the president of private equity firm Cranemere Group. Attendees also include Goldman Sachs chief spokesman Jake Siewert, along with his wife, Christine Anderson, who is the head of public affairs at Blackstone. Jonathan Henes, Sen. Kamala Harris' former national finance chair who is now backing Biden, and Mark Gallogly, a co-founder of Centerbridge Partners, are listed to attend.

The first gathering is set to take place at Sarabeth's restaurant earlier in the day in Manhattan and the second event will be at the nearby Wayfarer restaurant, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter, who declined to be named as these decisions are made in private. The guest list shows there will be at least 280 attendees split between the two events and each have contributed $2,800 to gain entrance. Nobody has dropped out of attending, these people noted. There are many others who donated that same amount but could not attend, these people added. A spokesman for Biden did not respond to a request for comment. The fundraisers come at a key moment for Biden's campaign. They indicate that the former vice president still has the support and at least some confidence of big-money donors on Wall Street and in other industries. Biden is going to need to keep raking in the cash to have the necessary resources to win the South Carolina primary Feb. 29 and to perform well during the 14 primaries on Super Tuesday, March 3. Biden came into 2020 with $8.9 million on hand, behind the totals for top rivals Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Bloomberg looms over Biden

Yet the donors' support might not be guaranteed for long. Many of the Thursday attendees have privately acknowledged that they would throw their support toward former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's campaign if Biden doesn't have success in the Nevada caucuses Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary. The donors wouldn't have to spend any money to support Bloomberg directly. Bloomberg, who has a net worth of over $61 billion, has been self-financing his operation. Bloomberg, as CNBC first reported, huddled in December with some of the people who are slated to attend the Thursday events for Biden. At the time, Bloomberg and his team explained to the donors their anticipated path to victory. The Bloomberg team's pitch focused on the candidate's prospects for winning primaries in swing states Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Those states' primary contests are scheduled for March and April. Biden, meanwhile, is looking for a comeback after being the de facto front-runner for much of the cycle leading up to the Iowa caucuses. His campaign signaled to donors on a Wednesday conference call that the former vice president will increase his presence on TV in order to have better luck getting his message out to voters. On Thursday, Biden told "The View" that he's been raising $400,000 online per day since the beginning of February.
State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnatis announcement on Wednesday that he is retiring at the end of the year opens the door for someone new to fill the third highest office in Pennsylvania government.

Who will it be?

That answer in part rests on what the voters say in this years election to fill 25 Senate seats.

If the Democrats manage to win four seats to win majority control, that would cause a sea change in the Senate, which has been under Republican control for the past 26 years.

But if the Republicans hold their majority in the chamber, it creates the possibility that Centre County could see one of its own elected as president pro tempore for the first time since 1935.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, who represents Centre County, is the one most people are betting would occupy a GOP-controlled Senates top leadership post. Centre County is home to Penn State Universitys flagship campus, which is also Cormans alma mater.

Corman, 55, was first elected to the Senate in 1998, succeeding his late father, Doyle Corman, who held the seat for 21 years. He moved into a leadership role in 2009 when he was elected by his Republican colleagues to be the appropriations committee chairman. Then, six year later, he was chosen to be the caucus leader.

In that role, Corman has become regarded as a strong leader and defender of his caucus positions but like Scarnati, is open to compromise when necessary.

As to whether Corman would be interested in the top post, his spokeswoman, Jenn Kocher, said its too early to say. Theres the 2020-21 state budget to get done, along with other policy issues to be considered, and legislative elections to be held. In November, the caucus could be in the position of deciding on a nominee for the highest salaried position in the chamber.

At this point were focused on what we can accomplish in the next nine or ten months rather than what will happen in nine or ten months from now, Kocher said.

Many observers believe if the Republicans hold their majority control, the president pro tempores post is Cormans for the taking.

I think Jake has earned the respect of everybody and, for me, hes earned the right to first consideration to ascend to president pro tempore, should he want that, said Sen. Robert Tommy Tomlinson, R-Bucks County, the Senate GOP caucus most senior member.

He also said that, despite the loss of Scarnati, he has a lot of confidence in the people in his caucus and, whoever emerges, were not going to miss a step.

In the event that Corman would prefer to retain his present role, observers predict the most likely contender for the position in a GOP-controlled chamber is Sen. John Gordner, R-Columbia County.

Gordner, 58, is in his 17th year in the Senate and served 11 years before in the House of Representatives. He serves as majority whip, a position he was first elected to in 2014. In that role, his duties include working to gain support for legislation and acting as assistant floor leader, among other duties.

Other possibilities include Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-Lehigh County; Sen. Robert Mensch, R-Montgomery County, who serves as the caucus chairman; and Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County, the caucus secretary.

And the growing number of Republican senators from the western part of Pennsylvania may insist on a seat at the leadership table.

The president pro tempores job is to preside over the Senate when the lieutenant governor isnt there. He also makes committee assignments for members of his caucus and appoints committee chairmen.

Along with voting on bills, the president pro tempore plays a significant role in negotiations with the House and governor.

Should the lieutenant governors position becomes vacant in the middle of a term, the president pro tempore ascends to that position until the term expires. This happened in 2008, when Scarnati became lieutenant governor after the death of Catherine Baker Knoll. It led to the remarkable situation where a Republican lieutenant governor served under a Democrat, then-Gov. Ed Rendell.

Staff writer Charles Thompson contributed to this story.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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.
The Delhi Police has identified two more accused in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College here last week, officials said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, 10 people, who were between 18 and 25 years of age, were arrested in the case.

The accused persons were outside the college when the fest was underway.

The accused are students of various colleges in Delhi-NCR. They had gathered outside the gate of the college, vandalised a car and then broke in.

They jumped over the barricades placed by the college security staff, outnumbered them and then misbehaved with the women students, the officials said.

Police suspected that the two identified persons, who seem to be in the same age group, could also be from colleges in Delhi and NCR areas, they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With Valentines Day falling on a Friday this time, it actually can prove to be quite the task for us men to look dapper for a dinner date right after work. Where do we look for some quick and practical style inspirations, which we can cop without much effort? To our celebrities, of course!



 Viral Bhayani

And, as if just on cue, Rana Daggubati just dropped one of the best desk-to-dinner outfit. Basically, an ensemble that would sit perfect, both in a corporate office, as well as a fancy restaurant.



 Viral Bhayani

Rana was spotted in a sublime ensemble that comprised of a white, mandarin collared shirt and a collarless waistcoat. Paired with a slightly bleached denim jeans and driving loafers, the ensemble was a simple, and yet elegant masterpiece.



 Viral Bhayani

The upper half of the outfit, mainly the shirt and the waistcoat, are sublime. The pocket square, just peeking out of the pocket, is also a nice touch and elevates the waistcoat by a mile. A very basic move of accessorising a rather too formal an outfit, pocket squares can lend that touch of zaniness and quirkiness that some basic and sombre colours scream for.



 Viral Bhayani

Although Rana went for the more conventional manner of getting a pocket square that matches the colour of his shirt, experimenting with colours and prints are actually a dope way to spruce up your outfit.



 Viral Bhayani

The addition of the rather chunky watch, which appears to be a Hublot, is also a deft touch that uplifts the outfit.



 Viral Bhayani

The lower half of the ensemble, as basic and simple as it is, is a classic way to go about the semi-casual way. We particularly like the driving loafers that Ranas wearing. The buckle and the looped laces make an interesting embellishment and adds character to the shoes.



 Viral Bhayani

Thanks to his tall and lean physique, the ensemble, overall looks rather swell on Rana. Honestly, if ever there was an outfit that would be perfect for an after-work party, or an after-work date, this would be it, especially, if its casual Fridays at the office.



 Viral Bhayani

Just keep a few things in mind if you plan to go out wearing something like this, and youll look dapper AF:



Select your colours wisely. Go for a light and solid coloured shirt and darker shades for the trousers, and waistcoat.

In case you dont have a waistcoat, go for a bandi.

Avoid prints, especially florals. Remember, this is a DESK to dinner outfit. You dont want to end up as the laughing stock of the office.

Chinos are a great substitute for jeans, as far as this ensemble is considered.

Pay attention to your shoes. Tan coloured oxfords or monk straps are also a great way to go.

 Viral Bhayani

Coming back to Rana, we are all praise for the outfit. Seriously man, take a bow.


According to the submitted bill, cases of return and failure to examine petitions for pardon have been established, and a mechanism for protection of the rights of victims and their successors has been approved. This is what Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia Srbuhi Galyan declared during a discussion on the bill on making amendments and supplements to the Law On pardon at the National Assembly today.

In addition, there will be regulations for ensuring confidentiality of information related to the examination of petitions to grant pardon. According to the deputy minister, the development of this bill is conditioned by the need to make the institution of pardon more transparent and accountable and ensure protection of the victims interests. The deputy minister added that adoption of this bill will help rule out ineffective application of legislative norms, eliminate the gaps in the legislation and ensure the rights of a certain group of people.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / ProLung, Inc. ("ProLung" or the "Company"), which has developed a cutting edge predictive cancer analytic that utilizes bioconductance to reduce the time to diagnosis, announced that the Utah Division of Securities ("Division") has dismissed all charges of securities fraud against ProLung and its current management. The Company reached a settlement with the Division for paying unlicensed broker-dealers to sell its securities during 2012-2014 under prior management.

On January 6, 2020, ProLung entered into a settlement agreement with the Utah Division of Securities resolving a claim against ProLung alleging employment of unlicensed agents in connection with fundraising activities during the time period from February 2012 to March 2014. On January 9, 2020, the Utah Division of Securities entered an order as follows 1) entering certain Findings and Conclusions by the Division relating primarily to the employment of unlicensed agents in connection with fundraising activities from February 2012 to March 2014, which ProLung admitted via a Stipulation and Consent Order; 2) ordering ProLung to cease and desist from violating the Utah Uniform Securities Act (the "Act") and to comply with the requirements of the Act in all future business in the state of Utah; 3) ordering ProLung to disclose the contents of the order to investors and prospective investors in all future capital raising efforts and disclosure documents of ProLung; and 4) ordering ProLung to pay a fine aggregating $55,000 to the Division. (Link)

Mr. Jared Bauer, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "With this protracted and costly regulatory action behind us, we can better focus our energies on bringing our patented ProLung Test to market so we can make a difference for cancer patients around the world. I believe ProLung is stronger today than it has ever been with more clinical data, a burgeoning product development pipeline and amazing shareholder support."

About ProLung, Inc.

ProLung is a leader in cutting edge cancer predictive analytics utilizing a patented non-invasive scanning technique called bioconductance combined with a proprietary algorithm. ProLung is focused on developing, testing and commercializing predictive cancer analytics utilizing bioconductance and Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is designed to accelerate the time to diagnosis, expand the therapeutic window for cancer patients and significantly reduce the financial burden to healthcare payors.

About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, killing more than colorectal, breast and prostate cancers combined. There is a severe unmet clinical need to reduce the time required to determine malignancy in patients diagnosed with IPNs. Patients with IPNs can wait months, or even years, receiving multiple CT scans to confirm malignancy in the lungs. This wait often proves fatal as the cancer advances and spreads. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the first national lung cancer screen utilizing a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest for high-risk adults, which was based in part on a 2013 recommendation by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The screen will amplify this clinical need as up to 24 million patients with IPNs may experience a narrowing treatment window as they wait.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release which are not purely historical, including, without limitation statements regarding ProLung's future performance and goals, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in the ProLung's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks and uncertainties include inherent risks and uncertainties relating to ProLung's ability to meet its funding requirements for its operations and other commitments and to obtain successful test results and regulatory approvals for its products. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections.

For further information, contact:

Andy Robertson | 1-801-503-9231| acr@prolunginc.com

ProLung, Vice President of Business Development

ProLung, Inc.

350 W. 800 N., Suite 214

Salt Lake City, Utah 84103

USA

www.prolunginc.com

Follow ProLung, Inc. on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn: @ProLungInc

SOURCE: ProLung, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576319/ProLung-Announces-End-of-2012-2014-Governance-Issues
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Alion Science and Technology announces that it has been awarded a $248M contract for Navy Continuous Training Environment (NCTE), Integrating Architecture Development.

"Alion is dedicated to delivering cutting edge software, simulations, networking and virtual technology that supports the Navy's tactical training environment. We are honored to continue to provide world class solutions to our mission partners," said Katie Selbe, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Alion. "It is imperative that live and synthetic training environments excel at providing real world mission rehearsal support for our warfighters. We look forward to continue world class support to the mission."

Alion will provide research, development, test and engineering to develop and integrate new and enhanced training architecture and systems for advanced warfighter training at various Fleet Warfighting and Training Commands. Work will focus on the development and integration of the NCTE Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) architecture and systems for advanced Warfighter training.

This material is based upon work supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program Management Office (DoD IAC PMO), sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) under Contract No. FA807518D0002. This contract has a 48-month period of performance.



ABOUT DOD IAC PROGRAM

The DoD IAC program operates as a part of Defense Technical Information Center and provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in the 1940s, the IAC program serves the DoD Science & Technology (S&T) and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader S&T community.

ABOUT ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Solving our nation's most complex national security challenges, Alion works side-by-side with our defense and intelligence communities as we design and deliver advanced engineering solutions to meet current and future demands. We go beyond the superficial and dive deep into the root of the engineering complexities, and bring innovation to reality. With global industry expertise in Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training; Big Data Analytics and Cyber Security; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Electronic Warfare and C5ISR; and Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing, Alion delivers mission success where and when it matters most. To learn more, visit www.alionscience.com.

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Air Force Installation Contracting Command (AFICC).

SOURCE Alion Science and Technology Corporation

Related Links

http://www.alionscience.com


ALBANY - Will Elon Musk's visit to Tesla's "Buffalo Billion" solar panel factory be as much of a flop as his Cybertruck fiasco?

New York state economic development officials are hoping it won't be.

Musk is personally planning to visit Tesla's so-called Gigafactory 2 at the RiverBend campus in Buffalo in April, the same month when the plant must meet a key employment goal or pay a $41.2 million penalty to the state.

Back in November, Tesla stock tanked more than five percent after the car maker's chief designer was able to smash the windows of the new Cybertruck that were supposed to be bullet-proof. Following the episode, Musk's personal fortune fell $768 million in one day due, or about as much as it cost the state to build Gigafactory 2.

RiverBend was part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's so-called Buffalo Billion strategy that saw the state spend nearly a billion dollars to build the facility for Tesla in a project that was rife with corruption and led to the downfall of SUNY Polytechnic Institute founder Alain Kaloyeros and a Buffalo area developer.

April is an important month for the company, which is required under the terms of its lease with the state of New York to have 1,460 employees working at the solar panel factory by April 30.

Members of the Legislature grilled Empire State Development CEO Eric Gertler on Thursday at a state budget hearing, asking him whether he was prepared to fine Telsa the $41.2 million penalty should the company miss the deadline.

"Will you enforce this clawback and tell us how you are going to (verify) the 1,460 jobs?" Buffalo-area Democrat Assemblyman Robin Schimminger asked Gertler.

Gertler did not directly answer Schimminger's question. Instead, he said he had visited the RiverBend facility last week and liked what he saw.

"I was pleased to see the facility hustling and bustling," Gertler replied. "To see a facility that is focusing on the green economy, which is an industry of the future, was exciting to see."

Although Gertler said that as of last year the Telsa factory had 500 employees, he did not say how many people worked there now.

However, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has reportedly said that Tesla is now at 1,100 workers at RiverBend with two months to go to add 360 additional workers. Telsa officials couldn't immediately be reached to confirm its employment numbers at the Buffalo solar panel factory.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

"I can tell you they are doing a lot of hiring," Gertler said. "They've hired individuals from some of the training centers in and around Buffalo. There was a lot of money that's been dedicated to that, and we're in the business of jobs. If by April 30, they do not reach the 1,460 jobs, then as you pointed out, we're going to move to enforce that penalty. ... The ESD team is focused on making sure they do that hiring."

Republican Assemblyman Christopher Friend, who is from the Southern Tier but attended school in Buffalo, quizzed Gertler also about the Tesla deal, asking him how much of the 1.2-million-square-foot RiverBend facility is being used by Tesla.

"From what I saw, it was being well-used," Gertler said. "They've added a lot of different lines."

One of the new lines is not a solar panel line but a Tesla car charging station production line. Telsa has also sublet some of the facility to Panasonic.

"They're doing other things," Gertler said about what he saw when he toured the facility last week. "Is the facility being used? It is. It seemed to be pretty full."
JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi lawmakers need to act in the next couple of months to improve conditions inside state prisons that are crowded, shabby and violent, a human rights lawyer told legislators Thursday.

Cliff Johnson, director of the MacArthur Justice Center at the University of Mississippi law school, said one quick step would be to reduce the prison population by emulating the mass commutation of some prison sentences in Oklahoma  another Republican-led state with a high incarceration rate. More than 450 Oklahoma inmates were released in a single day in November after the retroactive reduction of sentences for simple drug possession and low-level property crimes.

The U.S. Justice Department announced last week that it is investigating Mississippis prison system after a string of inmate deaths in recent months. At least 16 inmates have died since late December, many of them amid outbursts of violence. Most of the deaths happened at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, where health inspections have also shown longstanding problems with broken toilets and mouldy showers.

Speaking of the federal investigators, Johnson told lawmakers: We have to take it seriously, because I promise you they do.

He appeared before two Mississippi House committees  Corrections and Judiciary B.

More than two dozen prisoners rights protesters attended the hearing at the state capitol, wearing thick black tape over their mouths to symbolize what they said was state leaders unwillingness to hear about people being hurt or killed in prisons.

We will continue to be a voice for the voiceless, Sharon Brown of the Mississippi Prison Reform Coalition said in a statement.

Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the U.S. and Johnson said it has the third-highest incarceration rate in the world. The states prison population increased dramatically starting in the mid-1990s after lawmakers required all felons to serve at least 85% of their sentences. The number of prisoners grew from about 12,500 in 1995 to a peak of about 23,000 in 2008. It is now about 19,000.

The 85% rule was erased years ago, but Johnson said that as of November, more than 14,000 Mississippi inmates had at least one sentence that makes parole impossible. A bill that legislators could consider this year would open the possibility of parole consideration. Inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes could be considered for parole after serving 25% of a sentence or 10 years, whichever is less. Those convicted of violent crimes could be considered after serving 50% of a sentence or 20 years, whichever is less.

Such a system would give inmates an incentive to behave well and to participate in education or training programs, Johnson said. He said the current system lacks such incentives for many inmates.

With this all-stick-and-no-carrot system, we have deprived ourselves of a very important tool for protecting inmates and the correctional officers who work in our prisons, Johnson said in an interview after the meeting.

Republican Rep. Nick Bain asked Johnson about staffing levels at Mississippi prisons. Leaders of the state Department of Corrections have told legislative leaders for years that its difficult to hire guards because of low pay.

Johnson said Mississippi has one guard for almost every 17 inmates, while Louisiana has one guard for every 5.5 inmates and Tennessee has one guard for every four inmates.

Were not going to hire our way out of this problem, Johnson said.

A Mississippi Parole Board member, Steven Pickett, said Thursday that Mississippi needs to improve programs to help people after they leave prison, such as those to ensure that people with addiction dont slip back into illicit drug use.

Everybody is going to perform better in some type of structure with expectations, Pickett said.


By Jung Min-ho



North Korea has not reported any confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, a World Health Organization (WHO) official told The Korea Times Wednesday.



"WHO has not received any report of coronavirus cases from the Ministry of Public Health," Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the U.N. agency's representative to North Korea, said. "DPR Korea, like other countries, is taking measures to protect the health of its people."







Salvador said the WHO is working with all member states, including North Korea, to respond to the virus, which has killed more than 1,300 people and infected 60,000 in 29 countries in the past few weeks. Most of the victims are in China.







At North Korea's request, the WHO is providing laboratory reagents and personal protective equipment  goggles, gloves, masks and gowns  for use by health workers, he said.







"WHO is providing guidelines to member states, as well as technical support, to scale up existing measures to detect disease early, monitor at points of entry, isolate and treat cases, trace contacts and promote other actions commensurate with the risk," Salvador said.







"Supporting countries with supplies for diagnosing, clinical management and treating cases is a key WHO support during such events."







There have been media

about cases in North Korea. But this is the first time the WHO has mentioned whether it has received any official data from there.







North Korea, which shares a border with China, has tightened entry and suspended air and train routes to the country after many cases were reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December.







North Korean media outlets have claimed that there have been no confirmed infection cases.


Prince Harry is much happier since stepping down from his duties as as senior royal and moving to Canada, a source has claimed.

In January, the son of Prince Charles announced that he and his wife Meghan Markle would be splitting their time between the UK and North America, and working towards becoming financially independent.

'Harry's much happier in Canada and feels a lot more relaxed. So far he doesn't regret the move' a source told Us Weekly.

They added that protecting his wife and young son was Harry's 'number one priority', and that he's happy that he's followed through.

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Prince Harry is much happier since stepping down from his duties as as senior royal and moving to Canada, a source has claimed. Harry and Meghan are pictured here departing Canada House in London on January 7

It comes after a close friend exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that Meghan Markle also has 'no regrets' about quitting the royal family and has been telling her friends she can have it all.

'The sky's the limit. She said [she and Harry] feel like a huge weight has been lifted,' the insider explained.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently made a trip to Miami where Prince Harry spoke at a JP Morgan 'billionaire's summit', where the two could have earned up to $1 million for the gig - during which Harry spoke about his mental health and therapy.

Prior to the jaunt to Florida, the couple had been holed up with their nine-month-old son Archie at a $14 million waterfront Vancouver Island mansion after announcing their bombshell departure news in early January.

In January, the son of Prince Charles announced that he and his wife Meghan Markle would be splitting their time between the UK and North America, and becoming financially independent from the Queen. They are pictured here with their son Archie in South Africa last September

'They've been spending quality time together as a family. Meghan has been cooking and making homemade baby food for Archie,' the friend said.

Now with a routine in place, Meghan has been taking the steps to relaunch her career, with the insider adding: 'Meghan said her work with Disney is far from over. The voice over is just the beginning and that there's more collaborations to come.'

It was previously revealed Meghan signed a voice over deal with Disney in return for a donation to the charity Elephants Without Borders.

The deal was made after Prince Harry, 35, was caught on film touting his wife's skills to Disney boss Bob Iger at the premiere of The Lion King in London in July 2019.

It seems the couple, who said they wanted to be financially independent when they stepped back from their royal duties, are eager to forge ahead with their new plan.

Their visit to Miami marks the first public appearance Meghan and Harry have made as a couple since their shock announcement.

One insider said the royals were 'smart' to take the gig, adding: '[It was] a very smart move to get in with some of the world's richest people.

'The conference is all about building wealth for future generations, and making the world better for future generations, a topic close to Harry's heart.'

The insider said: 'Meghan said her work with Disney is far from over. The voice over is just the beginning and that there's more collaborations to come.' It was previously reported Meghan signed a voice over deal with Disney in return for a donation to the elephant charity Elephants Without Borders. The deal was made months after Prince Harry was caught on film touting his wife's skills to Disney boss Bob Iger at the premiere of The Lion King in London in July 2019

Ronn Torossian, CEO of New York-based PR firm 5W Public Relations, told the Mail he would expect the couple to have made between $500,000 and $1 million from the appearance.

PR executive Simon Huck - who is a friend of the Kardashian family - has already estimated that Meghan alone can make $100 million this year.

With more work on the horizon, Meghan is on the hunt for a manager or agent for future projects - two years after giving up her acting career to marry Harry.

The close friend said the couple can do 'pretty much do everything from their house', and have been 'taking meetings and building up their hand-picked team, which will include her mom as a special advisor.'
While the world is joining Chinas efforts in fighting the novel coronavirus and rooting for the country with great warmth, some U.S. politicians are smearing China again and again.

They attacked on the country and its system and sowed discord between China and other countries. They sabotaged the bottom line of morality and civilization, created ideological prejudice and spread the virus of Cold-War mentality. What they did has damaged international relations.

However, Chinas achievements in preventing and controlling the epidemic have drawn wide praise from the international community on the fundamental purpose of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to serve the people wholeheartedly, as well as the Partys governance capability to lead people of all ethnic groups across the country to cope with difficulties and challenges. This presents a stark contrast.

Such praise is like a thorn in the flesh for some U.S. politicians who are obsessed with zero-sum games. They have been making all kinds of evil remarks these days, harping on the same string.

What they have done, taking advantage of Chinas precarious situation and attacking the country when it is in a difficult time, has crossed the bottom line of human civilization and humanity.

Whats more, some of them even gloated over Chinas misfortune, blatantly claiming that China's losses in the epidemic may become the gains of the U.S. This has just revealed to the world their sinister mindset of taking profits from other peoples losses.

To put it bluntly, these narrow-minded and paranoid politicians are afraid of China's economic and social progress, the wealth of the Chinese people, and the prosperity of the country. They stick to the absurd philosophy that the historic achievements and leapfrog development made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC are a threat to the U.S.

Just like an empty sack cannot stand upright, the endless ridiculous remarks of these U.S. politicians cannot become mainstream public opinion. The international community acknowledges that over the past few decades, it is under the leadership of the CPC that more than 800 million Chinese have shaken off poverty and more than 400 million Chinese have joined middle-income group. This has brought tremendous development opportunities to the world.

Justice naturally inhabits mans heart. The CPC once again won wide respect and admiration from the world because of its effective actions to lead the people to fight the epidemic.

The unprecedented safety precautions adopted by the CPC, the newly-built medical facilities under "China Speed" and the continuous improved prevention methods show the CPC's excellent governance capacity, said Aikyn Konurov, secretary of the Central Committee of the Kazakh Communist People's Party.

Simon Compaore, acting chairman of Burkina Faso's People's Movement for Progress said the political decisions and health prevention and control measures taken by the CPC will be milestones in the history of human epidemic management.

The international community generally believes that under the strong leadership of the CPC, China has the confidence and capability to win the battle against the epidemic, and the responsible CPC is precisely the fortune of China and the world.

However, some American politicians are so stubborn that they are still seeking fulfilment in their misjudgment of the reality, which is totally absurd.

At a time when fighting the novel coronavirus has become an urgent task of the international community, these U.S. politicians are acting enthusiastically, believing it is a perfect time for them to spread ideological prejudice and the virus of Cold-War mentality.

Some of them clamored that China has become the number one geopolitical foe of the U.S., and some used the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic to sow discord between China and its neighboring countries. Some even spread rumors to the media that China is planning for massive theft of genetic data from Africa by building a center for disease control there.

Sadly, such rumors will only destroy the image of these politicians and bring shame to the U.S. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicated that 45% of respondents believe that the U.S. is a major threat to the world.

Obviously, the U.S. has caused huge damage for itself by its own evil deeds, and such damage is also a serious threat to the Uncle Sam. It should be recognized that ideological prejudice and the Cold-War mentality are destined to be the scourge of international relations.

The epidemic tests conscience while misfortune tests friendship. At the critical moment, the international community chooses justice and conscience, upholds its goodwill towards China, and stands firmly with China.

To build a community with a shared future for mankind has become a mainstream voice in the international community, encouraging people across the world to join hands to fight the epidemic. We have every reason to believe that with the mutual help and joint efforts of human beings, we will definitely beat all viruses in the end.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)
Here's your chance to beam out to avoid spoilers for episode 4 of "Star Trek: Picard."

We're nearly at the half-way mark of "Star Trek: Picard" on CBS All Access with the series' fourth episode, entitled "Absolute Candor," and we begin with another flashback to 14 years ago to where Admiral Picard (Patrick Stewart) was at the moment of the synthetic's attack on Mars . He was on the planet Vashti, in the Beta Quadrant, which is serving as the resettlement hub for evacuated Romulans.

This episode marks the first of this new series to be directed by Jonathan Frakes, who not only plays Will Riker, but has directed countless episodes of "Star Trek," a few of " The Orville " and he directed arguably the best episode of "Discovery" Season 2, " New Eden ."

Join our Picard Panel! Tune in each Friday as we talk 'Star Trek: Picard!'

Related: A complete guide to what 'Star Trek' to watch before 'Picard'

The village looks like a Frakes interpretation of an cliched idyllic settlement  imagine if Charles Dickens wrote science fiction  just like the Ba'ku planet in " Star Trek: Insurrection ." Everyone seems happy and the colony appears to be thriving. Picard beams in and is immediately welcomed by everyone. He reassures them that the Federation is working hard to relocate everyone and makes his way to one particular household.

One of the great things about "Picard" is that it's giving much more insight into Romulan culture and creating a whole host of new elements that are subsequently being incorporated into canon, the Zhat Vash for example, and this episode offers us even more. Picard enters a house, where he speaks to Zani (Amirah Vann). She and the other "sisters" in the house are part of the Qowat Milat, a sect of women-only, Ninja-like Romulan warriors  which is incredibly cool.

At a guess, the La Sirena is maybe half the size of the USS Defiant (NX-74205), so it should be a nimble little starship. (Image credit: CBS All Access)

It's here we get to the purpose of this flashback, which is to introduce us to a young Romulan rapscallion named Elnor (Evan Evagora). Within this house of the Qowat Milat "absolute candor" is the rule, which means only the truth is spoken with no filter between thought and word. There's the predictable banter between Picard and Zani and young Elnor, but the dialogue doesn't feel as natural as other scenes in previous episodes. We learn that a home will be sought for Elnor eventually, but as yet nothing suitable has been found. At which point Lt Cmdr. Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) hails Picard and informs him of the attack on Mars ... and roll opening credits.

Onboard the La Sirena, Dr. Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill) evidently has nothing to do, so she decides to bother Cristobal Rios (Santiago Cabrera). It's a shame that the character has little involvement with the story at this stage, so she's being written as a mildly irritating court jester. Thankfully, she's still nowhere near as irritating as Ensign Tilly (Mary Wiseman) from "Discovery," but she's on the same heading. An alternative theory is that perhaps she's actually been sent to spy on Picard by Starfleet's director of security Commodore Oh (Tamlyn Tomita).

Related: 'Star Trek: Section 31' to start filming when 'Discovery' season 3 wraps

Picard on the other hand has been working with the Emergency Hospitality Hologram  oh yes  to perfectly recreate his chateau in La Barre in the holosuite on the La Sirena. And once again, the EHH looks like Rios and is played by Santiago Cabrera. We really like what the writers are doing with the Emergency Hologram concept and the fact that they all look like Rios is utterly bonkers  and we love it.

Raffi comes in and argues with Picard about why they're heading to Vashti. Rios joins in and finally Dr. Jurati brings her own unique brand of bland banter to the conversation. Rios seizes the opportunity to provide some helpful exposition about the potential problems they face in getting to Vashti, which includes an impenetrable defense shield and pirates, or one pirate in particular who's running around in an [antique] Bird of Prey. So we can expect to see that later in this episode then.

(L-R) Emergency Medical Hologram, Navigation Hologram, Hospitality Hologram ... and Emmet. (Image credit: CBS All Access)

Picard explains the plan to persuade a member of Qowat Milat to join their mission, thus becoming his qalankhkai, or warrior bound to his cause. Dr. Jurati helpfully asks all the questions to ensure everything is clear to the viewer, just in case there was any doubt.

We cut to the Romulan reclamation site of the Borg cube and Dr. Soji Asher (Isa Briones) is watching a recording of Ramdha (Rebecca Wisocky) prior to her assimilation on a talk show called "Yrrh Mnrrh"  possibly the Romulan equivalent of "60 Minutes"  talking about "Ganmadan," which is what the Romulan ancestors called the Day of Annihilation. Apparently, it's when all the shackled demons break their chains and answer the call of the Destroyer. Soji is laying out the Romulan tarot cards, called Pikhmit that we saw Ramdha using as last week and is unsurprisingly still a little disturbed after Ramdha freaked out, called Soji out as the Destroyer and then tried to take her own life.

Related: Jean-Luc assembles a crew in 'Star Trek: Picard' episode 3

And then we're back on the surface of Vashti as Picard beams down from the La Sirena. Nothing much seems to have changed in 14 years. Despite trying to say hello to the locals, they all either ignore Picard or glare at him. A battered sign hanging over a bar says "Romulans Only" and this represents the xenophobic attitude that's now the norm in this once cliched idyllic settlement. Picard continues past the bar and onto the Qowat Milat house where he finds Zani, who's understandably quite surprised to see him. And even more surprised to see Picard is Elnor, who's grown up to become a strapping, young Romulan.

Meanwhile, back on the Borg cube, Narek (Harry Treadaway) consoles Soji in his continuing effort to woo her. He takes her to a little, out-of-the-way bar for a short, sharp glass of Romulan ale. Frakes it seems relies quite heavily on music to build atmosphere or dramatic tension, which ironically hinders it. Despite being really nice music, it also often plays to loudly to allow the actors dialogue to be as effective as it might be. Hanelle Culpepper was certainly guilty of this in the first episode , but thankfully she chose an alternative approach for episodes two and three .

Is the purpose of Dr. Jurati to provide useful exposition, or does she have a more sinister part to play? (Image credit: CBS All Access)

Continuing his lame efforts to sweet-talk some useful information out of her, Narek takes Soji to a corridor where they can slide, in their socks, along the greasy floor of a Borg ventilation shaft. You'd be forgiven for thinking that he was going to show her some spectacular stellar vista or a mesmerizing view of the cube interior that perhaps few people knew about and would cost half this episode's budget in VFX alone  but no. Boy oh boy, this Romulan Romeo really knows how to show a girl a good time. Needless to say it fails, she see right through him and this disastrous scene ends.

Meanwhile, in orbit high above Vashti, Kar Kantar  the pirate who flies the antique Bird of Prey  has appeared and while this is a quirky throwback to "The Original Series" era and in particular the excellent episode "Balance of Terror" (S01, E08) it is a bizarre one that makes little sense and stands out as over-the-top fan service. The Bird of Prey featured is over 130 years old and we're expected to believe that the person flying it is a notorious pirate? That's the equivalent of trying to make a living as a bank robber today and using a horse-drawn wagon to escape in.

Video: Patrick Stewart and Isa Briones Talk Trek with Space.com

Back with the Qowat Milat on Vashti, Picard explains that he has a cause worthy of commitment from a member of the sisterhood. He learns that Elron, now grown up, never went to live anywhere else and consequently has been taught by the sisterhood, despite not being strictly able to join the Qowat Milat. Zani swears he is one of the finest warriors she has ever seen, although he still has some adolescent issues to deal with. Quelle surprise, Elron blames Picard for not being there for him.

Hopefully, a visit to Freecloud next week will provide a change of pace and advance the story a little further. One more episode of let's-find-a-recruit-for-this-mission-that-blames-Picard-for-leaving-them is going to get very tired, very quickly. Zani comes up with a solution  the one we all saw coming a light-year away  that Picard should take Zani as his qalankhkai since he doesn't truly belong and through the natural course of maturing, needs to broaden his horizons.

No need to go losing your head. Elron makes a particularly ruthless example of one rowdy Romulan. (Image credit: CBS All Access)

Elron refuses and Picard has a few minutes to kill before the next window opens in the impenetrable shield that will allow transporters to be used. He strolls once more through the settlement until he reaches the bar that has the "Romulans Only" sign hanging. He picks up said sign, throws it to the floor in disgust and enters the bar. Then for some strange reason Picard seems surprised when no one will serve him, but his erroneous puzzlement passes when he's confronted by a particularly large local who clearly still holds a grudge from 14 years ago when the Federation abandoned them. Lot of that going around.

After a theatre-worthy speech, said Romulan forces Picard to take a sword and he's carried into the town square, where Picard refuses to fight. At which point Elron appears and gives the Romulan the choice to live or die. Naturally he's ignored and so Elron  decapitates him.

Related: The 25 greatest spaceships of science fiction

Nothing like leaving a subtle message. Unsurprisingly, this riles all the other Romulans so Picard and Elron must make a hasty exit. Thankfully the window for transportation is now open and just in the nick of time, they're beamed up to La Sirena. Once aboard, Picard quite rightly gives Elron a severe telling off and makes him swear to not fight unless he is told.

We return to the Borg cube Romulan reclamation site where Cersei Lannister Narissa Rizzo (Peyton List) starts her incestuous routine with her brother Jaime Narek; cause it's perfectly ordinary behavior for your sister to wake you up by seductively stroking your legs. She gives him one more week to get answers from Soji about who she is, where she came from, etc etc or otherwise it's "back to good old pain and violence."

Seven of Nine saves the La Sirena, but has her ship destroyed in the process. (Image credit: CBS All Access)

And then we cut to the inevitable dogfight between Rios in the La Sirena and the unseen pirate Kar Kantar in his antique Bird of Prey. And we use the term "dogfight" in its broadest possible sense since what follows is pretty disappointing. The bridge crew of the La Sirena do that classic "Trek" all-lean-to-the-right, now all-lean-to-the-left and, as the show's budget clearly didn't allow for the bridge set to be built on a gimbal, it looks as entertaining now as it did in 1966. Since Season 2 of "Picard" has been granted a bigger tax incentive from the state of California, maybe they'll consider using one should the plot call for any more "dogfights."

It's all a bit haphazard and generally not very well put together. Rios can't seem to get a shot on target and is flying the La Sirena from his command chair hologram UX. (Does no one use guided torpedoes in the 24th century?) He even calls up yet another Emergency Hologram, this one only speaks Spanish  is named Emmet  and appears to be seriously hungover. One can only assume this is perhaps an Emergency Pilot Hologram?

Related: The 10 best 'Star Trek' episodes ever

Finally Rios tries to use the impenetrable shied surrounding Vashti, but the mysterious Kar Kantar seems to get the better of him  until another ship appears from out of nowhere and blows the Bird of Prey out of the sky.

However, in doing so, that ship is irreparably damaged and the pilot is beamed out before it explodes. Lo and behold, it's Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). "You owe me a ship," she says, catching her breath. Roll end credits.

Humpbacked people 

"Wrath of Khan" Romulan ale bottle in the bar where Soji and Narek drink.

Spot, Data's cat, maybe gone, but he's not forgotten, thanks to Elnor. Bless.

The Qowat Milat  a women's only nun/ninja elite warrior clan is so cool!

An Emergency Hospitality Hologram?! Whatever will they think of next?!

Ah, Seven of Nine, nice of you to join us.

Humpbacked whales 

Is every episode going to end with a fangasm nostalgic "Trek" throwback?

Still not keen on "JL"  it makes Jean-Luc sound like he's from Krypton.

A 130-year old Romulan Bird of Prey? It's probably worth more as an antique.

Drink every time someone blames Picard for deserting or abandoning them!

The placing of profanity could be better, to make it more effective.

Rating: 6.5/10

The 10-episode "Star Trek: Picard" series will air on the paid subscription streaming service CBS All Access in the U.S., and in Canada on Bell Media's Space and OTT service Crave. New episodes will air each week, with episode 5 arriving on 20 February 2020.



CBS and Amazon Studios have announced that the new show will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries worldwide within 24 hours of its premiere on CBS All Access and Space in the US and Canada, respectively.



CBS All Access subscription is the home of "Star Trek: Picard," "Star Trek: Discovery" and a host of other original and archival CBS television shows. Subscriptions start at $5.99 a month. You can try CBS All Access for a week free here .

Follow Scott Snowden on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
This is Highly Recommend, a column dedicated to our very opinionated editors favorite things to eat, drink, and buy.

If youve ever frequented a bougie smoothie shop or gotten lost in a Whole Foods, youve probably spotted bee pollen. Bees make the golden pellets from foraged pollen to feed to their babies while humans looking for the next big superfood use it to top acai bowls, multigrain porridges, and other brunch staples. Go figure. The slightly sweet, musty-in-a-good-way granules are high in antioxidants and thought to help ward off seasonal allergies, which is why I stashed a jar in my pantry to zhuzh up my oatmeal last year. But after several months of forgetting to sprinkle it on anything, I realized theres only one way I would actually consume bee pollen: when encased in chocolate.

Emma Fishman

This realization came to me when BAs deputy editor Julia Kramer handed me a bar from Cloudforest, a bean-to-bar chocolate company based in Portland, Oregon, and helmed by Ecuadorian chocolatier Sebastian Cisneros. He merges single-estate Ecuadorian cacao with a lineup of ingredients that reads like a millennial Willy Wonka fever dreampalo santo, Pop Rocks, black sesame, pimenton. Its all exciting, but Im especially fond of the bee pollen, which is harvested by Jacobsen Co. Honey, a hive program operated by Jacobsen Salt Co that works with sustainable beekeepers in the Pacific Northwest.

The contrast between fruity pollen and creamy milk chocolate is undeniably deliciouseven for someone like myself who proudly swears allegiance to the dark side (of chocolate). It certainly doesnt count as a supplement, but its just about the only kind of sweet Im willing to gift this Valentines Day.

All products featured on Bonappetit.com are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit
Photo: The Canadian Press Protesters in support of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs camp out in front of legislature before the throne speech in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says the federal government must step in to resolve tensions over a natural-gas pipeline running through traditional Indigenous territory in northern B.C.

Perry Bellegarde says the federal government has a duty to find a way to solve the underlying primary issue: a conflict between the hereditary leaders of the Wet'suwet'en territory who oppose the pipeline and the elected chiefs who support it.

He said their conflict is fuelled by the failure by the federal government to address questions of who holds jurisdiction over ancestral lands outside reserves.

Protests, including rail blockades, have erupted nationally since the RCMP began last week to enforce a court injunction barring protesters from the pipeline site to allow for construction.

The federal Liberals have said the matter is a provincial one, and while people have the right to protest, the RCMP is upholding the rule of law.

But Bellegarde says that in addition to the civil and common law the RCMP is sworn to maintain, there exist generations of Indigenous laws that must be respected as well.
Russian ORSIS will challenge the statement made on the Public Television of Armenia on the supply of hunting sights for the country's Ministry of Defense instead of combat sights at inflated prices, TASS reported.

The Public Television coverage, aired on February 10, reported that the Special Investigation Service was investigating a case according to which hunting sights were sold to the Armenian Defense Ministry instead of combat ones. On Wednesday, February 12, the General Staff of the Armed Forces denied this information.

The company did not offer products that are speculated by a number of Armenian media, including some TV channels. The company cannot disclose product information due to the signed confidentiality agreements and respect for state secrets of Armenia. Issues with similar speculations on the part of a number of Armenian media will be resolved in a court of law with the involvement of all possible resources for an anti-corruption investigation of the activities of such media, the company noted.

ORSIS called the channels data to be the baseless speculation.

The company has repeatedly conducted successful testing of the products that it offered, the company said adding that the purpose of the products is determined by tests conducted by professionals, and not by anonymous speculation attempts and links to the opinions of experts whose knowledge raises questions, ORSIS added.

They believe such actions are attempts to pressure the investigation and shift emphasis on established criminal cases.

This has nothing to do with the fact of unlawful actions by defense ministry officials to disrupt the tender and large-scale appropriation by a high-ranking official of the Armenian defense ministry ORSIS noted. The company was also interested in the sources of appearance in the Armenian media of the data they cited.

About the investigation

The lawyer of ORSIS told TASS that a criminal case was opened in the country's Investigative Committee due to the exclusion from a closed tender for the purchase of large quantities of weapons from the Armenian Defense Ministry.

At the end of October, the media reported that Russia sent a letter to Armenia because of the failure of the arms tender. Press Secretary of the Armenian defense minister Artsrun Hovhannisyan denied receiving any document from the Russian side regarding ORSIS, adding that while the legal process is ongoing, the department refrains from official assessments of the situation.

In November, the company said that Promtechnologies group received unofficial invitations from the Armenian defense ministry to resolve issues regarding the failed contract for the supply of a batch of weapons for this department. There were also attempts to informally contact the company from some allegedly close to the Armenian defense ministry.

Hovhannisyan said that the defense ministry did not try to unofficially resolve the problems related to the disruption of the tender for the supply of weapons with the Russian company.
Supporters of a man charged with murdering journalist Lyra McKee scuffled with police outside court as he arrived for his first appearance in the dock.

Paul McIntyre, from Derry, is accused of killing Ms McKee, 29, who was shot dead by dissident republicans while observing a riot in Derry in April.

Supporters of the 52-year-old holding placards saying he is a political hostage and a British scapegoat scuffled with up to 40 police officers as they refused to move from the entrance to Derry Magistrates Court today.

Tension outside court as Paul McIntyre in court accused of Lyra McKee killing.#LyraMcKee #Lyra#NewIRA pic.twitter.com/CYcGqxq6FV  Brendan McCourt (@mccourt_brendan) February 13, 2020

There were loud cheers as McIntyre was brought out of a Range Rover and taken into the court building.

Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.

The Belfast writer was living in Derry with her partner, Sara Canning, who also arrived at court this morning.

Ms Mckees sister Nichola Corner was among several people in the public gallery wearing T shirts emblazoned with her picture.

Family and partner of #LyraMcKee leave the courthouse. pic.twitter.com/8xHkMDaiLj  Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 13, 2020

McIntyre is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and belonging to or professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation. His address was given in court as Kinnego Park, Derry.

He is alleged to have committed a joint enterprise with an unknown gunman by picking up the cases of the bullets used to kill her, the court heard.

During a 50-minute hearing, defence lawyer Derwin Harvey said: The allegation against Mr McIntyre is that Mr McIntyre is at this riot and a male shoots the gun and that Mr McIntyre, after the gun was shot, picks up the cases.

The court heard a lengthy defence submission applying for bail, but the judge adjourned the hearing until he received further information from prosecution about the evidence linking McIntyre to the charges.

Mr Harvey said the case rested on a snapshot of low-quality mobile phone footage which the prosecution claims showed a man wearing clothing matching what his client was wearing earlier in the day.

Supporters of Paul McIntyre outside the court today.

A PSNI detective, who said she could connect McIntyre to the charges, outlined the extent of evidence police had examined in the last nine months.

That included five hours of footage taken by an MTV camera crew which was making a documentary in the area, mobile phone footage and witness statements from members of the public and police.

She said all that information had been presented to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), which in turn sought the opinion of senior legal counsel.

The detective said: The opinion returned was the test for prosecution in this matter has been met.

She objected to bail on the grounds of potential interfering with witnesses, risk of further offending and of fleeing the jurisdiction.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear in court on February 27.

In a statement on Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.

Ms McKee was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and part of the generation which reached adulthood during peace time.

She wrote for publications including Private Eye and Buzzfeed.

Her funeral was attended by then British prime minister Theresa May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins at St Annes Cathedral in Belfast.

Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.

Days later the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.

Powersharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.

The New IRA said it carried out the killing of Ms McKee.
Eight Republicans voted Wednesday to advance legislation invoking Congresss war powers, a move intended to prevent the president from engaging in hostilities against Tehran without explicit authorization from the legislative branch  except in cases of clear self-defense. The vote reflects the frustration with Trumps decision to kill a top Iranian commander, Qasem Soleimani, without first consulting lawmakers, and with what many on Capitol Hill considered insufficient candor from administration officials who have briefed them in the aftermath.
Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar have momentum while Warren and Biden scramble after losing steam.

Manchester, New Hampshire  After a chaotic Iowa caucus, the Democratic Party rebounded on Tuesday night with the countrys first primary.

US Senator Bernie Sanders declared victory, crowning him the new frontrunner in the shrinking Democratic field. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg came in a close second, with Senator Amy Klobuchar  who had a last-minute surge of support  in third.

But for Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden, poor performances in the first two nominating contests adds pressure to their struggling campaigns.

Attention has now turned to Nevada and South Carolina, which will hold their nominating contests later this month. Those two states have greater demographic diversity than Iowa and New Hampshire, which are overwhelmingly white.

In New Hampshire, Sanders finished with 26 percent of the votes, while Buttigieg had 24 percent, Klobuchar 20 percent, Warren 9 percent and Biden 8 percent.

This victory here is the beginning of the end for [President] Donald Trump, Sanders said as he declared victory on Tuesday night.

Buttigieg said his support in Iowa and New Hampshire settled the questions of whether we could build a campaign across age groups and different kinds of communities.

Democratic US presidential candidate and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks to supporters at his New Hampshire primary night rally in Nashua, New Hampshire [Brendan McDermid/Reuters]

Klobuchar meanwhile said, The people of New Hampshire, because of you, we are taking this campaign to Nevada.

Amy Rotenberg, a longtime supporter and friend of Amy Klobuchar on the ground canvassing in New Hampshire, said she was absolutely thrilled about her candidates performance.

Im really glad as a Minnesotan and someone who has been a constituent, Rotenberg told Al Jazeera, that the world is getting to see what weve known all along.

Klobuchar speaks during a campaign event at the town hall in Exeter, New Hampshire [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]

Amy can really unite people and bring people in. We have to do that to beat Trump, she said. People thought Bernie was actually going to do better, and a substantially larger number of people expressed their preference for a moderate approach, and not for the Bernie approach.

But the real task is to get behind a singular candidate who can advocate that viewpoint and policy preferences, Rotenberg added.

Chris Galdieri, an associate professor in the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, said Buttigieg and Klobuchar should look ahead to identify their next solid opportunity and then scale up their campaigns by hiring staff and getting advertisements on the air in order to maximise delegate haul.

A path forward?

While Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar now have momentum going into the next voting contests, questions remain about the viability of Biden and Warren.

Biden will likely benefit from the diversity of South Carolina, where he maintains broad support among African Americans. The former vice president left New Hampshire early on Tuesday to head south, telling supporters in South Carolina, You cant win a general election as a Democrat, unless you have overwhelming support from black and brown voters.

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaking to supporters at a campaign event in Hampton, New Hampshire [File: Elise Amendola/AP Photo]

Galdieri said the Biden campaign has to figure out whether there is a path forward for the candidate.

Do they have the resources to go all-in on Carolina or make a play for Nevada? he asked rhetorically. Hes a former two-term vice president, generally liked by most Democrats, but finished fourth and fifth [in Iowa and New Hampshire] after a year of campaigning.

Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and US Senator Elizabeth Warren greets supporters outside a polling site for New Hampshires first-in-the-nation primary in Nashua, New Hampshire [Brian Snyder/Reuters]

Warren, on the other hand, has to do well on Super Tuesday, Galdieri said, referring to March 3 when the largest number of delegates are up for grabs in a single day.

She had a very good run for a chunk of 2019 and seems to have slipped from that, he added.

Bloomberg factor

In the months ahead, Americans are set to conduct the most expensive  and likely divisive  presidential election that the country has ever seen. Misinformation efforts on social media could put severe strain on the US capacity to hold a free and fair vote.

But it is another billionaire with increasing control of the airwaves who is looking past Februarys relatively small primaries and caucuses towards the big-delegate contests later on.

Entering the race late, Michael Bloomberg chose to forgo the four early state contests, focusing his attention on Super Tuesday instead. The former New York City mayor came under fire this week after audio resurfaced of him defending the stop and frisk policy, which disproportionately affected minority communities.

Bloombergs campaign announced on Wednesday that he was opening an office in New Hampshire eyeing the 2020 general election.

Its a decisive battleground state, said Dan Kanninen, Bloombergs states director, implying that all the primaries are just a long dress rehearsal for the general election.

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg opens his Tennessee 2020 campaign headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee [File: Harrison McClary/Reuters]

Meanwhile, while most attention was on the Democrats, Trumps campaign said the president was the true victor in New Hampshire.

His rally in Manchester on Monday night attracted far more voters than any of the opposition gatherings across the state in the run-up to the primary.

An independent Massachusetts voter who visited Manchester for the Trump rally this week, Andrea Long believes that the unlikely rise of Buttigieg is good for the Republican incumbent.

Sanders would probably be [Trumps] biggest competition, Long added, explaining her election fantasy. Im kind of rooting for Bernie, but I just dont think it will happen.

Long said she remains loyal because Trump stands by what he always does. He comes through, shows up, and brings his group together.

We cant lose sight of the bigger picture, she added, mentioning national security and the economy as her top priorities. To keep going, we cant expect that well get in. We have to do our work.

For Democrats, New Hampshire confirmed that their party faithful can and will rise to the occasion.

It reflects voters enthusiasm for a Democratic president who will address climate change, raise the minimum wage, and make healthcare more affordable, said New Hampshire Democratic Party Spokeswoman Holly Shulman.

These policies are in stark contrast to Donald Trump, she told Al Jazeera, assured that Democratic voters in New Hampshire and beyond are overcoming [Trumps] broken promises and special interest agenda.
It's arguable if it's lost its penchant among listeners in the era of podcasts and audiobooks, but Radio will always remain one of the most powerful mediums in electronic media and communication.



The science of transmitting waves to send news, promote educational campaigns and transmit information has made it one of the most influential media, long before the Internet stripped it off its relevance in the 21st century.

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World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13 to recognize radio as a great influence to teach individuals, transporting data and promoting culture across global cultures.



Theme of World Radio Day:

World Radio Day every year has a theme and this year the theme is Radio and diversity. The theme keeps focus on diversity, plurilingualism and linguistic tolerance. Radio is a major medium in celebrating humanity in all its diversity and providing a basic platform for democratic citizenship.



History of World Radio Day:

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The UNESCO Executive Board recommended to the General conference regarding the proclamation World Radio Day. In the year 1946, with the proposal of the Director-General of UNESCO, Radio was established. On the 36th session of UNESCOs General Conference later proclaimed February 13th as the World Radio Day.



However, The United Nations (UN) General Assembly Endorsed the UNESCOs proclamation of World Radio Day on 14 January in the year 2013. Following the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, the resolution was adopted for proclaiming 13 February as World Radio Day.



Significance: World Radio Day

The most important purpose of World Radio Day is to make the media and the public get aware about the importance of Radio. It encourages and influences the decision-making which helps in establishing better access to information through this medium, improve networking and helps in working towards building international cooperation among various broadcasters.



Celebration of World Radio Day 2020

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World Radio Day 2020 will be celebrated on 13 February with the theme of  Radio and Diversity. UNESCO and UN calls on the radio stations for upholding diversity, both in the newsroom and airwaves.

The edition of World Radio Day is divided into three sub-themes:

Advocating the pluralism in radio which includes public, private and community broadcasters.

For encouraging representation in the newsroom, with teams representing diverse society groups.

For promoting a diversity of editorial content and programmes reflecting the variety of the audiences.

Radio remains the most widely used medium in the world. This unique ability to reach out to the people means radio can shape up a societys experience of diversity. It can stand as a place for all the voices who want to speak out and be represented and heard by others. Radio stations should encourage diverse communities and offer a wide variety of programs. The programs should have different viewpoints and content that reflects the diversity of audiences in their organizations and operations.


Former Farmer Wants a Wife participant Matt Goyder has faced a Perth court accused of distributing child abuse material online.

Goyder appeared on the 2016 series on Nine, living on a station in Western Australias Pilbara region near Marble Bar.

Police officers allegedly searched an East Perth premises where they seized mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Goyder faced Perth Magistrates Court yesterday charged with possessing child exploitation material, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment, and distributing child exploitation material, which has a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.

He was not required to enter a plea and was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance on March 19.

Source: Nine News, news.com.au
"Today's boaters expect to be safer and more comfortable than ever before when they are on the water," said Jennifer McQuilken, marine marketing communications leader for Cummins. "As more technology is added to a vessel, there is an immediate need for safe, dependable marine power  this is where Cummins Onan marine generators are up to the task."

Cummins offers a complete range of marine generators, with Onan models from 4kW to 65kW and auxiliary power supply for superyachts and commercial vessels up to 3132kW. The ignition-protected models supply safer auxiliary power to a vessel with gasoline propulsion engines while meeting U.S. Coast Guard 33 CFR 183 requirements. The entire Cummins Onan generator line uses sound shields and an optimized mounting system to lower sound and vibration, resulting in a more comfortable boating experience for those aboard.

The 9kW model will be available to preview at the Miami Boat Show (booth F518) and the 13.5kW will be on display at the Miami Yacht Show (booth 222), both taking place February 1317. The new generators will be in full production by fall 2020. Stop by our booth or visit our website to learn more about Cummins' expanding range of Onan marine generators.

About Cummins Marine

As a world-leader in the design and manufacture of power generation equipment, Cummins continuously brings innovative solutions to marine applications. Cummins marine engines and marine generators provide power to boats of all sizes around the world. You can find them in recreational center consoles, day cruisers, sailboats and sportfishers, as well as commercial workboats, ferries, tugs, and offshore supply vessels. Cummins has led the way in power generation for the last 100 years, and are committed to the Next Generation of Power for the next 100 years.

About Cummins Inc.

Cummins Inc. is a global technology company designing, manufacturing, distributing and servicing a broad portfolio of reliable, clean power solutions; including diesel, natural gas, hybrid, electric and other alternative solutions. Established in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), Cummins serves customers in more than 190 countries and territories around the world. More information can be found at www.cummins.com/alwayson.

SOURCE Cummins Inc.
J. Scott Park | MLive.com

JACKSON, MI  On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Jackson Countys public school districts joined those throughout Michigan in the states 2020 spring student count day.

Count day means funds for public schools. Their per-student state aid is based on 10 percent of this count, combined with 90 percent of the October 2019 count.

Each student enrolled represents about $8,111 in state funds for Jackson County districts.

These counts are unaudited numbers. Theyre submitted to the Jackson County Intermediate School District, which has 24 weeks to provide audited student counts to the state. Students absent on count day can be added in if the state agrees their absences were excused.

February counts often are down from fall counts because students drop out, graduate at mid-year or move.

Here are this years spring enrollment counts from each Jackson County public school district.

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MLive file photo

Columbia School District

February 2020 count: 1,528

February 2019 count: 1,473

Difference: +55

Fall 2019 count: 1,515

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Concord Community Schools

February 2020 count: 656

February 2019 count: 667

Difference: -11

Fall 2019 count: 656

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Da Vinci Institute

February 2020 count: 500

February 2019 count: 436

Difference: +64

Fall 2019 count: 507

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East Jackson Community Schools

February 2020 count: 892

February 2019 count: 934

Difference: -42

Fall 2019 count: 885

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J. Scott Park

Francis Street Primary

February 2020 count: 49

February 2019 count: 33

Difference: +16

Fall 2019 count: 52

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Grass Lake Community Schools

February 2020 count: 1,324

February 2019 count: 1,283

Difference: +41

Fall 2019 count: 1,327

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Hanover-Horton School District

February 2020 count: 1,121

February 2019 count: 1,132

Difference: -11

Fall 2019 count: 1,135

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Jackson Preparatory & Early College

February 2020 count: 346

February 2019 count: 312

Difference: +34

Fall 2019 count: 354

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Jackson Public Schools

February 2020 count: 4,931

February 2019 count: 4,902

Difference: +29

Fall 2019 count: 4,866

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Michigan Center Schools

February 2020 count: 1,352

February 2019 count: 1,368

Difference: -16

Fall 2019 count: 1,367

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Napoleon Community Schools

February 2020 count: 1,329

February 2019 count: 1,308

Difference: +21

Fall 2019 count: 1,324

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Northwest Community Schools

February 2020 count: 3,616

February 2019 count: 3,508

Difference: +108

Fall 2019 count: 3,609

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Paragon Charter Academy

February 2020 count: 629

February 2019 count: 670

Difference: -41

Fall 2019 count: 638

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Springport Public Schools

February 2020 count: 933

February 2019 count: 991

Difference: -58

Fall 2019 count: 1,014

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Vandercook Lake Public Schools

February 2020 count: 841

February 2019 count: 937

Difference: -96

Fall 2019 count: 844

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Western School District

February 2020 count: 2,868

February 2019 count: 2,898

Difference: -30

Fall 2019 count: 2,905

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More Jackson-area school stories:

After battling brain tumors, Northwest student is excited to be back battling geometry

Two Jackson middle schoolers collect 1,500 items in food drive

New water filtration system awarded to Jackson school from Delta Dental, MESSA

Jackson County teacher honored with Michigan Lottery award

We set the atmosphere. Cheer coach joins Jackson team in pivotal game moment

Robotics practice helped school avoid major damage from water main break
By Alan Baldwin

WOKING, England (Reuters) - Formula One teams are keeping a close eye on the health situation in Vietnam after the Chinese Grand Prix was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic, McLaren boss Zak Brown said on Thursday.

The sport is due to make its debut in the country, which borders China, on April 5 with a street race in the capital Hanoi.

Brown made it clear that his British-based team would not force any employee to go.

"Vietnam has not been raised yet as a potential issue. But obviously it is very nearby (to China) so we are going to monitor the situation," the American told reporters at the launch of the 2020 McLaren F1 car.

"We would never do anything that puts our people at risk and I dont believe Formula One would."

Two local officials told Reuters on Thursday that Vietnam had quarantined a community of 10,000 people near Hanoi for 20 days because of fears the virus could spread there.

Vietnam declared a public health emergency over the epidemic on Feb. 1 and banned all flights to and from China, where more than 1,300 people have died from the virus.

China would have been the fourth round of the Formula One season but that April 19 race in Shanghai was called off on Wednesday, with talk of rescheduling it later in the year even if that looks difficult.

If Vietnam is also called off, the sport faces a big hole between race two in Bahrain on March 22 and the Dutch Grand Prix on May 3.

"This is obviously a new situation for all of us," said Brown. "If there's a month off, then there's a month off."

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ken Ferris)
The four lawyers who prosecuted US President Donald Trump's long-time ally Roger Stone have resigned.

The dramatic move came after the US Justice Department overruled them and said it would take the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek for Mr Trump's confidant.

The departures raised immediate questions over whether Mr Trump, who earlier in the day had blasted the original sentencing recommendation as "very horrible and unfair", had at least indirectly exerted his will on a Justice Department that he often views as an arm of the White House.

The department insisted the decision to undo the sentencing recommendation was made Monday night - before Mr Trump's tweet - and prosecutors had not spoken to the White House about it. Even so, the departures of the entire trial team broke open a simmering dispute over the punishment of a Trump ally whose case has long captured the Republican president's attention. The episode was the latest to entangle the Justice Department, meant to operate free from White House sway in criminal investigations and prosecutions, in presidential politics.

The four attorneys, including two who were early members of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia team, comprised the entire Justice Department trial team that won convictions against Stone last fall.

Each had signed onto a Monday sentencing memo that recommended between seven and nine years in prison for Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election. None lent their names to a Tuesday memo that called the original recommendation excessive.

The departures leave in limbo the resolution of a case that was one of the signature prosecutions of Mueller's team and that cut to the heart of his mission - to determine whether the Trump team had access to non-public information about Democratic emails hacked by Russian operatives and provided to WikiLeaks.

Mr Trump was back on the attack late Tuesday, slamming the original sentencing recommendation and questioning the judge overseeing the Stone case. And by early yesterday, he had tweeted a congratulations to Attorney General William Barr "for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have been brought", suggesting the prosecutors had gone rogue.

Mr Barr, the Justice Department's leader, has been a steady ally of the president's since taking the position. Mr Barr last year cleared the president of obstruction of justice even when Mr Mueller had pointedly declined to do so, and has declared that the FBI's Russia investigation, which resulted in charges against Stone, had been based on a "bogus narrative".

It's unclear what sentence the department will ultimately seek.

A Justice Department official said authorities decided to step in and seek a shorter sentence because they had been taken by surprise by the initial recommendation. The person, who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said prosecutors had told the department to expect a recommendation for a shorter sentence.

In their revised sentencing memo, Justice Department officials argued the initial recommendation could be "considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances" but also said they would defer to the court.

It is extremely rare for Justice Department leaders to reverse the decision of its own prosecutors. A mass exodus from a case is also rare, though the tumult did conjure an episode from last summer when Justice Department lawyers abruptly left a lawsuit over whether a citizenship question could be added to the census.
The Supreme Court, on Thursday, sacked David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor-elect of Bayelsa State, barely 24 hours to his inauguration.

Mr Lyon, who won the November 2019 governorship election, was to be sworn in as governor on Friday.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili nullified the election of Mr Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The apex court in the judgment delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Messrs Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.

The court also ordered that INEC should immediately declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread the winner of the election.

With the judgment of the apex court on Thursday, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diri Duoye, is expected to be inaugurated as governor of Bayelsa State.

The PDP and its governorship candidate, Mr Diri, had filed a suit against Messrs Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo, and INEC, seeking the disqualification of the APC deputy governorship candidate.

They had claimed that Mr Degi-Eremienyo gave false information in his CF 0001 form submitted to INEC.

Lower courts earlier decision

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on November 12, disqualified the APC governor-elect on the grounds that his deputy provided false information to INEC.

Mr Ekwo held that there was no connection between the name on the candidates school-leaving certificate, first degree (BA), masters degree and the affidavits he swore.

However, the court of appeal set aside the decision of the trial court and affirmed the election of the APC candidates.

The three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Stephen Adah said that the PDP did not prove their case against the APC candidates.

The court held that Mr Degi-Eremienyo submitted an affidavit which showed evidence of his change of name from Adeyi-Eremienyo to Degi-Eremienyo.

I agree with the appellant that the owner of the school leaving certificate and the GCE certificate are one and the same and I, therefore, set aside the judgment of the court below, Mr Adah said.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the court of appeal, Mr Diri and his party filed an appeal at the apex court.

In its judgment on Thursday, the apex court set aside the judgment of the court of appeal and affirmed the decision which nullified Mr Degi-Eremienyos candidacy.

Interim victory for Lyon

Thursdays sack of Mr Lyon came two days after the politician secured an interim victory at the Supreme Court.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the apex court, on Tuesday, dismissed an appeal challenging the APC governorship primary election in the state.

Heineken Lokpobiri, a former minister, filed the appeal before the apex court, challenging Mr Lyons candidacy.

Mr Lokpbiri had approached the apex court, asking it to declare him the winner of the APC governorship primary held in the state.

He claimed that the party wrongly gave the ticket to Mr Lyon who eventually contested and won the governorship election.

But in its judgment on Tuesday, read by Justice Iyang Okoro, the Supreme Court said, The sole issue is resolved against the appellant. Accordingly, the appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.

The court said Mr Lokpobiri challenged Mr Diris victory late, beyond the time allowed by the constitution.

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Mr Okoro said that section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not admit any extension of time when it comes to pre-election matters.

The apex court said Any party seeking redress must file within the 14 days period.

The appellant cause of action arose on 4th September when he was not declared the winner and not 7th September, he ruled.

The court held that Mr Lokpobiris appeal lacks merit and accordingly dismissed it.

Two days after he secured that victory, however, Mr Lyon has now been sacked by the same court.
The government of Sudan and rebel groups in Darfur agreed on Tuesday that all those wanted by the International Criminal Court should appear before the tribunal, including ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

Information Minister Faisal Saleh did not specifically name him when announcing the move, but said the decision applied to all five Sudanese suspects wanted by the ICC over Darfur.

The government and rebel groups also agreed to create a Darfur special court to investigate cases including those investigated by the ICC.

That court would try Darfur suspects not indicted by the ICC, said Nimri Mohamed Abd, chief negotiator of the Darfur people in Juba.

He said Darfur groups and Sudans government had agreed to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court, and that the timing of the handover would be decided in final negotiations.

Lawyers of Omar al-Bashir have however said that the former president refuses to deal with the ICC.

Bashir has been in detention since he was outed from power in April last year when security forces withdrew their support for his regime after months of popular protests. He faces charges of possessing foreign currency, corruption and receiving gifts illegally.

Last year, the Sudanese authorities have refused to hand Bashir to Hague-based ICC, which has accused him of criminal responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide following the killing, maiming and torture of hundreds of thousands of people in the region of Darfur.

The UN estimates that 200,000 to 400,000 people died in the conflict and a further 2.7 million were displaced. Militia formed and directed by Bashir are blamed for the worst atrocities.
My vision had become blurry, so next I made an appointment with an ophthalmologist, who said my eyes were perfect. Its probably just stress and will go back to normal when things calm down, she added.

It took a few months to get an appointment with a neurologist, who ordered a CT scan and an M.R.I. Both tests were clear. Congrats! he said. No tumor. No Parkinsons. No M.S. Youre good to go.

But I couldnt work or interact with my family, and most nights ended with me in tears. I was not good to go.

One of the problems for patients with dizziness is that doctors tend to be siloed into their own specialties by body part  eye, ear, brain. But dizziness is a problem with the vestibular system, which is the sensory system that collects data from the eyes, inner ear and muscles to help us keep our balance and posture. For many dizzy patients, each individual body part can test as healthy, but when theyre all connected, the system does not properly function.

And even the relatively small number of experts who do have appropriate training are often motivated by the insurance system to conduct exams and tests, rather than spending time talking to patients. And if the tests dont reveal the source of the problem, they tell us it must by psychological, essentially blaming us for our own illness.

Because my wife works a corporate job and we live in New York City, I am lucky. I have great health insurance, proximity to local vestibular specialists, and access to some of the best university hospitals in the world. I was first diagnosed with vestibular migraine, and have since received a second diagnosis of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, or PPPD. Its an increasingly common diagnosis that describes chronic dizziness initially caused by one factor, like a virus or a fall, that has since affected the system as a whole. But even among experts there is disagreement about whether PPPD is a distinct condition or just an umbrella term.

My advice for people who suffer from dizziness is to be explicit with family, friends and co-workers about exactly what your symptoms are and how they affect your life. Vestibular disorders are invisible, which contributes to the loneliness sufferers feel.
I am very glad to welcome Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to Germany. This is what Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel said before her meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today.

Today were going to talk about the deepening of our bilateral relations. Major changes are currently taking place in Armenia. Major changes are expected in the legal system, and this isnt an easy process, but we wish you success in the implementation of your actions. Our relations have intensified. I can say that when I was in Armenia, I was very inspired by the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies. Recently, an agreement was signed for the creation of a TUMO Center in Germany, and it will open in Berlin in the fall of this year.

In October 2019, we also held an economic forum that led to the creation of a new branch in German-Armenian relations. We are grateful for the fact that Armenia cooperates very intensively in our mission in Afghanistan. We need to work hard to see progress in the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and this will be the topic of our discussion today, she stated.
SAN DIEGO - A second case of novel coronavirus has been confirmed in the U.S. among evacuees from China, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.

The person was aboard a flight from the city of Wuhan that arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California last week, the CDC said.

The patient was in isolation at a San Diego hospital, UC San Diego Health confirmed.

Also in isolation is a woman who was mistakenly released because of a mislabeled sample that hadnt been tested for coronavirus. She was returned to the hospital on Monday after testing positive for the virus.

She was expected to make a full recovery.

The two patients arrived on different planes and were housed in separate facilities; there are no epidemiologic links between them, a CDC statement said.

A third person whose test results are pending also is hospitalized in isolation.

We want to reassure our patients, their loved ones and the community at large that there is no exposure risk at any UC San Diego Health hospitals or clinics, the health system said in a statement.

Hundreds of people, including U.S. State Department employees and their families, have arrived at military bases in California, Texas and Nebraska aboard chartered flights from Wuhan, a city of 11 million that is the epicenter for the virus. The only confirmed evacuee cases were at Miramar, where about 200 people are being held under quarantine until all are cleared.

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 1,000 people overseas but only 14 cases have been confirmed in the United States.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:05:17|Editor: Xiaoxia

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DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's weather agency on Thursday issued its latest alert warning of five consecutive heavy rains in 12 regions, including Dar es Salaam.

In its latest weather forecast, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) said the downpour was expected in regions including Coast, Tanga, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam.

TMA said transportation, social services and businesses were likely to be disrupted by the rains in these regions, adding that houses located along valleys were also likely to be washed away by flash floods.

Ongoing heavy rains in the east African nation have left at least 40 people dead and tens of hundreds of others made homeless after their houses were demolished.
As scholar in residence, [Naomi] Andre acts as an adviser to help Seattle Opera become more inclusive, both for audiences and behind the scenes.  Her most visible role involves a series of free, public community conversations that invite audiences to question problematic social themes and portrayals of marginalized communities in opera while appreciating the artistic elements that continue to hold up.  The Seattle Times
Following on from the exhibition earlier in the week, together they reviewed the historical relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and the existing partnership between the two nations. Ambassador Al Jaber introduced the Saudi humanitarian and development efforts in Yemen to the British representatives, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common interest in the development and humanitarian field.

Later, Ambassador Mohammad Al Jaber and Colonel Turki al-Maliki held a joint meeting at the Kingdom's embassy in London, with a number of officials in attendance. During the meeting, Ambassador Al Jaber highlighted the recent course of events in Yemen, including the work of SDRPY in the areas of development and reconstruction. He indicated the program's great efforts by reviewing more than 100 development projects across all Yemeni governorates, and the latest tangible impacts that have improved the daily lives of citizens significantly contributed to supporting the Yemeni economy.

Ambassador Al Jaber introduced the 7 critical sectors that are supported by SDRPY: Health, Education, Energy, Agriculture & Fisheries, Water, Transportation (Inc. Ports & Airports), and the Government Buildings sector.

He also explained that the program works in most Yemeni governorates including Aden, Hadramawt, Al-Jawf, Marib, Hajjah, Socotra and Mahra; whilst the impact of the program reaches all parts of Yemen through the program's active contribution to achieving sustainable economic stability.

Ambassador Al Jaber added that the program is intending to expand the reach of its support across all Yemeni governorates with the opening of several offices. Through these, SDRPY aims to continuously monitor the projects undergoing implementation, report on project progress and address any technical problems that may arise during implementation. In addition, these offices will study new projects according to the needs off the governate. SDRPY will hold frequent meetings with the governors and their citizens, and will then coordinate with the Yemeni government in order to progress new projects.

He added that there is close cooperation with international development organizations, including frequent meetings and workshops between SDRPY and many of these organizations  in order that all may benefit from discussion and the exchange of experiences in the field of sustainable development. Existing projects in the Agriculture sector that require Solar Energy have benefited greatly from this approach.

SOURCE Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen
Every child has the right to health and a life free from fear and violence. Yet, each year, millions of children endure inconceivable physical, sexual and emotional abuse and chronic neglect.

Victims suffer enormous immediate and long-term consequences, with impacts extending beyond individuals and across generations. Preventing child abuse and neglect is imperative, yet not enough is known about pathways into child maltreatment and how these can be disrupted.

Now, researchers at the University of South Australia are breaching this gap by investigating predictors of child maltreatment and the factors that contribute to better or worse outcomes for victims and their children.

Funded by the Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation, and conducted in partnership with Monash University and Centrecare SA, the world-first study will assess intergeneration impacts of child abuse and neglect by examining how a mother's maltreatment as a child can affect her own children.

The prevalence of child maltreatment is confronting. In 2017-18, nearly 245,400 children were reported to child protective services in Australia, 56,412 children were on care and protection orders, and 45 756 children were in out-of-home care, at a national cost of $5.8 billion.

Globally, one in four adults report being physically abused or neglected as children, and every year, an estimated 41,000 children under 15 years of age are victims of homicide.

Lead researcher, UniSA's Professor Leonie Segal, says the new research will explore connections between mothers who have experienced child protective services, and a multitude of factors that affect the early-life health and social outcomes of their children.

"Sadly, family violence, child abuse and neglect are common problems faced by children and families in Australia and around the world," Prof Segal says.

"Consequences of child maltreatment are dire, with victims facing lifelong adversities that impact all aspects of their life - from brain development, to emotional, cognitive and social development - affecting behaviours and health, social and economic outcomes both as a child and as an adult.

"Unfortunately, if things go wrong for the victim later in life, society is quick to blame the perpetrator, when instead we should be looking more deeply to address the root cause.

"We want to break this cycle. Instead of allowing the problem to grow, our team is looking for factors that disrupt inter-generational pathways to child maltreatment and its associated disadvantage."

Examining a unique longitudinal cohort dataset of 41,763 mother-child pairs, the study analyses thousands of data items including: marital status, birth weights and child health, employment, education, births/deaths, and social domains. The data set includes 24,373 unique mothers of which 35.9 per cent had some contact with child protective services, and 28.2 per cent of children who had some contact with child protective services.

Prof Segal says only by taking a long-term approach and allocating more money to support highly vulnerable children and their families with early intervention services will governments make progress.

"We need to do more for infants and children exposed to high distress before this escalates into disturbed adolescents and young adults," Prof Segal says.

"To take away the fear and pain, these children often self-medicate with drugs and alcohol exacerbating likely harms to themselves and others.

"Child abuse and the subsequent social, health and economic problems are preventable, but society needs to better understand the causal pathways to ensure the right supports are available.

"Every single family in crisis must have access to a highly skilled interdisciplinary team of social workers, mental health clinicians and other core services that are tailored to their needs.

"We must create a better future for victims of child abuse and neglect, away from that of entrenched disadvantage, characterised by mental illness, welfare dependency, and homelessness, towards one filled with promise and potential.

"Every child deserves this basic human right."

###

Media: Annabel Mansfield: office +61 8 8302 0351 | mobile: +61 417 717 504

email: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

Researcher: Professor Leonie Segal office +61 8 8302 2473 | email: Leonie.Segal@unisa.edu.au

NOTES to EDITORS:

This UniSA research aligns with findings from the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People Annual Report 2019 publicly released on 3 Dec 2019.

For full report, view: https://www.ccyp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/201909-2019-Annual-Report-%C6%92-web.pdf

UniSA has been awarded five Channel 7 CRF grants for 2020, totalling $377,849:
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NORTH HAVEN -Police are looking for three men who stole more than $1,000 worth of Nike sneakers on Sunday.

Police said they entered the DSW store on Universal Drive around 4:25 p.m.
US actress and #MeToo activist Rose McGowan has dismissed as a "fraud" Natalie Portman's Oscar dress embroidered with the names of female filmmakers overlooked for best director nominations. In a post on Facebook, the actress said she found Portman's red carpet Oscar protest "deeply offensive to those of us who actually do the work." "I'm not writing this out of bitterness," she added. "I am writing this out of disgust." McGowan said that while the black Dior cape stitched with the names of the snubbed directors got "rave reviews from the mainstream media" it was nothing more than "an actress acting the part of someone who cares." "Natalie, you have worked with two female directors in your very long career -- one of them was you," McGowan wrote. "You have a production company that has hired exactly one female director -- you." In a statement to AFP, Portman agreed with McGowan that she didn't deserve to be called brave. "I agree with Ms McGowan that it is inaccurate to call me 'brave' for wearing a garment with women's names on it," Portman said. "Brave is a term I more strongly associate with actions like those of the women who have been testifying against Harvey Weinstein the last few weeks, under incredible pressure," she added in a reference to the disgraced Hollywood mogul on trial in New York charged with predatory sexual assault. She also acknowledged that she hasn't worked with as many female directors as she would have liked and pointed out the challenges films directed by women and minorities were up against. McGowan is among the many women who have accused Weinstein of sexual assault. McGowan said in her post that while Portman and other actresses have spoken out against the underrepresentation of women in the movie industry, they did little to effect change. "Until you and your fellow actresses get real, do us all a favor and hang up your embroidered activist cloak, it doesn't hang right," she said. Actress Rose McGowan speaks during a press conference on the first day of the trial for disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein Actress Natalie Portman wears the cape containing the names of female filmmakers who were not nominated for a best director Oscar
Julian Smiths sacking has been met with widespread dismay on Twitter, where the Northern Ireland Secretary has been praised in many quarters for his performance during quite a short stint in the role.

Its undoubtedly true that he was in post when Stormont managed to get back on its feet, although given that neither of his predecessors enjoyed a landslide Conservative majority and a Prime Minister who had just jettisoned the Democratic Unionists it is an open question whether his tenure caused this or merely correlated with it.

Regardless, it doesnt look as if his dismissal has much if anything to do with his job performance. Even if it isnt true that everybody in govt agrees Smith did a good job  and it shouldnt be  the reason appears to be based on his previous opposition to Boris Johnsons Brexit strategy.

If true, it would be sadly emblematic of the Governments entire approach to Northern Ireland that it should dismiss a Secretary of State on grounds entirely unrelated to Ulster. However todays papers also report that the Prime Minister felt blindsided by aspects of the deal Smith struck over Stormont, which undercut the Governments agenda on issues such as veterans and Brexit (as we warned at the time), although this dimension should not be over-stated.

Whatever the truth behind the motivation, the fact remains that this reshuffle represents an opportunity for Johnson to correct a long-standing bad habit of treating the Northern Irish brief as a useful repository for uninspiring loyalists, as May did, or those whom one cant immediately dismiss but dont want to place anywhere important, such as former Chief Whips.

This contributed towards London being comprehensively outplayed by Dublin during the first stage of the Brexit negotiations, with a hapless Theresa May ending up committed to positions based on an extremely maximalist interpretation of the Governments obligations under the Belfast Agreement. This was already contributing to Unionist unease even before Johnsons decision to abandon his purportedly iron-clad commitment to avoiding an internal border in the United Kingdom.

Fast-tracked legacy proposals aimed at implicating the state. Blamed unionists for derailing a deal after SF stalled Stormont for 3 yrs. Let Coveney dominate presentation of said deal. Expressed support for changing citizenship law in NI in line with nat demands. Bye bye Julian.  Owen Polley (@3000Versts) February 13, 2020

If the Prime Minister is serious about Northern Irelands place in the Union  and that is, at this point, another open question  then he needs to do much more than commission a bit of blue-sky research on an implausible bridge. He needs a coherent Ulster policy, or at the very least to appoint a capable Secretary of State with the expertise and the ability to produce one.

To at least some extent, the warm words for Smith from the likes of Simon Coveney and other elements of Northern Irelands devocracy represent just how strong the pressures towards a version of producer capture are on the Northern Irish brief. It isnt unreasonable to assume that a Secretary of State who was more effective at articulating and implementing the British interest (which need neither be selfish nor strategic to be legitimate and real) would be somewhat less popular in some quarters, just as Leo Varadkars extremely effective pursuit of Dublins interests has made him something of a bete noire amongst unionists.

Combine that with perennial unionist complains about the institutional culture of the Northern Irish Office, and it is clear that any Secretary of State installed without a clear mission and strong grounding on the issues will swiftly succumb to these adverse prevailing winds  at a time when the backstop and Sinn Feins surge in the Republic make Ulsters position more sensitive than it has been in a long time.

Fortunately, Johnson ought not to be without options if he does decide to take this position seriously. Its easy to have forgotten now but last year there were reports that the Northern Irish brief was, for the first time in decades, actually hotly contested amongst the now-Prime Ministers supporters. He also has a relatively strong bench amongst the peers, including the likes of Lords Bew and Caine, who could provide Smiths successor with additional support.

Alternatively he could simply use the position to reward another loyalist (not that sort) with no strong interest in Northern Ireland. But to make up for that hed have to actually build the bridge, and that isnt likely to happen.
SPRINGFIELD  A mostly supportive general public got its chance Wednesday to speak out on the prospect of expanding passenger rail service west from Boston through Worcester and Springfield to Pittsfield.

I think its an important project, said Marcus Phelps, a member of the Southwick Planning Board with a deep background in urban planning and land use policy. Its a lot of money. But we spend a lot of money every day. And this project could transform the state.

Phelps was one of about 150 people  a standing-room-only crowd  at a meeting Wednesday at the UMass Springfield Center hosted by the state Department of Transportation.

Last week, MassDOT released cost and ridership estimates for six east-west rail options. The cost estimates ranged from the modest $2 billion, for some improved rail service along existing tracks, up to the eye-popping $25 billion, for an electrified, high-speed rail line following the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The cheapest option would attract 11,500 riders a year, according to MassDOTs projections. The most expensive would draw a quarter-million riders a year.

Connecting communities to the burgeoning Boston economy would be worth the investment, given traffic congestion on the Mass Pike and around eastern Massachusetts, said Sheila O. Cuddy, executive director of the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. in Ware.

Its all about giving people access, Cuddy said prior to the presentation. We are working on a shuttle service that would bring people to a rail stop in Palmer. We think having a rail stop in Palmer is critical.

Tracy Opalinski, a member of the Ware Board of Selectmen, said the University of Massachusetts and its students need to be involved. The Mass Pike exit for UMass is in Palmer.

We can be the rail access to UMass, she said. Now you can get to that internship. You can get back and forth to access opportunity.

According to the MassDOT study, ridership varied but generally went up for the more expensive options that provide quicker service, and were lower for the least expensive and slower options, which might also require changing trains or changing from rail to bus.

Betsy Port of Springfield said the state should throw out the three cheaper options that involve bus transfers.

You are not talking about income. You are going to be selling tickets, she said. You also have not talked about time. How much time is it going to take to build this? Please give us more information. And dont forget about Western Mass.

Rail boosters last week said the states cost estimates are too high and its passenger estimates are too low. State planners said outright they didnt take into account behavioral changes, like where people live or look for work, that could be stimulated by east-west rail. On Wednesday, MassDOT officials said such behavioral changes could boost ridership 10% to 15%.

MassDOT is still working on ridership estimates that factor in, among other things, the success of the CTrail Hartford Line service, which began in 2018 with north-south service from Springfield to New Haven, Connecticut. That line saw its millionth rider over Thanksgiving weekend.

The MassDOT study found 10% of potential riders would be daily commuters, with most riders being occasional business travelers and tourists and leisure travelers.

John Garrett of Greenfield said he doesnt trust Gov. Charlie Baker and his administration to come through with an east-west rail system, citing the influence of Peter Pan Bus Lines CEO Peter Picknelly and a number of transportation projects stalled in Boston.

Is this a sandbagging? he asked. This is an administration thats very good at appearing to do something on a project but not really doing anything?

East-west rail has backers in high places with U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, calling it a priority and MassMutual CEO Roger Crandall urging the state to dream big and make Springfield and Boston more connected.

The hope is that Springfield and other towns along the route will solve Bostons housing crisis once workers have an easier commute from farther out. Supporters also argue access to the hot Boston job market will revive communities in central and Western Massachusetts.

Eastern Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts have complementary needs, said Thomas W. Bernard, mayor of North Adams. We can solve the crises in both regions with one project.

North Adams is not located on any of the proposed routes, but it is on a separate east-west Boston-to-Albany line that also goes through Greenfield.

Getting any rail service into the Berkshires is critical, Bernard said.

Berkshires rail boosters have taken to calling it west-east rail to emphasize their desire to get connected to Boston.

There have been some calls for extending service even farther west. Benjamin Turon, vice president of the Empire State Passengers Association, is one of the voices calling for any Massachusetts rail expansion to send at least some trains to Albany and New Yorks million-person Capitol Region.

Pittsfield doesnt have any facilities for a train, said Turon, who lives north of Albnay in Ballston Spa, New York. In Albany, you have places to keep a train, store it overnight, and a you have a big station at Albany-Rensselaer. You have General Electric in Schenectady, Tech Valley development, the University at Albany and the potential for more riders.

The East-West Rail Advisory Committee holds its next meeting Feb. 24 from 1-3 p.m. at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel.
By Cormac OKeeffe and Eoin English

Gardai believe they have dealt a significant blow to a large drug-dealing network in Cork following a series of dawn raids.

Two men were arrested, and six cars worth more than 170,000, cash, luxury handbags, drugs, phones and documents were seized during the large Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) operation targeting a convicted drug dealer with links to several businesses in West Cork.

The intelligence-led operation culminated at 4am yesterday when more than 140 gardai executed search warrants on 22 properties.

They swooped on 21 premises in Cork, mostly in the Bandon area, and on one premise in Roscrea, in Co Tipperary, searching 11 residential premises, four business premises, six professional premises, including solicitors and accountants' offices, and a hotel, where a room was searched. By lunchtime, they had seized:

One of the watches seized during the raids in Bandon. Pic: Garda Press Office.

Six high-powered cars: a 191 registered Renault Kadjar; a 182 Kia Sportage; a 142 Skoda Superb; a 171 Range Rover; a 162 Hyundai Santa Fe; and a 151 Volkswagen Passat.

22,500 in cash

two Louis Vuitton bags, a Rolex watch and jewellery

and small quantities of cocaine and cannabis herb.

They froze funds, believed to be in excess of 25,000, in four accounts in financial institutions, and seized financial records, phones and computers for analysis.

Two men were arrested - one on foot of a bench warrant and the other under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997 for an offence alleged to have occurred on an earlier date.

The CAB investigation centres on a convicted drug dealer in his early 40s who it's believed has been laundering the proceeds of criminal conduct - the supply of controlled drugs - through businesses in West Cork, including beauty parlours and tanning shops as well as a pub in the wider Bandon area.

The target is also suspected of providing seed capital for a motor business.

One of the cars seized during the raids in Bandon. Pic: Garda Press Office.

Chief Supt Con Cadogan said the target was identified following almost a year of investigation by a newly trained divisional asset profiler in West Cork - highly trained gardai who assess intelligence from a range of sources to identify the assets of people which have been derived, or which are suspected to have been derived directly or indirectly from criminal conduct.

Intelligence was gleaned from many sources within the community, Chief Supt Cadogan said.

I would like to thank the people of West Cork. Many have reported various activities in relation to the supply of drugs and we take all of those reports very seriously.

Unfortunately it has taken 12-months but I think we have had a very successful day and I have no doubt it will make a significant impact on the distribution, sale and supply of drugs.

He urged anyone with information about the sale, supply or distribution of illegal drugs to contact their local garda station.

Several garda units were involved in the raids, including CAB officers, local uninformed gardai and detectives, the emergency response unit, the regional armed support unit, the garda dog unit and the divisional search team.
The founders of one of Californias most exciting young wine brands are parting ways. And they swear its amicable.

Mikey Giugni and Michael Brughelli launched Scar of the Sea Wines in 2012, originally as a side project, toiling long nights after they got off work. Eight years later, theyve established the 3,500-case label as one of the premier examples of modern California Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah, and have developed a following for their hard ciders.

And along the way, they say, theyve both changed.

We have different palates and different visions now, completely, says Giugni. Since they started their label, Giugni has been drawn to the natural-wine movement and to more experimental styles, while Im more enamored by the classics, Brughelli says.

Those instincts worked as a productive counterbalance for a while. But now, each says hes eager to build something for himself.

Giugni has retained Scar of the Sea. Brughelli, who also works as an independent consultant to vineyards and wineries, will launch his own brand soon, called Brughelli. The two friends made their wines separately during the 2019 harvest, and Giugni bought Brughellis half of the business in January. A price was not disclosed.

If its true, as they insist, that the founders remain friends, thats an unusual coda to the typical winery partnership breakup story, which has been known to end in lawsuits. In a sense, the arc of Scar of the Sea illuminates some of the ways in which California wine has changed over the last decade, as its higher-end producers have fragmented into different stylistic camps. Maybe the Scar of the Sea breakup can also demonstrate ways in which those camps can reconcile.

Brughelli and Giugnis friendship began in 2010 when Giugni, still a college student, wanted to buy a wine barrel to use as a dog house. A mutual friend put him in touch with Brughelli, then working at Kenneth Volk winery, which had an old barrel to offload. I just remember driving home from the winery and thinking, Thats the coolest job, Giugni says. The following year, Brughelli hired him as an intern.

Russell Yip / The Chronicle

Although Brughelli is several years older, the two soon discovered they had a lot in common: both from Swiss-Italian families that had immigrated to the U.S. around the same time, both engineering majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, both named Michael. And they found they liked to drink the same kinds of wines.

[Read Esther Mobleys tasting notes of the Scar of the Sea wines.]

In 2012, they each made some wine independently. Brughelli had moved on from Kenneth Volk and had begun working for Thornhill Companies, which owns Bien Nacido Vineyard among other properties, but he became a mentor figure to Giugni, who was still learning the fundamentals of winemaking. After harvest, they took stock of the wine theyd each made and considered: What if we released these together?

The name Scar of the Sea, Giugnis coinage, was a happy malapropism. In Tasmania, he took a photo of the facade of a church called Star of the Sea, whose antiquated lettering made the t look like a c. He thought it sounded cool. Even after hed learned it was a misspelling, the name stuck.

The names maritime vibe suited the wines, which came primarily from Santa Maria Valley. The northernmost stretch of Santa Barbara County, the valley runs east to west  a rare feature for California coastal valleys  which allows cool ocean air to flow through, uninterrupted. That cool climate can produce elegant wines that achieve deep flavors at high acidity and low alcohol levels.

As it turned out, 2012 was the perfect time to start making those sorts of wines. The era was the height of In Pursuit of Balance, an influential trade group that promoted balance  by which it often meant low alcohol and high acidity  in California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. That conversation, a rebuke to the fruit-forward style that had dominated California wines in the preceding decades, was energizing for Brughelli and Giugni. Suddenly there might be a wider audience for the kind of wine they wanted to make, and the kind of wine that Santa Maria could give.

We said to each other, Lets make something that smells incredible, tastes bright, with serious farming behind it, Brughelli recalls. Something that will withstand swinging pendulums. Thanks to his day job, they were able to secure fruit from Bien Nacido Vineyard, one of the Central Coasts most famous sites and the jewel of Santa Maria. That fruit formed the basis for Scar of the Seas higher-end Pinot and Chardonnay, while they combined other vineyards output for more affordable bottlings.

They divided up the winemaking. Brughelli made the Bien Nacido wines at Bien Nacidos on-site winery, while Giugni made other wines at a custom-crush facility. They collaborated on all wines and both attended every pick during harvest, but there was an understanding that if we had a disagreement about a Bien Nacido wine, Id have veto power, and vice versa, Brughelli says.

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Eventually, Giugni quit his job to work on Scar of the Sea full time. He traveled on behalf of the winery, ran its social media and became, in many ways, its face. Brughelli kept his day job. Along the way, he had two children. Mikey really embraced the brand out in the world, Brughelli says.

Some tensions arose around who was doing more work, they both admit. At the end of the day it was all ebbs and flows of who did more, who did less, Giugni says. But there were times when it got frustrating.

If there was frustration behind the scenes, that didnt come through in the wines, which felt  still feel  like a refreshing, wholly original take on California standards. Their lightly extracted Pinot Noirs, which helped usher in the contemporary trend of translucent reds, are impossibly light and ethereal, yet pack layers of deep flavor that many wines of that delicacy fail to capture. (Read my tasting notes here.)

California wine continued to change, and the partners palates evolved in opposite directions. The idea of natural wine, with its embrace of flavors that some winemakers might have previously eschewed, began to proliferate. Brughellis palate remained fixed on clean, precise, classic wines, but Giugni was charmed by the natural ethos: I started really enjoying the eccentric funk, more natty versions, he says. In 2019 he married Gina Hildebrand (now Giugni), who owns Lady of the Sunshine Wines, and she began to influence his sensibilities, too.

In the end, it felt like the right thing to do to have Giugni keep Scar of the Sea, since hed poured more of his identity into it. Giugni has moved into his own winery now, which he shares with Lady of the Sunshine, and is working with a new vineyard near his home in San Luis Obispo County. But the focus of Scar of the Sea, he says, remains on Santa Maria Valley.

Brughelli, meanwhile, is still working out what his new project will look like, though he knows it will have multiple price tiers and, at least for now, wont include cider. Hes making his wines at Au Bon Climat winery, adjacent to where he used to work at Bien Nacido. Both he and Giugni are continuing to use Bien Nacido Vineyard fruit.

Independently, will they each move further apart, toward opposite poles, Giugni toward a more experimental ideal, Brughelli toward a more familiar one? Or will each of their voices still linger in the others ear, tugging them toward a happier middle  toward balance?

All that remains to be seen  and tasted. Ill always miss not making wine with Mikey, Brughelli says. But its time for a new chapter.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley Instagram: @esthermob
Russia on Thursday announced the death at 103 of veteran Soviet spy Alexei Botyan, whom it hailed as a hero for "saving" the Polish city of Krakow from the Nazis, although Poland disputes Moscow's version of events. Russia's SVR military intelligence agency said Botyan, who lived in Moscow, had died after turning 103 on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences, saying he always admired Botyan's "daring, patriotism and courage," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. According to the SVR's account, in January 1945, "Lieutenant Alyosha" -- as he was affectionately called by locals -- helped blow up a munitions depot containing explosives the Nazis planned to use to destroy a dam and flood Krakow. The SVR said Botyan considered his role in helping save the picturesque city the crowning achievement of his life. Putin awarded Botyan Russia's highest medal, the Hero of Russia, in 2007, telling the veteran: "Old Krakow -- Europe's most beautiful city -- was preserved for Poland and the entire world culture in many ways thanks to your personal courage." - Dispute - Russia has played up Botyan's exploits in recent years under Putin's rule even though the story of his saving Krakow doesn't always align with other historic accounts. Poland's post-war Communist authorities did not attribute Botyan a key role in their propaganda despite awarding him the Order of the Virtuti Militari, the highest honour for military feats. "Polish historians generally question the Russian version of events, a version that appeared (only) when Vladimir Putin was in power," wrote daily Rzeczpospolita when Botyan was honored in Moscow on his 100th birthday. Another Polish daily, Gazeta Wyborcza, said that in the Russian official narrative Botyan had replaced another Soviet agent, the Ukrainian Yevgen Berezniak, who was also hailed for his role in saving Krakow. Born in 1917, Botyan grew up in a rural family in Poland in an area that is now part of Belarus. When World War II broke out in 1939, he served in an air-defence unit of the Polish army. After his unit surrendered to Soviet troops, Botyan joined the Red Army and became a Soviet citizen, the SVR said. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, Botyan joined the NKVD secret police and was trained to conduct intelligence operations behind enemy lines. In September 1943, he oversaw an operation in the Ukrainian town of Ovruch that killed some 80 Nazi officers. After the end of WWII Botyan worked as a secret agent on foreign missions, the SVR said. Russia this year will hold a massive military parade for the 75th anniversary of Soviet victory over the Nazis as tensions run high between Moscow and Warsaw. Putin recently accused Poland of being in cahoots with Hitler during World War II while not mentioning the secret Soviet-Nazi pact to invade and carve up Poland. Warsaw has criticised Moscow for "renewing Stalinist propaganda" and "wasting" reconciliation efforts to improve ties. burs-or-as/am/bsp Alexei Botyan, who has died aged 103, was awarded a Hero of Russia Star award by Vladimir Putin in 2007
Reuters

Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is planning to visit India later this month, multiple sources familiar with the plans told Reuters, a test for the Indian-born head who recently criticised Indian immigration policy.

India is a major market for Microsoft and other technology companies. India's southern city of Hyderabad, where Nadella grew up, is home to Microsoft's biggest research and development centre outside of the United States.

Nadella is planning to be in India between 24 February and 26 February and will likely visit New Delhi, tech hub Bengaluru and the financial capital of Mumbai, two people familiar with the plans said.

He is also likely to meet senior Indian industry leaders during his visit, the sources said. The sources did not want to be identified because the company has yet to make a public announcement.

Microsoft declined to comment when asked about a visit. "We don't have anything to share at the moment," a company spokeswoman said.

Microsoft also is trying arrange for Nadella to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the sources added, although the meeting has yet to be confirmed. The Prime Minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Nadella last month stoked controversy in India when he was quoted by Buzzfeed as saying a new law implemented by Modi's government that eases the path to citizenship for non-Muslims in nearby nations was "just bad".

His comments drew sharp criticism from Modi's ruling party. Microsoft issued a statement later quoting Nadella as saying that every country has the right to protect and define its borders.

A visit by Nadella would be in the midst of the government taking a tougher stance against foreign technology companies competing in the domestic market by drafting laws aimed at more tightly-controlled cross-border data flows.

The visit would also be a month after Amazon.com Inc CEO Jeff Bezos made a trip to the country and was snubbed by senior members of the government.

India has taken a hard stance against the US e-commerce sector, with Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart facing an antitrust probe and criticism from brick-and-mortar traders against their business practices.

When Bezos visited India last month and announced a new $1 billion investment, India's trade minister brushed him off by saying Amazon was doing no "great favour" to India. Modi also did not meet Bezos despite repeated requests by the company.
University News

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International has renewed its accreditation of the Universitys College of Business, a distinction that places it among the top five percent of business schools worldwide.

Taking upper-level courses at the University's campus in Orange, which is located in the former worldwide headquarters of a Fortune 1000 company, enables College of Business students to simulate giving a presentation in a corporate boardroom.

The University of New Haven announced that its prestigious accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International  the longest-serving global accrediting organization for business schools  has been extended through the 2024-25 academic year.

The renewal of the accreditation that the University originally earned from AACSB in 2015 reaffirms that the College of Business continues to fulfill a rigorous set of standards that places it among the top five percent of business schools in the world.

"Our College of Business has long provided a transformational learning experience that prepares graduates to excel as socially conscious senior executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs," said President Steven H. Kaplan. "The College has proven that it is steadfastly committed to further enhancing and enriching students academic experiences of our students by incorporating new programs that instill the skills needed for the careers of the future. Earning reaccreditation from AACSB is an influential endorsement of the Colleges pioneering efforts and the far-reaching impact they are having  and will continue to have  on our students."

"We are proud and honored to earn this designation, which is a testament to the achievements of our students and the efforts of our faculty to create innovative learning opportunities for our students." Brian Kench, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business

Since originally earning AACSB accreditation, the College of Business has added new bachelors degrees in business analytics, international business, and esports and gaming; introduced a first-of-its-kind program in esports management; and become one of the first in the country to create STEM-designated MBA concentrations and other STEM-designated graduate business programs.

The College also launched a Nonprofit Institute and an Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, and introduced innovative hands-on learning experiences such as the Nicholson Business Plan Competition and Expo, Charger Startup Weekend, and the Alvine New Venture Pitch Competition.

In addition, the College of Business relocated all of its upper-level courses for juniors and seniors to the Universitys campus in nearby Orange, which is located in the former worldwide headquarters of a Fortune 1000 company.

Brian Kench, dean of the College of Business, said research shows that graduates from AACSB-accredited business schools generally receive greater attention from prospective employers and higher salaries. Alumni from the Universitys College of Business have gone on to executive roles with Fortune 500 companies, including jetBlue, GE, and DuPont, among others.

"Being recognized by AACSB represents the highest honor a business school can receive," said Kench. "We are proud and honored to earn this designation, which is a testament to the achievements of our students and the efforts of our faculty to create innovative learning opportunities for our students. We take great pride in being at the forefront of instilling the entrepreneurial habits of exploration, risk-taking, and innovation that our students  regardless of the industries they work in  will need to solve the complex problems they are sure to face throughout their careers."

Less than 900 institutions  across 56 countries and territories  have earned AACSB accreditation.

"Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning," said Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB. "The intense peer-review process exemplifies their commitment to quality business education."
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the investigations are about transparency. If colleges and universities are accepting foreign money and gifts, their students, donors and taxpayers deserve to know how much and who from, she said in a statement. Moreover, its what the law requires. Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all.
An appeal has been lodged against plans for three apartment blocks in Blessington set to include 58 apartments.

In early December Wicklow County Council gave the green-light to Glengolden Builders Ltd for the development at Blessington Demesne, off Main Street.

The plans consisted of apartment block A, consisting of three three-bedroom apartments, 14 two-bed bedroom apartments and five one-bed apartments; apartment block B, consisting of three three-bedroom apartments, 14 two-bedroom apartments and one one bed apartment; and apartment block C, consisting of three three-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom apartments and eight one-bedroom apartments. All three planned apartment blocks are three to four storeys in height.

Saint Joseph's Road Residents Committee has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala objecting to the development, especially the height of the building, which it is claimed will result in an invasion of privacy of residents already located in the area. Concerns are also raised over the increased volume of traffic, while the appeal further states that additional access points to an 'inadequate road would endanger school children and residents.'
SBS World Movies features Noir Week screening a collection of dark films that explore deep underbellies of unknown worlds, each at 9:30pm.

Biutiful (2010) Monday 17 February

A powerful tale of love and fatherhood. Petty criminal Uxbal struggles to take care of his two children after his wife abandons them. Stars Javier Bardem in his Oscar-nominated role.

Il Divo: The Spectacular Life Of Giulio Andreotti (2008) Tuesday

A look at the intriguing character of Italian premier Giulio Andreotti (Toni Servillo), including his suspected involvement in political murders and his Mafia connections.

The Lovely Bones (2009) Wednesday

Based on Alice Sebolds best-selling 2002 novel about a murdered 14-year old who watches over her family and killer. Stars Saoirse Ronan, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci, and Mark Wahlberg.

Under The Silver Lake (2018) Thursday

Sam is a disenchanted 33-year-old who discovers a mysterious woman, Sarah, frolicking in his apartments swimming pool. When she vanishes, Sam embarks on a surreal quest across Los Angeles to decode the secret behind her disappearance.
Find all our Student Opinion questions here.

How have you been taught about slavery in the United States? Do you feel that it is a topic that has been accurately and thoroughly taught in your schools?

Have you learned about slavery outside of the classroom? Are there questions you still have that you want to explore further?

In Why Cant We Teach Slavery Right in American Schools, Nikita Stewart writes about the history of teaching about slavery in American education and what it looks like today:

In 2017, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit organization that researches and monitors hate groups, pored over 12 popular U.S. history books and surveyed more than 1,700 social-studies teachers and 1,000 high-school seniors to understand how American slavery is taught and what is learned. The findings were disturbing: There was widespread slavery illiteracy among students. More than a third thought the Emancipation Proclamation formally ended slavery. (It was actually the 13th Amendment.) Nearly 60 percent of teachers did not believe their textbooks coverage of slavery was adequate. A panel made up of the centers staff, an independent education researcher with a background in middle- and high-school education and a history professor with expertise in the history of slavery looked at how the books depicted enslavement, evaluating them with a 30-point rubric. On average, the textbooks received a failing grade of 46 percent. Maureen Costello, director of Teaching Tolerance, a program at the Southern Poverty Law Center that promotes diversity education, said the rubric used to analyze the textbooks was about seeing how the history of enslavement was integrated throughout a book and exactly what those contents were. In most teachings, she said, slavery is treated like a dot on a timeline. The best textbooks maybe have 20 pages, and thats in an 800-page textbook, Costello told me. At its best, slavery is taught because we have to explain the Civil War. We tend to teach it like a Southern problem and a backward economic institution. The North is industrialized; the South was locked in a backward agricultural system. About 92 percent of students did not know that slavery was the wars central cause, according to the survey.

Ms. Stewart notes that teaching about slavery often begins before high school:

The law centers study focused on high-school students, but the miseducation of children generally begins much earlier. Teachers bungle history as soon as children are learning to read. Because teachers and parents are often so afraid to frighten children, they awkwardly spin the history of this country. They focus on a handful of heroes like Harriet Tubman, whose is picture is tacked to bulletin boards during Black History Month and Womens History Month. Elementary-school students learn about our nations founders but do not learn that many of them owned slaves.

Ms. Stewart invited readers to share how and what they learned about slavery. She featured some of their responses in this article: It Was Very Humiliating: Readers Share How They Were Taught About Slavery. Some readers said that when they were in school, the emphasis was on the good parts of slavery:

In the fifth grade, my textbook said that many enslaved people were sad that slavery ended, because their enslavers took care of them and gave them food and clothing. I took the book home, and my parents made me go back to school and tell my teacher to change the book and teach us the truth  my parents said justice demanded it.  Kian Glenn, 32, went to school in Eden Prairie, Minn. In my 10th grade American history class, we were given an assignment to write the pros and cons of slavery. Many of us questioned what, if any, pro would there be, but the assignment stood.  Deirdre Sheridan, 24, went to school in Scotch Plains, N.J.

Other readers shared that they had been told that slavery was not the cause of the Civil War and that instead it was states rights or Southern economic interest:

In eighth grade, we debunked the myth that slavery caused the Civil War. Instead, we learned, the Southern states felt as though their rights were being encroached on by the Northern states, and thus states rights actually led to the breaking up of the Union. Daniel Tran, 20, went to school in Windham, N.H. My high school history teacher was a strict economic determinist  all wars are fought for economic reasons, whether or not those reasons were actual or merely perceived was moot to him. To him, slavery was not a cause of the war, except to the extent that it threatened the economic interests of landed Southerners. John Beauregard, 79, went to school in Windsor, Conn.

Some readers recalled poorly constructed lessons and demonstrations:

One day, I was looking at a work sheet my little sister brought home from school from the fourth grade. Two questions in particular caught my eye. One was In what region did the African workers primarily settle? And another was Why did the Virginia colony need African slave labor? I couldnt believe the work sheet referred to enslaved people as African workers, as though it was voluntary. I also couldnt believe it said Virginia needed slave labor. Hannah Lang, 23, Leesburg, Va. In the fifth grade, I was one of three black girls in the class, and all three of us were assigned to be slaves during a presentation. I told my teacher that I was too nervous to give the presentation, and he told me to add that into the role playing. He said if my voice shakes or cracks, I can say I sound like that because massa will beat me or sell me if he knewed I was talkin to yalls. It was very humiliating, and I felt horrible afterward. Mary Watts, 29, went to school in Orlando, Fla.

Other readers shared that very little class time had been dedicated to learning about slavery:

I was one of the few African-American students at my high school in Southern Virginia. While taking Advanced Placement U.S. History, I noted that our book only had about one and a half pages on slavery, which included the half-page diagram of a slave ship. Brian M. Williams, 39, went to school in Botetourte County, Va. There was minimal discussion about slavery at my school, but in our Texas history class, a teacher joked, If the South won, you would be our slaves. I was one of four black students and we looked at one another in shock. The teacher became angry and said it was just a joke. Gina Kennedy, 46, went to school in Dallas

While many readers thought their education about slavery had been lacking, some believed their teachers had effectively taught about slavery:

I had an excellent, but unorthodox, U.S. History teacher. During one discussion, he said this: Enslavers loved enslaved people like they loved their dogs. During that time, I think it was common for people to believe the adage: Enslavers loved their slaves. I believe a student brought this up in discussion. Mr. Halls comment told us that love might mean something very different than appreciation. This realization was profound to me. I came to see that it could be love of property, love of economic advantage, love of defining and being superior, love of degrading people. Suzanne Zintel, 76, went to school in Ridgewood, N.J.

Students, read at least one of the articles, then tell us:
Rescue operations in progress after a portion of the shed on an over-bridge collapsed on the platform, at the Bhopal railway station on February 13, 2020. (Image: PTI)
100 years ago

Troublesome package

Vincenzo Ginardi, a barber from Green Street, was arraigned in Albany court on a technical charge of carrying a revolver without a permit. It had been learned earlier in the morning from postal authorities that a package was about to be delivered to Ginardi that they believed contained a weapon. Detective Rance Gorman was sent to the barber shop and arrived just as a postman was delivering the package. Gorman brought the man and the package back to headquarters and when opening it, discovered a .32 caliber revolver and another smaller, broken package with cartridges of bullets. Ginardi claimed to have answered an ad in a Philadelphia newspaper and bought the gun in good faith.

 Times Union, Feb. 14, 1920

50 years ago

'Indifference' over health center

A tale of federal bureaucratic "indifference and delay" that could scuttle Arbor Hill's planned community health center was told at U.S. Rep. Daniel E. Button's national priorities hearing. Dr. Peter Birk of Albany Medical College told Button and Jerry Poole, a deputy secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, who sat in on the hearing of a 12-month period in which the federal government first encouraged development of the center, then approved the project, later denied funds for it and then failed to even answer a letter from the college's dean inquiring about its status. Button called the doctor's story "a very disturbing and distressing statement" and said the events related by the medical professor were "not only inexplicable but indefensible." Both Button and Poole promised to look into the case when they returned to Washington.

 Times Union, Feb. 14, 1970

By C.J. Lais and Azra Haqqie
Several people got injured following the collapse of a portion of a foot-over bridge at Bhopal railway station on Thursday morning.

"A small portion of the slab of the foot over bridge collapsed. 7-8 people were injured. There have been no grievous injuries, there is no casualty either. We will investigate the matter and action will be taken against the people responsible for it," IA Siddiqui, Railway Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the West Central Railways (WCR) told reporters.

At least seven passengers have been reported injured. One woman, including few others, has been admitted at Hamidia Hospital while others have been sent to Railway Hospital Bhopal.

Meanwhile, the Kamal Nath led state government has announced the monetary compensation for people who got injured due to the incident.

"Public Relation Minister, PC Sharma reached the Bhopal Railway station. As per the direction of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Sharma announced the grant of 50-50 thousand rupees to the seriously injured passengers and ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident," Official Handle of the Department of Public Relations, Government of Madhya Pradesh announced on Twitter.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) and other senior Railway officers have reached the site to examine the situation.

Further information is awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Newser)  China reported a massive surge in coronavirus deaths and infections in Hubei province Wednesdaybut that didn't mean the disease now known as COVID-19 had become much deadlier overnight. Officials in the province, which includes Wuhan and the surrounding area, are now using lung scans to diagnose the disease because testing kits have become scarce, the New York Times reports. Officials said that another 14,840 new cases were detected in the province and 242 deaths were caused by the disease, by far the highest one-day totals reported in the outbreak by far. China has now reported 1,368 deaths from the viral disease and close to 60,000 infections. Wuhan residents had complained that the shortage of testing kits made it much harder for sick people to be admitted to hospitals.

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Before the change, the number of deaths and new infections had appeared to be leveling off. Experts say the shifting figures make it harder to track the outbreak, though they acknowledge that reporting probable cases gives a more accurate picture. "What has happened in China is that they have changed the definition of what the disease really isnow they are taking people who have lesser symptoms," professor David Heyman at the London School of Tropical Medicine tells the BBC. He says the higher death figure is "worrisome," but "if you look overall at the total number of deaths and the total number of cases, the fatality ratio is about the same as it has been." The Guardian reports that several senior Communist Party officials in the province were fired Wednesday, including the provincial party chief and the Wuhan party chief. (Read more coronavirus stories.)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have every right to earn their keep if they are going to become financially independent. They can't be expected to live on air.

In fact, if the past is any guide, they are going to need an awful lot more than air to get by, since they are both used to the good things in life  though Meghan's enjoyment of them is obviously more recent.

But if they intend to go it alone, how can they earn the sizeable sums of money they will need to sustain what is, by anyone's measure, a highly enviable standard of living?

Is it even possible for them to enrich themselves without causing embarrassment, and even damage, to the Royal Family, to which they will inevitably remain connected in people's minds whatever separate furrow they plough?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have every right to earn their keep if they are going to become financially independent. They can't be expected to live on air

Although it's still early days, they haven't got off to a brilliant start. We learned last week that Harry and Meghan flew from Vancouver Island to Miami (some 2,800 miles), where Harry gave a speech at an exclusive function organised by J.P. Morgan, America's largest bank.

The firm reportedly provided a private jet for the couple, despite them having repeatedly called for the world to embrace more environmentally friendly ways to travel. They could have gone by commercial airline and left a far smaller carbon footprint.

We don't know for certain if the Duke was paid by J.P. Morgan, but the suggestion that he received up to 400,000 hasn't been denied by royal spin-doctors. If he had done it for free, they probably would have told us.

Meanwhile, today's Mail reports that the Duke of Sussex's representatives held talks with U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs last November in connection with his charities.

Neither the speech nor the reported discussions amount to a hanging offence. But it's impossible to forget that both banks have experienced a fair amount of controversy over the years. They are not renowned for caring for widows and orphans.

Goldman, in particular, has drawn spirited criticism and been described as a 'vampire bank'.

The firm reportedly provided a private jet for the couple, despite them having repeatedly called for the world to embrace more environmentally friendly ways to travel

In 2008, it was at the centre of the scandal of sub-prime mortgages being packaged as solid investments with a good return, and sold on to unsuspecting investors.

Yet a year later, when the world was reeling from the aftershocks of predatory capitalism, Goldman Sachs was paying thousands of its staff bonuses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

You may still ask: why shouldn't Harry speak at a J.P. Morgan event, even in return for payment? And what is wrong with his team talking to Goldman about his charities?

My answer is that he is still a member of the Royal Family, even if he and his wife are in the process of trying to distance themselves from it.

Ordinary mortals can have dealings with such banks without being hopelessly compromised. For example, former prime minister Tony Blair has pocketed many millions of pounds for acting as an adviser to J.P. Morgan.

The outgoing Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, spent 13 years at the start of his career working for Goldman Sachs.

Although it's still early days, they haven't got off to a brilliant start. We learned last week that Harry and Meghan flew from Vancouver Island to Miami

If former prime ministers and heads of central banks can make money out of such ruthless financial institutions, it may seem a bit hard to carp at Harry for having anything to do with them.

But whether he likes it or not, he remains a royal. And the Royal Family, notwithstanding its periodic black sheep, enjoys the trust and confidence of people, partly because it exists above the cut-throat and occasionally unedifying world of investment banking.

Of course, its members enjoy huge financial privileges. But for the most part we can see where their money comes from, and most of us believe that they  the Queen in particular  are driven by duty and honour.

Their wealth doesn't come from having sharp elbows in commerce or finance. Indeed, if one of them shows too much interest in making advantageous deals  Prince Andrew springs to mind  the public is dismayed.

All this may seem hard on Harry and Meghan, who are attempting to make their way in the world by earning their own money, and trying to reduce (and ultimately eliminate) their financial dependence on Prince Charles.

All this may seem hard on Harry and Meghan, who are attempting to make their way in the world by earning their own money, and trying to reduce (and ultimately eliminate) their financial dependence on Prince Charles

But if there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world, there is definitely nothing remotely resembling a disinterested bank. The likes of J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs are anxious to see what commercial benefit they can extract from an association with the couple.

The truth is that such institutions are drawn to Harry and Meghan like wasps to a honey pot in search of the very things the couple claim they wish to play down: their royal connections.

Even if Goldman Sachs's discussions with Harry's representatives were restricted to his charities, one can be certain the bank is intent on turning any contact it may have with the couple to its ultimate profit.

Does Harry realise this? Possibly not. He has knocked around the world, yet inevitably lived a rarefied sort of existence. Meghan is closer to the hard realities of life. She has, after all, earned her living.

My suggestion is not that they should wear sackcloth and ashes and eat gruel in order to preserve the dignity of the Royal Family.

Does Harry realise this? Possibly not. He has knocked around the world, yet inevitably lived a rarefied sort of existence. Meghan is closer to the hard realities of life. She has, after all, earned her living

I only say that their money-making activities shouldn't focus on mighty banks or other financial bodies, which are bound to be motivated by commercial self-interest.

I believe that by escaping to North America, they have put themselves in an invidious position. They apparently want to make a barrowload of money. Yet it is not easy to see how they can do so without undermining the institution to which they still owe a tremendous sense of loyalty.

Compare this slightly unseemly rumpus with a visit paid by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to the new Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Nottinghamshire on Tuesday, where they met severely disabled servicemen.

All four royals were in evident harmony, and Charles and William displayed mutual affection. There is little doubt the visitors will have lifted many hearts.

The party (including Prince Charles, who admittedly sometimes likes to travel in style) then took the train back to London on tickets costing 66.50 per person.

This is the life of duty and service Prince Harry appears to have renounced. But it's still not too late for him and Meghan to alter the balance of their lives so they spend much more time fulfilling their royal responsibilities in Britain.

If they stay for the most part in North America, they will experience the irreconcilable contradictions of their new position. Making mega-bucks out of banks is not consonant with being even semi-detached members of the Royal Family.

You can respectably make squillions out of J.P. Morgan if, and only if, you are prepared to be Mr and Mrs Windsor and completely renounce royalty. And I can't, for the life of me, imagine Harry and Meghan want to do that.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) (Aton or the Company) is pleased to announce that its application for an exploitation license at Hamama and its retained exploration areas at the Companys Abu Marawat Concession area have been approved.



As only the second mining license to be issued since Centamins, this is historic news for Aton and Egypt, said Mark Campbell, President and CEO. We are very excited to announce this news, which has been the culmination of over ten years of work by Aton. This not only grants Aton a license for 20 years with an additional 10-year option period, that allows us to get on with the Hamama Development and as well allows us to continue the exploration at Rodruin and our other exploration targets, within our Abu Marawat Concession. It also underscores Egypts new commitment to developing its exploration and mining sector. Egypt is a country that is blessed by having huge untapped mineral potential, not only in gold, but across all precious, base and industrial minerals, along with having world class infrastructure, a great pool of skilled and semi-skilled labor all within a strong and stable country. We believe that the granting of our license will point the way to a bright future for exploration and mining in Egypt. We also look forward to the opportunity to acquire more exploration land within Egypt that these changes now afford us. We eagerly look forward to participating in the upcoming exploration tender and working in Egypt for many years to come.

About Aton Resources Inc.



Aton Resources Inc. (AAN:TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession (Abu Marawat), located in Egypts Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamins world-class Sukari gold mine. Aton has identified numerous gold and base metal exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration prospect in the south of the Concession. Three historic British mines are also located on the Concession at Sir Bakis, Semna and Abu Garida. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display potential for the development of a variety of styles of precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is over 596 km2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line, and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the international airports at Hurghada and Luxor.

Story continues

Qualified person

The technical information contained in this News Release was prepared by Javier Orduna BSc (hons), MSc, MCSM, DIC, MAIG, SEG(M), Exploration Manager of Aton Resources Inc. Mr. Orduna is a qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact:



MARK CAMPBELL

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +202-27356548

Email: mcampbell@atonresources.com

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Setting foot in their homeland after being stranded in Wuhan for days proved an unforgettable encounter for many rescued Vietnamese.

At 5 a.m. on February 10, the Vietnam Airlines flight touched down at Van Don International Airport in northern Quang Ninh Province, carrying 30 Vietnamese returning from Wuhan, epicenter of the new coronavirus. Travelling with their daughter, Tran Dinh Nhan and Nguyen Hoai Vu recall their unforgettable experience.

Early February, seeing their American, Japanese and Thai friends being rescued from the epicenter of the new coronavirus (Covid-19), many Vietnamese students and their families struggled to remain at ease. Knowing the 14-day quarantine is inevitable, they still yearned for home.

The Vietnamese embassy in China suggested flying them home but provided no detailed information. Via a WeChat group, many stranded Vietnamese vented their anxiety about transportation to the airport, passing through numerous checkpoints, and finally flying back.

Passengers swathed in protective clothing wait to board their return flight to Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Airlines.

A day before the airlift, there was still no information about the flight, with many turning up their ringtones in the hope of good news, but to no avail.

Early February 9, many thought the plan had been canceled, with the local death toll hitting an approximate 780.

"The flight was approved, please consider your distance from and time of travel to the airport," the Vietnam embassy finally revealed in a message circulated at 3 p.m. the same day.

Six pickup spots for stranded Vietnamese passengers were organized across Wuhan, situated at 30 minute intervals.

At Wuhan University of Technology, the last stop, the group freaked out as the final student had gotten lost en route.

With all passengers accounted for, the bus headed to the airport via several pre-informed checkpoints, the only sound emitted by a 9-month-old crying baby.

Passengers and their friends look relieved ahead of departure. Photo by VnExpres/Dien Tuan.

At the last checkpoint, the bus was ordered to await confirmation from the local foreign affairs department, making everyone break out in a sweat.

At 10:32 p.m., an official finally allowed the passengers to continue on to their destination, a journey of one hour turning into a five hour ordeal.

At Wuhans Tianhe International Airport, two staff members assisting passengers with food and clearance procedures after hours spent traveling.

Lacking sleep and wearing layers of clothes caused some worry among the group who feared raised body temperatures could prevent them from boarding the plane.

Removing some clothing, and stepping through the thermal scanner, all were cleared for departure by 11:45 p.m.

After 3 hours, the plane finally took off, leaving the epicenter of the deadly virus far behind.

The plane, which touched down at Van Don Airport around 5 a.m. Monday, was immediately disinfected and left idle for four hours to prevent infection. Passengers and crew members were all put in quarantine for 14 days.

Vietnam officially declared the Covid-19 outbreak an epidemic on February 1, with the country having confirmed 15 cases of infection. Seven people have so far been discharged from hospital after doctors declared them free of the new coronavirus.

As of Thursday morning, the global death toll from the epidemic had climbed to 1,363.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 13, 2020 - 07:30 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan has decided to subsidize companies planning to invest in increased production of face masks as the country struggles with a shortage amid the spread of the new coronavirus, a government official said Wednesday.

The government plans to subsidize up to 30 million yen ($273,000) per production line, the official said, adding two-thirds of the cost will be funded for major manufacturers and three-quarters for smaller companies.

The decision was made after the government asked mask manufacturers late last month to increase production.

The government will provide the subsidies to selected companies and is also considering buying a proportion of any excess inventory.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said he expects the supply crunch to ease next week or thereafter.

By running factories around the clock, the top government spokesman said more than 100 million face masks will be produced in Japan in one week.

In a separate development, the government is considering measures worth about 500 billion yen to support small and medium-sized businesses struggling with cash flow in the wake of viral outbreak, an official said.

The businesses include hotel operators facing cancellations by foreign visitors.

The government plans to use fiscal 2019 reserve funds for emergency loans, the official said, adding the Cabinet may approve the program on Friday.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, home from a record-setting 328-day mission on the International Space Station, answered reporters' questions about her milestone flight at a press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Feb. 12, 2020.

Six days after returning from her record-setting first space mission, NASA astronaut Christina Koch said that it took longer to adjust to life in orbit than it did to transition to being back on Earth.

Koch, who spent 328 days on the International Space Station setting a record for longest single mission by a woman, said on Wednesday (Feb. 12) that she felt at home on board the orbiting laboratory just about a third of the way into her 11-month expedition.

"I would say only about three months in is when I started to sort of feel at home there," said Koch, during her first NASA news conference since landing from the space station on Russia's Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on Feb. 6. "The different things that we do throughout our daily life seemed normal to me  you know, not using a cup to have a drink of water and filling up food packets and things like that."

Related: In photos: NASA astronaut Christina Koch returns to Earth after record-breaking spaceflight

"Even floating," she recalled. "I jokingly say that I kind of forgot I was floating until a new crew would come and they would be so excited about floating that I would think, 'Oh, I guess we are floating, aren't we?'"

She experienced the transition between Earth and space, which she described as "really neat," faster on her return to Earth, she said. Unlike some astronauts after long-duration spaceflights , Koch found that her body quickly re-adapted to the pull of gravity.

"[For] a lot of people, because of the different nervous or vestibular system things and changes that go on in microgravity, when you're re-adapting to one g and to Earth , you might experience some motion sickness and things like that. I am really fortunate in that I have not experienced that," she said. "But what I have noticed is that my balance has taken a little while to get used to."

"I did [also] notice for about a day that my neck was sore. I felt like a two-week-old in that I actually had to work hard to hold up my own head," Koch said.

And then there was this." NASA astronaut Christina Koch visited the beach in Galveston, Texas, after returning home from a record-setting 328-day mission on the International Space Station. (Image credit: NASA)

More striking than the physical changes, though, was her mental reaction to coming home.

"You see your mind wake up to the sensory experiences that define Earth and the things that are here," Koch said. "You know, within the first two minutes of being back on Earth I saw more people's faces than I had seen in a year ."

And it wasn't just people who were waiting to greet her.

"The first thing that I did after I went home was to reunite with my dog, which was wonderful," Koch said, noting that LBD, her "little brown dog," was a rescue from the humane society. "I'm not sure who was more excited to see the other."

"It's just a symbol of coming back to the people and places that you love to see your favorite animal," she said.

Astronaut Christina Koch at her first NASA press conference after landing from her record-setting mission at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Image credit: collectSPACE.com)

Another welcome sight were bowls and bowls of a particular snack food that she said she missed while in space .

"I was really lucky because I had a couple people provide gifts, so I came home to a kitchen full of chips and salsa, which was really exciting!" Koch said. "Even some homemade salsa from some of my neighbor's friends. So it was really neat to see that people had kind of honed in on that and that the little things in life on Earth that we all take for granted were kind of the special things that I got to come home to."

Koch returned home with gifts for her family and friends, too. "We take very, very little on the Soyuz, so everything went back in what would be the equivalent of about a shoe box and that was really enough to carry it all," Koch said, replying to a question from collectSPACE.com about packing for the trip home. "The most important things to me that I brought to space were things from my friends and family, mementos that they can take with them and remember that I carried them with me and that they lived without them for a year while they were in my care and orbiting Earth."

"So bringing those things back was probably my number one most important thing," she said.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @ collectSPACE . Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
The Bolivian Energy Ministry has requested information from the national Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN) to inspect the recently suspended joint project with Russia's Rosatom on the construction of a nuclear research facility in the city of El Alto, Energy Minister Alvaro Rodrigo Guzman said on Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2020) The Bolivian Energy Ministry has requested information from the national Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN) to inspect the recently suspended joint project with Russia's Rosatom on the construction of a nuclear research facility in the city of El Alto, Energy Minister Alvaro Rodrigo Guzman said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, ABEN issued a statement saying the Bolivian government was suspending the project until the parliament and prosecutor's office "have spoken on the matter." Rosatom, in turn, told Sputnik it had not received any official notification yet and that the company continued to work on the nuclear project.

"Today, we requested that we be sent as soon as possible all the information available in the directorate of the Bolivian Nuclear Energy Agency, all legal and technical reports, data on the progress made, and financial reports on projects, so that together with the working group .

.. we could make a decision on what will be done," Guzman was quoted as saying by the Bolivian ABI news agency.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of conducting an audit and launching legal proceedings.

"As soon as we have all this documentation, and clearly understand what is happening with the construction under these projects ... we will say whether construction work will continue," Guzman said, as quoted by the media outlet, adding that an official statement would be made by next week.

Rosatom's subsidiary and ABEN signed the contract for the nuclear research facility in 2017. The head of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, told Sputnik in November, following a change of power in Bolivia, that the company did not expect the project to be impacted over the political changes.
The newly-constituted Delhi assembly is likely to meet for two days next week for lawmakers to take oath, sources said on Thursday.

The assembly is likely to meet on February 18 and 19, the sources said.

One of the senior-most legislators will be sworn-in as pro-tem speaker to oversee the oath process, they said.

The term of the previous assembly will end on February 22. The seventh legislative assembly of Delhi was constituted on Wednesday.

Shahdara MLA Ram Niwas Goel, who was the speaker in the sixth legislative assembly, is one of the senior-most lawmakers.

Asked whether Goel will retain the post in the new assembly, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary did not rule it out, but said a decision has not been taken yet.

On Sunday, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal will take oath as the chief minister of Delhi for a third consecutive time.

Kejriwal is likely to retain all six incumbent ministers in the new cabinet.

The AAP returned to power winning 62 of the 70 assembly seats in the Delhi election held on February 8. While the BJP has won eight seats, the Congress drew a blank.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Demonstrators have abandoned a blockade along the Canadian National rail tracks west of Winnipeg, roughly an hour after saying they would defy court orders and remain at the site until their demands were met.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Demonstrators have abandoned a blockade along the Canadian National rail tracks west of Winnipeg, roughly an hour after saying they would defy court orders and remain at the site until their demands were met.

Vin Clarke, one of the organizers, said they were served an injunction Wednesday night and told arrests were impending. They subsequently decided to dismantle the blockade Thursday and regroup.

"The warriors made a call out for support in the way of bodies on the ground so that the blockade could gain a momentum, and this ideology has not changed. In the coming days, there will be an announcement made regarding the next steps to be taken and there will be a great need for physical support," Clarke stated on social media.

Messages left Thursday afternoon were not returned by deadline.

Earlier, when the Free Press spoke to Clarke around 11:30 a.m., the blockade organizer was defiant, saying protesters werent worried about Manitoba Premier Brian Pallisters announcement the province planned to seek a court injunction to put an end to the demonstration.

(Pallister said Thursday the province did not move ahead on the issue as CN had already filed one, which was approved.)

"They want us to play their games, but theyre going to have to play ours. No, we are not concerned about (the injunction) at all. What we are concerned about is the treatment of our women and our elders in our territory and the invasion of the RCMP," Clarke said.

"That is what we should be concerned about. Everything else doesnt matter."

Roughly an hour later, when a Free Press photographer arrived at the site, the demonstrators were gone.

Clarke said the group had to go to Winnipeg for an "emergency," but members would return. He did not provide further information.

By 1 p.m., the only people at the scene were journalists from various media outlets.

As temperatures dipped to -29 C, a group of 10 protesters had erected the rail blockade Wednesday morning in the ghost town of Diamond, roughly 25 kilometres outside Winnipeg, on the CN rail line running along Wilkes Avenue, west of Provincial Road 334.

The action was taken in response to the RCMP enforcement of a court-ordered injunction in northern B.C. last week, and the subsequent arrest of community leaders from Wetsuweten Nation.

A spokesman for CN Rail confirmed Wednesday train movements on the line had halted, due to the Manitoba blockade.

In response, Pallister said blockades are difficult for police to deal with, but said Manitoba doesnt have "two-tier law."

"Were never going to restrict free protest, but when it gets over the line into illegal activity, thats when an injunction is necessary," the premier said Wednesday.

Before the blockade was abandoned, Clarke said there were roughly seven people on site, and their spirits were high.

"The Great Spirit looks after us when we do these things. Were hungry and were tired and were cold, but thats not important. Whats important is what were doing for our people," Clarke said.

"Our people need to see us stand up and do this. They need to see us use our voice. Its just sad that it had to come to this point, that this is what it takes."

He also criticized comments this week by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on how Canada was a nation of laws. It was hypocritical, Clarke said, because the government and police had not respected traditional Wetsuweten law.

"Its convenient to ignore those laws when it doesnt suit their agenda. Thats hypocrisy. Theyre not going to respect the rule of law, so were not going to respect the rule of law," Clarke said.

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"Their laws arent our laws. We follow natural law, not laws made by our oppressors."

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe
Xiaomi has just launched its newest flagship phones, the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. The Mi 10 Pro has also been put through the paces over at DxOMark, and posted impressive results that place it at the top of the website's photo, video, and audio leaderboards.

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After weeks of teasers, Xiaomi has now unveiled its newest flagship phones, the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro at an online event for the Chinese market. As is usual with Xiaomi's recent releases, the phoneswell, the Mi 10 Pro in this casemake their way straight to DxOMark testing.

The Mi 10 Pro did exceedingly well, in fact, as it now sits at the very top of DxOMark's camera and audio charts. In the camera review, the Mi 10 Pro earned an overall score of 124. That just one more point than the Mate 30 Pro 5G (123), and three more than Xiaomi's next phone on the list, the fifth-placed Mi Note 10 Pro (121).

The Mi 10 Pro recorded a photo score of 134, four more points than the Mi Note 10 Pro. That makes sense, seeing as the phones sport identical camera hardware. What differences that exist are due to software fine-tuning, and the more capable SoC and ISP.

It's important to point out that the 108 MP sensor on the Mi 10 Pro is not the same one on the new Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. The one on the Mi 10 Pro (ISOCELL Bright HMX) uses 4-to-1 binning to replicate a 1.6m pixel size, while the one on the S20 Ultra (ISOCELL Bright HM1) adopts a more advanced 9-to-1 binning process to replicate a 2.4m pixel size.

In the video category, the Mi 10 Pro made do with a score of 104, which makes it DxOMark's new video champ.

The audio review is the real shocker here. The Mi Note 10 Pro flopped hard when it was reviewed but the Mi 10 Pro manages to deliver a stellar performance, dethroningalbeit narrowlythe Huawei Mate 20 X at the top of the audio leaderboard. Xiaomi appears to have used a dual side-firing stereo speaker setup, and it shines in the playback category. More impressively, it also earns DxOMark's highest ever score in the recording category.
According to legends about the origin of the Chinese zodiac, animals competed in a race to decide their sequential order in the zodiac. This was known as the Great Race, and the rat won first place through wit.

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor wanted a way to measure time, so he told the animals that there would be a swimming race. The first 12 animals to cross the river would have zodiac years named after them.

Being light and small, the rat and the cat agreed to ride on the back of the sturdy ox to cross the river. However, the rat suddenly pushed the cat into the water. The rat jumped off the oxs head to the finish line and placed first.

The struggling cat did not make the top 12, so it is not included in the zodiac. Since then, the two who were once good friends have been enemies.

People born in the year of the rat are known to be clever, alert, and successful. They are energetic, but their lack of communication skills may give others the impression that they are rude. They are also resourceful.

Some famous people born in the year of the rat are Katy Perry, Dwayne Johnson, Shaquille ONeal, William Shakespeare, George Washington, George H. W. Bush, and Pope Francis.

Annual Parades

The year of the rat began on Jan. 25 this year. The Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated every year with parades all over the world.

Regardless of the zodiac year, the dragon is usually the main highlight of Lunar New Year parades.

In East Asian culture, the dragon is a benevolent being that controls water, rain, and floods. It signifies strength, power, luck, and wealth.

In San Francisco, the evening Lunar New Year parade attracts millions of viewers worldwide. Since 1958, the San Francisco parade has been promoting Chinese culture to its community and has consisted of a variety of participants.

Practitioners of the Chinese meditation discipline Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) have often organized their own Lunar New Year parades with the goal of sharing the beauty of Falun Dafa and traditional Chinese culture with the community.

In ancient times, Chinese people took up meditation and spiritual practice to better themselves and reach spiritual perfection. For thousands of years, these types of meditation disciplines have been part of Chinese culture. Falun Dafa practitioners carry on this tradition today.

Falun Dafa practitioners march down Market Street in San Francisco to celebrate Chinese New Year on Feb. 9, 2019. (Ilene Eng/The Epoch Times)

Lucky New Year Foods

Food is an important part of Chinese culture, especially during special occasions like Chinese New Year. Some households put out 10 dishes because it is an even and wholesome number.

The types of dishes may vary, but certain ones make the annual pilgrimage to the table because they are considered lucky.
Russias position on possible extension of the OPEC+ agreement on reduction of oil production is yet to be defined, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.



"No," he said responding to the question if there is already a decision on the OPEC+ agreement.



Peskov said that Russia will announce its position on a new OPEC+ deal in due course.



Yesterday, representatives of Russian oil companies met with Energy Minister Alexander Novak to discuss the OPEC+ deal. After that meeting first executive Vice President of Lukoil oil major Ravil Maganov told reporters that most companies are inclined to support the extension of the OPEC+ deal for another three months. He added that there has been no single position on that matter yet. At the same time, a source attending the meeting noted that most companies insist on keeping the current terms of the agreement while extending it for three months, TASS recalls.
Construction bids for those projects wont be sought until the fiscal year that begins in July 2025, according to the states announcement. In the meantime, INDOT will help in the design, engineering and right-of-way acquisition of the projects.
A top US commander warned ending a security pact with the Philippines' would hurt counter-terrorism efforts in the country's restive south Thursday, putting him at odds with commander-in-chief Donald Trump. Washington's top military officer in Asia-Pacific Admiral Philip Davidson said he hoped Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to scrap a deal allowing US forces to be based in the country would be rethought. Manila has given "180 day notice so we have some time for diplomatic efforts," Davidson said at an event in Sydney. "I hope we can get to a successful outcome." Trump has said he would be "fine" with the end of the visiting forces agreement as it would save the United States "a lot of money". But Davidson insisted the move would hamper military operations in Duterte's home island of Mindanao -- where separatist and Islamist violence has killed some 100,000 people. "Our ability to help the Philippines in their counter-violent extremist fight in the south, our ability to train and operate within the Philippines and with Philippines armed forces would be challenged without that visiting forces agreement," he warned. Though a landmark peace deal with the largest of the rebel groups, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was sealed in 2019, the most brutal extremist factions were not included. Those groups include the Islamic State-aligned BIFF and Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ransom gang that has been behind some of the nation's deadliest attacks. In late December at least 17 people -- including soldiers -- were injured in a dual hand grenade and IED attack on the island. The rotating deployment of US troops in the country -- coupled with a long-standing mutual defence pact and regular military exercises -- is also seen as a bulwark against rising Chinese influence in the region. Davidson praised the efforts of Indonesia in fending-off Chinese poaching in their waters and called for further cooperation between Pacific nations. "I'm optimistic that the region is not only waking-up to that aggressive behaviour but, more importantly, beginning to take a stand against," he said. He warned Australia to be aware of the threat of a Chinese base in the Pacific, which would help project Beijing's influence well beyond its territorial waters.
Liquor tycoon once again asked the to take back 100 per cent of the principal amount owed to them at the end of his three-day British High Court appeal on Thursday against an extradition order to India.

The 64-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss, wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an alleged Rs 9,000 crores in unpaid bank loans, said the (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are fighting over the same assets and not treating him reasonably in the process.

I request the banks with folded hands, take 100 per cent of your principal back, immediately, he said outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The attached the assets on the complaint by the banks that I was not paying them. I have not committed any offences under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) that the should suo moto attach my assets," he said.

"I am saying, please banks take your money. The ED is saying no, we have a claim over these assets. So, the ED on the one side and the banks on the other are fighting over the same assets, he added.

Asked about heading back to India, he noted: I should be where my family is, where my interests are.

"If the CBI and the ED are going to be reasonable, it's a different story. What all they are doing to me for the last four years is totally unreasonable.

Lord Justice Stephen Irwin and Justice Elisabeth Laing, the two-member bench presiding over the appeal, concluded hearing the arguments in the case and said they will be handing down their verdict at a later date after considering the oral as well as written submissions in the very dense case over the next few weeks.

On a day of heated arguments between Mallya's barrister, Clare Montgomery, and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) counsel Mark Summers, arguing on behalf of the Indian government, both sides clashed over the prima facie case of fraud and deception against Mallya.

We submit that he lied to get the loans, then did something with the money he wasn't supposed to and then refused to give back the money. All this could be perceived by a jury as patently dishonest conduct, said Summers.

What they [Kingfisher Airlines] were saying [to the banks] about profitability going forward was knowingly wrong, he said, as he took the High Court through evidence to counter Mallya's lawyers' claims that Westminster Magistrates Court Judge Emma Arbuthnot had fallen into error when she found a case to answer in the Indian courts against Mallya.

Mallya, who remains on bail on an extradition warrant, is not required to attend the hearings but has been in court to observe the proceedings since the three-day appeal opened on Tuesday. A key defence to disprove a prima facie case of fraud and misrepresentation on his part has revolved around the fact that Kingfisher Airlines was the victim of economic misfortune alongside other Indian airlines.

However, the CPS has argued that there is enough in the 32,000 pages of overall evidence to fulfil the [extradition] treaty obligations that there is a case to answer. There is not just a prima facie case but overwhelming evidence of dishonesty and given the volume and depth of evidence the District Judge [Arbuthnot] had before her, the judgment is comprehensive and detailed with the odd error but nothing that impacts the prima facie case, said Summers.

At the start of the appeal, Mallya's counsel claimed Arbuthnot did not look at all of the evidence because if she had, she would not have fallen into the multiple errors that permeate her judgment. The High Court must establish if the magistrates' court had in fact fallen short on a point of law in its verdict in favour of extradition.

Representatives from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as well as the Indian High Commission in London have been present in court to take notes during the course of the appeal hearing.

Mallya had received permission to appeal against his extradition order signed off by former UK home secretary Sajid Javid last February only on one ground, which challenges the Indian government's prima facie case against him of fraudulent intentions in acquiring bank loans.

At the end of a year-long extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London in December 2018, Judge Arbuthnot had found clear evidence of dispersal and misapplication of the loan funds and accepted a prima facie case of fraud and a conspiracy to launder money against Mallya, as presented by the CPS on behalf of the Indian government.

Mallya remains on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April 2017 involving a bond worth 650,000 pounds and other restrictions on his travel while he contests that ruling.
Kyle Richards hosted a charity event for a worthy cause.

Looking impossibly youthful, the 51-year-old stepped out to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation at a Kendra Scott jewelry event in Century City, California on Wednesday.

Serving as host for Kendra Gives Back, Kyle modeled some of the designers finest luxury baubles to raise money.

Shopping for a good cause: Kyle Richards stepped out to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation at a Kendra Scott jewelry event in Century City, California on Wednesday

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star sported a chic stone colored silk suit with wide leg trousers.

Kyle she paired the suit with a beige camisole that had a pattern of scattered small black polka dots.

The spring-time look was worn with strappy sandals in a slightly darker shade than the suit.

Kyle's signature raven hair was down in a sleek and shiny blowout that showed off her Kendra Scott hoop earrings.

Hostess with the mostess: Serving as host for Kendra Gives Back, Kyle modeled some of the designers finest luxury baubles to raise money

Accessories: Kyle's signature raven hair was down in a sleek and shiny blowout that showed off her Kendra Scott hoop earrings

Glam: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star sported a chic stone colored silk suit with wide leg trousers

Style star: . Kyle she paired the suit with a beige camisole that had a pattern of scattered small black polka dots

Befitting the charity event, Kyle accessorized with an arm of gold cuffs, layered necklace with heart medallions and glittering rings from the luxe jewelry designer.

The Bravo star appeared to have a fabulous time at the soiree and was seen trying on jewelry and snapping selfies with a hoard of fans.

On social media she wrote: 'So thankful to partner with @KendraScott for a Kendra Gives Back party supporting one of my very favorite causes, @BCRFcure.

On social media she wrote: 'So thankful to partner with @KendraScott for a Kendra Gives Back party supporting one of my very favorite causes, @BCRFcure.'

Hobnobbing: The Bravo star appeared to have a fabulous time at the soiree and was seen trying on jewelry and snapping selfies with a hoard of fans

Ladies celebrating ladies: The event was a special Galentine's Day bash in honor of the nonofficial pop culture holiday that falls the day before Valentine's Day

'Tonight I hosted an evening of fun and shopping with my favorite Galentines, and 20% of every purchase was donated to breast cancer research and awareness. #kendrascott'

The Galentine's Day event actually fell a day earlier than the female centric pop culture holiday. Galentine's Day began as a fictional holiday and was the title of a 2010 episode of the Amy Poehler sitcom Parks and Recreation.

In the show, her character Leslie throws her annual Galentine's day party for her female friends.

Since its airing, the nonofficial holiday has been celebrated yearly by women across the world on February 13 as a way to cherish the ladies in their lives.
Identical twins who got famous after being discovered on Instagram have shared their 'most requested' YouTube video with fans, detailing exactly what they eat in a day.

Renee and Elisha Herbert, from Caloundra, Queensland, uploaded the footage in an attempt to disperse the myth that 'models don't eat', sharing some of their cheap and easy-to-make vegan meals.

'We don't normally eat a big breakfast because when we do our energy dips. We usually have big dinners instead,' Renee started the video by saying.

Renee and Elisha Herbert, who are based in Caloundra, Queensland, uploaded the footage in an attempt to disperse the myth that 'models don't eat'

The 20-year-old's started their morning at the gym before indulging in a smoothie of banana, frozen berries, ginger, Tropeaka protein, hemp seeds, maca powder, chia seeds and spinach

The 20-year-olds started their morning at the gym before indulging in a smoothie of banana, frozen berries, ginger, Tropeaka protein, hemp seeds, maca powder, chia seeds and spinach.

They used a Nutribullet and water to blend up the superfood elixir, with Elisha commenting that her dermatologist suggested she eat more hemp seeds and maca powder to help make her skin glow.

Following that it's a Buddha bowl - or dish that contains an assortment of vegetables and protein - in the form of tomatoes, broccolini, carrot, spinach, mushrooms, cucumber, zucchini, cauliflower rice, avocado and peanut satay tofu.

They used a Nutribullet and water to blend up the superfood elixir, with Elisha commenting that her dermatologist suggested she eat more hemp seeds and maca powder to help make her skin glow

Later in the day they spent a significant amount of time whipping up cauliflower fried rice with rice paper rolls on the side

The Herbert girls mixed the ingredients into a cardboard takeaway container and eat it down at their local beach.

Later in the day they spent a significant amount of time whipping up cauliflower fried rice with rice paper rolls on the side.

They served it with kombucha and Elisha purchased some red wine for them to enjoy after they had digested.

Elisha and Renee started posting photos to Instagram when they were 14.

Elisha and Renee started posting photos to Instagram when they were 14 years old

The Herbert girls mixed the ingredients into a cardboard takeaway container and ate it down at their local beach

What do the Herbert twins eat each day? Breakfast: Smoothie with one banana, one cup of frozen berries, ginger, two tablespoons of Tropeaka protein, hemp seeds, chia seeds and spinach. Lunch: A bowl of tomatoes, broccolini, carrot, spinach, mushrooms, cucumber, zucchini, cauliflower rice, avocado and peanut satay tofu. Dinner: Cauliflower fried rice and rice paper rolls with cabbage, mushrooms, carrot, onion, tofu, rice paper, avocado and cucumber. Advertisement

They quickly garnered around 10,000 followers each and were soon picked up by fashion brand Peppermayo.

Six years later, they boast a combined total of almost two million followers under the tutelage of Elite Model Management, which handles some of the most famous stars in the world.

The pair now jet all across the globe - from Italy to Mexico and Hawaii - for fashion shoots for major brands including Calvin Klein, Lounge Underwear and Princess Polly.

'It's pretty crazy, we're doing a lot of things that we never expected to happen,' the girls told the Sunshine Coast Daily previously.

'Everything happened pretty fast so now we're just going with it, having fun and working. we've always wanted to travel and now it's a part of our job to travel.'

The sisters, who originally wanted to become marine biologists before 'falling into' modelling, are triplets - but their brother leads a more private life studying Nanoscience at UNSW.

It may seem that the girls have pretty gilded lives - but being a social media influencer comes with its own pressures, they told Husskie.

It may seem that the girls have pretty gilded lives - but being a social media influencer comes with its own pressures

'I think comparing yourself to other people and other models is a tough thing  you don't feel as confident,' Renee said.

'Girls are really competitive these days especially if you're involved in the influencer space,' Elisha added.

Advising young aspiring models how to achieve their dream, the girls added: 'Instagram is such a great platform to express yourself by posting content to allow people to follow along your journey and feel inspired by a certain lifestyle.'

Agent Joop Schouten said the pair are a 'dream' to work with and have a 'phenomenal amount' of work coming up.
In a bid to standardise the



homestay sector, the West Bengal government will give an incentive of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the ones that get registered, state tourism minister Goutam Dev said in the state Assembly on Thursday.

Participating in the discussion on the governor's address in the House, Dev said, at present, there are around 2,500 homestays in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and the contiguous areas in the hills and Dooars region of north Bengal, of which only 500 are registered.

"The incentives will be given to the registered homestays to ensure that they adhere to the norms laid down by the state government. The amount will be disbursed in three installments," he said.

Dev said his department's focus is now on the homestays of north Bengal and it will later shift on those in the tourism centres in the southern parts of the state.

Speaking on upcoming projects, the minister said India's largest integrated tourism hub is being set up on 208 acres in Gajaldoba in Jalpaiguri district.

An alternative 56-km road is being built to connect Gajaldoba with Salugara area in Siliguri, which will reduce the distance between the two locations by 23 km, he said.

The department has already introduced an elephant safari in the park of the tourism hub with three pachyderms and one more will be brought soon, the minister added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Yesterday was a beauty! Get on out today before the big game! Posted by Marquette Mountain on Sunday, February 2, 2020

MARQUETTE, MI  An Upper Peninsula ski area is now owned by a Wisconsin couple.

Marquette Mountain Ski Area and 330 acres surrounding it in Marquette were recently purchased by a Wisconsin businessman who has reportedly dreamed of owning a ski area since he was in high school - the ambition was recorded in his high school yearbook, according to a news release.

Eric Jorgensen, president and CEO of Wisconsin-based JX Enterprises, with his wife Sarah Jorgensen purchased the U.P. ski area from Peter and Lois ODovero who had owned it since 1987.

Eric Jorgensen is an avid skier and mountain biker who plans to build upon recent upgrades and the ongoing success at Marquette Mountain, the release said. Plans are expected to unfold over the next few years to enhance the Marquette Mountain Experience and strengthen partnerships with the city of Marquette and Northern Michigan University.

A vibrant ski operation is an important part of recruiting students and employees to NMU, said Fritz Erickson, university president.

The university recently announced the addition of mens and womens alpine ski teams that will train and compete at Marquette Mountain.

My time with Eric Jorgensen has convinced me that their vision for the ski hill will truly benefit the Marquette area, and that Eric is the person to get the job done, said Marquette City Manager Michael Angeli.

Marquette Mountain first opened as Cliffs Ridge in 1957. Today, the ski area features three chair lifts and over 20 runs on 170-acres.

I truly believe this is a dream come true for Eric, Andrew Farron, Marquette Mountain general manager. His entire marketing approach is based on the Marquette Experience  focusing on the college, restaurants, hotels, trails, campgrounds and sights that make Marquette special. He believes this is fundamentally what makes Marquette Mountain so special.

Eric Jorgensen is the second-generation leader of JX Enterprises, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. JX serves the heavy- and medium-duty trucking industry in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

READ MORE:

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Public 3D printer encourages creativity in Northern Michigan

Donated land to add to Northern Michigan snowmobile trail system

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Free Fishing Weekend is coming up with new three-day schedule
Where there was no treaty in place, the Union War Department would declare war on Native communities and force their surrender. Then they would be removed to reservations, where they could be monitored by Union troops, taught the arts of civilization and converted to Christianity.

In the New Mexico Territory, James Henry Carleton, a Union brigadier general, put this policy into action in the fall of 1862. He sent troops to fight Chiricahua Apaches in the south and ordered his favorite officer, Colonel Kit Carson, to make hard war first upon Mescalero Apaches, and then Navajos in the north.

Carleton intensified these campaigns the next year because in the summer of 1863, gold had been discovered in the mountains of central Arizona Territory. Once the Union Army removed Apaches and Navajos from their homelands  the plan went  miners would lay claim to the Arizona diggings. Farmers would follow, planting the fields that would feed them. Lincolns War Department and General Land Office supported these campaigns.

The immense mineral resources of some of those Territories ought to be developed as rapidly as possible, the president wrote in his annual address to Congress in 1862. It is worthy of your serious consideration whether some extraordinary measures to promote that end cannot be adopted.

In January 1864, Lincoln signed a measure creating a reservation for Navajos and Mescalero Apaches at Bosque Redondo in central New Mexico. Suffering from Carletons mismanagement and a series of environmental disasters, the reservation was a calamity from the start.

The more than 8,000 Navajos and Mescalero Apaches incarcerated there endured bad water, exposure to the elements, spoiled rations and rampant disease. They called the reservation Hweeldi  Land of Suffering.

Reports of these conditions sparked multiple congressional investigations, and by 1864, Lincoln was calling for new policies that would provide for the welfare of the Indian. But at the same time, he was advocating to render the western territories secure for the advancing settler.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:28:49|Editor: Yurou

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CANBERRA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A climactic phenomenon in the Indian Ocean that causes drought in Australia has been linked to climate change.

In a study published on Thursday, researchers from Australian National University and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) found that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is more likely to be in a positive state as a result of global warming.

The IOD measures sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern parts of the Indian Ocean. A "positive" state is when waters near the Horn of Africa are warmer than average while those near Australia are cooler, resulting in less rainfall and high temperatures.

The research team found that the positive IOD events have become stronger and more frequent since the 1960s.

The Australian drought of 2019, one of the worst in the nation's history, occurred at a time when the IOD was at a record positive, causing flooding in eastern Africa.

"The rain bands are moving away to where the (sea) temperature is maximum," Wenju Cai, the director of the Centre for Southern Hemisphere Oceans Research at the CSIRO, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"Rain bands and convection always move to regions where the ocean temperature is the maximum."

According to projections produced by Cai, Australia will experience twice as many drought-causing extreme IOD positives if global temperatures warm by 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"If we look at climate models, they produce this increasing frequency and intensity of positive Indian Ocean Dipole events and project that, as the climate continues to warm, we will see those trends continuing," said Nerilie Abram from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.

"That is going to increase the risk that we will have these very dry and hot years and those are the years where we precondition our landscape to burn."
To optimise the program, a multi-stakeholder meeting was held at Medanta which was attended by local Government officials and over 150 village Sarpanchs from Pataudi

"Mission TB Free Haryana, a flagship initiative of Medanta in collaboration with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and the Government of Haryana launched TB Free Block Pataudi in November 2019 to eradicate tuberculosis in the block through diagnosis and treatment.

To optimise the program, a multi-stakeholder meeting was held at Medanta which was attended by local Government officials and over 150 village Sarpanchs from Pataudi.

The objective of the multi-stakeholder meeting was to sensitize the sarpanchs about the importance of screening for effective management of the disease. Evangelizing the initiative, these sarpanchs will encourage residents in their respective villages to undergo screening for timely detection and treatment of TB.

TB Free Block Pataudi aims to screen a population of 6 lakh in the Pataudi block over the next two years. As part of this initiative, volunteers from Medanta along with ASHAs, the grassroots health workers in villages have been conducting door-to-door screenings for detecting people who are at potential risk. The ones who screen positive for cough attend treatment camps with X-ray, sputum and geneXpert facilities available at point of care in a mobile van and the diagnosis is confirmed on the same day.

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta said, TB is a serious challenge that has been plaguing the nation and a multi-stakeholder approach is required to tackle this disease. Screening and detection play a crucial role in the prevention and management of the disease and there should be collaborative efforts towards making India TB-Free by ensuring no one goes undiagnosed or untreated.

Internationally acclaimed respiratory disease expert, Dr Bornali Datta, Director, Pulmonary Medicine, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Medanta said, As part of our commitment to making India TB free, we have screened 25,000 patients through Mission TB-free Haryana over the last six years. Strongly partnered and supported by the Government, the TB Free Block Pataudi program is based on the Active Case Finding Methodology which focusses on proactively looking out for and screening people who are at high disease risk rather than waiting for them to develop symptoms of an active disease. Our volunteers are working in collaboration with ASHA workers towards the objective of screening 6 lakh people in the Pataudi block over the next two years.

Mission TB Free Haryana was introduced in 2015 as a model to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis in the underserved rural areas, to eradicate or at least substantially reduce the burden of this deadly disease which is widely prevalent in our country. Under this initiative, each of the 21 districts of Haryana have been divided into five clusters of four districts each and one van equipped with X-Ray machines is used per cluster for screening patients. Post the success of Mission TB free Haryana, Medanta - The Medicity also launched this Mission in Jharkhand and Ranchi and this will be expanded to other districts progressively.
Chalabis never completed the work, according to court documents, and exchanged repeated texts with the homeowner, blaming the holdup on a busy schedule and a supplier, at one point texting the homeowner, Im not running from you Im trying to do other things even possibility if I can if I can even contract somebody under this contract nobodys wanting to come out there for us Unbelievable Did you have problems with somebody in the past, documents said.
Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/13/2020 -- The Automotive Glass Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.80% during the forecast period, to reach a market size of USD 23.59 billion by 2025 from USD 16.21 billion in 2017. The global market is driven by increasing vehicle production (especially in SUV segment), upcoming smart glass & device embedded glass technologies, and increasing glass applications to improve the aesthetics of the car.



The key players in the automotive glass market are Saint-Gobain (France), Asahi Glass (Japan), Fuyao Glass (China), Samvardhana Motherson (India), Webasto (Germany), Xinyi Glass (China), Nippon Sheet Glass (Japan), Gentex Corporation(US), Corning (US), and Magna International (Canada)



Demand-Side Analysis:



- Increasing Vehicle Parc and Sales Driving the Demand for Automotive Glass Aftermarket

- Increasing Production of SUVs and Luxury Passenger Cars Driving the Automotive Glass Oe Market

- Growing Demand for Advanced Materials for Automotive Glass Manufacturing



Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=229009655



Laminated glass type is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment globally



Laminated glass has major applications in the vehicle windshield. Laminated side glazing in automobiles is one of the most desired automotive technologies. Some European OEMs such as BMW and Mercedes have standardized side glazing in some of their top-selling models. It provides enhanced safety to passengers in case the vehicle rolls over in an accident.



Rearview mirror is the largest segment of the device embedded glass market



Rearview mirror is among the first applications of device embedded glass in passenger cars. It not only provides important information to the driver when parking the vehicle but also warns about any obstacle approaching the vehicle from behind. Technological advancements by Gentex (US) and Samvardhana Motherson (India) have ensured that device embedded rearview mirrors are available at an economical price point.



Asia Oceania: Fastest growing market for Automotive Glass



Asia Oceania is estimated to be the largest glass market for automotive and is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to improving socio-economic conditions in emerging economies such as China and India. The growth in population in these countries has resulted in increased vehicle production and vehicle parc. This has resulted in increased demand for automotive glass. The consumer preference for SUV in India and China is also driving this market as the volume of glass required in SUV is significantly more than that in sedans and other passenger cars.



Request FREE Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=229009655



The sunroof is projected to remain the largest market for smart glass in automotive



The sunroof is the largest and fastest-growing smart glass application in the automotive smart glass market. It provides more control to the user to manage natural light in the vehicle. Smart glass technology in sunroof is being used by Daimler and Mercedes-Benz models such as SL, SLK series. Technological advancements, the presence of interested industry players, and the high demand for energy-efficient products also play an important role in the growth of the market for sunroof made of smart glass.



Key Questions addressed by the report:



- Which glass technology is going to dominate in the future?

- Which vehicle type is expected to witness the high demand for automotive glass during the forecast period?

- How are the players addressing the challenge of different glass materials in the automotive market?

- What are the countries having major presence in the automotive glass market?
CASS COUNTY, MI  Two men accused of shooting and killing Dowagiac man Michael Collins, 40, will each stand trial on 13 felony counts in Cass County.

Justin Robert-Gabriel Carlton, 41, of Kalamazoo, was bound over to Cass County Circuit Court Wednesday, Feb. 12, by District Judge Stacey Rentfrow after a short preliminary hearing.

Carlton faces charges including one count of open murder, one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, four counts of armed robbery, one count of possession of methamphetamine and six felony firearm charges.

Carlton and his co-defendant, White Pigeon man Jay Vincent Penar, 38, are accused of breaking into a home in the 700 block of Louise Avenue in Dowagiac at around 1:40 a.m. Jan. 27, tying up three occupants of the home and killing a fourth.

Penar waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over for trial on the same 13 charges brought against Carlton.

During Carltons hearing Wednesday, the prosecution called two witnesses. Dowagiac Police Detective Jason Rutkowski testified that, the night after the shooting, Carlton admitted to him  after being informed of his Miranda rights  that he shot the local drug dealer" and the "guy deserved it.

Carlton, Rutkowski testified, told the detective he did not know Collins personally and that he was not remorseful for his actions.

Rutkowski interviewed both defendants within 24 hours of the shooting, he testified, stating he first interviewed Penar after the man surrendered to police without incident earlier in the day.

Penar was arrested in Three Rivers after contacting St. Joseph County Sheriff Bradley Balk and discussing the incident, Rutkowski testified. Rutkowski, who was present while Penar and Balk spoke on speakerphone, was one of the officers who arrested Penar, the detective testified.

I took a short statement from Penar under Miranda and after that interview we drove to Kalamazoo because Mr. Penar told us that he was going to take us to the location where he dropped off the subject who shot Mr. Collins earlier that morning, Rutkowski testified.

Penar led officers to a Kalamazoo Township home, in the 1700 block of Henson Avenue, where Carlton was hiding, the detective testified. Police obtained a search warrant, and later that night took Carlton into custody, Rutkowski testified.

The detective testified he was not present when Carlton was arrested, as he returned to Cass County with Penar to interview him there. The interview took approximately two hours, he testified.

Rutkowski, who said he also interviewed two of the three occupants who had allegedly been tied up with zip-ties earlier in the day, next interviewed Carlton after the suspect arrived at the jail.

Rutkowski said Carlton told him when he and Penar arrived at the Dowagiac home, Collins came out of his room, knife in hand, and charged Carlton and Penar, at which point Collins was shot.

He stated that he had killed the local drug dealer who was robbing all the community, old and young, Rutkowski said.

When police initially arrived on scene Jan. 27, the detective testified, Collins was found laying face down on the kitchen floor and his hands were tied behind his back with duct tape."

After the shooting occurred, police previously reported, Penar and Collins tied up three other individuals before going through the house looking for items to steal.

According to court records, the two men took cell phones, purses, methamphetamine, marijuana, tattoo equipment, electronics and money, some of which was later recovered in a truck that had been driven by Penar to drop off Carlton.

This was not a random incident, Dowagiac Police Chief Steven Grinnewald told MLive. The suspects knew what they were there for and are known by the people who lived there.

While Carlton said he did not know the man who was shot and killed, police said Penar had previously lived at the home.

Both men have been denied bond. All of the charges the men face, with the exception of the felony firearm charges and the methamphetamine charges, carry a penalty of up to life in prison if they are convicted.

Also on MLive:

Two charged with open murder in killing of Dowagiac man

Man killed, 3 tied up in Dowagiac home invasion
A U.S. judge on Thursday ordered the Pentagon to temporarily halt work on the cloud computing 'JEDI' contract, in what represents a major win for Amazon.com and Jeff Bezos.

In granting Amazon.com's request for a preliminary injunction, the court has effectively paused the U.S. Department of Defense and Microsoft's up-to-$10 billion cloud computing deal.

Amazon.com claimed they were unfairly discriminated against in the federal contract granting process by the administration of Donald Trump.

Judge Patricia E. Campbell-Smith made public her order but did release a sealed opinion accompanying the decision. She also ordered Amazon to post $42 million in the event that the injunction was issued wrongfully.

Earlier this week, Amazon's Amazon Web Services unit said it was seeking to depose President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Mark Esper in its lawsuit over whether the president was trying "to screw Amazon" over the contract.

NEW: A federal judge has temporarily blocked Microsoft from starting work on the Pentagon's multibillion-dollar JEDI cloud contract until Amazon's contracting protest can be resolved. pic.twitter.com/NzfXzMIbR2  Brian Fung (@b_fung) February 13, 2020

Court orders Pentagon to halt work on Microsoft's JEDI cloud contract after Amazon protests

via @Post_AG https://t.co/DmSRDUVlpb  Washington Post PR (@WashPostPR) February 13, 2020

A judge has approved Amazon's request to temporarily halt Microsoft's work on the $10 billion JEDI contract. https://t.co/62BdZfZOZJ pic.twitter.com/xzGIxa1ViU  CNBC (@CNBC) February 13, 2020

Judge grants preliminary injunction barring @DeptofDefense from proceeding with #JEDI contract awarded to @Microsoft over @amazon.  Steve Herman (@W7VOA) February 13, 2020

Judge grants preliminary injunction barring Pentagon from proceeding with JEDI contract awarded to Microsoft; orders Amazon to put up $42 million in event that the injunction was wrongfully issued pic.twitter.com/W9mb6oqCGG  Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) February 13, 2020

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Brighton have launched an internal investigation after a video emerged of four of their players inhaling from balloons.

The players are in the middle of their winter break and some of the squad have taken the opportunity to enjoy a Spanish getaway.

Four of them, though, could be in hot water after footage was posted of some of their antics while on a night out. Shane Duffy, Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and Alireza Jahanbakhsh can all be seen with balloons.

Brighton have launched an internal investigation after a video emerged of four of their players - Alireza Jahanbakhsh (left), Shane Duffy and Leandro Trossard (right) - inhaling from balloons

Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross, in a white T-shirt, was also seen with a balloon

While the contents are unknown, balloons are commonly used for inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas or 'hippy crack' when used recreationally.

A club spokesperson said: 'The club is aware of the video circulating on social media. This matter is being dealt with internally.'

In the video, the players are sitting around a table outside, with drinks and a shisha pipe on it.

They could be in hot water after footage was posted of some of their antics while on a night out

Jahanbakhsh, sitting near a woman with dark hair, is seen inhaling from a balloon. The camera then pans across to Trossard and Duffy, both in black, with balloons and then midfielder Gross, in a white T-shirt.

The footage presents a problem for manager Graham Potter whose side  yet to win this year  are perilously close to the Premier League drop zone.

Brighton were held 1-1 by fellow strugglers Watford last Saturday and are just three points above third-from-bottom West Ham, who have a game in hand.

They return to action with a tough trip to Sheffield United  fifth in the Premier League table  a week on Saturday, before their derby clash with Crystal Palace.
The Chinese puzzle ball is an ornate decorative artwork consisting of several concentric shells that move independently of each other. In the recent decade, Chinese scientists provided a universal method for the fabrication of a conceptually similar micronanoscale structure, called the hollow multishell structure (HoMS).

A new study led by Prof. WANG Dan from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences proposes a novel concept of temporal-spatial ordering and dynamic smart behavior in HoMSs. It was published in Nature Reviews Chemistry on Feb. 11.

Unlike the single shell hollow sphere or nanoparticles, HoMS has potential applications in fields ranging from energy conversion and storage to catalysis, since it avoids easy agglomeration of nanoparticles, maintains the advantage of effective surface area, and benefits the mass transmission.

In the first phase of their work, the group developed a facile sequential templating approach (STA) for the fabrication of HoMS. This approach realized precise control of the shell number, thickness, distance, and facet exposure, thus modulating surface properties and the interface of HoMS materials.

Specifically, multishells separate space into various, relatively isolated subspaces. At the same time, the heterogeneous pores on each shell facilitate the transmission of small molecules.

"When a molecule or electromagnetic wave diffuses through HoMS, it experiences a set order of environments and spends a controllable time in each one," said WANG. "Based on the understanding of structure property relationship, we name this specific feature of HoMS as 'temporal-spatial ordering'."

Interestingly, in the antenna system of cyanobacteria, different antenna pigments are loaded in a certain order to realize the sequential collection of light energy, which is the example for natural temporal-spatial ordering. This specific structure ensures the fast and precise route to accumulate large amount of oxygen to significant amounts for oxygenic life.

"Inspired by nature, we believe the unique structure suggests promising applications for HoMS in sequential electromagnetic wave harvesting, cascade catalytic reactions, sustained drug release, and hybrid energy storage technologies," said WANG.

The group also proposed another promising proposition: HoMS with isolated spaces in multiple chemical environments could express dynamic smart behavior.

Through chemical modification, HoMSs can bind the target and perhaps also self-evolve to have desired properties at a desired time, which would be highly desirable in chemical engineering and biochemistry fields.

###
Chairman of the State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian integration and relations with compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, stated his views on the matter of modern relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.

First of all, he emphasized that the relationship between the two countries has never been better. "I can say for sure - it has never been more positive than now," Leonid Kalashnikov noted.

"Now some officials, both Russian and Azerbaijani, even say that Azerbaijan's entry, if it wants, to both the CSTO and the EAEU is possible. I always and in every way support this, even though one of these organizations' members can block such an entry," the MP noted, speaking about Armenia.



"We should work more closely, because Azerbaijan and Russia are true friends, not barely in word but truly in deed, we have tested each other over the past years," he said.

Leonid Kalashnikov added that such relations with Azerbaijan should be appreciated. "I came from the Council of Europe not so long ago - and the entire Azerbaijani delegation supported us on issues that are sensitive to us, and we supported Azerbaijan. We really need this mutual support, because we are still not treated fairly," the chairman of the State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian integration and relations with compatriots concluded.
One of the three medical students, who had tested positive for novel coronavirus infection and were treated at a hospital in Kerala, has been discharged after recovery, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

About the other two, he said subsequent tests indicated significant reduction in "viral load".

"We are still waiting for confirmatory results before discharging them. They are stable and recovering. They will be discharged soon," Vardhan said.

A high-level Group of Ministers, constituted on the directions of the prime minister, held its second meeting to review the current status and actions for prevention and management of the novel coronavirus, named COVID-19 on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, Vardhan said a total of 2,51,447 persons travelling in 2,315 flights have been screened so far.

Besides, 15,991 people across the country have been kept on community surveillance. Of them, 497 have been identified as symptomatic cases and isolated while 41 have been hospitalised, Vardhan said.

The minister said 645 Indians and seven Maldivians evacuated from China's Wuhan city kept at the quarantine facilities set up by the Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in and around Delhi, have tested negative for coronavirus.

They will be kept under observation and their samples will be re-tested on day 14 of the quarantine period before being discharged, Vardhan said.

Vardhan further said India has extended support to Maldives in testing samples and to Bhutan in managing the disease.

"India has also agreed to support Afghanistan in testing samples. India is also extending help to China by sending essential items for combating nCoV as per a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a goodwill gesture," Vardhan said, adding he was briefed by Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya at the GoM meeting that the ministry has stocked up medical supplies and personal protection equipments and other required materials in case of an outbreak in India.

He added that regular reviews are being held with Ministries of Health, Defence, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Commerce, Panchayati Raj. Other central and state officials are also part of the review process.

The situation is monitored by the PMO on regular basis, Vardhan said.

Vardhan said the Indian government is in touch with the Japan government regarding the two Indian crew infected with coronavirus on board a cruise ship off the Japanese coast.

"They have been hospitalised," Vardhan said.

The ship's quarantine period will get over on February 19, he said, adding the Ministry of External Affairs is keeping a close watch on it.

Passengers arriving from Thailand and Singapore, besides China and Hong Kong, are being screened for possible exposure to the respiratory virus at 21 identified airports.

The health ministry has asked people to refrain from travelling to China in view of the coronavirus outbreak and said travellers on return could be quarantined. In an updated travel advisory, the health ministry said that the existing visas, including e-visas already issued, are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China.

He also informed that surveillance at Points of Entry (PoE) is continuing at 21 airports, 12 major ports, 65 minor ports and at six land crossings.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) is carrying out community based surveillance of passengers travelling from China, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Japan.

The ICMR is providing the laboratory support with NIV Pune as the nodal laboratory and 14 other network laboratories. This can be expanded to include 50 laboratories, if the situation so demands.

So far 1,071 samples have been tested, out of which 1,068 were found negative and only three have already tested positive in Kerala, the minister said as he elaborated on how the ministry had traced their contact history.

He also stated that the Rapid Response Teams have been trained in all states for managing emergencies due to high risk pathogens. There is outreach to every village in the districts adjoining Nepal border through Gram Sabhas.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose to 1,310 China on Thursday while the number of those affected by the deadly virus has spiralled to 48,206.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 16 people were killed and 31 were injured in an accident on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Wednesday. The accident reportedly took place after a bus collided with a stationary truck. The bus carried 54 passengers to Motihari, Bihar and hit the truck from behind. The accident took place around 9:50 pm near the Firozabad district.

The people injured are being treated in the Saifai PGI Medical Sciences University. The people killed in the accident include a truck driver and 13 travellers. Reports suggest the truck driver took an extreme right and stopped to change the punctured tyre. The bus was coming from behind and hit the truck in the rear side.

According to Satish Ganesh, IG of Police, Agra range, the impact of the accident was very severe.The impact was so severe that the bus got crushed to almost half of its length. The bus was carrying passengers to Motihari in Bihar. "Till now, we have total 14 casualties and many injured. All victims have been shifted to PGI Saifai," according to ADG of Agra Zone, Ajay Anand.

Also read: Mumbai-Bhubaneswar Lokmanya Tilak Terminus express derails near Cuttack, 20 injured
President Donald Trump's proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins in October proposes big cuts to popular programs, including Medicaid and the National Institutes of Health. Although those cuts are unlikely to be enacted by Congress, both Republicans and Democrats are likely to use the budget blueprint as a campaign issue.

Meanwhile, several House committees this week relaunched work on legislation to address "surprise" medical bills  unexpected charges from out-of-network providers. And Congress is still trying to come to a bipartisan agreement on how to address drug prices.

Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), a former Health and Human Services secretary and a former member of the Kaiser Family Foundation board, was the special guest for this week's podcast, taped before a live audience at the KFF headquarters in Washington, D.C. Also joining host Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News were Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Joanne Kenen of Politico. Also joining host Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News were Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Joanne Kenen of Politico.

Among the takeaways from this week's podcast:

One surprise in the president's budget is a proposal to move tobacco regulation out from under the Food and Drug Administrations purview. That comes despite a law Congress passed several years ago that specifically named the FDA as the regulator for tobacco.

Last year, it seemed clear that Congress and the White House were determined to find a way to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. But heavy lobbying on the issue and deep fissures in pinpointing the best remedy have slowed that effort. Shalala said she thinks Congress will produce a bill this year that will be balanced so that insurers and medical providers have to compromise.

Shalala said that in the 21 town meetings she has held in South Florida, no one has asked about efforts to end surprise bills. Most of the health questions focus on high drug prices and out-of-pocket costs. High out-of-pocket costs have been driven by the large number of people shifted into high-deductible insurance plans.

Shalala also said she doesn't expect a plan to import drugs from Canada, endorsed by the Trump administration and some states, to go forward. Drugmakers sell Canada enough medicine to cover the population there, and not consumers in Florida, she added.

To hear all our podcasts, click here.

And subscribe to What the Health? on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or Pocket Casts.
The present controversy on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and related issues should not come as a surprise to any analyst. There is always a set pattern in such well-orchestrated protests. It is similar to the composition of water in a pot which has been put on a low flame. Initially, only invisible quantitative changes occur as water gets heated. No one can observe any visible qualitative change in the water. However, when it reaches boiling point, water starts showing qualitative changes which are visible. Like the water, these protests are not spontaneous, but reflect six years of heat administered by the ruling party.

To understand the genesis of the present turmoil, there is a need to factor in the dilemma of a weak Opposition in the face of a proactive ruling political part with a clear political manifesto and which secured a huge majority in the parliamentary elections of 2014 and 2019. Riding the crest of a popular mandate, the ruling party notched up certain landmarks like the abrogation of Article 370, the triple talaq ruling, the peaceful resolution of the Ayodhya dispute and the CAA. Left behind in terms of electoral support in the Parliament, the Opposition is left with no choice but to seek any rallying point against the ruling party outside the Parliament, whether it is at Shaheen Bagh or at Jantar Mantar.

Harish Salve has clearly stated that the CAA is fairly defensible in the face of any challenge to its constitutionality. So do a large number of impartial legal luminaries. There is no point going into the merits of claims and counter- claims when the matter is before the Supreme Court. However, if the protests are still going on causing huge inconvenience to the people as well as hurting Indias global image, this is a cause of serious concern.

In international diplomacy, there is no dearth of forces working to pull down an emerging India. The current situation has given them a handle with which to beat India. It is quite disgraceful that we are subjected to biased and opportunistic write-ups in the foreign media. The moment the protesters projected cracks in our polity, anti-Indian forces seized the opportunity to harm India politically and economically.

The prime minister has stated on the floor of the House that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Ram Manohar Lohia and many other stalwarts had assured the return of persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Muslim nations after the Partition of India on religious grounds. The present position taken by their partymen is diametrically opposed to that of their own leaders.

This is not the first time that religion has been used as a tool for engineering unrest and violence in India. Whatever may be the secular rhetoric, a legislation that does not discriminate between persecuted religious minorities cannot be blamed on the grounds of fostering religious discrimination. Muslims cannot be considered a persecuted religious minority in a Muslim state and granted citizenship under the proposed fast-track mechanism. The normal legal procedure to apply for Indian citizenship is still open to them.

Emotive protests arising from pent-up political frustrations may not have any legal basis, but this is what prevails today. India is indeed fundamentally a secular country. India did not suddenly become secular after the word secular was added to the preamble of our Constitution. Secularism is a concept enshrined in Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution, where religious freedoms have been granted subject to public order, morality and health.

If certain sections of the people are allowed to debunk constitutional bodies like Parliament and the Supreme Court, and to squat on the streets till the constitutional institutions start singing their tune, this will signal the end of a strong and united India.

The author is a former chief secretary, Government of Punjab, India

The views expressed are personal
John Krause believes in second chances. After spending over a decade in and out of jail in the Bay Area, including a stint at San Quentin State Prison, he got sober and turned his life around with the discovery of a newfound passion.

"After spending most of my life in prison, and addicted to drugs and homeless, I just fell in love with coffee," said John Krause, founder of Big House Beans.

In 2014, Krause and his wife, LeeAnn Krause, co-founded a coffee business. Originally a roasting business based in Antioch, Big House Beans soon expanded by opening a cafe in Brentwood. Now, new locations are popping up in Walnut Creek and Oakland's Temescal neighborhood (the Walnut Creek location is set to open at the end of this month; Temescal's at the end of March).

Big House Beans' motto is "coffee with purpose," referencing its mission to create jobs for people with barriers to employment. After Krause experienced extreme difficulty getting hired after prison, he wanted to help make that transition easier for others in his position.

"When I applied for jobs, nobody would hire me, and that really stood out to me, because I was so eager to learn and willing to work," recalled Krause. "When I did finally get hired, it was through a friend of a friend, and I became their number one employee. I was very ambitious and loyal and hard-working, and really hungry. I find that to be true still, when we hire people with barriers to employment: If they're ready and want to change their life around, they are excellent workers."

RELATED: I only used a single, reusable cup for a week, and it made me less anxious about the world ending

When Krause talks about people with "barriers to employment," he clarifies that he isn't just talking about those who have served prison sentences. Big House Beans also aims to hire the former addicts, recent immigrants, recently homeless, or even mothers who have been out of the workforce for years.

And aside from providing employment opportunities, Krause hopes his willingness to talk about his past can have a positive influence on others.

"I knew I wanted to be really transparent about my path in order to be an inspiration to other people," explained Krause.

Big House Beans is not the only mission-drive coffee shop to be found in the Bay Area. 1951 Coffee Company, which opened its first cafe in Berkeley in 2017, is a nonprofit coffee organization that provides job training and employment to refugees and special immigrant visa holders. San Francisco's St. Clare Coffee partners with the anti-human trafficking nonprofit Not for Sale; Crossroads Cafe, also based in San Francisco, is a nonprofit cafe training ground for residential education center the Delancey Street Foundation.

Social justice-minded Oaklanders seem like a smart target audience for a new Big House Beans location. But at the same time, Krause considers his new Oakland location as a sort of homecoming. He grew up in nearby Richmond, and spent a lot of time in Oakland growing up.

RELATED: I tried SF's newest cafe trend: mushroom coffee

"It has that feel that I'm used to from growing up. I love going there, they have great food, and my daughter took her first steps in the alley," he said (Krause is talking about Temescal Alley, which is just down the block from where his new cafe will be).

Besides the Oakland location at 4770 Telegraph Ave., Big House Beans is opening a new location at the Brentwood Library (104 Oak St., Brentwood) and Walnut Creek (Mount Diablo Plaza, 2185 N. California Blvd.). Whole Foods will also soon start carrying Big House Beans coffee at its Concord, Walnut Creek, Lafayette and Dublin locations.

While no menus for the new cafes have been released, the Brentwood location's menu features different varieties of toasts ($4-8), acai bowls and overnight oats ($7.50), drip coffee ($3) and all manner of speciality beverages, from lavender cold brew ($4.75) to matcha lemonade ($4).

Until all the new locations open in the next few months, you can visit the original location of Big House Beans at 1155 2nd St., Suite A, Brentwood.

Madeline Wells is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: madeline.wells@sfgate.com | Twitter: @madwells22
Voters across the continent will be heading to the ballot box this coming year to choose their leaders in presidential, parliamentary and local elections starting with the Comoros in January and ending with Ghana in December.

Comorians will be electing a new 33-member national assembly following presidential elections in 2019 while Ghanaians will select their parliamentarians and president on 7 December.

In Chad and Mauritius, electoral commissions have yet to decide on exact dates, but absent unexpected delays, the polls should go ahead as legally mandated. In Seychelles, the electoral body will decide in August when the presidential election will be held later in the year.

Overall, the polls are expected to be peaceful and free. Yet, for different reasons, some countries like Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali and Somalia are ones to watch.

In Ethiopia, elections of members of the House of Peoples Representatives and of regional State Councils will be held in a new political environment ushered in by the youthful Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds reforms. Having won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for ending a two-decade conflict with neighbouring Eritrea, observers will be eager to learn to what extent Mr Abiys changes are taking hold and how much domestic support he has earned since the award was announced.

Polls in Somalia will be the first in 50 years. Voters will elect the president and their representatives through direct ballots - the last universal suffrage polls having been held in 1969. Previous presidential elections held in 2009, 2012 and 2017 involved a system of thousands of clan delegates voting for parliamentary representatives, who in turn elected the president. Election preparations are currently underway, including the drafting of electoral laws, though security remains a concern throughout the country.

Togolese will go to the polls in April to cast their ballots for president with the possibility of a run-off should no candidate garner more than 50% of the votes. The polls will be the first to be held since presidential term limits were restored in 2019.

Since Ghanas transition to multi-party democracy in 1992 elections have generally been peaceful, and their results generally considered fair. This trend is expected to continue, amid the governments recent claims to have nipped in the bud attempts at a coup by a group of civilians, and former and current military personnel.

In Burkina Faso, Burundi and Tanzania, voters will be called to choose their presidents first, then their national assemblymen and women later in the year. Burundians will elect a new president, as the incumbent is retiring.

In Burkina Faso and Mali, recurring violence in some areas, some of it deadly, is likely to affect the polls. Over the last few months, terrorist activity has increasingly targeted civilians and security forces, including peacekeepers in Mali. Given the circumstances organising nationwide elections will be a challenge.

In Cote dIvoire things are not straightforward either. The country has remained stable since the hotly contested 2010 presidential poll that helped mark the end of a decade of armed conflict. Now Ivoirians look towards October polls, but the political coalition has progressively frayed, and old political fault lines have resurfaced.

Guineans are scheduled to choose a new assembly and president come October too. Parliamentary elections were postponed earlier this year given political tensions over plans to call a referendum on lifting constitutional term limits. Large demonstrations against the plan have been witnessed across the country, including in the capital Conakry. The heightening tension is likely to affect the upcoming polls.
File image of the Delhi Legislative Assembly (Image: Twitter/@DelhiAssembly)

Delhis seventh Legislative Assembly is set to be sworn-in soon, days after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) retained power in the national capital.

AAP bagged 62 of the total 70 seats in the Assembly election held on February 8. Its main challenger, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won the remaining eight seats. The Congress failed to open its account for the second consecutive assembly election in Delhi.

While the date for swearing-in of the newly-elected Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) has not been announced, it is likely to happen later this month. Kejriwal will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister for his third term on February 16 at New Delhis iconic Ramlila Maidan.

Here is a brief look at Delhis seventh Legislative Assembly:

More crorepati MLAs

In 2014, a total of 44 MLAs (63 percent) with declared financial assets of Rs 1 crore or more had won the election. According to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), this number has risen to 52 (74 percent) in 2020.

While, 45 out of AAPs 62 MLAs (about 73 percent) are crorepatis, seven of the eight BJP MLAs (about 88 percent) are also crorepatis.

Of the total 44 crorepati MLAs, 38 have declared assets worth over Rs 2 crore. Further, of these 38, 25 have assets worth over Rs 5 crore.

The average declared assets of MLAs in 2015 was around Rs 6.2 crore. Now, this has more than doubled to Rs 14.2 crore.

If these number are divided along party lines, AAP MLAs average assets are Rs 14.9 crore. Average assets of BJP MLAs is Rs 9.1 crore.

More MLAs with criminal cases

In 2015, there were a total of 24 MLAs who had declared some kind of criminal cases pending against them. That was about 34 percent of the House.

According to the ADR report, the number has now nearly doubled to 43  about 61 percent.

Further, the number of MLAs facing serious criminal cases has risen from 14 to 37  20 percent to 53 percent. Around 33 out of the 62 AAP MLAs and four of BJPs eight MLAs have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Of these, nine MLAs have declared convicted cases against themselves.

Serious criminal cases are categories as offences for which are non-bailable and have a maximum punishment is of five years or more. These offences may be related to crimes against women, assault, murder, kidnap, rape and offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, among others.

60% MLAs are graduates or more

Of the 70 elected MLAs, 23 MLAs have declared their educational qualification to be between 8th and 12th pass. Around 42 others (60 percent) have declared being a graduate or above. Around five MLAs have declared having a diploma.

As many as 39 MLAs are in the 25-50 age group. The other 31 MLAs are aged between 51 and 80 years. The number of women MLAs elected to the Assembly is eight  up from six elected in 2015.

The ADR report analyses the newly elected MLAs on the basis of financial assets, educational qualification and age. The analysis of all 70 elected MLAs was done on the basis of declarations made by the legislators in their election affidavit.
What is better than a box of chocolates at Valentine's Day? A box of babies, of course! Connecticut-based photographer JoAnn Marrero of From Labor to Love was inspired by a favorite memory from the sweetest day of the year to arrange a photo shoot featuring over a dozen little sweethearts posing as treats. "I gave my then 2-and-a-half-year-old a box of chocolate for Valentine's Day," Marrero says. "It didn't dawn on me that he had no idea what was in the box, so when he opened it, he was jumping up and down yelling, 'There's candy in it!' to his big brother. It was so cute."

Once she had the idea for the aww-inducing Valentine's Day-themed photo shoot, Marrero posted a model call for sitting babies (not walkers/escapees!) and received over 85 emails from interested parents. Somehow, the photographer whittled down the list of adorable would-be chocolates to 13, including a baby, Jacob, whose birth she photographed on Valentine's Day last year. "It was extra special having him there for it!" she adds.

Although the preciousness is on overload when you dress 13 infants in red bow ties and bloomers, there are obviously challenges, too. "They were all fine for the first five minutes," Marrero explains. "After that, they all had their own agendas and it was chaotic cuteness. One baby started crying really loud and set off a chain reaction of crying!" Another little one wanted his mom, some babies just loved sucking on the big chocolate candies that, yes, were real Hersey Kisses, others tried to crawl away, and others kept wanting to turn the shoot into playtime.

From Labor to Love Courtesy From Labor to Love

The experienced birth and baby photographer, who built the chocolate box herself, calmed the tearful tots by singing and keeping things light. "The goal was to just have fun, without expectations. It was a giant playdate and everyone made new friends," Marrero said. Ultimately, all she wanted was to have all 13 babies looking at her for a single portrait. And eventually, she got the winning shot.

Story continues

Courtesy From Labor to Love Courtesy From Labor to Love

But no matter which way the cute-as-can-be cupids' gazes were directed, the result of Marrero's labor is a sweet series of images that remind us what Valentine's Day is really about. No, not bemoaning that your partner forgot to send flowers or spending a ton of money on a nine-course dinner plus a babysitting fee. But instead, Valentine's is about finding love in your life, be it a small romantic gesture or a chubby-faced smile from a baby sitting inside a giant box of chocolates with a dozen other red-diapered darlingsall of whom are giving us major heart eyes, just in time for February 14.
Prime Minister-designate Ludovic Orban is participating, from Thursday to Sunday, in the Munich Security Conference, at its 56th edition this year.

The event brings together important leaders and decision-makers in security and defence - heads of state and government, representatives of the leaders of international and regional organizations, including the European Union and NATO, informs the Government Press Office.In this context, Ludovic Orban has meetings scheduled with counterparts from several states, as well as with top representatives of the business community."The participation of the Romanian delegation in the Munich Security Conference represents an opportunity to promote Romania's profile as a member state of NATO and the EU, a strategic partner of the United States, deeply committed to strengthening the European architecture and the transatlantic bond," the Government said.On the eve of the Conference, Prime Minister Orban is guest of honor and will deliver a speech at the European Dinner, an event organized within the sixth Munich European Conference.The agenda of the head of the Government includes the participation in the state dinner hosted by Bavarian State Prime Minister Markus Soeder, as well as delivering an address, together with representatives of the EU institutions and European counterparts, in a panel on "The Future of the European Union".The delegation accompanying Ludovic Orban in Munich includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of National Defence Nicolae Ciuca, the presidential adviser for national security, Ion Oprisor, and Romania's Ambassador in Berlin, Emil Hurezeanu.

AGERPRES
Members of 25 European Union Parliamentarian delegation ride on a 'shikara' at Dal Lake, in Srinagar. The second batch of foreign envoys arrived for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir for a first-hand assessment of the situation in the Union territory six months after the nullification of Article 370. (Image: PTI)
By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/02/12

On February 12th the city of Goyang revealed plans to restore the film set of "Parasite" and complete a film culture complex by 2026. The news comes shortly after "Parasite" won four Academy Awards earlier in the week, including Best Picture. The complexity of the plans suggests that this project has been in the works for a while, and the announcement was slated for after the Academy Awards to capitalize on some hype, not necessarily the movie's unexpected win for Best Picture.

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Part of the impetus for the project was that Goyang is not generally well-known as a popular filming location in South Korea, though the city has been involved many noteworthy projects in films and dramas. These include "The Tower", "The Admiral: Roaring Currents", "Ode to My Father", "Train to Busan", "The Battleship Island", "Operation Chromite", "Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds", and the yet uncompleted "Sinkhole".

The complex will inhabit an area of 265,000 square meters and will utilize over one hundred thousand dollars' worth of investment funds from the city of Goyang. They will also be receiving assistance from relevant film companies to ensure a sufficiently authentic experience. The plans also connect to a larger project on the part of Goygang to become a broadcast hub, which is being planned until May and expected to be finished by 2023.

Jeonju is also considering similar plans, albeit on a smaller scale. The mansion and basement sets for "Parasite" are located in Jeonju and the Jeonju Film Commission is mulling over whether it would be worthwhile to restore them.

Written by William Schwartz

___________

"Parasite" is directed by Bong Joon-ho, and features Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Wooshik, Park So-dam, Lee Jung-eun. Release date in Korea: 2020/02/26.
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Eric Swalwell says impeaching Donald Trump for his potential interference in Roger Stone's sentencing is not "off the table" as congressional Democrats prepare to hear from administration officials about the apparent "erosion of independence" inside the Department of Justice.

The California Congressman and member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees told CNN that members of Congress "don't wake up in the morning wanting to impeach him" though the president has been "learning the wrong lessons" from his acquittal by the Senate, even after Republican allies admitted the president's wrongdoing following his impeachment in the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction in his dealings with Ukraine and subsequent congressional investigation.

Federal prosecutors initially suggested a seven to nine year prison sentence for Mr Stone after the longtime Republican operative was found guilty of charges stemming from Robert Mueller's investigation into foreign influence in US elections in 2016. But the president tweeted his displeasure with that sentence, calling it "unfair" and a "miscarriage of justice".

Justice Department officials intervened, leading to the resignation of several prosecutors from the case.

The White House has denied the president's coordination with the Justice Department.

Mr Swalwell said: "He could just pardon Roger Stone ... but to infect his corruption into the DOJ, that's what's so concerning."

Attorney General William Barr is expected to address members of Congress following the latest scandal.
Ontario drivers may have overpaid for their auto insurance by at least $7.6 billion  and as much as $12.7 billion  between 2001 and 2018, according to a new report being released Thursday.

Written by York University economist Fred Lazar for the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, the report concludes that drivers in this province definitely have paid too much for auto insurance.

The reason? Permissive provincial government oversight of the insurance industry, Lazar writes.

Auto insurance companies in Ontario have had a free ride for many years.

Ontario drivers contribute disproportionately to the profits of national insurance giants through elevated premiums, the study concludes, with the top 10 insurers earning higher profits for their auto insurance businesses in Ontario than all of their Canada-wide insurance operations combined between 2016 and 2018, the report says.

The reality is that auto insurance in this province has been propping up their overall profitability, Lazar said in an interview.

Pete Karageorgos, director of consumer and industry relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, which represents insurers, agrees auto insurance is too expensive in Ontario.

The system needs to be fixed. But when you look at the actual facts...the evidence on the whole does not support Professor Lazars position.

Karageorgos says elevated auto premiums are the result of inefficiencies in the regulatory system, insufficient use of technology and frictions, including tribunal hearings and medical assessments in the claims process.

Personal injury lawyers can create impressions in the public that there is a windfall waiting for you when youre in an accident, which is not helping matters, he said. That is not the intention of insurance, which is to help you become whole again.

Ontarios auto insurance industry was the subject of a Star investigation in 2018 that reported the details of several class-action lawsuits alleging some of the largest insurers have refused to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in HST to car accident victims despite repeated advice from the provincial regulator and the government to cover those costs.

Following the Star stories, the provincial finance ministry announced amendments to the Insurance Act that mandated insurance companies pay HST on accident benefits.

But Ontarios auto insurance rates have received no such government crackdown.

Lazar, who calls himself one of the millions of Ontarians overpaying for his car insurance, says big insurance companies impose political pressure on the government by threatening to leave the province if profitability is undermined.

The companies being regulated expend a lot of money on lobbying and government relations and are able to convince regulators to tread lightly. Politicians are afraid to call the positions of insurance companies...So they take the safe route. I think regulators should call their bluff.

Average premiums per vehicle have increased by 2.4 per cent between 2010 and 2018, while average claims per vehicle have declined by 10 per cent, the report says.

Ontario Trial Lawyers Association president, Allen Wynperle, says auto insurance benefits were cut 17 times under the previous Liberal government in an effort to reduce premiums. But not only did premiums not decline, the provincial regulator has approved a string of rate increases totalling 20 per cent over the last three years, he says.

It just doesnt make sense, Wynperle says. Youre paying more and getting less over the last decade. The question is why?

The OTLA sought out economist Lazar to formulate estimates because insurance companies are not required to publicly report profits from their auto insurance operations in Ontario.

As Ontarians, were not given that information but were asked to pay more, Wynperle says. There should be greater transparency. That begins with public disclosure.

Even the legislative change targeting insurance companies that withhold HST from their accident claimants hasnt settled that matter, say lawyers who represent some of those victims.

Since the amendments requiring insurance companies to cover the HST were approved June 3, at least two insurance companies  Intact and Belair Direct  publicly announced they will comply. But other major companies have resisted.

The extent to which a handful of insurance heavyweights continue to thumb their noses at the regulator, the government and their own clients is appalling, says Paul Harte, a Toronto lawyer who has filed class-action lawsuits against insurance companies. Though the filing of the suits predates the June 3 HST amendments, Harte alleges ongoing HST violations. Without action to bring greater transparency and accountability to this industry, a number of players will continue to use their wealth and power to the detriment of victims and car drivers.

As recently as Nov. 26, 2019, Aviva wrote a claimant advising HST has been included in the limits on this claim.

Because this issue is still before the courts, it wouldnt be appropriate for us to comment publicly, the company said in a written statement in response to questions from the Star.
Fourteen people were killed and several others injured when a private bus in which they were travelling rammed a stationary truck on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway late on Wednesday night, the police said.

The injured have been moved to the PGI at Safai in Etawah for treatment. Of those injured, 35 are said to be in serious condition. Sources say that there were around 50 passengers in the sleeper bus.

The front portion of the bus was totally damaged in the accident. Reports say the driver had dozed off and subsequently lost control of the steering wheel resulting in the accident.

Additional Director General of Police for Agra zone Ajay Anand and IG Agra Range A Satish Ganesh reached the spot for rescue operation that continued the whole night.

Superintendent of Police (rural) Rajesh Kumar told PTI that the accident took place at around 10 pm on Wednesday in Nagla Khangar Police Station area of Firozabad.

The sleeper bus was going from Delhi to Motihari (Bihar). The double-decker bus hit the container truck from behind, he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the district magistrate and senior superintendent of police to reach the spot and oversee relief work.

He also issued directives for proper treatment of the injured, a statement issued by the state government in Lucknow said.
GATE 2020: IIT Delhi will release the answer keys of GATE 2020 soon. According to an official notice, the answer key will be available on the website from February 19 to 21. Candidates will be able to challenge the answer keys from 11 am of February 19 to 6 pm of February 21, 2020.

Candidates can challenge the answer key online at http://gate.iitd.ac.in/ Each challenge will cost Rs 500. Payment for a challenge that is accepted will be refunded.

The candidates can contest/challenge the answer key of any question after giving their justification and a payment of Rs. 500 (for each question) through the online payment link available in the GOAPS. Contests will be considered only if the payment is completed successfully. Payment for a challenge that is accepted will be refunded, the official notice reads.

While challenging the answer keys, the candidates should ensure that the question number is as per the PDF file of the question paper uploaded on the GATE 2020 website. A preview of the question selected is also shown in the contest portal. Make sure that you select the right section and the question number which you wish to contest. Please note that if the question number is not correctly identified, then the challenge will not be considered. If you are uploading any supporting document for the contest, you must mention the section name and question number in the document, it added.

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Data from NASA's New Horizons mission are providing new insights into how planets and planetesimals -- the building blocks of the planets -- were formed.

The New Horizons spacecraft flew past the ancient Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth (2014 MU69) on Jan. 1, 2019, providing humankind's first close-up look at one of the icy remnants of solar system formation in the vast region beyond the orbit of Neptune. Using detailed data on the object's shape, geology, color and composition -- gathered during a record-setting flyby that occurred more than four billion miles from Earth -- researchers have apparently answered a longstanding question about planetesimal origins, and therefore made a major advance in understanding how the planets themselves formed.

The team reports those findings in a set of three papers in the journal Science, and at a media briefing Feb. 13 at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Seattle.

"Arrokoth is the most distant, most primitive and most pristine object ever explored by spacecraft, so we knew it would have a unique story to tell," said New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. "It's teaching us how planetesimals formed, and we believe the result marks a significant advance in understanding overall planetesimal and planet formation."

The first post-flyby images transmitted from New Horizons last year showed that Arrokoth had two connected lobes, a smooth surface and a uniform composition, indicating it was likely pristine and would provide decisive information on how bodies like it formed. These first results were published in Science last May.

"This is truly an exciting find for what is already a very successful and history-making mission" said Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division. "The continued discoveries of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft astound as it reshapes our knowledge and understanding of how planetary bodies form in solar systems across the universe."

Over the following months, working with more and higher-resolution data as well as sophisticated computer simulations, the mission team assembled a picture of how Arrokoth must have formed. Their analysis indicates that the lobes of this "contact binary" object were once separate bodies that formed close together and at low velocity, orbited each other, and then gently merged to create the 22-mile long object New Horizons observed.

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This indicates Arrokoth formed during the gravity-driven collapse of a cloud of solid particles in the primordial solar nebula, rather than by the competing theory of planetesimal formation called hierarchical accretion. Unlike the high-speed collisions between planetesimals in hierarchical accretion, in particle-cloud collapse, particles merge gently, slowly growing larger.

"Just as fossils tell us how species evolved on Earth, planetesimals tell us how planets formed in space," said William McKinnon, a New Horizons co-investigator from Washington University in St. Louis, and lead author of an Arrokoth formation paper in Science this week. "Arrokoth looks the way it does not because it formed through violent collisions, but in more of an intricate dance, in which its component objects slowly orbited each other before coming together."

Two other important pieces of evidence support this conclusion. The uniform color and composition of Arrokoth's surface shows the KBO formed from nearby material, as local cloud collapse models predict, rather than a mishmash of matter from more separated parts of the nebula, as hierarchical models might predict.

The flattened shapes of each of Arrokoth's lobes, as well as the remarkably close alignment of their poles and equators, also point to a more orderly merger from a collapse cloud. Further still, Arrokoth's smooth, lightly cratered surface indicates its face has remained well preserved since the end of the planet formation era.

"Arrokoth has the physical features of a body that came together slowly, with 'local' materials in the solar nebula," said Will Grundy, New Horizons composition theme team lead from Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the lead author of a second Science paper. "An object like Arrokoth wouldn't have formed, or look the way it does, in a more chaotic accretion environment."

The latest Arrokoth reports significantly expand on the May 2019 Science paper, led by Stern. The three new papers are based on 10 times as much data as the first report, and together provide a far more complete picture of Arrokoth's origin.

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"All of the evidence we've found points to particle-cloud collapse models, and all but rule out hierarchical accretion for the formation mode of Arrokoth, and by inference, other planetesimals," Stern said.

New Horizons continues to carry out new observations of additional Kuiper Belt objects it passes in the distance. New Horizons also continues to map the charged-particle radiation and dust environment in the Kuiper Belt. The new KBOs being observed now are too far away to reveal discoveries like those on Arrokoth, but the team can measure aspects such as each object's surface properties and shape. This summer the mission team will begin using large groundbased telescopes to search for new KBOs to study in this way, and even for another flyby target if fuel allows.

The New Horizons spacecraft is now 4.4 billion miles (7.1 billion kilometers) from Earth, operating normally and speeding deeper into the Kuiper Belt at nearly 31,300 miles (50,400 kilometers) per hour.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, designed, built and operates the New Horizons spacecraft, and manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The Marshall Space Flight Center Planetary Management Office provides the NASA oversight for the New Horizons. Southwest Research Institute, based in San Antonio, directs the mission via Principal Investigator Stern, and leads the science team, payload operations and encounter science planning. New Horizons is part of the New Frontiers Program managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) will release its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019 on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, before the market opens.

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 10:00 AM, Central Standard Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, chief executive officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, treasurer, and secretary.

For those wishing to participate by telephone, please dial 800-367-2403 (domestic). Use passcode 9015965. Starting approximately twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Wednesday, March 11, 2020 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 9015965. The replay will also be available on the company's website.

About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the final prospectus that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Contacts

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

Related Links

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In this Dec. 20, 2011 file photo, medical bills and other records are spread out on the kitchen table of a patient in Salem, Va. (AP Photo/Don Petersen, File) Read more

When Stacey Richters husband recently landed in a New Jersey emergency room, fearing a heart attack, she had an additional reason for alarm: a potential big bill from the hospital if the ER wasnt in his insurers network.

So she took an unusual step. Instead of simply signing the hospitals financial and treatment consent form, Richter first crossed out sections calling for her to pay whatever amount the hospital charged. She wrote in her own payment rate of a maximum of two times what the federal government would pay under Medicare, which is in the ballpark, experts said, of what hospitals might consider an acceptable rate.

And then I signed it, took a picture of it, and handed it back to them, said Richter, co-president of the consultancy Aventria Health Group.

Advocates say such consent-form alterations could provide some protection from surprise bills, though there are several major caveats to this largely untested idea.

These bills  often called balance bills  happen when out-of-network providers charge more than insurers pay and patients are responsible for paying the balance. Lawmakers say they are considering ways to help, but legislation stalled in Congress late last year. And though some states have balance-bill laws in place, they dont apply to many patients with job-based insurance.

Richter and other proponents say patients should look to state contract law for protection.

What few patients realize is that admission and financial forms serve as contracts detailing that the hospital will provide certain services and patients will pay for them. Those forms often specify that patients are responsible for total charges.

And therein lies the problem for those who find themselves at an out-of-network facility or are seen by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital.

In those cases, providers often bill full charges, which are amounts set by the providers themselves and can be several times higher than what insurers or Medicare generally pay. Privately insured patients  generally, not Medicare patients  can be held responsible for the balance.

But, by writing in their own limits, patients might have leverage in negotiations or even in courts if out-of-network payment disputes arise, or at least proof they didnt agree to pay the total charges, say advocates and some legal scholars.

Patients who try this could still get hit with a large balance bill. But the difference is you can say, I offered this, but they refused it,  rather than signing the original agreement to pay all charges, said proponent Al Lewis, CEO of Quizzify, an employee health-care education company.

He came up with the twice-Medicare benchmark, even putting suggested wording for patients to print and carry with them on downloadable wallet cards, because he says its an amount thats defensible.

If a hospital later turns down two times Medicare and it goes to court, their lawyer is going to say, We could lose this thing,  Lewis said.

Such efforts are best applied only in emergencies  where federal law requires hospitals to stabilize patients and not toss them into the parking lot  no matter their ability to pay. However, patients who refuse to sign documents or try to alter them in nonemergencies  say, at a doctors visit or for elective surgery  could be refused service.

Even in emergencies, there is no guarantee the hospital will later agree to limits proposed by patients on what it can charge for out-of-network care.

Its a hard argument to make if the patient changes it unilaterally, said Ericka Adler, a partner at the law firm Roetzel & Andress in Chicago, who represents physician group practices, including those who work out-of-network in hospitals. It wont be a valid contract unless both parties sign it.

She has not had this happen with her hospital-based clients. But with office-based physicians in nonemergency cases, some patients have tried writing caveats onto their forms.

We have never had trouble enforcing the terms of our original policy, she said.

Still, some legal scholars question the premise that hospitals financial consent forms are themselves valid contracts. Thats because contract law requires mutual assent, something law professor Barak Richman said patients cant really give because they are seldom told the true price of care upfront, before signing.

Theres something deeply exploitive about the process, said Richman, who studies contract law and teaches at Duke University Law School.

Still, he noted that judges often are far too deferential to these contracts when disputed balance bills end up in court, especially the vague wording that patients promise to pay all charges.

If patients alter the wording with their own terms  so long as they agree to pay what is considered a reasonable amount  then judges may also look to that added language, said Richman.

This is not crazy by any means, Richman said. To the degree that courts rely on specific language of the admission contract, then this should be a successful strategy.

But it isnt easy to speak up, particularly in emergencies, which are already fraught.

I believe it would be legally effective, said Mark Hall, a professor of law and public health at Wake Forest University. However, it requires patients to be much more astute and well-prepared than is typical in most surprise billing situations.

Richter said she had to endure some toe-tapping by an impatient administrator when she insisted on a paper copy of the consent form, rather than signing on the computer pad offered.

As it turned out, there was no additional bill for her husband, who gets his insurance through his job. The couple dont know whether thats because everyone who saw him was in-network, or whether it was her proactive stance on the forms.

I am one who will not be peer-pressured, Richter said.

Kaiser Health News is a national health-policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
EVERGREEN, Colo., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new analysis shows that Chinas airports are facing a 30% drop in passengers in 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic.



The data from Boyd Group International indicate that Chinas airports will handle 945 million arrivals and departures, down from almost 1.4 billion in 2019, a reduction of over 413 million.

International traffic is forecast to decline by over 22 million, while domestic travel within China will plummet by over 391 million. Beijings two airports will see over 8 million fewer international arrival and departing passengers, while Shanghai Pudong will experience a seven million drop.

Even before this epidemic, annual growth rates had already been expected to shrink to 8% or less, but now traffic will be in a free fall at least through 2020  assuming control of the contagion, noted Michael Boyd, president. This is not a short-term hit to air transportation in China. For example, foreign visitation will be nearly non-existent for at least the next 12 months.

Chinese airline industry is in deep difficulty. Existing fleet capacity is way in excess of expected 2020 demand, Boyd noted. Consolidation is in the cards, possibly some shutdowns.

Incredibly, the Chinese government does not seem to be connected with this reality. It is now issuing directives for factories, transportation centers and airports to reopen. One Chinese airline has outlined how safe it is to fly, as long as passengers dont sit close together, and they dont use the lavatory. When the contagion is still spreading and people across the nation are being forced to stay in their homes, missives such as these are of concern, Boyd added.

This epidemic should not be compared to SARS 2003. Back then, total China airport traffic was less than 20% of that today, and the rapid spread of coronavirus across all parts of China is a fundamentally different situation. Traffic will not bounce back quickly.

More details on this analysis and other China-specific data are at www.BoydGroupChina.com .

Boyd Group International is a multi-dimensional aviation research firm, working with airlines, airports and aviation entities across the globe. Its Airports:China system monitors emerging traffic, fleet and market dynamics at 200 airports in that nation.
"We are excited to call Commerce City the new home of our DCPS headquarters," said Matt Harmon, Co-owner of DCPS. "It is an exciting time for our company and team. We look forward to continuing to serve our Commercial Property clientele across Colorado as we move forward into this next chapter."

The new headquarters is located at 6245 Clermont Street, Commerce, City, CO 80022 just a few miles from the previous location. The 3-acre site has a 15,000 sq. ft. building which will be used for administration, storage, and production. With its South office located in the Denver Tech Center, DCPS is positioned to continue to support their client base across Colorado in an even more efficient manner.

About Denver Commercial Property Services

Denver Commercial Property Services (DCPS) provides commercial property services to 700+ clients across Colorado. DCPS leverages unparalleled customer service to be the dominant, one-stop provider of commercial property services in Colorado.

Learn More

Media Contact

Natalie Clark, Marketing Director

[email protected]

SOURCE DCPS
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Businessman Joel Langlois has suspended his campaign for Michigans 3rd Congressional District seat.

Langlois, 59, announced his decision on Facebook Thursday afternoon. He said he was suspending his campaign for personal reasons but did not elaborate.

He could not be reached for further comment.

I made a commitment to my family that I would run a truthful and honest campaign that focused on positive messages about myself, Langlois wrote. I also committed to them that I would not use the tactics of todays politics by smearing my opponents with lies and out-of-context sound bites. I am confident stating that I have lived up to that commitment.

Langlois, who owns the DeltaPlex Arena and Conference Center in Walker, tied his candidacy to his support of President Donald Trump. His campaign slogan was Make Congress Great Again, and in press materials billed himself as the only candidate in the congressional race who worked to elect Trump in 2016.

Trump held at least two rallies at the DeltaPlex during the 2016 campaign.

Six other candidates say they are running in the August 2020 Republican primary election for the 3rd Congressional District.

They include Peter Meijer, an Army veteran and grandson of the late retailer Fred Meijer; Tom Norton, Afghanistan War veteran and former Sand Lake Village president; state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township; Andrew Jackson Willis, pastor for Maplelawn Baptist Church in Wyoming, Mich.; Joe Farrington, a business owner and trustee for the village Lyons in Ionia County; and Battle Creek attorney Emily Rafi.

The two candidates who have raised the most funding are Meijer and Afendoulis.

Langlois fundraising lagged both candidates. He brought in just $12,412 in donations during the final three months of 2019, the latest federal campaign finance reports show.

By contrast, Meijer received $238,323 and Afendoulis raised $101,901.

The 3rd District includes most of Kent County, a portion of Montcalm County, as well as Ionia, Barry and Calhoun counties. Its currently represented by U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, of Cascade Township. A frequent critic of Trump, Amash was elected in 2010 as a Republican but left the party last summer and is running for reelection as an independent.

Read more:

Berrien County leaders join movement supporting Second Amendment rights

$4.5 million for Parkinsons research pledged by Van Andel Institute, The Cure

Sleeping Bear Dunes is home to 2 kinds of flying squirrels
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on a 10-day trip to the United States is projecting the state as the ideal and trusted destination in India as he invited the business houses to explore the liberalised investment opportunities.

Accompanied by his official delegation, Baghel met select investors including Indians in San Francisco apprising them of the states strong focus on technology-based enterprises with the investment in non-core sector remaining as the high priority.

Baghel, who completed one year as chief minister in December 2019, urged the investors to take advantage of investment-friendly policies and conducive business environment in Chhattisgarh, which he cited as one of the fastest-growing states in the country.

Various business enterprises, particularly those having roots in Chhattisgarh and Central India, have expressed their willingness to invest in the state.

The CM is also scheduled to address Business and Investment round-table at the Consulate on February 18 where he would be inviting the investors to explore the states potential as he underlines the states superior track record on 'ease of doing business'.

The chief minister will also highlight the abundance of natural resources, power, low cost of doing business, skilled workforce as strength of the state. The recently unveiled new industrial policy 2019-24 will be shared with the investors. The policy talks of sustainable development and investments in the field of robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering and aircraft repair, besides the various processing lines of business in diversified areas.

In line with the states flagship programme  Narwa-Garwa-Guruwa-Badi that lays emphasis on the revival of the rural economy, the chief minister stressed on promoting industrial growth with economic activities in backward regions where special incentives would be offered by the government.

Baghel has been invited to attend the special discussion in India Conference at Harvard on February 15, where he will be sharing his thoughts on Caste and Politics in Democratic India. He will be interacting with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee at MIT and later also visit United Nations General Assembly for an interactive session over the working of the UN at the Permanent Mission of India with Ambassador, deputy Ambassador and Diplomats.
Angela Merkel may be forced to stand down early. Photo: Reuters

Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) signalled yesterday it could quit its coalition with Angela Merkel's conservatives if she is forced out as chancellor - piling pressure on its partner to avoid a snap election as it picks a new leader.

After Ms Merkel's protegee, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, gave up her ambitions for the top job on Monday, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is embarking on choosing a new leader and chancellor candidate for the next federal election, due by October 2021.

The possibility of having a rival as party leader while she remains chancellor may be unworkable and force Ms Merkel - who will not seek re-election after leading Europe's biggest economy for around 15 years - to stand down early.

This could trigger an early election, not least because the SPD has made clear its coalition deal is only with Ms Merkel.

SPD general secretary Lars Klingbeil said the party entered the coalition with Merkel "and we will leave the coalition with her, as planned, at the next regular federal election".

"I am aware of no other election date," he added.

The fragile coalition has already come close to collapse several times and the selection last year of two leftists as possible new SPD leaders has left the alliance even more shaky.

Many want to avoid the upheaval of an election during Germany's tenure of the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of this year.

Mr Klingbeil said he expected the conservatives were aware of their responsibilities and was "not running away from the EU presidency".

The SPD may find it impossible to work with at least two of the potential conservative candidates, Friedrich Merz and Jens Spahn, who are further to the right of the CDU than Mr Merkel.

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer threw the CDU, and Ms Merkel's plan for a smooth transition of power, into turmoil with her announcement this week, after months of mounting doubts about her suitability.

She said that Europe needs a "capable and stable Germany".

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer said Ms Merkel and her government were pushing on with preparations for Germany's EU presidency.

"We will start the personnel selection process next week. I have invited those whose names are currently circulating for one-on-one interviews," Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer said.

"At the moment, there are three names circulating in public.

"Whether more come forward, and what gender they are, we will see."

She added that how quickly a successor can be found depends partly on the outcome of her talks next week.
When Tim Littler says he wants to send you to Siberia, you better sit up and take note. And thank your lucky stars. For the journey he has in mind involves opulence and old-style civility, fine dining and divine scenery, historical resonance and relevance, all enjoyed at a pace that allows contemplation and comprehension. It also involves travelling in the supreme comfort of the Golden Eagle, the most luxurious train in Russia, plying what is widely celebrated as the greatest long-distance rail journey in the world: the Trans-Siberian.

The Telegraph reports in its article The making of Russia's most luxurious train that Tsar Nicholas II  in whose reign the railroad from Moscow to Vladivostok was completed  would undoubtedly have approved of the train that Littler built. His distant relative (and spitting image) Prince Michael of Kent certainly looked at home as he officiated at the launch of the gleaming Golden Eagle at Moscows Belorussky station in April 2007 and even had a go behind the controls himself.

But we are getting ahead of the story: the remarkable journey of the company that began life as GW Travel in 1989 and which late last year  by then known as Golden Eagle Luxury Trains  marked its 30th anniversary.

For an operator that now offers top-of-the-range rail experiences in Russia, India, Tibet and along the ancient route of the Silk Road, the beginning was extraordinarily modest  an excursion involving travelling in a passenger carriage tacked on to the end of a freight train transporting sand to a coal mine in the southern Polish province of Silesia. Littler had started selling places on other peoples rail holidays  in this case a tour of Poland by train  and recognised a captive market, and an opportunity.

They were all rail enthusiasts on the holiday and loved the authenticity of the experience, says Littler. But, yes, it was a bit more niche than what we do now. Littler himself is the ultimate train enthusiast. As a boy growing up in Altrincham in the Fifties, he caught the tail end of the steam era in Britain and his imagination was fired. At school he became active in the railway society and was barely out of short trousers when he began organising outings to local locomotive works. In 1966, aged just 16, he went considerably further, travelling to London to persuade the authorities to allow him to run a charter trip from Kings Cross to Newcastle pulled for the first time in years by the Flying Scotsman. Schoolboy Tim breaks the steam ban, cheered the newspaper headlines.

He smiles at the recollection. I took a day off school to do that trip, he says. And my father wrote to the railway companies and said he would not be responsible for any debts.

As a young man, dreams of running rail holidays were put on hold as Littler focused on the family wine business. Presaging what was to come, he concentrated on the top end of the market, making headlines again in 1988 when he secured a price of 125,000  a world record at the time  for a 1787 bottle of Chateau Margaux believed to have belonged to Thomas Jefferson.

He did not abandon the dream, though, and considered combining his passion for trains and wine by organising rail tours to the Champagne region.

But it was that trip to the coal mine in Silesia that marked the formal launch of his ambition to build a brand of rail tours that was unique.

More was to follow, particularly in the territories of the East where facilities for steam trains were still in place. Rather than Champagne country, the first fully fledged GW Travel tour in 1992 was to the Caucasus  the most scenically beautiful part of Russia  and it was aimed very much at the enthusiast. When things started hotting up in Chechnya, he looked further afield  to the Crimea and ultimately to the mother of all rail journeys, the Trans-Siberian. He forged strong links with Russian Rail ministry officials, persuading them to lay on some 70 steam locomotives across the breadth of the country for his first Trans-Siberian tours in 1996. Seeking to take the tours more upmarket, he then secured permission to create and run the Golden Eagle, the most luxurious train in Russia that was to become the flagship for the company.

When you want something doing in Russia, the standard answer is no, he says. Arguing logically gets you nowhere. Finding out that the man you are talking to has a son who desperately wants to see Manchester Utd at Old Trafford opens the door. Once youve done that for them, they will do anything for you.

Further expansion included tours in China and Tibet, India and Iran. The purchase in 2015 of another luxury train, the Danube Express, opened up Transylvania and the splendours of central Europe. As the company celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, it had become a byword for rail travel in parts of the world where travellers wanted to venture, but in the comfort of a supremely luxurious train. and they were prepared to pay handsomely (Golden Eagle trips start at 9,995). People want to see these places  but to have a cocoon they can retreat to, says Littler.

The urge to explore unconventional routes has never gone. With Turkey and Iran currently tricky, Littler is taking a fresh look at some of the areas that first inspired him: Russia and Azerbaijan; Georgia and Armenia. He waxes lyrical about tours along the old Silk Route, to the Arctic Circle and, with the Madras Mail and Darjeeling Mail, more recent forays into India.

Now 69, Littler shows little sign of wanting to slow down. I like fixing things in places where there are additional challenges, he says. Besides, while most people retire to do their hobby, this is my hobby!
President Donald Trump used vivid language to describe House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying she had hatred and venom 'coming out of her ears' when she chastised him during impeachment.

Trump  who drew outrage when he said former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly had blood 'coming out of her wherever' during a 2015 presidential debate  described the California lawmaker as filled with 'hatred' during impeachment, and accused her of 'mumbling' during his State of the Union.

Geraldo Rivera asked Trump about Pelosi's comment, and the president quickly agreed with the idea that it was made 'sadistically.'

President Donald Trump went after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a podcast interview with Geraldo Rivera released Thursday

'No, she is a person that started on impeachment and lost. So she goes down as a loser, which she is,' Trump began. 'It was said sadistically. If you watch the way she says that with the hatred and the venom coming out of her ears, you just take a look at that the hatred that was pouring her when she said that,' Trump said.

'My wife was sitting here and watched it and she said Oh my, that was horrible.'

It was a rare telling by the president of something his wife told him on such a public matter.

Pelosi, who first resisted and then helped orchestrate Trump's impeachment, told ABC's 'This Week' in January: 'This president is impeached for life regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell,' the Senate Majority Leader who set up the rules.

'If you watch the way she says that with the hatred and the venom coming out of her ears, you just take a look at that the hatred that was pouring her when she said that,' Trump said of Speaker Pelosi

Trump made the comments in an interview with Geraldo Rivera

Trump says First Lady Melania Trump told him: 'Oh my, that was horrible' after hearing what Pelosi said

Trump drew outrage in 2015 when he said of then-Fox host Megyn Kelly(c) had blood was 'coming out of her wherever'

'There is nothing the Senate can do to ever erase that,' she said. Trump was acquitted of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress during his trial.

Trump blasted Megyn Kelly in 2015 during a Fox News presidential debate after she asked him a series of tough questions about his alleged treatment of women.

Rivera asked how the first lady handled the situation. 'It was hard,' Trump said, before quickly shifting to going after his opponents.

He went on about not just Pelosi's words but the way she delivered them in his extended conversation with Rivera.

'The way she said it was so bad. It wasnt just the words. It was the craziness. And then to have her sitting behind me at the State of the Union mumbling all night long,' Trump said.

He claimed she was 'talking to me but under her breath.' Vice President Mike Pence made a similar claim in an interview Wednesday.

'For my family it was a very tough thing,' Trump said of impeachment. 'It just made my job so much busier,' he said.

Trump once again teed off on Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was escorted off the White House premise last week as part of a post-impeachment purge.

Rivera asked the president why so many people are allowed to listen to his calls  a reference to the phalanx of note-takers who are on the line when the president calls a foreign leader.

'Thats what theyve done over the years. When you call a foreign leader, people listen. I may end the practice entirely,' Trump said. 'I may end it entirely. Sometimes you have 25 people."

'When we took him out of the building, the building applauded,' Trump said of Vindman. Rivera told him he had not heard that.

Trump also defended his intervention in the Roger Stone case, after four prosecutors withdrew from it when the Justice Department did a turnaround after seeking a prison sentence of up to nine years.

'These were Mueller people,' Trump said. 'It probably should be expunged,' he said, without clarification. 'The dossier now is totally fake.'

Trump pushed back when Rivera asked if it was strange to send personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, where he pushed for a probe of the Bidens.

'Rudy is totally on his game,' Trump said.
By Tracy Rucinski

CHICAGO (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc <AAL.O> said on Thursday it would launch its first direct U.S. flight to Bangalore from Seattle, a new route meant to meet corporate customers' demand for travel to the center of India's high-tech industry.

As part of the launch targeted for October, American is expanding its codeshare with Seattle-based Alaska Airlines <ALK.N>, which is expected to help feed passengers on American's international routes out of the city.

Alaska Airlines is one of the biggest operators of flights along the West Coast, where businesses from Seattle to San Diego have bases of operation in Bangalore, and American is one of the largest U.S. long-haul carriers.

"Bangalore is one of our highest demand destinations for our corporate accounts, really all over the country," Vasu Raja, American's senior vice president of network strategy, told Reuters.

The partnership with Alaska will provide connections through Seattle to Bangalore from 100 U.S. cities, he said, citing demand from markets as vast as Boston, Raleigh, Austin, Chicago and the West Coast.

The new Bangalore route, which American plans to service with a Boeing 787-9, will be the carrier's only U.S. flight to India since it stopped flying to Delhi in 2012.

There is more demand for business class seats to India than the last time American flew there - partially due to improved premium cabins with lay flat seats - making flights more viable, Raja said.

American continues to see strong bookings across the world despite a recent drop in demand to China following the coronavirus outbreak, he said, adding that by building up networks and partnerships, airlines can be more nimble in terms of adjusting to any fall-offs in demand.

By teaming up with Alaska Airlines, American can also explore new markets in South East Asia and the South Pacific from Seattle that were previously beyond the carrier's range, Raja said.

Story continues

The two airlines will expand their codeshare to include international routes from Los Angeles and Seattle, and Alaska Airlines intends to join the oneworld alliance by summer 2021, the two companies said.

Current oneworld members include American and British Airways, which is part of the International Airlines Group <ICAG.L>.

American said it also plans to add a direct route between Seattle and London in March next year.

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski, Editing by Leslie Adler and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
Lovebirds in the Bihar capital may give the ubiquitous rose a slip this Valentine's Day, thanks to a drive launched by the state government.

"Pyaar ka paudha" (a plant of love) is the name of the initiative launched by department of and forest, which seeks to encourage young men and women to exchange saplings which live longer than the exquisite, fragrant flowers that wilt too soon.

"Plantation of trees and saplings is being promoted on war footing as part of the Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign. Valentine's Day struck to us as an occasion when the effort could be given a boost," the department's Principal Secretary Dipak Kumar Singh said.

He said as part of the "pyaar ka paudha" initiative, stalls have been set up at select locations in the city, known to be frequented by young couples intending to celebrate Cupid, where saplings would be available at affordable rates.

"Care has been taken to ensure that the saplings are of varieties which can grow in flower vases, kept in places where sunlight may not be in abundance. Most dwelling places in the urban sprawl are marked by such conditions", he said.

Yet another thing being factored in, while deciding the plants, is that these should be emitting sufficient oxygen, Singh said, adding that this is vital in view of Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign's wider concern being combating climate change.

Conceptualised after a meeting of both houses of the state legislature convened by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last year, Jal Jeevan Hariyali is an initiative that seeks to combat climate change through conservation of and has earned plaudits from several corners.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who met Kumar here in November last year, had also raved about the impoverished state's ambitious drive.

February 14 is celebrated as Valentine's Day across the world. On the day, people express their love and affection with greetings and gifts.

Singh, however, made it clear that "pyaar kaa paudha" was there to stay even after the festival of love was over.

"Of course, these stalls will be very much there after February 14 as our message - gift your loved ones a sapling instead of a flower - will resonate with the people even after the buzz surrounding Valentine's Day is over.

"We have sought to convey the message that a sapling bears flowers and fruits and has the potential to grow into a big tree if conditions allow. And this is the way we wish our relationships to be," he said.

This is a pilot project that the government has launched in Patna.

"If we are satisfied with the results, we would like to replicate the experiment across the state," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Infosys founder Narayan Murthys son-in-law Rishi Sunak has been appointed the UKs new Chancellor of the Exchequer (equivalent to finance minister in India) by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He is among the three Indian-origin ministers in Johnsons team.

The other two - Priti Patel and Alok Sharma - were inducted into the British Cabinet in July last year, along with Sunak.

The sudden reshuffle on Thursday came as Pakistan-origin Sajid Javid resigned as Chancellor of Exchequer, and Johnson reshaped the team in hopes of delivering his vision for Britain beyond Brexit.

Johnson chose Britains most diverse Cabinet shortly after being appointed by the Queen as Britains new prime minister in July last year.

Sharma (51), who was the international development secretary, has been promoted to Business Secretary. In his previous role, he was responsible for an overseas British aid in a department committed to spending 0.7 per cent of the UKs national income as international aid each year. Britain has long stopped traditional aid to India, but funds some programmes in selected states. In his new role, Sharma will oversee the next stage of global climate change talks, known as COP 26, in Glasgow this year.

Agra-born Sharma, who is MP for Reading West since 2010, was the employment minister in the Theresa May government. He was one of the foremost supporters of Johnson in the recent Conservative leadership election.

Hampshire-born Sunak, 39, has been MP for Richmond, Yorkshire, since 2015. He was a junior minister in the department of local government, and the chief secretary to the Treasury. He is married to Narayana Murthys daughter Akshata, and is an MBA graduate and investment expert.

Forty-seven-year-old Home Secretary Patel has, meanwhile, vowed to fight the scourge of crime and is in the hot seat to fulfill some of her past promises of a fairer post-Brexit visa regime for everyone around the world, free of the freedom of movement norms imposed by the European Union (EU).

Patel was nominated as the Indian Diaspora Champion by Britains former prime minister David Cameron and played a frontline role in interactions between the government and the 1.5 million-strong Indian community in the UK, visiting Gujarat and India several times in recent years.

Along with these three, 15 Indian-origin MPs are among 65 non-whites elected to the new 650-member House of Commons in December elections, reflecting 10 per cent of its strength and making it ethnically the most diverse house in British political history.

The election of 15 MPs of Indian extraction is a new record for the 1.5 million-strong community: They include eight from Labour and seven from the Conservative party. There were 12 such MPs in the last House.
Photo: Angus Reid

A new study from Vancouver based Angus Reid shows a divided Canada when it comes to pipeline protests, specifically the $6.6 billion natural gas Coastal Gaslink pipeline.

The study points to disruptions, blockades and protests in cities across the country which may have amplified the message of Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs opposed to the pipeline. Across Canada, railway access has been blocked and streets shut down affecting thousands of travellers and threatening to stop shipments of goods.

More protests are anticipated Thursday and Friday in Vancouver as commuters are bracing for more disruptions as protesters supporting Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs promise further actions.

Two-in-five Canadians, 39 per cent say they support the Wetsuweten solidarity protesters. The study indicates these tend to be younger women, as well as those on the lower side of the income scale and those on the left of the political spectrum. Supporters of the protesters are also most likely to come from British Columbia and Quebec.

The study also indicates a slight majority, 51 per cent, say that they support the Coastal Gaslink project itself, which includes majority support in every region of the country outside of Quebec. In each case, whether its the protesters or the pipeline, Canadians are divided into two sizeable groups on each side of the issue.

Here in the Okanagan, those numbers are even higher. Castanet's unofficial poll shows more than 84 per cent are opposed to the current blockades while just over 11 per cent are in favour as of Thursday afternoon.

LNG Canada, the company that owns the pipeline, has agreements in place with all of the elected First Nation band councils, including Wetsuweten councils, along the pipeline route. Eight Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs, however, have not consented to the use of their territory.

The study concludes by indicating Canadians are largely supportive of more discussions between the company and the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs.
ROYAL OAK, Mich., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bonal International, Inc., (OTC: BONL) announced revenue results of $419,834 for the third quarter which ended December 31, 2019. This was a 23.0 percent increase from last years third quarter. Net income for the third quarter was a $5,965, up from last years third quarters net income of a loss of $4,879. Earnings per share for the third quarters for both years were $0.00.



In the quarter, we saw increased sales from both current customers and foreign companies, said Thomas E. Hebel, chairman. Current customers ordering additional Meta-Lax equipment was strong and accounted for 54 percent of our sales by volume. Tigercat, one of the leading forestry equipment manufacturers, was one of these customers. We also sold Meta-Lax equipment to companies in four foreign countries including Ecuador and Peru. International sales during the quarter accounted for 45 percent of our sales by volume, up 20 percent from the historical average.

Year-to-date revenue was $1,215,995, up 1.5 percent from last fiscal years first nine-month period. Net income for the nine months was a $29,452, up from last years $19,548 net income over the same period.

Third Quarter Ended December 31, 2019 2018 Revenue $419,834 $341,345 Net Income $5,965 ($4,879 ) Earnings Per Share $0.00 $0.00





Nine Months Ended December 31, 2019 2018 Revenue $1,215,995 $1,198,032 Net Income $29,452 $19,548 Earnings Per Share $0.02 $0.01

Bonal International, Inc. through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bonal Technologies, Inc. is the patent holder and worlds leading provider of sub-harmonic vibratory stress relief and weld conditioning technology. Bonal provides three lines of equipment - Meta-Lax Stress Relief and Weld Conditioning, Pulse Puddle Arc Welding, and Black Magic Distortion Control, which are sold in the United States and in more than 64 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Royal Oak, Mich., Bonal serves the aerospace, armament, automotive, petroleum, die-casting, mining, racing, machine tool building, plastic molding, shipbuilding, and welding industries. Bonals Meta-Lax technology is used to eliminate thermal stress in metal parts, thereby preventing warping and cracking, at a fraction of the energy and monetary costs of competing technologies. For more information visit www.Bonal.com or call 1-800-META-LAX.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the recently announced high-grade copper-silver "Outcrop Zone" now extends over 3.5-km long. It is located approximately 2-km south of the 1.4-km "AM Horizon" discovery (see news release dated January 21, 2020), within the Company's 100% owned CESAR copper-silver project, located 420 km north of Bogota, Colombia (Refer to Figures 1 and 2).

Highlight "Outcrop Zone" rock chip panel values (See Table 1):

2.0% copper and 49 g/t silver over 3m x 2m; 2.4% copper and 11 g/t silver over 3m x 3m;

1.9% copper and 20 g/t silver over 3m x 3m; 1.8% copper and 5 g/t silver 3m x 2m;

4.3% copper and 26 g/t silver over 3m x 3m; 1.7% copper and 20 g/t silver 3m x 2m;

1.8% copper and 12 g/t silver over 3m x 3m; 1.5% copper and 9 g/t silver 3m x 2m.

The Company considers rock chip sampling to be representative across their reported widths. The 3.5-km long "Outcrop Zone", coupled with the "AM Horizon", comprise a 4.9-km strike that is open in all directions, indicating further size potential. The remaining "Outcrop Zone "assays are expected very soon.

Additionally, composite grab sampling has returned a preliminary 25-metre thick interval grading 0.7% copper and 4 g/t silver and 25-metre thick interval grading 0.6% copper and 7 g/t silver. These thicker intersections include a significant portion of the hanging wall and footwall of the copper silver horizon. Continuous rock chip sampling of the horizon is expected soon. The Company cautions investors that grab samples are selected samples and are not necessarily representative of mineralization hosted on the property (Refer to Figure 1).

"We are very excited to see such thick interval of copper-silver values. There were few visible signs of copper in the two 25-metre horizons, suggesting further size potential, "said Brett Matich, CEO of Max. "Following completion of the exploration program in the 'Outcrop Zone' area, the team is investigating a new target zone, 35-km north on trend. Our objective is to demonstrate the regional scale of the CESAR stratabound mineralization," Matich continued.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/52394_b189906534e49aad_001full.jpg

Table 1. "Outcrop Zone" rock chip values from the Phase I exploration program.

Copper Grade Silver Grade Width Number 2.6% 20g/t 0.8m OC-4-5-6 2.0% 49g/t 3m x 2m OC-4-5-6 1.9% 20g/t 3m x 3m OC-4-5-6 1.7% 20g/t 3m x 3m OC-4-5-6 4.4% 33 g/t 0.6m OC-9A 2.4 % 11 g/t 3m x 3m panel OC-9 1.8 % 5 g/t 3m x 2m panel OC-11 1.4 % 4 g/t 3mxy 2m panel OC-10 1.4% 10 g/t 0.7m OC-11B 1.2 % 4 g/t 3m x 2m panel OC-11A 1.2 % 2 g/t 3m x 2m panel OC-10A 1.1% 3 g/t 1m OC-11C 0.9% 1 g/t 3m x 2m panel OC-10B 0.5% 1 g/t 3m x 2m panel OC-10C 4.3 % 26 g/t 3m x 3m panel OC-1A 2.1 % 9 g/t 6m OC-1-B 1.8 % 12 g/t 3m x 3m panel OC-1-C 1.5 % 9 g/t 3m x 3m panel OC-1D 1.2 % 8 g/t 0.5m OC-1E 1.0 % 8 g/t 1.0 OC-1F

The 100% owned CESAR Project is located in north east Colombia within Jurassic sediments and volcaniclastics that run through the length of northern South America, which hosts significant stratabound copper-silver mineralization in Ecuador and Peru. CESAR is in a region with significant infrastructure, major oil-gas and coal operations, shipping ports, railway, townships and roadways.

Choco PGE Project

Choco PGE Project consists of wholly owned mineral applications (200 sq. km), located approximately 120 km SW of Medellin Colombia and cover or are nearby to historic production of 1.5 million ounces of gold and 1.0 million ounces of platinum by Choco Pacific Mining (1906 to 1990). Source; R.J. Fletcher and Associates (2011) Review of Gold and Platinum Exploration and Production in Choco Province Colombia Part 3. Private Report for Condoto.

Max reported concentrates from sample 001 grading 341 g/t gold and 111 g/t platinum and sample 002 grading 222 g/t gold and 114 g/t platinum (refer news release April 16, 2019).

Max is currently in discussions with interested parties that are investigating the platinum and palladium potential of the Choco PGE Project.

North Choco Gold-Copper Project

North Choco consists of wholly owned mineral applications (150 sq. km), located approximately 80 km SW of Medellin, Colombia. The NW Gold-Copper Discovery (refer to 29 October 2019 news release) outcrop reported 1 meter of 49.8 g/t gold and 4.3% copper, which continues under cover in both directions. Future work would focus on mapping and sampling along strike to extend the zone and on locating additional parallel zones.

Quality Assurance

The rock chip samples were shipped to ALS Lab's sample preparation facility in Medellin, Columbia. Sample pulps are sent to Lima, Peru for analysis. All samples were analyzed using ALS procedure ME-MS41, a four-acid digestion with ICP finished. Over limit copper and silver were determined by ALS procedure OG-62, a four-acid digestion with an AAS finish. ALS Labs is independent from Max.

Max is not aware of any other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.

About Max Resource Corp.

Max is a mineral exploration company with an experienced and successful management team focused on advancing the development of its copper, silver and precious metals landholdings in the rich mineral belts of Colombia, with significant potential for the discovery of important-scale mineral deposits that can attract major partners.

Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, is the Qualified Person who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release on behalf of the Company.

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/

For additional information contact:

Max Resource Corp.

Tim McNulty

E: info@maxresource.com

T: (604) 290-8100

Neither 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.

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52394
At last weeks State of the State address, Gov. Ned Lamont pleaded with a legislature controlled by his own party to stop bad mouthing Connecticut. Optimism is contagious, he proclaimed, and Connecticut has its mojo back.

Connecticut is a wonderful state. Its 169 unique towns and cities provide a diversity unmatched in the country. From the hedge funds in Greenwich, to the submarine base in Groton, to the farms of Litchfield County it has competitive advantages other states can only dream about. Yale, Wesleyan, the University of Connecticut and others have produced one of the best educated work forces in the world. From Eli Whitney to Igor Sikorsky, Nutmeggers have an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit.

But one of the largest national economic booms in history has failed to materialize in Connecticut. It is the only state in the nation to not recover jobs lost in the recession. Major corporations such as General Electric, UTC and Xerox continue to flee to avoid oppressively high taxes, mandated minimum wage hikes and a new payroll tax disguised as paid family medical leave  making it even more costly to do business in Connecticut.

And the exodus of long-time state residents to the welcoming arms of lower taxed states such as North Carolina and Florida continues. Weary residents are not badmouthing Connecticut, they are understandably upset with the tax-and-spend policies of Democrats who have controlled the state legislature for decades. People are not leaving their friends and family behind because they no longer love our state, but because they simply cant afford to live here anymore.

Fortunately, those who remain are starting to do something about it. Since Gov. Lamont took office a year ago, there has been a revival in grassroots activism not seen since more than 100,000 people marched on the States Capitol to oppose Gov. Lowell Weickers introduction of a state income tax in 1991.

When Gov. Lamont proposed a forced regionalization of Connecticuts 169 towns, a group named Hands off our Schools emerged to nip it in the bud. When he diverted $170 million dedicated to fixing the states deteriorating roads and bridges, and then demanded it be replaced with tolls, Notollsct.org rose up. They gathered more than 100,000 signatures, staged dozens of peaceful rallies and reminded state legislators that if they voted for tolls, they would lose at the polls in this Novembers elections. The group continues to fight the fight with yet another attempt by Democrats to pass tolls expected as early as next week.

Even a liberal leaning state press corps has come to life. The New London Day has begged the governor to hold someone at Connecticuts Port Authority accountable for abuses ranging from three thousand-dollar dinners with expensive liquor to blatant nepotism  all funded by taxpayers. The Connecticut Mirror called out Gov. Lamont for shifting billions of dollars of pension debt, plus a healthy interest charge, onto the next generation of taxpayers.

Yes, optimism is contagious. One need not look any further than the national economy for evidence of this. With the stock market at all-time highs and unemployment at all-time lows, 63 percent of Americans approve of President Donald Trumps handling of the economy. In a recent survey by Morning Consult every one of the nations 10 most popular governors were Republicans who advocate smaller government, less spending and lower taxes. Gov. Lamont languishes at number 47.

For Connecticut, the elephant in the room is a state employee pension plan that is underfunded by more than $100 billion  averaging $75,000 per household. Fully one-third of the states budget goes toward debt and interest on an obligation that will be simply impossible to meet unless it is restructured. But leaders must be willing to admit to the problem, before they can hope to lead others to a solution.

In his first year in office, Gov. Lamont avoided dealing with the monstrous debt he inherited by distracting residents with tolls, a new tax on rotisserie chicken and a 10-cent charge on plastic bags. And the top of this years agenda for Democrats? Legalizing marijuana and expanding bottle deposits from five to 10 cents. Even the cost of dying in Connecticut is going up with a $25 increase in cremation filing fees. Meanwhile the state is sitting on $100 billion time bomb, not mentioned in last weeks State of the State address or anywhere else.

Gov. Lamont is right, no one should badmouth Connecticut. It is a terrific state with a wonderful legacy and hard-working, genuine people. It has competitive advantages like nowhere else in the world that can be leveraged for a great future. And the optimism spurred by grassroots efforts is spreading throughout the state. We can only hope that Democratic legislators start to listen.

Madison resident Bob Stefanowski was Connecticuts Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2018.
As the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak continues to mount, pharmaceutical companies are scrambling to develop a vaccine, including New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson.

The healthcare conglomerate headquartered in New Brunswick is among several companies working to create a vaccine to prevent the spread of the novel virus. Officially named COVID-19 this week by scientists, it has infected 59,800 people and killed more than 1,360 around the globe.

Working with partners and government agencies, Johnson & Johnson is also screening its library of antiviral molecules  including existing medicines  to develop potential treatments to combat the virus.

The largest healthcare company in the world began working on a vaccine in January. Paul Stoffels, vice chairman of the executive committee and chief scientific officer at Johnson & Johnson, has estimated it can produce one in eight to 12 months.

Johnson & Johnson is rapidly mobilizing resources at its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies to help combat the threat of the novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV," Stoffels said Wednesday in a statement to NJ Advance Media. As part of this work, we have initiated efforts to develop a vaccine candidate against the virus, which we hope can ultimately be deployed quickly and extensively to help combat this outbreak.

The World Health Organization said it hopes a vaccine will be available within 18 months.

They will take time to develop. But in the meantime, we are not defenseless, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday at a press conference.

This week, the WHO labeled COVID-19 a global threat, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned it is preparing for the virus to take a foothold in the U.S.

There are only 14 confirmed cases in the U.S. and none in New Jersey, and officials say the risk currently remains low.

However, Chinese health officials in Hubei province  the epicenter of the outbreak  reported 15,000 new cases Thursday and 254 additional deaths, most of them in the city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated.

The surge in cases dimmed hopes that the epidemic may be slowing down.

Health officials fighting the outbreak have relied on measures such as quarantining patients, imposing travel restrictions and screening travelers at airports and other ports of entry.

This week, Sen. Bob Menendez said two young children were stranded in China for weeks, locked down due to the outbreak while visiting their grandparents in the city of Wuhan. There was also a Jersey City woman and a Monmouth County couple who were recently stuck in China as the deadly virus swept through the country.

The five New Jersey residents have since returned to the U.S. after being put under lockdown in Hubei province as airports were closed and quarantine measures were imposed to halt its spread.

Johnson & Johnson is researching coronavirus at its labs in the Netherlands.

The company said the vaccine program will utilize the same technologies used in the development and manufacturing of its Ebola, Zika and Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccines.

Developing an effective vaccine will be critical if we are to protect people against the novel coronavirus and combat future outbreaks, Stoffels said in a statement posted on the Johnson & Johnson website. "If we have a vaccine candidate with potential, we aim to make it accessible to China and other parts of the world.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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But even though the shadowy Outfit enforcers decidedly more serious case unfolded decades  and worlds  apart from Smolletts, it now provides an intriguing look at the legal pathway prosecutors might use to block Smolletts attempts to get the new charges against him thrown out of court on double-jeopardy grounds.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has removed a regulation capping foreign ownership at 49% for local payment intermediaries from a draft decree on noncash transactions.

A woman scans a QR code for payment. A regulation capping foreign ownership at 49% for payment intermediaries has been removed from a draft decree on noncash payments

The draft decree, replacing Decree 101/2012/ND-CP, has received the attention of both local and foreign individuals and organizations, as it includes long-awaited regulations, the local media reported.

However, some have said that the foreign ownership cap, if applied, would negatively affect the attraction of foreign investment to the payment-intermediary sector and the fintech sector as a whole.

In addition, some large payment intermediaries have been approved for foreign ownership of more than 49%, so the proposal may affect the operation of these firms.

According to Nghiem Thanh Son, deputy head of the SBVs Payment Department, the country currently has 27 e-wallet service providers, but more than 90% of the market share is held by the five largest ones. The five firms have foreign ownerships of 30%-90%.

For example, the foreign ownership in Online Mobile Services JSC, the operator of Momo e-wallet, is 66%, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The regulation was removed from the draft decree after the SBV consulted with experts and the relevant agencies, studied Vietnams international commitments and analyzed the possible impact of the regulation. SGT
Scientists provide guidelines for minimizing the risk of spreading disease between elk and cattle in Southern Alberta

Transmission of diseases from wildlife to livestock is a common threat in Alberta, according to new research by University of Alberta biologists. Foothills in the southwestern part of the province are home to wild elk as well as cattle on ranchlands--and when the species intermingle, the potential for disease to spread grows.

"One of the biggest risks to the livestock industry is the transmission of disease from wildlife to livestock," said Mark Boyce, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. "There is a long list of diseases that occur between livestock and wildlife, including anthrax, bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, and many species of worms. And in addition to infecting one another, many of the diseases that are shared by wildlife and livestock are zoonotic, meaning that they also can infect humans."

The researchers used data gathered from combined with cattle management information from 16 cattle operations in southern Alberta to identify locations and times where the probability of disease transmission is high. For example, the highest risk occurs in winter months, when livestock and elk are in the same pastures and accessing the same resources.

Based on these data, the researchers have developed guidelines to help producers minimize the risk of infection.

"Livestock management that minimizes the risk of contact with wildlife will reduce the risk of disease transmission," said Boyce. "This includes keeping cattle in pastures near farm buildings during winter and calving season. It is also important to keep mineral supplements and hay next to ranch buildings, again to reduce the contact between cattle and elk.

###

This study was led by PhD student Mathieu Pruvot, supported by the Boyce lab. Marco Musiani from the University of Calgary, and Margo Pybus, adjunct professor at UAlberta, also collaborated on this research.

Funding for this study was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Shell Canada, as well as the Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Innovates.

The paper, "Integrating livestock management and telemetry data to assess disease transmission risk between wildlife and livestock," was published in Preventative Veterinary Medicine(doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104846).
The Moroccan Police of Saharan city of Guelmim seized on Tuesday more than 7.5 tons of cannabis and arrested eight people linked to an international drug trafficking network.

The drugs were stored in several warehouses at the rural commune of Taghjijt (south-east of Guelmim) and inside a 44 vehicle parked in an area located 60 km east of Guelmim, says a press release issued by national police.

Four vehicles, a motorcycle, two hunting rifles, 108 cartridges and a sum of money were also seized during anti-drug operation.

A police probe is underway to identify and arrest all dealers involved in this major smuggling attempt and uncover their links with international drug cartels.
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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Gastro Yard pilot program implemented in Armenia back in 2018 is becoming more and more widespread across the country. By seeing the successful experience residents of various communities also express a wish to implement this interesting tourism initiative in their communities. The program is funded by the Russian government and is implemented within the frames of the UNDPs Integrated Rural Tourism Development (IRTD) project.

IRTD project development expert Lusine Balayan told Armenpress that the Gastro Yard project consisted of two components  food and winemaking, food and crafts. Gastro Yards are unique touristic destinations which aim to promote rural local hospitality, authentic food and beverages. Tourists have chance to get to know local culture, people and history of Armenia.

Gastro Yards are not just some kind of places, people live there and introduce tourists on our traditions, culture, cuisine, handmade works, etc. In 2018 we have implemented several pilot projects in different provinces of Armenia, including Tavush, Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor and Ararat, Lusine Balayan said.

As these projects resulted in success, in 2019 we announced competition for the implementation of Gastro Yards projects with 3 components: food-winemaking, food-crafts, food-crafts-winemaking. More than 130 applications were submitted. The committee selected those who passed to the second stage, conducted on-site monitoring to assess the potential of beneficiaries. The winners got an opportunity to build their own Gastro Yards in their communities.

Within the framework of this project the beneficiaries are provided with support, including equipment, as well as consulting, designing support. For instance, there was a major assistance for winemaking. In order to ensure the sustainability of the project the beneficiary was provided with the necessary equipment for making homemade wines for a three-year term. These technologies are designed for ensuring the entire period of producing wine. They are also cooperating with specialists who follow the quality of wine and the proper implementation of the production.

The project was so successful and interesting that the Armenian government also participated in it, and we are very happy for that, she said.

This year as well more than two dozen such yards are expected to open in the Republic. The official opening ceremony of ART-TAKARD GASTRO YARD will take place on February 15, at the village of Khachpar of Ararat province.

Gastro Yard project aims at contributing to the diversification, development and promotion of tourism services in rural communities of Armenia. It creates tourism services based on rural household economies. The project includes three main services  food, homemade wine and crafts.

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan






Recently, Sana Khan opened up about her break up with popular choreographer Melvin Louis. The actress made shocking revelations on her ex-boyfriend. She called him a dirt, disgusting, compulsive liar and also revealed that he cheated on her with multiple girls. Now, the actress shared a hilarious meme which had a caption, "When the waiter looks better than your boyfriend....." Posting the meme on her Instagram account, Sana wrote, "When the world was right Is point ko Kaise ignore kiya ."



Many of her friends couldn't stop laughing and shared their views on the meme. Take a look at a few celebrities' comments.

Payal Rajput: Move on . U deserve better and beautiful .

Mahhi Vij: .

Divya Agarwal: Hahahahaha.

Nilofer Radiowala: Yessss u got it right now.

Achint Kaur: Hahaaa....

Shraddha Arya: Hahahahhahahaha.

Meanwhile, Sana extended her support to Bigg Boss 13 contestant Rashami Desai, who has been betrayed by Arhaan Khan. She shared a few posts on her Instagram stories and also tweeted asking the actress to stay strong. She also tweeted, " Being cheated in a committed relationship is the worst  #loveyourashmi," and "Akansha n Rashmi deserves someone who will treat them right n be honest n respectful towards them  #gogirls #fighters #loadsoflove."

(Social media posts are not edited)

Also Read: Sana Khan Calls Melvin Louis Disgusting; Says He Cheated On Her With Multiple Girls
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Linkedin Prak Chan Thul (Reuters) Sihanoukville, Cambodia  Thu, February 13, 2020 11:23 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20643b3d4 2 News cruise-ship,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Cambodia,MS-Amsterdam Free

A cruise ship which had spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard may have the coronavirus arrived in Cambodia on Thursday to the relief of passengers and the praise of global health officials.

The MS Westerdam, which has 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board, arrived at an anchoring point in the Cambodian port town of Sihanoukville early on Thursday morning, according to data published by the Marine Traffic website.

"We've had so many near moments we thought we were going home only to be turned away," Angela Jones, an American tourist on board the ship, told Reuters.

Jones and her fellow passengers had spent almost two weeks at sea as the ship failed to find a country that would allow it to dock.

"This morning, just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment," said Jones. "I thought: Is this real?"

Passengers on board the ship have been subjected to regular health checks throughout the troubled journey, according to Holland America, the ship operator and a unit of Miami-based Carnival Corp.

Although no-one on board has fallen ill on board, the ship had been turned away by Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines and Thailand over fears that someone on the cruise could have the new flu-like virus that has killed more than 1,300 people, almost all of them in China.

To kill time on board and break up the monotony of endless ocean scrolling past cabin windows, the ship's crew have organised dozens of activities to keep people occupied, tourists on board the vessel told Reuters earlier this week.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Cambodia for allowing the Westerdam to dock.

"This is an example of international solidarity we have been consistently calling for," Tedros said ahead of the ship's arrival. "Outbreaks can bring out the best and the worst in people."

Stoking fears of authorities in countries on the ship's route has been the ongoing quarantine in Japan of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, also managed by a unit of Carnival Corp. A total of 175 out of the 3,700 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the Westerdam had attempted to dock in Bangkok but was denied permission by Thai authorities to do so. On Wednesday, a Thai Navy warship escorted the Westerdam out of the Gulf of Thailand, where it headed on a new course to Cambodia, according to Marine Traffic.

Westerdam captain Vincent Smit said in a letter to passengers the ship would be at anchor outside Sihanoukville first to allow authorities to conduct health checks on board.

Most passengers will be able to disembark and begin their journey home via chartered flights from Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, from Feb. 14, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters.

"We are very pleased to have our final plan," Smit said in the letter.

The U.S. ambassador to Cambodia said he had dispatched a team to assist U.S. citizens with disembarking and transferring to onward destinations, and was coordinating with embassies of other nationalities. (Reporting by Prak Chan Thul in Sinhoukville and James Pearson in Hanoi; Editing by Anantharaman Muralikumar and Lincoln Feast.)
In this year's production results released today Kinross (TSX:K) edged last year's production total producing 2.527 million ounces of gold equivalent ounces, up from 2.47 million produced in 2018.

All-in sustaining cost was $983 per ounce compared to $965 a year ago.

The average realized gold price per ounce increased 10% to $1,392 for the full-year in 2019, compared with $1,268 per ounce for the full-year in 2018.

In 2020 Kinross expects production to slip 100,000 ounces to 2.4 million gold equivalent ounces. In 2021 and 2022, the company said annual production is expected to be at or above 2019 levels, and is expected to remain at the 2.5 million gold equivalent ounces.

The company explained this year's production drop on a shifting production profile.

"The slight forecast decrease compared to full-year 2019 production is primarily due to Maricunga transitioning to care and maintenance, and expected lower production at Paracatu following its record year, partially offset by an expected production increase at Tasiast and Fort Knox," writes the company.

The company added to its mineral resevere and resources, adding 7.7 million ounces to measured and indicated mineral resources in 2019, a 28% year-over-year increase, mainly due to the acquisition of Chulbatkan, and additions of 1.2 million Au oz. at Lobo-Marte, 1.1 million Au oz. at Paracatu, 568 Au koz. at Bald Mountain and 553 Au koz. at Round Mountain.

Regarding Tasiast, the company is expecting throughput capacity to 21,000 tonnes per day by the end of 2021 and then to 24,000 tonnes per day by mid-2023.

Last last year Kinross unloaded its Fruta Del Norte stake for C$150 million. The company then took on $300 million debt financing to advance the Tasiast operation in Mauritania.
Activist investor Carl Icahn is calling on the leadership of Occidental Petroleum Corp. to reveal whether they were approached by any potential buyers prior to agreeing to acquire Anadarko Petroleum Corp. for $37 billion.

The billionaire, who owns 3% of Occidental, said in a letter to the companys shareholders Wednesday that Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub and Chairman Eugene Batchelder were trying to preserve their own jobs ahead of the interests of investors.

Why did they decide to embark on this ill-advised bet that has already destroyed over $30 billion in stockholder value; and if oil continues its decline, we believe will jeopardize the dividend, leaving stockholders to suffer even more? Icahn wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg News.

A representative for Occidental wasnt immediately available for comment.

Occidentals shares rose 2.6% to $42.25 at 9:38 a.m. in New York.

Icahn nominated a slate of directors in November to replace the entire Occidental board ahead of its annual general meeting, which hasnt been scheduled yet. Last years shareholder meeting was held in early May.

The billionaire investor has been a vocal critic of Occidentals takeover of Anadarko. He has taken aim at the fact the deal wasnt taken to a shareholder vote and has been critical of Hollubs decision to use $10 billion of funding from Warren Buffett for the transaction. He has said in the past he believed Buffett took her to the cleaners by accepting the financing for the deal.

Icahn said in Wednesdays letter that he believes the Anadarko deal was a defensive maneuver that allowed Occidental to be the acquirer rather than be acquired itself. He argues that Hollub and Batchelder chose to structure the deal in a way that avoided a shareholder vote, in part, because they feared the vote would fail. He also said it allowed them to avoid disclosing in regulatory filings whether it had been approached by a potential acquirer.

He said the company should have walked away if they feared they wouldnt win a shareholder vote. Rival bidder Chevron Corp.did just that, he said.

Chevron, unlike OXY, exercised restraint and refused to engage in a bidding war when the price for Anadarko became untethered, he said, referring to Occidentals stock symbol.

Icahn has been seeking records through the courts about the companys interactions in the lead-up to the Anadarko deal.

If we are right, which we believe we are, these actions are unconscionable under any measure, he said. If, on the other hand, we are wrong, then we call upon Hollub and Batchelder to publicly and clearly state whether or not OXY was approached as a possible acquisition target? Its a very simple question -- one that management should address on the February earnings call.

Shares in Occidental climbed Tuesday after the company said production exceeded estimates despite lower capital spending, a key rationale for the Anadarko deal. Occidental is scheduled to announce its full fourth-quarter results on Feb. 27.

You dont have to be Sherlock Holmes to realize that these actions point to the fact that Hollub and Batchelder are hiding something important, such as the possibility of an acquirer, Icahn said. If ever there was a time for a CEO and Board to be held accountable, it is now.
Two stolen bonsai trees were returned to Pacific Bonsai Museum on Tuesday night, less than 72 hours after they went missing, the museum says.

The bonsai tree started its life in a tin can, tended by a Japanese-American man incarcerated in a World War II internment camp. On Sunday, its caretakers feared it would soon die at the hands of thieves.

Pacific Bonsai Museum in Washington state put out a call on social media asking for help, saying the tree was among two bonsai trees that had been stolen over the weekend. Without proper daily care, the historic trees would die, the museum said.

The local media attention turned into national attention. And then less than 72 hours after the seven-decade old trees vanished, they reappeared  sitting in the rain on a road leading to the museum.

Japanese couple to bonsai thieves: Please water 400-year-old plant worth over $50,000

'Relieved and thankful': Cypriot thief tells tourist where to find sons stolen ashes

Were feeling so grateful," Kathy McCabe, the museum's executive director, told USA TODAY on Wednesday. The trees belong to our community ... (it's) great to have them back.

A Japanese Black Pine bonsai tree, originally grown by Juzaburo Furuzawa while he was incarcerated in a WWII internment camp, was returned Tuesday to the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Washington state.

McCabe isn't sure what would motivate someone to steal the trees, which she described this week as "priceless treasures" in an interview with NPR. They might have wanted to sell them or give them away  maybe they wanted to care for a bonsai tree.

While one tree did sustain minor damage, the end result is a relief to the museum.

In a Sunday post about the theft, curator Aarin Packard wrote: This is a tremendous loss, not only to our collection but there is a strong likelihood that the trees will perish. These trees have been cared for every day for more than 70 years, and if that daily care doesnt continue the trees will die."

The trees, with the proper care, could live hundreds of years more, McCabe said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stolen bonsai trees returned in Washington, Pacific Bonsai Museum says
The Congress, which was decimated in the Delhi assembly elections in which it failed to open its account, is staring at another five years of internal introspection in the national capital.

The party, which under Sheila Dikshit ruled the city-state for 15 years from 1998 to 2013, was not only reduced to zero in the House for the second consecutive time, but only three Congress candidates saved their security deposits.

As the election results started showing a clear defeat for the Congress early in the day, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala promised a reorganisation of the party cadre in Delhi.

We promise to start building the party from scratch. We will revive and rebuild the party. Peoples mandate is against us and we accept it, Surjewala said.

Taking moral responsibility for the partys dismal performance, Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra offered to resign from his post.

I had little time. I worked 21 to 22 hours every day to get our message to voters of Delhi, but people chose other parties over us. As a leader of the state unit, I take responsibility for this, Chopra said on Tuesday.

Out of the 66 Congress candidates, only three managed saved their security deposit from getting forfeited. Abhishek Dutt, Congress candidate from Kasturba Nagar, managed a vote share of 21.42%  the

highest among all Congress candidates.

Former Delhi cabinet minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, who was fielded from Gandhi Nagar, his home turf, ended with a vote share of 19.14%. Former legislator and Delhi Pradesh

Congress Committee (DPCC) working president Devender Yadav also got a vote share of 19.66%.

In four seats Uttam Nagar, Palam, Burari and Kirari, where the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) partnered with the Congress  all the party candidates lost their deposits.

The results led to many senior leaders questioning the partys state leadership and criticising it for adopting a lacklustre attitude and lacking a united cadre base going into the elections.

Congress national spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee called the party out for delays in decision making, lack of strategy and unity, and no grassroots connect.

We are decimated again in Delhi. Enough of introspection, it is time for action now. Inordinate delay in decision making at the top, lack of strategy and unity at state level, demotivated workers, no grassroots connect, all are factors. Being part of the system, I take my share of responsibility, Mukherjee said.

She added, BJP playing divisive politics, (Arvind) Kejriwal playing smart politics, and what are we doing? Can we honestly say that we have done everything to put our house in order?

While the party was reduced to a vote share of 4.26%, many senior Congress leaders took consolation in AAPs victory, which kept the BJP from forming a government in Delhi. In 2015, the Congress had a vote share of 9.7% and saw 62 of its 70 candidates forfeiting their deposit.

AAP won, bluff and bluster lost. The people of Delhi, who are from all parts of India, have defeated the polarising, divisive and dangerous agenda of the BJP. I salute the people of Delhi who have set an example to other states that will hold their elections in 2021 and 2022, said former union minister P Chidambaram.

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More than 25 years later, the awful grace of God would demand that Biden bury his oldest son; fate would require that it be the father carrying the sons memory with him through the long days and nights that followed. Last month, while in Iowa, Biden quietly wept as he told me on-air of how Beau pushed him forward every day on the campaign trail. That made sense because it was young Beau, after all, who pushed back against his father leaving the presidential race in 1987. A few months later, he would be in the front seat of his dads ambulance driving through a fierce February snowstorm. It was Beaus memory that also helped move Joe Biden to enter the 2020 presidential race.
Two passengers who arrived at NSCBI Airport from Bangkok have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Airports Authority of India officials said on Thursday.

With this, a total of three passengers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Kolkata.

A passenger called Himadri Barman tested positive on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh tested positive on Wednesday, the Director of NSCBI Airport, Kaushik Bhattacharjee, told PTI.

Both of them were sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital, he said.

"Earlier a passenger called Anita Oraon had also tested positive during thermal scanning," Bhattacharjee said.

Already two airlines which had direct flights between Kolkata and China have suspended their flights.

Low cost carier IndiGo has temporarily suspended its flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from February 6.

"In line with the WHO guideline to contain the spread of coronavirus, IndiGo will be suspending its Kolkata- Guangzhou service from February 6, 2020 to February 25, 2020 and Guangzhou-Kolkata from February 7 till February 26," the airline had said in a statement.

After IndiGo, China Eastern Airlines suspended its flights between Kolkata and Kunming in China from February 10 to February 29.

Passengers of flights coming to Kolkata from Kunming and Guangzhou in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok were being screened since January 17.

At present, passengers arriving from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are being screened as no flights are operating to and from China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Lis Smith, a senior adviser for ascendant candidate Pete Buttigieg's campaign, said Wednesday that his rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders -- seen as a Democratic frontrunner -- cannot beat President Donald Trump in the general election, as he represents "divisive politics."



"Were not going to beat Donald Trump with more division," Smith told ABC News' "Powerhouse Politics" podcast, talking with host and Political Director Rick Klein about Sanders' possibility of clinching the Democratic nomination. "We need all the resources we can round up. Were going to need every voter regardless of whether or not they agree with us on 100% of issues."



With the Iowa and New Hampshire results in hand, Buttigieg currently has the highest number of delegates -- 14 from Iowa and nine from New Hampshire. Sanders follows closely behind him with 12 from Iowa and nine from New Hampshire.



Smith told Klein she credits Buttigieg's success to "building a coalition" with voters.



"He did well with rural and suburban areas," she said of the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. "He did well with women and men. He did well with college-educated and non-college-educated voters."



Smith pointed out that while Buttigieg didn't have a "natural advantage" in the first-in-the-nation states, he still came out with a first-place delegate victory in Iowa and a close second place in New Hampshire, with 98% of precincts reporting, respectively. She said he will continue to work hard to garner support from the communities hes not favored to win in, including the upcoming Nevada caucus and South Carolina primary.



"He wakes up in the morning and does five morning shows," she said. "Then well go out and just hit town hall after town hall."



As an outsider to Washington politics, Smith said that media strategy is what was instrumental in making "Mayor Pete" a nationally-recognized name.



"We knew going into this presidential race that he had no name ID," she said. "He had no natural fundraising base, but the one thing that we had equal access to was earned media."



Klein took the conversation back to when Buttigieg joined "Powerhouse Politics" in June 2018, when few people knew who the mayor was, let alone how to pronounce his last name.



When questioned on the jump from being a mayor of a city of around 100,000 to national office, he said the traditional "paths to power in this country have at least been suspended if not done away with forever."



His lack of experience in Washington put a target on his back during the New Hampshire Democratic debate last week, hosted by ABC News and partners, when Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar went after Buttigieg as a "newcomer."



"It is easy to go after Washington because that's a popular thing to do," Klobuchar said. "[It] makes you look like a cool newcomer. 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."



She added, "I think having some experience is a good thing."



Smith argued Buttigiegs perspective as an outsider will help him to win the Democratic nomination.



"I thought it was important to get him in front of as many people as possible, not just to promote him, but to promote a different future for the Democratic Party," she said. "One that wasnt rooted in the same old, same old personalities in Washington, who sort of seemed like carbon copies of each other."



Smith is no stranger to politics herself. She worked on former President Barack Obamas 2012 reelection campaign and on former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalleys 2016 presidential campaign.



Powerhouse Politics podcast is a weekly program that posts every Wednesday, and includes headliner interviews and in-depth looks at the people and events shaping U.S. politics. Powerhouse Politics podcast is hosted by ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 13, 2020 - 23:41 | World, All, Coronavirus

A cruise ship carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew that had been turned away from at least five ports in Asia over fears that someone aboard may have the novel coronavirus docked in Cambodia on Thursday.

After dropping anchor in the morning off the southwestern port city of Sihanoukville, health officials boarded the Westerdam to conduct medical checks, according to Kheang Phearom, spokesman for Preah Sihanouk Province. Later in the day the ship docked at the city's port.

Samples collected from 20 passengers who have been ill all tested negative for the coronavirus, Health Minister Mam Bunheng told Kyodo News in the evening.

Sihanoukville Governor Kuoch Chamroeun told reporters that the passengers would begin disembarking Friday morning. They will be shuttled to the city's airport to board charter flights that will take them to Phnom Penh for their forward flights home, he added.

The ship's operator, U.S.-based Holland America Line, has repeatedly stated that there are no suspected cases of coronavirus infection on board.

A Japanese government official said contact had been made with all five Japanese nationals on board and that they are all in good health.

Holland America Line earlier said in a statement that the vessel would remain in port for several days for disembarkation and that passengers will be allowed to go ashore.

Many passengers on board and U.S Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy have expressed gratitude to Cambodia for allowing the cruise ship to dock in the country.

The company earlier said it would pay for its passengers' flights home in addition to refunding the full cost of the cruise.

Since departing Hong Kong on Feb. 1 for a 14-day cruise, the Westerdam had been turned away by Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Guam and Thailand over fears it was carrying passengers infected by the new coronavirus.

Concerns about the spread of the coronavirus on cruise ships have mounted since many people have been found to be infected aboard the Diamond Princess, which is currently quarantined in Japan.
Constitutional Court throws out application by President Mutharika to suspend ruling that annulled Mays vote results.

Malawis Constitutional Court on Wednesday threw out an application by President Peter Mutharika and the countrys electoral commission to suspend a landmark judgement that annulled last Mays presidential elections.

The court last week overturned the results that saw Mutharika narrowly re-elected, citing widespread irregularities  especially the massive use of correction fluid on tally sheets.

It ordered the southern African country to hold a fresh presidential election within 150 days and an investigation into the operations of the electoral commission.

But Mutharika and the commission applied for a stay order until an appeal the president has filed is heard by the countrys Supreme Court.

The court dismissed the application in its ruling in the capital Lilongwe on Wednesday.

This is a public law case and the law must be cautiously applied, said judge Dingiswayo Madise.

The court also rejected the electoral commissions argument that another election would be costly for the impoverished country.

Democracy is expensive. Citizens rights are paramount. The court will not stop the pursuit of constitutionally sound elections on account of cost, Madise said.

The electoral commissions chief had earlier defended the use of results sheets that had been altered with correctional fluid.





Altered result sheets

Appearing before a special parliamentary committee, the chairwoman of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Jane Ansah said she saw nothing wrong in her commission accepting sheets that were altered with a correction fluid known as Tipp-Ex.

She claimed the results on the tally sheets were not altered but corrected.

There is no evidence to show that Tippex was used to favour one candidate, she said.

The Constitutional Court also found that less than a third of the results from the more than 5,000 polling stations had been certified by the auditors by the time Ansah declared Mutharika as the winner of the presidential race.

Another MEC member Mary Nkosi, who appeared before the committee on Monday, admitted that the commission mishandled the contentious elections.

Nkosi claimed Ansah went behind the commissioners backs and authorised altered result sheets.

I did not see the justification [for] this. But there was an apparent rush to have the results put together and announced, she said. It was a big let-down.

It is the first time a presidential election has been challenged on legal grounds in Malawi since independence from Britain in 1964, and only the second vote result to be cancelled in Africa after the 2017 Kenya presidential vote.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:38:22|Editor: Xiaoxia

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XIAMEN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Myles Bernard Weston, an Australian captain with Xiamen Airlines, added special significance to the charter flight MF8779 Thursday, as he is one of the first foreign pilots to fly to Wuhan since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

At 10 a.m., the airplane took off from the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, and headed to Wuhan, the COVID-19 epicenter in central China's Hubei Province, carrying 11,259 kg of supplies for the Fujian medical team assisting in Wuhan.

This is also among the first charter flights on the Chinese mainland transporting daily supplies to medical teams assisting the virus-plagued city.

The captain, from Australia's Brisbane, has been working for Xiamen Airlines for one and a half years. While many other foreign captains are on holiday, Weston chooses to stay in Xiamen.

"I live in Xiamen with my wife and two daughters and we love here. Xiamen is my home now," Weston said. "Actually I never consider to leave. I just have a feeling of wanting to stay."

Weston regards his charter flight to Wuhan as "a great honor."

"It's an important duty to take this important medical gear and the supplies to Wuhan," he said. "I'm just one member of a large team. We bring our best."

To be fully prepared, the captain reviewed all information concerning the flight a day before departure, including the weather forecast and the local airport.

"My family are very proud that I'm able to perform the flight today. They also love China," Weston said, adding that his family feels he is contributing to the fight against the virus on behalf of the whole family.

According to Xiamen Airlines, there are 11 foreign captains standing by to join the battle against the virus. So far, the company has dispatched 14 charter flights sending more than 1,600 medical staff and 700 tonnes of supplies to the hard-hit Hubei Province.

Weston said he was touched to see Chinese people stick together and keep great unity in the face of the epidemic.

"To the people of Wuhan, I will say, stay strong Wuhan! Stay strong China!" Weston said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:01:16|Editor: huaxia

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A placard showing support to Wuhan is seen on a building in the Xidan business area in Beijing, on Feb. 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Epidemic prevention and control is the top priority at the current stage, while development is the key to solving all the problems in China.



BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China is now engaged in two battles: preventing and controlling the coronavirus epidemic, and tackling difficulties to achieve economic and social development. In these battles, no inaction or dereliction of duty by officials is allowed.

Coordinating the two aspects is a big test for China's governance system and capabilities, especially as no one can predict exactly when the turning point of the epidemic will arrive.

Curbing the spread of the coronavirus requires reducing the mobility of the population and outdoor activities. However, quarantine measures could harm consumption and investment. Some enterprises, including those in the service, manufacturing and trade sectors, are facing shortages of workers, funds and raw materials needed to resume operations after an extended Spring Festival holiday.

To break the dilemma, resolute and precise measures are taken on both frontlines:

Patients of the novel coronavirus pneumonia do exercises led by medical staff at a temporary hospital converted from "Wuhan Livingroom" in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi)

In the war against the virus, China strives to raise hospital admission capacity and improve treatment for patients. Communities have been mobilized to cut the transmission routes. More medical staff and resources are rushed to the most hard-hit province of Hubei.

To promote development, the government has rolled out a series of policies, including increasing funding, introducing targeted tax and fee reductions, ensuring a stable job market, and boosting consumption.

This is wartime. All sectors must mobilize, active and coordinated. Most importantly, members and organizations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) must play their crucial role.

They must have the courage to shoulder responsibilities, the wisdom to carry out epidemic prevention and control in a scientific way, the strategies to coordinate every aspect of efforts, and the capabilities to fully implement policies.

Shortcomings and deficiencies, including those in the emergency management and national reserve system, must be overcome to win the battles. Bureaucratism and practices of formalities for formalities' sake, as exposed in some places, are as dangerous as the virus, because these practices have undermined the effectiveness of the efforts and the public morale to win.

Some local officials failing to fulfill their responsibilities have been removed from their positions or even received punishment according to the Party's disciplinary rules. These are no positions kept for officials who are inactive, hesitant, slow in response or incapable of handling urgent, difficult, dangerous and important tasks.

Epidemic prevention and control is the top priority at the current stage, while development is the key to solving all the problems in China.

Experts believe the fundamentals of China's long-term economic development remain unchanged. China is preparing for the worst but striving for the best results in meeting the year's targets for social and economic development and completing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, as promised by the CPC.

China is waging two battles, but told in one tale -- a tale of seeking success. 
A movie studio is looking to hire Irish extras for a film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

The Last Duel is set to be directed by Ridley Scott and will be shot across Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Tipperary over the coming months.

An open casting day will be held at Liberty Hall in Dublin this Friday, February 21.

The producers are looking for adults of all shapes and sizes, but are very interested in getting applications from farmers and people with military training or sword and axe skills.

The Last Duel is based on the book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager.

It tells the story of the last officially recognised judicial duel in France in 1386, "a trial by combat pitting a knight against a squire accused of violating the knight's beautiful young wife".

The script has been written by Affleck, Damon and Nicole Holofcener and the film is due for release in Irish cinemas in January 2021.
Queen guitarist Brian May was filmed losing his temper at a news cameraman yesterday in Brisbane.

Labeled as an "attack" by Channel 7 news anchor, the incident took place at Brisbane airport where May arrived for Queen + Adam Lambert's tour of the country, including the Fire Fight Australia benefit concert happening this 16th Feb.

The poor guitarist was filmed signing autographs for fans before stopping to tell off the Channel 7 News cameraman, "You gotta stop that because I ain't doing this." The paparazzi went on to follow May into the city and began filming once more as May met more fans. Once again, May politely said to the camera, "Excuse me, I said no."

You stop now. I'm serious...

However, the cameraman refused to stop and continued to film May, who then said said, "All right, is this going to get ugly? Because you put it down now or else something ugly happens. Do you understand? You stop now. I'm serious, I'm deadly serious." (It's almost like the cameraman was waiting for this to happen.)

Although the video released by Channel 7 does not specify it was put together in chronological order, it is yet unclear of how the situation unfolded.

Things got really heated up while May was taking a photo with a young fan. The cameraman, an alleged self-proclaimed Queen fan, whipped up his phone to keep filming May.

"Oh, the guy's doing it on his phone now. You're so clever, aren't you?" May said. "What a parasite you are. Just leave us alone, will you?" He then moved towards the cameraman to push his phone away. "You go away now!"

A third man is seen leading May away from the cameraman back into the car. May apologised to fans that it was "made ugly" by this guy. "So sorry."

Poor guy, he just wanted to meet his fans.

Watch the video below.
When supermodel Lara Stone split from her comedian husband David Walliams in 2015, she was blamed in court for their divorce due to her 'unreasonable behaviour'.

Now the 36-year-old Dutch beauty is ready to give marital life another chance after becoming engaged to handsome property developer David Grievson.

The couple confirmed the news at the Gymkhana VIP dinner in Mayfair, where the Vogue cover star arrived brandishing a dazzling diamond ring on her wedding finger.

Lara Stone is ready to give marital life another chance after becoming engaged to property developer David Grievson (pictured together)

The couple confirmed the news at the Gymkhana VIP dinner in Mayfair, where the Vogue cover star arrived brandishing a dazzling diamond ring on her wedding finger (pictured)

'They are engaged,' confirms her spokesman.

A friend of the model tells me: 'She is very happy with David. And she loves that he's not in the public eye like her ex was.

'She didn't enjoy that aspect of their relationship.'

Despite men falling at her feet, Lara met 37-year-old Grievson on the popular dating app, Tinder. They have been in a relationship since 2018.

He became her first serious boyfriend after her split from Walliams, 48, the father of her six-year-old son, Alfie.

She and Walliams started dating in 2009 and announced their engagement just four months later.

At their wedding at Claridge's in London, guests included Walliams' Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas, Denise Van Outen, Richard and Judy, Sir Elton John, Stephen Fry and Tom Ford.

When the supermodel split from her comedian husband David Walliams in 2015 (pictured together), she was blamed in court for their divorce due to her 'unreasonable behaviour'

Reflecting on their split, Lara said: 'Sometimes really different people work together  but maybe not for ever.'

At the time, she said he made her laugh and could be mean 'in a good way'.

She admitted that she was never comfortable with the level of fame brought by being romantically involved with Walliams, who is a best-selling children's author as well as being a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

She recalled one night: 'I'd been at his house and was walking back to the Tube and this car was driving next to me and they were taking pictures the whole time.

'It was just so bewildering and terrifying.'

What's in a name? Quite a lot if you are Little Women actress Saoirse Ronan, who admits people still struggle to pronounce her first name correctly.

'They still get the name wrong,' she says.

'I got called Shelley once. I've been Shershay, Cher and all sorts. But I feel like the word has spread a little and it is getting better.'

For the record, the correct way is Ser-sha.

Lingerie 'Angel' Alicia lashes Victoria's Secret

Jude Law's ex Alicia Rountree, 33, has criticised lingerie brand Victoria's Secret for not doing enough to check on the wellbeing of their models.

The Mauritian-born mannequin, who was a Victoria's Secret 'angel' for around a decade, tells me: 'I think they need to think a little more on how they can work with these young girls in a healthy way.

Jude Law's ex Alicia Rountree, 33, (pictured) has criticised lingerie brand Victoria's Secret for not doing enough to check on the wellbeing of their models

'It's so much stress because obviously they want to look their best and do their best but sometimes they need the knowledge on how to do it in a way that is less destructive.

'You don't have to be skinny, just be true to yourself and listen to your body and be healthy.'

A Victoria's Secret spokeswoman says: 'We're always open to engage with those looking to make improvements in the industry.'

Spare a thought for Poldark star Tom York, who says he's still looking for love.

The actor, who played Demelza's buff brother Sam Carne, tells me: 'I'm not pro or anti Valentine's Day, I don't have a significant other at the moment, so it's a day that tends to pass me by.

'I'll be going to a Mulberry event on V-day so that will help distract me from my loneliness.

'But what I do want for Valentine's Day is a big Netflix job.'

Who says romance is dead?

She may be playing the Queen in The Crown's final series, but Imelda Staunton is proud of her own humble origins.

'I was raised above a hair salon in North London. I regarded that as home,' she says.

'We moved when I was ten or 11. And for most of my adult life, probably until I had my own house and family, I dreamed about that house all the time.

'Because I wanted to be there. We moved to a horrible flat in Finchley and I hated it.'

Perhaps a blue plaque might one day mark Imelda's beloved former residence?

Impresario star of Brit Art shuts up his gallery

Harry Blain was Britain's No 1 art dealer by the age of 40, with his BlainSouthern gallery raking in sales of over 350m-a-year.

But the friend of artist Tracey Emin tells me he has taken the 'difficult decision' to close not only his London gallery but also its outposts in Berlin and New York.

Describing it as a 'painful time', Blain, now 52, adds that he 'deeply regrets' being unable to secure the gallery's future.

Its co-founder, Graham Southern, resigned last September.

Harry Blain (pictured alongside Tracy Emin) was Britain's No 1 art dealer by the age of 40, with his BlainSouthern gallery raking in sales of over 350m-a-year

It's not just the trendy clientele who will be dressed up like a dog's dinner at Mayfair club, George.

It has set up a canine committee, including models David Gandy and Yasmin Le Bon, to ensure the members' pampered pets get the best service.

Besides bespoke dog menus and premium beds, the committee is planning fundraising events for pooch welfare.

'We value our dog visitors as much as our members,' says a spokesman.

How a biased Britten helped Aitken score his half century

Jonathan Aitken  once a Cabinet Minister, later convicted of perjury, now a clergyman  has disclosed yet another aspect of his improbable life: that of an angelic choirboy who won the devotion of composer Benjamin Britten.

'When I was eight, I sang in Handel's Messiah in Norwich Cathedral,' Aitken tells me. 'I had a good treble voice for solos.'

Aitken, who discusses his musical tastes on this Sunday's Private Passions on Radio 3, explains that Britten was a family friend in Suffolk, where he was establishing the Aldeburgh Festival while Aitken's father was a local MP.

Though he took part in The Little Sweep  Britten's opera for children  Aitken suggests that it was as a cricketer that he most impressed the composer, who was umpiring in a match in which Aitken had made 48 runs.

'Then I was absolutely plumb LBW  and he gave me not out. Afterwards, he said to me: "I did want you to get your 50." '

Explains almost everything.
The Congress secured between 5,000 and 10,000 votes in 19 seats. These seats included Muslim-dominated Okhla, Babarpur and Mustafabad constituencies.

The most worrying factor for the Congress is that it failed to win even a single seat in the two successive Assembly polls, that too after ruling the city for 15 consecutive years.

New Delhi: Battered and shattered Congress, whose 67 candidates, including four allies, even lost their security deposits, could not even secure 3,000 votes in 20 of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly elections. Even in the six Muslim dominated seats, where the Congress had done exceedingly well in the past elections, the party bagged less than 45,000 votes polled together.

The most worrying factor for the Congress is that it failed to win even a single seat in the two successive Assembly polls, that too after ruling the city for 15 consecutive years. The partys vote share also reached an all-time low of 4.26 per cent.

In 2013, the Congress had won eight seats by securing 24.55 per cent votes. It was with the support of the Congress MLAs that the Aam Aadmi Party-led by Arvind Kejriwal was able to form his first government, which lasted for only 49 days.

The partys vote share which dropped to 15.22 per cent in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, went further down to 9.65 per cent in 2015 Assembly polls. But the partys vote share which went up to 21.09 per cent in municipal polls in 2017 further improved to 22.63 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections where it secured second slot in all the seven Parliamentary seats in Delhi.

In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress had surprised one and all by securing second position in 65 of the 70 Assembly seats. The BJP was able to retain all the seven Lok Sabha seats by securing 57 per cent votes.

The worst ever performance of the Congress in the recent Assembly polls can be gauged from the fact that its candidate got only 908 votes in Delhi Cantonment and 976 votes in Nangloi.

The partys ally partner, Janata Dal (United) which contested on four seats could get a little over 2,000 votes in only Burari seat. In the remaining three seats in Kirari, Uttam Nagar and Palam, JD (U) secured just 256, 377 and 552 votes respectively.

The Congress polled the maximum of 27,449 votes in Badli, followed by 21,913 votes in Gandhi Nagar and 20,247 votes in Seelampur. The party candidates performed slightly better in Hari Nagar, Jangpura, Adarsh Nagar and Bawana (SC) where its candidates logged between 10,000 to 15,000 votes. In all, the Congress secured between 5,000 and 10,000 votes in 19 seats. These seats included Muslim-dominated Okhla, Babarpur and Mustafabad constituencies.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced the decision to cancel this years Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), given health concerns and other special challenges for event participants, which have arisen in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. ABACE 2020 was scheduled to take place in Shanghai from April 21-23.

Remarking on the decision, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen noted: ABACE has always been more than an industry trade show: it is a platform for building business aviation in China, throughout Asia and around the world. NBAA and the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) have an extraordinarily strong partnership, having worked closely together for nearly a decade, to build ABACE into one of the worlds truly great aviation events.

Our organisations have always viewed participating exhibitors, attendees and government leaders as partners, Bolen continued, and as with all NBAA events, their health, safety and security is always our highest priority.

While the Chinese government is taking commendable steps to address the Coronavirus outbreak, the current situation has presented a very challenging environment for decision-making and action for ABACE participants to fully prepare for the event. This necessary step is being taken in the spirit of partnership, collaboration and transparency.

Bolen concluded: We will focus on making ABACE 2021 the best edition yet, and continuing its critical role in promoting business aviation in China, across Asia and around the world. As we look to next years event, and those in the years to come, we look forward to building on our relationships with the SAA, our host FBO Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre and our peers with the Asian Business Aviation Association in producing ABACE, ensuring the shows continued success for business aviation across the globe. ABACE 2021 is scheduled to take place from April 13-15, 2021.

ABACE is held each year in partnership with the SAA, and co-hosted by NBAA and AsBAA. Since its launch in 2012, ABACE has become the premier business aviation event in Asia, attracting more than 9,000 attendees from 50 countries.-- Tradearabia News Service
[February 13, 2020] Carahsoft Hosts Partner Pavilion at WEST 2020 in San Diego, CA, March 2-3

RESTON, Va., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHAT: Carahsoft Technology Corp. , The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, will be joined by more than 50 solution providers in its pavilion at WEST 2020 , the leading Sea Services conference and exposition. Co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, this years conference, titled Are We Ready to Confront Great Power Competition?, brings together leading-edge solution providers, industry professionals and our reseller partners to network, collaborate and acquire new insights on advanced solutions that advance the missions of military and government operations. WHO: The Carahsoft Partner Pavilion is located at booth #2131 and features the following partners: Alteryx, Inc. #2149

Arista Networks, Inc. #2249

Axway #1953

BlackBerry | Cylance #2138

Box #2243

CA Technologies #2148

CloudBees, Inc. #2242

Cofense #2042

CyberArk #2035

Fidelis Cybersecurity #2046

Forescout Technologies, Inc. #2037

Gigamon, Inc. #1949

GitLab #2039

Google Cloud #2048

Hootsuite #2143

Infoblox, Inc. #2132

Lookout Mobile Security #2047

McAfee #2031

nCipher Security, LLC. #1951

NVIDIA Corporation #1947 Okta, Inc. #2033

Palo Alto Networks #2246

Radiant Logic, Inc. #2130

Recorded Future #2245

RSA #2244

SailPoint Technologies Holdings, Inc. #2147

Salesforce  | MuleSoft #2239

| MuleSoft #2239 Saviynt #1943

ServiceNow  #2134

#2134 Sonatype #1945

Splunk, Inc. #2139

STEALTHbits #2248

Sword GRC #2044

Tableau Software, Inc. #2238

Thales #2240

ThreatQuotient, Inc. #2049

Trend Micro Incorporated #2145

Trustwave Government Solutions #2146

Venafi #2247

The following vendors will provide demos at the Carahsoft booth #2131: BeyondTrust Corporation

BleCedar

EDB Postgres

GitLab

Granicus

Jama Software

Kofax, Inc.

Kyndi LiveSafe

Markforged, Inc.

Novacoast, Inc.| Micro Focus Government Solutions

Nuvolo

Rapid7

SAP NS2

Systecon

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.





Additional Carahsoft vendor partners exhibiting at the event include: 10ZiG #1253

Adobe Systems, Inc. #423

Amazon Web Services, Inc. #831

CloudBolt Software, Inc. #1841

Confluent, Inc. #1940

DataLocker, Inc. #2036

Dell EMC, Inc. #1313

Denodo Technologies #1039

F5 Networks, Inc. #1901

FireEye, Inc. #1016

Ivanti #2022

Liquidware Labs, Inc. #715 MarkLogic Corporation #612

NCS Technologies, Inc. #742

Nutanix #812

OmniSci, Inc. #1942

Qualys  #1331

#1331 Red Hat, Inc. #920

Samsung #2123

SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. #1103

Veritas #1244

VMware, Inc. #1002

Zscaler, Inc. #1745

Following the exhibit, Carahsoft will host a networking reception for its partners and customers participating in WEST 2020 from 5:00-7:00pm, Monday, March 2 at the Hard Rock Hotel Woodstock Tent in San Diego, CA. This years reception is sponsored by MarkForged, Inc.; Nutanix; True Zero; MarkLogic; Veritas Technologies LLC.; and Micro Focus Government Solutions.

Carahsofts IT solutions portfolio products are available through the companys GSA Schedule 70, NASA SEWP V contracts, and numerous agency-specific, state and education contract vehicles and cooperative purchasing agreements and Carahsofts reseller partners. Visit Carahsoft.com/buy to learn more. WHEN: Monday-Tuesday, March 2-3, 2020 WHERE: San Diego Convention Center

111 W Harbor Dr.

San Diego, CA 92101

Directions FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on Carahsofts Partner Pavilion, contact Ariana Crespo at (571) 662-4956 or [email protected] and visit the Carahsoft WEST 2020 Partner Pavilion website . About Carahsoft Carahsoft has served as The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider for the U.S. Navy since 2004. As the holder of multiple DoN and DoD BPAs/ELAs, Carahsoft supports an extensive ecosystem of partners committed to supporting the global missions of the Navy and the Defense Department as they serve our nation. The company's dedicated Solutions Divisions proactively market, sell and deliver VMware, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Palo Alto Networks, Symantec, Veritas, McAfee, Dell, Adobe, F5 Networks, Google Cloud, ServiceNow, Open Source, Micro Focus Government Solutions, SAP, Salesforce, and Innovative and Intelligence products and services, among others. Carahsoft is consistently recognized by its partners as a top revenue producer and is listed annually among the industry's fastest growing and largest firms by CRN, Inc., Forbes, Washington Technology, The Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, and Bloomberg Government. Visit us at www.carahsoft.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook . Contact

Mary Lange

(703) 230-7434

[email protected]

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- Paul Lukas was working with Alaska Airline based in Washington DC

- The youthful Kenyan national had gone missing for three days before his lifeless body was found in Seattle, Washington

- Reports indicated Lukas was attacked and shot several times by unknown people

- The deceased had in September 2019 declared his gay status on social media leading to mixed reactions

A youthful Kenyan who openly disclosed his gay status on social media has been found dead in the United States.

The lifeless body of Paul Lukas was found in Seattle, Washington DC on Wednesday, February 12, after reportedly going missing for about three days.

READ ALSO: Boni Khalwale asks Gideon Moi to seek him for political guidance now that Moi is dead

Paul Lukas was found dead in Seattle, Washington DC. Photo: Original

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Jowie released on KSh 2 million bail

Reports indicated the alumnus of East Africa School of Media Studies in Nairobi who was working with Alaska Airlines was shot dead by unknown people.

His friends and colleagues at Alaska Airlines described him as a jovial and enthusiastic man who brought joy and ecstatic moments at workplace.

"Paul Lukas lit up every room he entered. You could not look at him or listen to him and feel his energy without experiencing joy. Our Alaska Flight Attendants Class was saddened by news if his death," Allision R Pring eulogised Lukas in a Facebook post.

Paul Lukas in where he was working with Alaska Airline. Photo: Original.

Source: Original

In his previous interview with TUKO.co.ke, Lukas said he was tired of living in denial as a gay and wanted to make it public for people to accept him the way he was.

"I just want everyone to know me and accept me. Yes I am gay and want to live my life," he said then.

Paul Lukas in Washington. Photo: Paul Lukas

Source: Facebook

The then resident of Tacoma disclosed he had shared the same information with his family members and received mixed reactions, which he noted never bothered him.

I came out to my family, got rejected with some, others loved me even more, but yes that is all I want to be...Rainbow is my life. Ooh I just came out to Facebook family too," he added.

The USA is among the countries that recognise lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in the world.

In Kenya, the push to have the rights recognised by the government was thwarted by High Court judges who noted there was no proof that such people were being discriminated against.

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

Source: TUKO.co.ke
President Trump on Thursday accused the lead juror in the case against his longtime associate Roger Stone of significant bias, just as Democrats are casting the presidents comments on the Stone case as an attempt to influence the Justice Department and constitute an obstruction of justice.

Now it looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias. Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the Justice Department, Trump wrote in a tweet.

The juror in question, Tomeka Hart, posted Wednesday on Facebook that she cant keep quiet any longer about the Justice Departments criticism of the seven-to-nine years sentence prosecutors recommended for Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the Houses investigation into the Trump campaigns connections to Russia.

After Trump complained Tuesday on Twitter that Stones recommended sentence was a horrible and very unfair situation, the Justice Department submitted a revised filing stating that the prosecutors recommended lengthy sentence could be considered excessive and unwarranted.

It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors, Hart wrote in her post, in which she identifies herself as foreperson of the jury. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice.

Hart is a former Democratic congressional candidate, a fact she disclosed during the public pretrial jury selection process. The former Memphis City Schools board president ran in the 2012 Democratic primary in Tennessees 9th district, losing by a wide margin to incumbent Democratic Representative Steve Cohen.

Harts social media accounts are also filled with negative commentary about Trump, including a tweet that refers to Trump as #KlanPresident, an apparent reference to the Ku Klux Klan. She also shared a Washington Post opinion piece titled, Whats so extremely, uniquely wrong about Trumps presidency and shared praise for the Mueller investigation, which eventually resulted in Stones arrest.

Story continues

Senator Lindsey Graham on Thursday weighed in the reports of Harts potential bias, urging the court to take the allegations seriously.

If media reports are accurate  about juror bias in the Roger Stone case  I hope the Court will take such allegations seriously, Graham wrote in a tweet.

Stone was convicted by the jury in November, and his sentencing is scheduled for February 20.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi called trumps commentary on Stones case a abuse of power in her Thursday press conference and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) said Wednesday that attorney general William Barr should resign or face impeachment over his alleged intervention in the sentencing.

More from National Review
France's government calculates that the deadly virus outbreak in China will shave at least 1 percentage point off the growth this year of the world's second largest economy, hurting global economic growth too.

The French economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, told broadcaster BFM-TV that the impact on global growth will be greater this time than during the SARS epidemic in 2003, because China's economy is a far larger component of the world economy than it was then.

"Our estimation is that the impact on Chinese growth will be of the order of 1 (percentage) point for the year. That's to say, an important number," the minister said Thursday.

"If it lasts, persists or if the epidemic is amplified, of course the impact will be greater."



Le Maire said that knock-on impacts will be considerable too, projecting that global economic growth will be reduced by at least 0.2 of a percentage point for 2020 and that French growth will suffer a 0.1 percentage-point hit.

"This virus obviously will have an impact, a real impact," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The MOU guiding the project also recommends the establishment of a fundraising program to find "high-profile donors to create a quantum-leap increase in the resources and visibility" of the computing school, as well as developing new facilities that could become its home.

Zeleny said there are no immediate plans to move the programs included in the proposed School of Computing under a single, physical roof. The MOU recommends the school "have sufficient, co-located space to support research, teaching and outreach" by 2024.

The timeline for creating the new school is also flexible.

While a proposal was supposed to go before UNL's Academic Planning Committee last fall, that was pushed back to this spring. If approved by the shared governance committee, the School of Computing plan could go before regents in late summer or early fall.

The new school proposal comes as the College of Engineering embarks on several initiatives designed to raise its stature among the Big Ten Plus Engineering Consortium, which features top programs from the University of Illinois, University of Michigan and Purdue University, as well as non-Big Ten members MIT, Carnegie Mellon and Stanford.
Visitors take photos of the Richard Allen statue during a stop at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Read more

If you know the story of Harriet Tubman, you know the road to freedom passed through Philadelphia, an important stop on the Underground Railroad, the network of secret routes and shelters for fugitives escaping to free states and Canada. And Philadelphia abolitionists, Black and white, were major figures in the movement.

You can learn this part of Philadelphia history by walking the city. Its a good way to engage with Phillys Black history in a way thats also safe during the pandemic.

And we have audio tours to guide you through the stops. These tours includes an open-air auction block that inspired the U.S. abolitionist movement. Youll see a church that hid fugitives in the basement, en route to freedom. Youll visit the Johnson House, where Harriet Tubman may have met other abolitionists. And theres a site that isnt even on the citys historic register, which was recently demolished.

 READ MORE: Explore our timeline of the history of police violence against Black people in Philadelphia

Walk 1: Society Hill and Center City

Listen to this tour while you walk:

1. London Coffee House, 2 S. Front St. (at Market)

After Thomas Paine witnessed people being sold here, he wrote an essay that helped spark the antislavery movement.

The old tavern was a gathering place where merchants, ship owners, and political leaders met to conduct business. Outside, enslaved Africans were sold on the auction block. The English essayist Thomas Paine (1737-1809) lived in the boarding house next door and could see the auctions from an upstairs window. In his 1775 essay African Slavery in America, he called it an outrage against Humanity and Justice. A month after the essay was published, the first antislavery society in America began in Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: 'Its part of our history: Storyteller leads walk exploring sites from Phillys slave trade

2. Anthony Benezet Home, 325 Chestnut St. (now Buddakan restaurant)

Anthony Benezet fought for Black schools, and started the first abolitionist society in America.

Benezet (1713-1784) was a white Quaker teacher and abolitionist. Starting in 1750, Benezet taught night classes to Black boys in his home. He opened the first public school for girls (white girls from prominent families) and, around 1770, convinced the Quakers to open a school for Black students. In 1775, he started the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first abolitionist society in America; after his death, Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Benjamin Rush reorganized the group as the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. The building is no longer standing and is now the site of Buddakan restaurant.

3. Pennsylvania Hall, 190 N. 6th St. (Current site of Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission)

A mob, unhappy that Black and white men and women were meeting, burned the building to the ground.

This building, the first constructed specifically for abolitionist meetings, opened on a Monday in May 1838. The next day, the Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women began. The city asked that meetings be restricted to white women only (others didnt like the idea of women speaking in public at all). The abolitionists refused. A mob broke into the building to interrupt the speakers and tossed rocks through windows from outside. A few days later, the building was burned to the ground. The site is now home to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

4. The Presidents House, Sixth and Market

While President George Washington worked to subvert Pennsylvanias Gradual Abolition Act, at least one of his servants escaped to freedom in New Hampshire.

When Philadelphia was the nations capital, a mansion at Sixth and Market Streets served as the White House. George Washington kept nine people enslaved there. He used a loophole to avoid complying with Pennsylvanias 1780 Gradual Abolition Act, which said that any enslaved person who lived in the state for six months would be free. Washington rotated servants back and forth to his Mount Vernon estate before six months had passed. Washington signed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 here. But in 1796, one woman, Oney Judge, is believed to have reached out to abolitionists to escape.

5. Congo Square, now Washington Square, 210 W. Washington Square

Before it was called Washington Square, this was a gathering place, and a burial place, for the Black community, both free and enslaved.

This park was originally called Southeast Square when William Penn designed the city. It was named after George Washington in 1825. But before that, it was known as Congo Square, because it was where Africans and Black Americans, both free and enslaved, gathered in their free time or on holidays. Congo Square was also a burial ground for the citys black population. People would visit the graves of their family members and pour libations and leave food.

6. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S. Sixth St.

This church was a site on the Underground Railroad.

Bishop Richard Allen was born into slavery, and bought his freedom. Allen went on to found Mother Bethel in 1794; its on the oldest parcel of U.S. land continuously owned by Black Americans and the oldest AME church in the nation. The church became a site on the Underground Railroad, its basement serving as a hiding place for fugitives. Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, Frederick Douglass, and William Still all spoke here. (Another Black church whose members were active in the Underground Railroad was African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, which originally stood at Fifth Street near St. James. There is a marker at that site.)

7. James Forten House, 336 Lombard St.

James Forten was a successful Black businessman who helped fund the antislavery movement.

Born free in Philadelphia, James Forten, (1766-1842) was a student at the school that Anthony Benezet started for Black children. After the Revolutionary War Forten apprenticed with sailmaker Robert Bridges and bought the company when Bridges retired. He was a wealthy entrepreneur and inventor, and helped finance the antislavery causes including The Liberator newspaper.

8. William Still House, 625 S. Delhi St.

He was the Father of The Underground Railroad, and helped many escape slavery.

William Still (1821-1902) helped hundreds of people flee slavery. He was born free in Burlington County, N.J., to former slaves. In Philadelphia, he worked for the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, hiding and assisting fugitives, including his older brother. His book, The Underground Railroad, is an important record of the time, and includes these words on Tubman: in point of courage, shrewdness and disinterested exertions to rescue her fellow-men, by making personal visits to Maryland among the slaves, she was without her equal. (Theres another historic marker on the 200 block of South 12th Street, near a different house where he once lived.)

9. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper House, 1006 Bainbridge St.

The mother of African American journalism lived here.

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) was an abolitionist, writer, and poet. She was born in Baltimore to free black parents. She published her first book of poems in 1845, and is known as the mother of African American journalism for her work writing for abolitionist newspapers. Her 1892 novel, Iola Leroy, about a mixed-race free woman sold into slavery, is still in print. Harper also toured with the Anti-Slavery Society, lecturing alongside Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Lucretia Mott. Her 1854 poem, Bury Me in a Free Land includes these lines: I ask no monument, proud and high, / To arrest the gaze of the passers-by; / All that my yearning spirit craves, / Is bury me not in a land of slaves.

10. Henry Minton House, 204 S. 12th St.

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass attended meetings here and its believed John Brown spent the night here on his way to his raid on Harpers Ferry.

Henry Minton was a caterer and a prominent leader in the free black community in Philadelphia. Minton hosted meetings of abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass and William Still. Abolitionist John Brown is thought to have spent the night at Mintons house on his way to his ill-fated raid on the arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859, where he planned to steal arms to free enslaved Black people. Brown and others, captured in the raid, were later hanged for treason and murder. The raid is considered a pre-cursor to the Civil War. This site is slated for redevelopment after historians failed to convince the city to add it to the list of historical sites.

 READ MORE: Hey, Mayor Kenney: Here are the buildings that Philadelphians want historically preserved

Walk 2: Northwest Philadelphia

Listen to this tour while you walk:

1. Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, 5501 Germantown Ave.

The museum holds items from slavery, such as chains and shackles.

Museum founder J. Justin Ragsdale began collecting items related to slavery more than 40 years ago. Now, he and his wife, Gwen Ragsdale, operate the museum at the Germantown Historical Society. This museum includes shackles, chains, coffles, branding irons, and other ironware used to punish and confine enslaved African Americans. The collection also includes examples of Jim Crow-era objects that were used to ridicule and demean African Americans and create racist attitudes toward Black people.

2. Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Ave.

This place held abolitionist meetings attended by William Still and others. A third-floor attic space is believed to have been a hiding place for those fleeing slavery.

Five generations of the Johnson family, who were Quakers, lived here. In the 1850s, the family was active in the American Anti-Slavery Society and other abolitionist groups; this house was a station and meeting place for the Underground Railroad, and Harriet Tubman may have spent time here. The house was in the line of fire during the Battle of Germantown in 1777 and you can still see the marks left by musket balls. It is now a museum that is open to the public, devoted to the difference that everyday people can make to their communities.

 READ MORE: In Germantown, using history, art and place to bridge understanding

3. Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Ave.

This is one of the places where abolitionist Richard Allen and his family were owned as slaves.

Richard Allen, founder of Mother Bethel African Methodist Church, was born in 1760 into the slave-holding household of lawyer Benjamin Chew, who became attorney general and chief justice of the Supreme Court. Cliveden was his summer mansion. When Allen was 7 or 8, Chew sold his family to Stokley Sturgis, a farmer in Delaware, who sold Allens parents and siblings to enslavers farther South. Allen eventually bought his freedom, returned to Philadelphia and became a leader in the Methodist Church. Cliveden was also the focal point of the 1777 Battle of Germantown.

 READ MORE: Our best Philly tips: Read our most useful stories
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill expressed concern over reports Northern Ireland Secretary Julian O'Neill was sacked over commitments in the power-sharing agreement to introduce legislation on legacy issues.

While DUP leader Arlene Foster thanked Mr Smith for his help in getting devolution restored, the deputy first minister called on the British government to ensure that legacy issues are dealt with by the secretary of state.

He was also thanked by survivors of institutional abuse for his role in establishing a compensation scheme.

Mr Smith's sacking caused shock in Northern Ireland. He was held in high regard for his role in ending the three-year political impasse in Northern Ireland and bringing about the restoration of power sharing.

His sacking on Thursday means he is the second shortest-serving secretary of state in history.

Michelle O'Neill said reports Mr Smith was sacked as a result of committing to bring forward legislation to implement the legacy bodies agreed at Stormont House was "very concerning for victims of the conflict and their families".

The New Decade, New Approach deal pledged to introduce legislation within 100 days.

Ms O'Neill said: "The British government has already dragged this process out for more than five years, delaying the publication of legislation again and again.

"Some victims have been waiting up to five decades for truth and disclosure."

Julian Smith said serving the people of Northern Ireland had been "the biggest privilege".

He added: "I am extremely grateful to Boris Johnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth and support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much."

His replacement is expected to be announced on Thursday afternoon with Brandon Lewis reported to be a potential replacement.

The last thing Northern Ireland needs is a Boris Johnson yes man or woman' Steve Aiken

Posting on social media, First Minister Arlene Foster said: "We may not have always agreed (we did sometimes) but his dedication to the role was incredible," she tweeted.

"Best wishes to him and his family. Always welcome in Fermanagh."

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie, speaking on the BBC Nolan Show, said Mr Smith's handling of the Northern Ireland talks with the Prime Minister may have cost him his job.

He said: "I am not surprised. I like Julian Smith and thought he would have been a good secretary of state in the long term but the reality is in the New Decade, New Deal it seems he has bounced the Prime Minister in regards to legacy in exactly the same way he bounced the Ulster Unionist Party in regards to legacy and I think that has cost him his job."

Smith = second shortest tenure as N. Ireland Secretary. Previous shortest was Francis Pym (4 months). They both got Stormont up and running again. Maybe thats a bad career move...  Jon Tonge (@JonTonge) February 13, 2020

Speculation about Mr Smith's position centred on the terms of the Stormont deal, amid Tory concerns it could pave the way for prosecutions of British soldiers.

But allies of the axed minister said it was "absolute cr*p" to suggest that Mr Johnson and Number 10 had not been kept informed of the process and details of the deal.

U have been such an effective SOS for NI at a time of real challenge & risk. Without your leadership I dont believe NI would have a Govt today. Thank you @JulianSmithUK for your trust, friendship and courage; UK & #Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it.  Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) February 13, 2020

There was widespread tributes for Mr Smith from Northern Ireland politicians.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood thanked Mr Smith for his "tireless commitment to devolution, for the work you've done for victims of historical institutional abuse and for securing much needed resource for Derry".

"Sacking the most successful Secretary of State in a decade shows Johnson's dangerous indifference to us," he added.

UUP leader Steve Aiken wish Mr Smith and his family well, adding that no one can question his dedication to the job.

"We had our differences, none more so than over his approach to the New Decade, New Approach document, but his work in getting redress for the victims of institutional abuse is something that he should be very proud of. He showed much needed compassion," he said.

Julian Smith`s successor should take a leaf out of his book and spend time in Northern Ireland getting to know the place and its people. The last thing Northern Ireland needs is a Boris Johnson yes man or woman.

Leo Varadkar also paid tribute to the outgoing secretary of state on social media.

"In eight months as Secretary of State, Julian, you helped to restore power sharing in Stormont, secured an agreement with us to avoid a hard border, plus marriage equality. You are one of Britains finest politicians of our time. Thank you," he tweeted.

Jon McCourt, chairman of Survivors North West, thanked Mr Smith for his work in getting compensation for victims of historical institutional abuse.

He tweeted: "Sad to hear of your removal from office. Deeply indebted for your work on HIA, this would not have crossed the line without your committed and passionate support. On behalf of Survivors NW thank you and we wish you well in the future."

Institutional abuse campaigner Margaret McGuckin added: "We were looking forward, the future we thought was brighter and that was because of Julian Smith. Hes too good to be a politician

"He was sorely needed here in Northern Ireland where the former secretary of state would do nothing."

"The world needs more like him."

The campaigner said Mr Smith should leave the Tory party.

Mr Smith was in the job for 204 days, while his predecessor Karen Bradley was in the post for 562 days, despite being widely seen as an ineffective secretary of state.
Two members of the armed unit adjusted the fire of Grad missile launchers, as Russian mercenaries shelled the peaceful town with no Ukrainian troops inside at that time

Russian militants SBU

Leaders of illegal military unit Somali are now the official suspects in committing a terrorist act in Avdiivka, Donetsk region, in 2015. The press office of the SBU, Ukraine's state security service reported that on February 13.

"Investigators of the special service found out that the shelling of peaceful residential quarters of district center with the population of dozens of thousands of people was conducted from the territory that is temporarily controlled by the terrorists. According to the conclusions (...), the terrorists shelled the area with M-21OF fragmentary shells, launching the attacks from the towns of Mineralne, Yakovlivka and Yasynuvata. At least 70 such shells were fired during the attack", reads the message.

Two civilians deceased in the attack on Avdiivka in January 2015; another two sustained wounds. Residential quarters and houses, a kindergarten, hospital and other municipal establishments were either badly damaged or completely destroyed.

"Investigators of the SBU set the direct participation of militants of two units of the Somali, the 1st separate battalion group of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, in the criminal attacks on residential quarters of Avdiivka", the authority reported.

Two members of the armed unit adjusted the fire of Grad missile launchers, as Russian mercenaries shelled the peaceful town with no Ukrainian troops inside at that time. Both men are suspected of committing the crime and face either a life sentence or 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.
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Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya, Ni Komang Erviani and Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta and Denpasar  Thu, February 13, 2020 16:19 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064562c2 1 National coronavirus,COVID-19,Bali-Airport,Wuhan-coronavirus,Jin-COVID-19-patient,Anhui-province,Huainan,health-ministry,outbreak Free

The Indonesian Health Ministry is gathering information on a Chinese national who flew to Bali from Wuhan late last month and has tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after returning to China.

The Health Ministrys disease control and environmental health director general, Anung Sugihantono, said the ministry had contacted Chinese authorities and begun tracing the travel path of the patient, identified as Jin, in Bali.

Yes, we have," Anung said in response to The Jakarta Post's question. We are doing the contact tracing [of Jin], Anung said on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Anung had dismissed the information as likely "a rumor".

The case has come to the nations attention after the Anhui administration announced via Weibo on Feb. 6 that the Huainan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Feb. 5 that a confirmed patient, identified only as Jin, had flown on Lion Air flight JT2618 from Wuhan  the epicenter of the outbreak  to Bali on Jan. 22. The patient stayed on the island for about a week before boarding Garuda Indonesia flight GA858 from Bali to Shanghai on Jan. 28.

Read also: Lion Air confirms passenger named 'Jin' among 188 on Wuhan-Bali flight

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said on Thursday that authorities had gathered information on the patient from websites and Weibo.

Since last night we have searched on the website and Weibo. This morning we're still communicating with the local administration [in China]. We will report the results to the Foreign Ministry. We will try to provide the fastest and best [information], Djauhari told the Post.

Bali Health Agency head Ketut Suarjaya said the agency had also begun to investigate Jins travel history in Bali.

We are now conducting contact tracing to look for every location Jin visited in Bali, Suarjaya said.

Suarjaya said that Jin had been in Bali for six days, from Jan. 22 to 28. He tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Feb. 5, eight days after leaving Bali.

The incubation period of the virus is around three to seven days. The maximum incubation period is 14 days. In Bali, there are no positive coronavirus cases yet, he added.

Since the outbreak of the virus, Sanglah hospital in Bali has treated 32 patients who had shown symptoms of the disease; all 30 tests conducted so far have come back negative.

Two patients are currently being observed in Sanglah hospital. The laboratory testing hasn't finished yet," Suarjaya said.

Read also: Tourist tests positive for coronavirus eight days after return from Bali: Chinese authorities

Contacted separately, Lucky Tjahjono, head of the Denpasar Port Health Agency, expressed doubt that Jin had contracted the virus while he was in Bali.

Based on the incubation period calculation and his travel history, we cannot be certain that the virus infection happened in Bali. He left Bali for Shanghai on Jan. 28, after that, the virus symptoms showed and the CDC confirmed that he was coronavirus positive on Feb. 5, eight days after leaving Bali, Lucky said.

When he left Bali, he was in good condition; there was no health complaint. If there had been any complaint [from Jin] the airlines [that he used] should have reported it to us," he added.

Lucky believed it was most likely that Jin had been infected in Shanghai or mainland China after leaving Bali.

Most importantly, we haven't recorded any confirmed coronavirus case in Bali. That means, there is no source of transmission here," he said.
Hamilton, Feb 13 : Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan believes Jasprit Bumrah, who went wicketless in the three ODIs against New Zealand, needs to be "extra aggressive" in his bid to take wickets as batsmen now look to adopt a defensive approach against him.

"When you build a reputation like how Jasprit Bumrah has built now over the years, you will have to fight this," Zaheer told Cricbuzz. "Bumrah is in a phase where teams are saying 'even if we get thirty five runs we are happy with that as long as we are not giving him wickets because then we can attack the other bowlers'." Bumrah was far from his best as despite playing in all the three games against the Black Caps, he was unable to make any impact and returned wicketless while going for a total of 167 runs in the 30 overs he bowled. In the ICC rankings, he has been replaced by New Zealand's Trent Boult at the numero uno spot after the just concluded series.

"That is something which Bumrah will have to understand that he has to be extra aggressive in terms of looking to get those wickets because he knows the batsmen are going to be defensive." "So, he has to find that way of going for wickets rather than hoping that the batsmen will make a mistake because batsmen are taking a very conservative approach and making sure that his wicket-taking column is not getting filled.

"It's a good sign that other batsmen are giving him that respect so it's Bumrah's call to now basically make them play. He has to make the play now rather than batsman playing him out," Zaheer added.

Bumrah will now look to do his best in the two-Test series against the Black Caps which begins February 21 in Wellington.
Recently, some San Francisco restaurants have been alarmed to find their food listed for delivery on third-party apps, such as Grubhub and DoorDash, despite never giving them consent to do so. Even Michelin-starred Kin Khao, which doesn't do delivery at all (or even box up food for takeout), was listed on Grubhub.

On Tuesday, California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego)  who also authored AB 5, which requires businesses to reclassify gig workers as employees  introduced legislation to stop this from happening.

Assembly Bill 2149, known as the Fair Food Delivery Act would require food delivery apps to share certain information about customers, such as location and email address, with restaurants they are delivering from.

"We need to level the playing field for mom-and-pop restaurants that are being taken advantage of by big tech," Assemblywoman Gonzalez said in a press release. "Restaurants shouldnt fear losing their customers when they dont agree to the conditions of some multi-million dollar food delivery app. This bill will put the power back in the hands of small business owners in California."

Having their food delivered without their knowledge by third-party apps definitely poses a threat to restaurants' relationships with customers. There is no way to guarantee food will be delivered in a timely manner, and the more time that passes, the more the quality of the food diminishes  potentially giving them a bad name in that customer's mind. Furthermore, with no way to contact consumers, restaurants can't follow up on any situations that arise.

"The tech platforms who are delivering the food and the restaurants who are preparing it both have a responsibility for the customers experience and satisfaction," said California Restaurant Association CEO and President Jot Condie in a press release. "If we are going to be partners in this, we both need to be part of that communication channel."

Editor's note, Feb. 13, 2020, 3:30 p.m.: A previous version of this story included a portion of Assemblywoman Gonzalez's statement on AB 2149, which stated that the bill "would prohibit restaurants from being offered on delivery apps without a prior agreement reached." After review of the bill's language, the proposed legislation makes no mention of this, and it has since been removed from the article.

Madeline Wells is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: madeline.wells@sfgate.com | Twitter: @madwells22
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- White supremacist propaganda distribution more than doubled in 2019 compared to the previous year, making it the highest year on record in the United States, a study released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Wednesday revealed.

One of the largest culprits of the distribution, according to the ADL  the New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA)  is under investigation by the NYPD and District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, the Advance exclusively reported last month.

Patriot Front, American Identity Movement and NJEHA  all groups designated as white supremacist organizations by the ADL  are responsible for approximately 90% of the activity, according to the study.

The newly-released data shows a total of 2,713 cases of literature distribution nationwide, which is about seven times per day, compared to 1,214 reported cases in 2018.

On Staten Island, the ADL said there were 21 instances of white supremacist propaganda in 2019; however, an Advance investigation revealed that NJEHA alone posted at least 50 flyers and stickers across multiple neighborhoods on Staten Island over the past eight months, indicating that the ADLs data could perhaps under-represent the extent of the issue.

While the ADL said NJEHA was responsible for approximately 9% of all white supremacist propaganda incidents in the United States in 2019, data mapped by the Advance indicates their influence is more pronounced locally.

The Advance previously reported NJEHAs main form of exposure is through the distribution of flyers and stickers, which the group encourages followers to print out and place in their neighborhoods.

The flyers, which commonly refer to an unsubstantiated conspiracy that white people are facing extinction, urge viewers to Reclaim your nation and Reclaim your heritage.

The groups website reads: The non-Whites who will come to replace us will recreate the failed societies they have fled. Our nations will be plagued with high levels of violence, poverty, corruption and instability.

The barrage of propaganda, which overwhelmingly features veiled white supremacist language with a patriotic slant, is an attempt to normalize the white supremacists message and bolster recruitment efforts while targeting minority groups including Jews, Blacks, Muslims, non-white immigrants and the LGBTQ community, said Oren Segal, ADLs vice president for the Center on Extremism.

While the Advance reported on the groups presence on the borough on two separate instances in New Dorp, an investigation of Gab  a lightly-censored social media site the group primarily uses  revealed that flyers and other propaganda were placed at dozens of locations on the borough, from Tottenville to Mariners Harbor.

White supremacists see propaganda distribution  including flying, leafleting and stickering  as a convenient and practically anonymous way to promote their messages of hate and intolerance, said ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt. While we know extremists and hate groups are emboldened by the current environment, this surge in fliering and propaganda distribution powerfully demonstrates how bigots are able to spread their message without compromising their anonymity.

Colleges were also a prime target of white supremacist groups in 2019, with groups targeting a total of 433 campuses in 43 states and the District of Columbia in 2019, the study found.

On Staten Island, NJEHA touted placing its material at heavily-trafficked areas, including Wagner College and the College of Staten Island (CSI). Stickers were removed from the campuses, and statements were delivered to students and faculty in both instances.

While literature distribution rose heavily, the ADL documented 20% fewer white supremacist events in 2019 compared to 2018, down from 92 to 76 events  indicating a shift in tactics to spread messages.

By doubling down on propaganda distribution, extremist groups are able to maximize attention while limiting the risk of exposure that normally comes with more public events, the ADL said.

When previously contacted for a story, a man who picked up the phone for a number listed on one of the NJEHA posters declined to speak to an Advance reporter, saying they "dont want to talk, adding, you guys are liars and fake news.
Military retirees receiving care on bases nationwide are being quietly shifted to off-base civilian providers in a transition that has been taking place since at least 2018, Military.com has learned.

That's independent of a plan outlined in a recently obtained memo that would close 38 treatment facilities to all but active-duty patients.

The changes detailed in the Feb. 3 memo are a part of a review of military hospital operations and a system consolidation under the Defense Health Agency ordered by Congress in 2016. The memo did not list the affected facilities or make clear when the changes would start. A report on that review is expected to be delivered to Congress as early as this week.

The memo said changes would happen "in a deliberate, responsible fashion," and not until officials are "able to confirm there are available providers in the local Tricare network."

Care for military retirees enrolled in the Tricare Prime plan has long been offered at military clinics on a space-available basis, as a matter of policy.

"One of the biggest challenges and most important responsibilities we have is how to best align our resources with our patients' needs. Military hospital and clinic leaders constantly evaluate their facilities' capacity based on the number of providers available and their mix of specialties," Kevin Dwyer, a DHA spokesman, said in a statement provided to Military.com. "However, because the report to Congress has not yet been submitted, any previous changes are a result of the rebalancing of capacity based on available providers."

But as early as 2018, military hospitals and clinics had begun intentionally shifting retirees out of the hospital and into the community as a response to clinic and hospital staffing levels and restructuring sparked by the consolidation.

Related: More Than 3 Dozen Military Hospitals to Stop Treating Retirees, Families, Memo Shows

Military retirees pay an annual enrollment fee of $600 per family to use the Tricare Prime plan and gain access to on-base doctors. While care received on base has no out-of-pocket cost, retired Prime users must pay $20 per visit for primary care and $31 for specialty care received outside the military system. Tricare Select comes with slightly higher out-of-pocket costs -- $30 for primary and $45 for specialty care -- but no annual enrollment fee. Both plans have a $3,000 annual out-of-pocket cost cap.

For example, when Army officials announced plans to downsize Ireland Army Community Hospital at Fort Knox, Kentucky to a health clinic in 2018, retirees were told they could no longer be seen there for primary care.

"Military treatment facilities are able to see retirees on a space available basis, and Ireland has done that for years," Col. Kevin. Bass, commander of the medical center at the time, said in a news release. "But with a new clinic being built and the restrictions placed on its construction, we will not have the space to see retirees when it's finished."

At Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, retirees were sent letters late last year notifying them that they were no longer able to get appointments on base.

"Because our staffing won't accommodate everyone, we've taken a series of steps throughout this year to adjust [Naval Branch Health Clinic] Kings Bay's enrollment," says the letter, signed by Capt. Matthew Case, who commands Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, of which Kings Bay is a subordinate command.

Hundreds of military retirees and their family members contacted Military.com following its first report about the memo Feb. 7, many of them stating that their local hospital or clinic had made a similar announcement. In other cases, readers said they were simply told their primary care provider was no longer available. In all instances, retirees who were no longer allowed on base faced new and unplanned out-of-pocket fees based on the Tricare Prime cost structure.

Readers reported being dropped from primary or specialty care at hospitals and clinics including Naval Hospital Bremerton, Washington; Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; FE Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming; Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida; and Submarine Base New London, Connecticut.

Only officials from Barksdale, Air Force Base and Naval Health Clinic New England, which oversees Navy medical care across the Northeast U.S., returned a request for comment.

A spokesman from Barksdale said they are waiting on a decision from Congress before determining whether or not their clinics will close to patients not on active duty. And Kathy MacKnight, a spokeswoman for the region, said while the clinics at New London and Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, have not removed anyone, neither locations are accepting any new dependent enrollees, including active-duty family members.

Retirees arent the only ones concerned about the shift. Although the memo promised no immediate changes, active-duty families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Barksdale Air Force Base and FE Warren Air Force Base reported being either removed from care or blocked from enrolling at the military clinic.

In one case, for example, users at Fort Bragg's Fayetteville Medical Home reported losing their primary care doctor without warning in mid-December and being told to pick one in the community. In a separate case, a military spouse at the same clinic was told this week that clinic staff had been notified it is closing.

But a spokesman for Womack Army Medical Center, which oversees that clinic, said no changes have been made there.

"We are currently reassessing the best use of the space. No decision has been made. No one is being dis-enrolled and no employment is being terminated," Robert Kerns, a Womack spokesman, told Military.com.

Unlike retirees, active-duty family members enrolled in Tricare Prime but seen off-base do not pay out-of-pocket fees for care.

Despite an assurance in the memo that no patients will be moved "until we are confident the local market has providers available," many readers said they're worried that officials won't know care isn't available until it's too late. For example, one spouse at Fort Bragg reported having trouble finding an off-base provider with openings, while a retiree near Kings Bay said she had to wait over a month for her new off-base doctor to have an opening.

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
ROME - Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio stressed to General Khalifa Haftar in meeting with him on Thursday in Benghazi that the solution to the ongoing conflict in the country ''cannot be military''.



''In Libya there is a population that wants answers. The answer cannot, however, be military in any way. Weapons and bombing are not needed. The road to be followed must inevitably be that of dialogue and diplomacy,'' Di Maio wrote after the meeting.

''We are working so that this road be taken by both the parties involved and it is fundamental for us that the results of the Berlin conference be respected,'' he added in his post.

''I reiterated to General Haftar that Italy does not accept any external interference and that there is the need to work hard for a permanent ceasefire,'' the minister continued. On Sunday, he added, he will be in Munich for a conference following on the heels of the Berlin one, ''where I will be able to meet with counterparts from other countries involved in the Libya issue. Next week, in Rome, I will be meeting with Russian minister Lavrov along with Defense Minister Guerini.''
PHOENIX  Arizona cities and counties would not be allowed to ban new natural gas hookups under legislation moving through the Arizona Legislature, an effort to prevent the spread here of gas bans being adopted by California cities to help combat climate change.

The measure cleared the House in a 35-25 vote on Wednesday, and similar legislation is advancing in the Senate. All Republicans were joined by a handful of Democrats in support.

The bills supporters say homeowners should be able to decide for themselves what kind of energy they want to use in their homes. They also say restaurants would suffer if they couldnt cook on gas stoves.

Its ridiculous that any government will get down to that level that they d tell someone how they can heat their house, said Rep. Bob Thorpe, a Republican from Flagstaff.

Democrats say the state shouldnt tie the hands of cities and counties to do what they think is best. Rep. Kirsten Engel, a Tucson Democrat, said no gas bans have been proposed in Arizona.

Our utilities are very localized, and I think this is a matter we should leave to our local governments, Engel said.

___

This story corrects the first name of Rep. Kirsten Engel.
Bernie Sanders is one candidate who should go into Super Tuesday in reasonably goodand possibly greatshape. Photo: Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images

We are now halfway through the privileged early states on the 2020 Democratic presidential nominating calendar, and less than three weeks from Super Tuesday, when 14 states (plus American Samoa and Democratic Abroad) will award 1,357 pledged delegates (over one-third of the total for the year) in one fell swoop. And in fact, this understates the proximity of Super Tuesday: California started sending out vote-by-mail ballots on February 3, the day of the Iowa caucuses; in-person early voting began today in Tennessee, and will begin next week in Texas.

In many respects the early states are designed to winnow the field before Super Tuesday. But to a remarkable extent, we really dont know which candidates will survive in any sort of viable condition by then. Yes, three low-polling candidates (Andrew Yang, Michael Bennet, and Deval Patrick) dropped out once it was obvious they were doing poorly in New Hampshire. Three candidates had big, successful nights (Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar). And two other very major candidates  each of whom looked like a front-runner at some point in the cycle  did poorly for the second contest in a row. That would be Joe Biden (fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire) and Elizabeth Warren (third in Iowa, fourth in New Hampshire).

Its the nature of the remaining early states that makes prognostication so difficult. Polling for the Nevada caucuses on February 22 and the South Carolina primary on February 29 has been sparse. Before New Hampshires returns came in, the real contenders in Nevada appeared to be Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Tom Steyer (whos spent a bundle on TV there). Bernies in fine shape, to be sure, after at least winning a tie in Iowa and an outright victory in New Hampshire. But Biden and Warren head toward Nevada in some serious trouble, and perhaps beginning to run short on money. You have to figure the former veep will concentrate on South Carolina, where he has led every poll and has a reasonably solid base of African-American support.

Meanwhile Buttigieg appears to have made some investments in Nevada that may now pay off, as the Nevada Independent reports:

Six months ago, his Nevada team was just starting to find its footing while other campaigns had been on the ground for months. He had barely visited the state. Voters were somewhat skeptical of this midwestern mayor they knew little about.

But with time, his team grew into the second largest in the Silver State. As of this week, they now have nearly 100 staffers on the ground, with 12 offices open statewide including often-forgotten corners of the state such as Pahrump and Fallon.

Amy Klobuchar, though, who hasnt had anything like Mayor Petes kind of money, is definitely playing catch-up in Nevada. In the RealClearPolitics averages of very limited polling in Nevada (none of it reporting preferences in the last month), shes in seventh place with just 3 percent.

Latinos are a key factor in Nevada, accounting for about a third of the population, which is another reason for Sanderss strength (he is the acknowledged leader among Latinos, mostly as a byproduct of his overwhelming youth support). Biden has done well among older Latinos, as has Warren to a lesser extent, though again, its unclear how much damage the two candidates sustained from their poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. The best you can say for Buttigiegs Latino support is that its stronger than his black support, and Klobuchar is not noted for a diverse following either.

A wild card in Nevada is the Culinary Workers Union, a big dog in the states Democratic politics, which has been warning its members that the Medicare for All plan that Sanders (and to a lesser extent Warren) is promoting would replace the generous plan the union negotiated with employers. The Culinary Union has not endorsed a candidate, and probably wont before the caucuses, but if its perceived as working hand-in-glove with a campaign, that could have a real impact.

Another thing to watch is the February 19 candidate debate in Las Vegas. Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Warren, and Biden have all qualified. Steyer hasnt; he didnt win any delegates in Iowa or New Hampshire (the simplest way to qualify) and there hasnt been any new polling of his two best states, Nevada and South Carolina. It could be a real problem for him down the stretch in Nevada. A complication for everyone is that someone who isnt competing in Nevada or South Carolina, Michael Bloomberg, may be on the stage, since the Democratic National Committee eliminated the grassroots-fundraising threshold for qualifying even as he began posting big numbers in national polls (he has three of the four necessary to get into the debate).

South Carolina is even more of a crapshoot since theres no obvious order of finish, particularly if Bidens apparent meltdown is communicable to the sizable constituency hes built in the Palmetto State. You also have to figure that what happens in Nevada could give candidates who did well a bounce a week later. While polling is sparse, its a bit more recent than the data from Nevada. But its also from surveys taken before the longtime local favorite, Joe Biden, began his descent toward Palookaville in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Before Iowa, the hot recent challenger to Biden in the Palmetto State was Tom Steyer, who had vaulted into second place in a survey from East Carolina University (Sanders, the only other candidate in double digits, was third). As I noted at the time, the billionaire was making a real play to melt down Bidens South Carolina firewall:

As of late January, Steyer had spent $14 million on broadcast-TV ads in the state and was putting an estimated $200,000 a week into Facebook ads targeting South Carolinians, along with millions of dollars worth of direct mail. The billionaire has also held more events in the state than Biden or anyone else still in the race.

That ECU poll showed Steyer with support from one-fourth of the states African-American voters, who are expected to account for well over half the primary vote. Biden had 44 percent of the black vote, but clearly he was losing some ground even before the deeply disappointing finishes in the first two states. Steyer, of course, did far worse than Biden in the first two states, but wasnt facing much in the way of expectations.

Youd assume Buttigieg and Klobuchar would benefit in South Carolina from their performances in the earlier states (including, possibly, Nevada), but they are coming from far behind. The ECU survey had Buttigieg, who has spent a goodly amount of time there, at 4 percent and Klobuchar at 2 percent. As has been the case in earlier polls and other states, neither of them has shown any support to speak of among African-Americans.

So who knows which candidates will survive all four early states and head into Super Tuesday raring to go? Biden and Warren could fade even more (the former in particular cannot afford to do badly in Nevada and South Carolina) or could find a lifeline and raise some money. Buttigieg and Klobuchar could fall apart in the face of all those nonwhite voters in the next two contests, or could do well enough to move on. If Steyer can do as well as some polls have shown him doing in Nevada and South Carolina, he can then make a stand in his native California, where he has a huge field organization.

There are, then, many possible configurations of the field heading into Super Tuesday, though at present the only candidates positioned to harvest many delegates in multiple states are Sanders and, of course, Michael Bloomberg, whose insane levels of investment in ads and staff on the ground will kick in with the states voting in March. Keep in mind that candidates who struggle on with few resources almost certainly wont win delegates with less than 15 percent of the vote in any given district or state. More candidates might suggest a greater scattering of delegates and a higher likelihood no one can win a majority by the end of the primaries. But more candidates could also reduce the number hitting the thresholds. And in the event of a protracted and divisive Sanders/Bloomberg battle, someone (in theory Elizabeth Warren, who has been auditioning for the Unity Candidate role for a while) might gain new traction  if they have enough support to keep them in play until then. Maybe FiveThirtyEights Nate Silver has simulations for all the possibilities. But we need more results  or at the very least a lot more polls  to bet any acreage on where it all goes.
Matthew Wright (pictured), 32, who blocked a bridge near the Hoover Dam with a homemade armored vehicle in 2018 has pleaded guilty to making a terrorist threat

A man Nevada man has pleaded guilty to making a terrorist threat after he blocked a bridge near the Hoover Dam with a homemade armored vehicle in support of the far-right conspiracy, QAnon, in 2018.

Matthew Wright, 32, of Henderson, Nevada, pleaded guilty to the terrorism charge and two other felony crimes, including aggravated assault and fleeing from law enforcement as part of a plea agreement on February 4, the Arizona Republic reported Tuesday.

Wright faces less than a decade in prison compared to a potential life sentence, prosecutors said.

He was initially charged with felony counts of terrorism, aggravated assault, misconduct involving weapons and unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, prosecutors said.

Wright blocked traffic by parking his vehicle across lanes on the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge above the Colorado River in June 2018, authorities said.

He surrendered to authorities on the Arizona side of the bridge after a 90-minute barricade situation that stopped traffic on the main highway between Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Witnesses said he held up multiple signs but it is not clear what they said.

Wright blocked traffic by parking his vehicle across lanes on the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge above the Colorado River in June 2018, authorities said

He surrendered to authorities on the Arizona side of the bridge after a 90-minute barricade situation that stopped traffic on the main highway between Las Vegas and Phoenix

Police said they later discovered two assault-style rifles, two handguns and 900 rounds of ammunition.

His attorney Michael Denea declined to comment on the case until his client was sentenced. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4.

In a letter from jail explaining he was motivated by patriotism, Wright used the phrase 'for where we go one, we go all,' at the end of the letter.

The phrase is used on message boards in the QAnon community, authorities said.

QAnon conspiracy theories center around a supposed government insider who adherents believe is spooning out vital revelations using cryptic language and signs.

Wright sent another letter to President Donald Trump that seemed to apologize for his actions, authorities said.

What started as an online obsession for the far-right fringe has grown beyond its origins in a dark corner of the internet.

QAnon has been creeping into the mainstream political arena for more than a year.

And the trend shows no sign of abating as Trump fires up his reelection campaign operation, attracting a loyal audience of conspiracy theorists and other fringe groups to his raucous rallies.

Trump has retweeted QAnon-promoting accounts. Followers flock to Trump's rallies wearing clothes and hats with QAnon symbols and slogans.

In a letter from jail explaining he was motivated by patriotism, Wright used the phrase 'for where we go one, we go all,' at the end of the letter. The phrase is used on message boards in the QAnon community, authorities said. A QAnon supporter is pictured holding a large 'Q'

QAnon conspiracy theories center around a supposed government insider who adherents believe is spooning out vital revelations using cryptic language and signs. A QAnon supporter is seen wearing a 'Q' shirt

At least 23 current or former congressional candidates in the 2020 election cycle have endorsed or promoted QAnon, according to the liberal watchdog Media Matters for America, which compiled online evidence to support its running tally.

For more than two years, followers have pored over a tangled set of clues purportedly posted online by a high-ranking government official known only as 'Q'.

Many followers believe the late John F. Kennedy Jr is a Trump supporter who faked his death in a 1999 plane crash.

Another core belief is that thousands of deep state operatives and top Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and Obama, will be rounded up and sent to Guantanamo Bay during an event called 'The Storm'.

The first Q 'drop' appeared on the 4chan imageboard in October 2017. The messages migrated to 8chan until a string of mass shootings by gunmen who posted manifestos on the site led to it getting forced offline in August.

The disruption, which ended when the imageboard relaunched in November under the new name 8kun, hardly spelled the end of QAnon.

Travis View, a conspiracy theory researcher who co-hosts The QAnon Anonymous Podcast and has written about QAnon for the Washington Post under his pseudonym, said the sense of community forged by QAnon believers has helped it endure beyond the life span of other conspiracy theories.

'People in the QAnon community feel like they are banding together to uncover the real truth behind the scenes,' said View, who works as a marketer for a San Diego company and says he uses the pseudonym to protect himself.
Islamabad: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will reach Pakistan today at his two-day official court. Officials and experts say that this tour is very important in the context of regional and international development. Erdogan is also accompanied by a high-level delegation to Pakistan, which includes cabinet ministers, senior government officials as well as chief executive officers (CEOs) of Turkish corporations.

World Radio Day: It is special in many ways

According to the report of the Express Tribune, the tour is taking place at a time when Pakistan is trying to make up for the damage caused by its disappearance from the Kuala Lumpur summit. Pakistan's PM Imran Khan was also scheduled to attend the summit, but remained distant from the meeting, citing Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concerns over the gathering of leaders from Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, and Qatar.

Snowfall in Iraq after 100 years, Baghdad wraps in white sheet

Saudi Arabia saw this summit as an attempt by some Islamic countries to create a new block in the Muslim world. However, hosts Malaysia and Pakistan rejected such notions. In a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday, it said that during the visit, there will be an important meeting between Khan and Erdogan.

Pakistan upset with blacklist, terrorist Hafiz Saeed sentenced to 5 years
Its Feb. 12. Have you made Valentines Day plans yet? If you just broke into a cold sweat because you absolutely forgot to plan a big romantic gesture for your partner its okay. TAP Air Portugal has your back and is giving away free trips to Lisbon. However, like all good things in life, this giveaway has one big catch.

On Wednesday, the airline announced its plans to give three couples free tickets for a three-night weekend in Lisbon from Feb. 14 to 17. The lucky Valentines Day lovers will be gifted the tickets along with a stay at the recently renovated Tivoli Avenida Liberdade.

However, to qualify for the tickets, couples have show up at Newark Liberty International Airport in full wedding attire. Thats right, that means a dress and tuxedo of some variety. Couples must also meet at TAPs ticket counter in Terminal B, at 2 p.m., ahead of the 6:05 p.m. flight the lucky winners will take to Lisbon.

Should more than three couples arrive in wedding gear on Feb. 14, the airline explained an onsite panel of judges will determine who will receive the free trips.

Once aboard, the winning couples will each be provided with a glass of champagne to toast to their last-minute trip. And, on Sunday, the winning couples will be treated to a romantic four-hour wine tour, with tastings, courtesy of Estrela dAlva Tours, before packing their bags to return home the next day.

Check out all the rules and eligibility requirements for entry on TAPs website now. Not sure youre ready to commit to wearing a wedding dress or tuxedo for a trip to Portugal? Thats okay, you can still plan your own getaway to Travel + Leisures 2016 destination of the year by checking out our tips and booking your own trip from Newark to Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal. And, if you and your honey can wait a few weeks to plan your visit, those flights could cost you just a few hundred bucks.
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Linkedin Budi Sutrisno and Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 15:07 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064502c0 1 National Anhui-province,Huainan,Jin-COVID-19-patient,Lion-Air,Garuda-Indonesia,Wuhan-coronavirus,Bali-Airport,Ngurah-Rai-International-Airport Free

Lion Air has confirmed that a passenger named Jin was one of 188 passengers on a flight from Wuhan to Denpasar on Jan. 22. An air traveler with the same name was previously reported as testing positive for the novel coronavirus, but it is not confirmed whether the identities match.

Read also: Tourist tests positive for coronavirus eight days after return from Bali: Chinese authorities

In a media statement received by The Jakarta Post, Lion Air confirmed that JT2618 flew from Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Huangpi District to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Jan. 22 and that the flight carried two pilots, one co-pilot, six cabin crew members, two technicians and 188 passengers.

All passengers, including Jin, were checked by a medical team from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airports port health office and there was no indication of a virus infection, Lion Air Group corporate communications strategic officer Danang Mandala Prihantoro told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. He said he was checking the manifest to confirm whether there were other passengers who had "Jin" in their name.

Earlier, the Huainan Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Feb. 5 that a patient who tested positive for the coronavirus, identified only as Jin, flew on Lion Air flight JT2618 from Wuhan to Bali on Jan. 22. The patient stayed on the island for about a week before flying on Garuda Indonesia flight GA858 from Bali to Shanghai on Jan. 28.

The Chinese authority instructed the public in its announcement that passengers of the two flights should impose self-quarantine measures, head to a hospital wearing a mask if they have a fever and avoid public transportation.

Read also: 'We will trace his movements': Bali officials respond to report of coronavirus-infected tourist

When and where Jin was infected with the virus remains unclear. Lion Air, however, had no plans to notify other passengers about undergoing a medical examination, Danang said. He refused to go into detail about Jins identity.

Danang said JT2618 was well-prepared with all crew members and passengers having gone through a medical examination as required before departure. The flight departed on schedule at 5:05 p.m. local time in Wuhan, Hubei, and landed at the Bali airport at 10:55 p.m. Central Indonesia time.

Upon arriving in Bali, Danang said, technicians had worked together with the relevant parties to spray disinfectant in the aircraft according to standard procedures.

This is to ensure the safety, security and comfort of air travel for flight crew and passengers, especially in anticipation of the coronavirus outbreak as notified by local authorities, Danang added.

Lion Air had operated three flights a week, every Wednesday (including on Jan. 22), Friday and Sunday, carrying passengers on flight JT2619 from Bali to Wuhan and flight JT2618 from Wuhan to Bali, before it canceled all Bali-Wuhan international flights on Jan 29.
HONOR, MI  The death of a Michigan woman who disappeared on Oct. 17 has been ruled accidental.

Adrienne Quintal, 47, of Southfield, had been missing for nearly 10 weeks when her body was found by relatives in late December, submerged in about 3 feet of water several hundred yards from her familys Northern Michigan cabin.

According to the Associated Press, the medical examiner in Benzie County pointed to the effects of methamphetamine and Diazepam, an anti-anxiety drug, according to a report released Thursday. Cold weather also was a factor.

Quintals body was found on Dec. 21.

She went missing from her familys cabin near Honor after placing a bizarre phone call to a friend saying that she was involved in a shoot-out at the cabin with two men.

In that 2:34 a.m. call, Quintal told the friend that shed shot one of the men in the face, and the other man was shooting at her.

Quintal asked her friend to call the police.

When police arrived at the cabin, there was no sign of Quintal. They found her cell phone, her purse, and a handgun registered to Quintal. Her boots were spotted on the cabins roof, according to media reports.

No blood was found at the scene. Police said their investigation showed there were multiple bullet holes in a cabins window, but the bullets were fired from inside the cabin.

READ MORE:

Family ups reward to $100K for info on missing Michigan woman

Body found in water in Northern Michigan is missing woman, family says

Missing womans family used canoe to find her body in swamp after draining beaver pond
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The budget session of the UP legislature got off to a fiery start with opposition parties including the Congress and Samajwadi Party staging a huge protest inside the house during the speech of Governor Anandi Ben Patel here on Thursday.

After the Governors speech, the house was adjourned for the day by Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit. Meanwhile, the state budget for the current financial year would be presented by UP Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on Tuesday.

As the governor started her speech, opposition leaders, carrying posters and placards, trooped into the well of the house shouting slogans on a host of issues including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register for Citizens (NRC), law and order and price rise. The session commenced with a joint sitting of both the houses of the state legislature as it is the first session of the new year.

Earlier, before assembling in the house, the Congress and SP leaders sat on a dharna on the premises of the Vidhan Bhawan under the statue of former PM Chaudhury Charan Singh.

The session, which commenced on Thursday, will conclude on March 7.

Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath, at an all-party meeting on Wednesday, had urged all the opposition leaders to extend cooperation in running the house and fulfilling the legislative responsibilities. In response, the opposition had demanded an adequate hearing on issues related to the common man in the house.

While the protests by the Samajwadi Party MLAs and MLCs were led by the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ram Govind Chaudhary, Congress lawmakers were led by CLP leader Aradhana Mishra and party MLC Deepak Singh.

Attacking the state government, Chaudhary claimed that even after three years of getting elected to power, the Yogi government had yet to start working as a dispensation. They are just inaugurating projects introduced by the previous Akhilesh Yadav government. The state government does not have even a 25-ft high building constructed in the state capital to its credit so far, he said.

Now, the Yogi government is tampering with the provision of reservation. It is trying to trample the rights of Dalits and backward communities. The government is helping private companies through privatisation and misguiding the people of the state, alleged Chaudhary while speaking in the house.
After scripting a scintillating win in the just-concluded Delhi polls, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is now likely to focus on the next municipal elections, sources said.

In a near-repeat performance of 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday retained power with a stunning victory, winning 62 of the 70 assembly seats and leaving the BJP with just eight seats.

The AAP had bagged 67 seats in 2015.

"As the party has registered a landslide victory in the assembly elections, it will now focus on the next MCD polls," a source said.

"The AAP will further strengthen organisational structure in view of the next civic polls," he said.

In its manifesto, the AAP had promised to give Rs one crore to the kin of sanitation workers who die while performing duty. This move will garner support of the workers of the corporations, the sources said.

The BJP, which swept the 2017 civic polls in Delhi, had betted big on its municipal leaders to shore up the party's fortune for the February 8 polls.

Four former mayors, as many deputy mayors and other municipal leaders, serving and former councillors of the three BJP-led civic bodies (NDMC, SDMC and EDMC), had fought the polls, numbering about 20.

However, the saffron party received a major drubbing at the hands of the AAP and could get eight seats, while the Congress again drew a blank as in the 2015 Delhi polls.

According to the final figures released by the Election Commission, the AAP's vote share was 53.57 per cent. The BJP got 38.51 per cent of the total votes. The Congress performed very poorly with 4.26 per cent vote share.

The AAP's stupendous victory comes nearly eight months after it suffered a severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls in which the party drew a blank, while the BJP won all the seven seats.

The erstwhile unified MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) was trifurcated into the NDMC, SDMC and the EDMC in 2012. The BJP has been ruling the civic bodies for over a decade now.

Incidentally, the ruling BJP had not fielded its sitting councillors in the MCD elections in 2017 and brought in fresh faces, including four Muslim candidates.

There are a total of 272 wards in the three municipal corporations in the city, including 104 each in South and North Delhi municipal corporations, and 64 in the East Delhi municipal corporation.

In the 2017 civic polls, the BJP had scored a hat-trick, comfortably retaining control of the three municipal corporations, dealing a severe blow to the Aam Aadmi Party and dashing the Congress' hope of a revival.

Winning 181 out of 270 wards where elections were held, the saffron party had added muscle to its decade-long domination of the corporations, effortlessly bucking anti-incumbency by riding on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP's corporation-wise tally was: SDMC - 70, NDMC - 64 and EDMC - 47 as against AAP's tally of 16, 21 and 11, respectively. The Congress had finished last with 12, 15 and three wards.
The action, which follows more than three years of parliamentary skirmishing and basically divorces Britain from its former partners in the European Union, now enters a transitional phase. For the rest of the year, officials will work out details of how trade and customs and travel issues will be dealt with.
Human rights lawyers say police are not doing enough to investigate a series of allegations of rape and sexual abuse against their officers.

Human rights lawyers in Malawi say police are taking too long to investigate officers accused of rape and sexual abuse.

At least 17 women have told rights workers they were attacked last year.

Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa reports.
As the sound of a Barbara Strozzi opera floats through a bright gallery room, the lights go down and Julian Joseph Kyles charcoal piece, Young African Warrior comes to life.

Whoa, see that?! says Andrew Moran, who bought the piece several years ago. Something different happens when the light is gone. Im telling you, its a powerful piece.

The effect is palpable. The face of the young warrior acquires a more ominous feeling, his eyes and intentions further devoured by shadow, and the negative space, which includes the outline of a rifle, rushes to the fore. The absent rifle feels like Kyles request that the viewer ponder how we let children become soldiers. Kyle painted Young African Warrior while at Texas Southern University, and Moran added it to his remarkable private art collection.

Young African Warrior is one of about 25 pieces on display through Saturday at Heidi Vaughan Fine Art, which is exhibiting The Andy Moran Collection: John Biggers and Friends for Black History Month. Moran has been collecting for half a century and has built a formidable body of works by African-American artists. The gallery offers the first public opportunity to see several pieces by artists like Kermit Oliver, John Biggers and Carroll Harris Simms.

The Andy Moran Collection: John Biggers and Friends When: on display through Feb. 15 Where: Heidi Vaughan Fine Art, 3510 Lake Details: more information at heidivaughanfineart.com See More Collapse

Now in his 70s, Moran is considering moving some of the works and the timing may be just right, as the market for pieces by African-American artists rises sharply.

Last month Swann Auction Galleries sold nearly 100 works by African-American artists that had been collected by the publisher of Jet and Ebony magazines. Pre-auction estimates quickly were left behind. Moran bid on Africa: The Source, by Larry Erskine Thomas that carried an estimate between $1,000 and $1,500. The painting sold for $52,500. Dindga McCannons oil on cotton canvas, The Last Farewell was estimated between $30,000 and $40,000 and sold for $161,000.

Nigel Freeman, director of Swanns African-American Fine Art department, says both paintings represented artists whose work hadnt gone to auction before. In the past three years, the African-American art market has exploded, he says. It has become a big part of the market, with a lot of interest coming from a lot of collectors.

Gallery owner Vaughan says art history classes are also reflecting a shift in perspective.

Too many great artists were being overlooked, she says. And some of them are the artists you see here. The market for African-American art has traditionally been badly undervalued.

The result is a greater awareness of 20th-century artists who werent always represented in textbooks. On the top end, Past Times, a 1997 painting by Kerry James Marshall, sold to music producer and businessman Sean Combs for $21.1 million in 2018.

Morans affinity rests with the sorts of works Swann auctioned: largely from the 1960s and 70s. And he grumbles a little about some 21st century trends in conceptual art. His interests are pulled more toward character or story, because for Moran, his collection speaks to his life story, which starts with a love story.

I met my wife on the steps of Hannah Hall! Morans voice jumps with reverence at the memory. A state historic landmark at TSU, Hannah Hall hosts a collection of student murals, a platform for art created by Biggers, who founded TSUs art program.

She said, If youre going to date me, you need to come to the library every day, he says. So I was there every day before she was.

Moran studied business; Mary Lou Chester was an art student. When she invited him into her world, it was like a Wizard of Oz moment: A door opened and a radiantly colorful world appeared.

Before that, Id never heard a discussion of African-American art in school. It wasnt something anybody even thought about, he says, diving into his memories.

The intensity of the students . . .

He lets the thought fade like a brush stroke.

And the music, he says, bringing up Simms, the famed sculptor and TSU educator who piped in classical music and opera during class. The music would play. And he had this small table, and wed sit around like Buddhist monks and listen to him.

Rachel Weeps for Her Children  a sculpture by Simms  rests in a corner of the gallery. It was Simms thesis piece at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where he was the first black graduate.

Under Biggers and Simms guidance, TSUs art program flourished, turning out distinctive and distinguished artists including Oliver, Earlie Hudnall and Morans brother, Joe.

It never occurred to me that 30, 40 years later, theyd become as successful as they have, Moran says.

Moran and Chester were married in 1971, and relocated soon after to Wall Street making crazy money at 28 and buying fast cars and trying to kill myself.

His brother Joe suggested he spend less money on cars and more on art. So Moran bought his first piece, Untitled, a 1971 triptych by Oliver. It sits in the gallery along a wall featuring multiple pieces by Oliver, who has enjoyed great renown and visibility recently. The three pieces in the Andy Moran Collection dont represent the entirety of Olivers work that Moran owns. Oliver gifted him and Chester a piece for their wedding.

That will never be sold, Moran says. That one gets passed down to the kids.

The kids bear mention. The Morans had three sons who grew up in a household patterned after the environment at TSU. The home was also a gallery and a record store.

Every single wall had art on it, according to son Jason Moran, an internationally renowned jazz pianist and composer. There was always music playing. They wanted art around us at all times.

Moran bought art from outside Houston, but more often he felt the pull from TSU. I feel like Im doing some small part to promote one of the finest art schools in the world, he says. And its right here in Houston, Texas.

Mary Lou died of leukemia in 2004; she was only 55. When Moran talks about the art, its always as if shes in the room  even when hes discussing pieces he bought after her death. Her influence lingers, and he still speaks of it with the wonder of when they first met at Hannah Hall.

None of this was ever an investment, Moran says. We just bought things we liked. I didnt buy the Simms sculpture with the anticipation it would sell for more than $100,000. Kermit, I didnt know hed become one of the greatest artists of all time. He was just a friend of mine. I just liked watching him paint and listening to him talk.

All of this has just been supporting artists who created something that spoke to me.

andrew.dansby@chron.com
Europeans have developed a taste for American whiskey over the past decade but trade disputes have slashed US exports of the booze, an American trade group said Wednesday. Washington and Brussels are in the midst of a multifaceted trade feud that included punitive US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and the EU retaliating in June 2018 by slapping a 25 percent tax on some US goods, notably bourbon. That took a chunk out of US whiskey exports to Europe last year, which fell by 27 percent, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) said. US spirit exports worldwide fell by 14 percent in 2019, according to the council. Renewed interest in Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey -- which unlike Scotch whisky is made from corn -- drove a 55 percent increase in spirits over the past 10 years. "These great American Whiskey products that have been the toast of the global cocktail scene are struggling under the weight of the EU tariffs," DISCUS President Chris Swonger said in a statement. Amid another trade dispute over European subsidies to Airbus, the US in October imposed 25 percent tariffs on single-malt whisky from Scotland, and wine from France and Spain. US officials say they are considering raising their tariffs to as much as 100 percent, and could widen the penalty list to add popular items such as cognac. DISCUS expects a decision on that by the end of this week. The trade group is hopeful the truce in the trade war with China and a revised trade agreement with Canada and Mexico "will create new momentum for negotiations with the EU that will result in the immediate removal of retaliatory tariffs," said Christine LoCascio head of public policy for DISCUS. Sales of spirits remained healthy in the US in 2019, increasing by 5.3 percent to reach $29 billion. Bourbons and whiskeys from the southern US drove the growth along with increased sales of rye, single malt scotch, tequila, mezcal and pre-mixed cocktails. The sector continued to gain market share against wine and beer and now accounts for 37.8 percent of the total alcohol market in the United States. European tariffs have caused sales of US whiskey to drop by more than 25% A global bourbon boom has gone bust amid US trade frictions with Europe
WASHINGTON  As a high school senior, Pete Buttigieg won a national essay contest extolling Bernie Sanders as a profile in courage for daring to call himself a socialist and for being a powerful force for conciliation and bi-partisanship on Capitol Hill.

I like to say, 'Im like a hipster, Buttigieg said when asked about that essay in a 2017 podcast interview. I like to say that I knew about (Sanders) before he was cool.

Now, the two are top rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination with Buttigieg warning the opposite  that the Vermont senator is a divisive figure who insists on ideological purity.

That essay is just one reason the ongoing battle between the top finishers in Iowa and New Hampshire is unusual.

It also pits the oldest candidate, 78, against the youngest, 38.

President Trump weighs in: Calls Bernie Sanders is the Democratic frontrunner

A democratic socialist is competing against a more nuanced progressive Democrat who has long studied ways to reclaim from Republicans terms like freedom and security.

Sanders is the favorite of the youngest voters. Buttigiegs earliest fans were the older voters.

Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg holds a "Get Out the Vote" rally in Nashua, New Hampshire Feb. 9, 2020.

Sanders argues hes the best general election candidate because of the enthusiasm of his base and an appeal to new, younger voters including voters of color. Buttigieg says hes demonstrated the broadest coalition, including winning the votes of moderates and Republicans turned off by President Donald Trump.

As Trump did in 2016, Sanders is running as an outsider candidate and a combative populist who appeals to those wanting to shake things up. Buttigieg is running as a calming figure who often talks about the need to heal a divided country after Trump's defeated.

A long history

But the two have a long history, starting with that 2000 essay, which Buttigieg hinted at after coming in a close second to Sanders in New Hampshire Tuesday.

I admired Sen. Sanders when I was a high school student, Buttigieg said, before congratulating Sanders on his victory. I respect him to this day.

Story continues

Later in his remarks, however, Buttigieg alluded to Sanders when he asserted that the politics of 'my way or the highway is a road to re-electing Donald Trump.

Vulnerable Americans do not have the luxury of pursuing ideological purity over an inclusive victory, he said.

In Sanders victory remarks, he took a jab at Buttigieg for accepting campaign contributions from wealthy contributors.

We are taking on billionaires and we are taking on candidates who are funded by billionaires, he said. We are going to win because we have the agenda that speaks to the working people of this country.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and his wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders, arrive at a primary night rally in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 11.

Not his first choice

Sanders had not been Buttigiegs first choice for the subject of his entry for the contest sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. But after nearly finishing an essay on Carolyn McCarthy  a New York Democrat who had run for Congress after her husband was shot and killed on the Long Island Rail Road  Buttigieg realized shortly before the deadline that McCarthy had been the subject of the previous years winning entry.

So he turned to someone he found even more interesting, if a little more edgy politically.

In the essay that beat out more than 600 others, Buttigieg wrote that "it may seem strange that someone so steadfast in his principles has a reputation as a peacemaker between divided forces in Washington.

Nevada showdown: Labor union warns workers about Bernie Sanders' health care plan

But that is what makes Sanders truly remarkable, Buttigieg continued. His energy, candor, conviction, and ability to bring people together stand against the current of opportunism, moral compromise, and partisanship which runs rampant on the American political scene.

The high school senior didnt meet Sanders when he traveled to Boston  wearing his first-ever suit  to receive his prize. But Buttigieg did get personal congratulations from Sen. Ted Kennedy who offered him a summer internship in his Washington office.

I felt like I had been handed a ticket to the major leagues, Buttigieg wrote in his memoir, Shortest Way Home.

Picked Clinton over Sanders

Sixteen years later, when Buttigieg was mayor of South Bend, Indiana, he had to choose between backing Sanders or Hillary Clinton for the partys presidential nomination. He chose Clinton.

But he describes in his book how, at the campaign event he helped organize at a local Humvee plant, he was struck by what seemed a fatal lack of enthusiasm for Clinton among the factory workers.

By contrast, campaign stops in South Bend by Sanders and Trump had an almost party-like atmosphere, Buttigieg observed.

After Clintons loss to Trump, Buttigieg wanted to lead the Democrats efforts to recalibrate. He entered late the race to head the Democratic National Committee that was being dominated by former Labor Secretary Tom Perez  a favorite of the Barack Obama and Clinton camps  and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, who had the backing of Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

The contest was seen as a replay of the 2016 interparty battle between Clinton and Sanders. Buttigieg attempted to squeeze right through the middle of that establishment vs. insurgent divide.

At one point, Sanders called Buttigieg to unsuccessfully urge him to drop out to make room for Ellison.

Perez won and Buttigieg went on to run for president.

Battling for the nomination

In that contest, Warrens poor performance in Iowa and New Hampshire has made Sanders the undisputed leader of the most liberal wing of the party. He could also be unstoppable for the nomination if Buttigieg  or another center-left candidate  is unable to coalesce that larger segment of the vote.

Democratic presidential hopeful former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, shakes hands with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, as former Vice President Joe Biden looks on during the eighth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by ABC News, WMUR-TV and Apple News at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on February 7, 2020. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: Eighth De ORIG FILE ID: AFP_1OS7QA

Their next battlefield is Nevada where Buttigieg is betting his more gradual approach to expanding health coverage will win over the states powerful labor unions whose members might be worried that Sanders Medicare for All proposal wouldnt deliver health insurance as good as they have now.

Sanders hopes the extensive outreach his campaign has made to Latino voters since 2016 will give him a second-straight victory when Nevadans caucus on Feb. 22.

Sanders has said he likes Buttigieg, calling him a smart guy and a nice guy. Some of his supporters, however, have taken a more aggressive approach to their rival, including booing and chanting Wall Street Pete! when television screens Tuesday night showed Buttigiegs post-primary remarks.

For his part, Buttigieg says he stands by his old essay, even if he emphasizes the passages about Sanders courage of his convictions instead of the praise he had for Sanders ability to work with others.

What I really admired about Senator Sanders  and still do  is his consistency and willingness to say exactly what he believes, Buttigieg said when asked about the essay at a CNN town hall in New Hampshire last week. And I think everybody, left, right, and center, ought to come into the public square making the case for what we think is right.

The calendar: When are the 2020 presidential election primaries?

2020 candidates on the issues: A voter's guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Buttigieg's top rival is Bernie Sanders, a past political hero
A memorial to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February last year will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday, a top official said.

"It is a way to pay homage to the brave jawans who lost their lives in the attack," Additional Director General of CRPF Zulfiquar Hasan said on Thursday here after a visit to the site where the memorial has been erected.

The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial along with the moto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty).

"It definitely was an unfortunate incident and we have learnt our lessons now. We were always extra alert during our movement but now an extra layer of alertness has been added to it," Hasan told PTI here.

The supreme sacrifices of the 40 jawans has furthered increased "our resolve to eliminate enemies of the country".

"We fight with extra vigour during an encounter with terrorists and that is why we were able to eliminate the entire Jaish-e-Mohammed commanders immediately after the attack on our jawans," he said.

While he refused to spell out the precaution that is taken during troop movements in the aftermath of the February 14 attack, officials in the security establishment said the movement of troops is now done in coordination with other security forces and the army.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had also allowed the CRPF to carry its troops by air to avoid the possibility of any such attack.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had imposed a ban on plying of private vehicles on two days in a week to facilitate movement of troops. The order was later rescinded after the situation became normal.

The process of bullet-proofing of vehicles carrying the troops was expedited and more and more bunker-type vehicles were seen on roads carrying the jawans.

The memorial has been set up inside a CRPF camp adjacent to the place where Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security forces killing the 40 personnel.

Almost all the conspirators behind the dastardly attack have since been killed with the last one being Qari Yasir, the self-styled chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group, who was killed last month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The global NVMe market size is projected to grow from USD 44. 6 billion in 2020 to USD 163. 5 billion by 2025; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 29. 7% from 2020 to 2025. Growing adoption of NVMe in big data, IoT, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and end-to-end NVMe-over-Fabrics present growth opportunities for the NVMe industry.

New York, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Non-volatile Memory Express Market by Product, Deployment Location, Communication Standard, Vertical And Region - Global Forecast to 2025" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05861918/?utm_source=GNW

However, performance problems associated with storage software inhibit the growth of the market. Furthermore, issues related to data integrity and data protection, and high cost of NVMe act as challenges for the growth of the market.



The SSDs segment is expected to account for the largest size of the NVMe industry during the forecast period.

NVMe SSDs hold the largest market because they are widely adopted as a storage solution in most of the verticals.This widespread adoption is mainly due to the benefits provided by NVMe SSDs.



SSDs were introduced into the market as a storage device that provides faster read/write operations and reduced latency compared with HDDs.NVMe is an interface that was specifically designed for SSDs, and NVMe SSDs were introduced to provide better data storage and processing operations, and the lowest latency possible when compared with HDDs and traditional SSDs (SATA and SAS).



Due to these benefits, SSDs hold the largest market share in the NVMe market.



The Ethernet segment of the market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2020 to 2025.

Ethernet is widely accepted because it is a popular communication standard and is made available by several enterprise storage vendors.Enterprise and data centers that use applications involving systems and storages in a network to communicate and exchange data prefer Ethernet for the benefits it provides.



Therefore, this segment will grow at the highest rate.



The BFSI segment held the largest size of the NVMe market in 2019.

The BFSI vertical mainly offers customer-centric services.The adoption of digital platforms in this vertical is growing, which is expected to create huge amounts of digital data.



Also, this vertical requires high security and should adhere to regulatory compliances.NVMe-based products such as SSDs, storage arrays, compatible servers, and other storage solutions are gaining traction in this vertical.



This is majorly due to the reliable performance and features such as rapid data processing in terms of storage and retrieval with very low latency. Such features and benefits are increasing the adoption of NVMe in BFSI.



Breakdown of profiles of primary participants:

 By Company Type: Tier 1  50%, Tier 2  30%, and Tier 3  20%

 By Designation: C-level Executives  45%, Directors  35%, and Others  20%

 By Region: North America  40%, Europe  30%, Asia Pacific (APAC) 20%, and the Rest of the World (RoW)  10%



Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung) (South Korea), Western Digital Corporation (Western Digital) (US), Intel Corporation (Intel) (US), Dell EMC (US), Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) (US), Broadcom Inc. (Broadcom) (US), Micron Technology, Inc. (Micron Technology) (US), Cisco Systems, Inc. (Cisco) (US), Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) (Japan), and NetApp, Inc. (NetApp) (US) are the prominent players in the NVMe market.



Research Coverage:

The NVMe market has been segmented based on product, communication standard, deployment location, vertical, and region. It also provides a detailed view of the market across 4 main regions: North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.



Reasons to Buy the Report:

 This report includes statistics pertaining to the NVMe market based on product, communication standard, deployment location, vertical, and region.

 This report includes detailed information on major drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges pertaining to the NVMe market.

 The report includes illustrative segmentation, analysis, and forecast for the NVMe market based on its segments and subsegments.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05861918/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Church secretary accused of stealing nearly $600K to pay for car, wedding, thousands of online purchases

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A volunteer church secretary from New Jersey was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of bilking a local Baptist church of nearly $600,000 to pay for her car, rent, wedding and thousands of online purchases made through Paypal and Amazon.

The secretary, Taisha D. Smith-DeJoseph, 43, of Willingboro was charged with theft by deception, computer criminal activity, misapplication of entrusted property and other related offenses, NBC Philadelphia reported.

A volunteer at St. Pauls Baptist Church in Florence Township, New Jersey, Smith-DeJoseph, who oversaw the churchs finances, allegedly embezzled some $561,000 from 2014 through March 2019 and splurged on her personal expenses.

People put their hard-earned money in the church and really expect for it to be taken care of, Rev. Fred Jackson, who leads the more than century-old church, told CBS Philly.

Its very hurtful for the entire congregation and weve been going through it for several months now and what else can I say? It was devastating. Wed like to believe that we as Christians are trusting. We put our trust in other people as well as in God, and sometimes that trust is misplaced.

Smith-DeJoseph allegedly left the church accounts in a negative balance 510 times in seven years and made 2,718 PayPal purchases adding up to more than a quarter of a million dollars, plus 805 Amazon purchases totaling more than $22,000, ABC News reported. She also wrote herself 181 unauthorized checks for more than $182,000.

According to subpoenaed documents cited by USA Today, Smith-DeJosephs alleged spending included:

 $4,720 of payments to DISH Network

 2,718 transactions totaling $266,600 on PayPal

 805 purchases totaling $22,800 on Amazon

 $5,840 worth of purchases on ASOS.com

 $3,640 of payments to Verizon

 $7,520 of payments to GM Financial for a car loan

 $8,270 to Gateway One Lending for another car loan

 $2,510 to Geico Insurance

 $2,830 to Comcast

A release from the Burlington County Prosecutors Office said the investigation into Smith-DeJoseph began after officials from St. Pauls Baptist Church contacted the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit over suspicion of theft.

In addition to her spending online, Smith-DeJoseph was found to have issued payroll and supply reimbursement checks to herself from St. Pauls bank accounts. She also fabricated monthly statements to hide the churchs true financial state.

Smith-DeJoseph also failed to file income tax returns for 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 in an attempt to hide the embezzlement scheme from the government. In 2017, she filed a fraudulent tax return and from 2014 through 2018, she failed to pay the appropriate amount of taxes.

A man who said he is Smith-DeJoseph's brother told CNN affiliate KYW that he wasn't aware of the allegations and insisted on her innocence.

"I know my sister and she would never do no (expletive) like that," said the man who was not identified.

The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. Smith-DeJoseph will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew R. McDonnell, supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.
Paris, France (PANA) - The Intergovernmental Committee on the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, currently meeting at the Organization's headquarters in Paris, France, until Friday, has approved nine proposals to stimulate the cultural and creative industries in nine developing countries, including three African states
For more information, please contact:

Greg Gatlin at 617-573-8428, ggatlin@suffolk.edu

Suffolk University Included in List of "Military Friendly Schools" for 2020

Cited for support, academic policies, commitment and more

Suffolk University has been named a 2020-2021 Military Friendly School in recognition of its specialized programs for military members as well as academic initiatives, activities, and dedicated resources for veterans.

The University has a long history of welcoming returning veterans and has numerous programs in place to support student veterans financially, emotionally and academically. Suffolk joined the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program in 2009 and is one of the most generous Yellow Ribbon Program schools in Boston. Additionally Suffolk:



Waives the admission application fee for active service members and veterans

Offers Green Zone Training, which educates faculty and staff on the challenges student veterans face when transitioning from military service to becoming a student. The University currently has 130 faculty and staff members with Green Zone Training.

Provides a customized student orientation/mentoring program for military students at the undergraduate level.

Has strong community ties with area nonprofits that focus on veterans, including Four Block, which helps transitioning veterans quickly begin to have a positive impact on their communities

Suffolk University also offers the Veterans Upward Bound program to foster success.

Suffolk University goes above and beyond the Military Friendly standard, particularly in the areas of academic policies, admission and orientation, culture and commitment, and military student support and retention, according to the Military Friendly program, which sets standards that measure an organizations commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

We are proud of our student veterans and active duty service members, and grateful for their service, said Suffolk University President Marisa Kelly. Veterans and active duty military personnel contribute a great deal to our community, and we are focused on ensuring they have the support and services to succeed at Suffolk and reach their goals.

The Military Friendly ratings program describes itself as an advocacy vehicle encouraging civilian organizations to invest in programs to recruit, retain and advance veterans as employees, entrepreneurs and students.

-----

Suffolk University, located in historic downtown Boston, with an international campus in Madrid, is a student-centered institution distinguished by excellence in education and scholarship. Suffolk University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its mission is to empower graduates to be successful locally, regionally and globally.
Discovery brings nanoscale thermal switches needed for next-gen computing

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Researchers working on an Army project developed nanoscale thermal switches that are key to thermal management of nanoscale devices, refrigeration, data storage, thermal computing and heat management of buildings.

The journal Nature Nanotechnology published an Army-funded study from University of Michigan researchers that showed for the first time how a nanoscale thermal switch can be built by employing nanoscale effects that arise when heat is transferred between a hot and cold nanoscale-thick membrane via thermal radiation.

In comparison to the vast array of devices, such as transistors and diodes that are available to control the flow of electricity, there exists currently very few proposals for controlling the flow of heat, especially at the nanoscale. To overcome this challenge researchers have been exploring nanoscale phenomena that may enable novel functional thermal devices.

"It's exciting to see Army investments in basic research leading to the discovery of new effects and proof of concept demonstrations of novel thermal devices," said Dr. Chakrapani Varanasi, a program manager at the Army Research Office, an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory. "These findings can have a strong impact on thermal management for next generation computing for the military."

The Army's network modernization strategy is designed to enable the Army to fight tonight while also actively seeking next-generation solutions to stay ahead of potential adversaries.

A 2018 discovery by the research team, which highlighted how heat is transported in preferential directions from nanoscale membranes, led Dr. Dakotah Thompson, the lead author of the 2018 study, to begin exploring potential applications.

"After some thought it became apparent to us that we could potentially create a thermal switch by controlling the emission properties of the nanomembranes by bringing a third object into close proximity of the nanomembrane," said Dr. Edgar Meyhofer, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan.

In order to test this hypothesis, Thompson developed a scheme where a planar object can be brought into close proximity (microns) of two co-planar membranes that were exchanging heat.

"In order to accomplish this challenging goal, I nanofabricated both suspended calorimetric devices that had unprecedented calorimetric resolution and a planar mesa-shaped object, and controlled the separation between them using a custom developed nanopositioner," Thompson said.

From these experiments the authors could show that heat transfer between nanoscale membranes can be turned on and off by simply modifying the separation between the membranes and the planar mesa.

In order to make precise numerical predictions of the experimental observations, Dr. Linxiao Zhu, a post-doctoral fellow at Michigan, and Thompson performed detailed calculations that showed how the observations can be quantitatively related to how the propagation of light, which is the carrier of heat, from one membrane to the other is impeded by the planar mesa which can either absorb the light propagating between the membranes or reflect it away from the membranes.

Scientists at the CCDC Army Research Laboratory are closely following this research to use these developments to create novel Army relevant devices.

###

In addition to the Army Research Office, the Department of Energy also funded this study.

The CCDC Army Research Laboratory is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army's corporate research laboratory, ARL discovers, innovates and transitions science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.

This story has been published on: 2020-02-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
I have a pen and I have notes, to borrow a phrase. I have notes of comments made by President Trump at the White House reception for conservative media on April 24, 2017 on the occasion of his first hundred days in office. I used my notes to write up my account of the reception for Power Line readers in At the White House with Trump.

In a scenario out of Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, I was served at home with a subpoena by lawyers for plaintiffs in one of the travel ban lawsuits from the early days of the Trump administration. The subpoena would have taken my notes away from me. They were going to let me keep my pen.

The story seemed to me illustrative of the will to power of the left as it flexes its muscle on campus, in the media, in the administrative state, and in the courts. It is certainly a story illustrative of the Age of Trump.

My attitude to the subpoena was inspired by the Steely Dan number
Mike Bloomberg picked up the endorsement Thursday of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who leads the fourth largest city in the nation. The announcement follows his endorsement this week by three members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Their support could help allay any renewed concerns about Bloomberg's use of "stop and frisk" policies while he was the mayor of New York City.

Earlier this week, an audio recording of a 2015 speech leaked, during which Bloomberg can be heard defending racial profiling employed in stop-and-frisk.

In the audio recording Bloomberg can be heard saying that "95% of your murders and murderers and murder victims fit one M.O. You can just take the description and Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops. They are male minorities 15 to 25."

Bloomberg, who appeared to be defending the policy's efficacy because it was meant to protect people who live in high-crime neighborhoods, continued, "That's true in New York. That's true in virtually every city in America. And that's where the real crime is. You've got to get the guns out of the hands of the people that are getting killed."

sylvester-turner-houston-mayor-021220.jpg

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on February 12, 2020 KHOU-TV

Before he entered the race, Bloomberg apologized for stop and frisk. After the recording surfaced, his campaign released a statement saying that "this issue and my comments about it do not reflect my commitment to criminal justice reform and racial equity."

Congressional Black Caucus member Congresswoman Lucy McBath said in her statement of support for Bloomberg, "Nobody running for president has done more for the gun violence prevention movement than Mike."

CBS News has also exclusively learned that Turner plans to help officially launch Bloomberg's newest initiative, Mike for Black America. The program will be aimed at both engaging black Americans on key issues for the black community and spearheading an organizing effort on Bloomberg's behalf.

Story continues

Mike for Black America is related to other campaign initiatives designed to appeal to key constituencies, like Women for Mike, Jews for Mike and Ganamos con Mike. It also builds on plans like the Greenwood initiative, which is meant to respond to systemic inequities that have kept many Black Americans from achieving generational wealth.

The launch also comes in the wake of recent polls showing Bloomberg is making major strides in national polls including gains with black voters. A Quinnipiac poll this week put him in second place with the key Democratic voting bloc.

Turner's endorsement of Bloomberg comes at a pivotal time in the campaign, as black voters who had planned to support Joe Biden may be searching for alternatives after his two lackluster finishes in the first two Democratic primary voting contests in Iowa, where he appears to have placed fourth, and in New Hampshire where he was a distant fifth. Turner, the mayor of one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., joins a growing list of black mayors across the country throwing their weight behind Bloomberg.

Turner, whose leadership in addressing Houston's recovery after the massive destruction wrought by Hurricane Harvey has been praised, was also named national co-chair for the Bloomberg campaign's Infrastructure Council, where he will advise on strategy and policy.

"As mayor, Mike embraced New York's diversity and made smart investments that brought better infrastructure and greater opportunity to all five boroughs." Turner said in a statement released by the campaign. "We need a president who knows how cities run. It's why I'm proud to endorse Mike for president, and I look forward to sending him to Washington in November."

TV host teaches acting class for senior citizens

Great white sharks are making a great big comeback in Mexico

Florida law faces scrutiny after child involuntarily sent to mental health facility
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- A Fort Drum soldier died this week in a non-combat related incident, according to the United States Department of Defense.

Specialist Branden T. Kimball, 21, of Central Point, Oregon, died Wednesday, the Department of Defense said.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of SPC Branden Kimball during this very difficult time. The loss of any Mountain Soldier has a lasting impact on every member of the team," said Lt. Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, a spokesman for the 10th Mountain Division.

He was deployed as part of Operation Freedoms Sentinel, a counterterrorism mission.

His death is under investigation, the Department of Defense said.

Kimball worked as an aircraft structural repairer and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Sztalkoper said. He joined the army in August 2016 and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division after basic combat training and advanced individual training, Sztalkoper said.

Kimball was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon.

He is survived by his mother.

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed all flags on state buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Kimball.

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.
NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AJC blasted the discriminatory "blacklist" released today by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of Israeli and international companies that have business activities in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem.

"The world body's endless hypocrisy and double standards toward Israel are staggering," said AJC CEO David Harris. "Of all the situations in the world in which territory is disputed, the UN chooses only to focus on Israel. Why? We call on Secretary General Guterres to denounce this outrageous assault on the Jewish state.

"Preparation of the list of 112 business entities was mandated by a 2016 Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution. The council, since its establishment in 2006, has repeatedly singled out and censured Israel, while ignoring massive human rights violations in other parts of the world. Most egregious is the Council's agenda item 7, as it subjects Israel to separate scrutiny in a way not done for any of the other 192 UN member states, including the world's serial human rights violators, some of whom actually sit in the UNHRC.

"We urge those principled Human Rights Council member states to reject this blacklist, which evokes echoes of Nazi-triggered boycotts and blacklists against Jews, when they convene later this month," said Harris. "This initiative should never have received the support of governments seeking to encourage the parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to engage in direct negotiations and pursue an enduring two-state accord."

Release of the blacklist today comes amidst persistent efforts by the BDS movement, a global initiative to boycott, divest from, and impose sanctions on Israel. The BDS movement, which rejects Israel's very existence, will no doubt use the UN database to intensify its policy of intimidating companies that do business in or with Israeli population centers in the West Bank, eastern Jerusalem, and the Golan  a first step in its strategy to boycott all Israeli goods.

The database initiative, as seen in previous boycott efforts targeting Israel, would hurt not only the listed companies, but also inflict economic hardships on hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank, who earn their livelihood as employees of such companies or depend on their services and products as consumers.

"The long history of the Arab boycott of Jewish manufactured products and goods, first launched by the Arab League in 1945  three years before Israeli independence  to weaken the Jewish state, and maintained during the Arab-Israeli conflict, never produced positive results. Its attempted revival in the form of a UN 'database' is counterproductive to the goals of securing an enduring peace and sustainable development in the region," said Harris.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


Jess Powers, Russell Countys emergency management coordinator, said cleanup efforts are ongoing.

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We still have roads closed and bridges closed, Powers said Wednesday.

Tazewell Countys emergency management coordinator didnt return inquiries Wednesday about local damage estimates.

Robbie Coates, VDEMs grants manager for disaster programs, said Wednesday that state officials are supporting localities in assessing damage and that estimates accounted for the tax assessed value of affected structures.

It seemed unlikely that damage in Russell and Tazewell counties was severe enough to meet criteria for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coates said. However, he said aid may be available through the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund, which provides grants to local nonprofit and volunteer groups. Theres also a state program that can reimburse localities for public property damage, he added.

What we dont know is insurance  how much of that will be covered by insurance, Coates said about the number of affected people with flood insurance.

Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
The Duke of Cambridge met bereaved police families at St James's Palace on Wednesday as he hosted the 150th anniversary of the Metropolitan City Police Orphans Fund in London.

Prince William - who has been the patron of the charity since 2017 - will continue on in his role for a further three years, it was announced at the event.

The Fund traces its history back to the Metropolitan Police Orphanage, which was opened in October 1870.

Following its closure in 1937, the charity was set up in its place and has since supported more than 15,200 children.

Meanwhile the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, visited Newtownards in Northern Ireland and Scotland's Aberdeen on Wednesday to promote her nationwide survey, Five Big Questions, intended to improve early childhood.

She spoke with children and families at The Ark Open Farm in Newtownards before visiting Social Bite cafe in Aberdeen, which is run by a homeless charity.
Sales of Jameson Irish Whiskey helped drive first half revenues at parent group Pernod Ricard, but the French drinks giant has warned the coronavirus will hit its full-year top line figures.

Jameson sales - in both volume and value terms - grew by 9%, year-on-year, in the six months to the end of December, with particularly strong growth seen in emerging markets like China, Nigeria and India. In Ireland, volume growth of 6% was achieved.

Pernod's Irish Distillers subsidiary saw sales growth across all of its whiskey brands, with its Redbreast label growing by 24%.

"Jameson has been driving the growth of the Irish whiskey category for the past 30 years...Growth isn't just confined to Jameson, there has been strong growth across our portfolio of whiskeys in the first half of the year," said Irish Distillers boss Conor McQuaid.

Jameson helped boost Pernod Ricard's first half organic group sales by a better-than-expected 2.7% to just under 5.5bn. Profit was up by 4.3% to 1.8bn.

Pernod, under pressure from US hedge fund Elliott to improve profit margins and corporate governance, said it is now targeting an organic rise of 2% to 4% in profit from recurring operations for the year to the end of June, compared with a previous forecast of 5% to 7%.

That, it said, was because the coronavirus epidemic in China is likely to have a severe impact on its third quarter performance and hit its full year sales.

However, Pernod said it remains confident over its medium term-prospects in China - its second largest market after the US, accounting for 10% of sales - despite the coronavirus epidemic.

Our mid-term ambition remains intact. Fundamentals in China are extremely solid, group CEO and chairman Alexandre Ricard said.

- additional reporting Reuters
Page Content

Minister of Finance, the honorable Ardwell Irion, opened the 2020 Tax Summit hosted by the Finance ministry last Wednesday, February 5th. In attendance were representatives of the tax administration, the receiver office, section business taxes, financial policy management & control, the treasury, ICT department, fiscal affairs, the finance department, the cabinet of the minister of finance, the World Bank and CARTAC (the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre)

The minister expressed his appreciation to the key players in the financial arena for attending, especially those representing The World Bank and CARTAC, who traveled to St. Maarten. The minister emphasized the importance of the internal specialists who will have to carry us further with the results of this summit.





We are fortunate to be able to bring together all these distinct experts in such a short time, said minister Irion. I trust that you will contribute to, as we reflect on, the existing plans and understand the situation we are in. We aim to find a sustainable solution for the challenges that we face and I am convinced that we have the best team to give direction to reaching our objectives.





Addressing the three principal topics, public financial management, the tax organization and fiscal reform, the small group of experts jointly assessed the current situation and established the steps necessary to improve all three areas, which effect public finances and the customers otherwise referred to as the taxpayers.





The desired outcome is: to be a modern functioning tax administration with a sound legislative foundation, operating autonomously with individual organizational planning, budget management and human resource management.





And to obtaining sufficient skilled and qualified human resource with the aim of eventually operating a paperless organization.





As for the tax regime, it was confirmed that since 2015 legislation was being drafted with the aim to simplify the tax system, maximize revenue and to create an attractive investment climate. Notwithstanding the numerous changes in government, which has contributed to the delay, the principles of the tax reform have remained the same. Final calculations of the proposed amendments, for which reliable data is required in order to move forward, are still pending.





The relationship established with CARTAC is one of the IMF Regional Technical Assistance Centers (RTAC) located around the world in the Pacific, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, India and Central America. These Centers were created to assist countries to strengthen their human and institutional capacity to design and implement sound macroeconomic policies that promote growth and reduce poverty. CARTAC is already rendering results at an affordable annual cost of US$ 150.000, compared to millions that consultants would cost. Additionally CARTACs approach of support is to assist and share the knowledge in order for the recipient, in this case St. Maartens civil servants, to learn and carry out the improvements themselves. Projects such as cleaning up the data and reporting are such exercises that are to commence within the next two months.





Short-term, medium and long-term goals, not exceeding three years, were established to commence in March of this year of which several will run simultaneously. While many more details were discussed, assistance relating to data analysis is expected from the World Bank in the short term.





Important aspects required for success is to ensure that all who are required to contribute to the treasury do so. In light of this the tax reform will also aim at capturing the informal sector.




A former Australia Post contractor has revealed why delivery drivers often leave collection cards instead of trying to drop off packages.

The former contractor delivered parcels in Bendigo, northwest of Melbourne, and was paid just $1.50 per parcel - an average of $105 per 11-hour shift.

Speaking to Yahoo News, he said the reason why he didn't wait around to drop off packages was because he simply did not have enough time.

'Each contractor gets on average 70 parcels to deliver per day, and must be completed by about 3.30pm to 4pm to be able to get the carded parcels to the post office in time,' he told the publication.

'This is why they don't wait or knock more than once. They don't have time and will be paid either way.'

A former Australia Post contractor has revealed why delivery drivers leave collection cards (pictured) instead of trying to drop off packages. He said the reason why he didn't wait around to drop off packages was because he simply did not have enough time

In order to complete his daily deliveries on time, the contractor claimed he was actively encouraged by Australia Post to knock and run.

'You are told (by Australia Post) to knock once, and immediately after, start writing the card or place the parcel under the mat and take a picture, this is to save time,' he told Yahoo News.

The former worker explained that he began work at 5am, at which time he would sort parcels with other delivery workers.

At 7.30am to 8am, he would hit the road and begin delivering across Bendigo.

Since he was paid per delivered parcel, the contractor was not paid for the two to three hours he spent sorting the packages in the morning.

Collection cards allow recipients to collect their parcels from the post office after 4pm, so contractors have to complete all of his deliveries before then.

On his rate, he made an average of $9.50 per hour on an 11-hour shift - well below the Australian minimum wage of $19.49 per hour.

While contractors are paid $1.50 per parcel, corporate Australia Post workers are paid by the hour, meaning they do not have the same pressure to deliver as many parcels and collection cards as possible.

While contractors are paid $1.50 per parcel, corporate Australia Post workers are paid by the hour, meaning they do not have the same pressure to deliver as many parcels and collection cards as possible

A Change.org petition has ordered Australia Post to stop hiring contractors to stop workers from being exploited and to get better post service for customers.

'One million or more Australians every year are disgusted that despite paying for parcels to be delivered to their homes, Australia Post and contract delivery staff fail them,' the petition read.

'For 20-years I had parcels delivered to my front door until the delivery was outsourced to a shonky service who underpays their staff.

'For the last 8-years, I have had to driver 10 km to pick up parcels from the closest Australia Post office.'

The Communications Union (CEPU) said Australia Post should immediately abandon its contracting model.

'Contractors who are paid per parcel are under a lot of pressure to deliver, or attempt to deliver more in order to earn a living wage,' a CEPU spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'We condemn the contracting model which not only undermines the pay and job security of our members, but the customer's overall experience with Australia Post.

'We encourage anyone in this situation to contact the union, the CEPU, to become organised and bargain for a better deal with their employer.'

An Australia Post spokeswoman said: 'Our agreements with our delivery contractors require them to follow our delivery policies and procedures, which includes attempting delivery by knocking at the door three times and calling out, where its possible and safe to do so before leaving a card or safe-dropping a parcel.

'We also undertake a range of compliance activities to check our contractors are meeting their obligations and complying with workplace laws, including paying their people appropriately.'
A device that takes a novel approach to removing salt from water has been developed in Bath, paving the way for small, solar-powered desalination units

Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a revolutionary desalination process that has the potential to be operated in mobile, solar-powered units.

The process is low cost, low energy and low maintenance, and has the potential to provide safe water to communities in remote and disaster-struck areas where fresh water is in short supply.

Developed by the university's Water Innovation and Research Centre in partnership with Indonesia's Bogor Agricultural University and the University of Johannesburg, the prototype desalination unit is a 3D-printed system with two internal chambers designed to extract and/or accumulate salt. When power is applied, salt cations (positively charged ions) and salt anions (negatively charged ions) flow between chambers through arrays of micro-holes in a thin synthetic membrane. The flow can only happen in one direction thanks to a mechanism that has parallels in mobile-phone technology. As a result of this one-way flow, salt is pumped out of seawater. This contrasts with the classical desalination process, where water rather than salt is pumped through a membrane.

Desalination, which turns seawater into fresh water, has become an essential process for providing drinking and irrigation water where freshwater is scarce. Traditionally, it has been an energy-intensive process carried out in large industrial plants.

Professor Frank Marken from the Department of Chemistry said: "There are times when it would be enormously beneficial to install small, solar-powered desalination units to service a small number of households. Large industrial water plants are essential to 21st Century living, but they are of no help when you're living in a remote location where drinking water is scarce, or where there is a coastal catastrophe that wipes out the fresh water supply."

The Bath desalination system is based on 'ionics', where a cationic diode (a negatively charged, semi-permeable membrane studded with microscopic pores) is combined with an anionic resistor (a device that only allows the flow of negative ions when power is applied).

"This amounts to a whole new process for removing salt from water," said Prof Marken. "We are the first people to use tiny micron-sized diodes in a desalination prototype."

He added: "This is a low-energy system with no moving parts. Other systems use enormous pressures to push the water through nano-pores, but we only remove the salts. Most intriguingly, the external pumps and switches can be replaced by microscopic processes inside the membrane - a little bit like biological membranes work."

Another benefit of the Bath desalination unit is that it also allows for the opposite process - the up-concentration of salt - thereby minimising waste. The separated salt can be crystallised and then used, potentially as a food supplement or a de-icer. Most other desalination processes pump salt in the form of brine back into the sea, unsettling the marine ecosystem.

All going well, Prof Marken believes his department could roll out a working mobile desalination unit within five years. First, however, the team needs to find more robust materials as well as collaborators to help refine the invention and scale it up. The proof-of-concept prototype is currently able to remove 50% of the salt from a saltwater sample, but to make seawater drinkable, the salt content needs to be reduced by 90%.

Budi Riza Putra, the Chemistry PhD student who led the project, said: "We need to find new and better porous materials capable of pumping ions. Membrane thickness, pore number and pore diameter must all be optimised. We hope to find materials experts who can help us with this."

In their quest to find new membranes, the researchers have turned their attention to biological materials. Along with Dr. Katarzyna Szot-Karpi?ska and her group at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, they believe they are the first researchers to successfully use bacteriophages (viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria) to create a film capable of separating salt from water.

"Our bacteriophage (named M13) looks like spaghetti but is one-million times smaller," explains Mr Riza Putra. "If we make conditions a little acidic, the nano-spaghetti strands stick together, creating a thin film with tiny holes. When we tested this material as a membrane for desalination, we found it worked - it started acting as a diode, pumping ions in one direction only."

He added: "Before us, no-one thought about using viruses as membranes for water desalination."

However, while M13 shows potential as a membrane pump for water desalination, it is not perfect. "The substrate disintegrates as salt concentrations rise and at neutral pH," explains Prof Marken. "So, either we find a way to improve the semi-permeability of the bacteriophage material or we must find other, more robust ionic diode membrane alternatives."

###
[February 13, 2020] Qlik Positioned in Leaders Quadrant of Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms for Tenth Consecutive Year

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qlik today announced it has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the Leaders quadrant of the Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms*. This recognition marks a continuous decade of Qliks position in the Leaders quadrant as well as inclusion in this Gartner Magic Quadrant since 2006. A complimentary copy of the full report is available for download at https://www.qlik.com/GartnerMQ2020 .

Qlik is helping customers accelerate business value through data, providing a full range of capabilities to go from raw data to real-time insights and action, said Mike Capone, Qlik CEO. Our company continues to grow profitably, and our strong performance has enabled us to invest in delivering an end-to-end platform that includes data integration, AI-driven insights and conversational analytics. With our recent acquisition of RoxAI we are providing automated intelligent alerting for real-time decision making as we continue to invest in capabilities that increase datas value for every organization. Modern data analytics encompasses an entire workflow, from initial data preparation, integration and cataloging, to AI-driven insights, to sharing and taking data-driven action. Organizations are accelerating the business value of their data with Qliks unique end-to-end data integration and analytics platforms, which deliver value at every point across the entire data and analytics pipeline. Qlik Data Integration accelerates the discovery and availability of analytics-ready data through real-time data streaming, data warehouse automation and data lake creation

accelerates the discovery and availability of analytics-ready data through real-time data streaming, data warehouse automation and data lake creation Qlik Data Catalyst  enriches and catalogs data to make it seamlessly available to business users in a highly governed way

enriches and catalogs data to make it seamlessly available to business users in a highly governed way Qlik Sense  sets the benchmark for modern analytics with its one-of-a-kind associative analytics engine, sophisticated AI, and scalable multi-cloud architecture

sets the benchmark for modern analytics with its one-of-a-kind associative analytics engine, sophisticated AI, and scalable multi-cloud architecture Qlik Insight Bot  augments the users ability to explore data within their workflow via conversational analytics

 augments the users ability to explore data within their workflow via conversational analytics And with the recently acquired RoxAI and its Ping intelligent alerting software , Qlik further expands its ability to deliver real-time, data-driven insights for action where and when it can make a difference to business success.



Data is a crucial part of our DNA and employees everyday work, said Paul French, Director of Business Intelligence, Visualization and Reporting, Data Analytics at Nationwide Building Society. Empowering employees with the right information and the confidence to make decisions with it is vital. Qlik has proven to be fantastic in helping to consolidate disparate data, break down internal silos and drive value. By making data more visible and intuitive, business teams have gained new insights across many processes, increasing efficiency and fostering a data-enabled culture.

Qlik is also helping organizations adopt a Data Literacy as a Service approach to creating a data-driven culture through the recent launch of the industrys first Data Literacy Consulting Service and its Signature Services . Data Literacy as a Service is a holistic always-on customer success approach designed to drive a data-informed culture by optimizing three components: the value of analytic technology and processes, human capital through a comprehensive, ongoing and product-agnostic data literacy adoption program, and mission-critical analytics with a 24/7 enterprise support foundation. *Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms by James Richardson, Rita L. Sallam, Kurt Schlegel, Austin Kronz, Julian Sun, February 11, 2020. Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Qlik

Qliks vision is a data-literate world, one where everyone can use data to improve decision-making and solve their most challenging problems. Only Qlik offers end-to-end, real-time data integration and analytics solutions that help organizations access and transform all their data into value. Qlik helps companies lead with data to see more deeply into customer behavior, reinvent business processes, discover new revenue streams, and balance risk and reward. Qlik does business in more than 100 countries and serves over 50,000 customers around the world.  2020 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. The information provided herein is subject to change without notice. In addition, the development, release and timing of any product or functionality described herein remain at the sole discretion of Qlik and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision, nor as a representation, warranty or commitment to deliver specific products or functionality in the future. Media Contact: Derek Lyons

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 617-658-5310

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Refuting claims that Uttar Pradesh Police has beaten up AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan's relatives for carrying out a victory procession, Meerut Police on Thursday said that the cops only stopped the people to carry out the procession due to lack of permission.

Speaking to ANI, Senior Superintendent of Police, Meerut, Ajay Sahni said, "Some relatives of a winner in Delhi elections were carrying out a procession. Police just stopped them as they had no permission for it."

It was alleged that Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan's relatives were beaten by the police while celebrating his victory in Agwanpur village in Uttar Pradesh.

Amanatullah Khan won the Okhla constituency seat in Delhi Assembly elections on February 11 with a huge number of votes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jim Avritt Sr. bought his first Standardbred in 1963 when he was a senior at Xavier University, and nearly 60 years later he continues to enjoy the thrills of racing and breeding.

On February 23 in Orlando, Florida, Avritts Precocious Beauty will be honoured as the Pacing Broodmare of the Year at the U.S. Harness Writers Associations Dan Patch Award banquet. Precocious Beauty is the dam of Tall Dark Stranger, who that same night will receive the Dan Patch Award for best two-year-old male pacer. Earlier this month, Tall Dark Stranger picked up the OBrien Award in Canada.

Avritt bred and raced Precocious Beauty, who in 2013 also captured OBrien and Dan Patch awards. Tall Dark Stranger, a Bettors Delight-sired colt who sold for $330,000 at the 2018 Lexington Selected Sale, was her second foal. Her first foal, an Avritt-owned filly by Somebeachsomewhere named Beautyonthebeach, was a two-time Kentucky Sire Stakes champion. She was retired following the 2019 season and will be bred to Bettors Delight this week.

Its incredible, really incredible, the 79-year-old Avritt said. I never thought when I started out that Id reach this point, thats for sure. I never dreamed at that time I would have something like Precocious Beauty down the road, either as a race filly or a broodmare.

I cant wait (for the awards weekend). Im going to hit some of the training centres on Saturday morning before heading to Orlando. Im looking forward to it.

Avritt traces his successes to the purchase of Dominique Semalu as a broodmare in 1995. Dominque Semalu is the dam of Precious Beauty, whose offspring in addition to Precocious Beauty include OBrien and Dan Patch awards winner Sportswriter and Grand Circuit winner Prescient Beauty. The family also includes the grandam of Dan Patch Award winner Downbytheseaside.

Ive said it before, if I hadnt been lucky enough to buy Dominique Semalu nobody would have ever heard of me, Avritt said. Ive sold some high-priced yearlings out of her. Although she didnt produce any really top stakes winners, she had good raceway horses that earned quite a bit of money, and every daughter she ever had turned out to be a tremendous producer.

Avritt generally keeps fillies out of his broodmares and sells the colts. Precocious Beautys third foal, a colt by Somebeachsomewhere named Beach Party, sold for $190,000 last fall at Lexington. Avritt has kept a yearling filly out of Precocious Beauty, by American Ideal, named Elegant Beauty.

He also has a two-year-old homebred filly out of Barefoot Beauty that he is training. She is by Shadow Play and named Barefootnpregnant.

She is a really, really nice filly, Avritt said. Shes probably as nice as anything Ive trained. If shes good enough, shell go up to Gregg (McNair) when he goes north from Florida. Otherwise, shell stay down here and Ill race her some at the fairs and see how much she can improve.

Avritt still likes to drive in races, although he does not do it often.

Every now and then I drive, he said. I really enjoy that part of it. There is no feeling in the world like going behind the gate.

Even if he does not get on the track, the Kentucky resident still gets to enjoy watching his small broodmare bands offspring compete.

Im hoping its not over yet, Avritt said. I just wish I was younger so I could enjoy it a lot longer.

(USTA)
Iranian General Soleimani Did Not Help Free Assyrian Hostages Held By ISIS

In this February 22, 2016 photo, Bishop Aprim stands with the Assyrians released by ISIS. (AINA) -- Several news agencies in Iran have published a story claiming that Assyrians are "indebted to General Soleimani" for his help in securing the release of Assyrians captured in Syria by ISIS in 2015. The Fars News Agency (FNA) has a story with the headline Senior MP: Assyrian Society Indebted to General Soleimani. The Iranian Front Page agency has a story with the headline Assyrian Christians Indebted to Qassem Soleimani: MP.

Quoting Yonatan Betkelia, the Assyrian MP in the Iranian Parliament, FNA stated:

He [Yonatan Betkelia] explained that nearly 300 Assyrian people in Syria were held captive by the ISIL and General Soleimani released 225 of them, adding that 75 of them had earlier been killed by the terrorists. Betkelia also added that when the ISIL had attacked Erbil in Iraq in which over 30,000 Assyrians live, General Soleimani's presence forced the terrorists to withdraw and he rescued the lives of 30,000 people.

ISIS never attacked Erbil in Iraq. ISIS captured Mosul in 2014, and in 2015 attacked the Assyrian villages in the Nineveh Plains, north and east of Mosul, including the city of Baghdede (Qaraqosh), the largest Assyrian city in Iraq with a population of 50,000. The ISIS push into the Nineveh Plains caused nearly 200,000 Assyrians to flee their homes and villages. To date, less than half have returned.

In Syria, on February 23, 2015 ISIS attacked 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur River, in the Hasaka province, capturing 253 Assyrians. In the following year all but 4 of the hostages were released upon payment of ransom. Three were executed in an ISIS video and one girl was forcefully married to an ISIS member and has never been released.

The negotiations to release the Assyrian hostages were conducted by Assyrian Bishop Aprim Athniel of Syria (see here). General Soleimani had no role in this process.

ISIS also captured 250 Assyrians in Qaryatain, Syria (AINA 2015-10-14), of which 21 were executed. The release of the others had no involvement from General Soleimani or any other Iranian officials.
Mumbai, Feb 13 : Taiwanese electronics major ASUS on Thursday announced its new business vertical - AIoT for India and this will be the fourth business vertical apart from the existing Mobile, PC and Components business in the country.

Dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT), this new division of ASUS is comprised of professionals dedicated to implementing innovative solutions with these technologies for small medium and enterprise level businesses.

"Leading this new business is exciting and challenging given the scope of AI and IoT globally. According to IDC there will be more than 41.6 billion connected IoT devices by 2025," said Vinay Shetty, Regional Director, Components Business, APAC, ASUS.

The adoption of smart wearables and smart homes has grown four fold in the last six years, he said.

"We are already operational providing our solutions for food tech companies and Digital signage solutions at top city airports and we have some notable projects in the pipeline for 2020," Shetty added.

ASUS AIoT Product offerings include; Edge Computer, Industrial Motherboard and Single Board Computer, Mini PC, Business and Pro Work Station Motherboard.

According to the company, ASUS Edge computer is at the very frontier of AIoT and Cloud computing.

Edge computer is in charge of process, filter, analyse and act on data received in real-time, which not only reduces the traffic of data also provides lower latency and the cost of data transmission.

Ultra-compact Mini PCs provide flexible, comprehensive solutions for a wide range of office, retail, digital signage, education and hospital applications, the Taiwanese electronics major said in a statement.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Online retail giant Amazon aims to deliver more to West Michigan than just the 1,000 jobs slated for its new $150 million facility outside Grand Rapids in Gaines Township.

"We have a longstanding history with working with hyper-local community partners to identify opportunities for ways that we can give back to the community,'' Amazon spokesperson Andre Woodson told MLive Wednesday, Feb. 12.

"We feel fortunate to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs that welcome the people of Grand Rapids and surrounding areas into the Amazon family, and we look forward to continuing our partnership and investment in Gaines Township for the long-term.''

The Seattle-based company announced Monday, Feb. 11 it is now hiring for its 850,000-square-foot facility on the corner of 68th Street and Patterson Avenue SE, about four miles south of Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Related: Amazon hiring a 1,000 full-time employees for West Michigan facility

Associates hired will be picking, packing, and shipping customer orders in a highly technological environment. They will also get to work alongside advanced technology and automation.

Employees of the fulfillment center, which is one of a handful of Amazons regional distribution centers in Michigan, will earn $15 per hour. Thee benefits package includes comprehensive health, vision and dental insurance, and a 401(k) with a 50% match.

Woodson said Amazon has business partners to help it explore opportunities to develop relationships and sustain pipelines to give back to local areas where they have a physical presence.

Ron Caniff, superintendent of the Kent Intermediate School District, said he is encouraged by the commitment and thinks Amazon would be a great partner. He wants to develop a relationship through its the career technical center and career readiness department.

"There are several different career pathways under their roof,'' he said, noting the potential for job shadowing and pre-apprenticeships.

"For example, we could envision having an instant relationship due to the complexity of the distribution center with the automation such as with our Megatronics program. Hopefully, as they get settled we can nurture and develop a partnership for the students we serve and for Amazon.''

Amazon is already getting kudos from community members and Gaines Township Supervisor Robert DeWard for utilizing some local contractors such as electricians and plumbers to work on the new facility, located at 4500 68th Street.

Woodson also spoke about how the company deals with its impact on the environment.

"We have a focus on sustainability and have several initiatives that we are looking to continuously innovate and improve,'' he said.

He shared with MLive and blog about building a sustainable business for its customers and planet that outlined Amazons business goals.

Those goals include:

Vision to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments net zero carbon by 2030.

Deploying its technology and people to reach net zero carbon across Amazon by 2040, one decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.

Investing in wind and solar to reach 100% renewable energy across all business operations by 2030.

Investing in wind and solar to reach 80% renewable energy across all business operations by 2024. Amazon expected to reach ~40% renewable energy by the end of 2019.

Amazon typically opens a new facility one to two months after it has started hiring, which means a March or April launch in Gaines Township is possible.

Job candidates must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent to be considered. All interested candidates can apply online at http://www.amazon.com/grandrapidsjobs.

Applicants can indicate a shift preference and select an appointment time to attend an upcoming hiring event and orientation when they apply online. Shift schedules will vary. Veterans and military spouses are encouraged to apply.

"Since coming to the state of Michigan in 2017, Amazon has been honored to work with key partners to give back to the local communities where our associates work and live,'' Woodson said.

Read more on MLive:

Van Andel Arena plaza to get $2.1M makeover

5 of 6 chihuahuas thrown from moving vehicle killed, witnesses tell police

Grand Rapids officials question charter, election proposals

3 finalists named for Grand Rapids schools superintendent job
With more than 600 organizations offering services to San Antonios homeless and impoverished population it can be hard to keep track of them all, let alone know where the services are located and the hours theyre open.

Enter the new San Antonio Community Resource Directory, available online at sacrd.org.

Where is the nearest food pantry? Is there a place nearby where you can shower? Who do you call if you want counseling for anger management? If your grandma needs a ride to a doctors appointment but she cant afford an Uber, is there a service for that?

SACRD was created to answer questions like this, said Bill Neely, treasurer of the organization that created the website.

People can find something that is close to them and not a two-hour bus ride away, Neely said. Something that is in their neighborhood, that is somewhere they may be able to form a relationship with in the community.

On ExpressNews.com: Disconnect exists between city officials, service organizations when it comes to San Antonios homeless

The directory includes information about organizations, churches and individuals all over San Antonio and Bexar County who provide free human services for the homeless and others in need.

At SACRD.org there are more than 150 kinds of services listed: shelter, counseling, transportation, foster care, tenant rights, ID recovery, pregnancy care, free meals, education, tattoo removal, resume development, pet supplies, laundry and more.

All a user has to do when they get to the website, Neely said, is click on the type of service needed, put in the current address or ZIP code and boom  the closest places that offer the needed service pop up on a map, along with the address, distance, contact information and hours of operation.

Neely said the proximity to specific location is a key component when it comes to the directory.

We recognized it was important to be able to find a program or a service close to where someone lives or works, so all of our searching is based on the ZIP code entered by the user, or based on the geo-location of their mobile device, Neely said.

Currently, the directory includes about 3,600 resources from about 600 organizations.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio ID Recovery program is first step to getting out of homelessness

A resource is a program or service that takes place at a specific location. Some organizations have one program, some have several, Neely said.

And while there is already an abundance of resources and organizations, Neely said they are always looking for more to add to the directory.

The site, which launched in early 2019, gets about 7,000 visits a month.

We also see a large number of individual users who are empowered to use SACRD.org to find their own resources  and lessen their dependence on case workers, Neely said.

And its not just individuals using the site.

We have relationships with SARAH, Haven for Hope, Catholic Charities, Roy Maas, UW 211, and more. These organizations, as well as countless congregations, are using SACRD.org daily to help find referral partners for their clients, Neely said.

The idea for the directory began about three years ago when Neely and Ann Helmke, the citys faith liaison, held community forums with nonprofit and faith communities engaged in human services work.

They learned that these organizations No. 1 challenge in collaborating together is a lack of communication.

It was difficult to find out what organizations were operating in any given neighborhood and what programs were being offered, Neely said. Additionally, we heard from faith communities that while they were assisting someone in their neighborhood, they would struggle to find a place that could help with needs beyond their own abilities.

And thus SACRD was born.

We set out to solve that problem by identifying all congregations, non profit agencies, government programs, and other community resources, researching what types of programs were being offered and making that information freely available on SACRD.org, Neely said.

And it was all built by San Antonians for San Antonio.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The fifth suspected coronavirus case in Ohio tested negative, and there are no new people being tested for the infection, according to a Thursday afternoon update by the Ohio Department of Health.

In all, five people in Ohio have tested negative for coronavirus, which the World Health Organization now technically calls COVID-19

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are now 14 confirmed cases in the U.S.

Sixty-six ill people tested negative.

Worldwide, over 60,000 people -- mostly in China - are confirmed to have the virus. Of those, 1,370 have died, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.

The Ohio health department posts updates on coronavirus testing on its website twice a week, but doesnt release any further details, such as whether the patients are young or old, male or female, how ill they are or in what part of the state they live. The department says its balancing public interest with patient privacy.

The policy was instituted after two Miami University students who had recently traveled to China became ill, but tested negative for the virus.

Other Columbus stories:

Ohio Senate rejects Houses plan for EdChoice vouchers

State health departments hold back details on possible coronavirus cases. Thats a mistake, crisis communication experts say

More Ohio suspected coronavirus tests come back negative

Ohio House bill would ban gay conversion therapy

Ohio House bill would prohibit medical procedures for transgender youth
Almost 8,000 people have fled into Nigeria from Cameroon in the past two weeks to escape clashes between the security forces and armed separatists, the UN refugee agency said Thursday. The latest arrivals are crossing the border into Taraba and Cross Rivers states in eastern and southern Nigeria, bringing the number of refugees to almost 60,000, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement. "Refugees reported fleeing violence and some even arrived across the border with gunshot wounds," it said. "According to new arrivals, most come from areas near the border and have trekked across savannah and forests to reach Nigeria." In October 2017, an armed revolt erupted in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions bordering Nigeria, where insurgents want to break with the French-speaking bulk of the country. The conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives, according to tolls compiled by NGOs. The UN estimates that more than 679,000 have been displaced from their homes. Fighting at the weekend disrupted voting in parliamentary and local government elections, according to official sources and witnesses who asked not to be named. Refugees in Nigeria are "being sheltered in public schools and health facilities or with local families", the UNHCR said. About 51,000 registered refugees had been taken in by some 87 communities in four Nigerian states, before the latest influx. "In addition, there are four settlements where UNHCR and humanitarian partners are providing protection, food, livelihood, shelter and healthcare," the statement said. "Refugees also need support to become self-reliant," said the UNHCR's deputy representative in Nigeria, Roger Hollo. "With access to education, health services and labour markets, they can take care of their families and give back to the local communities hosting them." Refugeee: Ben Ojometa, a 75-year-old Cameroonian who fled to the town of Agborkim in Cross Rivers state in February 2018 Map of Cameroon locating English-speaking regions
If the Bhima Koregaon commission is terminated before completing its work, the people affected by the violence 'would feel cheated'.

Jyoti Punwani reports.

IMAGE: Thousands of Dalits at Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra, January 1, 2019. Photograph: PTI Photo

First, the commission declared its intention to stop its proceedings.

Now, the government seems keen to do so.

Is the Maharashtra government at all serious about the Bhima Koregaon Commission of Inquiry?

The government's notification dated February 11, announcing that it is granting a final extension of two months to the commission, has surprised those involved with it.

With only 25 witnesses examined, there is no way the commission's work can be completed within two months.

"In our status report sent to the government last month, we had informed them that we will need a minimum of six months more to complete our work," says advocate Ashish Satpute, counsel for the commission. "Crucial witnesses from the villages where the violence took place are still to be examined. Also, the then SP, the then collector, and the then commissioner of police, Pune, need to be called."

IMAGE: Advocate Ashish Satpute, counsel for the commission, Sumit Mullick, member, commission, Shishir Hiray, Maharashtra government counsel, Justice J N Patel, chairman of the commission. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani

The two-member commission of inquiry, headed by retired chief justice of the Calcutta high court J N Patel, is investigating the violence that took place on January 1, 2018, at Bhima Koregaon near Pune, where lakhs of Dalits had gathered to observe the 200th anniversary of the battle between the British and the Peshwas. The British won with the help of Mahar soldiers.

The anniversary is commemorated every year by Dalits after Dr B R Ambedkar visited the spot in 1929.

The violence on January 1, 2018 claimed one life and enormous loss of property. 48 people were injured.

It was followed by a state-wide bandh called by Prakash Ambedkar and other Dalit groups which also saw incidents of violence.

Then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had set up the commission on February 9, 2018, but thanks to bureaucratic delays, hearings only began on September 5, 2018. Since then, it has been granted four extensions of varying lengths.

Rediff.com obtained a copy of the status report sent by the commission to the government on January 10, 2020.

The report points out that the last extension, given on November 8, 2019, was for only three months, though the commission had pointed out in its previous status report that the number of witnesses yet to be examined might be more than 50.

Since then, examination of only three witnesses could be completed, though 11 were summoned. While two declined, the rest sought adjournments for various reasons.

Commission sources said even if only crucial witnesses were chosen out of the remaining 50, these would number at least eight to ten.

Advocate Kiran Channe, who represents the Dalit victims, put the number at much more. "Apart from the villagers of Vadhu Budruk, we need the testimony of the Gaekwad family, and politicians such as Sharad Pawar."

The Gaekwad family are the descendants of Govind Gopal Gaekwad, who is said to have conducted the last rites of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's son Sambhaji Maharaj in 1689 in defiance of emperor Aurangzeb's diktat.

This version of history is contested by Hindutva elements.

Clashes near Govind Gopal Gaekwad's samadhi formed the backdrop of the violence on January 1, 2018. Those clashes have been a recurrent theme in the hearings as have the different historical versions connected with who conducted Sambhaji Maharaj's last rites.

The status report says that so far the commission has examined witnesses on the history of the Govind Gopal samadhi, the Sambhaji Maharaj samadhi, the battle of Bhima Koregaon and the history of the Jai Stambh or victory memorial erected there.

In conclusion, the status report states: 'Examination of important victims is nearing completion. Examination of witnesses for the state administration has commenced. Thus, hearings are at a very crucial stage. Commission also intends to examine some political leaders to have their views on the terms of reference. Total number of witnesses may be around 50 which will take not less than six months.'

Congressman Sanjay Lakhe Patil, who is a party before the commission, expressed the apprehension that if the commission was terminated before being able to complete its work, the people affected by the violence of January 1, 2018, "would feel cheated. That would not be good for the social health of the state."

"It would look like this government is trying to protect Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote. One can understand the BJP government doing so, but why should our government do this?" Lakhe Patil asks.

Bhide and Ekbote, both Hindutva leaders, were the first to be named by the police as responsible for the violence. They have contested the version that the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj were performed by Govind Gopal Gaekwad.

IMAGE: The Bhima-Koregaon commission in session. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani

Dalit witnesses have told the commission that stones were hurled at their vehicles on January 1, 2018 by mobs carrying saffron flags. The same was stated by then CM Fadnavis in the Maharashtra assembly on March 13, 2018.

"The commission was set up to find out the real perpetrators of the violence," adds Lakhe Patil. "If it doesn't do so, its basic purpose would have been lost. It is in the interests of democracy that it must."

It becomes even more necessary now, he stresses, that the commission grant his request to summon then CM Fadnavis as a witness. "He knew everything about the goings-on then."

Lakhe Patil says he would request the government to give the commission a six-month extension. So would all Ambedkarite groups, adds advocate Channe.

However, Lakhe Patil hopes the commission would sit everyday, unlike its current practice of sitting for three-four consecutive days alternately in Mumbai and Pune every month.

The commission has had to curtail its sittings firstly because the second member, Sumit Mullick, is also Maharashtra's chief information commissioner. In fact, in Mumbai, it is from his office that the commission functions.

The Mumbai hearings, therefore, are held only in the afternoon.

Justice J N Patel is also involved in arbitration matters.

IMAGE: Advocate Kiran Channe, left, represents Dalit victims before the commission. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani

At its last hearing on January 30 in Mumbai, Justice Patel had announced that the commission has decided to wind up, because of the state government's attitude.

A letter to the state home department dated January 30, 2020, signed by Commission Secretary V V Palnitkar, headlined 'Recommendation to wind up Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry for want of funds', described how honorariums and salaries of its staff, from the commission itself, to commission counsel to commission superintendent to the peons, had not been paid since November. Nor had miscellaneous expenses been paid.

The letter stated that in November 2019, the commission had requested Rs 65 lakhs (Rs 6.5 million) be released to cover all the expenses.

However, after the letter was sent, the government released just Rs 20 lakh (Rs 2 million), enough to pay pending and future salaries, but not enough to cover miscellaneous expenses.

Meanwhile, even before the commission could begin its hearings, the then Fadnavis government arrested nine Left intellectuals for the violence at Bhima Koregaon, linking them to the speeches made at the Elgar Parishad held in Pune on December 31, 2017.

The Parishad was called by retired justices B G Kolse Patil and P B Sawant as a rallying event against the BJP government. Many Leftists and Ambedkarites addressed the gathering, describing the BJP government as 'New Peshwa rule'.

Ever since Maharashtra's coalition government took over in November, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar has asked that the cases against these individuals be reconsidered. Just when the state government was to set up an SIT to do so, the Centre asked the National Investigation Agency to take over the case.

It appears then that neither the previous BJP-Sena government nor the current Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government sees much use in the Commission.
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) turned volatile after the state-owned company reported Q3 earnings during market hours today, 13 February 2020.

On a consolidated basis, HAL's net profit rose 1.23% to Rs 460.67 crore in Q3 December 2019 as against Rs 455.07 crore posted in Q3 December 2018. Net sales rose 0.7% to Rs 4456.35 crore during the period under review.

Profit before tax (PBT) for Q3 December 2019 stood at Rs 649.32 crore, declining 5% year-on-year (YoY). Current tax expense jumped 18% YoY to Rs 296.86 crore in Q3 December 2019.

The company in notes to accounts said that exceptional item of Rs 11.78 crore for the quarter ended 31 December 2019 represents compensation received from the Office of Special Land Acquisition Officer, Bangalore under KIADB Act. The compensation is on back of acquisition of 14,424.06 Sq. Mtrs of HAL land at Beninganahalli Village, Bangalore by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation.

Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics were trading 0.26% higher at Rs 778.40. The stock price traded in the range of 767 and 782.5 during the day.

Hindustan Aeronautics is engaged in carrying out design, development, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft, helicopter, engines and related systems like avionics, instruments and accessories primarily serving Indian defence programme. It also manufactures the structural parts of various Satellite Launch Vehicles of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

The Government of India (GoI) holds majority stake of 89.97% as on 31 December 2019.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Current investors Long Arc Capital and Bpifrance provide additional fuel for increased ambition

Tinubu Square, the market leader for enterprise software solutions to Credit and Surety Insurers, announces an additional investment of 15M by New York-based Long Arc Capital and the French investment bank Bpifrance.

Advancing Tinubu Square's Strategic Goals

In 2018, Tinubu Square launched a 5-year strategic plan to expand its global footprint and propel innovation.

"The early results of our 5-year plan have already been extremely successful," said Jerome Peze, CEO. "In just two years, we have more than doubled our annual recurring software revenue."

"We have a clear vision of what we need to do to achieve our goals over the next three years," added Olivier Placca, Deputy CEO. "Our teams, our shareholders and our partners are all aligned and committed to our mission."

Tinubu Square intends to use the additional 15M of capital to target high growth international markets for Credit Insurance and Surety software.

An ambition supported by Long Arc Capital and Bpifrance

At the end of 2017, Long Arc Capital and Bpifrance invested 53M in Tinubu Square. (announcement of October 2017

Long Arc Capitalhas significant experience in partnering with entrepreneurs to build category-leading businesses.

The Tinubu team has performed incredibly well over the last few years," said Vincent Fleury, Tinubu Board Member and a Partner of Long Arc Capital. "The business is now poised to become the market-leading enabler of digital transformations for the Credit and Surety Insurance industries. With this additional capital, we expect Tinubu will achieve new levels of success in the U.S. as well as in the rest of the world."

Bpifrance, invested in Tinubu Square since 2011, continues to demonstrate its mission as a long-term stakeholder enabling entrepreneurial projects to deliver their full potential. Nicolas Herschtel, Deputy Managing Director of Large Venture, the Growth fund of Bpifrance, applauded Tinubu Square's international development which, according to him, is a wonderful example of world-leading technology originating from France.

About Long Arc Capital

Long Arc Capital LP ("Long Arc") is a NY-based private equity firm dedicated to building and scaling breakthrough businesses. Founded in 2016, Long Arc has six Partners with significant investing and operating experience. The firm has a philosophy of "active ownership" and partners with entrepreneurs and management teams to build successful businesses.

About Bpifrance

Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses at every stage of their development through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extra-financial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export).

For more information, please visit: www.bpifrance.fr and presse.bpifrance.fr Follow us on Twitter: @Bpifrance @BpifrancePresse

About Tinubu Square - www.tinubu.com @TinubuGroup

Founded in 2000, Tinubu Square is the enabler of the Credit Insurance Surety digital transformation. Tinubu Square provides across the globe SaaS solutions and services to Credit Surety Insurers that enable them to reduce significantly their exposure to risk as well as their financial, operational and technical costs with best-in-class technology solutions and services. Tinubu Square has built an ecosystem of customers in over 20 countries worldwide and has a global presence with offices in Paris, London, New York, Montreal, Mumbai and Singapore.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005076/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts

Tinubu Square:

Lotta Bonde

lbe@tinubu.com

Phone: +33 1 5595 85 85



Bpifrance:

Nathalie Police

Nathalie.police@bpifrance.fr

Phone: 33 1 4179 95 26



Long Arc:

Kate Kelberg

kate.kelberg@longarc.com

Phone: +1 (212) 430 2275
Explained: The terror funding case against Lashkar boss Hafiz Saeed

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 13: Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed was on Wednesday sentenced to 11 years in jail by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan in two terror financing cases.

Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, was arrested on July 17 in the terror financing cases. He is lodged at the Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail in high security.

Terror funding:

A court official confirmed that Saeed was sentenced in two terror financing cases registered against him in Lahore and Gujranwala cities on the application of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab police.

The court sentenced Saeed to five and a half years and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 in each case. The sentences of both cases will run concurrently.

Pakistan court convicts Hafiz Saeed in terror financing cases

The anti-terrorism court or ATC had indicted Saeed and his close aides on December 11 in the terror financing cases.

Witnesses:

Last Saturday, Lahore ATC judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta deferred the verdict against Saeed in two terror financing cases till February 11.

In the two cases, the prosecution produced some 20 or so witnesses in the ATC who testified against Saeed and his close aides for their involvement in terror financing. Saeed pleaded "not guilty" in both cases.

The Counter-Terrorism Department had registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province.

The cases:

The cases were registered against Saeed and others in Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan for collection of funds for terrorism financing through assets/properties made and held in the names of Trusts/Non-Profit Organisations including Al-Anfaal Trust, Dawatul Irshad Trust, Muaz Bin Jabal Trust, etc.

The probe:

According to the CTD, investigation launched into financing matters of proscribed organisations - JuD and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) - in connection with implementation of UN Sanctions against these Designated Entities and Persons as directed by NSC (National Security Committee) in its meeting of January 1, 2019, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan for implementing the National Action Plan.

"These suspects made assets from funds of terrorism financing. They held and used these assets to raise more funds for further terrorism financing. Hence, they committed multiple offences of terrorism financing and money laundering under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

They will be prosecuted in ATCs (Anti Terrorism Courts) for the commission of these offences," the CTD said.

FATF pressure:

The crackdown on Saeed's outfit last year followed a warning by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force to Pakistan to deliver on its commitments to curb terror financing and money laundering.

Saeed-led JuD is the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) which is 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, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. He was listed under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008.
A Bismarck woman whose baby was the subject of a search and Amber Alert in June and who missed a July court appearance related to that incident was arrested last week in South Dakota.

Dawn Morsette, 27, was arrested in late June after being unable to give police any information about her 7-month-old daughters whereabouts. The child was dropped off anonymously at the Sanford Hospital emergency room after a nearly daylong search by family and law enforcement.

Morsette was released from custody after posting a $2,500 bond. A state warrant was issued for her on July 29 after she failed to show up for a preliminary hearing on charges of felony child neglect and preventing arrest.

A couple of weeks before missing the court date, she pleaded guilty to ingesting a controlled substance, according to court documents. She was placed on probation and ordered to get treatment. She also has a previous child neglect conviction in 2015.

A federal warrant was issued for Morsette on Jan. 9 for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Electronic surveillance by the U.S. Marshals Service showed she was at a residence on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, according to federal court documents. She was arrested Feb. 6 at Rosebud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme on Wednesday filed a motion to dismiss the federal complaint because Morsette was in state custody in South Dakota. The dismissal allows the two states to move ahead with the extradition process, Delorme said in his motion.

State court documents do not show that any court proceedings are scheduled for Morsette. No attorney is listed for her.

North Dakota's Department of Human Services was contacted after the baby was dropped off at the emergency room. Public Information Officer Heather Steffl said once the department is involved in such cases it works to protect the child, which could mean placement with family members or in a licensed foster care home. The agency cannot disclose information about specific cases, Steffl said.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:50:14|Editor: huaxia

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HAIKOU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A once-bustling tourist hotspot in south China's island province of Hainan, Sanya Wuzhizhou island has been quiet amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The scenic spot was closed to the public due to the virus, but work there did not stop. A few employees who stayed on the island are broadening roads, pruning plants and maintaining the underwater landscape. Its management is also upgrading the ticketing system on the official website.

"We're improving both the hardware and the software, as we prepare for the return of tourists after the epidemic," said Chen Yandong, vice chairman of the scenic spot's management.

The raging epidemic has taken a heavy toll on tourism in Hainan, depriving it of the much-anticipated peak travel time during the Spring Festival holiday. Last year, the province received 5.8 million visitors during the week-long holiday, which plunged to nearly null this year.

Outbound travels also felt the pinch. Deng Yun, an outbound tour guide at a local travel agency, said all her trips during February and March had been canceled.

"Many tour guides were forced to idle at home. We're under a lot of financial pressure because our incomes mainly come from leading tours," Deng said.

But like many practitioners in the industry, Deng spends the extended respite from work in self-improvement. While heeding the official calls to stay home, she studied visa policies and acquainted herself with more overseas destinations.

"Now is a good opportunity to study my business because our daily work used to be very busy, leaving us little time for self-learning," she said.

On Monday, the Sanya Tourist Attractions Association launched a project to offer online training targeting tourism enterprises, calling for them to promote service and management through training during the epidemic outbreak. About 500 local tourism practitioners have participated in the training.

He Zhiquan, deputy marketing manager of Tongguling scenic spot in Hainan's city of Wenchang, also said they started an online training program this week on innovation and marketing of tourist sites. "It is mainly an opportunity to improve the employees' skills, our management and service, all in preparation for the resumption of work."

"The epidemic is expected to hit the tourism industry throughout the first half of the year, but we still have confidence since tourism has become a necessity," he said, adding that the government's supportive policies are also important for the industry's recovery.

In an effort to help tourism enterprises weather the epidemic, the Hainan provincial government on Sunday announced six supportive measures, including reducing or exempting their rent and taxes.

As a key tourist city in Hainan, Sanya has earmarked 100 million yuan (about 14.3 million U.S. dollars) to support tourism companies and stabilize the market.

Wang Jiansheng, chairman of Hainan Tourism Development Research Association, noted that though the epidemic has dealt a dire blow to the country's tourism, it did not change the huge size of the market and the booming demand, which guarantees the future recovery of the tourism industry.

"The epidemic pressed a pause button for the tourism industry, which is an opportunity for the enterprises to reflect and recharge," said Wang, noting that with the collective efforts of enterprises and the government, the tourism industry is sure to revive after the epidemic.
Two passengers, who arrived at Kolkata international airport from Bangkok, have been placed in isolation for suspected novel coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.

A passenger named Himadri Barman was quarantined on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh on Wednesday, government officials said in New Delhi.

Both passengers were sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital, a Kolkata airport official said.

Earlier, a passenger named Anita Oraon had also shown signs of fever during thermal scanning, Kolkata airport director Kaushik Bhattacharjee said.

Meanwhile, the Health and Family Welfare Department of the West Bengal government has said nobody in the state has tested positive for coronavirus.

"The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal hereby informs the general public that no one in West Bengal has tested positive (for the virus) till date.

"The statement attributed to the Airport Director is factually incorrect. The state government has been diligently dealing with the matter and as of the evening of 13th February 2020, of all the persons screened and samples taken in the state, not a single person has tested positive," state health secretary Vivek Kumar said in a press statement.

Already two airlines which had direct flights between Kolkata and China have suspended their operations.

Low-cost carrier IndiGo has temporarily suspended its flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from February 6.

"In line with the WHO guideline to contain the spread of coronavirus, IndiGo will be suspending its Kolkata- Guangzhou service from February 6, 2020 to February 25, 2020 and Guangzhou-Kolkata from February 7 till February 26," the airline had said in a statement.

After IndiGo, China Eastern Airlines suspended its flights between Kolkata and Kunming in China from February 10 to February 29.

Passengers of flights coming to Kolkata from Kunming and Guangzhou in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok were being screened since January 17.

At present, passengers arriving from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are being screened as no flights are operating to and from China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The public sector is expected to be the fastest-growing user of automation in the next six to 12 months, a new survey finds.

Specifically, 40% of public-sector respondents to The 2020 Study on Staffing the IT Security Function in the Age of Automation: United States and United Kingdom said they expect to use automation within the next year. Of the 1,027 total respondents, including commercial workers, 36% said they expect to do the same.

Whats more, 32% of public-sector respondents to the survey, sponsored by DomainTools and released by the Ponemon Institute on Feb. 11, said they already use automation.

There are a number of findings that I think are really cool, said Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the institute. Probably the most important question is, 'Will automation improve the ability of the IT security staff to do their job?' And not surprisingly, more than 70% say it enables the IT security staff to focus on more serious vulnerabilities.

One reason government is turning to automation seems to be agencies' inability to properly staff skilled IT security workers. Half of public-sector respondents said that challenge has increased their investment in automation tools and technology.

Additionally, 67% of public-sector respondents said automation is helping to reduce stress on information security personnel. Along those lines, 69% of respondents said automation improves those workers ability to do their jobs, 75% said it enables them to focus on more serious vulnerabilities and overall network security, and 37% credit automation with taking on time-intensive, manual tasks that are mission-critical but not a good use of staff time.

For instance, using automation to analyze security incident logs can reduce the number of false positives and speed analysis, which, in turn, improves productivity, the report found. Sixty-eight percent of the total respondents said in the next few years they expect to automate log analysis, followed by threat hunting (60%) and malware analysis (57%), and 82% said that preventing downtime caused by security incidents is a reason to automate.

Another check in automations pro column is its ability to reduce human error, which 41% of public-sector respondents said they expect.

Still, the outlook isnt all rosy in the public sector. Nearly half of respondents -- 48% -- said interoperability issues among automation technologies are one reason why theyre not adopting automation. Other challenges include a lack of in-house expertise (55%), heavy reliance on legacy IT (45%) and lack of budget (43%).

Funding ties all those together, said Corin Imai, a senior security advisor at DomainTools. Being able to properly staff means that you have to have the backing financially. Being able to onboard automation means that you have to have the buy-in of those that are overseeing the budget to see the value in it, Imai said.

One of the most notable findings in the report, Imai said, is that 52% of public-sector respondents said they expect automation to reduce the IT security headcount. More specifically, 35% said they worry about losing their jobs because of automation, and another 35% said automation will increase the need to hire people with more advanced technical skills.

Although understandable, those fears are somewhat unfounded, Imai said, especially with the number of open cybersecurity positions expected to hit 3.5 million next year, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. For instance, although organizations are replacing some basic functions with automation, the people doing them now could be trained to move up to handle higher-tier tasks.

Automation wont replace some of the smaller shops, but it will start to replace some of the functions within an organization or an IT security organization, she said. Theres always a human element. No automation tool can work solely on its own. It has to be trained and it has to be given the right type of data and it has to be observed.

Fiscal 2020 was the second year that the institute has done this particular research, and Ponemon said hes looking forward to learning where automation leads in the future.

We think were still in the infancy, in the early stage of automation, and relating to that, of course, will be machine learning, orchestration and artificial intelligence, he said. Were starting to see some really interesting relationships develop over time.

Public-sector respondents made up 11% of participants in the survey, which had a margin of error of 4%.

Read the survey here.
Family members of the six oil executives known as the Citgo 6 being detained in Venezuela spoke out about their fears for the safety of their relatives during a press conference hosted by Fort Bend County judge KP George on Tuesday, Feb. 11.The nightmarish ordeal of the six men- Jorge Toledo, Tomeu Vadell, Alirio Zambrano, Jose Luis Zambrano, Gustavo Cardenas and Jose Angel Periera- began before Thanksgiving 2017 when they were each called to a meeting in Venezuela at Citgos parent company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA. The men were given little notice of the mysterious meeting and shortly after their arrival they were taken prisoner by masked, armed guards who burst into the room during a business presentation, Gabriela Zambrano Hill, daughter of Alirio Zambrano and niece of Jose Luis Zambrano, told reporters.

For over 800 days they've been completely unjustly detained. There's absolutely no evidence procured, nor will there be evidence procured for their claims, she said.

For the first month, the families had no idea what was happening to the men. After early information began to come out, they feared the men were starving to death as they were surviving on less than 600 calories a day.

Every single man has lost at least 50 pounds of weight due to malnutrition, Zambrano Hill said. Constant chronic health complaints, not to mention just the sheer psychological torture of not seeing the outside sun or the sky for years has been absolutely horrendous at various periods of time over the last few years.

Venezuelan officials maintain the men were arrested on corruption charges, allegations they and their family members deny.

Mervis Periera, the wife of Jose Angel Periera, said she and others are unsure why the men were targeted.

This is a situation we dont understand what happened, Periera said. They took a plane for business travel and were put under arrest, and we dont know why. We have more questions than answers.

Two years after their arrest, the men were moved from a detention facility to house arrest last December. Then, after President Donald Trump introduced opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom Trump has recognized as the rightful president of Venezuela, during the Feb. 4 State of the Union address and later hosted Guaido in the Oval Office, Venezuelan intelligence agents took the Citgo executives to the Helicoide, a detention center known for torture.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Citgo 6 hauled back into custody amid Venezuelan opposition leader visit to DC

El Helicoide is infamous for their torture and for their human rights violations, she said. Were very concerned for their well-being. We consider this another abomination of their justice.

Isabella Toledo, Jorge Toledos daughter, talked about the pain and despair she has endured since her father was taken.

We have no hope anymore, she said. Weve been living in this nightmare for over two years. Every day I wake up, and I dont know whats going to happen. I dont know if Im going to get a phone call that my dad has died in a prison. I dont know if I will ever see my dad again.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Free the Citgo 6 from detention in Venezuela [Opinion]

Judge George urged U.S, government officials to help bring the men home to their families.

[We] encourage our state department and White House to do everything possible in their power to push a safe and fast release of these men so they can return to their families, George said. We all know that this is a federal issue. A county can only do so much, but we are working with our federal leaders to bring this issue to a peaceful conclusion.
While changes to the states bail laws have only been in effect for less than two months, criminal justice reform proponents have been on the defensive against attacks from political opponents and sensational tabloid stories. Those calling for rollbacks to the bail law have plenty of ammunition: local newspapers have churned out story after story of defendants in New York City being released without bail despite long criminal records and people being arrested again after they were released before trial.

It has led to renewed calls to give judges the discretion to consider a defendants perceived dangerousness or risk when determining pretrial conditions. A new proposal to overhaul the law from state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins would eliminate cash bail and give judges more discretion to consider the potential risk a defendant poses when deciding whether to hold the person in jail before trial.

In order to combat the negative press, advocates have begun fact-checking the newspapers as well as statements from prosecutors, judges and law enforcement officials.

Ensuring everyone understands the bail law and its actual limits is critical for Democratic lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates. But doing so also puts bail reform advocates in the odd position of arguing in favor of keeping some individuals in jail, which would seem to concede their opponents view that some people should be kept in jail before standing trial in order to protect the public.

Some lawmakers have followed that approach into a rhetorical trap, by pointing out ways high-profile defendants could have been held or given bail as a defense against claims that prosecutors hands were tied by the new law.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie talked about the case of a serial bank robber in New York City who was released after being charged with another bank robbery despite being on parole. The new arrest would have constituted a parole violation, Heastie said, which made the person eligible for bail, even with the new reforms. Prosecutors could have opted for stricter pretrial conditions, but chose to release the defendant.

Heastie and state Sen. Jessica Ramos have suggested that some prosecutors are undercharging cases, thus precluding the possibility of bail in cases where the evidence would support higher, bail-eligible charges. Im tired of the media cherry-picking stories where judges have undercharged people and let them go, Ramos said at a recent criminal justice reform rally in Albany.

This is a far cry from the concerns that some Democrats expressed at the end of 2019 that prosecutors would begin overcharging in order to continue setting bail. People should be charged with the appropriate charges, Ramos later told City & State, clarifying that she is referring only to a handful of cases covered in the media where prosecutors could have sought different charges and set bail for a defendant, so it shouldnt be seen as evidence of a flaw in the new law. Ramos added that she is not suggesting that prosecutors should begin seeking higher charges, and she is not advocating for that.

Marie Ndiaye, supervising attorney of the Decarceration Project at The Legal Aid Society, offered the case of Eugene Webb as an example of an undercharged defendant who made headlines. Webb was released after being charged with misdemeanor assault after allegedly hitting a woman so hard he knocked out two of her teeth. Ndiaye said that the assault as described was obviously severe enough for prosecutors to charge Webb with a bailable felony, rather than a nonbailable misdemeanor. We have seen some undercharging, but Im never going to go out there and say you should be charging them with something else, Ndiaye said. Like Ramos, she said she is only trying to correct misinformation in the press, which Ndiaye said often originates from prosecutors and judges.

Manhattan Institute fellow Rafael Mangual pointed to the list of offenses made bail-eligible  including most violent felonies  as proof that Democrats implicitly conceded when they drafted the legislation that dangerousness should be considered. The fact that lawmakers carved out violent felony charges from the reform undercuts (Democrats) defense of the law, Mangual said. The carveout represents a tacit recognition of the fact that defendants dangerousness matters. Mangual also argued that pointing to a defendant who could have been kept in jail under a more serious charge also undermines the notion that there is no public safety risk to releasing more defendants.

A proposal like the one from Stewart-Cousins is one of the only ways out of the contradictions in the current bail law, which is also declining in popularity among New York voters. It ends the purported economic injustices of bail, which still exist under the new law for those who do get cash bail, while making an explicit acknowledgement about dangerousness that has been at the root of a lot of recent criticisms. New York is unusual in that it does not allow judges to assess dangerousness when determining pretrial conditions.

Criminal justice reform advocates, however, have argued that adding that discretion would allow judges to rely on racist biases when determining who should be locked up before trial, continuing the disproportionate jailing of poor minorities seen under the old bail system.

Spokespeople for Heastie and Stewart-Cousins did not return a request for comment about how the specific list of bailable offenses was decided upon. Ramos, who was not directly involved in the negotiations that developed the list of bail-eligible offenses, suggested that the new law is not perfect. Its not my bill, I voted for what I thought was the best possible bill because of where we were, Ramos told City & State before Stewart-Cousins overhaul proposal was made public. And I think that it has gotten us to a place that has been good for many people, but created some confusion.

That confusion Ramos has tried to combat helped lead to Stewart-Cousins proposed fixes, which was met with immediate vitriol from some left-wing activists: VOCAL-NY community leader Roger Clark said it gives (judges) a license to discriminate and lock up more black people in jail. Though Stewart-Cousins argues that the majority of people would still be automatically released and that the judicial discretion would follow strict guidelines, it still makes explicit what had been implicit in the current law: dangerousness and risk play a role in pretrial detention and bail.
Francis Chan says he healed deaf boy, girl in rural Myanmar village: 'My faith was at another level'

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Crazy Love author Francis Chan said that during a recent trip to Myanmar he, along with a team of other Christians, miraculously healed a number of individuals in a rural village, including a little boy and girl who were deaf.

During a sermon delivered at Moody Bible Institutes Founders Week Conference, Chan, former teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California, said two weeks ago he and several others traveled to Myanmar.

At one point, we were in this village that had no believers, like zero. Not a single one, he recalled. And this lady had built a relationship with the head monk and the village leader and somehow was able to work out that we could go into the village.

My translator told me he had been in that area before and was chased out with knives and stones thrown at him, so he was terrified, Chan continued. But the entire village showed up, and I had the honor of sharing the Gospel through a translator, to be the first one to lay out the Gospel and explain that they had a Creator and explain that He had a son and explain what He did on the cross and the resurrection.

Theres no way I can communicate to you how much peace I felt, the pastor stressed. I am sharing the Good News with a village of people who have never heard of this before. I cant tell you how right it felt.

Later in his message, Chan revealed that while in the village he asked God to help him heal those suffering.

Im going, God, please, please hear, he recalled. People started coming forward for healing."

"Every person I touched was healed," Chan declared as the audience applauded.

You guys, OK, this is craziness to me," he added. "I have never experienced this in 52 years. Im talking like a little boy and a little girl who were deaf. We laid hands, she starts crying and smiling. These are not Christians who have even heard about Jesus, and shes freaking out. We lay hands on her little brother, we lay hands on him, and he starts hearing for the first time.

Chan admitted that the entire process was out of his comfort zone, adding, This is stuff Id read about, but Im going, Man, it happened. It happened. Stuff left and right.

I thought I had faith, but my faith was at another level, and I think there are some things that contributed  some of it was just faith in His word, that when Jesus says, I am in you and you are in Me, to take that literally, he declared.

The pastor admitted that when he walked in the village, he had a little bit of fear," adding, I said, No, no, this is no different than if You walked in the village, and I know what youd do, Jesus. Youd proclaim the Good News and youd heal.'"

I started having this mindset again of going, No, no, this is what the Word of God says. You said I would do the same things that You did, and even greater things. Jesus, I know what You would have done in this village. I believe there was something about that faith, I believe there was something about the unity that we had as a group there," he explained.

Chan said that although he disagreed theologically with some of the individuals on his team, he believes God was honored by this fight for unity, and I believe God was honored by this pursuit of the unreached, and obeying the Great Commission and we saw power.

And I dont know that that means it will happen every time, he clarified. My theology says I dont think it will happen everywhere ... but best I understand Scripture, He wants me to believe in my unity with Him, this power that I have because He and I are one. He wants to believe that you and I can become perfectly one.

Chan revealed that in three weeks, his family plans to move to Hong Kong and go to some places that are pretty sketchy, dangerous. The reality of persecution, he said, has caused him to evaluate his beliefs.

Do I still believe that my life has no value outside of accomplishing what God wants me to do? he asked.

The pastor said that while he loves to preach the Word of God to believers, its nothing like preaching to people who have never heard the name of Jesus.

So Im excited. In a couple of weeks, well be moving, Lord willing, he said.

During the service, Chan also compared Americans to spiritual foodies, adding: All of you are. ... Were just picking it apart. And I just go, I dont know if I can do that anymore when there are people who have no spiritual food, who have never heard the name of Jesus.

I say this because theres a crowd of young people here, and youre thinking about what to do with your life, Chan continued. Just think through the calling of Scripture, because I want that peace that I felt there. I want that for your life, and I know what youre going to face your entire life here. Youre going to hear a lot of lies and a lot of those are going to come from within the church."

"If I had listened to those voices, I wouldve missed out on so much of life because so many people, even in the church today, theyll reason with you from their logic rather than from the Scriptures," he warned.

Chan said it is crazy to him that it's perfectly normal to be a Christian in America and be obsessed with staying alive, citing John 12:25: Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Is that what you really see in the Scriptures? Chan asked. The only thing Im trying to do with my every breath is complete the ministry He gave me. If Im going to breathe another day, its to finish the task that Hes given me, which is to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. I just want to get out and explain the grace, what God has given me, through Jesus Christ.

Watch Francis Chans full sermon below:
US forces killed a civilian after their passage was blocked by the Syrian Arab Army in eastern Qamishli reports SANA.

A civilian was martyred and other was injured when American occupation forces opened fire on locals of the villages of Khirbet Ammo and Hamou in eastern Qamishli, after they gathered near a Syrian Arab Army post while the Army was preventing American occupation vehicles from crossing.

Meanwhile, locals of Bweir al-Bouassi village threw stones at the US occupations vehicles and they tore down the US flag.

SANAs reporter in Hassakeh said that, On Wednesday morning, A Syrian Arab Army post stopped four American occupation vehicles while they were crossing al-Suwais  Alaia- Khirbet Ammo road, east of Qamishli city. Then hundreds of locals of Khirbet Ammo and Hamou villages gathered near the post to prevent the American occupation vehicles from crossing and to force them to return from where they came.

The reporter stated that, The American occupation soldiers fired live bullets and smoke bombs at the locals, martyring one civilian from the village of Khirbet Ammo and injuring another from Hamou village.

In response to the attack by the American occupation forces, the locals damaged four of the occupations armored vehicles, while the occupation forces rushed to bring reinforcements to the area that include five armored vehicles, to withdraw their damaged vehicles and evacuate their personnel.

In the same context, and during the passage of a number of American occupation armored vehicles through Bweir al-Bouassi village, in the countryside of Qamishli city, locals of the village intercepted them and attacked the armored vehicles with stones and forced them to stop while a number of young men got on the top of one of the vehicles and took down the US flag.

Later, SANAs reporter said that there was news of an air assault by the US occupation on Khirbet Ammo village, in Qamishlis countryside.

The reporter added that direct clashes with light weapons erupted between the locals of the village and the US occupation.

The reporter indicated that the occupation forces withdrew from the village under a cover by the US warplanes.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
I and many others have been saying for a long time that the Democrats dont have an adequate presidential candidate this year. Events in Iowa and New Hampshire have tended to confirm that assessment.

I first described Joe Biden as a dead candidate walking in mid-October, when he was leading the national Democratic polls and, as I recall, ahead of President Trump in some polling. This is Bidens third presidential campaign. The first two were bad, and this one is embarrassing. Jonathan Chait reminds us that in Bidens three presidential campaigns, he has never once finished higher than fourth in any primary or caucus. It is time to discreetly draw the curtain on Bidens 2020 effort.

It was only a few months ago when we said that the Democratic nomination was Elizabeth Warrens to lose. She has lost it. Her decline seemed to begin with the unraveling of her Medicare for all plan, but I think it actually goes deeper than that. As of six months ago, most voters probably knew nothing about her false claim to being an Indian and the role that claim played in her academic career. As she has gotten better known over the course of the campaign, her ethnic fraud has likewise become more widely known, in large part due to President Trumps mockery.

A second factor is probably even more important: Warren is a harridan. It should be no surprise that few people want to be lectured at by her for the next four years. It came out today that Warren has cut back on her advertising spending in both South Carolina and Nevada. Her campaign isnt quite as dead as Joe Bidens, but it is on life support.

Bernie Sanders has a loyal following, mainly among the young and ignorant. But he hasnt been able to expand that following beyond the base he had four years ago. More likely, his support has contracted. He went from 60% in the New Hampshire primary four years ago to 26% this yearand that was against Hillary Clinton, not Pete Buttigieg. Sanders age, his recent heart attack, his unabashed extremism (which still hasnt been aggressively exploited by his opponents), the enmity of the Democratic establishment, and his lack of support among African-Americans all tell against him. It would be fun to see Sanders as the Democrats nominee, but if he cant score over 25% in the states that on paper are most favorable to him, it isnt going to happen.

Pete Buttigieg has performed relatively well in both Iowa and New Hampshire, which I think reflects the desperate state of the Democratic race. Mayor Pete has a basic problem: he is utterly unqualified for the presidency. Barack Obama at least warmed a Senate seat briefly before launching his presidential run. Buttigieg cant even say that. As a former mayor of a small city, he is vulnerable to the sort of attack that Joe Biden launched in New Hampshire. It didnt help Biden, but similar attacks by others will hurt Buttigieg, badly. The obvious fact is that Buttigieg is in the race only because he is gay. No one imagines that, absent that fact, anyone would consider him a plausible candidate for the presidency.

I dont consider Michael Bloomberg much of a threat, either. He has one thing going for him: money. Unfortunately for Bloomberg, money, beyond some reasonable level, is not a very important factor in presidential politics. Just ask Hillary Clinton. Bloomberg is Donald Trump without the likability and without a comparable record of achievement. Moreover, his path to the nomination is clouded by his history asof all things!a Republican. There was a time when he was even pro-law enforcement, a scandal in todays Democratic Party. And Bloomberg endorsed George W. Bush over John Kerry in 2004. Does anyone seriously think the Bernie Bros will turn out for him?

So who is left? I still think Tulsi Gabbard would be the Democrats strongest general election candidate, but she is 1) patriotic, and 2) not a hater. She even wished Rush Limbaugh well when he announced his cancer diagnosis. So there is no risk that the Democrats might nominate her. Tom Steyer hasnt dropped out, unlike Andrew Yang, Michael Bennet and Deval Patrick, but he has shown zero ability to attract votes, which is the whole point of being a politician.

That leaves Amy Klobuchar, who disappointed in Iowa but came on strong in New Hampshire. It is always dangerous to predict based on a process of elimination, but I think the nomination is now Amys to lose. (Heh.) She is smart enough and far left enough, while at the same time preserving the aura of moderation that made her popular in Minnesota. She has some problems, of course. So far, she has demonstrated little ability to appeal to minority voters, and, never having been close to the front of the pack, she has not yet been subjected to much criticism. Suffice it to say that weaknesses will begin to emerge.

Still, I think Klobuchar is now the Democrats most likely presidential nominee. Some Democrats still hold out hope of a deus ex machina like Michelle Obama entering the race. It isnt going to happen. The good news is that I dont see any way Amy Klobuchar (or any other Democrat in the race) can beat President Trump. His record is just too strong. So in the background, you can hear the cheers beginning to echo: Four more years! Four more years!
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 10:36:59|Editor: Liu

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TRIPOLI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Wednesday that there are over 650,000 illegal immigrants currently in Libya, many of whom lack medical care and basic needs.

"According to DTM (Displacement Tracking Matrix), at least 654,000 migrants from 40 countries of origin are currently present in Libya," the IOM said.

"Furthermore, challenges related to water, sanitation and hygiene services, and regular access to sufficient amounts of drinking water were identified as major constraints for surveyed migrants," it said.

The ongoing armed conflict between the east-based army and the UN-backed government in and around the Libyan capital of Tripoli since April 2019 has had a negative impact on migrant situations in affected and surrounding areas, it added.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for migrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward European shores due to the state of insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled then leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The IOM has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port for immigrants' disembarkation due to the deteriorating security condition in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:20:25|Editor: Yurou

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SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating stayed high at 46.8 percent this week, a weekly poll showed Thursday.

According to the Realmeter survey, support for Moon inched down 0.1 percentage point over the week to 46.8 percent this week.

The negative assessment on Moon's conduct of state affairs edged up 0.2 percentage points to 49.4 percent.

Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party added 0.1 percentage point to 40.3 percent, while the approval score for the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party rose 0.9 percentage points to 31.1 percent.

The minor progressive Justice Party won 4.8 percent of support, followed by the minor right-wing New Conservative Party with 3.8 percent and the minor conservative Bareun Future Party with 2.2 percent.

The results were based on a poll of 1,509 voters conducted from Monday to Wednesday. It had plus and minus 2.5 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level.
The Supreme Court on Thursday will pronounce its verdict on steps to be taken to address the problem of criminalisation of politics. In its judgment, the court is expected to decide whether directions can be issued to political parties to deny tickets to candidates with criminal background.

The judgment will be pronounced by a bench of justices Rohinton Nariman and S Ravindra Bhat in contempt petitions which pointed out that despite repeated directions by the apex court, the government and election commission had failed to take steps for decriminalisation of politics.

The Election Commission of India (EC), during the hearing on January 24, acknowledged that the directions issued by the Supreme Court in 2018 to give publicity to the criminal antecedents of candidates contesting elections failed to yield the desired result of decriminalizing politics.

In its September 25, 2018, judgment, the top court had suggested enactment of a strong law to decriminalize politics. It had also issued directions to contesting candidates to disclose details of pending criminal cases against him/ her in the form provided by the EC.

It had ordered political parties to publicise on their websites and in print and electronic media about the criminal antecedents of its candidates.

Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, one of the petitioners, submitted that pursuant to the judgment, the EC issued directions to political parties and candidates to publish criminal antecedents.

But the EC did not make the necessary amendments to the rules governing this field - election symbols order and model code of conduct - and hence the directions by EC did not have any legal sanction.

Further, the EC did not publish a list of leading newspapers and news channels wherein criminal antecedents of the contesting candidates had to be publicised. Upadhyay claimed that political parties took advantage of the same and published criminal antecedents in unpopular newspapers and news channels and at odd hours when people dont watch TV.

The plea said that the consequences of permitting criminals to contest elections and become legislators are extremely serious.

During the electoral process itself, not only do they deploy enormous amounts of illegal money to interfere with the outcome, they also intimidate voters and rival candidates. Thereafter, in our weak rule-of-law context, once they gain entry to our system of governance, they interfere with and influence functioning of government in favour of themselves, the petition stated.

Upadhyay prayed that one of the conditions for the recognition of a political party should be that it shall not field a candidate with criminal antecedents in elections.
The decision of Nagaland Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer disallowing any discussion on the SARFAESI Act, 2002 triggered a ruckus on the fifth day of the budget session of the House on Thursday.

As the House gathered after the Question Hour, the speaker announced that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would make a statement under Rule 55 pertaining to the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002.

However, opposition MLA Chotisuh Sazo said during the Assembly's Business Advisor Committee (BAC) meeting, it was admitted and listed in Thursday's list of business for discussion, but was suddenly withdrawn.

This was a direct denial of the rights of the members, Sazo said, adding that the opposition wanted to raise important issues in public interest but the members of the ruling party did not want to discuss such issues.

Opposition Leader T R Zeliang also voiced support for Sazo.

He said the opposition did not have any objection to a statement from the Leader of the House (LoH) on the issue, but a discussion should be allowed after it.

Zeliang said whether the House accepted the Act or not was the issue.

"If we accept it, implement it. If we do not, it should go to the Select Committee, which will seek legal advice from the advocate general. But without doing that, the law and justice department has written to the finance department, following which banks have stopped giving loans to anybody on mortgaging of land and property.

"That is why we want to highlight the grievances of people," he said.

As Rio stood up to make the statement, Zeliang said the issue was raised by the opposition and not the government and hence, why should the LoH make a statement on it.

However, the chief minister urged the opposition to let him make the statement and after that, if they had anything to say, they could seek time and the Assembly could allot a different time-slot for discussion.

The speaker insisted that any clarification sought could be discussed in his chamber but nothing would be clarified in the Well of the House as he could not allow any discussion during the session.

Urging the speaker to allow the members to speak, MLA Imkong L Imchen said it was the House of the people, but was flatly rejected by the former.

Rio supported the speaker, saying no discussion was required.

Making the statement on the SARFAESI Act, he said it could not be implemented in Nagaland in its present form since there would be a direct conflict with the land holding systems and restrictions on transfer of land.

Rio said on July 19 last year, the justice and law department had advised the finance department, clearly stating that the SARFAESI Act, 2002 could not be enforced in Nagaland as its provisions were conflicting with all existing protective laws, including Article 371A of the Constitution, which gave special provisions to the Nagas, the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 and the Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act, 1978.

Rio stated that in October last year, the cabinet had examined the SARFAESI Act and decided that it could be adopted in Nagaland only after it was ensured that transfer of property attached by banks was made to the indigenous inhabitants of the state.

Being a central Act, the requisite amendment had to be carried out by the Centre, he said, adding that the state's finance department on November 22 last year had requested the Department of Financial Services of the Government of India to modify the Act to restrict transfer of property to the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and a reply was still awaited.

Rio also questioned Zeliang's sense of emergency, saying he was the chief minister for four years since 2014 and at that time, the matter was not discussed.

After Rio's statement, the speaker did not allow any discussion. Nonetheless, Zeliang said if it could not be allowed on Thursday, it should be taken up within the next two days, before the session got over, as the next session would be held in July-August and it would amount to denying the members of their rights.

The statement made by the LoH was totally misguiding, he said, adding that people had stopped getting bank loans while students were also not getting education loans since July 19 last year because of the letter of the law and justice department to the finance department with a copy endorsed to the State Level Bankers Committee.

The finance department was yet to reply to the letter, Zeliang said.

He sought a clarification from the LoH, asking whether the law and justice department had written to the finance department based on a cabinet decision or a decision of the House.

Otherwise, the House alone was empowered to reject any Act passed by Parliament and not by any department, he said.

Zeliang also said Nagaland had its own law -- the Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 2002 -- which clearly stated that land or property could be mortgaged and sold to the indigenous people.

Responding to Zeliang's claim that banks were not giving loans, the chief minister said the government had not received any complaint in this regard.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan paid homage to the late legendary Bollywood actor Pran on his 100th birth anniversary on Thursday.

BigB shared some of his old pictures with the late actor on his Twitter account and penned a heartfelt tribute to him in an extended tweet.

He began the tweet by writing, "On his 100th Birth Anniversary .. Pran Saheb an ode to him ..."

"The sophisticated elegance of dignified presence. A demeanour of a quiet un pronounced , unmistakable marked discipline. The tenderness of a considerate colleague. Soft spoken, reserved, Urdu verse literate, and all other justifiable similar sentiments, for the gentleman called Pran," the senior actor wrote.

Bachchan further went on to explain the irony that as an actor Pran portrayed roles that are in contrast to his personality traits.

"And none of the above could ever be related to the kind of roles he mostly played on screen - the negative villain! Such was the caliber of his acting prowess! This is a distinction beyond par !" read Bachchan's extended tweet.

Legendary actor Pran is known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of negative characters on screen. He has worked with Bachchan in classics like 'Don', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', and 'Zanjeer'.

After almost 7 years of his demise, he continues to be one of the most loved villains of the Indian cinema. He was also bestowed with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India in the year 2001.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIOMEDevice , the Boston regions premier medical technology event, today announced two esteemed keynote speakers that will headline the two-day conference and exhibition  Harel Gadot, Co-Founder and CEO of Microbot Medical , a leading medical device company specializing in the research, design, development, and commercialization of transformational micro-robotics medical technologies, and Sandra Nagale, Director of Digital Health at Boston Scientific , manufacturer of medical devices transforming lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. Gadots address will examine the arrival of Surgical Robots 5.0 and how to make healthcare accessible to everyone. Nagale will speak to the current wave of digital health and its transition from commercial to the healthcare space. Both presentations will be available exclusively to BIOMEDevice Boston attendees which is set to take place May 6 and 7 at the Boston Convention Center. To attend as press, please visit here: boston.im.informa.com/2020/registrations/Press .



The market value for surgical robots is forecasted to reach $13.7 billion by 2026 and the rise of the U.S. market value of health and wellness solutions set to increase from $166.5 billion in 2015 to $179 billion in 2020 . Complementing this sectors expansive growth in digital health, this years keynote lineup has been expertly selected to pay tribute to the medtech industrys innovative and inspiring approaches to advancing the manufacturing and development of the next generation of healthcare solutions.

The emergence of robotics and other digital platforms continue to have a substantial impact on the modern healthcare landscape with leading companies such as Microbot Medical and Boston Scientific continuing to raise the bar and devise new solutions that will bring cost-effective and high-quality care to todays rapidly aging population and underserved markets, said Matt Logan, Executive Vice President, Informa Markets. We are honored to announce that Microbot Medical and Boston Scientific, two highly-regarded companies that are inspiring and shaping the future of this ever-evolving medical technology ecosystem, will headline BIOMEDevice Boston 2020.

The 2020 keynote presenters are a part of the BIOMEDevice Boston conference that is skillfully curated to deliver a unique educational experience for engineers and designers in the medical technology space. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry specialists from NelsonLabs, Selux Diagnostics, Valencell, and more presenting real-world examples to develop and manage the medtech design and development process. To view the entire conference schedule, please visit here: biomedboston.com/agenda-glance .

2020 keynote descriptions and schedule include:

Wednesday, May 6

The Future of Surgical Robotics: Robotics 5.0

Presented by Harel Godot, President & CEO of Microbot Medical



Currently, the industry is seeing an incredible revolution in healthcare  one that will truly improve quality and access to healthcare for everyone around the globe. In this interactive lecture, Harel Gadot, Company Group Chairman of MEDX Ventures, Co-Founder and CEO of Microbot Medical, and Chairman and President of XACT Robotics will discuss the arrival of Surgical Robotics 5.0, and how this new era will make healthcare safer, higher quality, more accessible, and less wasteful. Gadot will outline the evolution of surgical robots and what it will take to get us from the status quo to the next generation generation 5.0, as well as the role technical experts must play. Attendees can expect answers to questions such as: how the advent of autonomous surgical robots will transform healthcare, how the next generation of surgical robots dubbed Surgical Robotics 5.0 is a powerful force for disruption in the healthcare industry, and how surgical robotics will democratize surgery and elevate the quality of treatment for patients.

Thursday, May 7

The Wave of Digital Health: The Merge from Commercial Tech to Healthcare

Presented by Sandra Nagale, Director of Digital Health of Boston Scientific

Digital devices were initially concentrated in the consumer health and wellness market, however, in the last five years, digital tech companies have turned their focus and investments to healthcare from apps to wearables digital health devices are taking over medical devices and are set to change the future of healthcare. In this session, Nagale will engage in a comprehensive discussion of digital health device innovation for healthcare and the future ahead. Additionally, Nagale will speak to the leading technologies enabling these digital health devices, and the cybersecurity threat that affects them.

Connect with BIOMEDevice Boston: #AdvMfgExpo #BIOMEDevice

Media Contacts:

Audrey Uchimoto, advmanufacturingpr@ubm.com , (310) 496-9423

Lauren Lloyd, advmanufacturingpr@ubm.com , (310) 266-4792

Tam Nguyen, advmanufacturingpr@ubm.com , (424) 410-9797
When it comes to company-issued USB storage devices, organizations should consider encryption as an easy way to protect any information saved on them.

USB storage devices have long been a plague to companies data security. Since 2008 when a malware-infected USB flash drive caused the worst breach of US military computers in history, organizations have become more aware of the dangers USBs pose, but data security strategies rarely deal effectively with them.

The reasons for it are fairly simple: USB drives tend to leave the confines of company networks where security policies are at their strongest. USBs are small and, therefore, easy to lose, forget, and steal. Employees can connect personal USBs or flash drives of dubious origin to their work computers. Third parties can plug in infected USBs in a moment of carelessness from an employee travelling for business.

While a data breach by itself can be disastrous for any companys reputation and bottom line, in the age of the GDPR, data protection legislation makes the consequences even more severe. When a careless employee lost a USB with over 1,000 confidential files, including highly sensitive security and personal information, Heathrow Airport was fined 120,000 by the UK Information Commissioners Office.

With the risks so high, some sectors have chosen to ban USBs altogether, but there is no denying their usefulness on the go where they are often used to copy presentations, important documents needed for meetings or off-site printing. So how can companies continue to use USBs, but ensure they are protected against the biggest risks that come with them? Lets have a look!

Educating Employees

A popular social engineering technique to infect computers relies on individuals curiosity or desire to help others. If someone finds a USB in a public place, he or she may want to return it to its owner or would be curious to see what is on it. A seemingly harmless lost USB can be riddled with malware, infect a computer, and, if it is a work laptop, once it returns to the office, it can go on to infect the whole network.

It is, therefore, essential that employees understand the risks of unknown devices and are discouraged from connecting suspicious USBs to their computers, whether at home or while working. Poor security practices at home can lead to unknowingly infected personal USBs connecting to the company network. A well-informed workforce is more aware of the risks USBs pose and are better equipped to react if they are faced with a suspicious device.

Limiting the Use of USBs

Some companies choose to limit the use of USBs. This can be done through specialized software that allows organizations to control a computers USB and peripheral ports and monitor, lockdown, and manage devices that connect to endpoints. In this way, companies can ensure that only trusted devices can connect to a computer. Trusted devices can be USBs issued by the organization or reliable vendors or only secure devices such as those using encryption.

These policies, if applied on the endpoint, will also work remotely, ensuring that computers are protected when outside the safety of the company network

Encryption for USBs

When it comes to company-issued USB storage devices, organizations should consider encryption as an easy way to protect any information saved on them. In this way, even if USBs are lost, forgotten, or stolen, the information on them cannot be accessed by outsiders without a password, eliminating the risk of a data breach and the hefty fines that come with it.

Some tools, like Endpoint Protectors Enforced Encryption solution, can be deployed automatically by admins to all trusted USB storage devices when they are connected to a network computer. Once its installed, any data copied onto the USBs will be encrypted with government-approved 256bit AES CBC-mode encryption.

Other features include the possibility to reset passwords remotely in case they were compromised, limiting the number of times someone can insert a password as well as expiry dates for them.

In Conclusion

USB storage devices are a frequent and highly dangerous blind spot in data security practices. Companies must develop data protection strategies that also address their vulnerabilities as devices through which data transfers occur, but also their increasingly common role in cyberattacks. By, among others, using a system of trusted devices and applying encryption to files transferred onto USB storage devices, organizations can effectively mitigate the risks that come with their use

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'Till now, many political parties indulged in Muslim appeasement.'

'This is one experiment, successfully carried out by the AAP, in indulging in Hindu appeasement.'

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, right, hugs AAP MP Sanjay Singh after the party's victory in the assembly election, February 11, 2020. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has done what no other leader has done and has 62 assembly seats to show for it.

The Magsaysay awardee and former Indian Revenue Service officer trounced the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Delhi election for the second time. What makes his victory even more emphatic is the fact that just nine months ago, the BJP had swept the parliamentary election in Delhi, relegating AAP to third place.

So, how did Kejriwal achieve the seemingly impossible?

What did he get right to score this victory?

Where did the BJP go wrong?

"Modi turned the 2019 general election into a presidential campaign and Arvind Kejriwal did the same thing in the Delhi 2020 election. The fact is that the BJP has no leader of Kejriwal's stature. No Delhi leader of the BJP can match up to Kejriwal's charisma, his articulation, his political persona," Ashutosh, a founding AAP member who subsequently left the party, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

How do you view AAP's victory?

AAP's victory is perhaps the beginning of Hindu appeasement politics in India.

Till now, many different political parties, including the Congress, indulged in Muslim appeasement. This is one experiment, successfully carried out by the AAP, in indulging in Hindu appeasement.

Firstly, Arvind Kejriwal did not go to Shaheen Bagh.

Secondly, he did not openly criticise the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and thirdly, he deliberately chose to recite the Hanuman Chalisa and visit the Hanuman temple.

He deliberately did not visit any of the Muslim neighbourhoods because he knew if he goes there the Hindus will not like it.

Is this the only way to tackle the BJP if one wants to win elections?

We can go back to 2014 and take inputs from (Narendra Damodardas) Modi's victory.

Modi as a Hindu leader was unquestioned. He was seen as a leader who would protect Hindu rights and Hindu interests. Plus, he successfully projected the Gujarat model of development. He successfully married the development of Gujarat with Hindu politics.

Arvind Kejriwal too projected himself in the 2020 election that he has performed as chief minister and here are the deliverables. He was openly telling people what he did when it came to electricity, water, health and education. He is a Hanuman Bhakt too.

I would not call it as the Modi model of 2014; in that model. Modi's Hindu politics is hatred towards Muslims whereas Kejriwal's politics is development, Hindu politics, minus hatred for Muslims.

Where does this leave Muslim voters? They were intentionally kept at a distance by AAP, even though Muslims voted for the party in large numbers.

It is a sad affair of the Indian political system, but the fact is that Muslim voters have been made irrelevant by Modi.

Modi's brand of politics helped the BJP win 15 state elections -- either on its own or with the support of allies.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won 300 plus seats despite the fact that UP has almost 18 per cent of Muslims. They did not give a single ticket to Muslim candidates. Modi and the BJP successfully made Muslim voters irrelevant.

Now the issue is the politics which can be pursued by other political parties -- if they still subscribe to secular politics -- it is division of Hindu votes.

If they can divide Hindu votes as it happened in Delhi and add a further 10 per cent Muslim votes, then they will surely win.

Secular polity was the winner in Delhi despite the BJP getting close to 40 per cent of the votes. The Muslim electorate will not be irrelevant despite Modi's effort in that sense.

But...

In Delhi there is 80 per cent Hindu population. The Muslim population is 14 per cent while the Sikhs make up 2 to 3 per cent of the population.

Now, the BJP got 38 per cent of the Hindu votes in Delhi and the rest of Hindu voters, that is 42 per cent, voted for the AAP.

AAP won because of the 14 per cent of Muslim voters. This way they got 53.5 per cent vote share.

If the Muslims vote tactically for the Opposition, then they can defeat the BJP and make their relevance better.

Do you feel the BJP went into overdrive on the Shaheen Bagh issue?

If you are a neutral observer and if you go by the Constitution, then it is obvious that the BJP went overboard.

The BJP had no other option because from day one it was fighting a losing battle. The BJP had nothing to offer in terms of governance in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi where it rules.

Their MPs from Delhi are horribly incompetent and they have not done anything (for the betterment of the public).

In Delhi, law and order belongs to the central government and it has totally collapsed.

We have the most incompetent police commissioner, Amulya Patnaik, heading the police department. Under him, his own constabulary has revolted.

So, the BJP has no governance model and it is left with no other option but to polarise voters.

Do you feel Kejriwal reciting the Hanuman Chalisa struck a chord among voters and helped turn the tables on the BJP?

His act helped in cutting out any suspicion and insecurities that the BJP had tried to create among Hindu voters.

Hindu voters believed that here is the leader who is a Hindu in his tradition and believes in the Hindu religion and who is a devotee of Lord Hanuman.

It countered the BJP as they were projecting Kejriwal as someone who only works for Muslims and he is not a Hindu leader.

That way Arvind Kejriwal did a brilliant campaign.

The BJP had no face for CM, making it easier for Kejriwal. How far did this matter to the electorate?

Modi turned the 2019 general election into a presidential campaign and Arvind Kejriwal did the same thing in the Delhi 2020 election.

The fact is that the BJP has no leader of Kejriwal's stature. No Delhi leader of the BJP can match up to Kejriwal's charisma, his articulation, his political persona.

Obviously, voters believed in Arvind Kejriwal because his charismatic politics revolves around beliefs.

In Delhi, the same voter who voted for Modi in the 2019 election voted for AAP in the assembly election. This is curious arithmetic.

The BJP got 32 per cent votes in the 2013 Delhi assembly election. In the 2015 Delhi assembly election, it again got 32 per cent of votes. In 2020, they got almost 38 per cent votes.

In the 2014 parliamentary election, the BJP got 48 to 49 per cent of the votes in Delhi and in 2019 they crossed the 50 per cent vote share mark.

So that means if Modi is at stake, the BJP gets an additional 15 to 20 per cent of votes. These are additional votes which Modi gets for the BJP when he is the issue.

But when Modi is not in the picture, the BJP's vote share drops to 32 per cent.

And when Arvind Kejriwal is in the picture, then this additional 15 to 20 per cent of swing vote shifts to him and not the BJP.

This means there is commonality between the voters of Kejriwal and Modi.

Do you think Amit Anilchandra Shah and Modi have failed to encourage strong regional leaders?

The BJP is afflicted by what I call the Indira Gandhi syndrome, which will finally prove to be detrimental to the party.

Mrs Gandhi was so in awe of herself and was such a centralising figure that she did not allow any local leader to emerge. The (Congress) organisation at the state level weakened because there was no strong leader.

Modi-Shah are following the same route by replicating the Indira Gandhi model.

If you go from one state to another of India there is hardly any BJP leader of stature and who can single-handedly swing votes in the party's favour.

Probably, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is the only example left.

You go to states like Uttarakhand or other states you will not find a single BJP leader who can swing voters in the BJP's favour. I will be surprised if Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath too can do that.
So that is the prism through which to view this election: Would Sanders increase or reduce the likelihood of a Trump victory? And would he help or hurt Democrats running for the Senate in states like Kansas and Alabama?

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.

I admire Sanders for his authenticity and passion. He has poured his heart into ending American complicity in atrocities in Yemen, even though this cause wins him no votes. Likewise, Sanders has shown unusual political courage in criticizing Israels land grabs in the West Bank, leading a political action committee to run attack ads against him. (The accusation that Sanders, who lived on an Israeli kibbutz for a time and would be the first Jewish president, is anti-Israel is absurd.)

That said, Sanders raises some red flags.

Sanders voters said in exit polls that they were drawn to him because of his positions on the issues. But his proposals have almost no chance of becoming law, particularly if the Senate stays in Republican hands. If there is to be some progress on health care, or college affordability, or income inequality, or the appointment of judges, it will come through the election of a new president with hefty coattails  the capacity to help candidates lower on the partys ticket. In particular, much will depend on the outcomes of Senate races in a handful of states.

Thus a candidates precise positions may matter less than his or her coattails. If you want universal health coverage, a fairer tax system, sensible judges and action on climate change, then you should focus on who is best placed to beat Trump  and on who can most help Democrats like Doug Jones, an endangered senator from Alabama, also win in November.

So is Sanders electable? Can he help Senate Democrats? Frankly, we have no idea, and we all tend to project electability on candidates we like.
(TNS)  The House appears close to reviving a debate over whether to regulate the driverless vehicle industry, but all of the concerns that torpedoed past efforts remain: Namely, how best to balance safety of new technology and the freedom to innovate.Though a GOP-led House in 2017 passed by voice vote a bill aimed at creating a regulatory framework for the self-driving car industry, a Senate version of the bill died in 2018, largely over Democrats concerns about the safety of the burgeoning technology.Now, the debate is back with an added level of urgency. In the absence of congressional action, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a Transportation Department office tasked with overseeing highway safety, last week allowed California-based Nuro to deploy up to 5,000 driverless, electric delivery vehicles.Separately, the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent agency responsible for transportation accident investigations, on Tuesday released public dockets on two fatal Tesla crashes that involved the vehicles autopilot systems. The federal government has offered voluntary guidance on autonomous vehicles but no rules on the technology.Meanwhile, lawmakers are increasingly concerned that the U.S. is losing its competitive edge to China and other nations in developing the technology.The cost of inaction is clear, said House Energy and Commerce ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., at a Tuesday hearing of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Were falling behind.Walden and other advocates say the technology will be a life-saver, preventing many of the roughly 37,000 U.S. vehicle deaths that occur each year. 94 percent of those accidents, safety officials say, are caused by human error.An automated vehicle cant drive distracted. It cant drive impaired or fall asleep at the wheel, said John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.Any delay in that deployment, argued Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, means more traffic deaths.Every day we delay, were literally killing people, he said.By contrast, Democrats such as Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J. urged the federal government to take an active role, with Pallone urging regulators to have a hands-on approach to the new technology.Safety and deployment must come hand in hand  we cannot have one without the other, Pallone said.Republicans and Democrats alike say they agree on the potential of the technology: Not only would it reduce traffic deaths, but it would also allow the physically disabled, including the blind, to have increased access to transportation.But Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, warned that the technology is not fool-proof, and the government needs to impose basic performance standards to protect those in self-driving cars.She said while the technology holds tremendous potential to reduce deaths on highways the technology isnt ready, and neither are our roads.I understand that humans are responsible for a large amount of motor vehicles crashes, she said. However, whos making the autonomous vehicles? Humans. Lets not replace one human mistake with another.She compares the current regulatory system to the wild west, and said NHTSA will need additional authority to oversee an entire new category of vehicles.Bozzella said NHTSA cant know what to regulate unless it has data to help it make informed decisions. Thats why they have to encourage innovation, he said.Other witnesses argued that any deployment must come with proper measures to ensure accountability.Daniel Hinkle, state affairs counsel for the American Association of Justice, urged lawmakers to bar automated vehicle manufacturers from implementing forced arbitration clauses as it moved forward so that those injured by such vehicles would be able to publicly air their concerns.The companies, he said, are taking on the responsibility of the driver. They promised to drive safely and should be held accountable for that promise.But Shapiro worried that progress was being bogged down by such concerns.Were fighting about things like protecting trial lawyers and other things while theyre getting ahead of us, Shapiro said, warning we cant make the perfect be the enemy of the amazing and the great.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and institutions of higher learning are eligible to compete for funding of up to $300,000 to deliver entrepreneurship training to women service members, women veterans, and women military spouses.

Up to six awardees receive a total of $300,000 in grants administered by SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development to participate in the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program. The funds will be used to cover the costs of educating women service members and veterans, as well as women military spouses who are interested in starting or currently own a small business.

"Women veteran entrepreneurs have contributed in a major way to the growth of the U.S. economy, bringing in $10 billion in receipts over a five-year period," said Larry Stubblefield, Associate Administrator for SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development. "The SBA is committed to supporting women veterans with the training and resources they need to start, grow, or expand a small business."

Eligible organizations should submit applications for the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program funding opportunity (WVETP-2020-01) through Grants.gov. Applications not submitted via Grants.gov will not be evaluated. The submission deadline is Tuesday, March 17 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

The SBA will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 26 at 2 p.m. EST to answer questions related to the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program grant announcement.

Submit questions to Jerry Godwin at [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. EST on Monday , February 24.

at no later than , February 24. Call in at (202) 765-1264; Conference ID: 13482739.

A transcript of the webinar will be posted on grants.gov and www.sba.gov/ovbd once it is available.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Contact: [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram

Release Number: 20-17

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Related Links

http://www.sba.gov


After fans of the Liev Schreiber drama on Showtime expressed outrage over the sudden cancellation of the series Ray Donovan, the network is patching together a 'proper ending.'

After fans poured in begging for closure over the seventh season's cliffhanger finale, Page Six reported on Thursday the show will likely come back for either a 'few final episodes or a movie to lay the characters to rest.'

The outlet also revealed the cast and crew felt 'blindsided,' including the series showrunner David Hollander.

Closure: After fans of the Liev Schreiber drama on Showtime expressed outrage over the sudden cancellation of the series Ray Donovan, the network is patching together a 'proper ending'

'There was an outpouring of support from fans and they pummeled Showtime, who it would seem did not recognize the power of the fan base and social media,' the source added.

Schreiber, 52, teased the news on Instagram earlier this month writing to fans, 'It seems like your voices have been heard. Too soon to say how or when, but with a little luck and your ongoing support, there will be more Ray Donovan.

Ray Donovan was suddenly axed abruptly after seven seasons and 10 Emmy nominations, on Tuesday.

'There was an outpouring of support from fans and they pummeled Showtime, who it would seem did not recognize the power of the fan base and social media,' the source told Page Six.

Last Wednesday, the channel said in a statement, 'After seven incredible seasons, Ray Donovan has concluded its run on Showtime' before changing their minds.

'In reference to its January 21 seventh season finale, it said, 'We are proud that the series ended amid such strong viewership and on such a powerful note.'

The continued: 'Our deepest thanks go to Liev Schreiber, Jon Voight, showrunner David Hollander and the entire cast and crew, past and present, for their dedicated work.'

Not over: Last Wednesday, the channel said in a statement, 'After seven incredible seasons, Ray Donovan has concluded its run on Showtime' before seemingly changing their minds

Liev simply took to social media to share a monochrome shot while lifting up a glass.

He captioned the post, 'Slainte.' The word translates as 'health' in Irish and Scottish Gaelic and is used as a common way to toast a drink.

Fans and celebrities, including Pink took to the comments to share her dismay following the news.

Love: Liev has been dating model Taylor since 2017 (pictured 2019)

'This was one of my favorite shows. Thank you for seven seasons, it shouldve been twelve. Me and hubby are gutted,' she penned.

Liev was previously in a long-term relationship with British-Australian actress, Naomi Watts.

They were never confirmed to be married and announced their separation in 2016 after 11 years together. Together they are parents to sons, Alexander 'Sasha' Pete, 12, and Samuel Kai, 11.

Liev moved on to model Taylor Neisen in 2017 and have been together ever since.

Watch Ray Donovan on Showtime, or on Stan in Australia.
RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy and Facebook are continuing their joint effort to increase renewable energy generation by adding a new solar facility in Greensville County, Va., to the list of those that will be dedicated to Facebook.

Sadler Solar, a 100 MW facility located in Greensville County, Va., was approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission on Jan. 22, 2020 and is expected to become operational by the end of 2020. Dominion Energy will build, own and operate the solar facility. Facebook will purchase the environmental attributes generated by the solar facility.

Sadler joins eight other Dominion Energy solar projects in Virginia and North Carolina that support Facebook's operations with renewable energy.

"Partnerships with companies like Facebook help drive the addition of renewable energy to the grid," said Emil Avram, Dominion Energy's vice president, Business Development. "We are honored to work with them to help meet their sustainability goals as well as continue to expand renewable energy across the Dominion Energy service area."

"We are proud to continue to grow our partnership with Dominion Energy by adding this new 100-MW project to the grid," said Urvi Parekh, head of Renewable Energy at Facebook. "Since 2017, this partnership has resulted in over 690 MW of new solar energy in Virginia and North Carolina and has helped strengthen the renewable energy market in the region."

This partnership helps to enable Facebook's goal of supporting its global operations with 100% renewable energy in 2020. Partnerships with voluntary renewable energy buyers like Facebook are important to making possible Dominion Energy's goal of adding 3,000 MW of new solar and wind energy in operation or under development in Virginia by 2022.

About Dominion Energy

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More than 50 cases reported in northeastern region of Xinjiang, home to persecuted Muslim minority.

Members of Chinas Uighur minority living in exile are sounding the alarm over the risk of the coronavirus spreading in camps inside the country, where NGOs say hundreds of thousands of people have been rounded up by Beijing.

So far, official figures released by Chinese state media give no major cause for concern over the COVID-19 outbreak in the northeast region of Xinjiang, which is home to the Uighurs, a Muslim minority who speak a Turkic language.

It is far from the epicentre of the outbreak and just 55 cases have been reported in the region so far. The first patients to fully recover in the region have already left hospital, according to official media.

More than 1,100 people have died in China due to the coronavirus epidemic although most of the deaths and infections have been in the central Hubei province, whose capital, Wuhan, is the epicentre of the outbreak.

But representatives of the Uighur diaspora warn there is a real reason to fear a rapid spread of coronavirus in the controversial Chinese camps.

The virus spreads from person to person through droplets disseminated by sneezing or coughing, and confining large groups of people together, possibly without adequate access to germ-killing soap and water, will increase the likelihood of an outbreak.

China has rounded up an estimated one million Uighurs and other mostly-Muslim ethnic minorities in internment camps, NGOs and experts say, and little is known about the conditions inside them.

Beijing insists the camps are vocational training centres necessary to combat terrorism.

People are starting to panic. Our families are there, dealing with the camps and the virus, and we do not know if they have enough to eat or if they have masks, said Dilnur Reyhan, a French sociologist of Uighur origin.

Muslim ethnic Uighurs carry a woman who fainted during a protest in Urumqi in Chinas far west Xinjiang province on July 7, 2009 [Peter Parks/AFP]

A petition posted on Change.org signed by more than 3,000 people urges the closure of the camps in order to reduce the threat.

There have also been social media hashtag campaigns such as #VirusThreatInThecamps and #WHO2Urumqi to urge the World Health Organization (WHO) to send a delegation to the city of Xinjiang.

We must not wait until news of hundreds of coronavirus related deaths in the camps before we react, the petition says.

As China continues to struggle to contain the virus in Wuhan, we can easily assume the virus will rapidly spread throughout the camps and affect millions if we dont raise the alarm now.

Regional authorities in Xinjiang did not respond to a query from AFP about measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus in the camps.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC), one of several groups representing Uighurs outside China, said it was very concerned that if measures are not taken to further limit the spread of this virus, it could rapidly infect large numbers of people in Xinjiang.

These people are in a vulnerable and weakened state due to the Chinese governments abuses and mistreatment, said its President Dolkun Isa.

This has just further compounded the suffering of the Uighur people, as our friends and family are now in even greater danger.

French immunologist Norbert Gualde said it was impossible to say precisely under what conditions the Uighurs and other detainees are living in Chinese camps.

There are good reasons to think that their detention is synonymous with imposed promiscuity, stress and fear  all circumstances that favour the transmission of a virus between those obliged to remain incarcerated, he said.
Dear Editor:

I would like to assuage Nan Potters fears (LETTER: Rent control in Kingston could do more harm than good, Jan. 30, 2020) that rent control does not work. Rent control does work; it has worked for 46 years in New York City. In fact, it works so well that the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 was extended to the rest of the state last year as part of a package of housing legislation designed to protect the rights of tenants.

And to Realtor Andi Turco-Levin (LETTER: Rent control in Kingston wont have desired effect, Feb. 5, 2020): Realtors were not consulted in the vacancy study because its not a study about Realtors feelings about rent control. If Realtors want to conduct a study on their feelings about rent control, they are free to do so and fund it themselves. But I can save you some time: You dont like it, and its not because rent control affects property taxes (it doesnt) or because landlords will disinvest in their properties if theyre not allowed to gouge their tenants (landlords neglect their properties anyway). Realtors dont like rent control because it diminishes their bottom line.

Rents in Ulster County have increased at an astonishing rate, and displaced residents are abandoning these parts for points north (Albany, Greene County) or south (Virginia, North Carolina, Florida). They are silent because they are gone.

I call on our local officials: Dont replace our community members with newer, shinier, wealthier people. Dont contribute to displacement and homelessness (yes, homelessness has been increasing right along with rents). Insist that we are better than this.

Betsy Kraat

Hunter, N.Y.
Batting for the expeditious release of all seven Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, Pattali Makkal Katchi on Thursday urged the ruling AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu to remind the state Governor Banwarilal Purohit about the Cabinet recommendation pending with him favouring their release.

Expressing happiness over the Supreme Court days ago asking the state government to approach Purohit over this, the PMK, an ally of the ruling party, said the top court's views were an indication that the matter was headed towards a "happy end."



Seeking the early release of all the Rajiv case convicts, PMK founder S Ramadoss said, "The Governor should do his duty as per the Constitution without unnecessary delay. The Tamil Nadu government should remind him to do so."



The PMK leader, in a statement here, said the seven convicts were not seeking their release without undergoing punishment and they had been in prison for about 29 years.

"There is provision in the Constitution for their release. The Cabinet, utilising it, sent its recommendation," he said adding there were reasonable grounds for their release.

The Cabinet made the recommendation on September 9, 2018 and it was pending with the Governor for 522 days as of today (February 13), he said.

Citing the Supreme Court saying that Governor cannot "sit indefinitely on the file," Ramadoss said Purohit should realise it.

On February 11, appearing for Tamil Nadu government, advocate Balaji Srinivasan submitted to a Supreme court bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta that they have no information as to what decision the governor has taken on the mercy petitions of the Rajiv case convicts.

"The Cabinet had passed a resolution on September 9, 2018 for the premature release of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts and recommended it to the governor. We have no information as to what decision the governor has taken on the mercy petitions filed by the convicts under Article 161. We cannot control the decision of the governor as he is a superior authority," he said.

To this, the bench said, "You (state) can ask him as the courts cannot direct the governor. He cannot sit indefinitely on the file. As governor is the representative of the state government, you can request him to know about his decision".

On February 18, 2014, the top court had commuted the death sentence of Perarivalan to life imprisonment, along with that of two other prisoners - Santhan and Murugan - on grounds of a delay of 11 years in deciding their mercy pleas by the Centre.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: BJPs debacle in Delhi elections has led the Trinamool Congress to intensify its protests against the amended Citizenship Act and forced the saffron camp to keep a plan-B ready if the partys effort to consolidate Hindu votes using the new Act does not work ahead of Assembly elections.

While Bengals ruling party is gearing up to intensify its campaign highlighting BJPs defeat in Delhi over its alleged use of divisive politics, the BJP is planning to raise issues pertaining to CM Mamata Banerjees poor governance along with the CAA issue.

Mamata led a protest march in Durgapur on Wednesday against the amended Act, where she urged people not to show any document to anyone relating to any activity pertaining to the National Population Register (NPR).

"Even if anyone identifies himself or herself as a state government employee and asks for any document related to your citizenship, do not entertain them and drive him or her out of your home," she said while addressing an administrative meeting in Durgapur on Wednesday.

Elaborating on what would be the partys plan ahead of the assembly elections in 2021, a senior Trinamool leader said, "We will highlight how the BJPs politics of dividing people on the line of religion was rejected by the people in Delhi. The BJP has adopted the same strategy in Bengal. We will launch a massive movement against their effort to bring Dalit votes using the CAA as a political tool."

The saffron camps setback in the national capital has prompted the Bengal BJP to raise the issue of misrule during Mamatas tenure in Bengal other than the CAA. The partys Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta said the governance issue should get equal priority in the campaigns.
WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. John Katko voted Thursday against extending the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment for women, landmark legislation passed by Congress in 1972.

The Democratic-controlled House voted mostly along party lines (232-183) to pass the measure, extending the original 1982 deadline for states to ratify the ERA.

At least three-fourths of states (38) must ratify an amendment for it to be added to the U.S. Constitution. Last month, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA, enough to amend the Constitution.

But President Donald Trumps Justice Department argued in a memo last month that the ERA cannot be ratified because the deadline expired almost 40 years ago. Virginia, Illinois and Nevada  the last three states to ratify the amendment  have filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the Trump administrations interpretation.

House Democrats who voted to extend the ratification date said the 1982 deadline was arbitrary, and not a requirement of the Constitution.

Five Republicans, including Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, split with their party and voted with a unanimous block of 227 Democrats to pass the resolution Thursday.

Katko, R-Camillus, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, said after the vote that they believe the ERA process needs to start over.

As members of Congress, we have a long record of strongly supporting the spirit of equality and have led the effort on important initiatives like equal pay for equal work and paid leave for working parents, Katko and Stefanik said in a joint statement.

As it stands, this legislation is unconstitutional, and we agree with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The process for the Equal Rights Amendment began nearly five decades ago, and it needs to start over, the Upstate Republicans said.

Ginsburg, a longtime supporter of the ERA, said earlier this week that the amendments backers should start the process from scratch.

Theres too much controversy about late comers, Ginsburg said in remarks at Georgetown University. Plus, a number of states have withdrawn their ratification. So, if you count a latecomer on the plus side, how can you disregard states that said, Weve changed our minds?

The resolution passed by the House on Thursday will likely fail to advance in the Republican-led Senate. Some conservative groups oppose the measure, saying it could lead to the removal of some federal restrictions on abortion.

The amendment gives women equal rights under the law. New York was one of the first states to ratify the amendment, passing it in May 1972. If ratified, the ERA would become the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.

Read more

Whats next for Democrats in race to challenge Rep. John Katko

Conole, Balter split designation for Congress from Cayuga, Oswego Democrats

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751

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Emily Thornberry has claimed her shadow cabinet colleague Rebecca Long-Bailey failed to push for tougher action on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

During a tense moment in a Labour leadership debate, the shadow foreign secretary said she and Sir Keir Starmer had called for the shadow cabinet to be more involved in tackling the party's anti-Semitism problem.

But Ms Thornberry claimed she did not 'remember' shadow business secretary Ms Long-Bailey doing the same.

Speaking during BBC Newsnight's televised hustings, Ms Thornberry said: 'I think it would be right to say that the record shows that I have regularly called out anti-Semitism in my party.

Britain's opposition Labour Party leadership contenders appear on BBC newsnight last night. Left to right: Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Emily Thornberry

'It also should be said that Keir and I were both in the shadow cabinet and would regularly, the two of us, call for regular reports to the shadow cabinet.'

Asked whether she was 'saying Rebecca didn't' demand such a role for leader Jeremy Corbyn's top team, Ms Thornberry added: 'No, I don't think Rebecca did, but Keir and I did.'

In a terse exchange during the 50-minute debate, Ms Long-Bailey responded: 'I did, I think you'll find.'

But Ms Thorberry added: 'Sorry, I don't remember.'

Britain's opposition Labour Party leadership contenders,Emily Thornberry, Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey, are seen before the televised Labour leadership debate on BBC Newsnight in London last night

Ms Long-Bailey said she would sign up to the 10 pledges on tackling anti-Semitism that had been set by the Board of Deputies of British Jews if she becomes leader.

'As leader I will be signing up to the 10 pledges. I would expect my shadow cabinet and all those within it, all our members and MPs within Parliament to follow my lead on that,' she added.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir added: 'If you're not prepared to fight anti-Semitism, you shouldn't be in the shadow cabinet.'

Lisa Nandy, the only backbencher left in the race, said there should be 'no one in the Labour Party that doesn't defend the right of Israel to exist'.

The Wigan MP also criticised the scale of Labour's nationalisation plans in the last manifesto, saying 'we can't nationalise everything'.

She said: 'One of the things we did in the last election was we made promises we simply couldn't keep.

Labour MPs Rebecca Long-Bailey (left) and Emily Thornberry (right) take part in the party leadership hustings on February 8, 2020 in Nottingham, United Kingdom

'We cannot go round as a party making promises to nationalise everything, to slash or get rid of tuition fees but we hadn't got a clue how we would do it and how we would pay for it.

'People are smarter than that. We have to be honest with them.'

During the programme, all four candidates stated that they remained committed to scrapping university tuition fees and renationalising the water and electricity industries - pledges that were in the 2019 Labour manifesto.

But they jointly rowed back on scrapping private schools and introducing a four day week, two other controversial policies put forward during Mr Corbyn's leadership.
IMF notes active dialogue with Ukraine on new program, finds it difficult to name possible term for its approval

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) notes Ukraine's progress in implementing reforms and expects fulfillment of the previously agreed preliminary measures for the Executive Board to approve a new $5.5 billion three-year EFF program, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice has said.

He said at a briefing in Washington that a very active dialogue, constructive discussions were ongoing. At the same time, he found it difficult to name a possible date for consideration of the Ukrainian issue by the board.

Rice noted that the five main focuses of the new program are strengthening the rule of law, fight against corruption, increasing competition, opening markets and a diminishing role of oligarchs, strengthening guarantees for the independence of the National Bank and a stable fiscal policy.

He noted that in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, a meeting was held between IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at which the head of the fund noted the country's progress in implementing the reform program.
(center) Willamae McCullough, a member of One Pennsylvania, chants as she marches down Market Street towards Philadelphia City Hall for a press conference in Philadelphia, Pa. on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. The Coalition to Respect Every Worker (CREW) marched in support of stronger labor enforcement in city government. Read more

The Philadelphia City Council unanimously approved a bill Thursday that would all but ensure the creation of a permanent city agency dedicated to enforcing the numerous progressive labor laws it has passed in recent years.

The bill  introduced by Councilmembers Helen Gym and Bobby Henon in partnership with the Kenney administration  would pose this question to voters in the April primary: Should the city create a permanent Department of Labor that would enforce city labor laws and function as a front door for all worker-related issues?

The question has to be put to voters because it requires a city charter change.

Right now, the Mayors Office of Labor, created under the Kenney administration, provides these services, but advocates fear a future mayor with different priorities could scrap the office all together.

This effort is part of a broader push by advocates and organizers for stronger labor law enforcement in a city thats passed some of the most progressive pro-worker legislation in the country but has historically failed to both educate workers about these laws and enforce them.

That started to change in the last year, as advocates who pushed for these laws set their sights on enforcement. Advocates won a modest increase in funding for the Mayors Office of Labor, which grew its budget to nearly $1.1 million this year and doubled its staff to six. The number of complaints filed by workers to the office quadrupled from 2018 to 2019 to nearly 100.

These developments come at a time when Mayor Jim Kenney has faced criticism from the business community about the citys recent progressive bent. Advocates and politicians have framed the new worker protection laws as antipoverty measures in Philadelphia, the poorest big city in the nation.

The current Mayors Office of Labor is in charge of enforcing laws around paid sick leave, unfair firings, and wage theft. Soon, the office would also be responsible for enforcing the Fair Workweek scheduling law for low-wage service workers and the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, which gives worker protections to housekeepers and nannies. These are laws that largely serve nonunion workers, as just 1 in 10 American workers are union members.

But many low-wage workers have said they didnt know about their rights under Philly laws. That has become a rallying cry for certain workers: Baristas at Starbucks and the Fishtown bakery Cake Life, for example, felt empowered to demand rights after they learned they hadnt been getting the paid sick leave they were due.

 READ MORE: These Philly baristas are taking on Starbucks in a fledgling worker movement

A permanent city agency  like the Department of Revenue or Licenses & Inspections  generally has more influence and funding than at-will mayoral offices. And Deputy Mayor for Labor Rich Lazer said he believed creating a permanent Department of Labor would provide more legitimacy to the office, which would encourage workers to report violations of labor law.

One of the biggest hurdles to this type of enforcement is worker reluctance to report violations for fear of retaliation, said Janice Fine, research and strategy director at Rutgers Universitys Center for Innovation in Worker Organization.

Philadelphia is an outlier among its big-city counterparts: Most already have permanent offices that handle this type of enforcement, said Fine, whos working on a book about local labor law enforcement.

Aside from enforcing labor law, the Department of Labor would also handle sexual harassment and discrimination claims from city workers and manage contract negotiations with the municipal unions.

 READ MORE: From 2018: Philly spent $2.2M since 2012 to settle sexual harassment cases. The controller says its probably higher

How likely is it that the ballot question will pass?

Voters rarely reject ballot questions in Philadelphia. And voters in the poorest big city in the nation seem to want to lift standards for low-wage workers: In last years primary, nearly 82% of voters said they were in favor of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and in the general election, voters elected independent City Council candidate Kendra Brooks, who campaigned on stronger enforcement of city labor laws, among other progressive platforms.

Antibusiness vs. pro-growth

The move to create a permanent Department of Labor comes as Mayor Kenney has fielded criticism from the business community that the citys new worker laws are antibusiness.

Our administration is pro-growth, Kenney told the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. But it is important that we harness that growth in a responsible way. We need only look at the homelessness and housing crises in cities like San Francisco and Seattle to see the potential impact of growth that is not inclusive of everyone.

The Chamber of Commerce declined to comment on the Department of Labor bill.

 READ MORE: Phillys next labor union might be at this Fishtown cake shop that counts Beyonce as a customer

The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, which opposed the citys Fair Workweek scheduling law, said a permanent office was a reasonable step in solidifying the mayors vision that he had in establishing the Office of Labor."

If approved by referendum, we look forward to collaborating with the Department, City Council, and the mayors office to ensure Philadelphia is a great place for businesses and employees alike, said Melissa Bova, vice president of government affairs for PRLA.

Organizers and advocates, who rallied Wednesday evening outside City Hall, said the Department of Labor bill was just the beginning. They plan to fight for more funding for the office in the coming budget season, along with whistle-blower protections for workers who report violations, and funding for community organizations that already have trust with workers and can help bring violations to the fore  a best practice in the labor enforcement world.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is one of 21 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on solutions to poverty and the citys push toward economic justice. See all of our reporting at brokeinphilly.org.
The BJP has geared up for the



formal merger of former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) or JVM-P with the saffron party on February 17.

The event will be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said here on Thursday.

He said a meeting chaired by BJP general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh was held at the party office here.

Singh asked the senior party leaders to make the 'Milan Samaroh' (merger ceremony) successful and reviewed the preparations for the event, Shahdeo said.

"The event will be made historic and memorable," Shahdeo said quoting Singh's address to the BJP leaders.

Shahdeo said thousands of BJP workers from across the state will welcome former chief minister Babulal Marandi at Jagannathpur Maidan here on February 17.

JVM-P principal general secretary Abhay Singh said that more than 20,000 of its party workers will attend the event.

The party's merger with the BJP will be historic in Jharkhand politics, a release quoting Singh said.

Marandi had on February 11 announced JVM-P's merger with the BJP, 14 years after he had quit the saffron party and floated his outfit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the 1956 classic movie The Ten Commandments, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille depicted millions of Israelites crossing the desert, only to get stuck between an Egyptian army and the Red Sea, which God miraculously parted so they could survive.

Many modern-day liberal scholars, though, doubt thats the way it happened  and their disbelief has led some Christians astray.

Modern-day filmmaker Tim Mahoney is one of these Christians who formerly had a crisis of faith about the biblical narrative. But instead of living a life of doubt, Mahoney set out to find archaeological evidence for the Old Testament story.

His latest movie, Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle, Part 1, will land in theaters for one night only, Feb. 18, and examine the archaeological evidence for the Israelites crossing of the desert. (The Red Sea Miracle, Part 2 will appear in theaters May 5.)

Here are three reasons to watch The Red Sea Miracle:

Photo courtesy: Tim Mahoney





1. It Will Strengthen Your Faith

The Israelites Exodus from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea are well-known stories among Christians.

But among many scholars, such stories are viewed with skepticism. Did the Israelites cross a massive sea that would have required a miracle from God (as depicted in movies by Cecil B. DeMille), or was the body of water far more shallow (and easily crossable by foot)?

This debate also involves the route the Israelites took out of Egypt. Scholars who doubt the biblical narrative claim the Israelites couldnt have survived a lengthy walk through the desert. They also say there likely were thousands, and not millions, of people on the journey.

The Bible tells us (in Exodus 13) that God led the people out of Egypt along a desert road toward the Red Sea. It is on this journey that God guided them with a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire.

The big miracle, some people would say, is the parting of the sea, Mahoney told Crosswalk. But the other miracle is the journey  and that God provided for them.

Mahoney travels the globe and interviews experts in both camps, but lands on the side of Scripture.

Photo courtesy: Tim Mahoney





2. It Simplifies the Complex

The Red Sea Miracle, Part 1 is the latest in a series of documentary films by Mahoney about the Old Testament narrative. In each one, he takes a complicated subject involving archaeology and ancient history and simplifies it for the average person, using plain language and graphics.

It's something that I'm called to do, said Mahoney, who recently screened the film at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky.

In Patterns of Evidence: Exodus (2014), he examined the archaeological evidence and the timeline for the Egyptians owning and then releasing millions of Hebrew slaves. In Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy (2019), he looked at the authorship of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) and the question of whether Moses wrote it.

The Red Sea Miracle, Part 1, examines the various routes the Israelites could have taken and which body of water could have been crossed. Red Sea Miracle, Part 2 (May 5) will spotlight the actual Red Sea miracle itself.

In each film, Mahoney is searching for patterns of evidence that match the biblical events.

The Scriptures tell us that they're divine and that we can trust them. And I agree with that, Mahoney told Crosswalk, explaining his purpose behind the films. But even with the disciples, it helped that Jesus showed up after the resurrection  even though he told them certain things were going to happen. Jesus understood that the human nature needed to sometimes see with your eyes and touch with your fingers.

Photo courtesy: Tim Mahoney





3. Its Fascinating  and Well-Done

The Red Sea Miracle is like sitting in a college classroom and learning about an intriguing subject. Yet this class involves the greatest story ever told: Gods story.

Millions believe this was a supernatural act revealing Gods glory to the nations, the narration tells us at the beginning of the film. Did this event take place as recorded in the Bible, and if so, where did it happen?

Like a good college professor, Mahoney puts a little doubt in your mind before solving the puzzle.

There's a tension between a naturalistic view of the Scripture and what the scripture is actually saying, Mahoney told Crosswalk.

Mahoney began tackling the subject when he was facing a crisis of faith.

I feel as if I have been guided providentially to information to help others, he said. I'm taking people on a personal journey of discovery, but I found out that a lot of people are asking the same questions.

Visit PatternsOfEvidence.com

Related:

4 Reasons to Watch Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy

Photo courtesy: Tim Mahoney

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Anyone who thought that the entry by the Austrian Green Party into a ruling coalition with the right-wing conservative Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) headed by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, would mean an end to the policies of the far-right Freedom Party (FP), has been rapidly disillusioned following the swearing in of the new government in Vienna.

For many years the Green Party presented itself as a left-wing, liberal political alternative with a leadership largely recruited from former members of parties and groups whoat least verballyexpressed some sort of adherence to socialism. Now in government this very same party is implementing thoroughly anti-social, authoritarian policies.

One of the first acts of the Greens in government was to provide political cover for the FPs criminal activities revealed in the so-called Ibiza affair. The scandal surrounding the affair led to the breakup of the former OVP-FP coalition last spring.

The opposition Social Democrats (SPO) and the NEOS party exercised their right to set up a committee of inquiry into the Ibiza affair. It was supposed to investigate numerous cases of horse trading over official positions and corruption on the part of the OVP-FP coalition. The Greens and OVP then used their government majority to limit the remit of the committee to examining the filling of posts at the part-state owned Casinos Austria AG. In particular, the aim was to remove from the line of fire the FP and its former chairman Heinz-Christian Strache, along with other high-ranking representatives of the FP and OVP.

The government justified its obstruction of the committees work, declaring that the requested form of the committee was unconstitutional. This was an obvious excuse aimed at sabotaging a proper investigation into political influence peddling in the wake of the Ibiza video. The SPO and NEOS have lodged an appeal with the countrys constitutional court, but any judgment is expected at the earliest in six weeks.

Coming to the defence of the FP flows logically from the program of the Greens. In a coalition with Kurz, the party is continuing the policies of the FP. This can be seen most clearly in the case of the governments so-called preventive detention law, which allows alleged dangerous persons to be detained without trial. When in opposition, Green Party leader Werner Kogler described the law as unconstitutional and inhumane. Today he enforces the very same law used to imprison thousands in Austria under the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s.

The new government also wants to make a fresh attempt to introduce its so-called Trojan horse surveillance law. In December, the same law proposed by Kurz and Strache was stopped by the constitutional court. The judges ruled that the extent of the spying on private data represented a profound encroachment on individual rights and was incompatible with the law.

But thats not all. The coalition is also seeking to force network operators to make it impossible to hide IP addresses and allow security agencies to access data immediately without any judicial review. Acoustic monitoring of vehicles is also planned, another measure which has not been permitted in Austria to date.

Refugees are also under ruthless attack with the Greens in government. According to Netzpolitik.org, they will be digitally screened even more in future. In this context, unspecified technical tools are to be introduced to monitor the EUs internal borders as well as automated data exchange with national and international databases. All the biometric information collected will then be compared with the databases of suspected criminals and stored for at least five years. The aim is to build a huge database covering all aspects of life for refugees. Refugees are generally suspected of being criminals.

The coalitions program reads like that of the FP. Both parties are committed to the brutal exclusionary policies of Fortress Europe and have announced additional funding for FRONTEX border police. Like other European governments, the Austrian government is calling for the expansion of holding camps in so-called countries of origin to prevent migration to Europe. The government program also calls for intensified protection of Europes external borders and a stepped up struggle against smuggling and illegal migration.

A few days after the new government took office the Austrian education minister Heinz Fassmann (Independent) confirmed his intention of extending the ban on headscarves in schools to girls up to 14 years of age. A ban on headscarves was first introduced by the OVP-FP coalition. Following criticism by leading social scientists, Fassmann replied: Science should not be overstretchedit cannot and should not interfere everywhere. Politics still has its own parameters.

According to Fassmann tuition fees should also be increased. The OVP and Greens have agreed on the retention of tuition fees and their regular valorisation. Since the introduction of tuition fees by the former OVP-FP government in 2000, such fees have risen to 363 euros per semester today. If the amount had been regularly adjusted in accordance with the consumer price index, it would be 523 euros and experts expect an increase of this magnitude. The situation is particularly dramatic for foreign students who are already paying 726.72 euros per semester.

The Greens are also backing reactionary economic policies. Under the pretext of an ecological fair policy, they are preparing to redistribute wealth from the bottom to the top. As part of its Greening of the tax system aimed at more environmental protection, it plans a reorganisation of fees for ordinary commuters.

This cut particularly affects workers and families in rural areas who have to travel long distances to work and are dependent on their auto. The main aim of the measure is to finance massive tax cuts for companies. While tax relief for small and medium-sized incomes remains minimal, the corporate income tax rate is to be reduced from the current 25 to 21 percent. This tax gift amounts to 300 million euros per percentage point, i.e., a total of 1.2 billion euros.

Corporate taxes have only been reduced more in Austria on one previous occasion. Two decades ago, then finance minister, Karl-Heinz Grasser, reduced it from 34 to 25 percent. At the time, Grasser was a member of the FP, which had formed a coalition with the OVP for the first time. The coalition was met with criticism and protests, with the Greens prominent in the massive demonstrations against the government in Vienna. Since then the party has undertaken a lurch to the right. Today the Greens constitute a profoundly reactionary party that is continuing and intensifying the policies of the far right.
A sort of lunacy prevails in Ankara regarding Turkish foreign policy on Syria. The Turkish military casualties in Syrias Idlib and the advances of the Russian-backed Syrian government forces have led the Turkish administration into a frenzy that betrays a lack of rationality and sobriety  two essentials in foreign policy-making.

Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, is the quiet strongman of the current power distribution in Turkey. Without his support, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would not have been able to win the 2018 presidential election, which paved the way to tighten his grip over the judiciary and the security establishment.

Bahceli has a reputation for virulent speeches, but his latest talk on Feb. 11 was one of the weirdest. Bahceli called on Erdogan to conquer Damascus to take revenge against the Syrian regime after the Turkish death toll in Idlib reached 14.

The Turkish nation should go into Damascus, he said in an address to his parliamentary group. Lets burn down Syria; lets demolish Idlib.

The following day, Erdogan warned that Turkey will strike Syrian government forces anywhere if any more Turkish soldiers are harmed in the last rebel bastion. Erdogans remarks came just after his phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Feb. 12.

While Erdogan was issuing these warnings, his cronies had already declared war against the Syrian government. The editor-in-chief of the pro-government daily Yeni Safak declared Syria a war zone from Aleppo to Qamishli.

"Everywhere from Latakia and Aleppo to Qamishli is a target. The operation era is now over. The war era has started, staunch Erdoganist Ibrahim Karagul wrote Feb. 12 even before Erdogans speech.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar manifested a similar rage during his interview with The Associated Press on Feb. 11, a day before a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. He said Turkey expects NATO and Europe to take concrete steps against the Syrian governments offensive in Idlib.

Though a member of NATO, Turkey has been seen as a Russian Trojan horse among the ranks of the transatlantic alliance due to its partnership with Russia.

In the Idlib escalation, however, Russia is supporting the recent push by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces regardless of its partnership with Turkey. Moscow also accuses Turkey of failing to deliver on its commitments to clean Idlib of radical elements under a 2018 deal between Turkey and Russia.

The United States, for its part, is apparently trying to take advantage of the cracks between Ankara and Moscow to lure Turkey to its side. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced his support for Turkeys actions in Idlib and US special envoy for Syria James Jeffrey traveled to Ankara for talks.

Jeffrey described the Turkish soldiers killed in shelling by Syrian government forces as our martyrs, speaking in broken Turkish on his arrival in Ankara on Feb. 11. The United States supports Turkeys legitimate interests in Idlib, the envoy said in an interview with a Turkish television station Feb. 12.

However, the American support does not seem to be a remedy for the Turkish pitfalls in Idlib, where the Russians call the shots. The lukewarm American support for the Turkish position in Idlib has even become a matter of mockery in the Russian media.

Washington, of course, traditionally blames Russia for the Turkish problems associated with the deaths of military personnel, reported a Russian news outlet. Erdogan needs a victory that he cannot achieve on his own; ... abandoned by NATO partners, in this situation it remains only to seek support from Russia.

The Russian side seems to be ignoring the fiery rhetoric of the Turkish leadership regarding the military situation in Idlib.

In reality, the positions of the Turkish troops in Idlib are located in such vulnerable locations that even Assads army  exhausted by the years of war  can inflict a crushing blow on them, reported Vzglyad, an online Russian news outlet owned by Russian politician Konstantin Rykov, a staunch supporter of Putin.

The report went on, If Turkey really begins systematic aggressive actions against Syria, then we must not forget: Deep in the Syrian territory, where the government troops are located, there are Turkish checkpoints and they are surrounded by hundreds of Syrian soldiers. As the Syrian soldiers would not stand idle, those Turkish soldiers would become hostages.

The Russian side seems undeterred by a flurry of frenzied statements pouring out of Ankara. The Russian Foreign and Defense Ministries have been persistently blaming Ankara for the deteriorating military situation in Idlib, reminding everyone of Turkeys failure to fulfill its commitments in the 2018 Sochi deal, including to set up a demilitarized zone in Idlib and remove radical elements from the area.

For the Russian Defense Ministry, the cause of the crisis in Idlib is the failure by Turkish colleagues to separate militants from the moderate opposition from terrorists who filled these areas.

The Turkish side, meanwhile, is focusing on a different provision of the agreement, which stipulates that Russia take all necessary measures to ensure that military operations and attacks on Idlib will be avoided.

It is unrealistic to think that the Syrian government forces, after gaining ground that amounts to some 600 square kilometers (370 square miles) in Idlib province, will withdraw from the de-escalation zone until the end of February  a deadline set by Erdogan.

As long as Russia does not look the other way  and that seems almost impossible  Turkey will have to change the red lines it has expressed through frenzied rhetoric.

Assuming that the neurosis displayed by Ankara is actually aiming to raise the stakes for Moscow for a cease-fire in Idlib, can it be safely said that there is no serious danger of an all-out Turkish-Syrian war? After all, in Ankaras calculations, Russia cannot afford to return to November 2015, when the ties between Moscow and Ankara took a nosedive after a Russian jet was shot down by Turkey. Or could it?

With the loss of rationality in Ankara, it is not possible at this juncture to answer these two questions.

For the International Crisis Group, Erdogans words were no idle chatter.  The risk of a direct Turkish-Syrian confrontation, or even a Turkish-Russian one, is rising.

Therefore, one cannot know how the situation in Idlib will unfold in the near future. Wars sometimes erupt as unintended consequences of ill-conceived or irrational decisions and nowadays, panic is prevailing in Turkish leadership.
Today we'll take a closer look at Singapore Airlines Limited (SGX:C6L) from a dividend investor's perspective. Owning a strong business and reinvesting the dividends is widely seen as an attractive way of growing your wealth. Yet sometimes, investors buy a popular dividend stock because of its yield, and then lose money if the company's dividend doesn't live up to expectations.

In this case, Singapore Airlines likely looks attractive to investors, given its 3.5% dividend yield and a payment history of over ten years. We'd guess that plenty of investors have purchased it for the income. When buying stocks for their dividends, you should always run through the checks below, to see if the dividend looks sustainable.

Click the interactive chart for our full dividend analysis

SGX:C6L Historical Dividend Yield, February 13th 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are usually paid out of company earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Comparing dividend payments to a company's net profit after tax is a simple way of reality-checking whether a dividend is sustainable. Singapore Airlines paid out 51% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. This is a healthy payout ratio, and while it does limit the amount of earnings that can be reinvested in the business, there is also some room to lift the payout ratio over time.

We also measure dividends paid against a company's levered free cash flow, to see if enough cash was generated to cover the dividend. Unfortunately, while Singapore Airlines pays a dividend, it also reported negative free cash flow last year. While there may be a good reason for this, it's not ideal from a dividend perspective.

We update our data on Singapore Airlines every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here.

Dividend Volatility

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. For the purpose of this article, we only scrutinise the last decade of Singapore Airlines's dividend payments. The dividend has been cut on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was S$0.40 in 2010, compared to S$0.30 last year. The dividend has shrunk at around 2.8% a year during that period. Singapore Airlines's dividend hasn't shrunk linearly at 2.8% per annum, but the CAGR is a useful estimate of the historical rate of change.

Story continues

We struggle to make a case for buying Singapore Airlines for its dividend, given that payments have shrunk over the past ten years.

Dividend Growth Potential

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share (EPS) are growing - it's not worth taking the risk on a dividend getting cut, unless you might be rewarded with larger dividends in future. It's good to see Singapore Airlines has been growing its earnings per share at 14% a year over the past five years. Singapore Airlines's earnings per share have grown rapidly in recent years, although more than half of its profits are being paid out as dividends, which makes us wonder if the company has a limited number of reinvestment opportunities in its business.

Conclusion

When we look at a dividend stock, we need to form a judgement on whether the dividend will grow, if the company is able to maintain it in a wide range of economic circumstances, and if the dividend payout is sustainable. First, we think Singapore Airlines has an acceptable payout ratio, although its dividend was not well covered by cashflow. Next, earnings growth has been good, but unfortunately the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. While we're not hugely bearish on it, overall we think there are potentially better dividend stocks than Singapore Airlines out there.

Companies that are growing earnings tend to be the best dividend stocks over the long term. See what the 12 analysts we track are forecasting for Singapore Airlines for free with public analyst estimates for the company.

We have also put together a list of global stocks with a market capitalisation above $1bn and yielding more 3%.

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.
Nigerians were the fourth most represented nationality among new permanent residents in 2019

While the U.S. blocks immigration visas, Canada building strong Nigerian community Nigerians were the fourth most represented nationality among new permanent residents in 2019

While the U.S. blocks immigration visas, Canada building strong Nigerian community Nigerians were the fourth most represented nationality among new permanent residents in 2019

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U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded a controversial travel ban to include immigration visa restrictions on Nigeria and five other nations. In Canada, however, Nigerians belong to one of the fastest-growing diasporas in the country.

Nigeria, Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan, and Tanzania will be barred from obtaining certain types of U.S. immigration visas beginning February 21. The proclamation said these countries are either unable or unwilling to improve their information-sharing with the U.S. or they presented serious terrorism-related risks.

As a result, many American citizens and Nigerian immigrants will not be able to reunite with their families.

Akatavweragbon Salowo, a blogger who calls herself Ak for short, immigrated to Canada from Nigeria in 2018. Like many Nigerians, both in the U.S. and abroad, she felt targeted by Trumps latest travel ban update and questioned the logic of blocking immigration from Africas most populous country.

I imagine there will be a lot of Nigerians moving to Canada (from the U.S.), Salowo told CIC News.

Canada does not consider a persons country of origin when determining which immigration candidates qualify for economic-class immigration programs.

Last year Nigerians were the fourth most represented nationality among new permanent residents. About 12,595 permanent residents in 2019 were from Nigeria, which is exponentially more than the 4,090 Nigerians who became permanent residents in 2015.

Salowo was one of the Nigerians who immigrated to Canada through the federal Express Entry system.

I had a great life in Nigeria before I moved, but I think I just got to the point where I was a little restless, she said. I felt I was in a bubble and I thought it would be really cool to experience something different.

Now she writes a blog on her everyday experiences as an immigrant in the Greater Toronto Area. She calls her blog Black Migrant Girl in an effort to deconstruct what these words mean through her experiences living in Canada as a Black woman from Africa.

When you say, Hey I am Nigerian, you never know how people are approaching the conversation, Salowo said, pointing out common stereotypical assumptions some people have about Nigerians, A huge chunk of us are passionate and educated and really just want to have a better life.

My fellow Nigerians, its Americas loss if Trump says he doesnt want you. Please come to Canada. We are building a strong Nigerian community here in Toronto and across many provinces here. Well figure it out together.  Ak Salowo (@Blackmigrantgrl) February 1, 2020

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

Immigrating to Canada through Express Entry

Salowo said she chose to immigrate to Canada because it was, the easiest country to legally get an international passport.

Canada is the only country with an immigration system like Express Entry.

Like many well-educated young Nigerians with work experience, Salowo obtained permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Program that is managed by the Express Entry system.

She did not have a job offer in Canada, and she had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 441.

When a foreigner decides they want to immigrate to Canada they can enter into the Express Entry pool. Once in the pool, candidates are given a CRS score based on human capital factors such as age, work experience, education, and language proficiency. Then the highest-scoring candidates are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

With an ITA, candidates can submit an application for Canadian permanent residence.

I was a little worried, she recalled, But literally two weeks after I jumped into the [Express Entry] pool I got an ITA.

Immigration through Canadian provinces

In 2019 it was rare that an Express Entry draws CRS requirement would go below 441.

However, Express Entry is also aligned with many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Most Canadian provinces also have their own programs that can be an option for immigration candidates who do not have high CRS scores.

For example, candidates needed a CRS of 472 in the latest Express Entry draw, but in one recent Alberta Express Entry draw candidates only needed a CRS of 300. Much like the federal Express Entry system, Albertas program does not require candidates to have a job offer.

By receiving a provincial nomination, Express Entry candidates automatically earn an additional 600 points over their overall score, which effectively guarantees them an ITA from the federal government in a subsequent draw.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 17:45:56|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIRUT, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Around 1,335 Syrian refugees returned on Thursday to their homeland from different areas in Lebanon, local media reported.

The return of Syrian refugees was organized by the General Security Directorate by using trucks to transport refugees and their furniture, according to Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.

More than 950,000 Syrian refugees are registered with the United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR), though the government estimate of the total Syrian displaced population stands at 1.5 million.

The flow of Syrian refugees to Lebanon has weighed heavily on Lebanon's economy and infrastructure, prompting Lebanese officials to urge the international community for support in guaranteeing the return of refugees.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a month-long series, CheapOair will be honoring Black History Month through the lens of great movements and innovators within the travel industry and beyond. This week, the OTA shines a spotlight on some of the great female aviators who paved the way for African American women in aviation by refusing to wait in the wings.

Bessie Coleman

Eight years before the all-female aviation organization the Ninety-Nines and six months before Amelia Earhart became a licensed pilot, twenty-four-year-old Bessie Coleman broke barriers when she received her pilot's license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale -making her the first African American to achieve this feat.

Willa Brown

Following in the footsteps of Bessie Coleman, Willa Brown was the first African American woman to earn a U.S pilot's license in the U.S. After completing an M.B.A from Northwestern University, Brown became a teacher and eventually a social worker. Frustrated with the boundaries and limitations of the time, Brown looked to the skies. Her and her husband, Cornelius Coffey, went on to open the first African American flight school in the United States.

Janet Bragg

For Janet Bragg, what began as a hobby soon evolved into the great passion of her life. Bragg, who started her career as Registered Nurse, moved to Chicago to seek more opportunity with less bias based restrictions. She was the first African American woman to enroll in the Curtis Wright School of Aeronautics, where she was also the sole female cadet. After initially being denied her pilot's license, she finally received a commercial license a decade later in 1943. She went on to train female pilots in World War II. While many of the women she trained would eventually be selected as Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), she was turned down for being African American. She would later write about her perseverance in the face of adversity in her autobiography Soaring Above Setbacks.

CheapOair's mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. Thanks to its unique comprehensive travel trend monitoring, the online travel agency does just that.

For more information, please visit www.CheapOair.com and www.CheapOair.com/mobile, and follow the brand on social via Facebook.com/CheapOair, instagram.com/cheapoair, YouTube, and twitter.com/CheapOair.

About CheapOair

CheapOair is an online travel agency that specializes in providing cheap flights and great last-minute flight deals for travelers worldwide. Consumers can book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone (1-800-566-2345) or live chat. Part of Fareportal's family of travel brands, CheapOair bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with certified travel agents available 24/7 to help find discount flight tickets to global destinations on over 600 airlines, a million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to learn how to travel the world for less.

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Think about the last time you were on a college campus or trying to find your way around a massive hospital complex. How dizzying it can be to navigate an airport or even a busy intersection.

Its this communal experience of needing to know how to get where youre going that has prompted the city to research how people get around Casper and the surrounding area.

Consultants presented a new wayfinding strategy to Casper City Council during a work session Tuesday night, with recommendations that the city install new wayfinding signage to help residents and visitors alike navigate the area.

The plan was paid for through the Casper Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, a federally-funded urban-planning entity that oversees U.S. Department of Transportation dollars being distributed throughout the county.

While the wayfinding plan is paid for with federal dollars, with a rough price tag of $100,000, purchasing the signs and installing them will fall to the various jurisdictions involved. The estimated cost for total implementation would be between $1.5 and $2 million.

But why is wayfinding important enough to shell out that kind of money? Experts say good wayfinding doesnt just get people to where they need to be faster, it also enhances their overall experience of a place  definitely a positive for a community in which tourism is a significant economic driver.

One trade publication says an effective wayfinding system is based on human behavior, how we use landmarks as visual clues and need to be able to orient ourselves within a given environment. Another publication argues wayfinding is among the most common, real-world domains of both individual and group-level decision making, an interesting way to think about something we all do every day.

The planning organization has been working with Des Moines, Iowa-based RDG Planning and Design to complete the plan.

Ryan Peterson, a partner with RDG, gave the council a tentative idea of what the signage may look like during a meeting in the fall and returned Tuesday to share final details with the council.

The idea is that the signs will clearly guide visitors around the area, while giving residents a sense of place. The consultants are recommending about 200-210 signs be installed throughout the county, guiding people toward key points in and around the region. Those points include historic places, recreational options and community gateways.

To determine where the signs should go, RDG sought community feedback throughout the planning process and identified the most-visited landmarks and destinations.

The top four results, in order, were Casper Mountain, downtown Casper, Alcova and David Street Station, with a litany of other suggestions also presented.

As far as which of the areas assets should be at the forefront of the imaging, the public said the areas natural resources were most important.

The imagery on the signs will reflect that feedback, should the various jurisdictions choose to pay for the project.

Caspers signs would show the cityscape, as it does currently, with iconic landmarks in a row. Mills will be represented by a soaring eagle, Bar Nunn by an antelope. There will be signs for Evansville, Alcova and the mountain, and each were decided upon based on community input.

While the signs will represent their various communities, there should still be an overall regional cohesion, Peterson said.

Each community is unique in its own way and should have the ability to celebrate that uniqueness he said. But we also want them to tie together with some common themes.

The projects implementation would align with the citys long-term goals, laid out in a variety of master plans. Based on goals City Council set for itself at the start of last year, council hopes to see 75 percent of the gateway signage installed this fiscal year.

Its still unclear where the $1.5 to $2 million will come from. Once RDG has finalized the plan, they will recommend funding models to the city. Until hearing those recommendations, City Manager Carter Napier said he cant say how the city will budget the project.

The city wouldnt bear the whole cost, but it would pay a proportionate share with the other towns and the county, if those governing bodies approve it.

Peterson did reference grant opportunities during his presentation to council Tuesday, also saying the cost is a decadeslong investment.

This is a 20-25 year project, he said. We want to make sure youre proud of what you look at everyday.

Follow local government reporter Morgan Hughes on Twitter @morganhwrites

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Samsung unveiled only a very limited color selection for its S20 phones, but it looks like people will have more hues to choose from than initially thought. The Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20+ are available in Cosmic White. You can see those on the pre-order pages of Samsungs Korean, Italian and Spanish sites, for example.



Cosmic White versions of Galaxy S20 and S20+

The S20+ may also have two more colors under wraps  Blue and Red. These are set to be carrier or retail exclusive. For example, in the US the Blue will be available only at Best Buy.



Samsung Galaxy S20+ in Blue and Red

Leakster Ice Universe also shared live images of the Blue and Red Galaxy S20+. Also, it looks like Korean carrier KT released a red color version of the Galaxy Buds+ to go with the phone:



Blue and Red Galaxy S20+ in the wild  Red Galaxy Buds+ to match the phone

Check out this post for pricing details on the Galaxy S20 family.

Update: more images of the "Aura Red" color option have surfaced, showing the Galaxy S20 and S20+ (courtesy of Sudhanshu). These are headed to Europe, reportedly, but there's no word on when they will be available.



Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20+ in Aura Red

Source 1 | Source 2 (in Korean) | Source 3 | Source 4 (in Chinese) | Via
As the mighty Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida this week, carrying the Solar Orbiter probe towards the heavens, Milan Maksimovic, standing at the Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area of the Kennedy Space Centre, couldn't hold back his emotions. It was a dream come true for the French scientist who is the principal investigator of a measuring instrument onboard the spacecraft that aims to unravel the secrets of our nearest, local star Sol... the sun.

It was a great sight. The weather was excellent. The moon was above us and the rocket trajectory was perfect. It was a moving experience for me because I have been involved in the project for 18 years, Maksimovic told RFI, who is a senior scientist at CNRS and the Laboratory for Space Studies and Instrumentation in Astrophysics (LESIA).

Maksimovic heads a team that will handle a scientific instrument on the spacecraft. Named the Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW) instrument, it will measure the magnetic and electric fields in the vicinity of the probe.

Maksimovic remarked these measurements could reveal the mechanism by which the corona and solar wind are heated. There are many theories related to the heating of the corona. But we don't know for certain which waves heat the corona. The RPW measurements could provide us with some definite clues.

In total, six of the ten instruments on the spacecraft are remote sensing devices that will click images of the sun while the remaining four are in-situ instruments that will take measurements of solar plasma.

The surface to atmosphere conundrum

Maksimovic contends that the information gathered from these instruments could help us solve one of the most challenging problems related to the sun that has baffled scientists for long. The temperature of the corona is about 1 million degrees celsius while the solar surface is relatively much cooler at 5500 degree celsius. We still don't know why the solar atmosphere is hotter than its surface, Maksimovic said.

The probe will also throw light on the mechanism of solar flares which are produced due to a sudden release of magnetic energy in the corona that can cause large coronal mass ejections blowing up to 2000 km/s.

Solar flares can potentially damage satellites in the Earth's orbit as well as disrupt telecommunication networks and power grids.

The mission will be executed in two stages. In the first stage, the cameras will take pictures of the corona in multiple wavelengths while the in-situ instruments will take measurements of the solar wind as it hits the spacecraft.

In the second stage, after using a gravity assist slingshot from Venus, the spacecraft will leave its orbital ecliptic plane and orbit around the solar poles.

This will allow us to do complete helioseismology. It's crucial to measure the pulsations of the sun from the poles in order to understand how the powerful magnetic field around our parent star is created. This could help us understand the reasons behind the 11-year cycle of sunspots and solar wind.

The scientific instruments will be protected by a heat shield that can withstand temperatures up to 500 degree celsius. The closest that Solar Orbiter will get to the sun is 42 million kilometers.

Solar Orbiter is the second solar mission to be launched in the space of 18 months following the launch of Parker Solar Probe in August 2018. Maksimovic said. The latter will get even closer to the sun, reaching 6.2 million km from the sun's surface. Parker Solar Probe will measure the magnetic fields, plasma and energetic particles, while also imaging the solar wind.

Maksimovic believes the Solar Orbiter to be a beautiful addition to the Parker Solar Probe. When these two spacecraft get aligned, we will be able to take three-point measurements take images of solar activity using cameras on Solar Orbiter and then make in-situ measurements on Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter.

Solar Orbiter is expected to start producing data from June this year. The spacecraft's full nominal mission, that's expected to last for six years, will start from November 2021.
came together in several cities around the world over the weekend to take part in a rally to commemorate the 1979 peoples uprising, which led to the overthrow of Shah Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi and removed the monarchy in Iran.

The MEK rallies were held in Brussels, Geneva, London, Oslo, Rome, Stockholm, Toronto, and Washington, DC. However, the gatherings were streaked with sadness that the peoples uprising was stolen by the mullahs, who created a dictatorship all of their own.

During these rallies, participants paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the MEK, especially those killed by the regime on February 8, 1982, which included acting commander in Tehran Moussa Khiabani, Ashraf Rajavi, and several others.

The MEK supporters also expressed solidarity with the Iranian peoples uprising and the anti-regime actions undertaken by the MEK Resistance Units in Iran. The demonstrators made it clear that the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which is the sole viable alternative to the mullahs regime, has their full support.

The MEK supporters also stressed their support for NCRI president-elect Maryam Rajavi, who said that the leaders of the mullahs regime should be considered criminals against humanity. She also urged that the international community send a delegation to Iran to investigate the fate of those arrested during the November and January uprisings and reveal the identities of the over 1500 protesters killed by the regime then.

To the Stockholm MEK rally, Rajavi sent a video message, in which she said: The criminals in power in our country have a 40-year long record of corruption, untruthfulness, plunder, destruction, murder, the export of terrorism and misogyny. Your gathering today in Stockholm is yet another clear sign of the Iranian peoples unflawed resolve for putting an end to the anti-human regime of the mullahs.

Also speaking at the rally were a number of Swedish members of parliament, Abolghassem Rezai, the deputy secretary of the NCRI, and Parviz Khazai, NCRI representative in Nordic countries.

At the Washington DC rally, which was held close to the White House, many Iranians gathered in support of the Iranian peoples uprising. They held banners that read, Down with the oppressor, be it the Shah or Khamenei, and echoed the voices of Iranians inside Iran who, during the November and January uprisings, compared the mullahs regime to the regime of the Shah.

The rally in Toronto, where the temperature was subzero, was followed by a march. The fact that so many MEK supporters came out is a testament to their support for the cause.

In Londons Trafalgar Square, the MEK supporters called on the Foreign Office to work with international allies to hold the Iranian regime to account for the murder of 1500 protesters and the brutal crackdown on the recent popular uprising.

Speakers at the rally included:

former Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams

Conservative MP for Hendon, Matthew Offord

member of Law Society Council Sara Chandler

Read more:

Anti-Regime Rallies Around World


Lets say youre a world-renowned latte artist and skateboard enthusiast. Why wouldnt you want to extend your personal brand into dark, hip spaces in big cities around the world? Its a no-brainer for Hiroshi Sawada, whose second eponymous cafe in New York City opened in 2019, a second partnership with Hogsalt following a similar collaboration in Chicago inside popular eatery Au Cheval.

And though the coffee experience promises to be elevated, as you make your way down a rare NYC alley in Manhattans Financial District, dodging trash piles and delivery vehicles that drive on the sidewalk, you may have momentary doubts.

But once you get there, the space itselfwithin the entrance to NYCs outpost of Au Chevalis considerably more refined. More so than just about any other specialty coffee shop in New York, Sawada Coffee is moody, dark, and loud. Instead of cliched pseudo-Scandinavian decor, Sawada opts for artfully hung skate decks (featuring portraits of Sawada himself) and dim lighting to set the tone for a space that offers specialty drinks like the Military Latte (matcha, espresso, vanilla, milk and cocoa) or the Black Camo (a similar drink that uses hojicha in place of matcha.) Its a small spacereally a lobby cafe more than a full coffee shopwith limited seating. And despite the after-dark vibe, Sawada closes each day at 4pm.

Even though the shop has a great evening vibe, the city that never sleeps still only drinks coffee during the day. In the evening, the counter space is used for Au Cheval guests who are having cocktails, explains Hogsalts Senior Executive Beverage Director Jean Tomaro.

Its a treat to have an extensive coffee program available to Au Cheval guests, especially during brunch services. The aesthetics of the two concepts really play off of each other quite well, says Tomaro.

If youre more of a peacenik, you may find the menus military bent a bit strange. Sawada says its a nod to skate culture, not war, though. I like skateboards and skatewear, he says. Most skateboard brands use camouflage designs, and the Military Latte is our signature drink, designed in a camouflage pattern, combining premium Japanese matcha and homemade vanilla syrup with perfectly dripped espresso.

And as for your chances of running into the man himself when you visit?

I visit NYC at least seven times a yearI love the city so much, says Sawada, who when hes not at the cafe may be frequenting some of his favorite nearby skate and skate-culture-adjacent brand boutiques, like Supreme, Palace, and Labor Skate Shop. I am always working with the baristas to provide high-quality service and latte art, he says. (Barista training throughout all of Sawada and Hogsalt is a six-week process, culminating in a timed practical exam.)

Atop the barand beneath a giant portrait of Hiroshi Sawadais a Victoria Arduino Black Eagle espresso machine, and a Hario V60 pour-over bar built into a skateboard. Coffee is provided by Chicagos Metropolis, and teas come from Kilogram, Rishi, as well as hojicha and matcha imported direct from Japan under the name Sawada.

Unfortunately for latte art superfans, these days, youre unlikely to find Sawada himself behind the bar.

During service, I like to be on the other side of the counter, welcoming and chatting with guests as they receive their coffee, says the veteran coffee artist, we like to provide that personal touch.

Liz Clayton is the associate editor at Sprudge Media Network and the co-author of Where to Drink Coffee. Read more Liz Clayton on Sprudge.

Photos courtesy of Sawada Coffee.
WASHINGTON  Instagram has changed its privacy policies in response to last years murder of Bianca Devins in Utica that made headlines around the world, Rep. Anthony Brindisi said Thursday.

Graphic photos of the 17-year-olds murder were posted to Instagram and other social media sites, and photos of her bloodied body were sent by strangers to her family members.

Instagram and its owner Facebook told Brindisi this week that the company has responded to the case by giving users a privacy option of automatically blocking all direct messages from strangers.

Brindisi, D-Utica, said the new option is one of the few changes he learned about during a private meeting Wednesday with representatives of a half-dozen social media companies at the U.S. Capitol.

The congressman asked for the meeting to discuss the response of the companies to the Devins case and the broader issue of abuse and harassment through social media sites.

These companies know this behavior must stop, Brindisi said in a conference call with reporters. Im hopeful we can find a solution that works.

Representatives at the meeting from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Google, Reddit and Tumblr talked about their effort to improve content monitoring strategies through both artificial intelligence and the addition of more human monitors, Brindisi said.

Some of the graphic images of Devins remained on Instagram for nearly a day before the company removed them.

Brindisi said he still wants the companies to address policy failures, and he said it may be necessary to do so through legislation passed by Congress. He did not cite any specific legislation that he would consider.

Brindisi helped arrange a direct line of communication between Devins family members and Instagram after her murder, allowing the family to report any other images they see or that are sent to them.

But for most users, its still difficult to file a complaint and receive a timely response from the social media platforms, Brindisi said.

Just filing a complaint is very hard to do, Brindisi said. It really shouldnt take a member of Congress weighing in to get a direct line to Instagram.

Brindisis meeting with the social media companies took place two days after Brandon Clark, 21, of Cicero, pleaded guilty in Oneida County Court to second-degree murder in the killing of Devins.

Clark will receive the maximum sentence of 25 years to life, prosecutors said.

Read more

More horrific details come out in Bianca Devins murder that was shared online to the world

Brandon Clark pleads guilty to grisly murder of Bianca Devins that he shared online

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751

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At least three lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded outside the chamber of one of them at a sessions court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on February 13, reports suggest.

Lucknow Bar Association Joint Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Lodhi claimed he was the target of the attack because he had been complaining about a few judicial officers.

He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber in which he and two other lawyers were injured.

"One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded," he said, questioning the security on the premises. Bomb disposal and dog squads have reached the site of the blast.

In January, lawyers struck work in protest against the recent attacks on them in the state.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had asked bar associations to abstain from work to put pressure on the government to pass legislation to protect lawyers.

On January 7, lawyer Shekhar Tripathi (32) was beaten to death with sticks by five men in Lucknow, triggering anger among his colleagues who sat with the body at the district collectorate demanding justice.

(With inputs from PTI)
RUPNAGAR: An Army Chetak chopper on Thursday made an emergency landing at a village in Punjabs Rupnagar district due to a technical snag, a police official said here.

The helicopter, on its way to Pathankot from Chandigarh, landed in a field in Ban Majra village around 11.30am, assistant superintendent of police Ravi Kumar said.

All three crew members are safe, he said.

While making the emergency landing, the chopper escaped a 66-KV high tension power line passing through the fields, the official said.

The area was cordoned off by police and another army helicopter with a maintenance team reached the spot to repair the fault.

The helicopter resumed its flight around 1.30 pm, the police said.
Lawrence Cuneo, who is also the mayor of Pine Beach, allegedly made 'cracking' whip noises and kicked students' feet as they lay on a dirty floor

A teacher accused of making his students role-play picking cotton while he pretended to whip them and kicked them as they lay on the floor is being investigated by his New Jersey school.

Lawrence Cuneo, 59, who is also the mayor of Pine Beach where the school is located, is accused of making the students lie on a dirty floor and kicking their feet during a lesson on slavery in Black History Month, the Asbury Park Press reported.

The eighth-grade social studies teacher, who has taught for 18 years and is in his third term as mayor, is being investigated by Toms River Intermediate East after one of his students complained on social media, according to Asbury Park Press.

'It's good to be informed about slavery but making us clean and pick cotton and pretending to wip [sic] us?' the student is reported to have written on Instagram.

'Are you nuts it's 2020 not 1800 get it right.'

The teacher's methods were condemned by Fred Rush, president of the Ocean County-Lakewood NAACP.

'It's not appropriate, no matter who the students are. If it's wrong, it's wrong. There are some things you just don't play out' Rush told NJ.com.

Rush said the teacher may have had good intentions but that his technique was 'in poor taste'.

A spokesman for Toms River School District confirmed that an investigation had been launched but said that the school's teaching methods were at times 'authentic' and 'hands-on'.

The school confirmed that it was investigating the alleged incident but said its teaching methods were at times 'authentic' and 'hands-on'

'As we comb through and further investigate the details of the alleged incident, we are keeping in mind that our curriculum has evolved to include more hands-on, authentic activities,' he said.

'It seems initially clear that there was no ill intent but that better judgment should have been used with regard to the alleged instructional methods, particularly as it pertains to recognizing the sensitivities of all students.'

David Healy, superintendent at Toms River Regional Schools, told NJ.com that the child said to have complained at the school  where the majority of students are white  was not African-American.

Cuneo has released an apology but said that he had not intended to cause offence.

'The intent of this lesson was to show how degrading and despicable the institution of slavery was in our history,' Cuneo told Patch.

'Slavery existed within our country and the lessons learned, even if uncomfortable, need to be told. At no time was my intention to harm the sensitivities of any student. If this lesson did that, I apologize to those affected.'
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- A somber feeling is spreading among Germanys elites, as the long-term implications of Brexit sink in. Of the European Unions 27 member states, Ireland obviously has the most to fear from the U.K.s departure. But Germany may be second. Thats because Brexit changes not only the remaining EU but also Germanys role within it  and in ways the Germans have for half a century been trying to avoid.

European integration, starting in the 1950s, was for West Germany a way of atoning for its own nationalist and belligerent past. Its citizens were eager to subsume part of their identity in a post-nationalist, rules-based, non-militarist and largely mercantile entity, in return for being accepted again by their neighbors. Occupied by three of the Allied Powers, they didnt have full national sovereignty, so they didnt worry about ceding more of it to Brussels.

To move this European project forward, the Germans relied on different kinds of support from the Allies. To build the structures that later became the EU, they needed France. The French, however, especially under President Charles de Gaulle, saw Europe differently: as reconciliation with Germany, yes, but also as a new vector to project French power, the better to keep the mightier Anglo-Saxons at bay.

Those Anglo-Saxons were of course the U.S. and the U.K., the other two powers the West Germans needed. The U.S. protected them against the Soviets, and kept international order generally. And the Brits were basically a smaller, more familiar  and European  version of the Americans, and thus a welcome counterweight against the French.

In fact, German Francophilia was always less a phenomenon than a policy, imposed top-down; by contrast, German Anglophilia spread from the bottom up (even if it wasnt often reciprocated). It helped that the Brits after the war competently ran and rebuilt northwestern Germany  the ancestral homelands, as Germans noted tongue-in-cheek, of the Anglo-Saxons and the Hanoverian kings of England. Once the Beatles showed up in Hamburg, it was basically love all the way.

Story continues

The West Germans also had political motivations for wanting to hug the U.K. inside the European club, against the stubborn resistance of de Gaulle. Germany and France have always had clashing economic traditions. The French one, called dirigisme, is based on state intervention and looks askance at free markets and free trade. The German one, called ordoliberalism, is based on restricting the state to narrow functions (such as antitrust) and otherwise leaving markets and trade pretty free.

The Germans thus saw the Brits, like the Dutch, as more naturally aligned in values than the French. Having the U.K. in the club meant that the north could gang up in the Council of Ministers (the body in Brussels where member states decide policy). And it did. A fluid Nordic bloc has usually had enough votes to veto southern ideas it didnt like, even as the European club expanded its membership. Projects driven primarily by the Brits and Germans include the single market, rigorous competition policy and liberal trade deals. Projects they successfully prevented (at least until now) include a European industrial policy, which tends to be French code for coddling national champions.

Brexit means that the center of gravity in the EU has now shifted southeast, in the European Parliament but above all in the Council. With the U.K., the north (defined as Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands) had a blocking minority of 36.8%. Without the U.K., that share has dropped to 27.8%, too small for a veto. Even when Austria and the Baltics are included, the north can now be overruled.

Other fault lines crisscross this political geography that are just as treacherous for Germany. They run not only between north and south but also between west and east. For example, the Visegrad four (Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) have joined to reject the EUs migrant policy, which they see as dictated by Germany after the refugee crisis of 2015, and theyve rallied support from Germanys traditional partners, such as Austria. Depending on the issue, other alliances are constantly taking shape, often aimed against the largest member state, Germany.

Geographically and politically, Germany thus finds itself, once again, squeezed in the uncomfortable middle. Historically, this tension is known the German Question and has repeatedly led to troubles. Owing to its awkward scale, as one former West German chancellor put it, Germany was always either too weak (in the 17th and 18th centuries) or too strong (in the late 19th and early 20th) for the continent to be stable. Other powers either ganged up against it or were dominated by it. As the writer Thomas Mann memorably put it, the continent is forever condemned to choosing between a German Europe or a European Germany.

Having the U.K. in the EU mitigated that dilemma. Britain was weighty enough  economically, demographically, militarily  to balance Germany, France and the continent. And nobody was happier about being balanced than the Germans, for the last thing they want is to be forced to lead, knowing that this will invariably rekindle old resentments against them. Brexit means that balance is gone again. The German Question is back.

The Brits shouldnt have been surprised that Germany wasnt more forthcoming during Brexit negotiations; for Germans, the cohesion of the EU, and the relationship with France, simply takes precedence. Nonetheless, many Germans have regrets. Some are pushing for a German-British Friendship Treaty to complement whatever deal the EU and the U.K. come up with. Unspoken is an almost primal plea: Dear Brits, please dont leave us continentals to ourselves.

To contact the author of this story: Andreas Kluth at akluth1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Boxell at jboxell@bloomberg.net

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andreas Kluth is a member of Bloomberg's editorial board. He was previously editor in chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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Obituary of Captain Tan Baoshu. (PHOTO: The Beautiful Memories website)

SINGAPORE  Tan Baoshu, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) captain (CPT) who was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNATA) over the death of a full-time national serviceman, died on Thursday morning (13 February).

Following his diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, the Attorney-Generals Chambers (AGC) had applied for a DNATA for CPT Tan, 31. The court granted the application on 8 January.

Tan is scheduled to be cremated on Monday at Mandai Crematorium.

CPT Tan was charged on 31 October 2018 with committing a rash act causing the death of Corporal First Class (CFC) Dave Lee, who collapsed after a fast march on 18 April 2018. He was the Officer Commanding of the Support Company of 1st Battalion Singapore Guards, the unit where CFC Lee was serving his NS duties.

The officer had originally claimed trial to the charge.

CFC Lee, 19, had completed an 8km fast march in Bedok Camp on 18 April 2018 before he showed signs of heat injury and had to be hospitalised. He died two weeks after being admitted to Changi General Hospital.

CPT Tan was the supervising officer for the fast march, which happened between 6.30am and 8.25am. He was accused of failing to evacuate CFC Lee in a timely manner and for not allowing necessary treatment to be administered to him from 8.25am to 9.10am.

A woman who identified herself to Yahoo News Singapore as CPT Tans sister at the officers wake in Clementi West asked for privacy and said that the family has no statement to make.

Jasmine Yeo, the mother of CFC Lee, told Yahoo News Singapore on Thursday afternoon that she had heard about CPT Tans death. Yeo, 48, said, "Give our families time to settle down" and declined to comment further.

additional reporting by Nicholas Yong

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SAF captain charged over death of NSF Dave Lee
GOIL COMPANY Limited has bid farewell to Patrick Akorli, its former MD and Group CEO, at a colourful ceremony in Accra.

Mr. Akorli, who served in various management positions until he assumed the MD position in 2012, thanked President Akufo-Addo and his two predecessors, the late President Mills and former President Mahama, for the congenial atmosphere created during his tenure. He also appreciated the role of past and present boards, management and staff for their assistance and co-operation.

In a remark, he appealed to the staff to extend the same support to the present managing director, Mr. Kwame Osei Prempeh, to help propel the company to greater heights.

Mr. Prempeh paid tribute to his predecessor for laying the foundation for the tremendous growth and transformation of the company, adding that the company will continue the good path chartered by Mr. Akorli and ensure the consolidation of the impressive growth.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah who was the guest of honor, described Mr. Akorli as patriotic, selfless and a team player who always shared the successes of the company with the GOIL team. The former MD, he noted, must be celebrated for helping to uplift the image of GOIL to the admiration of all.

The send-off ceremony was attended by several industry players including the CEO of NPA, Hassan Tampuli; a former MD of GOIL, Yaw Agyeman Dua; present and former Board Members of GOIL, GO Energy; Managing Director of Total Ghana, Eric Fanchini; CEO of OMCs, Kwaku Agyeman Duah; Executive Director of CIMG, Kwabena Agyekum; Executive Director of COPEC, Duncan Amoah; National Chairman of GPRTU, Kwame Kumah and GOIL brand Ambassador, Prof. Azumah Nelson.

Board Chairman of GOIL, Kwamena Bartels, on behalf of the board and management of the company presented gifts to Mr. Akorli and thanked him for his diligent and selfless leadership that has contributed in making GOIL an enviable OMC in the country.

Barima Osei Kwadwo, Mamsihene of Manhyia presented rich traditional Kente cloth Sompa to Mr. Akorli, on behalf of the Asantehene, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

GOIL registered a 32 per cent year on year growth and increased its revenue by 15 per cent in 2019.

Daily Guide
A frustrated homeowner is demanding $3million in compensation after being stuck living next to a home that has been swarmed with chickens.

Chao Ji Su, 81, has lived at his home in Auckland, New Zealand for more than 10 years. However, his neighbours growing flock of chickens has made him desperate to leave.

The property has been invaded with hundreds of chickens - some as big as dogs, Mr Su says.

They roam freely in the yard, some even fly over the fence into Mr Su's property. His backyard is often covered in chicken faeces.

The stench alone is reason enough for Mr Su to want to flee.

Chao Ji Su, 81, has lived at his home in Auckland, New Zealand for more than 10 years

Hundreds of chickens and their chicks roam freely in the yard, some even fly over the fence into Mr Su's property

'It's a nightmare now, I can't sleep because they crow early in the morning, my property is covered with chicken faeces and my health is slowly deteriorating because of it,' Mr Su told the New Zealand Herald.

Under council bylaws, the property owner can have just six.

Mr Su attempted to sell his property last year but no one wanted it.

He has now filed a complaint with Auckland Council seeking $1.5 million for failure to sell the property, which is valued at $580,000.

He believes his house would have sold for $1million if it wasn't for the chickens.

He is also seeking $1 million for health compensation and $300,000 for medical expenses as he claims the chickens made him sick.

His medical expenses are not valued at $300,000, however, he believes ongoing treatment would cost him about that much.

He also wants $500 for the engagement of fly control services.

Chickens had been removed from the property twice before - once in March and once in August last year after an council order, Max Wilde, the council's team manager compliance response, said.

Mr Su attempted to sell his property last year but no one wanted it - he blames his neighbour (pictured)

He confirmed they were reviewing the most recent complaint from Mr Su.

'We are aware of the property Mr Chao is speaking of, and have received complaints about poultry at this address in March 2019 and again in August 2019. In both these cases the occupiers removed the poultry from the site.

'Council responded to further complaints received in December 2019 and January 2020 and instructions to remove the poultry have been ignored.'

He said the council was looking at further action.

The property owner could face a $20,000 fine for breaching the Animal Management Bylaw.
A minister sacked by Boris Johnson in Thursdays brutal government reshuffle has announced his dismissal by telling Twitter followers he has been promoted to be a better dad.

Chris Skidmore, the departing universities minister, posted a picture of himself with baby daughter Ottolie, who was born in November.

Got a promotion in the reshuffle to be a better Dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one, he wrote. Thanks everyone who I've had the chance to work with and the civil service teams that have supported me - you have all been amazing.

It is unclear how his two older children, Clementine and Henry, feel about the Kingswood MP  who has been in the cabinet for four years  not taking such a promotion earlier.

Either way, the 38-year-olds tweet had been liked more than 2,000 times by early Thursday afternoon.

Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government  and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty

Thats the best job in the world Chris, replied fellow Tory MP Jason McCartney.

Far far more satisfying than any govt job title, another respondent wrote.

On a morning of ministerial bloodshed, Mr Skidmore was just one of several sackings.

Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith became the first casualty of the overhaul, with business secretary Andrea Leadsom, housing minister Esther McVey and environment secretary Theresa Villiers all ousted soon afterwards. Attorney general Geoffrey Cox was also shown the door.

In the most surprising announcement, chancellor Sajid Javid announced he was quitting  reportedly after being told to sack all his advisors or face dismissal. No tweets about whether he holds ambitions of becoming a better father have so far been forthcoming.
After Tata and Mahindra managed to score 5 star safety rating for Altroz and XUV300 last month, Global NCAP urged Maruti to make cars with 5 star safety.

At the launch of Tata Altroz, which received 5-star safety rating (for adult occupants) from Global-NCAP, the testing agencys CEO and President, David Ward, urged other automakers, especially Maruti Suzuki, to start developing cars for India which are safe enough for a 5-star rating. If you had hoped Maruti to respond to this challenge with a yes, you would be wrong.

India-made Maruti Suzuki vehicles like Alto, Eeco, Ertiga, Wagon R, Swift, Vitara Brezza etc, have been tested by Global NCAP so far (the vehicles were sourced by the testing agency on its own accord). Save for the Vitara Brezza which managed to score 4-stars and Ertiga which received 3 (both for adult occupants), other vehicles performed very poorly in the crash tests with some failing miserably.

Given that Tata Motors and Mahindra already have 5-star rated products in their portfolio, will Maruti Suzuki focus on receiving similar ratings at Global-NCAP tests with its future products? Well, as it turns out, that is not going to be the case.

Speaking to Electric Vehicle Web on the sidelines of the Auto Expo 2020, CV Raman, Senior Executive Director, Maruti Suzuki, stated that the company will not be voluntarily sending its vehicles to be tested by Global-NCAP. His exact words were, As far as Maruti Suzuki is concerned, we believe that all safety regulations which are mandated by the government and the recently introduced offset side impact and pedestrian regulation we are meeting..going forward SIAM as a body with the manufacturer are working to bring out the BNCAP. Anything that is led or driven by the government and recognized by the government is something that we would be definitely looking at. Any other agency, its okay for the strategy of other manufacturers but Maruti Suzuki would like to work within the ambit of the Indian government regulations.

While Global-NCAPs test results are acknowledged as measure of a vehicles safety in most international markets, SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacuters) has a different stand in this matter. According to the industry body, Global-NCAP is merely an NGO with its own safety standards and it is not an authority when it comes to setting standards of safety.

India is not far away from implementing its own mandatory crash tests under BNVSAP (Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessement Program) which is likely to follow similar star-rating system. With this program, the government is aiming to improve the vehicular safety in India to global standards.

Source
Two veteran homicide detectives are at loggerheads over a so-called murder confession that appeared in a draft statement unearthed by the Lawyer X inquiry.

The clash between the two retired policemen, Ron Iddles and Steve Waddell, centres on whether lawyer and informer Nicola Gobbo told them she heard a confession to the murder of Shane Chartres-Abbott, also known as the vampire gigolo.

Former Victoria Police homicide detective Ron Iddles leaves the Royal Commission on Thursday. Credit:AAP

Both men were adamant their version was the truth in their evidence to the royal commission investigating Ms Gobbo's conduct on Thursday.

Mr Waddell said he had no doubt whatsoever that Ms Gobbo told them about the confession when they took a statement from her in Bali in May 2009.
Many who work along the estuary use the same metaphor to demonstrate its growth: The Chesapeake Bay, they say, is like a sick patient in the early stages of remission. Why would you stop the patients supply of lifesaving medicine when it seems the treatments are working?
Update: Catholic Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin has said he is very much open to calls for a softening on the churchs clerical celibacy rules to cope with the declining number of priests.

Speaking after Pope Francis declined to deal with the issue in an eagerly awaited apostolic exhortation, Archbishop of Armagh Martin said the pontiff was not ruling it out but leaving it open for more discussion.

I think Pope Francis realises this is an issue where there is a lot of divided thinking, he told RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland.

Im very much open to the idea of this and I think Pope Francis is too. He doesnt shut the idea down, he leaves it open for further discussion within the church.

Archbishop Martin played down suggestions that Ireland is facing priest shortages as dramatic as the Amazon.

I think it is considerably further than where the Amazon is now, he said.

Although I wouldnt be blind to the fact that we have a very major decline in vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.

Archbishop Martin said if Ireland is to heed Pope Francis call, it needs to officially recognise the role of lay people and the role of women in the church.

It is not simply about ordination to the priesthood, he said, but about lay men and women organising and administering parishes, making decisions up to diocesan level and even exercising the pastoral care that in the past priests would have done.

Archbishop Martin also suggested more Irish priests should be going to the Amazon as missionaries.

I know that we think we are very short of priests but I think a church which loses it missionary spirit and its missionary zeal is a church which is dying, he said.

And I think that is what Pope Francis is saying to us. Stay missionary, get out there, go and help these people.

Earlier: Ireland facing spiritual 'famine' over Pope's refusal to allow married men into priesthood

Ireland is facing into a spiritual famine because it is running out of priests, a Catholic cleric has said.

Fr Paddy Byrne, parish priest of Abbeyliex and Raheen in Co. Laois, said he was taken aback and disappointed by Pope Francis refusal to approve the ordination of married men to address a priest shortage in the Amazon.

In an eagerly awaited apostolic exhortation, Beloved Amazon, the pope did not refer to recommendations by Amazonian bishops to consider the ordination of married men and women deacons.

Instead, the pontiff urged bishops to pray for more priestly vocations and send missionaries to the region.

Fr Byrne said about 85% of priests in Ireland shared his sense of disappointment over the u-turn on softening celibacy rules.

We are not far away from the reality of what is being felt by the people of the Amazon region, he said.

They are hungry for the Eucharist and a now a self-imposed famine is being put upon them.

The vast majority of villages in the Amazon are unable to celebrate Mass every week because of the shortage of priests. Some villages see a priest just once a year, it is estimated.

Last year a synod of 184 bishops on the future of the church in the Amazon concluded respected older, married men should be allowed to become priests.

Fr Byrne said there are probably more bishops in Ireland at the moment than there are young men in formation for priesthood.

So if we dont change we are facing the exact same (as the Amazon), he told RTE Radio One.
Chemical analysis tests gathered by the Chattanooga Times/Free Press challenge the basis of a popular Dalton, Georgia, ministry that claims to have a Bible flowing with oil.

Each week, hundreds of people come to Dalton's Wink Theater to see the Bible owned by Jerry Pearce. Those who gather described deep religious experiences when the oil Bible touched them. Others said the oil cured them of sickness or helped them kick addictions.

Through donations, Pearce and Johnny Taylor, the other leader of His Name is Flowing Oil, have made a full-time job of traveling the country with the Bible, estimating they have handed out around 350,000 free vials of the oil.

On Thursday, the team hosting the events posted on its website that the Bible stopped flowing with oil on Jan. 10, though they made no mention of this at its weekly gatherings since that day or when speaking to the Times Free Press nearly two weeks later. The group stopped distributing oil on Feb. 4 and will no longer hold services in Dalton, according to the online statement.

The Times Free Press wrote about the increasingly popular gathering in November 2019. The next day, someone contacted the newspaper saying Pearce was a regular customer at the Tractor Supply store in Dalton. The person said Pearce often bought large amounts of mineral oil  a clear oil similar in appearance to the oil Pearce claims is coming from his Bible.

In December 2019, two Dalton Tractor Supply managers visually identified Pearce and said he consistently bought gallons of mineral oil. However, company policies barred them from providing more specific customer information.

The Times Free Press then paid for a series of chemical analyses by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, comparing samples of the oil Pearce hands out with the chemical structure of mineral oil and comparing Pearce's oil with the Ideal brand mineral oil sold at Tractor Supply.

The tests found Pearce's oil is petroleum-derived and the results "strongly suggest that the oil sample is mineral oil," according to the analysis. The second test, comparing the chemical composition of Pearce's oil to the product sold at Tractor Supply, found a nearly exact match.

Pearce said the managers at Tractor Supply are lying. He and Taylor repeated they do not have to defend their work, something they said in November.

"Everything we do is in the light," Taylor said. "I don't know how we could defend it other than it just comes up out of the Bible."

Online, people remain polarized about the ministry, with some calling it a hoax and others praising the results they got from using the oil. The ministry began in 2016 in the week after President Donald Trump's inauguration when Pearce and Taylor had powerful religious experiences and oil began coming from the Bible, they said.

In the four years since, the two men traveled thousands of miles with the book, even taking it to Canada. In November, Pearce said the Bible does not flow with oil when they are traveling, only when the book is in Dalton.

In the next month, the ministry was scheduled to travel to California, Alabama and North Carolina.

2020 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Colorado police are searching for a man who allegedly killed his ex-wife months after he was released from jail on assault charges against her.

James Naulls, Jr., 30, is accused in the strangling and beating death of his ex-wife Yasmin Dahabreh, who was found inside her Westminster apartment complex around 2 p.m. on Jan. 31. She died from her injuries a few days later.

We consider him very dangerous, Westminster Police Department investigator Cheri Spottke tells PEOPLE.

Spottke says investigators believe Naulls is still in Colorado and possibly hiding out with friends or family.

They are harboring a fugitive at this point, she says.

Naulls was arrested on November 14 in Denver on aggravated assault charges against Dahabreh, 33, and was placed on pre-trial release with a GPS ankle monitor.

That was what he was on bond for when he killed her, Spottke alleges. There was an order of protection, but that is just a piece of paper.

Spottke says police believe Dahabreh stayed in contact with Naulls after the November attack.

We believe she was talking to him, but to what extent we dont know, she says.

Yasmin Dahabreh | Westminster Police Department

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Police say Naulls cut off his ankle monitor after he allegedly killed Dahabreh to keep police from locating him and tried calling local hospitals to find his ex-wife.

Dahabrehs friend Morgan Smith described her as super-generous, 9News reports. She was loving. She, you know, she worked hard for everything she hadI am sad for her kids.

I want everybody not to forget her. And I want everyone not to forget hes still out there. And its not over, said Smith.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Naulls.

Police are advising to call 911 if you spot the suspect. You can also submit tips anonymously by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).
Every time Airbnb hits the news  ghost hotels, party houses, hidden cameras, the shooting death of three people in a Toronto rental  it serves as a reminder of unfinished business.

Toronto set out to regulate short-term rental platforms, including Airbnb, more than two years ago. It still hasnt managed to get it done.

And if the experience of other jurisdictions is anything to go by, getting Torontos regulatory regime up and running will still just be the beginning, not the end, of its efforts to curb how this company operates.

Oakville, to use one example, has had rules in place since 2018 confining short-term rentals to the landlords principal residence and a requirement to pay a licensing fee. Yet Airbnb doesnt follow those rules.

It seems it doesnt like the fee structure so it simply ignores it while pressing the town to change it. In short, they are operating in violation of the licensing bylaw, says Oakvilles director of licensing.

In Burlington, the city actually had to go to court to deal with a party mansion that was causing mayhem for neighbours who repeatedly complained but received little help from Airbnb.

It took an Ontario Superior Court judge to give the city the right to physically block access with barricades or vehicles to get a resolution.

Torontos rules, which arent expected to be in force before the summer, restrict rentals to the landlords principal residence. That should eliminate ghost hotels and shift some condo units to the long-term market at a time when the city has a rental housing shortage and an affordability crisis. It should also reduce the number of homes used for parties, which disrupt neighbourhoods and, as was recently demonstrated in downtown Toronto, sometimes end tragically.

Given how long the city is taking to set up its regulatory regime  the provincial appeal tribunal upheld Torontos short-term rental bylaw three months ago  it should have every single i dotted and t crossed. Thats important. The city should give Airbnb no opening to ignore its rules, as the company has done elsewhere.

And Toronto should be prepared to enforce compliance if need be.

Airbnb has long operated in a grey zone and done well by it. If the coalition pushing for regulation, Fairbnb, has its numbers correct, three-quarters of Airbnbs revenue in Toronto is generated by professional rental hosts who dont live in the units theyre renting. Those will be banned once the regulations come into force.

Airbnb says it will comply with the citys rules once theyre implemented. But not, it seems, a moment sooner.

Mayor John Tory and others have urged Airbnb to voluntarily adopt the citys restrictions to immediately reduce problem rentals. The company has given that idea a hard pass.

Instead it has offered up yet more difficult-to-enforce internal measures to reduce party houses. Its latest promise was made last week in reaction to the shooting deaths in an Airbnb rental in Toronto.

Airbnb says it will stop renting entire homes to Canadian guests under 25 years of age in their own communities unless they have an established track record of good reviews. It set up a hotline and made a donation to Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns.

The company is clearly looking to stem the tide of bad publicity, just as it was when it announced a global party house ban in the wake of five deaths at a Halloween party in California.

A far better way to do that, though, would be for Airbnb to demonstrate a commitment to following rules and regulations even when it doesnt particularly like them.

Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms are used to operating in a legal grey zone.

Bringing them into the light wont be easy. But it must be done.

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Dr. Pachauri, known to friends and colleagues as Patchy, was perhaps an unlikely soldier in the war against climate change, having worked in a diesel-locomotive factory early in his career. He later received a doctorate in industrial engineering and economics, advised corporations and Indian government committees, and focused on energy and sustainability issues at TERI before taking on a second position at the IPCC, the worlds premier climate change authority.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to Adams Oshiomholes remarks on the current political development in Bayelsa.

The party warned the APC national chairman to stay away from the state.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili on Thursday nullified the election of David Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the November 16 governorship election.

With the judgment, the candidate of the PDP in the election, Diri Duoye, is expected to be sworn in this Friday, having received the second largest votes in the election.

Mr Oshiomhole in his reaction to the court judgment said nobody should be sworn in as the new governor of Bayelsa State on Friday.

Mr Oshiomhole, at a press briefing at the partys secretariat in Abuja shortly after the court verdict, said only the APC candidate met the desired spread as expressed by the Supreme Court.

The next candidate who happens to be the PDP candidate does not have one-quarter of the votes cast in that election, he added.

Mr Diri of the PDP polled 143,172 votes, while Mr Lyon who won the November 16 election got 352,552 votes.

Mr Lyon won in six out of the eight local government areas in the state, while Mr Diri won in only two.

For a candidate to be declared the winner in a governorship election, he is constitutionally required to score the highest number of lawful votes, in addition to securing 25 per cent of votes in two-thirds of the local government areas in a state.

Mr Diri of the PDP had the second-highest number of lawful votes and also secured 25 per cent of votes in five of Bayelsas eight local governments.

PDP fires back at Oshiomhole.

The PDP in its reaction said Mr Oshiomholes comment was an empty and inconsequential ranting.

The party in a statement from its national spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, warned the APC national chairman to steer clear of Bayelsa as his apparent plots to trigger violence in the state has failed.

The people of Bayelsa State know as a fact that the INEC under our laws, cannot take instructions from any individual, let alone a factional national chairman of a dysfunctional political party like the APC, the statement said.

The PDP advised Mr Oshiomhole to be careful with his utterances and not use any forms of venomous garrulity and clear misuse of language to destabilise our nation and truncate our hard-earned democracy.

The PDP calls on the people of Bayelsa State to remain calm as their mandate has been restored and cannot be taken away by the ranting of any individual who has no stake whatsoever in the wellbeing of his own home state.
Ron and Ann Jones were watching Fox News one night in early 2018 when they saw a commercial that made them sit up. A company called Synergy Law said it could help people modify their home loans.

The couple and their growing family - now at four children  had lived in their New Braunfels home since 2006. But Ron, an Army corporal, had sustained disabling injuries in Iraq, and by the time he saw Synergys ad the Joneses were looking for better loan terms.

The company said it could help lower their payments, and the couple signed a contract in March 2018. Synergy advised him to stop paying the mortgage, Ron said, as hed soon be enjoying more favorable terms anyway. The couple authorized the company to withdraw $550 every month from their account as ongoing payment.

Ron checked in each Friday. But despite the Law in Synergys name, it was always difficult to speak to an attorney. After about a year, he said, their bank suddenly informed them they were facing imminent foreclosure. Synergy advised the couple to file for bankruptcy protection immediately.

We hired them to make things better, and it was getting worse, Ann said.

Synergy provided them a simple form to file with the bankruptcy court. But it turned out to be inadequate and their case soon was tossed. The Joneses were now tens of thousands of dollars behind on their mortgage payments and again staring at foreclosure. Unable to raise the money, last September they lost their home.

For subscribers: The economy is booming. So why are credit card debt cases clogging Texas courts?

There have been housing hustles as long as there have been houses. What makes Synergy unusual, bankruptcy trustees, attorneys, and furious former clients say, is not just an audacious nationwide business model, in which it operated in plain sight. But also how long it has taken government regulators to rein in the company despite the long trail of red flags it planted across the country.

The companys attorney and part owner, Scott Marinelli, has had his law license suspended in two states. He was banned for five years from consumer loan work in Washington, where he still owes tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Maryland revoked his license to sell insurance. Since 2017, courts in at least a dozen states  including Texas  have issued some form of sanction against him and/or Synergy for harming vulnerable homeowners. Federal judges have ordered the company out of their courts.

Court filings show Synergy became increasingly known among bankruptcy trustees. Yet beyond the piecemeal penalties  some of which were never paid  a fragmented bankruptcy regulatory system meant that after each sanction, it simply continued operating outside those jurisdictions. Court documents say its clients filed 50 bankruptcy cases a month in Texas alone.

I was just thunderstruck that hed been operating for as long and as widespread as it was, said Gwendolyn Kerney, a Chapter 13 trustee in Tennessee.

Didnt perform any services  none

Corporation filings in Washington, D.C. show Synergy Law incorporated in 2016. Dave Maresca is listed as governor. Court documents identified Marinelli as 10 percent owner and the companys lawyer, billing $325 an hour.

After requesting a written list of questions, Marinelli stopped responding to requests for comment. Marescas attorney did not make him available for an interview. In documents filed in a Nassau County, N.Y., lawsuit, Maresca blamed his former partner for the companys problems. In a Texas case, Marinelli said he was unfairly being singled out when other Synergy Law executives remain living comfortably in multi-million dollar properties.

In advertisements and mailings, Synergy promised to help renegotiate loan terms for people struggling with their mortgages. Court filings show it had about 20 marketing employees signing up new clients.

It is unclear how many desperate homeowners Synergy helped with their home loans, which often can be modified without specialized assistance. But according to federal court records in jurisdictions across the country, it was when the company advised clients to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy that many suffered, losing their homes even as the company continued collecting its fees.

Synergy didnt perform any services, said Ernest Garcia, general counsel of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending. None.

Overseen by federally appointed trustees, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is supposed to help debtors create and manage a repayment plan. Often, it can last years.

For subscribers: Houstons Wild West towing system sustains flipping scams, regulators say

It also temporarily halts foreclosure proceedings, and Synergys business model was just stalling, said Dinorah Gonzalez, a bankruptcy attorney who works with the Chapter 13 trustee in the Southern District of Texas. Debtors were given only skeletal paperwork to file; some said they were even instructed not to respond to correspondence from the judge. The cases were eventually tossed  at which point the company often told clients to file a second and third bankruptcy case.

Yet Gonzalez said Synergy appeared not to have any intention to rework clients loans during the respites. Instead, she and others said, its business model was to delay foreclosures as long as possible while clients continued to pay Synergys fees instead of their mortgages.

There was no paperwork or indication that theyd even contacted the lender, said Dana Wilkinson, a South Carolina bankruptcy attorney who helped one of Synergys former clients. As a result, many Synergy clients ended up losing their homes, lawyers and trustees said.

Frank and Jenny Little lived in their dream home in Montanas Flathead Valley for eight years, sharing it with Jennys parents and brother. When Frank lost his job over Christmas 2016, Jenny said, they hired Synergy to help them with their mortgage.

We were willing to do what we could to save it, she said. After paying regular fees but hearing nothing for six months, she said Synergy suddenly told them they needed to file for bankruptcy protection to delay foreclosure. The filing was later dismissed as inadequate.

On March 25, 2018, a stranger appeared at their door. Can I talk to you about the house? Jenny recalled him saying.

I said, We have an attorney you can talk to. And he said, That wont be necessary. I already own it.

Montanas Chapter 13 trustee, Robert Drummond, said Synergy was sanctioned $45,000 for the Little case and two others in which Montana residents lost their homes, but settled for about a third of that. The victims arent sophisticated, he said. This probably goes on a lot more than we think.

Added William Mark Bonney, Chapter 13 Trustee for the Eastern District of Oklahoma: Everybody Im aware of who used Synergy lost their property.

Were talking millions of dollars

Court documents say Marinelli led Synergys legal operations, although he wasnt licensed in most states where Synergy did business. His New Jersey license was suspended indefinitely in 2017 for not cooperating with an investigation. His Washington, D.C. license was suspended soon after.

The company claimed it had a network of experienced local attorneys who would help clients with their bankruptcies. That, too, often turned out to be less than advertised, according to court filings. Several local lawyers supposedly working for Synergy were surprised to learn of the affiliation.

I know nothing about any of these cases, Mark Anderson, a lawyer whose name appeared on several Synergy bankruptcy filings in Montana, wrote in a 2018 affidavit.

Taken together, You would think that it would be pretty easy to shut down, Bonney said. But I dont know why nothing seems to have happened. Im pretty frustrated with the U.S. Trustee systems inability to shut them down. Were talking millions of dollars.

Although bankruptcy courts follow federal law and are overseen by the Washington-based U.S. Trustee Program, part of the Department of Justice, the system is fragmented, not only among types of bankruptcy but also among individual courts. Bankruptcy judges orders typically apply only locally, said Gonzalez, the Houston attorney: Judges only have piecemeal authority.

Texas Southern District Chapter 13 Trustee David Peake added that communication among trustees tends to be informal, shared in listservs and continuing education conferences. So warnings about unscrupulous companies can be slow to spread, even as the number of victims grows.

After battling Synergy in several cases since 2017, a Kansas judge ordered the company to stop filing its clients bankruptcy cases in any federal court  but it continued in other states. Last spring, Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur, of the Southern District of Texas, ordered it to stop filing in Texas. Yet the company later filed two more cases, in the states Eastern and Western districts, documents show.

In Louisiana, consumer attorney Samuel Ford began researching Synergy after being contacted by a woman who claimed the company had taken her money without authorization. He quickly found decisions from the many individual courts that had fined or banned Synergy - in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, among others.

But it was strange there wasnt some big fraud alert, Ford said. They were absolutely terrible and hurt so many people. Its weird they were able to do what they were for so long without being shut down.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Trustees office in Washington, which has authority to issue system-wide orders, declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

Were homeless at the moment

Synergy may have continued operating under the radar if it werent for Marinelli conducting some outside business. In June 2017 he purchased a real estate abstract company in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, said Eric Kerchner, chief detective for Monroe County.

Marinelli was arrested a year later for an array of offenses, including not paying closing fees from real estate sales and bouncing checks. He also was alleged to have forged documents in several real estate sales - and, according to local court filings, continued even after being arrested and released on bond. Eventually, he served four months in jail.

All that was too late to alert the Joneses, of New Braunfels. Were homeless at the moment, mostly staying with family, Ron Jones said.

In March 2019, the couple contacted the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, which issued a cease and desist order and fined Marinelli $25,000. But I dont think were ever going to get the money, said Garcia, the agencys lawyer.

Thats because six months ago Synergy itself filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The full breadth of the companys damage is still unknown. The filing lists more than 500 clients  nearly 60 from Texas  seeking reimbursement or other payment from the company, said Marc Albert, trustee on the case. But at this point theres not much, if any money in the company.

Meanwhile, old clients who call Synergys phone number are being directed to a new company called Themis Law. According to corporate filings, it was founded last June by Maresca, Synergys previous owner, and a Florida attorney, Sam Babb III. In a short interview, Babb said his company has nothing to do with Synergy and he had no contact information for Maresca.
Photo taken on Feb. 11, 2020 shows a signboard conveying support to China in fighting the novel coronavirus epidemic at a store in Tokyo, Japan. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

By Zheng Hangen

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan announced on February 10 that it will deduct 5,000 yen from the monthly expenditure of every LDP lawmaker to donate for Chinas fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) outbreak. This is another sincere move made by the Japanese society to help China fight against the epidemic in the past few days.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, Japanese government, ruling LDP and various social circles have expressed their condolences on hearing the news and extended helping hands to China. Plenty of anti-epidemic materials including batches of face masks, protective clothing, and medical goggles have arrived in various parts of China, alleviating China's urgent need in the war against the epidemic. Meanwhile, it has also made the Chinese people feel the kindness and warmth of its neighbor in helping each other.

The words of Nikai Toshihiro, Japan's ruling LDP secretary general, revealed Japans sincere concern, For Japan, China's suffering at present from the epidemic is just like the suffering of Japans relatives or neighbors. Japanese nationals are willing to assist China, and hope that the epidemic will soon be eliminated.

China and Japan are close neighbors separated only by a strip of water. The two peoples enjoy a long history of cultural exchange and deep connections.

A few days ago, the HSK Office in Japan donated anti-epidemic materials to Hubei Province, China, with the poetic lines "Lands apart, Sky shared" (written by an ancient monk in Chinas Tang Dynasty, and a symbol of China-Japan friendship) printed on the packages of the donation. It has touched countless Chinese people.

"The green mountains are under the same clouds and rain, Under the same moon, how can it be said that we are in two separate places?" These moving messages coming along with Japanese relief supplies are widespread across China, bringing forth strength and power for the Chinese people to deal with the disaster.

Whenever faced with major disasters, China and Japan always have each others back. A few days ago, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama recorded a video to encourage China to fight against the epidemic. In particular, he mentioned in the video that he would never forget China's help to Japan during the 2011 earthquake in Japan.

Not only Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Pakistan, among others, have also extended their generous hands to China. At present, China is in a critical period of epidemic prevention and control. The timely help from the international community has lifted up the Chinese people's confidence in overcoming the epidemic at an early date. The Chinese people will always remember the help given in times of danger and adversity.
The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE) has commenced collaborative engagements with the Ghana National Association of ICT Teachers (GNAIT) to support ICT education in Ghanaian schools.

As part of the on-going process, the centre hosted members of GNAIT to present to them NYANSAPO, Ghana's first indigenous operating system, developed by AITI-KACE.

Mr Kwasi Adu Gyan, the Director General of AITI-KACE made a presentation on top technology trends for the year 2020. He emphasized how technology trends are influencing student projects and project selection. He further urged the audience to keep their eyes on the future while he elaborated on the use of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Virtual Reality, Edge computing, BlockChain and Machine Learning.

The audience who were mainly members of the GNAIT were told about the advantages that the operating system possessed over its competitors in terms of security, convenience, and affordability

among others. The session focused mainly on EDUNOS, the education variant of the Nyansapo Operating System (NOS), which was designed specially to ease the teaching and learning process and make it more practical and effective.

It was explained by the presenters - who were staff of AITI-KACE - that EDUNOS is a much-needed solution to the often inconvenient reliance on proprietary software that burdened many schools with relatively expensive license acquisitions and updates.

Members of the audience when it was their turn, also put their questions and suggestions across, while also expressing admiration and support for the software. They were assured by the presenters that suggestions such as having Ghanaian local languages, an application store and more ICT-oriented learning applications as part of the operating system will be taken on board for consideration for updates to the software.

The National President of GNAIT Mr James K. Ackon in a brief interview after the event expressed optimism and satisfaction with the software. In his words, the operating system is good by the features it presents and can help basic schools and senior high schools.

Programs Manager of GNAIT and CEO of Nodes 3 World Technologies, Mr Isaac K. Owusu also added that the software could go international even though it has an indigenous appeal.

The two entities expressed optimism about working together on more projects going forward. Some of these include collaboration in organising coding competitions and quizzes for students, and training for some ICT teachers in certain well-crafted courses by AITI-KACE.

After the event, all of the teachers present made sure they had the operating system installed on their laptops before they left the venue as they couldnt wait to use the first operating system made in Ghana.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday walked out of a meeting called by the Electoral Commission (EC) for technical persons of the political parties and the commission in relation to the plan for a new voters register.



The NDC argued that the letter inviting them to the meeting did not have an agenda, but when they arrived at the meeting Thursday, it was made clear to them that the decision to have a new voters register, had already been made.



To them, since a decision on what they were going to discuss had already been made, there was no need to be part of the meeting.



Supporting the NDC's walkout were representatives of two other political parties, the Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the United Front Party (UFP).



The meeting was to discuss outstanding issues regarding the plan to compile a new voters register.



"There was supposed to be a meeting today and we believe that the agreement we reached at the meeting with the Committee of Eminent Persons was to the effect that they [Electoral Commission] will continue engaging us, continue engaging the technical persons of the political parties on the technical issues relative to whether we needed a new register or not," the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia said.



"So we were all expectant that we will now meet the Electoral Commission and to investigate whether we should do a new register or not based on sound technical reasons."



"We had a letter some three days ago that our technical persons were expected to meet the Electoral Commission this morning [Thursday], in fact without any agenda. So we had to write back to them that we can no longer continue to be ambushed into meetings because it is an issue we raised even with the Committee of Eminent Persons, the Electoral Commission is engaged in a charade of consultations, they pretend to be consulting you when they are not consulting you" Mr Asiedu Nketia added.









Source: graphic.com.gh









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.

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AdQuick.com, a Los Angeles, CA-based the Out of Home (OOH) advertising software company, closed a $6m series A funding.

The round, which brought total funding raised to date to $9.4M, was led by existing investor Initialized Capital with participation from WndrCo, Shrug Capital, The Todd & Rahul Angel Fund and Michael Kassans MediaLink.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its plans to increase sales, marketing teams and engineering to continue developing advanced analytics, its programmatic capabilities and build out its tech stack for its OOH software.

Led by Matt OConnor, CEO and Co-founder, AdQuick.com has brought online tools and analytics to offline advertising  making OOH advertising streamlined, analytical and trackable through a single software for the entire booking process, powered by advanced machine learning, and campaign building technology.

AdQuick.com is currently available in the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia. The company serves brands such as Turo, Mizzen + Main, Squarespace and Compass among other next generation marketers.

FinSMEs

13/02/2020
ATHENS, Ohio (Feb. 13, 2020) - Researchers at Ohio University have published a new study in collaboration with Ugandan scientists, cautioning that humans place endangered mountain gorillas at risk of disease transmission during tourism encounters.

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are an endangered species of great ape found only in eastern Africa. Over 40% of the 1,059 mountain gorillas that remain on the planet today reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, and these apes are the heart of a growing tourism industry that has incentivized their continued protection. But close proximity between humans and gorillas during tourism encounters presents well-documented risks for disease transmission.

Gorillas are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases that affect humans, and respiratory infections are the most common, causing up to 20% of sudden deaths in gorillas. Accordingly, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has developed rules to protect the health of the gorillas, limiting each habituated gorilla group to a single hour-long visit per day by a group of no more than eight tourists. Current rules emphasize that humans must maintain a seven-meter (or greater) distance from gorillas at all times, which in the absence of wind is the minimum safe distance to avoid a sneezed droplet carrying infectious particles.

A number of studies over the years have documented that not all tour groups respect the seven-meter rule.

In a new study published in Frontiers in Public Health, Ohio University researchers documented tourist-gorilla spacing during 53 gorilla treks during a recent tourism high season in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They report that although 96% of pre-trek briefings conducted by park rangers emphasized the need to maintain greater than seven-meter human-gorilla spacing, the seven-meter distance rule was violated in over 98% (52 out of 53) of the tours examined in the study. Using observational data collected at two-minute intervals during gorilla-viewing tourism encounters, the researchers documented that nearly 70% of all observations took place at a distance less than or equal to seven meters.

"Although I had heard tourists were getting too close to the gorillas, I was surprised by the extent of the problem," observed study co-author Annalisa Weber, a graduate student in the Environmental Studies Program at Ohio University when the research was conducted, and now a senior research associate at Emory University. "We found that seven-meter rule was violated in visits to all of the gorilla groups habituated at the time of the study. And in 14% of observations, human-gorilla spacing was three meters or less."

"This points to a growing pattern of risk that is a cause of concern to sustaining long term gorilla-viewing tourism," noted Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, CEO of Conservation Through Public Health and a co-author on the study. "Action is needed to limit disease risks caused by tourists viewing mountain gorillas."

Importantly, the researchers also explored opportunities to improve tourist adherence to park rules. For example, over 73% of the 243 tourists surveyed in the study responded that that they would be willing to utilize precautionary measures to protect gorilla health, for example in wearing protective face masks during viewing encounters. Indeed, wearing masks is considered best practice among scientists working in primate conservation, and this measure is already in place in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, where tourists regularly wear protective face masks during gorilla tourism encounters.

The use of protective masks could have logistical and financial limitations, and the researchers urge that the best strategy is to encourage tourists to maintain a safe distance from gorillas. "As tourism increases, and gorillas become increasingly habituated to human presence, new strategies will be needed for endangered great ape populations to thrive into the future," observed Dr. Nancy Stevens, Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University and corresponding author on the study. "Fortunately, we have talked with many insightful and empowered park officials who are poised to take action to protect gorilla health."

###

This study was supported by the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and by staffing at Conservation Through Public Health, Uganda.
Back in September, Philly Mags Victor Fiorillo reported on a 10 million dollar lawsuit Karen Hepp filed against Facebook, Reddit, and other sites, claiming that a photograph of her was being used in ads for erectile dysfunction, a dating app, and a porn site. The photo was reportedly taken without her permission via surveillance camera at a New York grocery store.

Fast forward to February, and Fiorillo has an update, explaining that Facebook lawyers are arguing, in simple terms, that they cant be held liable for third party actions:

Hepps suit invokes a Pennsylvania law known as right of publicity. That law says that a business is not allowed to take the name or likeness of a person who has clear commercial value and use it for commercial purposes without that persons permission. . The right of publicity law would seem to cover this, right? Not so fast, says Facebook. On Monday, attorneys representing the impenetrable social media behemoth filed a motion to dismiss the case against the company. The motion claims, in part, that the 1996 Communications Decency Act (CDA) renders Facebook immune to any legal action against it involving content others have placed there. Facebooks decision to allow the advertisement on its platform is a quintessential internet service provider function, which is the very activity the CDA is aimed to protect, lawyers for Facebook stated in their motion.

Theres some legalese in the story, but if you parse it down, Facebook is basically saying that somebody else put this shit on their site. They arent the ones who put it there. Youd have to hold those people liable, the ones who took Karen Hepps picture without her permission and then used it for dating and erectile dysfunction ads.

The wrinkle here is that Hepp is a public figure, a FOX 29 anchor, and not some random schmo like you or me. Her lawyer is basically arguing, according to Fiorillo, that her reputation and brand are based on her image. We can all understand why it would be damaging for her photo to show up in the MILF section of a porno site.

You can read Fiorillos full story here: Facebook Calls B.S. On Karen Hepps $10 Million Lawsuit Against the Company

Edit:

A lawyer popped into the DMs and mentioned this:

finding the proprietors of all of those shady sites/ads would probably be impossible and many of them are likely foreign, which makes bringing them to court here impossible
By Byron Kaye SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian court on Thursday approved a $10.1 billion (7.8 billion) merger between a local arm of Britain's Vodafone Group and internet provider TPG Telecom , overruling an earlier move by the antitrust regulator to block the deal. The Federal Court ruled that the tie-up between Vodafone's local joint venture partner, Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Ltd , and TPG would not harm competition. That trumped last year's negative decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and revives a plan to challenge the dominance of Telstra Corp Ltd and Singapore Telecommunications's Optus in the Australian market

By Byron Kaye

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian court on Thursday approved a $10.1 billion (7.8 billion) merger between a local arm of Britain's Vodafone Group and internet provider TPG Telecom , overruling an earlier move by the antitrust regulator to block the deal.

The Federal Court ruled that the tie-up between Vodafone's local joint venture partner, Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Ltd , and TPG would not harm competition.

That trumped last year's negative decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and revives a plan to challenge the dominance of Telstra Corp Ltd and Singapore Telecommunications's Optus in the Australian market.

"The proposed merger would not have the effect, nor be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in the supply of retail mobile services in Australia," Federal Court judge John Middleton said on Thursday.

"Accordingly ... the merger can proceed as contemplated," he added.

Hutchison shares surged 25%, while TPG shares gained 15%. Shares of Telstra, which dominates the Australian mobile and internet markets, had risen earlier on Thursday after it released its half-year earnings but fell following the court ruling. They were trading 2.4% lower by late morning.

The ACCC, which has the right to lodge an appeal to the court ruling, said it was considering the judgement.

"Australian consumers have lost a once-in-a-generation opportunity for stronger competition and cheaper mobile telecommunications services with this merger now allowed to proceed," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

The ACCC had said the merger would discourage Vodafone, Australia's second-largest mobile phone company, from entering the internet market and discourage TPG from building a mobile phone network. TPG had started rolling out a network before Australia banned use of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL] parts due to security concerns.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) said the decision meant that "for the first time, Australia will have a third, fully-integrated telecommunications company".

"This will give us the scale to compete head-to-head across the whole telecoms market which will drive more competition, investment and innovation, delivering more choice and value for Australian consumers and businesses," VHA CEO Inaki Berroeta.

Speaking on a call with analysts to discuss earnings, which was held at the same time as the court ruling, Telstra CEO Andy Penn said he was focussed on Telstra's strategy.

"I can't control the regulators or those decisions," Penn said before hearing the court's decision. "But I'm very comfortable with how we're positioned".

(Reporting by Byron Kaye, Jonathan Barrett, Paulina Duran and Renju Jose; Editing by Sandra Maler and Jane Wardell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
World co-operation is required to solve the climate crisis. Co-operation requires trust. How is the world to ever trust Canada if it approves the gigantic new Teck Frontier oilsands mine?

Here is what Bill McKibbon recently wrote about us in the Guardian: If an alcoholic assured you he was taking his condition very seriously, but also laying in a 40-year store of bourbon, youd be entitled to doubt his sincerity, or at least to note his confusion. Oil has addled the Canadian ability to do basic math: more does not equal less, and 2066 is not any time soon. An emergency means you act now.

He concludes: Trudeau, for all his charms, doesnt get to have it both ways: if you cant bring yourself to stop a brand-new tar sands mine then youre not a climate leader.

Approving Frontier probably wont appease Alberta. But it will burn bridges with all environmentalists and the rest of the world. Its simply not worth it.

John Stephenson, Toronto

Putting the RCMP raid on the Wetsuweten in historical perspective, Opinion, Feb. 11

Thanks to Sean Carlton for reminding us that the arrests of Indigenous people protecting their lawfully owned lands, such as the recent RCMP arrests of Wetsuweten persons, is not to be viewed in isolation. Canada has a history of applying might is right with police interventions to subdue individuals trying to protect their rights. To the extreme, many of us have not forgotten the OPP killing of Dudley George in 1995. In virtually every police intervention, its purpose is to secure the interests of the rich and powerful.

Our prime minister vowed to protect the rights of Indigenous persons and I might add the land they occupy. Where is he? One only has to look at the timid response of the federal government in the case of the Trump administrations decision to grant a Chilean mining giant approval to mine copper nickel sulfite in Minnesota, which will pollute Canadian waters within Quetico Provincial Park and the Rainy River Basin running through both Manitoba and Ontario. The Trump administration has chosen to ignore expressed Canadian concerns. Again, where is our prime minister when he should be protecting Canadians?

Gordon Wilson, Port Rowan, Ont.

Coastal Gas Link blockades a dress rehearsal for future project fights, says Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Feb. 11

The jig is up, and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is not letting on: Fossil fuel has lost its social licence.

The Wetsuweten standoff and the groundswell of support for it shows that the Costal GasLink and Trans Mountain pipelines may not be completed. It appears the Teck Frontier mine is just another chip on the table: Complete the pipelines or else!

We can play Kenneys game and spend on pipelines, or we can cut our loses and transition to a 100 per cent renewable energy economy. With the avoided pipelines we can fund the transition so oil and gas workers can build geothermal plants, wind and solar generation.

Bruce Hanson, BTech, CEM, CMVP, Toronto

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(Bloomberg) -- Joe Biden will head to South Carolina on Tuesday night, skipping ahead to a more favorable state as results come in from the New Hampshire primary, where he is flagging in the polls.

The former vice president and his wife, Jill, will be in Columbia, South Carolina, for a 9 p.m. launch party, weeks ahead of the Feb. 29 primary. They will speak to volunteers in the Granite State by livestream.

After coming in fourth in the Iowa caucuses and faring poorly in New Hampshire polls, Biden has sought to recast the early states as one big group, including Nevada and South Carolina.

During Fridays Democratic debate in New Hampshire, Biden said he took a hit in Iowa and will probably take a hit here, but he declined to speculate about how he would do Tuesday.

Were still mildly hopeful here in New Hampshire and well see what happens, he told reporters.

Biden argued that he wouldnt be the first candidate to fare poorly in early contests and come back later to win the nomination.

Look, the rest of the nation is out there, he said. Theres an awful lot of electoral votes to be had. And were going to see but I think were going to do well in in Nevada and South Carolina and well go from there. Well see.

In the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polls, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is in the lead, with 28.7%, followed by former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg at 21.3%, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar at 11.7%, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren tied with Biden at 11%.

This post is part of Campaign Update, our live coverage from the 2020 campaign trail.

--With assistance from Ryan Teague Beckwith.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jennifer Epstein in Manchester, New Hampshire at jepstein32@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Wendy Benjaminson at wbenjaminson@bloomberg.net, Max Berley

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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New York, Feb 13 : More than 100 countries across the world including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh bought Swiss encryption equipment without suspecting that foreign spies, including CIA agents, would have access to their secrets, The Washington Post reported.

The Swiss company that global governments trusted with their most sensitive of conversations for more than fifty years was actually owned by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in partnership with the West German BND intelligence service, according to an investigation based on CIA documents obtained by The Washington Post.

The company, Crypto AG, entered into a deal with CIA in 1951 and came under its ownership in the 1970s.

For more than half a century, governments across the globe trusted the Swiss firm to keep the communications of their spies, soldiers and more secrets.

According to the report, from 1970 the CIA and the National Security Agency together with their German partners controlled nearly every aspect of the company's operations, including hiring decisions, designing its technology.

"America's main adversaries, including the Soviet Union and China, were never Crypto customers. Their well-founded suspicions of the company's ties to the West shielded them from exposure, although the CIA history suggests that US spies learned a great deal by monitoring other countries' interactions with Moscow and Beijing," said the report this week.

The Washington Post got access to internal CIA accounts of the intelligence operation known as Rubicon.

According to the CIA report quoted by the report, Rubicon was the "intelligence coup of the century." "It was the intelligence coup of the century. Foreign governments were paying good money to the US and West Germany for the privilege of having their most secret communications read by at least two (and possibly as many as five or six) foreign countries," the CIA report reads, according to the Post.

Additionally, US and Germany were not only the beneficiaries of the spying operation.

"The records show that at least four countries -- Israel, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom -- were aware of the operation or were provided intelligence from it by the United States or West Germany," the report noted.
Realme was set on attending the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for the first time this year, but as you know that isn't happening. The good news is Realme has found a way around the major disruption and is still announcing the X50 Pro 5G. Much like Sony the company will hold an online event instead.

You can read the full statement of the company below.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, realme has been concerning about the effects and working on alternatives of all possible situations, including having planned our event undertaken by our European team based in Spain without any staff from China. Keeping in light with the impact of the virus and the cancellation of MWC 2020, realme has decided to cancel the participation at MWC Barcelona 2020, accordingly. Our first 5G flagship smartphone realme X50 Pro 5G, originally planned to debut at the MWC, is going to be launched online globally in Madrid on February 24th. Our Vice President of realme and Chief Executive Officer of realme India, Mr. Madhav Sheth will join the launch and reveal our future AIoT plans. Thanks for your understanding and support. We will announce the updated arrangements of realme X50 Pro 5G online launch event soon. Please stay tuned.

The Realme X50 Pro 5G is shaping to be a proper beast, driven by the Snapdragon 865. The phone will pack LPDDR5 RAM (likely 12GB) and UFS 3.0 storage (likely 256GB) as well as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support.
Nearly 4 lakh for India-UK flight: DGCA asks airlines to submit details about fares

DGCA temporarily suspends 2 SpiceJet pilots for damaging runway-edge lights while landing

India

oi-Mousumi Dash

Mangaluru, Feb 13: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) o Tuesday has suspended the license held by two SpiceJet pilots - the one is Pilot in Command and First Officer of Dubai- Mangalore flight, for a period of four-and-half months, for runway edge light damage during landing at Mangaluru airport on 31st October 2019.

Both the pilots have been suspended by the DGCA for a period of 135 days damaging runway-edge lights while landing B737 plane at Mangaluru airport in last year October.

SpiceJet pilot suspended over runway incursion at Mumbai airport

Earlier, India's aviation regulator DGCA had also temporarily banned the license of IndiGo airlines pilot for threatening and intimidating a senior citizen on a flight between Chennai and Bangalore during January.

Reportedly, in January the IndiGo pilot misbehaved with the lady and even threatened her with jail after she asked for a wheelchair for her 75-year-old mother.

It is seen that the DGCA has been taking strict measures against any kind of misbehaviour from the airlines staffs.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 17:30 [IST]
A Moscow court on Thursday fined social networking giants Twitter and Facebook for ignoring a Russian law requiring them to store Russian citizens' user data inside the country.

A court slapped the US-based companies with fines of four million rubles each (about USD 63,000) for failing to move their servers containing data of Russian users into Russia, Russian agencies reported.

They have 10 days to appeal.

Contacted by AFP, Twitter said the company did not comment on court decisions. Both companies have been in a long-running dispute with Russia's internet watchdog Roskomnadzor since a 2014 law passed requiring messaging services, search engines and social networking sites to store Russian data inside Russia.

Russia has already blocked the Telegram messaging app and LinkedIn professional network, although the former remains widely accessible in the country. Twitter and Facebook are widely used by the political opposition in Russia and activists have expressed concern that locating data inside Russia will make them vulnerable to prosecution.

Russia has launched many cases over extremism and incitement to unrest after users on the country's popular VK social media network reposted messages on political protests or pictures judged as xenophobic.

In some cases internet users have been jailed.

A recent report by rights groups Agora and Roskomsvoboda said that in 2019 there were 200 prosecutions for "internet activity", and the courts handed down 38 jail sentences after criminal convictions.

Another new law passed in December allows Russia to cut internet traffic from international servers, to achieve what Vladimir Putin has called a "sovereign internet". State internet watchdog Roskomnadzor said Thursday the new ruling against Twitter and Facebook was the first step in enforcing that law, adding that the companies still had to move their servers, Russian agencies reported.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rome, Feb 13 : Italy's Senate has voted to allow prosecutors to put far-right leader and former minister Matteo Salvini on trial over charges of holding migrants at sea.

Salvini, who previously served as Italy's interior minister, is accused of illegally keeping people on a boat off Sicily for days in August 2019, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Some 116 migrants remained aboard the Gregoretti for close to a week.

On Wednesday, a majority of senators voted for the trial of the anti-immigration League leader to go ahead.

Salvini has repeatedly said he wants to go to court. He told the chamber he wanted "to tell the world" that his migration policies "saved tens of thousands of lives." "I am absolutely calm and proud of what I have done. And I'll do it again as soon as I get back into government," he said later.

Senators from his League party left the chamber rather than take part in Wednesday's vote.

Under Italian law, ministers have parliamentary immunity for actions taken while they were in office. But a committee voted last month to strip Salvini of his immunity - leaving the final decision in the hands of the Senate on Wednesday.

The upper house Senate voted 152-76 in favour of lifting the immunity.

After the tally was announced, Salvini compared himself to US President Donald Trump, who was impeached in December and accused opponents of undermining his electoral success through the courts.

"I, like Trump? He has a few more billions and a few more years, but it's a bad little habit of the left, going around in the world, to try to win by judicial means," he wrote on Twitter.

If successfully prosecuted at trial, Salvini could face up to 15 years in jail.
UPDATE: 11:06 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24 - A private catholic school in Red Bluff that faced the possibility of shutting down has announced a plan to stay open.

Mercy High School announced in a letter, "We are extremely pleased to announce that we intend to keep Mercy High School open in its current location, as a diocesan high school, next school year, so long as we can meet certain milestones, as stated below."

The school announced that a budget has been created that includes financial support from both the diocese and the Friends of Mercy, within a practical staffing framework.

The school said staff met last week with a group of parents to discuss several items. A successful sports program was brainstormed, a sports boosters group was created, plans for fundraising and creating a sustainable competitive program are underway.

The school announced the following list of items that they must meet in order to keep Mercy High School open next year:

"All pledges must be realized by the time of the town hall on March 5. We want to state clearly that these donations will be used for the operation of Mercy High School as a diocesan school next year. We will use this year to work with the community in getting Mercy onto a new path.

Donations should be made directly to Mercy High School. Checks can be made to the high school with a notation in the memo line, for the 20-21 academic year. Donors may further designate their funds for current campus only if they do not wish to support a K - 12th-grade model. We will put all donations into a special account, and if we cannot operate the school at its current campus next year, all donations will be returned as directed by the donor. In order to present a realistic plan to the community on March 5th, all donation monies must be in the office by that date.

As a diocesan school, all staff and program decisions will be made by the school administration. We are not at liberty to discuss final staffing for next year, but be assured we will continue to have the highly qualified faculty necessary to deliver a full A - G high school curriculum.

We must meet a minimum enrollment of 70 students by April 15th, 2020.

There must be continuing open, honest communication among all stakeholders in order to ensure the future of Catholic high school in the North State."

However, Mercy High also said if they are not able to accomplish all of the donation and enrollment conditions, they will only have two options.

One, to be forced to close completely. Second, move to a K-12 grade model on the Sacred Heart campus. A registration form will ask families if they are open to a K-12 model.

"We understand that there is still a lot of work ahead of us, this year and next. At the town hall, we will talk more about our plans for the curriculum and extracurriculars next year, and our vision going forward," Board Chair of Catholic Schools of the Northern Sacramento Valley, John Kenny said.

The school will make a final announcement and start open registration on March 5 at 7 p.m.

---

RED BLUFF, Calif. - Faculty, parents, and students at Mercy High School, a private Catholic school in Red Bluff are worried that the school will have to close down because of not enough funds.

Storm Fuchs, mother of two boys who go to Mercy High says the possibility of the school closing concerns her.

School administrators say they need to raise $200,000 in order to keep kids in class for another year.

"Sort of the last conversation over the past month or two has been how are we going to come together and work on the same page to come up with long term solutions," says Scott Matthews, principal of Mercy High School.

Mercy High School is the only Catholic high school in the North State. The school receives some funding from the Catholic Diocese in Sacramento. However, with a few student enrollments, the school is facing a challenge to raise money to keep its doors open.

Matthews says the Diocese has been extremely generous with the school for the last two years, providing some funding.

"The financial challenges that weve run into theyve helped out with last year, but theyre looking to see how we can make changes so that we can support ourselves as well," says Matthews.

Currently, there are 82 students enrolled at Mercy High, not enough to keep the school running. The school says it's looking to alternatives if they're unable to get the funds they need. One option would be to merge Mercy High with other local schools.

"One option is to switch over to a K through 12 schools over at Sacred Heart, which is the Catholic grammar school in town," says Matthews.

Both parents and faculty tell Action News Now they're optimistic that they won't have to resort to those options.

"We need support, we need support to continue the legacy of Mercy High School, so we need the community support.," says Fuchs, a parent of two kids who attend Mercy High.

The school will be meeting with the Diocese in March to work to reach an agreement.

Parents and alumni have formed a group called "Friends of Mercy" to try and raise the $200,000. The school is currently accepting any donations from people who'd like to help.
An evacuee from China who was diagnosed with novel coronavirus in California did not travel with the passengers who were brought last week to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for their federal quarantine, health officials said Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the passengers who arrived at Lackland on Friday afternoon were brought into the U.S. on a different plane than those quarantined at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. One of the evacuees at Miramar became the 13th publicly confirmed case in the U.S. on Monday.

The two groups of evacuees also left China on different days, said Amy Rowland, a CDC spokeswoman.

The Lackland passengers stopped early Friday at Travis AFB in Northern California for plane refueling before continuing to San Antonio later in the day. After arriving in San Antonio, 91 evacuees settled in at Lackland, and 57 others flew to another federal quarantine site in Omaha, Neb.

The mandated quarantines are part of the federal governments efforts to contain the virus, which was given the name of COVID-19 by international health officials Tuesday.

On ExpressNews.com: Dozens of coronavirus evacuees from China arrive in San Antonio

At Lackland, evacuees are being confined at a hotel on base under a 14-day federal quarantine that began when they departed Thursday evening from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the deadly outbreak. Nearly a third of the evacuees at Lackland are children 15 or younger, Rowland said, and all adults are under the age of 70.

Separately, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District said in a statement Sunday that it was actively monitoring Bexar County residents who had returned from China. Those people are being self-quarantined at their homes.

A Metro Health spokeswoman did not disclose how many people are subject to self-quarantine.

The health department also has received coronavirus test kits from the CDC that involve taking oral and nose swabs from potentially infected patients. While they will be available for use in two weeks, confirmation testing still will be conducted by the CDC.

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
The leader of Italy's right wing League Party, Matteo Salvini, claims he and his former government were all in it together when it came to taking the decision to deny the disembarkation of migrants from a coastguard ship last year.

He was speaking Thursday (February 13), a day after the Senate voted to lift his immunity from prosecution, opening the way for a potential trial over accusations that he illegally detained the migrants.

Salvini appeared at a news conference, not holding back at naming those others involved.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) LEAGUE LEADER, MATTEO SALVINI, SAYING:

"The days that I blocked the ship (from docking at a port) before the disembarkation was a shared decision, agreed with (Prime Minister Giuseppe) Conte, (former Deputy Prime Minister Luigi) Di Maio, (Justice Minister Alfonso) Bonafede and (former Infrastructure Minister Danilo) Toninelli.

Salvini denied entry for the over 100 migrants on board the ship until European Union countries agreed to take them in.

The former deputy prime minister went on to request he be put on trial for the charges, even though the case could potentially sink his political career.

If found guilty he could eventually face up to 15 years in jail, although a resolution is not expected anytime soon, due to Italy's complicated legal system.
Security personnel arrested Murad Ali, due to his suspicious behaviour when he reached T-3 of the Delhi airport to board a flight to Dubai

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has seized Rs 45 lakh worth of foreign currency hidden in cooked meat pieces, peanuts and sealed biscuit packets from a passenger at Delhi airport, officials said on Wednesday. Five hundred and eight crisp currency notes were recovered from the eatables.

Security personnel arrested Murad Ali, 25, on the basis of his "suspicious" behaviour when he reached Terminal-3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport to board an Air India flight to Dubai.

"On checking the passenger's baggage, foreign currency was found concealed in cooked mutton pieces, peanuts, biscuit packets and other eatables," CISF spokesperson Assistant Inspector General Hemendra Singh said.

A video posted by CISF on Twitter shows security personnel cracking peanuts, unzipping sealed biscuit packets and digging into oily meat pieces to extract an assortment of Saudi Riyal, Qatari Riyal, Kuwaiti Dinar, Omani Riyal and Euro rolled and wrapped neatly inside.

The estimated worth of this seized cache is Rs 45 lakh and the passenger, who had a tourist visa for Dubai, and the currency have been handed over to Customs authorities, the CISF spokesperson said.

The man had made multiple visits to Dubai and other foreign locations in the past, they said.
Chinese officials recorded the lowest number of new coronavirus cases in two weeks, supporting a medical advisers projection that the outbreak may end by April. Is the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ending soon?

The new coronavirus disease outbreak started in late December 2019 and has since infected thousands of people each day. Typically, an infection toll may reach more or less 3,000 new infections and at least 100 deaths each day since January 2020. But on Feb. 13, the recorded new infections were the lowest ever recorded, with just 1,826 new infections globally.

Dr. Zhong Nanshan, a leading epidemiologist who helped in the combat against the SARS epidemic in 2003, says some provinces reported improvement with declining numbers of new cases. He added that the peak time of the outbreak might occur in the middle or late February, then infections may reach a plateau or leveling off, then will decline after that.

Further, he explained that locking down and containment measures in Wuhan city, where the virus first emerged, were essential and helped contain the virus, adding that the country should ban trade in wildlife permanently to prevent other virus outbreaks from happening in the future.

Conflicting numbers

The latest death toll is now 1,368, and the total number of people infected reached nearly 60,364 people according to the Center For Systems Science and Engineering at JHU. If the coronavirus disease is ending, why is there a sudden spike of the infection tally?

Though the number of infections on Thursday was about 1,800, the lowest daily new infection record, the number of new deaths increased to a staggering 254, which is twice the number of the average daily death toll since January. Further, there was a huge increase in new cases, with 14,840 people confirmed. However, after the sharp increase, the number of people diagnosed started to stabilize.

There has been confusion with the new tally, and there was a massive jump in the number of cases and deaths related to COVID-19. This follows when authorities have changed the way they calculate the figures. On Feb. 13, the number of fatalities doubled, and new confirmed cases rose by almost 15,000.

The government explained that the spike is due to a change in how cases were tabulated, with the total cases include those who had been clinically diagnosed to have the infection. In China, with the sudden rise of infected individuals, its harder to get tested and treated for the virus. Hence, those who had manifested the symptoms of the disease and were diagnosed by doctors through their symptoms were added to the toll.

Clinically diagnosed patients mean that they demonstrated all the symptoms of COVID-19, but have been unable to be tested, treated, or they had died before they got tested positive of the virus.

In Hubei province alone, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, there are about 34,000 people hospitalized, which included approximately 1,400 who are in a critical condition. At the same time, 3,441 patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

Too early to tell

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that its too early to know if the outbreak is ending, and it may go in any direction. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the apparent slowdown should be viewed with caution since the virus could spread elsewhere.

He added that what everyone should do is prepare. He fears that when the virus reaches a country with a weak health system, it can wreak havoc and uncontrollable infections.

Another expert also said that though the numbers might be decreasing in China, the outbreak is just starting in other countries like Singapore, which reported 50 confirmed cases, and the number is increasing rapidly.

In Singapores biggest bank, DBS, 300 employees were evacuated when one person had gotten sick with the coronavirus. All the other employees worked on the same floor as the patient.

It has spread to other places where its the beginning of the outbreak. In Singapore, we are at the beginning, Dale Fisher, head of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network coordinated by the WHO, said.

Its too early to say if the outbreak is starting, in the middle, or about to end. Outside mainland China, there are more than 300 infections, with just two deaths  one in Hong Kong and the other in the Philippines.

Cruise ship rejected in five countries

Meanwhile, a cruise ship carrying about 2,000 passengers was denied in five ports  Japan, Guam, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. The ship, MS Westerdam had docked in Cambodia. The vessel has no sick patients on board, but the case of another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, stirred fears that the passengers may carry the deadly virus.

Diamond Princess, with 3,700 people on board, has been quarantined in Japan, and patients, as well as crew members, werent allowed to leave the ship. During the quarantine period, 218 people tested positive of the virus, but not everyone has been tested yet.

The passengers and crew members who had the virus were transferred to hospitals for treatment, while those still on board were confined in the cabins.
Thomas Kusi Boafo, the CEO of the Public Sector Reforms says National Democratic Congress (NDC) lacks the vision and competence to be given the mandate to run the affairs of a serious country like Ghana.

Kusi Boafo noted that because the NDC has no vision for the country, they only resort to attacking the personality of people in government as their only resort.

NDC is not a serious party, they are visionless and has nothing new to offer Ghanaians, the NPP came to power with a plan and we have executed most of the plans, Thomas Kusi Boafo told Lawyer Ohene Gyan on Kumasi-based Kingdom FM 100.1

He said the former president and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), failed to deliver on their promises to Ghanaians, mismanaged the economy, embezzled state funds hence should not be allowed to rule again.

He, however, expressed concern about the message Mr. Mahama will use for his campaign since he recorded the biggest defeat in the last elections.

Ghanaians he said will have the shock of their lives should Mr. Mahama and his visionless NDC return to power in 2020.

---KingdomfmOnline
Computing giant Intel will lay off 129 workers at four company locations in Santa Clara, where it has its headquarters, according to filings with the California Employment Development Department.

The filings said the layoffs will officially take place March 31, although in many cases employees lose their jobs sooner.

As we move into 2020, our business units are focusing their resources on areas where we have the greatest opportunity for growth and, as part of that, some are planning to eliminate roles associated with projects that are no longer priorities, Intel spokeswoman Nancy Sanchez wrote in an email.

Sanchez did not provide a list of the eliminated jobs or details on the affected business units.

Intel recently paid $2 billion for an Israeli company, Habana Labs, which uses artificial intelligence to bolster data centers. Intels Data Center Group was by far its top performer among its business groups according to the companys most recent quarterly report. The unit had revenue of $7.2 billion in the last quarter of 2019, an increase of almost 20% over the same period in 2018.

Sanchez said the layoffs involve less than 1% of the companys nearly 110,000 employees worldwide. We are committed to treating all impacted employees with professionalism and respect, and we continue to hire for critical skills, with more than 1,300 positions open in our key locations in the U.S. and globally, she said.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

In its notice to the state, the company said it would offer some affected employees severance pay based on years of service as well as money to pay for health insurance premiums for a period after they lose their jobs. The benefits will be offered to the employees in exchange for a standard release agreement, Intel said.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
China reported a 14,000 patient spike in coronavirus cases on Thursday, but the World Health Organization (WHO) says the numbers are due to confirmation of suspected cases.

After changing the way they record the virus, the Hubei Health Commission found there were 15,000 more than they thought. That means the figure shot up from 45,000 to 60,000 in the world in a single day.

China's surging numbers, including a leap of 242 deaths in a single day, caused alarm after global health officials yesterday said declining new daily infections were encouraging.

The WHO said Thursday that outside China and the quarantined cruise ship in Japan, they are not seeing extreme increases in coronavirus cases.

In China, the 'new' cases were not actually new, explained Dr Oliver Morgan, Director, WHO Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment.

Previously, Hubei province, like the rest of the world had only been classifying cases as 'confirmed' if the patients tested positive for coronavirus.

Now, in Hubei alone, official have switched the states of tens of thousands of suspected patients to 'confirmed' based on symptoms alone.

Other places will continue to only report test-confirmed cases and, after this batch, the WHO does not expect to see similarly dramatic daily increases in China or elsewhere, despite the confirmation of two US cases in less than 24 hours.

WHO officials said Thursday that the spike in coronavirus cases in China was due to Hubei officials changing the status of thousands of 'suspected' patients to 'confirmed' based on symptoms rather than testing. Officials don't anticipate similar rises to continue

Prior to Thursday, on lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus were counted in Hubei, and will continue to be elsewhere. But officials at the epicenter of the outbreak have now designated confirmed cases based on symptoms like fever, cough and lung presentation. Pictured: A Chinese health worker takes a resident's temperature

'Outside cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship we are not seeing dramatic increases in cases outside China,' Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's health emergencies program, told a Geneva news briefing.

A further 44 cases were reported on the Diamond Princess on Thursday, raising the total to 219, though authorities said some elderly people would finally to be allowed to disembark on Friday.

In mainland China, there are now nearly 60,000 people categorized as infected with coronavirus and 1,367 dead.

There are also more than 13,400 'suspected' coronavirus cases - a figure not reported to the WHO by any other nation or territory.

Amid concerns over China's transparency and speculation that the new cases were the result of a cover-up, Dr Morgan explained a shift in how Hubei is confirming cases.

Coronavirus has spread from China to 24 other countries worldwide, but no new nations have been infected in the last week, and dramatic rises are not being seen elsewhere

The exception is the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship, where another 44 infections were confirmed on Thursday, bringing the total cases on board to 219

'These are not new cease being added, these are reclassifications of suspect cases waiting for testing that have now have been defined as confirmed based on their clinical basis alone,' he said Thursday.

'We dont anticipate that there will be similar rises day-in and day-out but do anticipate that now have both clinically and lab confirmed from Hubei [will increase].'

Other nations have been and will continue to report only lab-tested cases as 'confirmed,' the WHO said.

Ryan also said the main UN health agency expected the rest of a special WHO team to arrive in China over the coming weekend to investigative the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.

The new figures that have surfaced are believed to account for more than half of the total fatalities. The new deaths were more than twice the prior provincial daily record of 103 set on Monday.

State media said last week that Hubei will start recognising computerised tomography (CT) scan results as confirmation of infections, allowing hospitals to isolate patients more quickly.

Reuters reported last month that a lack of RNA test kits in Hubei's capital Wuhan may have delayed patients from being properly diagnosed and treated, contributing to the spread of the virus in the early days of the outbreak.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the encouraging numbers should be viewed with 'extreme caution

It comes after the World Health Organisation said the number of cases of infection with the new coronavirus in China has stabilized, but added the apparent slowdown in the epidemic spread should be viewed with 'extreme caution'.

'This outbreak could still go in any direction,' the WHO's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a briefing in Geneva.

At the end of a two-day meeting on science and innovation into measures to tackle the new viral outbreak, Tedros welcomed the 'positive response of the research community' at short notice 'to come up with concrete plans and commitment to work together.'

He added that a WHO-led advance team that traveled to China earlier this week had made 'good progress' on the composition and scope of its work. China reported on Wednesday its lowest number of new coronavirus cases in two weeks.

The head of the WHO's emergency program, Mike Ryan, also said the stabilization of new case numbers in China was reassuring, as was the apparently less aggressive and less accelerated behavior of the virus outside of Hubei province.

'[That] is to a great extent due to a huge public health operation in China,' he told the briefing. 'That ... gives us an opportunity for containment.'

Ryan added that it was still too early 'to predict the beginning, the middle or end of the epidemic.'

Estimates and predictions of the epidemic's curve have varied wildly and triggered waves of panic.

Among the latest came from Professor Gabriel Leung, chair of public health medicine in Hong Kong.

Pictured: The first batch of new crown pneumonia patients in Wuchang gymnasium in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, February 11

He said that, because the spread potential of the coronavirus is from one infected person to another 2.5, on average, up to 60 percent of the world could become infected.

What's more, he added the worrying estimate that, even if the death rate remained as low as one percent, the outbreak could still claim the lives of as many as 45 million people globally.

As Dr Ryan underscored, it's too soon to say that the tide has turned in China. But the stabilizing cases in China add some hopeful evidence that things might not become as dire as Dr Leung forecast.

After establishing the epidemic's scale, he said his team would then need to establish whether containment methods being used are effective at stopping the spread of the virus.

The intensity of a outbreak's spread is based on a measure used by epidemiologists, called R0 - pronounced 'R naught.'

Pictured: Nurses in Fangcang hospital, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, as the crisis continued to unfold yesterday

The head of the WHO's emergency program, Mike Ryan, also said the stabilization of new case numbers in China was reassuring, as was the apparently less aggressive and less accelerated behavior of the virus outside of Hubei province.

'[That] is to a great extent due to a huge public health operation in China,' he told the briefing. 'That ... gives us an opportunity for containment.'

Ryan added that it was still too early 'to predict the beginning, the middle or end of the epidemic.'

Estimates and predictions of the epidemic's curve have varied wildly and triggered waves of panic.

Among the latest came from Professor Gabriel Leung, chair of public health medicine in Hong Kong.

He said that, because the spread potential of the coronavirus is from one infected person to another 2.5, on average, up to 60 percent of the world could become infected.

What's more, he added the worrying estimate that, even if the death rate remained as low as one percent, the outbreak could still claim the lives of as many as 45 million people globally.

As Dr Ryan underscored, it's too soon to say that the tide has turned in China. But the stabilizing cases in China add some hopeful evidence that things might not become as dire as Dr Leung forecast.

After establishing the epidemic's scale, he said his team would then need to establish whether containment methods being used are effective at stopping the spread of the virus.

The intensity of a outbreak's spread is based on a measure used by epidemiologists, called R0 - pronounced 'R naught.'

WHO's director general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the epidemic - which has struck down 46,000 (shown) - could rumble on for more than a year

It estimates how many people each infected person infects in turn. In the case of the coronavirus epidemic, the number is around 2.5 people. In contrast, the rate for measles is around 15.

But the actual spread - as opposed to the maximum - fluctuates as more data becomes available and containment methods evolve.

For example, if a wave of new cases were diagnosed today, in people who might have been infected for some time but were asymptomatic, the spread estimate would increase.

If tomorrow, a higher percentage of those identified as potentially infected were isolated more quickly, it could lower experts' estimates of the spread.

Predicting the epidemic curve - or progression - of coronavirus can help public health agencies prepare for the worst, and give a rough estimate, but these are notoriously inaccurate to the actual intensity of an outbreak, especially in its earliest days.

Governments worldwide are currently focusing on containment to prevent the spread of the virus but, if it fails, this response will switch to mitigation.

China locked-down cities infected by coronavirus, including Wuhan at the virus's epicenter, in a desperate effort to stop the disease spreading.

Some have criticized its measures as Draconian, and expressed suspicions that the country hasn't been fully forthcoming about its cases, but the WHO on Wednesday praised China's swift and aggressive actions.

'The actions of China are making us all safer,' said Director-General Dr Tedros.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Kate Kellandin London, editing by Nick Macfie)
A federal judge in Washington ordered Microsoft on Thursday to halt all work on a $10 billion cloud-computing contract for the Pentagon, in a victory for Amazon, which had challenged the awarding of the contract.

In a sealed opinion, the judge, Patricia E. Campbell-Smith of the Court of Federal Claims, ordered work to stop on the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure project, known as JEDI, until Amazons legal challenge was resolved. The 10-year contract was one of the largest tech contracts from the Pentagon, and Microsoft was set to begin work on it this month.

The decision adds to the acrimony surrounding the lucrative deal, which was a major prize in the technology industry, and ratchets up the legal battle around the transformation of the militarys cloud-computing systems. Amazon had been seen as a front-runner to win the JEDI contract, but the Department of Defense awarded it to Microsoft in October.

Amazon protested and said the process had been unfair. The internet giant claimed that President Trump had interfered in the bidding for the contract because of his feud with Jeff Bezos, Amazons chief executive and owner of The Washington Post. The Post has aggressively covered the Trump administration, and the president has referred to the newspaper as the Amazon Washington Post and accused it of spreading fake news.
Repair work on Big Ben suffered a major setback last night after estimated costs soared by more than 18million to almost 80million.

It also emerged that specialist timekeepers on site cannot repair the historic Elizabeth Tower clock.

The revelations threaten to plunge the project, which has already doubled in cost, into crisis.

The House of Commons Commission said yesterday it needs another 18.6million to repair the clock, bell and tower, taking the total to 79.7million.

The Elizabeth Tower, housing the Big Ben bell, is seen clad in scalffolding, over the Houses of Parliament, in central London in 2017

It blamed the discovery of extensive Second World War bomb damage, pollution and asbestos in the Elizabeth Tower that houses the clock for the price increase.

The body led by the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that the tower was in worse condition than realised when the last estimate of 61.1million was made two years ago  more than double the original cost of 29million.

The full scale of the conservation, which is on track for completion in late 2021, was only revealed once the project team was able to begin intrusive surveys for the first time on the 177-year-old structure, the Commission said.

It also emerged that Big Bens timekeepers abandoned attempts to repair its clock because they lacked the expertise to repair its mechanism and a specialist clock expert was needed.

This has now had to be sent off-site, adding almost 2million to the bill.

Other overruns include an extra 2million on scaffolding, 5million to clean up hazardous materials such as asbestos and 1million in changes to the original specifications by the House of Commons Commission itself. Contractor fees have also risen by 2million.

The commission stressed that work on the tower and its bell will still be completed by the end of next year.

File photo from October 2019 showing Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London

The overrun is likely to be seized by critics of the Commons ability to run complex projects.

MPs have already set up an Olympic-style delivery agency to carry out the full restoration and refurbishment programme for the rest of Parliament, which is currently estimated at 3billion.

The overrun occurred under the former Speaker John Bercow, who revealed in his recent memoir that Andrea Leadsom, as Leader of the Commons, had been a lone voice on the commission in opposing the previous 61million bill. He also said that Mrs Leadsom was overruled when she argued that Big Ben should bong on Brexit Day on January 31.

The Prime Minister was told last month it would cost 500,000 to restore the bell to mark the occasion  so he opted to bang a gong instead. The House of Commons and House of Lords Commissions were told that to restore the tower to its previous splendour, the budget would need to increase from 61.1million to 79.7million.

An October 2019 file photo showing then Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow on Westminster Bridge

A House of Commons Commission spokesman said that members were extremely disappointed that more money was required  but they had been assured no more funds would be asked for in order to restore the tower.

It is very frustrating to learn that the Elizabeth Tower project requires yet more funding, having agreed an extra 32million in 2017, he added.

Director general of the House of Commons Ian Ailles said restoring the tower had been more complex than we could have anticipated.

With a 130 sq ft footprint and a prime location right in the middle of a busy working Parliament, understanding the full extent of the damage to the tower was impossible until the scaffolding was up, he said.

Both commissions heard that painstaking examination of the 315ft tower had uncovered damage to intricate carvings.

There is also toxic lead paint, broken glass and asbestos, as well as defects in previous work. The exploratory work began in 2017.
Bears at Animals Asia's rescue center in Vinh Phuc Province, the center of the nCoV epidemic in Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

The new coronavirus outbreak has claimed an unexpected victim in Vietnam: NGOs and charities.

Human trafficking victims are for instance unable to seek help from the Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation, a Hanoi-based nonprofit that rescues Vietnamese women and girls trafficked to China for the sex trade and forced labor.

Michael Brosowski, its founder, said: "We are still getting calls for help but unable to reach people. We have to stop [our rescue missions]. We cannot get anyone across the border."

Vietnamese authorities announced on Monday they would delay the reopening of several border checkpoints with China until the end of this month.

They were closed after the Lunar New Year holidays to prevent the spread of the nCoV that has killed more than a thousand people in China.

Blue Dragons last rescue took place on January 25, two days after Vietnam confirmed its first acute pneumonia cases.

Brosowski said: "The only good news is that we think trafficking into China is also likely reduced. [The virus outbreak] wont make it stop completely but it will be harder for traffickers."

Animals Asia, a charity with bear sanctuaries in Hong Kong and Vietnam, said it is feeling the pinch.

The charity runs a bear rescue center in Vietnam's northern Vinh Phuc Province, which has confirmed 10 nCoV infections out of the country's 15.

"We have temporarily stopped rescuing bears," Tuan Bendixsen, its head of office in Vietnam, said.

The decision follows the Forest Protection Department's announcement last week, temporarily prohibiting the transportation of wild animals out of their current locations in Vietnam until further notice. Experts speculate that wild animal meat sold at markets in Wuhan in China possibly caused the coronavirus outbreak.

The center has also stopped receiving guests from February 8 until the end of March.

In Saigon, Damien Roberts, executive director of Saigon Children, said the coronavirus situation has inflicted "quite a pain" on his charity.

The charity has closed 200 public schools it built with about 20,000 students. Its private English, IT and vocational training school in District 4 is also closed, affecting 700 students.

Founded in 1992, the organization supports disadvantaged children by working with local authorities to build schools and providing vocational training and scholarships.

The epidemic has also caused the charity to postpone the opening of new schools and donor visits, which makes it difficult to secure donations and get decisions on potential donations, Roberts said.

Saigon Children has deployed an e-learning platform for its students to continue their studies, but only a small portion are benefiting from it since more funds are needed for all students to join.

"I'm currently requesting some medical and pharmaceutical companies who are benefiting from the coronavirus to sponsor more kids," Roberts said.

Across the country, the novel coronavirus outbreak has hit tourism, hospitality, retail, and agriculture exports to China.

Out of 15 cases in the country, six have been discharged from hospital after recovering and no fatalities have been reported so far.

The global death toll has reached 1,365, with 1,363 dying in mainland China and one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong.
One of Nevada's most influential labor unions announced Thursday that it will not endorse a candidate ahead of the state's Democratic presidential caucuses next week.

The move by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 comes after the group said it was "viciously attacked" by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., earlier this week for a flier in which it criticized his health-care plan.

"Officially, we will not endorse any political candidate," Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the union's secretary-treasurer, said at a news conference in Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon.

She added that the union respects Sanders and the entire Democratic field, and that it will work to turn out its members in the Feb. 22 caucuses and in November.

"What we want is to defeat Trump," Arguello-Kline said.

The union, which has 60,000 members, represents housekeepers, cocktail and food servers, porters and other workers in the Las Vegas and Reno hospitality industry.

Earlier this week, the union released a flier summarizing the positions of six of the Democratic presidential hopefuls on health care, jobs and immigration policy. The flier stated that Sanders would "End Culinary Healthcare" due to his Medicare-for-all proposal, prompting what the union described as an onslaught of attacks from Sanders' supporters.

"It's disappointing that Senator Sanders' supporters have viciously attacked the Culinary Union and working families in Nevada simply because our union has provided facts on what certain healthcare proposals might do to take away the system of care we have built over 8 decades," Arguello-Kline said in a statement Wednesday.

In a statement Thursday, Sanders responded to the news of the non-endorsement by saying he looks "forward to working side-by-side" with the union as president to "create an economy that works for all of us, not just the one percent."

He also addressed the issue of online harassment and urged his supporters to express their disagreement with others "in a respectful manner."

"Harassment of all forms is unacceptable to me, and we urge supporters of all campaigns not to engage in bullying or ugly personal attacks," Sanders said. "Our campaign is building a multi-generational, multi-racial movement of love, compassion, and justice."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg, two of Sanders' competitors for the Democratic presidential nomination, also tweeted in support of the union.

"No one should ever attack them for fighting and delivering for their members," Buttigieg tweeted Thursday, in what appeared to be a critique aimed at Sanders' supporters.

Klobuchar said in a Wednesday night tweet that "attacks on the union are unacceptable."

"I come from a family of proud union members and I know when unions are strong, America is strong," she added.

- - -

Bailey reported from Las Vegas.
The doors are closed for good at the E&L Lounge, a small nightclub on Beaumonts north end that was the scene of 62 police reports and nearly 200 calls for service since 2015. Last year, a man was fatally shot in the abdomen there and found lying in the street outside.

The most recent incident, in which a bouncer was shot on New Years Day  a police spokeswoman described it as a typical disturbance  convinced authorities it was time to take action. They started by contacting the owner.

All of those calls represent time that officers had to take where we werent able to respond to other calls, Capt. Jason Plunkett of the Beaumont Police Department said Wednesday. Its not necessarily about a nuisance abatement. That is one tool will use. What we generally want to is to work with and get cooperation from owners when we have problem businesses.

The owner of the 1,900-square-foot property near the intersection of Delaware and Concord voluntarily shut it down in mid-January at BPDs request.

Gone is the sign that once advertised E&L and A Touch of Hollywood. So is the window-unit air conditioner, although the protective cage around it remains. One of the few reminders of the clubs history is a laminated sign on the door telling patrons they need identification to enter.

Plunkett said police were glad to see it go.

Sgt. Mike Custer said anywhere from 250 to 300 people were in and around the building on any given weekend night.

A location that sells alcohol has responsibilities to its neighbors, to the city and to the state, Custer said. One of those responsibilities is to report breaches of the peace. No breaches had been reported. None of the assaults or any of it had been reported to the licensing agency.

But calls to the police department were plentiful. Custer said they exceeded that of a typical Beaumont night spot.

The average nightclub doesnt have a homicide, he said. The average nightclub doesnt have shots fired on a regular basis. The building had people spilling out into the roadway and adjacent businesses causing problems with the neighborhood.

Plunkett said the shooting of the bouncer was the last straw.

It reached a certain level with the New Years Day shooting, Plunkett said. That is when we decided to go ahead and take the action. Its a several-step process, but we decided, as a courtesy, to contact the owner.

Owners of problem businesses who dont cooperate with law enforcement can face consequences. For the E&L, Plunkett said, we wouldve gotten into code violations and inspections and licensing issues. When all of that is done, you can go through the nuisance-abatement process, which is a legal civil process.

City Councilman Audwin Samuel, who represents the ward in which the nightclub was located, said authorities must be careful in deciding when to target businesses.

Everyone should be given the opportunity to resolve issues, Samuel said. Free enterprise is one of the basic foundations of our country. While we cant ignore patterns of problems at a particular location, we dont want to get to the point where we are profiling or stepping on anyones rights.

He said he supported the closure of the E&L.

In this day in age, we have to do what we can to slow down a rising crime rate, Samuel said. Battling crime is not just making arrests. It is also doing things necessary to prevent crime. Prevention is part of good policing.

Beaumont police and the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office began targeting drugs, prostitution and other illegal activity along the 11th Street corridor near Interstate 10 in 2015. That investigation was spurred by complaints from nearby residents and business owners.

Detectives determined that three businesses in the area were promoting or knowingly tolerating criminal behavior. Their investigation yielded 95 arrests, including 71 drug arrests for possession and delivery of narcotics and 17 prostitution arrests ranging from misdemeanor prostitution to enhanced cases of felony prostitution.

We did nuisance-abatement lawsuits against two hotels and one gas station, Plunkett said. We had two sets of apartment buildings torn down. That was the largest that we did and it was very successful. If you look at the numbers for that area from 2012 to 2014 and compare it to this past year, its not a perfect area, but you see that program had a positive impact on the area.

Plunkett said the ultimate objective is to not have to shut down any business.

The goal is voluntary compliance, Plunkett said. We want to work with the business owners to bring the neighborhood back into order. Were not in the business of putting people out of business, but public safety and officer safety are our primary concern.

chris.moore@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/chris_moore09
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Ten men arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the mass molestation of female students at Delhi University's all girls Gargi College during the annual fest Reverie was sent to judicial custody on Thursday.

A senior official of the Delhi Police told IANS over the phone: "The arrested persons were produced before Duty Magistrate, Hauz Khas and have been sent to judicial custody." When asked about the details of the arrested persons, the senior officer said: "We cannot reveal the identity of the persons as it may hamper the probe which is at an initial stage." The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested 10 persons in connection with the alleged molestation incident that took place on the campus of Delhi University's Gargi College on the third day of the annual cultural fest Reverie 2020.

All of the arrested persons fall in the age group of 18-25 and are students of public and private universities of Delhi-NCR.

During the scanning of the CCTV footage, it was revealed that the accused persons barged into the college and also broke a college gate, the Delhi Police said.

In a press statement, the police further stated, "Over 11 teams are dedicatedly working on all aspects of the case.These teams are looking at the technical details available and are also visiting various sites in NCR in connection with identification of the suspects and investigation of the case." "Many persons are being questioned and multiple suspects have been identified," said DCP South Atul Thakur in a statement.

The three-day annual college fest began on February 4 and on February 6 over 100 middle-aged men crashed the college gate and came inside where the fest was being held. They started misbehaving with girls. Luckily nothing happened with me but my friends told me that those men groped them and much more," a student said.
Ethiopias parliament has passed a law punishing hate speech and disinformation with hefty fines and long jail terms, despite rights groups saying it undermines free speech months before a major election.

Nearly 300 legislators voted in favour of the bill on Thursday, with 23 votes against and two abstentions.

The new law defines hate speech as rhetoric that fuels discrimination against individuals or groups based on their nationality, ethnic and religious affiliation, sex or disabilities.

The new law permits fines of up to 100,000 Ethiopian birr ($3,100) and imprisonment for up to five years for anyone who shares or creates social media posts that are deemed to result in violence or disturbance of public order.

The law, however, says dissemination does not include liking or tagging such content on social media.

Legislators said the law is needed because existing legal provisions did not address hate speech and disinformation, and said it will not affect citizens rights.

Ethiopia has become a victim of disinformation, legislator Abebe Godebo said. The country is a land of diversity and this bill will help to balance those diversities.

Several legislators who opposed the bill said it violates a constitutional guarantee of free speech.

Critics accuse PM Abiy Ahmed of authoritarian tendencies, including locking up political opponents [File: Reuters]

Ethnic tensions

Ethiopia has been experiencing sometimes deadly ethnic violence since June 2018, shortly after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced sweeping political reforms for which he later was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ahmed has been praised for reforms hoped to foster a more open political and media environment. But domestic critics accuse him of authoritarian tendencies, including locking up political opponents.

The government says there is a need to legislate against hate speech, because it has been partly blamed for rising ethnic violence in the East African nation.

Tensions are expected to rise in advance of landmark elections due in August.

International rights groups say the law creates a legal means for the government to muzzle opponents.

Politicians or activists or others will be forced to be cautious, afraid that their speech might fall into the definition of hate speech or can be considered as false information, said Amnesty Internationals Ethiopia researcher Fisseha Tekle.

In December, Human Rights Watch (HRW) had warned the law could significantly curtail freedom of expression in the country.

Ethiopia should be removing legal provisions that restrict free expression, not adding more vague provisions that risk stifling critical public debate on important issues, HRWs Laetitia Bader said at the time.
Amid Stop And Frisk Crisis, Bloombergs Campaign Gets Fyre Fest Promo Strategy Creator To Make Memes Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When

The new advertisement campaign follows the recent surfacing of a 2015 video where Bloomberg made some offensive remarks about young Black and Latino men.

Michael Bloomberg has enlisted the help of a new company being led by the same man who helped create the promotional strategy for Fyre Fest to create memes for his campaign. The campaign comes as Bloomberg continues to face criticism for his past support of stop and frisk, as well as backlash for offensive comments he made about young Black and Latino men in a 2015 video that recently surfaced online.

READ: Mike Bloomberg Used Prison Labor To Make Presidential Campaign Calls

In a report from the New York Times, Bloombergs campaign is working with Meme 2020, a new company formed by some of the people behind extremely influential accounts, according to the Times.

Meme 2020 is led by Mick Purzycki, who also serves as chief executive of Jerry Media. Jerry Media (also known as FuckJerry) was the advertising firm that promoted the failed Fyre Festival, as well as helped produce the Fyre documentary that was made for Netflix.

View this post on Instagram Great job Mike (Yes this is really sponsored by @mikebloomberg) A post shared by Tank.Sinatra (@tank.sinatra) on Feb 12, 2020 at 5:32pm PST

Bloombergs meme campaign launched this week, with a number of popular Instagram meme accounts making sponsored posts, including: @GrapeJuiceBoys, @Tank.Sinatra, and Jerry Medias own account. Each profile has over a million followers. The accounts all posted Bloomberg campaign ads in the form of fake direct messages from the candidate.

Mike Bloomberg 2020 has teamed up with social creators to collaborate with the campaign, including the meme world, Sabrina Singh, a senior national spokeswoman for the Bloomberg campaign, said in a statement. While a meme strategy may be new to presidential politics, were betting it will be an effective component to reach people where they are and compete with President Trumps powerful digital operation.

Read More: Whos Laughing At Dr. Umar Johnson & Whos Laughing With Him?

Earlier this week, audio surfaced of Bloomberg speaking on stop and frisk back in 2015. In the audio, which was reportedly from a speech in Colorado, the presidential candidate said that the policy was a way to reduce violence by throwing minority kids up against the walls and frisk them. He then went on to say that most murders are committed by young male minorities, who could all be described on a standardized Xerox form because of the similar descriptions they share, according to a report from Politico.

They are male minorities, 16 to 25. Thats true in New York. Thats true in virtually every city, he said. And thats where the real crime is. Youve got to get the guns out of the hands of the people that are getting killed.

During a stop in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bloomberg addressed the video.

Bloomberg is using New Yorks diversity as a defense against his racially discriminatory and unconstitutional policy. The deadline to change your party affiliation in NY is Friday. My NY fam: make sure you can vote against this guy in the primary. pic.twitter.com/Qq42ccT1jp  Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) February 13, 2020

I dont think those words reflect what, how I led the most diverse city in the nation, he said. And I apologized for the practice and the pain that it caused.

It was five years ago, he added. And, you know, its just not the way that I think and itdoesnt reflect what I do every day. I led the most populous, largest city in the United States and got reelected three times, the public seemed to like what I do.

Source: New York Times / Politico
 Close Eight patients who tested positive for coronavirus released from hospital

Britons quarantined on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship in Japan will be evacuated as soon as possible, the government has announced.

We hope the flight will be later this week, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said, as some passengers were allowed to leave the ship after two weeks in isolation.

It came as the death toll from the virus, known as Covid-19, passed 2,000 in mainland China, with over 74,000 cases reported.

Follow the latest updates
The lawmaker also spoke in favor of paying Ukrainian pensions to residents of the occupied territories in Donbas.

Ukrainian MP from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Yuriy Kamelchuk has backed the idea of resuming water supply to Russia-occupied Crimea.

"I don't understand: do we want to dry out Crimea that we want to have back, where, among others, Ukrainians live; Crimea, where there are fertile lands? If we think so, we may not want this desert in 5-10 years," he told Ukrainian TV channel NASH, the Ukrainian news outlet Obozrevatel said.

Read alsoKremlin spokesman busts idea of water supply to Crimea in exchange for Donbas border

Kamelchuk added Ukraine would have to be far-sighted since it should supply water to Crimea not for anyone else, but for itself.

"Why don't we sign a contract for water supply? Maybe we will sell water at the same price as Russia is selling gas to us," he said.

The lawmaker also spoke in favor of paying Ukrainian pensions to residents of the occupied territories in Donbas.

"It doesn't matter where a Ukrainian lives, Ukraine's duty is to pay pensions," Kamelchuk added.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Chairman of the Servant of the People faction in Ukraine's parliament David Arakhamia said he would personally agree if water were supplied from mainland Ukraine to Russia-occupied Crimea in exchange for full control of the Ukrainian border in Donbas.

Yet, Arakhamia said, it was his personal opinion rather than the position as the parliamentary faction's head.

Later, he apologized to Ukrainians for his words, saying they were "taken out of context."
Presidential NSO second deputy chief Kim Hyon-chong Yonhap



By Do Je-hae



Controversy is resurfacing over the possible termination of a military intelligence sharing agreement with Japan, ahead of the March 1 Independence Day and the April 15 general election.



Speculation is mounting that the government could ultimately terminate the General Security of Information Sharing Agreement (GSOMIA), given the absence of any significant outcome from bilateral negotiations to remove Japan's trade restrictions imposed on certain Korean companies last summer. In response to the restrictions, the government announced the termination of the agreement, but held off on this in November to show its commitment to bilateral negotiations to settle the trade dispute.



Although talks have continued since then, the two sides are still far from a resolution. The negotiations may reach a breakthrough when a related issue is resolved: The Supreme Court of Korea's 2018 ruling that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean victims of wartime forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. Japan's trade restrictions came in retaliation to the ruling.



The forced labor issue remains unresolved. The Japanese daily Yomiuiri Shimbun has been recently running a series of articles criticizing President Moon Jae-in's "victim-oriented" stance on the issue stemming from his experience as a human rights lawyer. Despite a rare Korea-Japan summit in December 2019, Tokyo maintains the firm position that Seoul violated their 1965 bilateral treaty via the Supreme Court ruling.



Korean presidents have traditionally referenced Korea-Japan relations during a speech given to mark the March 1 Independence Movement that began while Korea was under colonial rule. With the date fast approaching, attention is on what kind of message Moon will impart regarding the neighboring country and whether he will announce any decision about the GSOMIA.



For now Cheong Wa Dae is being cautious, denying reports that some "hardline" officials at the presidential office were pushing to abandon it.



"We are discussing the issue with Japan. Negotiations are underway to achieve a result that is good for both sides," a senior presidential official told reporters, Tuesday.



However, senior government officials have been implying the possible termination of the GSOMIA while calling on Japan to make more efforts to settle the trade issue.



During a recent press conference, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said that Korea could still consider terminating the GSOMIA depending on what is deemed best for the "national interest." "There have been talks between the export authorities, but we have still not returned to the situation before July 1 [when Japan imposed the exports ban]," Kang said.



On Wednesday the foreign ministry again urged Japan to lift the trade restrictions. "At the time [in November] the Korean government suspended ending the GSOMIA on the premise that it could do so whenever it deems it necessary" the ministry said in a release sent to reporters.



If Seoul decides to end the agreement, which was signed under a U.S. initiative by the Barack Obama administration, Korea-U.S. relations may suffer as a result. Washington has viewed the pact as a critical tool for trilateral cooperation on regional security and has consistently advised Korea against abandoning it. One of the reasons that Cheong Wa Dae reversed its earlier decision on the GSOMIA in November 2019 was because of opposition from the U.S.



But Cheong Wa Dae officials have said that the GSOMIA should be viewed separately from the Korea-U.S. alliance, which has raised concerns in the U.S. Kim Hyon-chong, second deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office (NSO), was reportedly at the forefront of the decision to abandon the pact. Defying criticism from within and outside Korea, he previously said that terminating the GSOMIA would ultimately "upgrade" the Korea-U.S. alliance.



"If we take the initiative and strengthen our security capabilities, it will also meet the U.S. desire for an increased security contribution, which in turn will lead to the strengthening of the Korea-U.S. alliance," Kim said in a press conference on Aug. 23, 2019, a day after Korea announced the decision to discontinue the pact. NSO chief Chung Eui-yong has reiterated that the GSOMIA has nothing to do with the Korea-U.S. alliance as it was an issue between Korea and Japan.



The main opposition Liberty Korea Party said the government and the ruling bloc are using the GSOMIA issue to gain popularity ahead of the general election.


English French

New headlights, grille and wheels highlight exterior changes



More Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and added tech upgrades

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Kia Canada Inc. (KCI) unveiled the enhanced Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The popular and award-winning compact crossover receives several exterior enhancements for its mid-cycle refresh, including available LED headlights and fog lamps, a new diamond-pattern grille and dual chevron-shaped LED daytime running lights. The rear faux skid plate is wider and more pronounced, the available rear LED combination lights have more technological appeal than previous, and there are new 16-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel designs.

Weve incorporated modern design elements to elevate the Niros uniqueness, most noticeably the chevron-shaped LED lights that make for a surprising feature not typically seen on most vehicles said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing at KCI.

Inside, the new Niro display is more streamlined, incorporating an available re-styled 7-inch instrument cluster with improved drive mode graphics and standard 8-inch touchscreen display, or optional navigation with a 10.25-inch screen and Harman/Kardon premium audio system, all with the easy to use interface Kia is famous for. Optional electronic parking brake, and available mood lighting with six different colors wrap up the interior mods.

Enhancing the Niros full suite of available Advanced Driver Assistance Systemsi are newly added Lane Following & Lane Keeping Assist and High Beam Assist all of which were introduced earlier on other Kia models and now make their way to the 2020 Niro line up.

Powertrain and exterior and interior dimensions and capacities are unchanged from the previous model. Which means that the Niro Hybrids leading fuel economy of 4.7 L/100kms combined continues and that the liberating 42 kilometres of all electric range on the Niro PHEV will keep your time between fill ups at the gas station to a minimum.

Both the 2020 Niro Hybrid (HEV) and 2020 Niro Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) are arriving at Kia dealerships now and are on sale and ready to be experienced.

Pricing of the 2020 Niro Hybrid (HEV) is set at:

L HEV $26,595 EX HEV $28,995 EX Premium HEV $31,495 SX Touring HEV $34,995 Pricing of the 2020 Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is set at: EX Premium PHEV $35,695 SX Touring PHEV $37,995

About Kia Canada Inc

Kia Canada Inc. (KCI), established in 1999 and celebrating 20 years in Canada, is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) based in Seoul, South Korea. Kias full line of award-winning vehicles offers world-class quality and customer satisfaction through a network of 195 dealers nationwide. The company employs 170 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters, various locations across Canada and at its regional office in Montreal, Quebec. Kias brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation. From compact to crossover to industry leading EVs, every Kia delivers an extraordinary combination of precision engineering, outstanding performance, innovative features, and advanced safety systems. Having sold over one million vehicles, popular Canadian models include the Soul, Forte, Sportage, Sorento, Stinger and the new Seltos To learn more about the Kia advantage, visit kia.ca or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact info:

Amanda Chouinard, Account Manager, 416 500 0351, achouinard@strategicobjectives.com

i These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46ce3f5d-92a7-4a65-b9af-4a8bd1bcc45f
Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat, Mr. Trump tweeted on New Years Eve. Happy New Year!

Hours into 2020, Irans supreme leader responded with a taunt.

You cant do anything, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on his English-language Twitter account. He added: If you were logical which youre not youd see that your crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan have made nations hate you.

Two days later, General Suleimani was dead  killed in a drone strike ordered by Mr. Trump.

Nine months of escalation, misjudgments and heated messaging had led to the presidents decision, which stunned both his own military advisers as well as top officials in Tehran.

It was clear that Iran didnt expect Trump to retaliate in any meaningful way, said Mr. Sadjadpour, the Iran expert.

The killing prompted Iran to take a step it had long avoided: a direct and overt strike against the American military. Four days after General Suleimani was killed, Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two American bases in Iraq. More than 100 American soldiers were injured, but no one was killed, and Mr. Trump and his advisers believed the United States had gotten the better of the exchange.

In the weeks since, they have insisted that their strategy is working, that the steady squeeze of maximum pressure will force Iran to yield to their demands. But, at least publicly, Iran remains defiant and wedded to brinkmanship tactics over its nuclear program and regional military influence.

Hours after Iranian missiles landed on the American bases in Iraq, Mr. Khamenei vowed that harsh revenge was just beginning. The United States corruptive presence in the region must come to an end, he told a large crowd in the city of Qum, adding that Iran would not rest until it accomplished that goal.

Mark Mazzetti reported from Washington, Ronen Bergman from Tel Aviv and Farnaz Fassihi from New York. Julian E. Barnes contributed reporting from Washington.
Portland, OR, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global allergy treatment market was pegged at $24.65 billion in 2017, and is estimated to reach $40.36 billion by 2025, registering CAGR of 6.3% from 2018 to 2025. The report provides an extensive analysis of the market dynamics including drivers & restraints, major winning strategies, market size & projections, competitive landscape, and major segments.

Increased prevalence of allergens and high consumption of tobacco that can induce several allergies drive the growth of the global allergy treatment market. However, patent expiries, competition from generic drugs, and availability of alternative and complementary therapy hamper the market growth. On the contrary, rise in awareness among patients regarding food allergies is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players in the next few years.



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The food allergy segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period, owing to rise in awareness among patients regarding food allergies. However, increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis across the globe helped rhinitis segment to garner largest market share in 2017, contributing about 40% of the total market share. The other segments analyzed in the report include asthma, skin allergy, food allergy, and others.

In 2017, the anti-allergy segment reaped about 89% share of the market, owing to the increasing inclination toward over the counter drugs (OTC) for the treatment of allergy diseases. In addition, the segment is expected to continue its dominance over the market. However, the immunotherapy treatment segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period, owing to increasing awareness among medical professionals regarding the use of immunotherapy for allergy treatment.

The intranasal spray segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR of 7.0% during the study period as intranasal sprays offer more promising approach to treat various allergic conditions. However, the oral drugs segment held the largest market share in 2017, contributing about 40% share of the total revenue, as oral drugs offer the convenience of self-administration, compactness, and ease of manufacturing. The other dosage form analyzed in the report include inhalers.

The global allergy treatment market report includes several prominent distribution channels such as hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. In 2017, the retail pharmacies segment garnered about half of the total share of the market and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the market period. However, the online pharmacies segment would manifest the fastest CAGR of 7.9% from 2018 to 2025, owing to increased penetration of internet and surge in sales of medicines for the treat allergic reactions through online retailers. In addition, the hospital pharmacies segment would witness gradual growth in the region.

North America contributed about one-third share of the total market revenue in 2017. It is estimated to lead the market throughout the forecast period, owing to the well-established healthcare infrastructure and increase in adoption in immunotherapy solutions to treat allergic diseases. However, Asia-Pacific region would portray the fastest CAGR of 7.5% through 2025, owing to rise in prevalence of various allergic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis in the region. The other regions analyzed in the report are Europe and Latin America, Middle East and Africa (LAMEA).



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The global allergy treatment market report includes various leading companies in the market such as GlaxoSmithKline, Allergopharma, Allergan, Inc., Schering-Plough Corporation, Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., Allergy therapeutics, Allergon, Genentech Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare, and Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The market players have adopted several strategies including partnerships, collaboration, mergers & acquisitions, and new product launch to maintain its leadership in the market.



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In-Situ Hybridization Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20192026

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Federal Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau came to Winnipeg with support for things such as developing an agricultural producers code of practice and new insurance products for farmers who get caught in the uncertainties of technical trade barriers like the canola blockade in China.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Federal Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau came to Winnipeg with support for things such as developing an agricultural producers code of practice and new insurance products for farmers who get caught in the uncertainties of technical trade barriers like the canola blockade in China.

She did not have any relief to offer Manitoba farmers on the issue currently most distracting to them, the costly carbon tax on fuel used for grain drying and heating barns.

Speaking to a large audience at the CropConnect conference, Bibeau applauded Manitoba farmers for their resilience last year in dealing with tough weather conditions, a rail disruption and international trade controversies.

"Please know that I and our government deeply respect and appreciate what you do," she said.

To address some of those issues, she said the federal government will provide about $1.2 million to the Canadian Grains Council to develop the first ever code of practice for the grain industry and to develop a pilot insurance product for grain exporters to help mitigate the risk in dealing with shipments that are rejected at the border of importing countries as a result of unexpected technical trade barriers.

In the shadow of the ongoing dispute between Canada and China over its rejection of Canadian canola because of unsubstantiated claims of pest contamination, Bibeau said Ottawa wants to find innovative ways to help producers deal with those potentially costly scenarios.

"As Canadians we stand by our strong rules-based trading policies and our science-based decisions. It is a big strength for Canada," she said. "In recent years we have seen some of our trading partners do not give as much credit to this rules-based approach. This is why we have to face the new reality and to find innovative ways to support our producers. This pilot insurance program is one way to support them."

On the code of practice initiative, Rick White, the vice-chair of Canadian Grains Council and the CEO of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said it will go a long way to address some of the concerns from consumers about whether farmers are paying attention.

"Consumers around the world are more distant from the farms, more urbanized, than they have ever been," he said. "They have legitimate concerns about food safety and the environment. This code of practice will document what farmers are already doing. It will give farmers some ideas about what they are doing well and what areas they could be doing better in."

When it comes to the issue of relief on the carbon tax on grain drying or barn heating, Bibeau did not have much to offer. Manitobas proposed carbon tax exempted grain drying. Premier Brian Pallister scrapped his proposed plan in October 2018, so the federal government imposed its own on Manitoba.

"I definitely recognize that 2019 was a very difficult year for our farmers because of the weather and because of trade and train disruptions," Bibeau said to reporters. "I am working with my colleagues including the environment minister to find the best ways to support our farmers. But we still have some work to do to see how we can proceed."

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Late last year she said her department was collecting data on what the impact of that tax would have on Prairie farmers, a tax that greenhouse operations in Ontario, for instance, are largely exempt from.

Earlier in the week, Ottawa and Alberta announced a $2-million partnership agreement to help grain producers invest in improvements to Alberta farmers grain-handling systems to improve energy efficiency within their operations. Bibeau was coy about whether Ottawa is developing a similar strategy for Manitoba, or what, if anything, is being considered.

Patty Rosher, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said it is important to look at the big picture and the impact on farmers.

"As a principle, farmers have to dry grain, they have to heat their barns and they cant pass those costs on to consumers," she said. "We dont want to be distracted by talk of a small program (like the one in Alberta)... not that it is not welcome  Im sure Alberta farmers are happy about it  or even talks about paying back what they paid this year. Really we want to talk about the long-term exemption for those fuels."

Some farmers incurred thousands of dollars in additional costs this year. In particular, some corn farmers paid more than $6,000 in carbon tax on drying and barn-heating operations.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
European credit investment firm AlbaCore Capital Group ("AlbaCore", "the Firm"), announced the successful close of its second fund, AlbaCore Partners II ICAV ("Fund II"), which has 1.5bn1 in total AUM. The Firm also recently announced plans for a debut CLO in 2020, which is currently in the warehousing phase. AlbaCore's total AUM now stands at 3.6bn2 across its commingled and customised vehicles. The Firm's investor base includes pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, insurance companies, consultants and family office investors, across Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia.

AlbaCore's strategy focuses on bespoke private credit solutions for larger European companies, with the flexibility to opportunistically invest in secondary and primary markets when relative value is attractive. AlbaCore expects Fund II to be approximately 60% deployed at the end of February, after actively buying in the Q4 2018 credit market sell-off, and more recently shifting focus to primary and private markets. AlbaCore was the sole underwriter for subordinated debt related to two UK public-to-private transactions: BCA Marketplace (LSE: BCA delisted) and Ei Group (LSE: EIG). Fund II gross IRR for 2019 was +20.6%.3

Bill Ammons, Founding Partner and Portfolio Manager, commented, "Our investing over the past fifteen months demonstrates the value of a flexible mandate in periods of market stress and also periods of resurging positive sentiment, as we saw in the second half of 2019. We are particularly excited about the recent BCA and Stonegate's acquisition of Ei Group deals, which exemplify AlbaCore's ability to provide unique, sizeable capital solutions that helped unlock the deals for the sponsor, while also providing an attractive risk/return to our investors."

AlbaCore has built a 32-person team across its London and Dublin offices, and invests in a capital structure-agnostic manner, via a combination of senior secured loans, high yield bonds, private debt, and preferred equity. AlbaCore's focus on generating consistent risk-adjusted returns across the capital structure and liquidity spectrum has generated 870bps of gross alpha over European credit markets across its two funds since inception4

AlbaCore champions a dynamic ESG approach which is well-integrated into the team's investment decision making and ongoing risk monitoring. AlbaCore's maiden CLO will also incorporate AlbaCore's unique investment process and focus on ESG as part of its credit selection criteria.

Deborah Cohen Malka, Managing Director and Deputy Portfolio Manager, added, "ESG is a critical element of our Firm's values and investment process. We continue to enhance the manner in which we implement ESG as part of our bottom up credit selection process. We also value our partners' input to understand and incorporate their ESG ideas so we can continue to be a dynamic leader in credit investing and ESG related issues."

David Allen, Founder and Chief Investment Officer, concluded: "AlbaCore is delighted and grateful for the opportunity to create new partnerships and expand upon existing relationships as we mature as a firm. We have come a long way since our founding in 2016, and we would not be where we are without our partners. Looking ahead we feel well positioned to continue to deliver strong risk-adjusted returns in 2020. We have an active private market pipeline, and dry powder to be opportunistic as markets digest the recent UK election results and navigate what could be an unpredictable year leading up to the US elections in November. We look forward to active and continued engagement with our partners in the coming year."

About AlbaCore Capital Group

AlbaCore is a specialist European credit platform focused on European corporate credit markets. Founded in 2016, AlbaCore manages 3.6bn5 of AUM for global pension funds, insurance companies, family offices and endowments. AlbaCore takes a patient, long-term investment approach to private and opportunistic European credit markets. The credit selection process is based on fundamental research with a focus on capital preservation, ESG factors and risk-adjusted returns. Headquartered in London with an office in Dublin, AlbaCore is an organisation built on values, with a partnership approach alongside our investors and counterparties at our core.

www.AlbaCoreCapitalGroup.com

____________________

1 AUM is calculated as the sum of the Net Asset Value, undrawn capital commitments and available debt finance for Fund II as of 31 December 2019.

2 AUM is calculated as the sum of the Net Asset Value, undrawn capital commitments and available debt finance of all vehicles managed by AlbaCore.

3 Gross Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") is calculated using fully equalised cash flows between Fund II and an investor as if all current investors had been committed to Fund II from inception. Rate of return calculated does not include management or performance fees, which would be reflected in a net internal rate of return (that would be lower) actually received by investors. Gross IRR is net of fund level expenses (including the costs of any such subscription line facility), but gross of management fees and performance fees. Past performance is not indicative of future results, which may vary.

4 Alpha generation is based on the gross composite IRR of AlbaCore Partners I ICAV and Fund II from inception of each fund to 31 December 2019 vs the blended IRR, assuming an equal weighting, of BAML Euro High Yield Index and S&P Euro Lev Loans Index as benchmarks for the performance of relative European credit markets.

5 AUM is calculated as the sum of the Net Asset Value, undrawn capital commitments and available debt finance of all vehicles managed by AlbaCore.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005099/en/

Contacts:

For media enquiries:

Kepler Communications

Charlotte Balbirnie

+44 (0)7989 528421; CBalbirnie@keplercomms.com
Kolkata, Feb 14 : JNU Students Union (JNUSU) president and SFI leader Aishe Ghosh was on Thursday not given permission to hold a meeting inside Calcutta University by the authorities and had to address students outside the campus gate.

There was altercation between the students and the university staff as the gate was shut a little while before Ghosh was set to address a gathering called under the platform Students Against Fascism.

The authorities, however, said neither permission was sought for the meeting nor it was a convention to let outsiders to hold political programme in the campus.

Ghosh, however, said permission had been taken in advance, but it was cancelled after the authorities got to know she would be among the speakers.

In a stinging speech, Ghosh said the struggle against the black law Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Population Register and National Register of Citizens would continue till they were scrapped.

"This is the time to look into the eyes of the RSS and the BJP and tell them that we don't and won't accept their brand of politics," she said.

Ghose said everybody would have to fight together as a long struggle likes ahead.

Referring to West Bengal, she said it is her place of birth and she won't allow anybody to do divisive politics in the name of religion. "We won't allow any division between man and man. The BJP and RSS were trying to foment riots in Bengal. We have to uproot this politics".

Ghosh later spearheaded a rally from College Street to Shyambazar.

Several members of the civil society including theatre personality Chandan Sen, film directors Aneek Dutta and Tarun Majumdar were in the forefront of what was christened "Janaganamana rally".

Thousands of students and youths carrying the national flag and raising slogans against the BJP took part of the rally.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Relations executive, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ronn Torossian has been appointed Chairman of American Friends of Duvdevan, a 501 c3 charity. The organization supports the soldiers of the Duvdevan unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a mista'arvim (counter-terrorism) special-forces unit. Fauda, the Netflix show is based upon this unit.

"These heroic soldiers protect Israel and keep the country safe. Duvdevan has previously been described by Prime Minister Netanyahu as having the most significant effect on the war on terror. This charity helps the soldiers of this unit who make such an enormous contribution and sacrifice," explained Ronn Torossian.

American Friends of Duvdevan  the American arm of the Duvdevan Foundation in Israel - supports Duvdevan soldiers and graduates. The unit specializes in urban anti-terrorist warfare in populated areas throughout Israel.

The Duvdevan Foundation helps with many vital issues  from post-service PTSD counseling to empowering Israeli youth to take a personal commitment to society - to scholarship and mentoring programs. The transition from soldier to civilian is highly complex. For years the soldiers of Duvdevan serve on the front lines of the IDF, and then come home with many questions and dilemmas. The foundation assists with the process to ease the transition back to civilian life and to start a new path.

Duvdevan Foundation strives to achieve three goals:

Supporting the unit and soldiers welfare supporting Duvdevan veterans, by helping them transition to civilian life and continue to contribute to society supporting bereaved families who lost loved ones serving in the unit

The Duvdevan Foundation is dedicated to Zionist values of honesty, comradeship and social involvement. The Chairman of the Board of Directors in Israel is Shahaf Kieselstein, GM of Intel Jerusalem and Vice President of Intel Worldwide.

About Ronn Torossian:

Ronn Torossian is the founder and CEO of 5W Public Relations, one of the 15 largest independently-owned PR firms in the United States. With over 20 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected Public Relations professionals.

Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth, overseeing more than 175 professionals in the company's headquarters in the iconic Helmsley Building in Manhattan. With clients spanning corporate, technology, consumer and crisis, in addition to digital marketing and public affairs capabilities, 5WPR is regularly recognized as an industry leader and has been named "PR Agency of the Year" by the American Business Awards on multiple occasions.

Throughout his career, Torossian has worked with some of the world's most visible companies, brands and organizations. His strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist and by Metropolitan Magazine as one of the Most Influential New Yorkers.

Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications, and is called on to counsel blue chip companies, top business executives and entrepreneurs both in the United States and worldwide. Torossian has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly on CNN & CNBC, was named to PR Week's "40 under Forty" list, is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer, and his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations" is an industry best-seller.

A NYC native, Torossian lives in Manhattan with his children. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and active in numerous charities.

Media Contact

Ronn Torossian

[email protected] / 212-999-5585

SOURCE 5W Public Relations

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:16:51|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) --Tanzania's Ministry of Finance and Planning on Thursday signed a facility agreement with Standard Chartered Bank for a 1.46-billion-U.S.-dollar loan to finance the construction of the standard gauge railway (SGR) project from the commercial capital Dar es Salaam to Makutupora in the capital Dodoma.

Running approximately 550 kilometers long, the SGR project is one of the country's biggest projects connecting Dodoma to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro and Makutupora, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Speaking at the event to sign off the deal, the Minister for Finance and Planning, Philip Mpango, said with the help of Standard Chartered and other partners, the project financing will further increase direct employment in Tanzania.

Sanjay Rughani, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Tanzania, said that deal signified investor confidence in the market and demonstrated Standard Chartered's international network capabilities and commitment to Tanzania.

"We are delighted to have reached this milestone in Tanzania to fund the SGR project that will deliver massive benefits to Tanzania and support the government's 2025 vision of making Tanzania an industrialized country," said Rughani.

Rughani added that the bank will continue to leverage its unique network reach, and the credibility it has built over time, to further position Tanzania as the go-to destination for investments.

Once complete, said the ministry's statement, the SGR project will provide a safe and reliable means for efficiently transporting people and cargo to and from the Dar es Salaam port.

According to the Tanzania Railways Corporation, it is expected that the railway will address current congestion challenges and decrease freight service charges by 40 percent, as the railway will be able to haul up to 10,000 tonnes of freight, equivalent to 500 lorries per trip, said the statement.

The SGR will also connect Tanzania to Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, playing a key role in enhancing regional trade, said the statement.

The project has already created more than 8,000 new direct employment opportunities for Tanzanians and has opened up opportunities for the local communities surrounding the project area to access social services such as shelter and food.
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights doesnt have the authority to investigate discrimination against a same-sex couple, claims a company whose owners declined to host a same-sex wedding ceremony because of their religious beliefs in a court case filed this week.

Rouch World is a 300-acre park and wedding venue in Sturgis, according to the companys website. Its owners are suing the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and its interim director, Mary Engelman, arguing the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act doesnt protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

And the laws plain language does not. But the Michigan Department of Civil Rights is operating under an interpretation of the word sex -- which the law does protect -- to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

The plaintiffs disagree with that interpretation, noting in their suit that the legislature has declined to approve legislation that would add LGBT protections to the civil rights law eleven times.

Our defense is pretty simple. Our Michigan law at least as it currently stands... does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected categories, said attorney David Kallman of Kallman Legal Group, who is representing Rouch World owners and brothers Jayme Rouch and Ben Rouch.

The court case is the first to challenge the departments authority to investigate claims of LGBT discrimination based on the Michigan Civil Rights Commissions interpretive statement.

Weve long expected this action and have said since the time of the Commissions vote that the courts are the right place to ultimately decide the question. We obviously hold a different legal opinion than the individuals who filed suit. The Michigan Attorney Generals office will defend our position in court and we continue to believe the courts will decide in our favor, said Michigan Department of Civil Rights spokesperson Vicki Levengood.

The MDCR opened an investigation into Rouch World based on a complaint from Natalie Johnson and Megan Oswalt, according to the lawsuit. The company declined to host their wedding ceremony due to the Christian beliefs of the owners.

Kallman said Rouch World was hit with onerous documentation requests as part of the investigation, after which they filed suit. The lawsuit is pending in the Court of Claims.

Rouch World is asking the court to grant a declaratory judgment saying sexual orientation and gender identity are not covered by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and to grant injunctions stopping the investigation into Rouch World and future investigations of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act protects people from things like employment and housing discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status and marital status.

There have been perennial legislative efforts to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories, there is active legislation to do so pending now. So far, those efforts have failed to gain traction in the legislature.

Related: Lawmakers, Whitmer renew push to expand civil rights protections to Michigans LGBTQ residents

Now, a new ballot proposal aims to add those protections to state law.

Related: New ballot initiative would protect LGBT Michiganders from housing, employment discrimination
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, who is visiting Ukraine. The press service of the president reports.

"During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed in detail the cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union and agreed on the cooperation priorities for the current year," the statement reads.

It is noted that among the priorities are the signing of the Agreement on joint aviation space, the beginning of negotiations on the so-called industrial visa-free travel, the deepening of cooperation in the digital sphere, interaction within the framework of the European Green Agreement, the beginning of a systematic update of the annexes to the Association Agreement.

The parties also discussed progress in implementing systemic reforms in Ukraine, in particular in the context of the implementation of the Association Agreement, and agreed on further support from the EU to ensure the country's economic growth.

In turn, Zelensky noted that Ukraine expects investment support from the European Union and EU member states.

As we reported before, Currently, there are no plans for arranging a meeting of Ukrainian and Russian leaders before the Normandy Format summit; however, there still is such a chance.
Former Bigg Boss contestant and actor Sana Khan has lashed out at her ex-boyfriend and choreographer Melvin Louis in a new Instagram post. She alleged that he had been cheating on her with multiple women for almost eight-nine months now and called him a compulsive liar.

This is my first n it has taken a lot of courage from me to come out n speak the truth. Coz there were so many people who believed in this relation n showed so much love n respect but unfortunately I didnt get it from where I should have gotten. This man is dirt n he is disgusting unfortunately it took me a year to find out coz I believed in him blindly, she wrote, sharing a news article confirming her breakup with Melvin.

Sana announced that she was taking a stand for herself and wrote, He is a compulsive cheater n a compulsive liar n this is his regular thing to do with everyone for his fame n popularity. She added that though Melvin was seeing multiple women on the side, one particular womans involvement with him was the most shocking for her.

Ps: cheated on me with multiple girls since may/June which I lately discovered but there is one girl tht shocked me the most n I knw her #shameonyou miss **** I will def tell the world ur name so atleast others knw u before they collab with you, she wrote, adding that upbringing matters a lot.

Also see | Indian Idol 11: Aditya Narayan-Neha Kakkars leaked wedding video shows them ready to exchange garlands. Watch

Sana also asked what Melvin would have taught their children, had they got married. He wanted to marry me and have babies what would he teach my son n daughter??? #toxicrelationship #cheappeople, she wrote.

Melvin seems to have hit back at Sana with an Instagram post of his own. Without taking names, he shared a video in which he is seen spooling the string of a kite, and insinuated that her allegations are false. For the win. #BulatiHaiMagarJaaneKaNahi #Lapeto #TruthWillPrevail, he wrote.

Sana also shared a meme on Instagram, which read, When the waiter looks better than your boyfriend. Her caption read, When the world was right.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Maharashtra Environment and



Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday assured the state government's co-operation and support to local governing bodies and municipal corporations in development works.

He alleged that the previous BJP-led government had failed to work in tandem with the local governing bodies.

Thackeray was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the officials of the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) at Shendra. Minister for Industries Subhash Desai was also present.

"The local governing bodies here worked at their full capacity, but the previous government did not extend its cooperation. This is no more the case. Our government is supporting the agencies and we have decided to expedite the pending projects," he said.

"The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is giving a helping hand to the local governing bodies for carrying out development projects," Thackeray added.

During the meeting, officials drew his attention towards various demands like road connectivity between Shendra and Bidkin nodes of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), four laning of Aurangabad-Paithan Road and separate interchange to AURIC with Samruddhi Expressway, among others.

When asked about the road connectivity issue, Thackeray said, "Officials have been asked to send the proposals and the government would consider them positively."



He refused to comment on his uncle and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray adopting aggressive pro-Hindutva stand.

"I am not here to talk about political issues and elections. It is time to work and not to talk on There is little time for elections here then we will talk," Thackeray said in response to a query.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Alliance Party councillor in Londonderry has spoken out about his decades-long mental health battle in a bid to help others navigating the darkness.

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Phillip McKinney, who has two grown up children, a son and a stepson with his second wife Heather, says he battled for years against depression brought on by witnessing the aftermath of the La Mon bombing in 1978.

His depression got so bad he attempted to end his life.

The 61-year-old says he wants to end the stigma surrounding mental health so that other people will seek help earlier.

"When I look back now I realise my mental health issues started around secondary school," he said. "I was bullied quite a bit. And that set me back a bit.

"When I left school I worked in the shipyard in Belfast before joining the RUC Reserve.

"I was just 18 years old. I wasn't long in when the La Mon bombing happened.

"I was sent up there that night and what I saw was very upsetting. People were badly burned.

"I saw people coming in to identify what was left of their loved ones and the ambulances bringing the bodies away.

"It was horrific to see that as a teenager. It really set me back.

"At the time I just got on with it. I had a stiff upper lip, it was part of the job.

"You joined up, you took the shilling and you took what happened.

"A few weeks later I was at my friends house having a drink and I just broke down. My father had to come and get me.

"Looking back now there was something wrong there at that point."

Phillip left the RUC and joined the Army. He was posted to Colchester in Essex where he says he reached his lowest ebb.

"It was a lonely existence," he said. "A lot of the boys lived locally and went home on leave.

"I couldn't because I was from Belfast so I would just stay there and drink.

"One night I was drinking heavily and got to the point where I just had enough. I tried to take my own life.

"Luckily my friends had followed me and pulled me back from the brink.

"I was sent to the Army hospital and put on tablets for two weeks. The medication didn't really help."

Phillip was discharged and after several months he was posted to the Falklands before leaving the Army and becoming a lorry driver.

He describes the depression that has plagued his life as a 'black dog' that would come over him. "Just after my youngest son was born I took a bad bout of depression," he said.

"I couldn't get out of bed, I thought the whole world was against me, I couldn't have been bothered with anything.

"It got really bad, I basically had a breakdown. I'm lucky that my wife is a really good listener and she persuaded me to go to my GP who sent me to counselling which has really helped me."

Phillip says that he hopes the stigma around mental health can be smashed.

He has this advice for others on the same dark path as he was. "I would say for them not to climb into bed and pull the covers over you," he said.

"Get out, go and speak to friends, go and speak to a GP and a counsellor.

"They will both help you, but you also need to help yourself. There is plenty of help out there if you want it.

"There is still a stigma with mental health, especially with men.

"It's different if someone is in a hospital bed for two weeks and they come out. People ask them how they are doing," the councillor added.

"When someone is suffering with mental health issues they don't.

"We need to get rid of the stigma and treat it as a proper health problem.

"And we need to start tackling it at an early age.

"We need to put more health resources into suicidal prevention and into mental health, starting in our schools."

If you are in distress you can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000
In a big win for Delhi Police, bookie Sanjeev Chawla was extradited from the United Kingdom to India on Thursday. After a long-drawn legal battle, Chawla was brought to India by a team of Delhi Police Crime branch headed by DCP Dr. Ram Gopal Naik.

Sanjeev Chawla is a key accused in the 2000 match-fixing and betting case involving late South African captain Hansie Cronje. After landing in Delhi, Chawla was taken to the crime branch office at RK Puram where he was questioned for several hours and then taken to Safdarjung Hospital for a medical check-up before finally being produced before the Patiala House Court. He was remanded to 12-days police custody.

London-based Sanjeev Chawla is accused of running a transnational bookie and match-fixing racket. In 2000, Delhi Police Crime Branch had accused South African captain Hansie Cronje and other players of fixing matches by taking a huge amount of money from Chawla and South African businessman and bookie Hamid Qasim Banjo. In 2013, crime branch filed a chargesheet in the case naming Hansie Cronje (name mentioned in column B), Rajesh Kalra, Qasim Banjo, Mumbai based actor and businessman Kishan Kumar

READ | Bookie Sanjeev Chawla Sentenced To 12-day Custody By Delhi Court

According to the remand papers accessed by Republic TV, Hansie Cronje was paid money by Sanjeev Chawla. By the time the FIR was filed, Hansie Cronje and Manmohan Khattar left India. Khattar fled to the USA and is still absconding. According to the Crime Branch, the match-fixing took place during the India South Africa series, where 5 one day matches and three test matches were played. While the ODI matches were played at Cochin, Jamshedpur, Faridabad, Vadodra, and Nagpur, three test matches were played at Mumbai and Bengaluru. The accused Sanjeev Chawla played the main conduit in the above match-fixing and while committing the above-said crime he stayed in the same hotels where the teams were staying. He had given money, mobile phone and also transferred money in accounts of accused Hansie Cronje, read the remand paper prepared by Delhi Police crime branch.

See the remand papers here:

READ | Delhi Police Explains 7-year Pursuit Leading To Bookie Sanjeev Chawla's Extradition

Delhi Police crime branch has informed the court that during the custody, Sanjeev Chawla will be taken to all the cities where the matches were played for further investigation. We need to unearth the whole conspiracy, all accused involved in India or abroad are to be identified, stated the Delhi Police in the remand copy.

Chawla had filed an application in the UK High Court seeking leave to appeal against the extradition order by the Westminster Magistrates Court. UK home secretary Sajid Javid had also signed off on the District Judges order in favour of the extradition. In the last two months, a Delhi Police Crime Branch team attended several court hearings in the extradition case. Chawla moved to the UK as soon as the FIR was registered in the first week of March 2000. He had gone there for the first time on a business visa in 1996, but his Indian passport was revoked in 2000, and he obtained a British passport in 2005.

READ | Wanted Bookie And Match-fixing Accused Sanjeev Chawla Extradited To India From UK

Timeline of Extradition

Extradition proceedings against Sanjeev Chawla as stated by the Delhi police

1. On 17.12.2013, extradition proceedings against Sanjeev Kumar Chawla were initiated and a request was filed in the Westminster Magistrate Court, UK.

2. 16.7.2017, after hearing, considering the submissions of Counsel of Sanjeev Kumar Chawla, District Judge (MC) Rebecca Crane Westminster Magistrate Court, UK Discharged the accused Sanjeev Kumar Chawla under section 87 of the Extradition Act 2003.

3. Against the order dated 16.7.2017 of District Judge (MC) Rebecca Crane, an Appeal vide Case No. CO/4973/2017 was filed in the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, London, UK by the State.

4. On 4.5.2018, High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, London UK stayed the order and directed to give the Govt. of India an opportunity to provide further assurances.

5. On January 7, 2019, District Judge, Westminster Magistrate Court, London UK recommended the Extradition of Sanjeev Chawla.

6. On 12.3.2019 Sanjeev Kumar Chawla has filed a Leave for Appeal Annexure G against the order of District Judge, Westminster Magistrate Court, London, UK.

7. On 15.5.2019, Sanjeev Kumar Chawla filed further submissions with Amending grounds of appeal

8. On 23.1.2020, after hearing the Queens Bench Division High Court of Justice, London refused Permission to Appeal of the Extradition Act, 2003 of Sanjeev Kumar Chawla.

9. The accused Sanjeev Kumar Chawla filed an appeal to stay his extradition before European Court on Human Rights, France.

10. The European Court on Human Rights, France refused to Stay the Extradition of accused Sanjeev Kumar Chawla.

READ | Sanjeev Chawla: 2000 Match Fixing Bookie's Extradition To India Set For February 2020
As some in Ireland now consider Sinn Fein to be just another political party, most of those involved in politics know differently. Those who see how it operates know it is not a fully democratic party.

It has evolved over the quarter of century since the peace process began, but that evolution has been far too slow - a military culture of top-down control and command continues to pervade the movement, the IRA's army council still exists and it is unclear who is really in charge.

The old reactionary impulses remain alive, as Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane's cries of "up the Ra" last weekend demonstrate, as did his colleague's claim that "we broke the Free State" at the same meeting. Its authoritarian impulses were evident yesterday when Enda Fanning, an ard chomhairle member, tweeted in reaction to a radio show he didn't like that the next government should set up "a proper monitoring authority with powers to prevent such political bias".

Across Europe, parties who win support at the ballot box but who have dubious connections to democracy and its values are treated in different ways. Sometimes they are kept out of power on the basis that the risks to democratic integrity of having them in government are greater than the risks of allowing them build further support in opposition.

This is the choice now faced by Ireland's democratic parties following last week's General Election in which Sinn Fein won a quarter of the vote.

There is a strong case for the democratic parties to form a coalition to keep Sinn Fein out of government on the basis that it is insufficiently democratic.

Along with changes to policies, such a coalition could work to push Sinn Fein to cross the democratic red lines that it has yet to cross.

These democratic red lines will be even more important if Sinn Fein is part of the next government. Chief among them is the full disbandment of the IRA.

That, at a minimum, would involve a statement by 'P O'Neill' - the historic mouthpiece of the Provisional IRA - announcing that it is disbanding.

If Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald cannot bring about the disbandment of the IRA, any party entering government with her should demand that Sinn Fein publicly calls for the IRA's disbandment - a quarter of a century into the peace process. Any programme for government involving Sinn Fein should have an explicit statement that all participants recognise that the Irish State's Defence Forces is the only army in the State and that those forces, along with the Garda Siochana, have a monopoly on the exercise of legitimate force in the jurisdiction.

That is important in principle because true democracies cannot tolerate the existence of private armies. It is also important because the Sinn Fein leader's authority is in question.

Eighteen months ago, Ms McDonald stated that a referendum on Irish unity would be premature given the uncertainty around Brexit.

The next day the Sinn Fein press office in Belfast said exactly the opposite. The party leader fell into line.

Why did the leader of Sinn Fein do a 180-degree U-turn on such a core issue within 24 hours? Was she told to change her position? If so, who told her? Would Taoiseach Mary Lou McDonald follow orders from the same people?

Any programme for government would need to include other democratic red lines. Nowhere in Sinn Fein's constitution is the Irish State recognised.

There are references to the Rising of 1916, the General Election of 1918 and the first Dail of 1919. But political history, it seems, stops there for Sinn Fein.

There is no reference to the State as it has existed since 1922 in Sinn Fein's constitution. Instead, Article 2 of that document states "the allegiance of Irishmen and Irishwomen is due to the sovereign Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916".

This is not some trifling oversight. It delegitimises the State itself. Ms McDonald now wants to take the most powerful position in the very same State.

Any programme for government involving Sinn Fein would require all parties to explicitly pledge their allegiance to the State established in 1922 following democratic elections that year and in the previous year.

Sinn Fein's constitution makes no reference to Bunreacht na hEireann, voted into existence by the Irish people in 1937 and which has formed the bedrock of the rule of law ever since.

Its sets out the State's powers and how they are separated, checked and balanced. It sets out citizens' rights and obligations. It is the basis for the functioning of the rule of law.

Again, any programme for government would have to include explicit reference to Ireland's Constitution and that all parties in government fully accept its legitimacy and authority.

There has not been much discussion of Sinn Fein's issues with democracy since the election. One reason for this may be that many people are reassured by history. Parties in the past put down the gun and took to democracy. The same will surely happen with Sinn Fein, they suppose.

Hopefully it will. But it would be wrong to be complacent. History does not always repeat itself. Besides, how the two Civil War parties evolved is very different from how Sinn Fein has evolved, and not evolved.

The period from the Rising in 1916 to the end of the Civil War lasted seven years. Violence was by no means constant in that seven-year period. After the end of the Civil War, the new State settled down. Within nine years the opposing side in that conflict won power in an election. Democratic norms were maintained, and at a time when fascism and communism were causing democracies across the world to collapse.

The culture of the provisional movement was forged in a different furnace. It was in an unceasing war for three long decades.

To protect itself and its members over two generations it absorbed the marital values and practices of secrecy, suspicion, unquestioning obedience and summary justice - all inimical to the values and practice of democracy. Culture is slow to change. The more deeply embedded it is, the harder it is to change.

Every democrat on this island can only wish to see Sinn Fein become a fully democratic party. But nobody should assume that this is pre-ordained.

Any party that partners with it in coalition will have to be conscious of that each and every day it is in office.
There have been two encouraging recent developments in the longstanding conflict over the proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline on the territory of the Wetsuweten nation in northern British Columbia, though matters are on very shaky ground.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

There have been two encouraging recent developments in the longstanding conflict over the proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline on the territory of the Wetsuweten nation in northern British Columbia, though matters are on very shaky ground.

The $6.2 billion pipeline would transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to an export terminal at Kitimat. Its route crosses the unceded territory of the Wet'suwet'en nation.

The pipeline was approved by the provincial government and the elected band councils of 20 First Nations along its route, including five in Wet'suwet'en territory. But the project has been opposed steadfastly by Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. There have been protests, blockades, court injunctions, police roadblocks and arrests.

Recently, the province appointed former NDP MP Nathan Cullen as liaison to the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Most recently, the hereditary chiefs agreed to sit down with the province for talks, though those talks are currently in limbo.

Conflict heated up

The conflict escalated after a court issued an injunction in late December 2019 prohibiting opponents from obstructing the project.

The Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs then issued an eviction notice to Coastal GasLink. The RCMP established an access control checkpoint and initiated aerial surveillance. Protests and arrests spread to the provincial capital.

Indigenous and human rights groups have expressed concern that Indigenous rights, including the right to free, prior and informed consent to resource development, are being infringed in Wetsuweten territory.

Rule of law argument

In the midst of these developments, B.C. Premier John Horgan announced that the "rule of law" must prevail. He argued that the project "has every right to proceed," it will be built and "British Columbia is moving on."

The appointment of the provincial liaison and the hereditary chiefs agreement to sit down for talks are welcome steps. But they will have lasting value only if they pave the way for direct leader-to-leader meetings between the hereditary chiefs, Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs have repeatedly requested such meetings. As one of them reiterated recently, they want "face-to-face meetings with fellow decision-makers."

Horgan has declined these requests, even during a recent tour of northern B.C. For his part, Trudeau considers the dispute a provincial matter.

Leader-to-leader talks urgently needed

Fundamentally, this is not a dispute between Coastal GasLink and the Wetsuweten, nor between hereditary chiefs and Indian Act band councils. It goes to the core of the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples.

There is a tendency to dismiss the hereditary chiefs as just a group of opponents, in contrast to the 20 First Nations that have approved the pipeline. This is deeply misleading.

The plaintiffs in the landmark Delgamuukw case before the Supreme Court were the hereditary chiefs, not the band councils. The court accepted detailed evidence of the Wetsuweten hereditary governance system and confirmed that the Wetsuweten never surrendered title to their ancestral lands.

The hereditary chiefs are not merely a group of disgruntled opponents; they represent the Wetsuweten system of law and governance.

The fact that band councils created under the Indian Act endorsed the project and signed agreements with Coastal GasLink cannot justify ignoring Indigenous law or the Crowns obligation to meet with the hereditary chiefs. Nor can the dispute be resolved by meetings between Coastal GasLink and the hereditary chiefs.

The law is clear

The Supreme Court has been clear: The Crown must engage directly with the Indigenous group whose rights are at stake. This obligation cannot be fulfilled by third parties with vested interests in the projects success.

Horgans insistence on the "rule of law" fails to acknowledge that the relevant law includes not just the injunction order and regulatory approvals but the Constitution, Supreme Court decisions, and  crucially  Wetsuweten laws and institutions.

The hereditary chiefs embody those laws and institutions and enjoy an authority that predates the arrival of the British and the creation of the Canadian state. This authority is entitled to respect.

In an age of truth and reconciliation, respect for the rule of law must include respect for the authority of Indigenous law and a commitment to work out a just and sustainable relationship between Indigenous and settler Canadian legal systems.

Undermining reconciliation

The failure of Horgan and Trudeau to meet with the hereditary chiefs risks undermining Canadas collective effort to achieve reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Canadians are just beginning to confront our colonial past and present and to address the longstanding wrongs inflicted on Indigenous Peoples. Initial positive steps in this direction, including Canadas promises to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ring hollow if provincial and federal leaders refuse to honour the hereditary chiefs request for a meeting, let alone recognize and respect Wetsuweten law.

Reconciliation and justice cannot be achieved by the brute force of the RCMP or the self-interests of energy companies.

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This is why, on Jan. 22, 2020, we signed a letter, along with more than three dozen legal academics and professionals from across the country, urging Horgan and Trudeau to immediately sit down with the hereditary chiefs.

Weve demanded they commit to resolving this issue by recognizing the authority of Indigenous laws and governance institutions, implementing Indigenous Peoples right to free, prior and informed consent, fulfilling the Crowns constitutional obligations and upholding the honour of the Crown.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs recently called on Horgan to "get off his high colonial horse and honour the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs with his personal presence."

The serious work of reconciliation demands nothing less.

Stepan Wood is a professor and Canada Research Chair in law, society and sustainability, Gordon Christie is a professor of law and Jocelyn Stacey is an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
The CPI(M) has said the Delhi election result was a "stinging rebuff" to the BJP on the back of its failure to form government in Maharashtra and defeat in Jharkhand, and the AAP's victory in the national capital has given a fillip to the "anti-BJP-RSS Hindutva forces".

The latest edition of the party's mouthpiece, 'People's Democracy', hailed the AAP's victory and said that the credit goes to the people of Delhi that they have rejected this "communal-hate campaign" and handed out a resounding mandate to the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

Kejriwal led the Aam Aadmi Party to a stupendous victory in the Delhi Assembly polls, winning 62 of the 70 seats with a total vote share of 53.57 per cent. The BJP emerged victorious in the remaining eight seats, getting 38.51 per cent of the total votes. The Congress could not even manage a single seat and ended with 4.26 per cent vote share.

"The opposition to the BJP-RSS Hindutva forces has got a boost from this decisive Delhi verdict. Coming in the wake of its loss of majority in Haryana, its failure to form a government in Maharashtra after the break-up of its pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena and its defeat in the Jharkhand Assembly election, the Delhi result is a stinging rebuff to the BJP," an editorial on 'People's Democracy' stated.

It also said that since the citizens of Delhi are drawn from all parts of the country they include people belonging to various religions, speaking different languages and coming from diverse regions.

"The verdict they have given is a striking one -- we are all Indians who cannot be fragmented by divisive communal This augurs well for the ongoing struggle to defend the secular concept of citizenship and the fight against Hindutva authoritarianism," it said.

The editorial also said the verdict for AAP is a "resounding vote of confidence" in the government and its record and despite the BJP central government's "obstructionist tactics", the Kejriwal-led party won on the plank of good work.

"It is on this record in government and its promises to strengthen and expand these services that the AAP got the support of the working class, lower middle class, women, Dalits and minorities," the editorial said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SPRINGFIELD  Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday touted statewide benefits he said will result from a $500 million state investment in 15 hubs of a University of Illinois-led public-private research institute network.

Illinois State University in Normal is one of the hubs.

Pritzker, a Democrat, announced at a Chicago news conference on the site of one of the future developments that the state would release the funding, which was originally approved under former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and reauthorized in last years state operating budget.

The money is for the planning and construction of the Discovery Partners Institute  a public-private research and development and workforce development hub led by the UI  and 14 other hubs of a statewide program.

Todays announcement is so exciting. It will fast-track construction planning and we hope to break ground for DPI in a few months, said UI President Timothy Killeen.

The DPI campus will receive $230 million of the $500 million state investment and will be located in Chicagos South Loop in a development area known as The 78, so named because the real estate developer, Related Midwest, has plans to make it the citys 78th neighborhood.

Pritzker said through another UI-led program  the Illinois Innovation Network, or IIN  the investments economic impact will be felt statewide. The IIN is a network of DPI and another 14 regional hubs which will receive portions of the other $270 million in state funding.

Those hubs include partnerships with all of the states public universities, which will each create specific programs and facilities that fall in line with the IINs and DPIs innovation, workforce development and economic growth goals. The stated goal of the program is to train the states workforce for in-demand technology jobs.

As part of ISU's role in the network, a community makerspace, educational center and Bloomington-Normal Startup Incubator will be established.

The makerspace and educational center will provide basic entrepreneurship education programs through a partnership with Heartland Community College and local high schools. The incubator will help with creation and growth of small businesses, guiding tenants through the early business development stages.

Pritzker said making Illinois a hub for technological innovation will make it a more desirable place for students specializing in technological fields to start their careers after college graduation.

Through the Illinois Innovation Network, DPIs success will radiate across the state to 15 hubs from Chicago to Rockford to Peoria to Edwardsville, Pritzker said. We are investing in workforce development and innovation and (Research) and (Development) all across our state.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot echoed the governor and said the project could be a game changer for the city, which will also be making improvements to the area surrounding the new facility. She said it will help the city and state retain students upon graduation.

The problem is after we train and educate our studentsthey leave, she said.

She said only about half of UI engineering graduates remain in the state, while only 38 percent of computer science and computer engineering graduates from the UIs Urbana-Champaign campus stay in the state after graduating.

Today is about turning all of that around, she said.

Killeen quoted an economic impact study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group which said the project will create 48,000 jobs in the next 10 years, creating an economic impact of $19 billion.

According to DPIs website, programs at the facility will initially focus on our economys existing strengths: data analytics and computing, and their applications in food and agriculture; health and wellness; finance and insurance; and transportation/logistics. All of these industries have a strong Fortune 500 presence in the state.

The states investment will be met with private and university investment as well, including $230 million that is already committed from UI fundraising efforts. The governors office released a document with other committed and pending non-state funds that total more than $500 million in private and other state university investment in the DPI facility and the other 14 state hubs.

DPI has been operating out of temporary space in downtown Chicago, offering classes and hiring staff. Its leader is UI alum William Jackson, who is the former president of the Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, which produces building-security, climate-control and HVAC equipment, and fire-suppression products.

This article has been updated. A previous version incorrectly stated the funding was part of the Rebuild Illinois program passed last year.

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Linkedin Apriza Pinandita and Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020

Indonesians and Australians, despite their geographical proximity, still do not understand each other very well, says I Made Andi Arsana, an Indonesian scholar from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), who spent nine years living in the land down under.

As neighbors, an acknowledgement of their importance to each other has come fairly recently, in the form of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was fast-tracked by both sides amid warming ties.

One side of the relationship both countries are looking to improve is people-to-people connectivity, which officials  at least on the Indonesian side  insist could be immediately addressed by easing visa restrictions for Indonesians looking to travel to Australia.

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The man accused of the murder of detective garda Adrian Donohoe was in a car stopped by gardai close to the scene less than six hours after the killing, a court has heard.

Aaron Brady (28) is on trial charged with the murder of Adrian Donohoe, who was then a member of An Garda Siochana acting in the course of his duty, at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.

He is also charged with the of the robbery of approximately 7,000 in cash and assorted cheques from Mr Pat Bellew at the same location on the same date.

Mr Brady, of New Road in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

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This morning the Central Criminal Court heard that the accused was in a car that was pulled over by gardai in the early hours of the following morning.

Gda Finbar Gurhy agreed with defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC that if, as the prosecution contend Aaron Brady and the driver were "up to their necks in this murder", being pulled over by gardai would have been an "uncomfortable moment".

The driver cannot be identified by order of the court.

Gda Gurhy gave evidence that he arrived at Lordship credit union shortly after the shooting at around 9.30pm and was later tasked with escorting pathologist Dr Khalid Jaber to Dundalk Garda Station

At 3.05am the following morning he was driving along the Carlingford Road, towards the Ballymacsanlon roundabout, when he observed a car driving towards them.

The jury was told that road closures were put in place near the roundabout to divert traffic, and that local access was allowed at the discretion of the officer at the checkpoint.

The witness said the vehicle, a dark or grey BMW 5 series, was stopped and gardai pulled up alongside it to inquire "what he was doing on that area" of the road.

He agreed with prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC that he recognised the driver of the vehicle. Gda Gurhy said this individual lived in the area and told him he was heading home.

He told the court he was satisfied the driver had spoken to gardai at the road block near Ballymacscanlon roundabout.

The jury was told Gda Gurhy noticed a person in the passenger seat of the vehicle, but did not have any interaction or view of them.

Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC, in cross examination, said it is accepted that the person in the passenger seat at the time was Aaron Brady.

The witness agreed with Mr O'Higgins that for a person being signalled to pull over by gardai is a 'heart stopping-moment', even at the lower end of the spectrum.

Mr O'Higgins said that for Aaron Brady and the driver of the car, who as the prosecution contend were "up to their neck in this murder", being stopped by gardai must have been an "uncomfortable moment."

Gda Gurhy agreed with this saying "I imagine so", and that after the exchange both the BMW and the Garda vehicle continued on their travels.

Gda David Byrne, of Dundalk Garda Station, also gave evidence that he set up a diversion along the Carlingford Road between Lordship credit union and the Ballymacscanlon roundabout the night of the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe.

He agreed with Mr Grehan that this checkpoint was set up around one mile from the scene of the fatal shooting.

The witness said that one vehicle approached and indicated he wanted to go along a roadway towards his home.

Gda Byrne agreed with Mr Grehan that this individual identified himself by his surname and then as the son of a man known to Gda Byrne.

He recalled this vehicle as being a BMW, possibly a 5 series, with a UK registration plate.

Gda Byrne said he was at the cordon until 7.30am and that in that time the vehicle passed up to three times.

Earlier the court heard evidence that on August 13, 2013, a 5 series BMW was seized as part of the investigation.

Det Sgt Kieran Reidy said that he travelled to Belmullet, Co Mayo, with a colleague and took possession of the vehicle

The trial continues this afternoon before Justice Michael White and the jury of eight men and seven women.
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, chief of the banned Islamic charity Jamat-ud-Dawa, looks over the crowd as they end a "Kashmir Caravan" from Lahore with a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, on July 20, 2016. (Caren Firouz/Reuters/File Photo)

Pakistan Jails Islamist Accused of Mumbai Attacks for Terrorism Financing

Pakistani Islamist Hafiz Saeed, accused by India and the United States of masterminding the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, was jailed for 11 years on Feb. 12 on terrorism financing charges, a Pakistani government prosecutor and his lawyer said.

The religious group leader was the first high profile figure convicted on terrorism financing charges in Pakistan, which denies regular accusations that it shelters militants.

The unprecedented ruling came ahead of a meeting of a world financial watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), next week to decide whether to blacklist Pakistan over a failure to curb terrorism financing.

Amid pressure from the FATF to take action against Saeeds militant groups, Pakistan charged him in December with collecting funds for his organizations, which are listed as terrorist organizations by the United Nations. He pleaded not guilty.

Hafiz Saeed and another of his close aides have been sentenced in two cases of terrorism financing, prosecutor Abdul Rauf Watto told Reuters.

The total punishment in both the cases was 11 years but he will serve five-and-a-half years in jail as the two punishments will run concurrently, Saeeds lawyer Imran Gill said. We will appeal against the verdict.

Hafiz Saeed (L) addresses a gathering during a protest to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Feb. 5, 2016. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images)

Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), or the Army of the Pure, a group blamed by India and the United States for the four-day Mumbai siege, in which 160 people, including Americans and other foreigners, were killed.

The U.S. State Department praised the ruling in a statement on Twitter.

[The] conviction of Hafiz Saaed and his associate is an important step forwardboth toward holding LeT accountable for its crimes and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing, it said.

Saeed has denied any involvement and says his network, which spans 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house, and ambulance services, has no ties to militant groups.

It is funded by charities Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).

The JuD said Pakistan had been taking what it said were illegal and unconstitutional actions lately against Saeed and the groups, under pressure from the West, and to please the FATF.

Gray List

Saeeds groups disavow armed militancy inside Pakistan, but say they offer vocal and moral support for rebel fighters in Indian-administered Kashmir in the disputed Himalayan region. The two nuclear-armed nations have fought two wars over Kashmir.

Pakistan, included on a so-called gray list compiled by the FATF, has been under increasing pressure to curb the militants financing. Blacklisting would likely result in tough financial and banking restrictions that could cripple Pakistans already struggling economy.

Pakistani supporters of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) organization celebrate after the release of their leader Hafiz Saeed ordered by a court in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 22, 2017. (Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States has offered a reward of $10 million for information leading to the conviction of Saeed, who has been arrested and released several times over the past decade.

The United States has long pressed Pakistan to try Saeed, who is designated a terrorist by the United States and the United Nations.

Saeed and his groups charities have entered mainstream politics under a plan backed by Pakistan army in a bid to integrate militants into society. They contested a 2018 general election under a new name, Milli Muslim League (MML), but did not win any seats.

Western analysts say Saeeds groups are considered part of state-backed proxies nurtured and supported by the Pakistani military to counter India in the region. The military denies that.

By Mubasher Bukhari and Asif Shahzad
- Niger state's former governor Muazu Aliyu, and two others, have escaped jail term over the money laundering charges preferred against them by the EFCC

- The state high court discharged Aliyu and his colleagues, ruling that the EFCC failed to show diligence in prosecuting the corruption case

- The EFCC counsel had failed to appear before the court three times without sending any representative which led to unnecessary adjournments

A state high court sitting in Niger state has acquitted a former governor of Niger state, Muazu Aliyu, and two others of an alleged N1.940 billion money laundering case.

The suit was instituted against the former governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the court, the anti-graft commission failed to show diligence in prosecuting the corruption case brought against Aliyu, TVC reports.

Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor, has been acquitted in N1.940bn money laundering case preferred against him by EFCC. Photo credit: Premium Times

Source: UGC

Legit.ng gathers that the EFCC counsel had failed to appear before the court three times without sending any representative which led to unnecessary adjournments.

Following the development, ex-Governor Aliyu's lawyer urged the court to discharge and acquit his client.

The lawyer also asked the EFCC counsel to equally declare he is withdrawing from the case which he reportedly did.

Subsequently, the court discharged and acquitted Aliyu and his co-defendants on the premise that the EFCC lacked diligent prosecution.

Meanwhile, billions of naira have been allegedly traced to bank accounts linked to former governor Theodore Orji of Abia state.

The money was reportedly traced by the EFCC after a petition from a group, Fight Corruption: Save Nigeria Group.

According to the petition, the former governor allegedly diverted various sums of money that accrued to Abia state.

He was accused of collecting N500 million monthly purported to be security vote which was being converted.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!

Also, Legit.ng had reported that a special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, Lauretta Onochie, reacted to the conviction of some former governors found guilty of corruption cases by the competent court of the land.

The EFCC in recent times convicted some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who were former governors.

Similarly, a serving governor is topping the list of suspects being investigated by the EFCC for an alleged N6,549,942, 637.14 fraud in an arms deal.

The immediate past governor of Kogi state, Captain Idris Wada, a former chairman of a new generation bank, Tunde Ayeni, retired Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi and four others are also said to be under scrutiny by the anti-graft commission.

The alleged fraud was perpetrated by the defunct Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS), which was headed by Atawodi.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!

Deji Adeyanju asks EFCC to investigate Tinubu | - on Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 03:10:06|Editor: yan

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JERUSALEM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel has limited the natural gas production from its largest natural gas field Leviathan to about 60 percent of its production capacity due to a pipeline fault, the Ministry of Energy announced Thursday.

The ministry informed the field's U.S. operator Noble Energy that until the fault's investigation and necessary tests are completed, full production of the wells will not be possible.

Leviathan, located in the Mediterranean Sea, has four wells with a daily production capacity of about 300 million cubic feet each.

The fault was discovered in pipeline segments located close to one of the wells.

The fault is a vibration, detected by an underwater robot. To minimize vibration, the natural gas production from the wells has been reduced.

The ministry noted that the fault did not cause any pollution of seawater, nor damage to the rig and engineering facilities.

The field, which started flowing natural gas in December 2019, was discovered in 2010 and contains about 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
BOSTON - In individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND), the brain generally appears structurally normal on clinical MRI scans but functions incorrectly (akin to a computer software crashing), resulting in patients experiencing symptoms including limb weakness, tremor, gait abnormalities and non-epileptic seizures. In some cases, childhood maltreatment may have been a contributing factor, yet links between risk factors such as childhood abuse and brain mechanisms for the development of FND remain poorly understood. In a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry, researchers led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) examined the brains of individuals who experienced early-life trauma, some with FND and others without the condition. The findings may provide a better understanding of what happens in the brains of some patients with FND, as well as those with various other trauma-related brain disorders.

In the study of 30 adults with FND and 21 individuals whose clinical depression diagnoses served as controls, some of the participants in both groups had experienced early-life maltreatment, as determined through questionnaires. In FND patients only, differences in the severity of childhood physical abuse correlated with differences in connections between certain regions of the brain--for example, between the limbic regions which control emotions, arousal and survival instincts among other functions, and the primary motor cortex which is involved in voluntary movements.

"Motor and limbic circuits were more strongly interconnected in individuals with FND reporting a greater severity of childhood physical abuse," explained lead author Ibai Diez, PhD, a senior research fellow in Neurology and Radiology at MGH. This finding may lead to potentially important insights on the plastic brain mechanisms involved in promoting increased cross-talk between motor control circuits and emotion processing circuits.

In additional assessments, investigators examined how the expression of genes in a publicly available data set from the Allen Institute related to brain areas showing prominent plastic effects correlated to the degree of early-life physical abuse in patients with FND. As background, some genes in the literature have been shown to increase risk for developing brain disorders after experiencing early-life maltreatment. The researchers found that brain areas showing prominent functional re-organization in patients with FND were the same brain areas highly expressing genes involved in neuroplasticity and nervous system development.

"Our study has potential implications regarding our understanding of brain-trauma relationships not only in patients with FND but also across the greater spectrum of trauma-related brain disorders," said senior author David Perez, MD, MMSc, director of the MGH FND Clinical and Research Programs.

Perez stressed that although childhood maltreatment may be a risk factor for the development of FND in some individuals, there are many social, environmental, and biological factors that likely influence the development of FND later in life.

"More work is needed to understand how the brain mechanisms underlying FND in those without prominent childhood maltreatment may be the same or different as those individuals with FND with a high burden of childhood adversity," he said.

###

The research was the result of a collaboration between the MGH Functional Neurology Research Group led by Perez, the laboratory of Jorge Sepulcre, MD, PhD, in MGH's Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Gregory Fricchione MD of the Benson-Henry Institute, the laboratory of Erin Dunn PhD, and Timothy Nicholson MD, PhD, of King's College London.

About the Massachusetts General Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $1 billion and comprises more than 8,500 researchers working across more than 30 institutes, centers and departments. In August 2019 the MGH was once again named #2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its list of "America's Best Hospitals."
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Two senators - one Republican and one Democrat - are leading a legislative effort to have a global women's initiative spearheaded by President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka written into law.

Senators Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, are behind the effort, Ivanka Trump announced at a State Department event Wednesday.

The proposed legislation would make the economic empowerment of women a priority of U.S. foreign policy and ensure that Ivanka's pet project, the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, continues beyond the Trump administration.

It would also establish an Office of Women's Empowerment at the State Department. The bill was announced on the one-year anniversary of the White House launch of the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative.

Ivanka Trump holds up a report as she hosts an event with US Secretary of State Mike celebrating the one-year anniversary of the White House's Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Department of State

Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump gestures as she hosts an event celebrating the one-year anniversary of the White Houses Womens Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative at the State Department

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump embrace as they host an event celebrating her women's intitiative

Ivanka Trump sips from a tea cup at the event on Wednesday. The proposed legislation would make the economic empowerment of women a priority of U.S. foreign policy

Ivanka Trump celebrated the one-year anniversary of her women's prosperity initiative by debuting a bold new hairstyle

Senators Lindsey Graham (left), a South Carolina Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen (right), a New Hampshire Democrat, are behind the effort to formalize the initiative into law

Ivanka Trump said the legislation is a 'long overdue goal.'

The Graham-Shaheen bill must pass both the Republican-led Senate and the Democratic-controlled House before the president sign it into law.

Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Lois Frankel, D-Fla., will sponsor the companion House legislation.

The State Department event was attended by several high-level administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser Robert O'Brien and Larry Kudlow, Trump's top economic adviser, along with members of Congress and others.

Separately, Ivanka Trump announced that the initiative had reached 12 million women around the globe in the year since it was launched in February 2019.

Ivanka Trump speaks with guests during an event to mark the first anniversary of the Women's Global Development Prosperity Initiative in the Franklin Room at the State Department on Wednesday

The legislation would establish an Office of Women's Empowerment at the State Department. The bill was announced on the one-year anniversary of the White House launch of the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative

The program has a goal of helping 50 million women in developing nations advance economically by 2025

Nearly 2 million women have participated in U.S.-supported workforce training and development programs, and more than 9,000 women-led businesses have received more than $1.6 billion in U.S. government-backed loans

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump host an event celebrating the one-year anniversary of Ivanka's women's initiative

Legislators and Trump administration officials are seen at the event on Wednesday

The program has a goal of helping 50 million women in developing nations advance economically by 2025.

Nearly 2 million women have participated in U.S.-supported workforce training and development programs, and more than 9,000 women-led businesses have received more than $1.6 billion in U.S. government-backed loans.

Ivanka Trump has promoted the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative during visits to Africa and South America.

She plans to discuss opportunities for women in business at events in Dubai later this week.

Ivanka Trump celebrated the one-year anniversary of her women's prosperity initiative on Wednesday by debuting a bold new hairstyle as she left her Washington, D.C. home on Wednesday morning.

The 38-year-old showed off some bright blonde highlights as she made her way out of the home she shares with husband Jared Kushner and their three children, before stepping into a waiting SUV.

Ivanka Trump embraces Ambassador Kelley Currie during an event to mark the first anniversary of the Women's Global Development Prosperity Initiative in the Franklin Room at the State Department

Ivanka Trump has promoted the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative during visits to Africa and South America

The First Daughter Ivanka Trump,38, steps out of her Washington D.C. home on Wednesday morning with a new hairstyle

While her new 'do certainly took center stage, Ivanka's ensemble was not to be ignored; the Senior White House Advisor modeled a $1,850 pleated Max Mara dress with a demure blouse-style top

While her new 'do certainly took center stage, Ivanka's ensemble was not to be ignored; the Senior White House Advisor modeled a $1,850 pleated Max Mara dress with a demure blouse-style top.

The chiffon dress featured a mock-neck with an elegant tie, while the pleated skirt was nipped in at the waist with elastic, allowing Ivanka to show off her curves.

Clearly keen to pull out all the stops in celebration of the W-GDP's anniversary, Ivanka also modeled a glamorous makeup look, showing off long lashes, a pretty pink lip color and a smokey eye.

Her newly-highlighted hair was left sleek and straight around her shoulders, allowing her to show off the new style to full effect.

Not long after departing her Kalorama home, the first daughter took to social media to mark the W-GDP's first anniversary, sharing a video on Instagram Stories, before writing on Twitter: 'Happy Birthday W-GDP!'
HARRISON, MI  In an effort to stabilize its funding model, Mid Michigan College is seeking a millage request on the March 2020 ballot for voters in the Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin and Harrison school districts.

The Mid Michigan College Board of Trustees in December authorized a millage proposal requesting an additional 0.6268 mills. If passed, the colleges total millage rate would increase to 1.85 mills for 10 years, according to a Mid Michigan College news release. Revenue from the increase would be used for college operating purposes and would largely fund advanced technology for students and academic programs, including in health sciences and skilled trades.

Taxpayers who own property or live in the school districts of Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin and Harrison, currently do and would continue to contribute to Mid Michigan Colleges operational funding. They and their dependents also are eligible for a lower tuition rate. In 2019-2020, the rate was $129 per contact hour for taxpayers and their dependents, compared with $217 per contact hour for out-of-district students, the release states.

Mid Michigan College is located at 1375 S. Clare Ave. in Clare Countys Harrison. It was established in 1965 when voters passed a millage of 1.5 mills to support its construction and operations, making it the states 25th community college. Since then, the millage rate has dropped to 1.2232 mills, the second lowest college millage in the state, the release states.

Compared to the other 28 community colleges in the state, Mid Michigan College is the most dependent on tuition and fees for revenue, collects the lowest amount of property tax per fiscal year equated students, and operates with the fourth lowest expenditures per fiscal year equated students, the release states.

Mid Michigan College was established in 1965 in Clare County when voters passed a millage of 1.5 mills to support its construction and operations.Courtesy | Mid Michigan College

Although there is so much more the College would like to do for its students and the communities it serves, Mid has always lived within its means. The College operates well below the state average in both revenue and expenses, Scott Mertes, vice president of community outreach and advancement, said in a statement.

An economic impact study conducted last year by EMSI found that in fiscal year 2018-2019 Mid Michigan College added $69.2 million in income to the Clare, Gladwin, and Isabella County economies and supported 1,314 jobs.

Learn more about the college and its millage proposal here.

Michigan has 7.6 million registered voters. Check your voter registration and find your local clerk at the Secretary of States Michigan Voter Information Center.

Related news:

Absentee ballots to arrive in special envelopes for Michigan March primary

Who is on Michigans March presidential primary ballot?
Married At First Sight's publicists will be pulling their hair out this week.

Not only has Natasha Spencer splashed her romance with new boyfriend Steve Cook all over Instagram, but she made no effort to hide their relationship during a trip to Sydney's Coogee Beach, last month.

The 26-year-old financial analyst couldn't keep her hands off her heavily-tattooed beau as they soaked up the sun on Saturday, January 4.

Spoiler alert! Married At First Sight's Natasha Spencer (right) made no effort to hide her new romance with Steve Cook (left) during a trip to Sydney's Coogee Beach, last month

Natasha is technically still 'married' to Mikey Pembroke on Nine's social experiment, but she has made no secret of the fact they are no longer together.

MAFS was in production between September and December last year, and the reunion episodes were filmed in mid-January.

During her beach trip, Natasha flaunted her sensational figure in a patterned bikini featuring skimpy tie-side bottoms.

Tactile display: The 26-year-old financial analyst couldn't keep her hands off her heavily-tattooed beau as they soaked up the sun on Saturday, January 4

Sizzling: During her beach trip, Natasha flaunted her sensational figure in a patterned bikini featuring skimpy tie-side bottoms

Inked: She displayed her various tattoos, including a large sugar skull on her left thigh

She displayed her various tattoos, including a large sugar skull (or calavera) on her left thigh.

Interestingly, she was still wearing a ring on her wedding finger. However, this may have been due to her contractual obligations to Nine.

At one stage, the brunette wrapped her arms around Steve's shoulders as they sat on a beach towel.

He returned the favour by placing a hand on her lower back.

Affectionate: At one stage, she wrapped her arms around Steve's shoulders as they sat on a beach towel

Gesture: He returned the favour by placing a hand on her lower back

Mikey who? Natasha is technically still 'married' to Mikey Pembroke on Channel Nine's social experiment, but she has made no secret of the fact they are no longer together

Natasha became the victim of a 'revenge porn' attack last week, after an intimate video of her was circulated on social media without her consent.

The reality star reported the incident to NSW Police on Tuesday, after the private footage was circulated on social media.

The video is believed to have emerged on February 4, the day Natasha's wedding to Mikey was watched by more than a million Australians.

Schedule: MAFS was in production between September and December last year, and the reunion episodes were filmed in mid-January

Crime: Natasha became the victim of a 'revenge porn' attack last week, after an intimate video of her was circulated on social media without her consent

Taking action: The reality star reported the incident to NSW Police on Tuesday, after the private footage was circulated on social media

Television debut: The video is believed to have emerged on February 4, the day Natasha's wedding to Mikey Pembroke (right) was watched by more than a million Australians

The footage in question was apparently filmed last year and involves Natasha and an unidentified male.

A NSW Police spokesperson said: 'Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command are investigating a report made on Tuesday 11 February 2020, by a 26-year-old Lane Cove woman concerning an incident that occurred last year.'

Natasha was pictured leaving Surry Hills Police Station on Tuesday. She was holding several pieces of paper and talking on her mobile phone.

A friend of Natasha's told Daily Mail Australia: 'She is taking this matter very seriously and is devastated. She also fears that it will have a negative impact on her career.'

Video leak: The footage in question was apparently filmed last year and involves Natasha and an unidentified male

Under investigation: Natasha was pictured leaving Surry Hills Police Station on Tuesday, after reporting the incident to officers
A woman who operates a seasonal business on P.E.I. with her husband is back on Canadian soil after finally being allowed to leave China.

Daniela Luo and her nine-year-old daughter, Dominica Gisborne, were among 185 passengers on a second evacuation flight from Wuhan, China  the area where the coronavirus outbreak began.

There are about 44,653 cases of coronavirus in China as of Wednesday and the number of deaths in mainland China attributed to the illness has surpassed 1,000.

Luo and her daughter are currently being quarantined at a military base in Ontario. Luo's husband, Monte Gisborne, is waiting for the pair to arrive at their new home in Coquitlam, B.C.  Luo only spent a few days there before heading to China.

"We are very happy to come back to Canada," she said.

I feel I can't leave them to stay in Wuhan by themselves.  Daniela Luo

Luo said everyone on the flight appeared to be healthy and she is thankful the Canadian government helped get them back to the country.

"Here is perfect, everything is great," Luo said from the military base over Skype.

'I can't leave them to stay'

Luo said she got an email Feb. 9, which had her on the list for the second evacuation flight leaving Wuhan Feb. 12.

When she made it to the airport, Luo and her daughter had to go through a lot of checks, she said.

"Your health and check your temperature, check all your information and make sure everything is OK  is healthy, so people can go to the flight."

When she was on the flight Luo said she "felt happy" because she could come back to Canada, but she was worried about leaving her parents behind.

Dillon Hodgin/CBC

"I feel I can't leave them to stay in Wuhan by themselves," Luo said.

She thought about staying with her parents, but decided she and her daughter should come back to Canada.

"They pushed me, they said 'You must [go] back to Canada,'" Luo said.

She said it has been difficult dealing with quarantines and coming back to Canada.

Story continues

But Luo said she has received a lot of emails from people on P.E.I. and in Canada offering support.

Luo and her husband plan to come back to P.E.I. in the summer to run their business doing Chinese junk boat tours, she said.

More P.E.I. news
WTF is even going on anymore.

Today, impeached president Donald John Trump did another bad thing right out in the open.

And I'm not even talking about the dumb 'The Godfather' joke.

On Twitter, he said New York "must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment" if state residents want the ability to apply for 'Global Entry' status with the Department of Homeland Security. The program, which costs $100 to apply for, enters you in a federal database and allows you to go through TSA airport screenings quickly and with a little shred of your dignity sort of intact.

This quid-pro-quo, this-for-that tweet is super wrong and seems against the law? But nothing matters.

Here's how the former director of the Office of Government Ethics responded.

Holy cow! He appears to be engaging in another quid pro quo right before our eyes. I don't know what to say but HOLY COW! NY must drop its lawsuits against him if New Yorkers want Global Entry status? HOLY COW!!! HOLY COW!!! https://t.co/4NPUgc9LNt  Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 13, 2020

Again, here is what President Trump is demanding in the screenshotted tweet above: the governor and law enforcement entities of New York, a state which was his residence until very recently, must stop investigating Trump family crimes if New York residents want to receive federal services.

This is fine.

Also  Trump appears to believe that Cuomo, the governor, is responsible for filing these lawsuits against Trump.

He's not.

The state attorney general is, you big dummy.

Here's the AG's tweeted reply.

When you stop violating the rights and liberties of all New Yorkers, we will stand down. Until then, we have a duty and responsibility to defend the Constitution and the rule of law. BTW, I file the lawsuits, not the Governor. https://t.co/tsOLeEgiQp  NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) February 13, 2020

More observations from legal minds and reporters, below.

New York's AG just sued the Trump administration for the 35th time since Jan 2019, this time b/c he rescinded global entry status for NY travelers. That's one lawsuit every 11.6 days. If Trump stops breaking the law, I'm sure they'd happily stop suing. pic.twitter.com/2ePa2z1eK2  Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) February 13, 2020

Of note, the Trump admin announced the suspension of the Global Entry program for New Yorkers the same day Trump was acquitted of impeachment charges https://t.co/p4DKEs26vh  Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) February 13, 2020
Airbus now owns a lot more of the jet it used to share with Bombardier. What does that mean for jetliner production in Mobile?

Nothing dramatic and nothing negative, according to Kristi Tucker, director of communications for Airbus Americas. Local goals are unchanged, she said Thursday, as news spread that Bombardier had divested itself of the A220 program, with Airbus stake jumping from 50 to 75 percent and the Canadian government holding the remainder.

Bombardier had developed the C Series, a single-aisle twin-engine jet smaller than Airbus popular A320 family. Despite the new jets promise, development costs left Bombardier struggling to produce and market the plane. Airbus took a share slightly over 50 percent, renamed it the A220 and began building an assembly line in Mobile, where it already manufactures the A320 family.

The latest development doesnt come as a surprise. It was no secret that Bombardier faced challenges, or that Airbus had vowed to stick with the A220. Bombardier, a huge and complex company with other major divisions, has been working its way out of commercial aviation for some time. Last summer it sold its regional jet business to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Last fall it announced an agreement to sell its aerostructures division to Spirit AeroSystems.

Here in Mobile nothing changes, Tucker said via email. We are continuing to hire for our A220 and A320 programs, are on track for our first A220 delivery from Mobile in Q3 of this year, and on track for reaching rate four (producing four a month) in the A220 program by the middle of the decade. (In January, Airbus said it had added 600 new jobs in 2019, many related to the establishment of the A220 assembly line.)

According to information released by Airbus, the company is paying Bombardier $591 million for the ownership transfer, and Bombardier also is absolved of responsibility to sink any future capital funding into the A220 project. The deal secured the jobs of Canadian Bombardier employees building components for Airbus and assembling A220s in Mirabel, Canada.

"This agreement with Bombardier and the Government of Quebec demonstrates our support and commitment to the A220 and Airbus in Canada, Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said in a statement released by the company. Furthermore it extends our trustful partnership with the Government of Quebec. This is good news for our customers and employees as well as for the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry  I would like to sincerely thank Bombardier for the strong collaboration during our partnership. We are committed to this fantastic aircraft programme and we are aligned with the Government of Quebec in our ambition to bring long-term visibility to the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry.

Industry analysts saw the move as a strong one for Airbus. A Bloomberg report said that the company was pressing home its advantage over Boeing Co. and its grounded 737 Max in the growing narrow-body market. Many, such as CNN business, said it was one more step in a trend toward a global duopoly dominated by Boeing and Airbus, with the two companies protected from new competitors by the huge capital expense required to develop and build commercial planes.

Demand for the A220 continues to be strong: Nigerias Green Africa Airways just announced an agreement to order 50, adding to 658 orders reported in hand by Airbus at the end of January.

Airbus said that as of the end of January, seven customers on four continents were flying a total of 107 A220s. All those were manufactured in Canada.

The reaction for Bombardier was mixed. The Montreal Gazette characterized Bombardiers experience as a failed bet of more than $6 billion. Not everyone bought government leaders view that the move would benefit the country and its workers, the Gazette reported, with one critic calling it the dismantling of a once-proud Canadian company.

However, the Gazette also reported that the sale of various divisions had netted Bombardier more than $1.6 billion in cash and cut nearly $2 billion in liabilities and future commitments. It gives us the liquidity to do the right things, Bombardier CEO Alain Bellemare said of the divestiture strategy.
FEBRUARY 13, 2020  Former government officials from Republican and Democratic administrations gathered at UTSA on Feb. 12 to discuss issues central to U.S. national security, especially those that are of interest to San Antonio.

Via a preevent survey, two-thirds of the local audience members said foreign policy would be a significant factor in their upcoming voting decision in Novembers general election.

Cohosted by UTSA and the Council on Foreign Relations, the forums panelists included Richard N. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and former special assistant to George H.W. Bush; Stephen J. Hadley, former national security adviser to George W. Bush; Jeh Charles Johnson, former secretary of homeland security to Barack Obama; and Mary Beth Long, former assistant secretary of defense to George W. Bush. Margaret E. Talev, White House and politics editor for Axios and a political analyst for CNN moderated the panel.

UTSA is one of only four universities in the country chosen to cohost the forum with the Council on Foreign Relations as part of the organizations Election 2020 Series leading up to this years caucuses and primaries. UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken and UTSA President Taylor Eighmy provided opening remarks.

Election 2020 forum at UTSA

UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken welcomes the packed house to UTSA. President Taylor Eighmy introduces the moderator and panel to the stage. Eighmy encourages guests to be engaged, vote and participate in U.S. Census 2020. Members of the nonpartisan discussion about current foreign policy challenges are moderator Margaret E. Talev, Stephen Hadley, Jeh Charles Johnson, Mary Beth Long and Richard Haass. The biggest threat to Americas position in the world is us, Haass says. Jeh Charles Johnson discusses how defending the homeland is a foreign policy issue. Our ability to be consistent in our national goals with China makes China a much bigger challenge than I think the Chinese think they should be, Long says. Stephen Hadley says the takeaway message from the forum is that who the president is really matters. UTSA students, faculty, staff and members of the community listen to the discussion. The panel spends the final portion of the forum answering questions from the audience. Previous Next

The conversation delved into several critical foreign policy challenges facing the primary and general election candidates, such as how the U.S. should manage relations with Iran, how a trade war with China will affect the economy, how a U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement might benefit American workers, and how the situation in Venezuela can be improved.

 Watch a replay of the U.S. Foreign Policy Forum, cohosted by UTSA.

People ask me what the top national security threats are, Johnson said. I can tell you number 1, 2 and 3: climate change, climate change, climate change.

Long added, Our inability to be consistent in our national goals with China makes China a much bigger challenge than I think the Chinese think they should be.

The issue is, Hadley said, if you have American values and believe in those values, how far do you go? People think George W. Bush went too far. Obama dialed it back. Trump has dialed it back further.

Whoever the president is come January 2021 is going to have extraordinary challenges, Haass summed up.
This floating nightmare on the "coronavirus cruise ship" has degraded the enjoyment of sailing in comfort, passengers are now carriers and fear who will be infected next is the question. The ship is the scene of the second-worst outbreak outside China, it has occurred in Japanese territory, on the Diamond Princess owned by Princess Cruises.

Patient zero on the ill-fated cruise is an elderly passenger about 80-years old, tested positive on Feb.1 when they left Hong Kong. On Feb.4, the 3,700 passengers with its crew were quarantined in Japan at the Yokohama port. To stay indefinitely unless allowed to leave by Japanese authorities, under controlled quarantine.

Infected patients have risen to 175 individuals with COVID-19 or the coronavirus. Only the positively tested were allowed to leave the ship, but the remaining passengers have to stay there till Feb. 19.

More than one cruise ship is stuck in port another is the MS Westerdam though with no cases reported. Cruise ships are under watch by maritime authorities for possible outbreaks and contamination for the COVID-19.

Besides the cruise ship carrying the disease, about 14 Americans are infected by the virus in the US. The source is exposure from victims who are not aware they are carriers.

Questions have been raised if quarantining ships are safe for the passengers in particular. Does it help in keeping the coronavirus at bay or makes it worse? This is everything that we know.

Also read: MWC 2020 Cancelled Over Coronavirus Fears

1. What is quarantine for cruise ships?

The act of quarantine is when authorities disallow the ship to leave their waters until the infected and possible carriers are under control. To safeguard their local citizens from the outbreaks spread they keep passengers on board.

2. Does it aggravate the spread of infections more?

By quarantining those in close quarters, the spread of disease might get worse. One instance is the use of common areas that everyone shares together, an example is the mess hall areas where food is handled.

3. How are the people affected on the ship?

Passengers are afraid and are under stress from the possible infection. They are also anxious about how they can survive COVID-19 once infected. The isolation adds to the anxiety that makes the situation worse for them.

4. Does it impinge on the rights of people?

A quarantine applies for those already infected, but it gets hazy for those not positive for any COVID-19 infection. If anyone is suspected and detained without proof of infection, that makes it a violation of human rights.

5. How does it reflect on the COVID-19 outbreak?

The question of how the virus works and everything about it, is not clear and quarantine measures are the best options now. Obtaining a cure for the contagion will be the only option, to lessen draconian measures to control its spread.

6. Should these cruises be banned for potential outbreaks?

Circumstances of the coronavirus cruise ship show that these cruises may be a hotbed for viral infection and transmission. A lot of thought and study should be done based on the case of the coronavirus cruise ship and go from there.

Related Article: Hong Kong Officials Investigate Possible Coronavirus Transmission Through Pipelines

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
GM Korea will halt assembly lines at its plant in Bupyeong next week, the carmaker said Wednesday.

The plant makes its latest midsize Trailblazer SUV with which it hopes to restore its business.

With the shutdown of the plant, all five Korean automakers will now have halted production partially or entirely because they have run out of Chinese-made components because of the coronavirus outbreak.

"Various Chinese-made components including cable harnesses are in short supply," a GM Korea staffer said. "It's inevitable to halt production since the Chinese plants haven't completely gone back to normal yet and it takes time to transport some finished parts due to a snag in the logistics network."

Ssangyong, which suspended production on Feb. 4, and Renault Samsung, which halted its assembly lines Tuesday, will stay closed until Friday.

Hyundai and Kia are halting production until later this month, but some of their key assembly lines have already restarted production since Tuesday.

"We can make up for the loss by working overtime later if we suspend production for a day or two," an industry insider said. "But unless we can deliver cars on time we'll suffer a heavy loss and lose loyal customers."


Etihad Airways will operate an additional daily flight on the Abu Dhabi-Thiruvananthapuram route and on the Abu Dhabi-Chennai route just for the month of May using its narrow-body aircraft, a top executive of the airline said on Thursday. The airline currently flies one daily frequency to Thiruvananthapuram and two daily frequencies to Chennai.

"We have added another seven weekly flights to Chennai and another seven to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). So, Trivandrum goes up to 14 (weekly flights) and Chennai goes up to 21 (weekly flights) for the month of May," said Neerja Bhatia, Vice President, Indian sub-continent, Etihad Airways.

"It is only for the month of May at the moment. We will let you know we have any long-term plans (for these additional flights)," she told reporters. Bhatia clarified that flight operations on the Abu Dhabi-Thiruvananthapuram route and on the Abu Dhabi-Chennai route would be carried out using narrow-body A320 family aircraft.

The airline is currently celebrating 15 years of operations to India from its hub Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Outside its home market of UAE, India is the number one market for the airline, said W Lindsay White, Vice President, Eastern Region, Etihad Airways.

"It was very close with the Australian and New Zealand market. But India has actually overtaken that market and has become number one, apart from the home market of UAE," White added. Last year, the full-service carrier had started a fourth daily flight on its Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route due to high passenger demand. Etihad currently operates 161 return flights between Abu Dhabi and 10 Indian cities.

To a question, Danny Barranger, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Etihad Airways, stated that it was not clear how the novel coronavirus would be affecting the airline's operations to other countries apart from China. "It is a very fluid situation. It is changing day by day, week by week. Clearly, as far as China is concerned, we have suspended some flight operations. We are still operating to Beijing," he told the reporters.

"At the same time, we are looking where we can operate those assets (planes) in the short term. At the moment, it is primarily China, we have not seen too much of the effect (of the virus) in other markets. But we don't know how this virus is going to affect other countries," Barranger added.
(Alliance News) - Ryanair Holdings PLC's chief commercial officer told reporters in Milan that the budget airline is not interested in buying Air Italy, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Struggling Air Italy, part-owned by Qatar Airways, announced its bankruptcy Tuesday but said it would guarantee flights through February 25, after which tickets would be reimbursed.

Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer David O'Brien told reporters that "we have no interest whatsoever in buying Air Italy. It would be pointless", Reuters reported.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-air-italy-m-a-ryanair-hldgs/ryanair-says-it-has-no-interest-in-buying-air-italy-idUKKBN2071DX

Media reports earlier this week linked the low-cost airline with a potential rescue bid for Air Italy.

The company, formerly called Meridiana, on Tuesday said: "From February 11 to 25 inclusive, all Air Italy flights will be guaranteed by other companies at the planned times and days."

Italy's flag carrier is Societa Aerea Italiana, trading as Alitalia.

Ryanair shares were 0.8% lower at EUR15.63 each in London on Thursday afternoon.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to hold the local body elections (panchayat polls) in the union territory, reports news agency ANI.

Panchayat elections for vacant posts of every block will be held using ballot boxes. It will be conducted in eight phases, said Jammu and Kashmirs Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar.

This will be the first major political exercise since the Centre abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution in August last year, which took away the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and turned it into a union territory. A separate union territory of Ladakh was also carved out.

Jammu and Kashmir is now governed by the Centre which has appointed GC Murmu as the Lieutenant Governor to look after the affairs of the union territory. The new status also means that law and order is now handled by the Centre.

While union territory of Ladakh doesnt have an assembly and will be directly governed by the Union Home Ministry through the Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and kashmir will have an assembly and will largely work along the lines of the Delhi model.

The bold and far-reaching decision was one of the key promises of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run up to May 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP came back to power with a thumping majority with the party alone winning 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, well past the 288 seats of 2014. The NDA ended up with 352 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team took charge on May 30 and on August 5, in the first Parliament session of the new Lok Sabha, the all-important announcement on Jammu and Kashmir was made after mainline political leaders were detained, and state put under communication lockdown. The Kashmir valley still does not have internet connectivity but the aftermath of the move has been largely peaceful.
A series of villages in Vietnam were put under quarantine today after six cases of the deadly coronavirus were discovered there.

The lockdown of 10,000 people is the first major quarantine outside mainland China since the outbreak began.

Police officers in face masks were today guarding checkpoints in the farming region of Son Loi with villagers facing 20 days in quarantine.

The drastic measures have been imposed after a sixth case of the virus was confirmed in Son Loi today, in addition to five who were already infected.

Vietnamese police wearing face masks guard a checkpoint in Son Loi today after the area was locked down over coronavirus fears

A map showing the Son Loi region which has been put under quarantine. Vietnam shares a border with China and has 16 confirmed cases of the coronavirus

'As of February 13, we will urgently implement the task of isolation and quarantine of the epidemic area in Son Loi commune,' said a health ministry statement.

'The timeline... is for 20 days'.

Son Loi is a farming region made up of several villages, around 25 miles from Hanoi.

On Thursday, checkpoints were set up around the commune including in the district of Binh Xuyen on the outskirts of Son Loi.

Health officials wearing protective suits sprayed disinfectant on vehicles by the checkpoints.

Villager Tran Van Minh told AFP that authorities had already advised residents to avoid large gatherings.

'Life has been badly affected,' he said, adding that much of the labour force is reliant on jobs in construction and house painting.

'Now we cannot get out and even if we do, clients don't welcome us that much as before.'

A health worker in protective gear sprays disinfectant over a motorcycle at a checkpoint today with 10,000 villagers facing nearly three weeks in quarantine

Vietnam, which shares a porous border with China, has 16 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including those in Son Loi.

The country has already banned all flights to and from mainland China in a bid to stop the virus from spreading.

It also suspended new tourist visas for Chinese nationals or foreigners who had been in China over the past two weeks.

More than 1,350 people have died in China from the virus, and nearly 60,000 others have been infected, since it was first detected in the Hubei province in early January.

China has imposed unprecedented quarantines across Hubei, locking in about 56 million people, in a bid to stop it spreading.

Tens of millions of others cities far from the epicentre are also enduring travel restrictions.

The virus has also had massive ramifications globally, with many countries banning travellers from China in a bid to stop people spreading the disease.
The stepdaughter of a self-proclaimed 'financial whiz' accused of running an alleged ponzi scheme used investors' money to fly on a private jet to get a boob job, a court has heard.

Zoe Marzin took the stand during the second day of the liquidators examination into failed Goldsky hedge fund at the Federal Court in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Investors are believed to have lost $24 million in the fund, but her stepdad Ken Grace has denied being the one responsible for it.

Ms Marzin told the court how she had flown from the Gold Coast to Sydney on a private plane in 2018 while working as a receptionist for the hedge fund.

She said she went to Sydney 'specifically to get my boobs done', the Courier Mail reported.

Zoe Marzin took the stand during the second day of the liquidators examination into failed Goldsky hedge fund at the Federal Court in Brisbane on Wednesday

Ms Marzin told the court how she had flown from the Gold Coast to Sydney on a private plane in 2018 while working as a receptionist for the hedge fund

Her comments come after a report filed in earlier court proceedings by the receiver for the hedge fund stated that $115,502 had been spent on cosmetic surgery.

Ms Marzin, who now works as a housekeeper, also told the court she had received $100,000 from her mother to start fashion brand Zimmer and Maize.

The brand never launched despite Ms Marzin designing clothes that were being made in Indonesia.

The third day of public examinations into how the hedge fund operated will be heard on Thursday.

Matthew Skene, Kane McDonald and Steven Snow will give evidence after being investors into the fund operated by Mr Grace.

Mr Grace told the court on Wednesday the money was not lost, and the liquidators needed to find it.

Investors are believed to have lost $24 million in the fund, but her stepdad Ken Grace (pictured with his wife Jane) has denied being the one responsible for it

Zoe Marzin, who now works as a housekeeper, also told the court she had received $100,000 from her mother to start fashion brand Zimmer and Maize

He said he believed he was the victim of a cyber crime orchestrated by Mr Skene.

It was his belief that Mr Skene has taken the money from his personal bank account, which is the account he used to trade his clients' investments.

This was described as 'nonsense' by the lawyer for the liquidators.

On Wednesday, Mr Grace told the court he would take investors' money out of the hedge fund and into his own bank account, because that is the account he used to invest.

He said clients were not told he put any of their money into his own account.

While being quizzed about payments which had been made out of the hedge fund, Mr Grace admitted he had spent $17,000 on flying his family on a private jet to Sydney.
Employers like Apple that search their employees bags before they go home must pay them for the time they spend on the search, the state Supreme Court said Thursday in a ruling likely to apply to many retail businesses in California.

Apple requires workers at its stores to submit their bags, packages, backpacks, purses and Apple devices such as iPhones to searches at the end of their shifts or whenever they leave the store and does not pay them for their time. Employees have estimated that awaiting and undergoing the searches generally takes between five and 20 minutes, but can last as long as 45 minutes on busy days.

Sued by a group of employees in 2013, the Cupertino-based technology company argued that the searches should not be considered work time because employees could avoid them by not bringing bags or devices to work. A federal judge in San Francisco agreed and dismissed the suit. But a federal appeals court panel then asked the states high court for a definitive interpretation of state labor law on an issue of extreme importance to numerous employers and employees in California.

In Thursdays ruling, the court noted that the state Industrial Welfare Commission, in a 1947 order, defined compensable hours worked as the time during which an employee is subject to the control of any employer. The time spent on mandatory searches fits that definition, the court said.

Apple employees are clearly under Apples control while awaiting, and during, the exit searches, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said in the 7-0 ruling.

She noted that the company requires employees to locate a manager or security guard to conduct the search, to remain in the store during the search, and to open their bags and packages and hand over their Apple devices. Employees who violate the rules can be fired.

The searches are imposed mainly for Apples benefit by serving to detect and deter theft, Cantil-Sakauye said. She said the searches are, as a practical matter, required for employees who use bags to bring everyday items to work. Employees are also required to wear Apple-branded clothing at work but to cover it up or remove it outside the store, another reason to carry a bag, the chief justice said.

Many retailers in California have similar policies, and other suits are pending against several of them, said Kimberly Kralowec, a lawyer for the employees who sued Apple.

Its a good day for employees in California, Kralowec said. She said the ruling would allow Apple employees to seek damages for unpaid search time dating back to July 2009, four years before the suit was filed.

Apple and its attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. State and national business organizations filed arguments supporting the companys position, while employee and consumer advocates, and the union representing prison guards, argued in support of the plaintiffs.

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 ruling illustrated the breadth of California law compared to a 1947 federal law, the Portal-to-Portal Act, which narrowed the definition of payable hours worked under U.S. law. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the federal law did not entitle employees to be paid for the time they spent waiting for security searches, because that time was not integral and indispensable to their work.

It was in response to the federal law, Cantil-Sakauye said, that the California Industrial Welfare Commission issued its 1947 order defining work hours more broadly. Such wage orders, she said, must be liberally construed because they are intended to benefit employees.

The case is Frlekin vs. Apple, S243805.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaneka BioPolymers' Business Development Director, Christiane Waldron was proud to speak at this year's International Day of Women and Girls in Science assembly. This assembly was held in the iconic UN General Assembly Hall in special recognition of the 5th anniversary of the International Day.

This speech focused on empowering women in the workplace, the role of science training in shaping future business leaders and bridging the gender divide in tech.

This speech was livestreamed on UN TV and recorded for future use.

For further information about Kaneka's PHBH, please contact

Christiane Waldron

Director of Business Development

Kaneka Americas Holding, Inc.

BioPolymers Division

Https://www.kanekabiopolymers.com

[email protected]

Link to Kaneka BioPolymers

https://www.kanekabiopolymers.com

Link to GreenBiz 2020

https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day

SOURCE Kaneka Americas Holding, Inc.
UNIVERSITY of Cebu (UC) president Augusto W. Go met on Jan. 29, 2020, the four hospitality and tourism management students who were chosen to study at Varna University of Management in Bulgaria, a country in Europe.

The selected students were Edel Jane Hones and Earl Jason Quinones (hospitality management); Chaira Jane Maica Villahermosa and Daphne Desabelle (tourism management). The project International Credit Mobility Program is a partnership between UC and Varna University of Management under the European Unions Erasmus+ program.

Go, a lawyer, expressed his support to the students after they were chosen as UC representatives.

The four of you are so bright. Thats why you are all selected. You now represent University of Cebu and I am certain you will all do your best to make UC proud, Go told them.

The students flew to Bulgaria last Saturday, Feb. 1. SunStar
Passengers arrive at Heathrow Airport in London, with the Government advising flights from China will still be allowed to land. (Getty Images)

Flights from China will still be allowed to land in the UK, a day after a ninth coronavirus case was confirmed in the country.

The government upgraded COV-19 to a serious and imminent threat to public health on Monday.

After a woman tested positive for the infection on Wednesday, the department of health and social care said the risk to the public had not changed, and that the NHS was "well prepared to deal with coronavirus".

On Thursday, the government advised flights to the UK from China are allowed to proceed - but the policy will be monitored based on updates from the World Health Organization (WHO).

A woman wearing a face mask packs her suitcase in the departures area of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, after it was announced British Airways has suspended all services to and from China. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

A statement, which is part of a Q&A on the UK Government website, reads: We have no current plans to restrict entry to the UK, but we will keep this constantly under review and follow WHO guidance.

The UK is not taking special measures regarding arrivals of any nationality from China beyond standard entry procedures.

However, if you believe you may have been exposed to coronavirus or been in contact with another person exhibiting flu-like symptoms, you may wish to take precautions and self-quarantine for a minimum 7 days, also informing anyone you might be living with of your concerns.

Read more:

Coronavirus: Third death outside of mainland China confirmed

Philippine says travel ban stays even as Taiwan plans countermeasures

Eight-month-old baby 'youngest suspected coronavirus case' in London

More than 50 countries around the world have banned flights from China in a bid to contain the spread of COV-19, including:

Australia

The Australian government has extended its travel ban on people who have travelled through China.

The ban, initially set for 14 days and due to expire on Saturday, was extended on Thursday on the advice of Australias health authorities and the national security committee.

Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family are exempt from the ban.

Travellers seen wearing surgical masks as they exit the arrival hall area at Hong Kong international airport (AP)

Hong Kong

Hundreds of flights between mainland Chinese cities and Hong Kong have been cancelled as a 14-day mandatory quarantine measure came into effect on 8 February.

Story continues

Passengers who have been in mainland China in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter if their permitted stay in Hong Kong is less than 14 days.

Travellers who have been in mainland China in the past 14 days or arriving from mainland China are subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days.

Travellers wearing face masks line up at the Air China check-in desk at San Francisco International Airport (Sipa USA)

United States

As of 6 February, non-nationals or non-residents who have been in mainland China in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter the US.

For those allowed entry that have been in mainland China in the past 14 days must arrive at one of the designated airports.

These include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York (JFK or Newark), San Francisco, Seattle and Washington Dulles.

British Airways have halved the number of flights to Hong Kong (AP)

On Thursday afternoon, British Airways confirmed it had halved the number of flights between London Heathrow and Hong Kong due to a drop in demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

A spokesman for the airline said: To match demand we are merging our two daily services to and from Hong Kong from February 13.

We are contacting affected customers about the very slight timing change. They still have the option to take a full refund or rebook to a later date. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Oklahoma House Judiciary Committee Chair Strikes HB3345 Idas Law Supporting MMIW Epidemic

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune (CATT)

On February 11 at the Oklahoma State Capitol, 11 items were slated for discussion and to be voted on by the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

Of the many items that were discussed and voted on, in determining which bills would move on to the Oklahoma House of Representatives floor, HB3345 was struck from the agenda by Judiciary Chair Chris Kannady , House Representative District 91.

HB3345, also known as Idas Law , is a bill in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples epidemic. Ida Beard, an enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, has been missing for over five years with no leads in her case. Through Idas Law, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) would create an office of liaison that will work with state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies specifically for missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases. House District 93 Representative Mickey Dollens (Democrat) authored the bill with Senator John Montgomery (Republican) as the co-author, making HB3345 a bi-partisan initiative.

HB3345 would create a position within OSBI that would oversee missing and murdered Indigenous cases, it was named after Ida Beard, who went missing in 2015 and the bill represents all of the cases throughout Oklahoma. Over 100 of them are currently open. Right now our bill wasnt heard in committee like we anticipated, were not giving up, whether that means getting a solution done legislatively, working directly with the OSBI, or working with leadership, Im looking at all venues possible to get something accomplished this session, Dollens said.

Representative Mickey Dollens, District 93, discusses what his future plans will be after HB3345 (Idas Law) was stricken from the House Judiciary Committees agenda for a vote by committee chair Chris Kannady, District 93. Photo by Latoya Lonelodge / Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune

In attending the committee hearing where HB3345 was struck from the agenda, Dollens said that in the capitol there are many reasons to assume why.

There are probably a million different reasons that we can come up with, the reality is it just wasnt heard and we got to keep moving forward if we want this bill to affect the change that we hope it does, Dollens said.

Dollens said that hes been working on the bill with community activists and tribal citizens across the state for the past six months.

Ive been down to Comanche Nation and Ive heard from liaisons from Osage Nation and of course in El Reno with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, its been a group effort and Im just the one to facilitate and listen and take all of the recommendations that we gathered in the interim study back in September and then we put together Idas Law, as well as companion bills, Dollens said.

Posted just outside of the doors of the Judiciary Committee hearing is the agenda where HB3345 was slated to be discussed and voted on before being removed by Chair Chris Kannady. Photo by Latoya Lonelodge / Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune

In working with tribes, Ashley McCray, Absentee Shawnee, and LaRenda Morgan, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Government Affairs officer, have been assisting in creating the bill with Dollens.

HB3345 will create a state tribal liaison who will work with the federal liaison to close the jurisdictional gaps that our tribal citizens are facing that prevent them from gaining or even sometimes seeking justice, that way we can become fully Oklahoman under the law. LaRenda, Mickey and I have been working on this issue for a year now and weve been organizing in the communities, McCray said.

McCray said theyve introduced Dollens to their respective tribal communities.

Weve done lots of research, making and creating coalitions and really ensuring that were including the Native voice, Mickeys gone down to the Comanche Nation headquarters, and there was several of the grassroots organizations down there, to hear what theyd want to say and what they want this bill to look like, McCray said.

In their efforts in planning and researching for HB3345, Morgan said they looked at what other state senators and representatives have done in their legislation.

That was something we had to spend a lot of time on, just reading and basically searching out to see what could work  I did the research, the reading, the writing, helping go back and forth with Mickey on the legislation side and Ashley organized the whole interim study and we both got him connected to all the people in the tribes and introduced him and got his name in the Indian community and got people to talk to him, Morgan said.

In working with the communities, McCray said that they worked directly with the families of victims who are currently missing or have been murdered.

All throughout this process, and LaRenda is one of them, these families have been working and communicating with Mickey Dollens, they offered their testimony at the study session, this is not just at the political level this is actually going directly to the families whove experienced this crisis, McCray said.

Misty Krewall, with the George Hawkins Treatment Center, shows her support of Idas Law outside of the judiciary committee hearing where HB3345 was struck from the agenda. Photo by Latoya Lonelodge / Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune

While Kannady has yet to respond or give his reasoning behind striking HB3345 from the agenda as chair, efforts in pushing for HB3345 will continue. With time ticking, Morgan said its an opportunity to continue lobbying for Idas Law to be reintroduced back on the agenda.

Allowing us to come in here and sit and then striking it from the hearing, that was pretty disheartening to say the least  I dont know exactly what his reason is, but he pulled it off and that was a big hit to our endeavor and what weve put into it, its pretty emotional and its pretty disappointing, Morgan said.

Morgan said theres still hope through others like the OSBI, who have shown interest in support of the HB3345, other tribes, and people with influence.

People that have influence that can possibly persuade him to put the bill back on the agenda and then me and Ashley extending the invitation for him to co-sponsor the bill so that he can actually be apart of this bill and see what were doing instead of fighting us, Morgan said.

In looking ahead and planning whats next, Morgan said shes going to allow time for supporters to reach out to Representative Charles McCall, House District 22 at 405-557-7412.

Representative Dollens will tell him we want him to co-sponsor the bill and well see what his reaction will be to that. The OSBI also wants an opportunity to talk with him and express their need and their support for it, so were going to allow these things and theres other tribes, tribal leaders who want to see if theres anything they can do to help get this bill back on the agenda, Morgan said.

A Native American newspaper with a big voice and strong dedication to its readers, the Tribal Tribune is your best source for Cheyenne & Arapaho news. Follow the Tribal Tribune on Twitter @CATribalTribune

Morgan said they will wait a few days to see if there is any progression or changes to possibly getting HB3345 back on the agenda in the coming weeks. The next judiciary committee hearing is set for February 25.

Dollens said the impact of enforcing Idas Law would make more families feel safer.

At the end of the day thats the bottom line is that we want to make women, girls, boys and men who are tribal citizens feel safe and it can be, that is a complicated issue due to the jurisdictional boundaries in Oklahoma and the channels of law enforcement that one has to go to if there is a crime committed in Indian Country, Dollens said.

With Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) being recognized at the federal level, Dollens said that having this additional office liaison in the OSBI dealing specifically with Indigenous people would go hand and hand with that federal liaison.

I would encourage people to continue fighting for what we know is right and there are many paths to the top of the mountain and just because one path closes doesnt mean we should give up, we should continue looking at all of our options on the table, Dollens said.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Legislative Lobby Day will be held February 17, allowing the opportunity for supporters to lobby for Idas Law.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune can be reached at:Public Information Office700 North Black Kettle Blvd.Concho, OK 73022P.O. Box 38405-422-7608 | 405-422-7446

Editor in Chief Rosemary Stephens can be reached at rmstephens@c-a-tribes.org

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Tesla is recalling 15,000 Model X SUVs after discovering that corrosion from road salt endangers the critical power-steering mechanism.

The issue can lead to a loss of power steering assist that could make steering harder and increase the risk of a crash according to according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Specifically, the agency says aluminum bolts that attach the electric power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and break causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist and affects some models built in 2016.

The recall covers 14,193 U.S. vehicles and 843 in Canada.

About 15,000 Model X's (pictured) are being recalled by Tesla after road salt was found to corrode bolts that affect power steering

While there are no known crashes or injuries directly linked to the issues NHTSA said there are no known crashes or injuries associated with the issue, Tesla will arrange for the replacement of the mounting bolts and will also replace the steering gear if needed, according to Transport Canada - a Canadian regulatory agency responsible for monitoring road safety.

'If the bolts fracture from corrosion, the driver may lose power steering assist," the automaker said in a statement.

'This would not prevent the driver from steering the vehicle, but it would require more force to turn the steering wheel, especially during low speed parking maneuvers when power steering assist is at its highest use.'

The issue comes at a time when Tesla's safety standards are under public scrutinty from regulators who say that some of the manufacturer's models accelerate spontaneously.

In a petition filed earlier this year, claimants say that a flaw caused cars to spontaneously accelerate and has contributed to 110 crashes and 52 injuries, with many drivers stating the incident occurred when they attempted to park in a garage or at a curb.

Other Tesla owners claimed the sudden acceleration happened while in traffic or when using driver assistance systems.

The NHTSA defines 'sudden acceleration incidents' as 'unintended, unexpected, high-power accelerations from a stationary position or a very low initial speed accompanied by an apparent loss of braking effectiveness.'

Tesla is under investigation after 127 complaints were sent to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) claiming certain models experienced 'sudden unintended acceleration'. Pictured is an incident in 2018 in Mountain View, California where a Tesla electric SUV crashed into a barrier after it suddenly accelerated

In one complaint, a driver said a 2015 Tesla Model S 85D in California was closed and locked when he claimed 'a few moments later the vehicle started accelerating forward towards the street and crashed into a parked car.'

A Tesla driver in Avondale, Pennsylvania, was pulling into a parking spot at an elementary school when the vehicle accelerated on its own, the complaint said adding: 'It went over a curb and into a chain link fence.'

Another complaint said a Tesla driver in Andover, Massachusetts was approaching her garage door 'when the car suddenly lurched forward: and 'went through the garage door destroying two garage doors.'

The Tesla allegedly stopped when it hit the garage's concrete wall.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday met his Pakistani counterpart Arif Alvi and discussed various bilateral and regional affairs.

Erdogan arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on a two-day visit. Prime Minister Imran Khan and other senior officials received him at the Noor Khan Airbase. First Lady of Turkey Emine Erdogan and high level business delegation also accompanied the president.

President Alvi and his Turkish counterpart held a meeting at the President House in Islamabad.

"The two leaders discussed various issues of interests," according to government official.

Earlier, Prime MinisterKhan received the Turkish leader and himself drove to the PM House where he was given a guard of honour.

Erdogan will also hold talks with Khan and co-chair the 6th session of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

A number of important agreements and MoUs are also expected to be signed during the visit. President Erdogan will also address a Joint Session of Parliament of Pakistan on Friday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Citizens Bank building at the intersection of Broad Street, Erie Avenue, and Germantown Avenue. Some advocates want city and state governments to run their own banks. Read more

As populism has surged in U.S. politics, it might extend to an unexpected profession: banking. Public banks  financial institutions owned and operated by the government  are gaining steam across the country, promising a banking system that puts community economic development over profit. In 2018, American Samoa created the second currently operating public bank in the U.S., following North Dakotas. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order last November aiming to create a state-run public bank, not long after California passed a law to allow its city and county governments to create or sponsor public banks.

Philadelphia has held public hearings around public banks, with longtime advocate City Councilmember Derek S. Green introducing a resolution last January to hold another. The city has hired outside consultants, HR&A Advisors, to investigate the feasibility of a public bank here.

Proponents say public banks will offer fairer loans, and invest in community growth in ways private banks do not. But opponents counter that public banks are expensive to start. They also note that government control may open the door to political manipulation of bank funds, and needlessly compete with private banks that already do the job.

The Inquirer turned to Green and the president of the American Bankers Association to answer: Should Philadelphia start a public bank?

Yes: Fairer loan rates will lower the barrier to entry for local entrepreneurs.

By Derek S. Green

Concentrated poverty, inadequate paychecks, and too few jobs have limited Philadelphians economic security for too long. By promoting local economic growth, a public bank is a way to address these issues by providing access to capital for businesses and individuals who have not been able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

Although our population is growing, Philadelphias economic growth lags behind that of our peer cities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of private-sector job growth among big cities is 2.3%. For Philadelphia, it is only 1.5%. Consequently, this low job growth explains why Philadelphia, among the 25 biggest U.S. cities, has a poverty rate of 25%, which is second only to Detroit (and ranks first among the top 10 cities).

I believe that poverty is the No. 1 issue that plagues Philadelphia. This issue has a profound impact on many of the problems that confront our citizens and our city. From crime to health care, from education to housing, Philadelphias high poverty rate limits our ability to address all of these problems. Due to poverty, people dont have the income to fight these problems in their own homes, and we, as a city, dont have the resources to attack these problems throughout Philadelphia.

In order to address poverty, we need to grow more jobs in our city. Many people would agree that the best long-term solution to poverty is a job. Further, as weve seen throughout our countrys history, I am confident that the best creators of lasting jobs are small businesses.

Starting and growing a business is difficult, with many failing within three years. As a former small-business lender in North Philadelphia, entrepreneur, and attorney, Ive seen that most businesses start small. For entrepreneurs of color, and for women, limited resources and networks make the path to success even more challenging. These complications make it difficult for these business owners to obtain credit based on the underwriting criteria of most banks. While those rules are set by regulators and market conditions, the result is the same for too many Philadelphians: limited access to capital to start or grow businesses.

Philadelphias public bank would start by filling this dire need for capital to build locally owned businesses. Derek S. Green

We can do better for our city by passing legislation to create a public bank. By strategically investing in locally owned businesses through banking staff removed from political control, the city can lower a main barrier to entry for our entrepreneurs. Building wealth and creating jobs are core factors in providing the economic security and justice that every resident, family, and community deserves.

A successful public bank doesnt need to solve every financial need of each citizen and business from its inception to thrive. As I envision it, Philadelphias public bank would start by filling this dire need for capital to build locally owned businesses.

Redeploying the same stale growth strategies, like tax credits that end up underutilized by the city, will yield the same disappointing results. Its time to be bold and creative with a real focus on jobs to reduce poverty and address the problems that impact our residents. To be the city of economic inclusion that all Philadelphians deserve, we can and should create a public bank.

Derek S. Green is a city councilmember at-large in Philadelphia.

No: Public banks are expensive to start and vulnerable to political control.

By Rob Nichols

In the honorable quest to find solutions to some of Philadelphias major issues, some in the community have latched onto an idea that sounds appealing on paper. They want the city to create its own bank to handle city municipal finances and perform banking services for city residents and businesses.

Once you move from an idea on paper, however, to reality, you quickly realize that this is an idea that could do serious harm to the city and the taxpayers who call it home. Before considering such a move, Philadelphia would be well advised to learn the lessons of the past.

The concept of public banking is not new. There have been dozens of public banks across the country over the years, but the vast majority ended in costly failure, mostly in the 19th century. There are currently only two operating public banks in the U.S.: the Bank of North Dakota, and a bank in American Samoa just getting off the ground.

Proponents point to those banks as examples to follow, but the comparisons miss the mark. American Samoa created a public bank because the island territory  located 2,500 miles from its nearest U.S. neighbor  was at risk of being completely unbanked.

The city of Philadelphia, on the other hand, is served by 38 banks with 291 branches, according to an American Bankers Association analysis of Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data. Twelve of those banks are headquartered in Philadelphia.

The Bank of North Dakota started in 1919 and continues to this day, but public banking advocates often lose sight of the fact that the bank was chartered to partner with local, privately owned banks and credit unions, not to compete with them as a direct lender. That is a very different mission from competing directly with existing banks as some in California, New Jersey, and Philadelphia have proposed.

Launching a public bank in Philadelphia would cost millions, tying up resources that could be better used to fund projects such as infrastructure enhancements and community development. Rob Nichols

There are several reasons other public banks have failed. Vermonts state bank tanked six years after starting in 1806 and cost the state $3 billion in todays dollars, while Farmers Bank of Delaware failed in 1981. The problems with public banking start with costs to taxpayers. Launching a public bank in Philadelphia would cost millions of dollars, tying up resources that could be better used to fund projects such as infrastructure enhancements and community development instead of offering financial services already provided efficiently by private-sector banks operating in a highly competitive marketplace.

San Francisco recently conducted a study of public banking in that city, which is roughly half the size of Philadelphia. The study estimated that an investment between $184 million and $3.9 billion would be needed to operate a public bank, depending on its mission, and it would take anywhere between 10 and 56 years before it would breakeven.

Beyond the expense to the city and taxpayers, there is the critical question of who would make financial decisions. Placing political leaders, no matter how well-intentioned, in charge of a public bank raises serious questions about whether the bank could operate independently from the political process. A government bank, for example, could be incentivized to make questionable loans to politically connected borrowers, putting public funds at risk.

Simply put, expanding access to financial services is a laudable goal we support, but there are better and safer options for the good people of Philadelphia than a risky public bank.

Rob Nichols is the president and CEO of the American Bankers Association.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:01:08|Editor: huaxia

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Members of a military medical team pose for a photo in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan, 30, 2020. (Photo by Chen Chen/Xinhua)

The armed forces have dispatched healthcare professionals in three batches, totaling 4,000, to support Wuhan in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Approved by Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping, 2,600 additional medical personnel from the armed forces will be tasked with treating patients in two hospitals in Wuhan, capital city of Hubei Province and the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

They will follow the operation model of Huoshenshan Hospital and be tasked with treating confirmed patients of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Taikang Tongji Hospital and a branch of Hubei's Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital.

The two hospitals, with a planned capacity of 860 and 700 beds respectively, have clinical wards, as well as departments for infection control, examination, special diagnosis, radiation diagnosis, medical equipment, sterile supply, information and medical engineering.

The reinforcement medics come from healthcare institutions affiliated with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Joint Logistic Support Force, as well as the Chinese People's Armed Police Force.

Of them, a first group of 1,400 medical and nursing professionals are set to arrive in Wuhan Thursday before starting treating patients there immediately.

So far, the armed forces have dispatched healthcare professionals in three batches, totaling 4,000, to support Wuhan in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. 
With two Indians confirmed to have been infected with the deadly coronavirus aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama in Japan, the Centre on Thursday has assured all assistance.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that the Indian embassy in Tokyo was providing assistance to the crew and passengers.

"Our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo is in constant touch with the crew & passengers of #DiamondPrincess off Yokohama, Japan, rendering all necessary support & assistance. Passengers & crew are currently quarantined by Japanese authorities," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

"2 Indian crew members have tested positive for #Coronavirus. Will keep you updated," he added.

Sonali Thakkar, a security officer on the ship, has been sending out messages asking the Indian government to take them back home or at least send some medical experts along to expedite the coronavirus tests.

Thakkar was placed in isolation on Monday, a week after the ship docked at Yokohoma on February 3.

"We are scared that if the infection is spreading, it is spreading so fast that we could also become one of them. We don't want to. We just want to go back home," she said according to reports.

The British cruise ship with 3,711 people on board arrived at the Japanese coast early last week and was quarantined after a passenger who de-boarded last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the virus on the ship.

A total of 138 Indians, including passengers and crew, were on board the ship.
VANCOUVERWith eyes across the country focused on a remote, frozen road in northern British Columbia, Premier John Horgan stepped into the press theatre in the provincial legislature Wednesday to face the media.

It had been an eventful few days.

Across Canada, supporters of the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs  who are embroiled in a fight against a pipeline  have stopped trains, cars and pedestrians from reaching their destinations.

On Tuesday in Victoria, a human wall of protesters blocked the entrance to the provincial legislature, aiming to stop the throne speech, with one reporter scaling a wall to bring bagels to his colleagues.

If thats winning, I dont want any part of it, Horgan said of the action Wednesday with a note of frustration.

What I do see is a large part of people in B.C. wondering what this is all about.

What its about is a 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline proposed to cross northern B.C. and going through the traditional lands of the Wetsuweten. Elected band councils have approved the project but hereditary chiefs, armed with a 1997 Supreme Court decision they say gives them the needed authority, have not.

The hereditary chiefs insist they are responsible for the thousands of acres of Wetsuweten territory and that elected councillors authority ends where reserve land does.

Though Horgans frustration may stem from the epicentre of a now-national dispute being in his backyard, the issues underlying it pose a challenge for all of Canada, says one lawyer.

RCMP enforcing a court injunction have been facing off with Wetsuweten members and their supporters, about an hours drive from Smithers, B.C., for weeks, as they try to prevent Coastal GasLink from building the pipeline.

The reverberations have already been felt across Canada and in the halls of provincial governments. Small but effective protests have popped up nationwide, blocking rail lines and streets.

In Ontario and Quebec, members of the Mohawk Nation and supporters have blocked the rail corridor from Toronto to Montreal at Belleville, Ont., and south of Montreal. The move is affecting freight and commuter trains and preventing nearly 30,000 Via Rail passengers from travelling.

Meanwhile Quebecs premier, Francois Legault, has called on the federal government to work toward a solution. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged a speedy resolution to the impasse during his visit to Senegal. Trudeau said the federal government respects the right to peaceful protest but that the rule of law must also be respected.

Just whose law is to be respected is exactly whats at issue, some say.

Kate Gunn is a lawyer at First Peoples Law in Vancouver and represents one of the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs. Gunn said she could not speak specifically about her clients case but that, generally, the issues at play arent isolated.

Its always possible, in particular where theres a traditional governance system thats been suppressed but continued to exist, Gunn said.

The federal Indian Act, imposed upon Indigenous groups and the reason band councils exist, doesnt provide effective tools to deal with such disputes, she said, adding they should be resolved by referencing laws of the Indigenous communities in question. Such laws, which predate colonization, are specific to each band.

When Indigenous groups have two systems running parallel to each other, there is the chance for confusion and disputes, she said.

One positive step Gunn said shes seen is First Nations finding a way to integrate their traditional governing systems with contemporary ones, providing a clear authority over their territories.

The B.C. government passed Bill 41 last fall, making a commitment to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. That legislation recognizes both band councils as well as other forms of Indigenous governance.

But how it will apply in B.C. has yet to be determined by the government.

And while Horgan may be feeling the heat as Canadians look to his province for answers as to why they cannot get the train to Toronto, such disputes are often the responsibility of federal governments, too, because of jurisdictional issues falling to each government.

Often, in these kinds of conflicts, they keep passing it back and forth between Canada and the province, which is a way to avoid some of the trickier issues, she said.

Issues around natural resource development often bring attention to the problem, she said.

Last month, hereditary Chief NaMoks told the Star he was concerned federal and provincial governments are simply doing the bidding of resource companies.

I always have a fear when industry is steering democratically elected officials, NaMoks said. NaMoks did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Horgan said that, without wanting to diminish the scale of the protests occurring, he believes the next step is to move forward with the construction of the pipeline, while the Wetsuweten deal with issues relating to their government structure internally.

But he also wasnt interested in taking flak from those outside of B.C.

So, if the Indigenous groups in Ontario feel that they want to stop the GO train and declare that they understand the issues of Indigenous governance, theyre welcome to do that, the premier said.

But they havent got a clue, quite frankly, for how complex these issues are.

With files from the Canadian Press and Alex McKeen

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / NV Gold Corporation (TSXV:NVX)(OTCPINK:NVGLF) ("NV Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to review the Company's Surselva Gold Project located in the Surselva district of the Graubunden (also called Grisons) Canton, Switzerland. NV Gold holds 100% of the project through its wholly owned subsidiary, SwissGold Exploration AG ("SwissGold"), a private Swiss corporation.Surselva Gold Project Highlights:Identified an underexplored district scale gold system in SE Switzerland (1981 - by David Knopf and Karl Naert), with informal placer gold production over hundreds of years.Drilling (1986-1991) by David Bell (co-discoverer of Hemlo Gold Camp) yielded significant intercepts.SwissGold recently received 5-year exploration permit and drill permits in 2019 in the community of Medel/Lucmagn.NI43-101 Technical Report completed by Mine Development Associates ("MDA") in 2014.17 holes totaling 3,865 meters drilled near Lukmanier in 1986-87. Micham drilled two holes totaling 403.5 meters in Val Plattas in 1991, with one of the holes intersecting 1.13 g/t Au over 75 meters.MinAlp conducted surface exploration during 2006-2008, creating an exceptional technical database.Exploration programs by SwissGold highlighted three priority exploration targets, which are drill-ready.All modern exploration data has been compiled to a solid Geographic Information System database to support ongoing exploration."The Surselva Gold Project is an exciting gold project and represents a significant opportunity for a strategic partner focused on exploration opportunities in Europe. We are now preparing for our upcoming exploration program at the Slumber Gold Project, and continue to focus our energy and capital in Nevada," commented John Watson, Chairman of NV Gold.The Surselva project is comprised of an exploration permit that lies in contiguous portions in the community of Medel-Lucmagn, largely south of the Vorderrhein River. The exploration permit grants SwissGold the exclusive right to carry out geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys, drilling, and excavation on public lands within the exploration territory for the location and evaluation of mineral resources for five years.Surselva Gold Project Geology and Mineralization:Gold has been known in the Vorderrhein River and tributaries since Roman times, with small-scale placer mining recorded since 1700; there has been no production of gold from a bedrock source. Gold was discovered in outcropping schist in the 1980's. Two early exploration programs culminated in the drilling of 19 core holes. Multiple intersections of 3 to 6 g Au/t were encouraging, but were not economic at the time. SwissGold acquired the Surselva property in 2011 and completed geologic reconnaissance and geochemical exploration programs in 2011, 2013 and 2015.Geology:Switzerland's complex geologic framework is the result of successive continental collisional events from Early Paleozoic to Tertiary time that together assembled the European continent. The Surselva area includes the Aar and Gotthard Massifs of the central Swiss Alps. These massifs consist of granitic cores and surrounding metamorphic rocks. The Aar and Gotthard massif are separated by the Tavetsch Belt of highly sheared and metamorphosed gneiss and schist with lesser volumes of pegmatite, diorite igneous intrusions and lenses of ultramafic rock.Gold Mineralization:Gold mineralization in the area occurs in a number of East-West elongate lenses of sheared metamorphic rocks in the Tavetsch Belt and adjacent Gotthard Massif. Mineralized zones are marked by shear deformation and mineral alteration that impart a distinctive mineralogy and fabric to the host rock. Sulfide minerals associated with gold include pyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite occurring as shear-zone-hosted disseminations, occasional semi-massive sulfide lenses, and sulfide disseminations associated with quartz veins.Gold mineralization is best characterized as an orogenic gold occurrence - gold mineralization emplaced during and as a direct consequence of the Alpine mountain building event. This style of mineralization is similar to Archean-age deposits in the Canadian Shield or to Mesozoic-age deposits in the Sierra Nevada foothills gold belt of California, USA. Sericite-muscovite schist with zones of pyrite-arsenopyrite occur over a distance of ~15 kilometers in the Tavetsch Belt and extend at least 5 km in the Gotthard massif in Val Plattas. Geochemical enrichments of As, Sb, Bi, Cu and Se are recognized.The SwissGold exploration programs advanced project understanding through compilation of exploration data from previous exploration programs with geologic information from public and private sources, geological prospecting and mapping to better define the geological framework, and geochemical sampling. The company database currently contains analyses for 661 rock and 276 soil samples.Three priority target areas are identified:Cazirauns - where alluvial boulders containing up to 13.5 g Au/t discovered in 2011 led to discovery of the bedrock source, with grades to 14 g Au/t in outcrop;Bell Zone - where sampling in 2015 encountered an outcrop containing 30.5 g Au/t; andStagias - where multiple zones of gold mineralization are exposed in road cuts, with a maximum sampled gold contenet of 6.2 g Au/t. Where exposed, the zones are narrow, but they project eastward toward the other target areas.Surselva Gold Project Next Steps:Exploration completed at the Surselva project since the 1980s has resulted in the identification of a number of significant gold occurrences over a large area where gold was previously no more than a curiosity. A number of discrete exploration targets have been defined, with early exploration data available.The existing exploration targets are supported by the presence of gold in soils, rocks, and drill core, all of which have returned highly significant results. The historic drill holes intersected long continuously mineralized intervals grading in excess of 0.3 g Au/t that include local shorter intercepts of higher-grade gold. This work has, however, not been comprehensive and other target areas may be discovered by continued exploration; much of the project area has significant soil and forest cover.Continuing exploration might proceed along three courses:All three of the priority areas are considered "drill-ready" wit
The largest of all land beasts, elephants stand as one of the majestic creatures on Earth. However, over the years, elephants have become victims of brutal killings not so much as a commodity, but more for the land they occupy.

Humans have encroached upon their homes in an effort to satiate their never-ending greed. We have left them homeless and hapless.

Apart from their lands being destroyed and invaded, elephants have for years been hunted down for their tusks and even tortured in the name of religion. In India, as we all know, elephants are considered to be an embodiment of Lord Ganesha on earth. Yet they are forced to wear decorative headgear and paraded at temples festivals for hours on end and treated with utter disregard.

Here are some of the most recent cases of abuse meted out by humans on these gentle giants and things only seem to be going downhill.

1. Pregnant Elephant Dies After Eating Pineapple Stuffed With Firecrackers

A pregnant elephant in Kerala died of excruciating pain after it bit a fruit that was filled with firecrackers. The shocking incident was reported from the Malappuram district of Kerala last week.

Facebook

A forest officer who was part of the team who tied to rescue the elephant narrated the details of the horrific death on social media. According to Mohan Krishnan, a Section Forest Officer with the Kerala Forest Department, the elephant was around 15 years old.

"She came out of the forest in search of food, but she could not have know what the selfish men could do to her. She trusted everyone and ate whatever they gave her. And when the pineapple that she ate exploded in her mouth she could have been more concerned about the baby growing inside her," Krishnan wrote in a Facebook Post.

He further stated that the panicked elephant ran amok while in excruciating pain, but still did not attack any human being that came across or damage any houses that were on the way.







2. 70 Elephants Will Be 'Legally' Killed In Botswana

Apparently overpopulation of elephants' is a common problem in some countries of Africa. Botswana shares a border with Zimbabwe and apparently has the problem of having too many elephants too.



Botswana boasts a population of 1,35,000 elephants. A majority of them reside in the wild and they do not know the tragic fate that awaits them. The country is going to auction licences to hunt a total of 70 elephants, in a bid to end human-wildlife conflict. This will be the first such hunt to take place since President Mokgweetsi Masisi lifted the five-year hunting ban last year.





3. Zimbabwe Sold Elephants To Random Countries Due To Overpopulation

Twitter

In 2019, Zimbabwe sold their Elephants to China and Dubai in an attempt to reduce its high population in the country. They were ready to sell their elephants to any country which is ready to take responsibility for the shipping. Although less cruel than Bostwana's method of dealing with overpopulation, critics have said that uprooting elephants from their natural habitat has it's own risks and can severely hamper with their well-being.

Elephants are highly intelligent, self-aware, and socially complex animals and separating from their herd could take a massive toll on them. Critics claimed that selling elephants could subject them to more cruelty and establish a troubling pattern at a time when elephants are being slaughtered en masse to satisfy the demand for ivory.

4. Elephants Crossing Railway Line Crushed By A Speeding Train

Odisha: 4 elephants killed after being hit by a goods train near Telidihi Village in Jharsuguda. pic.twitter.com/1nyQ2fPJzB  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

Another growing problem of human-wildlife conflict is elephants wandering off into human habitats and suffering painful deaths. In 2018, four elephants died after a speeding train ran over them in Odishas Jharsuguda district. Reports state that the herd of elephants was crossing the railway line when a speeding goods train squashed them to death.

5. Elephants Killed After Being Hit By A Train In West Bengal

Elephant & its calf saved yesterday by applying the emergency brake. Thanks to the alert driver. Some ask me why not build over bridges for elephants to cross over? Can be a limited solution for such long ranging animals. Linear projects in corridors throw multiple changes. pic.twitter.com/m76RPVKIvO  Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) November 30, 2019

Elephants have a habit of moving from forest to forest, but rapid development has forced the species to adapt, In yet another tragic incident, two elephants were killed after being hit by a passenger train near Batasi in Darjeeling in West Bengal back in 2019. In a video that went viral, one can see a train stopped in its tracks, to allow an elephant and its calf to safely cross over to the other side. This video was also from West Bengal, where man-animal conflict is quite common owing to the fact the train tracks mostly pass through jungles.



6. Elephants Fleeing Flaming Tar Balls Unforgettable Example Of Human-Wildlife Conflict

In 2017, photographer Biplab Hazra a heartbreaking moment of a panicked elephant and her calf fleeing a mob of people in West Bengal captures the reality of human-wildlife conflict.

Hazra won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the 2017 Sanctuary Wildlife Photography Awards for a picture named 'Hell is here' which shows elephants fleeing tarballs and it defined the human-wildlife conflict the exists across the world.



West Bengal has for a long time served as the migratory route for the elephants and the increasing human-wildlife conflict has threatened their survival. With his pictures, Hazra hopes to bring in a change in people's mindset and save these gentle giants before the situation gets worse.





The article was originally published on February 13, 2020, and has been updated since.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday backed the decision of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to implement five days a week norm for the state government employees, even as the Congress has slammed the decision.

Interestingly, both the Congress and the NCP are coalition partners in the Maharashtra government led by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

While Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday slammed the Maharashtra government for adopting five working days a week, NCP spokesman and state minister Nawab Malik defended the decision.

"Sanjay Nirupam should know that five days working for government employees was an idea mooted by (former Prime Minister) the late Rajiv Gandhi. So instead of opposing it, he should appreciate this," Nawab Malik said.

Nirupam had termed the decision as "senseless" and asked for the reason for giving two holidays a week.

"A senseless decision by Maharashtra Govt to provide a 5-day working week for state employees. What's the point in having two holidays every week? Govt staffs are already infamous for laziness. Are we rewarding them for their kamchori?" Nirupam had tweeted.

The state government on Wednesday approved the decision to implement five days a week norm for the government employees from February 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALBANY  After a man was arrested for making a death threat against a Buffalo reporter who has vigorously covered abuse scandals within the Catholic Church, Albany Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger denounced any threats or harassment against members of the press.

"This is against who we are as Christians, but also against our nations founding principles that guarantee freedom to the press ... and freedom of speech," Scharfenberger wrote on Twitter. "As a church, we must be able to withstand the glaring light of scrutiny  even as we seek to pierce the darkness with our own light, demonstrating Christs abundant love, forgiveness and care for us all."
HLL Biotech (HBL), in the news for the inactivity related to its Rs 600-crore Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC) project located in Chengalpattu, has given its employees the option of joining the parent HLL Lifecare on a temporary basis in any of its units across India.

In a notice to its employees, HBL has set a deadline of February 14 for employees to convey their decision.

Moneycontrol has seen a copy of the notice.

The postings in HLL Lifecare will be on working arrangement basis and employees will not be eligible for any transfer benefits.

The notice also said the temporary posting will not confer any right to the above employees for absorption in HLL Lifecare or other subsidiaries.

HBL had an employee strength of 174 employees. The company hasn't been able to pay full salaries from July last year. At present, only 130 employees are on the rolls. The company has made an interim arrangement of paying Rs 25,000 per month for executive-level cadre and Rs 10,000 to junior staff.

A source within the company told Moneycontrol that HBL management has indicated that it will stop paying interim wages from March onwards for employees who don't take up the offer. For employees who are ready to make the move to HLL, HBL has offered to pay original salaries.

"HBL is going through an acute fund shortage to manage operational activities. Consequently, the manpower in the Unit is remaining idle and the Company is not in a position to pay the salaries due to non-availability of funds," the notice said.

"In order to tide over the above situation and to help the employees of HBL, continuous efforts were made by HLL to allow them to work in various division of HLL and its other subsidiaries based on requirement through temporary postings," the notice added.

HBL management had previously made a similar offer but received a lukewarm response from most employees.

"I have a Master's degree in microbiology and I am working in quality control. If they give a job unrelated to my qualification or experience, I won't be comfortable. Most of us are from Tamil Nadu and moving to some other state doesn't make sense," an employee said on condition of anonymity.

HBL has been struggling financially as it awaits the execution of proposed disinvestment of its parent firm HLL Lifecare. HLL Lifecare has stopped providing additional funds crippling the project.

Meanwhile, the government is still working on modalities of revival plan including a proposal to write-off debt to the tune of Rs 300 crore, before IVC is handed over to any strategic partner.

Still, there is no clarity whether the government is looking for an outright sale of IVC or retain a significant minority interest in HBL.
Young monks try on 5G-based AR and VR service of LG Uplus at the mobile carrier's store in Seoul, May 7, 2019. / Korea Times file





By Baek Byung-yeul







SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus need to come up with more "competitive" business models based on their fifth-generation (5G) networks as the way they generate profits  super-fast connectivity  makes it hard to get customers to spend money, according to a recent report by an accounting firm here.







The report by Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), "Making 5G pay," stated that top mobile carriers worldwide have been generating lower returns on investments compared with companies in other business sectors over the past three years because they rely heavily on mobile fees.







"To increase their return on investment in 5G networks, the mobile carriers cannot stick to just offering fast data services to their customers. They need to map out a new model to create additional profits," the report said.







With expectations that 5G networks can become new growth engines, mobile carriers have invested heavily in building infrastructure over the past years, but attracting customers only through super-fast connectivity doesn't give them a high return on their investments.







The report called the mobile carriers to be more innovative in developing new business strategies and suggested they adopt a "business-to-business-to-x" (B2B2X) model.







In the traditional business model, mobile carriers are intended to provide services directly to either individual customers or company customers, but the B2B2X refers to a business model in which the service providers collaborate with diverse partners to offer value-added services to a wide range of consumers including individuals, retailers, partners, suppliers or whoever might make up the "x."







As an example, the report stated that many mobile service operators are working closely with video streaming service providers and trying to enhance the model such as enabling subscribers to pick and choose from a menu of video streaming services and receive a discount depending on their selection.







"With the improvements in network capabilities due to 5G, customers can expect to enjoy more network services bundled with content provider services  including accelerated gaming  and the operator could offer its network service to the customer as part of that bundle," the report said. "So, as a content provider that is closer to the requirements of the customers, we could be the sales channel for the operator's network service."







In response to the report, an official from a mobile carrier here, said establishing enough 5G base stations nationwide must be done first to ensure all customers can use the 5G network.







Given it took about six to seven years to offer a "hassle-free" 4G service back in the early 2010s, the official added telecommunications companies are planting the seeds for future growth.







"Of course, the telecommunications firms are implementing the traditional push strategy, investing heavily in building 5G infrastructure. This is because allowing more people to experience the next-generation network service is a prerequisite to increase profits from the investment," the official said.







"On the sidelines, they are also developing ways to generate profits by cooperating with business customers such as providing 5G services to factories or drone operators," he added.






Together with the promotion of Craig Salvalaggio to Chief Operating Officer, these gentlemen are three of the most proven leaders in our industry. I know that we have the best leadership team in AMTs history.

Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North Americas largest independent automation engineering company supporting manufacturers, robot companies, systems integrators, line builders, and users of robotic automation worldwide, today announced the promotion of Rick Vanden Boom to Vice President of Sales and the hire of Mark McGinnis as Director of Systems Engineering.

Vice President of Automated Systems Group (ASG) Rick Vanden Boom has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at AMT, where he will focus on setting sales strategy, managing the sales team, and managing key customer relationships. Joining the company as business development manager in 2013, Vanden Boom has risen through the organization to director and vice president of ASG until his recent promotion to vice president of sales. A graduate of the National Institute of Technology, Vanden Boom holds a degree in electronics engineering.

A true team player and RISE Core Value Award recipient, Rick took the reins for ASG operations at a critical time for AMT, said President and CEO Michael Jacobs. He has been responsible for building the most capable ASG team that weve ever had. Rick has a passion for people and the business of AMT, and we will continue to support him in his new role as Vice President of Sales.

Mark McGinnis joined AMT this month as Director of Systems Engineering, and has direct responsibility for the ASG group, which is dedicated to the design and build of turnkey automated robotic systems. Prior to joining AMT, McGinnis served for 16 years in a variety of leadership roles at a large automation systems integrator and has worked more than 25 years in the automation industry. A graduate of Ferris State University, McGinnis holds a Bachelor of Science in electronic engineering.

We are thrilled to have Mark join our executive team. He is a very well-known and respected leader in the automation industry, and his knowledge and experience will be a great asset to AMT as we expand our ASG operations, said Jacobs. Together with the promotion of Craig Salvalaggio to Chief Operating Officer, these gentlemen are three of the most proven leaders in our industry. I know that we have the best leadership team in AMTs history.

About Applied Manufacturing Technologies

Founded in 1989, Applied Manufacturing Technologies is an industry leader in robot automation engineering, manufacturing systems integration, and turnkey industrial controls globally. More than 120 experienced and highly-trained controls and automation engineers with over 1,250 combined years of experience are engaged in automation projects across an array of industries. With a deep bench of experienced, innovative automation engineers, consultants, and programmers, AMT assists customers with projects at any stage of development, from conceptualization and design to troubleshooting and expansion. From AMTs Orion, Michigan headquarters, the company has engineered over 25,000 automation systems worldwide on 5,500 projects for over 600 customers. For more information, visit AMTs website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.


The Fund's representative noted it is expected that Ukraine would fulfill the preliminary measures that the sides agreed on earlier

Jerry Rice Open source

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) notes the progress of Ukraine in holding of the reforms. It also expects the fulfillment of the approved preliminary measures for the final agreement of the new three-year EFF program for $5.5 billion by board of directors as IMF Representative Gerry Rice stated.

A very active dialogue takes place now. The constructive discussions continue, Rice said.

However, the IMF representative found it difficult to announce a possible date of consideration of the Ukrainian issue by board of directors.

As we reported, the EU will assign the second tranche of macro-financial aid after the Ukrainian side lives up to the IMF conditions.

Earlier, Ukraines Finance Minister stated that Ukraine may stop cooperation with the International Monetary Fund after the fulfillment of new three-year program, which is currently discussed.
A fire broke out early Wednesday at Exxon Mobil Corp.s Baton Rouge oil refinery in Louisiana, halting production at the fifth-biggest fuel-making plant in the U.S.

The outage at the massive complex -- which supplies fuels across the southeast U.S. and all the way to New York Harbor -- means the refinery needs fewer barrels of crude oil, depressing a market already reeling from the coronavirus crisis in China. But it could help ease a gasoline glut in the Gulf Coast, where stockpiles hit a record in late January.

The Baton Rouge fire is the third blaze in the Gulf Coast region for Exxon in less than a year, and comes after the company posted the worst quarterly profit in almost four years. Earnings at its refining and chemical business slumped by a combined $6.5 billion in 2019, and the oil giant is pursuing asset sales and even cracking down on employee travel to tide over the turmoil.

Heavy Canadian oil fell from a four-month high after the Baton Rouge refinery shutdown, while Gulf Coast and New York gasoline strengthened. Consumers could feel the impact of higher prices as soon as Thursday morning.

The latest blaze erupted in a natural gas line, affecting first one and then all of the facilitys crude distillation towers -- which heat and break down raw oil into products -- according to people familiar with operations. As a result, other units such as the catalytic cracker and the chemical plant had to cease operations.

The fire has been extinguished and there were no injuries, according to Exxon. Operations continue at the refinery and chemical plant, spokesman Jeremy Eikenberry said. The facility is located along the Mississippi River about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, can process more than 500,000 barrels of crude a day and accounts for about 15% of Louisianas refining capacity.

The local WAFB TV stations website showed images of the fire, and said local people reported their houses being shaken by the incident. There was no initial off-site impact to air quality, or an immediate call for an evacuation of the nearby area, WAFB said.

The complexs chemical plant has shut, including its olefins unit -- which takes feedstocks such as naphtha, butane, propane and ethane from the oil refinery and converts them into ethylene and propylene that are used to make plastics.

Western Canadian Select crudes discount to U.S. West Texas Intermediate widened to $16.75 a barrel on Wednesday. The Baton Rouge refinery uses heavy crude produced in the Kearl oil sands mine operated by Imperial Oil Ltd., which is majority owned by Exxon.

Gasoline in the Gulf Coast spot market rose 1.25 cent per gallon to an 8-cent discount to Nymex Rbob futures Wednesday afternoon. Futures of the motor fuel jumped the most in almost five months.

Exxon is in the process of a massive expansion of the plastic-ingredient capacity on the chemical side of the Baton Rouge complex thats scheduled to begin output next year. The combined refining and chemical operations account for one in every 10 jobs in southwest Louisiana region, according to the company.

U.S. refineries handled an average of about 16.5 million barrels a day of crude so far this year, Energy Information Administration data show.
People who have moved to Idaho to take advantage of lax rules around vaccination in schools have been referring to themselves as refugees.

Parents of school children reveal that they uprooted their families from states that require a religious or medical reason not to vaccinate their child, the strictest state being California, and many say they did so on the basis of obtaining medical 'freedom'.

Idaho is only one of 15 states that allow exemption based on personal beliefs and parents simply have to fill out a form stating the reason why they won't allow their child to be vaccinated.

But one of the more relaxed states, Washington, removed the exemption for the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine last year and in a series of six public hearings Idaho residents urged officials not to tighten rules.

People who have moved to Idaho to take advantage of lax anti-vaccination laws have been referring to themselves as refugees. Shalee Brindley, who left San Francisco in 2017, said at an August 2019 Idaho hearing: 'I'm a mother. And I'm also a California refugee. I came here in search of medical freedom'

Nearly 600 pages of written testimony and several hours of recordings from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare hearings show 'refugee' references. One parent referred to themselves as a 'California Refugee' and another say they 'personally know a handful of these refugees very well' from social media and social circles

'I'm a mother. And I'm also a California refugee,' Shalee Brindley, a Meridian resident who left San Francisco in 2017, said at a hearing in Boise in August 2019. 'I came here in search of medical freedom.'

Nearly 600 pages of written testimony and several hours of recordings from the hearings in Boise, Twin Falls, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls and Grangeville last year were obtained in an open records request by the Idaho Statesman.

Documents from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare hearings show one person wrote: 'I'm writing as a deeply concerned Parent & California Refugee, who had to pull my entire Family out of the State to protect them from Tyrannical Government. I will not stand by allowing Idaho to become a Socialist State.'

Another said: 'It needs to be known that a very popular reason Idaho has been the most moved to state in the country two years in a row, is medical freedom! Many are SB277 refugees. I personally know a handful of these refugees very well'

A licensed civil engineer with a master's degree from Stanford University, said he moved 'for the freedoms of this state' and that he would 'defend it with my life and my weapons'.

'This state is the fastest-growing state in America. And I think it's because the few people that have a brain left are coming here,' Lou Munilla testified in North Idaho. The father-of-four added: 'We are not ignorant rednecks.'

Parents have urged Idaho not to tighten their rules on getting children exemption from vaccinations in schools. Pictured is September 2019 rally held by opponents of the passed legislation to tighten the rules on giving exemptions for vaccinations in Sacramento, California

Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento)'s SB 276 was signed into law last March. California and Washington no longer accepted personal beliefs as a reason for exemption. Parents must offer proof of a religious or medical reason

Last year, California Senator Richard Pan was accused of 'high treason' by his political competitor, Kenneth Austin Bennett, after he authorized legislation to restrict vaccine exemptions for school children.

Pan's spokeswoman, Shannan Velayas, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying her boss has routinely been targeted by anti-vaccine activists since he introduced a bill in 2015 creating strict vaccine requirements for school children.

She said his more recent bill to further tighten vaccine laws has prompted a new round of threats.

However Sarah Walton Brady complained at the hearings that people with 'a different voice in this discussion' are 'ridiculed, made fun of,' and subject to 'censorship and bullying'.

Some parents have claimed they've been censored in their anti-vaccination views. Shalee Brindley is pictured

Last November comedic actor Rob Schneider appeared to agree. He went on a Twitter rant in support of anti-vaxxers.

He shared stories of parents angry their child's medical exemption for vaccinations was reversed when Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento)'s SB 276 was signed into law last March.

In 2019, 1,282 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 31 states; Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

It was the greatest number of cases reported in the US since 1992, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

'More than 73 percent of the cases were linked to recent outbreaks in New York,' the CDC said. 'The majority of cases were among people who were not vaccinated against measles. Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated.'

Sarah Walton Brady complained at the hearings that people with 'a different voice in this discussion' are 'ridiculed, made fun of,' and subject to 'censorship and bullying'

From January 2020, the law got even stricter after the California Governor Gavin Newsom requested an update to tighten up regulations on what could be considered medical reason and when to investigate doctors who provide too many waivers.

Those California parents claimed their children were forced to leave school because of their opposition to compulsory vaccines and many said if illegal immigration is protected by a sanctuary status so can the rights of parents.

Announcing that he would be donating $10,000 to New York children who have been kicked out of public schools by the 'cruel Gov and New York Legislators' he urged followers to help parents pay for home schooling and claimed 'medical segregation' was occurring.

'Parents, Educators, Other Students STAND UP AND SAY NO TO MEDICAL SEGREGATION OF KIDS!' LA-based Schneider tweeted.

But California Senator Pan previously explained: 'If you wonder, why do we pass these bills, It's because we don't want people to catch these diseases.

'Medical freedom is not (about) having to end up in a hospital because you got a preventable disease.  I want the right to be able to have my kids safe in school.

'People can home-school or get independent study through public schools if they don't want to vaccinate their children.'

Some people in the hearings somewhat agreed with Pan.

A school nurse wrote: 'I have three students who are medically prohibited from receiving immunizations, and their parents have to be ever vigilant that they are not exposed to certain communicable diseases that could put their lives at risk.

'Luckily, because our immunization rate is high, they will most likely be protected from those diseases. However, if requirements are loosened, this will not remain the case.'
Q2 FY2020

19.6% Year on Year Revenue Growth to 85.9 million

20.5% Revenue Growth at Constant Currency

IFRS diluted EPS (0.25) compared to 0.14 in the prior year comparative period

Adjusted diluted EPS 0.30 compared to 0.20 in the prior year comparative period

Endava plc(NYSE: DAVA) ("Endava" or the "Company") a global provider of digital transformation, agile development and intelligent automation services, today announced results for the three months ended December 31, 2019, the second quarter of its 2020 fiscal year ("Q2 FY2020").

"Endava delivered another strong quarter with revenue for Q2 FY2020 of 85.9 million, an increase of 19.6% Year on Year on a reported basis or 20.5% on a constant currency basis from 71.8 million in the same period in the prior year. Our proforma constant currency growth rate reflecting the sale of the Worldpay Captive was 24.5% Year on Year. In addition to strong continued organic growth, our recent acquisitions of Intuitus and Exozet should further our expansion efforts," said John Cotterell, Endava's CEO.

SECOND QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2020 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Revenue for Q2 FY2020 was 85.9 million, an increase of 19.6% compared to 71.8 million in the same period in the prior year.

Revenue growth rate at constant currency (a non-IFRS measure) was 20.5% for Q2 FY2020 compared to 42.4% in the same period in the prior year.

(a non-IFRS measure) was 20.5% for Q2 FY2020 compared to 42.4% in the same period in the prior year. Loss before tax for Q2 FY2020 was (17.3) million compared to profit before tax of 9.4 million in the same period in the prior year. The loss during the quarter is the result of the declaration of a non-recurring, discretionary employee bonus of 27.7 million in December 2019. The Endava Limited Guernsey Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT") funded the first tranche of the bonus through sales of Endava's Class A ordinary shares in November 2019. The funding of the second tranche by the EBT is expected to occur during the second half of FY2020. As previously disclosed, the EBT, whose beneficiaries are our employees, was holding certain Class A ordinary shares for sale in the event it decided to fund a discretionary cash bonus to our employees.

Adjusted profit before tax (a non-IFRS measure) for Q2 FY2020 was 20.5 million compared to 13.6 million in the same period in the prior year, or 23.8% of revenue compared to 18.9% in the same period in the prior year.

Loss for the period was (13.8) million in Q2 FY2020, resulting in a diluted EPS of (0.25), compared to profit for the period of 7.4 million and diluted EPS of 0.14 in the same period in the prior year.

Adjusted profit for the period (a non-IFRS measure) was 16.8 million in Q2 FY2020, resulting in adjusted diluted EPS (a non-IFRS measure) of 0.30 compared to adjusted profit for the period of 10.9 million and adjusted diluted EPS of 0.20 in the same period in the prior year.

CASH FLOW:

Net cash from operating activities was 11.1 million in Q2 FY2020 compared to 9.6 million in the same period in the prior year.

Adjusted free cash flow (a non-IFRS measure) was 8.0 million in Q2 FY2020 compared to 9.2 million in the same period in the prior year.

At December 31, 2019, Endava had cash and cash equivalents of 79.0 million, compared to 70.2 million at June 30, 2019.

OTHER METRICS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

Headcount reached 6,267 at December 31, 2019, with 5,472 average operational employees in Q2 FY2020, compared to a headcount of 5,389 at December 31, 2018 and 4,845 average operational employees in the same quarter of the prior year.

Number of clients with over 1 million in revenue was 65 on a rolling twelve months basis at December 31, 2019 compared to 60 at December 31, 2018.

Top 10 clients accounted for 37% of revenue in Q2 FY2020, compared to 38% in the same period in the prior year.

By geographic region, 29% of revenue was generated in North America, 23% was generated in Europe, 45% was generated in the United Kingdom and 3% was generated in the Rest of the World in Q2 FY2020. This compares to 27% in North America, 28% in Europe and 45% in the United Kingdom in the same period in the prior year.

By industry vertical, 53% of revenue was generated from Payments and Financial Services, 24% from TMT and 23% from Other. This compares to 53% Payments and Financial Services, 27% TMT and 20% Other in the same period in the prior year.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS:

On December 17, 2019 Endava announced the purchase of Exozet GmbH ("Exozet"), headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Exozet is a leading German digital agency delivering digital transformation from ideation to production using Agile development.

On November 4, 2019, Endava announced the purchase of Intuitus Limited ("Intuitus"), headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. Intuitus is a leading independent provider of information technology due diligence and other technology advisory services to Private Equity clients.

OUTLOOK:

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2020:

We expect revenues will be in the range 87.5m to 88.0m, representing constant currency growth of between 26% and 27%. We expect adjusted diluted EPS to be in the range of 0.21 to 0.22 per share.

Full Fiscal Year 2020:

We expect revenues will be in the range 349m to 353m, representing constant currency growth of between 25% and 26%. We expect adjusted diluted EPS to be in the range of 0.95 to 0.99 per share.

Our guidance regarding constant currency growth is pro-forma for the sale of Endava Technology SRL, also referred to as "the Worldpay Captive," to Worldpay. The transaction closed on August 31, 2019.

This quarter, we are providing guidance for Q3 FY2020 and for the Full Fiscal Year 2020 using the exchange rates at the end of January, when the exchange rate was 1 GBP to 1.31 USD and 1.19 Euro.

Endava is not able, at this time, to provide an outlook for IFRS diluted EPS for Q3 FY2020 or FY2020 because of the unreasonable effort of estimating certain items that are excluded from adjusted diluted EPS, including, for example, share-based compensation expense, amortisation of acquired intangible assets and foreign currency exchange (gains)/losses, the effect of which may be significant.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 am EST today, February 13, 2020, to review its Q2 FY2020 results. To participate in Endava's Q2 FY2020 earnings conference call, please dial in at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time (877) 683-6368 or (647) 689-5450 for international participants, Conference ID 7564228.

Investors may listen to the call on Endava's Investor Relations website at http://investors.Endava.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay until Friday, February 28, 2020.

ABOUT ENDAVA PLC:

Endava is a leading next-generation technology services provider and helps accelerate disruption by delivering rapid evolution to enterprises. Using distributed enterprise agile at scale, Endava collaborates with its clients, seamlessly integrating with their teams, catalysing ideation and delivering robust solutions. Endava helps its clients become digital, experience-driven businesses by assisting them in their journey from idea generation to development and deployment of products, platforms and solutions. It services clients in the following industries: Payments and Financial Services, TMT, Consumer Products, Retail, Logistics and Healthcare. Endava had 6,267 employees as of December 31, 2019 located in offices in North America and Western Europe and delivery centres in Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

To supplement Endava's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow presented in accordance with IFRS, the Company uses non-IFRS measures of certain components of financial performance. These measures include: revenue growth rate at constant currency, revenue growth at constant currency adjusted for the sale of the Worldpay Captive, adjusted profit before tax, adjusted profit for the period, adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted free cash flow.

Revenue growth rate at constant currency is calculated by translating revenue from entities reporting in foreign currencies into British Pounds using the comparable foreign currency exchange rates from the prior period. For example, the average rates in effect for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018 were used to convert revenue for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2019 and the revenue for the comparable prior period.

Revenue growth at constant currency adjusted for the sale of the Worldpay Captive is revenue growth at constant currency adjusted to exclude the impact of the sale of the Worldpay Captive.

Adjusted profit before tax ("Adjusted PBT") is defined as the Company's profit before tax adjusted to exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense, discretionary EBT bonus expense, amortisation of acquired intangible assets, realised and unrealised foreign currency exchange gains and losses, initial public offering expenses incurred, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance readiness expenses incurred, fair value movement of contingent consideration and gain on disposal of subsidiary (all of which are non-cash other than discretionary EBT bonus expense, realised foreign currency exchange gains and losses, initial public offering expenses, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance readiness expenses incurred and gain on disposal of subsidiary). Adjusted PBT margin is adjusted PBT as a percentage of total revenue.

Adjusted profit for the period is defined as Adjusted PBT together with the tax impact of these adjustments.

Adjusted diluted EPS is defined as Adjusted profit for the period, divided by weighted average number of shares outstanding diluted.

Adjusted free cash flow is the Company's net cash from operating activities, plus grants received, less net purchases of non-current assets (tangible and intangible).

In order for Endava's investors to be better able to compare its current period results with those of previous periods, the Company has shown a reconciliation of IFRS to non-IFRS financial measures. Management believes these measures help illustrate underlying trends in the Company's business and uses the measures to establish budgets and operational goals, communicated internally and externally, for managing the Company's business and evaluating its performance. Management also believes the presentation of its non-IFRS financial measures enhances an investor's overall understanding of the Company's historical financial performance. The presentation of the Company's non-IFRS financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with IFRS, and its non-IFRS measures may be different from non-IFRS measures used by other companies.

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "expect," "outlook," and other similar terms and phrases. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the statements regarding our projected financial performance for our third fiscal quarter and fiscal year 2020, the anticipated receipt from the EBT of the second tranche of funding for the discretionary employee bonuses and statements regarding the anticipated impact on our business of our acquisition of Intuitus and Exozet. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: our ability to sustain our revenue growth rate in the future; our ability to retain existing clients and attract new clients, including our ability to increase revenue from existing clients and diversify our revenue concentration; our ability to attract and retain highly- skilled IT professionals at cost-effective rates; our ability to penetrate new industry verticals and geographies and grow our revenue in current industry verticals and geographies; our ability to maintain favourable pricing and utilisation rates; our ability to successfully identify acquisition targets, consummate acquisitions and successfully integrate acquired businesses and personnel; the effects of increased competition as well as innovations by new and existing competitors in our market; the size of our addressable market and market trends; our ability to adapt to technological change and innovate solutions for our clients; our plans for growth and future operations, including our ability to manage our growth; our expectations of future operating results or financial performance; our ability to effectively manage our international operations, including our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; and our future financial performance, including trends in revenue, cost of sales, gross profit, selling, general and administrative expenses, finance income and expense and taxes, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 2019. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views and expectations as of the date hereof and are based on information currently available to us. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 REVENUE 168,252 138,248 85,900 71,834 Cost of sales Direct cost of sales (122,592 (83,026 (73,828 (42,668 Allocated cost of sales (8,311 (7,305 (4,391 (3,737 Total cost of sales (130,903 (90,331 (78,219 (46,405 GROSS PROFIT 37,349 47,917 7,681 25,429 Selling, general and administrative expenses (36,480 (31,008 (19,139 (16,345 OPERATING PROFIT/ (LOSS) 869 16,909 (11,458 9,084 Net finance (expense) income (2,871 (4,860 (5,799 331 Gain on sale of subsidiary 2,215 PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX 213 12,049 (17,257 9,415 Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities 483 (2,584 3,441 (1,998 PROFIT/ (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD 696 9,465 (13,816 7,417 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Exchange differences on translating foreign operations (4,385 662 (2,460 930 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT (3,689 10,127 (16,276 8,347 EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS): Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic 52,848,507 48,859,382 53,140,682 49,454,195 Weighted average number of shares outstanding Diluted 55,663,120 54,454,333 55,957,472 54,892,513 Basic EPS () 0.01 0.19 (0.26 0.15 Diluted EPS () 0.01 0.17 (0.25 0.14

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2019 June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 '000 '000 '000 ASSETS NON-CURRENT Goodwill 59,467 36,760 42,447 Intangible assets 31,478 28,910 30,303 Property, plant and equipment 11,776 10,579 9,989 Lease right-of-use assets 49,109 Financial assets 881 Deferred tax assets 11,447 9,550 2,519 TOTAL 164,158 85,799 85,258 ASSETS CURRENT Trade and other receivables 74,251 65,917 63,766 Corporation tax receivable 4,171 790 546 Financial assets 592 Cash and cash equivalents 78,975 70,172 51,044 TOTAL 157,989 136,879 115,356 TOTAL ASSETS 322,147 222,678 200,614 LIABILITIES CURRENT Borrowings 954 21 39 Lease liabilities 10,489 Trade and other payables 72,511 48,502 41,892 Corporation tax payable 983 2,920 1,270 Contingent consideration 1,131 1,244 1,244 Deferred consideration 1,707 1,516 4,691 TOTAL 87,775 54,203 49,136 LIABILITIES NON CURRENT Lease liabilities 39,545 Borrowings 3 Deferred consideration 1,901 Deferred tax liabilities 2,837 2,033 2,601 Other liabilities 108 113 284 TOTAL 44,391 2,146 2,888 EQUITY Share capital 1,095 1,089 1,061 Share premium 20,278 17,271 48,614 Merger relief reserve 4,430 4,430 4,430 Retained earnings 156,313 146,963 73,956 Other reserves 9,548 (1,577 22,804 Investment in own shares (1,683 (1,847 (2,275 TOTAL 189,981 166,329 148,590 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 322,147 222,678 200,614

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Profit/ (Loss) for the period 696 9,465 (13,816 7,417 Income tax charge/(credit) (483 2,584 (3,441 1,998 Non-cash adjustments 15,886 13,305 13,930 4,808 Tax paid (3,535 (2,911 (2,703 (1,419 Net changes in working capital 13,936 (10,778 17,121 (3,190 Net cash from operating activities 26,500 11,665 11,091 9,614 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of non-current assets (tangible and intangible) (5,830 (3,964 (3,324 (2,070 Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets 120 25 107 25 Acquisition of business subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) (27,061 (25,538 Proceeds from sale of subsidiary net of cash disposed of 2,744 166 Cash and cash equivalents acquired with subsidiaries 3,289 3,289 Interest received 353 126 154 52 Net cash used in investing activities (26,385 (3,813 (25,146 (1,993 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from sublease 302 3,500 148 3,500 Repayment of borrowings (9 (23,526 (3,511 Repayment of lease liabilities (4,569 (2,413 Interest paid (375 (222 (209 (74 Grant received 661 1,784 97 1,679 Net proceeds from initial public offering 44,828 Proceeds from sale of EBT shares 14,797 14,797 Issue of shares 9 Net cash from financing activities 10,816 26,364 12,420 1,594 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 10,931 34,216 (1,635 9,215 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 70,172 15,048 83,628 41,765 Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents (2,128 1,780 (3,018 64 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 78,975 51,044 78,975 51,044

RECONCILIATION OF IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES TO ADJUSTED FINANCIAL MEASURES

RECONCILIATION OF REVENUE GROWTH RATE AS REPORTED UNDER IFRS TO REVENUE GROWTH RATE AT CONSTANT CURRENCY:

Six Months ended

December 31 Three Months ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 REVENUE GROWTH RATE AS REPORTED UNDER IFRS 21.7 41.7 19.6 43.6 Foreign exchange rates impact (0.7 (0.6 0.9 (1.2 REVENUE GROWTH RATE AT CONSTANT CURRENCY INCLUDING WORLDPAY CAPTIVE 21.0 41.1 20.5 42.4 Impact of Worldpay Captive 2.3 4.0 PROFORMA REVENUE GROWTH RATE AT CONSTANT CURRENCY EXCLUDING WORLDPAY CAPTIVE 23.3 41.1 24.5 42.4

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX AND ADJUSTED PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD:

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 PROFIT/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX 213 12,049 (17,257 9,415 Adjustments: Share-based compensation expense 6,996 5,010 3,673 3,125 Discretionary EBT bonus expense 27,657 27,657 Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 1,809 1,752 913 873 Foreign currency exchange (gains)/losses, net 2,913 (1,141 5,466 (436 Initial public offering expenses incurred 1,055 79 Sarbanes-Oxley compliance readiness expenses incurred 698 504 Net gain on disposal of subsidiary (2,215 Fair value movement of contingent consideration 5,805 Total adjustments 37,160 13,179 37,709 4,145 ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX 37,373 25,228 20,452 13,560 PROFIT/ (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD 696 9,465 (13,816 7,417 Adjustments: Adjustments to profit before tax 37,160 13,179 37,709 4,145 Tax impact of adjustments (7,508 (2,349 (7,115 (666 ADJUSTED PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 30,348 20,295 16,778 10,896 Diluted EPS () 0.01 0.17 (0.25 0.14 Adjusted diluted EPS () 0.55 0.37 0.30 0.20

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 Net cash from operating activities 26,500 11,665 11,091 9,614 Adjustments: Grant received 661 1,784 97 1,679 Net purchases of non-current assets (tangible and intangible) (5,710 (3,939 (3,217 (2,045 Adjusted Free cash flow 21,451 9,510 7,971 9,248

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 Direct cost of sales 3,830 1,939 2,133 1,191 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,166 3,071 1,540 1,934 Total 6,996 5,010 3,673 3,125

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 Direct cost of sales 5,910 1,859 3,159 959 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,833 2,058 1,457 1,029 Total 8,743 3,917 4,616 1,988

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST DISCRETIONARY BONUS

Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 '000 '000 '000 '000 Direct cost of sales 25,182 25,182 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,475 2,475 Total 27,657 27,657

EMPLOYEES, TOP 10 CUSTOMERS and REVENUE SPLIT

Six Months Ended December 31 Six Months Ended

December 31 Three Months Ended

December 31 2019 2018 2019 2018 Closing number of total employees 6,267 5,389 6,267 5,389 Average operational employees 5,405 4,726 5,472 4,845 Top 10 customers % 39 38 37 38 Number of clients with 1m of revenue

(rolling 12 months) 65 60 65 60 Geographic split of revenue % North America 28 27 29 27 Europe 24 28 23 28 UK 46 45 45 45 Rest of World (RoW) 2 3 Industry vertical split of revenue % Payments and Financial Services 53 53 53 53 TMT 25 27 24 27 Other 22 20 23 20

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005410/en/

Contacts:

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Endava Plc

Laurence Madsen, Investor Relations Manager

Investors@endava.com
The Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate is boosted by Bank of England (BoE) rate hike bets today. At the time of writing, the GBP/AUD exchange rate is trading at approximately AU$1.8945, up roughly by 0.2% from todays opening levels. Pound (GBP) Exchange Rates Climb in Response to BoE Rate Hike Bets The Pound (GBP) lifts against...

The Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate has dipped today, with the Pound (GBP) subdued ahead of key US data and a strong Canadian Dollar (CAD) off the back of rising oil prices. At time of writing the GBP/CAD exchange rate is at around $1.7158, which is roughly -0.2% down from this mornings opening figures. Pound (GBP) Dips amid Subdued Market Mood...

PLEASE NOTE: All currency values on this site, as of 31st October 2009, are now sourced from a range of inter bank sources in relation to the British Pound base currency. These rates are updated every 5 minutes to reflect the latest figures presented to us. Prior to this date the exchange rates were obtained from the European Central Bank as per their last data available in relation to the EURO base currency. Exchangerates.org.uk believes this information to be accurate, however does not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. Users of this website are advised to verify any values before using it. Exchangerates.org.uk makes absolutely no warranties regarding any values on this website, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy or availability.
Trudeau urged to scramble for African business and trade opportunities, Feb. 11

Our illustrious prime minister has been isolating himself in Africa, kissing butt and showering the locals there with millions of dollars bled from Canadian taxpayers in a vainglorious attempt to obtain their support for a seat on the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, where he should be managing things, unruly mobs are blockading our national rail lines, completely halting service in some areas, construction of needed and nationally approved pipelines is being interfered with, access to seaports is being impaired and duly elected politicians and public servants are being obstructed when they attempt to enter a provincial legislature.

This is affecting our economy and sending a bad message to foreign companies that may be considering investing here, where we once had a stable economic environment operating under the rule of law.

Where are our leaders? Where is the will to stop this nonsense?

Fred B. Woodward, Kelowna, B.C.

What cost will Justin Trudeaus sojourn to African countries inflict on Canadian taxpayers? He is doling out millions of dollars to African nations to support his effort for Canada to get seat on the UN Security Council.

We have enough problems here in Canada that desperately require money, particularly in our Indigenous communities: fresh water, housing, food, security and schooling, among other things. Canadian peoples must come first when it comes to writing these cheques.

Perhaps Trudeau should visit our needy communities before travelling on the Canadian taxpayers dollar.

C. Powell, West Hill, Ont.

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Justin and Hailey Bieber release wedding footage, say they trust God so much with their love story

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Justin Biebers new YouTube series Seasons released two episodes this week showing footage from his and his wife, Hailey's wedding day.

During the episodes Bieber revealed that he was shaking when he proposed to Hailey in the Bahamas in 2018.

I was like, 'I loved you for so long and I just can't see myself being with anybody else. I love you so much and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me? he recalled to his friends right before the wedding.

In episode 7 of the series, Hailey shared why the couple had a civil wedding ceremony shortly after their engagement before their religious ceremony last October.

"It's actually really funny because we got engaged, and we were like, 'Yeah, we're not in a rush to plan a wedding, we're chilling,'" Hailey said.

"We wanted to live together, we wanted to move in together, and we didn't believe in doing that until we were married. So we got legally married and then moving in together, and living together, and getting to share space with each other, and just keep learning more about each other. It took the pressure off of the scary part of getting married, she added.

In a previous interview with Vogue magazine, Bieber said he and his bride waited to have sex until their wedding night because he vowed to God that he'd live a chaste life after battling a sex addiction.

"I just know where we were and I know where we are, and I, I feel like I can see where we're going, Hailey testified.

Him and I both trust God so much with every aspect of our life. We've trusted Him through the really hard stuff, and we trust Him in the really good stuff, she maintained.

Bieber is gearing up to release his first album in years on Valentines Day titled, Changes. In episode 8 of his series, along with all of his wedding footage, the pop star talked about his new song, Thats What True Love Is.

Not everything is about being physical. I love her without even needing to touch her, he concluded.

The 10 part series, Justin Bieber: Seasons airs on Mondays and Wednesdays on YouTube and features several of the people in Biebers life, including his wife, Hailey, and manager Scooter Braun.

Bieber shared his hopes for the series in a post on Instagram, saying, I hope a lot of people see this and overcome their obstacles!! God has huge plans for every single one of you.
At least three lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded in a Lucknow court compound on Thursday.

Lucknow Bar Association Joint Secretary Sanjiv Kumar Lodhi - among those injured - claimed he was the target of the attack because he had been complaining about a few judicial officers.

He said a group of about 10 people gathered outside his chamber and hurled multiple crude bombs. One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded, he said. Bomb disposal and dog squads have reached the site of the blast.

Congress general secretary Priyaka Gandhi lashed out at the Uttar Pradesh government after the incident, saying UP government lied to the people. UP government should accept that it lied to the people for three years. Criminals are having a field day in the state. Lawyers are being attacked with bombs in the courts in state capital. From the state capital to outskirts, nobody is safe. What kind of situation is this? Gandhi, the Congress in-charge for east Uttar Pradesh, said on Twitter in Hindi.

    -                    



                         ?https://t.co/jjKGEXw5tg  Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 13, 2020

The police say the incident is a result of rivalry between two groups of lawyers. They have cordoned off the crime scene.

We recieved an information of explosion in the (court) complex. We are combing the area, Additional DCP West Lucknow Vikas Chandra Tripathi said. The police have identified one of the attackers as Jeetu Yadav, news agency PTI reported.

An eyewitness said the attackers came from two sides and started throwing bombs at Lodhis chamber. The incident happened at around 11 am. I was standing at the gate of the chamber when 10 men barged in from both the sides of the court and started throwing crude bombs. Mr Lodhi sustained injuries on his head. Four-five people were also carrying pistol. They grabbed me, said the eyewitness Ashwini, who identified himself as a junior of Lodhi.

Lodhi was taken to Balrampur Hospital for medical examination. He said lax security arrangement at the court led to this incident and demanded that the accused be brought to justice as soon as possible.

Last month, lawyers had gone on strike in protest against the recent attacks on them in the state.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had asked bar associations to abstain from work to put pressure on the government to pass legislation to protect lawyers.

On January 7, lawyer Shekhar Tripathi (32) was beaten to death with sticks by five men in Lucknow, triggering anger among his colleagues who sat with the body at the district collectorate demanding justice.

On December 17, a man was killed and two policemen injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at Bijnore CJMs court.

The Allahabad High Court had last year directed the state government to make proper security arrangements for the court and the lawyers.
(Bloomberg) -- SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son said he is considering a new type of fund for startup investing, showing his determination to keep cutting deals after missteps with WeWork and several other companies.

The Japanese billionaire unveiled his $100 billion Vision Fund three years ago and had been planning on raising a similarly sized second Vision Fund. But as he discussed earnings in Tokyo Wednesday, he conceded that raising money from limited partners for the second fund has been difficult and he may instead make startup investments solely with SoftBanks capital for a year or two.

A lot of our planned investors have been worried by the trouble at WeWork and Uber and we heard their feedback, Son said. So before we officially launch SoftBank Vision Fund 2, maybe we start from a smaller scale and start from a shorter period in terms of investment as sort of a bridge.

So Im beginning to think about that kind of two-step approach, he said. We have not made any official decision yet, but thats one of the options that we started considering. Again, we have not come to a conclusion yet.

Sons somewhat opaque comments came after SoftBank reported that the Vision Fund had lost money for the second quarter in a row, reflecting the decreased value of startups it has backed. The Vision Fund lost 225.1 billion yen ($2.05 billion) for the three months ended in December, after losing 970.3 billion yen the quarter before including WeWork and Uber Technologies Inc.

Mr. Son said that he may consider delaying SVF2 or a smaller SVF2. Given our view that SVF2 is a big risk, this statement is welcome, said Atul Goyal, an analyst at Jefferies Group, in a research report.

SoftBank set up the original Vision Fund with money from outside investors, led by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund and Abu Dhabis Mubadala Investment Co. But for years before that, SoftBank made deals with its own capital, including early investments in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Yahoo! Corp. During the dot-com boom, Son took stakes in hundreds of internet companies.

Story continues

Indeed, before the first Vision Fund, SoftBank set up an entity called Delta Fund that was used for startup deals, including some that eventually were moved into the Vision Fund. Son could simply inject capital into that vehicle. SoftBank had weighed contributing $40 billion to $50 billion of its own capital for the second fund, people familiar with the matter have said.

We can make investment on our own or we can work with partners, new or existing, Son said.

He did explain that SoftBank continues to back startups with its own money.

We made several investments because we do have a very good pipeline, Son said Wednesday. Its a hundreds of billions yen level.

He added that he is no longer targeting $108 billion for the second fund and wasnt precise about what the expected size would be.

We shouldnt be postponed too long, he said. First, make it a little bit smaller for 1 to 2 years, raise some bridge money, while were are building a track record. Then once we have results, I want to raise an official second fund.

To contact the reporters on this story: Pavel Alpeyev in Tokyo at palpeyev@bloomberg.net;Takahiko Hyuga in Tokyo at thyuga@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at pelstrom@bloomberg.net, Edwin Chan

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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2020 Bloomberg L.P.
The Company has completed a successful "first pass" 4.2 kilometre drill test of the LP Fault. All (100%) of 59 drill holes on 50 - 250 metre spacings have successfully intersected gold mineralization. A long section view of results is provided in Figure 1 . A continuously mineralized zone is now interpreted, the "LP Fault zone", which remains open both along strike and at depth. Previously disclosed LP Fault zone names (Bear-Rimini, Gap, Yuma, Yauro, Auro and Viggo) will no longer be used in Great Bear's news releases. Results will be provided by drill section on a go-forward basis.

Great Bear is now undertaking a systematic grid drill program testing a 2.5 square kilometre "panel" of the LP Fault (5 kilometres horizontally by 500 metres vertically from surface). Drill spacing will initially average 100 metres along strike and 75 metres vertically. Additional drilling below 500 metres is also being undertaken. Up to 300 additional drill holes are required to complete this panel during 2020 and the Company is fully-funded for this work. Four drill rigs are currently deployed along the LP Fault and a fifth drill rig will be used to continue concurrent regional exploration, including further LP Fault step-outs.

Highlights of current results include:

Drill hole BR-068 intersected 10.58 g/t gold over 21.00 metres , including 48.98 g/t gold over 3.25 metres on drill section 20750. Results demonstrate apparent continuity of gold mineralization from surface to 305 metres vertical depth, and increasing gold grades and interval widths with increasing depth. BR-068 is located 1.8 kilometres southeast of the LP Fault discovery hole DNW-011. Table 1 and Figure 2





intersected , including on drill section 20750. Results demonstrate apparent continuity of gold mineralization from surface to 305 metres vertical depth, and increasing gold grades and interval widths with increasing depth. BR-068 is located 1.8 kilometres southeast of the LP Fault discovery hole DNW-011. and Drill hole BR-067 was completed on drill section 20600, located 150 metres to the southeast of drill section 20750, and intersected 10.95 g/t gold over 6.00 metres . Results demonstrate apparent continuity of high-grade gold mineralization over 400 vertical metres and apparent continuity across the 150 metre distance to drill section 20750. Gold was intersected to 550 metres vertical depth. Figure 3.





was completed on drill section 20600, located 150 metres to the southeast of drill section 20750, and intersected . Results demonstrate apparent continuity of high-grade gold mineralization over 400 vertical metres and apparent continuity across the 150 metre distance to drill section 20750. Gold was intersected to 550 metres vertical depth. Drill hole BR-057, which is the second most southeasterly hole intersecting the LP Fault to-date, returned 7.35 g/t gold over 3.50 metres, including 38.03 g/t gold over 0.50 metres on drill section 18750. This hole is located approximately 4.2 kilometres southeast of LP Fault discovery hole DNW-011, and 1.85 kilometres southeast of drill section 20600. Figure 4 .

A cross section through the original LP Fault discovery hole is provided in Figure 5 . Similar geology, structural controls and gold mineralization are present in all areas along the 4.2 kilometres of the LP drilled to-date.

Chris Taylor, President and CEO of Great Bear said, "We now interpret a continuous gold-mineralized zone along more than four kilometres of strike length of the LP Fault, which remains open to extension. Assay results, geology, and oriented structural data suggest the zone hosts steeply-dipping 'sheets' of disseminated high-grade gold mineralization with significant strike length and vertical extent. More detailed drilling is required to accurately delineate the geometries of these high-grade 'sheets' and the boundaries of the surrounding mineralized envelope. While the total LP Fault target is many times larger (Zeng and Calvert, 2006; 14 kilometres deep and 20+ kilometres in length based on seismic data), we've selected a 2.5 square kilometre section, 5 kilometres long by 500 metres deep, for grid drilling during 2020. This will help characterize the gold mineralized system in preparation for more advanced studies in 2021 and has the potential to unlock significant potential additional value for our shareholders. We will also continue property wide drill testing of new targets, including further step-outs on the LP Fault."

Table 1: Most recent results from drilling of the LP Fault.

Drill Hole

From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Section BR-023

490.00 495.00 5.00 0.52 20200 BR-033

390.15 408.60 18.45 0.26 21800 and 427.50 431.00 3.50 1.05 and 442.05 452.00 9.95 0.57 including 449.30 451.50 2.20 2.00 BR-050

267.90 274.00 6.10 1.25 18900 including 271.00 271.50 0.50 4.95 BR-051

451.00 456.50 5.50 4.00 18900 including 455.50 456.50 1.00 12.91 and including 456.00 456.50 0.50 25.13 BR-057

222.80 238.15 15.35 2.09 18750 including 232.00 235.50 3.50 7.35 and including 232.50 233.00 0.50 38.03 BR-058

140.00 145.50 5.50 0.60 18550 and 166.15 168.20 2.05 4.20 BR-059

484.50 488.50 4.00 1.14 18550 BR-061

15.00 23.00 8.00 0.53 19750 and 28.00 29.70 1.70 2.29 and 107.00 113.00 6.00 0.46 and 165.00 170.00 5.00 0.61 and 270.90 273.00 2.10 1.01 and 366.00 370.50 4.50 0.54 BR-062

197.00 206.00 9.00 0.46 19750 and 256.00 264.00 8.00 1.09 and 272.00 274.00 2.00 2.11 and 404.95 407.00 2.05 1.11 BR-063

149.00 154.00 5.00 0.49 19550 and 348.00 351.00 3.00 0.93 BR-064

271.00 279.20 8.20 2.46 19550 including 277.30 278.70 1.40 13.50 and 481.50 484.40 2.90 1.20 BR-066

299.40 340.50 41.10 0.72 20400 including 299.40 311.00 11.60 1.11 and 516.00 519.00 3.00 1.72 and 531.50 557.10 25.60 0.28 BR-067

259.00 280.50 21.50 0.53 20600 and 296.00 317.00 21.00 3.35 including 310.00 316.00 6.00 10.95 and including 311.50 314.00 2.50 19.38 and 321.00 393.00 72.00 0.53 and 411.00 449.00 38.00 0.22 and 573.40 584.80 11.40 0.68 and 678.40 716.30 37.90 0.35 BR-068

355.40 382.00 26.60 8.45 20750 including 357.90 379.00 21.10 10.58 and including 357.90 360.65 2.75 16.74 and including 370.00 375.10 5.10 33.30 and including 370.00 373.25 3.25 48.98 and including 372.75 373.25 0.50 195.00 and 406.30 437.70 31.40 1.07 and including 416.20 424.20 8.00 3.24 and 450.65 452.00 1.35 10.99

*Widths are drill indicated core length, as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays, as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts. Average widths are calculated using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off grade with < 3 m of internal dilution of zero grade.

A map view of currently completed drill fences is provided in Figure 6 . The locations of the cross sections provided in the previous figures are highlighted.

In order to place significant previously disclosed drill results in spatial context, Table 2 provides section location information for twenty previously disclosed drill holes with highlighted gold intercepts. These intervals are also shown visually in long section format in Figure 1 .

The Company will post a complete table of all disclosed drill holes with highlighted intervals from the LP Fault including section information, drill collar locations, azimuths and dips on the Company's web site at: www.greatbearresources.ca.

Table 3 provides drill collar location, azimuth and dip information for the newly reported drill holes included in this release.



Table 2: Highlighted intervals from twenty previously released drill holes along the LP Fault, with section location numbers included for reference.

Drill Hole

From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Section BR-003

119.00 212.05 93.05 0.53 22375 BR-004

164.70 205.50 40.80 1.00 22375 BR-012 and 208.00 288.00 80.00 0.60 22375 BR-018

270.20 314.60 44.40 1.05 22250 BR-019

119.00 167.90 48.90 0.73 22250 BR-020

81.00 134.70 53.70 4.20 20100 BR-020 including 90.00 132.00 42.00 5.28

BR-020 and including 90.75 108.00 17.25 10.65

BR-020 and including 90.75 94.00 3.25 48.08

BR-020 and including 90.75 92.25 1.50 101.71

BR-021

70.00 77.00 7.00 6.21 20250 BR-021 including 70.00 71.00 1.00 42.72

BR-022

461.60 512.00 50.40 1.78

BR-022 including 471.00 512.00 41.00 2.09

BR-022 and including 505.20 508.75 3.55 14.90

BR-022 and including 506.20 506.70 0.50 100.48

BR-035

234.50 273.00 38.50 1.77 20750 BR-035 including 244.50 270.50 26.00 2.55

BR-035 and including 261.00 270.50 9.50 6.02

BR-035 and including 268.00 270.50 2.50 15.02

BR-035 and 289.70 345.80 56.10 1.26

BR-035 and including 340.50 345.80 5.30 9.20

BR-036

55.60 93.00 37.40 5.14 20600 BR-036 including 58.80 77.00 18.20 10.32

BR-036 and including 63.30 66.60 3.30 21.33

BR-036 and including 71.85 76.00 4.15 22.74

BR-036 and including 71.85 74.50 2.65 32.00

BR-037

68.50 74.50 6.00 16.60 20600 BR-037 including 68.50 70.80 2.30 28.61

BR-037 and 86.00 152.20 66.20 2.01

BR-037 including 89.97 91.70 1.73 35.96

BR-037 and including 89.97 90.47 0.50 111.84

BR-037 and 189.00 214.25 25.25 5.60

BR-037 and including 206.15 214.25 8.10 13.73

BR-037 and including 206.65 210.10 3.45 30.66

BR-037 and including 206.65 208.25 1.60 59.05

BR-040

360.50 432.10 71.60 1.39 22250 BR-040 including 401.30 422.00 20.70 2.22

BR-041 and 72.60 146.60 74.00 0.67 21950 BR-042

217.70 259.50 41.80 1.13 21950 BR-042 and 264.60 302.55 37.95 1.13

BR-043

318.50 443.90 125.40 1.08 21950 BR-043 including 348.00 437.80 189.80 1.31

BR-045

287.45 323.00 35.55 1.05

BR-060

284.00 333.00 49.00 1.74

BR-060 including 295.00 311.00 16.00 3.82 20100 BR-060 and including 302.00 311.00 9.00 6.30

BR-060 and including 306.70 311.00 4.30 11.95

BR-065 and 251.60 260.30 8.70 48.67 19950 BR-065 including 252.55 256.90 4.35 97.00

BR-065 and including 252.55 256.30 3.75 112.15

BR-065 and including 253.60 254.80 1.20 241.88

BR-075

55.00 59.15 4.15 16.80 21150 BR-075 and 125.25 170.80 45.55 1.25

BR-075 including 132.25 151.50 19.25 2.05

DNW-011

58.00 60.00 2.00 194.21 22375 DNW-011 including 58.00 58.50 0.50 759.38

DNW-011

72.50 93.00 20.50 8.48

DNW-011 including 75.00 89.00 14.00 12.33

DNW-011 and including 75.95 80.55 4.60 19.33

DNW-011 and including 78.45 80.55 2.10 60.27

DNW-011 and including 78.45 79.55 1.10 98.78

DNW-011 and including 78.95 79.55 0.60 130.97

DNW-011 and 98.00 169.60 71.60 0.60

DNW-011 including 119.00 169.60 50.60 0.74



*Widths are drill indicated core length, as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays, as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts. Average widths are calculated using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off grade with < 3 m of internal dilution of zero grade.

Table 3: Drill hole information for new drill results reported in this release. UTM NAD 83.

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Dip Azimuth BR-023 457357 5634139 356 -55 205 BR-033 456118 5635007 371 -49 215 BR-050 458605 5633677 357 -50 216 BR-051 458725 5633836 358 -50 216 BR-057 458749 5633559 360 -50 213 BR-058 458897 5633419 365 -50 215 BR-059 459069 5633672 350 -50 215 BR-061 457739 5633841 365 -55 216 BR-062 457856 5634014 363 -55 216 BR-063 457938 5633777 364 -55 214 BR-064 458033 5633913 368 -55 216 BR-066 457263 5634327 355 -53 213 BR-067 457097 5634338 356 -60 213 BR-068 457018 5634402 357 -58 217

ABOUT THE DIXIE PROJECT

The Dixie Project is 100% owned, comprised of 9,140 hectares of contiguous claims that extend over 22 kilometres, and is located approximately 25 kilometres southeast of the town of Red Lake, Ontario. The project is accessible year-round via a 15 minute drive on a paved highway which runs the length of the northern claim boundary and a network of well-maintained logging roads.

The Dixie Project hosts two principle styles of gold mineralization:

High-grade gold in quartz veins and silica-sulphide replacement zones ( Dixie Limb and Hinge) . Hosted by mafic volcanic rocks, and localized near regional-scale D2 fold axes. These mineralization styles are also typical of the significant mined deposits of the Red Lake district.





. Hosted by mafic volcanic rocks, and localized near regional-scale D2 fold axes. These mineralization styles are also typical of the significant mined deposits of the district. High-grade disseminated gold with broad moderate to lower grade envelopes (LP Fault). The LP Fault is a significant gold-hosting structure which has been seismically imaged to extend to 14 kilometres depth (Zeng and Calvert , 2006), and has been interpreted by Great Bear to have up to 18 kilometres of strike length on the Dixie property. High-grade gold mineralization is controlled by structural and geological contacts, and moderate to lower-grade disseminated gold surrounds and flanks the high-grade intervals. The dominant gold-hosting stratigraphy consists of felsic sediments and volcanic units.

About Great Bear

Great Bear Resources Ltd. is a well-financed gold exploration company managed by a team with a track record of success in mineral exploration. Great Bear is focused in the prolific Red Lake gold district in northwest Ontario, where the company controls over 300 km2 of highly prospective tenure across 4 projects: the flagship Dixie Project (100% owned), the Pakwash Property (earning a 100% interest), the Dedee Property (earning a 100% interest), and the Sobel Property (earning a 100% interest), all of which are accessible year-round through existing roads.

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located in Red Lake Ontario. Core samples from the program are cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are sent to SGS Canada Inc. in Red Lake, Ontario, and Activation Laboratories in Ontario, both of which are accredited mineral analysis laboratories, for analysis. All samples are analysed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 10.0 g/t gold are analysed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Pulps from approximately 5% of the gold mineralized samples are submitted for check analysis to a second lab. Selected samples are also chosen for duplicate assay from the coarse reject of the original sample. Selected samples with visible gold are also analyzed with a standard 1 kg metallic screen fire assay. Certified gold reference standards, blanks and field duplicates are routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of Great Bear's quality control/quality assurance program (QAQC). No QAQC issues were noted with the results reported herein. Drill hole location information is provided below:

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Mr. R. Bob Singh, P.Geo, Director and VP Exploration, and Ms. Andrea Diakow P.Geo, Exploration Manager for Great Bear are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of technical information contained in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Chris Taylor"

Chris Taylor, President and CEO

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.

Great Bear undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE Great Bear Resources Ltd.
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LongIsland.com - Your Name sent you Article details of "Its Doggie-Tines Day! Doggie Wedding on Long Island"
Colin Fassnidge says he'll be 'looking for a job next year' after My Kitchen Rules is inevitably cancelled by Channel Seven.

In a last-ditch attempt to win back viewers, the MKR judge, 46, begged people to watch his show instead of Married At First Sight.

'I swear on my kids' lives, it's the only [season] I'm most passionate about,' Colin said on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday.

Given up already? Colin Fassnidge (left) says he'll be 'looking for a job next year' after MKR is inevitably cancelled by Channel Seven. Pictured with Manu Feildel and Pete Evans

The once-unbeatable cooking show has failed to deliver with its new format, dubbed MKR: The Rivals, and has averaged just 456,000 metro viewers since its premiere on Sunday, February 2.

On Wednesday night, MKR: The Rivals had just 422,000 metro viewers, while Channel Nine's Married At First Sight had an audience of 1.178 million.

MKR was also beaten by Channel 10's Australian Survivor: All Stars (572,000), Seven's The Chase (500,000) and ABC's Hard Quiz (597,000).

Dinner party vs dinner party: In a last-ditch attempt to win back viewers, Colin has begged people to watch his show instead of Married At First Sight. Pictured: MAFS' Hayley and Ivan

Flop: The once-unbeatable cooking show has failed to deliver with its new format, MKR: The Rivals, and has averaged just 456,000 metro viewers since its premiere on February 2

'Two years ago, I really did not like what we [MKR] were doing, but this [season] I stand behind it,' the Irish chef told Kyle and Jackie O.

Colin added that the bullying scandal involving Sonya Mefaddi and Hadil Faiza in 2018 had 'turned people off' the show.

But he still doesn't understand criticism that there is 'too much drama' on MKR.

'People say there's too much drama, but they'll go and watch Botox At First Sight, or whatever it's called! If you want Botox, we've got it! We've got the drama, we've got the cooking. It's great!' he said.

'I think we're going to do My Marriage Rules next year.'

Colin wrapped things up by saying he'll 'probably be at home looking for a job next year' if MKR's ratings don't improve.

The beginning of the end? Colin told The Kyle and Jackie O Show that the bullying scandal involving Sonya Mefaddi (left) and Hadil Faiza (right) in 2018 had 'turned people off' MKR

'They don't know how to program a show!' It comes after Colin broke his silence on MKR's dismal ratings on Tuesday during a heated interview with 2GB's Chris Smith

It comes after Colin broke his silence on MKR's dismal ratings on Tuesday during a heated interview with 2GB's Chris Smith.

He went rogue and blasted his own network for mishandling the series launch.

'Not everyone's watching it at the moment because we've got some people in Channel Seven who don't know how to program a show!' he said.

'But what do I know? I'm only a cook!'

No match for MAFS! On Wednesday night, MKR: The Rivals had just 422,000 metro viewers, while Nine's Married At First Sight had an audience of 1.178 million. Pictured: Stacey Hampton

My Kitchen Rules: The Rivals' ratings Sunday, February 2: 498,000 Monday, February 3: 517,000 Tuesday, February 4: 402,000 Wednesday, February 5: 428,000 Sunday, February 10: 476,000 Monday, February 11: 439,000 Tuesday, February 12: 422,000 All ratings are five-city metro Advertisement

MKR: The Rivals suffered utter humiliation last Tuesday when it was beaten by the premiere of Great Australian Railway Journeys on SBS.

The ratings are so bad that TV Blackbox editor Robert McKnight predicts that My Kitchen Rules will soon be cancelled.

'There won't be any more of the show. You might as well write the eulogy and prepare the coffin it will not be back again,' McKnight said.

'I don't think anyone expected this kind of devastation. I think it comes back to the fact they launched it up against the Australian Open final [on Sunday night]. That really, really hurt them.

'Can there be any recovery? I really don't think so.'
Thae Yong-ho, left, and Ji Seong-ho / Yonhap



A North Korean propaganda outlet lashed out at South Korea's main opposition party on Thursday over its decision to scout a North Korean defector, known for his appearance at a U.S. State of the Union address, ahead of April's general elections.



Last month, the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) announced its decision to recruit Ji Seong-ho as one of the new faces who will run for the April 15 parliamentary elections. Ji is known for his surprise appearance at U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech in 2018.



As Trump introduced Ji during the address, Ji triumphantly held up his crutches, drawing a standing ovation. He is believed to have lost an arm and a leg in a train accident in 1996 when he passed out over a railway due to starvation after attempting to steal coal. He defected to the South in 2006.



Uriminzokkiri, a North Korean propaganda outlet, denounced his recruitment, calling him a "shameful person" who is trying to deceive and profit by smearing his mother country.



"(He) is running amok deceiving his past dirty deeds to extract as much money as possible ... while leading anti-republic smearing campaign," the website said. "Ji Seong-ho, a fugitive who crossed into the South, is a cruel, vicious and shameful person."



The website said that Ji is a greedy person who would never hesitate to desert his own wife for money, adding that his friends and neighbors have testified about his cruel and violent personality.



It is not rare for North Korean media outlets to level strong criticism against North Korean defectors, blaming them for crimes, though their claims are hard to prove.



Ji, currently a human rights activist, is one of two high-profile North Korean defectors that the LKP has recruited ahead of the April elections. Earlier this week, Thae Yong-ho, a former senior North Korean ambassador, announced his bid to run in the upcoming elections as a member of the opposition party.



North Korean media outlets have stayed mum over Thae's announcement. (Yonhap)


London [UK], Feb 13 (ANI): Rishi Sunak, the son in law of Infosys co-founder Ramarao Narayana Murthy, on Thursday replaced Pakistani Chancellor Sajid Javid as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister) of the United Kingdom, while Alok Sharma was appointed Business Secretary in the British Cabinet.

With this, there are now three MPs of Indian-origin in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet.

According to media reports, the decision comes just a few weeks before the Javid who was only eight months old in his job was set to unveil the UK budget on March 11, setting out the government's tax and spending plans.

Sunak, the 39-year-old Treasury chief Secretary is a close ally of Johnson.

Meanwhile, Alok Sharma, the former secretary of state for international development has been elevated to the role of the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

Sharma, 51, will also be president of the COP26, the big-ticket climate summit of the United Nations, which is due to be held in Glasgow in November this year.

Sharma, 51, was appointed the prime minister's infrastructure envoy to India in the year 2016.

Shortly after Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled the British Cabinet, three Parliamentarians of Indian-origin, including new Home Secretary Priti Patel today secured cabinet seats for themselves in the Parliament.

Johnson had last July, had appointed Patel as the new Home Secretary. Following the development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had further extended congratulatory notes to his "good friend" Priti Patel on the occasion.

Born to Gujarati parents who fled to Uganda in the 1960s, Patel is a controversial figure who has advocated bringing back of death penalty and had previously asked foreign aid target to be scrapped.

She held an international development secretary portfolio in the former Prime Minister Theresa May government but she was forced to resign for a highly ill-advised freelance trip to Israel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Irrespective of what candidates were elected to the 33rd Dail to represent West Wicklow last Saturday, a local pressure group intend to hold all elected deputies to their commitment to working for a community pool for the constituency.

Last week, saw the Community Pool for West Wicklow host a pre-election meeting in the Avon Ri, Blessington. Fifteen candidates attended albeit Simon Harris had to cancel owing to poor health.

Among the candidates who addressed the meeting was poll topper, John Brady of Sinn Fein, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore (Social Democrats/elected), Andrew Doyle and Billy Timmons of Fine Gael who were not returned and Stephen Donnelly (Fianna Fail, who finally scraped across the line to secure the last seat for the constituency).

Green Party Steven Mathews was chairing a meeting elsewhere and unable to attend. Outgoing deputy and Minister for Health, Simon Harris (Fine Gael) also secured a seat but his running mate, Andrew Doyle lost out.

Deirdre McCormack, Chair Community Pool for West Wicklow, stated it was a very lively meeting, which ran for three hours overall.

We had a huge attendance with other issues such as the N81, Crooksling, health and mental health also raised. Fifty questions were submitted by the audience in advance and we whittled those down to 35 but didn't get through them all on the night.

"We didn't spend enough time talking about the environment and neither was the 8th Amendment addressed.

However, it was made clear to all the candidates that we expect the elected five TDs to work together on our behalf, for the people of West Wicklow.

"We expect them to commit to a meeting in a month's time with our representatives, and members of Wicklow County Council and Water Safety Ireland. We want to get this project moving! she said.

After the initial meeting, Ms McCormack stated they wanted to establish a meeting every two months to progress the project.

A lot of promises were made at our meeting last week, she added. And we intend to hold them accountable!
China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus, has reported a record 242 new fatalities and nearly 15,000 fresh cases in a single day, local health officials announced on Thursday, the fastest rise in the daily count since the virus outbreak was first identified in December.

The hard-hit Hubei province for which Wuhan is the provincial capital has reported 14,840 new coronavirus cases, including 13,332 clinically diagnosed cases on Wednesday the local Health Commission said.

The province reported 242 new deaths on Wednesday from the infection on the same day, double than Tuesday taking the total death toll to 1,310 so far, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

With this the total confirmed cases in the province has jumped to 48,206, raising concerns over the faster pace with which the virus is spreading in the province.

The Hubei health commission said the adjustment in the calculation has been made to give those who have been clinically diagnosed with the timely standard treatment of confirmed cases, the report said.

China is yet to release the nationwide figures on Thursday.

Until Tuesday, the virus outbreak has claimed 1,115 lives with 97 new fatalities reported mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection jumped to 44,763, the state-run CGTN TV reported.

The number of confirmed cases abroad rose to 440 with one death so far in the Philippines. Japan reported the highest number of 203 cases with a majority of them from a cruise ship in which two Indian crew on board tested positive for the coronavirus.

A 15-member team of specialists of World Health Organisation, (WHO) is currently in China assisting the local health officials in containing the virus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Australian racehorse trainer in Wuhan has the described the city as 'out of this world' as it continues to grapple with the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Rui Severino, who is working at the Yulong Jockey Club in Wuhan, said rapidly increasing cases of the deadly virus was taking a toll on the local community.

There have now been more than 1,300 casualties, including 242 people who died in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, on the same day.

Nearly 15,000 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to about 50,000 on mainland China.

The father-of-two told The Herald Sun increased screenings may explain the rapid rise in confirmed cases.

Australian racehorse trainer Rui Severino is working in Wuhan during the coronavirus outbreak

Mr Severino said many preventative measures are in place to stop the spread of the deadly disease, including being tested twice a day, wearing face masks and remaining indoors

'Theyve been screening every single person that lives in Wuhan and in the province of Hubei, and Im talking in the city of Wuhan 11 million people and they go to everyones house, every single house, every single person gets screened and I believe thats why were seeing these new cases,' Mr Severino said.

Mr Severino is still working with horses despite the outbreak, and is tested twice every day for the disease, with extreme preventative measures in place throughout the city.

Face masks are worn by everyone, and the usually crowded streets are bare, with each family of four only able to send one person out for two hours every two days for food.

'You might see one person, two people, and everyone sort of looks sideways to each other and if youre in the stores to buy groceries everyone keeps their distance from each other. Its out of this world,' Mr Severino said.

Mr Severino was offered to come home by the Australian embassy, but chose to stay and work at the jockey club despite the disease

Mr Severino was last in Australia over the Christmas period with his sons in Melbourne, and landed back in Wuhan before the outbreak.

He has chosen to stay in Wuhan and work with his staff despite offers from the Australian embassy to bring him home.

Mr Severino said locals are confident the Chinese government will be able to control the coronavirus, and were diligently following their guidance.

'Physically its not apocalyptic  theres no armed guards on the street, theres no people following around  but psychologically its very, very surreal,' he said.

Mr Severino said locals believe the Chinese government will be able to control the deadly disease, which has killed more than 1,300 people
Huaweis next generation of flagship P-series smartphones will launch in South Africa this year.

Speaking in an interview with MyBroadband, Huawei South Africa CBG vice president Likun Zhao and Huawei South Africa CTO Akhram Mohamed confirmed that the upcoming devices would roll out to the local market.

The next flagship devices are coming to South Africa, Zhao said. The only difference will be that the new flagships will launch in South Africa without Google Mobile Services (GMS) and with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) instead.

Zhao said that Huawei reached the number one position in the South African smartphone market just before the implementation of the US Entity List, which subsequently set the companys progression back.

We hope we can spend two years to come back to number one smartphone market share in South Africa, he said.

Due to the Huawei being barred from implementing Google services on their devices, they have created their own platform to run on Android named Huawei Mobile Services.

What is HMS?

HMS is not a separate operating system, nor is it an implementation of Harmony OS  Huaweis own operating system. It is simply a replacement for Google Mobile Services, which runs natively on Android devices and enables certain features and services.

Many people are thinking that basic services are not going to be functional  thats not true, Mohamed said.

Users will still be able to access services such as Gmail, YouTube, Chrome, Google Search, and more  just not through the pre-loaded apps and native integration which they have become used to on previous Huawei devices.

Subsequently, Huaweis new devices will still feature the same interface and operating system as previous-generation devices  they will just offer a different experience on a platform level.

The menus, settings, etc., will all look and feel the same, Mohamed said. Over and above that, HMS is the replacement of core services for GMS. A consumer does not engage on core services level, they engage on an app level.

The biggest change consumers will notice is that they will not be asked to log in to their Google account on startup. Instead, they will log in to their Huawei account, which will provide a similar underlying layer of functionality across the device.

As many South African users already have Huawei accounts, this should not be a jarring migration for consumers, and it will be aided by comprehensive support and transparency from Huawei, Zhao said.

Apps and testing

Zhao told MyBroadband that in the third quarter of 2019, Huawei thought the development of an HMS ecosystem and the release of devices without GMS would be a big challenge to overcome.

From the last quarter of 2019, however, our R&D team conducted a lot of tests and we are now confident, he said.

For example, WhatsApp has maybe 112 functions. We tested every one based on HMS.

99% of functions passed when running on Android with HMS, with only the function to automatically back up data to Google Drive being an issue.

After each issue was flagged, Huawei began to build solutions for these problems. It has conducted these tests on the top 3,000 applications in the world as well as the top 100 applications in South Africa.

Apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter should work perfectly, with only features that require Google account integration not being supported. Additionally, as the operating system is still Android, APKs which do not have deep Google integration will work.

Applications will be available to download from Huawei AppGallery, which will replace the Play Store most users will be familiar with.

This store functions almost identically, however, and Huawei is actively working on migrating applications over to its ecosystem at a rapid rate.

Huaweis plan is beyond just apps and HMS itself, it is about new experiences, Mohamed said.

Yes, we want to give the basic services, and we already have the capability to do that  but we are creating something completely new and beautiful for consumers.

Huawei will also offer extended and widespread support for customers to aid them in adapting to its new Android experience.

*Please note that the headline image is a render of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro, not the upcoming P40.

Now read: Huawei hits back at US over spying allegations
Former White House chief of staff John Kelly laid bare an array of misgivings Wednesday night about President Donald Trump's policies and actions, including his ouster of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council aide and impeachment witness.

Vindman, who raised concerns about a July phone call in which Trump pressed Ukraine's leader for investigations that could benefit him politically, "did exactly what we teach them to do," Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, told an audience at the Drew University Forum lecture series in Morristown, New Jersey.

Over the course of 75 minutes of remarks and questions and answers, Kelly, who left the White House early last year, also defended the news media, questioned Trump's handling of North Korea, criticized Trump for intervening in a military justice case and took issue with his descriptions of immigrants, according to accounts in the Atlantic and local news media that were confirmed by a person with knowledge of the event.

Trump criticized Kelly on Twitter on Thursday morning, saying the former chief of staff "misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut."

"When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head," the president tweeted.

Trump also claimed that Kelly's "incredible" wife had once told him that Kelly respected him and would only speak well of him in the future. "Wrong!" Trump said.

Kelly has criticized Trump pointedly and repeatedly in private for months but has only said negative things publicly at paid speaking engagements. He has not done a television interview. When Kelly left the White House, he promised Trump he would not write a book while the president was still in office, and Trump signaled in return that he would not attack Kelly.

Kelly has described Trump as amoral and a deeply flawed man in private, saying he only obsesses about his news coverage and thinks very little about what matters to the United States when making decisions. He has told associates that Trump is naive when it comes to foreign policy because he only cares about what foreign leaders think of him and what makes him look strong in the moment, people who have heard his comments say.

Kelly was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

Vindman, an expert on Ukraine policy, was escorted out of the White House complex last week following Trump's acquittal in a Senate impeachment trial, which focused on Trump's attempts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden at a time when U.S. military aid was being withheld.

Vindman, who listened in to Trump's July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was right to having notified his superiors after hearing something "questionable," Kelly told an audience of about 300 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

"He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave," Kelly said, according to the account by the Atlantic. "He went and told his boss what he just heard."

Kelly said that for Vindman, it amounted to hearing "an illegal order" when Trump told Zelensky he wanted to see an investigation of Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who had sat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.

"We teach them: Don't follow an illegal order," Kelly said. "And if you're ever given one, you'll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss."

During the event, Kelly also took issue with Trump's repeated characterizations of the media as "the enemy of the people."

"The media, in my view, and I feel very strongly about this, is not the enemy of the people," he said, according to the Morristown Daily Record. "We need a free media. That said, you have to be careful about what you are watching and reading, because the media has taken sides. So if you only watch Fox News, because it's reinforcing what you believe, you are not an informed citizen."

Kelly also questioned the utility of Trump's two summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a bid to get the isolated nation to give up its nuclear arms.

"He will never give his nuclear weapons up," Kelly said of Kim. "President Trump tried - that's one way to put it. But it didn't work. I'm an optimist most of the time, but I'm also a realist, and I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively."

Responding to another audience question, Kelly took issue with Trump's pardon last year of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who was convicted of war crimes on charges of killing an Iraqi teenager and later posing with the corpse for a photograph.

"He was not a guy who represents our military in any way, shape or form," Kelly said, according to MorristownGreen.com. "The military legal justice system worked; he was found guilty of certain things. He should have been ashamed of himself, and he should have been sent home."

"So the idea that the commander in chief intervened there, in my opinion, was exactly the wrong thing to do," Kelly said, generating applause from the crowd.

Kelly, who served as secretary of homeland security until July 2017, defended the Trump administration's efforts to reduce border crossings.

But he said most migrants are looking for jobs and a better life in the United States, and he took issue with how Trump characterized them in his presidential announcement speech in 2015 and on subsequent occasions.

"In fact, they're overwhelmingly good people," Kelly said, according to the Atlantic's account. "They're not all rapists, and they're not all murderers. And it's wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times."
A Spanish judge placed a top former Mexican oil executive in pre-trial detention Thursday following an extradition request linked to the vast Odebrecht corruption scandal that has engulfed much of Latin America. Emilio Lozoya, who served as chief executive of the PEMEX state oil company between 2012-2016, was arrested on Wednesday near the coastal city of Malaga in southern Spain, police said. Lozoya is wanted in Mexico for allegedly accepting millions of dollars in bribes from Brazil's Odebrecht, a vast construction company accused of paying almost a billion to politicians across Latin America to win lucrative contracts. In a brief statement, Spain's National Court said it had "placed the former head of Mexican state oil company PEMEX in pre-trial detention following an extradition request from Mexico over transactions involving illegally-sourced funds, which in Spain amounts to money laundering". If convicted in Mexico, he could face up to 15 years behind bars, court documents show. Lozoya was arrested while travelling in a taxi and found to be carrying a false driving licence which suggested "an intention to flee justice", the judge said in explaining his decision to place him in pre-trial detention. Mexico now has 45 days to formalise its request for the extradition of Lozoya, a former aide to Enrique Pena Nieto who served as Mexican president from 2012-2018. It is the first time a top-level Mexican executive has been arrested in connection with the massive Odebrecht scandal which has felled a string of big names in Latin American politics and industry. Among the casualties are ex-presidents and top officials in countries including Brazil, Peru and Colombia, but there have been no arrests or prosecutions so far in Mexico. In 2017, Lozoya was summoned to appear before Mexican prosecutors to answer allegations he took $10 million in bribes from Odebrecht to award the firm juicy contracts. The payouts allegedly started in 2012, when he was chief international strategist for Nieto who at the time was running for president. Part of the money was allegedly used to finance Nieto's campaign. Lozoya is also wanted on money laundering charges over PEMEX's acquisition in 2014 of a defunct fertilizer plant for nearly $500 million. His partner in the deal, Alonso Ancira Elizondo, was detained on the Spanish island of Mallorca in May 2019 in connection with the affair, also on a Mexican arrest warrant. Lozoya denies all the accusations against him. Former Pemex oil boss Emilio Lozoya was arrested on Wednesday near Malaga on Spain's southern coast
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Thousands of young Haitians spent 2019 on the streets, demanding President Jovenel Moise resign over his governments failure to prosecute years of unbridled corruption that siphoned billions in international aid into bank accounts overseas.

For now, Moises opponents have failed.

Haitis parliament shut down indefinitely in January because of the chaos, eliminating the check on presidential power that paralyzed Moise for years. Thursday marks the presidents first month of ruling the country by decree.

But the reed-thin former banana farmer looks nothing like the strongmen of Haitis past. With weak political support at home and an international community wary of democratic backsliding, Moise has issued no significant decrees and billions in development aid is blocked.

Three years into his five-year term, the president appears barely able to enforce his will beyond the gates of the National Palace downtown and his relatively modest rented home in the hills above Port-au-Prince. In the city below, gangs rule entire neighbourhoods and a wave of kidnappings is terrifying ordinary Haitians.

A few hundred feet from the National Palace, armed gangs control the streets, said Paul Denis, who served as justice minister under President Rene Preval. But the president who leads us, what is he doing? What is he doing to impose order, to render these bandits harmless? Absolutely nothing.

The United States, United Nations and Organization of American States are trying to midwife a deal between Moise and his opposition that would lead to declaration of a unity government and avert a return to chaos on an island thats seen two coups, U.S. intervention, a U.N. peacekeeping mission and a devastating earthquake in the 34 years since the end of a decades-long dictatorship.

The president of the republic has no power and the people demand everything from the president of the republic, Moise, 51, lamented last week in an interview with The Associated Press The president is responsible for everything,

In the vacuum, insecurity is growing.

Two years after the departure of U.N. peacekeepers, young bandits with automatic weapons randomly halt cars on the main routes in and out of the capital. The economy appears to be shrinking. Electricity comes only a few hours a day in most of the capital. Some police are protesting working conditions and demanding a union, which the government says would be illegal.

The people have been thrown to their fate, said Edel Berger, a slender 29-year-old apprentice lawyer who was walking to work in a suit Tuesday morning despite the 90-degree heat. Were all in danger. Every Haitian needs to buy a gun to protect themselves. Its the law of the jungle.

Along with the Canadian and French ambassadors,, diplomats from the U.S., U.N. and Organization of American States are trying to persuade as many political players as possible to agree on an agenda for talks and sit down to negotiate.

The U.S. would really want to see forward movement here, Ambassador Michele Sison told the AP. Getting a political accord in place that would lead to a functioning government, to be able to move this country forward and restart, we would hope, economic growth, bring in a functioning government that could serve the people.

Backed by the international community, Moise is demanding to stay in office until he can oversee the passage of a new constitution that strengthens the presidency and eliminate the ability of just a few opposition legislators to block virtually all laws and appointments.

Members of the moderate opposition say they are open to such a deal. The hard-line politicians who brought the country to a halt last fall demanding Moises immediate resignation are also talking about joining negotiations.

The opposition has never rejected dialogue as a means of resolving the crisis, said Andre Michel, a lawyer and hard-line opposition spokesman. All of this should be on the table: When should the president leave power? Should the president leave power in three weeks, this week, in two months?

Michel said the oppositions non-negotiable demand was the release of about 150 opposition members jailed over the last year and the cancellation of arrest warrants for another 50 people. Sison, the U.S. ambassador, said the Trump administrations central demand was holding legislative elections as soon as technically possible.

Representatives of the president and the moderate opposition held three days of fruitless talks late last month at the mission of the papal envoy to Port-au-Prince.

Sidelined in the negotiations is the anti-corruption movement known as the Petro Challengers, which began on social media in 2018 and spread onto the streets. The movement was sparked by reports from government investigations into the misdirection of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues from PetroCaribe, a now-defunct Venezuelan program providing subsidized oil to Caribbean countries.

Several of the young, well-educated leaders of the movement said Moise had proven himself incapable of governing and should immediately hand power to a technocratic transition government that could oversee prosecutions for corruption and the reconstruction of public institutions.

Weve said that we dont want to continue with Jovenel Moise, that we want a transition that would move the Haitian people toward honest elections, and the international community has said, No, were going to continue with Jovenel Moise, and the meanwhile the situation is degenerating every day, said James Beltis, a 37-year-old sociologist and spokesman for one of the movements main groupings.

Jean-Lylus Louis-Jean, 57, earns a little more than $100 a month as a sanitation supervisor for the city of Port-au-Prince. On Tuesday morning he stood in the shade of a cinderblock wall in the Delmas 33 neighbourhood waiting for a truck to come pick up a long pile of trash that had been dumped along the sidewalk.

He said he felt in danger every day in Port-au-Prince from the gangs of muggers and kidnappers that roam the city, and things were no better in his hometown of Las Cayes, a town on the southern coast where he once felt completely secure.

Im risking my life every day being in streets, he said. Young men are killing each other for pocket change. The only thing I have keeping me safe is God watching over me.

Prime Minister Jean-Michel Lapin announced Wednesday that police would begin searching vehicles at random in an attempt to crack down on kidnapping. And he said Moise would pass a budget by degree that would raise the salaries of police and other public employees.

We are working secure the population, he said.

But after months without protests, Port-au-Prince saw hundreds of university students and other demonstrators return to the streets Wednesday in a demonstration against the wave of kidnappings. Protesters chanted Down with kidnapping! and destroyed stands set up for carnival celebrations this month. Police fired tear gas to disperse them.

We not going to stop, said Mario Brice, an unemployed 34-year-old. Jovenel have to leave office, the country is not moving anywhere ... Look around, its nothing but guns and people being kidnapped.
Kiran Narayanan By

Express News Service

KOCHI: The Kerala monitoring agency of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recommended stringent action against Maradu municipality for not adhering to its directives related to waste segregation and removal at the sites of demolished highrises.

The State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) submitted the recommendation to the NGT southern bench on Wednesday based on the report by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).

During its January 16 visit to the area, the SLMC had directed the municipality to use water sprinklers, install CCTV cameras and appoint an officer for monitoring the waste segregation work at the sites.

Since the municipality has not followed half of the SLMCs directions, we have no other option but to recommend stringent action against it, SLMC chairman Justice A V Ramakrishna Pillai told TNIE.

The report has pointed out that non-adherence to the orders will affect the peaceful life of nearby residents and threaten preservation of the environment, he said.

Leak in roof of nearby house

A month after the demolition, nearby homes continue to remain in a pitiable condition. As the houses are yet to be repaired, the residents, based on a directive from municipality officials, started pouring water on their rooftops to check the damage to the structure.

On Wednesday, Sugunandan N G, one of the residents near Alfa Serene, found that water had started leaking from the roof. It is only going to get severe. Though the councillors visited my home and confirmed the leak, no assurances have been given, he said.

Vijay Steels and Explosives, firm which handled the demolition of Alfa Serene twin towers, is yet to receive the list of damaged homes in the neighbourhood. The municipality officials are yet to inform us about any repair work. We have no qualms about executing the work. It is just that they havent given us the list of houses which suffered damage during the demolition, said Siddique, a representative of the firm.

40% debris removed

Almost 40 per cent of the concrete debris from all five apartment towers at Maradu has been shifted so far. The waste has been taken to Vengola (Perumbavoor), Malikampeedika (Paravur) and Pallippuram (Alappuzha). Besides, around 50 loads of debris are being taken to crushers at Pattimattom, Pookattupadi and Mulanthuruthy. Over 200 loads of debris are being removed regularly. We are procuring the processed debris from crushers to make concrete bricks. Rubble Master, the machine which will convert the debris into M-sand, will reach Kumabalam yard by March-end, said Achyuth Joseph, partner, Prompt Enterprises, the firm tasked with removing the debris.
Two criminals, one of who was accused in a murder case, were arrested after being injured in an encounter with police on Wednesday night.

The two arrested accused were identified as Aachman and Govinda. They have been admitted in an hospital after being injured in the encounter.

Aachman is an accused in the case where the father of a girl, who was allegedly raped 6 months back, was shot dead in Tilak Nagar on February 10.

The family of the rape victim alleged that no action had been taken for the last six months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Robert Downey Jr as Dolittle (Universal)

Perfecting an accent is hard, but once youve made the choice, you need to stick with it however bad it is - see Robert Downey Jr. in Dolittle.

"It's a passable Welsh accent, which is good for me," the actor said on The Graham Norton Show earlier this year.

"I wanted to do something different after Sherlock and Chaplin and I'd read about this nutty doctor from the 19th century, Dr Price, so I based my character on him."

He later admitted that mastering the accent was one of the most mortifying things hed ever attempted.

And most film critics wished he hadnt. His line readings are all over the map. Can he no longer speak human?, mused one review.

Read more: Dolittle bombs

At least RDJ stuck to his guns though, as these actors clearly decided that maintaining their foreign dialect throughout the duration of an entire production was just too difficult.

Sean Connery  The Untouchables

Scottish actor Sean Connery and American actor Kevin Costner with director Brian De Palma on the set of De Palma's movie The Untouchables. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Why, Sean? You played an English spy as a Scot, you played a Russian submarine captain as a Scot. But for some reason, the Bond legend thought that hed give an Irish brogue (via Chicago) a whirl for this brilliant 1987 gangster pic.

At least he did initially. As the film progresses, its like he realises that despite being a fantastic actor in a great role, he was wrong to test his accent comfort zone and slips back into his Edinburgh twang.

The Academy didnt mind  he won an Oscar for his performance.

Kevin Costner  Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Kevin Costner pulls a bow in a scene from the film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves', 1991. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)

Costner is a great movie star, but hes as American as the Stars and Stripes. The legend goes that he originally intended to portray Robin with an English accent but it was nixed when director Kevin Reynolds heard the results.

If you watch the film, the actor clearly doesnt want to let go of his initial plan and at first theres a British tinge to his delivery. Obviously his directors directive was eventually acknowledged and by the end you may as well be watching Robin of Yosemite Forest.

Christopher Lambert  Highlander

Story continues

Christophe Lambert in Highlander. (Georges DE KEERLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

A Frenchman as a character called Connor MacLeod  what could possibly go wrong?

Lambert was a fairly late replacement as the hero of this cracking 80s B movie and it wasnt until he had signed his contract that the filmmakers realised he could barely speak English, let alone with a Scottish accent.

He gives it a go  sort of  but its best for all concerned that they pretend it never happened.

Halle Berry  X-Men

Halle Berry as Storm in a still from X-Men. (2000)

Debate rages amongst comic book fans over whether Ororo Munroe  aka Storm  should even have an African accent, as despite being the daughter of a Kenyan princess, she was actually brought up in Cairo and Harlem.

Berry does seem to attempt some kind of generic African accent, even if it dips into West Indian, but she doesnt really commit to it. By the end, its gone  and by the time X2 came around three years later, it was ditched altogether.

Read more: Halle Berry injured on movie set

When a younger version of the character was reintroduced in X-Men: Apocalypse, Alexandra Shipp reintroduced an accent.

Michael Fassbender  X-Men: First Class

Actor Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto in a scene from the film 'X-Men: First Class', 2011. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images)

Theres no doubt hes one of the best actors working today, but although hes of German-Irish origin, Fassbenders accent as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto definitely errs more and more towards the latter as the mutant prequel progresses.

The star himself has a  sort of  explanation for what he was trying to do, telling IGN, Im kind of using my own accent and taking out as much Irish-ness as I canBecause hes not English and he didnt really have any sort of history in England. But I think he is well-educated so Im just trying to play a more neutral version of my own accent.

Hmmmm.

Jason Statham  The Transporter

A shirtless Jason Statham gets throttled in a still from The Transporter. (Europacorp)

Frankly, its been impossible to tell what kind of accent the Stath has been going for ever since Snatch.

As the eponymous hero here, its like hes making some kind of political statement and suggesting America never truly got their independence from the British  at least if his Yank accent is anything to go by.

It probably is more difficult to deliver lines in a different dialect while kicking people in the face, which is why Jase stops trying.

The filmmakers, the film company, hell everybody realised that it wasnt worth bothering for the sequels and so the Transporter underwent an accent retcon for the remainder of the franchise.

Keanu Reeves  Bram Stokers Dracula

Keanu Reeves and Gary Oldman in a still from Bram Stoker's Dracula. (Columbia Pictures)

Everybody loves Keanu, but hearing him enunciate Be-you-da-pest (thats Budapest to you and me) in what is supposed to be an English accent is one of the most excruciatingly hilarious things ever committed to celluloid.

Read more: Keanu starts filming Matrix 4

The star must have been deeply excited to take on the role of Jonathan Harker, a classic literary character, but doing British was just too hard and it shows on-screen.

Thankfully, he seems to stop trying as the film goes on  not that his performance gets any better.
[February 13, 2020] Eutelsat selected by AfricaXP for DTH satellite services across Sub-Saharan Africa

Regulatory News: Channel network and content distributor AfricaXP has signed multi-year agreements with Eutelsat (News - Alert) Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) for Ku-band capacity on two Eutelsat satellites, positioned at 16 East and 7 East. This capacity will enable AfricaXP to extend the reach of its DTH free-to-air TV platform, Premium.Free. Currently broadcast in West Africa, the platform will leverage the unparalleled coverage of Eutelsat's 7 East hotspot to roll out a regionally customized offer of 23 channels across Eastern and Southern Africa from mid-February. In addition, AfricaXP will launch an inaugural, 10 channel French language bouquet from Eutelsat's 16 East position with its powerful footprint over French-speaking African countries. Craig Kelly, AfricaXP's CEO, said: "Premium.Free has been entertaining viewers in Anglophone West Africa for the past year by providing a pay-TV quality experience to the public free-of-charge as an unencrypted satellite service. Eutelsat's 7 East and 16 East positions offer us comprehensive geographic reach in Africa's key Western, Eastern and Southern markets where they serve large audiences. This has ignited a strong inerest from our advertising partners."



Nicolas Baravalle, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa region at Eutelsat, added: "Eutelsat is delighted to be supporting AfricaXP in rolling out this multichannel Free-to-Air model across Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, this partnership reinforces the strength and desirability of these two orbital hotspots for the Sub-Saharan region, which are becoming increasingly sought after by broadcasters." About Eutelsat Communications

Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Around 7,000 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,000 men and women from 46 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service. For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com About AfricaXP AfricaXP is a leading owned and operated channel network and content distributor that has licensed its channels and content to leading African, global broadcast and digital platforms including Premium.Free, its own African based free-to-air satellite and OTT platform. Contact details AfricaXP, 4th Floor, Ebene Esplanade, 24 Bank St, Ebene, Mauritius View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005337/en/

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Maesaiah Thabane, the first lady of the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, always knew how to make an entrance.

After weeks in hiding in South Africa, allegedly helped by a recently appointed spokesman who snuck her away in a government-issue car, Thabane crossed back into Lesotho last Tuesday, passing a phalanx of security forces, and promptly handed herself over to special police.

Later that evening, crown prosecutors charged Thabane with the 2017 murder of Lesothos previous first ladyher husbands previous wifeLipolelo Thabane, and the attempted murder of another woman.

Maesaiah Thabane was taken into custody.

The first ladys legal team didnt respond to phone calls and text messages from CNN over several days.

The shocking details of the case have gripped this country of fewer than 2 million people, which is entirely surrounded by South Africa, forced the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to promise his resignation, and opened the lid on the murky power politics that have long dominated Lesothos culture.

A Funeral, Then a Wedding

Unknown assailants gunned down Lipolelo Thabane outside her house in June 2017, just two days before her estranged husband was inaugurated for his second term as PM.

The couple had been separated for some time, but had never formally divorced, and a court had ruled that Lipolelo should keep the benefits and perks that came with the position of first lady.

Her murder paved the way for Maesaiah, who had been in a relationship with the Prime Minister for several years, to take on that role.

And it didnt take long: Less than three months later, the couple were married in a Catholic ceremony at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru. The soon-to-be first lady made the prime minister, who is nearly four decades her senior, wait in the sun on the stage for about two hours.

The local press wrote about Maesaiahs striking cream and gold wedding dress, her late arrival, and the marching bands, but there wasnt a whisper about the murder.

When the wedding had happened, my mother had died. It was a whirlwind. It was surrealit was like I was watching a movie, Nkoya Thabane Hlaele told CNN.

Thabane Hlaele is the daughter of the prime minister and was raised by the murdered first lady. A senior advocate, she is unwilling to talk about the merits of the case but wants the law to take its course.

Rarely Out of the Spotlight

After the initial shock of Lipolelo Thabanes murder, the public heard little about the murder investigation, and efforts to find her killers.

In the meantime, the new first lady dived into her responsibilities, bringing an energy to her aging husbands responsibilities that impressed some of Lesothos people.

Late last year, a selfie-video of the couple singing a duet circulated on social media. Dressed in bath robes in an upscale bedroom, prime minister reluctantly joins her in singing the hymn He rena Matla or We are Powerless.

The irony wasnt lost on the Basotho, who recreated and shared the scene in their own videos as parodies.

But controversy was never far from the new first lady. She became embroiled in a court case involving an employee accused of stealing from her charitable trustthe man later vanished from his police cell and has yet to be found.

There were other scandals, too. After a traffic accident in Maseru, Thabane went to the hospital to visit the other driver and got into a physical altercation with a relative.

A Slighted Police Chief

The allegations of murder may never have surfaced were it not for an attempted power play by the prime minister late last year.

Lesothos Police Chief Holomo Molibeli was heading the investigation into the former first ladys murder when the prime minister tried to force his resignation.

In response to his potential sacking, Molibeli went to court and, in doing so, revealed an explosive letter that he had written to the prime minister.

In the letter, he states that the prime ministers cellphone was used in a call to a person at the scene of the crime at the time of the assassination. Chief Molibeli asked the prime minister to explain who he was talking to and about the subject matter.

The investigations further indicate that the aforementioned cellphone number belongs to you, reads the letter.

We have asked for the assistance of [the] Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) from the United States of America, he claims.

The prime minister has been questioned by police, but he has not been charged in the case.

Neither the prime minister or his wife have made any public statements regarding the murder.

It is not known whether any such assistance has been given, but what is clear is that the letter sparked rapid developments in Lesotho, the repercussions of which are still being felt.

Molibeli kept his job, but the prime minister faced immediate pressure to step down, with his own ruling party declaring that he was unfit to lead.

Thomas Thabane fled the country during an attempted coup in 2014, only to regain power. He has now said he will retire but has not said when he will do that.

On Jan. 10, the police issued an arrest warrant for the first lady when she failed to show up voluntarily for questioning in Maseru. It was at some point around that time that she fled the country.

She is yet to submit a plea to the charges against her.

Police say that eight other suspects will be charged over their links to the case, although their names have yet to be made publicincluding the spokesman, who prosecutors say aided and abetted the first lady as she fled to South Africa.

The first lady was swiftly granted bail of 1,000 loti (about $67), without the prosecutors having their saya highly unusual move.

But when and if the case comes to trial, observers believe that prosecuting sordid allegations against one of the most powerful figures in Lesotho will be a stiff test of judicial independence.

If the allegations are true and she is convicted, then justice will be done. It will never bring back our mother that was murdered, but justice will be done, says Nkoya Thabane Hlaele.

The-CNN-Wire

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The coronavirus, which surfaced in a Chinese seafood and poultry market in December 2019, has spread to nearly every country, upending life and derailing the global economy. The virus has killed more than 1.6 million and sickened more than 76 million over the last year. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a global pandemic.

Several world leaders, including President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, contracted the virus during the uphill battle to mitigate its spread within their borders, proving even the most powerful could fall to the virus grip.

In early December 2020, nations began the race to secure vaccines and a few Western countries began administering shots to its most vulnerable populations, in an effort to bring the virus under control.

Heres a timeline of the outbreak over the past year.

Dec. 31

Chinese authorities treated dozens of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause.

On Dec. 31, the government in Wuhan, China, confirmed that health authorities were treating dozens of cases. Days later, researchers in China identified a new virus that had infected dozens of people in Asia. At the time, there was no evidence that the virus was readily spread by humans. Health officials in China said they were monitoring it to prevent the outbreak from developing into something more severe.
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Linkedin David Shepardson (Reuters)  Thu, February 13, 2020 11:26 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20643bc6a 2 News United-Airlines,Airlines,China,travel,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus Free

United Airlines said late on Wednesday it will extend cancellations of all U.S. flights to China through late April due to the coronavirus epidemic.

With the announcement by Chicago-based United, all US passenger carriers flying to China have now canceled flights into late April. Carriers say part of the reason is a dramatic drop-off in demand.

United said it was extending cancellations of flights to Hong Kong, which had been set to resume on Feb. 21, and for flights to mainland China, that had been set to resume on March 28. Flights will resume starting April 24.

United normally operates roughly 12 flights per day from the United States to mainland China and Hong Kong.

Read also: Airlines suspend China flights due to coronavirus outbreak

American Airlines Group Inc, the largest US carrier, said on Tuesday it was extending the suspension of its China and Hong Kong flights through April 24, amid reduced demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. The carrier had earlier suspended its China and Hong Kong flights until March 27.

The US government has placed new restrictions on travelers to the United States who have visited China, barring nearly all non-US residents if they have been in China within the last 14 days.

The United States is also limiting flights from China or other international flights with US passengers that have been to China within the previous 14 days to 11 major US airports for enhanced screening. It requires a quarantine of US citizens who have recently visited Hubei province in China.

Delta Air Lines Inc previously suspended flights to China through April 30.

The outbreak is disrupting international travel demand.

On Wednesday, the Mobile World Congress, an annual telecoms industry gathering that draws more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona, was canceled after a mass exodus by exhibitors due to coronavirus-related concerns.
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Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 12:00 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206440c0e 1 Business Indofood,Indomie,acquisition,Middle-East,Africa,plan,Serbia,Saudi-Arabia,Nigeria Free

Processed food company Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur (ICBP) is planning to acquire instant noodle manufacturer Pinehill Company Limited, which supplies Indomie to the Middle East, Africa and Serbia.

ICBP corporate secretary Gideon A. Putro said on Wednesday that the company responded to its British Virgin Island affiliates, Pinehill Corpora Limited and Steele Lake Limited, on an offer to acquire Pinehill Company Limited (Pinehill Group).

He said Pinehill Groups core business was manufacturing instant noodles in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Serbia under the Indomie brand licensed by ICBPs parent company, food manufacturer Indofood Sukses Makmur

We will then conduct a due diligence process on Pinehill Group before deciding to take on the acquisition offer, said Gideon in the statement, adding that the company would make an announcement should it decide to take the offer.

Following the development, ICBPs and Indofoods share prices plummeted on Wednesday while foreign investors sold off their stake in the companies.

ICBPs share price was down by 6.32 percent to Rp 10,750 (78 US cents) per share, with foreign investors selling off Rp 58.91 billion of their share in the company when the session ended on the day.

In the meantime, Indofoods share price, codenamed INDF, was depressed even deeper than its subsidiary as it concluded the trade on Wednesday down by 6.51 percent to Rp 7,175 per share. Foreign investors sold off Rp 26.8 billion of their INDF shares during the days session.

Although both shares regained strength on Thursday, foreign investors continued to sell their shares in the company. As of 10:40 a.m., ICBP recorded Rp 57.59 billion in net foreign sell while foreign investors sold Rp 5.49 billion of Indofood shares.
A year ago, Joe Walsh, the project manager for the Fifteen Fifty apartment tower, stood on the northeast corner of Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue with his first two tenants, Thad Vogler of Bar Agricole and Jeff Weinhaus of Equinox. They were trying to figure out what neighborhood they were standing in, but nobody could come up with an answer.

So right there, in that huddle on that corner on that day, San Franciscos newest neighborhood was invented: Van Mission.

It is now being branded in the brochure of the 400-foot luxury residential building to open in May, and by the Equinox Van Mission, the luxury fitness center that was the first to push the name out there with its membership drive. Bar Agricole, purveyor of luxury cocktails, has not added the new neighborhood appellation to its name, but there is still time  its scheduled to open in late 2020.

Fifteen Fifty, named for its address at 1550 Mission St., is the first of four towers expected to rise on the corner, hoping to bring 2,000 Van Missionaries to the former site of a Goodwill store, which before that was a Coca-Cola bottling plant.

The name Van Mission works for us. We will be the first to fly the flag there, said Walsh, who has no relation to the Eagles guitarist. There is also no relationship between Van Mission and Van Morrison or Van Halen, but the same cadence is similar, and Walsh is happy to endorse any comparison that helps with the branding.

Blanchard; John

This is just the latest in an ongoing updo of marginal San Francisco neighborhoods. Theres the naming of the area where the Tenderloin and Nob Hill meet that is known  depending on whom you ask  as the Tender Nob (The Chronicle was the first to print it in the 1990s) or Lower Nob Hill. Theres also the China Nob, where Chinatown and Nob Hill intersect.

Sometimes its organic and sometimes its the result of expensive marketing plans, which is how the neighborhood where Rincon Hill meets the Salesforce Transit Center became known as the East Cut. When real estate agents are at the root of a renaming, the people who are rooted there resist it. San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents the area being dubbed the Van Mission, had not heard of the name when contacted by The Chronicle on Thursday, and had his doubts it would stick.

Its a growing part of the city and Im happy to see the housing built, he said of the growing neighborhood. As far as the name, Ive never heard residents use that before and Id be surprised if they started to.

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle 2019

But if the 550 incoming residents of Fifteen Fifty dont live in Van Mission, where do they live?

City planners have been referring to the area as the Hub, a historic reference to the intersection of four streetcar lines. As a residential district, it is too far north of the Mission, west of the South of Market district, south of Mid-Market and east of Hayes Valley to annex itself into any of these homes.

Walsh said he wanted to retain the grittiness associated with the Mission District, while also linking to one of the citys best-known streets.

This corner has no clear neighborhood identity, said Walsh, who compared the pioneer spirit to that of NoPa (north of the Panhandle), which started with a restaurant of that name in a mothballed bank on Divisadero Street and turned a no-mans-land into a destination.

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.

We wanted a name that helped orient you to that location, he continued. You look at neighborhoods like NoPa and we thought Van Mission would do that. It works for us, and others can decide if it works for them.

It doesnt work for Allison Arieff.

I live in the Van Mission. Words that should never be uttered, said the freelance design writer and housing activist in a tweet on Tuesday.

The sales brochure devotes several pages to the new name. Introducing Van Mission, reads the headline: Occupying the corner of South Van Ness and Mission Street, Fifteen Fifty is the focal point of Van Mission, a dynamic new destination. Centrally located, Van Mission is creating an identity of its own situated at the nexus of San Franciscos most cherished neighborhoods  Hayes Valley, the Mission, SoMa and the Civic Center.

The accompanying photograph in the brochure is taken from the vantage of Dolores Park, which might raise the hackles of purists who consider the park to be in the Mission, not the Van Mission. Arieff, for one, would have preferred to either leave it as the Hub or call it Howards End in honor of both the terminus of that street and the English novelist E.M. Forster.

Its always funny when Realtors or developers try to create a new neighborhood with no context, Arieff said. This name doesnt fit and it also doesnt mean anything.

Sam Whiting is a Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com
Washington Grove was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and has used the designation to fiercely defend its borders. The town has disputed the proposed location of the Intercounty Connectors interchange with Interstate 370. It contested CSXs plans to replace the historic Humpback Bridge. It has annexed homes and fields to protect its borders from large-scale housing projects such as the neighboring Piedmont Crossing. Its taken on 7-Eleven  and won.
Washington

President Donald Trump congratulated his attorney general Wednesday for intervening to lower the Justice Department's sentencing recommendation for the president's longtime friend Roger Stone, broadening concerns that the department is ceding its independence to the White House.

Later Wednesday, Trump said that Stone was treated "very badly" and that prosecutors "ought to apologize to him."

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump denied that his tweet about Attorney General William Barr was political and called the prosecution of Stone "a disgrace."

Asked whether he would pardon Stone, the president said, "I don't want to say that yet, but I tell you what, people were hurt viciously and badly by these corrupt people."

He added that it was unfair that prosecutors recommended that Stone be sentenced to nine years in prison when James Comey, the former FBI director, has not been jailed.

"You have murderers and drug addicts that don't get nine years," the president said. "Nine years for doing something that no one can even define what he did."

"In the meantime Comey walks around making book deals," Trump lamented.

Asked what lessons he learned from having been impeached and acquitted, Trump said that "the Democrats are crooked. They got a lot of crooked things going. That they're vicious. That they shouldn't have brought impeachment."

The Justice Department said Tuesday that the Stone case was not discussed with anyone at the White House. The decision to override the recommended sentence was made by officials from the offices of Barr and the deputy attorney general.

In November, Stone was convicted of obstructing a congressional inquiry, lying to investigators under oath and trying to block the testimony of a witness who would have exposed his lies.

The president's comments come less than 24 hours after four career prosecutors withdrew from the Stone case after the department overruled their recommended seven- to nine-year term for Stone.

Of the four prosecutors who quit the Stone case Tuesday, one lawyer fully resigned from the Justice Department, where he worked as a trial lawyer in the Public Integrity section.

The initial sentencing recommendation for Stone was filed late Monday. On Tuesday, it was amended and refiled stating that the earlier version "did not accurately reflect the Department of Justice's position on what would be a reasonable sentence in this matter." The Justice Department instead suggested an unspecified term.

The department's action Tuesday followed a Fox News report on the recommendation and a Twitter post by Trump who criticized "horrible and very unfair" punishment for Stone.

Democrats have called for an independent evaluation of the decision-making process.

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, sent a letter to the Justice Department's inspector general, calling for him to "immediately investigate." He also blamed Republican senators for not convicting Trump earlier this month during his impeachment trial.

Republicans, however, were unmoved.
A Willis man is facing capital murder charges in a shooting at a Conroe cafe parking lot that killed two men and injured a third in what authorities are saying was a marijuana deal gone bad.

Waymon Nicholas "Nick" Jordan Jr., 19, who is in custody, is also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Conroe police confirmed.

RELATED: Two men fatally shot at Conroe cafe parking lot; surviving victim hospitalized

Around 5:27 p.m. Wednesday, officers with the Conroe Police Department were dispatched to the parking lot of The Whistle Stop Cafe on the 11000 block of Interstate 45 South near Crighton Road.

A shooting there left two Conroe men, Devin Lee Rash, 20, and Ryan York, 22, dead. A third unidentified man in his 20s was transported to HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, according to Conroe PD spokesman Sgt. Jeff Smith. He added the hospitalized man was shot in the head.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to your Inbox

As of Thursday afternoon, the third shooting victim remains in the ICU. The three men were shot inside a passenger car and responding paramedics tended to them when on scene, according to Conroe PD.

"The shooting appears to be a drug deal gone bad over the sale of marijuana," a Conroe PD press release stated.

Smith said the surviving shooting victim called his girlfriend who then dialed 911.

Witnesses at the scene said the car with the shooting victims was parked next to a company delivery truck across from where surveillance cameras are known to be installed at the end of the bricked strip mall facing the freeway. Smith said surveillance footage is being reviewed in the case.

A woman dating one of the fatality victims appeared on scene soon after law enforcement, but Smith said she was not riding with them when the shooting happened.

Smith said Conroe PD located Jordan around 4 a.m. Authorities have recovered the firearm used in the shooting, according to Smith. As the investigation remains ongoing, Smith said he could not confirm whether the perpetrator was inside the car during the shooting or outside of the vehicle.

As of Thursday morning, Jordan was being held at the Montgomery County Jail with no bond listed, according to jail records.

jose.gonzalez@chron.com

twitter.com/jrgzztx
In Federico Garcia Lorcas play Yerma, a childless woman in a 1930s Spanish village finds herself driven to extremes to have a child, pressured by her culture and her own desire despite an unsympathetic husband.

For Valerie Williams, the director of the Baylor Theatre production opening on Tuesday, it wasnt so much the plight of that woman as her determination to overcome the obstacles in her way that persuaded her to choose the play. That, and the Spanish poet-playwright who created her.

I love Lorca and his plays like Blood Wedding and Yerma. His female characters are excellent, said the 44-year-old graduate student in directing, who came to Baylor for graduate studies after years of professional stage managing and teaching in the Minneapolis- St. Paul area.

In Lorcas 1934 play, Yerma (Katie King) struggles with the fact that shes still childless years after her marriage to her husband Juan (Eduardo Velez III), who seems more preoccupied with the couples farm than her. Shed consider leaving him, but for the dishonor that she feels it would bring.
The president of the Black Lives Matter movement in the Greater New York area has claimed that rioting is justified at protests because the 'American way' is through 'bullets and blood' not peaceful protest.

Hawk Newsome appeared on Fox Nation's 'No Interruption'' on Wednesday speaking to host Tomi Lahren about Black Lives Matter and about recent anti-police protests in New York.

Newsome, who also appears in the cast of CopWatch America on Bet, told Lahren he would not condemn the destruction caused as it calls attention to the organization's grievances with society.

The civil rights leader also claimed that peaceful protest is the 'tool of white supremacy', posting the interview to Instagram and slamming Lahren as 'White Supremacist Barbie'.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

In a new episode of Fox Nation's 'No Interruption', Tomi Lahren sat down with the president of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, Hawk Newsome, who refused to condemn rioters

Participants protesting on a subway platform in the South Bronx in November 2019 to voice outrage at the conduct of the NYPD, protesting what they see as blatant acts of police brutality

Black Lives Matter activist Hawk Newsome, who refused to condemn protesters rioting at anti-cop demonstrations, rallies activists in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York

'The riot is the language of the unheard,' Newsome said, comparing the modern-day protests to The Boston Tea Party.

'What if you throw a whole bunch of tea in the water and start a war?' he asked.

'That's what this country was built on.'

Lahren was particularly keen to push Newsome on the recent anti-cop protests in New York which saw subway stations and other transportation hubs around the city flooded with thousands of protesters.

The January 31 protest was organized by a collection of 30 grassroots groups called 'Decolonize This Place' and saw protesters carry signs with slogans such as 'F--- the Police' and 'No cops! No fares!'

After the protest, NYPD Chief Terence Monahan claimed in a tweet that some protesters attempted to 'physically assault' police officers.

Lahren had previously ripped the demonstrations, which voiced anger at the increased police presence on the New York subway and the ever-rising cost of a subway ticket, by asking protesters 'Are you out of your mind?'

NYPD Chief Terence Monahan claimed protesters were attempting to 'physically assault our officers' at a 'Decolonize this Place' demonstration in New York on January 31, 2020

Fox host Tomi Lahren criticized protesters demonstrating against increased police presence on the New York subway and the ever-rising price of a subway ticket in the city

'Last Friday night, a group who calls themselves "Decolonize This Place" called on New York City area communities to join them as they f*** s*** up,' Lahren said on her show 'Final Thoughts'.

'So what are they so enraged about?' she asked.

'They don't think they should have to pay the [subway] fare  of get this  $2.75 cents. And they don't want 500 new officers hired to police their indecent and unlawful behavior on and around the city transit system.

'You're really going to act like that because you don't think you should have to pay to ride the subway? Are you out of your mind?' she continued.

'Clearly disgusting anti-police chants and signs, blocking entrances, vandalizing buses, gluing and/or breaking transit card readers and illegally jumping turnstiles is their chosen method to raise awareness of their perceived oppression and fight for their distorted concept of justice, because nothing says justice like refusing to pay a standard fare.'

When questioning Newsome on Wednesday, Lahren asked him whether he thought the actions of some of the demonstrators were justified by the cause, pressing him to state whether he condemned it or not in his role as a leader of Black Lives Matter.

Demonstrators from the Black Lives Matter movement march through central London on July 10, 2016, during a demonstration against the killing of black men by police in the United States

Protesters holding a banner while marching in the South Bronx in 2019 gathered at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building Plaza to voice their outrage at the conduct of the NYPD

A Black Lives Matter protester holds candles during a vigil on March 23, 2018, in Sacramento, California, after two officers shot and killed Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man, in his yard

'There are a lot of black people who say "f--- the police",' Newsome retaliated.

'But the majority of the people out there who are saying "f--- the police", in these particular events, are white people.

'You have to really start to ask why people say, "f--- the police".

'You really have to take away this fetish or the way that we fantasize policing and really look at it for what it really is.'

'From day one, black people's interactions with the police had been negative,' Newsome added.

'The Fugitive Slave Act, where they would take black people, stop them in the street, ask them for their papers, if they couldn't produce them they'd send them back into slavery.

'Sometimes they sent free people back into slavery. The interaction between black people and police in this country has never been good.'

Fox Nation's Tomi Lahren sat down with the president of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, Hawk Newsome, to discuss the movement and recent anti-cop protests in New York

Actor Nick Cannon, center, with Hawk Newsome, right, of Black Lives Matter in Greater NY

Lahren responded to say she didn't understand the way in which such tactics are productive.

'I'm not going to disagree with what you believe in,' she answered.

'What I'm saying is this -- when we're talking about solving problems, the methods in which I've seen groups like Black Lives Matter advance their ills or societal grievances -- when it turns into burning, looting in the streets, I don't see it being productive.'

Newsome highlighted that only 'one percent' of the demonstrations would include any form of destructive protest but he did not condemn them, instead claiming that such forms of protests are 'the American way'.

'For a country that drops bombs on people, for a country that incarcerates people, for a country that enslaves people -- to criticize us for vandalism is preposterous,' Newsome told Lahren.

'I want to make sure I'm getting you clearly,' pressed Lahren.

'It is OK to vandalize, to light things on fire and to loot businesses because the United States of America drops bombs on other countries, and because we have problems... people have grievances.'

'I think that it is a tool of white supremacy to say if you want freedom, then you get it by protesting peacefully,' Newsome continued.

'Why is it a tool of white supremacy?

'Because the white supremacists who built this country never earned anything peacefully. They did it through bullets and blood. And that's the American way.'
Google has added another 1,000 aerial images of some of the planet's most beautiful landscapes captured from space to its Earth View gallery.

The update - which is the biggest yet - takes the total collection to more than 2,500 photos, which can be viewed as an enormous gallery online.

The imagery features more locations around the globe and is optimised for today's high-resolution screens, Google said in a blog post.

The images, which includes samples from every continent, feature brighter colours, sharper images and resolutions up to 4K.
From a 6-year-old Instagram influencer, Taylen Biggs, to a legend in the industry, Vogue's former editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, New York Fashion Week is just as much fun on the streets outside the shows as the gatherings indoors.Instagram influencer Taylen Biggs, 6, strikes a pose for photographers as she arrives to attend a fashion show at the ongoing New York Fashion Week. (Image: AP)
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on February 15, 1985

To the thousands of people who ringed Sydney airport yesterday, the Concorde was anything but the fastest airliner in the world.

The Concorde arrives at Sydney Airport on 14 February, 1985. Credit:Bruce Miller

Like ordinary jumbo jets, Fokker Friendships, Cessnas and even buses, the 2,200 mph flagship of British Airways was late.

Concorde was to touch down at 3 pm as part of a record-breaking flight from London to Sydney - the last visit of the supersonic plane to Sydney in 13 years.
A businesswoman's daughter killed herself just minutes after she suffered a severe 'psychotic episode' whilst under the influence of cocaine, an inquest heard Thursday.

Katrina Fell, 23, unexpectedly began to 'freak out' and panic whilst sat on the sofa after a night out with friends and began repeating 'I need to go home'.

She hailed a taxi but got the driver to drop her off by woodland near her home in the affluent village of Waddington, near Clitheroe, Lancashire. She was later found hanged from a tree overlooking a river.

The hearing was told Miss Fell a friend of former Apprentice finalist star Camilla Ainsworth had worked as a waitress in her local pub and was described as 'bubbly and happy young woman.'

She had been due to go for a weekend away to Amsterdam plus a holiday to Portugal with family and had also been saving to buy a house with her boyfriend.

Katrina Fell who killed herself just minutes after she suffered a severe 'psychotic episode' whilst under the influence of cocaine

The hearing was told she and others in the affluent Clitheroe area would snort cocaine when they went out and the tragedy occurred on November 7 2019, when she had been partying with friends in pubs and clubs in the town before heading back to a friends flat at 2 a.m.

Jaye Nelson, who had been partying with Katrina in the hours before her death said: 'There were about eight of us just drinking, talking and listening to music. At about half six or seven in the morning I was lying on one side of the sofa and she was sat up on the other.

'I had my eyes closed and she just frantically stood up crying, panicking out of the blue and didn't give a reason why so I just tried to calm her down. She was crying quite a lot. I hugged her and just tried calming her down asking what's wrong but she wouldn't tell me. I had finished talking to her and calmed her down and she left about five to 10 minutes after.

Miss Fell's mother Angela Allen who is Chief Executive Officer of a health and wellbeing organisation (pictured left) told the Blackburn Inquest: 'It was completely unexpected and completely out of the blue'

'I thought she calmed down and was normal just going to go home she hadn't said anything so I had no clue whatsoever. I know she had taken some cocaine, I'm not sure how much. I would say drugs don't help and might have caused her to freak out in such a way.'

Miss Fell was later seen outside a Sainsbury's in Clitheroe getting into a taxi but she asked to be dropped off away from houses by Waddington Bridge and River Ribble at around 9 a.m. She was found 20 minutes later by a passing dog walker and was pronounced dead at Royal Blackburn hospital.

Miss Fell's mother Angela Allen who is Chief Executive Officer of a health and wellbeing organisation told the Blackburn Inquest: 'It was completely unexpected and completely out of the blue.

'I don't think under normal circumstances without the substances that she took and what had been mixed with these, that she would have ever done this - not to herself. She would have hated what she's done to herself and she was always so thoughtful of others.

The hearing was told she and others in the affluent Clitheroe area would snort cocaine when they went out and the tragedy occurred on November 7 2019 (Miss Fell pictured)

'I knew she had done cocaine in the past she told me about it but I didn't know she was doing it as regularly. It seems she didn't feel well with it afterwards and would have been on a low but not this low. The only thing I can think is that the drug has caused some kind of psychotic episode.'

She added: 'Kat was fun, kind, caring and loving and as her sister said light up every room. 'You always knew when Kat was there. She was popular and I couldn't have been prouder as a mother she was beautiful.

'She had a bit of anxiety, I don't think she realised herself what a beautiful person she was. These days with social media she suffered a little bit from her self worth and feelings of self worth.

Katrina Fell was found 20 minutes later after being dropped off by taxi, by a passing dog walker and was pronounced dead at Royal Blackburn hospital

'But nothing that would have caused us to think the worst as what happened... there were just times when she felt a bit down but she would pick herself up again. She felt that she was at the age where she should be planning the rest of her life.'

Miss Fell's boyfriend Harry Devine said in a statement: 'We had never had a serious argument and were a happy boyfriend and girlfriend. We had talked about feeling low and it seemed to be worse after big nights out.

'When out with friends Katrina had a good social drink a good drink along with everyone else. She expressed feelings of regret that maybe she should have gone to the gym instead of and was feeling in a low mood.

'But I thought she had it all under control. She was genuinely happy and bubbly. There was a time we did talk about maybe not going out as much - and it seemed to be the main reason why she felt low.

'She spoke to family, friends and had been to the doctors and was offered medication but she declined and felt she could cope. The last text was when I wished her a good night. And in the morning at 1 a.m. and I got a message saying 'Night gorge had a good night tonight - been fine though gorge. Speak to you tomorrow have just got home'.

'I want to make the court aware drugs weren't something Katrina ever mentioned or discussed as a problem. I was aware she had taken cocaine in the past on occasions never on a regular occurrence. Clitheroe is an affluent area and unfortunately cocaine is taken when young people go out.'

Coroner Mark Williams recorded a conclusion of suicide. Police found no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement

A taxi driver who dropped off Miss Fell near the woods said: 'She got in the front passenger seat and asked me to take her to Waddington or Waddington bridge. I tried talking to the lady but she didn't reply and I thought she may live in one of the big houses down the side street.

'I thought this was weird as it was only a field where people go walking and and I wondered if she was meeting someone. It was such a weird place to go out - dressed as she was.'

Police found no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement.

Recording a conclusion of suicide Coroner Mark Williams, said: 'Katrina and a number of friends had gone for a night out from all accounts that appears a good night enjoyed by all. The text that she had sent to her boyfriend saying she was back home I suspect may have felt a bit bad about that the next day but that isn't any reason to have done what she did the following day.

'She did drink a quantity of alcohol and clearly has taken a quantity of cocaine.

'That can sometimes cause her to be down afterwards. Having had a good night out, it would appear Katrina became distressed about something - quite what we don't know and it may only have been in the taxi that she took the decision to go down to the river bank. I offer my sincere condolences to the family and all the friends and everyone who knew Katrina.'
Finnish English

HUHTAMAKI OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 13.2.2020 AT 9:00

Proposals by Huhtamaki Oyjs Board of Directors to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Huhtamaki Oyj will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 11.00 (EET) at Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre, Messuaukio 1, 00520 Helsinki, Finland.

Use of the profit shown on the balance sheet

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that a dividend of EUR 0.89 per share would be paid based on the balance sheet adopted for the financial period ended on December 31, 2019. The dividend would be paid to a shareholder who on the dividend record date May 4, 2020 is registered as a shareholder in the Company's shareholders' register held by Euroclear Finland Ltd. The Board of Directors proposes that the dividend would be paid on May 11, 2020.

No significant changes have taken place in the Company's financial position since the end of the financial year. The Company's liquidity position is good and the proposed distribution does not, in the view of the Board of Directors, risk the Company's ability to fulfill its obligations.

Remuneration Policy for the Governing Bodies

The Board of Directors will present to the Annual General Meeting the Companys Remuneration Policy for the Governing Bodies which will be published in connection with the notice to the Annual General Meeting.

Composition of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the proposal by the Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors, that the number of members of the Board of Directors would be seven (7).

In accordance with the proposal by the Nomination Committee, the Board of Directors proposes that Mr. Pekka Ala-Pietila, Mr. Doug Baillie, Mr. William R. Barker, Ms. Anja Korhonen, Ms. Kerttu Tuomas, Ms. Sandra Turner and Mr. Ralf K. Wunderlich would be re-elected as members of the Board of Directors for a term ending at the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

The biographical details of all candidates are presented on the Companys website (www.huhtamaki.com) at the Investors section.

All of the candidates have given their consent to the election. In addition, all of the candidates have notified the Company that if they are elected as members of the Board of Directors, they will elect Mr. Pekka Ala-Pietila as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Ms. Kerttu Tuomas as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Remuneration and expense compensation of the members of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the proposal by the Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors, that the annual remuneration to the members of the Board of Directors would remain unchanged and thus be paid as follows: to the Chairman EUR 120,000, to the Vice-Chairman EUR 68,000 and to other members EUR 57,000 each. In addition, the Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors proposes that the meeting fees would remain unchanged and thus be paid for each meeting attended as follows: EUR 1,500 for all meetings, except EUR 3,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee for the Audit Committee meetings and EUR 1,750 to the Chairman of the Human Resources Committee for the Human Resources Committee meetings. Traveling expenses of the Board members would be compensated in accordance with the Company policy.

Election and remuneration of the Auditor

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, that KPMG Oy Ab, a firm of authorized public accountants, would be elected as Auditor for the financial year January 1 - December 31, 2020. KPMG Oy Ab has announced that Mr. Henrik Holmbom, APA, would be the Auditor with principal responsibility.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has prepared its recommendation in accordance with

the EU Audit Regulation (537/2014) and arranged an Auditor selection procedure. The recommendation of the Audit Committee is included in the proposal of the Board of Directors available on the Company's webpage (www.huhtamaki.com).

The Board of Directors proposes that the Auditor's remuneration would be paid against an invoice approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Authorizing the Board of Directors to resolve on the repurchase of the Companys own shares

The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting would authorize the Board of Directors to resolve on the repurchase of an aggregate maximum of 10,776,038 of the Companys own shares, subject to the number of shares held by the Company at any given moment not exceeding 10 percent of all the shares of the Company. Own shares may be repurchased on the basis of the authorization only by using non-restricted equity.

Own shares may be repurchased at a price formed in public trading on the date of the repurchase or otherwise at a price formed on the market. The Board of Directors resolves on how shares are repurchased. Own shares may be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the shares held by the shareholders (directed repurchase). The authorization remains in force until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, however, no longer than until June 30, 2021.

Authorizing the Board of Directors to resolve on the issuance of shares and the issuance of special rights entitling to shares

The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting would authorize the Board of Directors to resolve on the issuance of shares and the issuance of options and other special rights entitling to shares referred to in chapter 10 section 1 of the Companies Act as follows: the aggregate number of new shares to be issued may not exceed 10,000,000 shares which corresponds to approximately 9.3 percent of the current shares of the Company, and the aggregate number of own treasury shares to be transferred may not exceed 4,000,000 shares which corresponds to approximately 3.7 percent of the current shares of the Company.

The Board of Directors resolves on all the terms and conditions of the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares, and may deviate from the shareholders pre-emptive subscription rights (directed issue). The authorization remains in force until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, however, no longer than until June 30, 2021.

Establishment of a Shareholders Nomination Board

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting, based on the request by significant shareholders of the Company, that a Shareholders Nomination Board would be established to prepare proposals concerning the composition and remuneration of the Board of Directors to the General Meeting. The Shareholders Nomination Board would replace the Nomination Committee of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting would adopt the Charter of the Shareholders Nomination Board attached to this release. The Shareholders Nomination Board comprises one member appointed by each of the four largest shareholders of the Company in accordance with the appointment procedure set out in the Charter. The Chairman of the Board of Directors serves as an expert member of the Shareholders Nomination Board.

Amendments to the Articles of Association

The Board of Directors proposes that amendments related to the establishment of the Shareholders Nomination Board be made to the Articles of Association and that certain other technical amendments would be made. As a result of the amendments, the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors would in the future be elected at the General Meeting. The proposed amended Articles of Association are attached to this release in their entirety.

The notice to convene the Annual General Meeting is planned to be published on the Companys website on April 2, 2020. In addition, there will be an announcement regarding the notice in the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper.

For further information, please contact:

Sami Pauni, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Legal, Group General Counsel, tel. +358 (0)10 686 7872

HUHTAMAKI OYJ

Board of Directors

Huhtamaki is a global specialist in packaging for food and drink. With our network of 81 manufacturing units and additional 24 sales only offices in altogether 35 countries, were well placed to support our customers growth wherever they operate. Mastering three distinctive packaging technologies, approximately 18,800 employees develop and make packaging that helps great products reach more people, more easily. In 2019, our net sales totaled EUR 3.4 billion. The Group has its head office in Espoo, Finland and the parent company Huhtamaki Oyj is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com.



Attachments
The conventional wisdom around mental health goes something like this: If youre feeling upset, triggered, anxious, or depressed, put down your phone, lest the steady stream of group pics, beach vacations, and authentic selfies makes you feel even worse. But Snapchats latest initiative offers a different solution. Now, if you type a word thats related to mental health, such as anxiety or bullying, into the apps search bar, original content from what the company calls local experts will appear.

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This is part of Snapchats new feature called Here for You, which the company announced in honor of Safer Internet Day. Here for You launched on Tuesday and will continue to roll out over the next few months. The goal is to provide proactive resources in the app for those who may be experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis. The mental health content will appear on the results page in 10-second clips that users tap through, Fast Company reported, and it will also include curated shows on wellness-related topics.

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While Snapchat hasnt shared any data on how many users have searched these topics, Jen Stout, vice president of global policy at Snapchat, told Fast Company that sometimes users seek out this kind of content, but previously, they hadnt been able to find any helpful results.

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We feel a real responsibility to try to make a positive impact with some of our youngest, sometimes most vulnerable users on our platform, Stout said. We know this is the first step of a lot of work we want to do to provide the right resources to our users.

Snapchats move follows a broader shift in the social media landscape as companies have started to invest in mental health initiatives for their users over the past year. Instagram, which is generally considered the worst social media platform for mental well-being, has increased efforts to combat bullying through the Restrict feature, and has extended its ban on images related to self-harm. In a move similar to Snapchat, Pinterest developed a tool tied to the search bar last summer called compassionate search, which encourages exercises that use dialectical behavioral therapy techniques to combat stress, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm.

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From a cynical perspective, these initiatives look like PR moves. But whats interesting here is that the relationship between social media and mental distress isnt as clear-cut as many believe it to be. While a number of highly publicized studies link the two, others show that users can actually benefit from its useparticularly when theyre mindful about how they interact with it.

John Torous, the director of the digital psychiatry division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, told me that all studies of social media use are somewhat incomplete because they are correlational and cross-sectional. No ones actually shown the causal evidence that says, If you have X exposure to social media, you have Y detriment to mental health,  he said. Our best understanding of the issue so far may be the Goldilocks hypothesis, he explained, which posits that a moderate amount of exposure to social media is ideal for ones health.

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Still, Torous said, certain individualshis patients includedreport increased levels of stress and anxiety after social media use. For some of those users, hes inclined to believe Snapchats new resources are positive, or at least neutral. While some may balk at the idea of staying on an app to receive any kind of mental or emotional support, Torous main concerns have to do with data privacy. What happens to the data on individuals mental health thats collected, and can it be protected?

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Because so many of these services keep the data to themselves, he said, theres not really very much transparency on whats happening on these platforms.

Torous used the example of Facebook to illustrate the problems inherent to social media companies keeping tabs on their users mental health. In 2018, the New York Times reported that Facebook was running natural language processing to look for key words related to suicide, which on some occasions led to police being sent to users homes. In Facebooks case, there was no informed consent, and the company was essentially running its suicide intervention unchecked. Where that data goesand what it means to be flagged as someone with a risk of self-harmis unknown. The Facebook example has made me wary, Torous said. When a company says its doing stuff for mental health, what are they actually doing?

As for user experience, we dont have enough information right now to know how effective Snapchats interventions will be. But even if the results are positive, Torous cautioned, [W]e dont want to conflate this with [saying that] the potential issues of social media for some people and its negative mental impact are now going to be ameliorated, fixed, or addressed. I think its adding another kind of unknown into a very complex puzzle.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Declan Bolger will become the new chief executive of Irish Life

Declan Bolger will become the new chief executive of Irish Life as the current CEO, David Harney, moves up the chain of command at parent Great-West Lifeco.

Irish Life confirmed the moves today as part of a wider string of promotions.

Mr Bolger is currently chief executive of Canada Life Europe, another Great-West Lifeco unit that he helped to found in 2000. As its CEO for the past decade, Mr Bolger is credited with doubling the firms client base in Germany to more than 500,000 today.

Im excited to take on a new challenge as leader of our Irish business, Mr Bolger said. Working with the Canada Life Europe team over the last 20 years has been a great honour. Canada Life is now established as one of the leading brands in the German broker life market with great prospects to grow further.

Mr Harney, CEO of Irish Life since February 2016, will become president and chief operating officer of Great-West Lifecos European operations overseeing business in Ireland, the UK and Germany.

We are very proud of our market-leading position in Ireland working to help people build better futures, Mr Harney said. Our parent, Great-West Lifeco, continues to invest substantially in Dublin and the Irish market where we see significant growth potential.

He succeeds Arshil Jamal, who is being promoted to become Great-West Lifecos president and group head for strategy, investments, reinsurance and corporate development.

These changes represent a continuation of strategic leadership for our business in Europe, said Paul Mahon, president and CEO of Great-West Lifeco.

Through their vision and dedication, both David and Declan have delivered not just commercial success but have built thriving teams that are ready for the next stage of our growth in Ireland and Germany.

Irish Life said the promotions would take place over a transition period to allow for regulatory approvals and the appointment of Mr Bolgers successor at Canada Life Europe.




The pound rose today as Rishi Sunak replaced Sajid Javid as Chancellor, with the City hoping he will open the spending taps on big projects.

Sterling was 1.3046 dollars at 3pm compared to 1.2976 dollars at the previous close, achieving a one-week high.

Mr Javid had reportedly tried to resist calls from the PM's chief advisor Dominic Cummings to dramatically increase spending, so experts believe his dismissal could 'open the fiscal floodgates'.

Prior to the announcement that Mr Javid had quit, a pound was worth 1.298 dollars. Within minutes it fell to 1.296 dollars, before rising to 1.304 dollars - a one-week high

The pound had initially dipped amid reports Mr Javid had quit after being told to sack all his advisers and form a 'team' with Number 10, but it rose again as Mr Sunak's name being floated and eventually confirmed.

Now, with the former hedge fund manager in charge, investors expect more cash for infrastructure and perhaps even tax cuts are on the cards.

Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for Markets.com, said: 'Boris Johnson is taking the Kirstie Allsopp approach to how to make Number 10 and Number 11 work for him: that is, just knock through.

'The fiscal floodgates are about to open - whatever brake the Treasury might have had on Number 10 has been cut entirely with this move.'

Prior to the announcement that Mr Javid had quit, a pound was worth 1.298 dollars.

Within minutes it fell to 1.296 dollars, before rising to 1.304 dollars - a one-week high.

Rishi Sunak (left) and Mr Javid outside Number 10 today as the Cabinet reshuffle was taking place

Mr Wilson added: 'This is a blatant power grab by Boris (Johnson) and (Dominic) Cummings over the Treasury - and it comes barely a month ahead of the first post-election Budget.

'On first glance, I think this means purse strings are being loosened.

'Spending will be dictated by political needs and necessity, rather than the Treasury acting as a brake on political giveaways.

'We know Boris has a predilection for the big infrastructure projects and we also know his plans to level up with spending on the North and Midlands.'

Tory rising star dubbed the 'Maharajah of the Yorkshire Dales' and married to an Indian tech billionaire's daughter: How GP's son Rishi Sunak powered up government ranks to be named Chancellor at just 39

James Tapsfield, Political Editor for MailOnline

Rishi Sunak has had a meteoric rise to become Chancellor at the age of just 39.

And although he has taken the job at No11 thanks to the bombshell departure of Sajid Javid, few at Westminster doubted he would reach the top in the end.

When Mr Sunak was elected to represent the safe seat of Richmond at the 2015 election - succeeding Tory former leader Lord Hague - he was memorably dubbed the 'Maharaja of the Dales'.

He is believed to be one of the richest members of Parliament, living with his family in a magnificent Georgian manor house in a small North Yorkshire village.

A multi-millionaire in his own right thanks to his investment career, Mr Sunak is married to Akshata Murthy, whose father N.R. Narayana Murthy is India's sixth-wealthiest man.

Rishi Sunak, pictured with his wife Akshata Murthy has been promoted to Chancellor - one of the youngest people to hold the post in modern politics

A multi-millionaire in his own right thanks to his investment career, Mr Sunak is even wealthier thanks to his marriage to Murthy, whose father N.R. Narayana Murthy is India's sixth-richest man (pictured, their magnificent Georgian manor in North Yorkshire)

Mr Sunak and Mr Javid seemed to develop something of a 'bromance' at the Treasury. Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker with a picture of them arm in arm

Self-made billionaire Murthy Sr is a household name in India after making his fortune through consulting giant Infosys.

Who is Dominic Cummings? Born in Durham and educated at Oxford University, Dominic Cummings makes much of his northern roots though he is married to the daughter of an aristocrat. The 48-year-old father-of-one rose to notoriety in politics first as an adviser to Michael Gove and then as campaign director at the official Brexit referendum campaign group. Many will know him as the character played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the HBO/Channel 4 comedy-drama film Brexit, and for as his role in covering a red bus with the notorious 350 million NHS claim. Mr Cummings has been credited with creating the 'take back control' slogan and criticised over the monetary figure advertised on the side of the bus which travelled the country. He would later say the pledge, which was even dismissed by the UK's chief statistician, was 'necessary to win'. The campaign group was also fined 61,000 for breaking the rules in the build-up to the vote. Cummings is variously seen as a genius, a maverick, or a troublemaker. He was once also labelled a 'career psychopath' by former prime minister David Cameron. But Mr Cummings is not shy of firing off an insult himself. In 2017, he described David Davis, then the Brexit secretary, as 'thick as mince, lazy as a toad and vain as Narcissus'. Mr Johnson appointed Mr Cummings to his top team as senior adviser at Number 10 when he became Prime Minister in the summer of 2019. The appointment was controversial, given that he was found to be in contempt of Parliament earlier in the year for refusing to give evidence to MPs investigating misinformation. But Mr Cummings appears to enjoy controversy, deliberating cultivating a reputation as someone who does not play by the rules of conventional politics. Advertisement

Akshata herself runs fashion label Akshata Designs and is also a director of a venture capital firm founded by her father in 2010.

Her shareholding in Infosys alone is estimated at 185million.

Mr Sunak is a solid media performer, repeatedly offered up by Downing Street for tricky interviews.

The staunch Brexiteer was promoted to Boris Johnson's Cabinet after the dramatic reshuffle in July.

Until now he was Mr Javid's deputy, with the title Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The two of them seemed to develop something of a 'bromance'. Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker.

'Great night out with the boss - Jedi Master @sajidjavid,' he tweeted alongside a picture of them arm-in-arm.

Mr Sunak, who boarded at the 40,000-a-year Winchester College, was born in Southampton.

A third-generation Indian immigrant, Mr Sunak's father was an NHS GP and his mother ran a chemist's.

After Oxford he studied at California's Stanford University where he met Akshata.

The couple married in her home city of Bangalore in 2009 in a two-day ceremony attended by 1,000 guests.

After the couple returned to Britain, Sunak worked for a London hedge fund before setting up his own business, Theleme Partners, in 2010, with an initial fund of $700million.

While building the hedge fund he spent a couple of days doing voluntary work for the Conservatives. He then decided he would like to go into politics full-time.

When Mr Sunak went canvassing for the first time his Richmond seat, which has a relatively small ethnic minority population, one sheep farmer reportedly said: 'Nice to meet you. I see you've got a better sun tan than William Hague.'

Mr Sunak has praised his his father-in-law's favourite saying: 'In God we trust  but everyone else needs to bring data to the table.'
The Fatah rulers of the West Bank continue to call for violence against Israel but have not tried to get another major terrorism effort going, One reason for this is that since 2000 Israel has defeated all Palestinian attempts to launch and sustain a terror campaign. Another, less publicized reason, is that the Israeli soldiers and police operations in the West Bank are mainly about keeping the roads safe for Israeli settlers and eliminating terrorist groups before they can carry out major attacks anywhere. This includes Hama's efforts to attack Fatah. For obvious reasons Fatah does not like to talk about this but it is a beneficial side-effect of the Israeli security forces in the West Bank.

That protection comes from sources outside Israel as well. Today an American cybersecurity firm revealed that it had discovered a Hamas hacking campaign against senior Fatah officials, which had some success in gaining access to their smartphones and the ability to read emails, texts and much more. Hamas may have had help from Iran in doing this as the Iranians have, after Israel, the most capable Internet hacking capability. This quiet Hamas attack on Fatah wont change much because the two groups continue to hate each other and are only united in their mutual obsession with Israel.

The Israel Must Be Destroyed  Palestinians are encouraged by the growing anti-Semitic violence in the West over the last decade. Ignoring the fact that most of the increase comes from the growing number of Moslem migrants in the West, the anti-Israel attitudes are real. This is the result of a major Palestinian effort to demonize Israel and convince many nations that Palestinians are victims of Israeli oppression. The Palestinians hope all this will eventually result in economic and other sanctions against Israel by Western nations. Anti-Semitic activity in the West is an indicator that there is growing hostility towards Jews and Israel. The one problem with this Palestinian tactic is that more Western politicians and aid (to Palestinian) donors are becoming aware of the decades old Palestinian internal propaganda campaign that calls for the destruction of Israel, not a peace deal. Palestinian leaders are having a hard time explaining this double-dealing. Worse, Western awareness of the real Palestinian attitudes towards Israel renders useless any peace plans that leave Israel as an independent Middle Eastern nation with a Jewish majority. To themselves, Palestinians take it for granted that they only solution to their disagreements with Israel is for Israel to be destroyed. Many Arab nations have concluded that this is not practical, especially when Arab states are facing a serious Iranian threat, something they share with Israel. As a result, Arab governments are establishing economic, military and diplomatic ties with Israel. These Arab governments must also deal with their own radical factions that will never accept Israel and want the Jewish state destroyed. This radical faction problem is nothing new in the Arab world, especially since Islam appeared 1,500 years ago and included acceptance of radical factions and violent intolerance of other religions in their scripture (the Koran). Inability to deal with the radical faction and intolerance problems has crippled Arab economic, scientific, diplomatic and military progress ever since. Non-Arab Moslem states, most famously Turkey and Iran, worked out ways to cope with and control the radical faction problem. But in the late 20th century both these nations encountered renewed problems with the radical faction problem. For several decades now Arabs have been openly seeking solutions to the radical faction curse but progress has been slow.

The Other Curse

The Middle East has long been recognized as one of the most corrupt regions on the planet. The extent of this corruption can be seen in the international surveys of nations to determine who is clean and who is corrupt. For 2019 the least corrupt nation in the region was UAE (United Arab Emirates), which ranked 21st out of 180 nations in international rankings compared with 23rd in 2018. The most corrupt was Syria and many other Arab states were on the most corrupt end of the list. Corruption is measured annually in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. Corruption is measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The most corrupt nations (usually Yemen/15, Syria/13, South Sudan/12 and Somalia/9) have a rating under 15 while of the least corrupt (Finland, New Zealand and Denmark) are over 85.

The current UAE score is 71 (versus 70 in 2018) compared to 60 (61) for Israel, 15 (14) for Yemen, 69 (71) for the United States, 35 (35) for Egypt, 26 (27) for Nigeria, 44 (43) for South Africa, 20 (18) for Iraq, 39 (40) for Turkey, 53 (49) for Saudi Arabia, 30 (30) for Ukraine, 45 (44) for Belarus, 58 (60) for Poland, 80 (81) Germany, 65 (61) for Taiwan, 39 (40) for Turkey, 41 (40) for India, 28 (28) for Russia, 57 (54) for South Korea, 41 (39) for China, 14 (17) for North Korea, 37 (35) for Vietnam, 85 (84) for Singapore, 73 (73) for Japan, 40 (37) for Indonesia, 38 (38) for Sri Lanka, 29 (33) for the Maldives, 34 (34) for the Philippines, 32 (32) for Pakistan, 26 (28) for Bangladesh, 26 (30) for Iran, 16 (15) for Afghanistan, 29 (30) for Burma, and 28 (28) for Lebanon.

UAEs corruption score has not changed much since the 2011 Arab Spring revolution when it was 68. The UAE achieved the most favorable corruption score in the region because it has long depended on foreign trade to survive and to make money in that business you must be known as an honest trading partner. Israeli corruption is largely internal and less present when making trade deals. The UAE is also different in that it is a federation of formerly independent emirates that realized the wisdom of joining forces. Laws and customs vary somewhat among the emirates and some are more gangsters than others. But overall the UAE is a place where foreigners feel comfortable doing business.

Sharing The Burden

The Americans have made it clear that they will remain active in Syria until assured that locals can handle counterterrorism operations, especially against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). The Americans admit that this may keep their troops in Syria for years, but the U.S. does not see any alternative. To accomplish their goal the Americans keep a low profile.

Because the Americans and Israelis often do not announce airstrikes they have carried out and both nations use the same types of warplanes, it is often unclear whose aircraft hit a target. One thing you can be sure of is that if the target was ISIL, it was probably an American airstrike. ISIL targets tend to be in remote areas or in unexpected places because ISIL is hated by most everyone and must maintain a very low profile to avoid detection and attack. The Americans have a more extensive array of intelligence sources (electronic, agents in Syria and worldwide and satellites) that enable them to find well-hidden ISIL locations, and then carry out an airstrike. The Israelis are more concerned with Iranian activities and that is reflected in where the Israeli airstrikes occur.

ISIL is not the threat it was a few years ago, but in Syria there are still a lot of ISIL zealots loose upon the land. ISIL would like to hit targets in Israel but that has proved virtually impossible. Continued Israeli military actions in Syria have been officially noted by ISIL, which recently declared war on Israel. In part, this was to boost morale among the Sinai (Egypt) branch of ISIL which has taken a considerable beating from Egyptian, Israeli and Iranian (Hamas) forces in the last few years. At least the Sinai faction still manages to carry out one or two attacks a month. ISIL is lucky to organize one or two a year inside Israel and these are often partial failures. While Israel doesnt launch many airstrikes against ISIL in Syria it has hit ISIL targets in Sinai more than a hundred times since 2018.

Iran continues to justify its growing presence in Syria because of its decades' old obsession with destroying Israel. Syria was supposed to be a step in that direction. Instead, Syria has been a money pit and graveyard for expensive efforts to bring in missiles and other weapons for use against Israel. These imports are regularly blown up by Israeli airstrikes. Iranian efforts have faltered a bit as anti-government protests grow in Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and Iraq. All this opposition makes it more difficult to justify all the money spent in these places to destroy Israel.

Recently, for the first time, Israel revealed actual numbers for airstrikes in Syria and Gaza. During 2019 there were 54 airstrikes against Syrian targets and 900 in Gaza. Israeli UAVs also spent 40,000 hours in the air during the year carrying out surveillance in Gaza and along the northern border. The airstrikes in Syria tended to be larger, involving more aircraft and weapons (missiles, smart bombs) used. In Gaza, an airstrike was usually one missile or smart bomb against a Hamas or Islamic Jihad facility in retaliation for a rocket, mortar and fire balloon attack against Israel.

February 12, 2020: In the Red Sea, an Egyptian fishing boat, while in international waters, was destroyed a Yemeni Shia rebel naval mine. Three of the crew died in the 2 Am explosion and three others were rescued by nearby ships. The Arab Coalition, which Egypt is part of, maintains a naval patrol along the Yemen Red Sea coast to block weapons smugglers and to keep the Red Sea clear of these mines, some of which are Iranian made while the rest are assembled in Yemen from components smuggled in from Iran. Since 2015 the Arab Coalition has found and disposed of 153 of these mines.

In Egypt, the population reached 100 million. This does not include ten million expatriates working elsewhere and planning to eventually return. The population was 20 million in 1950. Continued widespread poverty and Islamic conservatives to declare any form of birth control is forbidden hamper efforts to curb the population growth. That large population does not translate into more effective military capabilities. Corruption leads to many educated Egyptians avoiding military service and a culture of poor military leadership. Training and leadership low quality as is the effectiveness of the troops.

February 11, 2020: In Egypt (Sinai), troops intercepted a large group of ISIL men and killed eleven of them. Soldiers and police pursued the surviving ISIL men into a built-up area full of abandoned buildings. The Islamic terrorists dispersed to those structures and tried to hide but the soldiers methodically searched the area, finding and killing six more armed men. The ISIL group was equipped with explosives and blasting caps as well as assault rifles indicating they were going to assemble and place a roadside bomb somewhere and carry out an ambush.

An Israeli firm recently released a video showing a new version of their Drone Dome UAV detection system that used a short-range (two kilometers) laser. The video showed the laser destroying a swarm of at least eight quad-copters. The laser, guided by the low altitude radar and fire control system, methodically destroyed the UAVs one at a time. Israel also has a more powerful version of this new laser, with a longer range, for military use. Drone Dome is being marketed to commercial customers, especially airports, that want to keep UAVs away from airliners landing and taking off. Drone Dome obviously has military applications as well but is not considered a strictly military system. Israel is considering using Drone Dome on the Gaza border to intercept balloons carrying incendiary devices into Israel from Gaza. The Drone Dome fire control system may be able to spot and destroy the balloons (often a bunch of balloons carrying the payload).

February 10, 2020: Egypt, which has been brokering peace talks between Hamas and Israel, today warned Hamas that if they cooperated with Iran in any operations against Israel, or anyone else, Egypt would further tighten its blockade of Gaza and would even consider attacking Hamas targets in Gaza. This surprised Hamas, which assured Egypt that they would not misbehave at the orders of Iran. The next day Hamas ordered its followers to halt the recently resumed use of balloons carrying explosives sent into Israel. The resumed balloon use is a violation of the current Israel-Hamas ceasefire that Egypt brokered. Egypt was angry that Hamas was violating that agreement. Despite the Hamas order to halt, another balloon bomb crossed the border later in the day. It was unclear if this was the work of Hamas dissidents or another Islamic terror group in Gaza.

February 9, 2020: Over the weekend Russia again accused Israeli airstrikes of using civilian airliners to mask their airstrikes from Syrian air defense systems. Russia provided no evidence and no civilian airliner has complained. This is apparently another effort to support its ally Iran. Russia is unable to halt the Israeli airstrikes with the many Russian air defense systems stationed in Syria so some anti-Israel propaganda is better than nothing.

In Egypt (Sinai), security forces defeated an ISIL attack on a checkpoint. One of the trucks used by the attackers was also destroyed as the defeated Islamic terrorists fled. Two policemen and five soldiers were killed. There used to a lot more of these checkpoint attacks, usually by ISIL. Over the last two years, ISIL has suffered many defeats and is now in survival mode. There are still attacks, just fewer of them and many of those attacks fail.

In Ethiopia, the leaders of Algeria and Egypt met, while attending an African Summit, met to discuss their mutual concerns with Islamic terrorism and the continued fighting in Libya. It was agreed that the two nations would share more intelligence on terrorism but did not agree on how to deal with the Turkish military intervention in Libya. Algeria is on good terms with the Turks, Egypt is not.

February 8, 2020: In the south (Gaza border), Israeli artillery fired on two Hamas targets in Gaza in response to rockets fired into Israel earlier in the day. Elsewhere on the Gaza border a Hamas balloon bomb was found and disabled.

The United States confirmed rumors that the U.S. and Israel had formally agreed to coordinate anti-Iran efforts. Israel is concentrating on Lebanon and Syria while the Americans concentrate on Iraq in addition to maintaining a presence in Kurdish controlled northeast Syria. It had always been pretty obvious that the U.S. and Israel were cooperating is blocking Iranian efforts to build a land-bridge from Iran to Lebanon. That required Iran to get past American efforts in Iraq and eastern Syria to block Iranian road access to Syria and Lebanon.

February 7, 2020: In the south, near the Gaza border, a balloon bomb, using an RPG warhead, landed in Israel. Five others floated in from Gaza earlier in the day carrying various incendiary or explosive warheads. None of the balloon bombs caused any injuries and none went off before being disabled. Large scale use of balloon attacks stopped in mid-2019 and it started up again in mid-January.

February 6, 2020: In Syria (outside Damascus), three Israeli airstrikes hit Iranian bases, some of them shared with the Syrian forces. There was considerable property damage and at least 23 Iranian and Syrian personnel were killed and many more wounded.

In Israel (Jerusalem) twelve soldiers were injured when a Palestinian from Jerusalem drove a car into them then drove away. The driver was later arrested. Later a Palestinian fired on a soldier in another part of Jerusalem. Return fire killed the Palestinian shooter. In the West Bank, an Israeli civilian was fired on by a Palestinian and wounded. These three attacks were apparently prompted by Palestinian media calls for a violent response to a recent American peace proposal for the Palestinians. The American plan called for making the Israeli settlements in the West Bank permanent and creating a West Bank Palestinian state where all the borders were controlled by Israel. This addressed Israeli demands that the new West Bank Palestinian state does not have an easy way to become a sanctuary for terrorism or criminal behavior in general. In return, the Palestinians would receive billions of dollars in economic aid and the ability to import and export freely, except for items used by terrorists. The American proposal was dead before it was even delivered because the Palestinian leaders had already declared that the only acceptable action was the elimination of Israel and the expulsion, of death, of all Jews in the Middle East.

February 5, 2020: In Egypt (central Sinai), ISIL gunmen stopped a cab, ordered out the five passengers and murdered them. The dead were soldiers returning from leave.

February 4, 2020: The Israeli Navy revealed that it had detected and intercepted a sea-based weapons smuggling effort for Hamas in Gaza. This event took place last November and was kept secret for three months in order to use the information obtained from the smuggler boat and the two smugglers to locate and shut down the rest of the smuggling operation, which was based in Egypt and required the close cooperation of the Egyptians.

February 2, 2020: In Egypt (north Sinai), ISIL bombed a natural gas pipeline that carries Israeli gas to Egypt. The damage was quickly repaired and the customers did not notice any interruption for gas supply. ISIL has been attacking Sinai pipelines for years and the gas facilities in Sinai have been modified to resist these attacks.

January 28, 2020: The American president and Israeli prime minister met in the U.S. and announced a new U.S. proposal for a Palestinian peace plan. While the two Palestinian governments (Fatah and Hams) promptly denounced the plan and repeated their calls for the destruction of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE backed the plan. These Arab states used to supply the Palestinians with a lot of foreign aid but have cut back or eliminated those donations over the last few years as the Palestinians proved incapable of dealing with their corruption (which saw much of aid stolen by Palestinian leaders) and lack of political unity. The Arab states that backed the American plan today later backtracked when they faced criticism from other Arab states that back Palestinian calls for a plan that destroys Israel.

January 25, 2020: In eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province), near the Mayadeen army base, unidentified (but apparently Israeli) aircraft attacked two targets. One contained Iranian troops and the other Iranian Afghan mercenaries.

January 24, 2020: The UN reports that at least seven nations are violating the Libyan arms embargo and supplying weapons and other military aid to either side. Currently, Russia and Turkey are the biggest offenders, along with the UAE and Egypt.

January 23, 2020: In eastern Syria (Deir Ezzor province), there was another airstrike against Iraqi Hezbollah militia on the Iraqi side of the Al Bukamal crossing into Iraq. It was unclear if this attack was carried out by American or Israeli aircraft as both nations have attacked this Hezbollah group here before.

January 21, 2020: The Israeli domestic intelligence service (Shin Bet, similar to the British MI5) revealed that it had disrupted (and thus prevented) over 560 significant terror attacks in 2019. This included 10 suicide attacks. Four kidnapping efforts and over 300 attacks involving firearms. This is a big increase since 2017 when Shin Bet disrupted about 250 attacks. The Palestinian terrorist activity is about the same earlier years but since 2015 suicidal knife terrorism attacks have lost their popularity despite Fatah still pushing them energetically in all the Palestinian media. This can be seen in the number of Palestinian terror attacks disrupted each year. It was 217 in 2014, 187 in 2013 112 in 2012 and 88 in 2011. Since 1948 some 2,600 have died from terror attacks inside Israel. Nearly five percent of those dead were foreigners. Palestinian terrorism efforts have never recovered from the defeat they suffered when Israel adopted new tactics that largely shut down the terror campaign the Palestinians began in 2000. Fatah and Hamas have been trying to revive that effort ever since and have largely failed.
Brown is the second county official to be arrested for domestic violence in the last five years. Former Lake County Councilman Jamal Washington, D-Merrillville, is currently set to go to trial April 6 in the Jan. 30, 2019, incident with former girlfriend and political ally LaVetta Sparks-Wade, a former Gary City Councilwoman, in which he was charged with two felony counts of criminal confinement, a felony count of domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a felony count of intimidation, and two counts of domestic battery, one felony and one misdemeanor.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 21:57:32|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of 189 medical teams of 21,569 medical workers had been sent to central China's Hubei Province to help combat the coronavirus disease COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).

To further support medical work in Hubei, more than 1,000 doctors, 1,681 nurses and 213 experts from 17 provincial-level regions including Tianjin, Hebei and Shanxi, were dispatched on Wednesday to 16 cities and prefectures other than the provincial capital city of Wuhan, such as Enshi and the Shennongjia forestry district, to assist with the local anti-epidemic fight.

Another 2,600 military medical staff were also sent to Wuhan on Thursday, Guo Yanhong, an official with the NHC, said at a press conference on Thursday in Beijing. She added that over 7,000 doctors and nurses are from intensive care departments, with the aim to effectively reduce mortality.

Three research teams led by academician Zhong Nanshan, Wang Chen and Li Lanjuan have joined the fight by providing consultations on the treatment of patients in critical condition and researching new drugs and therapies, Guo noted.

Three mobile P3 laboratories have been transported to Wuhan to help enhance the capability and efficiency of nucleic acid testing, Guo said.

"Treating patients is the top priority for epidemic prevention and control at present, in Hubei Province and Wuhan city in particular," Guo said. "We are gathering the strength of the whole nation and sending medical resources to the frontline, aiming to improve the admission and recovery rates, and reduce the infection and mortality rates."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Philippine time) said he is "fine" with the Philippines' decision to terminate the two-decades military agreement with the United States.

"I never minded that very much, to be honest. If they would like to do that, thats fine. Well save a lot of money. You know, my views are different than other people. I view it as, 'Thank you very much. We save a lot of money,'" he said in an interview at the Oval Office in Washington, D.C.

With the pact, the Philippines is receiving military assistance and financial grants from US.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier claimed his counterpart was "trying to save" the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Trump's response is also a stark contrast to the view of his Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who said ending the military agreement is "unfortunate" and "a move in the wrong direction" in terms of dealing with China's aggression.

The VFA is a 1998 agreement between Manila and Washington on the protocol for American military personnel in the country. Among its controversial provisions are the lax visa and passport policies for American troops and the authority granted to the US government to retain jurisdiction over its military personnel if ever they commit crimes locally.

EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement

With six months left before the VFA is effectively scrapped, Trump underscored the hand US extended to the Philippines to combat terrorism, specifically the five-month Marawi siege in 2017. He claimed American troops "came in and literally single-handedly" saved the country from ISIS and ISIS-backed Maute group.

He also highlighted his warm relations with President Rodrigo Duterte.

"My relationship, as you know, is a very good one with their leader. And well see what happens. Theyll have to tell me that," Trump said.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo shrugged of the comments of Trump.

"Then he's welcome. Maybe he's with the position of the President that it's time we rely on our own resources," he said in a media briefing.

VFA beyond saving  Palace

Duterte pushed through with terminating the military pact despite concerns raised by several officials, including his Foreign Affairs Secretary, Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin, Jr. In a Senate hearing last week, the senior diplomat pushed for a "vigorous review" of the VFA instead, saying the continuance of the agreement "is deemed to be more beneficial" for the Philippines.

The Philippine Senate also passed a resolution calling for a thorough review of the VFA before coming to a decision regarding its fate.

Malacanang on Tuesday said there's nothing the US can do to salvage the VFA, adding that Duterte will never accept any invitation to visit America.

The Duterte administration has repeatedly criticized US senators for demanding the release of Senator Leila de Lima  an opposition lawmaker detained on drug charges  and for seeking sanctions against those involved in her imprisonment and in alleged extrajudicial killings in the country. Duterte called the US rude for meddling in the Philippines' local affairs.

The final straw was when the US canceled Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's tourist visa. The Philippine senator known to have close ties with Duterte acknowledged that the revocation of his visa may have something to do with alleged extrajudicial killings under his watch as chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018.

Related: Duterte threatens to terminate VFA if US does not reverse cancellation of Dela Rosas visa

In January, Duterte gave the US a month to "correct" the revocation of Dela Rosa's visa, but later said he would no longer wait and ordered the termination of the VFA instead.
Korea Investment Management (KIM) brought 100 per cent of the shares of Hung Viet Fund Management JSC

The Chairman of the State Securities Commission (SSC) has recently issued Decision No.89/QD-UBCK dated February 11, 2020 approving the transaction of Hung Viet Fund Management JSC's shares.

Accordingly, all shareholders of Hung Viet Fund Management JSC transferred altogether 2.5 million shares, equivalent to 100 per cent of its charter capital, to Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. (KIM  99 per cent) and two foreign individual shareholders, Yun Hang Jin and An Jong Hoon (0.5 per cent each)

KIM is a familiar name in Vietnams securities market with assets under management in the scale of billions of dollars. KIM Vietnam Growth Securities Master Investment Trust is KIMs biggest fund in Vietnam with assets under management of $850 million.

In the beginning of 2018, Vietnam's securities market witnessed a surge in foreign capital inflows from Korea, with KIM taking the spotlight. Besides investing in bluechip stocks, KIM also has a number of VFMVN30 ETF fund certificates.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - The Yield Growth Corp. (CSE: BOSS) (OTCQB: BOSQF) (FSE: YG3) subsidiary Flourish Mushroom Labs Inc. ("Flourish") announces that it signed a non binding letter of intent ("LOI") with Kingdom Brands Management Inc. ("Kingdom") on February 12, 2020.





Kingdom Brands Management Inc.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6377/52391_yieldg.jpg

Per the LOI, Kingdom will pay $500,000 to Flourish in exchange for the rights to use and sub-license in the United States, Yield Growth's proprietary extraction technology for use exclusively with both medicinal and psychedelic mushrooms and to further develop the technology.

This extraction technology was invented by Yield Growth to extract compounds from the hemp root to manufacture hemp root oil, a key ingredient in many of The Yield Growth Corp.'s products. This invention is protected by the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), a unified procedure for filing patent applications to protect inventions internationally.

"The Yield Growth Corp. previously engaged a high-quality, accredited lab to identify and quantify targeted therapeutic compounds found in the hemp root. We successfully sequestered one of these compounds, Friedelin, at a higher concentration compared to other extraction methods, using our technology," said Penny White, CEO of The Yield Growth Corp. and Flourish Mushroom Labs. "We are now licensing this technology for Flourish Mushroom Labs to aid in cell disruption of mushrooms in order to extract the therapeutic compounds more efficiently."

Kingdom Brand Management Inc. leases a property in California which may be suitable to cultivate medicinal mushrooms and sell and use mushroom extracts for products. The company plans to position itself in the marketplace to serve the potential demand following impending legalization of psilocybin.

Major strides have been taken towards the decriminalization of psilocybin across the U.S., in states including Washington D.C, California, Colorado, Vermont and Oregon. In California, the California Psilocybin Decriminalization Initiative, which envisions the implementation of a comprehensive, state-wide scheme authorizing and regulating the cultivation, processing and distribution of pPsilocybin mMushrooms, has the potential to be on the ballot for voters as soon as this fall.

The LOI states that the $500,000 will be paid through the issuance of securities in Kingdom's parent company, Kingdom Brands Inc., which is planning an initial public offering in 2020. Yield Growth previously acquired 18,000,000 shares in Kingdom Brands, which is approximately 15% of the company.

About Flourish Mushroom Labs Inc.

Flourish Mushroom Labs aims to legally and safely commercialize psilocybin (magic) mushrooms. Flourish Mushroom Labs is planning to build a psilocybin mushroom laboratory in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is conducting research into potential therapeutic benefits of compounds found in magic mushrooms. It has filed a U.S. patent application for the use of psilocybin to aid in weight loss and treat obesity, diabetes and to help prevent heart disease. Flourish also plans to be a leader in the fast-growing medicinal mushrooms market-and improve life by offering high-quality mushroom-infused products. Flourish Mushroom Labs is a majority owned subsidiary of The Yield Growth Corp.

About The Yield Growth Corp.

The Yield Growth Corp. develops and manufactures plant-based products and conducts research for plant-based therapeutics in what the Global Wellness Institute reports is a $4.2 trillion-dollar global wellness market. It owns the cannabis wellness brands Urban Juve, Wright & Well and Jack n Jane. The Yield Growth management team has deep experience with global brands including Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Skechers and Aritzia. Its all natural hemp skincare brand, Urban Juve, has signed agreements for distribution in Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. Yield Growth's Wright & Well brands have manufactured a THC/CBD line of topical and edible products in Oregon. Through its subsidiaries, Yield Growth has over 200 proprietary beauty, wellness, edibles and beverage formulas for commercialization. It has filed 13 patents to protect its extraction method and other intellectual property. Yield Growth earns revenue through multiple streams including licensing, services and product sales.

For more information about Yield Growth, visit www.yieldgrowth.com or follow @yieldgrowth on Instagram. Visit www.urbanjuve.com and findyourjuve across social platforms to learn, engage and shop.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Penny White, President & CEO

Kristina Pillon, Investor Relations

invest@yieldgrowth.com

1-833-514-BOSS 1-833-514-2677

1-833-515-BOSS 1-833-515-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, "forward looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, intellectual property protection, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen. The laws around cultivating, selling and using psychedelic mushrooms would need to change in most jurisdictions in order for the use of psychedelic products to be legal and sale of, and demand for, Urban Juve, Wright & Well, Flourish Mushroom Labs, Jack n Jane and UJ Beverages products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets. Yield Growth cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Yield Growth, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Yield Growth expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52391
Officials are investigating after the death of a 21-year-old soldier at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Spc. Branden Tyme Kimball, from Central Point, Oregon, died Wednesday at the U.S. hub in northeastern Afghanistan. His death was described as "non-combat related."

Related: Special Forces Soldiers Killed in Afghan Firefight ID'd, Given Bronze Stars

Kimball, an aircraft structural repairer, had been assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, out of Fort Drum, New York.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of SPC Branden Kimball during this very difficult time. The loss of any Mountain Soldier has a lasting impact on every member of the team," Lt. Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, 10th Mountain Division spokesperson, said in a statement provided to Military.com. "He will be missed from our formations."

Kimball joined the Army in August 2016 and was on his first deployment. He is survived by his mother.

To date, seven American service members have died in Afghanistan in 2020. Most recently, two Special Forces soldiers were killed in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, and six more U.S. troops wounded on Feb. 8, when a man dressed in an Afghan soldier's uniform opened fire on U.S. and Afghan troops with a machine gun.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

Read More: The Marine Corps Is Moving All Its Raiders to the East Coast
Ciara York donates blood at the Green River High School auditorium as Lisa Gunter checks on the machine York is attached to.

Walking into the Green River High School auditorium Thursday afternoon would have shown anyone the students' commitment to helping their community.

Students and residents lined up to donate blood for the annual blood drive competition between the county's two high schools. While the Wolves were barely edged out by the Tigers during the blood drive, bringing 276 pints to 282 pints from Rock Springs, the blood is a welcome donation to hospitals throughout the region. Overall, the communities donated 558 pints of blood.

"We look forward to this event," Sandy Thomas, senior donor recruiter for...
With the presidential primary season in full swing, high-ranking officials from previous administrations stressed the importance of foreign policy to a University of Texas at San Antonio audience  knowing all too well its not on the radar of campaigns, news media or the public.

One former diplomat told the crowd of about 350 that what happens out there affects the quality of life here.

The beginning of wisdom about foreign policy is that nothing stays local for long, Richard Haass, a former special assistant to President George H.W. Bush, said Wednesday. Or to put it another way, what happens in Wuhan, China, doesnt stay in Wuhan, China.

Haass was joined at the 2020 election forum on the universitys main campus by former Obama-era Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, along with Stephen Hadley and Mary Beth Long.

Hadley held a senior Defense Department post in the first Bush administration, then was deputy national security adviser and assistant to the president for national security affairs to President George W. Bush. Long also served in the second Bush administration and was the first woman confirmed by the U.S. Senate as an assistant secretary of defense, in 2007.

The discussion at UTSA, one of only four scheduled by the Council on Foreign Relations, which Haass heads, covered a range of issues, from a rising China and the potential implications of the communist governments handling of the coronavirus to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, a looming population explosion in Nigeria and climate change.

There was plenty more to worry about, they said. Long said the United States is getting quickly squeezed out of the market for rare earth materials. Haass said he was alarmed by the Trump administrations latest proposed budget, which didnt fund the Energy Departments Advanced Research Projects Agency, a laboratory for technological innovation.

Democratic and Republican voters know little about most candidates views on foreign policy, Haass said. That matters because while presidents can choose their running mates and shape their platforms, theyll have little control over events that occur far from home  what he called the inbox.

Does it concern me? Haass asked in an interview before the event. Sure, and the reason is were not electing the next mayor of the United States, were electing the next president of the United States; and whoever it is, he or she is going to inherit a foreign policy inbox thats going to be crowded. Its going to be crowded with difficult issues and its going to be crowded with consequential decisions.

As the clock wound down on the New Hampshire primary earlier this week, Haass took to Twitter to sound the alarm about deep foreign aid cuts in the budget proposal and, more generally, the tattered relationship between Democrats and Republicans.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to understanding the international stakes in the November election, he said, is the amount of time foreign policy gets on the stump and in debates. Some voters are turned off by the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the absence of a military draft also might limit interest since most young Americans arent in the crossfire.

If you simply took out your stopwatch and you timed the amount devoted to foreign policy in the debates, it would be, I think, a fairly modest percentage, Haass said. And my sense is that reflects the voters, and I dont think its just Democratic. I think its most voters, be they Republican, Democratic or independent.

Strong international cooperation is critical, the panelists said.

Johnson, a former Air Force general counsel under President Bill Clinton who headed the Homeland Security Department from 2013-17, talked about the importance of sharing intelligence between countries in preventing attacks.

He also pointed to a cohesive international process that limited the spread of the ebola virus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said caused 11,310 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and 15 more elsewhere.

So there was a lot of pressure on us in 2014 to basically suspend all travel from West Africa, where the virus came from, to just shut down all traffic, Johnson said, adding that reducing the risk to the United States was a natural reaction for those in his agency.

It turns out that was the first reaction, but it wasnt necessarily the best reaction, he continued. The best reaction in dealing with the ebola virus in West Africa was an international approach, a foreign-policy approach, not just reducing the risk to the homeland but helping those at the source to stamp out the virus at its source.

Beyond policy itself are the ideals that have shaped it. Hadley argued that freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law are Americas core values, embedded in the nations DNA and intertwined in almost every war the United States has fought.

There is a dispute, people say, between the idealists who want to promote American values and the realists who really focus on American interests  you know, not having terrorism, not having proliferation  and that these are somehow in tension, he said.

I never felt that way. I always thought, actually, its profoundly in our interests for the world to embrace our values because a world based on those values is going to be more congenial to American interests, Hadley said.

A CIA operative for more than a decade before overseeing issues related to Iraq, Iran and Israel for the Pentagon, Long described herself as an unabashed believer in American exceptionalism and said those she encountered overseas were dismayed that voting isnt required by law. People in other countries she lived in were passionate because America meant something to them.

Haass, in the interview, said the Iraq War, which has claimed 4,576 American lives, was a huge mistake, ranking among the nations three major foreign policy debacles since World War II  the others being Vietnam and the drive to unify the Korean peninsula in 1950, which brought Chinese intervention and a bloody stalemate.

It was a blunder, Haass said. I argued that in 2003 the Iraq War was a war of choice, and it was ill-advised to say the least.

He lost that argument as a senior Middle East adviser to President George W. Bush, and the policy proved to be a geopolitical loser because a severely weakened Baghdad no longer could counter Iran, Haass said.

I think sometimes in foreign policy you can think about what youre trying to accomplish, and other times you think about what you try to avoid, Haass said. We would have been a lot better off in Iraq if we had thought harder about what we were trying to avoid.

Sig Christenson covers the military and its impact in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | sigc@express-news.net | Twitter: @saddamscribe
Many new policies will take effect in 2020 which aim to warm up the housing market segment for those with real accommodation demand.

The State Bank of Vietnam's (SBV) Circular 22, which sets a roadmap for gradually reducing credit to the real estate sector and controlling consumer credit, is expected to hinder the development of the real estate market.





However, Can Van Luc, chief economist of BIDV, commented that the circular will help drive cash flow to the market segment for those who have real accommodation demand, not block cash flow to the real estate market.



The circular stipulates that the risk ratio for the loans of less than VND1.5 billion, to be provided to fund peoples house purchases and repairs will be 50 percent, and only loans to fund real estate business will have the high risk ratio of 200 percent.

The circular stipulates that the risk ratio for the loans of less than VND1.5 billion, to be provided to fund peoples house purchases and repairs will be 50 percent, and only loans to fund real estate business will have the high risk ratio of 200 percent.

In 2018-2019, warned about the adjustment of the bank lending policy, many real estate firms began restructuring their finance activities. They tried to mobilize capital from the stock market by issuing corporate bonds or stocks rather than bank loans.



The Decree 91/2019 on administrative sanctions relating to land, which took effect on January 5, 2020, is also believed to affect the real estate market.



Nguyen Van Dinh, deputy secretary of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, commented that the decree gives stricter provisions than the old decree. It sets fine levels for nearly all violations in rural and urban areas, while the fines are heavier for all violations.



This is expectef to reduce the number of violations in land use, while investors and users will have higher responsibility for land use activities.



The noteworthy provision of the decree is that the people will be strictly punished for buying/selling land without land use right certificates, or red books. The State will take land back if people dont put land into use after they are punished.



The adjustments of the land price frames will also affect the real estate market. The new frames will be applied from 2020 to 2024.



Under the government Decree 96/2019 on land price framework, local authorities of cities/provinces will build new price frames to be applied for five years.



Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, believes that as the local authorities raise the land prices, the house prices will decrease.



If the land prices set by the state are low, this will encourage speculation. Speculation is believed to be the reason behind the current high house prices.

Linh Ha

Real estate market forecast to be soft in 2020 The real estate market was stagnant in 2019 and it will continue to be soft in 2020, when many businesses and contractors are expected to go bankrupt because of the lack of projects.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:39:00|Editor: yan

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BUDAPEST, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Migratory pressure on the southern border of Hungary is expected to increase as more and more people arrive as the weather improves, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday.

Orban spoke in Roszke, a village at the southern border of Hungary with Serbia, after visiting the border fence with Slovakian Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini.

In a press statement, Orban stressed that the fence protected not only the Hungarian but also the Slovak border.

"This is hard work, which we would have a hard time doing without help and our allies," Orban said, expressing his gratitude for Slovakia's support.

Pellegrini stressed the importance of protecting the Hungarian-Serbian border, noting that it was also the southern border of the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone.

"It would be dangerous if migrants broke in through here, and it would also be a serious problem for Slovakia," he said.

After the 2015 migrant crisis, the Hungarian government had a fence built along the southern border of the country to stop the flow of refugees.
The powerful head of Algerian private media group Ennahar, Anis Rahmani, has been arrested on corruption and other charges, a security source said Thursday.

Rahmani -- who is said to be close to former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika -- "was arrested yesterday for corruption and is in police custody," the source told AFP.

The 49-year-old journalist, whose real name is Mohamed Mokadem, has been accused of offences including "breach of exchange regulations", "blackmail to gain undue advantage" and "holding foreign bank accounts", according to several Algerian private media outlets.

The Ennahar group confirmed Rahmani's arrest in a statement published on its website on Thursday but denied the charges reportedly against him.

"He was arrested by plain-clothes agents who took him to the Bab Edjedid gendarmerie squad in Algiers", the statement said. "No charge has yet been brought against Anis Rahmani, who has not appeared before the court".

On Monday, a court in the capital Algiers ordered Ennahar TV to pay a fine to the former head of the Algerian Olympic delegation to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Amar Brahmia, and his family, for "defamation".

Established in 2012, Ennahar TV broadcasts nationwide and claims to be "the first channel in Algeria".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Officials at the Oregon Department of Forestry say just seven months into the state's two-year budget cycle they've spent most of the money lawmakers approved for the entire biennium and now need an emergency cash infusion.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that agency officials say they need between $52 million to $132 million otherwise they'll have exhausted their budget by March.

The request comes as lawmakers and the governor are looking to expand the agency even further.

They're sponsoring bills that would bolster the agency's firefighting capabilities and forest restoration work - above and beyond the immediate budget requests.
When the rich and famous are ready to tie the knot, they don't often opt for a DIY ceremony. Instead, stars turn to an elite group of wedding planners to help them find the perfect venue, cover it in the most gorgeous flowers and decor, and create an event that is memorable and special.

Recently, some of the top wedding industry professionals came together for a workshop hosted by Preston Bailey, who worked on the nuptials of LeBron James and Savannah Brinson, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and has planned other events for Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Liza Minnelli, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Uma Thurman, and more. Architectural Digest was able to sit down with five of the guest speakers at the eventso before you say "I do," read their tips for the big day.

Bryan Rafanelli, Rafanelli Events

Photo: Allan Zepeda

Clients: Allison Williams and Ricky Van Veen, Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

Wedding trend he'd like to see go away: Flower walls. You shouldnt have one place in your event designated for an Instagram moment. The entire wedding itself should be an Instagram moment! Instead consider a design element that guests can see from every part of the room. Having an eye-catching element that is above shoulder level is sure to leave an impactful impression and be a conversation piece.

Biggest mistake he thinks couples make with wedding decor: Each wedding should incorporate the couples story and reflect their personalities. But if I had to choose a decor mistake, it would be integrating too much white in the color scheme. An all-white wedding can be beautiful, but including a little color can add much-needed depth. There has to be light and dark in the room, not just light.

Favorite flower of the moment: At Rafanelli we always look to use flowers that are in season. Since it is currently winter, Id have to say our favorite flower of the moment is a mimosa.

Story continues

Most over-the-top thing he's done for a couple: While organizing a wedding in Istanbul for an amazing family, we planned a series of events at historical locations around the city. Only problem was that in August the traffic in Istanbul is terrible. We had to be innovative, and instead we made the Bosporus waterway our highway. We appointed a fleet of boats to transport guests all weekend to and from each event.

Ed Libby, Ed Libby & Co. Events

Photo: Fred Marcus Photography Inc.

Clients: Carmelo and La La Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Wedding trend he'd like to see go away: Beautiful, massed pave flowers and hanging crystals have been done too frequently for far too long now.

Biggest mistake he thinks couples make with wedding decor: Not hiring a wedding planner. Often without one the couple winds up concentrating their budget in the wrong place.

Favorite flower of the moment: I'm loving ranunculus and anemones.

Favorite venue: A tent is the best wedding venue for us because it is a blank canvas.

Jennifer Zabinski, JZ Events

Photo: Holly Clark Photography Ltd.

Clients: Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian; she also planned Duchess Meghan's baby shower

Wedding trend she'd like to see go away: Hanging escort cards, simply for the reason that they take too long to distribute to guests.

Biggest mistake she thinks couples make with wedding decor: Definitely having centerpieces that are too tall or too big for the table.

Favorite flower of the moment: While not a flower, the pampas grass continues to be a favorite due to its versatile use and romantic boho-chic vibe. Orchids and peonies are timeless and always in style.

Advice for couples planning a wedding: Take your time to enjoy the engagement before jumping into wedding planning. After that, one of the most important items to cross off the list is to talk money and expectations.

Lauren Grech, LLG Events & LLG Agency

Courtesy of LLG Events

Wedding trend she'd like to see go away: Using the in-house linens from your venue. Couples should opt for custom linens that match the design of their wedding, which creates uniformity between their table decor, lighting, and floral decor. Or you can get more creative and opt for a different tabletop entirely by using mirrors or other surfaces where youll only need custom linen napkins.

Biggest mistake she thinks couples make with wedding decor: Not investing in proper lighting or custom linens. If the florals and centerpieces arent lit properly in the event space, then they will appear muted and not have as lush and voluptuous of a look.

Favorite flower of the moment: I love when you pair a fully blossomed dahlia with roses.

Most unique decor element she's created: We had a couple use real, live fish as their table centerpieces! It was so different from your traditional floral centerpieces, and can be personalized not only by the type of fish you select, but by the type of glass or container you use too. At the end of the wedding, guests were able to take the fish home as favors!

Preston Bailey

Courtesy of Preston Bailey

Clients: Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Eva Longoria and Jose Baston; decor for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian

Wedding trend he'd like to see go away: We must get rid of the concept of trendsit makes people lazy, just going with the flow of what is popular. I always push myself and my team to come up with something that has never been done or seen before.

Biggest mistake he thinks couples make with wedding decor: I think this is an industry-wide issue, that vendors will get calls from clients who want the world, and ask for all these design elements; however, they come back with an unrealistic budget. I feel horrible when I have to let a couple down and explain how their budget is simply not realistic. I try to let them down easily, and even give them my number and email and have them call me if they need any help with revisiting their vision.

Most unique decor element he's created: Dance floors made of flowers! I've seen a lot of ceiling installations and a lot of over-the-top centerpieces; however, no one has done it to the level of making a dance floor out of flowers. I think that is something very unique that we started, and hope to see more of!

Courtesy of Preston Bailey

Favorite venue: The Metropolitan Museum. For years and years they did not allow weddings there, and they just started one or two years ago. The setting is so fantastic. I've had the pleasure of designing events for the Egyptian Room. Also, a new property that is opening in New York City that I think is going to be out of this world is the new Glasshouses. This venue will be finishing in April or May. I saw the plans, and this is going to be the next "it" venue in New York.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
Strong enterprise demand for Rubriks award-winning Cloud Data Management products including ransomware recovery, hybrid multi-cloud, and automation solutions;

Company ends fiscal year with an annualized gross bookings run rate of $600 million driven by strong traction in the enterprise market; with nearly half of bookings from customers who have spent $1 million or more to date; and

Market leadership and rapid innovation continues with introduction of new solutions across continuous data protection, data classification, database automation, and cloud native backup.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubrik, the Multi-Cloud Data Control company, today announced highlights of its most recent fiscal year ended, January 31, 2020. Over 2,500 enterprises and governments around the globe now rely upon the Rubriks market-leading Cloud Data Management solution that manages, governs and orchestrates data across data centers and clouds. Rubrik eliminates the plethora of disparate tools and disjointed processes required to address IT resilience, hybrid multi-cloud, automation, and cyber-resilience.

Through fiscal year 2020, we delivered new capabilities to address the priorities of enterprise customers worldwide who are moving to cloud, driving digital transformation, and responding to new cyber threats, says Rubrik Co-Founder and CEO Bipul Sinha. We are pleased that a number of leading Fortune 100 businesses are seeing success with Rubrik.

Leading Global Enterprises Depend on Rubrik

A growing number of leading enterprises and governments choose Rubrik to manage, govern and orchestrate their data across hybrid multi-clouds. Among these customers are:

3 of 4 Fortune 100 Telecom Companies;

2 of 4 Fortune 100 Defense and Aerospace Companies;

2 of 3 Fortune 100 Specialty Retailers; and

4 of 5 Fortune 100 Insurance Companies.

For customers, Rubrik delivers measurable benefits such as improved business resilience, increased IT agility, cost savings, and accelerated recovery from modern cyber threats such as ransomware.

Meredith Corporation Achieves Digital Transformation Goals with Rubrik and AWS: One of Americas largest media companies and home of leading brands including PEOPLE, InStyle and Allrecipes, Meredith Corporation uses Rubrik to securely tier data to AWS, while providing instant data accessibility to publication editors, producers, and designers. Meredith also leverages Rubrik to simplify data protection of its AWS EC2 environment and provide full data visibility and control of its hybrid cloud to avoid costly downtime, assist with meeting stringent compliance regulations, and ultimately protect the companys bottom line.



In the media industry, downtime could mean a magazine edition doesnt go to print on time or a TV segment doesnt run. From a business perspective, we see the benefits of adopting cloud as endless. Eliminating tape, embracing Rubrik, and migrating to the cloud was a bold decision, but also the right one for Meredith. - David Coffman, Director of Enterprise Infrastructure.

Growing Ransomware Threat Driving Strong Demand

As the frequency of successful ransomware attacks such as WannaCry, NotPetya and others, continues to grow, governments and enterprises increasingly seek reliable recovery solutions.

Rubrik for Ransomware, an integrated part of Rubrik Cloud Data Management, delivers instant recovery with the Industry's only natively-immutable backups. When paired with Rubriks global search and API-driven automation, customers can quickly recover complete data centers after a ransomware attack.

Polaris Radar, Rubriks SaaS product for ransomware, adds ML-powered detection and pinpointing of ransomware attacks for faster and more accurate remediations, which in turn reduces business disruption.

Kern Medical Center Recovers From Ransomware with Rubrik: As ransomware becomes increasingly sophisticated, successful attacks are more prevalent. To respond quickly, leading companies like Kern Medical Center are adopting a holistic ransomware response strategy.



We were hit with a ransomware attack in June that infiltrated our environment and began encrypting data, rendering it unusable. The attack was discovered after an hour when users reported they couldnt access their systems. Rubrik helped us quickly recover 100% of the systems it was protecting. After the incident, we were so impressed that we moved more of our legacy systems to Rubrik and are fully confident that Rubriks immutable backups will protect us from future incidents. - Craig Witmer, CTO.

Rapid Innovation

In FY2020, Rubrik continued the rapid pace of innovation with the launch of Rubrik Andes 5.0 and 5.1, and Polaris SaaS based applications Rubrik Sonar and Rubrik for O365.

Rubrik Andes addresses the specific needs of large enterprises with benefits such as:

VMware certified Continuous Data Protection solution for near-zero RPO;

Data Classification for Data Compliance and Governance;

Database backup/recovery and cloning automation;

SaaS driven Cloud Native Application backup & recovery; and

Unprecedented performance for very large NAS environments, and integration with NetApp SnapDiff.

With new Polaris SaaS-based applications, Rubrik enables enterprises to centrally manage their cloud or on-premises data, and to utilize their data in innovative, new ways. Polaris SaaS applications introduced in FY2020 include: Polaris O365 Protection, Polaris AppFlows for DR Orchestration across clouds, and Polaris Sonar for integrated identification and reporting of sensitive or regulated data.

Enhancing the Customer Experience

To better address the requirements of enterprise customers, Rubrik introduced new consumption models that delivered flexibility and reduced risk through subscription-based licensing, software-only licensing and license transferability to Cloud. Customer demand for new subscription offerings introduced in FY2020 has grown rapidly, with subscriptions accounting for nearly half of bookings by year end.

Rubrik also continued to invest in its award-winning customer experience, achieving an industry-leading, third party certified NetPromoter Score (NPS) of 82. In addition, the company also introduced named support and professional services for the enterprise market.

New Leaders and Global Expansion

Rubrik hired several veteran industry leaders across Product, Engineering and Sales in the fiscal year. Vinod Marur joined Rubrik as SVP of Global Engineering; Chendong Zou joined as VP of Engineering, and Thomas Cornely joined as VP of Products. The Company also on-boarded Brett Shirk and Wendy Bahr as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, respectively.

Rubrik increased its commitment in the EMEA and APJ markets, recruiting new senior leadership and opening offices in Singapore and Tokyo. The company also segmented the US sales organization into Commercial, Enterprise and Public Sector teams under new leaders to better serve its broad array of customers, and opened a new office in Reston, Virginia.

Resources:

[CUSTOMER SUCCESS] Meredith Corp uses Rubrik to protect data on-prem and in AWS .

[CUSTOMER SUCCESS] Lamar Advertising relies on Rubrik to scale operations with reliable, instant data access.

[CUSTOMER SUCCESS] Kern Medical defends against ransomware and migrates to Azure with Rubrik.

[WEBINAR] Security Learnings: Preparing for and Recovering From a Data Breach

[WHITE PAPER] Ransomware Report: A Tale of Three Breaches

About Rubrik



Rubrik, the Multi-Cloud Data Control Company, enables enterprises to maximize value from data that is increasingly fragmented across data centers and clouds. Rubrik delivers a single, policy-driven platform for data recovery, governance, compliance, and cloud mobility. For more information, visit https://www.rubrik.com/ and follow @rubrikInc on Twitter.

Rubrik, the snowflake logo, Multi-Cloud Data Control, Mosaic, Polaris, and Sonar are trademarks or registered trademark of Rubrik, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. Other marks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
MWC 2020 stands cancelled. Several companies including Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, Realme and more were looking forward to announcing new products at pre-MWC events.

After more than a dozen companies pulling out of the MWC 2020, its fate was to be decided this week. The event was supposed to take place from February 24 to February 27 in Barcelona, Spain. Now, the GSM Association (GSMA) has decided not to go ahead with the event over coronavirus health concerns. Hence, MWC 2020 stands cancelled. It is an unprecedented move in the events history.

Earlier, GSMA had issued a bunch of reassuring press releases, announcing that things will proceed as planned. However, with all the cancellations, it must have realised that there probably wouldn't be much happening at MWC anyway.

The GSMA said in a statement, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event. The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.

For reference, several companies including Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, Realme and more were looking forward to announcing new products at pre-MWC events on February 22 and 23. It is still unclear what will happen to those briefings. They might take place through online video streams as Sony announced before pulling out of the event. It is being speculated there would be a cancellation or delay of these press events. Considering the current situation, these events could be smaller or more restrained.

Meanwhile, one major company has told Android Authority it will still hold its event in Barcelona, provided media will be there.
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) today announced the February 2020 cash distributions for the ETF series (ETF Series) of the PIMCO Canada mutual funds that distribute monthly (Funds). Unitholders of record of the ETF Series, at the close of business on February 21, 2020, will receive per-unit cash distribution payable on or about February 28, 2020.

Details of the per-unit cash distribution amount are as follows:

Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PMIF $ 0.05022 PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) US$ PMIF.U US$ 0.05275 PIMCO Investment Grade Credit Fund (Canada) IGCF $ 0.04866 PIMCO Global Short Maturity Fund (Canada) PMNT $ 0.06978 PIMCO Low Duration Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PLDI $ 0.04003

The Manager, PIMCO Canada administers and manages the PIMCO Canada ETFs, and retains Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC, (PIMCO), to provide sub-advisory services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. With our launch in 1971 in Newport Beach, California, PIMCO introduced investors to a total return approach to fixed income investing. In the 45+ years since, we have continued to bring innovation and expertise to our partnership with clients seeking the best investment solutions. Today we have offices across the globe and 2,150+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Funds, PIMCO Canadas and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in the ETF Series Units. Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts carefully before investing. The ETF Series Units are not guaranteed, their value may change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in the fund, please see the specific risks of mutual funds section of the prospectus. Units of ETF Series trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose. PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations Phone: +212 597.1054

Email: agnes.crane@pimco.com
"Aggressive" migration policies imposed by the United States and Mexico are trapping Central American migrants and refugees in a "vicious cycle" of violence, sexual assault, kidnappings and ill treatment from border authorities, a new report from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says.

The report, titled No Way Back, found 57.3 per cent of the 480 people interviewed had experienced some kind of violence while traveling in Mexico. Over 39 per cent were violently attacked, while more than 27 per cent were threatened or extorted.

People also described an increase in predatory violence perpetrated against them by criminal organizations operating along one route to the U.S. border.

MSF treated 41 people last September who were in the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo under the program known as "remain in Mexico," and that 18 of them, or 44 per cent, reported being kidnapped recently. Another 12 per cent were victims of attempted kidnappings, the report said.

The following month, the number of those saying they had been kidnapped increased to 75 per cent, according to the report, and some of them were forced to work for their abductors.

"Despite national and international legal obligations requiring states to protect people fleeing violence and persecution, the U.S. government has implemented a series of measures limiting access to asylum," MSF said.

The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), passed by the Trump administration in January 2019, was identified by the report as a key policy which "further jeopardizes people's health and safety." MPP forces asylum seekers to remain in Mexico to wait out their legal proceedings. Since its implementation, nearly 60,000 people have been returned to some of the most dangerous border cities in Mexico.

The White House has said the MPP provides a "safer and more orderly process" that discourages individuals from attempting illegal entry and making false claims to stay in the U.S.

Story continues

Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images

'No viable way to escape the violence'

However, the MSF report disputes this, saying recent U.S. policies and bilateral agreements reached with Mexico and other regional governments are "effectively dismantling the system to protect refugees and asylum seekers."

"What we are asking for is the suspension of these immigration policies in Mexico and the United States," Sergio Martin, the head of the Mexican branch of MSF, told reporters on Tuesday.

It was not highway checkpoints that were forcing migrants to go "sleep in the woods" and expose themselves to illness and organized crime, but "a government that is grabbing people that are vulnerable and is consciously placing them in a place that is very dangerous," Martin said.

Michael Tam, a senior attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union's Immigrants' Rights Project, said MPP is an "unprecedented and radical departure" from how the U.S. had previously handled asylum cases.

The policy had resulted in tens of thousands of people who had been sent back to Mexico waiting for months, sometimes up to a year, for their fates to be decided, Tam said.

Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images

"This is a program about deterring types of migrants who have certain skin colours from coming to the U.S. and they are doing this by making the process as difficult and as dangerous as possible so people give up."

Asylum seekers were being forced to wait in extremely dangerous parts of the U.S.-Mexico border, Tam said, describing Tamaulipas state, where large numbers of migrants are turned back, as being a "dangerous conflict zone comparable to Syria or Iraq."

A travel advisory issued by the U.S. government said organized crime activity  including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault  were common along the state's northern border.

There continued to be the need for public outcry against the program because the Trump administration "should face consequences" for the MPP, whether it was through legislation or the ballot box in November, Tam said.

Situation worsening since 2017

The report said "things have only gotten worse" since 2017 with many thousands becoming mired in a "vicious cycle" when they seek protection but are sent back to the violence and poverty that they fled back home.

Washington has also pressured Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to do more to slow the northward flow.

John Moore/Getty Images

The Mexican government says its policies aim to ensure safe, regular and orderly migration with strict respect for human rights.

However, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Wednesday that the number of migrants awaiting the outcome of their U.S. immigration cases in Mexico has fallen from 50,000 to about 2,500.

At a news conference, Ebrard said he expected the number of migrants in the "Remain in Mexico" program to remain around current levels.

Asked about the report Tuesday at a news conference in Washington, the acting commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mark Morgan, disputed the finding that 75 per cent of their patients had been kidnapped after being turned away from the southwest U.S. border.

"That's not what we're hearing and that's not what we're seeing," he said.

Morgan said the U.S. is working with the Mexican government to encourage migrants to go to shelters instead of the makeshift tent cities that have cropped up along the Mexican side of the border.

Many of MSF's patients also reported being held in "terrible conditions" while detained in the U.S., with frigid cells, the lights turned on 24 hours a day, limited limited access to health care, and no adequate food, clothing, or blankets being the norm.

While in Mexico, MSF teams visiting various detention centres found overcrowding, insufficient medical care, and a lack of adequate resources.

Teams also found migrants with infectious diseases and diarrhea, as well as victims of violence, in particular those with acute mental health needs.

Almost one in four female migrants told MSF they had experienced sexual violence on their journeys.
In a compounding pharmacy, a licensed pharmacist alters, combines or mixes APIs to create a drug that is customized to meet the needs of an individual patient.

Statistics:

The global compounding pharmacies market is estimated to account for US$ 13,304.8 Mn in terms of value by the end of 2027.

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Drivers

Lack of essential medicines for the treatment of critical diseases is expected to boost growth of the global compounding pharmacies market. For instance, according to a report of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Drug Shortages: Root Causes and Potential Solutions 2019, 56% of hospitals reported they had changed patient care or delayed therapy in light of drug shortages and 36.6% said they had rescheduled non-urgent or emergent procedures. Such scenario leads to use of readily available compounded medications, which is expected to boost growth of the U.S. compounding pharmacies market.

Request FREE Sample Report Compounding Pharmacies Market @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/3199

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Opportunities

Key players in the market can also focus on R&D of products related to geriatric and long-term care and innovative Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) applications to expand their product portfolio.

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Restraints

Use of compounded pharmacy drugs in routine surgery has reportedly led to loss of eyesight. Such side effects of compounded pharmacy drugs are expected to hinder growth of the market.

Key Takeaways:

Topical Medication segment in the global compounding pharmacies market was valued at US$ 3,335.4 Mn in 2018 and is expected to reach US$ 5,784.9 Mn by 2025 at a CAGR of 5.6 %. The growth of the segment is attributed to increasing demand for topical pain management drug products

Pain management segment in the global compounding pharmacies market was valued at US$ 4,980.2 Mn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$ 7,894.4 Mn by 2027 at a CAGR of 4.7 %. The growth of the segment is attributed to increasing incidence of chronic and acute pain

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Trends

The U.S. FDA issued a draft guidance that addresses instances in which the agency does not intend to take action for violations by pharmacists and veterinarians compounding or overseeing the compounding of animal drugs from bulk drug substances. Moreover, the companies are required to follow current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) while producing all animal drugs.

Browse Press Release: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/press-release/compounding-pharmacies-market-2593

Availability of FDA-approved drugs is expected to reduce reliability on compounded drugs, which is affecting growth of the market. For instance, in December 2019, Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. commercialized Biorphen, the first and only FDA-approved ready-to-use formulation of phenylephrine for the treatment of clinically important hypotension resulting primarily from vasodilation in the setting of anesthesia. The availability of Biorphen reduces the need for hospitals to rely on compounders to provide unapproved compounded phenylephrine.

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Regulations

In the U.S., a pharmacy can register as an outsourcing facility under the Drug Quality and Security Act (2013) Section 503B only if:

It complies with cGMP requirements

Inspected and approved by the U.S. FDA

Follows a legal reporting schedule of adverse events to the U.S. FDA

Such a facility can perform legal sterile compounding of drugs and interstate drug shipments. Moreover, the compounding pharmacies regulations in the U.S. are evolving after the formation of Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC). The PCAC advices on scientific, technical, and medical issues that are related to drug compounding under Section 503A and Section 503B of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the global compounding pharmacies market include Central Admixture Pharmacy Services, Fagron, Fresenius Kabi AG, PharMEDium Services, LLC, Institutional Pharmacy Solutions, Cantrell Drug Company, Triangle Compounding Pharmacies, and Lorraines Pharmacy.

Global Compounding Pharmacies Market: Key Developments

Key players in the market are focused on geographical expansion through M&A activities. For instance, in April 2018, Fagron acquired Humco, a developer, manufacturer and supplier of patented delivery vehicles and branded pharmaceutical products in the U.S.

Key players in the market are also focused on adopting partnership strategies to enhance their product portfolio. For instance, in July 2019, Guardian Pharmacy Services partnered with TruCare LTC Pharmacy. The partnership expands Guardians Midwest footprint and marks its first venture into Michigan.

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Segmentation:

Global Compound Pharmacies Market, By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories

Global Compound Pharmacies Market, By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric

Global Compound Pharmacies Market, By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy

Global Compound Pharmacies Market, By Region: North America: By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy By Country: U.S. Canada Latin America: By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy By Country: Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of Latin America Europe By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy By Country: Germany U.K France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy By Country: China India Japan Australia South Korea ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy By Country: GCC Israel Rest of Middle East Africa By-Products: Oral Medication Capsule Tablets Mixtures Lollipops Lozenges Topical Medication Gels Ointments Cream Lotions Mouthwashes Suppositories By Application: Medication for Adults Medication for Veterinary Medication for Children Medication for Geriatric By Therapeutic Area: Pain Management Hormone Replacement Therapy By Country: South Africa Central Africa North Africa

Company Profiles Central Admixture Pharmacy Services * Company Overview Material Portfolio Financial Performance Key Highlights Market Strategies Fagron Fresenius Kabi AG PharMEDium Services, LLC Institutional Pharmacy Solutions Cantrell Drug Company Triangle Compounding Pharmacies Lorraines Pharmacy



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HARTFORD, Conn.  Seven attorneys haggling over the estate of Fotis Dulos attended a probate court hearing Tuesday in search of what the accused killer left behind, including his motorcycle, a crepe maker and the $194,000 left in a Fidelity account.

After about 30 minutes, about all that appeared to be settled was the fate of Dulos 16-year-old cat, Madonna, who was rescued from his Jefferson Crossing home last weekend and may end up with Anna Curry  the woman who paid $147,000 to post a bond for Dulos weeks before he tried to kill himself.

Farmington Probate Judge Evelyn Daly will have to sort out the rest. And it could take some time.

Attorney Christopher J. Hug, the temporary administrator of the Dulos estate, said he needs to do an inventory of all the personal property in the home, as well as review Dulos financial accounts and also determine the status of properties and houses owned by the Fore Group Inc., Dulos luxury home building company. Several of the homes, including his home at 4 Jefferson Crossing, are currently in foreclosure. Hug said so far he has found a bank account with about $14,000 in it and a Fidelity account, which is likely an IRA not subject to probate, with about $194,000.

Unfortunately there doesnt appear to be a lot of liquid assets, Hug said.

Hug said he has already received claims for some of the personal property in the house from Curry, Rena Kyrimi, Dulos sister, and Michelle Troconis  his former girlfriend who lived with him in Farmington for nearly two years before she was arrested in connection with the May 24 disappearance of Dulos estranged wife, Jennifer Farber Dulos. Troconis is currently free on a combined $2.1 million in bonds.

Dulos, 52, died on Jan. 30 in a New York City hospital  two days after he tried to kill himself in the garage of the Jefferson Crossing home by clamping a vacuum hose to the tailpipe of his car and inhaling the carbon monoxide. A preliminary death certificate filed with the probate court indicates that the cause and manner of death are still pending.

The death certificate lists Jennifer as his surviving spouse and her whereabouts as unknown.

FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2019, file photo, Fotis Dulos, charged with murdering his estranged and missing wife, is questioned during testimony in a civil case at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn. (Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool, File)AP

Dulos was accused of killing Farber Dulos, who has not been seen since she dropped their five children off at school in New Canaan on May 24. Her body has not been found despite extensive searches. Fotis Dulos had denied any role in her disappearance. The children are now being cared for by their maternal grandmother, Gloria Farber, in New York City.

The family wants closure. I suspect that the (medical examiners) office awaits blood tests, Dulos attorney, Norm Pattis, said. I certainly hope that there is no real suspicion of foul play by a third party.

Pattis and his law partner, Kevin Smith, have filed their own petition to be administrators of Dulos estate but for now, Daly said she will keep Hug as the temporary administrator. She asked Hug to try and submit an inventory of the estate within 30 days.

You have quite a bit of work ahead of you, Daly said to Hug.

The judge said she plans to vigilantly oversee the distribution of the Dulos estate.

There will be no property sold or moved from the home, Daly said.

Among the attorneys present Tuesday was Jon L. Schoenhorn, Tronconis new defense attorney. Schoenhorn filed a motion to intervene solely to protect some of her property that was left behind when Troconis moved out.

He filed a two-page inventory of those items which include a Honda motorcycle, several pairs of skis that he said belong to her and her daughter, some furniture, a crepe maker and two artistic pictures of myself.

The battle over Dulos estate began shortly after his death when attorney Richard Weinstein, who is representing Gloria Farber, in a civil lawsuit against Dulos, asked the court to appoint a receiver to take control of the house. The Farmington police were called to the home last week when a moving van showed up and started loaded up some of the property from the house.

They were ordered to return it all. Both Kyrimi and Curry left the home and the locks were changed so no one could access the house, Weinstein said.

I cant assure you that all of the property is back in the house because I dont know for sure, Weinstein said. I moved for an emergency administrator to preserve the contents of the house that I believe belonged to the Dulos estate. Everyone in Connecticut and probably the Northeast knew that house was now an empty house.

Hug said a broken window has been fixed, the alarm is now working again and the locks have been changed so the house is secure. Hug said he also talked with the states attorney who had been prosecuting Dulos and received permission to look through documents and papers in the home.

A Police vehicle is parked near a memorial for Jennifer Dulos on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Farmington, Conn. A dispatcher from the Farmington police said officers had responded to the home of Fotis Dulos, charged with murdering his estranged and missing wife, and he was later transported to the hospital (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)AP

Hug said that the cat was rescued on Sunday after being in hiding for several days. It is now staying with a friend of Dulos.

Smith said that Madonna belonged to Dulos mother, who died when she was run over in the driveway of the Jefferson Crossing home by a car driven by the couples former nanny.

Smith said that they want to ensure that Dulos interests in his own estate are preserved  specifically so that they can pursue possible wrongful deaths claims and possibly malpractice lawsuits.

Dulos expressed wishes were to exonerate him of the charge against him, Smith said.

The state is expected to ask a judge to dismiss the criminal charges against Dulos on March 3. Pattis has talked about arguing to substitute the estate as the defendant so that the murder trial can continue and evidence can be heard.

Smith provided the court with a copy of the preliminary death certificate.

Dulos was cremated following his death. The death certificate doesnt indicate where he will be buried but sources have said his remains will be shipped back to Greece and there will be a seaside memorial ceremony before his ashes are thrown into the sea.



Dave Altimari of The Hartford Courant wrote this story.

2020 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)

Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Pakistan's self-exiled former dictator Pervez Musharraf on Thursday challenged the Supreme Court Registrar's decision of refusing to entertain his appeal against the special court sentencing him to death for high treason, according to a media report.

Musharraf filed the petition against the special court's decision despite his death penalty was quashed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on January 13, the Express Tribune reported.

The special court in Islamabad on December 17 last handed down the death penalty to the 74-year-old retired general, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing a high-profile treason case against him.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had filed the treason case against the former army chief in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.

However, last month Musharraf's trial in the high treason case was declared as "unconstitutional" by the LHC, leading to the annulment of the death sentence against the former president.

The LHC declared that the formation of the special court was "unconstitutional" and that the treason case against Musharraf was not prepared in accordance with the law.

Despite the LHC's decision, Musharraf filed a petition in the Supreme Court against his conviction by the special court, which was refused by the apex court's Registrar to be entertained, raising an objection under Supreme Court Rules 1980 that says a convict has to surrender to the authorities before filing an appeal, the paper reported.

Musharraf's appeal on Thursday mentioned that his health has declined significantly that requires specialised treatment abroad.

He also mentioned that he was given permission and approval by the court to leave the country on medical grounds, the paper reported.

Former president's attorney Salman Safdar, while filing the appeal, stated that the requirement of surrendering Musharraf is not applicable owing to his health condition.

It also mentioned that the former military dictator tried to return to Pakistan but was unable to because of his deteriorating health.

"It mentioned that Musharraf is neither a fugitive from law', nor is he a proclaimed offender' or absconder' particularly because he left Pakistan for medical treatment, with permission of the complainant," the report quoted Musharraf's petition as saying.

An attorney for the former military ruler confirmed the development, saying that his client can appeal against the Registrar office's decision within 30 days, the paper reported.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, was the first military dictator convicted for subverting the Constitution.

The former military ruler, who has been living in Dubai since March 2016, left Pakistan for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons.

According to Pakistani media reports, Musharraf suffers from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by the build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues in the body.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sajid Javid's decision to quit today is the culmination of a bitter internal battle for control with Dominic Cummings - that the Chancellor ultimately lost.

The camps in No10 and No11 have been in a barely-concealed state of war for months, with increasingly brutal briefing.

Today's ultimatum to Mr Javid to sack his closest team and accept aides answering to Mr Cummings is the culmination of a naked power grab by the maverick strategy chief.

Special advisers - known as Spads - have long acted as the voice of their ministers, representing their interests and determined to protect them and foster their careers.

But No10 is determined that the loyalty of Spads should be to Mr Johnson alone.

In addition to Mr Javid, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland was ordered to sack one of his advisers, Peter Cardwell, in order to keep his own job.

Mr Cummings has been especially furious at the Treasury over a serious of briefings and leaks he blamed on 'rogue' operatives in No11.

Flashpoints have included the Budget in March, a 'mansion tax' and Mr Javid's determination to push ahead with the HS2 rail link.

Mr Cummings is a long-term critic of the 106billion scheme, which he regards as a cash black hole.

Sajid Javid pictured at the party conference in Manchester last September with his senior advisors including Tim Sculthorpe (right)

The Prime Minister's chief aide has long been furious at the Treasury, accusing them of stalling on Boris Johnson's plans to increase spending to 'level-up' poorer parts of the UK

The Chancellor's five-strong team includes Mats Persson, a former head of the Open Europe think-tank and adviser to David Cameron - the ex-PM who once described Mr Cummings as 'career psychopath'.

Westminster's most cut-throat job: Spads are ambitious (and well paid) but their roles live and die on the fortunes of their bosses Special advisers are the well-paid right-hand men and women of Cabinet ministers. The 'Spads' are funded by the Government and are technically 'temporary civil servants', despite being party political appointees. The job is very much a staging post for young and ambitious party members, with many Spads going on to become MPs. They cover briefs including work on departmental policy as well as handling media relations - something Dominic Cummings wants to stamp out. They are well-paid, but have little job security, as their positions are tied to the fortunes of their bosses. Mr Javid's five-strong team follow him out of the No 11 door today after he resigned. Some newly appointed ministers will take on those who worked for their predecessors, but often they will have their own staff who will follow them to a new post. Last year a report revealed the number of Spads had soared to record levels. An official report revealed that in November there were 108, up from 99 the year before. They cost the taxpayer 7.1million in 2018/19, up 8 per cent on the total just a year before. The highest earner is Downing Street communications director Lee Cain, who earns between 140,000 and 145,0000 - almost as much as Boris Johnson himself. He is on the same salary as Sir Ed Lister, Number 10 chief of staff, and Munira Mirza, director of the PMs policy unit. Mr Cummings is paid almost 100,000 a year. In total, Mr Johnson has 44 special advisers - 35 of whom are paid more than 75,000. The highest paid special adviser outside Number 10 is Mats Persson, who worked for Sajid Javid and earns up to 125,000. Advertisement

Other aides include Samuel Coates, who previously worked at ConservativeHome, media adviser Tim Sculthorpe, Adam Memon and Jennifer Powell.

Their jobs are tied to that of Mr Javid - meaning all have been automatically evicted from government with their boss.

But Mr Javid clearly believed he could not carry on in his role while they were sacked - the choice that he was apparently confronted with.

It follows the unsavoury incident last year when his adviser Sonia Khan was summarily fired by Mr Cummings and frogmarched out of Downing Street for allegedly being in contact with friends of former Chancellor Philip Hammond.

The move left Mr Javid 'absolutely furious' but No10 tried to defuse the row by insisting that reports of a rift between him and Mr Johnson were 'grossly exaggerated'.

In the more than six months since Mr Johnson became PM and brought him into the heart of his machine, Mr Cummings has waged a war on the Spad system.

A visible part of this was his bizarre January job advert in which he calls for 'super-talented weirdos' to apply to work at Number 10.

Writing on his personal blog, Mr Cummings sets out plans for a Downing Street shake-up in which maths and physics PhDs would mingle with 'weirdos and misfits with odd skills' and people who 'fought their way out of appalling hell holes'.

And last week he ordered a clampdown on advisers socialising with journalists in a bid to exert message discipline over the who of Government.

Other spads were also vetoed by Mr Cummings. The hiring of Anita Boateng by Security Minister Brandon Lewis was blocked.

And Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan was told her adviser at the Department of Education, Luke Tryl, could not move with her to her new department.

The notoriously abrasive special adviser, who earlier this week appeared to suggest a team of cartoon superheroes called PJ Masks could do a better job than the then Cabinet, sometimes appears to relish confrontation, whether it is with senior politicians, civil servants or journalists.

Despite smiling broadly for the cameras as he walked into Downing Street today, Mr Javid is understood to have been furious when told that he had to sack all his aides, and accept a team being imposed on him.

He responded that would make him 'Chancellor in name only' or 'Chino' - a mocking moniker already applied to him by his enemies in Government.

Nick King, a former chief of staff to Mr Javid, said: 'I worked for Sajid for years, was his first adviser and consider him a good friend.

'He inspires loyalty and is hugely loyal in return.

'Im not at all surprised he chose to stand by his team ahead of staying in position.

'Speaks to his character.'

With new Chancellor Rishi Sunak working with a new single team of special advisors drawn from a joint No 10/11 pool, the change effectively hands Mr Cummings and the PM a controlling stake in the Treasury.

Although Mr Cummings was not in the room during fraught discussions with Mr Johnson, sources said it was 'obvious' who was behind the move.

Despite smiling broadly for the cameras as he walked into Downing Street, Mr Javid is understood to have been told that he had to sack all his aides

He has made no secret of his determination to shake things up in the corridors of power and has shown no sign of any concern about what enemies he makes along the way.

Who is Dominic Cummings? Born in Durham and educated at Oxford University, Dominic Cummings makes much of his northern roots though he is married to the daughter of an aristocrat. The 48-year-old father-of-one rose to notoriety in politics first as an adviser to Michael Gove and then as campaign director at the official Brexit referendum campaign group. Many will know him as the character played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the HBO/Channel 4 comedy-drama film Brexit, and for as his role in covering a red bus with the notorious 350 million NHS claim. Mr Cummings has been credited with creating the 'take back control' slogan and criticised over the monetary figure advertised on the side of the bus which travelled the country. He would later say the pledge, which was even dismissed by the UK's chief statistician, was 'necessary to win'. The campaign group was also fined 61,000 for breaking the rules in the build-up to the vote. Cummings is variously seen as a genius, a maverick, or a troublemaker. He was once also labelled a 'career psychopath' by former prime minister David Cameron. But Mr Cummings is not shy of firing off an insult himself. In 2017, he described David Davis, then the Brexit secretary, as 'thick as mince, lazy as a toad and vain as Narcissus'. Mr Johnson appointed Mr Cummings to his top team as senior adviser at Number 10 when he became Prime Minister in the summer of 2019. The appointment was controversial, given that he was found to be in contempt of Parliament earlier in the year for refusing to give evidence to MPs investigating misinformation. But Mr Cummings appears to enjoy controversy, deliberating cultivating a reputation as someone who does not play by the rules of conventional politics. Advertisement

But being blamed for the departure of Boris Johnson's first chancellor after less that six months in the job may come back to haunt him if Mr Javid, a rival of Mr Johnson's for the Tory leadership last year, starts to make life difficult for his boss from the Tory backbenches.

Mr Cummings and Mr Javid then clashed over infrastructure spending, especially in the North.

Last week the aide parked his tanks on the Treasury lawn by getting involved in Budget planning ahead of the fiscal showpiece on March 11.

Preparations for the major event - the first since Brexit at the end of January - are usually the sole preserve of the chancellor of the day.

But Mr Cummings was reported as trying to play a role in setting the government's direction on tax and spending - something he will find even easier after today's developments.

Sources told The Times that the PM's top aide is working 'pretty much full time' on what should be included in the Budget and what should be targeted in the government spending review.

This afternoon, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: 'This must be a historical record with the government in crisis after just over two months in power.

'Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as Chancellor.'

Mr Cummings has placed himself at the heart of the new administration and has made his presence felt in numerous areas.

But some ministers are privately upset by what they view as Mr Cumming's 'control freakery'.

He pushed for major spending announcements as soon as Mr Johnson became Prime Minister last year.

But Mr Javid ultimately won the battle over spending as Mr Johnson agreed to stick to a set of fairly tough fiscal rules.

The ongoing row between aides in Number 10 and the Treasury was last week compared to conflict in the Middle East by an anonymous Whitehall official quoted by the Financial Times.

'It's become like the Israel-Palestine crisis: no one can pin down exactly when it started but it's descended into retaliation after retaliation,' the official said.

Mr Cummings clashed with Mr Javid in August when he fired Treasury special advisor Sonia Khan (right) for allegedly misleading him over the extent of her contact with Phillip Hammond

Mr Javid headed home today after his bombshell resignation during the Cabinet reshuffle

Mr Javid's his first planned Budget in November was cancelled as the Prime Minister pursued a snap election and Mr Javid would have been preparing for the parliamentary set-piece scheduled for March 11.

The 49-year-old father-of-four- is the shortest-serving chancellor since Iain Macleod, who died shortly after taking office in 1970, according to the Institute for Government.

In public, he identifies as the son of a bus driver, whose father arrived in England from Pakistan in the 1960s with just a pound in his pocket, and to colleagues, he is The Saj.

He was a tough-talking home secretary whose hard stance on jihadi bride Shamima Begum's pleas to be allowed back in the UK boosted his popularity among some Tories, but horrified others - particularly after Ms Begum's newborn son later died in a Syrian refugee camp.

After making it to the final four in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader last year, he dropped out and subsequently endorsed Mr Johnson.

Born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol, he went to a state school and studied economics and politics at Exeter University.

He became MP for Bromsgrove in 2010, leaving behind a career in finance that put him on the trajectory to Number 11.
New Yorks crackdown on fare evasion that began last September has led to a state attorney general investigation into racial profiling claims, and protests that left $100,000 in vandalism damages last week.

The backlash came after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced in September an additional 500 police officers would begin patrolling the subway at a cost of $249 million (U.S.) over four years.

What we had that day was a lot of cases of vandalism which unfortunately took a lot of our team, took a lot of our focus away from our normal repairs and improvements that we could have been making for customers, MTA senior vice president for subways Sally Librera told The Associated Press.

The fare evasion tactics employed by transit officials in New York City echo those planned in Toronto.

In a report released last week, the TTC called for a reset of social norms to disrupt negative customer behaviour it says poses a risk to the agencys financial well-being. They estimate up to $73.5 million was lost to fare evasion in the last year, with almost six per cent of all riders not paying.

The TTC says it plans to employ 111 inspectors and 72 special constables to patrol the system and catch evaders. TTC CEO Rick Leary also said the increased use of plainclothes officers will help combat riders use of social media to avoid inspection.

It wasnt too long before TTC commuters started noticing posters on the subway imitating the way riders justify evasion with phrases like Forgot to tap or its No big deal with a warning that violators will be caught and face a criminal charge.

Some commuters havent taken well to the campaign. Even before the TTC report last week, posters were put up around stations and bus stops reading Power to the fare evaders!, encouraging riders to skip the line in the name of free transit.

It made me angry because some people dont have $3.25 to (pay their fare) but they have work, school and the rest of their lives to get to, said commuter Alynah Flack, who added budgeting for transit in a city as expensive as Toronto is already difficult.

People shouldnt have to think am I gonna get to work today or get hit with a ($425) fine.

In New York, data released by its police department found Black and Hispanic people accounted for nearly 90 per cent of all fare-related arrests and nearly 70 per cent of summonses between October 2017 and June 2019. New York state attorney general Letitia James has since launched an investigation into the NYPDs fare-enforcement practices.

Danny Pearlstein, with the transit advocacy group Riders Alliance in New York, says there are more effective ways to address fare evasion that dont incur the same sorts of costs that come with policing commuters.

Increased police presence in the subway has caused other problems, Pearlstein told the Star. Police have cracked down on food vendors in the subway, many of whom are immigrants and people of colour, police have also gotten into altercations with teenagers.

Fare evasion is in most respects a crime of poverty, it shouldnt be criminalized.

Just last month, the Department of Social Services opened a new program that allows New Yorkers below the poverty line to pay a reduced fare of 50 per cent.

While the City of Toronto does offer a reduced fare program, it provides a $20 reduction in the cost of a monthly fare, and is only available for those supported by the Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works assistance or a Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy.

In its 2020 budget, the city said it hopes to extend the program.

The citys plan proposed to offer the discounted transit fares to anyone whos income falls within the low income cutoff plus 15 per cent, said transit advocate Steve Munro.

Making sure adults can no longer access child passes to defraud the system will also lead to a major reduction in evasion. But some evasion will have to be accepted.

They have to be realistic about how much theyll be able to shake out of the tree, he said. There needs to be some realism at the TTC, theyre not going to make back the $73.5 million that they think theyre losing.

Flack works as a barista and said she can commute home when she gets enough tips, but other days she has to resort to walking home  a privilege she knows others may not have.

It doesnt sit well with me because you never know what someones reason for fare evading was, said Flack, who described the campaign as a form of classism.

Its causing more resistance.

With files from Raneem Alozzi and The Associated Press
When the hosts asked about his poor performance in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, Biden tried to refocus on his potential appeal in the next two states, Nevada and South Carolina, which have far more diverse electorates. He did not say whether he thought Democrats should alter the nominating contest to give more preference to states with bigger minority populations.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac on Wednesday refuted the Oppositions allegation that the state budget did not have any major projects for the capital district. During his reply to the budget discussion that concluded on Wednesday, Issac said Rs 2,000 crore is being spent for improving traffic network in the capital. This includes Smart City Transport Network at a cost of Rs 864 crore, Rs 770-crore worth of KIIFB projects, Rs 120 crore of PWD works and Rs 131 crore for improving parking facility.

Isaac hit back at Thiruvananthapuram MLA V S Sivakumar who complained of neglect towards the capital. The Finance Minister said Rs 1,500-crore worth of development works are being carried out in Sivakumars constituency alone.

Isaac said Rs 635 crore is being spent for drinking water projects in the capital district. In addition, Rs 525 crore, including Rs 225 crore under the Centres Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) project, is being spent for sewage-related projects.

The LDF government has allocated Rs 824 crore for education-related projects in the district. These includes Rs 700 crore allocation to Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. An additional Rs 100 crore would be sanctioned to Kerala University via KIIFB.

According to Isaac, the other major allocations for the capital under various heads are: IT and industrial parks - Rs 534 crore; Culture - Rs 155 crore and Tourism - Rs 180 crore.

What minister says

Rs 2,000 crore is being spent for improving traffic network in the capital. This includes Smart City Transport Network at a cost of Rs 864 crore
Concerning Jere Grimms letter about Republicans leaving the Legislature last session (Oregon Republicans send wrong message, Feb 5): When you are outnumbered by bullies, sometimes the best thing to do is leave. I so admire those Republicans who left.

Ann Hubbard, Portland
Drug Discovery Informatics Market Analysis from 2020 To 2026 is latest report on Global Drug Discovery Informatics Market, published by Fortune Business Insights. The Global Drug Discovery Informatics Market analyzed by Service Type (In-house, Outsourced), By Modality (Cloud-based Systems, In-campus Platform), By Application (Data Sequencing, Molecular Docking, Identification and Validation Informatics, Target Data Analysis, Others), By End User (Pharmaceutical Companies, Contract Research Organizations, Biotechnology Companies, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026.

Major Drug Discovery Informatics Market Companies Market Analysis covered in the report include PerkinElmer, Charles River, Infosys Limited, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Accenture, Amazon Web Services, Schrodinger LLC., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Accenture, CORE INFORMATICS, Informatics Matters Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services Limited.

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Global Drug Discovery Informatics Market Highlights:

Drug Discovery Informatics Market size is expected to rise at highest growth rate and will reach remarkable market value during forecast period of 2020 to 2026. Market for Drug Discovery Informatics Market is boosted by factors such as Increasing Adoption of Data-Driven Technologies and Rising Shift from Conventional Methods by Pharmaceutical Companies. Real-time insights with the help of drug discovery informatics is a key factor driving the global drug discovery informatics market.

The rising shift of healthcare organizations towards data-driven technologies is expected to aid growth of the global drug discovery informatics market. As per the report, the increasing advancements in the drug discovery informatics by key players to maintain scientific research workflows and to offer an efficient platform to access desirable data is expected to boost the drug discovery informatics market revenue during the forecast period. For instance, Accenture, one of the giants in the software industry, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Merck & Co., Inc., announced the launch of new cloud-based drug discovery informatics platform to improve productivity and efficiency in drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry.

Regional Analysis:

Geographically the global market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa.

North America dominated the drug discovery informatics market in 2018 and is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period owing to the rising emphasis by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the utilization of data-driven solutions. Furthermore, the presence of key players in the region will also enable growth in North America.

Europe and the Asia Pacific are expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for advanced solutions with data visualization, data analytics, integrated workflows and better user interface. The Middle East & Africa is expected to register on a considerable rate in the global drug discovery informatics market owing to comparatively lower research and development expenditure. In addition, lack of infrastructure in the Middle East & Africa will further restrict the growth of the drug discovery informatics market in the region.

Drug Discovery Informatics Market Growth Factors:

Launch of Version 10 Of D360m by Certara Will Enable Growth. Certara, the global leader in model-informed drug development and regulatory science, announced the launch of version 10 of D360, a data informatics platform for discovery scientists. D360 self-service data access, integration and visualization solution will be used for query diverse cheminformatics and bioinformatics data sources to make informed go/no go research decisions. The launch of D360 is expected to accelerate the growth of the global drug discovery informatics market owing to its technology which enables researchers to cut dramatically the time required to access and analyze data and gain new insights.

Furthermore, the rising shift from conventional methods to data-driven technologies by pharmaceutical companies is expected to enable the growth of the global drug discovery informatics market. In addition, benefits provided by drug delivery informatics solutions such as data organization, improved recording & retrieval of the drug discovery process and real-time insights, which helps in the decision-making process. This factor is expected to fuel demand for drug discovery informatics, which, in, turn will propel growth of the global drug discovery informatics market.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

What is the market size and growth rate of the global and regional market by various segments?

What is the market size and growth rate of the market for selective countries?

Which region or sub-segment is expected to drive the market in the forecast period?

What Factors are estimated to drive and restrain the market growth?

What are the key technological and market trends shaping the market?

What are the key opportunities in the market?

What are the key companies operating in the market?

Which company accounted for the highest market share?

Why Choose Fortune Business Insights?

Table Of Content:

Introduction

1.1. Research Scope

1.2. Market Segmentation

1.3. Research Methodology

1.4. Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary Market Dynamics

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

Key Insights

Continued

More HealthCare related news at:

Regenerative Medicine Market Forecast Report 2026 | Global Market Size, Growth, Trends, Analysis, Insights and Forecast

Electrophysiology Devices Market Report 2026 | Global Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis, Insights and Forecast

Connected Drug Delivery Devices Market 2026 | Global Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth drivers, Opportunities, Challenges, Analysis, Insights and Forecast

Cardiovascular Drugs Market to Exhibit a CAGR of 3.8% | Leading Players: Pfizer Inc, Bayer AG, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Novartis AG, Merck & Co, Inc & more.

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Israeli and a US flag are burned during protest over the killings of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an American airstrike: AFP via Getty Images

The Senate, including a handful of Republicans, have defied Donald Trump by approving a measure to limit his war powers on Iran  but the president is poised to ensure it never becomes law.

A group of moderate and libertarian-minded GOP senators  Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Todd Young of Indiana, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Jerry Moran of Kansas  ignored the president's call for the measure to be scuttled. It amounted to a rare rebuke from some members of Mr Trump's own party as members of both parties were worried either about his order to kill a top Iranian general or that his office has become too powerful.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Thursday that she believes there would be ample votes in the lower chamber to pass the bill.

But despite the measure likely being headed to Mr Trump's desk, the president and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have kept enough GOP senators in line to have the votes necessary to block a veto-override vote, which would require a two-thirds majority in the upper chamber.

To understand why Mr Trump is set to kill the Senator Tim Kaine-crafted measure, consider these three reasons.

All presidents do it

Then-Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama resisted efforts by both chambers over the years to make changes to military force authorization measures that gave Congress' blessing for America's post-9/11 military operations and the former's Iraq conflict.

Why?

In short, no president  Republican or Democratic  wants to hand power over to Congress. Doing so raises the possibility they might be blamed if they were unable to eliminate a threat that harmed Americans or the country's interests.

"It is inevitable that Trump will veto the Kaine bill if it gets to his desk. A veto would not be surprising. Virtually every president has resisted having their decisions on the use of force constrained by the Congress," said Gordon Adams, a senior national security official in the Clinton White House.

Story continues

Mr Trump's most recent predecessor, Barack Obama, often signalled a willingness to work with Congress to update the post-9/11 measure and possibly terminate the pre-Iraq war one, but his team and lawmakers were unable to agree on simple definitions and timelines. Each effort slowly died.

The Trump factor

Since being acquitted in the Senate, Mr Trump has fired two administration officials who offered damning testimony in the House impeachment inquiry and appeared to intervene in a Justice Department sentencing recommendation for his longtime friend Roger Stone.

Several Republican senators who opined after voting to clear him on two impeachment articles that he had learned his "lesson" this week have said they have their doubts he did so. Democrats have called for new investigations and warned Mr Trump was emboldened by most GOP senators' votes to acquit him.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom Mr Trump defeated in 2016 when she was the Democratic presidential nominee, went so far as to tweet that he is acting like a "tyrant" since the Senate's vote.

"This president wants to be less constrained than any previous one," Mr Adams said.

The 45th commander in chief contended in a Wednesday afternoon tweet that his foreign policy objectives would be undermined by the Kaine measure.

"We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani...." Mr Trump tweeted ahead of a procedural vote on the measure, referring to Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force he ordered killed earlier this year. (The Trump administration has deemed the IRG a terrorist organisation, which was part of their argument he has ample legal authorities to order such strikes -- echoing the Bush 43 and Obama administrations.)

"...If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day," Mr Trump wrote in a second tweet. "Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don't let it happen!"

Blame game

Lawmakers would have another move after an expected veto: Both chambers could vote to override it.

But that would mean, if Mr Trump or a future president wanted to launch military operations on Iran, they would have to first approve. And that would give them ownership.

"Presidents are happy to get congressional support for uses for force. They ... don't like to ask for permission and are generally unwilling to withdraw forces at the request of Congress," Mr Adams said.

"Congress, because it does not want to be responsible for 'losing wars' declines to test its existing powers under that Act," he added. "A Trump veto would be consistent with that nearly 50-year old tension between the two branches."

Read more

Trump fights back against senators trying to limit his powers on Iran

Makers of US flags burned in Iran dream of friendlier relations

Irans intervention over Iraqs government is a recipe for unrest

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Friends of the man brutally murdered by his ex-girlfriend Jodi Arias say they warned him she was obsessed with him and feared they would find him 'chopped up in her freezer'.

Arias, now 37, has been in prison for 12 years serving a life sentence after she was convicted of murdering 29-year-old Travis Alexander in his Arizona home back in 2008 following a toxic relationship.

Alexander, who was a motivational speaker and devout Mormon, was found dead by his friends with a gunshot wound to the face, a slit throat and almost 30 stab wounds across his body.

Salacious and violent details about Arias and Alexander's five-month relationship later emerged during her murder trial, including how she was possessive and that they had been having premarital sex, which is forbidden in the Mormon faith.

Jodi Arias, now 37, has been in prison for 12 years serving a life sentence after she was convicted of murdering 29-year-old Travis Alexander in his Arizona home back in 2008 following a toxic relationship. She is pictured in 2015 in court

Salacious and violent details about Arias and Alexander's five-month relationship later emerged during her murder trial, including how she was possessive and that they had been having premarital sex

His friends have since spoken out in interviews with ABC's 20/20 about Arias and Alexander's potent relationship and how they warned him that his ex-girlfriend was dangerous.

They described their initial connection as instant but say they quickly started noticing red flags in regards to Arias, who was a blonde, aspiring photographer at the time, including how she was infatuated and possessive of him.

Alexander's friends say they grew concerned for his safety when his five-month relationship with Arias grew increasingly toxic and volatile.

'I started seeing things that were just disturbing,' Sky Lovingier Hughes said.

'I said, 'Travis, I'm afraid we're gonna find you chopped up in her freezer'. From very early on, she was completely obsessed with him.'

They noticed that Arias would stand outside the bathroom door while Alexander was inside, she would eavesdrop on his conversations and go through his cellphone, emails and social media.

Arias would also forward herself emails that Alexander had exchanged with other women, according his friends.

Sky Lovingier Hughes (above) is one of his friends who have since spoken out in interviews with ABC's 20/20 about Arias and Alexander's potent relationship and how they warned him that his ex-girlfriend was dangerous

Alexander's friends say they grew concerned for his safety when his five-month relationship with Arias grew increasingly toxic and volatile. They eventually sat Alexander down and warned him they thought Arias was dangerous

Lovingier Hughes and her then-husband, Chris Hughes, said they eventually sat Alexander down and warned him they thought Arias was dangerous.

'All of a sudden I got this cold feeling over me and I knew she was outside our door... I mouthed to them and pointed at the door and I said, 'She's out there,'' Lovingier Hughes said.

Alexander, who had rebuffed their concerns, opened the door suddenly and was confronted by Arias.

His friends said the look in her eyes was 'evil'.

'There was a rage in her eyes... Sky and I are very frightened at this point. She might burn down our house, you know, with all of us in it,' Hughes said.

Alexander ended his relationship with Arias after five months but friends say she then moved to Arizona and would show up at his home announced.

He was pursuing relationships with other women but his friends didn't know that he was still texting Arias and having phone sex with her.

In 2008, he was meant to go to Mexico with the Hughes and a Mormon woman that he was seeing at the time.

After his friends hadn't heard from him in five days, they went to his home and discovered his body.

The trial turned into a media circus as salacious and violent details about Arias and Alexander's relationship, as well as images of the violent crime scene, were broadcast live around the world

Alexander, who was a motivational speaker and devout Mormon, was found dead by his friends with a gunshot wound to the face, a slit throat and almost 30 stab wounds across his body

Arias was accused of violently attacking Alexander in a jealous rage after he planned the Mexico trip with the other woman.

After the murder, Arias fled and drove to Utah to meet up with another romantic interest before being arrested weeks later.

She initially denied any involvement in the brutal murder but later claimed she killed him in self defense after he attacked her.

In a police interrogation interview, Arias denied killing Alexander and said she was on a road trip in Utah at the time.

Arias had actively courted the spotlight since her 2008 arrest

'There's no reason for it,' she said. 'There's no reason why. There's no reason I would ever want to hurt him.'

In that same interrogation, Arias was captured on camera doing yoga and handstands when she was left alone in the room.

Police then presented her with evidence that showed she had been inside Alexander's home the day he was murdered.

A camera found in Alexander's washing machine contained deleted photos of her naked in his bed. Police also uncovered photos that were accidentally taken showing Alexander's naked body in the shower after he was attacked.

When Arias realized police were going to show her the photos, she said: 'I am not a murderer, but if I was, I would wear gloves or try to wash him off or something.'

Arias had actively courted the spotlight since her 2008 arrest with multiple television interviews.

During the TV interviews she told a bizarre story of masked intruders breaking into the home and killing Alexander while she cowered in fear.

She was also on the witness stand for several weeks during her 2013 trial.

The trial turned into a media circus as salacious and violent details about Arias and Alexander's relationship, as well as images of the violent crime scene, were broadcast live around the world.

She did TV interviews after her arrest and was on the witness stand for several weeks during her 2013 trial

Footage from a police interview emerged that showed Arias initially claiming she wasn't not behind the brutal murder. She was later spotted in the interview room bizarrely doing backbends, singing and handstands

The guilt phase of Arias trial ended in 2013 with jurors convicting her but deadlocking on punishment. A second sentencing trial ended in early 2015 with another jury deadlock, leading a judge to sentence Arias to prison for life.

The friends have spoken out as Arias is trying to appeal her murder conviction, arguing she wasn't given the right to a fair trial because of a prosecutor's misconduct and a judge's failure to control news coverage during the salacious case.

Arias' lawyers said prosecutor Juan Martinez improperly questioned witnesses, courted journalists and disregarded court rulings by repeating questions after the judge had overruled them.

They also said Judge Sherry Stephens let news organizations turn the trial into a 'circus-like atmosphere' and was slow to restrict journalists even when they broke the court's media-coverage rules.

Terry Crist, an attorney for the Arizona Attorney General's Office, has said in court records that the publicity didn't cause any prejudice against Arias but acknowledged instances in which Martinez was argumentative with Arias and a psychotherapist who testified on her behalf.

Crist has said when issues of publicity popped up during the trial, jurors repeatedly said they hadn't seen news coverage of the case and could remain fair and impartial.

Crist has said Arias generated publicity by giving TV interviews before the trial and spoke on camera to a reporter on the day of her guilty verdict, even though her attorneys didn't want her to do so.

A lawyer defending the conviction on behalf of the state said overwhelming evidence of Arias' guilt should outweigh mistakes that were made by the prosecutor who won the case.
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Linkedin Belseran Christ (The Jakarta Post) Ambon  Thu, February 13, 2020 19:13 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20645ec03 1 National Maluku,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-Indonesia-zero-case,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,Malaysia,quarantine,virus,outbreak Free

A 19-year-old university student from Sifnana village, Tanimbar Islands regency, Maluku, has been quarantined after showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus.

The student, identified only as BN, arrived in Ambon on Feb. 7, in poor health following a visit to Malaysia, which has had 19 confirmed coronavirus cases. He has been treated at the Magretty Saumlaki public hospital in the Tanimbar Islands since Wednesday.

As of now, [BN] is a suspected coronavirus patient, Tanimbar Islands Health Agency head Edwin Tomasoa said on Thursday.

He added that while awaiting the test results from a laboratory in Surabaya, East Java, the patient would be quarantined in the hospitals isolation room for the next 14 days. The patient will only be allowed to leave the facility if the test comes back negative.

Read also: Coronavirus scare triggers stigma against students, Chinese Indonesians

Magretty Saumlaki public hospital director Fulfully Ch. Nuniary explained that the physical examination showed that the patient was in a stable condition and had not exhibited further symptoms.

Nuniary said that BN had complained of having difficulty breathing but that those symptoms had since subsided.

She added that when the patient was asked about his medical history, he mostly complained about back pain.

Tomorrow we will ask for [medical] equipment from Ambon to deliver sputum samples to Surabaya. We will wait for the laboratory results, she said. I ask residents not to worry, but remain alert, because right now this is still only a suspected [case].

As of Thursday, there were no confirmed coronavirus cases in Indonesia. (ydp)
In brief: It appears that Facebook will have to postpone the European launch of its dating service. Facebook Dating was set to go live in the EU on Thursday, the day before Valentines's Day. However, regulators in Ireland showed it no love by pointing out that it had not filed the proper paperwork in time.

Ireland's Data Protection Commission (IDPC) threw a wrench in the social media giant's plans to import its Facebook Dating service to the European Union. The Wall Street Journal notes, the commission claims that it did not receive a data processing impact assessment (DPIA) until yesterday. A DPIA is required under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

After inspectors from the IDPC visited Facebook's Dublin-based European headquarters last week, the company decided to put its plans on hold indefinitely. It notified Irish officials on Wednesday of the cancellation of the rollout. In a statement, Facebook said it wanted to be sure it was in compliance with the GDPR.

"We are taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market. We have worked carefully to create strong privacy safeguards, and have shared this information with the IDPC ahead of the European rollout."

The spokesperson also said the company had completed and submitted the DPIA. According to IDPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle, this paperwork was requested last week. Facebook turned in the assessment only a day before the intended launch, which is not enough time for review.

"We were very concerned that this was the first that we'd heard from Facebook Ireland about this new feature, considering that it was their intention to roll it out tomorrow, February 13th," said Doyle.

Facebook initially announced plans for the dating service at its 2018 F8 developer conference. It launched last year in the US. People have also been finding love online in 19 other countries, including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and others.

Masthead credit: Wachiwit via Shutterstock
Since the unveiling of the Trump administrations Peace to Prosperity plan last month and the lukewarm response it has received in the region, Israeli reports suggest Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is trying to broker a summit in Cairo with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before the March 2 Israeli elections. Never mind that the Palestinians and Jordanians would not be participating, or that both have already rejected the Trump plan. Such high-profile meetings, which in any case appear unlikely, could serve as a message that Israel is accepted in the region, and that those opposing the Trump plan are simply not adjusting to new realities.

The US administration often refers to the need for new thinking on this conflict and views the willingness of Gulf Arab states to engage Israel because of common concerns over Iran as a prime example of new regional realities. But in reality the plan recycles old ideas for new purposes, and its logic may be fundamentally flawed if the goal is peace.

The Trump plan trumpets integrating Israel into the region, promising economic windfalls with growth and prosperity for all. Yet such visions for a "new Middle East" are not new. Israels Shimon Peres, as foreign minister and then prime minister, promoted such ideas in the 1990s. The Madrid peace process launched by the George H.W. Bush administration created a multilateral peace process to foster cooperation between Israel and its Arab neighbors. In those days, the idea of creating a regional peace process  addressing common challenges such as water, the environment, economic development and the arms race  was to incentivize Israeli compromise by demonstrating the potential benefits from its acceptance in the region. The logic was obvious: If Israel would be accepted as a "normal" player in the region, it would gain the confidence to make the hard calls for peace with the Palestinians.

In contrast, Trumps plan to encourage Arab engagement with Israel, actively promoted by Netanyahu and Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, has little to do with peace. The effort to reach out to the Arab Gulf States has much more to do with consolidating a pro-US alliance between Israel and what Israelis like to call their "moderate Sunni neighbors" to confront Iran. The plan explicitly acknowledges this, arguing that the threats posed by Irans radical regime has led to a new reality where the State of Israel and its Arab neighbors now share increasingly similar perceptions of the threats to their security. Building on these shared threat perceptions, the plan suggests that integrating Israel into the region will allow it to assist across a wide range of economic challenges as well as counter the threats of Iran.

These observations may be accurate, if not terribly nuanced. But gone are the linkages between Israels acceptance in the region and peace with the Palestinians. According to the plans architects, Israels integration in the region is primarily about confronting Iran.

Indeed, administration officials regularly tout Gulf Arab engagement with Israel to demonstrate this point. The Bahrain summit in June, which unveiled the economic components of the plan, and a workshop in Bahrain on maritime security in October, were primarily crafted to showcase Israels acceptance into the region because of common concerns over Iran. Yet higher-level delegations led by Israeli ministers visited countries such as Bahrain back in the mid-1990s when there was a viable peace process in place. Now every new Israeli meet-up with an Arab counterpart, whether at business conferences in the Gulf or at synagogues in the United States, is celebrated as a revolutionary breakthrough demonstrating the regions new strategic landscape.

The plans proponents showcase such interactions not because they further peace, but because they demonstrate acceptance of Israel is evolving even without peace. They serve as a reminder, and as a furtherance, of Palestinian irrelevance in a region consumed with other priorities.

According to this narrative, Israel can normalize its relations in the region even without making concessions to the Palestinians, because Israel is strong and the Palestinians are weak, and because Gulf Arab states have too many overlapping strategic interests with Israel to demand more for Palestine.

But for all the plans assertions about recognizing regional realities, its assumptions display a fundamental lack of understanding of how the Middle East really works.

The most obvious problem with the administrations bet is that Israel can only go so far in normalizing ties with its neighbors without an agreed-upon resolution to their conflict with the Palestinians. The rejection of this plan by the Palestinians, with its unequivocally favorable terms for Israel  on borders, on settlements, on Jerusalem  was inevitable. The fact that several Gulf Arab ambassadors (from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman) attended the rollout ceremony in the White House with the president standing next to the Israeli prime minister without any Palestinian in the room, not to mention other Arab representation from key neighboring states such as Egypt and Jordan, led to speculation that the Arab states might accept this plan as at least a framework for negotiations.

But once the contents of the plan were revealed, even these Arab ambassadors claimed they had been misled, and the formal rejections of the plan began in the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Jordan is firmly opposed to a plan that accepts Israeli sovereignty over the entire Jordan Valley. For many months Jordan has expressed concern about the contours of the plan given the infeasibility of the state proposed for the Palestinians and fears that potential Israeli annexation of large parts of the West Bank could lead to an option favored in some right-wing Israeli circles that "Jordan is Palestine"  and thus the Palestinians dont need a state in the West Bank and Gaza.

Such Arab opposition may grow and constrain Israels normalization in the region. To be sure, quiet talks behind closed doors and occasionally even in the open at summits designed to gain favor with the US administration are likely to continue even without a peace agreement because of common alignment on Iran and shared interests in areas such as water and technology, particularly between Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbors. Some of this cooperation is beneficial for the future growth of the region, though other aspects are not, such as the popularity of surveillance technology from Israeli firms such as the NSO Group in the Arab Gulf. But full integration of Israel is nonetheless unlikely because people in the region still care about the Palestinian cause even if their leaders dont.

There are other problems. For instance, even if Arab Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, or North African governments such as Morocco, were to recognize Israel and normalize relations, that would not bring real peace to the region without resolving the Palestinian conflict  or, indeed, without ultimately finding some accommodation between Israel and Iran. Israel has few security concerns with Arab Gulf states  they are not Israels enemy today. As Israelis Yitzhak Rabin famously said, countries make peace with their enemies, not their friends.

Israel ultimately inhabits the same piece of land as the Palestinian people  acceptance of Israel from the broader Arab world will not resolve the dilemma of how Israelis and the Palestinians can agree to live on this land together. A viable plan for the future, a plan that is about real peace and not a one-sided political gambit, must recognize these realities, not just the momentary alliances that allow Israel to avoid the hard choices.
Srinagar, Feb 13 : The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will pay homage on Friday here by dedicating a martyr's column to the memory of the jawans who were martyred in a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district last year.

In the terror attack, 40 CRPF men were killed after a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber attacked their convoy in Pulwama on February 14 2019.

CRPF's Special Director General Zulfikhar Hassan, Inspector General Kashmir zone Rajesh Kumar, and senior officers and other force personnel will pay homage to the fallen jawans at the CRPF training centre, Letpora in Pulwama.

A martyr's column dedicated to the memory of the jawans who laid down their lives in the line of duty will be inaugurated at the solemn function.

"It is going to be a solemn ceremony, a martyr column will be inaugurated with the names of the CRPF jawans who died in the Pulwama attack inscripted on it, a blood donation camp will be also be held at Letpora," Zulfikhar Hassan told IANS.

He said the families of the jawans have not been invited.

"It is understood that there will be private ceremonies at their homes ," Hassan said.
There is nothing more powerful than an idea. That is why governments insist on controlling who can have them. Freedom of speech is both an idea and an idea-generator. That is why governments work so hard to control who can be heard.

In the early hours of February 7, the Wuhan Central Hospital released a short statement online that Dr. Li Wenliang was in critical condition. Within a half hour, over a half-million Chinese had replied to the hospital's social media account with anguish. "We are not going to bed," wrote one. "We are here waiting for a miracle." When he succumbed to his illness a short time later, the reaction was immediate and immense. Within hours, Dr. Li's death became the most read and discussed story in China, with over 1.5 billion views alone on Weibo, the heavily monitored and censored Chinese social media platform. A highly liked post mourned his passing: "Light a candle and pay tribute to the hero. You were the beam of light in the night."

How did a thirty-four-year-old ophthalmologist who was unknown outside his hospital before January become one of the most important public figures in China and a national hero whose death is grieved across his country? In a closed socialist dictatorship, Dr. Li was "willing to speak the truth." At the end of December, he sounded the alarm over the emerging coronavirus pandemic by revealing on social media that his hospital was battling an acute respiratory illness that seemed similar to SARS in lethality. By January 3, the Wuhan police bureau summoned Dr. Li in the middle of the night and threatened him with criminal charges for "severely disrupting social order," demanding that he sign a statement promising his future compliance with politically correct thought. On January 12, he felt unwell and was taken to an isolation ward. On February 1, he tested positive for the new coronavirus. Within the week, he was gone.

Whether he meant to take up the mantle or not, his name is now a rallying cry for freedom in his country. In those final hours before his passing, "We Want Free Speech" trended at the top of Weibo. Proving the truth of the Chinese people's demand, the communist government censored the "We Want Free Speech" hashtag from all social media platforms by the time Dr. Li took his final breaths. In response, social media users began to post links to the song "Do You Hear the People Sing" from Les Miserables, an anthem against tyranny commonly sung by freedom-fighters in Hong Kong. They also turned the Chinese national anthem against the Communist Party by successfully pushing its first line to trend across social media: "Arise! All those who don't want to be slaves!"

There is a lesson here for the West, if we only have the wisdom to see it. While international governments and multinational corporations continue to seek more effective ways of controlling the people they wish to rule, they are missing a profound development in the world. The devastation of WWII so shocked the survivors that we have been building international networks imposing order ever since. After seventy-five years of creating powerful acronyms to control our lives, however, people are finally asking whether trading freedom for peace betrayed both. Dr. Li's tragic death is a reminder both that the desire for human freedom is universal and that Western governments ignore its importance to their own future detriment.

The powerful establishment in the United States refuses to understand why Americans voted for Donald Trump. The powerful establishment in the United Kingdom refuses to understand why Britains voted for Brexit. The European Union refuses to understand why Poland and Hungary wish to protect their own cultures from mass immigration. While the U.S. and U.K. and E.U. all work to curb speech by making more and more things illegal to say out loud, halfway around the world, Chinese nationals are fighting daily for the very freedom the West so cavalierly diminishes. What the protesters in Hong Kong and the mourners throughout China know is that there can be no freedom without the ability to stand up and express the thoughts their government denies them having. The more that any government demands that some idea must not be spoken, the more imperative it is that what is trapped inside the mind be released. And any Western government that wraps itself in the tradition of freedom but forbids its citizens from expressing their thoughts is neither free nor permanent.

While we forget how difficult the struggle for freedom is, the Chinese mourning Dr. Li and the Hong Kong freedom-fighters surely do not. And while Western governments emulate the Chinese communists by erecting new barriers to free speech, it is becoming clearer and clearer that the world is divided not between despots and free republics, but rather by those who would subsume the individual to the collective aims of the State and those who understand that individual freedom is the only guarantor of legitimate power.

Dr. Li may have changed the course of this emerging coronavirus pandemic by bringing the world's attention to it before it was too late. Only time will tell. But he certainly has helped spread a growing awareness among his countrymen that they are not free just because Xi Jinping says it is so. Likewise, in the West, his fearlessness in the face of governmental force should be one more reminder to those who insist on controlling how we think that they will not be in control forever.

Days before his death, Dr. Li took a selfie wearing an oxygen respirator and holding up his Chinese identification card in order to prevent the Chinese government from engaging in further propaganda and disinformation regarding his condition. In a final interview, he said, "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." How true. May we be wise enough to listen.

Image:  via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).
NORWALK  A proposed ordinance change would charge beach parking fees to city residents whose cars are not registered here.

The city began using a license plate reader last summer to enforce parking at the beach. This was a shift from the previous system, which required paper passes for residents visiting the beach, and increased revenue by $13,000, according to the city.

However, these resident passes were granted to anyone living in Norwalk, regardless of whether their car was registered in the city or if they were paying motor vehicle taxes.

Last year, one of the concerns we heard from a lot of residents were (about) out-of-state vehicles parked in residential parking lots, Director of Recreation and Parks Nick Roberts said. We had to explain to a lot of folks just because you have an out-of-state plate doesnt mean youre not a resident. It was the way the ordinance was written.

The Recreation and Parks Committee of the Common Council advanced the new proposal, which would create a tiered system to pay for beach parking. Norwalk residents with a vehicle registered in the city and who are up-to-date on motor vehicle taxes will receive free parking at local beaches. The license plate readers will store this information so those whose vehicles are registered in Norwalk will not be flagged for parking violations when at the beach.

The exception is for those who registered their car after Oct. 1, which is when the city receives its grand list from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Anyone whose car was registered in Norwalk after this day needs to bring the cars registration and proof of the owners Norwalk address to the citys tax office for the vehicle to be added to the system.

Norwalk residents whose vehicles are not registered in the city will be required to buy a seasonal pass for $250. Roberts said this will address the issue of people who move to Norwalk and dont register their vehicle within the state-mandated 60 days.

The proposal also includes an increase in pricing for passes only available to residents in the landlocked towns of New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston and Wilton. These residents would now pay $325 instead of the previous $225.

The weekday non-resident daily parking rate would increase from $35 to $40, and the weekend/holiday non-resident daily rate would increase from $40 to $65.

Roberts said these increases are on-par with what surrounding communities charge for beach parking. Westport charges $65/day on weekend passes for out-of-towners and $40 during the week. Residents not on those tax rolls must pay $285 for a seasonal beach pass.

While residents previously could use a single pass to access the beaches, parks, marinas, transfer station and yard waste site, the new proposal also creates separate passes for parks and disposal sites.

This proposal, which passed unanimously through the Recreation and Parks Committee, will next be heard by the Common Council Ordinance Committee.

The city will continue to use license plate readers to enforce parking. Out-of-town visitors or those without cars registered in Norwalk who also havent purchased a seasonal pass can pay through a mobile app or pay stations, which will be installed at Calf Pasture Beach and Cranbury Park. This will offer another payment option after complaints about poor cellphone signals sometimes made it difficult for people to access to the ParkMobile app, Roberts said at a recent Common Council meeting.

The app and the meters will not reject payments from residents who qualify for free parking, city officials said. Roberts said this is why promoting the new system once its approved is crucial to its success.

Were hoping to get it approved by March so we have April and half of May to let residents know, Roberts said.

Beach parking fees are enforced in Norwalk from May 15 to Oct. 15.

In January, the Common Council approved a $187,200 contract with LAZ Parking for parking enforcement at Calf Pasture Beach, Shady Beach, Taylor Farm, Veterans Park and Cranbury Park. The contract extends through 2023 with gradual rate increases to a total of $210,574 being paid in the fourth and final year.

Some residents complained about the customer service of LAZ. Roberts said this would be addressed with the employees. He also said the LAZ vehicles are tracked through GPS, which should address other complaints that LAZ employees were not enforcing parking in the lots.

erin.kayata@hearstmediact.com
Haryana police on Thursday seized 1,325 kg poppy husk by intercepting a truck carrying the contraband in Sonipat district, a police spokesperson said.

Police also confiscated 53,000 prohibited tablets from Kaithal district.

In the first case, a Special Task Force (STF) team on patrol near Devi Lal Park in Sonipat got a tip-off that drug traffickers were going to pass through town with the drugs in the truck.

On receiving information, the STF put up barricades and intercepted a truck bearing Uttar Pradesh registration number. When they searched the vehicle, police found several bags with poppy husk totalling 1,325 kg.

The seized consignment was concealed under empty crates, a spokesperson of Haryana police said here.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had brought the seized contraband from Shahjahanpur in UP for supply in Ganaur area of Haryana, he said, adding that three persons had been arrested in this connection.

In another crackdown, a Crime Branch team busted an interstate gang involved in drug-peddling after it seized 53,000 tablets from a car in Kaithal district.

Police nabbed the car driver but the other accused managed to escape. Cases under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act were registered against them. Further investigation is underway, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin Arli Aditya Parikesit (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, February 14 2020

Mandatory check: Health officials at Bangsal Port in the West Nusa Tenggara capital of Mataram take the temperature of foreign tourists aboard a speedboat before it embarks to Gili Trawangan Island on Wednesday. The mandatory check is part of the countrys efforts to tackle the new coronavirus epidemic. (Antara/Ahmad Subaidi)

The Chinese, regional and global situation with regard to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, remains worrisome. Singapore recently increased their alertness level to orange in order to face this epidemiological crisis.

The World Health Organization is providing daily reports on the spread of the virus, initially called 2019-nCov, on its website. As of Feb. 11, more than 43,000 people had been infected and over 1,000 deaths had been recorded, mostly in China.

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A science demonstration for students and space research to improve life kept the Expedition 62 crew busy on Wednesday. The International Space Station residents also worked on a host of orbital plumbing and housecleaning tasks.

Radio waves generate energy that can be harnessed for a variety of applications including wirelessly powering devices or possibly beaming solar energy down to Earth. NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir filmed how a flashlight powered by Wi-Fi gets brighter and darker as it moves closer or farther away from a Wi-Fi device aboard the station. The video will be sent down to students to demonstrate the technology developed by the Naval Research Laboratory.

Biology research also takes place aboard the orbiting lab and the crew will soon continue exploring how microgravity affects rodents. NASA Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan worked in Japan's Kibo lab module setting up the Life Science Glovebox that will house the rodents to be delivered on an upcoming cargo mission. Mice physiology is similar to humans so researchers observe how their bodies react to weightlessness as well as countermeasures to the long-term effects.

Meir and Morgan also split their on life support maintenance and space plumbing. Meir set up acoustic monitors to measure station sound levels before checking on safety masks and charging spacesuit batteries. Morgan printed out housecleaning to-do lists then worked on the U.S. bathroom, also known as the Waste and Hygiene Compartment.

Commander Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos serviced Russian Orlan spacesuit water loops and checked for leaks. After checking on water tanks in the Progress 74 cargo craft, he set up exercise research gear then photographed the after effects of catastrophes on Earth.

The Cygnus cargo craft from Northrop Grumman is counting down to a launch from Virginia on Friday at 3:43 p.m. EST. The U.S. space freighter, loaded with 7,300 pounds of science, supplies and hardware, will arrive Sunday for a robotic capture with the Canadarm2 at 4 a.m. NASA TV will cover all the launch, capture and installation activities live.

On-Orbit Status Report

Light Emitting Rectifying Antenna (LEctenna): The crew assembled the rectifier and LED components and set up the LEctenna experiment hardware. LEctenna demonstrates wireless power transmission via microwave signals using a rectifying antenna, which converts electromagnetic waves into direct electric current. For the investigation, a LEctenna device converts microwaves into electricity and powers an LED bulb. Similar technology could be used to transmit energy from a space-based solar panel array in the form of microwaves harvested on the ground by a rectifying antenna.

Microgravity Crystals (MGC) Hardware Trash: In order to free up space, the crew gathered items that are no longer needed for the already-completed MGC experiment, and staged them for trash. These included yellow pipet tips, the MGC contingency kit, reagent box and label kit. The investigation crystallized a membrane protein that is integral to tumor growth and cancer survival. Although crystallization of this protein has yielded unsatisfactory results on Earth, this investigation leverages extensive protein crystallization work on the space station, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful crystal growth. Results may support development of cancer treatments that target the protein more effectively and with fewer side effects.

Mouse Mission-5 Preparation: As a continuation of the preparation for the upcoming JAXA Mouse Mission-5, the crew set up the glovebox on the front of the Kobairo rack. Stress caused by partial G may alter gene expression in cells of the body. The investigation analyzes any such alterations and their possible effects on development of germ cells, which carry genetic information and expression to subsequent generations.

Nanoracks Module 72A Transfer: In order to recover from communication issues first experienced July 2019, the crew relocated Module 72A from the failed Frame 1 to Frame 1A. Module-72A has a Raspberry Pi Zero board and several sensors. This is an educational payload that allows students to code their own software experiments and have them collect data on the ISS.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Cable Replace: The crew replaced a failed GFCI cable in order to recover functionality and allow a software update for the RFID system. This cable was found to be failed in December of 2019 when the software update was previously attempted. The RFID team has reported that during their 3 years of ops, they have run the data obtained from ISS through complex event processing on the ground and made continuous refinement. RFID Logistics aims to utilize RFID enabled tags on hardware throughout the ISS to assist in the tracking of the hardware as it is moved around the ISS.

Systems:

Installation of Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) Filter Cartridges into Emergency Masks: Today, the crew performed an activity to configure four emergency masks with NH3 filter cartridges. The four masks with pre-installed NH3 cartridges were stowed in each of the two emergency mask stowage bags. This activity was performed to improve the overall ISS emergency response posture; specifically for an unexpected release of NH3 into the ISS pressurized volume. The crew also updated their emergency procedures to reflect the updated NH3 mask configuration inside the emergency mask stowage bags.

Completed Task List Activities:

None

Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Attitude Control System (ACS) SIGI Rate Data Dump

Regen Oxygen Generator Assembly Cell Stack Discharge

Secondary Power System (SPS) Power Down

Attitude Control System (ACS) Guidance Navigation and Control System (GNC) Pre-positioned Load (PPL) Update

Thursday, 2/13 (GMT 043)

Payloads/Systems:

Crew Off Duty Day

Friday, 2/14 (GMT 044)

Payloads/Systems:

Crew Off Duty Day

Saturday, 2/15 (GMT 045)

Payloads:

OsteoOmics prep, MSG core facility maintenance, LSR config

Systems:

Cygnus Cargo Operations Review

Camera Overlay and RWS Configuration for Cygnus Capture

Cygnus Capture Review

On-board Training (OBT) Cygnus Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) Session 2

Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operations

Today's Planned Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

In Flight Maintenance (IFM) Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Configuration

SODF Housekeeping Procedure Print

Environmental Health System (EHS) Acoustic Monitor Setup

Combined Orlan-MK No.6 and  water loop degassing in .

Glove Box Setup

Acoustic Monitor Setup for Static Measurements

Micro Gravity Crystals Hardware Trash

20-micron Filter Removal

LSR Pre-Filter Removal

On MCC Go Progress 433 (DC1) Rodnik H2O Tank 1 Shell Compression

Regenerative Environmental Control and Life Support System (RGN) Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill

Systems Operations Data File (SODF) Update

Nanoracks Module-72A Transfer

Actiwatch Plus HRF Rack 1 Setup Evaluation

RR Inventory Audit Part 1

Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Initiation

Network Attached Storage (NAS) Hard Drive Swap

On MCC Go Progress 4443 H2O tank 1 bladder compression, closeout

Orlan and  leak check and Orlan-MK No.6 valve tests.

Environmental Health System (EHS) - Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit (FMK) Deployment Operations

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Initiation

Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations

Environmental Health System (EHS) - Rad Detector Rotate

MELFI Probiotics Transfer

LEctenna Operations

Actiwatch Plus HRF Rack 1 Stow Evaluation

Waste and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) Manual Fill Termination

Radio Frequency Identification Logistics GFCI Cable Replace

Space Automated Bioproduct Lab, CO2 Incubator Removal

Cold Stowage Double Cold Bag Locate

PROFILAKTIKA-2. Equipment setup

MELFI -78 Ice Brick Gather

MELFI -32 Degrees Ice Brick Gather

Wireless Instrumentation System (WIS) Station Support Computer (SSC) Relocate Part 1

On-Orbit Hearing Assessment (O-OHA) with EarQ Software Setup and Test

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Photo: DPP Law/flickr

Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Baltimore.

2 officers shot while serving arrest warrant

Two officers were shot and injured while trying to serve a felony arrest warrant in Baltimore on Wednesday, authorities said. Both officers are expected to recover.

Read the full story on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir.

More Baltimore women running for City Council, mirroring national trend

There are 18 women running for seats in nine of the citys council districts  or 30% of the Democratic candidates, an uptick from 2016.

Read the full story on Baltimore Sun.

Mayor challenges Baltimore workers to fill 5,000 potholes in 50 days

Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young is challenging Baltimore workers to fill 5,000 potholes in 50 days as part of his "Clean It Up!" campaign.

Read the full story on Baltimore Fishbowl.

Man dies, 72-year-old woman injured in separate shootings

Baltimore police say a man died and a 72-year-old woman was injured in separate shootings Wednesday afternoon.

Read the full story on Baltimore Sun.

Official says city is working to eradicate squeegeeing, engage young people

Tisha Edwards, the director of the recently launched Office of Children and Family Success, said the city has engaged more than 80 squeegee workers since September and found jobs for 15. Also, 34 returned to school.

Read the full story on Baltimore Fishbowl.

This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
A passenger arriving from Bangkok was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) here on Thursday as he was suspected of having the novel coronavirus.

"On February 13, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-88 operating between Bangkok and Delhi was suspected of COVID-19. The passenger was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) after landing in Delhi," informed a SpiceJet spokesperson.

Minister of State (MoS) for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Tuesday had said that government has been taking all measures to monitor the situation in view of Coronavirus outbreak.

He had said the screening of passengers has been initiated at all 21 airports and universal screening has been made mandatory for all flights from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

Coronavirus has so far claimed over 1,300 lives in mainland China. The novel coronavirus was first detected in China's Wuhan city in late December and has since spread to more than 25 countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Macron reiterates climate commitment 'from glacier' 'Melting irrefutable proof of global warming'

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, FEBRUARY 13 - As widely announced in previous days, French president Emmanuel Macron visited Mer de Glace on Thursday morning, a well-known glacier on the French side of Mont Blanc that is rapidly shrinking. The visit was a chance for the president to get closer to the effects of global warming and reiterate his commitment to step up environmental protection policies. The visit is of highly symbolic value and is an attempt to convince voters that he is serious about his pledges, though many claim the move was simply being an attempt to rake up voters ahead of elections. In a blue track suit, Macron walked on the glacier, which is shrinking by 8-10 meters per year and has lost about 2 km since 1850.



It has lost 120 meters of width in the past century. "What we see with this glacier melting is irrefutable proof of global warming," Mr Macron said in Chamonix after visiting the Mer de Glace, calling the scene of rock now exposed by the melting ice ''shocking''. ''The glacier makes the invisible visible. It shows how the absence of decisions has brought us to this situation,'' glaciologist Luc Moreau said, who was accompanying the president. New initiatives for the environment were announced in Chamonix, as well as the creation of a French Office of Biodiversity (OFB), tasked with monitoring and restoring the French environment.



On Wednesday evening, Macron dined in a refuge at 2,000 meters above sea level with the climatologist Jean Jouzel, the biologist Camille Parmesan, and biodiversity expert Anne Larigauderie.



Many feel that this 'green change' is mostly simply marketing amid polls that show that the Europe-Ecologie Les Verts party will do better in the upcoming elections.



''A mountain of hogwash and hypocrisy,'' was the comment by Francois Ruffin, MP from the France Insoumise party as well as bitter rival of Macron.



The two attended the same school together in Amiens when they were young.(ANSAmed).




The contrast between the results of 2020 Delhi Assembly polls and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections may also be a pointer to the fact that Delhi's voters exercise their franchise differently on the national and state pedestals

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) entered the Delhi poll campaign on the strength of the development work it did in Delhi in its last term, staying away from the issues of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) weaved a poll pitch around nationalism and Hindutva, with its leaders making strong statements criticising the chaos resulting in Delhi owing to anti-CAA protests witnessed in Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia and other locations.

Press the button with such energy that the current is felt at Shaheen Bagh, Home Minister Amit Shah said at a rally last month.

On 11 February, AAP was voted into power in 62 seats, while the BJP picked up just eight. The Congress, lacking poll agendas and strong leadership, bagged no seats. What is noteworthy is that in the Okhla constituency, which is home to the Shaheen Bagh and Jamia protests, AAP's Amanatullah Khan defeated BJP's Brahm Singh by a whopping margin of over 70,000 votes.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party's restraint on issues relating to the citizenship law did not seem to upset voters in other Muslim-dominated seats, where the citizenship law is being protested. In Seelampur, Matia Mahal and Mustafabad too, the people gave the mandate to AAP, with winning candidates racing ahead of the runners-up with margins between 20,000 and 50,000. Moreover, voters came out in large numbers, with the turnout in Seelampur, Mustafabad, Babarpur, Matia Mahal and Seema Puri recorded at 71.4 percent, 70.55 percent, 65.4 percent, 68.36 percent and 68.08 percent respectively.

The Congress manifesto promised to pass a resolution in Delhi Assembly against CAA and ask the Central government to withdraw it. It had also promised that if it came to power, it would not implement NRC and NPR. But with the Sonia Gandhi-led party struggling to restore its footprint since the 2013 Delhi polls and the BJP government's wavering stand over the CAA and NRC, Muslim votes have been wrested by the AAP.

Just as in the Congress' case, a lack of prominent local faces cost the BJP too. The party's Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari headed the campaign but was never declared the chief ministerial candidate. Top BJP leaders went on the campaign trail, with Shah addressing 52 public meetings, road shows and street meetings and Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at three public meetings.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed 12 public meetings in Delhi, including in the Shaheen Bagh area. However, the party's leaders lacked the charisma and connect seen during the campaigns led by the late Sheila Dikshit of the Congress. Or now, the leader of the common man, Kejriwal.

Touted to be the feather in the BJP's cap as far as Delhi was concerned, the Unauthorised Colonies Bill, which seeks to regularise 1,731 unauthorised colonies giving ownership rights to over 40 lakh residents, failed to strike a chord.

The AAP chief started his political party after emerging as one of the key faces of the India against Corruption campaign started with the demand to enact the Lokpal Bill. Earlier confrontational with the BJP-led Central government, on issues ranging from statehood to Delhi, demonetisation and the surgical strikes, Kejriwal moved his focus from political rivals to the people.

Amid a struggling economy and uproar over the CAA and NRC, Kejriwal picked the development agenda. The AAP started a campaign, highlighting its performance in improving the quality of government schools and mohalla clinics, providing subsidised water and electricity, installing CCTV cameras and ensuring free public transport for women. Apart from attending town halls, public meetings and road shows, the Delhi chief minister also featured on the 'Aap Ke Dwar Kejriwal' interactive website.

The BJP's campaign looked at national issues, but also trained the guns on AAP and the Congress, calling the anti-CAA stir their handiwork. While Union Minister Anurag Thakur got a campaigning ban over his shoot the traitors remark, another minister from Modi's Cabinet Prakash Javadekar said, You (Kejriwal) are a terrorist and there is plenty of proof, he said, without giving any.

During one of his rallies, Modi said at a Dwarka rally that protesters at Jamia and Shaheen Bagh were holding the Constitution and national flag, but hiding their intentions. Meanwhile, Adityanath stated during his campaign that while the government fed "bullets to traitors, Kejriwal AAP treated them with "biryani".

The nationalist pitch, coupled with anti-incumbency, propelled BJP to a landslide win in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The same issues resonated with the voters who gave the saffron party a comfortable win in 2019.

At the state level, political imbroglios have ended with the BJP being in the governments in Haryana and Karnataka. Even Modi's rigorous campaign failed to lift the party's fortunes in Jharkhand, while BJD chief Naveen Patnaik became the Odisha chief minister for the record fifth term. The party could not retain power in Maharashtra either.

The contrast between the results of 2020 Delhi Assembly polls and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP won in all the seven Parliamentary constituencies in the National Capital, may also be a pointer to the fact that Delhi's voters exercise their franchise differently on the national and state platforms.
(Alliance News) - Aberdeen Emerging Markets Investment Co Ltd on Thursday maintained its annual dividend even as it outperformed its benchmark for the period.

The investment trust reported a net asset value total return of 14.1% for the year to the end of October, compared to a 10.3% return from the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return Index in sterling terms.

Aberdeen Emerging's net asset value as at October 31 was 633.3 pence per share, up from 600.6p the same date the year before.

The trust's share price was 561.0p, reflecting a 15% discount to net asset value.

Shares in Aberdeen Emerging Markets were down 1.5% on Thursday at 596.00 pence, having improved further since the year-end.

The trust declared an annual dividend of 21.0 pence per share, in-line with the year before.

Aberdeen Emerging Markets said its performance was buoyed by strong fund selection in China, its overweight exposure to Russia and underweight positioning in South Africa, as well as narrowing the discount of several investment trusts.

"Despite concerns over the outlook for global growth, corporate earnings, tensions in the Middle East, and trade-war uncertainties, your Investment Manager remains positive about the prospects for emerging markets," said Chair Mark Hadsley-Chaplin.

"Although there are signs of the global economy weakening, growth forecasts remain respectable, and should be supported by the continued accommodative stance of central banks and progress in the trade dispute between the US and China. At the time of writing, the spread of the Coronavirus is causing same volatility in markets. How long this continues is uncertain, as is the quantum of its potential knock-on impact," Hadsley-Chaplin added.

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)- One business in West Lafayette is giving back to the community. Starting this month Blue Fox Heating and Cooling will donate a thousand dollars to area non-profits. The owners say this is their way of saying thank you to people who work to make the community we live in a better place.

Blue Fox Heating and Cooling have been in business for about two years, but the owners have lived in greater Lafayette their whole lives.

"We work here our families are here our friends are here so giving back to this community specifically is what makes sense," said Jared Manny one of the owners of Blue Fox Heating and Cooling.

The owners have a passion for the local community. That's why, every month until January of 2021 the business will donate $1,000 to local non-profits.

"We want to be able to do this more than just once, added Manny. To be able to spread that out across the community and across a number of months and possibly as we go on in the future other things for the community as well."

The non-profit organizations can become eligible to receive the donation by being nominated on our website, at the end of the month Blue Fox Heating and cooling will select the recipient.

"We hope to make that decision based on not just the leadership of the company but the company as a whole, said Manny.

The business hopes that by giving back they can make a difference in the community and influence other local businesses to do the same.

"Hopefully we can be an example as there were businesses that were an example for us before, said Manny. To be able to promote this in a passion of giving back and hopefully other businesses will follow."

Non-profit organizations can be nominated for the donations from the 1st to 15th of every month. To nominate a non-profit click here. So far there have been nearly 250 nonprofits nominated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

Trend:

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan is holding a meeting on the parliamentary elections, Trend reports.

Appeals related to the elections including the appeal of the observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are considered at the meeting.

The OSCE ODIHR appealed to the CEC on Feb. 11 in connection with the parliamentary elections held on Feb. 9. Head of the OSCE/ODIHRs Election Observation Mission Peter Tejler requested that the accreditation of one of the observers, Aygun Attar, to be canceled.

After consideration, the issue of revoking the accreditation of Aygun Attar was put to a vote and adopted by a majority of votes.

The CEC meeting continues.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by PennLive/The Patriot-News, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter.

Story by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Paula Knudsen and Brad Bumsted of The Caucus

HARRISBURG  Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnatis announcement that he isnt seeking another term marks a seismic shift in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

The top Republican in the Pennsylvania Senate announced late Wednesday that he is not running for reelection, becoming the second ranking GOP lawmaker in the Capitol to seek retirement in a pivotal election year. Last month, House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, said he isnt seeking another term.

Scarnati (R., Jefferson) said in a statement that his decision was personal, not political, and that he looked forward to spending more time with his family after nearly 20 years in the legislature.

I have worked with five governors and throughout this time I am proud to have been a leading advocate for rural Pennsylvania values, Scarnati said in a statement.

He declined to comment further when reached by phone Wednesday evening.

Though he largely worked behind the scenes, Scarnati has for the better part of a decade helped set the policy agenda in the Capitol. Unlike some Republican leaders in Harrisburg, he was widely viewed as able to compromise with Democrats at a time of increasing partisanship.

His willingness to work with Democrats at times became a double-edged sword, with more conservative Republicans complaining that he conceded core GOP ideology for the sake of cutting deals.

Early in his tenure in leadership, Scarnati also came under scrutiny for accepting a free trip to the Super Bowl from a natural gas driller (he later said he intended to repay the company).

And last year, a series by Spotlight PA and The Caucus revealed that Scarnati topped the list of lawmakers who shielded lavish campaign spending  including overseas trips and expensive meals  by not reporting the details to the public.

The retirements of Scarnati and Turzai are expected to be a blow to GOP fund-raising efforts in a critical election year. Outside the policy arena, Scarnati, like Turzai, had been a prolific fund-raiser for Republican legislative candidates across the state. It is a role he was widely expected to step into again this year, as Democrats in both chambers seek to take the majority from Republicans.

Scarnatis announcement came just days before the states deadline to file petitions to get on the ballot. Several candidates are expected to vie for his seat.

John Herm Suplizio, the city manager of DuBois, was introduced earlier this week at the Elk County Republican Party meeting as Scarnatis replacement candidate.

Grace Jesberger, a longtime member of the Elk County Republican Party, said in an interview Wednesday night that State Rep. Cris Dush (R., Jefferson) was at the meeting and spoke to members about his interest in running for the seat. He left nomination papers behind, she said.

Reached for comment Wednesday, Dush said: I am running.

Spotlight PA receives funding from nonprofit institutions and readers like you who are committed to investigative journalism that gets results. Become a Founding Donor today at spotlightpa.org.

Read more:

Millions of dollars in Pa. tax credits may not be paying off for taxpayers

After Pentagon raises injury count in Iranian missile attack, lawmakers are paying more attention
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday invited pro-Kannada organisations to discuss their demands on the implementation of Dr Sarojini Mahishi Committee report and appealed to them to call off Thursdays state bandh.

I am always willing to discuss their demands on the implementation of the report recommendations. We have already implemented some of the suggestions made and we are willing to do whatever we can in the interest of people, the CM said.

He appealed to pro-Kannada organisations not to inconvenience people by observing the bandh. I want to make it clear that I am with them and I am even willing to cancel all my programmes on Thursday to discuss the issue at length, he said.

Opposition parties, the Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress, have extended their support to pro-Kannada organisations. Calling it an attempt to politicise the issue, he said, What was the Congress party doing when it was in power? It is not correct to politicise such issues. Cutting across party lines, they all should make honest efforts to resolve these problems.

Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol, speaking to media persons at Bagalkot in North Karnataka, too assured pro-Kannada organisations that the Sarojini Mahishi committee report would be implemented at the earliest after holding discussions with the departments concerned. He said that the discussion is already underway at the government level and that meetings are being held with all the stakeholders. A decision will be taken on the report recommendations in the interest of the people, he said.

In its 1986 report, the Dr Sarojini Mahishi Committee had recommended that majority of the jobs in all sectors should be reserved for Kannadigas, while 100 per cent reservation should be ensured for Kannadigas in Group C and D jobs in private establishments.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Bayelsa State are in some wild jubilation over the nullification of the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC)s candidate, David Lyon, as the governor-elect of the state.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili on Thursday nullified the election of Mr Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the November 16 governorship election.

With the judgment, the candidate of the PDP in the election, Diri Duoye is expected to be sworn in this Friday, having won the second largest votes in the election.

Channels television, in its news bulletin on Wednesday, showed a video of PDP supporters drumming and dancing at the party secretariat in Yenagoa.

Winner oooh, winner! Winner ooooh, winner! the party supporters kept singing as they danced inside a crowded hall.

The video showed another scene, at the Government House Bayelsa, where a crowd of PDP supporters were jubilating, dancing over the development.

The camera caught some of jubilant youth tearing APC flags into pieces.

It is not clear if the flag was hoisted in the Government House or it was brought in from outside.

The Channels news anchor, Olumide Macaulay, described the judgment as very surprising and dramatic while asking a studio guest, Frank Tie-Tie, for his views on the development.

It is made all the more dramatic because David Lyon was due to be sworn in less than 24 hours, Mr Macaulay said.

Mr Tie-Tie, a lawyer, said the Supreme Court took technicality too far in the judgment.

Nigerians are yet to recover from the confusing judgment that the Supreme Court delivered with regards to Imo gubernatorial election which declared Hope Uzodinma governor as against all reasoning. While Nigerians are reeling from that surprising decision, it appears more confusion has been added to the polity by this decision of the Supreme Court, he said.

You cannot as a court of justice create a situation that is more confusing when you nullify, throw away the popular mandate of the people simply on the grounds of technicality.

We are in a country where you actually do not need a certificate to contest an election, it is sufficient if you are able to speak, understand, read and write in English Language, that qualifies you to participate in an election as a candidate.

READ ALSO:

Mr Tie-Tie said the judgment was even more worrisome because the certificate in question was not that of the governorship candidate, Mr Lyon, but that of his running mate. I think there is something faulty here, he said.

Forgery of education certificate, he said, was not enough grounds to nullify an election.

You cannot defeat the will of the people, he added.

Atiku, PDP happy with court judgment

The former Vice President of Nigeria and the 2019 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said he was glad with the Supreme Court judgment.

I received the verdict of the Supreme Court, declaring the candidate of the @OfficialPDPNig in the Bayelsa state gubernatorial elections, Senator Douye Diri, as the duly elected Governor of the state, with gladness, Mr Abubakar tweeted on Wednesday via his personal handle @atiku.

Mr Abubakar said Mr Diri has what it takes to make Bayelsa the glory of all lands.

I call on all the people of Bayelsa to make peace with the recent past and embrace the future together, united in the mission to transform the state into a haven of peace and prosperity.

I urge the Supreme Court to show consistency in its judgments & find the resolve to always deliver just-judgments no matter whose ox is gored. The people of Nigeria are behind the apex court in whatever they do to free themselves from the dominance of dictatorial forces, he added.

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The PDP spokesperson in Akwa Ibom state, Ini Ememobong, celebrated the development in a Facebook post.

Bayelsa returns to the PDP kitty. Congratulations Governor-elect, Bayelsa state, Senator Duoye Diri. Truly God has the final say, he wrote.
Rapper Snoop Dogg has apologized on Instagram for comments he made about journalist Gayle King after the death of Kobe Bryant. In an interview with former WNBA star Lisa Leslie, King asked about the sexual assault charge Bryant faced in the early aughts, in a clip that CBS used to promote her interview. Snoop Dogg didnt take kindly to that, and posted a video to Instagram in which he threatened King and called her a funky dog-head bitch:

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Gayle King. Out of pocket for that shit. Way out of pocket. What do you gain from that? I swear to God, were the worst. Were the fucking worst. We expect more from you, Gayle. Dont you hang out with Oprah? Whyre yall attacking us? Were your people. You aint coming after fucking Harvey Weinstein asking them dumbass questions. I get sick of yall. I wanna call you one. Is it OK if I call her one? Funky dog-head bitch, how dare you try to torch my motherfucking homeboys reputation, punk motherfucker? Respect the family and back off, bitch, before we come get you.

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Unsurprisingly, Snoops post led to death threats for King; equally unsurprisingly, it led to backlash from black celebrities ranging from Kings friend Oprah Winfrey to former national security adviser Susan Rice. But according to Snoop, it was his mother who finally convinced him that hed made a mistake. Snoop posted a public apology on Wednesday:

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That does sound like a man whose mother just gave him an earful! Snoops original video is no longer on his Instagram page, but he hasnt taken down the photos he posted of King hanging out with Harvey Weinstein, or the photo of Winfrey hanging out with Weinstein, complete with a caption suggesting that Michael Jackson and Bill Cosby were both innocent. That guys mom should maybe have another talk with him.

Heres Snoop Doggs full apology:
If the campaigns give the go-ahead, the process is expected to last two days and could ultimately lead to a recount, which would involve an individual check of each of the presidential preference cards completed by caucus-goers. Even though the campaigns requested the recanvass, they must agree to fund it before it can proceed.
As their long-anticipated trip to China to complete an adoption approached, Beth and Jason Chandler started hearing about the coronavirus outbreak. They didnt think it would impact their plans.

A week before the scheduled departure Jan. 30, they found out the trip might be in jeopardy. On Jan. 27, the couple from Lowell, Indiana  about 40 minutes south of Chicago  learned they would not meet their new daughter as planned.

Three days later, the U.S. Department of State raised its travel advisory for China to level 4, meaning do not travel, because of the fast-spreading virus.

It was crushing, Beth Chandler said. Im still living out of my suitcase, because I havent even unpacked, and I really dont want to. Its just so sad.

Coronavirus cases spike significantly: Chinese use new counting standards; US cases now at 14

Thats a feeling shared by dozens of families who spent the better part of a year making arrangements to adopt a child from China.

The State Department didn't provide an estimate for how many families had to delay trips to complete the process, saying adoptions have not been put on hold because of the outbreak, but U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to China.

From a rumor to 1,000 deaths: How the coronavirus outbreak unfolded for Americans at the epicenter

There have been more than 45,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 1,000 deaths in mainland China, the majority in Hubei province, especially the city of Wuhan.

The Chandlers said they got the bad news from their adoption agency. Since then, Beth Chandler has been in touch with other prospective parents in a similar situation through a Facebook group. Some of them participate in a prayer chain for the would-be adopted children, who add up to 25.

The Chandler family of Lowell, Ind.  clockwise from left, Jason, Beth, Sam, Jake, Colten and Cora  looks forward to adopting a girl from China, but the coronavirus outbreak has put an anxiety-inducing hold on the plan.

Anxiety about the wait, concern about the childrens health and uncertainty about when theyll be able to join the families are common themes of discussion among the expectant parents. Their numbers are likely to increase until the outbreak is contained.

Story continues

Usually, we have anywhere from one to four families travel every month, so we know this is going to start snowballing until some more of this gets under control, said Anna Graham, COO of America World Adoption in McLean, Virginia, which the Chandlers are using for a second time. Were trying to calm our anxious families who have fallen in love with children they hope to make a part of their family, and theyre waiting to see what we can do to get them to China once its safe.

Mike Pompeo and Alex Azar: Coronavirus response protects Americans

U.S. adoptions from China dwindled in recent years as the worlds most populous nation rescinded its one-child policy in 2015, imposed more restrictions on international adoptions and becaome more open to domestic ones. The majority of Chinese children eligible for adoption have special needs, and few are younger than 2 years.

Still, China remains a popular option for Americans seeking to add to their families.

According to a State Department report on inter-country adoptions in 2018  the report for 2019 is due out in March  Americans adopted more children from China than from anywhere else, by far. China was the nation of origin in 1,475 out of 4,059 total adoptions. The next closest was India with 302.

Cora Chandler, who was adopted from China in 2018 when she was 3, sends a kiss to the sister she's eager to meet.

Graham pointed out that children in irregular living arrangements such as orphanages are especially vulnerable to medical crises, so its critical that finalization of adoptions gets restarted as soon as possible. As it is, a large number of the children in those circumstances require extra care.

Jodi Miyama, vice president of adoption services for All Gods Children International in Vancouver, Washington, said her agency places 25 to nearly 50 Chinese kids with U.S. families every year. All of them have special needs.

The children who are eligible for adoption now in China definitely often have a combination of more complex needs and are typically older than in the past, Miyama said. China is processing the initial paperwork required for adoptions but not the finalizing steps, she said.

The added challenges that special-needs kids present have not been an obstacle for many American families. In 2018, the Chandlers adopted a 3-year-old girl from Beijing whom they named Cora. She had developmental delays but is doing fine.

Floating problem: As coronavirus spreads on cruise ships, what does it mean for cruisers and cruise lines? 'It's day-by-day'

The sister she eagerly awaits to meet, who will be named Sophie, is 3 years old and has Down syndrome.

She may not be what the world considers perfect, but to us, she is. To us, shes already our daughter, said Beth Chandler, the mother of three biological sons. We want to give her a beautiful life and every possible opportunity.

Exactly when theyll get a chance to do so remains undetermined. Adoption agency leaders said the State Department has been responsive to their concerns and kept them informed, but there are no immediate answers to some of their questions.

One thing the State Department advisory did was take an extremely difficult decision out of the hands of families, who faced a dilemma: They could go and risk contracting the virus and exposing their new child to illness, or they could wait and hope their new family member did not get sick in their absence, when they could do little to help. Some wondered what would happen if they got quarantined in China and couldnt return home for weeks.

Such were the predicaments running through the minds of Toni and Dayton Puckett, a couple from Farmville, Virginia. They were scheduled to fly to China on Jan. 30 to adopt a little girl they plan to name Vera Riese.

It feels like such an understatement to say that weighing the sides of that decision was a completely agonizing experience. It felt like either decision could have dire consequences affecting someone we loved, Toni Puckett said via e-mail. We have felt peace about the delay, but we have also been very sad about it, especially during the past week and a half while we were supposed to be in China.

The Pucketts, who have three biological children and planned to take their 15-year-old daughter on the trip, pondered what those days would have been like. They were supposed to meet their daughter Feb. 3 and return on Valentines Day, Feb. 14, which is the 22nd anniversary of the day they got engaged.

Instead, they try not to get consumed with worry about how the 3-year-old girl is doing. They were heartened when they heard from the orphanage Monday that all the kids there are healthy.

I could lose my mind worrying about her, but instead, I choose to believe that God loves her even more than I do and that China is taking every precaution possible to keep the children healthy, Toni Puckett said. I just have to have faith that she will be OK until we can get to her.

Coronavirus, explained: Everything you need to know about Covid-19, the deadly virus alarming the world

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus outbreak forces US families to delay China adoptions
The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for a "lasting ceasefire" in Libya as Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftars forces vowed to block UN humanitarian flights from landing in the capital Tripoli.

The text of the UN Security Council resolution, which reaffirmed the conclusions of last months Berlin Conference on Libya, was drafted by Britain and approved by 14 votes out of 15 with Russia abstaining.



It was subject to weeks of discussions, reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country and to uphold a weapons embargo.



Haftars forces blocks UN flights



Also on Wednesday, the UN said its flights have not been granted permission to land in Libya by the self-styled Libya National Army (LNA), also known as the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, led by General Khalifa Haftar.



UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN mission in Libya was concerned that its regular flights into Tripoli, which transport UN staff to and from the war-torn country, have been prevented from landing on several occasions in the past weeks.



Dujarric said preventing UN flights from traveling to Libya will severely hinder our humanitarian and good offices efforts" at a time when the United Nations is trying to get the warring parties to negotiate a peace agreement and provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected civilians.



A spokesman for Haftars forces confirmed the blockage, telling reporters in the eastern city of Benghazi that the UN would have to use other airports such as Misrata because it could not guarantee the safety of flights into Tripoli Mitiga airport as Turkey was using it as a base.



Turkey supports the UN-recognised government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj while Haftar is supported by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, France and Russia.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)


French President Emmanuel Macron is expected in the foothills of the Mont Blanc mountain region on Thursday, where he is due to announce reinforced efforts to protect the Alpine glory of western Europe's tallest peak, whose ice is melting at an alarming rate.

Macron will visit a glacier at the foot of Mont-Blanc, that, like others across the Alps, is shrinking dramatically.

From there, he will deliver a speech in Chamonix on his vision of what is needed to protect biodiversity and better police Europe's highest Alp.

"After the pension system, the end of my mandate will be devoted to (...) ecology," Macron said Tuesday, in a bid to convince the French his commitment to the environment is more than mere greenwashing, with less than a month to go before local elections.

The onslaught of climate change has melted the ice caps of Europe's Alpine glory.

Protection from wackos

The most dramatic demonstration of glacial retreat is shown by the Mer de Glace, the biggest glacier in France and one of Chamonix's biggest tourist hotspots.

Macron has pledged to "protect" Mont Blanc not just from climate change but also from "wackos," months after a Briton sparked outrage by leaving a rowing machine near the top.

French ecology minister, Elisabeth Borne, is also due to travel with Macron on that visit to the Alps.
Students work on changing policy to allow alcohol sales at home games

Students say selling alcohol at the home games could decrease binge drinking, improve attendance and create a more vibrant atmosphere.
Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have found that rates of two sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gonorrhea and chlamydia, are 15% and 10% higher, respectively, in Texas counties with high shale drilling activity ("fracking"), compared to counties without any fracking.

No association, however, was observed between drilling and STI rates in Colorado or North Dakota. Also, rates of a third STI, syphilis, were not elevated in any of the states.

The findings are published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

"The findings in Texas add to the evidence of the social impacts in communities hosting the shale gas industry," said senior author Nicole Deziel, PhD, assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health. "The associations between shale drilling and chlamydia and gonorrhea in Texas specifically may reflect the higher level of drilling activity and a greater number of densely populated metropolitan areas compared to other regions."

The extraction of oil and natural gas from unconventional sources such as deep shale rock formations using techniques including horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing has helped position the United States as the leading global producer of both crude oil and natural gas.

In 2018, these techniques accounted for ~60% of both oil and natural gas production. This expansion has been suggested to increase employment and stimulate the local economy. But others raise concerns about poorer air and water quality, transportation infrastructure, potential earthquakes and increased noise.

Shale gas extraction often involves the influx of specialized workers into rural areas to meet the labor demands of the drilling rigs. This mobile workforce is largely composed of young men living in temporary workcamps with limited connections to the community. In this setting, workers may have opportunities to seek new sex partners, thereby changing sexual networks and increasing disease transmission in the community.

The lack of an association between shale drilling activity and rates of syphilis may be because this STI occurs most commonly in men who have sex with men, which compose only a small proportion of the male population, making it difficult to study.

The study examined reported STI cases over 2000-2016; this long follow-up period covered both pre- and post-fracking periods to account for any pre-existing trends in STI rates. The study design examined industrial changes at the county level, which corresponds to the geographic scale at which policy changes could be implemented.

"These findings point to the potential importance of shale extraction as a social determinant of health, one that alters communities in a way that increases risk for STI transmission," said co-author and STI researcher Linda Niccolai, PhD, professor at the Yale School of Public Health.

The results may be useful in informing local public health officials and policymakers; the inter-state differences underscore the need for local epidemiology to prioritize community health policies, said Nicholaus Johnson, MPH, a Yale School of Public Health postgraduate associate and the study's lead author.

"Future research should focus on improving an understanding of the transmission patterns present between nonlocal oil and gas workers and community members, without stigmatizing workers."

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Other authors on the study include Joshua Warren (Yale School of Public Health) and Elise Elliott (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).
Stones were pelted at a Tirupati-Mangaluru bus in Farangipet as the 12-hour Karnataka bandh call by several pro-Kannada organisations under the banner of Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkoota began on Thursday.

Stones were pelted at a Tirupati-Mangaluru bus in Farangipet as the 12-hour Karnataka bandh called by several pro-Kannada organisations under the banner of Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkoota began on Thursday, reported ANI.

Mangaluru: Stones pelted on a Tirupati-Mangaluru bus in Farangipet. Several pro-Kannada groups have called for Karnataka bandh today demanding implementation of Sarojini Mahishi report which recommended certain percentage of jobs to Kannadigas in private&public sector companies pic.twitter.com/mPJXUXJTR5  ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020

Several pro-Kannada outfits called for a bandh on Thursday, demanding implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report by providing more jobs for Kannadigas in the state. The Karnataka bandh, which began at 6 am will continue till 6 pm and is likely to impact life in Bengaluru as well as in other parts of the state.

In Bengaluru, city buses plied as usual though most of them ran almost empty as there were very few commuters. Autorickshaws operated as usual though one of the autorickshaw drivers' associations had supported the bandh

In Bengaluru, Ola, Uber and auto services were affected even though buses were on as usual. Security has also been beefed up in Bengaluru, with two ACPs, five police inspectors, 15 sub-inspectors and 800 personnel deployed, reports The Indian Express. Heavy deployment of policemen has been made at important locations to check untoward incidents.

Public transportation including the Namma Metro and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are to be functioning as normal in Bengaluru, reports The Hindu. Several reports claim that the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) staff and workers associations are yet to decide if they will participate in the bandh.

However, cab services may take a hit from 6 am to 6 pm as cab owners and auto drivers who are part of Adarsha Auto and Taxi Union and Jai Bharatha Vehicle Owners and Drivers Association are set to take part in the bandh.

Tanveer, president of Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners Association, Bengaluru told ANI, "We have told our drivers to stop services till evening. More than 70,000 vehicles usually run, but we are stopping the service today. We are supporting the bandh."

The main trade area of the city, KR Market and surrounding places had no effect of the bandh in the morning hours. Pro-Kannada activists were on the city rounds appealing to traders to shut their shops in their support.

In Anekal near Attibele in the city on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, activists reportedly tried to shut shops and business establishments forcibly. At Pirangipet in Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district, stones were pelted at a private bus in the morning. Heavy deployment of policemen has been made at important locations to check untoward incidents.

The government said schools and colleges would function as usual. Police said no permission had been given for any rally and warned of action against those forcing closure of businesses and shops, PTI reported. Meanwhile, Bangalore University has postponed all postgraduate examinations scheduled for Thursday in the view of the bandh.

Many organisations have also extended their support to the bandh. According to The NewsMinute, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Lorry Owners Association, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) among others have supported the call for the bandh on 13 February.

The organisations are demanding the implementation of a report by former union minister Sarojini Mahishi that recommends a certain percentage of jobs to Kannadigas in public sector undertakings, private companies, and multinational companies. The report was submitted in 1984 but is yet to be implemented.

The Karnataka government on Wednesday said that it is committed to fulfilling the Sarojini Mashishi report. "Our government has shown commitment towards the implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report. We have already implemented the report in the government sector. In the private sector, we are trying to implement it step by step. A cabinet decision has been taken to implement it step by step," Minister for Kannada and Culture CT Ravi said.

Stating that its implementation was not easy in the private sector as availability of skilled workforce, among others, should be looked into, Ravi said "we can say it should be compulsory, but we will have to look into the consequences also. So we are discussing (with the private sector). After imparting required training (to locals), it can be implemented. Or else it may lead to the closure of industries,"

The Sarojini Mahishi Committee, headed by former Union Minister Sarojini Mahishi, was constituted in 1984 to recommend job opportunities for Kannadigas in Karnataka. It submitted the report two years later.

Ravi hit out at the leader of the opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah for recently announcing his support for the agitation, calling it a "joke". He pointed out that after the report was submitted, the former chief minister had been in power for the "most period", either as a member of the Janata Dal (U) or the Congress.

"Was he eating groundnuts then (while in power)? Now that he has lost power, he has remembered the Sarojini Mahishi report. Was he sleeping while in power?" he asked.

Siddaramaiah had recently met Kannada outfits agitating for implementation of the report and had extended his full support to them.

Ravi also said the government desired that the medium of instruction should be Kannada, but as the chief minister recently said, it cannot succeed without the cooperation of society.

"The Supreme Court has already said it is the choice of parents to choose the medium of instruction and it cannot be imposed. This has made the government helpless. When we desire that the administration should be in Kannada, without making it compulsory in education, how can it remain in administration?" he asked.

Worried that a situation may arise when the future generations may not be in a position to understand Kannada, he said "without making it (Kannada) compulsory in education, how can it be implemented in administration? It is a complex problem."

The minister said that the government was committed to the promotion of Kannada.

It has been decided to call a meeting of opposition leaders, literary figures, thinkers, regarding filing an appeal for "reexamination" of the Supreme Court decision to explore if there is an opportunity, or else bring in a constitutional amendment taking on board other states, who share the sentiment. He also said several government ministers, including Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, have spoken to those who have called for the bandh on Thursday and tried to convince them against it.

With inputs from agencies
Production at Impossible Foods' Oakland, California, plant Source: Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods has claimed a spot on the menus of fast-food chains like Restaurant Brands International's Burger King and White Castle, making it a major player in the growing alternative meat market. One thing separating it from the crowd: GMOs. Unlike its biggest competitor Beyond Meat, which touts Non-GMO Project verification for all its plant-based proteins, Impossible Foods uses multiple genetically modified ingredients. As more restaurants begin to sell Impossible Burgers, anti-GMO organizations are worried they're moving in the wrong direction  both for the environment and for public health. Since Impossible Foods first debuted in restaurants, advocacy groups including the Center for Food Safety, Non-GMO Project and Friends of the Earth all have raised concerns with the available research on its products' ingredients. "We need to invest in solutions that have proven to be sustainable for people and the environment, not be led by PR and investor hype," said Dana Perls, the senior food and agriculture campaigner for Friends of the Earth. Impossible Foods has written extensively on its use of genetic engineering, stating that its products' safety is backed up by numerous scientific experiments and calling some voices of opposition "anti-science."

GMO soy and the science behind the burger

In addition to GMO soy protein, one of Impossible Foods' key ingredients is heme, a molecule the company says makes its burger "bleed" and taste like real meat. While the company initially extracted it from the root nodules of non-GMO soybean plants, it needed a more efficient method to meet high consumer demand. Enter soy leghemoglobin, short for legume hemoglobin, a genetically engineered protein made by splicing soybean DNA into yeast, which is then fermented. The new process allowed the company to ramp up production without destroying millions of soybean plants. In 2017 Impossible Foods submitted to the FDA a "Generally Recognized As Safe," or GRAS, notice  a 1,066-page document of detailed scientific research and data on its ingredients  to determine the safety of its soy leghemoglobin. The FDA responded to the notice in July 2019 with "no questions," giving the green light for Impossible Foods to sell its frozen products in supermarkets. Non-GMO activists argued that the FDA should not allow companies to self-report their own research, which they say is like "allowing the fox to guard the henhouse." "Our very antiquated federal health assessments can't adequately determine safety," Perls said. Rachel Konrad, the chief communications officer for Impossible Foods, said in an email to CNBC that the American Medical Association; the World Health Organization; and the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine all agree that GMOs are safe for human consumption.

Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact their purchases have on their bodies and on the planet. "The reason that about 95% of the U.S. soy crop is genetically engineered is precisely because farmers, food makers and ultimately consumers have confidence in the safety and nutrition of GMO soy," Konrad said. A 2018 Pew Research Center poll found that 49% of consumers say foods with GMO ingredients are unhealthier than GMO-free foods  up from 39% in the center's 2016 survey. Food products verified by the Non-GMO Project, including those sold by Kellogg's Kashi, General Mills' Cascadian Farm and Pepsi's Naked Juice brands, account for more than $26 billion in annual sales. Despite this, the Impossible Burger has seen nationwide success, focusing its marketing strategy on environmental benefits. Impossible Foods reports that its manufacturing process causes significantly less damage to the environment than beef production, requiring 87% less water, 96% less land and 80% less herbicide, as well as releasing 89% fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Anti-GMO activists cite environmental pollution that can occur from increasing herbicide treatments as GMO crops become more resistant to them.

Beyond Meat's commitment to non-GMO ingredients was one of many factors that led us to conclude Beyond Meat was a better early stage investment opportunity versus Impossible. Dan Gluck managing partner at PowerPlant Ventures

The National Restaurant Association predicted in a November report that plant-based proteins will continue to surge in popularity over the next decade, partially due to increased consumer attention to climate change. The meat industry accounts for 14.5% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and is expected to double by 2050, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. Dan Gluck, a managing partner at PowerPlant Ventures, which has invested in Beyond Meat and other plant-based food companies, said that the fund's research directed it to support a non-GMO food system. "Beyond Meat's commitment to Non-GMO ingredients was one of many factors that led us to conclude Beyond Meat was a better early stage investment opportunity versus Impossible [Foods]," Gluck said. Beyond Meat declined to comment but has said in a past statement to CNBC that it "distinguishes itself by offering products made with simple, plant-based ingredients  without GMOs or artificially produced ingredients." Impossible Foods could also face hurdles as it looks to take its products overseas. In September the company filed for permission to use soy leghemoglobin in the EU. Nineteen countries in the EU requested to partially or fully ban GMO crop cultivation in 2015. The alternative protein industry as a whole has come under increasing attack from a powerful public relations machine supported by food industry interests.

GMOs as a secondary nutritional factor
2020 Hyundai i20 diesel has been spied in Chennai and its fully-digital instrument cluster reads a mileage of 17km/l.

Hyundai India has been working on the next-generation i20 premium hatchback for quite some time now. The South Korean brand was expected to unveil the 2020 Hyundai i20 at Auto Expo 2020 (alongside the updated Verna sedan). However, the company debuted only the 2020 Hyundai Creta at the biennial automotive event.

Automotive enthusiasts Suchith and Suresh have brought some fresh details of the upcoming Hyundai i20 (which may or may not get the Elite moniker). Spied in Chennai, the fully-digital instrument cluster of the all-new Hyundai i20 has been revealed for the very first time. Being a test mule, the vehicle wore heavy camouflage and minimal exterior design details were evident.

However, the spy pics of the 2020 Hyundai i20s instrument cluster reveal more than just its digital layout. For instance, the prototype was in its diesel avatar (obviously BS6); as evident from the tachometer which redlines at 6,000rpm. A modern-day petrol engine can rev way past 6,000rpm to produce its peak power output.

Even though legibility isnt the best here, one can observe that the MID (Multi-Information Display) at the middle shows 47.6mpg (around 17km/l). A diesel vehicle in this category returns similar fuel economy figures in tight traffic conditions such as this. One can also make out the new steering wheel which shares its design theme with some of the latest Hyundai products in the global market.

In the premium hatchback category of the Indian market, the 2020 Hyundai i20 is easily one of the most anticipated launches of the year. For the same reason, many have taken a step back from buying the present-generation Elite i20 and have decided to wait for the new one. Official digital sketches of the 2020 Hyundai i20 have already surfaced on the internet and reports suggest that its global debut would take place at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show. The India-spec i20 would be significantly different from it, at least in terms of equipment.

The Indian market would most likely get the next-gen Hyundai i20 with three engine choices: 1.2-litre petrol (82bhp/113Nm), 1.0-litre turbo petrol (118bhp/173Nm) and 1.5-litre diesel (the same unit in the Kia Seltos, but detuned to around 100bhp/200Nm). The hatchback will be available in both manual and automatic formats. Once launched, it will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Volkswagen Polo and the new Tata Altroz.
Jakarta: Indonesian health authorities believe a Chinese tourist who contracted the novel coronavirus a week and a day after returning from a Bali holiday fell ill only after returning to China.

The Jakarta Post reported late on Wednesday evening that the tourist, known as Jin, flew from Wuhan - the epicentre of the virus now known as COVID-19 - to Bali on a Lion Air flight on January 22.

Flight crew arrive at Denpasar airport in Bali earlier this week. Credit:Amilia Rosa

He returned to Shanghai on a Garuda flight on January 28 and the patient was found to be infected with COVID-19 on February 5, eight days after arriving home.

Bali Health Agency chief Ketut Suarjaya played down the possibility the man was ill while in Bali, telling The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that the "incubation period is three to seven days. The infected person was already in China at the time [of infection]".
Nearly two years after Hope Hicks resigned from her position as President Donald Trumps communications director, the 31-year-old aide will return to the White House, this time to work as a senior adviser for Jared Kushner.

According to the New York Times, Hicks, who was one of Trumps most trusted advisers, will now be counselor to the president. She will not be doing communications, according to the Times, but instead will be working on projects spearheaded by Kushner.

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Shes not the only one making a return appearance at the White House. The Washington Post reported Thursday that Johnny McEntee, Trumps longtime body man, will now lead the White House office of personnela position that will allow him to control hires in all kinds of positions around the federal government.

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McEntee was fired and escorted from the White House in 2018 because he was under investigation for serious financial crimes. He was immediately hired by the Trump campaign. McEntee had been one of Trumps original aides, along with Hicks and Dan Scavino. He and Hicks were both considered two of Trumps most trusted advisers.

Hicks was a highly influential, though somewhat mysterious, member of Trumps administration. She first started working from Trump during his campaign, when she was just 26 and had virtually no experience in political communication: She had been, until that point, working for Ivanka Trumps fashion brand. She rose within the administration with Trumps trust, eventually taking over as communications director after Anthony Scaramucci was forced out of the position following some crass comments (in an on-the-record interview, he accused Steve Bannon of trying to fellate himself). Hicks announced her resignation shortly after she testified before the House Intelligence Committee, saying she sometimes told white lies for Trump. She was replaced by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has said that Hicks departure had nothing to do with the testimony.

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Since leaving the White House in 2018, Hicks has been the head of communications for the Fox Corp., of which Fox News is a subsidiary. While little has been reported about the reasoning for the return, the Times had a theory to offer: Her return will come as his re-election campaign intensifies and as his advisers say the superstitious president has talked about recreating some aspects of that first race.

Both pieces of news came as reminders of the presidents obsession with loyalty. Just last week, Trump purged staffers who cooperated with the impeachment proceedings. On Monday, he withdrew his nomination of Jessie Liu, who once oversaw the Roger Stone prosecution, for a high-level position in the Treasury Department. Liu resigned Wednesday.
Californias 25th district is not lacking for drama.

Made up of suburbs that wrap around the northern edge of Los Angeles, this longtime Republican district is the one that Katie Hill flipped in a high-profile 2018 race. Last year, the 32-year-old ascendant Democrat resigned, after a conservative news site published nude photos of her and amid a congressional ethics probe. Among the more than 10 candidates vying to take her seat are the Republican she bested; a former Navy strike fighter pilot; an establishment-backed state assemblywoman; a liberal talk show host with a history of making off-color comments and a former Trump campaign aide who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and served 12 days in prison.

This is the candidate field most worthy of their own reality show, says Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego. But that is just the local reason that the race is one to watch: With a special election vote approaching on March 3, the choices made by voters in this California district could serve as a bellwether for the broader fate of Republicans in the state, and nationwide.

The story of Republicans in California has been one of decline. They hold no statewide offices and, as of 2018, they became the third most popular party, after Democrats and no party preference. Last cycle was especially rough, with seven House districts all being flipped from red to blue, thanks in part to Trumps unpopularity in the state. And Hills resignation presents the GOP with the chance to win one of those seats back without having to best an incumbent propelled by a sophomore surge.

Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a small but increasing margin in the district, an area once known for reliably conservative voters who worked in the military and aerospace industries. Even as Latino and Asian-American voters have moved in, fleeing Los Angeles high prices and pushing the populace to the left, red enclaves remain. And one of the leading candidates in the race, former Rep. Steve Knight, is well-known enough that the Republican has something resembling an incumbency advantage. If the GOP cannot win here under these conditions, Kousser says, it could herald a new era of irrelevance in the Golden State.

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The 25th could also serve as an indicator of Republican chances for taking back the House this year, a feat that would require the party to pick up at least 18 seats. This is the kind of district they need to be able to win, says Eric Schickler, co-director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. Its one that the party recently held. Its purple. Its a place where messages about hard work and family values resonate. When Hill resigned, the Cook Political Report recategorized its 2020 prediction for the district from Likely Democrat to the less definite Lean.

A Republican strategist involved in the race, who was not authorized to speak on the record, says the outcome wont necessarily be predictive but acknowledges that the party needs to seriously compete in places like this if there is to be hope of having a GOP Majority Leader in the near future. Its a seat they lost, and a suburban seat. You cant win back the House without suburban seats, right? they say. It doesnt mean it has to be in California. Republican leadership has suggested that a path back to power could, however, rely on winning back four or five seats in the state.

Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, and former Rep. Steve Knight (R-CA). | California State Assembly/Wikimedia Commons; David McNewGetty Images

Knights stiffest competition is Democrat Christy Smith, a state assemblywoman from the area who is also a known name and has been endorsed by power-brokers ranging from Gov. Gavin Newsom to Nancy Pelosi. The former L.A. police officer is also being challenged by conservative Mike Garcia, the former Navy pilot and a first generation American whose father immigrated from Mexico. While Garcia is focusing on his military background and political-newcomer status in the hopes of winning over a range of voters, Smith, whose background is in education, is focusing on healthcare and public safety issues like wildfires.

Also angling for the rare open seat in the L.A. area is Cenk Uygur  the progressive personality behind the online news network The Young Turks, whom Bernie Sanders briefly endorsed  and George Papadopoulos, the former Trump aide, who has been promoting a book and podcast. Neither lives in the district.

The attention focused on the race, says UC San Diegos Kousser, appears to have brought out both strong candidates and candidates who see this as an opportunity to get their message or their names out.

The frontrunners campaigns display some examples of what moderation looks like in California politics these days. Smith isnt demanding Medicare for all (though Uygur is). Garcia is generally supportive of his partys leader, with the exception of items like Trumps cap on state and local tax deductions, a detail of his tax plan that particularly hurt Californians.

Knight, meanwhile, is putting his public service record front-and-center and has criticized Garcia for not being more supportive of the President, despite the fact that the district went for Clinton in 2016 by a margin of nearly seven points.

Because Donald Trump was such a drag on the ticket of the Republican party in 2018, it was just crushed in unexpected places, including this district, says Kousser. In 2020, Donald Trumps name will be on the ballot, and thats going to bring out a lot of his opponents in a state like California.

Dave Jacobson, a Democratic strategist working with Smith, is comfortable predicting that the seven districts Democrats flipped last cycle will remain blue and notes that the party is going after even redder districts in California this year. The Presidents brand is so toxic, Jacobson says, that it opens up real vulnerabilities to every Republican.

There are some bureaucratic details that could muddle the races crystal-ball potential. Newsom set the special election to serve the remainder of Hills term for March 3, the same day of the states presidential primary and the primary for the regular 2020 House election. So candidates like Knight and Smith will be running in two races on the same ballot: one to serve out the remainder of Hills term and one to serve the next. If no candidate wins a majority in the special election vote, there will be a runoff in May.

If Democrats do continue their march toward dominance in this district and others, Schickler points out that it could have costs for liberal residents of the state as well as the GOP. States with ever-bluer delegations  like California, New York and much of New England  hold a lot of sway when theres a Democratic government in Washington, D.C. But when Republicans rule, he says, they can adopt policies without a whole lot of concern about how it imposes costs on voters in some of these states. Just ask residents who were shocked by their tax returns after Trumps new law went into effect.

When California was more balanced, then whoever was in power, California would be an important a player, Schickler says. Now when Republicans are in power, its kind of marginal.
" " A scene from HBO's "Westworld." John P. Johnson/HBO

The hit HBO series "Westworld" imagines a futuristic Old West theme park inhabited by a cast of strikingly humanoid robots. People visit Westworld to act out their darkest cowboy fantasies, sleeping with seductive robo-harlots and shooting up bearded bad guys  or good guys, if that's your thing.

The trouble begins when a handful of Westworld's android hosts start to "forget" that they're really machines and yearn to break free from the hideous treatment inflicted by the guests. All of which raises an interesting question: If an android is so highly evolved that it thinks like a human, laughs like a human, hurts like a human and even loves like a human, then where is the line between man and machine?

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Watching a mind-bending show like "Westworld" or other near-future artificial intelligence (AI) fantasies like "Ex Machina" and "Her," you might even start to wonder, "Could I actually be a robot? How would I even know?"

"In my view, what we think of as consciousness is not unique to humanity," says David Atkinson, senior research scientist with the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition. "Machines will someday behave as if they are conscious. They may even claim, as we do, to be self-aware. How could we prove them wrong? I believe that you are conscious because I believe you are like me, and I believe I am conscious."

Atkinson previously worked for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory overseeing the space agency's basic research programs in artificial intelligence and robotics. Like many of his AI colleagues, Atkinson sees the human brain as nothing more (or less) than an electrochemical supercomputer: "A very very sophisticated computer with complexity that we dream of understanding one day," he says

Most of us believe that self-awareness is proof of our humanity. "I think, therefore I am," as Descartes wrote. But that depends on how you define "thought." Some would argue that our best ideas and deepest desires can't be separated from the flesh-and-blood computer that creates and stores them.

"Your brain is composed of 100 billion neurons," says Jeff Clune, director of the Evolving Artificial Intelligence Lab at the University of Wyoming. "Which neurons are connected with which other neurons determines whether you prefer Shakespeare or USA Today, whether you fall in love, whether you prefer chocolate versus vanilla ice cream. Everything that is 'you' is contained in this fantastically complex tangle of neurons."

Clune believes that it's "inevitable" that we will one day create AI that rivals human intelligence and attains true consciousness. Computer scientists have already designed artificial neural networks that enable machines to autonomously learn in the same way that a child learns, by processing information from the world around them.

Clune's own lab designed a deep neural network that allowed a machine to learn how to recognize random images and then generate its own artistic renderings. Google tapped similar technology for its Deep Dream Generator.

"The idea is, if we get enough of these virtual neurons and we wire them up in the right way, we'll be able to produce true artificial intelligence just like it exists in humans," Clune says. At that point, the differences between brain and computer, thought and computation, mind and machine, will all be semantics.

"Why should a machine forget it is a machine any more than a person forgets they are human?" David Atkinson, Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition

In a scene from a recent episode of "Westworld", an android host named Maeve (played by Thandie Newton) interrogates a human lab tech, Felix (Leonardo Nam), as he tries to explain that everything she says and does has been programmed by the "people upstairs."

"We are the same these days, for the most part," says Felix to Maeve. "One big difference, though. The processing power in here [touching her head] is way beyond what we [humans] have. It's got one drawback, though."

"What's that?" asks Maeve.

"You're under our control."

Incredibly, this is one part of "Westworld" that AI researcher Clune finds fantastical. Not that we could build an android as convincingly human as Maeve, but that we could exercise control over a machine of equal or greater intelligence than ourselves.

"Current machine learning and AI research is based on the idea that we do not know how to program real intelligence," Clune says. "We create learning algorithms that allow these entities to learn on their own. But then they go off and read their own books and watch their own videos. We know how to create learning algorithms that allow AI to learn, but we don't have fine-tuned control over what it learns and how it thinks and what it pays attention to and what it doesn't."

And what about the idea that a machine could forget that it's a machine?

"Why should a machine forget it is a machine any more than a person forgets they are human?" says Atkinson. "They will not be born, grow up in a family, have grade school friends, and so on. No human experiences. They will have machine experiences. They will be very different from us that way, but I expect we will get along just fine."

So while it's increasingly probable that you will live to see the rise of autonomous intelligent robots, it's highly unlikely that you are one of them. Phew.

Now That's Cool "One final thought to scramble your noodle," says scientist David Atkinson. "The actors on 'Westworld' are reading from a script. They are not really the characters they portray, but they behave as if they are. The script is the software, the acting is the algorithm, and the actors are the computer."
For a country that basically fetishizes pregnancy, we sure do f*** over new parents when it comes to paid parental leave, Samantha Bee said three weeks ago, announcing that her late night show, Full Frontal With Samantha Bee, is now offering all employees 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave. Citing statistics that paid parental leavewhich is national policy in 106 countrieslowers the risk of postpartum depression, promotes infant health and boosts the economy, Bee challenged her male colleagues in late night television to implement the same or better policies. Granular numbers are difficult to find, but observers of workplace culture say the trend toward more enlightened employment practices is growing.
Try as they might, there is little that members of Congress can do to keep President Trump from taking the country to war if he really wants to.

They are trying. The Senate on Wednesday gave initial approval to a resolution that limits the president's authority to launch attacks on Iran  just a few weeks after Trump brought the country to the brink of war by ordering the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Amazingly, the resolution even had bipartisan backing: Eight Republicans joined the Democrats to pass the measure.

"While the president does and must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there," Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said before the vote. "An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition. It's clearly stated in the Constitution."

The president, of course, seems to consider the Constitution an annoyance  he bristles at any check on his power. On Wednesday, he argued against the resolution via Twitter:

It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

....If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

The resolution is bound to fail: Trump will almost certainly veto it when it comes to his desk. But even if Congress passed the bill with a veto-proof majority, it might do little to constrain Trump  or any other president determined to go to war with Iran.

Story continues

Presidents, after all, tend to take a very expansive view of their Constitutional commander-in-chief duties  and Congress, this new resolution notwithstanding, has often proven feckless about asserting its own prerogatives in warmaking. In 2006, Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate after Americans became tired of the war in Iraq  but they not only failed to end the war, then-President George W. Bush doubled down with a "surge" of troops to that country, deepening and lengthening U.S. involvement in combat there. Similar examples abound in U.S. history.

The Iraq War, of course, had authorization from Congress. The new resolution would ostensibly require Trump to seek similar backing. But Kaine's own comments hint at an opening that would let the president disregard that requirement: All Trump has to do to send U.S. forces into combat is say that he was aiming to prevent an "imminent attack" from Iran.

In fact, that was one of the many rationales that White House officials offered for the Soleimani assassination in January  Trump even at one point suggested Soleimani was plotting to strike as many as four U.S. embassies. Trump probably made up those plots, but it didn't matter. He ordered the strike on Soleimani without informing congressional leaders, and by the time the dust had cleared, Soleimani was dead and the U.S. at the precipice of a wider war with Iran  until cooler heads prevailed.

The incident was one more reminder that you should never believe a word this president says. And Americans have learned they should expect him to bypass the restraints that previous presidents observed. So it isn't difficult to imagine a scenario in which Trump sent American forces into action without congressional approval  claiming an imminent attack, but offering no proof  then dared the House and Senate to do something about it. As already noted, history doesn't suggest Congress would rise to that challenge.

In such a scenario, it is possible that the House could use its power of the purse to defund American military operations against Iran and thus force the president to bring the troops home. Politically it would be difficult  Trump could accuse lawmakers of failing to support American soldiers already in combat. And it's unclear whether the president would bend to such tactics.

After all, Trump has already bypassed Congress on a funding matter once, using the defense budget to begin construction of a wall on the border with Mexico  after Congress refused to provide that funding in the first place. That dispute is still in the courts, but it offers an ominous guide to the president's willingness to bypass normal constraints.

Hopefully, these scenarios don't come to fruition. Trump is somewhat famously unpredictable on the matter of war with Iran. He came to office promising to end Middle Eastern wars, and once called off an attack on that country's forces. But he also ordered Soleimani's assassination, and his policies toward Iran seem likely to keep tension high between the two countries. It is a good thing that the Senate is trying to act on a curb against his more aggressive tendencies. If the president wants war with Iran, though, it will be tough to stop him from getting it.

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Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Wednesday that the countrys unresolved political problems are the root cause of failure to end hostilities between the government military and ethnic armed groups as Myanmar continues to strive for permanent peace.

The governments of the successive periods have tried their best to put an end to the armed conflicts and restore peace to our motherland, but have not yet achieved the goals of peace, she said in her capacity as chairperson of the Central Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races at the 73rd Union Day ceremony in Panglong, also known as Pinlon, in Myanmars southern Shan state.

As state counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi has made ending Myanmars armed conflicts and forging peace the cornerstone of her administration, but the peace process has been stymied by ongoing fighting between Myanmar forces and rebel armies in outlying ethnic regions and by the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine state.

Her civilian-led government has held three sessions of the 21st-Century Panglong Conference attended by delegates from the government, military, and ethnic armed organizations.

The first two rounds, held in late August 2016 and in May 2017, failed to make much progress in resolving differences between the parties. At the last meeting in July 2018, delegates agreed on 52 points for establishing a democratic federal union.

The peace talks stem from the original Panglong Conference arranged by Aung San Suu Kyis father, independence hero General Aung San, in 1947 to grant autonomy to the Shan, Kachin, and Chin ethnic minorities before Myanmar gained its independence from colonial rule by Britain.

But his assassination in July 1947 prevented the agreements made during the conference from reaching fruition, and many ethnic groups then took up arms against the central government in wars that continued for decades.

So far, only 10 of Myanmars 20-odd ethnic armies have signed a nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) that was first inked under former president Thein Sein and his quasi-civilian government in 2015.

The cease-fire agreement has been only the highest form of agreement, and the sustainable peace has not yet been built. Why? Because, as our government believes, the political problems among us, which are the root of the problems of the armed conflicts, have not yet been settled, as has been highlighted in the message of the President, Aung San Suu Kyi said.

President Win Myint marked Union Day by hosting a reception and dinner in Myanmars capital Naypyidaw for government ministers, military top brass, political party leaders, state ethnic affairs ministers, lawmakers, and representatives from armed groups that have signed the NCA.

Totally ignored us

Some ethnic politicians pointed to the governments failure to keep previous promises made to ethnic parties to give them more political power as one reason for the lack of progress with the peace process.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee, head of the Karen National Unions Foreign Affairs Department, lambasted Aung San Suu Kyis ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government for failing to amend parts of constitution that it vowed to change in the run-up to elections in 2015, which the party won by a landslide.

In particular, he cited a lack of changes to Article 261, which grants Myanmars president the authority to appoint state and regional chief ministers rather than local legislators.

When we demanded the amending of Article 261  the ruling party totally ignored us, Padoh Saw Taw Nee told RFAs Myanmar Service.

They repeatedly promised to amend the constitution before they got elected, but they no longer cared about our desires after they formed the government, he said.

Khin Saw Wai, a lawmaker from the Arakan National Party (ANP) who recently resigned from the NLD-led Constitutional Reform Committee, said the committees initiatives to amend the charter still do not include Article 261, which the ethnic minorities had unanimously demanded.

The ANP proposed changing Article 261 and submitted a proposal for a new formation of ethnic states, but when parliament discussed the issue, they didnt focus on agendas demanded by the ethnic parties.

Sai Kyaw Nyunt, secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), the largest ethnic political party in Shan state, said the NLD-dominated national parliament has rejected motions by ethnic parties and prevented them from advancing in the chamber.

We need to assess how many NLD lawmakers have supported motions submitted by non-NLD lawmakers in the parliament, he said.

I dont see many NLD lawmakers supporting motions and proposals submitted by other parties, he added.

Han Tha Myint, an NLD spokesman and member of the partys Central Executive Committee, said that relations between the NLD and ethnic groups have grown cold.

We no longer have the same level of closeness as we had when the NLD was an opposition party, he said. We accept that we have lost unity with them. We are working on improving and warming up our relationship with the ethnic parties.

In September, the NLD formed an Ethnic Affairs Committee headed by a Kachin lawmaker state and comprised of 15 members from other states and regions, with an eye toward wooing voters in the region ahead of elections in November.



Reported by Phyu Phyu Khine for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
In an interview on ABC's "The View" Thursday, former Vice President Joe Biden said "I don't know what happened" to Sen. Lindsey Graham, regarding his unwavering support of President Trump and investigation into Hunter Biden.

The big picture: Graham advocates for further reviews of Hunter Biden's business activities during the Obama administration. Attorney General Bill Bar confirmed the Justice Department received information on the Bidens from the president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Graham called it a significant development and Hunter Biden's conflict of interest "legitimate."

The exchange:

JOE BIDEN: "Look, Lindsey and John McCain and I were friends. Lindsey asked me to, when I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, would I travel around, invite him to come with us and travel a lot with [John McCain] and Lindsey, and I don't know what happened because the way he dealt with the attacks on John after he passed away. John and I would argue like hell. We would go at each other but John was a completely, thoroughly, honorable, decent man, never would do anything..."

JOY BEHAR: "He wants to win South Carolina."

BIDEN: "I think that's it but it even surprises me bit. Look, some things you have to do aren't worth the job."

BEHAR: "That's right."

BIDEN: "Anyway, I have to admit to you it's a disappointment, but it is what it is and there's nothing there but this is all to try make it sound like Trump had some rationale for doing what he did. He violated the Constitution. Every single person who testified acknowledged he did that and now they say it doesn't matter that you violate the Constitution. He just weaponized the presidency."

Go deeper: Manchin says he believes Hunter Biden is relevant impeachment witness
It's been roughly 1,100 days since Barack Obama was president, a number that means different things to different people - be they Democrats, Republicans or readers of any party. Like so many of his predecessors, Obama signed up to write a presidential memoir, but he's running late, at least by the standards of the genre. His publisher has yet to announce a title or even a publication date. George W. Bush's "Decision Points," by contrast, came out roughly 600 days after he left office.

There have been presidential autobiographies for nearly as long as there have been American presidents. Four of the first five chief executives tried to write their life stories, with Washington the only holdout. But political memoirs create a peculiar set of problems for their authors. Two hundred years of history make the temptation clear: To emphasize the politics at the expense of the memoir. But that history also provides some useful tips if Obama and other political memoirists will consider them.

Washington's characteristic reticence left John Adams to go first. His book, which he began not long after Thomas Jefferson defeated him in the 1800 election, offers the first lesson for Obama: Personal writing doesn't mean you have to focus on personal grievances. Adams intended his book for posthumous publication, but his voice was snappy and lively, a quality Obama might aspire to. Still, Adams frequently squandered it on arguments with his former rivals. Instead of describing the Revolutionary War, for instance, he got distracted by attacking Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Paine. The ex-president picked fights for more than 400 pages. He never finished his book.

Over the next few decades, a handful of presidents joined the founders in attempting autobiographies, but they each ended up with a text that was grumpy, defensive and incomplete. The Civil War changed that - the incomplete part, at least. After leaving the White House in 1861, James Buchanan searched for an author to answer his many detractors. (Slamming the former president had become a rare activity that united North and South.) Eventually, he finished the book on his own, blaming the war on abolitionists, reporters, generals - on everyone, in short, but himself.

Buchanan's memoir astonished readers, by appearing so quickly and also by being terrible. "Instead of trusting his enemy to write a book," the New York Times marveled, "he deliberately writes the story of his own and his government's dishonor himself!"

In the years after the Civil War, more and more politicians and generals agreed to publish autobiographies during their lifetimes. The most popular entry came from Ulysses S. Grant, who was driven to the project by his bankruptcy - and barely finished it because of a fatal cancer. Despite these challenges, Grant wrote a book that's generally seen as the greatest presidential memoir, though it focused on his time as a general. "Personal Memoirs" provided meticulous accounts of Grant's battles. But the most memorable passages came in his descriptions of others - meeting with Abraham Lincoln, meeting with Robert E. Lee. That's the second quality Obama might consider: Short but memorable character sketches of his contemporaries.

The other thing about "Personal Memoirs" that should interest Obama is its anemic impact on Grant's legacy. When the book appeared in 1885, it sold more copies than just about any other title in American history. Before long, however, Grant's military reputation began to falter. "Personal Memoirs" couldn't reverse the image pushed by pro-Southern historians: That Grant was a blundering butcher.

And yet America's presidents kept writing. When Theodore Roosevelt published his "Autobiography" in 1913, he inaugurated a streak in which, with the partial exceptions of William Howard Taft and George H.W. Bush, every president who's left the White House in good health has gone on to publish a memoir. These books have often repeated the problems present in Adams', obsessing over enemies and wallowing in self-justifications. Before he began writing, Roosevelt chatted with a novelist about his upcoming book. "I have no desire to get even with anybody," Roosevelt said. Once he started writing, though, he couldn't help it. The author compared himself to Lincoln; he compared his opponents to Buchanan.

There's one surprising exception: "The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge," which appeared in 1929. While Coolidge's book is forgotten today - as is Coolidge's presidency, to be honest - it was a sensation in its own era. His contemporaries had always celebrated his writing. (The only thing H.L. Mencken liked about the 30th president, it seemed, was his literary style.) So the country's biggest magazines entered a bidding war to publish the first excerpt from the eventual book, and Cosmopolitan, then a general interest magazine, came out on top. On the morning the winning issue went on sale, Coolidge's wife, Grace, went out early to buy a copy at her local newsstand. It was a good thing - by the end of the day the issue had essentially disappeared nationwide. Scalpers were selling it for several times the cover price; at the magazine's headquarters, requests for additional inventory came from 1,900 cities.

The passage that had everyone buzzing centered on Calvin Jr., the Coolidges' teenage son. Early in his father's presidency, Calvin Jr.developed a small blister while playing on the White House lawn, a blister that became infected and ultimately killed him. Now his father recounted the experience: "In his suffering, he was asking me to make him well. I could not." The most powerful person in America admitted that he'd felt powerless - that, even years later, he remained lacerated and unsure. "If I had not been President," Coolidge wrote, "he would not have raised a blister." As he put it in the article's final line, "It costs a great deal to be President."

Coolidge's book rarely defended his presidency, but it presented a revealing portrait of his time in office. In fact, it contained a number of qualities Obama might want to borrow. It was modest. It was short. Most of all, it highlighted the human side of Coolidge's presidency, capturing things only he could know.

On some level, every ex-president has realized that this is the right approach. But they never follow through. When Dwight Eisenhower started working on his contribution, he promised a "personal memoir" - something that would skip the self-justifications to tell an intimate story. Then Eisenhower wrote a two-volume tome that was as windy and indulgent as any of his predecessors' books. When the first volume appeared, two weeks before John F. Kennedy's assassination, it was widely discussed, including at the White House. Kennedy chuckled at Eisenhower's self-righteous tone. "Apparently he never did anything wrong," the president told an aide. "When we come to writing the memoirs of this administration, we'll do it differently."

Kennedy never got the chance, but his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, also pledged a "personal" book. That's become the favored description of one's presidential memoir - Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton used the word, as well - but it's one of the emptiest promises in politics.

Perhaps Obama is wrestling with these same authorial impulses. His previous works prove he's a terrific and personal writer, someone whose first book, "Dreams From My Father," told a lyrical story while hinting at bigger themes.

But presidential memoirs present different challenges. Obama's readers will of course want to know his thoughts on his administration and what's come after. But Obama can address those topics personally without bogging down in bland play-by-play. He doesn't need to summarize every fight with Mitch McConnell, especially since Obama's personality makes it seem unlikely that he would write about those squabbles in the gossipy way Adams wrote about Hamilton. Instead, Obama might explore what it felt like to campaign on a promise of unity, only to see that promise undone by broader political forces. He might describe what he thought and how he changed as he watched his deepest beliefs backfire.

What Obama should do, in other words, is write a book like Coolidge's. After all, attacking one's opponents and vindicating one's polices doesn't really work. Even a memoir as good (and as popular) as Grant's couldn't secure him a favorable legacy. But that's a cause less for despair than for relief - an excuse to write something shorter and rawer, something more intimate, something that really is "personal" - and that present-day readers will love to read. Don't expound upon your theory of executive power - show what it felt like to be the executive. Reveal the presidency's private side. Leave the rest to the historians.

- - -

Fehrman is the author of "Author in Chief: The Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote."
Now Open

13 February 2020

Comfort hotels, franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), continues to expand in major markets across the country with the opening of a hotel in Austin, Texas. The newly built Comfort Suites in Cedar Park, Texas, just outside of Austin is the latest to open as part of the brand's multiyear transformation, featuring modern rooms and public spaces, as well as the new Comfort logo.

Located at 900 Arrow Point Dr., guests of the 78-room hotel are a short drive from downtown Austin, offering guests convenient access to the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State Capitol and the regional offices of major technology companies: Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook and Dell. Local attractions convenient to the hotel include the Austin Aquarium, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Round Rock Premium Outlets and plenty of outdoor recreation on Lake Travis.

Comfort hotels are designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers with amenities that make for a refreshing stay, including:

Modern guestrooms with premium pillows, bedding and bath features.

Business centers, meeting space and open lobbies with room to work and socialize, including free Wi-Fi.

24-hour fitness centers.

Complimentary hearty and healthy breakfast, featuring the brand's signature waffles, eggs, breakfast meats, pastries, yogurt, and fresh coffees and teas.

100% smoke-free facilities.

The Comfort Suites in Cedar Park was developed by Kulwinder Binning and Kamaldeep Gill of Karma Builders, LLC.
California Rep. Adam Schiff accused President Trump of launching a 'direct attack' on the rule of law through his efforts to blast prosecutors who recommended a lengthy jail term for longtime associate Roger Stone.

Schiff, who was the lead House impeachment manager in Trump's Senate trial, accused the president of using the power of his office to help people who 'cover up' for him.

'I'm struck by the fact that it's all out in the open. I mean, we will certainly learn about what's taking place behind the scenes, the sort of clandestine effort to weigh in and help the President's friends and hurt the President's enemies,' the Democrat told former Barack Obama advisor David Axelrod for his podcast, 'The Axe Files.'

Rep. Adam Schiff accused President Trump of launching a 'direct attack' on the rule of law through by inserting himself into the Roger Stone court case

'But the fact that this is being done in the open in a way makes it more insidious, because it is normalizing this attack on the independence of our justice system,' Schiff said.

Schiff, who has became a regular target of the president's and during a series of speeches in the Senate said Trump tried to 'cheat' in his election, spoke as House Democrats grappled how to respond, after watching Trump's approval ratings tick up during their unsuccessful impeachment effort.

'It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation,' said Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), didn't rule out a second impeachment when asked about it on CNN.

Roger Stone, former advisor to President Donald Trump, and his wife Nydia Stone arrive at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, on November 15, 2019 in Washington, DC

'We now have a President, and an attorney general who's willing to go along with him, that is in the business of investigating political opponents,' Schiff said. 'That is in the business of providing lenient sentences for those that will commit crimes to cover up for the President and try to get harsher sentences on people like Michael Cohen or others that will speak out against the President.'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, spent months resisting the original impeachment effort weighed in on the Justice Department changing course after seeking a sentence for Stone of up to nine years in prison.

'It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation,' she said.

Another Californian, Rep. Eric Swalwell, didn't rule out a second impeachment when asked about it on CNN.

'We're not going to take our options off table,' Swalwell said. 'We don't wake up in the morning wanting to impeach him. We want to work with him on prescription drugs, background checks and infrastructure. But we're not going to let him just torch this democracy because he thinks that he's been let off once and we're not going to do something about it.'

Democrats have also spoken of impeaching Barr, who agreed to testify to the House Judiciary Committee next month for the first time in a year. He never appeared to discuss the Mueller report.

Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted about Barr: 'Congress must act immediately to rein in our lawless Attorney General.' She added: 'Barr should resign or face impeachment.'

Trump this week has gone after the prosecutors who recommended the sentence and the judge hearing the case, as well as the jury fore person, who has Democratic roots and ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Democrat in 2012.
The new chancellor has been branded a 'stooge' of Dominic Cummings, left, by shadow chancellor John McDonnell, right (PA)

A senior Labour politician has branded Sajid Javids replacement Rishi Sunak as a stooge that signifies a win for Boris Johnsons powerful adviser Dominic Cummings.

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, tweeted the remarks after branding the government as being in chaos.

Javids departure as chancellor came amid a flurry of reports that he had been told to sack his advisors to stay in the job, and quit after refusing.

This is a historical record. A government in chaos within weeks of an election. Its clear Dominic Cummings has won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and has installed his stooge as the Chancellor.  John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) February 13, 2020

Cummings, the former Vote Leave chief who is now the prime ministers top adviser, has drawn a lot of media attention since arriving at Downing Street.

Admired by many Brexiteers and vilified by Remainers, Cummings has proven divisive in the corridors of power, too.

Former PM David Cameron branded Cummings a career psychopath, the latter having been an advisor to his then-education secretary Michael Gove.

Tensions between Number 10 and the Treasury rose in August 2019 when Cummings effectively sacked Javid aide Sonia Khan.

Javid then reportedly suggested Cummings should be sacked on the eve of the December 2019 election, fearing the Tories had only won a small majority.

Whitehall sources speculating that Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid have had a major row over Dominic Cummings' proposed restructuring of special advisers  Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) February 13, 2020

Reports have framed Javids departure as the culmination, then, of the battle between Cummings and the ex-chancellor that McDonnell tweeted about.

It has also been suggested that Javid did not want to work as part of a combined prime ministers office-Treasury team to drive the governments programme.

Story continues

Govt figure on Javid/Johnson blow up.



PM wanted to create joint No 10/11 unit to drive delivery Cameron & Osborne rose & fell together & PM wanted to build that with Sajid



Johnson an admirer of Javid. CX made clear wouldnt give us his team. There was no middle ground  Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) February 13, 2020

Other Labour politicians piled on, with Angela Eagle claiming the next chancellor will meekly do as theyre told, and Tottenham MP David Lammy questioning who was in charge at Number 10.

Is the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, or Dominic Cummings? https://t.co/XY4KCw5GG8  David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 13, 2020

Having announced he will step back from frontline politics when Jeremy Corbyn leaves as leader, McDonnell will be gearing up for the next months budget.

Javids departure as chancellor has come just weeks before its is due to be presented on 11 March.
Some facts first! Donald Trump, President of the United States, will visit India on February 24 and 25. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host him in Delhi and Gujarat. The US President's office said the visit will strengthen the US-India strategic partnership and highlight the strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people.

The optics of the two-day visit is thus clear.

What is unclear is whether Trump's India visit will end up as an expression of lofty intent and goodwill or result in something more tangible. Big surprises are unlikely, but the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and India's key economic ministries -- the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in particular, is working hard to see if something can be worked out in the next couple of weeks.

What could that be?

Also read: US wants India to buy $6 billion worth of farm goods to seal trade deal

Trade Deal: Trump has been hinting at the possibility of a bilateral trade deal with India for some time now. He wants India to import more from the US and reduce its trade surplus in bilateral trade. The US also wants its farmers to export more agriculture produce -- dairy products to exotic fruits to soybean -- to India. Other demands of the US on its agenda are duty cut on products like medical devices by India and easing of norms on data localisation in digital commerce space.

India wants the US to reconsider the recent withdrawal of some duty benefits it has been offering to products exported from India. The country expects the US to provide a more friendly work visa regime to help Indian IT firms. India also wants US companies to invest in India.

A comprehensive deal, which covers all or most of these areas, is impossible. One could perhaps cherry-pick and announce a deal that is very limited in scope. And that is one area where Indian and the US bureaucrats are trying to find a meeting point.

Defence Cooperation: On December 18, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar met their US counterparts in Washington DC as part of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

The outcome of the meeting could well be taken forward during Trump's upcoming visit as both sides had committed to deepen cooperation to address regional and global threats, combat terrorism, coordinate on disaster relief, train peacekeepers, promote transparent and sustainable infrastructure, and advance maritime security. New initiatives on people-to-people ties, exchange programs for parliamentarians and young innovators, judicial cooperation, university research partnerships, etc, were also worked out.

Strategic Announcement: A much simpler option is to make big announcements related to sectors of mutual interests. Partnerships in defence and security can provide a sense of high-value transactions in the making. Since several partnership talks are work in progress, it could even up updates. The External Affairs Ministry's statement, confirming US President's upcoming visit, hinted at several such areas of mutual interests when it talked about significant progress both the countries have made in areas of trade, defence, counter-terrorism, energy, coordination on regional and global issues as well as people-to-people ties. It said the US President's first visit to India would provide the two leaders with an opportunity to review the progress in bilateral ties and further strengthen the strategic partnership.

Also read: Looking forward to my first visit to India: US President Donald Trump
Electric cars are no longer dreams or part of a plan; the phenomena is now real. European nations have set up the precedence for the adoption of these carbon-free automobiles as they aim towards zero emissions. Currently, there are diesel-free cities whereby automobiles running on such fuel are prohibited. Is this program achievable in Africa, more so in Kenya? Although it is hard spotting electric cars in Kenya, the switch has already begun. Without a doubt, Kenyas transport sector is gearing up for the paradigm shift to electric automobiles. Can electric cars work in Kenya? That is the most significant inquiry most stakeholders and consumers are asking themselves.

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Do you want to drive an electric car in Kenya? Perhaps the closest you have ever got to an electric vehicle is a hybrid. However, this is not a perfect example of one. The ideal electric automobile runs on electricity. Numerous factors come to play when determining the influx of electric vehicles (EV) in Kenya.

Historically, these cars have not been utilized because of their limited driving range after a full charge. Also, their numbers are not growing as fast as expected because of a lack of automobile makers to commit to large scale production. Regardless of all these limitations, electric cars are becoming mainstream, as producers have started advancing the technology.

READ ALSO: Ronaldos car collection now worth KSh 1 billion after Georgina gifted him Mercedes G Wagon

What are electric cars?

Do you know the distinct qualities that make an electric car? They run an electric motor powered from electricity produced from batteries or a fuel cell. Just as there are diverse technologies for conventional automobiles, EV possess different capabilities. Most manufacturers build their electric cars according to different driver's needs.

Regardless of how they are made, the significant feature of such vehicles is that the driver can plug them to charge from an off-board electric power source. That is why there are different electric car charging stations in Kenya, and more are going to come up as demand increases.

Types of electric vehicles

From the outside, you will hardly know that an automobile is electric. They are built to mimic traditional designs. If you are interested in Tesla car price in Kenya, it might be best if you familiarized yourself with EV terminology and technology.

A comprehensive reply to How do electric vehicles work? lies in the technology utilized. There are two main categories of EVs:

All-electric vehicles (AEVs)

AEVs source their entire power from electric motors. Therefore, they possess a battery pack that stores all the electrical energy produced by the motor. Ordinarily, they get their electricity from an electric grid after plugging them in.

There do not consume any petroleum-based fuel hence do not produce any carbon or exhaust. BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) and FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) fall in this category.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs utilize both electricity and fuel to power the car. Usually, a battery powers the motor charged from an electrical grid. On the other hand, the vehicle possesses a fuel compartment utilized to power the internal combustion engine.

READ ALSO: 5 types of drivers that drive us crazy

Are there electric cars in Kenya?

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

In 2016, Francis Romano surprised the Kenyan customs department by importing an electric car. The car was held up at the port for some time, as there were not sufficient standards to value the car for tax purposes. Today, Kenya is experiencing an electric car revolution, many people developing interest in this new technology.

Although there is a high likelihood that different personalities have imported electric cars in Kenya, the most significant is Nopia ride. They are a full electric taxi-hailing firm that has already set up shop in Kenya. The Nopia electric cars in Kenya are the first of its kind at a commercial level.

Nopia Kenya conducted a pilot phase from August 2018 to March 2019 using Nissan Leafs imported from Japan and the United Kingdom. During this time, the firm tested the viability of their business to attract potential investors and grow their investment.

Today, the company possesses different electric car charging stations equipped with DC fast chargers in Nairobi. Initially, they were located at the Hub Mall in Karen and Two Rivers Mall only. However, to scale up their operations, they have added another fast charging hub at Thika Road Mall and are planning for more outlets.

READ ALSO: Kind couple gifts hotel waitress with brand new car after excellent service

What is the duty on electric cars in Kenya?

If you are thinking about importing an electric car, it is a good idea to find out more about the tax you are going to pay. According to the recent Kenyan budget, the Government proposed alteration to the tariff structure of electric automobiles. Therefore, they suggested a reduction of 10 percent on all-electric vehicles that carry more than ten people.

Unfortunately, those importing hybrid vehicles will be charged 5 percent more, an increase from the previous 20 percent. The Government of Kenya is taking significant measures to reduce carbon emissions that are associated with fossil-based fuels.

Are electric cars practical?

When you look at the Nopia car price in Kenya, you might shy away from procuring yourself an electric car. Many individuals believe that electric vehicles are costly, but that might not be the case.

The African continent is urbanizing very fast, surpassing the global average. Therefore, the rapidly growing urban population is exerting a lot of strain on the existing infrastructure. The main areas that are getting intense pressure are transport and energy.

Many individuals rely on fuel for transport, which creates a massive financial burden. Electric automobiles create a reliable transport alternative, eliminating the excess dependency on fuel. Also, they do not have direct emissions, meaning that the air quality in urban areas is going to improve significantly.

This is the perfect moment for electric cars in Kenya. The country is looking to make substantial investments in improving its power capacity. Therefore, with a rise in vehicle ownership, it would suffice to get yourself an electric car.

Nonetheless, there is a lot of work to be done before Kenya has the full capability of maintaining electric automobiles. The Government is taking steps to make this possible and investors have started importing and doing business using electric cars.

The efficiency of electric cars in Kenya

Image: pexels.com

Source: UGC

Ordinarily, automobiles have a usable life before they lose their value. Fortunately, before this happens, you would have fully maximized your vehicle. That is if you maintain it well. Going with Nopia electric car price in Kenya, you will realize that getting your hand on one of these is not cheap. So, how do you gain from buying an electric car?

It all comes down to efficiency. First, with an electric car, you are going to reduce your reliance on fossil-based fuels and cut down on carbon emissions. That means that if you purchase an electric automobile, you will break even faster than petroleum-based cars.

If you are still wondering if the idea of electric cars in Kenya is viable, then you might have to consider the different factors. It is an excellent alternative to fuel-based vehicles. The only disadvantage in Kenya is that the country is yet to have sufficient support for electric cars. Regardless, owning one is going to give you access to its massive advantages.

READ ALSO: Mtangazaji wa KBC Bonnie Musambi, amzawadi mkewe gari na nyumba ya kifahari

READ ALSO: Bolt Kenya requirements for drivers and riders

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Unrestricted stock shareholders with net new stock positions after Feb 13, 2020 will receive one half Bitcoin Mining Gigahash per share

Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Miami-based United American Corp (OTC PINK: UAMA) ("UnitedCorp"), a digital and telecommunications company, announced today that it will become the first publicly-traded company to pay sustained hashing power to new net shareholders of record after Feb 13, 2020 in the form of a special dividend-like Bitcoin mining hashing power.

The company's increased capitalization - highly efficient data center domes with natural cooling and heat generation stations for greenhouses - now permits the payment of a new generation of special dividend: UnitedCorp will provide a sustained 0.5 Gigahash per second (Gh/s) per share to net new unrestricted stock shareholdings of record as of February 13, 2020. In addition, any new stock issued through private placement under Reg D after Feb 13, 2020 will also receive the special dividend.

This means for example, that a shareholder with a net new position of 2 million shares after February 13, 2020, would receive 1 petahash mining power. Shareholders will be able to direct their hashing to the Bitcoin mining pool of their choice, thereby maintaining full custody of any Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Core or Bitcoin Cash assets earned within their chosen mining pools and transferred to their cryptocurrency wallet.

UnitedCorp's current operation supports Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256) cryptographic protocol for mining of Bitcoin.

The company will not provide any representations with regards to potential financial results from the mining due to market volatility, variation in network difficulties and the ultimate performance of the chosen pool - all of which are beyond its control. The company will evaluate the level of special dividend payment on a monthly basis and will provide regular updates to shareholders on the current mining power per share or any changes to the mining power per share via its web site.

All restricted stock issued prior to February 14, 2020 as well as any unrestricted/free-trading share position prior to that date are not eligible for the new special dividend.

Eligible Shareholding Registration Process

1- Shareholders will need a minimum of 100,000 new share position (shares purchased after February 13, 2020) to be eligible for the special dividend and will need to register for the hashing dividend at www.unitedcorp.com/investors/dividend and complete the KYC and AML procedures

2- The company will validate on a regular basis the information received from banks and broker dealers the Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners (NOBO) list as well as the shareholder names and addresses of record as per SEC Rules 14b-1 & 14b-2

3- Upon completion of registration and KYC and AML procedures, shareholders can direct hashing to their previously registered mining pool account. The pool will then transfer digital assets to shareholders' wallets according to the pools' respective procedures.

Existing shareholders with free-trading stock positions as of February 13, 2020 are not eligible for the special dividend. For existing shareholders, only the net new positions are eligible - for example, if a shareholder already owns 25,000 shares and buys and holds an additional 150,000 shares after Feb 13, 2020, only 150,000 shares will be eligible for the special dividend.

The Current Landscape for Digital Assets

The current landscape for investing in digital assets is changing significantly as institutional and retail investors seek to minimize direct exposure to cryptocurrencies while at the same time benefit from this new type of asset.

UnitedCorp's unique approach will permit investors, through a long-awaited creative new investment vehicle, to be part of the cryptocurrency world by providing significant advantage over trusts, exchange-traded products, cash-settled futures, and investment funds, as such investment products are usually tied to holdings of cryptocurrencies like BSV, BTC or BCH. Furthermore, under these more traditional mechanisms, investors have little or no control over the underlying asset held by these investment vehicles and their value is directly related to market reactions to cryptocurrency volatility and fluctuations

UAMA shares are traded through licensed brokerage firms and are eligible for tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs or 401(k)s. For US shareholders who hold UAMA in tax-deferred accounts, such as IRAs or 401(k)s, the net digital assets mined can be managed separately from the accounts along with any associated tax liabilities.

This new vehicle further addresses custody issues as each shareholder will have direct control of the underlying asset which they can manage as they see fit, without concerns over third party custodians or storage services.

"Cryptocurrency is a new industry, and UnitedCorp is ready to lead the way through creativity and innovation so our shareholders can participate and benefit from it," stated Benoit Laliberte, President and CEO of UnitedCorp. "Digital currency is all about democratization of the network and we can think of no better way of achieving democracy than handing some of the network power over to our shareholders and away from faceless networks and exchanges."

Sustainable Mining

UnitedCorp currently operates green data centers powered by zero-carbon energy which form the basis for successful and sustainable operations. At a time when the world demands ever-increasing environmental sustainability and minimal impact on climate change, this approach is now a financial and social necessity. The company believes that sustainability in the long-term will enhance shareholder value.

UnitedCorp believes that the global hashing power demand will continue to grow and that investors will be able to adjust their investment in the company as per their individual requirements. In response, the company expects to be able to add hashing power based on investor demand, through periodic private placements made by qualified investors

As such, UnitedCorp stakeholders will have benefits in three areas; through participation in company equity, through direct returns in mining hash power and eventually, through heat generation in greenhouse operations. UnitedCorp considers this the best way of both rewarding long-term income investors as well as maintaining a strong balance sheet.

UAMA - Mining Power Special Dividend Stream

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6697/52390_2f88b18df4b6aa73_002full.jpg

About United American Corp

Established in 1992, United American Corp is a Florida-based development and management company focusing on telecommunications and information technologies. The company currently holds the rights to manage a portfolio of patents and proprietary technology in telecommunications, social media and Blockchain technology, and owns and operates the Data Center Domes which are designed to provide heat for agricultural operations using computer equipment in naturally cooled data centers where efficiency and low-cost operations are a priority.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors that may be beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances in management's expectations or opinions change.

Source:

United American Corp

Contact:

Investor Relations

investorrelations@unitedcorp.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52390
An American couple who vacationed on the now-quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship together could be at risk of returning home alone.

Rebecca Frasure has been in isolation in a Tokyo hospital away from her husband, Kent, since Friday when she was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus that has reached epidemic levels in China and become a global health crisis.

The Oregon resident told CNBC her heart "just sank" when she found out she had contracted the disease on the docked vessel.

"I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say," said Rebecca Frasure, explaining that she had a minor cough but no fever.

"I'm not allowed to leave my room and I'm not allowed to interact with anybody else," she said in a video that aired on the network's "Outbreak" special report on Wednesday evening.

Kent Frasure, who tested negative of the disease, remains cordoned alone in the cabin he previously shared with his wife. He will be there at least until the mandatory 14-day quarantine is lifted next Wednesday.

The ship is moored at a Yokohama port near Tokyo as Japanese Ministry of Health officials try to prevent the deadly virus from spreading to the island country.

"We didn't have a goodbye kiss just 'cause we didn't really know what was going on," Kent Frasure said in a separate video call with CNBC.

"We Facetime regularly and message each other quite a bit," he added.

The Frasures were two of 3,700 people on board the Princess Cruise ship, a subsidiary of Carnival Corp., that was placed under quarantined last week. At the time, 10 passengers tested positive for the virus. That number has since grown to almost 220. Diamond Princess is now on day nine of its standstill.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: A passenger onboard a SpiceJet Bangkok-Delhi flight was quarantined on Thursday after he was suspected of having contracted the novel coronavirus, the airline said in a statement.

The passenger was quarantined by the Airport Health Organisation after the plane landed at Delhi airport, it said.

"On February 13, 2020, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-88 operating between Bangkok and Delhi was suspected of Coronavirus infection," the SpiceJet spokesperson said.

"He was seated on seat no. 31F and was the only passenger in that row. The said passenger was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) after landing in Delhi," he added.

More than 1,300 people have died in China till date due to the virus.

In India, three cases have been confirmed so far.

Two Indian crew onboard the cruise ship off the Japanese coast have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Indian Embassy in Japan had said on Wednesday.
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OLYMPIA (AP)  The Washington House has passed a measure that would ban race-based discrimination against hair texture and hairstyles.

The measure passed on a bipartisan 87-10 vote Wednesday and heads to the Senate for consideration. If passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, Washington would join three other states with such a ban: California, New York and New Jersey.





. . .
Feb 12 (Reuters) - Anchor Resources Ltd:

* IN-PRINCIPLE FOR JV PROPOSAL WITH KELANTAN STATE LAND AUTHORITY

* PROPOSAL FOR RETREATMENT OF TAILINGS, ROCK MATERIALS, WASTE OR MINE RESIDUE TO PRODUCE GOLD CONCENTRATE ORE

* COMPANY'S GOLD MINING TAILINGS OPERATION IS NOT AFFECTED BY COVID-19 OUTBREAK

* SEVERAL CONTRACTORS OF UNIT FROM WENZHOU, CHINA NOT ABLE TO RETURN TO MALAYSIA DUE TO COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

* DELAY OF RETURN OF CHINESE CONTRACTORS HAS DELAYED DELIVERIES OF GRANITE DIMENSION STONES, FOR LOCAL & OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: (Reuters.Briefs@thomsonreuters.com)
T he UK competition watchdog today gave the go-ahead for Googles 2 billion buyout of cloud data firm Looker Data Sciences.

In December, the Competition and Markets Authority waded into the deal between the two Californian companies as the body was worried the merger could substantially reduce competition in the UKs cloud computing market.

Google holds the dominant position in the UK cloud data market, while Looker has a number of UK customers, including the Economist.

But today the CMA said its probe found the deal would not adversely affect quality of service or competition in the market for data analytics tools and software.

The deal, which was revealed in June, was the first by the companys new cloud chief, Thomas Kurian, who replaced Diane Greene last year.

The purpose of the merger is to help Google build upon its BigQuery tool, which is used for managing large datasets.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:02:09|Editor: zyl

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TRIPOLI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said that Japan had supported UNICEF emergency activities for vulnerable children in western Libya with 500,000 U.S. dollars.

"The government of Japan has allocated half a million dollars to support UNICEF emergency assistance for vulnerable girls and boys affected by the prolonged conflict and displacement in western Libya," UNICEF said in a statement.

According to the organization, the assistance will reach at least 6,400 vulnerable children affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Libya with emergency education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene services.

"This contribution from Japan could not have come at a better time when we are seeking resources to support the vulnerable families affected by conflict," said UNICEF Special Representative in Libya Abdel-Rahman Ghandour.

The east-based army in Libya has been leading a military campaign in and around the capital Tripoli since early April 2019, attempting to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.

The fight has killed and injured thousands of people, and displaced more than 150,000 civilians.
Photo: Brandon Zack/Unsplash

Looking to power up on electronic tracks this weekend? From Telefon Tel Aviv to Laser Assassins, this weekend's show lineup offers EDM fans plenty to look forward to.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Telefon Tel Aviv Concert WSG Steve Hauschildt and Clone Suspect

From the event description:

Telefon Tel Aviv will be the headline performer at Aisle 5. Steve Hauschildt and Clone Suspect will also perform.

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 9 p.m.-Saturday, Feb. 15, 1 a.m.

Where: Aisle 5, 1123 Euclid Ave. NE

Admission: $15

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

Torch: A Liquidfunk Valentine

From the event description:

We love liquid DNB! We're excited to bring you another edition of our Liquidfunk Valentine event. Expect drum and bass music all night long. Ages 18 and over only.

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 10 p.m.-Saturday, Feb. 15, 3 a.m.

Where: The Masquerade, 50 Lower Alabama St.

Admission: Free

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

Candy Glow with Laser Assassins & Big Chocolate

From the event description:

Candy Glow, the #1 UV Reactive party, will host Laser Assassins and Big Chocolate. Laser Assassins is a side project developed by bass DJ/producer Devin Spears, laserist Brooks Palmer and entertainer Jayme Santana. Ages 18 and over only.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 p.m.-Sunday, Feb. 16, 3 a.m.

Where: Believe Music Hall, 181 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW

Admission: $20-$35

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
Another guard told Mr. Huang that he saw a memo from the same lab, which had been posted online. The Wuhan lab had a cure, too, the second guard argued, and scientists planned to sell it and make boatloads of money.

(Scientists from around the world have broadly rejected the idea that the coronavirus was made by humans.)

Mr. Huang has to pass through several more makeshift checkpoints just to get to the market. At each checkpoint, Mr. Huang must write down his personal information and have his temperature checked. He goes through the same routine when he returns home. A 10 minute journey now takes three times as long.

The guards might be ad hoc, but they take their jobs seriously. One day a drunk neighbor returned to Mr. Huangs complex and refused to explain why he had been gone for more than a day. The guards called in eight cops to subdue the man.

Yeah, I was there rubbernecking, Mr. Huang said. But I wasnt allowed to take pictures. Sad.

Sure, the checkpoints and lockdown might seem extreme, Mr. Huang said, but they arent infallible. He has a friend in a nearby town who sneaks out to go swimming in the river every day.

One day last week, a man from a neighboring province walked into town after a four-day trek along smaller roads not subject to road checks. There are plenty of cracks to be found, he said.

The biggest problem, Mr. Huang said, is the towns deep combination of listlessness and loneliness. Human interactions are becoming fewer and farther between as local officials change the rules to try to contain the virus. Now, each family can only send one member out to buy food once every two days.
The Ministry of Finance has approved a budget of GH 477 million for the 2020 national census to be conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).



Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Annim, who made the announcement, said the amount will be used for the two-week enumeration of all persons in Ghana.



The exercise is scheduled to start on Monday, June 29, 2020 and end on Sunday July 12, 2020, instead of the initial schedule of March 2020.



We are hoping that this period will give us the opportunity to identify all persons in Ghana, he said.



Prof. Annim said the new census date was informed by the need to deploy geospatial data in the data collection exercise.



He explained that results of the trial census conducted showed that some areas are very fast growing specifically the peri-urban areas in Greater Accra and Ashanti region, and without building foot prints we will not be in the position to capture the new structures and localities that have emerged so on top of the demarcation that we have done, there is the need to superimpose geospatial data in this exercise.



He said the technology will give the GSS an estimate of existing structures in each numeration area in Ghana.



Prof. Annim further explained that it was prudent to move the census from March 2020 to June  July 2020 because of the several electoral within the period.



You will bear with me that in an election year there are quite a number of activities that precede the election activities one of them is the voters registration exercise that is underway and the other is party specific activities, he added.



He said the Service therefore assessed the relative stability across all the 12 months and identified the month of June-July as a relatively stable period.



For us to do an effective census we need to ensure that there is less mobility of persons in the country and this is important because we dont want to leave anyone behind, according to him.



We are looking forward to the collective engagement of all persons in Ghana for this exercise that we deem is important national programme, he added.

Source: Daily Guide









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.

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Son of former Vice President, the late Aliu Mahama and parliamentary aspirant for the Yendi constituency in the Northern Region, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, has paid tribute to senior members of the New Patriotic Party John Agyekum Kufour, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the role they played in ensuring he received the best possible education.

According to him, these three personalities, in particular, have been instrumental in his life.

Speaking on Citi TV's Point of View, Farouk Mahama said that their influence over the years on him did much to make him a better person after his father's demise.

Former President Kufour took me there and paid my fees for all the years in Prempeh College before he was President. I stayed in the same house at Apegyafie, with my senior brother Napo, and his brothers. We were all living together. This was from 1998 to 2000, he said.

Kufuor was my daddy's friend. One day, he came and told my dad that he wanted to take me to school, so one night I was just there when he sent his driver to pick me up from Tamale to Kumasi. My dad and President Kufuor had been friends from the nineties and they had been allies for years. There was a relationship before politics. He has been someone who has touched my life, he added.

He also spoke of how Dr. Bawumia and Nana Akufo-Addo helped him.

I have to say this today, not because I have to project certain people but I remember after my dad had passed on, Dr. Bawumia paid some of my fees in the UK during my Masters program at Coventry University. Nana Akufo-Addo also gave me money for my flight when I was going for my graduation and called to congratulate me, he further noted.

Alhaji Farouk Mahama also stated that he aspires to go to Parliament because I believe that Yendi has a lot of challenges. Looking at what my predecessors have done, and the developmental aspects, the poverty aspect, the lack of development there, I want to help change a lot there.

---citinewsroom
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:40:51|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Tel Aviv Municipality Hall, a landmark in the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv, was illuminated on Tuesday night with the colors of China's national flag, showing solidarity with China in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Dozens of Israelis and Chinese gathered on the Rabin Square in front of the Tel Aviv Municipality Hall, vowing support and praying for Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic and capital of central China's Hubei Province, as well as for China itself.

Traditionally, the Tel Aviv Municipality Hall has been illuminated to commemorate current or historical events.

Despite a cold wave striking Tel Aviv, people from both Israel and China showed solidarity, waving the national flags of the two countries and shouting "Wuhan, stay strong" and "China, stay strong" in Chinese and Hebrew.

Jonathan Baram, an Israeli resident living in Tel Aviv, came to Rabin Square ahead of the event.

"I have been following China's anti-epidemic fight recently through newspaper, television and social media. I came here to express my sympathy and support to my Chinese friends. We stand here with China and the Chinese people," Baram told Xinhua.

Duan Zeyuan, a 22-year-old Chinese student studying at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, came to Tel Aviv from Herzliya, an adjacent city, to join the event.

"I hope that the epidemic can be controlled and ended soon and everything is fine," said Duan.

The Tel Aviv Municipality, the organizer of the event, expressed its solidarity with China on Twitter, saying "the Municipality hall is lit tonight with the colors of the Chinese flag in solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus. We appreciate the efficient way with which China is dealing with the situation and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery for everyone in need."

"China and Israel are friends and Tel Aviv has sister cities including Beijing in China. A friend in need is a friend indeed. We will do whatever we can to help China to fight against the epidemic," said Eliav Blizowsky, director of International Relations with the Tel Aviv Municipality.

Many Israelis from all walks of life have backed China on the anti-epidemic fight in various ways.

Since the novel coronavirus outbreak, Raz Galor, a young Israeli entrepreneur and founder of a China-oriented online video startup, has worked with his team to collect nearly 1 ton of medical supplies to ship to Hubei, including more than 100,000 masks.

"I have been living in China since I was 13 years old. China is my second home," Galor told Xinhua.

Galor also expressed his confidence in China's proactive response and management of the situation.

"We are now looking for more medical supplies in Israel, as well as adjacent countries like Turkey and Egypt, hoping to make another donation as soon as possible. Helping the people in need in China will be the most wonderful thing in my life," he added.

Dai Yuming, charge d'affaires ad interim at the Chinese Embassy in Israel, also attended the event. He said that since the outbreak of the virus, the Israeli government and people have expressed to the embassy their sympathies and support for the Chinese people's efforts in combating the epidemic.

"We want to express our sincere appreciation to them," Dai said. "With the solidarity of the Chinese people and the support from the international community, we will finally win the fight against the epidemic."
Gloria wipes her bright red lipstick off Sam's mouth after a kiss. Were very lucky, she says. They never thought theyd find love again so late in life, let alone in an aged care facility. Of course weve been married. Cancer. My husband I lost to cancer, says Gloria. And then I was lucky to get another wonderful man. I never thought I would. Likewise, says Sam.

Sam arrived in Australia from Ireland in the 1960s and was married for 67 years before his wife died. They had two children. His lips tremble. I felt guilty, I love my wife so much. I can hardly bear to talk about it. When I met Gloria, I felt guilty. I didnt think it could come again, he says. Twice in a lifetime," he almost whispers. Celebrate Ageing founder Catherine Barrett says forming new romantic relationships in aged care is not uncommon, but believes it is uncommon to be supported. "Id imagine most aged care homes will have a story about new relationships, when you think about it  you put dozens and dozens of people together, it's inevitable there will be matches," she says. According to the 2018 Australian Bureau of Statitics, about 3.9 million Australians are aged over 65, 4.6 per cent are living in aged care.

Through a project Ms Barrett ran last year called Intimacy Bank, she heard older people discussing what intimacy means to them. "Being seen was a big thing. Being touched, being cherished ... understanding without words. All those things really speak to older people's experiences of love and intimacy. Sex is one part of it, but that human connection is incredibly important," Dr Barrett says. "In a way that ought not surprise us. Its still incredibly important to older people, and maybe more important. At a time in older peoples lives when they may be invisible, or disrespected or ignored  having a relationship where you are completely seen or valued  it's a particularly really beautiful thing." Sam and Gloria said their children are supportive of their relationship. They don't share a room, Sam jokes that his bed is too small to fit the two of them, but they eat most of their meals together and go on dates to the movies or picnics. Theyve discussed getting married, but they fear the amount of organisation it would entail, and that it may change things, when things are "perfect" as they are.

They do "niggle" at each other from time to time, but say there are no fights, but squabbles, and they have different opinions on sex before marriage. "Play the field," says Gloria, "Get out and live a bit. Dont get in a rut. "Its alright for us because were old and weve been married and had kids and everything. But when youre young. Use the field." Sam shakes his head, "no, no, no". "If youve done that and your Mrs doesnt meet your standards, it's going to be very disappointing." Each has found a companion they never thought they'd get at this stage of life. Someone to kiss and joke with, to confide in about their past lives and loves.

We do chatter, chatter, chatter, says Gloria. Sam Wilson and Gloria Graydon, who met and fell in love at the aged care facility. Picture: Jason South. Credit:Jason South So whats new love like at an older age? I think its easier. I really do, I think its easier, Gloria says. Were at the age now where we dont have to worry about it  theres no hanky panky, just a lot of kissing and cuddling. Hes gorgeous he is, I just adore him, he knows that."
Agba Jalingo, a Nigerian journalist on trial for treason, has been granted bail by the court, after spending 174 days in detention in both the police cell and Calabar prison.

Mr Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22, 2019, over a report alleging that Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the state.

Justice Sule Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, on Thursday granted the journalist N10 million bail, following an application from his lawyer, Attah Ochinke.

The court asked that those standing as surety for the journalist must make a refundable deposit of N700,000 to court registry to perfect the bail.

Mr Jalingo was earlier denied bail twice by another judge, Simon Amobeda, who recently withdrew from the case after a secret recording where he (Amobeda) allegedly made some biased remarks against Mr Jalingo, was leaked to the press late last year.

Mr Amobeda is also a judge of the Federal High Court, Calabar.

Mr Jalingos case is prosecuted by the Cross River government which took over the case from the police. On the prosecution team were led the Attorney General of Cross River state, Tanko Ashang, and the Director of Public Prosecution in the states Ministry of Justice, Greg Okem.

Apart from Mr Ochinke, James Ibor appeared in court for the journalist.

Mr Jalingo arrived the court at 9:36 a.m., wearing orange shirt with the inscription #IAmAgbaJalingo, blue jeans, and blue fez cap with the same inscription.

He was not handcuffed, unlike some of his previous appearances in court.

Six other prison inmates were inside the van that brought him to court, they were guarded by an armed and two unarmed prisons officials.

The Nigerian government and the Cross River government have been under intense pressure from several groups globally to free Mr Jalingo who has been declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

We are concerned that Agba Jalingos trial falls short of international standards of fairness, especially because the court has allowed witnesses to be masked and the trial to be held in secret.

The flawed charges and sham trial of Agba Jalingo have exposed the inadequacies and manipulation of the Nigerian criminal justice system and an unacceptable contempt for human rights and the rule of law, Amnesty International said recently.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must stop filing bogus and politically motivated charges against critics and start listening to what they have to say.

The case of Agba Jalingo is just one of many cases of blatant violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Cross River state and several parts of Nigeria. Joseph Odok was also unlawfully detained and later charged with terrorism solely for expressing critical opinion on social media.
Woman trying to open plane door during flight jailed for 2 years in UK

LONDON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- A woman who tried to open the door of a passenger plane midway through a flight was sentenced to two years in prison by a British court Wednesday for endangering the safety of an aircraft and assaulting a crew member.

In June last year, 26-year-old Chloe Haines caused the Jet2 flight en route to Dalaman in Turkey to divert back to Stansted airport, about 68 km northeast of central London.

While trying to open the door, Haines yelled, "I'm going to kill you all" after mixing alcohol with medication, local media reported.

Two Royal Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to escort the plane back to Stansted airport before Haines was arrested by police.

A cabin crew member allegedly sustained scratches as she tried to prevent Haines from opening the plane door.

Haines, who had admitted endangering the plane safety and attacking cabin crew member, sobbed through much of the hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Jet2 calculated that the incident cost them 86,000 pounds (about 111,579 U.S. dollars), the court heard.
A tax credit to encourage organ donation has never been used, while other programs lack follow-up or accountability, an independent office found. Read more

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HARRISBURG  A state tax credit to encourage Pennsylvanians to donate their bone marrow hasnt been used once in the more than five years since it was signed into law.

Another credit, which encourages tech start-ups to locate near universities, lacks follow-up to verify how many jobs were created and what they pay.

A third program has awarded millions of dollars to companies to improve broadband internet in rural areas without requiring them to actually invest there.

In the most recent fiscal year, the state gave away more than $500 million in tax credits through dozens of programs. But an independent office tasked with reviewing them is questioning whether some are really paying dividends for taxpayers.

Proponents say tax-credit programs are needed to spur investment or tackle problems that, without financial help, might never get addressed. Critics argue the programs usually benefit special interests and lack accountability.

There simply hasn't been enough scrutiny and analysis on whether tax credits actually work, said Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia), who wrote the 2017 amendment that charged the fiscal office with reviewing all the states tax credits once every five years.

Tax credits are often pitched as incentives to stimulate growth  through investments from businesses, but there hasn't always been a follow-up, Hughes said.

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Take the broadband tax credit, which was created in 2013 after being tucked into a wide-ranging budget bill. Its unclear who added it or exactly why, but the Independent Fiscal Office, which recently reviewed a number of tax-credit programs, concluded it was meant to expand mobile internet access in rural areas.

These code bills are kind of done at the last minute, and a lot of things are stuffed in there, said Nathan Benefield, vice president of the Commonwealth Foundation, a conservative think tank. There isnt a lot of transparency on them.

Extending broadband to sparsely populated rural areas often doesnt make financial sense for internet companies, leaving many places with spotty connections. Twenty-four states offer financial incentives for investments in broadband  mostly in the form of cash grants rather than tax credits  and almost all prioritize areas that have limited access, or none, the review found.

Pennsylvanias program, on the other hand, does not specifically require that companies claiming the credit invest in those areas. As a result, companies have received more than $12 million in tax credits over the last five years for investments in places that probably already had broadband access, creating little public benefit, the fiscal office concluded.

The greatest bang for the buck is when the investment is going to an underserved area, Matthew Knittel, director of the fiscal office, told a state board in late January.

The fiscal office estimated that 90% of the spending would have happened even if the tax credit had not been available.

The credit applies only to mobile broadband equipment, limiting the pool of eligible companies. Since 2015, only three  including Philadelphia-based Comcast  have taken advantage of the credit.

A Comcast spokesperson declined to comment. State law prohibits the Department of Revenue from naming the two other companies that have claimed the credit, or saying how much they received, an agency spokesperson said.

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The fiscal office recommended converting the broadband tax credit to a competitive grant program targeting underserved areas. Two Republican lawmakers have already said they will introduce legislation to do so.

In its current form, the tax credit is just a subsidy, said Rep. George Dunbar (R., Westmoreland), who plans to cosponsor the bill.

The idea behind the tax credit was to hopefully improve rural broadband access and, in the report, it specifically says its not accomplishing that goal, he said.

Another program reviewed by the fiscal office, the Keystone Innovation Zone tax credit, was created to benefit start-up companies operating near universities throughout the state, encouraging entrepreneurship. A lack of reliable data, however, makes quantifying its economic impact very difficult, the fiscal office found.

The state Department of Community & Economic Development says the program has helped create more than 11,000 jobs since its creation, keeping more than 3,500 college graduates in the state.

But those numbers are reported by companies receiving the tax credits and arent checked by the department, the fiscal office noted. The state also doesnt track how much the jobs pay, if the companies receive other tax credits or grants, or how graduates fare after leaving the program.

We do think theres great potential with this credit, but theres a critical need for more data and better data, Knittel, the fiscal office director, said at the hearing.

Whats more, the tax credit was one of two recently implicated in a major scam.

Because most start-up companies dont turn a profit, they dont owe enough in taxes to benefit from the credit. As a result, between 80% to 90% of the credits awarded each year are sold, with tax-credit brokers taking roughly five cents of every dollar as commission, the report found. A separate tax credit for research and development spending can also be sold.

According to the state attorney general, those two programs were at the heart of a scheme run by a Bucks County couple, who received $6.4 million by selling tax credits awarded to their network of shell companies. They mostly ran the scam from Hong Kong, where they remain.

The fiscal office recommended ending the ability to sell tax credits from both programs and making them refundable, meaning firms that dont owe enough in taxes to benefit would receive a cash grant instead.

Another report addressed a tax credit deemed to have a worthy goal: encouraging organ donation by reducing the financial burdens for donors, like travel expenses and time off work. But none of the companies or advocacy groups contacted by the fiscal office were aware that the credit even existed.

Im not opposed to tax credits, but there has to be a benefit, said Dunbar, who sits on the board that oversees the fiscal office. Its reviews, he said, have been enlightening.

Spotlight PA receives funding from nonprofit institutions and readers like you who are committed to investigative journalism that gets results. Become a Founding Donor today at spotlightpa.org.
Did the Karnataka cops cover up the minister's son's role in the accident?

Bengaluru: A car in which Karnataka revenue minister R Ashoks son Sharath was allegedly travelling was involved in an accident on Monday, and allegations arose Thursday that he was at the wheel and that the police did not include his name in the case details.

Two people died in the accident: a ninth standard student identified as Mariyammanahalli resident Ravi Naik, and a friend of Sharath named Sachin, who was travelling in the car.

Three others in the car, identified as Rakesh, Shivakumar and Rahul, were injured in the incident and were taken to Bengaluru for medical attention.

According to sources, Sharath had been to a resort near Hampi to celebrate his birthday. The celebrants were returning to Bengaluru in a Mercedes Benz (registration number KA 05 MW 0357).

Sources said the car was speeding on National Highway 50 and went out of control at Durga petrol bunk at Mariyammanahalli near Hospet in Bellary district. It ran over a local boy, Ravi Naik, who was drinking tea by the wayside at the time. He died on the spot. Sharaths friend Sachin who was in the seat beside the driver also succumbed to injuries.

Policemen who went to record the case allegedly left out the name of the ministers son from the details. Instead they allegedly recorded that another person named Rahul was driving the car. The names of all the others in the car, all friends of Sharath, were recorded in the FIR but not Sharaths.

When the registration number of the car was traced, it was found to be registered in the name of a reputed educational institute whose franchise is held by the minister, according to sources.

Minister Ashok, however, maintained that there is no connection between us and the car which met with the accident.

Asked specifically whether his son was in the car, Ashok answered that since an investigation was going on, he would not make any statement at this point.

"There are two deaths in the incident. One pedestrian and another boy in the car have lost their lives. The local people shifted them to hospital and an FIR was booked on the same day," he said.

My son's name is not in the FIR," he added.

He did concede, The law is equal for all.

Bellary superintendent of police C K Baba said R Ashok's son was not there in the car.

However, the hospital authorities in Hospet taluq hospital said they were told that Sachin, the deceased person, was known to minister Ashok. His post-mortem was conducted late that night and the body was sent to Bengaluru.

Home minister Basavaraj Bommai said he would get the details and then react to the incident.

The Congress party took to Twitter to allege a hush-up. Without taking names, it said the ministers son was behind the incident.

The case mirrors almost exactly another accident that happened in Bengaluru involving a politicians son. A car in which Congress MLA SA Harriss son Mohammed Nalapad spun out of control and injured four people on Frebruary 9. Although bystanders said the young man was driving the car, another man, allegedly a proxy, surrendered, claiming to have been at the wheel at the time of the accident.
In the wake of Congress's



drubbing in Delhi Assembly polls, party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said the party has to change and reach out to people with a fresh approach.

Talking to reporters at Prithvipur area here, he termed the Congress's defeat in Delhi assembly polls as "unfortunate".

"The country is changing. Similarly, people's thought process is changing. We (Congress) have to change and reach out to people with a new approach," Scindia said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the Delhi Assembly polls by bagging 62 of the total 70 seats. While the BJP won eight seats, the Congress could not win even a single one.

Later, while addressing a rally at Kudila village near here organised to mark Ravidas Jayanti, Scindia also said that he will hit the streets if the party's manifesto is not fulfilled in Madhya Pradesh.

Congress is currently ruling the state with Kamal Nath at the helm of affairs.

"Our turn will come, I assure you. Even if it does not come, don't worry I will become your shield and sword," Scindia told a gathering.

"I want to tell the guest teachers. I heard your demand before assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. I want to assure you that your demand already stands underlined in our party's government's manifesto," he added.

Among other things, the guest teachers in the state are demanding better pay.

"That manifesto is our sacred text. Have patience. If all the promises are not fulfilled, do not think you all are alone. Jyotiraditya Scindia will also hit the streets along with you," he added.

"But the government has its speed...Our teachers have to keep a bit of patience. Our turn will come. I assure you. Even if does not come, don't worry I will become our shield and sword," he said.

The Kamal Nath government is currently struggling to fulfil its promises of farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh in the state.

The government needs around Rs 50,000 crore for the farm waiver, according to officials.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi: In Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, the Supreme Court on Thursday (February 13) appointed senior advocate Anjana Prakash to represent one of the four death row convicts as he was unrepresented after dropping his earlier lawyer. The top court also reserved its order on the issue of rejection of mercy petition of Vinay Kumar Sharma, one of the convicts in the case.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna appointed Prakash as amicus curiae to represent the convict, Pawan Kumar Gupta, and said, "On behalf of respondent Pawan Gupta, we requested Anjana Prakash, senior counsel, to be amicus curiae to assist the court in the case of Pawan Gupta. Anjana Prakash has graciously agreed to appear and advance arguments to assist the court in the matter of Pawan Gupta."

Prakash had earlier appeared for convict Mukesh Kumar Singh, who had challenged the rejection of his mercy plea by the President, and the plea was dismissed.

The court, however, deferred the hearing on the Centre's plea till Friday for separate execution of four convicts and asked all the condemned prisoners to file their replies by then.

The bench also took note of the trial court order passed on Wednesday in which it had asked the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide Pawan's father with a list of empanelled advocates to choose from to represent the convict.

Appearing for convict Mukesh, advocate Vrinda Grover said that trial court listed the matter for hearing a plea of jail authorities seeking fresh date of execution and it would be appropriate if the matter in top court is taken up on Friday.

Appearing for Centre and Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that there is no change in the status of the convicts since the last date of hearing on Tuesday as no one has moved any mercy or curative petition till now as directed by Delhi High Court.

The bench listed the matter for Friday at 2 PM for final hearing and all the convicts in the case shall file their replies to Centre's plea by then.

On Tuesday, convict Vinay Sharma had challenged the rejection of his mercy petition by the President in the apex court. The same day, the top court had sought a response from the four convicts on Centre's appeal against a Delhi High Court verdict refusing to set aside the stay on their execution.

The top court had granted liberty to authorities to obtain a fresh date for execution of the death warrants from the trial court, saying pendency of Centre's and Delhi government's appeals before it "will not be an impediment".

The trial court has stayed "till further orders" the execution of the convicts--Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Gupta (25), Sharma (26) and Akshay (31).

So far, two death warrants have stayed in the case. Pawan Kumar Gupta is the only convict in the case who has not filed a curative petition--the last legal remedy available to a person. He also has the option of filing a mercy plea against the death sentence.

Meanwhile, the top court today reserved the order on the issue of rejection of mercy petition of Vinay Kumar Sharma, one of the convicts in the case. A bench of Justice R Banumathi heard the case and reserved the order till Friday at 2 pm.

Appearing on behalf of the Delhi government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that Vinay Sharma was not kept in solitary confinement as it was argued by convict`s lawyer AP Singh in the court, adding "There is a limited scope of judicial review, as the President of India had rejected the mercy petition after SC reserved order duly considering and applying his mind."

Mehta said," The Home Minister did not do it (dispose off the matter) immediately, as the Joint Secretary and Home Secretary discussed the matter in a detailed manner. The crime committed by the convict, Vinay Kumar Sharma, fell in the rarest of the rare category and did not fall in the category of mercy."

Lawyer, AP Singh, representing Vinay, had earlier argued that the convict was kept in illegal confinement and "illegally tortured" in Tihar Jail.

Singh claimed that there has been a history of physical assaults on Vinay, who "had been sent for psychiatric treatment on many occasions. The petitioner has suffered adverse mental condition and faced immense trauma."

"Vinay should have been treated with proper medical treatment for his poor mental health. He was provided complete medical treatment for his mental illness," Singh said, adding that the "non-application" of mind by President of India is one ground for commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment.

On February 1, Vinay`s mercy petition was rejected by the President. On January 31, the death sentence of four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma, and Akshay Thakur were stayed by a lower court till further orders. Currently, all four convicts are lodged in Tihar Jail.

On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who later came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gangraped and savagely assaulted by six in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died after a fortnight.

One of the five adults accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail during the trial of the case. The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.

(With Agency Inputs)
BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Voatz is honored to be featured in The New York Times this morning in a story written by Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, Matthew Rosenberg.

The story identifies Voatz as the first and only voting app available for consideration by election officials to explore additional technology for better voting access. This attention is especially significant for Voatz as a young company that has spent five years building and piloting a voting platform that first and foremost offers better accessibility, security and resilience when compared to any of the existing options available to those whose circumstances make it difficult to vote in person. This includes our overseas military servicemen and women and those with disabilities.

Background Context

We are often the subject of doubt, and new technologies are frequently the target of skeptics. A group of researchers, in an effort to trigger a media campaign geared to systematically disrupt a live election process, contacted The New York Times with allegations of vulnerabilities in our system. This effort resulted in a story.



After receiving and reviewing the full report, Voatz concluded that the report is fundamentally flawed, as detailed by our analysis below. Most telling, the foundation of the research is based on an Android version of the Voatz mobile voting app that was at least 27 versions old at the time of analysis. We highlight the flaws within the research and expose the agenda of the researchers below, which is aimed to thwart the process of innovation and progress for better voting access.

Voatz Analysis & Response to Researchers' Flawed Report

Voatz wishes to acknowledge the enormous effort it must have taken for the team of researchers, two student researchers at MIT with Daniel Witzner, founder of MIT's Internet Policy Research Initiative, to produce "The Ballot is Busted Before the Blockchain: A Security Analysis of Voatz, the First Internet Voting Application Used in U.S."

Our review of their report found three fundamental flaws with their method of analysis, their untested claims, and their bad faith recommendations.

First, the researchers were analyzing an Android version of the Voatz mobile voting app that was at least 27 versions old at the time of their disclosure and never used in an election. Had the researchers taken the time, like nearly 100 other researchers, to test and verify their claims using the latest version of our platform via our public bug bounty program on HackerOne, they would not have ended up producing a report that asserts claims on the basis of an erroneous method.

Second, as the researchers admitted, the outdated app was never connected to the Voatz servers, which are hosted on Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure. This means that they were unable to register, unable to pass the layers of identity checks to impersonate a legitimate voter, unable to receive a legitimate ballot and unable to submit any legitimate votes or change any voter data.

Third, in the absence of trying to access the Voatz servers, the researchers fabricated an imagined version of the Voatz servers, hypothesized how they worked, and then made assumptions about the interactions between the system components that are simply false. This flawed approach invalidates any claims about their ability to compromise the overall system. In short, to make claims about a backend server without any evidence or connection to the server negates any degree of credibility on behalf of the researchers.

The researchers have labeled Voatz as "not transparent". With qualified, collaborative researchers we are very open; we disclose source code and hold lengthy interactive sessions with their architects and engineers. We educate them on the critical demands of election security; they give us feedback and educate us on new best practices based on their practical knowledge of security drawn from other industries.

Voatz has worked for nearly five years to develop a resilient ballot marking system, a system built to respond to unanticipated threats and to distribute updates worldwide with short notice. It incorporates solutions from other industries to address issues around security, identity, accessibility, and auditability.

We want to be clear that all nine of our governmental pilot elections conducted to date, involving less than 600 voters , have been conducted safely and securely with no reported issues. Pilot programs like ours are invaluable. They educate all election stakeholders and push innovation forward in a responsible, transparent way. For nearly two decades, the researchers and the community to which they belong have waged a systematic effort to dismantle any online voting pilots. These attempts effectively choke any meaningful conversation and learnings around the safe integration of technology to improve accessibility and security in our elections. The effect is to deny access to our overseas citizens, deployed military service men and women, their families, and citizens with disabilities.

It is clear that from the theoretical nature of the researchers' approach, the lack of practical evidence backing their claims, their deliberate attempt to remain anonymous, and their priority being to find media attention, that the researchers' true aim is to deliberately disrupt the election process, to sow doubt in the security of our election infrastructure, and to spread fear and confusion.



The reality is that continuing our mobile voting pilots holds the best promise to improve accessibility, security and resilience when compared to any of the existing options available to those whose circumstances make it difficult to vote.

About Voatz

Voatz is an award-winning mobile elections platform that leverages cutting-edge technology (including biometrics and a blockchain-based infrastructure) to increase access and security in elections. Since 2016 Voatz has run more than 50 elections with cities, universities, towns, nonprofits, and both major state political parties for convention voting. In 2018 Voatz partnered with West Virginia to empower deployed military and overseas citizens to vote, marking the first mobile votes in U.S. history. In 2019 Voatz expanded its pilots to Denver , Utah , Oregon and Washington, all of which held citizen's public-facing audits , hosted by the National Cybersecurity Center. All pilots increased turnout and in the case of Denver, 100% of voters responding to a post-election survey said they preferred this method of voting to any other. Learn more here .

SOURCE Voatz

Related Links

https://voatz.com


Hundreds of children are having needless operations to remove their appendix, researchers have warned.

One in six children who had surgery actually had a healthy appendix taken out, according to their study.

An estimated 1,600 younsters are having appendicectomies unnecessarily each year in the UK, it found.

One in six children who undergo appendectomies in Britain and Ireland did not need the surgery, an examination of the extracted organs of 1,827 children has show

Such surgery is the most common emergency operation in children  with 10,000 procedures every year.

Such surgery is the most common emergency operation in children  with 10,000 procedures every year.

Scientists tested the extracted organs of 1,827 children after appendicectomies at 139 hospitals across Britain and Ireland.

The tests, of patients aged five to 15, showed 16 per cent never had appendicitis in the first place.

With each of the operations costing about 3,700, avoiding needless surgery could save the NHS 4.4million a year and spare hundreds of children from the knife.

Researcher Aneel Bhangu, of the University of Birmingham, said misdiagnosis 'places an unacceptable burden on both children and their carers'. Only around a third of youngsters admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis actually had an appendicectomy.

Of those aged between five and ten who had the procedure, 12 per cent of them were unnecessary.

Of boys aged 11 to 15, 16 per cent of the operations were needless.

This increased for girls aged 11 to 15 where 22 per cent were not needed, according to the study published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal.

So many children are being misdiagnosed because doctors are not properly interpreting the ultrasound scans used to examine them, the researchers said.

They are calling for urgent improvements to avoid more unnecessary operations. Children with suspected appendicitis should be given a routine 'risk score' to rule out the problem.

And those still suspected should be given an ultrasound by someone specifically trained to spot the condition. If that is inconclusive, doctors should consider a CT scan.

Study leader Dr Dmitri Nepogodiev said: 'Obviously CT is not ideal in children due to the radiation exposure  albeit relatively low  so we would only suggest this in the small group of patients with uncertain diagnosis after ultrasound.'

He added: 'MRI is an excellent alternative  very accurate, with no radiation  but it is unlikely that most hospitals will be able to offer MRI in the emergency setting.' In time MRI scans may replace CT scans, but at the moment the NHS does not have enough machines.

Dr Nepogodiev added: 'It's important children receive the right diagnosis before a decision is made to operate. Ultrasound scans have the advantage that they do not expose children to radiation. They have been found to be an effective diagnostic tool in other countries, but we found that in the UK ultrasound is frequently inconclusive.

'Hospitals should ensure seven-day-a-week availability of ultrasound by staff trained to assess for acute appendicitis in children.'

A study by the same team last year found the problem is even worse for adults. It said 20 per cent of adults had a completely healthy organ removed  resulting in 5,500 needless operations a year.
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Washington, D.C., February 13, 2020  The Pakistan government should immediately roll back a set of social media regulatory measures that were passed in secret, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

On January 28, the federal cabinet approved the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020, a set of regulations on social media content, without public consultation; the measures were enacted in secret and were reported yesterday by The News International, an English-language daily.

A copy of the regulations, which was leaked online, shows that the rules empower the government to fine or ban social media platforms over their users content. The regulations provide for a National Coordinator to be appointed within the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications responsible for enforcing the rules.

In the text of the regulations, the government claims the rules were approved under the authority of the 2016 Pakistan Electronic Communications Act.

These stringent but vague rules approved by Pakistans federal cabinet threaten the ability of journalists to report the news and communicate with their sources, said Steven Butler, CPJs Asia program coordinator. The cabinet should immediately reverse course and seek broad consultations with legislators and civil society, including the media, on how to proceed with any such regulations.

The regulations require social media companies including Facebook (which owns WhatsApp), Twitter, and Google (which owns YouTube), to establish representative offices in Pakistan to answer complaints filed by the National Coordinator.

The companies are also required to remove content deemed objectionable by the National Coordinator within 24 hours, and to provide to the regulator decrypted content and any other information about users on demand.

The companies are also made responsible for preventing the live streaming of any content related to terrorism, extremism, hate speech, defamation, fake news, incitement to violence and national security. If a service is does not comply, the National Coordinator is granted the power to block services and levy fines of up to 500 million rupees ($3.24 million).

The regulations do not specify how encrypted services such as WhatsApp would be able to comply with the rules.

Firdous Ashsiq Awan, special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, said in a press conference today that the regulations were aimed at protecting citizens interests and national integrity, and said the government would not take any steps against users interests, according to news reports.

Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, a member of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party and chair of the senate Human Rights Committee, told CPJ via messaging app that the rules were seen as an attempt to further restrict space of free discourse in Pakistan, citing censorship imposed on the media under the current government.

He said the Pakistan Peoples Party would oppose the rules in the parliament and the courts.

Media Matters for Democracy, a local organization that promotes press freedom, said in a statement that the rules were an attempt to silence political opposition and critics, and expressed doubt that social media companies would comply.

A separate statement by the Digital Rights Foundation, which promotes internet safety, described the rules as a blatant violent of free speech provisions in Pakistans constitution and expressed concern that the rules would lead to self-censorship.

On February 11, Pakistans Senate Committee On Human Rights rejected legislation that would have empowered the countrys broadcast regulator to regulate internet and digital content, according to reports and Senator Khokhar.
Dublin-based aircraft leasing giant Avolon is in talks with Boeing regarding compensation for delayed deliveries of 737 Max jets, but chief commercial officer and president John Higgins has insisted legal action would be a "last resort".

He told the Irish Independent that Avolon - Boeing's fourth-biggest customer - could also place an additional order for aircraft with the manufacturer.

"If we can get more value through directing the compensation into the price of our airplanes and the profile of the order book, we'll do that," he said.

"It's a good position to be in because we're negotiating as to what we think is the best outcome, not negotiating because we feel constrained."

He declined to say how much a compensation deal could be worth to Avolon, which yesterday reported record profits of $717m (657m) for 2019 on lease revenue of $2.61bn. The world's third-largest aircraft lessor has an owned, managed and on-order fleet of 925 aircraft.

Elsewhere, Mr Higgins said that the coronavirus will probably have a "pretty severe economic impact" on China, and that the picture is "pretty stark".

"Two thirds of the [aircraft] fleet in China is grounded at the moment," he highlighted.

Avolon, whose CEO is Domhnal Slattery, ordered a total of 148 Max jets, with a list price of about $18bn, but big buyers usually secure significant discounts. Avolon received nine of those jets before the Max was grounded around the world almost a year ago following two fatal crashes.

"Boeing's preference is to deal with compensation through discounts, ideally on incremental business, or discounts on future delivery prices," said Mr Higgins.

"Some airlines are very focused on wanting immediate cash compensation. We probably sit in the middle of that spectrum. We have an open mind. We have plenty of liquidity in the business. We're not under any strain to seek cash compensation from Boeing. We're having the conversations and the conversations include a number of things."

He added: "We've got pretty robust and water-tight agreements and contracts. The fact that we're such a significant customer of Boeing means that we certainly hope that all of that gets resolved through normal commercial dialogue."

Mr Higgins said that for Avolon to litigate against Boeing, "something would have had to go wrong in our very long-standing and deep relationship".

In December, a Dublin-based lessor, Timaero, sued Boeing for more than $740m for delayed Max deliveries.

Of the 139 Max jets Avolon still has to receive, 24 were due to have been delivered last year. They are part of the 450 Max jets that have been built by Boeing but not delivered and which are now in storage. Mr Higgins said Avolon is assuming that almost all those 24 aircraft will be delivered this year, based on Boeing's guidance.

Avolon had expected to receive about 19 more Max jets this year.

"We believe that the Max will return to service in 2020," Mr Higgins said. "When that airplane comes back to service, it will be the most scrutinised airplane from a safety perspective in the history of aviation. As a logistical matter, the task facing Boeing to get the airplane back flying is task number one, but they also have to restart production. That is a huge industrial logistical challenge."
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday said there should be a "huge mass movement" if any Muslim is sent to detention camps in case the Supreme Court upholds the validity of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Speaking at the JNU campus here, Chidambaram said that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was an outcome of the "NRC fiasco" in Assam which left 19 lakh people out of the National Register of Citizens.

The CAA was brought to accommodate 12 lakh Hindus out of the 19 lakh people who could not be included in the final NRC in Assam, he claimed.

Replying to a question by a student asking for best course of action if the CAA is upheld by the apex court, Chidambaram said, "When they touch the excluded...they will only be Muslims, try to identify and throw them out, declare them Stateless. There must be a huge mass movement resisting any Muslim being thrown out or kept in detention camps."



He also said the Congress believes the CAA must be repealed and there should be a political struggle so that National Population Register(NPR) is pushed beyond 2024.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Married At First Sight has racked up its fair share of editing fails this season.

And Wednesday night's episode was no different, with fans noticing a bizarre detail when Ivan Sarakula and Aleks Markovic were filmed flying to Sydney from their honeymoon on the Gold Coast.

The montage began with a shot of an airport sign that read 'Departures', which was followed by footage of a Qantas airplane reversing on the tarmac.

In the next shot, Ivan and Aleks were pictured inside a Virgin plane, rather than the Qantas aircraft previously filmed.

The newlyweds beamed at the camera from their Virgin-branded Economy X seats.

Bizarrely, the sequence finished with footage of a Qantas airplane, rather than a Virgin aircraft, soaring into the sky.

Not another editing fail! Married At First Sight viewers noticed a bizarre detail as Ivan Sarakula and Aleks Markovic flew from the Gold Coast to Sydney on Wednesday's episode

Plane No. 1: The montage began with a shot of an airport sign that read 'Departures', which was followed by footage of a Qantas airplane reversing on the tarmac

'Mistake in the editing. The plane filmed taking off and reversing was Qantas,' raged one eagle-eyed viewer of the continuity errors.

'The actual carrier Aleks and Ivan were on was Virgin (only Virgin has the 'Economy X' brand seating, which they were in),' they added.

Another fan agreed: 'Anyone else notice the @qantas planes in #MAFSAU #MAFS but Ivan was sitting in a @VirginAustralia economy X seat?'

Plane No. 2: In the next shot, Ivan and Aleks were pictured inside a Virgin plane, rather than the Qantas aircraft previously filmed

Back to plane No. 1: Bizarrely, the sequence finished with footage of a Qantas airplane, rather than a Virgin aircraft, soaring into the sky

Caught out: 'Mistake in the editing. The plane filmed taking off and reversing was Qantas,' raged one eagle-eyed viewer of the continuity errors

Whoops! Another fan agreed: 'Anyone else notice the @qantas planes in #MAFSAU #MAFS but Ivan was sitting in a @VirginAustralia economy X seat?'

MAFS suffered another editing fail earlier this week, when Mishel Karen arrived at her wedding to Steve Burley in Melbourne.

The 48-year-old teacher was first shown travelling with her family in a Ford Falcon limousine in a sweeping shot, but later stepped out of a Chrysler limousine upon her arrival at the venue.

Married At First Sight continues Thursday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine.

Did you notice it? There was another editing fail on Married At First Sight on Monday night, when Mishel Karen (pictured) arrived at her wedding to Steve Burley in Melbourne

Car No. 1: Mishel was first shown travelling with her family in a Ford Falcon limousine
Amid a push from Russia for closer ties, Belarus is considering adopting a new national coat of arms that pointedly looks west.

The country's parliament's website says it has received a bill containing amendments to the law on state symbols and a recently established special commission will be involved in the debate over the proposal.

While the national anthem, flag, and several other symbols are unchanged in the proposal, the new coat of arms has subtle differences from the previous one, which had roots dating back to Soviet times.

Most notably, the new emblem shows a map of Western Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, a politically pointed change from the former emblem, which showed Russia and Eurasia.

The change could be seen as a reflection of the delicate balancing act Belarus, still a close ally of Russia, is trying to maintain.

Last month the country said it was open to conducting joint military ties with NATO, the Western security alliance that lies on Belarus's western border, while Russia sits along its eastern border.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka reportedly made little 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 between the two neighbors, who signed an unfulfilled 1999 agreement on forming a union state.

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 country.

The plan, however, has been met by protests in Minsk recently, as Belarusians worry their country is on the verge of being swallowed by its far bigger, more powerful neighbor.

Other changes to the coat of arms include a larger silhouette of Belarus in the center of the insignia, and a bigger star near the top that still gives a Soviet feel. The shapes of the heads of wheat, clover, and flax are also updated, while the country's traditional colors of green and red are bolder than before.

A website for state documents and legislation has the bill's context with proposed changes.
Applied Insight, a Tysons, VA-based leader in solving complex technology challenges for federal government customers, acquired Digital Age Experts, a Reston, Virginia-based specialists in cloud system design, cloud-native development and development security operations for the federal government.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The acquisition of DAE, completed in August 2019, strengthens the companys lead in developing next-generation cloud solutions for federal customers, adding complementary intellectual property to AIs portfolio of cloud technologies with DAEs SHIFT cloud emulation platform.

Founded in 2011, DAE provides a cloud emulation platform to customers operating in air-gapped cloud computing environments as part of an enhanced security regime. It emulates a customers air-gapped region experience, enabling users to test and adapt their workloads for system impact, compatibility and performance before migration.

FinSMEs

12/02/2020
A garbage truck driver will remain behind bars after he allegedly reversed over a young man and then moved his body before fleeing the scene in Sydney's CBD.

Tuiniua Fine was arrested three hours after 21-year-old George Yuhan Lin was found dead on a footpath on Central Street in the early hours of Wednesday, NSW Police say.

The 51-year-old from Lakemba has been charged with several offences including manslaughter, failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death, dangerous driving occasioning death and improperly interfering with a corpse or human remains.

Fine briefly faced Central Local Court via video link on Thursday when he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused by magistrate Clare Farnan.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which has of late grabbed headlines for its fight against e-commerce heavyweights like Amazon and Flipkart, may soon take up its case with the US President Donald Trump on his upcoming official visit to the country.

The traders' body has sought an appointment with Trump, whereby it wants to speak on e-commerce issues along with other demands, including setting up an Indo-US Business Corridor for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In its letter to Trump, CAIT said that Indian traders are delighted about his forthcoming visit to India and it wanted US-based companies to come and invest here.

Speaking to IANS, Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the traders' body said that if representatives from CAIT are able to meet the US President, then they would invite more investments into India from the US, and also ask him to suggest the companies to operate as per the laws and policies of India.

"The whole world can come and invest in India, we don't have any problem. We welcome the US companies also because there is no bigger consumer-driven market than India. But we want to say that whoever comes, they should follow our law and policies," he said.

On being asked whether CAIT would raise its concerns regarding e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart, Khandelwal said that it would "absolutely" raise the issue regarding both the players.

The organisation would emphasise on the creation of an Indo-US Business Corridor for SMEs, he added.

Speaking of the growth of Indian SMEs in his letter to Trump, Khandelwal said: "In this scenario where Indian SMEs are on a path of growh, we being the apex voice of Indian SMEs seek an audience wth you for a delegation of senior SME leaders from all over the country during your forthcoming visit to India to discuss ways and means to build an Indo-US SME Business Corridor under the broad policy guidelines of the government of India." CAIT's move to seek an appointment with the US President gains significance as the former is already in a fierce tussle with the US-based e-commerce majors Amazon and Flipkart, whose new promoter is the American retail giant Walmart.

The traders body had staged protests across the country during the visit of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to India last month.

The organisation has time and again written to and met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, among others, to register their protest against what it describes as deep discounting and unfair means by both the online platforms. CAIT has blamed both the platforms of violating the norms for foreign direct investment (FDI).

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had in January ordered an enquiry into the operations of both Amazon and Flipkart on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-ups with preferred sellers.

Amazon, on the other hand, has filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the CCI probe order, hearing on which is underway.
The logo of Chinese company Huawei at its main UK offices in Reading, west of London, on Jan. 28, 2020. (DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

US Charges Huawei With Conspiracy to Steal Trade Secrets, Racketeering

Federal prosecutors have charged Chinese tech giant Huawei and several subsidiaries with conspiracy to steal trade secrets and violate anti-racketeering laws, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Feb. 13.

These charges are in addition to previous charges on Huawei relating to violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran in an existing indictment.

The latest charge of trade secrets theft relates to alleged decades-long efforts by the company and its U.S.- and China-based affiliates to misappropriate intellectual property (IP) from other companiesincluding six U.S. technology companiesand use it to grow Huaweis own business, the department stated. Such practices also amounted to a conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), it added.

The superseding 16-count indictment also alleges that the company has been involved in business and technology projects in sanctioned countries, such as North Korea and Iran.

It alleges that one of the companys unofficial subsidiaries, Skycom, aided the Iranian government in conducting domestic surveillance.

An indictment previously unveiled in January 2019 charged Huawei and its affiliates with committing bank fraud related to violations of Iran sanctions, by misrepresenting Skycom as a firm it did business with.

A second separate indictment, also unveiled in January 2019, charged the company with theft of trade secrets over an alleged scheme to steal technology relating to a mobile testing robot from U.S. telecoms firm T-Mobile.

The fresh charges add to mounting U.S. scrutiny over the Chinese telecom giants trade practices and risks to national security. The company was blacklisted in 2019 from doing business with U.S. firms on national security grounds.

Alleged Theft of Trade Secrets

The indictment alleges that Huawei stole IP from six U.S. technology companies, including source code and user manuals for internet routers, antenna technology, and robot testing technology.

Prosecutors said the company used various means of fraud and deception to achieve this, including entering into confidentiality agreements with IP owners and then violating those agreements by using the IP for its own commercial use; recruiting former employees of target companies to gain access to IP from those companies; and using proxies such as professors working at target research institutions or companies to obtain IP.

As part of this scheme, the company had a bonus program to reward staff who obtained confidential information from competitors, the indictment alleges.

The company was successful in its attempts to steal trade secrets and other sophisticated U.S. technology, the DOJ stated. Huawei, along with its subsidiaries, Huawei USA and Futurewei, then agreed to reinvest the proceeds from this alleged racketeering activity into its global business, including in the United States, it added.

As a consequence of its campaign to steal this technology and intellectual property, Huawei was able to drastically cut its research and development costs and associated delays, giving the company a significant and unfair competitive advantage.

The company also sought to hide these IP theft practices from law enforcement, prosecutors allege. For instance, a company manual labeled Top Secret instructed certain employees to conceal their employment with Huawei during interactions with foreign law enforcement officials, the indictment stated.

Business in North Korea and Iran

The indictment also alleges that the company did business in countries sanctioned by the United States, United Nations, and EU, including Iran and North Korea. For example, it used local affiliates in the sanctioned countries to ship Huawei goods and services to customers in those countries.

Prosecutors allege the company sought to hide this business by using code words in internal documents to refer to those countriesfor example, A2 for Iran, and A9 for North Korea.

The indictment also alleges the company, through Skycom, provided the Iranian government with surveillance technology that was used to monitor, identify, and detain protesters during anti-government demonstrations in Tehran in 2009. This contradicted previous statements from Huawei officials that the firm had never provided any equipment to the Iranian government, and that its Iran business didnt violate U.S. sanctions relating to Iran, prosecutors said.

A spokesperson for Huawei, in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, said the new charges were part of the DOJs attempt to damage Huaweis reputation and its business for reasons related to competition rather than law enforcement.

The racketeering enterprise that the government charged today is nothing more than a contrived repackaging of a handful of civil allegations that are almost 20 years old and that have never been the basis of any significant monetary judgment against Huawei, the statement said.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, applauded the new charges against the Chinese telecom giant.

These crimesracketeering, conspiracy to steal trade secrets, and sanctions evasionare part of [Chinese leader Xi Jinpings] strategy to make China the worlds preeminent superpower, Sasse said in a Feb. 13 statement. The United States and our allies have an obligation to stop them.

The U.S. administration has scrutinized Huawei in recent months. It has sought to convince U.S. allies to bar the company from 5G rollouts, arguing that its products can be exploited by the Chinese regime for espionage or to disrupt communication networks.

A federal grand jury returned the superseding indictment on Feb. 12 at a federal court in Brooklyn, New York.
Susanna Liew (left) consoles Norhayati Mohd Ariffin after attending a news conference in Kuala Lumpur by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), which released its findings into the disappearances of their husbands in 2017 and 2016, respectively, April 3, 2019.

The wife of a Malaysian Christian pastor who has been missing since his abduction in 2017 announced on Wednesday that she and her family were suing the government and federal police in an effort to get closure.

Susanna Liew named two former national police chiefs, Mohamad Fuzi Harun and Khalid Abu Bakar, along with other officers, in the civil suit filed Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. Her husband, Raymond Koh, was kidnapped on Feb 13, 2017, while driving in Selangor state.

We really hope filing the civil suit will help to unravel the truth about the abduction, she told BenarNews in a text message.

The suit alleges breach of constitutional and statutory rights for the abduction of Koh, failure to account or disclose his whereabouts, misfeasance in public office, conspiracy to injure and negligence, Liew said earlier as she read from a copy of the legal document.

The lawsuit did not specify damages being sought, she told reporters attending a Wednesday night dinner marking the third anniversary of Kohs abduction.

Last April, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) concluded that, on a balance of probabilities, Koh was abducted by State agents  namely the Special Branch, which is based in the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters.

Speaking at Wednesdays dinner, Liew said she was running out of options to learn what happened that day in 2017.

We have no alternative but to turn to the last bastion of justice and truth  our judiciary. Only time will tell whether the truth will prevail and all those who perpetrated this heinous act against a citizen of Malaysia will be brought to account for the unlawful acts, Liew told reporters.

Jerald Gomez, Liews lawyer, said his client did not include a request for damages to be paid should she win the lawsuit, leaving that to the courts.

In civil cases, we sue for general damages. I know there has been a practice of putting figures, but that is not encouraged by our courts because it sensationalizes the case, and in the end we dont get the figures, he said.

So we are leaving it to the court to decide how much compensation should be paid, Gomez said.

Fuzi and Khalid did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment.

Joining them as defendants in the lawsuit are serving and retired senior police officers including Awaludin Jadid, former chief of the Special Branchs Social Extremism Division, Huzir Mohamed, director of the Criminal Investigation Department, and Fadzil Ahmat, the CID chief in Selangor, according to media reports.

Other police officers named were Supari Ahmad, Khor Yi Shuen, Hazril Kamis, Mohamad Shamzaini Mohd Daud, and Saiful Bahari Abdul Aziz.



Liews first lawsuit in the case comes about two months after a special task force formed in June 2019 failed to release a report at the end of its probe.

The government appointed a six-member panel headed by former High Court Judge Rahim Uda to investigate Suhakams claim that on a balance of probabilities, Koh was the victim of an enforced disappearance carried out by police officers. The taskforce had a six-month deadline but sought an extension from the Home Ministry to complete its investigation.

Koh was snatched in broad daylight from a road in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13, 2017, when SUVs and motorcycles forced his car to stop and men in black face masks whisked him away. The abduction took less than a minute and was captured on surveillance cameras.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced support for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) new Incentive Reservation System for the CPUC biomethane monetary incentive program. The reservation system will help increase transparency about available incentive funding for biomethane interconnection projects in the state. Currently, there is about $32 million in funding available through the incentive program. This money is available for eligible projects on a "first come, first served" basis through December 31, 2026 or until the money runs out, whichever occurs first.

The new reservation system is an important step to give biomethane developers certainty the money they applied for will be there at the end of the project. Another benefit of the reservation system is that it can help spur additional interconnection projects.

"SoCalGas commends the CPUC for establishing an incentive reservation system," said Sharon Tomkins, vice president of strategy and engagement and chief environmental officer for SoCalGas. "It is my hope that state policymakers will realize the increased demand for renewable natural gas projects and make additional incentive funding available for many years to come."

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a clean fuel produced from our waste streams (i.e. sewers and food waste, as well as dairy and agricultural waste) and can be used to heat homes and businesses, for cooking, and to fuel trucks and buses. California law requires 40 percent of methane from sewage treatments plants, landfills, dairies and other agriculture to be captured, with provisions for energy delivery to customers as part of the state's ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

RNG can take more carbon out of the air than it emits as an energy source, which makes it a carbon negative fuel. Last month, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory issued a report assessing pathways California can take to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The study found the pathway that holds the greatest potential for removing emissions from the atmosphere is to convert waste to fuel, with simultaneous capture of CO 2 emissions. Estimates show this pathway could remove 83 million tons of CO 2 per year.

Last year, SoCalGas announced its vision to be the cleanest gas utility in North America. As part of that vision, the utility committed to replacing 5 percent of its natural gas supplies with RNG by 2022 and 20 percent of its supplies with RNG by 2030. A 2018 study shows replacing about 20 percent of California's natural gas supply with RNG offers the same emissions reduction as electrifying all of the buildings in the state, but at half the cost.

There is widespread consumer preference for natural gas appliances in California and multiple studies have shown RNG is a cost-effective solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, a recently released analysis shows that by 2040, there will be enough RNG available nationwide to replace 90 percent of fossil natural gas in US homes.

The reservation system opened on February 3, 2020. Customers who wish to apply for incentive funding should fill out this form.

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California, where more than 90 percent of residents use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, drying clothes or other uses. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines also plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians about 45 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.

SoCalGas' vision is to be the cleanest gas utility in North America, delivering affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In support of that vision, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for our customers. From 2014 through 2018, the company invested nearly $6.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

SOURCE Southern California Gas Company

Related Links

http://www.socalgas.com


Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of US for South and Central Asian Affairs on Wednesday (local time) termed the conviction of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed as an "important step forward" towards holding terrorist organisation LeT "accountable for its crimes".

"Today's conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward - both toward holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for #Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing," she tweeted.

"And as @ImranKhanPTI has said, it is in the interest of #Pakistan's future that it not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil," she said in another tweet.

An anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday sentenced Mumbai terror attack mastermind and chief of the banned Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed to five-and-a-half years in prison each in two terror financing cases.

Dawn reported that he was slapped with a prison sentence of five-and-a-half years and a fine of Rs15,000 in each case and the sentences of both cases will run concurrently.

Special Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhatta announced the reserved verdict.

On Tuesday, the court had accepted a plea of Saeed to club all six terror financing cases against him and his associates and announce the verdict on completion of the trial.

The court had indicted the JuD chief and three of his associates - Hafiz Abdul Salam bin Mohammad, Mohammad Ashraf and Professor Zafar Iqbal - on terror financing charges on December 11 last year in a case filed by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

Saeed and Iqbal were later indicted in a similar case on December 20. The cases were filed by CTD Lahore and Gujranwala chapters.

The ATC on Saturday last week had deferred announcing its verdict in the terror financing cases and decided to hear arguments on February 11 on the suspects application to hear all cases first before reserving its judgment.

On July 3 last year, 13 top leaders of the banned outfit, including its chief Saeed and Naib Emir Abdul Rehman Makki, were booked in nearly two dozen cases of terror financing and money laundering under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Saeed was later arrested by the CTD on July 17 while he was travelling between Gujranwala and Lahore.

Saeed is nominated in 29 cases pertaining to alleged terror financing, money laundering as well as illegal land grabbing. During the trial of both cases, the court recorded the statements of 23 witnesses.

The crackdown on JuD last year followed a warning by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to Pakistan to deliver on its commitments to curb terror financing and money laundering.

The government had announced a ban on JuD and Falah-e-Insanyat Foundation (FIF) to partially address the concerns raised by India that Pakistan supported these and six similar organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) or at least considered them low-risk entities.

The law enforcement agencies over the next few weeks had intensified their crackdown on JeM, JuD, FIF and other banned outfits, and arrested more than 100 activists. Nearly 200 seminaries besides hundreds of other facilities and assets associated with them across the country were taken over by the government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil Nadu and Kerala: IIT-Madras develops eco-friendly alternative to seawalls

February 13,2020 | Source: Asian Age

After successfully testing the efficacy of the technology of groyne fields since 2007 along the Kerala and North Chennai coastline to fight sea erosion, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has developed an eco-friendly system using geotextiles to save seashore. The system, geotextile-wrapped over geo cell, developed with the fund offered by the Kerala government, has reached the final stage, Dr. V. Sundar, professor, department of ocean engineering, IIT-M told this newspaper. We hope we would be able to introduce it on the ground in a year. The system works with a dual structure: one is the geotube that will be laid on the updrift side and the second, a geo textile structure that replaces the conventional seawall in the down drift side, Dr Sundar said.



The geotube will act as a shock absorber by reducing the power of the waves. Ultimately, the system brings down the power of the high waves during the monsoon season that would cause sever damages to the life and property of coastal people. He said the IIT team pursued the project after Kerala government accepted its proposal a couple of years ago and the allocated the fund for the same. We are is waiting for the release of the final instalment of the fund from the Kerala government to test the technology on the ground.



The system is eco-friendly and cost effective compared to conventional rocky seawalls, he said. The sizable boulders are unavailable and that was why we thought about the geo textiles, he said. Geotextiles are strong enough to withstand the pressure of waves. It's the real alternate for the rocky seawalls. It may be recalled that the IITM team, under Dr. Sundar, has successfully tested groyne field technology laying down as many as 25 structures in as many as 20 shorelines in Kerala since 2007. We are satisfied with the performance and it helped save many villages in Kerala. The unavailability of boulders is the major challenge in going ahead with that technology. Therefore we were forced to look for the alternative, he said. According to Dr Sundar, IITM has done a review study on the implemented groyne fields in the coast of Kerala in around 20 locations.



Based on a detailed review, it is found that groyne fields in 12 out of the 20 locations are in good state and functioning very effectively and have recovered lot of beaches. Though the remaining fields are comparatively less effective in recovering beach, they have controlled erosion to an acceptable limit, he pointed out.
Regulatory News:

Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) enters the prestigious Fortune magazine ranking of the "World's Most Admired Companies." Separately, according to the magazine Capital, Pernod Ricard is one of France's 500 best employers, the Group jumping more than 150 places.

Pernod Ricard is listed for the first time in the annual ranking of 680 of the World's Most Admired Companies, realized by Fortune magazine with the talent management consultancy firm Korn Ferry. The sample is made up of the world's 1,500 largest companies by revenue. 3,750 executives, directors and financial analysts answered a series of questions on nine criteria including the quality of management, the ability to retain talent and corporate social responsibility.

Separately, Pernod Ricard jumped more than 150 spots, placing it in the sample's top 15% in the 2020 ranking of France's best employers produced by Capital magazine with Statista institute. Published for the sixth consecutive year, 20,000 employees were interviewed using an anonymous and independent survey.

These figures corroborate the independent study carried out every two years by Willis Towers Watson, carried out to the Group's 19,000 employees. The latest edition notably confirmed the following figures: 96% of employees are proud to be associated with their company, and 95% declare that they fully support the Group's values. More information on this survey can be found in our press release and the dedicated iSay site.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of 9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes, as well Jacob's Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard's brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group's decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of "Createurs de Convivialite." As reaffirmed by the Group's three-year strategic plan, "Transform and Accelerate," deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard's strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "We bring good times from a good place." In recognition of Pernod Ricard's strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation's Global Compact LEAD company. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005747/en/

Contacts:

Pernod Ricard Contacts

Fabien Darrigues External Communications Director

+33 (0) 1 41 00 44 86

Alison Donohoe Press Relations Manager

+33 (0) 1 41 00 44 63

Emmanuel Vouin Press Relations Manager

+33 (0) 1 41 00 44 04
Hanoi: Vietnam has quarantined a community of 10,000 people near the capital Hanoi for 20 days because of fears the coronavirus could spread there, two local officials say.

Police wearing masks guard a road checkpoint before entering the Son Loi commune in Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam. Credit:AP

The rural commune of Son Loi in the northern Vietnamese province of Vinh Phuc 44km from Hanoi is home to 11 of the 16 coronavirus cases in the country, including a three-month-old baby.

"More than 10,000 residents of the commune will not be permitted to leave for the next 20 days, starting from today," the second of the two the officials told Reuters on Thursday.

"As of this evening, we will still allow those who wish to return home to enter but, in the next few days, this place will be totally be sealed," the official told Reuters by phone.
3 1 of 3 Colonie Police Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Colonie Police Show More Show Less 3 of 3





COLONIE -- Investigator Brian Curran, who was attacked responding to a disturbance on a bus stopped along Central Avenue, was released from Albany Medical Center Hospital late Tuesday evening and will be out of work for at least a week as he recovers, police said in a statement Wednesday.

Curran, a 14-year veteran of the department, is suffering from a concussion, neck sprain, three large bruises to the back of his head and significant bruising from his shoulders to his feet, police said in their update.
As Monsanto challenged a $78.5 million damage award to a Bay Area groundskeeper who was stricken with cancer after spraying the companys herbicide, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra stepped into the case Wednesday, telling a state appeals court that the verdict was validly based on state laws requiring warning labels for cancer-causing chemicals.

The 2018 verdict was the first of three, all in the tens of millions of dollars, in Bay Area trials of suits by users of the glyphosate herbicide, widely sold as Roundup, who were later diagnosed with cancer. A central issue is whether the suits could rely on California law, which classifies glyphosate as a carcinogen, or should have been dismissed under federal law because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers it a safe chemical.

In a filing with the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco supporting the plaintiff, Dewayne Lee Johnson, Becerras office argued that the EPAs statements about glyphosate, and its approval of a product label without cancer warnings, do not carry the force of law.

The EPAs opinion, stated most recently in an announcement last August that did not involve any legal proceedings or regulations, does not prohibit a state from finding that the agency-approved label is inadequate to protect public health and therefore constitutes misbranding, state lawyers told the court.

California protects its residents from dangerous pesticides, Becerra said in a statement. We shouldnt be forced to put our heads in the sand simply because the EPA wont do its job.

Monsanto first appealed the verdict in April 2019, arguing that there was no credible evidence its herbicide was dangerous. The court then asked opposing parties about the legal implications of the EPAs findings, and Monsanto lawyers replied Wednesday that they should require dismissal of Johnsons suit, or at least a new trial.

Federal law limits the role of states in pesticide regulation and prohibits states from requiring labels that differ from federally mandated labels, Monsanto told the appeals court.

Since 1991, under five presidential administrations, the EPA has repeatedly and consistently determined that no cancer warning is warranted or would be approved on glyphosate-based herbicides, the companys lawyers said.

Johnsons lawyers have contended that Monsanto, now a subsidiary of German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG, unduly influenced EPA decisions and had ghost-written reports for the government agency. The lawyers also cited the 2015 assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization, that glyphosate was a probable cause of cancer in humans, a conclusion disputed by both Monsanto and the EPA.

Over Monsantos objections, the judge in Johnsons case, Suzanne Bolanos of the San Francisco Superior Court, and judges in the other two cases allowed lawyers for the cancer patients to argue to their juries that the company knew its product was dangerous and should have informed the public.

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.

Johnson, of Vallejo, sprayed a high-concentration glyphosate product called Ranger Pro on school grounds in Benicia, where he worked as a groundskeeper, from 2012 to 2016, even after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2014. The jury found unanimously that Monsanto was responsible for his illness and should have known of the products dangers.

The court has indicated it would hear the companys appeal sometime in the next two months.

The two other verdicts, both last year, were $25.2 million in a federal court suit by a Sonoma County man, Edwin Hardeman, who sprayed Roundup on his property for more than 26 years before being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and $86.7 million in a Superior Court suit by a Livermore couple, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, who used the weed-killer on their property for more than 30 years before their cancer diagnoses. Monsanto is appealing both verdicts.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Not for Distribution or Release, Directly or Indirectly, in or Into Australia, Canada or Japan or Any Other Jurisdiction in Which the Distribution or Release Would Be Unlawful.

Regulatory News:

Reference is made to the announcements dated December 19th 2019, January 13th, January 31st and February 10th 2020 regarding AKKA Technologies SE's (Paris:AKA) (BSE:AKA) (ISIN:FR0004180537) recommended voluntary offer for all outstanding shares in Data Respons ASA against a settlement in cash of NOK 48.00 per share.

Following the closing of the voluntary offer period, AKKA holds 72.89% of Data Respons' share capital; the success of this operation gives rise to Europe's most comprehensive digital solutions portfolio in the growing mobility market. With its absolute majority, AKKA will continue to invest in the development of this portfolio of offers and the two companies will immediately start working together to implement the strong commercial and operational synergies.

Mauro Ricci, Chairman and CEO of AKKA, commented: "By accepting this offer by a large majority, Data Respons' shareholders have demonstrated their support for this joint business proposition between AKKA and Data Respons. This project is a true game changer in a data-driven world. From 2020, AKKA will benefit from a powerful half a billion euros-strong platform, enabling it to confidently achieve its CLEAR 2022 objectives, in particular generating 75% of its turnover in digital. The combination of our respective skills with a comprehensive portfolio within digital, software, connectivity, cloud and engineering solutions, will enable us to win larger contracts, namely in the Nordic and German markets.

We are delighted to welcome the teams of Data Respons to AKKA. Thanks to our common entrepreneurial values and shared strategic vision, we will build an unrivalled force in the digital world. I would like to thank Kenneth, Erik and the entire management team at Data Respons for their support throughout this operation."

Erik Langaker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Data Respons, states: "We are delighted with the success of the offer and that a large majority of Data Respons shareholders have chosen to tender their shares to AKKA's offer. This new chapter in the Data Respons history reflects the company's valuable offerings and high-performance culture built by Kenneth and his team over the years. The entire Board of Directors believes that the combined group represents immense opportunities for both employees and existing customers."

Kenneth Ragnvaldsen, CEO of Data Respons adds: "We share the same values and passion for innovation and technology as AKKA and look forward to joining forces. This will surely generate greater value for our customers and at the same time be an outstanding opportunity for our fantastic employees, which is the heart, soul and most important asset of our company

The Offer Document is, subject to regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions, available at www.dnb.no/emisjoner/, on AKKA's homepage at www.akka-technologies.com/investors/ and on Data Repons' www.datarespons.com.

Upcoming events on AKKA's Financial Calendar:

2019 full-year results: Tuesday, 17 March 2020

In case of discrepancies between the French and English versions of the press release, only the English version shall be deemed valid.

About AKKA

AKKA is the European leader in digital engineering consulting and R&D services in the mobility segment. The company has developed its solutions portfolio with numerous investments over the years towards structuring its digital solutions portfolio. As an innovation accelerator for its clients, AKKA supports leading industry players in the automotive, aerospace, rail and life sciences sectors throughout the life cycle of their products with cutting edge digital technologies (AI, ADAS, IoT, Big Data, robotics, embedded computing, machine learning, etc.).

Founded in 1984, AKKA has a strong entrepreneurial culture and is pursuing its fast-paced growth and international development in line with its CLEAR 2022 strategic plan. With approximately 21,000 employees, who are passionate about technology and dedicated to advancing the future of industry, the Group recorded revenues of 1.8 billion in 2019.

AKKA Technologies is listed on Euronext Paris and Brussels Segment A ISIN code: FR0004180537.

For more information, please visit www.akka-technologies.com

Follow us on: twitter.com/AKKA_Tech

About Data Respons

Data Respons is a pure-play digital leader with an in-depth expertise in software development, R&D services, advanced embedded systems and IoT solutions. The company is headquartered in Oslo (Norway) and has a strong portfolio of clients in the Nordic region and in Germany, supported by 1,400 software digital specialists.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005941/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations AKKA

Dov Levy

VP Investor Relations

+32(0) 2 712 61 24

dov.levy@akka.eu

Media Relations AKKA

Markus Leutert

Group Head of Communications

+32(0) 4 96 26 27 55

markus.leutert@akka.eu

FTI Consulting

Media Relations

akka@fticonsulting.com

Lea Truchetto

+33 (0) 6 86 13 75 57

Media Relations Data Respons

Sebastian Eidem

Chief Communications Officer

+47 93 22 39 64

sei@datarespons.no
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Galleon Gold Corp. (TSXV: GGO) (the "Company" or "Galleon Gold") announces that it has agreed to settle an aggregate amount of $70,000 for interest earned on a Convertible Debenture (the "Debt Settlement"). The Debt Settlement will be settled by the issuance of 1,000,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.07 per share.

The securities issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a four-month hold period commencing on the date of issuance. Completion of the Debt Settlement is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Galleon Gold

Galleon Gold is a North American exploration and development company focused on advancing two projects. The Neal Gold Project in Idaho is owned in partnership Eric Sprott and the West Cache Gold Project is located 13 km west of Timmins Ontario. Both projects are located in known mining camps with excellent infrastructure.

Galleon Gold will be exhibiting at PDAC 2020, the Company invites investors and shareholders to visit booth #3302 at the Investor Exchange in the south building of the Metro Toronto Convention Center from March 1 to March 4, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Galleon Gold

R. David Russell

Chairman and CEO

T. (416) 644-0066

info@galleongold.com

www.galleongold.com

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, expectations, plans, and objectives of Galleon Gold are forward-looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause Galleon Gold 's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future exploration activities and cash flows, and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Galleon Gold undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52398
The rack of lamb rack black and white chickpeas at Cicala in the Divine Lorraine on North Broad Street. Read more

A woman in Victorian dress moved through the lavish marble lobby of the refurbished Divine Lorraine two summers ago, and when the concierge greeted her, she supposedly vanished into thin air. More recently at the new Cicala restaurant in the buildings ground floor, a dozen wood salumi boards suddenly began swinging from their wall hooks as the wide-eyed morning prep cooks looked on. The mixer paddle went missing. There have been strange voices around the bar while closing at night. And one afternoon, some mysterious balls of light danced between the wine room and pastry station like headlights strafing the kitchen in the midday.

The stories are many. And if you believe in ghosts  like Angela Cicala now does  the 126-year-old Divine Lorraine may be a haunted hotel extraordinaire. Its a 10-story storehouse of spirits that roam from its early life as a North Broad Street beacon of turn-of-the-century luxury to its post-Depression-era mission of feeding the poor and housing the religious cult of Father Divine. Its most recent transformation from years of vacancy into an upscale apartment complex viewed as an essential cornerstone of the corridors revival has done little to quell its spooky vibes.

Angela, who descends from superstitious Abruzzese nonnas, even lit sage near her pastry station to clear the air and attempt a chat: If anyones in here, thats fine because Ive got to work  but I dont want my food to be ruined!

If youve had a chance yet to savor the pastry parade of her Piccola Pasticceria, a grand finale of tiny rum-soaked babas, chocolate-pistachio torrone, fresh cannoli, and anise-laced pizzelle served alongside her delicately fried caggonetti filled with chocolate-chestnut cream, youll know Angelas prayers have been answered. A peppery, fruity scoop of her olive oil gelato? Check. Rosette-shaped bacio fritters pulled from her grandmothers hand-iron then tiered-up with espresso ricotta? Double check.

If youve had a chance to also explore her husband Joe Cicalas expertly-cured salumi, hand-rolled pastas, and coal-grilled meats inspired by Sicilian flavors, youll know mine have been answered, too. The restaurant this talented couple launched in November, nearly two-and-a-half years after leaving Le Virtu, is as beautiful as I might have hoped.

This isnt the cozy rustic BYOB they initially thought theyd open when they left East Passyunk. Once they stepped inside these grand old bones, they channeled the original grandeur, whitewashing the brick walls once tagged with post-abandonment graffiti, preserving the original dark wood floors and steel beams, then softening the space with red velvet curtains, plush tufted chairs, and linens upon white linens. The 86-seat room, including 10 at the bar, is lit with a crystal chandelier glow one rarely finds anymore in new restaurants.

Theres a reason for that. It remains to be seen whether this embrace of retro finery is sustainable against the current trend toward more casual style. Even venerable Osteria across the street has slightly toned back prices to capture the theater crowd, routinely logging 200 diners in a 90-minute window before a show at the nearby Met.

But the Cicalas, who decorated the room with their ancestor photos and antique family furniture, are clearly old souls who cook from the heart. Their food resonates with tradition that speaks to their Southern Italian roots. The bread basket alone  filled with fennel-flecked taralli breadstick rings, Bari-style focaccia made from potatoes, and crusty black loaves baked from the smoky burnt grains of Pugliese Grano Arso flour  evoke a sense of place.

Cicalas salumi easily ranks among the citys finest, and is best experienced as the affetato misto, a spectacle of sliced meats and tiny side dishes of pickled vegetables that makes a generous table starter for $36. I could wax poetic over the dark rich wild boar salami, or the garlicky Calabrese soppressata, bay-scented capocollo, winter-spiced cotecchino or gossamer ribbons of fat-laced pancetta. But the 'Nduja is the true star, a spreadable spicy salami in a crock set over a votive flame that essentially warms into dippable pepperoni lava. The accompanying side dishes of pickled eggplants, giardiniera, marinated artichokes, and fried cherry pepper bombs stuffed with oil-poached tuna, were just as good.

But I also dream of other antipasti, like the luscious tuna carpaccio draped over milky hunks of buffalo mozzarella. Or the Sicilian eggplant balls dusted with juniper-smoked ricotta. Or the exceptional burrata, flown direct from Puglia and scattered with Trapanese sea salt, whose creamy stracciatella heart also has a distinctive fermented tang.

Silvery fillets of coal-grilled mackerel taste like the Mediterranean over a purple vinaigrette of prickly pear tinged with colaturra anchovy extract. Homey braised artichokes are refined to just the tender hearts, which bloom like bread crumb-dusted flowers over winter vegetable stew. Rustic Abruzzese lentil soup takes a luxury turn with shaved black truffles and grilled chestnuts that add smoky depth to broth that also gets a nutty shot of amaretto.

Cicalas servers tend the table with a formal professionalism that suits the space but doesnt feel overly stuffy. And Sicilian sommelier Angelo Secolo has done a fine job of curating the 185-label wine list with Southern pride, organizing the mostly Italian selection from South to North. There are bottles from great producers such as Sicilys Arianna Occhipiniti and Morgante, Campanias Feudi di San Gregorio, and others; while there are fine glass selections from Sardinias Argiolas, Siciliys Planeta  plus a notable roster of Italian craft beers  to match the menus bold flavors.

Cicalas pastas certainly follow that zesty character, from the fazzoletti in earthy lamb ragu whose delicate noodle sheets are crimped with a vintage roller meant to evoke Sardinian lace, to the toothy paccheri tubes tossed in a lusty seafood ragu of scorpion fish made with tiny Piennelo del Vesuvio tomatoes. Marsala-splashed mushrooms and ricotta plump the tortelli dumplings that come topped with roasted chanterelles in thyme butter.

I would have loved gnocchi with truffles had its pork sausage garnish not been finished with an overly rich saffron cream sauce. And while the tagliatelle tossed with a blizzard of truffles in browned buffalos milk butter with sage was a tasty splurge at $45 (this menus priciest item), I did not prefer it to the $25 paglia e fieno special of green and white tagliatelle with soulful Bolognese.

Joe was reluctant to reprise the single-strand pasta called maccheroni alla mugnaia that he popularized at Le Virtu. But he gave in to the steady requests from patrons, and Im glad he did. The hand-rolled ropes of thick spaghetti deliver a distinctively chewy satisfaction when shined with garlic oil and topped with the sun-dried crunch of crushed cruschi peppers.

While some of Cicalas pastas could serve as a light entree, the secondi are worth making room for. The juicy grilled swordfish over eggplant caponata reminded me in the best way of a long ago trip to Palermo. The Trapanese couscous, its grains scented with cinnamon and a tomatoey seafood broth aromatic with cumin, is a hearty nod to Tunisias influence on Southern Italy, topped with monkfish, mussels, and squid whose artfully scored tubes have the texture of a pine cone.

The lamb chops are among Cicalas most striking dishes, the meaty pink chops glazed Sicilian-style with honey, Marsala, and orange  the restaurants neon logo is citrus  then posed over black-and-white Pugliese chickpeas beside a silky dollop of carrot puree.

Then again, Joe has transformed another reluctant menu addition, the filet mignon, into another head-turning show. The meat is lightly breaded with crushed taralli breadsticks then sent into the dining room atop a silver pedestal of smoldering herbs.

The dish is inspired by Davide Scabin, a Piedmontese chef Cicala admires, and makes for memorable tableside drama. But igniting the rosemary and sage is also, perhaps, Joes way of sending the Divine Lorraines spirits a regular offering of his respects: Its like a natural cleanse through the room every night, jokes Angela.

One can only hope the well-fed ghosts of the Divine Lorraine approve.
MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - The UK's Competition and Markets Authority said Thursday that it has cleared Google LLC's (GOOG) acquisition of Looker Data Sciences, Inc. after a thorough review. The CMA noted that both companies supply business intelligence or BI tools that allow companies to analyse a broad range of business data including sales, finance and advertising data. 'While BI tools are the primary focus of Looker's business, Google offers this capability alongside various other software and internet-based products and services including web analytics, online search advertising and cloud-based data storage,' the CMA said. The CMA said it explored the different ways in which the completed merger could adversely affect competition. Firstly, the CMA considered whether the loss of direct competition between Google and Looker in the supply of BI tools could lead to increased prices or reductions in quality. However, the UK competition watchdog found this was unlikely because Google and Looker are not considered close competitors by businesses using BI tools, who can still choose from other providers, including Microsoft, Oracle, Tableau, SAP and IBM. The CMA also considered whether Google could leverage its market power in online advertising and web analytics to drive rival BI providers out of the market. The CMA noted that while Google would be able to make it difficult for rivals to access the Google-generated data they need from online advertising and web analytics services, there was no strong evidence Google would have the incentive to do this. The deal was also investigated and cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Austrian Federal Competition Authority. The CMA said it cooperated closely with both authorities through the course of its investigation. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Its the time of year where Girl Scout cookie booths start popping up in front of local establishments.

Instead of following the traditional route of staking out a grocery store or mall, one troop in Chicago set up shop outside a marijuana dispensary. The clientele proved to be the perfect customers for Girl Scout cookies, as the girls, ages 6 and 7, sold about 230 boxes in a day, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Dispensary 33 serves more than 500 people a day, general manager Paul Lee told the news outlet. Many of the customers bring cash and are looking for snacks to accompany their purchase, he said.

As a former Girl Scout, I admire the hustle, Dispensary 33s marketing manger Abigail Watkins told Block Club Chicago.

This troop isnt the first group of Girl Scouts to sell cookies outside a marijuana dispensary. Colorado recently lifted a ban on selling outside marijuana dispensaries, according to the Tribune. Meanwhile, Girl Scouts in California were using that strategy in 2018.

Marijuana became legal in Illinois in 2020.

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.

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), together with UN-Habitat and IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, launched the world's largest air quality data platform, bringing together real-time air pollution data from over 4,000 contributors, including citizens, communities, governments and the private sector to work towards healthier, more sustainable cities.

Launched at the Tenth World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi, this partnership  currently reaching over 15 million users and covering more than 7,000 cities worldwide  aims to sustain and grow the world's foremost air quality databank. The data, shared on a single, UN-coordinated platform, will empower governments to improve policy, allow citizens to make more informed health choices and demand action from their governments, while giving businesses the ability to make investment decisions that promote a cleaner, greener environment.

The need to act is urgent. Globally, 7 million people die each year because of air pollution; 650,000 of these are children. Air pollutants not only affect our health, they also affect ecosystems and food production; air pollution is also linked to climate change. Despite this, most citizens don't have access to real-time air quality data.

"Poor air quality is a problem that affects urban populations particularly seriously so the ability to measure and take action to improve the health of those living in our towns and cities is critical; UN-Habitat is proud to be part of this important work," said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

The UNEP platform builds upon IQAir's technology to aggregate, validate and calibrate air quality data that up until now was either restricted to individually-run websites or apps, or not shared publicly. UN-Habitat helps cities to develop plans that can reduce air pollution, including better public transport and waste management interventions.

Even within a single country or city, access to air quality information can vary among different communities. And while Europe, Asia and North America have thousands of monitoring stations providing real-time air quality information on PM 2.5  the fine particulate matter largely responsible for deaths and illnesses - to the public, many developing countries lack infrastructure. For example, Africa, a continent of 1.3 billion people, has just 50 publicly accessible air quality monitoring stations measuring PM 2.5 . Immediately following the launch of this new platform, that number will increase to 85, with the inclusion of the city authorities of Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Kampala whom are actively engaged in deploying local monitoring networks.

"Air pollution is a public health emergency and an environmental emergency that affects everyone, everywhere," said Joyce Msuya, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. "We are excited to be launching this partnership with UN-Habitat and IQAir to bring information and, importantly, encourage action by citizens, governments and the private sector."

The platform addresses the global air quality information gap by bringing together data collected by governments, NGOs, companies and local community groups and individuals. Anyone can apply to contribute real-time air quality data. To ensure data accuracy, IQAir brings its experience in creating and operating its global air quality map to ensure the reliability of published data through its validation and calibration system, which uses advanced machine-learning algorithms.

"We recognize that some of the world's most vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by poor air quality," said IQAir CEO Frank Hammes. "Through our partnership with UNEP and UN-Habitat, we empower more citizens, communities and governments around world to monitor their air quality with low-cost air pollution sensors and make the changes necessary to breathe cleaner, healthier air."

By improving access to real-time air quality data, this unique collaboration between UN entities, the private sector and local governments is expected to accelerate efforts to change how transport, waste management and other services are managed in cities so that air pollution from these activities is significantly reduced, if not eliminated.

Examples of successful policies to improve air quality exist: In the Chinese capital, Beijing, through a systematic approach based on strong science and coordinated successfully with surrounding cities and regions, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in the air has fallen by 35% in just five years (2013-2017).

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About UN-Habitat

UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. Working with governments and local partners, our high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a dedicated goal on cities, SDG 11  to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Under the New Urban Agenda, there is a clearly defined and renewed dedication among the global development community to ensure our cities expand in a sustainable way.

About IQAir

IQAir is a Swiss-based air quality technology company that since 1963 empowers individuals, organizations and communities to breathe cleaner air through information, collaboration and technology solutions. Visit airvisual.com and iqair.com for additional information.

For more information, please contact:

Keisha Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, UNEP

Tiffany Allegretti, Public Relations Manager, IQAir: [email protected] +1 562-903-7600 ext. 1129

SOURCE IQAir

Related Links

iqair.com


STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- John Ozbilgen, a former Staten Islander, left rambling suicide notes where he blamed his former girlfriend, Stephanie Parze of Freehold, N.J., after he allegedly killed her and dumped her lifeless body along a highway in New Jersey, prosecutors confirmed.

Ozbilgen, 29, of Freehold, acted alone when he killed and disposed of Parzes body along Route 9 near Old Mill Road in Old Bridge, authorities said previously.

The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office confirmed that Ozbilgen left the notes, which first were published in the Asbury Park Press.

In his statements addressed to his family and another ex-girlfriend, Ozbilgen expressed no remorse about Parzes death and didnt even refer to her by her name.

The girl in the news with me was such a piece of s---, she hurt me over and over when I already was @ my lowest, she was a horrible person, the notes read.

In his notes, he apologized to his family and made a partial admission of guilt, but did not reveal exactly how or why he killed her.

"Sorry about all this crazyness (sic), Ive been miserable for so long now, I had enough. Thanks for everything, I cant do life in prison. Most of the stuff you will hear is true, except the child porn.

The Asbury Park Press said it filed a public records request to obtain the notes, written on the back of shopping lists.

The disappearance of Stephanie Parze has left her sisters "terrified," her father said.Facebook

KILLED IN OCTOBER

Authorities said that Parze was murdered by Ozbilgen either late at night on Oct. 30, or early in the morning on Oct. 31, and that her body was dumped shortly after the killing at the location where she later was found.

On Jan. 26, two teens who were walking along Route 9 spotted her body and authorities were notified.

Ozbilgen was found dead on Nov. 22 after he hanged himself in the garage of his family home. He had recently been released from jail being charged in connection with child pornography.

Authorities and the Parze family had been searching on Staten Island and in New Jersey since her disappearance. In November, the NYPD and police and other emergency responders from all over New Jersey converged on Long Pond Park in Richmond Valley for a major canvass. It was at least the second search of that area by law enforcement personnel. The family and more than 100 volunteers also searched various South Shore locations on Staten Island, including Tottenville, Princes Bay and Wolfes Pond Park.

Early on, Ozbilgen was identified as a person of interest, partly due to his on-and-off relationship with Parze as well as various social media communications. Ozbilgen also had been charged with three domestic violence incidents, one of which involved Parze, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Authorities accumulated extensive evidence that Ozbilgen was responsible during an exhaustive homicide investigation that lasted three months, according to the prosecutor.

Officials had concluded that he was responsible for Parzes death, and a suicide note he left behind essentially reaffirmed their belief, the prosecutor said.

Noting the difficulty of prosecuting a homicide without a body, authorities were working actively toward charging Ozbilgen prior to his suicide, the prosecutor said.
In the previous contest, the robots had cameras that could transmit snapshots of artifacts to help the human operator, who was located on the surface, identify them. But teleoperation required that the team beef up the communications system to enable streaming video, Willits said. The streaming video also will provide a secondary means of verifying artifacts.

Changes also have been made to the team's drones.

"From the ground up, they've been designed to fly indoors," said Scherer, an associate research professor in the Robotics Institute. Each craft's four rotors, usually on the top corners of a drone, have been moved underneath and pushed closer together, so the drones are just 26 inches wide.

The drones also have been equipped with bumpers, anticipating that they will need to survive bumps and other collisions with walls, doorways, posts and equipment. Because they run out of power faster than ground vehicles, the drones will be carried on the backs of the wheeled robots until they need to be deployed.

Willits said the ground robots will make 360-degree turns before launching the drones, using their cameras to ensure that they're not near a pole or piece of equipment that a drone might strike when it becomes airborne.

In addition to Scherer and Travers, Geoff Hollinger, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Oregon State, leads a team of researchers who specialize in coordinating multiple-robot teams. Explorer now has a fleet of seven robots, four or five of which will be deployed at any given time, said Chao Cao, a systems engineer in the CMU Robotics Institute who will be the team's lone operator during the competition.

Team Explorer is sponsored in the Urban Circuit by Microsoft, Honeywell, Epson, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and CNH Industrial.
A Toi Ohomai bone health expert will bring back valuable knowledge to share with students from an international conference.

Bone health researcher and PhD candidate Campbell Macgregor will represent Toi Ohomai at the annual International Society of Clinical Densitometry conference in Minneapolis.

Campbell says the ISCD is dedicated to advancing high-quality musculoskeletal health assessments.

With osteoporosis becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in New Zealand, due to a growing ageing population, my involvement in the conference will prove valuable in providing Toi Ohomai students with real-world insights and research outcomes from the conference.

In addition to reviewing speaker content, Campbell will also be attending the ISCDs education planning meeting on Friday, 1 May, where members of the societys education council will discuss the current state of ISCDs programmes and processes, as well as evaluating possible methods of improving them.

Toi Ohomai offers a range of courses through its Faculty of Health, Education and Environment, including nursing, sport and recreation and health programmes with a Maori holistic approach.

The courses offer students pathways to further studies or provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to take on jobs in the health and wellness industry, Campbell says. Students also gain experience using technology such as Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, which is beneficial once they are out in the workforce, he says.

With Toi Ohomai being one of the few higher education providers that has a DEXA that measures bone density and body composition and as a result our students get access to high quality staff and world leading equipment so they feel very comfortable when they come across it in the industry.

One of those courses where students use the DEXA machine is the New Zealand Diploma in Health Science, which focuses on preparing students for a career in the health, lifestyle and wellness industries specifically within our region. During the course, students learn to apply their scientific knowledge of the human body to assist people in the prevention of health issues such as osteoporosis.

Students who are interested in studying this course can still enrol, with classes starting Monday, February 17.
(ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - The Chinese embassy in Italy on Thursday called for an end to attacks on Chinese people in Italy amid the coronavirus emergency.

"Panic is spreading in the Chinese community," said Doctor Zhang of the embassy, accompanying 20 Chines tourists who have left Rome's Spallanzani Hospital.

"(The panic) is not because of the coronavirus epidemic, but for security.

"There have been attacks on Chinese in Italy, not tourists, but the Chinese community.

"I would like to urge our Italian friends to pay attention to the safety and security of our co-nationals who are living and working in Italy, to avoid prejudices, distinctions, and aggressions.

"Insults and threats are not tolerable.

"That is the appeal I want to issue".


Right-wing groups swing into action when Valentines Day is around the corner, with a lot of responsibility on their shoulders -- supposedly of preserving the Indian culture. Hindu Sena, a fringe Right outfit, issued a Valentine's Day threat in Delhi saying the day threatens Indian civilisation.



The Hindu Sena said that those caught spreading "obscenity" at public places "will be handed over to police".

They also shouted slogans against Valentines Day and asked the District Collector to take appropriate measures on February 14.

Just a few days ago, a Hindu outfit burnt greeting cards and protested Valentines Day in Coimbatore, it has sent out a warning against 'obscenity' to all the lovebirds who want to celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14.

Representational Image

"Valentine's Day is a western concept," claimed the fringe organisation. It also threatened to pursue cases against those caught under Section 294 of the Indian penal Code.

Speaking to IANS, it's chief Vishnu Gupta said, "Our stand is consistent. We have not said anything new. Only that our views are wrongly perceived."

The outfit further also claimed to have written to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Union Home Ministry in this regard.

A right-wing organisation Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) in Goa has made an appeal that February 14 be celebrated as "parents' day," instead of Valentine's Day.

In a memorandum to the additional collector of North Goa and officials from the state administration, the samiti appealed that February 14 be celebrated as "parents' day", instead of Valentine's Day in order to prevent untoward incidents.

BCCL/File Photo

"This distorted version of love is being made popular among youth to gain some business, and as a result, the young generation is drawn towards sensuality and immorality," the organisation stated.

Incidents of teasing and violent acts on young girls have been reported on Valentine's Day, the outfit said in the memorandum.

There is a rise in "malpractices" such as consuming alcohol, drugs, smoking and even the sale of contraceptives goes up, indicating rise in immoral relationships, the HJS claimed.

The group is convinced that by celebrating parents day, children will respect and love their parents more.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.13

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

Kazakhstan has evacuated 211 more people from China, including 171 Kazakh citizens and 40 Kyrgyz citizens, Trend reports with reference to the press office of Kazakhstans Ministry of Healthcare.

On Feb. 13, 2020 at 07:00 in the morning (GMT +6) a plane carrying 211 people on board arrived from Beijing to Almaty city.

All 171 Kazakh citizens were hospitalized to the multidisciplinary clinical hospital in Almaty with all the requirements of infection control. In turn, 40 Kyzgyz citizens were sent to Bishkek city (Kyrgyzstan).

The health condition of all evacuated is satisfactory.

The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. Since then over 1,300 people have died and over 60,000 people have been confirmed as infected.

Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019. The symptoms include cough, headache, fatigue, fever, aching and difficulty breathing. It is primarily spread through airborne contact or contact with contaminated objects.



Chinese health authorities say that the majority of the people who have died were either elderly or had underlying health problems.



Aside from Mainland China, the cases of coronavirus spreading have also been confirmed in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Germany, the US, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Macau, France, Canada, the UAE, India, Italy, Russia, Philippines, the UK, Nepal, Cambodia, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Sweden and Sri Lanka.

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Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
Kanu Sarda By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered political parties to publish the criminal antecedents of their candidates for Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, along with detailed reasons that made them choose those with criminal records over other candidates, within 48 hours of the selection of the same.

A bench comprising Justices RF Nariman and S Ravindra Bhatt said, "It shall be mandatory for political parties (central and state level) to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases (including the nature of the offences, and relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned court, the case number) who have been selected as candidates, along with the reasons for such selection, as also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates."

ALSO READ| Experts get divided on views over SC verdict on decriminalisation of politics

Taking note of the rising criminalisation of politics, the bench said, The reasons as to selection shall be with reference to the qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned, and not mere winnability at the polls. According to election watchdog ADR, 43 (61%) of the 70 new Delhi MLAs have declared criminal cases against them.

In 2004, nearly 25 per cent of the Members of Parliament had criminal cases pending against them; in 2009, that went up to 30 per cent; in 2014 to 34 per cent; and in 2019, a whopping 43 per cent of MPs had criminal cases against them.

The top court also directed political parties to publish all the details within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate or two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier. The court also ordered political parties to publish such information in one local newspaper and one national newspaper besides the official social media platforms of the party.

"The political party shall submit a report of compliance with these directions with the Election Commission within 72 hours of the selection of the candidate. If a political party fails to submit such a report, then the EC shall bring such non-compliance by the political party concerned to the notice of the Supreme Court as being in contempt of this courts order," the judgment stated.

ALSO READ| Kapil Sibal welcomes SC's directive to political parties to publicise candidates' criminal antecedents

The verdict comes on contempt petitions filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and others. In September 2018, a five-judge constitution bench had asked the central government to immediately enact laws to ban those involved in serious crimes from contesting elections and becoming party officials.

BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay had filed a contempt petition against the central government and the Election Commission, alleging no serious efforts were made to stop the criminalisation of politics despite the court order.
FLINT, MI -- The first retailer to get a state license to sell recreational marijuana in the city plans to start adult-use sales on Feb. 28.

Michael Elias, chief executive officer of Common Citizen, said the companys store at 310 S. Averill Ave., is planning to begin delivery service on Feb. 27, and plans to sell recreational weed at the same price as medical marijuana -- except for the higher state tax.

In Michigan, recreational marijuana gets a 10 percent excise tax on top of the 6 percent sales tax charged for medical marijuana.

Were going to continue to serve medical patients with a dedicated lane inside the store, Elias said. We are excited to expand our ... operations in Flint.

Common Citizens storefront is inside a building that once house the Raincheck Lounge, a longtime Flint bar that closed more than five years ago.

The buildings renovation won the company the Gold Award for retail store design.from the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Common Citizens website says the stores design and layout reflects the companys human-centered philosophy, displaying Common Citizens brand prominently, along with photos of patients, artwork, warm lighting and clean-lined furniture.

In addition to Flint, there are Common Citizen retail stores in Emmett Township and Detroit with other locations planned for opening later this year.

Elias is also CEO of Michigan Pure Med, which operates a grow and processing operation in Marshall.

By spring, he expects all of the marijuana sold at Common Citizen in Flint to be produced by Michigan Pure Med.

Flint is in the process of amending its ordinances dealing with marijuana but has opted into the state program that allows for the sale of recreational weed, which state voters approved in 2018.

Some of those proposed Flint ordinance changes were on the City Council agenda Monday, Feb. 10, but the council lost its quorum and did not address resolutions or ordinances.
According to a report released Tuesday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), working class struggles in the US are at their highest levels in decades.

There were 25 work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers in 2019. This is the largest number in nearly two decades. Ten of these strikes involved 20,000 or more workers, the largest number since at least 1993, when data on the size of walkouts began to be systematically tracked by the BLS.

Workers walk the picket line during a demonstration outside the GM Warren Tech center in October 2019

The number of workers involved in strikes is increasing as well. There were 425,500 workers who took part in major work stoppages last year, down slightly from 2018 (485,000). The 2018 figure was a near 20-fold increase over the previous year. Combined, 2018 and 2019 saw the largest number of workers involved in a major work stoppage, over a two-year period, in 35 years.

Over the past two years, teachers have engaged in major strikes in West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon and other states, and in major cities like Los Angeles, Oakland and Chicago. The unrest among manufacturing workers was expressed in the 40-day strike by 46,000 workers at General Motors last year, the first national strike by autoworkers in decades. More than 30,000 Stop and Shop grocery workers in the US Northeast also walked out last year.

In many cases, these strikes have developed outside of the official trade unions, and in all cases have come into conflict with these nationalist and pro-capitalist organizations. The United Auto Workers succeeded in shutting down the GM strike, even as its executives were under criminal investigation and indictment for stealing workers dues money and accepting bribes from the auto companies.

The intensification of the class struggle is the essential factor underlying the shift to the left among workers. Numerous polls express the broad-based support for socialism, and hostility to capitalism and inequality, particularly among young people. In the 2020 elections, this political radicalization has found its initial and, as yet, politically limited expression, in support for the campaign of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who has won the popular vote in the first two contests in the Democratic primary campaignIowa and New Hampshire.

The impulse toward socialism is derived not only from social discontent and the outbreak of strikes, but from a complex interaction of the domestic and international crisis of American capitalism.

The principal objective factor that allowed the ruling class in the United States to suppress the growth of socialism was the strength of American capitalism. So long as the United States was an ascending economic power, with a sufficient share of the national income going to rising living standards, American workers were not convinced of the necessity for socialism.

The objective conditions for this American exceptionalism, however, have thoroughly eroded. Over the past 40 years, the American ruling class, responding to the decline in the dominant global position of American capitalism, has been working systematically to destroy everything that had been won by workers through bitter struggle. The land of unlimited opportunity, which always had a semi-mythical character, has given way to the land of low wages, debt and economic insecurity. The American Dream has turned into the American nightmare.

Particularly since the crash of 2008, the concentration of wealth has enormously intensified class and social divisions. The 400 richest individuals in the US now possess more wealth than the bottom 64 percent of the population, and social inequality is greater than at any time since the years preceding the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Anticipating this development, in the aftermath of the 2008 crash, the Socialist Equality Party predicted: The reality of capitalism will provide workers with many reasons to fight for a fundamental and revolutionary change in the economic organization of society. This is now taking place.

The growth of social unrest and interest in socialism has frightened and shocked the ruling class and its political and media mouthpieces. The Trump administration has responded with frenzied anti-communism. Trump frantically denounces socialism and the radical left. His effort to build up a movement of the fascistic right is directed, above all, at the growth of social opposition in the working class to the policies of the financial oligarchy.

The Democratic Party and media are working relentlessly to undermine support for socialism. The hostility of dominant factions of the Democratic Party to the Sanders campaign expresses their determination to prevent an election that raises, even in a limited way, the mass hostility to social inequality and corporate dictatorship.

While posturing as a popular party, the entire program of the Democrats is based on the suppression of class consciousness. Through the mechanism of racial and gender politics, the Democrats and their affiliated organizations seek to divide the working class. With the growth of the class struggle, these efforts are intensifying.

Sanders, while the immediate beneficiary of the movement to the left among workers and youth, seeks to direct anger and opposition back into the Democratic Party itself, to prevent it from breaking out of the bounds of capitalist politics.

The development of the class struggle, and the radicalization of workers and youth, will inevitably come into conflict with Sanders and those, like the Democratic Socialists of America, that are promoting him. In terms of his program, Sanders seeks to combine proposals for minor social reforms, impossible under capitalism, with economic nationalism; a shameful silence on the persecution of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, and support for the imperialist foreign policy of the Democratic Party.

The growth of the class struggle, and the political radicalization of workers and youth, is in its initial stages. Millions of people, in the United States and internationally, are looking for a way to oppose inequality, exploitation, dictatorship and war. They will go through political experiences and must draw the necessary conclusions.

We must patiently explain, Lenin once wrote, under similar conditions. The workers must be imbued with a consciousness of the logic of the struggles they are waging. They must understand the role of different political tendencies, to distrust those who make empty and false promises. They must be encouraged to have confidence in their own strength and the possibility of independent action. They must be trained to analyze politics in class terms, and to reject all efforts to promote racial, gender and national divisions.

As the Socialist Equality Party candidates in the 2020 presidential elections, Norissa Santa Cruz and I will fight to build a socialist leadership in the working class. The SEP campaign will explain what socialism is and how it can be achieved. It will bring into the growing struggles of workers throughout the world the immense historical experiences of the working class, embodied in the history of the Fourth International.

The intersection of the objective movement of the working class and the intervention of the socialist movement will create the conditions for abolishing world capitalism and putting an end to inequality, exploitation and war.

To get involved in the SEP election campaign, visit socialism2020.org.
Would now be an appropriate time to remind everyone that this country does actually have a prime minister?

Now that the chancellor has resigned in chaotic fashion, its worth considering the possibility that the prime minister might have had something to do with it.

This, I know, goes against the received wisdom. When things start to look pear-shaped, weve come to think we must all descend into a hushed reverence, to ponder over the latest move in the great game being played on us by the Svengali that is Dominic Cummings. Boris Johnson, meanwhile, is barely considered even as a pawn.

This is the latest front in Cummings perpetual war with everyone. First it was his war on lobby journalists; then on the BBC; then the civil service; then his own breakfast; and now, Sajid Javid  a war I am apparently meant to type out that Cummings has won.

Its not perpetual war, though, is it  its perpetual chaos. Boris Johnson did not, for example, want to be publicly humiliated by the Supreme Court last October, to have to quietly offer an apology to the Queen. He also did not want to have his chancellor resign on him in yet another very public political pyrotechnics display. It didnt need to be this way  indeed it wasnt meant to be.

With Rishi Sunak now in post, we are led to believe that we will have cohesion between Number 10 and Number 11. That we are about to return to the days of Dave and George. Yet the relationship between Cameron and Osborne was anomalous. Brown waged war against Blair because he wanted his job. Hammond stubbornly tried to prevent Theresa May from delivering a Brexit deal that would sabotage the economy (he succeeded in a way. Its just that we have Johnsons deal now, which is far, far worse). Cameron and Osborne were close because they had done the difficult years together in opposition. They had worked together as young men. They were a team. Equal partners, almost. Each had complete trust and confidence in the other.

The same cannot be said about Johnson and the new guy, Rishi Sunak. Sunak has earned Johnsons respect the easy way, not the hard way  by doing precisely as he is told. It is a relationship not of cohesion, but of compliance.

Last summer, when Johnson was campaigning to be Conservative Party leader, he chose to place himself under house arrest, and instead have a series of proxies go on the TV and the radio and answer the various difficult questions he himself could not. Have you ever taken cocaine? How many children have you got? That kind of thing. They queued up to do it. Johnny Mercer put a shift in. Liz Truss did her best. But Sunak was the star. At one point, he even told the BBCs Emma Barnett that it was silly to suggest that Boris Johnson isnt subjecting himself to scrutiny  in an interview he was doing in Boris Johnsons stead, more than a week since the prime minister had been sighted. He has earned Johnsons respect, in other words, through a willingness to humiliate himself by defending the transparently indefensible.

Things dont always end well for those whose principal skill is a willingness to do as theyre told. Theyre as easy to find as they are to lose.

And when Dominic Cummings breaks Britain in an attempt to turn the civil service into some kind of tech start-up  in the end it will not be his name, but Boris Johnsons, above the door.
My dad barged into my room on a Tuesday afternoon, clearly looking for me. He found me cowered over my desk struggling to finish a holiday assignment, I dont remember which one now, maybe Technical Drawing?

Sarinma! my dad bellowed, I want to eat Afang soup for lunch today and you must be the one to make it, you are not allowed to have any help from this house.

I struggled to remove my headphones which invariably became more entangled in my braids and I only managed to stutter wh-what? as he hurriedly left my room.

Of course he left in a rush, he knew what he had just done.

This is me, who has never made a Nigerian soup before in her life, not to mention one as deeply revered as Afang. How did he expect me to start without help from anyone in the house?

As I stood up from the chair and shuffled around in confusion half looking for my slippers and half wondering what the key ingredients in Afang soup are, a thought occurred to me: The Internet! I have used the internet to solve more complex problems in my life, mostly school-work-related, so why not this little conundrum?

In 2007, internet penetration in Nigeria stood at 6.8% of the total population at the time. Today, that number is as high as 111.6 million, (43%) according to the National Communications Commission.

I immediately abandoned my hunt for slippers, scooped up my laptop and headed to the kitchen.

As soon as I got into the kitchen, I placed my laptop on the island and did a quick search on Google for Afang soup recipes. After scouring through a few results, I found one that seemed the most legitimate to me. Despite never having made the soup before, I was sure I knew what the ingredients list and recipe should look like. This confidence came from never actually cooking but being in close proximity to the kitchen (and the pot) while my mum made food.

While I looked through my preferred recipe, my mum sauntered into the kitchen and appeared visibly shocked when she saw my laptop on the counter.

You mean you cannot stop using the internet even for a few seconds while you boil water? she asked.

Boil water? Mummy, I am about to make afang soup for daddy and the recipe is on the internet, I said. Daddy said I am not allowed to ask anyone for help so Im looking for cooking videos on Youtube. If you cannot tell, I was really proud of myself and this loophole I had uncovered.

My pride was short-lived as my mother doubled over in laughter that was, shockingly, directed at me.

My daughter is cooking from the internet! she exclaimed.

She whipped out her phone as she walked out of the kitchen and I heard her talking to someone, faintly describing the culinary wonders her daughter was attempting to perform.

Water leaves, Afang leaves, palm oil, meatmeat stockwhat else?

As I scanned through the recipe and directions for preparation, I realised two things. One, that I am not built for meal prep because I had already started asking the girls in the house to do things like dice meat and slice the afang leaves. Two, I could easily do this. Thank you, technology, for thwarting my fathers plans to disgrace me!

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The video started playing and I quickly became transfixed by the ease with which the lady on the screen went about preparing my second favourite Efik soup.

In about an hour, I felt like I could confidently say I was done. The soup in my pot looked similar to what was on my screen so I thought if it was good enough for them, it was good enough for me.

I called my dad first, to let him know of my culinary victory. I hoped I sounded nonchalant as I told him his food was ready over the phone and prayed that my voice did not betray my excitement.

He seemed wary of my news and made some non-committal sounds at my attempt to seem cool.

Then I called my mum and let out all the excitement I hoped I had hidden from my dad.

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Hello? Mummy, the Afang is ready o! I shouted.

Oh?

Cue, more laughter.

Bring some for me with garri then, she said.

So I dished some in a plate and marched to where she was sitting with a few of her friends.

Before she started eating she made sure to tell everyone: My daughter made this soup from the internet o!

In between her laughter she took her first bite and I saw her playful gaze turn into mild shock and then it morphed into something akin to pride.

Sarinma? You mean you made this from the internet? she asked.

From YouTube, mummy, I responded as I playfully rolled my eyes at her.

The laughter returned to her eyes as she turned to tell her friends, again, about how I had just made soup from an online recipe but, this time, she was telling her friends delightfully, urging them to try it.

Convinced that my work was done, I ran back home to wait for my dad who swore he would be home in time for lunch.

My dad did not try my soup until two days later when I was finally able to pin him down, and after one bite he asked: Who helped you make this soup, Sarinma?

No one, daddy, I learnt from Youtube, I said as I turned to leave.

That was all the confirmation I needed, I had definitely done pretty well for someone cooking from the internet.
(Alliance News) - Domino's Pizza Group PLC on Thursday said that it will completely exit its Norwegian business as part of the UK-based master franchiser's plan to exit international operations.

The pizza chain has agreed to sell its entire 71% shareholding in DP Norway AS to existing minority shareholders Pizza Holding AS and EYJA Fjarfestingafelag III EHF for a nominal NOK1 in cash and the transfer by minority shareholders of their entire shareholding in Domino's Swedish business to the company.

It doesn't plan to hold onto this permanently, however. Domino's Pizza said the transfer of the minority interests in Domino's Sweden "is expected to simplify DPG's disposal of its Swedish business in due course".

Domino's Pizza said it will need to make a cash outlay of up to GBP7.0 million as part of the sale, comprising of Domino's Norway's marketing campaign costs, certain future liabilities, and cash retained by the disposed business.

The FTSE 250-listed company expects its Norwegian exit to complete by May-end, subject to shareholder approval at an early May general meeting. It said its entire board, as well as US brand owner Domino's Pizza International Inc.

Domino's Pizza Norway reported an underlying operating pretax loss of GBP6.6 million for 2018, and the UK parent said it also has agreed to cover its losses until completion of the deal.

Domino's Pizza Chief Executive David Wild said: "This transaction is positive for all stakeholders and also provides DPG with a clean exit from Norway following operating losses and high levels of capital expenditure over a number of years. The new owners have exciting plans for the business and importantly, the Domino's brand will retain its presence in Norway.

"Now we have agreed the transaction for Norway, we will focus on progressing transactions for our businesses in Sweden, Switzerland and Iceland. We are focused on securing the best possible terms for shareholders and are working closely with Domino's International throughout."

Shares in Domino's Pizza shares in London were down 0.4% at 305.70 pence each on Thursday morning.

By Tapan Panchal; tapanpanchal@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Parents of Ghanaian students in Chinas Wuhan Province are mounting pressure on the government to evacuate their children currently stranded in the region as the Coronavirus outbreak spreads faster.

They contend that government will face their wrath should any of the Ghanaian students contract the virus.

Their call follows a three-day ultimatum issued by the Minority in parliament for government to evacuate the students to areas where the epidemic is less prone in China, or back to Ghana.

In a Citi News interview, spokesperson for the parents, Daniel Nii Lartey called on the government to act immediately to forestall any negative developments.

Words cannot describe the situation as we speak now. The students are in fear and so much panic now. It is worse than what the Ministeries are saying that everything is under control so the students should still stay there.

Even the Chinese are running away from Wuhan, the epicentre. If we get to hear that one student is sick from any other form of disease, well not take it lightly with this government at all. What should be done immediately is to evacuate the students.

WHO hasnt recommended evacuation of Ghanaian students yet  Health Ministry

Government earlier said the evacuation of Ghanaians from China following the outbreak of the deadly novel coronavirus is not advisable.

According to the Ministry of Health, consultations and engagements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other regional bodies do not encourage the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from China.

In a statement, the Ministry said the government is liaising with the embassy in China to ensure that all citizens continue to remain safe as no Ghanaian student has been reported to have contracted the virus.

We are working in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, West African Health Organisation, US Centres for Disease Control and other Development Partners, discussing and reviewing our strategies day by day. So far, all advice through consultations and engagements is not encouraging us to undertake mass evacuation because sub-regional consultation- the West African Health Organisation is engaging member states and has not recommended evacuation yet.

The Ministry also said it is reviewing the situation by the hour and will when necessary, tow the appropriate next line of action, including evacuation.

The Government of Ghana is much concerned about our citizens in China especially the Ghanaian students and is working to ensure their protection, safety and wellbeing as we continue to supply basic needs. We want to assure the public that, as per the management of all outbreaks which is a dynamic activity, we will continue to monitor the situation and act as appropriate. We will further wish to advise Ghanaians to delay non-essential travels to China, the statement added.

Students desperate for evacuation

The Ghanaian students have been calling on the government to evacuate them over the coronavirus fears.

But the government insists it will take its time on the matter and weigh its options.

A Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, also complained about the lack of action from the state on the calls.

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, however, stressed that the government will not bow to any pressure.

Public Health Director warns against evacuating Ghanaian students in China

The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie has also advised against evacuating Ghanaian students in Wuhan, China, following the outbreak.

He noted that this would be in line with some recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Among other things, WHO recommended that measures be put in place to limit the risk of exportation or importation of the disease between countries.

Dr. Sarkodie instead advised that the government provides needed resources to the students in China.

If they have adequate support from the government of Ghana beyond what the government of China is providing here, it would provide them adequate assurance and hope and let them be confident enough to keep staying there.

It will be better they stay there and as much as possible. That is what I will recommend because I agree with the World Health Organisation, he said.

---citinewsroom
As machine learning continues to surpass human performance in a growing number of tasks, scientists at Skoltech have applied deep learning to reconstruct quantum properties of optical systems.

Through a collaboration between the quantum optics research laboratories at Moscow State University, led by Sergey Kulik, and members of Skoltech's Deep Quantum Laboratory of CPQM, led by Jacob Biamonte, the scientists have successfully applied machine learning to the state reconstruction problem.

Their findings have been reported in the Nature Partner Journal, npj Quantum Information, and are the first to show that machine learning can reconstruct quantum states from experimental data in the presence of noise and detector errors.

Skoltech PhD student Adriano Macarone Palmieri, lead author of the study, described the findings as " a new open door towards deeper insights ." Adriano has a Master's Degree in Physics from Bologna and joined Skoltech from Italy, where he worked as a data scientist.

Working closely with MSU's PhD student, Egor Kovlakov, Adriano reached out to his former colleague and a current postdoctoral fellow at Bocconi University, Federico Bianchi. Federico, a machine learning expert with a recent PhD from the University of Milano-Bicocca, describes the findings as "a sound example of data driven discovery which combines machine learning and quantum physics." While Federico didn't have experience with quantum mechanics prior to joining this study, he viewed the problem in terms of information and helped create a novel model of the system based on deep feed forward neural networks.

Both Adriano and Federico worked tirelessly and in close collaboration with many members of Deep Quantum Laboratory, including Dmitry Yudin who describes the findings as an important first step towards the practical use of neural network architecture in a lab for improving quantum tomography with available quantum setups of noisy experimental data. Such quantum information processing is used ubiquitously in paradigmatic quantum devices for quantum computation and optimization. In the forthcoming future, the researchers plan to address further challenges of upscaling quantum information devices, and expect this work to be foundational in their further research.

These results wouldn't have been possible without the experimental research of Egor Kovlakov, supported by Stanislav Straupe and Sergei Kuliik, from MSU. Over the last several years, they have applied a wide range of techniques to the state reconstruction problem. To the surprise of the coauthors, deep learning outperformed these state-of-the-art methods in a real experiment.

The MSU team generated data with an experimental platform based on spatial states of photons to prepare and measure high-dimensional quantum states. Experimental errors in state preparation and measurements inevitably plague the results and the situation becomes worse with increasing dimensionality. At the same time, extending the dimensionality of accessible quantum states is extremely important for quantum communication protocols and, especially, quantum computing. This is where machine learning techniques come in useful. The Skoltech team implemented a deep neural network implemented to analyze the noisy experimental data and efficiently learn to perform denoising, significantly improving the quality of quantum state reconstruction.

Skoltech's Deep Quantum Laboratory team believes that machine learning techniques will play an essential role in the future development of quantum technologies. As the available quantum devices become more and more complex, it gets harder and harder to control all the parameters at the desired level of precision.This came out as a very natural field of application for deep learning and machine learning techniques in general.

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New Delhi, Feb 13 : Valentine's Day is here and if youre looking to escape with loved one's, then why not consider the best romantic getaways in India? Well, this time it's falling on Friday, which means that you can whisk away the entire weekend to explore some of the coziest yet comfortable and luxurious homestays with your partners.

{"title":"Valentine's Day is here and if youre looking to escape with loved one's, then why not consider the best romantic getaways in India? Well, this time it's falling on Friday, which means that you can whisk away the entire weekend to explore some of the ","description":""}

Here are some of the best romantic stays to spice up things, enjoy new experiences or to see a new destination together in India: Nehamrit Farms by Vista Rooms, Murbad Maharashtra

Vista Rooms has an exclusive Valentine's Day offer for just a few lucky couples who move quickly to grab it. Here's what you get when you book the experience: Stay: 1N or 2N, depending on what you choose, Romantic candlelight dinner, Breakfast in bed the next morning, Romantic bubble bath in your private bathroom, Games Night, Movie under the open skies, Stargazing with live music, etc. You can choose your stay between a villa with a private pool or a luxurious tent outdoors. All this starting at just INR 14,000 per couple. And if you move really quick, you can even avail the 10% early bird discount!

Image Source: IANS News

Fazlani Natures Nest, Lonavala

Fazlani Natures Nest is nestled between mountains and beside a pristine lake, within comfortable driving distances of both Mumbai and Pune. For Valentine's Day weekend, it offers the most luxurious stay with loads of freebies to enjoy your day in bliss and harmony. The stay covers everything you'd need, including: Accommodation in a Lake front suite, Personal Butler service to cater to your every need, A Rose Bouquet on arrival, Organic Fruit Basket and Special Chocolates in room on-arrival, Delicious farm-to-fork dining experiences for all meals, Candlelight dinner - 4 course Set Menu with themed desserts,Guided Flora tour through one of the largest rose farms in the country etc.

Image Source: IANS News

Little Paradise, Murud

This place is a paradise in real sense as it is made up of wooden exterior. It provides all the cozy and comforts to enjoy your vacay with your partner. The fresh wintry breeze touching the face softly, will make you fall in love with this place. On top of it Murud Beach is on a walking distance, so you can walk down to the shore with your valentine.

Image Source: IANS News

JW Marriott Jaipur Resort & Spa, Jaipur

Experience Rajasthan, India's famed "Land of Kings," at JW Marriott Jaipur Resort & Spa. The resort pays homage to majestic Rajasthan with a blend of traditional architecture and modern elements. Choose from eight distinct accommodation experiences, from luxury rooms and suites to private villas with plunge pools and courtyards. This luxury hotel offers all you need to relax and unwind. Plunge into their stylish outdoor pool, work out in modern fitness center, or visit the exclusive resort spa for treatments inspired by both modern and ancient traditions. Treat yourself with a Romantic Getaway at the palatial JW Marriott Jaipur Resort & Spa with their curated offerings.

Image Source: IANS News

Noor Mahal, Karnal

One of India's most insta worthy Incredible Palace Hotel Noor Mahal, Karnal is offering Valentine's Day packages for a royal celebration. Put your love story in the limelight this Valentine's Day as Noor Mahal Karnal is going big on romance this year with amazing preparations and offers for the modern kings and queens.

A five-star luxury palace hotel inspired by India's rich heritage and essence of royalty experience enjoyed by Indian Maharajas over the centuries, Noor Mahal Karnal is a perfect place to make this Valentine's Day memorable and capture these beautiful moments with picturesque backdrops and opulence.

(Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in)

Latest updates on Valentine's Day 2020

-- Syndicated from IANS
The dramatic moment an 89-year-old pensioner was robbed by a homeless man has been captured on security camera.

Joe Zahra withdrew money from an ATM in Toongabbie in western Sydney on Monday, and was unaware he was being followed after making the withdrawal.

Ajay Kuman had followed the pensioner for more than a kilometre to a park in Girraween.

The 25-year-old snuck up behind Mr Zahra in the park and snatched his wallet with $550 inside from his back pocket before running away.

CCTV has captured the moment Ajay Kuman stole Joe Zahra's wallet in a park in Girraween in Sydney

Mr Zahra attempted to chase down the thief but injured himself in the process.

'I tried to chase him a bit, but he was young and I'm too old,' Mr Zahra told 9News.

Mr Kuman appeared in court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to stealing from the pensioner.

He been homeless for two weeks after losing his job at a car wash due to water restrictions.

Mr Kuman's lawyer told the courtroom that his client could not afford $140 per week in rent and saw Mr Zahra's money as a solution to his problem.

Mr Zahra said he would have given the thief a hand had he knew his situation.

'I would have just helped him out, I'd give him say $50 or $20 but not the $500,' Mr Zahra said.

The case will return to court next week.
TORONTO - Ontario's Indigenous affairs minister said Thursday his federal counterpart must act quickly to resolve a rail blockade that has halted train traffic on a key provincial rail line for nearly a week.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Protesters stand on the closed train tracks during a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ont. on Thursday, Feb.13, 2020, in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposed to the LNG pipeline in northern British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

TORONTO - Ontario's Indigenous affairs minister said Thursday his federal counterpart must act quickly to resolve a rail blockade that has halted train traffic on a key provincial rail line for nearly a week.

Greg Rickford said he has asked federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller to meet with activists near Belleville, Ont., who are protesting against a pipeline project in northern British Columbia.

The province wants a peaceful resolution to the situation and is hopeful Miller can help bring it about more quickly, Rickford said.

"I've urged him to get to that community at the earliest possible time. I would prefer today," the provincial minister said.

Miller's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. But in a letter earlier this week, he offered to meet with Indigenous leaders at a location of their choosing on Saturday.

"My request, that I ask you kindly to consider, is to discontinue the protest and barricade of the train tracks as soon as practicable. As you well know, this is a highly volatile situation and the safety of all involved is of the utmost importance to me,'' Miller said in the email posted publicly Thursday.

"I hope you will agree to this request and that we can meet in the spirit of peace and co-operation that should guide our relationship."

One of the three recipients, Tyendinaga Mohawk Chief Donald Maracle, said he expects the meeting will take place but he can't comment on Miller's request to end the blockade because the protest wasn't initiated by its council.

"We're happy that he's agreed to come," Maracle said. "We need to allow the discussion to take place."

Blockade organizers across Canada have said they're acting in solidarity with those opposed to a pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation near Houston, B.C. The blockades have forced Canadian National Railway Co. to shut down its entire network in Eastern Canada and Via Rail to cancel passenger service across the country.

Rickford said he has spoken with Miller and urged him to address the concerns of activists that are within the jurisdiction of the federal government.

He stressed that the province is hopeful the blockade near Belleville, Ont., will remain peaceful.

"We certainly want to make it clear we're not interested in any kind of confrontation," Rickford said. "We believe, and we're hopeful, that that will occur if the federal government steps into the space that is being requested of them."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.
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Linkedin Charles Penty, Thomas Gualtieri and Rodrigo Orihuela (Bloomberg)  Thu, February 13, 2020 17:45 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20645b337 2 Science & Tech Mobile-World-Congress,Spain,technology,Barcelona Free

Enric Catala, a Barcelona sommelier, watched in dismay as clients began canceling the wine tastings hed set up at this years showpiece technology congress known as MWC.

Of course it has an economic impact -- its a huge event, said Catala, who owns Taca de Vi, which offers wine tours, events and tasting sessions. But this is all caused by something external -- its not as if Barcelona did anything wrong.

Event organizer GSMA on Wednesday bowed to the inevitable and announced that the 2020 convention would not go ahead, after a succession of tech giants from Ericsson AB to Sony Corp. to LG Electronics Inc. pulled out citing concerns over contagion from the coronavirus.

The cancellation is a blow to the global tech industry, depriving companies of a big stage to showcase new products and lay down markers for the latest consumer trends. The show has never been scrapped in its 33-year history.

But its also a severe setback for Barcelona. Spains second-biggest city has over the years geared up its economy to serve MWC attendees while polishing its credentials as a prime venue for shows and conventions.

The congress takes up two main fair venues in the port city, and the 2019 edition hosted 107,000 people from some 200 countries while generating an economic impact of 473 million euros ($513 million), according to the Catalan regional government. The event also added 13,900 temporary jobs while attracting 2,400 exhibiting companies.

Spain had seen no reason to cancel the event on health grounds, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Nadia Calvino told COPE radio in an interview on Thursday.

The minister said she would await further explanations of the decision to cancel. Spain so far has two confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Its too soon to assess the effect from canceled hotel bookings, industry association Gremi dHotels said in a statement Tuesday, though many of Barcelonas 430-odd hotels are traditionally fully booked by attendees months ahead of the congress.

Barcelona has great health specialists who have said there wasnt a risk from coronavirus, said Jordi Mestre, the associations chairman. He said he wanted to know why the ISE event, the worlds largest exhibition for the systems integration industry, was now underway in Amsterdam while MWC had been canceled.

Ride-hailing services such as Cabify saw a third of their MWC bookings canceled even before the event was called off, Jose Maria Goni, president of industry group Unauto in Catalonia, said in an interview. Local firms had already suspended plans to add 1,500 drivers to supplement the existing 1,000 staff during the congress.

2020 is going to be an annus horribilis, Goni said.

Some Spanish business leaders have suggested the cancellation could be an overreaction.

I dont think anyone in this country thinks this should happen, Antonio Huertas, chairman of Mapfre SA, Spains biggest insurer, told reporters on Wednesday, adding that his company doesnt have significant exposure to the cancellation.
Two Filipino families who have never been to China had their children barred from school over coronavirus fears.

Beth Botor and Mary Jane Dumalaon were told their children - aged between seven and 12 - were pulled out of class following their return from the Philippines to Papakura Normal School in Auckland, New Zealand.

Students Kristel and Mary Dumalaon, and Joyce and Jasmine Botor returned from their holiday last week, but they were isolated from their classmates when they returned to school on Monday.

Beth and Ronne and their daughters Joyce, 11, and Jasmine, 7, who were forced out of class over coronavirus fears

Beth Botor and Mary Jane Dumalaon were told their children aged 7 to 12 were pulled out of class following their return from the Philippines to Papakura Normal School (pictured)

Ms Botor was about to leave for work when the school's deputy principal Alison Copeland knocked on her door telling her her daughters needed to be isolated.

She presented Ms Botor with a notice off the Philippines Airline website that the government had banned flights between China and New Zealand.

Ms Botor told the deputy principal that they hadn't travelled to China and didn't travel on the airline after the Philippines restricted travel to Hong Kong where they would have transited.

The family swapped flights and flew Qantas which delayed their return to New Zealand until February 5.

'I took the kids to the GP. The doctor said, ''You're fine, just stay at home'',' Ms Botor told the New Zealand Herald.

Mary Jane Dumalaon, centre, said her daughters Mary, 7, left, and Kristel, 12, 'didn't have a runny nose'

A general view of passengers arriving at Auckland International Airport on February 5

Ms Dumalaon received a call from the school to pick up her daughters from school regarding the same issue.

'They are fine, they don't have a runny nose or anything, that's why I'm so frustrated about it,' she told the publication.

The shocked mother's were inconvenienced and had to take leave off work at Pak'nSave to stay at home with their daughters.

NZ International Students' Association president Sabrina Alhady (pictured) said the school should've taken advice from the Ministry of Health

Principal Derek Linington apologised to the families and said their decision was based on advise from the Ministry of Education.

'While we initially asked a family to self-isolate, based on our discussions with the Ministry of Education and on Ministry of Health advice we have advised the family that they are now able to return to school immediately,' he told NZ Herald.

NZ International Students' Association president Sabrina Alhady said it was 'problematic' that the school didn't take advise from the Ministry of Health to begin with.

'While education providers are looking to minimise risk, it is clear that there is an underlying sense of fear and hysteria further contributing to misinformation,' she said.

Schools International Education Business Association chairman Patrick Walsh said precaution needed to be taken when dealing with these issues.

'That talk needs to be contained because that increases the risk of slipping across to xenophobic attitudes, which we don't want to take hold in any way.'
The Golden Age of Illustration is typically dated between 1880 and the early decades of the 20th century. This was a period of unprecedented excellence in book and magazine illustration, writes Artcyclopedia; the time of artists like John Tenniel, Beatrix Potter (below), Arthur Rackham, and Aubrey Beardsley. Some of the most prominent illustrators, such as Beardsley and Harry Clarke (see one of his Poe illustrations above), also became internationally known artists in the Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Pre-Raphaelite movements.

But extensive book illustration as the primary visual culture of print precedes this period by several decades. One of the most revered and prolific of fine art book illustrators, Gustave Dore, did some of his best work in the mid-nineteenth century.

Other French illustrators, such as Alphonse de Neuville and Emile-Antoine Bayard, made impressive contributions in the 1860s and 70sfor example, to Jules Vernes lavishly illustrated, 54-volume Voyages Extraordinaires.

As Colin Marshall wrote in a recent post here, these copious illustrations (4,000 in all) served more than a just decorative purpose. A less than fully literate public benefited from the picture-book style. So too did readers hungry for stylish visual humor, for documentary representations of nature, architecture, fashion, etc., before photography became not only possible but also inexpensive to reproduce. Whatever the reason, readers throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries would generally expect their reading material to come with pictures, and very finely rendered ones at that.

The online database Old Book Illustrations has catalogued thousands of these illustrations, lifted from their original context and searchable by artist name, source, date, book title, techniques, formats, publishers, subject, etc. There are also a number of collections to browse through, notes Kottke, and each are tagged with multiple keywords. Not all of the work represented here is up to the uniquely high standards of a Gustave Dore (below), Aubrey Beardsley, or John Tenniel, all of whom, along with hundreds of other artists, get their own categories. But thats not entirely the point of this library.

Old Book Illustrations presents itself as a scholarly resource, including a digitized Dictionary of the Art of Printing and short articles on some of the most famous artists and significant texts from the period. The sites publishers are also transparent about their selection process. They are guided by their reasons pertaining to taste, consistency, and practicality, they write. The archive might have broadened its focus, but due to obvious legal restrictions, [they] had to stay within the limits of the public domain.

Likewise, they note that the digitized images on the site have been restored to make them as close as possible to the perfect print the artist probably had in mind when at work. Visitors who would prefer to see the illustrations as time handed them to us can click on Raw Scan to the right of the list of resolution options at the top of each image. (See a processed and unprocessed scan above and below of fashion illustrator and humorist Charles Dana Gibsons overworked American father on his day off in August.)

All of the images on Old Book Illustrations are available in high resolution, and the site authors intend to add more articles and to make available in English articles on French Romanticism unavailable anywhere else. We are not the only image collection on the web, they write, neither will we ever be the largest one. We hope however to be a destination of choice for visitors more particularly interested in Victorian and French Romantic illustrations. They give visitors who fit that description plenty of incentive to keep coming back.

via Kottke

Related Content:

Jules Vernes Most Famous Books Were Part of a 54-Volume Masterpiece, Featuring 4,000 Illustrations: See Them Online

Aubrey Beardsleys Macabre Illustrations of Edgar Allan Poes Short Stories (1894)

Harry Clarkes Hallucinatory Illustrations for Edgar Allan Poes Stories (1923)

Jules Vernes Most Famous Books Were Part of a 54-Volume Masterpiece, Featuring 4,000 Illustrations: See Them Online

Gustave Dores Splendid Illustrations of Edgar Allan Poes The Raven (1884)

Illustrations from the Soviet Childrens Book Your Name? Robot, Created by Tarkovsky Art Director Mikhail Romadin (1979)

Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness
IAF chopper crash: Identification of mortal remains of 6 others completed

Condolences pour in for Group Captain Varun Singh, only survivor of Gen Bipin Rawat's crash

Wouldn't like to pre-empt any findings of Court of inquiry as it is a very fair process: IAF chief on chopper

IAF helicopter makes precautionary landing in Punjab after snag

India

oi-Deepika S

Patiala, Feb 13: Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Chetak helicopter made a precautionary landing in Ropar after it developed a technical snag in controls. All crew are safe in the chopper.

The chopper had taken off from Patiala and landed in Roopar after warning of technical snag in control.

Arvind Kejriwal to be takle oath on Feb 16th, likely to retain old cabinet | Oneindia News

The helicopter, on its way to Pathankot from Chandigarh, landed on a field in Ban Majra village here around 11:30 am, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ravi Kumar told PTI.

While making the emergency landing, the chopper escaped a 66-KV high tension power line passing through the fields, the official said.

The area was cordoned off by police and another army helicopter with a maintenance team reached the spot to repair the fault.

The helicopter resumed its flight around 1:30 pm, the police said.
Small businesses in New York's Chinatown are losing customers over "unfounded" coronavirus fears, the city's small business chief told CNBC on Thursday.

"Business owners are telling us revenues are down 40% in Chinatown," said Gregg Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services.

"Consumers should not be afraid to go to Chinatowns across cities and support small businesses," he said on "Squawk Box."

The United States has confirmed 14 coronavirus cases.

New York City has steered clear so far: The seven people suspected of having COVID-19 in the area tested negative for the virus, city health officials said Wednesday.

Health officials around the world are racing to stop transmission of the new virus, which was discovered Dec. 31 in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei province and is called COVID-19.

China said it has confirmed 59,804 coronavirus cases and 1,367 deaths related to COVID-19, most in Hubei province. The methodology for diagnosing coronavirus has not been changed in any Chinese provinces or municipalities except for Hubei, a Shanghai Health Commission spokeswoman said.

The World Health Organization, which has declared the virus a global health emergency, said there's been more than 150 coronavirus cases in about two dozen countries outside of China.

However, coronavirus misinformation is rampant, as little is known about the virus. Part of that is due to China's lack of transparency, Bishop said.

"What we're talking about here with the misinformation or lack of transparency is adding to the unfounded fears here in New York City," he said. "Business owners are hurting."

China had initially brushed aside help from global forces to stop the virus, including offers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to study the outbreak. U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told CNBC on Wednesday that the military is "locked and loaded to respond."

After the deadly SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, in which China withheld information, Beijing has vowed to combat outbreaks differently. However, much is still unknown about the disease, as global health officials try to gain access to the nation.

"There's just so much uncertainty because [Chinese residents] don't know the info coming from the government, what's real, what's not, what are the numbers," said James McGregor, chairman of APCO Worldwide's greater China region. He appeared with Bishop on "Squawk Box" on Thursday.
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe has warned Australia is already paying the economic price of climate change, while calling for more policy certainty that would allow the nation to exploit "fantastic" renewable energy opportunities.

Speaking in Melbourne at the Australia-Canada economic leadership forum on Thursday, Dr Lowe said from the recent bushfires and drought to an impact on consumer sentiment, it was clear climate change was having an economic impact that would only get larger.

RBA governor Philip Lowe says climate change is already affecting the Australian economy. Credit:Peter Braig

Dr Lowe said while central banks should "stick to their knitting" in areas such as the general economy, there was no way of avoiding the financial implications of climate change.

"Addressing climate change isn't something that is any responsibility of the Reserve Bank of Australia, but what we do have a responsibility to do is to understand the economic and the financial implication of climate change," he said.
Former Deputy Power Minister, John Jinapor says the AKER/AGM Energy Petroleum agreement is the highest level of betrayal by the current administration.



According to him, the deal smacks of corruption and raises serious transparency and accountability issues.



Mr Jinapor, at a forum in Accra on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, said indeed, the renegotiated deal was so bad that, Parliament in the exercise of its constitutional duty, could not help but direct the Minister of Energy, Mr. Peter Amewu, to renegotiate the Participating Interest of the State upward from 3% to 10%. Mr Amewu was also directed to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues surrounding the clandestine liquidation of the shares of MED Songhai  the original Ghanaian shareholder.



The Minister was further directed to report to Parliament within 6 months...this is what a nation reaps when its President refuses to protect the nations silver.



Interestingly, the Minister refused to act on Parliament's directive within the stipulated time, a clear case of impunity. On the contrary, to our shock and dismay, with some few days for Parliament to rise, the Minister of Energy presented to parliament yet another amendment to this very agreement alongside another AKER Agreement and demanded approval for very sweeping and outrageous concessions for the Company, he added.



Mr. Jinapor also said the concessions represent the most radical political attack on Ghanas upstream petroleum sector since the commencement of the fourth Republic.



He also described the concessions in the amendment as outrageous and that, only a government that has been compromised will ever contemplate plundering the resources of the State to such unimaginable levels.



He recounted detailed amendments submitted to Parliament by the Akufo-Addo government which was declined as follows:



1. Ministers Reasonable Assistance



This provision obligates the Minister to provide reasonable assistance to ensure that Contractors obtain all licenses, consents and/or authorisations required for its work. This most unusual amendment makes the Minister the errand boy for Contractors and undermines the autonomy of regulators and permit givers who are not necessarily under the authority or jurisdiction of the Minister.



2. Production Technology



This provision stipulates that the Minister no longer has authority in approving or rejecting a Plan of Development to determine what technologies will be used in developing and producing Ghanas hydrocarbon resources.



3. Taxation and other Imports



Sadly, these amendments provide a sweeping tax exemption for Aker and AGM, its sub-contractors and sub sub-contractors. No withholding taxes in the case of AGM and a reduced withholding tax rate of 5% instead of the 15% withholding tax for any work or services or supply or use of goods, both to domestic and international transactions.



4. Sub-Contractor Tax Exemption



Transaction between Sub contractors to sub-contractor is also not subjected to Withholding tax.



The direct beneficiary of these give-aways will be the Norwegian Multinational, AKER which owns and controls both Aker Ghana and AGM and their cronies...Unfortunately, the direct loser is Ghana.



To him (Jinapor), what is more worrying in the agreement is the cumulative of the medium to long term effect of all the give-aways which will be a loss of national control over our precious petroleum resources.



He also revealed that "a lot has gone wrong and continues to go wrong in Ghanas energy sector under Nana Akufo-Addo" and has gotten to the point that whenever they "see a joint memorandum from the Honourable Ministers of Finance and Energy", they are filled with trepidation especially as Ghanaians have not yet recovered from the PDS scandal, the Ameri/Mytilineos scandal and the BOST/Movenpiina Scandal.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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.

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Senior Congress leader on Thursday said there must be a "huge mass movement" if any Muslim was sent to detention camps in case the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Speaking at the JNU campus here, the former Union minister said the CAA was an outcome of the "NRC fiasco" in Assam that left 19 lakh people out of the document.

The CAA was brought to accommodate the 12 lakh Hindus among the 19 lakh people who could not be included in the Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, he claimed.

Replying to a question by a student on the best course of action if the CAA was upheld by the apex court, Chidambaram said, "When they touch the excluded...they will only be Muslims, try to identify and throw them out, declare them stateless, there must be a huge mass movement, resisting any Muslim being thrown out or kept in detention camps."



He also said the Congress believed that the CAA must be repealed and there should be a political struggle so that the Population Register (NPR) was pushed beyond 2024.

Claiming that the NRC, CAA and NPR were "closely connected" to each other, Chidambaram said, "The CAA was brought due to the NRC fiasco in Assam and the opposition to the CAA gave way to the NPR."



He asserted that the Congress was protesting against the CAA and the NRC across the country, but had consciously avoided going to Shaheen Bagh, as in that case, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would brand the demonstration against the amended citizenship law as a "political" one.

"See, we are not going to Shaheen Bagh because that would be falling into the BJP's trap. If we go there, they (BJP) will say it is political," the senior Congress leader said.

Slamming the CAA and the NRC as instruments undermining the very basis of the formation of India, he said the country, instead, needed a "broad law" on refugees.

Speaking at an event against the NRC, CAA and NPR hosted by the Congress's student wing, NSUI, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Chidambaram accused the BJP of spreading lies against opposition parties.

"The BJP says the Congress, the Left and other liberal parties are against citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs from Pakistan, Bangladesh. But we are not against those included, our opposition is against exclusion," he said.

Questioning the rationale behind the CAA, the former finance minister said it excluded people on the basis of religion.

"Why only three countries, what about other neighbouring countries -- Nepal, Bhutan, China? What about others treated much worse? The Ahmadiyas and Shias of Pakistan, the Rohingyas of Myanmar, Tamil Hindus are equally persecuted, why are they left out?," he questioned.

Chidambaram also said the CAA did not cover persecution based on language, political ideology and economic deprivation. Slamming the NRC, he wondered which country would accept those left out of the document.

"Which country is going to accept them? How will they go? Where will you send them? (Home Minister) Amit Shah saying that they are termites and he will throw them out by 2024 is talking through his hat," the senior Congress leader said.




A Northwest Indiana congressional candidate is insisting that he was not threatening anybody when he tweeted Thursday that he's planning to become "one of those Second Amendment people" if President Donald Trump is elected to a second term.

Ryan Farrar, of DeMotte  one of 14 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in Indiana's 1st U.S. House District  said far from threatening the Republican president, or anyone else, his tweet is a recommendation that liberals begin preparing to combat tyranny.

"It's just kind of putting the idea out there that maybe more people on the left should consider becoming gun owners," Farrar said in an interview with The Times.

"Because it seems like a lot of people on the right seem to think they're the only ones that own guns, and they have the freedom, if they want, to threaten to declare civil war, or anything like that, and that's fine and good. (I'm) just putting the idea out there that, you know, liberals can own guns, too."

Farrar said at this point he doesn't see any need for guns to be used in American politics: "I just think it's something to be prepared for."
A study has found that GPs do not feel equipped to manage people who self-harm.

The joint study between University College Cork and Keele University, published this week in the British Journal of General Practice, is a systematic review which analysed 12 studies published between 1997-2016 on 789 GPs and family medicine physicians from Europe, America and Australia.

Self-harm is a serious risk factor for suicide, and more than half of young people who die by suicide have a history of self-harm.

There are increasing self-harm rates reported among male patients in midlife, and people aged over 65 who self-harm are at an increased risk of suicide by 145 times.

The study identified barriers and facilitators which impacted GP management of patients who self-harm. The current limited consultation time in general practice with people who self-harm, and existing shortages of alternative self-harm and support services, were found to be barriers to the provision of good care.

The development of self-harm clinical guidelines with people who self-harm and GPs was identified as facilitating effective GP care.

Dr Isabela Troya of University College Cork and the National Suicide Research Foundation said: Evidence indicates that most self-harm presentations will occur in community settings.

This is extremely relevant to Ireland as there are over 2,500 registered General Practitioners in Ireland who are the first point of contact to patients seeking medical support.

"Our review shows that GPs recognise self-harm as a serious risk for suicide, but many report feeling unprepared to manage self-harm. This has implications for GP training in Ireland and worldwide.

In Ireland, previous research conducted by the National Office for Suicide Prevention with over 469 GPs has highlighted GPs reported limited suicide prevention training.

Dr Troya, who was second author on the research paper, said GPs and primary care are ideally positioned to address mental health issues.

The role of the GP is multidimensional and includes assessment, treatment and referral to specialist care when necessary.

Primary care is well placed to promote mental health, and identify people at risk of self-harm and suicide at an early stage, she said.

The research was led by Dr Faraz Mughal, a GP and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) In-Practice Fellow at Keele University in England.

This is the first study to review the global literature on GPs and self-harm, and bring it all together, to outline the role a GP could play in helping people who self-harm, Dr Mughal said.

This provides the foundation for important further research to understand and test how GPs can better support people who self-harm.

We know it is increasingly common for people to see their GP for self-harm.

"I aim to study how GPs can improve their provision of self-harm care, and how they can help people struggling with self-harm, he said.
The most important thing for children is to be accepted by their peers and if you dont have the energy to socialize and do things with them and develop those friendships, that is a real obstacle, Jason said. If they dont have the energy to prepare for class or to stay focused in the classroom, they can get picked on by people who say youre lazy, off task, not trying.
BERLIN  When a new play from one of Germanys leading avant-garde theatermakers sells out a 2,000-seat venue, you know the worlds gone topsy-turvy. Imagine Robert Wilson debuting a show to a full house at Radio City Music Hall!

Yet, since October, a huge revue theater in the heart of Berlin, the Friedrichstadt-Palast, has been selling out every night it presents a new work from the acclaimed writer-director Rene Pollesch. (In 2021, Pollesch will become the artistic director of the high-minded Berlin Volksbuhne.)

At the cavernous Friedrichstadt-Palast, the show shares the schedule with Vivid, an over-the-top, Vegas-style extravaganza that is about as far in tone from serious theater as you can get. This irony clearly hasnt been lost on Pollesch, whose play seems to refute Vivids sleek, razzle-dazzle aesthetic at every turn, starting with its mouthful of a title.

Believing in the Possibility of the Worlds Complete Renewal (Glauben an die Moglichkeit der volligen Erneuerung der Welt) is a minimalist chamber drama set loose on one of the worlds largest stages. Dont expect death-defying acrobatics or rousing musical numbers. Its a mordantly funny monologue about isolation and alienation that fuses personal reminiscences with critiques of capitalism.
The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) has named Rush University Medical Center as a National Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer, a designation given to hospitals that have demonstrated the multi-disciplinary approach, social support and advanced research resources needed to successfully treat this devastating disease.

The Medical Center is one of only 43 hospitals in the country - and the only in Illinois - to earn this distinction. The National Pancreas Foundation Centers program was created five years ago, when the NPF saw a growing need from patients who frequently reached out for pancreas disease specialist recommendations. NPF Centers go through an extensive auditing process and are high-quality, multi-disciplinary facilities that treat the whole patient.

Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers in the United States. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which accounts for more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases, is the only type of cancer with an overall 5-year survival rate in the single digits. It is expected to surpass colorectal cancer this year as the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

"Receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones" said Dr. Mia Levy, the Sheba Foundation Director of the Rush University Cancer Center. "The need to make a series of treatment decisions adds to the burden. Therefore, at Rush, each patient's pancreatic cancer team includes specialists from several clinical disciplines, as well as non-clinical professionals who provide the support and education needed to treat the whole person, not just their cancer."

"We are proud that Rush has assembled such a talented group of oncologists, surgeons and radiologists who specialize in pancreatic cancer. But people deserve to know not just who will treat them, but how," said Dr. Ashiq Masood, the Medical Center's director of gastrointestinal medical oncology. "Being named a National Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer assures patients that we have both the people and processes to help them through every step of surviving pancreatic cancer."

NPF Centers of Excellence go through a months-long auditing process to demonstrate they have meet a series of criteria developed by a national task force of pancreatic cancer experts. Those criteria are focused on the following three areas:

Designated Core Personnel - The hospital must demonstrate how a multidisciplinary team of pancreatic cancer specialists coordinates efforts for each patient. Those specialists include a program director, medical oncologists with primary practice in gastrointestinal cancers (including expertise in pancreatic/hepatobiliary malignancies), a pathologist with expertise in gastrointestinal malignancies, radiation and interventional oncologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons who perform a minimum of 20 pancreas resections a year for three consecutive years.

Clinical Trial Access - Hospitals must be leaders in developing new drugs and treatments, with patients having access to approved clinical trials testing novel therapies for pancreatic cancer.

"Whole Patient" Support - Beyond advanced clinical expertise, the hospital must be able to demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to social, educational, nutritional and emotional support programs designed to treat the "whole person." These programs may include patient and family support groups, social worker access, pain management service and mental health support.

Dr. Sam Pappas, the Medical Center's chief of surgical oncology, echoed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach needed to combat pancreatic cancer. "Every case of pancreatic cancer is unique, and each patient needs a therapy precisely designed for them," he said. "While surgery is typically the best option for long term survival, Rush surgeons work closely with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to determine very specific sequences and doses of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapies that we believe will work best for them."

Dr. Ajaypal Singh, the Medical Center's director of advanced endoscopy, adds that rapidly developing minimally invasive technologies are an important component of cancer care at Rush. "An endosonographer's ability to diagnose early cancer, and achieve biliary drainage is evolving rapidly," Singh said.

"But more importantly, we are usually the first providers to tell the patients and their families about the diagnosis of cancer. Knowing that we have a very strong and dedicated multi-disciplinary team to take care of these patients going forward makes our job easier while discussing the life altering diagnosis with patients and their families. This NPF designation is a testament to Rush investing in the tools, technologies and people that are saving lives at Rush today and leading innovation that will be replicated nationally."

###
Scott Morrison had his Trump Lite moment when he stared blankly at the Australian people and told them that an internal report  which they were not allowed to see  had found $100 million in sports grants were legitimate. It said much about the lack of transparency that is at the heart of Australian politics and its parlous state.

Trump lite? Scott Morrison was less than transparent with the Australian people. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Today I am proposing a six-point clean-up of politics and government in Australia. But first, a detour to Donald Trump.

Read the transcript, the US President said, ad nauseam, in his defence against impeachment, concerning his telephone call with the Ukrainian President and the revelation that he withheld military assistance until the Ukrainians launched an inquiry into his potential Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Too bad the transcript he urged all to read wasnt actually a verbatim transcript but a self-serving, obfuscating summary.

Scott Morrison read selectively from the report by Phil Gaetjens, his former fixer and now secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, on the sports grants affair. Gaetjens found  no surprise  that the then sports minister, Bridget McKenzie, had a clear conflict of interest in failing to declare her membership of a clay-shooting club to which she made a grant.
Brian Sullivan and Karen Hepp of Fox29 at An Evening in Franklin Square on Thursday, May 15, 2014. Read more

Facebook has responded to a $10 million lawsuit filed last year by Fox 29s Karen Hepp by asking that a judge dismiss the complaint.

The Good Day Philadelphia coanchor filed the suit in September against Facebook, Reddit, Giphy, Imgur, and other internet companies, claiming that her photo was being used for prurient and illicit purposes on their platforms without her consent.

The image, which Hepp claims in the suit came from a security camera in a New York City convenience store, appeared in advertisements for online-dating services and erectile dysfunction medication, as well as on pornographic websites. Hepp sued for compensatory damages in excess of $10 million, as well as the removal of the photo from the websites.

That unauthorized use of Hepps likeness, the suit states, violates Pennsylvanias right of publicity law. Essentially, state law prevents companies from using the image or name of a person in a commercial pursuit without consent from that person.

An advertisement for an online-dating service that used Hepps photo appeared on Facebook, but attorneys for the company said in a filing earlier this month that it was immune from liability because Facebook itself did not create the ad, and the case against it should be dismissed. Hepps claims against the company, Facebook said, are based on untenable legal theories attempting to hold online and mobile platforms liable for the actions of third-party advertisers.

In addition to the Facebook advertisement, Hepps image has also appeared on a subsection of Reddit geared toward people with a sexual preference for older women, as well as a pornographic website based out of the Czech Republic. The photo also appears on image-hosting site Imgur, where it is tagged with the acronym milf, and on GIF-hosting site Giphy, where it has been edited to include a clip of a man hiding behind a glass commercial freezer door and masturbating, Hepps suit states.

Since last year, other defendants, such as Reddit, have filed motions for dismissal claiming that the court where the suit was filed does not hold jurisdiction over the case.

Hepp is a longtime Philadelphia TV news personality, having joined Fox 29 in November 2010, a station biography indicates. She can be seen on the 4 to 6 a.m. Good Day Philadelphia, and again from 9 to 10 a.m.
MBABANE - The chief of the Mnisi Clan in Southern Africa has passed on. Bhekumuzi Mnisi died while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.



He had been admitted for about two months.

Information gathered was that the late Bhekumuzi, popularly known as Manyovu II, died onTuesday morning.

The news of Bhekumuzis death was confirmed by Mephule Mnisi. Mephule was the chiefs right-hand man and he is also a member of the family.

However, Mephule said the family was not yet in a position to comment further as they were still shocked by the death of the chief who was also referred to as King of the Clan in Southern Africa.



The title King refers to the chiefs who look after emaSwati who were left on the other side of the border-line demarcating Eswatini and South Africa.



Demarcation



It is believed that some Eswatini royal kraals form part of Mpumalanga Province and other parts of South Africa after the demarcation line which was aimed at preventing Foot and Mouth disease.



The chiefs are emaSwati and they pay allegiance to His Majesty King Mswati III. Mephule said the chief would be buried at Enkonjaneni Royal Kraal in the Mpumalanga Province on Saturday. He said a vigil would be held after a memorial service in Nelspruit tomorrow.



The late chief was one of the important people in the Mpumalanga Province as he was an executive member of the Traditional Council (Indlu Yemakhosi).

He was once a chairman of the Traditional Council. As a result, the news of his death spread in the province after it was aired on Ligwalagwala Frequency Modulation news bulletin the same day he passed on.



Bhekumuzi died while in the process of rebuilding the clan which was divided after the death of Manyovu I. Manyovu I was known for using wasps during Mfecane Wars. He was buried at Mnyamatsini where he had established a homestead. The Mnisi clan was entrusted with the sacred dam at Mantjolo as they were believed to possess rain-making powers in the ancient days.

During his lifetime, the late Bhekumuzi stated that the clan respected the connection between God and water. He said it was for that reason that the clan played a significant role in praying for rain.



God is the controller of all events. He has the power to stall rain and when He does, people believe there is drought. The Creator has the power to release rain for a good harvest. All the clan prays for is for God to release rains so that emaSwati can get a good harvest, he once said in an interview.



The late chief had mentioned that the clan always prayed that God did not release excessive rain which turned to be destructive to crops and infrastructure.

He stated that the surname Mnisi was derived from a verb nisa (make rain) which was why they administered rain.

Some members of the clan were against the appointment of Bhekumuzi, which was, however, approved by His Majesty King Mswati III in 1991.



Confirmed



Acting Ludzidzini Governor Chief Lusendvo Fakudze confirmed having received a report of Bhekumuzis death. However, he asked not to comment further as he was yet to report to Their Majesties. During his lifetime, Bhekumuzi believed that his mandate was to unite all the members of the clan in Southern Africa and bring them to Eswatini. As part of his renaissance mission, the late chief had allocated land for the establishment of a new royal kraal at Mantjolo on the outskirt of Mbabane. He named the new royal kraal Jubindaba as it was allocated at the edge of a disputed land.



He also initiated programmes with the aim of empowering members of the clan in Eswatini. The late chief purchased a block making machine and a tractor for a small community with the members of the clan at Shewula.
MEDFORD, Ore. -- The CDC is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak in Asia. Yesterday, World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the coronavirus outbreak, its called COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused but a new strand of coronavirus, which was identified in Wuhan, China. Right now, there are no confirmed cases in Oregon.

According to the CDC, there have been 45,000 confirmed to be infected with COVID-19. Over 4,000 of those people have recovered from the virus and 1,100 people have died.

There has been a lot of misinformation and even conspiracy theories circling social media, one misconception is that coronavirus is the next plague but according to statistics from this years flu season, the flu is more deadly. At least 22 million people have been diagnosed with the flu and 12,000 people have died this flu season.

Nevertheless, local health departments and local hospitals say they are prepared at all times for communicable diseases, such as COVID-19.

COVID-19 is really working a lot of like a lot of our other communicable diseases, said Tonya Phillips, Health Promotion Manager for Jackson County Public Health, Its important to understand in the United States right now we dont have any outbreaks, therefore the risk to the average American is very low.

If there was a case confirmed in our area the CDC has a set of guidelines that are passed down to state departments and local departments that include protocols that our local health departments and hospitals will follow.

CDC, when it comes to the United States, they are the mothership of public health so a lot of our guidance does come from CDC, said Phillips, that guidance then goes to Oregon health Authority and they put that guidance in a place for all of the counties that do communicable disease investigation.

At Asante, those protocols include a set of questions for patients to answer and an action plan that is in place at all times.

The screening questions ask if you travel to China with in the last 14 days or if youve been around somebody thats travel to China in the last 14 days, said Julie Zetterquist, Infection Prevention Manager at Asante, Weve established a location at each one of our facilities where that patient would be relocated right away. For example, if they were coming through the emergency department the triage nurses would meet them at the front desk, they would put a mask on the patient to contain any droplets. The staff themselves know the precautions to take. That patient would be immediately roomed in a room that has airflow precautions attached to it.

Zetterquist echoed Phillips in saying that a situation involving coronavirus wouldnt be much different than a response to tuberculosis.

We already do a lot of this stuff on a normal daily basis so really its like if we had a measles outbreak, we would be doing very similar stuff, said Phillips, coronavirus isnt too different, other than the fact that its new and were continuing to learn about it.
Don Lueders, a former government contractor and certified records manager, stands in front of the National Archives Building in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

Whistleblower: Lives Lost, Billions Wasted Due to Government Records Management Failures

The man who shot and killed 26 people at a church in Texas in 2017 used guns he wouldnt have been able to purchase if the Air Force had properly managed its records.

On six occasions, military officials failed to send Devin Kelleys records to the FBI while the Air Force investigated, court-martialed, and imprisoned him for abusing his wife and stepson. Had the FBI received the records, the killer would have been barred from buying the weapons used in the massacre.

While the Air Force case may appear unique, federal records management failures are behind some of the biggest national headlines in recent years. The largest breach of government systems in the history of the United States in 2015 was quantified specifically by the number of records stolen from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)21.5 million. Similar failures figured in the scandal of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) selectively auditing conservative groups and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of an unauthorized private email server.

Rather than being an anomaly, the preventable failures that contributed to the Sutherland Springs, Texas, massacre are a symptom of a vast problem spanning the entire federal government, according to two experts with decades of experience with the electronic records management application standard that undergirds virtually all records management software deployed in agencies across the government.

A task force at the Pentagons Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) created the standard, the 5015.2 Electronic Records Management Software Applications Design Criteria, in 1995. Three years later, the National Archives endorsed the standard for use by all government agencies. Over the more than two decades that followed, the government has spent billions of taxpayer dollars on records management applications certified under that standard.

But the money has largely been wasted, since the applications became unusable at the turn of the century as technological advances enabled a new era of interconnected digital workspaces bursting with records to manage. The 1990s-era applications require each government employee to declare every record manually. As both the amount and the types of records ballooned, the task became unmanageable.

Daryll Prescott led the DISA task force that drafted the records management application standard from 1993 to 1995. He became aware of the issues in the early 2000s.

People are busy. They dont have time to be dragging and dropping things, Prescott said. Billions have been spent on records management applications, which are not working and people are not using them. Its a disservice to the citizens of the United States and a disservice to the people of this industry.

Don Lueders, a former federal contractor for IBM and other software companies, spent two decades developing and selling records management applications based on the Department of Defense (DOD) standard. He was often in a position to witness firsthand whether the applications bought by the government were actually put to use.

And, according to Lueders, they never were, including at the Department of Justice, the Department of State, the Department of Treasury, the IRS, and multiple components of the DOD, such as the White House Communications Agency.

I trained on it. I consulted on it. I made a great deal of money off of that thing, Lueders said. About seven or eight years ago, I came to the conclusion that I couldnt support it anymore. And I couldnt support it anymore because I knew that not only had I never seen one record in a production environment enter into a DOD-certified repository, Ive never even seen any of those applications successfully deployed. So theyre empty.

A former senior Pentagon official told The Epoch Times that he had never used a records management application during his decadeslong tenure at the DOD. The officials records management practice consisted entirely of placing files in folders on drives on the government-issued computer, a far cry from the exacting declaration, storage, retention, and destruction processes built into the records management applications the Pentagon mandated each official to use.

People are not rewarded for records management, the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said. Ive never seen a bonus for properly doing records management. You are rewarded for production on the hot topic for management. When I retired and left government service, my records probably didnt get preserved.

Marc Ruskin, a former FBI special agent, likewise confirmed to The Epoch Times that he had never used a dedicated application to manage any of the records he created or received over the course of his two decades at the bureau.

He recalled a failed attempt to bring on a records management application in 2004 and 2005 during the tenure of FBI Director Robert Mueller. After the software was scrapped, the FBI began working on deploying a new system. Ruskin never used the new software, despite being trained on it, right up until he left the bureau seven years later.

There was a big paperless failure during Muellers tenure, said Ruskin, who is also a contributor to The Epoch Times. He was pushing aggressively to digitize everything. The FBI went ahead to transition to a system that was not fully developed, sort of a beta system, not ready for use. No one had the [courage] to tell the director they couldnt meet his deadline.

Heart of Accountability

Despite its stuffy title, records management cuts to the core of the relationship between the government and the American people, who fund it. The ongoing contract is based on accountability and transparency, neither of which are possible without records. The explosion in records that accompanied the information technology boom has greatly diminished the governments ability to be accountable and transparent.

In theory, the Pentagon-certified applications were meant to address the issue. Instead, they provide little more than the illusion of records management, as the vast majority of these applications are never implemented.

You dont have a democracy without accountability and transparency, Lueders said. You dont have accountability and transparency without records management.

Without an effective system to preserve, protect, track, andwhen required by lawdestroy records, the ensuing chaos hands the power over the governments records to career administrators, who can choose which records see the light of day and which simply disappear.

Thats been going on for almost a quarter-century, Lueders said. And it doesnt matter whos in the White House. Ive seen it with my own eyes at these agencies. Information is the most valuable currency in the world now, and they control the information.

So they can do and say whatever they want with absolute impunity. Thats a terrifying thought.

Solution Ignored

After developing the DOD 5015.2 standard, Prescott had largely walked away from the records management industry when he received a call from John Carlin, the archivist of the United States, in 2003. Under one of President George W. Bushs initiatives, the National Archives was seeking to create and implement policies to regulate the maintenance of federal electronic records. Prescott interviewed for the job and began working as a detailee to the National Archives in 2004. He led an interagency effort to create a new standard for records management based on services, which would allow the government to catch up with the rapid advances in technology.

After 4 1/2 years, a collaborative effort between 19 cabinet-level agencies led by Prescott resulted in the creation of a new standard. It spelled out the requirements for records management services (RMS), which would handle the insurmountable burden of manual tasks imposed on end-users by the DOD-certified applications.

When the National Archives endorsed the DOD 5015.2 standard in 1998, big tech companies instantly had the business case to develop products to meet the governments criteria since sales would be assured. Prescott knew this would also be the case if the National Archives endorsed the new RMS standard. Expecting an endorsement, two tech companies had approached his team with prototypes based on their services.

But before a working solution was built, the National Archives walked away from the new standard.

The question remains: Why? Prescott said.

Prescott handed the new standard to the Object Management Group (OMG), an international technology standards consortium. The OMG used the standard to create high-level models that could be used to create RMS software for any system.

After the OMG published the standard in November 2011, Larry Johnson, who is now on the board of directors at the OMG, presented it to the National Archives. Johnson was surprised the agency again didnt endorse the standard.

I was kind of shocked, Johnson said.

At the time, the National Archives was looking for ways to comply with the presidential memorandum on managing government records, issued by President Barack Obama in late 2011. The RMS standard addressed almost all of Obamas requirements. However, the National Archives showed no interest.

I was a little bit taken aback by the glassy-eyed response, Johnson said.

The National Archives didnt respond to a request for comment on why the RMS standard was never endorsed.

Despite spending billions on records management applications, today the federal government is stuck with unusable software.

The standard is not wrong. The systems are not wrong, Prescott said. The applications are just not viable for the current environment.

Don Lueders, a former government contractor and certified records manager, outside the National Archives in Washington on Feb. 8, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

The Whistleblower

Lueders initially aired his concerns on his industry blog and social media several years ago. He then sounded the alarm at IBM, where he worked on a team selling records management software to the government.

Seeing that IBM wouldnt budge, Lueders filed a formal whistleblower complaint with the DOD inspector general (IG) in May 2017. The DOD IG relayed the complaint to the DISA IG, which interviewed Lueders a month later. The DISA IG declined to investigate and forwarded the complaint to the Joint Interoperability Test Command as a business issue.

IBM didnt respond to a request for comment.

In July 2017, Lueders submitted another whistleblower complaint to the Intelligence Community (IC) IG, but never heard back. Suspecting that the IC IG wouldnt investigate the complaint, he initiated contact with the office of his congresswoman at the time, Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), and stayed in touch before Comstocks staff abruptly cut ties. Comstock lost her seat in November 2018. Comstock didnt respond to a request for comment.

Applications built to meet the Pentagons standard include crucial functionality for government transparency and accountability. They require every government employee to declare records into a certified system, where the record is secured so it cant be deleted or altered.

Records that should be destroyed after a certain time are forensically deleted by the application so they cant be recovered. This should have been the case for a significant portion of the 21.5 million records stolen from the OPM beginning in 2015, according to both Lueders and Prescott. If the records were in a DOD-certified records management repository or managed by the RMS standard, the software would have wiped out a significant portion in compliance with federal laws and regulations, long before a cyberattack, reported to have originated in China, breached the OPM systems.

Records that shouldnt be destroyed or altered are secured and made immutable if they are declared in the application. This should have been the case with the emails of Lois Lerner, the IRS official at the center of the controversy surrounding the IRSs targeting of conservative groups. Instead, the IRS claimed that the emails, which were under subpoena from Congress, were lost due to a computer crash. The IRS later claimed that the emails for five more officials were missing due to computer crashes. Those emails wouldnt have been lost if Lerner and the other officials used a records management application.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen appears before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on IRS Obstruction: Lois Lerners Missing E-Mails, Part I on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 23, 2014. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

Unviable Standard

The governments failure to use the certified applications is rooted in the nature of the DOD standard itself. Prescott developed the standard at the office of the assistant secretary of defense for command, control, communications, and intelligence in the 1990s, in response to the records management failures exposed when the federal government attempted to collect data on troops who suffered from Gulf War syndrome. Prescott worked on the standard from 1993 to 1995. The DOD released the first version in 1997.

In the 23 years since then, the standard was updated twice, but none of the changes adjusted the standard to the staggering advances in technology made since 1995. The core of the problem is that the standard guides the creation of applications that require manual input rather than services, which would handle this work in the background. The vast majority of the electronic records management applications at government agencies sit unused because the work required to manually enter each record into them is unsustainable.

You have the appearance [of records management] and you have the reality, Prescott said. That is not responsive to our republic.

The DOD standard doesnt include a usability requirement. Legal teams vetted the standard to determine that it would satisfy the records management mandates imposed by Congress and adhere to the regulations of the executive branch. Usability and viability werent part of the process.

Nobodyincluding the task forcetested these solutions to see if they would really work in a production environment, Lueders said. And they dont.

Prescott, during his time on detail to the National Archives, noted in a presentation that records management applications must be inserted in uncountable places in the business process and have never met requirements originally documented in the 1990s.

As an example of the work involved to declare a single record, a government official who sends an email would have to determine, based on records management training, whether the email even constitutes a record. The official would then have to drag the email from his or her outbox and drop it into the records management application and fill in the metadata, such as the classification level and a date for when the record should be deleted. This should be done for every record, be it an email, text message, social media post, text document, spreadsheet, calendar entry, or any other document so recognized.

Youre always pressed for time to do a lot of action. If youre saying you cant do that because youre following the records standard, youd be viewed as crazy, said the former senior Defense Department official.

IBM hired Lueders in 2015 after he became a vocal critic of the failures stemming from the limitations of the applications. Lueders says he agreed to come aboard because IBM claimed to be interested in developing a solution unbound from the DODs standard. He said that when he discovered that IBM was still selling the software based on the same standard, he complained and was eventually pushed out.

The Nations Recordskeeper

Despite endorsing the DOD standard for all federal agencies since 1998, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which describes itself as the nations recordskeeper, uses a DOD-certified application only for its email records.

NARA recognizes that a one-size-fits-all solution that addresses all of an agencys electronic records management needs is generally not practical, a spokesperson for the National Archives told The Epoch Times in an email.

The National Archives said it manages the rest of its records in the system in which they are created, with dispositions being applied in manual or automated methods. The agency didnt respond to a request to explain what processes and policies are in place to meet extensive federal electronic records management requirements, including how the records are declared, made immutable, managed through their retention schedule, and, when required, forensically destroyed.

In 2017, the National Archives issued guidance clarifying that only the DOD is governed by the 5015.2 standard. In 2018, the agency issued its own set of universal electronic records management requirements.

These requirements do not depend on a particular approach or tool, which gives agencies and vendors more flexibility to find records management solutions that meet NARA requirements, the spokesperson added.

Despite the recent changes at the National Archives, DOD-certified applications remain the go-to software most government agencies carry, in part because the standard is the only one specifically listed in the federal regulation governing electronic records management and the only solution that bears a DOD certification.

Cost to Taxpayers

The total cost to taxpayers after two decades of deploying the unviable records management software is hard to estimate, due in part to poor federal contract award record management. A non-exhaustive search for DOD-certified products turned up contracts worth tens of millions of dollars. According to Lueders, the tab easily could run into the billions.

If you add up all the contracts that were awarded because the software included a DOD-certified repository and the services provided to support those contracts, you get into the billions pretty quickly, Lueders said.

The records management application industry in the United States was valued at $17 billion to $19 billion in 2016, according to GEP, a procurement and supply chain consulting firm. The General Services Administration recently rebid a contract for Defense Enterprise Office Solutionsa cloud office package that includes a DOD-certified componentfor $7.6 billion.

But the true cost of the chaos caused by poor record-keeping could be exponentially greater. In 2016, the DOD IG found that the Pentagon had insufficient records to account for $6.5 trillion in expenses.

Shaelyn Gisler, 4, prepares to leave flowers on crosses named for the victims outside the First Baptist Church, the scene of a mass shooting that killed 26 people, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Nov. 9, 2017. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

Tragic Consequences

The cost of the opportunities lost due to insufficient records, as in the cases of those suffering from Gulf War syndrome, is likewise significant. Beyond the money, records management failures have more tragic consequences.

The families of the victims of the 2017 Texas church massacre filed several lawsuits against the government, claiming that the Air Forces records management negligence allowed the killer to purchase the weapons used in the killings. The lawsuits have since been consolidated into a single case. The families cleared a major hurdle last year when federal Judge Xavier Rodriguez allowed some of the charges in the case to proceed. The trial starts on Sept. 8.

In the ruling, Rodriguez noted that the Pentagon has long been aware of its records management failures, specifically when it comes to notifying the FBI about personnel being investigated, prosecuted, and convicted. In 2014, the DOD IG found that the Air Force Security Forces failed to submit fingerprint cards and final disposition reports to the FBI in 60 percent of cases. In 2015, the DOD IG examined the issue across several branches of the military and found that the Air Force failed to submit criminal conviction records to the appropriate computer databases 30 percent of the time.

The Air Force didnt remedy its records management failures by 2017 when the watchdog found deficiencies in reporting criminal convictions to the FBI in 94 percent of cases. The report stated, Any missing fingerprint card and final disposition report can have serious, even tragic consequences, as may have occurred in the recent church shooting in Texas.

None of the IG reports from 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018 include a single mention of the DODs 5015.2 standard, which formally guides the handling of the electronic records examined in each report. In Kelleys case, Air Force personnel were, in some instances, simply unable to find the documents that would have been preserved if they had used a DOD-certified application.

By the time the Air Force had its third opportunity to send Kelleys records to the FBI on June 8, 2012, the FBI no longer accepted hard-copy fingerprint cards. As a result, the fingerprint cards should have been scanned and declared as electronic records into a DOD-certified application. The Pentagon took two more years to notify its personnel about the FBIs new requirement.

The Air Force and the Air Force IG declined to answer a question on why a review of compliance with the DOD 5015.2 standard was omitted from the reports.

The DOD, the Air Force, and the Air Force IG declined to comment, citing the pending litigation by the Sutherland Springs families.

An attorney for the Holcombe family, which lost nine family members in the massacre, also declined to comment due to the pending litigation.

IBM, the OPM, the DOJ, the State Department, the Treasury, the Patent and Trade Office, and the White House Communications Agency didnt respond to requests for comment.

Unlike the compliance failures uncovered in the Air Force IG reports, the records management failures related to the DOD-certified applications are connected to more than the federal government. In IBMs case, Lueders was vocal about the software being unused. He said the company kept on selling it.

Other tech giants have long been aware their records management software is unviable in current electronic environments, according to Prescott.

In a first for IBMs DOD 5015.2-certified products, the company announced it would discontinue support for one of its records management products in April.
SAGINAW, MI  Police are investigating after members of a fire department based in St. Charles held a benefit in the name of a deceased firefighter and some money was reported missing.

The Tri-Township Fire District on Oct. 16 contacted the Michigan State Police to request an investigation into the missing funds, according to MSP Special 1st Lt. David Kaiser. The funds had been raised during a fundraiser to benefit an anti-cancer cause in the name of Deward B. Beeler, who retired from the department in 2017 and died of cancer on Nov. 30 the following year.

It came to light when a firemens association looked at invoices of the money that went in and went out and discovered the shortage, Kaiser said. We did many, many interviews on this.

Tri-Township Fire Chief Pat Harley said the fundraiser was held in early 2019. It was put on by department staff but was not an official department function, Harley said.

The missing funds were less than $1,000, Kaiser said. The money has not been recovered by police, he added.

Whether or not charges are issued is a decision staff in the Saginaw County Prosecutors Office will soon face.

Our investigation is complete and should be turned over to the prosecuting attorney for review in the next couple of days, Kaiser said on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

While police did develop a suspect, Harley said that person has not been suspended from the department.

We gotta deal with it in stages, Harley said. I cant suspend somebody when its just allegations.

The department is located at 106 W. Spruce St. in St. Charles and services St. Charles, Brant, and Swan Creek townships.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Chief Minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal here on Thursday invited citizens of Delhi to his swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, saying people should come to bless their son.

Kejriwal, who swept the polls on Tuesday, has been tweeting "Thank you" to the well-wishers. But, on Thursday, he directed his first proper tweet to the city.

"Delhiites, your son will take oath as the Chief Minister for the third time. Do come to bless your son. Sunday, February 16 at 10 a.m. at Ramlila Maidan," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party has bagged 62 of the 70 Delhi Assembly seats.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
An elderly man wearing a face mask has his temperature checked before entering a community hospital in Shanghai on February 13, 2020.

The U.S. does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China" regarding the count of coronavirus cases, a senior administration official told CNBC.

The official also noted that China "continues to rebuff American offers of assistance."

There are more than 60,000 confirmed cases of virus, with the vast majority occurring in China, and over 1,300 people have died. After several days of reporting a slowing number of new cases, Chinese officials said on Thursday there was more than 15,000 additional cases. The majority of those came from a change in how the numbers were reported, with the "clinically diagnosed" cases now counting as "confirmed."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-11 18:21:42|Editor: Yurou

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Syrian soldiers are seen on the Damascus-Aleppo highway near the administrative border of Aleppo province, Syria, on Feb. 12, 2020. For the first time since 2012, the Syrian army wrested control of the strategic Damascus-Aleppo highway following battles against the rebel groups, a war monitor reported on Tuesday. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- For the first time since 2012, the Syrian army wrested control of the strategic Damascus-Aleppo highway following battles against the rebel groups, a war monitor reported on Tuesday.

The Syrian government forces completely captured the Damascus-Aleppo highway after weeks of battles in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo provinces to retake the stretch of the highway passing through Idlib and southern Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The highway links Aleppo, the economic capital of Syria, with the political capital of Damascus and areas in southern Syria.

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, aiming at securing the Damascus-Aleppo highway that runs along the rebel-controlled territory.

The 432-km Aleppo-Damascus highway contains two sections -- the first between Damascus and Hama province in central Syria; the second between Hama and Aleppo.

The Hama-Aleppo section of the highway was under the control of the rebels, mainly those affiliated with the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

During the crisis, travelers used a sub-route as an alternative way to Aleppo, which was around 150 km longer. Accidents were frequently reported on the sub-route which is narrow near Aleppo.

The road has strategic importance for the flow of all necessary items between Damascus and Aleppo.
A control checkpoint for the new coronavirus disease in Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Nguyen.

A 50-year-old man in the northern Vinh Phuc Province, father of an infected patient, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health confirmed Thursday that the resident of the province's Son Loi Commune in Binh Xuyen District was the latest infection case in his family. Earlier, the man's two daughters and wife had tested positive for the virus.

His elder daughter, Nguyen Thi Du, 23, was one of eight Vietnamese workers of Japan-based Nihon Plast Company Limited who'd been sent to Wuhan for training last November. After their return to Vietnam on January 17, six have so far tested positive for the virus and two others are awaiting results.

The mans 49-year-old mother and 16-year-old younger daughter are being treated at a local health center. After his wife and two daughters tested positive for the virus, the provincial center for disease control had quarantined the man, whod been asymptomatic until two days ago, when he felt tired. His health is stable, doctors say.

Du also spread the virus to a neighbor and a cousin, who later spread it to her three-month-old grandchild.

Eleven of the 16 infections of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) confirmed so far have been in Vinh Phuc. Of the remaining five, three were found in Ho Chi Minh City, one in Khanh Hoa and another in Thanh Hoa.

Starting Thursday, Vinh Phuc Province has locked down Son Loi Commune, where eight people have contracted the new coronavirus.

In total, the northern province very close to the capital city has quarantined 373 people, of whom 104 have so far tested negative for the virus and the other 258 are being monitored at medical centers after they were found to have come into contact with patients.

Provincial authorities have established a field hospital with 300 beds at the College of Culture and Arts in Vinh Yen Town and a 200-bed facility at a military school in the same town.

Vietnam declared the nCoV outbreak an epidemic on February 1.

As of Thursday the global death toll had climbed to 1,369 and confirmed infections topped 60,000. Nearly 6,000 patients have recovered.
Representative image

Indias seafood exports to China are not likely tohave any adverse impact of coronavirus, the deadly virus, that has mostly hit Wuhan province of the East Asian country, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said here on Thursday.

"Seafood exports to China have increased substantially in the current financial year as compared to the same period last year. In April-December 2019, the total exports stood at 2,42,218 tonnes valued at USD 1,032 million as against 1,65,950 tonnes valued at USD 589 million in the same period last year, said MPEDA chairman K S Srinivas.

MPEDA functions under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry as an autonomous nodal agency for holistic development of seafood industry.

The increase is 46 per cent in terms of quantity and 75 per cent in terms of value," he said.

Around 500 traders export seafood from India to China and the exporting community in general has not raised any issue on exports to that country on account of the coronavirus there, he said. However, a few of them have expressed concern over shipping to China as the shrimp consumption might reduce, an MPEDA press release said here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

But there is a strong possibility of the Chinese consumers switching to healthier seafood options leaving behind other items such as reptiles of various kinds, it said.

At the just-concluded India International Seafood Show (IISS) 2020 in Kochi, Srinivas had said the coronavirus outbreak had not affected the shrimp consumption in China where Wuhan, the epicentre of the disease, is a small province.

India is the second largest aquaculture producer in the world and the largest exporter of shrimp to USA.

The country also exports a significant volume of shrimp to Europe and other markets in South-East Asia.
Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is planning to visit India later this month, multiple sources familiar with the plans told Reuters, a test for the Indian-born head who recently criticized Indian immigration policy.

India is a major market for Microsoft and other technology companies. India's southern city of Hyderabad, where Nadella grew up, is home to Microsoft's biggest research and development centre outside of the United States.

Nadella is planning to be in India between February 24 and February 26 and will likely visit New Delhi, tech hub Bengaluru and the financial capital of Mumbai, two people familiar with the plans said.

He is also likely to meet senior Indian industry leaders during his visit, the sources said. The sources did not want to be identified because the company has yet to make a public announcement.

Microsoft declined to comment when asked about a visit. "We don't have anything to share at the moment," a company spokeswoman said.

Microsoft also is trying arrange for Nadella to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the sources added, although the meeting has yet to be confirmed. The Prime Minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Nadella last month stoked controversy in India when he was quoted by Buzzfeed as saying a new law implemented by Modi's government that eases the path to citizenship for non-Muslims in nearby nations was "just bad".

His comments drew sharp criticism from Modi's ruling party. Microsoft issued a statement later quoting Nadella as saying that every country has the right to protect and define its borders.

A visit by Nadella would be in the midst of the government taking a tougher stance against foreign technology companies competing in the domestic market by drafting laws aimed at more tightly-controlled cross-border data flows.

The visit would also be a month after Amazon.com Inc CEO Jeff Bezos made a trip to the country and was snubbed by senior members of the government.

India has taken a hard stance against the US e-commerce sector, with Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart facing an antitrust probe and criticism from brick-and-mortar traders against their business practices.

When Bezos visited India last month and announced a new $1 billion investment, India's trade minister brushed him off by saying Amazon was doing no "great favour" to India. Modi also did not meet Bezos despite repeated requests by the company.
LENEXA, KS (KCTV) - Some people will go to great lengths to track down the elusive Sasquatch. "We thought, okay this is a little wild, this is like Northwestern folk lore," Digital Aerolus Director of Operations Jameson Huckaba said. Being recruited to help with the job was the last thing Huckaba expected would happen.
The Supreme Court will hear the plea challenging the custody of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on February 14.

The plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot, sister of Omar Abdullah and wife of Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, will be heard tomorrow by a two-judge bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Indra Banerjee.

On February 12, the apex court judge Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar had recused from hearing the plea of Sara challenging his detention under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978. The three-judge Bench of Justice NV Ramana, Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar and Justice Sanjiv Khanna were scheduled to hear the case.

The hearing for the case was earlier supposed to have been held today but senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Sara, had informed the court that he would not be available for the hearing. Thus, the top court scheduled the matter for hearing on Friday.

In her plea, Sara had said the order of detention is manifestly illegal and there is no question of Omar Abdullah being a "threat to the maintenance of public order".

She also said that exercise of powers by authorities under the CrPC to detain individuals, including political leaders, was "clearly mala fide" to ensure that the opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution is "silenced".

The plea has sought quashing of the February 5 order detaining Omar Abdullah under the PSA and also sought his production before the court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"This will eventually end badly. I have never in my career seen anything as crazy as what's going on right now," Minerd said.

Liquidity from the Federal Reserve and other central banks and increased demand for bonds from ETFs are masking the problems in the market, Minerd said, and the coronavirus outbreak is an example of an economic shock that could prick the bubble. The money manager said GDP growth in China in the first quarter could be as bad as negative 6%.

Guggenheim Partners Global CIO Scott Minerd said in a letter to clients that the elevated prices in financial markets show a "cognitive dissonance" from economic reality that has created a dangerous bubble among debt assets.

The U.S. stock market has shrugged off the initial sell-off that occurred as the outbreak gained steam, and bond yields continue to hug historical lows. Minerd pointed to low yields for bonds rated BBB or lower and oversubscribed sales of new bonds as examples of a credit market that is overly bullish.

"In the markets today, yields are low, spreads are tight, and risk assets are priced to perfection, but everywhere you look there are red flags," Minerd said in the letter.

Minerd told CNBC last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he preferred stock to bonds because of elevated prices in the credit market, but that accommodative policies from central banks could continue to allow asset prices to rise.

Since then, however, the coronavirus outbreak has grown significantly, leading to travel restrictions and temporary factory closures in China and companies around the world warning that the outbreak would hurt them in the coming year. There are now more than 60,000 confirmed cases around the world, and some researchers believe that number is too low.

Minerd said on CNBC's "Fast Money" on Thursday that some investors are underestimating the impact that the outbreak will have on the Chinese economy.

"In that sort of environment, people are not going to go to work. You're not going to get output, and it's unlikely that we're going to return to any sort of level that was consistent with the pre-Lunar Holiday," Minerd said.

Minerd said the outbreak has caused to scale back his projections for global growth and increased his concerns that the credit market is not accounting for economic risk.

If the outbreak were to continue and China's economy was further hampered, the slowdown will spill over even more dramatically into other parts of the world and could cut oil prices roughly in half to $25 a barrel, Minerd said.

Minerd, whose firm has more than $275 billion in assets under management, said last May that a Guggenheim model called for the stock market would fall dramatically over the summer, a prediction that did not come true.

He said in the new letter that investors should stay invested the highest-quality securities that offer acceptable return, even if prices seem too high. However, whether caused by the coronavirus or some other economic shock, the market will eventually correct itself, Minerd said.

"We are either moving into a completely new paradigm, or the speculative energy in the market is incredibly out of control. I think it is the latter. I have said before that we have entered the silly season, but I stand corrected," Minerd said at the end of his letter. "We are in the ludicrous season."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 18:20:00|Editor: Xiaoxia

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NEW DELHI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A major fire broke out Thursday at an auto parts factory in Delhi, the capital city of India, officials said.

The fire took place in Mundka area, the northwest part of Delhi.

So far, there were no reports of anyone being killed or trapped inside the factory.

"A massive blaze was reported from an auto parts factory in Mundka. Police and firefighters were rushed to the spot to contain it," a police official said.

Reports said over two dozen fire tenders have rushed to the spot to douse the blaze.

The cause of the fire was being ascertained.

In December last year, a fire inside an old building in the city killed 43 people and injured many others.

Chances of fire in Indian buildings are usually high as people ignore safety standards.
White House Farm viewers have reacted with shock at an explicit sex scene played out at the beginning of Wednesday's night season finale of White House Farm.

The racy scene saw Jeremy Bamber, played by Freddie Fox, seduce an older woman while on the run from the police at a holiday resort following the murders of his family.

The duo are seen flirting by the pool, before retreating to a hotel room where they engage in a steamy sex scene.

But not everyone was impressed by the racy turn of events, with one viewer tweeting: 'Last episode of White House Farm spoilt by gratiuitous sex scene at the beginning! Totally unnecessary!'.

White House Farm viewers have reacted with shock at an explicit sex scene played out at the beginning of Wednesday's night season finale of White House Farm.

One viewer tweeted: 'Last episode of White House Farm spoilt by gratiuitous sex scene at the beginning! Totally unnecessary!'.

Another added: 'Well that scene was a bit unnecessary. So much they could put into this drama and yet they fill it with rubbish'.

Elsewhere one said: 'Did not need to see that happy ending face'.

However others praised the series and argued it was a great representation of the real life events.

One viewer wrote: 'White House Farm on ITV is one of the best, if not the best, doco/dramas Ive ever seen. Just brilliant. Edge of seat stuff (even though you know how its going to end)'.

The racy scene saw Jeremy Bamber, played by Freddie Fox, seduce an older woman while on the run from the police at a holiday resort following the murders of his family

Elsewhere one said: 'Did not need to see that happy ending face'.

The series commissioned by ITV based on the horrors committed by some of Britain's most notorious killers.

White House Farm tells the real life story story of notorious mass murderer Jeremy Bamber, who shot dead his two adopted parents, their other adopted child Sheila, and her two six-year-old twins Daniel and Nicholas in Essex in 1985 aged 24, before framing his sister for the murders following the massacre.

Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas, who dated the royal between 2012 and 2014, played Jeremy Bamber's sister Sheila Caffell in the TV drama.

Speaking of the challenges she faced in the role, Cressida said: 'I think back then mental illness was treated so differently to how it is now.

The duo are seen flirting by the pool, before retreating to a hotel room where they engage in a steamy sex scene

'I think nowadays it wouldn't have been treated like that. If it had happened now, she wouldn't have been attacked for having mental illness.

'Now we're so much more aware and we talk about it in such a different way to how we did then.

'It's really shocking... I wasn't alive when it happened and I couldn't believe how she was treated back then.'

Cressida said she felt 'huge responsibility' to do Sheila justice and portray her in a good light, and was praised for her performance.

In Cressida Bonas' first big TV role, she plays Sheila Caffell, the adoptive sister and victim of murderer Jeremy Bamber
A former friend of the man accused of plotting the Manchester Arena bombing said the suspect gave him a 'bulls***' explanation when asking him to buy sulphuric acid said to have been used in the homemade explosives, jurors heard.

The witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said his father discouraged him from aiding Hashem Abedi's request to source materials online because he had concerns about it being used to make bombs.

Abedi's brother, Salman, detonated his suicide bomb on May 22, 2017, killing 22 and injuring hundreds of others as thousands of men, women and children left the Ariana Grande pop concert.

Hashem Abedi, who is accused of plotting the Manchester bomb attack gave his friend a 'bulls***' explanation as to why he needed sulphuric acid, the Old Bailey has heard

Prosecutors claim Abedi wanted his friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to buy the acid, pictured, which is said to have been used in the manufacture of homemade explosives

The jury have been shown receipts of items prosecutors claim were used in the plot

Hashem was arrested in Libya, the day after the atrocity before being sent back to the UK to face police questions amid prosecution claims he was complicit in sourcing and stockpiling components for the bomb.

He denies 22 counts of murder, one count of attempted murder encompassing the injured survivors, and conspiring with his brother to cause explosions.

Giving evidence in person at the Old Bailey on Thursday, the witness said he 'believed' Hashem when he allegedly asked him to buy sulphuric acid from Amazon, using his own account.

He said: 'I remember the exact place, he told me some bulls*** story about a generator.

'He said that his brother tipped a battery and the generator stopped working. He asked me very kindly.

'He just asked me for a favour.

'I did not want to let him down so I said yes.'

But the witness, who is from the Midlands, said he did not have any money so asked his father to help.

Prosecutor Duncan Penny QC asked him: 'Did your father tell you that he was concerned about acid because it can be used to manufacture explosives?'

The witness replied: 'Yes, he did.'

He added: 'I asked him to buy it. Straight away (he) refused it.

Abedi's brother Salman blew himself up in the attack on the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017

Stephen Kamlish QC, defending Abedi, referred to his witness statement, saying: He was off his head all the time.

They had also gone to hotels together for parties in London and Manchester. The pair first met in May 2015 at party and instantly took to one another.

The partying involved a lot of drug taking, said Mr Kamlish

The drugs better and more frequently available there. You were all taking a lot of drugs of different kinds, suggest Mr Kamlish.

The friend agreed and said Abedi had been taking drugs in March 2017 shortly before the atrocity.

During one visit to a mosque with the Abedi brothers, the Imam began to stutter.

Salman who was sitting in the front row began to take over the prayers.

I thought this was a bit cheeky, the witness said.

Hashem and I left the mosque without speaking to Salman.

The witness then admitted his earlier claim that he had not been with Salman in a mosque was inaccurate.

The trial continues.
Model9, an Israeli startup launched by mainframe vets, has come up with a way to transfer data between mainframe computers and the cloud, and today the company announced a $9 million Series A.

Intel Capital led the round with help from existing investors, including StageOne, North First Ventures and Glenrock Israel. The company reports it has now raised almost $13 million.

You may not realize it, but the largest companies in the world, like big banks, insurance companies, airlines and retailers, still use mainframes. These companies require the massive transaction processing capabilities of these stalwart machines, but find it's difficult to get the valuable data out for more modern analytics capabilities. This is the hard problem that Model9 is attempting to solve.

Gil Peleg, CEO and co-founder at Model9, says that his company's technology is focused on helping mainframe users get their data to the cloud or other on-prem storage. "Mainframe data is locked behind proprietary storage that is inaccessible to anything that's happening in the evolving, fast-moving technology world in the cloud. And this is where we come in with patented technology that enables mainframes to read and write data directly to the cloud or any non-mainframe distributed storage system," Peleg explained.

This has several important use cases. For starters, it can act as a disaster recovery system, eliminating the need to maintain expensive tape backups. It also can move this data to the cloud where customers can apply modern analytics to data that was previously inaccessible.

The company's solution works with AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure and IBM's cloud solution. It also works with other on-prem storage solutions like EMC, Nutanix, NetApp and Hitatchi. He says the idea is to give customers true hybrid cloud options, whether a private cloud or a public cloud provider.

"Ideally our customers will deploy a hybrid cloud topology and benefit from both worlds. The mainframe keeps doing what it should do as a reliable, secure, trusted [machine], and the cloud can manage the scale and the rapidly growing amount of data and provide the new modern technologies for disaster recovery, data management and analytics," he said.

The company was founded in 2016 and took a couple of years to develop the solution. Today, the company is working with a number of large organizations using mainframes. Peleg says he wants to use the money to expand the sales and marketing operation to grow the market for this solution.
At least three Indians on board cruise ship Diamond Princess off Japanese coast have sent SOS, appealing for help from the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The British Diamond Princess cruise ship carrying 3,711 people on board has been kept in quarantine off the coast of Yokohama, Japan. Of all people on board the ship, 266 are guests and 1,045 are crew members. Among them, 132 crew members and six passengers are Indian nationals.

One of such crew members, Anbalagan, who hails from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has shared several videos, explaining the conditions on the ship. As per Anbalagan, all passengers are in the ship's top decks where they are being sent food to rooms only. Apart from restrictions on the passengers' movement, all of them have been asked to maintain at least six feet distance from each other. Anbalagan said they were allowed to walk only for few minutes a day.

Anbalagan and another Indian national named Binay Kumar, a chef from north West Bengal, in one of the videos, can be heard saying they didn't even know if they'll be alive. "There are protocols that need to be followed. There is fear that we might lose jobs or won't get other jobs because of breaking the protocol. But what is the point of following the protocol when we don't know if we will live."

The cruise ship Diamond Princess, which anchored at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal, is pictured in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

Highlighting the grave situation inside the ship, Anbalagan said they were initially told no crew members were infected but now over 10 crew members were tested positive for novel coronavirus (nCoV). "We share plates, and eat in the crew mess. Easily, we can also be infected if we are not brought out of this place," he added.

Binay Kumar Sarkar, in his video made a day after he was quarantined, appealed to PM Modi to rescue Indian nationals from the ship. "Modi ji has been my idol, and just like how the [IAF] commander [Abhinandan Varthaman] was helped out of Pakistan, we hope you will rescue us as well," Sarkar said in the video. Another Indian national, Sonali Thakkar, who's a security officer at the ship, also sent a request for appeal from the government.

As per Sonali, who was placed in isolation on Monday, the infection is spreading fast, which could affect others on the ship. She said the Indian government should take the Indian nationals back home and isolate there. "We are scared that if the infection is spreading, it is spreading so fast that we could also become one of them. We don't want to. We just want to go back home...we want to go home," NDTV quoted Sonali as saying.

The Indian nationals on board the British ship have appealed for help from the government and United Nations on earlier occasions too. As per latest information from the Indian Embassy in Japan, two Indian crew members on board the cruise ship were tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Authorities have confirmed that as many as 174 people on board have been infected with the deadly disease. "Due to the suspicion of novel coronavirus infection, the ship has been quarantined by the Japanese authorities till February 19, 2020," the embassy said in a statement.

All the infected people had been taken to hospitals for adequate treatment, including further quarantine, in accordance with the Japanese health protocol, it said.

The Indian Embassy was in constant touch with the Japanese authorities to ensure the welfare of Indian nationals on board the ship as well as the possibility of their early disembarkation, in case they were not found to have tested positive for the virus.

Japanese authorities have confirmed that they were following the designated health protocols, it said. "None of the Indian nationals have complained of discriminatory treatment meted out to them," it said, adding that the mission has been in constant touch with the ship management company- Princess Cruises (for the crew members) and the employer of six passengers to tie up their travel back to India.

Giving details, it said those who had not tested positive, irrespective of their nationality, were allowed to disembark except the critically ill passengers and crew members who have been allowed to be taken to hospitals for further treatment and quarantine.

The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has risen up to 1,113 with 97 new fatalities reported mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection jumped to 44,653, health officials said. The coronavirus outbreak originated in central China's Hubei province in December last year. The virus was officially named "COVID-19" by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Several countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights to the country.

Edited by Manoj Sharma with PTI inputs
Better be a Source of Positive Energy rather than that of Vice

--Comments on an article published by Standard Times

2020/02/13

On February 12, 2020, Standard Times of Sierra Leone carried an article titled How Xi Jinpings Controlocracy Lost Control on Page 2, to which the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Sierra Leone would like to express the following views:

1. At such a critical time when the Chinese government and people are going all out to fight against the COVID-19 virus, the Standard Times, by publishing such an article, is not showing friendship, sympathy or solidarity. Instead, it is sending misleading information to people in Sierra Leone and tarnishing Chinas image. It neglected the fact that China has been undertaking the huge responsibility of dealing with 99% of the cases caused by COVID-19 and contributing to safeguard global health security at a very high cost. It also neglected the will of the Sierra Leone government and people, including many of the readers of this newspaper, to stand side by side with China. Therefore, such a report is unacceptable and of low moral standard.

2. The above mentioned article staged a vicious attack on Chinas political system. However, the points raised in that article are baseless and falsified. Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have long demonstrated their dynamism, strength and effectiveness. Under the leadership of CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, China has made tremendous historical achievements. China has grown into the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial country, the largest trader in goods and the biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves. For several consecutive years, Chinas average contribution rate to global economic growth has been close to 30%. China has lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty by UN benchmarks and is on the touching line of getting rid of absolute poverty by the end of this year. Chinas contribution to global peace, stability and governance has been widely acknowledged. The ability to "concentrate resources to solve major problems" is a notable advantage of China's socialist system that has helped the country overcome major challenges over the past decades. The great achievements scored by China are a result of sound governance and suitable system. How China organizes itself has received world-wide acclamation except for very few who intentionally turn a blind eye to Chinas success or deliberately embark on defaming China. Therefore, putting up the above-mentioned report can be seen as losing professional standard.

3. The fight against the virus is about health. There is no need to politicize this issue or viciously attack China. It naturally takes time to recognize and understand a virus after its outbreak. When the COVID-19 virus evolved into an epidemic, the Chinese government put the safety of peoples lives and health first and made prevention and control of the virus as a top priority. The work of all aspects has been carried out in a firm, comprehensive, open, transparent, scientific and orderly manner. And remarkable results have been achieved in containing the virus. WHO chief Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus and many a world leader have hailed the speed and scale of China's response to the outbreak as well as the staunch leadership role of the Chinese government. The virus is horrible and harmful to the Chinese people. Yet whats more horrible and harmful are the vicious attacks and smears. Therefore, such a report is of no conventional ethics.

4. Freedom of speech should not be the excuse for wanton attacks against others. We hope that Standard Times would be a source of positive energy rather than that of vice.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko met with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Kyiv on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministrys press service has reported.

"On February 12, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko met with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi. This was the Commissioners first visit to Ukraine since the appointment of a new composition of the European Commission," the statement reads.

Oliver Varhelyi welcomed Ukraines progress in reform and announced the EUs commitment to boost the Ukrainian economy, strengthen its resistance to challenges, including external ones, develop investment potential and create new jobs.

Varhelyi noted that he as the European Commissioner wants to bring relations between Ukraine and the EU to a new level.

During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed issues of further integration of Ukraine with the EU, in particular in trade and economic sectors, as well as continued support by the European Union for the reform process in Ukraine.

The EU Commissioner assured of unconditional support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and efforts to establish peace in Donbas.

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The decree will be enforced by a federal court order and will require the state to take specific steps to inform voters of the changes and train poll workers.

In this years elections, Native American voters will be allowed to mark their homes on a map, and it will be the states responsibility to use that information to verify their official addresses and make sure their ballots are counted. The state will also be required to provide the official addresses to the voters and their tribes, which could then issue tribal identification for use in future elections.

This formalizes an arrangement that some tribes used in the 2018 midterms, when a federal court allowed the voter ID law to take effect less than two months before Election Day. Tribal officials were stationed at polling places on reservations to issue handwritten identification on the spot, using ad hoc addresses, to voters who pointed out their homes on a map.

The secretary of state, Al Jaeger, will also work with the North Dakota Department of Transportation to issue free IDs on every reservation before each statewide election. And he agreed to work in good faith to secure funding to reimburse tribal governments up to $5,000 apiece per election for the administrative costs of issuing addresses and IDs.

Mr. Jaegers office has announced a public hearing on emergency administrative rules to carry out the states new obligations.
Chinese dissident Xu Zhiyong, who is currently on the run from state security police after a crackdown on a gathering of pro-democracy and rights activists in December, has called on President Xi Jinping to step down.



Xu, who has already served jail time for his spearheading of the New Citizens' Movement anti-corruption campaign, offered a number of pieces of "advice" to Xi in the letter, hitting out at his human rights record and his use of violence to "maintain stability."



"Where are you taking China? Towards democracy or dictatorship? Modernization or the Cultural Revolution?" the letter said.



In the Feb. 4 letter, Xu urges Xi not to cling to power. He says Xi lacks the ability to govern China, citing the public perception of his "belt and road" infrastructure project and the economic damage done by the Sino-U.S. trade war.

"[You] are not a politician, because you don't actually have any ideas, or a clear direction in which you want to take this country," Xu wrote. "Under the banner of the so-called Chinese Dream and National Rejuvenation, you have distorted the market economy."



"On the one hand you talk about modernization, but on the other, you insist that the [ruling Chinese Communist] Party must run everything," he said.



"I am willing to play the role of the child in the Emperor's New Clothes, and ask you not to go against the tide, but to take a rest," Xu wrote, in a reference to Xi's resignation.



Beijing-based rights activist Hu Jia said Xu's understanding of the evil done by the current political system is thoroughgoing.



"Xu Zhiyong is a lawyer by training, and he a fervent supporter of ... democratic and constitutional government and fully democratic elections," he said. "These are fairly moderate universal values, and yet the Communist Party still sees him as subversive."



'Total Maoification'

Hu said he agreed with Xu's letter, and suggested that it didn't go far enough.



"I also wrote an open letter in 2012 ... and since then we have had total Maoification," Hu said. "The things [Xu] wrote are pretty moderate. Xi Jinping should be tried in international courts for crimes against humanity."



Sulaiman Gu, a graduate student at the University of Georgia, said it is remarkable that Xu is still issuing advice to China's president while being on the run from police, especially as he has already served time in jail for his outspokenness.



But Gu said the centralization of power in Xi's hands isn't an aberration under the current political system.



"The Xi Jinping dictatorship isn't a betrayal of the system; it's the product of it," Gu said. "You shouldn't have to flee to the furthest corners of the country ... to act like a free citizen."



Dozens of people linked in some way to the New Citizens' Movement group have been detained and jailed in recent years.



Xu Zhiyong was handed a four-year jail term in on public order charges after staging a street protest calling for greater transparency from the country's richest and most powerful people.



Xu also penned a New Year's message to China's citizens in 2020, calling on them to think about whether they want to carry on with an authoritarian government or movement towards democratic constitutionalism, an idea that President Xi Jinping has said has no place in his vision for China.



"We are sadly seeing that the Chinese economy is deteriorating, while the stability maintenance regime is depleting national wealth accumulated over more than three decades, and stagnation and poverty are looming," Xu wrote.



"China cannot go on like this. Think about it, people! What kind of China do we want to leave for future generations?"



Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Jia Ao for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday endorsed Audia Jones for Harris County District Attorney, fresh off his Democratic presidential primary win in New Hampshire.

Jones is one of four state's attorney and district attorney candidates that the longtime senator singled out for promises to reform a criminal justice system that he says discriminates against minorities.

Im proud to endorse these progressive leaders for the important offices of state and district attorney, Sanders said in a statement. Now is the moment to fundamentally transform our racist and broken criminal justice system by ending mass incarceration, the failed war on drugs and the criminalization of poverty, and thats exactly what theyll do.

For subscribers: President Donald Trump endorses Wesley Hunt in Houston congressional race

Jones has vowed to support an end to felony cash bail practices in Harris County, and to stop prosecuting sex workers and people caught in possession of small amounts of illegal drugs.

Shes previously earned the endorsement of the Houston chapter of the Democrat Socialists of America and Real Justice PAC, a group co-founded by several members of Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. The Texas Organizing Project and the Houston GLBT Caucus also endorsed Jones over incumbent Kim Ogg.

"I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders and to join him in his continued fight for justice, Jones said. Sen. Sanders has been steadfast in his vision of justice, a vision that is designed to speak for all of us. I am committed to pursuing that vision of a fair, equitable and fiscally responsible legal system here in Harris County as the next District Attorney."

Ogg on Thursday questioned Sanders' knowledge of the local criminal justice system, adding that he might not be aware of her programs that give people the option to divert from jail when faced with marijuana possession, or with other low-level crimes when specifically dealing with a mental illness. And he wouldn't understand how court dockets went into disarray after Hurricane Harvey, or how gun violence is affecting Harris County, she said.

We invite Senator Sanders to come learn about the most progressive criminal justice reforms in the South-- the ones put into place by my team and me. Theres a lot for the nation -- and the senator and the candidates he has endorsed in local races in many states -- to learn from Harris Countys progress under this district attorney.

Sanders additionally issued endorsements for Jose Garza for Travis County district attorney, Kim Foxx for Cook County states attorney and Junaid Afeef for Kane County, Ill., states attorney.

He also supported Chesa Boudin, the current district attorney of San Francisco, in his 2019 election. Boudin's win was considered a massive victory for the "progressive prosecutors" movement, which aims to reduce incarceration and racial and class inequalities in the criminal justice system by using discretion in what types of cases to prosecute.
The 102-year-old Patna University (PU) will set up a first-of-its-kind advanced research centre to facilitate students and professors carrying out research work in various fields, officials said.

As per the report proposed at a syndicate meeting held recently, the research centre will be constructed at Patna Science College which will act as the central research centre for all constituent colleges. The centre will help post graduation and doctorate students to conduct research with the help of advanced technology and guidance of scholars.

Parimal Kumar Khan, development officer of PU, said, The research centre will be constructed at Patna Science College at an estimated expenditure of Rs 10 crore. The buildings construction will incur six crore rupees, while four crore rupees will be utilized for procuring instruments, machinery and other research material.

The university has prepared a detailed project report which has been sent to the government. Soon, tender work will start. However, it is difficult to say how much time the project will take to get completed. Several other development projects are also under way which will get completed this year, he added.

Notably, PU was awarded B+ grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) team that had inspected the university in 2019. Other constituent colleges of PU also failed to get an A grade.

Taking this into account, the university has made the decision for setting up the research centre for upgradation and improvement of research work.

As per a PU official, Poor research work brought low score during the NAAC evaluation. PG departments of the university conduct research, but it is not sufficient in comparison to other universities. Currently, the university does not have ample resources to encourage and assist the students for carrying out research work like national universities do.

The research centre will surely assist and guide the students in carrying out research and bringing laurels to the university. Also, it would help young professors to utilise the resources and come up with outstanding results. PU will be the first university in Bihar to open a research centre at the college level, added the official.
JERUSALEM, Feb 12 (Reuters) - El Al Israel Airlines is suspending its Hong Kong flights and will be reducing flights on its Bangkok route in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the company said on Wednesday.

Hong Kong flights will be suspended until March 20 and daily flights to Bangkok will be reduced from two to one on certain days, the company said in a statement.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell. Editing by Jane Merriman)
The BJP increased its vote share in the Delhi Assembly polls but lost out to the AAP as the contest became bipolar, the party said after a review of its performance on Thursday.

BJP president J P Nadda held the review meeting with the party's Delhi unit head Manoj Tiwari and general secretary (organisation) B L Santosh.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, won 62 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi, while the BJP bagged the remaining eight seats. The Congress, which had governed the national capital for 15 years before the AAP, failed to win a single seat.

The meeting observed that the party fought the February 8 election with its full strength and reached voters across the national capital, according to sources.

"In future, the party should prepare itself for bipolar contest in the national capital," one of the sources stated.

"It was felt that though the BJP's vote share, along with that of its allies, increased by 8 per cent but the contest became bipolar which cost the BJP," the source added.

For further analysing the Delhi assembly elections, a number of meetings will be held at the party's Delhi office on Friday, the sources said.

According to the sources, the meeting lasted for over two hours and was attended by almost all BJP general secretaries.

On Wednesday, Nadda had held a meeting with party general secretaries to discuss the election results.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as...
Feb. 13, 2020 -- In an article published today in Science magazine, University of Houston Law Center Professors Jim Hawkins and Jessica L. Roberts call for stronger consumer safeguards to protect the privacy of personal information collected online by health-related companies.

The article, "When health tech companies change their terms of service, consumers may have limited control over their data," explains that because most health-related apps and websites are not operated by health care providers, they are largely unregulated in the tracking and use of intimate digital data. Consumers and companies enter into an agreement that outlines their rights and obligations in the use and protection of data. Many companies, however, reserve the right to unilaterally change terms of service agreements as to what they can do with user data, such as share it or sell it to other companies.

The authors write that most users of health-related apps and online sites do not read the fine print of the agreements and are unaware when the terms are changed. Consumers who assumed their data was confidential are vulnerable to loss of privacy as personal information, including genetic data, details about mental health, and medical history and even doctor appointments could be shared with other companies. Courts have generally sided with the companies, leaving consumers little recourse.

Hawkins and Roberts suggest several options Congress could take to protect consumers, including: require mandatory notice to users that changes are being made to the terms of service; allow users to opt out of any changes and revert to the original terms; and require user consent for significant changes as is the case with all other contracts.

"Health tech companies can change minor things that don't affect the consumers' experience with the product in substantial ways," Hawkins concluded. "They can fix small bugs in their terms of service, but for things that really matter to the consumer, we argue for the old fashioned way -- get the person to agree to them."

Hawkins, the Alumnae College Professor in Law, conducts research and teaches in the areas of commercial and business law, the fringe banking industry and the fertility business.

Roberts, the Leonard Childs Professor in Law Roberts and director of the Health Law & Policy Institute, specializes in genetics and the law, health law and disability law. Her research operates at the intersection of health law, ethics and social justice.

###

Science, an online weekly, is the peer-reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It publishes original scientific research as well as science-related news, opinions on science policy and other matters concerning science and technology.

Read the Science article here.

Watch video commentary from the authors.

Media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, cacriado@central.uh.edu; Elena Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-1125, ehawthor@central.uh.edu; John T. Kling, Communications Manager, 713-743-8298, jtkling@central.uh.edu; and John Brannen, Senior Writer, 713-743-3055, jtbranne@central.uh.edu.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 46,000 students.

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 11 centers and institutes which fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
DENVER, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assure Holdings Corp. (the Company or Assure) (TSXV: IOM; OTCQB: ARHH), a provider of intraoperative neuromonitoring services (IONM), has reached an agreement (the Agreement) with Clever Claims, LLC (Clever) to acquire Clevers 35% stake (the Clever Stake) in Velocity Revenue Cycle, LLC (Velocity), the joint venture billing and collection company. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and effective on December 31, 2019, Clever assigned the Clever Stake, in exchange for nominal consideration, to Member Assure Billing, LLC, which is a subsidiary of the Company.



We appreciate Clevers support in helping Assure establish a billing and collections platform and the automated workflow processes capable of handling the substantial volume of claims the Company is generating as it accelerates growth, said John A. Farlinger, executive chairman and CEO. Over the past six months, we have overhauled our revenue cycle management system, resulting in a more timely and accurate filing of claims. As planned, Clever will now transition to a support role including accounts receivable follow-up and some limited claim submission that will conclude in the spring.

Farlinger continued, At this stage it is necessary for Assure to exert full control over the billing and collections process to ensure the Company is adequately collecting all the cash owed. I am pleased to report that we are now much more aggressive with respect to billing in a timely fashion, making appeals, proactively pursuing payers who are not compensating the Company in a sensible timeframe, as well as the negotiation and adjudication of claims.

Farlinger concluded, As we prepared for this transition, Assure built a 16-person in-house billing team with two additional hires planned for the near-term. The Company also signed an agreement to leverage a highly regarded billing and reporting platform that is deeply ingrained in the healthcare system. Assures investment is necessary to support a robust billing and collection function and timely cash collection experience, both of which represent key differentiators in the IONM industry. Enhancing revenue cycle management and reducing the business risk associated with the billing and collection process is fundamental to the health and success of the Company as it continues to scale.

Under the terms of the agreement established in August 2019, Velocity served as Assures exclusive, in-house billing and collection vendor. Assure owned a majority 65% stake in Velocity.

Extension of Neuro-Pro Promissory Note

The Company and Neuro-Pro Monitoring (Neuro-Pro) have agreed to extend the maturity date of the US$6 million promissory note issued by Assure to Neuro-Pro (the Promissory Note) to February 14, 2020. Further details on the Promissory Note and the acquisition of Neuro-Pro and its affiliated entities can be found in the Companys news releases dated February 5, 2020, January 20, 2020, November 26, 2019 and November 1, 2019.

About Assure Holdings

Assure Holdings Corp. is a Colorado-based company that works with neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons to provide a turnkey suite of services that support intraoperative neuromonitoring activities during invasive surgeries. Assure employs its own staff of technologists and uses its own state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, handles 100% of intraoperative neuromonitoring scheduling and setup, and bills for all technical services provided. Assure Neuromonitoring is recognized as providing the highest level of patient care in the industry and has earned the Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval. For more information, visit the Companys website at www.assureneuromonitoring.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, the Companys: financing plans; ability to handle substantial volume of claims and timely and accurate filings of claims; accelerated growth; cash collections; and repayment of the Promissory Note. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, approvals from the TSXV may not be granted, the ability of the Company to pay the amounts owed under the Promissory Note, the Companys ability to handle claims in a timely and accurate manner, the Companys ability to continue to grow, the Companys ability to collect its accounts receivables and risks and uncertainties discussed in our most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available on the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, which risks and uncertainties are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Assure does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

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.
A woman waiting for an international traveler to arrive to LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal wears a medical mask for protection against the coronavirus outbreak on February 2, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

UC San Diego health experts held a press conference Thursday to update the public on the status of coronavirus patients at one of its facilities.

Clinical director of infection prevention at UC San Diego Health Dr. Randy Taplitz said that UCSD Health currently has three patients, two of whom have tested positive for the new covoronavirus, now called COVID-19. The third is a person under investigation, Taplitz said.

The two patients who tested positive for the virus are under isolation, Taplitz said, adding that visitors are being limited. Both patients who tested positive for the virus are in "fair condition," Taplitz said.

Taplitz said the hospital is communicating regularly with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where more than 200 Americans evacuated from the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, are currently quarantined. She said the hospital expects to receive more patients from the base.

UC San Diego Health said it received several evacuees for testing last week. One tested positive for the virus and has remained in isolation at one of the hospital's facilities since then. The other was returned to the Miramar base accidentally after a testing error, but has since been returned to the hospital "for observation and isolation until cleared by the CDC for release," according to UC San Diego Health.

As of Thursday, more than 60,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in over two dozen countries, resulting in least 1,300 deaths almost exclusively in China.

To see the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit CNBC's live updates here.
American Airlines will become the first airline to offer nonstop flights between the United States and Bangalore, India, in October, from an unlikely departure city.

American is adding the daily service to the southern India technology center not from Dallas, Chicago or one of its other big hubs, but from Seattle, where it has a small presence.

It's all part of an expanded partnership with Alaska Airlines announced Thursday, where the airlines will feed each other passengers and offer travelers reciprocal frequent flyer benefits to lure more passengers. Bangalore isn't the only new international flight planned from Seattle. American said it will offer nonstop service to London Heathrow beginning in March 2021.

Alaska, a mostly domestic airline with a loyal following in California and the Pacific Northwest, is based in Seattle. It's been battling American rival Delta Air Lines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport since Delta established a hub there in 2014 and has aggressively added flights. Delta now considers Seattle its primary West Coast gateway to Asia, with nonstop flights to Japan, Korea and China, but none to India.

American's 16 hour, 20 minute flight from Seattle to Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport will be Seattle's first nonstop flight to India and will mark American's return to the Asian nation after nearly a decade.

The carrier ended flights between Chicago and New Delhi in 2012. It will be American's second longest flight behind Dallas-Hong Kong at 17 hours, the airline said. Tickets go on sale in late February.

American Airlines' Boeing 787 widebody jet is used on many international routes.

Seattle will be American's first international gateway in the United States outside of its hubs, and the expanded partnership reverses American's earlier decision to end key parts of its partnership with Alaska beginning next month.

"This is going to come as a bit of a surprise to the world,'' Vasu Raja, American's senior vice president of network strategy, said in an interview. "I'm not sure anyone has done anything like this.''

Story continues

Why Bangalore instead of other destinations in India, such as New Delhi and Mumbai, which some of American's competitors already serve from other U.S. airports?

Raja said Bangalore is the the No. 1 destination the Dallas-based airline's top corporate customers have been requesting for more than two years. Big technology companies such as Dell and Texas Instruments and other large companies have a presence there, he said.

Seattle is the best choice for American to serve the country for two reasons, he said. First, American's Boeing 787s can make the trip from Seattle, unlike from its Dallas and Chicago hubs, so passengers in places like Austin, Texas, and other American cities will now have one-stop service to India. American has an international gateway at Los Angeles International Airport but it is focused more on local passengers. American hopes to draw a mix of local and connecting traffic in Seattle with Alaska, which has more than 350 daily flights from the city.

Second, demand for travel to India is strong in the technology havens of Seattle and several other cities along the Pacific Coast, where Alaska is strong, Raja said.

Alaska said the expanded partnership with American on international flights from Seattle and Los Angeles will make it more attractive to corporate travelers seeking one-stop shopping for U.S and international flights. Alaska plans to join American and a host of other carriers in the global airline alliance oneworld next year as part of the deal, subject to approval.

Brett Catlin, managing director of alliances and network for Alaska, cited Seattle-based Amazon as an example. Seattle-Bangalore is one of the company's most heavily traveled routes, he said, but employees currently have to connect in another city, adding a few hours or more to their trips.

Similarly, there is strong demand from San Francisco to Bangalore, he said. Alaska has 14 daily flights from San Francisco to Seattle, where travelers will be able to connect to the nonstop American flight on one ticket purchased either on Alaska or American.

"You multiply it across Alaska's 1,300 daily flights and suddenly you can see the power,'' he said.

American and Alaska aren't counting on Bangalore to be an immediate success because India is still a developing airline market from the United States, and other airlines, including Delta and United, are also adding flights, if not yet to Bangalore.

United: New Delhi flights announced; New Dehli flights to go year round

Delta: New flights between New York and Mumbai

"It's not without its risks,'' Raja said. "For us this is really a long-term strategy to be able to give our customers what they want, which is a really good India network.''

How many airlines offer nonstop flights between the United States and India?

U.S. and foreign carriers currently offer nonstop flights to India from New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago and San Francisco but none to Bangalore.

NEW DELHI

New York/Newark-New Delhi: United, Air India

Washington, D.C.-New Delhi: Air India

Chicago-New Delhi Air India

San Francisco to New Delhi: United, Air India

MUMBAI

New York-Mumbai: Delta, United, Air India

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American, Alaska airlines team to offer new Seattle-to-India flights
[February 13, 2020] Travelers Institute Launches 2020 Every Second Matters? Symposium Series to Combat Distracted Driving

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), will begin its 2020 Every Second Matters series today at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The program raises awareness about the risks of distracted driving and explores the behaviors and technological innovations that can help keep roads safe. The 2019 Travelers Risk Index, a national survey of more than 2,000 consumers and executives, found that 77% of drivers make or take calls while driving and nearly one in three drivers have had a near-miss crash because of distracted driving. Other dangerous ways drivers use their mobile devices while behind the wheel include: Typing a text or email (44%).

Using social media (23%).

Recording videos or taking photos (22%).

Shopping online (15%). "Despite the proven risks of distracted driving, many people still use their phones in a variety of ways that can take their attention away from the road," said Joan Woodward, Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers and President, Travelers Institute. "Building on the momentum generated in 2019, we will continue to bring this important conversation to communities across the country to curb bad driving behaviors and, ultimately, save lives." Today's event will be held in collaboration with the University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and will feature a keynote address by Brad Rutherford, Founding Board Member and Treasurer, TennSMART.



Woodward will moderate a panel discussion with the following speakers: Lee Han, Ph.D., Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee.

Arriale Tabson, Public Information Officer, Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

Linda Moynihan, Southern Regional Vice President, Personal Insurance, Travelers. "We've seen great improvements in driving behaviors across the state of Tennessee in recent years, but we believe that ongoing education about the dangers of distracted driving can have an impact," said Tabson. "Today's event gives us the opportunity to share that important message with the broader University of Tennessee community."

The next Every Second Matters symposium will be held Feb. 19 at the University of Georgia. The program will feature representatives from the Shepherd Center, the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the Travelers Risk Control team, who will share approaches to combat distracted driving. Other events are planned at college campuses across the United States and Canada and will be announced throughout the year. All seminars are free and open to the public. For more information on the Every Second Matters initiative or to register for an upcoming event, please visit the Travelers Institute website. About the Travelers Risk Index

Hart Research conducted a national online survey of 1,000 consumers, ages 18 to 69, in March 2019. Separately, Hart surveyed 1,050 executives from businesses of all sizes. Both surveys were commissioned by Travelers. About the Travelers Institute

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and to the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers' senior management as well as the technical expertise of many of Travelers' underwriters, risk managers and other experts to provide information, analysis and solutions to public policymakers and regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. For more information, visit www.travelers.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005160/en/

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He allegedly bypassed checks by listing bogus recipients for his goods.

German prosecutors said Thursday (13 February) they had arrested a businessman on suspicion of exporting millions of euros in machinery to Russia that could be used for military purposes, in violation of EU sanctions.

Customs police detained the suspect, German national Alexander S., in the Bavarian city of Augsburg on Tuesday, federal prosecutors said in a statement, according to Euractiv.

He stands accused of violating the foreign trade law by entering into commercial deals "with the secret service of a foreign power", they said.

In connection with the probe, officers raided the suspects Augsburg apartment as well as business premises in Bavaria, Saxony state and Berlin.

Read alsoPro-Russian act by German delegate to PACE

As the managing director of a company based in southern Germany, Alexander S. is alleged to have sold machine tools to "military end users" in Russia.

He allegedly bypassed checks by listing bogus recipients for his goods. He also fraudulently obtained the necessary export permits by giving "incorrect information" about how the goods would be used.

The accused carried out seven such transactions between January 2016 and January 2018 worth a total of some eight million euros, prosecutors said.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Russia following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

They include a ban on exporting "dual-use goods and technology" that can be used for both military and civilian purposes.

In 2015 a joint venture by Germanys Daimler and Russias Kamaz, a producer of trucks, but also of a large variety of military vehicles, raised eyebrows. However, it turned out that the deal contradicted "the spirit of EU sanctions", but wasn't illegal as such.
I must tell you, the Iowa primary debacle comes to mind when I think of the census going digital, so Im interested in the bureaus plans in the event that the systems in fact experience some kind of attack or disaster, said Eleanor Holmes Norton, a nonvoting Democratic delegate who represents the District of Columbia. Have you made upgrades to ensure that the data would not be lost in the event of a disaster? Can you assure us that you could always recover data?
Sandoval County Detention Center guards stopped a disturbance by nine inmates in less than 50 minutes last month.

Sandoval County spokesman Stephen Montoya said nine of the 18 male inmates in one pod refused to go back to their cells when told to do so on Jan. 14, and detention center staff members responded with counter maneuvers.

According to a probable-cause statement filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court, a corrections lieutenant was called to the pod about 12:15 p.m. when the detainees wouldnt return to their cells. The lieutenant told the county sheriffs deputy taking her statement that the inmates became more argumentative and agitated, even after more corrections officers arrived.

She said the inmates became increasingly aggressive verbally and with body language, and refused further orders. Surveillance video shows three inmates tying their shirts around their faces.

The lieutenant said that behavior led her to fear the guards were about to be attacked, so she instructed them to leave the pod.

In the video from the pod, after all officers had left the pod, the nine inmates appeared to actively participate in this unrest, as all nine tied shirts around their faces in an apparent display of participation, the deputy wrote in the statement.

The inmates then poured soapy water on the floor, making it slippery for guards who might enter, and moved plastic furniture in front of the door, according to the statement. One man threw a microwave at the door, damaging the microwave, video indicates.

According to the statement, the jails Tactical Support Unit tried to enter the pod, but couldnt because inmates blocked the door and clogged the food port in it. The corrections officers eventually put two distraction devices called sting balls through the food port and used pepper spray, ending the unrest.

Video shows inmates retreating after the second sting ball went off, and guards in tactical entered the pod and fired what appeared to be pepper-spray guns.

Montoya said the disturbance stopped less than five minutes after guards put the first sting ball into the pod and about 45 minutes after the inmates initial insubordination.

After the whole incident was concluded, there were no injuries at all, he said.

The inmates involved were medically cleared and taken back to their cells.

Fifteen corrections officers responded to the disturbance.

All nine inmates were charged with unlawful assault on a jail, a third-degree felony; conspiracy to commit unlawful assault on a jail, a fourth-degree felony; and assault on a peace officer, a misdemeanor, in addition to the charges for which they were incarcerated. Those inmates are:

Aaron Dodson, 36, of Albuquerque;

Isaiah Gurule, 20, of Placitas;

Benito Lopez, 30, of Albuquerque;

Clayton Megariz, 29, of Ojo Caliente;

Jose Robert Montano Campa, 20, of Albuquerque;

Andrew Daniel Padilla, 29, of Albuquerque;

Joey Eugene Salazar, 22, of Rio Rancho;

Isaiah L. Tenorio, 27, of Albuquerque; and

Daniel Vasquez, 38, of Bernalillo.

Salazar was also charged with petty-misdemeanor criminal damage to property on the accusation that he threw the microwave.
AMP chief executive Francesco De Ferrari has defended the right of major financial institutions to maintain investments in fossil fuel producers, despite rising pressure from clients to address climate change.

"I have a very personal view, absolutely, that I think any process of change requires setting clarity of expectations and trying to drive it from within," Mr De Ferrari said.

"I would definitely opt for engagement and opt for divestment only as a conflict exists when you're not happy with the progress of engagement."

AMP chief executive Franceso De Ferrari said institutional and retail clients are increasingly demanding clean investment options. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The comments come after reports in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this week revealed some of the nation's biggest industry super funds, which have trumpeted their green credentials, still have billions of dollars invested in fossil fuel producers.
(Photo : Tingshu Wang on Reuters) U.S Postal Service Confirms 'No Import Ban' on Chinese Products Amid Coronavirus Spread (Photo : ALY SONG on Reuters) U.S Postal Service Confirms 'No Import Ban' on Chinese Products Amid Coronavirus Spread (Photo : Mike Segar on Reuters) U.S Postal Service Confirms 'No Import Ban' on Chinese Products Amid Coronavirus Spread

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the United States Postal Service or USPS confirmed on media agency AFP Fact Check that the government still allows Chinese imported products to enter the country despite the continuous spread of the viral disease Novel Coronavirus or now officially called as COVID-19.

The U.S. will still accept Chinese imported products says Portal Service

COVID-19 has now killed more than 1,000 people and infected over 45,000 in the entire world, according to the latest reports of CNN. With the increasing rate of death tolls made by the viral disease, several news websites claimed that the biggest and the independent federal agency of U.S. Portal Service has been banning Chinese-made products in entering the country.

This, as explained by AFP and USPS, is fake news being spread out all over the internet. According to USPS, they did not implement 'import ban' on Chinese products, but rather, temporarily halt its transit service that ships mail from other countries to China and Hong Kong.

"Contrary to some media reports, the U.S. Postal Service continues to accept mail destined to China, Hong Kong, and Macao," a USPS spokesperson told AFP in an email on Feb. 12.

USPS also posted an alert message on their website saying that "ALERT: USPS WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING THE GUARANTEE ON PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL DESTINED FOR CHINA AND HONG KONG, EFFECTIVE MONDAY, FEB. 10, 2020, DUE TO WIDESPREAD AIRLINE CANCELLATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS INTO THIS AREA." How to kill boredom while on quarantine?

Amazon warns sellers of Chinese-based products

Tech times reported earlier that the most prominent online store in the country, Amazon, had already warned their Chinese sellers and distributors to give them updates regarding the delay of their shipments in response to the stringent health protocols in China and the country.

"If your business operations may be impacted, we recommend taking precautions to protect your Amazon seller account health. These precautions may include canceling previously placed orders that you are no longer able to fulfill, placing your account in vacation status, or taking additional steps to manage your inventory," said Amazon.

The report did not mention any updates on whether Amazon is implementing any Chinese imported product ban in the country.

WHO: Imported products can't contain Coronavirus

As also explained by the World Health Organization, Coronaviruses "do not survive long on objects," and once they are exposed to U.V. rays and heat, the virus tends to be killed.



U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also gave their statement about this hoax saying that "Currently, there is no evidence to support the transmission of 2019-nCoV associated with imported goods, and there have not been any cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States associated with imported goods."

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The High Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation conference will be organised by the Flame University, Pune, on Tuesday, February 18 from 1pm onwards at its Lavale campus.

The day-long conference will be accompanied by the official launch of the postgraduate programme in entrepreneurship and innovation, backed by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (FCEI) at Flame University. The postgraduate programme is aimed at aiding people with an entrepreneurial mindset who are seeking opportunities and platforms to launch new business ventures.

Darshan Doshi, director, Flame Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said, Just like the African proverb (it takes a whole village to raise a child), we believe that it takes an entrepreneurial village to raise a successful start-up. Through the means of this programme, we hope to foster a culture of entrepreneurship, which will act as the basis for an excellent future of students, professionals, and investors.

The curriculum of this technology-oriented programme has been designed by industry practitioners, renowned faculty, and innovation experts who intend to provide exposure to aspirants in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Augment Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Robotics. On completion of the programme, the students will be equipped with the desired skills, knowledge, and competency to start and lead a new venture.

The essence of the conference is the unification of innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and industry experts from not only India, but world over. The conference will be attended by renowned practising entrepreneurs in the fields of IT, F&B, healthcare, and education to share their points of view on subjects such as startup pitches, investments, entrepreneurship, and building unicorns.

The panellists and speakers at the conference will include Dishan Kamdar, vice-chancellor, Flame University; Aravind Chinchure, chief mentor, Flame University; Prasanna Krishnamoorthy, founder, Upekkha; Sashi Chimala, entrepreneur; Ravi Nigam, founder, Tasty Bite; Darshan Doshi, director, Flame Centre for entrepreneurship and innovation; Sonia Agarwal Konjeti, founder, PULA Pune Ladies; Abhijit Gupta, founder, Praxify; Sachin Oswal, independent investor; Gireendra Kasmalkar, general partner of Alacrity India; Vishwas Mahajan, founder, Whizible; Bharat Damani, chair-entrepreneurship, Flame University; Advait Kurlekar, Founder, Upohan; Ashwini Deshpande, founder, Elephant Design; Amarpreet S Ghura, assistant professor, entrepreneurship, Flame University; Dwarika P Uniyal, dean, faculty of Business, Flame University and Vineet Patni, independent investor.

The conference is likely to commence with an opening address by Dishan Kamdar, followed by a keynote address on Building a Unicorn from Pune. The next in the line would be a panel discussion on Creating High Impact Entrepreneurs, after which, the launch of the postgraduate programme in entrepreneurship and innovation is slated to be held. The second half of the conference day will witness an address on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through PULA Community and Startup Pitches, a panel discussion on Investing in High Impact Startups and Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Campus, and lastly, a closing note by Dwarika Uniyal.

Uniyal, said, The conference, which aims at supporting and guiding aspiring entrepreneurs and their business ideas, is the need of the hour, in my opinion. It is all about identifying the market needs and achieving change through methodical execution, for which communication and exchange of ideas are important. This conference would be attended by industry experts, budding entrepreneurs, and students. Flame University hopes to provide the right platform for presenting ideas and concerns, and seeking solutions, among the attendants and speakers through the means of various interactive sessions.
Until 2013, the innovation district was named Piedmont Triad Research Park. The name changed to Wake Forest Innovation Quarter in 2013 as a master plan began to take shape around mixed-use, collaborative space featuring retail and residential alongside recreational green space and community programming.

Going forward, the Innovation Quarter name better reflects the diversity of the companies, institutions, students and people living, working, learning and playing here. The Innovation Quarter is governed by and is a major strategic initiative of Wake Forest School of Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist Health. It operates with an advisory board made up of community, academic and business leaders from throughout Winston-Salem and the Piedmont Triad region.

"The Innovation Quarter has seen amazing growth over the last several years, and it has been so inspiring to see the community that has evolved here to support and promote true collaboration," said Julie Ann Freischlag, MD, CEO, Wake Forest Baptist Health and dean, Wake Forest School of Medicine. "While the name is simplified to reflect an increasingly broad, inclusive and diverse number of tenants and institutions, our commitment to Innovation Quarter's mission of driving economic growth and building vibrant community remains unchanged."

The new branding centers around the concept of the Innovation Quarter providing a "pathway to innovation," where anyone can find their spot to live, work, learn or play in this growing area of downtown Winston-Salem. Innovation Quarter worked with local design firm Elephant in the Room to develop the new branding.

"It was very important to build a brand that reflects the vibrancy of everything going on here currentlystartups, concerts, major scientific research, food trucks, entrepreneurshipwhile also having an eye for the deep history and architectural identity that has existed here for decades," said James Patterson, director of marketing and communications for the Innovation Quarter.

Wake Forest School of Medicine began developing a downtown presence in 1994 with the opening of the Piedmont Triad Community Research Center on South Chestnut Street. The gifting of several dozen acres of land and former tobacco manufacturing buildings by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in the early 2000s precipitated a major effort by Wake Forest University Health Sciences to transform the area into more than just a research park.

Since 2012, through the Innovation Quarter's partnership with Wexford Science + Technology, the City of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County and other public institutions, more than 1.2 million square feet of office, retail and green space have been redeveloped. Other development partnerships soon emerged as Grubb Properties launched the largest private downtown residential project in Winston-Salem history in the form of Link Apartments Innovation Quarter, and Front Street Partners announced the development of Bailey South, which is set to be completed later this year. The next major phase of development features 28 shovel-ready acres between Third Street and Salem Parkway.

The revitalization of the historic tobacco buildings that now comprise the north district was also recognized by Preservation NC as the largest historic redevelopment project in the history of the state of North Carolina. To date, approximately $800 million has been invested in the redevelopment effort, which also includes major infrastructure projects such as the development of Research Parkway and the storm water retention pond.

More than 1,100 employees from Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist now work in the Innovation Quarter alongside close to 1,800 degree-seeking students between the School of Medicine and Wake Downtown, the university's undergraduate presence in downtown Winston-Salem.

We are excited about the future of Innovation Quarter and Wake Forest's presence there," said Wake Forest University President Nathan Hatch. "Nothing about the new branding changes the commitments that Wake Forest has made to downtown Winston-Salem. The Innovation Quarter name simply is a better reflection of the diversity of businesses, institutions and people that have become part of the district."

The number of non-Wake Forest entities continues to grow. More than 90 independent companies call the Innovation Quarter home, and three other academic institutionsWinston-Salem State University, Forsyth Technical Community College and UNC School of the Artshave a significant presence in the Innovation Quarter.

The branding changes afford these institutions the ability to more easily embrace the name within their brands in an effort to continue to form collaborative partnerships.

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FROM LOCAL LEADERS

Mark Owens, President & CEO, Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce:

"Innovation districts are built around the idea of collaboration. The Innovation Quarter is one of the greatest examples of a community coming together to purposefully build a space where companies large and small can thrive alongside world-class education and research institutions. Everyone is learning from each other and building ideas together, and it's making our community stronger. The Innovation Quarter's new branding is the perfect visual representation of those collaborative ideas."

Annette Scippio, Winston-Salem City Council Member, East Ward:

"For the Innovation Quarter to succeed in the future and live up to its great potential, it must become a place where all residents are welcome and able to find opportunity. This new brand direction is an important step in that direction, one that I applaud, and I look forward to seeing further steps to create those on-ramps for opportunity."

Dr. Janet Spriggs, President, Forsyth Technical Community College:

"Forsyth Tech is excited to have a presence in the Innovation Quarter and grateful to have been asked to participate in the work of creating a new brand. This area of our city has a rich heritage and tremendous energy focused on moving progressively forward together. We are thrilled to be a part of everything happening in the Innovation Quarter."

Elwood Robinson, Chancellor, Winston-Salem State University:

"The new branding for Innovation Quarter reflects the increasingly broad diversity of tenants and allows us to co-brand in a simpler and more effective way."

STYLE GUIDE  Name of Innovation Quarter

When writing about Innovation Quarter, please adhere to the following style guidelines:

In all references, the full name is preferred: "Innovation Quarter" or "the Innovation Quarter."





Please avoid the use of acronym (i.e., "IQ") to take the place of "Innovation Quarter" in body copy. It may be appropriate, in limited circumstances such as in headlines with limited space, to use the stylized acronym "iQ".





When referring to Winston-Salem as the location of the Innovation Quarter, please avoid "Winston-Salem Innovation Quarter" as it creates name confusion. "the Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem " or " Winston-Salem's Innovation Quarter" is preferred.





as the location of the Innovation Quarter, please avoid "Winston-Salem Innovation Quarter" as it creates name confusion. "the Innovation Quarter in downtown " or " Innovation Quarter" is preferred. Some partner institutions/companies may use "Innovation Quarter" as part of their official name. (i.e., " Forsyth Tech at Innovation Quarter"). Please follow partner institutions' style as it relates to their relationship with the brand name.





at Innovation Quarter"). Please follow partner institutions' style as it relates to their relationship with the brand name. The term "innovation district" is preferable to "research park" to describe the Innovation Quarter as a place, as this term is more reflective of the vibrant, mixed-use approach of the Innovation Quarter (research, office, retail, residential, green space).

About the Innovation Quarter

Innovation Quarter ( www.innovationquarter.com ) is a vibrant, mixed-use innovation district located in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Anchored by Wake Forest School of Medicine, Innovation Quarter is home to a community of more than 3,400 workers in 90 companies and four other institutions of higher learning where almost 1,800 degree-seeking students come to learn every day. In addition to more than 1,100 residential units, the Innovation Quarter also features a dynamic urban park, publicly accessible greenway and free community events that make this a true "Live.Work.Learn.Play" community.

SOURCE Innovation Quarter

Related Links

http://www.innovationquarter.com


A New York man who was trying to steal money from a TD Bank account was arrested at a Bayonne branch of the bank Wednesday, authorities said.

Jose O. Reyes, 42, of FDR Drive, was arrested at 4:58 p.m. at the bank branch at 1066 Broadway, Bayonne Capt. Eric Amato said.

Amato said Reyes tried to use a fraudulent New York drivers license with the name of an account holder to withdraw money from the account. Reyes was taken into custody after bank officials found that the account had been flagged for fraudulent activity.

Reyes was charged with two counts of forgery and criminal attempt of theft, Amato said.
Jesse Sargent was in a successful band, touring the country and playing metal music. But he knew that down the road, he wanted a sustainable career that could help him build a family.

Now married with a 4-year-old daughter, Sargent is one of the adult students finding new opportunities through evening classes at one of the states vocational high schools, a pathway state officials want to see available for more adult learners.

I wish I could have went to a technical high school, said Sargent who is currently taking evening welding classes at Worcester Technical High School and has previous HVAC experience. I graduated 17 years ago. I would have been a master plumber, owning my own company for years now. My daughter will absolutely go to a trade school.

It was a sentiment echoed by other adult students at a roundtable with Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Massachusetts Secretary of Education James Peyser, Worcester Superintendent Maureen Binienda, Quinsigamond Community College President Luis Pedraja and other officials. The adult students, some a few years out of high school and others more than a decade out, either didnt think to go to a tech school or werent able to.

Those kinds of stories have led Baker and Polito to push for adult programs at vocational high schools, an idea embraced by the Worcester Public Schools.

After the roundtable, Baker told reporters it was exciting to see the adult students embracing a chance to receive new credentials.

Several of them made very clear that theyre already making good money in their day jobs and this is an opportunity for them to really excel, Baker said. It fits perfectly with the whole initiative weve been talking to our folks in the legislature about, which is the idea that vocational schools should be three shifts.

The vision is that from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., students enrolled at vocational schools will take classes as regularly scheduled. Then from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., students from area high schools will take technical classes at the vocational schools. Finally, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the schools will provide training for adults.

The Baker administrations Career Technical Initiative is a program aimed at training an additional 20,000 skilled trades workers over the next four years. With the initiative, officials plan to provide more residents access to career technical training using existing resources at vocational high schools. It would help the states businesses grow by providing a larger population of skilled workers.

That would help close skills gaps and meet business needs across the state, officials said. The plan includes new state funding to help adults pay for classes and reduces licensure barriers to incentivize mid-career professionals to become vocational teachers, the governors office said. The administration proposed $15 million in its recently submitted Fiscal 2021 budget to launch the initiative.

It seems like our education system for so long has just been focused on being college-ready that it opens up a whole new appreciation for what the skills are that are needed in this new innovation economy and its degrees, yes, but also skills through credential and certificate programs, Polito said.

In the last five years, the administration has put $78 million into program and equipment upgrades and expansions in schools across the state, helping to create the opportunity for programs like the one at Worcester Tech, Baker said.

Quinsigamond Community College runs the Worcester Tech HVAC evening program, assisted by a $431,900 Skills Capital Grant to upgrade the equipment at the high school. The HVAC program is a credit-bearing certificate program. The plumbing and welding programs at Worcester Tech are both workforce credential programs that align to the Career Tech Initiative and future apprenticeships.

Polito said Worcester Techs partnership with Quinsigamond Community College is key. The college educators can utilize the equipment that already exists at Worcester Tech to teach adult students through an accelerated program.

Worcester Techs night program has been around for a year and has 70 programs.

If we can really sort of turbocharge this with state support for a lot of these initiatives you could see these all over the commonwealth and they could become sort of the standard operating procedure with respect to the way these schools work and if that happens, youre talking thousands and thousands and thousands of students and adults who are going to be able to benefit from this chance to upgrade their skills and make a better living and live a better life here in Massachusetts, Baker said.

Over the next four years, Bakers office believes 7,500 to 10,000 more students will be enrolled in high-impact vocational trade programs, which should also help to reduce waitlists for students seeking a spot at vocational school programs.

About 9,000 to 13,000 additional adult learners are expected to earn industry credentials, creating new opportunities to obtain jobs in high-demand skilled industries, the governors office said.
Watch the live stream below:

San Antonio health officials provided an update on the individual diagnosed with novel coronavirus at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The city's Metropolitan Health District partnered with the Centers for Disease Control for the conference.

The individual is currently isolated, in stable condition, and receiving medical care at a designated area hospital. The infection was confirmed through a Wednesday night lab test.

READ MORE: CDC: Patient under quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has coronavirus

"All people who lived or traveled in Hubei Province, China, are considered at high risk of having been exposed to this virus and are subject to a temporary 14-day quarantine upon entry into the United States," the CDC said in a statement. "This is the first person under quarantine at JBSA-Lackland who had symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19."
To begin addressing its homeless crisis  and the human waste and complaints that go with it  Berkeley will soon allow 25 RVs to park overnight in six city-owned lots, the City Council voted this week.

Under the plan, approved Tuesday by an 8-1 vote, the city will give priority to RV dwellers with children, people who work or study in Berkeley, and former city residents. Those eligible can park in six city lots for up to three months but will have to leave during business hours.

While there, residents will receive social services and help finding work or a permanent place to live.

Berkeley is expected to say next week when those lots will begin accepting the RVs.

The plan helps just a fraction of Berkeleys homeless RV dwellers, however. A count last year estimated that 161 people live in RVs in the city. And in 2018, city staff counted 193 RVs, campers, converted buses and vehicles that people slept in.

The councils decision comes nearly a year after the city backed off a plan to prohibit overnight RV parking. Oakland officials had complained that the ban would push Berkeleys RV population onto their city streets.

Now that some RV dwellers and those in campers will be allowed to park in city lots, those who continue to park overnight on some city streets will get tickets  but only after the city puts up warning signs about the prohibition, the council agreed. The Gilman district and other areas with a high concentration of people living in vehicles are expected to get the signs.

Businesses in those areas have long complained about improper disposal of human waste into storm drains, blocked sight lines on streets, and reduced availability of employee parking, according to the plan introduced by Councilwoman Rashi Kesarwani.

The plan isnt perfect, Kesarwani said at the meeting. But she said it will give some RV dwellers a safe place to park overnight.

I didnt run for this office to cause harm to vulnerable people, Kesarwani said.

The councilwoman acknowledged at Tuesdays meeting that the city lacks a large enough lot to accommodate all RV dwellers. Last year, Berkeley hired a property specialist to do a comprehensive search of lots in the city, but found no locations.

I will be the first to admit that just finding these overnight spaces is not ideal, but I believe that the status quo right now for the Gilman district and adjacent West Berkeley residential neighborhoods is not sustainable and that we must try a different approach, Kesarwani said.

Only Councilwoman Cheryl Davila voted against the plan, calling its three-month parking limit too temporary.

We just really need to stop this and find a real solution, she said. This is just a Band-Aid and to me, its not very helpful.

Several people who spoke during public comment echoed Davilas objections and urged the council to pursue permanent solutions.

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.

One woman, who lives in an RV, tearfully criticized the proposal and implored the council for more compassion.

I feel that you are criminalizing us, she said. We are really struggling.

Other council members said Tuesday that the city will continue to look for other locations to create a bigger safe RV parking site, as well as working with neighboring cities to find a place.

We cant do this alone, said Mayor Jesse Arreguin.

He said hes had conversations with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Alameda County officials to identify a site for a regional safe RV parking location.

We have to accept the reality that people living in RVs and living in vehicles is the new norm, Arreguin said. We are not kicking RVs out of Berkeley. We are not pushing these people out of our city. We are not pushing this problem onto other communities.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Phuket Airport Immigration denies long queues at Arrival Hall

PHUKET: The Immigration office at Phuket International Airport has dismissed reports that tourists have been suffering waits of up to two hours to clear the Arrivals Hall at the airport.

tourismimmigrationhealthCoronavirusCOVID-19

By The Phuket News

Thursday 13 February 2020, 05:52PM

The Immigration office at Phuket International Airport has dismissed reports that tourists have been suffering waits of up to two hours to clear the Arrivals Hall at the airport. Photo: AoT / file

The Phuket News received a direct report of a two-hour wait for international arrivals to clear Immigration at the airport yesterday (Feb 12), following another report of people suffering horribly overcrowded conditions while waiting to be cleared by Immigration last Saturday (Feb 8).

My customers arrived with WK50. They were waiting more than two hours in the arrival hall to gain 15 metres in the queue, the aggrieved wrote to The Phuket News.

Hundreds of people were held in this hall like animals in a pen.(the government is telling the public that such crowds of people should be avoided because of the corona virus)

At the disabled counter [officials] handled 2 passengers in that time. They did not open for other people, just sitting there and doing nothing.

Then my customers were asked if they would like to go to the express counter costs 100 baht per person they were told by a man in a brown uniform, the person wrote.

Lt Col Arom Kwannet, Deputy Chief of the Phuket Airport Immigration Office, today (Feb 13) dismissed the reports.

It is impossible for long queues of two hours. Every morning, we open all 38 counters, which flow well at Phuket International Airport. It is enough to process tourists quickly because officers can work quickly, taking only a few minutes to process each arrival, she told The Phuket News.

Even when we have fewer officials on duty because of staff rotation, it would not cause delays of as long as the complaint mentions, she added.

After passengers arrive, they pass Immigration then pick up their bags and proceed to the Customs clearance. The checks by Customs officials might create long queues. Or it could be the queues where the coronavirus checks are done before passengers reach Immigration because they have only a few officials there and they need to check some nationalities more than others, Lt Col Arom said.

It is normal for foreign passengers to misunderstand between Immigration and Customs officials at Phuket International Airport, Lt Col Arom added.

However, an official at the Health Control Division at Phuket airport who asked not to be identified confirmed to The Phuket News today that long queues do arise when several full flights land in quick succession.

This morning (Feb 13), there were just three flights from Russia arriving at nearly the same time, which caused long queues, the official said.

The official also dismissed that long delays are being caused by the health checks.

It is nothing about COVID-19, or the coronavirus, he explained.

Our checks do not create any delays for tourists not directly affected by the special checking procedures.

All tourists arriving from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are separated. They do not even enter the terminal by a boarding gate. They are put on a bus on the tarmac and taken to Gate 15 to be scanned at the Arrivals Hall, then they go to the Immigration section, the officer added.
Lets just be honest: we all did a quick Google search to see how tall billionaire presidential hopeful Mike Bloomberg really is after Donald Trump called him a 54 mass of dead energy on Twitter.

The former New York City mayors height has become one of the latest obsessions of the president as he live-tweets the 2020 Democratic primaries, handing out nicknames to the candidates and hurling frequent attacks at those who catch his eye.

Mr Trump dubbed Mr Bloomberg Mini Mike in recent weeks, and ramped up his insults in a series of scathing tweets on Thursday morning that referred to the Democratic candidate as a tiny version of Jeb Low Energy Bush.

So, just how tall is Mr Bloomberg after all? The president appeared to be exaggerating  or just flat out lying  when he suggested the former mayor was 54.

While he may be underneath the national average for men (510), Mr Bloomberg is not, in fact, that short.

In reality, Mr Bloomberg stands at 58, according to Google. However, both he and Mr Trump have faced accusations of not being sincere about their heights.

While an investigation by the conservative news site Free Beacon claimed the Google listing for Mr Bloomberg was far too generous, other news outlets have pointed to discrepancies surrounding the presidents height as well.

For example, while Mr Trump was reportedly listed as 62 on his drivers license, a medical report released by White House physician Dr Ronny Jackson in 2018 had him growing an inch higher to 63. That same record conveniently placed the president a single pound under the obesity classification, and was widely seen as questionable following its release.

The president has seemingly always been obsessed with size, using it to belittle his apparent enemies over the years and lift up his supporters.

Mr Trump nicknamed Tennessee Senator Bob Corker Liddle Bob Corker and Florida Senator Marco Rubio Little Marco in 2016.

A year later, he said he was endorsing former Alabama Senator Luther Strange, who he called Big Luther in a tweet. Mr Strange is 69.

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

Mr Trump does stand quite tall on the world stage when compared to other international leaders. His friend in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is 59, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel stands at 55.

Hes arguably about the same height as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who stands at 62, but shorter than Serbias Aleksandar Vucic, who is 66, according to reports.

Mr Bloomberg falls somewhere in between other world leaders when it comes to height: Russian President Vladimir Putin is a reported 57, while Chinese President Xi Jinping is 59.

Of course, height is not in any way an indication of ones capabilities. In response to the presidents attacks, Mr Bloomberg said in a tweet of his own: I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will.

We know many of the same people in NY, Mr Bloomberg added in response to Mr Trump. Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown. They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence.

That burn ought to knock the president down a couple inches.
Oil and gas giant Woodside is pushing back against activists targeting natural gas emissions as a large-scale protest campaign threatens to disrupt plans for a gas hub in Western Australia.

Woodside's $50 billion Burrup Hub liquefied natural gas concept, which includes its Scarbrough and Browse projects off the coast of WA, has become the target of a protest campaign organised by the Conservation Council of Western Australia. The council's Piers Verstegen said Burrup Hub if approved would be the nation's "most polluting fossil fuel mega-project" with four times the yearly carbon footprint of the proposed Adani coal mine, and vowed to launch a public campaign to cause difficulties by encouraging public submissions.

Australia's Woodside is approaching a critical juncture as it embarks on final investment decisions. Credit:Michele Mossop

"The staggering carbon footprint of the Burrup Hub translates directly into investor risk, which has not been adequately disclosed to the market by Woodside," Mr Verstegen said.

On Thursday, Woodside chief executive Peter Coleman called the comparison between coal and natural gas "manifestly unfair" and "disingenuous", pointing to the International Energy Agency latest finding that global emissions from power production had flattened last year due to both growth in renewable energy and advanced economies switching from coal-fired power to natural gas.
Reile said she wasnt aware of any plans to make modifications to the design of the intersection as a result of the collisions, but that if the Interstate Commerce Commission or Illinois Department of Transportation came to Metra with concerns about its design the agency would take appropriate action.
Dive! Dive! an engrossing autobiography of the authors action-packed moments as a submariner carrying out numerous tasks from the shores of the United States to the South China Sea and beyond. Dive! Dive! is the creation of published author Captain Lennis L. Lammers, USN, Ret., a retired maintenance and reliability consultant and the previous commander at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; with over 8,500 employees, it was the largest nuclear submarine repair and modernization facility in the world.

Captain Lammers shares, Ride with the author as Razorback (SS-394) submerges and travels thousands of miles in the depths of the Pacific, facing numerous adventures from disaster recovery, periscope approaches, and dancing in a Japanese disco. Observe the submarine fire control team in the conning tower as the commanding officer makes a letter-perfect approach on an enemy destroyer scoring a direct hit. Join the Navy SEALs in the forward torpedo room as they risk life and limb while making undetected, submerged approach to an enemy island. These and other exciting stories will make you feel like a seasoned submariner. You will learn the challenges a submariner faces and how they are overcome by phenomenal teamwork. All submariners know that they must perform their assigned duties flawlessly.

Anything less could and has resulted in the loss of the submarine. Captain Lammers provided a heartbreaking example as he told of the loss of his naval academy roommate when USS Thresher was lost with all hands in April of 1963.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Captain Lennis L. Lammers, USN, Ret.s new book imparts a journey fraught with toils and joys that define the life of a man serving his country for the safety and honor of his fellow citizens.

Readers will witness the strength and resolve of submariners in the field, as well as their camaraderie and passion in fulfilling their mission amid the conflict they are in.

View the synopsis of Dive! Dive! on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Dive! Dive! at traditional brick-and-mortar bookstores or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Dive! Dive! contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
The abrogation of Article 370 provisions is an "internal administrative decision" concerning the welfare of Indian citizens and carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions and with overwhelming majority in both Houses of Parliament, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu told Canadian senate speaker George J Furey here on Thursday.

Welcoming Furey to India, Naidu shared his happiness at the excellent bilateral parliamentary ties between the two countries, the vice president's secretariat said in an official statement.

When the leader of the visiting delegation sought to know his views on developments in Jammu and Kashmir, Naidu said Article 370 was inserted as a temporary provision and being a border region it shares international boundary with Pakistan and China, separatism was sponsored in the region, fanned and taken advantage of by outsiders.

Underlining that Article 370 was inserted as a temporary provision in the constitution, Naidu noted "deletion of Article 370 is an internal administrative decision concerning the welfare of Indian citizens and carried out in strict compliance with Constitutional provisions and with overwhelming majority in both the Houses of Parliament."



Furey also met Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla in a separate meeting on Thursday at Parliament House.

Birla said that Indo-Canadian relations have been cordial and are based on democratic values, rule of law and governments in both countries are acceptable to the people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Randolph also said White had improperly siphoned money from the Debtors for his personal benefit.

In January, Americores attorney said St. Alexius Hospital was concerned that it would run out of certain medical supplies and food if cash was not made immediately available, the documents said. But Randolph said Americore had enough money to make payroll in previous weeks. He said he must assume that Americore either overstated its need for financing, or cut corners that have placed patients at significant risk.

Randolph, whose federal department oversees bankruptcy cases, filed the documents as part of a motion urging the court to appoint a trustee specifically to oversee this case, or otherwise dismiss it altogether.

On its website, Americore bills itself as a health care company focused on saving and revitalizing rural communities through the acquisition and management of rural hospitals across the United States.

St. Alexius has a main hospital and senior care center at 3933 South Broadway, and another campus at 2639 Miami Street with other services and the Lutheran School of Nursing. It has been sold multiple times in recent decades, and is no stranger to financial troubles.
Emerging market debt, as an asset class, has been spared a big impact from the coronavirus so far.

Fear the virus will hurt the global economy has driven Treasury yields lower, and the easy money policies of the world's central banks have pushed yields lower around the globe, so the hunt for yield has become ever more challenging.

Emerging market debt is a "least bad" choice, in the view of Brian Funk head of credit research at MetLife Investment Management. "It's offering value on a risk-adjusted basis at this stage in the cycle."

According to Bank of America, flows into emerging market debt funds as of last week were about $10 billion so far this year and they have been running at a record clip, aside from a small outflow the week earlier.

Some emerging markets bond spreads widened slightly Thursday, as risk markets sold off on reports of a surge in the number of counted coronavirus cases. Brennan Azevedo, emerging markets strategist at UBS Global Wealth Management, said most of the pressure in EM credit was coming from high-yielding debt, with Latin America the weakest region due to a sell-off in Argentina debt, unrelated to the virus.

"Overall, I would say that EM sovereign credit markets haven't reacted much to the news overnight. My interpretation is that markets are monitoring for a potential spreading outside of China," said Azevedo. He said Asian region debt widened slightly by 2 basis points Thursday to a spread of 163 over Treasurys.

But on a whole, emerging market debt has withstood the hit of the coronavirus, which has now infected more than 60,000 people, mostly in China and killed nearly 1,400.

"Markets initially reacted poorly to the coronavirus outbreak. However, spreads have more recently been supported by signs that the situation seems to be stabilizing, and therefore, we remain engaged. For the rest of 2020, we see spreads tightening 15bp," wrote Citigroup economists earlier this week.

Funk said the bonds of countries with commodity-driven economies were harder hit as fears of the economic impact of the virus hit the prices of oil, copper and other commodities. "We still think of this at this stage as more of a short-term impact by and large. We think we'll get better news in the next few weeks and navigate our way out of it," he said.

The steep decline in Treasury yields since markets began to react to the virus in late January has actually helped the asset class. The total return for dollar-denominated emerging market sovereigns and corporate bonds has been positive since the virus began spreading on a large scale.

"They returned a half percent since Jan. 22, which we can pick as the day of an increase in concerns," said Alejo Czerwonko, emerging markets strategist at UBS Global Wealth Management. Czerwonko, speaking Wednesday, said the spread for the JPMorgan emerging market bond index, covering 73 dollar-denominated sovereigns, was 295 basis points, on Jan. 22 and as of Thursday it was at a spread of 302 basis points over Treasury yields.

"This is pretty good return for fixed income since we're talking about this asset class that could be directly or indirectly affected by virus concerns," said Czerwonko. "It has held up pretty well...The reason behind this relatively good performance has to do with the drop in U.S. treasury rates and with emerging market sovereign spreads not selling off at the same time."

Individual investors can dip into the EM space through funds or ETFs, such as Franklin LibertyQ Emerging Market ETF FLQE, which pays almost 6%. It's heavily exposed to Asia, India and Russia. EMB, the iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Market Bond Fund ETF is based on the JP Morgan emerging market bond index and is up about 1% in the past month and 1.2% for the year so far. In 2019, the ETF was up 10.3%. EMTL, the SPDR Doubleline Emerging Markets Fixed Income ETF is up 1.1% in the past month and up 1.9% for the year-to-date.

But Czerwonko said he dropped his overweight rating on the asset class several weeks ago. In 2019, the total return for EM dollar denominated sovereigns was 14.4% and he expects just mid-single digit returns this year.

"Taking a longer time frame for instance since the beginning of 2019, in early January country risk or once again the spread of dollar denominated emerging markets bonds was 410 basis points," he said. "Throughout 2019, it came down all the way to close to 300. We saw a pretty dramatic fall in spreads. Spreads falling means yields falling, which means prices rising so the valuation of the asset class became less attractive."

But still, strategists see value though investors should also beware of risks.

S&P Global Ratings said it sees the outbreak as a "high" risk in Asia-Pacific and especially China. It said, in a report earlier this week, that there is an "elevated" risk for the rest of the world as of now, due to much lower infection and death rates outside China.

"We expect there will be a short-term effect on China's and global GDP growth, as well as some economic cost for industries most exposed to Chinese household spending and the increasing containment measures more broadly," the ratings analysts wrote. They assumed, in their report, that the virus would be contained by March.

"In our baseline, we estimate that the virus could lower China's GDP growth by 70 basis points (bps), to 5.0%, this year, with a peak effect in the first quarter before a rebound begins in the third quarter, and lost output largely recovered by end-2021. In turn, it would trim 30 bps from global GDP growth this year," the S&P analysts wrote.

Goldman Sachs strategists said emerging market rates can continue to benefit, even during a growth shock. "If, as in our base case, the viral outbreak has a significant, but temporary and contained, impact on EM growth, EM local rates can continue to benefit, as policymakers may not look through  but may seek to cushion  even a temporary growth shock," the strategists said in a note.

Citigroup said its main overweights are South Africa, Russia, Ecuador and Sri Lanka and main underweights include Mexico, Peru, El Salvador and Croatia. It said investor positioning data shows the largest overweights are Brazil, Meixco and Ukraine and the largest underweights are Qatar, China and Russia.

Brazil's 10-year bond was yielding 6.48% Thursday, while Mexico was yielding 6.57%. China's yield for its 10-year was 2.87%. The U.S. 10-year was yielding about 1.60% Thursday.

Citi strategists said they had taken profits in Argentina, reducing their overweight. A debt payment by the Province of Buenos Aires temporarily drove prices higher, and the strategists went overweight via the PBA bonds and then took profits.

On Thursday, Argentine bonds were hit hard after the economy minister warned that a "deep debt restructuring" was on the way and the government would take a tough stance with the country's creditors.

The spread between Argentina's bonds and U.S. Treasurys was 2,068, according to Reuters.
A Mexican man living in Syracuse illegally admitted to running up a $1 million medical bill under a fake name, prosecutors said.

Alejandro Hernandez, 69, who went by Eddy Wilkins, admitted Tuesday to identity theft and misusing a social security number.

Hernandez was sentenced to more than two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $1 million to Upstate University Hospital and Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation.

Hernandez also faces deportation proceedings.

Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government, education and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992

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He faces charges based on the allegations of only two of his accusers: Jessica Mann, a former actress who testified that he raped her in a Midtown Manhattan hotel in 2013, and Miriam Haley, a former production assistant on his show Project Runway, who said he forced oral sex on her at his TriBeCa apartment in 2006.

Both women acknowledged on cross-examination that they not only had friendly communications with Mr. Weinstein after their alleged attacks, but later had consensual sex with him.

The presiding judge, Justice James M. Burke, allowed four other women to testify about their own encounters so that prosecutors can establish a pattern of behavior, even though their allegations are too old to be charged as crimes under New York State law. The actress Annabella Sciorra, for instance, took the stand under the legal theory that her testimony would support the charges of predatory sexual assault, which carry a life sentence.

Ms. Sciorra testified that Mr. Weinstein pushed his way into her apartment and raped her after giving her a ride home from a dinner party in the early 1990s. The other accusers  Tarale Wulff, Dawn Dunning and Lauren Young  were all aspiring actresses who said Mr. Weinstein lured them to hotels on the pretense of helping their careers, and then sexually assaulted them.

Over and over, Ms. Rotunno returned to her central theme that Mr. Weinsteins accusers were not passive victims of assaults, but active participants in consensual acts. Women have choices, she said.

Ms. Rotunno said that Ms. Haleys relationship with Mr. Weinstein was something close to a romance, which began after he had gotten her the Project Runway job. They have to label it as a professional relationship because if they labeled it as what it was, we wouldnt be here, Ms. Rotunno said.
As Daniel Nichanian, editor of The Appeal, wrote this week on Twitter: Each year of Bloombergs 12-year mayorship, at least 50 percent of the people arrested for marijuana were black. And at least 85 percent were nonwhite each year, usually much higher. Thats tens of thousands of people each year.

And Bloomberg defended the practice by saying that the only way to get the guns out of the kids hands was to throw the kids against a wall. But nearly 90 percent of these young people were completely innocent. They had done absolutely nothing wrong, let alone possess a gun.

The Columbia Law School professor Jeffrey Fagan produced a report that became part of a class-action lawsuit against the city in 2010. It found that [s]eizures of weapons or contraband are extremely rare. Overall, guns are seized in less than 1 percent of all stops: 0.15 percent.  Contraband, which may include weapons but also includes drugs or stolen property, is seized in 1.75 percent of all stops.

As Fagan wrote, The N.Y.P.D. stop-and-frisk tactics produce rates of seizures of guns or other contraband that are no greater than would be produced simply by chance.

Bloomberg didnt care about any of this. He didnt care about these innocent black and brown bodies. Somewhere in each barrel of good apples there was a bad one, and he was willing to spoil the whole batch to purge that rare bad one.

These minority boys were being hunted. Their neighborhoods were experiencing an occupation. Citizens wanted crime abatement, but they didnt expect apartheid.

And yet in the same way that white people in New York City had turned away when Bloomberg was executing his racist policy, many Democrats  including some black ones  appear willing now to turn a blind eye to his past.
Day after a former income tax (IT) officer, Rakesh Jain, was held in a 2013 graft case of 50,000, a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) awarded rigorous imprisonment of four years to him on Thursday.

Jain was posted at the IT departments Chandigarh branch.

Special CBI judge Sushil Kumar Garg has also imposed a fine of 5 lakh on Jain, who was convicted under Sections 7 and 13 (2) (read with13 (1) (d)) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

THE CASE

On February 6, 2013, Rakesh was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of 50,000 from a local businessman in Sector 20. His mother Kanta Jain was also an accused in the case, however, she died during the trial.

The trap to catch Rakesh was laid on the basis of a complaint filed by one Ashok Arora of Sector 20. Arora, who has a real-estate firm in Sector 22, was served a notice by the IT department. He met Rakesh, who offered to sort out the matter for him in exchange of 3.5 lakh and a deal was finalised at 2.5 lakh.

Following this, Arora approached the CBI and a trap was laid following which Jain was booked. Two gold bricks (1kg each) worth 60 lakh, documents pertaining to investment in shares amounting to 60 lakh among other items were recovered from his residence. The CBI had also recovered a brick of gold weighing 1kg, gold coins and jewellery weighing 500gm worth 15 lakh from Rakeshs lockers in the Bank of Baroda and the State Bank of Patiala.

In the court, Jain pleaded leniency, saying that one of his sons is suffering from brain seizure, his health is deteriorating day-by-day and he (Rakesh Jain) is the sole bread earner of his family.

Meanwhile, public prosecutor KP Singh argued that to check corruption, exemplary punishment to a government servant is the need of the hour. Rejecting Jains plea of leniency, the court ordered, His (Jains) request on this ground is not acceptable because it is the duty of every citizen to secure the strong financial health of the country.

The order mentioned that Jain had instructed the complainant to put the bribe money on top of a window AC. Thereafter, he lifted the same by wearing hand gloves and handed over the bribe money to his mother, it said. Consequently, the bribe money had been recovered from the undergarments worn by the mother of the accused, the judgment read.

Another case of money laundering against him and his wife Suneet Jain is also going on in the court of district and sessions judge.

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Attorney General William Barr, in a stunning rebuke to his boss, said Thursday that President Donald Trump should stop tweeting about the Justice Department, complaining that the president's comments "make it impossible for me to do my job." The remarks in an ABC News interview followed days of sharp criticism of Barr, Trump and the DOJ by congressional Democrats over the department's decision to reverse a harsh sentencing recommendation for Trump's friend, Republican political consultant Roger Stone. ABC TWEET "I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases," Barr told ABC News' Pierre Thomas. "I will make those decisions based on what I think is the right thing to do, and I'm not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody ... whether it's Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president," Barr said. "I'm going to do what I think is right," Barr said. "I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me." Trump's tweets, "make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors in the department that we're doing our work with integrity," he said. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham responded to Barr's comments with the following statement: "The President wasn't bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions. President Trump uses social media very effectively to fight for the American people against injustices in our country, including the fake news. The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law."

A White House official told NBC News that "the media is completely ignoring [the fact that] both Attorney General Barr and President Trump agree that the President is the victim of an egregious political injustice, and the Department of Justice is investigating these matters because it is the right thing to do." The four prosecutors who handled Stone's trial told a judge in a court filing that Stone should serve seven to nine years in prison, as called for under federal sentencing guidelines. Within hours of that Monday filing, Trump blasted the recommendation as a "disgrace." And hours after that, the Justice Department said it would file a new sentencing suggestion for Stone, calling for a markedly lower prison term. Trump TWEET All four prosecutors quit the case in apparent protest on Tuesday  and one resigned from the Justice Department altogether. Trump praised Barr on social media after the Justice Department pushed the prosecutors in Stone's case to weaken their proposal. TWEET In his ABC interview, Barr for the first time publicly detailed his account of the decision to reduce Stone's sentencing recommendation. Barr said that on Monday, Timothy Shea, his former counselor who recently became the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, "came by to briefly chat with me and say that the team very much wanted to recommend the seven- to nine-year [term] to the judge, but he thought that there was a way of satisfying everybody and providing more flexibility." "And there was a brief discussion of that. I was under the impression that what was going to happen was very much what I had suggested, which was deferring to the judge," Barr told ABC. "Monday night, when I first saw the news reports [about the sentencing proposal], I said, "Gee, the news is spinning this. This is not what we were going to do.'" "I was very surprised. And once I confirmed that that's actually what we filed, I said that night to my staff that we had to get ready 'cause we had to do something in the morning to amend that and clarify what our position was," the attorney general said. "I had made a decision that I thought was fair and reasonable in this particular case. And once the tweet [by Trump condemning the sentencing proposal] occurred, the question was, well, now what do I do? Do you go forward with what you think is the right decision? Or do you pull back because of the tweet?" "And that just sort of illustrates how disruptive these tweets can be," Barr said. Barr added that while "I have a problem with some of the tweets, I'm happy to say that in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case." Asked if he had ever spoken with Trump about the sentencing recommendations for Stone, Barr said, "Never." Barr also denied that anyone from the White House had called him to try to influence him about Stone: "No. I have not discussed the Roger Stone case at the White House."

US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with US Attorney General William Barr (R) during the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor presentation ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC on May 22, 2019. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
BERKELEY, Mo. - A father who was upset that a student had been fighting with one of his children stormed onto a middle school bus with a loaded pistol in suburban St. Louis and threatened everyone onboard, authorities say.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Christian Goodson was charged Wednesday with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child, along with misdemeanour property damage and assault counts. His bond was set at $100,000 cash only. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

Earlier in the day, a fight among students waiting at the bus stop continued when they boarded the bus, said Kevin Hampton, a spokesman for the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Goodson became angry and used a pistol to break the glass on the school bus door when the driver wouldnt let him onboard, Berkeley Police Officer Mike Wallish said in court papers. Fearing Goodson would start shooting, a district employee opened the door and let Goodson step onto the bus, Wallish said.

Goodson pushed the driver, said You got what you wanted and pointed the pistol at everyone on the bus, court records said. The students then ran to the back of the bus, and Goodson took his two children and left, police said.

The bus carried nine students, a new bus driver, a veteran driver who was mentoring the new one, and another staff member who was riding as a bus monitor because of previous disruptions and fights on the bus.

Berkeley Police Chief Art Jackson said officers arrested Goodson later at his home and recovered the loaded pistol. Jackson said officers also took other parents and students into custody but provided no details.

Tangie Francwar, principal of the Johnson-Wabash Sixth Grade Center, said in a letter to parents that the father was on the bus for 37 seconds and had encouraged students to fight, although the police summary doesnt mention that. No one was hurt.
A Saudi national bearing symptoms of COVID-19 who landed in Nepal via China has fled from the hospital after doctors advised him to be quarantined. A spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population had acknowledged that a patient has fled nearly a week after doctors at Teku Hospital advised the foreign national to be admitted for observation.

Whereabouts of Saudi national unknown

Mahendra Shrestha, who is a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health told reporters that the Saudi national did want to be admitted into the hospital. He also added that the Saudi national could only speak in Farsi that caused problems with smooth communications. The authorities have not been able to contact him.

The Saudi national showed signs of having a fever and cold. No further details about the Saudi national was released by the Ministry of Health other than the fact that he had landed in Nepal via China a week ago. Nepal confirmed its first case of the Novel Coronavirus on January 19, making it the first confirmed case in South Asian nations. The infected was a student who had just returned from Wuhan and had tested positive for the virus.

Read: China: Cat Gets Makeshift Face Mask With Eye Holes Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Read: Punjab: Leaves Of Medical Staff Cancelled To Keep Watch On Coronavirus

Infected patient released

In a similar incident, due to an administration error by a hospital in San Diego and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a woman who had tested positive for the novel Coronavirus was released. The patient was sent to a Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, instead of being isolated.

The woman in question arrived on the base on February 5. She was among the State Department flights that were bringing Americans back from Wuhan, China. Soon after reaching the base she started experiencing the symptoms of the coronavirus and was sent to UC San Diego Health. Three other people who were also exhibiting symptoms were also sent to UC San Diego Health.

According to reports, blood samples from the evacuees were sent to a CDC lab in Atlanta. Since some of the samples were miss-labelled, they were not tested. When the results did not reach UC San Diego Health, the CDC reported the results of other patients that tested negative.

After realising their mistake, the woman was tracked down and returned to UC San Diego Health where she remains in isolation.

Read: China Offers Classes Online Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Read: Coronavirus: 40 Of 41 Samples Test Negative In Maha
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After having secured around $3 billion in equity and debt funding over the past month, telecom major Bharti Airtel is now planning to raise yet another $250 million (RS 1,780 crore) through an issue of perpetual bonds. According to exchange filings made by the company on Wednesday, the telecom major will raise the funds through wholly-owned Mauritius-based subsidiary Network i2i.

We are pleased to inform you that Network i2i Limited, a Mauritius-based wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, through joint book-runners and joint lead managers, has approached investors for the proposed additional issuance of $5.65 per cent subordinated perpetual securities guaranteed by Bharti Airtel Limited, the company said, adding that this is to be in continuance to the earlier series of bonds floated in October last year, raising $750 million.

The telecom major had announced last year that this funding will be used to pare down debt levels at the company.

Faced with AGR-related liabilities extending to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore, Airtel had also raised nearly $3 billion (RS 21,000 crore) through two separate instruments in January: a Qualified Institutional Placement worth $2 billion as well as an issue of foreign currency convertible bonds up to $1 billion. Further provisions for interest costs associated with AGR liabilities have also kept Airtels bottom line in the red during the third quarter of this fiscal.
An Irish MEP has been reprimanded for calling Venezuelas disputed opposition leader  or interim president  an unelected gobshite.

Mick Wallace, an independent member who was first elected in 2019, said the recognition of Juan Guaido as president by EU countries was an absolute embarrassment and a disgrace on the part of the member states of Europe.

Mr Wallace was speaking at a meeting at the European parliament in Strasbourg about the Venezuelan presidential crisis.

The meetings chair, Rainer Wieland, quickly cut Mr Wallaces mic and said: You did use the word gobshite, sir and I would reprimand you over that.

The world is divided over whether Nicolas Maduro or Juan Guaido is the rightful president of Venezuela.

Mr Maduro, a left-wing populist, won a 2018 election  but NGOs and bodies like the EU, the Organisation of American States, and the United States have highlighted irregularities and said the poll was not free and fair.

Mr Guaido was proposed by the opposition-controlled national assembly as an acting president until new elections could be held, and was recognised by around 60 mostly western countries allied to the US.

But Mr Maduros government has accused Mr Guaido of being the figurehead of a US-backed coup detat, in particular pointing to a failed military uprising by his supporters in the army in April 2019.

Despite international recognition for the assemblys candidate, Mr Maduro is believed to control the majority of state institutions, as of the start of 2020.
Washington: Former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch on Wednesday advised US diplomats and those considering the profession not to despair over the current state of their field, but to "roll up our sleeves and get to work."

Former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch speaks at Georgetown University in Washington. Credit:AP

"We all need to get in there and fight for what we believe in," she told an audience of diplomats, faculty and students at Georgetown University, whose Institute for the Study of Diplomacy presented her with an award for diplomatic excellence.

It was Yovanovitch's first major public appearance after her testimony at President Donald Trump's impeachment hearing, when she said that Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, his associates, and some Ukrainian officials, actively tried to undermine her by spreading false information about her anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine.

Trump ordered the 33-year State Department veteran fired last spring after a smear campaign by Giuliani, indicted Ukrainian Americans Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, pro-Trump media and others.
BOSTON  What are the top in terms of total spending, number of prescriptions and cost per prescription?

The Center for Health Information and Analysis, an independent state agency that monitors the performance of Massachusetts health care system, has released its second report on prescription drug use and spending at the point of purchase by residents who are covered by insurance.

The report found 10 treatment categories of drugs, including anti-asthmatic, cardiovascular and antiviral, accounted for more than 70% of pharmacy claims from 2015 to 2017.

The three-year analysis is based on a subset of commercial pharmacy claims in CHIAs All Payer Claims Database, and includes the amount paid by a health plan to pharmacies plus patient out-of-pocket costs.

Anti-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor inhibiting agents, a class of drugs that includes Humira and Enbrel, which are used to treat difficult-to-manage diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, accounted for the largest portion of spending.

The most frequently prescribed drug during the three-year period was Lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that treats high blood pressure and heart failure.

Examining trends in utilization and spending on prescription drugs furthers CHIAs mission to increase transparency in the Massachusetts health care sector, Ray Campbell, CHIAs executive director, said in a statement. This publication provides a factual foundation to allow for a better-informed discussion on the drivers of pharmaceutical expenditures in the commonwealth.

CHIAs database includes medical, pharmacy and dental claims, as well as information about member eligibility, providers and insurance coverage.

The report is interactive online and includes a list of the top 20 drugs across all the treatment classes and can be viewed in terms of cost and number of prescriptions.

Harvoni, regarded as a cure for many patients with chronic hepatitis C, appears as the most expensive on the list of 20 with the average cost per prescription $30,771.60.

The drug among the 20 listed as having the most number of prescriptions  127, 738  is dextroamphetamine-amphet er, which is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, had an average cost per prescription of $139.59.

Other drugs with a high number of prescriptions include the cardiovascular drug Crestor; Flovent HFA, which is prescribed for asthma; and Lantus Solostar, for diabetes.

CHIA issued a similar report in 2018 looking at high-volume and high-cost drugs for 2015.
When I read the disturbingly incisive interview in yesterdays Mail with the Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, I found myself wondering: how obvious do the warning signals have to get before this country wakes up to the desperate crisis we face in looking after the elderly and infirm?

Part of the problem is, as Professor Whitty made clear, the rising number of people surviving illnesses that would have killed us a generation ago. Where is that sense of urgency that Boris Johnson demonstrated in his speech outside Downing Street when he took office last year?

I cheered when he pronounced, in no uncertain terms that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared.

Yet still there has been no policy announcement or debate on the issue. We are now told there will be a plan later this year but no oven-ready solutions.

This must not be a can being kicked ever so dexterously down the road. We need a bold pledge to take quick decisive action over the elderly. This is at least as important to our country as spending 100 billion on HS2 this week.

Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty is pictured in an undated photo. I cheered when he pronounced, in no uncertain terms that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared

Of course, we need to spend to improve our outdated Victorian transport system. And Mr Johnson was rightly praised as a can-do believer in Britains brilliant future. But commitments to rail and road improvements will take decades to build and in the meantime we must not continue to ignore Britains elderly.

I know that donning a hi-viz jacket and rhapsodising about grandiose plans for a gleaming new transport network to put the spine into Britain, as the PM put it, is much easier than tackling the even more urgent problem of elderly care. But a one-nation Prime Minister is about far more than that.

Those of us who try to point out the crisis we are already experiencing in the care sector are not saying there is some magnificent solution that will suddenly present itself to a political class too scared to touch such a toxic issue.

A graphic shows UK towns with aging populations

Yet when Britains medical chief says it is one of his most pressing concerns, we really have to take him seriously.

Our collective failure to care for Britains elderly is, I believe, the biggest single policy failure of the modern era.

While demand for adult social care has continuously increased in the past ten years, recent figures collected by the Institute for Government show, shockingly, that spending in real terms has actually fallen by two per cent in England.

Today, 18 per cent of the UK population is over 65, and within 18 years that figure will have reached 24 per cent, very nearly one in four of us.

Think of the nursing expertise that will be needed to care for that vast number of people, or the meals on wheels that will have to be provided, the dressings changed. And think of the extra beds that will be needed in our already stretched care homes, where many staff are on the minimum wage in an industry that is barely financially viable.

Shamefully, it is the elderly  the very demographic who have contributed more than their fair share through long-working lives and raising children  who are suffering the consequences of political cowardice on all sides of the spectrum.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street in London, to attend the weekly Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament, in London yesterday

For years the warning lights have been flashing red about the vast portion of money and upgrades in infrastructure that will be needed to ensure Britains elderly maintain the quality of life expected in any civilised country.

This is partly because the provision of adult care is not very glamorous. Its the sad truth that care for the elderly and infirm offers politicians few opportunities for photos and theatrical flourishes. Indeed, they tend not to want to be photographed with the very elderly or infirm. But these people must not be forgotten.

It is vital that we do something  and as a first step we need to acknowledge that the current way we do things is broken, unsustainable and unfair. As the Mail has highlighted in its campaign to end the dementia care scandal, we have to abandon the absurd and bogus distinction between what we term health and care, and bring them together under one budgetary system.

At present, a millionaire who gets cancer and requires expensive treatment gets every- thing for free on the NHS. But an elderly person who succumbs to dementia will have to spend their savings or even sell their family home to get the support they need because the condition is not regarded as a matter of health, but of care.

But commitments to rail and road improvements will take decades to build and in the meantime we must not continue to ignore Britains elderly

Shamefully, since we had the first major care review at the tail-end of the last millennium, absolutely nothing has happened in terms of policy, though the provision of care has deteriorated steadily as cash-strapped local councils make it harder to claim help at home.

Today, councils can no longer be expected to shoulder the burden of adult care. The money is going to have to come from central government out of national insurance and income tax.

And so Britain faces a choice. Either the Government will decide to take action right away, or it will consign our ageing population to years of discomfort and financial ruin.

Building new railways is all very well. But we also need to spend money on short-term convalescent homes, perhaps adapting redundant hospital buildings, to allow the elderly swifter discharge from very expensive NHS beds.

We also need to reduce staff turnover at care homes, increase the very low wages and help enhance the status and self-worth of those who care for our parents.

The Government must immediately foster a change of attitude towards saving for old age. At the moment, most of us think of a pension as something to maintain our comfortable lifestyle into our 60s and 70s, with the occasional new car and annual foreign holiday.

A file photo shows the entrance to Guy's and St Thomas' hospital in London on 10 February. Today, councils can no longer be expected to shoulder the burden of adult care. The money is going to have to come from central government out of national insurance and income tax

But people increasingly need to think far beyond that. Pensions are rarely generous enough to pay for a good care home which can cost as much as 900 a week.

Our new Government must act more urgently on this and create incentives to saving for the final years. Britains over-60s have more than 300 billion tucked away in tax efficient Individual Savings Accounts (Isas), at an average individual value of around 40,000.

Why not rebrand the savings instruments as Care Isas and encourage more saving to pay for steep care costs?

Just as pension pots can be passed on free of inheritance tax, so could the rules be tweaked to allow the Isas to be passed on to children tax-free if not needed.

This is the sort of urgent creative thinking that is needed to pull us out of the hole we have dug for ourselves by ignoring the warnings.

That doesnt mean that the Government should write a blank cheque for a gold-plated adult care system for all. But at the very least, Britains elderly should be able to expect a basic care provision, which they can then boost themselves through tax incentives.

Successive governments have dithered for the past two decades, unwilling to step into this dangerous terrain.

And with its thumping Commons majority, this Conservative administration will not be forgiven if it fails to act on what it has already told us is a crisis.
KM announces changes at the top

Frame

Lyon

Kidder Mathews has announced that Jeff Lyon will step down as CEO this July, as part of a planned three-year succession plan, to be replaced by the firm's current president and COO Bill Frame. Lyon will end his 21-year run in that seat, and will continue as chairman of the board. He said in a statement, We've grown from four offices in Washington to 22 offices in five states and 850 people. It's just been phenomenal that we've become the largest privately-held commercial real estate firm on the West Coast. The COO seat will be filed by Brian Hatcher.




Barcelona , Spain, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dalyce Semko Suanez Open2America Phone: (403) 869-3259 E-Mail: d.suanez@open2america.com

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Localers launch in Barcelona,

offering curated immersive visits in the heart of the Catalan capital



Barcelona , Spain 

Localers, the start-up brand of the number one tour operator in France, Paris Experience Group, specialized in guided city walks and local expertise, is branching out in Barcelona. With a successful portfolio of unique and carefully crafted experiences already available in France and Italy, the group is excited to empower travelers with off-the-beaten-track tours in heart of the Catalan capital.



Aimed at a higher-end international clientele interested in immersing themselves in local customs, each Localers experience unpacks authentic and unexpected tours that take visitors to the essence of what makes each city unique.



In Barcelona, Localers currently offers six city tours equally suited to first time voyagers and to travel-savvy veterans alike, fulfilling their passion about each city and its monuments. From museums to thematic walking tours, these visits bring together the Catalan essentials of heritage, culture and gastronomy. Visitors have the choice between two food tours in different areas of the city, one in Born, the central Gothic quarter, and one in Gracia, the bohemian area of the city, where they can relish in red wine and Spanish ham while raving about the works at Picassos museum. Localers also offers the opportunity to explore Gaudis masterpiece, the very Sagrada Familia, with a professional and passionate guide.



Tours range from 39 to 319 euros.



For more information: https://www.localers.com/our-tours-in-Barcelona





About Localers:



Founded in 2012 and part of the Paris Experience Group since 2017, Localers offers international clientele a premium selection of walking experiences in small groups or private. The tours, mainly conducted in English, cover the neighborhoods and monuments, as well as unusual themes off the beaten track, specific to each city, empowering travelers to explore each city.



Each itinerary is designed by a team of travel designers and constantly evolves thanks to the support network of 120 passionate local guides, each an expert in their field (historians, artists, stylists, photographers ...).



Localers ambassadors and tour guides are carefully recruited for their knowledge and experience.

About Paris Experience Group:



Founded in 1929, Paris Experience Group is the leading tourist hospitality company in Paris and in France. The company, chaired by Florence Beyaert, welcomes more than one million French and international tourists each year and offers nearly 500 experiences to discover in more than 50 destinations or must-see sites in Paris and France. Paris Experience Group is made up of three clusters of expertise that bring together its commercial brands: the Land Pole with the Paris City Vision brand, the historical leader in excursions and visits to Paris and France with 800,000 customers in 2018, the River Pole, with the Paris Seine brand, for activities on the river and the New Experiences Pole with the Localers for activities offered by the group's start-up. Ekkio Capital, an independent private equity firm, has been the group's majority shareholder since 2015.







Attachment
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's recent research report, Automated Guided Vehicle Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025 is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 47% during the period 20192025.

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

1. The global automated guided vehicles (AGV) market would realize an absolute growth of around 900% - a leap of over $54,400 million revenue between 2019 and 2025.

2. Contributing over $20,000 million incremental revenue during 2019-2025, tow vehicles offers a profitable revenue potential opportunity for market vendors.

3. Laser-guided automated vehicles offer flexible solutions for the automating process in a manufacturing facility or warehouses. AGVs by laser guidance are expected to offer over $25,300 million - incremental revenue for the market during 2019-2025.

4. Contributing over $17,700 million incremental revenue during 2019-2025, automotive sector offers a profitable revenue potential opportunity for market vendors.

5. With over 80% of the market revenue coming from North America and Europe, vendors are emphasizing on the innovative strategies and promotional measures to bolster the overall AGV market growth.

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20192025

Market Dynamics  Leading trends, growth drivers, restraints, and investment opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by product, application, navigation, and geography

Competitive Landscape  Profile of 4 key vendors and 51 other vendors

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/automated-guided-vehicle-market-size-2025

Automated Guided Vehicle Market  Segmentation

The increasing demand for efficient movement with large loads capacity for long and short distances is expected to drive the demand for tow vehicles. These vehicles are considered to be economical as multiple loads can be moved from place to another, thereby resulting in productivity and eliminating the usage of manual trains or fork trucks.

Automatic guided vehicles in the retail segment are expected to grow at a rapid rate. The swift growth of online sales in the retail sector and the increasing usage of AGVs in warehouses enable companies to offer speedy product delivery.

The laser guidance segment is likely to grow at a significant pace. The laser guidance technology helps the vehicle to operate efficiently and automatically, which provides flexibility in manufacturing and warehouse facilities. The natural guidance segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR as these types of automatic guided vehicles are easy to implement and do not require retrofitting of the workspace.

Market Segmentation by Product

AGCs

Tow Vehicles

Unit Load Vehicles

Pallet Trucks

Other AGVs

Market Segmentation by Application

Automobile

Retail

Food & Beverage

Healthcare

Aerospace

Others

Market Segmentation by Navigation

Natural Guidance

Laser Guidance

Inductive Guidance

Magnetic Guidance

Vision Guidance

Others

Automated Guided Vehicle Market  Dynamics

The use of connected technologies in distribution centers with automated guided vehicles has propelled productivity to the next level. Automated guided vehicles have greatly improved productivity by automating the material handling process. New-generation automated guided vehicles are smart and capable of working with humans. Technologies such as computer vision augmented reality (AR), low-cost sensors, wearables, Internet of Things (IoT), robotic prehensility, human-robot safety, analytics, and high-performance computing have reduced wastage and increased productivity. The fusion between the virtual and real-world, production and services, and software and hardware are expected to transform the industrial sector. Hence, the enormous potential of industry 4.0 is engaged in offering enhanced productivity and flexibility while increasing resource efficiency and improving productivity.

Key Drivers and Trends fueling Market Growth:

Rising Automation in Material Handling

Implementation of High Safety Standards at Workplaces

Increasing Demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Factories

SMEs to Dominate Adoption of AGVs

Automated Guided Vehicle Market  Geography

North America is one of the major regions for the adoption of automatic guided vehicles and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. The growth is expected to be largely on account of the increasing adoption of automation systems, revitalization of the US economy, and the growth of the e-commerce industry. The growth of the automated guided vehicle market in North America largely depends on the political and economic scenario in the region, along with the growing adoption of automation in industries. Besides, the growth of the e-commerce industry in North America is expected to induce higher sales of AGVs during the forecast period.

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/automated-guided-vehicle-market-size-2025

Market Segmentation by Geography

North America

US



Canada

Europe

UK



Germany



France



Spain



Italy



Nordic

APAC

China



Japan



Australia



South Korea

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina

MEA

South Africa



Saudi Arabia



UAE

Major Vendors

Daifuku

JBT Corporation

Kion Group

Toyota Industries

Other vendors include - AGVE Group, Amerden, America in Motion, AMS, ASTI Mobile Robotics Group, Atab, Axter Automation, BA Systemes, Comau, DimaSimma, DS Automation, Echkart, EK Automation, Esatroll, Eurogroep, Fetch Robotics, Fori Automation, Grenzebach Group, GreyOrange, Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz, Hyster-Yale Group, Inser Robotica, iROB, Jungheinrich, Kivnon Logistica, Kollmorgen, Kuka, Mad Automation, Mecalux, MLR System, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, Murata Machinery, Oceaneering, Optimus Robotics, Bastian Solutions, Robotic Automation, Robotnik Automation, Savant Automation, Scaglia INDEVA, Scallog, SCOTT, Seegrid, Simplex Products, Solving, SSI SCHAEFER, Synersight, Technoferrari, Teradyne, Transolt Technologies, WEWO Techmotion, and Quirepace.

Explore our industrial machinery profile to know more about the industry.

Read some of the top-selling reports:

About Arizton:

Arizton  Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on industries such as consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, and life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals and materials, IT and media, logistics and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

Mail: [email protected]

Call: +1-312-235-2040

+1-3020-469-0707

SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
A 4-month-old infant died in the states custody Sunday, Oregon child welfare officials have confirmed.

The Department of Human Services disclosed the babys death Tuesday, under a 2019 transparency law that requires state leaders to tell the public when a child on their radar dies by possible abuse or neglect.

The highly-private agency did not provide any specific information about the babys death, such as how or where the baby died. The agency said police are investigating the circumstances of the death.

Department of Human Services spokesman Jake Sunderland said case workers are still collecting information about the case. He said although DHS was the babys legal guardian, the baby was not in general foster care.

In Oregon, its routine for law enforcement to investigate unexpected deaths of children. The investigations do not often lead to criminal charges. Even so, if DHS officials have a reason to believe a child in their care died by abuse or neglect, they have to promptly disclose basic facts about the case online and launch a mandatory review into what happened.

A foster childs death in an unavoidable car crash, for instance, likely wouldnt meet the bar for disclosure.

DHS officials also have to conduct the reviews if a child dies by abuse or neglect after recent interaction with the child welfare system. The agency has disclosed 25 reviews since the new transparency law took effect in July. Only one other review involves children who were in the states legal custody.

The law requires the agency to conclude the reviews by issuing a detailed public report about the circumstances that led to the childs death, the decisions state workers made during the childs life and whether the case review uncovered any systemic issues that could be fixed.

Prior laws also required DHS to publish reports into child fatalities, but reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive showed the agency routinely delayed reports and regularly disclosed few facts about the childs death.

The new law gives the department 100 days to finish the report and 10 days to publish it online. In the case of the infant who died Sunday, the agency said the release of the public report may be delayed because of the criminal investigation.

Every day, DHS is responsible for the safety of thousands of children. Deaths of children in the states care are extremely rare, and deaths caused by abuse or neglect are rarer still. At least eight children have died in state custody since 2017. Prosecutors have never pursued criminal charges against any of the childrens state-selected caregivers.

One childs teenage brother is facing murder charges after police say he shot and killed his 10-year-old sister, their foster mother and adult foster sister at their Roseburg home in November 2017. The state agreed in November to pay $1.7 million to settle wrongful death claims brought by the foster father on behalf of the women.

The biological families of two other children, both boys, also contend DHS could have done more to keep the boys alive.

A 14-year-old boy died after a fire broke out in his Riddle foster home in March 2017. Two years later, an attorney representing the teens estate filed a $5 million lawsuit, alleging the house did not meet safety standards to care for foster children. The case is set to go to trial in April.

A 1-year-old died in an overheated room inside his Springfield foster home in August 2018.

Court filings say a lawyer for the boys estate plans to meet later this month with state officials who handle liability claims. The talks could lead to a settlement before a lawsuit is filed.

DHS never issued a public review about either boys death or the steps case workers took before the boys died.

-- Molly Young

myoung@oregonian.com

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
THERES more chance of Willie ODea sharing power with Putin or Trump than with Sinn Feins Maurice Quinlivan, one of his closest confidants has said.

Councillor Kieran OHanlon said absolutely not when asked if the pair could work together in government.

And the veteran councillor has also lashed sections of the electorate for taking it for granted that Mr ODeas office is available and using it as a branch of government.

He was speaking in the wake of election results, which saw Mr ODea lose his crown of polltopper in the city to Mr Quinlivan, as part of a national Sinn Fein surge which took the party to a record high vote nationwide.

Its 10 years since Mr ODea was forced to resign his ministerial role after wrongly denying he made comments linking the Sinn Fein man to a city brothel. The pairs relationship remains frosty.

But with the election result leaving the options for alliances limited, Fianna Fail members are split on the idea of coalition with Sinn Fein.

Sinn Fein leader Mary-Lou McDonald is talking to other left-wing parties, but if these discussions fail, it could leave the option of some kind of alliance with Fianna Fail open. And this could see Mr ODea and Mr Quinlivan working together.

When contacted by the Limerick Leader, the Fianna Fail TD, who was heading out to a funeral, declined to comment. At the count centre on Sunday, he cast doubt on a Sinn Fein coalition.

Cllr OHanlon, a political colleague for almost 30 years, said: Youd have a better chance of Willie sharing with [Vladimir] Putin or [Donald] Trump.

For his part, Mr Quinlivan said he was not contemplating any deal with Fianna Fail at this time, but hed work with anybody to deliver a republican manifesto.

Im sure Id be able to deal with him. We deal with unionists in the North, he said.

Cllr O'Halloran also criticised sections of the electorate for not voting for Mr ODea, despite the help he says he has afforded them.

Theres no TD in Ireland that puts in the effort he does. I think a lot of people think Willies office is a branch of government out there. They think its like a social welfare office, or a health board office. That they can just go there and lodge their problems, and have no obligation to vote for Willie or Fianna Fail.

He said on the canvass, he noticed people who had been helped by the former poll topper, who had Sinn Fein posters in their windows.

It can be disheartening. They know Willie will help them and then go and vote for someone else. Its not good enough really, he told the Limerick Leader.

Elsewhere, the Green party selection convention to decide who will replace the Dail-bound Brian Leddin on Limerick City and County Council will take place on Wednesday next week.

A number of people are already interested.

Mr Leddin himself was up in Dublin, where he took part in a first meeting of the Green Partys parliamentary group.

His party has so far said they are willing to talk to anyone about forming a government.

But, he warned, we are not going to go into government at any cost. Its only if there is a substantial movement on climate change action.
Harvey Weinstein's defense lawyer says accuser Annabella Sciorra came forward with her rape claim to be 'relevant' again and that the alleged victims and their attorneys saw a 'pot of gold' at the end of his trial.

Lawyer Donna Rotunno made the claims during her closing arguments on Thursday as she told jurors that prosecutors had painted a 'sinister' picture of the disgraced Hollywood producer because they don't have the evidence to prove the charges.

When asked how Rotunno did in her closing arguments, a smiling Weinstein joked: 'I made The Kings Speech, she made the queens speech.'

Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress, in 2013 and to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006.

Four additional women were also called to testify to bolster the case against him, including Sopranos actress Sciorra who said Weinstein raped her in the early 1990s.

Rotunno hit out at the inclusion of Sciorra in the case, claiming it was just 'star power'.

She went further and claimed that Sciorra only spoke out to further her career, saying that when Ronan Farrow called her in 2017 she was going through 'financial struggles'.

She said that after Sciorra's story was published in the New Yorker, she became famous again.

'Once again, she's a star, she has new agents and now she's the darling of the movement of the minute,' she said.

Harvey Weinstein leaves court with a huge grin after his defense lawyers closed their case in his rape trial

Weinstein's defense lawyer Donna Rotunno (right leaving court with the producer) says accuser Annabella Sciorra came forward with her rape claim to be 'relevant' again and that the alleged victims and their attorneys saw a 'pot of gold' at the end of his trial

Sopranos actress Annabella Sciorra was called to testify to bolster the prosecution case after saying she was raped by Weinstein in the early 1990s. Weinstein's lawyer hit out at the inclusion of Sciorra in the case, claiming it was just 'star power' and that she spoke out to be relevant again

The defense also argued accuser Haleyi and her attorney Gloria Allred were only in it for the money. Rotunno implied that Haleyi's memories only resurfaced 3,163 days after her alleged attack when she read an expose in October 2017 about accusations made against Weinstein.

'She hires Gloria Allred who sits here every day,' Rotunno said about Haleyi's attorney. Rotunno said that while Allred hasn't been paid she 'knows there's a pot of gold at the end of this trial'.

She also, at one point, compared Weinstein to Tiger Woods after the producer's friend Paul Feldsher gave testimony that Weinstein was a sex addict.

'Tiger Woods is a sex addict and you don't see him in a courtroom... being a sex addict and a rapist are two different things,' Rotunno said.

Weinstein's lawyer told jurors that her client is 'just another human being' and said prosecutors had created a universe where women were not responsible for choices they make to further their careers.

She declared that Weinstein was innocent and appealed to jurors to ignore 'outside forces' and use their 'New York City common sense' to find him not guilty.

The defense lawyer, who has taken heat from #MeToo supporters for her advocacy for the former movie mogul, said it was ironic that prosecutors were the producers and they were writing the script for Weinstein's trial.

'Their story created a universe where adult women have no autonomy and responsibility... women are not responsible for parties they attend, for choices they make to further their own career... for sitting at their computers for sending emails to someone across the country,' she argued.

Rotunno said that in the prosecution's version: 'The powerful man is the villain and is so unattractive that no woman would want to sleep with him voluntarily.

Weinstein (above leaving court after the defense's closing arguments) has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault

His lawyer, Donna Rotunno, faces the tricky task of convincing a Manhattan jury that there are too many inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimony of six Weinstein accusers who took the witness stand. The prosecution are set to begin their case on Friday

She told the jury: 'In the alternative universe the prosecution have created for you Harvey is a monster, he's unattractive, he's overweight. They showed you naked photographs of him. Ask yourself why? To do nothing more than shame him.'

His lawyer faces the tricky task of convincing a Manhattan jury that there are too many inconsistencies and contradictions in the testimony of six Weinstein accusers who took the witness stand to convict her client.

In often emotional testimony stretching over three weeks, Weinstein's accusers described in lurid detail how he lured them to hotels in New York and Los Angeles on the pretense of promoting their acting careers before sexually assaulting them.

The defense argued in closing arguments that the prosecution had woven 'a sinister tale of a man who searched out his victims by putting them through a series of tests' but that story was not supported by evidence.

Mann testified that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel room early in what she called an 'extremely degrading' relationship with him and that it continued for years and included consensual sex.

Rotunno, during cross examination, presented her with numerous affectionate emails she sent the producer after the alleged rape, including one in which she wrote: 'I love you, always do.'

Haleyi testified that Weinstein forced oral sex on her in his home in 2006. Some time later, she said, she went to see him in a hotel in an effort to 'regain some sort of power'. Weinstein pulled her onto a bed and had sex with her, Haleyi testified.

Under cross-examination, she said she had not been forced. She acknowledged sending several friendly emails to Weinstein in the following years.

The defense, in closing arguments, cast doubt on Haleyi's version of her alleged assault and accused her of using Weinstein for jobs.

In her closing arguments on Thursday, lawyer Donna Rotunno told jurors the case against the disgraced Hollywood producer was unproven and urged them to use their 'New York City common sense' to find him not guilty

In the defense's closing arguments, Weinstein's lawyer urged jurors to only consider the cases of Mimi Haleyi (right) and Jessica Mann (left) - the two main accusers. The defense said that they were the only cases that mattered and if the jury didn't believe them they should acquit

Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress, in 2013 and to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006

'They had more of a relationship than she wanted you to know because she was using him for jobs... but she can't tell you that because then the rest of her actions don't make sense,' Rotunno told jurors.

'(She) is lying about the nature of her interactions with Harvey Weinstein or she's telling the truth and she agrees to go to his home anyway. Either way it should raise serious doubts as to her credibility.'

Rotunno noted that the day after the alleged assault, Haleyi flew to Los Angeles on Weinstein's expense. She took a car driven by a Weinstein employee even though she testified that she feared his driver who took her to his apartment was in on it.

'The next morning she's getting in a car possibly driven by the same guy who took her to her assault. It makes absolutely no sense,' Rotunno said.

Rotunno said the emails offered 'real-time evidence' of what happened between Weinstein and the women.

She pointed to the 2007 message from Haleyi asking how Weinstein was doing and signing off with 'lots of love' - the year after he allegedly sexually assaulted.

'Not an email you send to your sexual assaulter, even in the world they want to create,' Rotunno told jurors. 'This is where you need to say, 'Wait a minute - do I have doubt about the story she's telling?' How could you not?'

'The government will tell you emails don't matter. In what other circumstance would real time evidence not matter?'

Rotunno said that if somebody sent a kidnapper an email saying 'thanks for the holiday!' it would be relevant.

Three of Weinstein's accusers - Lauren Marie Young, Tarale Wulff and Annabella Sciorra - were in court during his New York rape trial. They were called by prosecutors to help bolster their case

Rotunno implied in closing arguments that Haleyi's attorney Gloria Allred (above in court Thursday) was in it for the money and knew there was a 'pot of gold at the end of the trial'

She said prosecutors were trying to take a consensual sexual encounter and 'spin it into something else', thereby 'stripping women of any ability to make their own decisions'.

Weinstein's lawyers have argued that the two women's interactions with Weinstein after the alleged attacks show that their encounters were consensual.

Rotunno claimed that his other accuser, Mann, was blocked from accusing Weinstein in Los Angeles due to the statute of limitations so she came up with the 'only time she was with Harvey in New York' and said it was rape.

'Even if you believe every word she said, it doesn't rise to the level of rape. She does not say that she said no and that she tries to push him off. She said no and she gets naked and lies on the bed,' she said.

Rotunni also drew on Mann's prior claims she found a syringe in the bathroom after the alleged rape, which she testified she thought he had injected into his penis to get an erection.

'If she was as fearful as she claimed to be about the needles, wouldn't you go get an STD test? Not one of these women that you've heard from over the course of four weeks has said 'I didn't call the police or my friend by I went and had a test'.'

Rotunno said Mann's emails with Weinstein, as well as trial testimony from two of her friends at the time, indicated that she did not appear distressed after the alleged rape, undermining her story.

She said Mann 'couldn't keep anything straight' under cross-examination.

Rotunno hit out at the accusers, claiming they all just wanted to get something from him: 'Every single one of these women reaches out and asks for things and he does anything he can do to make it happen.'

Rotunno argued in her closing statement that the emails offered 'real-time evidence' of what happened between Weinstein and the women

Weinstein's attorney delivered her closing arguments in court on Thursday. He is pictured above arriving

To bolster the prosecution case, four additional women were called by prosecutors, including actress Annabella Sciorra, who said Weinstein raped her in the early 1990s.

Rotunno put up a list of all the women whose names had come up with the trial. They were all grayed out apart from Mimi Haleyi and Jessica Mann - the two main accusers.

The defense said that they were the only cases that mattered and if the jury didn't believe them they should acquit.

Rotunno's closing argument comes less than a week after she came under fire on social media for a podcast interview in which she blamed victims for getting sexually assaulted.

Rotunno told The New York Times' The Daily she'd never been attacked 'because I would never put myself in that position.'

In court, prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon questioned the timing of the interview and rebuked Rotunno for calling the prosecution's witnesses 'liars.'

'That was taped a long time ago,' Rotunno interrupted, claiming that she hadn't talked to anyone in the media since the case began.

She was later contradicted by a Times spokeswoman, who told reporters the interview was recorded on January 28 - five days after opening statements and the start of testimony.

The jury is expected to hear the prosecution's closing argument on Friday.

Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault, the most serious charge against him.

The trial is a milestone for the #MeToo movement in which women have accused powerful men in business, entertainment, media and politics of sexual misconduct.

Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
Representative Image

State-run companies have been given in-principle approval to setup 2,600 charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2021 , sources told the Economic Times.

We have issued 600-700 sanctions so far and expect awards for all contracts in a month, an official told the paper.

The report noted that the effort was address the anxiety around charging infrastructure for these EVs by providing them at four-kilometre intervals in major cities by 2021.

These public sector undertakings (PSUs), which included the National Thermal Power Corp (NTPC), Energy Efficiency Services (EESL), Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments (REIL) and Power Grid Corp (PGCIL), were given in-principal nods under the FAME II subsidy by the Department of Heavy Industries to begin the process.

However, the report noted that full-fledged contracts will be sanctioned only once these companies sign a memorandum of understanding (MoUs) for the land on which where charging stations are proposed.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

Among these REIL bagged orders for 62 cities whose combined population is over a million, while EESL, NTPC and PGCIL emerged as low bidders.

Aside from the PSUs, the urban local bodies of Dehradun, Guwahati and Tirupati, and municipal corporations of Navi Mumbai and Bhubaneswar also won bids.
Australian officials have identified more than 100 species in need of urgent help after wildfires ravaged their habitats  with koalas, platypus and pygmy-possums among the list of high priority animals.

The catastrophic wildfires, which began in June 2019 and continue to burn across the country has seen more than 46,000,000 acres of land burnt  with research from the University of Sydney estimating more than 800 million animals have been killed in New South Wales alone.

Now the nations government has released a list of 113 animals in need of urgent help if their species are to survive.

The provisional list includes 13 birds, 19 mammals, 20 reptiles, 17 frogs, 5 invertebrates, 22 spiny crayfish and 17 freshwater fish species  with some at imminent risk of extinction.

In particular species like the Kangaroo Island Dunnart  a small mouse-like marsupial  Pughs Frog and the Blue Mountains Water Skink are all at risk of dying out due to the scale of the damage top their habitats as well as pre-existing threats.

Animals rescued during Australia fires Show all 25 1 /25 Animals rescued during Australia fires Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala rescued at a burning forest near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island, southwest of Adelaide AAP Image/Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter Pat Smith pouring water onto a possum's feet with burns from fires on the outskirts of the town of Tumbarumba in New South Wales Greenpeace Australia-Pacific/AFP Animals rescued during Australia fires Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Grey-headed Flying Fox bats prepared for a feeding at the Uralla, Australia, home of Jackie Maisey, a volunteer with Northern Tableands Wildlife Carers. The bats are swaddled in flannel wraps similar to those being made by thousands of crafters worldwide who are using their sewing, knitting and crocheting skills to make items for wildlife injured in the Australian brush fires Jackie Maisey/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires Sara Tilling takes care of a young injured Kangaroo which she and her partner Gary Henderson are nursing back to health in Cobargo EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan holds a baby Koala she just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Images Animals rescued during Australia fires Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Fire-impacted, orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joeys are seen at the property of WIRES Carers Kevin and Lorita Clapson in East Lynne, South of Sydney EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala receives water from a cyclist during a severe heatwave that hit the region, in Adelaide Instagram/BIKEBUG2019 via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned Flying-Fox is fed at the property of WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator, Janet Jones, in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Humane Society International Crisis Response Specialist, Kelly Donithan checks an injured Koala she had just rescued on Kangaroo Island AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A wallabie eating a carrot dropped by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife services over the bushfire affected areas along the South Coast for wallabies NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Animals rescued during Australia fires A dehydrated and injured Koala receives treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires Gary Henderson holds the young injured kangaroo he and his partner are nursing back to health EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A koala drinks water offered from a bottle by a firefighter during bushfires in Cudlee Creek, south Australia Oakbank Balhannah CFS via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid South Coast wombat coordinator Tony De La Fosse with two orphaned pouch-rescued Wombats at his property in Malua Bay EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Qantas, an orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey whose feet were burned in recent bushfires, is held by WIRES Carer Kevin Clapson at his property in East Lynne EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires Various completed animal pouches for animals affected by Australia bushfires hang on clothing racks in Regents Park, Queensland Kim Simeon via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires An orphaned pouch-rescued Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey hangs in a makeshift pouch at the property of WIRES EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A rescued koala injured in a bushfire in Kangaroo Island, South Australia Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park/AP Animals rescued during Australia fires WIRES Mid-South Coast Bat Coordinator Janet Jones weighs a rescued Grey-Headed Flying-Fox at her home in Tuross Head EPA Animals rescued during Australia fires A weary kangaroo shelters on a patch of green grass surrounded by burnt bushland along the Princes Highway near in Milton Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires Various animal wraps for bats affected by bushfires Simone Watts via Reuters Animals rescued during Australia fires A staff member moving a rescued koala to a temporary shelter at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney Taronga Zoo/AFP via Getty Animals rescued during Australia fires A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley AFP via Getty Images

Others, such as koalas and giant burrowing frogs, are less threatened but have been flagged as needing emergency intervention to ensure their recovery  while some like the platypus and the grey-headed flying fox have been placed on the list while more evidence of their risk level is gathered.

Meanwhile, a number of freshwater fish have been included on the list over fears ash and debris could wash into waterways if their regions experience heavy rainfall  likely resulting in a large extinction event according to the government report.

Recommended Giant hot pink slug feared extinct in Australian wildfires survived

Officials have warned that a failure to act fast to protect Australias biodiversity in the aftermath of the fires could cause could have a knock-on effect on other spheres of the nations environment.

The priority list includes animals that are not well known, like the Banksia brownii Plant Louse and the Golden-tipped Bat, the report stated. Some of these animals play important roles in our native ecosystems and their recovery from the fires is important to ecosystem function.

The loss of hundreds of millions of animals in the country over the bushfire season comes amid broader concerns over the state of biodiversity on the planet  with studies warning the globe could currently be in the midst of the sixth mass extinction event, the first to be caused by humanitys interaction with the natural world.

In January the Australian government pledged to commit $50m AUD (26m) to animal rescue and protection efforts  part of a $2bn bushfire recovery fund.

Of that $25m was earmarked for use on emergency intervention for identified at-risk species.
It connects lab instruments to the cloud via application programming interface and Internet of Things

Merck, science and technology company has introduced its BrightLab cloud-based inventory management and instrument connectivity platform for research scientists. The new software includes an electronic lab notebook, which allows scientists and lab managers to track and update experiments from any computer or mobile device.



Klaus-Reinhard Bischoff, head of Research Solutions, Life Science, at Merck said, In todays research environment, analog methods of documentation and analysis often take us away from the research itself. By centralizing essential research information, we are empowering scientists to be more productive, save time and avoid costly errors.



Recognizing the increasing demand for data automation, Mercks BrightLab software connects lab instruments to the cloud via application programming interface and Internet of Things (IoT) integrations, avoiding the need for manual transcription. It saves researchers hours of unnecessary review, allowing for more time at the bench. The platform also automates workflows and produces a secure, searchable archive of reports. All information on the cloud is accessible to only to designated users since the platform is designed with SSL encryption and provides data integrity with audit trails and regular backups built in.



Emmet Campion, laboratory manager, Royal College of Surgeons, in Ireland said, The BrightLab platform has transformed our chemical management processes. We now have complete oversight of our chemical inventory across multiple sites, including hazard identification and safety documentation, as well as the ability to reorder. It is the complete system for the modern laboratory.



Mercks BrightLab platform recognizes that every lab has its own devices, so it connects with a growing library of supported instruments. Once set up, scientists can search data across projects and experiments. Lab equipment maintenance reminders, calibrations and protocols are saved in one place to stay organized and, ultimately, speed up the discovery process.



The platform is available at no charge to individual lab customers in academia.
Sinn Fein on Thursday challenged their rivals for office in Ireland to do a deal on forming a new government, after its dramatic election surge brought it to the brink of power.

With no party in the next parliament having secured a majority in Saturday's vote, talks to thrash out a deal started after the results were announced earlier this week.

Left-wingers Sinn Fein's 37 seats broke the stranglehold of two-party in Ireland.

Of the two centre-right parties who until now have dominated Irish politics, Fianna Fail won 38, while Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael secured 35.

Eighty seats are required for a majority in the Dail, Ireland's lower house of parliament, making a coalition inevitable.

The results capped a remarkable transformation for Sinn Fein, once shunned for links to IRA paramilitaries but whose policies to tackle a housing and health crisis now have popular appeal.

Leader Mary Lou McDonald on Thursday told party lawmakers she had met representatives from smaller parties the Greens (12 seats) and Solidarity-People Before Profit (five), and had spoken to Labour (six).

Further meetings were planned with the Social Democrats (six seats), she added in a speech in Dublin.

"Those talks will continue. Last night (Wednesday), I also wrote to the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to seek a meeting," she said.

While acknowledging "big policy incompatibilities" between the two parties, she said a "government of change" was needed in Ireland to address the country's most pressing issues.

"The question is this: will Fianna Fail sign up for that type of change? The type of change that people voted for? Can Fianna Fail be part of that change? That is a big question." Martin has previously said he would not join forces with Sinn Fein, which is also the second-largest party in the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.

Sinn Fein's flagship policy is a reunited Ireland and it wants to call a referendum on sovereignty within five years, potentially creating another constitutional headache for Britain.

London is already under pressure from Scottish nationalists, who want a new referendum on independence.

McDonald has said she could become Ireland's first female taoiseach, or prime minister, and might even try to govern without the support of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail if she secures the support of the smaller parties.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government may impose anti-dumping duty on the imports of black toner powder, used printers and photocopiers, from China, Malaysia and Taiwan 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 'Black Toner in powder form' from these three countries following a complaint filed by Indian Toners and Developers Ltd and Pure Toners and Developers.

Toner is used in laser printers, photocopiers, digital multifunction devices to form the printed text and images on the paper.

DGTR in a notification has said that on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the companies 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.)
China is threatening the sovereignty of small Pacific Islands and undermining the regions stability, a top U.S. military commander said.

Admiral Philip Davidson - commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command - said in a speech in Sydney the U.S. "was all in" to counter China in the Pacific, citing its "excessive territorial claims, debt trap diplomacy, violations of international agreements, theft of international property, military intimidation and outright corruption."



"The Communist Party of China seeks to control the flow of trade, finance, communications, politics and the way of life in the Indo-Pacific," Reuters cited Davidson as saying.



The Chinese embassy in Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has in the past rejected accusations of aggressive behavior and of luring small economies into debt traps.

China has been more active in the resource-rich Pacific in recent years, seeking to extend influence with aid and encouraging countries away from diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

U.S.-China relations improved in January with the signing of a trade deal that defused an 18-month row that has hit global growth but strains remain.
Former adviser to President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse after being found guilty of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election, in Washington on Nov. 15, 2019. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Roger Stone Jury Forewomans Anti-Trump Posts Surface After She Issues Defense of Prosecutors

The foreperson of the jury that convicted former Donald Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone showed clear animus against Trump in a slew of social media posts that surfaced after she identified herself as the foreperson while issuing a defense of government prosecutors who withdrew from the case this week.

Tomeka Hart said on Feb. 12 that she led the jury that convicted Stone on seven counts of witness tampering, obstruction of a congressional investigation, and lying to Congress in 2019. Hart said she wanted to speak out following four prosecutors withdrawal from the case after the Department of Justice issued revised sentencing recommendations to federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson.

I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravisthe prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial, Hart wrote on Facebook. She said she was pained to see the Department of Justice interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors, who acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice.

The prosecutors who have now resigned did a masterful job of laying out every element of every charge, backed with ample evidence, Hart wrote. As foreperson, I made sure we went through every element, or every charge, matching the evidence presented in the case that led us to return a conviction of guilty on all 7 counts.

Hart said she initially kept silent for her own safety and decided to remain silent out of fear of politicizing the matter.

But I cant keep quiet any longer, she added.

Quick question for the #KlanPresident and the 64% of Republicans who agree with his remarks and behavior over https://t.co/HSObN7kZbL  Tomeka Hart (@hartformemphis) August 19, 2017

After Hart identified herself as the head juror, people began reviewing her social media posts.

The posts show animus against Trump, including showing Harts belief in the theory that Trump and his campaign colluded with Russian actors to win the 2016 election. Special counsel Robert Muellers team couldnt establish any conspiracy or cooperation between Trump or his campaign and Russia.

In one Twitter post in 2017, Hart shared a quote calling Trump the #KlanPresident, apparently referencing the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan group. The quote was from filmmaker Ava DuVernay.

In another Twitter post that year, Hart wrote that she marched with others past Trumps hotel in Washington. Marched by 45s hoteland the crowd went booooo!!! Then yelled shame, shame, shame as we walked by!

In a Twitter post in 2018, Hart praised an official of UnidosUS, formerly the National Council of La Raza, for firing us up and calling us to act against the oppressive, racist agenda of 45s admin. And she said that Trump supporters were racist for co-signing and defending a racist and his racist rhetoric.

In January 2019, Hart shared a Twitter post from CNN analyst Bakari Sellers that was about Roger Stone. Stone has yall talking about reviewing use of force guidelines, Sellers wrote after FBI agents conducted a pre-dawn raid on Stones house that was captured by CNN cameras. Sellers listed a number of people who hadnt prompted talk about the guidelines. But Roger Stone!!! Think about that, he wrote.

That same month, Hart shared an NPR article that included information about Stones indictment.

On Nov. 15, 2019, the day Hart and fellow jurors voted to convict Stone, Hart posted a tweet containing four emojis: two hearts and two fist-pumps. A Facebook post she linked to in the tweet was deleted.

The social media posts were originally unearthed by independent journalist Mike Cernovich.

Harts Facebook account is private but her Twitter account isnt.

Hart was a former member of the Memphis schools board. She also ran for Congress in 2012 as a Democrat. She lost to incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.).

Harts tweets came to light the same day that Jackson, the judge who will sentence Stone on Feb. 20, unsealed an order she gave last week denying a request from Stone for a new trial.

Stone argued that a juror served on the jury despite being biased against him. Jackson said Stone failed to establish inherent bias.

The case has received widespread attention in recent days, sparked by the four prosecutors Hart defended asking Jackson to sentence Stone to seven to nine years in prison. The Department of Justice filed a revised sentencing memorandum the next day, arguing that the recommendation could be considered excessive and unwarranted.

Department leaders still want Stone to serve jail time but the sentence should be far less than the original recommendation, the filing stated. The four prosecutors then withdrew from the case, with one resigning from the department altogether.
Catherine Oshotse, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, Nigeria, has the internet to thank for her growing business. Selling hair extensions and womens handbags online to customers across Africa and abroad has grown her client base from 10 in 2015 to more than 1,000 currently. Of these, 70% are in Africa and 20% in the United Kingdom and the United States.

You just go to my website and click on the item you want to buy. I receive an email that somebody has placed an order, then I deliver the package. Very easy! Ms. Oshotse tells Africa Renewal in an interview.

Online shopping for goods and services is booming in Africa and its changing the very nature of many start-ups, especially among young entrepreneurs.

With the emergence of online technologies, Africa is joining the burgeoning world of digital economies. Estimates suggest about 264 e-commerce start-ups are operational across the continent, active in at least 23 countries. Theres significant potential to create new jobs  as many as 3 million by 2025. These jobs will be directly in online marketplaces, supporting services and spin-off economic activity.

Benefits will include opening markets to otherwise isolated rural communities and servicing Africas fast-growing consumer class. Young entrepreneurs are taking a keen interest in e-commerce because it entails reasonable start-up funding, offers revenue-generating prospects, and has an open door to all, in ways traditional workplaces may not. African e-commerce can be a force for sustainable development.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that Africa had at least 21 million online shoppers in 2017, 50% of which were in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. Although this is only a small portion of the African population which is over a billion, the number has been increasing by 18% annually since 2014, which is 6% higher than the world average.

Challenges and the opportunity in continental trade

Despite the growing popularity of e-commerce in Africa, the industry faces obstacles.

The E-commerce Index 2018 by UNCTAD which measures an economys preparedness to support online shopping covers 151 world economies, including 44 African countries. Mauritius was ranked 55th, the highest among African countries. Nigeria and South Africa ranked 75 and 77 respectively. Nine of the last ten countries in the ranking are African.

Challenges include slow and expensive internet connectivity, inadequate infrastructure and weak delivery logistics. Consumer protections are weak or non-existent, affecting trust between the seller and the buyer.

While mobile payment is growing, cash-on-delivery remains popular in Africa, making cross-border e-commerce difficult. Also, policies are often not adapted to complex payment supply chains, meaning Africas merchants have fewer options to connect their local e-payments systems with services used by global customers.

Policy-makers also need to work to improve local and global payment system interoperability. This would help bolster Africas position as a global leader in mobile payments.

The new Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a gamechanger. Set to start trading in 2020, the AfCFTA aims to create the worlds largest trading bloc, with a market of 1.27 billion consumers, expected to reach 1.7 billion by 2030. Bridging the digital divide and creating an enabling environment would help entrepreneurs like Catherine Oshotse grow their clientele even further and offers vast opportunities for innovation.

The role e-commerce can play in realizing the AfCFTA is also critical. E-commerce has the potential to lift intra-African trade from the current rate of 18% and to boost Africas share of global trade, currently estimated at less than 3%, said Ajay Kumar Bramdeo, the African Unions ambassador to the UN in Geneva, during e-Commerce week in Geneva in 2019.

https://www.un.org/africarenewal/
Lucknow, Feb 13 : A man, who attempted to immolate himself on Thursday outside the Vidhan Sabha in the state capital, has accused Padma Shri awardee and mountaineer Arunima Sinha and her husband Gaurav Singh of plotting to eliminate him.

The man, Om Prakash, claimed that Arunima Sinha who is his wife's sister, had planned a murderous attack on him.

Om Prakash, who tried to set himself on fire outside the Vidhan Sabha, was saved by the policemen on duty. He has been admitted to the Civil hospital with 30 per cent burn injuries.

He told reporters that he had lodged a complaint with the Sarojini Nagar police but no action was taken. He later lodged his complaint on the Chief Minister's portal after which the police filed a final report in the matter with a back date.

He said that Arunima Sinha had taken over an event management company in which he had 50 per cent share.

Om Prakash's wife, who is Arunima's sister, supported her husband's claim. She said that her husband had been attacked twice.

Sportswoman Arunima Sinha is a mountain climber and is the world's first female amputee to scale the Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Mount Kosciusko (Australia), Mount Aconcagua (South America), Carstensz Pyramid (Indonesia) and Mount Vision.

She was pushed from a running train by some robbers in 2011 and her left leg had to be amputated below the knee.
 Number of deaths in mainland China now reported at 1,380

 44 new cases aboard cruise ship quarantined in Japan

 Cruise ship shunned over coronavirus finally docks in Cambodia

 Wartime measures declared in two cities in Hubei province

 Coronavirus set to knock oil demand growth, as markets fall

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and updates on the coronavirus outbreak

COVID-19 deaths in mainland China now 1,380, a drop from earlier report

Chinas national health commission says that there have been 1,380 deaths due to COVID-19, the new name for disease caused by the novel coronavirus, as of Friday morning. The number represents a decrease in deaths previously reported in Hubei province, which is at the center of the outbreak.

China's national health commission said it deducted 108 deaths from Hubei "due to repeated statistics."

There are more than 63,800 confirmed cases in mainland China, according to the latest numbers from China's national health commission.

Officials in Hubei province have changed the way they are diagnosing and reporting cases. They are now identifying cases based on what the patients' lungs look like on CT scans, rather than waiting for lab results to confirm infection with the virus.

A large increase in cases from Hubei reported Thursday morning local time "largely comes down to a change in how cases are being diagnosed and reported," Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's health emergencies program, said.

"This does not suggest a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak outside China," Ryan said. The vast majority of the confirmed cases, and nearly all of the deaths, have been in mainland China.  Phil Helsel and Leou Chen

COVID-19 case diagnosed in evacuated patient in Texas, 15th in U.S.

The first case of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in Texas, bringing the U.S. total to 15.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the patient is one of the passengers who was evacuated from Wuhan, China and flown to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio on Feb. 7.

Story continues

All of those passengers, including the person diagnosed with COVID-19, have been under federal quarantine since arriving in the U.S. last week. They will remain on base until Feb. 20, though the patient with COVID-19 could stay longer if still sick.

The patient is hospitalized in a special isolation room and was a solo traveler from Wuhan, health officials said. Paul Hancock, chief medical officer for Methodist Healthcare, said the person tested positive on Wednesday and "is stable with mild symptoms."

"There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan," the CDC said in a statement.

More than 600 people who were evacuated from Wuhan on flights chartered by the Department of State remain under a mandatory 14-day quarantine at several military bases.  Erika Edwards

A large jump in number of confirmed cases in China

China's Hubei province, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, reported a stark rise in the number of new cases Thursday, dashing hopes that the epidemic may have been slowing down.

Health officials in Hubei reported 14,840 new cases, most of them in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province where the virus is believed to have originated.

The province also said another 242 people had died from the coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the total there to 1,310. Tuesday's death toll in the province was 1,068.

This took the total number of deaths in mainland China to 1,367, an increase on the 1,113 figure reported Wednesday.

Across mainland China, there were 15,152 new confirmed infections Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 59,805, a significant jump that's sure to raise concerns about the true scale of the epidemic in China.  Yuliya Talmazan

44 new cases aboard cruise ship quarantined in Japan

Forty-four more people have been confirmed to have novel coronavirus from a quarantined cruise ship in Japan, bringing the total number to 219, Japans health ministry said Thursday local time.

The toll includes one quarantine officer who tested positive Wednesday.

The Diamond Princess is being quarantined off Yokohama, and testing began after a man who was on the ship last month later tested positive for the coronavirus.

The nationalities of the 44 newly diagnosed people were not immediately identified, but the overall cases from the cruise ship include at least 32 Americans.

Of all the people from the cruise ship who have tested positive for the coronavirus so far, five are considered to be in serious condition, Japan's health minister, Katsunobu Kato, said. Arata Yamamoto

Cruise ship shunned over coronavirus finally docks in Cambodia

A cruise ship which had spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard may have the coronavirus arrived in Cambodia on Thursday.

The MS Westerdam, which has 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board, arrived at an anchoring point in the Cambodian port town of Sihanoukville early Thursday morning, according to data published by the Marine Traffic website.

Although no one on board has fallen ill, the ship had been turned away by Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines and Thailand over fears that someone on the ship could have coronavirus.

Most passengers will be able to disembark and begin their journey home via chartered flights from Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, starting Thursday.  Reuters

Wartime measures declared in two cities in Hubei province

Wartime control measures will be implemented in the cities of Shiyan and Xiaogan in Hubei province on Thursday.

The measures, which include the closure of all buildings, will last for at least 14 days.

This is the first time Chinese authorities have announced such control measures publicly since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Those who defy the measures will be detained, local authorities said.  Leou Chen and Dawn Liu

China replaces top official in Wuhan

Jiang Chaoliang, the secretary of the provincial Communist Party committee of Hubei province, has been removed from his position, according to Chinese state media Thursday. He will be replaced by Ying Yong, the former mayor of Shanghai.

Jiang's departure follows the firing of two other senior officials in Hubei. In Hong Kong, the head of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Zhang Xiaoming has also been replaced.

The public has widely criticized local officials for their handling of the outbreak.  Eric Baculinao and the Associated Press

Hong Kong schools to remain closed until mid-March amid virus fears

Hong Kong's education secretary said Thursday schools will stay closed until at least March 16 in an effort to prevent the spread the deadly virus.

Secretary of Education Kelvin Yeung said in a news conference that further assessment is needed to determine when schools will reopen.

Hong Kong has shut all but two of its land and sea border points to mainland China and on Saturday, began enforcing a 14-day quarantine on arrivals from the mainland to try to prevent the spread of the virus. Associated Press

Coronavirus set to knock oil demand growth, as markets fall

Oil demand this year will see the slowest rate of growth since the 2009 financial crisis, as the coronavirus outbreak hits Chinese consumption and its impact spreads across the international economy.

The consequences of COVID-19 for global oil demand will be significant, the International Energy Agency said in a monthly statement Thursday.

More generally, transport shutdowns and a halt in industry in China are expected to hit exports and the broader global economy.

The sharp rise in the headline number of deaths and infections unnerved world markets, according to Reuters, as traders have halted a recent rally in stocks and retreated back to the safety of government bonds and gold.  Reuters

740 South Korean soldiers quarantined

South Korea quarantined 740 soldiers Thursday as a precautionary measure relating to coronavirus fears, according to the South Korea Defense Ministry.

We have 740 soldiers, who have visited China or were in contact with confirmed patients of COVID-19 under the self-imposed quarantine. But, so far, no South Korean soldiers has been infected by the COVID-19, a defense ministry official told NBC News.  Stella Kim

Vietnam quarantines rural community of 10,000

Vietnam has quarantined a community of 10,000 people near the capital, Hanoi, for 20 days because of fears the COVID-19 could spread, two local officials told Reuters on Thursday.

The rural commune of Son Loi, in the northern Vietnamese province of Vinh Phuc  27 miles from Hanoi  is home to 11 of the 16 coronavirus cases in the Southeast Asian country, including a three-month-old.  Reuters
'Support PSF' status enables Syncordis to provide locally hosted SaaS services, and strengthens its position as a Temenos Global Services Partner

Syncordis PSF S.A., a leading Temenos banking software specialist and a subsidiary of Larsen Toubro Infotech Ltd. (LTI) has been granted 'Support Professional of the Financial Sector' (Support PSF, Art 29-3 OSIP) license by Luxembourg Ministry of Finance. A Professional of the Financial Sector ("PSF") is an entity that is authorized to perform financial sector activities as a regular occupation, in accordance with article 13 of the law. The license strengthens Syncordis' position as a Temenos Global Services Partner and is valid for an unlimited duration.

The PSF status serves as a guarantee for clients as every PSF Support company must comply with regulatory requirements, be financially stable, and implement a highest level of quality in terms of organization, infrastructure, security and internal controls.

Stephane Fisch, Managing Director and Head of Managed Services, Syncordis PSF S.A. said, "We have provided onsite production services since 2008, but the growing demand for outsourced production support services and SaaS solutions for Temenos clients called for this strategic move. Syncordis PSF will provide end-to-end managed services to its clients with the highest standards of security, governance, processes and tools. Obtaining the "Support PSF" license marks a major milestone for Syncordis and will give us a competitive edge to add unprecedented value to digital transformation journeys of our clients."

Sudhir Chaturvedi, President Executive Board Member, LTI said, "I congratulate Syncordis on this remarkable accomplishment. Syncordis PSF now has full rights to operate primary information systems in the banking sector and can take full responsibility to operate financial institutions' production environment. This setup enables Syncordis' clients to fully focus on their core business without worrying about technology and enjoy multiple additional benefits such as locally hosted SaaS solutions, increased transparency and security as well as appropriate management of direct and indirect risks."

Luxembourgian companies that apply for a PSF license must undergo a lengthy application process with the CSSF. Syncordis started the process in 2018 and submitted 1.500 pages worth of documents over the course of the past two years to comply with and meet all CSSF requirements. Licensed companies are audited yearly and must report to the CSSF on a monthly basis. For more information, go to: http://www.cssf.lu/en/supervision/pfs/support-pfs/

About Syncordis

Syncordis, a Luxembourg based subsidiary of LTI, delivers high-quality end-to-end implementation and system integration projects with an exclusive focus on Temenos banking software such as Temenos Infinity, Temenos Transact, Temenos Fund Administration, Temenos Infinity Wealth and Temenos DataSource. Syncordis is also the first PSF company that is fully dedicated to Temenos services with capabilities to support all Temenos software suites. With 12 offices across the globe, 500+ experts and complementary services like SaaS and production support, Syncordis enables its international clients to master their digital transformation. This makes Syncordis one of the one-stop service partners for Temenos clients worldwide. For more information please visit www.syncordisconsulting.com

About LTI

LTI (NSE: LTI) is a global technology consulting and digital solutions Company helping more than 420 clients succeed in a converging world. With operations in 32 countries, we go the extra mile for our clients and accelerate their digital transformation with LTI's Mosaic platform enabling their mobile, social, analytics, IoT and cloud journeys. Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Larsen Toubro Limited, our unique heritage gives us unrivaled real-world expertise to solve the most complex challenges of enterprises across all industries. Each day, our team of more than 30,000 LTItes enable our clients to improve the effectiveness of their business and technology operations and deliver value to their customers, employees and shareholders. Read more at www.Lntinfotech.com or follow us at @LTI_Global.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005427/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact for Syncordis:

Stephane Fisch

Managing Director and Head of Managed Services

T +352 621 254 420

E sfisch@syncordispsf.com

Clara Bechler

Marketing Communication

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CROWN POINT  A trial for a man charged with stealing about $40,000 from a Disabled American Veterans chapter has been rescheduled for June.

Kent M. Proctor, 69, of Gary, had been set to stand trial starting March 9 on two felony theft counts.

He is accused of stealing the money from the Crown Point chapter of the Disabled American Veterans between 2011 and 2014, while serving as its commander.

Proctor's attorney, Susan Severtson, said she is preparing for a trial in an unrelated case and requested that Proctor's trial be continued.

Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Jacob Brandewie did not object to the delay, but asked Lake Criminal Court Judge Pro Tempore Michael Pagano to immediately set a new trial date.

Proctor's trial is now set to begin the week of June 8. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for May 7.

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Damascus will continue to fight terrorist groups throughout the country even despite threats coming from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attack Syrian government troops, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"After the Syrian army defeated terrorist organizations, which he [Erdogan] supports, arms and trains, head of the Turkish regime comes up with empty statements that can be made only by a person who is disconnected from reality", the ministry said on Facebook, adding that Syria intends to fulfill its national duty to combat terrorist groups throughout the country.

The statement also says that the Turkish military presence on the Syrian soil is illegal.

Earlier in the day, Erdogan threatened to attack Syrian government troops even outside the Idlib de-escalation zone if they conduct offensive operations.

This statement was made after the Turkish Defence Ministry reported on Monday that five Turkish troops had been killed and five others injured as a result of shelling at the observation point in Idlib by the Syrian army. The Turkish army then retaliated, attacking dozens of Syrian targets and claiming large casualties among Syrian troops.

Erdogan said last week that he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to pressure Syrian President Bashar Assad into withdrawing troops from the borders of the de-escalation zone and preventing attacks on Turkish forces in the region.

Idlib is one of four de-escalation zones created in Syria by Russia, Iran and Turkey during talks in May 2017. The province is one of the remaining militant strongholds in the country, as pockets of the region are controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
This is an opinion column.

Brilliant.

It truthfully is.

The author of said brilliance is Dwight Richardson III. Hes the newest attorney representing Aaron Cody Smith, the former Montgomery police officer whom a Dale County jury found guilty of manslaughter last November in the death of 58-year-old Gregory Gunn.

In the wee hours of February 25, 2016, Smith, who is white, chased, tased and beat Gunn, who is black, in a west Montgomery neighborhood. He didnt get away with iteven after being granted the blessing of a change of venue from predominantly black Montgomery to predominantly white Dale County 85 miles away. [Smith initially faced murder charges, though, but was convicted of the lesser offense.]

Attorney Mickey McDermott argued for the venue change, and ultimately persuaded the Alabama Supreme Court that racial undertones by [Montgomery] citizens and public officials hampered his clients right to a fair trial.

Translation: White jurors are less likely to find my client guilty.

Thankfully, the good citizens of Dale County acted otherwise, dutifully exploring and pondering the evidence and voting to send Smith up the river, for up to 20 years on the manslaughter conviction.

Retired Judge Philip McLauchlin presided over the trial and meted out a 14-year sentence.

Now comes Richardson, arguing Smith should not serve his time in one of our prisons because of unconstitutional conditions.

Brilliant. Because he just might be right.

Last April, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division all but held its nose while delivering the results of a two-plus year study of our Godawful prisons.

Our outrageously overcrowded (occupancy is 170%, says DOJ), deadly dangerous (violence has increased dramatically in the five years, the report revealed), contraband-stacked-to-the-ceilings, Gov. Ivey-didnt-care-until-called-out-by-feds prisons.

The violations are severe, systemic, and exacerbated, the exhaustive report reads, by serious deficiencies in staffing and supervision; overcrowding; ineffective housing and classification protocols; inadequate incident reporting; inability to control the flow of contraband into and within the prisons, including illegal drugs and weapons; ineffective prison management and training; insufficient maintenance and cleaning of facilities; the use of segregation and solitary confinement to both punish and protect victims of violence and/or sexual abuse; and a high level of violence that is too common, cruel, of an unusual nature, and pervasive.

In short, the DOJ said it just might even have reasonable cause to believe our prisons violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the federal government from inflicting cruel and unusual punishments on incarcerated citizens.

Reasonable cause. Thats all Richardson III apparently needed to plead for privileged treatment for his client.

On Sunday, Richardson filed a motion in Circuit Court asking that Smith serve a split term of no more than three yearswhich would allow his new client to serve time in Dale County Jail (where Smith has been held since his conviction and remains while appealing).

The motion also notes that because Smith was a police officer his safety is even more in jeopardy than the average citizen/inmate of Alabamas Department of Corrections.

Brilliant.

Yet this change of venue, as it were, should never happen. Smith should serve his time, like the other 21,000, plus-or-minus, Alabamians serving theirs  in our prison cesspool.

If he is granted the right to, essentially, choose his prison (like picking out an AirBnB on a contraband laptop), then we might as well do this: Let everybody out.

Let out all of the men and women serving time in our rotting prisons. Or let them pick the relative oasis accommodations they wantfor whatever reason. From proximity to their family to a lower bunk. Doesnt matter.

The DOJ says our prisons have the highest homicide rate in the nation. That certainly jibes with Richardsons argument that prison would subject Smith to heightened safety concerns.

Brilliant again.

More heightened, though, than the highest homicide rate in the nation?

Translation: Every incarcerated man and woman in the state risks heightened safety concerns.

So just let em all out then. Which will not happen, of course. And should not.

Nor should Smiths motion for, in essence, the privilege to serve his time in less dangerous (I presume) digs.

Sometimes, brilliant isnt very smart.

A voice for whats right and wrong in Birmingham, Alabama (and beyond), Roys column appears in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as in the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register. Reach him at rjohnson@al.com and follow him at twitter.com/roysj
DENVER  Sen. Bernie Sanders robust start in the race for the presidential nomination is triggering alarm among congressional Democrats, with many warning that a ticket headed by the self-declared socialist could be devastating to the partys chances of winning the Senate and holding the House in November.

In anxious huddles around the Capitol, apprehensive Democrats are sharing their worries that Sanders socialist label and unyielding embrace of controversial proposals like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal will repel voters in the affluent, moderate districts that flipped House control in 2018 and in closely divided states where Republican senators are vulnerable.

The Vermont independent narrowly won New Hampshire Tuesday on the heels of a strong showing in Iowa and is widely seen as a front-runner, along with former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Im a proud capitalist, said freshman Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, in pointed contrast with Sanders. McAdams, who is supporting former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and whose Salt Lake City district will be among the toughest for Democrats to defend, said having a liberal like Sanders atop his partys ticket would probably give me more opportunities to show my independence from the party.

Another freshman from a competitive district, Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., said Democrats need a presidential nominee who doesnt scare all those future former Republicans more than Trump scares them. And while acknowledging that Republicans plan to tar all Democrats with the socialist label, Theres one candidate for whom that would not be a lie.

Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who backs the candidacy of former Vice President Joe Biden, warned a group of Democratic voters this week in Carson City, Nevada, that with Sanders atop the ticket, youre not going to take back the Senate. Theres not any way, because everybodys going to be tarred with the same brush. We will probably lose seats in the House.

In private conversations, other Democrats are more succinct. One House Democrat said colleagues from swing districts are scared by the prospects of a Sanders nomination, while another said moderates are increasingly concerned that a Sanders candidacy would devastate their prospects for winning the White House and retaining the House. The lawmakers insisted on anonymity to describe private conversations.

Democrats jitters have Republicans rubbing their hands in delight.

Its every Republicans dream come true, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a former leader of the House GOPs campaign committee, said of a possible Sanders nomination.

Republicans face an uphill fight in capturing control of the House, which Democrats lead 232-197, with one independent and five vacancies. The GOP controls the Senate 53-47 and is favored to retain its majority.

Biden supporters are happy to use apprehension about Sanders impact on the partys strength in Congress as a tool for drumming up support.

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., whos endorsed Biden, said if Sanders were nominated, Democrats from moderate districts might actually have to run away from our nominee to get elected. And he added, Its highly unlikely that Bernie Sanders will moderate his views, either.

Congressional Democrats have little to gain by openly disparaging the man who could well be their presidential nominee, and they say theyre uncertain what they could do that would be effective. Any move to derail his candidacy that could be traced back to them would undoubtedly enrage Sanders and his impassioned supporters and risk the fury that split the party in 2016, when some Sanders backers never supported Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

Underscoring a reluctance to speak critically of Sanders, Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., chairwoman of House Democrats campaign arm, sidestepped questions about how his nomination would affect her candidates prospects. We have a long way to go before we know who our nominee is, she said.

Asked how many nervous lawmakers have expressed their worries about Sanders to her, Bustos paused for four seconds before answering, We have discussions about the nominee but, you know, it runs the gamut.

While many Democrats are reluctant to openly express dismay about Sanders, members of the House have spoken with their feet.

According to the website fivethirtyeight.com, Sanders has endorsements from only seven House members, all members of the progressive caucus from safely Democratic districts. Biden, in contrast, has backing from 41 House members, and has made a point of touting support from seven lawmakers from swing districts. Bloomberg, who hopes to poach Bidens position as the moderate alternative to Sanders, has racked up 11 endorsements from House lawmakers, five of whom occupy swing seats.

Progressives argue the fears are overblown. Republicans tried to tie Democrats to socialism and liberal causes like Medicare for All during the 2018 campaign, they note, yet Democrats won a resounding majority in the House. And they argue that nominating Sanders could change the electorate in ways that help the party.

They dont want somebody that sells out, said Sanders backer Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a member of the squad of young liberal freshmen. She added, Please dont talk about only persuading Trumpers and independents to be open to an alternative candidate. How about persuading the Democrats that havent been engaged.

The single most important thing for Democrats to take back the Senate is turnout, said Mike Lux, a liberal strategist who supports Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the presidential race. We have to have a highly energized Democratic base turnout, a lot of young people coming out, voting not just in the presidential race but further down the ballot.

Yet Sanders agenda is far from shared. Several top-tier Democratic Senate recruits, such as former astronaut Mark Kelly in Arizona, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham in North Carolina and former Gov. John Hickenlooper in Colorado, have explicitly distanced themselves from core Sanders positions like Medicare for All.

Hickenlooper, the likely Democratic nominee against Republican Sen. Cory Gardner, targeted Sanders during his own brief bid for the partys presidential nomination last year. At a Democratic debate last summer, Hickenlooper warned that Sanders program would be a disaster at the ballot box.

If you force Americans to make these radical changes, Hickenlooper said, theyre not going to go along.

Gardner, widely considered the most endangered Republican senator, has been openly pining for Sanders to be the nominee. In 2018, Cory said the most dangerous thing to happen in America in the 2016 presidential election was Bernie Sanders normalization of socialism,' Gardner campaign spokesman Jerrod Dobkin said. Two years later, Corys been proven right.

Democrats skeptical of Sanders stressed that the nominating process has just begun.

Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, who is considered the most endangered Democratic Senate incumbent this year, has endorsed Biden, a longtime friend. He said he wouldnt play what-if games about the top of the ticket and how it might affect his chances in deep-red Alabama.

I still think that Biden is going to be the nominee, Jones said. I still think that moderate voice thats out there is going to ultimately carry.

___

Fram reported from Washington.
A top Pakistani court on Thursday suspended corporal punishment by parents, guardians and teachers in Islamabad, the country's capital.

After hearing a petition filed by musician and rights activist Shehzad Roy, the Islamabad High Court suspended till further notice section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which allows corporal punishment, the Dawn reported.

The section will only be suspended in the Islamabad Capital Territory, the report said.

In his arguments, Roy said the section permitted violence and force against children, citing a child's death due to corporal punishment last year in Lahore.

"Punishing children is being considered as essential for improving learning. of torture and punishment of children has been reported everyday in the media," The Express Tribune reported, quoting the petition.

Crimes against children have long been criticised by activists in Pakistan. The alleged torture of a class 7 student in Punjab province's Chishtian district was heavily criticised. In the incident, the teenager suffered serious injuries in his eye.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Senate approved a bipartisan measure Thursday limiting President Donald Trump's authority to launch military operations against Iran.

Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the resolution by a 55-45 vote.

The rebels were Lamar Alexander; Bill Cassidy; Susan Collins; Mike Lee; Jerry Moran; Lisa Murkowski; Rand Paul; and Todd Young.

The measure, authored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., says Trump must win approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.

Kaine and other supporters said the resolution was not about Trump or even the presidency, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.

While Trump and other presidents 'must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there,'' Kaine said. 'An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.''

The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate, nonbinding war powers resolution last month. The House could take up the Senate resolution later this month, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Two-thirds votes in the House and GOP-run Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto.

Vote: The 55-45 decision by the Senate to limit Donald Trump's war powers is - for the moment - symbolic and if it is taken up by the House would be almost certain to be vetoed

Sen. Tim Kaine joined at left by Sen. Mike Lee, one of the Republican defectors, meets with reporters just after the Senate advanced a resolution asserting that President Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran

Sen. Susan Collins (right), a Republican from Maine, is a co-sponsor of the resolution that curbs President Trump's ability to go to war with Iran. She was joined Wednesday at a press conference by Sens. Mike Lee (center), another Republican, and Democrat Tim Kaine (center)

While Sen. Mike Lee (left), a Republican from Utah, agrees with President Trump on foreign policy, he said it was his constitutional duty to reassert Congress' power to declare war

Kaine and other supporters said the resolution was not about Trump or even the presidency, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.

Answering a claim by some of Trump's supporters - and Trump himself - that the measure sends a signal of weakness to Iran and other potential adversaries, Kaine said the opposite was true.

'When we stand up for the rule of law - in a world that hungers for more rule of law - and say 'this decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision,' that's a message of strength,'' Kaine said Wednesday.

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah agreed.

Lee supports Trump's foreign policy - including toward Iran - but said Congress cannot escape its constitutional responsibility to act on matters of war and peace.

'What the American people and the entire world will see from the debate we're about to have in the Senate is that there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran,' Lee said Wednesday. 'And as part of that we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorized is in fact properly authorized by Congress. That doesn't show weakness. That shows strength.'

While Trump and other presidents 'must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there,'' Kaine said. 'An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.''

The principle of congressional approval is established for an important reason, Kaine said. 'If we're to order our young men and women ... to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the people's elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person.'

Not happy: Donald Trump had tweeted at Republican senators that they had to vote against limiting his war powers

Trump disputed that, arguing in two tweets Wednesday that a vote against Kaine's proposal was important to national security and pointed to the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani.

'We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani,' Trump said. 'If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don't let it happen!'

Tehran responded to the U.S. attack on Soleimani by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. The attack caused traumatic brain injuries in at least 64 U.S. soldiers, the Pentagon said.

Democrats and Republicans alike criticized a briefing by the Trump administration shortly after the drone strike, saying U.S. officials offered vague information about a possible attack being planned by Iran but no substantial details.

Kaine has long pushed for action reasserting congressional power to declare war.

At Republicans' request, he removed initial language that targeted Trump in favor of a generalized statement declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war.

The resolution also directs Trump to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress.

Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine and a co-sponsor, called the resolution 'much-needed and long overdue,' adding that over the past decade, 'Congress has too often abdicated its constitutional responsibility on authorizing the sustained use of military force.''

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many other Republicans oppose the resolution, saying it would send the wrong message to U.S. allies.

The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate, nonbinding war powers resolution last month. If the Senate approves the Kaine measure, the House could take up the Senate resolution later this month, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said.

Two-thirds votes in the House and Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto.
Some actors and volunteers from the popular Field of Screams Haunted Attraction wont be returning after expressing their concerns about working at the attraction on social media.

Charlotte Hoover, a makeup artist, told FOX43 she started doing makeup at Field of Screams when she was 13 years old. She recalled spending long hours doing makeup before getting into costume to scare customers.

Hoover pointed out that volunteers can spend up to 12 hours at night at the attraction.

It baffles me, Hoover told FOX43. Were one of the few haunts in the United States that dont pay people, and were in the top 5 in the United States.

The attraction will open on Saturday for Valentines Day.

During another instance, Hoover claimed that management wanted her back at the attraction a day after she had two of her fingers broken by a customer, according to the report.

Several other actors also posted their own stories about the working conditions at Field of Screams. They echoed Hoovers concerns of long hours at the haunt, injuries, and poor working conditions.

The recent concerns and allegations that have been shared by our former volunteers are very alarming and we take all of these very seriously, Field of Screams co-owner Jim Schopf told FOX43, adding that management would be reaching out to staff members to address concerns.

West Hempfield Township Police told FOX43 that complaints from Field of Screams actors and volunteers are being directed to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. Brett Hambright, a spokesman for the Lancaster County DAs Office, encouraged anyone who believes they were a victim of a crime to contact their local police department.

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Stage Stores, which owns Peebles locations across Upstate New York, could be headed for bankruptcy, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The company owns multiple retail store brands including Peebles, Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal and Stage. It has been working to convert its entire fleet of stores to the Gordmans off-price brand, a move it plans to complete this year.

A number of Peebles stores across Upstate New York are in the process of making the switch now, including locations in Oneida, Penn Yan, Geneseo and more. Stage bought Gordmans out of bankruptcy three years ago and began to rebrand its store fleet soon after.

The company has recently been late paying its vendors, the Journal said. It is likely to file for bankruptcy protection and restructure.

Peebles stores in Upstate New York switching to Gordmans off-price brand

The firm planned to close about 40 stores this year. It had been aiming to operate a total of 700 off-price stores by the third quarter of 2020, the Journal said.

A Gordmans storefront.Photo provided by Gordmans

Stage CEO Michael Glazer said in January that the company's holiday season sales failed to meet expectations. The company cut its 2019 earnings guidance as a result, according to the Journal.

The company, based in Houston, Texas, didnt respond to the Journals request for comment. Its shares fell 59 percent on Wednesday after news of the possible bankruptcy emerged, according to the Houston Chronicle.

It's not surprising regional retailers are struggling, said Anthony Campagna, an analyst with Institutional Shareholder Services of Maryland, who covered Stage in the past, according to the Chronicle.

"It's a tough market out there, especially as brick-and-mortar loses traffic to online," he said, according to the Chronicle.

Stage is investing $30 million in the Gordmans conversion. The brand focuses on apparel, home decor and other merchandise. The stores also carry footwear, gifts, accessories and fragrances.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598

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Ukraine, Norway to strengthen energy cooperation  Ministry

17:50, 13.02.20 228

Ukraine will study Norway's experience in energy efficiency and development of electric vehicle infrastructure.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:15:58|Editor: huaxia

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Syrian refugees are seen in a homebound trip from Lebanon to Syria at the Jdaidet Yabous border crossing, west of Damascus, Syria, on Feb. 13, 2020. Dozens of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon on Thursday, the state news agency SANA reported. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon on Thursday, the state news agency SANA reported.

The refugees returned through the Jdaidet Yabous border crossing west of the capital Damascus and the Dabousiyeh crossing in the countryside of the western province of Homs.

The return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon has become a weekly routine as part of the efforts of the Syrian and Lebanese authorities to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.

There is no latest account of the overall number of refugees who have returned home.

More than 950,000 Syrian refugees are registered with the UN Higher Commission of Refugees, while the Lebanese government puts the figure at 1.5 million.
Bengaluru, Feb 13 : Amid the opposition allegations of cover-up attempt over a fatal car accident, which killed a villager in the Ballari district of Karnataka on Monday, allegedly involving Revenue Minister R. Ashoka's son Sharath, the police said here on Thursday that Sharath was not in the vehicle at the time of mishap.

"There is speculation that the Minister's son is involved. This person in question (Sharath) was not there at all," Ballari Superintendent of Police C.K. Baba told IANS.

Two people, a villager Ravi Naik, 19, and Sachin, one of the five occupants of the maroon Mercedes Benz car, died in the accident.

The SP said Rahul, 29, who was driving the car, was injured and is undergoing treatment. "We will arrest him (Rahul) sometime on Friday," he said.

The police officer identified the other three occupants of the car as Rakesh, Shiv Kumar and Varun.

However, three days after the accident, the police failed to give proper identification of the five men travelling in the Mercedes. According to local media reports, the car, registered in the name of National Public School, was returning from Hampi.

During the day, the Karnataka Congress alleged that a huge cover-up attempt was on to protect Ashoka's son. "The police giving clean-chit to him even before any investigation raises eyebrows. Innocent man killed due to reckless driving of the Minister's son should get justice," tweeted the Congress.

It also demanded a thorough investigation in the accident.

Refusing to comment on speculations, the SP said the accident happened during dsaytime and there were eyewitnesses. "The eyewitnesses have seen the people in the car and who was at the wheel," Baba said.
The three Democratic presidential candidates who did the best in early primary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire also happen to be the three whove taken their message to Fox News viewers. Is that a coincidence?

According to a recent Morning Consult survey, it might not be. In Dec. 2019, Morning Consult reported Fox News, with its right-leaning opinion coverage, is the most-watched cable news channel in 299 of Americas 436 districts by a margin of at least 2%. On average, 24% of Democrats throughout the country watch Fox News at least once a week, according to the survey. A look at Iowa and New Hampshire on the provided map showed theyre right on track with that number.

27.2% of independents told Morning Consult they watch Fox News once a week or more. The amount of weekly-or-more independent viewers is 22.7% for CNN and 15.2% for MSNBC.

Also Read: Senator Amy Klobuchar to Follow Bernie Sanders With Fox News Town Hall

Independents watch all three cable news channels at a lower rate than their Republican and Democrat counterparts, but are often a decisive voting bloc, the survey explains. According to the surveys data, Fox News is the most-watched among independents in 306 districts by a two-point margin. Overall, according to Nielsen research, Fox News is outpacing CNN and MSNBC in total viewers, period. Last week, as Iowa caucus results were announce and analyzed and Buttigieg did a Sunday show appearance on the network, Fox News had another record week in a string of record weeks. The network earned its highest-rated week in total viewers since January of 2017, with 2.3 million viewers and 413,000 in the 25-54 demo.

In New Hampshire, where Sanders delivered a victory Tuesday night, voters registered as undeclared including those who re-register that way  are able to vote in either primary. In Iowa, where results from last Monday are still unclear, Buttigieg and Sanders fared well. Caucus-goers can only participate with the party theyre registered to, but can change their registration at their precinct caucus on the day of the event.

Story continues

Representatives for all three campaigns didnt respond to multiple requests for comment from TheWrap, but theyve made their cases for Fox News appearances. Buttigiegs Fox News town hall was in January, and his most recent appearance on the network was this weekend, when he spoke to Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. Sanders was last April while Klobuchars was a month later, in May.

Also Read: Bernie Sanders on Fox News Is Most-Watched Town Hall of 2019

In January, Buttigiegs senior communications advisor Lis Smith tweeted, Just a reminder. @PeteButtigieg went from no-name contender to top-tier candidate, in part, b/c of these town halls. He is the *only* candidate doing a Fox town hall before Iowa, so make sure to tune in tonight at 7 PM ET.

Conversely, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who had a surprisingly bad showing in Iowa and New Hampshire given her previous momentum, publicly refused to do a Fox News town hall last spring. Similarly, the DNC released a statement last March outlining why it would not host any Democratic debates with Fox News. Democratic candidate Andrew Yang has even called on the DNC to reverse that stance, but so far, the committee has not.

The DNC is committed to expanding the electorate and reaching all voters  that is why we make it a priority to talk to a wide range of media, including Fox, where the DNC gives interviews regularly. The decision on not having a Fox debate still stands, a DNC spokesperson told TheWrap Wednesday. Notably, DNC communications director Xochitl Hinojosa was on Fox News Wednesday morning.

One thing is for sure: Even if not all of the Democratic candidates are appearing on Fox News, at least one of the networks viewers is paying very close attention to the ones who do.

So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on @FoxNews. Not surprisingly, @BretBaier and the audience was so smiley and nice. Very strange, and now we have @donnabrazile? Trump said in a tweet last April, when Sanders appeared in his own town hall on Fox News.

Read original story Top 3 Democrats in New Hampshire Primary Were Also the Ones Who Didnt Shun Fox News At TheWrap
A Romanian woman found intimidating and harassing people as she begged in Naas had the Probation Act applied at Naas District Court on February 5.

Crina Vasile, 36, and whose address was given as Old Cement Factory, Dublin Road, Naas, was begging and shaking a cup at people who passed on July 5 last at Main Street, Naas.

Sgt Jim Kelly said people had to move around her to get past and he said a previous fine imposed on the defendant was not paid.

Judge Desmond Zaidan asked: Why does she come all the way from Romania just to beg ?

He said a lot of people come to Ireland to better themselves and there are those who beg out of necessity, while some are linked to crime.

In some places you see up to 20 of them being dropped off with certain instructions and they disperse here and there.

When defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said Ms Vasile lives in an abandoned warehouse, Judge Zaidan said this is going on for 14 years. The excuse is well worn. He said the prevalence of begging is becoming a joke and the issue had been highlighted on Prime Time Investigates on RTE television about who makes a living from so-called begging.

He added: It doesnt add up that people come here to beg; people come here to work. I have sympathy with people who beg for a living.

He noted that the defendant is charged with intimidating and harassing people while begging.

When Irish people go to the United States they work their socks off, they dont beg to support their family in Ireland. It defies common sense that someone would emigrate to beg. This is political correctness gone beyond a joke now, he said.

He added: People have phoned the garda station to complain. Youd want to be a hurler to jump over them when they are on the footpath.

He added that Romania, as an EU member state provides the same rights as any EU country to which the defendant is entitled.

We are becoming a laughing stock. People are coming here to claim social welfare. She has been convicted three times now.

The defendant told the court her husband has diabetes and her sister minds her children in Romania. She added, through an interpreter, that she wants to work but finds it difficult to get one because she is not fluent in English. Hhe said she came to Ireland for a better life and nobody was asking her to beg.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI - Many students in the area woke to up to a snow day on Thursday, Feb. 13.

School districts cited overnight snow that left some roads slippery.

Among those closed are Kalamazoo and Portage schools. Mattawan Consolidated School cited secondary road conditions as well as illness for closing.

Others include school districts in Comstock, Galesburg-Augusta, Gull Lake, Paw Paw and Schoolcraft.

To the north, Muskegon Public Schools closed because of illnesses. Grand Rapids Adventist Academy is also closed.

For a list of closings, go here.

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Daniel Hutchinson

From The Hutch

I guess it will all end when they run out of guns or gangsters.

It doesnt pay to be too flippant about such things.

But when gang wars start in peaceful suburbs and violence erupts in rural idylls, the police start roaming the streets with guns and the air beats with the blades of law enforcement choppers, normally peaceful people start having dark thoughts.

We hope for a Darwinian solution of sorts. Not the survival of the fittest kind, where the most violent and aggressive win but the extinction of the dodo kind.

Gang warfare sounds like a winner-takes-all battle of the brave but its more like an unpopularity contest.

First prize is general disdain and a trip to maximum security.

So-called organised crime isnt going to last long when you draw this much attention to yourself and extreme violence is not at all how I would run a start-up gangster business.

To begin with, these kind of tactics are bound to bring the Commerce Commission down on you like a tonne of bricks.

And you really dont want that.

Its far better to be positive about your business rather than negative towards your competitor and this really is a basic rule when it comes to being the new guy on the block.

Do users want to buy drugs off the violent criminals or the friendly ones?

Its a no-brainer really.

And anyway, there are far easier ways to extract money from people than selling drugs.

Bayfair underpass

The Tauranga City Council announced this week it will put $2 million towards a new underpass at Bayfair.

This is not a contribution towards constructing the underpass you understand. It is a contribution towards the cost of looking at the possibility of putting an underpass in. The New Zealand Transport Agency will make up the difference, whatever that may be.

Details are a little sketchy on this and not available to you and me because the meeting was held in private, in December last year. This could be fantastic value for money but who would know? Its not our money anymore, it would seem. Im not sure why a central Government department and our local government representatives need to meet in secret to discuss how to spend public funds but thats the way it goes these days.

Mum and Dad, constantly forking out wads of cash, no questions asked.

However, the point is that you would have to sell a shed-load of drugs to make that sort of money. So the gangs should really be looking to move in on the whole transport consultation racket.

Thats where the serious money is. This is not white collar crime, its one of those fancy-two-tone-shirts-that-really-professional-professionals-wear sort of crime.

Imagine how many Harley-Davidsons that consultant has who came up with the new $58 million roundabout where State Highway 29 meets State Highway 1? The cost of public works is a very hard one for the average person to fathom.

It needs a ruthless and evil mind.

Money in the hole

A much better solution to both problems would be to simply pour $2 million cash directly into the existing underpass.

Throwing money down a hole is something we do well.

This will undoubtedly be too tempting for the criminal underbelly and they will pour in faster than Genghis Khan spread the bubonic plague.

With an additional budget of $4.5 million for nine diggers to fill in the hole simultaneously, we could trap them all in there and build an overbridge instead. Pure evil genius.

More police powers

The Police Minister Stuart Nash has rushed to reassure Bay of Plenty residents that they are safe, despite the latest series of violent incidents.

They can take reassurance from the presence of armed police in the area over the next few days, while they deal with the issue.

Now, I dont envy the police in all of this. Theyre doing a great job and we would be stuffed without them, but I dont get any reassurance when I see police armed with big rifles.

I just feel uneasy.

In other countries, this is normal but in New Zealand, we dont want that kind of normal. When police are carrying guns, it means the unpopular guys are carrying guns too.

There is no point in being naive about the whole thing. The reality is, this is a new type of gang activity and the sooner it is dealt with the better.

Daniel@thesun.co.nz
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Alexei Botyan, a veteran of Soviet intelligence hailed for saving the Polish city of Krakow from being blown up by the Nazis during the Second World War, has died aged 103.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Mr Botyan as a legendary intelligence officer and a true patriot in a telegram of condolences.

Mr Botyan died in Moscow on Thursday, just three days after his 103rd birthday.

Born in 1917, Mr Botyan grew up in Poland and took part in fighting with the Nazis as a Polish army soldier at the start of the Second World War.

He then moved to the Soviet Union and was trained as an intelligence operative.

When the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union, Mr Botyan was sent behind enemy lines to join Soviet guerrilla groups in Ukraine and Belarus.

In 1944, when the Red Army pushed the Nazis back beyond the Soviet border, Mr Botyan was dispatched to Poland.

In January 1945, Mr Botyan oversaw an operation to destroy a depot of explosives that the Nazis planned to use to blow up Krakow.

The operation was later featured in a popular Soviet spy novel and a film.

After the war, Mr Botyan continued to work as an intelligence officer until he retired from the KGB in 1989.

In recent years, he gave numerous interviews to Russian television and other media to describe his Krakow action.

In 2007, Mr Putin awarded Mr Botyan Russias highest honour, the Hero of Russia.
OTTAWA - Canada will aim $6.5 million at research on stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus, after co-ordinating with researchers around the world on tackling the outbreak.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA - Canada will aim $6.5 million at research on stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus, after co-ordinating with researchers around the world on tackling the outbreak.

Representatives of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) are returning from two days of talks with the international research community at a World Health Organization forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

There, more than 300 scientists and researchers mapped out a plan to answer the questions that linger about the virus that has killed more than 1,000 people, and agreed on a set of research priorities.

Chinese researchers participated remotely, and their message was that research should be focused on keeping people alive.

"That's a good lens, because this is a rapid emergency response," said Charu Kaushic, scientific director of CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity, from her hotel room in Geneva. Kaushic is also a professor at McMaster University in Hamilton.

That could mean developing medical therapies or a vaccine in the long term. China, where the virus was first detected and where most of its victims live, is already testing dozens of potential drug treatments.

In the meantime though, researchers will be tailoring their studies to focus on infection prevention, quarantine protocols, personal protection measures, and other ways to keep the virus at bay. The WHO aims to study not only possible vaccines and therapies, but also the effectiveness of the public-health response and the social impact the disease has inflicted on the world.

The novel coronavirus has so far infected more than 45,000 people.

CIHR and several other Canadian research bodies have pulled together $6.5 million to hand out as research grants for science on the outbreak, and expect more money to be forthcoming as they continue negotiations with the federal government.

The group put out a call for research proposals Monday, and Kaushic said she will spend the next 24 hours refining applications so they align with the World Health Organization's priorities.

The institute has suggested researchers look at everything from medical interventions to the spread of fear and discrimination caused by the virus.

The applications for the Canadian funding will be evaluated as quickly as possible, with the hope that researchers will be able to get to work before the end of the month.

An unusual requirement will be placed on the winning grant recipients: they'll be expected to attend meetings with other global researchers to continue the co-ordinated approach to fighting the virus.

"This outbreak is a test of solidarity  political, financial and scientific," said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement Wednesday.

"We need to come together to fight a common enemy that does not respect borders, ensure that we have the resources necessary to bring this outbreak to an end and bring our best science to the forefront to find shared answers to shared problems."

The international community will come together again in several months to see if there are any research gaps.

While the vast majority of confirmed Covid-19 cases are in China, the research community agreed the world must be prepared for the outbreak to overflow the country's borders.

"We don't know how this is going to play out, which is why we can't stop at this point," Kaushic said. "We have to continue with the worst-case scenario."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has advised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the need to relocate its subsidiaries to the state.

The subsidiaries are Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to the state.

The House also wants ExxonMobil, one of the worlds largest publicly traded international oil and gas companies, to relocate its operational base to the state.

This was sequel to resolution reached from a motion brought before the House by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, at plenary on Thursday.

Mr Ekpenyong, in his submission, informed the House that the relocation of the head offices of DPR and NAPIMS would have the ripple effect of forcing ExxonMobil to also relocate its headquarters to Akwa Ibom.

He said the state contributed about 33 per cent of Nigerias daily volume of oil production and was by far the highest oil producing state in Nigeria.

The legislator said with the adverse environmental impacts caused by crude oil exploration, ExxonMobil should have its operational base in the state to enhance development and promote economic growth.

Whereas as the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected, Akwa Ibom State have given the highest volume of oil and revenue to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

So, we expect the federal government to relocate the head offices of two NNPC subsidiaries, namely; Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to Akwa Ibom State, Mr Ekpenyong said.

The Speaker, Aniekan Bassey, said the refusal of DPR and NAPIMS to relocate to the state was a deliberate attempt aimed at depriving Akwa Ibom people of their rights and privileges.

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Mr Bassey commended Mr Ekpenyong for sponsoring the motion which he described as timely.

The speaker directed that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom for action.

Also at Plenary, the House received a motion on, Urgent Need to Curb Extortion of Electricity Consumers in Akwa Ibom State, sponsored by the member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Victor Ekwere.

The speaker referred the motion to the Committee on Rural Development and Public Utilities to interface with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and report back to the House within two weeks.

The House adjourned plenary to reconvene Tuesday February 18.

(NAN)
Universities have been accused of abuse of power after scores admitted using non-disclosure agreements to silence students.

A staggering 45 institutions admitted using the gagging agreements to stop complainants speaking out about issues from poor teaching and misleading advertising to harassment and sexual assault.

The secrecy clauses were often used in conjunction with payments of between 250 and 40,000, the BBCs The Next Episode podcast also found.

Payments from universities which admitted using NDAs totalled around 1.3million over the past four years.

Reacting to the figures, Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said: This is an abuse of power. It is staggering that some universities have used [NDAs] against students

Critics say non-disclosure agreements can be wrongly used to suppress allegations of discreditable behaviour, and are intimidatory.

Reacting to the figures, Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said: This is an abuse of power. It is staggering that some universities have used [NDAs] against students.

According to the BBC, female student victims of sexual assault were among those asked to sign NDAs.

One student who was allegedly raped said she felt forced to sign the document, which threatened her with expulsion if she revealed what had happened.

Another student, who claims she was assaulted, said a staff member at the University of West London thanked her for not pursuing a complaint.

She said she signed an NDA and took 1,000 compensation but was left feeling retraumatised.

Nicola Dandridge, pictured in 2012, of watchdog the Office for Students, said: It is wrong if universities prioritise reputation over dealing with complaints fairly

Nicola Dandridge, of watchdog the Office for Students, said: It is wrong if universities prioritise reputation over dealing with complaints fairly.

Universities UK said: Universities should not be using NDAs to prevent open conversations about harassment.

The University of West London said: The University would never threaten a student with expulsion in such circumstances... nor would we pay a student or thank them for not pursuing a criminal offence.
Reuters

EU antitrust regulators plan to open an enquiry into the tech industry, according to a European Commission document seen by Reuters, a sign of more regulatory troubles ahead for Google, Facebook, Amazon and other online groups.

The document also said competition enforcers were considering regulating the behaviour of dominant companies as a preventive measure, a move that would address concerns that regulatory actions sometimes come too late to repair the harm suffered by smaller rivals.

The proposed enquiry comes on top of other legislation planned this year aimed at reining in the powers of dominant companies and helping European companies to compete more effectively with them as well as with Chinese rivals.

The document said the enquiry would focus on "new and emerging markets that are shaping our economy and society".

The Commission's competition arm has over the last two decades opened enquiries into sectors ranging from e-commerce to pharmaceuticals, financial services and energy, which subsequently resulted in investigations into individual companies and hefty fines.

The document said a tougher line was needed to deal with certain platforms that act as large private gatekeepers and rule-setters to markets and information because competition rules alone were not sufficient.

"Additional ex ante regulatory responses may be needed to ensure contestability and protect the interests of smaller players," the document said.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who has taken a tough line against Google, Apple and other dominant tech companies, is due to present the paper next month.
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan consecrates its first lesbian bishop

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The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan has consecrated its first openly lesbian bishop, in a move that the liberal mainline regional body is confident will not lead to further large-scale departures from the denomination.

The Rev. Bonnie A. Perry was consecrated as the eleventh bishop of the diocese at a ceremony held Saturday at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.

Perry had been elected bishop in June of last year on the fifth ballot of the Special Electing Convention held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit. She got the votes of 64 clergy and 118 laity, which surpassed the minimum requirement of 55 clergy and 94 laity, according to Anna Stania, director of Communications for the diocese.

Stania also told The Christian Post that Perry did not experience any opposition to her candidacy because of her sexual orientation or that she is married to someone of the same-sex.

We have experienced an overwhelming outpouring of joy, grace and excitement since her election and consecration, explained Stania.

We have been an open and affirming diocese for many years. Bishop Perry brings many incredible talents and abilities to our diocese, including her talent for growing congregations and serving and engaging deeply within communities. These talents are something that all of our congregations are eager to utilize and to learn from.

In 2003, The Episcopal Church garnered controversy when it consecrated the Rev. Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop in the denominations history.

Robinsons consecration as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire led to large numbers of Episcopalians leaving the denomination in protest.

Jeff Walton, Anglican program director with the theologically conservative Institute on Religion & Democracy, told CP that for many years after Robinson, few openly gay bishops had been elected.

Following the much publicized election and consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson in 2003, the only openly partnered gay clergy elected was Mary Glasspool as a Bishop Suffragan for the Diocese of Los Angeles in 2009, said Walton.

The consecration of Thomas James Brown as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine in 2019 was the first partnered gay clergy consecrated as a bishop in about a decade.

Walton also explained to CP that over the past 20 years, the Michigan Diocese has seen a significant exodus of members.

In general, Episcopal dioceses in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions have shed a larger percentage of their parishioners than the Episcopal Church as a whole, he explained.

Perrys election is one more item among many that push theological conservatives out of the church.
BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- After an impressive equity market rebound in 2019 (the MSCI World Index rose by 24%, for example), investors are cautious and have low expectations for total shareholder return (TSR) over the next three years, according to Boston Consulting Group's eleventh annual survey of investor sentiment. Record-high valuation levels and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty have led many investors to conclude that the current bull market is running on borrowed time. Even so, most investors do not anticipate a major market correction or deep recession. They want companies to continue investing for competitive advantage and future growth while also developing a recession plan to ensure resilience.

The results of the global survey of more than 250 portfolio managers and buy- and sell-side analysts, conducted in November and December 2019, are discussed in a new BCG article, Investors Want Companies to Be Resilient and Bold.

"The survey data, along with the opinions of investors BCG has recently interviewed, indicate that investors want management to have a dual focusbuilding resilience to prepare for the anticipated short-term headwinds and investing to create long-term value," said Jeff Kotzen, a BCG senior partner.

Investor sentiment regarding short-term performance was, on average, largely unchanged from a year earlier:

Nearly one-third of respondents are bearish or extremely bearish about equity markets' likely performance over the next three years, while just over one-third are bullish or extremely bullish.

Respondents' expectation for average annual TSR over the next three years was 5.6%. This effectively matches the level reported in BCG's previous three surveysthe lowest levels recorded since the firm began tracking TSR expectations in 2010.

73% of respondents believe that markets are overvalued. Among self-described bears in the 2019 survey, 78% cited market overvaluation as the reason for their pessimism.

71% of respondents anticipate a recession within the next two years. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) expect a recessionif it does occurto be mild (with a contraction of less than 2% in real GDP), and nearly half (46%) expect a recession to last more than one year.

Against this backdrop, investors want companies to invest in opportunities that have the potential to deliver strong and sustainable TSR, despite potential near-term headwinds. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that one of their top preferences for a healthy company's deployment of capital and free cash flow is organic investment. Respondents said that 50% of companies need to invest more aggressively in digital capabilities and technology. They also believe that approximately 40% of companies should be more aggressive in pursuing investments in R&D, marketing and sales capabilities, and other avenues for innovation, such as corporate venture capital. In contrast to their views in prior surveys, investors appear to see tight cost control and capital management as table stakes, with only one-third of respondents citing room for improvement on capital allocation processes.

"Investors see durable organic growth as the most important driver of top-quartile TSR over the next three years," said Alexander Roos, a BCG senior partner. "One way that companies could meet investors' expectations is to approach value creation with the disruptive mindset that many tech companies and startups use. Such companies focus on creating value through innovative and disruptive digital and go-to-market capabilities."

Investors pointed to a number of specific improvement opportunities that companies must address. For example, respondents said that 62% of companies can better align their sustainability and business strategies. Companies also need to close the communications gap between management and investors: only 55% of respondents indicated that they actively engage with the management of the companies they invest in or follow, and only 57% said that they are comfortable with directly expressing their frustrations to management.

"A company needs a deep understanding of its investors' expectations and preferences so that it can align its strategy with the right 'natural investor type' for example, those focusing on yield, quality value, growth at a reasonable price (GARP), or aggressive growth," said Hady Farag, a BCG partner. "A broad-based approach includes not only traditional investor relations, but also newer topics that are rapidly gaining in importance, such as sustainability and diversity."

A copy of the article can be downloaded here.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or [email protected].

About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we help clients with total transformationinspiring complex change, enabling organizations to grow, building competitive advantage, and driving bottom-line impact.

To succeed, organizations must blend digital and human capabilities. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives to spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting along with technology and design, corporate and digital venturesand business purpose. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, generating results that allow our clients to thrive.

SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Pregnant woman and baby among 30 killed, burned to death by Boko Haram

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Boko Haram militants are suspected to have burned and killed no less than 30 people and abducted others Sunday night as the extremist faction continues to terrorize northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

A spokesperson for Borno Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum told CNN that at least 30 people, including a pregnant woman and her baby, are now dead after suspected Boko Haram militants set sleeping travelers on fire in the Auno village of the Borno state.

The travelers were camping out in the village for the night as they missed a 5 p.m. curfew in the state capital of Maiduguri, about 10 miles away.

Sources reported to Vanguard that while most counts say that at least 30 have died, the death toll could be as high as 40. That would include the death of six militants.

According to the state government, militants burned 18 vehicles. Some of the destroyed vehicles included trucks loaded up with food to be taken to the markets the following day.

State government spokesman Ahmad Abdurrahman Bundi told AFP that militants stormed Auno village with trucks and mounted weapons. The militants killed, looted and burned.

Village resident Shehu Tanko told CNN that the bodies of the pregnant woman and her baby were among the corpses recovered.

"They burn everywhere. The fire was still on till this morning, Tanko explained. We are still looking for many people around here."

A source told Vanguard that the pregnant woman was likely raped before she was burned to death and that the babys head was crushed.

Boko Haram is an Islamic militant insurgency responsible for killing tens of thousands and displacing millions in the last decade-plus.

The terrorist group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2016 but soon splintered after Islamic State leadership tried to replace Boko Harams leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Although the Nigerian government claims to have defeated Boko Haram militarily, Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State West Africa Province continue to carry out attacks in Borno.

We have to be brutal in telling the truth. I am pushed to the wall to say the truth. Since I was inaugurated as governor of Borno State, Boko Haram has attacked Auno six times, Zulum said in a statement, according to Vanguard. Another thing is that the military has been withdrawn from Auno town. I am not undermining the capacity of the military but we have made repeated appeals for the military to establish their unit in Auno.

Gov. Zulum recently gave a guest lecture at the National Defence College in Abuja in which he detailed the challenges of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Borno state. Zulum alleged that the insurgency is responsible for making 59,311 orphans and 59,213 widows.

Boko Haram over the years has abducted hundreds of school girls. The group has also abducted pastors and others in attempts to raise funds through ransom payments.

Last month, Boko Haram executed Rev. Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigerias chapter in the Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Andimi was kidnapped in early January and was seen in a ransom video praising God before his death.

Also in January, the Islamic State released a propaganda video purporting to show the killing of a Nigerian Christian university student by a child soldier. In December, the Islamic State faction claimed to have killed 11 Christian aid workers in Nigeria in retaliation for the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

In a statement Monday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari declared that the Nigerian government is combating frontally the dreadful activities of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State.

Buhari and his administration have faced international scrutiny over their inability to thwart extremist attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP and radical Fulani herdsmen in the countrys Middle Belt.

Last December, the U.S. State Department listed Nigeria for the first time on its special watch list for countries that engage or tolerate severe religious freedom violations. Nigeria was placed on the list because of the lack of effective government response to increasing violence.
Seven young shepherds from across the UK will travel to the European Ovinpiades Young Shepherd Competition in Paris next weekend.

The competitors will be required to demonstrate sheep husbandry and industry knowledge.

These will take place in the form of quizzes and practical tests, including use of electronic identification (EID), sheep movements and finished lamb assessments.

The seven finalists are representing the UK after having qualified at the National Sheep Association's (NSA) regional Next Generation Shepherd competitions over the last year.

Representing England in the European competition will be Sarah Dunn, 22 from Gloucestershire and Samuel Hewett, 23 from Kent.

The Scottish competitors heading to France are Farquahar Renwick, 23 from Inverbroom in the Scottish Highlands and William Gray, 23 from Ayrshire.

From Wales, Tomos Glyn Davies, 19 from Denbighshire and Daniel Llyr Williams, 17 from Anglesey will compete having qualified at NSA Welsh Sheep last year.

And finally travelling from Northern Ireland will be Matthew Robinson,19, from Ballycarry in County Antrim who qualified at NSA Sheep Northern Ireland in July 2019.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, said: All at NSA wish our enthusiastic and talented young shepherds the very best of luck in Paris.

The NSA Next Generation programme is all about encouraging individuals such as these, and we are proud of the opportunity NSA Next Generation Shepherds Competitions offer at a regional, national, European and international level.

France will once again host the European final as part of the Ovinpiades Young Shepherds Competition, which it runs for agricultural students aged 16 to 24 each February at the Paris International Agricultural Show.
DAMASCUS, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Syrian Parliament has unanimously adopted a resolution on recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, Syria-based journalist Sarkis Kassargian told ARMENPRESS.

The resolution has been introduced by the Syria-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Commission.

Secretary of the Syrian Parliament Rami Saleh had noted that although the parliament had previously paid homage to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims, this resolution was necessary to be adopted.

Syrian Ambassador to Armenia Mohammad Haj Ibrahim attached importance to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, noting that the successors of those who committed the genocide are committing the same crime today against the Syrian people through terrorists.

Recognition is important, because only Lebanon from Arab countries has recognized the Armenian Genocide so far, he had said.

Chair of the Syrian Parliaments Arab and Foreign Affairs Committee Boutros Morjana emphasized that the Armenian Genocide is a historical fact, which was followed by the massacres of Assyrians and Arameans at the northern borders of Syria.

It is time to recognize and condemn these inhumane actions and prevent their repetition, especially that many countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
One of the last bulwarks of global crude demand, India has been in the thick of national NOCs attention  Saudi Arabia will from now on participate in Indias Strategic Reserves and has signed up to build a greenfield 1.2mbpd refinery in the state of Maharashtra, the UAE-based ADNOC has joined Saudi Aramco in its refinery project and is seeking further investment opportunities. Ever since Rosneft bought the 400kbpd Vadinar Refinery (now known as Nayara) from Essar Oil in 2017, Russia has been present on the Indian downstream market  this acquisition turned out to be one of the crucial elements of President Maduros survival in Venezuela, as Nayara was the top outlet for PDVSA crude. Three years on, Russia wants a bigger share.

At first sight, India is the ideal place for large-scale downstream investment. Domestic production, currently at around 850kbpd, makes up for a mere 17 percent of the nations consumption and has been gradually declining after peaking at 937kbpd in 2011. Whatever upstream breakthroughs India is counting upon in the Mumbai Basin and other maturing basins, be it from enhanced oil recovery at offshore fields or new discoveries, oil production is unlikely to see a reversal (unlike gas). This evidently bothers Indian authorities to the extent that it has set itself a task to reduce oil import dependence by 10 percent by 2022, yet the opposite is happening  Indias crude import dependence has reached an unprecedented 85 percent by the end of 2019.

Source: Thomson Reuters.

Thus, any major crude producer with a political background strong enough to back up a commercial proposition would dream of locking up parts of the Indian market  its internal market is massive and demand for oil keeps on growing. Compared to traditional suppliers Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Russia is a relative newcomer to the Indian market  it might be even argued that the two nations political rapprochement has actually preceded any substantial energy links. Moreover, most of deliveries in 2015 and 2016 which were technically listed as Russian were in fact Kazakhstani-origin CPC  ESPO was too light and consequently too expensive, Urals too distant for the Indian refiner. Related: How Much Further Can Libyas Oil Production Fall?

Amidst this relative dearth of past successes comes the recent announcement from the Russian NOC Rosneft that it concluded a term supply agreement with Indias state-owned refiner IOC. Rosneft will provide 40kbpd worth of Urals throughout 2020  equivalent to 2 million tons per year or roughly 15 Suezmaxes. The deal was signed with a lot of government support as Indias Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Phadran was there to sign it, along with Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin. This contract, universally perceived as Indias initiative to decrease its dependence on barrels passing through the Hormuz Strait, will most probably lead to further developments in the Russia-India energy relationship.

Indias overture towards Russian oil is first and foremost a risk mitigation strategy against any disruption in the Hormuz Strait. India receives a whopping 60 percent of its total crude needs from the Middle East  should any sort of conflagration envelop the region, leading to the closure of the Strait, India would be missing some 2.7mbpd of crude. Two Middle Eastern crude producers stand out  in 2019 India took in 0.846mbpd of crude from Saudi Arabia, lagging only behind the top supplier Iraq, at 1.032mbpd. Hence, one should expect Russian and US exports to the India to be on the increase in 2020-2021, for reasons that eclipse merely financial considerations whilst New Delhi continues to walk the fine line of maintaining a foreign policy equidistant from Russia and the United States.

However, Rosnefts interest in India will materialize in new forthcoming investments, making the first IOC deal the harbinger of things to come. As a matter of fact, it is not only IOC that has been looking into the possibility of concluding a supply agreement with Russian NOCs  both Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum expressed their interest. In the case of the latter it is especially pertinent as Rosneft seems intent to bid for the states stake in BPCL (52.98 percent of the refiner)  news which made BPCL shares rally 13 percent in just three days last week. Rosneft still holds the record on the largest-ever foreign investment in India, with the aggregate cost of buying Essar Oil at $12.9 billion. Interestingly enough, Rosnefts first step to purchase Essar in 2017 was also made by means of a term supply contract, further backed up by a top-level expression of interest. Related: North Dakotas Crude Oil Production Could Peak Within 5 Years

Source: Indias Petroleum Ministry, Thomson Reuters, authors data.

Rosnefts motivation is fairly understandable  already endowed with downstream and retail capacities around the country, it could consolidate its India assets and grow even bigger. Were the Russian NOC to buy BPCL, its retail network would reach almost 25 percent of Indias total. India already is a massive market (despite the state of stagnation it has faced in the past year or so) and with India becoming the worlds youngest nation (average age of 29 years) still holds a lot of promise. In contrast, the Indian government wants tangible results in the short term  Modis cabinet has set the target of raising $14.5 billion from privatizing company stakes owned by the state. With April 2020, the start of the new financial year, coming soon and still only less than a quarter of the supposed privatization income available, President Modi really needs a bold story to sell.

Rosneft will have to vie with Middle Eastern national oil companies if it wants to get Bharat Petroleum as Saudi Aramco and ADNOC expressed their interest, too. Initially the Indian government wanted Western oil majors, too, to come onboard, however Total expressed its lack of interest in Indian downstream, BP remains hesitant whether the juice is worth the squeeze and American firms seem to prioritize large-scale investments at home. Given Rosnefts deep ties to the Russian state, the Russian NOC can offer an upstream quid-pro-quo  offering India a larger share in Arctic Oil, its newest project for which it seeks huge tax breaks. Seems a fair price to pay for BPCLs three refineries with an aggregate refining capacity for 35.3 million tons per year.

By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
by Melynda Fuller , February 13, 2020

Sacramento-based newspaper publisher McClatchy announced it has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy today, providing immediate protection to the company as it undergoes restructuring.

Through the bankruptcy filing, McClatchy reported it will further de-lever its capital structure and focus on its digital transformation.

The companys 30 local newsrooms will continue to operate as normal and it will continue to fulfill ongoing commitments to stakeholders through regular operating cash flows and an additional $50 million debtor-in-possession financing from Encina Business Credit.

McClatchys Plan provides a resolution to legacy debt and pension obligations while maximizing outcomes for customers and other stakeholders, stated Craig Forman, president-CEO at McClatchy.

When local media suffers in the face of industry challenges, communities suffer: Polarization grows, civic connections fray and borrowing costs rise for local governments. We are moving with speed and focus to benefit all our stakeholders and our communities.

advertisement advertisement

The company hopes to complete this process over the coming months.

In January, McClatchy put a portion of its pensions on hold, including nonqualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits, after revealing it owned $124 million in pension contributions in 2020. That amount exceeded anticipated cash balances and flow.

McClatchy will use its bankruptcy status to work with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and, through the Bankruptcy Courts authority, seek to terminate its qualified pension plan, appointing PBGC as the plans trustee.

Going forward, PBGC would continue to pay pension plan participants their benefits. McClatchy will pay PBGC $3.3 million each year for 10 years and 3% of equity ownership of the company to settle its liabilities.

PBGC has requested a larger stream of cash payments and a larger percentage of equity ownership in the company. The parties continue to negotiate.

McClatchys qualified pension plan assets sit at an estimated $1.393 billion and include approximately $580 million of voluntary contributions made by McClatchy.

McClatchy has also alerted the NYSE American of its filing and expects to begin the process of removal from the exchange, as it will likely emerge a private company. McClatchy NYSE status was put on notice in September 2019.

With the news of its bankruptcy filing, McClatchy also announced it expects its Q4 2019 revenues to fall 14%, to $183.9 million, from the Q4 2018 and full-year revenues to drop 12.1% from 2018 to 709.5 million.

The company has reduced its operating expenses by 23.3% or $186.9 million over the past three years, as it worked to stabilize cash flow. During that period, McClatchy paid off approximately $153.5 million in debt.

As it looks toward its digital future, the company reports more than 200,000 digital-only subscribers and continues to grow digital-only subscriptions 50% year-over-year. Digital advertising revenues currently account for 40% of its total advertising revenues.

Forman stated: In this important moment for independent local journalism in the public interest, a reorganized capital structure will enable McClatchy to continue to pursue our strategy of digital transformation and continue to produce strong local journalism essential to the communities we serve.
WASHINGTON  House Democrats on Thursday moved to enshrine the decades-old Equal Rights Amendment into the Constitution, reviving a long-simmering cultural debate over whether the nations founding charter should guarantee equal rights to all citizens regardless of sex.

But the vote, to extend a deadline for ratification that expired in 1982, was largely symbolic. Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, has said he is not a supporter of the measure  known as the E.RA.  and is highly unlikely to take it up in the Senate.

And the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a longtime supporter of the E.R.A. who spent her early years as a lawyer fighting for its passage, may have delivered a death knell to the effort this week, when she urged supporters to set aside their long-running campaign for ratification and start over.

I would like to see a new beginning, Justice Ginsburg said during an event at the Georgetown University Law Center on Monday. Id like it to start over. Theres too much controversy about latecomers.
The Press Conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council is held on February 12. [china.com.cn]

BEIJING, February 12 (Xinhua)  China will take measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in colleges and universities, an education official said Wednesday.

Wang Dengfeng, a senior official with the Ministry of Education, said at a press conference that the ministry had required postponement of school semesters amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Colleges and universities will reopen on a staggered schedule to avoid travel peaks of students, he said, adding that all schools must carry out disinfections after reopening.

Students coming from areas hard hit by the coronavirus epidemic, and those with close contacts of confirmed cases or those having symptoms such as fever and cough, might need to be put in quarantine. Other students will need to have their health conditions checked on a daily basis, according to Wang.

Students from Hubei Province, where the epicenter city of Wuhan is located, will not be able to leave for schools outside the province until they meet local requirement, he said.

(Source: Xinhua)
A century ago, Jamia Millia Islamia was founded as an act of resistance against the British occupation of India. As part of his Non-Cooperation Movement, Mahatma Gandhi had called for the boycott of all educational institutions supported or run by the colonial regime.

In attempting to write the history of Jamia Millia Islamia, two things emerge: First, the institutions history cannot be viewed in isolation from that of a pre-Independence India; and second, little documentation of the universitys early days is now available to us.

A century ago, Jamia was founded as an act of resistance against the British occupation of India. As part of his Non-Cooperation Movement, Mahatma Gandhi had called for the boycott of all educational institutions supported or run by the colonial regime; among these was the Aligarh Muslim University, which received government funding.

On 12 October 1920, Gandhi visited AMU, calling for a boycott of the British-funded education system. Responding to his call, a group of young teachers and students came forward to form the National Muslim University, later known as the Jamia Millia Islamia. Jamias first batch of students  young men  were ready to compromise their futures for the sake of being enrolled at a university deliberately formed to challenge oppressors.

Why was wresting control of the Indian educational system from the British such a fundamental tenet of the Non-Cooperation Movement? Students [under the British system] were not taught to be independent, or to learn skills that would benefit them, notes Sabiha Anjum Zaidi, director of Jamias Premchand Archives, which attempts to restore, recreate and archive all documents and artifacts pertaining to the universitys history. Subservience and obedience were drilled into students under this regime, such that they wouldnt dare to question British authority.

But Jamia owed its formation to more than just the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Khilafat Movement, which unified Muslim voices in India against British oppression also played a vital role. Two of Jamias founders  Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Hakim Ajmal Khan  were also the main leaders of the Khilafat Movement. They were later elected as the universitys first vice-chancellor and chancellor, respectively. All five of Jamias founders, including Zakir Hussain (the youngest of the co-founders), were nationalist freedom fighters.

Jamias inauguration was a simple ceremony, conducted in a mosque in AMU. There was no music, no foundation stone, no ribbon cutting to announce the inauguration. There are no photographs. All that remains from the ceremony is oral history, and some written records in books such as Jamia Ki Kahani by Abdul Ghaffar Mudholi, one of the teachers who left AMU to form Jamia.

The inauguration was among the last significant events that Jamia founder Maulana Mahmud Ul Hasan  popularly known as Sheikh-ul-Hind Hasan and among the best known  was present at. He died a month later. Sabiha Anjum Zaidi says there is not much documentation of the khutba (inaugural address)  delivered by Hasans favourite disciple, Maulana Shabbir Usmani  available, adding, Hasan was ailing and weak, having spent time in exile, and was leaning on a pillar as he heard the address. We tried to recreate it through paintings, and after 2-3 attempts the students came up with one that closely resembled the event. (The first draft, Zaidi recounts with a laugh, was factually incorrect as the students painted young men and women in modern attire, like jeans. She regrets not saving a copy of that first attempt.)

Only some rare photographs and Urdu newspaper clippings remain, documenting Jamias foundation. The Premchand Archives has collected photographs, the gown Hakim Ajmal Khan wore to the universitys first-ever convocation, the handspun khadi worn by the Jamia founders, as well as the chairs and tables they used.

Jamia Millia Islamia was originally established at Aligarh in the United Provinces, was shifted to Karol Bagh in Delhi in 1925, and finally moved to its current location at Jamia Nagar. Some of the institutes buildings which were still at Karol Bagh were damaged during the communal riots post-Partition in 1947. Those associated with the university estimated the damage amounted to Rs 7 lakh at the time  a major setback for Jamia. Beginning as a project to destabilise the British hold over India, Jamia became a Central University in 1988, by an act of the Indian Parliament.

Historian Laurence Gautier, who authored the paper A Laboratory for a Composite India? Jamia Millia Islamia around the Time of Partition, wrote about the founders aspirations to make the university a laboratory-like space for political as well as educational experiments, and also about the role of Muslims in the freedom struggle of India.

Jamia definitely emerged out of the anti-colonial struggle. But after the 1920s, the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements had both collapsed, Jamia still retained the values of both the movements. People like Zakir Hussain (who was Jamias vice-chancellor for a period of 22 years, from 1926-48, going on to become the third President of India in 1967) reinvented the way the university functioned, Gautier said.

Politician and advocate Salman Khurshid is Hussains grandson. Khurshid says, For him [Hussain], the university was a sacred spacetoo sacred to be defiled by the [recent] police brutality against students. Khurshid is referring to the December 2019 violence visited on the Jamia campus by the Delhi Police, amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The BJP is not the first government to react to protests with police violence. But in these particular protests, there is a determined attempt by the government to stifle it, Khurshid notes, adding that in an ideal scenario, students  while displaying remarkable zeal in the case of the anti-CAA movement  shouldnt have to protest. But there is a huge sense of distress created by the current government. They are just not comfortable with dissent and they consider students as soft targets. They have also refused to keep any channels of communication open.

Looking at the protests by the Jamia students now, it is easy to draw a link with the anti-establishment spirit in which Jamia was founded.

Neyaz Farooquee, author of An Ordinary Man's Guide to Radicalism, about growing up Muslim in India, talks extensively of the history of his alma mater, Jamia, in his book. "The ongoing anti-CAA protests in Jamia have an important role in giving a vocabulary to young Indian Muslims  values of constitutionalism, rights, and equality  while resisting the state's repression and injustice," Farooquee says.

"They [students] will increasingly articulate the Indian Muslim's voice in times to come," he adds. "In the fight for a just India, their voice will remain significant. And it must be highlighted that they are not seeking exclusivity, they are in fact demanding inclusivity  unapologetically. We are not realising it now, but Indian democracy in future will be indebted to them."

Looking at the spirit of the protesters today, founder Zakir Hussains words seem particularly resonant: "The movement of Jamia Millia Islamia is a struggle for education and cultural renaissance. It will prepare a blueprint for Indian Muslims which may focus on Islam but simultaneously evolve a national culture for common Indian. It will lay the foundation of the thinking that true religious education will promote patriotism and national integration among Indian Muslims, who will be proud to take part in the future progress of India."

Jamia Millia Islamia undeniably played a significant role in the building of India's past, but as the anti-CAA stir makes evident, it has an equally important role to play in India's future.

References:

Sabiha A Zaidi's 'History in Stone' published in the special edition magazine marking the 98th foundation day of Jamia Millia Islamia in 2018

Neyaz Farooquee's 'An Ordinary Man's Guide to Radicalism'

Laurence Gautier's 'A Laboratory for a Composite India? Jamia Millia Islamia around the time of Partition', published by Cambridge University Press, 2019
The other shoe has dropped after Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) disappointing holiday season. Comparable-store sales fell by 0.2% during November and December which caused the company to revise its fiscal 2019 earnings guidance to the lower end of its previously announced guidance of $4.75 to $4.95.

Now, the chain has decided to lay off 250 employees including a layer of regional management, USA Today reported. The moves are part of a broader attempt by Kohl's to simplify its management structure.

These are corporate cuts

No stores will be closing and no store-level employees will be impacted. The cuts impact corporate employees split between the company's Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin headquarters as well as other regional management offices.

"The departures include removing a layer of regional store leadership roles and positions, restructuring teams in our merchant organization and changes to other positions in our corporate offices," Kohls' Senior Vice President of Communications Jen Johnson said in a statement.

It's a tweak, not a disaster

Investors should take note that Kohl's will still meet its 2019 guidance. The holiday numbers were disappointing but they weren't disastrous. A slight drop in same-store sales does not equal a need for a complete reboot. Instead, Kohl's needs to continue to tweak its merchandise and business model.

"We continue to see momentum in key areas including our digital business, active, beauty and children's, and solid performance in footwear and men's. This was offset by softness in women's, which we are working with speed to address," said CEO Michelle Gass in a press release.

These layoffs are part of addressing areas of weakness. They are unfortunate for those impacted, but not a cause to doubt the company's long-term prospects.
A new study of criminal sentencing practices shows that people arrested during protests are twice as likely to face prison time when compared to those charged with the same crime in non-protest circumstances.

The study, which was conducted by the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, looked at 12,000 assault convictions in Russia from 2016 to 2019 and compared them to the 57 assault convictions given to protesters who participated in citywide protests in Moscow in July and August of 2019.

The researchers found that protesters charged with assault were twice as likely to face prison time when compared to those convicted of assault in non-protest settings.

A study of more than 12,000 assault cases in Russia found that people arrested at protests were twice as likely to be sentenced to jail time as those arrested for the same crime in non-protest settings

80 percent of protesters ended up with prison sentences compared to just 40 percent of non-protesters convicted of the same assault charge.

Protesters were also given longer sentences, with an average of 10 months in prison compared to just seven months for non-protest assault cases, according to a report in The Moscow Times.

According to Russian legal experts the differences in sentencing terms and duration were motivated by the governments desire to deter political protest.

Any expression of opinion is interpreted as grounds for greater public danger, lawyer Svetlana Sidorkina said.

The courts approach sentencing with the interpretation that political prisoners are a source of increased danger to society.

Protesters were also likely to be given longer prison sentences than people arrested for the same crime in non-protest settings, with an average sentences of 10 months compared to seven months

The 2019 Moscow protests ultimately resulted in nearly 3,000 total prison sentences and thousands more temporary police detentions.

One protester, Kirill Zhukov, was charged with assault after he lifted the visor of a police officers helmet.

Prosecutor's threatened him with up to 10 years in prison, and he was later convicted and sentenced to three years prison.

Another protester, 17 year-old Olga Misik, was detained by the National Guard after she sat down in the street and read the Russian constitution aloud.

At the local police station, her mother was fined the equivalent of $160 for allowing her daughter to take part in the protests, and Misik was warned against joining future protests.

They told me that my future was ruined, that I wouldn't get to any university or go anywhere with a case against me, and that everything is great in our country, she said.

Legal experts claim the difference in sentencing length and severity is the result of the government trying to intimidate the general public and keep them from participating in future protests

And they asked me why I was so negative about the police.

The protests originally began in support of a group of independent political candidates who said theyd been unfairly prevented from taking part in a local election.

Groups as large as 40,000 gathered at different locations around the city over the course of nearly three weeks to support the politicians.
Police have determined a man who reported someone shooting his car while driving on Interstate 72 toward Quincy actually fired the shots himself.

Illinois State Police from Pittsfield and Adams County sheriffs deputies were called to I-72 in Adams County about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and met with a man who said he had been shot by someone riding an all-terrain vehicle in a field along the interstate.
The Senate has raised alarm over the infiltration of national parks by criminal syndicates plying the trade of banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling which has resulted in the killing of Rangers and commuters.

Consequently, the upper chamber on Thursday called for the mainstreaming of the National Park Service into the National Security architecture in line with the resolution of the 12th National Council on Environment.

It also urged relevant security agencies in the country to be involved in park protection and surveillance, as well as training in fire arms and ballistics, surveillance and intelligence information gathering for park rangers.

These were resolutions reached sequel to the consideration of a motion on the need to mainstream the National Parks Service into the Nigeria security architecture, sponsored by Senator Suleiman Umar (APC  Kwara North).

According to Umar, Nigeria has seven National Parks in Nigeria covering 20,156km, which is about 3% of Nigerias total area, and serve to protect the countrys diverse flora and fauna by ensuring that the natural ecosystem remains intact.

The lawmaker warned that, these National parks are becoming safe haven for criminal elements within the society, who often use parks as hideout. They come out to attack and return back there for safety.

He lamented that, the National Park Service has no sufficient resources, personnel and training to cope with the current security challenges the nations is facing.

Umar added that, what is at the disposal of park rangers are obsolete and low caliber firearms and ammunitions such as Double Barrel Short Gun (DBSG), Pump Action, and Dane guns.

According to him, parks are now home to organized crime (banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling) with resultant killing of Rangers and Commuters by Poachers/Herdsmen.

Signed:

Ezrel Tabiowo

Special Assistant (Press)

to President of the Senate

Thursday, February 13, 2020
[February 13, 2020] Glenn Gerstell to Share Perspective on What the Digital Revolution Holds in Store for Business at CSA Federal Summit 2020

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world's leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, announced that Glenn Gerstell, Senior Adviser for the Center for Strategic & International Studies (Washington, DC) and former National Security Agency (News - Alert) (NSA) General Counsel, will headline its upcoming Federal Summit (May 12, Washington, DC). Gerstell will share his unique insight and perspective gleaned from his career working in key national security roles in his address "Coming Up Next: More Regulation ... Why the Digital Revolution (News - Alert) Will Trigger More Duties on Private Businesses," and offer attendees a look at how the Digital Revolution will impact the future of corporate America. Glenn S. Gerstell served as the general counsel of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Security Service (CSS (News - Alert)) from 2015 to 2020, and has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology and national security and privacy. Prior to joining the NSA, he practiced law for almost 40 years at the international law firm of Milbank, LLP, where he focused on the global telecommunications industry and served as the managing partner of the firm's Washington, D.C., Singapore, and Hong Kong offices. Gerstell has served on the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which reports to the president and he secretary of homeland security on security threats to the nation's infrastructure, as well as on the District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission. A graduate of New York University and Columbia University School of Law, he is an elected member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier in his career, he was an adjunct law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center and New York Law School. He is a recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the NSA Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.



The CSA Federal Summit is an informative, one-day summit offering attendees a world-class program of speakers and panelists with perspectives on the Federal cloud-computing strategy, civilian and defense agency cloud security standards, and real-world implementation experience with state-of-the-art cloud security architectures. It is expected to draw over 200 information security professionals from civilian and defense agencies, as well as innovators in cloud security who will share case studies, lessons learned and new technologies that promote secure implementation of cloud computing to support agency missions. The event will take place on May 12 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Ave., Washington, DC). The event is FREE for government employees (with valid form of government ID) and $50 for students (please bring Student ID as proof). Early bird rates of $150 for non-government employees will be available through March 13, after which rates will rise to $175.

Learn more or register here. Members of the media and analyst community interested in attending the event should contact Kari Walker for more information, to receive press credentials and to schedule interviews with CSA leadership and conference speakers. About Cloud Security Alliance The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is the world's leading organization dedicated to defining and raising awareness of best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. CSA harnesses the subject matter expertise of industry practitioners, associations, governments, and its corporate and individual members to offer cloud security-specific research, education, training, certification, events, and products. CSA's activities, knowledge, and extensive network benefit the entire community impacted by cloud - from providers and customers to governments, entrepreneurs, and the assurance industry - and provide a forum through which different parties can work together to create and maintain a trusted cloud ecosystem. For further information, visit us at www.cloudsecurityalliance.org, and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @cloudsa. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005795/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI probe monitored by it into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-woman Gargi College here last week.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde asked lawyer M L Sharma, who mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing, to move the Delhi High Court with his plea.

"Why don't you go to the Delhi HC. If they dismiss the petition then you come here," the bench, also comprising justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, said.

The apex court said it would like to have advantage of Delhi HC's view on this matter.

Sharma expressed apprehension that electronic evidence related to the case might be destroyed.

On this, the top court said, "Delhi High Court can also pass order like the Telangana High Court in the police encounter case to preserve electronic evidence".

Sharma had sought a direction to the probe agency to seize all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus.

He had also sought arrest of the people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy".

On February 6, a group of men broke into Gargi College during the 'Riverie' fest and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees, who claimed that security officials just kept watching when the incident took place.

The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their unpleasant experiences during the fest and alleged that security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.

The petitioner alleged that it was a planned political and criminal conspiracy hatched in the backdrop of the Delhi elections and since February 6, no action has been taken against the accused.

Polls is Delhi were held on February 8 and the result was declared on February 11.

"The state government took no action. It is a clear criminal conspiracy hatched by the political party to deploy accused persons to provoke the Delhi public for effecting voting in their favour. Despite presence of Delhi Police ... on February 6, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons," the PIL had stated.

The petition claimed that "deliberate chants of Jai Shri Ram discloses that it is a political, planned conspiracy" and blamed the chief minister of Delhi for not taking any action against the accused.

"Entire incident is being supported/protected by the state government and no action of arrest has been done till now for justice and to prosecute all accused persons therefore unless this court takes action, real political persons and accused persons will not be arrested at all," the plea had said.

Besides the security arranged by the college, the area had Delhi Police and paramilitary force personnel who were stationed there for the assembly polls.

According to police, a case was registered under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DALLAS - A former Dallas police officer who opened fire on a 21-year-old woman driving a stolen car in January 2017 is not guilty of assault in her death, a jury decided Thursday.

Christopher Hess was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant in the fatal shooting of Genevive Dawes. A Dallas County jury returned the not guilty verdict after two days of deliberations. If he had been found guilty, Hess could have been sentenced to from five years to life in prison.

Hess, 42, was one of two officers who responded to a suspicious persons call the night Dawes was shot and killed. They found her and another person asleep in a car that had been reported stolen, police said. Dawes ignored commands to exit the vehicle, then reversed into a police cruiser, rammed a fence and was backing up again when the officers opened fire, police said.

Hess shot into the car a dozen times. Prosecutors argued that his actions were unreasonable. The former officers lawyers told the court that the shooting was justified because the car was a threat.

After the verdict, defence attorney Messina Madson thanked the jury.

Today, he finally gets to breath again, she said.

We will never tell you this is anything other than a tragedy, Madson said. ...but it wasnt a situation of his making.

Daryl Washington, a lawyer for Dawes family, blamed the justice system for focusing on the perceived shortcomings of victims while accused officers appear in court with a halo over their head.

Are we giving the perception to people that if you happen to have a criminal past, if you happen to have a drug problem that its OK to take that persons life?, Washington said outside the court. Thats the message were sending to the entire United States, that if youre less than perfect then your life doesnt matter.

Hess did not testify in his defence but other officers and policing experts told the jury that they believed his actions were reasonable. The jury was shown body camera footage from multiple officers at the scene.

A grand jury returned the charge against Hess months after the confrontation. A spokeswoman for the district attorneys office wasnt able to say Thursday why the officer was charged with assault, rather than a more serious crime. Washington said Dawes family had hoped for a murder charge and questioned why another officer who also shot into the car wasnt indicted.

In 2017, Hess was the first Dallas officer in more than four decades to be indicted in a deadly police shooting. Since then, several other North Texas officers have been charged in fatal shootings, including former Dallas officer Amber Guyger, who was convicted of murder last year for the 2018 shooting of Botham Jean.

Hess was fired in July 2017 after an internal investigation found he had violated the departments felony traffic stop and use of force policies, and had placed a person in greater danger than necessary. He is still facing a federal civil rights suit brought by Dawes family.
Press Release

February 13, 2020 PH officials' link to POGOs need to be investigated --Hontiveros In a press conference led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Lai Yu Cian a.k.a. Ivy, the 23-year-old Taiwanese woman trafficked into the Philippines to work for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) company, revealed that her abusive Chinese employers claimed that there are Philippine government officials protecting them. Ivy was illegally recruited to work for a Chinese-run POGO company in Makati. Her passport was also confiscated by her employers. She recounted that when her bosses would threaten her, they would say that if she escaped, she would still be found because there are government officials on their side. "I even tell them all the thing I want is my passport, if you don't give my salary, it's okay. But they still keep lying to me ... and they always say that there are government people, or a government person to protect their business," she recalled. "They mention Michael Yang but I don't know who [he is] ... my boss only says that when he shouts at me." Hontiveros called for this accusation to be taken seriously. "We have to look into the possible links of POGO operations to our government officials," she said. "Hindi pwedeng may mga protektor itong mga ilegal na POGO, lalung-lalo na at nagdadala yung operasyon nila ng sankatutak na krimen." Anti-crime advocate Teresita Ang See affirmed Ivy's testimony, sharing that she also rescued a Chinese national who, when brought to the Department of Justice (DOJ) after the rescue, was bribed and threatened by a Chinese broker who went to the DOJ with a bag filled with money. Ang See shared this broker even proclaimed that policemen and fiscals are in their pockets. Hontiveros said she will raise this concern during the upcoming Senate hearing on POGO-related prostitution on Monday, February 17. "Sabi ko nga, POGO brings a whole spectrum of crimes into the country: illegal recruitment, illegal detention, sexual harassment, prostitution, at iba pa," she explained. "Sa hearing, kailangan malaman natin kung meron nga bang kinalaman ang ating mga government officials, ating mga pulis at mga piskal. We need to a stop to these crimes," she concluded.
Oil slipped again after its biggest rally in five weeks as a more severe assessment of Chinas coronavirus renewed fears over the threat to fuel demand.

World oil consumption will fall this quarter for the first time in over a decade -- wiping out the growth previously expected -- as the infection and quarantines reduce economic activity and travel in China, according to the International Energy Agency. Cases of the disease jumped by almost 15,000 after Hubei province, its epicenter, changed the way it calculates infections.

West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery fell 31 cents to $50.86 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 11:01 a.m. in London. It climbed 2.5% on Wednesday. Brent for April settlement declined 59 cents to $55.20 on the ICE Futures Europe exchange.

PREVIOUSLY: Oil posts biggest gain since early January on easing virus fears

At least four Asian oil refiners will take delivery of less Saudi Arabian crude than planned in March as the outbreak dents demand for fuel and creates a glut of alternative supplies, according to people with knowledge of the companies imports. The death toll from the virus is now at least 1,355, with around 60,000 cases in China as cities remained locked down and travel is restricted.

Hopes that OPEC and its partners might imminently step in to shore up the market were also starting to fray.

Russia, which has so far resisted pressure from Saudi Arabia to consider fresh production cuts, hasnt yet decided on whether action is needed and will settle its position in a timely way, a Kremlin spokesman said on Thursday.

FUEL FIX: Now more than ever, you need our energy news in your inbox

There are two factors driving short-term prices, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity markets strategy at BNP Paribas SA. First is the ebb and flow of coronavirus statistics, and the second is the anticipation that Russia will eventually agree to cooperate with its OPEC counterparts for additional supply cuts.

In another sign of weakening consumption, the U.S. reported the biggest weekly jump in crude stockpiles in three months.

--With assistance from James Thornhill and Elizabeth Low.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Todays job prospectors want to know about benefits such as health insurance premiums and deductibles, maternity and paternity leave, vacation accrual and comp time. Living paycheck to paycheck focuses your attention on covering monthly bills rather than setting some aside for a nest egg.

And so, is it any surprise just 56% of N.M. workers age 50 or older have any retirement savings at all  and only 27% of them have stashed away $10,000 or more?

Thats likely in great part because 62% of New Mexicos private-sector employees, about 336,000 workers, have zero, zip, nada access to a retirement savings plan through their employers, according to AARP. That lack of savings makes retirement a hard place in New Mexico, considering the average Social Security benefit in our state is just $13,900 a year, less than half of the $28,000 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says is needed for food, housing and health care.

If our retirees only knew then what they know now and had had an avenue to save a bit every paycheck.

House Bill 44, the New Mexico Work and Save Act, sets up a web-based method for future New Mexican retirees to help themselves. It creates voluntary state-sponsored Individual Retirement Accounts, similar to Roth IRAs, in which self-employed and private-sector employees could have payroll deductions placed into retirement savings plans. The cost would be minimal, as New Mexico would be able to join forces with any of the 10 states that already have adopted a similar setup, and modest fees capped at 1% are to ensure the system is self-sustaining within five years.

Its not mandatory  businesses choose to participate, as do employees, who can determine how much to contribute from each paycheck, up to $5,000 a year. And we all know saving is easier if you dont see that $5, $10, etc. in your paycheck; you dont miss it. And as it accumulates in that retirement account, earning compound interest, the prospect of having to make ends meet on $13,900 a year becomes less likely.

The bipartisan bill cruised through the House by a 62-1 vote and is now in the Senate with just a week left in the session. HB 44 is a much-needed effort at preventing another generation of retirees from falling into poverty. The Senate should pass this bill and get it to the governor so more New Mexicans have the option to build their nest eggs through payroll deductions.

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 Supreme Court Thursday appointed senior advocate Anjana Prakash to represent one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case who was unrepresented after dropping his earlier lawyer.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna appointed Prakash as amicus curiae to represent the convict, Pawan Kumar Gupta.

"On behalf of respondent Pawan Gupta, we requested Anjana Prakash, senior counsel, to be amicus curiae to assist the court in the case of Pawan Gupta. Anjana Prakash has graciously agreed to appear and advance arguments to assist the court in the matter of Pawan Gupta," the bench said in its order.

The top court deferred the hearing for Friday on the Centre's plea seeking separate execution of four convicts and asked all the condemned prisoners to file their replies by then.

Prakash had earlier appeared for convict Mukesh Kumar Singh, who had challenged rejection of his mercy plea by the President. The top court had dismissed his plea.

The bench took note of the order of trial court passed on Wednesday in which it had asked the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide Pawan's father with a list of empanelled advocates to choose from to represent the convict.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for convict Mukesh, said that trial court listed the matter for hearing a plea of jail authorities seeking fresh date of execution and it would be appropriate, if the matter in top court is taken up on Friday.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre and Delhi governemnt, said there is no change the status of the convicts since the last date of hearing on Tuesday as no one has moved any mercy or curative petition till now as directed by Delhi High Court.

The bench said that it is listing the matter for Friday at 2 PM for final hearing and all the convicts in the case shall file their replies to Centre's plea by then.

Gupta is the only convict in the case who has not filed a curative petition the last legal remedy available to a person. He also has the option of filing a mercy plea against the death sentence.

On Tuesday, convict Vinay Sharma had challenged the rejection of his mercy petition by the President in the apex court.

The same day, the top court had sought a response from the four convicts on Centre's appeal against a Delhi High Court verdict refusing to set aside the stay on their execution.

The top court had granted liberty to authorities to obtain a fresh date for execution of the death warrants from the trial court, saying pendency of Centre's and Delhi government's appeals before it "will not be an impediment".

The trial court has stayed "till further orders" the execution of the convicts Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Gupta (25), Sharma (26) and Akshay (31). Two death warrants have been stayed so far in the case.

Mehta had earlier told the apex court that authorities were "struggling to execute them" despite the appeals of the convicts being dismissed by the top court in 2017. He had said that the court has to keep in mind the impact of this situation on the society.

On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who later came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gangraped and savagely assaulted in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died after a fortnight.

Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused. Ram Singh, the sixth person, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail days after the trial began.

The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Medicines for All Institute has entered into a partnership with a manufacturer in South Africa to commercialize advances made by the institute to improve access to lifesaving medications for HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

The institute, which has successfully developed cost-saving formulas for key anti-HIV drugs, is based at Virginia Commonwealth University and its College of Engineering in Richmond, Virginia.

Officials at VCU and Chemical Process Technologies Pharma Ltd. recently signed a three-year agreement outlining their collaboration. The South African company will validate and scale up processes developed by Medicines for All and serve as a test site for increased production. The institute will work with the company to develop new processes and technologies.

"We see this as a beneficial collaboration for both parties," said Perrer Tosso, Ph.D., global innovation manager for Medicines for All. The institute seeks to have its processes implemented in low-income countries, especially in Africa. CPT Pharma does not have to start from scratch to develop new processes. "The manufacturer has the opportunity to adopt our processes and carry them through commercialization," he said.

Both partners hope the cooperation will lead to lower drug costs in the local market -- and ultimately, the global market.

CPT Pharma, based in Waltloo, Pretoria, South Africa, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemical Process Technologies, which has been manufacturing animal health products and animal health active pharmaceutical ingredients since 2001. In 2014, CPT began expanding its business into human health. With support from South African government agencies, it opened a four-story pilot plant in Pretoria in 2017 to manufacture generic active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Hannes Malan, Ph.D., managing director of CPT Pharma, said he was intrigued when he heard about the institute's groundbreaking work on the anti-HIV medication nevirapine. South Africa is home to the world's largest AIDS epidemic and relies on medications that are imported.

"Medicines for All's vision of improving access to lifesaving medications by developing and commercializing technology could help make the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Africa a reality," Malan said.

Malan's company focuses on chemical process development and technology commercialization. "We understand the challenges of taking a reaction," and deploying the final major step to scale it up, he said. "We're extremely excited about the opportunity."

During the technology transfer process, VCU will host South African doctoral students and researchers in Richmond and send its researchers to South Africa.

CPT Pharma's pilot plant was developed with funding from the state-owned Industrial Development Corp., which seeks to spur sustainable economic growth in South Africa and Africa.

It is anticipated that commercializing processes developed by [Medicines for All] in South Africa will improve the security of the supply of priority drugs, and create the institutional capacity to develop a local [active pharmaceutical ingredients] manufacturing industry." Nelis Geyer, industry development champion for chemical products and pharmaceuticals at Industrial Development Corp.

One goal of the institute is to reduce global dependence on a few manufacturers while empowering other countries to be self-sufficient in providing high-quality health care to their own citizens.

The institute is also working with the Ivory Coast government to train researchers and develop high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in the West African country.
Islamabad schemes to illegally annex Gilgit Baltistan (G-B), which is a constitutional part of Indias Union Territory of Ladakh. The move is aimed at employing Pakistans geo-strategic relevance to legitimise Chinas onslaught and domination in the Indian Ocean.

Before Indias Partition, Gilgit and Baltistan were districts of the State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Pakistan, not happy with J&K acceding to India, orchestrated the infamous Datta Khel military operation, which resulted in the incarceration of Governor of Gilgit and an onslaught on Baltistan. Indias retaliation to Pakistans invasion scaled into a full-fledged war, which ended in 1948 after Prime Minister Nehru took the issue to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The Council in a resolution asked Pakistan to withdraw from the invaded territories. Despite agreeing to the resolution, Pakistan continues to occupy G-B and hold its people hostage.

Consistent with the previous claims, the Indian Parliament passed a unanimous resolution in 1994 reminding Pakistan to vacate G-B. The lack of physical control over G-B did not stop New Delhi from declaring locals as Indian citizens and granting them a representation in the legislature. Recently on August 5, 2019, G-B became a part of Ladakh after the Indian Parliament adopted the Jammu Kashmir Reorganisation Act and partitioned J&K to give birth to the Union Territory of Ladakh. The bifurcation of J&K neither changed Indias external borders nor diluted its claim on the territories occupied by Pakistan and China.

Pakistan administers G-B without a constitutional framework and denies the locals the fundamental rights. The absence of a democratic set-up causing socio-economic and political logjam has compelled locals to demand for Pakistans withdrawal, and these voices have become louder since Ladakh attained constitutional autonomy and a better scope for development at the national level.

Pakistan started colonising G-B in 1949 and as a first step, bifurcated the portion of J&K in its occupation to create two entities that it calls, Azad Kashmir (AJK) and the Northern Areas (NAs). AJK was mostly made of the parts of Jammu province while NAs included the G-B districts. This unconstitutional measure placed G-B under Islamabads direct control and extended Pakistans frontiers to Chinese-occupied Xinjiang.

One can find many similarities between the natives of G-B and the Uighurs of Xinjiang as both territories are victims of enslavement. The Freedom House report of 2019 states that like Xinjiang, G-B also suffers from government-led demographic engineering. Today one can locate large Pakistani settlements in areas such as Sakwar, Manawar, Pari Bangla, Baseen, Juglote, Konodas, Sikarkoyi, Ghizer, Shardo and Diamer. The settlers have turned natives into a minority in their capital Gilgit. These settlements appeared after Prime Minister Zulfiqar Bhutto abrogated Kashmirs land ownership act, also known as State Subject Rule (SSR), and opened the floodgate for ordinary Pakistanis to acquire residency in G-B.

To ones dismay, Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is a self-declared advocate of Kashmirs land rights movement, also owns property in G-B. Many Pakistani military officials, bureaucrats and parliamentarians including General Pervez Musharraf, General Abbas, General Hameed Gul and Senator Talha Mehmood have obtained large tracts of land in G-B. Pakistani tycoons such as Jehangur Tareen and Malik Ryaz plan heavy investment in the local tourism industry. The local administration or judiciary lacks the authority to control or reverse such violations of SSR, which has intensified conflicts between the locals and outsiders. Demographic engineering and state-led genocide has reduced the local Shia population ration from 68 per cent ot 41 per cent. Pakistani Sunni settlers target Shia villages situated along the Karakoram Highway to secure the China-built conduit, now popularly known as CPEC. Like in Xinjiang, such moves in G-B have come at the cost of local linguistic base and cultural identity.

Like the Pakistanis, hundreds of Chinese have acquired permanent residency in Gilgit to establish businesses. China is the biggest beneficiary of removal of SSR as it enables her to build roads and rails, dams, industrial and economic zones and harvest local gems, minerals and forest resources. China plans to import electricity to Xinjiang from the Diamer dam which will be built by submerging seventy miles of G-Bs fertile land. Diamer dam, as part of Chinas OPEC, is the main vehicle of rapid interventions in G-B creating resource management disputes and environmental catastrophe.

Like Xinjiang, G-B faces an economic genocide as the locals remain at the mercy of Pakistani bureaucrats who control means of production and revenue. They work as long arms of the ruling establishment to siphon off earnings worth billions of dollars from customs and cross-border transit, trophy hunting, tourism, and mineral and gemstone production, and these are routinely transferred to coffers in Islamabad. Mr Fida Nashad, the special of G-B Assembly states that Islamabad bans locals from mineral exploration to give advantage to the outsiders including the Chinese who lease mineral-rich mountain ranges of G-B. Local minister for mining and tourism echoes his words, by claiming that Islamabad issued 300 such leases without his knowledge.

The irony of Pakistan committing gross rights violations in G-B while promising a bright future to the Kashmiris fails to die on locals. One should question Pakistans loyalty to the Kashmiris since a violator of SSR in G-B cannot be the protector of Kashmiri lands. Pakistan, which orchestrates Shia genocide in G-B is not a credible champion of the cause of Muslim rights in India. Likewise, Pakistan which refuses people of G-B a voice during discussions on Kashmir sounds insincere when raising voice for Kashmirs self-determination. Pakistan, which lets the people of G-B suffer without basic rights and employs unconstitutional methods to create entities such as AJK and NAs has no room to ridicule India for amending Kashmirs constitution to empower the minority groups.

Pakistans demands for freedom of movement for Kashmiris rings hollow since it denies the people of G-B the birth right to travel across the Line of Control to meet their separated relatives in Ladakh. Pakistani politicians deliver firebrand speeches on economic decline in Kashmir without realising how Islamabad chokes the economic lifeline of G-B by shutting historic trade corridors with Ladakh and Afghanistan. They lambast India for denying religious freedom to Kashmiris without noticing how Islamabad refuses the Buddhists of Ladakh the right of religious pilgrimage in G-B. They advocate for freedom of speech and political activity in Kashmir while ignoring the plight of activists of G-B who remain incarcerated for speaking for land rights and due share in CPEC. Hundreds of activists have been declared traitors and terrorists and give life term for opposing local marginalisation. Such activists are also banned from leaving their home districts or holding passports and bank accounts. Many of them have lost jobs and experience asset confiscation. As China vows to support Pakistans case of Kashmir in the UN Security Council, the people of G-B question Chinas sincerity in wake of Beijing occupying the valleys of Aksai-chin, Shaksgam and Raskam, which belong to J&K. The people of G-B also condemn Pakistan for abandoning the Uighur women who are married to residents of G-B and currently locked up in concentration camps in Xinjiang.

Pakistan, which is quick at exposing India on Kashmir, condones its ally China on genocide of Uighur Muslims and land thievery in Xinjiang. The self-declared citadel of Islam remains mum when chinese officials beat Muslim women for wearing Hijab, or burn Qurans and raze mosques and cemeteries in Xinjiang, or force Muslims to eat pork and break religious fast during the Holy month of Ramadhan, or force members of clery to shave beards and dance in the mosques. The so-called champion of Muslim Umma also overlooks the fact that China incarcerates a million Uighurs in torture camps and separates Uighur children from parents for re-learning purpose and decrees mass-scale rape of Uighur women to change Xinjiangs racial makeup.

As China plans to build military ports at Gawadar, Jiwani, Sonmiani, Pasni and Ormara; an absolute control over G-B is vital to sustain these facilities to eventually dominate the Indian Ocean. In recent months, global leaders including the US Secretary of State have criticised China for interfering in areas with contested sovereignty like G-B . The USA thinks that Chinas involvement in G-B at a massive scale complicates Kashmir and turns the dispute into Beijings favour. International condemnation is compelling China to persuade Pakistan to undertake constitutional measures to extend sovereignty over G-B and AJK to counter criticism on resource exploitation and troop placement.

Beijings designs to treat G-B as Pakistans internal matter become evident when the Chinese state media refers to the Indian territory as the northern province of Pakistan. Both countries have declared Kashgar and Gilgit as sister cities to coordinate strategic affairs and now plan to declare G-B and Xinjiang as sister provinces. Chinese officials often invite the chief ministers of G-B as part of Pakistans delegations visiting Beijing. The fact that Islamabad is reportedly amending G-B Government Ordinance and the constitution of AJK to expedite allotment of state land to the Chinese corporations proves Pakistans commitment to Chinas rise. Islamabad is also modifying election rules in AJK and G-B to help elect representatives who support Chinas involvement in local affairs. The Prime Minister of AJK Raja Farooq claims that Pakistan plans to abrogate the offices of the Prime Ministers and President of AJK with an aim to officially annex the State.

Helping China dominate the world is Pakistans priority and G-B is the lynchpin to Chinas push even as it comes at a heavy cost to locals. Pakistan is undertaking constitutional measures to lay down a governance structure in G-B and AJK that will legalise resource appropriation, and displacement of locals to accommodate Chinese settlements. Contrary to general perception, this structure will not delegate authority to locals but rather subdue them, and in the name of shared sovereignty will muffle international criticism against CPEC. Pakistan accepting Chinas role in G-B is the first step to formally acknowledging Chinas legitimate presence in the Indian Ocean. Western world should refrain from accepting reforms in G-B which are masked as mainstreaming regional empowerment but in reality disenfranchises locals. Seventy years ago, UNSC curtailed Pakistans expansionism by seeking its withdrawal from G-B and now, it must take similar measures to overturn Chinese imperialism.

Senge H Sering is a Washington DC-based researcher and human rights activist born in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. He runs the Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington.
[February 13, 2020] Stalwarts From the RE Sector Mark Their Presence at the 3rd Edition of Renewable Energy Growth Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka

- By the organisers of Renewable Energy India expo (REI) MUMBAI and COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Informa Markets in India (formerly UBM India), India's leading B2B exhibitions organizer brought in the 3rd edition of the much talked about Renewable Energy Growth Forum (13-14th February 2020) at Taj Samudra, Colombo, Sri Lanka today. Supported by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Construction Industry in Sri Lanka, the forum deliberated and discussed the potential of the Renewable Energy (RE) industry, policies and trends, global market overview, renewable energy opportunities in Sri Lanka, project financing and beyond. The Renewable Energy Growth Forum is one of the most comprehensive and reputed platforms backed by the excellence of Informa Markets, the organisers of the Renewable Energy India Expo - Asia's largest and most influential exhibition and other events across Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Vietnam and Thailand, amongst others. Sri Lanka is one of the Chapters of the RE Growth Forum along with Chandigarh and Hubli in India. The event was inaugurated by key dignitaries, Hon. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Ministry of Power & Energy; Mr. Vinod Jacob, Acting High Commissioner, Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka; Smt.Indrani Vithanage, Additional Secretary (Power & Energy) Ministry of Power, Sri Lanka; Mr. Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General, Public Utilities Commission, Sri Lanka ; Mr. Toshimasa Masuyama, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)and Mr. Rajneesh Khattar, Group Director, Informa Markets in India. As the current non-renewable energy sources in Sri Lanka are costly and contribute to increased emission of greenhouse gases, organizations and industries in the country are actively participating in the expansion of small and medium renewable energy ventures within the country, resulting in growth beyond the boundaries of Sri Lanka. According to a recent report, the Government aims to generate as much as 80% of Sri Lanka's power requirement from renewables by 2030. This ambitious target, however, means that the Government will have to make some important decisions, especially at policy level to ensure that renewables are absorbed at a higher rate and infused into the consumption pattern. Speaking on the 3rd edition of RE Growth Forum - Sri Lanka Chapter, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, for Informa Markets in India said, "Sri Lanka has been one of the fastest growing economies in South Asia in recent years and has seen a sharp rise in energy use and demand over the past decade as it transitions from a predominantly rural agricultural economy to an urban economy. The increasing economic growth has also resulted in a corresponding increase in demand for energy within the country, a demand set to rise with the country's present service and manufacturing-oriented economy. The country is steering towards a sustainable and alternate solution which is available within its boundaries through renewabl energy resources. What it needs is the support and collaboration from the public and private sectors to boost the use of solar and hydropower. Against this landscape, the Renewable Energy Growth Forum provides international attendees a platform to network, develop the knowledge arena, be informed on latest trends, best practices, innovative solutions, engage in a balance technology mix and discuss the roadmap ahead. In just our 3rd edition we have seen the visiting delegation growth by 100%. This year too, we look forward to fruitful collaborations and an unparalleled experience with our Sri Lanka Chapter."



Over the course of 2 days, companies dealing in solar, wind & bioproducts, enterprises, banks, investors, utilities, power producers, rooftop and ground mounting solution providers, system integrators, importers and exporters, and freight forwarder among other supply chain groups and Government officials joined hands to address the demand of electricity and futuristic technologies. The conference put together two days of power-packed sessions. Day 1 discussed topics such as 'Lighting the Future - How leaders are making a difference' that talked about Policy and Trends, Global Market overview, Bilateral trade benefits, Opportunities in Sri Lanka and Project financing and Beyond; 'A Bilateral partnership for Global Solutions - Mission 2020 & Beyond' that harped about the growth of technology that has resulted in multifold opportunities through boundaries and beyond; a presentation on 'Technology Advantage'; ' Financing for Development - Painting a brighter future together' this panel session discussed the most important and integral part of the project which speaks from micro to macro levels, the deliberations touched various aspects of FINANICING foreseeing the project Development; 'Shaping the Future: Technology Updates & Innovations' wherein Innovators showcased new and emerging technologies and best practices to better power and manage Solar & Energy Storage project; ' Increasing Solar Adoption - To Go Distributed or Utility Scale? The Pros, Cons and Global Experience' that spoke on the modalities, costs of erecting and commissioning of the distributed and utility scale projects eventually catering to the end users with projections over the years.

Day 2 will have sessions on 'Fuelling enterprises with smart energy solutions - the untold success story'; ' Technology Transformation: CXO Dialogue' ; 'Learn it from experts: Best Practises you need to know.' The international forum had participation from speakers such as : Mr. Nissanka N Wijeratne, Secretary General and CEO, Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka

Dr. P.S.N De Silva, Head of Engineering, Lanka electricity Company (Private) limited

Dr. Anuvrat Joshi, Head - Business Development, Cleantech Solar ( India )

) Mr. Rohit Kumar , Head of Indian Subcontinent - REC Solar pte Ltd

, Head of Indian Subcontinent - REC Solar pte Ltd Mr. Vinay Kumar , CEO, Varp Energy

, CEO, Varp Energy Mr. Akilur Rahman, CTO, ABB India Limited

Mr. Samir Mehta , CEO, Bergen Solar Power and Energy Limited

, CEO, Bergen Solar Power and Energy Limited Ms. Ishani Palliyaguru, Vice President-Project and Finance and Corporate Credit Control, National Development Bank PLC

Mr. Kamal Dorabawila , Principal Investment Officer, IFC - International Finance Corporation

, Principal Investment Officer, IFC - International Finance Corporation Mr. Lakshman Jayasekara , Project Director, Western Region Megapolis Planning Project

, Project Director, Western Region Megapolis Planning Project Mr. Vinay Rustagi , Managing Director, Bridge to India to name a few. About Informa Markets Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com About Informa Markets and our business in India Informa Markets is owned by Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organizer in the world. Informa Markets in India (formerly UBM India) is India's leading exhibition organizer, dedicated to help specialist markets and customer communities, domestically and around the world to trade, innovate and grow through exhibitions, digital content & services, and conferences & seminars. Every year, we hosts over 25 large scale exhibitions, 40 conferences, along with industry awards and trainings across the country; thereby enabling trade across multiple industry verticals. In India, Informa Markets has offices across Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. For further details, please visit www.informa.com For any media queries please contact:

Roshni Mitra

[email protected] Mili Lalwani

+91-22-61727000

[email protected]

Informa Markets in India Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090129/Dignitaries_Inaugration_RE_Forum.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090130/Light_Lamping_RE_Growth_Forum.jpg

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The Beaumont ISD School Board is set to return to local control for the first time since being taken over by the Texas Education Agency in 2014 because of financial mismanagement. The last two elected board members will be seated later this month.

This is the final phase in a process that began in 2018, when Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath began phasing in local governance and set an expiration date for the state-appointed board of managers.

It has been since 2015 when the board of managers came in, and they did a great job from my perspective getting them back on their financial footing, School Board president Thomas Sigee said Wednesday. But returning it back to local control is restoring the trust back in the citizens who elected us all to take over.

A state-appointed conservator, Darrell Myers, will stay with the district for several more months, Sigee said.

The move, which has been planned for years, was made official in a letter addressed to Superintendent Shannon Allen and the current board, which is made up of managers appointed by the state and elected trustees.

Related: TEA: Problems are too dire for BISD to fix

In a 2018 letter to the district, Morath described the process that would replace one-third of the board of managers each year, until the board was entirely made up of elected officials in 2020. After a prolonged court battle, the board of managers was appointed as part of a state takeover in response to financial mismanagement.

Related: TEA: Elected BISD trustees will lead district

The last two trustees  Kevin Reece, who was elected in 2017, and Robert Dunn, who was elected last year  will take their place on the board later this month.

The trustees will take the last two seats for appointees. One of those managers, Angela Bransford, was notified of her departure in a letter from Morath. The other manager position currently is vacant.

Related: Zenobia Bush: Re-election shows board wasn't as corrupt as people were saying

The school board will also announce its selection to fill the vacancy left by former president A.B. Bernard, who abruptly resigned in September. The board completed interviews and selected Darrell Antwine Sr. for that position last November but held off on announcing it in anticipation of this months return to local control.

Related: BISD gets clean audit as board prepares to resume local control

Morath confirmed the return to local control in a letter to Allen dated last Thursday.

The purpose of this correspondence is to provide notification of the appointments of members of the board of elected trustees to complete the final transition returning governance of the district to the elected trustees, he said in the letter, which was reviewed by The Enterprise. I designate that Kevin Reece and Robert Dunn, who are elected trustees, will now assume their elected powers and duties and join the current board of trustees in governing the district.

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
"You're awake, by the way," MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, deadpan, informed the viewers in a clip shared widely on election night 2016. "You're not having a terrible, terrible dream. Also, you're not dead, and you haven't gone to Hell." Hillary Clinton, a polished Madam Secretary, had lost an election to a person who had been viewed as a joke  a political outsider, an eccentric celebrity, and a real estate billionaire with a scandalous personal life and some shady business issues. "Donald Trump, the racist, sexist, xenophobic candidate of the Republican alt-right, has been elected President of the United States. ... Today, so many Americans are mourning the death of American goodness," asserted the HuffPost.

For the Democrats who could not accept the new reality, it was not just time to mourn, but time to resist and act.

Act they did. The campaign to impeach Trump started right when he was sworn into office and continued throughout his term. They launched a Mueller investigation, trying to prove that Trump was a Kremlin puppet, and failed. They made a partisan attempt to impeach him in an election year and failed again. To fight him, the leftist establishment carried out a total mobilization, gathering under its banners everyone even remotely fit for recruiting, from swanky Hollywood celebrities to stone-cold Washington bureaucrats, from billionaires Michael Bloomberg and George Soros to violent masked Antifa gangs, from loud-mouthed liberal media to the most influential think-tanks. Now, eight months before the November election, this patchy coalition seems unable to stop the Trump Train.

What are the key factors that spell victory for Trump despite the enormous effort of his opponents?

First of all, it is widely noted that incumbency is always an advantage for a president who seeks re-election. It may be explained by the gravitation of the voters without strong preferences  either partisan or personal  toward the president. U.S. history knows just a few examples when an incumbent president was defeated, and those exceptional cases were always associated with particular circumstances.

Most often, the defeat of an incumbent president is tied to a poor state of economy for which the society blames him as the leader of the country  the three defeated incumbents (Hoover, Carter, and Bush I) all had economy troubles. Another factor hindering re-election and, in general, negatively affecting the approval rating of any president may be the country's involvement in long-lasting and resource-consuming wars, especially when coupled with the loss of American lives. Among other damaging factors are a formal or actual split of a president's party, the dispersion of his constituency, or unpredicted emergence of a charismatic independent candidate on a political stage.

In Trump's case, none of these factors applies. The U.S. economy is on the rise. The "blue-collar boom" that Trump mentioned in his SOTU address is a reality, and no matter how the Democrats try to present it only as a "continuous trend" that was established by the Obama administration, this argument is not just invalid, but also highly unconvincing for the voters. Despite the leftist predictions of economic fallout (and even Armageddon) as a result of Trump's policies, the stock market indices are routinely breaking records  just like employment levels, consumer and business confidence, and job openings, among other achievements. Apparently, "that idiot" knew a thing or two about how to negotiate trade agreements and how the economy really works (unlike his leftist counterparts who root for socialism).

Then Trump did not start World War III, as anticipated by many, but fulfilled his promise not to get America into new military adventures abroad and avoided full-scale military operations against Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. Moreover, after stripping ISIS off all its territory in Syria and Iraq, he withdrew American troops from Syria  to the hysterical reaction of the presumably peace-loving leftists, who all of a sudden insisted on the U.S. military playing a bigger role in the region. Then there is Trump's success in beheading ISIS's leadership. Will it grow back? I doubt it.

Finally, Trump's support among Republicans seems solid enough. No split is expected within the Republican Party, which got more unified during the impeachment process. That certainly cannot be said about the inconsistent ranks of the Democrats. The split vividly revealed itself back in 2016, when the Marxist wing represented by Bernie Sanders and focused on class issues was opposed by the Hillary Clinton urban liberals who cared much more about identity politics. The DNC's rigged game against Sanders, whom numerous polls showed throughout the 2016 campaign outperforming Hillary in November, had naturally outraged his supporters, whom Hillary later blamed for her defeat (among other "traitors" and "enemies"). Today, the DNC, still controlled by the Clintonians, has not learned its lesson and continues to snub progressives and leftists. Just like four years ago, it's improbable that Bernie will be allowed to win the nomination or get any concessions, like an invitation to be the veep or a member of the future Cabinet, or even the adoption of his signature and platform planks, which are way too extreme. That would be a deadly blow of Bernie's hammer and sickle on the Democrats' chances this November. On the other hand, if the DNC tries to make peace with him, the name of a renowned socialist on the ballot would scare the moderates away. It's a lose-lose situation. Truly, Bernie is becoming a pain in the neck the Democrats currently have no remedy for.

At the same time, Trump's opponents are having a truly hard time choosing among fairly weak candidates. Political heavyweight Joe Biden, considered a frontrunner just a month ago, is rapidly falling behind and running out of funds and stamina. The same is true for Elizabeth Warren. Pete Buttigieg, who's enjoying the results of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, lacks a strong record of achievements even in South Bend, Ind. Also, he has problems attracting black Americans, whose voting-age population is near or above the national average of 12.5% in swing states Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania needed to defeat Trump.

For the Democrats, Trump 2.0 would mean the last nail in the coffin of their party in the form in which it exists today. Due to age-related reasons, these elections will be the last ones for Biden, Sanders, and Warren. It also means that the Democrats' ideology, strategy, and tactics, as well as party organization, will require a serious reformation to adopt to the Trump era of strong economy and a more prosperous society that is uninterested in big government. They will need to reject childish finger-pointing and their victim mentality and replace these with an honest internal discussion on their issues and the ways to overcome them.

For America, Trump 2.0 will mean a further rise and, moreover, transformation  to the point where she will not be willing to settle for anything less in 2024.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr.
S till scrabbling around for a Valentine's Day plan, but don't have the cash, or inclination, to sit in cheap aftershave-whiffing distance of other irritating couples at a schmaltzy 'romantic' restaurant?

We feel you.

After a long week, what you both actually want is the sofa, some carbs and a glass or two of the good stuff.

So, we've rounded up the best supermarket Valentine's Day meal deals for 2020. Ranging from 10 to 20 for two people, there are bargains - and a whole lot of beef wellington - to be had.

Happy Valentine's Day, you lot.

Marks & Spencer

M&S' two can dine for 20 meal deal is back for Valentine's Day (Marks & Spencer) / Marks & Spencer

Price: 20

Availability: From Monday, February 10

What's included: A main, a starter, one side, a box of chocolates and a bottle of Prosecco

Following the success of the Love Sausage, M&S has revived the meaty favourite - which is made up of truffle-infused sausage wrapped in bacon, with a runny egg centre - for this year's Valentine's Day.

What's more, the luxury food retailer is offering customers its renowned 20 meal deal this V Day.

Starters include gooey breaded Camembert and soft-centred scotch eggs, while mains include beef bourguignon and chicken kiev.

On the side, choose from the likes of the truffled cauliflower cheese or potato rostis.

Then wash it all down with a nice glass of fizz and "make me melt" chocolate.

Asda

Asda is offering a Valentine's Meal Deal for 15 / Asda

Price: 15

Availability: From Thursday, February 6

What's included: A starter, two sides, one main, a dessert and a bottle of wine

Starters include tempting treats such as tempura prawns, scotch eggs and roasted pepper bites.

Follow with a main of chorizo mac and cheese, or pork in apple sauce.

For dessert, choose from the zesty lemon tart, mango pots or caramel bites.

Tesco

Tesco is also offering customers a Valentine's Day meal deal / Tesco

Price: 20

Availability: From Wednesday, February 12

What's included: A starter to share, two mains, one side, a dessert and a bottle of wine or fizz

Kick things off with a salmon and watercress tart or an Italian platter, then select a main of lamb shank or sirloin steak.

For dessert, choose from the millionaire's tarts, chocolate brownie heart or raspberry and passion fruit cheese cake.

Aldi

Aldi is launching heart-shaped chicken nuggets / Aldi

Price: 10

Availability: From Tuesday, February 11

What's included: A starter, main and dessert

From "love nuggets" to beef wellington, Aldi is offering some sumptuous options this Valentine's Day.

For starters, choose from either a scallop and king prawn ramekin, or dig into a baked Camembert with some sharing bread.

Then, for main, opt for either the 21-day matured steak, duck breast, salmon fillets, heart-shaped chicken nuggets or beef wellington, and enjoy a side of chips or cheesy mash.

Morrisons

The Morrisons Valentine's Day meal deal is a reasonable 15 / Morrisons

Price: 15

Availability: From Monday, February 10

What's included: A starter, a main, two sides, one dessert and a bottle of wine

Morrisons is offering a starter of either Camembert, smoked salmon mousse, an aubergine stack or chorizo and cheddar stuffed mushrooms.

Mains include beef wellington, glazed lamb shanks, sirloin steak, chicken and prosciutto, Scottish salmon or a celeriac steak.

To accompany your main, choose from the dauphinoise potatoes or cauliflower cheese, then follow up with a Belgian chocolate brownie pudding or creamy panna cotta.

Waitrose

Waitrose is offering customers steak and more in its special Valentine's Day meal deal / Waitrose

Price: 20

Availability: From Monday, February 10

What's included: One starter, one main, two sides, one dessert

With mains including tuna steaks, harissa lamb shanks and seam bream fillets, Waitrose has got you covered this Valentine's.

Serve up with a side of smooth mash, Mediterranean veg or creamed spinach, and top off with a delicious dessert Sicilian lemon tart, Heston's bucks fizz swirls or pear and elderflower cheescakes.

Starters also include mouth-watering treats like bacon and leek tartlets and chicken liver parfait.

The Co-Op

The Co-Op have a 20 Valentine's meal deal / Co-Op

Price: 20

Availability: From Monday, February 10

What's included: One starter, a main, two sides, one dessert and either a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine

Lasagne al forno, mac and cheese and ranch steaks are on the menu at the Co-Op this Valentine's Day.

The chain is also offering customers sides of skinny fries, new potatoes or cauliflower and broccoli.

For dessert, we recommend the melt-in-the-middle chocolate pots.

Iceland

Gino D'Acampo's Iceland range is included in the store's Valentine's Day meal deal / Iceland

Price: 10

Availability: From Monday, February 10

What's included: Three Gino D'Acampo dishes and a bottle of wine

The Italian chef's delicious range is included in the Iceland Valentine's Day meal deal - with mains of pizza, pasta and more on offer.
An "excited" United States First Lady Melania Trump has said that she and President Donald Trump were looking forward to their first visit to India which would be an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the the two countries.

IMAGE: This will be US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump's maiden visit to India. Photograph: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

President Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Apart from New Delhi, the President and the First Lady will visit Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat, Modi's home state.

In a tweet, Melania Trump said her maiden trip to India as the First Lady is an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries.

The 49-year-old US First Lady also thanked Prime Minister Modi for the "kind invitation" to visit India.

"Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month," she said.

President Trump and "I are excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India," she said.

Melania Trump was responding to Prime Minister Modi's tweet on Wednesday in which he termed the US President and the First Lady's visit to India as a "very special one".

"India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship," Modi said in his tweet.
[February 13, 2020] Medical Education Market 2020-2024 | Growth in Number of Online Medical Education Programs to Boost Growth | Technavio

Technavio has been monitoring the medical education market and it is poised to grow by USD 129.66 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 17% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005624/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global medical education market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Growth in number of online medical education programs has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, threat from open-source and free educational resources might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report Medical Education Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Medical Education Market is segmented as below: Learning method Blended Learning

Online Learning Courses Graduate Courses

Certifications and Training

Post-graduate Courses Geographic segmentation North America

APAC

Europe

South America

MEA To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40007



Medical Education Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our medical education market report covers the following areas:

Medical Education Market Size

Medical Education Market Trends

Medical Education Market Industry Analysis This study identifies gamification in medical education as one of the prime reasons driving the medical education market growth during the next few years. Medical Education Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the medical education market, including some of the vendors such as Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Stanford University, University of California, University of Cambridge, University of New England, University of Oxford, University of Washington and Yale University. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the medical education market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Medical Education Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist medical education market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the medical education market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the medical education market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of medical education market vendors About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005624/en/

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Popular ice creams like Ben & Jerrys and Twister will no longer advertise to children.

Unilever, which owns brands such as Wall's Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry's among many others, is making the commitment in the face of a childhood obesity crisis.

The company will shift advertising of sweet treats away from children under the age of 12 by removing cartoon characters from packaging.

Critics say using animated characters on food laden in sugar encourages children to pester parents into buying them.

The move is part of a wider effort in the industry, and follows German supermarket chain Lidl's decision to remove cartoons from their own brand cereals.

Unilever will also cut down on social media posts targeted at youngsters by no longer paying celebrities that appeal primarily to them.

Unilever have announced a 'genuine commitment' to a shift in their food and beverage advertising that will see the company no longer target children under the age of 12

Critics say using animated characters on food laden in sugar encourages children to pester parents into buying them. Unilever's Twister is pictured with Max the lion on the packaging

The food and drink giant, which owns Walls Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry's, is making the commitment in the face of a childhood obesity crisis and will instead target parents

'Our promise is a genuine commitment to make and market products to children responsibly,' said Unilever's Matt Close, executive vice president at the Global Ice Cream Category.

'It is the promise of better ice cream and healthier, happier children. Both now and in the future.'

Unilever - the world's largest ice cream maker according to Forbes - will apply the new rules to all its products by the end of 2020.

Under 'strict controls', traditional media such as films will no longer contain ice cream adverts that appeal to children under 12.

Adverts that appeal to those under 13 on social media, using celebrities and influencers, will also be halted. However, most platforms have age restrictions anyway.

The food giant will begin with its Wall's Ice Cream products, which include Twister, Paddle Pop, Calippo, Cornetto and Solero.

Some feature playful a cartoon of a lion, including Mini Max Twister and Mini Milk.

As well as advertising controls, plans are already underway for a 'responsibly made' range from Wall's Ice Cream.

Every ice cream in the kids' range will have no more than 110 calories and a maximum of 12g of sugar per portion.

Unilever said the move was in response to figures from the World Health Organization - which estimates that 124million children between the ages of five and 19 suffered from obesity worldwide, while 213million were overweight.

In the UK, more than one in three children (34 per cent) are obese or overweight when they leave primary school.

One in every 25 British ten to 11-year-olds are severely obese, the fattest possible category.

HOW MUCH SUGAR IS TOO MUCH? The amount of sugar a person should eat in a day depends on how old they are. Children aged four to six years old should be limited to a maximum of 19g per day. Seven to 10-year-olds should have no more than 24g, and children aged 11 and over should have 30g or less. Meanwhile the NHS recommends adults have no more than 30g of free sugars a day. Popular snacks contain a surprising amount of sugar and even a single can of Coca Cola (35g of sugar) or one Mars bar (33g) contains more than the maximum amount of sugar a child should have over a whole day. A bowl of Frosties contains 24g of sugar, meaning a 10-year-old who has Frosties for breakfast has probably reached their limit for the day before they even leave the house. Children who eat too much sugar risk damaging their teeth, putting on fat and becoming overweight, and getting type 2 diabetes which increases the risk of heart disease and cancer. Source: NHS Advertisement

Lidl announced earlier this month that they would be stripping the animated crocodiles, bees, tigers and monkeys off their cereal packaging.

In response, Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, told MailOnline the decision would benefit 'untold millions of mums'.

He added: 'Children who throw tantrums in the shopping aisle when they fail to get the packet they want are the scourge of parents.

'It may matter little what is actually inside the packet: it's most likely the colourful and attractive cartoon animal on the outside that triggers their desire.

'Remove the cartoons and kill off pester power at a stroke is the prayer of untold millions of mums. That Lidl is answering that prayer should be warmly welcomed.'

Public Health England recommends children aged seven to 10 should have no more than 24g of free sugars a day - the equivalent of six sugar cubes.

Children aged four to six should have no more than 19g (five sugar cubes). It is recommended that adults have less than 30g of free sugars a day.

There's no guideline limit for children under the age of four, but it's recommended they avoid sugar-sweetened drinks and food with sugar added to it.

Lidl's Crownfield Choco Rice, its own-brand of Coco Pops, is crammed with 16g of sugar in one tiny 30g serving  not even a third of a bowl.

A 60g serving, which is a more realistic-sized portion, has 32g of sugar  more than three Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts.

The budget supermarket's Crownfield Choco Shells, a discounted version of Kellogg's Coco Rocks, are crammed with 18g of sugar in a 50g portion.

Lidl will remove cartoon characters from its sugary cereal packaging after growing pressure from campaign groups and ministers. Its Crownfield Rice Snaps, an own-brand version of Kellogg's Rice Crispies, will have its crocodile character removed
A bout 24.5 million people in the U.S. have cataracts, a vision-blurring cloudy spot on the lens of the eye. When youre young, the lens is clear, like a raw egg white, says Uday Devgan, M.D., a cataract surgeon and professor of ophthalmology at UCLA. But over time, it becomes opaque.

Surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial one can improve vision. While this is a fairly simple outpatient procedureand one of the most common surgeries in the U.S.there are decisions to make and occasional complications. Here's what to know about cataract surgery.

When to Consider Cataract Surgery

Signs that you may have cataracts or that existing cataracts are worsening can be subtle. They include increasing difficulty seeing well at night (especially when facing an oncoming cars headlights), having to make the text on your computer screen larger, and sensing that colors are fading.

When might cataract surgery be appropriate? If youre happy with your current vision, dont do anything, Devgan says. But if vision problems are affecting activities such as reading or driving, consider seeing an ophthalmologist to discuss cataract surgery.

What to Expect Before Cataract Surgery

If you and the ophthalmologist agree that youd benefit from cataract surgery, he or she will give you a thorough eye exam a week or two before the procedure.

Your doctor may also recommend a test like an electrocardiogram (EKG). According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tests such as an EKG or a complete blood count may make surgical procedures safer for some people, but most dont need them before eye surgery.

And having such preop tests needlessly may have negative effects. For instance, research published online in 2019 in JAMA Internal Medicine found that nearly 16 percent of older adults without heart disease who had an EKG before cataract surgery had one or more potential cascade events within 90 days, such as medical treatment, additional testing, doctors office visits, or hospitalization.

Story continues

Youll also choose new lenses before cataract surgery. Standard monofocal lenses, which usually help with distance vision, are often included in the price of surgery and provide excellent clarity. But you may still need glasses for reading afterward, says Neal Shorstein, M.D., an ophthalmologist and associate chief of quality for Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek, Calif.

Multifocal lenses, which can help with near and far vision, may eliminate the need for eyeglasses but can cost more than $2,000 per eye out of pocket. And you may still have difficulties with nighttime driving glare afterward.

During Surgery and After

Cataract surgery is usually done at outpatient surgical centers, but some eye surgeons do the procedure in a hospital or private medical office.

Theres no research to support better outcomes in one venue over another, Shorstein says.

Most people receive a light sedative and an anesthetic to numb the eye, says Devgan. The surgery takes less than 30 minutes, and you should have improved vision the day after. (For surgery on both eyes, the procedures are often performed several weeks apart.)

Because the sedation may leave you groggy, youll need a ride home and should take it easy for at least a few hours.

Cut Complication Risks

Overall, the likelihood of complications after cataract surgery is low. But call your eye doctor right away if you notice increased redness, pain, or discomfort, decreasing vision, or other concerns.

Some research estimates that about 1 percent of cataract surgery patients have some temporary vision loss from macular edema (eye swelling), and less than 1 percent develop an eye infection.

Your doctor will probably prescribe corticosteroid eye drops to lower the chance of macular edema and possibly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops. Antibiotic eye drops can help ward off infection.

Some research shows that many people use eye drops incorrectly, so have your doctor show you how. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting in eye drops, Shorstein says, and avoid touching your eyeball or any other surface with the eye-dropper tip.

Older research suggests that droopy eyelids may affect 10 percent or more of people after surgery (usually returning to normal within six months).

But Devgan says droopy eyelids after surgery are rare today. If you experience this, your doctor might prescribe apraclonidine eye drops to reduce droopiness short term.

Editors Note: A version of this article also appeared in the April 2018 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.





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Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright  2020, Consumer Reports, Inc.
A former congressional intern for Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is believed to be the man who painted the words Still Traitors on Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque last weekend.

Albuquerque police arrested Cameron Chase McCall, 30, Wednesday on a charge of criminal damage to property over $1,000, a fourth-degree felony. Surveillance video footage and an anonymous tip led to his arrest, according to the criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

Lujan Grisham spokesman Tripp Stelnicki confirmed that McCall was an intern for Lujan Grisham when she was a member of the U.S. House. Stelnicki said the governor condemned the vandalism.

Its flatly unacceptable behavior, he said in an email to the Journal. The suspect was an intern in her Congressional office for a brief period, and that fact amplifies her already extreme disappointment in what took place. There is no space for this kind of juvenile nonsense in our politics  and it is entirely out of step with what the governor expects of employees, whether past, present or future.

The Journal was unable to reach McCalls attorney, Alexandra W. Jones. But Jones told The Associated Press her client didnt do what hes accused of doing.

This was poorly investigated and based on an anonymous tip, Jones said.

The vandalism is believed to have occurred around 2:40 a.m. Saturday, when surveillance video shows a vehicle parking in the lot outside the building.

The video shows a man walking out of the vehicle with a can of spray paint in his hands, and appeared to show him painting words on the front of the building.

The words Still Traitors were painted in yellow and gold outside of the building on San Francisco NE.

According to the complaint, the vandalism was reported to police by state Republican Party Executive Director Anissa Tinnin, who provided an Albuquerque police investigator with a copy of the surveillance video. She also provided the officer with the identity of the suspect through an anonymous tip. She told the investigator that McCall was heavily involved with the Democratic Party.

The officer identified the vehicle involved as a Jeep SUV.

The officer was also able to identify McCall as the suspect through McCalls Motor Vehicle Division photograph and his photo on Facebook. Television reports identify him as an employee of Expo New Mexico.

Damage to the building is estimated at $4,000. Tinnin told the officer that McCall had never threatened the safety of the staff but that several staff members expressed concern for their safety after the incident.

Tinnin told the officer the building had been previously vandalized, on March 13, when someone spray-painted the word Traitor on the building, causing $2,000 in damage. The state Republican Party installed a video surveillance system after the incident.

The Republican Party declined to comment about the arrest.
MINSK -- Belarusian authorities may raise the age of consent for homosexuals.

RFE/RL on February 13 obtained a letter signed by Deputy Health Minister Dzmitry Pinevich addressed to social groups opposing the criminalization of domestic violence, which says the ministry "stands for propaganda of traditional family values and supports proposed amendments to the criminal and administrative codes."

The Health Ministry "supports introduction of criminal and administrative liability for spreading information discrediting the institute of family and marriage relations. [The ministry] also stands for raising from 16 to 18 years the consent age for the activities of sexual character between individuals of the same sex," the letter said.

Health Ministry officials refused to comment on the letter, asking RFE/RL to provide them with a written request for comments and promising to answer all questions as soon as possible.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Belarus in 1994, but anti-gay sentiment among many Belarusians remains strong.

The Belarusian parliament said earlier this month that President Alyaksandr Lukashenka had asked them to amend the country's Criminal and Administrative codes. No details were provided at the time.
Showcase 2020, an expo for Ireland's creative sector held at the RDS in Dublin in January, clocked up a hike of 4.6pc in sales orders compared with the previous year, despite a drop in buyers coming from the UK.

Over 400 Irish designers, makers and producers exhibiting at the event signed a combined 26.3m of sales orders between January 19 and 22 at the RDS, with buyers attending from 27 countries.

The annual event is organised by the Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI). This year's event saw marked increases in buyers from Germany (17pc), Japan (23pc), Canada (22pc) and Italy (20pc) but a decline of 31pc in visitors coming from Britain and Northern Ireland.

Some 4,302 visitors attended the RDS event.

"Showcase has again delivered a significant platform for Irish designers and makers to engage and convert Irish and international buyers seeking quality, sustainability and a competitive point of difference," said Eddie Shanahan, chairman of Showcase and a DCCI board member.
Appointment

13 February 2020

Urban Commons, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and development firm, has hired Matthew Goldstein as Vice President of Construction. Goldstein will work with key leadership at Urban Commons to execute strategic growth opportunities for the company's development and design teams.

With more than a decade of construction and real estate development experience, Goldstein's expertise includes projects from large-scale, high-end hospitality and mixed-use, to multifamily, office and government. In his role at Urban Commons, Goldstein will utilize his knowledge to manage a growing team, as well as oversee key contracts and relationships.

Prior to joining Urban Commons, Goldstein was a Managing Director at the John Hardy Group, where he grew Los Angeles office operations and led project teams throughout the western U.S. He previously held leadership and project management roles at several Los Angeles and Las Vegas-based companies and holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Urban Commons is expected to continue its growth through acquisition and development in 2020. Urban Commons is the sponsor to Eagle Hospitality Trust, the current leaseholder of the iconic Queen Mary, a Southern California landmark and special event venue surrounding a 347-room hotel and banquet facility aboard the historic British ocean liner.

Goldstein will deliver revenue-driven projects for Urban Commons, through property renovations and increasing keys in its existing portfolio, as well as diversifying Urban Commons' offering, supporting 2020 acquisitions and ground-up developments.
In what has been a de facto list of agencies setting new standards for creativity, innovation and excellence in marketing since 2004, Contagious has published its annual Contagious Pioneers for 2020. Dentsu Webchutney, the digital-first creative agency from the house of Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN), is a proud inclusion this year, affirming a tectonic shift in the Indian advertising landscape. This year, the list champions agencies that produced brave work consistently over the last year and includes Droga5, New York, Colenso BBDO, Auckland, McCann, New York & BETC, Paris.

Gautam Reghunath, CEO, Dentsu Webchutney said, To say were big fans of the others on this list would be to put it lightly. These are some of the most iconic agencies to ever exist and were proud to be in such glorious company. To me, being nominated amongst them is a sign of the talent on our floors across the three offices. As proud creative partners to some of the worlds most consequential companies, were thankful for the opportunities that working with these clients bring our way. Dentsu Webchutney is only getting started.

Sidharth Rao, Chairman, Dentsu Webchutney added, As a publication known for its in-depth analysis of our ecosystem, being nominated among the best by Contagious is a sign that the digital revolution will further elevate Indian work globally. Were thrilled to add this accolade to our list of firsts as an Indian agency. Some of my proudest moments with Dentsu Webchutney have been over this last year and Im excited for all thats in store over these coming years.

Just to get your work featured on our I/O platform, you have to beat the odds, said Alex Jenkins, Editorial Director, Contagious. We only cover a small proportion of the campaigns that we review. To make it onto I/O consistently, to create campaigns that serve as inspiration for the rest of the industry, and to do it for numerous clients, takes dedication and talent. Thats what we are recognising and rewarding with our Contagious Pioneers list.

The full list in alphabetical order:

Africa, Sao Paulo

BETC, Paris

CHE Proximity, Australia

Colenso BBDO, Auckland

Dentsu Webchutney, India

Droga5, New York

Happiness, Brussels

McCann, New York

The Brooklyn Brothers, London

VMLY&R, Kansas City

Buoyed by strong showings at Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, Kyoorius Creative Awards and the EFFIEs for its disruptive work on Voice of Hunger for Swiggy, Hagglebot for Flipkart, and URI: A Surgical Strike on Piracy, the agencys finish is a milestone moment for digitally-led creatively ahead agencies  a new class of marketers who are making their innovative bent felt at the global stage
BRUSSELS - China and its increasingly sophisticated and far-flung military sit atop U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Espers list of international security worries, but in Europe a bigger concern is closer to home: Russia.

The Trump administration has been trying since 2018 to reorient its defence strategy toward China, with reduced focus, when possible, on Russia and the years-long insurgency wars in the greater Middle East. Russia remains a U.S. worry, but Esper and other administration officials want the allies to see China as Washington does  as a far more capable adversary.

China was not on the formal agenda when Esper met with allies at NATO headquarters Wednesday and Thursday, but he made a point of publicly expressing American concerns.

Ive raised it every time Ive been here, about the great power competition with China and Russia  but China in particular, he told reporters.

NATOs emphasis on Russia over China reflects the alliances 71-year history. Throughout that time, it has been focused mainly on Russia and the former Soviet Union. And NATO nations  especially those on Russias eastern flank  have grown warier of Moscow since its takeover of Crimea in 2014 and its incursion into eastern Ukraine.

More recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin has trumpeted his nations pioneering development of futuristic weaponry, calling into question the effectiveness of U.S. defences and raising the possibility of a new arms race.

European allies have also been uneasy with President Donald Trumps approach to Russia. Trumps warm words for Putin, his resistance to accepting intelligence findings of Russian interference in U.S. elections and his desire to withdraw U.S. troops from areas, like Syria, where Moscow could fill the vacuum have caused distress within NATO. Trumps decision to delay military aid to Ukraine last year was at the core of impeachment proceedings that ended in the presidents acquittal.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, sees Europe as slow to respond to threats posed by China. It worries that Chinas economic engine is driving it to greater international influence, not just on the military front but also in global trade, in space and in technological advances. Russia, by contrast, is seen by the U.S. administration as a second-rate power, albeit with a huge nuclear force.

Trumps national security adviser, Robert OBrien, recently touched on this China-Russia distinction in describing the administrations interest in nuclear arms control talks that include China as well as Russia. Trump has said his priority is an arms control deal that would include China for the first time, though China has not publicly expressed an interest in such negotiations.

Candidly speaking, the Chinese are better prepared to have an arms race and to do what they want than the Russians ever were, OBrien said at the Atlantic Council this week.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered his own beware-of-China message during a recent trip to Europe and Central Asia. He denounced Chinas human rights record, criticized its aggressive trade practices and urged his hosts to be wary of Chinese investment and influence. He warned that Chinas tech giant Hauwei poses a risk as countries develop next-generation, high-speed wireless networks.

The Trump administration has cast Huawei as a de facto arm of the Chinese government that could enable global espionage through its 5G networks. Huawei has denied these allegations.

Esper told reporters Thursday that NATO allies must carefully consider the long-term risks of the economic and commercial choices they make.

At the end of the day, Chinese telecom firms have a legal obligation to provide technical support and assistance to the Communist Party, and that concerns us deeply, he said.

NATO hasnt completely ignored China. Last December, for the first time, NATO leaders agreed they must as a group consider the implications for their security of Chinas rise to economic and military prominence.

We recognize that Chinas growing influence and international policies present both opportunities and challenges that we need to address together as an alliance, the leaders said in a statement.

But they have said and done little about China since. Instead, at this weeks NATO defence ministers meeting, competition with Russia was high on the agenda, including talks aimed at fashioning a NATO response to Moscows deployment of nuclear-capable cruise missiles within reach of many allied countries. That deployment was the Trump administrations stated rationale for withdrawing last year from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty.

Moscow also says it has begun deploying a hypersonic glide vehicle, called the Avangard, that poses new challenges for the U.S. as well as Europe because of the weapons greater capacity for evading missile defences. Russia also has announced intentions to deploy a nuclear-powered cruise missile, known in the West as Skyfall, that could be nuclear armed and that Moscow says will have nearly unlimited range.

The Trump administration remains committed to Europes defence, as evidenced by U.S. participation this month in a NATO-led exercise, Defender Europe 20, the largest deployment of U.S.-based forces to Europe in 25 years. But in the 2021 budget presented to Congress this week, the Pentagon proposed cutting spending on its European Deterrence Initiative, meant to demonstrate U.S. resolve, to $4.5 billion from this years $6 billion.

The allies also are concerned about the possibility that the Trump administration will not take Moscow up on its offer to extend the New START treaty, which governs the number of U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons, before it expires next February. In addition, some European officials have questioned the wisdom of an American decision to deploy a submarine-launched missile armed with a lower-yield nuclear warhead. Washington argues that it counters a Russian strategy for the potential use of battlefield nuclear weapons in Europe.

Europe and North America arent NATOs only areas of interest. The organization has been contributing troops and other resources to the U.S.-led conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan for years, and it also has conducted combat air operations in Libya.

In his review of Wednesdays first rounds of discussions among defence ministers, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said they had agreed to explore what more the alliance can do to combat extremists in the Mideast and North Africa. They also discussed the war in Afghanistan.

He made no mention of China.

-

Associated Press reporter Lorne Cook contributed to this report.
Defense Minister of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk held a first official meeting with National Defense Minister of Turkey Hulusi Akar and praised the intensification of bilateral defense cooperation.

February 12, during the working visit of the Ukrainian delegation to NATO Headquarters, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk held a first official meeting with Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey Hulusi Akar. Andriy Zahorodniuk praised the intensification of defense cooperation between the two countries, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

In particular, the Ukrainian minister stressed the importance of signing of the Agreement on Defense Cooperation during the official visit of President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Ukraine.

As noted, an important aspect of the discussion was the initiative of the Ukrainian side to establish a joint commission on defense cooperation, which was fully supported by Turkish partners.

Among prospects for defense cooperation, the parties also emphasized the possibility of enhancing security cooperation in the Black Sea region, enhancing air defense capabilities through joint participation in the NATO Air Situational Data Exchange program with the Armed Forces of Turkey and participation in joint exercises, as well as intensification of the navy dialogue, the statement reads.

At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Turkish delegation emphasized support to Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders and the non-recognition of the illegal occupation of the Crimean peninsula.

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WILLIAMSPORT - One of six men who admitted tampering with emission control devices on heavy-duty diesel trucks used in the Marcellus Shale natural gas fields is headed to prison for six months.

The sentencing Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court of Brian Mellott, 46, of Cumberland, Md., is believed to be the first in the nation involving after-market emission devices installed in the field.

Mellott is the first of the six to be sentenced in the scheme, after they admitted that between August 2013 and March 2016 they altered the devices on 30 heavy-duty trucks to reduce repair costs and maintenance downtime.

Mellott was an inventory and logistics analyst in Lycoming County at the Linden facility of Rockwell Northeast, a subsidiary of Rockwater Energy Solutions Inc. of Houston, Texas. Rockwater provides transportation of water and wastewater to and from natural gas wells.

Mellotts involvement included ordering equipment  known as defeate devices  that, when installed, fooled control devices into believing emission systems were operating correctly. He also admitted falsifying invoices.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo-Garrison said a government expert estimated use of the defeat devices resulted in 26 tons of nitrous oxide plus particulate matter being released into the air from the 30 trucks.

Judge Matthew W. Brann said he considered that a relative small amount of harmful emissions when considering the country as a whole.

While the judge found the crime not particularly serious, he said a jail sentence was required because Mellott had a lengthy but aged record of theft, fraud and deception.

Following his jail term, Mellott will be on supervised release for one year during which he must perform 50 hours of community service preferably with an organization that benefits the environment.

Mellott, who said he lost his job with Rockwater over the scheme, is to report to prison on March 12.

Sentencing dates have not been set for the other five defendants.
[February 13, 2020] PaaS Market Procurement Intelligence Report | Evolving Opportunities With Microsoft and Amazon in the PaaS Market | SpendEdge

SpendEdge has been monitoring the global PaaS market and the market is poised to experience spend growth of more than USD 12 billion between 2018-2023 at a CAGR of over 20% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005483/en/ Read the 128-page research report with TOC and LOE on "The Global PaaS Market - Procurement Intelligence Report, Pricing Outlook in Geographies that include APAC, North America, South America, and MEA, top suppliers, supplier selection and negotiation strategies, and insights into best practices to optimize procurement spend." The rapid adoption of cloud-based development tools and cloud-enabled DBMS among end-user industries is favoring spend growth in the global PaaS market. Businesses in the IT development and services industry are exhibiting strong demand for cloud-based development tools, programming languages, libraries, and database management systems in order to reduce their on-premise infrastructure and software costs. This is generating significant growth opportunities for PaaS service providers. Subscribe to our procurement platform to get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment. The Top PaaS Service Providers Enlisted in this Report: The rising global shortage of cloud architecture developers and designers and the growing need for retaining existing employees are expected to increase operational costs for service providers. Sch an incremental expenditure is likely to be compensated by buyers in the form of an excess procurement spend. Considering this possibility, this report has enlisted the top PaaS service providers, SLA agreement insights, and the selection and negotiation strategies that buyers must undertake to achieve optimal and cost-effective procurement in this market.



Microsoft (News - Alert)- It is among the technological giants with high brand value and visibility in the market, which allows this PaaS service provider to lower its spend on marketing expenses. Such service providers are primarily vertically integrated, which allows them to operate on thin margins to capture a large number of clients by offering the best competitive prices in the PaaS market. Amazon- This service provider has built-in cloud monitoring tools such as the Amazon Cloudwatch. Buyers can seek bundling opportunities for such tools while procuring PaaS from this service provider. These tools also help category managers evaluate the performance of service providers, which can be used during the contract renewal phase.

VMware- While negotiating, it is imperative that buyers derive complete information regarding the prices that will be charged as per the resources utilized. They should actively negotiate for performance guarantees in the contract to avail the best possible service during periods of high demand. Buy 1 report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 reports and get the third for free. Download the free sample of this report on the PaaS market. Some of the key topics covered in this report are: PaaS market spend segmentation by region

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Cost saving opportunities in the PaaS market Free sample of reports that you may like: Global Data Center Services Market - Procurement Intelligence Report

Global Web Hosting Services Industry - Procurement Market Intelligence Report About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005483/en/

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general secretary said on Thursday that his party will stage protest during US President Donald Trumps visit to the country later this month, as he was coming to boost American economy at the cost of Indias interest.

Yechury said the Left workers will launch agitation wherever Trump goes during the tour on February 24 and 25.

"May be in Delhi or in Gujarat, the party activists will certainly protest", he said.

The leader said the protests would be held on two counts.

"Firstly, America is putting pressure and (Narendra) Modi is succumbing to completely open up our economy which is the gain they want to achieve in order to give support to Modi on issues like CAA, Article 370 and others, Yechury told reporters on the sideline of an anti-CAA rally here.

"That is the quid pro quo going on, which is not in Indias interest.

"This apart, we will be spending billions of dollars for buying US military equipments, to bailout US economy while destroying our own," Yechury remarked.

Replying to a question on the increse in LPG cylinder price, the CPM leader said his party has been protesting against it at many centres and places.

"The price hike is completely unwarranted. The international oil prices are not on escalating. In fact it is deescalating a little.

"This is all because of the crisis created in the balance sheets of our oil majors by the Modi government which started borrowing from them in terms of greater dividends and destroying the balance sheet," he alleged.

"In order to stablise the balance sheets, they are doing it (price hike of LPG cylinder). There is no necessity at all for increasing the price," Yechury said, adding the balance sheet is rectified in order to prepare the oil majors for disinvestment.

On the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans "Green shoots" remark, Yechury said: "With due respect to the finance minister, she may be suffering from colour blindness."



Sitharaman had on Tuesday last said the economy is not in trouble and green shoots are visible with the country moving towards a USD 5 trillion economy.
HOW BIG IS IT?

Greg Phillips, Colorado Springs' aviation director, said the 4-million-square-foot Amazon distribution center would be "the biggest building possibly in six or seven states." The center would be more than the combined size of the Air Force Academy's Fairchild Hall and The Citadel and Chapel Hills malls.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday



questioned the Maharashtra government and BMC's campaign urging students of civic schools to drink more water, and asked if these schools indeed provide clean drinking water.

A division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and R I Chagla was hearing a public interest litigation on lack of clean toilets and drinking water facilities in civic-run schools.

"The government and civic body had very seriously started this drive to remind students to drink water regularly. The emphasis is on clean drinking water. Do municipal schools provide clean drinking water to students?" Justice Dharmadhikari asked.

In several schools, children drink tap water and in some cases even that is not available, the bench stated.

Last month, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's department had issued a circular to its primary schools, asking them to ring school bells thrice a day to remind students to drink water.

The bench has posted the matter for further hearing in March.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) share price rose nearly 2 percent intraday on February 13 after the company signed an MoU with a Russian firm.

The company has signed an MoU with Joint Stock Company Rosoboronexport, Russia during the 5th India-Russia Military Industrial Conference held in Lucknow.

The aim of the MoU is to cooperate and undertake joint projects and operations for defence systems.

This will help in leveraging BHEL's strength/capabilities in the defence sector in association with Russian OEMs under the 'Make in India' initiative and offer indigenous support and solutions to the Indian Defence Forces.

At 11:09 hrs, Bharat Heavy Electricals was quoting at Rs 37.00, up Rs 0.65, or 1.79 percent on the BSE.
[February 13, 2020] NCS Names Jeff Doherty As First Chief Product Enrichment Officer

NEW YORK and CINCINNATI, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NCSolutions (NCS), the leading company for improving advertising effectiveness for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) ecosystem, has named Jeff Doherty to the newly created position of chief product enrichment officer. Doherty, who will continue to serve as NCS's COO, will be focusing on accelerating innovation at NCS including the next wave of initiatives that will allow CPG advertisers and publishers to be more agile and compete more effectively even as advertising is roiled by change. He will oversee product strategy, data management, technical infrastructure, and operations as well as research and development. He continues to report to Linda Dupree, CEO of NCS. "CPG advertisers are asking pressing questions about their advertising: am I reaching the right audiences; what levers do I need to pull to make sure I am driving in-store sales; is my advertising building my brand; do I focus on current or new buyers to build my brand," said Dupree. "Over the last 10 years, we've built an arsenal of innovative concepts, solutions, and technologies. Jeff will now accelerate our initiatives to ensure we are operating at the speed of business today, aligning our industry-leading expertise with a continually growing world-class collection of data and allowing the NCS teams to deliver deeper, more impactful insights for all of the markets we serve." "From our founding, the NCS vision is to improve advertising effectiveness through innovative use of insights and technology and help advertisers connect the dots from advertising exposure to in-store sales," said Doherty. "Today, we have so much more at our disposal to drive greater value for CPG advertisers. Mchine learning, for example, not only drives faster insights for advertisers but is also constantly improving itself  getting smarter over time. My new focus on emerging technologies will support NCS's mission of effective advertising across all media. This will allow the NCS teams to be more agile and scale faster to meet the growing demand and needs of the markets."



Throughout its history, NCS has worked hand-in-hand with CPG advertisers, platforms and media companies to develop and launch breakthrough advertising solutions. From post-campaign measurement connecting campaigns with in-store sales to quantifying impact early in a campaign, the company has provided brands with a holistic picture of the impact of their campaigns across channels. Most recently, NCS has focused on groundbreaking in-flight solutions, which allow advertisers to be more efficient with their advertising spend. Doherty will also play a vital role in addressing some of the industry's toughest challenges, including privacy. Consumers, for example, are demanding higher standards. Although already compliant with the strictest data privacy regulations, NCS will continue to be proactive on this issue, providing advertisers and publishers with tools that help them build new relationships with consumers while also remaining ahead of the market.

As a member of the start-up team at NCS, Doherty played a significant role in laying the structural groundwork for the joint venture 10 years ago. As chief financial officer, he led an initiative to automate business functions and improve operational effectiveness. He also established key partnerships and revenue-generating initiatives that have contributed to the company's growth and continued operational efficiency. About NCS

NCSolutions (NCS) makes advertising work better. Our unrivaled data resources powered by leading providers combine with scientific rigor and leading-edge technology to empower the CPG ecosystem to create and deliver more effective advertising. With NCS's proven approach, brands are achieving continuous optimization everywhere ads appear, through purchase-based audience targeting and sales measurement solutions that have impacted over $25 billion in media spend for our customers. NCS has offices in NYC, Chicago, Tampa, and Cincinnati. Visit us at ncsolutions.com to learn more. PRESS CONTACT:

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[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ncs-names-jeff-doherty-as-first-chief-product-enrichment-officer-301004399.html SOURCE NCSolutions

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Linkedin Pavel Alpeyev and Takahiko Hyuga (Bloomberg) Tokyo, Japan  Thu, February 13, 2020 13:05 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206446ec2 2 Business SoftBank-Group-Corp,Masayoshi-Son,investment,fund,start-up,Vision-Fund Free

SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son said he is considering a new type of fund for startup investing, showing his determination to keep cutting deals after missteps with WeWork and several other companies.

The Japanese billionaire unveiled his US$100 billion Vision Fund three years ago and had been planning on raising a similarly sized second Vision Fund. But as he discussed earnings in Tokyo Wednesday, he conceded that raising money from limited partners for the second fund has been difficult and he may instead make startup investments solely with SoftBanks capital for a year or two.

A lot of our planned investors have been worried by the trouble at WeWork and Uber and we heard their feedback, Son said. So before we officially launch SoftBank Vision Fund 2, maybe we start from a smaller scale and start from a shorter period in terms of investment as sort of a bridge.

So Im beginning to think about that kind of two-step approach, he said. We have not made any official decision yet, but thats one of the options that we started considering. Again, we have not come to a conclusion yet.

Read also: Local venture capitalists, start-ups learn lessons from Softbanks big loss in WeWork

Sons somewhat opaque comments came after SoftBank reported that the Vision Fund had lost money for the second quarter in a row, reflecting the decreased value of startups it has backed. The Vision Fund lost 225.1 billion yen ($2.05 billion) for the three months ended in December, after losing 970.3 billion yen the quarter before including WeWork and Uber Technologies Inc.

Mr. Son said that he may consider delaying SVF2 or a smaller SVF2. Given our view that SVF2 is a big risk, this statement is welcome, said Atul Goyal, an analyst at Jefferies Group, in a research report.

SoftBank set up the original Vision Fund with money from outside investors, led by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund and Abu Dhabis Mubadala Investment Co. But for years before that, SoftBank made deals with its own capital, including early investments in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Yahoo! Corp. During the dot-com boom, Son took stakes in hundreds of internet companies.

Read also: Softbank eyes $40b investment in new capital city: Luhut

Indeed, before the first Vision Fund, SoftBank set up an entity called Delta Fund that was used for startup deals, including some that eventually were moved into the Vision Fund. Son could simply inject capital into that vehicle. SoftBank had weighed contributing $40 billion to $50 billion of its own capital for the second fund, people familiar with the matter have said.

We can make investment on our own or we can work with partners, new or existing, Son said.

He did explain that SoftBank continues to back startups with its own money.

We made several investments because we do have a very good pipeline, Son said Wednesday. Its a hundreds of billions yen level.

Read also: Lippo Karawaci inks partnership with Softbank to integrate AI, IoT in real estate

He added that he is no longer targeting $108 billion for the second fund and wasnt precise about what the expected size would be.

We shouldnt be postponed too long, he said. First, make it a little bit smaller for 1 to 2 years, raise some bridge money, while were are building a track record. Then once we have results, I want to raise an official second fund.
Technavio has been monitoring the personalized gifts market and it is poised to grow by USD 15.92 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005401/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global personalized gifts market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Rising demand for 3D printed personalized gifts has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, seasonal nature of the market might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report

Personalized Gifts Market 2019-2023: Segmentation

Personalized Gifts Market is segmented as below:

Product

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Personalized Non-photo gifts

Personalized Non-photo Gifts

Wearables and Accessories

Decoration

Kitchenware and Tableware

Stationery and Greeting Cards

Sports Equipment and Toys

Food and Beverages

Other Personalized Non-photo Gifts

Personalized Photo Gifts

Wall Decor

Photo Cards

Photo Calendars

Photo Gifts

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Offline

Online

Geographic segmentation

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Europe

South America

MEA

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This study identifies rising popularity of eco-friendly personalized gifts as one of the prime reasons driving the personalized gifts market growth during the next few years.

Personalized Gifts Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the personalized gifts market, including some of the vendors such as American Greetings Corp., Bed Bath Beyond Inc., Card Factory Plc., Cimpress NV, Enesco LLC, Hallmark Licensing LLC, Personal Creations, Shutterfly Inc., Snapfish LLC and UncommonGoods LLC. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the personalized gifts market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023

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Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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This month, Netflix revealed that its energy usage for 2019 was almost double what it had been in 2018.

The company consumed the equivalent of what 40,000 average American homes would consume in a year.

Netflix burned through a total of 451,000 megawatt hours of energy in 2019, rising from 245,000 megawatt hours in 2018.

It takes the equivalent amount of energy to keep Netflix's streaming services running as 40,000 American houses would use in a year, and the company's energy consumption nearly doubled between 2018 and 2019

94,000 megawatt hours went to keeping the lights on in its own offices and studio spaces.

Another 357,000 megawatt hours went to what the company terms indirect electricity use.

This includes all the electricity used by external companies to support its streaming service, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and servers maintained with various internet service providers around the world.

In 2018, the companys indirect energy use was just 194,000 megawatt hours while its office and studio consumption was 51,000 megawatt hours, according to a summary in Variety.

While Netflixs energy usage is rising, it says its taking measures to reduce the environmental impact of that consumption.

Netflix points to their support for renewable energy projects in 20 countries around the world, including Brazil, Croatia, Colombia, South Africa, Vietnam, Turkey, Malaysia, and elsewhere.

Netflix breaks its energy usage into two categories, one covers what its own offices and studios use, which account for around 20 percent of its total usage. The second category includes all the external partners like Amazon Web Services, which help keep its content available 24 hours a day

The company is also backing renewable energy development in 15 US states, including Alaska, Georgia, South Dakota, Texas, and New York.

Netflix acknowledges an unspecified percentage of its energy usage comes from non-renewable sources, but the company claims it offsets this usage with an equivalent amount of energy drawn from 100 percent renewable sources.

The company also highlights its efforts to promote environmentally conscious practices in its offices, and through the content it distributes.

In our offices, sustainable practices include donating excess food and reducing our use of paper, the company report states.

Finally, through content like Our Planetfeaturing David Attenborough and supported by the World Wildlife Fundwe work with storytellers who use their talents to build awareness around environmental issues, reaching millions of people around the world.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New Yorks governor plans to propose to President Donald Trump that the state could share some driving records with federal immigration agencies if the administration reverses its move to block state residents from Global Entry and other programs that allow travelers to avoid long border security lines.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he plans to meet with Trump on Thursday; the White House confirmed the meeting. Cuomo said he would only propose giving federal officials access to the state driving records of applicants to traveler programs who undergo a sit-down interview with federal officials and supply documents such as a passport.

The governor's comments in Wednesday radio interviews come a day after New York officials filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Securitys move to block New York residents from trusted traveler programs, including Global Entry.

Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli announced last week that New Yorkers would no longer be allowed to enroll or re-enroll in the traveler programs.

New York's lawsuit claims the Trump administration's decision was intended to punish the state for enacting a law that lets immigrants in the country illegally get drivers licenses and bars federal immigration agents from accessing state motor vehicle records.

But Cuccinelli said it was a necessary step because New Yorks new law had endangered public safety by making it tougher for immigration and border agents to quickly confirm someones identification, check for fugitive warrants or see if a person has a criminal record.

More than a dozen states have passed laws allowing people who are not legal U.S. residents to get drivers licenses.

Cuomo, a Democrat, called the Trump administration's move extortion and an effort to punish New York for political purposes. Cuomo said that federal officials can access criminal records from the FBI. State driving records can contain lower-level driving violations.

New York's DMV database now includes people who are in the U.S. illegally but who have driver's licenses. Cuomo said he believes Trump simply wants access to records on those people, so federal immigration officials can have a feeding frenzy. He noted that people who are in the U.S. illegally couldn't apply for the trusted traveler programs anyway because it would be tantamount to turning themselves over to federal agents.

I will never give them access to the DMV database, Cuomo said. And I think that's what they really want.

The governor said he's calling the Trump administration's bluff.

Because if they dont accept this, then what they're admitting is they're just playing politics, Cuomo said.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said Wednesday that the president simply wants to keep Americans safe. He said that New York City residents understand the importance of ensuring people have proper identification when they enter the country in light of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the city.

I hope that Gov. Cuomo can work with the president and come forward with some type of solution that allows the federal government to do its main function, which is to protect all Americans and their families, Gidley said.
How author Maeve Binchy would have enjoyed the chat and afternoon tea yesterday as we raised our china teacups to toast the world premiere stage adaptation of her best-selling novel 'Circle of Friends'.

It is 30 years since Maeve wrote the "coming of age" novel about love and friendship wrapped around best pals, Benny and Eve.

Five years later, a film adaptation of the novel was made starring Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell, Colin Firth, Alan Cumming and Aidan Gillian.

In the latest chapter of this hugely popular literary tale, hardcore Maeve Binchy fans can catch up on its transition to the stage.

Breda Cashe Productions is teaming up with the Gaiety Theatre to present the world premiere of 'Circle of Friends', which has been adapted for stage by Elaine Murphy and will run from April 6 to May 2.

Maeve's husband, author Gordon Snell, was at the Gaiety Theatre yesterday for afternoon tea held in the dress circle bar.

Guests included Christine Green, Maeve's long-time literary agent, and cast members including Roseanna Purcell who will play Benny, Juliette Crosbie who plays Eve, while Charleigh Bailey and Aron Hegarty were chosen for the roles of Nan and Jack.

Maeve Binchy died in 2012 aged 73. As one of Ireland's most successful writers, she sold more than 40 million books worldwide.

Gordon, who met Maeve in London when he was working as a radio producer, told me about their writing schedule and neighbouring desks at home in Dalkey.

"It worked very well and we would critique each other's work each day. We used to go out for picnics quite a lot, with the Wicklow Mountains being close by," he said.

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Guests also included Kathleen Watkins who, with her late husband Gay Byrne, were friends of Maeve and Gordon. They attended the premiere of the stage production of 'Minding Frankie' at the Gaiety Theatre in 2017. Last year saw Maeve's novel 'Light a Penny Candle' being turned into a second stage production at the theatre.

At 85, Kathleen finds solace in writing. A book of her poetry was published last year and she said she intended to finish off the third book in her 'Pigin of Howth' children's series.

It was a day for tea and sympathy and cherished memories about Gaybo, whose interviews with Maeve were always radio and television gold.

Before she left, Kathleen spoke quietly about moments on Gay's final journey last November, like the schoolboys from 'Joeys' out at the bridge in Fairview and then on to Gay's resting place in St Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton, the place, she said, "that Brendan Behan called 'the healthiest graveyard in Ireland' because it is out beside the sea".
Barclayss board defended CEO Jes Staley, who has said he regretted his relationship with alleged sex offender Epstein.

The United Kingdoms financial regulators are investigating past links between Barclays Chief Executive Jes Staley and the United States financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, the bank said on Thursday.

Barclays said its board had looked into media reports on Staleys relationship with Epstein, and investigated Staleys characterisation of it. The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority are investigating.

The bank said its board believes Staley has been sufficiently transparent about his ties to Epstein, whom Staley said he had not seen since taking over as Barclays chief executive in 2015.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Staley said he regretted his relationship with Epstein, which began in 2000 while he was employed by JPMorgan and tapered off significantly after he left the Wall Street lender.

The relationship ended in late 2015, Staley said.

I thought I knew him well, and I didnt. Im sure with hindsight of what we all know now, I deeply regret having had any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, he said.

The New York Times last year said Epstein had referred dozens of wealthy clients to Staley when the chief executive ran JPMorgans private banking business.

It also reported that Staley visited Epstein in prison when he was serving a sentence between 2008-09 for soliciting prostitution.

Staley also went to Epsteins private island in 2015, Bloomberg reported.

Barclays has previously said Staley never engaged or paid fees to Epstein to advise him or provide professional services.

The probe is the second regulatory investigation into Staleys conduct in recent years, after the FCA and PRA fined him 642,000 pounds ($832,803) in 2018 for trying to identify a whistle-blower who sent letters criticizing a Barclays employee.

Barclays shares fell 3.4 percent on Thursday morning.

Staley received a bumper pay package of 5.9 million pounds ($7.65m) in 2019, up from 3.36 million pounds ($4.36m) a year earlier. The sum was boosted by the paying out of a long-term incentive plan worth 1.48 million pounds ($1.92m).

His bonus also rose to 1.65 million pounds ($2.14m), reflecting the banks strong annual performance.

Both Staley and Finance Director Tushar Morzaria took cuts to their pension allowances in 2019, and will now receive fixed cash contributions equating to 10 percent of salary in line with the broader workforce.

Lower-paid employees will see their employer pension contributions rise to 12 percent.

The bank, meanwhile, reported a better-than-expected profit before tax of 6.2 billion pounds ($8.04bn) for 2019, as its investment bank reported bumper returns from fixed-income trading.

Its profit was 9 percent higher than in 2018 and above the 5.7 billion pound ($7.39bn) average of analysts forecasts compiled by the bank.

The UK lender also reiterated its ambition of achieving a 10 percent return on equity this year, although it repeated a warning from October that the worsening economic outlook might make reaching that target difficult.

Staley has said Barclayss mix of investment and retail banking businesses should partly insulate it from economic and market fluctuations.

Barclays paid a dividend of nine pence ($0.12) for the year, compared with 6.5 pence ($0.08) for 2018, as its core capital ratio came in at a better-than-expected 13.8 percent.
SUMGAYIT, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Nargiz Ismayilova - Trend:

A new steam turbogenerator is being constructed at the Ethylene-Polyethylene Plant of Azerikimya Production Union (PU) of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, the plants Deputy Chief Engineer for Modernization Gadir Aliyev told reporters in Baku during a press tour on Feb. 13, Trend reports.

The aim of the project is to increase the production capacity of the steam generating complex, which provides the plant with electricity, Aliyev said.

The deputy chief engineer added that in order to implement the project, SOCAR signed an agreement with the German Uniper company and created a SOCAR-UNIPER joint venture in 2016.

Aliyev noted that the new steam turbogenerator will fully meet the needs of the plant. The design capacity of the current steam generator complex is planned to be increased to 65 megawatts per second, the deputy chief engineer said.

Aliyev noted that the existing old substation is being reconstructed using internal capacities of the Azerikimya PU.

After completion of the project, Azerikimya PU will have the opportunity to transfer electricity, provided at the expense of own capabilities, to other SOCAR facilities, as well as to other consumers in Sumgayit city, the deputy chief engineer added.

Both projects are planned to be completed in the 3rd quarter of this year, Aliyev said.

---

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Linkedin Kyle Springer (The Jakarta Post) Perth, Australia  Thu, February 13, 2020 09:19 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20644afe9 3 Opinion opinions,Indonesia-Australia,diplomatic-missions,diplomatic-relations,diplomacy,international-relations,economic-diplomacy,bilateral-cooperation,bilateral-relation,IA-CEPA Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodos visit to Australia earlier this week, culminating in a speech to Australian Parliament, bodes well for Australia-Indonesia relations. Over the past ten years, they have expanded their cooperation despite occasional diplomatic rows. However, there is one area that has been left behind in an otherwise improved friendship: their economic relations.

For two neighboring countries of the Group of 20 with complementary economies, one would expect higher levels of trade and investment.

In fact, Indonesia and Australia have the lowest trade volumes of any two G20 neighbors. In 2018, less than 1 percent of Australias foreign investment went to Indonesia. Two-way trade with Indonesia has stagnated at around 2 percent for the entire decade.

To remedy this problem, they have signed a long-awaited free trade agreement, the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA).

A decade in the making, the deal was approved by Indonesia's House of Representatives last week, just in time for Jokowis arrival in Australia, and paving the way for its entry into force.

It is hard to find a satisfying explanation for the lack of trade and investment. In Australia, some advocates of increased business ties with Indonesia point to cultural differences.

This is rather unconvincing, given Australias success doing business with other cultures around the Indo-Pacific region. More compelling is the fact that Australian boardrooms and executives do not yet have a narrative of the opportunities Indonesia presents to compel them to take a risk there.

Whatever the reasons behind this missing piece in their relations, it is important to understand that Australia has a strong incentive to improve economic ties with its close neighbor: diversification.

Australias trade is currently dominated by China and the United States is its top investment partner.

In the shadow of the US-China trade war, and increasing competition between the two superpowers, Australian government and business are looking for other opportunities.

Jokowi reminded Australias parliament in his speech on Monday that Indonesia is an emerging economic heavyweight right on their doorstep.

In this context, it is hard to overstate IA-CEPAs importance as a platform to improve economic relations. One of the aims of the treaty is to increase investor confidence. Investor State Dispute Settlement, which establishes a pathway for investors to enforce the protections guaranteed to them under the agreement, is a step in the right direction.

It also establishes a system of tariff quotas and for the first time, Australian exporters of key commodities such as live cattle will have a known quantity Indonesia will allow to be imported tariff-free.

At face value, it might look like IA-CEPA benefits Australia more than it does Indonesia. However, when examining the agreement you have to take into account that Australia now has almost 80 percent of its exports covered by free trade agreements.

Australias trade dependent economy has eschewed protectionism for decades. Tariffs are already low. This is a disadvantage in trade negotiations, giving Australia less to put on the table when making a deal with a large economy like Indonesia.

Neither does Australia have investment restrictions similar to Indonesias negative investment list, or DNI.

Instead, only investments over a certain threshold and in high-risk assets trigger a review by the Foreign Investment Review Board. Known as the FIRB, this body approves more investment deals than it denies. In short, Australia is open for Indonesian business.

President Jokowi spoke of advocating economic openness in the face of rising protectionism in his speech on Monday.

This signals that Indonesia is prepared to engage with the new economic architecture in the region, of which Australia is an advocate and participant.

Indonesias exercise in negotiating an agreement with Australia, one of only two bilateral trade agreements Indonesia has with another G20 country, has built its capacity to pursue its economic diplomacy.

Australia places a strategic value on IA-CEPA because it sees Indonesia as occupying an important place in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indo-Pacific concept, which Australia has championed, places Indonesia at the center of a region holding the keys to Australias economic future.

One of the pillars of their strategic partnership is cooperation to ensure the prosperity and stability of this region. Jokowis speech echoed this sentiment and it resonates in Australia.

Jokowi did not mention it directly, but the regions infrastructure gap offers another area of cooperation, one that an economic treaty like IA-CEPA cannot solve.

This gap constrains economic growth and integration in the region. Indonesia alone needs billions of dollars of investment to bridge its own gap.

Meanwhile, infrastructure initiatives in the region have emerged as new geopolitical tools to wield influence and snare countries in "debt traps".

Collaboration on infrastructure is another way to increase trade. Australia stands to benefit just as much from infrastructure development in Indonesia as it would itself.

For example, improved port facilities across the archipelago would open up new markets for Australian agricultural products, which can be shipped within days from ports in Australia.

It is more win-win situations like this that Jokowi wants. With the positive momentum in Australia-Indonesia relations and IA-CEPA as a platform, we should be able to identify many more economic opportunities that benefit both sides in this way.

The IA-CEPA, after all, is only as good as what the countries choose to do with it.

***

Senior analyst at the Perth USAsia Center at The University of Western Australia

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
Shanghai Electric Group (Shanghai Electric) has announced that it is to join the Expo 2020 Dubai as the official partner of the China Pavilion, scheduled to open on October 20.

"We are proud to be part of the Expo 2020 Dubai. It is the fourth time for Shanghai Electric to join the World Expo. Aptly named 'The Light of China', the China pavilion and Shanghai Electric will team up to show the world the latest technology and power solutions set to illuminate the future of energy generation and consumption. It is also a significant step for the Company as we continue to strengthen our global brand image," said Sun, Deputy director of Corporate Culture Department of Shanghai Electric.

At present, Shanghai Electric has a range of mega-projects in the Belt and Road region, including the 950MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and PV solar power project in Dubai. Once completed, the project is expected to provide clean energy to over 270,000 families in the city, reducing the city's carbon dioxide emissions by 1.6 million tonnes per year.

Zhang Shenfeng, Deputy Director, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that the 950MW project is a significant endeavor of the Belt and Road Initiative and he is pleased to see Shanghai Electric join the Expo as the representative of China's State-owned companies.

The China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will occupy 4,636 sqm and will be designed to symbolise hope and a bright future. Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of cutting-edge innovations in IT, transportation, 5G and Artificial Intelligence currently being developed in China. -- Tradearabia News Service
One of the three medical students, who had tested positive for novel coronavirus infection and were treated at a hospital in Kerala, has been discharged after recovery, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

About the other two, he said subsequent tests indicated significant reduction in "viral load".

"We are still waiting for confirmatory results before discharging them. They are stable and recovering and will be discharged soon," Vardhan said.

A high-level Group of Ministers, constituted on the directions of the prime minister, held its second meeting to review the current status and actions for prevention and management of the novel coronavirus, named COVID-19.

At a press briefing, Vardhan said a total of 2,51,447 persons travelling in 2,315 flights have been screened so far.

Besides, 15,991 people across the country have been kept on community surveillance. Of them, 497 have been identified as symptomatic cases and isolated while 41 have been hospitalised, Vardhan said.

The minister said India had evacuated 645 people, including seven Maldivians, from China's Wuhan city and quarantined them in two special camps. They will be kept under observation for a period of two weeks and discharged after they test negative for the virus.

India has extended support to Maldives in testing samples and Bhutan in managing COVID-19. India has also agreed to support Afghanistan in testing samples. India is also extending help to China by sending essential items for combating COVID 2019 as per a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Passengers arriving from Thailand and Singapore, besides China and Hong Kong, are being screened for possible exposure to the virus at 21 identified airports. Screening is also being done at major seaports and border crossings.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose to 1,310 China on Thursday while the number of those affected by the deadly virus has spiralled to 48,206.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Syrian government must rid itself of the Turkish presence, before it moves on to secure the rest of Idleb writes Al-Watan.

For Damascus and Moscow, the goal is no longer to implement the Sochi Agreement by fire. Rather, the goal has become to remove Turkish occupation forces from Idleb as a first stage.

After Ankara renounced its obligations under the Sochi agreement regarding Idleb, and after the terrorists and armed militias continued to violate this deal, Damascus and Moscow have become impatient with the Turkish regime, and began a broad and intensive military operation, during which the army recovered dozens of cities and towns, including Maarat al-Numan and Saraqeb, and took control of the entire international M5 highway.

The incident which killed eight soldiers from the Turkish occupation on Feb. 5, 2020, when the Syrian army struck terrorist sites, came against the backdrop of Erdogans breach of the Adana agreement and introduced many military convoys into Idleb and set up many headquarters under the pretext of observation points. These moves demonstrated the intentions of the occupation to plan for further aggression on Syrian soilwhich Damascus and Moscow will not allow, indicating that tensions will escalate.

There are indicators suggesting tensions will escalate in the future, including the failure of the first Russian-Turkish meeting taking place in Ankara several days ago regarding Idleb, in addition to five more Turkish soldiers and others being wounded on Feb. 10, 2020, when the army again struck one of the Turkish points where terrorists were taking refuge, which can be considered a red card in the face of the Turkish regime in Syria, saying that the time for occupying forces to leave is now.

The Turkish regime cannot now stop the changes taking place in the countrys north and has resorted to disruption and noise through a series of sharp-tone statements, perhaps the most prominent of which was the deadline of the end of February for the army returns to its previous lines of control behind the Turkish observation points.

Giving a deadline to an army that is advancing very quickly confirms that the Turkish regime is unable to make strategic changes currently. The escalation of its threats appears to be linked to the tension that has prevailed in its relationship with terrorist organizations and armed militias in the region. Therefore, the Turkish regime may resort to a new strategy based on the principle of maximizing the small gains to be made in any upcoming discussion with the Russians and minimizing the large losses that could result from current developments on the field.

Accordingly, the Turkish regime seems to be too weak to impose a major change in the course of the current developments on the field. Perhaps the most that the Russians can grant themas they beg them to stop the military operation in the northis new lines of contact through which it can ensure that there is no threat to the areas it and its mercenaries hold north of Aleppo, especially since it needs these people today in its interventions in Libya.

The killing of Turkish soldiers was a clear and direct message, stating that the presence of Turkish occupation forces in Syria is no longer acceptable and that the political role Ankara seeks to play through the Constitutional Committee could also be targeted if the Turkish regime shows unexpected resistance to removing it completely from Idleb, at least in the foreseeable future, especially given the recent advances of the army. If the army manages to enforce its grip on the international Damascus-Aleppo highway, after Erdogan backed away from implementing the pledges stipulated in the Sochi agreement, this means that the de-escalation agreements and the Astana track could become less important in the resolution of the Syrian crisis, after it was emptied militarily of its content.

In the midst of this escalating tension, the American mobilization along the lines of what is taking place in Idleb, pushing the Turkish regime to more confrontation with Russia and Syria, is a major concern, due to the possible consequences and could lead to further recklessness from Erdogan during the coming days.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Technavio has been monitoring the semiconductor chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment market and it is poised to grow by USD 2.88 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

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A pedestrian has died after being hit by a bus at a north London bus station.

Police were called just before 10.30pm on Wednesday after the man was struck by the vehicle in Hertford Road, Edmonton Green.

The London Ambulance Service was also called. Paramedics battled to save the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers, London Ambulance Service and Londons Air Ambulance attended the scene; the male pedestrian  no further details  was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries are underway to establish his identity and inform next of kin."
Data obtained by Greens MP David Shoebridge reveals NSW police have been using numeric targets, which each command must meet, for stop-and-search and move-on directions. Numeric targets for police powers have no place in modern policing.

Police with sniffer dogs search people for drugs entering the Summadayze festival in Sydney. Credit:Angela Wylie

I say this as a researcher of both criminal law and criminology. From a legal perspective, targets are dangerous because they risk facilitating police abuse of their powers. An internal Victoria Police inquiry found in 2018 that targets for random breath testing were a key reason why police fabricated evidence to meet these targets.

To justify a stop-and-search, police must have a reasonable suspicion that the person has something unlawful on them. But an organisational imperative to meet targets incentivises police to conduct searches to meet the target, rather than meet the legal criteria according to each case.

Lawyers have been long concerned that police conduct arbitrary searches without reasonable suspicion. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) recently heard evidence that police do not lawfully apply reasonable-suspicion standards and dont always record the reason for the search. Worryingly, strip searches more often than not find nothing illegal. This is consistent with evidence globally that very few general searches find anything and are disproportionately targeted at minorities and Indigenous people.
Former White House chief of staff John Kelly. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

More than a year after leaving the White House, John Kelly rebuked the president in his strongest terms yet  which were not very strong.

In a speech to a crowd at New Jerseys Drew University Wednesday, President Trumps former chief of staff defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council aide who served as an impeachment witness and was fired last Friday. He also lobbed minor criticism at the administration over North Korea, Trumps pardoning of a war criminal, and the presidents remarks about immigrants.

Vindman did exactly what he should have, Kelly said. The former Marine Corps general said Vindman was right to notify his superiors about the illegal order he heard during a July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. We teach them, Dont follow an illegal order. And if youre ever given one, youll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss, Kelly said, according to The Atlantic.

Kelly, who was hired in the summer of 2017 to be the adult in a chaotic White House, also dismissed Trumps attempts to work toward denuclearization with North Korea, suggesting the effort was doomed from the start. He said that, unlike Trump, he doesnt consider the press to be the enemy of the people. And he called Trumps intervention in the case of Eddie Gallagher, who was convicted of war crimes, exactly the wrong thing to do. He added that had I been there, I think I could have prevented it. (The jurys out on that one.)

The most unconvincing part of Kellys speech was his attempt to whitewash his role in the administrations immigration policy. Kelly said Trumps fear-mongering about immigrants was unfair and inaccurate. In fact, theyre overwhelmingly good people, Kelly said.

But the Washington Post notes that Kelly, while criticizing Trumps words on immigration, defended the administrations policies. Those include the zero-tolerance policy on border crossings, which led to families being separated at the border. Kelly has previously tried to pin that policy on former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but in a 2017 CNN interview he claimed ownership over the idea. Yes Im considering [separating families], in order to deter migrants from Central America, he said.

President Trump got wind of Kellys speech Thursday morning and tweeted that the man he once called a star, was in fact way over his head.

When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldnt do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasnt for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many Xs, he misses the action & just cant keep his mouth shut,.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020

....which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you. Wrong!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
[February 13, 2020] Ricoh Canada partners with Women of Influence to host the 2020 Top 25 Women of Influence Awards

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 13, 2020 /CNW/ - Ricoh Canada Inc. has partnered with Women of Influence to celebrate Canada's most accomplished role models at the 2020 Top 25 Women of Influence Awards Luncheon. This year's key speakers include Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Sally Armstrong (Canadian journalist, author and human rights activist) and Top 25 Award recipient Autumn Peltier, Anishinabek Nation Chief Water Commissioner. Ricoh's partnership with Women of Influence represents an important milestone as part of its commitment towards supporting and celebrating diversity and inclusion. Partnering with Women of Influence reinforces Ricoh's Founding Principles  "Love your neighbor," "Love your country," and "Love your work"  and acts as a valuable opportunity towards highlighting female empowerment and leadership. "Our partnership with Women of Influence is perfectly aligned with Ricoh's brand message of imagine. change.," says Eric Fletcher, Vice President of Marketing at Ricoh Canada. "We're proud to celebrate the accomplishments of female leaders who have driven positive change for everyone in Canada." "Partnering with Ricoh compliments our shared vision in recognizing and celebrating the diverse accomplishments of role models across Canada," said Alicia Skalin, Co-CEO, Head of Events & Programming. This year's Top 25 Women of Influence Awards Luncheon will honour the achievements of female leaders across a variety of sectors and career stages for their contributions to women's advancement. These successes include incredible feats, from launching meaningful initiatives to winning awards on the world stage. The Top 25 Women are academics and executives, athletes and activists, and, by any benchmark, individuals of immeasurable influence. For more information on Ricoh's offerings, please visit www.ricoh.ca or follow the company's social media channels on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn . About the Event

For more event information or to purchase tickets, visit: www.womenofinfluence.ca/event/2020-top-25-luncheon/ About Women of Influence

Women of Influence, now in its 26th year, is one of North America's leading organizations dedicated to the advancement of women in the workforce. With global events, print and digital content, and courses in executive leadership, Women of Influence annually reaches over 300,000 professional women and men across Canada and internationally. Signature events include the Women of Influence Spotlight Series and the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. For more information, please visit www.womenofinfluence.ca.









| About Ricoh| Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, communication services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2019, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,013 billion yen (approx. 18.1 billion USD).

For further information, please visit: www.ricoh.com  2020 Ricoh Canada Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

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A meeting of high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) was held here on Thursday to review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness and measures taken regarding the management of novel Coronavirus in the country.

The GoM was constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While its first meeting was held on February 3 at Nirman Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan, the second meeting of the GOM was held, here today.

It was chaired by Vardhan along with Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai, Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping and Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

A presentation of the status of the COVID-19 was made to the GOM. The members were also apprised of the current status of the three cases reported positive from Kerala

The GOM was also informed about the two Quarantine centers having 645 persons evacuated from Wuhan. The camps are being maintained by the Armed Forces and The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). All inhabitants are medically examined on a daily basis. The GoM was apprised that all the evacuees have tested negative for COVID'19.

During the meeting, the GOM was also briefed that a total of 2,315 flights have been screened covering a total of 2,49,447 passengers.

The GOM was also apprised that adequate materials like Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and N95 masks are available and the situation is closely monitored in all the States/UTs. The preparedness and actions are being reviewed at the highest level every day by the Union Health Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, in addition to Secretary (HFW).

The meeting was attended by Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW), H. Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, Sh. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary (Civil Aviation) were also present.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "PXI SMU Market by Channel (1, 2, 4, >4) Application (Semiconductor, Sensor, LED, Green Energy Product, Nanomaterial, Organic & Printed Electronics), End-User (Aerospace, Defense & Government Service, IT & Telecommunication), Region - Global forecast to 2024", the global PXI SMU Market size is expected to grow from an estimated USD 124 million in 2019 to USD 267 million by 2024, at a CAGR of 16.5%, during the forecast period. Increasing demand for reliability tests for complex semiconductors and batteries to complement the expanding IoT devices is driving the PXI SMU industry growth.

Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=92874186

The semiconductor segment is expected to hold the largest PXI SMU Market share during the forecast period.

The semiconductors application segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The higher manufacturing rate of semiconductors for complying demand from end-use industries drives the requirement for PXI SMUs.

As the devices are getting smarter and software-centric, the semiconductor industry is focused on transformations in their basic IC designing and their testing to make these semiconductors more robust and reliable. Semiconductor technology requirements often overtake the test coverage that traditional approaches offer for analog, mixed-signal, and RF test. PXI SMUs are used for semiconductor testing as these are a smarter alternative to conventional source measure units to meet cost and coverage requirements of increasingly complex RF and mixed-signal ICs.

Browse in-depth TOC on "PXI SMU Market"

101  Tables

32  Figures

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North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the PXI SMU Market during the forecast period

In this report, the PXI SMU industry has been analyzed for five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. The North American market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the global PXI SMU industry during the forecast period. North America is anticipated as the fastest-growing PXI SMU industry due to the high adoption of modular test & measurement equipment in the R&D facilities.

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To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report covers the profiles of some of the top players in the PXI SMU Market including National Instruments (US), Keysight Technologies (US), Chroma ATE (Taiwan), VX Instruments (Germany), Marvin Test Solutions (US), and LitePoint a Teradyne Company (US). The leading players are trying to enter the market of developing economies and are adopting new product launches as a major strategy to increase their market shares.

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by Product (General Purpose Test Equipment, Mechanical Test Equipment), Service Type (Calibration Services, Repair Services/After Sales Services), EndUse Sector, and Geography  Global Forecast to 2024 Data Acquisition System (DAQ) Market by Component Type (Hardware, Software), Application (Research and Analysis, Manufacturing and Quality, Asset Condition Monitoring, Design Validation and Repair), End-user, and Region - Global Forecast to 2024

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR, NYSE: EXK) announces the appointment of Ernesto Lima, P.Eng., MBA, D.M., as the Director, Project Development to oversee the development of the Terronera and Parral mine projects in Mexico.



Mr. Lima is a professional civil engineer with 26 years of experience in the mining industry, he is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and has worked throughout Latin America for most his career. Ernesto brings to Endeavour a wealth of experience in engineering, construction, management and consulting roles, having planned and executed several large precious metal mine projects.



Bradford Cooke, Endeavour CEO, commented, I am pleased to welcome Ernesto to our Endeavour management team. His skills and experience are a great fit with our senior group and his depth and breadth of knowledge in building new mines will help fuel our future growth.

Ernesto Lima graduated with a B.ASc. degree from the University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay in 1993 and worked in both civil and mine construction in Uruguay and Chile until 2000, when he returned to University to obtain an MBA degree in 2002 from ORT University, also in Montevideo. Mr. Lima was subsequently awarded a Doctorate degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from Phoenix University in 2010.

Since 2003, Mr. Lima has worked as Engineering and Construction Manager on a $300 million gold mine project in Venezuela, Director of Project Development on a $450 million silver mine project in Argentina, EPCM Project Manager for an engineering firm on a large gold mine project in Brazil, General Manager of Business Development for another large gold mine project in Brazil and most recently, he was the COO of Valor Resources on a large silver-copper mine project in Peru that was sold last year to Rio Tinto.

Ernestos expertise includes leading all stages of project development, including conceptual and detailed operational and economic studies, mine engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning. His strengths include project evaluation, safety performance, strategic analysis, team building, business management and community engagement.

Endeavour also announces the departure of Manuel Echevarria as the Vice President, New Projects. The Company wishes Mr. Echevarria well in his future endeavors.

About Endeavour Silver  Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that owns and operates three high-grade, underground, silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico and Chile to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.

Contact Information

Galina Meleger, Director Investor Relations

Toll free: (877) 685-9775

Tel: (604) 640-4804

Fax: (604) 685-9744

Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com

Website: www.edrsilver.com
By Kim Jong-nam





A lot of my corporate training reservations have been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Since corporations are reluctant to conduct events in which many people will gather and talk with each other, it is natural for them to avoid such social networking opportunities. However, this reminds me of how corporations deal with negative events inside their organizations and how they can better handle them.



What is fortunate for me is that some corporations are still willing to authorize one-on-one interviews, which are required for consulting projects, even in the midst of this crisis. Of course, the interviewee and I both wear masks to guard against the danger of infection. In addition, whenever I enter corporations nowadays, I see many of the employees and managers wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other. It was eerie to see so many people on guard against an invisible danger. As I was walking through a building one day, it occurred to me that dangers to organizations are, very often, similarly invisible or hard to notice. One of the most insidious of these is negativity.



Through my work as an organizational culture practitioner, having conducted more than 100 organizational culture projects for corporations with anywhere from 20 to 20,000 employees, I have noticed three types of negativity. First, people tend to talk more about negatives than positives. I do not know whether it is true that there are more negative things in any particular organization than positive things. However, what is certain is that talking mostly about these negatives, without attempting to find effective solutions, only means that those you talk to also become "infected" by negativity. Second, leaders tend to be more negative than their employees in their interpretations of organizational situations. They blame their employees by saying they are disengaged, they don't have ownership, they are not held accountable, they are incompetent and reluctant to change. However, this kind of negative tone from leaders makes it more difficult for an organization to be united and cohesive. Finally, employees also tend to hold leaders, and only leaders, responsible for organizations' problems. In organizations generally, employees say that leaders should be accountable for the problems and issues of their organizations. However, if employees think that organizational problems and issues are the responsibilities of leaders only, these employees will consequently take fewer opportunities to lead organizational changes in an autonomous way. Even if leaders actually do want to make a change, they cannot do so successfully faced with this difference in point of view. There is a breakdown in communication and relationships.



The best way to combat this invisible enemy is a healthy corporate culture. According to James Heskett, a professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, organizations with strong and positive corporate cultures can achieve productivity levels that are 30 percent higher than those that don't have these cultures. Just as we are experiencing the negative consequences of the coronavirus, people in organizations need to understand the cost of negativity in organizations. Experts predict that it will take many months to obliterate the coronavirus; battling negativity is a similarly difficult endeavor.



This is because an organizational culture infected by negativity will need time to recover from this illness. Employees should be cautious of their attitudes when dealing with people, as this is the "infection"; they must be thoughtful about their perspectives, and deliberate in their communication. This caution is necessary because once a negative culture has set in, it is difficult and time-consuming to reverse. David Cooperrider, a proponent of a positive approach to change, asserts that it is best to design future paths based on strengths and successful experiences rather than on weaknesses. Organizational cultures are no different.





Kim Jong-nam, the founding CEO of META (www.imeta.co.kr) is the author of three books on organizational culture and a leadership and global organizational development consultant. He has a management consulting office in Korea and another in Indonesia.


PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
Air Force removes commander's name from prayer breakfast invitation after secular group complains

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A U.S. Air Force base in Illinois has removed a commanders name from a prayer breakfast invitation in response to a complaint from one of the nations leading secular legal organizations.

Last Thursday, the New Mexico-based Military Religious Freedom Foundation sent a demand letter to Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County on behalf of 15 unnamed Air Force officers, enlisted personnel and civilians.

The letter was sent to Col. Jerimiah Heathman, objecting to a mass email he sent out to those stationed at the installation. The email included an invitation to the National Prayer Breakfast scheduled to take place on Feb. 25 at the bases event center. The invitation was sent under Heathmans formal title of commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing.

Because Heathman urged recipients to send in their RSVPs, MRFF argues that the invitation signified a command priority.

MRFF also contends that Heathman violated the constitutional rights of subordinates under his command by establishing religion in a manner that violates the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

You have additionally created a de facto religious test, MRFF President Michael Weinstein said in the letter.

MRFF further argued that Heathman blatantly breached the bounds of several Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force directives, instructions and regulations. The letter cites Air Force Instruction 1-1, Section 2.12, which states that leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for their own free exercise of religion.

They must ensure their words and actions cannot reasonably be construed to be officially endorsing or disapproving of, or extending preferential treatment for any faith, belief, or absence of belief, the letter reads.

Among the 15 people that MRFF claims to be representing are six self-identified Christians and nine people that hold minority faiths or no faith.

MRFF threatened to lodge complaints with the Inspector General and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or file a federal lawsuit.

"The prayer breakfast isn't benign; it's meant to be a massive proselytizing," Weinstein told the St. Louis Dispatch. "You can't use your position as a commander to force [this]. In military culture, you're being told to go there."

As the newspaper reports, the wording of the invitation flyer posted to social media was altered on Monday. The new flier/invitation no longer includes the commanders name.

The original flier had Heathmans name and title at the top.

The Commander 375th Air Mobility Wing Colonel J. Scot Heathman cordially invites you to attend The National Prayer Breakfast, the old version of the flier reads. The new version reads, You are cordially invited to attend The National Prayer Breakfast.

Although a small change, Weinstein marked it as a win. Weinstein sent out an email to supporters after the St. Louis Dispatch article was published, stating, We just won!

MRFF is a nonprofit legal group that regularly pressures the military to end any conceived endorsement of religion.

After MRFF pressure, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service agreed last month to stop selling Jesus Candy in its stores.

In 2011, the organization pressured the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs over its participation in Samaritans Purses Operation Christmas Child charity movement to provide Christmas gifts to children in war-torn nations.

MRFF has also pressured military services to remove Bibles placed on tables honoring prisoners of war and service members missing in action.

Last month, MRFF criticized the U.S. government for holding a ceremony to dedicate the Bible that will be used to swear in commanders for the newly-created U.S. Space Force. The dedication took place at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., in a ceremony the FFRF called a display of fundamentalist Christian supremacy.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Welcoming the Supreme Court order for decriminalisation of politics and the direction to political parties to upload online details of pending criminal cases against candidates, the Congress here on Thursday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for appointing a tainted politician as Minister in Karnataka.

The directive had been torn to shreds by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it added.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court asked political parties to upload on their websites details of pending criminal cases against poll candidates, citing the alarming rise in criminalisation of politics in past four general elections.

A Bench headed by Justice R.F. Nariman said the political parties would have to clarify reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases and upload the information on their websites. They would also have to submit compliance report to the Election Commission within 72 hours of selection of candidates with pending criminal cases.

Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress national media in-charge, tweeted, "Today itself, Modiji has torn to shreds the orders of giving reasons for giving tickets to leaders accused in cases.

"Modiji and the BJP again come to the rescue of 'Bellary Gang'! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLAs alone but Ministers of the ministry, which has been allegedly looted! Will SC issue contempt of Prime Minister and Karnataka CM?" Surjewala also attached a news report on Anand Singh, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP last year and is accused in mining and forest cases, being appointed the Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology.

Later, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "The Congress welcomes the Supreme Court's historic verdict towards decriminalisation of politics, towards making politics free from crime and criminals." He said the order was vindication of Rahul Gandhi's fight against criminalisation of politics. "It's vindication of Rahul Gandhi's stand to make politics free from crime and criminals," he said.

Slamming the BJP for Singh's appointment as Minister in Karnataka, Shergill said, "As this historic judgment has come, the BJP has appointed Anand Singh as Minister, despite there being 15 cases of corruption against him." Singh's appointment was a stamp of approval of the Bellary Mine scam in Karnataka by none other than the Prime Minister of the country and the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Citing data, Shergill said, "According to a report by a reputed firm 42 per cent of the BJP candidates in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls had criminal cases pending against them." In the 17th Lok Sabha, 106 MPs had pending cases of serious crimes, like murder, kidnapping, against them. "Of this 106 MPs, 92 are from the BJP," he said.
A bus full of school kids found themselves taking a detour on their way home when the driver stopped dropping them off at their homes and instead drove to her own home in another city, parked up and abandoned them on board.

The female driver was driving with a suspended license when she took the 14 students from Avon Avenue School to the Vailsburg area of Newark, New Jersey, on February 6.

The driver, who was working for Mercy USA at the time, had begun on the normal route dropping some children off at their homes before she decided to abandon the route and head to her own home instead near Stuyvesant Avenue and Abinger Place.

On arrival, she allegedly got off the bus and went into her house, telling the bus attendant, 'You gonna have to handle these kids yourself'.

The female driver was driving a Mercy USA school bus (pictured) with a suspended license when she took the 14 students from Avon Avenue School to the Vailsburg area of Newark, New Jersey, on February 6

One outraged mother told Eyewitness News that she was filled with panic when her daughter with special needs didn't arrive home at the usual time.

'I was cleaning up, getting my daughter's food ready for dinner and I realized it was four o'clock and she wasn't home,' Angele Easterling said.

Amber Easterling, 11, was on the bus when the driver went rogue.

She said the driver 'told the bus attendant that you gonna have to handle these kids yourself'.

The experience has left Amber's mother afraid to let her take the bus to school.

'I'm still sick on the stomach because right now I'm not letting my daughter take the bus to school,' she said.

'Im just mad about it because, you know, there are a lot of things happening out here on the street, kids getting missing.'

Angele Easterling (right) told Eyewitness News she panicked when her daughter Amber (left) didn't arrive home at the usual time. 'I was cleaning up, getting my daughter's food ready for dinner and I realized it was four o'clock and she wasn't home,' Angele she said

Newark police found the missing bus around 4:30pm near Stuyvesant Avenue and Abinger Place after they responded to reports it had missed several designated stops.

Officers confirmed that 14 children were found on board and unharmed.

The children were taken to a nearby precinct for their parents to pick them up.

Newark Public Schools released a statement saying it had terminated its contract with Mercy USA.

It said: 'The District has removed this vendor from transporting students to Avon Avenue School and is in the process of determining next steps regarding future services. In addition, because established guidelines were not adhered to, the District has also imposed liquated financial damages for this infraction. This continues to be an active investigation.'

A meeting was held Wednesday at Avon Avenue School for concerned parents to discuss the incident with Child Protective Services.

The bus driver, who has not been named, was issued a summons for driving with a suspended license.

Police said she was reportedly unfamiliar with the route.
Stocks are down around the world as investors weighed a spike in the number of new coronavirus cases reported in Chinas Hubei province due to a tweak in methodology.

In a Thursday press conference, China said it confirmed 15,152 new cases and 254 additional deaths. Those figures include the ones reported earlier by Hubei province under its new diagnosis methodology. That brings the countrys total death toll to 1,367 as the number of people infected hit 59,804, according to the government.

A spokeswoman for the Shanghai Health Commission said at a press conference that the methodology for diagnosing coronavirus has not been changed in any Chinese provinces or municipalities except for Hubei.

Health workers in Hubei province began using a new method to diagnose the virus this week. Previously, infections were only allowed to be confirmed with nucleic acid tests, which can take days to process, but Hubei province is now using CT scans which can diagnose the virus more quickly.

Asian Indexes Down; Australia Bucks the Trend

On Thursday, Japans Nikkei 225 Index settled at 23827.73, down 33.48 or -0.14%. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index finished at 27730.00, down 93.66 or -0.34% and South Koreas KOSPI Index closed at 2232.96, down 5.42 or -0.24%.

Chinas Shanghai Index settled at 2906.07, down 20.83 or -0.71% and Australias S&P/ASX 200 Index finished at 7103.20, up 15.00 or +0.21%.

China Works to Boost Economy in Wake of Coronavirus

Market sentiment had been positive earlier in the week as the data had been showing an apparent slowdown in the pace of new reported cases, with policymakers in China having announced a series of measures to combat the expected economic slowdown from the virus outbreak.

These measures included:

Materials used in epidemic control to be exempt from import tariffs until March 31.

Support announced for debt financing and debt insurance by virus-impacted firms.

Government announced it had in total allocated 71.85 billion Yuan ($10.3B USD) to fight virus.

The Peoples Bank of China injected 1.7 trillion Yuan ($242.7B USD) via open market operations.

Chinas central bank said it will support key sectors by easing monetary policy.

Tax guidelines intended to reduce financial pressure in key sectors are announced.

Government announced state reserve 20K metric tons of frozen pork on February 14.

Story continues

Global Appetite for Risk Declines

Global equity markets are down on Thursday as investors trim positions in risky assets and move money into the safety of the Japanese Yen.

European markets opened lower on Thursday morning. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was around 0.4% lower at the opening bell, with every sector plunged into negative territory.

U.S. stock index futures are pointing to a lower open on Wall Street Thursday as investors continue to worry about the spread of the coronavirus and look ahead to a slew of earnings.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
Feb 12 (Reuters) - Griffin Mining said on Wednesday it was returning essential staff to its Caijiaying mine in northeastern China to restart operations after Chinese government decrees restricting all non-essential businesses due to a coronavirus outbreak were lifted.

China reported its lowest number of new coronavirus cases since late January, bolstering a forecast by Beijing's senior medical adviser for the outbreak in the country to end by April, even though fears of further international spread remained. Griffin, which has been developing the Caijiaying zinc and gold project since 1997, announced at the end of last month that mining operations at the mine had been suspended on Jan. 22 during Lunar New Year festivities. The London-based company said this month that all non-essential local staff had been sent home and placed on standby with the expectation that operations would restart on Monday, as mandated by China. (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
After a CAG report pulling up the Kerala Police over "misuse" of modernisation funds and the missing rifles and ammunition became public, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly Ramesh Chennithala has demanded probes by CBI and NIA into the public auditor's findings.

In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the senior Congress leader has demanded state DGP Lokanath Behera's removal and a "comprehensive probe" by CBI and Investigation Agency (NIA) into the findings of the CAG.

"Financial irregularities found by CAG pertaining to purchase of luxury vehicles, construction of villas and other serious findings regarding financial irregularities should be probed by CBI. The missing of 25 rifles and live cartridges from Special Armed Police Battalion should be probed by NIA as it is a serious matter concerning security," Chennithala said in the letter.

However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that he has not got any letter from Chennithala.

"I haven't received any letter yet," he told reporters on Thursday.

Soon after the CM's response, the office of Leader of the Opposition claimed in a statement that the letter was sent to the Chief Minister's Office on Wednesday itself.

"The remark of the Chief Minister is surprising. The letter was handed over to Chief Minister's office yesterday at 7.30 pm itself," the statement said.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India report, that came to light on Wednesday, has found that 25 rifles and 12,061 live cartridges were "missing" from the possession of Kerala's Special Armed Police Battalion (SAPB).

It also pointed out that the state police splurged the funds meant for force's modernisation on buying luxury cars for senior officers instead of procuring vehicles to be used at police stations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Government approved under a government decision the reorganisation of the General Secretariat of the Government and of the Prime Minister's working apparatus, according to head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery Ionel Danca.

"At the government meeting today, a government decision was adopted regarding the reorganisation of the General Secretariat of the Government and the working apparatus of the Prime Minister of Romania. (...) We are talking about the dissolution of two ministries, namely the Ministry for Relations with Parliament and the one for Romanians abroad and the inclusion of the activity of these ministries within the General Secretariat of the Government and also the taking over of an important component from the Ministry of Communications at the level of the Agency for the Digitisation of Romania, which is also part of the General Secretariat of the Government. Basically, from four previous ministries, namely SGG, the Ministry for Romanians Abroad, the Ministry for Relations with Parliament, the Ministry of Communications, as a result of this reorganisation, a single ministry has ensued," said Danca on Thursday at the end of a government meeting.As for the staff, he added, "there is a reduction in the number of jobs by about 16pct as a result of this reorganisation."
Educators and politicians are big verbal proponents of collaboration. If theyd actually try collaborating with each other, they might be able to move forward from the current impasse that has escalated to a planned province-wide strike day on Feb. 21.

Collaboration among colleagues and within classrooms is encouraged in education. Governments of all stripes are always talking about working together with stakeholders to find solutions. Why not collaborate to create one really good course that would allow us to explore eLearnings potential in Ontario?

ELearning has become a line in the sand. A poll commissioned by the Star indicates just over half of those asked opposed mandatory eLearning. But what if a course where eLearning would be an asset and not a liability could be created?

It was a huge mistake for the government to declare that all students would be mandated to complete four eLearning courses (from zero) as a condition of graduation. The ministry may think backtracking to two courses is a concession but it is just the same wrong decision on a smaller scale.

I discussed the pitfalls of the plan when I argued the no side to The Big Debate question, Is Ontario introducing online courses in the right way.

However, zero is not the right number either.

The reality of life is that being able to navigate the online world is becoming more and more important. Both sides should come together to develop one well-designed online course and try it out. The half credit every high school student is required to take in Grade 10  Career Studies  would be an ideal place to start.

The curriculum expectations state, To prepare students for the future, it is necessary to empower them to take an active role in finding their path in the world of work and the community. With the rapid pace of technological, social, and cultural change in todays global economy and with new understandings of what a career looks like in this context, it is more important than ever that students be supported in their transition from secondary school to their initial post-secondary destination, whether in apprenticeship training, college, community living, university, or the workplace.

These goals could be met with a well-designed online course. The online format could guide students to use technology in a meaningful way to research their own interests. In fact, many aspects of the course are already online. Skills inventories, post-secondary school requirements and applications to many jobs are regularly done online.

Fundamentals of financial management, another goal of the course, might be taught using a gamification approach, similar to an online Game of Life. While not a cure-all, research seems to indicate that, done well, gamification can increase student engagement and motivation

According to the ministry document, Thoughtful and intentional education and career/life planning that involves both parents and educators is essential in ensuring that students make well-informed decisions as they look ahead. In this course, the online format could be the vital link.

If the ministry and educators collaborated to create this course, it could be introduced to urban boards with good connectivity first. It could be beta-tested in classroom settings so teachers and students could provide feedback as they worked through the content. Both sides could come together to assess its effectiveness.

By the time the course was ready to go completely online, rural connectivity issues should have had enough time to be addressed. And teachers and politicians would have modelled collaboration and not just talked about it.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 28, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

US to Begin Testing Suspected Coronavirus Patients in 5 Cities

U.S. officials are going to test suspected coronavirus cases in five cities, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar announced on Thursday.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a federal agency, is working with health departments in the cities, Azar said during a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington.

As of today, I can announce that the CDC has begun working with health departments in five cities to use its flu surveillance network to begin testing individuals with flu-like symptoms for the China coronavirus, he said, referring to COVID-19.

Many questions about the virus remain, and this effort will help see whether there is broader spread than we have been able to detect so far, he added.

The CDC didnt immediately return a request for more information on the testing, such as which cities the testing will take place in, how people will be identified, and whether people would be isolated until the test results came back.

Azars announcement came after the CDC confirmed the 15th case of the new coronavirus in the United States and the first in the state of Texas. The patient who tested positive was evacuated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, and isolated at a hospital near Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

More than 800 Americans and relatives were evacuated from China on State Department-chartered flights since January. Theyve been placed under federal quarantine, the first used in five decades, at military bases in California, Nebraska, and Texas.

Travelers arrive to LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal wearing medical masks for protection against the novel coronavirus outbreak in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 2, 2020. (David McNew/Getty Images)

An airplane carrying U.S. citizens being evacuated from Wuhan, China, lands at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., on Jan. 29, 2020. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo)

Another evacuee tested positive for the virus on Monday after nearly being sent back from the hospital to the group quarantined at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. A labeling error led to a delay in testing the patients sample. A second person that was part of the group tested positive for the virus, the CDC said late Wednesday. The 195 people in the first group of evacuees, who were being isolated at another base in California, were released on Tuesday after a two-week quarantine elapsed without any testing positive for the virus.

All 50 states received testing kits from the CDC but a problem with the kits was discovered by multiple state labs, delaying the use of the kits, which enable testing samples away from the CDCs Atlanta headquarters.

Health experts testifying to Congress on Wednesday said that the United States could potentially see thousands of cases of COVID-19.

I dont think we should be planning for the onesie-twosie cases that weve been seeing thus far in the United States, Asha George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, told lawmakers on Capitol Hill. We have to plan for the possibility that we have thousands of cases.

Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, told the Senate committee that he expects a COVID-19 outbreak to emerge across the United States in the next two to four weeks.

We should be leaning in very aggressively to try to broaden diagnostic screening right now, particularly in communities where there is a lot of immigration; where these efforts could emerge to identify them early enough; that theyll be small enough; that we can intervene to prevent more epidemic spread in this country, he said.

Isabel Van Brugen contributed to this report.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmerman recently signed on as a marketing partner for JetBlue Vacations, the flagship offering from JetBlue Travel Productsa subsidiary of JetBlue. JetBlue Vacations offers packages including flights, hotels, cars and more all in one place, saving time and money for customers looking to get the most out of their getaways.

As the new marketing partner, Zimmerman will apply its strategic focus and retail expertise to strengthen JetBlue Vacations as a market leader known for giving customers the convenience and personalized service often missing from bundled vacation packages.

Zimmerman presented their strategic focus and experience growing brands through their proprietary tools, including the hyperlocal platform, which uses sophisticated modeling that includes geographic shopping patterns, competitor activity, in-market buying patterns, and psychographic/lifestyle data to target the right consumer, on the right device, at the right time, with the right offer. These tools will amplify and drive growth for JetBlue Vacations.

"After a rigorous search process, we're excited to partner with Zimmerman as our marketing agency for JetBlue Vacations," said Andres Barry, President of JetBlue Travel Products. "With JetBlue Vacations, our goal is to merge human touches, customization and savings with the travel experience. We're confident Zimmerman will deliver our unique and fresh perspective to the marketplace."

"We are incredibly excited to announce a partnership with JetBlue Travel Products, which has been an innovator in the travel space for many years. We will now help them extend that success beyond just air travel," added Jordan Zimmerman, Founder and Chairman of Zimmerman.

"Zimmerman is tasked with raising awareness that JetBlue Vacations has the most competitive travel package offering in the market. Our marketing efforts will be measured by revenue growth and profit year over year," said Michael Goldberg, CEO of Zimmerman.

About JetBlue Vacations

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MICHIGAN CITY  An Illinois man has been identified as the motorist who died Wednesday afternoon when he drove into the back of a disabled semitrailer parked along the shoulder of a local stretch of Interstate 94.

The deceased is Steven Kowalkoski, of Champaign, according to Indiana State Police.

The crash occurred at 1:52 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the highway, and it is not clear why Kowalkoski drove his black Chevrolet Blazer off the highway and into the semi, police said.

The 1999 Kenworth semitrailer was parked "well off" the roadway when the crash happened 3 miles east of the Michigan City ramp, police said.

Westbound traffic was limited while the crash was cleared.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail

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Which countries do you need to tip in? Source: Getty

If youre planning your overseas holiday but unsure how much cash you should factor in for tips, youre not alone.

Here in Australia, tipping is nice, but not customary; in the US, however, its a different story.

Heres a guide to tipping across the globe:

Tipping in the United States and Canada

Federal minimum wage in the US is US$7.25 (AU$10.28), which is why tipping staff is so important over there.

According to TripAdvisor, the correct etiquette is to add 15 to 20 per cent on the restaurant bill, and the same for taxis.

If youre heading to Canada, 15 to 20 per cent on top of the bill is also customary.

Tipping in South America

In Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru, a 10 to 15 per cent tip on the bill is expected.

In Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica, restaurants include a 10 per cent dine-in charge to the bill. This means no one expects a tip, but most patrons still give 10 per cent on top of the bill.

Tipping in Europe

While tipping in Europe isnt as common in the US, a good rule of thumb is to leave a tip of between 5 and 10 per cent of the bill, Smarter Travel said. Any more than that is considered excessive.

If its hard to do the math, rounding the bill up to the nearest 5 or 10 euro is easier  and always tip in cash. Bear in mind, many European countries already include a service fee in their bill. If they do, you can adjust your tip accordingly.

Hotels are a different story, however: a good rule of thumb is to stick to a 1 euro tip per service.

Tipping in Asia

Asia doesnt really have a culture of tipping, but due to the growing number of western visitors, some countries have adopted the trend.

In China, most restaurants refuse tips, and the same goes for Japan. South Korean restaurants also dont expect a tip, but if youre dining at a western restaurant in the country, you could tip if you wanted to.

In Hong Kong, a service charge of 10 to 15 per cent will likely already be added to restaurant bills, but rounding up to the nearest dollar is appropriate when paying. In Hong Kong hotels, however, tipping is mandatory, according to Skyscanner.

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In Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, its likely that a service charge will already be added to the bill too.

In these restaurants, youre not required to tip, but you could if you wanted to.

Tipping in Scandinavia

Tipping isnt big in Scandinavian countries. All service charges and taxes at restaurants and hotels are normally included in the bill, but you could still tip if you like.

The general rule of thumb is to tip between 5 to 10 per cent of the bill if you are satisfied with the service.

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On Friday, Jan. 31, Creamery Creek Assisted Living staff in Viroqua and the Westby Area Historical Society partnered to present a bunad fashion show to facility residents and members of the community. Bunads are traditional Norwegian folk costumes worn in Norway for special occasions and to celebrate Norwegian heritage.

Several weeks before the program, Janessa Peterson, Creamery Creek director, issued a plea asking people to loan their bunads to the fashion show. Her request was overwhelmingly answered when 34 bunads, folk costumes and Norwegian sweaters came pouring in. Authentic bunads from Norway, as well as outfits made by local seamstresses who love to celebrate their Norwegian heritage, delighted the audience during a more than one-hour fashion show. Mens and womens bunads were modeled and childrens costumes were carried as a volunteer from WAHS described interesting details of the design and construction of each bunad, as well as interesting information about Norway. The majority of bunads represented the Gudbransdal area but other areas such as Valdres were shown so that comparisons could be made to identify design differences.

The full house of attendees learned about the construction of bunads, specific fashion rules that should be followed when wearing bunads, and even saw display cases of authentic special jewelry called solje that is worn with a bunad.

After the show, everyone was treated to struell and rosettes with their coffee as they visited and asked questions.

Janessa and WAHS appreciate the many members of the community who took time from their busy schedules to participate in the fashion show, both those who brought clothing for the show and those who attended. Bunads and Norwegian sweaters might cost from several hundred to many thousands of dollars, so Janessa and WAHS appreciate that people trusted their precious bunads to the event. The fashion show was such a success it is certain to become an annual event.

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The Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday filed a charge sheet against two notorious cyber criminals for allegedly duping a man of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of entering into some business, officials said.

The charge sheet was produced in a court against Raj Kumar alias Rajan and Rajesh Kumar alias Sonu alias Champak alias Anurag Mittal of Trilokpuri in Delhi in a fraud case, they said.

They had duped a J and K resident -- Javaid Zargar -- of over Rs 82 lakh, the officials said.

The accused pretended to be a woman, Christina George, on Facebook and became friends with Zargar. They told him that they wanted to enter into some business in India, the officials said.

One day Zargar received a call on his mobile phone where the caller told him that his friend, 'George', was intercepted by customs officials at the Delhi airport with a huge sum of money as she was coming India to meet him, they said.

The caller told Zargar that all the cash 'Geroge' was carrying was seized and to get her released he should transfer money to various bank accounts, the officials said.

Zargar was duped of Rs 82,05,883, they added.

A complaint was lodged by the victim following which an investigation was taken up, the officials said.

The accused were arrested from Delhi by a Crime Branch team with well-coordinated efforts and effective planning as the accused were frequently changing their locations to evade arrest, the officials said.

The investigation conducted has revealed that the arrested persons are members of a notorious cyber racket operating from Delhi. Various bank accounts of the accused were detected in which transactions worth crores of rupees have been made by defrauding the gullible people from different parts of the country, they said.

The investigation in the case is on to nab the other members of the gang. A preliminary charge sheet was produced in the court of law, the officials said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 06:45:23|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses intercepted a number of missiles from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that targeted areas around Damascus on Thursday night, state TV reported.

Sounds of explosions reverberated across the capital city overnight before the official report said the air defenses were triggered by a missile attack.

The last Israeli attack was carried out on Feb. 6, during which some military sites in the western countryside of Damascus were hit. The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the attack.

The strikes further highlighted the sprawling tensions between Israel and Iran in Syria. Clashes between the two countries have escalated over the past months. Israel accuses Iran of entrenching itself near the Israeli border.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria against Iranian targets and convoys transporting weapons to Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia.

In 2019 alone, more than 17 Israeli attacks took place against targets in Syria.
The party has been riven over whether to continue with Merkel's centrist strategy or return to its more traditional Conservative roots.

The departure of her handpicked successor from the party leadership has upended Merkel's retirement plans and triggered speculation that it might set the circumstances for an early snap election in the spring of 2021. Merkel had carefully installed Kramp-Karrenbauer as CDU leader to effect an orderly transition, say analysts. Her departure now raises the question of who will succeed Merkel and how the different wings of the CDU can be reconciled.

"I've been thinking about this decision for some time now," Kramp-Karrenbauer said at a news conference in Berlin. Her short tenure as party leader had been accompanied by a series of gaffes and toxic divisions over the party's future direction, all of which sapped her authority. She plans to remain as Germany's defense minister, but says she will not seek the CDU nomination to be the party's chancellor-candidate at the next general election, due in the autumn of 2021.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who became leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) a year ago, announced she was stepping down Monday. Her decision came amid mounting criticism of her handling of a squabble over CDU lawmakers collaborating in the eastern state of Thuringia with members of the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) following an inconclusive state election.

The surprise decision by Angela Merkel's heir apparent to quit as leader of Germany's largest party has thrown the country's politics into disarray -- and reignited a potentially divisive contest to succeed the German chancellor, who plans to retire next year, say analysts.

Analysts say the frontrunners are Friedrich Merz, a fiscal conservative and Merkel critic, Jens Spahn, Germany's current health minister, and Armin Laschet, the state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia. All of them lost out to Kramp-Karrenbauer in a 2018 leadership race thanks to Merkel's endorsement of the woman she hoped would succeed her as the country's Chancellor.

Merz wants to tug the CDU in a more right-wing direction. His two rivals are close to Merkel and favor centrism. They believe the CDU should ready itself for a possible coalition partnership with Germany's rising Greens after a 2021 general election.

Emily Mansfield of the Economist Intelligence Unit, says all the contenders to succeed Merkel face the challenge of healing the splits between state-level and federal-level CDU politicians and the problem of "how to balance tough competition from the AfD with the fact that the CDU's next coalition partner is most likely to be the Greens."

Merkel's succession crisis comes at a difficult time for Germany. Recession fears are growing. German industrial production has fallen in five of the last seven months. Provisional projections have the country's economy growing just 0.4 percent this year and 0.9 percent in 2021, but economists warn Germany could easily slide into negative growth territory.

"I am pessimistic about the German outlook because Germany could experience something like the perfect storm," Marcel Fratzscher, President of the German Institute for Economic Research, told CNBC. Among the risks he highlights are a global trade slowdown, the impact of coronavirus, geopolitical strains, especially between Europe and the U.S., and potential economic disruption from Brexit.

"The CDU will again be preoccupied with the leadership discussion and a more strategic discussion on how to deal with the AfD," worries Carsten Brzeski, chief economist for ING, the Dutch multinational bank. In a note to investors, Brzeski says "the orderly transition of German politics into the post-Merkel era seems to be failing. The country will continue to face a more fragmented political landscape, with parties having to rethink past red lines and potential coalition partners."

He says the timing is unfortunate for Europe as a whole. "For the eurozone, expect even more inward-looking German politics than before and, hence, less progress on any more Eurozone integration." Central bankers and EU policymakers have been urging the German government to be less fiscally conservative and to boost government spending, believing that will help boost growth across the flagging eurozone.

Other European analysts say Berlin's preoccupation with domestic politics will ill-serve it to prepare for a coming trade battle with Washington. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he is setting his sights on rebalancing the more than $1 trillion U.S. trade relationship with the EU, raising the prospect of a transatlantic trade war.

He told U.S. governors: "Europe has been treating us very badly. Over the last 10, 12 years, there's been a tremendous deficit with Europe. They have barriers that are incredible... So we're going to be starting that. They know that." European officials say they will retaliate, if President Trump makes good on a threat to impose tariffs on European-manufactured cars and other products. Washington and the Europeans are in conflict over airline subsidies, agricultural trade barriers and EU plans to start taxing U.S. digital companies.
A Catholic middle school director who used IVF to get pregnant has reportedly been fired because she's not married.

Friends of Michelle Gabriel, who is the former director of Maryknoll Middle School in Honolulu, Hawaii, said the soon-to-be mother was fired because she is expecting and without a husband.

Gabriel, who is eight months pregnant, was reportedly asked to step down from her position last month.

A family friend told Hawaii News Now that Gabriel underwent in vitro fertilization and told the school she was pregnant when she hit the fourth-month mark.

Friends of Michelle Gabriel, who is the former director of Maryknoll Middle School in Honolulu, Hawaii, said the soon-to-be mother was fired because she is expecting and without a husband. Alums of the school held a rally in protest of her firing on Wednesday

A family friend said Gabriel underwent in vitro fertilization and told the school she was pregnant when she hit the fourth-month mark. Supporters are seen at the rally on Wednesday

On Wednesday, about two dozen alums from Maryknoll lined up outside the school to show support for Gabriel.

Merlinda Garma, who also graduated from Maryknoll, told the Star Advertiser that the school even threw her a baby shower.

'And then theyre like, "You need to leave." Youre also hurting the baby,' Garma said. 'What did the baby do to you?'

One rally attendee, Jeremy Irvine, told News Now that 'this is not the Maryknoll we grew up in'.

'Maryknoll is an inclusive community, all about love, family, community, so for this to happen to one of our own, its just heartbreaking.

'We just want the truth and for the school to come out and be transparent in their decision,' he added.

Maryknoll Middle School (file image) said in statement to the news site: 'Miss Gabriel chose to leave by agreement and was represented by counsel in making that decision'

Gabriel, who has worked at the school for the last 16 years, also attended the rally but she was reportedly not allowed to comment.

The school said in statement to the news site: 'We understand there are people who are upset over the departure of Miss Gabriel.

'Miss Gabriel chose to leave by agreement and was represented by counsel in making that decision.'

And it appears that her dismissal was legal due to a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that decided that federal discrimination laws do not apply to religious organizations in choosing their leaders.
As Michael Saxon and other staff prepared to inspect the vast burnt tracts of the Kosciuszko National Park for remaining wildlife, they were bracing for the worst.

"We were stunned by the intensity of the fire. It looked like firestorm had whipped through it," Mr Saxon said. "We were very pessimistic."

One focus of their worry was the fate of the endangered mountain pygmy possum, a concern that deepened once crews found fires had scorched even boulder fields where vegetation was minimal.

Before the inspections, people had gathered for a "working bee" in Mr Saxon's garage at his Canberra home to build makeshift feeders and water stations to help keep alive any surviving pygmy possums.
U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), all members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday.

The senators released a joint statement ahead of their meeting, published on the official website of Senator Chris Murphy.

"The U.S.-Ukraine relationship is as important now as ever. The future of Ukraine matters to the United States and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally. This is why were going to Kyiv as a bipartisan delegation to reinforce our support with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky," the statement reads.

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Church-supported charity to create tiny house community for low-income families

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A charity with strong ties to a United Methodist congregation in Ohio plans to create a tiny house community on property near their church for low-income families.

The Monroe Street Neighborhood Center, a group located at Monroe Street United Methodist Church of Toledo that is separate from the church, plans to begin construction on the first house as early as this summer.

Known as Bluff City Village, the project will create around 20 houses at an estimated cost of $1 million, each 400 square feet in size, and charge $400 a month in rent for families living there.

Monroe Street pastor Larry Clark, who also serves as project director for Bluff City Village, told The Christian Post that the idea for the village derived from discussions over how we could redevelop Bluff Street which is next to our church.

The street once had houses but now is empty lots, explained Clark. We also saw an opportunity to service many of the people who take advantage of our program called The Bridge. On Tuesdays we serve a light lunch and provide food, clothing, and social services to people in need.

The idea for Bluff Street Village came from the Tiny Home development in Detroit at Cass Community. These houses will be barrier free so those with mobility issues can live in these houses.

Presently, the project is in the fundraising stage. The church controls six lots on the block while the rest of the space is owned by Toledo/Lucas County Land Bank, which is also committed to the project.

Clark told CP that they were building tiny houses because they fit on a small urban lot and do not have to adhere to the same building codes as larger houses.

The tiny houses are also more affordable to build and therefore enable more to be built. These houses are for single people or couples, he continued.

As we move forward we envision that we may build larger homes on adjacent streets for families. We are creating a community where people can sit out on their front porch and have a yard in which they can plant flowers or grow vegetables.

Monroe Street UMC is not the only church looking to support the construction of a tiny house community to benefit the poor and homeless.

Faith Lutheran Church of Forest Lake, Minnesota, recently voted to support the creation of a tiny house community to help homeless veterans known as Sacred Settlement.

Faith Lutheran Senior Pastor John Klawiter told CP in an earlier interview that the concept of the Sacred Settlement matches the values of our congregation in many ways.

We have a lot of members who have served or are actively in the military. We have a newly established veterans committee that will walk alongside any of the veterans that live in the Sacred Settlement, said Klawiter.

Faith Lutheran also has a long history of helping support homeless ministry, which includes the establishment of a family shelter in nearby Hugo.
Black Kids Deserve Great Schools, Too

Last week, from February 5-7, the California branch of the National Action Network (NAN) met in Sacramento to hold its inaugural Western Regional Conference of chapters in California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The Rev. Al Sharpton founded NAN in 1991. The organization observes the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., promoting a modern civil rights agenda that includes supporting any type of school that is successfully serving Black students.

Among the events the conference featured were a student rally at the state Capitol to send lawmakers the message that Black kids deserve great schools too; ground breaking ceremonies for the newest Fortune School campus, Tecoy Porter College Prep, to be built on Dr. Porters Genesis Church property in Sacramento; the convening of leaders from Californias top majority Black schools and honoring them at the NAN Gala Banquet; and the Bridging the African American Achievement Gap panel discussion.

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Those events coincided with the release of a report titled African American Leaders Hold the Roadmap to Black Student Achievement authored by the Fortune School of Education and the National Action Network. African American students in California are the lowest performing subgroup on English language art and math standardized tests. The report proposes how to close their education achievement gap.

Identified in the report are schools with majority Black populations that are in the top half of academic performance in math and English language arts. Of the sixteen schools highlighted, fifteen of them were founded or are led by African Americans.

Dr. Margaret Fortune, Secretary and Treasurer of the NAN Sacramento Chapter, deserves credit for taking the lead in producing the report and assembling the education leaders at the conference. In addition to her NAN duties, she is CEO and President of Fortune School of Education, Board Chair of the California Charter School Association, a Trustee of the California State University, and she has served as an education advisor to two California Governors. Four of her schools are on the list of top performers.

While Dr. Fortune supports the efforts of Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond to close the African American achievement gap, she contends that they are not moving the needle on progress fast enough.

The signal that she wants her former education policy colleagues to receive is that We dont need more policy, we need more successful schools and they should turn their attention to consulting with the people like the education leaders in the report who are doing the work and adopt what they are doing to solve the problem.

Her plea to the state is provide incentives to these educators to replicate what they are doing. Today there are sixteen schools on the list of top performers. If they all start another school, thats 32 schools. As more successful schools come on line, the policymakers can then figure out how to bring those ideas to scale across the state.

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The educators that participated in the Bridging The African American Achievement Gap panel discussion were Dr. Margaret Fortune, President and CEO Fortune School, Sacramento; Ramona Wilder, CEO and Administrative Director, Wilders Preparatory Academy, Inglewood; Eugene Fisher, Board President, Watts Learning Center, Watts; Shawn Brumfield, Principal, Pasadena Rosebud Academy, Altadena; and Richard Da Sylveira, Principal, Cowan Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles.

When asked what they thought Newsom and Thurmond could do to help their schools, the panel responded loud and clear that African-American students should be written into Californias Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Because LCFF provides additional funds to low-income students most policymakers feel African-American students needs are being satisfied. But, the fact is not all blacks are broke and when it comes to their student experience the issues causing their achievement gap are more complicated than income. Race does matter in education. The panel agreed that the support offered to African-American students needs the same specificity provided in policy for English language learning students if it is going to have any impact toward closing the achievement gap.

Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D  San Diego) has twice proposed legislation, AB 2635 and AB 575, which would have directed LCFF funding to Black students that does not reference race, but recognizes them as the lowest-performing subgroup that has not already drawn federal funding like special needs students. Both times, concerns about conflicts with Proposition 209, which prohibits state governmental institutions from considering race in public education, was used to stop the bills.

The National Action Network conference has changed the paradigm for how California should approach closing the African American student achievement gap. There are majority Black schools in California that have already closed the gap, although the numbers are small.

Wilders Preparatory Academy Charter Middle School in Inglewood has over 80 percent African-American students and over 99 percent students of color. Seventy-four percent of the students qualify for free and reduced price meals. Education researchers would probably predict students at Wilders Prep would not perform well on standardized tests. But, the taxpayer-funded public charter school is in the 96 percentile of California schools in English Language arts scoring 30 points above the state average and 14 points above the state average in Math.

Meanwhile, its an outrage that the majority of Black students find themselves in schools not making progress because of ineffective policies put out by the state.

Dr. Fortune and the other successful leaders of majority Black schools are telling policymakers they are tired of being outliers in the education of Black students and they want to demonstrate to other educators in the state what works so that finally progress can be made in closing the achievement gap in California schools.

The video of the Bridging the African American Achievement Gap panel discussion should be required viewing for Governor Newsom and Superintendent Thurmond.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:57:24|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that the desert locust breeding has continued in the Horn of Africa (HoA), causing locusts to increase further in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya with new swarms forming in the coming two months.

"Breeding continues in the Horn of Africa, which will cause locusts to increase further in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya with new swarms forming in March and April. Consequently, there is an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the region," the FAO said in its desert locust outbreak update issued late Wednesday.

In Ethiopia, maturing swarms were present in eastern and southern areas and additional swarms moved into the Rift Valley from the south and the north. Egg-laying and hatching are likely to be underway but so far it has not been detected. Aerial and ground control operations continue in most areas, the FAO said.

Noting that the "widespread hatching and band formation of desert locust will occur in the coming weeks in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia," the FAO also stressed that there remains a risk of a few small swarms appearing in northeast Uganda, southeast South Sudan and perhaps northern Tanzania in the coming days.

According to the FAO, above-normal desert locust breeding also continued along both sides of the Red Sea coast where hopper groups, bands, adult groups and a few swarms are forming on the coastal plains, in which desert locust swarms have continued to appear in the highlands and interior of Yemen amid ongoing progress in control operations in Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia.

The FAO also stressed that numerous immature and mature swarms have continued to move throughout northern and central areas of Kenya as mature swarms reached within 50-km of the Uganda border on Feb. 6 and other mature swarms nearly reached the Tanzania border on the Feb. 7.

In Somalia, second to fourth hopper bands are present in the northeast of near Somalia's Garowe, while other infestations are likely to be present in the northwest, central and southern areas where breeding is expected to be in progress.

Amid growing desert locust-inflicted food insecurity concern across Horn of Africa countries, mainly Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, experts and policymakers are calling the international community to exert concerted efforts to contend the dangerous pest.

On Saturday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also called for intensified international efforts to deal with a locust outbreak that has affected large parts of the African continent.

"The UN has issued an urgent appeal for assistance. I ask the international community to respond with speed and generosity to ensure an effective response and control the infestation while we still have the chance," Guterres said on the sidelines of the 33rd African Union (AU) Summit at the headquarters of the AU in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The UN chief stressed that the locust swarms affecting many parts of Africa are unprecedented in size and scope, with climate change playing a big part in aggravating the locust crisis.

"Today locust swarms are as big as major cities and it's getting worse by the day. There is also a link between climate change and the unprecedented locust crisis plaguing Ethiopia and East Africa," Guterres said, "warmer seas mean more cyclones generating the perfect breeding ground for locusts."

As part of the concerted efforts to control the spread of desert locust infestation in the region, the 55-member pan-African, AU, had also last week disclosed that it is working with the FAO to mitigate the effect of desert locust that has significantly affected the East African sub-region, particularly countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

"We have our own regional center for phytosanitary counsel, and we are also working directly with FAO," said Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, told a press conference on Friday, as she emphasized that the AU is working with FAO to address the problem and also contain its spread to other countries in the region and beyond.

"We really want to make sure that there is no spread in another country like Tanzania, even the other region apart from the East African region, like Uganda. We are really addressing this issue very seriously and on timely because when we had a Fall Army worm, we do not address it immediately," the AU Commissioner added.

The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), which is considered as the most dangerous of the nearly one dozen species of locusts, is a major food security peril in desert areas across 20 countries, stretching from west Africa all the way to India, covering nearly 16 million square kilometers, according to the UN.
A Turkish soldier was killed and four more were wounded in northeast Syria on Saturday, delivering another blow to the so-called Peace Spring operation that Ankara launched in October. A week earlier, seven Turkish soldiers and a Turkish civil contractor were killed in an artillery attack in Idlib by Syrian government forces. Back home, skyrocketing prices and taxes are wreaking attrition on peoples pocketbooks, to support their governments military adventures in Syria and elsewhere.

Today, after all the resources that Ankara poured into the Syrian quagmire, Russian-backed Damascus  as even pro-government Turkish news sites acknowledge  appears to be on the verge of ending the conflict in its favour. On Sunday, it was reported that government forces succeeded in seizing dozens of towns, villages and hilltops in southern Aleppo province, regaining control over more than 600 km2 of territory in addition to the strategic Aleppo-Damascus highway. Further, Turkish observation points in northern Hama and southern Idlib provinces are surrounded, raising the spectre of a direct confrontation between Turkish and Syrian government forces. In the event of such a geopolitical crisis, Turkey, as an invading and occupying power backing rebel militia, would be standing on feeble moral ground as Russian officials have indicated when they defended Damascus, saying that you cannot blame a government for fighting terrorists inside its borders.

No stranger to brinkmanship, Erdogan gave Bashar Al-Assads regime a deadline until the end of February to move its forces behind the Turkish observation forces. If not, Turkey will be obliged to do the job itself, he warned, adding that Turkey will deploy the Hisar-A missile defence system.

The Syrian regimes response to the ultimatum came the same day, 5 February. Government forces captured the strategic city of Saraqib, cutting off three observation posts the Turkish army established there, precisely in order to forestall this advance.

So, what is the point of all those threats to respond in force against any attack against its observation points in Idlib? What is the point of sending in more artillery and commandos, if it cannot follow through on its threats? Is it all bravado for local consumption against the backdrop of the ruling partys declining popularity? Is it a roundabout way of begging Al-Assad to adhere to the understandings reached between Turkish Intelligence Chief Hakan Fidan and Syrian National Security Chief Ali Mamlouk during their recent meeting in Moscow? Evidently Mamlouk, during that meeting, agreed not to attack the beleaguered Turkish checkpoints.

Finding its hands tied and unable to avenge its dead soldiers, Ankara could only vent its anger against Russia. Given that the vast majority of Turkish media are at the beck and call of the presidential palace, it was no coincidence to hear a sudden surge of anti-Russian sentiment and criticism of President Vladimir Putin aired on Turkish talk shows.

On the other hand, Putin had reportedly kept his Turkish counterpart on hold for a long time before answering a recent phone call from Ankara. According to the Russian press, Moscow holds Ankara responsible for the attacks by Turkish-backed militants against Syrian government forces and Russian military structures in Turkish zones of responsibility. To drive the point home, Dmitry Peskov said, last Thursday, that there were no plans for a meeting between Putin and Erdogan to reduce tensions in Idlib, but that such a meeting could be arranged quickly if necessary.

That same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey expected Russia to immediately stop Syrian regime attacks in Idlib. Our patience is wearing thin, he warned, stressing that Turkey would respond to any attacks by Syrian government forces. Nevertheless, the diplomat took care to mollify his tone. Turkey needed to work with Moscow to solve the problems in the region, he said.

Indeed, a scheduled meeting between a Russian delegation and their Turkish counterparts went ahead as planned on Sunday in Ankara. However, the talks were inconclusive and the participants agreed to meet again next week. Observers described this as a form of dramatic pause before the Kremlin once again spells out Ankaras responsibilities under the terms of the Astana and Sochi agreements.

Meanwhile, the Erdogan regimes web of nepotism and cronyism appears to have extended to Idlib. The opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper exposed a clash of views between Erdogan and Turkish army command over the construction of the last Turkish observation post in Idlib. The army command wanted to undertake the task, but former military adviser to the president, Adnan Tanriverdi, was closer to Erdogans ears and persuaded him to hand the contract to Sadat, a private security company founded by Tanriverdi. Sadat is the Turkish version of the Americas Blackwater and Russias Wagner companies. Billing itself as an international defence consultancy, Sadat offers conventional, unconventional and special forces military training and ordinance procurement. The connection between its founder, Tanriverdi and Erdogan, is believed to date back to the 1990s and some claim that it was no coincidence that Erdogan appointed him to his cabinet in the immediate aftermath of the July 2016 coup attempt.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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When Wendell Rodricks passed away on 12 February 2020 at the age of 59, he left behind an indelible imprint on the world of Indian fashion, culture and activism.

When Wendell Rodricks passed away on 12 February 2020 at the age of 59, he left behind an indelible imprint on the world of Indian fashion, culture and activism.

While the Padma Shri awardees professional accomplishments are exceedingly well-known, those close to Wendell recall his being a loyal champion of his friends, a warm host whose home and heart were always open to others.

Waluscha De Sousa was discovered by Wendell at 16; he launched her modelling career after promising her family that he would look after their daughter. On his encouragement, Waluscha entered the Miss India contest. I was a timid, shy Goa girl but he gave me my first fashion show with huge names like Madhu Sapre, Malaika Arora, Ujjwalla Raut and Noyonika Chatterjee, Waluscha told Firstpost. He brought me to Mumbai and I would open and close every show for him, including the first Lakme Fashion Week, which in turn opened many doors for me.

On hearing of Wendells sudden demise, Waluscha reached out to his husband Jerome Marrel. Wendell was so involved in his museum that he had been planning at Goa, and active till his last day. His loss hasnt sunk in yet, she said.

Waluscha recounted how Wendell took her out on his boat, in the backwaters of Goa, on a recent visit home. He loved entertaining friends, cooking for them.

He was the force behind every amazing thing that happened to me, Walusca added. My first Pepsi commercial with Shah Rukh Khan also happened because of some pushing by Wendell, because I would consult him before I accepted any offer. I was unwell on the day of the audition and told Wendell I could not make it. He told me, You will stop being a Goan, put on some make-up, and show up. I somehow dragged myself to the mock shoot that Farrokh Chothia was doing, and if I hadnt I wouldnt be in the same frame as Shah Rukh.

In their last conversation, Waluscha says she and Wendell spoke of her upcoming film (Time to Dance) and his plans for the museum, as well as all the memorabilia people had been sending him as part of the project.

In memoriam: The term fashion designer was too small to fit the multitudes that was Wendell Rodricks

Ayesha Shroff, who worked with Wendell on the film Boom, told this correspondent about chatting away with him in French, and creating something incredibly beautiful and original and stylish for that time. He was a true aesthete and will be missed by so many, Shroff said. Bipasha Basu spoke of how Wendell would always want to wish her first on her birthday, and called her a day before. "Its the most heartbreaking news..." she said. "I have such great memories of Wendell and his shows from when I was a model. He was not only an amazing designer but also such a vivacious personality . I used his clothes in my films too. I will miss him tremendously."

Madhur Bhandarkar had put Wendell Rodricks in front of the camera for his film Fashion; they shot for it over 2007-08 at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai.

I recall we had a two-camera set-up for shooting his portions. I explained to him how the scene would pan out, and Wendell said he was nervous, Bhandarkar told Firstpost. I was surprised, reminding him that he had walked the ramp hundreds of times! Wendell laughed and told me that he wasnt used to the lights, camera and action; at fashion shows, his walks were organic and came naturally.

Beyond their professional collaboration, Bhandarkar said Wendell was a close friend who hed meet frequently, whether in Mumbai or Goa. Wendell had a great sense of humour and wouldnt think twice about making fun of himself. Ive enjoyed great meals that he cooked himself at his Goa home. Now those are fond memories

Another decades-long friend was Pooja Bedi, who invited Wendell to be on her talk show (Just Pooja). He spoke about being homosexual on national TV. This was when Section 377 was still in place. He had the courage to speak up and speak progressively about the plight of the LGBTQ community, Bedi said. He was an admirable, honest, courageous, talented and loving man and friend.
French unions played key role in protecting workers' mental health

ITHACA, N.Y. - During a three-year organizational restructuring at France Telecom that began in 2007 - which called for the downsizing of 22,000 employees, often based on ethically questionable methods - there was a wave of employee suicides. Published reports put the total number of deaths at 35.

Virginia Doellgast, associate professor of comparative employment relations in Cornell University's ILR School, examines the role unions played in the aftermath of those deaths. Her paper, "After the Social Crisis: The Transformation of Employment Relations at France Telecom," was published Feb. 11 in Socio-Economic Review.

The researchers highlight France Telecom labor unions' approaches to studying and publicizing the negative effects of employment restructuring on workers' psychosocial health. The unions were able to influence how the suicides were interpreted - both within the firm and in the media - then communicate their findings to workers, managers and the public.

In 2009, when the press reported high rates of suicides at the company, the unions were ready with a well-organized message, backed by their survey findings: The company and its management were to blame. As a result, unions gained a formal role in monitoring management practices to make sure they did not threaten workers' psychosocial health.

That led to December's landmark decision by a Paris court, which found the company and several former top executives guilty of "collective moral harassment."

According to Doellgast, the France Telecom case holds lessons for U.S. unions struggling with similar problems of growing job insecurity and intensifying performance pressure. She has recently worked with the Communications Workers of America on a survey measuring worker stress and burnout, sleep problems, use of medication, repetitive strain injuries, and fears of outsourcing and downsizing.

"One lesson for U.S. unions is that change starts by getting workers to understand that stress-related problems are widespread and to mobilize around the demand for good, healthy jobs," Doellgast said. "Also, real power comes from communicating these issues to the public and to policymakers. Companies are more likely to prioritize worker health when they fear losing customers, and when they fear fines and jail time for their top executives."

Doellgast said the unions' ability to bring the case to the courts and the resulting landmark decision could have far-reaching consequences.

"Does the company just have a responsibility to its shareholders, or does it have a responsibility to its other stakeholders, which include its workers?" she said. "This case shows the critical role of unions in making the case for this 'stakeholder' view of the firm: Companies are part of society, and managers should make sure they're not killing their employees to make short-term profits."

###

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Doellgast's co-authors were Maxime Bellego of Aix-Marseille University and Elisa Pannini of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.


SDA Pitch-fired Power Plant

TOKYO, Feb 13, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) has signed an agreement with U.S. firm KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR) to work together to expand sales of SDA pitch-fired power plants. These plants use as fuel the insoluble matter (SDA pitch) remaining when light oil fractions are recovered from heavy oil fractions using the solvent de-asphalting (SDA) process.(1)KBR is the global leader in SDA systems. By working to combine the respective proprietary technologies of each company as a set, MHPS and KBR aim to provide new solutions for the petroleum industry with the world's first method to effectively utilize the SDA pitch, from which energy recovery has been difficult up to now, as a fuel for power generation.KBR is headquartered in Houston, Texas and provides differentiated professional services and technologies to the energy industry. The company possesses advanced technologies for mixing solvents with heavy oil to separate the heavy oil into a light oil and SDA pitch. KBR licenses its SDA process, known as ROSE, for enhancing the extraction ratio of the light oil fraction, providing the oil industry with SDA systems using this technology. To accelerate the widespread adoption of these systems, KBR desired to work with a company with established downstream processing technologies that allow for the effective utilization of SDA pitch.The SDA pitch-fired plant boilers developed by MHPS incorporate burners that allow the heated high viscosity SDA pitch to be combusted as a liquid without installing an additional system. The boilers utilize high-temperature corrosion countermeasures, mainly in the combustion area, to prevent corrosion caused by the high concentrations of sulfur and heavy metals. Further, to reduce the environmental load, the nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx), and particulate matter in the exhaust gas is removed and recovered utilizing MHPS' leading-edge Air Quality Control System (AQCS) incorporating the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system, for which MHPS had the top global market share(2) in 2018.Demand for light petroleum products has risen in recent years in response to tighter regulations, mainly in Europe, on the use of Heavy Oil C in marine vessels. As a result, refineries have been exploring the use of SDA and other residue cracking systems to convert heavy oil to light oil. However, the effective utilization of SDA pitch, a byproduct with limited use applications, has been an issue.MHPS, in together with KBR, will support an expanded range of fuels to generate electricity through the widespread use of SDA pitch-fired plants, and through the effective utilization of resources, will contribute to enhancing the economic efficiency of plants, and the advancement of society.(1) Solvent de-asphalting (SDA) is the separation and elimination of asphalt (bitumen) from crude oil after distillation (vacuum residual oil), using mixed solvents.(2) FGD systems installed in thermal power generation facilities with output of 5MW and higher, based on figures for technology owners (including operators provided with technology) in the McCoy Power Report, a U.S. market research firm offering detailed analysis on the global power generation business.About Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS), headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is a joint venture formed in February 2014 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Hitachi, Ltd. integrating their operations in thermal power generation systems and other related businesses. MHPS today ranks among the world's leading suppliers of equipment and services to the power generation market, backed by 100 billion yen in capital and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide. The Company's products include GTCC (gas turbine combined-cycle) and IGCC (integrated coal gasification combined-cycle) power plants, gas/coal/oil-fired (steam) power plants, boilers, generators, gas and steam turbines, geothermal power plants, AQCS (air quality control systems), power plant peripheral equipment, digital solutions and solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC).For more information, please visit www.mhps.com.Source: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Britons stranded on the Japanese cruise ship blighted by coronavirus have told how couples are being split up as a result of the deadly disease.

David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, are among 2,500 passengers who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess off the Japanese coast since February 3.

They have a private balcony but are mostly confined to their cabin and have to wear masks and stay away from other passengers when they are let out for brief periods.

The pair told Good Morning Britain couples are being split up if one of them tests positive for the virus, which has had 219 cases on board so far.

Mr Abel told the programme this morning: 'It doesn't matter how long you've been married, couples have been separated.

'Elderly couples, one I understand in their eighties, have been split up. It's very very worrying for those on board.'

His wife Sally added: 'We've been together 50 years and the thought of one of us being positive and one not and being split is very scary.'

David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, are among 2,500 passengers who have been stuck on the Diamond Princess off the Japanese coast since February 3

Passengers who test positive are being taken off the ship and quarantined in Japanese medical facilities.

Authorities in Japan have today said 44 more people have been diagnosed on board the ship, which is docked off Yokohama.

The country's health ministry said 219 people of the 713 tested on board the Diamond Princess have been infected by the virus.

Asked how they are feeling, Mrs Abel replied: 'Wishing it was over. It's getting harder.

'It's a nightmare you just want to wake up from.'

But she said she and her husband are getting along okay, adding: 'I must admit, we have got on pretty well. No arguments.'

The Diamond Princess is anchored off the port of Yokohama on February 9

A picture taken by David Abel shows the inside of the Diamond Princess

Another picture shows the almost deserted inside of the Diamond Princess where passengers are confined to their cabins

They explained that the Japanese health authorities have to approve any information before it is given to the captain, so passengers are generally reading updates online two or three hours ahead of official announcements.

They say they are allowed to order packages to the ship, but one Australian couple who claimed they had wine delivered by drone were only joking.

Mr Abel said of the couple: 'They have a brilliant sense of humour, they admitted after a day or two it was joke.'

Holidaymakers are likely to face further tests and health authorities are scrambling to deliver medicine requested by passengers, with the ship expected to remain in quarantine in Yokohama until February 19.

The liner was quarantined on arrival in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on February 3 after a man who disembarked from the liner in Hong Kong before it travelled to Japan was diagnosed with the virus.

About 80 per cent of the ship passengers were aged 60 or over, with 215 in their 80s and 11 in their 90s, according to Japanese media. The ship typically has a crew of 1,100 and a passenger capacity of 2,670.

'We will make every effort to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the people,' Kato told a televised news conference, without confirming the number of passengers who may leave ahead of schedule.

The minister said those who fit the criteria and wished to disembark would be housed in unspecified facilities provided by the Japanese government.

Those who had been in close contact with persons who tested positive would not be allowed to leave the ship, he said.

The British-flagged Diamond Princess is managed by Princess Cruise Lines, one of the world's largest cruise lines and a unit of Carnival Corp.
T he Met Office has ramped up its weather warnings for the weekend, issuing danger to life amber alerts across parts of the UK.

Forecasters predict very heavy rain, flooding and travel disruption in the north of England, Wales and the southwest over the weekend with Storm Dennis set to sweep the country.

The amber warnings will come into force at 3pm on Saturday and last for 24 hours.

Brits are urged to be on guard with fast flowing or deep floodwater considered likely, along with power cuts, damage to buildings and issues across transport networks.

It comes after snow and ice has blighted northern parts of the country. Scotland saw its coldest night of the year so far on Wednesday, with -10.2C recorded in Braemar, Aberdeenshire.

The rest of Britain will continue to be hit by harsh conditions over the weekend, with yellow warnings for wind and rain spanning from southern England all the way up to Glasgow.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said Storm Dennis is expected to pummel the country with severe gales and heavy rain on Saturday, which is set to be the most hazardous day.

Storm Ciara: Sinkhole - In pictures 1 /14 Storm Ciara: Sinkhole - In pictures Six people were evacuated from their homes PA A Toyota car in a sinkhole after Storm Ciara PA PA Engineers assess a car that fell in a sinkhole overnight in Essex PA PA PA PA PA PA

However, he said, despite the strong winds the new storm is set to be a touch milder than Ciara, which battered the country last weekend with gusts of up to 97mph.

Dennis will hit exposed spots with wind speeds of between 60 and 70mph, he said, adding: The unsettled weather wont subside massively any time soon.

The weekends weather runs the risk of bringing further flooding to parts of the country, with the Environment Agency urging people to stay safe and remain vigilant.
ITHACA, N.Y. - After times of major conflict, such as the civil wars in Liberia from 1980 to 2003, peace often leaves a power vacuum, especially in remote areas not yet reached by a developing government.

"In areas of limited statehood, a country's central authority lacks the ability to implement and enforce rules and decisions," Sabrina Karim, assistant professor of government, wrote in new research published in the American Political Science Review.

The paper, "Relational State Building in Areas of Limited Statehood: Experimental Evidence on the Attitudes of the Police," is based on Karim's research in Liberia. She finds that personal contact between police officers and citizens encourages a positive attitude about the country's central authority because such relationships provide information and facilitate social bonds.

The state earns legitimacy when the public accepts state authority over other sources of authority, including traditional chiefs, criminal groups or external forces such as United Nations peacekeepers.

"As the state expands its enforcement capacity, and as individuals have positive experiences with new state agency personnel, citizens' attitudes toward state authority may change," Karim wrote.

To reach this conclusion, Karim coordinated a study with the Liberian National Police (LNP) to test whether household visits from a pair of police officers - either two male or two female - improved residents' attitudes toward police. Her study also measured whether police officers' gender influenced citizens' acceptance of them.

Building on relationships she's established in Liberia through years of work in the country, Karim collaborated with the LNP to conduct outreach into a rural area, Grand Kru County, as a part of the LNP's community policing expansion.

She prepared four Liberian police officers - teams of two females and two males - to go door to door in randomly selected villages, accompanied by Liberian enumerators. Both teams paid visits of 20-30 minutes each to 375 households; at the end of each visit, officers left a card with the police phone number.

Three weeks later, the 750 households were surveyed about a variety of topics, including perceptions of police. A third set of households, a control group, received no police visits.

The data showed that visits increased citizens' preferences for the police, over alternative sources of security, for a wide range of security issues.

"This could be due to social bonds created with the new state security actor," Karim said. "If citizens did not have personal relationships with a police officer before, the visit put a face to police officers and started a process of trust in the individual police officers who visited them. It led community members to prefer those specific officers to come back and respond if there is a dispute in the community."

There was, however, no added improvement in perceptions of the police among female residents who were visited by female police officers. Karim was surprised at this outcome, but sees it in a positive light.

"Female officers elicit the same response among local men and women as male police officers," she said. "It shows that local men and women are not put off by female police officers."

Based on this study, Karim suggests that building relationships may help a new government earn legitimacy in the eyes of citizens and could help prevent violence in the future.

"The most important kinds of reforms are ones that enable trust-building in the formation of real positive relationships between different groups of people," Karim said, "even more so in a post-conflict country because there's a deficit of trust overall."

###

This research was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, Emory University and the Folke Bernadotte Academy 1325 Working Group.

Cornell University has dedicated television and audio studios available for media interviews supporting full HD, ISDN and web-based platforms.
Photos of previous Sinn Fein Lord Mayors happily posing with exotic animals at Belfast Zoo have called into question the party's proposals to send non-native species back to their country of origin.

A motion from Sinn Fein put forward at Belfast City Council said the display of caged animals in enclosures was "wrong and unethical".

The party suggested a five-year transition plan for the safe return of a number of non-indigenous animals to their natural habitats. They rejected claims from other parties this would cause the zoo to close.

One supporter of the zoo, Stephen McKinney, contacted the Belfast Telegraph with several photos of previous Sinn Fein Lord Mayors, including John Finucane, Deirdre Hargey and Niall O Donnghaile, posing with smiles on their faces with non-native animals at Belfast Zoo.

Mr McKinney said they "seemed to have had enjoyable days at the zoo".

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: "A number of former mayors Belfast Zoo in their capacity as mayor for all, just as they visited many other council-funded facilities."

SDLP councillor Carl Whyte said: "Any plan that would see the removal of animals back to their natural habitat from Belfast Zoo is complete nonsense. The European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the British and Irish associations, have supported that position.

"Returning animals to their natural habitats can result in up to 70% mortality of the animals, so there's no way that I or any other member of the SDLP would support this. In fact, every other party is opposed to this plan."

He added: "Obviously Sinn Fein mayors understand the importance of the zoo given that they've been there during their times in office.

"This will be discussed on February 21 at the strategic policy and resources committee.

"I'm hoping that common sense prevails and that a proper plan for investment and enhancement of the zoo is brought forward."
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has agreed to transfer the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), complying with a January 25 decision by the Union government directing the federal agency to take over the probe.

The Union governments order was contested by the coalition Maharashtra government, particularly the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). State home minister Anil Deshmukh made the announcement on Thursday, and admitted that there was a difference of opinion within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA)  made up of Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress  over the issue.

Deshmukh, who is from the NCP, said that chief minister Uddhav Thackeray used his discretionary powers to approve the handover.

Deshmukh told reporters that the state government will no longer oppose the Centre in court, and to facilitate that, the home department (through an order issued on Wednesday) directed the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) to convey the decision to the Sessions court in Pune during a hearing scheduled for Friday.

A senior government official aware of the developments said on the condition of anonymity that the order was issued following Thackerays remarks on the file.

We are still of the opinion that the Centre should have taken us into confidence while handing over the probe to the NIA, Deshmukh said on Thursday, indicating that the opposition to the move also stemmed from the manner in which it was announced. We had clarified this in the Pune Sessions court at the last hearing. Our decision, however, has been overruled by the chief minister using his discretionary powers, he added.

The home minister added that the government was considering the possibility of constituting a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the Bhima Koregaon violence case. The home department is consulting the state advocate general on this issue, he said.

However, a senior home department official, who asked not to be named, said a SIT cannot be set up without the CMs approval.

The official added that Thackeray decided to intervene after consulting the state advocate general, Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, who was of the view that the Centre was legally empowered to hand over the case to the NIA.

Last month, Pune Police did not grant NIA officials access to the case papers saying they had no instructions from the state director general of police.

The case in question is about the controversy that erupted on New Years Day in 2018 on the banks of the Bhima river, where hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Dalits, had gathered to mark the anniversary of an 1818 victory of the British army, manned primarily by Dalit soldiers, over the Peshwa, the then rulers who instituted oppressive caste practises. A group of unidentified men on bikes attacked the visitors and pelted stones, killing one person and injuring 40.

The police investigation initially pointed at far-right Hindu groups but then concentrated on an event held in Pune on December 31, 2017 called the Elgar Parishad. Police said the event was funded by Maoists, and that provocative speeches made at the gathering triggered the clashes. In June and August that year, police arrested nine prominent activists and raided the homes of many others in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.

Two charge sheets were filed  first in November 2018 against several activists for their alleged Maoist links, and a supplementary charge sheet in last February.

Those accused of helping Maoists include activists Sudha Bhardwaj, Varavara Rao, Arun Ferriera, Vernon Gonsalves, Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut and Sudhir Dhavale. Maoist leaders including Ganpathy, Kishan Da alias Prashant Bose and Prakash alias Rituparn Goswami were also named by Pune Police in the case.

In January, soon after the MVA wrested power in the state from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pawar alleged that Pune Police misused its powers to arrested writers and activists because they were opposed to the government and its policies. He also wrote to the CM, calling for the setting up of an SIT.

The Centre transferred the case to the NIA before the SIT could be formed.

According to a government official who asked not to be named, Deshmukh spoke to both Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday before briefing the media. The NCP wanted the CM to change the governments stand and oppose the NIA probe, a senior NCP leader aware of the developments told HT, adding that the party leader told Deshmukh to make the NCPs stand on the issue clear.

In an interview to his party mouthpiece Saamana last week, Thackeray said that he did not find the Centres decision wrong, but added that the Narendra Modi government should have taken the states view on the issue.

Nobody denies the Centres right in this investigation. But, while exercising their right, the Centre should have taken the state into confidence or should have told us what was wrong in the investigation. Does the Centre not have confidence in the states investigative agencies? It leads to strained relations between Centre and State, he said.
B oris Johnson sacked five Cabinet ministers after breakfast today in a bloody start to his Cabinet reshuffle.

First for the chop was Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith for mishandling a political storm over new investigations into historic allegations against members of the security forces.

Senior Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom, the Business Secretary who campaigned at Mr Johnsons side in the 2016 referendum on EU membership, was next to be despatched.

Housing minister Esther McVey, another Brexiteer, paraded her dismay on Twitter after she, too, was given her marching orders. Im very sorry to be relieved of my duties... she wrote.

Julian Smith, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom have all lost their cabinet positions

Booming-voiced Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, both Brexiteers, were also axed.

Mr Cox made clear he did not go willingly. I am now leaving the Government at the PMs request, he said.

AFP via Getty Images

Ms Villiers was more philosophical: What the prime minister giveth, the prime minister taketh away, she wrote.

Mr Smiths was the most spectacular downfall, fired after just after 204 days as Northern Ireland Secretary and weeks after being hailed as architect of a deal to restore power-sharing in the province.

His fall follows allegations that he secured the agreement by promising Republicans an investigation into historic allegations of wrongdoing by the security forces, raising the prospect of elderly former Royal Ulster Constabulary officers going on trial.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith / REUTERS

Downing Street was said to have been furious at being bounced into the controversy.

In a statement, Mr Smith said: Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to Boris Johnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country.

George Freeman joked about losing his job as transport minister, tweeting: On my bike.

Chris Skidmore indicated he had been axed by saying he would have more time to spend with his child.

Female MPs in line for promotion include defence minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, former Brexit minister Suella Braverman and Gillian Keegan.

A source close to the PM said the new appointments were designed to help the Government to focus relentlessly on delivering the publics priorities.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves from 10 Downing Street in London / AFP via Getty Images

The source added: They will be supported by a intake of new ministers as the PM seeks to broaden ministerial experience across his parliamentary party.

All ministers, regardless of seniority, will be judged on how they manage their portfolios and the results they demonstrate over the coming months.

The Prime Minister intends to promote a generation of talent and ensure better gender balance by promoting women at all levels of the ladder. Half of the junior ranks are expected to show a 50-50 gender split after the changes.

Mr Johnsons senior aide Dominic Cummings had reportedly been seeking a wider cull of ministers and a shake-up of Whitehall departments but Number 10 insiders believe a more conventional reshuffle will be carried out by the Prime Minister.

Nus Ghani revealed she had been sacked from her post as transport minister.

In what was being interpreted by some people at Westminster as a dig at the PMs loyalty, Mr Cox highlighted in his resignation letter how he had introduced Mr Johnson for the campaign launch for his bid to become Tory leader.

Irelands deputy prime minister Simon Coveney replied to Mr Smith on Twitter, saying: U have been such an effective SOS for NI at a time of real challenge & risk.

Without your leadership I dont believe NI would have a Govt today.

"Thank you JulianSmithUK for your trust, friendship and courage; UK & #Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it.

Though she lost her job at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ms Villiers said: Whether it is in the Cabinet, in Parliament, or in any other walk of life, if there is one thing we should all strive for, it is to safeguard our natural environment for future generations.
HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Doctors of Texas State Optical are pleased to announce the announcement of TSO Management Services, Inc. Effective January 1, 2020, TSO Management Services will serve as the new primary licensing branch of the TSO, Inc. brand.

TSO Management Services, Inc., as developed by the TSO board of directors, is a management services organization. TSO Management Services will be responsible for providing offices with human resources functions and administration, inventory management, sales, operations training, billing, collections, claims reconciliation and posting payments under the Texas State Optical brand.

By providing this comprehensive service, the optometrist owner can concentrate their energy on taking care of patients. TSO Management Services will not be involved in the clinical aspects of the practice. TSO Management Services will hire employees, provide ongoing training, and operate the practice using standard operating procedures.

TSO Board member and past Chairman Dr. Benny Pena said, "TSO Management Services will alleviate apprehension for new practice owners. Good optometrists always benefit from a strong business manager, and many newer grads want work-life balance. As a current TSO shareholder, I am interested in opening additional locations knowing that a lot of the business operations are being taken care of."

Currently, TSO, Inc. has plans to open ten new TSO Management Services licensed offices during the 2020 fiscal year, and expand to an additional ten throughout 2021.

"TSO Management Services is a fantastic way to encourage young optometrists into business ownership. The new licensing program allows young graduates to confidently run their clinic and allow the optical and HR aspects to be managed by the TMS model. The management services model allows for optometrists to focus on providing excellent eye care and promoting themselves in their community. This licensing program also enables young optometrists a better work-life balance. Many have young families and seek to spend time with them. Having the confidence that their office is professionally managed provides great peace of mind," said TSO President John D. Marvin.

TSO's Board of Directors and Officers continue to oversee the long-term strategic plan for TSO and TSO Management Services, enabling the Doctors of TSO to pursue their vision to become Texan's first choice in eye care.

About TSO

Texas State Optical, founded in 1936, operates today as a member-owned cooperative consisting of more than 120 locations across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. While independent, the Doctors of TSO collectively uphold the TSO brand and commitment to caring for the eyes of Texas.

At TSO.com, you can easily find a doctor, request an appointment with your local office, or consider a career in the optometry industry. Visit tso.com for more information.

SOURCE Texas State Optical

Related Links

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Labor's flagship free TAFE initiative has hit a snag after one of the state's biggest TAFE institutes was accused of offering junk diplomas.

The Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), the professional body overseeing qualifications, has suspended Box Hill Institutes accreditation to offer the Diploma of Community Services, one of the most popular free TAFE courses in the state, after it watered down its version of the course.

Box Hill Institute has had the accreditation of one of its most popular free TAFE courses removed.

The association says it took the dramatic step after receiving a number of complaints from students.

The suspension follows Box Hill Institutes decision late last year to slash the number of hours community services students spend on work experience from 400 to 100.
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Manoj Tiwari Wednesday dismissed reports that he offered to step down after the partys crushing defeat in the Delhi elections in which it won only eight seats.

There are voices growing within the party for an organisational overhaul in the national capital. The party could improve its 2015 Assembly election tally only by five seats, while losing one seat in the process.

Several senior leaders blamed the loss to delay in starting the election campaign, weak organisational setup and the state units inability to counter the freebies doled out by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Another big reason for loss, some said, was the move to contest without a chief minister face.

Also Watch l Delhi gives thumbs up to Kejriwal: What it means for AAP, BJP & Congress

The BJP had a high-pitch, hyper local campaign micromanaged by Union home minister Amit Shah, who attended roadshows and public meetings in 60-plus assembly constituencies in two weeks. Close to 200 MPs, sitting and former chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and Union ministers campaigned aggressively in what was considered a prestige battle for the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held two rallies and BJP chief JP Nadda campaigned in 70 constituencies.

This (eight seats and 40% vote share) is the best you can get after a 15-day-long campaign, a senior BJP leader remarked.

Another senior BJP leader requesting anonymity said, The AAP started its campaign soon after its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. By the time we started, there wasnt enough time to tell people about our schemes promised in our manifesto.

In what many leaders say should have been the easiest election as the party had won all seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi in 2019 for the second time with huge margins, it failed to counter AAPs politics of freebies. We lost our strongholds due to the water and electricity subsidy and free bus ride (for women). We didnt counter it properly. In the last six months, we should have exposed the AAP on these issues, said a former MLA.

Another issue many state unit leaders said was weak organisation. All our seniors campaigned. If the state unit is not in order what can they do? There is a need for an overhaul and a strong state leadership in Delhi, said a senior leader.

Tiwari said, We did our best. Maybe there was a delay in releasing our sankalp patra (manifesto). We will analyse our performance. But we have bettered our performance as we got 40% of the total votes. BJP never got this in the past state polls.

It is not the first time the party has lost an election despite favourable political scenario. In 2008, due to infighting, senior leaders say, the party couldnt take on Sheila Dikshits government. In 2013, while Rajya Sabha member Vijay Goel was the Delhi BJP chief, the party had announced Harsh Vardhan, now Union health minister as its chief ministerial candidate. The party was the single largest party, but lost the chance to form the government in Delhi by a whisker. The party suffered a humiliating defeat in 2015 despite coming to power at the Centre in 2014 due to infighting and poor decision in ticket distribution.

Many now question the decision to bank on Purvanchalis, a term used to refer to people from eastern UP and Bihar. The BJP had made Tiwari its state chief in 2016 hoping to garner the support of the community, considered to be AAPs support base. For the first time, the BJP fielded 11 Purvanchali candidates. We didnt get their support and partially lost our base among Baniyas and Punjabis too. We lost the entire rural belt, said a senior leader.

But Tiwari disagrees. We got the support of the community," he said. Of the eight seats we won, six are from my constituency and the neighbouring constituency which has the highest percentage of Purvanchalis.

Despite the difference of opinion, all BJP leaders were united on the decision to run a high-octane campaign on nationalism by raising the abrogation of Article 370, Ram temple, triple talaq and Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The increased vote share is due to the focus on nationalism, said a senior leader.

Tanvir Aeijaz, associate professor in the department of political science at Ramjas College, said, The BJP has not understood the evolving character of Delhi with the influx of migrants in the last few years. People associate them with identity politics and AAP presented an alternative model and addressed their issues. There was an AAP wave this time, too. Had BJP countered on livelihood issues, they would have got more seats.
For the first time in history, women have taken the helm of the nations top architecture schoolsand its about time. Meet five thought leaders now molding the next generation of talent and reshaping the design field for the 21st century.

Photo: Martien Mulder

J. Meejin Yoon

Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

In the last decade, the discipline has significantly transformed in terms of practice and research, notes the Korean-American architect, who was named dean in 2018. Im optimistic about architectural education going forward and the role of the academy as a leader around critical social and environmental issues, as well as emerging technologies and their impact on the built environment. At Cornell, where she studied architecture as an undergraduate, Yoon has shifted discourse to encompass a more global perspective, while expanding the universitys interdisciplinary programs. (She recently helped launch a pilot partnership with the Cornell Tech campus in New York City to develop innovative products, among other initiatives.) She has also trained students gaze on new breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, material science, and computation. Praising her fellow female deans, Yoon notes, It feels significant to be a part of this group of women academic leaders, all of whom are deeply committed to both education and practice. We share many underlying values but also represent diverse visions for our institutions. Diversity means better research, better education, better design.

Photo: Martien Mulder

Sarah Whiting

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

There is a real challenge for schools to redirect the design profession and push practice in ways that may not yet be available to the profession, says Whiting, now midway through her first year at the GSD. Our mandate is to identify questions that are relevant and urgent, questions like ethics, climate change, and housing. Its important to make sure the world knows that design is not a frivolous add-on to our lives but rather at the root of how we live. Since taking the helm at Harvard, following nearly a decade as dean of Rice Architecture, she has sparked collective conversation among the GSDs roughly 950 students and 250 faculty and staffchampioning transdisciplinarity and intellectual diversity. All schools have an obligation to reach out to new constituencies to let people know what architecture is, she notes. Design, the most public of the arts, has almost no public voice. But a design education paves the way to all sorts of pathssome that are familiar and some that none of us can foresee. There is a deep responsibility to lead students into fields that are critical today.

Story continues

Photo: Martien Mulder

Monica Ponce de Leon

Princeton University School of Architecture

Architecture materializes culture, notes Ponce de Leon, who arrived at Princeton in 2016 after seven and half years as dean of the architecture school at the University of MichiganAnn Arbor. We have the capacity to put on the table alternatives to the status quo. But if architecture is going to impact culture, it has to represent and argue for a broad cohort of communities. Diversity is key. At Princeton, she has more than tripled the percentage of underrepresented minorities on the faculty, catalyzing similar shifts in terms of gender, while also quadrupling the number of underrepresented minorities in each freshman class. As a Latina, I have been outspoken about how a lack of diversity in architecture perpetuates its own lack of diversity, notes the Caracas-born architect, who has instituted a program with Trenton Central High School to introduce teenagers to the field. At Princeton, meanwhile, she has focused the conversation, implementing themed semesters with lectures, symposia, exhibitions, workshops, and publications organized around ideas like representation. We explored models, drawings, photography, but also a lot about race and gender in architecture and in the city.

Photo: Martien Mulder

Deborah Berke

Yale School of Architecture

Before Berke assumed her post in 2016, just 40 percent of masters students at the school were women. In the short time since, she has not only achieved gender balance but greatly expanded financial aid. One of the ways that we can make the profession more inclusive is to reduce the enormous burden of student debt, says Berke. I have more to do. But it remains my goal. At the same time, she has molded the program to address todays pressing issues, among them the climate crisis and needs of rapidly expanding cities. I am a strong believer in what I call built environment social justice. Those most vulnerable are those being most hurt. Yales long-standing First Year Building Projectwherein architecture students design and construct togetherhas partnered with Columbus House, a local nonprofit providing housing and services to the homeless. The students learn about the needs of the homeless population, they learn about the concerns of the residents of New Haven, and they learn how to work collaboratively, Berke explains. The programs 2017 building, a 1,000-square-foot house for the homeless, was named among the best architecture of the year by the Wall Street Journal, reinforcing her firm belief that good deeds and great design go hand in hand. Everyone is entitled to beauty in their everyday life, she notes. The built environment can, at its very finest, bring joy.

Photo: Martien Mulder

Amale Andraos

Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

Architecture got cut up into all these different disciplines, leaving us with a very small, cosmetic part, limiting what the field can mean and what practice can do, explains Andraos. Unless we integrate and collaborate, we cannot engage with the scale of issues such as climate change. Since assuming her role at Columbia GSAPP in 2014, the Beirut-born architect has worked tirelessly to bring students togetherfostering more dual degrees (architecture and planning, architecture and real estate, planning and preservation) while supporting new centers dedicated to spatial research and resilient cities and landscapes. Weve put our foot on the pedal, she says. Its a very engaged moment. All the while, she has treated teaching positions as platforms for emerging practices, particularly those led by women or minorities. Academia can change the profession, notes Andraos. Reminiscing about a recent roundtable with her fellow female deans, she reflects, We all shared an earnest drive to work through the systemic issues that architectural education has faced, rather than trying to boost each of our own schools. Five years ago, deans wouldnt have been having this kind of conversation.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
If youve ever thought about becoming an art collector, you could score the bargain of a lifetime in March as a million Euro (800,000) Picasso is being raffled off for the ticket price of 100 Euros (83).

As part of a charity partnership between Christies and clean water nonprofit CARE, a raffle called 1 Picasso for 100 Euros is being held with the winners announced this spring.

The piece is a still life titled Nature Morte which currently sits in the Picasso Museum and is part of Monegasque art dealer David Nahmads prized collection. The winning lottery ticket will be drawn on March 30 in Christies Paris.

The art piece up for raffle / Nature Morte, Pablo Picasso 1921 Succession Picasso, Paris, 2019

Julian Pradels, the Managing Director of Christies France, said, We are very pleased to support this great charity operation which will benefit the CARE association which is doing remarkable work around the world.

"I would also like to salute the involvement of 'Aidez les Autres', which has come up with this excellent lottery idea that will enable the lucky winner to acquire an exceptional work of art for 100, he continued.

Raffle tickets can be purchased on the projects website 1 Picasso 100 Euros. This is the second time that the raffle has taken place, with a 25 year old American man winning Picassos 610,000 LHomme au Gibus in 2013 with a 100 Euro ticket.

He said to the BBC, I was looking for art and I thought I might as well.

Picassos grandson, Olivier Picasso, also spoke to the BBC about the project and said, My grandfather was a pioneer in everything, in his love life, in his artwork, so tonight I'm sure he would have helped the cause.

Proceeds from this years edition will go towards providing clean water to 200,000 people in Cameroon, Morocco and Madagascar through CARE.

The charity focuses on a number of initiatives, ranging from disaster relief to economic development, and their aim to provide basic clean water and a decent toilet to challenged communities is just one aspect of their global mission.
Italian energy group Edison has begun drilling an exploratory well in deepwater acreage in Egypt, not far from other giant east Mediterranean gas fields, the CEO of Israel-focused gas driller Energean said on Wednesday.

Energean is in the process of taking over Edisons Egyptian assets in a deal reached last year.

Were drilling right now in North Thekah, a deep water exploration ... it started a couple weeks ago, Energean CEO Mathios Rigas told reporters on the sidelines of an energy conference in Cairo.

North Thekah lies close to Egypts giant Zohr field, Cypruss Aphrodite and Israels Tamar and Leviathan fields.

Italian giant Enis Zohr field, with an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet of gas, is the largest ever discovered in the Mediterranean. It started production in late 2017.

Drilling would continue for 40-60 days, he said, depending on its success. So the next 4-6 weeks we should have results.

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A burglar who claimed to be looking for tissues when a staff member caught him stooped over a safe in the back office of a jewellers has been jailed for 18 months.

Stephen Byrne (46), of Kilmartin Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary at Pandora Jewellers, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre on March 3, 2019.

Byrne has 108 previous convictions including 53 burglaries, 16 thefts and two robberies.

Garda James O'Donnell told Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that a staff member noticed a male stooped over a safe in the back office. When the male stood up and spoke to her she realised it was not a G4S officer as she had assumed and she called for security.

Byrne said her colleague had sent him in the back because he was looking for a tissue but she knew this was untrue. He started to leave but a security officer asked him to return to the store and called gardai.

Byrne initially denied remembering anything and told gardai everything was a blur as he had taken tablets. He said he had gone into the office looking for something to take and blacked out.

Gda O'Donnell agreed with Sarah Jane O'Callaghan Bl, defending, that Byrne had given gardai no difficulty and was co-operative. Nothing was taken from the office.

Ms O'Callaghan said Byrne had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and significant mental health issues. She said in his offending he did not use violence, threats or put people in fear. She said he had been receiving custodial sentences from 15 years of age.

She outlined he had a supportive family and hoped to make better choices in the future. She submitted he was someone who was indicating he wanted to change his ways.

Judge Melanie Greally noted Byrne had a large number of previous convictions for burglary and this was a pattern of behaviour that had been ongoing for a long time.

She said his offending was linked to his long standing drug addiction which he had sought to address without lasting success.

Judge Greally said she was going to structure a sentence in order to endeavour to break the cycle of offending which was in Byrne's own interest and as well as in the interest of the community.

She imposed a two and a half year sentence and suspended the final year on strict conditions including that he abide by all direction of his probation officer and mental health team.
Civic Hall is a nonprofit in Manhattan that offers technology and job training to low-income residents, while also promoting collaboration among startups, civic groups and governmental agencies. Its been a big success, to the extent that its planning a move from a 6,000-square-foot space to one more than 10 times that size.Unfortunately, when New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the move, he described the new facility as a tech hub. That was unfortunate because Civic Halls prospective new neighbors heard that phrase as a signal that giant technology companies were about to move in, raising rents and forever altering the character of the area.The mayor thought he sounded visionary, but the reality is that term is pejorative, says Andrew Rasiej, Civic Halls founder and CEO. People are generally aware that technology is not working in their favor.Rasiej was eventually able to assuage his neighbors concerns, meeting with some 80 different community groups over a period of eight months. But the fact that the idea of a tech hub inspired a fierce form of NIMBYism is a reminder that the technology industry now faces political and public relations problems that its never had before.Scare headlines about massive data breaches have become routine. Major tech companies are continuously forced to pay fines in the millions or billions of dollars for mishandling data or abusing trust. Some of the big firms are facing investigations by the U.S. Justice Department or state attorneys general. On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission announced it was expanding an antitrust investigation involving Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and Alphabet, the parent company of Google.Politicians from both the left and the right, including Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, now call for greater regulation or even breakups of big tech firms. They have been very irresponsible Their behavior is shameful, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said about Facebook last month. They dont care about truth. More recently, Facebook and Twitter refused Pelosis requests to take down a misleadingly edited video of her at President Trumps State of the Union address.

Decline of Trust in Tech

More Regulation Is Coming

States and cities alike are considering legislation to protect data privacy and regulate or ban the use of facial recognition. Privacy concerns cross party lines, says New Jersey state Rep. Andrew Zwicker. When Im out talking to people, Im hearing this over and over, especially all the headlines around facial recognition right now.This represents a huge change in tone from just a few years ago, when politicians seemed to believe that tech could do no wrong. At the start of the century, Congress took a free-market approach to the Internet, blocking taxes on access and online purchases. Every mayor in America led cheers for tech hubs in their towns, bragging about being home to the next Silicon Prairie or Silicon Alley or Silicon Whatever.The policy of the United States seemed to be what was good for the Internet is good for America, Bruce Mehlman, a former assistant secretary of commerce for technology policy, said at a National Press Club forum. Now, its mixed.Its possible that the so-called techlash was inevitable. What were once seen as scrappy, innovative companies creating a world-leading industry have become corporate behemoths, blamed  in part, at least, in some quarters  for everything from election interference and the death of privacy to the spread of hate speech, misinformation and fake news. Today, theres also a generalized, if often overstated, fear that the robots are going to take all the jobs.No one is suggesting that the tech genie can or should be put back in the bottle. If anything, the pace of innovation and the use of technology are likely to accelerate. But the tech giants themselves recognize that they can no longer expect a free ride when it comes to regulation.When companies become the most important players in terms of both market cap and ubiquity in our lives, its going to raise policy questions and it should raise policy questions, Mehlman said.In an era when faith in institutions keeps reaching new lows, people are still generally hopeful about technology. Surveys indicate that more people trust tech more than other industrial sectors such as manufacturing, let alone government or the media.People like technology and the benefits it brings, but many now worry that tech companies value profits over privacy, while also growing nervous about artificial intelligence and robots posing a threat to their own livelihoods. The share of Americans who believe technology companies have a positive impact on society has plummeted from 71 percent in 2015 to 50 percent in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center Tech has moved from a niche concern to something central to all our lives, says Chris Calabrese, vice president for policy at the Center for Democracy and Technology, which advocates for digital rights. Once that happens, it becomes enmeshed in all the other issues in our lives.Students at top universities whose recent forebears dreamed of landing a job in Silicon Valley now openly express moral qualms about working there. Publications such as once owned by Microsoft  run articles that rank tech companies according to the  evil  that they do. Workers at technology companies themselves complain about facing discrimination or protest their employers stances in areas such as human rights defense and environmental policies The hero of this next movie is a naive, misguided child who spreads Nazi propaganda and only has imaginary friends. His name is Mark Zuckerberg, Sacha Baron Cohen said at the Golden Globes last month, turning an introduction of a clip from Jojo Rabbit into a swipe at Facebooks CEO.For the public at large, there was a Snowden moment following the revelations of massive federal collection and use of data by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, says Lee Rainie, Pews director of Internet and technology research. Thats been followed by several similar moments, including illegal data mining of Facebook users' personal data by Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 election.One of the democratic implications is that misinformation is going to take us down, that the targeted ad system is just a formula for killing off all the best parts of democracy, Rainie says, summarizing public fears.People now recognize that behaviors they thought were perfectly innocent, such as liking and sharing things on social media, are not only being monetized but could potentially be used against them. The increasingly poor perception of tech companies is also driven by the fact that some of them have become enormous and powerful. It wasnt many years ago that the tech companies were viewed as underdogs against telephone and cable giants in policy fights such as the net neutrality debate.Now, its the tech firms that are seen as the overbearing corporate titans. The five largest companies in the country, by market cap, are all tech companies. (Not coincidentally, it's the same list of companies that are facing increased FTC scrutiny.) Everyone loves an underdog. No one likes a monopoly.Perhaps not too many people have real concerns about the vast majority of tech firms, even large ones such as Oracle or Hewlett-Packard. They are worried about companies that look like monopolies, notably Facebook, Google and Amazon.Over time, the populace has seen how much power Facebook has, and so theyre trusted less, says Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney at Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit law firm advocating digital rights. It is a part of American political and general commercial culture to really not like monopolies.Hardly a week goes by without Congress holding a hearing on tech issues such as antitrust, privacy, misinformation and misuse of data. Members of Congress  buoyed by support from companies including Disney and IBM  are drafting bills that would increase the liability of content platforms for whats posted on their sites.Theres been a lack of regulatory oversight for a long time, says Calabrese, the interim co-CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology. For a long time, the attitude was, this Internet thing is great and we dont want to kill it with undue regulation. That was the right decision, but it has let some problems grow unchecked.States are considering a slew of bills this year to address privacy concerns. How many will pass  or what they will look like  remains much in doubt. Getting the balance right between protecting consumers and not harming commerce will be difficult. Lawmakers remain wary of approaches that are aimed at the big boys but might harm smaller companies in the process.But the tech giants themselves acknowledge that theyre entering into a new period where more regulation is to be expected. Last month, both the president of Microsoft and the CEO of Google called for some form of regulation of artificial intelligence. Microsoft has supported regulation of facial recognition for a couple of years now.Youre starting to see a recognition that some form of regulatory oversight is not just inevitable but actually welcome, Calabrese says. Theres a recognition that companies big and small benefit from some regulatory certainty: You can trust our data, because we wouldnt break the law.If major tech companies recognize that they might need some seal of governmental approval to win back the publics trust, its because theyve done so much to earn the skepticism in the first place, suggests Rasiej, Civic Halls CEO.There used to be this idea in Silicon Valley that you should disrupt and break things, he says. It was done in such a way that the people who were most affected by those technologies were not able to voice their concerns.
WOODBURY  While off from school for the February break, Feb. 14, 17-18, children in grades K-5 are invited to Flanders Nature Center to experience Amazing Animals where they will spend time discovering the wonderful world of animals. Centered at the Flanders trail house, they will hike the trails and learn how to track animals active in winter; then visit the animals that make their home in the Flanders North Barn and learn new facts about farmyard animals, all with stories, games and crafts.

Flanders is offering three different sessions for each day; 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-5 p.m. or 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Parents should dress their children for the weather and to bring a bag lunch or snack. Pre-registration is required. The cost per child each day for either the morning or afternoon session is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Full day cost for each day is $60 for members and $80 for nonmembers. Early and late child care is available at $8 per hour. To register, call Flanders at 203-263-3711, extension 12.

For a full listing of all the programs for kids and adults coming up at Flanders visit www.flandersnaturecenter.org or find more details on their Facebook page.

Family Friendship Ball set at KidsPlay

TORRINGTON  The KidsPlay Childrens Museum is celebrating kindness, warmth and fun with a Friendship Ball during the monthly Family Friday event ,5-8 p.m. Feb. 21. The event will include a dance party with a live DJ, Hot Cocoa Cafe, games, STEM activities and other events. All activities are included with general admission. Dress up for the Friendship Ball and enjoy $2 off the regular admission price; adults included.

Family Friday events are held once a month with the museum open for extended hours, providing families a relaxed time together with fun for all ages. On these dates, the museum hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m., with themed activities from 5-8 p.m.

Phoenix Stage Company holding open auditions

OAKVILLE  Phoenix Stage Company will hold open auditions for Enchanted April by Matthew Barber, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 24-25, at the theater. located at 133 Main St., Oakville.

The story: Sweet-natured Lotty Wilton is suffering from depression caused by the the bleak London winter, and from an oppressive relationship with her pompous solicitor husband. When she sees an advertisement in the paper to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April, an idyllic spot for those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine, she jumps at the chance to escape her downtrodden existence. Sensing an instant kinship with fellow housewife Rose Arnott, a severely angelic woman with sorrows of her own, Lotty persuades her along on the adventure. To reduce the costs, the two ladies find Caroline Bramble, a beautiful and exhausted socialite, and Mrs. Graves, an overbearing widow, to round out the party. As the month passes, verdant sun-drenched San Salvatore works its magic on each sad and hardened heart, healing grief and bringing hope. And with the arrival of two chastened husbands and one attractive young artist, romance blooms again. Matthew Barbers Enchanted April, based on Elizabeth Von Arnims beloved novel of the 1920s, is a gentle and romantic comedy of manners. Against the backdrop of a country still reeling from World War I Enchanted April offers to its characters, and viewers, a necessary balm of sunshine and renewal.

The theater is seeking three men and five women. For a complete list of characters, go to www.phoenixstagecompany.org . The production is being directed by Agnes M. Dann.

Enchanted April will be staged April 25-May 9, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays Rehearals will be held on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings. For more information, call 860-417-2505 or email info@phoenixstagecompany.org

LHS Players to stage Guys and Dolls

LITCHFIELD  The Litchfield High School Players present Guys and Dolls, a musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them.

Guys and Dolls will be performed in the Litchfield Intermediate School Auditorium, at 7 p.m., March 11-14 .

Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, event organizers said, with hits that include: Ive Never Been in Love Before, Take Back Your Mink and Luck, Be a Lady. The student production will include original set design, costumes and a live pit band. Tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and students. For more information contact Tammy Knox at Litchfield High School at 860-567-7530.

Families can enroll children in Ready, Set, Grow

LITCHFIELD  Litchfield Public Schools invites the families of children eligible for dindergarten for the 2020-21 academic school year to this Springs Ready, Set, Grow program. The program aims to inform parents and guardians about kindergarten expectations in language arts, math, and fine/gross motor skills as well as strategies to use at home to support this learning. This opportunity includes a parent information session followed by engaging family and student workshops. Children living in Litchfield, Northfield, and Bantam who will be five years old on or before Jan. 1, 2021 are eligible for Kindergarten for the 2020-21school year and are encouraged to attend.

The first Ready, Set, Grow informational meeting for parents and guardians will was held Feb. 3 Additional workshops will be held on March 2, April 6 and May 4 at 6 p.m. for children and their parents/guardians. Registration is required for these workshops. Visit www.litchfieldschools.org to register for the workshops.

Church to hold annual barbecue

HARWINTON  The 58th Annual Harwinton Congregational Church Chicken Barbecue will be held Feb. 29 at the church, 1 Litchfield Road, Harwinton, with seatings at 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m., and takeout from 4-6:30 p.m.

The cost is $15, $8 for children under 12. Donations of meals for delivery to local seniors, shut-ins and homeless are $15. For reservations, call 860-485-1318.
President Donald Trump walks to Marine One en route to Ohio for a rally, at the White House in Washington on Jan. 9, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Eight GOP Senators Join Democrats in Passing Resolution to Limit Trumps Iran War Powers

The Senate passed a bipartisan resolution to limit President Donald Trumps ability to take military action against Iran in the wake of the airstrike that killed a top commander last month.

Eight Republicans voted in favor of the measure, including Sens. Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), Todd Young (Ind.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (La.), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). They joined every Democrat in the chamber. It passed 55 to 45.

The resolution was introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) after Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed in January. The administration said the move was necessary because forces loyal to Soleimani were plotting attacks on American assets in the region and noted that those same forces killed an American contractor just days earlier.

The resolution would direct the U.S. military to pull back from conflicts with Iran that dont have congressional approval.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said he opposes the resolution. Meanwhile, President Trump called on GOP members to vote against the bill, saying it would show weakness to Tehran.

Qassem Soleimani, commander of Irans Quds Force, attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran on Feb. 11, 2016. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

Trump said now is not the time to show weakness and that if his administration is unable to act on Tehran, Iran would have a field day.

In a series of Twitter posts on Wednesday, the president wrote, It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness  If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!

Kaine, meanwhile, has argued that the measure isnt necessarily about Trump but about Congress reasserting its Constitutional power to declare war.

This resolution is about Congress reclaiming its rightful role in decisions about war, Kaine said Wednesday. While the president does and must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there. An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition. Its clearly stated in the Constitution.

But Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday the move to kill Soleimani was appropriate and should be commended. Other Republican senators, including Sen. James Risch, the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, echoed his remarks.

The president defended American lives and showed Iran that terrorism and, most importantly, spilling American blood is something that will come at a price, Inhofe said on the floor. Were in the best negotiating position with Iran since 1979, he added, referring to when the current regime in Tehran came to power.

President Donald Trump looks on as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) speaks at a campaign rally at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 4, 2019. (Bryan Woolston/Getty Images)

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he supports the bill to stop what he called a dangerous escalation with Iran. It is Congress, not the president, who has the power to take this country into war, and thats what this vote was about, he said after voting to approve the measure.

And Sen. Paul, one of Trumps strongest defenders, argued last month that the resolution is necessary because the Constitution specifically says the warmaking power resides in Congress.

The resolution will now have to pass the House. The vote failed to meet the 67-vote threshold needed to overcome Trumps likely veto. The president vetoed a war powers resolution in 2019.
The U of M increases three spots in Blue Ridge Institute of Medical Research rankings

Minneapolis, MN, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research recognizes the University of Minnesota Medical School as the 27th most funded institution by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the 2019 NIH rankings.

The University of Minnesota Medical School is ranked 27th nationally in this years rankings, improving from last years spot as 30th (and 33rd in 2017). In addition, five of the Medical Schools departments Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Neuroscience; Family Medicine and Community Health; Pediatrics; and Rehabilitation Medicine ranked in the top 10 for department-specific rankings. Several other departments also improved rankings in 2019.

The continued progress of our medical school's climb in the NIH rankings reflects the incredible work taking place every day on our campus and in our healthcare facilities by our faculty, researchers and students, said University of Minnesota President Joan T.A. Gabel. We look forward to building on this sustained success as we seek to solve the most pressing healthcare issues here in Minnesota and around the world."

The NIH is the largest federal provider of basic research money to universities. Each year, the Blue Ridge Institute evaluates NIH data tables and ranks universities based on their annual NIH grant support. Improving the Medical School rankings is a top priority of the Board of Regents as a measure for advancing the University.

Rankings are good indicators of how we are building momentum at the Medical School, said Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD, Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School and Vice President for Clinical Affairs. They help us recruit and retain our faculty, physicians, staff, and learners, generate community support, and most importantly build trust with our patients. We are grateful for the support of President Gabel and our Board of Regents, as well as the strong partnership we have with the State of Minnesota in advancing our mission.

Story continues

About the University of Minnesota Medical School

The University of Minnesota Medical School is at the forefront of learning and discovery, transforming medical care and educating the next generation of physicians. Our graduates and faculty produce high-impact biomedical research and advance the practice of medicine. Visit med.umn.edu to learn how the University of Minnesota is innovating all aspects of medicine.

Naomi McDonald

University of Minnesota Medical School

6123019525

naomim@umn.edu


A group of clerics has called on Kenyans and political detainees oppressed by former President Daniel Moi to forgive him.

Led by Interfaith Network Secretary-General Archbishop Stephen Kalunyu and Council of Imams Chairperson Col Hassan Bonaya, the religious leaders acknowledged that Moi had his faults like any other human.

He even sought forgiveness after leaving the top leadership and, as believers, we must forgive others for God to forgive us. Moi was a human being like any other and though he had his own faults he wanted Kenyans to live in peace, love and unity, said Archbishop Kalunyu.

The leaders hailed Moi as a generous leader who contributed to the growth of education in the country.

They also said the former president will be remembered for minimal graft cases and efficient service delivery.

We had minimal cases of corruption during his time and services were so efficient, said Ahmed Sett, the Interfaith Network Chair.

Sett, who was awarded Head of State Commendation by President Moi in 1998 for agitating for womens rights, said the former president stressed the need for Christians and Muslims to live in peace.

The clerics urged elected leaders to follow in Mois philosophy of peace, love and unity that was in line with religious doctrine.

On his part, Col Bonaya eulogised Moi as a strict and principled leader, a trait he said every president must possess.

Politicians must always remember Mois slogan of Siasa Mbaya Maisha Mbaya (Bad Politics, Bad life) and embrace his [Moi] philosophy of Peace, Love and Unity for growth and development of our country, said Bonaya.

The clergymen spoke after signing the condolence book at Isiolo County Commissioners office this week.
Twelve-hour trolley waits in A&E have quadrupled in a single year, NHS England figures show.

The number of patients waiting on trolleys in hospital corridors reached 2,846 in January 2020, compared with 627 in the previous year.

This is the highest level recorded since data collection began in 2010 - even though this winter flu season has been mild.

Doctors' organisations called the figures 'unacceptable' but unsurprising. They warned patients were at risk and doctors were run to the ground.

Cancer treatment times were also the worst on record, with only 78 per cent of patients starting treatment within two months of being urgently referred for suspected cancer.

Targets for cancer patients to start treatment have not been met for six years, and show no sign of improving.

Twelve-hour trolley waits in A&E have quadrupled in a single year, NHS England figures show. Of those waiting more than four hours, 2,846 were delayed over twelve hours. It's four times the figure in January 2019  627  and a staggering 18 times the figure in 2016  of 158

The figures released today lay bare how much pressure the NHS is working under.

The number of patients seen and discharged within four hours was 81 per cent in January 2020, a three per cent decrease on the equivalent figure for January 2019.

More than 100,500 patients had to wait more than four hours compared with 83,554 in the same month in 2019.

This is the highest level of four-hour delays from decision to admit to admission since the collection began.

The 95 per cent standard for four hours has not been met since July 2015, and only one of 118 NHS trusts achieved it in January 2020.

Of those waiting more than four hours, 2,846 were delayed over twelve hours, the highest ever level.

It's four times the figure in January 2019  627  and a staggering 18 times the figure in 2016  of 158.

Dr Nick Scriven, past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the figures came as no surprise.

He said: 'The fact the NHS is teetering on the brink is now such common knowledge that it is no longer a shock to see continuous failure to meet performance targets and, even today, with the figures showing the worst ever performance against emergency targets since data collection began, it will barely raise an eyebrow.'

'This performance data, however, is not any reflection on the mammoth efforts of frontline staff to deliver in almost impossible circumstances - something reinforced by those who battled last weekends wild weather for their patients.'

In response to NHS England's January performance statistics, the British Medical Association said the Government is 'failing to get a grip on winter pressures'.

AMBULANCE SERVICE ATTENDS RECORD NUMBERS The NHS figures revealed today show that ambulances attended 750,238 incidents in January, making it the busiest January on record. An NHS spokeswoman said January had seen improved A&E performance and faster ambulance response times compared with December, according to PA. She said: 'This was aided by the sustained hard work of NHS staff, and the ability to open and staff more hospital beds than last year. 'This means that the NHS is well 'prepared to deal with the potential impact of coronavirus, although it remains important that anyone with health concerns should contact NHS 111.' It follows statistics which revealed ambulance delays were the worst they have been in at least two years in the first week of 2020. Almost one in five ambulance patients (18 per cent, equal to 18,000 people) wait more than half an hour to be handed over to hospital staff. Advertisement

Council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: 'This latest set of performance figures confirm what doctors have been telling us and indeed the reality experienced by patients daily; that the strain on our health service is relentless, deepening and showing no sign of recovery.

'Stories of patient deaths on corridors, rammed emergency departments and cancellations of patient's procedures as a daily occurrence are becoming the new norm as doctors across the country say they are exhausted and run into the ground.

'This is an unacceptable situation for a civilised health service; it is failing patients and is not sustainable.'

Tim Gardner, senior policy fellow at the Health Foundation, said: 'Today's figures show NHS performance on the main waiting time targets is close to record lows.

'Despite the lack of a cold snap and flu being less severe than feared so far, this was the worst January for people waiting longer than four hours in A&E since records began.'

Unless widespread NHS staff shortages are tackled, patient care will continue to suffer, Mr Gardner said.

Susan Masters, director of Nursing Policy and Practice at the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'It is shocking to learn that last month, over 100,000 emergency patients in England had to wait more than four hours on trolleys or chairs for a hospital bed, the highest number ever.

'It is extremely difficult for nurses to provide safe and effective care in these circumstances, as well as extremely distressing for patients and their families.

'But hospitals cannot open more beds without more nurses to staff them  and there are currently over 43,000 vacant nursing posts in the NHS in England alone.'

December data for the past nine years reveals the number of people waiting more than four hours in A&E has soared from a low of 66,661 in 2011 to a record high of 396,762 in 2019

Cancer targets have not been met in six years

Data published today also highlighted the worsening treatment wait times cancer patients in England must face after a diagnosis.

The year 2019 was the worst calendar year on record for all eight Cancer Waiting Times targets, as figures show:

A 30 per cent rise in the number of people waiting longer than two weeks for a first appointment with a consultant after an urgent referral from a GP. The figure in 2019 was 214,000, around 49,000 more than in 2018.

A 16 per cent increase in patients waiting longer than 62 days to start treatment after an urgent GP referral in 2019 than in 2018 - 4,900 more.

Over half of NHS hospital trusts in England (64 per cent) missed the 62-day target in December 2019.

Only 78 per cent of patients in England started treatment within two months of being urgently referred by their GP with suspected cancer, against the target of 85 per cent.

Until January 2014, the NHS was able to consistently keep pace with demand and the 62-day target was almost always met.

Lynda Thomas, CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'These waiting times are unacceptable.

'It's disappointing that, despite the best efforts of frontline staff in the NHS, latest figures expose 2019 as the worst ever year on record, with December marking six years since the 62-day wait to start treatment was first breached.

WHAT IS THE NHS'S FOUR-HOUR A&E TARGET? The NHS's four-hour A&E target is one set out in the NHS constitution which dictates 95 per cent of all emergency patients in England should be admitted to hospital or discharged within four hours of arriving. Hospitals' performance against this measure has been tracked for more than a decade. At a national level the NHS hasn't hit the 95 per cent target since July 2015, when it was 95.2 per cent. Since then there has been a steady decline to October 2019's record low of 83.6 per cent. That low meant that one out of every six people who went to A&E in that month waited there for more than four hours  more than 320,000 people. The woeful figures come at a time when the NHS is trying to scrap the four-hour target completely. Unable to meet the ambitious 95 per cent, the health service is now trying to switch to a system which doesn't measure waiting times against a set benchmark but simply tries to treat the more urgent cases faster and loosens the limit for less serious patients. Advertisement

'As the NHS staffing crisis worsens so do delays, and the impact of this is being felt acutely by people living with cancer.

'We must remember that behind every missed figure is a real person who has a life and a family, a person who faces delays to receiving results, starting treatment or seeing a consultant.'

And Ellen Lang, a nurse on Macmillan's Support Line, said: 'We hear from people all the time who tell us how uncertainty about tests or treatment can be physically and emotionally draining, at what is often already a distressing time.'

Separate figures also released today reveal the volume of planned operations that were cancelled in the winter months.

In the months October to December, 16 per cent more surgeries were cancelled compared to the same period in 2018.

There were 23,503 cancellations in the run-up to Christmas 2019, up from 3,337 on the same period the previous year.

One in ten patients were not treated within 28 days of their cancelled operation.

Professor Derek Alderson, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England said: 'This has to change.

'Christmas was cancelled for a record number of patients last year. A cocktail of pressures is hitting our hospitals: winter illnesses, staff shortages and a lack of beds.

'Cancelling on the day heaps additional distress on what is already a stressful situation for patients and their families. Their condition may deteriorate further while they wait for a new operation date.'

Professor Alderson pointed to a RCS survey of 421 surgeons working in the NHS in November 2019, asking why operations were being cancelled on the day.

It found that 60 per cent of surgeons had to cancel operations at the last minute, with the top reason being a lack of beds.
British grime star Stormzy said on Thursday he will reschedule the Asia leg of his current world tour due to the deadly new coronavirus epidemic. The rapper, real name Michael Omari, told his social media followers he had "regrettably" decided to postpone his shows on the continent starting next month due to the outbreak. The 26-year-old had been set to perform in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, South Korea and Indonesia in March and April, as part of his "Heavy is the Head" tour. "I was seriously looking forward to bringing the #HITH world tour to Asia and playing some epic sold out shows," Stormzy wrote on Instagram. "But due to the ongoing health and travel concerns surrounding the Coronavirus, I'm regrettably having to reschedule this leg. "Information regarding the rescheduled dates will follow in due course... I promise I'll be back," he added. Concern is growing that the COVID-19 epidemic, as the World Health Organization has formally named it, is worsening. China, the source of the outbreak, said Thursday the official death toll had spiked dramatically. The virus has so far claimed 1,367 lives and infected nearly 60,000 people, the vast majority in China, as it has spread around the globe. Stormzy's announcement came after the Mobile World Congress -- the world's biggest phone show -- was cancelled due to concerns over the outbreak. Meanwhile US alt-rockers The Pixies have also axed several shows in China this month and in March, but are still touring Japan. Britain's Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel to mainland China. Stormzy kicked off his world tour in Dubai last week and is next set to perform in Berlin on February 20. Stormzy kicked off his world tour in Dubai and is next due to perform in Berlin on February 20
BJP president JP Nadda on Thursday held a meeting with party's Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari, two days after its resounding defeat in the assembly polls here.

Party general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh was also present in the meeting.

According to sources, the meeting lasted for over two hours and was attended by almost all BJP general secretaries.

A number of issues came up for discussion in the meeting, where the BJP leaders pointed out that the party's vote share had increased in the national capital and it put up a brave poll show, the sources said.

On Wednesday, Nadda had held a meeting with party general secretaries to discuss the election results.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, won 62 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi, while the BJP bagged the remaining eight seats.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Early on Sunday morning, Roger F. Tetreault left his business in Wales and drove to the Massachusetts Turnpike where he was heading westbound. He didnt make it to his destination.

Massachusetts State Police found the 72-year-old around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, his truck crashed into a gully off the Mass. Pike in Stockbridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His son, Brian Tetreault, believes he suffered a catastrophic heart attack or stroke after stopping to fill up with gas at the Blandford service plaza.

As a 13-year-old boy, Brian would accompany his dad out to the forest and help him however he could. Brian told MassLive he cherishes those memories which later made him decide to join the business, Tetreault and Son Forest Management, in 1991.

For 29 years the two had worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, but they loved the work they were doing.

My dads commitment to his family and our business was unprecedented, said Brian. He spent his last day doing what he loved.

The family owns a German Shepherd named Greta who would accompany them while they were out working in the forests. She would always greet Roger when she saw him.

I dont know what kind of treats he would carry around, Brian said of the relationship between his father and the dog. They were inseparable.

Roger F. Tetreault remembered after tragically passing away in his tractor trailer rig on the Mass Pike

The day of the crash, he was driving separately from another employee of the company who left shortly after him.

He arrived first and had no answer from Dad, said Brian. Thirty or 40 minutes went by and still no answer. I knew something was wrong.

His father always carried around an old flip phone he loved to use and was never out of sight. It was strange that I couldnt contact him, he said

At around midday Sunday the Mass. State Police came to the location in Palmer Brian was working to inform him of the tragic news.

Greta was with the police and I knew from then something was wrong, Brian said. They confirmed what he had dreaded, the death of his father and business partner.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rose, their children, Tammy Tetreault-Pascale and her husband Rick and Brian Tetreault and his partner, April Marlborough, three granddaughters, Jade, Jasmine and Marissa, and his sister, Jacqueline St. Laurent, according to his obituary.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Christophers Church in Brimfield, followed by a burial with military honors in St. Annes Cemetery in Sturbridge.
(TNS)  Raleigh police have stopped using a facial recognition app to identify potential criminals through the Internet, cutting ties with a company that has drawn widespread privacy concerns.In August, the department paid $2,500 to Clearview AI for one years access to its app, which collects pictures from Facebook, YouTube and other public sites, spokeswoman Donna-maria Harris said late Tuesday.Only three Raleigh Police Department employees were allowed to access the app, Harris said, and their searches were limited to finding victims of human trafficking or other major crimes when no other leads existed. Results of their searches were not the only evidence leading to charges, but were verified through other sources.In February, Harris said, the department tried to find out how Clearview AI had used its system in the past but did not get an answer that satisfied its internal audit. The app will not be used further, and the department will review its facial recognition technology policy.The Durham Police Department does not use Clearviews app or other facial recognition technology, spokeswoman Kammie Michael said Tuesday.The New York Times ran a lengthy article in January highlighting the potential danger of Clearviews technology. In it, the newspaper reported that the small start-up company had sent its technology to more than 600 law enforcement agencies, but no list of which departments could be determined.Using the apps coding, a viewer could identify activists at a protest or an attractive stranger on the subway, revealing not just their names but where they lived, what they did and whom they knew, the Times reported.Representatives from Google told the Times they had refrained from putting out such technology because of the negative ways it could be used, the newspaper said, and cities such as San Francisco prohibit officers from using facial recognition.In 2018, U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield of Wilson was incorrectly paired with a criminal mugshot, one of 28 senators and House members matched through a system Amazon was marketing to police, according to The Associated Press. The American Civil Liberties Union ran the tests, the AP reported, and identified people who were disproportionately people of color. The group asked for a moratorium on police use of face surveillance.In the Raleigh Police Department statement, Harris said the departments policy on facial recognition was written in 2015, predating Clearview AI, and there is always a need to review policies as law and technology evolve. Facial recognition software is no exception.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk has said that Ukraine meets the criteria for joining NATO's Enhanced Opportunity Partnership (EOP) and called on the Alliance to consider Ukraine's application for participation in the program.

He said this during a breakfast hosted by the Canadian defense minister with the participation of the NATO secretary general in Brussels on Thursday, February 13, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported.

"Our NATO partners know that joining NATO's Enhanced Opportunity Partnership program is an absolute priority for Ukraine. Ukraine has made significant progress in implementing the Alliance's standards and is already meeting the military criteria for joining the program. We are ready [to join], and now there is a wonderful window of opportunity," the ministry's press service quoted Zahorodniuk as saying.

He also emphasized that Ukraine's accession to the EOP program is a key element in enhancing European security and deepening cooperation and partnership. In addition, Zahorodniuk said that Ukraine has something to offer NATO. In particular, the minister pointed to the ongoing participation of Ukrainian military in NATO-led operations, the exchange of experience gained during the fight against Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, including the hybrid component, intelligence sharing, and ensuring security in the Black Sea.

Zahorodniuk called on NATO partners to consider Ukraine's application for joining the EOP program and support the decision.

In January 2020, Ukraine asked NATO to grant it the status of a participant in the Enhanced Opportunity Partnership program.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba said that as part of such a partnership, Ukraine could receive priority admission to certification of NATO-Ukraine events. In addition, the program envisages enhanced cooperation in the sphere of intelligence and enabling representatives of partner countries to receive positions at NATO headquarters or agencies.

According to Kuleba, the Enhanced Opportunity Partnership program does not substitute a Membership Action Plan (MAP), which Ukraine seeks to obtain.

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Eason is delighted to announce Declan Cox as this years winner of the County Leitrim Eason Spelling Bee Final.

Declan, who is a pupil at Annaduff National School, soared to the top following a tense competition in which he faced 8 fellow spelling enthusiasts. Declan will now go on to compete in the Connacht Provincial Spelling Bee in May/June.

Declan is an avid reader and loves to read anything by David Walliams.

Declan Cox from Annaduff NS was the winner of the Co Leitrim Eason Spelling Bee

Celebrating its tenth year, the Eason Spelling Bee provides the opportunity for students across Ireland to get off their devices, improve their spelling skills and expand their vocabulary.

Marketing Manager at Eason, Elizabeth Blake, said; At Eason, we cant quite believe that we are celebrating the 10th year of the Eason Spelling Bee. Its a tremendous achievement and a testament to the bright-sparks of the nation. Were incredibly proud to have created something that allows children to engage in an educational activity that develops their literacy, spelling, confidence and gives them so much enjoyment.

As well as the prestigious title of Eason Spelling Bee 2020 Champion, the All-Ireland Champion Speller will also take home a collection of books for their school library, worth 7,500 as well as a personal collection of books worth 500.

This year 900 schools nationwide will compete against each other in a bid to win the coveted prize. Eason is partnering with Today FM for the fifth year and, this summer, Alison Curtis will host the Provincial and All-Ireland Spelling Bee Finals.

Keep up-to-date with all the 2020 Eason Spelling Bee buzz on www.easons.com/spellingbee and @easons #EasonSpellingBee
At talks between authorities of Mong Cai and Dongxing (Source: VOV)

The assistance includes 30,000 masks, 5,000 pairs of glove and 500kg of disinfectants.

Earlier on February 9, Vietnam sent medical equipment and supplies to China to help with the work.

The Vietnam Red Cross Society has also donated medical supplies worth 100,000 USD to China.

According to the Ministry of Health, as of 10:30 on February 12, a total of 45,170 cases of Covid-19 infection had been recorded in 28 countries and territories worldwide, of which 44,653 were in China.

The death toll had reached 1,115, with 1,113 in mainland China, one in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong (China).

Among the 15 confirmed cases in Vietnam, six have recovered. The latest patient, who is also the youngest recorded so far, is a three-month-old baby from Vinh Phucs Binh Xuyen district.
The exemption to agricultural incomes - the true extent of which is not known in the absence of official data - is a black hole into which huge amount of incomes of non-agriculturists disappear every year. This has been officially acknowledged several times in the past five decades. The finance ministry officials, lawmakers and even academics working in the area of taxation and agriculture have known it but little has been done to correct the situation and thereby hangs a tale.

First, what already is in public domain and widely known.

Exemption as a tool of tax evasion and money laundering

The last official report to highlight how exemption to agricultural income is being misused was the third Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) report of 2014. It was very unequivocal about the malaise: the exemption is being used by non-agriculturists as a "conduit to avoid tax and for laundering funds". The relevant part is reproduced to remove any doubt about the authenticity of this assertion.

In 2002, the Kelkar Committee (Task Force on Direct Tax) had said the same thing: the exemption to agriculture income "distorts both horizontal and vertical equity" and "encourages laundering of non-agricultural income as agricultural income, i.e., it has become a conduit for tax evasion". The relevant part is reproduced below.

Economist Prof Arun Kumar, who studies black money in the Indian economy, says the issue dates back to 1970s. He says two committees in the 1970s - the Raj Committee and the Wanchoo Committee - raised the issue and pointed out that "diversion of income to agriculture was being used to evade tax" by non-agriculturists.

Audit findings of CAG in 2019

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) took note of it and audited the processes the income tax department (ITD) follows for allowing such exemptions. This report (CAG report no. 9 of 2019) was tabled in the Parliament in July 2019.

What did CAG's 2019 audit find?

The CAG reviewed 6,778 cases out of 22,195 scrutiny assessments (not the total number of exemption cases) the ITD had carried out between FY15 and FY17 of those who had claimed more than Rs 5 lakh in agricultural income. Thus, 6,778 cases were a sub-set of the ITD's sample for scrutiny.

In those 6,788 cases, the agricultural income of Rs 3,656.25 crore was claimed, of which Rs 2,544.21 crore was allowed. Of the total claims, companies accounted for the most (57% of claims) - as would be clear from the extract reproduced below.

One of the major findings of CAG was that in 1,527 cases (or 22.5% cases it reviewed), the claim of exemptions was allowed "without verification of supporting documents" such as land records, income and expenditure statements, crop information, proof of agricultural income and expenditure or without any documentary proof in ITD's records. In some cases, land records were not available, in others proof of agricultural income and expenditure (ledger accounts, bills, invoices etc.) were missing.

The CAG observed that it was "therefore not clear as to how AOs (assessment officers) were ensuring that the exemption was provided only to eligible assessees and that the claims of assessees were genuine".

For illustration, here is a case. In Tamil Nadu, a company sold agricultural lands for a sale consideration of Rs 8.74 crore - of which Rs 5.32 crore was shown in the registered sale deeds and a premium of Rs 3.42 crore which was not disclosed in the sale deed and thereby no stamp duty was paid for it.

Also Read: Budget 2020 highlights: Tax relief for middle class, LIC IPO, UDAN expansion and more

The company was allowed an exemption of Rs 7.34 crore towards "profits earned on transfer of agricultural lands". The CAG said the premium (Rs 3.42 crore) had to be treated as 'income from other sources'. Not doing that resulted in inadmissible allowance of exemption of Rs 3.42 crore and caused a revenue loss of Rs 1.11 crore. "The ITD agreed to look into the matter (October 2018)", commented the CAG.

Now, what is agricultural income and if it is exempted from income tax why does it need to be declared?

What does agricultural income and exemptions mean?

The CAG report summed up what 'agricultural income' means as per section 2(1A) of the Income Tax Act of 1961: (a) any rent or revenue derived from land which is situated in India and is used for agricultural purposes (b) any income derived from such land by agricultural operations including processing of agricultural produce so as to render it fit for market or sale of such produce (c) any income attributable to a farm house subject to fulfilment of conditions specified in the Act and (d) any income derived from saplings or seedlings grown in a nursery.

These are exempt from income tax.

Further, the CAG report said exemption under the Income Tax Act of 1961 may also be claimed on income from the sale of agriculture land, income earned as compensation received from government for acquiring the agriculture land etc." - as reproduced below.

Tax on agricultural income falls under the 'state list', meaning that only state governments can levy income tax on such incomes, not the central government.

Why agricultural income needs to be disclosed?

This too has been explained by the CAG report: agricultural income is considered for determining the tax rate to be applicable to non-agricultural income for entities who are also claiming agricultural income. Thus the ITD - a central government agency - comes into picture.

Also Read: Budget 2020: Rural per capita income may rise up to 5%, but FMCG CEOs sceptical

Petition in Patna High Court seeking investigation into money laundering

In the intervening period, an interesting twist came.

A retired income tax officer, Vijay Sharma, went to Patna High Court in 2016 after obtaining an RTI reply (in 2015) from the Directorate of Income Tax (Systems) on disclosures of agricultural income between AY (assessment year) 2004-05 and AY 2013-14 - as reproduced below.

He primarily prayed to Patna High Court to direct the tax authorities to (a) investigate into the possibility of black money stored abroad being brought in and declared as agriculture income and (b) investigate how such large sums of agriculture income are being declared when the farmers are committing suicide throughout the country.

There have been newspaper reports from time to time about how Indians had withdrawn their deposits in foreign banks following the Indian government's attempt to bring back the black money stashed abroad and hardening of attitude towards tax havens and secret bank accounts by governments all over the world post-2008 financial meltdown.

One such report of 2013, for example, refers to official data released by Switzerland's central bank showing Indian deposits had fallen to 1.42 billion Swiss francs (or about Rs 9,000 crore) by the end of 2012 from 2.18 billion Swiss francs a year earlier. There have been many such reports since then.

The court dismissed Sharma's petition the same year (in 2016) on the grounds of (a) abnormally high values (particularly for 2011, 2012) of agricultural income appearing in the RTI reply "could be due to inadvertent data entry error" as the tax authorities had claimed in their counter affidavit (b) if found doubtful in nature, the tax authorities "will take proper steps" and (c) such assesses being spread all over India, it is better "left to the individual action of the Income Tax Officers".

What the Directorate of Income Tax (Systems) had disclosed in the TRI reply is tabulated below. The amount is in Rs crore (in the RTI reply it is in Rs).

There is an abnormally high amount of agricultural income shown for AY 2011-12 - Rs 19,98,69,361.34 crore. This is 22 times of the GDP for that year (Rs 87,36,330 crore at current prices).

The court order had mentioned that the tax authorities had identified 2,746 cases of agricultural income of above Rs 1 crore between AY 2007-08 AY 2015-16 for verification.

The CAG audit of 2019 looked at this too.

It sought status report from 136 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (PCsIT) but received responses only from 26 PCsIT. In 327 cases that came before it, data entry errors were noticed in 36. Even in these cases, the CAG found that in case of 26 the review was not complete and in 12 errors identified but not corrected. It refused to comment conclusively on the subject due to non-disclosure of information by the tax authorities.

Extent of the exemption 'black hole' not known

While all these details give a picture of what is going on, none of it provides a clear estimate of the size of agricultural incomes being disclosed to income tax authorities for claiming exemptions.

The Kelkar Committee and the third TARC reports were very scathing in their observations but did not provide any evidence. This is rather strange given the fact that these were the finance ministry projects and had the power to seek all relevant data.

There is no doubt that the tax authorities have all the relevant data - they are the repository of such data as is clear from the RTI reply and CAG audit - but these are not made public or analysed to estimate the extent of tax evasion and money laundering.

Even if the information is provided - as was the case in the RTI reply to their own retired official in 2015 - the tax authorities promptly discredited their own data through a counter-affidavit and stopped responding to his subsequent RTI queries. This attitude raises questions about the real intentions of the tax authorities and governments.

Revenue loss due to exemption on agricultural income

How much tax revenue is really lost due to the exemption to agricultural income?

At least one assessment exists: a study carried out by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) - finance ministry's research body - in 2012, which was published in the Economic and Political Weekly.

This study estimated the potential of revenue from agricultural income at about 1.2% of the GDP in FY08 or 9% of the agriculture GDP of that year. It said the states could earn additional revenue of about 19% by taxing agricultural income.

This estimate was done through a land-based, crop-specific, agricultural income calculation for all major crops: food grains, pulses, cereals, oilseeds, fibre crops, horticulture and floriculture.

Hence this is different from what the Kelkar Committee and TARC reports were talking about.

The study had also pointed at the growing presence of corporate sector in agriculture and that more than 50 companies reported income of over Rs 100 crore from agriculture in FY10 - totalling Rs 31,313 crore.

Revenue loss from agricultural income in FY20

Here is a back-of-the-envelope calculation taking the NIPFP's 2012 study as the basis.

At 1.2% of the GDP in FY20, the loss of revenue from agricultural income would amount to Rs 2.45 lakh crore - taking the GDP size for FY20 to Rs 20,442,233 crore at current prices, as per the NSO's first advance estimate released last month.

This would be 11% of the gross tax revenue (RE) projected for FY20 (Rs 21.63 lakh crore) in the last budget.

There are other reasons why this matters.

Exemption undermines equity, increases tax rates

The Kelkar Committee listed two reasons for taxing agriculture, to which the third TARC report added one more (reason).

One, exemption to agricultural income distorts horizontal and vertical equity - those getting exemptions are at an advantage over those earning equivalent level of income from non-agricultural activities (horizontal equity) and exemption fails to distinguish between the poor and the rich farmers (vertical equity).

Second, exemption "encourages laundering of non-agricultural income as agricultural income, i.e., it has become a conduit for tax evasion".

Third, a narrow tax base leads to a higher tax rate structure and burdens other tax payers.

Can agricultural income be taxed and how?

This is not as simple as it may sound. It is a politically sensitive issue with few takers even though the reasons for the same may challenge reason.

Nevertheless, the third TARC report of 2014 advocated taxing agricultural income. In one single paragraph, it laid out how this could be done and what are the challenges. For those who may be interested, this paragraph is reproduced below.
The majority of Russian oil companies are on board with extending the agreement to cut oil production through the end of Q2, but most did not support deepening those cuts, according to Ravil Maganov, first executive vice president of Lukoil cited by S&P Global Platts.

Oil prices have fallen more than 20% since the start of the year as the coronavirus has stifled demand for crude oil, causing OPEC to rethink its production cut strategy.

The comment was made after Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak met on Wednesday with Kazakh energy minister Nurlan Nogayev and then representatives from Russian oil companies to discuss OPECs recommendations.

Last week, OPEC+s joint technical committee recommended extending the current production cuts to the end of the year, and deeper cutsanother 600,000 bpdthrough the end of Q2. But Russian oil companies, unsurprisingly, arent scrambling for a chance to cut more production.

Gazprom Nefts CEO Alexander Dyukov said that Given the current situation on the market, it makes sense to extend the agreement through the second quarter and then monitor.

Nogayev, on the other hand, seemed more receptive to the idea of different cuts, saying that Kazakhstan would work out a joint position with Russia where Kazakhstan would cut another 20,000 bpd, cautioning that no final decision had yet been made.

In reality, the final decision lies with the government, not the individual oil companies.

OPEC+ has discussed the possibility of moving up its March 5-6 meeting in order to discuss how best to address the current state of the oil market. Whatever decision is eventually made, Russia will need to be on board, as OPEC no longer has enough clout on its own to manipulate the oil markets like it used to.

OPEC on Wednesday slashed global oil demand growth to 990,000 bpd in 2020, down by 230,000 bpd, as the virus takes its toll.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Researchers find ageism affects both medical care and psychological well-being

Ageism can harm older peoples health, a review of research in 45 countries across five continents shows.

The researchers base their analysis on a systematic review of 422 studies around the world that included more than 7 million participants. There was evidence of the adverse effects of ageism on older persons in 96 percent of the studies.

The injurious reach of ageism that our team documented demonstrates the need for initiatives to overcome ageism, said senior author Becca Levy, a professor at the School of Public Health and the psychology department at Yale University. The World Health Organization asked Levy to lead the analysis as part of its newly launched Global Campaign to Combat Ageism, which 194 countries support.

The study is the first systematic review of ageism that simultaneously considered structural-level bias, such as denied access to health care, and individual-level bias, such as the power of stress-inducing negative age stereotypes to affect the health of older persons.

The researchers found evidence that ageism led to worse outcomes in a number of mental health conditions, including depression, and a number of physical health conditions, including shorter life expectancy.

Ten studies showed that when older persons assimilate negative age stereotypes from their culture, they have a shorter life expectancy. Studies in multiple countries including Australia, Germany, and China made this survival finding, which Levy originally identified in previous research.

In the current study, Levy and her team found that ageism adversely affected whether older patients received medical treatment. If they did receive the treatment, they looked at the duration, frequency, and appropriateness of the treatment provided. Researchers found evidence of denied access to health care treatments in 85 percent of all relevant studies. In 92 percent of the international studies of health care students and professionals, there were indications of ageism in medical decisions, and this trend has increased over time, the researchers say.

This systematic review also found ageism affected older persons regardless of their age, sex, and racial/ethnic membership.

Our research highlights the importance of recognizing the influence of ageism on health, said first author E-Shien Chang, a doctorate candidate in the social and behavioral sciences department at the Yale School of Public Health.

Policies to improve older persons health must take ageism into account.

The study appears in PLOS ONE.

This article was originally published by Yale University. Republished via Futurity.org under Creative Commons License 4.0.
The apex court's verdict of March 2018 on the Atrocities Act would have rendered a crucial legislation meant to protect the marginalised sections of society toothless.

The Supreme Court's judgment on Monday upholding the amendments made by the Centre through the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018, is a welcome act of self-correction.

The amendments were introduced by the Union government to nullify the effects of the 20 March, 2018 judgment of the top court, which had severely diluted the stringent provisions of the Act.

Essentially, the Supreme Court's recent judgment gives judicial assent to the amended law passed by the Centre in 2018. Here is a broad overview of the earlier judgment of the Supreme Court and why it was overturned:

The apex court's verdict of March 2018 would have rendered crucial legislation meant to protect the marginalised sections of society toothless. There were three broad directions given through the judgment. Firstly, it held that there is no absolute bar against granting anticipatory bail in such cases. Secondly, it directed that if a public servant is to be arrested in such a case, the approval of the appointing authority must be taken.

For non-public servants, the court had said that approval should be sought from the senior superintendent of police. Thirdly, the court also said that a preliminary inquiry should be conducted by a deputy superintendent of police to find out whether a case is made under the Atrocities Act, and examine whether the allegations are motivated.

The Supreme Court had then said, "It has been judicially acknowledged that there are instances of abuse of the Act" and that "innocent citizens are termed as accused, which is not intended by the legislature."

While the court had cited five high court judgments to make this assertion, it cited very little data to support such a claim. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) was cited, which showed that in 2015, over 75 percent of matters in courts ended either in acquittal, withdrawal or compounding of cases.

However, it is important to note that a case ending in acquittal does not necessarily mean that the case was filed out of malicious intent  acquittal may also be due to witnesses turning hostile, technical anomalies, or the prosecution not being able to marshal enough evidence.

This was revealed in a report by the Ahmedabad-based Council for Social Justice, which analysed 450 judgments delivered in Gujarat. The report showed that as many as 95 percent of the accused were acquitted due to technical reasons  investigations being carried out by an officer lower than the rank of deputy superintendent of police, or a caste certificate not being attached with the FIR.

After the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment, PS Krishnan, former Union Secretary and prominent activist for social justice, had written to the Union Minister for Social Justice Thaawar Chand Gehlot on the issue.

As mentioned in an article in The Wire, Krishnan had cited many examples of how a case ending in acquittal does not mean that it was false. Perhaps the most glaring case of these was in Kizhavenmani, Tamil Nadu in 1958. In this case, 44 agricultural labourers of the Scheduled Caste community were burned to death for demanding a small raise in their wages. The high court had acquitted all the accused.

While we are on the subject of data, the annual reports of the Union social justice ministry on the implementation of the Atrocities Act are also instructive. Under the Act, state governments are supposed to set up special exclusive courts "for one or more districts" to ensure speedy trials. However, according to the 2017 annual report, Andhra Pradesh has set up only one such court, although it has 13 districts. The state recorded 2,740 cases under the Act in 2016. Similarly, Bihar has only five exclusive special courts for 38 districts, although the state recorded 5,726 cases under the Act in 2016. Clearly, a severe lack of infrastructure hampers the implementation of the Atrocities Act.

In the Supreme Court's recent judgment upholding the Centre's amendments, Justice S Ravindra Bhat has rightly observed, "It is important to keep oneself reminded that while sometimes (perhaps mostly in urban areas) false accusations are made, those are not necessarily reflective of the prevailing and widespread social prejudices against members of these oppressed classes...The right to a trial with all attendant safeguards are available (sic) to those accused of committing offences under the Act; they remain unchanged by the enactment of the amendment."

In essence, the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment on the Atrocities Act had severely diluted the provisions of the law, to the point where it may no longer have been able to achieve its objective of protecting the marginalised sections of society. The apex court's more recent judgment restores the original intent of the law and is a welcome one.
GARLAND, Texas, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director of Grassroots America  We the People PAC has endorsed Lt. Col. Allen West, because she recognizes the importance of keeping Texas red. Only by having dedicated conservative leadership who can provide a clarion call to action will conservatives be able to stem the rising blue tide.

Mrs. Fleming has stated that "Victory is not possible without a clear, clarifying, principled, unashamedly conservative voice with an undying fighter spirit. It is time for a principled disrupter to the status quo  time for a bold painter to write freedom on the hearts of Texans  all Texans  in a language they can understand... We are confident that LTC West will help us hold Texas and save the nation."

Lt. Col. West has commented, "that it is a privilege to receive an endorsement from a woman, a Texan, and a Patriot who has done so much for the conservative movement. Once I become Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, it will be folks like JoAnn who will continue to advance the cause of liberty."

The coalition of grassroots activists, veterans, law enforcement officials, and minority communities who support Lt. Col. West continues to grow. The status quo is not going to be enough to keep Texas red. Real battle tested conservatism is being demanded by Republicans across the state.

Colonel West's full statement and other releases can be found here: https://west4texas.com/news/?md_post_type=nooz_release

Learn more about Allen West, his campaign, and how to keep Texas Red by visiting www.west4texas.com.

SOURCE West4Texas

Related Links

west4texas.com


Code for America, L.A. County Partner to Dismiss 66,000 Marijuana Convictions

Philadelphia Pitch and Pilot Program Tackles Tap Water with New Prize Challenge

NYU Governance Lab Calls on Congress to Use Tech for Citizen Engagement

Oklahoma City is searching for its first ever chief innovation officer.The job posting is online here . Essentially, the chief innovation officer in Oklahoma City is a new position, one that would be appointed by the city manager and report to the assistant city manager. The person tapped for this role would then be tasked with fostering innovation across local government agencies.The chief innovation officer will work with internal partners on behalf of the city manager to develop, test, and encourage best practices in local government with the goal of fostering a culture of data use, innovation and continuous improvement throughout the organization, the posting reads. Both technological and operational solutions will be pursued to provide effective and efficient services to residents.Another part of the job would be creating partnerships both inside and outside of government, leveraging those partnerships in the service of a new smart city strategy and generating new ideas.The job is seperate from the usual IT governance positions found in city hall. That sort of day-to-day work in Oklahoma City falls to an IT director position. The new position of chief innovation officer would instead be tasked with coming up with innovative ways to improve processes in City Hall, involving smart city and data work to enhance service delivery.This position is a relatively new one in American local government, having mostly taken hold in larger jurisdictions in the past decade. Oklahoma City moving to add one marks a major step forward for innovation work there.Code for America, a national nonprofit and nonpartisan civic tech group, has teamed with the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office on a project to dismiss 66,000 marijuana convictions.The dismissed convictions were eligible for relief under Californias new marijuana legalization laws that were instituted by Proposition 64.The collaborative project, in the simplest terms, used tech to clear the eligible dismissals without individuals having to do anything and with minimal extension of work hours from public servants. The project, dubbed Clear My Record , is one Code for America has now brought to all of the most populous counties in California, including San Francisco, San Joaquin and Contra Costa. All told, the effort has reduced or dismissed more than 85,000 eligible convictions.This latest effort saw prosecutors asking the L.A. Superior Court to dismiss 62,000 felony cannabis convictions, some of which stem from cases that date as far back as 1961. In addition, officials also sought dismissals for 4,000 misdemeanor possession cases, all of which took case in L.A. County, the most populous county in the nation, home as it is to cities like Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Burbank and others.Clear My Record, which is still a pilot program, has proven so successful in California that jurisdictions in other parts of the country have reached out to Code for America about collaborations, specifically in Cook County, Ill. , which is home to Chicago.Clear My Record is a no-cost, open-source application that Code for America has made available to all of California, and it ranks among the most impactful examples of civic tech in the U.S.Philadelphias Pitch and Pilot Program , which is a concentrated effort by the local government in that city to support private businesses that tackle community challenges, has put out a call for a new round of solutions.This time, the city is asking startups to create projects that promote tap water usage. The idea is for the program to bolster tap water access and appeal by teaming up with private companies that can help with traditional tech and innovation areas, including data, sensors and other technical tools that drive results-driven work. Applications are currently open , and will close on Feb. 27. The winning company will receive as much as $34,000 in the service of piloting its proposed solution. Afterward, Philadelphias Office of Innovation and Technology and other participating departments will work with the company through June.The Pitch and Pilot Program is part of Philadelphias IT Strategic Plan, which is aimed at helping the city reach economic, environmental and other goals with tech. It was first launched back in December, with the challenge at that time to help Philadelphia reach zero waste. The city has not yet announced the winner for the first challenge, although applications have been submitted.The Governance Lab at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering has called on Congress to use its new CrowdLaw for Congress platform to promote citizen engagement and participation in the federal lawmaking process.In support of CrowdLaw for Congress , Professor Beth Simone Noveck, who is the director of the Governance Lab, appeared before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee last week, announcing its launch and advocating for its usage. CrowdLaw as a concept means tapping public expertise to improve the quality and effectiveness of the legislative process. CrowdLaw is a complex concept, but it has been used with growing frequency worldwide. The exact uses vary, but what it means is using tech to collect public input, giving government insights to how constituents feel that ideally has more validity than traditional polling.A key part of CrowdLaw for Congress is sharing successful examples of its usage from other countries such as the U.K., Spain, and Chile with the U.S. Congress, aiming to make its use common here as well.CrowdLaw for Congress is a groundbreaking attempt to champion the movement toward more modern, valid and constructive methods of law and policymaking, Noveck said in a statement. By publishing this curated set of complementary case studies and interviews, we aim to reach lawmakers, practitioners, researchers, academics and the general public, and urge them to push for CrowdLaw methods to be fully institutionalized here in the United States and around the world.
In pics: PM Modi to inaugurate new campus of Classical Tamil institute in Chennai tomorrow

For derogatory comments against Modi, Parliament official demoted

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 13: A deputy director in the Parliament's security branch has been demoted for posting offensive, demeaning and sarcastic comments on the social media against Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and some Union Ministers.

Urujul Hassan has been demoted to a lower grade of security officer for five years the notification said. The order said that he would not be able to regain his current position after five years. Hassan had been under suspension since 2018.

The order said that Hassan also shared a number of posts indicating his active involvement, indulgence and assistance in political activities, canvassing in connection with an election to the legislature, failure to maintain political neutrality.

Kejriwal vs Modi: Is it time for AAP to stick its finger in the national pie

This is the first time that a Parliament official has faced action for his or her social media activities. After an internal committee held Hassan guilty, Rajya Chairman Venkaiah Naidu took the final call.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 15:45 [IST]
CAIRO - Police transferred an Egyptian activist who was arrested upon arrival at the Cairo airport from Italy to a less favourable detention facility Thursday, a local rights group said, just as his parents showed up for visiting hours.

Officials detained Patrick George Zaki, 28, a human rights advocate and student at the University of Bologna in Italy, after he landed in Cairo for a brief trip home.

When Zakis parents arrived at the police station to catch a first glimpse of their son, police directed them to another, more crowded facility a short drive away. By the time they found Zaki, less than a minute remained of visiting hours, his lawyer said.

Upon Zakis dawn arrival at Cairos international airport Friday, state security held him incommunicado for almost 30 hours, according to The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. The group once employed Zaki as a gender rights researcher and now represents him.

Zaki has told his lawyers that while in custody he has been blindfolded, beaten and tortured with electric shocks while interrogated about his activism. There was no immediate response from Egypts Interior Ministry about the allegations.

A day a fter arriving in Egypt, Zaki popped up in a prosecutors office in his home city of Mansoura, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of Cairo, facing accusations of spreading fake news and calling for unauthorized protests. The Interior Ministry said prosecutors ordered Zaki serve a 15-day pretrial detention, setting off alarms among rights activists who have warned of Egyptian prosecutors tendency to renew the period without limit.

Recent laws in Egypt have expanded the definition of terrorism to include all political dissent, granting prosecutors broad power to keep people detained for months and even years without ever filing charges or presenting evidence.

Egypt outlawed all unauthorized protests in 2013, months after President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, then defence minister, led the militarys ouster of the countrys first democratically elected but divisive president, M ohamed Morsi.

The move against Zaki is the latest in el-Sissis unprecedented crackdown on opposition. The government has arrested thousands both secular-leaning activists and Islamists  and rolled back freedoms won after the 2011 uprising.

The case has deeply rattled Italy, where Zaki is pursuing a masters in Gender and Womens Studies, dredging up painful memories of the disappearance of 28-year-old Italian researcher Giulio Regeni.

Regenis battered body was found on a roadside on the outskirts of Cairo in 2016. Italys public prosecutor has opened an investigation into several Egyptian police and secret service members in connection with Regenis torture and murder.

His death remains a source of simmering tension between the countries. Outrage over Zakis detention has spread online under #FreePatrick, and spilled into Bolognas streets, where hundreds took part in rallies this week to call for his release.

European Parliament President David Sassoli condemned Zakis detention on Wednesday, urging Egypt to set him free.

A state appeals court will consider the legality of Zakis detention on Saturday, according to EIPR.

We dont even know when or how this nightmare will end, his family said in a statement.
BALTIMORE - Federal prosecutors want the disgraced former mayor of Baltimore to be sentenced to nearly five years in prison for the scheme involving sales of her self-published Healthy Holly childrens books.

In a sentencing memorandum filed Thursday, prosecutors told a judge that a sentence of 57 months in prison would be an adequate and just punishment for Catherine Pughs longstanding pattern of criminal conduct and would deter other politicians from breaking the publics trust. Pugh pleaded guilty in November to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges in a deal with prosecutors.

Pugh, a veteran Democratic politician, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 27 in Baltimore. She was elected mayor in 2016 and resigned under pressure in May.

The case centres on lucrative bulk sales of Pughs Healthy Holly books to nonprofits and foundations to promote her political career and fund her run for mayor. The paperbacks were meant for schools and day care centres, but its unclear where tens of thousands of copies ended up.

The facts establish that Pugh deliberately engaged in a broad range of criminal acts while serving as Maryland State Senator and Mayor of Baltimore City, prosecutors wrote. She used the stature of those elected offices to solicit fraudulent book sales that generated substantial revenue for her publishing business, part of which she used to influence her 2016 mayoral election campaign in violation of state election laws.

Pughs attorney, Steven Silverman, told The Associated Press the former mayors defence team strongly disagrees with the governments sentencing recommendation. He said the defences recommended sentence will be detailed in a separate filing that will be made public pending a court order.
BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) recently signed an order to issue the Military Flags Regulations (Trial). The Regulations will take effect on May 1, 2020.

The Regulations aim at giving full play to the role of military flags as an inspiration to the troops and establishing the military flags management system for the new era.

The Regulations contain 8 chapters and 30 articles, which specify the basic composition, design and classification of military flags, and standardize the management process and duties for the awarding, requisition, production, distribution, replacement, use and storage of military flags.

The promulgation and application of the Regulations is of great significance to firmly safeguarding the dignity of military flags and further inspiring all service members' sense of mission and honor in respecting, protecting and defending military flags.
- Kahawa Wendani MCA Cyrus Omondi alias Gearbox died while in India

- The ward rep was attending a workshop in the company of his colleagues from the Education Committee when he passed on

- Reports indicate the first time MCA was found dead in his room

- His death was confirmed by the Liaison Officer at the Kenyan High Commission in India with suspicion he suffered a heart attack

Kahawa Wendani Member of County Assembly (MCA) Cyrus Omondi is dead.

His death was confirmed by both the Liaison Officer at the Kenyan High Commission in India, Rono Kosigi, and Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Stephen Ndichu.

READ ALSO: 76-year-old man who cycled from Kakamega to Kabarak for Moi's burial allowed into ex-president's home

Kahawa Wendani Member of County Assembly (MCA) Cyrus Omondi died in India while attending a workshop.

Source: Twitter

READ ALSO: Kakamega stampede: Victim's mother says child was not monitored after being transferred from ICU

Unconfirmed reports indicate the first time ward representative suffered a heart attack while in his room in India.

Omondi was attending a workshop in the company of his colleagues from the Education Committee at the time of his death.

Witethie ward representative, Julius Macharia, who spoke to K24 said Omondis death came as a shock given he was of good health at the time of his demise.

READ ALSO: Stray elephant sits on car that hit and broke its leg, kills passenger

According to Macharia, the news of Omondi's death was broken to the other ward representatives back in Kiambu county via a social media platform that hosts all the county MCAs.

After they broke news of Omondis death, all the MCAs in the Education Committee, switched off their cell phones, and none of us (in Kenya) could reach them, one of the MCAs was quoted.

Popularly known to his supporters as Gearbox, Omondi rose to fame when he emerged winner after a heated contest in 2017 General Election, emerging the only non-Kikuyu MCA.

READ ALSO: MCA wa Kahawa Wendani Cyrus Omondi ameaga dunia

The 2017 elections will largely be remembered as the deceased rose from a mechanic to clinching the MCA seat against all odds after two previous failed attempts.

On the past two occasions, Omondi, who hails from Siaya county, ran for the MCA seat on an ODM ticket.

The political outfit proved too hard to sell in what was perceived as a Jubilee heartland due to the high population of the Kikuyu ethnic group.

READ ALSO: Daniel Moi's children given bibles to fulfill father's last wish

Omondi observed that his close interaction with the constituents of Kahawa Wendani endeared him to the electorate.

The ward rep first moved to Kahawa Wendani in 1994 after the death of his father and his mother, he said, and sold fish to Kahawa Wendani residents for at least 20 years.

Gearbox will be remembered by his supporters for a number of things among them being instrumental in the ousting of former Kiambu county Governor Ferdinand Waititu.

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

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Outside a Taco Bell in south-east Las Vegas, Skateboard Mike crossed an empty parking lot and pointed at the tent encampment that had built up on the ledges of a storm drain.

Skateboard Mike, whose real name is Michael Brinkman, lives nearby, spending his nights in a hole he dug in a dirt lot. The space is filled with couch cushions, and Brinkman, 42, usually tops the hole with cardboard and tumbleweed to avoid being exposed.

Its not that were here. Its that they see us, Brinkman said.

Las Vegas recently began cracking down on people living outdoors. In November, the city council approved a law that made sitting, resting or lodging on sidewalks a misdemeanor punishable with up to six months in jail or fines of up to $1,000 in most neighborhoods.

I dont blame them, Brinkman said of community support for the ordinance. Thats where a majority of the homeless people stay, in the wash or the tunnels. As you can see, it becomes an eyesore. Trash is the biggest problem.

Some say the tipping point in lawmakers attitudes was poop on a stoop.

Tired of finding human waste outside his office in downtown Las Vegas, attorney Jerry Gillock in September used a shovel to deliver feces to the steps of city hall. Gillock was soon on the 11 oclock news for the second time in four months demanding action regarding people sleeping, using drugs and relieving themselves outside his law practice.

At the time, the Las Vegas mayor, Carolyn Goodman, was already preparing what may be the most draconian homelessness ordinance in the United States.

The no lodging bill passed amid chants from protesters calling Housing, not handcuffs! and Hey-hey, ho-ho, the war on the poor has got to go!

Goodman instructed city marshals to remove disruptive audience members from the city council chamber.

The law went into effect on 1 January, and enforcement began this month with the caveat that before being fined or arrested, offenders are first asked to relocate to the Corridor of Hope  a district of homeless services tucked in between cemeteries, industrial plants and tow yards  at times when shelters there have beds available. The ordinance is not enforced when homeless shelters are full.

Story continues



Homelessness is a perennial crisis in southern Nevada, with at least 6,500 people camped on streets or in storm drains, many of them battling addiction. While a transient community at every income level, Las Vegass appeal seems particularly strong for people down on their luck. And established residents are susceptible to hard times too, amid the temptations of round-the-clock drinking, gambling and illegal substances.

Related: Las Vegas bans homeless people from sleeping on the street

With no state income tax and dwindling federal support for social services, Nevada has long been ill-equipped to treat problems associated with homelessness. Clark county, which encompasses Las Vegas, recently committed $12m in marijuana tax revenue to homelessness prevention. The city, meanwhile, has invested $20m to increase capacity at the open-air Courtyard Homeless Resource Center. Yet no one is claiming those are adequate solutions.

Las Vegas seems to accept that its embarking on a divisive social experiment, one with serious repercussions for displaced people.

The Las Vegas mayor, Carolyn Goodman, speaks as the city council considers the measure in November. Photograph: Bizuayehu Tesfaye/AP

This is flawed but it is a start, Goodman insisted at the November city council meeting. We have been having these conversations for 20 years, and we must have results.

Homeless advocates, however, fear that the no lodging convictions will haunt people for the rest of their lives. Its going to affect their ability to get student loans, affect their ability to get housing and access public benefits, Arash Ghafoori of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth told the press. According to its 2019 homeless census, Nevada has the highest rate of homeless youth in the country.

Goodman addressed those responses that say the city is trying to criminalize the homeless in her latest State of the City speech, insisting: Our entire effort is humanitarian and compassionate. City officials believe the ordinance will force people who refuse housing assistance or treatment services to come off the margins and accept help. Goodman added: I will not allow the city of Las Vegas to become a skid row harbor of rampant crime and potentially pandemic disease.

Skateboard Mike Brinkman followed the ordinance debate but didnt show up to city council meetings. The ordinance, he said, is all trickle-down effect from the community. Its really not so much lawmakers or anything.

Next to a tire shop where Brinkman sometimes works filling air and repairing flats, a woman had built a tarp fort.

Usually when you go to a town, the homeless stay around the shelters downtown. Its all isolated to one area, Brinkman said. Not here in Las Vegas. Theyre everywhere. So I dont think just one courtyard is going to solve the problem. I think its going to have the reverse effect  youre going to drive them further from trying to receive services.



The historic Huntridge neighborhood may be the frontline in the citys fight over homelessness. It has more check-cashing businesses and laundromats than gastropubs and mixology bars, but it borders the trendy East Fremont area, and the ascendant neighborhoods only green space was recently fenced off for a development project specifically intended to ban homeless people.

Rudolf Jovero holds a sign inside council chambers during a protest against the city councils ban in November. Photograph: Bizuayehu Tesfaye/AP

Drug use and sex work frequently spilled out of the park, on to surrounding streets. Dan Evans and his wife live one block away and leave an old decoy car in their driveway so the home always seems occupied. In the years since the housing crisis, thousands of vacant Las Vegas houses have been damaged by squatters, including on Evanss street.

The other half of the Huntridge homeless story is the perpetuation of homelessness by an organization whose members do not reside here, Evans said regarding Food Not Bombs, a group that drew the neighborhoods ire by serving free meals in the park twice a week.

[The homeless] absolutely took over vacant homes, and the police rarely responded, he added.



Though famous for tolerating bad behavior, Sin City has its limits. Rick Russel, 56, knows that from 11 years sleeping in its alleys and lots. I cant go into homeless shelters because I have a problem tearing up peoples property. I feel trapped. Everywhere I go thats got a roof over my head I dont like.

Las Vegas is the first place in which Russel has avoided being institutionalized. On a recent January afternoon, he was scanning the gutters of East Fremont for shiny objects. Women lose jewelry in fights outside the bars, he explained, un-pocketing a gold-colored necklace that had a clip-on earring as its pendant. Everything I make, I sell. The idea came from, you know, how some of us are broken. All we need is to be picked up and fixed.

The expansion of the open-air Courtyard shelter seems designed for men like Russel.

He avoids taking prescribed medications for fear of being robbed while asleep, but the Courtyard has storage bins and 24-hour security. And unlike at other shelters, people can check in at any time, regardless of age, gender, or level of sobriety. It even allows pets.

But whether an open-air courtyard meets the definition of shelter may ultimately determine the initiatives fate.

The 9th circuit court of appeals in December struck down a similar ordinance in Boise, Idaho, calling it cruel and unusual punishment to fine people for sleeping outdoors while failing to provide enough shelter space to meet their needs.

As long as there is no option of sleeping indoors, the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter, Judge Marsha Berzon wrote.

Las Vegas currently has 1,300 shelter beds. The Courtyard offers sleeping mats to lie on cold concrete.



In Las Vegass bustling arts district, a vegan taco shop just opened across the street from a new wine bar. Far from being a skid row, the neighborhoods antique stores, breweries and cocktail lounges increasingly draw tourists away from the Strip. A mural there depicts the mayor with her husband, the former mayor and mob lawyer Oscar Goodman, raising a martini in a toast to the revitalized neighborhood.

The Downtown Vegas Alliance, which represents local businesses, supported the homelessness ordinance as a necessary first step to help protect those who have made significant investment in the area. But more than 70% of members surveyed acknowledged that the city lacks the necessary social or community services to support this ordinance.

Among those disappointed is Jerry Gillock, the poop-protesting attorney. Standing before the city council during the laws public comment period, Gillock noted that expanding shelter space did nothing to solve systemic inequalities regarding wages and housing, poor mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Its a sham, Gillock said. It doesnt require the city to do anything.

Brinkman expressed similar concerns, fearing the hardline approach would not inspire people to change.

Ill never say Im homeless. Im house-less. Im residentially challenged. Homeless is a behavior to me, he said, staring off toward the skyline of the Strip. But heres the thing: theres no carrot. Theres no prize, theres no poster child, theres no steps to success. No one sees that, and if theres no carrot, nothing to aim for, you give up. I think thats where most of the homeless people are. They have just given up.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on Thursday decided to boycott the inauguration of the first phase of the East-West metro service by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal since chief minister Mamata Banerjee had not been invited to the programme.

The official invitation letter said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Union minister of state Babul Supriyo is the guest of honour at the event. Bengals fire services minister and local TMC legislator Sujit Bose, TMC Lok Sabha member Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Salt Lakes TMC mayor Krishna Chakraborty were listed as guests at the launch event scheduled to start at 5 pm.

A senior Metro official, who did not want to be identified, said the invitations were sent following protocol.

I fail to understand what sort of a protocol says that the chief minister who had served as Union railway minister should not be invited to a programme like this, said minister of state for parliamentary affairs Tapas Roy.

Dont we still use words such as decency and courtesy? he added.

Interestingly, on Wednesday night, Supriyo wrote a long note on his social media page, justifying the exclusion of Mamata Banerjees name in the invitation card.

Have a look at the Invitation Card of the East West Metro launch tomorrow. We have kept our dignity and did what is correct and conventional - that is Invite and Mention the names of everyone from the State Government ON the card itself (and we dont think we have done a favour because that is customary) but did Didis (Banerjees) Govt invite me when these Electric Buses were flagged off? wrote Supriyo referring to the 80 electric buses recently launched by the state. The Centre bore 60 % of the cost of 40 buses and 75 per cent for the rest, he said in his note.

Supriyo did not take calls when HT tried to contact him on Thursday.

The first phase of East West Metro will connect Salt Lake sector five to Salt Lake stadium, a distance of 3.7 km. This is part of the elevated portion of East-West metro.

Once completed, the East West Metro will connect Kolkata to Howrah located on the western bank of the Hooghly river. It will be 16.6 km long including the 5.8 km elevated stretch. Of the 10.8 km underground section, a portion of the tunnel would pass under the river.

But the Trinamool Congress isnt the only one complaining about being left out.

Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has complained that he had not been invited to the convocation ceremony at Panchanan Barma University in Cooch Behar district. The governor is the chancellor of all state-run universities.

Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University Convocation will be held on Feb 14. Bengal ministers Partha Chatterjee, Goutam Deb, Rabindra Nath Ghosh and Binay Krishna Barman are invited for the Convocation. Chancellor, who has (the) right to preside, has just no information !Where are we heading ! Dhankhar tweeted.

University officials said they sent an invitation to the governor but did not receive any reply. Education minister Partha Chatterjee said He should stop cribbing like this every day.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday appointed senior advocate Anjana Prakash to represent one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case who was unrepresented after dropping his earlier lawyer.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna appointed Prakash as amicus curiae to represent the convict, Pawan Kumar Gupta.

"On behalf of respondent Pawan Gupta, we requested Anjana Prakash, senior counsel, to be amicus curiae to assist the court in the case of Pawan Gupta.

Anjana Prakash has graciously agreed to appear and advance arguments to assist the court in the matter of Pawan Gupta," the bench said in its order.

The top court deferred the hearing for Friday on the Centre's plea seeking separate execution of four convicts and asked all the condemned prisoners to file their replies by then.

Prakash had earlier appeared for convict Mukesh Kumar Singh, who had challenged the rejection of his mercy plea by the President.

The top court had dismissed his plea.

The bench took note of the order of trial court passed on Wednesday in which it had asked the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to provide Pawan's father with a list of empanelled advocates to choose from to represent the convict.

ALSO READ | Court appoints lawyer for Nirbhaya convict; to hear plea for fresh warrant on Monday

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for convict Mukesh, said that trial court listed the matter for hearing a plea of jail authorities seeking fresh date of execution and it would be appropriate if the matter in top court is taken up on Friday.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre and Delhi government, said there is no change the status of the convicts since the last date of hearing on Tuesday as no one has moved any mercy or curative petition till now as directed by Delhi High Court.

The bench said that it is listing the matter for Friday at 2 PM for final hearing and all the convicts in the case shall file their replies to Centre's plea by then.

Gupta is the only convict in the case who has not filed a curative petition  the last legal remedy available to a person.

He also has the option of filing a mercy plea against the death sentence.

On Tuesday, convict Vinay Sharma had challenged the rejection of his mercy petition by the President in the apex court.

The same day, the top court had sought a response from the four convicts on Centre's appeal against a Delhi High Court verdict refusing to set aside the stay on their execution.

The top court had granted liberty to authorities to obtain a fresh date for execution of the death warrants from the trial court, saying pendency of Centre's and Delhi government's appeals before it "will not be an impediment".

ALSO READ | CMO mocks Nirbhaya kin in Ballia, says their village doesn't deserve a doctor as it didn't produce any

The trial court has stayed "till further orders" the execution of the convicts  Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Gupta (25), Sharma (26) and Akshay (31).

Two death warrants have stayed so far in the case.

Mehta had earlier told the apex court that authorities were "struggling to execute them" despite the appeals of the convicts being dismissed by the top court in 2017.

He had said that the court has to keep in mind the impact of this situation on the society.

On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who later came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gangraped and savagely assaulted in a moving bus in South Delhi.

She died after a fortnight.

Six people, including the four convicts and a juvenile, were named as accused.

Ram Singh, the sixth person, allegedly committed suicide in Tihar jail days after the trial began.

The juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.
UAE's architecture student Ahmad Alkattan has won big at the World Final of the Roca One Day Design Challenge, the express design competition organised by Roca, a company engaged in the design, manufacturing of products for the bathroom space, floor and wall tiles for architecture, building and interior design, in Barcelona, Spain.



The winners of the 13 editions of the Roca One Day Design Challenge 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.



Alkattan from Heriott-Watt University in Dubai, won the award for his 'mobile basin' project 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.



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 last month at the Salo de Cent of the Barcelona City Council, after two days of activities carried out by contestants in different spaces of the Spanish city.



Besides Torras, the international jury had members such as 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 and Isabel Roig, general director of BCD (Barcelona Centro de Diseno), 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.



Torras said: "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."



Marcet said: "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," he added.



On Alkattan's project, Pintado said: "It 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 best sketch; Award to best presentation; Award to best concept: Ahmad Alkattan, UAE

*Award to the best render: Desislava Petrova and Liliya Ivanova, Bulgaria.

*Award to the best Materials project: Wioleta Pertyinia, Poland; Aleksei Lukianov, Russia; Rita Yang, Australia and 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, UAE, Bulgaria and China have also attended the ceremony to support the young talent of their countries.



Roca, leading brand in the production, design and distribution of products for the bathroom space, organizes these initiatives to provide visibility to young talent.



The 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.-TradeArabia News Service
Taylor Morrison buys William Lyon for $2.4B

As planned, Taylor Morrison and William Lyon Homes have completed a cash and stock acquisition deal worth about $2.5 billion. The larger Taylor Morrison, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, acquired William Lyon of Newport Beach, California. The deal is significant in the Puget Sound region, since William Lyon acquired Polygon Northwest in 2014, adding that Bellevue-based homebuilder to its portfolio of brands. Taylor Morrison now gains a major foothold in the Washington state, Oregon and Nevada markets, and becomes the nation's fifth-largest homebuilder. Taylor Morrison's Sheryl Palmer said in a statement, This isn't just about being bigger. Taylor Morrison, combined with the rich legacy, reputation, solid land positions and experience the William Lyon team members bring to the equation, make us a stronger, better organization for the long-term. Taylor Morrison will now have a headcount of around 3,000 employees, and expects over 14,000 closings this year.




UPDATE: Archer was reported found at 10:33 p.m.

San Antonio police issued an endangered missing alert for a 33-year-old woman last seen Wednesday in North San Antonio.

Varsin Archer, who goes by V, has a diagnosed medical condition that requires doctor's care, according to the alert. Archer is described as standing five feet, five inches tall with brown eyes. She is right handed and currently bald. She was last seen wearing a pink jacket, grey sweat pants and a head rag.

She was last seen in the 2200 block of Encino Vista St.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Antonio Police Department at 210-207-7660.
America's national security adviser has said Washington does not intend to involve itself in the increasing violence between Turkey and the Syrian regime writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The National Security Advisor has said Washington will not intervene in the escalating violence in Idlib province between proxy forces linked to Turkey and Russia, despite pledges by the US to provide military aid to Ankara.

Robert OBrien appeared on Face The Nation, a public affairs programme on CBS, where he was grilled over Idlib.

When asked what the US is doing about the violence, he said: The idea that America must do something were supposed to parachute in as the global policeman and hold up a stop sign?

His words appear to be in contrast to US policy on Syria.

The US last week offered to help Turkey and threatened sanctions on Moscow to pressure the Syrian regime and Russia to halt the offensive.

Certainly, we are moving forward on additional sanctions, Syria envoy James Jeffrey told reporters after a bloody offensive on the north-western Idlib region.

He did not name the targets but suggested they would be in Syria.

Jeffrey said that US President Donald Trump, under an executive order issued last year, has authority to go after people who are not supporting the political process and, particularly, not supporting the ceasefire.

So were looking at what we can do about that. And were asking the Turks what help they need, he said.

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State added that the US will stand by Turkey last week.

OBrien also implied that a tweet US President Donald Trump wrote last year about Idlib had somehow decreased the nationwide humanitarian crisis.

There was a serious risk in #Idlib a year ago and the president was able to tweet for Assad to stop and hold off that crisis, he boasted.

We bought them a year with one tweet. Thats pretty impressive.

This is hardly the case. A surge in internal displacement has seen around 700,000 Syrians flee the biggest regime offensive in Idlib since the nine-year-old conflict, the UN said on Tuesday, as regime forces bomb more towns and cities in northwest Syria.

In just 10 weeks, since 1 December, some 690,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Idlib and surrounding areas, a spokesman for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

This is, from our initial analysis, the largest number of people displaced in a single period since the Syrian crisis began almost nine years ago, David Swanson said.

The UN expressed concern for civilians as Idlib is hit by freezing temperatures amid shortages of tents, food, and clean water.

Snowfall in some regions and sub-zero temperatures are raising fears of a major humanitarian catastrophe and prompting the United Nations to make an urgent appeal for shelter solutions.

Idlib is burning

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday threatened to strike Assad regime forces everywhere if his soldiers were harmed and accused Damascus ally Russia of committing massacres in Idlib.

I hereby declare that we will strike regime forces everywhere from now on regardless of the Sochi deal if any tiny bit of harm is dealt to our soldiers at observation posts or elsewhere, Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling party in parliament.

The latest threat comes after more than a dozen Turkish soldiers were killed in regime shelling in the northwestern province of Idlib  the last rebel stronghold in Syria.

The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Novel coronavirus: As lion dancers snaked between conference room tables laden with plastic bottles, pens, notebooks and laptops, some staff from British gas analytics firm Servomex snapped photos of the performance meant to bring good luck and fortune.

But the January sales meeting in a luxury Singapore hotel was far from auspicious.

Someone seated in the room, or in the vicinity of the hotel that is renowned for its central location and a racy nightclub in the basement, was about to take coronavirus global.

Three weeks later, global health authorities are still scrambling to work out who carried the disease into the mundane meeting of a firm selling gas meters, which then spread to five countries from South Korea to Spain, infecting over a dozen people.

Experts say finding this so-called "patient zero" is critical for tracing all those potentially exposed to infection and containing the outbreak, but as time passes, the harder it becomes.

"We do feel uncomfortable obviously when we diagnose a patient with the illness and we can't work out where it came from...the containment activities are less effective," said Dale Fisher, chair of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network coordinated by the World Health Organisation.

Authorities initially hinted at Chinese delegates, which included someone from Wuhan - the Chinese city at the epicentre of the virus that has killed over 1,350 people. But a Servomex spokesperson told Reuters its Chinese delegates had not tested positive.

Fisher and other experts have compared the Singapore meeting to another so-called "super-spreading" incident at a Hong Kong hotel in 2003 where a sick Chinese doctor spread Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome around the world.

The WHO has opened an investigation into the Singapore incident, but said its "way too early" to tell if it is a super-spreading event.

Also read: High-level Group of Ministers reviews preparedness to tackle coronavirus

SCARY AND SOBERING

It was more than a week after the meeting - which according to a company e-mail included Servomex's leadership team and global sales staff - that the first case surfaced in Malaysia.

The incubation period for the disease is up to 14 days and people may be able to infect others before symptoms appear.

The firm said it immediately adopted "extensive measures" to contain the virus and protect employees and the wider community. Those included self-isolation for all 109 attendees, of whom 94 were from overseas and had left Singapore.

But the virus kept spreading.

Two South Korean delegates fell sick after sharing a buffet meal with the Malaysian, who also passed the infection to his sister and mother-in-law. Three of the firm's Singapore attendees also tested positive.

Then cases started appearing in Europe.

An infected British delegate had headed from the conference to a French ski resort, where another five people fell ill. Another linked case then emerged in Spain, and when the Briton returned to his home town in the south of England the virus spread further.

"It feels really scary that one minute it's a story in China... and then the next minute it is literally on our doorstep," said Natalie Brown, whose children went to the same school as the British carrier. The school said in a letter that two people at the school had been isolated. "It's scary and sobering how quickly it seems to have spread," said Brown.

Also read: Passenger onboard SpiceJet flight from Bangkok to Delhi suspected of coronavirus, quarantined

TIME RUNNING OUT

Back in Singapore, authorities were battling to keep track of new cases of local transmissions, many unlinked to previous cases.

Management at the hotel - the Grand Hyatt Singapore - said they had cleaned extensively and were monitoring staff and guests for infection but did not know "how, where or when" conference attendees were infected. The lion dancers, who posted photos of the event on Facebook, said they were virus free.

"Everyone assumes it was a delegate but it could have been a cleaner, it could have been a waiter," said Paul Tambyah, an infectious diseases expert at National University Singapore. He added it was "very important" to find "patient zero" to establish other possible "chains of transmission".

But time may be running out.

Singapore health ministry's Kenneth Mak said the government will continue to try and identify the initial carrier until the outbreak ends, but as days pass it will get harder. "We might never be able to tell who that first patient is," Mak said.

Meanwhile, the fallout from the conference continues to sow trepidation weeks after the event and thousands of miles away.

Reuters visited Servomex's offices in the suburbs of South Korea's capital, Seoul. It was closed and dark inside, and a building guard told Reuters employees were working from home.

A notice posted by building management stated a coronavirus patient had entered the complex, while several young women could be overheard in a nearby elevator discussing whether it had been used by the infected person. "Do you think the patient would have gotten on this elevator or the other one?" one said.

Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Embassy providing assistance to Indians on board cruise ship off Japan coast, says EAM

Also read: Two passengers suspected with coronavirus put in isolation at Kolkata airport
Bosworth and Polish are named co-owners of the innovative tech company

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / SpiiderGriip today announces its newest partners: filmmaking powerhouse duo, Kate Bosworth and Michael Polish. The couple joins the company as founding equity partners and part owners. With this partnership comes an exciting new line of phone griips, just in time for Valentine's Day. The custom XOXO line, which debuts today, is the first of several upcoming creative collaborations between Bosworth, Polish, and SpiiderGriip.

"As producers and filmmakers, it has always been important that we have the right tools to create quality content. We've been using SpiiderGriip for a while as a way to document our everyday lives," Bosworth explains, "which is why it's so fitting that we would become partners in this incredible venture, and even more so, design our custom XOXO line, inspired by our endless love for each other and our work. This is just the beginning of our journey with SpiiderGriip, capturing life's moments no matter the circumstance: on set, on the go, or for special occasions with your loved ones."

"With creativity being such a vital part of being an entrepreneur, it's imperative to surround yourself with people that share that same quality," says David Britt, SpiiderGriip's co-founder and inventor. "Kate and Michael exemplify the word creativity, and most importantly, are good people. They are driven, talented, and highly focused individuals. That cannot be denied. The XOXO design they brought to life is brilliant, and shows the fashion side of a product that prides itself on security, comfort, durability, and functionality. It's like the perfect blending of two worlds and truly speaks to the kind of people they are. My co-founding partner and I, along with the partner's of the company, are honored to call Kate and Michael our partners and are very proud to be working with them."

SpiiderGriip didn't invent the phone grip, but they have evolved it into its best form. The product is a flexible, rubberized device that simply and quickly adheres to the back of a phone or phone case. The revolutionary design provides complete confidence and freedom, forming comfortably to the size of your fingers, and is bendable for maximum comfort. When the device is in an opened position, it provides a comfortable loop that you can put your finger(s) through for a comfortable, secure grip. Additionally, is capable of acting as a phone stand to view and watch content, hands free. When closed, the SpiiderGriip is virtually flat, allowing the user to slip it easily into his or her pocket or purse.

"SpiiderGriip is full of features that no other phone grip has and it gives you the peace of mind to get the most out of your device without fear of slipping, dropping or breaking," added Britt.

Among other interesting features, the SpiiderGriip loop will rotate 360 degrees, which allows users to perfectly position their phone when taking a photo or shooting a video. This same feature allows users to "wear" the phone on the back of their hand, convenient when you need both hands to scoop up your kids or pets. It also functions as a stand for your phone, allowing users to prop it up at two different angles.

The original SpiiderGriip is currently available in black, white and hot pink, with other colors soon available. The limited edition red XOXO design will be available on February 13th, with new neon colors of the XOXO design to be available in spring 2020 with preorder available in the coming weeks. All SpiiderGriip products are made in the United States, retail for $19.99, and are currently sold exclusively at SpiiderGriip.com.

Benefits of SpiiderGriip:

 Rotates 360 degrees to take the best photos and selfies

 Allows you to hold your phone in a natural and comfortable way

 Folds down flat and locks in place when not in use

 Lets you have full use of both hands while your phone is secured

 Props up to use as a stand

 Easily slides into your pockets or purse

To learn more about SpiiderGriip, or for product or interview requests, please contact Erin Heaney at eheaney@tbaww.com or 843-995-1322. For interview requests with Kate Bosworth or for more information on her partnership, please email jarons@rogersandcowan.com.

About Us

About SpiiderGriip:

In 2017, the idea was born to invent a premium product that prevented dropped phones. After massive amounts of research and product development, that idea evolved into SpiiderGriip. In efforts to provide ultimate security and maximum comfort for smartphone users, SpiiderGriip created the one-stop-shop of cellphone accessories. SpiiderGriip secures the phone to your hand, allows you to take the best selfie ever by rotating 360 degrees, props up perfectly, and lays flat when not in use. The inventors of SpiiderGriip literally tried everything and then made something superior. SpiiderGriip is one of a kind. Once you try it, you won't live without it.

Griip The Freedom

Contacts

Erin Heaney

Work: 843-995-1322

eheaney@tbaww.com

Links

https://spiidergriip.com/

https://spiidergriip.com/products/spiidergriip-xoxo-phone-griip-red

SOURCE: SpiiderGriip

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576279/Actress-and-Producer-Kate-Bosworth-and-Filmmaker-Michael-Polish-Join-SpiiderGriipTM-As-Founding-Equity-Partners
India Gold April futures rose on February 13 tracking gains in international Gold prices as investors sought the safety of bullion after a sharp jump in the death toll from Coronavirus.

The Chinese province of Hubei, the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak, reported a record rise in the death toll on Thursday, as global health experts warned the deadly disease could get far worse before it is brought under control, said a Reuters report.

On MCX, April gold contracts were trading higher by Rs 119, or 0.30 percent, at Rs 40,603 per 10 gram at 09:20 hours.

Gold and silver settled on a mixed note on Wednesday, but some buying was observed at lower levels in both the precious metals. Gold held on to the crucial support of $1,562 but silver breached key support of $17.55 per troy ounce in the international market.

Dollar index climb again after Fed chairman's positive remark on US economy. Both the precious metals are consolidating in a range from last few trading sessions, Manoj Jain, Director, India Nivesh Commodities told Moneycontrol.

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Gold is expected to hold 40,330 levels while silver is also expected to hold 45,400 levels and could test 45,700-45,850, he said.

Gold price could retest 40,700 per 10 gm but could face selling pressure at higher levels, suggest experts. Investors could use rallies to go short with a target of 40,320, they say.

Track live gold price here

On the daily chart, gold prices rose on Thursday as investors sold equities and sought the safety of bullion after a sharp jump in the death toll from Coronavirus.

Overall the trend remains positive with some overhang at higher levels of 41,000-41,300. RSI and MACD are signalling trend to be volatile. For the day 40,550-40,700 will act as resistance whereas 40,400-40,225 will be supports.

MCX Gold April contract remained under pressure in the last session and closed on the negative note near 40,350 levels. This is suggesting negativity.

LBMA Spot Gold is moving in consolidation and the expected range will be $1,555 to $ 1,571 levels.

Intraday strategy: Sell MCX Gold April on the rise towards 40,440-40,460 with a target of Rs 40,320, and a stop loss can be placed below 40,570.

A sharp rise in Cornoavirus-related fatalities and new virus cases from China continue to support golds safe-haven demand. Fears of the negative impact of the Coronavirus on the global economy will prompt investors to stay away from riskier assets that may boost gold further.

At the same time, a near four-month high for dollar and limited physical market activities will likely cap major gains in the commodity.

Technical outlook: As long as prices stay above the immediate support of $1,558, expect upticks to continue towards $1,592 initially, followed by $1,610 levels. However, it is required to break $1,545 to negate the broad bullish expectation and take prices lower.

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
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Linkedin Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Blitar  Thu, February 13, 2020 20:14 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20646238a 1 National Thailand,Indonesia,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,outbreak,nCoV-19,COVID-19,East-Java Free

A Thai student enrolled at the Tulungagung State Islamic Institute (IAIN) has been put under observation after returning to East Java from her home country of Thailand, where more than 30 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed since January.

Health authorities said that the female student, identified as AS, did not show symptoms of the coronavirus and remained in good condition after arriving in Tulungagung on Feb. 8.

"She is under our monitoring for 14 days starting from the day of her arrival from Thailand. This is the standard operating procedure [SOP], Tulungagung health agency official Satrio Wibowo told journalists on Thursday.

Satrio said four other Thai students who had traveled home to Thailand would soon return to continue their studies in Tulungagung. The health agency would coordinate with campus authorities to monitor them upon their return, he added.

"We have just been informed that one of them is on their way to return to Indonesia," he said.

AS and the four students are among 106 Thai nationals studying at the institute.

Thailand has recorded at least 33 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) since the virus, which was first discovered in Wuhan, China, spread globally, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

Health authorities also conducted body temperature checks on dozens of foreign students at IAIN Tulungagung on Thursday as a precautionary measure.

Blitar Immigration Office head Andika Pandu Kurniawan said the office had conducted immigration surveillance last week to monitor foreign citizens living in Tulungagung, including 16 foreigners from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, although none of them had traveled home during the period of the coronavirus outbreak.

Blitar Health Agency official Krisna Yekti told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that the agency had also been monitoring local residents who had recently arrived in the regency from countries exposed to the coronavirus.

Since early January, the agency has recorded 24 residents, mostly migrant workers, arriving in Blitar from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, among other places  all of which had confirmed coronavirus cases. China has recorded the highest number of deaths and infections so far.

Krisna acknowledged that a female migrant worker who arrived in Blitar from Hong Kong on Feb. 2 had previously shown symptoms of influenza, including a high body temperature, a cough and breathing problems, which were similar to that of coronavirus.

"We visited her [on Wednesday] and her health had already improved, Krisna said, adding that the woman had been taken care of at her own home and was currently under intense monitoring by the agency.

As of Thursday, the coronavirus had killed 1,367 people and infected nearly 60,000 globally, AFP reported.

Despite having reported suspected coronavirus cases, Indonesia has not confirmed any cases so far. (afr)
OLD BRIDGE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE American:BDR) announced today that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at the company's headquarters located at One Jake Brown Road, Old Bridge, New Jersey. Please note that only owners of record of the common stock of the company at the close of business on April 15, 2020 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

About Blonder Tongue

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. is the oldest designer and manufacturer of cable television video transmission technology in the USA. The majority of our products continue to be designed and built in our state-of-the-art New Jersey facility for over 50 years. The company offers U.S. based engineering and manufacturing excellence with an industry reputation for delivering ultra-high reliability products. As a leader in cable television system design, the company provides service operators and systems integrators with comprehensive solutions for the management and distribution of digital video, IPTV and high-speed data services, as well as RF broadband distribution over fiber, IP, and Coax networks for homes and businesses. Additional information on the company and its products can be found at www.blondertongue.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information set forth above includes "forward-looking" statements and accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in Blonder Tongue's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. (See Item 1: Business, Item 1A: Risk Factors, Item 3: Legal Proceedings and Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "target", "intend", "plan", "seek", "estimate", "endeavor", "should", "could", "may" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections for our future financial performance, our anticipated growth trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. Blonder Tongue undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Blonder Tongue's actual results may differ from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in Blonder Tongue's "forward-looking" statements.

Contacts:

Eric Skolnik

Chief Financial Officer

eskolnik@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

Ted Grauch

Chief Executive Officer

tgrauch@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

SOURCE: Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.

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In October last year, the Paris-based international anti-terrorism watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) didnt blackball Pakistan altogether on the terrorism question, placing Islamabad on its grey list for a period of four months. This was leniency being shown since FATF is currently being chaired by China, Pakistans best friend.

The grey list categorisation meant that the so-called improvement in Islamabads attitude on terrorism was being noted, but clearly it was far from enough. The improvement essentially lay in the Pakistan government taking over scores of seminaries that preach the terrorism gospel. FATF called for further action to show Pakistan's commitment to deal with terror funding and money-laundering for terrorist purposes.

With the four-month grace period ending soon, an anti-terror court in Lahore on Wednesday sentenced Hafiz Saeed, founder-chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the mother outfit of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, and an associate to 11 years of rigorous imprisonment on two counts of terror funding and money-laundering, indicating that it was observing the letter of FATFs instructions. Whether the rigorous imprisonment aspect is observed seriously is moot, considering it is Pakistan, although Saeed has been declared a global terrorist by the UN and the US.

With the FATF threat looming, a court has meted out punishment, at least for the record. Years of diplomatic demands by India to proceed against the terrorist mastermind over the Mumbai 26/11 attacks of 2008, in which 166 persons were killed, had produced no results. Extraordinarily, the Pakistani courts always found the evidence insufficient. This time they didnt as a negative FATF recommendation can mean cutting off of aid from international outfits.

The chief US diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, called the decision a step forward in combating terror funding. Washington needs to please Islamabad as US negotiations with the Taliban in the Afghanistan context are still to be over. India, for its part, must keep up pressure to get justice for the victims of Mumbai.
The rare weather phenomenon that appears to show a ghostly 'angel in the sky' at the centre of a rainbow-like halo (SWNS)

These spectacular images show a rare weather phenomenon that gives off the appearance of a ghostly angel in the sky at the centre of a rainbow-like halo.

Hill walker Lee Howdle, 33, was traversing the Peak District when he looked down and noticed the spectacular misty shadow on Friday last week.

The effect is a rare phenomenon called a "brocken spectre"  which occurs when a person stands above the surface of a cloud with the sun behind them.

The natural effect is a large shadow of an observer cast onto cloud or mist (SWNS)

Mr Howdle had travelled to Mam Tor, a 517 metre hill near Castleton, in the High Peak area of Derbyshire, when he was able to snap the breathtaking images.

The Tesco store manager, of Langley Mill, described seeing the phenomenon as a special moment.

Read more: More than 160 convicted terrorists released early in last seven years

He said: Mam Tor is much higher, and above the clouds. As I was going up Mam Tor, by chance, I looked to the left side of me and there was a brocken spectre.

My shadow looked huge. It was in this circular rainbow. I took some photos of it and carried on walking. It was like an angel in the sky over the hills, it was quite magical.

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As I was walking, I saw a sheep and the effect was around the sheep as well.

He added: I have never seen this before in my life. I read about it once on the internet. Its really amazing and I feel very blessed to have captured such a magical moment."

Lee Howdle described seeing the phenomenon as a 'special moment' (SWNS)

The natural effect, also known as a Brocken bow or mountain spectre, is a large shadow of an observer cast onto cloud or mist. It has been associated with folklore and superstition for centuries.

Read more: How each day is filled up on a quarantined cruise ship

The phenomenon is often observed on mountain peaks and is named after the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains of Germany.

According to the Met Office, light is reflected back in such a way that a spooky circular glory appears around the point directly opposite the sun when the viewer sees their own shadow.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
Nestle SA pushed back its target for sales growth as revenue from China, the Nescafe makers second-largest market, slowed even before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Nestle will need one or two more years to return to annual increases of four per cent to six per cent, Chief Executive Officer Mark Schneider said. The stock fell as much as 2.4 per cent.

With what we know now, in February 2020, it wouldnt have been correct to say, well make the four per cent, Schneider told journalists at Nestles headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland. Were giving ourselves more time.

Greater China, the source of 6.9 billion francs ($7.1 billion U.S.) of revenue, was already stagnating for Nestle, whose Yinlu brand has struggled as consumers shift away from peanut milk, one of its main products. Most of Nestles 30 factories in China have reopened this week after a lengthened holiday break, though theyre operating at reduced capacity.

Nestle said its too early to quantify the impact from the coronavirus. Previously, Nestle forecast reaching mid-single-digit sales growth in 2020.

Revenue climbed 3.5 per cent on an organic basis in 2019, just short of analysts estimates. The bottled-water business had its worst performance in a decade.

Restructuring costs and other expenses tripled to 2.6 billion francs as Nestle wrote down the value of Yinlu. Schneider said the brand is working hard at shifting to more popular products such as ready-to-drink coffee. In October, Bloomberg reported the company was weighing options including a sale of the unit, as well as Hsu Fu Chi, a confectionery brand, citing people familiar with the situation.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV Thursday, Schneider signalled Nestle has an appetite for purchases after last year was light on the acquisition front.

The company made more than 50 deals over the past three years, selling and buying assets that have revenue of about 12 per cent of its total sales. Schneider said he expects a similar amount over the next three years and regrets not buying more companies in 2019.

We want to become larger, not smaller, he said.

Nestle could raise funds for an acquisition by selling its stake in French cosmetics company LOreal SA, Schneider said, declining to say when it could happen.

We are not day-trading, he said.

LOreal shares have more than doubled in value in the past six years, giving the 23 per cent stake a value of 34 billion euros ($37 billion). Activist investor Dan Loeb has been putting pressure on Nestle to sell the holding to focus on food and beverages.

The company reached its target for margin improvement one year early as it reduced its staff to 291,000 from 308,000.

Nestle achieved its fastest volume growth in six years in 2019 as Schneider told managers they need to get new products faster to market. The food company wheeled out new plant-based meat substitutes, which achieved total revenue of about 200 million francs.

However, some new products flopped, such as Milkybar Wowsomes chocolates that used a new sugar-reduction technology. Nestle discontinued the product in the middle of 2019.

Nestle plans to unveil a new strategy for its bottled water business in the first half, Schneider said. The company last year announced it will be absorbed into regional units rather than operating as a stand-alone unit.

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Federal Parliaments first Chinese-born MP has told Australians not to be scared of Chinese restaurants, as famous venues in Melbourne and Sydney get pummelled by unsubstantiated coronavirus fears.

Gladys Liu said social media had fuelled misinformation in the Chinese-Australian community, conflating the spread of the coronavirus in China with Australia, causing many to stay home while there was no threat to their wellbeing.

Chisholm MP Gladys Liu has told Australians not to be scared of Chinese businesses and restaurants. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"I understand how Chinese people feel," she said. "Because when they check WeChat and are getting messages from China saying, 'Dont go out, dont go out.' "

Ms Liu said she knows the Chan family who run the Shark Fin House restaurant in Melbournes CBD and was "saddened" by its closure after the number of customers dropped by 80 per cent amid rising coronavirus fears.
Jaipur, Feb 13 : Rajasthan Speaker C.P. Joshi here on Thursday asked Ministers to remain present in the Assembly during zero hour or he would lock their chambers to ensure that they stayed in the House.

Most Ministers disappear from the House soon after the end of Question Hour.

During zero hour, when legislators raise issues most Ministers could not be seen in the House to reply to their queries.

The absence of Ministers was pointed out by Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria and Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore On Wednesday.
This is designed to reinforce for consumers that they can have confidence in the industry, and to help everyday New Zealanders be more engaged with their finances.

My vision for the financial advice sector is for consumers to have trust in the quality of the advice they are getting, and to make wise, informed and motivated decisions. I also want consumers to recognise the importance of financial advice for their financial wellbeing, and that it is worthwhile seeking that advice.

Faafoi said the review of financial services sector conduct would be a key focus for the year, and that the government is looking into options to regulate the treatment of customers by banks and insurers.

He noted that the Financial Conduct of Institutions Amendment Bill was introduced late last year, and recommends new regulations and a new licensing system for banks, insurers and non-bank deposit takers.

The first reading of the bill is expected this week, and submissions from the industry are encouraged.
A man plays "Pokemon Go" by Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, August 18, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Kham.

Vietnam ranks 40th out of 100 countries in terms of mobile video gaming experience and only behind Singapore in Southeast Asia.

With a score of 72.2 it was grouped in the Fair category where users found the experience "average" in a report released by OpenSignal, a British company which measures mobile user experience globally.

Vietnam was seventh in the Asia-Pacific.

The report was based on over 128 billion measurements taken from over 37 million devices worldwide between October 2019 and January 2020.

In Southeast Asia Thailand was 42nd, Malaysia was 50th, Laos was 51st, Myanmar was 52nd, Indonesia was 55th, the Philippines was 93rd, and Cambodia was 94th.

Singapore topped the global ranking followed by the Netherlands and Japan.

Upgrades of Internet connectivity contributed to the improvement in mobile video game experience in Vietnam, the report said.

Vietnam seeks to launch commercial 5G mobile services this year.

Telecom giant Viettel broadcast from its network of 5G base transceiver stations in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time last September.

Rivals like MobiFone and Vinaphone are expected to launch 5G services soon.

The number of 5G subscriptions in Vietnam could hit 6.3 million by 2025 or 6 percent of all mobile subscriptions, technology conglomerate Cisco has forecast.

"The deployment of 5G will improve the responsiveness and reliability of mobile networks which will make the experience of playing mobile multiplayer games even more enjoyable," the report said.

Of the 51 million mobile phone users in Vietnam, 33 million play online games. The number is forecast to reach 40 million by 2020.
It was a thriving family business that got its start in 1857 as a four-page newspaper for residents of Sacramento in the wake of the gold rush. Now the McClatchy Company, the publisher of The Sacramento Bee, The Miami Herald and 28 other dailies across the country, has filed for bankruptcy and is expected to be run by a New York hedge fund.

In a Chapter 11 filing in New York on Thursday, McClatchy, one of the largest news publishers in the United States, said it planned to restructure its pension obligations and address more than $700 million in debt. Its newsrooms in 14 states would continue operating as usual during bankruptcy proceedings, the company said.

Under the plan, the hedge fund Chatham Asset Management, a major lender and shareholder for the chain, would operate McClatchy as a private company. McClatchy went public in 1988.

If the Chapter 11 plan gains court approval, McClatchy would become the latest newspaper company to fall under the control of Wall Street investors, an unlikely relationship that has become more common as the financial industry seeks to wring profits from an ailing business.
Kazan University's telescope assists in discovering a binary star system

A co-author from Kazan University, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Chair of the Department of Astronomy and Space Geodesy Ilfan Bikmaev, explains how the new system was found.

"The gravitational lensing method is one of the most powerful space exploration tools. In space, photons deviate from the rectilinear direction when passing near a massive body (star) under the influence of its gravitational field. If we take as a lens a celestial body, which is a sphere, then it will bend the space spherically symmetrically. However, the gravitational fields of many space objects do not have spherical symmetry, so more complex curvatures may appear. After their path has been curved, the photons will be summed up with those that hit the receiver earlier, and, as a result, an increase in the brightness of the star will occur. As a result, an increase in the brightness of the object is displayed on the light curve of the source, and this increase is not associated with a change in the physical parameters of the source itself.

"If between a star of our Galaxy and an observer on Earth a massive object (a star-lens) moves across the line of sight, then when the lens passes exactly upon the line of sight, the effect of gravitational lensing will manifest itself in the form of a short-term (hours to days) brightening of the background star. Such events are called gravitational microlensing events. They are quite rare, isolated, short-lived and unpredictable."

As the interviewee, in order to register a microlensing event in the Milky Way, you need to track the brilliance of hundreds of millions of stars daily. In particular, the space mission of the European Space Agency (GAIA) is engaged in this. Any brightness changes amounting to tens of percents from celestial sources that fall into the field of view of the GAIA space observatory are reported to Earth. And then the international network of telescopes around the globe begins to track these objects and identify the nature of variability.

"Since 2016, astronomers of Kazan Federal University, together with Turkish colleagues, have been participating in the GAIA satellite object classification program. The vast majority of variable objects are cataclysmic variables, some are supernovae, and some are active galactic nuclei, which change their brightness from time to time. But there are objects that, while not being a variable, change their brightness for a short period of time, and then it attenuates. Such cases are unique," says Bikmaev. "So, in August 2016, the GAIA satellite discovered an object that received the designation Gaia16aye, the brightness change of which exceeded the accuracy of registration of the telescope and continued to increase. Turkish colleagues, analyzing the nature of the brightness change, suggested that this is not a variable object, but the microlensing effect. Polish colleagues, experts in the field of research on the effects of microlensing, organized an international campaign on photometry of this source, which was soon joined by Kazan Federal University. Observations of this unique object were carried out both in Turkey with the RTT 150 telescope and at the North Caucasian Astronomical Station.

"The data obtained make it possible for the first time to simulate a situation where an observer on Earth makes a yearly motion around the Sun, a gravitating body moves in the form of a binary system around the center of mass, and the binary system has its own motion in the Galaxy. This is a rather complex kinematic movement. Therefore, the system of these maxima is complex. And what we can do is accurately measure the brightness change.

"With a single passage, a single maximum is observed, and then the brightness curve of the object drops to the initial level. In the case of the Gaia16aye event, after the first maximum, the light curve did not drop to the initial level. Therefore, astronomers have made the assumption that the gravitational lens is not a single object, but a binary system. And then the third peak appeared and everyone understood that it was, without a doubt, a binary system. Perhaps the geometry of the system is even more complex. In this article, a group of Polish scientists, based on international cooperative observations and their own theoretical calculations, built a geometric picture of the occurrence of the Gaia16aye microlensing phenomenon," concludes Professor Bikmaev.

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This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
An attack Monday on the village of Bakali, in the Giwa region, by several armed attackers killed at least 25 civilians and injured many others.

In addition, fighters from the Islamic State group in West Africa (ISWAP), a branch of Boko Haram affiliated with Islamic State, attacked a military post in the village of Tungushe, near the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri, and the neighboring town Gajiganna killing two soldiers and wounding another.

In Rann, an isolated locality on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, three militiamen were killed by insurgents who arrived on motorbikes and aboard four vehicles equipped with machine guns.

On Sunday evening, at least 30 people were killed and many women and children were abducted by ISWAP, on a road leading to a village near Maiduguri.

The terrorists also burned around 30 vehicles, according to a statement from the local government.

Despite the presence of African and foreign security forces, there is a resurgence of attacks attributed to different Islamist and criminal groups in these regions of the Sahel and Lake Chad.

Since 2009, clashes between the Nigerian armed forces and their supporters and the jihadist terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP have left more than 35,000 dead and two million displaced.
Novel coronavirus: A high-level Group of Ministers (GOM) has been constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness to tackle the spread of coronavirus. The second meeting of the GOM was held on Thursday. It was chaired by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan. The first meeting of the GOM, chaired by the minister, was held on February 3 at the Nirman Bhawan.

The GOM also included Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, Nityananda Rai, Minister of State for Home, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (I/c) for Ministry of Shipping, Chemicals and Fertilisers and Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare

A presentation on the status of the novel coronavirus was made to the GOM. The ministers were informed about the status of the three cases in Kerala. The presentation documented the preventive steps, including travel advisories and temporary suspension of visa for travellers from China that were taken for the management of the coronavirus.

The status of the two quarantine centres with 645 individuals evacuated from Wuhan was also included in the presentation. The camps are maintained by the armed forces and the ITBP and all the inhabitants are medically examined on a daily basis. The GOM was informed that all the individuals in these camps have been tested negative for coronavirus.

Also read: Passenger onboard SpiceJet flight from Bangkok to Delhi suspected of coronavirus, quarantined

It was stated in the presentation that as of Thursday, a total of 2,315 flights have been screened covering more than 2.49 lakh passengers. Screening of passengers is undergoing in 21 airports, international seaports and border crossings especially with Nepal.

The GOM was informed that 15,991 people are presently under community surveillance across the country. Out of a total 1,671 samples that were sent for testing, only 3 were found positive.

The GOM also looked into whether adequate material like Personal Protection Equipment and N95 masks were available. There is a 24X7 control room operational.

The meeting was attended by Secretary (HFW) Preeti Sudan, Foreign Secretary H Vardhan Shringla, Secretary (Civil Aviation) Pradeep Singh Kharola, Special Secretary (Health) Sanjeeva Kumar, DGFT Amit Yadav, Additional Secretary (Shipping) Sanjay Bandopadhyay, Additional Secretary (MHA) Anil Malik, and JS (MoHFW) Lav Agarwal, along with other officials.

Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: Embassy providing assistance to Indians on board cruise ship off Japan coast, says EAM

Also read: Two passengers suspected with coronavirus put in isolation at Kolkata airport
On a day of rapid developments, China sacked the top leadership of Hubei, the central Chinese province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak hours after the worst-hit region reported at least 254 new deaths on Wednesday, the highest death toll recorded for a day since the epidemic began.

The jump in numbers was recorded as a district in central Hubei province implemented wartime control measures for the next 14 days, including the full closure of all buildings, the first time during the virus outbreak.

The order, applying to a district in the city of Shiyan, says only those who are fighting the epidemic are allowed to leave their homes, as of Thursday. All residential areas are being manned around the clock, the state media report says.

ALSO WATCH | Coronavirus scare: Separating facts from fiction

Hubei, and its capital city, Wuhan also reported nearly 15,152 new cases of the disease, which is now officially known as Covid-19.

With the sharp jump in the number of the infected, nearly 60,000 are now sickened by the disease in China.

In the biggest political fallout of the escalating outbreak, Ying Yong, mayor of Shanghai, was appointed Communist Party of China (CPC) chief of Hubei province replacing Jiang Chaoliang, official news agency, Xinhua reported on Thursday.

Ying was also appointed as a member and Standing Committee member of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, it said.Jiang Chaoliang will no longer hold the office, the brief statement from the CPC added.

Ying, 62, a native of Zhejiang province in eastern China, began his career in 1976 and has rich working experience in Chinese political and legal affairs, including in the public security bureau and the courts. He became Shanghai mayor in early 2017, the report said.

On the sharp rise in the number of new cases, the Hubei health commission said the number of new cases included 13,332 clinically diagnosed cases, which have been seen as confirmed cases from Thursday.

It brought the total confirmed cases in the hard-hit province to 48,206.

Clinically diagnosed cases are unique to Hubei statistically. The inclusion of those cases drives the surge in the number of new confirmed cases.

Any suspected cases with pneumonia-related computerised tomography (CT) scan results are counted as clinically diagnosed cases, according to the latest version of the diagnosis and treatment scheme released by Chinas national health commission (NHC).

The provincial health commission said the diagnosis criteria revision has been made to give those who have been clinically diagnosed the timely standard treatment of confirmed cases to further improve the treatment success rate.

The province also saw 3,441 patients discharged from hospital after recovery as of Wednesday. Among the 33,693 hospitalised patients, 5,647 were still in severe condition and another 1,437 in critical condition, official media reported.

Outside China, at least 25 countries have reported cnfirmed cases and several nations including India have evacuated their citizens from Hubei where tens of millions remain under a lockdown with severe restrictions.

Two deaths have been recorded outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the virus poses a grave threat to the world, with chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying the virus could have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action.

The Financial Times, quoting local media sources, reported Son Loi, a village in northern Vietnam about 40 kilometre north-west of Hanoi, has been put on lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Vietnamese state-controlled media reported on the move on Thursday, one of the first such instances of an entire residential area being sealed off outside China to prevent transmission of the disease, the FT report said.

The VNExpress said that Vin Phuc province, where Son Loi is located, had locked down the commune for 14 days because seven people had contracted the coronavirus.

Vin Phuc province accounts for the majority of Vietnams 15 confirmed coronavirus cases to date, the FT report said.
A slab of a ramp connecting the foot over-bridge (FOB) between two platforms at Bhopal railway station collapsed on Thursday morning, injuring eight people, an official said.

One of the injured persons was reported to be critical and was referred to the government-run Hamidia Hospital here, West Central Railway, Jabalpur, Chief Public Relations Officer Priyanka Dixit said.

The mishap took place around 9 am when the slab of a ramp connecting the FOB between platform Nos. 2 and 3 collapsed at the station, she said, adding that eight people were injured in the incident.

"The condition of one of them is critical," Dixit said, adding that the victim was admitted to Hamidia Hospital.

The other seven persons were initially admitted to a railway hospital and later referred to the private Chirayu Hospital, she said.

Teams of railway doctors were present at both the Hamidia and Chirayu Hospitals to assist the injured persons, she said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, in a tweet, said he was saddened over the tragedy, and directed the local administration to provide all assistance to the injured persons.

He prayed for the speedy recovery of the victims.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Peter Keeley's body was discovered near bushland in Broulee, on the NSW South Coast, about 4.50pm on February 2

Two teenage boys have been arrested over the death of a father-of-three who was found in bushland after using dating app Grindr.

Peter Keeley's body was discovered near bushland in Broulee, on the NSW South Coast, about 4.50pm on February 2.

Police believe the 56-year-old arranged a meetup on Grindr before driving two hours from Canberra to Batemans Bay, just north of Broulee, that morning.

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and have been taken to Batemans Bay Police Station.

Police footage showed the boys being led out of their homes in handcuffs.

One of the boys was barefoot as he made his way towards a police car.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told news.com.au one of the boys was still a school student and 'their parents were present' during the search warrants.

No charges have been laid at this stage.

An investigation into the Canberra resident's death was launched and detectives carried out three search warrants at homes in the Broulee area from 6am on Thursday.

A post mortem examination was inconclusive but found Mr Keeley suffered head and facial injuries.

Speaking to the media two days after Mr Keeley's body was found, NSW Homicide Squad Commander Doherty said Grindr may have played a role in the death.

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and have been taken to Batemans Bay Police Station

'Upon arriving in Batemans Bay, we believe this man may have been using the dating app Grindr to meet with another person before his body was found,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

According to Nine News, Mr Keeley had been a 'successful auctioneer'.

When his body was found, he was wearing a dark blue sleeveless fitted t-shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers.

The publication reported his arms and legs were tied with duct tape when his body was discovered.

Images showed the boy's being led out of their homes while they were handcuffed by investigators

A post mortem examination was inconclusive but found Mr Keeley suffered head and facial injuries

Mr Keeley's family release a statement thanking police for their support.

'Our family is devastated and still coming to terms with the fact we have lost Peter,' the statement read.

'All that can be said is we have been deeply affected by this tragedy and we are still grieving.

'We are grateful for the overwhelming support from family and friends.

'Thank you to the NSW Police Force and ACT Police detectives who have supported our family during this terrible time.

'As we continue to process this news, our family has requested privacy at this time to allow us to support Peter's children.'
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday that a tentative deal has been reached between the U.S. and the Taliban on a seven-day "reduction of violence" in Afghanistan.

"The U.S. and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence" Esper said in a brief statement and news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The deal appears to fall short of a full ceasefire.

"I think peace deserves a chance," he said. "The best, if not only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement."

Esper declined to give details on when and how the reduction in violence would begin. He said the agreement was only a proposal at this stage and would require consultations with the Kabul government and allies.

Related: Fort Drum Soldier Dies in Afghanistan in Non-Combat Incident

However, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, the chief negotiator with the Taliban, has said that a U.S. deal on a ceasefire could set the stage for a long-term peace agreement between the insurgent group and the Afghan government to end the war that has cost the lives of more than 2,400 U.S. troops since 2001.

"In our view, seven days is sufficient" to determine whether the basis for moving forward with a long-term peace agreement had been established, Esper said.

Esper also made no mention of how a reduction in violence would affect the tentative plan for a drawdown of the estimated 13,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. In December, Esper said that the U.S. was considering a drawdown to 8,600 troops with announcements to be made "in the coming weeks."

The only previous ceasefire in 18 years of war in Afghanistan came in June 2018, when the Taliban and the Kabul government of President Ashraf Ghani agreed on a three-day ceasefire to mark the end of the holy observance of Ramadan.

The U.S. was not part of that agreement, which quickly fell apart as the war resumed. The Taliban have since rejected negotiations with the Kabul government, seen as a puppet of the U.S. by the insurgents.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke by phone with Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to inform them of progress made by Khalilzad in his long-running negotiations with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar.

Ghani later tweeted to confirm his talks with Pompeo on "the notable progress made in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. The Secretary informed me about the Taliban's proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence" aimed at an enduring peace deal."

In remarks to the Atlantic Council Tuesday, White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said that President Donald Trump was on board with a reduction in violence arrangement that could lead to progress on a permanent settlement.

"The president had made it very clear that there will have to be a reduction in violence and there will have to be meaningful intra-Afghan talks for things to move forward," O'Brien said.

"If both those things and a number of other conditions are met and we are able to get agreement on them, I think we could have some good news coming out of Afghanistan -- so we'll have to wait and see over the next several days and weeks."

In his brief remarks, Esper emphasized that the agreement with the Taliban was tentative and implementation would depend on a firm Taliban commitment to limit attacks.

"In all things, our approach to this process will be conditions-based. Let me say it again -- conditions-based," he said. "So it will be a continual, evaluative process as we go forward, if we go forward."

Esper's caution reflected the on again-off again nature of the talks with the Taliban and Trump's frustration with what he calls the "endless wars" following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

By Sept. 2019, Khalilizad's efforts had reached the point where Trump felt confident enough to invite Taliban representatives to the Camp David, Maryland, presidential retreat to finalize a deal, but Trump scrapped the meeting when a U.S. soldier was killed in a Taliban attack.

Ahead of Esper's announcement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a news briefing in Brussels Wednesday that the alliance welcomed "any step towards a reduction of violence in Afghanistan," but stressed that the Taliban eventually will have to drop their refusal to negotiate with the Kabul government.

"The only way to create lasting and sustainable peace in Afghanistan is, of course, to have the Afghans owning the peace process and agreeing on the way forward," Stoltenberg said.

The tentative deal to reduce the level of violence "makes sense," but will depend on whether the Taliban leaders Khalilzad has met with can actually control the disparate factions within the insurgent group, said retired Army Lt. Col. Jason Dempsey, a 22-year infantry officer who served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.

"We're definitely looking for the door," Dempsey, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said of the Trump administration's intention to end U.S. involvement in the Afghan war. But "we owe the Afghans some effort at not leaving chaos behind us."

"Nobody has planned for what the ANSF looks like, post-deal," Dempsey said.

The risk, he said, is that the Afghan army and police would fracture into ethnic factions without some level of continued U.S. military support.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com.

Read More: The Marine Corps Is Moving All Its Raiders to the East Coast
Drivers who are caught illegally parking in spots reserved for people with disabilities will soon face harsher penalties as fines double in Queensland.

Residents will face some of the toughest parking fines in the country as fines balloon from $266 fine to $533 by mid-2020.

The overhaul will also see about 18,000 more Queenslanders eligible to apply for a permit after thousands lobbied for people with vision impairment to be included in the scheme.

Residents will face some of the toughest parking fines in the country as fines balloon from $266 fine to $533 by mid-2020

In Queensland, disability parking permits were only issued to blind people only if they cannot walk.

Whereas blind people in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia can access disability parking spaces.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey told the Courier Mail the government believes there are enough spaces to cater for the added demand.

However, they felt they needed to 'hit the message home that taking up spaces reserved for people with a disability is unacceptable'.

'Queenslanders with vision-impairment and their carers have shared their stories with me about how challenging it can be to negotiate busy car parks,' he said.

'They felt the current laws, which were introduced in 1998, ignored their situation and I think thats a fair assessment.

The overhaul will also see about 18,000 more Queenslanders eligible to apply for a permit after thousands lobbied for people with vision impairment to be included in the scheme

'Its arrogant and selfish behaviour that the community does not support,' he told Yahoo.

'If you do it, you will pay dearly for it.'

Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors Coralee ORourke said the changes were 'common sense'.
A forensic voice analyst has denied misinterpreting the results of tests on secretly recorded conversations of three alleged members of the dissident IRA.

The covert MI5 bugging operation allegedly captured 52-year-old Colin Duffy, Henry Joseph Fitzsimons (51) and Alex McCrory (58) discussing a failed attempt to murder police officers in north Belfast six years ago.

A convoy of three police vehicles came under attack from AK47 assault rifles as it drove along the Crumlin Road on December 5, 2013.

Professor Peter French, who has more than 35 years of experience in the field of voice analysis, spent a second day in the witness box yesterday at the trial of the three men, being cross-examined about the results of his tests.

The chairman of the Forensic Speech Laboratory examined voice recordings from a car, calls to an insurance company and audio from secret listening devices planted by MI5 in a laneway in Lurgan.

Eilis McDermott QC, defence counsel for Fitzsimons, put it to Professor French that another expert in the field of linguistic analysis had disputed his findings.

She said the opinion of the defence expert witness was that Fitzsimons spoke in the dialect of "Lagan Valley English" and not "standard British English", as Prof French had used to compare voice analysis.

But Prof French disputed the expert's opinion, saying: "It is a fundamental misunderstanding of the whole process.''

Asked if he had been requested to give a written response to the expert's counter report on the voice analysis, he replied: "No, I have not. If I had (have been asked), I would have (given a written response)."

During cross-examination by Duffy's defence counsel Mark Mulholland QC, Prof French was asked why he had not made a written note of a meeting he had with PSNI detectives in January 2014, when he was approached about conducting an analysis of the tape recordings.

It was put to the witness that the Public Prosecution Service had issued a code of practice to defence experts about such meetings between police and potential expert witnesses.

Prof French replied: "I didn't take any notes because at that stage I was not allocated as the expert.''

He added that the purpose of the meeting was to assess the voice recording material, how long it would take to analyse and provide a written estimate of how much the work would cost.

Duffy, Fitzsimons and McCrory, whose addresses cannot be given at this time, deny preparing and directing terrorism and membership or professing to be members of the IRA.

Fitzsimons and McCrory are also charged with and deny attempting to murder police in the convoy and possessing the two AK47 assault rifles and ammunition used in the attack.

The trio were allegedly covertly recorded and filmed under an MI5 operation code-named Operation Idealistic on December 6, 2013.

This was carried out in Demesne Park in Lurgan, owned and operated by Craigavon Council, the day after the Ardoyne gun attack, when 14 high-velocity shots were fired by two gunmen.
J ubilant fire chiefs have declared that all remaining bushfires in New South Wales have been contained following days of heavy rain.

The NSW Rural Fire Service today announced the great news after the fire-ravaged state had endured an exhausting and anxious few months during Australias biggest-ever bushfire crisis.

Dozens of blazes were extinguished by recent heavy rainfall which started last weekend, with Sydney receiving its heaviest and most sustained downpours in 30 years.

Firefighters were able to build a perimeter around all of the mega-blazes across the state so they cannot spread further.

A New South Wales "megafire" approaches the outskirts of the town of Tumbarumba / GREENPEACE AUSTRALIA PACIFIC/AFP

RFS Assistant Commissioner Rob Rogers said today: After whats been a truly devastating fire season for both firefighters and residents, whove suffered so much, all fires are now contained in New South Wales.

Not all fires are out, theres still some fire activity in the far south of the state, but all fires are contained so we can really focus on helping people rebuild.

In the Australian Capital Territory, around Canberra, firefighters were still fighting to bring bushfires under control, though they were not said to be threatening.

Burnt trees following a bushfire in Budgong / AFP via Getty Images

Bushfires have killed at least 33 people and wrecked thousands of homes since they began to rage in September.

More than 11 million hectares of land has been affected across all states and territories.

Australia fires - In pictures 1 /78 Australia fires - 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 Australian state of New South Wales in December AFP via Getty Images An aerial view of bushfires burning south of Canberra Getty Images Adelaide wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala rescued at a burning forest on Kangaroo Island in January Reuters German tourists Julia Wasmiller and Jessica Pryor pose for a photo at Mrs Macquarie's chair, wearing face masks due to heavy smoke in December Getty Images A small aircraft dumps fire retardant behind houses at the foot of Mount Tennant as the fire front of the Orroral Valley fire creeps through the Namadgi National Park on January 30, 2020 in Canberra, Australia Getty Images A pyrocumulonimbus cloud is generated by the intense Orroral Valley bushfire buring to the south of Canberra. Getty Images Eugenie Bouchard of Canada takes a moment to catch her breath during her qualifying match against Xiaodi You of China during 2020 Australian Open Qualifying at Melbourne Park Getty Images Bernard Tomic of Australia receives medical attention in his match against Denis Kudla of the USA during 2020 Australian Open Qualifying at Melbourne Park Getty Images Massive smoke rising from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria in January AP Smoke looms over Sydney A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire at Snowy Valley, Australia in January AFP via Getty Images Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits a resident's property in an area devastated by bushfires in Sarsfield, Victoria state in January POOL/AFP via Getty Images An injured koala rests in a washing basket at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in January Getty Images A pedestrian wears a mask as smoke shrouds the Australian capital of Canberra, Australia in January AP A large smoke plume is seen over a sheep property in the Parndana region in January Getty Images NSW's National Parks and Wildlife Service staff prepare to air-drop carrots for animals in bushfire-stricken areas, in Newnes, Wollemi National Park, New South Wales in January via Reuters A wallaby eats a carrot after NSW's National Parks and Wildlife Service staff air-dropped them in bushfire-stricken areas around Wollemi and Yengo National Parks, New South Wales in January via Reuters Nurses feed an injured male koala at Adelaide Koala Rescue in January Getty Images A woodchip mill burnt by bushfires is seen as smoke rises in Eden in Australia's New South Wales in January AFP via Getty Images Kylie Minogue donates to the cause @kylieminogue Cars line up to leave the town of Batemans Bay in New South Wales to head north in January AFP via Getty Images HMAS Choules off the coast of Victoria, Australia in January Reuters The property of Lyle Stewart is razed to the ground at Nerrigundah, Australia in January AP Rural Fire Service firefighter Trevor Stewart views a flank of in Tumburumba, Australia Getty Images A plane flies in the tobacco-coloured skies over Auckland, New Zealand, as smoke from the wildfires traveled from Australia in January Getty Images An orange glow darkens the sky in Auckland city from the wildfires in Australia Getty Images Kiahan Bellchambers and her brother Jesse Bellchambers looking for belongings amongst the ruins of their house destroyed during bushfires in Batlow, in Australia's New South Wales state in January AFP via Getty Images Lieutenant Kynan Lang from the 10th/27th Battalion visits the scene where his uncle and cousin died in a bushfire to place a memorial on Kangaroo Island, Australia in January via Reuters A firefighters backs away from the flames after lighting a controlled burn near Tomerong, Australia AP Black ash and fire debris is washed up on Boydtown Beach and the banks of the Nullica River in Eden, Australia REUTERS Barb Copus holds a rescued baby brushtail possum at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in the Parndana region on Kangaroo Island, Australia Getty Images A burnt car is seen after bushfire in Batlow, in Australia's New South Wales state in January AFP via Getty Images A burning gum tree is felled to stop it from falling on a car in Corbago, as bushfires continue in New South Wales, Australia in January Reuters General view of the Dunn Road fire in January Getty Images Australian Army CH-47 Chinooks from the 5th Aviation Regiment deliver hay bales to remote bushfire-affected farms on Kangaroo Island, Australia via Reuters Volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area in December Reuters Thick smoke from wildfires shroud the Sydney Opera House in December AP A property burns from bushfires in Balmoral, 150km southwest of Sydney in December AFP via Getty Images A fireman fights a bushfire to protect a property in Balmoral, 150km southwest of Sydney in December AFP via Getty Images Helicopters dump water on bushfires as they approach homes located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo in December Getty Images Australian wildfires turn sky red in December brendanh_au/Twitter Firemen inspect a house recently destroyed by bushfires on the outskirts of the town of Bargo in December Getty Images Firemen prepare as a bushfire approaches homes on the outskirts of the town of Bargo in December Getty Images Monitoring the Tianjara fire from a helicopter in the Moreton and Jerrawangala National Park in December Getty Images People wear face masks to protect from the pollution over Sydney Harbour in December Getty Images A fire approaches the village of Nerrigundah, Australia in December AP An old car burns from bushfires in Balmoral AFP via Getty Images The remains of burnt out buildings are seen along main street in the New South Wales town of Cobargo in December AFP via Getty Images Wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale, Australia in December AP A horse trying to move away from nearby bushfires at a residential property near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales in December AFP via Getty Images Fire and thick smoke remains the village of Nerrigundah, Australia in December AP Gary Hinton stands amongst rubble after fires devastated the New South Wales town of Cobargo in December AFP via Getty Images A helicopter drops fire retardent to protect a property in Balmoral in December AFP via Getty Images The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia in December via Reuters A fire and rescue team inspect the damage around Torrington in Glen Innes, Australia in November Getty Images Flames from an out of control bushfire seen from a nearby residential area in Harrington, Australia in November AFP via Getty Images Bushfires taken from a plane in over north eastern New South Wales in November AFP via Getty Images An Air-crane water bombing helicopter drops water on a bushfire in Harrington, Australia in November Reuters Haze blanketing Manly Beach, Sydney in November Sydney Coaches via Reuters

It comes as flood warnings were issued for NSW and for southern Queensland ahead of Storm Uesi, which could bring winds of up to 80mph.
A man who says he was traumatised after being forced to dance with a Kylie Minogue impersonator is suing his former employer for $800,000.

Ian Richard Billington, 47, a former business manager at Sussan, attended a national work conference at the Novotel Forest Resort in Creswick, Victoria, in August 2015.

During the event, a Kylie Minogue impersonator called him to the stage twice, where he was asked 'deeply personal and humiliating questions', ordered to change, then told to sing and dance in front of his colleagues, court documents state.

A man who says he was traumatised after being forced to dance with a Kylie Minogue impersonator is suing his former employer for $800,000

Despite making his resistance clear, Mr Billington claims on the second occasion he was either coerced with 'woo-hoos' and physically forced to go on stage, according to The Age.

Court documents state Mr Billington, who is gay, was probed on stage about his marital status, including the 'presence of a wife'.

The impersonator allegedly then asked 'whether he liked to wear leather hotpants' before he was 'directed to go backstage and be dressed by a female dancer in clothing that was humiliating and belittling'.

He was then sent on stage to perform.

As a result, Mr Billington's claim states he now suffers from panic attacks, agoraphobia, memory and concentration impairment, sleep disturbance, tremors and shakes, 'tics and twitches' and anger.

Since the incident, he claims he is only able to work over the phone with limited face-to-face contact, working a maximum of 18 hours a week, due to his listed injuries.

Mr Billington states the incident has caused him 'nervous shock and psychological injury' which has limited his ability to work.

He is now asking Victoria's County Court for thousands in special damages to cover lost past and future income.

Mr Billington was the former Business Manager for woman's fashion brand Sussan (Bourke St Mall outlet pictured)

Mr Billington claims Sussan breached its obligations to provide a safe working environment.

In a defence statement tendered to court, Sussan rejected their former employee's accusations arguing he got on stage of his own will.

The company said, taking into consideration the extent he may have felt obliged, it was not reasonably foreseeable he would suffer a psychiatric illness.

Last year, Mr Billington tried to add to his claim injuries that he sustained while allegedly being pulled and pushed to the stage.

He stated that Sussan as responsible for the battery of those employees, and of aiding and abetting their behaviour, but the amendment was denied.

The case is due back in court on March 5.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:39:51|Editor: Liu

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TOKYO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- On the boxes of masks donated by a Japanese institution to China in its fight against the novel coronavirus, a Chinese-language verse was written, "Although we are in different places, we are under the same sky."

The sentence, from an ancient poem depicting the long-lasting friendship between China and Japan, has gone viral on social media, with the heartfelt support of the Japanese people touching many in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The batch of aid included 20,000 masks and a number of infrared thermometers donated by the Japanese HSK Bureau to colleges and universities in the central Chinese province of Hubei, whose capital Wuhan is the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic.

On Monday, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) said it had decided to deduct 5,000 yen (45.43 U.S. dollars) from the March salary of every LDP parliamentarian and donate it to support China's fight against the outbreak, a sum totaling 2 million yen (18,170 dollars).

"For Japan, when it sees a virus outbreak in China, it is like seeing a relative or neighbor suffering. Japanese people are willing to help China and hope the outbreak will pass as soon as possible," said Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the LDP.

Japan's Oita Prefecture, a sister prefecture of Wuhan, took the lead in donating after the outbreak, sending 30,000 masks, 600 sets of protective clothing, and 400 goggles to the city on Jan. 27. The dozens of boxes containing the aid bore Chinese characters translating to, "Keep fighting, Wuhan."

Since then, other Japanese cities have taken action to support China's battle against the epidemic. The city of Mito donated 50,000 masks to its Chinese sister city Chongqing on Jan. 28.

On Feb. 6, the Japanese city of Okayama donated 22,000 face masks to its sister city Luoyang. "Come on, China! Come on, Luoyang! The people of Okayama support you!" read the Chinese characters written on the boxes.

Not only has Japan given aid to China on a governmental level, but the Japanese people are also making their own contributions to the fight against the virus.

On the Chinese Lantern Festival, which fell on Feb. 8, a Japanese girl wearing a red Chinese cheongsam stood in a busy street in Tokyo holding a donation box.

She bowed deeply to passers-by to raise money to help those in China affected by the outbreak, an action that has touched many on social media.

The Zhangbin Erhu College in Nagoya recently donated 50,000 medical masks, 8,000 protective masks, and 200 sets of protective clothing to the Chinese city of Nanjing, a donation mostly contributed to by Japanese students.

"Go, China!" "We wish you good health, come on!" Those are the words the students wrote on the masks' packaging.

Other signs and banners bearing good wishes for China can also be seen in Japan's streets. In Osaka's Dotonbori business district, banners have been hoisted along the streets, reading "Go Wuhan! Be strong, Wuhan!"

Tokyo's iconic Skytree has been illuminated in two colors to express the city's special sentiments for China, with blue light symbolizing "We wish the outbreak will soon be over" and red light symbolizing "Be strong, China."

Many netizens have also been touched by Japan's support and have expressed their appreciation.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," a Facebook user named Yongjie Hwang commented on a post about Japan's support of China.
The Assam government on Wednesday said madrasas (Muslim religious law schools) and Sanskrit tols (ashrams that teach Sanskrit and religious scriptures) funded or run by government in the state would be converted into regular schools and will stop providing religious education because the government shouldnt be doing that.

The decision, announced by Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will affect around 600 madrasas and 100 tols.

The madrasas and tols will be converted to high and higher secondary schools. We have no objection to privately run madrasas and tols teaching religious scriptures,said Sarma.

He added that teachers currently handling scriptures and other religious education in these state-funded or run institutions will continue to be employed till retirement but not teach the subjects. HT couldnt immediately ascertain the number of such employees.

This is not the first time such an announcement has been made by Sarma. In May 2017, a year after Assams first BJP-led government came to power, he had stated the same thing.

Reacting to the announcement, president of the All Assam Sanskrit Tol Welfare Association, Mohesh Roy, said the move will lead to the Sanskrit becoming extinct.

Study of Sanskrit as a language is slowly decreasing in the state. The government move will lead to the language becoming extinct, at least in Assam. I have no idea what prompted the government to announce this move as transforming Sanskrit tols to regular schools would also have an impact on the teachers in these tols, Roy said.

Mizazur Rahman Talukdar, a professor in the department of Arabic in Gauhati University, said that the subjects taught in madrasas were in compliance with the state education board.

The madrasa board is not a new thing, it was set up in 1934. The ministers statement that funding religious studies is not a government duty doesnt hold much water as there are institutions like Benares Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University where religious studies are imparted. The subjects taught till Class X in Assams government-aided madrasas are very much secular in nature and in compliance with the state education board and Sarba Sikshya Abhiyan provisions, Talukdar said.

Selective targeting of a language and religious education is unfortunate, Talukdar said.

Study of Arabic can be beneficial for youth seeking jobs in Gulf countries. The government move will affect study of both Arabic literature and Islamic studies,said Afsar Hannan, principal of SAB High Madrasa in Singimari of Kamrup (Rural) district.

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Analysis Myanmar Military Chief Expected to Appoint Loyalists as Reshuffle Looms

Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (left) and Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe (second left) during a trip to Shan State in early October. / Myanmar State Counselors Office.

Expect to see a shakeup in the senior ranks of Myanmars armed forces in the coming months. Military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is preparing to appoint another group of trusted officers and loyalists to key positions.

Lieutenant General Soe Htut, Myanmars chief of military security affairs, was appointed home affairs minister last week and formally sworn in to the position Thursday by the Union Parliament. He replaces Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe, who will return to service with the armed forces.

Lt-Gen Soe Htut graduated from Intake 64 of the Myanmar militarys Officer Training School and was named Best Cadet in that intake. He is close to Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Known as a moderate with a mild temperament, Lt-Gen Soe Htut is a good fit for the post.

Defense Minister General Sein Win is also likely to return to his duties in the armed forces. Known as an honest and professional soldier, Gen. Sein Wins low-key style allowed him to play a neutral role between the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi government and the military while serving as defense minister.

Under the 2008 Constitution, three ministriesDefense, Home Affairs and Border Affairsare controlled by the military.

The heads of the three ministries are nominated by the military chief and the President appoints them with the approval of the Union Parliament.

While serving as home affairs minister, Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe was seen as close to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Or was he? Observers say that might have upset the armys top brass.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in an interview during her visit to Singapore in 2018 that her relationship with the military was not that bad and that the generals in her cabinet were rather sweet.

Senior military leaders are also believed to be upset by Lt-Gen Kyaw Swes allocation of a large security budget to protect top government leaders during their domestic and overseas trips.

In late 2018, it was falsely rumored on social media that 14 military leaders had been abruptly transferred or forced into retirement as part of a revamp that included Defense Minister Lt-Gen Sein Win and Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, who (the false claims suggested) were allowed to retire with full pensions.

Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe came out to deny the rumors. But sources close to the military said at the time that some top leaders in the military were playing a high-risk game, and observers said the rumors reflected unhappiness among the top brass that some ministers under the control of the military seemed to be moving closer to the government. But exactly who was behind the active rumor campaign remains a mystery.

As Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe departs the powerful ministry, speculation is rife in the capital that the government leaders want him to come back to serve in the cabinet in the future  perhaps after the election in November, if the current ruling party wins again. But if it is true, it remains to be seen who would make this decision.

This time, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has handpicked Lt-Gen Soe Htut as home affairs minister, hoping he can serve as a bridge between the countrys two administrations: the civilian government and the military.

There is no doubt that his loyalty will be constantly monitored during his stint as home affairs ministera position that will require him to accompany government officials including the President and State Counselor on domestic trips. The military chiefs are aware that the government leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are skilled at winning over opponents. Lt-Gen Soe Htut will have to walk a tightrope. In addition, all eyes will be on how he handles and shakes up the police force, which is under the Home Affairs Ministry, as a number of senior police officers are seen as close to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the government. Some observers go further, suggesting his appointment will improve civil-military relations. But this remains to be seen.

Major General Ye Win Oo will replace Lt-Gen Soe Htut as chief of Military Security Affairs. He attended OTS (officer training school) 77 and his last posting was as chief of the Southwest Command.

He has both combat and administrative experience but faces a steep learning curve in the intelligence arena. However, what is important is that he has the trust of the senior general. His appointment comes at a time when both the government and military are thinking of reviving the once notorious National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

The NIB was decapitated in 2004 when the military purged then intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt. The intelligence apparatus underwent a wholesale purge, and many corrupt senior officials, who were also known to have committed human rights violations and acts of political repression, were thrown into prison.

In any case, nearly 30 senior military positions will be reshuffled in the latest round, according to a reliable source with knowledge of the militarys recent quarterly meeting.

The story will be repeated when the defense minister position changes hands in the near future. Gen. Sein Win will relinquish his position and return to the army. More professional and loyalist officers will be appointed.

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By Munsif Vengattil and Supantha Mukherjee

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is planning to visit India later this month, multiple sources familiar with the plans told Reuters, a test for the Indian-born head who recently criticized Indian immigration policy.

India is a major market for Microsoft and other technology companies. India's southern city of Hyderabad, where Nadella grew up, is home to Microsoft's biggest research and development center outside of the United States.

Nadella is planning to be in India between Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 and will likely visit New Delhi, tech hub Bengaluru and the financial capital of Mumbai, two people familiar with the plans said.

He is also likely to meet senior Indian industry leaders during his visit, the sources said. The sources did not want to be identified because the company has yet to make a public announcement.

Microsoft declined to comment when asked about a visit. "We don't have anything to share at the moment," a company spokeswoman said.

Microsoft also is trying arrange for Nadella to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the sources added, although the meeting has yet to be confirmed. The Prime Minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Nadella last month stoked controversy in India when he was quoted by Buzzfeed as saying https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-india-citizenship-protests-microsoft/microsoft-ceo-nadella-says-saddened-by-indias-citizenship-law-buzzfeed-idINKBN1ZC2FD a new law implemented by Modi's government that eases the path to citizenship for non-Muslims in nearby nations was "just bad".

His comments drew sharp criticism from Modi's ruling party. Microsoft issued a statement later quoting Nadella as saying that every country has the right to protect and define its borders.

A visit by Nadella would be in the midst of the government taking a tougher stance against foreign technology companies competing in the domestic market by drafting laws aimed at more tightly-controlled cross-border data flows.

The visit would also be a month after Amazon.com Inc CEO Jeff Bezos made a trip to the country and was snubbed by senior members of the government.

Story continues

India has taken a hard stance against the U.S. e-commerce sector, with Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart facing an antitrust probe and criticism from brick-and-mortar traders against their business practices.

When Bezos visited India last month and announced a new $1 billion investment, India's trade minister brushed him off by saying Amazon was doing no "great favor" to India. Modi also did not meet Bezos despite repeated requests by the company.

(Additional reporting by Anirban Sen; Writing by Sankalp Phartiyal; Editing by Aditya Kalra and Bernard Orr)
Aluminium Bahrain's (Alba) Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Ali Al Baqali as the Chief Executive Officer of the company with immediate effect.

Alba Chairman Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa said: With Mr Al Baqali as the realm of Alba in this next chapter of growth, our company is better positioned for further success.

Al Baqali said: Despite a weak market sentiment, we have made 2019 an exceptional year by focusing on what we control best at all times: safety, production and cost. It is an honour and privilege to serve Alba as the chief executive officer and I look forward to work together with Albas Board of Directors as we go beyond Line 6. I also want to thank all Alba employees and contractors for a great 2019 and look forward to more accomplishments.

Al Baqali has been part of the Alba family for more than two decades and brings years of leadership and honed experience from within the company. As a Bahraini who grew from within Alba, Al Baqali believes that Albas growth and success depend heavily on the companys entrenched principles on Safety, Development of Human Capital, Social and Civic Responsibility as well as Community Development.

Al Baqali is a professional member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS), UK; Board member of the International Aluminum Institute (IAI), Injaz, Saint Christophers School and Tenmou, the first Bahraini Business Angels Company. Ali holds a B Sc. degree in accounting from the University of Bahrain and an MBA from the French Arabian Business School - ESSEC. - TradeArabia News Service
By West Kentucky Star Staff, City of Paducah Feb. 12, 2020 | 04:49 PM | PADUCAH





Harless represented Paducah at the event after being invited to serve on a panel of speakers during a session titled, Land Money, and Politics: Collaborating with Existing and Newly Elected Officials.







Harless shared her thoughts on the event.







I was proud to represent Paducah and our region at the Leadership Summit. There are so many great things to share about our community and the collaborations underway to improve the quality of life for our residents. I emphasized the importance of setting a goal, collaborating with partners, maintaining a learning mindset, and holding each other accountable. We are seeing results here locally, and I was excited to share our progress.







The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. You can see more information about the Leadership Summit at the link below.

Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless returned Tuesday from the International Economic Development Council's 2020 Leadership Summit in Tampa, FL.

On the Net:
Opinion Article

13 February 2020

As of the writing of this article, the Coronavirus pandemic is only a few weeks old, yet it is clear that this event is already having a significant impact on the travel industry. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus, now known as COVID-19, a global health emergency, and individual governments have imposed travel restrictions and other measures, principally directed at travellers arriving from China. To gain some perspective on the potential impact of the current Coronavirus scare on the lodging industry, this article looks at the SARS pandemic of 2003, which has strong parallels to the current Coronavirus situation. Both originated in China, and the diseases are similar in terms of symptoms, severity, and transmission. The SARS impact will be considered from two perspectives: how a pandemic scare can affect an individual market, and the broader impact on international travel.

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The SARS Outbreak of 2003

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Based on further research, the earliest case dates to November 2002, while the last cases were reported in June 2003. During that period, a total of 8,098 cases were reported; of those cases, 7,324 people recovered, and 774 people died. Although the virus appeared in 37 countries, the majority of the cases were in Asia. The only country outside of Asia to report a significant volume of cases was Canada, and most of these were in the greater Toronto area.

Location and Number of SARS Cases and Deaths

Source: World Health Organization  Photo: HVS

As it has in the present situation, the WHO issued regular bulletins as information concerning the disease and identified cases became available. The first of these was issued on March 15 and was followed by regular updates. The bulletins generally addressed the number of cases and deaths, reported the areas affected, and discussed the progress in identifying and treating the disease and its symptoms. The WHO bulletins also addressed the issue of travel and, as it deemed appropriate based on the number of cases and the pace of new cases reported, issued travel advisories pertaining to specific regions. Notably, at no time did the WHO issue a travel restriction; the strongest advisory recommended that people "postpone all but essential travel" to specified destinations. The destinations initially specified were Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, China. Toronto, Beijing, Shang-XI Province, Taiwan, and Inner Mongolia were subsequently added to the list.

Toronto was the only region outside of Asia that was identified as an "affected area" for which the WHO issued a travel advisory. SARS was first reported in Canada in mid-March 2003; as of March 15, the WHO reported seven cases and two deaths. The chronology of SARS in Toronto is summarized in the following table.

Chronology of SARS in Canada

Source: World Health Organization  Photo: HVS

The WHO identified Toronto as an "area with recent, local transmission;" this designation indicates that the cases are spreading internally within the region, rather than being brought in by travellers from outside the area. This designation was in place from March 22 through May 14, and reinstated for a second period, from May 26 to July 2, 2003. The recurrence of the "area of recent local transmission" designation is significant, in that it was the result of an outbreak that occurred at a point in time when SARS was believed to be under control in that area.

Impact of SARS on the Canadian Travel Industry

The travel advisory was in place for only one week, at the end of April. Yet even prior to the advisory, and well after it was lifted, the travel industry in Canada felt significant, adverse effects as a result of the media reports of the identification of SARS cases in the country.

To assess the impact of SARS on the Canadian lodging industry, we have reviewed trends in lodging demand in both Canada and the U. S. The following chart presents the percent change in total lodging demand in each country in the years preceding and immediately following the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Change in Lodging Demand in the U.S. and Canada - 1992 through 2008

Source: STR  Photo: HVS

Historically, there has been a correlation between lodging demand in Canada and the U.S., which is logical given the close economic and geographic ties between the two countries. As the chart indicates, while the magnitude of the change differs, the direction and longevity of the trends are aligned. The absence of this correlation in 2003 reflects the impact of SARS on the Canadian lodging market. Following the sharp downturn recorded in 2001, U.S. lodging demand recorded steady increases as the market recovered from the recession and adverse impacts and aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The Canadian lodging market also experienced a downturn, albeit less substantial, in 2001. Data for 2002 indicate that a recovery in this market was underway, as well. However, in 2003, the SARS outbreak and related travel scare interrupted the market's progress. As a result of this scare, demand in Canada decreased by 4.7% in 2003; this is more than double the decrease recorded in 2001, and 40% higher than the decrease experienced by the U.S. in 2001.

Impact of SARS on the Toronto Lodging Market

Although SARS cases were reported in several regions in Canada, the vast majority were concentrated in the Toronto area. To gauge the magnitude of the impact of SARS on the Toronto lodging market, we have reviewed STR data for 17 hotels that comprised the principal lodging market in Downtown Toronto at that time. The following chart presents the percent change in demand levels for this set of hotels over the period from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2003.

Percent Change in Lodging Demand in Toronto - 2001 through 2003

Source: STR  Photo: HVS

As the above chart clearly demonstrates, SARS had a far more dramatic impact on the Toronto lodging market than did the events of September 11, 2001. Demand dropped by 36.5% in April 2003, compared to April 2002, the first full month when the SARS situation was known. Although April showed the most significant decline, the market continued to experience demand decreases in excess of 20% through July of that year and continued to report demand levels lower than the same month of the prior year through November. As previously noted, the city was removed from the list of "areas with recent local transmission" on July 2, 2003. While the decreases in demand moderated somewhat thereafter, the extended span of the downturn is striking. In all, over the period April through November 2003, the market reported over 257,000 fewer accommodated room nights than in the same period of 2002. This equates to over CA$83 million in revenues. Over the full year 2003, demand was off by just under 220,000 room nights, and revenues were off by CA$80 million (rounded).

On the demand side, the market was able to recover the lost ground within a year. As the following chart shows, the number of accommodated room nights in 2004 was on par with, or exceeded, the demand levels recorded in 2002, prior to the SARS outbreak.

Occupied Room Nights by Month - 2002 through 2004

Source: STR  Photo: HVS

The total occupied room nights in 2004 exceeded the number of room nights occupied in 2002, indicating that the market was able to recover the ground lost during the SARS scare relatively readily. However, it is not clear that the market was able to reach the levels that it could have been expected to attain by 2004, had the momentum of growth evident in the 2002 statistics been sustained. On the revenue side, the data for this set of hotels indicate that the market did not regain the revenue levels recorded in 2002 until 2006, as the lingering effects of the price discounts implemented in response to the SARS scare undermined the recovery of average rate (ADR) until that year. A review of the 2003 monthly data indicates that the aggregate ADR for this set of hotels dropped by over $20.00 in April. The decline increased to over $40.00 in May, June, and July; this represents a 25% decrease over the ADR reported in the previous year. Rates continued to be down, although not as significantly, through the balance of the year. Annually, the ADR in 2003 was 14%, or almost $24.00, lower than that achieved in 2002.

Lessons Learned from the SARS Pandemic

The good news is that the data indicate that demand lost due to a discrete phenomenon (such as a flu scare) can be recovered relatively readily, although not as quickly as it can be lost. More problematic is the question of momentum, and the impact of such an event on overall trends in the market. The Toronto market surpassed 2002 demand levels in 2004; however, had the market been able to maintain the pace achieved by comparable markets in the U.S., it would have surpassed 2002 levels in 2003 and could have achieved further growth in subsequent years.

The ADR issue is more compelling. The aggregate ADR for the Toronto hotels did not recover to 2002 levels until 2006, in large part due to the draconian discounts implemented by hotels in the city in an immediate response to the sharp drop in demand. In retrospect, given the reasons for the precipitous decrease in travel, it seems extremely unlikely that lower rates would induce any demand into the market. How high would the perceived value of a hotel stay have to be to overcome the fear of becoming infected with a potentially life-threatening disease? While discounting might be an effective tool once the perceived threat has passed, it is not likely to have affected demand levels during the period when fear was the dominant factor influencing travel.

Other Examples

SARS is the most comparable to the current Coronavirus pandemic, but not the only such event. The 2009 H1N1 "Swine Flu" epidemic had a significant negative impact on Mexico, which was the point of origin and the country with the most reported cases. Travel to Mexico City and the country's multiple resort destinations dropped significantly that year, although it is difficult to isolate the impact of the H1N1 virus from the concurrent global economic downturn.

More recently, the Zika virus scare affected travel in 2016 and 2017. The highest incidence of cases was in Brazil; within the U.S., Florida reported the most cases. Concerns about exposure reportedly led to a downturn in travel to the state, and specifically Miami Beach and the surrounding markets, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory recommending that pregnant women not travel to a 4.5-square-mile area of Miami Beach. The advisory was in effect from mid-July through mid-November. As with the H1N1 scare, other factors in the market make it difficult to identify the specific impact of Zika on the travel and lodging industries during that period, including an influx of new supply, the closure of the Miami Beach Convention Center for renovation, and a variety of seasonal influences. However, media reports at the time indicated that hotel bookings were significantly down in August and noted that airfares targeted toward the leisure segment dropped in this period, as well.

Broader Impacts - International Travel

As discussed, there are strong parallels between SARS and the Coronavirus; both originated in China, and the diseases are similar in terms of symptoms, severity, and transmission. However, in terms of international travel and tourism, the context in which the Coronavirus is occurring is radically different from when SARS occurred in 2003.

Over the intervening years, China has emerged as a global force in tour and travel. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, in 2018, a total of roughly 150 million international travellers originated from China, up 15% from 2017 levels. In 2017, this source reported the total spending by all outbound Chinese tourists was valued at US$115 billion. Countries in Southeast Asia are the most popular, accounting for eight of the top ten destinations; in many of these countries, China is the top source of international tourism. The other two countries on the top ten list are the U.S. and Russia.

The U.S. has benefited from the surge in outbound Chinese travel. The National Travel and Tourism Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the roughly three million visitors from China accounted for 3.8% of total international visitors and 7.5% of overseas visitors (excluding Canada and Mexico) in 2018. The economic impact of these visitors comprised a disproportionate share of total travel exports (visitor spending in the U.S.); China's $34.6 billion is 13.5% of total travel exports and 16.3% of overseas travel exports.

International Travel to the U.S. by Country of Origin - 2018

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

The data for 2018 reflect a 5.7% decrease in the number of visitors and a 2.2% decline in travel exports from 2017 levels. Statistics for the year-to-date through October 2019 period indicate a similar decline. The recent drops in Chinese tourism have been widely attributed to the trade wars with China. Nevertheless, the current level of visitation is over ten times greater than the number of visitors from China in the early 2000s, as is illustrated by the following graph.

Total Arrivals to U.S. From China

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

In terms of spending, the 2018 total of $34.6 billion is almost 15 times the $2.3 billion total spending by Chinese visitors to the U.S. recorded in 2002.

Impact of SARS on Inbound Travel to the U.S. from China

The following table presents the number of Chinese travellers and total travel and tourism exports over the period from 2000 through 2005, illustrating the impact of the 2003 SARS pandemic on travel.

Chinese Tourism and Spending 2000 - 2005

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism  Photo: HVS

Concurrent with the SARS pandemic, the number of arrivals to the U.S. from China dropped by over 30%, or 69,000. By 2005, the volume of arrivals had surpassed the earlier peak, and the value of travel and tourism exports to China had increased by $1 billion over pre-SARS levels.

Impact of Zika Virus on Inbound Travel to the U.S. from Brazil

The following table illustrates the impact of the Zika virus on the number of Brazilian travelers and total travel and tourism exports over the period from 2013 through 2018, illustrating the impact of the Zika virus pandemic on travel.

Brazilian Tourism and Spending 2000-2005

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

Looking at the Zika virus pandemic, in 2016, the year of the outbreak, the number of arrivals to the U.S. from Brazil dropped by 22.6%. This is less dramatic than the 30.3% decline during SARS. Moreover, the Zika virus outbreak coincided with a downturn in the Brazilian economy, as evidenced by the Brazilian GDP, which fell by 3.6% and 3.4% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The economic challenges no doubt contributed to a decline in travel, and the limited recovery in total spending can also be at least partially attributed to this factor, as well.

Total Arrivals to U.S. from Brazil

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

Impact of Coronavirus on Travel

The full impact of the Coronavirus on international travel will depend on the extent of the pandemic and the duration of related travel restrictions. The response of the public, the "fear factor," will also influence the total impact, particularly with respect to the periods after the travel restrictions are lifted. Clearly, however, there is much more at stake than was the case in 2003. If the SARS impact were to be repeated, a 30% decrease in the number of visitors equates to 900,000 fewer travellers, and a 5% decrease in spending equates to $1.7 billion.

However, the profile of Chinese travellers to the U.S. has changed significantly in the intervening years. The following chart illustrates the breakdown of visitors by primary purpose of trip. To illustrate the traveller profile in the early 2000s, we have used data for 2005, the earliest year for which the detailed breakdown is available. The "Other" category includes health treatment, religious pilgrimages, and other reasons for visitation that are not depicted in the chart.

Main Purpose of Chinese Travel to U.S. - 2005

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

Main Purpose of Chinese Travel to U.S. - 2018

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

All segments will be affected during the period in which travel restrictions are in effect. How quickly each segment recovers once the restrictions have been lifted will likely differ, depending on the purpose of the trip. Business travellers are likely to be among the first to resume traveling, as the lull in travel will presumably make resuming their business activity a priority. The Vacation/Holiday category and the Visit Friends/Relatives category both reflect travel that is typically discretionary. As a result, the timing and pace of the recovery of these segments will likely be more influenced by the perspective of individual travellers. On a positive note, a significant proportion of the Vacation/Holiday segment comprises group tours, and the entities that run these tours can be expected to push to restore their businesses as soon as possible. Finally, the Education segment is the least likely to be affected, largely for reasons of logistics. Given the timing of the outbreak, it is reasonable to assume that most Chinese students attending U.S. schools were already here, and they are unlikely to return to China during the semester or even over the summer. Thus, unless the outbreak and restrictions continue until the fall semester, this segment will likely demonstrate minimal impact.

Turning to the question of economic impact, the outlook for the education sector suggests some good news. Although individuals traveling for education represented only 18.2% of total travellers in 2018, the value of their spending comprised over 43% of the total travel exports. To the extent that impact on the education sector is minor, so too would be the impact on the spending by these travellers. However, the remaining $19.7 billion in travel exports is generated by all other sources of travel (further breakdowns are not available) and would be vulnerable to impact on the segments that comprise this category.

Inbound Travel to the US from China: Visitors and Spending 2018

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

Just as certain segments may be more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic, certain regions of the U.S. are also more likely to be affected. The following graph illustrates the breakdown of visitors by regions visited. Some visitors' travel plans included multiple destinations, accounting for the total of greater than 100%.

2018 Inbound Chinese Travelers - Destination by Region

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office  Photo: HVS

While Chinese tourists visit all regions of the country, the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic regions are the most popular destinations. Within the Pacific region, most visitors indicated Los Angeles (23.4%) and San Francisco (14.1%) as their primary destination. New York City was cited as the destination by 24.5% of the 29.3% of visitors to the Mid-Atlantic region. Within the other regions, the major metropolitan areas were the primary destination, including Las Vegas (10.3% of the Mountain region), Boston (8.8% of the New England region) and Washington, D.C. (7.6% of the South Atlantic region).

Another factor that warrants consideration is the length of stay. Given the distance to the U.S. from China, most visitors plan a relatively long trip. According to a McKinsey & Company report entitled Chinese Tourists: Dispelling the Myths, published in September 2018, 55% of Chinese visitors stay eight to 13 days, and 21% stay for longer than 13 days. Based on the data, every visitor that does not travel to the U.S. due to the pandemic could equate to multiple room nights, exacerbating the impact on the hotel industry.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the impact of the Coronavirus on the global travel industry will depend on the course of the pandemic, the extent and duration of travel restrictions and, perhaps most significantly, the media's coverage of, and the traveling public's response to, these events. Clearly, the U.S. lodging industry and other sectors that benefit from travel and tourism will be negatively affected; some markets are already feeling this impact.

Over the longer term, however, the outlook is more optimistic. As is illustrated by travel patterns following prior pandemics, the volume of travel can recover relatively quickly. Moreover, China continues to be a significant source of tourism for the U.S., with the potential to generate substantially more visitors and economic impact than recorded in recent years. As the trade issues continue to be resolved, the U.S. can expect to participate in this expanding market.
Telco titans Vodafone and TPG have been given permission to merge after the Federal Court threw out a ruling by the ACCC.

The merger will create a $15billion mobile and broadband powerhouse after Justice John Middleton found in favour of the companies on Thursday.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission tried to stop the merger over concern it would prevent competition in the industry.

Telco titans Vodafone and TPG have been given permission to merge after the Federal Court threw out a ruling by the ACCC

The merger will create a $15billion mobile and broadband powerhouse after Justice John Middleton found in favour of the companies on Thursday

The ACCC had said a tie-up between the companies would discourage Vodafone, Australia's second-largest mobile phone company, from entering the internet market and discourage TPG from building a mobile phone network.

What the merger means for customers: WhistleOut's boss Joseph Hanlon said customers should see cheaper and better phone services as a result of the merger. The $15billion mobile and boradband powerhouse will be able to compete against industry giants Telstra and Optus, he said. 'This could result in them expanding Vodafone's mobile network further into regional areas and building a fast 5G network designed to compete head-to-head with the NBN,' he told the Geelong Advertiser. 'If nothing else, we should see really competitive pricing that will have consumers thinking twice before signing up with the other major providers.' Advertisement

Ahead of the merger plans, TPG announced it hoped to become the fourth player in mobile, going up against Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

TPG had planned to build a 4G mobile network to rival Vodafone's but scrapped it in 2018 due to economic and technical factors.

Justice Middleton said that as the 'moment had passed' for TPG to build a network, the merger would allow the combined company to better compete with Telstra and Optus.

'To leave Vodafone and TPG in its current state would not promote competition in the market,' Justice Middleton said.

Consumers could end up as the big winners in the merger, experts say, as phone and internet prices could be set to drop.

WhistleOut's boss Joseph Hanlon said the merger positioned the company to be more of a competitor.

'This could result in them expanding Vodafone's mobile network further into regional areas and building a fast 5G network designed to compete head-to-head with the NBN,' he told the Geelong Advertiser.

The merger is expected to be completed by the middle of the year. The ACCC has 28 days to lodge an appeal

'We see the Vodafone TPG merger paving the way for better, cheaper phone and internet services for all Aussies.'

However, ACCC chairman chairman Rod Sims said Australians had missed a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'.

He said there was clear evidence consumers pay more when markets are concentrated.

Vodafone's Australia boss Inaki Berroeta said they were keen to move forward and deliver the benefits to customers.

'We have ambitious 5G rollout plans and the more quickly the merger can proceed, the faster we can deliver better competitive outcomes for Australian consumers and businesses.'

The merger is expected to be completed by the middle of the year.

The ACCC has 28 days to lodge an appeal.
India's trade policy on pulses needs to be "consistent and transparent", the agriculture minister of a Canadian province said on Thursday.

Canada is one of the major suppliers of pulses to India.

"We recognise challenges lately with some import tariff. Any disturbance in policy will have a long-term impact. We should have a consistent and transparent trade policy," Davis Marit, the agriculture minister of Saskatchewan, the largest pulses growing province of Canada, said in his address at the fifth pulses conclave organised by Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) here.

Trade restrictions imposed by India on pulses imports has forced his province to explore other markets like China, Japan, the UAE and Bangladesh, Marit told reporters later.

IPGA Chairman Jitu Bheda also stressed on a "flexible" trade policy for pulses to deal with frequent short supplies of a particular variety and consequent price spurts.

He noted that such a situation cannot be ruled out as already has been experienced recently in the case of urad and moong.

Since 2017, quantitative restrictions have been imposed on some varieties of pulses like peas to contain imports and protect domestic farmers. The government is encouraging local farmers to grow more by ensuring a minimum support price and procurement.

India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses. The pulses production was 23.40 million tonne in 2018-19 crop year (July-June) against the annual demand of around 26 million tonne. The government has set a target 26 million tonnes for this year.

Canada has been one of the largest suppliers of pulses mainly lentils and yellow peas to India.

Marit said pulses export from Saskatchewan to India has been declining gradually since 2015 and has come down to 329 million Canadian dollar in 2019 calendar year from 1.5 billion Canadian dollar.

Besides other markets, Saskatchewan is looking at increasing pulses processing up to 50 per cent from the current level of 10 per cent, he said adding that there is demand for protein-rich commodities from other countries.

With a cut in India's pulses imports, the IPGA chairman mentioned that global suppliers must be facing difficulties but they have to live up to the changing trade balances.

"The fact remains that much of pulses production in India is rain fed and hence subject to weather vagaries. Frequent short supplies of pulses of a particular kind and consequent price spurts cannot be ruled out.We have already experienced this recently in case of urad and moong beans."



It is therefore important that "the government strikes a balance between farmers and consumers interest and actions are flexible enough to react to ground realities swiftly," he added.

The country's pulses imports have come down to 2-2.5 million tonnes now from a record level of 5.7 million tonnes in 2015-16 on substantial increase in domestic production, he said.

According Mumbai-based pulses importer Lalji Harjit and Sons Managing Director Navin Nandu, India still needs to depend on import of some pulses like pigeon peas (tur).

India imports around 700,000 tonnes of tur dal annually from Africa and Myanmar.

Experts also said India's trade policy should be kept open with some checks and balances in view of low per capita consumption of pulses at 14 kg and the production is still dependent on rainfed farming.

India largely imports pulses from Canada, Australia and African nations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Earlier, a passenger named Anita Oraon had also showed signs of fever during thermal scanning, Kolkata airport director Kaushik Bhattacharjee said.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar during a meeting of high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) to review the actions for prevention and management of novel coronavirus in New Delhi on Thursday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: One passenger on board SpiceJet Bangkok-Delhi flight was quarantined at Delhi while two passengers, who arrived at Kolkata from Bangkok, have been placed in isolation for suspected novel coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

On February 13, 2020, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-88 operating between Bangkok and Delhi was suspected of coronavirus infection. He was on seat no. 31F and was the only passenger in that row. The said passenger was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) after landing in Delhi, the SpiceJet said.

At Kolkata airport, a passenger named Himadri Barman was quarantined on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh on Wednesday, officials said. Both passengers were sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital, a Kolkata airport official said.

Earlier, a passenger named Anita Oraon had also showed signs of fever during thermal scanning, Kolkata airport director Kaushik Bhattacharjee said.

In India, three cases have been confirmed so far in Kerala while two Indian crew on board cruise ship Diamond Princess off the Japanese coast have tested positive for the COVID-19.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said PMO and health ministry are screening airport to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in India. He told the media that border areas are constantly monitored and screening facilities in airports are constantly being updated to deal with if new coronavirus cases arise. He said flights arriving from Bangkok, Singapore, Kula Lumpur and Hong Kong will be screened for coronavirus cases.

Dr Vardhan said that all 645 Indians, including 7 Maldivians, evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city are likely to be discharged once all of them test negative after a stay of 14 days.

India has extended support to the Maldives in testing samples and Bhutan in managing COVID-19. India has agreed to support Afghanistan in testing samples. India is also extending help to China by sending essential items for combating COVID2019 in China as per commitment of the Prime Minister, the minister said following a meeting of the group of ministers (GoM) on this issue.

He added that people are being screened for coronavirus at 21 airports, 12 major ports, 65 minor ports and at 6 land crossings and all states have been informed of guidelines and precautionary measures.

At the airports, a cumulative of 2,51,447 persons (2,315 flights) have been screened.

A total of 15,991 persons are being followed up for 28 days of which 3,058 have completed 28 days of observation period. As many as 497 suspect cases have been isolated.
Sensation gripped the Lucknow district and sessions court on Thursday when about 10 people attacked joint secretary of Lucknow Bar Association (LBA) Sanjeev Lodhi with crude bombs in broad daylight.

Besides Lodhi, three other lawyers were injured in the attack, police said.

The attackers, allegedly including some lawyers, hurled crude bombs on Lodhi outside his chamber and one of the bombs exploded, causing injuries to the four people, said the police.

Speaking on the incident, Lodhi blamed another lawyer for the attack. When I was standing outside my chamber, some people attacked me. Advocate Jitu Yadav

(LBA general secretary) and his group are behind this attack, Lodhi alleged.

The preliminary probe suggests that two groups of lawyers were at loggerheads and had a fresh dispute on Wednesday, said joint commissioner of police (JCP) Naveen Arora. He said, A crude bomb exploded. We have recovered some pieces of the exploded bomb. Sanjeev Lodhi has given a complaint against fellow lawyers and alleged that they were carrying weapons.

Arora said Lodhi admitted that he had a fresh dispute with a group of lawyers on Wednesday evening. We are investigating the case from all angles, he added. It seems to be the fallout of a dispute between two groups -- mainly two lawyers who are office-bearers of the bar association, he added.

The court has four gates, where door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) have been installed. I have been told that some people are not frisked on these doors. We will review the system, the JCP said.

LBA GEN SECY AMONG ACCUSED

On the complaint of Lodhi, police have booked Jitu Yadav (LBA general secretary), Annu Yadav, Azam, Sudhir Yadav, Ajaj, Dilip Singh and Ajay Yadav and 8-10 unidentified persons.

Additional DCP, west, Vikas Chandra Tripathi said, The accused have been booked for rioting, attempt to murder and violation of the Arms Act. We are searching for them. He added, We are looking into the dispute between these two groups. Police have also recovered two live crude bombs, he said.

SCUFFLE BEFORE ATTACK

Footage from CCTV cameras installed nearly 40 metres from the attack spot shows that Lodhi was standing outside his chamber amid the morning hustle and bustle. Suddenly 8-10 people, including a few wearing black (lawyers) coats, reached outside his chamber and there was a scuffle. Amid the scuffle, someone hurled a bomb and then the attackers are seen running away from the spot.

Meanwhile, Manan Mishra, chairman, Bar Council of India (BCI) said: I strongly condemn the incident. The culprits should be arrested soon. Its because of such incidents that the BCI has made a demand for enactment of Advocates Protection Act.
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has reportedly visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) eight times since assuming office back in 2014 and now it has attracted widespread speculation over the nature of these trips. According to international media reports, Ghani was also accompanied by his security chiefs including National Security Advisor, the head of National Directorate of Security (NDS) and the state minister on peace affairs, Abdul Salam Rahimi. The Presidential Palace has reportedly claimed that these frequent trips were aimed to further boost economic and political cooperation between the two countries.

The spokesperson for Ghani, Sediq Sediqqi told the media outlet that Afghanistan need to have very close relations with the UAE to enhance the business ties and find markets for their products. However, the head of Nahzat-e-Hambastagi Afghanistan party, Sayed Eshaq Gailani reportedly said that there is a possibility that the trips were made as part of some secretive discussions as it is certain that the trips bought nothing for Afghanistan.

READ: Rebuilding Afghanistan Has A High Human Cost, US Agency Says

UAE-Afghanistan relations

According to international media reports, UAE was one of the first governments that officially recognised the Taliban as the relations between the country and the Taliban have faced challenges following the killing of UAE diplomats in Kandahar city back in 2017. However, UAE as a member of Arab union that is geographically located in the Middle East is considerate to its neighbours and plays a significant role in matters concerning the International community as a whole in the region. UAE and Afghanistan relations have also been greatly influenced by the UAE foreign policy and there are bilateral relations between the two countries as well.

READ: Afghanistan: 3 Military Personnel Among 5 Dead In Kabul Suicide Blast, Several Injured

Since 2006, UAE has also played a more direct role in Afghanistan through its embassy in Kabul and due to Afghanistan's security situation, the UAE also has a military presence in the country in line with its policy of maintaining regional security and human dignity. Furthermore, UAE also provides humanitarian relief to Afghanistan's population by setting up hospitals, schools and religious centres all reportedly aimed at promoting human dignity. Recently, Ghani also attended the 10th World Urban Forum, in UAE as well.

H.E. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani attended the 10th World Urban Forum, which was organized and convened by UN-Habitat on February 9th in Abu Dhabi, UAE. pic.twitter.com/uNvFQpIG3O  Abdul Farid Zikria (@af_zikria) February 11, 2020

READ: Explosion Rocks Afghan Capital, No Word On Casualties

READ: US, Afghan Forces Come Under 'direct Fire' In Eastern Afghanistan: US Office
With rise in Omicron cases, SC to conduct hearings virtually for next two weeks

Can't allow every person who thinks of some solution to COVID-19 to file petition: SC

SC tells political parties to upload on website, why tickets were given to criminal candidates

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Supreme Court has directed all political parties to upload on their websites as to why candidates with criminal background were given tickets.

The reason for the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents should be uploaded on the websites of the political parties, the Supreme Court has directed.

The court further directed that the same information must also be put up on social media. Parties must adduce reasons for the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents. The parties must also justify why they could not select clean candidates.

Winnability cannot be the only justification, the court also held. Further, these details must also be given to the Election Commission of India and non-compliance of the same will attract contempt of court, the Supreme Court also said.

A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman, which on January 31 reserved its order on the plea, observed that the issue of penalising political parties or candidates for not disclosing criminal antecedents has to be dealt with carefully as serious allegations with "political overtones" are often being made against candidates.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench had unanimously held that all candidates will have to declare their criminal antecedents to the Election Commission before contesting polls and called for wider publicity, through print and electronic media about antecedents of candidates.

It had left it to Parliament to "cure the malignancy" of criminalisation of politics by making a law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter the political arena as the "polluted stream of politics" needs to be cleansed.

During the hearing on the contempt plea, the EC had told the court that increase in the number of MPs having pending criminal cases was "disturbing" and as per the statistics, there were 43 per cent MPs in Parliament who have criminal cases against them.

The poll panel had agreed with the suggestions of senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing BJP leader and petitioner Ashiwini Upadhyay, including that all political parties should mandatorily upload on their website details of candidates with criminal antecedents along with the reasons as to why those without any criminal record could not be selected.

However, the EC had said it was not agreeable to the suggestion regarding penalising the political party or its candidates under Article 324 of the Constitution for their failure to disclose criminal antecedents, as it does not have this power.

The Election Commission has also agreed with the suggestion that political parties may be asked to furnish details on its website regarding criminal antecedents of candidates and give reasons as to why he or she has been given the ticket.

On March 29 last year, the Supreme Court had sought response from the Centre and the EC on Upadhaya''s plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings for alleged violation of its judgment, directing all candidates to declare their criminal antecedents to the poll panel before contesting elections.

On October 10, 2018, the EC had issued a notification regarding the amended Form-26 and directions to political parties and candidates for publication of criminal antecedents.

However, the plea filed by Upadhyay alleged that the EC neither amended the Election Symbol Order, 1968 nor the model code of conduct (MCC) so the said notification has no legal sanction
Has it become a habit? When the Luxembourg government announces a budget for infrastructure, it often ends up revising costs upwards.

The numbers would seem to indicate that Luxembourg systematically exceed the budgets allocated to the projects it intends to carry out.

A striking example is that of the northern motorway, known as the Nordstrooss. The idea materialised in 2015, some 48 years after the signing of the agreement in principle. The budget for this project has steadily increased since and continues to weigh on taxpayers' shoulders today. Initially allocated a budget of 370 million euros, the motorway project's cost has increased by 78%, standing at 655 million euros.

A few hundred million euros cheaper (but still over budget), is the construction of the European Court of Justice in Kirchberg. The budget originally planned for the project was 343 million euros, which has since increased by 30% to 410 million euros. However, the government has stated it intends to collect rent from the Court of Justice.

The A13 motorway, known as the Saar motorway, is another example. The initial budget was set at 243 million euros, but later ballooned to 326 million euros, a 34% increase. The budget also covered a ramp which has never been opened to motorists.

The ballooning budgets are not just restricted to roads, however. The Coque sporting centre in Kirchberg was renovated for a total cost of over 100 million euros, when it was estimated to cost just 62 million; and Luxembourg's biggest sporting project, the new national stadium, is estimated to cost 20 million euros more than initial budgets. Not only is it expected to cost 80 million euros to complete, it has also been delayed by over a year.

When interviewed by RTL television, Minister Francois Bausch explained that prior to the reform of budgetary law, only summary preliminary drafts were tabled, without studying details. This meant it was easy for projects to be approved based on low estimates. Since the 1999 reform, ministers must now offer detailed outlines for projects. However, this has not prevented budget overruns since then...
TODAYS WORD is calvary. Example: Alford faced his own personal calvary after Eunice told him she wanted a divorce.

WEDNESDAYS WORD was commiserate. It means to share in another's sorrow or disappointment. Example: Outwardly Beatrice commiserated with Lauren over the disappointment of not being named bridge club president, but inwardly she was delighted, because she felt Lauren was too much of a show-off as it was.

The Broom Challenge

Have you been wondering why you have been seeing so many pictures of brooms on people's social media sites lately?

It's all in response to the Broom Challenge hoax, which took the internet by storm this past week.

It all happened based on a fake claim spread on social media that NASA said on one specific date, Feb. 10, the earth's gravitational pull on the vernal equinox would make it possible for a broom to stand upright on its bristles. People everywhere stood their brooms on end Monday, then posted pictures of them on social media.

It can be done at any day. A broom stands up because the spread of bristles provides a wide base, and the center of gravity is low, allowing the balance on the bristles to hold up the broom.

Women veterans

The second annual Southwest Virginia Women Veterans Appreciation Day will be held on March 14, at the Salem VA Medical Center Auditorium, 1970 Roanoke Blvd., Salem. It's open to new and enrolled female veterans in this region, including the Martinsville-Henry and Stuart-Patrick areas.

Sign-in is at 9:30 a.m., and a program followed by lunch will from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will feature an open house, resources and guest speakers. To attend, RSVP to 540-982-2463 by Feb. 28.

The event is hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Va. Department of Veterans Services.

WEDNESDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: An 1895 poem published in The Advertiser hails Bob the Railway dog: "Let other dogs snarl and fight, And round the city prowl, Or render hideous the night With unmelodious howl; I have a cheery bark for all, No ties my travels clog; I hear the whistle, that's the call - For Bob, the driver's dog." Bob, a long-haired dog, perhaps a German Coolie crossed with a Smithfield or a bearded collie, traveled the South Australian Railways system between 1878 and 1895. He was quite popular, and he wore a collar (purchased by a train passenger) that read "Stop me not, but let me jog, for I am Bob, the drivers' dog." That collar is now on display in the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, and a statue in his likeness is in Peterborough.

TODAYS TRIVIA QUESTION: Australia had popular wandering dogs Red Dog and Bob, but America had Owney. Why was Owney popular (his preserved body is on display in a museum in Washington, D.C.)?

The Stroller appreciates readers calling or emailing to share jokes, stories, comments, Words of the Day and trivia questions. Were at 276-638-8801 ext. 243 and stroller@martinsvillebulletin.com.
New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order in a petition filed by one of the four convicts, Vinay Sharma, in the 2012 Delhi gang rape challenging the rejection of his mercy plea by the President.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and AS Bopanna will pronounce its verdict for 2pm on Friday.

Vinay Sharma claimed in his petition that he developed mental illness due to the brutal physical and mental torture during incarceration.

Given the brutal forms of physical and mental torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment that the petitioner suffered during his incarceration, he developed mental illness which also led him to attempt suicide and inflict self-harm on several occasions, the petition stated.

The plea also pointed out the economic condition of Sharmas family and other relevant material, which may not have been considered by the President.

Besides the above, Sharma also said that there was a bias and non-application of mind by the council of ministers of Central and Delhi government, while advising the Lieutenant Governor and President respectively for dealing with his mercy plea.

He, therefore, sought commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government, said that the mercy petition was rejected after taking into account all relevant documents and material.

On the submission concerning mental illness, Mehta said that Sharma was checked regularly by doctors and he has been found to be medically fit.

These are regular checkups. All prisoners are checked. As per his latest medical report, he is medically fit, said Mehta.

Vinay Sharmas mercy plea had been rejected by the President on February 1. His curative petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court on January 14.

The four convicts  Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur  were convicted for the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old para-medic student in a moving bus in Delhi and were sentenced to death by the trial court in 2013.

Their conviction and sentence were confirmed by the Delhi high court in 2014 and the Supreme Court in May 2017. Subsequently, the review petitions filed by three convicts  Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma  against the Supreme Court judgment were dismissed in 2018 and the review petition by Akshay was dismissed in December 2019.

While three of the four convicts have exhausted all their remedies, one of them Pawan Gupta is yet to file his curative and mercy petitions.

The Supreme Court on Friday will also hear a plea by Central and Delhi governments seeking hanging of those convicts who have exhausted their legal remedies. The court on Thursday issued notices to the four convicts in the matter and also asked senior counsel Anjana Prakash to assist the court as Amicus Curiae in the case of Pawan Gupta.

The Delhi high court had on February 5 ruled that all death row convicts in a given case should be executed together.

Meanwhile, the plea by Tihar jail authorities seeking a fresh date for execution of death warrant was adjourned by the additional sessions court for Monday.
They are a staple of any college campus: leaflets, posters and stickers promoting clubs, meetings and parties.

From afar, they look innocuous  and most are. But upon closer inspection, a growing number are promoting white supremacist propaganda such as America Is Not for Sale, One Nation Against Invasion and Reclaim America.

The distribution of such propaganda on college and university campuses nearly doubled last year, to 630 reported incidents from 320 in 2018, the Anti-Defamation League documented in a report released Wednesday. There were 410 reported incidents in the fall semester, it said, more than double any previous college term since the organization began its tally in 2016.

The Anti-Defamation League attributed part of the increase to greater vigilance from those reporting the propaganda.

This is all about optics and entry points to a broader white supremacist movement, said Oren Segal, vice president of the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism. We need to understand that there is a connection, ideologically, from a piece of propaganda on these campuses to an attack in our communities.

The proliferation of propaganda can be traced to the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 that turned deadly when a man drove into a crowd of counterprotesters, said Brian Levin, the director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

After Charlottesville, white supremacist organizations were left reeling and splintered organizationally by adverse publicity, doxxing and legal woes, Levin said. He added, Pamphlets and stickers represent the biggest little bang for the buck, enabling them to stir the pot somewhat, but with little risk of arrest.

While a few alt-right groups still publicly protest, he said, most have increased their internet activity; others have shifted underground, using smaller encrypted online platforms.

Levin said the propaganda intertwined hard-core racism with wedge issues like immigration to appeal to disenfranchised white people, particularly on school campuses.

The Anti-Defamation League data shows that white supremacist propaganda is growing across the country, not only on college campuses. A total of 2,713 cases, an average of more than seven per day, were reported nationwide last year, compared with 1,214 in 2018. The highest activity was reported in California, Texas and New York. But every state except Hawaii reported at least one incident.

Two-thirds of the incidents were attributed to the Texas-based Patriot Front, whose missives  like Not Stolen Conquered  are dressed up in red, white and blue and reflect the belief that their ancestors conquered America and granted it to them alone. The Patriot Front, the American Identity Movement and the New Jersey European Heritage Association were responsible for approximately 90% of the activity, the report said.

Over a 48-hour span in Chicago in late September and early October, the Patriot Front barraged Wilbur Wright College, Moody Bible Institute and Northeastern Illinois University with messages, according to the Anti-Defamation Leagues data.

In some ways, its one of the most basic forms of spreading hateful narratives and spreading anxiety in communities, said Segal of the Anti-Defamation League. Fundamentally, these are violent extremist movements. Thats why we feel that its important to document this. The stakes are too high.

The FBI director, Christopher Wray, told the House Judiciary Committee last week that violent extremists motivated by race were now considered a national threat priority equivalent to foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS.

Extremist groups are doubling down to amplify their public activities, which are happening less frequently, Segal said. A flyer posted on an online forum can resonate with some people, he said, motivating them to post physical propaganda in their community that spreads hateful narratives and anxiety.

Their ideas are seeping in, he said.
The octogenarian artist Ben Sakoguchi was only three years old when he was separated from his parents who were incarcerated during World War II at Poston War Relocation Center, a Japanese-American concentration camp in Arizona. This month, Ortuzar Projects in New York has mounted an unprecedented exhibition of his paintings. The show includes early work from the 1960s along with selected pieces from Sakoguchis Orange Crate Label series from the 70s and 80s that have a Raymond Pettibon-esque punk-rock quality to them. Most astounding, though, is a group painting called Towers (2014) that depicts scenes of various Japanese-American concentration camps, as well as a group portrait of residents of Postons Block 13 that includes Sakoguchi as a little boy in the front row. Sakoguchi said he only began painting the camps after the death of his parents, who had struggled to regain their life after the war; his mother had returned to their grocery store in San Bernardino with $1,000 she had hidden in her belt throughout her imprisonment. The painting has a surreal quality that is both devastating and matter-of-fact. Ben Sakoguchi: Made in U.S.A. is on view through April 4 at Ortuzar Projects, 9 White Street, New York, ortuzarprojects.com.

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- A bunch of primary school kids instantly became internet sensations after pushing their friend to greatness

- The children realised their classmate kept missing classes and felt the need to take action

-They decided to fetch their pal, carry him on their shoulders and take him to school forcefully

For many people, education remains one of the most important tools to navigate life. This explains why a lot of people go through a lot to see their kids finish school.

A young boy in Nigeria went viral online following his refusal to attend classes even after his father had paid his school fees.

READ ALSO: Gorgeous gospel artiste Alice Kimanzi, husband expecting first child

With a frown on his face, the reluctant learner headed to school atop his classmates' shoulders. Photo: Chukwunonso Peter

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Gavana Alfred Mutua aondoka mapema katika mazishi ya Moi ili kumtembelea Tuju hospitalini

However, the primary school pupil did not quite escape class as his classmates were not about to fold their hands and let him throw his future away.

Dressed in full school uniform, they stormed the little boy's home and fetched their mate.

READ ALSO: Julie Gichuru tells women to give men roses, gifts on Valentine's for a change

In pictures shared on Facebook, the boy was seen with a scowl on his face which contrasted the cheerful looks on the faces of his classmates.

The blissful kids happily dragged him to school as they carried him shoulder high.

They walked in a large group and made sure their friend did not escape their grip.

The photos were shared by a Nigerian man identified as Chukwunonso Peter.

Netizens chuckled as they gave a thumbs up to the act of tough love.

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.

The man who was raped by University of Nairobi students | Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Christina Koch wanted to end her record-setting 328 days in space with a walk on the beach.

It was a motivator after landing in Kazakhstan Feb. 6 as her body became reacquainted with Earths gravity: her neck getting used to the weight of her head, her body regaining balance after not needing any in microgravity.

But even after making the longest single spaceflight by any woman, she had been spared the motion sickness that other astronauts describe upon returning to Earth, and on Sunday she took that walk on the beach.

Such short-term effects are just one thing NASA will scrutinize now that Koch has returned from the International Space Station. How her body has responded to her nearly one-year stay in space could prove more useful as the agency prepares to take Americans to the moon and then Mars. The majority of data available is on male astronauts.

On HoustonChronicle.com: NASA Astronaut Christina Koch will make the longest female spaceflight in history, at 328 days

It is certainly a very exciting time to be part of the NASA family when we are looking to go back to the moon, Koch said Wednesday during a news conference. To go in a different way. To go to stay.

Kochs stay on the International Space Station, where she orbited her home planet 5,248 times and participated in six spacewalks, including the first three all-woman spacewalks, was the second-longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut behind Scott Kellys 340 days.

Biomedical data from Kochs extended-duration studies, including studies of the immune system and of the relationship among emotions, mood, stress and eating during spaceflight, will be combined with data from studies with Kelly and Peggy Whitson (who has a cumulative 665 days in space and previously held the longest spaceflight mission for a woman with 288 days) to better understand astronaut adaptability over long periods in space. The data can also help develop countermeasures to keep crew members healthy when in space for longer trips to the moon and Mars.

Its important to conduct research with men and women because some studies, including one led by NASA researcher Steven Platts, have found differences in how their bodies react. Women are more likely than men to experience faintness as a result of orthostatic hypotension, a cardiovascular issue. And men appear more prone to vision changes caused by spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome, according to a previous NASA news release.

As for the mental aspects of being in space for nearly one year, Koch said she focused on the unique aspects of my life that one day I would just wish I could have back instead of what she was missing at home.

She said it took about three months for the International Space Station to start feeling like home. To get used to not using a cup when drinking water and to floating.

I kind of forgot I was floating until a new crew would come and they would be so excited about floating, Koch said.

Koch said she was happy to return home to LBD, which stands for Little Brown Dog, and lots of chips and salsa, a food she previously told the Associated Press shed been craving.

Koch is a native of Michigan and grew up in Jacksonville, N.C. She most recently resided in Livingston, Mont., and is married to Robert Koch.

NASA selected her as an astronaut in 2013, and she completed astronaut candidate training in July 2015. Koch has earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Master of Science in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.

On HoustonChronicle.com: GAO warns SpaceX, Boeing launch schedule will affect Space Station staffing

Prior to becoming an astronaut, Koch helped develop instruments used to study space and participated in remote scientific field work in Antarctica, Greenland and other areas.

As for her new space records, Koch hopes they will quickly be exceeded by other women. And she encouraged girls to follow their dreams and passions, especially if they seem scary, as those will be most fulfilling and have the greatest impact on the world.

Do what scares you, Koch said. Do the things that might feel like theyre just out of your reach.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

Twitter.com/a_leinfelder
When Cyril Ramaphosa took office as South African president two years ago, the media coined the term "Ramaphoria" to describe the giddy expectations he had stoked.

Those heady days now seem firmly in the past.

Ramaphosa, 67, has been praised for turning the page on the scandal-tainted era of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma.

But many South Africans are frustrated, disenchanted or angry that his rhetoric of a "new dawn" in a country bedevilled by joblessness, inequality and crime has fallen so far short.

"We have all been disappointed... at the performance of the president over the past two years," said Dawie Roodt, chief economist at the consultancy firm Efficient Group.

"We are worse off because we are poorer than two years ago in terms of per capita GDP," he said.

"But we do not have the same levels of incompetence and corruption that we experienced under Zuma."

Ramaphosa was a trade union leader who played a key role in the apartheid struggle.

After it, he became a hugely wealthy businessman but kept his political contacts bright, and at one point was seen as being groomed to succeed Nelson Mandela.

Instead he became vice president, a largely low-profile role that he held until he landed the top job in February 2018.

That came after an internal wrangle in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) saw Zuma, stained by years of corruption allegations, forced to resign.

Fifteen months later, Ramaphosa won a popular mandate in elections where the ANC suffered its worst result since apartheid was overturned a quarter of a century earlier.

The party's electoral support dropped below the psychologically significant mark of 60 percent, falling to 57.5 percent.

Economic headache

The slump reflects the failure of Ramaphosa's reform plans to deliver the jobs and sunnier life that he promised.

In short order, his presidency has had to battle escalating electricity outages, rising unemployment -- now at 29.1 percent and the highest in 11 years -- and a national airline struggling to stay afloat.

"It is quite clear that he is facing a much bigger challenge... than had been expected," said Nedbank economist Isaac Matshego.

Ramaphosa's leadership style is now under cold scrutiny.

Sifiso Skenjana, chief economist at a management consulting firm, IQ Business, said Ramaphosa was having to navigate the "political complexity" of a divided ANC.

"He has tended to try to be inclusive and as a result he has come under a lot of criticism for having some level of indecision."

The head of the opposition Democratic Alliance, John Steenhuisen, acidly described Ramaphosa as "stuck in his own quicksand of warring factions and crippling indecisiveness. The incapable head of an incapable state".

Julius Malema, leader of the firebrand opposition the Economic Freedom Fighters, asked: "What is that Cyril has done since we removed Zuma... except him becoming president?"

"Ramaphosa is certainly not a disaster but he is really a disappointment," said Roodt.

"He is a weak president," he said. "His personality is not a very strong leader because he doesnt take decisions, he is always waiting for somebody to tell him what to do."

Ramaphosa will make a state-of-the-nation address on Thursday in which he is likely to admit to the country's problems but also emphasise the positive.

"We believe we have laid a very good foundation and a basis for our country to move forward," he said last week when asked to rate his performance.

He urged the need "to look forward so that we are not beaten down by the moment that we are in."

Expectations that Thursday's speech will deliver more of the same have met with scorn in some quarters.

"Why should we waste more time on listening to Ramaphosa's empty promises on Thursday when it is clear that things in SA are only getting worse?" asked Johannesburg's former mayor Herman Mashaba.

Still supported

Despite his problems, Ramaphosa still enjoys public backing.

"Cyril Ramaphosa is 100 percent better than Jacob Zuma because he is not corrupt, is educated, and is skilled," said a Johannesburg entrepreneur, Rowan Williams, 37.

"He has also said quite a lot about creating a business friendly environment in South Africa, to attract investment and create jobs. These are steps in the right direction."

"I voted for him last year and I still love him because he is honest," said a woman who sold sweets at a street corner in Johannesburg's opulent suburb of Rosebank.

"While my life has not improved over the last two years, I still feel he is a better president than the one we had before."
The Australian Greens have announced plans to tax property owners who leave shopfronts empty in a move they claim could raise $150million a year.

The party hopes the levy will encourage owners to drop rents by charging them a percentage of the value of their premises when their property has been vacant for more than six months.

The party will push the vacancy levy in the lead-up to Brisbane's March 28 council election.

Brisbane's only Greens councillor, Jonathan Sri, told the Courier Mail: 'If developers don't like that, too bad.'

The Greens announced plans to tax property owners with empty shopfronts. Brisbane councillor Jonathan Sri (pictured) said the move will revitalise local shopping areas and lead to a drop in rents

The councillor for the Gabba Ward said the levy would apply to homes, shops and undeveloped blocks and help revitalise local suburban shopping strips.

The levy would be based on a policy already implemented in Melbourne and would include necessary exemptions.

Property owners would not have to pay if they had temporarily moved overseas or if the property was part of deceased estate and the subject of a legal dispute.

Councillor Sri said he was certain that the policy would have a positive impact on community members and put pressure on business owners.

'If they don't want to pay the vacancy levy, it's pretty simple  get a tenant in, or sell the property to someone who'll actually use it,' he said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14)  President Rodrigo Duterte appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin as the new chairperson of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

He was also named as a member of the Board of Trustees of the GSIS.

"We are confident that Mr. Bersamin would serve the GSIS with the same dedication and integrity he demonstrated in his many years of government service," Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

He will replace Ronald Macasaet, who acted as officer-in-charge of GSIS.

In October last year, Bersamin retired from his post after spending a decade at the Supreme Court.

Bersamin finished his law degree at the University of the East in 1973. Right after law school, he took the bar examinations on the same year wherein he placed 9th overall.

He also served as a judge in Branch 96 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court from 1986. In 2003, he was appointed associate justice at the Court of Appeals and was promoted to the Supreme Court in 2009.
The Commons sleaze watchdog has been urged to investigate Boris Johnsons luxury Caribbean new year holiday, as it emerged that he may have taken advantage of a timeshare-style arrangement.

Labour called on the parliamentary commissioner for standards to step in after the prime minister registered the holiday as a 15,000 gift from a Tory donor  only for the donor to deny stumping up any money.

David Ross, who co-founded the Carphone Warehouse chain, then sought to clarify the gift as a benefit in kind because he had facilitated accommodation for Mr Johnson and his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds.

A government source suggested that the businessman had been due to occupy the villa on the island of Mustique but then agreed to make it available for their 10-day stay.

Until his declaration in the Commons register, it was assumed that Mr Johnson, who previously earned as much as 275,000 a year for his newspaper columns, had paid for the holiday himself.

No 10 brushed off questions about why the prime minister had not simply reimbursed Mr Ross and avoided the controversy altogether.

Jon Trickett, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, said the public had a right to know whether the prime minister could knowingly make a false entry into the register.

Transparency is crucial to ensuring the public have confidence that elected members of this house have not been unduly influenced by any donations or gifts that they may receive, his letter to the commissioner said.

For this reason, I request that you investigate whether the prime minister has followed all transparency requirements when registering the donation.

Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government  and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty

Mr Johnsons spokesperson said: The relevant transparency requirements have been met as set out in the register of financial interests. This is a benefit in kind from David Ross.

The Cabinet Office are aware of the declaration and are content that it is appropriate.

A No 10 source argued that Labours protest was out of date after the second statement from Mr Ross, who worked with Mr Johnson in his time as London mayor.

Mr Ross was forced to quit as deputy chair of Carphone Warehouse, and from his City Hall role, after failing to disclose that he had used his shares in the business as security for a multi-million-pound loan.

A former tax exile and friend of David Cameron, with a fortune estimated at 1bn, Mr Ross has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Conservative Party.

Mr Johnsons holiday had already attracted criticism because it broke with the practice of his two Tory predecessors, Theresa May and Mr Cameron, who shunned luxury breaks in favour of trips of a more modest nature in the UK and Europe.

Labour accused him of sunning himself and drinking vodka martinis instead of returning home to deal with the crisis over the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani after Christmas, when Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, was left to chair three emergency meetings.
David Yrastorza, a dermatologist who runs his own practice, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts in Lakeland, Florida, at the Youkey Theatre at the RP Funding Center, on Feb. 12, 2020. (NTD Television)

LAKELAND, Fla.Gratitude and happiness beamed from theatergoers in the small county of Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday night thanks to Shen Yun Performing Arts, a New York-based classical Chinese dance company with a grand reputation that graced the stage at the RP Funding Centers Youkey Theatre.

Dermatologist David Yrastorza, owner of Dermatology Associates of Central Florida and formerly on the Board of Directors for the Florida Society for Dermatology, expressed how he felt being able to see Shen Yun without having to travel to a place like New York.

I think its great. Lakeland is a small Florida county so its nice to have an international flavor to it, he said on Feb. 12, 2020.

[Shen Yun] is surprisingly graceful and colorful and the music is very elegant, Yrastorza continued, adding that the movement of the performers combined with the costumes and the music are the elements that came together the most in his eyes to achieve such grace and elegance onstage.

Shen Yuns mission is to revive ancient Chinas traditions and cultural treasures that were once lost and share them with the modern world. Since time immemorial, China has had an essence that was deeply spiritual, and Shen Yun carries on this tradition by incorporating stories of ancient legends, celestial realms, and tales of the Creators eventual return to earth. Its roughly 20 short vignettes sometimes depict followers of different spiritual disciplines such as Buddism, Daoism, and Falun Dafa, an ancient meditation practice that teaches moral principles, a practice thats popular today in China and around the world.

Yrastorza enjoyed Shen Yuns spiritual components and choices of themes and stories.

I think its nice, he said, Its very interesting to hear the perspective from a different culture and its actually refreshing to hear the moral lessons behind the traditionalism.  Theyre espousing things that they believe in, that they think are important to their way of life, to their philosophy, so its nice to hear that.

Shen Yun cannot perform in China today due to the Chinese Communist Partys decades-long campaign to wipe out traditional Chinese culture, including its all-important spiritual practices. Shen Yuns performances portray the true-to-life persecution now happening in China and the way spiritual believers are facing it peacefully with compassion and faith.

Yrastorza appreciated these scenes in the show and saw parallels to other events and cultures throughout history, pointing out that such dark moments can even have a silver lining.

Its a story thats played out over and over throughout history, in many different cultures. And people having to sacrifice what they  you know, for having a core belief in what they believe in, sometimes by the oppressive nature of the society that theyre living in. So it tends to strengthen the core of who they are. So its a common theme that weve seen in many different cultures and I think thats one of the reasons it resonates.

In the end, the Florida doctor encouraged Shen Yuns artists in their noble mission, saying I think its great. Im all for itrefreshing.

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.
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The spa resort of Tskaltubo in Georgia - once known as the Riviera of the Soviet Union - is awash with unique sights.

One of the most amazing according to Radio Free Europe photographer Amos Chapple, who visited for three days at the end of January, is that of 'old ladies shuffling slowly through grand, crumbling atriums with crystal chandeliers'.

Such spectacles have come about because ethnic Georgian refugees from the 1992-3 conflict in Abkhazia  around 9,000 of them  have been housed in several of the town's state-owned sanatoriums.

Mr Chapple, writing on rferl.org, says this picture shows a resident of the Stalin-era 'Metallurgy' sanatorium, once reserved for the Soviet Unions metal workers. It now houses families from Abkhazia

Decay: An abandoned theatre in one of Tskaltubos Stalin-era sanatoriums

Madonna Mushkudiani (pictured with her granddaughter) has lived in a Tskaltubo sanatorium since fleeing Abkhazia in the 1990s, says Mr Chapple

New Zealander Mr Chapple, who took a set of fascinating photographs during his visit, told MailOnline Travel that the town contains a mixture of working spas and sanatoriums in various states of decay.

Some are completely abandoned.

He said: 'In the fully abandoned sanatoriums it's a very sad atmosphere. Georgia was hit harder than most of the republics in the wake of the Soviet collapse, so it's an illustration of a country that's really yet to find its feet economically.

'In the sanatoriums where people still lived, it's really something amazing. To see little old ladies shuffle slowly through grand, crumbling atriums with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling is about as close as you can get to a real-life [Charles Dickens] Miss Havisham scene. It's a visual aesthetic that is probably unique to that one little town in Georgia.'

Parts of Tskaltubo resemble the set of a post-apocalyptic movie, says Mr Chapple

Mr Chapple explained that two of the spas in the town are still working and in 'beautiful condition'

The crumbling Hotel Sakartvelo, which is partly occupied by refugee families, according to Mr Chapple

In its glory days, this was a beautiful sanatorium swimming pool. Now, it's an eerie ruin

Creepy: Mother Nature is beginning to reclaim this abandoned spa

According to Mr Chapple, Stalin had a soak in this private bath in 1951

Mr Chapple was drawn to Tskaltubo after hearing news that Georgia's richest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, plans to purchase and renovate its spas and sanatoriums

This Stalin-era theatre was once reserved for the Soviet Defense Ministry, said Mr Chapple

According to Mr Chapple, the statue on the left depicts 'dancing communist pioneer children'. Pictured right is the ruined perimeter wall of an abandoned spa

He continues: 'In the occupied sanatoriums the inside of people's apartments - I saw inside two - were very cosy. When you step inside there are TVs on, cosy furniture, everything you'd see in a middle-class apartment in the capital, Tbilisi.

'The interior of the people's apartments that I saw bore no resemblance to the crumbling old corridors and facades of the buildings that housed them.'

Mr Chapple explained that two of the spas in the town are still working and in 'beautiful condition' and that he 'took a stinking, hot mud bath in one of them'.

He added that he spent two nights in one of the Soviet-era hotels, but said it's 'a lonely-feeling place, especially in winter'.

Two visitors indulge in a little 'me time' at one of the town's operational spas

A general view of Tskaltubo, pictured by Mr Chapple during his three-day January visit

A frieze of Stalin in one of the town's bathhouses. It used to be part of the Soviet Union's 'Riviera'

Here residents have made good use of the gigantic hole in the decaying edifice

One of the spa pools during the town's heyday (left). Pictured right is Bidzina Ivanishvili, who wants to refurbish Tskaltubo's spas and sanatoriums

The photographer was drawn to the town after hearing news that Georgia's richest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, a business tycoon and leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, plans to purchase and renovate Tskaltubo's spas and sanatoriums - and build new homes for the refugees that had settled in them.

The proposal has been welcomed by many of the refugees, but derided, Mr Chapple says, as a land grab by others.

Former president Mikheil Saakashvili, reported Georgia Today, said on his Facebook page: 'There has never been such a large-scale robbery in the history of Georgia by any of its invaders.'

Mr Chapple said: 'I had seen photographs of the place floating around online, but it was more a subject for bloggers and travel photographers. I had always wanted to go, but there was never enough of an excuse to go there as a photojournalist. Then when Georgia's wealthiest man announced he would buy up the sanatoriums and spas, and all kinds of discussion broke out around that, I knew there was a good reason to go.'
Mr Allan Atsu, a Ghanaian resident in Canada has called for the crafting of a made-in Ghana Political System by the National House of Chiefs (NHCs) to abolish party politics and ensure harmony among Ghanaians.



He said: Its essential that we abolish the disastrous party politics that was dumped on us, and craft a made-in Ghana Political System that embodies our Ghanaian values of fairness, justice, and equality among all our peoples.



He said: We are fortunate to have a non-partisan institution, the NHCs. Traditionally, our Kings and Chiefs are the custodians of the land and its people. The NHCs is well suited to spearhead crafting a made-in-Ghana Political System that will ensure unity among all Ghanaians.



Mr Atsu, who hinted the formation of Council For Political Reform in the country soon, made the call in a statement submitted to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.



He also suggested for the autonomy of the nine original regions of the country and that the move would unify Ghana and set the stage for a United States of Africa.



Mr Atsu urged Ghanaians to write to their Members of Parliament and the NHCs to demand for the regional autonomy for the original nine regions and the made-in Ghana Political System to help abolish party politics.



I submit that the original nine regions be maintained and made autonomous. Each region controls its natural resources. An agreed percentage of resource revenues from each region be allocated to the National Government into a transfer payment cache to be distributed to resource poor Regions.



Each region will have control over education, health, roads, policing, economic development, among others.

Each region is thus empowered to generate revenue from taxation and to prioritise its development goals.



Mr Atsu said the country would benefit tremendously if the regional autonomy was enshrined in the Ghanas Constitution, adding; It will minimise the risk of putting all our economic eggs in one basket under the control of the Office of the President.



It will also eliminate the type of desperation that engenders separatist tendencies as evidenced by the November 16, 2019 Western Togoland Independence Declaration.



Mr Atsu said the judicial system, which was acquired from the British should also be tempered with the Ghanaian traditional values and that in an address to the British Parliament on February 2, 1835, Lord Macaulay had the following to say.



I have traveled across the length and breadth of Africa and have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief; such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such caliber, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage and therefore I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Africans think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native culture, and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.



Mr Atsu called on Africans to take pride in their superior culture, moral values, and ancient educational system to regain their self-esteem, adding that; We Africans, cannot demand respect, we cannot expect respect from others, we must earn it.

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.

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The weeklong campaigning for Iran's parliamentary elections kicked off with more than 7,000 candidates vying for the 290 seats in the legislature, state TV reported on February 13.



The February 21 elections are widely seen as a contest between hard-liners and conservatives after most pro-reform and moderate candidates were disqualified.



The vote will also be a test of the popularity of President Hassan Rohani, a relative moderate who has struggled to deliver on promises to improve people's lives under crippling U.S. economic sanctions.



But experts say rising public dissatisfaction over Iran's faltering economy and the absence of a transparent and fair election process are likely to dampen voter turnout.



Rohani has criticized the Guardians Council, a hard-line body which vets all candidates, after it disqualified thousands of people who had registered to run, including 90 current lawmakers.



But the president used a speech marking the 41st anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution earlier this week to urge Iranians "not to be passive" in the polls despite "possible complaints and criticism."

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also called for a high turnout, saying that voting was an act of patriotism at a time of heightened tensions with the United States.

"Someone may not like me personally, but if they love Iran, they must go to the ballot box," Khamenei said in a speech on February 5.



When officials announced gasoline rationing and price hikes in November, anti-government protests erupted in more than 100 Iranian cities and turned violent before security forces put them down.



Last month, the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane by Iran's air defenses led to days of protests in Iranian cities, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Irans clerical leadership.



The plane disaster followed the killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, in a U.S. air strike in Baghdad in early January. In response, Tehran launched missile strikes on two bases hosting U.S. troops in Iraq.



Tensions have soared between Iran and the United States since Washington in 2018 pulled out of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran. Tehran has gradually stepped back from its own commitments under the 2015 deal and has said it no longer considers itself bound by the pact.



Experts predict Iran's hard-liners will dominate the next legislature following elections in which reformists say 90 percent of their candidates have been barred from running.



In the 2016 vote, a bloc of reformists and moderate conservatives won 41 percent of the 290 parliamentary seats. Hard-liners won 29 percent and independents took 28 percent.



Among the high-profile candidates in the upcoming polls that are running are Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the conservative former mayor of Tehran, and Masud Pezeshkian, among the few reformist lawmakers permitted to run for reelection.



Conservative Ali Larijani, Irans powerful parliament speaker, and moderate Mohammad Reza Aref, who headed the reformist faction in parliament, have decided not to run.



Those barred from contesting the polls include Ali Motahari, an outspoken lawmaker and a political moderate, and Mahmud Sadeqi, the reformist politician who has represented Tehran since winning his seat in 2016.
The Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) will bring over 250 brokers from the US and Europe to Dublin for their international conference from July 15-17 this year.

SIOR is the leading global office and industrial real-estate association, with more than 3,400 members in 686 cities and 38 countries around the world.

Mark Duclos is the current SIOR global president and I met him on a recent visit to Dublin, together with Paul McDowell, president of the Irish Chapter of SIOR and James Mulhall of Murphy Mulhall, also an SIOR board member.

We discussed the organisation's international expansion plans and some interesting differences between the US and Irish markets.

Mr Duclos told me that SIOR is "firstly about creating relationships, and then improving access to markets".

Membership of SIOR is far from a formality, and potential applicants are vetted to ensure that they are "high-quality people, with market experience, and deal-making ability" whom members can rely on when referring on their clients and enquirers.

Membership is "hard-earned, and you must clearly demonstrate that you are an expert," Mr Duclos said.

Applicants must reach a minimum threshold for fee income earned, and that level is set by the local chapter.

Only 1-2pc of US brokers are members of SIOR, Mr Duclos told me.

Members pay an annual membership fee, in the order of 1,000, part of which goes to support their local chapter.

As well as connecting people, SIOR seeks to raise standards in the profession, and members are bound by a code of ethics.

Research and educational events are arranged, including visits to notable office and industrial developments around the world.

James Mulhall, a leading Dublin office agent, told me that the site visits abroad were particularly helpful in recognising future international office trends, and potential issues like servicing high-rise office buildings, and the impact of driverless cars on urban environments.

Members will soon be visiting a "first of its kind" three-storey warehousing development in Paris.

"The members are generous with their time, and are a source of knowledge," Mr Mulhall said.

SIOR members wear a silver pin and as Mr Mulhall told me, in the US in particular, members put their SIOR membership on an equal footing with the firm where they work, such is the weight of the SIOR brand.

Given the tsunami of US and other overseas companies locating in Ireland, it must make enormous sense for Irish professionals to be maximising their networks abroad, in order to secure instructions. There are though, some fundamental differences in how the US and Irish markets operate, particularly around the payment of agent or broker fees.

For example, in the US, the landlord pays the fees of both his own agent, and the agent representing the tenant.

All agreed that this gives rise to potential conflicts of interest, and could not happen here, however, that is the established system in North America.

Also, fee levels vary considerably across US regions, and expectations must be managed at the outset of any instruction.

For a deal in the United States, fees are based on the aggregate value of the rent, over the total of the lease. For example, a fee for an office letting could be 5pc of the first five years' rent, plus 2.5pc of the total rent over the second five years.

Mr Duclos also pointed out that it has become common for the tenant company to look for a share of their own agents fees to be paid back to them.

"The larger companies will have their own 'tenant-rep' department," he said, "which will be a profit-centre in its own right."

I asked Mr Duclos, who is also the president of Sentry Commercial in Connecticut, for his views on the US market and he believes that "everything is looking very good".

"Whilst the e-commerce and industrial side might be slightly softer, the IT sector remains strong," he said.

For more information go online to sior.com.
Different sectors are estimated to benefit from the economic boost of Expo 2020 Dubai, namely the retail industry, the FNB, the aviation, construction, hotels and hospitality, said a top Expo 2020 official.



Maha Al Gargawi, the vice president of international participants at Expo 2020, was speaking to CNNs John Defterios, explaining how the Expo will impact different areas of the economy.



Defterios also interviewed the chief commercial officer of the Jumeirah Group, Alexander Lee who said that the Jumeirah hotels are ready to handle the influx of visitors.



We know that the Burj Al Arab will be one of the most iconic and visited hotels within the marketplace. We've introduced a whole team of talented new chefs, many of them with Michelin style backgrounds, so that we know we can wow all of our visitors. In addition ... we've enhanced a number of our properties with complete renovations, said Lee. - TradeArabia News Service



SOURCE: CNN
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.13

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

Kazakhstans Minister of Energy Nurlan Nogayev has proposed to look into the possibility to build Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline going through the territory of Kazakhstan, Trend reports with reference to the press office of Kazakhstans Ministry of Energy.

The topic was discussed at the meeting between Nogayev and Russias Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, held on Feb. 12.

The parties exchanged opinions on the issues of bilateral cooperation in fuel and energy sphere, as well as talked cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union.

Nogayev also proposed to consider the possibility of laying the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline through Kazakh territory with its further joining to the Chinese West-East pipeline.

In turn, Novak noted the constructive nature of Russia-Kazakhstan energy cooperation, as well as mutually beneficial cooperation of two countries in area of oil and gas transportation.

In Nov. 2019, Kazakhstans Prime Minister Askar Mamin said that Kazakhstans government is looking at two options on supplying gas to its Pavlodar region and taking into consideration an environmental situation in the region the country is looking into the Power of Siberia 2 project.

The Power of Siberia 2 project is a gas pipeline between Russias gas fields in Western Siberia and the Xinjiang autonomous territory in China. There is a chance that the pipeline may be joined to the Chinese West-East pipeline, which will bring transported gas to Shanghai.

Due to the fact that according to preliminary project, the pipeline is to be constructed through Ukok Plateau (Russia), which is recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is an opinion that the pipeline should be constructed bypassing the Ukok Plateau, i.e. via territory of Kazakhstan or Mongolia.

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
The Greens are committing to doubling infrastructure charges for residential development in inner-city wards, to raise $305 million annually for public services and facilities.

The commitment announced on Thursday comes ahead of the Brisbane City Council election.

The Greens have committed to doubling infrastructure fees for inner-city developers.

The current infrastructure charges levied by the council was capped by the state government at $20,000 for one- or two-bedroom dwellings and $28,000 for dwellings with three or more bedrooms.

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri said developer contributions had not increased to match the rising cost of delivering footbridges, pedestrian crossings, public transport and parks.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  US President Donald Trump's announcement of the details of the US Middle East peace plan  known as the deal of the century  on Jan. 28 challenged the Palestinian Authority's (PA) ability to develop a national strategy to counter it.

The PA is in a race against time to take some steps within this strategy before the Israeli elections scheduled for March 2020, after which Israel is expected to start implementing the terms of the deal  especially with regard to annexing parts of the West Bank and declaring Israeli sovereignty over them.

The PA is operating through two main paths before the Israeli elections are held in order to confront the deal, the first of which is mobilizing Arab and international support rejecting the deal.

The PA first obtained a unanimous position opposing the deal from Arab League members Feb. 1 and then from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Feb. 3.

At the international level, President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a speech Feb. 11 at the Security Council rejecting the deal and stressing that the solution to the Palestinian cause must be consistent with international legitimacy resolutions.

Meanwhile, the PA is putting together a draft resolution to submit to the Security Council, but no date has been set for a vote. Should the United States veto the draft resolution, the Palestinians will resort to rejecting the deal under the United for Peace resolution, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki told Voice of Palestine official radio Feb. 4.

PLO Executive Committee member Saeb Erekat denied to Palestine TV Feb. 10 reports about the withdrawal of the draft resolution submitted by the Arab Group and the non-aligned movement to the Security Council, pointing out that the decision is subject to consultations and deliberation and will be submitted after its completion, without specifying a date, as of the time of writing.

As for the second path, the PA is seeking to end the Palestinian division and achieve reconciliation with Hamas. In this context, members of Fatahs Central Committee Rouhi Fattouh and Ismail Jabr, who is also Abbas security affairs adviser, arrived in Gaza Feb. 7. They are scheduled to meet with Palestinian factions and Hamas during their stay in Gaza in order to prepare for a visit by a delegation from the PLO to Gaza, according to a senior Fatah source in the Gaza Strip.

A PLO leader and member of the delegation to visit Gaza told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity the delegation will visit Gaza this week should no emergency prevent it.

He noted that announcing the deal of the century has created a unified stance among Palestinian factions, all of which rejected it and stressed the need to work according to a national strategy to address it on the basis of ending the internal division to create a united internal front.

The source pointed out that the leadership meeting held in Ramallah headed by Abbas on Jan. 28  with the participation of Hamas and Islamic Jihad  and the phone call that took place between the president and Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh on the same day constituted a major momentum in the efforts to end the division.

The PAs focus on these two paths may point to its delay in taking any decisive and fateful decisions when it comes to its relationship with Israel before the Israeli elections, such as the decision to stop security coordination, as a member of Fatahs Central Committee and the former intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi told Wattan local TV Feb. 5. He said, Stopping security coordination is the PAs final card. The decision to stop security coordination will be taken if the occupation implements the annexation decision in the West Bank.

Abbas had said as he chaired the Feb. 3 Cabinet meeting that security coordination with Israel will end. So far security coordination is still ongoing, despite Abbas announcing cutting ties with Israel and the United States during a speech before the Arab League Council Feb. 1.

The deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Qais Abd al-Karim, told Al-Monitor that work to develop an action strategy internally or with Israel is ongoing, as arrangements are being made in order to resume the national dialogue to end the division, noting that a PLO delegation will visit Gaza in the next few days.

Abd al-Karim pointed out that the unity of the political position of the Palestinian factions regarding the deal of the century was embodied by their participation in the leadership meeting in Ramallah and the agreement on the Gaza meeting, which establishes a basis for national unity to implement the strategy to confront Israel and the deal.

He noted that the strategy will be represented in the decisions of the PLOs Central and National councils by escalating the popular resistance in the Palestinian territories to create a comprehensive popular confrontation, in order to be liberated of all the obligations of the Oslo Accords, including stopping security coordination, boycotting Israel politically and economically, withdrawing recognition of Israel, and pursuing Israeli leaders at the international level.

Abd al-Karim said the milestones of the strategy are clear, and what is required is only an action plan to implement it  which will be formulated at the highest leadership level. He said the dialogues that took place in Ramallah and will take place in Gaza are in preparation for a meeting in the presence of Abbas to develop an implementation plan for this strategy.

In his speech after the leadership meeting Jan. 28, Abbas referred to this strategy briefly, saying, We will immediately start taking all measures that require changing the functional role of the national authority in the implementation of the decisions of the Central and National councils.

In January 2018, the PLOs Central Council decided to suspend its recognition of Israel until the latter recognizes the state of Palestine, to stop security coordination, and to call for a full-power international conference to launch the peace process, but the decisions were never implemented. The PLOs National Council had issued similar decisions during its meeting in May 2018.

The secretary of Fatahs Revolutionary Council, Majed al-Fityani, told Al-Monitor, Fatah is going with an open heart in order to end the division  and not go back to the past  and to come up with a position that pleases our people, which enables us to deal with all issues in order to escape this bottleneck." He added, "We must be optimistic. Fatah will not stop at every single detail, because the division issue must be overcome no matter the political sacrifices.

The Palestinians realize they cannot face the deal of the century as long as division exists; thus, achieving reconciliation has become an unavoidable necessity before them, given the challenges that Israel will impose on the ground whether by annexing parts of the West Bank or dividing Al-Aqsa Mosque temporally and spatially, amid wide popular confrontations with the Israeli army.

The various factions now face a difficult test, and they would be doing the deal of century a huge favor should they fail it.
Boomerang Ventures, Indianas newest venture capital fund, announced that John McDonald has joined the organization as a Venture Partner.

We are honored that John would lend his considerable talent in building and guiding technology companies and teams to helping us build Indianas newest venture capital fund, said Oscar Moralez, Managing Partner, Boomerang Ventures.

According to the Kaufmann Foundation, all new job roles are created by businesses five years old or less, meaning that new startups and entrepreneurism, especially in the tech sector, are vital to our states future survival in the digital economy. Indiana, and the Midwest in general, are in critical need of a stronger, more supportive ecosystem.

Many are already familiar with Johns work in leading the Technology and Innovation Policy Committee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, as well as his role in starting and leading the Indiana Technology and Innovation Association, which serves to advocate for public policy and political action for the Technology industry, says Tom Kilcoyne, Managing Partner, Boomerang Ventures. As a Venture Partner at Boomerang, he will now work to form new startup companies to help grow our industry here in Indiana and beyond.

John formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of ClearObject since the companys founding in 2010, through and beyond its sale to private equity in 2019. He will continue to serve as ClearObjects Founder and Chief Evangelist.

Founded in 2019, Boomerang Ventures is the fund by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, with entrepreneurs. As Indianas newest venture capital fund, it seeks to build companies while building the entrepreneurial ecosystem locally and beyond. For more information visit Boomerang.vc.
Who is Rishi Sunak, the man who in a stunning turn of events was appointed UK Chancellor of the Exchequer less than a month before the first budget of Boris Johnsons new government?

The former Goldman Sachs banker is 39 and has been viewed as a rising star in the Conservative Party, with the ConservativeHome website anointing him the next prime minister earlier in the year. In July he was appointed chief secretary to the Treasury -- the second most important job in the finance ministry.

Hes frequently been sent out by the government to do the morning round of TV and radio interviews, a clear sign that hes seen by Number 10 as a solid performer. Notably, he deputized for Johnson in televised leadership debates during the election campaign.

Sunak entered Parliament in 2015, elected to represent Richmond in Yorkshire, the constituency previously held by William Hague, a former foreign secretary and party Leader. Theresa May appointed him as a junior minister for local government in January 2018, Sunak backed Johnson in last years leadership campaign in a joint piece in The Times with fellow moderates Robert Jenrick and Oliver Dowden. That earned him a promotion to the cabinet when Johnson won the leadership.

Sunak is a more pro-Brexit chancellor than Javid, who campaigned for Remain back in 2016 (Sunak was a Leaver). In 2017, he co-authored an article highlighting five benefits of Brexit, including striking new trade deals, improving regulation and being free of EU state aid rules.

Its time to shout about that idealistic and hopeful vision for post-Brexit Britain, he wrote. Opportunities like these are what Brexit means to us.

The Hindu son of a doctor and a pharmacist, Sunak attended Winchester College, one of the countrys most prestigious private schools, before studying at Oxford and Stanford Universities. Hes married to Akshata Murthy, the daughter of Indian billionaire, Infosys Ltd. co-founder Narayana Murthy.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will work on a waste disposal project in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh in collaboration with the municipal corporation here, an official said on Thursday.

The Rishikesh Municipal Corporation will provide land to the UNDP for setting up a waste treatment plant under the project, which will be funded by HDFC Bank, corporation commissioner Narendra Singh Quiriyal told reporters after a meeting with UNDP country head (circular economy) Sardar Prabhjot Sodhi.

The plant will make compost out of wet waste and process polythene waste for utilisation in the construction of roads, he said.

The UNDP has worked on similar waste disposal projects in collaboration with local civic bodies in 30 cities across the country, Sodhi said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
I hope that in this dangerous time of the virus it can also be an opportunity for Christians, and for everyone, to maybe show more solidarity, to slow down their lives which are usually so busy, so that maybe people can be more with their families, have more time to pray, to reflect on the sense of their lives, perhaps spend more time doing other things, he said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called President Trumps complaint about the lengthy sentence of his longtime confidante Roger Stone an abuse of power, echoing one of the impeachment charges the House brought against the president.

This is an abuse of power that the president is again trying to manipulate federal law enforcement to serve his political interests, Pelosi said at her weekly press briefing.

The president is what he is, the speaker continued, but where are the Republicans to speak out on this blatant violation of the rule of law?

On Tuesday, Trump complained on Twitter about the seven-to-nine-year sentence prosecutors recommended for Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the Houses investigation into the Trump campaigns connections to Russia, saying the sentence constituted a horrible and very unfair situation.

Shortly thereafter, the Justice Department submitted a revised filing stating that the prosecutors recommended lengthy sentence could be considered excessive and unwarranted, prompting Pelosi to call Trumps comments political interference and an assault on the rule of law.

The four prosecutors who recommended Stones original sentence subsequently either resigned or quit the case after the DOJ criticized their decision.

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren called on Wednesday for Barr to resign or face impeachment after the Justice Department weighed in on the Stone sentencing.

Pelosi, however, batted down the suggestion that Barr should be impeached, saying Congress is not going to spend all of our time going after every lie that the administration henchmen make, even though Barr has deeply damaged the rule of law.

The president gave us no choice in his actions in violating the separation of power that is contained in the Constitution, Pelosi said, explaining why Congress moved forward with impeaching Trump.

Theres so much malfeasance on the part of the people in the executive branch right now, but the fact is our responsibility is to honor our oath of office to protect and defend, the speaker continued. But we can point out the disrespect that the attorney general has for the rule of law, for lying to Congress.

More from National Review
English Norwegian

Jotun, of which Orkla owns 42.6%, has issued a press release presenting the highlights for the 2019 results.

Please find the press release enclosed.



Orkla ASA

Oslo, 13 February 2020

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

Attachment
Cruise liner arrives in Phuket, bringing European tourists

PHUKET: The Seabourn Ovation cruise liner docked at Phuket Deep Sea Port at 7am today, bringing with it a total of 495 passengers and 470 crew who are expected to splash an estimated B3 million in spending before the ship departs at 5pm, bound for Singapore.

CoronavirusCOVID-19

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Thursday 13 February 2020, 12:43PM

Also at the port this morning was Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana (centre, pink shirt), Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

All turists disembarking the ship were screened before being allowed to come ashore. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

On hand at the port to welcome the passengers and crew were Phuket health officials, marine officers, immigration and Royal Thai Navy personnel to provide clearance for the arrivals to come ashore  and check them for elevated body temperatures as they disembarked the ship.

Phuket Marine Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong confirmed that no passengers or crew disembarking the ship were found to be ill.

We were in contact with the ships medical staff before they arrived. The ship was held offshore for 24 hours while the medical team on board confirmed that no people on board were suspect of being infected with the coronavirus, he said.

Also, we are able to track all passengers and crew while they are in Phuket as they are stopping here for only 10 hours, Mr Wiwat added.

Phuket is currently in the middle of its peak cruise liner tour season, January through February, Mr Wiwat noted.

There were 16 cruise ships that came here in January, and there will be 17 ships in total in February, he said.

Cruise ships moor at two places: Phuket Deep Sea Port and Patong. The same screening procedure is used at both locations, Mr Wiwat explained.

Mr Wiwat noted that there has been major concerns over cruise ships arriving in Phuket, and concerns over cancellations of cruise liners coming to the island.

He assured that risks were analysed and procedures followed to ensure to resolve the problem.

We have an integrated team from the relevant departments of the PPHO, plant quarantine officers, Immigration, Customs and the Marine Dept Region 3 office who meet to discuss and assess the situation every day to analyse the risk of allowing tourists to arrive on various ships, he said.

Also at the port this morning was Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, who stressed that all the tourists on board the Seabourne Ovation were Europeans, not Chinese.

This large cruise ship docking at the Deep Sea Port today has brought quality European tourists, who are usually expected to spend about B6,000 per person per day. With more than 400 such tourists arriving on this ship, it is estimated that they will spend over B3 million in Phuket, he said.

Governor Phakaphong also lambasted fake reports on Thai social media that the Seabourne Ovation had been refused port in Singapore over fears that passengers on board were carrying the Wuhan coronavirus.

The news that this cruise ship was not allowed to moor at Singapore and then came to Phuket instead is wrong, the Governor said plainly.

This ship had previously moored at Laem Chabang once, and is scheduled to arrive back in Singapore on Feb 15, he said.

I want everyone to shop sharing this wrong information. The Phuket Government and the PPHO have been screening tourists intensively. Trust our working, as we are following the regulations and standards set by the Ministry of Public Health [MoPH] and the World Health Organization [WHO], he stressed.

These same screening process  in accordance with WHO standards and the MoPH  are used every day at the airport, at piers and at public transport stations. This will continue until the MoPH instructs otherwise, he said.

The European tourists who came on the cruise said they were happy with the screening measures today. Even though there were no Chinese on board, officials complied with international standards, just like those used in the United States. They feel happy and safe to come to Phuket, he added.
While talking on the phone with Shawn Camacho, the general manager and co-owner of the Guamanian restaurant Prubechu, I asked him about titiyas.

Sorry, first I have to correct your pronunciation, he interjected. I had said the word like it was spelled, but he informed me that the last syllable was pronounced like za. The dish, a flatbread made with corn flour, was a Chamorro take on the Spanish tortilla. Aha!

That gentle interaction was just like the ones Id had at Prubechu when I visited. Even the little things, like the names of side dishes, are opportunities to learn something bigger and broader about Guamanian history.

I dont know Chamorro food, the indigenous cuisine of Guam, but I recognize it. The food at Prubechu is a kaleidoscope: Your eyes will notice patterns, even if the shape isnt familiar. The history of Guams people and their intersections with colonizers and neighboring cultures is reflected in the restaurant  not merely reflected but exposed in such an engaging way that you have no idea that youre receiving an education with dinner.

This is the kind of establishment where not-knowing isnt met with rolled eyes or smugness, because every question is an opening for the mostly Guamanian staff to tell you about the place they came from. I noticed that even the servers who had no ties to Guam were incredibly informed, which is a credit to the infectiousness of the original Prubechu crews passion.

Prubechu began five years ago as a semipermanent pop-up in the Missions Roxys Cafe, operating in a tiny space with a kitchen full of induction burners. Now, in the space formerly occupied by Commonwealth, it feels like a full-fledged restaurant. You might recognize the previous restaurant underneath the redesign by D-Scheme Studio: On one of my visits to Prubechu, I was seated at the same table I had the last time I dined at Commonwealth. The eye-catching window in the ceiling is still there, but the alcove it reveals is now filled with plants. The botanical motif extends to a false wall of greenery above the banquet, wooden decorative plaques on the walls and palm leaf-printed button-down shirts on the servers.

But the real, practical difference is Prubechus brand-new equipment, which has greatly expanded the possibilities of what chef/co-owner Shawn Naputi can do in the kitchen. Hes smoking ingredients in a state-of-the-art smoker, deep-frying fish heads and cooking flatbreads on a plancha.

Speaking of that fryer: The crispy fried snapper (price varies with market) cuts straight to the point of this restaurant. You wont find perfectly square, boneless fish fillets here. Instead you get to choose between the animals head or tail. The hulking head, its jaw frozen in a deep-fried grimace (perhaps in reaction to its humiliating adornment of pickled red onion slivers, garlic, a sweet-and-sour sauce, cilantro leaves and sesame seeds), is a stunning sight to behold. Naputi tells me its partially a nod to Chris Cosentino, under whom he worked at Incanto. Its also delicious, loaded with silky flesh.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

And the fish head immediately made me think of sisig, the sour-tasting chopped meat dish of Pampanga in the Philippines. Sisigs story is one of occupation: The popular use of pigs heads in the dish stems from the fact that it was easily available food waste from local U.S. Air Force commissaries in the 1970s. The dish begs an important question: Who got to eat the nice parts of the animal?

You see the waves of colonization and conquest that have swept Guam in its food, but especially in the language of the menu, which includes English, Chamorro, Chinese and Spanish terms. In some cases, Naputi and Camacho opted for Chamorrized terminology for foreign items, like katne and titiya for the Spanish carne and tortilla. Youll get enough context from the English descriptions, but the names are mostly faithful to what Chamorro people would call them. We wanted to have the menu as foreign as possible, Camacho says. Not to put non-Guamanians off per se, but to start a conversation. When a guest asks, Whats a finadenne? thats music to his ears.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Total newbies might enjoy sitting back and ordering the Fiesta Table ($60/person), a family-style fixed 10-item menu that is a great intro to the various influences present in the cuisine: braised yu choi, minced barbecue chicken served taco-like on corn flour titiyas, a potato salad dressed with Kewpie mayonnaise and sweet rolls. The connections between cultures are crystal-clear with this selection.

Youre welcome to add anything from the a la carte menu to this fixed menu. I added a fish head to my order and walked away feeling truly well-fed.

Indeed, the fish head was the highlight of my dinner; I recommend either adding it, or opting to go a la carte entirely. Start with a Chamorro empanada ($8 for two), which comes with either mushrooms or beef. (Id choose mushrooms since the rest of your dinner will likely be meat-heavy.) The iceberg wheel salad ($12) is a horizontal slice of a head with a toasted sesame dressing massaged into its many layers. As an avowed iceberg hater, I was fascinated by what the salad signified as well as how great it tasted  the use of a shipping-stable commodity vegetable, especially in Little Gem lettuce territory, felt like an obvious callout to the kinds of produce available on Guam, which relies on imports for most of its foodstuffs.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Unfortunately, a consistent lowlight was the menus kelaguen category, which covers the various ceviche-like dishes that are served on a titiya. Manok ($16), barbecued chicken and lemon, tasted delightfully sour but had hard cartilage mixed in with the meat  something Id chalk up to absentmindedness rather than convention. Gamson ($18), octopus, was dreadfully tough. Katne ($19), steak strips marinated in lime juice, was stricken with the same problem. Uhang ($18), shrimp, was prepared well but otherwise not memorable. I would skip this section for now.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

Instead, grab a shrimp pancake ($18) baked in a tiny cazuela. Think Dutch baby  but the flavor is closer to the Korean seafood pancake. If youre still not feeling the fish head (please reconsider!), the golai hagon suni ($23) is similar in format to Indian saag, but with an addition of fried Japanese sweet potato for texture. The interplay of creaminess with fried crunch is pleasant, and the coconut curry sauce is well-spiced and slightly sweet. Throw in an order of red rice ($6) or titiyas ($4).

Its hard to overstate how intellectually stimulating it is to dine at Prubechu. From the menu to the clothing to the kinds of animal parts and vegetables here, everything is part of the greater story that the staff and owners want to tell.

This works because food functions a lot like humor: When someone is laughing  or stuffing noodles in their mouth  theyre going to be more receptive to hearing you out. It worked for Richard Pryor, and it works for Naputi and Camacho. Prubechus thesis? Its that Guam matters  a relatively provocative stance from an island that has been passed around by various world powers and remains without national sovereignty to this day.

The restaurant seems like a generative way to engage with what one could reasonably think of as a tragic history. In that way, it has a lot in common politically with Cafe Ohlone, the Ohlone pop-up restaurant in Berkeley. As political praxis, Prubechu is highly effective and charismatic. It makes the politics of food feel less academic and more like real life.
LANSING -- When I mention that I work for the Department of Natural Resources, I often get puzzled looks and comments along the lines of, "You don't look like a park ranger" or "I didn't know you are a hunter."

For some, the DNR is all about hunting and fishing. For others, it's about wildlife habitat conservation or forest management. Some people know that the DNR conserves, protects and manages not only our state's natural resources but also many of its cultural resources.

As the community engagement director for the DNR's Michigan History Center, which includes the Archives of Michigan and 12 museums and historic sites, I know the DNR as an agency that collects and shares the stories of our state's people, places and events.

Whether told around the campfire or in a family kitchen, these stories are valuable cultural assets. Taken together, they provide a fuller picture of the rich and diverse lives - then and now - of our state's greatest resources: its people.

The DNR has always been invested in communities across the state, whether it is gathering public input on projects, making the most of hunter, angler and trail-rider license revenue, meeting needs at customer service centers or providing robust educational programs at parks, forests, museums and historic sites.

Over the last few years, several projects have emerged that center around storytelling, with the goal of collecting and sharing the unique perspectives and stories of Michiganders.

Sharing state parks stories

In celebration of the 2019 Michigan state parks centennial, the DNR launched an interactive memory map to capture the special stories and snapshots that people have made at state parks over the years.

"We wanted to capture the camping trips, family traditions, fish tales, Scouting excursions, day hikes and more that people have made over the years," said Maia Turek, resource development specialist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

By tapping into the power of ArcGIS technology, hundreds of visitors and staff were able to bring their state parks memories to life by sharing a story and photo and marking the location on a map. In many ways, the project served much like a virtual guest book.

To date, more than 600 people have shared memories like these:

"My Gram and Papa loved to travel. Often, they took my sister, Fawn and I along on their Michigan adventures. We visited a lot of state parks like Silver Lake, Palms Book, Tahquamenon Falls and more! Here we are at the falls...circa 1985." (Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Chippewa County)

I was lucky to have been part of the Keeper program at the lighthouse twice in the past. What a special experience - living in the lighthouse and giving tours to visitors. Lighthouses are America's castles and Tawas Point Light is certainly a gem! We are so lucky to [have] this historic site to share the history of Michigan to all! (Tawas Point State Park, Iosco County)

"This is a picture of my mom and dad in 1948 on the beach at Grand Haven [State Park]. It was their first (blind) date, arranged by a mutual friend. They later married and spent 61 years together. They always remembered and referred to the Grand Haven date in their stories for years; it was a special place for them. (Grand Haven State Park, Ottawa County)

"One of my favorite state park memories is fossil hunting on the beach at the state park. I spent hours in the cool bay, sifting through the rocky shoreline to find some pretty rocks. I did find a couple of small Petoskey stones, but I love all the fossils! And I left behind all but these four for other treasure hunters!" (Petoskey State Park, Emmet County)

As part of the state parks centennial, the DNR also hosted the Campfire Storytelling Project, through which seasoned storytellers shared their personal park memories, and attendees were invited to share their anecdotes, at events held around a campfire in various state parks.

Both centennial storytelling projects were symbolic of what lies at the heart of Michigan's state parks system: the millions of visitors who have come to our parks over the last 100 years.

Telling Michigan's stories

The Michigan History Center kicked off its inaugural story collection project in 2019, when it partnered with StoryCorps, the national nonprofit with a mission to preserve and share humanity's stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.

"The Center has always done traditional oral history interviews, where a facilitator asks a series of scripted questions about a particular event or to collect a person's life story," said state archivist Mark Harvey, who initiated the StoryCorps partnership. "We were attracted to StoryCorps because of its dialogue-based model. It opens up the experience and allows people to explore topics and conversations of their choosing."

StoryCorps recordings are simply recorded conversations between two people who know each other very well, typically family, friends or even colleagues. What the pairs discuss is up to them, and no two recordings are alike.

The Michigan History Center contracted with StoryCorps to record 60 conversations within the Greater Lansing area in 2019 and 2020. Twenty-six have been completed to date.

"I only knew a little about StoryCorps, having heard snippets on NPR," said Melik Brown, Lansing entrepreneur and early participant. "I asked a good friend and business colleague to do it, and we had a lively conversation. I have often wondered what would be said of me and my place in history. Now I know at least part of my story will be told by me."

The stories, like all StoryCorps recordings, will be archived at the Library of Congress and also with the Archives of Michigan. Later this year, the audio recordings and full transcripts will be posted on Michiganology.org.

Preserving and learning from stories

With a population of nearly 10 million people, Michigan has a seemingly endless supply of stories. One may wonder, "What will the DNR DO with the stories it collects?"

A primary goal is to make them available to the public, which includes present and future researchers and historians.

The centennial memory map uses engaging GIS technology to plot stories on a map. Once properly formatted and transcribed, the campfire storytelling and StoryCorps projects will be available on the DNR website.

"One of the biggest challenges historians and researchers face is a lack of source material," said Harvey. "Past archivists made choices about what to save, and priority was often given to legal documents and the collections of prominent leaders and business owners. Records of the daily lives of individuals are often missing in collections. These projects are helping to correct that."

But these stories won't be important just to future historians - they are making a difference in how the DNR interprets and shares information now. The Michigan History Center staff is learning from the stories and incorporating them into exhibits and programs.

It's similar with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

"Knowing how people enjoy and use our parks - and what features are most important to them - will help us plan programs and potential park improvements," said Turek.

SIDEBAR

Do you have a story you'd like to tell? We'd love to hear from you. To share your park story on the map, visit the Michigan State Parks Centennial website at Michigan.gov/StateParks100.

If you'd like to learn more or inquire about an interview with the Michigan History Center's StoryCorps project, send us an email at MHCInfo@Michigan.gov.

Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories in our archive at Michigan.gov/DNRStories. To subscribe to upcoming Showcasing articles, sign up for free email delivery at Michigan.gov/DNR.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out against former White House chief of staff John Kelly for being disloyal after he came to the defence of a former national security aide who offered key testimony in the impeachment inquiry.

The presidents comments came after Kelly defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was among the administration officials who raised concerns about Trumps July phone call with Ukraines president. That call spurred the presidents impeachment trial, which ended in acquittal last week.

Like so many Xs, he misses the action & just cant keep his mouth shut, which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do, Trump tweeted about Kelly. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you. Wrong!

Kelly, speaking at a public forum on Wednesday in Morristown, New Jersey, said that Vindman did exactly as he was trained in raising concerns to his superiors after hearing questionable comments from Trump, according to a report by The Atlantic magazine. Vindman was ousted last week from his position as a Ukraine specialist detailed to the White House National Security Council.

He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave, said Kelly, a retired Marine general who served as Trumps chief of staff from the summer of 2017 until early last year. He went and told his boss what he just heard.

Vindman was a key witness in Democrats impeachment inquiry of Trump.

The Army officer was ousted from his NSC job last Friday, just two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges. He is to be reassigned by the Pentagon. His twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as an ethics lawyer at the NSC, also was ousted from his job and was re-assigned to the Army General Counsels Office.

Kelly came to Vindmans defence after Trump suggested this week that the Pentagon should review Vindmans conduct in the Ukraine episode and potentially consider disciplinary action against him.

Trump has insisted that his call to Zelenskiy was perfect. During the conversation, Trump asked Zelenskiy to do him a favour and look into former Vice-President Joe Biden and his sons business dealings in Ukraine.

Vindman testified that he raised his concerns inside the White House after concluding that Trump was inappropriately conditioning nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine on getting Zelenskiy to announce an investigation of his political rival.

Kelly said at the forum that Vindmans decision to raise his concerns was valid.

Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against  the Russians, Kelly said. And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And thats what that guy (Vindman) was most interested in.

Trump initially tapped Kelly after the 2016 election to serve as his secretary of homeland security, before asking him to become his chief of staff. Kelly suggested at the forum he had some hesitation about joining the administration but ultimately decided to at the urging of his wife.

I frankly think he needs you and people like you, Kelly recalled his wife telling him.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Thursday she was disappointed by Kellys comments. She compared him to former national security adviser John Bolton, another top aide who was critical of Trumps efforts to pressure Zelenskiy.

I thought it was a little disingenuous, Grisham said in an interview on Fox New Channels Fox & Friends Its interesting that hes starting to poke his head out a little bit more, just like John Bolton, as were getting close to an election.

Bolton, according to excerpts of a manuscript leaked to the media during the Senate impeachment trial, says Trump told him he was conditioning the release of military aid to Ukraine on whether its government would help investigate the Bidens.

While they had vocal, sometimes heated, disagreements, Bolton defended Kelly in a tweet Thursday, calling him an honourable man.

John and I have disagreed at times, as is commonplace at senior government levels, but he has always served his country faithfully, Bolton said. Conservatives especially have a responsibility to reject baseless attacks upon him.

Kelly did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
A Russian military court has upheld the dismissal of a submariner who was discharged from the navy after a drunken rant in which he allegedly cursed his commanders and a portrait of President Vladimir Putin during a deployment to Syria.

The Southern Military District Court in the city of Rostov-on-Don on February 12 upheld the ruling by a military court in the city of Sevastopol in Crimea finding Captain Lieutenant Oleg Lavrenchuk's firing just.

Lavrenchuk, who served aboard a Russian submarine near the Syrian Mediterranean port city of Tartus, was arrested by military police in late June 2019 for being drunk.

According to court materials, Lavrenchuk aggressively resisted arrest, verbally insulted military police and commanders, and cursed at Putin's portrait inside police headquarters.

Lavrenchuk's lawyer, Sergei Gurin, said that although his client later expressed regret for his behavior, he was fired in August.

Gurin added that the court refused to accept Lavrenchuk's explanation that he got drunk because he was depressed after finding out that his long-term deployment in Syria had been unexpectedly prolonged by four months.

According to Gurin, Lavrenchuk has served in the Russian Navy for 17 1/2 years and only 18 months were remaining until his retirement.

The Russian military maintains its presence in Syria at the Tartus base and an air base in the coastal province of Latakia.

Moscow has given Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government crucial support throughout an ongoing civil war, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes since it began with a crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.
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White House plans to divert $3.8 billion from DoD to build Trump's long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, for which he lied that Mexico would pay

"Trump is preparing to divert $3.8 Billion in total from programs across the Department of Defense," tweeted Foreign Policy reporter Lara Seligman today, "including a controversial war account used to fund emergency requirements, as well as the procurement of ships, aircraft and Army vehicles, to build the wall."

An excerpt from her scoop for FP:

For the second year in a row, Trump will raid the Department of Defense's coffers for money for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, dipping into funds earmarked for counterdrug activities and military construction. But this year, a significant chunk of those dollars will be funneled from a controversial war, according to a Feb. 13 reprogramming action signed by acting Pentagon comptroller Elaine McCusker obtained by Foreign Policy. The account, the Overseas Contingency Operations fund, was established after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to fund emergency requirements. It has been criticized as a "slush fund" used to circumvent mandatory spending limits set by Congress. As it did last year, the White House is planning to transfer funds from elsewhere in the Pentagon's budget into the counterdrug account. From there, the White House has argued it can legally transfer that money to build additional miles of the wall under U.S. Code Section 284 (b). In total, the department plans to divert $1.6 billion from the Overseas Contingency Operations account to the counterdrug account, according to the reprogramming. The money was intended for procurement of C-130J airlift aircraft and MQ-9 unmanned aerial systems, as well as National Guard and Reserve equipment.

Read more at FP:

Trump to Raid Pentagon's War Account to Build Border Wall

The most controversial piece of this is that the White House is proposing moving money ($1.6B) from the Overseas Contingency Operations account, which is used to fund emergency requirements, even as DOD deploys tens of thousands more troops to the Middle East to counter Iran  Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) February 13, 2020

That $1.6B included: $1.3 billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment fund, $169 million for Air Force C-130Js, and $160 million from MQ-9s.  Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) February 13, 2020
Midland County sheriff candidates were asked during a forum Wednesday night about an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct at the sheriffs office.

Texas Department of Public Safety Communications Officer Oscar Villarreal confirmed Thursday that the Texas Rangers had opened an investigation.

A complaint was filed with the Midland Co. District Attorneys office, and subsequently, in October 2019, the district attorney requested the Texas Rangers conduct an investigation into multiple criminal allegations by law enforcement personnel at the Midland Co. Sheriffs Office, he said in an email statement.

County Attorney Russell Malm said he had been contacted by the Texas Rangers and advised of the investigation, but he does not know the details of what they are investigating. Villarreal said the investigation is ongoing and the rangers will present their findings to the district attorney after its conclusion.

Sheriff candidates were asked to respond after reports surfaced of an investigation earlier this week. Midland County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Rory McKinney, the only candidate currently with the sheriffs office, said the department is not withholding anything and not hiding nothing, in response to fellow candidates allegations of corruption.

As far as this investigation currently, I dont know. I have no comment on it, he said. I have not been formally called by a ranger to give a statement, so I do not know what this investigation is about.

Candidate Tom Hain, chief of police at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, said the sheriffs office should be more transparent about the investigation and any incidents regarding the department or county jail.

You cant say that youre going to make things better and change things when youve had since May, when Sheriff Painter died, to make changes, to be transparent, to put these things out to the public and havent done it, he said. Im alarmed as a citizen by some of the things I hear going on in the sheriffs office.

David Criner, sheriff candidate and Midland County Constable for Precinct 1, echoed Hains remarks.

When I saw the allegations brought forward  it concerned me very deeply, he said. It reaffirmed to me the sheriffs office needs a change.

KWES-TV published on Monday a heavily redacted report that appears to be from DPS. The report lists four alleged offenses the rangers are investigating: unlawful interception of oral or electronic communications, abuse of official capacity, tampering with a governmental record and theft.

The Reporter-Telegram has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to DPS for the report but has not received a response.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Balmoral Resources Ltd. (Balmoral or the Company) (TSX: BAR; OTCQX: BALMF) announces that its 2020 winter drill program targeting several known gold-bearing zones on its wholly-owned Fenelon Property in Quebec is underway ( see Photo 1 ). Drilling is anticipated to continue through to spring break-up in April with a minimum of 5,000 metres planned during the current phase of the program. Balmorals current 2020 exploration plan calls for a minimum of 20,000 metres of drilling, focused almost exclusively on gold targets on the Detour Gold Trend Project, which will be completed in two phases.



The winter 2020 drill program will principally target further extensions of the Area 51 gold system in several areas on the Companys wholly-owned Fenelon Property. Wallbridge Mining has continued to expand the Area 51 gold system toward the Fenelon Property and has recently constructed drill pads within 100 metres of the boundary between their Fenelon Mine Property and Balmorals Fenelon Property ( see Photo 2 ) which surrounds the Fenelon Mine Property on three sides ( see Figure 1 ).

Drilling by Balmoral in the fall of 2019 has already extended the Area 51 gold system south onto the Companys Fenelon Property (the Area 52 target) and led to the discovery of the high-grade Ripley Gold Zone ( see Balmoral NR 19-17 Sept 16, 2019 ). The Ripley Gold Zone occurs 400 metres south of the property boundary. Recent drilling by Wallbridge Mining has intersected visible gold mineralization in the near-surface from due north of Ripley to at least 560 metres to the west, highlighting the inherent potential of this same area which is largely untested on Balmorals side of the property boundary. Further testing and expansion of these Area 52 discoveries is a high-priority component of the current program.

Recent geophysical work has highlighted a suite of priority drill targets in and around the Area 51 gold system. These include the potential extension of the WSW-trending, 800+ metre wide Andromeda/Orion Corridor as outlined by Wallbridge ( see Figure 2 ) onto the Fenelon Property  the Area 51 West target. Initial drill testing of this broad, gold-mineralized corridor is permitted and planned for inclusion in the current phase of drilling.

Over the last several months the Area 51 gold system has continued to grow and now displays all the hallmarks of a major new gold discovery in the Abitibi, said Darin Wagner, President and CEO of Balmoral Resources. With well over 400 holes completed to date on the adjacent Fenelon Mine Property, the extent of the system is becoming clear, as is the potential to continue to extend it across vast areas of our Fenelon Property. Only 13 holes have been completed in those areas of the Fenelon Property to date with the vast majority returning anomalous zones of gold mineralization, including the high-grade Ripley Gold Zone discovery. We are excited to get back to evaluating the system and its potential to host additional Tabasco-calibre discoveries.

In addition to testing the Area 52 and Area 51 West targets, the current program will include follow-up drilling of high-grade gold discoveries made by the Company in 2014-2015 while delineating the Grasset nickel discovery and testing targets within the host Grasset Ultramafic Complex. Numerous high-grade gold intersections were reported ranging from 4 to 216 g/t gold (see Photo 3) within a broad northwest-southeast trending shear corridor which occurs within felsic volcanic and sedimentary rocks along the western margin of - and locally cross-cutting - the Grasset Ultramafic Complex.

Qualified Person and Quality Control

Mr. Michael Tucker (P. Geo. B.C., Ont. and Temporary Permit, Que.), Exploration Manager for the Company, is the non-independent qualified person for the technical disclosure contained within this release. Mr. Tucker supervised the Area 52 drill program described herein and has worked on the Fenelon Property since 2014. Mr. Tucker has reviewed the drill core and analytical results described herein and has approved of the technical information contained within this release.

Balmoral has implemented a quality control program for all of its drill programs, to ensure best practice in the sampling and analysis of the drill core, which includes the insertion of blind blanks, duplicates and certified standards into sample stream. NQ sized drill core is saw cut with half of the drill core sampled at intervals based on geological criteria including lithology, visual mineralization and alteration. The remaining half of the core is stored on-site at the Companys Val dOr field office in Quebec. Drill core samples are transported in sealed bags to ALS Minerals Val dOr, Quebec analytical facilities. Gold analyses are obtained via industry standard fire assay with atomic absorption finish using 30 g aliquots. For samples returning greater than 5.00 g/t gold follow-up fire assay analysis with a gravimetric finish is completed. The Company has also requested that any samples returning greater than 10.00 g/t gold undergo screen metallic fire assay. Following receipt of assays, visual analysis of mineralized intercepts is conducted and additional analysis may be requested. ALS Minerals is ISO 9001:2008 certified and the Val dOr facilities are ISO 17025 certified for gold analysis.

About Balmoral Resources Ltd.  www.balmoralresources.com

Balmoral is a multi-award winning Canadian-focused exploration company actively exploring a portfolio of gold and base metal properties located within the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt. The Companys flagship, 1,000 km2 Detour Gold Trend Project hosts the resource-stage Bug and Martiniere West gold deposits and the Grasset nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE deposit. Employing a drill-focused exploration style in one of the worlds preeminent mining jurisdictions, Balmoral is following an established formula with a goal of maximizing shareholder value through the discovery and definition of high-grade, Canadian gold and base metal assets.

On behalf of the board of directors of

BALMORAL RESOURCES LTD.

Darin Wagner

President and CEO

For further information contact: John Foulkes, Vice-President, Corporate Development

Tel: +1 (604) 638-5815 / Toll Free: +1 (877) 838-3664

E-mail: jfoulkes@balmoralresources.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, duration and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the potential continuation of certain geological features, and the potentially discoveries of mineralization on the properties are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believes, may, could, expects, appears to, potential, anticipates, intends, estimate, postulate and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include those related to weather, equipment and staff availability; performance of third parties; timing of receipt of assay results from third party analytical facilities; risks related to the exploration stage of the Companys projects; market fluctuations in prices for securities of exploration stage companies and in commodity prices; and uncertainties about the availability of additional financing; risks related to the Companys ability to identify one or more economic deposits on the properties, and variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located on the properties; risks related to the Companys ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities on the properties; and risks related to the Companys ability to produce minerals from the properties successfully or profitably. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the latest technical reports filed with respect to the Companys mineral properties.

This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Companys properties.

This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e1e8ab3-ae01-43a6-afe9-b3d1914c696b

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ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions (AMPS), the pioneer in cost containment for the self-insurance industry, today announced the addition of six healthcare and health insurance industry veterans to its executive leadership team. The addition of these new experts, who together bring decades of experience in bending the cost curve to control the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, will help AMPS greatly enhance its ability to serve the self-funded industry.

In the C-suite, Thaddeus Kwiatkowski has assumed the duties of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kwiatkowski brings a proven track record in finance, administration and accounting across several diverse industries, including healthcare, software, major airlines and communication services. He will be charged with maintaining the financial health of the organization as well as planning for the explosive growth AMPS expects in 2020 as more employers seek to tame their investments in health insurance. Mr. Kwiatkowski joins AMPS from Cotiviti, where he was Vice President, Global Financial Planning and Analysis. His healthcare finance experience includes serving as Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis at nThrive and Director of Finance, Spend and Clinical Management at MedAssets. He holds a bachelor of business administration degree in management information systems and finance from the University of Georgia.

The C-suite was further expanded with the addition of Lawrence Thompson as Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer. Mr. Thompson will be focused on using his more than 40 years of healthcare delivery experience to enhance AMPS corporate strategy, revenue and growth as well as augmenting the organization's capabilities in client services. Mr. Thompson comes to AMPS after serving as co-founder and CEO at Inventavis as well as President/CEO at BSI Consulting. Prior to joining BSI, he was Regional President at POMCO and President of Health Insurance Company of America. He holds a master of business administration in finance from the University of South Florida and a bachelor of arts, economics and management from Florida Presbyterian/Eckerd College. AMPS also added two new senior vice presidents, each of whom will have direct oversight over specific functional areas. Their goals will be to ensure AMPS delivers world-class performance in those areas.

AMPS recently announced its addition of Attorney Laura A. Conte, a healthcare legal industry veteran with a quarter-century of experience, as General Counsel. In her new role, Attorney Conte's responsibilities include oversight of all legal issues within internal and external departments, contract management, negotiations and settlement structures for cost containment and corporate governance and business policy. Previously, Attorney Conte served as General Counsel and Chief Claims Officer for Massachusetts-based healthcare technology company Advanced Medical Strategies where she managed the company's legal affairs on a broad range of matters. Prior to that, she served as General Counsel for INTEICO Inc. and as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for TRU Services Inc. Attorney Conte is a graduate of Massachusetts School of Law and Suffolk University.

Jonathan Jeffress was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of Operations, where he will oversee daily operations as well as the delivery of AMPS solutions to the organization's growing client list. Mr. Jeffress has more than 20 years of experience serving healthcare and health insurance organizations, and brings in-depth expertise in organizational management, process improvement, implementation/integration, IT and service delivery. Before joining AMPS, he served as Vice President of Operations, Client Delivery and Implementation Services at Cotiviti. His experience also includes management positions at industry leaders Xerox and Lockheed Martin. Mr. Jeffress is an alumnus of the University of Alabama.

Evelyn Kemp was promoted to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Client Services after joining AMPS in 2017 as Vice President, Account Management. Ms. Kemp will lead the account management, advocacy and care navigation teams as they work to help self-insured plans take back control of their healthcare spend and educate their members to get them engaged in lowering their healthcare costs. Prior to joining AMPS, Ms. Kemp was a Senior Account Manager at Zelis Healthcare and served as an Account Manager at Viant. She holds a bachelor of business administration from Kennesaw State University.

This stellar executive team was put together by Kirk Fallbacher, who became President and CEO of AMPS after joining the organization in 2016 as its Chief Operating Officer/Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Fallbacher brings more than 20 years of experience serving healthcare and health insurance organizations with in-depth experience in IT strategy, service delivery, enterprise integration, application development and analytic solutions. He has also served in leadership roles at several technology and consulting firms, most recently as Healthcare Practice Director at Netrix, LLC. While there, he also served as a board member on Ingram Micro's Healthcare Advisory Council. Prior to those positions he was CEO and President of ITR Mobility when it was acquired by Zebra Technologies, and a principal at Trill Systems. His entrepreneurial and analytics experience includes positions as Chief Technology Officer/Chief Operating Officer at Swingtide, Vice President at Alternian, President/Chief Technology Officer at Who2Trust and President at Geneva Software, which was acquired by Platinum Technology where he became Vice President, Network Management. Mr. Fallbacher holds a bachelor of science, computer science and mathematics degree from Western Illinois University.

"Over the last few years, the cost of health insurance and healthcare has risen dramatically for employers and their employees," said Mr. Fallbacher. "It is clear the path the U.S. is on is unsustainable. AMPS' entire reason for being is to reverse that trend and help make healthcare fair and affordable for everyone. We have developed unique solutions and have now assembled a team of outstanding professionals to help us bring those solutions to all who need them. When I look at the talent we now have on our leadership team I can't help but get excited for the future, and I believe our clients will as well. We are excited for our team to bring years of experience to help even more organizations and individuals contain their costs at every level throughout the healthcare industry."

About AMPS

Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions (AMPS) provides market leading healthcare cost containment services for self-funded employers, public entities, brokers, TPAs, and reinsurers. AMPS mission is to help clients attain their goals of reducing healthcare costs while keeping members satisfied with quality healthcare benefits. AMPS leverages 15 years of experience in auditing and pricing medical claims to deliver "fair for all" pricing both pre-care and post-care. AMPS offers innovative dashboards and analytics to provide clients with insights based on Plan performance. Learn more at www.advancedpricing.com.

Media Contact:

Stacy State

Amendola Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE AMPS

Related Links

http://www.advancedpricing.com/


The parents of a man who died in a fire in Northeast Portland in 2017 have filed a nearly $6 million lawsuit against the apartment owners and the man accused of setting the fire.

Batool and Ali Alhaji have filed a lawsuit over the death of their son, Taher Ali Alhaji, who died July 23, 2017 in a fire allegedly set by Ryan Thomas Monaco.

According to a police affidavit, Monaco had been visiting his ex-girlfriend, Ashley Mercier, who lived with Alhaji and Jason Miller, and set the couch on fire after they got in an argument and she left the apartment. Taher Alhaji and Miller both died in the fire, an event Mercier described as a nightmare.

Monaco was indicted on 17 charges, including four counts of aggravated murder, three counts of arson, strangulation and four counts of animal abuse. He is awaiting trial.

According to the affidavit, Mercier said she had met up with Monaco, against whom she had a restraining order, for drinks and they went back to her apartment, got in an argument and Mercier left.

Mercier said Monaco had texted and called multiple times demanding that she come back, and then called and told her that he had soaked the couch in gasoline and it was the first to burn.

A surveillance video located by police showed Monaco leaving his car parked in front the apartment and going into the house. Later, Monaco is seen leaving as the apartment catches on fire.

When fire crews and police responded to a fire call at the residence on Northeast Glisan Street at 3:20 a.m., they found the apartment engulfed in flames. Fire crews discovered one body immediately when they entered the apartment and found another in the second-floor bathroom. They also found a dead dog and several dead reptiles.

Alhajis parents are suing apartment owner Farhoud Mohammad and property manager Moe Farhoud, claiming the apartment did not have functioning smoke detectors, automatic fire extinguishing systems and fire escapes. They also allege the owners failed to test smoke detectors and ensure they had working batteries.

They are also suing Monaco for negligence, alleging he failed to warn Alhaji.

Hajis parents are seeking a jury trial and noneconomic damages of $5.8 million.
The FTSE 100 closed down 82.34 points at 7452.03 and the pound was at $1.30 against the dollar.

Boris Johnson has appointed Rishi Sunak as Chancellor after Sajid Javid resigned. He is reported to have quit over plans to merge the number 10 and Treasury special adviser teams.

Sunak previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the second in command to Javid.

Alok Sharma has been appointed the new Business Secretary. He has held several ministerial posts and is seen as a loyal supporter of the Prime Minister.

Shares slid back down to earth today after all three major US markets saw record highs yesterday, as the number of new Covid-13 cases appeared to be slowing down.

Barclays boss Jes Staley is under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) over whether he accurately described the relationship between convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein and himself during the time the banker ran JP Morgan's private bank.

British Gas owner Centrica blamed the new price cap in the UK as it swung into a major loss for the year. Operating loss reached 849million in 2019, down from a profit of 987million in the 12 months before.
NEW YORK  A federal narcotics agent was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison for his role in a decade-long drug conspiracy that involved the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York.
The Congress on Thursday demanded that the government should rollback the LPG cylinder price hike and wondered if the increase in prices of cooking gas was "revenge" for the saffron party's crushing defeat in the Delhi polls.

The Mahila Congress held a protest against the steep LPG price hike and submitted a memorandum to the government demanding a rollback of the increased prices.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took a dig at the BJP over the price hike by tweeting a UPA-era picture of the saffron party's leaders protesting an increase in prices of cooking gas at the time.

"I agree with these members of the BJP as they protest the astronomical 150 Rs price hike in LPG cylinders," Gandhi tweeted along with the picture of the protesting BJP leaders, including Smriti Irani.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes great pride in the fact that crores of people gave up their LPG cylinder subsidy for the poor and now affording non-subsidised cylinders has become extremely difficult for the citizens, Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev said in a statement.

"It is more shocking that within 24 hours of the Delhi election results (December 11), the BJP government increased prices of gas (LPG). Is this revenge for their crushing defeat?" she asked.

All state units of the Mahila Congress held a protest against the price hike and submitted a memorandum addressed to prime minister with a demand to rollback the hike in price of LPG cylinder.

It comes as a surprise that the BJP leaders who held shrill press meets when they were in opposition to protest against the rising prices during the UPA government are today silent, Dev said.

It is also shocking that when the entire country is reeling under the shock of economic crisis and unemployment, the price of a basic commodity like LPG cylinders has been hiked, she said.

The Congress is against this steep hike and the Mahila Congress has put forth the demand of rolling back the price rise to give relief to the common citizens, the Mahila Congress chief said.

A delegation of women leaders including Dev, Alka Lamba, Priyanka Singh, Amarlata Sangwan and Radhika Khera, went to meet Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to submit a memorandum demanding the rollback of the hike in the price of LPG gas cylinder by almost Rs 150, the Congress said.

The delegation was stopped at the gate of the Shastri Bhawan by security personnel and its members staged a protest to demand a meeting with Pradhan on this issue, it claimed.

After two hours of protest, the delegation was allowed to submit their memorandum to the office of the minister, the party said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the HDFC Bank Limited to provide smart banking solutions to Startups in the state.

The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department signed the MoU with the HDFC Bank in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

"Young entrepreneurs are engines of growth for new Odisha. I am sure this MoU between Start-up Odisha and HDFC Bank will open up new possibilities for startups," said the Chief Minister.

The bank would provide smart banking solutions to the Startups recognised by the Startup Odisha along with opportunity to pitch their solutions to requisite stakeholders and will work towards providing them an opportunity to showcase their solutions.

In addition, the bank will extend incubation and acceleration support to all Startups banking with them, said an official.

HDFC Bank is having third party alliances to provide discounts for startups across key business support functions like shared work spaces, digital marketing, content writing, tax and legal advisory, financial management, compliance among others.

Also, it will enable startups to list on their Smart Buy platform for growth and visibility, the official said.

The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction with the progress made under the Odisha Startup Policy.

"My government is working relentlessly to support the young Startups in every possible way. We are going to set up a world-class Startup Hub in Bhubaneswar and launch a fund for Startups this year to further boost the ecosystem," said Patnaik.

Dibyashankar Mishra, the MSME Minister said: "Odisha is one of the fastest growing StartUp ecosystem in the country and we invite more such partners to collaborate with us in this journey creating a holistic support system for Startups."
Residents of Lord Howe Island were "quite calm" as they prepared for the arrival of Cyclone Uesi on Thursday afternoon.

"Weve had cyclones pass through before and so most are feeling confident in making preparations," said lifelong resident Lea Ohlback. "Locals are currently securing their boats in the lagoon and along the foreshore."

Ned's Beach on the north-east coast of Lord Howe Island on Thursday Morning. Credit:Lea Ohlback

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of "destructive" winds and flash flooding on the island as the Category 2 tropical cyclone moves south.

It was producing wind gusts of up to 130km/h on Thursday morning, although it is expected to become an ex-tropical cyclone before it hits the island.
PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-13 07:30:08



CGG Wins Multi-Year Dedicated Center

Contract Renewal for Total

Paris, France  February 13, 2020

CGG announced today that its Geoscience division has been awarded a contract renewal by Total, for the continued operation of its Dedicated Processing Center (DPC) in Pau, France. The new contract will run for five years starting in January 2020.

The two companies have been working in close collaboration at the DPC since 2006. Through this long-term relationship and CGGs timely delivery of its innovative technologies and tailored workflows for a variety of environments around the world, the DPC has established a reputation for excellence, especially in 4D processing.

Sophie Zurquiyah, CEO, CGG, said: As a result of our strong partnership, the Pau DPC is fully integrated into Totals production cycle. This, together with its ability to leverage CGGs high-end 4D processing expertise and technology, has enabled the DPC to deliver outstanding results over the years. We look forward to continuing to support Total in the success of their future projects.

About CGG

CGG ( www.cgg.com ) is a global geoscience technology leader. Employing around 4,600 people worldwide, CGG provides a comprehensive range of data, products, services and equipment that supports the discovery and responsible management of the Earths natural resources. CGG is listed on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: 0013181864).

Contacts

Group Communications & Investor Relations

Christophe Barnini

Tel: + 33 1 64 47 38 11

E-Mail: invrelparis@cgg.com





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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 18:21:01|Editor: huaxia

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RAMALLAH, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official on Thursday accused the United States and Israel for challenging the international consensus that rejects the Israeli settlement in the Palestinian territories.

Israel and the U.S. boycotted the United Nations Human Rights Council after a report was published, said Hussein al-Sheikh, a minister of the Palestinian Authority, said in a press statement.

On Wednesday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) published a report that unveiled the names of international companies and factories that work in the Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

"Boycotting the UN Human Rights Council shows that both Israel and the United States do not care about all international agencies and its resolutions," said al-Sheikh, adding "their positions are a challenge to the international consensus."

The UNHCHR list is part of the implementation of a decision made by the UN Human Rights Council in 2016.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel Radio reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry decided to boycott UNHCHR for publishing the report which included the names of Israeli and foreign companies that work in the settlements.

Palestinian officials hailed the position of the UNHCHR for publishing the report and considered it a large support for the just Palestinian cause and against the illegal Israeli settlements that were built on the Palestinians lands.
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA) have been spying on the encrypted communications of governments all over the world for the past five decades through the CIAs secret ownership of a global security firm based in Switzerland.

According to a lengthy report in the Washington Post on Tuesday, the CIA-owned company known as Crypto AG sold diplomatic encryption technologies to more than half of the countries in the world for the past half-century, all the while with US intelligence eavesdropping on their communications.

FILE - This April 13, 2016, file photo shows the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Crypto was a World War II-era mechanical encryption technology company that was acquired in a partnership deal between the CIA and West German foreign intelligence (BND) in 1970. With a reputation for developing sophisticated encryption methods, the company then began selling to governments systems which contained backdoor access keys held by US and German intelligence agencies.

As the Post report explains, The Swiss firm made millions of dollars selling equipment to more than 120 countries well into the 21st century. Its clients included Iran, military juntas in Latin America, nuclear rivals India and Pakistan, and even the Vatican. Among the countries that used Crypto technologies for sensitive communications were Japan, Mexico, Egypt, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Argentina, Indonesia and Libya.

The Post report was published jointly with the German public broadcaster ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen) and is based on information contained in a classified comprehensive history of the secret CIA program, called Thesaurus and later Rubicon, that was leaked to the two news organizations. The Post and ZDF also interviewed current and former intelligence officials and Crypto employees, most of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.

Among the instances of spying by Crypto for US intelligence reported in detail by the Post were the communications of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat with Cairo during the 1978 Camp David negotiations, the diplomatic cables between the Iranian regime of Ayatollah Khomeini and Algeria during the US hostage crisis in 1979-80 and the sharing of decrypted communications with Britain from Argentina during the Malvinas War in 1982.

The Post quotes directly from the conclusion of the leaked report: It was the intelligence coup of the century. Foreign governments were paying good money to the US and West Germany for the privilege of having their most secret communications read by at least two (and possibly as many as five or six) foreign countries.

The five or six countries with access to the decrypted communications are likely the Five Eyes intelligence partnership that includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US. However, the Post report adds that the CIA records show that at least four other countriesIsrael, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdomwere aware of the operation or were provided intelligence from it by the United States or West Germany.

At the height of the Crypto spying operations in the 1980s, the companys systems were responsible for 40 percent of the worlds diplomatic cables and, while governments using them believed their communications were protected from eavesdropping, everything was being collected and decrypted.

Among the few governments that did not purchase the Crypto systems were the Soviet Union and China because, according to the Post, their well-founded suspicions of the companys ties to the West shielded them from exposure, although the CIA history suggests that U.S. spies learned a great deal by monitoring other countries interactions with Moscow and Beijing.

That US intelligence, in collaboration with its imperialist partners, was spying on the diplomatic communications of governments around the world for the past half-century is a significant revelation. While not surprising, it demonstrates in the most concrete manner the blatant criminality and gangsterism of US imperialism.

The revelations also prove that the government in Washington D.C., whether a Democrat or Republican has been in the White House, has been the number one meddler in the affairs of other countries for five decades, in complete violation of international law.

The Crypto revelations add to the long history of eavesdropping by the US government on both its allies and enemies in world affairs. Many of the more recent exposures have been published by WikiLeaks or contained in leaks by the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who turned over a trove of secret intelligence documents to reporters from the Guardian and the Post in 2013.

In 2015, during the presidential administration of Barack Obama, WikiLeaks revealed that the NSA had been listening in on the phone calls of German Chancellor Angela Merkel going back to 2009. The WikiLeaks data showed that the US had in fact been spying on the German chancellery for decades, beginning with the administration of Helmut Kohl (1982-1998).

The Snowden revelations, that proved the NSA was collecting and storing the electronic communications of the entire worlds population, showed that US intelligence operations include hacking into the fiber optic backbone of the international undersea cable system that connect the countries of the world together. Among Snowdens revelations was the fact that the US had intercepted the phone calls of the presidents of Mexico and Brazil in this manner.

The decades of unfettered access by US imperialism through secret backdoor keys built into commercially available encryption equipment exposes the motivations behind the present drive by the Trump administration to force tech companies to abolish end-to-end encryption on smartphones and texting apps. The demand that Apple, Google and Facebook give US law enforcement backdoor access to their products is, in part, aimed at restoring government surveillance of the private communications of rival governments and corporations.

The struggle against government surveillance of the public and the illegal operations of the US military-intelligence state against the countries of the world is fundamentally a question of defending basic democratic rights. While all of the candidates of the Democratic Party accept the unproven allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, not one of them has commented on the Washington Posts latest revelations of US spying and meddling on behalf of the American giant corporations and big banks.
Authorities arrested four suspects in Trenton Wednesday afternoon after a police officer was fired on in an unmarked car moments after witnessing a shooting in progress, authorities said.

The Hamilton police officer assigned to the State Polices Crime Suppression Central Unit Task Force saw a shooting in the area of West State Street and Parkside Avenue around 2:17 p.m., the State Police said.

The officer followed a car driven by one of the people involved in the shooting to the area of the Oakland Park apartments where at least one of the occupants began firing at this car, police said.

The officer, who was not identified, was not injured but his car was struck by bullets, police said.

The car then stopped and multiple people jumped out and fled, police said.

At least one of the suspects remained holed up in a residence as officers with the city police and state law enforcement officers swarmed the area, sources told NJ Advance Media. A heavily-damaged silver sedan was also near Parkside Avenue and West State Street.

Eventually four people, three men and one woman, were arrested and were in state police custody, police said. Several weapons were also recovered.

The suspects identities were not made public, nor were the charges they face.

The State Police did not say if anyone was injured in the original shooting, or comment on the damaged vehicle that detectives were guarding. Sources earlier Wednesday described the suspects vehicle as fleeing police during a chase.

Police on the scene of an apparent chase and then shooting in Trenton in which a police officer was shot at, on Feb. 12, 2020.(Photo by Peterson's Breaking News)

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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After media outlets reported that Varun Dhawan went to his long time girlfriend Natasha Dalal's house for their roka ceremony, the actor rubbished the claims in a recent tweet and said that he was there for a birthday party.

For clarifying the claims, Dhawan quoted a media outlet's tweet which mentioned that he went to Dalal's house to ask for her hand in marriage and added a hashtag of 'Roka Ceremony' along with it.

"Hey guys before u let ur imagination run wild it was a birthday party wanted to clarify before any false news is spread cheers," read Dhawan's tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
What happened

Shares of space company Virgin Galactic (NYSE:SPCE) are shooting higher once again. In midday Wednesday trading, shares of the space tourism stock tacked on nearly 12% -- then gave back more than half their gains to close the day up only 5.2%.

So what

Wait. Did I say "only" 5.2%? By close of trading Wednesday, each share of Virgin Galactic was fetching more than $23 a share. And that's actually problematic, because if you recall, this whole Virgin Galactic stock rally all began with a stock report from Morgan Stanley back in early December. Back then, the investment bank hypothesized that if Virgin Galactic should succeed in building a space tourism business -- getting customers to sign up, proving its spaceplane can fly to space and return safely, and earning a profit from doing so -- then Virgin Galactic might be worth $10 a share.

Should Virgin Galactic then go further -- accomplish all of the above, and then also create a fleet of hypersonic passenger jets to move travelers around the globe at Mach speeds -- well, in that case, Virgin Galactic stock might be worth as much as $12 more: $22 a share.

Now what

Currently, of course, Virgin Galactic has done none of the above. Hasn't flown a single paying passenger aboard its spaceplanes. Hasn't worked out the technical details of how to fly passengers hypersonically. Hasn't completed construction of more than a couple of SpaceShipTwo spaceplanes for its fleet.

Yet today, the stock is priced above what Morgan Stanley said it would be worth if it had done all these things.

No wonder investors got a bit nervous today. No wonder Virgin Galactic gave back half its gains.
British finance minister quits

According to British media, Rishi Sunak, the 39-year-old Chief Secretary to the Treasury, had been offered the job as finance minister.

Finance minister Sajid Javid resigned on Thursday, British media reported, a surprise move that shattered Prime Minister Boris Johnsons choreographed reshuffle of his government and raised questions over his leadership team.

THE RESIGNATION SHATTERED JOHNSON'S RESHUFFLE

Johnsons team had wanted to keep Britains biggest-hitting ministers in post, but Javids reported resignation over what one political editor said was a disagreement over his advisers has thrown the prime ministers plans off kilter.

He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Mirror newspaper quoted a source close to Javid as saying. The PM said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with No 10 special advisers to make it one team. The Chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms.





Johnson had wanted to preside over a reshuffle that would stamp his authority over a government he hoped would deliver his vision for Britain beyond Brexit and heal the divisions in his Conservative Party and the country.

But his first sacking, that of Northern Ireland minister Julian Smith who only a month ago had helped broker the restoration of a government in the British province, had prompted criticism from politicians north and south with the border with Ireland.
An Australia Post worker has resigned after he was allegedly caught stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods from undelivered packages.

The 57-year-old male employee, who was not named, has been accused of taking several parcels from a Strawberry Hills post office in Sydney over a six-month period.

Police claim the man stole a number of packages, including some containing a printer, a barbecue, a ukulele, and an estimated $20,000 worth of cigarettes.

An Australia Post worker has been accused of taking several parcels from a Strawberry Hills post office in Sydney over a six-month period

Police also conducted a raid at his Waterloo home, where they seized 96 cartons of cigarettes, a towel rack, 45 items of clothing, and Calvin Klein perfume (pictured)

The man was arrested last month, following weeks of investigating, after officers pulled him over on Elizabeth St.

A search of the man's car found a number of items including camera equipment and other alleged stolen property in his boot.

Police also conducted a raid at his Waterloo home, where they seized 96 cartons of cigarettes, a towel rack, 45 items of clothing, and Calvin Klein perfume.

The man was charged with two counts of appropriate mail-receptacle, dispose property-theft, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, goods suspected stolen in/on premises, and deal with property proceeds of crime.

A search of the man's car found a number of items including camera equipment and other alleged stolen property in his boot. He is also accused of stealing a barbecue grill (right) among other items

He was suspended without pay in light of the allegations, before being forced to step down from his job completely.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, the company said: 'Australia Post is committed to delivering mail as safely and efficiently as possible, and apologises for what has happened here.

'The investigation has had our full cooperation, and we took immediate and appropriate action once charges were laid.'

The man was granted a strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.
President Akufo-Addo has encouraged farmers to maximise their potential to reap the full benefits of the industry.

He said farmers in neighbouring Ivory Coast were making more money from agriculture than their Ghanaian counterparts hence the need for stakeholders in the agriculture sector to do more to take advantage of government initiatives.

You constitute one of the most important parts of the Ghanaian economy; next door, our neighbour, friend and competitor gains on the average US$16 billion dollars from its agriculture, eight times more than ours, he told members of the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG) when they called him at the Jubilee House, yesterday.

The President said you are the only people who can fill the gap and bring us from that two billion to the 16 billion.

He considered the meeting with the farmers an important one. Your concerns are very much my concerns and that is why it is important for me to have this opportunity to talk to you on a regular basis, he said.

The President therefore noted that the yearly visit is really not enough. We should be talking at least twice a year so that in real time, we can address some of the problems, adding, God willing if the four more for Nana works, we will have a new timetable and a schedule for our meetings.

On his part, National Chairman of the NFFAWAG, Davies Korboe, showed appreciation to the President for keeping faith with farmers and engaging them to move agriculture to a higher level.

He listed some challenges that members of NFFAWAG were facing, including how to improve the mechanization of agriculture, the shortfall in financing the agric sector, marketing, pricing and price stability of their produce, quality standards as well as pest control challenges. Other challenges he enumerated included access to loans by rice value chain actors, lack of storage facilities in rice growing communities and poultry farming challenges, among others.

Korboe urged the President and his administration to give such concerns immediate attention.

To that, President Akufo-Addo noted, the Agribusiness community has a great potential for the rapid development of our country and anybody who is serious about governance in Ghana has to pay a great deal of attention to your concerns so that we can all grow together.

---Daily Guide
BENSALEM, Pa., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors of the upcoming April 6, 2020 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who acquired of Sasol Limited (Sasol or the "Company) (NYSE: SSL ) securities between March 10, 2015 and January 13, 2020 inclusive (the Class Period).

Investors suffering losses on their Sasol investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com .

On October 27, 2014, Sasol announced the construction of an $8.1 billion ethane cracker and derivatives complex called the Lake Charles Chemicals Project (LCCP).

On June 6, 2016, Sasol reported that the expected total capital expenditure for the [LCCP] could increase up to US $11 billion, including site infrastructure and utility improvements. Moreover, the Company disclosed that the estimated LCCP capital cost and extended schedule will reduce the expected project returns by approximately the same amount as the Companys lower long-term price assumptions.



On this news, Sasols American depositary receipt (ADR) price fell $3.53 per share, or approximately 11%, to close at $28.60 per share on June 6, 2016, thereby injuring investors.

On May 22, 2019, during pre-market hours, Sasol revealed that the cost estimate for the LCCP has been revised to a range of $12.6 to $12,9 billion which includes a contingency of $300 million.

On this news, Sasols ADR price fell $4.50 per share, or nearly 15%, to close at $25.64 per share on May 22, 2019, thereby injuring investors further.

On August 16, 2019, during pre-market hours, Sasol postponed its full year 2019 financial results because of possible LCCP control weaknesses.

On this news, Sasols ADR price fell $0.74 per share, or over 4%, to close at $17.67 per share on August 16, 2019, thereby injuring investors further.

On October 28, 2019, Sasol disclosed that there were errors, omissions, and inaccuracies in the [LCCP] cost estimate and that the highest level of management had engaged in a number of unethical and improper reporting activities. Sasol also announced the resignation of, inter alia, its Joint Presidents and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Senior Vice Presidents and others previously in charge of the LCCP.

On January 14, 2020, Sasol confirmed an explosion and fire at its LCCP low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit. Sasol stated that [t]he unit was in the final stages of commissioning and startup when the incident occurred.

On this news, Sasols ADR price fell $1.70 per share, or nearly 8%, over the following two trading days to close at $19.99 per share on January 15, 2020, thereby injuring investors further.

The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Sasol had conducted insufficient due diligence into, and failed to account for multiple issues with, the LCCP, as well as the true cost of the project; (2) that construction and operation of the LCCP was consequently plagued by control weaknesses, delays, rising costs, and technical issues; (3) that these issues were exacerbated by Sasols top-level management, who engaged in improper and unethical behavior with respect to financial reporting for the LCCP and the projects oversight; (4) that all of the foregoing was reasonably likely to render the LCCP significantly more expensive than disclosed and negatively impact the Companys financial results; and (5) that as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

If you purchased Sasol securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than April 6, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com .

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith

Howard G. Smith, Esquire

215-638-4847

888-638-4847

howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com

www.howardsmithlaw.com




KHIVA, Uzbekistan  Inside the ancient walls of the Silk Road oasis town of Khiva, China has put down a marker of its geopolitical ambitions. A sign promotes a Chinese aid project to renovate a once-crumbling mosque and a faded madrasa.

Outside the towns northern gate, a billboard-size video screen shows clips of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan meeting with world leaders. President Xi Jinping of China features prominently, but there are no shots of President Trump.

That China is advertising its aid efforts so boldly in this remote outpost linking Asia and Europe  where camel caravans once arrived after crossing the Kyzylkum and Karakum Deserts  is the kind of action these days that sets off alarm bells among American officials. The Trump administration is trying with greater force to insert itself into the political and economic life of Central Asia to counter Chinas presence. American officials see the countries in the heart of the continents vast, arid steppe as critical battlegrounds in the struggle with China over global influence.

Whenever we speak to countries around the world, we want to make sure that were doing what the people of those countries want, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week at a news conference in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:59:48|Editor: yan

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PARIS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- France-based European plane maker Airbus on Thursday reported a net loss of 1.36 billion euros (1.47 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019 after paying billions of euros of provision to settle a past bribery and corruption case related to jetliner sales.

The company's loss was mainly due to a provision of 3.6 billion euros to cover the settlement of a suspected jet sales corruption case dating back over a decade.

It also attributed the negative performance to an "increasingly challenging" outlook of its A400M military transport aircraft, which had led to a loss of 1.2 billion euros. Meanwhile, the suspension of defence export licences to Saudi Arabia by the German government, prolonged to March 2020, had cost the planemaker 221 million euros.

Adjusted operating income, excluding the charges and other one-offs, was 6.95 billion euros in 2019, up from 5.38 billion euros recorded a year earlier, the company said.

Revenues increased by 10.7 percent to 70.48 billion euros, "mainly driven by the higher commercial aircraft deliveries and a favourable mix at Airbus, and to a lesser extent the favourable exchange rate development."

Airbus said it had delivered "a record 863 commercial aircraft" last year against 800 aircraft in 2018. Helicopter deliveries inched up by one percent "supported by growth in services, which offset lower deliveries of rotorcraft."

"We achieved a great deal in 2019. We delivered a strong underlying financial performance driven mainly by our commercial aircraft deliveries," said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury.

"The reported earnings also reflect the final agreements with the authorities resolving the compliance investigations and a charge related to revised export assumptions for the A400M. The level of confidence in our ability to continue to deliver sustainable growth going forward has led to a dividend proposal of 1.80 euro per share," he added.

"Our focus in 2020 will be on reinforcing our company culture, improving operationally, and adjusting our cost structure to strengthen the financial performance and prepare for the future," he pledged.

In 2020, Airbus targets around 880 commercial aircraft deliveries and aims to accelerate its operating income to 7.5 billion euros. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar)
China's Communist Party on Thursday fired several senior officials in Hubei province, the center of the new coronavirus outbreak.

The Central Committee said Jiang Chaoliang, Hubei's party secretary since 2016, has been removed from his post, and will be replaced by Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong. Ying is an ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The coronavirus outbreak originated in the Hubei city of Wuhan, and the Communist Party also fired the Wuhan party boss, Ma Guoqiang.

Chinese citizens have complained about how long it took for the government to acknowledge the outbreak, saying this slow response allowed the virus to spread. There are now 48,206 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Hubei, and the death toll stands at 1,310.

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Drugs, firearms and a clandestine lab have been found during a police raid in the Bay of Plenty today.

Police executed a search warrant at an Alexander Avenue address in Whakatane, with AOS in attendance as a precaution.

The search warrant was the result of a pre-planned operation targeting organised crime and the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine in Whakatane and the wider Bay of Plenty.

Police located a firearm, firearm parts, ammunition, and quantities of methamphetamine and cannabis, says a police spokesperson.

"A clandestine lab believed to be used for manufacturing methamphetamine was also discovered.

"Specialist police staff remain at the address processing the scene, collecting evidence, and carrying out decontamination work."

Two people have been arrested and a number of others are assisting police with enquiries. Serious charges are likely to follow.

"Police would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation during todays operation.

"We are determined to target those who profit through the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine at the expense of vulnerable people in our communities with complete disregard for the ongoing social harm it causes."

Anyone affected by methamphetamine addiction is urged to seek help through the Alcohol and Drug Helpline on 0800 787797, or free text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor.

Police ask anyone with information regarding organised crime or drug-related offending to call 105 to report it, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with concerns for their immediate safety should call 111.
An Iowa woman who is facing two counts of attempted murder in December hit-and-run attacks on two children  including one that the police said targeted a girl because she looked Mexican  has been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial.

The woman, Nicole Marie Poole Franklin, 42, was declared unfit by a Polk County judge on Tuesday, according to court filings.

Ms. Franklin was also charged with a hate crime in a separate episode that the authorities said took place in between the Dec. 9 hit-and-run attacks. They said Ms. Franklin yelled racial epithets at a convenience store clerk and a customer in West Des Moines.

Law enforcement officials have characterized all three attacks as racially motivated. The victim of the first hit-and-run was a 12-year-old black boy, the authorities said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  Newly-hired and returning household workers may now return to Kuwait as the government lifts the remaining ban on them, a Cabinet official said Thursday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello confirmed this to CNN Philippines in a text message.

The government imposed a total worker deployment ban to Kuwait in January after the release of autopsy results on household helper Jeanelyn Villavenda, who was allegedly killed by her Kuwaiti employers in December. The employers are now facing charges.

The government partially lifted the ban a month later for skilled, semi-skilled workers and professionals after the siginig of a bilteral deal on the standard employment contract for Filipino workers.

The template contract is under a provision of a 2018 labor deal  an agreement to protect Filipino workers in Kuwait. Both sides reached an agreement earlier this month after threshing out certain rules in the provision.
Then-U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie Liu speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia in Washington on Oct. 15, 2018. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Trump Withdraws Treasury Post Nomination For Former US Attorney Jessie Liu

The White House withdrew its nomination of former U.S. attorney Jessie Liu for a post at the Treasury Department earlier this week.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at a Senate hearing on Wednesday said that he learned about the withdrawal of Lius nomination two days ago.

Liu was scheduled for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday and would have become the Treasury Departments undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes. Trump had announced his intent to nominate her for the role in early December 2019 and her nomination was submitted to the Senate on Jan. 6. Axios reported on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources, that Liu was informed on Tuesday afternoon that Trump was pulling her nomination.

The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.

Attorney General Bill Barr appointed his adviser, Timothy Shea, as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in late January, replacing Liu as she awaited her Senate confirmation. She had held the position since September 2017.

In late January, Barr said that Liu had served with distinction as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in a statement announcing Sheas appointment to the position. He also expressed gratitude to Liu for having served in the role.

In that role, Liu oversaw a number of controversial prosecutions related to Robert Muellers Russia investigation, including those against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and Trump associate Roger Stone.
The woman who disrupted a Jet2 flight to Turkey mid-flight by trying to open the plane door screaming, Im going to kill you all, was sentenced to two years in prison on Feb. 12.

On top of her sentence, 26-year-old Chloe Haines received a $111,000 bill from flight operator, Jet2, to cover the expenses of the incident including an escort by two jet fighters back to Londons Stansted Airport.

Judge Charles Gratwicke, who presided over Chelmsford crown court, Essex, said: Those that are trapped in the confined space of the aircraft will inevitably be distressed, frightened and petrified by the actions of those who in a drunken state endanger their lives, ITV reported. For some, he added, it will be their worst nightmare come true.

However, as Haines attorney, Oliver Saxby attested, She (Haines) wasnt just drunk, she was unwell, he said as it was clear she was having mental problems and was on medication as well. Saxby added: Shes appalled, shes ashamed, shes deeply embarrassed by what she did. Shes disgusted with herself.

But Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, was adamant about it. Ms. Haines behavior was one of the most serious cases of disruptive passenger behavior that we have experienced, and we have banned her from flying with us for life, he said in a statement, CNN reported.

Speaking to The Sun, Amy Varol, 24, who sat two rows behind the offending passenger on the flight to Dalaman, described the moment the woman had her hands on exit door before crew members pulled her to the ground.

The woman was walking down the aisle when she literally ran to the exit door, Varol said.

She had her hands on the handle, trying to open it. Luckily there was two cabin crew there who pulled her off the door.

TWEET 2/2 by 4 people and my brother and cousin.. its awful everyones screaming and crying. Now were back at stansted waiting for the police to come and get her! I will get to turkey!!!  Amiy Varol (@AmiyVarol) June 22, 2019

Varol, a community care worker, told The Sun the woman was restrained after she attacked fellow passengers and cabin crew, and later threatened to kill everyone.

Thats when she started screaming get off me, Im going to kill everyone.'

The whole plane started screaming as the crew tried to get her off the door. Everyone all of a sudden jumped up and panicked, she explained.

Two Royal Air Force (RAF) jets escorted the plane back to Stansted Airport after it was forced to turn around following the disruption.

Epoch Times reporter Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report
Weather Alert

...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 35 below zero. * WHERE...Portions of central and northeast Vermont, and the Saint Lawrence Valley and northern Adirondacks in New York. * WHEN...Until 3 PM EST today. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The coldest wind chill values will occur through 11 AM today. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. &&
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned Secretary of State Bev Clarnos controversial decision to reject three proposed ballot measures for the November election that she said violated a constitutional clause that such measures deal with a single subject.

Clarno originally rejected three initiative petitions filed last fall by a conservation group, Oregon Wild. The petitions sought to institute a number of new forest protections, including news limits on aerial pesticide spraying, logging on landslide-prone slopes and clearcutting near water and on small tract forestlands. The measures also sought to limit conflicts of interest at the Board of Forestry and create new public notice requirements for aerial spraying.

Clarno, a Republican appointed to serve out the term of the late Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, rejected the petitions. She ruled that the measures various provisions dealt with more than one subject, violating the Oregon constitution.

Oregon Wild went on to file three narrower petitions that Clarno approved, but the conservation group also appealed her initial decision. They argued that Clarno was misinterpreting state law, politicizing the ballot process and protecting the timber industry, one of the Republican partys most consistent backers.

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum declined to defend Clarno, forcing her to hire expensive outside counsel to defend the decision. But a Marion County Circuit Court judge backed up Clarno in November, saying her decision was proper.

The appeals court has now overturned that decision. The three-judge panel concluded the provisions within the measures had a unifying principle  a measure that Oregons Supreme Court has repeatedly used as the test of whether proposed ballot measures or legislation can be said to embrace a single subject.

It is relatively easy to identify a logical, unifying principle connecting the provisions of each measure: the regulation and protection of forestlands, appellate judge Erin Lagesen wrote in the decision. All of the provisions in each measure address that subject or are matters properly connected to the regulation and protection of forestlands.

As it turns out, environmental groups and timber companies reached a landmark agreement earlier this week to withdraw six competing forestry ballot measures filed for November, including those at question in the lawsuit. The agreement holds if lawmakers pass a bill during the current short session that puts new limits on aerial spraying, something the timber industry has agreed to support. The parties also agreed to work together over the next 18 months to modernize Oregons forestry regulations.

As part of that agreement, however, the environmental groups said they would not abandon their appeal of Clarnos decision.

We really wanted to make sure we had the chance to move through the appeals process, said Sean Stevens, executive director of Oregon Wild. It was important beyond the trajectory of the ballot measures. We think this ruling is important to the ballot measure process in Oregon.

Clarnos office issued a statement but did not say whether she planned to appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court.

I am disappointed in the Courts decision, said Clarno. I believe the single subject rule means something and had hoped the Court would agree. We will have to thoroughly read the opinion and consult with our attorneys before deciding on further action.

Steve Pedery, conservation director with Oregon Wild, said that if nothing else, Clarno just wasted a bunch of taxpayer money.

It seems like there could have been a better use of the money that the Secretary of State wasted in acting as an agency of the logging lobby, he said. She just squandered tens of thousands of dollars trying to block access to the ballot for a measure that that now even the logging industry seems to agree is a serious problem.
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation reported 179.62% jump in net profit to Rs 205.80 crore on 61.92% rise in total income to Rs 734.98 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. The company declared an interim dividend at the rate of Rs 10 per share, which is 100% of paid up share capital.

Ashok Leyland reported 93.29% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 26.79 crore on 30.64% fall in total income to Rs 5,209.00 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. The industry witnessed 39% decline in volumes. Ashok Leyland also witnessed a volume drop during the quarter.

Torrent Power reported 76.99% jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 419.39 crore on 5.79% fall in total income to Rs 3,115.48 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. Sales grew The board approved interim dividend of Rs 11.60 per equity share, which includes a special dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share, with a view to distribute a part of the one-time tax gain arising from reduction in tax rates.

PNC Infratech said that the company bagged a hybrid annuity highway project worth Rs 2,052 crore in Uttar Pradesh. The project is to be constructed in 30 months and operated for 15 years post construction. This is the ninth hybrid annuity highway project secured by the company so far.

Yes Bank informed that in the effort to raise capital the bank has received non-binding expressions of interest from several prominent investors like J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC; Tilden Park Capital Management LP; OHA (UK) LLP (part of Oak Hill Advisors); Silver Point Capital. The Bank is currently in discussions with these investors on the commercial terms, including pricing. The bank also said the process of fundraising will delay the announcement of its earnings for the December quarter to on or before 14 March 2020.

Aurobindo Pharma informed that it has completed the acquisition of some business assets of Profectus BioSciences Inc, a clinical-stage vaccine development company of Auro Vaccines LLC. Auro vaccines is a 100% subsidiary of Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc, which is an arm of the Indian pharmaceutical company.

General Insurance Corporation of India informed that that the Corporation has obtained license from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (Bank of Russia) for its subsidiary company GIC Perestrakhovanie LLC, Moscow for commencement of reinsurance business. The license was received on 12 February 2020.

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The startup-laden cannabis industry is probably just right for those who are willing to forego a few extra dollars on their paychecks for the possibility of a bigger payout later when the company grows or goes public.

Giving employees an equity stake is far from an uncommon practice in startups, and companies in turn may see it as a way to save money on payroll and encourage workers to do more.

Ownership interests in the often heavily regulated cannabis industry, however, typically come with regulatory implications by necessity.

In Colorado, which in 2012 along with Washington became the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana use, the practice of giving employees equity has been a heavily regulated process. In fact, some believe that it was too regulated, and what has resulted was not what may have been intended.

A few cannabis businesses, as a way of avoiding the regulations and cost, it seems have been giving employees equity in a sort of under-the-table manner, without proper steps or good documentation.

Companies are giving equity, but not properly papering that, said Christine Kessler Lamb, with Fortis Law Partners.

Her practice is largely in Colorado and is focused on employment law.

Lamb has been called in to fix a few such messes in which equity was handed out quickly, and later disputes arose over how much people owned in the business, or whether they owned anything at all.

In some cases employees filed lawsuits in which directors and officers or employment practices liability coverage may kick in, according to Lamb.

House Bill 1090, which was signed last year with effective date of November 2019 with additional work-ins effective in January, may have offered a fix.

Prior to the current framework, everyone was subject to disclosure and background requirements before owning any share of a cannabis business, and any change of ownership was subject to an application and approval process no matter how few shares were being offered.

The old framework seemed to offer good protections and require businesses to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts, but it was onerous and costly those familiar with the regulations say.

HB 1090 changed part of the code, 2-230 Disclosure of Financial Interests in a Regulated Marijuana Business, which specified the information required to be disclosed in every initial, renewal and change of owner application.

The new law streamlines the ownership and investment framework to focus on those who control the cannabis businesses.

The threshold is now set at 10% or more ownership. Parties at and above that threshold are subject to application and suitability requirements, while the rest are referred to as passive beneficial owners, parities less than 10% who are also not in position to control the cannabis business.

Under the change, indirect financial interest holders, like financing firms, firms that lease equipment, are also exempt.

Rachel Gillette, chair of Greenspoon Marders cannabis law practice, believes the new law will encourage more cannabis businesses to offer equity and do so without fear of all the regulatory red tape involved.

We probably had people that were not compliant with the regulatory environment prior to these January rule changes, and you also had people who were just not going to do it because it was too hard, she said. I think this is going to encourage employers to maybe offer some sort of equity program to their employees as a benefit.

Both attorneys said theyve seen equity become a legal matter when a company becomes successful, is acquired or it is about to go public.

Lamb pointed out numerous sticking points in the process of offering equity and then collecting on it, such as what type of equity was given, when it was given, how long an employee was with a company, how the company is structured.

Equity means lots of different things, Lamb said. What weve been finding is theres two different understandings of what was meant. And when theres not documentation of what was meant, its a recipe for disaster.

Shes getting a lot of business from such disasters.

Were starting to see people form class actions, Lamb said. The idea is in the right place. Theres nothing wrong with the idea (of equity). But they dont think though what that means, or they dont get legal advice on documenting it.

One of the most noteworthy cases is when Colorado Springs company Folium Biosciences announced in December 2018 its plans to merge with Australis Capital Inc., a cannabis investment firm with roots in Canada, with the intent of building out a publicly traded CBD company, two employees soon after filed lawsuits over alleged contract breaches.

The suit involves disputes over percentages of ownership, verbal agreements and other matters.

There are at least a handful of other similar suits in Colorado, and Lamb believes more may come.

However, according to Dominque Mendiola, deputy director of the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, which is part of the Colorado Department of Revenue, the main intent of HB 1090 was to clear some of the red tape for large corporations to have an interest in Colorado businesses.

What we understood to be the focus in HB 1090 was to expand opportunity for investment in ownership of marijuana businesses in Colorado, she said.

The law would enable businesses, as well as employees, to have small investments in Colorado firms, she explained.

Mendiola, who said the division has yet to see what shed call an abundance of lawsuits or complaints over employee equity in cannabis firms, believes its too soon to tell if the new law will have the intended effects of bringing in more outside investors to the states cannabis industry.

If the law does work as intended, and more investors do start to take interest in Colorado cannabis businesses, more conflict could arise.

Theres a lot of outside investors come in and they ask who owns this company, and sometimes thats not a clear answer, Lamb said.

Lamb recently worked with a Colorado company that was sold for a large sum of money to a big Canadian cannabis conglomerate.

After the company, which Lamb declined to name, was sold, current employees were given stock in the Canadian company.

Everyone that has ever worked at this Colorado company said, Hey, wait a minute, I used to work there, and when I worked there, I was promised some form of equity,' she said. I had a flood of ex-employees that all came forward when they heard the company was sold, all of them saying, I get a piece of the sale.'

She helped the company avoid litigation with six months of clean up work in which she went one-by-one to former employees and requested documentation, including when the employees worked for the company, when they were promised equity, and how much.

A sticking point became the time period during which employees said they were promised the equity and how big the company was at that time.

A startup thats slightly more than just an idea, for example, may have no assets.

And youre an employee on the ground floor and you have 10%, she added. Whats that worth?

At that point, an employees equity is probably worth roughly $0.

Lamb was able to either convince employees that they werent owed anything, or those who were owed something got paid out, she said.

When I was picking off each individual person, I had to figure out when did they show up, when did they leave, what document they signed, if any, how long they worked there, were they there long enough to vest, she said. It affects the terms of the deal.

Related:

Topics Lawsuits Legislation InsurTech Cannabis Canada Colorado Startups
U.S. President Donald Trump says there are promising signs that the United States would reach a peace deal with the Taliban by the end of this month.

Chances are "good" for the agreement to be sealed, Trump said on a February 13 podcast broadcast on iHeart Radio.

When asked if a tentative deal had been reached, Trump said: "I think we're very close.... I think there's a good chance that we'll have a deal.... We're going to know over the next two weeks."

The president's comments are the latest indication of progress being made in talks between the United States and the Taliban that have been taking place since December in Qatar, where the militants have a political office.

Earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told journalists in Brussels that both sides had negotiated a "proposal" for a week-long scaling-down in violence.

He said a drawdown of troops and further negotiations with the militants would be "conditions-based" and begin after a decline in violence.

"We've said all along that the best...solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement," he added. "It will be a continual evaluative process as we go forward -- if we go forward."

Progress toward reducing violence could usher in direct peace talks between the militants and the Afghan government to end the nearly two-decade war.

AP reported that if violence subsided, it would lead to an agreement being signed between the United States and the Taliban, followed by, within 10 days, all-Afghan negotiations to establish a road map for the political future of a postwar Afghanistan.

There has been a "pretty important breakthrough" over the past few days, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on February 13 about peace negotiations. He did not elaborate.

President Donald Trump would still have to formally approve the agreement and finalization of details is expected at this week's Munich Security Conference, where Esper and Pompeo will meet with Afghan President Ashaf Ghani.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg the day before reiterated that the alliance "fully supports the U.S.-led peace efforts, which can pave the way for intra-Afghan talks."

Speaking at the same NATO summit in Brussels attended by Esper, the secretary-general said the militants "need to demonstrate that they are both willing and capable to deliver a reduction of violence and contribute to peace in good faith."

He said the militant fighters have to "understand that they will never win on the battlefield. They have to make real compromises around the negotiating table."

The prospective deal would see the U.S. pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan, while the Taliban would provide security guarantees and launch eventual talks with the Western-backed government in Kabul.

There are some 12,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, as well as thousands of European forces participating in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

With reporting by Democrat-Gazette, Pajhwok, dpa, AP, and Reuters
Deptford High School seniors get early exposure to college at Rowan College in Mantua, N.J. on Feb. 5, 2020. Read more

When the school day ends for Deptford High School senior Serena Amuzu, she moves on for more classes  at college.

She is among 65 classmates enrolled at Rowan College of South Jersey through a program that allows eligible seniors to get a jump-start on college. By the time they graduate from high school in June, some will have enough credits to begin college as upperclassmen.

At least one is expected to pick up a high school diploma and an associates degree at the same time after completing 60 credits at Rowan.

It gives me a better head start, said Amuzu, 17, an aspiring doctor. Im going to be in school for a long time, and this will save time and money.

Deptford is the only school district participating in the high school collegiate program at Rowan College, which was launched this year and waives tuition to allow seniors to take up to three classes per semester: English, psychology, and Spanish. Students at Gloucester County Institute of Technology in Deptford have a separate program.

Students can take 12 additional credits free and get a 65% discount on any courses after that. Tuition is $152 per credit, among the lowest in the state, for those living in Gloucester or Cumberland Counties.

More than one-fourth of this years graduating class of about 245 students is participating in the program, vice principal Danielle Lehman said. Students must score at least 480 in English and 500 in math on the SAT to qualify or take a college placement test.

Its pretty neat to be able to provide that for our kids," said Lehman. Its just a wonderful opportunity for them."

After attending morning classes at the high school, students are bused or drive to the nearby Rowan College campus.

The idea is to give seniors a chance to complete general education electives and streamline the transition to Rowan College and ultimately a four-year institution, said Megan Ruttler, executive director of Rowans Career and College Readiness program. The credits can be applied toward coursework at Rowan and other state colleges, she said.

Its just getting them acclimated to the environment, Ruttler said. Were just trying to give them the tools they need to be successful.

 READ MORE: Two South Jersey colleges merge, following nationwide trend

Ruttler said a dual enrollment collegiate program will be added in the fall for Vineland High School students to attend its Vineland campus.

A growing number of districts, including Woodbury, Gloucester City, Penns Grove, West Deptford, and Delsea Regional, are paying tuition for their students to attend Rowan, but are not part of the high school collegiate program, she said.

 READ MORE: Two South Jersey colleges merge, following nationwide trend

At Rowan, the high schoolers program is housed in a second-floor annex. Classes are held four afternoons a week. Each three-credit course lasts an hour and 15 minutes. The high schoolers blend in with Rowan students and follow the colleges 15-week curriculum.

The courses are taught by Deptford employees who were approved as Rowan adjuncts. A fourth class, public speaking, will be added this summer.

Its awesome, said David Hubert, 17, as aspiring accountant who is taking three classes. Im trying to learn as much as I can, especially if its free. Why not?

During an English 102 class recently, about a dozen students began class with a quiz followed by a rigorous discussion of James Joyces short story Eveline with professor Peter Mosiondz, one of three adjuncts who instruct the Deptford students.

Mosiondz, a 21-year educator, said he has high expectations for his students. He also teaches at Rowans main campus in Glassboro.

I dont believe in making it easier because theyre high school students, he said.Theyre completely into it.

 READ MORE: As colleges compete for fewer students, the pressure rises to meet enrollment targets

Several students said they would consider enrolling in the regional community college, which offers more than 120 degree and certificate programs. They can earn a bachelors through a 3+1 program," which allows them to pay three years of cheaper community college tuition and just one year at a four-year university.

Its going to save me a lot of money, said Julianna White, 17.
His wife, Erin Bauer, said those who knew her husband knew he wasnt one for the spotlight, and he was probably looking down shaking his head at the ceremony. But as his wife, she said she was grateful the community took the time to appreciate him.
Boris Johnson's father Stanley has said he hopes the Duchess of Cornwall doesn't change her 'brilliant personality' as she comes under pressure to step up her royal role after Megxit.

The I'm A Celebrity star, 79, from London, appeared on This Morning to discuss news stories from the past few days, when he heaped praise on the 'wonderful' Camilla, 72.

When Phillip Schofield questioned if Camilla, Prince Charles, 71, Kate Middleton, 38, and Prince William, 37, were the new 'Fab Four' after Megxit, Stanley said: 'I don't think I would want Camilla to change very much, I think her personality is wonderful.'

The nickname was originally used to describe the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, before their respective households divided.

Stanley Johnson, 79, said he hoped the 'brilliant' Duchess of Cornwall, 72, wouldn't change her behaviour after Megxit while appearing on This Morning (pictured)

Stanley joined Holly and Phil, as well as actress Nicola Thorp, to discuss Camilla's work in domestic abuse following the royal's Clarence House charity reception last night.

Introducing the topic, Phil said: 'The Duchess of Cornwall has said she has friends who are victims of violence and coercive control. She has said, "No one knows what goes on behind closed doors, it affects everybody, no matter who you are."

'For her to say, "I know people" in the circles she mixes in, it goes to show it could be anybody.'

Nicola said: 'It absolutely could be anybody. It's not just women who are victims of domestic violence. It's amazing she is putting her voice to this and breaking down that stigma.'

Stanley praised the 'wonderful' Duchess over her work with domestic violence charities (pictured yesterday, Camilla at a reception for the 15th anniversary of the domestic abuse charity SafeLives, at Clarence House)

Stanley explained: 'I think it's brilliant. I think Camilla is actually a brilliant lady.

'She can come across tremendously well, and when she gets hold of a subject like that, it really brings attention to it.'

Phillip asked: 'They have always been very active, obviously, in the work that they do for charities.

'But in the past few days, with Megxit, we've seen the Prince of Wales and the Duchess and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge come together as a new "Fab Four".'

While discussing Mexgit, Stanley said he wouldn't want the Duchess of Cornwall to change after Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle's, 38, departure from the royal family

But while Stanley called it 'an interesting idea', he explained: 'I don't think I would want Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to change very much, I think her personality is wonderful.'

He went on to explain that he had met the Duchess in the past, saying: 'She came in, and she said, "Oh I so much enjoyed your book", can you imagine?'

'I just thought she must have been heavily briefed. I just thought it was absolutely wonderful. It was a book I'd just written called Stanley, I presume.'

He went on to say the Duchess had asked him to 'send another' and he had later sent her his second memoir 'Stanley I resume'.

The I'm A Celebrity star revealed the Duchess of Cornwall once told him that she was a fan of his memoir 'Stanley, I presume'

He added: 'On the Fab Four, they do everything right. Prince Charles has been 40 years ahead of his time on architecture, climate change. Look at the others, following in their footsteps.'

Stanley's comments come as Prince Charles and Camilla joined Prince William and Kate in their first joint appearance in nine years earlier this week.

The royals visited the new Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) in Loughborough, with some suggestions the group had become a new 'Fab Four'.

The name was originally used to describe Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before a rift developed between the two couples.

He appeared on This Morning and called the Duchess 'wonderful' and said the royal 'really brings attention' to subjects that matter (pictured, with presenters Holly and Phil and fellow guest Nicola)

Harry and Meghan split from the Cambridges' Kensington Palace household, setting up their own at Buckingham Palace in the spring, with a separate head of communications and SussexRoyal Instagram account.

And just 15 months after Harry and Meghan made their first appearance to promote the Royal Foundation charity with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge they decided to break away.

They are currently holed up with their nine-month-old son Archie at a $14 million waterfront Vancouver Island mansion after announcing their bombshell news that they would be 'stepping back' as 'senior royals' in early January.
The US military has switched from trying to degrade or reduce the effectiveness of terror groups to merely trying to contain them as their deadly threat rises, according to a new government report.

The US military's activities in Africa extend from the Sahel region just south of the Sahara Desert to Somalia.

However, limited resources and manpower have pushed the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) to switch strategies from degrading terror groups to containment, a new government report says.

The news is likely to be a blow to France. French Defense Minister Florence Parly last month asked her US counterpart Mark Esper to keep supporting Paris' operations in the Sahel.

The US military largely supports the militaries of France and African countries in their fight against the extremists, including with limited counterterrorism operations, and carries out airborne intelligence and surveillance operations.

Competition and criticism

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters in January that American troops were not withdrawing from AFRICOM entirely, but he suggested the US might pull back on the counterterror mission in Africa to address competition from China and Russia elsewhere in the world.

About 6,000 US military personnel are deployed across the continent, the inspector general report adds, including 500 special operations forces in Somalia and about 800 personnel in West Africa.

However, America's military engagement in Africa is not without criticism. Last month, an unprecedented attack against US forces in Kenya left three soldiers dead, renewing doubts about the US' counter-terrorism strategy.

The attack, blamed on the al-Qaida-linked al-Sabab in Somalia, was the deadliest since an extremist ambush in Niger in 2017, which killed four US troops.

New strategy

In the course of three years, the security situation in West Africa has deteriorated, with Burkina Faso bearing the brunt, according to the new report, citing AFRICOM.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled.

Across the border in neighbouring Malli, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, announced this week that his government was now in contact with leaders of the most active extremist group, the al-Qaida-linked JNIM.

It is a sign that troubled West African countries are exploring various options, including negotiations, to curb the threat.
The Madras High Court on Thursday



issued notice to the producers of a web series "Queen" and movie "Thalaivi", based on the life of late J Jayalalithaa, on a plea by her niece J Deepa challenging a single judge order, which allowed its release.

A division bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Krishnan Ramasamy, before which the appeal came up, ordered the notice returnable by two weeks to Al Vijay and Vishnu Vardhan Induri, producers of the movie "Thalaivi," and Gowtham Vasudev Menon, producer of the web series "Queen".

The single judge Justice Senthil Kumar Ramamoorthy on December 11 had declined to grant any stay on the release of the web serial and the film.

Hence, the serial was released.

Now after viewing the web serial, Deepa filed the present appeal in the High Court.

In her appeal, Deepa submitted that she had the opportunity to watch the web serial and said she was "shocked" to know that Menon had included several scenes to portray her aunt late Jayalalithaa in bad light.

She further contended that in the name of alleged fiction, Menon had copied in verbatim the entire private life events of her aunt and filed the similarities present in the web serial as that of the private life events of her aunt.

She said she had filed the documents which are relevant and necessary to decide the issues and substantiate contentions and submissions of her.

Earlier, Deepa, in her original application in the civil suit, had said the three producers do not have any legal right, to make, release, publish, exhibit publicly or privately, sell, enter into film festival, promote, advertise or produce in any format or medium wholly or partially the film or any tele-serial or web serial without her consent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Samsung held an exclusive sale of a limited number of Galaxy Z Flip phones in its Digital Plaza stores in Seoul, prior to the official release of the phone (in Korea, pre-orders are supposed to start shipping tomorrow). Only 900 units were available, but they were all sold before the end of the day, despite the relatively high price of KRW 1.65 million.

Sales started at 10:30 local time. The Mirror Purple units were the first to run out, around 16:00. The other color option that was available, Mirror Black, lasted until around 18:00, clearly showing which is the hotter of the two colors.

Note that initially the Purple model will be produced in lower numbers, so you may have to wait a bit longer for one when ordering online. Theres also going to be a Mirror Gold version, but thats not available yet.

The Thom Browne Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is slated to be an online exclusive, but theres talk that the same Samsung stores might also hold a limited offline sale (like they did for the Galaxy Note10+ Star Wars Edition).

Source (in Korean)
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch sounded the alarm on Wednesday night, telling an audience at Georgetown University that the State Department is "in trouble," with leaders who lack "policy vision" and "moral clarity."

Yovanovitch was ousted from her post last May, following a smear campaign orchestrated by President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. During the impeachment inquiry, Yovanovitch testified that she felt undermined and threatened by people who wanted her out of their way. She was removed from Kyiv at the same time Giuliani was digging for dirt in Ukraine on Trump's political rivals.

Yovanovitch, who retired from the State Department last month, told the crowd that when it comes to foreign policy, the U.S. needs to be "principled, consistent, and trustworthy. To be blunt, an amoral, keep-them-guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear, and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul. At some point, the once-unthinkable will become the inevitable  that our allies who have as much right to act in their own self-interest as we do, will seek out more reliable partners whose interests might not align well with ours."

These were Yovanovitch's first public remarks since leaving the State Department. She was at Georgetown to accept an award from the School of Foreign Service, and received a standing ovation from the audience.

More stories from theweek.com

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The Ghaziabad municipal corporation plans to rope in two more agencies for sterilising stray dogs and the proposal will be considered in the next board meeting of the corporation. The corporation officials said the decision has been taken in the wake of recent protests by residents of Krishna Shipra Vista in Indirapuram against the rise in cases of dog bite during the past one week.

The teams from administration, police and municipal corporation had carried out extensive meetings with protesting residents on Tuesday and Wednesday.

During interaction with residents we felt the need for roping in two more agencies for sterilising stray dogs. The proposal for regulating the population of stray dogs will be put up in the upcoming board meeting. As per provisions, stray dogs cannot be relocated out of their area. At present, we have only one agency and felt that sterilisation of stray dogs must be stepped up. We provide Rs 500 for sterilisation of one stray dog besides providing two vehicles, shelter home and other facilities to the agency, said Dr Anuj Singh, corporations veterinary and social welfare officer.

The police had filed two FIRs in connection with the recent protests and counter protests by residents and animal rights activists. One FIR was filed by animal rights activists for alleged poisoning a stray dog while the residents registered an FIR against them at Indirapuram police station. The issue of stray dogs is to be taken up by administration and corporation officials, said Anshu Jain, circle officer (Indirapuram).

The Krishna Shipra Vista highrise has 952 flats.

There were two dogs which were sent for behavioural checkup. They become aggressive when they see people with sticks or when they are provoked. Since I am protecting the dogs, I was harassed by residents. There are 17 stray dogs in our society who are living here for 7 to 9 years now. All of them have been sterilised. Three other dogs are missing. According to animal birth control rules, the dogs cannot be relocated, but if it continues to show aggressive behaviour it can be relocated to shelter home, said Medhavi Mishra, animal rights activist who lives in the highrise.

I am being harassed as I lodged an FIR of a dog being poisoned in the society. My complaint to the police has not named any resident, she added.

The Apartment Owners Association (AOA) of the highrise denied the allegations and said that their only concern is about the recent spurt in cases of dog bite. There are many cases of dog bites in the colony. The dogs have become very aggressive since past couple of days. A seven-year-old girl was bitten by a dog in our society and later an eight-month pregnant woman fell down and sustained injuries during a dog bite incident. After the two incidents we launched a protest. The animal rights activists said we were spreading fake news. They had also given a police complaint alleging that a dog was poisoned and body disposed off. This is a baseless accusation, said Amita Mahapatra, president of Krishna Shipra Vista AOA.

After all this, residents went on a protest and sought help from the administration. We have also lodged an FIR. However, our problem has not been resolved as yet, she said.

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Doris Miller went to work that morning like any other. A Mess Attendant 2nd Class, which is a fancy name for a cook in the US Navy, he was also assigned other menial tasks such as laundry duty when the kitchen wasnt in need. After serving breakfast, he went about his morning working in the hot and stuffy laundry area of the USS West Virginia, a 624-foot battleship currently in port, when an explosion rocked the ship. Then another, and another, and pretty soon Mess Attendant 2nd Class Miller realized that December 7th, 1941 was not going to be a normal day.

Millers ship was initially struck by a total of nine torpedoes that hit the West Virginia as he rushed out of the bowels of the ship as the battle station alarms sounded. Miller found that his actual area of battle assignment was decimated from one of the torpedo hits. Miller was then directed to assist in helping the ships Captain, Mervyn Bennion, to a safer location on the bridge after Captain Bennion was seriously injured from shrapnel launched during an explosion. The whine of Japanese Zeroes overhead filled the air, only to be disturbed by the continual sounds of sirens, explosions, and screams of those wounded and burning.
Snow, strong winds and plunging temperatures moved into eastern Dakota and western Minnesota on Wednesday. The storm created difficult travel conditions early Wednesday with a large number of schools cancelling classes, including North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation said Interstate 29 was closed, but reopened in both directions from the Canadian border to the state line of South Dakota.

That stretch of interstate, a distance of more than 250 miles (402 kilometers), had been closed because of drifting snow and areas of near zero visibility.

"Visibility has been anywhere from a quarter of a mile down to zero," said Jesse Janhner, Sheriff of Cass County in North Dakota.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 04:53:15|Editor: yan

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PRAGUE, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic's exports increased by 3.6 percent to reach 4,563 billion Czech crowns (199 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Thursday.

"We are glad that Czech foreign trade and Czech entrepreneurs are doing well. It is confirmed that we are still successful in exports, especially in the automotive field, but also telecommunications," said Karel Havlicek, Minister of Industry, Trade and Transport.

Most of these exports went to Germany, Slovakia, Poland, France, and the United Kingdom. Statistics show that 83.6 percent of Czech exported goods went to countries in the European Union (EU). However, Czech industry saw the largest growth in exports to Switzerland, the United States, and Japan, said the ministry.

Passenger cars and passenger transport vehicles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, data processing equipment, and telecommunications equipment are among the exported goods with a large share, it said.
A 1930s registered Houston landmark and an ultra-modern Memorial smart home are among the top 10 most expensive homes sold in Houston in the first month of the new year, according to data provided by the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR).

The No. 8 most expensive home sold last month was originally built in 1935 by renowned architect Hiram Salisbury. Located at 2116 Chilton Road in River Oaks, the historic home was completely transformed in 2017 by the Houston architect Robert Dame, according to the HAR listing. The property is a registered Houston landmark and offers historic charm with a modern twist. The home sold on Jan. 17 for between $2.9 million and $3.3 million, data shows.
The Senate on Thursday condemned the gruesome killings of stranded travellers by Boko Haram terrorists on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway on Sunday.

The Senate urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to send relief items to the affected families and rehabilitate the affected communities.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday made a similar call.

The Senate came to these resolutions after former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, who is the senator for Borno Central District where Auno village is situated, lamented the massacre.

The military had barred the travellers plying the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway on Sunday from entering Maiduguri after its 6 p.m. deadline for shutting the highways gate.

The gate was erected to check the influx of insurgents into Maiduguri.

The insurgents attacked the travellers massed at the gate, killed 30 of them and burnt down about 18 vehicles before abducting many persons, including children.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the state but stayed away from Auno, the affected village. The president was booed by displeased residents.

Auno is 15 kilometres to the Maiduguri airport or about 20 minutes road drive. Prior to his departure, Mr Buhari blamed Borno leaders for not doing enough to tackle insurgency locally. Hours later, another round of fire was opened on residents of Jiddari Polo, a town on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

Legislative deliberations

Gabriel Suswam (PDP, Benue) said the ninth assembly, since inauguration, has been preoccupied with discussion on the spate of insecurity in the country.

We must move beyond talking on the floor here of massive killings of our people. In the past, we have heard that Boko Haram has been exterminated and (it came) from the military that they have finished with Boko Haram, Mr Suswam said.

I think that beyond mere propaganda, let us address this issue by going to the source, he added. It is not about intelligence; we dont lack intelligence. These people come in trucks and people who come with trucks cannot be invisible. They come in trucks and they are well-armed.

When the Senate, in line with its tradition, resolved to observe a minute silence in honour of the memory of the deceased, Minority Leader Eyinnaya Abaribe expressed concerns.

If we stand here for one minute for every victim who has died in this carnage all this while, we are going to probably stand for 28 or 29 days, we will be standing just because of people who have died.

Resolution

On that note, the Senate urged the defence headquarters to find out what transpired in Auno. It also called on the military to open a military base in Auno to intensify efforts in the fight against insurgency in the north-east.

Reading the resolutions, Senate President Ahmed Lawan said there the security architecture as presently constituted and designed is simply not giving the outcome we want and we need.

Going forward, we have to find a better structure and architecture for our security to provide the necessary service that we need. When we hold people responsible, they are likely to perform better.

Time has come for us to ensure that governance is done like its business, you employ someone, give the person a target. He accepts on the basis of the fact that he can meet the target. If he doesnt meet the target and there is no cogent explanation or reasons, why he fails, then he should go, Mr Lawan said.
The disgraced photographer Terry Richardson has been spotted spending fashion week performing mundane tasks alone in upstate New York as the industry rallied for of one of the busiest and most anticipated events of the year.

The formerly in-demand celebrity snapper  who would have once had a packed schedule for New York Fashion Week before he was shunned by the industry after years of sexual harassment claims  was pictured solo on the nearly-deserted streets of Woodstock.

Richardson, 54, was seen visiting stores, picking up second-hand books and eating his lunch in a local bakery as A-Listers flocked to New York City to see fashion heavyweights showcase their designs.

The once sought after celebrity snapper was pictured looking straight-faced during New York Fashion Week

His wife Alex 'Skinny' Bolotow, 36, his assistant at the height of his career, was seen separately on Wednesday looking solemn as she walked through Woodstock wrapped up in dark clothing.

Their couple, who had twins Rex and Roman in 2016, live near Woodstock.

A straight-faced Richardson was spotted earlier in the week carrying out a handful of everyday tasks  a far cry far cry from the hectic week of late nights he would likely have been having as a high-profile photographer.

He visited the general, art and grocery stores, headed to the post office and ate his lunch in a local bakery. Richardson lugged a box of books to a donation box for a free library before heading home.



Richardson dropped off books to a donation box for a free library. His errands were a far cry far cry from the hectic week of late nights he would likely have been having as a high-profile photographer

Richardson lugged books to the donation box before heading home. He was sidelined by the fashion industry after facing years of sexual harassment allegations

His wife opened her store, 'Woodstock Bring Your Own', an hour late on Wednesday, entering through the back entrance.

In the evening she headed for dinner alone at a cafe, staying until after dark. Richardson's career nosedived after faced years of sexual misconduct allegations by numerous models. He has denied any allegations of assault.

Though allegations against Richardson first began to surface in 2001, he was sidelined by the fashion industry since the beginning for the #MeToo movement after the claims came under fresh scrutiny in 2017.

He was blacklisted that year by Conde Nast, the parent company of high-fashion magazines Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair.

The photographer was blacklisted that year by Conde Nast, the parent company of high-fashion magazines Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair in 2017

An email circulated among the media group was reported to have said said that work commissioned from him should be 'killed or substituted with other material'.

Richardson was known for his sexually-explicit photography style, including filming Miley Cyrus topless for a music video and inserting himself into his own X-rated shoots.

In an interview with the New York Times last year fashion designer Tom Ford defended Richardson.

Addressing accusations made against the photographer, who he had previously worked with, he said, 'And I have to say that I never in my entire life saw any of that with Terry.

'One of my assistants went out with Terry for two years and he was the kindest, gentlest person in the relationship,' he said.

Richardson's wife Alex Bolotow was seen separately on Wednesday looking solemn as she walked through Woodstock wrapped up in dark clothing

Richardson has shot major ads for Marc Jacobs, Aldo, Tom Ford, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others, as well as shoots for magazines such as Rolling Stone, GQ, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Vice, in his career spanning from 1992. n.

Richardson's work has been characterized as hyper-sexual and is known for posing with his subjects. In many of his shoots he puts high-profile celebrities or models in mundane situations, and photographs them using very basic methods.

Richardson has been accused multiple times of using his influence as a photographer to sexually assault models during photo shoots.

On more than one occasion models, such as Rie Rasmussen, Jamie Peck and Charlotte Waters, accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviours and exploiting young female models. He has also been accused of using his position to engage in sexual acts with the models.

Richardson has insisted the allegations are false and said he was 'considerate and respectful' of his subjects.
Following years of failed strategies in Yemen, Saudi Arabia is attempting to gradually wind down its operations in the country through diplomatic channels. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also decided to largely withdraw its military forces from the conflict despite remaining ambitious in Yemen. There has also been much buzz about Sudan's role in the war ending too.
13/02/2020 - New economic analysis shows that a proposed solution to the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy under negotiation at the OECD would have a significant positive impact on global tax revenues.





The analysis, released today, puts the combined effect of the two-pillar solution under discussion at up to 4% of global corporate income tax (CIT) revenues, or USD 100 billion annually. The revenue gains are broadly similar across high, middle and low-income economies, as a share of corporate tax revenues.





The analysis was released just weeks after the international community reaffirmed its commitment to reach a consensus-based long-term solution to the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy, and will continue working toward an agreement by the end of 2020, according to a Statement by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS.





The Inclusive Framework on BEPS, which brings together 137 countries and jurisdictions on an equal footing for multilateral negotiation of international tax rules, decided during its Jan. 29-30 meeting to move ahead with a two-pillar negotiation to address the tax challenges of digitalisation.





Participants agreed to pursue the negotiation of new rules on where tax should be paid (nexus rules) and on what portion of profits they should be taxed (profit allocation rules), on the basis of a Unified Approach under Pillar One. The aim is to ensure that multinational enterprises (MNEs) conducting sustained and significant business in places where they may not have a physical presence can be taxed in such jurisdictions. They also decided to continue discussions on Pillar Two, which aims to address remaining base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) issues and ensure that international businesses pay a minimum level of tax.





The economic analysis and impact assessment of the Pillar One and Pillar Two proposals is being undertaken to inform key decisions on the design and parameters of the tax reform to be agreed by Inclusive Framework members as part of the negotiations underway at the OECD. The analysis covers data from more than 200 jurisdictions, including all members of the Inclusive Framework, and more than 27,000 MNE groups. Assumptions in the preliminary analysis are illustrative, and do not pre-judge decisions to be taken by the Inclusive Framework.





The analysis shows that the Pillar One reform - designed to re-allocate some taxing rights to market jurisdictions, regardless of physical presence - would also bring a small tax revenue gain for most jurisdictions. Under Pillar One, low and middle-income economies are expected to gain relatively more revenue than advanced economies, with investment hubs experiencing some loss in tax revenues. More than half of the profit re-allocated would come from 100 large MNE groups.





The analysis shows that Pillar Two could raise a significant amount of additional tax revenues. By reducing the tax rate differentials between jurisdictions, the reform is expected to lead to a significant reduction in profit shifting by MNEs. This will be important for developing economies as they tend to be more adversely affected by profit shifting than high-income economies.





The overall direct effect on investment costs is expected to be small in most countries, as the reforms target firms with high levels of profitability and low effective tax rates. The reforms would also reduce the influence of corporate taxes on investment location decisions. In addition, failure to reach a consensus-based solution would likely lead to further unilateral measures and greater uncertainty.





Further information on the latest Update on the Economic Analysis and Impact Assessment is available at: www.oecd.org/tax/beps/webcast-economic-analysis-impact-assessment-february-2020.htm.





The OECDs work on the digitalisation of the economy is part of wider efforts to restore stability and increase certainty in the international tax system, address possible overlaps with existing rules and mitigate the risks of double taxation.

The ongoing work will be presented in a new OECD Secretary-General Tax Report during the next meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 22-23 February.





For more information on the OECD/G20 BEPS Project, see: www.oecd.org/tax/beps/.





Media queries should be directed to Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (+33 1 45 24 91 08) or Lawrence Speer in the OECD Media Office (+33 1 4524 7970).

Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his state of the nation address (SONA) on Thursday, 13 February, saying big data price cuts and a free daily data allocation for users are being negotiated.

He said the competition authorities are working towards a resolution with the large mobile operators to secure deep cuts to data prices across prepaid monthly bundles.

He added that additional discounts targeted at low-income households, a free daily allocation of data, and free access to educational and other public interest websites are also on the cards.

This is an important step to improve lives, bring people into the digital economy, and stimulate online businesses, Ramaphosa said.

The digital economy will increasingly become a driver of growth and a creator of employment.

4IR

The president added that the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution has made far-reaching recommendations that impact on nearly every aspect of the economy  and in many areas of peoples lives.

The Commissions report provides us with the tools to ensure that we extract the greatest benefit of these revolutionary technological changes, Ramaphosa said.

He also said an important condition for the success of South Africas digital economy is the availability of high-demand spectrum to expand broadband access and reliability.

The regulator, ICASA, has undertaken to conclude the licensing of high-demand spectrum for industry via auction before the end of 2020, he said.

Because of additional requirements, the licensing of the wireless open access network  or WOAN  is likely to be completed during the course of next year.

Now read: Ramaphosa promises spectrum and lower communications prices
Eric Williams Photography

Earlier this year, before New Mexicos second session of the 54th Legislature began meeting, Governor Lujan Grisham published a proposed budget. This well-publicized document outlined her administrations spending priorities.

Among the proposals for how to spend money from the general fund: $3.5 million to be spent in conjunction with a statewide nonprofit tasked with providing educational and support services to domestic violence programs across the state of New Mexico.

That organization, The New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, was established in 1979 and incorporated in 1981. The organization has a mission that is centered on coordinating local and national responses to domestic violence, as well as working closely with the state legislature to enact laws that positively impact the community.

Budget

Its a clear mission, stated plainly on the coalitions website and backed up by praxis that extends throughout the state. Their safe place on the internet also mentions that most of NMCADVs funding comes from the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. Other contributors to funding critically needed to keep operations at the nonprofit moving along include Allstate and the Lineberry Foundation, a subsidiary of the United Way of Central New Mexicos Center for Non-Profit Excellence.

But long story short, a majority of the organizations operating budget comes from state funding. Money from the general fund for use by the coalition is generally appropriated through funding granted to the NMCYFDs behavioral health division, according to NMCADV Executive Director Pam Wiseman. She added that about $1 million of NMCADVs budget comes from federal funding sources.

In this years gubernatorial proposal, the Lujan Grisham administration called for $3.5 million in funding for the coalition under those auspices. But after review by the powerful legislative finance committee, that amount was reduced to $1.6 million.

This reduction happened in a state where, in 2017, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that New Mexico had the 10th highest rate for women killed by men, according to a study conducted by the Violence Policy Center. That wasnt new news either; the year 2017 was the third year in a row that New Mexico made this notorious Top 10 list.

Even back then, according to the Santa Fe newspaper of record, the states legislative finance committee was critical of the overall response to domestic violence in New Mexico, calling it fragmented and uncoordinated.

According to the New Mexican, The committees report said New Mexico spends little on treatment programs for domestic violence offenders and has little evidence of the effectiveness of those programs. The report also highlighted scant oversight for many offenders. Victims often are left with little help to navigate a legal system that is complex and daunting. 

Opinions on the reason for the decrease in funding differ, as questions about the roots of domestic violences persistence linger. Advances are being made, but solutions are still to be found.

To find out more, Weekly Alibi met with NMCADV Executive Director Pam Wiseman and Board of Directors Community Representative Quintin D. McShan to discuss a wide range of issues connected with funding the non-profit, while also having an in-depth discussion of the coalitions mission, the nature of domestic violence and enforcement and healing in a state that where domestic violence ranks as one of The Land of Enchantments worst problems.

Meeting

Wiseman and McShan, accompanied by NMCADV Education and Outreach Coordinator Teresa Garcia, arrived early and were ready to talk about their organization, its role in reducing and ameliorating the effects of domestic violence in the New Mexico community and what it would take to stop the relentless problem.

Wiseman told Weekly Alibi that the NMCADV is a 501(c)(3) that provides support, framing and legislative advocacy to domestic violence programs throughout the state and there are many partners and stakeholders, both governmental and private, that participate in that mission. A lot of what we do is to build the capacity of both our domestic programs and organizations around the state to respond better and more effectively to instances of domestic violence, Wiseman said as she began her authoritative narrative about the organization she leads.

During the conversation that followed, Wiseman discussed how the mission of her office had been truncated by the efforts of the previous administration to dismantle the behavioral health system in New Mexico: a profound destruction of services and benefits that agencies like hers are still trying to compensate for in the midst of an unrelenting foe.

The entire mental health provider system effectively went away. As a consequence, our programswhether in Alamogordo, or Silver City or Taos or Espanola or Los Lunasreally wound up picking up the slack. There were a lot of people whose mental health needs could not be addressed. Our programs were in many cases the only ones, the only safety net, really.

That era brought a sense of calamity and general mayhem to providers, advocates and citizens, the executive director continued. And though outcomes may have improved since the election of a progressive Democratic governor, a woman governor at that, Wiseman characterized the problem of domestic violence in New Mexico as profound.

She began to conclude the first part of our meeting by saying, Its pervasive. And the issue is that there has been no real serious effort to do anything about it. New Mexico, she continued, is never going to get better unless and until the problem of domestic violence is addressed in the way that it needs to be.

Wiseman believes that the folks at NMCADV have an answer to the daunting issue. The executive director has specific ideas about how to end domestic violence and added, Looking to a program that works with offenders, or a program to help victims get into different situations is not the answer. We know what to do to reduce violence.

Those parts of the issue and their solutions are important, she reminds readers, but not as important as recognizing domestic violence for what it is and changing the perception about its acceptance in society.

Wiseman is convinced that education must be part of the process. We need to do a lot of primary prevention work. We need to be out in the communities. People dont know what causes violence, why it persists or what to do about it. We need to be able to educate communities. When communities can say were not going to have this in our city anymore, then violence is reduced. A lot of it has to do with the message. And the message that is being put out there now is dont worry about it. Lets not make a big deal of it. When there are no consequences for bad behavior, it gets worse.

Methods

At that point in the meeting, McShan, a former New Mexico State Police Officer, began discussing the data behind the overarching issue of domestic violence in New Mexico.

To begin with, as much as 81 percent of domestic violence cases are dismissed in this state, the board of directors member stated. Further, only 8 percent of domestic violence cases tried in New Mexico result in a conviction. Whats more, education could act as a preventative in most of these cases.

Board member and longtime community activist McShan continued, saying, Our victims and our survivors do know that the problem is the pain thats being inflicted. They know that violent behavior is causing them to suffer. Its wrong to suffer, but the community outside that [abusive] family relationship doesnt know. They need to know what to do as a bystander.

But despite the deep involvement and intense communication efforts of organizations like the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Wiseman and McShan agreed that there is little they can do to influence or contain certain aspects of the domestic violence problem.

If the police do not act, we have a hard time affecting change. If the prosecutors do not prosecute, we cant control that. If the courts do not sentence offenders appropriately, we cant affect that. If there are no consequences for breaking the courts decisions, if theres no enforcement, we cant affect change.

On the other hand, organizations like NMCADV can be effective tools of reform. By acting as an advocate for programs aimed at ameliorating domestic violence, change ensues. By focusing on an important and essential message to the communitythat domestic violence wont be tolerated and that there are consequences for violatorsprogress will come. In this way, the organization provides the voice of the movement against domestic violence.

The process also involves coordination between different agencies. McShan believes that, We all need to come together as a community, we need to come together with law enforcement and the courts and prosecutors. It is an us thing, an [all] encompassing thing. To address the final outcome, yeah, we can address our part. But we cant make arrests, we cannot prosecute cases or convict people. But we can be a voice, the voice.

Enforcement

Although violent acts always seem to be happening in the human community at large, the members of NMCADV steadfastly believe change is coming. The media age, the age of information, has left many in the community inured to violence. Images of violent death are everywhere in the media; the objectification of women, part of a particularly cruel chapter of late-stage capitalism, continues. Above it all, the world is at war and nuclear devastation is more likely than ever, say scientists.

Yet McShan and Wiseman are optimistic even in an age of persistent violence, that education, advocacy and enforcement will make a difference. Its [violence is] happening, McShan related. Theres not a community in New Mexico where there has not been a murder-suicide in the last 10 years. There are some communities where that is happening with even greater frequency.

Reminded of last years tragic domestic-violence related murder-suicide and double murder in the University area and Nob Hill, the room fell silent for a moment as each participant of the meeting privately contemplated how domestic violence has affected our citys cultural progress.

Wiseman says that the operative word in such cases is the word permission. At that point, she wondered out loud where people get permission to abuse other people? We make a mistake if we think This person drinks a little bit or this person didnt have the best upbringing. There is no real clear personality associated with someone who is abusive.

The executive director of NMCADV then continued to make her case clear. What causes violence? Who knows? It could be a variety of things. The question is, what do we do about it? The most important thing we can do is stop giving permission. In this state, the average dismissal rate for domestic violence cases is over 80 percent and the conviction rate hovers at 8 percent. When we look at that, we have to ask, is there a permission there to commit violence? In our opinion, there is.

Asked if she believed that such a situation was due to prosecutorial or judicial malfeasance, Wiseman said that there is no one party to cast blame upon. But it should start with a message from important sources, people who are influential.

Legislation

The discussion then shifted to current efforts by the NMCADV to affect sustainable change and end domestic violence once and for all. Wiseman stated that she is concerned about the perception of her organization by the powerful New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee as well as the proposed budget cuts the organization will face if the LFCs recommendations go into effect.

The legislative finance committee said you guys got more money last year and yet violence has not gone down. First, in the end, we really didnt get more money. The premise was, Because we give you money, violence should have gone down.

Our response to that is that we are one small piece. We need to look at the message and the system. One of the things were doing is a memorial that would look at ways of coordinating community responses to domestic violence. Right now, were conducting a feasibility study toward that. The University of New Mexico is assisting us.

Among the matters being studied are methods to increase the conviction rate in domestic violence cases and what the barriers might be to coordinating services and information. Despite the potential cut in funding, Wiseman and McShan are committed to staying the course.

We need people in higher positions, as well as community members, to say Were serious about this. And instead of saying to the 30 or so programs affected by this budget situation, You guys dont need any more money. You have too much money alreadymost of these programs are operating on a shoestring [budget] as it iswe need to say, What are we going to do about this persistent problem? Because if we dont do something, then the trajectory is going to be for things to get worse.
TICKERS: MAI; MAIFF

Source: Streetwise Reports (2/13/20)

Results from drill and water well testing at Minera Alamos' project and their implications are reviewed in a Haywood research report.



Haywood analyst Kerry Smith reported in a Feb. 6 research note that drilling and water testing yielded positive results at Minera Alamos Inc.'s (MAI:TSX.V; MAIFF:OTCQB) Santana open-pit, heap-leach gold project.

Results are in for the first two follow-up holes drilled as part of Minera Alamos' phase two program at Santana, and they suggest additional resource potential, Smith highlighted.

Drilled to a depth of 200 meters (200m) at the Divisadero discovery at Santana, the holes returned 0.42 grams per ton (0.42 g/t) gold over 96.4 meters (96.4m) and 0.56 g/t gold over 133.6m. Mineralization remains open in multiple directions.

Because Divisadero is 1 kilometer from the Nicho resource, it could become a satellite pit to it. Mining at Nicho is slated to begin later this year, Smith indicated. "The likely cutoff grade for Santana will be 0.2 g/t, suggesting good potential to add mineable resources at Divisadero," he added.

Smith pointed out, too, that further zones of mineralization may exist at Santana. It may be found in the series of brecchia pipes on the property, as only two have have been drilled to date. The larger, porphyry-hosted Divisadero discovery suggests potential for different types of mineralization at Santana as well.

As for the well drilling, it revealed two areas where water volumes were high and, thus, could support the Santana project, noted Smith. The 800m of exploratory water well drilling identified five areas containing water, and two of those were chosen for further follow-up and pump testing. "We expect Minera Alamos will have adequate water for the current and any expanded future operation," commented the analyst.

With a drill budget of CA$2 million, Minera Alamos intends to drill 2,5003,000m each quarter this year. With the new roads it plans to build, drill access will be improved.

Haywood has a Buy rating and a CA$0.50 per share target price on Minera Alamos, whose stock is currently trading at around CA$0.27 per share. "We recommend accumulating shares at current levels," Smith wrote.

[NLINSERT]

Disclosure:

1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees.

3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases.

Disclosures from Haywood Securities, Minera Alamos Inc., February 6, 2020

Analyst Certification: I, Kerry Smith, hereby certify that the views expressed in this report (which includes the rating assigned to the issuers shares as well as the analytical substance and tone of the report) accurately reflect my/our personal views about the subject securities and the issuer. No part of my/our compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations.

Important Disclosures

Of the companies included in the report the following Important Disclosures apply:

 Haywood Securities, Inc. has reviewed lead projects of Minera Alamos Inc. and a portion of the expenses for this travel have been reimbursed by the issuer.

Other material conflict of interest of the research analyst of which the research analyst or Haywood Securities Inc. knows or has reason to know at the time of publication or at the time of public appearance: n/a.

Research policy is available here.
U.S. hospitals are stocking up on gowns and goggles and holding refresher courses in infection control amid a growing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus that has already killed more than 1,360 people in China.

Since it began spreading last year, the coronavirus now known as COVID-19 has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency, caused U.S. officials to strongly advise against travel to China and led some experts to predict a worldwide pandemic.

In the United States, just 14 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus so far, though officials say they expect those numbers to rise. Hundreds of people have already shown up at American health care facilities with symptoms of the virus, forcing staff members to don face masks and put patients in isolation rooms while awaiting test results.

In addition, as of Wednesday, 413 others in the U.S. have been tested for it; 347 tested negative, and results are still pending for 66, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus symptoms, such as fever and cough, resemble those of the flu, which is in the height of its season in the U.S.

So far, the virus does not appear to be any more contagious than the flu or a cold, though scientists are learning more as cases mount. Because of the ever-evolving situation, the CDC is recommending that doctors and hospitals adopt a cautious approach when treating coronavirus patients in their facilities.

This is how that approach would play out if you visited a hospital to be treated for the coronavirus.

STEP 1: TRIAGE

Patients suspected of having the coronavirus are required to wear face masks and be placed in a separate room away from other patients while they await treatment. Because the virus can travel up to 6 feet in the air when someone coughs or sneezes, the CDC recommends maintaining at least that distance between the patient and all others to prevent the spread of infection.

If you have traveled to China, please let us know immediately, even before you walk into a crowded waiting room, said Dr. Brian Lee, emergency department medical director at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. We cant read minds.

A doctor then interviews the patient about their symptoms and travel history. Patients must meet specific criteria to qualify for testing, including travel to China in the last 14 days.

Patients are typically admitted to the hospital for treatment while they await results of the test, which is usually done through a nasal swab. In some cases, patients with mild illness can self-quarantine at home.

A sign in a CVS pharmacy informs customers about the coronavirus that has emerged out of China and spread to at least 24 other countries, including the United States which has imposed containment measures, since the beginning of the year. (Anne-Gerard Flynn, Special to The Republican.

STEP 2: NEGATIVE PRESSURE ISOLATION ROOMS

Admitted patients are placed in negative pressure rooms, which keep air from seeping into the rest of the hospital. The air from these special rooms is eventually released outside instead of being recirculated through the hospital.

Such rooms are typically used for patients with diseases such as tuberculosis and measles. They are standard in hospitals, unlike the special chambers some facilities set up to handle Ebola cases in 2014.

To the patient, it looks exactly like any other treatment room, said Dr. Michael Mesisca, emergency department medical director at Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Southern California.

STEP 3: KEEPING STAFF SAFE

All health care personnel who interact with infected patients wear gowns, gloves, goggles and masks. Though the coronavirus isnt believed to be more contagious than the flu, scientists dont know everything about it yet.

Were using what the CDC likes to call an abundance of caution, said Dr. Shira Doron, an infectious disease specialist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

With suspected and confirmed coronavirus patients, staff members who can enter the room are limited to the patients doctor and nurse. Staffers keep a log of everyone who enters the room. Patients arent allowed visitors and are encouraged to communicate with their loved ones by phone or video chat.

Hospital workers dont typically wear face shields or goggles when treating flu patients, but otherwise the precautions are not too different from caring for people with seasonal influenza. Many other diseases that hospitals regularly treat require these precautions, Doron said.

This isnt something very out of the ordinary for us, she said.

A nurse checks the temperature of a visitor as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. More than 100 Malaysians have been quarantined after being evacuated from the Chinese city at the center of a viral outbreak. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)AP

STEP 4: TREATING THE PATIENT

There arent any treatments specific to this novel coronavirus, so doctors do what they can to alleviate a patients symptoms, which could include administering IV fluids and monitoring lung function. People with more severe cases may need to be put on a ventilator to help them breathe.

STEP 5: CALMING OTHER PATIENTS

Hearing that coronavirus patients are in the hospital can be scary for other patients and their families.

Last week at Rady Childrens Hospital San Diego, a 3-year-old girl and her father were admitted as suspected coronavirus cases after they fled China last week. Both have since been cleared and discharged.

Dr. Nicholas Holmes, the hospitals chief operating officer, said staff members emphasized that they were following proper hygiene protocol and doing everything possible to limit the spread of the virus. He said they also reminded patients and their families that the flu is a bigger concern than coronavirus.

We always have to address those concerns for parents, he said. Its really educating the families about what coronavirus is, as well as what are the other infectious diseases in the community at large.

By Soumya Karlamangla, Los Angeles Times (TNS)
Atlassian Corporation, a leading provider of team collaboration and productivity software and the maker of Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket and Trello products, has announced a commitment to delivering on its advanced cloud offerings for the Indian market. With India witnessing a huge uptake in cloud adoption, and with the cloud market expected to grow approximately 3-fold to USD7.1 billion by 2022 according to Nasscom, Atlassian is building products to cater to this demand, while also providing its Indian customers access to its innovative new cloud offerings. Its customers in India include Ola Cabs, Reliance, Walmart Labs, and Flipkart, among others.

To achieve this goal, Atlassian is also aiming to double its number of Indian employees, working to add 300 more local employees to help support the growth of the world-class Atlassian R&D centre which opened in Bengaluru in 2018. The company surpassed $1 billion in lifetime revenue on the Atlassian Marketplace, and posted total revenue of approximately $409 million for Q220, up 37% year-over-year, achieving record profitability.

Cloud has been the key driver of Atlassians growth and innovation, with overall subscription revenue, which is primarily cloud driven, growing at 50% year-over-year. The company has plans to invest aggressively over the next 12 months to grow its cloud business in India. With cloud security being a major focus for its cloud customers, Atlassian has also announced enterprise-grade controls and security features, with data privacy upgrades to its underlying cloud platform. It has introduced new cloud plans including a Premium offering, giving customers the highest level of service with advanced features, a 99.9% uptime SLA, unlimited storage and access to premium security tools, ensuring enterprises have everything they need to confidently scale. The company has also launched Forge, its new cloud app development platform, allowing their ecosystem developers to more easily and securely build cloud apps.

On its latest offering for the India market, Archana Rao, CIO, Atlassian said, In a digital-first market, businesses can no longer rely on built-to-last strategy to keep up with consumer demands. With India embracing digitisation across industries and enterprises accelerating cloud adoption, our solutions are uniquely placed to serve the Indian customers looking to leverage the immense benefits of cloud. We have announced new programs and tools that will aid existing customers in their transition from our self-managed, on-premise offering to the cloud, in turn giving them access to the latest security, reliability, privacy, and compliance roadmap for our products and services.

The company has also launched new integrations, allowing customers to integrate Atlassian cloud products with Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) for SSO, Google Cloud Identity for SSO and user provisioning, and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) providers for cloud security. Atlassians comprehensive cloud security offerings include data residency for customers who want greater control over where their data is located, and data encryption at rest and in transit to help guard against unauthorised access.

At the Atlassian Cloud Connect 2020 summit, Rao said, India has some of the best tech talent in the world, which has fuelled the huge growth of our world-class R&D centre located in Bengaluru. The countrys exceptional technical talent, leadership, and business infrastructure naturally aligns with our long-term company goals.

The companys long-term focus is to unleash collaboration potential for any team, which is likely to impact 800 million global knowledge workers in the massive, growing software collaboration market. Atlassian serves over 164,000 customers worldwide.
SPRINGFIELD  After decades of skepticism and failed ventures, local and state officials believe a project is close to reality for the preservation and renovation of the historic Elm Street block at Court Square.

At a meeting Thursday of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, city and state officials echoed comments Mayor Domenic J. Sarno made earlier this week, saying an agreement is very close for the site, set to be renovated as a $55 million housing project. The project will include 74 apartments, including 60 units of market rate housing, and will have retail on the ground floor.

MGM Springfield said Thursday that it will invest $16 million into the project, seen as a critical component for it to move forward. The funds will be set up as a loan for the project, but at least $11 million will be a grant, officials said.

Gaming Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein said the boards fingers are crossed. And commission member Gayle Cameron, in response to a comment that the plans are on the one-yard line, said she hopes there are no fumbles.

The long-vacant building at 13-31 Elm St., once the Court Square Hotel, is across State Street from the casino, and across from the MassMutual Center on Main Street. Studies and local officials have cited the redevelopment of the severely deteriorated building as the top priority for downtown revitalization.

It has been largely vacant for the past 30 years, officials said.

"It is a victim of time, age, weather, failing core/shell, vandalism and lack of ongoing maintenance/stewardship," the developers said in a report received by the commission.

The Springfield Redevelopment Authority, which owns the property, intends to sell the site to its preferred developers  OPAL Real Estate Group, led by Peter Picknelly of Springfield, and WinnDevelopment, the development arm of WinnCompanies of Boston.

Michael V. OBrien, executive vice president of WinnCompanies, told the commission Thursday that the project will be built by union labor, and will include a formal project labor agreement. The $960 million MGM Springfield casino construction project, which opened in late 2018, also involved union labor.

Mark Attia, the assistant secretary of the state's Executive Office for Administration & Finance, joined in praising the pending agreement between the city, state, and the developers, calling it an unprecedented collaboration.

MGM Springfield is contributing to the project at the request of city officials, in lieu of its commitment to create at least 54 market rate housing units within a half-mile of the casino, required in its host community agreement. The gaming commission, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council have all supported the Elm Street plans, including extensions of time for plans and negotiations, pending formal approvals.

MGM had previously considered locating a housing project at the former School Department headquarters, and purchased the vacant building. In the Elm Street project agreement, MGM plans to transfer the State Street property back to Springfield at no cost, possibly for future housing development.
MOSCOW, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte discussed the situation in Libya during a phone call on Wednesday, the Kremlin has said in a statement.

Putin emphasized the importance of coordinating with Libyan parties on all the parameters of a settlement plan being worked out through the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Interest was expressed in continuing joint work aimed at achieving long-term normalization in Libya, the statement said.

The Libyan conflict escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments -- the UN-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and a Tobruk-based government allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar, who seeks to take over Tripoli.
Hes like the boy next door, the nerdy kind youd trust with your daughter.

Only hes funnier than your typical nerd  and he has experience with women.

I went out with a girl  true story and proud to have zero percent body muscle were among his comedic lines when Taylor Williamson was vying for a $1 million prize and Las Vegas show during the eighth season (2013) of NBC-TVs Americas Got Talent. Kenichi Ebina, a dancer, emerged as the winner.

AGT judge Heidi Klum found Williamson funny in a shy, dorky way, while fellow judge Howard Stern proclaimed Williamson genius, genius, genius.

Williamsons a zany guy, asking the AGT audience during the semifinals, Anyone here ever go to elementary school? Me, too  we have so much in common.

Like Piff the Magic Dragon, who has also starred at The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino  where you can see Williamson this coming weekend  he finished second. If only hed win, he told the quartet of judges, Id buy everybody ice cream.

His finish meant to Williamson, 33, Im the second-most talented person in America. If you dont see me, shame on you.

Recently, the San Diego resident has been overseas, entertaining members of our military and doing USO shows.

New Mexico, he said, is one of the few states Ive never been to. They havent had a comedy club there in years.

He knows just enough about the Land of Enchantment, thanks to Breaking Bad, to have a small grasp of it: I heard you guys have a lot of meth; maybe Ill do some meth before the show, he joked during a telephone interview with the Observer. Ive never smoked a cigarette  people think Im on drugs.

If youre not familiar with Williamsons shtick, think a younger, slender version of Stephen Wright. Williamson, according to his biography, started doing stand-up comedy as a high school senior in Del Mar, Calif.

I like talking to the crowd a little bit, he said. Whats great is nobodys never heard my jokes before  they dont know the expertise and brilliance that goes into a dumb fart joke.

His biggest influences, he said, have been the late Mitch Hedberg, Mel Brooks and Norm McDonald. He said youll never compare him to Jerry Seinfeld: I dont think I could do Seinfeld jokes; hes more observational.

Its important for a stand-up comedian, he said, that the crowd trusts you and likes you, and uniqueness helps, too.

My favorite thing about comedy is people cant steal your character, timing and voice, he said. I like dry, smart-(alecky) comedy.

At 33, he said, I feel old and young at the same time.

He was indeed young when he became the youngest person to appear on Craig Fergusons late-night show in 2007; hes also been on the twice-canceled Last Comic Standing.

But, naturally, with countless millions watching AGT every fall, The biggest thing I did to make people come see me was AGT.

Dont worry: he wont be doing any meth those nights at The Stage.
(Newser)  Calling all Buzz Aldrin wannabesNASA is looking for you. Florida Today reports that the space agency will soon be accepting applications from the general public to vie for a spot in the next class of Artemis Generation astronauts, with a chance to possibly fly to the International Space Station or even the moon. "For the handful of highly talented women and men we will hire to join our diverse astronaut corps, it's an incredible time in human spaceflight to be an astronaut," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says in a release. "We're asking all eligible Americans if they have what it to takes to apply," a process that will take place between March 2 and March 31.

story continues below

Those who wish to throw their space helmet in the ring need to be a US citizen; hold a master's degree in a STEM field (e.g., engineering, computer science, biological science, physical science, or mathematics), or its accepted equivalent, such as two years' worth of work toward a STEM-linked PhD; and two years of "related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft." Applicants will also have to take a two-hour online assessment. Those selected in this initial process will then need to pass all physical requirements. NASA says it hopes to make its final picks by mid-2021, at which point the chosen ones will start training. The astronaut corps currently includes 48 active members. (Read more NASA stories.)
The good old radio might have gone out of fashion in the age of podcasts and streaming music, but it's importance can never be underscored enough.



And you'd be surprised to learn that one of the earliest inventors of a working radio communication device (or just a crude radio), was none other than Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose -- one of India's greatest ever inventors. On the occasion of World Radio Day today, let's remember his forgotten genius.



Although Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi is credited with first inventing the telegraph in 1895, but Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was attempting to understand radio waves and their physical behaviour at the same time.

It was none other than Sir JC Bose who was the first to demonstrate radio communication with millimetre wavelengths, which fall in the 30GHz to 300GHz spectrum, besides being a blessed polymath, physicist, biologist, biophysicist, botanist and archaeologist. Without Sir JC Bose's inventive genius, we wouldn't be celebrating World Radio Day today at all.

The thing is, Sir JC Bose was not interested in pursuing his development commercially, instead inviting other scientists to build upon his findings. Marconi himself, in later writings, lauded Bose for both his scientific achievements and his selflessness in distributing his acquired knowledge.

First radio prototype built by JC Bose

Sir JC Bose also held the patent for the first solid-state diode to receive electromagnetic waves, and created a number of now common microwave components. He also made significant contributions to plant biology inventing a crescograph, which helped agricultural scientists devise better ways of effective crop cultivation.

Last year, Sir JC Bose was in the running for becoming the face of UK new 50, making the short list in an online voting competition hosted by the Bank Of England, honouring Bose for his contributions in advancement of science and technology.

Although he was never recognized by a Nobel Prize for his inventions, he does have a crater on the far side of the moon named after him.
The Presidents Office has stated that Zelensky had no contact with and wasn't even acquainted with Patrushev.

During the stay of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oman in January this year, Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, also came to this country, claims RFE/RL's investigative project "Skhemy" [Schemes].

Skhemy's investigation says Patrushev arrived on the night of January 8 on the same Bombardier Global Express 6000 charter plane (tail No. 9H-VJN), which took the Ukrainian president from Muscat to Kyiv a day later in the wake of the news on the crash of a UIA passenger jet in Iran.

Journalists say that the information about Patrushev coming to Oman from Moscow, initially received from a source, was later confirmed by an independent source who apparently had access to the data from the Russian border crossing data base, operated by the Border Guard Service, which is part of the FSB.

Patrushev made no public appearances on that specific day, January 8, journalists reported after monitoring Russia's information space.

"Putins trusted security operative, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation flies to Oman precisely at the time President Zelensky is resting there. He doesn't fly on a government plane, instead using a chartered flight, which is difficult to tie to specific individuals. It is this charter that later becomes available to President Zelensky for his urgent return to Kyiv, which for some reason ended up being delayed for almost a day," the report says..

Read alsoZelensky cuts short Oman visit following Tehran crash news

The President's Office has said that the head of state is not acquainted with Patrushev and had no contact with him on the phone or in person. At the same time, the report says, the president ignored the journalists' question about the reasons why Zelensky used the very private plane which Secretary of the Russian Security Council Patrushev used to get to Oman.

The Russian Security Council said that only Patrushev's spokesman could comment on these issues, while no comment had come by the time of the investigation was released.

According to Roman Dobrokhotov, chief editor of The Insider (Russia), Patrushev, as a security official, is the second-ranking person following president.

"And the security forces, of course, play a key role in Russia. In this area, he will remain the key guy  while Putin is in power," explains Dobrokhotov.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on January 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was spotted in Oman  a number of media outlets reported that he was there on vacation with his family, publishing a photo of him.

A few hours later, the President's Office confirmed that Zelensky was staying in Oman: they noted that the president went there with his family at his own expense on a charter flight.

At the same time, the President's Office reported of highest-level meetings" that were scheduled for the head of state "for the coming days".
Last month a mosque in Kerala organised a wedding for a Hindu couple that took place according to all Hindu traditions and now, ignoring binaries, a church in Adoor, Kerala funded a Hindu wedding. The church provided help to the family of a cancer-stricken Hindu rubber tapping worker by funding the wedding of his elder daughter, reported TNIE.

The marriage was between Kala, daughter of Karthikeyan and Kunjipennu, residents of Theppupara in Ezhamkulam, and Renjith, son of Yasodharan of Nooranad.

Express

The wedding took place at the Sree Parthasarathy temple in Adoor but the reception took place at St Marys Orthodox Church at Karuvatta.

Karthikeyan, was diagnosed with mouth cancer a year ago. He is undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. With his condition and poor financial background, he had been struggling to save enough money for his daughter's wedding.

Representative Image/Cultural India

When the church got to know this they launched a Marriage Assistance Fund in 2018, decided

the marriage.





According to TNIE, the church committee helped with Rs 2.5 lakh in aid  Rs 1 lakh in fixed deposit for the couple, Rs 1 lakh for ornaments and dresses for the bride and Rs 50,000 for the reception.

Represntative Image/Cultural India

This was the third girl of the family whose marriage expenses were taken care of by the church.
This week, NASA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), a sensitive spacecraft that has shown the world never-before-seen imagery of the sun.

The mission launched on Feb. 11, 2010, and during the spacecraft's first decade in orbit, it has viewed planets crossing in front of the sun, studied the activity of sun's scorching outer atmosphere (known as the corona) and witnessed nearly an entire 11-year solar cycle.

To celebrate 10 years of solar science from SDO, NASA has highlighted the top 10 most amazing discoveries to come out of the data and scientific imagery collected by the spacecraft over the past decade.

Video: Amazing sun views and science delivered in 10 Years of NASA SDO

Related: Scientists' favorite photos from the Solar Dynamics Observatory

1. Solar flares

(Image credit: NASA/SDO)

SDO has spotted raging solar flares erupting from the sun's surface. The spacecraft's cameras and science instruments are zeroed in on the sun to catch these scorching filaments of solar plasma when they appear. The $850 million observatory studies Earth's closest star through multiple wavelengths of light to produce incredible footage of the sun's activity. According to NASA, SDO saw nearly 200 solar flares in its first 18 months, allowing scientists to spot a "late phase flare" pattern and thus help them better understand how much energy the sun releases during a flare.

This image shows an M1.5-class solar flare (lower left) on July 3, 2013. The solar flare erupted at about 3 a.m. EDT (0700 GMT) and was spotted by SDO, which snapped a photo of that month's solar storm.



2. Solar tornadoes

SDO imagery helped scientists study the sun's giant tornadoes, bringing astronomers one step closer to solving the mystery of why the sun's outer atmosphere is hundreds of times hotter than its surface. These swirls, or tornado prominences, are several times larger than Earth and are made of hot flows of gas and entwined magnetic-field lines that remain rooted to a fixed point on the solar surface.

Though Earth tornadoes can reach powerful speeds of up to 300 mph (482 km/h),tornado prominences far outrank the terrestrial storms with speeds of up to 186,000 mph (300,000 km/h), according to NASA.

The video above shows a close-up view of a magnetic tornado in the sun's atmosphere, as seen by SDO in February 2012.



3. Giant waves

(Image credit: NASA GSFC)

This SDO image shows a so-called EIT wave as it traveled across the upper half of the sun on Aug. 1, 2010.

EIT waves are the peaks and valleys of hot and electrically charged gas, called plasma, that roll across the sun's surface, according to NASA. The waves are named after the instrument that discovered them: the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope onboard an SDO predecessor called the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.

SDO's observations of EIT waves during its first year in space showed for the first time how the EIT waves move across the star's surface, according to NASA. Coronal mass ejections, or volatile stellar "burps" that carry solar plasma out from the sun and into the solar system, might be what triggers EIT waves, the space agency said.



4. Comets

(Image credit: NASA/SDO)

Icy comets that originate in the outskirts of the solar system sometimes swing by the sun, and scientists like to watch these approaches to see which comets survive the close encounters and which ones evaporate and disintegrate.

In December 2011, SDO caught images of Comet C/2011 W3 Lovejoy as it skimmed over the sun's surface. SDO's images of Lovejoy were the first to show a comet traveling so low in the sun's atmosphere, according to NASA, and SDO's instruments collected new information about how the sun interacts with comets.



5. Global circulation

(Image credit: Stanford)

SDO helps scientists learn more about the sun's plasma. The sun is more complicated than scientists once thought, SDO data suggest. The spacecraft's Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager instrument, which is operated by scientists at Stanford University, watches the motion of plasma waves, just like scientists study seismic waves that travel below the surfaces of Earth and Mars The observations revealed new details about the conveyor-like mechanism that transports plasma throughout the sun, called meridional flow.

The sun's meridional circulation is shown in this artist's illustration, which is based on research at Stanford's Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory. This circulation pattern is linked to sunspot production and may explain why one solar hemisphere might have more sunspots than the other at certain times, according to NASA.



6. Coronal mass ejections

(Image credit: NASA/SDO/GSFC)

SDO took this image of the sun on Jan. 28, 2011, as it fired off two solar flares. The midsize M-1 flare on the right was accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that blasted into space.

A CME is an outpouring of material that can be hazardous to astronauts and spacecraft if it erupts in Earth's direction. NASA researchers have used SDO data to predict how these blasts could affect Earth and to model the solar wind's three-day journey to Earth.



7. Coronal dimming

CMEs can be accompanied by coronal dimmings. CMEs, like the one depicted in this video from a solar storm in 2012, can send billions of tons of plasma particles into space, and this evacuation of solar stuff is linked to dimming regions on the sun.

To predict when this charged material might head toward Earth, scientists developed a statistical analysis of several events spotted by SDO. Researchers also hope to use the science of coronal dimming to view CMEs from stars that are too far away for scientists to directly measure the eruptions, according to NASA.



8. Almost an entire solar cycle

(Image credit: NASA/SDO/GSFC)

SDO has been in space for a decade, so it has viewed nearly a complete 11-year solar cycle. This year, the sun is exiting its dormant period, or solar minimum, and will slowly reawaken to its more active period, or solar maximum.

These side-by-side images, taken by SDO, show the sun when it's at almost opposite ends of its 11-year cycle of activity. Solar minimum is on the left, and solar maximum is on the right. SDO's years of observations are helping scientists understand the evolution of a solar cycle, according to NASA.



9. Polar coronal holes

(Image credit: NASA/SDO)

Massive coronal holes on the solar surface, like the one seen in this March 24, 2016, image taken by SDO, are interesting to scientists because charged particles can escape from these gaps in the sun's outer atmosphere.

Scientists also focus on these features because, when these holes disappear after forming near the sun's north or south pole, it can hint to scientists that the star's magnetic field has reversed, marking a more exact moment of solar maximum, according to NASA.



10. Spontaneous magnetic reconnection

(Image credit: NASA/SDO/Abhishek Srivastava/IIT/BHU)

A previously unknown kind of solar process, called forced magnetic reconnection, was seen for the first time in SDO imagery. The spacecraft's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instrument captured the X-shaped event that happened on May 3, 2012. It's a type of magnetic explosion caused by a solar prominence, a large loop of material that erupts over the sun's surface.

Although scientists had predicted over a decade before its discovery that forced magnetic reconnection did, in fact occur, SDO was the first to view it directly. This new finding was made just a few months ago, in December 2019.



Follow Doris Elin Urrutia on Twitter @salazar_elin. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
CommerceX has bagged the integrated digital mandate for India's leading innerwear and apparel brand TT along with the private label Hiflyers from the same group.

TT Group is a 50-year-old business house with presence across India and selling in over 65 countries across the globe. The brand name TT was awarded Master Brand Status in 2012 and Most Promising Brand Status in 2015.

This new engagement with CommerceX will help the group to reach out to the growing internet savvy population which was missing out in its offline presence through MBOs and EBOs.

The Gurgaon based performance agency will be responsible for managing a 360-degree digital strategy for the brand ranging from digital media spends, marketplace management, performance marketing campaigns along with Technology and Customer retention.

Subir Ghosh, COO, CommerceX said, The brands TT and Hiflyers have an existing latent demand for the value conscious digital consumers who are seeking the best quality at a particular price point which the brand promises.

With our specialized capabilities in the use of performance analytics across channels, we will strive to see this partnership go from strength to strength.

Sanjay Jain, CEO, TT Limited, added, " We are excited in onboarding CommerceX as our digital ecommerce partners as they have a proven track record in scaling a brand on the captive website from scratch which is the most critical period.

Their expertise in the eCommerce digital space, particularly their ability to marry art and science gives us confidence in this partnership.
Modesto Bee Stand In Sonora View Photo

The newspaper group that owns the Modesto Bee, Merced Sun Star, Sacramento Bee and Fresno Bee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

McClatchy operates 30 newspapers across 14 states. The Associated Press reports that the publishers origins date back to 1857 when it began printing a paper in Sacramento following the Gold Rush. That newspaper eventually became the Sacramento Bee.

McClatchy has filed a plan in federal bankruptcy court. Pending acceptance, a new ownership group will be led by Chatham Asset Management LLC. The company hopes to restructure its debts and shed pension obligations during the reorganization.

McClatchy reports that between 2006-2018 its advertising revenue fell by 80-percent and the daily print circulation dropped by nearly 60-percent.
Countries around the world are taking measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as the death toll continues to rise.

This page has updates from Feb. 13. For updates from Feb. 14, click here.

Experts Fear China Reluctant to Accept WHO Ground Mission

China is dragging its heels in accepting help on the ground from international health specialists, diplomats and experts said on Thursday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) advance team landed on Monday. Three days passed with no word before Dr. Mike Ryan, a top WHO official, said the rest of the team was slated to touch down over the weekend.

Still, most team members arent known to the public and no details have been released on the teams full mission, including where they will travel to in studying COVID-19.

An advance team of three experts, led by Dr. Bruce Aylward, a WHO official and public health emergency expert from Canada, as well as WHOs Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, arrived in Beijing on Monday.

Our advance team in China has made good progress in working out the composition of the team and the scope of its work. We hope to have more news to announce soon, Tedros told reporters on Wednesday night. He said the team and their Chinese counterparts were free to decide where to go and what to study.

It would obviously have been better if the (mission) team had arrived without delay, a senior Western diplomat in Geneva said, though he added they could still do effective work with Chinese colleagues when they arrive.

Its just been very worrying and troubling and we are not seeing as much of a substantive and independent role that we would expect at this point, he added.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday it had not yet been invited to send experts to China to assist with the WHO investigation. China has repeatedly rebuffed offers from America to send experts who are considered among the best in the world.

Not only was China very late in inviting international partners to help with the response, but we still only have a skeletal advance team in Beijing, and not Hubei province, Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health law at Georgetown Law.

Gostin questioned whether Chinese authorities would accept experienced personnel from CDCthereby setting aside political and trade differences.

It appears that China has not accepted the U.S. offer of on the ground CDC experts, which is unfortunate. CDC has among the most experienced first responders, he added.

Gostin voiced doubts that China would allow WHO experts to verify independently crucial information about the epidemics trajectory.

Will they have complete access to epidemiologic, virologic real-time data? Will they have the freedom to go into homes and communities? Will they be full partners in surveillance and public health response? he said.

US Military Preparing for Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. Northern Command is preparing for the potential spread of the new coronavirus among U.S. personnel.

According to a Marine Corps message, commanders have to review, update, and validate existing disease containment plans and policies in order to implement procedures for response, isolation, quarantine, restriction of movement, and community-based intervention.

Officials also have to become familiar with the authority to declare a public health emergency, restrict movement, quarantine, and isolate, said the message. Military officials also need to coordinate with federal, state, local, and military facilities.

Read more here.

WHO Official: How Big is the Iceberg?

A World Health Organization (WHO) official wondered on Thursday about how many cases of the new coronavirus there actually are after China reported a spike in cases and deaths.

How big is the iceberg? Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the WHOs emergencies program, told reporters at a press conference at the organizations headquarters in Geneva.

We do know, and we all accept, that there is transmission occurring at some level in communities. Weve all seen those clusters, weve all seen those super-spreading events, he added. The question mark is how much is happening outside what we see?

Figures from the Chinese Communist Party are widely considered to be unreliable, but the even the official numbers show a stark jump in the number of cases and deaths, prompting WHO officials to work on the scope of the outbreak.

Read more here.

First Case in US State of Texas

The first confirmed coronavirus case in Texas was confirmed by U.S. officials on Thursday.

The patient who tested positive was part of a group evacuated from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the new virus, officially known as COVID-19. The patient was under federal quarantine with the rest of the group of evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

After showing symptoms, the patient was taken to a hospital and isolated before testing positive.

Its the 15th case of the new virus in the United States.

Read more here.

Japan Confirms First Death From New Coronavirus

Japanese authorities on Thursday confirmed the first death in the country from the new coronavirus that started in China.

The victim was a Japanese woman in her 80s.

Test results came back as positive after her death, Heath minister Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference in Kyodo, according to the Japan Times.

Kato told reporters that the woman was being treated at a hospital near Tokyo since early February after showing symptoms of the new virus, known as COVID-19.

The woman is the countrys first confirmed fatality and the second reported outside of China. The first took place in the Philippines. That person was a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus.

Hong Kong Has 51 Confirmed Cases

One new case of coronavirus has appeared in Hong Kong on Thursday, according to Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Center for Health Protection, bringing the citys total to 51.

The case involves a 43-year-old man working in the local insurance sector. He lives in Tuen Mun and has no recent travel history outside of Hong Kong.

The man began coughing on Jan. 29. The following day, he had a meal with 12 other family members, one of whom has since tested positive for the virus.

The man tested positive on Thursday.

More than 1,000 People Asked to Self-Quarantine in California

More than 1,000 people who recently traveled to China have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether they have any symptoms of the new coronavirus, the Los Angeles Times reported on Feb. 12, citing recent comments made by local Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

All of them have been assigned a public health nurse and asked not to go to school or work for two weeks.

This is an aggressive effort to touch all the people whove come into L.A. County, Ferrer said, according to the L.A. Times.

Infections Suspected on Cruise Ship in Cambodia

At least 20 passengers aboard a cruise ship that was stranded for days in the South China Sea are suspected to be infected with COVID-19, local newspaper Khmer Times reported on Thursday.

The Westerdam cruise ship, operated by Holland America, is now docked in Sihanoukville, a port city in Cambodia, after it was turned away by Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the U.S. territory Guam amid coronavirus fears.

The Khmer Times reported on Thursday that they are set to be tested for the virus.

We suspect that 20 of the passengers may be infected with Coronavirus and their blood specimens will be air-flown to Phnom Penh to expedite matters, Major General Chuon Narin said, the paper reported.

The Westerdam cruise ship is seen past fishing boats as it approaches the port in Sihanoukville, Cambodias southern coast on Feb. 13, 2020. (Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Authorities Controlling Sale of Medicine

Jilin, a province in northeastern China, announced on Feb. 13 that all pharmacies in the province must take down the names of customers who purchase fever medicine.

Xiantao, a city in Hubei province, and Changfeng County, which is located in Anhui province, also announced on Thursday that pharmacies in their region must take down the names, ID number, address, and phone numbers of customers who purchase fever and cough medicine.

Meanwhile, local authorities in Jiangdu District of Jiangsu, a city in coastal Chinas Jiangsu province, announced that all pharmacies must remove fever and cough medicine from their shelves and suspend their sale.

The same sale ban is also announced by Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province.

Both Jiangdu and Nanjiang authorities have urged citizens with a fever and cough to seek treatment at hospital instead.

Some netizens have expressed concern about the sale ban on a post made to Nanjings official Weibo account.

One netizen questioned: Should he try to ride out a normal fever if he had one at home without any medicine, or going to a hospital for treatment and putting himself at risk of contracting the coronavirus?

Vietnam Reports 16th Case Triggering Lockdown of Town With 10,000 Residents

A 50-year-old man in Son Loi, a Vietnamese town in Vinh Phuc Provinces Binh Xuyen District, has tested positive for COVID-19, local newspaper VnExpress reported on Thursday, citing the local health ministry.

The infected man is the father of a 23-year-old woman who has already tested positive for the virus. She was one of eight Vietnamese workers of the Japan-based company Nihon Plast sent to Wuhan for training last month.

Since the group returned to Vietnam on Jan. 17, six have tested positive for the virus.

The woman has infected other members of her family, including her mother and younger sister, as well as a neighbor.

The neighbor has also passed the virus to her three-month-old granddaughter.

Currently, Vietnam has 16 known cases of coronavirus, with eight of them in Son Loi.

Authorities announced that as of Feb. 13, Son Loi is on lockdown for 20 days, the Bangkok Post reported. Local authorities are also increasing the number of disease control checkpoints in the town from five to eight.

Son Loi, a farming town made up of several villages, is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the countrys capital city of Hanoi.

Beijing Shakes Up Leadership in Virus Epicenter Province of Hubei

Former Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong has been named to replace Jiang Chaolinang as the new party secretary in Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Communist Party mouthpiece Xinhua reported on Feb. 13.

Hubeis capital city of Wuhan will also have a new party secretary, Wang Zhonglin, the former party secretary of Shangdong Provinces Jinan. Wang will replace Ma Guoqiang, according to the report.

Ma will also be removed from his post as Hubeis deputy party secretary. Xinhua did not name anyone to take up the provincial deputy party secretary position.

Xinhua gave a vague explanation for the sudden leadership shake up, saying that Yings appointment was necessary for the needs of epidemic prevention.

Beijing Removes Top Official in Managing Hong Kong Affairs

Chinas State Council on Feb. 13 announced the demotion of the current director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Zhang Xiaoming, who has been Beijings highest official managing Hong Kong affairs.

Xia Baolongcurrent vice-chairman and secretary-general of Chinas political advisory body, the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the former party secretary of eastern Chinas Zhejiang Provinceis to take over from Zhangs post.

Zhang will take on a new position as deputy director alongside Luo Huining, who is also currently the director of Beijings liaison office in Hong Kong, and Fu Ziying, who is the director of Beijings liaison office in Macau.

44 More Infections Reported on Cruise Ship in Japan

An additional 44 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus abroad the Diamond Prince cruise ship docked in Japan, local newspaper Japan Times reported, citing the local health ministry.

Among the newly infected people, 29 are Japanese nationals and 15 are non-Japanese. One crew member is among them.

There are now 218 people that have tested positive for the virus on the cruise ship.

We are currently making hospital arrangements for those who tested positive, health minister Katsunobu Kato said, according to the outlet.

The other patients were all removed from the ship and are quarantined in hospitals across Tokyo, according to previous reports.

Hong Kong Schools To Be Closed Until March 16

Hong Kongs Education Secretary Kevin Yeung announced in a press conference on Thursday that all schools in the city will remain closed until at least March 16.

Previously, the Hong Kong government had postponed returning to school until Feb. 17 following the Chinese New Year holiday, before extending the delay until March 2.

A District in Hubei Announces Wartime Regulation

Health officials in Zhangwan, a district in the city of Shiyan in Hubei province, announced on Wednesday eight measures to enforce wartime regulation of the district. The measures take effect at midnight on Thursday for at least 14 days.

One measure calls for complete seal-off management of all buildings. Except for medical personnel, health officials, and people in the sectors of water, electricity, telecommunications, and basic living necessities, all others are forbidden from entering and leaving these buildings.

As part of the wartime regulation, government officials are in charge of buying living necessities, including drugs, for local residents.

All cars, with the exception of medical vehicles, police cars, firefighting vehicles, trucks, and government vehicles, will be forbidden from going in and out of local residential areas.

People will be detained for trying to enter any sealed-off areas.

All members of the Chinese Communist Party are also told they should unconditionally obey the orders given by the government officials at local villages and residences.

United Airlines Extends Service Suspension to Hong Kong and China

In a statement on Feb. 12, United Airlines said its services to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, which is the capital of southwestern Chinas Sichuan province, will be further suspended until April 24.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will evaluate our schedule as we remain in close contact with the CDC and other public health experts around the globe, the statement said.

New York City Clears Final Suspected Case

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in New York City announced on Feb. 12 that the 7th person it was testing for the novel coronavirus has been given the all clear.

We now have zero cases pending, the department said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently 14 known cases in the United States, with eight of them in California.

What We Know and Tips to Stay Safe

While health experts say there is still no clear indication of how potent the virus is, there are some things that we do know about COVID-19.

The carrier of the virus can be infectious before showing symptoms. The most common symptoms associated with the virus include fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing. But Chinese researchers are saying that patients have also displayed other symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhea, chest pains, and headaches.

The incubation periodor amount of time from exposure to the onset of symptomsis thought to be up to 14 days. A recent study from Chinese researchers says it may be as long as 24 days.

According to preliminary research on how fast the coronavirus strain is spreading, scientists say COVID-19 is moderately infectious. Each patient could infect between 1.5 to 3.5 people in the absence of containment measuressimilar to SARS.

According to the U.S. CDC, most human transmission cases thus far have occurred among those with close contact to a patientlikely spread through airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Chinese scientists say there is evidence that the virus could also spread through fecal contamination.

Its unclear how long the coronavirus can survive on inanimate surfaces, but an expert with Chinas National Health Commission recently put the duration at several hours to up to five days.

To stay safe, it is recommended that you do not travel to China and avoid contact with infected patients. It is also recommended that people adhere to good personal hygiene practices, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when visiting public places.

Currently, there is still no need for the general public to wear face masks in the United States, the CDC said.

For updates from Feb. 12, click here.

Frank Fang and Reuters contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
When Donald Trump lands in India, he will be seeking another deliverable  by signing a trade deal with India on his own terms that has so far proved elusive.

Donald Trump is a showman. He likes crowds, he likes a big audience and he likes a big spectacle. Little wonder that ahead of his maiden visit to India as the President of United States, he couldnt help but mention the millions and millions of people who may cheer his arrival at the airport and later attend the kem chho Trump event in Ahmedabad  Indias answer to Howdy Modi in Texas.

Trump might not have been exaggerating. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at Oval Office while confirming his 24-25 February visit, the POTUS referred to a weekend telephonic conversation with Narendra Modi when the prime minister of India apparently told him that five to seven million people would greet him just from the airport to the new stadium in Ahmedabad. Trump seemed suitably impressed about Motera being the largest stadium in the world and joked about how his own political rallies where venues usually hold between 40,000-50,000 people are not a patch on the one-million capacity arena.

It may seem curious that Trump chose to talk at length about the capacity of the stadium for the community event or the estimated strength of welcoming crowds and dismissed substantive issues such as trade or bilateral relationships in brief mentions. He was non-committal on a trade deal and beyond praising Modi as a great gentleman, had little to say about ties.

A White House readout on Monday had stated that during a phone call over the weekend, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi agreed the trip will further strengthen the United States-India strategic partnership and highlight the strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people. But the focus, as far as Trump is concerned, was on optics of the visit.

With Trump, who has unilaterally ripped apart established foreign policy assumptions and poured hot water on post-Cold War consensus around economic globalisation and major power relationships, the medium is the message. His jokes and tweets are not trivial asides but a peek into his disruptive, anti-status-quoist mind. Relatedly, both Trump and Modi are performers (in methodically different ways). They understand the appeal of an energetic crowd and use it to send signals.

The Motera programme is being taken seriously by both sides. Indian media has claimed that PMO has sent instructions to the Gujarat government to ensure that a crowd of 1.25 lakh is organised for the event to be attended by POTUS and the First Lady of US.

And yet, for all the optics likely to surround the visit, the real action will remain subterranean. Might as well, because the biggest issue affecting bilateral ties right now is hostility over trade, and for New Delhi and Washington to reach even a limited scope deal before Trumps arrival  as is expected  both sides must not limit each others space for manoeuvrability by making the efforts public.

Still, there are enough indications that furious negotiations are underway, and the signalling and counter-signalling preceding a likely deal are evident. That doesnt mean we are closer to a deal because the differences are many and deep. However, before we tackle the most substantive issue thats shaping India-US ties under this White House, it is worth taking a look at Trumps position back home before the Air Force One lands in New Delhi.

Domestically, Trump remains strong as ever and his second term looks increasingly likely. Some may argue that even if Trump hadnt done anything of note in the last four years to merit another stint at the helm, he would still be the man to beat before the self-imploding Democrats. As it happens, while the Democrats are in the midst of a bruising campaign to choose their likely competitor against Trump, the president has built a neat base to build his campaign.

Joe Biden, the former vice-president whom many had thought to be the strongest Democrat candidate, is going through a rough patch while Bernie Sanders  who makes even his own party uncomfortable with his brand of socialism  is the frontrunner for now.

Trump believes the failed impeachment trial will work in his favour and further consolidate his base. He calls Sanders Crazy Bernie and going by his tweets, seems to be spoiling for a fight.

Bootedgeedge (Buttigieg) is doing pretty well tonight. Giving Crazy Bernie a run for his money. Very interesting!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

There might be good reasons behind his confidence. While the Democrats are busy sniping at each other, Trump recently swept the New Hampshire primary by demolishing GoP challenger Bill Weld with 83 percent votes. Trump wasted little time in pointing out that he has surpassed the New Hampshire primary vote total of every incumbent president running for re-election over the last four decades.

Incumbents have always been favoured in presidential elections for a second term, but Trump has also delivered. American economy is booming. According to a latest survey, the US economy added 225,000 jobs in January, crushing market expectations of 158,000 jobs and added 7 million since Trumps tenure while driving up wages.

As Dhruva Jaishankar, director of US Initiative at ORF, writes on Trumps achievements, On foreign policy, Trumps escalation with Iran burnished his standing following the assassination by the US of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and the accidental downing by Iran of a civilian airliner. On trade, Trump has recently concluded a Phase One deal with China, and successfully renegotiated a US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) on more favourable terms. His tax cuts have found favour with middle-class his judicial appointments have pleased Christian conservatives, and his trade policies have appealed to certain business interests and trade unions.

Little wonder that American voters believe Trump is a shoo-in for a second term, including the ones who do not want him at the helm.

When Trump, therefore, lands in India, he will be seeking another deliverable  by signing a trade deal with India on his own terms that has so far proved elusive. Trump and his team, led by United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, will try to drive a hard bargain in sealing a deal. The pieces of evidence on offer for an effort already underway indicate the US is cranking up the pressure on India in a calibrated way. After sealing a trade deal with China to reduce its trade deficit, Trump has identified India as the latest frontier and a series of steps have been taken to upend the existing trade structure and impose a new one.

Last year, the US removed India from its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme that allowed duty-free exports worth $5.6 billion to the US. Removing India, the largest beneficiary under Americas oldest trade preferential scheme, was a statement of intent to go with Trump administrations move to impose unilateral tariffs on Indian steel and aluminium products. These coercive tactics arise from Trumps contention that the existing order of trade and commerce under WTO is unfair on the US.

At Davos in January, Trump railed against the developing nation status of India and China, accusing the nations of tweaking rules for their benefit. China is viewed as a developing nation, India is viewed as a developing nation, we are not viewed as a developing nation. As far we are concerned, we are a developing nation too. But they get tremendous advantages by the fact that they are considered developing and we are not.

In line with this policy, the US on Monday removed India from its list of developing nations  including Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Thailand, among others  that are exempt from US investigations into whether these nations are unfairly subsidizing exports. Indias removal comes on the back of US policy that categorizes nations with a share of more than 0.5 percent or more of world trade as developed nations even though these nations have a per capita GNI below the standards of developed nations. Indias share in global exports was 1.67 percent in 2018, while imports stood at 2.57 percent.

This move makes it further difficult for India to get back the GSP benefits. As the Economic Times points out in a report, the move has cast a shadow on India being able to restore preferential benefits under the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) as part of its trade talks with the US, as only developing countries are eligible for it.

It would seem curious that the US penalised India just ahead of Trumps India visit, but thats exactly how the worlds self-proclaimed best dealmaker operates. Having removed India from preferential arrangements, Trumps team will now use these benefits as leverage to get greater market access in India.

Reuters reports that while India is ready to offer the US partial relief on medical device price caps or roll back tariffs on some US goods such as almonds and apples, Trumps team reportedly wants a sweetener of $5-6 billion in additional trade for US goods to restore GSP privileges including greater exports of frozen poultry products.

The US media has simultaneously reported that a trade deal with India is a matter of when, not if.

While Trump is playing his cards, it would be wrong to assume that India has no leverage. Modi administrations latest budget has seen India inching back towards a more protectionist stance, and its large market and relatively fast growth offers huge incentives.

The point to be noticed, however, is how do India and the US strike synergy between Make in India and America First policies so that each can walk out with a win. Beneath the welcoming crowds and kem chho optics, both nations will be engaged in intense subterranean negotiations.
A new local podcast called Healing Masculine, hosted by Shym, is available for your listening pleasure now. "Growing up in Northern Indiana, attending Columbia College Chicago, and living in KCMO for the past two years I've been missing a conversation inside both queer and hetero-normative spaces, one that is central to not only my identity but to our society; what does it mean to be masculine?
(Newser)  The Dogg bit too hard. Snoop Dogg publicly apologized to Gayle King on Wednesday after attacking her for asking about the Kobe Bryant rape case. After "a talk with my momma," the rapper realized he'd been "raised way better" than to respond in a "derogatory manner" based off of angerwhich is apparently what he was doing when he called King a "punk motherf***er" and told her to "back off  before we come get you," per Variety. He also posted various insulting photos and memes about King before insisting he was a non-violent person, reports the Hollywood Reporter. "I didn't mean for it to be like that," the 48-year-old said Wednesday in a Instagram video, acknowledging that he "overreacted." He added: "I would like to apologize to you publicly for the language that I used and calling you out of your name and just being disrespectful."

story continues below

King became the subject of death threats after CBS aired a promo clip in which the journalist asked WNBA star Lisa Leslie about the 2003 rape case. Bryant was charged with raping a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado, though the case was dropped when the accuser opted not to testify. Bryant later settled a civil suit, maintaining that the sex was consensual, per NBC News. "If I had only seen the clip that you saw, I would be extremely angry with me too," King responded to the criticism that arose, saying the clip was taken out of context. Says Snoop Dogg: "I was just expressing myself for a friend that wasn't here to defend himself. When you're wrong, you gotta fix it." Author Ta-Nehisi Coates defended King on Instagram days earlier. "A lot of us f***ing lost it. We did not calmly express our dislike of the question," he wrote. "We should be better." (Read more Kobe Bryant stories.)
(Alliance News) - Kavango Resources PLC said Thursday that drilling results from Kalahari Suture Zone in Botswana showed elevated copper and nickel values.

Kavango shares were trading 18% lower in London at 1.37 pence each on Thursday.

The company said that drilling has provided valuable geological information in order to assist in the understanding of the potential of the Kalahari Suture Zone to host large copper-nickel mineral deposits.

The assays from the core showed slightly elevated copper and nickel values against what would be expected in a non-mineralised gabbro, the company noted.

However, what was not confirmed was the ability of Kavango's controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics, CSAMT, geophysical system to identify massive sulphide bodies associated with the gabbro sills.

"This is almost certainly due to the presence of ground water contaminated with salt in and around the gabbroic intrusions," the company said.

Kavango said it is now in discussion with its geophysical consultants to develop a geophysical method, that will discriminate between conductors caused by saline groundwater and massive sulphide mineralization.

Michael Foster, chief executive officer, said: "There is now a large body of evidence suggesting that the accumulation of nickel and copper bearing metal sulphides occurred within the high level gabbroic intrusions of the Kalahari Suture Zone."

"The next stage is to identify and assess the value of these metal sulphide accumulations," Foster said.

By Loreta Juodagalvyte; loretajuodagalvyte@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Burma Myanmar Labor Activists Fined for Factory Protest

Five trade union leaders were sentenced for staging an unlawful assembly. / Moe Sandra Myint / Facebook

Yangon  Five labor rights activists, including a labor activist from a US-owned garment factory, were threatened with 24 days in prison unless they paid fines of 30,000 kyats (US$21) at Yangons Dagon Township Court on Feb. 11 for an unlawful assembly.

The five led more than 400 factory workers from the Natural Garment Company in Shwelinban industrial zone, Hlaing Tharyar Township, to the Yangon regional government offices on Nov. 7, 2019. They called on the National League for Democracys regional chief minister, U Phyo Min Thein, to take action against employers who they said violated labor rights and employment contracts.

Garment factory worker leaders Ma Thandar Phyoe, Ko Kyaw Myo Htike, Ko Chit Nan Maung and Ko Pyae Sone Aung and activist Ma Moe Sandra Myint from the labor rights advocacy group Action Labor Rights, were sued by Dagon police under Section 19 of the Unlawful Assembly Act.

Several labor supporters had to help pay the court fines to avoid prison sentences for the five union representatives.

We just went there to request government help with our labor rights violation case. But we were sentenced although we did nothing wrong. This is unfair, activist Ma Moe Sandra Myint told The Irrawaddy on Thursday.

The case undermined trust in government as no action was taken against employers who repeatedly violated labor rights and contracts, said Ma Moe Sandra Myint.

The labor disputes began in August 2019 because staff said their salaries were cut. Around 1,500 factory workers reportedly went on strike in September.

Media reports said strikers stopped 10 Chinese technicians and two interpreters from reaching the factory in mid-September as the management called for talks.

Strikers released the factorys technicians and interpreters after the township offered to hold negotiations.

The factory announced its closure on Nov. 7, saying that operations had been disrupted by the strike. The management said it would compensate workers for the closure. The announcement led to the November protest.

The Natural Garment management was unavailable for comment. The clothing factory closed last year only to re-open with many of its former staff. Union leaders were excluded, said Ma Moe Sandra Myint.

You may also like these stories:

Workers and Farmers to Run in Myanmars 2020 Election to Promote Rights

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Malaysian Activists Urge Lawmakers to Get Tough on Forests Losses
Finnish English

EVLI BANK PLCS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE FEBRUARY 13, 2020, AT 10.30 AM (EET/EEST)

Evli Bank Plcs Annual Report 2019 has been published in English and Finnish. The Annual Report includes the company's Financial Statements, Board of Directors' report and Auditor's report for the period January 1 - December 31, 2019. In addition, the Corporate Governance Statement 2019 and Remuneration policy has been published as separate documents in English and Finnish.

The Annual Report and the other documents are attached to this release and also available on the corporate website www.evli.com/investors .

The printed Annual Report will be published at the latest on the week beginning on March 9, 2020.

EVLI BANK PLC

Juho Mikola

CFO

For additional information, please contact:

Juho Mikola, CFO, Evli Bank Plc, tel. +358 40 717 8888, juho.mikola@evli.com

Evli Bank Plc

Evli is a bank specialized in investments that helps institutions, corporations and private persons increase their wealth. The product and service offering includes mutual funds, asset management and capital markets services, alternative investment products, equity research, administration of incentive programs and Corporate Finance services. The company also offers banking services that support clients' investment operations. Evli is the highest ranked and most used institutional asset manager in Finland*.

Evli has a total of EUR 14.3 billion in client assets under management (net 12/2019). The Evli Group's equity capital totals EUR 81.8 million and its BIS capital adequacy ratio is 15.1 percent (December 31, 2019). The company has around 250 employees. Evli Bank Plc's B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.

*KANTAR SIFO Prospera External Asset Management Finland 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and SFR Scandinavian Financial Research Institutional Investment Services, Finland 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

Distribution: Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd, main media, www.evli.com
Japanese carmaker Nissan on February 12 filed a lawsuit against ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn to take back approximately $90 million used by the accused in fraudulent practices. According to reports, the Japanese giant's decision comes after Ghosn was ousted from the company in what was called years of misconduct and activities of fraud.

According to reports, Nissan said that the cost had been calculated based on the cost to the firm of the former chairman's fraudulent practices. According to reports, the company accused him of using the residential property on foreign lands without paying any rent, personal use of corporate jets, payments to his personal lawyer living in Lebanon etc.

According to reports, the amount mentioned in the lawsuit is likely to increase and the carmaker will be suing Ghosn for making defamatory remarks in a public address in Lebanon. The former chairman was subject to a trial in Japan in relation to numerous crimes he committed, including under-showing his compensation to around $85 million. According to reports, Ghosn spent a period of 100 days in Japan after his arrest in 2018 but escaped to Lebanon after being let out on bail in Tokyo.

Read: Nissan To Offer Severance Packages To Older US Workers

Read: Nissan Revises India Strategy, Plans 1 New Model Every Year; Compact SUV On Anvil

Ghosn's escape was regrettable

In a statement on December 7, Nissan Motor Corporation said that the actions of ousted Chairman Carlos Ghosn's escape from Tokyo to Lebanon was regrettable and undermined the Japanese judicial system. Nissan's statement said that the company will completely cooperate with the authorities, adding that Ghosn's escape will not influence its policy of holding him accountable for financial misconduct.

After former Nissan chairman jumped the bail and fled to Lebanon, reports claim that the fugitive used bullet train and a private jet to escape from Japan. A Japanese news channel reported that Ghosn boarded a bullet train from Tokyo's Shinagawa station on December 29 and got off at a station in western Osaka. The 65-year-old executive took a taxi to a hotel near Kansai airport and availed a private jet to Istanbul. It is believed that the business tycoon switched planes and travelled to Beirut.

Read: Video Shows Former Nissan Chairman Ghosn's Associates At Istanbul Airport

Read: Nissan Adds Nearly 308K Vehicles To Takata Recall Saga
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday held a forum on Ghanas energy sector at the Alisa Swiss Spirit Hotel, Accra.



It was led by John Abdulai Jinapor, former Deputy Minister of Energy under the theme, State of Ghanas Energy Sector: Confronting Corruption and Ensuring Wealth Creation for all, not a few.



Responding to some of the claims raised by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia during the NPP's maiden town hall meeting held in Kumasi on Tuesday, 11 February 2020, JJ, as he's popularly called, said:



It is important and I like it that Dr Bawumia decided to do some comparisons, we welcome that comparisons. Indeed, we want them to bring that on because we hold a superior record head-to-head, pound-for-pound, eyeball-to-eyeball when it comes to NPP and NDC.



If you look at energy sector leviesPresident Mahama received only GHS3 billion of energy sector levies, President Akufo-Addo is receiving GHS12 billion of these energy sector levies. Not only have they retained it, they have increased the levies on petroleum, theyve increased the levies on diesel, theyve increased levies on gas and increased levies on petrol.



And so, when the Bulk Oil Distributors Companies (BDCs) are paid through the energy sector levies, instead of giving credit to the man who dreamt about it, who conceived it, who pioneered it, they rather want to take credit for where they did not sow.



Attached is the full document



STATE OF GHANAS ENERGY SECTOR BY JOHN ABDULAI JINAPOR, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR YAPEI KUSAWGU ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2020 AT ALISA HOTEL, ACCRA



INTRODUCTION



Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen for joining us this afternoon.



This forum on Ghanas energy sector will provide us the opportunity to examine the state of the sector with emphasis on the Petroleum. It is our hope that this forum shall afford us the opportunity to shed light on some major issues including deliberate acts of state sponsored corruption within the Energy sector. Furthermore, we shall outline some policy alternatives.



BACKGROUND



We believe  and it is the case  that the energy sector plays a critical role in the socio-economic growth and development of Ghana. This why under the leadership and inspiration of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the NDC government, made phenomenal contributions and progress towards energy security for Ghana.



For emphasis, let me add that, this vision of sustainable energy for growth and development was for both present and future generations. For example, in the petroleum sector, prudent policies by the NDC government attracted huge investments and resulted in major discoveries which culminated in the development of the TEN and Sankofa  Gye-Nyame production fields.



Brief History of Ghana's Petroleum Sector



Ladies and Gentlemen,



Recent oil and gas production in Ghana owes its glory to the exploration of hydrocarbon as far back as 1896 in the onshore Tano basin in today's administrative Western Region.



Fast forwarding, when Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings realised the potential for Ghana to discover oil in commercial quantities, he established the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) as a statutory corporation, through PNDCL 64. As a result, GNPC strategically focused exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Ghana.



Additional investments by successive governments and the advent of new technologies in the fourth republic eventually culminated in the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 2007. Currently, Ghana has three (3) oil production fields  Jubilee, TEN and Sankofa-Gye-Nyame.



Justifiably, Ghanaians are upbeat and expect proceeds from oil and gas to benefit society.



Petroleum Resources Must Benefit Citizens



Ladies and Gentlemen,



Petroleum Resources are generally owned by the people of Ghana. Therefore, maximum benefits from the resource must accrue to the citizens. This view is anchored in, Article 257.6. of the Constitution which states that, Every mineral in its natural state in, under or upon any land in Ghana, rivers, streams, water courses throughout Ghana, the exclusive economic zone and any area covered by the territorial sea or continental shelf is the property of the Republic of Ghana and shall be vested in the President on behalf of, and in trust for the people of Ghana.



The need for proper and meaningful investment of petroleum resources for Ghanaians who are the beneficial owners of the resource is also based on the fact that, the resource is finite and commodity prices are volatile. Hence the revenues do not last forever.



This demands proper investment in ways that can sustain the nation during periods of boom and bust, as well as when the resource is depleted. Better negotiation skills in order to increase Ghanas stake in the upstream oil and gas sector is also needed.



NDC Increased Ghanas Stake in Upstream Petroleum.



Whilst in office, we adopted policies and programmes to ensure the nation consistently increased its share in most petroleum agreements that were negotiated.



Ladies and Gentlemen, Ghana's share in the three oil producing fields kept increasing  from 13.6% to 20%.



1. JUBILEE (2007) 13.6%



2. TEN 15%



3. SANKOFA GYE-NYAME Fields 20%



This incremental sequence in the growth of Ghanas shares under the NDC government clearly demonstrates a conscious and consistent effort to increase Ghana's stake in petroleum agreements; especially after it became clear that the nation had the potential of additional oil resource.



The result was that all thirteen (13) petroleum agreements that came to force under the NDC had enhanced fiscal terms and increased national stake.



Additional NDC Reforms in Ghanas Petroleum Sector



We adopted best practices from other oil producing countries as a guide in the management of our oil and gas resources. These initiatives provided transparency in the sector, attracted key industry players and boosted investor confidence.



We pioneered the passage of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) with the main objective of regulating and managing the utilization of petroleum resources in the upstream sector.



We also took a bold step and established the Public Interest and Accountability Committee(PIAC) as an independent statutory body mandated to promote transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum resources in Ghana.



Furthermore, to anchor the gains made and ensure the Ghana becomes one of the leading oil producers in Africa, we passed the the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 919, 2016 to provide an enabling environment for increased private participation and investment in the sector.



We were also determined to ensure Ghana did not lose out to the private sector. To this end, the NDC adopted a long term vision of positioning GNPC as a major operator in the oil sector.



To attain this objective, we created an Exploration and Production subsidiary Explorco  in 2012 to pursue commercial stakes in strategically selected exploration and production projects.



Also, as a social democratic government that has always believed in indigenous Ghanaian entrepreneurs assuming the commanding heights of the economy and fully participating in the oil and gas sector, we passed the Ghana Local Content Law (Ghana) in 2013. The law prioritises Ghanaians and their businesses in the award of contracts and employment of staff in the petroleum industry.



We finally passed the Public Financial Management Act 921 in 2016, to among others ensure, discipline and efficient use of public funds as well as the safety, custody and integrity of public funds in line with new global trends.



In addition, to maximize the benefits from the petroleum value chain, we developed a comprehensive Gas Master Plan which led to the development of an ultramodern Gas Processing Plant at Atuabo. The plant utilises the country's gas resource and further ensures the security of energy supply.



President Mahama also took the bold decision to bring finality to the protracted maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Ivory Coast. This brought certainty to exploration and production of Ghanas hydrocarbon resources in the disputed fields.



Last but not least, our belief in accelerated development through value addition, led us to reposition BOST and TOR. We, further, secured two (2) million barrels of Ghana's crude oil from the TEN fields to be processed by TOR.



Ladies and Gentlemen, unfortunately and sadly, our sterling performance in the oil and gas sector have been derailed by the incompetent, greedy and corrupt Akufo-Addo government and his cabal of family and friends.



The Petroleum Sector Under Akufo-Addo



The current NPP administration has rolled back the clock of progress through underhand dealings and general mismanagement of the sector.



The mismanagement of the sector has resulted in waned investor interest in Ghanas oil sector, diminishing local participation in the upstream sector and reduced confidence in our upstream regulatory institutions as evidenced by the disastrous maiden bidding rounds for blocks under the NPP. All these are happening at a time that Ghana has successfully won the maritime boundary dispute.



Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to draw specifically on two agreements: the AGM; and AKER agreements to illustrate the corruption and decay that we have investigated and unearthed under President Akufo-Addo in the sector.



1. Sate Sponsored Corruption: The AGM (South Deepwater Tano Petroleum Agreement) Agreement



It will be recalled that in 2014 the Parliament of Ghana approved an agreement between the GNPC, GNPC Explorco, and AGM (itself a joint venture among AGR Energy - Gibraltar, Minexco, and a local Ghanaian Company; MED Songhai).



Under the agreement the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) secured 10% free carried interest, additional 15% of Participating interest. GNPCs Exploration and Production Company Limited (Explorco) also secured 24% commercial interest.



However, soon after assuming office, the Akufo-Addo led government decided against all technical and commercial advice to open this agreements for renegotiation under bizarre and opaque circumstances.



In the renegotiated agreement, GNPCs additional participating interest was reduced from 15% to 3%. As if that was not enough Explorcos commercial interest of 24% was dropped to Zero. I mean nothing!



Similar to the Ameri/Mytilineos deal (in which we were informed President Akufo-Addo was misled to issue an Executive Approval); the BOST/Movenpiina saga; and the ECG/PDS family and friends deal which has culminated in over US$300 million direct and indirect loss to Ghana, we suspected foul play because the renegotiated agreement is by far the worst deal in the history of Ghana's petroleum sector.



Yes! How on earth could GNPC Explorco drop from 24% to nothing (0%)? And if I may add on which planet will GNPC itself also drop from 15% to 3%? Fellow Ghanaians, even Bokassa, Idi Amin and Mobutu Sessekou will envy this level of state sponsored corruption.



Our investigations have revealed that a new company by name Quad Energy (which was subsequently awarded a 5% free carried interest) was being registered a month before the Akufo-Addo led Government triggered the Parliamentary processes to amend the Petroleum Agreement.



The critical question is, who are the beneficial owners of Quad Petroleum Company Limited? What services did Quad Petroleum offer to warrant a free 5% carried interest in the Petroleum Agreement? Why this very company registered a month before parliamentary approval was sought still beats the imagination of many well-meaning Ghanaians and experts in the petroleum sector.



Sate Sponsored Corruption:



Ladies and Gentlemen,



The AKER/AGM agreement is the highest level of betrayal by this Government. It clearly smacks of corruption and raises serious transparency and accountability issues?



Indeed, the renegotiated deal was so bad that, Parliament in the exercise of its constitutional duty, could not help but direct the Minister of Energy, Mr. Peter Amewu, to renegotiate the Participating Interest of the State upward from 3% to 10%. Mr Amewu was also directed to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues surrounding the clandestine liquidation of the shares of MED Songhai  the original Ghanaian shareholder.



The Minister was further directed to report to Parliament within 6 months. This is what a nation reaps when its President refuses to protect the nations silver.



Interestingly, the Minister refused to act on Parliament's directive within the stipulated time, a clear case of impunity. On the contrary, to our shock and dismay, with some few days for Parliament to rise, the Minister of Energy presented to parliament yet another amendment to this very agreement alongside another AKER Agreement and demanded approval for very sweeping and outrageous concessions for the Company.



These concessions represent the most radical political attack on Ghanas upstream petroleum sector since the commencement of the fourth Republic. Indeed, the concessions in the amendment are so outrageous that, only a Government that has been compromised will ever contemplate plundering the resources of the state to such unimaginable levels.



The amendments submitted to Parliament by the Akufo-Addo government contained the following:



1. Ministers Reasonable Assistance



This provision obligates the Minister to provide reasonable assistance to ensure that Contractors obtain all licenses, consents and/or authorisations required for its work. This most unusual amendment makes the Minister the errand-boy for Contractors and undermines the autonomy of regulators and permit givers who are not necessarily under the authority or jurisdiction of the Minister.



2. Production Technology



This provision stipulates that the Minister no longer has authority in approving or rejecting a Plan of Development to determine what technologies will be used in developing and producing Ghanas hydrocarbon resources.



3. Taxation and other Imports



Sadly, these amendments provide a sweeping tax exemption for Aker and AGM, its sub-contractors and sub sub-contractors. No withholding taxes in the case of AGM and a reduced withholding tax rate of 5% instead of the 15% withholding tax for any work or services or supply or use of goods, both to domestic and international transactions.



4. Sub-Contractor Tax Exemption



Transaction between Sub contractors to sub-contractor is also not subjected to Withholding tax.



Fellow Ghanaians, the direct beneficiary of these give-aways will be the Norwegian Multinational, AKER which owns and controls both Aker Ghana and AGM and their cronies. Unfortunately, the direct loser is Ghana. What is most worrying is, the cumulative of the medium to long term effect of all these give-aways will be a loss of national control over our precious petroleum resources.



Ladies and Gentlemen, a lot has gone wrong and continues to go wrong in Ghanas energy sector under Nana Akufo-Addo. It has gotten to the point that whenever we see a joint memorandum from the Honourable Ministers of Finance and Energy, we are filled with trepidation especially as Ghanaians have not yet recovered from the PDS scandal, the Ameri/Mytilineos scandal and the BOST/Movenpiina Scandal.



The Records: John Mahama Vrs Akuffo-Addo



There is a popular saying that, onto whom much is given, much is expected, this adage is certainly not the case when it comes to President Akuffo-Addo and he will surely go down in history as the President who achieved very little for this country despite receiving unprecedented revenue flows.



From the annual petroleum reconciliation reports as published by the Bank of Ghana whereas President John Mahama received a total of 6.4 Billion Cedis, Akuffo-Addo is on course to receive a whopping 20.6 Billion Cedis.



Due to the increased receipts from petroleum resources, trade balance for 2018 recorded a surplus of US$1,617.81 billion. However, a look at the current account balance as at September 2018 clearly shows a deficit of 1.4 percent.



Whereas President Mahama received total ESLA revenues of 3 billion Cedis, President Akufo-Addo has so far received 9 billion Cedis and scheduled to receive 12 Billion by end of 2020.



The critical question is, what has the Akufo-Addo government used the money for despite all these huge revenue inflows?



On the contrary the utilisation of revenues especially ABFA and ESLA proceeds under this administration has been most disappointing. For instance, in the 2018 financial year, only 49% of ABFA expenditure was used for capital expenditure whilst 51% was utilized for the supply of goods and services, a clear violation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act.



Furthermore, the lack of both transparency and accountability that has characterised the oil sector under President Akuffo-Addo really gives cause for worry. The PIAC report of 2017 and 2018 reveals that US$655 million out of the total figure transferred to the ABFA which were not utilised cannot be accounted for. In effect US$655 million of Ghana's Petroleum revenues has vanished into thin air.



Ladies and Gentlemen,



It is sad to note that the GNPC which was well positioned and better resourced to serve the national interest before we left office has been saddled with huge debts due to mismanagement and high levels of opacity that has characterized the corporation.



Available records prove that total guarantees and loans procured by GNPC between 2017 and 2019 has risen sharply to about US$1 billion. Even more worrying is the fact that these gargantuan loans have been contracted without the requisite parliamentary approval in contravention of the PFMA 921.



With respect to Ghana Gas, the NDC demonstrated a better foresight by successfully completing the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, which has dramatically improved reliable fuel supply in Ghana. It has also reduced the cost of fuel for thermal power production. The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant has also led to an estimated savings of over US$300Million per annum due a reduction of about 80% in LCO imports. This is visionary leadership  thank you President Atta Mills of blessed memory; and thank you President Mahama.



Today, the plant is able to supply about 50% of domestic LPG needs and has created employment throughout the Gas value chain. Thank you my ministers of energy and power and all those who made this vision a reality.



But, the story of Ghana under this Government is a sad one. Despite huge receivables from ESLA, the total indebtedness to GNGC stood at US$750,963,424.91 by the end of 2018. If I may ask again, what have they used the monies for?



The resultant effect of their reckless expenditures has culminated in critical sections of the Ghanaian economy retrogressing.



POWER SECTOR DISTORTIONS.



Ladies and Gentlemen,



Before I state our policy alternatives, permit me to touch briefly on the power sector in order to shed light on some pertinent issues. I will be brief.



Let me put on record that President Mahama comprehensively solved "DUMSOR." It was a generational problem but he took the bull by the horn and fixed the problem. Dr Bawumia is on record to have urged Ghanaians not to give Mahama credit for fixing dumsor. So what was Bawumia doing in Kumasi when he lied that they  the NPP, solved dumsor?



I dare challenge this Government to switch off President Mahamas power plants and the Gas processing plant and I bet you with my last penny, Ghana shall witness DUMSOR of unimaginable magnitude.



Ladies and Gentlemen, the claim by the NPP Government of a so-called excess capacity charges is nothing but a ruse to create another avenue to fleece the ordinary Ghanaian. Documents presented by the ECG which is the sole off-taker to these Power Purchase Agreements to Parliament only ended up betraying the insincerity on the part of the Finance Minister. The facts pointed to a completely different picture.



Typical of the NPP, whilst Government officials were busy complaining about what they described as cost arising from excess capacity, a new company by name STRATCON ENERGY was being incorporated in 2017. The company has subsequently received huge payments from revenues raised under the guise of paying for excess capacity. I urge the media to show interest in who the beneficial owners of STRATCON ENERGY are.



A thorough search for the beneficial owners of STRATCON ENERGY will show that, whilst our finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, was busily quoting from the bible about how Jesus Christ miraculously fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes; he was clandestinely feeding the Special 5 with millions of the Tax payers money.



Ladies and Gentle even though the current state of the Energy Sector looks gloomy, let me assure you there is hope with an NDC Government, come January 2021;



what the next ndc government will do



1. The NDC has been at the forefront with innovative policies and legislation to improve power sector governance and service delivery. We will work to improve efficiency in the management of the countrys power facilities and reduce losses.



2. We will increase generation further to meet all suppressed demand, including giving incentives to investors in heavy industries such as aluminium, iron and steel smelting.



3. In line with our policy commitment to create a resilient and non-congested transmission system, the NDC government embarked on projects aimed at improving the country's transmission system and export of Power, we shall continue with this policy.



4. We will continue to develop more sustainable power sources and encourage energy conservation.



5. We will ensure massive investments in the distribution sector to enhance capacity and also improve the technical and operational efficiency of the utilities. To achieve this, we will work to reduce aggregate technical, commercial and collection losses, ensure a transparent and fair billing system, roll out smart metering systems across the country, eliminate bottlenecks associated with acquisition of meters and electricity connectivity for prospective customers, further promote local participation in tendering and procurement processes and pursue policy and corporate reforms to revamp our energy sector SOEs.



6. We increased national electrification access from 54% in January 2009 to 84% by the end of 2016 and brought access level in the Northern Regional to 65%. We shall embark upon an energy for all programme.



7. We shall ensure the energy sector levies are utilised for their intended purposes by providing street lighting, Premix Fuel and expand rural electrification.



8. We shall ensure transparency and ultimately increase Ghana's stake in the oil and Gas sector.



9. We shall ensure that domestic supply of LPG is met by Ghana Gas.



10. We shall also ensure value addition by resourcing, retooling and repositioning TOR to refine the crude oil for domestic consumption.



11. Additionally, we shall support BOST to hold enough strategic stocks, meet their mandate, excavate the deep seated corruption which has bedevilled the company under President Akufo-Addo and punish the perpetrators of the BOST/Movenpiina scandal among others .



12. Finally, we shall remain accountable and transparent in our dealings.



Conclusion



In conclusion, it is an obvious and undeniable fact that the NDC has a far superior record to the NPP as far as the Energy and other related sectors are concerned.



Ghanas Energy sector is certainly not safe under Akufo-Addos Presidency. Our natural resources are being plundered to the benefit of few greedy ones.



Someone recently told me the next NDC government will have a tough time managing the economy on assumption of office in 2021 because the Akuffo-Addo led Government has already caused so much damage.



My response was simple, if these guys can cause so much damage within their first term in office, then four (4) more years for Nana will mean sentencing all Ghanaians to perpetual hardships because of the corruption and greed of this family and friends government.



We owe it to Ghanaians and to future generations; it is a national duty and a social responsibility to rescue Ghana from this wreckage and corruption that is sinking our dear country, Ghana.



The rescue time is now!



Thank you.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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Minister for Health Simon Harris is attending an emergency meeting of European Health Ministers in Brussels today to discuss the coronavirus outbreak.

Minister Harris said that, although there are no confirmed cases in Ireland, we must remain vigilant.

It comes after the death toll in China jumped dramatically to over 1,300 while the total number of infections in the country is now close to 60,000.

Last night, a spokesperson for the European Commission told Parliament that it has mobilised its services and agencies and is working on all fronts to tackle the outbreak.

Dublin MEP Clare Daly spoke during the debate to say: "She did say that there was a coordinated approach across the EU and member states at points of entry.

"There have been some serious stories about the lack of presence in Ireland, in terms of some of the activities, so I would be hoping that that has improved, but overall we did make the point that in Ireland we have in excess of 2,000 winter deaths every year.

"1,000 people have died of this, it's very tragic, but we have to have a sense of proportion and work with the scientists to contain it."

Meanwhile, an Irish man who was quarantined in Liverpool for the past two weeks after travelling from Wuhan is expected to return home to Kildare today.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the Supreme Court judgment which sacked its candidate, David Lyon, as the governor-elect of Bayelsa State.

The apex court sacked Mr Lyon on Thursday on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented a false certificate to the electoral body, INEC, in the build-up to the election.

Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had the second-highest number of votes and secured 25 per cent of votes in five of Bayelsas eight local governments and is expected to be declared the winner of the November 16 election.

However, the national chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole, said the judgement lacks the fruits of justice and was based on mere technicalities which portend danger to our democracy.

Where justice and democracy thrive on the altar of technicalities, it constitutes a danger to our democracy. Nobody has raised issues whether David Lyon and his running mates won an overwhelming majority, he said at the partys secretariat Thursday evening.

Mr Oshiomhole continued: PDP candidate does not have one-quarter of the total lawful votes cast in that election in two-thirds of the eight local government areas in Bayelsa State.

Possible Petition

Mr Oshiomhole vowed to challenge the Supreme Courts verdict.

Therefore, from the facts available to us and in due consultation with our lawyers, it is clear that no candidate meets the requirements of the Supreme Court, which means no one can be sworn in legally tomorrow unless there is deliberate attempt to abuse the legal process.

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We have accordingly asked our lawyers to look at all the windows that exist in law and take steps to ensure that the will of the people of Bayelsa State is not undermined on the altar of technicalities, he said.

He also referred to a similar case in 1999.

In 1999, there was a similar case in Bauchi involving Governor Adamu Muazu. The court found that his running mate was not qualified for whatever reason to contest that election, and accordingly, the Supreme Court nullified the election of Governor Adamu Muazu and the court as a consequence directed INEC to conduct a fresh election.

Mr Oshiomhole implored his partys loyalists and the people of Bayelsa to stay optimistic.
(Natural News) The Ohio state senate unanimously passed a bill that would, among other provisions, ban free speech zones on the states college campuses.

(Article by Jon Street republished from CampusReform.org)

Ohio Senate Bill 40, or the Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act, was introduced by state Sens. Andrew Brenner and Rob McColley, both Republicans. The bill came as Campus Reform has reported on multiple schools banning or otherwise charging exorbitant security fees for conservative speakers to visit not only college campuses in Ohio but across the country.

The legislation, if signed into law, would ban free speech zones, prevent colleges from prohibiting noncommercial expressive activity, as well as preventing colleges from imposing security fees based on the content of their expression, the content of the expression of their invited guest, or the anticipated reaction to an invited guests expression. The bill would also prevent colleges from creat[ing] free speech zones or designat[ing] other outdoor areas of campuses where expressive activities are prohibited.

In seeing what was going on in other states and other universities throughout the United States, we felt [the bill] was needed to be brought here to Ohio so we can protect the freedom of speech for students on campus, Brenner said, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

David Jackson of the Ohio chapter of the American Association of University Professors, opposed the bill.

There is a substantial difference between banning an idea and disallowing a controversial speaker that would cause massive disruption and create crowds that campus police could not control, Jackson told the Dispatch.

James Smith, chairman of the Ohio State University Young Americans for Freedom, applauded the bill.

I admire Rep. Brenners continued fight for institutional reform affecting the ways speakers are (and sometimes arent) allowed to speak on Ohio college campuses. I believe FORUM is a step in the right direction for Ohio educational policy and will, if passed, help to make college campuses more of a marketplace for ideas and less dominated by leftist groupthink, Smith said, according to YAF.

Read more at: CampusReform.org and Liberty.news.
(CNN) If you're hoping to impress a date with a romantic home-cooked meal this Valentine's Day, don't forget the tablecloth.

Diners eat more and for longer, and rate the food as tasting better when seated with tablecloth, according to a study published in the journal "Food Quality and Preference."

Participants in the experiment by the University of Hohenheim in Germany were divided into four groups, eating tomato soup with or without a tablecloth, in high or low lighting. The tablecloth was found to have the biggest impact on how the quality of the food was perceived, the amount eaten and how long participants ate for.

Professor Nanette Strobele-Benschop, the lead researcher in the study, told CNN the results were "fascinating."

She said previous studies had shown that environmental factors are important in how we perceive our food and she wanted to look at "which parts have influence," and in which combinations.

In an initial study, diners were placed in different lighting conditions, but there was no effect on how much they ate, how long the meal lasted or how the soup was perceived to taste, except that it was reported as less salty in dim lighting. The researchers speculated that this could be because our sense of taste is heightened when our ability to see is reduced.

A second study was conducted involving 159 participants, adding table linen as an additional variable and eating in a group, rather than alone.

In the group that ate with dim lighting and a tablecloth, people consumed a mean 51% more soup than those who ate in dim light without a tablecloth. The neutral, gray-and-white checked tablecloth had a far stronger overall effect on the length of meal, amount consumed and enjoyment than lighting level.

Strobele-Benschop said the findings could be useful in encouraging people in retirement homes, hospitals or schools to eat. While it could be difficult to improve the ambience in such settings, staff could do something as simple as choosing colorful plates, she suggested.

"It's the combination of decorative aspects," she said. "Any ambient factors could promote more enjoyment."

While eating more is not always desirable, she said improving the atmosphere could help encourage diners to choose healthy food by making it seem to taste better.

The researchers wrote that the human body has a "sophisticated appetite control system which includes a variety of internal signals."

There is an "abundance of physiological, environmental and psychological influences on our daily food intake," including "eating with others, odor, color, physical surroundings," they said.

An Oxford University study from 2015 found that heavy cutlery "enhances the enjoyment of food," while 2008 research from Stanford University found that participants rated wines they were told were more expensive as tasting better.

Strobele-Benschop said the most important factor on Valentine's Day was to be "with the person you love" and create something you will both enjoy.

But a tablecloth can't hurt. "Valentine's is a day when it's all about ambience."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Cooking for someone special this Valentine's Day? Don't forget the tablecloth."
It's 2020, but Indians are still finding ways to have a male child. Don't belive us? Well, this story is about to enlighten you why we say so. Also, the obsession for having a son is one of the major reasons for our increasing population.

So, this bizarre statement made by a Guru in Maharashtra has proved that we are still living in our own little bubble of stupid notions. A famous Marathi Preacher, Indurikar Maharaj, has suggested in one of his kirtans that having sex with a woman on even dates will fulfill their wish of having a son.

 BCCL

Oh, wow!



According to a report by PTI, he made these remarks during a kirtan at a village in Ahmedabad. He said, "If intercourse with a woman is done on even date, a male child is born and if intercourse is done on an odd date, a girl child is born. If intercourse is done on inauspicious timing, the child that is born would bring a bad name to the family.

 BCCL

He also said that if one misses 'the exact timing of intercourse, one will have a 'poor quality kid'. Lord!



Following his outlandish remarks, a government official said, Gurus statement can attract action under the provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

Heres what people on the internet have to say about this Gurus statement-

Really?

Indurikar Maharaj is the best stand up comedian with sanity.  Abhishek Ajane (@idkwt2dowthlife) February 11, 2020

Oh ho.

And he's a preacher!!! All the people supporting his current statement should be banned from procreation...  VARUN SUDHINDRA (@resolute88) February 13, 2020

Pretend that you cannot hear anything.



If this programme wouldn't have been aired at all, Indurikar maharaj's words wouldnt have spread to large number of people.@abpmajhatv is equally guilty of spreading his words under pcpndt act.  dr. dhiraj tamaskar (@ddtam) February 12, 2020

Thats a lot of Math in a few minutes.



Its in AYURVEDA. PLEASE REFER AYURVEDA BEFORE ANYBODY DOES ANYHTHING. ITS IN AYURVEDA THAT EVEN DATE YIELDS MALE BABY AND ODD DAY GIRL CHILD. FIRST DAY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS FIRST OF THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD OF THE FEMALE PARTNER AND FROM THERE COUNT EVEN ODD.  Bharatheey (@Bharatheey1) February 13, 2020

India recently also set a record on 1st January 2020 of welcoming the most number of babies born worldwide on New Year's Day. According to data released by UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), around 392,078 babies were born across the globe on January 1 and 67,385 were born in India.



 Unsplash

Also, according to Economic Survey 2018, the obsession of Indians to have a male child has led to the birth of 21 million unwanted girls. This is an example of how the Indian mindset works and needs to change ASAP.


NTT Research Hosts First Annual NTT Global Research Summit

NTT Research, Inc., a division of NTT (TYO:9432), today announced plans to hold the NTT Research Berkeley Summit on March 19-20, 2020, in Berkeley, California. The two-day event, which will take place at the University Club atop Memorial Stadium on the UC Berkeley campus, will feature talks involving cryptography and blockchain, quantum information processing, and healthcare AI and biosensors. Talks on Day 1 will center on the theme of "Envisioning Technology's Future." Day 2 will include deep dives suited for advanced audiences. The event will also present a lecture on US-Japan relations and provide a unique interview experience for attendees interested in open positions at NTT (News - Alert) Research.

Keynoting the event on March 19 is Daniel Okimoto, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), director emeritus and co-founder of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia/Pacific Research Center (APARC), and a professor of political science at Stanford University. A specialist on the political economy of Japan, Professor Okimoto will speak on US-Japan relations. Other confirmed speakers include:

Shafi Goldwasser: Director of the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, and a professor of computer science at UC Berkeley. She is also the RSA Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT (News - Alert), and a professor of computer science and applied mathematics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. She was the recipient of the ACM Turing Award for 2012 and has received numerous other academic honors.

Peter Fitzgerald: Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Technology and director of the Cardiovascular Core Analysis Laboratory (CCAL) at Stanford University Medical School. He is a professor in both the dpartments of medicine and engineering at Stanford. Dr. Fitzgerald has led or participated in over 100 clinical trials, published over 350 manuscripts or chapters, and has been the principal or founder of 15 medical device companies.

Dominic Williams: President and chief scientist, DFINITY. He is a crypto theoretician and entrepreneur. His recent research includes Threshold Relay and Prism Coin (PSC) chains, Validation Towers and Trees, and Unique State Copy (USC) IDs, and he proposes new ideas such as "The 3 E's of Sybil Resistance." Previously, he ran a venture-backed, massively multiplayer online (MMO) game using his own distributed systems that hosted millions of users.







Launched in July 2019 in Palo Alto, NTT Research consists of a Cryptography and Information Security (CIS) Lab, a Physics and Informatics (News - Alert) (PHI) Lab, and a Medical and Health Informatics (MEI) Lab. NTT Research conducts in-house research and collaborates with other research organizations. It has entered an Industrial Partnership with the Simons Institute at UC Berkeley; set up joint research agreements with six universities (CalTech, Cornell, Michigan, MIT, Stanford and Swinburne), one US Federal Agency (NASA's Ames Research Center) and one private quantum computing software company (1QBit); and reached another joint research agreement with the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

The entire NTT Research team of scientists will be on-site, including President and CEO Gomi, along with the heads of the three labs: Yoshihisa Yamamoto (PHI Lab), Tatsuaki Okamoto (CIS Lab), and Hitonobu Tomoike (MEI Lab). In addition, they will be joined by global leaders from NTT, including NTT Head of R&D Katsuhiko Kawazoe.

NTT Research has already hired more than 20 scientists, about half of whom are university professors and senior researchers. The organization plans to move to a facility in Sunnyvale in mid-2020 to accommodate a growing number of staff. The ultimate target for the organization is about 50 scientists. At the NTT Research Berkeley Summit, qualified candidates will have the opportunity to experience an informational interview with a renowned scientist from the past.

To attend this unique event and engage with some of the world's leading scientists in their respective fields of inquiry, please visit the NTT Research Berkeley Summit registration page. The event is open to the public, but space is limited.

Qualified members of the press and analyst community, please RSVP to Barrett Adair at [email protected].

About NTT Research

NTT Research opened its Palo Alto (News - Alert) offices in July 2019 as a new Silicon Valley startup to conduct basic research and advance technologies that promote positive change for humankind. Currently, three labs are housed at NTT Research: the Physics and Information Science (PHI) Lab, the Cryptography and Information Security (CIS) Lab, and the Medical and Health Informatics (MEI) Lab. The organization aims to upgrade reality in three areas: 1) quantum information, neuro-science and photonics; 2) cryptographic and information security; and 3) medical and health informatics. NTT Research is part of NTT, a global technology and business solutions provider with an annual R&D budget of $3.6 billion.

NTT and the NTT logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION and/or its affiliates. All other referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.  2020 NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005249/en/
Irish MEP Mick Wallace has been 'reprimanded' in the European Parliament after calling Venezuelan politician Juan Guaido an "unelected gobs***e".

Mr Wallace, an MEP for Ireland South, was criticising the parliament's decision to recognise Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim President of Venezuela.

The Independent politician said: "I have a big problem with Spain's position on a lot of aspects in relations to Venezuela and particular the European attitude.

"Do you not agree that the recognition of is an absolute embarrassment to anyone who has to occupy this chamber and it's a disgrace on the part of the member states of Europe that so many have recognised an unelected gobs**te?"

The Wexford MEP was reproached by European Parliament Vice President Rainer Wieland, who was chairing the meeting in President David Sassoli's absence.

Through a translator, the German MEP said: "You did use the word gobs**te sir, and I would reprimand you over that."

In January, the European Parliament recognised Juan Guaido as the interim President of Venezuela, they said, in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution.

MEPs urged EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini and member states to also recognise Guaido "as the only legitimate interim president of the country until new free, transparent and credible presidential elections can be called in order to restore democracy".

Mr Wallace described this decision as "off the wall", claiming that the European Parliament is "reluctant to ever challenge the Americans".

"What's happening in Venezuela is a form of colonialism. The Americans want access to the oil and they're looking for a regime change and it's very disappointing that the Europeans have supported the US," he told Independent.ie.

"The Europeans are very, very reluctant to ever challenge the Americans anymore, no matter how outrageous it it, whether it comes to Palestine, Saudi Arabia, they just don't go to that place."

"Whatever America say goes. America is pulling the strings of Europe and unfortunately they haven't had the gunsion," he continued.

"The notion of putting in Guaido, who has never been elected - whatever about the Americans doing it for financial interest - but for Europe to recognise him is pitiful.

"Guaido is only a thug. He's a right-wing thug that just shows the American agenda. You couldn't make it up. It's mad stuff. There's no rationale to it, it's off the wall."

Mr Wallace said that his opinion is not falling on deaf ears because of the coverage the European Parliament gets in mainland Europe.

A vote was taken in the chamber in resolution and the recognition was adopted after 439 voted in favour, compared to 104 and 88 abstentions - reiterating their full support to the National Assembly, who they describe as "Venezuelas only legitimate democratic body whose powers need to be restored and respected, including the rights and safety of its members."

Mr Wallace said that he feels it is his responsibility as an MEP to hold the parliament accountable when he feels they are making a wrong decision.

"I was just having a go at them. I've brought this topic up every month since I was elected," he said.

"We have serious reservations about how they (European Parliament) operate but we didn't come out here to kiss their ar*e we came out here to f**king change the place.

"Myself and Claire Daly went to Venezuela for a week last year and we had a meeting with Simon Coveney afterwards and I tried to talk some sense into him and in fairness he was very reluctant to support Guaido but he just came under too much pressure from the Americans."

Mr Guaido is considered the legitimate leader of Venezuela by more than 50 countries despite not having been elected to the position, however Nicolas Maduro, the country's current president enjoys the support of the Venezuelan military, has remained in power.

In Venezuela yesterday, Mr Guaido, who is currently leader of their political opposition, was met with protests after arriving home from from an international support-building tour.

Supporters of the left-wing leader Maduro pulled at Mr Guaido calling shouting "fascist" at him.
Anglophone refugees from Cameroon are registered by UNHCR staff at Okende Settlement in Ogoja, Nigeria, April 2019.  UNHCR/Will Swanson

Almost 8,000 Cameroonian refugees have fled to Nigerias eastern and southern states of Taraba and Cross Rivers over the past fortnight, bringing the total Cameroonian refugee population in the country to nearly 60,000 people.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, expects further arrivals as refugees inform that more people are still in remote border areas and could be on their way trying to reach Nigeria.

This latest influx took place just before Cameroons general elections last weekend, as people fled ongoing violence between security forces and armed groups. The exodus comes on top of increased internal displacement witnessed in Cameroons Northwest and Southwest regions in the last quarter of 2019.

Refugees reported fleeing violence and some even arrived across the border with gunshot wounds. According to new arrivals, most come from areas near the border and have trekked across savannah and forests to reach Nigeria.

Local communities and governments are the first responders to this latest influx, providing food, shelter and household items that are desperately needed for those who have left everything behind.

Refugees who just arrived are currently being sheltered in public schools and health facilities or with local families. The 51,000 registered refugees that arrived prior to this latest influx are being hosted across some 87 local communities in the states of Akwa-Ibom, Benue, Cross River and Taraba. In addition, there are four settlements where UNHCR and humanitarian partners are providing protection, food, livelihood, shelter and health care.

UNHCR is working closely with the Nigerian authorities to ensure that refugees are able to access shelter and basic services. Together we are supporting both refugees and their hosts given pressing humanitarian needs and to ensure there is no strain on local communities given their modest resources, said UNHCRs Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Roger Hollo.

Refugees also need support to become self-reliant. With access to education, health services and labour markets, they can take care of their families and give back to the local communities hosting them.

Food, shelter and health assistance remain urgent needs for new arrivals. Schools are also unable to accommodate all newly arrived refugee children, with some classrooms hosting more than 200 children at a time.

According to UN estimates, more than 679,000 people are currently internally displaced in Cameroons Northwest and Southwest regions, in addition to the almost 60,000 who have crossed the border seeking asylum in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, UNHCR leads the international response to protect those forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Tomeka Hart revealed on Wednesday that she was foreperson on the Roger Stone jury

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the juror Roger Stone's jury had 'significant bias' in his latest intervention into the criminal trial of his longtime advisor.

Trump jumped on revelations that the foreperson, who represents the jury during communications with the judge during a trial, had run for Congress as a Democrat, Tweeted about Stone's arrest, and posed with prominent Democrats.

The foreperson, Tomeka Hart, revealed her identity in a Facebook post where she defended the federal prosecutors who handled the case  after Trump publicly attacked them this week.

The president tweeted Thursday, amid an uproar in Congress over his interventions in Stone's case: 'Now it looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias. Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the "Justice" Department. @foxandfriends @FoxNews,' he wrote.

Trump's blast came after he went after the judge overseeing Stone's case, Amy Berman Jackson, in an early morning tweet Tuesday.

'Is this the Judge that put Paul Manafort in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, something that not even mobster Al Capone had to endure?' Trump wrote. 'How did she treat Crooked Hillary Clinton? Just asking!'

President Donald Trump jumped on revelations that the foreperson in Roger Stone's trial had run for Congress as a Democrat and tweeted about Stone's arrest. Stone has been an informal Trump advisor for decades. He was convicted on seven counts including witness tampering and lying to Congress

He also blasted the sentence of up to nine years recommended by a team of federal prosecutors  an action that preceded the Justice Department's extraordinary turnaround and filing of a new sentencing memo to the judge that made no recommendation of jail time.

Following the turnaround, four career prosecutors had themselves removed from the case, and one left his position entirely.

Hart wrote that she decided to end her 'silence' on the case to 'stand up' for the four prosecutors, whose decision to withdraw was taken as an obvious protest.

Amid the uproar and Democrats saying President Trump is acting against the rule of law following his acquittal of impeachment articles in the Senate, Attorney General Bill Barr has agreed to testify next month before the House Judiciary Committee, breaking a year-long absence.

Trump's dig on the Justice Department  putting its name in quotes  came a day after he saluted the agency for reversing itself following his complaints.

'The fact is that Roger Stone was treated horribly and so were many other people, their lives were destroyed,' Trump fumed in the Oval Office alongside the president of Ecuador.

'You have murderers and drug addicts  they dont get nine years. Nine years for doing something that no one can even define what he did. Somebody said he put out a tweet. And the tweet, you base it on that. We have killers, we have murderers all over the place, nothing happens. And then they put a man in jail and destroy his life, his family, his wife, his children. Nine years in jail its a disgrace.'

Stone was convicted on seven counts including witness tampering and lying to Congress.

Earlier, Trump lauded Bill Barr for 'taking charge' of Roger Stone's case.

He denied speaking to the Justice Department, although he added: 'I'd be able to do it if I wanted. I have the absolute right to do it. I stay out of things to a degree that people wouldn't believe.'

'But I didn't speak to them. I thought the (original) recommendation was ridiculous, I thought the whole prosecution was ridiculous,' Trump vented.

Trump's latest move comes after Hart was revealed to be a failed Democrat candidate for Congress and activist vehemently opposed to President Donald Trump.

Tomeka Hart, a former Memphis City Schools Board President, came forward as the Stone jury foreperson in a Facebook post on Wednesday, voicing support for prosecutors in the case.

Hart confirmed to The Daily Memphian that she wrote the Facebook post, but she declined an interview with the newspaper.

Stone supporters were shocked when a review of Hart's social media posts showed that she posted on Twitter mocking Stone's dramatic arrest prior to being seated on the jury, and frequently denounced Trump, including calling the president and his supporters racists.

It's unclear whether Stone's political views and social media history were disclosed during jury selection, potentially raising questions about fairness that could impact the verdict on appeal.

Hart (left) is seen with former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile

Hart retweeted a post about Stone's arrest in January 2019, months before the trial

Hart came forward amid controversy over Stone's sentencing, after the four prosecutors on the case withdrew in response to Trump criticizing the government's recommendation that Stone be sentenced to nine years in prison.

Trump has said that the prosecution of his former campaign advisor Stone prosecution for obstruction, false statements, and witness tampering was handled in a manner that was 'ridiculous' and an 'insult to our country.'

'I have kept my silence for months. Initially, it was for my safety. Then, I decided to remain silent out of fear of politicizing the matter,' Hart said in her Facebook post on Wednesday.

'But I can't keep quiet any longer. I want to stand up for Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando, and Jonathan Kravis  the prosecutors on the Roger Stone trial,' Hart wrote, referring to the prosecutors who resigned in protest.

'It pains me to see the DOJ now interfere with the hard work of the prosecutors. They acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice. For that, I wanted to speak up for them and ask you to join me in thanking them for their service,' she said.

Stone was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering. Trump brought up the two-month sentence given to a former Senate Intelligence Committee aide who pleaded guilty to lying to FBI investigators

Trump congratulated Barr for 'taking charge' of the Roger Stone case. Stone is a longtime political advisor to Trump who prosecutors wanted to get up to nine years for lying about his contacts with WikiLeaks

Hart unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012, and is an activist who has participated in anti-Trump rallies and protests

Hart unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012, and is an activist who has participated in anti-Trump rallies and protests.

Immediately, journalists and Trump supporters began scouring Hart's social media history, finding a trove of anti-Trump sentiment.

Independent journalist Mike Cernovich was the first to report on Hart's extensive history of anti-Trump social media posts.

In January 2019, Hart also re-tweeted a post by pundit Bakari Sellers mocking Stone's arrest, and suggesting that racism was the reason conservatives were upset about the use of force in the FBI's armed pre-dawn raid on his home.

Months later, Hart was impaneled on Stone's jury. On the day the jury convicted him, she posted emojis of hearts and fist pumps.

Meanwhile, it emerged that U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had denied a defense request to strike a potential juror on the case, who was an Obama-era press official with admitted anti-Trump views.

That juror's husband worked at the same Justice Department division that handled the probe leading to Stone's prosecution.

Another Stone juror, Seth Cousins, donated to former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and other progressive causes, federal election records reviewed by Fox News show.
She recently admitted there had been 'a lot of resentment' building between her and her husband Joe Giudice in the lead up to their eventual separation.

And Teresa Giudice finally admitted that she believes Joe cheated on her during their marriage, in a clip from Wednesday's Real Housewives of New Jersey.

'I have a lot of resentment. I feel like I didn't deserve that,' the reality TV star told family and friends in the explosive clip.

Scroll down to see the video

Opening up: Teresa Giudice finally admitted that she believes Joe cheated on her during their marriage, in a clip from Wednesday's Real Housewives of New Jersey

Continued the mother-of-four: 'I was, like, the perfect, perfect f**king wife.'

As co-stars like Jennifer Aydin, Dolores Catania and brother Joe Gorga listened on, the 47-year-old raged about the state of her marriage.

Teresa admitted to them, 'Listen, he had a separate cell phone with one girl.'

'It was his ex-girlfriend's sister. He said, she was going through her divorce, helping her trying to sell her house,' she told the stunned group.

Joe Giudice had a burner phone and we're shooketh. Hear more from @Teresa_Giudice on tonight's #RHONJ. pic.twitter.com/B7thaycylF  Bravo (@BravoTV) February 12, 2020

An open book: As co-stars like Jennifer Aydin, Dolores Catania and brother Joe Gorga listened on, the 47-year-old raged about the state of her marriage

Explaining why she didn't leave Joe then, Giudice said, 'Gia [Giudice] was three and I was like, what am I gonna do? I shoulda left then, right? I didn't because he denied it to me, I believed him.'

Brother Joe then asked, 'Today, do you believe he cheated on you?'

'Yeah, now I do,' admitted Teresa.

Sister-in-law: Melissa Gorga lent a sympathetic ear as Teresa opened up about the state of her marriage

Giudice previously said her separation from estranged husband Joe was a long time in the making.

'I've known for like a long time,' the Bravo beauty told PeopleTV earlier this month.

'Just because we've been apart for so long. Like, we've been apart for a really long time. I've had - after my mom passed away - like a lot of resentment, a lot of things that just happened after I lost my mom.'

She added: 'It's just been a build-up ... but I do wish him well and I just want him to be happy.'

The couple, who married in 1999, share four daughters: Gia, 19, Gabriella, 16, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 11.

Happier times: Giudice previously said her separation from estranged husband Joe was a long time in the making. Seen together in March 2016

Teresa told the outlet that she didn't foresee any rekindling of the romance amid the ongoing legal circumstances.

'We're separated from the Atlantic Ocean - and from the federal government, so we really, how can I be with someone [when] he lives in Italy and I live here?' she asked.

The estranged couple remains picking up the pieces after their 2014 convictions in connection with mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud.

After serving his prison sentence, Joe was deported to Italy, despite a desperate legal bid to remain in the United States.
She was left heartbroken after her scaffolder beau returned with a new love interest after the show's Casa Amor segment.

And Shaughna Phillips' mum has said the Love Island star dodged a bullet by getting out of her doomed romance with Callum Jones.

Speaking to Grazia, the democratic services officer's mother Tracy Phillips said Shaughna had built up an 'armour' after being hurt and having her confidence knocked in the past.

Over: Shaughna Phillips' mum has said the Love Island star dodged a bullet by getting out of her doomed romance with Callum Jones

Not impressed: Speaking to Grazia , the democratic services officer's mother Tracy Phillips said Shaughna had built up an 'armour' after being hurt and having her confidence knocked in the past

She said: Its been tough to watch because we preempted what was going to happen with Callum, [she] dodged a bullet.

Everyone can probably see they werent compatible. We wish Callum all the best but he wasnt the person for Shaughna. They didnt have that communication.

'Better that she dodged it now than wasted anymore time on a relationship which wont go anywhere.

Reflecting on Shaughna's past, Tracy said that the star had had heart broken but that the villa had caused her confidence to grow.

Not to be: She said: Its been tough to watch because we preempted what was going to happen with Callum, [she] dodged a bullet

Tracy said that it didn't matter if Shaughna - who is currently single in the villa - left with a man or not as she had won the hearts of the public.

Shaughna was left devastated earlier this week when Callum - who she was coupled with from the start of the show - ditched her for new girl Molly, after which she stated: 'I should have never trusted a scaffolder'.

The fallout from Casa Amor left her heartbroken and single, but unlucky in love Shaughna has a new man in her sights - Luke Mabbott.

Fans were left shocked when Shaughna randomly confessed her feelings for him on Wednesday's show.

Upsetting: Shaughna was left devastated earlier this week when Callum - who she was coupled with from the start of the show - ditched her for new girl Molly

Devastated: Callum and Molly found an instant connection in Casa Amor and made an explosive entrance into the villa

She admitted she likes the Justin Bieber lookalike, 24, despite newcomer Jamie Clayton setting his sights on her.

During Wednesday's show, Shaughna, who was recently left heartbroken after her love interest Callum Jones dumped her for Molly Smith in Casa Amor, shared her secret crush with Mike Boateng, Paige Turley and Finn Tapp.

Shaughna admitted she was pleased when Luke M's relationship with Casa Amor's Natalia Zoppa failed, but insisted she's in two minds about pursuing the heating engineer due to his interest in her close pal Demi Jones.

Shaughna has had quite an unlucky stint in the South African villa after scaffolder Callum, 23, ditched her for model Molly, while Luke suffered to connect with Jess Gale and Natalia.

Detailing her shocking feelings about the Justin Bieber lookalike to fellow OG Islander Mike, the outspoken blonde said: 'Do you know who I do get along with? Luke M'

'Hes a cool guy. Do you think you could possibly go there?', the former police officer, 24, asked, to which a confused Shaughna responded: 'I don't know'.

On Tuesday's episode, sparks flew as she flirted with Scotsman Jamie, 28, but she confessed that their date confirmed her opinion on Luke.

The Londoner explained: 'I think since Jamie has come into the villa and been chatting to me and what not, its made me realise some things. I think I might have some feelings for Luke M.'

Love Island continues on Thursday at 9PM on ITV2.

New romance? The fallout from Casa Amor left her heartbroken and single, but unlucky in love Shaughna has a new man in her sights - Luke Mabbott
For quite a while now, the social media teams of various state police have been making creative efforts to make their posts go viral and have been succeeding in disseminating information with their witty tweets.



The Assam Police is now following the footsteps of the Pune Police as they are also coming up with savage posts to create awareness.

 BCCL

Recently, Assam Post took to Twitter to make people aware of the importance of having a strong password. To make the people aware of the hazards of a weak online password, they shared a still from the hit comedy movie Dhamaal.



Assam Police wrote in the tweet, A weak password, even with a big W, is very easy to guess. Make sure that your password is not something obvious and is strong enough, even if you break up with it in person.



Check out the post here-



A weak password, even with a big W, is very easy to guess.



Make sure that your password is not something obvious and is strong enough, even if you breakup with it in person. #OnlineSafety #PasswordSecurity @filmfare @aweassam @Riteishd @jaavedjaaferi pic.twitter.com/RVhaNHB8FG  Assam Police (@assampolice) February 12, 2020

The tweet was taken from the 2007 Bollywood film Dhamaal, starring Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Mishra, Jaaved Jaaferi, Arshad Warsi, and Ajay Devgn. The films plot revolves around a large amount of money disguised under a big W that the protagonists in the film try to hunt down.



Jaaved Jaaferi replied to the post saying,  True dat.. pass word sirf apne paas hona chahiye.. kisi aur ke paas nahi. All the best.



true dat.. pass word sirf apne paas hona chahiye.. kisi aur ke paas nahi.

All the best @assampolice  Jaaved Jaaferi (@jaavedjaaferi) February 13, 2020

Riteish Deshmukh also replied to the witty tweet.



Heres what people have to say about the Assam Police post that left Twitter in splits-



Indeed.



True.



Copy that



Use Caps Lock and special character while creating your password which make your password strong.@Meg_Lvrd2 @riteishd_fans@Riteish_FC  NatureLover (@Nature07Lover) February 12, 2020

Right?



epic !!  Mr. Saikia (@Abhijee86773130) February 12, 2020

Savage...



Haha...Never saw such coolness in cops.  Abhinash Das  (@Abhinasds) February 12, 2020

Hahahahah.



You are behaving like Arijit Singh's song. I am trying to move on but you are not letting me.  sarcastic Assamese (@sarcasticassame) February 12, 2020

Assam Polices amazing efforts to create awareness on cybersecurity and online security is the best thing youll witness today on Twitter.
Kenya is now equipped to test for the Novel Coronavirus that has claimed the lives of more than 1,100 people in China.

Previously, Kenya depended on South Africa where samples from individuals suspected to have the virus were sent to for testing. Kenya now has two facilities to carry out coronavirus tests in real time.

On Tuesday, Acting Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth said laboratories under the National Influenza Centre, hosted at the National Public Health Laboratories and Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), will begin testing samples immediately.

We received the kits on Sunday and we will now be able to test for the new coronavirus, Dr Amoth told the Nation.

He said equipping the laboratories means the country will not have to ship out samples for confirmation as the two labs can compare their results.

Health officials were previously unable to confirm whether any of the seven people suspected to have the virus were infected as laboratories lacked the necessary reagent kits.

Testing will now take 24 hours as Kenya becomes the third country in Africa capable of conducting tests after South Africa and Senegal.

This comes as it emerged that Kenyas economy is the most vulnerable in Africa to coronavirus outbreak. The new study from the Overseas Development Institute shows that Kenya is the sixth most vulnerable country in the world.

The death toll from the coronavirus reached a new high(1,113) on Wednesday even as Chinese officials said the rate of new infections showed signs of slowing.

The World Health Organization on Tuesday proposed COVID-19 as the official name for the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
His two straight losses will complicate his fundraising efforts, Democratic operatives warn, at a moment when some Biden donors have also been quietly considering former mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York. "How do you raise the money? How do you convince donors small and large that they should continue to invest in you?" said Leah Daughtry, a veteran party strategist who ran the 2008 and 2016 Democratic National Conventions, sketching out the challenges for the Biden camp as well as for other struggling candidates including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. "You've got to blow it out of the water in Nevada and South Carolina to convince small and large donors you continue to be worth the investment," she added. "You need that money because Super Tuesday is three days after South Carolina. You don't have a lot of time to pivot." On Tuesday, Biden did not even stay in New Hampshire for a previously planned primary night event. Instead, he flew to South Carolina, which has a predominantly black electorate in Democratic primaries and will be the first state to reflect the preferences of the voters who have most buoyed his candidacy.

Loading After he arrived, Biden addressed supporters at the New Hampshire event by live stream, where he vowed that the next two contests would go very differently than the first two. "We're going on and we're going to win in Nevada and in South Carolina," he said. Kate Bedingfield, a deputy campaign manager for Biden, told reporters Monday that Biden would "absolutely" have the money to compete on Super Tuesday. She said she also believed that Biden's perceived South Carolina firewall would hold whatever the outcome in New Hampshire, citing his longstanding relationships with black voters. But there is increasing competition in that state, from candidates including Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who won New Hampshire, and Tom Steyer, the hedge fund billionaire who is spending heavily in South Carolina.

Loading Some leading South Carolina Democrats say that there are warning signs for Biden on the ground there, too. "While it's true there's a lot of familiarity and good feelings toward the vice-president because of his association with President Obama, that familiarity and good will does not stay without some cultivation and some work," Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a longtime state representative, said in a phone interview. "There are indications that the vote may have been taken for granted to some extent." In recent weeks, Biden and his team sought, increasingly aggressively, to keep expectations low in New Hampshire. But they still continued to campaign here in recent days, to the frustration of some supporters in and out of South Carolina, who told aides that he should abandon New Hampshire and beeline south to shore up his standing and work toward a resounding victory. Biden's final 24 hours in New Hampshire showed a candidate trying the kind of multitasking that is never ideal on the campaign trail: simultaneously seeking votes from New Hampshire residents while also looking toward contests in more favourable states. He even took time Monday to call top South Carolina supporters, expressing his commitment to the state.

At his rally Monday night, he spoke confidently of how he would fare "heading south and across this country." And Tuesday, just moments before he visited a Dunkin' [Donuts] filled with reporters waiting for him, his campaign announced he would be heading to South Carolina later in the day. "We're still mildly hopeful here in New Hampshire," Biden said when he came inside the store, even as he noted that "the rest of the nation is out there". Yet in the last days of the race, there were ominous signs for Biden here. His numbers in state and national polls dropped. His message veered wildly between a wide range of subjects, and he was inconsistent in his willingness to lash his rivals. Voters who fit the profile he was targeting  older, moderate, sceptical of the progressive candidates  repeatedly expressed their interest in centrist alternatives to him, such as Klobuchar and Buttigieg.
Hong Kong: Welfare service arrangements set

In light of the special work arrangement extension for government departments, the Social Welfare Department today announced special arrangements for subsidised welfare services and its own services between February 17 and March 1.

All day care centres for the elderly, sheltered workshops, integrated vocational training and rehabilitation services centres, as well as day activity centres will suspend their service delivery.

These centres will remain open, depending on the situation, to serve those with special needs. Individual service users may contact the centres or service units in advance.

All residential care services and hotline services will be provided as normal.

Services provided on a limited scale include Integrated Family Service Centres, Integrated Services Centres, Short-term Food Assistance Service, Integrated Home Care Services, Enhanced Home & Community Care Services, Home Care Service for Persons with Severe Disabilities, Integrated Support Service for Persons with Severe Physical Disabilities, Visiting Medical Practitioner Service for Residential Care Homes and Humanitarian Assistance for Non-refoulement Claimants.

Certain centre-based services subsidised by the department will be closed to the public, but will also provide services on a limited scale.

They include district elderly community centres, neighbourhood elderly centres, social and recreational centres for the disabled, integrated children and youth services centres, children and youth centres and community centres.

Non-governmental organisations operating other services may decide whether to continue providing services under their respective Funding & Service Agreements.

Regarding the departments own services, while the hotline and Tuen Mun Children & Juvenile Home will operate as normal, others services such as Integrated Family Service Centres, Family & Child Protective Services Units and Social Security Field Units will be provided on a limited scale.

Service users are advised to contact service units staff by telephone in advance to arrange interviews.

Furthermore, all aided child care centres will suspend their services until March 15.

Call 2343 2255 for enquiries.

Click here for details.

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday condemned the bomb blast at a Lucknow courts premises.

"The BCI strongly condemns the bomb blast at Lucknow. Several innocent Lawyers have received injuries. The culprits should be arrested immediately. Members of the Bar are feeling totally insecure. No government is ensuring the safety of lawyers," Bar Council Chairman Manan Kumar Misra said.

It was because of frequent such incidents that the Bar Council has demanded the enactment of Advocates Protection Act," he added.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Shapoorji Pallonji group company Sterling and Wilson Solar Limited has said that the outbreak of coronavirus is expected to affect its business in the near term.

"We are constantly evaluating the current situation in China due to the outbreak of coronavirus which will impact our business in the near term," Bikesh Ogra  Director and Global CEO, Sterling and Wilson Solar Limited said in a regulatory filing.

Currently the production activities at some of its critical suppliers' end have stopped and is expected to commence by the month-end, Ogra said.

As most material was expected to be shipped in February/March 2020 there is likely to be a significant impact, Ogra added.

"We would continue to focus on faster execution once the situation in China stabilises. We shall continue to target increasing market share in Australia, the US and Europe," Ogra added.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

Ogra further said that the company plans to diversify into newer markets in Far East and additional countries in South America and Europe.

"We shall focus on the expansion of rooftop business internationally and other large opportunities in India," Ogra said.

Sterling and Wilson Solar Ltd is a pure-play, end-to-end solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions provider.

Shares of the company were trading at Rs 280.95 a piece on BSE, down 6.33 percent from its previous close.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:29:26|Editor: huaxia

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Zhang Jun (L, front), China's permanent representative to the UN, addresses the 58th Session of UN Commission for Social Development at the UN headquarters in New York, Feb. 12, 2020. Zhang Jun on Wednesday said his country's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus are achieving positive results, and expressed confidence that China will meet its economic and social development target. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's UN envoy on Wednesday said his country's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus are achieving positive results, and expressed confidence that China will meet its economic and social development target.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, gave a comprehensive overview of China's efforts to fight novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) at the 58th Session of UN Commission for Social Development.

Zhang said that China has mobilized itself and adopted the most comprehensive and rigorous preventive and control measures, which have fully demonstrated the power and advantages of China's system whereby all resources are pooled together to cope with major challenges.

China has built two new hospitals within 10 days in the central city of Wuhan, where the epidemic is most severe. Around 20,000 best medical and healthcare professionals from around the country and large quantities of medical supplies have been sent to the frontline, while efforts have been made to step up research and development of medications, said the envoy.

With unremitting efforts, there has been positive development in the situation, Zhang noted.

Zhang noted that facing the epidemic, China has adopted an open, transparent and highly responsible attitude.

"Not only for the sake of China, but also the world, China has applied rigorous prevention and control measures that far exceed the requirements of the International Health Regulations, effectively curbing the spread of the epidemic," he said.

At present, cases of infection in other countries are less than 1 percent of those in China, he said.

Zhang said China has reported the epidemic information as soon as it is available, shared the genetic sequences of the virus, and actively communicated with relevant countries.

Meanwhile, the envoy called on the international community to remain rational, respect the guidance of the World Health Organization, evaluate the epidemic objectively and impartially, and take proper measures to avoid overreaction that would cause greater negative effects.

He further called on the international community to oppose politicization of health issues and leave no breeding ground or space for any racist comments, discrimination or stigma.

Representatives of Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Mongolia and Venezuela highly commended and showed support for China's efforts in their statements, calling for international solidarity to tackle the challenges.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Pan Global Resources Inc. (TSXV: PGZ) (OTC: PGNRF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce follow-up drilling has commenced at the La Romana copper target in the Escacena Project, Iberian Pyrite Belt, southern Spain.

The current drill program includes five diamond drill holes for a total of approximately 900 meters with potential to expand the program subject to results. The planned holes will test along strike and down dip from the Company's previous drill hole LRD-02 which intersected 20.55m at 1.5% Cu equivalent from 37m, including 7 meters at 3.43% Cu equivalent (see October 23, 2019 news release). The current drill program will also test the center of a down-hole EM conductor plate extending from the copper intersection in LRD-02. The entire strike length of the La Romana target is approximately 2 km East - West and mostly untested.

A new line of IP was completed approximately 130 meters to the West of the previous IP at La Romana and 200m West of the section containing hole LRD-02. The IP results show a large strong chargeability anomaly (>30 mV/V) and resistivity low (<200 Ohm.m) within 50m of surface and continuing to more than 200m depth. The IP target associated with copper mineralization in hole LRD-02 has been extended to the West and remains open along strike East and West, and is not closed off to the South. The new IP results also show a separate chargeability anomaly approximately 500m to the North at approximately 100-150m depth. Additional geophysics is in progress.

Tim Moody, President and CEO of Pan Global Resources commented, "We are excited to commence drilling to follow-up the excellent drill results reported in hole LRD-02 at the La Romana target. A new copper discovery at shallow depth, with the grades reported in hole LRD-02 and in close proximity to other mines in the area, makes this an exceptional target. The results already highlight the high exploration potential in the large surrounding area now controlled by Pan Global."

Qualified Person

Robert Baxter (FAusIMM), a Director of Pan Global Resources and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Baxter is not independent of the Company.

About Pan Global Resources

Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively engaged in base and precious metal exploration in Spain, and is pursuing opportunities from exploration through to mine development. The company has committed to operating safely and with respect to the communities and environment where we operate.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

www.panglobalresources.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

info@panglobalresources.com

Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission.

NEITHER 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52407
Federal Parliament's first Chinese-born MP has told Australians not to be scared of Chinese businesses and restaurants as iconic venues in Melbourne and Sydney get pummelled by unsubstantiated coronavirus fears.

Gladys Liu said social media has fuelled misinformation in the Chinese-Australian community, conflating the spread of the coronavirus in China with Australia, causing many to stay home while there was no threat to their wellbeing.

Liberal MP Gladys Liu at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Business owners across popular Chinese areas have reported customer drops of up to 80 per cent since the beggining of the coronavirus outbreak. Melbourne institution Shark Fin House closed up shop on Thursday.

"I understand how Chinese people feel," she said. "When they check WeChat and get messages from China saying 'dont go out, dont go out', but these messages are not for Australia.
: Bottled drinking water in Kerala will henceforth cost Rs 13 a litre with the Left government deciding to bring packaged water under the ambit of the Essential Commodities Act with a view to regulate its price.

One litre of bottled water presently costs Rs 20 in the state.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman on Thursday said the government decided to regulate the price of bottled water after receiving widespread complaints from the public about its exorbitant price.

"A notification on the new price-- Rs 13 per litre-- will be issued within two days. We have taken legal opinion on bringing bottled water under the category of essential commodities," he told PTI.

Though the government had mulled cutting the price to Rs 11-12 two years ago, it could not be implemented due to protests from large scale bottled water manufacturers and traders, the minister said.

"There were widespread complaints against the price. A section of manufacturers had opposed the price cut. When we had convened a meeting, local traders also opposed our proposal to sell it in the Rs 11-12 range," he said.

The minister said now the price cut was possible as bottled water has been made an essential commodity.

Asked if the Left government has plans to bring any other products in the list of essential commodities, he said though there were no such plans as of now they would definitely intervene and take effective measures if the general public had any complaints.

A top office-bearer of the Kerala Bottled Water Manufacturers Association said they had been willing to bring down the MRP to Rs 12 two years ago itself, however a group of members were against it.

"It will be a crime if the price of packaged drinking water exceeds Rs 13 inside Kerala now," the Association president K Muhammed told PTI.

At present there are 200-odd packaged drinking water manufacturers in the state, he said adding some were allegedly functioning without licence against whom the government would have to take stern action.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A station house officer in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district was suspended for not taking a case of kidnapping "seriously", a police official said on Thursday.

SHO Jagdamba Singh of Highway police station was suspended, after a doctor, who was kidnapped in last December and later released for a ransom of Rs 52 lakh, received another demand of ransom from his kidnappers, he said.

"Singh has been suspended by DIG/SSP Shalabh Mathur, for not taking the incident seriously PRO Krishna Kumar Tewari said.

According to police, the doctor, Nirvikalp Agrawal, was kidnapped near Govardhan crossing on NH-2 while he was returning home from work.

He was released the same night after his wife paid a ransom of Rs 52 lakh to the kidnappers, they said.

After the incident, the doctor had refused to approach police, said Indian Medical Association district President Anil Chauhan said.

The matter apparently came to notice of senior police officials after a ransom of Rs 50 lakh was again demanded by the kidnappers, he said.

The suspects in the case have been identified as Mahesh and Anup, from district's Kolahar village, Sani Malik, a resident of Meerut, and Nitesh, who hails from Bhopal, the police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Beiley, Executive Managing Director, Wealth Manager, of The Beiley Group located in New York, Timothy Davis, Managing Director, Wealth Manager of the Davis Executive Wealth Management Group located in Boston, Carl Gravina, Managing Director, Wealth Manager of the Monadnock Capital Group, located in Keene, New Hampshire, Todd Hoffman, Executive Managing Director, Wealth Manager of the Hoffman Private Wealth Group located in Clearwater, Florida and Randy Price, Executive Managing Director, Wealth Manager of the Price Group located in Houston were among the Raymond James-affiliated advisors named to the Forbes list of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors . The list, which recognizes advisors from national, regional and independent firms, was published online on January 16, 2020.

The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years' experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receives a fee in exchange for rankings. This ranking is not indicative of advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating.

Beiley, who joined Steward Partners in 2016, has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. His team focuses on creating targeted, personalized asset allocations for clients which account for all of their investments in order to match their overall goals.

Davis, who joined Steward Partners in 2017, has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. His team specializes in serving executives of public and private corporations with comprehensive wealth planning that addresses the financial issues associated with executive compensation, such as managing stock options and mitigating concentrated equity risk.

Gravina, who joined Steward Partners in 2016, has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. His team focuses on developing partnerships with clients and collaborating to create a customized planning and investment strategy to help clients build meaningful legacies and accomplish their goals.

Hoffman, who joined Steward Partners in 2017, has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. His team focuses on helping clients fund the lifestyle they desire and designs and implements the plans necessary to reach the goals and aspirations they seek for their future generations.

Price, who joined Steward Partners in 2018, has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. His team focuses on encompassing all areas of a client's personal finances and leverages a strategic approach to protect and predict a client's retirement readiness.

More information can be found at www.stewardpartners.com or by calling (202) 930-6000.

About Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors

Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC . Data as of 6/30/19.

Source: Forbes.com (January, 2020). Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com . Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.

The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria and quantitative data. Those advisors who are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and those who encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 32,000 advisors nominated by their firms, 4,000 received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of an individual client's experience.

Neither Raymond James nor any of its financial advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.

About Steward Partners Global Advisory

With offices in Newtown, CT., Washington, D.C., Clearwater, FL., Andover and Boston, MA., Baltimore and Bethesda, MD., Portland, ME., Hendersonville, NC., Keene, Manchester and Portsmouth, NH., Paramus and Morristown, NJ., Albany and New York City, NY., Plymouth Meeting, PA., Austin, Dallas and Houston, TX., and Richmond, VA., Steward Partners Global Advisory, LLC, is an employee-owned, full-service independent partnership catering to family, institutional and multigenerational wealth. For more information, visit us at www.stewardpartners.com .

About Raymond James Financial Services

Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 8,100 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $896 billion.* Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com .

*As of 12/31/2019. Past performance is not an indication of future results. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell Raymond James Financial stock.

Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Steward Partners is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

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Photo: The Canadian Press Opposition leader Juan Guaido waves to supporters during a rally at Bolivar Plaza in Chacao, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. Guaido returned home from a tour of nations that back his effort to oust socialist leader Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Canada is calling a meeting of its Lima Group partners next week to try to build new momentum in their effort to bring democracy to Venezuela.

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is hosting the gathering of foreign ministers from the coalition of Western Hemisphere countries  minus the United States  next Thursday in Gatineau, Que., across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is not expected to attend the meeting because he has just returned to Venezuela after an extensive world tour that included Canada, Europe and the U.S. to drum up support for his efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

Canada and dozens of other countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader, and view Maduro as a dictator who stole his country's last presidential election.

Armed forces loyal to Maduro blocked elected members of Venezuela's National Assembly from entering their legislature last month, amid a bid to replace Guaido as the assembly's speaker with a legislator friendlier to Maduro.

Guaido received a boisterous welcome home on Tuesday during a speech in a main square of Caracas after his international tour, telling his supporters that he has the backing of the "free world" to take back the country on their behalf.

When Canada last hosted the Lima Group one year ago in Ottawa, it issued a joint declaration calling on the Venezuelan military to change allegiance and support Guaido.

That never happened and disillusioned Venezuelans are now fleeing in record numbers. The United Nations estimates six million Venezuelans will leave their country by the year's end, as its economic, health and education systems collapse  a crisis widely blamed on Maduro's corruption.

At next week's meeting, the major task of the Lima Group ought to be shifting to a long-term strategy for supporting Venezuela and easing the humanitarian suffering of its people, said Ben Rowswell, Canada's former ambassador to the once-prosperous, oil-rich South American nation.

"They have more of a failed-state situation on the ground now where the Maduro government clearly doesn't control a lot of what's happening on its own territory, which is why Guaido is still a free man a whole year after being a rival president," said Rowswell, now the president of the Canadian International Council think-tank.

The Lima Group is made up of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.

The group needs to find ways to build support among countries, such as Cuba, that support the Maduro government, and Rowswell said that can be done if there's a concerted effort to focus on addressing Venezuela's humanitarian crisis.

"Those kinds of conversations can crystallize into a new and broader international coalition with the imperative of addressing the humanitarian needs as the central objective. It doesn't rule out political change," he said.

While that political change may appear stalled, Rowswell said the widespread support that Guaido garnered on his international tour  including the enthusiastic reception he received in Canada  and the fact that he has returned to Venezuela unscathed does create new opportunities.

"Guaido has revived his momentum with his own population and internationally with his successful tour," he said. Guaido managed to bring that support home, "and demonstrate yet again the weakness of the Maduro regime."

The biggest accomplishment of last year's Lima Group meeting in Ottawa was a forceful joint declaration that external military force, namely from the U.S., was not an option for removing Maduro, said Rowswell.

Sabre-rattling by the U.S. only emboldened Maduro's supporters and solidified his hold on power, he said.

In December, the U.S. Congress issued a statement committing the American government to "a peaceful negotiation as the only exit" to the Venezuelan crisis, said Rowswell.

"(That was) as close as you're going to see to the U.S. taking the military option off the table," he said.

"With that, people can take a breath and realize there's not going to be an international war over Venezuela."
AICCs Bihar in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil has been given the interim charge of Delhi.

New Delhi: Major infighting has erupted in the Congress Party after the debacle in the Delhi elections, with Delhi Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee taking on senior leader P. Chidambaram, the former finance minister, who had welcomed the AAPs victory as the defeat of bluff and bluster, and asked her party colleague if state Congress units should shut shop in case the party has decided that others will take on the BJP across the states.

In a bid to deflect accountability for the loss, AICCs Delhi in-charge P.C. Chacko tried to put the blame on late chief minister Sheila Dikshit, saying the party started losing ground when she was at the helm in 2013. The partys downfall started since 2013 when Sheila Dikshit was chief minister and the new outfit AAP took away the Congress votebank, he said. Mr Chacko has been under attack from state leaders since the loss in the 2015 polls where the party had failed to open its account.

After facing intense fire, Mr Chacko sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who later accepted it. AICCs Bihar in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil has been given the interim charge of Delhi.

Earlier, Ms Sharmistha Mukherjee tweeted: With due respect, sir, just want to know  has Congress outsourced the task of defeating BJP to state parties? If not, then why are we gloating over AAP victory rather than being concerned at our drubbing? And if yes, then we (PCCs) might as well close shop!

Mr Chidambaram had tweeted: AAP won, bluff and bluster lost. The people of Delhi, who are from all parts of India, have defeated the polarising, divisive and dangerous agenda of the BJP. I salute the people of Delhi who have set an example to other states that will hold their elections in 2021 and 2022.

In the last two Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has failed to win any seat in Delhi. In the municipal elections too, the Congress could not come to power. Interstingly, in all five elections, Mr Chacko was the AICC in-charge for Delhi.

Sheila Dikshits former aide Pawan Khera attacked Mr Chacko, saying: Just a data point. In 2013, when we lost, Congress voteshare in Delhi was 24.55 per cent. Sheilaji was not involved in 2015, when the voteshare slipped to 9.7 per cent. In 2019, when she was back in charge, the voteshare came up to 22.46 per cent. The attack on Sheila Dikshit from Mr Chacko comes at a time when most of the posters put by the Congress had her picture displayed prominently. However, her son and two-time former East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit was not roped in to campaign for the party.

Taking on Mr Chacko, former Union minister Milind Deora tweeted: Sheila Dikshitji was a remarkable politician and administrator. During her tenure as chief minister, Delhi was transformed and the Congress was stronger than ever. Unfortunate to see her being blamed after her death. She dedicated her life to the Congress and the people of Delhi. The infighting in the Delhi unit was such that when in mid-2019 Sheila Dikshit passed away, Mr Chacko did not visit her residence fearing a backlash by her supporters.

The two consecutive losses for the Congress in Delhi have demoralised the party cadre. If the party wants to remain relevant in Delhi and not go the UP, Bihar or West Bengal way, it will soon have to revamp the state unit and quell the prevalent infighting.
Looking at the way a typical norovirus outbreak would be handled, they wouldnt keep them on the ship they would get them off the ship  to make sure they are not at risk of ongoing exposure, he said. I think its really hard to prevent continued transmission in a context like that. It might have made more sense to act differently in the beginning.
Police say an Upstate New York man robbed a fast food restaurant and then tried to hide in a strip club across the street.

According to The Times Union, Paul E. Rostick was arrested Tuesday night after he robbed the Taco Bell located on Loudon Road in Colonie, just outside of Albany.

Colonie Police say Rostick, a 34-year-old Watervliet resident, asked a cashier for change just before 7:30 p.m. When the employee refused, Rostick allegedly demanded money, pulling the cash register off the counter and threatening to kill the cashier.

The employee finally gave Rostick $340 in cash and he fled on foot to Nite Moves, a gentlemens club located on the other side of Loudon Road.

Taco Bell staff called police to report the robbery and, three minutes later, officers found Rostick inside the strip club and recovered the money.

WGRB reports Rostick was taken into custody without incident. A mugshot released by Colonie Police shows Rostick wearing a T-shirt that says Hooters.

This mug shot released by Colonie Police shows Paul Rostick, a 34-year-old Watervliet man accused of robbing a Taco Bell in Colonie, N.Y.

Hes been charged with 3rd degree robbery, and 2nd degree criminal mischief, both felonies, plus misdemeanor petty larceny.

According to the Daily Gazette, Rostick allegedly caused $3,000 worth of damage when he pulled the cash register off the counter. There were several customers inside Taco Bell during the incident; police said they cooperated with the investigation and no injuries were reported.

Rostick was released on probation, per the states new bail reform laws. He is due back in court at a later date.
Joe Biden, who has been criticized by some in his party for his willingness to promote bipartisan bonhomie, offered some of his most extensive comments Thursday on the toll taken by the harsh Republican criticism of him and his son Hunter.

Referring to President Donald Trump, Biden said on ABC's "The View," "I would like to be able to be back in high school and just have he and I in a room."

"But all kidding aside, here's the deal," he added. "It is hurtful, particularly when guys like Lindsey Graham, who is a friend of mine, do these things."

Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, is a longtime Biden friend who in recent weeks has spoken of investigating Hunter Biden's role as a board member of a Ukrainian company while Joe Biden was coordinating Ukraine policy for the Obama administration.

Biden, when asked if he still considered Graham a friend, said it was important not to hold grudges. "We've got to heal," he said, adding he would not attack Trump's children. "That's not how we were raised."

Biden and his wife Jill appeared on the program as Republicans have sought to turn their focus on Hunter Biden. Trump's request to the Ukrainian president that his country investigate the Bidens was at the core of his impeachment trial, in which he was recently acquitted.

"This is a guy who's done nothing but good things his whole life, my son," Biden said on Thursday. "But look, it's what it is. We knew it was going to be ugly."

Biden recalled a family meeting called last year by his grandchildren to urge him to run for president, saying they were aware of how difficult the campaign would be. Even so, he and his wife suggested, it has been harder than anticipated.

"They've been really hurtful," Jill Biden said. "I mean, to hear your son attacked - you know, I expected that Joe would be attacked. But not your children. Not your children."

"It's ugly," she said at another point. "But I can take a little bit of ugly if it means Joe is going to be president."

Biden added that Republicans would seize on whatever they could to criticize the ultimate Democratic nominee, citing recent comments by leading conservatives about Pete Buttigieg's sexuality.

"Pete's got some traction," Biden said, so "they're going after Pete for being gay."

Earlier in the show, the hosts had played clips of Rush Limbaugh saying Trump is more manly, while talking about how Buttigieg kisses his husband onstage.

"I mean, my God," Biden said of the clip. "It is part of the depravity of this administration . . . Pete and I are competitors, but this guy has honor, he has courage, he's smart as hell."

Biden's interview came at a difficult moment as he attempts to get his presidential campaign back on track. It was his first appearance on "The View" since nearly a year ago.

When the hosts asked about his poor performance in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, Biden tried to refocus on his potential appeal in the next two states, Nevada and South Carolina, which have far more diverse electorates. He did not say whether he thought Democrats should alter the nominating contest to give more preference to states with bigger minority populations.

"I don't know. We'll have to see how this works out," the former vice president said. "This is my last dance in terms of what's going on . . . If I win the nomination and get elected president, I think that changes things a lot. It's about moving forward."

Biden generally refrained from criticizing Mike Bloomberg, but said he is eager to debate the former New York mayor on issues such as redlining by banks and stop-and-frisk policing, two policies that took aim at African-Americans. But when asked about an audio tape that recently emerged of Bloomberg speaking bluntly about targeting young black males, Biden let out a laugh.

Asked why he was laughing, he responded, "I'm laughing because it's amazing how every single thing I've said for the last 40 years has come up, and I've answered them all. We're just now getting into the place where we're looking at other people's records."

Biden has been criticized for his relationship with segregationist senators early in his career, as well as his support for school busing and for criminal justice policies that many black leaders say hurt their communities.

Biden also alluded to Bloomberg's wealth, while saying the billionaire former mayor has not yet received enough scrutiny.

"I don't think you can buy an election," he said. "Look, one of the advantages and disadvantages, I've been the only guy through this process so far, a person that's been totally vetted. I've had a target on my back since I got in."

Asked what the media was getting wrong about his campaign, Biden launched into a discussion on the challenges of modern-day journalism.

"You gotta get clicks," he said, reflecting on conversations he's had with senior reporters who, he said, told him they need to stand out in a way once reserved for opinion columnists.

"You have to have a brand," Biden said. "If you don't get something that's gonna get you a click, as they say, it's hard."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said India has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards narcotics and the country's measures to control it will be overhauled so that smuggling and trade of drugs is stopped completely.

The "dirty money" obtained from narcotics trade is also used for funding global terrorism and other transnational crimes, he noted, adding that it was the need of the hour for all the countries to join hands and fight the problem.

Inaugurating a two-day conference on 'Combating Drug Trafficking' for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) partner nations, Shah said, "We will not allow drugs from any country of the world to enter into our country nor will we allow it to go out of the country."



Declaring that India has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards all kinds of narcotics, the home minister said the country wants to closely work with BIMSTEC and other nations to wipe out the menace.

"I want to assure that India is committed to end the drug menace and will take the lead role to check narcotics trade in the world," he said.

"India will leave no stone unturned to tackle the problem strongly," Shah said.

According to an official statement, Asian countries are increasingly being affected by drug trafficking and BIMSTEC being the key link between the South Asian and the South East Asian Nations is one of the most effective platforms to tackle this global threat.

BIMSTEC is a regional organisation comprising seven member states - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Shah also said Manipur and Mizoram having borders with Myanmar and some coastal states are sensitive and may become a gateway for illicit drugs entering India, which needs to be prevented.

He called illicit drug trade a global menace and said it is a burning global issue that plagues every nation, especially the Bay of Bengal littoral states.

It is thus very important for all the countries to engage with each other to exchange ideas, policies and best practices in order to combat this menace, Shah said.

The home minister expressed concern over the increasing rate of drug addiction i.e., a 30 per cent rise in the last 10 years and termed the menace a "curse for mankind" as it not only kills an addict but also destroys families as well as the society.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said there is no nation in the world that is not affected by global terrorism, transnational crimes and illicit drug trafficking.

He expressed confidence and hope that this conference would open new avenues and generate new solutions to combat the menace of drug trafficking in the region.

Shah assured the delegates that under the prime minister's vision of a drug-free India, the government of India has devised a well laid out strategy to ensure inter-agency coordination and revamp the prosecution mechanism to end the menace of drug trafficking.

He cited an estimate of more than USD 400 billion of yearly illicit drug trade happening globally, giving an idea of the size of the mammoth issue facing humanity.

The home minister said there is a need for all the nations to join hands and supplement each other's efforts in fighting this menace as this global scourge cannot be fought by any country individually.

He laid emphasis that the nations of BIMSTEC are especially affected by illicit drug trade, transnational crimes and terrorism, making it all the more important to use a platform like this to devise coordinated strategies in ending the menace.

Shah said India taking the lead in organising this BIMSTEC conference would act as the harbinger of new avenues within the region that will help bringing other nations on such similar platforms to find solutions to tackle drug trafficking.

He also termed the Bay of Bengal littoral states as the focus of India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies and India being the largest country in the region will not shy away from its responsibilities in fighting drug trafficking and terrorism.

Talking about the steps taken by the central government in combating drug trafficking, Shah said the government has laid down a well thought out strategy to increase coordination among the agencies of the Centre as well as states, and the Home Ministry has established a joint coordination committee to increase surveillance over drug trafficking.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Newser)  Elizabeth Holmes, the Stanford dropout who founded the blood-testing company Theranos, still faces a trial in San Jose but now on fewer charges. US District Judge Edward Davila said Tuesday that he'll toss out any of the 11 counts against Holmes and Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani, former Theranos president, that accuse them of defrauding doctors or nonpaying patients, the Wall Street Journal reports. The ruling said patients didn't lose money or property because their insurance companies paid for the company's blood tests, per Reuters. A wire fraud charge remains in place.

story continues below

The judge rejected defense attempts to win dismissal of the indictment entirely. Davila did order prosecutors to provide the defense more information about accusations concerning advertising and marketing materials. The court case involves so many documents that he said Holmes and Balwani "may be unfairly surprised at trial." Davila has ordered the trial to begin July 28. (Read more Elizabeth Holmes stories.)
A small Outback town was thrown into chaos after ten young boys started foaming at the mouth after smoking synthetic cannabis.

The boys, ranging in age from 11 to 19, were found vomiting, unconscious or foaming at the mouth outside homes in Carnarvon, around 900km north of Perth on Sunday.

Some of the youths were found lying on the floor while one had to be restrained by up to five people after the drugs took hold of him.

The small Western Australian town of Carnarvon (pictured) was thrown into chaos after ten young boys smoked synthetic weed

One mother who lives on the street watched the mayhem unfold.

'The boys were coming out of the house screaming and throwing themselves on the ground and had that zombie look on them and spewing,' Cyril Baumgarten told the ABC.

'The youngest boy of it all, 11 years old, he collapsed in the house next door to us and there was one young boy that was inside the house and he was unconscious as well.'

Another neighbour, Buffy Kempton, said she was screaming for the community to help.

'It was very, very frightening knowing me and my husband have kids around the same age  it was very emotional at the time,' Ms Kempton said.

She said parents needed to be more aware of where their children were otherwise 'kids were going to get hurt'.

Police and ambulance crews arrived at a home in the Carnarvon suburb of Brockman after a call from a distressed neighbour.

The boys were seen vomiting and foaming at the mouth after smoking the drug and some were unconscious (file picture of cannabis)

The boys were believed to have smoked the drugs together before some parted ways.

WHAT IS SYNTHETIC CANNABIS? Synthetic cannabis was designed to bring on similar affects as normal cannabis It's commonly smoked or can be drank in tea It can cause a higher heart rate, anxiety, vomiting, psychosis, kidney pain, seizures, stokes and even death People who use synthetic cannabis regularly can have withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks and anxiety Synthetic cannabis often comes in the form of powdered chemicals mixed with herbs and sold in packets Different packets can give different affects Source: Alcohol and Drug Foundation Advertisement

All ten boys were taken to hospital but have since been released.

In the wake of the ordeal, police have raided several properties in the area.

'Carnarvon police are now conducting inquiries into the matter, assisted by the Department of Health,' a spokesperson for Western Australia Police said.

'Police are of the belief that the substances used are illegal and are believed to contain unknown psychoactive substances which can cause serious health issues.

'At this point in time, the recent cluster of overdoses appears to be an isolated incident with all victims know to each other. However, people who are in possession of or encounter these products are urged to avoid consumption of these substances.

'Seek help immediately if you or someone you know has consumed these substances and experiences adverse effects.'
A BANK has been forced to pay compensation of 35,000 to a couple after it overcharged them for a loan.

It had failed to state the correct interest on the loan, and was forced into the pay-out by the Financial Services Ombudsman.

Ger Deering also found against an insurance company that cancelled a motor policy, claiming it had not received a key document from the consumer that it requested.

It turned out the document got trapped in the insurers email firewall.

Compensation of 9,000 was ordered to be paid by the unnamed insurer.

The ombudsman found in favour of consumers and small firms in some 200 cases last year, but 238 cases were not upheld.

Mr Deering recently found against AIB in a disputed tracker mortgage case, which means that the bank will now likely have to pay out on an additional 6,000 tracker cases.

However, the latest summary of cases he has published do not involve trackers. Instead, tracker case updates are to be released in the coming weeks.

Mr Deering deals with a wide range of complains relating to insurance, banking, investments and pensions.

The digest of 33 decisions he has just published shows he forced an unnamed lender to pay compensation of 15,000.

This was because the lender failed to update an individuals Irish Credit Bureau rating to show that their debt was clear. This failure meant the consumers credit rating was negatively affected.

The ombudsman ordered another bank to pay compensation of 15,000 to a company.

This was because the bank threatened to close its bank account due to outstanding debt, which turned out to be an error.

Another insurer had to come up with 300 for a policyholder with pet insurance who had a claim rejected due to the pets weight.

And compensation of 3,000 had had to be paid to an individual who received less than she expected, when she made a claim on a dental policy, because of the poor information given to her by the insurer.

Mr Deering said that by publishing these decisions, the Ombudsman aims to enhance transparency and understanding of his powers and the services provided by the office.

He published 394 legally binding decisions, issued throughout 2019.

Mr Deering said he used informal mediation to successfully resolve most of the complaints closed last year.

I believe it will be evident to anyone who reads these decisions that the work of my office can have a very profound impact on many of those who use our services. I believe that these decisions play a very important role in improving the conduct of financial service providers, he said.

Mr Deering said that having access to these decisions will assist consumers and their advocates and financial service providers to avoid and resolve disputes.
New York City and other localities are up in arms over the additional burden they might shoulder if Gov. Andrew Cuomos 2021 budget, introduced last month during his State of the State address, were to pass. In an attempt to close a $6.1 billion gap, Cuomo proposes shifting Medicaid costs to counties that dont adhere to criteria that local officials and some experts say is going to be challenging to meet, especially for New York City.

Cuomos $178 billion plan would have counties limit property tax growth to 2 percent and Medicaid spending to 3 percent growth annually. Localities that exceed the property tax cap, even if theyve stayed within the 3 percent Medicaid spending cap, will be required to pay for all local Medicaid spending growth from the prior year. Local governments that stay within the property tax cap but exceed the Medicaid spending threshold will be required to pay for any growth over 3 percent.

Additionally, the governor has created a new Medicaid Redesign Team to find $2.5 billion in savings within Medicaid by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse within the system. Last month, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced that his office had identified nearly $800 million worth of savings in the Medicaid budget, so $2.5 billion seems like a tall order.

"The consequences are devastating," New York City First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan said about the budget proposal. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasios administration estimated that Medicaid cost shifts to the city would hit the city to the tune of about $1.1 billion, although the governor is saying that his budget shouldnt cost localities anything. Estimates for each county vary due to uncertainty as to what the baseline growth rate of enrollment will be or the potential success of local governments in controlling costs.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer also spoke out against the proposal, saying that shifting Medicaid costs onto local governments would destroy the countys budget. "Covering this cost will mean that roads, services and most importantly our taxpayers will suffer," Latimer told state lawmakers. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was similarly dire, stating that this move would result in double-digit property tax hikes and big spending cuts to local programs.

The very purpose of the Medicaid Redesign Team is to reduce the programs spending growth by $2.5 billion and return spending growth to 3% while continuing to provide high-quality care to six million New Yorkers and ensuring the system remains financially stable for the future, said Freeman Klopott, spokesman for New York State Division of the Budget. The budget does not include any funding from local governments for Medicaid, though it does project that the measures designed to return them to the search for savings in the program will work and reduce growth by $150 million.

Medicaid costs are responsible for about $4 billion worth of the total $6.1 billion shortfall. The Cuomo administration posits that localities have no financial incentive to control costs and that they have failed to adequately monitor their programs, leading to overspending. Medicaid has been around for 50 years. Traditionally, the federal government funded 50 percent, the state 25 percent, and local governments 25 percent. Since 2015, the state has picked up all growth in local Medicaid spending, covering something like 35 percent of the costs of Medicaid. According to background information provided by Cuomos budget division, Medicaid growth is costing the state about $4.5 billion per year, whereas the costs for counties have remained flat. The goal of this budget, then, is to provide incentive for the state and the counties to work together again to find savings.

For years, when [counties] had local share, they would come and find areas of savings, they would identify inefficiencies in the program, and once we took over the program that completely stopped, said State Budget Director Robert Mujica during a WNYC Radio interview. So as part of our efforts to control the growth in Medicaid spending, we want local governments to re-engage with us and help us to control costs. This is not just the States responsibility. That's a false narrative.

Despite Cuomos claims of irresponsible spending, experts hold that it is the state, not localities, that controls the more powerful levers of Medicaid, specifically reimbursement rates and eligibility standards. Localities have very little control over Medicaid spending, so to shift the burden onto them would be unfair and in many ways regressive, said Dave Freidfel, director of state studies at the Citizens Budget Commission, a research and advocacy organization that supports fiscal restraint. Its saying that because you have a lot of people who need Medicaid, people who dont have a lot of income, that means that you as a locality need to pay more. Thats just the wrong approach and its not how any other state in the country does it.

Thats why even right-leaning analysis are skeptical that Cuomos plan will actually reduce waste. Its not really about controlling costs, said Bill Hammond, policy director at the Empire Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank. Its about shifting the blame from Albany to City Hall.

According to de Blasios 2021 budget, New York City property tax revenue is expected to reach $31 billion in fiscal year 2021, up from $29.7 billion in 2020. Thats a 4.5 percent increase in revenue, which would likely breach the 2 percent cap. (Its a little unclear because the cap excludes tax revenue from new properties that werent on the tax rolls the year before.) New York City has never had to deal with a state-imposed cap on property taxes before, but other localities have been adhering to a 2 percent ceiling since the property tax cap began in 2011. However, if the economy slows or enters a recession, sales tax revenues will begin to decrease, which will put pressure on localities to override the tax cap.

Medicaid spending growth outside New York City has also been lower, according to Department of Health data on Medicaid spending, so counties would typically have a better chance on average to stay under the 3 percent spending increase limit. Statewide, the average Medicaid-spending growth rate from fiscal year 2018 to 2019 was 5.6 percent. New York Citys was 7 percent.

New Yorks Medicaid program costs $75 billion, with the state chipping in over $20 billion, counties paying about $7 billion collectively, and the rest coming from the federal government. Its the second costliest Medicaid program in the country, after California. The Golden States Medicaid program costs $85 billion, but California has twice the number of residents enrolled in Medicaid as New York, which has 6 million covered by the program.

Normally, enrollment, and therefore costs, rise fastest during recessions when more peoples incomes drop low enough to qualify for Medicaid. In recent years, thanks to unemployment being at an all-time low, enrollment in New Yorks program has been flat. So why are New Yorks Medicaid costs so high?

One cause is the state-sanctioned increase in minimum wage to $15 per hour. Were paying people who work in the healthcare sector better, and that increases costs, said Jennifer March, executive director of Citizens Committee for Children of New York, a nonprofit child advocacy organization that works to make New York City a better place for children. The CCC is concerned that balancing the state budget will negatively impact New York Citys neediest children both immediately and in the long run. You cant have it both ways, March said. We are a state that committed to providing insurance to people and committed to making sure people make liveable wages. Costs are going to increase.

A $1.7 billion chunk of the $4 billion Medicaid debt comes from last years bill that rolled over into this year when Cuomo realized that total Medicaid spending would be higher than budgeted, according to Freidfel.

Sharp enrollment hikes in expensive long-term care programs are another major culprit, specifically personal care services, which involve at-home assistance with non-medical care, like help getting dressed, going to the bathroom or making meals. In New York City alone, enrollment in this program has shot up as high as 14 percent from 2018 to 2019 according to some estimates. In terms of per capita spending on personal care, New York spends six times more than the national average. In 2016, the state accounted for 40 percent of the national spending for personal care.

In other states, enrollment in this program is discretionary. Slots are limited and theyre targeted to the neediest. New York has made it an entitlement, said Hammond. So if you meet the minimum threshold, both financially and medically, you get as many hours of personal care as somebody approves for you. Demographics alone dont explain whats going on. The rate of enrollment in the personal care program is growing about 17 times faster than the growth rate of the over-65 population.

Hammond and Freidfel agree that theres definitely room to control costs by looking at what has driven such a rise in personal care services.

In New York City, theres 1,800 people who run the Medicaid program, said Cuomo during a press conference on Feb 7. They do the evaluation as to what service you should get: nursing home, home care. They make the determination on how much home care: two hours, four hours, six hours, 24 hours. They then re-evaluate that.

"Cuts to personal care services would be very detrimental to our clients' health because they wouldn't have the choice of providers," said Susan McCormack, director of Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program at the Long Island Center for Independent Living. McCormack went to Albany this week to lobby for the continuation of long term care services. "The last thing we want to think about is that if somebody can't get the services they need, it would mean either hospitalization or institutionalization. "So many people cant get access to services they need without having somebody in the home. We all understand the Medicaid budget needs to be brought under control, but I dont think attacking personal care is the way to go.

Advocates predict that localities will fight this budget proposal by holding press conferences and lobbying in Albany. Im assuming that the city of New York, the counties, and other advocates are going to push back on the cost shifts to localities because it will impede their abilities to actually serve, in our case, the poorest New Yorkers, said March.

The governor has 30 days from the date he unveiled the proposal to make amendments, and experts say he likely will. Then, the state Legislature will present its own budget in response.

"The Senate majority will be advancing our one-house budget which reflects our budget priorities, said Senate Majority spokesperson Gary Ginsburg. We will continue to fight for a budget that provides essential government services and helps reduce the burdens on struggling New York families and localities."

The state Senates one-house budget resolution includes a boost to aid municipalities funding for local governments. "As a former county legislator and town councilman, I understand the struggles many municipalities face in providing top-quality services without burdening taxpayers, and I will continue fighting to ensure municipalities receive their fair share from Albany," said Sen. Jim Gaughran, a Democrat from Long Island and the chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee.

Its unlikely that the proposal will pass the Legislature as it is now. Were in the 10th year of an economic expansion, said Freidfel. The state shouldnt be in a position where they have to defer payments or push costs onto localities.
KENA BETANCUR/Getty

ALBANY  Citing the need to support the Jewish community, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and two other state officials are headed to Poland to attend the official commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp from the Nazis near the end of World War II.

Cuomo will leave Sunday afternoon with Empire State Development President & CEO Eric Gertler and Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa and attend the official commemoration events on Monday. Leaders of several nations and survivors of the Holocaust are planning to attend as well.
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New Feature Allows Brands and Media Agencies to View Full Sales Impact of Ad SpendCINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE:KR) media advertising business, Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM), announces a new sales attribution capability to provide brands full transparency into media performance. Kroger's self-service advertising platform now allows brands to view in-store and online sales results attributed to advertising campaigns across Kroger properties. Kroger applies only 100 percent verified transactions from both in-store and online customers.Microsoft PromoteIQ powers Kroger's self-service advertising platform, which includes sponsored product listing ads and banner display ads on Kroger websites and mobile apps. The new sales attribution feature uses data science from KPM and Microsoft PromoteIQ technology. It provides marketers the ability to better understand campaign performance and optimize media investment against actual return on ad spend. This difference gives KPM an edge in the rapidly growing retail media space."Kroger has created a seamless commerce experience for shopping in-store or online for pick-up or delivery. And brands advertise on Kroger Precision Marketing because we can influence moments when shoppers are searching and discovering products, and do so in an authentic way. We're committed to providing brands a fully transparent view of sales performance rather than just the typical novelty metrics of digital media," shared Cara Pratt, Vice President, Commercial and Product Strategy for Kroger Precision Marketing at 84.51."Together, Kroger Precision Marketing and Microsoft PromoteIQ are elevating the expectations marketers can and should have for retail media. The ability to connect onsite media activity to in-store purchases helps marketers understand in a granular way how their marketing efforts with Kroger Precision Marketing are driving tangible business outcomes," said Alex Sherman, co-founder and CEO of Microsoft PromoteIQ.Kroger's self-service advertising platform has been a strong performer for two years. In 2019, hundreds of Kroger suppliers executed thousands of campaigns and achieved industry-leading return-on-ad-spend."In a media industry with lots of ambiguity, Kroger Precision Marketing stands out by showing the true incremental impact of advertising, matching ad exposures to verified sales," said Pratt. "Our results are getting noticed by brand marketers and agencies alike, who are excited about our media assets that allow them to create a connection with customers throughout their path to purchase." About Kroger Precision MarketingKroger Precision Marketing is a leading retail media advertising solution. Powered by Kroger's popular loyalty card program, we connect customers to brands through engaging moments that inspire purchasing online or in store. Kroger Precision Marketing closes the loop between media exposure and store sales to make brand advertising more addressable, actionable and accountable. Learn more at KrogerPrecisionMarketing.com Media Contact:Lisa DysonO'Keeffe PRLisa@ Okeeffepr.com (513) 404.6302SOURCE: The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE: KR) media advertising business, Kroger Precision Marketing
Mumbai, Feb 13 : Delays of several years by India and Pakistan in the Nationality Verification process of the two countries' fisherfolk arrested by each other, leads to prolonged jail stay on both sides, which activists have termed as 'inhuman torture'.

As per the latest information with the Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace & Democracy (PIPFPD), as many as 207 Indian fisherfolk from Gujarat coast remain in custody of Pakistan, and 99 Pakistani fishermen are in custody of India as of Thursday.

The governments of both countries are required to grant Consular Access (CA) - as per the agreement signed on May 21, 2008 - within three months after they are held, PIPFPD activists said.

"Unfortunately, both countries flout this agreement and fail to grant CA to the arrested fisherfolk on both sides. While Pakistan has granted CA to only 107, the figures of Pakistan verifying the nationality of its fishermen, are not made available," PIPFPD activist Jatin Desai told IANS.

Strangely, despite having all documents, out of these 107, India has not yet confirmed the nationality of 78 of the Indian fishermen, he added.

The swoop on fisherfolk is carried out in the Arabian Sea on the southern coast of Pakistan by its Maritime Security Agency (MSA) and north-west coast of India Coast Guard (ICG) respectively, across the International Maritime Boundary Line.

From India, the fisherfolk nabbed hail mostly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home-state, of Gujarat.

The action is on a regular basis by both the MSA and ICG when they pick up fisherfolk who stray into each other's territorial waters (IMBL), PIPFPD General Secretary (India) M. J. Vijayan said.

Citing official records, Desai said that India has the complete details of all its fishermen right down to their native villages, but it is not clear why these are not submitted to complete the crucial Nationality Verification process to expedite their release from jail and repatriation back home.

"Many of the fisherfolk have already completed their long jail terms, but since India has failed to verify their nationality, they continue to languish in prisons for several more years. Even after India has confirmed the nationality of the 29 fisherfolk, Pakistan has not yet released or repatriated them," rued Desai.

The instances of Venod Mirji, Suneel P. Lal, Rajo Vinod, Bachilal Ramsevak, Babu P. Lal and others are shocking, said Vijayan.

"Mirji's jail term ended on May 23, 2017, granted CA in August that year, but his nationality is still not verified and he remains in a Pakistani prison.

"Similarly with three others -- Suneel P. Lal, Ramsehwak and one Babu who completed their jail sentences on February 21, 2018 -- even granted CA after months, but India has yet to confirm their nationality. So, all languish in jails there," Vijayan said.

They added that this delay in verifying their nationalities by India has hurt the rights of the fishermen and their families, and tantamous to "inhuman torture" at the least.

The PIPFPD has demanded that both countries must implement the 2008 agreement in toto and confirm the nationality of their arrested citizens within the specified period of three months after CA, which is not difficult in the era of Information Technology.

Pakistan must also reciprocate the Indian government by appointing the respective members for the Joint Judicial Committee on Prisoners, a mechanism instituted way back in 2007, but rendered defunct since 2013-end.

Accordingly, despite a mechanism available, the sad picture is that both countries don't provide CA within three months of arrest, nor release and repatriate the fisherfolk within one month of completion of their jail sentences and confirming their nationality status.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday (local time) met his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud here and discussed among other issues, "the continued need to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing behaviour."

"U.S.-#Saudi partnership is critical as we confront Iran's destabilizing behavior. We also share an interest in de-escalation in Yemen. Glad to meet with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on these regional security issues," Pompeo tweeted after the meeting.

According to Al Arabiya, this was the second time in three months that Pompeo and the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister have met.

A state department spokesperson in a statement said, "Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Al Saud discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern, including the continued need to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing behaviour."

The statement said Pompeo underscored the importance of the U.S.-Saudi partnership in confronting the Iranian regime's threats.

The two leaders expressed their concern over the recent violence in Yemen, including Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia, and they agreed on the need to swiftly return to de-escalation. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for a political solution to the conflict facilitated by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A female bachelorette party is also known as a Hen's party. The party is hosted by the friends of the bride-to-be before her wedding day. It is a day celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and galore by the Bachelorette and her close pals before she gets hitched for life.

Talking about bachelorette party ideas, generally, women opt for a poolside or theme party. But one of the most popular Bachelorette party's are those which are organised near the scenic beachside with a mesmerising view.

Read: Bachelor Party Ideas: Check Out Five Unconventional Ideas

Even though India has a plethora of stunning sites which are ideal for throwing a Bachelorette party, going out of the nation to celebrate some last days before tieing the knot, with friends has an altogether different vibe to it. Lets us look at at some beach destinations which serve as an ideal destination for a Bachelorette party outside India.

Beach destinations near India that are perfect for Bachelorette party

Bachelorette Party in Thailand

Image Credit: Amazing Thailand Instagram

Thailand is the hub of Bachelor or Bachelorette parties across the globe. The country is famous for its breathtaking beach view and flamboyant lifestyle. The city of Bangkok can be the perfect place to host your Bachelorette party in Thailand. There are 'n' number of party planners in Bangkok, who can literally plan your bachelorette party in Thailand in a matter of a few hours.

Read:'The Bachelor' Fame Colton Underwood And Cassie's Adorable Pictures Should Not Be Missed

Bachelorette party in Sri Lanka

Image Credit: Gayan Wickramaratne Instagram

Be it a Bachettore party at Ballys Casino or a beachside bachelorette party in Sri Lanka's Hikkaduwa, the country is home to some ideal destinations for a potentially super-cool bachelorette party for your last few days as a single person. While talking about Bachelorette party in Sri Lanka, there is no way we fail to mention Hikkaduwa.

The place is popular for its lavish beach parties and exotic food. The dance floor is always full. It is a great place to enjoy thoroughly in the company of your girl friends.

Read: Best Bachelorette Party Destinations To Choose For Your Dream Party

Bachelorette Party in Dubai

Image Credit: Dubai Instagram

If you are planning to go out of the country for celebrating your Bachelorette Party, then a trip to Dubai is something you should absolutely take. Dubai is a paradise for those who wish to spend some fun-time with their friends. Not only can you organise a Hen's party at the beachside, but also opt for a cruise or yacht party with your friends. A boho or Hawaiian themed bachelorette party is something you can definitely consider in Dubai for a memorable night.

Read: Explore Unconventional Travel Destinations And Rediscover India
NASA finds heavy rain southwest of tropical cyclone Uesi's center

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM satellite provided a look at the rainfall occurring within Tropical Cyclone Uesi and found heaviest rainfall in the southern quadrant of the storm.

Uesi is in the South Pacific Ocean and has been affecting New Caledonia. New Caledonia is a collectivity of France, located south of Vanuatu and about 1,210 km (750 miles) east of Australia.

The GPM's core satellite passed over Uesi on Feb. 12 at 12:11 p.m. EST (1711 UTC). GPM found heaviest rainfall southwest of the center, falling at a rate of 1.6 inches (40 mm) per hour. Directly south of the center were areas where rainfall rates were falling at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) per hour. Scattered light rain, falling at less than 0.2 inches (less than 5 millimeters) per hour appeared to be occurring in the rest of the storm.

On Feb 12 at 1 a.m. EST (5 p.m. New Caledonia local time), Meteo-France, which forecasts for New Caledonia, noted that Uesi's maximum sustained winds were near 110 kph (68 mph/59 knots). Uesi was moving to the southwest. It was centered near latitude 23.5 degrees south and longitude 162.8 degrees east, about 450 km (280 miles) west-southwest of Noumea.

Meteo-France noted, "The rains eased in the afternoon, except over the Canala region where the showers are still continuing this evening. In the past 12 hours, we have noted 80 to 130 mm (3.1 to 5.1 inches) in the relief of the South and 80 mm (3.1 inches) in 3 hours in the town of Canala. The wind remains strong with gusts up to 90 kph (60 mph/49 knots) on the chain, on the West Coast and the South. Uesi is moving away from the Caledonian coasts, its influence is still felt throughout the country. Conditions remain disturbed overnight, with a gradual improvement in the north."

Uesi is expected to turn to the southwest and become subtropical after a day or two, off the coast of eastern Australia.

Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA's expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.

###

GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA.

For updates from Meteo-France, visit: http://www. meteo. nc/ nouvelle-caledonie/ cyclone/ phenomenes-en-cours

By Rob Gutro

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) last Friday dropped its antitrust probe into four automakers who opted to comply with Californias tougher tailpipes emissions standards.

Emissions one of many environmental areas in which the Trump administration is charting its own (more) blatantly pro-fossil fuels course ; Trump seems to take especial delight in reversing the policies of his immediate predecessor.

Now, occasionally Trump policies stray into the ridiculous  as they did in September when the DoJ commenced an antitrust probe into the four automakers which had voluntarily decided to comply with Californias tougher state emissions rules, going so far going as to pursue a vindictive antitrust investigation, s described in EcoWatch in Justice Department Drops Investigation Against Four Automakers That Sided With Californias Emissions Standards.)

The four automakers are BMW, Ford, and Honda and Volkswagen (see also Carmakers and California Agree on Emissions Rules:

As Ive written previously, the Trump Administration was on a collision course with California over Trumps August 2018 plans to rollback standards previously due to come into force in 2021 (see Trump Regulators and California on Collision Course on Rolling Back Fuel Efficiency Standards):

As the Wall Street Journal reports in Auto Makers Agree to Stricter California Tailpipe-Emissions Standards: The Trump administration last year proposed easing Obama-era fuel-economy standards by freezing them at the 2020 levels, or around 37 miles a gallon, through 2026. The current rules, implemented in 2012, call for increases in fuel economy of around 5% annually through mid-decade, to a level of 46.7 miles a gallon. The Feds and California had been engaged in negotiations to agree a compromise, but those talks collapsed in February, according to an Ars Technica report, Car makers, California agree to emissions rules Trump admin is trying to kill.  The California standards with which the four carmakers have now agreed to comply are looser than the rules that were supposed to come into effect in 2021, but tighter than the proposed Trump rollback. According to a statement released last week by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), California and major automakers reach groundbreaking framework agreement on clean emission standards

As Autoblog Reports in Justice Dept. ends antitrust probe of 4 automakers who sided with California:

Under the deal, the automakers planned to comply with pollution and related mileage requirements established by California that are tougher than the federal standards sought by President Donald Trump. The Justice Department didnt find conduct violating the law and has closed the investigation, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly. In September, the administration revoked Californias authority to set auto mileage standards, asserting that only the federal government has the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy. Top California officials and environmental groups took legal action to stop the rollback. Democrats accused the administration of using antitrust powers to target political opponents with the investigation. A top Justice Department official defended the probe before Congress and denied any political motivation or influence from the White House. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said Friday that the Justice Departments trumped-up charges were always a sham  a blatant attempt by the Trump administration to prevent more automakers from joining California and agreeing to stronger emissions standards. Newsom called the closing of the probe a big loss for the president and his weaponization of federal agencies.

California was granted a waiver from the Clean Air Act in 1970, allowing the state to set an emissions standard that was more stringent than the national standard. As Ecowatch notes:

However, other states were allowed to follow Californias lead, which some of the most populated states did. In all, 13 states followed Californias lead. Those states, plus California, make up 40 percent of the U.S. population, as CNN reported. The July move by the automakers was initially dismissed by the Trump administration as a PR stunt that does nothing to further the one national standard that will provide certainty and relief for American consumers, as Car and Driver reported. After California bypassed the Trump administrations rollbacks, the White House aggressively undermined Californias authority and funding. Not only did the administration revoke the states authority to set its own emissions standard, it then forced California to drop Quebec from its carbon-credit market. Also, in September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency threatened to withhold federal highway funding from California, as The New York Times reported.

Administration Climbdown

The decision to drop the federal antitrust investigation represents a significant administration climbdown.Even in a context in which Trump et al often privilege rhetoric over reality, this antirust investigation looked from its inception to be a stunt. Administration officials, nonetheless, apparently believed that like the Little Engine That Could, repetition of a simple antirust mantra was enough to trump the latest tougher California emissions tailpipe standards and thwart Californias more than forty years of precedent in setting de facto national standards.

The Trump administration argues that cars that meet the California standard cost more, but as CNN reiterates in Justice Department notifies four automakers it has dropped antitrust investigation,this additional cost is offset by the reality that automakers do not have to create two product lines that comply with two sets of standards
SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CannabisNewsWire  Holy Herb, LLC , a Santa Clarita, California-based provider of high-quality products combining full spectrum hemp extracts and the Santa Yerba herb cultivated on their farm, announces its participation in the upcoming USA CBD Expo . The expo takes place Feb. 13-15, 2020, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.



The Holy Herb Products can be found in booth 152 at the CBD expo, and the company will be offering free samples of Holy Herba Honey, Holy Herb Pain Relief Spray and Holy Herb Pain Relief Cream throughout the three-day event.

Our unique products are the very first to combine high-grade full spectrum hemp extracts with Santa Yerba, which was first utilized by Native Americans for thousands of years due to its vast healing properties, said Dustin Arklin, co-owner of the Holy Herb Brands. The Santa Yerba Herb grows throughout the mountains of Southern California. After 10 years of Lab R+D and formulation, we carefully have cultivated in our growing fields enough Santa Yerba herb to satisfy our commercial production requirements.

Holy Herbs CBD Pain Relief Spray and Pain Relief Cream are designed to quickly penetrate the skin and go deep into the tissue to deliver fast, sustainable results. To produce the companys unique Holy Herba Honey, Holy Herbs bees gather pollen from its Santa Yerba flowers when in springs full bloom. The Santa Yerba-derived honey is then infused with Holy Herbs high-quality, full spectrum hemp extracts for maximum health and delicious flavor results.

USA CBD Expo attendees can sample and learn more about Holy Herbs products by visiting vendor booth 152. The Las Vegas Convention Center is located at 3150 Paradise Road in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more information about Holy Herb, visit the companys website at www.HolyHerb.com or follow the company on Instagram @HolyHerb_llc .

About Holy Herb Brands

Story continues

Holy Herb is a fully tested pain relief spray and cream unlike any other on the marketplace. Using his unique aging and extracting process, Dr. Nalbandyan and his team at Holy Herb Brands have created the first and only product made with high-grade hemp and Santa Yerba, The Holy Herb. Santa Yerba grows naturally throughout Southern California and was used by Native Americans for thousands of years for the same reasons that people use cannabis today. They would put it in their tea, make lotions, and smoke the herb.

Native Americans named the plant The Holy Herb because of its many medicinal benefits. They would use the herb topically to help sooth mosquito bites, rashes, bruises, wounds, sprains, muscle aches, joint pain and more. They would also brew tea with The Holy Herb to make a great tasting natural antioxidant that helps treat fevers and coughs. These two herbs combined together create a highly potent pain relief spray that delivers fast and sustainable results.

For more information, visit www.HolyHerb.com .

Company Contact

Dustin Arklin

661-733-5738

info@holyherb.com
There has been 1,355 deaths from coronavirus in China - with the third outside of the country confirmed in Japan on Thursday (Getty)

A third person outside of mainland China has died after contracting coronavirus.

According to AFP, an 80-year-old woman in Japan died on Thursday, following two previous deaths in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Speaking at a news conference, Japan health minister Katsunobu Kato said the victim, who is unnamed, was living in Kanagawa prefecture, which borders Tokyo.

The woman first developed symptoms on 22 January and was admitted to hospital on 1 February with suspected pneumonia.

Japanese health, labour and welfare minister Katsunobu Kato confirmed the country's first coronavirus death (Getty)

But her respiratory condition deteriorated on 6 February and she was transported to another hospital.

As her condition worsened, the woman, who had no record of overseas travel, was tested for coronavirus on Wednesday.

Mr Kato said: The relationship between the new coronavirus and the death of the person is still unclear.

The number of those who have died from the virus in China has climbed to more than 1,300 (Getty)

This is the first death of a person who has tested positive.

She was suspected of being infected with the coronavirus so ... testing was conducted. Her positive test result was confirmed after her death.

The news comes as the death toll in China rises to 1,355.

Read more:

British couple on quarantined ship will stay remain even if they test negative for coronavirus

Philippine says travel ban stays even as Taiwan plans countermeasures

Eight-month-old baby 'youngest suspected coronavirus case' in London

About 242 deaths occurred in Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, on Wednesday, while the number of infected across China has risen to nearly 60,000.

The Philippines confirmed the first death outside the Chinese mainland on 2 February, a 44-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan.

Hong Kong reported the second death two days later, a 39-year-old man who had travelled to Hubei.

Passengers and children stand on the deck of the cruise ship Diamond Princess, as the vessel's passengers continue to be tested for coronavirus (Reuters)

Meanwhile, cruise ship the Diamond Princess is quarantined in a Japanese port with scores of cases of coronavirus.

At least 65 people have tested positive for Covid-19 on board the ship, which is docked at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) today announced that it intends to offer approximately $2 billion of common stock in an underwritten registered public offering. Tesla has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to approximately $300 million of additional common stock.



Elon Musk, Teslas CEO, will participate by purchasing up to $10 million of common stock in this offering. In addition, Larry Ellison, a member of Teslas Board of Directors, will purchase up to $1 million of common stock.

The aggregate gross proceeds of the offering, assuming full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional securities, would be approximately $2.3 billion before discounts and expenses. Tesla intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to further strengthen its balance sheet, as well as for general corporate purposes.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley are acting as lead joint book-running managers for the offering, with Barclays, BofA Securities, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank Securities, and Wells Fargo Securities acting as additional book-running managers, and Societe Generale acting as co-manager.

An effective registration statement relating to the securities was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2019. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained from (i) Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, telephone: 866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316 or email: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com or (ii) Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority, nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the registration statement, the prospectus contained therein or the prospectus supplement.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the proposed public offering of common stock and Teslas intended use for the proceeds of the offering, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations, and as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the SEC and the prospectus and prospectus supplement included or incorporated by reference therein, as well as the other documents Tesla files on a consolidated basis from time to time with the SEC, specifically Teslas most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for Tesla on a consolidated basis to differ materially from those contained in Teslas forward-looking statements. Tesla disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact: ir@tesla.com Press Contact: press@tesla.com
English Swedish

Sales rose by 12.5% to SEK 25,342 million (SEK 22,516 million)

Profit after net financial items rose by 6.3% to SEK 2,836 million (SEK 2,667 million)

Earnings per share amounted to SEK 4.31 (SEK 4.11)

A dividend of SEK 1.40/share (SEK 1.30/share) is proposed

Acquisition of Italian Rhoss, US Therm-X of California, Turkish Untes and Serbian TIKI Group

Change of ownership in washing machine company Schulthess Maschinen AG

We can summarise 2019 by saying that in a market characterised by caution and with large variations between different markets and market segments, we have put yet another robust full year behind us with both continued sales and profit growth, says Gerteric Lindquist, Managing Director and Group CEO of NIBE.

With our company philosophy and our strong product range, we are well positioned in a market that is increasingly feeling the influences of the transition to a more sustainable and digitalised society. This years acquisitions as well as our focus on product development should further strengthen our position. Our internal work on efficiency and rigorous cost control also continues with unchanged intensity.

Even though its difficult to make predictions in our current business climate, we are cautiously optimistic about 2020 thanks to our geographic spread, stable profitability and good financial preparedness for further offensive acquisitions, says Lindquist.

Press information

A teleconference (in English) will be held for press and analysts at 11:00 (CET) today with CEO Gerteric Lindquist and CFO Hans Backman. To attend the conference, ring +46 8 505 583 57.

N.B.: You must be registered at www.nibe.com to view the images for the presentation.

For more information: Gerteric Lindquist, CEO and Hans Backman, CFO; +46 (0) 433-27 30 00

NIBE Industrier AB (publ) is required to disclose the information in this press release under the EUs Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Market Act. This information was submitted by the contact persons above for publication on 13 February 2020 at 08:00 CET.

NIBE Group  a global Group with companies and a presence worldwide

NIBE Group is a global organisation that contributes to a smaller carbon footprint and better utilisation of energy. In our three business areas  Climate Solutions, Element and Stoves  we develop, manufacture and market a wide range of eco-friendly, energy-efficient solutions for indoor climate comfort in all types of property, plus components and solutions for intelligent heating and control in industry and infrastructure.

From its beginnings in the city of Markaryd in the province of Smaland in southern Sweden nearly 70 years ago, NIBE has grown into an international company with 17,300 (16,900) employees and a presence worldwide. From the very start, the company was driven by a strong culture of entrepreneurship and a passion for responsible business operation. Its success factors are long-term investments in sustainable product development and strategic acquisitions. Combined, these factors have brought about strong, targeted growth, which generated sales of just over SEK 25 (22) billion in 2019.

Attachment
By Juno McEnroe and Daniel McConnell

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has told his parliamentary party that he wants to form a government-but has ruled out working with Sinn Fein.

Speaking to TDs, senators and MEPs in Leinster House, Mr Martin discussed the fallout from the weekend's general election, in which the party lost 15 seats and only won 37 overall.

He told the gathering that he wanted to try and put a government together, leaving all options open except working with Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Fein.

It is understood that he said a five-year term was preferable and that something radical and different was needed.

There have been suggestions in recent days that Fianna Fail could seek to build a 'super' coalition involving Fine Gael and the Greens, a huge majority that would not require others.

There was also no challenge to Micheal Martin's leadership at the meeting-despite the bruising election results and recriminations in recent days over party strategies in the campaign.

Earlier, a number of new and returning TDs told the Irish Examiner of their opposition to cooperating in a coalition with Sinn Fein.

Part 2: What I understand from FF Parliamentary Meeting so far:

* Martin did not face any challenge to his position at the meeting.

*Martin expressed a desire to avoid a second general election and was backed by Michael McGrath, Thomas Byrne and Darragh O'Brien.#iestaff  Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 13, 2020

Part 3: What I understand from FF Parliamentary Meeting so far:

* Martin was deeply critical of Sinn Fein in his remarks, saying their economic agenda poses a significant risk to Ireland's open economy.

* Hit out at David Cullinane's 'Up the Ra' video #iestaff  Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 13, 2020

Part 4: What I understand from FF Parliamentary Meeting so far:

* Martin said the next government must be radical and different #iestaff  Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 13, 2020

There is also a larger view that Ms McDonald's party should be allowed at it, said sources, after winning the popular vote.

At the meeting, which began at midday today, Mr Martin made a strong plea to be given a mandate to enter government and those present approved a motion to appoint a negotiating team.

Mr Martin, despite being under considerable pressure, did not face any challenge to his position at the meeting.

According to sources, Mr Martin expressed a desire to avoid a second general election and was backed by the likes of Michael McGrath, Thomas Byrne and Darragh O'Brien.

Mr Martin was deeply critical of Sinn Fein in his remarks, saying their economic agenda poses a significant risk to Ireland's open economy.

He said the next government must be radical and different and appealed to his TDs, Senators and MEPs that he be given a mandate to seek to enter government and begin discussions with other parties.

Limerick County TD Niall Collins said that the party was fully behind not going into government with Sinn Fein.

He also said a possible coalition with Fine Gael was not really discussed at the meeting, and added it may not be possible to form a government.

It comes as Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald earlier told her parliamentary party meeting that it would be "quite a challenge" for Fianna Fail to sign up to a government of change, but there is an obligation to act urgently.

Ms McDonald had written to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin seeking a meeting about government formation.

- Additional reporting Cianan Brennan
So much for the theory that President Trump would emerge from the impeachment ordeal a changed man, chastened and restrained in his exercise of power (heres looking at you, Sen. Susan Collins, who expressed that naive view in her vote for acquittal). It didnt take long for Trump to prove otherwise. Lesson? What lesson?! Asked about it Wednesday, Trump said his takeaway was that the Democrats are crooked. They got a lot of crooked things going. That theyre vicious.

Hes been on the warpath, firing two key witnesses against him in the Ukraine scandal  Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council and U.S. ambassador to the E.U. Gordon Sondland  and lashing out at Mitt Romney, the sole Republican to vote for conviction. Trumps Twitter account has been especially active and acid even by his usual intemperate standard.

The president who was accused of abuse of his power has resumed exercising it in unseemly ways. He tweeted his outrage at the prosecutions recommendation of seven to nine years in prison time for his longtime friend Roger Stone  and within hours, the top levels of the Justice Department intervened to have that filing withdrawn. On Wednesday, Trump congratulated Attorney General William Barr for taking charge of the Stone case and ranted that the real crimes were on the other side of the Mueller investigation.

Its a perilous time for the rule of law, equal justice and truth tellers in government.

Jack Ohman / Sacramento Bee

What else were saying in editorials

Austere but irresponsible budget: President Trumps latest budget proposal cuts spending with more abandon than purpose. The administrations plan slashes expenditures not to tame deficits, recognize economic realities or enable investments, as our editorial asserts.

Upgrade for Oakland: This is an infusion of new money for addressing matters that affect the urban environment. It will result in everything from more frequent cleaning of restrooms at parks and recreation centers to upgrading programs that help homeless people transition from tent encampments to shelters and housing. We endorse Measure Q.

DMV follies: The California Department of Motor Vehicles belated push to furnish millions of drivers with federally valid drivers licenses by the fall is headed in the wrong direction, having slowed more than 20% in January compared with the previous month.

Guest opinions

Not a super role model: As a globally recognized role model and influencer (she has 113 million Instagram followers) J. Lo wants little girls all over the world to use their voices and be proud of who they are, but also dress provocatively, wobble their butt cheeks, twerk on guys, and shimmy up and down stripper poles. East Bay writer Christine Parsons offers her take.

Outbreak of racism: Being Asian in the midst of coronavirus means being scared for our health while simultaneously facing unpredictable racism and xenophobia. So, how do we cope with this? Here are some strategies from Sherry Wang of Santa Clara University.

Letter of the Week

History lesson: Takeshi Hashimoto offered this perspective on a wartime injustice.

As someone whose Japanese American grandparents were placed in California internment camps during the early 1940s, I felt both sorrow and anger while reading WWII internees Trump-era deja vu (Feb. 8). It was wrong for our government to stigmatize an entire group of people over 75 years ago because of anti-immigrant hysteria, just as its wrong in 2020 for our government to lock up and separate asylum-seeking migrants and their children in detention centers. Its truly a deja vu country in which were living today, except the things were seeing again are things that we should never have seen before.

And please check out our other letters of the day responding to this and other matters. You can send us a letter via this form.

Where to follow us

We have a Twitter channel, Opinion Central (@sfc_opinions). Please add it to your stream. Youll catch our editorials and opinion pieces, as well as our drive-by comments on assorted subjects in the news. Follow me on Twitter: @JohnDiazChron

Just a reminder

The Chronicles editorials represent the collective judgment of our Editorial Board, which includes the publisher as well as the writers and editors from the opinion team. Our editors and reporters on the news side are not involved in those decisions (including election endorsements). They are charged with reporting fairly and objectively without regard to our editorial positions. It is one of the core values here at Fifth and Mission streets.

Opinion Central is a thrice-weekly newsletter from John Diaz, The Chronicles editorial page editor, and the rest of the Editorial Board. Follow along on Twitter: @sfc_opinions
Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the ruling of the Supreme Court which sacked David Lyon of t...





Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the ruling of the Supreme Court which sacked David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as Bayelsa State-Governor-elect.





Omokri said Lyon was punished due to the sin of his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.





The Supreme Court had nullified the election of Lyon and declared Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the Bayelsa State governorship election.





However, Omokri in a series of tweets urged Nigerians to choose their friends carefully.





He wrote: Punished, not for your own sin, but the sin of your deputy. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. -Proverbs 27:17. It is not only that a man sharpens his friend. It is also true that a man can make his friend dull too! Choose your friends wisely





How do they expect the man to be addressed henceforth? Almost Governor? He cant be ex-Governor. What kind of near success syndrome is this? If the man should have a child after this, he should name the child Moses, whether or not the baby is Male of female. Ha!





A day to the swearing-in! The Supreme Court did not even allow the man to enjoy one day. Better to have been a governor and removed, like Ihedioha, than to have seen the seat, almost touched and smelt it, only to be disappointed 18 hours to your swearing in!





Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it? -Lamentations 3:37.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : As the court battle over the hanging of four Nirbhaya case convicts continues, the mother of the victim, gang-raped and assaulted in December 2012 causing her death few days later, here on Thursday, expressed disappointment over the delay.

"How long should I remain patient? Everyday, I come to the court with new hope, only to go back disappointed," Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi told a sessions court, after the plea for issuance of fresh death warrants against the four convicts was adjourned.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana adjourned the case till February 17 as the Supreme Court is set to pronounce judgment on February 14 on convict Vinay Sharma's petition against rejection of his mercy plea.

"Article 21 of the Constitution protects the life and liberty of condemned convicts till their last breath. A convict is entitled to exhaust all legal remedies and the court can't afford to ignore their fundamental rights," the judge observed.

The court also allowed Ravi Kazi, new counsel representing death-row convict Pawan, to study the matter after his earlier lawyer A.P. Singh refused to represent him.

"Kazi is entitled to some time for effective representation of Pawan so that the legal aid provided to him doesn't become an illusionary or superficial exercise," the court said.

Of the four convicts, Pawan has not yet availed of the remedy of either curative or mercy petition.
The family of slain mother Karen Ristevski is gearing up for a tell-all interview with her daughter who supported her killer father, Borce Ristevski.

The 55-year-old killed Karen at their home Avondale Heights, Melbourne, in June 2016, before dumping her body in bushland.

This Sunday night, Ms Ristevski's 24-year-old daughter Sarah will speak publicly for the first time about her mother's brutal death at the hands of her father.

Sarah's estranged family from her mother's side said they will be watching the bombshell interview with bated breath.

'I would imagine a lot of people will be watching, including the family,' Karen's aunt, Patricia Gray, told The Age.

Ms Ristevski's 24-year-old daughter Sarah will speak publicly for the first time on Sunday night about her mother's brutal death at the hands of her father (pictured: a preview for the 60 Minutes interview)

Borce Ristevski, 55, killed his wife Karen (left) at their home Avondale Heights, Melbourne, in June 2016, before dumping her body in a regional park. Pictured with their daughter Sarah, who was 21 at the time

Sarah has barely spoken to her mother's side of the family since her father was charged in 2017.

In a preview for this week's 60 Minutes, Sarah told reporter Liz Hayes that in the lead up to her father's conviction, she asked him if he killed her mother.

'I asked him if he had anything to do with it,' she said, visibly emotional.

'She's on my mind all the time and I can't get it out of my head.'

Karen's aunt Patricia Gray (pictured) said the whole family will be tuning in for the bombshell interview on Sunday

Ristevski was jailed last April for at least six years after admitting to the manslaughter of his wife of 27 years.

Then in December, Karen's family's appeal was successful and Ristevski's jail term was extended to 13 years, ten without the chance for parole.

Ristevski refused to say what he did to his wife before bundling her into a car and hiding her body at Macedon Regional Park, where it was found by hikers eight months later.

When her remains were found the cause of death could not be determined.

Borce Ristevski and his daughter Sarah before he was a suspect in 2016

In March last year, Ristevski shocked the nation when he admitted to killing his wife after he vehemently denied involvement in her death for almost three years.

He feigned innocence, lied to the police, the public and his daughter, and even carried his wife's coffin at her funeral, until pleading guilty to manslaughter on the eve of his murder trial.

He has shown no remorse and refused to explain why or how he killed his wife, a dress shop owner.

Even though he killed her mother, Sarah has always stood by her father and visits him weekly in jail.

Police planted a bug in Ristevski's car in the months after Karen went listening and heard Sarah ask her father about where he drove her mother's car on the last say she was seen.

Ristevski told his daughter he had driven to by flavoured tobacco, but said he didn't tell police in case it was illegal to purchase shisha.

Sarah then challenged her father and said his phone had pinged along the freeway, Ristevski responded: 'That's what they are trying to plant out there, Sarah.'

'Well that doesn't make sense,' she replied.

Ristevski doubled down on his alibi, saying: 'Nothing makes sense. They're making it up as they go.'

Following his admission last March, Sarah gave her father a glowing character reference during a pre-sentence plea hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

During her father's trial she even refused to provide a victim impact statement and instead wrote a character reference for him.

Dress shop-owner Karen disappeared from the family home in Avondale Heights, north-west Melbourne, on June 29, 2016. Pictured with Borce and Sarah

Borce Ristevski (pictured) was a pallbearer at the funeral of his wife Karen in March 2017

'If I could use a few words to describe my dad's personality they would be loving, caring, sympathetic, protective and charismatic,' Sarah said in the character reference.

'Growing up as a family my mum, dad and I were completely inseparable.

'We would spend all of our spare time together and family was everything to us. The love we had for each other was unexplainable, and everyone in our lives saw it.'

Sarah said she had never witnessed her father act violently towards her mother.

'My dad has not had any prior convictions or issues with the law, and I can confidently say that in my 23 years and I have never witnessed any form of violence between my mum and dad,' she said.

Ristevski's first sentence was widely condemned when it was revealed the 55-year-old could have been out on parole by his 60th birthday
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rejected a call for special facilities for English-medium students to enrol at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), it was reported on Thursday.

In a Parliament session on Wednesday, opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) MP Harunur Rashid asked her whether the government would take steps to stop the "brain drain, especially top students of the English-medium institutions" from going abroad, reports bdnews24.

"Will you take steps to resolve the problem over huge unemployment by giving opportunities (to the unemployed), especially to the meritorious students?" he asked, while demanding quota for students of English-medium schools for admission to BUET citing a court directive.

In response, Hasina said: "It appears from the honourable MP's speech that those studying in English-medium institutions are meritorious and those in Bangla-medium aren't. We studied fully in Bangla medium. We may be not meritorious, but it's not that we have done badly. I could have achieved good results if I got more opportunities to study well. Why should there be quotas for those from English-medium institutions? I don't see any reason to go for this."

She also said her government has created "enough" job opportunities for those studying abroad.
In yet another sign that Chinese electric-car maker NIO (NYSE:NIO) is perilously low on cash, the company delayed its January payroll while it awaited the proceeds of a debt issue.

Bloomberg reported that NIO's chairman told employees their January paychecks would arrive six days late, on Feb. 14 instead of Feb. 8, because of challenges related to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

But that news follows a disclosure that the company is raising $100 million via an issue of convertible notes that it expected to close on Feb. 10. The timing suggests that NIO didn't have the cash to meet payroll. In probably related news, NIO's January sales were down 11.5% from a year ago.

Taken together, this draws a picture that should worry investors. Here's what we know.

About that $100 million raise

On Feb. 6, NIO announced that it had placed a total of $100 million in convertible notes with two "unaffiliated Asia based investment funds," in deals that it expected to close on or about Feb. 10.

The notes mature in a year, but they don't pay interest. Instead, after six months, they can be converted into NIO shares at a rate of $3.07 per share.

NIO's American depositary shares closed at $4.08 on Feb. 6.

About the payroll delay

Bloomberg reported that NIO's chairman and CEO, William Li, told employees that the company would pay January salaries six days late -- on Feb. 14 instead of Feb. 8 -- because of difficulties related to the outbreak of COVID-19 in China.

Li also encouraged employees to take their annual bonuses in restricted stock units instead of cash.

About NIO's January sales results

On Feb. 10, NIO said that it delivered 1,598 vehicles in January, down 11.5% from the year-ago month. It attributed the decline to the earlier timing of the Chinese New Year holiday in 2020 versus 2019, exacerbated because the holiday break was extended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

That's a reasonable explanation for the decline, and not something that should ordinarily worry investors. But if NIO was counting on the cash from a good January to make payroll in early February, it might have been caught short.

Add it up: NIO is almost out of cash

Let's review the timeline:

NIO announced the convertible placement on Feb. 6, two days before payroll was due.

NIO told employees that January paychecks would be delayed from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14.

The convertible deal was expected to close on or about Feb. 10.

We also know that NIO has been trying to arrange financing for months, that at least a couple of financing deals fell through, and that it had just $274.3 million in cash remaining as of Sept. 30, down from $1.123 billion at the end of March.

Long story short: I think NIO found itself in an acute cash crunch and needed to do a quick financing deal in order to make payroll. A disappointing January sales result may have exacerbated the situation. Auto investors eyeing NIO's stock should proceed very carefully.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is now in Vatican City to start his new role in the Catholic Church.

Tagle recently left his seat as Archbishop of Manila to take the responsibility of Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples after being appointed by Pope Francis last year.

Fr. Regie Malicdem, Tagles private secretary in Manila, quoted Tagle during the first meeting with his collaborators in a social media post.

I did not study in Rome and I learned Italian only by myself. So I speak a unique Italian of my own. I am here to start my new mission as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, said Tagle.

I am the Prefect but I am not perfect. I came here as a student in order to learn from you, my masters and teachers. I bring you all the greetings and affections from Asia and especially from the Philippines and Manila. Enjoy lunch!, added Tagle.

Malicdem also shared photos of Tagles new office which overlooks the famous column of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish Steps.

Overlooking the window of his office is the famous column of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish steps and in one of the rooms is an image of Nuestra Senora de Guia. These will surely remind him of the Manila Cathedral and the Archdiocese of Manila, he said.
A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) makes it clear: The 401(k) plans Americans rely upon for retirement income are inadequate and unequal, and have increased gaps in retirement preparedness based on income, race, ethnicity, education and marital status. Moreover, the net worth of households approaching retirement fell by half in wake of the Great Recession and has only slightly improved since then.

The report states unequivocally that 401(k) plans have proven to be a disaster since the government authorized them 42 years ago, underscoring something Ive been saying for years: For many participants, government-sponsored plans have turned out to be less effective than stuffing cash in a mattress.

As the EPI report explains in detail, The shift from pensions to account-type savings plans has been a disaster for lower-income, black, Hispanic, non-college-educated and single workers, who together add up to a majority of the American population. But even among upper-income, white, college-educated married couples, many do not have adequate retirement savings or benefits. And women, who by some measures are narrowing gaps with men, remain much more vulnerable in retirement due to lower lifetime earnings and longer life expectancies.

For the researchers, this underscores the importance of preserving and expanding Social Security, defending defined benefit pensions for workers who have them and seeking new solutions for those who do not.

Related: How to Save for Retirement While Running a Business

Keep in mind: Social Security is designed to replace only about 40 percent of pre-retirement income and was never intended to be Americanss sole source of retirement income. Yet it is the only income source for about 40 percent of retirees who don't have any savings or a pension, according to new research from the National Institute on Retirement Security. And the safety net is fraying as the Social Security Administration taps its trust funds to cover a deficit between what it pays out in benefits and what it collects in payroll taxes.

Both Social Security and Medicare face long-term financing shortfalls under currently scheduled benefits and financing, the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees 2019 report states. It recommends lawmakers take action sooner rather than later to address these shortfalls so that a broader range of solutions can be considered and more time will be available to phase in changes while giving the public adequate time to prepare.

Are You Waiting for the Government to Come to Your Rescue?

Waiting for politicians to shore up these safety-net programs makes about as much sense as waiting to see if that light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. The retirement nightmare has been rushing toward us for a long time and shows no signs of slowing down.

Per the EPI report, companies figured out that its cheaper to offer a small matching contribution to an employees 401(k) plan than to fund and pay for the management of a company pension plan, effectively transferring the burden of funding employeess retirement to the employees themselves. And the government was only too willing to let them do it.

In 1978, Congress added Section 401(k) to the tax code, creating a tax-deferred way for employees to augment their pensions. These plans were never intended to replace company pension plans, but thats exactly what has happened.

At one time, 80 percent of private-sector workers who had a workplace retirement plan had a pension fund. But by 2017, only 18 percent of private-sector workers did, and just 15 percent of people participated in one, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Where Has This Gotten Us?

Today, most Americans have:

Absolutely no way to predict how much money they'll have in retirement.

Little to no control over the money in their retirement accounts.

Little or no access to their money.

A potential tax time bomb on withdrawals from their retirement accounts.

High fees that eat away at account balances year after year.

Should You Follow Conventional Wisdom or Take Charge?

Conventional retirement plans do nothing to address these concerns. For entrepreneurs, the only solution that makes sense is to take charge of your own retirement savings plan. Lets face it: If you have the financial ability to start and run your own company, trying to live off Social Security alone isnt going to cut it. Make sure a sizeable portion of your retirement savings is in assets that are secure, guaranteed and liquid and that give you control over your future, rather than being subject to the whims of the government or markets.

Related: Want to Retire Rich? Don't Make This Common Mistake

Theres an ancient proverb you may have heard: The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is today. Because when it comes to making sure you have a dream retirement rather than a nightmare, procrastination is not an option.

Related:

Balance Your Own Books With Help From These Courses

How America's Retirement Dream Became a Nightmare

How to Find a Stock On Sale That's Right for You



Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
There remains deep uncertainty about the new coronavirus' mortality rate, with the high-end estimate that it is up to 20 times that of the flu, but some estimates go as low as 0.16 percent for those affected outside of Chinas overwhelmed Hubei province. About on par with the flu.

Wasnt there something strange, the student asked, about the extreme disparity in public reactions?

Ann Bostrom, the dinners public policy co-host, laughed when she recounted the evening. The student was right about the viruses, but not about people, said Dr. Bostrom, who is an expert on the psychology of how humans evaluate risk.

While the metrics of public health might put the flu alongside or even ahead of the new coronavirus for sheer deadliness, she said, the mind has its own ways of measuring danger. And the new coronavirus disease, named COVID-19 hits nearly every cognitive trigger we have.

That explains the global wave of anxiety.

Of course, it is far from irrational to feel some fear about the coronavirus outbreak tearing through China and beyond.

But there is a lesson, psychologists and public health experts say, in the near-terror that the virus induces, even as serious threats like the flu receive little more than a shrug. It illustrates the unconscious biases in how human beings think about risk, as well as the impulses that often guide our responses  sometimes with serious consequences.
Several scenic areas in China will honor medical staff by opening to them for free for a certain period of time, especially those on the front lines of the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic.

The Jiugong Mountain Scenic Area (Photo/sipaphoto.com)

The Jiugong Mountain Scenic Area in Xianning, central Chinas Hubei, is a national rated scenic area in the province, which has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus outbreak. All medical staff in the country can visit it free if they bring their licenses to practice from the day the scenic spot reopens to Dec. 31 this year.

Meanwhile, the Suobuya Scenic Area and Dixin Valley Scenic Area, both national 4A-level scenic spots, in the provinces Enshi have rolled out a similar policy for all medical staff. The policy is also applicable to citizens (with their ID card) from north Chinas Tianjin Municipality, which provided paired-up support for Enshi to combat the epidemic, and to citizens of southwest Chinas Guizhou province.

The 5A-class Baiyun Mountain National Forest Park in Luoyang, central Chinas Henan province, will be open for free to medical staff with their registration certificates until June 30.

Similarly, Zixi county in Fuzhou, east Chinas Jiangxi province, also announced that all 23 scenic spots in the county, including the 5A Dajue Mountain Scenic Area, will be open to all medical staff across China for free until Dec. 31.
The Congress on Thursday attacked the BJP utilising the apex court order on decriminalisation of politics, alleging the directions have already been torn to shreds by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Anand Singh, who is an accused in mining cases, has been appointed a minister in Karnataka.

The Congress welcomed the SC direction asking all parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.

The apex court said political parties will also have to upload reasons for selecting candidates who have criminal cases pending against them.

"Today itself, Modiji has torn to shreds the SC orders on citing reasons for giving tickets to leaders accused in cases," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, tagging a report about Anand Singh, an accused in mining and forest crime cases, being appointed as the new minister for forest, environment and ecology in Karnataka.

"Modi ji and the BJP again come to the rescue of 'Bellary Gang'! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLAs alone but Ministers of the ministry, which has been allegedly looted! Will SC issue contempt of PM and Karnataka CM," Surjewala asked.

The BJP on its part said the SC direction would strengthen electoral democracy in the country and enable voters make a choice keeping "all factors" in mind when they cast their vote.

Another Congress spokesperson, Jaiveer Shergill, told a press conference that his party welcomes the apex court's decision as it's an important step towards decriminalising politics.

"The Congress welcomes the historic verdict of the Supreme Court towards decriminalisation of politics and making politics free from crime and criminals. The judgment of Supreme Court is vindication of Rahul Gandhi's fight against criminalisation of politics. It is vindication of Rahul Gandhi's stand to make politics free from crime and criminals," he said.

He said the BJP has appointed Anand Singh as a minister in Karnataka despite 15 corruption cases pending against him. "The BJP believes in politics of crime and criminals and not in clean and clear politic."



"Appointment of Anand Singh as Karnataka minister proves the BJP's goal is to criminalise politics. The BJP is a comfortable shelterhome for MP/MLAs with criminal antecedents," he alleged.

"The BJP by appointing Anand Singh as a Minister of Forest Environment & Ecology in Karnataka government has made a mockery of Supreme Court judgment, which was for ensuring decriminalisation of politics. The BJP's appointment of Anand Singh is a commitment to bring back the Bellary gang into the administration," he said.

It is a stamp of approval of the Bellary mine scam going on in Karnataka by none other than the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shergill alleged.

"The Prime Minister is in violation of the advisory of the Supreme Court not to induct any minister facing serious charges of crime or having faced a charge sheet or charge sheet in the trial court," he said.

"Is it not true that a charge sheet has been filed against Anand Singh? Is it not true that he is wanted and being tried in 15 cases?" he asked.

Shergill asked, "Should a contempt notice not be issued against the Prime Minister of the country and the Chief Minister of Karnataka for inducting a charge sheeted person as a Minister in the government...for not adhering to the advisory of the Supreme Court dated August 27, 2014."



The Congress leader alleged that 42 pc of BJP candidates have criminal cases pending against them and many of their candidates contesting elections face cases of serious nature including murder and kidnapping.

"The crux of the matter today is that the BJP is the provider, protector and beneficiary of the gang of criminals and gangsters who are mushrooming in this country and now sitting in the Parliament of India," Shergill alleged.

The Congress leader continued his attack on the BJP saying, it was an "expert" in data-fudging, data-suppressing, and data-twisting to mislead the public.

Shergill said the BJP should officially change its name from Bharatiya Janata Party to Nathuram Godse Party.

"The BJP is not a worshipper, believer or disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. The BJP is a staunch bhakt of Nathuram Godse. The BJP should shun all its hypocrisy and go to the Election Commission to file an application to change its name.

"The truth of the matter is the Prime Minister of the country, his colleagues play a double-game, believe in double speak. On one hand they share benches, rub shoulders, and break bread with those who hail the killer of Mahatma Gandhi, and on the outside in the world of TV, they claim to believe in Mahatma Gandhi.

"In Television they are Mahatma Gandhi believers, but, in their vision and heart they are Nathuram Godse supporters," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Diamond traders seek more time to repay export credit

Hit hard by the outbreak of coronavirus in China, diamond traders have sought more time to repay export credit extended by banks. The industry has approached the union government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking an extension of the credit deadline.

With about 35-40 per cent of the diamond exports from India flowing to mainland China and Hong Kong, which also serve as ports for distribution to other countries, the virus outbreak has put Indian diamond houses in a difficult situation.

Reports citing a note to the central bank and government by Pramod Kumar Agrawal, chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, said diamond traders have approached the central bank, the commerce and finance ministries seeking an extension on the deadline to clear lines of credit.

Diamond trade has sought at least six more months to repay all lines of credit, including packing credit and bills outstanding for shipments to China or Hong Kong and for goods already exported for which payments are receivable from buyers in these regions.

Over 1,100 people dead and over 44,000 confirmed cases, China has imposed restrictions on trade and the movement of people in order to check the spread of the deadly coronavirus to more regions and to countries outside.

The epidemic has brought business operations in financial centres such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong to a near standstill.
When it came to supporting the Allied war effort during World War II, few families pitched in more than the McGuire family of Wisner, Nebraska.

Eight sons of Richard and Mary McGuire served in the Army. Three younger sons helped on the farm  though two of them served in the military later, when they were old enough. And of three daughters, two were nurses and a third worked at a defense plant.

Last month, 11 descendants of the McGuire clan assembled in Belgium to honor 1st Lt. Clem McGuire, one of the brothers, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge exactly 75 years earlier.

McGuires name was added to the 35th Infantry Division Memorial at Lutremange, near the famous town of Bastogne, in a ceremony Jan. 12. McGuire served in the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, a Nebraska National Guard unit that was part of the 35th and played a key role in the battle.

It was an opportunity I wouldnt have wanted to pass up, said Ginny McGuire of Lincoln, Clems niece and one of three Nebraska relatives to attend. I felt like the story of Uncle Clem hadnt been told. He deserved more credit for the bravery he showed during World War II.
The cured patient (R) expresses his gratitude to medical staff at the Third People's Hospital of Tibet, in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2020. The only patient infected with the novel coronavirus in Tibet Autonomous Region was discharged from hospital after an 18-day treatment Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Chogo)

LHASA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The only patient infected with the novel coronavirus in northwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region was discharged from hospital after an 18-day treatment Wednesday afternoon.

The patient, 34, is from the city of Suizhou, Hubei, the hardest-hit province. He traveled from the city of Wuhan, Hubei, to Lhasa, capital of Tibet by train from Jan. 22 to 24.

On the evening of Jan. 25, the traveler developed symptoms of cough and fever, and later went to the designated medical institution in the region and was hospitalized.

He was confirmed to be infected with the new virus on Jan. 29 and was also the first and only confirmed case in the region.

"When I learned that I was a confirmed case, I felt great stress and was very upset. The medical staff gave me meticulous care. I sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and the Tibetan people," the patient said.

"After receiving treatment, the patient's temperature has returned to normal for 14 days, and two nucleic acid tests had negative results," said Puncog Zhaxi, president of the Third People's Hospital of Tibet.

"In accordance with the country's latest novel coronavirus pneumonia diagnosis and treatment scheme and consultation of an expert team, the patient has met the standard of cured and can be discharged from hospital," Puncog Zhaxi said.

As of Tuesday, Tibet hasn't reported any new or suspected cases or deaths caused by the virus for the 13th consecutive day.

On Feb. 8, 32 close contacts of the region's only confirmed patient had been released from isolation for medical observation.
According to Medical Tourism Market 2020 Global Industry Analysis Report published by Fortune Business Insights, the Global Medical Tourism Market Size is to expand at highest CAGR and will reach remarkable market value during 2020 to 2026. Medical Tourism Market is segmented on the basis of Type, Treatment and Geography Forecast till 2026.

Major Medical Tourism Market Companies Market Analysis covered in the report include Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited and Asian Heart Institute in India, Asklepios Kliniken GmbH in Germany, Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand, among others.

Request Sample Report at: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/medical-tourism-market-100681

Global Medical Tourism Market Highlights:

Global Medical Tourism Market to Gain Considerable Traction by 2026; India Ranks High Among Medical Travelers: Fortune Business Insights. The report highlights the various aspects and advantages of the fledgling global medical tourism market. Medical tourism can be understood as a form of globalization which involves travel across international borders to avail medical facilities in foreign destinations.

Medical tourism or travel has grabbed the interest of governments and medical professionals alike. Governments view medical exploratory activities as an opportunity to showcase their unique healthcare services; medical professionals seek newer frontiers to research alternative medicines and treatments for prevailing diseases. For example, homeopathy and Ayurveda in India offer effective alternative remedies to western allopathy. In the end, both parties inject the necessary fuel that will propel growth of the global medical tourism market.

Competition among key players to capitalize on the existing opportunities in the rapidly advancing global medical tourism market has grown exponentially. Research and development activities are being funded by private companies to maintain their competitive edge in the market. For example, Clearbridge Health has announced the building of a massive clinic in Hong Kong that will serve as a work floor for visiting medical specialists. In India, the southern state of Kerala is actively promoting health and medical tourism as an integral part of its tourism industry to attract foreign tourists. Such examples are proof that competition in the global medical tourism market is taking place not just between private players, but also in the public sector.

Regional Analysis:

Geographically the global market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa.

According to a report by the US-based National Centre for Policy Analysis, India and Thailand are two of the most popular medical destinations among medical travellers. In case of India, the main reasons for this are low cost of medical services, easy prior availability of price information and a largely English speaking population. Thailand is equally popular and sometimes even preferred more than India due to better infrastructure, despite the prices being not as low as India.

North America is expected to lead the global medical tourism market in the forecast period owing to growing demand for low cost healthcare and aging population. As seen through the examples of India and Thailand, the Asia-Pacific region holds unbound potential for the global medical tourism market in the coming decade. Germany and Turkey will also see expansion in their respective medical tourism sectors.

Medical Tourism Market Growth Factors:

Developed countries such as the U.S. are often criticized for their expensive healthcare delivery systems. For example, in the U.S., a Harvard study showed that medical care is the country is unaffordable owing to inflated prices of drugs, high salaries of doctors, and high cost of hospital administration. Therefore, patients from such countries desperately search for destinations where healthcare is more affordable and accessible. Developing countries such as India and Brazil offer the perfect solution and lay the foundation for the global medical tourism market to flourish. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared Brazil as having the best healthcare delivery system in Latin America.

In addition to affordable medication, patient waiting time is also a key factor that explains the surge in the global medical tourism market. This rise in demand is mainly witnessed among patients from developed countries where the average patient waiting time is high as compared to countries such as India. Other factors catalyzing the growth of the global medical tourism market include better patient comfort, advanced medical equipment, alternative treatment methods, and customized medical services.

The global medical tourism market is affected by poor quality outcomes and poor and slow response times experienced by some of the medical tourists. A lead analyst at Fortune Business Insights cites a research conducted by the Medical Tourism Association which states that about 44.9% of medical tourists reported of slow response time in hospitals. Furthermore, 14.3% of the tourists complained of poor quality outcomes. This does not bode well for the global medical tourism market. The situation is exacerbated by poor communication and transport infrastructure along with barriers posed by language in these developing countries.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

What is the market size and growth rate of the global and regional market by various segments?

What is the market size and growth rate of the market for selective countries?

Which region or sub-segment is expected to drive the market in the forecast period?

What Factors are estimated to drive and restrain the market growth?

What are the key technological and market trends shaping the market?

What are the key opportunities in the market?

What are the key companies operating in the market?

Which company accounted for the highest market share?

Why Choose Fortune Business Insights?

Table Of Content:

Introduction

1.1. Research Scope

1.2. Market Segmentation

1.3. Research Methodology

1.4. Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary Market Dynamics

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

Key Insights

Continued

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Charles also met Monty the dog while on his tour. (Getty Images)

Prince Charles has thanked Cabinet Office staff for their hard work during Brexit, and said he hopes things are less stressful during a visit to the heart of government on Thursday.

Charles and his wife Camilla popped into the government offices on what turned out to be a busy day for the prime minister, as his chancellor resigned during a reshuffle.

The Duke of Cornwall said: I do congratulate you, particularly when I know how much extra work you had to do in the last two years.

With little sleep probably and not seeing much of your families, so I hope now things are slightly less stressful.

Charles and Camilla thanked the staff for their work. (Getty Images)

Charles said he hoped their workloads were less stressful now, a nod to Brexit. (Getty Images)

He had earlier nodded to the political drama of the day, saying: Both my wife and I  we did wonder whether it was quite the most sensible day to come.

We did say please, we dont want to get in your way but we were told it was all right.

The prime minister was said to be completing a minor reshuffle, but ended up losing his right hand man when Sajid Javid quit amid an ongoing spat with Boris Johnsons advisor Dominic Cummings.

Charles, 72, harked back to previous visits to the cabinet, recalling spending time in various departments during James Callaghans era in Downing St.

He said: When I was much, much younger I remember spending a certain amount of time going round various departments.

I was even able to spend the whole day at Number 10 with the then prime minister Mr (James) Callaghan, which was fascinating, you can imagine, at that stage in life.

The couple spent a day on engagements in London. (Getty Images)

Callaghan was prime minister in the late 1970s and presided over a mass strike in the UK which became known as the Winter of Discontent.

Camilla showed some affection to cabinet dog Monty, who she was told by Darragh McElroy, head of national security communication works in national security looking after us all, keeps us all calm  hes a good therapy dog.

Charles and Camilla's visit marked 535 years of the Yeoman Warders. (Getty Images)

Charles also greeted some members of the public touring the attraction. (Getty Images)

Charles and Camillas Cabinet Office trip came after they toured the Tower of London to mark 50 years of the British Tourist Authority and 535 years of the Yeoman Warders.

Story continues

They surprised a group of schoolchildren on a trip and shook hands with members of the public visiting the tourist attraction.

One schoolteacher from France said their visit had been perfect timing and said: The kids are very, very happy.

The Prince of Wales also viewed the crown which he was presented with during his investiture, which took place in 1969 in Caernarfon Castle.

It will go on display for the first time at the Tower of London on February 19.

Charles and Camilla cut into a lantern shaped cake which replicated the lantern used to guide the chief warder as he locks up the tower.

The cake was a gift from Camilla, and made by Julie Brownlee, who has previously baked for the duchess. It included two small sugar figures of wardens dressed in the traditional ceremonial and everyday uniforms.

Charles shows Camilla the crown he wore at his investiture. (Getty Images)

Camilla cuts into a cake she presented the Yeoman Warders at the tower. (Getty Images)

Before lifting a replica of Henry VIIIs hunting dagger to slice into the white chocolate and raspberry-flavoured sponge, Camilla quipped: Its going to be off with their heads.

Admiring the artistry of the cake, Charles said: It seems an awful pity to make a mess of it.
The U.S. budget deficit through the first four months of this budget year is up 19 percent from the same period a year ago, putting the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit since 2012. The Treasury Department said Wednesday in its monthly budget report that the deficit from October through January was $389.2 billion, up $78.9 billion from the same period last year. The deficit reflected government spending that has grown 10.3 percent this budget year while revenue was up only 6.1 percent. For January, the deficit totaled $32.6 billion, compared with a surplus a year ago of $8.68 billion.
YEREVAN.  Today's police are not adequate to the current situation. Armen Khachatryan, a member of the majority My Step faction in the National Assembly of Armenia, said this in a conversation with journalists today.

"Because the police do not have the tools and powers they need to solve the tasks they are tasked with," he explained. This strategy [they are introducing] is a pretty good document, a great deal of work has been done, and with the steps taken towards this strategy, the police will come to a situation where it will be parallel to crime (...). The police should have the power to conduct an investigation."

Journalists inquired whether these changes could be achieved within a year, in response to which the MP said that the drafted document was based on very serious analyzes.

"It is envisaged to fully implement over the course of 2020 to 2022, he said. "The short period will see to it that the steps be very effective."

According to him, the need to become Ministry of Internal Affairs is conditioned by the intention to make parliamentary and civil oversight more effective.

He also said that it is envisaged that the Chief of Police will be appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, but the Chief of Police will have some independence.

Speaking about the police personnel, Khachatryan said: "University graduate new personnel will also be admitted, (...), after which they will take appropriate courses at the police education complex."

According to Khachatryan, the social guaranteesincluding salarieswithin the police system will also increase.

The MP also emphasized language skills, good looks, and physical ability for the members of the police system of Armenia.
Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a resolution in 1998 to eradicate trachoma as a public health problem by 2020.

Trachoma is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind and has occurred in many parts of the world including the United States and Europe as recently as the 20 th century. With advancements in treatment and improvements in hygienic conditions, many countries have succeeded in eradicating trachoma but it still remains a serious health concern in nearly 42 countries worldwide.

Trachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium found in the discharge from the eyes and nose of infected individuals. The infection is contagious and spreads from person to person via hands, clothes or shared bedding. It can also be spread by flies which have been in contact with the infected discharge.

In areas where the disease is endemic, it usually affects pre-school children and infection spreads from one child to the other in the family setting, usually in overcrowded and poor sanitary conditions.

The following are the risk factors of being infected with trachoma:

Poor hygiene  Unclean hands and faces increases risk of spread of trachoma

 Unclean hands and faces increases risk of spread of trachoma Poverty  The disease is endemic in developing countries amongst the very poor due to overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions, not to mention malnutrition

 The disease is endemic in developing countries amongst the very poor due to overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions, not to mention malnutrition Lack of sanitation  Absence of toilets increases the incidence of the disease

 Absence of toilets increases the incidence of the disease Gender  In many populations, women are more susceptible, possibly because they are the primary caregivers for the affected children

 In many populations, women are more susceptible, possibly because they are the primary caregivers for the affected children Age  The disease is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 4-6 years

 The disease is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 4-6 years Flies  In places where there are many flies, the risk of transmission is much higher

Trachoma is an endemic disease and a major public health concern in 42 countries globally. More than 200 million persons living in trachoma endemic areas are at risk. It has caused the blindness of nearly 2 million persons worldwide.

globally. More than are at risk. It has caused the blindness of nearly 2 million persons worldwide. The disease is highly endemic in the most backward and poorest regions of Africa, Asia and Middle East, South and Central America, and Australia. Africa remains the most affected continent.

It is a common and preventable cause of blindness.

The WHO adopted a resolution in 1998 to work towards global eradication of trachoma as a public health issue by the year 2020 .

. The health cost due to trachoma and the economic impact due to loss of productivity following blindness and visual deficit caused by trachoma is estimated to be between US $ 3-5 billion annually.

Blindness due to trachoma is irreversible, and can only be cured through corneal.

In 2015 alone, approximately 56 million persons worldwide were treated with antibiotics and nearly 200,000 persons underwent surgery for advanced disease.

The WHO theme for the elimination of trachoma encapsulates the acronym SAFE

S  Surgery for advanced disease

 Surgery for advanced disease

A  Antibiotics for C trachomatis infection

 Antibiotics for infection

F  Facial cleanliness

 Facial cleanliness

E  Environmental improvement to decrease risk of spread.

Following infection, symptoms appear within a week or two. Initially the symptoms are mild and include mild irritation and pain in the eyes and the eyelids. Repeated attacks or untreated infection ultimately leads to scarring and visual impairment. Symptoms of trachoma include the following:

Mild irritation and itchiness of eyelids

Pain in the eyes

Light sensitivity (photophobia)

Swelling of the eyelids

Mucoid or mucopurulent discharge from the eyes

A single infection of trachoma is easily treated with antibiotics. Repeated and recurrent infections, as is bound to occur in highly endemic zones, can lead to long-term complications such as the following:

Thickened eyelid and scar formation on the inner aspect of the eyelid. The upper eyelid is more commonly involved

Indrawing of the eyelid (entropion) and ingrowing of the eyelashes (trichiasis)

Opacity or clouding of the outer layer (cornea) of the eye

Blindness or visual impairment

Dryness of eyes

In endemic areas, diagnosis is usually made based on physical examination. The Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium cannot be detected by routine laboratory tests that are employed for other bacterial agents. Confirmation of the diagnosis necessitates sending a sample of the eye discharge to specialized labs for tests which may not be available in these areas..

Recognizing the appearances and prompt treatment with antibiotics is essential to prevent complications. The WHO has identified 5 stages in the evolution of trachoma infection.

Stage of follicular inflammation  Presence of tiny follicles (tiny bumps) 5 or more in number on the inner surface of the upper eyelid.

 Presence of tiny follicles (tiny bumps) 5 or more in number on the inner surface of the upper eyelid. Stage of intense inflammation  The eye becomes infectious and the upper eyelid becomes thickened and swollen.

 The eye becomes infectious and the upper eyelid becomes thickened and swollen. Scarring of eyelid  Repeated episodes of infection cause scarring of the upper eyelid which may become drawn inwards.

 Repeated episodes of infection cause scarring of the upper eyelid which may become drawn inwards. Stage of ingrown eyelashes  The deformed and scarred eyelids cause the eyelashes to grow inwards and rub against the outer transparent surface of the eye, the cornea, through which light normally enters the eye.

 The deformed and scarred eyelids cause the eyelashes to grow inwards and rub against the outer transparent surface of the eye, the cornea, through which light normally enters the eye. Clouding of the cornea  Due to repeated irritation by rubbing of the ingrown eyelashes, the cornea becomes clouded or opaque. This can lead to loss of vision.

With the evolution of the disease through the various stages, the cornea becomes opaque resulting in gradual loss of vision. Typically, the visual impairment occurs between 30-40 years of age but may occur earlier in highly endemic regions where the transmission is intense.

The treatment of trachoma depends on the stage. In the initial stages, the disease is easily treated with antibiotics.

Medications

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one of two antibiotics for trachoma treatment namely, oral azithromycin or local application of tetracycline as an ointment.

The advantages of azithromycin are that it is administered as a single dose under the supervision of the health care authorities; therefore, the health care worker can be sure that the patient has taken the medication. It is highly effective and has very few side effects which may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. It is also effective against incidental skin, respiratory or genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections that might be present.

infections that might be present. Tetracycline is a cheaper agent but its use by patients cannot be confirmed as it is not administered under the supervision of healthcare workers.

The WHO recommends treating the entire population in communities where more than 10 percent of the children are affected. This measure is to reduce the spread of the disease.

Surgical treatment

Surgery is recommended in advanced disease with complications. The various surgical options include the following:

Eyelid rotation surgery (bilamellar tarsal rotation)  A tiny cut is made on the scarred eyelid and it is rotated away from the cornea. This will prevent rubbing of the eyelashes against the cornea and reduce or prevent corneal scarring and opacities, thereby halting the progression of loss of vision.

(bilamellar tarsal rotation)  A tiny cut is made on the scarred eyelid and it is rotated away from the cornea. This will prevent rubbing of the eyelashes against the cornea and reduce or prevent corneal scarring and opacities, thereby halting the progression of loss of vision. Corneal transplant  If the cornea has become severely opaque, corneal transplant is an option to restore the vision. Unfortunately, this procedure does not show good results in trachoma.

 If the cornea has become severely opaque, corneal transplant is an option to restore the vision. Unfortunately, this procedure does not show good results in trachoma. Epilation  This procedure is done to pluck out the ingrowing eyelashes rubbing on the cornea; it will need to be repeated regularly.

 This procedure is done to pluck out the ingrowing eyelashes rubbing on the cornea; it will need to be repeated regularly. Placing an adhesive tape over your eyelashes to keep them from touching the corneal surface is a temporary option when surgery is not available.

The adage, prevention is better than cure is very applicable to trachoma. The disease can be easily prevented and rate of transmission reduced by following the measures outlined below:

Keeping face and hands clean to prevent re-infection.

Access to clean water for bathing, washing and for use in toilets

Proper disposal of human and animal waste to reduce spread through flies

Fly control measures.

The WHO has adopted a resolution to prevent trachoma infection and eradicate it by 2020. It is actively implementing the SAFE strategy to make its goal a reality.

Trachoma is easily treatable with antibiotics, and complications such as blindness can be avoided. However, in the poorest population, lack of awareness, poor sanitary conditions and access to health care results in advanced disease with complications leading to blindness and visual impairment.
Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella will visit India later this month, the company said on Thursday.

While the company confirmed the visit of the top executive, it did not give details about the dates and cities he is likely to visit.

"Yes, Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, will be visiting India later this month to address customers, young achievers, students, developers and entrepreneurs," Microsoft said in response to an e-mailed query.

According to sources, Nadella will be on a visit to India from February 24-26. He is likely to visit Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and meet industry leaders and government functionaries during his visit, they said.

The visit comes on the heels of the Indian-origin CEO recently voicing concerns over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - Nadella had last month said what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India. His remarks had raised a furore in the political circles.

In a statement issued by Microsoft on January 14, Nadella had said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly. And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds."



India is a major market for Microsoft - the tech titan has a significant presence in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

It is pertinent to mention here that US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit India on February 24 and 25.

Nadella's visit comes at a time when the Indian government is taking a strong position on issues like data localisation and tightening the rules for e-commerce companies as well as social media platforms. India has so far resolutely stood its ground on these issues, refusing to bow to the pressure from US companies.

The Personal Data Protection Bill - which outlines norms for handling of personal data including processing by public and private entities - was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2019 and has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The proposed legislation mandates processing of 'critical' personal data only in India. What constitutes critical data is to be notified by the Centre, it says.

It has also proposed that sensitive personal data - like financial data, health data, sexual orientation, biometric or genetic data, transgender status, religious or political belief/affiliation - can be transferred outside India with explicit consent, but will continue to be stored in India.

Prominent bodies like The US-India Business Council (USIBC) and internet and mobile players' association IAMAI have flagged concerns on some of the provisions in the Bill, saying that these will impinge on privacy of Indian citizens and create challenges for businesses.

The USIBC has said the Bill contains several new provisions outside the core issue of data privacy that raises serious concerns for the private sector, particularly the inclusion of requirements around non-personal data and social media intermediary liabilities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Even after the elections in Delhi ended and the results were declared, the mention of Lord Hanuman is still on with MLA-elect Saurabh Bhardwaj saying lord Ram has put his ardent devotee on duty to support the Aam Aadmi Party.

Speaking to IANS, the Greater Kailash MLA-elect said Ram has been "communicating" with him in dreams.

Talking about the AAP's campaign in the Assembly elections, Bhardwaj said while their campaign was all about work, the BJP tried to bring religion into play.

"Our campaign was focused on work. Initially, the BJP tried to attack us on this. After they realised that they were not able to counter us on our development plank, they changed their strategy. They brought communal politics, Shaheen Bagh, India-Pakistan and what not to counter us, but people have voted for our work." He said the BJP was openly talking about voting on the basis of religion.

"Their workers and leaders were openly saying that Hindus should vote for the BJP. They were also saying that those not voting for the BJP were not true Hindus. In my constituency, a message spread that I am not a true Hindu and if I were elected, the Hindus will be in danger. When they stooped to this level, we had to remind them that we too are Hindus as much as any other," he told IANS.

Bhardwaj added that the BJP leaders even mocked Lord Hanuman while they were attacking the AAP and its chief Arvind Kejriwal.

"They made fun of God. This was very clear to us that you can mess with anyone but you cannot mess with Lord Hanuman. They did exactly what Ravana did -- mocking Hanuman. On Tuesday, which is Hanuman's day, the Lord gave BJP the answer." Speaking about his communication with God, the MLA said Ram has been coming to his dreams.

"Lord Ram came into my dream and said his supreme devotee is Hanuman. He also said that the BJP people are not my true devotees. He told me that even he is against those who are against Hanuman. Ram has sent Hanuman for us and he is permanent with us now. Ram has put Hanuman on duty that he should stay in Delhi." The BJP and its leaders have mocked the AAP leaders and also Kejriwal for worshipping Lord Hanuman during the 2020 Assembly polls.

Bhardwaj said the God came to them for support.

"We are Hindus and we never sought votes on the basis of religion. It was always the work," he added.

On being asked why the AAP raised religious issues diverting itself from the planned campaign, Bhardwaj said they never raised religious issues. "We only countered their lies. We showed them that we too are Hindus. We have been worshipping the god since our childhood and there is nothing new in this." Bhardwaj said the BJP insulted Lord Hanuman. "They made the god angry. Lord Ram came to my dream and said that his supreme 'bhakt' Hanuman is with the AAP and will stay with the party. Hanuman will be with us in the coming five years." A former Delhi Cabinet Minister, Bhardwaj has been elected from the Greater Kailash assembly constituency for the third time in a row. His winning margin has been increasing constantly.

(Nivedita Singh can be contacted at nivedita.singh@ians.in)
On Thursday, police said they arrested Dorian Duvall, 23, of Oxon Hill, who was charged with first- and second-degree murder in the shooting. He was being held without bond, according to police, and the motive in the shooting remains under investigation.
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and several U.S. subsidiaries, accusing the company of plotting to steal trade secrets from competitors in America, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

The company is also accused of installing surveillance equipment that enabled Iran to monitor and detain protesters during 2009 anti-government demonstrations in Tehran, and of lying to competitors and to the U.S. government about business it was doing in North Korea despite economic sanctions there.

The case comes as the Trump administration is raising national security concerns about Huawei, the worlds largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and is aggressively lobbying Western allies against including the company in wireless, high-speed networks.

The new allegations add to the companys legal woes in the U.S. The superseding indictment brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn adds charges of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to steal trade secrets to an existing criminal case in that district, where the company was already charged with lying to banks about deals that violated economic sanctions against Iran. Federal prosecutors in Seattle have brought a separate trade secrets theft case against the company.

The latest allegations accuse Huawei of plotting to steal the trade secrets and intellectual property of rival companies in the U.S. In some cases, prosecutors said, Huawei recruited the former employees of rival companies and also directed and provided incentives to its own employees to steal from competitors by offering bonuses to those who brought in the most valuable stolen information.

The company also used proxies, including professors at research institutions, to steal intellectual property, prosecutors said.

The stolen information including antenna and robot testing technology as well as user manuals for internet routers.

In May 2013, according to the indictment, a Huawei employee removed a robot arm from the lab of another company, and measurements and photographs of the arm were then shared with company engineers.

In another episode, a professor at a Chinese university entered into a contract with Huawei to develop prototype software for memory hardware, then signed a licensing agreement with a rival company that offered the professor access to its own proprietary technology.

A lawyer for Huawei and a spokesperson for the company did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Trump administration officials, including Cabinet secretaries, have recently levelled national security allegations against Huawei in an effort to encourage European nations to ban the gear from next-generation cellular networks.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper made the pitch to Western allies during a trip to Munich this week. Attorney General William Barr, in a speech last week, lamented what he said was Chinas aspiration for economic dominance and proposed that the U.S. invest in Western competitors of Huawei.

The administrations national security adviser, Robert OBrien, asserted this week that Huawei can secretly tap into communications through the networking equipment it sells globally. The company disputes that, saying it has never and will never covertly access telecom networks, nor do we have the capability to do so.

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Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
The United States has secured a seven-day reduction in violence in talks to help seek a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan, Pentagon chief Mark Esper said Thursday.

The announcement came as NATO defence ministers met in Brussels and a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reported "notable progress" in negotiations with the Islamist insurgents.

"The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence," Esper told reporters, dubbing his meetings with NATO colleagues "productive."



"We've said all along that the best, if not the only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Progress has been made on that front and we'll have more to report on that soon, I hope." Esper did not say when the partial truce would begin, but on Wednesday a Taliban official told AFP that the group would begin a "reduction of violence" on Friday.

"It is our view that seven days for now is sufficient but in all things our approach to this process will be conditions based, I will say it again, conditions based," Esper said.

"So it will be a continual evaluative process as we move forward, if we go forward." Washington and the insurgents have been locked in gruelling talks that have stretched over more than a year, seeking an end to what has already become America's longest war.

Citing Afghan and US officials, the New York Times has reported that President Donald Trump had given conditional approval to a deal with the Taliban to allow him to start withdrawing US troops.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hurtful Happenings Become Blessings: a soul-refreshing handbook that is not intended to create an unfavorable opinion toward any of the people who were a part of the events, but to glorify God. Hurtful Happenings Become Blessings is the creation of published author Alex G. Rogers, a man who joined the Navy upon graduating from high school. In the Navy, Alex met up with a Christian organization called The Navigators which discipled him into a Christian of strong faith.

Rogers writes, As you read through the Bible, you will notice that God is telling the stories of how He dealt with people through the ages. One common theme runs through all of history. That theme includes three events that seem to happen to everyone who chooses to follow Him. First, they are sinners. Without Gods help, they cannot obey Him and receive His blessing. Second, they all seem to go through some form of trial, persecution, or suffering. Third, they turn to God, put their lives in His hands, and God blesses them. You see that in the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis. You see it in the life of David. You see it in the life of Job. You see it in the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. You see it in the life of Peter. You see it in the life of Paul. Most importantly, you see it in the life of Jesus.

I believe that the reason God wrote the Bible in the way He did is to show us how He wants to work in the lives of every person, even today. This book tells the story of one person who has and still is experiencing these things in his life today. The purpose of this book is to encourage you no matter where you are in your relationship with God. God loves you and is working in your life just as He did in the lives of the people whose stories are told in the Bible. You may not be a Christian yet, you may be a new Christian, you may have been walking with Jesus for years. Whatever point you are at in your relationship with God, I pray that this book will strengthen you to continue to seek after God as He has been seeking after you all your life.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Rogers new book presents an inspiring life in a way that will bring first the glory to God and encourage people to seek a personal relationship with God.

This book serves as an eye-opening reminder to the reader of how God is willing to work with the lives of every person. With this, it encourages the readers to build a strong relationship with God no matter how big the circumstances are to be faced in life.

View a synopsis of Hurtful Happenings Become Blessings on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Hurtful Happenings Become Blessings at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Hurtful Happenings Become Blessings, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
A DC school accidentally handed over the wrong 8-year-old to a child-welfare worker last month.

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A DC elementary school mistakenly turned over the wrong 8-year-old student to a child-welfare worker.

When the student's relatives arrived to pick him up later that day, they realized he was missing and panicked.

Washington City Paper reported that the mix-up happened when the case worker arrived and requested the student he was supposed to pick up, and school officials brought out a different student who shared the same distinctive first name.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

An elementary school in Washington, DC, accidentally handed over the wrong 8-year-old student to a child-welfare worker, causing the young boy's family to panic when they arrived at the school to pick him up that day and realized he was missing.

Washington City Paper reported that a Child and Family Services Agency case worker arrived at the Harriet Tubman Elementary School on January 31 to pick up a child for a visit with his father.

But the school brought out a different student who happened to have the same distinctive first name, and the case worker left the school with the incorrect child around 2 p.m. that day.

The mistake wasn't caught until the student's relatives arrived at the school that afternoon to pick him up, and learned he had left with a child-welfare worker.

In response to a request for comment, the CFSA directed Insider to comments from its director, Brenda Donald, quoted in The Washington Post. Donald told the newspaper that the case worker had not previously met the child he was supposed to pick up before arriving at the school, and the child he mistakenly picked up never raised any questions about why he was taken from his classroom.

"He's a little kid, and usually the schools are trying to explain in a nice way that here's a nice person from CFSA who is going to take you to McDonald's to have lunch," Donald told The Post. "It was a mistake, and it's explainable. And again, I can understand the family being upset."

Story continues

The school's principal, Amanda Delabar, sent a letter to parents confirming that a "student went briefly missing from school premises after being picked up incorrectly by Child and Family Services," according to the letter obtained by Insider.

Delabar said in the letter school officials had made "every effort to protect the student's and family's privacy," and said all staff had been reminded of school security protocols that include mandatory sign-ins and sign-outs, and identification requirements for any outside agencies picking up students.

But the family of the child who was mistakenly removed from school remained livid, telling Washington City Paper they had feared the boy was harmed.

"I just can't understand," his grandfather, Jason Myers, told the newspaper. "Anyone can come with a badge and take anyone's kid."

Read the original article on Insider
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) on February 12 reportedly signalled that they could quit their coalition with Angela Merkel's conservatives if she is forced out as chancellor. According to international media reports, SPD General-Secretary Lars Klingbeil said that the party entered the coalition with Merkel and will leave the coalition with her. The announcement has also piled pressure on their partners to avoid a snap election as they pick a new leader.

According to reports, the coalition has already come close to collapse several times and the selection last year of two leftists as possible new SPD leaders has further left the alliance even shakier. Further, Merkel's protegee Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer also gave up her ambitions for the top job and the Christian Democrats (CDU) are now embarking on choosing a new leader and chancellor candidate for the next federal election due by October 2021. the possibility of having a rival as party leader while she remains chancellor may also be unworkable and force Merkle to stand down early.

READ: Germany's Angela Merkel Fires Official Following Far-right Fiasco

READ: Angela Merkel Calls For More Support For Turkey Coast Guard

SPD ready to fight election

Merkel will also not seek re-election after leading Europe's biggest economy for around 15 years. According to reports, many lawmakers further also want to avoid the upheaval of an election during Germany's tenure of the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of this year. The SPD also wants to stay in government with the conservative for the full legislative term and it is even ready to fight an election at any time.

However, SPD may find it impossible to work with at least two of the potential conservative candidates who are further to the right of the CDU than Merkel. On the other hand, Kramp-Karrenbauer reportedly threw the CDU and Merkel's plan for a smooth transition of power into turmoil which followed months of mounting doubts about her suitability for the top job.

READ: Angela Merkel Discusses Diplomatic Solution For Libyan-conflict With Erdogan, Putin

READ: Angela Merkel Congratulates Boris Johnson On His Landslide Win In The UK Elections
Jason Tako grew up in Minnesota and started drawing and painting when he was very young.

As a kid, I would get up at five in the morning sometimes and run out into the woods and just sit there and sketch, immerse myself in nature.

His parents didnt worry.

If there was a blizzard, Id tell my mom, Im going out, be back a little later. And off hed go with his sketchbook.

Sometimes with friends, hed run into electric fences or ride his bike onto the lake just as it was freezing over.

I cant tell you how many times Ive fallen through the ice, Tako said. Its just the way we grew up then.

The great outdoors was vast and beautiful, ripe for exploration and experimentation, and the young Tako did so with his pencils and charcoal and paints.

This year, hes the featured artist at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, held in Charleston Feb. 14-16. Tako will bring around 30 works with him to SEWE, showing a portion of them at any given time. He will sign posters and stand ready to talk about his work with interested patrons.

He was selected as featured artist by an anonymous jury that changes members each year, according to SEWE art curator Natalie Wooten Henderson. As featured artist, Tako gets the largest view space in front of the fine art gallery, and his featured painting, "Road Less Traveled," is auctioned at the Thursday night gala, Henderson said.

Change of scenery

When Tako was a senior in high school, he gave up art completely. He had encountered a fork in his career path. (Little did he know at the time that the two roads would converge 10 years later.)

The precocious painter traded in his brushes for the electric bass and became quite proficient. He went to music school, he learned jazz, he played lots of gigs, he recorded a little. He was sought after.

In 1998, he started sketching again. In 2003, he married and moved to Pennsylvania, just outside the small city of York. It was pretty rural. Roads crisscrossed the hilly green terrain. Lake Redman wasnt far away. The Susquehanna River rolled along just to the north.

I realized how much I missed being outdoors, he said. I preferred to be out sketching than in band rehearsal.

He started painting again. Landscapes, big game, birds. He got serious.

He made a vow to sketch five times a day, no matter what. He drew anything, sometimes quickly, on the fly, between other commitments. He sketched forks and hands. He sketched colleagues eating lunch. He made anatomy studies. He drew his family.

He was especially comfortable representing the human form; it came easily to him. It was colors and values that presented the bigger challenge, especially with his outdoor paintings. The light had to be just right, the shadows realistic and expressive.

And wildlife painting presented a challenge: you had to get the details right  the behavior, the physical attributes.

You wouldnt want to paint a buck with full antlers in the spring, he said.

Shift of focus

Several years ago, Tako turned his artistic attention away from wildlife and toward Native Americans.

It kind of happened by accident, he said. I was in a down period with painting and drawing, and the recession didnt help. I still liked doing wildlife and landscape, but there was something missing. I did some painting of bison and felt it needed a vertical shape. There are not a lot of vertical shapes on the prairie. I came up with idea to put two Indian warriors on horseback up on the hill.

The warriors were obscured by dust, but their presence in the painting made a big difference. Tako posted the image on social media and received an enthusiastic response. It sold right away, he said.

So he followed his newly discovered interest, researched Native American history and culture, traveled west to observe war re-enactors in full regalia, and consulted with experts.

The results combine his talent for creating compelling figures with his interest in the natural environment.

It might take Tako a while to finish a painting; hes in no rush.

I dont really care how long it takes me, he said. A grizzly painting for SEWE that I did more than 10 years ago didnt sell. I stored it in the studio and pulled it back out recently and reworked it, and now I love it.

(He changed the foreground and background, and added stronger compositional elements.)

If thats what it takes to improve a painting, so be it, he said.

The Native American pictures dont sell well on the East Coast. The subject matter is embraced more out west, for obvious reasons. But western painters are part of an informal community with a distinct identity and Tako doesnt really fit in given his background, interests and geographical location.

But that is not stopping him from traveling down his path.

As someone enamored with the great outdoors and the grandeur of its wildlife, surely he is surrounded by animals, right?

Wrong.

Theres just a cat at home, he said.

The bears, bison, bucks and birds all are products of his observation and his imagination.
Yury Aristov, Ukraine's MP from the Servant of the People party and a member of the budget committee of the Verkhovna Rada, people's deputy from said that Ukraine is considering the option of supplying water to annexed Crimea

Open source

The Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Committee took the decision on the impossibility of supplying water to the Crimea until it is de-occupied. This was announced by the chairman of the Kherson Regional State Administration Yuri Gusev, who was present at the committee, on his Facebook page.

"Representatives of the committee expressed a clear position regarding the inadmissibility of considering the issue of water supply to Crimea, while the peninsula remains annexed," Gusev wrote.

Earlier it was reported that the head of the Servant of the People faction, David Arahamia, would agree to let water into the annexed Crimea in exchange for concessions regarding Donbas from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In response to such a statement by Arahamia, Refat Chubarov, leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, said that letting water into the occupied Crimea means surrendering half a million Crimean Tatars to Russia.

We will remind, member of the budget committee of the Verkhovna Rada, people's deputy from the "Servant of the people" Yuri Aristov said that Ukraine is considering the option of selling water to annexed Crimea.
(Recasts, updates prices)

By Peter Hobson

LONDON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Copper and other industrial metals prices rose on Thursday as traders shrugged off figures showing thousands more coronovirus cases and attention moved to the potential for China's efforts to stop the spread of the virus to disrupt supply.

The outbreak has depressed economic activity in China, the world's largest industrial centre, driving down metals prices. Using a new method of diagnosis, China's Hubei province said 14,840 cases were reported on Thursday and 242 people had died on Wednesday, taking total deaths in China from the virus to 1,367.

But excluding cases confirmed using the new methods, the number of new cases rose by only 1,508. The number of new cases had appeared to be falling and the country's senior medical adviser said on Monday the epidemic could end by April. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was 0.6% higher at $5,797.50 a tonne at 1512 GMT. Prices are down nearly 10% from four weeks ago, but have recovered somewhat from a low of $5,523 on Feb. 3.

"That's why we've seen a muted reaction," he added.

MARKETS: Global equities fell and China's yuan weakened.

CHINA CARS: China's vehicle sales likely fell by almost a fifth in January, an industry group said.

LOGISTICS: China's steel industry body has asked the government for help in overcoming transport disruptions caused by efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus.

MINERS: Rio Tinto , which runs the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia, said its copper concentrate shipments to China had slowed. Griffin Mining said it was returning essential staff to its Caijiaying mine in China to resume operations.

ZINC: Henan Yuguang Gold and Lead , one of China's biggest lead and zinc producers, said it had closed half of its 300,000 tonnes per year zinc smelting capacity.

U.S. ECONOMY: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday reiterated his confidence in the U.S. economic outlook.

COPPER TECHNICALS: Support was at $5,707, the uptrend line from copper's Feb. 3 low, brokerage Marex Spectron said.

OTHER METALS: LME aluminium was up 0.5% at $1,745.50 a tonne, zinc was 1.8% higher at $2,185.50 a tonne, nickel rose 1.2% to $13,250, lead gained 1.9% to $1,888.50 and tin was up 0.2% at $16,530.

(Reporting by Peter Hobson; Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen; Editing by David Goodman and Mark Potter)

LME price overview COMEX copper futures All metals news All commodities news Foreign exchange rates SPEED GUIDES ))
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medici Ventures, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK), has released the following statement from Jonathan Johnson, CEO of Overstock and president of Medici Ventures, in the wake of todays story in the New York Times around mobile voting:



"I, like much of the nation, closely watched the conversation around the use of technology in the electoral process. By now, a staggering number of articles have been written about the use of mobile technology in Iowa. Its an important conversation. But I think theres a dangerous precedent getting set here, one founded on misinformation and fear. We have to remember that America is a nation of pioneers and innovators. We pride ourselves on being technological leaders. We need to care about technology in voting because the current state of voting is unacceptable. It is effectively disenfranchising overseas military service men and women, the elderly, and those with disabilities  all who cannot get to poll sites. We believe in the responsible integration of technology. But the conversation around technology in elections has swung to an extreme: one that is anti-technology and anti-learning. It says this: there might be a risk, therefore we should not use any technology in elections at all.

I firmly believe this undermines American progress. This false premise is shutting down our pursuit of piloting, testing and developing technologies that not only mitigate risks, but makes voting accessible for populations who cannot physically get to the polls.

We are a country of great innovators. If we allow fear to choke the safe evolution of outdated election methods  and effectively shut out key groups from the voting process  it would be a great shame to our nation indeed. Voatz, a keiretsu company of Medici Ventures, has been in the mobile voting industry for nearly five years. As the New York Times rightly points out, Voatz is the first and only voting app available for consideration to election officials exploring additional technology for better voting access. Voatz has run more than 50 safe and secure elections, including 9 well-designed governmental election pilots across five states with a focus on voters living overseas, deployed military personnel, their families and voters with disabilities. We believe in Voatz and its mission.

Story continues

We believe that the Voatz technology is responsible and safe; it not only prevents voting fraud, but it also protects the privacy of each voter. The Voatz app even generates a paper ballot that can be audited to guarantee the fidelity of the vote. This is, we believe, the right path forward to safe innovation in election technology. We should not let ourselves derail the future of voting."

See the official statement from Voatz on todays New York Times article on mobile voting.

About Overstock

Overstock.com, Inc Common Shares (OSTK) / Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock (Medici Ventures tZERO platform:OSTKO) / Series B Preferred (OSTBP) is an online retailer and technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its leading e-commerce website sells a broad range of new home products at low prices, including furniture, decor, rugs, bedding, home improvement, and more. The online shopping site, which is visited by nearly 40 million customers a month, also features a marketplace providing customers access to millions of products from third-party sellers. Overstock was the first major retailer to accept cryptocurrency in 2014, and in the same year founded Medici Ventures, its wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to the development and acceleration of blockchain technologies to democratize capital, eliminate middlemen, and re-humanize commerce. Overstock regularly posts information about the Company and other related matters on the Newsroom and Investor Relations pages on its website, Overstock.com.

O, Overstock.com, O.com, Club O, Main Street Revolution, and Worldstock are registered trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names which may be referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Medici Ventures

Launched in 2014, Medici Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK) created to leverage blockchain technology to solve real-world problems with transparent, efficient, and secure solutions. Medici Ventures has a global keiretsu of ground-breaking blockchain-focused companies focused on building the foundation of a technology stack for civilization. Medici Ventures companies are introducing blockchain technology to industries including identity, land governance, money and banking, capital markets, supply chain, and voting. The companys majority-owned financial technology company, tZERO, executed the worlds first blockchain-based stock offering in December 2016.

About Voatz

Voatz is an award-winning mobile elections platform that leverages cutting-edge technology (including biometrics and a blockchain-based infrastructure) to increase access and security in elections. Since 2016 Voatz has run more than 50 elections with cities, universities, towns, nonprofits, and both major state political parties for convention voting. In 2018 Voatz partnered with West Virginia to empower deployed military and overseas citizens to vote, marking the first mobile votes in U.S. history. In 2019 Voatz expanded its pilots to Denver, Utah, Oregon and Washington, all of which held citizens public-facing audits, hosted by the National Cybersecurity Center. All pilots increased turnout and in the case of Denver, 100% of voters responding to a post-election survey said they preferred this method of voting to any other. Learn more here.

SOURCE: Overstock.com, Inc.

Media Contact:

pr@overstock.com

Investor Contact:

ir@overstock.com
Welcoming the conviction of the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, the United States called it as an important step towards holding the Lashkar-a-Taiba (LeT) accountable.

"Today's conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward both towards holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing," Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it is in the interest of his country's future that it does not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil, Wells said in a tweet.

Wells' tweet came after a court in Pakistan sentenced Saeed, a UN designated terrorist, for five and half years.

Saeed-led Jamatud Dawa is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More cases of the new strain of coronavirus are highly likely to be reported in the United Kingdom, country's health officials have warned, as they confirmed the ninth case of the deadly virus, involving a woman who flew into the country from China -- the epicentre of the outbreak.

Health experts in the UK speculate that the virus will continue to spread in the country until it peaks in the summer. "We are planning that we are into this for the next few months," a source told The Guardian.

This comes after a Chinese woman, who lives in London with relatives, and is in her late 20s or early 30s, was tested positive for coronavirus. The woman had flown into Heathrow from China at the weekend and called NHS 111 when she developed symptoms after landing.

In an attempt to slow the spread of the virus, officials have now been ordered to trace all who she may have been in contact with since returning to the British capital, as well as the fellow passengers in her flight from China.

Coronavirus first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year and has killed more than 1,300 people in that country alone. Cases have been reported in several countries across the world, including India.

The UK has reported a total of nine cases, including the recent case reported in London. Officials have told Britons to brace themselves for the spread of the virus.

Other experts, however, believe that it was too soon to tell whether the first reported case in London -- a transport hub with a population of nine million -- implied that the virus would spread in the city.

"We will not really be able to estimate the potential risk of onward spread until further information on this patient is known, including details of how long they were in the UK until they were diagnosed and what their movements were," The Guardian quoted Jon Cohen, emeritus professor of infectious diseases at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, as saying.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three months after the Modi government withdrew SPG cover to Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, they are all set to lose another special status provided to them.

R Rajagopalan reports.

IMAGE: Priyanka, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Like the rest of us, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will soon have to stand in queue at airports to board flights after going through the regular security drill.

Three months after the Narendra Damodardas Modi government withdrew the Special Protection Group cover to the Gandhis, they are all set to lose the special status provided to them -- of their car driving up to the staircase of the aircraft after bypassing the security check and boarding process.

This follows the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security flagging the Union home ministry the issue of former SPG protectees being allowed to drive up to the aircraft when the security drill of the Central Reserve Police Force and Central Industrial Security Force, which currently guards them, does not allow for this privilege.

Even after the withdrawal of their SPG cover, the Airports Authority of India and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security have been informally allowing the Gandhis to drive up to the aircraft, but when a vehicle of a former SPG protectee recently collided with another car near the aircraft, the airport security threatened to file an FIR.

Matters were sorted with the CRPF backing off, but the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security decided to ask the CRPF to ensure that their protectees submit themselves to the security drill.

Also, while Union ministers, the Chief Justice of India, former prime ministers and members of Parliament are subject to regular security drills before emplaning, the special status accorded to the three Gandhis was creating security and legal issues, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security decided, and decided to flag the Union home ministry its concerns.

If the home ministry, headed by Amit Anilchandra Shah, accept the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security proposal, the Gandhis will have to go through airport security and stand in queue with others passengers to board domestic or international flights.

When the proposal to withdraw SPG cover to the Gandhis was being discussed in the Union Cabinet there were apprehensions and divisions over the move, before it agreed to have the SPG guard only the incumbent prime minister and his family.

Shah argued in Parliament that even Modi will not get SPG cover after he demits office, before the House gave its approval to divest the Gandhis of special security cover.
Amaravati, Feb 13 : Impasse over Bills pertaining to the Andhra three-capital plan continues between the state government and the Legislative Council.

Council Chairman M.A. Shariff had referred the two Bills to a select committee. The AP Legislature Secretary returned the file to Shariff two days ago saying the House panel couldn't be constituted as due procedures were not followed in referring the Bills to the committee.

The Bills are the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions Bill, 2020, and the Repealing the APCRDA Act Bill. The government proposes to retain Amaravati as the legislative capital, while making Visakhapatnam the home for executives and Kurnool the judicial capital.

Taking exception, Shariff has reportedly asked the Secretary to set up the committee immediately and send him the compliance report. He is said to be exploring all options if the Secretary continued to defy the order.

The opposition parties have also slammed the Secretary for returning the file to the Chairman with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) terming it "contempt of the Upper House".

The ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) argued that the Chairman's announcement to refer the Bills to the select committee was invalid. YSRCP leaders demand that the Bills be considered passed.

Y. Ramakrishnudu, TDP leader in Legislative Council, said the government's argument was based on the lack of knowledge of legislative rules. The Council Chairman had referred the Bills to the select committee by using his discretionary powers and ignoring the YSRCP demand to put them to vote.

The Bills were passed by the Assembly at its special sitting on January 20. While one Bill aims at scrapping a special body created to develop Amaravati as the new capital, the second provides for development of Visakhapatnam and Kurnool as the two other capitals.

The Bills, however, hit a roadblock in the Legislative Council, where the opposition is in majority.

Taking note of the Opposition's bid to stall the Bills, the YSRCP government moved to abolish the Upper House. The Assembly passed a resolution on January 27, recommending to the Centre to abolish the Council.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday also urged him to expedite the process. Reddy told Modi the Council had lost its utility and it was going against Bills passed by the Assembly.

He urged Modi to direct the Law Ministry to take necessary action in this regard.
The Pentagon appears to be primed to yank funding for a future Austal USA ship and redirect the money to construction of the southern border wall championed by President Donald Trump.

Alabama Sen. Doug Jones confirmed a report published Thursday by news site Politico, saying the Pentagon plans to slash $3.8 billion allocated for fighter jets, ships and other warfighting equipment to meet an administration command to pay more border wall costs.

I am on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jones said Thursday afternoon. We got a memo on that earlier.

This is a serious matter, Jones said, saying it came down to Trumps wish to build an additional stretch of wall about 177 miles long. Hes taking money for ships, airplanes, drones, all kinds of things important to our national security, said Jones, a Democrat.

Alabamas Republican senator, Richard Shelby, said Democrats had left the president little choice in finding the funds necessary to build the wall."

News site DefenseNews.com said the programs affected include a mass of aircraft purchases including F-35 joint strike fighters, C-130J cargo aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones and P-8 maritime surveillance planes, as well as ground vehicles and naval priorities.

In the same story, DefenseNews said The reprogramming request also cuts $650 million in advanced procurement funding for an America-class Amphibious Assault Ship, LHA-9, which is being built in Mississippi at Ingalls Shipbuilding.

At issue is $261 million recently allocated for Austal to build what would be its 15th Expeditionary Fast Transport. Those ships, designated EPFs, are multipurpose catamarans that can transport troops or equipment to unimproved shallow-draft ports. Austal has proposed variants that could provide medical care or serve as motherships for drones.

The ship wasnt in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, a spending plan approved by Congress in December. But the money was in an appropriations act approved later in December. That seemed to reflect the influence of Alabamas delegation, particularly Shelby, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and who has been a longtime Austal advocate.

Shelby celebrated the passage of the appropriations bill, saying it contains major victories for Alabama and the nations defense and aerospace sectors.

According to DefenseNews.com, the Pentagon memo said the Austal ship exceeds the program-of-record requirement" and "is a congressional special interest item.

Shelby backed Trump in a statement released early Thursday evening by his office: First and foremost, I support the Presidents efforts to build the wall," he said. "My strong preference is to do so through a direct appropriation, but Democrats have refused.

While I am disappointed that the Department of Defense intends to target important priorities such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport, the Democrats left the President little choice in finding the funds necessary to build the wall, Shelby said. "Ultimately, building the wall and providing for our national defense should be our highest priorities.

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne also pointed the finger at Democrats. Byrne has supported Austal, but voted against the appropriations bill in December, saying it was packed with last-minute additions that had ballooned its bottom line by more than $1 trillion. He held out some hope of protecting the funding for the ship.

According to a statement released Thursday evening by his office, Congressman Byrne has significant concerns with any action that could endanger jobs at Austal as well as President Trumps goal of securing a 355 ship fleet. He and his staff are working closely with the administration, his Congressional colleagues and Austal to seek a solution that protects the EPF program. It is unfortunate that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, who at one time supported a border wall, are playing political games that make reprogramming necessary.

An Austal spokesperson said the company was aware of the Department of Defenses proposal but would not comment on the situation until it reached a final resolution. Theres no immediate impact: Under normal circumstances, the Navy would be expected to award the contract for EPF 15 in late spring, and work on the ship wouldnt begin until late 2020 or early 2021. (EPFs 12 and 13 are under construction now, with initial work likely to begin on EPF 14 this summer.)

With 11 more surface ships yet to deliver to the Navy, including the 2 EPFs that were awarded to us under a year ago, we have a strong backlog and a lot to do over the next few years, Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said late Thursday evening. "So as always, well continue to focus on what we can control, delivering great ships to our great navy on cost and schedule. That approach has served us very well in the past and I know will serve us well in the future.

"With 11 more surface ships yet to deliver to the Navy, including the 2 EPFs that were awarded to us under a year ago, we have a strong backlog and a lot to do over the next few years. So as always, well continue to focus on what we can control, delivering great ships to our great navy on cost and schedule. That approach has served us very well in the past and I know will serve us well in the future.

Earlier Thursday Austal had reported that it delivered its 11th Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Kansas City, to the Navy on Wednesday. It has five more under construction, including LCS 26, the future USS Mobile. Beyond those, it has three more LCSs under contract, and the Navy has made clear it doesnt plan to order any more.

Despite the volume of work on hand, Jones said he fears the loss of money for EPF 15 could put Austal in a precarious position."

The company is one of several vying for a contract to build the next generation of Navy frigates, and a win would fill the void left by the impending end of the LCS program. Keeping the EPF assembly line running helps assure stability at the Mobile shipyard, Jones said.

Were still hoping they get that frigate at Austal, he said. But theres going to be a transition, we know that. This EPF would help with that transition.

Jones said prioritizing the border wall over military hardware was stunning and that he felt Trump was making reckless decisions about the militarys ability to forego gear it has been promised.

The Congress of the United States voted on this and said this is an important ship to be built, for many reasons, Jones said. I dont know if this president considers any of that. He looks for targets wherever he can find them.

Jones said he saw little recourse. The House version of the appropriations bill included language preventing such transfers, he said, but that was left out of the final version because it probably would have guaranteed a veto.

A supplementary appropriations bill to replace the funding was highly unlikely to take shape, he said, in part because it likely would include other programs raided to fund the border wall. Itd be a $3.8 billion bill, he said.

This story has been updated with comment from Sen. Richard Shelby, Rep. Bradley Byrne and Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle.
President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free and fair elections in December.

He is also assuring that he will do everything within his power to protect Ghana's democratic credentials.

Speaking at a meeting with chiefs and elders from the Ziave Traditional area at the Jubilee House, Nana Akufo-Addo said he will not compromise the peace of the country under any circumstances.

I want to assure you that, the government will do whatever it takes to ensure that the forthcoming campaign and elections are conducted in a good atmosphere in the country. Ghana is today, the beacon of democracy on the African continent. This year, I am determined to do whatever I can to consolidate that reputation of a country of peace and stability. The election will be conducted under a good atmosphere and the results accepted by all and sundry -winners and losers alike. We are committed to ensuring a free fair election.

2020 polls: Deal with those who'll foment trouble  Akufo-Addo to security agencies

President Nana Akufo-Addo earlier urged the country's security agencies to deal with any group of persons who will attempt to cause mayhem during this year's elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo said he has given firm instruction to heads of the security services to act without fear or favour.

To ensure that the security agencies in our country act without partiality so that the law is applied evenhandedly, [that] is the reason why I passed a law against vigilantism to make sure that we can come to grips with it. And for the strictness, I have given them to the leadership of the security agencies.

So far as I am concerned, crime is crime. Crime cannot have a political colourization. I think from now on, the political leaders must insist that the security agencies act with evenhanded. If an NPP man causes a problem or assaults someone in public, he must be dealt with as a citizen of Ghana not as a member of the NPP. It doesn't matter that the NPP government is in power, he added.

----citinewsroom
According to Oliver Varhelyi, the new composition of the European Commission gives priority to relations with Ukraine

European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi intends to take Ukraine-EU relations and to a new level. He stated this during a meeting with Ukraines Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reports.

According to Varhelyi, the new composition of the European Commission gives priority to relations with Ukraine.

The EU Neighborhood Commissioner positively noted Ukraine's progress towards reform. The EU is committed to promoting the growth of Ukraine's economy, enhancing its resilience to challenges, including externalities, developing investment potential and creating new job opportunities.

Prystaiko and Varhelyi coordinated their further steps in concluding the Common Aviation Area Agreement, the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptability of Industrial Products, the Modernization of the Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU, and the enhancing of customs cooperation.

As we reported earlier, on February 12, the EU Neighborhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi met with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

The parties discussed the cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union and agreed on the cooperation priorities for the current year.
Observers point to the months of unrest in the former British colony as the main cause of the change. The new director Xia Baolong and his deputy are "presidents men". During his term as Secretary of the Zhejiang Party, Xia launched a campaign to destroy crosses and churches.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - Change at the top of the Macao and Hong Kong Affairs Bureau: this morning Beijing downgraded the current director, Zhang Xiaoming, to deputy director with responsibility for current affairs. Also today, the state media announced that the Chinese government had chosen Xia Baolong (photo), vice president and secretary general of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in his place.

According to observers, the shocking removal of Zhang Xiaoming announces "more direct control" by President Xi Jinping over the two territories. Many consider Zhang's withdrawal a punishment for the months of unrest in Hong Kong that began with street protests against the controversial extradition bill.

Under the new directives, the heads of the central government liaison offices in Hong Kong and Macau - Luo Huining and Fu Ziying - will also serve as deputy directors under Xia. Luo Huining had been appointed only last month to replace Wang Zhimin. Political analysts are not surprised by the close appointments of Xia and Luo: in Party circles, the two are considered "presidents men " Xi Jinping.

The 67-year-old Xia began his political career in the Communist Youth League. He served as deputy mayor of Tianjin (1997-2003), governor (2011-2012) and secretary of the Communist Party of Zhejiang province (2012-2017). Xia has worked in Zhejiang since 2003, and for four years worked closely with Xi Jinping, the current Chinese president, when he was party secretary in the province.

During his term as party secretary in Zhejiang, in the name of urban planning, Xia launched a three-year campaign to destroy the crosses and demolish the churches. Between the end of 2013 and April 2016, around 1,500 churches, mostly Protestant, were removed and affected. A few dozen pastors and lay faithful who wanted to defend their crosses were arrested, threatened and tried. The authorities also tried and sentenced lawyers who defended Christian communities.
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On the top floor of the Gucci building in Beverly Hills, on a terrace overlooking Rodeo Drive, Massimo Bottura is reclining at a table tucked in the corner, letting the 72-degree sunshine radiate down on his face. After a moment, the chef of Osteria Francescana, the Italian restaurant ranked No. 1 twice by the Worlds 50 Best, pops up to exclaim, I talk to my wife, Lara, and in Modena it is cold. I dont want to leave Los Angeles!

While Bottura will have to return to chilly northern Italy eventually, for now the Michelin three-star chef has an excuse to stay: Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Beverly Hills, his first restaurant in North America and his second in collaboration with the Italian fashion icon, opens Feb. 17.

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In the U.S., Bottura is mostly recognized for his good-natured appearance on the Netflix show Chefs Table and the documentary Theater of Life. While in kitchens around the world, Bottura is the type of revered figure who inspires other cooks to uproot their entire lives at the mere suggestion of joining his team. Literally. One was working in Brooklyn not so long ago, was alerted to the new restaurants opening and flew to L.A. the next day.

The L.A. kitchen will be helmed by chef de cuisine Mattia Agazzi; he was previously the sous chef at Botturas Gucci Osteria in Florence, his first collaboration with the clothing brand. Under chef de cuisine Karime Lopez, the restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin star. It marked the first time a Mexican woman had ever earned a star.

Lopez is also soaking in the California sun for the time being. She is temporarily joining Agazzi at the Beverly Hills outpost.

As soon as I asked Mattia and Karime to be the chef here, they jumped on the plane, they arrive immediately, Bottura said. Theyre so talented; they deserve it.

Story continues

The menu they put together is rooted in Italy, but references to other cuisines found in Southern California as well. Organic produce is procured from local farmers markets. Seafood for the Insalata di Mare is sourced fresh from Santa Barbara and lightly touched with heat, before being paired with a salad made from seaweed, red beans and saffron.

Playfully named and executed dishes include Pasta Fagioli With a View of the Pacific Coast, which is layered with beans, sea urchin and raw veggies; Coming From the Hills pairs West Coast white trout with hazelnuts and mushrooms; and Risotto Camouflaged as Pizza features creamy risotto dotted with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.

What is the essence of our cuisine? Its looking at the past in a critical way and never in a nostalgic way, Bottura said. To bring the best from the past into the future, I use this technique to sublime the ingredients, and not the ego of the chef.

The restaurant will also serve some of the chefs signature dishes from Florence, such as the Emilia burger. The patty includes cotechino sausage and is topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano, an anchovy and caper salsa verde, and a balsamic mayo. The menu will also feature his famous tortellini, which is sauced with a simple cream made from 36-month Parmigiano-Reggiano and water.

If I start using butter and cream and stuff like that, your palette saturates and you dont feel anything, Bottura said. But if you use water in sauces, you just get into the heart of the product, and the flavor, the essence of the product.

Bottura believes contemporary cuisine is as much about ethics as it is about taste and aesthetics. This is why he tries to not waste anything. Take the house pate, for example. Its contents constantly change based on what is available in the kitchenfrom chicken to veal to beef to fish.

Cooking is an act of love, so when you cook, you take the same time and energy and really feel, he said. We dont cook just to create good food, we cook to transfer emotion.

The 50-seat restaurant atop Rodeo Drive is as showy as the mens and womens boutiques below. It is outfitted with Gucci-patterned wallpaper, elegant red marble, plush velvet banquettes and vintage-looking place settings, many of which are inspired by his Florence osteria.

Even though Botturas restaurant partnership with Gucci did not begin until 2018, his connection to the brand has been in the making for a lifetime: The chef grew up with Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri in Modena. On a trip to the West Coast to visit his friend, Bottura was wandering around the flagship stores space, which was in the midst of a renovation and expansion, and stumbled upon a room full of packaging materials.

I said, What are you going to do with this storage place? Lets make another [Osteria], Bottura recalled. Marco, on the other side of the phone [said], OK, lets do it. One year later, we open.

Bottura is set to open a third osteria in Ginza, Tokyo. He is also planning an American expansion of his nonprofit venture, Food for Soul, which feeds the homeless and advocates for reducing and reusing food waste. He will open kitchens in New York and San Francisco later this year; locations are already open in Milan, Paris and London.

Food is an act of love, Bottura said. If you dont have passion, its just another food  But with passion, it goes directly into your heart and makes a difference.

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura will be open seven days a week for lunch, from noon to 2:30 p.m., and dinner, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Additional reporting by Jeremy Repanich.

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James Cater from Eversource shows the crowd how to operate the new EV charging stations at Becket Town Hall. Eversource covered the cost to install the charging stations. Becket Town Administrator William Caldwell says Eversource has been extremely helpful with the town's efforts to be more energy efficient. Selectman Michael Lavery, left, and Jesse Rudavsky get ready to demonstrate the new charging stations AJ Enchill, left, representing state Sen. Adam Hinds, and James Cater of Eversource at the charging station presentation. PreviousNext

Becket Installs First of Its Kind EV-Charging Stations



Selectmen Michael Lavery, left, Christopher Swindlehurst, and William Elovirta at Wednesday's event rolling out the town's new charging stations. BECKET, Mass.  A crowd of about 25 people showed up to a grand opening Wednesday at Town Hall to celebrate Becket becoming the first community in Berkshire County to offer municipally-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The town and its utility provider, Eversource Energy, have been working in lockstep for a year to achieve the goal of giving residents, especially the small yet loyal number of EV owners, an alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Selectman Michael Lavery was a driving force behind the project and is an EV owner himself.

"When I brought the idea for the EV charging stations to the select board last year. We were only expected at most to achieve a 60 percent reimbursement. With the board's approval and the town administrator's consistent efforts, Eversource came back quickly with a design plan and the possibility of full 100 percent payback and reimbursement for the construction, electrical work, and physical hardware," he said. "Becket is a smaller town but we have an active green community. We became an official Green Community a bunch of years ago and have reduced our carbon emissions and energy usage 30 percent. This is just another piece of that pie.

"The EV charging stations made a lot of sense. In a town that has no gas stations, the idea of EV parking and charging might be a little bit of an anomaly but we think it fits where we are going as a town."

According to town officials, the closest gas station is about 9 miles away.

Lavery said charging fee would be about $1 per hour. This fee will cover the cost the town will pay to the company that supports the station's technologically.

The project would not have been possible without Eversource. The utility company has been working with the state since 2018 to make EV charging stations more available to the public. Although they have installed several in Western Massachusetts and more than 100 across the state so far, this is the first municipally-owned site they have completed in the region.

There are a number of EV stations in the Berkshires, hosted or owned by entities such as colleges and supermarkets. Dalton installed two charging stations a few years ago to service its own electric vehicles.

James Cater, electric vehicle program lead for Eversource, was on to celebrate the installation and explain the utility's involvement with the program.

"We were excited to do it. We like to say we're doing this program from Pittsfield to Provincetown and all the towns in between where we provide electric service. To be able to do a municipal location in Berkshire County is important," he said. "It was no cost to the town, which meant a lot obviously. Normally we would bring all the power to the space and leave a stub coming out of the ground. Then the customer would purchase the charging stations and pay to install them.

"In this case, because Becket qualifies as an Environmental Justice Community (EJC), Eversource is also footing the cost for the stations and the installation."

Environmental Justice Communities are defined by the state in three ways: economically, racially, and lingually. In Becket's case, it qualifies economically because the median household income as of the 2010 census was equal to or less than 65 percent of the statewide median.

Cater said Eversource has put 10 percent of its total allocation of money for the charging station project aside for these communities. The money doesn't come from a state or federal program, it's set aside by Eversource to further deplete greenhouse gas emissions and make EV charging more readily available.

"We have $45 million in the program to do probably about 400 sites. Ten percent of that is set aside specifically for these EJC projects," he said.

When Cater says Eversource is committed from Pittsfield to Provincetown he means it.

"As a matter of fact, we are in Truro as well! We hope to electrify that site in the next couple of weeks."

Truro is 231 miles east of Becket and is upwards of a four-hour drive, with no traffic.

Town Administrator William Caldwell said the town's relationship with its utility provider has been a fruitful one.



Eversource project leader James Cater fields questions at the press conference Wednesday morning. "Our relationship with Eversource has been a good one, and continually improving. In addition to helping fund the charging stations, they've been very helpful in converting all the lights in [Town Hall] over to LED, they helped us with our HVAC system, as well as a couple other projects," he told the crowd. "The partnership has been very beneficial to both parties. We have already had about 40 uses from 20 or so individual users of the EV charging stations."

The crowd headed outside to see a demonstration of the stations after the presentation in the Community Room of Town Hall. Selectman Lavery's own EV was charged at one station while another EV was brought in by Jesse Rudavsky, who is the president of the New England Electric Auto Association.

Aside from the Becket town officials, state Sen. Adam Hinds' district aide AJ Enchill and intern Ronny Brizan were in attendance, along with two dozen or so residents.

Drivers looking for gas in Becket will still be out of luck but if they happen to drive an electric vehicle they will find all the juice they need in front of Town Hall.
Scott Wiener must be a glutton for punishment.

Just this month, the Democratic state senator from San Francisco failed, after repeated attempts and many revisions, to win Senate approval of his ambitious bill to force local communities to accept more multi-family housing.

Four days later, Wiener took on another, equally daunting issue by introducing legislation for a state takeover of bankrupt Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and its transformation into the Northern California Energy Utility District.

Wiener unveiled his bill five days after Gov. Gavin Newsom again threatened to seize the nations largest investor-owned utility if its plan to emerge from bankruptcy doesnt meet his criteria.

Newsom, speaking to a Public Policy Institute of California forum, said he wanted a completely transformed company thats more consumer- and safety-oriented.

Dan Walters: Who is too big to fail? Columnist Dan Walters asks which troubled institutions are too big to fail. PG&E? Los Angeles Unified School District? City College of San Francisco?

Theres going to be a new company, or the state of California takes it over, Newsom warned, adding, If PG&E cant do it, well do it for them.

Two days later, PG&E filed a revised plan to emerge from the bankruptcy it declared a year ago in response to billions of dollars in potential claims from wildfire victims, saying it has taken to heart the governors concerns and is open to further discussions with the governors office and other stakeholders.

Under our plan, the company will emerge from Chapter 11 as a reimagined utility with an enhanced safety structure, improved operations, and a board and management team focused on providing the safe, reliable, and clean energy our customers expect and deserve, PG&E CEO Bill Johnson said in a statement.

Previously, PG&E had announced that it reached agreement with wildfire victims on a $13.5 billion settlement, and competing factions of bondholders and major stockholders were also supporting its restructuring plan  but Newsom continued to criticize PG&Es management and demand more changes.

Dan Walters: These issues need attention Hundreds of bills will be introduced in the Legislature this year but there are a few items that should top the session's agenda.

Technically, the governors approval may not be needed for the federal bankruptcy court to approve the companys plan, but PG&Es access to a $21 billion special insurance pool to cover wildfire claims, is dependent on a satisfactory emergence from bankruptcy, thus giving Newsom and the state Public Utilities Commission leverage.

The revised plan submitted at the start of the month only partially addresses Newsoms demands, leaving the threat of a state takeover, which Wieners bill would authorize, still on the table.

Its a political, legal and financial poker game that hinges on whether state seizure is a viable alternative or just a bluff.

PG&E operates a monopoly as a privilege granted by the state of California, and that privilege can be revoked. I support public ownership of PG&E, Wiener told Bloomberg, a financial news service.

Dan Walters: What now for PG&E? Gov. Gavin Newsom doesn't like Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s plan to emerge from bankruptcy, but does he want a state takeover of the utility?

At the very least, it would be costly. PG&Es stock surged after Fridays revised bankruptcy filing. Last year, it dropped to $3.55 a share but has since climbed to more than $17, giving it a market capitalization of about $9 billion. But an enterprise value, calculated by Yahoo Finance, of more than $32 billion, which is probably closer to what the state would have to pay.

Would the Legislature sanction a seizure? And could a state-owned utility assemble tens of billions of dollars to pay off stockholders and wildfire victims, service PG&Es $25 billion in debts, invest additional billions in fire safety and still avoid jacking up its consumer power rates, which are already among the nations highest?

Perhaps, but the more likely outcome is a deal under which PG&E makes a few more concessions to Newsom  particularly ones that are cosmetic, such as shaking up the corporate board  and he claims a victory.

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to calmatters.org/commentary.

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PLACERVILLE, Calif. - California authorities used recently developed DNA techniques to free one man and implicate another for only the second time in the United States, officials said Thursday.

A man who spent about 15 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted in the slaying of his housemate has been exonerated after authorities used extended DNA links developed through publicly available genealogical websites to build a family tree that led to the arrest of a new suspect.

El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson would not go into detail on the newly implicated suspect, who was a juvenile at the time of the slaying and by law must make at least his first appearances in juvenile court even though he is now in his 50s, but said he was one of three young men who had been with the victims teenage daughter on the night of the slaying.

A county judge on Thursday ordered Ricky Davis released from custody during an emotional court hearing in Placerville, about 45 miles (70 miles) east of Sacramento. He was to be released after paperwork is completed later Thursday.

Hours later a smiling Davis walked out of El Dorado County jail surrounded by family and friends.

When asked by reporters to comment on his release he answered no comment, thank you, and held up a black sweatshirt embroidered with a yellow Innocence Project logo.

Davis, 54, had always maintained his innocence.

Pierson said the developments are two of the most dramatic extremes that you can experience.

On the one hand, we have the system working in the worst possible way. On the other hand, we have the evolution of technology in terms of genetic genealogy that led to Davis being freed and a new suspect arrested this week, he said. It is a surreal thing in a sense.

The same DNA techniques in 2018 identified the suspected Golden State Killer, a former police officer now awaiting trial in 12 homicides and numerous rapes across California in the 1970s and 1980s.

It has since been used to find suspects in nearly 80 cases nationwide, said Anne Marie Schubert, the district attorney in neighbouring Sacramento County whose office made the DNA link in both cases. But its only the second time the new technique exonerated a suspect, the first being last year in Idaho when Christopher Tapp was cleared of the 1996 murder of Angie Dodge, she said.

It must be remembered that this is not a tool of conviction, it is a tool of justice, Schubert said.

Jane Hylton, a 54-year-old columnist for the Foothills Times, was found dead  stabbed 29 times and bitten on the shoulder  on July 7, 1985, inside an El Dorado Hills home. She was staying there temporarily with her teenage daughter, Davis and Davis then-girlfriend Connie Dahl.

The man arrested this week was one of three youths who were in a park that night with the then-13-year-old daughter of the victim.

One of the three boys is now dead and another is co-operating in the investigation, Pierson said. That man is not believed to have participated in the slaying, but may have known about it afterward, he said. The daughter is not a suspect and helped identify the new suspect, he said.

Davis and Dahl told detectives they had gone to a party the night before and returned home at 3:30 a.m. where they found Hyltons daughter waiting outside. The teenager told them she had gone out with a group of boys that night and was afraid her mother would be upset with her for being out too late, according to an online synopsis of the case by the Innocence Project, which is part of the Santa Clara University School of Law.

The three entered the house together. Davis saw blood in the hallway outside the master bedroom and found Hyltons body on the bed. Davis and Dahl immediately called 911 to report the crime. All three maintained they were not involved in the murder and did not know who committed the crime, according to the project.

The case went unsolved until detectives reopened it in late 1999.

Dahl changed her story under what Pierson said were the aggressive interrogation techniques in use at the time, implicating Davis as the killer and telling detectives that she bit the victim during the attack. He said the two investigators have since retired.

More sophisticated recent DNA tests found unknown male DNA on the nightgown in the area of the bite mark and the same DNA profile under the victims fingernails. Those tests excluded Davis, Dahl and Hyltons daughter as the sources of the DNA.

That led to Davis murder conviction being overturned in 2019 after project lawyers argued that had the original jury heard the DNA results, it would have likely reached a different outcome. He remained in jail until investigators were satisfied they had the real killer in custody.

Dahl, who received a one-year county jail sentence in the case, died in 2014.

Innocence Project staff attorney Melissa OConnell said she thought she had the evidence to free her client in 2014, yet it took six more years before investigators were satisfied that they had found the real killer.

She said she was in tears and her client was emotional in court as he was ordered freed. He planned to celebrate with pizza and will be entitled to more than $750,000 in state compensation because he was wrongfully convicted, $140 for each day he spent behind bars.

A prosecutor shook Davis hand, she said, and he got to hug his mom for the first time in court today in a very, very long time.

___

Associated Press writer Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco contributed to this report.
City of Laredo officials and local law enforcement are encouraging the community to come forward with information on the recent rash of fires reported at North Central Park.

READ MORE: Trio of suspected dealers arrested by Webb Co Sheriff's Office

A fire in a windy environment can be catastrophic for the park, said District 6 Councilman Dr. Marte A. Martinez.

We have a great fire department that has responded rapidly and has been able to control the fires because theyve had favorable wind conditions. The minute we dont have favorable wind conditions and we have a very gusty wind, we lose a large portion of the park and possibly even homes surrounding the park, Martinez said.

He pointed out that the fires are occurring frequently.

Were seeing too many of these too quickly. Were trying to rally to put a stop to it. As far as what it could be, we dont want to speculate. We just want to stop it. We hope that the public comes together and helps us put an end to it by finding out who the people responsible are, Martinez said.

Since Jan. 27, the Laredo Fire Department has responded to three fires at the park, according to Deputy Fire Chief Guillermo Heard.

He added that arson has not been ruled out in the fires but could not comment further because of the open investigation. Parts affected have been mainly brush, Heard said.

If anybody has cameras and they are showing the area where the vandalism happened, please let our department or (Laredo police) know because we need more information, he said.

Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman, encouraged homeowners to share with police surveillance footage that might have recorded something suspicious.

We highly invite the community to take participation, Baeza said. If they see something, say something.

Its not fair that the community should suffer due to a few people with lack of common sense and maturity who are doing these damages to the city parks. Theres a lot of sweat equity, labor and money involved in maintaining, beautifying and enhancing the park environment for everyone to enjoy.

Parks and Recreation Director J.J. Gomez said park vandalism citywide has cost the city an average of $60,000 per year over the last three years.

Its little small incidents, but after everything, little by little, everything starts to add up, he said. The best vigilance is the people.

Come and enjoy the park, but lets have open, broad eyes, and that is the best vigilance and protection that we will have for the park.

People with information on the fires at North Central Park or other vandalism at other parks are asked to call police at 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous.

READ MORE: Victim in fatal rollover in central Laredo identified by LPD

Information provided through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
An article published online by the conference organisers sums up the limitations of events like the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba (the mining indaba) held in Cape Town from 3-6 February 2020. Governments are leading the way at the mining indaba, it read. Indeed, there were many African governments pressing the investment case for their own jurisdictions. But national exposure at a networking event was hardly going to convince any hard-nosed mining executive in the absence of a solid investment case. In fact, it was likely that a fudged presentation by a national mining minister would do more harm than good.

This was arguably the problem with the host countrys efforts. South Africas Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, addressed concerns about electricity supply in his Opening Address. Energy security has been the dominant concern of the industry as supply utility Eskom has faltered in recent months.

Load shedding was reintroduced in December last year at an unprecedented Level 8 (shutting down Sibanye Gold, Impala Platinum and Harmony Gold among others) and is expected to continue at level two (i.e. 2 000 MW offline) for the next 18 months. Big industry players have long been advocates of embedded generation options where they would generate their own reserve supply and sell the excess back into the grid.

At the Indaba, Minerals Council of South Africa CEO Roger Baxter reiterated a claim made previously, that the industry could install 1 500 Mega Watts of generating capacity in the next nine to 36 months. Mantashe appeared to speak to the problem, saying that his department was in the process of revising Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act to enable self-generation.

But the minister did not address key questions: would the cap on self-generation without a licence be lifted from 1 MW to 10 MW as was suggested by the governments energy advisor Anton Eberhardt last year? What about production capacity beyond 10MW? Most importantly, would embedded electricity producers be able to sell excess production back into the grid? At what price? This is a question big mines need to have answered so they can model the costs and benefits of embedded generation.

Mantashe was even less specific on his second big suggestion that government would create a new power generation venture ideally in partnership with the private sector. This came as a surprise to both the Minerals Council, which represents the industry, and (apparently) to Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter who has had two meetings with energy intensive users this year. Speaking separately, Mantashes Director General, Jacob Mbele, said the second power generation venture was just a concept.

Mantashe, interviewed by CNBC, was unperturbed about red tape issues. If you say there is red tape when you have not tested it you are aspiring to see red tape, he said. He promised to unblock bottlenecks on a project-by-project basis. This degree of micro-management is not what an industry desperate for policy certainty is looking for.

The industry and the minister seemed even further apart on the Mining Charter. In the same interview the minister said if theyre not ready (to implement the Charters provisions) theyre in the wrong business. But the Minerals Council apparently still plan to challenge the Charter in court.

Elsewhere there was positive news on the red tape front with Dr. Kgosientso Ramakgapa, the recently appointed Director-General of the Presidents Infrastructure Investment Office, telling the Indaba that he had a mandate to cut red tape. This would apply particularly to facilitating big ticket investments. Beyond these, the concept was to introduce a single window, the purpose of which is to deal with all local, provincial and national government permissions and licences at a single point.

South Africa still experiences negligible green field investment in mining projects and very low levels of exploration. The pipeline is dry and production continues to fall  down 2% in 2019 after dropping 1.8% in 2018. Other African countries, notably Ghana, Botswana and Sierra Leone, spoke a good investment story at the Indaba.

In this competition for investment capital South Africa is not looking strong. During the Indaba, AngloGold Ashanti confirmed the sale of its South African assets while putting its efforts (and R3.25 billion) into Obuasi gold mine in Ghana. It will replace South Africa with Obuasi said CEO Kelvin Dushnisky. Its going to take more than the vague promises potential investors heard at the Indaba to reverse this trend.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) speaks to the press near the Senate subway following a vote in the Senate impeachment trial that acquitted President Donald Trump of all charges in Washington on Feb. 5, 2020. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Manchin Not Ruling Out Supporting Trumps Reelection Campaign

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), one of the most moderate Democratic senators in office, said hes not ruling out endorsing Republican President Donald Trump for reelection even though he voted to convict Trump in the recent impeachment trial.

Trump was acquitted by the Republican-held Senate on Feb. 5 and remains in office.

Manchin regularly votes with Trump. But he voted for both articles of impeachment. The evidence presented by the House Managers, including video testimony of witnesses under oath in the House of Representatives, clearly supports the charges brought against the President in the articles of impeachment, Manchin said in a statement before the vote.

Asked if hed support Trumps reelection campaign, Manchin said he wouldnt say no.

I dont rule anything out. I really dont rule anything out, Manchin told Politico. Im always going to be for whats best for my country. Everybody can change. Maybe the president will change, you know? Maybe that uniter will come out, versus the divider.

Manchin said he got over Trump working to defeat him in the 2018 election and wants the president to do the same.

Its not different when he wanted to have lunch the week after I was elected. And he said: I knew we couldnt beat you. And I said, It wasnt for lack of trying. Boom, its over, let it go. I did. Im asking him to do the same thing I did, Manchin said. He tried to remove me.

Manchin, who said hes going to hold town halls to explain to West Virginians his decision to vote to convict, drew Trumps ire for his votes to convict.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a meeting with President of the Republic of Ecuador Lenin Moreno, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Feb. 12, 2020. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Trump wrote on Twitter that people in West Virginia are really mad at Manchin, whom he referred to as Senator Joe Munchkin.

The president also accused Manchin of being a puppet directed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Manchin appeared on MSNBC after the tweets and said that being called names didnt both him.

Do I look like Im small and fragile? Names dont bother me, and the president knows he cant get to me that way, Manchin said, calling the remarks immature.

Manchin also took to Twitter to assert that no Democrat has worked harder in a bipartisan way in the hopes that [Trump] would succeed.

The people of West Virginia are aware of his efforts, Manchin said.

Manchins current term lasts until 2024. West Virginias other senator, Republican Shelley Moore Capito, voted against both articles of impeachment.

Having considered the arguments and evidence, the Houses articles of impeachment do not provide me with a sufficient rationale for reversing the 2016 election and removing President Trump from the ballot in 2020, she said in a statement.
Almost a year after Angelica Baca was struck and killed as she crossed a street in Southeast Albuquerque, the Kirtland Air Force Base airman who hit the 39-year-old woman was arraigned.

Bacas family looked on Wednesday afternoon as Airman Calvin Cooper appeared in military court on charges of reckless driving, voluntary manslaughter and negligent homicide in Bacas March 23, 2019, death.

During Wednesdays hearing, Cooper chose to defer any pleas and motions until a later date. His trial is set for the second week of June.

A probable cause hearing was held on Nov. 21 and led the investigating officer, Maj. Joshua Nettinga, to determine there was not probable cause to charge Cooper with reckless driving and voluntary manslaughter. Instead, he recommended the lesser charge of negligent homicide.

Despite those findings, Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills, 19th Air Force commander, ordered that Cooper be court-martialed on all three charges.

Airman Cooper looks forward to his day in court. We expect him to be acquitted of all charges, Capt. Robert Saulter, Coopers defense counsel, said in a statement.

The Albuquerque Police Department initially responded to the fatal crash around 7:30 p.m. at Louisiana and Ross SE. Officers found Baca dead in the street and Cooper, along with three other airmen, crashed into a nearby apartment complex.

Police say Cooper was speeding when he used the center median to pass a vehicle and struck Baca, who was standing in the median. Cooper then swerved across two lanes and crashed into the Rising Phoenix apartments.

Soon after, the investigation was handed over to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Spectators wearing masks in precaution of the coronavirus outbreak watch an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow on 11 February, 2020. (PHOTO: Reuters)

UPDATE: The story was updated on 14 February with more details on some of the cases.

SINGAPORE The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday (13 February) confirmed eight new cases of the novel coronavirus  the highest in a single day here to date  bringing the total number of cases here to 58.

With the assistance of the police, further epidemiological investigations and contact tracing found that five of the new cases are linked to the Grace Assembly of God cluster, while two are linked to the cluster at Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site, said the ministry.

The remaining case is a family member of a DBS employee, who tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.

All eight had no recent travel history to China. MOH has initiated epidemiological investigations and contact tracing to identify individuals who had close contact with the cases, the ministry added.

This brings the total number of local transmissions of the virus to 36, more than half of the tally. In all, seven patients have no established links to any previous cases or travel history to mainland China.

Case 51, 53, 54, 57 & 58: NUS professor among cases linked to Grace Assembly of God

One of the five new cases linked to the cluster at Grace Assembly of God is a 48-year-old male Singaporean.

The man, who resides at Bishan Street 13, reported developing symptoms on 4 February and sought treatment at a general practitioner clinic last Wednesday and on Monday.

He went to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) on Tuesday, where he is currently warded in an isolation room, and tested positive for the virus in the afternoon the next day.

Prior to that, he went to work at two branches of Grace Assembly of God at 355 Tanglin Road and 1 Bukit Batok West Avenue 4.

Another case linked to the cluster is a 54-year-old male Singaporean who works at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The university has identified him as a professor from its School of Design & Environment who attends the church.

Story continues

The Hillview Avenue resident reported developing symptoms on Monday and went to the NCID two days later where he was immediately isolated and is currently warded. He tested positive for the virus on Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to his hospital admission, he reported that he had mostly stayed at home and had not interacted with colleagues and students after developing symptoms.

His last contact with students was on 5 February 2020. Staff who were in close contact with the professor were swiftly put on Leave of Absence and we are providing them with assistance and support, the university said in a statement on Thursday.

The three remaining Singaporeans linked to this cluster  a 55-year-old woman, a 26-year-old man, and a 55-year-old man  work at the church.

They tested positive for the virus on Thursday morning and are currently warded in separate isolation rooms at the NCID.

The 55-year-old woman, who works at the churchs Tanglin branch, reported developing symptoms on Monday and had sought treatment at a general practitioner clinic the next day.

Prior to her hospital admission on Wednesday, she had mostly stayed at her home at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, except to seek medical treatment.

The 26-year-old man reported onset of symptoms on Tuesday and had gone to the NCID on the same day where he was immediately isolated. Prior to his hospital admission, the Senja Road resident had gone to work at the church.

The 55-year-old man reported onset of symptoms on Monday and went to the NCID two days later. Prior to his hospital admission, the Jalan Kelichap resident had gone to work at the church.

The churchs Senior pastor Wilson Teo said in a message to members on Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and has been warded in the NCID since Tuesday. He assured the members that he is recovering well.

Rev Teo said the churchs two branches will be closed from Friday to 25 February while a two-week suspension of all services and activities began on Wednesday.

Case 52 & 56: Two Bangladeshis linked to Seletar Aerospace Heights

One of the two new cases linked to the cluster at Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site is a 37-year-old male Bangladesh national who is a Singapore work pass holder.

The man reported developing symptoms last Friday, and as he was identified as a close contact of two previously confirmed cases in the same cluster - both compatriots - he was transported by an ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Tuesday.

He tested positive for the virus on Wednesday afternoon and is currently warded in an isolation room at the NCID.

Prior to his hospital admission, he had gone to work at the construction site and reported mostly stayed at his rental apartment at Campbell Lane since developing symptoms.

The second case is a 30-year-old man  also a Bangladesh national  who tested positive for the virus on Thursday morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at the NCID.

He had been identified as a close contact of a previous case and was quarantined at a government quarantine facility. The man reported developing symptoms on Wednesday and was brought to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he was immediately isolated.

The addition brings the total number of Bangladesh nationals confirmed with the virus in Singapore to four.

Case 55: Family member linked to DBS employee

The case linked to a Singaporean DBS bank employee is a 30-year-old family member who had tested positive for the virus on Wednesday morning.

The Singaporean is currently warded in an isolation room at the NCID. He reported developing symptoms on 30 January and had sought treatment at a general practitioner clinic on the same day, and again on 3 February.

Prior to his hospital admission on Wednesday, the Mei Hwan Drive resident had gone to work at Pulau Bukom and attended mass at the Church of Christ the King at 2221 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8.

The 62-year-old bank employee was confirmed as a case on Wednesday during a conference led by a multi-ministry taskforce for the virus and works at DBS Asia Central at Marina Bay Financial Centre.

The ministry shared more details on the man on Thursday.

It said that he had reported developing symptoms last Friday and had sought treatment at two general practitioner clinics on the same day as well as Monday and Tuesday.

He was admitted to the NCID on Tuesday and was immediately isolated. He tested positive for the virus on Wednesday morning and is currently warded in an isolation room at the NCID.

Prior to his hospital admission, other than going to work, he had stayed at his home at Mei Hwan Drive, except to seek medical treatment.

(TIMELINE: Yahoo News Singapore)

Update on remaining patients, suspect cases

As of Thursday, 15 patients have fully recovered and have been discharged. Six were discharged on Wednesday and none were discharged on Thursday.

Most of the remaining 43 hospitalised cases are stable or improving.

Seven remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit, with no clear pattern among them.

As of Thursday noon, 711 of the suspect cases have tested negative for the virus while results for the remaining 82 are pending.

The MOH has also identified 1,278 close contacts as of noon. Of the 1,161 still in Singapore, 1,144 have been contacted and are being quarantined or isolated. Efforts are ongoing to contact the remaining 17 close contacts.

There are now at least five identified clusters, including those associated with health products shop Yong Thai Hang along Cavan Road, The Life Church and Missions Singapore in Paya Lebar as well as a business meeting at the Grand Hyatt hotel.

Given the heightened risk, authorities last Friday raised Singapores Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert level from yellow to orange amid the increase in confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, Associate Professor Kenneth Mak, MOH director of medical services, noted that the peak of the virus outbreak in other countries, may occur one to two months after it peaks in China.

A senior medical adviser for Chinas government had said in a media report that the outbreak would peak later this month in the country, and may be over by April.

However, Prof Mak stressed that it is too early for local authorities to accurately predict the outbreaks pattern here as more data is required to do so.

You need to see, for example, more cases in the country, to understand exactly an outbreak that occurs in the country itself, he added.

Death toll surpasses SARS epidemic

The novel strain belongs to the same family of coronaviruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people globally during a 2002-2003 outbreak and also started in China.

It likely originated from Wuhans Huanan Seafood Market, where live animals or products  such as foxes, wolf puppies, giant salamanders, snakes, porcupines, and camel meat  are sold.

Declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 has spread to 27 territories beyond mainland China, sickening over 60,000 people worldwide. The WHO also said that cases being transmitted by people who have never travelled to China could be the "tip of the iceberg".

By territory, Singapore has the second-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases after mainland China.

The global tally includes cruise ship Diamond Princess, moored off Japan, which has 218 cases. Five Singaporeans on board the ship have reported that they are physically well, said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on Wednesday, in response to Yahoo News Singapores queries.

China's death toll from the epidemic at over 1,300 has surpassed the total fatalities globally from the SARS outbreak. On Saturday, the US embassy confirmed that a US citizen died that day in Wuhan.

Three territories, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, have each reported the death of a patient infected with the virus.

Patients suffering from the new strain may exhibit fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness  such as coughing or difficulty in breathing  as well as pneumonia-like symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and headache.

However, some who have died from it have not displayed symptoms of fever, according to details released by Chinas National Health Commission, potentially complicating global efforts to check for infected travellers as they arrive at airports and other travel hubs.

The Chinese government has dismissed two senior health officials from Hubei province where some 56 million people, including in its capital Wuhan, have been under lockdown since late last month.

China has also tightened restrictions in the city, forbidding people with fever from visiting hospitals outside of their home districts and sealing off residential compounds.

(INFOGRAPHIC: Yahoo News Singapore)

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Related stories:

Coronavirus: How it's spreading in Singapore and the world

COVID-19: $77m package for taxi, private-hire car drivers amid falling ridership

COVID-19: Singapore confirms 3 new cases, 2 went to same church

COVID-19: Six-month-old infant 'doing well', too early to predict peak of virus here, says senior MOH official
Representative Doug Collins (R., Ga.) cautioned on Wednesday that Democrats are leveraging the Justice Departments involvement in the Roger Stone case as a basis to continue their impeachment efforts against President Trump, adding that such efforts are crazy.

After President Trump complained Tuesday on Twitter that prosecutors seven-to-nine-year sentencing recommendation constituted a horrible and very unfair situation, his Justice Department submitted a revised filing stating that the lengthy sentence could be considered excessive and unwarranted.

Stone was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the Houses investigation into the Trump campaigns connections to Russia. All four of the prosecutors who recommended Stones seven-to-nine year sentence either resigned or quit the case after the DOJ weighed in.

Yes, Collins responded when asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham whether Democrats are setting the Stone kerfuffle up as another basis for impeachment.

The Georgia Republican pointed to what he called the hysterics of House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler and Representative Eric Swalwell in response the DOJs involvement in the case.

This is just crazy, said Collins, who is the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. Theres nothing happening here except [Attorney General] Bill Barr, who is the adult in the room, saying look, we got a problem here. This is nothing but the deep state lashing out again.

Barr had this information beforehand. He was not influenced by this. He had already begun to look at this, the Georgia Republican added.

Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell suggested this week that Democrats could impeach the president over his DOJs attempts to get Stones sentence reduced, saying Democrats will not let Trump torch this democracy.

This constant investigation, this constant demeaning of him, this constant trying to smear him, is only one reason, Collins said. They have a clown car bunch of candidates for president. Theyre not going to win.

Story continues

Its time for members of Congress in the House and the Senate to stand up on the Republican side and say, Enough of this crap out of the Democrats,' Collins said, adding a call for Republicans to share the message of conservatism that actually matters to all Americans.

More from National Review
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Two SpiceJet pilots were on Thursday handed an over four-month suspension for improper landing of a 737 Boeing aircraft at the Mangalore airport which "jeopardised the safety" of aircraft and the passengers.

Strangely, the regulator said that pilots were suspended for the 135 days from the "date of incident", which was October 31 last year. This means that the pilots could return to work by mid of March which translated to an effective one month suspension.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said its investigation revealed that the aircraft touched down left of the centreline and deviated further to the left and the delayed "corrective input by the crew" led to the damage of three runway edge lights.

"DGCA has suspended the license held by the pilot in command and first officer for a period of four and a half months from the date of incident," the regulator said.
Former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch received an award for excellence in diplomacy Wednesday night at Georgetown University where she spoke about foreign policy under the Trump administration. Coming off a year in which she was forced from her post as ambassador and testified against President Trump in the House impeachment inquiry, Yovanovitch, who has worked under every president since Reagan, had a bleak assessment of the current State Department.

Right now the State Department is in trouble, Yovanovitch said. Senior leaders lack policy vision, moral clarity and leadership skills. The policy process has been replaced by the decisions emanating from the top with little discussion.

Coming just days after Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who also testified against Trump at the impeachment inquiry, and his brother were fired from their posts at the White House, Yovanovitch went on to speak of the effect lack of moral clarity and the fear of retaliation is having on diplomats.

Vacancies are going unfilled and officers are increasingly wondering whether it is safe to express concerns about policy even behind closed doors, Yovanovitch said. Its not news that the State Department is being hollowed out from within at a competitive and complex time on the world stage.

Yovanovitch went on to warn of the possibility of alienating allies, seemingly alluding to Trumps dealings with Ukraine while doing so.

We need to be principled, consistent and trustworthy. To be blunt, an amoral, keep-em-guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust, cannot work over the long haul, Yovanovitch said, adding, At some point, the once unthinkable will become the soon inevitable, that our allies, who have as much right to act in their own self interest as we do, will seek out more reliable partners. Partners whose interests might not align well with ours.

And Yovanovitch hit back at the idea that those who speak out against the president are part of a deep state conspiracy.

Story continues

Working off of facts is not the trademark of the deep state, but of the deeply committed state, Yovanovitch said. Truth matters.

For more check out PBS NewsHour.

Check out what Laura Ingraham said about Bernie being the juggernaut Trump was in 2016:

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / GREAT ATLANTIC RESOURCES CORP. (TSXV:GR)(FRANKFURT:PH01) (the "Company" or "Great Atlantic") is pleased to announce that is has closed the second, third and final tranches of the non-brokered private placement previously announced on January 13, 2020 for gross proceeds of $790,000. The units of the financing are comprised of one common share at a price of $0.50 and a full share purchase warrant, which may be exercised for a period of 18 months at a price of $0.75 per share. The term of the warrants may be accelerated in the event that the issuer's shares trade at or above a price of $1 per share for a period of 10 consecutive days. In such case of accelerated warrants, the issuer may give notice, in writing or by way of news release, to the subscribers that the warrants will expire 30 days from the date of providing such notice. The hold expiry date for the second tranche of this financing totaling $447,000 is June 7, 2020 and the hold expiry date for the third tranche of this financing totaling $170,000 is June 8, 2020 and the hold expiry date for the final tranche of this financing totaling $173,000 is June 13, 2020.

The Company paid a cash commission of $12,000 and issued 24,000 broker warrants for the final tranche. The broker warrants have the same terms as the private placement warrants.

The proceeds of the private placement will be used for general working capital and exploration work on the Company's properties.

The Company has granted 200,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.65 to its directors, officers, employees and consultants. The options are exercisable for five years and will be cancelled 30 days after cessation of acting as director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company. The stock options are not transferable and will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of grant and any applicable regulatory acceptance.

On Behalf of the board of directors

"Christopher R Anderson"

Mr. Christopher R. Anderson "Always be positive, strive for solutions, and never give up"

President CEO Director

604-488-3900 - Dir

Investor Relations:

Please call 604-488-3900

About Great Atlantic Resources Corp.: Great Atlantic Resources Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on the discovery and development of mineral assets in the resource-rich and sovereign risk-free realm of Atlantic Canada, one of the number one mining regions of the world. Great Atlantic is currently surging forward building the company utilizing a Project Generation model, with a special focus on the most critical elements on the planet that are prominent in Atlantic Canada, Antimony, Tungsten and Gold.

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.

Neither 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.

SOURCE: Great Atlantic Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576292/Great-Atlantic-Closes-1-Million-Financing
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:57:01|Editor: yan

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TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian president's aide for legal affairs on Thursday urged the legislative body to finalize the procedure for Iran to completely join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), official IRNA news agency reported.

"If we do not approve all the FATF bills, we would almost put in danger our monetary and financial ties with the world," said Laya Joneidi.

If Iran does not accept the FATF for it to connect to the global economy, it will push the Europeans to the U.S. side, she added.

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran's refusal to comply with the requirements of the FATF will result in added economic pressure on the country which is already suffering severe U.S. sanctions.

FATF is a Paris-based watchdog for money laundering and terrorism financing worldwide. It has long urged Iran to implement legal reforms to meet its global standards.

Last October, Iran was given a final deadline of February 2020 to observe international norms endorsed by FATF, after which it would advise all its members to apply countermeasures, according to Financial Tribune daily.

Iran has already enacted amendments to its counter-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering acts. However, bills to ratify the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorist Financing Convention have been passed by the parliament but not yet endorsed by higher legislative authorities.

The two remaining bills failed to win the approval of Guardians Council of Constitution, the highest legislative body in Iran, and was sent to the Expediency Council of Iran for final decision.
It emerged at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court that, Col. Gershun Akpa, one of the six military components in the alleged coup plotters case where 10 persons are facing treasonable charges has been discharged.

In court on Thursday, when Lawyer Victor Kojogah Adawudu moved a third bail application for them, the state said the AG has advised that Col Gershun Akpa be discharged, but the others would be committed for trial.

Hilda Craig, Senior State Attorney, while opposing to the bail application said their charge statements have been taken and all 10 except one have been indicted and we are likely to do the committals on February 20, at the District Court.

Gershun Akpa is the only one we have been advised to discharge. So we are waiting for the next court date to discharge him, all the rest have been indicted, the Senior State Attorney told the court.

Gershun Akpa, who is currently before the court is one of the 10 persons who have been held for the alleged destabilisation of the state.

---citinewsroom
A Seoul court on Thursday upheld a six-month prison term handed down to a man charged with abusing and killing a cat in western Seoul.







The 40-year-old man, surnamed Jeong, had been indicted for abusing and murdering a cat named Jadu on a busy street in Mapo ward on July 13 last year.







The appeals court at the Seoul Western District Court maintained a lower court's Nov. 1 ruling that sentenced the man to six months in prison.







Following the initial ruling, Jeong had argued the sentence was excessive, claiming that he thought Jadu was a street cat.







The court, however, turned down his appeal.







"(He) brutally killed a cat that did not cause any harm, in front of other animals, simply due to the fact that he did not like cats. Even if he was distressed because he was under pressure to repay a debt after being duped, this does not justify (the crime)," the judge who handed down the ruling said.







The court also mentioned how Jeong allegedly attempted to cover up the crime and how Jadu's family is calling for strong punishment. (Yonhap)


Lucknow, Feb 13 : Intelligence agencies have alerted the Uttar Pradesh Police about a possible terror attack on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur.

According to the intel inputs, there is a possibility of the attacker entering the temple in the guise of a journalist.

Following the alert, the security of the Gorakhnath temple has been beefed up.

Sources said that the Gorakhpur police have been asked to prepare fresh photo identity cards of local journalists after proper scrutiny of their credentials.

Yogi Adityanath is known to maintain a distance from journalists in Lucknow but is easily accessible to the media in Gorakhpur. He also meets local people in the 'janata darbar' that he holds in the temple during his visits to Gorakhpur.
Dublin, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global multiparameter patient monitoring market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4% during the period 2019-2025.



Key Market Insights



Offers sizing and growth prospects of the multiparameter patient monitoring market for the forecast period 2020-2025.

Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, forecast, and growth drivers in the market.

Includes a detailed analysis of growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities.

Delivers a complete overview of segments and the regional outlook of the multiparameter patient monitoring

Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage.

The global multiparameter patient monitoring market is likely to witness absolute growth because of the increasing application in hospitals, home care settings, and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). These devices are widely used in ICUs, emergency departments, and general wards to continuously monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. The introduction of advanced technologies, such as real-time, continuous, and remote patient monitoring (RPM), is expected to influence the market during the forecast period.



Moreover, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the increase in the elderly population are likely to be the major drivers for the multiparameter patient monitoring market. Globally, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer is increasing at an alarming rate due to changing lifestyles, aging population, environmental pollutions, and increasing smokers; therefore, all these factors are expected to increase the demand for such devices. These devices are portable and do not hinder the mobility of patients and enable them to shift them within the ward or transfer from one hospital to another. Advanced healthcare infrastructure and favorable reimbursement policies allow a high adoption of these devices, thereby expecting to drive the market growth in developed economies during the forecast period.



The study considers the present scenario of the global multiparameter patient monitoring market and its market dynamics for the period 2019-2025. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The study offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent companies operating in the market.



Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market: Segmentation



This research report includes a detailed segmentation by devices, acuity level, patient group, end-user, and geography. The portable monitoring devices segment is likely to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The ease of remotely monitoring and the availability of portable features are expected to increase their application in-home care settings and enable real-time vital signs monitoring. These devices reduce continuous monitoring costs and decrease frequent hospital visits. There has been increased adoption of advanced RPM platforms in the remote healthcare market. The demand for real-time, remotely, and continuous patient monitoring is adding new dimensions to the global telehealth market. Moreover, the usage of portable systems enables hospitals to shift the patient from intense care units to normal wards without switching off multiparameter patient monitor systems.



The launch of advanced portable monitoring devices is likely to hinder the growth of fixed devices. Fixed monitors are majorly used in hospitals and ASCs. These devices limit the mobility of patients and are less preferred by healthcare providers. These types of devices have a high risk of losing data during power outages. Hence, these devices are less preferred and are expected to experience steady growth in the market.



The high-acuity segment is likely to grow due to the growth in the occurrence of chronic diseases that require continuous monitoring. The demand for high-acuity monitors is expected to increase as patient monitoring in high-acuity conditions is a major priority for healthcare providers. However, these systems have a limitation due to restricted area usage and are only used in ICUs and operation theaters. Hence, there is a lower demand than low-acuity devices.



The mid-acuity level is expected to grow at the slowest rate on account of the low availability of vendors offering such monitors. These types of monitors are used in ambulances, and the patient's condition is unpredictable in such circumstances. Hence, ambulances prefer high-acuity monitors over mid-acuity, which is likely to impact the sale of these devices adversely.



The low-acuity level segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate. The growth is majorly driven due to the low cost of low-acuity monitors, which is expected to bolster the demand for these devices from developed and developing regions. These monitors are portable and offer advanced features of RPM that enable healthcare professionals to monitor the patient continuously. Hospitals are likely to emerge as the major end-user for these advanced feature monitors due to their cost-effectiveness.



The geriatric group segment dominates the segment and is expected to grow at the fastest rate because of the increasing elderly population that is vulnerable to chronic diseases and often requires immediate medical interventions. According to the WHO, there were around 962.3 million people aged 60 and above in 2017, and the number is expected to reach 2,080.5 million by 2050 globally, which is expected to impact the segment positively. The increasing number of premature births is likely to lead to the demand for pediatric multiparameter patient monitoring equipment. Around 15 million babies are born prematurely throughout the globe annually, and the number is growing YOY.



These systems enable healthcare professionals to monitor heart rates, respiration levels, and vital organs to ensure the healthy growth of premature infants. The adult group segment is expected to grow gradually due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and asthma in the adult population. The change in lifestyle patterns, lack of physical activities, and the increasing work-related stress both in developed as well as developing countries are likely to promote the sales of these devices.



Insights by Geography



In 2019, North America dominated the market. The region is expected to grow at a steady pace due to the increasing old age population, the moderate increase in the ICU admission, and the availability of advanced technology for RPM. The presence of a large pool of population with several chronic diseases, coupled with high acceptance of advanced and innovative multiparameter patient monitoring devices, is likely to support the region's dominance in the global market.



Europe is expected to gradually grow on account of the rising incidence of chronic diseases. There are likely to be more than 50 million people in Europe having more than one chronic disease. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain are the major revenue contributors to the European market.



The high awareness levels of the availability of multiparameter monitoring devices, an increase in R&D investment for the development of innovative devices, and growing technological advancements in new product approvals/launches are expected to offer a positive impact on growth during the forecast period.



The APAC region is expected to witness rapid growth during the forecast period. India and China together have a significant population with chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The incidence of cancer in China and India was 4,285,033 and 1,157,294, respectively, in 2018. China is the major revenue contributor to the multiparameter patient monitoring market in APAC. Japan, India, South Korea, and Australia are expected to witness the significant growth rate because of the rise in healthcare expenditure and favorable public and private initiatives for an increase in healthcare access.



Insights by Vendors



The market is highly competitive and characterized by the presence of global, regional, and local players offering multi-parameter patient monitoring devices. Key players are expected to maintain a strategic focus on North America and Europe as they are the top two major revenue contributors. Leading players are likely to focus on expanding portable/compact multiparameter monitors product portfolio as the demand for such devices is expected to increase among end-users.



Local manufacturers, in particular, Chinese and Japanese manufacturers, are expected to offer stiff competition to global players. The market is likely to witness technological advancements and significantly affect new product launches. Global players are focusing on developing innovative products and expanding their product portfolio to remain competitive in the market. They are expected to invest extensively in R&D and product development related activities.



Key Vendors

NIHON KOHDEN

Koninklijke Philips

OSI Systems

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics

GE Healthcare

Other Vendors

Contec Medical Systems

Drgerwerk

AS-Motor

EPSIMED

GUANGDONG BIOLIGHT MEDITECH

Kizlonmedical

Lutech Industries

Mediana

MEDION HEALTHCARE

Opto Circuits (India)

SCHILLER

Skanray Technologies

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.1.1 Inclusions

4.1.2 Exclusions

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of the study

4.4 Market Segments

4.4.1 Market Segmentation by Devices

4.4.2 Market Segmentation by Acuity Level

4.4.3 Market Segmentation by Patient Group

4.4.4 Market Segmentation by End-users

4.4.5 Market Segmentation by Geography



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview

7.2 Multi-parameter Patient Monitors

7.2.1 Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring Devices: Market Snapshot



8 Market Dynamics

8.1 Market Growth Enablers

8.1.1 Growing Demand for Real-time Patient Monitors in Critical Care

8.1.2 Increasing Target Patient Population with Various Diseases

8.1.3 Technological Advancements in the Field of Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring

8.2 Market Growth Restraints

8.2.1 False Alarms & Alarm Fatigue Associated with Multi-parameter patient Monitoring

8.2.2 Increasing Regulatory Complexities for Multi-parameter Patient Monitors Manufacturers

8.2.3 High-Cost of Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring Devices

8.3 Market Opportunities and Trends

8.3.1 Increasing Demand for Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring in Home-care Settings

8.3.2 Growing Demand For Portable/Compact Multi-Parameter Monitors

8.3.3 Growing Focus on Integration of Multi-parameter Patient Monitors With Wireless and Remote Monitoring Platforms



9 Market Landscape

9.1 Market Overview

9.2 Market Size & Forecast

9.3 Five Forces Analysis

9.3.1 Threat of New Entrants

9.3.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

9.3.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers

9.3.4 Threat of Substitutes

9.3.5 Competitive Rivalry



10 By Devices

10.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

10.2 Market Overview

10.3 Portable/Compact Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring Devices

10.4 Fixed Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring Devices



11 By Patient Group

11.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

11.2 Market Overview

11.3 Geriatric Patient Group

11.4 Adult Patient Group

11.5 Pediatric Patient Group



12 By Acuity Level

12.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

12.2 Market Overview

12.3 High Acuity Multi-parameter Patient Monitoring Devices

12.4 Mid Acuity

12.5 Low Acuity



13 By End-Users

13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

13.2 Market Overview

13.3 Hospitals

13.4 ASCs

13.5 Home Care Settings

13.6 Others



14 By Geography

14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

14.2 Overview



15 North America



16 Europe



17 APAC



18 Latin America



19 Middle East & Africa



20 Competitive Landscape

20.1 Competition Overview

20.2 Market Share Analysis



21 Key Company Profiles



22 Other Prominent Vendors



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/27jfbm

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
The defense ministers discussed the possibility of enhancing security cooperation in the Black Sea region, as well as participating in joint exercises and intensifying dialogue at the level of naval forces.

Turkey supports the Ukrainian initiative to create a joint commission on defense cooperation, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported following a Wednesday meeting at NATO headquarters between Ukraine's defense chief Andriy Zagorodnyuk and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar.

Zagorodniuk noted the intensification of military cooperation between the two countries. In particular, he recalled the signing on February 3 of an agreement on defense cooperation during the official visit to Ukraine of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Another important aspect of the discussion was the initiative of the Ukrainian side to create a joint commission on defense cooperation, which the Turkish partners fully supported.

Read alsoUkraine, Turkey sign framework agreement on cooperation in defense sector

Among other the prospects for defense cooperation, the parties also focused on the possibility of enhancing security cooperation in the Black Sea region, enhancing air defense capabilities in the framework of joint participation in the NATO program (Air Situation Data Exchange) with the Turkish Armed Forces, as well as participation in joint exercises and intensification of dialogue at the level of the naval forces.

At the end of the meeting, representatives of the Turkish delegation noted their support to Ukraine within internationally recognized borders and non-recognition of Russia's occupation of the Crimean peninsula.
A recently retired U.S. diplomat whose abrupt removal by President Donald Trump from her post as ambassador to Ukraine became a focus of the impeachment hearings delivered a rebuke to the Trump administration, saying "truth matters," and the State Department "is being hollowed out."

Marie Yovanovitch accepted the Trainor Award from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University in a ceremony Wednesday, making her first public appearance since testifying before Congress in the impeachment proceedings.

"The State Department is in trouble. Senior leaders lack policy vision, moral clarity and leadership skills," Yovanovitch said.

"Vacancies at all levels go unfilled and officers are increasingly wondering whether it is safe to express concerns about policy, even behind closed doors."

Yovanovitch, who was removed from her post in May 2019 with no public explanation, testified to Congress that she had pressed the Ukrainian government to address long-standing U.S. concerns about corruption and described a "concerted campaign" against her based on "unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives."

Trump publicly criticized her as she testified, saying on Twitter that "everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad."

In a recent op-ed in The Washington Post she called it an honor to represent the United States as an immigrant to the country and defended her decision, and that of other senior officials, to speak up to Congress about what they saw as wrongdoing by the administration.

"Our military colleagues warn consistently that the more we cut the international affairs budget, the higher the risk for longer and deadlier military operations," she said.

"When another agency is seeking funding for your agency, you know there's something going on."
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked all the political parties to give details of candidates with criminal background on their websites, and give reasons for handing out tickets to them for elections.

The order came on a contempt plea, which has raised the issue of criminalisation of politics and claimed that the directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict relating to disclosure of criminal antecedents by poll candidates were not being followed.

Here are the highlights of the judgement given by the bench of justices Rohinton Nariman and S Ravindra Bhat:

1. Supreme Court orders that political parties should upload details of candidates with criminal background on their official website. The details should explain the nature of the crime, whether charges have been framed among other things.

2. The website of the party should also give reasons on why the candidates is being fielded for election.

3. Ability of candidate to win elections should not be the reason furnished for fielding the candidate.

4. The details of the candidates with criminal background should be published in one local newspaper and one national newspaper and on social media including Facebook and Twitter pages of the political party.

5. Political parties should furnish a compliance report with Election Commission about compliance with the courts directions.

6. Contempt proceedings can be initiated against political party for failing to file complaince report.
A photo of an alleged PlayStation 5 icon that supposedly appeared on the official Sony PlayStation Japan website has been leaked online  and if it is genuine its appearance could be something of a major surprise. While it is generally maintained that consumer market consoles look vastly different from their devkit counterparts, the icon suggests the PS5 will retain a V-shaped design.

Working For Notebookcheck Are you a techie who knows how to write? Then join our Team! English native speakers welcome! News Writer (AUS/NZL based) - Details here

This could be yet another example of PS5-related fakery to help maintain the constant buzz around the next-gen console, but this is at least a rather interesting little leak about the device. Apparently an icon for the PS5 appeared on the PlayStation Japan website before being rapidly removed. It would be fair to think that an icon wouldnt reveal much about the final design of a consumer market console, but in this case theres a little bit of a surprise in store.

Recent leaks have led many to believe that the consumer market variant of the PS5 is going to be more X-shaped than V-shaped like the devkit, whereas some have even opined that the next PlayStation might even come in a rather compact form. However, it is plain to see that the icon (see image below) has a distinct shape that once more implies Sony wants to celebrate the fifth iteration of its successful console by retaining the V form, with "V" being the Roman numeral for the number 5.

Of course, its important to keep in mind that this particular PS5 leak would not be the most difficult one in the world to knock-up just for the sake of teasing the hordes of expectant PlayStation fans waiting for a glimpse at the real deal. But if Sony has gone with the polarizing V-shaped design for the consumer market model of the PS5 it will be fascinating to see how it can be further refined in its final state to appeal to the discerning masses.

PlayStation 4 Pro on sale now at Amazon
Joe Scarborough marveled over the chaos of Monday evenings Iowa caucus, asking: What is wrong with the Iowa Democratic party?

Does anybody know what actually happened? Scarborough asked on Tuesday morning as he and a Morning Joe panel reviewed the previous nights delay, which led to confusion and speculation for hours Monday night.

Vaughn Hillyard, an NBC News reporter whos been covering Iowa for five years, gave the panelists on the MSNBC morning show a rundown, explaining that the states Democratic party had a brief press call in the early hours of Tuesday morning and South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg prematurely declared a victory. The results of the caucus, which is the first major contest in the election cycle, are still unknown.

Also Read: Iowa Democratic Caucus Results Delayed by 'Inconsistencies' as Campaigns Spin and Cable News Speculates

Approximately an hour into the delay on Monday, the Iowa Democratic Party finally produced an explanation: that the hold-up was a matter of due diligence rather than technical malfunction or criminal activity.

We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results. In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report, IDP communications director Mandy McClure said in a statement.

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 we will simply take time to further report the results, the statement continued.

When Hillyard concluded his explanation of the nights wild events, Scarborough questioned whats wrong with the states party before moving on, like the Democratic candidates for president, to focus on the upcoming New Hampshire primary.

Read original story Joe Scarborough on Delayed Caucus Results: What Is Wrong With the Iowa Democratic Party? At TheWrap
Radius Bank, a forward-thinking digital bank, today announced that Gabe Beukinga has been named President of its Government Guaranteed Lending (GGL) division. Beukinga joined Radius last year in a leadership position with the GGL Division, and as President, will expand his role to be responsible for all client acquisition and revenue-generating activities within the division.

As President, all GGL business development officers will report to Beukinga, where he will be driving the strategic direction of client acquisition while focusing on executing plans to deliver profitable growth in SBA lending for GGL. Beukinga brings his 13 years experience in SBA lending, business development and executive management, and will continue to lead the direction of Radius participation in 7a, 504, and USDAs B&I loan programs.

Beukinga will report directly to the Banks Executive Vice President and National Director of Government Guaranteed Lending, Grant Skeens.

We are excited to grow our GGL division under Gabes leadership, said Skeens. Since joining Radius, he has been a tremendous asset to the team, and we look forward to seeing this division thrive as he takes on this new and pivotal role.

Before joining Radius, Beukinga was President of SBA Lending at HomeStar Bank, where he launched their SBA lending platform and built a team of eight, grossing over $100 million in loans in its first two years. Prior to HomeStar Bank, Beukinga was a Managing Principal of RBS Finance where he assisted small businesses with debt advisory and consulting services. Beukingas experience also includes an accomplished, 8-year tenure at SomerCor504, Inc., a Chicago-based financial services company specializing in Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans. Ultimately, Beukinga was Senior Vice President and Team Leader.

His career achievements include closing more than 600 commercial real estate and business loans, exceeding $1billion in total financing, for expanding companies. Beukingas annual level of production has consistently made Beukinga one of the top, nationally-recognized SBA lenders in the Country.

To learn more about Radius Bank and its Government Guaranteed Lending division, visit https://radiusbank.com/business/sba-loans/.

###

About Radius Bank

With assets of approximately $1.4 billion, Radius Bank is a forward-thinking digital bank committed to providing a full complement of accounts and services to meet the banking needs of consumers and businesses nationwide. Radius provides the product depth of a national brand, the technology of a fintech, and the personalized attention typically reserved for a local bank to consumers, small and middle market businesses, unions, government entities and non-profit organizations. The Banks award-winning digital banking platform allows consumer clients to bank from anywhere with a computer or mobile device and provides convenient features such as check deposit, bill pay, card management, and a personal financial management dashboard. Business clients enjoy a wide array of award-winning deposit products, advanced treasury management services, and loan and payment solutions. In addition, Radius suite of open APIs deliver a robust banking-as-a-service (BaaS) platform for fintechs to quickly access core banking features and build best-in-class financial solutions. Radius specializes in partnering with forward-thinking fintechs to provide white-label deposit products, cards, digital onboarding, and account management. Radius Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is an Equal Housing/Equal Opportunity Lender. For further information, visit the Bank's website at radiusbank.com, or follow the Bank on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
Brexiteer Anne-Marie Trevelyan will lead a wave of new female ministers as Boris Johnson shuffles his team.

Mrs Trevelyan, a junior defence minister, will be promoted to the Cabinet as the Prime Minister tries to maintain the number of women at the top table.

Last night she was tipped for a possible move to become international development secretary or even to replace her boss, Ben Wallace, whose style as Defence Secretary has irritated some of the PMs most senior aides.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a junior defence minister, will be promoted to the Cabinet as the Prime Minister tries to maintain the number of women at the top table

Mr Wallace, the PMs long-time friend, is battling to save his job.

Speaking at a Nato meeting in Brussels, he admitted reshuffles could be brutal but said he hoped his military experience and the fact he is a northern MP would help keep him in post.

Mr Wallace will not attend the Munich Security Conference tomorrow.

But one Whitehall source dismissed speculation this meant he was going to be sacked, saying: Quite the opposite.

Reports last month suggested the PM was willing to jettison as many as six female Cabinet ministers.

But he appears to have backed away to avoid allegations of sexism.

A Government source also said the PM was aiming to have a 50/50 gender balance among the 26 most junior ministerial positions.

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan is standing down and both Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey appear vulnerable.

Mr Johnson will begin firing unwanted ministers at 8am.

Prisons minister Lucy Frazer is expected to get a Cabinet call-up, possibly to replace the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox.

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan is standing down and both Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey appear vulnerable

Former ministers Maria Miller and Penny Mordaunt have been tipped for recalls while International Development Secretary Alok Sharma is set for promotion.

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden will also get a full Cabinet post.

Former Brexit minister Suella Braverman will return to Government, as will Remainer Gillian Keegan.

Dominic Cummings wanted to slash the size of the Cabinet and axe a series of Whitehall departments. But his advice appears to have been rejected.
Wells Fargo's iconic stagecoach. Greg Doherty | Getty Images

Wells Fargo has invested $5 million into U.K. start-up Elliptic, which helps banks manage the risks associated with being exposed to cryptocurrencies. The London-based firm has become known for its analysis tools, which it sells to some of the world's largest cryptocurrency platforms  including Binance and Circle  to help them find and block illicit digital currency transactions. For instance, the company's technology was able to uncover a terrorist group using bitcoin to finance its operations by tracking suspicious transactions on the cryptocurrency's digital ledger known as the blockchain. It then flagged this to its clients so they could cut off the funds. But the firm, founded in 2013, has been increasingly working with financial institutions to get them on board with its so-called Discovery platform, which helps banks identify whether clients' funds are passing through cryptocurrency platforms without the appropriate compliance checks in place. "If they see payments going between their customers and one of a long list of crypto entities, they can understand more about who that entity is and whether it's something they should be concerned about," Elliptic co-founder and CEO James Smith told CNBC in an interview.

The aim of Discovery is to give banks a sense of their exposure to crypto-assets through their customers' transactions and identify whether there are any money laundering risks. The investment into Elliptic from Wells Fargo's venture unit, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, is an extension of the start-up's $23 million Series B funding round announced in September. The additional investment brings the company's total money raised to over $40 million. Elliptic didn't disclose its valuation. Smith said the fact that Wells Fargo was backing the company shows banks are "interested in how we can help them understand and manage risk that relates to crypto." "More and more financial institutions realize even if they don't touch crypto themselves, they are adjacent to crypto. They are exposed to crypto risk and have a responsibility to understand what the risk is and how to manage it." He said it also reflects an improving regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies, citing legislation such as newly introduced anti-money laundering rules from the European Union. He also highlighted a regulatory framework from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that includes crypto assets. The FATF is an intergovernmental organization tackling dirty money.
Many countries affirmed their support for the just struggle of the Palestinians, as well as for the promotion of negotiations to achieve a two-state solution and keep the Middle East peace train from being derailed.

In addition to the UNSC members, the recent meeting to seek peace for the Middle East brought together representatives from nations, agencies and stakeholders, providing a platform for parties to openly talk about the latest hot developments concerning the conflict between Palestine and Israel, after US President Trump unveiled a Middle East peace plan, acclaimed by the US as the deal of the century. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the tensions in the Middle East and affirmed that a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is crucial for long-term peace in the region. The UN chief reiterated that the UNs position on the issue was determined by the resolutions which had been adopted by the UNSC and the UN General Assembly. He stressed the UNs pledge to continue supporting Palestine and Israel in resolving the conflict on the basis of UN resolutions, international law, and bilateral agreements. Accordingly, a long-term and equitable peace can only be realised with the implementation of the two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully with a recognised border line on the basis of the split lines before the 1967 Middle East war.

In front of UN leaders and members of the UNSC, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a speech in which he rejected President Trumps deal of the century. The Palestinian leader affirmed that the US plan not only fails to bring peace to the region, but it is also a unilateral step, violating international law and infringing the sovereignty and self-determination of the Palestinians. He called on the UNSC and the quartet, including the US, Russia, the European Union (EU) and the UN, to promptly hold an international conference on peace in the Middle East and promote the implementation of the UNSCs resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. The aspiration to establish an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital was supported by the UNSC members. Four member states of the UNSC, including Belgium, Estonia, France and Germany, together with Poland, which has just concluded its term at the council, even affirmed that the Middle East peace plan unveiled by the US has deviated from the limits that have been agreed by the international community. The joint statement of the five countries reiterated the EUs stance of maintaining its commitment to a two-state solution and supporting the resumption of direct talks between Israel and Palestine to resolve all the issues on the final status, such as the border line, the status of Jerusalem, security and asylum, with the goal of building an equitable and sustainable peace. In fact, these are the thorniest issues which have put the peace talks into a deadlock.

The international communitys consistent affirmation toward the Middle East peace process shows many differences concerning the ideas that President Trump recently proposed for this process. The Palestinians have continued their marches to strongly protest the new US plan, blaming it for an increase in the bloody violence in the occupied Palestinian territories. During the UNSC open briefing, many countries also expressed concern about the moves from Israel which sought to annex the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as to continue constructing Jewish settlements, emphasising that such actions will close the door to dialogue and adversely affect the entire region.

The international community shares the view that there is no other way for Middle East peace but to resolve disagreements through dialogue. It is said that the stalemate in the current peace process should not last any longer, and the parties concerned need to refrain from actions that may increase tensions. Only in this way can the wheels of the Middle East peace train continue to roll.
The president flew there to rest at his own expenses, the authority reported

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Oman not with the official visit but for rest and at his own expense as Bukvy reported citing the response of former Presidents Office Head.

Considering the official status of this visit, the initiator of the visit (the Ukrainian or Omani side), grounds of its feasibility and terms of implementation, goalswe note that the visit of the president of Ukraine to Oman was not an official visit, had no official status, implemented with a personal goal and his personal expenses. Thus, the organizational and protocol provision of the visit of the president of Ukraine to Oman was not carried out; the delegation was not provided, the message said.

Besides, the information about the cost of living in a five-star hotel and flight will be mentioned in the declaration of the head of the state. It was not reported how many security guards were along with Zelensky, referring to the state secret.

On January 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stayed in Oman, where he went with his family on a regular flight at his own expense.

The same day, Zelensky held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah.
A millionaire who's made his fortune buying and selling former council properties has insisted that he doesn't feel guilty living the high life on his earnings, while the UK struggles with a housing crisis.

Niven, a 32-year-old property investor from Manchester who is worth 4.5 million and owns 25 properties earning him 27,000 a month, appears in tonight's Council House Millionaires on Channel 5.

The professional landlord does up former council houses and flats and has so much money he keep stashes of cash in envelopes, treats himself to expensive meals, designer sneakers and drives a Ferrari that's worth more than one of his properties.

In the 1980s, the introduction of Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme enabled people to buy their council properties at a discounted price, but over time, investors like Niven have bought up the properties cheaply.

Along with the country's expanding population, it's meant that there are more than one million households on waiting lists for council housing.

When asked if this sounds fair, Niven said: 'There's a lot of winners and losers. I don't think I'm directly making someone lose out.

Niven, a 32-year-old property investor from Manchester, owns 25 former council properties earning him 27,000 a month. He explains in tonight's Council House Millionaires on Channel 5, that he does not feel responsible for the people 'losing out'

'I think the councils have lost out, though. I think the councils could have allocated resources better. The amount of money they waste, I just bought a Ferrari on that,' he said.

Niven bought his first ex-council house aged 20 as an investment, and has been able to use the proceeds from the rent to buy more properties.

Thanks to a team of handymen, he's renovated the properties in order to rent them out at a higher rate than the mortgages.

The landlord bought the 'bachelor pad' he lives in four years ago, and said that he lives the 'high life,' driving a Range Rover and a brand new Ferrari.

Niven, pictured with his brand new Ferrari, lives a life of luxury having bought former local authority houses bought and resold through the Right To Buy Scheme

He admitted to blowing his tenants' rent on pairs of 400 designer sneakers, expensive clothes and nights out as soon as he collects it.

'But then I look at my schedule and the next rent is due in a few days,' he explained.

In some parts of the country, the waiting list for council housing is ten years long, and the situation is not eased by private landlords buying more and more former local authority properties for profit.

'It kinda worked in my favour, the council not being able to provide houses for everyone,' Niven said.

When asked whether the shortage of council housing is partly due to private landlords like him, he agreed that they system is flawed.

'I do buy the council properties up, but should they be for sale in the first place if there's such a demand?' he said. 'But I don't control their policy.'

Niven explains that while he contributes to the housing crisis by buying former council houses, these properties should not be for sale in the first place

Niven is now worth 4.5 million thanks to his property business and can make up to 2,500 a month on one house

The professional landlord rents the houses to individual tenants rather than families, because it is more profitable, and calls his rentals 'cash machines.'

Visiting one of his flats that needed repair after being left in a bad state by a former tenant, he instructed one of the contractors he works with to install a digital lock on the door so that he could add 20 to the rent.

'When this is fully rented I'll get 2,500 and then every month I'll get maybe 1,500 and then we go to the next house and that's how you grow the business. We'll just get it cracked and get on to it,' he said.

According to the Channel 5 show, 40 percent of council properties in the UK are now owned by private landlords. It also claims that local authorities in England sold 11,000 homes to private landlords in the last 12 months.

Council House Millionaires airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
The price that Amazon paid for the Old Chicago amusement park and megamall site, which will probably be refitted for a fulfillment or customer service center, though Amazon hasnt yet confirmed its future function. This land purchase in Bolingbrook provides us with the flexibility to quickly respond to our future network needs. ( Business Insider  February 12, 2020)
Ukraine's EOP status is key to strengthening European security and deepening cooperation and partnership.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk has said Ukraine meets the criteria for NATO's Enhanced Opportunity Partner (EOP) status.

Read alsoUkraine's Defense Minister: Military bases meeting NATO standards to be built in Donbas

"Allies are aware that this issue is an absolute priority for Ukraine. Ukraine has made significant progress in implementing the Alliance's standards and already meets military criteria to join the EOP program. We are ready and now we have a window of opportunity," he said at a working breakfast on Thursday at the invitation of Canada's Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan with the participation of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as reported on the ministry's official website.

Zagorodnyuk also said Ukraine's EOP status was key to strengthening European security and deepening cooperation and partnership.

In addition, the defense minister stressed Ukraine has something to offer to the Alliance. "Among the directions, the minister singled out the further contribution to NATO operations, sharing and exploiting operational lessons from the Joint Forces Operation of Ukraine, including in the cyber/hybrid domain, as well as contributing to Black Sea security," the report said.

The minister also encouraged Allies to consider Ukraine's request and build consensus to support the EOP status for Ukraine.
UOB announces $3billion relief assistance especially for SMEs affected by Covid-19

By: Phoenix Lee/

UOB announces

United Overseas Bank (UOB) on Feb 12 announced that it has allocated S$3 billion to provide companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in Singapore with relief assistance to tide over the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their business.

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the worlds top banks: Aa1 by Moodys and AA- by both Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings. In Asia, UOB operates through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as branches and representative offices across the region.

UOB announces package to help corporate clients

In the face of the likely economic fallout and its impact on industries and businesses, UOB sees the need to help its corporate clients, in particular the SMEs, in addressing their near-term liquidity needs. The Banks relief measures aim to enable those affected companies, who have good track records and who have been servicing their repayments promptly, to have more flexibility in their cash flow management.

UOB announces relief assistance to cushion impact of Covid-19. Assistance especially targeted at small and medium sized enterprises.

These measures include:

allowing affected businesses to rework their principal repayments and to service only their loan

interest for up to one year;

extending up to one year working capital financing of up to S$5 million; and

offering financing liquidity against mortgage security.

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, said, In these particularly trying times, the government, businesses and communities are doing their very best to overcome this immediate challenge. We at UOB want to play our part in our commitment to caring for our clients businesses. For most companies, especially the SMEs, cash flow and financing are key to them sustaining their business. As their long-term banking partner, we believe our added support can help alleviate the business disruption and pressure from the ripple effect of the epidemic.

Story continues

UOB announces plan also for retail customers

For its retail customers who are affected by the current circumstances, UOB will assess on a case-by-case basis how it can help them. The Bank is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate steps accordingly in support of its customers.

UOB announces assistance as reports suggests impact from Covid-19 is expected to be short-lived

The economic impact of the Coronavirus issue is expected to be short-lived based on the current situation, said a recent note from Cushman & Wakefield (C&W). The report said that the Singapore government has tried to put in place multiple lines of defence to minimize the chances of the virus spreading further.

Any disruption to market activity is expected to be short-lived and so the real estate impact will be minimal said Ms Christine Li, C&Ws Head of Research for South East Asia.

Singapore, Singapore; held up by the countrys sound economic fundamentals. The impact will be mostly felt by the hospitality, retail and F&B sectors, with limited impact on both the office and industrial sectors as these are non-tourism related sectors. Corporates may delay decision making in the first quarter of 2020 as they focus on tactical issues around operations in China for the moment. This is expected to impact activity in the first quarter of 2020 against an office leasing market that has already been grappling with a slowdown arising from the US-China trade war.

Although the real estate impact will be minimal, the impact on the hospitality sector is more immediate said the report.

With millions in China under an effective lockdown and a ban on Chinese tour groups and travellers who have recently travelled to China, tourist arrivals especially from China are expected to slow in 1H 2020. Given that Chinese tourists make up about 20 per cent of Singapores international visitors with about 3.6 million visitors to Singapore in 2019, overall hotel RevPar is expected to see some downward pressure in the first half.

The slow down in tourist arrivals will result in a decline in shopping spend by Chinese tourists, particularly retail trades and tourist destinations which cater to Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists were the top spenders in the first half of 2019, spending close to S$2 billion on shopping, accommodation, F&B, etc, with 51 per cent on shopping alone. As such, some of the more touristy shopping destinations mainly in Marina Bay Sands and Orchard locations could be affected if the travel ban and outbreak persists.

As the real estate impact is expected to be minimal, landlords of major shopping centres are not under pressure to lower rents, especially if the overall situation improves in the next couple of weeks, said C&W.

Typically, the well-managed shopping centres also have enough tenants in waiting to take up any vacancy that becomes available. So long as the virus remains at bay with no community spread, the temporary decline in footfalls at malls should recover over a short period of time.

In the residential sector, there could be a slight impact on project launches as developers are likely to hold back new launches in view of the weaker sentiment, said C&W.

Ms Li said, high-end luxury properties with more Chinese buyers could face slower take-up rates as viewings are expected to slow down in the midst of the outbreak. Again, the impact should still be contained as Singapore continues to be seen as a safe haven location amid heightened global uncertainties.

She added, liquidity is still aplenty and investors continue to search for yield in the real estate sector. Well-managed and well-located office and industrial assets will remain sought after by investors and occupiers who typically take a medium to long term view when they purchase or lease these properties.

The post UOB announces relief assistance to cushion impact of Covid-19 appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.
The judge in the case in which a woman who ran a red light and killed a Normal Park schoolteacher is appealing her workhouse sentence has recused himself.

Defense attorney Jonathan Turner said he did not know why Judge Don Poole decided to step away from the case.

The judge on Tuesday morning had heard an appeal from Neshala Massengale, who ran a light at the intersection of Brainerd and Elmwood Road in January 2019, crashing into Bethany Schklars vehicle. Ms. Schklar sustained a serious head injury and died a few days later.

Ms. Massengale pled guilty to speeding and driving without insurance in General Sessions Court in August and was sentenced to 90 days in the workhouse, followed by nine more months of house arrest and community service days. She avoided vehicular homicide charges despite going around 50 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone.

Investigators pointed out that the sun made it difficult to see what color the light was, and her defense attorney said she was on her way to work. Ms. Massengale was only appealing the 90-day active time sentence, citing how crippling it would be when it came to her ability to provide for her children as a single mother.



If I go to jail, I do not have any way of supporting my kids, and I will lose my house that Ive been in for over six years, I will lose the career that allows me to take care of my kids, said Ms. Massengale. I do not receive any governmental assistance or aid, which I am very proud of. And again, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to Ms. Bethanys family. I would do anything to bring her back, but unfortunately that I cannot. I just ask the judge to see that I am not a horrible person.



Ms. Schklars mother was unimpressed with Ms. Massengales apology. She alluded to a social media post, where the defendant allegedly made remarks about getting her curves back a few weeks after the crash. She said Ms. Massengale did not seem to be apologetic or remorseful on the post. She pleaded with the judge to impose the maximum punishment.



I recognize the sentence you impose will not bring Bethany back to us, nor will it alleviate the financial stress Josh faces every day, said the mother of the Teacher of the Year.  I simply ask for you to consider the value of my daughters life to her husband, her son, her friends, her students, to her family and to me as her mother. Alongside the defendants willful and heedless actions as she made her decision.

In this horrific year, only one person has dared to say to me that Everything happens for a reason, and the reason here is very simple, said her mother. Ms. Massengale has admitted she willfully chose to drive that day, even though she was prohibited by law from doing so because she lacked proof of financial responsibility.

The officer who responded to the crash said that Ms. Massengale was remorseful every time he spoke to her after the crash, and the probation officer told Judge Don Poole that she had been in perfect compliance with her house arrest rules.

After listening to the testimony from various sources, Judge Poole had decided he needed a few days to think about how he should rule. There were questions about case law and whether or not he was imposing a new sentence, or just reinforcing an already-established one.

Im not going to make a decision today, said the judge on Tuesday. Im going to review everything thats been presented today, and, quite frankly, I would like to look at some law as well in regard to this. I would like to, if its not a complete inconvenience to either side, come back on Thursday morning.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 07:08:38|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday asked for the earnest implementation of the outcome of last month's Berlin Conference on Libya after the Security Council endorsed it.

The Security Council adopted Resolution 2510 with 14 votes in favor to endorse the Berlin outcome. Russia was the only member that did not vote in favor. It abstained.

China hopes that all parties in Libya, relevant regional countries, as well as the international community, will work together for the earnest implementation of the Berlin outcome, said Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, after the vote.

In this process, the UN Secretariat should develop an actionable plan that fully reflects the leadership and ownership by the Libyans, accommodates the concerns of all parties, and leverages the positive role of the countries concerned, said Wu.

China supports the African Union and the League of Arab States in bringing their unique influence on the political settlement of the Libya question and working in synergy with the United Nations, he said.

In implementing the outcome of the Berlin Conference and the Security Council resolution, the international community should remain highly vigilant against terrorism in and around Libya, resolutely combat all forms of terrorism in the country, and prevent the cross-border movement of foreign terrorist fighters. Libya should not be allowed to become the breeding ground for terrorism, the spread of which can jeopardize the country's peace process, said Wu.

China supports the continued leading role of the United Nations in promoting the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, and calls on all parties to the Libyan conflict to achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, he said.

The Security Council's endorsement of the Berlin outcome will contribute to an early peaceful settlement of the Libyan question, he said.
Airline Jet2 is launching a new route from Belfast International to Larnaca in Cyprus, with flights scheduled to start in summer next year (PA)

Airline Jet2 is launching a new route from Belfast International to Larnaca in Cyprus, with flights scheduled to start in summer next year.

The weekly Sunday service will be the company's second Northern Ireland to Cyprus route. It already flies to Paphos.

Jet2, which also sells package holidays, said it was increasing its Belfast seat capacity by 7%, bringing the total number of seats it can handle to 575,000.

The airline's expanded summer programme, which includes flights to destinations such as the Canaries, Balearics, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, launches this week.

Jet2.com chief executive Steve Heapy welcomed the news and hailed Northern Ireland as an important market.

"We are putting our summer programme on sale earlier than ever from Belfast International Airport, giving customers and independent travel agents in Northern Ireland the chance to book early," he said.

"There continues to be strong demand for our award-winning flights and holidays."
With Scandinavian Airlines Ad, Globalism Turns to Self-Loathing

Commentary

A commercial for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has caused an uproar on social media, causing thousands of Scandinavians to pledge never to fly with them again, and post photos of them cutting up their SAS cards.

A period piece of globalist anti-nation state talking points, the bizarre commercial delivers a message that absolutely nothing is inherently Scandinavian, and that everything we associate with Scandinavia, from windmills to meatballs, has in fact been stolen from other countries.

Its such a dizzying display of inverted branding, Swedish-Hungarian PR man Peter Karaszi called it the worst bellyflop I have seen in 40 years in the advertising business.

I am in a state of atomic shock, said Soeren Espersen, a senior member of the populist Danish Peoples Party, who vowed to compel Denmarks transportation bureau to discipline the airline harshly.

He says the ad comes down to spitting on all that is truly Norwegian, truly Swedish, and truly Danish.

Absolutely Nothing

The commercial opens with classically Swedish images: Blond hair being braided, candles being blown out on the traditional birthday cake with Swedish flags, and a young womans voice asking bleakly:

What is truly Scandinavian?

Then the hammer blow, a second later, as the music stops: Absolutely  nothing.

The montage cuts to a sad child shrugging, then the word nothing in several languages, across more images of Scandinavian nature. Two spooky blond children speak in unison: There is no  such  thing. A dark-haired youth looks at the camera accusingly.

Everything, the voice continues, is copied.

Our democracy? the voice asks, as the camera pans over mass-produced Greek statues. Credit goes to Greece.

Parental leave? A man carrying a baby in a sling whispers, Thank you, Switzerland.

It goes on, relentlessly: Windmills were invented in Persia, bicycles stolen from Germany, dark bread is Turkish, licorice is Chinese. A Swedish woman calls out hope for the Midsummer Maypole, only to be told, Its German.

A young woman looks truly bereft as she warns us, It gets worse.

The pace slows down for the central kill. Rumor has it that the oh-so-Swedish meatballs might not be as Swedish as you think  but Turkish. An audible gasp.

An Asian man in pink hair tells us: Even the Danish isnt Danish. Its Austrian. On to, the pride of Norway, the paper clip, was actually invented by an American.

Suddenly, amidst grainy footage of suffragette protests, America (not Sweden) is thanked for spearheading the womens rights movement.

And then the camera pans to a boy of African descent saying: Were no better than our Viking ancestors. We take everything we like on our trips abroad, adjust it a little bit and  voila.

Fury and Backlash

The bizarre video was met with such fury, promises of widespread boycotts, and tens of thousands of thumbs down on YouTube, that SAS took it down the same day.

But that brought new backlashes. Mainstream (globalist hardline) Swedish media ran editorials attacking SAS for caving in to far-right nationalists, so SAS put it back up, but closed the comments section.

It didnt stop there. SAS soon put out a statement claiming that Russia was behind the opposition to the commercial, on grounds a negative article about it was published by Sputnik, and published an internet data map from the app Hoaxy, claiming to show that the story went viral thanks to incitement from Russian trolls.

A defensive and even paranoid statement from SAS read: SAS is a Scandinavian airline that brings travelers to, from, and within Scandinavia.  When analyzing the pattern and volume of reactions we have reason to suspect an online attack and that the campaign has been hijacked. We do not want to risk being a platform for views that we do not share. We have therefore temporarily removed the film from our channels and we are currently evaluating the next step.

Peter Karaszi, a lone voice of reason, in his blistering editorial in Swedens Expressen, called it a kind of anti-advertisement for Scandinavia.

Lets establish, he wrote, that the commercial is extremely bad. Pompous, haughty, and condescending.

He points out that the comments were 98 percent negative, and that SASs crisis response made things even worse. He would, he writes, have advised them not to argue or defend themselves, but instead just crawl under the covers and close their eyes until the nightmare is over.

How could things go so wrong? Karaszi wondered. At least 50 people, probably more, were involved in the production of the film. Did they really have no target group  they could have tested the film on before they released it? He accuses the creators of existing inside such an insulating bubble that they in all seriousness believed they were doing the right thing.

Attacking the Customers

The infamous toxic masculinity pre-Superbowl Gillette commercial is the American forerunner to the SAS ad. The strange quality both share is the sense of weaponizing the product against the very people it would normally seek to seduce. Are commercials becoming vehicles that attack their customers, in the age of woke?

SAS has been the latest in a long line of globalist corporations, IKEA being another, that seems near-desperate to let the world know Sweden is a multicultural paradise now.

That what once looked like Sweden no longer looks like Sweden. That Sweden is no longer just a place full of ethnic Swedes. That meatballs are no longer a source of national pride, but rather pride is rooted in Swedens unique fanaticism around ethnic and sexual-political correctness.

I would give an award to any Swedish ad that manages to not even mention meatballs one way or the other. Darn it, its a meatball recipe. It has pork, beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, etc. But almost every country on earth serves meatballs one way or another.

And enough about the licorice, as much as I miss it. America doesnt talk about its Twizzlers. However, I could talk your ear off about the superiority of the Swedish Stearin Candle manufactured by Liljeholmen.

None of this is what makes a nation.

The petty and materialistic Sweden branding of the 1960s and 70s is precisely why the conversation about Sweden is so claustrophobic and controlling. There is so much that is fantastic about Scandinaviaits respect for nature, its literature, its decency, its industriousness.

The SAS commercial could have boasted that Sweden was the first country to award the Nobel Prize in literature to a womanSelma Lagerlof.

Or Pippi Longstockings creator Astrid Lindgren got animal rightsincluding windows and outdoor timewritten into the constitution.

Self-Injury Compulsions

The self-loathing SAS commercial appeared at the same time as reports in the Swedish news media about a new phenomenon of children committing crimes against children. (That means migrant children against Swedish children.)

An 18-year-old who went by Liam was getting off a train when he was attacked, robbed, taken to the woods, stripped naked, and had his head bashed. Hurling anti-Swedish profanities, his attackers even urinated in his mouth.

Is it felt that if Sweden attacks herself, she will be safer and less overtly despised by the immigrants who, for some reason, have been overcome by racial hatred of ethnic Sweden since the great wave of immigration began in 2014?

Hate crimes against ethnic Swedesrapes, gang rapes, beatings, arsons, robberiesare at an all-time high.

I sent the SAS ad to an old friend in Sweden, who asked to remain anonymous. It makes me seriously sad, he said. How can they sink so low? Ill never ever fly SAS again. But Im not surprisedthis kind of thing happens all the time. Slowly, the self-hatred eats its way into the civic-body. Sweden/Europe becomes like a human being with self-injury compulsions.

There is also an explanation that is strictly economic and way more pedestrian. SAS has had to adapt to the crippling competition of the budget airline Norwegian (which proudly shared an image of a Norwegian-invented cheese slicer on its Facebook page, trolling SAS) by creating affordable subsidiary-airlines.

SAS pilots entered the heated debate on social media, critical of the commercial but casting new light on it, as a way to get customers used to changes ahead.

With Irish planes, Spanish pilots and Baltic cabin staff, the Scandinavian experience feels like its vanishing, one wrote. But the reactions from our customers shows that people value and care about the Scandinavian brand.

One meme showed a bit of humor. A photo of an SAS plane in the air is captioned at the top, Theres nothing good about Scandinavia.

Then below the plane: This plane is Scandinavian.

Celia Farber is a Swedish-American writer with a background in magazine reportage and investigative reporting. She has written for Harpers Magazine, Esquire, Rolling Stone, and many more, and is a contributor to The Epoch Times.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
WASHINGTON  After three failures as the Democratic presidential nominee (1896, 1900, 1908), Nebraska's William Jennings Bryan, a populist teetotaler, told a story about a drunk who, after being hurled out of a club a third time, dusted himself off and said: "They can't fool me. Those fellows don't want me in there." Joe Biden can sympathize.

He was already in his third Senate term when he sought the Democrats' 1988 nomination. His campaign expired before Iowa, in September 1987. In 2008, his campaign collapsed the night he received 0.9% of Iowa's vote. He has never won anywhere outside Delaware, the nation's 45th-most populous state, which has not elected a Republican as congressman since 2008, as senator since 1994, or as governor since 1988.

In New Hampshire, Elizabeth Warren finished fourth and closer to last than to third. This effectively ended one of the two candidacies that could have guaranteed Donald Trump's reelection. The other, that of Bernie Sanders, probably reached its apogee Tuesday because the success of Amy Klobuchar, who finished third but much closer to first than to fourth, demonstrated Democrats' realism about how to defeat Trump at a time when 70% of voters self-identify as moderate or conservative.

Today's nomination process has myriad defects but one manifest virtue: It provides ample time and small early venues for aspirants who, like Klobuchar, start with more pluck than money, and less notoriety than seriousness. Sanders' coming defeat might send some of his most dyspeptic supporters  those most like him  into hibernation or opposition. Pouting would be in character for true believers who are self-righteous and ideologically inebriated. But it would not necessarily be fatal to the Democratic Party, which has survived defections before. In 1948, South Carolina Gov. Strom Thurmond led the Dixiecrats' rebellion on the right and Henry Wallace, Franklin Roosevelt's second vice president, led the Progressives' departure from the left, yet FDR's third vice president, then-President Harry Truman, won anyway.

Mike Bloomberg's 30-second ads do not resemble the Federalist Papers but neither do they lower the intellectual tone set by the Democrats' "debates," and they have propelled him into contention. There is, however, some point at which such blast marketing has steeply diminishing effectiveness. In the last five months of the 2016 campaign, in two hotly contested metropolitan areas in swing states, Las Vegas saw 20,471 presidential campaign ads and Columbus, Ohio, saw 15,658. Such media blitzkriegs become like wallpaper  there but not noticed.

Whether Bloomberg's campaign succeeds or fails, the republic will benefit. If nominated, he might go on to fumigate the Oval Office, and the political scolds who lament "too much money in politics" will be ecstatic about what his spending accomplished. If, however, his "overwhelming" spending does not overwhelm, this will refute the scolds' unempirical assertions about the irresistible power of money-bought advertising. In 1957, Ford Motor Co. put its enormous marketing power behind a new product, but the Edsel's unhappy life lasted just 26 months.

In politics, too, the product itself matters more than the marketing of it. Bloomberg's incurable anti-charisma makes him the equivalent of a no-nonsense sedan, an agreeable contrast with the gaudy chrome-and-tailfins of Trump, a human land yacht. Bloomberg's demeanor is that of someone who knows how to smile but resists the inclination. There are, however, credible reports of a dry  arid, actually  Bloomberg witticism. Asked about a possible fall campaign between two billionaires, he replied: Who would be the second one?

Bloomberg has a knack for getting under Trump's microscopically thin skin. His needling of Trump would augment the public stock of harmless pleasure, and could leave Trump wallowing waist deep in his insecurities, a sight that members of his cult need to see and everyone else would enjoy seeing.

Among Democratic activists, a nascent ABB faction  Anybody But Bloomberg  is decrying New York's "stop and frisk" anti-handgun police measures during his mayoralty, measures often applied to young minority males. This policy probably was more lamented by white liberals living in buildings with doormen than by minorities living in danger. Nevertheless, a party whose most fervid members consider "billionaire" an unanswerable epithet might flinch from nominating one of those who was last elected to office as a Republican.

So, a Bloomberg-Klobuchar ticket is less feasible, and probably would be less potent than, say, a Klobuchar-Deval Patrick (the African American former two-term governor of Massachusetts) ticket. So, after Tuesday, it is somewhat less likely that the Trump-Mike Pence ticket will repeat its Midwest victories or add Minnesota to them.

George F. Will is a columnist for the Washington Post. His email address is georgewill@washpost.com.

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GOP congressional candidates on sanctuary cities, gun control, abortion

Candidates for the Republican nomination in the 11th Congressional District pose before a forum on Jan. 25 at AB Tech in Asheville.

EDITORS NOTE: Candidates responses are from a Jan. 25 Republican Party forum at AB-Tech except for Wayne King, who was absent. King emailed responses at the Lightnings request. Matthew Burril, who is listed on the ballot, dropped out of the race.

Q. Under North Carolina law, if the first place candidate wins less than 30 percent of the total vote plus 1, the runner-up can call for a runoff election. If you finished second, would you call for a runoff or concede?

Albert Wiley Jr.: I would have to see what all the parameters are. If I were tied, so to speak, Id like to look at their credentials and see if they share what I think are the important values.

Steven Fekete Jr.: Its a little too vague for me about things that might happen. Keep going down until somebody wins.

Vance Patterson: I have experience with this. In 2012, there were 11 candidates (in the Republican primary for this seat). I came in second to Mark Meadows and I started getting phone calls, You need to get out. And I got endorsements from some of the other candidates. The real issue was, I wasnt worried about the party, Im sorry. I was worried about the people that were supporting me, the ones that had voted for me, the ones that had worked for me. Asking me now whether I would give up, thats not a good question to ask me right now.

Madison Cawthorn: Were not the Democratic Party. We all share a core sense of values. I think that any one of the 10 candidates here would be an excellent representative, much better than a Democrat. Because we all share core values and we all have human decency and were all Southerners, I believe that if we go to a runoff election were not going to start playing the dirty games that are going to damage us in the general election  just giving the Democrats ammunition in November. I believe a runoff is absolutely acceptable in this race because were all decent people, were all Christians, we all believe in the Second Amendment, were all pro-wall, were pro-Trump, we all want to join the Freedom Caucus, were all good people, we will not take each other down.

Joey Osborne: Im for a runoff, if it happens.

Lynda Bennett: I havent thought about it that much. I will say that whoever does get through the primary and is the candidate that I will support that candidate 100 percent.

Jim Davis: I believe in that system. However, it all depends on how close you are. The problem with a runoff is that you use a lot of resources that would be better served for the general election. That would determine whether I if I came in second would call for a runoff or not. Our first rule is that weve got to keep this seat in Republican hands.

Dillon Gentry: I second other candidates view.

Dan Driscoll: Also agreed.

Chuck Archerd: If I come in first I dont want a runoff. But in all seriousness, we have laws and I believe we follow the laws. They were set up with a lot of foresight and we need to follow them. I think we should have a runoff if theres a first and second place and neither of them achieve the 30 percent threshold.

Q. What would you do about sanctuary cities and law enforcement officials that refuse to cooperate with ICE?

Archerd: I think its criminal to turn criminals out on the street where they can harm American citizens. I think that we should write a law to prohibit federal funds from going to sanctuary cites or sanctuary states. Related to the ICE detainer request, we should be cooperating to keep citizens safe. If the Buncombe sheriff turns someone loose I think he ought to be in prison.

Driscoll: You cant have that. Government doesnt work in that model. Its a preposterous thing for local governments to declare themselves sanctuary cities.

Gentry: It started out as denying detainer request and morphed into, No were not going to cooperate and were going to tell people when any type of raid is happening. How to stop it? Theyre already not following the law so Im not entirely sure how were going to do it. It shouldnt be happening. I think theres some merit to it if they dont want to participate in raids due to resources without being reimbursed. But in terms of denying a detainer, that on its face is ridiculous.

Davis: The state Senate passed a bill that would have required sheriffs to honor ICE detainers. Unfortunately the governor vetoed that bill, another reason why Coopers gotta go.

Osborne: Its absurd, it never should have happened but I am for one sort of sanctuary. I want to make the 11th District a sanctuary for pro-God, pro-life, small government, pro-gun.

Wiley: I think one thing Congress could do would be to defend cities that have that kind of policy. Federal can deny money but I think the state Legislature is the appropriate place to solve this.

Fekete: I dont think this is up for debate. If theyre breaking the law, why dont you just put them in prison. Have they not taken an oath to do what theyre supposed to do?

Patterson: This is what the Democrats do, say something, label it. What can be wrong with sanctuary cities? They ought to be called criminal havens.

Madison: The fact that we even have to deal with sanctuary cities is ridiculous. You shouldnt even be able to get into our country as an illegal alien. The problem that I think we have with so many people crossing our southern border is theyve created a major business structure for organizations to use. We have cartels on our southern border who have just showed they can defeat the Mexican military wherever they choose.  This is a major national security threat. Now think of the lunacy of Democrats. They will not allow us to build a wall and then they create these sanctuary cities that allow immigrants to come into our country and then from the judicial side they say that we have to pay for their health care and then to foot the bill we have to borrow money from China to pay for all these illegal immigrants. The Democrats have to be stopped. No more sanctuary cities. No more unsecure borders.

Q. What is your position on the Second Amendment and red flag laws allowing law enforcement to take firearms from people who investigators say may pose a threat?

Davis: The Second Amendment ends by stating, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Period. It doesnt have a comma. Period. End of statement. Red flag laws are unconstitutional.

Gentry: Im a firearms instructor. I build rifles, I build handguns. Red flag laws would prosecute people without due process. It is wholly unconstitutional. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that the states arent passing these access laws. States cannot pass a law that conflicts with federal law. We need to have more sound legislation that does uphold the Second Amendment.

Driscoll: The due process piece is incredibly important, and the danger it puts law enforcement in. It is a terrible idea.

Archerd: Were not prosecuting people, felons in possession (of a firearm), for example  75 percent of those never even get prosecuted and they want new laws. I will be strongly supporting Second Amendment rights.

Madison: The Second Amendment was not written so we could have sporting rifles or be able to go hunting. The Second Amendment was written so that if a tyrant ever rises up we can fight back. When it comes to red flag laws, it doesnt take a super genius to see how this could be turned into a political weapon  if your neighbor whos a raging liberal could just walk out and say, He seems a little crazy today and ATF agents are showing up at the door, interrupting your dinner and taking all your guns. We have to have an armed citizenry to have a republic.

Patterson: Ive been a gun owner since I was 6 years old. Violent criminals worst fear is an armed victim. Police have rules, armed victims do not have rules. Red flag laws  totally against the Fourth Amendment of unreasonable search and seizure.

Fekete: Judges will stop your rights, but then they wont stop the rights of illegals and everybody whos against you. Whos on your side and whos not?

Wiley: I support the Second Amendment. It was written for a purpose and we still have the need for which it was written. If you know your history you know why we have the Second Amendment. In recent times with the Jews in Europe, had they been armed there would not have been a holocaust. Red flag laws  what we have in background checks should take care of that.

Osborne: As a native North Carolinian I have a closet full of guns. I can challenge anybody here in squirrel shooting contest. The Second Amendment does not need to be touched. The red flag stuff is a bunch of crap, to put it bluntly.

Bennett: There will be no compromise on the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment protects all our other rights. If we lose the Second Amendment were probably going to lose our freedom of speech, were going to lose our freedom of religion, were going to lose our freedoms across the board. I do conceal-carry and I suggest that everyone do it. It will create a safer society. This issue is not about gun control. Its about people control.

Q. What is your position on Roe v. Wade?

Wiley: Roe v. Wade should never have been implemented. I believe that life begins with conception and the sanctity of life is probably the most important value we can have.

Fekete: Were allowing our children to be killed when they may grow up to change the world. Were killing generations of people. Not just the ones that die but then their children and their children.

Patterson: The CDC reported in 1972 that 39 young women died of illegal abortion and thats tragic. But since 1970 over 46 million abortions have taken place based on those 39. If we can determine when life begins, thats when abortion will stop. Less than 3-tenths of 1 percent of abortions are of children 15 and younger. Less than half of 1 percent are rape victims. Yet this is what you hear over and over  If we change that law all these women are going to suffer and its just not the case.

Cawthorn: When Roe v. Wade was passed we didnt even have the ability to use an ultrasound. But now we can look inside a mothers stomach and see that this precious baby experiences pain, has a heartbeat and we are a country who has legalized murder. The left is not pro-choice. They are pro-murder. We must stand up for the weakest among us. We must repeal Roe v. Wade. Our laws must reflect our science.

Archerd: Im unapologetically pro-life. Were made in Gods image from the moment of conception. Were also prolife till our last breath.

Driscoll: As a father of a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old I cant imagine being anything but prolife. As for Roe v. Wade, this is why conservative judges are so important.

Gentry: Actually, Roe v. Wade is a pretty weak ruling. The way its written it actually guarantees a quote-unquote right to privacy, which is how its quote-unquote constitutional, which, if youre a reasonable person, that makes no sense.

Davis: As a biology major in college, I dont believe that life begins with conception. I know it does. My wife and I had the privilege of adopting a son. We brought him home, he was three days old. The biological mother was 16 years old when she got pregnant and my wife and I will always be eternally grateful for her not to choose abortion because what we all need more of is more Jeffrey Clark Davises, not fewer. I am unashamedly against abortion for those reasons. Without Jeffrey Clark Davis, I wouldnt have two beautiful granddaughters. Im forever grateful for that young ladys choice.

Bennett: Today before we came here, there was a group of people at Planned Parenthood that a couple of us joined and they were praying for the unborn. What Roe v. Wade means to them is that they want it to be repealed. Since life begins at conception and life is one of our most precious gifts, we must protect it.

Osborne: Im absolutely prolife and anti-abortion. It should be against the law. But theres a bigger issue, though, something I always refer to as EGO, edge God out. When you edge God out, which is whats happening with abortion, you create a situation where government has to be bigger. The bigger we can make God the smaller we can make government.

SHIRTTAIL

NOTE: The Lightnings Voter Guide continues in the Feb. 19 issue and at hendersonvillelightning.com with coverage of the Republican primary for the 117th state House district and Democratic primaries for the 11th Congressional District, the 48th state Senate District and District 2 Henderson County Board of Commissioners seat.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  After 20 months as interim director, Jill Paulsen was named executive director of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture on Wednesday.

She stepped up to the plate and kept CAC, our board, our team and all of our partners not just running meanwhile, but thriving, the boards president, Charna Sherman, said before a unanimous vote to disband a search committee and promote Paulsen.

Since 2006, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture has been one of the nations leading sources of community public support for the arts. The government agency has distributed more than $193 million from the countys cigarette tax to 420 organizations.

But tax receipts are shrinking, and local leaders are talking about ways to expand funds. The Arts and Culture board is also in talks about a possible realignment of duties with the nonprofit Arts Cleveland and with the Arts and Culture Action Committee, which promotes the tax.

In a press release prepared before the vote, Paulsen said, Ive seen the power of arts and their ability to drive change, seek justice, and spark creativity across the county.

Paulsen, 43, has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years, including stints with the Cleveland Foundation and the Gund Foundation. She has a bachelors degree from Grinnell College and a masters degree in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University.

Paulsen joined Arts and Culture in 2011. She lives downtown with her husband and daughter.

Her predecessor, Karen Gahl-Mills, resigned as executive director in June 2018. Paulsens promotion means a raise in salary from $135,000 to $156,000 per year, with the same benefits as before.

The vote took place during a 4 p.m. board meeting at Mt. Pleasant NOW Development Corp.
Coalition lawmakers and conservative religious leaders rejected the request of senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells to scrap the controversial religious discrimination bill. The Liberal leader had urged the Senate to pass a Religious Freedom Act that contains general protections for religious believers apart from protection against religious discrimination.

Fierravanti-Wells had drafted a Religious Freedoms petition and urged everyone to support and sign it. The senator wanted an Act with provisions that should grant new positive rights instead of merely protection from discrimination. According to the open petition, the 59-year-old leader wanted to ensure the right to freedom of religion including freedom to have or to adopt a religion.

To manifest one's religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching, the petition read.

The senator, in her recommendations, had called for an Act that should have a single framework for all anti-discrimination laws. Fierravanti-Wells wanted that the Act should ensure no one shall be subject to coercion, impairing his or her freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his or her choice.

Read: Firefighters Announce All 'fires Contained' In New South Wales, Australia

Senator's take on bushfires

On February 12, the Australian senator also called upon the nations spy agencies to investigate whether eco-terrorists were responsible for the country's unprecedented bushfires. Speaking in the Australian parliament, Fierravanti-Wells said it defies logic that hundreds of bushfires started at the same time.

Extreme activism & perhaps "eco-terrorism"? With satellite data showing 87% of #bushfiresAustralia man-made (40% deliberately lit), it's time to use communications meta-data in the investigation of arsonists. Are they lone actors or part of a sinister collective? #auspol pic.twitter.com/uAm2X1tslt  C Fierravanti-Wells (@Senator_CFW) February 11, 2020

Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Australia Extends Its Ban On Chinese Travellers

Fierravanti-Wells claimed that that the vast number of fires that started around the same time in Australia not only gave the impression of the possibility of arsonist attack but also suggested a level of coordination."Who are they? What was their motive and intent? Are they lone actors or part of a sinister collective conducting eco-terrorism?" she asked.

Read: Banksy Artwork To Go Up For Auction For Australia Bushfire Relief

Read: Now, Australian Senator Blames 'Eco-Terrorists' For Bushfires & Seeks Investigation
LONDON  A British woman who in a drunken fit tried to open the door of a passenger plane thousands of feet above the North Sea has been jailed for two years and barred for life from the airline, officials said.

The woman, Chloe Haines, was on an evening flight with Jet2, a British budget airline, from Stansted Airport, east of London, bound for Dalaman, in southwestern Turkey, when she leapt for a door of the plane, scratched a member of the crew and shouted, Im going to kill you all, according to the BBC.

Fellow passengers helped the plane crew restrain Ms. Haines, a spokesman for Jet2 told The New York Times in July. Military jets were scrambled to escort the plane back to Britain, where she was arrested.

In testimony on Wednesday at Chelmsford Crown Court in England, the prosecution said that she was drunk, loud and argumentative, her lawyer, Oliver Saxby, said in an email on Thursday.
Last year was supposed to be when marijuana stocks proved their worth to Wall Street. Following years of promises, and plenty of acquisition activity, it was widely believed that sales would soar and pot stocks would push into the profit column by year's end.

Instead, cannabis stocks logged their worst year yet, with supply issues in Canada leading to pot product shortages and/or bottlenecks in key provinces, and high tax rates in a handful of recreationally legal U.S. states leaving the door wide open for the black market to thrive. Although there's no doubt that there's plenty of money to be had by investing in the green rush, the marijuana industry's growth trajectory has certainly been flattened and pushed out a bit.

Nevertheless, there are a handful of pot stocks that are fully capable of outperforming in a challenging environment. Based on their existing growth trajectory and Wall Street's very fluid sales projections, I view four vertically integrated multistate operators (MSO) in the U.S. as the likeliest to hit $1 billion in annual sales on a recurring basis by 2022, or possibly even sooner.

Curaleaf Holdings

The most logical choice of all MSOs is Curaleaf (OTC:CURLF), for a variety of reasons. To start with, management forecast $1 billion in annual sales back in August for fiscal 2020. Wall Street hasn't done much adjusting to its own forecast, with analysts also expecting close to $1 billion in sales for the current year.

Curaleaf's growth is expected to be derived organically and from acquisitions. On an organic basis, its 53 operational stores are more than any other MSO, period. The more stores Curaleaf can open, the quicker it's liable to reach the $1 billion sales plateau.

On the acquisition front, Curaleaf closed its purchase of Select on Feb. 1, 2020, and expects to close on its all-stock deal to acquire private-held MSO Grassroots soon. When the Grassroots purchase closes, Curaleaf will have north of six dozen open dispensaries, as well as licenses to open as many as 131 retail stores spanning 19 states. Right now, Curaleaf has access to 12 states.

Even if Curaleaf fails to meet expectations in 2020, it currently looks to be the lead dog in terms of sales, putting it on track to hit $1 billion annually by no later than 2021.

Cresco Labs

If there were a perfect motto to describe Cresco Labs' (OTC:CRLBF), it would read, "California or bust!" That's because, following the completion of its acquisition of Origin House, and other cash-conserving moves, Cresco Labs' future is very much dependent on the Golden State.

The all-stock deal to buy Origin House was particularly intriguing given that Origin House is one of only a few cannabis distribution license holders in California. With most MSOs aiming to buy retail stores and cultivation farms, this was a first-of-its-kind move, at least on a large scale. The expectation is that Cresco Labs will use Origin House's distribution network to gain access to more than 575 licensed dispensaries in California, and thereby sell its products in these retail stores. With California being the largest marijuana market in the world by annual sales, the Golden State is Cresco's ticket to $1 billion in annual revenue.

The major concern here is that California has largely disappointed since adult-use sales commenced on Jan. 1, 2018. Too few dispensaries have been licensed, meanwhile taxation on legalized product remains far too high, giving black market producers the upper hand. Assuming California uses 2020 to effectively work through its problems, I believe Cresco has a reasonable shot at $1 billion in sales by 2022.

Green Thumb Industries

Another MSO that's been exceptionally efficient in the early going and should make a serious run at $1 billion in yearly revenue by 2022 is Green Thumb Industries (OTC:GTBIF).

Perhaps the biggest lure for Green Thumb is the company's ability to target core markets. At the end of January, GTI, as the company is known, opened its 41st store nationwide, but its seventh in Illinois. As you might already know, Illinois became the first state ever to legalize the consumption and retail sale of pot at the legislative level -- and it commenced adult-use weed sales on Jan. 1, 2020. By 2024, Illinois should be producing in excess of $1.1 billion in annual pot revenue, and GTI expects to have a solid portion of those sales.

Green Thumb also successfully pushed into the Nevada market via its acquisition of Integral Associates and its Essence-branded dispensaries. The eight licenses GTI received when it acquired Integral Associates firmly placed it in a market that could lead the country in per-capita cannabis spending within five years.

According to Wall Street, GTI is on track for $466 million in sales in 2020, but that should rise handsomely in 2021 and 2022 if the company targets around 20 to 25 new store openings per year. With 96 retail licenses held in 12 states, GTI has a real shot at $1 billion in sales by 2022.

Harvest Health & Recreation

Last, but not least, Harvest Health & Recreation (OTC:HRVSF) appears to have a real shot at hitting $1 billion in annual sales by 2021 or 2022, if certain things go its way.

One factor working in its favor is the company's sheer number of licenses held. Even after terminating an acquisition, Harvest Health still possesses licenses to approximately 130 retail locations in 18 states, on a pro forma basis (i.e., assuming all pending deals close). This puts the company more or less on par with Curaleaf in the retail department, albeit it has fewer currently open locations.

The big event that could swing the pendulum here is the 2020 elections. Harvest Health has the largest presence of any MSO in Arizona, a state that's legalized medical marijuana, but could soon be voting on recreational pot. Likewise, New Jersey residents will be voting to legalize adult-use pot, which is a state that holds significance for Harvest Health.

Considering that Harvest Health also has cannabidiol (CBD) product deals in place with well over 10,000 gas stations and convenience stores around the country, it looks to have the tools necessary to surpass $1 billion in sales by 2021 or 2022.
Voters must register by Wednesday at midnight to cast a ballot in the Massachusetts Presidential primary on Tuesday, March 3.

U.S. citizens in Massachusetts who will be 18 years old by March 3 can register online on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth website or in person at any local election office, the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealths office, the Registry of Motor Vehicles and certain public assistance agencies.

In order to register online, the state requires a signature on file with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Registration forms must be submitted by midnight on the date of the deadline, which is 20 days out from election day.

The crowded Democratic contest includes Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who finished third in Iowa caucuses and fourth in the New Hampshire primary. Gov. Deval Patrick announced the suspension of his campaign on Wednesday after failing to garner 1% support in New Hampshire.

On the Republican side, President Donald Trump currently faces a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld.

For more information on how to register, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.
February 13, 2020





When technology is not moving, its either static or dead. Googles (News - Alert) BERT Algorithm is finally here to revolutionize search engine Enquiries. Whats this new search update? Do you know how this Googles BERT Works? Lets break it down.







BERT is a short form for Bi-directional, Encoder, Representations, and Transformers. We shall discuss each of these elements later in this article

The past search languages such as Glove2Vec and Word2V focused on the context-free word embeddings.

BERT, however, is an open-source natural language pre-training technique that enables the search engine to think like humans. It understands the key context of words to give more focused results.

The new search algorithm update is built to put more meaning to the use of common prepositions such as to and for. This will enable the search to fully understand the context words used during your query.

Illustrating How Googles BERT Works

To illustrate how BERT will understand your search intent and provide relevant results, Google did the following test:

Google Search phrase: 2019 brazil traveler to the USA needs a visa Ignore the grammar errors. Online searchers focus more on what they want, not grammar. :)

The relationship of to and other words within the query is critical in getting the expected search results.

From the human mind's perspective, its a Brazilian who is planning to travel to the U. S. The traveler isnt traveling to the U.S.A.

Initially, the search couldnt put into context the use of to in this query. It would, therefore, include the result of a U.S traveler traveling to Brazil which is not the expected result.

BERT, therefore, focuses on how the word to is used to provide a relevant and helpful query result.

Explaining How Google Bert Works

To better understand how BERT works, lets focus on its key components:

a. Bi-directional

Before Googles BERT, search languages were uni-directional. The context window could move to either the left or right of the target word.

They could not do this at the same time to understand the words intended context. This would lead to some search results being irrelevant hence not helpful. BERT can visualize both the left side and the right side of a keyword almost at once.

b. ER: Encoder Representations

Any programmed information that gets encoded through a search query is immediately decoded. This in-and-out mechanism allows results to be instantly displayed by those conducting the search within fractions of a second.

What gets encoded is decoded. Its an in-and-out mechanism.

c. T: Transformers

To fully understand the context in which a search word has been used, transformers as well as masked language modeling is used in BERT. This is more helpful where pronouns or words that go together are used.

The use of transformers, therefore, ensures that the word is focused from seeing itself. With this masking technique, BERT is able to guess the missing words. This helps in fine-tuning search results.

Natural Language Tasks That BERT Will Enhance:

The new BERT algorithm will improve the following query tasks:

Determination of Named Entity for fine-tuned search results

Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) which enables you to put in context ambiguous words or polysemous words

Textual entailment or Next Sentence Prediction.

Conference Resolution through effective capturing of contextual information

Getting answers to questions through its Question Answering Model

Automatic Text Summarization

What Should You Do to Benefit From Googles BERT?

The new algorithm will only affect about 10% of inquiries. Since it helps Google to better understand searches, it will only be beneficial if your content is written for humans!

To benefit from this innovative update, your website must be free from keyword stuffing or Spammy content. You need the services of a Premium SEO company that understands how Googles BERT works.

This way, your website content will be effectively fine-tuned for high Google ranking and enhanced business growth. Take action and let your business move and flow with the new Googles BERT.
Welcoming the conviction of the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, the United States called it as an important step towards holding the Lashkar-a-Taiba (LeT) accountable.

"Today's conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward  both towards holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing," Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it is in the interest of his country's future that it does not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil, Wells said in a tweet.

Wells' tweet came after a court in Pakistan sentenced Saeed, a UN designated terrorist, for five and half years.

Saeed-led Jamatud Dawa is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.
Quarantine puts crew and passengers of cruise ship at greater risk of virus infection

Japanese authorities have made life miserable for the entire crew and passengers of a 115,000-tonne cruise ship, Diamond Princess, by quarantining the entire ship that has been docked in the Japanese port city of Yokohama since 6 February.

The ill-fated cruise ship has 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew members, making it very likely that most of them, if not all, get infected with the virus.

The crew members are more prone to get infected as they are duty-bound to keep the vessel clean, while continuing to serve the passengers who have been confined mostly to their cabins.

Diamond Princess was ordered to be quarantined with its entire crew and passengers after it was reported that an 80-year-old man, who disembarked earlier in Hong Kong, had tested positive for the virus.

Japanese health authorities said 44 more people had been confirmed with the infection. Coronavirus has now infected at least 219 people in the cruise ship, including 15 crew members, and at least one quarantine officer.

This include two Indian crew on board the Japan cruise ship who tested positive for coronavirus. A total of 138 Indians, including passengers and crew, are on board the ship.

The Diamond Princess was placed in quarantine for two weeks on arriving in Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

The Indian nationals working on board the Diamond Princess have pleaded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "rescue" them from the ship.

In one of a series of videos posted online, Binay Kumar Sarkar was joined by five of his colleagues as they called on their government to allow them to leave the ship before they got infected with the virus.

"Please save at least those of us who are healthy," he said.

Filipinos make up half the total of 531 crew and seafarers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship that is quarantined in Japan's Yokohama port, and as the illness spreads, they are becoming increasingly worried.

Among those crew who are infected, at least 11 of them are Filipinos, according to the Philippine government, raising alarm among family members back home, as well as fellow crew members who continue to work under quarantine conditions.

The nationalities of at least four other sick crew members remained unknown as of Thursday.

In China, more than 1,300 people have died from the virus, with about 60,000 confirmed infections as of Wednesday.

While many health experts, including doctors, argue that ship is the safest place for quarantine and contain the infection, the passengers and crew under quarantine inside the ship are open to infection.
Enertech Holdings LLC (Enertech), a super-regional turnkey wireless infrastructures services company, announced today the acquisition of Arkansas-based CMS Wireless, LLC (CMS). Since its founding in 1995 in Little Rock, CMS has performed as a leading full-service provider to the wireless industry throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, and Western Tennessee.

Also included in the transaction is the Springfield, Missouri-based associate brand of CMS, Communication Integration Specialists, LLC (CIS).

Phil Whisenhunt, founder of both CMS and CIS, expressed excitement at joining the Enertech family of companies. Our similar company cultures, core values, geographic footprint, and client mix, along with our tireless focus on safety position us to be a premier national resource to meet the rapidly growing and ever-changing needs of the wireless telecom industry.

CMS Wireless is a great company that has been on our radar for a long time and now that its all come together, were excited to share the news with everyone, stated Enertech CEO, Eric Chase. We think very highly of the great people who work there and have built the company into one that our customers trust and depend on. We also take great pride in knowing they share our core value of safety. Weve long considered them to be good competitors in the industry, and were very proud to now be able to say theyre our partners.

As we transition into more and more 5G work, we need to be best positioned to support our clients growing needs. Joining with the Enertech team puts CMS Wireless in that setting and enables major growth opportunities and extended services offerings for both of our companies, observed Todd Williams, President of CMS. We look forward to expanding our abilities and capabilities as we grow into the future with Enertech and CMS as a team.

CMS Wireless joins Enertech Resources, EasTex Towers, and Legacy Telecom in the Enertech Holdings family of companies.

The principals of High Street Global Advisors, through their broker dealer relationship with the unaffiliated entity, M&A Securities Group, Inc., served as exclusive financial advisor to CMS and CIS on their sale to Enertech.

About Enertech:

With 15 regional offices and a service area spanning across 20 states, Enertech and its member companies are the leading super-regional turnkey services producer in the wireless infrastructure space. Services provided include technology upgrades, structural engineering, macro tower builds, small cell, DAS, and 5G installations, tower modifications, generator services, project management, civil services, microwave networks, and more. The company is headquartered in New Braunfels, Texas. To learn more about Enertech and its member companies, please visit https://enertechholdings.com.

About High Street Global Advisors:

High Street Global Advisors (HSGA) is a telecom-focused strategic and investment banking advisory firm founded by former leaders of U.S. M&A and FP&A at American Tower. HSGA advises companies and investors along the telecommunications infrastructure, technology and services value chain providing clients with access to a global strategic and capital network, and extended reach into international M&A and investment opportunities. The breadth of HSGAs advisory services and research allows it to keep pace with the dynamic movements of the global markets. For more information please visit http://www.hsgallc.com.


Statements like 'goli maaro' shouldn't have been made ahead of Delhi poll: Amit Shah

India

oi-Mousumi Dash

New Delhi, Feb 13: Accepting the Delhi Assembly election defeat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the statements like "goli maaro" and "Indo-Pak match" should not have been made by BJP leaders ahead of the Delhi elections, reported news agency Press Trust of India.

On Thursday, at the Times Now Summit, Shah said he accepted defeat in Delhi elections. Adding to it he said that the party might have suffered because of statements like 'Desh ke gadaron ko'.

Shah accepting the defeat of his party said that his assessment on Delhi election went wrong. However, the party had distanced itself from the negative remarks, but all it have suffered in the elections because of hate statements made by the party leaders.

Despite a massive campaign including all 270 parliamentarians, 70 union ministers and state leaders, the party has only marginally increased its seats from three seats to eight seats, the performance of the party in the Delhi Assembly elections has fallen far short of expectation.

Today, Shah also said that he will give time for three days to within that anyone who wants to discuss about the issues related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Arvind Kejriwal-led-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has won for the third tie to form the government in the national capital. With a whopping number of 62 seats out of 70 assembly seats.

Ahead of the Assembly election in Delhi, the BJP leaders, like Union Minister Anurag Thakur, had mentioned Shaheen Bagh, with hate speeches.

Shahhen Bagh, the epicentre of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Even the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who visitedthe national capital for the poll campaign had openly approved the use of bullets to deal with agitators.

Shaheen Bagh will be cleared once BJP comes to power, says Anurag Thakur

Several issues, that maade the headlines ahed of the Delhi polls, whether it was the Jawaharlal Nehru University protest, firing incident near Jamia Millia Islamia University gate or shooting near Shahhen Bagh. The BJP leaders came up with several controversial statements.
[February 13, 2020] Siyata Mobile Signs UV350 Supply Agreement with Global Land Mobile Radio and Software Vendor

MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Siyata Mobile Inc. (the "Company" or "Siyata") (TSX-V:SIM / OTCQX:SYATF) is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a multi-year supply agreement with a global Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and software vendor (the Vendor).

The agreement outlines that Siyata Mobile will supply the Uniden UV350 in-vehicle IoT device to the Vendor, for resale to its first responder and commercial fleet customers looking to replace or augment its current in-vehicle communication hardware with next generation IoT solutions. The UV350 is currently, and may be integrated with additional software of the Vendor, tailored to its end-user needs which includes Broadband PTT, other public safety and enterprise software aimed to increase first responder efficiencies, situational awareness and save lives abroad. Marc Seelenfreund, CEO of Siyata Mobile, commented, We are very excited to finalize this agreement with the dominant LMR vendor in the public safety and commercial fleet market worldwide. Our UV350 dedicated in-vehicle IoT device allows them to provide their customers with next generation hardware and coupled with their software, much improved technology, at their fingertips, with a push of a button. We anticipate the agreement will initially impact sales in the United States while opening up opportunities in various worldwide markets, including Canada, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and many other countries they operate in. Certified on the AT&T, FirstNet and Verizon networks, customers who purchase the UV350 through the Vendor are able to select their carrier of choice for network, voic and data plans.



Uniden UV350 features include: LTE high speed data

5.5 widescreen LED display for easy monitoring

Dedicated microphone and speaker for mission critical sound quality

In-vehicle installation ensures device is always powered by the vehicles battery

Extended cellular and GPS coverage with external antenna included

Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (PoC) ensures instant communication at the push of a button About Siyata

Siyata Mobile Inc. is a global vendor of in-vehicle cellular IoT solutions for first responder and commercial fleet vehicles. The flagship UV350 is the worlds first 4G/LTE in-vehicle IoT cellular solution, incorporating voice, data, push-to-talk over cellular, fleet management, and other public safety software to increase situational awareness, and save lives. Siyata also offers rugged phones for industrial users and signal boosters for homes, buildings, and fleets with poor cell coverage. Siyatas customers include cellular operators, commercial vehicle technology distributors, and fleets of all sizes in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. Visit www.siyatamobile.com and http://www.unidencellular.com/ to learn more. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of:

SIYATA MOBILE INC.

Marc Seelenfreund

CEO Investor Relations:

Arlen Hansen

Kin Communications

1-866-684-6730

[email protected]

Sales Department:

Glenn Kennedy, VP International Sales

Siyata Mobile Inc.

416-892-1823

[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Ahead of the visit of US President Donald Trump to India, Pakistan on Thursday hoped that the offer of mediation by Trump on the Kashmir matter will be discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President.

"It is time that these offers take on a material shape. We are expecting that he will take up the matter with PM Narendra Modi during his visit," said a Pakistan foreign ministry official.

President Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On its status review on the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary meeting, the official said, "Pakistan is hopeful with regards to the country's upcoming status review by the FATF. Our international partners are standing with us." The remarks come a day after the verdict on 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

Apart from New Delhi, the US President and First Lady Melania Trump will visit Gujarat's Ahmedabad. The 49-year-old US First Lady also thanked PM Modi for the "kind invitation" to visit India.

"Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month. President Trump and I are excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India," she said.

Melania Trump was responding to Prime Minister Modi's tweet on February 12 (Wednesday) in which he termed the US President and the First Lady's visit to India as a "very special one". "India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship," PM Modi had said in his tweet.

An "excited" US First Lady Melania Trump has also said that she and Trump are looking forward to their first visit to India which would be an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries. In a tweet, Melania Trump said her maiden trip to India as the First Lady is an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries.
Ten years after a blast at the German Bakery in Maharashtra's Pune city claimed 17 lives and left over 50 people injured, the wounds are yet to heal as the survivors and families of those killed have still not come to terms with the losses they suffered in the tragedy.

While some survivors want the government take steps to rehabilitate those who suffered physical disabilities after the blast, others feel the victims have not got justice as some perpetrators of the crime are yet to be arrested.

Some of the survivors, family members of the killed and injured, and locals gathered outside the bakery on Thursday to pay tributes to the blast victims on the 10th anniversary of the incident.

A powerful bomb exploded at the famous eatery, located in Koregaon Park area here, on February 13, 2010.

While nine people died on the spot, eight others succumbed to their injuries later in hospital. Over 50 people were injured in the blast.

Foreign nationals from Italy, Sudan, Nepal and Iran were among those killed and injured in the incident.

Amit Tulsiani, whose younger brother Vikas was killed in the blast, visited the bakery along with his parents for the first time on Thursday and paid tributes to the victims.

"Vikas was a young engineering graduate and had gone to meet his friend at the German Bakery to discuss some courses. While he was sitting at a table and his friend went to place an order, the bomb exploded," Tulsiani recalled.

He said his brother succumbed to his injuries eight days later.

"All these years, me and my parents never visited the blast site, but this time we decided to come here and pay our tributes," said Tulsiani, who is a musician.

He said though the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) made a couple of arrests in the case, the victims are yet to get justice as some of the accused are still at large.

The ATS, while investigating the blast, had arrested Mirza Himayat Baig, who was awarded death sentence by a Pune court in 2013. However, the Bombay High Court set aside the death sentence in 2016 and awarded him to life imprisonment.

The ATS had also arrested Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Yasin Bhatkal, who is currently in Tihar jail in other terror-related cases. The trial against him is still going on in a Pune court.

Four other IM operatives -- Mohsin Choudhary, Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Ismail Bhatkal, Fayyaz Kagzi -- are still wanted in the case.

Vikas Gurav (50), who survived the blast, said the government should think of rehabilitating survivors of such incidents as they face difficulties in going out to work and earn because of the permanent disabilities suffered by them.

"While I sustained serious injuries, one of my friends Nadia, who was from Italy, lost her life. I was in coma for the next few days," he said.

"Even after ten years of the incident, I am still not physically fit due to the injuries I sustained. This is affecting my ability to earn my livelihood," he said.

Shankar Kharose, the co-owner of the German Bakery, said a board with names of all the victims was placed outside the bakery where people paid floral tributes.

"School children, survivors and family members of the victims were among those who offered tributes today,"he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A White House meeting Thursday between U.S. President Donald Trump and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo over New York's pro-immigrant policies was 'productive,' according to Trump's top homeland official.

Acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who attended Thursday's meeting, said in a written statement that discussions between both sides would continue with the goal of reaching 'a mutually agreeable solution.'

The DHS announced a policy last week that would bar hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers from new enrollment and renewals in federal programs that help travelers speed through airport security lines and borders.

The action was in response to New York's Green Light law passed last June that lets unauthorized immigrants apply for driver's licenses and limits the access of federal immigration authorities to records from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles

A spokesman for Cuomo confirmed the parties will continue to discuss the issue next week.

The tight-mouthed ending to the showdown came after Trump slapped CNN's Chris Cuomo in a tweet about meeting with his brother - and suggested he would only allow New York back into the scheme if it dropped a string of lawsuits against him.

It was unclear if that included moves to demand his tax returns and probe potential tax fraud by the Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr.

'I'm seeing Governor Cuomo today at The White House. He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics. New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment, start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes,' Trump wrote. 'Build relationships, but don't bring Fredo!'

In August, Chris Cuomo threatened a man for calling him 'Fredo,' a reference to the character Fredo Corleone from 'The Godfather,' a weakling compared to his brother Michael Corleone, a crime boss. A video of the encounter first appeared on a conservative YouTube channel.

President Trump (left) is meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right) at the White House Thursday to discuss an ongoing immigration dispute between New York and the federal government

An hour and a half before the meeting, President Trump again tweeted a nickname for the New York governor's brother. In August, CNN's Chris Cuomo got caught on video telling someone off after the individual called him 'Fredo'

A video shared on a conservative YouTube channel showed CNN anchor Chris Cuomo telling off a man who had called him 'Fredo,' a 'Godfather' reference that Cuomo compared to the N-word for Italian Americans

President Trump has continued to use the nickname 'Fredo' for CNN's Chris Cuomo (pictured), who is the younger brother of the New York governor

Cuomo likened the term to the 'N-word' when applied to Italian-Americans.

Cuomo later apologized for his behavior and CNN stood by the anchor.

'Chris Cuomo defended himself when he was verbally attacked with the use of an ethnic slur in an orchestrated setup,' CNN spokesperson Matt Dornic tweeted. 'We completely support him.'

Trump has continued to use the 'Fredo' nickname on Chris Cuomo months after the incident, tweeting in December, 'He is Fake News, will always be Fredo to us.'

And on Thursday, the insult came an hour and a half before he was scheduled to meet with older brother Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo is meeting with Trump over an immigration dispute between the state of New York and the federal government.

The meeting is closed to press.

But Cuomo was spotted by reporters walking into the White House - and he indeed came without his younger brother.

Cuomo has indicated that he will make concessions to Trump in the long-standing row over the state's pro-immigrant 'sanctuary' policies.

In radio interviews on Wednesday, Cuomo said he would allow federal officials limited access to a Department of Motor Vehicles database if the Trump administration reverses its move to block state residents from Global Entry and other programs that allow travelers to avoid long border security lines.

The governor's unexpected comments came just hours before he is set to meet Trump on Thursday to discuss the issue that's had the pair at odds for the past week.

New York officials filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the Department of Homeland Security's move to block New York residents from 'trusted traveler' programs, including Global Entry.

Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli announced last week that New Yorkers would no longer be allowed to enroll or re-enroll in the traveler programs.

The ban will affect at least 175,000 residents enrolled in the programs - which include Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST - and about 30,000 commercial truck drivers who make crossings into the US from Canada.

New York's lawsuit claims the Trump administration's decision was intended to punish the state for enacting the Green Light Law - which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses and bars federal immigration agents from accessing state motor vehicle records.

But Cuccinelli said it was a necessary step because New York's new law had endangered public safety by making it tougher for immigration and border agents to quickly confirm someone's identification, check for fugitive warrants or see if a person has a criminal record.

New York officials filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging the Department of Homeland Security's move to block New Yorkers from 'trusted traveler' programs, including Global Entry

Cuomo, a Democrat, previously called the Trump administration's move 'extortion' and an effort to punish New York for political purposes, noting that federal officials can access criminal records from the FBI, while state driving records can contain lower-level driving violations.

New York's DMV database now includes people who are in the US illegally but who have driver's licenses.

Cuomo said he believes Trump simply wants access to records on those people, so federal immigration officials can have a 'feeding frenzy.'

He noted that people who are in the US illegally couldn't apply for the 'trusted traveler' programs anyway because it would be tantamount to turning themselves over to federal agents.

'I will never give them access to the DMV database,' Cuomo said Friday. 'And I think that's what they really want.'

The governor said he's calling the Trump administration's 'bluff'.

'Because if they don't accept this, then what they're admitting is they're just playing politics,' Cuomo said.

He pulled back on Wednesday ahead of his meeting with Trump, saying that he will propose limited access to state driving records, but only those belonging to applicants for traveler programs who undergo a sit-down interview with federal officials and supply documents such as a passport.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said Wednesday that the president simply wants to keep Americans safe.

He said that New York City residents understand the importance of ensuring people have proper identification when they enter the country in light of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the city.

'I hope that Gov Cuomo can work with the president and come forward with some type of solution that allows the federal government to do its main function, which is to protect all Americans and their families,' Gidley said.

Trump called Cuomo 'stupid' over the issue last week after he claimed the governor canceled a meeting they had planned.

'Very hard to work with New York - So stupid. All they do is sue me all the time!' the president tweeted.

Trump called Cuomo 'stupid' last week after he claimed the governor canceled a meeting they had planned to discuss the Department of Homeland Security's trusted traveler ban

Trump was responding to a tweet by New York Republican Rep Elise Stefanik, who criticized the Green Light Law.

Stefanik wrote: 'Once again, Governor Cuomo's reckless Green Light Law is hindering our federal and state law enforcement and other agencies from doing their jobs, and is now preventing law abiding citizens from receiving access to important travel programs.

'I warned Governor Cuomo that this irresponsible policy would inhibit our CBP officers at the Northern Border from doing their jobs,' she added.

When the Green Light Law was signed last June, immigrants were seen lining up at DMVs around New York to get their hands on licenses.

More than a dozen states have passed laws allowing people who are not legal US residents to get driver's licenses.

Trump attacked so-called sanctuary cities in his State of the Union address, singling out New York for particular criticism.

Trump highlighted the case of Reeaz Khan, 21, an illegal migrant from Guyana accused of raping and murdering 92-year-old Maria Fuertes in Queens.

ICE has accused New York authorities of denying a detainment request they placed on Khan because of his immigration status after he was arrested six weeks earlier for assaulting his father with a broken coffee mug.

ICE argued the state's sanctuary policies were to blame for the release.
A minister sacked by Boris Johnson in his brutal post-Brexit reshuffle celebrated his departure from Government today, saying it would allow him to be a better father.

Chis Skidmore was axed as universities minister this morning as the Prime Minister made a sweep of changes to his team.

The Kingswood MP marked the end of his second term in the role by posting pictures on Twitter of himself with daughter Ottolie, who was born in November.

He wrote: 'Got a promotion in the reshuffle to be a better Dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one....

'Thanks everyone who I've had the chance to work with and the civil service teams that have supported me - you have all been amazing.'

The Kingswood MP marked the end of his second term in the role by posting pictures on Twitter of himself with daughter Ottolie, who was born in November

Chis Skidmore was axed as universities minister this morning as the Prime Minister made a sweep of changes to his team

Seeya: Boris Johnson arrives back at No 10 this morning after sacking half a dozen ministers in his reshuffle

Boris Johnson brutally wielded the knife on a host of veteran Cabinet ministers today - as he vows to bring through a new generation of Tories.

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith became the first casualty of the overhaul, with Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey quickly following him out the door.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has also been axed - with solicitor general Michael Ellis filling his duties taking questions in the House this morning - and Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers was ousted.

He and wife Lydia now have three children: Clementine, Henry and Ottilie (not pictured)

Mr Smith confirmed his departure - just weeks after a breakthrough that saw power-sharing restored in the province - on Twitter saying serving in the job had been the 'biggest privilege'.

Mrs Leadsom said she was proud to have been in government for six years, and would now 'focus on my constituents'. Ms McVey said she was 'very sorry' to have been relieved of her duties as housing minister.

Ms Villiers made light of her fate on Facebook, joking that 'what the PM giveth the PM taketh away'.

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg tried to deflect enquiries about his future by chatting blithely about the weather as he left his London home - although he is thought to be safe despite a backlash over comments about Grenfell during the election campaign.
At the meeting in Hanoi, the ambassadors described Vietnams socio-economic achievements throughout the reform process as an important basis for the country to realise the Party and States foreign policy in other countries.

The diplomats affirmed that serving in their posts in different countries, they will make use of advantages and address difficulties so as to contribute to the cause of national development and safeguarding.

NA Chairwoman Ngan said as overseas representatives of Vietnam, the ambassadors and heads of representative agencies should deal with issues related to Vietnams external relations well, thus becoming a true bridge for the countrys friendship and development cooperation with other nations and partners.

She held that as Vietnam is promoting intensive and comprehensive integration into the world, they need to pay heed to improving economic diplomacy and work hard to seek foreign partners and introduce business and investment chances in Vietnam to them.

The top legislator requested the diplomats to put the homelands interests above all, stressing that the diplomatic sector needs to coordinate closely with relevant agencies to capitalise on many dialogue channels to concurrently protect the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity while making good use of support from international friends.

On this occasion, she also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomats to keep working with the NAs agencies to fulfill Vietnams roles as host of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020, especially the organisation of the 41st AIPA General Assembly slated for early September, and the AIPA Secretary General for 2019-2022.

The newly accredited diplomats should also pay attention to cultural diplomacy and promoting Vietnams images in the host countries, Ngan said, adding that as Vietnamese people abroad are an integral part of the nation, building strong overseas Vietnamese communities and enhancing national harmony also help with national development and protection.
This image released by Netflix shows Wong He (left), working with Kenny Taylor (center) and Jarred Gibson in the furnace tempering area of the Fuyao Glass America factory in Dayton, Ohio, in the documentary film, American Factory. The film debuted on Wednesday on Netflix as the streaming service's first project backed by Barack and Michelle Obama's new production company. [Photo/China Daily]

When a husband-and-wife team wanted to make a documentary on a Chinese-owned factory in Ohio, the company provided them open access.

Perhaps it was that unfiltered look at Fuyao Glass America in Moraine, Ohio, that helped motivate members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to award the film American Factory the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature on Sunday.

The documentary garnered heightened publicity in April 2019, after it was acquired by former United States president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground as the company's first project, in partnership with Netflix.

The film tells the story of Fuyao's first automotive-glass factory in the US, which was set up at a shuttered General Motors plant in 2015, employing 2,000 local blue-collar workers. Fuyao, the largest auto-glass manufacturer in the world, is based in Fuqing, Fujian province.

"I think it's a worthy win, and in some ways I was surprised in watching the film that some of the people on the Chinese side, including the CEO of the Chinese corporation, was so open in his remarks. All of that made it into the film," said Stanley Rosen, a political-science professor at the University of Southern California and an expert on Chinese film.

The film details the difficulties stemming from cultural clashes between Chinese management and technicians and US workers at the company, providing a window on the impact of globalization in the workplace.

The Academy Award went to co-directors Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, a couple living in Dayton, Ohio, and producer Jeff Reichert.

"Our film is from Ohio and China," Julia Reichert said in her acceptance speech. "But it really could be from anywhere that people put on a uniform and punch a clock, trying to make their families have a better life."

Bognar expressed his gratitude in his speech, especially thanking the chairman of Fuyao Group in Chinese.

"Thank you, Academy. Xie xie (thank you), Cho Tak Wong (Cao Dewang). Thank you to everyone who trusted us to tell your story," he said.

China Daily also interviewed Cao about the film in January, as he made an annual visit to the Fuyao plant in Ohio.

He said that over three years, the production crew was granted complete access to Fuyao's plants in Ohio and China, "no matter if I was in a meeting or giving a speech", adding that the directors recorded 1,300 hours of life at Fuyao.

Cao stressed that one of the key elements of Fuyao's successful operation in the US is "openness".

"We don't hide anything," he said. "I made a promise when I landed in Ohio, if (anyone in the US) wants to know the state of China's industry, just come here, that's my promise."

"We Chinese and Americans have come together so much in the past five years," Carrie Yount, FGA technical supervisor, told China Daily.

"I think we all made such progress to start off, sweeping the floors and getting things built to now. I would say we are family," said Yount, who has worked at FGA for more than four years.

The Obamas tweeted to congratulate the American Factory team for the Oscar win.

"Congrats to Julia and Steven, the filmmakers behind American Factory, for telling such a complex, moving story about the very human consequences of wrenching economic change. Glad to see two talented and downright good people take home the Oscar for Higher Ground's first release," Barack Obama wrote after the award was announced.

"I think that film (American Factory) presented a very balanced and a very thoughtful look at the impact that globalization has both in the US and in China. It kind of symbolizes what's going in a lot of the rest of the world," said Robert D. Cain, award-winning screenwriter and producer.

The film, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in late January last year, has garnered 8.3 points out of 10 on Douban, China's most popular review aggregator.

Zhang Chen, a Shanghai-based film investor, said that American Factory made a splash last summer.

The documentary has reduced Chinese and American cliched impressions of each other, he said, providing a down-to-earth look at the business cultures of both countries.

Li Chao, a Shenzhen-based film critic, said American Factory takes a neutral perspective in depicting US workers and Chinese investors, and it shows their respective shortcomings.
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New Delhi, Feb 13 : A scientist involved in developing a coronavirus vaccine at Australia's University of Queensland has said that it may take about one year before people will actually be able to use it.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a partnership against epidemics by public, private, philanthropic, and civil organisations earlier commissioned the University of Queensland (UQ) to urgently work to produce a vaccine against the recently emerged coronavirus.

"It can take four to six months for a vaccine candidate to be tested and shown to be effective in animal models. It can take another three to four months to complete human clinical trials," Professor Paul Young, Head, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, told IANS in an email interview.

"It could be 12 months before we have a manufactured and regulatory approved vaccine for clinical use," Young said.

The novel coronavirus, which is now called COVID-19, originated in China's Wuhan area in December 2019. The coronavirus has killed over 1,300 people in China and has spread to over 25 countries.

"It is important to stress that there is no guarantee of success, but it is conceivable that The University of Queensland, in collaboration with its partners, could have a candidate vaccine suitable for large scale manufacture in approximately 12 months," Young said.

"As an academic institution, we do not possess large-scale manufacturing capacity and so we are initially collaborating with colleagues at CSIRO in Australia for early manufacturing scale-up. We will also be reaching out to commercial manufacturers to enable transition to larger scale," he added.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is Australia's national science agency.

"At the moment, public health measures are all that we have at our disposal to contain this ongoing epidemic. The best case scenario for us is that these measures will arrest the spread of the epidemic with cases progressively diminishing and vaccines will not be required," Young said.

"We urge everyone to follow advice from their local health authorities," he added.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Paula Kelly, a tall, lithesome dancer who was one of the first African-American women to make a successful transition to movies and television from Broadway, using the musical Sweet Charity as the bridge, died on Saturday at a nursing facility in Whittier, Calif. She was 77.

Her niece, Dina McCarthy, said the cause was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ms. Kelly burst into the movies in 1969 in Sweet Charity, an adaptation of the stage musical about an ever-hopeful taxi dancer  a dance partner for hire  in a run-down Times Square dance hall. Ms. Kelly played the dancer Helene, one of two best friends of the title character, Charity Hope Valentine, played by Shirley MacLaine. Chita Rivera played the other.

Although lesser known than the movies big stars  Sammy Davis Jr. also had top billing  Ms. Kelly more than held her own, especially in the seductive number Big Spender and the energetic Theres Got to Be Something Better Than This, in which the three dance-hall girls express their determination to get respectable jobs.

Onstage, Ms. Kelly played Helene in the London production of Sweet Charity (with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a book by Neil Simon). The director, Bob Fosse, who also directed and choreographed the show on Broadway, asked Ms. Kelly to reprise the role for the movie, which was to be his feature-film directorial debut.
Tangata whenua, Maketu schoolchildren, and other locals gathered together with contracting staff, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council representatives, to celebrate the return of freshwater flows from the Kaituna River into Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi/Maketu Estuary.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Deputy Chair Jane Nees acknowledged the efforts of tangata whenua, Regional Council staff, J Swap Contractors Ltd, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and the many passionate locals that have been involved in the project since Regional Council first began exploring design options in 2013.

Healthy waterways and environments are the foundation of a thriving community. This project has taken hard work, investment and collaboration from many local people and landowners over many years. Its a great example of what can be achieved when everyone works together, says Jane.

Today marks a turning point for estuary health but it doesnt stop here. Weve got more work to do, and many other projects already underway, to keep improving water quality and wildlife habitat throughout the Kaituna catchment."

About 200 people gathered to celebrate the opening of the Kaituna River re-diversion control gates. Te Arawa waka paddlers paddled downstream under the flags of Te Arawa towards the Maketu estuary as the new flow gates were officially opened.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kaituna Catchments Manager Pim De Monchy says the local community has been calling for freshwater flows to be restored to the estuary since the 1970s.

There had been a noticeable decline in estuary health since the Kaituna River was diverted out to sea at Te Tumu Cut in 1956 by the Crown and Regional River Board for land drainage purposes. The estuary had silted up, become choked with algae, and birds and fish had lost their breeding and feeding grounds.

Through this project, up to 20 percent (600,000m3) of the Kaituna Rivers flows will now be returned to the estuary on every tidal cycle, while maintaining existing levels of flood protection and boat access through the Te Tumu Cut."

Visual overview of completed works.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has invested $16.6m (including design, consultation, consenting and land acquisition costs) to complete the project.

J Swap Contractors Limited began construction work in June 2018 and have now completed it, on budget and five months ahead of schedule.

They have widened the Fords Cut Channel, moved and upgraded stop banks, and installed a new 60 metre wide channel (one kilometre long) to carry freshwater from the Kaituna River into the Maketu Estuary via 12 large culverts, fitted with automatic gates, under the Ford Road bridge.

Aerial of completed Kaituna River re-diversion works - looking downstream along new channel towards new culverts (right) and Te Tumu Cut (left).

The contractors installed a new salinity block downstream of the new channel, to reduce saltwater intrusion into the upper estuary, and upgraded the Ford Road boat ramp facilities. They also re-contoured low-lying paddocks beside the upper estuary, to create 20 hectares of estuarine wetland. Volunteers have helped to plant the new wetland called Te Pa Ika with 65,000 native plants.

Pim says since 1956, it has taken 15 tidal cycles to flush the estuary with river water, but it will now take only two and a half tidal cycles when all twelve of the new culverts are open.

For the first year of operation well be allowing the estuary to adapt gradually by opening just nine culverts on each incoming tide, and monitoring that closely before we open all twelve.

The increased flushing and improved salinity balance that the restored river flow will bring, along with the 20 hectares of wetland weve re-created, will help the estuary to recover and become healthier for fish and wildlife to live in, and people to enjoy."

See further project details and background information at www.boprc.govt.nz/kaitunarediversion
From the first sign of symptoms, it took little more than a day to confirm that a quarantined person at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was infected with novel coronavirus.

The chain of events began with a routine health check of all the evacuees on Tuesday morning. One had a fever. The reading immediately triggered a call to the San Antonio Fire Department, requesting its specialized infectious disease ambulance. The patient was taken to Methodist Hospital | Texsan, the hospital selected in advance for just this circumstance.

There, the patient was ushered through a discrete entrance to a negative pressure room for isolation.

Swabs were taken and shipped overnight to a laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By 6 p.m. Wednesday, the suspicions were confirmed  it was the states first, and the countrys 15th, case of the virus.

The diagnosis, while unwelcome, came as no surprise to federal health officials, who knew the 91 people brought to Lackland after being evacuated from the center of the outbreak in Wuhan, China were at an increased risk of contracting the aggressive virus. They are prepared for more cases to be diagnosed among the evacuees in the coming days, as their two-week quarantine period continues.

We are right in the middle of that incubation period, said Jennifer McQuiston, a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service who is leading the CDCs quarantine efforts at Lackland. It is not surprising that someone might have developed symptoms in that time frame.

As of Thursday afternoon, the patient was in stable condition with mild symptoms, according to a statement from Methodist Healthcare.

On ExpressNews.com: CDC: Lackland coronavirus evacuees didnt travel with newly diagnosed passenger in California

McQuiston, who serves as deputy director of the CDCs division of high-consequence pathogens and pathology, said the patient was a solo traveler who was housed alone at on-base lodging at Lackland, where the evacuees have been held under federal quarantine since Feb. 7. That group includes families with small children who are allowed to room together.

The other evacuees at Lackland remain asymptomatic, officials said.

The San Antonio case is the latest to be identified among a group of 1,000 people who were recently evacuated from China, where the outbreak continues to run rampant.

Earlier this week, two people who were quarantined at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego were hospitalized after being diagnosed with the highly contagious strain of coronavirus, now being referred to as COVID-19 by international health officials. A third person is in isolation at San Diego Medical Center.

Identifying and preventing novel coronavirus The aggressive new strain of coronavirus, or COVID-19, presents similar symptoms to the flu, including: Fever of 100.4 or greater Coughing Shortness of breath A lab test is required to confirm a coronavirus diagnosis. The virus is thought to be spread through small droplets in the air, or as a result of direct contact with a sick person or non-disinfected surface. Public health experts recommend taking the following steps to decrease the chance of transmission: Hand washing with warm water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer Avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands Disinfecting often-used items and surfaces Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue Remaining home while sick, and avoid others who are ill See More Collapse

At Lackland, McQuiston said federal employees would investigate the infected persons movements at the quarantine site to assess whether others there are at a high risk of exposure.

The other evacuees are in good spirits, McQuiston said, but are a little suspicious of each other. They are largely keeping to themselves, she said, but they have gathered for group announcements. Those are held outdoors to lower the chance of transmission, which is elevated in enclosed spaces.

Theyre staying strong, she said. They want to come through these 14 days so they can get back to their families and their loved ones.

Even with the new case, she said leaders at the CDC have not instructed her that the quarantine period would be extended beyond the current release date of Feb. 20.

On ExpressNews.com: Dozens of coronavirus evacuees from China arrive in San Antonio

San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said the ambulance that transported the infected person has been designated for that purpose and would not be used for other calls. The interior of the ambulance is draped in plastic sheets.

Early Thursday, officials had repeatedly declined to identify the facility where the patients are being treated, citing safety concerns. But later in the day, the Methodist system released a statement from its chief medical officer, Dr. Paul Hancock, confirming the patient is at Texan.

Upon arrival at the hospital Tuesday morning, Hancock said, the patient was admitted in a way that avoided common areas and has been isolated at all times.

While we must protect our patients privacy, it is important to us to keep our community informed with facts to avoid undue stress or the spread of misinformation, Hancock said.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, said the combined response to the situation has gone smoothly.

What you see in front of you is that system working exactly as planned, Hellerstedt said. The steps that have been taken and the actions that have been taken are exactly those needed to protect San Antonio, Texas and, really, the rest of the nation.

He added that the flu still poses a far greater concern for the general public. While surgical face masks are running low at some drug stores in San Antonio, health officials have said preventative measures, such as frequent hand washing, are more effective for preventing the virus spread.

Chris Van Deusen, a department spokesman, said Texas state lab was among those that received virus test kits from the CDC that have proved faulty during validation testing. New components are being sent to fix the problem, he said.

Top hits: Get San Antonio Express-News stories sent directly to your inbox

Outside of the Lackland quarantine, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is monitoring several other travelers who have recently returned to the area from mainland China.

They are under self-quarantine in their homes and are required to report their temperatures and other symptoms twice daily  the same measures being used to gauge potential illness in the Lackland evacuees, said Anita Kurian, who leads the Metro Healths infectious disease division. She said their risk of developing coronavirus is medium to low.

McQuiston said she understands that the broader community may be concerned about the situation, but she encouraged the public to empathize with those who remain in China, where an overwhelmed health care system is struggling to contain a burgeoning outbreak that has killed more than 1,300.

The number of cases in China has risen sharply to more than 59,000, including 14,840 cases reported in Hubei province overnight Wednesday, according to the World Health Organization. China has altered its diagnostic criteria to include clinical information like lung scans, leading to a dramatic increase in cases.

In light of conditions there, McQuiston said, helping the evacuees get to the U.S., where they have access to high-quality medical care, could very well save their life.

Were Americans, McQuiston said. We bring our people home and we take care of them. And thats really what lies at the heart of this mission.

Staff writers Madalyn Mendoza and Priscilla Aguirre contributed reporting. | 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
WASHINGTON  Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council aide who testified in President Donald Trumps impeachment proceedings, was doing exactly what we teach them to do," according to former White House chief of staff John Kelly.

Kelly spoke Wednesday at Drew Universitys Drew Forum speaker series at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

Vindman defied Trump and testified before the House Judiciary Committee as lawmakers considered whether to make Trump only the third president ever to be impeached.

After the U.S. Senate acquitted Trump, the president dismissed Vindman from the National Security Council and had him escorted from the White House grounds.

Vindman was on the call when Trump allegedly conditioned releasing congressionally approved aid to Ukraine on that country agreeing to announce two investigations that would help the presidents re-election.

Kelly said Vindman simply was following his military training, according to published accounts of the speech and the subsequent question-and-answer period,

He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave, Kelly said. He went and told his boss what he just heard.

He said Vindman heard what appeared to be an illegal order and acted accordingly.

We teach them dont follow an illegal order," Kelly said. "And if youre ever given one, youll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss.

Kelly said Trumps decision to hold up aid to Ukraine reversed American policy.

Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight," Kelly said. And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed."

Trump lashed out against Kelly on Thursday on Twitter.

....which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you. Wrong!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020

The House voted along party lines to impeach Trump, and the Senate voted along party lines to acquit him of the charges after breaking with precedent and refusing to call witnesses during its trial.

Kelly earlier told NJ Advance Media that a trial without witnesses was "a job only half done.

Only two House Democrats, including New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, opposed both counts of impeachment, and only one Senate Republican, Mitt Romney of Utah, voted to convict Trump.

Van Drew switched to the Republican Party after the House vote and was endorsed for re-election by the president at a campaign rally in Wildwood last month.

Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, also took exception to Trumps decision to reverse Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallaghers demotion. Gallagher had been accused of war crimes and then found guilty of posing for a photo with the corpse of an Islamic State captive.

The idea that the commander in chief intervened there, in my opinion, was exactly the wrong thing to do, Kelly said.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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Dr. Bryan Terry, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, Arkansas State University Were excited to join with UB to discuss the crucial intersection of predictive analytics and higher-ed enrollment.

Rapid Insight, Inc., a leading provider of easy-to-use predictive analytics and data blending software for higher education, is partnering with University Business magazine for a webinar exploring how predictive analytics can be used to address challenges in higher education enrollment management.

Taking place on Tuesday, February 18 at 2 PM ET (11 AM PT), the webinar will feature Arkansas State Universitys (ASU) Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, Dr. Bryan Terry, in conversation with Rapid Insights analyst manager, James Cousins.

Over nearly three decades in higher education, Dr. Terry has established himself as a leading voice for the importance of a data-driven, student-focused approach to enrollment managementand his results demonstrate that leadership.

Prior to joining ASU, as vice chancellor for enrollment management at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), Dr. Terry reversed a four-year downtrend in enrollment. And by the fall of 2018, UNCG enrolled a record 20,106 studentsthe first time the university surpassed 20K in its history. That year also included its largest ever freshman class of nearly 3,000 students.

As thrilled as Arkansas State must be to have Dr. Terry leading its enrollment strategy, says Cousins, were even more excited to join with University Business to discuss the crucial intersection of predictive analytics and enrollmentand how Dr. Terrys experience can inform and empower others.

The topic is timely and urgent. Universities nationwide are seeing steady declines in enrollment, which can be attributed to shrinking pools of applicants, scalebacks in public funding, and increasing competition for those fewer students.

In the February 18 webinar, Dr. Terry will emphasize the significance of data to enrollment management and will share actionable strategies for leveraging data to impact decision-making.

To learn more about this webinar and to register, visit University Business.

About Rapid Insight:

Rapid Insight Inc. is a leading provider of business intelligence and automated predictive analytics software. With a focus on ease of use and efficiency, Rapid Insight products enable users to turn their raw data into actionable information. The companys analytic software simplifies the extraction and analysis of data, enabling clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies to fully utilize their information for data-driven decision making. For more information, visit http://www.rapidinsight.com.

About University Business:

University Business is the most widely received, most regularly read publication for higher education leaders at two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide. University Business provides cutting-edge coverage of education news, technology, academics, facilities management, security, financial services, policy, profiles, opinionand moreto this exclusive audience across print, digital and in-person event platforms. Independent surveys have proven that year after year, no other higher education management publication matches the reach, readership and audience engagement of University Business. For more information, visit http://www.universitybusiness.com.
Talent search and selection in the hedge fund industry, just got a whole lot easier.

Matchbook, the talent marketplace for the financial services industry, has entered into a strategic alliance with Argyll & Buchanan (A&B), a provider of prime brokerage solutions for startup and emerging managers, to provide clients with best-in-class recruiting technology and executive search services to help them grow their business.

Matchbook, a OneWire brand, provides a role-based marketplace of screened and vetted talent ready to make a move. Hiring firms can subscribe to different roles, view profiles, read recruiter notes, view compensation expectations, and interview candidates all free of charge. The Company charges a reduced success fee if a hire is made, decreasing the up-front risk and putting the firm in control of the process. Matchbook also offers customized tech-enabled executive search via its platform through a collaborative and transparent process.

Argyll & Buchanan, is an owner-managed, facilitator of Prime Brokerage solutions curated specifically for start-up and emerging fund managers. The company offers hedge funds access to bulge-bracket execution, custody, financing and technology, without the minimum revenue thresholds or minimum asset levels that are commonplace in the industry. In addition to these services, A&B offers a number of ancillary services to assist fund managers with fund incorporation, capital raising and launching.

Were very excited about this opportunity to join forces with Matchbook.io and offer our clients the best solution to fulfill their human capital requirements. Talent search and selection in the hedge fund industry, just got a whole lot easier, said Mel Sutton, Managing Director of Argyll & Buchanan.

Were thrilled to partner with A&B to provide their clients with customizable recruiting solutions that align with their budget and strategic initiatives. As these startup and emerging funds expand, our suite of products and services are readily available to support their next stage of growth and development,

said Eric Stutzke, CEO of OneWire.

Please direct all press inquiries to:

For Matchbook & OneWire: Eric Stutzke, CEO | eric@onewire.com | (646) 786-0866

For Argyll & Buchanan: Mel Sutton, Managing Director | mel@argyllbuchanan.com | 011 44 0208-012-8246

About OneWire | OneWire is a SaaS-based recruiting platform that hosts the largest community of professionals in the financial services industry. Candidates can confidentially search and apply to jobs, while employers can advertise open opportunities or search directly from our candidate database. Through the Companys Matchbook product, candidates are pre-screened in advance and showcased in a talent marketplace where employers can directly send interview requests and pay on success. The Company also offers tech-enabled executive search services that is customized for each firm. See a demo of Matchbook here.

About Argyll & Buchanan | Argyll & Buchanan, is an owner-managed, facilitator of Prime Brokerage solutions curated specifically for start-up and emerging fund managers. The company is based in Glasgow, Scotland.
Theres so little genuine, starry eyed you-had-me-at-hello romance in American movies today that when a new love story pops up, its hard not to root for it. Thats the case with The Photograph, about parallel affairs of the heart. One is hindered by ambition and miscommunication while the other suffers from familiar fears of commitment. Movies like this tell us that falling in love is easy  cue the thunderbolt looks, passionate kisses and surging orchestration  but if it really were that simple there wouldnt be much to tell, so also bring on the agonies, tempests and tears.

When you meet Mae (Issa Rae), shes in mourning. Her mother, Christina, a distinguished photographer and rather less capable mother, has recently died, leaving Mae  a New York museum curator  bereft, confused and more than a bit resentful. Christina has also left Mae a pair of letters, including a confessional one that soon becomes a portal to the past. In the magical way of some romances, around the same time, a New York photographer, Michael (a sensational Lakeith Stanfield), learns about Christina while researching a story in Louisiana that leads him to a former fisherman, Isaac (Rob Morgan, excellent), who knew her.

It isnt long before Mae and Michael meet back in New York (theres an undercurrent of destiny here), setting the story on its bifurcated way. The sparks fly fast and persuasively  Rae and Stanfield make sense right away  and youre soon cozying up with the couple while they share stories and increasingly heated looks in a dimly lit restaurant. The writer-director Stella Meghie understands that you want to see these two beautiful people get together, and she smoothly delivers on your own romantic (and romance genre) longings. Theres glamour, banter, clinking glasses, searching looks and even one of those crashing storms that echo internal squalls.
Political YouTuber Jordan Shanks is so popular with young people that he is now more influential than broadcast media stalwarts such as Alan Jones.

The 30-year-old former model, known online as Friendlyjordies, has 375,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, where he shares comedy videos that slam the Coalition government.

He also has 250,000 fans on Facebook and 55,000 followers on Instagram, making him unequivocally an internet sensation.

Shanks shared this image appearing to show a schoolboy holding up a sign saying 'Jordan Shanks for PM'

Shanks is pictured with his girlfriend Thu Nguyen while on holiday in Pakistan in December

Shanks' videos show him talking about serious issues while amusing memes and photoshopped pictures flash up around the screen to keep viewers entertained.

His latest video calling for Scott Morrison to be jailed over the bushfire crisis was viewed 165,000 times in just six days, reaching more people than Sky News hosts Alan Jones and Peter Credlin, whose Tuesday night show had an average of 135,000 viewers per week in 2019.

In recent months, Shanks has been vocal about climate change, an issue that strikes a chord with his young viewers, and has called New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian a 'koala killer' over cuts to Rural Fire Service funding which he believes exacerbated the bushfire crisis.

His ability to identify issues that his audience cares about is a major reason for his popularity, an expert has told Daily Mail Australia.

Shanks (pictured in one of his videos) often dresses up to keep his audience entertained

Shanks' videos show him talking about serious issues while amusing memes and photoshopped pictures flash up around the screen to keep viewers entertained

Political YouTuber Jordan Shanks, better known as Friendlyjordies, with Labor PM Kevin Rudd (above). Shanks is generally pro-Labor

'The source of Shanks' popularity is pretty straightforward,' said Dr Fiona Martin, a professor of online media at the University of Sydney.

'He speaks to his audience in their voice, with an ironic detachment and anger they recognise, and confirms their suspicion that older people are ruining the planet for them.

He speaks to his audience in their voice, with an anger they recognise

'He has a clear anti-Coalition, pro Labor position, and appears to have progressive views, but isn't a predictable Greens supporter.'

The other reason behind Shanks' popularity is the style of his videos which keep the audience glued to their screens.

'He uses news comedy formats that have been more popular with young people than straight news for decades,' said Dr Martin.

'So he's using messages that they relate to in style and form, on platforms that they use constantly via their mobiles.'

Shanks turned to political blogging after working as a part time model while studying international politics at the University of New South Wales.

He said he had a deal with Gucci and walked runways for Topman and True Religion before giving it all up to work in radio.

Shanks said he misses modelling but told Daily Mail Australia he 'would be very happy to do this until I'm dead.'

'Its combining your natural skills with a public service. I think it's a good thing to do. It keeps you sane.'

Jordan Shanks worked as a part time model (pictured in Brazil) while studying international politics at the University of New South Wales

Not all of Shanks' skits are political. He also pokes fun at reality stars, dole bludgers and the mainstream media.

'I spend a lot of time learning how to be interesting,' he said in an interview in 2012.

'There are books out there that can teach you to become a walking talking Disneyland! That's what I want to be in life, I want to learn how to have fun.

'I am in the process of learning to be as amusing as possible.'

'Literally everything in life is the same principle. You spend seven years and 10,000 hours mastering a field and then at he end of that time, without exception you will be at the top of your field.'
By Express News Service

SANGAREDDY: The police arrested two people accused in the Zaheerabad rape case on Wednesday while a third accused died while trying to escape the police at Mahabathpura of Raikode Mandal.

According to Zaheerabad DSP Ganapthi Yadav, the three accused, posing as police officers, had asked the 30-year-old victim, who was travelling on a bus from Bidar in Karnataka to Zaheerabad in Telangana, to get down from the bus on Tuesday and raped her behind the bushes.

After receiving the victims complaint, the police examined the CCTV footage of nearby areas through which the victim identified the accused.

The police then further examined the CCTV footage and found that the accused went towards Bidar. Police received information that the accused were staying at a hotel in Bidar and on Wednesday, police teams went to Bidar.

The accused were getting ready to leave the lodge by the time the police team arrived. The accused tried to flee but one of them, Pavan Kumar, was caught by the police, while the other two, Somachary and Brahmachary, who are brothers, tried to flee in a car. Kumar admitted that he had raped the woman.

DSP said the police chased the two accused while they tried to escape via a shortcut to Hyderabad from Raikode.

When their car reached near Mahabathpur of Raikode Mandal, it lost the control and overturned, killing Somachary and injuring Brahmachary, who was later shifted to a hospital.

The police then took Brahmachary to the police station for investigation. Police said Somachary and Brahmachary used to work as reporters at a TV news channel in Khajipet of Warangal.
NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --



Increasing air passenger traffic and demand for commercial aircraft drives the global mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05861915/?utm_source=PRN



The global mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace is anticipated to grow from USD 8.8 billion in 2019 to USD 11.9 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. The ever-growing passenger traffic and rising expenditure by defense authorities are expected to drive the mechanical control cables industry for military and aerospace.



Based on material, the jacket material segment is projected to grow with higher CAGR during the forecast period

Based on material, the jacket material segment is expected to grow with a higher CAGR across the forecast period.Jackets are the outermost layer of wire.



Without a jacket, cables are susceptible to abrasion, heat and oxidation damages, as well as weather-related damages. Jacket materials are categorized into thermoplastic and thermoset.



Based on type, the push-pull segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace over the forecast period

Push-pull control cables and rods are mechanical devices that are used in applications which actuate the predefined motion, i.e., forward and backword motion in a particular direction. Such cables are used primarily in the flight control and landing gear systems of an aircraft. The increasing demand for commercial air travel, especially from emerging economies of Asia Pacific, is fueling the demand for new commercial aircraft. According to Boeing and Airbus forecast outlook, the world will require 39,620 and 33,070 new aircraft by 2035.

North America is projected to grow at the highest CAGR across the forecast period According to the World Bank, the North American region contributes up to 28% (approximately) of the world's GDP.North America is also considered as a key region for maritime activities, and the growth of coastal shipping in this region is also propelling the demand for military ships.



The US also procured 49,099 vehicles for its army and over 6,000 vehicles for its naval force in 2018.In June 2018, the US Army awarded a contract worth USD 258 million to General Dynamics Land Systems to modify 116 Stryker vehicles.



Such modernizations will drive the market for mechanical components, such as mechanical control cables. Major companies providing mechanical control cables are Triumph Group (US), Crane Aerospace & Electronics (US), and Elliott Manufacturing (US).

The break-up of profiles of primary participants in the mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace: By Company Type: Tier 1  35%, Tier 2  45%, and Tier 3  20% By Designation: C-Level Executives  35%, Directors  25%, and Others  40% By Region: North America  45%, Europe  20%, Asia Pacific  30%, Rest of the World  5%

Key players in the mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace are Crane Aerospace & Electronics (US), Triumph Group (US), Elliott Manufacturing (US), Orscheln Products (US), Glassmaster Controls Company, Inc. (US), Loos & Co. Inc. (US), Bergen Cable Technology, Inc. (US), Cable Manufacturing & Assembly, Inc. (US), Wescon Controls (US), Tyler Madison, Inc. (US), Escadean Ltd. (UK), Sila Group (Italy), Cablecraft Motion Controls (US), Ringspann GmbH (Germany), Lexco Cable Mfg. (US), Drallim Industries Limited (UK), Grand Rapids Controls, LLC. (US), VPS Control Systems, Inc. (US), AeroControlex (US), and Kuster Holding GmbH (Germany).

Research Coverage: The market study covers the mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace across segments.It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential of this market across different segments, such as type, platform, material, application, end-use, and region.



The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.Reasons to buy this report: This report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall mechanical control cables market for military aerospace and its subsegments.



The report covers the entire ecosystem of mechanical control cables in the aviation industry and will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report will also help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide them with information on the key drivers, challenges, restraints, and opportunities in the global mechanical control cables market for military and aerospace.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05861915/?utm_source=PRN



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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A case before the Calcutta high court, on whether children of a Parsi woman married to a non-Parsi can pray in a Parsi fire temple is set to become the first case in the country to be live streamed, lawyers said.

The Calcutta high court on Wednesday ordered that the hearing in the case be streamed live on YouTube.

The division bench of justices Sanjib Banerjee and Kaushik Chandra passed the order, upholding an appeal by the Parsi Zoroasatrian Association of Kolkata which sought live steaming of the case.

While the Supreme Court, in 2018 passed a judgment enabling live streaming, it is yet to implement this.

The 2018 judgment of the apex court said that a specified category of cases, especially those of constitutional and national importance being argued for final hearing before the Constitution Bench can be live streamed as a pilot project.

In the Calcutta case, the issue before the court is whether children born to a Parsi woman and a non-Parsi man can be allowed inside a fire temple.

The appeal for live streaming of the case was made before the division bench after a single bench rejected the prayer.

The single bench earlier directed Prochy N Mehta, a Kolkata resident, to submit an affidavit on a suit she filed complaining that the Zoroastrian Ajuman Atash Adaran Trust was not allowing her daughters children to enter the temple as their father is not a Parsi. The appeal mentioned that the grandchildren were initiated into the Zororastrian faith through the Navjote ceremony.

The Parsi Zoroasatrian Association sought to be made a party in the case.

The president of the association, Darayas Jamshed Bapooji, stated in his application that the association should be made a party to the hearing as it represents the interests of a majority of members of Zoroastrian community who are beneficiaries of the trust.

In court, the counsel representing the association submitted that the association should be made a party in the matter since the decision of the court will affect Parsis across the country.

Appearing for the association, advocate Firoz Eduljee on Wednesday said that the proceedings are extremely important for the nations Parsi community. He said the association prayed for live streaming of the proceedings so that all members of the community could witness it. The division bench also returned the case to the single bench. It will now be heard by Justice Debangshu Basak.

In its 2018 order, the Supreme Court said that prior consent of all the parties is necessary for live streaming and that if there is no unanimity between them, the concerned Court will be empowered to take the appropriate decision in the matter.

The judgment also mandated that must be a reasonable time-delay (say ten minutes) between the live court proceedings and the broadcast, in order to ensure that any information which ought not to be shown, as directed by the Court, can be edited out.

Though the top court initiated the process of installing the infrastructure required for live streaming of its proceedings, no final decision has been taken yet regarding the implementation. Chief Justice of India SA Bobde is expected to take a call on this shortly.
Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain
Global telecom industry body GSM Association on Thursday said it has decided to cancel the 2020 edition of the sector's largest event Mobile World Congress due to health safety concerns around novel coronavirus outbreak.

The industry body has been organising the event annually since 2006 in Barcelona, Spain, where governments, ministers, policymakers, operators and industry leaders across the broader ecosystem discuss developments in technology sector with telecom as a common thread.

"With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," the industry body said in a statement.

Some of the sponsors and leading exhibitors including those companies which are on the board of GSMA pulled out of the event due to threat from novel coronovirus. These companies include Vodafone, Cisco, LG, Vivo, NTT Docomo, Sony, Amazon, Facebook, Mediatek, Intel, Nvidia etc.

"The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world," the association said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bhang Cannabis-infused Chocolates Now Available in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan



MIAMI, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bhang Inc. ("Bhang" or the "Company") (CSE: BHNG) (OTCQX: BHNGF), a global cannabis CPG brand company with an extensive, award-winning portfolio of products, announced today that its cannabis-infused milk and dark chocolates are now available for sale in Canada through its joint venture with Indiva Limited (TSXV:NDVA) (OTCQX:NDVAF). Bhangs chocolate can be purchased in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan and will soon be available in Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

As previously announced in April 2018, Indiva and Bhang have a 50/50 joint venture to produce and distribute Bhang Chocolate. Through the joint venture, Indiva creates Bhang Chocolate in its state-of-the-art facility based in London, Ontario. Each chocolate contains 10 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and comes from sustainably sourced cacao. Chocolates are scored into four pieces, so they are perfect for sharing. Looking ahead, Bhang and Indiva intend to bring cannabidiol (CBD) chocolates to Canadian consumers later in the year.

Were fortunate to have established partners like Indiva to help us provide Canadian consumers with the highest quality of edibles available in the recently launched Cannabis 2.0 market, said Bhang President & CEO Jamie Pearson. Deloitte analysts estimate that the Canadian market for edibles, extracts and topicals could be worth C$2.7 billion annually, with cannabis edibles accounting for C$1.6 billion alone. We see significant opportunity in the Canadian market and are proud to bring our exceptional chocolate to our friends up north.

In addition to its Canada joint-venture, Bhangs multi-state cannabis platform includes licensees in Florida, Nevada, Michigan, New Mexico, Illinois and Ohio. The Companys hemp-derived CBD products are available throughout the U.S. in brick & mortar stores and online as well as in Puerto Rico, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the U.K.

In the decade since Bhang was founded, the company has received dozens of top honors for its edible cannabis and cannabidiol-based products. Most recently, Bhang won the Best Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Award at WeedCon West 2019 as well as Best Cannabis Chocolate in New Mexico from Dank Magazine. Other top edible honors included numerous High Times Cannabis Cup Best of Awards, and acknowledgments from a diverse range of competitions such as the Medical Cup, Chalice Cup, Patients Choice and the 805 Cannabud Cup, among many others.

Bhangs brand portfolio of 100+ cannabis, hemp-derived CBD and non-cannabis products includes an assortment of chocolate, tinctures, pre-roll straights, gum, capsules, gummies as well as range of organic beverages and powders spanning the lifestyle segment through its wholly owned subsidiary Red Ace Organics.

About Bhang

Bhang is committed to delivering exceptional sensory experiences to consumers at every point in their cannabis journey through its award-winning portfolio of brands. Bhang is a trusted global cannabis company with an extensive portfolio of over 100 cannabis, hemp-derived CBD and terpene products, including chocolates, pre-rolls, gums, and beverages through its wholly-owned Red Ace Organics division, among others. Since 2010, Bhang has mastered the art of harnessing mutually-beneficial partnerships to bring safe, consistent and delicious products to the world. Learn more at www.bhangnation.com and purchase our award-winning CBD products at http://www.bhangcbd.com/.

About Indiva

Indiva sets the standard for quality and innovation. Indiva aims to bring its exceptional portfolio of products to Canadians and cannabis enthusiasts around the world as laws permit. Based in London, Ontario, Indiva creates premium pre-rolls, capsules and edible products. In Canada, Indiva produces and distributes the award-winning Bhang Chocolate, Ruby Cannabis Sugar, Sapphire Cannabis Salt, Gems, and other Powered by INDIVA products through license agreements and joint ventures. Click here to connect with Indiva on social media and here to find more information on the Company and its products. Click here to connect with Indiva on social media and here to find more information on the Company and its products.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements which constitute forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities. Forward looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and include information regarding: (i) statements regarding the future direction of the Company (ii) the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business and financial objectives, (iii) plans for expansion of the Company into new jurisdictions, and (iv) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Companys managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Companys future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forwardlooking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forwardlooking information are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and in particular in the ability of the Company to raise debt and equity capital in the amounts and at the costs that it expects; adverse changes in the public perception of cannabis; decreases in the prevailing prices for cannabis and hemp products in the markets that the Company operates in; adverse changes in applicable laws; or adverse changes in the application or enforcement of current laws; the cannabis market is highly regulated and those regulations and enforcement priorities of governmental authorities may change; compliance with extensive government regulation and related costs; and other risks described in the Companys Listing Statement dated July 9, 2019 and filed on www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forwardlooking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forwardlooking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to any U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

INVESTORS CONTACT:

Jamie L. Pearson

President & CEO

Bhang Inc.

406-208-3488

invest@bhangcorporation.com
Lionel Richie has explained why he wished 'failure' on his daughter Sofia (R) at the start of her showbiz career (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Lionel Richie has explained how he used to prepare his children for being in the tough world of showbiz.

During an American Idol event, the 70-year-old revealed that he used to wish lots of failure on his youngest daughter Sofia, 21, when she first started pursuing a career in the industry.

Read more: Lionel Richie's son cautioned at Heathrow Airport for 'battery and bomb hoax'

Were in a business where its how you recover and Yes, yes, yes does not feel terrible, so you have to get smacked in the face, the Hello hitmaker said, noting the importance of learning how to deal with rejection. I said, Youre going to have a little bit more of a different time because youre coming from a family where they expect a little bit more.

Lionel Ritchie with his children Nicole (L), Sofia and Miles (R) (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Richie went on to recall the time his eldest daughter Nicole got stage fright just before she was expected to perform at a talent show because they name-dropped him during her introduction.

When Nicole was about four years old, she went on a talent show, he remembered. Shes about to go on to do her little act and they said, And now we have Lionel Richies daughter and she froze. She said, Dad I dont want to be here.' I remember that being, what a terrifying moment.

Read more: Prince Charles makes cheeky quip as he meets Lionel Richie on royal tour

While he may practiced a bit of the tough love treatment when Sofia was small, he claims shes doing fabulous now that shes a little older and wiser.

Shes got the attitude. She sings too, he told reporters, via PEOPLE. Im so excited about her. Theyre all taking chances and I want them to do it now.
News and updates from the Project Zero team at Google
A state senator in California is introducing legislation designed to provide more oversight over direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies.

The new regulations, introduced by Santa Ana's Democratic Senator Thomas Umberg, builds on attempts in the California Consumer Privacy Act to regulate the ways data collected from genetic testing can be used by companies.

The fact that the Pentagon just warned all of the countrys military personnel to avoid home DNA tests should raise bright red flags for all consumers, said Senator Umberg in a statement. Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing companies have, to date, gone largely unregulated by either state or national governments. This has led to the disclosure of consumers private biological information to third parties.

The CCPA regulates genetic testing companies by allowing consumers to request information on how their data is used and opt-out of any unauthorized applications of their data or sale of that data to third parties.

However, the current authorization forms are confusing and consumers often don't have a lot of clarity into what they've consented to with their genetic data, according to a statement from Umberg's office.

Umberg, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor and small business owner who lives in Orange County, noted that the Pentagon issued a memo requesting service members not use DTC genetic services because "the increased concern in the scientific community that outside parties are exploiting the use of genetic materials for questionable purposes including mass surveillance and the ability to track individuals without their authorization or awareness."

Under Umberg's proposal, Senate Bill 980, DNA testing companies would have to abide by strict guidelines for authorization forms for genetic tests. The measure also creates civil penalties for companies that fail to comply with the provisions in the Act.

Maryland and New York have long had stringent laws regulating how genetic tests can be marketed to consumers on the books and Illinois passed new laws to tighten how genetic tests can be used late last year.

Forcing these companies to clarify their consent forms and requiring them to obtain written authorization for any genetic data disclosure, including de-identified data, will reassure California consumers that their most personal information is safe, noted Senator Umberg.
Sajid Javid has quit as chancellor in a shock move, after Number 10 demanded he sack an entire team of aides (PA Images)

Sajid Javid has quit as chancellor of the exchequer

Sources say he walked after Number 10 demanded he sacked an entire team of aides

Rishi Sunak has taken over as chancellor

Sajid Javid has resigned from Boris Johnsons government in a shock move during a cabinet reshuffle.

He said he was left with no option other than to resign after Number 10 ordered him to sack his team of aides.

The chancellor quit as the PM carried out a number of hirings and firings for top government positions.

Rishi Sunak, who was a treasury minister, will take over as chancellor in a significant promotion for the Johnson loyalist.

Sajid Javid has resigned from Boris Johnson's government after reportedly refusing to sack a team of aides (PA)

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP @RishiSunak has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer @HMTreasury pic.twitter.com/OTYOkujnbo  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 13, 2020

Mr Javid said that no self-respecting minister could accept the ultimatum from Number 10.

He told reporters outside his home on Thursday afternoon: The conditions that were attached was a requirement that I replace all my political advisers.

These are people who have worked incredibly hard on behalf of not just the government but the whole country.

I was unable to accept those conditions.

I dont believe any self-respecting minister would accept such conditions and so therefore I felt the best thing to do was to go.

Rishni Sunak is believed to be taking over as chancellor as the exchequer (AP)

Sajid Javid was appointed chancellor when Boris Johnson became prime minister (PA)

Mr Javid has been at loggerheads with the prime ministers top aide Dominic Cummings for months, and Cummings fingerprints are widely viewed to be all over the shock move.

Although Javid was not sacked, he was essentially offered a package he would be unable to accept.

The two clashed heads in August 2019 when Mr Cummings sacked one of Mr Javids advisers without telling the chancellor in advance.

Story continues

Sajid Javid has previously clashed with Boris Johnson's top adviser Dominic Cummings, pictured (PA)

The former chancellor had also caused waves in recent weeks after publicly backing HS2 before the government officially backed the project.

Despite the tensions, Mr Javid was expected to hold onto his position, and was due to present the government budget in 28 days time.

Speaking on November, the PM said he planned to keep Mr Javid on as chancellor going forward, saying he was doing a fantastic job.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Mr Javids resignation left the government in crisis.

This must be a historical record with the Government in crisis after just over two months in power, he said.

Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as chancellor.

The other top positions in government remain unchanged. Priti Patel is staying on as home secretary and Dominic Raab keeps his job as foreign secretary.

Elsewhere in the reshuffle, Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith, attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox, housing minister Esther McVey, environment secretary Theresa Villiers, and business secretary Andrea Leadsom, were the senior figures to lose their jobs.
ROME - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio arrived in Benghazi on Thursday and met with General Khalifa Haftar. On Wednesday, Di Maio had flown to Tripoli for talks with Government of National Accord (GNA) prime minister Fayez al-Serraj and Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga.

Despite Wednesday's adoption of a resolution by the UN Security Council calling on the parties in conflict in Libya for a ''lasting ceasefire'', more fighting was reported on Thursday south of Tripoli between GNA troops and those answering to Haftar, according to both witnesses on the ground and the GNA forces.

Flights to Tripoli airport suspended after Haftar attacks

Flights to and from the Mitiga airport, the only one still functioning in the Libyan capital, were suspended Thursday after repeatedly rocket launching by militias answering to General Khalifa Haftar. Libya Observer reported the news on Twitter, noting that a state of panic was being seen among passengers. The news that flights had been suspended was confirmed on the Facebook page of the airport and by the deputy transport minister of the Tripoli-based government, Hisham Abu Shikawat, as reported by Al Ahrar TV. The spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed al Mismari, announced Thursday in a press conference that the UN will no longer be allowed to use Mitiga airport. The UN will have to use other airports such as the one in Misurata, Mismari said, since the LNA cannot ensure the safety of flights to and from Mitiga, since Turkey is using it as a base. On Wednesday, the UN expressed ''regret'' over a ban on flights carrying its personnel to and from Libya. A statement noted that the ban had been repeated several times in recent weeks.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed its inclination to reinstate a former district judge from Madhya Pradesh (MP) whose sexual harassment allegations against a judge of MP high court were held to be unfounded in 2017 by a committee constituted by Rajya Sabha.

The former additional district and sessions judge resigned in 2014 after she was transferred from Gwalior to Sidhi. She had alleged that the transfer happened after she declined to entertain alleged sexual advances by a high court judge.The Supreme Court asked the Madhya Pradesh high court to respond to the plea by the judge for reinstatement and adjourned the matter. It will now be taken up in March.

The former judge, after resigning from her job, wrote to Supreme Court judges in 2014 and detailed what she claimed was her ordeal. An internal committee set up by the Supreme Court to probe her allegations submitted a report in 2015, stating that it did not find sufficient evidence against the accused high court judge. Later, 58 MPs sought impeachment of the high court judge, based on which the then vice president Hamid Ansari set up a committee in 2016 to probe the allegations.

The committee, comprising Supreme Courts justice R Banumathi, former Calcutta high court chief justice Manjula Chellur, and senior advocate KK Venugopal, submitted its report in December 2017 holding that the charges against the accused high court judge were not proven.

The committee, however, concluded that there was interference with the transfer of the judge and recommended that she be reinstated in service if she was willing to rejoin. The judge then approached the Supreme Court in July 2018 seeking reinstatement.

When the matter was taken up for hearing on Wednesday by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde, senior counsel Indira Jaising, appearing for the former judge, pointed out that the Rajya Sabha committee recommended her reinstatement. CJI Bobde remarked that it would not be appropriate to send the matter back to the high court and proceeded to ask Jaising whether the petitioner would be willing to work outside the state.

Jaising told the court that the petitioner wants to move on with her life and would be ready to work in any place in northern India.

CJI Bobde commended her for the right attitude and sought a response from MP high court. Jaising will also furnish to the court a list of places where the judge would be willing to work
The Paramount Chief and President of Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II has urged the Youth in Ghana and especially Afram Plains North and South to desist from violence that erupts during elections.



Daasebre said violence only retards development and put financial burdens to families, communities and the Country as a whole.



The Kwahuhene was addressing a colorful Akwasidae durbar of Chiefs and people of Kwahu at Donkorkrom, the capital of the Kwahu Afram Plains North District.



Daasebre further charged his people, indigenes and settlers, to live in peace and harmony and consider themselves as one people with a common goal



The Kwahuhene and all chiefs from the various wings in Kwahu embarked on a week-long familiarisation visit to various towns and villages in the Kwahu Afram Plains. Among the places visited were; Tease, Maame Krobo, Abomasarefo, Agodeke, Kwae Kse, the boundaries between Kwahu, Volta and the Bono regions, the Forifori Camp Prison and selected large scale farms.



At the various durbars, the Kwahuhene urged parents to take advantage of the government's free SHS policy, since education is the surest guarantee to a prosperous future.



He assured the people of Afram plains that, the myriad of concerns raised during his visit shall be addressed to the appropriate authorities.



The visit was climaxed with a traditional council meeting at Tease in the Afram Plains South District where the five MMDCE's who were all present were tasked to work with Nananom to curtail the increasing bushfires around the odweanoma mountains and other areas.

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.

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Airbnb is suspending bookings in Beijing until May as the rapid spread of the coronavirus hands the home-sharing giant a new kind of challenge.

The number of documented cases of the virus jumped by more than 15,000 to at least 60,000 overnight, most of them in China. The surge in numbers is partly due to health officials in Hubei province, the center of the outbreak, changing the method of reporting cases. At least 1,369 people have died.

Airbnb customers who had reservations in Beijing between Feb. 7 and April 30 will be refunded, a spokesman for the travel start-up said, adding that the company was following local government guidance to short-term rental companies.

The coronavirus, which the World Health Organization has named COVID-19, presents a new headwind for Airbnb. The company is targeting this year for a long-awaited initial public offering after spending years battling other issues, such as local laws aimed at curbing its short-term rental model.

"As efforts to control the novel coronavirus outbreak continue, we will comply with additional guidance issued for the industry during this public health emergency," Airbnb said in a statement. "We will refund and support guests who had cancelled reservations. And we will continue to work diligently to build programs that support our community of hosts."

Bookings in the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, are suspended until March 31. In the Yongchuan district in Chongqing in central China and Wuxi, near Shanghai, there is a freeze until Feb. 20.

The spread of the virus has roiled travel to China and elsewhere, prompting more than a dozen international airlines, including United, Delta and American, to halt or scale back China service. Airlines canceled more than 85,000 China flights from Jan. 23 through Feb. 11 because of coronavirus, figures from aviation consulting firm Cirium showed on Wednesday.

The fallout from the virus is affecting the travel industry even outside China, as attendees are staying away from high-profile events such as the Singapore Airshow. The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the world's largest telecommunications conference, which had about 100,000 attendees last year, was canceled. The organizer said it was "impossible" to hold the trade show because of the outbreak.
A very large area of governance has nothing to do with ideology. It has, rather, to do with formulation of good policies and programmes, and their proper implementation; it has to do with responsive and responsible administration, with a high degree of transparency and accountability, and people's enthusiastic participation at all tiers of the democratic set-up.

The above words were said by then Union home minister LK Advani at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) conclave in Goa in April 2002. The conclave was taking place barely a month after the horrible riots and pogrom in Gujarat, which was a very low-point for the BJP during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee era.

Those words may still reverberate to remind the BJP rank and file that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s stupendous performance in the Delhi assembly polls may have lot to do with what Advani had tried to remind them 18 years ago.

The shortcomings in an approach  that ignores deliverables and overplays ideological beliefs  saw the Delhi voter prefer a party that delivered on two or three previously held out promises, and that was enough to match up to the moderate expectations of the voter.

Certainly, the AAP did not bring a revolution to the citys governance model. However, in some areas where it did bring about a qualitative change, the quantitative assessment was in its favour despite a patchy track record. The AAPs efficiency in limited areas won wider appreciation than what the Narendra Modi-led BJP has sought to do at the national and state levels  big systemic changes, some of which have a long gestation period and might pinch initially but benefit in the long run.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal promised to improve water and electricity pricing, functioning of government schools, and empower women by way of free bus rides. These were low-hanging fruits given the legroom the Delhi budget allows, without taking into account the states long-term growth. Such measures have a limited effecta fact which was clear when the state voted for the BJP in all its seven Lok Sabha seats in May 2019.

That said, the BJP did not have much to offer when it came to managing Delhi affairs. Hence, like Modis spectacular win in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, aided to a great extent because of welfare measures such as free gas cylinders and stoves, houses and toilets, power connections and direct benefit transfer of subsidies, Kejriwal delivered another big win for his party on its track record of governance.

The positive takeaways for the BJP are the ~7 percent rise in vote share and the five more seats it won this time taking its tally to eight in an assembly of 70.

Some attribute the BJPs lose to the fact that the party could not match AAPs promises of freebies, and the national partys own promises did not cut much ice. Either the BJP came late to the party or it got lost in its own political cacophony.

In retrospect, the BJP suffered for a host of reasons which it knew all along, but has done little to redress since its defeat in Delhi in 1998. This was followed by a series of losses in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, and now 2020. In all these years, the BJP paid a heavy price for its lack of focus on basic municipal governance, unwillingness to invest and nurture on a new crop of local leaders who could have the ability to defy the changing demography of the capital and be projected as a future Delhi CM.

If Sheila Dikshit being the face of the Delhi Congress caused defeats for the BJP in 1998, 2003 and 2008, a popular movement under Anna Hazare ultimately ended up knocking out the partys own base as a viable opposition. Despite the BJPs open support for the anti-corruption drive, it could not prevent a fledgling political formation from riding on the local angst to emerge as one of its faces against Dikshits tenure.

Whats more, the BJP got its first warning bell in Delhis municipal elections in 2017. It got control of the three corporations by winning over some independents, but, its management since then left much to be improved because of the run-ins with the AAP government. Stories of abundant corruption at the municipal level did not bother the BJP leadership.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took over the campaign only after the dates were announced in Janaury, and even Shah initially ignored the challenge posed by an unassuming Kejriwal. Rather than focusing on local issues, the BJP focused on national issues such as Article 370.

The BJPs own attention was riveted to the almost two-month-long sit-in by Muslim women in Shaheen Bagh, blocking an arterial road demanding revocation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Comments over this generated so much heat that a BJP minister and a MP were barred by the Election Commission of India from campaigning. Even strong BJP supporters were disappointed that Shah chose not to use the Delhi Police (under his ministrys control) to clear the protesters, but decided to let electoral politics continue over it.

Displaying political astuteness, Kejriwal refused to walk into the trap of stridently opposing the BJPs Hindutva brand of politics.

In 2022, Delhi faces the municipal poll again. There is now time to go back to the drawing board. Will the BJP choose to hold on to the dovetails of Modi or re-invent itself to be a meaningful force to address basic civic issues? AAP has already announced it is getting to work soon to win the MCD  its next big challenge, and not make foray into the national scene as its admirers badly want.
Scientists have long known that immune cells migrate to the site of an infection, which individuals experience as inflammation. Now, a team of researchers at the University of Washington and Northwestern University has uncovered evidence that this gathering is not just a consequence of immune activation; immune cells count how many of them have gathered to determine how much the immune system should react.

This is a previously unrecognized aspect of immune function. The cells make a coordinated decision. They dont uniformly activate but instead collectively decide how many cells will activate, so that together, the system can fend off a threat without dangerously overreacting, said Northwestern Universitys Professor Joshua Leonard.

A key part of this work relied on the development of new computational models to interpret our experiments and elucidate how cells perform calculations to make coherent decisions, added University of Washingtons Dr. Neda Bagheri.

The bodys immune system works constantly to maintain a delicate balance. When a threat is introduced, the system needs to respond strongly enough to fight off infection or disease, but not so strongly that it causes harm.

The researchers wanted to better understand how the immune system makes these types of decisions.

Its especially interesting because the immune system is decentralized, said Joseph Muldoon, a graduate student at Northwestern University.

Immune cells are individual agents that need to work together, and nature has come up with a solution for how they can get on the same page. Cells arrive at different activation states, but in such a way that, on the whole, the population response is calibrated.

To explore this phenomenon, the scientists examined macrophages, a type of immune cell that is part of the first line of defense for combatting infection and disease.

They observed how macrophages responded to a chemical produced by bacteria  a red flag that alerts the body to the presence of infection  using techniques that enabled the team to watch individual cells responses over time.

The authors then used computational models to help interpret and explain these observations.

Immune cells were counting how many of them had gathered to determine how much the system should react.

Over time, the cells observe their surroundings to get a sense of their neighbors, Muldoon said.

Each cell becomes poised to respond as a high activator or not. Now that we know theres this additional layer controlling the immune system, it opens up a whole avenue to study whether there are new targets for immunomodulation.

The researchers believe this information could be used to develop improved cancer immunotherapies or treatments for autoimmune diseases, help design better drugs and guide the engineering of advanced cell-based therapies.

Biology has evolved so many fascinating and surprising ways to control complex processes, Professor Leonard said.

As synthetic biologists, we work to engineer cells to perform customized therapeutic functions, such as activating the immune system locally at a tumor site but not throughout the patient. Understanding natures innovations helps us to come up with new designs and enables us to be better engineers.

The findings appear in the journal Nature Communications.

_____

J.J. Muldoon et al. 2020. Macrophages employ quorum licensing to regulate collective activation. Nat Commun 11, 878; doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-14547-y
To the Editor:

Two recent letters supporting carbon pricing on the national level and in New York suggest that this theoretical approach has numerous advantages and no disadvantages (Local action isnt enough; we need carbon pricing to fight climate change, Feb. 6, 2020, NY can lead the way on carbon pricing, Feb. 11, 2020). Based on my observations working in a carbon pricing program, I think implementing any similar scheme is fraught with difficulties and will not work as advertised.

If the carbon pricing plan covered all energy sectors and across the globe, then carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions would occur and not simply move elsewhere (leakage). The New York Independent System Operators plan for just the electric generating sector in just New York has not satisfactorily explained how its plan will avoid this problem. None of New Yorks Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative proceed investments in CO2 reduction programs have a cost per ton reduced less than the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) threshold of $50. The SCC value is supposed to represent the future cost impact to society of a ton of CO2 emitted today, so that means none of the investments have been cost-effective.

I could go on, but I think the summary from the Regulatory Assistance Project analysis for the State of Vermont is good. It said: "We conclude that an attempt to reduce Vermonts carbon emissions based on carbon pricing alone will cost more, and deliver less, than a program of carbon reductions that is based on practical public policies  policies that attack the main sources of carbon pollution through tailored, cost-effective programs geared to Vermonts families, businesses, and physical conditions.

Roger Caiazza

Liverpool

How to submit letters and commentary to Syracuse.com
British banking regulators want to know if the chief executive of Barclays has been honest about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Barclays said on Thursday that regulators were investigating how its chief executive, James E. Staley, had described to bank officials his ties with Mr. Epstein, the financier who killed himself in August after facing new allegations of sex trafficking of underage girls.

Mr. Staley, one of a handful of prominent Wall Street financiers who have been linked to Mr. Epstein, said he had been fully forthcoming about their relationship, which he said had ended before he arrived at the bank five years ago.

I feel very comfortable, going back to 2015, I have been transparent and open with the bank, he said on a conference call with analysts on Thursday. Mr. Staley did not respond to messages seeking comment.
A gamer has livestreamed a horrific motorcycle crash in which an 18-year-old L-plater lost his life.

The teenager died after his motorcycle burst into flame after it collided with a car in Para Hills West, north east Adelaide.

The fiery crash was livestreamed for the world to see on Twitch, according to Seven.

The teenager lost his life in Para Hills West, in north west Adelaide, after his motorcycle burst into flames on Wednesday when he collided with a car

The fiery crash was livestreamed for the world to see on popular video gaming site Twitch

A spokesperson for the South Australian Police called the video 'incredibly traumatising' for the man's family.

The L-plater crashed into an 83-year-old woman who was turning onto a road. She was taken to hospital for minor injuries.

Witness Josh Wiedmann said the teenager was riding down the road 'flat out'.

'I looked to where he should have been and he wasn't there then I heard this horrible crash and the fireball came up. I thought, "That doesn't look too good'",' he said.

'He wasn't wearing any of the right gear. He was accelerating off those lights and going way too fast.'

The L-plater crashed into an 83-year-old woman who was turning onto a road

Another witness also said the young man was travelling quickly.

Video footage showed him moments earlier wearing light clothing and a helmet.

Police have asked anyone with information or footage to come forward.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Twitch for comment.
After the first Becoming an Outdoor Girl program last fall at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, organizers knew they were on to something big.

The 60 slots filled quickly for free registration for the first event of the grand-funded program, which gets girls in grades 6-12 outdoors to participate in activities such as archery while learning about the environment. A waiting list was formed for the next session on Feb. 29, which also has filled up.

Another Outdoor Girl event has not been planned this year, said Wendy Reistle, environmental education coordinator at UHCL. But she said the university offers other nature programs for boys and girls such as a bird club.

The outdoor programs at the university, which are free to registered participants, have been made possible through a $43,168 Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to promote environmental education through outdoor-focused programs over a 12-month period while encouraging public interest in visiting state parks.

In 2019, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments Community Outdoor Outreach Program awarded $1.5 million in 36 grants fostering outdoor recreation programs across the state.

Like other programs made possible through the grant  including a bird club that takes place every third Saturday of each month except July, field trips to Galveston for students at Dickinson ISD and programs that expose inner-city youths to nature  Outdoor Girl provides a venture into the outdoors, perhaps for the first time for many youths.

Another outdoor youth program at UHCL What: Youth Birding Club. Open to children aged 7-13 and their parents(or grandparents. When: Meets from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month at the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus. Campers explore bird species and other wildlife on the campus grounds with guides. Children under 10 need to be accompanied by an adult, and children aged 10 -13 may be dropped off. Where: Environmental Institute of Houston in the NOA I building near Entrance 3 of the University of Houston Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston Information:https://bit.ly/2w7eg3F, 281- 283-7600 See More Collapse

(Partners include the STEM Foundation and Dickinson ISD, Clear Creek ISD and Galveston Bay Area Master Naturalist)

A lot of young people are afraid of things that they find outside  like snakes and spiders  so they dont go outside, said Reistle. Instead, they hang out inside using and relying on technology. Were trying to offer (through Outdoor Girl) a safe environment for kids to come out and have a really good experience, and hopefully theyll want to go to their local state parks or other nature camps.

Through an afternoon-long rotation of activities like birding, watercolor art, fishing, mammal and plant identification and a scavenger hunt, Outdoor Girl gives the kids a chance to see, feel and explore the natural world in a safe and protected environment.

Volunteers from the universitys Environmental Institute will act as mentors and guides for the afternoon.

Getting youths to learn about the environment and its role in their daily lives is important for the future, Reistle said.

The connection between the natural world and the food and water we consume has been lost, she said.

Were going to need stewards of the environment, and its important that (young people) learn about the things were doing and about how we can do things better because we all want clean water, clean air and unpolluted soil, Reistle said. We need nature more than nature needs us; so its time to get people connected back to our roots and where we came from.

yorozco@hcnonline.com
The last serious debate in the Australian Parliament about some aspects of climate change was more than 10 years ago, when in 2009 the original Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme was defeated in the Senate. Even so, the primary emphasis then was not on the science but on the economics, politics and personalities.

Why does Australia produce three times more CO2 emissions per capita than Britain and twice as much as New Zealand? Credit:Jonathan Carroll

In the following decade, the climate change issue has become both toxic and infantilised. Neither of the major parties has fully understood the science and Australia's role as a world outlier in carbon dioxide emissions.

There are a series of major questions that have never been asked within the Parliament or by the media. Ministers, and especially the Prime Minister, should be asked:
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the Company or ARI) (NYSE:ARI) today announced the Board of Directors set April 6, 2020 as the record date for the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on June 2, 2020 at 9:00 am Eastern Time at the offices of Clifford Chance US LLP at 31 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019.



About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: ARI) is a real estate investment trust that primarily originates, acquires, invests in and manages performing commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. The Company is externally managed and advised by ACREFI Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc., a leading global alternative investment manager with approximately $331 billion of assets under management at December 31, 2019.

Additional information can be found on the Company's website at www.apolloreit.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When used in this release, the words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, plan, continue, intend, should, may or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; the Companys ability to deploy the proceeds of its capital raises or acquire its target assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements, and other risks, uncertainties and factors are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
For the walls, choose a deeper blue with gray undertones for a more sophisticated look. Try Van Deusen Blue from Benjamin Moore. Minimalize visual clutter by using pairs of items  in this case, a matching sofa and love seat, matching console and coffee table, and matching lamps  instead of a bunch of different pieces. Choose art that reflects your personal style or has meaning. Here, magazine covers offer a creative way to feature a favorite memory, hobby or special date or year. Go with furniture upholstered in a performance fabric, which makes for easy cleanup of messes and spills. In addition to providing lighting, decorative lamps can be beautiful jewelry for a room. Use a console table to balance the asymmetry of the fireplace wall. It also provides space to display decorative objects and books. Add seating with an accent chair in a bold color.
NORTH HAVEN  Town firefighters knocked down a structure fire Thursday at the O.F. Mossberg & Sons gun manufacturer headquarters on Grasso Avenue, according to the department.

Firefighters were called to 7 Grasso Ave. for a working fire at approximately 9:15 a.m., North Haven Deputy Chief Scott Martus said.

It extended up into the roof, and upon arrival we had heavy smoke and heavy fire showing, Martus said.

The fire was contained to a small portion of the facility and extinguished before 10:30 a.m., he said.

While a formal investigation has not yet begun, the fire appears to have broken out in a manufacturing portion of the facility and involved oil, Martus said.

No one was injured in the blaze, Martus said. Workers evacuated the building after an automatic fire alarm went off, he said.

The department is familiar with the building, as Mossberg works regularly with the department, he said.

A second alarm was called to bring additional staffing to the scene, including Hamden and Wallingford firefighters. Martus said more firefighters were necessary to cover the various levels of the roof. New Haven and Wallingford firefighters were dispatched to cover the community while North Haven was occupied at the scene.

The department said that units were on scene in a tweet just after 9 a.m.

In a statement, officials with O.F. Mossberg & Sons said the fire did not cause any issues with hazardous materials.

All employees were evacuated from the building and one employee was treated for a minor injury. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the multiple first responders, namely the North Haven Fire Department, for their quick response and actions to extinguish the fire and limit damage to the facility, officials said. The North Haven, CT facility has been closed for today, and we expect to return to normal operations tomorrow.

The company that began in 1919, moved to North Haven in 1960.

While the headquarters is in North Haven, it moved nearly all firearms production to its Texas facility.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  The African swine fever continues to spread in Mindanao. This time the deadly virus has infected hogs in Sulop town, Davao del Sur.

The Agriculture Department in Davao region on Wednesday confirmed that some pigs in the villages of Palili and Laperas in Sulop have tested positive for the swine fever.

Last week, backyard hog raisers in these two villages, as well as Solongvale in Sulop and Aplaya in Hagonoy town, reported that their pigs were sick. Samples were then taken for testing.

Provincial Veterinarian Russel Celis told reporters that areas within the one-kilometer radius from these four villages were quarantined. He added that all hogs within the one-kilometer radius will be culled as part of government protocol.

Affected hog raisers will be paid 5,000 each for each pig culled, Celis said.

Davao del Sur is the latest province in Mindanao to have confirmed cases of the swine fever. The virus reached the island region in January, killing 1,000 pigs in Don Marcelino town, Davao Occidental. The provincial government has since declared a state of calamity with the disease affecting 10,000 hogs.

A number of provinces, including Cebu, Iloilo, and the Zamboanga Peninsula recently expanded their ban on live swine, pork, and pork products to the entire Mindanao region to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Philippines had its first African swine fever outbreak in July last year. The first cases were confirmed in Luzon, including a number of cities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

LOOK: A timeline of African Swine Fever in the PH

The African swine fever does not pose health risks on humans, but they can carry the virus and spread it. Infected hogs can die in three to five days, threatening food supply.
By AFP

BAGDAD: Hundreds of Iraqi women of all ages flooded central Baghdad on Thursday alongside male anti-government protesters, defying an order by powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr to separate the genders in the rallies.

Some were veiled, others not, still more wrapped their faces in black-and-white checkered scarves.

Most carried roses, Iraqi flags or signs defending their role in the regime change demonstrations.

They marched through a tunnel and spilled out into Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the youth-dominated movement in a country where vast regions remain socially conservative.

"We want to protect women's role in the protests as we're just like the men. There are efforts to kick us out of Tahrir but we'll only come back stronger," said Zainab Ahmad, a pharmacy student.

"Some people were inciting against us a few days ago, seeking to keep women at home or keep them quiet. But we turned out today in large numbers to prove to those people that their efforts will end in failure," she said.

Ahmad appeared to be referring to controversial cleric Moqtada Sadr, a powerful figure who first backed the rallies when they erupted in October but who has since sought to discredit them.

On Saturday, the militiaman-turned-politician had alleged drug and alcohol use among the protesters and said it was immoral for men and women to mix there.

And a few moments before Thursday's women's march began, Sadr once again took to Twitter to slam the protests as being rife with "nudity, promiscuity, drunkenness, immorality, debauchery and non-believers".

In a strange turn, he said Iraq must not "turn into Chicago," which he said was full of "moral looseness" including homosexuality, a claim that was immediately mocked online.

While the numbers in Tahrir have dwindled in recent weeks, many Iraqi youth say the past four months of rallies have helped break down widespread conservative social norms.

Men and women were seen holding hands in Tahrir and even camping out in the square together. On Thursday, men linked arms to form a protective ring around the women as they marched for over an hour.

"Revolution is my name, male silence is the real shame!" they chanted, then adding "Freedom, revolution, feminism!" Some of their chants were snide remarks at Sadr himself.

"Where are the millions?" some said, referring to the cleric's call for a million-strong march several weeks ago that saw much smaller numbers hit the streets.

The rallies have slammed Iraqi authorities for being corrupt, incompetent and beholden to neighbouring Iran.

"They want us to be a second Iran, but Iraqi women weren't born to let men dictate to them what to do," protester Raya Assi told AFP on Thursday.

"They have to accept us the way we are."
A Chinese state TV effort to turn a Tibetan nurse from a remote corner of Qinghai province into a heroic volunteer fighting the coronavirus in Wuhan fizzled this week when her relatives said she was ordered to go to the epicenter of the epidemic in Hubei province.

Thirty-one-year-old Choegyi Dolma is the deputy nurse of the Hualong county Tibetan Medicine Hospital in Tsoshar prefecture. When hospital officials discussed who to send to Wuhan, Choegyi Dolma raised her hand to volunteer for the service, state-run CCTV Tibetan news broadcast on Tuesday.

All of her other colleagues were surprised by her determination and competency, and admired her courage to go to the epicenter of the epidemic in Wuhan, said the report, which said she went with the firm support of her family.

I cant give up my children, but since I am a nurse, it is also my duty to battle against the epidemic, CCTV quoted Choegyi Dolma as saying. She described her mission to ground zero helping the patients in Wuhan the same as protecting my children.

As her story spread in Tibet, RFAs Tibetan Service contacted exile sources who knew her relatives in Tsoshar (Haidong, in Chinese) prefectures Hualong county.

Choegyi Dolmas manner of departure conflicts with what she has said on TV, said the exile source.

Her departure to Wuhan was not voluntary, the exile source quoted a relative as saying. She was ordered to go to Wuhan by upper management.

Her family members learned about her deployment in Wuhan only after she reached there, and they are concerned for her safety now said the RFA source.

"The Chinese nurses in Hualong county hospital were not willing to go to Wuhan, so they drew lots to decide who should go, but even with that, the Chinese nurses were reluctant to go, said RFAs source. However the Tibetan nurse was ordered to go.

RFAs Tibetan Service called the Hualong county hospital Wednesday and asked about nurses reportedly sent to Wuhan.

There are two nurses who have gone to Wuhan, said a female staffer who answered the phone. When asked if it was voluntary, the woman said: It might be voluntary. But asked about nurses drawing lots, she hung up.

Meanwhile, Sichuans Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, saw its total number of confirmed infections climb to 36 on Wednesday with nine new cases reported by state media in the prefectures Tawu (Daofu) county.

According to the Kardze health commission, the youngest patient was 3 years old and the oldest was 72 years old, and all nine are Tibetans from Tawu county, with no recent travel outside the region.

The patients were transferred to a designated hospital in the state for treatment. All close contacts identified were placed in isolation for medical observation, the commission said in a report.

As of Wednesday, the epidemic of COVID-19, as the virus has been named by the World Health Organization (WHO), caused 1,113 deaths among 45,206 confirmed cases globally. Most of the deaths were in the worst-hit central province of Hubei and its provincial capital, Wuhan.

Reported by Gaitho and Guru Choegyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Paul Eckert.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Ruskin High School students were taken into custody Wednesday after posting a picture of themselves with a gun on social media, police say. The Hickman Mills School District said the school was put on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after the photo, indicating some type of threat, was discovered.
Its a gloomy day for Technocrats in Switzerland, which has imposed a nationwide ban on new 5G installation while demanding a thorough study on the health effects of millimeter waves on humans. Until produced, the ban will not be lifted.  TN Editor

Switzerland, one of the worlds leaders in the rollout of 5G mobile technology, has placed an indefinite moratorium on the use of its new network because of health concerns.

The move comes as countries elsewhere around Europe race to upgrade their networks to 5G standards amid a furious rearguard diplomatic campaign by the US to stop them using Chinese technology provided by Huawei. Washington says the company, which is fundamental to most European networks upgrade plans, presents a grave security risk.

Switzerland is relatively advanced in Europe in adopting 5G. The wealthy alpine country has built more than 2,000 antennas to upgrade its network in the last year alone, and its telecoms providers have been promising their customers imminent 5G coverage for most of the past year.

However, a letter sent by the Swiss environment agency, Bafu, to the countrys cantonal governments at the end of January, has now in effect called time on the use of all new 5G towers, officials who have seen the letter told the Financial Times.

The agency is responsible for providing the cantons with safety criteria against which telecoms operators radiation emissions can be judged. Under Switzerlands highly federalised structure, telecoms infrastructure is monitored for compliance and licensed by cantonal authorities, but Bern is responsible for setting the framework.

Bafu has said it cannot yet provide universal criteria without further testing of the impact of 5G radiation.

The agency said it was not aware of any standard worldwide that could be used to benchmark recommendations. Therefore Bafu will examine exposure through adaptive [5G] antennas in depth, if possible in real-world operational conditions. This work will take some time, it said.

Without the criteria, cantons are left with little option but to license 5G infrastructure according to existing guidelines on radiation exposure, which all but preclude the use of 5G except in a tiny minority of cases.

Several cantons have already imposed their own voluntary moratoria because of uncertainty over health risks.
Campaigning for Irans 11th parliament officially began today for the Feb. 21 elections. According to Tasnim News Agency, campaigning will last until Feb. 19. The short campaign window and the disqualifications of Reformist and moderate candidates have left the public with many questions as to who is running and under which political faction for the 290-seat assembly.

Over the last few administrations, Irans parliament has lost much of its power, often reduced to a stage where partisan issues are debated but rarely resolved. Issues of national importance or national security are sometimes contested but ultimately the parliament votes along the lines and policies set forth by the Supreme National Security Council and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Conservative Bultan News reported, Based on polls, there is no excitement for these elections. The article suggested the lack of interest may be due to some political factions not presenting their lists. Political groupings under a well known candidate are how many candidates distinguish their political affiliations, as in the Islamic Republic there are no formal political parties. The political alignments can be likened to Tea Party Republicans or Blue Dog Democrats. Bultan did not mention the disqualification of Reformist and moderate candidates.

The Bultan article presented 10 questions on economic policy that will be significant in the 11th parliament. The questions included points on the budget, the banking system, trade policy, housing, energy and pollution. Some of these issues are uniquely local and the candidates, regardless of their affiliations, will need to address these concerns during campaigning. But despite citizens' interest in local issues, especially in the border provinces, campaigns centered on responsible fiscal governance have not historically brought the masses out to vote.

One of the first groups to present a formal list is the Coalition Council of the Revolutionary Forces. Former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has run for president multiple times, heads the 30-person list for Tehran. Ghalibaf is rumored to be eyeing the speakership. Current speaker Ali Larijani has held the position since 2008 and has faced many conservative attacks for aligning with moderate President Hassan Rouhani.

Saeed Karami, a member of the Coalition Council of the Revolutionary Forces, told Jahan News that one of the most important functions of the future parliament will be budgetary governance. Karami said that a great deal of the current administrations budget is being spent on public companies and that these companies operate without any oversight" and "do whatever they want. Karami also said that high voter turnout is a top priority for his list.

Iran's Guardian Council, which disqualified many candidates, continued to defend the disqualifications to the Iranian press. In an interview Feb. 12, spokesperson Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said that the Guardian Council has a constitutional mandate and it will continue to perform its function. He added that the law forbids the council from giving the reasons for the disqualifications because Islamically and ethically, we cannot divulge personal matters, indirectly suggesting many of the disqualified candidates face legal issues.
New York, February 12, 2020 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Nigerian authorities to drop all charges against Agba Jalingo, the publisher of the privately-owned news website CrossRiverWatch and set him free.

Jalingo is set to appear at a federal high court in Calabar city tomorrow on amended charges, including cybercrime relating to his outlets reporting on Cross River Governor Benedict Ayade, and terrorism, according to a charge sheet, which CPJ reviewed, and Jalingos lawyer, Attah Ochinke, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview.

The ongoing, opaque prosecution of Agba Jalingo for his journalism remains a grave display of the threats journalists face working in Nigeria, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator.

Nigerian authorities should drop the charges against Jalingo, stop using cybercrime and anti-terrorism legislation to silence the press, and reform these laws to ensure they cannot be used against journalists.

Jalingo has been jailed since August 22, 2019, when he was arrested and initially charged with disturbance of public peace and treason, as CPJ documented at the time.

In October 2019, he was denied bail and a federal high court in Calabar blocked public access to the courtroom and granted anonymity to individuals expected to present evidence against him, a move his lawyer said would limit the defenses ability to challenge false testimony, CPJ reported at the time.

Jalingo currently has another bail application pending, Ochinke said.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Thursday that his party will stage protest during US President Donald Trump's visit to the country later this month, as he was coming to boost American economy at the cost of India's interest.

Yechury said the Left party workers will launch agitation wherever Trump goes during the tour on February 24 and 25.

"May be in Delhi or in Gujarat, the party activists will certainly protest," he said.

The CPI(M) leader said the protests would be held on two counts.

"First, America is putting pressure and (Narendra) Modi is succumbing to completely open up our economy which is the gain they want to achieve in order to give support to Modi on issues like CAA, Article 370 and others," Yechury told reporters on the sidelines of an anti-CAA rally here.

"That is the quid pro quo going on, which is not in India's interest. This apart, we will be spending billions of dollars for buying US military equipment, to bail out US economy while destroying our own," he said.

Replying to a question on the increse in LPG cylinder price, the CPM leader said his party has been protesting against it in many places.

Yechury said the price hike is completely unwarranted as international oil prices are not on escalating but de- escalating a little.

"This is all because of the crisis created in the balance sheets of our oil majors by the Modi government which started borrowing from them in terms of greater dividends and destroying the balance sheet," he alleged.

The CPM leader said the step was taken to stablise the balance sheets of oil companies, in order to prepare them for disinvestment.

On Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's "Green shoots" remark, Yechury said, "With due respect to the finance minister, she may be suffering from colour blindness."



Sitharaman had on Tuesday last said the economy is not in trouble and green shoots are visible with the country moving towards a USD 5 trillion economy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sanju Devi, a 24-year-old widow in Tudihar Badal-Ka-Purwa village of Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj district, breaks down each time someone mentions her late husband Mahesh Kumar.

Kumar, a trooper with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was one of the 40 personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on this day a year ago.

Devi claims that many political leaders have visited her home to commiserate with her, but have done little to help her struggling family.

The incident left us devastated. My two sons Samar, 6, and Sahil, 5, are school- going but the promise of financial support for their education is yet to come. So I am teaching in a small school and meeting the expenses of their education, said Devi. Looking at the stone chips spread outside the house of her in-laws, Devi recalled the promises of a concrete road, a park and memorial in her husbands name, none of which, she claimed, have materialised.

Responsibility for the suicide car bombing in Pulwama on a CRPF truck was claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed and sparked retaliatory air strikes by India on a JeM camp in Pakistan and pushed the subcontinental rivals to the brink of an armed conflict. Victims of the terror attack were hailed as martyrs.

I wanted a small function to mark the day of my husbands martyrdom but the memorial and the park are yet to come up. So we plan to offer floral tributes to his photograph and remember him, Devi said. Kumars mother Shanti Devi, 43, said the government job promised for her younger son Amresh hasnt materialised either. He has completed his graduation and is unemployed. Neither my husband nor I get any pension, she added. The promises of 1.5 acres of land and a gate to honour Kumar have also not been fulfilled.

The story is repeated by families of many of the 40 men killed in what was Kashmirs deadliest single terror attack in three decades of militancy. Some families are still awaiting promised jobs after losing their sole earners. Little has been done to honour the sacrifice of the men, they complain.

In Agra, the family of Kaushal Kumar Rawat say they did receive the ?25 lakh promised by the state government; a job that was offered to the family was put on hold as the younger son, Vikas, is yet to graduate. Even so, the family is upset. The reason: a local memorial misspells Rawats name, which is engraved in small font and is dwarfed by the names of the panchayat chief and other leaders, spelt out in larger lettering.

Local leaders have insulted the name of my husband by mentioning his name in small, said his wife Mamta Rawat.

In Bihars Bhagalpur, Ram Niranjan Thakur, father of the late Ratan Kumar Thakur,is upset that a gate in the honour of his son is far from being completed. The family has received financial assistance, and his younger son has a job in the Panchayati Raj department but the promise of an apartment is yet to be kept.

The family of CRPF trooper Jeetram Gurjar in Rajasthans Bharatpur received ?25 lakh from state and CRPF but is awaiting a government job . Two Rajasthan ministers said the government school in the village will be named after Jeetram but the promise remains unfulfilled, said his father Radhe Shyam.

However, some families are happy with what they received. In Uttar Pradeshs Shamli district, Naveen Kumar, the brother of CRPF trooper Pradeep Kumar, said the state government and the CRPF stayed true to their word.

The state government disbursed ex gratia of ?20 lakh and all dues and pensions were cleared by CRPF, said Naveen Kumar, a resident of UPs Shamli district. Pradeep Kumars son Siddharth is only 18 and in college. An extension of three years has been sought for him to apply for a job on compassionate grounds.

(with inputs from Suresh Foujdar, S Raju, Avijit Biswas)
With already one of the highest tax rates in the state among communities with tax bases rich in residential and industrial property, Dearborn voters will face up to seven different property tax ballot proposals this year. I cannot remember a single year ever with so many tax votes before us.

The proposals are on a collision course with what seems to be some anti-tax sentiment in Dearborn, which was evident when voters turned down a major school bond proposal last November.

Among the proposals expected this year are renewals of taxes collected for the Detroit Institute of Arts, Wayne County parks, Wayne County general services and the countys regional school district, which funnels money back to Dearborn schools.

New taxes are expected to be sought for bonds for Dearborn Public Schools, for regional public transit services, and for after-school programs for kids in Wayne County.

Heres a more detailed look at each of the proposals.

DIA MILLAGE RENEWAL

A renewal of the property tax supporting the Detroit Institute of Arts will be the first tax question of 2020 and will be the only countywide proposal on the March 10 presidential primary ballot. Even if you dont want to vote for a presidential candidate in either party, you can vote on this tax renewal without participating in the presidential contests.

At 0.2 mills, its a relatively small amount. If your house has a market value of $120,000, it costs you around $12 per year. Its approval is nearly assured, as the DIA has been stepping up its public visibility campaign for several months with TV ads and mailings, and the DIA is regarded as a jewel in the region.

I love the DIA, and who doesnt, but I find this proposal disappointing on a couple levels. For one thing, when the DIA asked voters to approve a 10-year tax in 2012, it was assumed this was a temporary tax to give the DIA time to get its endowment to a certain level. Along with going back on that commitment, the DIA is asking for this renewal two years early, and targeted an unusual election that will certainly attract mostly Democratic presidential voters, which is a very favorable audience for this sort of tax proposal.

DEARBORN SCHOOL BONDS

The most important tax question specifically for Dearborn residents will be another try at a bond issue for Dearborn Public Schools.

Dearborn voters narrowly and, frankly, surprisingly defeated a $240 million bond proposal that was the only item on a special election ballot last November. As a result, your summer property tax bill will be a little lower this year than in 2019, as some older bonds are paid off and the school district levies a lower millage rate for debt retirement. One estimate has the districts debt millage at around 3.15 mills this year instead of the 4.82 mills we paid last year. If the market value of your home is $120,000, that will save you roughly $100 from last years bill.

Dearborn Public Schools has little choice but to try again this year to get voters to approve the sale of bonds, to borrow toward costly repairs and improvements to our districts aging buildings. Despite last years bond failure, the work on the buildings is still needed, and its our responsibility to meet those needs. No one else is going to pay for them, certainly not the state.

The challenge for the school district is to come up with a plan that will diminish opposition in the community, and that will mean working with and incorporating suggestions from those who led the anti-bond efforts last fall.

Also to be determined is how much money the district will request. It has been reported that over $500 million in repairs and upgrades were initially identified as the district was researching building needs for last years bond proposal. The list was pared to $240 million in order to have a net-zero tax increase proposal, by adding bonds as others were paid off, to keep the debt service tax rate the same from year to year.

Now, any new bond proposal will be a tax increase from what we will pay this year, so the district needs to factor that into the proposal. The school board may have to decide between the buildings most vital needs versus basic needs. All of this would need to be done by the end of July in order to meet early August deadlines for getting questions on the November 3 ballot.

COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL ENHANCEMENT MILLAGE

Michigans Proposal A of 1994 changed the way public schools are funded, shifting the emphasis from local district property taxes to money that flows from the state. It restricted individual districts from collecting local millage for operations. But a loophole allows regional school districts to ask voters for new property tax, which can then be distributed back into local districts.

Wayne County RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) first attempted to jump through that loophole by asking voters countywide for 2 mills for enhancement in 2014, and voters said no by a narrow margin. The question was put on the ballot again in 2016  do they ever take no for an answer?  and it was approved with 54 percent of voters in support.

That 2-mill increase approved in 2016 costs the owner of a home worth $120,000 about $120 each year.

Voters approved the RESA millage for six years, but RESA officials are aiming for an early renewal, this November, just four years after voters approved it.

The distribution formula in the 2016 proposal sent money to local districts based on student population. This set up winners and losers in relation to how much some communities paid versus what their schools got back. Some districts paid more into the RESA enhancement millage than they got back for their schools.

Dearborn schools actually had an advantage with the distribution formula. The two mills cost Dearborn taxpayers $6.2 million collectively, but the school district received $7.8 million. However, the benefits to local districts will be diminished if the tax is renewed, because a newer state law will require public school academies  charter schools  to get a cut of the tax pie as well.

Wayne RESA needs resolutions from a certain number of district school boards to put the renewal question on the November 2020 ballot. RESA officials began that process with a presentation to the Livonia Public Schools Board of Education at a study session February 3. The Dearborn school board will probably stay quiet on this one, since it needs to focus entirely on funding our building needs. Also probably, the Dearborn school board would prefer not to have a bond proposal on the same ballot as the RESA renewal, but avoiding that seems unlikely.

WAYNE COUNTY OPERATIONAL MILLAGE

Wayne County can levy 5.6 mills each year for general operations under the county charter approved by voters in 1981. Any tax above that has to be approved by voters.

Voters approved 1 mill in extra tax for county general operations in 2000, and then approved a 10-year renewal of that millage in 2009. It has expired and will be put on the ballot either in August or November. The one mill generates roughly $35-$40 million that the county would have to cut from services and personnel if it is not renewed. It costs the owner of a home worth $120,000 roughly $60 each year.

WAYNE COUNTY PARKS MILLAGE

Authorized by voters in 1996, the Wayne County parks millage is dedicated to the county parks system and also provides some funding annual to parks projects in local communities. Voters have renewed this tax four times, every five years since it was first approved, most recently in August 2016, from 2016 through 2020.

This tax will expire after it appears on our December 2020 tax bills. The county might put a renewal on the ballot this year, because there is no countywide election scheduled in 2021. If the county waits until 2021, it would have to reimburse election costs to any communities that dont have local elections scheduled. Thats still a possibility, but its also incentive to try to push through a renewal this year.

The county parks tax is one-quarter of one mill, and costs the owners of a home worth $120,000 roughly $15 per year.

PUBLIC TRANSIT MILLAGE

Advocates of regional public transit are relentless in their quest to create a new property tax to pay for coordination and expansion of mass transit.

The state created the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan in 2012 for that purpose, giving the RTA the power to ask voters for funding via property tax. RTA did just that in 2016, proposing a 20-year new levy of 1.2 mills that would raise $3 billion and build on existing bus systems to improve transit through the RTA member counties, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw.

Voters did not approve that new tax in a close vote, with 50.5 percent saying no. The 2016 proposal got a majority of votes in Wayne and Washtenaw, lost by a close margin in Oakland and was defeated soundly in Macomb to result in the failure overall.

Not wanting to take no for an answer, transit advocates pushed to come back with a proposal in 2018 with an even higher tax, 1.5 mills, but that never made it to the ballot due to lack of support from Oakland and Macomb.

So, theyve embarked on a new path: Cutting out Macomb and possibly Oakland, to create a partnership for transit between Wayne and Washtenaw, and possibly Oakland, under the state Municipal Partnership Act.

Before this can happen, the state Legislature has to amend the Municipal Partnership Act to make some changes specific to potential combined transit efforts. Regional leaders were confident this would happen when they announced the effort last November, but the Legislature has moved a little slower than I would have expected in making the requested changes to state law.

Assuming things move forward, there will be a public transit tax question on the ballot in November, with the expected ask to be around 1.5 mills. That would cost the owner of a home worth $120,000 around $90 a year in new tax, and would be in addition to the 1 mill we already pay in a tax to support the SMART bus system.

NEW TAX FOR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

An under-the-radar group advocating for more after-school programs for children is proposing a new property tax of 1 mill, and its possible this proposal will wind up on the ballot either in August or November. One mill would cost the owner of a home worth $120,000 roughly $60 per year in new tax.

Using the friendly-sounding name, Wayne Kids Win!, the committee intended to fast-shuffle this tax onto the March 10 presidential primary ballot, where it would find a favorable audience of mostly Democratic voters. Given the low profile of this effort, it was possible this new tax could have been approved and on its way to your tax bill before you knew anything about it.

However, the committee tripped itself up in its attempt to use petitions to get the favorable ballot placement. Funded mostly by DTE and Quicken Rock Holdings, who ponied up $200,000 each, the Wayne Kids Win! committee paid nearly $500,000 to a Grand Rapids company to quietly collect signatures. I say quietly because the only news media mention of the campaign was at the petition drives launch last October, and there was no further news until more than 90,000 signatures were filed in early December.

The committee, whose efforts to create a new tax were endorsed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and others, gave the signatures to the Wayne County Clerk at the deadline for March 10 ballot proposals. However, the committee failed to factor in the need for the clerks office to verify those 90,000 signatures  which the clerks office was not able to do in time to meet January deadlines for printing absentee ballots.

Its hard to imagine a group that has invested so much money wont still try to move forward. They probably wont want to go on the same ballot as the Wayne RESA enhancement millage renewal, so watch your August ballot for this one.

(Gary Woronchak is a former state representative, Wayne County Commission chairman, and editor of this newspaper. This was first published on his website, gary4dearborn.com)
ROSEAU, Minn.  Roseau County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday, Feb. 11, designating the county a "Second Amendment Dedicated County," more commonly known as a Second Amendment "sanctuary county." They join more than 400 sanctuary communities nationwide to adopt such resolutions and are the first county in Minnesota to do so.

The resolution, passed unanimously to applause from the dozen residents in attendance, reads that the board "wishes to express opposition to any law in the future, beyond existing laws to date, that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights of the citizens of Roseau County to keep and bear arms."

The motion goes on to resolve that "public funds of the county not be used to restrict the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Roseau County, or to aid federal or state agencies in the restriction of said rights."

Roseau County Sheriff Steve Gust said the resolution wont change local law enforcements operations, since one of the resolutions main intents is to oppose "red flag" gun laws, which allow courts to temporarily remove guns from people who are found to be a risk to themselves or others. Red flag laws have been proposed in Minnesota but not passed.

A template resolution, circulated by members of the New House Republican Caucus over the past few months as they encourage grassroots organization in support of the Second Amendment, specified that a sanctuary designation means that counties can refuse to send law enforcement officers or other county employees to enforce "unconstitutional" laws.

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That language did not make it into the Roseau County resolution. Gust said ultimately the commissioners cant tell law enforcement which laws they can and cant enforce.

"My position is that red flag laws are not necessary, because youve already got the due process in place," Gust said. "But were obviously going to enforce laws that are on the books."

With proposed red flag laws making their way through the state Legislature, however, County Commissioner Russell Walker said the resolution was about making a statement.

"Sometimes you have to make a stand on some things that people might think is radical, but you got to get peoples attention so they all band together and support what youre doing," Walker said. "I think this is a thing that the gun owners in Minnesota need to get on board, because there are a bunch of radical folks down in the metro area that are on the other side of the issue, and theyre ready to infringe on my constitutional rights and the rights of everybody else in the state."

But there is doubt about whether such resolutions hold up legally. Roseau County Attorney Kristy Kjos declined to support the resolution without a formal legal opinion from the Minnesota County Attorneys Association.

That association will meet on Feb. 21. Kjos said they are expected to formulate an opinion about the Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions then.

Kjos said she has been in her position with the county for about a year. In that time, she said the board hasnt passed any other motions without her legal advice.

But Walker said he and Commissioner John Horner, who also spearheaded the passage of the resolution, were weary of what they perceive as a disconnect between the urban attorneys who make up the state boards leadership and rural Minnesota gun owners.

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"(Kjos) thought we should get advice from them first, and myself and John Horner made a very strong stand against that and said, basically, were leaders, not followers, and were not going to let the metro decide what were going to do in Roseau County," Walker said. "We were elected to represent Roseau County, not (Hennepin County Attorney Michael) Freeman or any of these other guys who are Hennepin County attorneys or Ramsey County attorneys. As far as Im concerned, theyre with the opposition and I will not listen or have anything to do with them, period."

Rep. Jeremy Munson, R-Crystal Lake, is a member of the New House Republicans Caucus. He posted a petition to his site in December encouraging local activists to reach out to their county commissioners and sheriffs. The petition included contact information for county-level decision-makers as well as the template resolution, which he said he adopted from language used by a Virginia lawmaker.

He said his goal in posting the petition was to encourage Second Amendment activists to organize at the grassroots level.

"Citizen activists are the best lobbyists," he said. "People want to enact change, they just want instructions on how to do it."

Thats what happened when Roseau resident James Whitlow approached the commission on Jan. 7 to ask the board to consider a sanctuary county resolution. A committee consisting of Walker, Horner, Gust, Whitlow and Kjos was formed at that meeting to draft the resolution. The resolution was drafted in a working session before it was passed by the full board, Walker said.

Munson said he has heard from residents in about a dozen counties besides Roseau who have expressed interest in adopting sanctuary designations. Clearwater County is expected to vote on a similar sanctuary county resolution on Friday.

Multiple people said its difficult to know how likely it is that the resolution will eventually be challenged in court, but the resolution makes clear the boards intent to use legal resources to uphold it if necessary.

"Im very proud of Roseau County for doing it," Walker said. "I guess thats about all I can say right now."
Mick Wallace has been reprimanded for using a swear word in the European Parliament.

The Irish MEP referred to the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as an "unelected gobshite" when speaking during a debate on Venezuela on Tuesday.

A number of European countries have recognised the opposition leader as Venezuela's acting president over Nicolas Maduro.

During the debate, Mr Wallace asked:

"Do you not agree that the recognition of Guaido is an absolute embarrassment to anyone who has to occupy this chamber?

"It is a disgrace on the part of the member states of Europe that so many of them have recognised an unelected gobshite."

The Ireland South MEP was called to order for his use of the word by the meeting's chair Rainer Wieland who cut his mic off while he was speaking.

"You did use the word gobshite, sir and I would reprimand over that", he told Mr Wallace.

Concerns have long been raised about the human rights situation under Maduro's government - with reports of various abuses, including torture, by the country's security forces.

However, many commentators have also expressed unease about international efforts to support regime change in Venezuela, with many western countries recognising Juan Guaido as the country's interim leader.




The Supreme Court upheld a lower court's conviction of a power blogger Thursday for carrying out an illicit cyber operation to sway public opinion in favor of President Moon Jae-in ahead of the 2017 presidential election.







In August 2019, the appellate court sentenced Kim Dong-won, better known as his nickname Druking, to three years in prison for manipulating internet comments on news articles and bribing a lawmaker.







He was also sentenced to a six-month jail term, suspended for one year, for violating the political funds law.







Kim was indicted for running a computer program to artificially jack up the number of "likes" for internet political comments to boost public sentiment for the then-main opposition Democratic Party (DP), now the ruling party, and its presidential candidate, Moon.







Moon won the snap election in May 2017, two months after Park Geun-hye was removed from office over a corruption scandal.







Courts earlier ruled that Kim masterminded the illegal cyber operation for his personal gain and that his operation provided substantial assistance to the DP in its election campaign.







Whether the top court's decision could affect a trial by South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo in a related case draws attention.







Kim, Moon's confidante, was sentenced to two years in prison in January 2019 for colluding with Druking for the illicit cyber operation. He was later released on a bail. (Yonhap)


Vietnamese residents in line to receive free protective face masks at a makeshift distribution center amid concerns of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, in Hanoi on Feb. 8, 2020. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images)

Vietnam Quarantines Over 10,000 People Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Villages in Vietnam were placed under quarantine on Thursday after seven cases of the deadly new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, were discovered there, Vietnamese state-controlled media reported.

Son Loi, a farming region made up of several villages in northern Vietnam about 25 miles northwest of Hanoi, was placed on a lockdown that will last 14 days starting Feb. 13.

It marks the first mass quarantine outside of China since the virus emerged from the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

Authorities in the northern province are battling to contain the disease which is quickly spreading. Last week it was confirmed that a 3-month-old girl tested positive for the virus, which so far has no cure, VnExpress reported.

Le Duy Thanh, Vice-Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said the number of cases of the virus in the Son Loi Commune has been growing and authorities have now increased the number of disease control checkpoints in the area from five to eight.

Provincial authorities have also established mobile shops and provided food and free face masks to over 10,600 people.

So far, 15 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Vietnam, including 12 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese-American, and two Chinese nationals.

Of the 15 confirmed cases, 10 are reportedly in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. The virus is said to have stemmed from a group of eight workers who returned from Wuhan on Jan. 17.

The province quarantined 311 people, of whom 104 have so far tested negative for the virus, while a further 252 others are being monitored at home after they were found to have come into contact with patients but have not yet shown any symptoms.

Vietnamese residents (C) receive free protective face masks at a makeshift distribution center amid concerns of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, in Hanoi on Feb. 8, 2020. (Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images)

Authorities have also set up a field hospital with 300 beds at the College of Culture and Arts in Vinh Yen Town in the province and a 200-bed facility at a military school in the same town.

Vinh Phuc has the highest number of positive cases in the country but the disease has not spread to other areas and provinces, Thanh said.

Everything is still under control. We are putting in every effort and believe well be able to contain it.

On Feb. 12, the province announced that it would be providing support for quarantined people and for those working at disease control checkpoints.

According to the resolution, those at quarantine and medical centers will receive a daily food allowance of 60,000 dong ($2.57), while those quarantined at home will get 40,000 dong ($1.72). Meanwhile, schools in the area will remain closed until Feb. 23.

Losing Business

It comes as Vietnam Airlines said on Feb. 13 that it was losing up to 250 billion dong ($10.8 million) per week in revenue due to travel curbs resulting from the coronavirus.

Earlier this month, Vietnam banned all flights to and from mainland China and suspended new tourist visas for Chinese nationals or foreigners who were in China two weeks prior.

The airline is reducing operations and trying to cut costs to ride out the impact of the epidemic and achieve a positive financial result for this year, it said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

The flag carrier of Vietnam, founded in 1956, has suspended all flights to and from mainland China since the end of January, directly affecting 70,000 visitors per month between the two countries, it said.

The epidemic has significantly reduced the travel demand of domestic and international tourists in the Vietnam network, the company said, noting that passengers on domestic routes have also fallen by 20-30 percent over the past two weeks.

On Feb. 11, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the world must wake up and consider this enemy virus as public enemy number one, adding that the first vaccine was most likely 18 months away.
By Justin Mikulka, a freelance writer, audio and video producer living in Trumansburg, NY. Originally published at DeSmog Blog

With growing evidence that the climate impacts of natural gas are comparable to coal, the European Commission is planning to study ways to reduce methane emissions across the life cycle of natural gas production and consumption, with potential implications for fracked gas producers in the U.S.

Work has started on the methane emissions linked to the energy sector, including oil and gas production and transport, but also coal mines and we are planning on presenting the strategic plan still this year, said an unnamed official working with European Union (EU) energy commissioner Kadri Simson, as reported by Euractiv.

The EU obtains natural gas from many sources, both in gas form via pipeline and as liquefied natural gas LNG. One area of this EU study will be methane emissions over the life cycle of LNG imports from US fracked natural gas.

The U.S.is awash in natural gas from fracked shale basins, which has caused prices to plummet  creating big losses for natural gas producers in America  and the nation has been rapidly ramping up exports of LNG to deal with this excess.

LNG exports are uneconomical at these price levels. U.S. prices are already below $2/MMBtu & drillers cant make any money. CEO of Marcellus shale gas giant EQT said in December a lot of development doesnt work at $2.50 gas. prices now below $1.85/MMBtuhttps://t.co/rXfCcu8re9  Thomas Connors (@ThomasConnors) 8 February 2020

Despite the big price drops and glut of natural gas  both in the U.S. and globally  that cast doubt on the economic viability of U.S. LNG exports, the Trump administration just approved permits for four new LNG export facilities in Texas alone. U.S.Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette commented on the new approvals, specifically mentioning the goal of exporting more U.S.LNG to Europe.

The Trump administration recognizes the importance and increasing role U.S.natural gas has in the global energy landscape, said Secretary Brouillette. The export capacity of these four projects alone is enough LNG to supply over half of Europes LNG import demand.

Europe is currently a top destination for U.S.LNG exports, with Spain and France receiving the most out of European countries in 2019.

U.S. LNG exports by destination, 2017-2019. Credit: Energy Information Adminstration

Quantifying the True Climate Impact of U.S. LNG

Bloomberg recently analyzed the climate impact of US LNG production production facilities and reported that an analysis shows the plants potential carbon dioxide emissions rival those of coal.

Nevertheless, the oil and gas industry is putting serious ad dollars into positioning natural gas as a climate solution. As renewables have become more cost-competitive, the industry has shifted its language away from selling natural gas as a bridge fuel to renewables and toward gas as a foundation fuel.

With the EU looking to quantify the full climate impact of US LNG, the biggest unanswered question is just how much methane is being vented and leaked during natural gas production, most of which involves fracking and horizontal drilling. What is known is that the level of gas flaring and venting has skyrocketed to the point that even oil company CEOs are admitting its a big problem.

Flaring in the Permian has soared to new highs. Pioneer's Scott Sheffield thinks it's a "black eye" for the basin. w/ @CrowleyKev https://t.co/4qZrAPRB9T  Ryan Collins (@RyanRCollins) 11 April 2019

Measuring the impact of methane emissions from oil and gas production has been difficult historically because Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) numbers have been based on industry self-reporting, which a 2018 study found were underestimating emissions by 60 percent. Additionally, last year the Trump adminstration proposed a rule that would repeal regulations designed to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas industry.

A recent analysis by energy consultants at Rystad Energy found that when natural gas processing plants, overwhelmed by huge volumes of gas, are taken into consideration in Texass prolific Permian Basin, the levels of flaring and venting were actually 30 percent higher than previously estimated.

Natural gas flaring in the Permian is much worse than previously estimated once processing plants are included in the data @RystadEnergy https://t.co/hGifSsJT7t  Kevin Crowley (@CrowleyKev) 11 February 2020

If the EU analysis includes all of these practices by the U.S. oil and gas industry, the results will likely conclude that U.S. LNG wont help Europes plans to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

A potential game-changing factor in this discussion is the use of satellites to gather more precise data on actual methane levels. More data from satellites equipped to make these measurements is expected to be available in the near future, but whether the EU

The recent satellite analysis of a 2018 fracked gas well blowout in Ohio is a perfect example. The well was owned by Exxon subsidiary XTO, which did not report the incident as a major methane leak, even though it spewed gas for 20 days before the company succeeded in plugging the well. As the New York Times reported, satellite data revealed the leak was one of the largest methane releases in U.S.history  underlining the unreliability of industry self-reporting of methane.

According to the New York Times, Scientists also said the new findings reinforced the view that methane emissions from oil installations are far more widespread than previously thought.

As Euractiv noted, methane emissions have been a chronic blind spot for European climate policy. And likewise in the U.S., it has been an area where the oil and gas industry and regulatory agencies have turned a blind eye.

Whether this latest EU analysis will help finally turn the worlds attention on this trans-Atlantic blind spot remains to be seen.
Julie Sinnamon, who has led Enterprise Ireland throughout the post-crash years, is stepping down.

The business development agency said yesterday that Ms Sinnamon would leave the post "later this year" and the recruitment process for a new CEO would begin soon.

"It has been, and remains, an honour to lead this organisation and to work with colleagues throughout Ireland and globally to support the success of Irish exporters," said Ms Sinnamon, who has been CEO since November 2013.

She said it had been her "absolute privilege and joy to work with ambitious companies throughout Ireland to help them realise their potential on the global stage. I will work with the organisation until later in the year to ensure an orderly transition."

Ms Sinnamon said that pending her departure she would continue to work with colleagues on finishing Enterprise Ireland's upcoming 2021-2025 corporate strategy.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Speaking for the first time in public after Delhi defeat, BJP's former President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah conceded that his assessment of getting 45 seats in Delhi poll turned out to be wrong.

"My assessment was 45 seats. It turned out to be wrong," he said. Shah said while BJP may have lost, but it "expanded its ideology".

While he defended his "current through EVM" comment, Shah called certain comments made by BJP leaders during the campaign unwarranted. "The BJP disassociated from them," he said, while speaking at Times Now Summit in New Delhi on Thursday.

He said the BJP will play the role of a responsible opposition in the Delhi assembly.

BJP was routed in the Assembly election bagging only 8 seats, while the AAP swept back to power with 62 seats.
Bullets pinged around the parliamentary estate yesterday. Pow! Pow! Pow! Sheriff Johnsons Colt 45 was locked and loaded and his trigger finger was itchy.

What many assumed would be a peaceful mornin doling out justice quickly turned mighty ugly.

By the time luncheon was upon us, it was clear this minor reshuffle had turned into a Wild West showdown.

The carnage began shortly after 8.30am, when the Prime Ministers motorcade pulled up. Cue Ennio Morricone soundtrack: Oo-ee-oo-ee-oo, wah-WHA-wha!

Housing minister Esther McVey, Bang! Ghoulish Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, Bang! Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, Bang! The Prime Minister is pictured above arriving at Downing Street for the reshuffle

One by one, ministers were summoned from their offices to face judgment.

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith was first for the bullet. Harsh. Under Mr Smiths charge, Northern Irelands power sharing arrangement had resumed but his wobbliness over Brexit had apparently not been forgotten.

The Sheriff, it was clear, was in a vendetta kind of mood.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom was next to go. Mrs Leadsom emerged from the PMs office behind the Speakers chair in a beige mac, her face like thunder. Shame, I always enjoyed her matronly appearances at the dispatch box.

Soon after, they were being pinged off like empty beer cans from a wall. Housing minister Esther McVey, Bang! Ghoulish Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, Bang! Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, Bang!

The carnage began shortly after 8.30am, when the Prime Ministers motorcade pulled up. Cue Ennio Morricone soundtrack: Oo-ee-oo-ee-oo, wah-WHA-wha! One by one, ministers were summoned from their offices to face judgment

Poor old Sir Geoffrey. To think hed been a big Boris loyal warm-up act during his leadership contest.

Deposed universities minister Chris Skidmore put on a brave face, tweeting a picture with his young tot and saying he could now spend time being a better dad and claimed it felt like promotion.

Dont you believe it. Politics is like any other career. Skidmores demotion will have felt like a hard slap in the face with a soggy halibut.

After such a bloodbath, the PMs loyal posse was suddenly feeling vulnerable.

Over in Downing Street, a nervy mood hung in the air as Cabinet ministers began rolling in.

Turned out old Saj had got himself in an old fashioned Mexican stand-off over sacking his advisers. Dumb move. Only one winner in that shoot-out. Sayonara, Saj

Home Secretary Priti Patel tottered so unevenly in her high heels along the Downing Street cobbles that for a second I thought she might tumble over; Michael Gove, never normally one to pass on a jovial what ho! or well-timed bon mot, uncharacteristically kept his counsel; Dominic Raab made his way to that famous black door purposefully.

Are you going to keep your job Foreign Secretary? someone yelled.

Raab, who seems to harbour such inner rage that you suspect blood bubbles through those arteries, muttered something not intended for public consumption.

Most noticeably, Sajid Javids usual chirpy demeanour was markedly absent. His movement was rapid and awkward, his arms jangling like tentacles, never quite knowing what to do with his hands.

Nice boy, Saj, almost too nice. You never got the feeling he had the stomach for a gun fight.

Half an hour later, news emerged which no one that morning had predicted: Mr Javid was to be replaced by his deputy dawg Rishi Sunak.

Turned out old Saj had got himself in an old fashioned Mexican stand-off over sacking his advisers. Dumb move. Only one winner in that shoot-out. Sayonara, Saj.

Once Javids departure was confirmed, a raft of underwhelming appointments began to emerge.

Deposed universities minister Chris Skidmore put on a brave face, tweeting a picture with his young tot and saying he could now spend time being a better dad and claimed it felt like promotion

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden was awarded Nicky Morgans Culture brief.

Whos he? The nation cried.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma was moved over to Business, hardly an appointment to send champagne corks popping through City boardrooms.

Replacing Sharma at International Trade was Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a hardcore Brexiteer with a penchant for knee-high leather boots.

By lunch, with most of the bloodletting done, the new Chancellor rode into the Treasury for the first time.

He emerged along Whitehall, grin as broad as the Angel of the North, wearing a suspiciously expensive-looking suit so tautly tailored even Cara Delevingne might struggle to squeeze her slender hip bones into the trousering.

Barely an hour into the job and Rishi Sunak was already looking like a cocky young gunslinger.

But with less than a month until he delivers a budget, and a Prime Minister who yesterday proved how ruthless he can be, the new kid on the Westminster block will need to watch his back.
Supreme Court on Thursday took a big step to stop the criminalisation of politics. The 5 judge-bench announced that the parties have to upload the criminal records of the candidates on social media, websites and newspapers after the selection of 48 hours. Parties also have to inform the Election Commission within 72 hours.

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked political parties to publish details pertaining to criminal candidates contesting on their ticket in an order in the petition filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay and others. The 5-judge bench, headed by Justice Fali S. Nariman, asked parties to put out the data against candidates on social media, their party websites and in newspapers within 48 hours of the candidate being selected to contest polls. Further in 72 hours of such selection, the party concerned has to submit a report to the Election Commission clarifying the reason for the selection of such a candidate. Any failure to comply with these norms will be treated as contempt of court, it said.

In September 2018, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to enact laws against the participation of candidates with criminal records from contesting elections but had not received a satisfactory response. Ashwini Upadhyay had also filed a petition against the Centre and the Election Commission for not acting on the issue.

Also Read: Kejriwal 3.0: Arvind Kejriwal to be sworn in as Delhi CM on February 16

Also Read: Chandni Chowk assembly election results 2020: AAPs Parlad Singh Sawhney wins by 29,584 votes

Supreme Court directs political parties to upload on their websites the reasons for selection of candidates with criminal antecedents. pic.twitter.com/WGibnBLvEJ  ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020

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

Also Read: Delhi Election 2020 Winners List: AAPs Raj Kumari Dhillon beats Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga of BJP by a margin of 20131 votes

Thursdays strictures from the Supreme Court come at a time when the Aam Aadmi Party has stormed back to power in Delhi on the shoulder of more MLAs with criminal records in the Delhi Assembly, according to a study by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The ADR report says 61 per cent of the newly-elected Delhi MLAs had criminal records while it was 34 per cent in the 2015 assembly elections. The MLAs had been charged in serious cases including murder, assault, sexual harassment against women, corruption and more. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had the highest number of pending cases with 13 listed against him.

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The UKs highest honour for architecture has been awarded to the architects behind Dublins new City Library.

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara were presented with the Royal Gold Medal for architecture at a ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba).

The pair co-founded Grafton Architects, who are currently working on projects including the new Marshall Building at the London School of Economics and the School of Economics at the University Toulouse 1 Capitole.

Riba president Professor Alan Jones said: From designing houses in wind-swept rural landscapes to substantial inner-city university projects, from curating and contributing to world class exhibitions to teaching within some of the worlds leading schools of architecture, the scale and scope of Grafton Architects influence is extraordinary.

Their extensive talent and generosity of spirit are an inspiration, not only to me and my fellow architects but to all those who have had the pleasure of engaging directly with them and their work.

Grafton Architects are impressive role models.

Their work, philosophy and ambition are of profound importance, not just in their home country and the UK but across the globe.

He added that the pair demonstrate how architecture can make the world a better place.

The Royal Gold Medal, which must be personally approved by the Queen, is given in recognition of a lifetimes work.

Grafton Architects, which was set up in 1978, was previously awarded Ribas International Prize for its work on a building at the Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia (UTEC) in Lima, Peru.

They also won the Royal Institute of Architects of Irelands 2008 prize for world building of the year for their work at the Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan.
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia - A cruise ship that had been stranded at sea for about two weeks after being refused entry by four Asian governments because of virus fears finally docked Thursday in Cambodia.

Cambodia agreed to let the MS Westerdam dock at the port of Sihanoukville after Thailand barred it on Wednesday, following similar bans by Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. They kept the ship away over concerns that it would expose them to the new virus from China.

The Westerdam was unwelcome elsewhere even though operator Holland America Line said no cases of the COVID-19 viral illness have been confirmed among its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members.

The ship initially anchored offshore, where a team of health officials began checks. It then moved at sunset to a berth at the port in the Gulf of Thailand.

Landed! passenger Lydia Miller, who runs a small farm and inn in Washington State, exclaimed on Twitter. Thank you Cambodia! You believed in us when no one else would. We promise to spend lots of money in your country. #westerdam

Once health checks and immigration procedures are completed, the passengers are to disembark and be taken to Sihanoukville airport, from where they will fly to the capital, Phnom Penh, to catch flights home.

Some 20 passengers have reported stomachaches or fever, Cambodian health officials said. The ships health staff considered them to be normal illnesses, but the ill passengers were being isolated from others, Health Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine said.

A military helicopter was used to carry samples from those passengers to the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh for analysis.

She said if tests show that any passengers have the disease, theyll be allowed to receive treatment in the country.

A team from the U.S. Embassy with consular, logistics and health personnel was on site to assist U.S. citizens.

From the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, we will stick with you as long as it takes, U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy said a a video posted online.

Personnel from several European embassies were also at the scene.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on his Facebook page that he would come to Sihanoukville on Friday to meet the passengers.

Earlier, in his first public comments about the ship, he said Cambodia had let the Westerdam dock for humanitarian reasons.

A strong supporter of China, he has played down any threat from the new virus and even threatened to kick out reporters or officials seen wearing protective face masks.

Like I said, the real disease is fear, not the virus. We want to eliminate the fear of disease, he said in an interview with Fresh News, an online news service close to his government.

Unlike other Asian nations, he has declined to ban direct flights between Cambodia and China, saying that would disturb bilateral relations and hurt his countrys economy. Cambodia has one confirmed case of the virus, a visitor from China, despite its popularity with Chinese tourists.

If no one allows entry, Cambodia does. The kingdom does not just co-operate with China, but with all nations, Hun Sen said in the interview. Coronavirus is a global challenge, and ... our humanitarian affairs have no borders.

Acting as a good Samaritan is an unusual role for Hun Sen, who is often accused of being an authoritarian leader who abuses human rights and democratic norms.

The ships request to remain in Cambodia has been approved through next Monday.

The Westerdam began its cruise in Singapore last month and its last stop before it was refused further landings was in Hong Kong, where 51 cases of the disease and one death have been confirmed.

The virus has sickened tens of thousands of people in China since December, and 218 cases have been confirmed on another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, which made stops in Hong Kong and other ports before arriving in Japan last week.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said earlier he was pleased Cambodia had agreed to accept the Westerdam and described it as an example of the international solidarity advocated by the U.N. health agency.

___

Peck reported from Bangkok.
Big Events Ghana, event organizers of the prestigious continental gospel awards event, Africa Gospel Awards Festival (AGAFEST) has announced South Africa as the new host for five years (2020 to 2025).

At a press conference held on Wednesday, February 12, at the Alisa Hotel, the Chief Executive Officer of Big Events Ghana, Prince Mackay disclosed that the purpose on which AGAFEST was founded was to promote unity amongst gospel artistes across Africa.

This, the organizers noted, follows the reason why AGAFEST 2020 would be hosted in South Africa.

Mackay indicated that other African countries will get the opportunity to also host the annual gospel awards event as agreed by the organizing committee.

The vision of AGAFEST is to reach out to all gospel stars in all Africa nations to promote one purpose which is to celebrate and acknowledge the excellence of gospel talents. It is in this regard that South Africa has accepted the hosting right for five years.

AGAFEST is to reward integrity, hard work and excellence of gospel acts, also driving towards soul winning and empowering Christians to proclaim the gospel globally, Prince Mackay added.

Ayanda Ncwane, the CEO of Ncwane Communications was announced as the new president of AGAFEST-South Africa.

In her speech, Ncwane indicated that it is time gospel artistes claimed their rightful positions in the industry.

I always say apart from Superman, Batman and Deadman, I honestly believe that Gospel artistes are the real Super Heroes. Gospel music is the only genre that gives hope and resonant people from their challenges, she said

Advising the gospel fraternity, the widow of multi-award-winning top South African gospel musician, composer and producer, Sfiso, Ncwane stated gospel artistes should not be apologetic about the gospel and claim their rightful positions in their communities.

AGAFEST for me is one of the main reasons I decided that this platform is the greatest in Africa to break down those boundaries together. Individually no one can win but together we can. Gospel music in Africa is the living genre, Ncwane added

Gospel musicians irrespective of their country of origin and the language they speak can transcend to other African countries with their music.

Ncwane disclosed that the AGAFEST platform would be a channel to help get other African gospel music on other African countries platforms and collaborate with their gospel stars as well.

Lets break down the boundary that separates us and divide us and become one Africa through the AGAFEST platform, she noted

The representative from the South African High Commission to Ghana, Ms. Matepe indicated that Ghana handing over the AGAFEST baton to South Africa to host for five years shows a strong bond between them.

She noted that AGAFEST platform would be used to promote cultural diversity and tourism among the African States.

The maiden edition of Africa Gospel Awards Festival [AGAFEST] was hosted in Ghana in March 2019.

The event, scheduled for October 30, 2020, is to be known as the biggest gospel awards festival in Africa, AGAFEST South Africa 2020, will have main awards programme and other events.

Activities scheduled to precede the main awards ceremony include the main launch in Ghana in May and another launch in South Africa and other Africa countries, a seminar for stakeholders in the gospel fraternity.

Personalities and Gospel musicians present at the press briefing included Rev. Thomas Yawson, Archbishop Mike Odafe (President of Charismatic Churches of Nigeria), MOG, Kofi Karikari, Kingzkid, Preachers, Nat Abbey, Jon Winner, Ken Fiati, Kojo Preko Dankwa and many others.

The event seeks to recognize the immense contributions of gospel talents, activities, missions and outreach and evangelism within the African Gospel and Christian group/fraternity.
HYDERABAD: Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has called upon manufacturers and exporters to aim at increasing Indias share in global trade.

She was speaking at an event organised by the southern region chapter of Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) in the city on Wednesday.

India, at present, accounts for only two per cent of the global trade. We all need to work towards government of Indias target of having five per cent share within the next few years to become a USD $5 trillion economy, Soundararajan emphasised.

On the occasion, she also presented awards to best performing companies in the southern region.

The Governor expressed her happiness over the fact that companies from the south are performing well on the exports front. She said the central government has implemented many schemes to improve exports. She underscored the importance of taking pride in ones work and ensuring quality in the product.

As manufacturers and engineers, I appreciate your efforts for bringing value to the country. What you export today is something we used to import in the past, Soundararajan pointed out.

EEPC India vice-chairman Mahesh K Desai, while welcoming the recent Union Budget, appealed to the central government to help reduce costs for exporters. He said manufacturing costs were comparatively lower for companies in China than in India because of differences in the taxation system.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed about the demand for Special Category Status (SCS) to the state in the light of the observation made by the 15th Finance Commission.

The Chief Minister brought to Modi's notice that the 15th Finance Commission made it clear that according special status to the state is in the purview of the Centre.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president said that the state needs special status to overcome the financial constraints.

Jagan, as the chief minister is popularly known, sought early release of pending funds to the state including the funds for Polavaram project.

As this was Jagan's first meeting with Modi after the state government decided to develop three state capitals, the chief minister explained the rationale behind the move.

Jagan informed the Prime Minister that the state Cabinet has approved to have the executive capital in Visakhapatnam, the legislative capital in Amaravati and the judicial capital in Kurnool for which a Bill was passed by the state Assembly.

According to an official release, the chief minister urged Modi to take steps for setting up the High Court in Kurnool. He outlined the need for decentralization of administration and development in the state.

With reference to the decision to abolish the Legislative Council, Jagan told him that this decision was taken as the Council had lost its utility and going against the bills passed by the Legislative Assembly. He urged the Prime Minister to direct the union law ministry to take necessary action in this regard.

In a meeting which lasted over 100 minutes, Jagan discussed various state-related issues with Modi.

The chief minister said that the state government intends to complete the Polavaram project by 2021 and sought assistance for the rehabilitation package for all the families to be evacuated. He said that the total estimated cost of the project turned out to be Rs 55,549 crore while Rs 33,010 crore was needed as part of the relief and rehabilitation package.

Pointing out that the project is yet to get administrative sanction, Jagan called upon the Centre to make special efforts in this regard. He informed the Prime Minister that so far the state government spent Rs 3,320 crore for the project which has to be released by the Central Water Resources Ministry.

The chief minister informed that as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, the Centre had agreed to compensate the state for the financial deficit of Rs 22,948.76 crore. He said that the Centre was yet to release Rs 18,969.26 crore.

The Chief Minister informed that the Centre had released only Rs 10,610 crore during this financial year and urged the Prime Minister to direct the Union Finance Ministry to release the pending funds. He also urged the Prime Minister to take the initiative for the construction of Kadapa Steel Plant and release funds for Ramayampet Port. He also sought the release of funds for the linking of Krishna and Godavari rivers.

With reference to the allocation of Rs 2,500 crore for construction of the state capital, he reminded that only Rs 1,000 crore was released by the Centre. He sought the release of the pending funds for the purpose.

Regarding the allocation of funds for the backward districts, the chief minister reminded that only Rs 1,050 crore was released during the past seven years and there has been no allocation for the past three years.
A passenger wearing a mask walks outside the Shanghai railway station in Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters)

The Coronavirus Outbreak: What We Know and Tips to Stay Safe

What Is It?

The new coronavirus first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in early December. The virus is in the same family of pathogens that cause the flu and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

The World Health Organization on Feb. 11 officially named the disease COVID-19, an acronym for coronavirus disease 2019. Researchers are still unsure of the source of the virus, nor is there an immediate cure available.

What Are Its Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of the virus are fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, although Chinese researchers have noted other symptoms, such as fatigue, diarrhea, chest pains, and headaches.

The incubation periodor amount of time from exposure to the onset of symptomsis up to 14 days. However, a recent study from Chinese researchers, which examined over 1,000 cases of the disease, found a patient who didnt exhibit symptoms for as long as 24 days.

A Chinese health official in Jinzhong, a city in Shanxi Province, noted the case of a patient who was hospitalized 40 days after traveling to Wuhan. She was diagnosed two days after hospitalization.

How Contagious Is It?

Preliminary research suggests the disease is moderately infectious, similar to SARS. Scientists have estimated that each patient could infect between 1.5 to 3.5 people in the absence of containment measures.

Health experts have confirmed that the virus is contagious even when the infected person has not yet exhibited symptoms.

Theres still no consensus as to how potent the virus is.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday expressed concerns that the virus could take a foothold inside the United States, saying that at some point, we are likely to see community spread in the U.S. or in other countries, according to a press conference.

A firefighter and an officer wearing face masks and protective gear wait to transfer passengers, who tested positive for COVID-19, from the cruise ship Diamond Princess to a hospital, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan Feb. 6, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

How Is It Transmitted?

Most human transmission cases thus far have occurred among those with close contact to a patientlikely spread through airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.

On Feb. 5, doctors at a Wuhan childrens hospital confirmed a case of a coronavirus patient giving birth to a baby who later tested positive for the virusmeaning that a pregnant woman with the virus can pass it on to her child.

One may also contract the virus through indirect transmissionthat is, touching the surface of a contaminated object, then touching vulnerable areas such as ones mouth, nose, or eyes, allowing the virus to gain access into the body.

Its unclear how long the coronavirus can survive on inanimate surfaces. Jiang Rongmeng, an expert with Chinas National Health Commission, recently put the duration at several hours to up to five days. SARS, for comparison, can stay active for two days on disposable gowns, five days on metal, and four days on glass, according to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection.

Chinese researchers have also raised concerns that the virus can spread through fecal contamination. According to a recent study, four out of 62 stool samples had traces of the virus.

Hong Kong health officials have evacuated a residential building and launched an investigation into this possible transmission route after two people on separate floors became sick with the disease. Authorities suspect that that virus may have leaked through the bathroom pipes.

How to Stay Safe

The CDC agency advises that people not travel to China, that they avoid contact with infected patients, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Currently, there is still no need for the general public to wear face masks, the CDC said.

Aneesh Mehta, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the Emory University School of Medicine, reiterated the importance of good personal hygiene practices.

Because of potential contact transmission, one should always be mindful of hand hygiene, and make good use of sanitizer and water, Mehta said.

When you are out in public, anytime you touch a surface, and before you touch your face or touching the food, you should clean your hand, he said. I think you just have to be cognizant of what youre touching.

A 2014 behavior observation study on medical students at the University of New South Wales in Australia found that participants, on average, touched their faces 23 times per hour.

Wearing gloves, he said, does not necessarily mitigate the health risk, as people can unintentionally infect themselves if they pick up the virus in a public setting and then touch their face with their gloves on.

To reduce the risk of possible contamination through fecal matter, Sean Lin, a former virology researcher for the U.S. Army, also suggested closing the lid when flushing.

Experts have also recommended regularly cleaning the house with disinfectants. According to the Journal of Hospital Infection study, ethanol at a concentration level between 62 percent and 71 percent can reduce infectivity of coronaviruses within one minute of exposure; 0.1- 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (the compound found in bleach) is also effective.
Harvard University professor Charles Lieber is surrounded by reporters as he leaves the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston on Jan. 30, 2020. The FBI has accused Leiber, chair of the department of chemistry and chemical biology, of lying to officials about his involvement with a Chinese government-run recruitment program through which he received tens of thousands of dollars. Read more

WASHINGTON  The Education Department asked Harvard and Yale universities this week for records on their financial dealings with foreign governments, businesses and other entities as it notified the two Ivy League schools of investigations into their compliance with a law requiring disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts.

The civil investigations, revealed in letters to the schools on Tuesday, echo others the department has opened in recent months related to foreign gifts and contracts at Georgetown, Texas A&M, Cornell and Rutgers universities, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Maryland.

A common thread in the investigations is questions about funding from China. Federal lawmakers and agencies have raised concerns about the possibility that Chinese interests are waging a hidden campaign of academic espionage at U.S. universities.

The FBI last month arrested the chair of Harvard's chemistry department, accusing him of lying about his work for a Chinese university. The renowned chemist, Charles Lieber, was released on bond and has not been arraigned. His attorney, Peter Levitt, declined to comment Wednesday.

The letters this week to Harvard and Yale asked for records dating back several years regarding gifts or contracts with the Chinese government and the Chinese company Huawei Technologies, as well as records related to a Chinese academic recruiting initiative known as the "Thousand Talents" program.

Education officials also sought records the universities might have in connection with funding from the governments of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among others.

"The Department is aware of information suggesting Harvard University lacks appropriate institutional controls" and therefore might not have fully complied with disclosure requirements, the letter to Harvard said.

Harvard spokesman Jonathan Swain said the university is reviewing the letter and preparing a response.

The letter to Yale stated that the university apparently "failed to report a single foreign source gift or contract in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017." It added that the department is "concerned" that Yale's reporting "may not fully capture all gifts, contracts, and/or restricted and conditional gifts or contracts from or with all foreign sources."

In a news release Wednesday, the department said it had discovered that Yale may have failed to report at least $375 million in foreign gifts and contracts.

Yale spokeswoman Karen Peart said the university is reviewing the request and preparing to respond.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the investigations are about transparency. "If colleges and universities are accepting foreign money and gifts, their students, donors and taxpayers deserve to know how much and who from," she said in a statement. "Moreover, it's what the law requires. Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all."

Federal law requires most U.S. colleges and universities to report foreign gifts and contract revenue exceeding $250,000.

The department said its enforcement actions since July have led to the reporting of about $6.5 billion in previously undisclosed foreign revenue to colleges and universities.

In a November letter, the department told Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), chairman of the Senates Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, that it had concerns that many universities use financially opaque captive foundations, foreign campuses, and other structures to generate revenue, including from foreign sources.

The department also expressed concern to Portman that some foreign governments and corporations may be establishing financial ties with U.S. universities in an effort to "project 'soft power,' steal sensitive and proprietary research and development data and other intellectual property, and spread propaganda."

Portman and Sen. Thomas Carper of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, praised the crackdown on disclosure lapses.

The fact that $6.5 billion in foreign gifts to U.S. institutions went unreported until now is shocking and unacceptable, the senators said in a joint statement.
VCU researchers to develop next-generation, long-lasting batteries

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers in the College of Engineering Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering will receive a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop next-generation rechargeable batteries.

By redesigning the materials inside lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, the researchers believe they can significantly extend battery life, drive down costs and reduce safety risks for consumers.

"Our goal is to improve the batteries so that they can last longer, be more durable and safer," said professor Ram B. Gupta, Ph.D., the principal investigator on the project. He is collaborating with Mo Jiang, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Parans Paranthaman, Ph.D., a corporate fellow at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office announced the grant as part of approximately $187 million for 55 projects to support innovative advanced manufacturing research and development. The award was given in the area of innovative manufacturing processes for battery energy storage.

Gupta and his team will test a novel approach for synthesizing material for the battery's cathode. When a battery is discharging and providing an electric current, lithium ions travel from the negatively charged anode to the positively charged cathode. Conversely, when the battery is being charged, lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode.

With each cycle, Gupta said, there is a slight loss. "By the time you run 300 to 500 cycles, you have lost enough that you would say, 'I need a new battery.' We have an idea about how to make this cathode sturdy enough so that the losses are minimized."

In addition to lowering the cost of batteries, Gupta said this new process would reduce the degradation of material and therefore bring down the risk of explosions and battery fires that happen when the anode and cathode come into contact. "Anytime you have a degradation of the material, then there is more of a chance the two can meet," Gupta said.

The potential environmental impacts of improving battery material production extend beyond the benefits of increased battery life and efficient use of materials. That's because batteries are so critical in making sustainable energy alternatives, such as solar and wind power, work.

"I've been working on energy for a long time now and batteries are one of the very important parts of the puzzle," Gupta said.

The Department of Energy grant falls under the agency's Energy Storage Grand Challenge, which aims to create and sustain global leadership in energy storage.

Previously, Jiang and Gupta received a $529,011 grant from the National Science Foundation to support fundamental work on the concept.

Jiang and Gupta, who are bringing together different specialties in chemical and life science engineering, are seeking a patent for the technology.

Jiang, whose research focus area is green manufacturing and manufacturing of materials for high-requirement products such as pharmaceuticals, has been developing a reactor manufacturing process that would improve efficiency over the current technologies used to make battery materials.

Gupta, who is also the associate dean for faculty research development in the VCU College of Engineering, researches batteries, sustainable energy and biofuels.

"We came from very different angles. He knew one aspect, I knew another," Gupta said. "When we put them together, we thought, 'Oh wow, we can solve this problem.'"

###

About VCU and VCU Health

Virginia Commonwealth University is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 217 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Thirty-eight of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU's 11 schools and three colleges. The VCU Health brand represents the VCU health sciences academic programs, the VCU Massey Cancer Center and the VCU Health System, which comprises VCU Medical Center (the only academic medical center in the region), Community Memorial Hospital, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, MCV Physicians and Virginia Premier Health Plan. For more, please visit http://www. vcu. edu and vcuhealth.org.

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Just like that, Pasadena effectively gained 28 new libraries.

That feat came when the citys public library system entered into a reciprocal agreement with the Harris County Public Library. That agreement gives Pasadena residents full access to the county systems branches and vice versa.

Reciprocal borrowing is a win-win for everyone, Pasadena Library Director Martin Shupla said. Residents of Pasadena pay taxes to the city and Harris County and now have convenient access to materials they have purchased.

The agreement will allow Pasadena residents to use their library cards to check out materials at any of Harris County branches or have them delivered to the citys central library, 1201 Jeff Ginn Memorial Drive, or the Fairmont branch, 4330 Fairmont Parkway, and the La Porte Branch Library, 600 South Broadway St., La Porte.

HCPL materials can also be returned at the Pasadena city libraries.

Area Harris County Library branches include the South Houston Branch, 607 Ave. A, South Houston; the Evelyn Meador Branch, 2400 N. Meyer Ave., Seabrook; the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch, 16616 Diana Lane, Houston; and the Park Williams Branch, 10851 Scarsdale Blvd., Houston.

The two systems have already integrated their online catalogs; so patrons can peruse materials and place them on hold via the internet.

The reciprocal agreement will multiply the works available to Pasadena residents by a factor of 20.

The materials Pasadena residents can place a hold on has grown from over 100,000 physical items to over 2 million, Shupla said.

Increased access to foreign language materials

The partnership will be especially beneficial to patrons who prefer materials in foreign languages.

Pasadena has a growing number of Vietnamese and Arabic speaking residents who can have (access to) native language books from HCPL, Shupla said. Harris County Public Library cardholders now have access to Pasadenas extensive adult Spanish collection, too.

Shupla said the agreement benefits both sides and comes at a price that cant beat.

Both library systems are better with reciprocal borrowing, and the cost was zero dollars and zero cents, he said.

The library director said it will take time to see the full impacts of the agreement.

There are many benefits of the deal, and it may be months before we realize the full impact, he said. The two most important for now is how easy the process is for library users and how broad the audience is for both library collections.

With just days of reciprocal borrowing in effect, circulation for both library systems is noticeably increasing.

This is not the first time Pasadena residents have had access to Harris County books.

Library service in the city dates back to 1922, when the county opened a small station stocked with 100 books.

Pasadena opened its first freestanding library in 1953. The countys volumes were returned at that time.

John DeLapp is a freelance writer. He can be contacted at texdelapp@gmail.com.
ALREADY CRITICS COMPLAIN THAT MAYOR LUCAS TALKING WEED FORGIVENESS AT A SCHOOL MIGHT NOT BE SENDING THE RIGHT MESSAGE!!!

High Times In Kansas City

Mayor's Speech Imagines A Kansas City Free Of Potholes, Bus Fares And Gun Violence Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says that without focusing on basic city services in 2020, any goodwill that's been built up means nothing. "I can say Kansas City is on a roll, it has momentum ... until the cows come home," Lucas told KCUR ahead of Wednesday's State of the City address.

Kansas City Weed Clemency

KCMO mayor to pardon municipal violations for marijuana possession KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said he will begin pardoning those who have received municipal violations for marijuana possession and those non-violent offenders who were convicted for having marijuana drug paraphernalia. Lucas made the announcement in his State of the City speech Thursday night.

Potholes Abound In KC

Kansas City mayor creates 'Pothole Czar' position to fix crumbling roads by: Travis Meier Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's an issue with which many Kansas Citians are well-traveled: bad roads. During his State of the City address, Kansas City Mayor Lucas said he wants to make infrastructure a top budget priority for 2020. To do so, he has created a "Pothole Czar."

Last month ourToday he made the announcement official during his speech at Center High School today.However . . .Supporters are already spreading the social media love while others joke that the Mayor was mistaken in his effort to correct POT-HOLES.Here's the aftermath of the speech . . .Developing . . .
As ASEAN chair, Vietnam takes tackling the nCoV epidemic very seriously Photo: AFP

Informing the media about Vietnams activities in the role of the ASEAN chairmanship related to the coronavirus, or nCoV, epidemic, Le Thi Thu Hang, spokesperson for Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week reaffirmed that the country would fulfil its membership obligations and assume strong responsibility of the ASEAN in 2020.

Vietnam is actively deploying disease control responses and proposing a co-ordinated response to the epidemic, while continuing to closely monitor its evolution. Moreover, the country is ensuring that ASEAN events take place safely and are guaranteed the highest security, Hang stated.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, as chair of the ASEAN Coordinating Council, sent a letter to ASEAN member states, rousing the spirit of co-ordination and joint action against the nCoV epidemic. Vietnam has proposed the ASEAN to establish a joint ministerial working group with the participation of agencies on transport, immigration, and border control as well as consular issues, and will soon organise online meetings to share information and co-operate with ASEAN member countries, demonstrating the blocs strong solidarity.

The action was highly appreciated by ASEAN members, particularly while the disease has impacted six countries in the region  Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

Indonesia, along with Vietnam, is also a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held a phone call with Indonesian President Joko Widodo last week about co-operation between ASEAN countries in order to deal with acute respiratory infections caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

PM Phuc expressed his appreciation of Indonesia as one of the countries that has rapidly implemented measures to prevent the disease before detecting a case of nCoV so far.

Meanwhile, President Widodo highly appreciated the Vietnamese government for taking quick and synchronised measures to prevent the spread of the disease, believing that under the close direction of PM Phuc and with Vietnams proven medical capacity, the country is fully capable of successfully preventing the disease from spreading further.

The two leaders agreed that ASEAN member countries should actively co-ordinate in the spirit of the blocs theme of being cohesive and responsive, aiming to find common solutions, and sharing responsibility for dealing with common regional diseases. ASEAN countries have valuable experiences from tackling the SARS outbreak in 2003, thus leaders said it is necessary to continue to be more proactive in fighting the nCoV epidemic.

The two heads also agreed to strengthen co-ordination not only in the ASEAN but also between the ASEAN and China, including consular support for citizens of member countries affected by the epidemic.

As of Saturday afternoon, data from Vietnams Ministry of Health showed that the number of new coronavirus infections in the world hit over 34,900, while the number of deaths has reached 724.

Late last week there were seven new cases detected in the ASEAN region, mainly from Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, bringing the total of infected cases in Singapore to 33, in Malaysia to 15 and in Vietnam to 13.

One of the recent new cases in Singapore was exposed to a previously confirmed case of virus infection while at least one other case did not go to mainland China or was related to previous cases. Meanwhile, one of the new cases in Malaysia was a female Chinese tourist from Wuhan.

Two of the recent cases in Vietnam were a mother and younger sister of a patient who got infected after coming back from Wuhan.

So far, most localities in Vietnam have lengthened the time for students to get one more week off from school. Besides that, the country has also publicly announced the suspension of entry for foreigners coming from 31 vulnerable areas in China.

In Singapore, one coronavirus patient has been discharged from hospital. Last Friday, the country implemented a second flight to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan and take them to isolation.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren and President Donald Trump dont agree on much.

But on Thursday, as presidential candidates looked toward Super Tuesday and the general election, the progressive Massachusetts senator and Republican chief executive eyed the same target: Mike Bloomberg, the late-entry billionaire former New York City mayor, accused by Democrats of trying to buy his way to the White House and recently under fire for comments about minorities and policies seen as racist.

Trump minced no words on Twitter Thursday morning, calling Mini Mike Bloomberg a loser who has money but cant debate and has zero presence and a 54 mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians."

He reminds me of a tiny version of Jeb Low Energy Bush, but Jeb has more political skill and has treated the Black community much better than Mini, Trump wrote.

Mini Mike Bloomberg is a LOSER who has money but cant debate and has zero presence, you will see. He reminds me of a tiny version of Jeb Low Energy Bush, but Jeb has more political skill and has treated the Black community much better than Mini! https://t.co/qIef5VhjDr  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020

Warren, meanwhile, shared an Associated Press report Thursday noting that Bloomberg implied the elimination of a discriminatory housing practice known as redlining, was responsible for instigating the financial crisis of 2008.

In 2008, Bloomberg told an audience at a Georgetown University forum that the financial collapse started back when there was lots of pressure on banks to make loans to everyone," AP reported. Redlining, if you remember, was the term where banks took whole neighborhoods and said, People in these neighborhoods are poor, theyre not going to be able to pay off their mortgages, tell your salesmen dont go into those areas,'" he said.

Warren on Thursday said she was "surprised that someone running for the Democratic nomination thinks the economy would be better off if we just let banks be more overtly racist. We need to confront the shameful legacy of discrimination, not lie about it like Mike Bloomberg has done.

Warren then tweeted a video with a history lesson on the racist legacy of redlining, if any presidential candidate needs a refresher. She cited the Federal Housing Administrations practice from the 1930s to 1960s of marking African American neighborhoods in red on color-coded maps that would effectively lock many African American families out of the American dream of owning a home.

Heres a history lesson on the racist legacy of redlining, if any presidential candidate needs a refresher. pic.twitter.com/PiyJrEFXcV  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 13, 2020

Warren, a Harvard University professor who focused on bankruptcy law before entering politics, shared her housing plan that she said would combat systematic discrimination against black and Latino families.

We need to take concrete steps to address the impact of redlining and the subprime mortgage crisis. I built an office at the @CFPB to fight lending discrimination and my housing plan helps families in formerly redlined areas to buy homes and build wealth. https://t.co/0uIziz68CR  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 13, 2020

Stu Loeser, Bloomberg campaign spokesman, told AP that the candidate had attacked predatory lending as mayor and, if elected president, plans to help a million more Black families buy a house, and counteract the effects of redlining and the subprime mortgage crisis.

Loeser later added: Hes saying that something bad - the financial crisis - followed something good, which is the fight against redlining that he was part of as Mayor.

The Bloomberg campaign also noted that the former mayors private philanthropy helped other cities establish policies to reduce evictions, AP reported.

Bloomberg has recently faced a torrent of criticism for past comments and policies seen as racist, including calls to fingerprint hundreds of thousands of public housing residents and a stop-and-frisk policy in an effort to curb gun violence.

I have apologized for taking too long to understand the impact of stop and frisk on Black and Latino communities, he tweeted this week. I inherited stop and frisk. In an effort to stop gun violence, it was overused. I cut it back by 95%. I should have cut it back sooner.

I have apologized for taking too long to understand the impact of stop and frisk on Black and Latino communities.



I inherited stop and frisk. In an effort to stop gun violence, it was overused. I cut it back by 95%.



I should have cut it back sooner. https://t.co/nj2hBJcQP6  Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 11, 2020

Bloomberg added in a statement that Trumps attacks showed his fear over the growing strength of my campaign.

President Trump inherited a country marching towards greater equality and divided us with racist appeals and hateful rhetoric, Bloomberg said Tuesday. The challenge of the moment is clear: we must confront this President and do everything we can to defeat him.

Bloomberg, who did not compete in the first two voting contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, has been focused on a range of states up for grabs on Super Tuesday as he seeks the Democratic nomination.

The media and financial services mogul has opened up several offices in Massachusetts, a Super Tuesday state, including in Springfield.

Bloomberg has flooded the airwaves and social media with advertising and risen in national polls, approaching top tier status alongside Warren, Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who edged former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in both New Hampshire and Iowa.
The federal government on Thursday re-arraigned Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore and co-accused, Olawale Bakare.

They were arraigned before Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on a two-count charge bordering on treasonable felony.

The prosecution lawyer, who is a chief state council from the ministry of justice, had informed the court on Wednesday, that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has taken over the prosecution of the case and has filed an amended charge.

At the commencement of trial on Thursday, the prosecution lawyer, Aminu Alilu, applied that the previous seven-count charge which was filed in September 2019, be substituted with the amended charge.

Taking their pleas upon re-arraignment, Messrs Sowore and Bakare pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After the accused took their pleas, Mr Alilu, informed the court of the presence of the first witness, whom he said, was ready to give evidence.

However, the lawyer to the defendants, Abdul Mahmud, told the court that they cannot proceed with the trial as the prosecution was yet to comply with the order of the court directing them to provide statements of the witnesses they intend to call.

Mr Mahmud said only a summarised statement of witnesses were served on them.

We were served with summary statements of Moses Amadi, Usman Bafa, Paul Okafor (technical video engineer) and Paul Clement (financial analyst/investigator), he said.

The defendants lawyer added that the video device and tape mentioned in one of the witness statements have not been served on them.

Responding, Mr Alilu said since all his witnesses would be referring to the video evidence, he would need two weeks to enable him to serve the necessary evidence on the defence.

The prosecution also informed the court that the N200,000 cost awarded against them has been paid to the defence team.

The defendants lawyer confirmed the payment of the said sum.

The matter was, therefore, adjourned to March 11, 12 and 13, for continuation.

Background

The duo was arrested on August 3 by the State Security Services (SSS) for planning a protest popularised with the hashtag #RevolutionNow.

But in the new charge, the offences which bordered on fraud, cyber-stalking and insulting the president, which were in the previous seven-count charge, were removed.

The SSS on December 6 rearrested Mr Sowore at the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja a day after he was released from their custody. Officials of the agency forced their way into the courtroom and arrested him.

The publisher and Mr Bakare had been released the night before on the orders of Justice Ojukwu after spending 124 days in SSS custody.

Mr Sowore was later released on December 24, 2019.
Telugu actor Nithiin has recently made an official announcement about his wedding. The actor is all set to get hitched to his girlfriend Shalini in April 2020.

The couple's Pasupu Kumkuma will be held on February 15 in Hyderabad. They will announce their wedding date and venue during an engagement ceremony.

According to the latest reports, Nithiin and Shalini' families knew each other for many years. After the duo informed them about their relationship, both families quickly approved their wedding. This is going to be the love-cum-arrange marriage.

In earlier interviews, Nithiin hinted that he will tie the knot in 2020. Hence, Nithiin fans are now eagerly waiting for his wedding date and venue announcement. Meanwhile, Nithiin's to-be wife Shalini pursued her Masters in Business and Management.

The young actor Nithiin is currently busy with his upcoming film Bheeshma, which is set to release on February 21. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and is being helmed by Venky Kudumula.

Also Read : Rashmika Mandanna And Nithiin Shake A Leg To Hrithik Roshan's Ghungroo In Italy! Watch video
The emergency department is being increasingly utilized as a patient's best or only treatment option for opioid use disorder (OUD). New analysis in Annals of Emergency Medicine shows that the prevalence of patients who visited emergency departments at four Indiana hospital systems for repeat opioid-related emergencies jumped from 8.8 percent of all opioid-related visits in 2012 to 34.1 percent in 2017--nearly a four-fold increase in just five years.

Emergency departments are vital partners in treatment for opioid disorders. Less frequently discussed is the value of emergency department data that can be applied to predict and prevent emergencies among at-risk patients. Because the ED is such an important site for care, we need to identify opportunities for treatment and support that help increase efficiency across systems of care and benefit patients." Casey P. Balio, PhD candidate at IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI and lead study author

Patients with greater numbers of previous opioid-related ED visits, previous unique number hospital systems for which they've had an ED encounter, heroin use being documented at the encounter, those insured by Medicaid or uninsured relative to privately insured were more likely to have a future emergency department encounter for opioid-related emergencies, according to the analysis.

The analysis of 9,295 patients in four Indiana hospital systems was conducted with data from a statewide regional Health Information Exchange system that examined prescription history, visit detail, and community characteristics.

"Consolidating patient information from multiple emergency departments can improve risk assessment and help identify more opportunities to provide patients with treatment, particularly those who have multiple ED visits for opioid-related health emergencies. More effective use of health information can enable more efficient care for these individuals," said Balio.
(Alliance News) - Haynes Publishing Group PLC on Thursday said it has agreed to a GBP114.5 million takeover by Netherlands-based software development firm Infopro Digital Group BV.

Under the terms of the acquisition, the car manual publisher said its shareholders will receive 700 pence per share, a 63% premium to its Wednesday closing price of 431.0p.

The stock soared on Thursday morning. It was 61% higher at 690.00p each.

The company added that the Infropro offer has received the backing, through irrevocable undertakings, of just shy of 82% of Haynes shareholders.

In order to become effective, over 75% of Haynes shareholders must back the scheme at a court meeting and a general meeting, both are likely to be held in March or April.

Haynes said its directors "unanimously" backed the terms of the deal and will recommend the offer.

Haynes started a formal sale process back in November amid changes at the company and following the death of its founder. In February 2019, John Haynes died after having founded the firm in 1960 and serving as its chair until 2010.

In recent years, Haynes - which publishes car maintenance manuals - has undertaken a strategic shift which has seen it alter its focus towards delivering data and workflow services to the automotive industry and motorists.

Chair Eddie Bell said: "Haynes has made a highly successful strategic transition to become one of the leading suppliers of content, data and innovative workflow solutions for the automotive industry and motorists.

"The Haynes board believes that the markets it serves have great potential for Haynes' future growth and development. The proposal from Infopro Digital reflects these opportunities and represents an attractive opportunity for Haynes shareholders to crystallise an immediate and certain value in cash for their shareholdings, at a significant premium to current and historical share price trading levels."

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Madam Mary Osei, a resident of Takoradi in the Western Region has expressed worried about the immorality that continued to characterize the celebration of Valentines Day.



She suggested that it must be a moment where family disputes were resolved, issues sorted out with problem solved to promote a more coherent society.



The advice come in the wake when some residents of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis are feverishly preparing for Valentines Day with the buying of love cards, boxes of chocolate, bouquets of red roses and teddy bears for their loved ones and families to mark the day.



The GNA spoke to some residents in the Metropolis concerning their knowledge of the event and how it should be celebrated and it was revealed that many of them were aware of the day and were busily preparing towards it.



Madam Joyce Ewusi, a provisions seller explained that Valentine's Day was a day where people showed love to one another by the sharing of gifts.



She however was of the belief that more should be done for the needy and unprivileged rather than among people who already have.



Mr. Eric Abbey, a parent advised the youth to be very careful during the celebration and stay away from activities that would put their lives into jeopardy or the integrity into the mud.



He urged them to stay away from sexual activities and rather show mutual love to those in need.



Meanwhile, sales of Valentine memorabilia were shooting according to Madam Aggie a gift stall attendant.



She said the market was better compared to the previous years, because this years celebration was going to be on a Friday.



Some customers were excited about the approaching season to celebrate their loved ones and families.



Valentine's Day also known as Saint Valentine Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14 although it is not observed as a public holiday in any country.



It originated as a Western Christian Feast day honouring one or two early saints named Valentinus.



The day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many religions around the world.



The celebration is mostly characterized by the wearing of red clothes by celebrants.



In Ghana the day is also designated as the National Chocolate Day, purposely for eating of chocolate made in Ghana as part of efforts to promote made in Ghana goods.

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.

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A few of those survivors spoke to Hindustan Times and shared the story of how a regular Saturday evening changed their lives forever.

I am permanently disabled, but that has not stopped me from trying new things in life. I run an NGO, Peace Association, and am a motivational speaker visiting schools and colleges talking about the life-turning events which one should face stoically. I have had 300 non-surgical treatment procedures and seven major surgeries, yet I have managed to travel to Leh and Ladhak, and paraglided. No terror can tear me, is the motto that keeps me alive.

Amprapali Chavan, blast survivor, Suffered 54 per cent burns; one leg amputated

Even if it is 10 years ago, it is etched in my mind. When I reached outside the bakery, part of it was gone, and the entire road in front was filled with bodies, some moving, some still. We immediately transported as many as we could to the nearby Budhrani and Jehangir hospitals. German Bakery has a new identity, but it is not the same as the earlier one.

Vikrant Billare, resident of lane number 4, Koregaon Park, One of the first responders to the scene when the blast took place

I was in college in Mumbai and was visiting my brother and father for the weekend. Vikas told me hes meeting a friend at the bakery. Thats how it was referred to, the bakery. Vikas left home. Soon after, we heard something loud. We live on Mangaldas road, close to Koregaon Park. A friend called and said something had happened at the bakery. Thats when I froze. I hung up and immediately tried calling Vikas. My friend picked me up and we headed on bike towards the bakery. There was a huge jam - people on foot and on vehicles. Lots of ambulances and cops. The cops told us it was a bomb blast.

At Jehangir hospital we found Vikas in the ICU. Vikas slipped into a coma fought for his life for a week, after which he breathed his last on February 21, 2010.

The family received Rs 5 lakh as compensation from the Government of Maharashtra.

Preeti Tulsiani , Her older brother Vikas Tulsiani died in the blast

I left German Bakery minutes before the actual blast took place. I was then at a nearby shop and heard the blast. I ran towards the sound and what I saw was horror... which is why I dont want to talk about it. it will always be a traumatic experience.

Survivor requesting anonymity
The CEO of DIY chain Screwfix says he is "really confident" the company is here to stay, regardless of how the economy performs in the coming years.

"We know customers are going to need things fixed and our tradesmen are going to need to get goods," John Mewett told the Irish Independent.

"We have seen over the years in the UK that the economy can change but there is still a requirement [for our products]. People's central heating still goes wrong and they need it fixed. So we are really confident."

Founded in 1979, Screwfix was acquired by B&Q owner Kingfisher in 1999.

The company started selling its products online in Ireland in 2014, and in November last year it opened its first physical store here.

Screwfix, which now has four bricks-and-mortar shops here, plans to open a possible 40 more over the coming years.

To date, the company has been "really impressed" with its online performance in the Irish market and now it is seeing a "massive uptake" in its click-and-collect business here.

"We need to find sites and grow the business," Mr Mewett continued.

"Our plan is to focus our footprint across the whole of Ireland. We have a number of stores in our pipeline but we have not announced them yet," he said.

He added that regardless of the outcome of trade negotiations between the UK and European Union, Screwfix will find a way to serve its customers in Ireland.

"Clearly, there is a lot of unknown. We have been preparing since 2016 and our priority at the moment is making sure we have got a fair deal for our customers in all markets, with products that are affordable and readily available," Mr Mewett said.

"We are working with our suppliers and we have plans. We believe in whichever scenario we will find a way to make sure we are successful and we can serve our customers to get their jobs done," he said.
(Kitco News) As young adults from Generation Z are starting to carve out their own career path, they should not overlook the mining industry, according to one report.

There are 79,680 positions that will need to be filled in the mining field over the next decade, said The Mining Association of Canada in its annual report published in January.

A retirement wave is coming to the mining sector in the next decade, which will see 25% of the industrys current workforce retire by the year 2030, which represents around 57,000 positions, the report cited the Mining Industry Human Resources Councils forecasts.

The mining industry, both in Canada and abroad, faces a number of human resources challenges. MiHRs 2020 edition of the Canadian Mining Labour Market Outlook, estimates that the Canadian mining industry will need to hire 79,680 new workers over the next decade to 2030. These new hires are required to replace retirees and fill new positions to meet baseline production targets, said the report titled The State of Canadas Mining Industry: Facts & Figures 2019.

On top of the retirement problem, the Canadian mining industry is facing an increasing brain drain when it comes to skilled workers.

Companies in other countries are actively recruiting Canadian graduates and workers, making retention challenging and recruitment highly competitive, the report pointed out.

It is looking like a real workforce shortage is looming over the Canadian mining industry.

This will result in a significant loss of industry knowledge and experience  These shifts lead to an entirely new set of challenges, with relatively inexperienced workers replacing those far more seasoned, particularly in the high turnover trades and production occupations, the report noted.

Workers will be needed for all core mining positions, including geologists, geoscientists, metallurgists, mining engineers and people who know their way around heavy equipment operation, computer technology, and information management.

Some of the proposed solutions include promoting the industry among women, youth, Indigenous people and non-traditional worker groups. Other solutions focused on bringing back retired workers, improving employer training and education programs, as well as looking towards new Canadians.

Given Canadas aging population, the need for new immigrants is increasing. Thus, appealing to this demographic is important to the medium and longer-term sustainability of the mining sector workforce, The Mining Association of Canada highlighted.

The Canadian mining industry is worth about USD$35.5 billion. It also directly or indirectly employs 626,000 people, which accounts for about one in every 30 positions in Canada, the report added.
The Supreme Court Thursday reserved order for Friday on Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case convict Vinay Sharma's plea challenging rejection of his mercy petition by the President alleging that it was done in a "mala fide" manner.

Sharma, one of the four convicts on death row in the 2012 case, has also sought commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment claiming that he has "developed mental illness" inside the prison due to the alleged "torture and ill-treatment".

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna said the court will pass orders on Friday at 2 pm on Sharma's plea.

The bench heard arguments for nearly two hours on behalf of Sharma and the Union of India and NCT of Delhi.

Advocate A P Singh appearing for Sharma argued that his client's mercy petition was rejected by the president in a "mala fide" manner and all relevant records were not produced before him.

He said Sharma was subjected to torture, put in solitary confinement and due to trauma suffered in jail, he has mental illness.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Union of India and NCT of Delhi, opposed Singh's argument and said the President has examined all relevant records and due process under the law was followed in rejection of Sharma's mercy petition.

Mehta placed before the court a medical report of February 12 of Sharma and said he was found to be medically fit.

Singh alleged that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and home minister had not signed the recommendation for rejection of his mercy plea.

The bench rejected Singh's request to peruse recommendation for rejection of mercy plea.

It perused the record and said they had signed the recommendation for rejection of his mercy petition.

Sharma moved the apex court on Tuesday challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the president and claimed the "hurried rejection" was "mala fide" and violated the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

He alleged in his plea that "public statements" made by ministers at the Centre as well as in the Delhi government supporting his execution had "pre-judged the outcome of his mercy petition", and there also appears to be "non-application" of mind on the part of the President in rejecting his mercy plea.

"This must also be considered in light of the hurried rejection of the mercy petition by the President on January 31, within 48 hours of filing of the petitioner's mercy petition. Therefore, the decision of rejection of petitioner's mercy petition is mala fide and therefore violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution," said the plea.

The apex court had earlier dismissed a plea filed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, another death row convict in the case, challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President.

Sharma has alleged that the President's decision rejecting his mercy plea was communicated to him in jail on January 31.

His plea said that "public statements made by several ministers in the Council of Ministers in the Delhi Government as well as the Union government reflect that they strongly support the execution of the petitioner and had therefore, pre-judged the outcome of his mercy petition" even before it was filed.

"Therefore, it is submitted that the decision of the President which would be based on such aid and advise suffers from the same bias and is also rendered bad in law," it said, adding, "there also appears to be a non-application of mind on the part of the President".

The plea claimed that fundamental rights of Vinay were violated by the authorities as he has been kept in "illegal segregated confinement" in Tihar jail in violation of the law laid down by the apex court.

It also alleged that Vinay has been subjected to "torture and ill-treatment in prison, as a result of which he experienced grave mental trauma and even developed mental illness for which he has received psychiatric treatment in prison".

It said that mental illness inside prison is one of grounds to commute the death sentence.

The trial court had on January 31 stayed "till further orders" execution of the four convicts in the case -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31), who are lodged in Tihar Jail.

Pawan has not yet filed a curative petition -- the last and final legal remedy available to a person which is decided in-chamber. Pawan also has the option of filing a mercy plea.

The mercy petition of Akshay was also rejected by the President.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

Six people including the four convicts, Ram Singh and a juvenile -- were named as accused.

The trial of the five adult men began in a special fast-track court in March 2013.

Ram Singh, the prime accused, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Tihar jail days after the trial began. The juvenile, who was said to be the most brutal of the attackers, was put in a correctional home for three years.

The juvenile was released in 2015 and sent to an undisclosed location amid concerns over a threat to his life. He, when released, was 20 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wyoming WWAMI Students Present at Medical Research Forum

Second-year Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program students Allana Hall, of Laramie, and Adam Blaine, from Gillette, present their research posters as part of the Western Student and Resident Medical Research Forum in Carmel, Calif., Jan. 23-25. (WWAMI Photo)

Ten Wyoming WWAMI students were invited to present their research at the recent Western Student and Resident Medical Research Forum (WSMRF) in Carmel, Calif.

The WSMRF is the largest faculty-mentored student and resident research meeting in the country, says Tim Robinson, director of the WWAMI Medical Education Program at the University of Wyoming. The Wyoming WWAMI program is very proud of the fact that half of our 2018 WWAMI class were invited to present their research at such a prestigious meeting.

According to the WSMRF website, over 450 abstracts are presented by medical students, residents and faculty each year. The forum has partnerships with several prominent medical research societies, including the Western Section of the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR), the Western Society for Clinical Investigation (WSCI), the Western Association of Physicians (WAP) and the Western Society for Pediatric Research.

Robinson says the expansion of the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) program to include educating second-year medical students at UW has allowed the university to attract some of the best young faculty in the country. One such faculty member is Assistant Professor Emily Schmitt, who holds a joint position with the Division of Kinesiology and Health and the WWAMI program.

I am extremely grateful to mentor these medical students as they progress through the curriculum, in particular their scholarly research, says Schmitt, the research coordinator for the Wyoming WWAMI program. Not only have these students impressed me with the projects they are working on, but also in their growth of understanding the scientific process and a true bench-to-bedside approach in medicine.

The fact that our medical students get to participate in research, often working one-on-one with professors at the top of their respective fields, gives our students the opportunity to explore scholarly areas they might not have otherwise considered -- from collaborating with community organizations to measure health metric baselines and relative impacts of interventions, to decrease rates of smoking in pregnant women in rural Wyoming or pneumonia rates in children in suburban Kenya, to investigating how insulin affects renal function in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease, says Laramie family physician Dr. Tracey Haas, one of the WWAMI programs physician mentors.

Haas says the WWAMI students were challenged to apply advanced research methods to evaluate cutting-edge medical concepts and fields of study.

This not only builds on their scope of knowledge, but it also helps them gain confidence in writing up their findings and presenting to their peers, Haas says.

Dr. Larry Kirven, a family physician from Buffalo, serves as the clinical dean for Wyoming WWAMI.

It was a privilege to be able to watch our Wyoming students present their research at WSMRF, which is a prestigious gathering of medical schools from all over the U.S. and Canada. It was impressive to see the breadth of research done right here in Wyoming, he says. Two of the Wyoming students won awards for the relevance and quality of their research, which attests to the high standards of the Wyoming students work.

These two students were Daulton Grube, of Rock Springs, and Reed Ritterbusch, of Sheridan. They each won a WAFMR/WAP/WSCI Student Subspecialty Award.

The 10 Wyoming WWAMI students who presented at the forum, listed by their hometowns and research presentation titles, are:

Cheyenne -- Trey Thompson, Etiology of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome and a Non-Surgical Treatment; and Jacob Zumo, Age-Specific Cardiac Remodeling Outcomes Induced by Isoproterenol.

Cody -- Amanda Golden, An Assessment to Reduce Smoking During Pregnancy in Park County, Wyoming; and Ryan Winchell, The Role of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Directives in Treatment of Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Gillette -- Adam Blaine, Mitigating Alcohol Abuse in the Boomtown Economy of Douglas, Wyoming.

Laramie -- Allana Hall, Multidisciplinary Support for Buprenorphine-Naloxone Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder; and Renae Wollman, Addressing Pneumonia Misconceptions and Prevention in Children Under 5 in Karagita, Kenya.

Rock Springs -- Daulton Grube, Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease is Associated with Higher and Not Lower Insulin Use.

Sheridan -- Reed Ritterbusch, Comparison of Pseudoprogression in Glioma Patients Following Proton vs. Photon Therapy.

Sinclair -- Logan Taylor, Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Microcirculation in Glaucoma Patients of African and European Descent Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.
Chief Minister E K Palaniswami on Thursday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to immediately release a Rs 6,374 crore grant to the state's urban and rural local bodies as recommended by the 14th

In a letter to Sitharaman, the chief minister said that of the total amount, Rs 2,029 crore is the arrear towards performance grant from 2017-18 to 2019-2020, and Rs 4,345 crore is the basic grant for 2019-2020.

The letter was sent to the Union minister through state Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani. After meeting Sitharaman here, Velumani told reporters that the state government has sought direct flights from Coimbatore to Delhi and Dubai.

The chief minister had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard, he said.

Velumani also met Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and pressed for more flights from Coimbatore and release of funds for the Coimbatore airport's expansion project.

In a meeting with Union Agriculture and Panchayati Raj Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, he sought for quick release of the second installment of Rs 2,939 crore to for 2019-2020 under the MNREGA and a due of Rs 609 crore towards construction and administrative expenses till February 10.




A court here on Thursday found 13 people guilty of damaging public property during the anti-CAA protests in Khadra area in Trans Gomti on December 19 last year and ordered recovery of over 21 Lakhs (estimated cost of damage done to the public property) from them within 30 days.

They have been asked to pay Rs 21,76,000 by the court. The complicity of remaining seven others, out of total 20 accused, was not established, following which the court absolved the charges levelled against them.

Protests erupted in different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who 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.)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is one of the most talented and successful comic actors in America, having managed (among other accomplishments) the near-impossible feat of starring in three different hit sitcoms in three different decades: Seinfeld in the 1990s, The New Adventures of Old Christine in the 2000s, and Veep in the 2010s (she won Emmys for all three). Though of course starring in a trio of long-running series has kept her busy for 20-plus TV seasons, it's still a little surprising to realize just how few movies she's appeared in  and how even fewer have given her a starring role. Without counting voiceover work or the occasional mom and/or love interest part, Louis-Dreyfus has starred in exactly two films: 2013's grown-up rom-com Enough Said, and this weekend's Downhill, a remake of the 2014 Swedish/Norwegian film Force Majeure.

Downhill pairs her with her fellow Saturday Night Live alum Will Ferrell, who has made a more traditional (though by no means typical) jump from TV comedy to big-screen success. Here they play a married couple who take their two sons on a lavish Austrian ski trip, to bond as a family and supposedly heal from a recent death in the family. Pete (Ferrell) is obviously missing more than his departed father; he gazes wistfully at the blithely hashtagged Instagram posts of a younger colleague Zach (Zach Woods), while Billie (Louis-Dreyfus) encourages him to put down his phone and stay in the moment. Tensions between Pete and Billie heat up when the family briefly faces down what looks like a deadly avalanche. Pete flees (with his phone, Billie notes), neglecting to make sure his family is safely by his side. The avalanche is a false alarm; the warning bells it sets off in Billie's head are not.

In different context, this could be a Seinfeld story. (In fact, it more or less was, albeit one involving Jason Alexander's George, rather than Louis-Dreyfus' Elaine: In "The Fire," George discovers a fire at a children's birthday party, and shoves through the crowd to get himself to safety.) Downhill has already gotten some attention for refashioning a dry, dark foreign-language film as an American comedy, staffed up with sitcom pros: beyond Louis-Dreyfus and Woods (The Office), directors/cowriters Jim Rash and Nat Faxon both moonlight as in-demand TV actors. The movie's central dynamic  a distracted and vaguely buffoonish husband, a dissatisfied wife, and some ski-based slapstick  could fit comfortably into any number of multi-camera or single-camera TV comedies.

Story continues

As it turns out, Downhill's greatest strength is the most sitcom-experienced member of the cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, characteristically terrific as Billie. She performs a pocket symphony of quiet irritation, especially when she's stuck in social situations that (at least initially) preclude her from addressing Pete's accidental betrayal  which he downplays to the point of refusing to acknowledge it. Repeatedly, Louis-Dreyfus has to nail reaction shots that aren't full reactions  essentially, she has to act from beneath a mask of social niceties that she can barely keep affixed to her face. The mask finally slips in a bravura scene where polite small talk with Zach and Rosie (Zoe Chao) descends into a full-on fight between Pete and Billie, after she can't stand to listen to him mischaracterize the event any longer. Even then, she airs her grievances with a kind of composure. (Being a lawyer, she essentially calls her children as witnesses.)

Louis-Dreyfus's work in Downhill isn't so far removed from what she does in Nicole Holofcener's Enough Said, which also imbued a sitcom-ready misunderstanding (a woman realizes she's dating her new friend's ex-husband, unbeknownst to either of them) with real depth of feeling. Downhill isn't as successful on the whole, but in a different way than Force Majeure fans might have anticipated. For the most part, the remake doesn't broaden its characters into caricatures of the dorky dad and the nagging wife  even Zach and Rosie feel like believable, non-malicious people. Instead, the movie goes earnest in the style of an American indie, chasing scenes of funny awkwardness with what looks suspiciously like genuine soul-searching. A yearning score backs these scenes, and the camera repeatedly captures the perhaps too-tidy metaphorical sight of Pete and Billie isolated by a pair of bathroom mirrors. If this sometimes feels like an exercise in comedians going straight, the cast is up to the task, especially Louis-Dreyfus. She has a moment of quivering disbelief in the immediate aftermath of the avalanche that's as vivid a piece of "serious" acting as she's ever had to do, and she nearly sells the idea that this material should have a sincere, sensitive dimension.

It's particularly satisfying to watch Louis-Dreyfus anchor movies for the first time as a middle-aged actress, playing parts that specifically engage with the mysteries and disappointments of growing older. For all of its unwillingness to go blackly comic, Downhill is a well-observed character dramedy, and Louis-Dreyfus makes a lot of its observations. If she doesn't get another hit series going in the 2020s, she'll be a welcome presence at the multiplex.

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Authoritarians aren't like Mao anymore. They're like Trump.

Giuliani claims he can 'prove' a 'Democratic scam' in Ukraine with iPad full of 'reports' he never actually shares

Trump now says he did send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine. CNN analysts think Trump forgot his earlier lie.


European and Asian stocks rose yesterday as optimism grew that the global economy can recover from the impact of the coronavirus.

Crude oil rallied and treasuries fell in market moves that also reflected a growing degree of confidence that there would not be a prolonged shift lower in the world economy.

Contracts on major American stock indices pointed to a firm open after China's Hubei province reported the lowest number of new virus cases this month and suspected infections on the mainland declined. Car makers and miners led the advance in the Stoxx Europe 600 index, even as data showed a deep slump in euro area industrial output at the end of last year.

Asia saw gains for most equity benchmarks, with those in Shanghai and Hong Kong outperforming.

Oil climbed to around $51 a barrel in New York, holding the advance even after Opec slashed forecasts for global demand.

Raw materials including copper and iron ore gained, while core European bonds tracked treasuries lower, and gold and the yen slipped. New Zealand's dollar jumped the most in two months after its central bank said the impact from the virus will be short-lived and it does not project a need for rate cuts this year.

Confidence is increasing among some investors that the impact of the coronavirus outbreak will ultimately prove short-lived.

President Xi Jinping vowed China would meet its economic goals while winning the battle against the virus that has now claimed 1,115 lives, while Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said on Tuesday the central bank is keeping a close eye on fallout from the epidemic.

"An air of relief has permeated global markets following a sustained decline in the rate of new coronavirus cases," said Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, an economist at Firstrand Bank.

"The absolute impact on economic growth is yet to be quantified, but markets appear more confident that its effects will be limited to the first quarter. The efforts of Chinese policymakers will prop up growth."

Meanwhile, peripheral European bonds bucked declines and the yield on 10-year Greek debt dropped below 1pc for the first time.
A Delhi Court on Thursday sent all accused arrested, in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College in Delhi, to judicial custody for 14 days.

Ten people have been arrested by the Delhi police in connection with the recent incident at Delhi University's all-women Gargi College, where students were allegedly molested and sexually assaulted during a cultural festival last week after outsiders barged into the college.

All the accused were produced at Saket district court where the concerned magistrate decided to send all the accused to Tihar Jail under judicial custody for fourteen days period.

The case was registered at Hauz Khas Police Station and several teams were constituted to investigate the case. They have been looking into technical details available and visited various sites in NCR for identification of suspects.

"The probe team had also spoken to Gargi College," said A Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South Delhi to media.

Police said that as many as 23 CCTV footages have been examined and three of these were focused on the ground where the festival was on.

"Initial probe suggests the college was at fault. The college authorities had not informed the police about the festival," said the police.

Delhi Police on Monday received a complaint from Gargi College against the alleged harassment and sexual abuse of female students by a number of unidentified men during their annual cultural fest on February 6.

A case was lodged under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Hauz Khas police station.

"A complaint has been received from Gargi College authorities and a case under sections 452, 354, 509 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code is being registered at Hauz Khas police station," police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"We were there for a week, and my stomach was knotted for a week, because I knew we only had one crew there and I didn't want to miss anything. It was a pretty exhausting week.

"That was my really big story with Nine, and it was a network story," Thomson recalled.

But there's one story that resonated most over the 40 years that Nine Perth's news anchor Michael Thomson worked in Perth newsrooms: the frantic, nail-biting week chasing 'The Kimberley Killer' Joseph Schwab, a German tourist who shot and killed five people in the top end of WA and the Northern Territory in June 1987.

He's a veteran broadcaster with a youthful face and friendly nature who has seen everything from the extraordinary reaction to the death of Princess Diana to the September 11 attacks that changed the world.

"But we got lucky. We arrived there and there was a vigilante in town, a taxi driver, who had a pumpback shotgun in his car, and we had heard from the local police that he was going to shoot the gunman if he sees them.

"So we called a cab when we arrived at the airport and the guy picks us up and we were in the car and I said 'hey mate, you don't know a bloke who's got a gun, and he stops the car and pulls out the shotgun.

I thought you could hear my heart going through the microphone I was that nervous. Thomson on his first network live cross

"So we got him to drive out of town, got the camera out and I said 'so mate what are you going to do if you see the gunman?', because the whole town was terrified, everyone was terrified and he goes 'this is what I'm going to do' and he pulls the shotgun out from under his seat, loaded it and says 'I'm going to shoot him'.

"That was the first day we got there ... police held a media conference the next morning and said they had confiscated a gun off a taxi driver, so he wasn't very happy with us after that.
Aerospace giant Boeing fired a supervisor on Wednesday over embarrassing emails sent between pilots detailing concerns about the safety of the Boeing 737 Max, the airliner involved in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Keith Cooper, the former Vice President of training and professional services at Boeing, was not involved in sending or receiving the emails but supervised two pilots who sent internal messages complaining about the airliner, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Boeing 737 Max has been grounded since March 2019 after investigators discovered its new anti-stall software may have hampered the pilot during take-off, causing two fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia in which 346 people were killed.

Details of the messages in which employees claim the airplane was made by 'clowns' caused embarrassment for Boeing when released last December.

Keith Cooper, the former Vice President of training and professional services at Boeing, was fired on Wednesday as the company struggles to get the 737 Max back in the air

The Boeing 737 Max was grounded in March 2019 after it was involved in two deadly crashes killing 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia in 2018 and 2019 after the pilot lost control

Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash in March 2019 which caused Boeing to ground its popular 737 Max aircraft to investigate its link with the crash

The messages were released last month shortly after the departure of former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg. They showcase a shocking display of employees intentionally deceiving and mocking aircraft regulators.

The aerospace company halted production of the aircraft shortly afterwards.

The documents were given to the House of Representatives infrastructure committee and the Federal Aviation Administration in December and paint a concerning picture about Boeing's response to safety issues following two fatal plane crashes that killed 346 people.

Boeing had previously released more than 2016 internal messages, including ones that show a pilot raising questions about the performance of a vital safety feature during testing.

'This airplane is designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys,' one of the messages read.

'This is a joke. This airplane is ridiculous,' said another email, while one employee said 'I'll be shocked if the FAA passes this turd'.

Former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg was fired in January shortly before documents were released which showed a worrying display in Boeing's failure to respond to safety concerns

Ethiopian Federal policemen stand at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash on March 11, 2019, which involved the now grounded Boeing 737 Max aircraft

Investigators remove parts from Lion Air Flight 610 that crashed into the Java Sea for further investigation in November 2018 in the first significant crash involving the Boeing 737 Max

In the messages, Boeing employees talked about misleading regulators over problems with the simulators.

'I still haven't been forgiven by God for the covering up I did last year,' one employee said in a 2018 message.

One employee told a colleague they wouldn't let their family ride on a 737 Max.

'Would you put your family on a Max simulator trained aircraft? I wouldn't,' one employee said to another colleague. The colleague responded: 'No.'

Boeing employees also mocked Indonesia Lion Air officials and branded them 'idiots' because they wanted extra training for their pilots on the 737 MAX - one year before the fatal crash that killed 189.

The damning messages show that Lion Air raised concerns about training and had asked to put its pilots through more simulator training for the 737 MAX.

One employee wrote in a text message on June 2017: 'Now friggin Lion Air might need a sim to fly the MAX, and maybe because of their own stupidity. I'm scrambling trying to figure out how to unscrew this now! idiots.'

A colleague replied: 'WHAT THE F%%text!!!! But their sister airline is already flying it!'

Boeing's new CEO David Calhoun called the messages 'totally appalling'.

New Boeing CEO David Calhoun, who took over in January 2020, called the messages released showing Boeing employees deceiving authorities over safety concerns 'totally appalling'

The Federal Aviation Administration at 600 Independence Avenue in Washington,DC - messages released by Boeing appear to show employees deceiving the FAA over safety issues

In the messages, employees also complained about Boeing's senior management, the company's selection of low-cost suppliers and wasting money.

Names of the employees who wrote the emails and text messages were redacted.

Boeing, who went into damage control, said it was considering disciplinary action against some employees over the message exchanges.

Apart from ousted CEO Muilenburg, Cooper is the first employee to be fired by Boeing, despite having not taken part in any of the troubling conversations released. The mid-level executive supervised two of the pilots who showed concerns.

Since the crashes, Boeing has faced intense scrutiny over its decision to keep flying the aircraft model after the first crash in Indonesia, allegedly brushing off safety concerns from employees and whether it prioritized competition over security.

The two 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people.

In October 2018, the Lion Air Flight 610 was scheduled to make a domestic flight in Indonesia when the Boeing aircraft crashed because of a malfunction.

The plane's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, pushed the aircraft's nose down and caused pilots' to desperately fight for control.

The same malfunction occurred on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 that was scheduled for an international trip in March 2019.

Despite Boeing shaking up their leadership by ousting Muilenburg, the document release made it clear that Boeing will continue to face questions about its role in the fatalities well into 2020.

The company announced on Tuesday that it had received no commercial airplane orders in January. The Max had previously been the planemaker's best-selling model in history.

The aerospace giant booked orders for 45 jets in January 2019, but none during that period this year, according to its website, the latest bit of negative news since the MAX was grounded in March 2019.

Deliveries also fell to 13 in January 2020, compared with 46 in the same period a year ago.

Grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are seen parked at Boeing Field in Seattle on July 1, 2019

A worker looks up underneath a Boeing 737 MAX jet in Renton, Washington - Boeing sold no new airline jets in January 2020 and reported its first annual loss in over two decades

Boeing in January reported its first annual loss in more than two decades due to the MAX crisis, which has forced billions of dollars in settlements to carriers and added billions more in added production costs.

The halt in production in January has also left Boeing behind on its production rate targets.

Speaking at an investors conference on Wednesday, Boeing Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith admitted that it will take two years after production starts up again for the company to reach its production rate target.

The company originally aimed to produce 57 aircraft per month but that was reduced to 40 after the grounding.

U.S. approval for the 737 MAX to fly again is now expected by mid-year and Boeing has said it could slowly resume production before the plane is allowed back in the air.

'As we gain confidence in that time frame of when the grounding will be lifted, that's when we'll reassess and start to wake the line up,' Smith said.

Speaking separately at the Singapore Airshow, Boeing executives warned that concerns were growing over the impact of travel restrictions to and from China following the outbreak of the coronavirus, adding to recent worries over trade tensions and signs an industry cycle is peaking.

Returning the aircraft safely to service following the two crashes was the 'single biggest' cash driver for the planemaker, Smith said.
A former elementary school principal from Cleveland, Tn., has been caught in a child sex sting.

Mark Avery Pickel, 51, made an initial appearance on Wednesday afternoon before Federal Magistrate Judge Chris Steger.

Pickel is charged with transportation of child pornography in interstate commerce, interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, and coercion and enticement of a minor.

He remains incarcerated and has an arraignment date of Feb. 28.

Prosecutor James Brooks said on Feb. 3 an undercover online officer with the Chattanooga Police Department was alerted that Pickel was operating on the Kik social network platform in a Kik group called "Loving Kids." The local office of the FBI was immediately notified.

The CPD agent began corresponding with Pickel while leading him to believe the agent was a mother with an infant daughter. The agent said Pickel stated he lived very near Chattanooga.

The prosecutor said Pickel, through his online name, said, "Just love little girls." He asked the agent if she played (had sexual contact) with the infant child and when she planned to start.

Pickel also said he had "watched some pretty good cp (child pornography)."

In a post last Friday, Pickel said he had distributed "10-20 pics and vids today" and asked why she did not also distribute child pornography.

Pickel asked if the "woman" was a cop or associated with law enforcement. The agent replied that "she" was not and said she could understand why he "might not want to meet me and Lucy."

Pickel replied, "I want nothing more, just don't want to be ambushed. My kids need their daddy even if he does have different desires."

He said he typically uses mobile phones to engage in this activity rather than computers because it made him feel safer.

The prosecutor said Pickel sent a photo of himself to the undercover agent and it was arranged that they would meet on Tuesday "in a lodging facility in Northern Georgia."

Pickel arrived at 11:30 a.m. and was immediately arrested by waiting agents.

Pickel was assistant principal at Polk County High School July 2004-June 2008 and principal at City Park Elementary School at Athens, Tn., July 2009-2011. He was principal of Vonore Elementary July 2013-June 2014.

He has been a funeral director at funeral homes in Cleveland.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Delaware have been awarded funding and support to accelerate their search for new medicines through an ongoing partnership between global biotechnology leader CSL Behring and the University City Science Center.

CSL Behring awarded Cecelia Yates, Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, and Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, Ph.D., from the University of Delaware, $250,000 each and an opportunity to work alongside the plasma-based biotech's own experts in an effort to help transform their ideas into groundbreaking therapies to improve patients' health.

CSL Behring, a global leader in treating rare and serious diseases which has its global operational headquarters in King of Prussia, PA, identified the medical researchers utilizing the Science Center's, sourcing innovation framework for technology commercialization, support and infrastructure to efficiently evaluate technologies from multiple institutions.

"Congratulations Drs. Yates and Papoutsakis on being the first recipients of the CSL Behring-Science Center Research Acceleration Initiative," said Bill Mezzanotte, MD, Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development for CSL Behring. "This initiative is another example of the strength of our partnership with the Philadelphia-based University City Science Center as we look in our 'backyard' for innovative scientific advancements that have the potential to help rare disease patients lead full lives. Our growing R&D organization looks forward to working with Dr. Yates and Dr. Papoutsakis in the years ahead to advance their scientific research."

"The Science Center couldn't be more excited about facilitating the introduction between these talented investigators and CSL Behring," says John Younger, MD, Vice President of Science & Technology at the Science Center. "Our network of universities, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies was built exactly for making these connections not just possible but easy. Supporting the development of new biologics, and new drug and gene delivery systems like those developed by Drs. Papoutsakis and Yates will continue to be an important focus of our team."

The investigators and technologies selected in this inaugural round of the program include:

Cecelia Yates, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, for the use of FibroKine biomimetic peptides as potential targeted therapeutic treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Fibrotic diseases constitute a significant health problem in the US with the ability to impact any organ that is scarred from chronic disease, including the heart, lung, liver, arteries, and skin. In some cases, progressive and life-threatening diseases follow, but effective therapies don't yet exist. In response, Dr. Yates has developed FibroKine, a chemokine-based class of biomimetic peptides that are potential therapeutic agents for the targeted treatment of tissue fibrosis. Support from CSL Behring will allow the Yates group to test FibroKine peptide ability to effectively treat and halt the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.

Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, Ph.D., University of Delaware, for exploring the use of cell derived micro-particles and vesicles (MkMPs) for the treatment of thrombocytopenias and in stem-cell targeted gene therapies

Gene delivery to or editing of Hematopoietic (blood) Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) can provide therapeutic benefit to patients for a variety of genetic hematological disorders, ranging from low platelet count diseases to primary immune deficiencies like Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. With the support of CSL Behring, Dr. Papoutsakis will investigate the use of human MkMPs: 1) to promote in vivo platelet biogenesis as a potential treatment for thrombocytopenias, and 2) for the in vivo delivery of DNA, RNA, and proteins to HSPCs in gene therapy applications.

In October 2018, the Science Center and CSL Behring joined forces to identify promising technologies and support the commercialization pathways of potential new discoveries. Researchers at academic and research institutions throughout the region were invited to submit proposals for projects with a focus on therapeutics that fit within CSL Behring's five therapeutic areas of expertise: immunology and neurology; hematology and thrombosis; respiratory; cardiovascular and metabolic; and transplant.

Following the success of the initial pilot, the CSL Behring  Science Center Research Initiative has expanded and is currently accepting applications from researchers at 28 institutions across six states with awardees to receive up to $400,000 each.

About CSL Behring

CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader driven by its promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients' needs by using the latest technologies, we develop and deliver innovative therapies that are used to treat coagulation disorders, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders. The company's products are also used in cardiac surgery, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn. CSL Behring operates one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. The parent company, CSL Limited (ASX: CSL; USOTC: CSLLY), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs more than 25,000 people, and delivers its life-saving therapies to people in more than 70 countries. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit Vita CSLBehring.com/vita and follow us on Twitter.com/CSLBehring.

About the Science Center

Located in the heart of uCity Square, the Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit that commercializes promising technology, cultivates talent and convenes people to inspire action. For over 50 years, the Science Center has supported startups, research, and economic development across the emerging technology sectors. As a result, Science Center-supported companies account for one out of every 100 jobs in the Greater Philadelphia region and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. By providing the right help at the right time, the Science Center is turning bright ideas into businesses and nurturing a workforce to support our 21st century economy. For more information about the Science Center, go to www.sciencecenter.org

SOURCE CSL Behring

Related Links

http://www.cslbehring.com


McClatchy, the second largest US newspaper group, announced Thursday it was filing for bankruptcy protection in the latest sign of turmoil for the struggling media sector.

The company said it would keep operating its 30 regional newspapers -- including the Miami Herald and Kansas City Star -- as it seeks to shed much of its debt and focus on "digital transformation." A reorganization plan included in the bankruptcy filing could hand over ownership of the newspaper chain to the private equity group Chatham Asset



Management and end the McClatchy stock listing. The bankruptcy filing seeks to shed some of the crushing debt acquired by McClatchy, which has a pension shortfall of more than half a billion dollars.

"McClatchy remains a strong operating company with an enduring commitment to independent journalism that spans five generations of my family,'' said board chairman Kevin McClatchy.

"This restructuring is a necessary and positive step forward for the business." The move comes amid deepening turmoil in the newspaper industry, with most of the "legacy" companies struggling with the shift to digital and tech platforms taking up much of the online advertising revenues.

Gannett, the largest US newspaper publisher, agreed last year to a merger with rival GateHouse in a deal aiming for bigger scale to face the challenges of the troubled sector.

Some former prestigious dailies have faced bankruptcy and others have seen the value of their companies drop precipitously.

An estimated 2,000 local US newspapers, most of them weeklies, have disappeared over the past decade as have about half of newspaper jobs, according to various studies.

Craig Forman, McClatchy's president and chief executive, expressed optimism that the company can keep its journalistic traditions after reorganizing.

"In this important moment for independent local journalism in the public interest, a reorganized capital structure will enable McClatchy to continue to pursue our strategy of digital transformation and continue to produce strong local journalism essential to the communities we serve," Forman said.

The McClatchy papers have won numerous awards but the company has been saddled in debt, which has increased with its 2006 acquisition of rival Knight-Ridder for USD 4.5 billion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jura Energy Corporation ("Jura" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, after successful testing and commissioning of production facilities, commercial production has commenced from the Ayesha, Aminah and Ayesha North leases (Badin IV South leases) in the Badin IV South Block. The current production from the Badin IV South leases comprises of approximately 22 MMcf/d (net to Jura 6.05 MMcf/d) of Conventional Natural Gas (CNG) and 174 Bbl/d (net to Jura 46.85 Bbl/d) of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) at an average NGL yield of approximately 7.90 Bbls/MMcf. The CNG production from the Badin IV South leases is being sold to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, whereas the NGLs production is sold directly to refineries in Pakistan.



The sale price of CNG and NGLs production from Badin IV South leases shall be determined under the Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Policy 2012, using prescribed formulae for CNG and NGLs, based on the carriage and freight price of a basket of crude oil (C&F Price) imported into Pakistan. Based on the C&F Price of US$ 53/Bbl, the CNG and NGLs production from Badin IV South leases is expected to be entitled to a price of approximately US$ 4.54/MMBtu and US$ 48.45/Bbl respectively. The actual realized price may vary due to change in applicable C&F Price.

The Badin IV South leases covers an area of approximately 39.49 square kilometres and are located in the districts of Badin and Sujjawal, in the Sindh Province of Pakistan.

Jura holds a 27.5% working interest in the Badin IV South Block, which is operated by Petroleum Exploration (Private) Limited.

About Jura Energy Corporation

Jura is an international energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas properties in Pakistan. Jura is based in Calgary, Alberta, and listed on the TSX-V trading under the symbol JEC. Jura conducts its business in Pakistan through its subsidiaries, Frontier Holdings Limited and Spud Energy Pty Limited.

Forward Looking Advisory

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. The words "will", "approximately", "expected", and similar expressions are used to identify forward looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include information concerning the production rates from the Badin IV South leases, and the anticipated CNG and NGL prices under the Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Policy 2012.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made in light of management's experience, current conditions and expected future development in the areas in which Jura is currently active and other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Jura undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcome will not occur, including some of which are beyond Jura's control. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in exploration, development and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, the imprecision of resource and reserve estimates, assumptions regarding the timing and costs relating to production and development as well as the availability and price of labour and equipment, weather, volatility of and assumptions regarding commodity prices and exchange rates, marketing and transportation risks, environmental risks, competition, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and changes in applicable law. Additionally, there are economic, political, social and other risks inherent in carrying on business in Pakistan. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could vary or differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. See Jura's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for further description of the risks and uncertainties associated with Jura's business.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mr. Muhammad Nadeem Farooq, CEO

Tel: +92 51 2270702-5

Fax: +92 51 227 0701

Website: www.juraenergy.com EMail: info@juraenergy.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


COLUMBIA  Recognizing that shoddy internet services in South Carolina's rural areas are hurting efforts to attract jobs, fill healthcare gaps and educate students in the 21st century, lawmakers are looking for ways to make reliable, high speeds available statewide.

"Broadband connectivity is a powerful catalyst for economic and social advancement. It is no longer a luxury  it is a necessity, critical to ensuring a level playing field for those in rural areas. Emergency response, health care access, education  all rely increasingly on Internet access," Gov. Henry McMaster said in recommending that legislators spend $575,000 on converting unused public TV towers.

A quarter of homes and businesses in rural South Carolina lack internet speeds considered even minimally acceptable, according to the Federal Communications Commission. And that speed is still five times slower than the lowest-price service offered to customers in the Columbia area.

I would go so far as to say this is a crisis, state Rep. Bill Taylor, an Aiken Republican, said during a House Oversight hearing on an agency that provides grants for water and sewer services. This is critical, and weve got to pay attention.

A bill allowing the Rural Infrastructure Authority to also provide grants to extend high-speed internet to poor, rural areas passed the House unanimously last year and awaits action in the Senate.

Another potential solution introduced in the Senate last week is the "Broadband Accessibility Act." The bill, co-sponsored by 32 senators, encourages South Carolina's electric cooperatives  which provides electricity to 1.5 million rural customers statewide  to also offer high-speed internet by partnering with private businesses to finance and build the necessary lines.

The co-ops already have most of the transmission lines we may need and theres no new introduction of customers, said its main sponsor, Sen. John Scott, a Columbia Democrat.

Large internet providers are reluctant to offer services in rural areas because the low number of customers makes it cost prohibitive. But running broadband along existing lines cuts down on those expenses.

The co-ops support the measure. Bringing them into the mix as internet providers is a logical step, said Michael Couick, CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.

We want to go where other people wont and provide the service, he said.

Several co-ops have already begun to do so, include the Newberry Electric Cooperative, which serves four Midland counties.

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CEO Keith Avery said he was troubled by the lack of reliable in-home internet service for his nearly 14,000 members.

We had kids hanging out at McDonalds and the coffee house to get Wi-Fi so they could do their homework, so we had to do something, he said.

In 2018, the cooperative began installing fiber communications equipment at its substations, providing access to reliable broadband services.

If anybody was going to go into the rural area, it was going to be the cooperative, Avery said.

Others already providing the service include the Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, which serves five counties from Aiken to Richland, and Lynches River, which has customers in Chesterfield, Kershaw and Lancaster counties.

State schools Superintendent Molly Spearman knows personally the difference it makes. The Saluda County resident is a customer of Mid-Carolina, which began offering high-speed internet in 2018.

For students, high-speed internet "opens the world for them," she said.

It means teachers can download video quickly and use the internet in lessons without "the little circle going around and around," she added.

"We're encouraging students to do a lot of project-based learning, do their homework at home, and a future without that is going to be very neglected," Spearman said. "We've had cases where we're not been able to give online testing because of the capacity of the school."

New school buses bought by the state Department of Education have Wi-Ffi on board. But that still leaves too many children with no access at home, she said.

State Rep. Robert Williams, a Darlington Democrat, said bringing higher internet speeds to South Carolinas sparsely populated areas will also benefit farmers.

They have problems getting on the net or accessing satellites for their machinery, and to have broadband in those areas, I think, is very critical, he said.
Despite arguments that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees rights to all citizens, protects womens equality, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) said those rights are elusive without the ERA. Weve seen it when the Supreme Court gutted the Violence Against Women Act, weve seen it when judges dont enforce equal pay for equal work, or when a federal judge ruled that Congress didnt have the authority to outlaw female genital mutilation, she said.
[February 12, 2020] Acerus Announces Private Placement and Refinancing Transactions

Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Acerus" or the "Company") (TSX:ASP, OTCQB:ASPCF) today announced that it has entered into agreements with First Generation Capital, Inc. ("First Generation") in respect of an equity financing and debt-to-equity conversion by First Generation and with SWK Funding LLC ("SWK") in respect of an amendment to the Company's existing credit facility (the "SWK Facility") with SWK (the "Refinancing Transactions"). First Generation is currently the Company's largest shareholder and a lender to the Company and an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Ian Ihnatowycz, Chairman of the board of directors (the "Board") of the Company. The Refinancing Transactions have been negotiated on an arm's-length basis, including under the supervision of and upon a recommendation by, a special committee of the Board (the "Special Committee") comprised of entirely independent directors unrelated to the parties involved. The Company is of the view that the Refinancing Transactions will have the effect of substantially recapitalizing Acerus and will allow it to focus on executing upon its strategic plan for the benefit of all stakeholders. The Refinancing Transactions consist of: a private placement to First Generation of 449,148,891 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at an offering price of C$0.053269 per Common Share, being a 25% discount to the five day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange as at January 31, 2020, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of US$18 million (the "Private Placement");

common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at an offering price of C$0.053269 per Common Share, being a 25% discount to the five day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange as at January 31, 2020, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of US$18 million (the "Private Placement"); the conversion of the Company's outstanding US$11.5 million (plus accrued interest of US$526,021) owing to First Generation under the subordinated secured term loan facility with First Generation previously entered into on July 19, 2019 as amended and restated on December 18, 2019 (the "First Generation Loan") into approximately 300,081,885 Common Shares at a conversion price of C$0.053269 per Common Share (the "Debt Conversion"); and

per Common Share (the "Debt Conversion"); and an amendment to the SWK Facility (the "SWK Amendment") which would, among other things, (i) set the minimum threshold for consolidated unencumbered liquid assets required to be maintained by the Company at US$1,500,000, (ii) reset the revenue and EBITDA covenants to better reflect the nature of the Company's business as it exists today compared to the time the SWK Facility was entered into, (iii) delay the date on which the Company must begin repaying principal from Q1-2021 to Q2-2021; (iv) require pre-payment of US$750,000 of principal in three instalments during 2020 and a commensurate reduction in the amount used to calculate exits fees; and (v) provide flexibility to the Company to dispose of non-core assets and retain some of the proceeds of such dispositions for working capital. As consideration for and in connection with the SWK Amendment, the Company is expected to pay SWK an amendment fee of US$80,000 and to amend the exercise price of the 6,693,107 outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company owned by SWK, which expire on September 30, 2024, from C$0.11 to C$0.053269. The Refinancing Transactions are expected to close on or about February 21, 2020, subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"). The agreements with First Generation and SWK are cross-conditional such that they are expected to close substantially concurrently. Assuming the Refinancing Transactions close, it is expected that the Company will ask shareholders to approve a share consolidation at the Company's next annual meeting of shareholders. Background of the Refinancing Transactions The Company has previously disclosed that additional capital would be required in order for it to complete its planned commercialization and product development programs. In addition, in light of anticipated shortages of certain strengths of Estrace and the Natesto drug product composition change that resulted in Health Canada requiring the submission of a Supplemental New Drug Submission before the product can be re-introduced to the Canadian market, the Company has previously disclosed that additional capital would be required in order for it to maintain compliance with covenants under the SWK Facility (including in January 2020). Unfortunately, these and other conditions since at least early 2019 have made financing alternatives for the Company difficult to pursue notwithstanding meaningful investor relation activities and the engagement of, and discussions with, several investment banks during the course of 2019 and early into 2020. In light of the near term challenges facing the Company, the Board formed the Special Committee on December 16, 2019 to consider alternatives available to the Company, which timeframe corresponded with the announcement of amendments to the SWK Facility, a waiver by SWK of certain Q4 financial covenants under the SWK Facility and the increase of the First Generation Loan by US$6.5 million (which capital injection was a pre-condition to the amendments and waivers under the SWK Facility). The Special Committee retained Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. ("Echelon") as its financial advisor and Stikeman Elliott LLP acted as its legal advisor. Since its formation, the Special Committee has met frequently including with management of the Company and its advisors and it considered alternatives available to the Company in light of the circumstances facing the Company. On February 12, 2020, after considering and reviewing all of the circumstances currently surrounding the Company and the Refinancing Transactions, including (i) the Company's current financial difficulties, (ii) covenants under the SWK Facility, (iii) capital requirements for its business plan, (iv) the lack of alternate financing arrangements, (v) the fact that the Refinancing Transactions are the only viable financing and re-financing options available at the present time, (vi) the potential to preserve and increase long-term shareholder value and (vii) all other relevant factors available to the Special Committee and after receiving financial advice, the Special Committee has unanimously determined that the Refinancing Transactions are in the best interests of the Company and recommended to the Board that the Board approve the entering into of the Refinancing Transactions. Subsequent to this recommendation, the Board unanimously approved the entering into of the Refinancing Transactions (with Mr. Ihnatowycz not participating in these discussions, not being involved in the negotiations on behalf of the Company and abstaining from voting on these matters). In addition, on February 12, 2020, Echelon provided the Special Committee with their opinion that: (i) the offering price in respect of the Private Placement; and (ii) the conversion price in respect of the Debt Conversion, are fair, from a financial point of view, to shareholders of the Company other than First Generation. Regarding the Company's financial situation, as of January 31, 2020, the Company had a cash balance of approximately US$4.6 million and it anticipates that, absent the Refinancing Transactions, its cash balance by the end of February 2020 will decline to approximately US$0.6 million and that it will subsequently have no cash remaining by early March 2020. In addition, absent the Refinancing Transactions, the Company anticipates that it will be in default of certain covenants under the SWK Facility in late February 2020 and in default of additional covenants under the SWK Facility at the end of March 2020. Benefits of the Refinancing Transactions Completion of the Refinancing Transactions is expected to, among other things: Provide US$18 million of immediate cash into the Company;

Provide the Company with a solid financial footing on a go-forward basis to allow it to execute on its strategy to accelerate growth of NATESTO  in the U.S;

in the U.S; Eliminate the risk of imminent default on the SWK Facility resulting from the Company dropping below the existing minimum consolidated unencumbered liquid asset covenant of US$2 million and failing to meet revenue and EBITDA covenants;

Improve liquidity by amending the SWK Facility to decrease the minimum consolidated unencumbered liquid asset covenant by US$500,000 to US$1.5 million;

Unlever the balance sheet through the extinguishment of approximately US$12.5 million of debt and accrued interest and reduce expected interest expense by approximately US$750,000 over the next twelve months; and

Allow existing shareholders to potentially preserve and increase long-term shareholder value. Exemption from Shareholder Approval and MI 61-101 The Company currently has 261,225,290 Common Shares issued and outstanding. There are 749,230,776 Common Shares issuable in connection with the Private Placement and Debt Conversion (equal to approximately 287% of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares) such that, assuming the Refinancing Transactions close, a total of 1,010,456,066 Common Shares would be issued and outstanding, on a non-diluted basis. Following completion of the Private Placement and Debt Conversion, it is expected that Mr. Ihnatowycz, through the ownership of First Generation, which currently beneficially owns, directs or controls approximately 45.27% of the outstanding Common Shares, will beneficially own, direct or control approximately 85.82% of the outstanding Common Shares, determined on a non-diluted basis (but, in each case, including 625,000 stock options owned by Mr. Ihnatowycz). Other than in connection with the Private Placement and Debt Conversion no other Common Shares are issuable in connection with the Refinancing Transactions. The table below indicates: (i) the number of Common Shares that First Generation beneficially owns, directs or controls as of the date hereof; (ii) the approximate percentage that such number of Common Shares represent as a percentage of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of the date hereof; (iii) the number of Common Shares issuable to First Generation as part of the Refinancing Transactions; (iv) the number of Common Shares that First Generation will beneficially own, direct or control following closing the Private Placement and Debt Conversion; and (v) the approximate percentage that such number of Common Shares will represent as a percentage of the issued and outstanding Common Shares post-Private Placement and Debt Conversion, each on a non-diluted basis.







Current Common Shares Owned Current % of Outstanding Common Shares Beneficially Owned Common Shares Issuable to First Generation through Private Placement and Debt Conversion Common Shares Beneficially Owned by First Generation Post-Private Placement and Debt Conversion % of Common Shares Beneficially Owned by First Generation Post-Private Placement and Debt Conversion 118,528,400 45.27% 749,230,776 867,759,176 85.82% Note: Mr. Ian Ihnatowycz owns 625,000 options of the Company with exercise prices ranging between C$0.13 to C$0.75 (425,000 of which have vested with the remaining vesting on March 6, 2020). The securityholding percentages set out above assume the exercise of all such options.

The Private Placement and Debt Conversion will constitute "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). However, in light of the fact that the Board and Special Committee have determined that the Company is in serious financial difficulty, the Company is relying on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Section 5.5(g) and Section 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis of the "financial hardship" exemption therein. The Company's decision to rely on the financial hardship exemption was made upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, all of whose members are independent directors free from interest in the Private Placement and Debt Conversion and unrelated to the parties involved in those transactions. After considering and reviewing all of the factors set forth herein, the Special Committee and the Board (including all of the independent directors) have each determined, acting in good faith, that (i) the Company is in serious financial difficulty, (ii) the Refinancing Transactions are designed to improve the financial position of the Company, (iii) paragraph (f) of Section 5.5 of MI 61-101 is not applicable and (iv) the terms of the Refinancing Transactions are reasonable in the circumstances. In addition, the Refinancing Transactions trigger the requirement for approval from the holders of a majority of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares, excluding the votes attached to the Common Shares held by First Generation, under section 607(g) of the TSX Company Manual, unless an exemption is applicable, because the Private Placement and Debt Conversion represent transactions involving First Generation, a related party of the Company that (i) will result in the issuance of Common Shares to an insider of the Company that is greater than 10% of the number of Common Shares currently issued and outstanding and (ii) are for an aggregate number of Common Shares issuable greater than 25% of the number of Common Shares outstanding, on a non-diluted basis. In addition, the re-pricing of the warrants held by SWK at a discount to market would ordinarily require shareholder approval under section 608 of the TSX Company Manual. The Company has applied to the TSX under the provisions of Section 604(e) of the TSX Company Manual for an exemption from the requirement for shareholder approval of the Refinancing Transactions on the basis that the Company is in serious financial difficulty (the "Application"). The Special Committee - comprised entirely of independent directors each of whom is free from any interest in the Refinancing Transactions and unrelated to the parties involved - considered the reasonableness and fairness of the Refinancing Transactions and unanimously recommended to the Company's full Board that (i) the Refinancing Transactions be approved and (ii) that the Company make the Application. The Board subsequently approved the Refinancing Transactions (with Mr. Ian Ihnatowycz having declared his interest and abstaining from voting) and there was no contrary view or abstention by any independent director on the resolution approving the Refinancing Transactions. Acerus expects that, as a consequence of its financial hardship application, the TSX will place the Company under remedial delisting review, which is customary practice when a listed issuer seeks to rely on this exemption. Although Acerus believes that it will be in compliance with all continued listing requirements of the TSX upon closing of the Refinancing Transactions, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of such review or continued qualification for listing on the TSX. About Acerus Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a Canadian-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of innovative prescription products that improve patient experience, with a primary focus in the field of men's health. The Company commercializes its products via its own salesforce in the United States and Canada, and through a global network of licensed distributors in other territories. Acerus' shares trade on TSX under the symbol ASP and on OTCQB under the symbol ASPCF. For more information, visit www.aceruspharma.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About First Generation First Generation is currently the Company's largest shareholder and a lender to the Company and an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Ian Ihnatowycz, Chairman of the Board. First Generation's address is: 40 King Street West, Suite 3515, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3Y2. The Company has been informed that First Generation is acquiring the Common Shares described herein for investment purposes. The Company has been informed that First Generation and the persons or entities with which it may be considered to be a joint actor hold their securities for investment purposes and may, depending on market and other conditions and factors, increase or decrease their respective beneficial ownership and control or direction over Common Shares through market transactions, related financial instruments, private agreement purchases or sales, treasury issuances, convertible securities, incentive awards or otherwise. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information about the Company's objectives, strategies, financial condition and businesses/products that involve risks and uncertainties. Information in this press release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Implicit in this information are assumptions regarding our future financial condition and operational results. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual performance of the Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including (i) the possibility that the Refinancing Transactions may not be completed as contemplated, or at all, because the necessary regulatory approvals are not received or other conditions to the completion of the Refinancing Transactions are not satisfied, (ii) the possibility that the Company has to allocate proceeds to other uses or reallocate proceeds differently among the anticipated uses, (iii) with respect to the Company's financial condition and its ability to raise additional capital or secure future financing and its ability to repay its indebtedness and meet its covenants thereunder, (iv) the commercial performance of NATESTO and the ability of the Company to execute upon its strategic plan, in particular with respect to NATESTO in the U.S., (v) general conditions in the pharmaceutical industry and in the industries in which the Company operates, (vi) uncertainties with respect to the Company's intellectual property, (vii) the outcome of the TSX's remedial delisting review and (viii) uncertainties related to regulatory processes and general changes in economic conditions, and in light of these risks and uncertainties actual results could differ materially from what is currently expected as set out above. For more exhaustive information on these risks and uncertainties you should refer to our annual information form dated March 4, 2019 and our other continuous disclosure documents which are available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While we may elect to, we are under no obligation and do not undertake to update this information at any particular time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005908/en/

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Harvard University and Yale University are the targets of a new federal investigation, an ongoing probe that claims schools across the U.S. have failed to disclose some $6.5 billion in foreign funding.

The Department of Education, in letters to the two schools dated on Tuesday, demanded records detailing any foreign contacts with a number of foreign countries and entities.

'This is about transparency,' said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a statement. 'If colleges and universities are accepting foreign money and gifts, their students, donors, and taxpayers deserve to know how much and from whom. Moreover, it's what the law requires.'

Section 117 of the Higher Education Act requires American Title IV-eligible colleges and universities to report gifts from, and contracts with, any foreign source that exceed $250,000 in value and to disclose any foreign ownership or control, twice each year.

Harvard University (above) and Yale University are the targets of a new federal investigation

Department officials accused the schools of actively soliciting money from foreign governments, companies and nationals, who are known to be hostile to the U.S. and potentially seeking to steal research secrets and 'spread propaganda benefiting foreign governments,' according to a document reported by the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the probe.

The department also noted that although foreign cash appears to flow to the nation's richest universities, 'such money apparently does not reduce or otherwise offset American students' tuition costs.'

Harvard and Yale told the Journal that they are working on responses to the Education Department.

In a letter to Harvard posted on the DoE website, the department asked the school to disclose any records of gifts or contracts involving the governments of China, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In a separate letter to Yale (above), the department demand records regarding gifts from Saudi Arabia, China and its telecom giants, and others

The letter also asked for any records for such deals with Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE, and Kaspersky Lab and Skolkovo Foundation of Russia.

In a separate letter to Yale, the department demand records regarding gifts from Saudi Arabia, China and its telecom giants, and others.

The department accused Yale of failing to disclose at least $375 million in foreign funding from 2014 to 2017, when the school filed no disclosure forms.

The department accused the universities as well as others as 'multi-billion dollar, multi-national enterprises using opaque foundations, foreign campuses, and other sophisticated legal structures to generate revenue.'

If the schools refused to disclose the information requested by the DoE, the matter can be referred to the Justice Department for civil or criminal action.
Pune, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market size is expected to reach USD 1,676.8 million by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.6% during the forecast period. The growing awareness among the population concerning various neurological ailments will be a crucial factor in accelerating the deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices market revenue during the forecast period. In addition, the increasing cases of epilepsy around the world will fuel demand for deep brain stimulation devices in the forthcoming years. According to the World Health Organization, Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally. In addition, the increasing prevalence of neurological diseases in low and middle-income countries will propel the growth of the market in the foreseeable future. For instance, as per the World Health Organization survey, nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries.



For more information in the analysis of this report, visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/deep-brain-stimulation-dbs-devices-market-100559





According to the report, published by Fortune Business Insights in a report, titled Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Devices Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Dual Channel Deep Brain stimulators, Single Channel Deep Brain Stimulators), By Application (Parkinson's Disease, Dystonia, Essential Tremor, Others), By End User (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 states that the value of the market stood at USD 696.4 million in 2018. The report further shares the following information:

Comprehensive analysis of the upcoming trends and prospects in the market;

360-degree evaluation of the factors driving and restraining market growth;

Detailed research into the regional and competitive landscape influencing the market;

Careful study of the market segments.

Unveiling of Vercise Gevia Deep Brain Stimulation Systems to Benefit in Revenue Generation

Boston Scientific Corporation, a manufacturer of medical devices used in interventional medical specialties, including interventional radiology and interventional cardiology launched the Vercise Primary Cell (PC) and Vercise Gevia Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems featuring the Vercise Cartesia Directional Lead. The new ground breaking systems feature technology designed to allow physicians to control the range, shape, position and direction of electrical stimulation to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) through highly-personalized therapy and are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The launch of the new systems by Boston Scientific Corporation will boost the Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market trends during the forecast period owing to the engineered systems, which allows customized stimulations compared to other devices. Furthermore, Maulik Nanavaty, senior vice president and president, Neuromodulation, Boston Scientific said in a statement Our newest generation Vercise Directional DBS Systems are supported by years of clinical data and real-world experience on the advantages of directionality and offer programming software with features that give physicians the ability to tailor therapy for individual patient needs.



Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/deep-brain-stimulation-dbs-devices-market-100559





Rising Patient Pool to Encourage Growth in Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth in the market owing to the growing demand in countries such as Japan, China and India. The increasing disposable income leading to higher healthcare expenditure will also aid growth in the region. Furthermore, the growing awareness regarding various neurological conditions such as epilepsy, essential tremors and Parkinsons disorder will fuel demand for DBS in Asia Pacific. The increasing number of medical settings such as specialty clinics and multispecialty hospitals is also a major factor stimulating growth in the region. The market in North America stood at USD 323.4 million in 2018 and is expected to flourish rapidly. The presence of major players in the region will uplift the Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market share.

Some of the Major Companies in the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Devices Market

Abbott (ST. JUDE MEDICAL)

Medtronic



Boston Scientific Corporation



Beijing PINS Medical Co., Ltd.





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Detailed Table of Content:

1. Introduction

1.1. Research Scope

1.2. Market Segmentation

1.3. Research Methodology

1.4. Definitions and Assumptions

2. Executive Summary

3. Market Dynamics

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

4. Key Insights

4.1. Industry Background of Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market

4.2. New Product Launch

4.3. Porters five forces analysis

4.4. Key Merger and Acquisition Strategies by Top Players

4.5. Overview on Technological Advancements Pertaining to the Deep Brain Stimulators

5. Global Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Devices Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026

5.1. Key Findings / Summary

5.2. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Product Type

5.2.1. Dual Channel Deep Brain stimulators

5.2.2. Single Channel Deep Brain Stimulators

5.3. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application

5.3.1. Parkinson's Disease

5.3.2. Dystonia

5.3.3. Essential Tremor

5.3.4. Others

5.4. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User

5.4.1. Hospitals

5.4.2. Specialty Clinics

5.4.3. Others

5.5. Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Country

5.5.1. North America

5.5.2. Europe

5.5.3. Asia Pacific

5.5.4. Latin America

5.5.5. Middle East & Africa



TOC Continued.!





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In a question to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn condemned the attempt to extradite WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange to the United States.

Assange faces Espionage Act charges and life imprisonment for what the UK Labour leader stated was his role in the exposure of war crimes.

For the past year, Corbyn has led the suppression of any discussion over Assanges imprisonment in Britain and the countrys participation in the US-led attempt to destroy him.

Before yesterdays parliamentary session, he had not mentioned Assanges name for 10 months. In last Decembers General Election, he ensured that the fate of Assange, a political prisoner of the British state, was never raised.

Corbyn speaking in Parliament yesterday at Prime Minister's Questions

During Prime Ministers Questions, he cited a recent report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe branding the attempt to extradite Assange as a threat to all journalists. The Labour leader said that Assange had been charged by the US for exposure of war crimes, the murder of civilians and large-scale corruption.

He asked: Will the prime minister agree with the parliamentary report thats going to the Council of Europe that this extradition should be opposed and the rights of journalists and whistleblowers upheld for the good of all of us?

Johnson, whose chief ally is President Donald Trump and who gloated over Assanges arrest last year, declared that he would not mention any individual cases, before absurdly claiming that his government would continue to uphold the rights of journalists and whistleblowers.

Corbyn has done everything possible to isolate Assange and prevent the emergence of a mass political movement demanding his freedom. Now, with less than two weeks before the start of Assanges extradition hearing, and just seven weeks before he is replaced as Labour leader, he has acted to conceal the political stench left by his own silence.

Corbyns last statement in defence of Assange was made on April 11, 2019 when the WikiLeaks publisher and journalist was illegally seized from Ecuadors London embassy by a police snatch squad. Corbyn tweeted: The extradition of Julian Assange to the US for exposing evidence of atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan should be opposed by the British government. Within 48 hours, following a letter of protest from the Blairites and demanding that Assange be extradited to Sweden over manufactured rape allegations, Corbyn fell into linenot only telling reporters that Assange was not above the law but also declaring that his fate was a matter for the courts.

Assange had never been charged with a crime in Sweden and prosecutors had repeatedly dropped preliminary investigations against the WikiLeaks founder. Swedish prosecutors have since dropped the entire threadbare frame-up.

Even after United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, found in May that the WikiLeaks publisher was being subjected to ongoing psychological torture, Corbyn said nothing. The unprecedented intervention of more than 100 medical doctors, who warned that Assange might die in prison if he did not receive urgent medical care, elicited no response from either Corbyn or his Home Secretary Diane Abbott.

Even when he was directly confronted, Corbyn refused to speak out:

On June 20, 2019, around 20 members of the Julian Assange Defence Committee lobbied Corbyns Constituency Labour Party branch in Islington North, calling on it to pass a resolution in Assanges defence. The CLP executive refused to even table a motion.

JADC members outside the Islington North meeting

On September 30, 2019, twice-suspended Labour MP Chris Williamson moved an Early Day Motion opposing Assanges extradition to the US. Only four other MPs sponsored the motion, with Corbyn, Abbott and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell refusing to sign.

On January 11, 2020, at a rally called by Stop the War Coalition to oppose the war drive against Iran, Corbyn and other speakers were silent on Assange. When Corbyn was challenged on this, his minders, including Tariq Ali and Andrew Murray, whisked him away.

Corbyns silence provoked an increasingly angry response among those campaigning for Assanges release. To try and rescue the tattered reputation of the pro-Corbyn left, last week a meeting was called by the Dont Extradite Assange (DEA) campaign group with McDonnell as the keynote speakercourtesy of John Rees of the pseudo-left Counterfire organisation. Corbyns speech yesterday was his own attempt at self-rehabilitation.

His aim is to make a personal show of opposition that commits his party and the trade unions to do absolutely nothing.

Of course, Corbyns weasel words will be proclaimed from the rooftops by the leadership of the DEAproof that their slowly-slowly policy has finally paid off with a benediction from the great man himself.

Such pathetic efforts to proclaim the bona fides of the ever dwindling, politically irrelevant and rightward careening Labour left are not only contemptible. If accepted, they would disarm all those fighting to free Assange as part of a broader defence of democratic rights and opposition to war.

The World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Parties around the world are seeking to build an international movement of the working class to secure Assanges freedom. The SEP in Britain was the only party that rejected the calls of Corbyns supporters to remain quiet on Assange, lest it embarrass the Labour leader.

This principled position has been vindicated. Corbyn has only spoken out in the dying days of his party leadership after having handed the reins of government to Johnson. As ever, his support for Assange is purely a matter of personal conscience.

Even now, Corbyn has advanced no concrete action for the mobilisation of public support behind Assange, while McDonnell has merely stated that he will ask permission from Home Secretary Priti Patel to visit him in Belmarsh maximum security prison.

Meanwhile, the partys leadership contest is predicted to result in the victory of Blairite Sir Keir Starmer. As director of public prosecutions, he opposed a bail request by Assanges legal team. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service admitted that this was done without consulting the Swedish authorities. In August 2012, when the Stockholm authorities considered closing proceedings against Assange, the CPS threatened, Dont you dare get cold feet!!!

Corbyns tenure as Labour leader has been an object lesson in the impossibility of fighting for democratic rights and against war by supporting or peddling illusions in the Labour Party and its left representatives. It has demonstrated that the fight to block Assanges extradition, secure his freedom and defend civil liberties requires the development of an independent movement of the working classthe vast majority of the populationdirected against the entire official political set-up. This is the perspective that will be advanced at an SEP public meeting in London on February 23, and at demonstrations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia and Wellington, New Zealand.
Dubilet earlier said nearly 37.3 million people lived in Ukraine-controlled territory as of December 1, 2019.

Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Dmytro Dubilet has said Ukraine's government is considering the idea of carrying out a population census in Russia-occupied Crimea and Donbas via satellite.

Read alsoPopulation count in Ukraine: Fresh data released

"Yesterday we met with UN representatives who will help us with a satellite imagery project, which is very complicated. A similar project was carried out in Afghanistan, where a significant part of the territory is also not controlled by the government. They tried to understand the approximate number of people via satellite imagery and other layers of information," he told UA:Ukrainian Radio.

"But so far I can't say how accurately it is possible to estimate the number of people in Crimea and [other] occupied territories by satellite or some other tools," the minister said.

Dubilet earlier said nearly 37,289,000 people lived in Ukraine-controlled territory as of December 1, 2019. Census data was collected electronically.
The new platform is the product of collaboration between Horizon and sister company CBORD, providing an intuitive, unified cloud solution for school nutrition operations

Horizon Software announces the release of Horizon School Technology, a new SaaS platform designed specifically for K-12 school districts to address unmet needs of school nutrition and payments.

Horizon School Technology is a robust, easy-to-use cloud solution that offers school nutrition programs key functionality not found on the market today, such as robust, out-of-the-box integrations with third-party systems and food distributor product catalogs. It provides school nutrition operators centralized insight into their programs and provides data that allows administrators to make informed decisions. Hosting via Amazon Web Services offers the highest level of security for program data.

The new platform is the product of collaboration between Horizon and sister company CBORD, providing an intuitive, unified cloud solution for school nutrition operations including Point of Sale, Online Payments, Student Eligibility, Menu Planning and Nutritional Analysis, Inventory, Ordering, and Warehousing. The platform is scalable for districts of all sizes, helping programs save costs by paying only for the modules they need and making it easy to add modules as program needs change.

Horizon School Technology is designed to make all aspects of managing school nutrition operations easier. Beyond getting students through the cafeteria line quickly, it provides guidance for menu planning and food ordering as well as inventory security measures to control food cost and reduce waste.

The new offering gives school nutrition staff access to the same full-featured infrastructure that foodservice distributors use to manage their K-12 business; it is the first technology solution in the industry to provide robust product catalog and ordering integrations with US Foods, Gordon Foodservice, and Sysco.

We are excited to launch a solution that is the culmination of joint development efforts between Horizon and CBORD, leveraging Horizons decades of school nutrition industry experience and CBORD technology available in adjacent markets like Higher Education and Healthcare, said Jim Hoefflin, president of Horizon Software and CBORD.

Throughout campus and beyond, Horizon School Technologys online commerce portal and mobile app make it easy and convenient for parents to deposit money, pay school fees, view transaction history, and register students for school activities. Parents are able to use voice commands through Amazon echo devices to ask Alexa for student meal account balances and add money to their accounts. The platform also offers integrations with many general ledger and accounts payable systems for electronic invoice submissions and financial reconciliation.

To learn more visit http://www.horizonsoftware.com/schooltechnology.

About HORIZON

Horizon Software and sister company CBORD are the worlds leading providers of campus card and cashless systems, food and nutrition service management software, integrated security solutions, and commerce platforms for K-12, higher education, healthcare, senior living, and business campuses. Guided by customer-centric development and support, Horizon and CBORD solutions are used by more than 7,000 organizations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Australia.

Horizon and CBORD operate together as units of Roper Technologies (ROP), a diversified technology company with annual revenues of $5.4 billion. Roper operates businesses that design and develop software and engineered products and solutions for a variety of niche end markets. Roper is a component of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000 and Russell 1000 Indexes.
North Coast Brewing releases Scrimshaw as first can.

Kicking off the New Year, North Coast Brewing Company announces the release of its first-ever beer can. Selected for the brewerys foray into the canned beer market is its best-selling pilsner style beer, Scrimshaw, now available throughout California, with further distribution to be announced. Scrimshaw will also continue to be offered on draft and in bottles.

As a pioneer in the craft beer movement, we have always focused on brewing exceptional beers, says North Coast Brewing CEO Jeffrey Ottoboni. With this exciting release, we are making our beers more accessible  from draft to bottles to cans. We are proud to share Scrimshaw with devoted and new fans alike, and feel fortunate to be a part of the experiences these cans will help inspire. As an independent brewery, were looking toward the future of our industry and meeting the changing needs of craft beer fans, while always holding true to our long-time brewing traditions.

Scrimshaw is the Fort Bragg-based brewerys best-selling beer, and one of the most popular pilsners in the country. With a subtle hop character, a crisp, clean palate and a dry finish, Scrimshaw is North Coast Brewings unique take on a classic effort. The pilsner style beer has an ABV of 4.5 percent, 138 calories and 11 grams of carbs. North Coast Brewmasters carefully batch-tested Scrimshaw for the cans release, finding the pilsners signature flavors to be exactly as long-time fans of the bottles would expect. Scrimshaw is brewed in the finest European tradition using Munich malt and Hallertauer and Tettnang hops.

Like the iconic Scrimshaw bottle label, the can draws inspiration from the delicate engravings popularized by 19th century seafarers. As part of its mission to make the world a better place, One Pint at a Time, North Coast Brewing gives back to marine mammal research and rescue efforts as well as jazz education through its beers. Scrimshaw will initially be released in recyclable 12-pack boxes, with no additional plastic that could end up harming the environment.

Scrimshaw has been brewed and distributed as one of North Coast Brewings core beer brands since 1988. While it is available across 48 states in the U.S. and internationally, the new cans are initially available throughout California, and North Coast Brewings beer locator can be used to find specific retail locations. Scrimshaw is the first beer from North Coast Brewing to be made available in cans, and the company plans to release more styles in the future.

About North Coast Brewing Company:

North Coast Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery producing sustainably crafted beers in Fort Bragg, CA for over 30 years. Known for its award-winning lineup of high-quality beers available in 48 U.S. states and internationally, North Coast Brewing also releases barrel-aged ales and popular seasonal offerings, including a Berliner Weisse series. A pioneer and innovator in the craft brewing industry, North Coast Brewing is a Certified B Corporation  committed to making the world a better place, one pint at a time. North Coast Brewings status as a B Corporation is provided by B Lab, a third-party independent nonprofit that verifies the social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability of the companies it certifies. For more information on North Coast Brewings beer roster and philanthropic mission, please visit: https://northcoastbrewing.com/.

Follow along with North Coast Brewing Company on Instagram @NorthCoastBrewingCompany, Twitter @NoCoastBrewCo and Facebook @NorthCoastBrewingCompany.

Contact Information:

Grady Britton

pr@gradybritton.com

503.228.4118
A Kenyan husband allegedly attempted to seal up his wife's sexual organs with super glue because he believed she was having four affairs.

Named locally as Dennis Mumo, 36, the husband reportedly told officials he discovered messages his wife had been sending to men on social media, including nude photos. MailOnline has not been able to verify the reports.

Whenever Mumo left his hometown of Kitui on business, he claims his wife was arranging to meet with other men, the Zambian Observer reported.

Before his last business trip to Rwanda, Mumo is accused of applying superglue to the unnamed woman's genitalia leaving her in excruciating pain and requiring medical attention.

Before his last business trip to Rwanda, Mumo is accused of applying superglue to his wife's genitalia leaving her in excruciating pain and requiring medical attention (stock image)

News of the incident shocked residents and Mumo was arrested by the police. He confessed to the incident and told officers that he did it to save his marriage.

Mumo claimed to have evidence that his wife was having affairs with at least four other men after scouring her sent and received messages, according to reports.

He said he even saw a nude photo of his wife that was sent to one man with the message: 'Next week there will be fire.'

Mumo is facing charges of domestic violence with assault and damaging her reproductive organs and risking to make her infertile.

Meanwhile Mumo's lawyer is asking that the court order 100 lashes of the wife for her alleged adultery and to prevent further 'misunderstandings' between the couple.

Mumo is expected to appear in a Kutui courthouse on Monday.
Page Content

President Tzitsikostas: "Without the voice of the 1 million local and regional elected politicians the Conference will not succeed"



During a debate with Dubravka Suica, the European Commission's Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, members of the European Committee of the Regions called for a genuine open, inclusive and democratic consultation that reaches out to all citizens in all regions and cities.



Speaking during the debate, Apostolos Tzitsikostas (EPP), the newly elected President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of the Greek Region of Central Macedonia, warned "The Conference on the Future of Europe must be the opportunity to have a genuine discussion with citizens and change the European Union. If it is not to be another disappointment, it must be open and inclusive. If it is top-down, centralised, Brussels-driven and does not actively involve its local and regional leaders, the Conference will fail. Only by coming together, being ambitious and open to change, can we restore trust and build an EU that puts citizens first."

The call came as the Committee  the EU's assembly of local and regional governments  met for the first time in Brussels under its new five-year mandate and adopted a resolution on the Conference on the Future of Europe





Dubravka Suica, the European Commission's Vice-President for Democracy and Demography stated: We need to ensure that citizens see the tangible impact and results of the debates, through a feedback mechanism allowing for ideas to translate into clear recommendations which we follow up on. We want to be innovative and stop doing business as usual. We want to abolish the gap between the institutions and the citizens. Local and regional representatives have a crucial role to play."

Ivan Malenica, Croatia's Minister for Public Administration, also spoke during the plenary stating that, "We must get closer to our citizens, listen and provide appropriate answers to their concerns. The Committee of the Regions' expertise at local level and experience in organising citizens' dialogues will make a valuable contribution to this initiative".

Key elements of the Committee's resolution on the conference on the future of Europe are:



A bottom-up debate on the topics covered by the conference, including, but not limited to: EU institutional aspects and the role of regional and local democracy, environmental and climate challenges, digital transformation, social equality, economy and jobs, and territorial cohesion;

A higher representation of the Committee's members in the plenary conferences as well as for a participation in the Conference Steering Committee to ensure political and institutional balance between all levels of governance.

The EU must continue after the Conference to engage directly with its citizens, building on a wealth of experience derived from participatory models to establish a permanent structured mechanism for dialogue at grassroots level;

On 30 January 2020 the Presidents of the three main EU-institutions - Charles Michel, David Sassoli, and Ursula von der Leyen, said that a Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe would soon be published, which the Committee agreed to sign.



The Conference on the Future of Europe is due to be launched on 9 May 2020 and is expected to last 2 years.



The Committee has already jointly launched a series of debates with the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) to be held 1 March and 15 May 2020 to contribute to the discussions. So far, 28 from 71 regional parliaments with legislative powers have declared their readiness to take part in the project.





Background information:

European Commission communication on the Conference on the future of Europe of 22 January 2020

European Parliament resolution on the Conference on the future of Europe of 15 January 2020

Contact:

Marie-Pierre Jouglain

mariepierre.jouglain@cor.europa.eu

Tel. +32 (0)2 282 2566






New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Delhi High Court has re-united a 27-year-old man with his wife and child, almost a year after he was put under trial for kidnapping and raping her.

Ankit Kumar and the girl solemnised their marriage on February 18 last year, following which an objection was raised by the girl's father.

The man was arrested on May 10, 2019 after the father claimed that his daughter was less than 18 years of age at the time of marriage and was kidnapped.

After the arrest, the wife was sent to shelter home 'Nirmala Chayya' and was residing there since then.

Kumar, a Delhi resident, was tried under section 363 (kidnapping), 366 (inducing woman to compel her marriage) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and other sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO). He was, however, acquitted of all the charges on December 11, 2019.

His wife, in the meantime, gave birth to their daughter at the women's shelter home here.

Kumar then moved a habeas corpus petition before the High Court urging that his wife and daughter be produced before the court and sought permission to take them home.

He also contended that he has "not even seen his child, forget about caressing her".

A Bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and I.S. Mehta on Wednesday asked the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to decide on Kumar's plea within five working days and allowed him to meet his wife and four-month-old daughter during reasonable hours at shelter home.

"In the meantime, Superintendent, Nirmal Chhaya Complex, where the mother-daughter are currently lodged, is directed to permit the petitioner, Ankit Kumar, to interact with them at all reasonable hours, in accordance with law and the rules," the Bench said.
Chinese Soldiers, Armed Police Infected With Coronavirus; Thousands Quarantined, Human Rights Group Says

The novel coronavirus is spreading among members of the Chinese military and armed police, with thousands placed under quarantine to prevent further contagion, according to the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy (ICHRD).

Ten soldiers within the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and 15 armed police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 in Hubei Province, according to the ICHRD, which added that 1,500 soldiers and 1,000 armed police are under quarantine.

The organization, which monitors human rights abuses in China, often gets its information from high-level insiders within the Chinese regime.

Infection cases involving Chinas armed police and the military might not be included in official figures. According to a Feb. 4 report by the ICHRD, the Chinese regime issued a secret document stating that military units dont have to report their infection cases if they determine such information is a military secret.

The escalating coronavirus outbreak started in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province in central China. Wuhan health authorities say they suspect the COVID-19 strain originated from a local wet market where wild animals, such as porcupines and snakes, were sold, although scientists are still researching the viruss origin and have questioned the officials narrative.

The infected soldiers and officers are being treated at three hospitals: a PLA hospital in Xianyang City, in Hubei Province; a hospital for the Chinese air force airborne corps, in Xiaogan City, also in Hubei; and a hospital for the PLAs Central Theater Command in the city of Wuhan.

An unidentified staffer at the Xianyang hospital confirmed to the ICHRD that there were armed police infected with the virus being hospitalized there.

At the Xiaogan and Wuhan hospitals, about 20 relatives of Chinas military personnel were also hospitalized, on suspicion of contracting the virus, the organization reported.

Quarantine measures were also put in place at other units within the PLA.

The organization also has learned that a Chinese soldier belonging to PLAs Navy Submarine Force is infected with the virus and that 300 PLA Navy soldiers have been isolated. The submarine force is stationed at Sanya City, in the island province of Hainan.

Because of the outbreak, the submarine force put on hold a training program that was supposed to begin this month.

In Hainan, the local 301 PLA Hospital made preparations to test 3,000 soldiers for the virus, particularly those in the submarine force who had recently been at sea for training, according to the center.

The organization previously reported on individual infection cases in the armed police and the Chinese military.

On Jan. 30, the center reported that a member of a mobile armed police unit person living within camp housing in Hubei tested positive for the virus; 300 armed police from that unit were isolated. The camp is located in Panlong, located near Huangpi District in Wuhan.

Also, a military officer within an airborne unit located in Xiaogan City tested positive for the virus on Jan. 25, according to the center. A day later, 200 active-duty soldiers in Xiaogan were isolated at an unused military airplane hanger.
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help Australian firefighters combat the destructive bushfires across the country, CustomUSB donated 10% of the proceeds from popular products (January 8 to January 17) to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

"Not only are we passionate about our custom promotional products and customers," says CustomUSB CEO Russell Chatskis, "but we're also committed to helping others, and we wanted to offer support in any way we could."

How to Help

Australia's long road to recovery has only just begun. To learn more or support the incredible work done by the volunteers, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

Reported Damage

To date, Australian officials say at least 30 people and over 1 billion animals have perished, while more than 15 million acres of bush, forest and parks have been destroyed.

"It's important to note these individuals are risking their lives, many of them unpaid volunteers who benefit greatly from any and all contributions," says Chatskis. "We hope the country finds relief soon."

About CustomUSB

CustomUSB's mission is to help business owners and marketing leaders empower their brand through valuable promotional tech solutions.

As an innovator of consumer-to-promotional crossover products, we are passionate about developing high-impact, cost-effective brand awareness opportunities. Leveraging our expertise and creative flare, we reimagine modern technology for promotional adaptation. Visit customusb.com to learn more.

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ALBANY  A group of Albany High School seniors made their rounds at the state Capitol on Wednesday to press lawmakers to expand funding for access to rigorous coursework in high school.

It is the fourth year that Sean Fitzsimons brought students from his Advanced Placement government class to gain first-hand experience with the legislative process and advocate for state funds to maintain the school's extensive offerings and offset hefty fees associated with AP exams.

"Remember, elected officials work for you," Fitzsimons told the students huddled outside the legislative office of Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem.

In addition to eight students from Albany High, and another group from Ballston Spa High School, the advocacy effort organized by the College Board recruited high school students from across the state to share how advanced classes have enriched their high school experiences.

Christine La, an Albany High senior who moved to the district from Thailand when she was 10, started out as an English as a New Language (ENL) student in her freshman year. She said participating in advanced coursework has improved her confidence and expanded her social circle and opportunities.

"There are amazing teachers at Albany High that encourage students to step out of their comfort zone, which was amazing for me," La said. "For example, in my government class, we talk a lot. It actually helps me as an ENL student to feel free to express myself."

Experts say AP courses and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, which enable students to earn college credit in high school, improve critical thinking skills and are a key indicator of future academic success. However, across the state, minority and low-income students are underrepresented in more rigorous classes, particularly in math and sciences.

Even among students who scored proficient in math in seventh-grade, those who were low-income or students of color were less likely than their peers to be enrolled in an advanced math class in ninth-grade, according to a statewide analysis released the New York Equity Coalition. in January.

Statewide, in 2018-19, enrollment in advanced math was 22 percent higher for math-proficient students who are not low-income compared to math-proficient students who are low-income, the coalition's "Proficient but Passed Over" report found. Enrollment among proficient white students was 16 percent higher than it was among their black peers who were also proficient and 20 percent higher for white students compared to their Latinx peers who were also proficient.

In some classes at Albany High, the lack of representation can be stark, students said. A 2018 study found that white students are four times more likely than black students and 12 times more likely than Latino students to be enrolled in calculus at Albany High. In the rest of the state, white students are three times more likely than their black peers and twice as likely as Latino students to take calculus.

Nearly half of students are black and 17 percent are Latino at the Capital Region's largest school system. The Albany district officials note that the school system has unique challenges. About 11 percent of the students in Albany schools are immigrants or refugees or immigrants and 75 percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. A total of 57 languages are spoken in the district.

Leah Evans, Albany High School's AP/IB coordinator, was hired in February of last year to develop outreach to students about the availability of rigorous coursework at the high school.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The district offers 20 AP courses, about nine IB classes and 22 "University in the High School" courses provided through partnerships with local colleges and universities. Every student, regardless of academic standing, is encouraged to take at least one advanced class, according to Evans.

This year, Evans said, she has made a point to visit classrooms before students meet with their guidance counselors to set their academic schedules for the year. She has also started to approach students and their families at the middle school level.

"Every student is an individual so it's really about finding out what the barrier is, be it academic, be it social-emotional, be it their friends aren't taking these classes," Evans said. "It's building self-confidence and building family buy-in."

Not all schools in the region offer advanced coursework, and among those that do, there are often academic requirements that discourage participation. Albany High opens its AP classes to all students and officials say AP and IB enrollment at the school has grown in recent years. However, the exam fees, which are $90 each, continue to pose a barrier, particularly for students who want to take multiple classes.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's executive budget proposed an additional $1.8 million$5.8 million totalto subsidize AP and IB exam fees for thousands of low-income students across the state. The budget also provides $1 million in grants to support school districts and BOCES that wish to provide advanced courses and do not currently do so or else do so only on a very limited basis.

Breslin told the 12th graders that the Senate and Assembly plan to ask for a larger increase in funding to support access to more advanced coursework.

"You guys are challenging me," Breslin said. "Hearing these stories is the best way for me to learn."
gps voice [SPEAKING MANDARIN] amy qin Ill say a few things. So its a rainy day. Very, very gloomy, rainy day. And its a little loud because we have to keep the windows open, because thats the recommendation in these situations. You have to keep everything ventilated.

[music]

amy qin

Two weeks ago, our researcher Elsie and I went down to Wuhan, which is this major city in the center of China that has been the epicenter of the recent coronavirus outbreak. By then, it had been under lockdown for about a week. And we were really curious to see how people were faring and what was going on, especially at the hospitals there. We took the train from Beijing to Wuhan. And we got off, and what we saw was totally crazy. I mean, wed never seen anything like it. This is a city of 11 million that had come to a complete standstill. It felt like being in a parallel reality. To see those streets completely empty was really striking. It was eerie to hear the silence. And the only time we heard anything was the occasional barking of a dog or an ambulance passing by. We were walking around this hospital and we walked into the courtyard in front of the outpatient department. And thats where we came upon this very jarring scene. You had 30 or so patients that were all kind of sitting quietly in the courtyard, all hooked up to IV drips that were hanging from tree branches or in their cars.

interposing voices [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

We meet this mother and her two children who are all hooked up to IVs. The mothers name is Yang Ling.

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

They tell me that they are actually a family of six. Theres Yang Ling. There is her husband, her husbands parents and then their son and their daughter. And they have all been staying together. And she tells us that their grandmother got sick first and one by one, each of them has gotten infected by the coronavirus. And now, her husband is the only one that doesnt have coronavirus.

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

And then they tell me that just one week after the grandmother started showing symptoms, their grandfather died.

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

She tells us that after the grandfather dies, the funeral home comes to take the body away 

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

 and he is cremated immediately. And she says that 

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

 he was taken away just like a dead dog or a dead pig.

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

As shes talking, her voice is starting to carry across the courtyard outside this hospital. And other people are starting to listen in and crowd around us, and shes starting to get more and more upset. She was so palpably angry that at one point 

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

 the mother was waving her arms around in frustration and almost ripped the IV needle out of her hand.

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

Ive been covering China for seven years. And Ive heard people express frustrations with the government before, but really only in private. This was one of the few times that Ive heard such raw anger toward the government publicly.

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN]

amy qin

And she basically says, is this really my country or is this some kind of [EXPLETIVE] up country  a country that doesnt take care of anything?

yang ling [SPEAKING MANDARIN].

amy qin

And then she says, what kind of government is this? And after hearing that, that made me think that something was happening that was bigger than just an outbreak of a virus.

michael barbaro

From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: Inside China, what began as a story of fear over the coronavirus has now become the story of fury over the governments handling of the crisis. Beijing correspondent Amy Qin on what she saw in Wuhan. Its Thursday, February 13. Amy, what is it about this moment that you think is making people like the Zhang family feel free to speak out about their anger and to pretty explicitly criticize the Chinese government?

amy qin

So for the Zhang family, this is for them a matter of life or death. And it was a common feeling I heard throughout the city. But theres another added frustration boiling across the rest of the country about how the government is handling this crisis. And for them, its really been captured in the story of this doctor named Dr. Li Wenliang.

michael barbaro

And who is this doctor?

amy qin

So Li Wenliang is an eye doctor at a hospital in Wuhan. And he had heard about this virus back in December that was going around the hospitals in the city. And so he went on WeChat, which is this big social messaging platform, and sent in a private messaging group with some of his med school classmates a text message basically warning them to protect themselves. And a few days later after he sent that message, he was actually called in by the police in Wuhan. They brought him into the police station and they made him sign a statement saying that he was spreading false and illegal information  basically, that he was spreading rumors.

archived recording Authorities say it is untrue and eight people were detained for spreading fake news online and no medical staff had been infected.

amy qin

But of course, it wasnt a rumor.

archived recording Chinese health authorities are still working to identify the virus behind a pneumonia outbreak in the central city of Wuhan.

amy qin

By the time Dr. Li was brought into the police station, 41 people had the coronavirus. And from there, it just spread.

archived recording 1 A SARS-like virus, which has infected hundreds in China, has now reached the United States. archived recording 2 Now China has announced the first death from an outbreak of pneumonia caused by an unidentified virus. archived recording 3 121 people are under medical observation in Wuhan. Rumors on social media alleged that the outbreak in Wuhan could be linked to SARS. archived recording 4 The World Health Organization says its a new type of coronavirus.

michael barbaro

And Amy, at this point, what is happening to Dr. Li?

amy qin

So after Dr. Li gets taken into the police station and forced to sign this statement, he was actually treating a patient for glaucoma. And she wasnt showing any symptoms at the time, but he ended up contracting the virus from her.

michael barbaro

Wow.

amy qin

And from his sickbed, he starts to speak out again.

archived recording In a matter of days, Dr. Li Wenliang went from treating patients to becoming one.

amy qin

He gives some interviews to Chinese media and he starts to become this public figure.

archived recording Struggling to communicate, Li spoke with CNN briefly by phone. You can hear the hospital machines pulsing in the background.

amy qin

He becomes known as a whistleblower 

archived recording Whistleblowers silenced by police. Calls for Li and the others to be vindicated grew online.

amy qin

 that the government didnt act fast enough on information that they were given, and that they had missed this critical window of opportunity to get the outbreak under control.

archived recording Chinas Supreme Court even weighed in, adding quote, It might have been a fortunate thing if the public had listened to this rumor at the time. But for many 

michael barbaro

So hes becoming a kind of spokesperson for a lot of frustrations.

amy qin

Exactly.

archived recording (li wenliang) [INAUDIBLE] [COUGHING]

amy qin

And so at this point, it just feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

archived recording 1 Now, the death toll in the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China has jumped to 17. archived recording 2 Hundreds of people have been diagnosed with a deadly virus known as the 2019 novel coronavirus. archived recording 3 Overall, there are now more than 31,500 confirmed cases worldwide.

amy qin

More and more people are getting sick. Were seeing the numbers just surge every day 

archived recording 4 600 deaths.

amy qin

 people who are confirmed cases of the coronavirus, people who are dying of the coronavirus.

archived recording 5 Has jumped to more than 700.

amy qin

Everything felt so uncertain.

archived recording 6 Officials are imposing restrictions on travel out of Wuhan, China. archived recording 7 And 13 cities in lockdown this morning. archived recording 8 Near-empty shelves line supermarkets. archived recording 9 A need for masks and protective suits. archived recording 10 Chinas health minister, Ma Xiaowei, has said that he expects infections to continue to rise. And of course, that has everyone here in the country even more nervous. archived recording 11 The citizens are actually freaking out. archived recording 12 China right now is being massively rocked by anger. archived recording 13 And the State Department has said it is chartering a flight to evacuate Americans out of Wuhan. Justin, though, will not be on that 

amy qin

So foreign governments started pulling their citizens out of Wuhan, and thats when I got the call. So it was late last week, and I had been on the phone all day with my editors. And I get a final call saying you need to go to the airport. There was one flight left that was being arranged by the U.S. State Department to go back to the U.S., so I start scrambling. I leave all my masks, my disinfectant wipes, my hazmat suit, my gloves with my colleagues. And then its about a 40-minute drive to the airport.

amy qin O.K. So I am at the airport in Wuhan now. And its been a crazy, hectic day. I think that the next few weeks in quarantine on a military base will bring its own interesting moments.

michael barbaro

And what is the scene at the airport?

amy qin

The scene at the airport was a little bit frenzied. I mean, at this point, these are really some of the last flights out for these countries who are evacuating their citizens, so it wasnt just the Americans. There were also the Canadians, the Japanese. And we didnt even know at that point where they were taking us to. So Im in the airport lobby and Im waiting for my flight. And then my phone starts to buzz, and Im seeing all these messages come through. And I look at them, and then I see that Dr. Li has just died. And I could sense that this was going to be a big moment, because I had started overhearing people talking about it in the airport terminal. But then I just had to leave. I had to get on the flight.

michael barbaro

Well be right back. So Amy, Dr. Li has died from the very virus that he alerted the government to, and youre on a plane back to the U.S. from Wuhan. So what happens once you land?

amy qin

So once I land, I find that I am at the Miramar Marine base in San Diego, California. Im carted off to quarantine, and then I turn on my phone and I start going through my messages. And I see this huge upswelling of outrage over Dr. Lis death. People from every stripe of the political or social spectrum in China  so you have people who are business people, who are blue-collar workers, artists, lawyers  theyre all posting about Dr. Lis death. And Ive never seen people come together like this before  and people were so upset about his death.

michael barbaro

And what are they saying?

amy qin

A lot of people were posting candle emojis and other kinds of remembrances for Dr. Li. They were posting photos of him. He had taken a selfie of himself wearing a surgical mask and someone had recreated that image to replace the surgical mask with barbed wire to kind of indicate that he had been muzzled. Some people were posting the anthem from Les Mis, Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?

michael barbaro

Wow.

amy qin

We actually saw the hashtag I want freedom of speech trending for five hours, which of course, it was quickly censored. And we saw petitions going up by Chinese academics calling for freedom of speech. And we even saw a local government social media account posting a portrait of Dr. Li, along with the lines, Heroes dont fall from the sky. Theyre just ordinary people who step forward.

michael barbaro

Wow.

amy qin

So the reaction is really remarkable. I mean, even the hospital where Dr. Li died posted an official notice of his death. And that had three million reactions and 300,000 comments. And so it was so clear that this was something that had really tapped into the frustration that was happening.

michael barbaro

And what do you make of those reactions? Because it feels like it no longer is really just about this virus and the way that it was handled?

amy qin

Yeah so at this point, it is clear that this is becoming so much bigger than just the virus. This is really about the government and this social contract that the people have had with the government, where they agree to keep silent as long as the government provides for their prosperity and health. It operates under this principle of stability at all costs.

michael barbaro

Right. And in their effort to create stability, in fact, they did the opposite.

amy qin

Yeah. I mean, I think that theres this realization definitely that there is something wrong with the system. And I dont think that it means that people are going out in the streets and calling for a revolution. But the fact that people are calling for freedom of speech, I mean, thats really what this brought out. People in China are already used to a pretty high level of censorship, but when it comes to censoring a warning about public health, that goes too far. And the reaction is so overwhelming that the government quickly realizes that they need to do something. And thats when we see Chinas leader Xi Jinping come forward out of the shadows and try to take control of the situation

archived recording (xi jinping) [SPEAKING CHINESE] [LAUGHTER]

amy qin

He comes out and makes an appearance in Beijing.

archived recording (xi jinping) [SPEAKING CHINESE]

amy qin

He visits a community center and a hospital. He gets his temperature taken. He talks with local residents.

archived recording (xi jinping) [SPEAKING CHINESE]

amy qin

And he does a video conference with doctors in Wuhan.

archived recording (xi jinping) [SPEAKING CHINESE] [APPLAUSE]

amy qin

So by this point, the government has sent the nations top anti-corruption agency to go down to Wuhan and investigate Dr. Lis death. And state media is calling Dr. Li a hero.

michael barbaro

This feels like a real shift for a government that originally reprimanded Dr. Li and is now sending a team to investigate why he was muzzled. It feels like a concession.

amy qin

It is. But at the same time, we have to remember that this is also part of the partys ethos, which is to always try to control the narrative. And for them, the path of least resistance in this situation is to hold Dr. Li up as a hero, but also to do it in a way that coheres with the party narrative.

michael barbaro

Huh.

amy qin

Erasing the parts that might challenge their legitimacy or authority, which is the fact that he was punished by the government for trying to call attention to the fact that there was this virus going around.

michael barbaro

Do you think that the people in China view the governments response as an attempt to protect them from the virus or to protect the government from the story of a situation thats out of control?

amy qin

Both. People really believe that the government wants to get this epidemic under control. But at the same time, they know that the government is only going to do this in a way that does not threaten its own hold on power. And that means taking control of the narrative  sending in their own journalists to make sure that only the positive aspects of what theyre doing is being highlighted, and that people who are slipping through the cracks or all the failures of the policy are not being highlighted.

michael barbaro

Amy, Im curious. Have you been able to speak to the Zhang family since you evacuated, since you took that flight from Wuhan to California?

amy qin

We have. The last time we checked in with them, their situation had changed. The mother and the daughter were both infected with the coronavirus and have finally been able to get into one of the makeshift quarantine centers set up by the government. Bella, the daughter, sent us a video of the center, and it just shows a huge exhibition center with beds crowded tightly together and all these sick patients in these beds. Meanwhile, Bellas brother and their grandmother are still at home back in the family apartment sick and unable to get into a hospital. The grandmother is in very serious condition. She can barely get out of bed. And theyre also still living with their father, who is the only family member who hasnt gotten infected so fae. Though they all think that it will be a matter of time.

michael barbaro

So basically, half the family is being cared for and the other half have been kind of abandoned.

amy qin

Right. And remember, their grandfather had died in their family apartment and was taken to be cremated immediately. And they still dont even know where his ashes are.

michael barbaro

Is the reality that another death in the family could happen something that they are preparing for?

amy qin

Yes, theyve been planning for it. They told us that when the grandmother dies, theyre not going to let her go to the crematorium. But actually, the mother said shes going to drag her body to the local neighborhood committee and just put it there on the front steps to show them how their inaction has devastated their entire family.

michael barbaro

Do you know whether the family knows about Dr. Lis death, or if they were able to watch that video of Xi Jinping in public addressing the situation?

amy qin

I think if theyve seen, its barely registered. They are so consumed with just trying to survive right now, like so many other people in Wuhan, that theyre just putting their heads down trying to move forward.

michael barbaro

Amy, thank you very much.

amy qin

Thanks, Michael.

michael barbaro

On Thursday, nearly 15,000 new cases of coronavirus were added to the tally of infected people in the Chinese province where Wuhan is located  the largest one-day increase of the epidemic so far. That brings the total number of cases to more than 48,000. At the same time, 242 new deaths were also reported, bringing the total death toll in the province to 1,310. Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. For the second day in a row, President Trump intervened in the prosecution of his longtime friend and adviser, Roger Stone, this time by attacking the judge in the case. On Tuesday, at the presidents urging, the Department of Justice recommended a more lenient prison sentence for Stone, who was convicted of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. That move prompted four federal prosecutors to leave the case in protest. On Wednesday, Trump claimed without evidence in a tweet that the judge who will sentence Stone is biased against the president in what Democratic lawmakers said was a clear attempt to intimidate the judge before she sentences Stone.

archived recording (chuck schumer) The president ran against the swamp in Washington, a place where the game is rigged by the powerful to benefit them personally. I ask my fellow Americans, what is more swampy, what is more fetid, what is more stinking than the most powerful person in the country literally changing the rules to benefit a crony guilty of breaking the law?

michael barbaro

In response, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an investigation into Trumps conduct.

archived recording (chuck schumer) As a result, I have formally requested that the inspector general of the Justice Department investigate this matter immediately.

michael barbaro
US aerospace giant has offered to help India in its multi-billion dollar programme to develop a next generation advanced multi-role combat aircraft and boost capability of the Tejas fighter jet.

The offer by the US aerospace firm comes ahead of President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India on February 24-25 during which both strategic partners are expected to further expand defence and military cooperation.

Vivek Lall, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin, said the company is "very open" to assisting India in further development of the Tejas combat jet as well as the ambitious next generation aircraft.

"We are very open to any requirement from the government of India or the Indian Air Force for any help for the Tejas as well as the AMCA (advanced multi-role combat aircraft) project," Lall told PTI in an interview without divulging specifics.

The indigenously developed Tejas has been a showpiece project of India being implemented by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Both HAL and ADA are now focusing on an upgraded version of Tejas to make it a world class plane.

India is also working on an ambitious $5 billion project to develop a fifth-generation medium weight deep penetration fighter jet to significantly bolster its air power capability.

Lall showcased Lockheed Martin's F-21 jet as an attractive option for IAF's hunt to procure a batch of 118 fighter planes, saying choosing the American jet will link India to a $165 billion worth global aerospace eco-system.

"Once you get a platform like the F21, that is just start of a very long-term relationship for future configurations that India desires, future platforms that India wants to develop," he said.

Eyeing the IAF's $18 billion deal, has exclusively offered its newly rolled out F-21 fighter to India and even promised to set up a manufacturing facility in India if the company gets the contract.

The company said it will not sell the jet to any other country if it wins the contract for the 114 jets. Hard-selling F-21 as the best platform for the IAF, he said the aircraft, a derivative of the F-16, will have 40 per cent more weapons package then its competitors.

Asked about weapons package, he said the aircraft had 138 configurations.

The company may look at integrating weapons as per India's requirement subject to approval of the US government, he added.

Besides having a traditional boom-delivered refuelling facility, the F-21 also has a extendable hose-and-drogue refuelling probe.

"This is only fighter in the world which has both the capabilities," Lall said, adding that the jet has an unique India-specific electronic warfare suit.

"F 21 is being exclusively offered to India. It is a unique platform for India. It has several India-unique configurations," he said.

In April last year, the IAF issued an RFI (request for information) or initial tender to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around $18 billion, which is billed as one of the world's biggest military procurements in recent years.

The top contenders for the deal include Lockheed's F-21, Boeing's F/A-18, Dassault Aviation's Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Russian aircraft MiG 35 and Saab's Gripen.

Lall said the F-21 provides all the capabilities at 30-40 per cent less cost than a twin engine aircraft.

The Lockheed executive said the F-21 has an advanced APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar which significantly enhances the jet's ability to track and attack more targets with higher precision.

Defence and security ties between India and the US have been on an upswing in the last six years. Bilateral defence trade touched $18 billion mark in 2019, reflecting growing defence cooperation between the two sides.

There are indications that the two sides may announce further deepening of defence ties during Trump's visit later this month.

Both sides have also been pushing for joint venture and collaboration between private sectors of the two countries in defence manufacturing.

In June 2016, the US designated India a "Major Defence Partner", intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners.
Indonesian health officials check temperature of tourists arriving from Bali island and heading to Gili Trawangan in Pemenang, Lombok on February 12, 2020. (PHOTO: MOH EL SASAKY/AFP)

By Iain Marlow and Tassia Sipahutar

(Bloomberg) -- As the deadly new coronavirus spreads rapidly around the world, one of Asias most-populous countries says it has no confirmed cases -- and some public health experts arent really buying it.

Indonesia, which last month suspended direct flights to the Chinese city of Wuhan where the virus originated, still hasnt reported any confirmed cases. Officials maintain their monitoring meets the standards of the World Health Organization, which has endorsed the countrys approach.

But scientists have expressed doubts given the nearly 50 cases in Singapore, more than a dozen in neighbouring Malaysia and infections reported as far afield as Nepal and Finland. Harvard University researchers published a paper this month comparing the number of reported cases in countries with their air travel volume to China.

We found that Indonesia, as well as possibly Cambodia and certainly Thailand, were reporting fewer cases than you would expect given the number of travelers, said Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiology professor at Harvard Universitys T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who co-authored the study. We presented that as an indicator that these countries were missing cases that didnt get detected.

The conclusion suggests the number of cases worldwide -- now at more than 45,000, mostly in Asia -- may actually be even larger. That figure is crucial for understanding key aspects of the virus, including the mortality rate, which so far appears much lower than Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003.

Extreme Risk

Lipsitch said the research is not meant to single out any one country, and that even Singapore -- with one of the best public health systems in the world and experience with SARS -- has failed to detect certain cases.

For Indonesia, the doubts pose a perception problem that could have economic implications. Medical groups and corporate risk companies have advised against traveling to Indonesia and other countries with questionable public health screening until the virus is contained.

Story continues

Companies should expect supply chain disruptions in countries with few or no cases, and consider canceling meetings and conferences throughout Southeast Asia, said Sofia Nazalya, an Asia analyst at global risk advisory firm Verisk Maplecroft. The company puts Indonesia and Cambodia in the extreme risk category based on its ability to respond to a pandemic.

We expect that existing coronavirus cases in Indonesia are currently going undetected, Nazalya said. Close travel links between Indonesia and China as well as other neighboring countries where cases have been reported, and the highly infectious nature of the virus, make the chance of zero-infection remote.

Read more: Indonesia Forecasts $4 Billion Losses on Traveling Restrictions

Indonesias health ministry has so far denied any problems with the countrys detection methods. N. Paranietharan, the WHOs representative in Indonesia, said the country is conducting health screening at 135 entry points, ensuring enough specific test kits for the virus, equipping designated hospitals and training personnel to handle suspected cases.

Questions Baseless

Indonesian authorities announced Thursday they were retracing the movement of one Chinese tourist, who tested positive in China days after his return from a visit to Bali.

We are coordinating with the immigration and the airlines, Bali Health Agency Head Ketut Suarjaya said. It is possible that this person did not contract the virus while in Bali because he only stayed in Bali for more or less six days and Bali is still virus-free as of now. He may have contracted it elsewhere, Suarjaya said by phone.

The tourist traveled from Wuhan to Bali on Jan. 22 and returned on Jan. 28. He tested positive for coronavirus on Feb. 5 after arriving in Huainan city in Anhui province, The Jakarta Post reported, citing an advisory by Anhui provincial government on its Weibo account.

Indonesia is doing what is possible to be prepared for and defend against the COVID-19, Paranietharan said by email, referring to the coronavirus.

In a statement earlier this week, Indonesias health ministry said 62 of 64 specimens collected as of 6 p.m. on Feb. 10 were negative, while the remaining two were still being tested. Indonesia had just two cases of infection and zero fatalities during the SARS epidemic, according to WHO data.

As WHO said, we have proper and adequate facilities to detect coronavirus according to WHO standards, Vensya Sitohang, director of health surveillance and quarantine at the ministry, said Wednesday. So questions surrounding Indonesias ability to detect virus are baseless.

Not Equipped

Still, not everyone is convinced. Central Health Partners, which operates medical clinics in Hong Kong, this week advised patients to carefully consider travel to countries like Cambodia and Indonesia with limited disease surveillance capacity.

Indonesia would struggle to enforce a citywide lockdown or properly track its citizens across a vast archipelago, according to Sakshi Sikka, a senior pharmaceuticals and healthcare analyst at Fitch Solutions.

The countrys healthcare sector is not equipped for such a crisis, Sikka said.

 2020 Bloomberg L.P.
US First Lady Melania Trump, who is visiting India with her husband President Donald Trump later this month, has expressed her excitement about the forthcoming trip.

In a tweet, Melania, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation, saying: "Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month. POTUS and I are excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India."

She was responding to Prime Minister Modi's tweet which described their visit as a "very special one" which "will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship".

India, he said, will "accord a memorable welcome" to them.

Thank you @narendramodi for the kind invitation. Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad & New Dehli later this month. @POTUS & I are excited for the trip & to celebrate the close ties between the #USA & #India. https://t.co/49LzQPiVLf  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 12, 2020

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama, who visited India with former President Barack Obama in 2015. had created a buzz with her dressing and fashion sense. Melania is also known for elegant style quotient.

President Donald Trump will get a red carpet welcome in Gujarat later this month, on a grander scale than the event organized for Modi in Houston last year.

The government is organizing 'Kem Chho, Trump', the Gujarati equivalent of the Texas event 'Howdy Modi' in the Prime Minister's home state, Gujarat.

President Trump and Modi are scheduled to do a roadshow from the Ahmedabad airport and visit Sabarmati Ashram to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, President Trump will inaugurate Ahmedabad's newly-constructed Sardar Patel Stadium with a seating capacity of over 100,000 people.

The welcome 'Kem Chho, Trump' to the US President will be accorded at the stadium.
On Oct. 12, 2000, two suicide bombers in a boat detonated their explosives alongside the USS Cole as the Navy destroyer was refueling in the Yemeni port of Aden. In addition to the 17 killed, the blast wounded more than three dozen other crew members. Sudan was accused of providing support to al-Qaeda, which claimed responsibility for the attack. The country was designated by Washington as a state sponsor of terror for hosting the groups leader, Osama bin Laden.
The UK violated the rights of a man from Northern Ireland by indefinitely holding personal data such as DNA and fingerprints after a conviction for drink-driving, Europe's top rights court ruled on Thursday.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled unanimously that there had been a violation of the right to respect private and family life set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Fergus Gaughran had been arrested for drink driving in October 2008 and later convicted, fined and banned from driving.

He has waged a long legal battle complaining that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) continues to retain on an indefinite basis the DNA profile extracted from his DNA sample, his fingerprints and photograph.

But after losing a case with the UK's Supreme Court in 2015, which backed the PSNI policy, he went to the ECHR over the retention of the data.

The ECHR ruled this "amounted to an interference with his private life", noting that the UK was relatively unusual among member states in permitting indefinite retention of DNA profiles.

It added that what was decisive was not the duration of the retention of data "but the absence of certain safeguards".

However it did not order the payment of any damages, saying: "The finding of a violation was in itself sufficient just satisfaction for any non-pecuniary damage sustained."



The Strasbourg-based ECHR is part of the the Council of Europe, the continent's main rights body which has 47 member states. It is not part of the European Union.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MONTREAL - The president and chief executive officer of Quebecor Inc. described Bell Inc. as a "public danger" and "multi-tentacled octopus" at a CRTC hearing Wednesday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau speaks during public hearings at the CRTC in Gatineau, Quebec, Wednesday April 17, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MONTREAL - The president and chief executive officer of Quebecor Inc. described Bell Inc. as a "public danger" and "multi-tentacled octopus" at a CRTC hearing Wednesday.

Pierre Karl Peladeau testified before Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission which is considering Bell Media's potential acquisition of Groupe V Media's conventional TV network and Noovo video-on-demand service for an undisclosed price.

Peladeau accused its rival of being "so dominant that it is no longer controllable."

In the morning, Bell agreed before the CRTC not to close any of the regional V stations in Quebec, if it is authorized to acquire the group.

Although it operates telecommunications, radio, TV and digital services, Bell does not have a general TV channel in French in the country.

It therefore rejected Quebecor's opposition to the transaction in which it argues that Bell would become too large.

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"I don't think Bell Media is the one dominating," replied Karine Moses, president of Bell Media Quebec, pointing to market share.

She said V represents "what we lack to compete with the two big players" of the French-speaking market, namely Radio-Canada and TVA.

Bell also made a point of reassuring the CRTC by saying it did not intend to broadcast translated American TV series on V.

The Quebec market is unique in the country because what is popular are Quebec shows, not American series, Moses added.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2020.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE, TSX:QBR.B)
President Donald Trump poses with then White House communications director Hope Hicks before he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Jan. 1, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Hope Hicks Returning to White House to Work Closely With Kushner, Official Says

Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trumps longtime aides and his former communications director, will be returning to the White House, an official confirmed to The Epoch Times.

In her new role, Hicks will serve as counselor to the president, according to reports, and would also be working with the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner. The administration hasnt publicly announced the position yet, as of this writing.

Hope wont be part of the communications department, a White House official told The Epoch Times. She will be working closely with Jared Kushner and [Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Political Affairs] Brian Jack in a number of strategic areas.

The official didnt elaborate further on the specifics of the position Hicks would be serving in. It has been two years since she last worked at the White House.

An administration official told Reuters that Hicks will return to the White House next month.

Hicks was Trumps longest-serving aide, having worked for him for three years. She had served as press secretary and communications adviser to the Trump campaign throughout the 2016 presidential election and left her job as White House communications director in February 2018.

She first became Trumps communications director in the summer of 2017 following the departure of Anthony Scaramucci, who served in the position for ten days. Scaramucci was fired by incoming White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly.

After departing the White House, Hicks worked at Fox Corporation as executive vice president and chief communications officer. According to her biography, she acted as the companys chief spokesperson and leads all communications initiatives.

There is no one more devoted to implementing President Trumps agenda than Hope Hicks, Kushner said. We are excited to have her back on the team.

Stephanie Grisham, the White House press secretary and current White House communications director, said that after working with Hope for almost six years, she can say without hesitation she is one of the most talented and savvy individuals I have come across.

She has always impressed me with her quiet confidence, loyalty, and expertise, and I am beyond thrilled to welcome Hope back to the White House, Grisham said.

Hickss resignation in 2018 came after being caught up in a controversy surrounding former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, another close Trump aide, whom Hicks had been dating. She worked to defend him when charges of domestic abuse against his two former wives emerged. Porter was ultimately forced to resign.

In June 2019, Hicks testified in a hearing on former special counsel Robert Muellers report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The top-selling hatchback of January 2020 is the Maruti Baleno with 20,485 units in sales.

The chart of top-selling hatchbacks in India for the month of January 2020 sees a total sales figure of 1,24,874 units, which is lesser by 3,834 units or 2.98% compared to that of January 2019. At the start of the year, the Maruti S-Presso is the best-selling new hatchback, followed by the Tata Altroz which came over the Tata Tiago. Some models on the list faced substantially lower sales figures since many were waiting for their updated 2020 range.

Starting with the leader, the Maruti Baleno achieved a sales figure of 20,485 units in January 2020; a growth of 22.54% over the same month, last year. The Maruti Swift gathered 19,981 units and 6.31% growth last month. The evergreen Maruti Alto accounted for 18,914 units in the overall sales count of January 2020, but had to face a fall of around 19%. The Maruti WagonR, on the other hand, showcased a strong growth of 51.59% or 5,184 units, to attain 15,232 units last month.

No Top selling Hatchbacks Jan 2020* Jan 2019 Diff % 1 Maruti Baleno 20,485 16,717 3,768 22.54 2 Maruti Swift 19,981 18,795 1,186 6.31 3 Maruti Alto 18,914 23,360 -4,446 -19.03 4 Maruti WagonR 15,232 10,048 5,184 51.59 5 Hyundai i10 Grand 8,774 10,285 -1,511 -14.69 6 Hyundai i20 8,137 11,749 -3,612 -30.74 7 Maruti S-Presso 6,971 0 6,971  8 Maruti Celerio 6,236 9,217 -2,981 -32.34 9 Tata Altroz 4,505 0 4,505  10 Tata Tiago 4,313 8,041 -3,728 -46.36 11 Hyundai Santro 3,671 8,000 -4,329 -54.11 12 Renault Kwid 3,281 4,712 -1,431 -30.37 13 Toyota Glanza 2,191 0 2,191  14 Datsun Redi-GO 1,020 889 131 14.74 15 VW Polo 632 1,426 -794 -55.68 16 Ford Freestyle 331 1,646 -1,315 -79.89 17 Datsun GO 88 422 -334 -79.15 18 Honda Jazz 46 1,545 -1,499 -97.02 19 Nissan Micra 39 96 -57 -59.38 20 Tata Bolt 14 39 -25 -64.10 21 Ford Figo 13 0 13  22 Maruti Ignis 0 1,721 -1,721 -100.00  Total 1,24,874 1,28,708 -3,834 -2.98

*Jan 2020 sales data via Auto Punditz. The Hyundai Grand i10, the first non-Maruti product on the list, attained 8,774 units last month; a decline of 14.69% from January 2019. The Hyundai Elite i20 faced an even bigger fall of 30.74%; from 11,749 units in January 2019 to 8,137 units in 2020. The relatively new Maruti S-Presso hit 6,971 units while the Celerio followed closely at 6,239 units, with a sales decline of 32.34%.

The new Tata Altroz premium hatchback hit 4,505 units in January 2020; overtaking the Tiago which had 4,313 units in sales (a loss of 46.36%). The Hyundai Santro also faced a massive sales decline (54.11% or 4,319 units) last month in comparison to January 2019. The Renault Kwid faced a lesser sales drop of 30.37% (from 4,712 units to 3,281 units). The newer Toyota Glanza collected 2,191 units while the Datsun Redi-GO is the last car on the chart to have four-digit sales figures (1020 units in January 2020; growth of 14.74%).

The Volkswagen Polo faced a major downfall of 55.68% from 1,426 units in January 2019. The Ford Freestyle (331 units) and Datsun GO (88 units) faced sales declines of more than 79% in January 2020. The case was worse for the Honda Jazz which went through a fall of around 97%, to end up with just 46 units in January 2020.

The Nissan Micra and Tata Bolt are surprisingly still on sale and hit 39 and 14 units, respectively, last month. The Ford Figo followed with just an unlucky 13 units in sales. At the very bottom of the list rests the Maruti Ignis (its facelift debuted at Auto Expo 2020) with zero sales compared to 1,721 units in January 2019.
The songs of welcome have changed in Maiduguri for President Muhammadu Buhari, from being friendly and warm to being undisguisedly hostile.

According to video published online on Wednesday, as the Presidents convoy blitzed through the streets of the Boko Haram threatened city, the crowd that lined the streets, shouted Bama so, Bama so, which means We Dont want you.

In the past, Buhari was received with chants of Sai Buhari. The chanters were said to be students of Ramat Polytechnic.

The reason for the anger was because of recent attacks by the Boko Haram against communities and the one that incensed them the most was the killing on Sunday of commuters stranded overnight in the town of Auno, because soldiers locked their vehicles out from reaching the safer city of Maiduguri.



In the night, Boko Haram came on the attack, by blasting a fuel tanker in the queue, setting off a fire that killed 30 people, including two female students of the University of Maiduguri.

Dozens of women and children were also reportedly abducted by the Boko Haram.

President Buhari was in Ethiopia when the tragedy occurred and he only offered sops as usual and promises to rescue the abducted.

On his return to Nigeria, Buhari went to Maiduguri to condole with the government and people over the latest Boko Haram-induced tragedy. The people appeared to be tired of all excuses.

Shehu Zubair first shared clips of the angry crowd and hoped that it will teach Buhari to have an overhauled strategy in fighting Boko Haram:

Buhari in Maiduguri today. Buhari, Never thought he will receive this kind of treatment in the core north. Just an opposite of his earlier Visits. Good people of Borno are chanting for BUHARI; Bama so! Bamayi! Meaning: we dont want-we dont. This is really serious. pic.twitter.com/p4ZnxzRwlB  Shehu Zubairu (@ShehuZubair) February 12, 2020

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Union members cheer during a rally at a canvass launch with U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Jacky Rosen (D-NV) (not pictured) at the Culinary Workers Union Hall Local 226 on November 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

An influential Nevada union will not endorse a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate ahead of the state's caucuses.

UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 will instead "endorse our goals" and "work really hard to defeat" President Donald Trump, its Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline said Thursday. The organization also did not endorse in the 2016 Democratic primary between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

A candidate scorecard shared by the union this week told members that Sanders would "end culinary health care" with his "Medicare for All" plan. Certain unions have argued the senator's proposal, which would cover all Americans through a government-run system, would take away benefits for which members bargained.

The same document said nearly all of the Vermont senator's rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination would "protect" the union's health care plan. The organization said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who wants to move to a single-payer system after first passing a public insurance option, would "replace" culinary health care.

Local 226 tweet

Support or opposition from the union, which represents about 60,000 people in Las Vegas and Reno, can affect tight races in Nevada. The state's Feb. 22 caucuses will help to bring clarity to a jumbled primary after former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg came out of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary with a narrow national delegate edge over Sanders.

The union considered supporting Biden, but was concerned about doing so after his fourth and fifth-place finishes, respectively, in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to Politico.

The Democratic contenders have vied for the culinary union's key endorsement in Nevada. Sanders and Biden have earned the most support from organized labor so far in the race.

Asked about Medicare for All on Thursday, Arguello-Kline said the union believes "we have the right to make choices." In a statement Thursday responding to the union's decision not to endorse a candidate, Sanders said he would "never do anything to diminish the health care that unions and workers have fought for."

Sanders' top rivals have tried to capitalize on the union's criticism of him, particularly after Arguello-Kline said Wednesday that Sanders supporters "viciously attacked" the organization after it released its scorecard. All of Buttigieg, Biden, Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota tweeted that they stand with the union and said no one should attack the group.

Buttigieg tweet

Warren tweet

Klobuchar tweet

Biden tweet

In his statement Thursday, Sanders said "harassment of all forms is unacceptable to me, and we urge supporters of all campaigns not to engage in bullying or ugly personal attacks."

Sanders previously tweeted his support for the culinary union amid a labor dispute affecting cafeteria workers at a Las Vegas-area hospital. He said he stands with workers "fighting for health care, a pension and fair wages."

Sanders tweet

Sanders' labor plan calls for businesses to pass any savings they get from transitioning to his Medicare for All system from union plans to workers in the form of wages and benefits.

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A blaze inside a Louisiana refinery turned the night sky a shade of orange, sent a large plume of smoke into the air over Baton Rouge, and its heat could be felt across the Mississippi River.

ExxonMobil said its volunteer fire crews put out the blaze.

The fire erupted around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman Curt Monte told reporters. No injuries were reported, he said.

Weve seen reports of people saying explosion. I can tell you there was no explosion, Monte told reporters at an early morning news conference on Feb. 12.

We want the people to know that there has not been any off-site impact and were going to continue to be out here as long as it takes to make sure that that doesnt happen, he added.

Caleb Christopher Leblanc said a loud boom shook his windows on the other side of the Mississippi River from the refinery. After that boom, he said, It sounded like a blowtorch.

He walked up the levee near his house to take photographs and videos. I could feel the heat from the top of the levee, he said

The big flame burned for about an hour, Leblanc said.

ExxonMobil Baton Rouge tweeted that it has more than 300 emergency responders across its sites in Baton Rouge, and our volunteer fire team members responded quickly and safely to control & extinguish the fire.

ExxonMobil has been working with the fire departments hazardous materials unit to monitor air quality in the area, company spokeswoman Megan Manchester told reporters shortly after dawn Wednesday. Results so far have been below detectable limits, she said.

The fire was contained to the location where it started, Monte said. The glow of the fire could be seen from miles away, news outlets reported.

It wasnt immediately clear what caused the fire.

Once deemed safe, our teams will go in to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of this incident and how we can learn from it, Manchester said.

Our response teams did exactly what theyre highly trained to do. They responded, they responded very quickly, so were very thankful for that, she added.

ExxonMobil is the largest manufacturing employer in Louisiana and its Baton Rouge refinery is the fifth largest in the country, WAFB-TV reported. It produces gasoline, jet fuel and more, as well as items such as paint and adhesives at the chemical plant.

The company said in a tweet that it was responding to the situation, including monitoring air quality at the fence line. The air outside the plant bore no particular odor, The Advocate reported.

Baton Rouge, Louisianas state capital, is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans.

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By David M. Orcutt

Orcutt is Professor Emeritus of Plant Physiology from Virginia Tech. He lives in Montgomery County

Alexander von Humboldt, an environmentalist credited with the early prediction of climate change, wrote President Thomas Jefferson in 1804: The wants and restless activity of large communities of men gradually dispoil the face of the Earth. This was after his exploration, in 1799 of the Aragua Valley in Venezuela, where rainforests were being removed and replaced with indigo by local farmers. He noted it was having detrimental effects on the local natural ecosystems and climate. According to Andrea Wulf, Alexander von Humboldts biographer, It was one of the first Western observations of human-caused climate change.

Although the rainforests are considered the Lungs of the Planet, and rightfully so, little public attention is given to an equally important group of plants called phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton are microscopic, single-celled/colonial photosynthetic plants that live suspended in the water of all aquatic ecosystems. They are important because through photosynthesis they remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air producing food and oxygen (O2) for plant and animal life in aquatic habitats as well as on land. Phytoplankton represent the bottom of the food chain and are ultimately a food source for all animals in oceans, lakes and rivers including the fin and shellfish we eat.

Estimates indicate that phytoplankton produce 50-85% of the earths O2.

In other words, roughly three out of four breaths you take, the O2 in each breath, is produced by phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton are important in reducing global warming by removing CO2 from the air during photosynthesis. One group of phytoplankton, called diatoms, has been estimated to remove 23 petragrams of CO2 from the air per year (1 petragram = 1.1 x 109 tons). Compare this with the rainforests at 18 petragrams, savannahs at 17, and cultivated plants at 8.

The role of diatoms and other phytoplankton in the survival of our planet is essential, but populations appear to be in decline. Since 1950, phytoplankton, in the major oceans, declined 40% and satellite imagery confirms that diatoms declined 1% per year between 1998-2012.

So, what may be causing phytoplankton to be declining?

Oceans readily absorb CO2 from the air and are an important repository for atmospheric CO2 but more CO2 in the air/oceans causes an increased acidity in the oceans due to the formation of carbonic acid which is likely having a negative effect on the growth of phytoplankton, coral and shellfish.

With continued warming of the oceans the solubility of CO2 and O2 declines and the ability of the oceans to remove/retain these gases from the atmosphere may also have negative consequences for the growth of phytoplankton and other life in the oceans.

Phytoplankton not only require CO2, light and O2 for growth but also require other nutrients. Such nutrients are obtained by oceanic mixing due to wind, currents and seasonal turnover of nutrients from lower depths of the ocean to the upper layers where light is available for photosynthesis. Seasonal turnover of water normally results in more dense cold water near the surface moving to the bottom of the ocean and less dense warmer water at the bottom migrating to the top bringing nutrients and organic matter that accumulated on the bottom. With global warming, the top layers of the oceans are warmer now with apparently less turn over occurring and less nutrients being brought to the surface where light is available for photosynthesis and growth of phytoplankton.

This all suggests that increased global warming, from rising CO2 levels, is causing elevated ocean temperatures, increased acidity, reduced nutrient levels and consequently, declining phytoplankton populations.

In addition, toxic materials from plastics, oil spills, pesticides, fertilizers and industrial, human and animal waste all contribute to pollution of streams, rivers, and lakes that ultimately flow into the oceans creating additional problems for the growth of animal and plant life.

Overcoming the problem of climate change will require a desire and willingness from individuals, industry and governments of the world to save our living planet. It will take a herculean effort not unlike the unselfish sacrifices made, for the greater good, by our parents and grandparents during World War II. Not to do so is a catastrophic failure of humankind and morally wrong. A statement made by Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish girl in September 2019 at the UN, resonates so clearly now: All you can talk about is money and fairytales of economic growth.
Pioneering coffee shop, restaurant and cultural venue The Camp House is joining forces with two local hospitality vendors to open a permanent home in Chattanoogas Onion Bottom district this April.

The Camp House and Mission Chattanooga will move to 806 E. 12th St. in March, serving as anchor tenants for a revitalized development. Bringing a fresh approach to its vision for serving the citys common good, The Camp House is enlisting partners Plus Coffee and Friar Tucks to provide all-day hospitality service in its new home.

Weve been part of Chattanoogas revitalization story since we opened in the Southside in 2010 and through the past five years in the MLK district, said Matt Busby, pastor of cultural engagement at Mission Chattanooga. Now were looking forward to serving neighbors in another part of the city that is coming back to life.

Plus Coffee will open inside The Camp Houses new space in April, expanding on its existing operations, which include a St. Elmo coffee house and a coffee roasting business.

When I first moved to Chattanooga six years ago, The Camp House was one of the few places here that made me feel at home and gave me hope that this town would support what has become a growing coffee community, said Matt Park, owner and operator of Plus Coffee. The Camp House embodies a sense of care for a place and the people it serves. You dont find places like this too often and its something weve strived to emulate at Plus Coffee.

Friar Tucks Kitchen & Bar is a new restaurant created by Alexandria and Josiah Newport inspired by the neighborhood taverns they frequented while living in Europe. The restaurant will feature a custom menu that centers on fresh cut fries and globally inspired cuisine  along with a full-service bar.

The Camp House has a commitment to place and a heart for serving the city, which makes it the perfect space to launch Onion Bottoms first neighborhood bar, said Ms. Newport, owner and chef at Friar Tucks.

Mission Chattanooga will own the renovated facility and provide a permanent home for both the church and The Camp House, maintaining a commitment to serve not only through hospitality, but by stewarding educational and cultural events.

To finish raising funds for this ambitious community development project, The Camp House, Plus Coffee and Friar Tucks Kitchen & Bar are launching a Kickstarter campaign next week. The crowdfunding effort will run through the facilitys opening in April.

Were inviting the community to be part of launching the next iteration of The Camp House, said Mr. Busby. Together with the teams at Plus Coffee and Friar Tucks, we have a chance to steward the common good in Onion Bottom.

For more information on The Camp House, www.thecamphouse.com

For more information on Friar Tucks, https://www.instagram.com/friartuckschatt/

For more information on Plus Coffee, www.pluscoffee.co

For more information on the Onion Bottom development, https://onionbottomstation.com/
Abu Dhabi has announced plans to develop a major residential project on the coast of Al Dhafra region at an investment of Dh2.7 billion ($735 million).



The Jabal Al Dhanna housing development, which will come up over a sprawling 1.29 million sq m area, will boast more than 1,449 apartments, two schools, eight mosques, a main centre and a medical clinic besides over 700 villas and townhouses in the first phase.



Upon completion, the project will accommodate nearly 12,000 people, said the statement from Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).



Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, was briefed about the masterplan and progress of the project by Jassim Mohammed Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Finance and DMT Chairman Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi at a meeting held yesterday (February 12) at Al Nakheel Palace in Abu Dhabi.



Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of the long-term planning of development and strategic projects, which will help the development of the new residential neighbourhood and meet the needs of its residents, as well as provide services to the community and preserve the stability, growth and prosperity of the citizens and residents of Al Dhafra.



He also praised the pioneering role of the department and Modon Properties in advancing the tourism, housing and planning sectors in Abu Dhabi, as well as in ensuring sustainable development, an effective infrastructure, community planning and quality of life.-TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi: Rishi Sunak, son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, has been appointed as Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer after Sajid Javid resigned in a shock development on Thursday.

The appointment of the 39-year-old Sunak, the Treasury chief secretary since last July, was confirmed by 10 Downing Street in a tweet.

Sunak, the MP from Richmond in Yorkshire, will join Home secretary Priti Patel on the top government bench as UK Chancellor of the Exchequer. He will move into No. 11 Downing Street, next door to the Prime Minister's Office as he takes charge of the second most important government position as the finance minister.

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP @RishiSunak has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer @HMTreasury pic.twitter.com/OTYOkujnbo UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 13, 2020

"The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Rt Hon Rishi Sunak as Chancellor of the Exchequer," Downing Street said in the official announcement.

The promotion came after Britain's finance minister Sajid Javid resigned on Thursday, just weeks after Brexit and a month before he was due to deliver the government's annual budget.

Javid's spokesperson confirmed he would be leaving just as Prime Minister Boris Johnson carried out the first reshuffle of his cabinet since winning a parliamentary majority in December's election.

The chancellor of the exchequer stood down after Johnson tried to use a reorganisation of his cabinet to get rid of some of Javid's aides, a source close to the departing minister said. He was immediately replaced by Sunak.

Javid's departure is a major upset at a turbulent time for Britain, just weeks after leaving the European Union on January 31, a process that has left the country with an uncertain future.

Johnson was on Thursday carrying out a cabinet reshuffle, his first since winning a comfortable parliamentary majority in the December general election.

Javid, a former City of London banker born into a working class Muslim family, was considered safe in his job despite reports of tensions between him and Johnson's senior aide, Dominic Cummings. But rumours began to circulate after his meeting with the prime minister went on longer than expected.

"He has turned down the job of chancellor of the exchequer," a source close to Javid said. "The prime minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team. The chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms."

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox were also shown the door.

But Foreign Minister Dominic Raab and Michael Gove, Johnson's de factor deputy, are staying.

Johnson held off from carrying out a cabinet reshuffle immediately after his December victory, choosing to wait until Britain left the EU.

After years of political turmoil over Brexit, he wants to focus this year on domestic issues, including investments in police, healthcare and infrastructure.

Johnson also named former aid minister Alok Sharma as the new minister in charge of the COP 26 UN climate summit, which is being held in Glasgow in November.

The former president, Claire O'Neill, was sacked last month. She responded with a blistering attack on his leadership, and warned that planning for the summit was "way off track".

(With inputs from agencies)
- The vice president Dr. Mahamud Bawumia says Ghana is moving onto cashless society by March

- He said a universal QR code will be launched next month to begin the process

- The vice president said this is to enable all retailers to trade without holding plenty cash

- Bawumia said Ghana will be the first in Africa to enroll this as already been done by the UK, Singapore and China

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The vice president, Dr. Bawumia, has announced that Ghana is moving to cashless society from March.

He explained that a universal QR code will be launched by the Bank of Ghana to facilitate the new process.

According to him, this would enable all retailers, regardless of what they sell, to receive money via their mobile, not necessarily cash payment.

READ ALSO: Thief snatches Patapaas obroni girlfriends Ghana-designed phone; she cries

Bawumia reportedly made this revelation in a town hall meeting and results fair in Kumasi on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

He mentioned that retailers who sell waakye, beans, Kofi brokeman (roasted plantain), trotro, and all you can think of, would receive cashless payment.

Thanks to the Bank of Ghana, next month, in March, Ghana will launch the universal QR code payment system, which will make it possible for all retailers, including those who sell Kofi Brokeman and waakye on the streets, to have the capacity to receive payments directly on their mobile phones without a point of sale device, Bawumia said.

"Even trotro, if you want to pay by mobile wallet, they will have their QR code. Everybody will be able to receive [money]. You dont have to keep a lot of cash if you are selling things, the vice president added.

READ ALSO: NPP are better managers of the economy - BoG data reveals

The vice president first announced the universal QR payment method in 2019, and it seems the government is ready to let it roll.

He added that countries like Singapore, China, and UK already have this trading system, and Ghana will be the first in Africa.

Mathew Anim Cudjoe showered with money after Hearts - Kotoko game in Accra | #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: NDC's Deputy National Organizer and NPPs Maame Afia Akoto set to tie the knot

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The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organisation has said.

The UN health agency said this on Wednesday after a deliberation by the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Ebola.

The emergency committee was first set up by the WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, in July to determine if the disease constituted a global health threat to the world.

Reconfirming the status of the disease, Mr Ghebreyesus on his Twitter handle @DrTedros, said he accepted the emergency committees advice that the Ebola outbreak in DRC continues to be a public health emergency of international concern.

I have accepted that advice, he said.

Assessment

Mr Ghebreyesus said WHOs assessment is that the risk of spread is high nationally and regionally, and low, globally.

The decision could be apt because last year before the disease was declared an emergency, a case had been detected in Uganda, a neighbouring country, in a man who had travelled from DRC.

The committee had a unanimous view that the disease still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the IHR (2005).

State of emergency

Mr Ghebreyesus last July declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. This gave the UN agency greater powers to restrict travel and boost funding.

This helped to speed up efforts in getting a vaccine which has helped curb the spread of disease in DRC.

Mr Ghebreyesus on Tuesday said the Ebola outbreak in DRC appears to be far from over.

This was because new confirmed cases and deaths from the disease are still being reported in the conflict-ridden country.

The country has been battling the outbreak of the disease since August, but the new coronavirus outbreak in China has pushed news on the disease off the headlines.

Mr Ghebreyesus said before the epidemic to be declared over, there have to be no new cases reported for 42 days  double the incubation period.

As of February 10, there were a total of suspected 3431 cases, of which 3308 were confirmed and 123 were probable and 2253 people have died from the disease.

Between February 3 and 9, three new confirmed cases were reported in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu.

The UN health agency said the three cases were already registered as contacts and two were under surveillance at the time of detection.

More than 2000 contacts are being followed. There has been an increase in the number of security incidents in recent months.

Nonetheless, the signs are extremely positive, and I hope that by the time the emergency committee reconvenes, we will be able to declare an end to the Ebola outbreak in DRC, but must act now to prevent the next one, he said.

Call to action

While new confirmed cases have been slowing down, the emergency committee said it would be too soon to lift the emergency status of the disease.

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A vaccine was approved by the WHO last year to stem the tide of the outbreak.

But reports from the health agency on Monday show that while progress is being made in combating the disease, the North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the eastern DRC cannot yet be cleared.

Mr Ghebreyesus is expected to travel to DRC on Thursday for discussions with the President, Felix Tshisekedi and other senior ministers about how to strengthen DRCs health system.

We cant forget that while Ebola has killed thousands of people, measles has also killed thousands in DRC, in less time.

Only half of health facilities have access to water. Strengthening a health system may not be as sexy as responding to an outbreak, but its equally important, he said.

He added that the current outbreak of COVID19 highlights why it is so critical for countries like DRC to strengthen health facilities.

Our greatest fear remains the damage this coronavirus could do in a country like DRC. Even as the flames of one outbreak begin to die down, we are fighting another fire-front.

Recommendation

The Ebola expert group will likely to meet again within three months for another review on the status of the disease, the chairman of the committee, Robert Steffen, said.

Withdrawing the PHEIC now might have adverse consequences for the response efforts through diminishing focus.

He said although the primary concern of the committee is Ebola, there are serious ongoing outbreaks of other diseases, including measles and cholera, in DRC.

The country continues to need support to combat infectious diseases as well as to strengthen its health system.
NORTHFIELD TWP., MI  Maegan and Ryan Spina were almost home from a week-long Florida vacation when neighbors contacted them about a strong odor coming from their Northfield Township house.

Parts of their basement were flooded with raw sewage. It wasnt the first time. And it wasnt the last.

The Spinas still face thousands of dollars of damage and cleanup costs from three backups in the fall. Township investigators deny any municipal liability. They blame the sewage failures on flushed wipes, possibly from a nearby school.

But the Spinas believe a cement block could have played a large role. They face a significant hurdle to get any financial help from the local government.

The damage to their home off Barker Road, west of U.S.-23, failed the strict scrutiny residents face when trying to prove government liability for sewer backups, per Public Act 222 of 2001.

The Spinas had three backups in 2019: Sept. 7, Oct. 14 and Nov. 13. Octobers incident, when they came home from vacation, caused more than $21,000 in damage, destroyed personal items left in the homes basement and forced the family out of their home for a week while cleaning crews treated the basement and the smell, according to the claim filed with the township and an adjusters cost estimate.

The township denied the claim by December, three months after the first backup and after multiple discussions at township board meetings.

Ann Arbor homeowners seek $19K in damages from city after home floods

The cause of loss of all three backups was wipes and paper products that were flushed into the sewer system that blocked the main line, the claim rejection states. The (township) is not responsible for what persons flush into its sewer system and/or the resulting property damage."

But the Spinas dispute the interpretation. They say insurers downplayed a brick that was blocking the sewer line and instead blame rags and wipes, products they say they do not flush. Records obtained by The Ann Arbor News/MLive via the Freedom of Information Act show initial reports called one obstruction a manhole block, a slab of concrete that holds up a manhole cover.

Maegan Spina worried it contributed to the backups more than other debris.

If the blocks were never there, the line wouldve been working just fine," Maegan Spina said in an interview. "But because the blocks were there it was just accumulating whatever was down the line.

State law says a municipality is only liable for damages in a sewage backup if there was a defect on the municipal line that the government was aware of, and reasonably should have known about. Without meeting all criteria, a claim can be denied. However, public bodies like a city council or township board can overturn the denial or establish a repayment plan with the claimant.

Ann Arbor man vows to sue after city rejects claim for flood damage

The Spinas claim for the first event in September was denied 11 days later because the township didnt know of a defect or blockage before the incident. It cost the Spinas about $3,500 in cleanup and damage.

About five weeks later, the second and worst backup occurred. The Spinas received their neighbors warning text about a sewage smell coming from their house as they were crossing the Michigan-Ohio border, Maegan Spina said. It looked as though the backup had occurred several days prior. The smell from the backup and the cleanup procedure were so strong that the family stayed in a hotel for six nights.

The Spinas dont want to file a claim with their homeowners insurance because it could raise their rates more than $500 per year for five years, Maegan Spina said.

At least one official believed the blockage was the townships fault this time for not running a camera into the sewer system to check for debris or blockages after the first incident, according to emails obtained in the public records request.

Although the intent was to TV the line after the first incident occurred, that had not been done yet. As a result, my (Wastewater) Treatment Plant (Superintendent), Dan Willis, feels the Township is a fault for not TVing the line in a timely manner, Township Manager Steve Aynes wrote to insurance investigators in an email dated Oct. 15, the day after the second backup.

Mr. Willis advised them that due to the strong odor they should spend the night in a hotel and the Township would reimburse them, Aynes continued in the email. Also to send the Township the bills for the Cleanup company.

Insurance assessors thought otherwise. Northfield Townships insurance agency declined the Spinas claims, including a third backup  which did minimal damage to the Spinas basement because of a newly installed backup pump, but affected a neighboring house.

In the Jan. 3 denial, the insurance group said all three backups were caused by excess wipes and paper products in the sewer line. Township officials speculated the excess wipes came from the nearby Whitmore Lake Elementary School, which had jetted its line around the same dates of the Spinas backups.

"The (township) had no prior notice within its sewer system, the denial states. Upon notice, the city responded within a reasonable amount of time and cleared the line.

The townships Board of Trustees discussed the sewage backups four times, including one closed session with the township attorney. It ultimately took no action in making a financial arrangement with the family.

Though many said they empathized with the Spinas, trustees appeared conflicted on the best path forward when they discussed the issue in October. Treasurer Lenore Zelenock said she wanted to know how approving the claim could expose the township to future liability, which she said could jeopardize the townships financial health.

Another trustee, Wayne Dockett, said he felt the state law on municipal liability was too protective.

The governmental agency has made itself immune to liability from the public that it serves, Dockett said at the Oct. 22 meeting. Not a nice way to treat the property owners of Northfield Township.

Insurance agents agreed with some trustees concerns of future liability. One agent warned Aynes against payment, documents show, saying it could open up further liability fights.

I would strongly discourage the Board from making such a (voluntary) payment, an undated letter to Aynes reads. Paying the Spina claim would set a precedent that could be used for damages related to sewer backups in the future.

The Spinas can file a lawsuit against Northfield Township to dispute the denials. Maegan Spina said she and her husband will decide on legal action soon.

In the meantime, the family said it feels hurt that elected officials avoided paying the claim.

How can you put me and my family through all of this and not feel like youre responsible? Maegan Spina said. These are people we voted into office, that are supposed to put themselves in our shoes and be on our side as residents and here they are  I feel like Im the enemy.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

Ann Arbor forum to explore carbon neutrality in the mobility sector

Ann Arbor company offers researchers free product to study coronavirus

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[Photo/China Daily]

China has mobilized the country's largest and strongest medical force to support the battle against the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic in Wuhan, Hubei province, National Health Commission official Guo Yanhong said on Thursday.

More than 180 teams comprised of over 20,000 medical workers have been dispatched from across the country to support Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic. The military also sent 2,600 more medical workers on Thursday, Guo said.

To treat the large number of critically ill patients in Wuhan, more than 7,000 of the health workers are trained in critical care, which should help reduce the mortality rate, she added.

So far, three teams, led by academicians Zhong Nanshan, Wang Chen and Li Lanjuan, have been helping Wuhan and the rest of the country, by strengthening consultation and treatment of critical patients, she said. The three teams are also exploring new drugs and therapies to devise effective methods to guide nationwide medical treatment .

Guo said the National Health Commission had also sent high-end medical equipment as well as staff members from its affiliated hospitals, including the strongest ones in critical care.

She added that three mobile polymerase chain reaction laboratories have also arrived in Wuhan to improve testing, while 22 national emergency medical rescue teams were also deployed to help treat the patients in mobile cabin hospitals.

Apart from Wuhan, 16 other cities in Hubei also hit by the epidemic have received help from 19 provinces, including Jiangsu, Guangdong, Shandong and Zhejiang.

In recent days, the 19 provinces have dispatched 25 teams of over 3,500 medical workers to the 16 cities, she said, increasing their medical staff capacity by 50 per cent.

"Treating patients is the top priority of the current epidemic control work," Guo said. "We have mobilized the power of the whole country and are resolutely striving to increase the cure rate and reduce the infection rate and fatalities."
Lawmakers who want to tackle the high cost of prescription drugs in a short legislative session will roll out a bill Thursday that caps the monthly cost of insulin at $50.

The measure is more aggressive than similar efforts in Illinois and Colorado, which last year championed legislation capping insulin costs for users at $100 per month.

Connecticuts bill also would limit the price of insulin-related supplies, such as syringes, pumps and blood sugar meters, to $100 a month.

State Rep. Sean Scanlon, a key backer of the measure, said while the actions taken in other states are commendable, Connecticut lawmakers want to go further.

If we can cap it at $50 a month and be the first state to cap the supplies, I think we would really be helping a considerable number of diabetics afford this lifesaving drug, he said. Capping the cost at $100 is great, but $100 is still a lot of money to people.

As the price of insulin has soared in recent years, people have delayed filling prescriptions or switched to alternatives, sometimes with grave consequences.

The Health Care Cost Institute reported that Type 1 diabetes patients - who generally must inject themselves every day  paid an average of $5,705 for insulin in 2016, nearly double what they paid four years earlier.

Under laws passed in Colorado and Illinois, the price of a 30-day supply of insulin is capped at $100. Insurance companies must absorb the balance.

The Colorado law, signed by Gov. Jared Polis in May, also directs the states attorney general to investigate how prescription insulin prices are set and make recommendations to the legislature.

Scanlon said he doesnt believe the cap on insulin would spur insurers to increase premiums. He pointed to companies like Bloomfield-based Cigna, which already has moved to limit the monthly cost of insulin for its members to $25.

If this is what insurers are saying they can do, then I think we can find a way to do this, Scanlon said. I dont believe theyre going to get up and say this is going to cost them more money and theyre going to raise premiums, because some of them are already doing this voluntarily.

The legislation will also include a provision giving pharmacists the authority to dispense insulin without a prescription in emergency situations. That portion of the bill is modeled after an effort in Ohio known as Kevins Law.

Shortly before New Years Day in 2014, Kevin Houdeshell went to pick up an insulin refill, but learned that he needed a new prescription. His doctors office was closed for the holiday, and Houdeshell was turned away at the pharmacy.

During the following days, he had high blood sugar that spiraled into diabetic ketoacidosis. Houdeshells body was found in his apartment on Jan. 8, 2014 after he didnt show up for work.

Kevins Law, which allows pharmacists to give patients a 30-day supply of a lifesaving drug like insulin even if the prescription has expired, went into effect in 2016. Other states have passed identical legislation.

Its all about making sure that this does not happen to anybody in Connecticut, Scanlon said.

Lawmakers in both chambers have expressed support for the insulin bill. Senate Democratic leaders included it in their 2020 health reform agenda, unveiled last month.

We are committed to the basic idea that nobody in Connecticut should die because they dont have access to insulin, Sen. Matthew Lesser, D-Middletown, said.

Susan Halpin, executive director for the Connecticut Association of Health Plans, which lobbies on behalf of insurers, said insurance company leaders will discuss the issue with legislators. She declined to comment on whether the measure would force insurers to increase premiums.

We share the concern about the underlying cost of insulin and many carriers have already undertaken taken measures to help address the issue. That said, we look forward to working with policy makers to see if theres more that can be done, Halpin said. Capping copays, however, doesnt address the underlying price. It only shifts the burden to the health care premium dollar instead.

The bill is one of several drug-related proposals the General Assembly will consider this year. Legislators are also exploring the importation of prescription medicine from Canada, the creation of a board to regulate drug prices, and a ban on mid-year changes to drug formularies, among other ideas.

Scanlon said the insulin bill has broad backing. An announcement on the measure is planned for Thursday morning at the states Legislative Office Building, and a public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Feb. 25.

This is going to be one of the bigger bills we do this session that has near total bipartisan support, he said. I think everyone recognizes theres a legitimate crisis going on when it comes to insulin.
Two lawmakers of the Action Alliance (AA) on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced Kingsley Uju and Pascal Obi as the new members of the majority party.

Mr Uju represents Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Ideato Federal Constituency while Mr Obi is from Ideato North/South Federal Constituency. Both are from Imo State.

In separate letters read by House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the lawmakers said they were leaving the AA as a result of irreconcilable issues in the party.

They went further to say they decided to cross carpet to the APC as progressives after all efforts to resolve the challenges in the AA failed.

This latest defection takes the tally of the APC in the Lower House from Imo to four, two shy of the PDPs six. The state has 10 seats in the House.

The latest defection also comes almost a month after the Supreme Court sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party as the governor of the state, replacing him with Hope Uzodinma of the APC.

Mr Uzodinma and Rochas Okorocha, senator representing Imo west, also of the APC, attended the House announcement.

The defection also affirms the growing spread of the ruling APC in the south-eastern region of the country, especially in Imo.

Rochas Okorocha, who became governor of Imo on the shoulders of APGA, defected to the APC before the end of his first term as governor in 2014.
IMTM is the official and unique fair on trade and tourism held annually in Israel, aiming to create exchange opportunities between local and foreign tourism firms.

This years event attracted businesses from more than 40 countries and territories with nearly 265 booths.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Do Minh Hung highlighted Israels potential although it is a small market, saying Israeli holidaymakers are paying more attention to Vietnam.

Israeli agencies have also supported the expansion of tourism cooperation between the two countries, he added, urging Vietnamese firms to take the initiative and be more creative in tourism marketing.

The participating Vietnamese enterprises expressed their hope that through the fair, they will set up more partnerships and have more customers.
by Mathias Hariyadi

For the mostly Christian ethnic group, pigs play a key role in their culture and economy. The ASF epidemic originated in China in August 2018. In Indonesia, it has killed up to 46,000 pigs.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  The Batak, a predominantly Christian ethnic group living in North Sumatra, have called on the Indonesian government to counter the spread of the African swine fever (ASF) without culling healthy pigs.

Pigs in the worlds most populous Muslim countries are haram, forbidden, to most people, but they play and important cultural and economic role among the Batak.

The ASF outbreak originated on farms in Shenyang, in the Chinese province of Liaoning, in August 2018. Quickly, the highly contagious disease spread to neighbouring countries, especially in Southeast Asia.

In Indonesia, some 46,000 animals have died as a result of the ASF so far. As of 22 November, about 10,300 animals had died in 16 districts in North Sumatra province. Just a few days earlier, almost 5,800 had died.

Last month, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said he was considering culling all pigs in the province as a last-resort measure to stop the virus from spreading.

Although local authorities did not go through with this, hundreds of Batak launched the "#SaveBabi" (#Save-the-pig) movement, which three days ago staged a protest rally at the North Sumatera Regional People's Representative Council building in Medan.

Protesters reiterated their demand that pigs not be culled, asking Indonesian president, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, to intervene as soon as possible to solve the health emergency, which has already caused serious economic losses among the provinces farmers.

Azhar Harahap, head of the North Sumatra Food and Livestock Resilience Agency, tried to reassure protesters. He noted that ASF has no cure but explained that culling animals is not possible under the national animal welfare rules of 2012 as well as the directives of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE[*]), except in the case of zoonosis, a fatal disease for humans.

Azhar added that the provincial administration has set up a rapid response unit to ensure that healthy pigs are not infected, stating that the authorities are closely monitoring livestock movements in villages, subdistricts, districts, cities and provinces, and that transporting pigs to and from North Sumatera has been banned.

In Indonesia, some ethnic groups rely on pork as the main staple food on special occasions. This is the case for the Batak in North Sumatra, but also the Minahasan (Manado) in North Sulawesi), Dayaks (Kalimantan) and indigenous Papuans (Papua).

[*] formerly the Office International des Epizooties.
CARACAS, Venezuela - An ally of President Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday that officials have detained a close relative of opposition leader Juan Guaido, accusing the uncle of trying to smuggle dangerous materials into Venezuela.

Guaido accused Maduro of using his uncle, Juan Jose Marquez, as a means of threatening him as he returns from an international tour rallying support to oust the socialist leader.

I hold you responsible, usurper Nicolas Maduro, and each one of your minions in Maiquetia for what happens to Juan Jose Marquez, Guaido said, calling his uncle an honest and brave man.

Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello, a Maduro ally, said in his weekly TV program Wednesday night that Guaidos uncle had been detained for allegedly carrying small amounts of C-4 explosives and two bullet-proof jackets.

Guaido and his uncle arrived together a day earlier on an international flight from Portugal. Guaido left the airport outside Caracas amid a chaotic scene, and later reported that officials had held back his uncle.

The return ended a three-week international trip through Europe, Canada and the United States, including a White House meeting with President Donald Trump.

Other relatives of Marquez said he was not politically active, but had travelled with Guaido because he was concerned for his nephews safety.

The tour was focused on rebuilding support for the oppositions year-long campaign to oust Maduro and end two decades of socialist rule that critics blame for the countrys social and economic crisis.

Cabello alleged Marquez was carrying flashlights that contained synthetic C-4 explosive in the battery compartment and five perfume refill capsules that also contained the explosive material.

Cabello presented photos of the alleged bullet-proof jackets and explosive material. He also accused Marquez of having a contact in his phone of an alleged U.S. secret service agent named Charles.

He was wearing his bullet-proof vest, Cabello said. He didnt declare them.
As the former mayor of Grand Rapids, George Heartwell advocated for banning guns from public meetings after people showed up to a city meeting with guns. Now, gun advocates oppose his appointment to chair the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which regulates hunting and fishing.

I think that people have taken my stand on guns in public meetings and conflated that to assume that Im opposed to all guns, or that Im opposed to hunting. Im not, Heartwell said.

Heartwell, a Democratic appointee, was previously appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder to serve on the State Transportation Commission.

But when Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tapped him to chair the Natural Resources Commission, gun advocates rose up in opposition.

A group called Great Lakes Gun Rights, which has tens of thousands of members across the state, urged people to contact their senators opposing Heartwells appointment. More than 1,000 of their members have done so, said Executive Director Brenden Boudreau.

We would rather not have such a vocal opponent of the Second Amendment on this commission, Boudreau said.

The NRA-Institute for Legislative Action urged people to ask their senators to oppose his appointment in an article, saying Heartwell will do what he can to harass and hinder gun owners and sportsmen."

It was in the wake of the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Conn., that people showed up to a Grand Rapids City Commission meeting with guns. Afterward, Heartwell founded the Coalition for Gun Control and tried unsuccessfully to keep guns out of public meetings.

Heartwell said he grew up hunting and is comfortable around guns. Plus, he said, the board isn't in charge of guns.

So, for those who think that Im going to somehow have the authority here on this board to do something about firearms, I really dont. This is about hunting and fishing regulations and has little or nothing to do with firearms, other than in the use of taking species, Heartwell said.

Bourdreau disagreed, saying the NRC could control the types of firearms people use for hunting and could have an impact.

Heartwell was appointed Feb. 7 and is still subject to the Senates advice and consent process. A majority of senators can reject appointments subject to their review within 60 days of the appointment. If they don't act, the appointment stands confirmed.

According to a statement from Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown, Senate Republicans demanded the governor pull Heartwells appointment. When she didnt they took action to reject the appointment of Anna Mitterling, another recent appointee to the commission who was still subject to the advice and consent process.

Related: Michigan Senate rejects Whitmer appointee, governor alleges sexist, partisan games

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, declined to say whether Mitterlings rejection was related to Heartwell. He said Mitterling was rejected due to concerns over her ability to understand the immensity of the commission and the very important need to provide guidance.

She looked like she just came across as being a little bit not willing to make tough decisions, quite frankly, he said.

Asked whether the Senate would also reject the Heartwell appointment, Shirkey said, were not going to jump the process.

Browns statement characterized the move as sexist, partisan games.

Boudreau said the rejection of Mitterlings appointment came as a surprise to him, and Great Lakes Gun Rights had not urged the Senate to reject her appointment. She was not a known commodity on gun rights, he said.

Heartwell said he hadnt followed closely the governors office alleging Senate Republicans tied his appointment to Mitterlings.

His love of the outdoors is what drew him to serve on the commission.

Im a lifelong outdoorsman. Im a dedicated fisherman, I will fish anywhere anytime for any species. And I grew up hunting in the woods and in the fields and on the water. So I think its a good fit for me given my background and knowledge base, Heartwell said.
Countries must notify each other immediately of any outbreak, governments must inform their citizens, and all should work together to find a vaccine, says Ngaire Woods.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, which has become international news, a report by the World Health Organisation warned that the world was not prepared for a fast-moving, virulent respiratory pathogen pandemic that could kill between 50m and 80m people, causing widespread panic and disrupting global trade.

The experience of the last 200-plus years is that only governments acting in concert can fight such a pandemic, and only with the trust and compliance of their citizens. This points to three challenges facing political leaders in the fight against coronavirus, now known as COVID-19.

The first is that politicians are torn between looking decisive and adopting scientific measures that must be carefully explained to a sceptical public. For example, governments in several countries, including India, Nigeria, Japan, and the United States, have instituted temperature checks on all passengers arriving at their airports.

But feverish travellers can simply mask their condition by using fever-reducing drugs. Furthermore, Chinese researchers suspect that COVID-19is contagious for up to 24 days before the person carrying it develops a fever. The British government, therefore, is informing all arriving passengers what to do if they experience symptoms after leaving the airport.

More seriously, on January 31, US President Donald Trumps administration announced a temporary entry ban on all foreign nationals who had been to China in the past 14 days, unless they were immediate relatives of US citizens or permanent residents. Many other countries have imposed similar measures, but the effect could be the opposite of what was intended.

Closing off China might seem justified. But doing so unilaterally, without building trust with other governments, makes it likelier that other countries  such as Chinas smaller neighbours  will not notify the world when the virus spreads to them, because they will fear both being closed off and the massive economic costs of this.

The golden rule in fighting pandemics is to encourage affected countries to notify others immediately of any infection. Chinese researchers rapidly identified COVID-19, and  after international urging  shared its viral sequence, thus spurring global cooperation in the race to create a vaccine.

In so doing, China complied with international rules that ensure that countries combat infections together, rather than harm themselves or others through protectionist measures.

The second challenge for governments is communication. Accurate, trusted information is vital in fighting a pandemic. But in most of the world, citizens do not trust politicians to tell the truth, so they turn to social media and other sources of information.

Such platforms can facilitate greater transparency and instant reporting, which governments must not quash, as local officials in Wuhan initially did by threatening doctors who reported the new coronavirus.

But social media also gives rise toinfodemics of fake news and rumour, which endanger public health. The WHO must refute claims that mouthwashes, nasal sprays, and sesame oil can prevent people from being infected with COVID-19. Likewise, online anti-vaccination campaigns have fuelled an entirely preventable resurgence of measles.

The WHO is working with social media companies to ensure that reliable public information appears first when people search for news about the coronavirus.

They also are cooperating in attaching warnings to posts that are promoting conspiracy theories and rumours about the virus, and in removing posts that endanger public health. All responsible politicians must support such efforts. Equally, politicians and social media companies need to combat xenophobic reactions, which pandemics spur all too easily.

There are already reports of a wave of discrimination against east Asians, since the COVID-19 outbreak. Stigma and discrimination make it harder to combat infectious diseases, because they increase the likelihood that affected people will avoid seeking health care.

Crucially, the fight against COVID-19 requires infected people to trust public authorities enough to identify, and to help to track down, everyone with whom they have been in contact, thereby enabling appropriate isolation measures to be put into place. This is less likely in an atmosphere of stigma and discrimination.

Finally, preparedness is key. Governments must commit resources ahead of time and have a ready-to-go command structure in the event of a global public health emergency.

But politicians often are loath to invest in disease prevention, finding it much easier to claim credit for a shiny new hospital. More insidiously, they can cut funding for preventive programmes in the knowledge that future governments will face the consequences.

The good news is that governments have begun to take pandemic preparedness seriously, in the wake of outbreaks of SARS, H1N1, MERS, Ebola, and Zika.

Following the Ebola crisis in 2014, for example, then US president, Barack Obamas administration established a directorate for global health security and bio-threats within the White House National Security Council.

It also introduced a system for coordinating international, national, state, and local organisations, both public and private, to confront a global epidemic, under the direct authority of the president.

The bad news is that Trump unwound and dismantled these preparations last year. He also cut funding for efforts by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help other countries prevent infectious-disease epidemics. But when other countries cannot identify and contain a virus, it is more likely to reach the US.

As COVID-19 continues to spread, the public must rely on cooperation among international governments to fight the disease effectively. But mounting pressures on political leaders risk pushing them toward more nationalistic, short-term measures, which are less effective or even counterproductive.

Ngaire Woods is dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

981354[/reamdore]
ARGYLE  The Town Board on Wednesday chose Washington County Fair manager Mark St. Jacques to serve as the towns highway superintendent.

St. Jacques, 61, plans to start the new position in the first week of March, and plans to step down from the fair manager post. Argyle Supervisor Bob Henke said St. Jacques was chosen from two finalists, and had the administrative and heavy equipment operation experience needed for the position.

The guys run the equipment. He has to decide where to put it and how to pay for it, Henke said.

St. Jacques, who has managed the popular annual fair since 1997, said he wanted to help the town as it deals with the loss of Humiston, adding that he was looking for a career change as well.

I knew Bob Humiston very well. It was a great loss for the town, he said.

St. Jacques said he is confident that the fair staff will carry on the great event without him as a new manager comes in, and he plans to stay involved in some capacity to assist with the transition to a new manager.

Weve got a great staff and a great group of volunteers. Im not just going to walk away, he said.

St. Jacques will have to run for election in November to serve the remainder of Humistons four-year term. Last year was the first year of his term.

Humiston, 67, died when a car that was headed north on Route 40 veered off the road, hit a ditch and became airborne, slamming into a pickup he was driving in the parking lot of the Auction Barn restaurant in Argyle. The driver who hit his truck lost control of her car as a snowstorm arrived, and the state highway was snow-covered at the time.

Humiston and three of his co-workers were pulling out of the restaurant in a truck Humiston was driving when they were hit in the exit of the lot, waiting to merge onto Route 40.

Henke said two of the three injured workers have returned to work, but one, Deputy Highway Superintendent Jason Rozelle, remained out of work recovering from serious injuries as of this week.

The town hired retired highway department employee Brian Colton to serve as interim highway superintendent after the accident.

The town hired back recent retirees and part-time staff to help with road-clearing duties while the workers were out. The Washington County Department of Public Works and Washington County Highway Superintendent Association have provided valuable assistance, Henke said.

The driver who hit Humistons truck, Samantha Humiston, 19, of Argyle, suffered minor injuries. She is not related to Robert Humiston.

Washington County sheriffs Senior Investigator Kristen Hardy said the police investigation into the collision was almost complete, and police did not anticipate any criminal charges against Ms. Humiston as the investigation stood this week.

Don Lehman covers police and court matters, Warren County government and the outdoors. He can be reached at 518-742-3224 or dlehman@poststar.com

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DECATUR, Texas, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wise Health System in Decatur, TX, has started sending notifications to patients to inform them that some of their protected health information (PHI) has been exposed as a result of a phishing attack. 66,934 patients have potentially been affected.

The attack occurred on March 14, 2019. Several employees received phishing emails and some responded and disclosed their account credentials. The credentials were then used to gain access to the Employee Kiosk, where the attacker(s) attempted to reroute payroll direct deposits. Attempts were made to redirect approximately 100 direct deposit payments.

Wise Health had policies in place that require a paper check to be printed for two successive payrolls following a change to direct deposit information. The checks were printed in the payroll on April 5, 2019 and the unusually high number of checks raised the alarm, thanks to the two-check policy. A system-wide password change was immediately performed to lock out the attackers and two third-party forensic firms were hired to investigate the breach. The breach was also reported to the FBI.

The sole purpose of the attack appears to have been to reroute direct deposits, although the stolen credentials would have allowed access to be gained to employee email accounts. Those accounts contained patients' names, medical record numbers, diagnostic information, treatment information, and health insurance information.

Wise Health System does not believe PHI was accessed by the attackers and there have been no confirmed reports that patient information has been misused. Both forensics firms and the FBI share that point of view. The investigators all agreed they have never seen a direct deposit attack such as this where the attackers have stolen patient data. These gangs specialize in direct deposit fraud. The attackers in this case were traced to Africa by the FBI, which has now closed its investigation.

A data audit was completed to determine the scope and nature of the information potentially compromised, which began in June 2019 and was recently completed. Since unauthorized PHI access and data theft could not be ruled out, to ensure patients are protected, notification letters were sent on February 13, 2020, and affected patients have been offered between twelve and twenty four (12-24) months of complimentary membership to ID Experts MyIDCare service, which includes credit monitoring, identity theft recovery, and insurance coverage.

Wise Health System has reviewed its security policies and procedures and has taken numerous steps to reinforce security. Additionally, Wise Health System has established an informational line for potentially impacted individuals to call at (940) 539-3500 or (940) 627-5921 ext. 9088.

SOURCE Wise Health System
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The Cuyahoga County Board of Election is encouraging voters to vote early or by mail for the presidential primary, since it falls on March 17, St. Patricks Day, this year.

That way, voters wont have to worry about finding time to cast a ballot between the parade and gulps of green beer.

Because of all of the wonderful, celebratory St. Patricks Day events and festivities scheduled on Election Day, we encourage voters to cast their ballots by voting Early In-Person at the Board of Elections or to Vote-by-Mail, Board of Elections Director Anthony Perlatti said in a news release. By casting ballots prior to Election Day voters dont have to worry about conflicting commitments on St. Patricks Day.

Early voting starts Feb. 19 and runs through the day before Election Day. The last day to register to vote in the primary is Feb. 18 at 9 p.m.

Voters can cast ballots early at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, during these dates and times:

February 19 to March 6

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

March 7

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

March 9 to March 13

8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

March 14

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

March 15

1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

March 16, 2020

8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Voters can also vote by mail beginning Feb. 19. You can request a vote-by-mail ballot here.

Read more on this subject:

Cuyahoga County Board of Election to shut down election myths during public forums

After the polls close on Election Day, heres how the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections counts your vote

Cuyahoga County Board of Election unveils new vote logo
GRANTS PASS, Ore.  A three-vehicle crash that resulted in multiple hospitalizations in Grants Pass on Tuesday was caused by an intoxicated driver, according to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS).

Police, firefighters, and paramedics responded to the intersection of Grants Pass Parkway and SE M Street around 1 p.m. following reports of a crash and injuries.

"Callers reported a 3-vehicle head-on collision in the intersection," GPDPS said.

Units arrived to find the three cars in the middle of SE M Street, just east of the Parkway. All three were "significantly damaged" and had to be towed away. Two drivers were taken to Three Rivers Medical Center with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening.

An investigation of the crash found that the driver of a 2009 silver Nissan Murano was heading eastbound on SE M Street when they illegally passed another car and did not stop before driving into the intersection, GPDPS said.

The driver managed to avoid both north and southbound traffic in the intersection, but then smashed head-on into a black 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe.

"The Chevrolet was westbound and stopped for the red traffic signal," GPDPS said. "The collision forces then pushed the Chevrolet backward, causing it to impact a white colored 2019 Toyota Tundra."

Police concluded that the driver of the Nissan Murano, 51-year-old Kimberly Dawn Day, had been "driving under the influence of an inhalant," and may have passed out while driving. She crashed into the Tahoe, injuring both the other driver and herself.

The driver of the Toyota Tundra told first responders that they did not need treatment. Day was evaluated at Three River Hospital, treated, and then released into the custody of the Josephine County Jail.

Day faces charged for DUII, Assault III, Reckless Driving, three counts of Reckless Endangering, and two counts of Criminal Mischief II.

Anyone with further information related to this crash is asked to please call the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety at 541-450-6260, reference case #20-6758
Months of politicking in Delhi concluded on February 11 when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) retained power in the national capital with a thumping majority.

In what came as a near-repeat of its 2015 election performance, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals party won 62 of the total 70 Assembly seats in the national capital territory. Its main challenger, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won the remaining eight constituencies.

In 2015, AAP had won 67 with the BJP winning the other three.

Listen in: Rajneeti podcast | Decoding Delhi poll results  insight into AAP's resounding win, BJP's gains and Congress' decimation

Beyond the tally  BJPs hidden surge

But, a closer look at the results data from the Election Commission (EC) reveals a surge in BJPs vote share. The saffron party secured around 38.5 percent votes. Remember, that is only from the 66 seats it contested. Its allies Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) contested from two seats each and secured 0.9 percent and 0.3 percent votes, respectively.

BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)s combined vote share stood just under 40 percent. This is a major increase from the 32.3 percent votes BJP had secured in 2015 (across 70 seats).

On the other hand, the Indian National Congress and AAP lost their vote share. AAP went from 54.5 percent in 2015 to 53.6 percent. The Congress share dropped more drastically from 9.7 percent to 4.26 percent.

Also read: Congress+ loses deposit in 67 out of 70 seats

The significant rise in BJPs vote share has become a talking point for political experts as the saffron party had run a faceless campaign. BJP had not named a chief ministerial candidate despite its one-on-one contest against AAP, which has an undisputed and popular leader in Kejriwal.

BJP had also largely relied on nationalism even as AAP used its claims of development and initiatives as its poll plank.

Also read: Opinion | BJP unlikely to dump its polarising campaign style

The partys spokespersons were seen highlighting this vote share surge on prime-time news television.

The election result came as a major disappointment for BJP. Having won all of the Capitals seven parliamentary seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party was optimistic about its chances.

The party sweeping Lok Sabha polls in May 2019, but failing to get double digit assembly seats just nine months later, is not surprising. This is one of the key takeaways from the Delhi election. The Delhi election result now falls in place like a piece of a puzzle.

Also read | 5 key takeaways: Kaam ki rajneeti, consolation gains for BJP and more

Pattern confirmed

Voters in India are not shying away from voting for different political parties at different levels of governance  perhaps more than ever before. Elections held a year before, those held along with, and held after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, clearly attest to this voter behaviour.

This is similar to what political scientists call split-ticket voting, in which people vote for candidates from different political parties at different levels of governance. This term is generally used when such a split happens in the same election. An example of this would be the way people voted in Odisha during the simultaneous state and Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

Heres how voters across the country have been voting in this pattern for at least the last two years (2018-2019 and 2019-20):

2018-19

Karnataka: BJP, challenging the Siddaramaiah-led Congress there, had emerged as the single-largest party with 104 seats. Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular)  contesting separately  had won 78 and 37 seats, respectively.

BJP had secured a 36.2 percent vote share in this state election held in May 2018. Congress finished a bit higher with 38.04 percent votes. JD(S) had won 18.3 percent votes.

However, a year later, BJP polled 51.7 percent votes in the Lok Sabha election and bagged 25 of the states 28 seats. Congress and the JD(S)  contesting in an alliance this time  won one seat each. An Independent candidate, backed by the BJP, had won one seat. Congress and JD(S) vote share fell to 32.1 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.

Chhattisgarh: The Raman Singh-led BJP government lost the state in December 2018. The party won just 15 of the 90 seats. With 68 seats, Congress secured a two-thirds majority. Congress had polled 43.9 percent votes, ahead of BJPs 33.6 percent.

Around six months later in the parliamentary election, the pendulum had swung the other way. With a 51.4 percent vote share, BJP bagged nine out of the 11 seats in the state. Congress vote share stood at 41.5 percent.

Madhya Pradesh: This state in central India was also lost by the BJP. The party won 109 seats, just behind Congress 114. The two parties polled 41.6 percent and 41.5 percent votes, respectively.

Less than a year later, BJP won 28 of the 29 Lok Sabha seats with 58.5 percent vote share. Congress won one seat, with a state-wide vote share of 34.8 percent.

Rajasthan: In December 2018, Congress clinched the state by winning 99 seats with a 39.8 vote share. BJP finished second with 73 seats and 39.3 percent of the votes.

In the Lok Sabha polls, the saffron party won 24 of the 25 seats in the state. The remaining one seat in Rajasthan was in fact won by its ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP).

Congress vote share fell to 34.5 percent, whereas BJPs swelled to 59.07 percent.

Telangana: K Chandrashekar Raos Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) retained power in Indias newest state with 88 of the 199 seats. TRS vote share was 47.4 percent.

Congress (contesting in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party) had won 19 seats. However, its vote share was 28.7 percent. BJP, with a vote share of 7.1 percent, had managed to win just one seat.

In the general election, TRS won nine of the states 17 Lok Sabha seats and had a vote share of 41.7 percent. Congress won three seats with a marginally improved vote share of 29.7 percent.

However, the BJP clinched four parliamentary seats with its vote share jumping to 19.6 percent.

Mizoram: Zoramthangas Mizo National Front (MNF) defeated Congress in late 2019 in the state election. MNF and Congress had won 26 and five seats, respectively. The BJP had won just one seat.

In terms of the vote share too, MNF and Congress had picked up 37.8 percent and 30.3 percent votes, respectively. BJPs vote share was 8.1 percent votes.

However, in April-May, the MNFs Lok Sabha candidate secured 45.1 percent votes. An Independent candidate backed by Congress won 46.4 percent votes in the state lone Lok Sabha seat. BJP candidates vote share dipped to 5.7 percent.

Simultaneously with 2019 Lok Sabha polls

The Assembly polls for Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim were held simultaneous to the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. Voters in these four states polled for both levels of governances on the same day.

BJP not only retained power in Arunachal Pradesh with a two-thirds majority, but also won one of the two Lok Sabha seats. BJPs vote share in the state was 51.3 percent, which spiked to 58.9 percent for the parliamentary election.

In Andhra Pradesh, voters opted for YS Jagan Mohan Reddys YSRCP over the incumbent Telugu Desam Party (TDP), in both polls for the Centre and the state. The vote share did not deviate much as voters opted for the challenger and gave YSRCP over two-thirds of the seats, at the central as well as in the state polls.

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) not only stormed to power in Sikkim, but also won the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Northeast state. While its vote shares in the two polls were identical, its rival Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)s vote share was down to 44.2 percent in the Lok Sabha polls as compared to 48 percent in the state election.

Odisha witnessed a major electoral phenomenon. Voters chose Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the state for a fifth consecutive term. But the Members of Parliament (MPs) getting elected from the BJP was disproportional to its Assembly polls performance.

BJD won 112 seats in the 146-member Assembly. Thats about 76 percent seats. But, only 12 of its 21 candidates were able to win seats in the Lok Sabha. Thats around 57 percent.

While BJDs vote share was 45.2 percent in the Assembly polls, it marginally fell to 43.3 percent when it came to polling for the Lok Sabha. On the other hand, BJPs vote share increased from 32.8 percent to 38.8 percent in the two polls, respectively.

Post-2019 Lok Sabha polls

Haryana: BJP won all of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana and secured a 58.02 percent vote share. Congress vote share was 28.4 percent.

In the assembly election, BJP failed to win a majority on its own. The saffron party won 40 of the total 90 seats in the House. Congress won 31 seats. BJP secured 36.5 percent votes to finish ahead of Congress 28.1 percent.

Maharashtra: The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance had won 41 of the 48 seats (about 85 percent seats). Together their vote share was over 50 percent.

However, in the assembly election held six months later, it fell to around 42 percent.

In terms of the seats, the BJP-Sena pre-poll alliance had secured 169 of the 288 seats (about 58 percent seats).

Jharkhand: The BJP had won 11 of the 14 parliamentary seats in the state. Its ally All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) had won one seat. The Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) combination won the remaining two. BJPs vote share itself was about 51.6 percent.

However, in the assembly election, BJP managed to win just 25 of the total 80 seats. Its vote share plummeted to 33.4 percent. On the other hand, the Congress-JMM alliance bagged 46 seats. Their vote share jumped to 32.5 percent votes from a combined vote share of 27.4 percent.

Now, the Delhi election result only confirms the pattern. BJP had won all seven parliamentary seats in the national capital with a vote share of 56.6 percent.

Interestingly, Congress had finished second, ahead of AAP in terms of the vote share. While Congress vote share was 22.5 percent, AAPs vote share plummeted was 18.2 percent. Congress had also finished ahead of AAP in five of the seven Lok Sabha seats.

In the Assembly election, however, Congress vote share collapsed to 4.2 percent. Further, the Congress lost its deposit in 63 of the 66 seats it contested. Its ally RJD also lost its deposit in all four seats it fought.

It is to be noted that the proportion of seats contested by a political party may have changed marginally between the state polls and the Lok Sabha election as a result of alliances.

Throughout the time period mentioned above, Prime Minister Narendra Modis personal popularity remained high. This was evident from the Lok Sabha polls, in which BJP won 303 out of the 543 seats on its own. Opinion polls have also suggested that PM Modi leads with a big margin on that front.

According to the India Today Group-Karvy Insights Mood of the Nation survey from January, at least 34 percent respondents believed that Modi is the best prime minister of India. Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were a distant second and third, respectively.

Additionally, 68 percent respondents said that they found PM Modi's performance either good or outstanding.

What it also means is that people in states where the BJP is a contender, tend to vote differently when PM Modi is on and off the ballot.

Why this could be happening

In an article for ThePrint in December 2019, psephologist and founder of socio-political organisation Swaraj Abhiyan, Yogendra Yadav, had written earlier that split-ticket voting is a sign of voters sophistication.

Political pundits have explained that Indian voters voted the same way in the central and state elections since Independence till about the 1970s. In the next phase, they voted in assembly elections as if their vote was going to decide who governs the Centre.

In an interview with Moneycontrol during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, NDTV co-founder and senior journalist Prannoy Roy had said: The single biggest change is that our voters are much more discerning and smarter than even a couple of decades ago. No longer can our politician fool our voters easily  they have to work hard at it! Our voters are no longer taken in by flamboyance and oratory  they demand real development and results on the ground, in their village or locality.

This leaves us with a question: will the split-ticket pattern continue till the Bihar Assembly election scheduled for later this year? And, if so, how will political parties manoeuvre to avoid facing heat or take advantage of it, over the next eight months.
A study published Feb. 13 in Cell provides an unprecedented look at the dozens of molecular steps that occur to bring about endometrial cancer, commonly known as uterine cancer. The study offers insights about how physicians might be able to better identify which patients will need aggressive treatment and which won't, and offers clues about why a common treatment is not effective with some patients.

The study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, also suggests a potential new role for already-approved drugs that target proteins known as CDK12, SMARCA4 and PML in other types of cancer.

One could say that the work is a detailed molecular snapshot of endometrial cancer. However, the information is so vast, touching upon tens of thousands of molecular actors taking part in thousands of interactions at different times, that the work is more like a frame-by-frame video, documenting steps that play out over years in patients' bodies.

"This is like the Google Earth of endometrial cancer," said Karin Rodland, one of five corresponding authors of the paper and a cancer biologist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "It's a very comprehensive portrait of this particular cancer type. We tried to measure everything we possibly could. Then we searched for patterns."

Rodland and PNNL's Tao Liu are two of five corresponding authors of the paper; the others come from New York University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, and Baylor College of Medicine. Overall, scientists from more than a dozen institutions contributed. The senior author is David Fenyo of NYU Langone Health.

Endometrial cancer: beyond genes

The research builds on work by The Cancer Gene Atlas, or TCGA, which identified some of the genetic underpinnings of the disease in 2013.

But genes are only the start of the story when it comes to cancer. When and where are those genes turned on, turned off, or mutated? What do they produce and how do those products interact?

The team studied 95 uterine tumors and 49 normal uterine tissue samples. Scientists measured the abundance and modifications of a dizzying array of molecular players, including genes, messenger RNAs, circular RNAs, micro RNAs and proteins. The measurements of what scientists call "post-translational modifications," including phosphorylation and acetylation, are key to determining when and where proteins, the molecular workhorses of every cell, are active or inactive.

"This unique, rich resource of high-quality data about all these molecular players from the same set of samples provides cancer researchers with a precious view of protein activity and regulation," said Liu.

Altogether the team took more than 12 million measurements.

What did they learn from the painstaking process? Here are the top takeaways.

Identifying the most aggressive endometrial cancers

Scientists developed a promising new way to identify tumors that are not currently classified as aggressive but which turn out to be just as invasive as serous tumors, which grow quickly and are more likely than other tumors to kill patients.

Right now the aggressiveness of an endometrial tumor is determined largely by viewing the cells under a microscope. The team showed that activity levels of certain proteins clearly differentiate more-aggressive from less-aggressive tumors. For example, the team showed how the protein beta-catenin, a well-known actor in many types of cancer, interacts with a signaling pathway known as Wnt to evade detection, accumulate and spur cells to grow out of control.

"What was a disciplined army of interacting proteins now becomes a mob, wreaking havoc," said Rodland.

Unexpectedly, the team also found that a process that involves packing and unpacking genes happens more often than expected in tumor cells. There's more than 7 feet of DNA squeezed into nearly every one of our cells, and it's packed super efficiently, but cells need to unspool the DNA so that other molecular machinery can access it. The team's measures indicate that a key part of the process, known as histone acetylation, is very active in endometrial cancer.

"Imagine a librarian holding a book very tight to the chest, not allowing anyone else to read it," said Rodland. "If you want to read the book - or in this case, access a gene and turn it on - you have to have a way to loosen the librarian's grip and open the book."

Identifying patients who will or won't benefit from checkpoint therapy

The team created a new way to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from a treatment known as checkpoint therapy, where drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab are used to dodge the barriers that some cancer cells use to evade the immune system. It's one of many ways that physicians are exploring the use of immunotherapy to spur the body's natural defenses to fight cancer.

Currently in endometrial cancer, physicians use a measurement known as tumor mutation burden to determine which patients are most likely to benefit. Based on the measurements of immune activity in this study, the scientists have proposed a new measure focused on a patient's antigen presentation machinery, known as the APM. The APM describes how well the body flags cancer cells and presents them to the body's immune system for destruction - a key function for checkpoint inhibitors to be effective.

Better insight into exactly who would benefit from the drugs would allow physicians to avoid their use in patients who are unlikely to benefit, sparing those patients severe and unnecessary side effects.

"This work contributes to the personalized medicine we need to deliver for patients who have endometrial cancer," said Bing Zhang of Baylor College of Medicine, a corresponding author. "Such work will help us to know which patients will benefit most from which therapies."

The team also discovered that small, oft-overlooked molecules known as circular RNAs seem to be involved in the transformation that cells undergo when they gain the ability to spread. The transition is called the endothelial-mesenchymal transition, or EMT; it's what makes endometrial cancer deadly.

The study is the fifth publication in a series of studies funded by the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium to tackle the biological pathways involved in cancer. Previously published papers have focused on ovarian cancer and colon cancer.

"This is hypothesis-generating research," said Rodland. "It's like the Moon mission, where the crew brought back rocks for study by many other scientists. Here, we are providing the raw information for scores of scientists to pore over, to study, and to generate new hypotheses. Eventually we hope this information will lead to clinical trials and perhaps new ways to treat this disease."

###

In addition to Liu and Rodland, other PNNL authors include Marina Gritsenko, Vlad Petyuk, Chia-Feng Tsai, Jamie Moon, Rosalie Chu, Ronald Moore, Matthew Monroe, Rui Zhao, and Richard Smith.

This work was supported by grants U24CA210955, U24CA210954, U24CA210972, U24CA210979, U24CA210986 and U01CA214125 from the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium, by grant RR160027 from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institutes of Texas, and by funding from the McNair Medical Institute at the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation. Proteins and protein activity were measured at EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE Office of Science user facility located at PNNL.
Will Cabinet Approve New Oilsands Mine Despite Trudeaus Net-Zero Promise?

OTTAWAThe federal governments looming decision on whether to green-light a massive new oilsands development will be a test of Ottawas pledge to improve relations with Alberta.

Standing in the way of approving the $20.6 billion Teck Frontier mine project is Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus promise to make Canada a net-zero carbon dioxide producer by 2050.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney told an audience in Washington, D.C., last week that a rejection of the project wont just be very serious in Alberta, but I think it would be very serious in global capital markets.

Its hard to overstate the response of Albertans, not just our government, but Albertans broadly, if this project were to be rejected, he said.

But last week in the House, Liberal MPs urged Trudeau to reject the project, saying it would undermine the governments net-zero commitment.

Jack Mintz, an economist and School of Public Policy fellow at the University of Calgary, says plans to convert Canada into a net-zero carbon emitter by 2050 are based on hope and prayer well get the technologies to get us there.

Kenney said in his speech that the mine, which would be capable of producing 260,000 barrels a day and have a 40-year lifespan, represents a path to the future.  Over the next decades as we go through the energy transition, we all know there will be continued demand for crude.

Daily global consumption of oil is only slightly less than the average daily production of around 100 million barrels/day; transportation consumes approximately 60 percent of this supply.

So to Kenneys comment, theres still going to be significant demand over the next 30 to 40 years, and Canada can either be part of that or not part of that, Mintz said.

Last April, Canada approved Equinors Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project located east of Newfoundland and Labrador, in the North Atlantic, while the public comment period has expired on a similar nearby drilling proposal by China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

Mintz noted that Norway and the United Kingdom are developing new offshore oil projects as well.

If you look at Norway, theyre dealing with decarbonization and developing a major new field.  The U.K. government on one hand is talking about zero-net emissions, but on the other hand theyre pushing a major new development in the North Sea for oil and gas, he said.

So if were not part of this [supply side], well be stranding our assets when other people arent. So I think as a country we need to balance those two things just like everybody else is  and not try to be doing something much more aggressive, which could avoid an irreparable split.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers showed Canada lost more than 116,000 energy-related jobs between 2015 and 2017, according to a February 2019 article by CityNews Edmonton.

With the energy sector bleeding such a large number of jobs since Trudeau was first elected, the Liberals lost all the seats it held in Alberta and Saskatchewan in the 2019 election. There was talk of western separatism, and frustrated westerners took up #Wexit as a social media hashtag in the spirit of U.K.s Brexit.

After the election, Trudeau promised to work to address the anger of people in those provinces and repair relations between Ottawa and the West, and tasked Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland with that job.

If the Teck mine goes ahead, it could generate a total of $55 billion in royalties and create 2,500 permanent jobssomething Alberta sorely needs.

But even Liberal backbenchers like Nathaniel Erskine-Smith are against the project. The downtown Toronto MP told Toronto Star that theres no way the mine can go ahead because of the Liberals net-zero carbon emission.

Adding more uncertainty is Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who said none of the options are off the table for the project, which has been in regulatory machinations since 2012.

Cabinet has the ability to approve with conditions, it has the ability to reject, and it has the ability to defer, Wilkinson said in a CBC interview on Monday, where he promised a fulsome discussion and well be taking into account all the relevant information.

News emerged this week that if the project is nixed, the federal government is preparing an aid package for Alberta to soften the blow.

That didnt go down well with Albertas Environment Minister Jason Nixon, who told media that Alberta is not looking for a Justin Trudeau handout. He said the project should be approved, noting that a federal-provincial panel found that the mine would be in the public interest, despite its impact on the environment.

Cabinet is set to make a decision about the mine by the end of the month. Alberta Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs has said that if its not approved, it will be perceived as a final rejection of Alberta by Canada.
A conman father who moved into his daughter's college dorm room and pimped out her friends used sex videos to coerce and extort them, prosecutors claim.

Lawrence Ray has been accused of setting up a 'sex cult' and forcing a group of students into prostitution or unpaid labor at Sarah Lawrence College, just north of New York City, and cheating them out of $1million.

The 60-year-old was charged on Tuesday with physical and psychological threats, coercion, extortion, forced labor, sex trafficking and money laundering against students he met through his daughter.

Investigators are studying large amounts of materials including 20 to 40 electronic devices seized from the home of the ex-convict, who reportedly had ties to mobsters and a former New York City police commissioner.

Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sassoon told a judge at the Federal District Court in Manhattan that investigators who conducted about 17 interviews with victims were told that Ray would sometimes use a woman's electronic device to take sexually explicit materials and then seize it.

She said he would also direct victims to write 'sensitive and incriminating things' in journals that he would then use against them, including videos of Ray berating a victim and using sexually explicit content in the alleged extortion.

Ray was living in New Jersey with two of the former students both of whom he called his wife, it was claimed.

Lawrence Ray was charged with federal extortion and sex trafficking charges involving a group of students at Sarah Lawrence College

The Barbara Walters Campus Center building on the campus of Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers. Ex-convict Lawrence 'Larry' Ray was arrested on Tuesday on charges he bilked several Sarah Lawrence students out of nearly $1 million and forced some into prostitution or unpaid labor

At the time of Ray's arrest, US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Ray used 'physical, sexual and psychological abuse' to extort money from five different students at Sarah Lawrence College, a private liberal arts college outside New York City.

He convinced them they were indebted to him, subjecting them to 'grueling interrogations' that spanned hours and deprived them of food and sleep, he said.

At least one of the women was forced into prostitution and Ray collected over $500,000 from her, prosecutors said.

He would video her encounters with customers and use it to extort money and force to continue in prostitution, investigators claim. Other victims he allegedly threatened with knives.

Prosecutors said Ray solicited false confessions for crimes they did not commit from more than a half-dozen victims, and coerced them to make payments they didn't actually owe and couldn't afford.

He began his alleged coercion by holding 'therapy sessions' with his daughter and her friends after he was released from prison and moved into her dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College, prosecutors allege.

Some were coerced into working without pay to install an irrigation system on a property his family owned in North Carolina, it was claimed.

US Attorney Geoffrey Berman pointing to a photo showing Lawrence Ray during a news conference on Tuesday in New York

Journals, financial records along with cellphone videos, described as 'particularly disturbing' will be examined, prosecutors said.

The prosecutor said evidence that would eventually be shown to defense lawyers under secrecy rules meant to protect the identities of victims.

Sassoon also said statements Lawrence Ray made after his arrest on Tuesday will be turned over to defense lawyers so they can prepare for trial.

She made the comments at an arraignment as Ray pleaded not guilty to a nine-count indictment including extortion and sex trafficking charges.

Ray subjected his victims to 'sexual and psychological manipulation and physical abuse' from 2010 to 2018, indictment stated.

He starved some of the girls, the indictment claims, by placing a lock on the refrigerator, while forcing them to carry out labor to 'repay him' for purported damages they had caused to his home in Manhattan.

Ray also used 'sleep deprivation, psychological and sexual humiliation, verbal abuse and threats of physical violence', the indictment states.

Assistant Federal Defender Marne Lenox told US District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman her client might make a bail application at a hearing scheduled in two weeks.

The home (pictured) where Lawrence Ray lived in for several years in Piscataway, New Jersey

Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. Lawrence Ray, the father of a former student at the school, has been indicted on extortion, sex trafficking and other charges related to his alleged abuse of several students

After Wednesday's hearing, Lenox declined to comment. She told the judge that Ray would determine in the next few weeks whether he'll hire his own lawyer or seek court-appointed counsel.

Sassoon said between 20 and 40 electronic devices were seized when search warrants were executed on Tuesday at Ray's Piscataway, New Jersey, residence.

Ray was previously known for his role in helping to send former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, who was a close confidant of Rudy Giuliani, to prison.

At the time, Ray, who had been the best man at Kerik's wedding, was under indictment in a $40 million stock scam.

The felon also reportedly had connections to mobsters and intelligence officers.

Kerik told DailyMailTV that his former friend is a 'predator'.

He said: 'He's a conman. He is somebody that's a detriment to society. Hopefully, justice will take its course and he'll be held accountable for his crimes.'

In interviews with New York magazine, whose story last year prompted the federal investigation, Ray said he believed he was being poisoned as part of a conspiracy hatched by some of the students and Kerik, who denied any involvement.

Ray (pictured) was interviewed about the Kerik corruption case above

Sarah Lawrence said on Tuesday that it has not been contacted by federal prosecutors but would cooperate 'if invited to do so'.

Ray was said to have lived with some of the victims, first in on-campus hosing at a college in Westchester County, New York, and thereafter at locations in Manhattan, New York, Pinehurst, North Carolina and elsewhere.

The former convict and two of his alleged victims, moved into a home in suburban New Jersey 18 months ago and Ray was paying the mortgage on the home to help out a friend, a neighbor told DailyMail.com.

Bill Dubrow, who lives behind the property in Piscataway, New Jersey, said there were four people living at the house.

Dubrow described Ray as generous and said he never witnessed any forced labor.

The 77-year-old told DailyMail.com: 'Scott lost his job, can't pay the mortgage and Larry came and bailed him out. Larry's been paying the bills ever since.

'In fact, they replaced my fence because they hit it with one of the machines. He also hit the other fence in the back and he was in the process of getting that replaced.'

Dubrow said that Ray did not talk a lot about his past, 'because I didn't believe him. I've been around the block. I used to work for the state police'.

He added: 'There was no forced labor as far as that goes. One came up here and she was a work horse. She loves it, nothing forced.'

Dubrow said that he had never seen anyone sleeping outside and that Larry did most of the work.

He added: 'One was more life a gofer, get me this, get me that.

'When I was in the hospital, they came in here and cleaned up the front of my yard. Larry was right in there, getting all the work done. I never had any problems with them.'

When Ray was arrested in New Jersey on Tuesday, two of the alleged victims were in the home with him.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Geoffrey Berman, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., head of the F.B.I.s New York office, announced the charges.

Berman said Ray 'ensnared' his victims when they were teenagers then 'preyed' on them for nearly a decade.

He went on to describe how his conduct 'shocks the conscience'.
Srinagar, Feb 13 : The by-elections for close to 13,000 vacant panchayat seats In Jammu and Kashmir will be held in March, Chief Electoral officer Shailendra Kumar said in Jammu on Thursday.

He said the elections would be held in eight phases beginning March 5.

The poll phases are scheduled to be held on March 5, March 7, March 9, March 12, March 14, March 16, March 18 and March 20.

Panchayat elections were held in 2018 which were boycotted by the mainstream Kashmir-based political parties - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National conference (NC).

The electoral exercise has been announced at a time when three former chief ministers continue to be under detention since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

Stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) has been slapped on the three former chief ministers.
Less than 12 weeks after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) refused to act on a 97 percent strike vote by Royal Mail workers, the union has announced a fresh national strike ballot for the two weeks from March 3rd through the 17th.

Terry Pullinger, CWU deputy general secretary (postal), announced the ballot in a video posted to the CWUs Facebook page February 4, declaring, We offered a period of peace to de-escalate the tensions and have had some decent talks with Royal Mailbut unfortunately their response to that was, well have talks, but were carrying out the executive action thats currently taking place.

This period of peace and decent talks were the CWUs gift to Royal Mailpaid for by the unilateral cancellation of a strike that would have severely hit the company in the run-up to Christmas. The CWU then accepted a nakedly biased High Court injunction banning the strike during the November-December general election campaignwith officials justifying their capitulation by holding out the prospect of a Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour government.

Even after Corbyns two-faced posturing as a leader of the many, not the few was rejected by an increasingly disillusioned electorate, the union entered talks with Royal Mail Group (RMG), despite CEO Rico Back having already announced that a five-year turnaround plan would be imposed. Backs five-year strategy aims to transform RMG into a parcel delivery service to rival Amazon, Hermes and DHL, through the imposition of sweatshop conditions and gig-economy-style casualisation.

The CWU never had any intention of leading a fight for jobs, conditions and pay. They cynically used the strike vote as a bargaining chip to try and force RMG to the negotiating table, calling for the retention of the 2017 Four Pillars Agreement, which included a range of cost efficiencies to the detriment of workers but which guaranteed the CWU a seat at the table.

In his video interview, Pullinger repeatedly urged RMG to resume talks, alluding to the savings they may make under the Four Pillars Agreement. We are open to talks with Royal Mail, but theyve got to stop this executive action, he implored.

Asked if he had a message for CWU branches and reps, Pullinger replied, Theres got to be something where our members can vent their anger. They are very angry people.

The union is seeking to dissipate anger among the workforce and stem opposition over the unions refusal to honour last years strike mandate. In recent weeks, local disputes have erupted in Merseyside and Inverness over management victimisations and bullying, while at least one local CWU division called for further debate on the dispute in response to widespread anger over the strikes cancellation.

CEO Back issued a statement on February 6: We want to reach agreement with CWU; but we cannot afford to delay this essential transformation any longer. So we are proceeding with key national trials and local initiatives. These include the roll-out of an automated parcel-sorting hub at Warringtonthe first of threewith the capacity to process 40,000 parcels per hour for next-day delivery.

The company would proceed with its 1.8 billion investment plan, including a range of much needed local change initiatives and key trials, which have been held up for many months. Details of additional mitigating actions would be announced in May when end-of-year results are posted. Among the initiatives previously trailed is the introduction of smart cards that would track postal workers movements.

RMGs turnaround plan is being dictated by financial markets that have intervened aggressively to force change. The company was dropped from the FTSE 100 at the end of 2018, losing its blue-chip status, while the value of RMG shares has plunged from 2.80 in February 2018 to a record low of 172.15 pence (against a 2013 float price of 3.30). Last Thursday, RMG was Londons worst-performing stock, falling 5.5 percent after the company admitted it would miss productivity targets and that its UKPIL business (UK parcels, international and letters) might post a loss in the 2021 financial year.

A Daily Telegraph article, January 25, Royal Mail does not have long to deliver real change, by business editor Christopher Williams, judged that the companys CEO has his back to the wall in a fight to impose change before it is too late.

The implications for postal workers were left in little doubt: The likes of Hermes use gig economy workers and vans to hoover up e-commerce contracts at prices with which Royal Mail cannot compete. Rico Back reckons he can change the equation. He concluded, Royal Mail is being outpaced by rivals who care little for the protections enjoyed by staff postmen.

After Backs turnaround strategy was announced last May, industry analysts judged that punches have been pulled. With staff costs accounting for around 70 percent of UKPIL outlays, investment bank Liberum stated that RMGs strategy was light on cost control and was dodging the main issueadding that the avoidance of job cuts was understandable given the risk of an adverse union reaction.

The company knows they have nothing to fear from the CWU, which is an ally of management in the struggle against postal workers. The union has served as loyal partner in ramming through privatisation and attacks on wages, conditions and pensions.

Competition from Amazon is a major factor driving the assault on Royal Mail workers. Amazon more than doubled its share of the 12 billion UK parcels market in the five years to 2019, controlling 7 percent of deliveries. According to the Pitney Bowes Shipping Index 2019, 3.5 billion parcels were shipped in the UK in 2018, but this was dwarfed by global shipping volumes of 100 billion parcels, with 51 billion of these in China.

This month, Hermes announced it will build a 60 million state-of-the-art parcel distribution warehouse in Barnsley, near Sheffield. Named Colossus, it will be the largest of its type in Europe.

The only realistic strategy for the defence of jobs and conditions at Royal Mail is one based on the unification of workers at Amazon, Hermes and DHL, across the UK, throughout Europe and internationally. The CWU is bitterly hostile to such a fight. Instead, they are promoting nationalism to divide the working class.

The CWUs social media accounts are currently promoting a video by Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey that begins with the words, Who owns Britain? In line with her reactionary campaign of progressive patriotism, Long-Bailey denounces privatisation for handing over British rail, water and energy companies to foreign governments. Trains run by French, German, Dutch and Italian governments, she says, effectively subsidise rail travel in their own countries.

This nationalist drumbeat is aimed at subordinating the working class to British-based employers, pitting them against their class brothers and sisters across Europe, while justifying the pro-business and corporatist policies of the union bureaucracy.

In an interview last week on LBC radio, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward adopted the same nationalist theme. The Royal Mail dispute would be a test for Boris Johnsons Conservative government, Ward stated, because if I follow what hes been saying, hes going to be standing up for Britain. Hes going to stand up for British workers. Well this is one of the greatest companies in the history of Britain, Royal Mail, and if this is allowed to continue in the direction the board wants to take this, we will see the end of Royal Mail as we know it.

Having portrayed Johnson as a friend of British workers, Ward proceeded to spell out the unions pro-company agenda. Weve had a number of agreements over the years that set out the direction the company should take jointly with the union in trying to build our future.  Were still up for talks, he told LBC. You dont become a union leader if you believe that the objective is to have a strike, in my view. The objective is always to reach an agreement.

As they enter a new national ballot, Royal Mails 140,000-strong workforce can place no faith in the CWU. They are a fully paid arm of management whose sole concern is the retention of the unions services as industrial police for the company board.

While the company claims they have no money to fund decent pay and conditions, RMG generated revenue of 10.7 billion in 2019. Back received a golden hello of 5.8 million on arrival from RMGs European parcels unit, General Logistics Systems, in 2018, and enjoys an annual pay packet of 2.6 millionmore than 113 times the average yearly wage of a postal worker (22,885), while new starters are paid just 13,500. On February 6, Back purchased 500,000 RMG shares, in a signal to financial markets that the companys restructuring and revenue targets will be met. He stands to make a windfall if RMGs turnaround plan is imposed, but either way a golden parachute awaits.

The crisis at Royal Mail points to the irrationality of capitalism. Robotics and smart technology that should improve working conditions and deliver greater leisure time is instead used to destroy jobs, lengthen shifts and boost exploitation. The global logistics industry, with its capacity to link producers and consumers of all countries, is instead locked in a fratricidal struggle for market domination leading to trade war and military conflict.

Postal workers must prepare for the struggle ahead by forming rank-and-file committees, independent of the CWU, that will launch a genuine counter-offensive against the plans of RMG. This must involve reaching out to workers at Amazon, Hermes, DHL and throughout the logistics and parcel delivery sectors around the world.

Companies like Royal Mail, Amazon and Hermes must be placed under genuine public ownership, under the democratic control of the working class, with the enormous social wealth used for the interests of society, not the selfish whims of the super-rich. This means the fight for socialism.
'We're not going to inscribe special status of certain areas in Donbas into Constitution'  Servant of the People

The Servant of the People faction remains still with the position not to inscribe a special status of some districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the Constitution of Ukraine, said party leader and first deputy head of the mentioned faction Oleksandr Korniyenko.

"Our position and position of President Volodymyr Zelensky is no to inscribe a special status to the Constitution. And both bills (the first variant and the revised one, and later recalled, amending the Constitution on decentralization) were without any special status," Korniyenko told the journalists in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Being asked if any progress with the text of new bill "On a special status of the local self-government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions", he said that Verkhovna Rada extended the validity of law by December 31, 2020 inclusively.

"So let's wait for an external political signal from the president," Korniyenko said.
Localities across the country are proactively implementing measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Members of Womens Union in Tan Ninh Commune in Long An Provinces Tan Thach District learn about novel coronavirus.  VNA/VNS Photo Duc Hanh

A training exercise on how to deal with patients who are suspected of infection was held on Tuesday in Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

Bui Khac Hung, director of Krong Pak Districts Health Centre, said the premise of the drill was how to detect a patient showing infection symptoms and determine if they had come into contact with people returning from virus-stricken areas.

The exercise providing necessary knowledge for health workers in the province while enhancing the response capacity for the health sector in case of outbreak, he said.

The province has reported 15 people with suspected COVID-19 infection as of Tuesday. Twelve of them tested negative and have been discharged.

In Kien Giang Province, Nguyen Van Thanh, vice rector of Kien Giang University, said all buildings, student dormitory, library and departments have been disinfected ahead of students returning.

Nearly 4,100 students are studying in the university including 150 from Laos and Cambodia. 500 are living at the dormitory.

The university has organised training classes to provide knowledge related to COVID-19 to all students and also distributed 4,500 free face masks.

In the central province of Quang Nam, two people with suspected COVID-19 infections have tested negative, said Nguyen Van Hai, director of the provincial Health Department.

Despite being free of suspected cases, the province will continue monitoring and managing people entering the province.

Measures for combatting and preventing COVID-19 have been adopted at other provinces and cities including Bac Giang, Dien Bien, Lam Dong and HCM City.

Three facilities have been set up for quarantine in the northern province of Bac Giang. The authorities have quarantined 27 people including 10 Chinese nationals by Monday.

As many as 48 people who came from or transit via virus-hit areas of China were put under 14-day quarantine in Lam Dong Province.

Similar actions are underway in the northern province of Dien Bien which borders China and where a lot of trade activities take place.

Muong Nhe Districts health centre has set up a steering committee and joint task to cope with the disease. Health equipment and human resources are ready to treat patients in case an outbreak occurs, said Nguyen Danh, deputy director of Muong Nhe Districts health centre.

The provincial agencies also tightened monitoring anybody entering the province and the country.

In HCM City, Li Ding, a Chinese national, has been discharged from Cho Ray Hospital on Wednesday, becoming the seventh patients to be successfully treated in Vietnam.

Li Ding and his son, Li Zichao, were the first people infected with the virus in the country.

His son was discharged on February 4. But Ding was treated for longer as he has different ailments including diabetes, lung cancer and hypertension.

According to HCM City Centre for Disease Control, the city still has one suspected case and more than 2,580 people quarantined. Of these, 2,521 people are being monitored at home.

Supervision tighten

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has requested ministries, agencies and localities to tighten supervision to stamp out any outbreak and prevent transmission.

Speaking at a meeting held in Hanoi on Wednesday, Dam said although the number of cases in Vietnam remained small and there were positive signs in treatment, the disease was expected to develop and there was high risk of outbreak.

He asked forces to step up communication work to raise awareness of quarantined people about their responsibilities towards families and society. The deputy PM also instructed ministries and agencies to provide support in human resources and medical equipment to Vinh Phuc Province which has the most infection cases so far.

Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong said in accordance with research data, the fatalities rate was 2-3 per cent, the epidemic was more contagious than severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and other coronavirus with infection rate of between 2.5 and 4.

He emphasised the need to prevent disease transmission by improving quarantine work and stamping out disease on the spot.

Vinh Phuc puts great efforts to cope with Covid-19

The northern province of Vinh Phuc house the majority of Vietnamese people infected with the deadly acute respiratory disease COVID-19, putting local authorities at the forefront of fighting the outbreak.

A medical worker check temperature of a man who is being quarantined at the Binh Xuyen Medical Station in Vinh Phuc Province.  VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc



By Wednesday, a total of 15 people in Vietnam had tested positive to the virus, and 10 of them are in Vinh Phuc Province, according to the Ministry of Health. Eight of them are in Binh Xuyen District, one in Tam Duong District and another in Tam Dao District.

More than 300 people are under supervision and 63 are quarantined, according to the provincial steering committee for COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

The provincial Party Standing Committee on Wednesday had a conference in which participants discussed different ways to allocate more medicine, equipment and places for quarantine and treatment.

Vice Chairman of Vinh Phuc Peoples Committee Vu Viet Van on Tuesday also sent a letter guiding instruction on epidemic prevention and control to concerned organisations.

The provincial Peoples Committee asked chairmen of districts' peoples committees to focus on inspection and quarantine.

The provincial department of health should give guidance to lower-level organisations.

Checking should be widened to find more people who need to be quarantined. Each village should have a task force responsible for giving education on epidemic prevention and control to each family, check their temperature and ask people with suspected symptoms to go to medical stations for examination.

Quarantine areas must be watched closely by commune police and sterilised regularly.

In an inspection of Vinh Phuc Province on Tuesday, associate professor Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the Medical Service Administration under the Ministry of Health (MoH), praised the province for its efforts to cope with the epidemic, adding that the province should supervise affected areas.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said the province should prepare plans for cross-infection.

Emphasising the importance of quarantines, Long asked the province to widen the quarantine scale, especially in Binh Xuyen District.

The Vinh Phuc Department of Education and Training (DoET) has proposed the provincial Peoples Committee keep schools shut for one more week, from February 17 to 23, to ensure epidemic control.

Nguyen Viet Ha, an official of the department, said during the absence, students would be taught via the internet.

Acting Director of the Vinh Phuc DoET on Tuesday presented a certificate of merit to Dao Chi Manh, principal of Kim Ngoc Primary School in Vinh Yen City, for his excellent achievements in organising online teaching during the outbreak.

According to the department, the schools online studying channels are very useful, attracting a great number of students to join, not only from the school but also from other schools in the province.

Manh said the school had two online studying channels, which were vio.edu.vn and eteachers.edu.vn.

Nearly 1,000 students access the websites per day, said Manh.  VNS

Hanoi buildings tighten control over coronavirus prevention Many buildings in Hanoi have deployed measures for coronavirus prevention.
Published on 2020/02/12 | Source

Lee Jae-wook from "I'll Visit You When the Weather Is Nice" turns into a public worker.

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Pictures of the actor on the set of the jTBC drama "I'll Visit You When the Weather Is Nice" as Lee Jang-woo were released.

Lee Jang-woo is dressed neatly with his hair brushed back naturally and looks like a real public service worker.

Lee Jang-woo is Hae-won (Park Min-young) and Eun-seob's (Seo Kang-joon) high school friend. He has a clean smile and a cheerful personality. He's an elite public service worker at Hyechon City Hall who has always been at the top of his class.

The production for "I'll Visit You When the Weather Is Nice" says, "Lee Jae-wook's character analysis and preparation have made the character come to life. His synergy with Park Min-young and Seo Kang-joon is also beyond expectations".

"I'll Visit You When the Weather Is Nice" is a heartwarming romance drama about Hae-won (Park Min-young), who is tired of the Seoul life, switching to country life in Bukhyun-ri where she reunites with Eun-seob (Seo Kang-joon), who runs a book store. It begins on the 24th this month.

___________

"I'll Visit You When the Weather Is Nice" is directed by Han Ji-seung, written by Han Ga-ram, and features Park Min-young, Seo Kang-joon, Moon Jeong-hee, Im Se-mi, Lee Jae-wook, Kim Hwan-hee. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/02/24~Upcoming, Mon, Tue 21:30 on jTBC.
Philippines freezes bank accounts of Christian organization critical of Duterte

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The Philippine government has frozen the bank accounts of a church organization critical of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration for probable cause, alleging they are related to terrorism financing.

UCA News reports that the governments Anti-Money Laundering Council ordered a 20-day freeze on three of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines' accounts with the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

In December 2019, the AMLC also ordered the bank to submit details of related bank accounts and proposed the filing of a petition before the Court of Appeals to extend the freeze order to six months.

In a statement, the RMP expressed its utmost dismay with the council, saying that the decision greatly encumbers our mission to collectively witness and act as Christs disciples with the rural poor.

We vehemently deny involvement in any form of financing terrorism, it said. Donations and funding received by the RMP are used to implement projects and programs to help the marginalized and oppressed. In contrast to the governments false narrative, RMP has delivered much-needed services to rural communities across the country for 50 years. We have our mission and community partners to confirm this.

The group, established on Aug. 15, 1969, as a mission partner of the Association of Major Religious Superiors, said it has been repeatedly accused by government security officials of having links with communist rebels.

Weve been accused of being a communist and terrorist front. Our members have been harassed and threatened, forcing some of them to seek sanctuary elsewhere, read the groups statement.

In the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, schools run by the organization have been recently closed. Several senior RMP members have also been charged with various crimes including perjury, arson, kidnapping, and robbery.

In its statement, the group said that "helping the poor, as Christians living out concretely your faith imperative and following the church mandate to establish the Church of the Poor, will put your liberty and life at risk."

Despite pushback, the group vowed to live out its commitment to be servant-leaders with the poor farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural workers, and indigenous peoples so that all may truly experience Gods compassion and mercy in the here and now.



RMP has openly criticized Duterte over his war on drugs that has led to the deaths of over 12,000 Filipinos, mostly urban poor. The group has accused the Philippine leader of contributing to the worsening poverty and intensifying violence in the Philippines.

Last year, the Association of Southeast Asia Nations issued a report warning against Dutertes continued effort to erode the country's democratic institutions with an "unprecedented crackdown" on critics.

It accused Duterte of "using trumped-up criminal charges, threats and intimidation as well as a range of other tactics to subvert democracy.

The report also noted that the president or his administration directed "harsh," "aggressive" and "highly misogynistic" rhetoric towards his critics.

Last August, a nun from RMP appealed to the public to support and protect missionaries, especially the laypeople, who are in the front line of the struggle against injustices, according to International Christian Concern.

She also condemned unrelenting government attacks, including red-tagging, surveillance, and the filing of charges against missionaries to hinder them from performing their mission.
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A recent column by Shane Idleman poses the question, How can you follow Jesus and support Donald Trump? Mr. Idleman takes the position that it is possible to do both, and he makes some valid points. I have given his arguments careful and prayerful consideration. I respectfully but vehemently disagree with his conclusion.

Mr. Idleman acknowledges but downplays the obvious fact that President Trump lacks Christian character. What, however, could be more important? As Christians, we ought always to have the Great Commission in the forefront of our minds. How does Christian support for President Trump make disciples of Jesus Christ? Mr. Idleman does not address that question. I think such support has the opposite effect, for reasons that I discuss below.

How, then, does support for President Trump advance Christian values? Mr. Idleman believes that it does, seemingly because President Trump is an ungodly means to godly ends. I respectfully disagree.

President Trump is a seemingly compulsive liar. He has a long history of immoral affairs and exploitation of those who are economically weaker. And he is a bully  especially a cyber-bully, which is an enormously important issue for young people today. Our children are watching if we praise and glorify Donald Trump; and whether we say it or not, that is a signal that he is a role model. How does that advance Christian values? Is he really someone whom we want to hold up as a model for emulation?

The secular world is watching as well; and many in that community gleefully shout Hypocrisy!  with much justification  when they see leaders and members of the evangelical community supporting Donald Trump, apparently because he is an ungodly means to godly ends. They can see, as well as we, that virtually everything in his life is a contradiction of Jesus teaching. How does that advance Christian values?

Mr. Idleman denies that the Trump administration is taking children from their mothers and locking them in cages. I can only question the source of his information. Granted, descriptions of well documented and widely reported events have sometimes been described in overly emotional language. The fact nevertheless is that the acts of this administration are highly contrary to numerous biblical injunctions to welcome the foreigner or stranger (depending on the translation) and treat him compassionately and justly. How does that advance Christian values?

Mr. Idlemans strongest point is that President Trumps judicial appointments may serve eventually to mitigate the holocaust of the unborn. But he ignores or overlooks the fact that President Trumps political coalition yokes the evangelical community to the NRA, an organization which vehemently opposes even the most modest limitations on availability of weapons of war  instruments designed for no purpose other than to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. How does that advance Christian values? It is difficult indeed in todays political climate to be consistently pro-life  certainly neither major party takes such a position  but let us not deceive ourselves by ignoring the pro-death positions to which this politician adheres.

Mr. Idleman also ignores many other aspects of this administrations policies which, I submit, are toxic to Jesus teachings:

I pray each day for the world that my grandchildren  our grandchildren  will inherit. Anyone who has eyes to see must know that the world today is growing increasingly hotter and that there is no end in sight. Mr. Trump has the bully pulpit of the presidency, an ideal position to lead not only this country but the rest of the world in the direction of taking essential measures to preserve, as much as possible, the beautiful world given us by God for our grandchildren to enjoy. Instead, he almost literally advocates pouring more fuel on the fire. How does that advance Christian values?

Mr. Idleman refers only obliquely to current economic conditions as a reason for supporting President Trump. But that is an enormous factor in the presidents own reelection agenda, and let us face it: The fact is that we are enjoying prosperity on borrowed money. We are on an economic sugar high, and we are sending the bills to our grandchildren  with no expectation that the principal of our now $1 trillion annual borrowings will ever be repaid, only that the interest payments will endure as long as this country endures. How does that advance Christian values? Does this president anticipate bankrupting the federal government and leaving its creditors high and dry, as he has he has done repeatedly with his own businesses? How would that advance Christian values?

President Trumps political strategy is based heavily on dividing this country against itself, to the point that he is threatening to tear it apart. No other politician since Spiro Agnew has come anywhere near the same level of reliance on the politics of anger and internal division, and President Trumps anger, vindictiveness, and downright ugliness exceed even Vice President Agnews. How does that advance Christian values?

President Trump encourages and provides at least implicit psychological encouragement to the worst and most evil among us  the very fine people in the KKK and American Nazis. How does that advance Christian values?

President Trump has shown utter contempt for the rule of law in numerous ways, including (but by no means limited to) his scornful refusal to enforce the Hatch Act against his employee (Kellyanne Conway) who blatantly violates the law by campaigning for him while she is a federal employee using federal resources. How does that advance Christian values?

President Trump abandoned and betrayed the Kurds, our allies, to the tender mercies of their avowed and vicious enemy Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Did that advance Christian values? Did it even advance American strategic values  to signal to the entire world that we are an untrustworthy and unreliable ally?

Let us acknowledge that there are no perfect people and certainly no perfect politicians. At the same time, however, let us not ignore the evil that this president is committing and encouraging, on the ground that in a few respects he is pointing us in the right direction as well.
After Soleimani strike, war powers resolution would seek to limit Trump from escalating military conflicts with Iran.

Washington, DC  The United States Senate is prepared to rebuke President Donald Trump over escalating military tensions with Iran following the US killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani last month.

Driven by concern over the assassination of Soleimani and retaliatory Iranian attacks on US troops in Iraq, the Senate is expected to vote on Thursday on a resolution that would require Trump to get congressional approval before engaging in further military action against Iran.

Sponsored by Democrats with support from a significant number of Republicans, the pending measure sends a warning to Trump that a majority in the US Congress want to avoid war with Iran.

There is strong bipartisan support for the simple proposition that the nation should not be at war without a vote of Congress, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday.

We are still at a very challenging moment in the US Iran relationship, Kaine said.

Hopefully, we are stepping back, he added. If we decide to go to war we should do it based upon careful deliberation.

Trump ordered the attack that killed Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the airport in Baghdad on January 3. Conflict with Iran swiftly escalated into a standoff many members of the US Congress feared would lead to outright war.

Iran responded to Soleimanis killing with attacks on two Iraqi bases housing US troops. More than 100 US troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

Republican support, opposition

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the Senate resolution directs the removal of US forces from hostilities against Iran that have not been authorised by Congress.

The measure is likely to be approved by the House of Representatives but Trump has threatened to veto the measure. Two-thirds votes in the House and Senate would be needed to override a veto.

200131080855122

Most Senate Republicans are expected to oppose the resolution which they see as a Democratic effort to broadcast a political message, Republican leader Mitch McConnell said in floor remarks on Wednesday.

If my colleagues want to make a real difference this is not the way to do it, McConnell said.

Tensions with Iran have escalated over the past two years after Trump unilaterally pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran.

Since 2018, Trump has exerted a maximum pressure campaign against Iran, including economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation and military threats.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday that the Senate resolution would tie his hands in dealing with Iran and weaken the US position in the region.

It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution, Trump tweeted.

It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

Eight Republican senators, however, voted with Democrats on a procedural motion to advance the resolution on Wednesday.

The resolution is much needed and it is long overdue, said Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Over the past decade, Congress has too often abdicated its constitutional responsibility on authorizing the sustained use of military force, Collins said.

Anti-war sentiment

Anti-war sentiment has been rising in Congress as US troops remain mired in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria with little progress to show for the effort. Trump himself has repeatedly said he wants to end Americas wars in the Middle East.

Look at the situation we face today; almost 5,000 American deaths in the war in Iraq, said Democratic Senator Richard Durbin.

We found no weapons of mass destruction. We enhanced, unfortunately, the image of Iran in the region. It appears that many of the Iraqi leaders would like to see us leave after 18 years of conflict, Durbin said.

The US air attack on Soleimani on Iraqi soil sparked public demands in Iraq for US troops to leave.





The Democratic-led US House of Representatives voted on January 30 to approve two measures aimed at constraining Trumps ability to direct military action in the Middle East.

A bill that would block funding for any use of offensive force against Iran passed by a 228-175 vote. A second measure, repealing Congresss 2002 authorisation of the US invasion of Iraq passed 236-166.

The House also voted 224-194 on January 9 to rebuke Trump for the killing of Soleimani.

Representative Steny Hoyer, the number two House Democrat, said the House will vote on the Senate bill if it passes.

Trump administration officials have offered shifting justifications for the drone strike that killed Soleimani and three others in a car at the Baghdad airport. They initially said Soleimani was planning imminent attacks on US troops and sites, but have only offered vague details.
Death, taxes, false prophets selling socialism as a panacea  these are the inevitabilities of human life. No matter the scale of its most recent failure, or the number of people who, chastened, insist that the End of History is nigh, socialism always seems to return for more. There is no such thing on earth as a lesson permanently learned, or an argument perennially won. As night follows day, so the pasts most disastrous ideas come back to seduce and insinuate. Our era is not exempt from these rules. No era is. Once again, we are charged with fighting off the menace.

This time, the wolf has shown up in wolfs clothing. As I write, the Democratic Partys primary season is being dominated by a man who, far from rejecting the socialist label, has proudly embraced it. And why wouldnt he? In poll after poll, the members of his adoptive Democratic Party have expressed more-positive views toward socialism than toward capitalism. Those who object to Bernie Sanderss rise have proposed that he is staging a hostile takeover of the party. But that, alas, is not quite right. Bernie has made his arguments, and his arguments have been well received. Americans are forgetting what they had learned.

Before long, Sanders may be making his case before the entire nation. And, when he does, National Review will be prime among those who stand up in response and say, No! Not this time. Not next time. Not ever. This magazine was founded to resist collectivism of all sorts, be it home or abroad, and that is exactly what we will continue to do. Week by week, year by year, decade by decade, we work to remind Americans of what is true and what is important, the better to help them reject the timeless siren songs of untrammeled statism and the perfectibility of man.

In the past year, we have published a number of special issues in which we have pressed the argument against socialism and in favor of free markets and individual liberty. At National Review, in homage to our inaugural editorial, we like to talk about yelling Stop! And yet, we are not merely against what Bernie Sanders and co. wish to impose on the nation; we are for something infinitely better. The United States is in the enviable position of having the greatest constitution and the most dynamic economy that the world has ever seen. To sacrifice this blessing on the altar of socialism would be an act of enormous vandalism and incalculable ingratitude. America is, as it has always been, the last great hope of mankind. Protecting it as it was designed is a sacred obligation.

Story continues

In the United States today, we focus a great deal on elections and on personalities, and not enough on ideas. If we are to survive, this will need to change. At National Review, we are fortunate to have a readership that cares deeply about our mission and has sustained it for more than six decades. Today, we are asking again for sustenance.

For those who would like to support NRs ongoing efforts to battle resurgent socialism, personified by Bernie Sanders (and so many other presidential aspirants and Democratic officeholders), make your selfless and generous donation here. If you prefer to send a donation by check, make it payable to National Review and mail it to National Review, ATTN: Defeat Socialism, 19 West 44th Street, Suite 1701, New York, NY 10036.

More from National Review
One of the biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, Qatar, is working with importers in China to reschedule or re-route some oil and gas cargoes to the worlds second-largest LNG importer amid the coronavirus outbreak, Qatar said late on Wednesday.

All concerned Qatari energy companies are already working closely with their Chinese partners to assist in identifying and assessing potential support areas, and ... are actively engaged in accommodating certain rescheduling or re-routing requests for deliveries of Qatari energy products, the energy minister of Qatar, Saad al-Kaabi, said in a statement, as carried by Reuters.

Al-Kaabi is also chief executive of the state-held firm Qatar Petroleum, which exports the tiny Gulf countrys huge gas resources.

Last week, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the countrys largest LNG importer, was said to have declared force majeure on deliveries of LNG cargoes and will not be honoring some of the deliveries because of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Even before Chinese importers started invoking force majeure on LNG deliveries, LNG prices had hit a decade low, due to warmer winter weather in many parts of Asia, booming new LNG supply - especially from the U.S. and Australia - and slower import growth in China.



Related: Are Oil Markets Overreacting To The Coronavirus?

Last week, spot LNG prices in Asia plunged to a new all-time low of below $3 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), down by $0.85 from a week earlier, as some Chinese importers declared force majeure on spot purchases, industry sources told Reuters last Friday.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus outbreak has prompted analysts to revise down their estimates for Chinese gas demand growth this year, warning of a knock-on effect on global LNG markets. The virus outbreak is additionally depressing Chinas already slowing gas demand growth.

The lower LNG imports in China could put the natural gas markets in Europe and Asia under severe stress, Fitch Ratings said on Tuesday.

This could significantly delay the supply-demand rebalancing expected in 2020, the rating agency added.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Spice House (www.thespicehouse.ca) announced today an expansion into Canada, offering affordable shipping rates and free shipping on orders of C$65 or more. Established in 1957, The Spice House is known among home cooks and Michelin-starred chefs in the United States as the leading supplier of premium spices, herbs, and seasonings.

"We know Canadians love our spices," says Charlie Mayer, CEO of The Spice House. "We hear from Canadians who ask when we will open a store in Toronto or at least figure out affordable cross-border shipping. We have figured out the shipping and are delighted to send our spices up north."

Spice House customers will now see duty paid and unpaid shipping rates for Canada. Each option is delivered by Canada Post. "Duty unpaid is an economical option for smaller orders," explains Mayer. "We recommend duty paid for larger orders and any order needing expedited delivery."

Savvy Canadians have found ways to import from The Spice House for decades. Some appoint friends and relatives to shop for them in the U.S. and then ship to Canada. Others visit Spice House retail locations in Chicago and Milwaukee. A few hearty Canadians have paid hefty shipping rates offered by the U.S. Postal Service.

"It's all about freshness," explains Alex Wilkens, a veteran of the spice trade and Chief Spice Officer at The Spice House. "We start with the highest-quality spices from around the world. Small-batch grinding and blending means nothing is sitting around on the shelf getting old. We make it, we sell it. There are easier ways to do things, but we're happy to put in the extra effort, always chasing the best flavor possible." Wilkens adds, "If it's not fresh, we don't send it out."

About The Spice House

Founded in 1957, The Spice House is a purveyor of the finest spices, herbs, blends, and extracts to customers ranging from renowned Michelin-star chefs to home cooks. Over the past 60 years, The Spice House has curated a global network of premium growers and distributors in order to offer unrivaled quality and selection, and they grind and blend their small-batch spices weekly to ensure freshness and flavor.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Vanessa Paparella

[email protected]

Tel: +1-312-676-2414

Related Links

Website

Shipping Rates

SOURCE The Spice House

Related Links

http://www.thespicehouse.ca


The Tano North Municipal capital, Duayaw Nkwanta, was clad with over a thousand people in NPP colours who voluntarily accompanied the Member of Parliament, Freda Prempeh as she submitted her nomination forms.



The crowd which included some 550 delegates out of 600 joined the MP amid pomp and pageantry as they toured the principal streets of the Municipal capital before they finally reached the party's office for the submission.



Overwhelmed by the display of love and support from the delegates, a teary eyed Freda Prempeh could not help it but joyously thanked them for their unflinching love and support in her bid to seek re-election for a possible third term.



The Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection had a few words to share with the delegates and the other party members who followed her in the submission of the forms.



"I cannot thank you enough for the love and support you have shown me. I am eternally grateful for this. In fact, I am more than surprised to see how much you love and support me. I am encouraged by what you have done to continue to do more to help develop Tano North. Like I promised you the last time, I will never let you down. May God bless you all" Freda said, with tears of joy in her eyes.



"Her achievements are unmatched in the history of the constinuency. From roads to clinics, schools, markets and what have you, our MP has done very well and we want her to continue with her good works" a delegate had this to say.



Freda Prempeh represented her constituents in Parliament for the first time in 2012. She seeks to go to Parliament for the third time.



The Deputy Gender Minister is being contested by two other aspirants. Freda was accompanied by not only the constituency officers but also chiefs, queen mothers and elders of the party in Tano North.



She submitted her nomination forms on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at the party's constituency office in Duayaw Nkwanta.





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Featured Video
She just returned to the role of Harley Quinn for Birds Of Prey.

And Margot Robbie, 29, was back in action as the comic book villainess while shooting the Suicide Squad sequel with castmates Idris Elba and John Cena in Panama City on Thursday.

Margot's look was a strong contrast to Harley's usual garb, seeing as the star was clad in an elegant red dress instead of hot pants and a tee shirt.

Leading lady: Margot Robbie was back in action as comic book villainess Harley Quinn as she shot the Suicide Squad sequel in Panama City on Thursday

The muscle: She was joined by castmates Idris Elba and John Cena on location

The Aussie actress still stunned in her off-the-shoulder crimson number, which features tiers of ruffles.

Though her hair still had faint hints of pink and blue, the Oscar-nominee had her locks pulled up with a red and black bow. Meanwhile, there were tattoos on her cheek and chest.

Making sure she was steady, a production pro escorted her down the steps of Panama City's Central Hotel.

Lady in red: Margot's look was a strong contrast to Harley's usual garb, seeing as the star was clad in an elegant red dress instead of hot pants and a tee shirt

Ruffled up: The Aussie actress still stunned in her off-the-shoulder crimson number, which features tiers of ruffles

Hint of tint: Though her hair still had faint hints of pink and blue, the Oscar-nominee had her locks pulled up with a red and black bow

And at another point, Margot was seen stepping out of a chauffeured limo.

The location was full of energy, with fans watching as the scene played out for the cameras.

While Margot filmed, a Panamanian military truck was seen waiting outside, flanked by soldiers.

Mind your step: At another point, Margot was seen stepping out of a chauffeured car

Limo: Robbie's character rode in a limo for the shoot

Armed and ready: While Margot filmed, a Panamanian military truck was seen waiting outside, flanked by soldiers

Live: Fan watched on as the scene played out

Elsewhere on set, Robbie's male co-stars were stepped out

John Cena wasn't in costume, but he did show off his muscular arms in a grey tee. He carried a script with him as he made his way to film.

Likewise, Idris Elba looked ready to fight in his own simple T-shirt look.

Buff: John Cena wasn't in costume, but he did show off his muscular arms in a grey tee

Learning his lines: He carried a script with him as he made his way to film

Physique: His muscles made it clear he was ready for the role

He was later seen outside the hotel wearing a harness, appearing to be prepped for a stunt.

A crane-mounted camera was ready to catch the shot, hovering yards about the cast and crew.

The film seemed like it was well-into the throws of production.

Casual: Idris Elba looked ready to fight in his own simple T-shirt look

Action! He was later seen outside the hotel wearing a harness, appearing to be prepped for a stunt

The right angles: A crane-mounted camera was ready to catch the shot, hovering yards about the cast and crew

Filming on the superhero sequel began back in September in Georgia.

Suicide Squad 2 will be Robbie's third time as anti-heroine Harley Quinn. The star just reprised the role in Birds Of Prey, which came out earlier this month.

DC fans will have to wait until summer for the sequel -- Suicide Squad 2 is set for release August 6, 2021.
An Apple engineer who died when his Tesla Model X slammed into a concrete barrier had previously complained about the SUV malfunctioning on that same stretch of Silicon Valley freeway.

His complaints were detailed in a trove of documents released this week by federal investigators in two Tesla crashes involving Autopilot.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the March 2018 crash that killed Walter Huang near Mountain View. Its also probing a crash in Delray Beach, Fla., that happened about a year later and killed driver Jeremy Banner.

The documents say Huang told his wife that Autopilot had previously veered his SUV toward the same barrier on Highway 101 where he later crashed. Huang died at a hospital from his injuries.

Walter said the car would veer toward the barrier in the mornings when he went to work, the Huang familys attorney wrote in a response to the agencys questions.

Records from an iPhone recovered from the crash site showed that Huang may have been using it before the accident. Records obtained from AT&T showed that data had been used while the vehicle was in motion, but the source of the transmissions couldnt be determined, the agency wrote. One transmission was less than a minute before the crash.

Huang had described Autopilots previous malfunctioning to his brother, the Huang family attorney wrote, in addition to talking with a friend who owns a Model X. Huang, a software engineer, discussed with the friend how a patch to the Autopilot software affected its performance and made the Model X veer, according to the attorney.

The Huang family is suing Tesla and Caltrans for allegedly failing to maintain the highway.

Autopilot is a partially automated system designed to keep a vehicle in its lane and keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of it. It also can change lanes with driver approval. Tesla says Autopilot is intended to be used for driver assistance and that drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.

The full board is scheduled to hold a hearing on the Mountain View crash on Feb. 25. At that time, it will determine a cause and make safety recommendations.

Staff members have already recommended that California transportation officials move faster to repair highway safety barriers damaged by vehicles.

A report from the agency says Caltrans failed to fix the barrier that was damaged in a crash 11 days before Huang was killed. In that incident, a 2010 Toyota Prius traveling faster than 75 mph crashed against the attenuator, a cushion that protects vehicles from hitting the end of concrete lane dividers.

The California Highway Patrol responded to the March 12 crash but did not notify Caltrans of the damage as required, the safety agency said.

Huangs 2017 Tesla Model X was traveling at 71 mph when it crashed against the same attenuator, which the agency determined had been damaged and repaired more frequently than any other left exit in Caltrans District 4, which includes all of the Bay Area.

In the three years before the Tesla crash, the device was struck at least five times, including one crash that resulted in fatalities. A car struck it again on May 20, 2018, about two months after the Tesla crash, the agency said.

The federal agency released some details from its investigation in September.

Caltrans said this week that it has identified and is implementing several steps to enhance monitoring and tracking of the repair of damage to highway infrastructure.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

These efforts include updates to its policies and maintenance manual, training of staff, and enhanced reporting on the timely repair of high priority traffic safety devices, Caltrans said.

In the Florida crash, Banner turned on the Autopilot function of his Model 3 sedan 10 seconds before the crash, then took his hands off the steering wheel, National Transportation Safety Board documents said. The car then drove underneath a tractor-trailer that was crossing in front of it, sheering off the cars roof and killing Banner. It was eerily similar to another Florida crash in 2016 in which a Tesla on Autopilot went beneath a semi trailer.

The federal agency said in a preliminary report that it still hasnt determined the cause of the crash. According to the report, traffic was light on the four-lane highway and dawn was breaking when Banner, 50, set his speed at 69 mph and activated the Autopilot as he headed to work. The speed limit was 55 mph. Seconds later, a tractor-trailer driven by Richard Wood, 45, pulled from a driveway and began to cross to the other side of the highway.

Wood said he saw two sets of car headlights coming toward him, but he thought he had time to make it across. It was dark and it looked like the cars was back further than they was, Wood told federal investigators four days after the crash.

A photo taken by the agency from Teslas front-end video camera showed Woods trailer fully blocking the road 1.5 seconds before the crash. Data from the Teslas computer shows that Banner hit his brakes less than a second before the crash, but the car went under the trailer. Wood says he saw a second car but it didnt hit the trailer.

Tom Krisher and Olga R. Rodriguez are Associated Press writers.
Andrea Leadsom was yesterday the biggest name to fall in Boris Johnsons Cabinet purge.

Mrs Leadsom, who has twice run for the Tory party leadership and has held a variety of Cabinet and ministerial posts, took her team of advisers for a champagne lunch at the Goring Hotel in Westminster after her dismissal.

Prominent Brexiteer Mrs Leadsom, 56, was replaced as Business Secretary by former aid secretary Alok Sharma  who also took charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit.

File photo of Andrea Leadsom from Tuesday, who has been sacked as Business Secretary. Mrs Leadsom, who has twice run for the Tory party leadership and has held a variety of Cabinet and ministerial posts, took her team of advisers for a champagne lunch at the Goring Hotel in Westminster after her dismissal

A general view of the Goring Hotel ahead of the Royal Wedding on April 26, 2011 in London, England

Newly appointed Business and Energy Secretary Alok Sharma arrives at 10 Downing Street on February 13, 2020 in London, England. The Prime Minister made adjustments to his Cabinet today now Brexit has been completed

Mrs Leadsom, who insiders claimed irritated No10 aides by arguing at Cabinet, was Leader of the Commons under Theresa May and before that environment secretary. She came second to Mrs May in the 2016 Tory leadership race but was eliminated after the first ballot in last years contest.

She was one of five frontbenchers to be axed, with the Prime Minister delivering the news in face-to-face meetings at his parliamentary office. The others were Julian Smith, Esther McVey, Theresa Villiers and Geoffrey Cox.

Mr Smith was sacked as Northern Ireland Secretary. The former chief whip appeared to have paid the price for briefing against Mr Johnsons chief aide Dominic Cummings on Brexit. Critics branded his removal as disastrous. Only weeks ago, he was widely praised after brokering a return to power-sharing at the Stormont Assembly in Northern Ireland after a three-year suspension.

In this file photo taken on October 29, 2019 Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith leaves number 10 Downing street in London following the weekly cabinet meeting on October 29, 2019

File photo dated 6 February of Minister of State for Housing Esther McVey, who has been relieved of her post in the government as part of the Cabinet reshuffle

British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Theresa Villiers arrives for a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 06 February 2020

However, allies of Mr Johnson later suggested that he had blindsided the PM over the deal, claiming that he had been left fuming after Mr Smith signed off on another investigation into alleged historic crimes by British soldiers.

Last night, sources close to Mr Smith insisted the PM had been fully aware of the new legacy body. Instead, they suggested Mr Smith had been sacked over his comments on Brexit, in particular his public rebuttal of comments widely believed to have been made by Mr Cummings.

Last year a Downing Street source was quoted as saying that countries that supported a delay to Brexit would go to the bottom of the queue when negotiating the UKs future relationship. The source also indicated that security and defence co-operation would inevitably be affected, in a veiled attack on Dublin.

But Mr Smith responded: I am clear that any threat on withdrawing security co-operation with Ireland is unacceptable.

British Attorney General Geoffrey Cox departs a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 06 February 2020

Mr Smith generally took the opposite approach to relations with Dublin than Mr Cummings. Yesterday, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland said Mr Smiths sacking was a strategic error. Colum Eastwood said: It defies belief that after the successful restoration of power sharing following a three-year collapse, Julian Smiths reward is a Cabinet Office P45.

Marty Adams, from historical abuse victims campaign group Survivors Together, called for Mr Johnson to see sense and reappoint Mr Smith. He was replaced by security minister Brandon Lewis.

Miss Villiers said Mr Johnson told her she needed to make way for someone new, saying: What the Prime Minister giveth, the Prime Minister taketh away. The sacking of Miss McVey means her replacement will be the tenth person in the housing role in ten years.

Meanwhile, Mr Cox delivered a thinly-veiled rebuke, saying he had introduced Mr Johnson at his Tory leadership launch. He had been the subject of hostile briefings from No10 that he was not a team player.
Avoiding physical interaction could be the key to preventing the spread of coronavirus, a virologist has said.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Professor John Oxford from Queen Mary University said people could protect themselves from contracting the deadly illness by avoiding handshakes, hugs, and kisses.

Its a social virus, Oxford said. I think we have to galvanise ourselves in our social actions  how we interact with people.

"And I think that is extremely important; more so than wearing a mask. I think thats a total diversion.

What we need to do is less of the handshaking, hugging, kissing, that sort of thing, because this virus looks like its spread by ordinary tidal breathing, not necessarily colds and coughing.

Oxford added that coronavirus hates the UK because Britons are naturally standoffish.

Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London, who also spoke on the Today programme, said he believes that in the worst-case scenario, 60 per cent of the UK population could become infected with coronavirus.

The number of British cases of coronavirus currently stands at eight, with two healthcare workers among those testing positive  while a GP surgery in Brighton was closed amid fears of the infection spreading.

The government has since classified the virus, which has infected more than 40,000 people in China and led to the death of more than 1,000, as a serious and imminent threat to public health.

It has also activated emergency powers that could see it force people to remain in quarantine.

Nurse who loved the NHS let down Show all 5 1 /5 Nurse who loved the NHS let down Nurse who loved the NHS let down The O'Connor family - Julie, Kevin and their two children Kevin O'Connor/Facebook Nurse who loved the NHS let down A photograph of Julie posted on Facebook by husband Kevin O'Connor Kevin O'Connor/Facebook Nurse who loved the NHS let down A photograph of Julie posted on Facebook by husband Kevin O'Connor on the day she passed away Kevin O'Connor/Facebook Nurse who loved the NHS let down Julie was a dedicated NHS nurse Kevin O'Connor/Facebook Nurse who loved the NHS let down Kevin OConnor with his wife Julie Kevin O'Connor/Facebook

I will do everything in my power to keep people in this country safe, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said in a statement.

We are taking every possible step to control the outbreak of coronavirus. NHS staff and others will now be supported with additional legal powers to keep people safe across the country.

The WHO advises people to frequently wash their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or warm water and soap, cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing and avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough.

It also says to seek early medical help if they have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and share their travel history with healthcare providers. People should also avoid direct, unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals when visiting live markets in affected areas.

People should also avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products and exercise care when handling raw meat, milk or animal organs to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods.

A Boots spokesperson added: Antiviral hand foams and gel can also be useful when you are out and about.
On a sentence-by-sentence basis, straight news coverage may not have reflected an anti-Sanders bias, but the framing of that coverage - choices made on headlines and emphasis - sometimes did. (Sanders, in a home page headline in the Times, "tightens grip" on the party's liberal wing, which sounds more threatening than victorious.)

Meanwhile, Klobuchar was queen for a day, garnering headlines like this one from Yahoo News: "Riding wave of momentum, Klobuchar lands in 3rd place in New Hampshire primary." You heard words like "Klobucharge" and "Klomentum" bandied about.

On MSNBC Tuesday night, host Chris Matthews fawned: "Bernie indicts. She finds a way to care."

Amy Goodman of the progressive news program Democracy Now, a Sanders defender, recalled hearing one cable pundit say that Sanders had "flatlined at No. 1." On a recent episode she bemoaned that most of the media coverage is "so anti-Bernie it's just remarkable."

The subtext behind much of the disdain is a partly a deep-seated sentiment that Sanders, if nominated, has little chance of winning the general election. But it's also partly - and more insidiously - that many journalists don't identify easily with Sanders in the same way they do with, say, Warren or O'Rourke or Buttigieg.




A Bulawayo magistrate has ordered that 20 Ugandan nationals and a minor who were arreste

d on Saturday along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway after illegally entering the country should be deported.





The group included a pregnant woman and a mother with a baby. The group included a pregnant woman and a mother with a baby.





The 20 Ugandans were identified as Thomson Barisigara (30), Martin Katerega (28), Elizabethy Kisembo (48) Abdul Katumba (44), Habiibu Kiggundu (36), Hamuza Asiimwe (27), Hassan Kagaba (38), Rasul Dalausi (26), George Willy Ochom (26), Shafic Senyange (22), Kasango Umar (27), Adam Kagaba (47), Nakitende Peninah (29), Magezi Gaddafi (38), Alex Kiganda (25), Ramazan Masereka (23), Mugerwa Sulaiman (29), Opio Peter (26), Muzimba Solomon Ssemakula (26) and Kato Derrick Kimera (29).





The 20 appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Tinashe Tashaya facing a charge of contravening the immigration Act. they were sentenced to three months imprisonment each, which was wholly suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years.





Mr Tashaya ordered that the illegal immigrants be handed over to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) so that they could be deported back to their country.





In his ruling he said he took into consideration the plight of Africans and their quest to seek better living conditions. He said a non-custodial sentence would help them to sort out their lives.





Mr Tashaya said he also considered that they were first offenders. He urged the public to be wary of con persons masquerading as immigration officials at the countrys borders. This court takes cognisance of people in transit particularly here in Africa.





As the court, we endeavour to protect all persons in transit. The accused persons are therefore sentenced to three months imprisonment wholly suspended on the condition that they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years, said Mr Tashaya.





The immigrants had pleaded for a non-custodial sentence through their lawyers, Mr Nqobani Sithole and Jabulani Mhlanga of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. The lawyers said the Ugandans had adhered to all immigration laws between Uganda and Zambia and erred after falling prey to a fraudster who promised to assist them to travel to South Africa without the required papers.





For the state, Mr Denmark Chihombe said police in Bulawayo on Saturday received information that there were Ugandan nationals who had boarded a kombi that plies the Bulawayo Victoria Falls highway without valid travelling documents.




Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:47:00|Editor: yan

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TUNIS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Interim Tunisian Defense Minister Karim Jamoussi on Thursday met with French Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor over means to develop military cooperation and security developments in the region.

"Tunisia is experiencing stability thanks to the performance and efforts of its security and military establishments," a ministry statement quoted Jamoussi as saying.

Jamoussi also underlined Tunisian-French cooperation in technology, training, border security and the exchange of expertise.

For his part, d'Arvor affirmed France's resolve to intensify cooperation with Tunisia in various military areas.
Police stand at the entrance of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast as anti-abortion protesters demonstrate (AFP via Getty)

An MP has called for protests outside abortion clinics to be banned by setting up buffer zones after a rise in targeted demonstrations across the UK.

Labours Catherine West (Hornsey and Wood Green) said police attended an incident outside a clinic in her north London constituency on Saturday.

She told MPs: We know that local authorities are hamstrung because the only available legal tool at the moment is the public space protection order which not really appropriate for this sort of issue.

And we know that its quite a high threshold to meet a buffer zone under that particular legal tool.

Labour MP Catherine West says there should be 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics across the UK (Getty)

Some 34 clinics are said to have since experienced anti-abortion activity since 2018.

Last year, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) called on the Government to review an earlier decision when it decided to ban buffer zones for fears that it would not be a proportionate response.

Although the review received evidence of harassment and damaging behaviour, such as the handing out of model foetuses, displaying graphic images and blocking patients paths, the reviewers said this was not the norm.

Read more:

Doctors given go-ahead to perform abortion on woman with severe learning disabilities

Five countries in Europe with the strictest abortion laws

Outrage as pregnant Irish girl who asked for abortion is sectioned

The letter to then newly-appointed home secretary Priti Patel signed by 30 organisations and individuals, said: Based on these shortcomings in the evidence provided to the minister, we would like to invite you as the new home secretary to ask for a full review of the evidence provided and to look again at the possibility of introducing national buffer zones to put a stop to protests at the clinic gate.

Ultimately, this is not a question about abortion, but about the ability of women to access legal and essential medical care without fear of harassment or intimidation.

The news follows Ealing councils decision to vote in favour of implementing a buffer zone around an abortion clinic in April 2018.

Story continues

Ealing council voted in favour of implementing a buffer zone around the area's Marie Stopes abortion clinic, pictured, to protect service users (Getty)

The council placed the zone around the Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Mattlock Lane to protect service users from distress and intimidation.

A challenge was made against the ruling in the Court of Appeal, but three judges dismissed the claim and upheld the view that the buffer zone was justified.

Following the ruling, family planning organisations have urged the government to consider national legislation in creating buffer zones outside every abortion clinic in the country.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

Trend:

At the meeting of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC) on Feb. 13, appeals of Hikmat Shirinov, Rasim Amiraslanov and other MP candidates from the 80th Imishli-Beylagan constituency have been considered, Trend reports on Feb. 13.

It was noted in the appeals that at some polling stations, the ballots were cut off in advance, invisible solution wasnt applied to fingers of the voters, and the observers were hindered from participating in the vote counting process.

During the meeting, it was reported that in 11 protocols out of 49, the results of the vote didnt allow determining the will of voters.

It was also reported that the number of ballots drawn from ballot boxes and the number of voters didnt match. After discussions, the expert group of the commission came to the conclusion that the election results in this constituency should be invalidated. The decision was adopted after the vote.

The results of the 35th Khatai constituency in Baku at the recent parliamentary elections were cancelled. Rauf Abbasov was the leading candidate in this constituency.

It was noted that during consideration of the appeals, it was revealed that there were violations in this constituency that did not allow determining the will of the voters of this constituency.

A proposal was made at the meeting to annul the results of this constituency and as a result of the voting, the proposal was accepted.

The results of the voting at 74th Lankaran constituency at the recent parliamentary elections were also cancelled.

Several MP candidates from this constituency appealed to CEC with complaints about violations and requested to cancel the voting results.

The CEC considered these complaints, as a result of which their reliability was established.

It was revealed that the offenses that do not allow determining the will of people were committed in several polling stations and this created the basis for cancelling the election results.

The proposal was accepted by a majority of votes.

Hadi Rajabli was the leading candidate in this constituency.

Moreover, mandate of candidate Huseynbala Miralamov at the 33rd Khatai constituency was canceled.

An MP candidate from this constituency appealed to CEC and requested to annul the voting results of the constituency due to offenses.

While considering the appeal, the shortcomings which could affect the voting results were revealed, and this provided a legal basis for cancelling the voting results.

A proposal was made at the meeting to annul the election results of this constituency and as a result of the voting, the proposal was accepted.

At the metting, Azerbaijans CEC has also considered other appeals related to a number of constituencies following the recent parliamentary elections.

The appeals on the 10th Binagadi third, the 14th Khazar, the 15th Yasamal first, the 28th Sabunchu third, the 42nd Sumgayit second, the 45th Absheron, the 50th Absheron Gobustan, the 60th Salyan-Neftchala, the 67th Jalilabad, the 72nd Yardimli-Masalli, the 79th Imishli, the 91st Ujar, the 95th Terter, the 109th Balakan and the 125th Zangilan-Gubadli constituencies were considered.

After the discussions, a decision was made to hand over the appeals to the district election commissions for consideration with the further submission of the results to Azerbaijans CEC.
[February 13, 2020]

Born2Global Centre Brings Innovative Korean Technologies to the Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Born2Global Centre, a major Korean government innovation agency that operates under the country's Ministry of Science and ICT and greatly contributes to the Korean startup ecosystem, is now introducing Korea's innovative technologies to the Middle East market.

Through the Born2Global Centre, Seerslab, winner of the AIM 2020 National Pitch Competition held in Korea earlier this month, will go to the Middle East to participate in the AIM 2020 Global Startups Champions League.

The AIM National Pitch Competition was organized in cooperation with the Born2Global Centre, the official partner of AIM (Annual Investment Meeting) in Korea. The winner of this competition gets the opportunity to introduce its technology and establish itself in the Middle East market. AIM is an investment platform under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai and is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy.

Seerslab will be in the final stage of the AIM 2020 Global Startups Champions League, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center from March 24 to 26. The company will compete against more than 100 selected companies from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Germany, the UK, India, Rwanda, Japan, and Singapore. As the winner of the AIM National Pitch Competition, Seerslab will run an exhibition booth in AIM 2020 and ge to participate in networking events and business meetings with global investors. The final competition is expected to be witnessed by more than 16,000 visitors from all over the globe.







At the national competition, Seerslab received high scores for its AR technology service expansion and its impressive strategy for entering the Middle East market.

CEO Jinwook Jung of Seerslab said, "We are pleased to have been recognized for the value of ARGear, Seerslab's all-in-one AR solution, as well as to have this opportunity to introduce ARGear to the Middle East through our participation in AIM 2020, in which we will compete with innovative technology companies. We hope that the release of our platform will make it easier for developers to access AI technologies and content." Jung added, "We aim to become a leader of the global market, including the Middle East, based on our experience in building AI services for mobile phone manufacturers, telecommunications companies, and e-commerce."

AIM Regional Manager Kaosar Nazia said, "We know that Korean companies and technologies are thriving in the Korean startup ecosystem and going on to find success in the global market with their excellent technologies and global competitiveness. By working with the Born2Global Centre, one of the leading organizations in the industry, we can help Korean companies establish themselves in both the Dubai and Middle East markets."

After this pitch competition, the Born2Global Centre will continue increasing its presence in the Middle East. In particular, it will actively support Toss lab (business collaboration tool), Dtonic (spatio-temporal big data engineering platform), VisualCamp (AI-based eye-tracking technology), and GSIL (smart construction safety management system), which were runners-up in the contest.

Starting the road show by participating in AIM 2020 Dubai in March, the Born2Global Centre and the winning company will also participate in the Dubai Expo 2020 project, complete the PMF (Product-Market-Fit) program for Middle East market verification, and meet with local experts to discuss strategies for successful market entry.

Chief Executive Director Jongkap Kim of the Born2Global Centre said, "We are in close communication with various local partners, including AIM, which has an excellent pipeline in the Middle East, as well as investment companies, global corporations, and government agencies. Going forward, we plan to develop various cooperative business models to help Korean companies grow and gain momentum."

For more detailed information on Born2Global, visit www.born2global.com.

About AIM

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM, www.aimcongress.com), the World's Leading Investment Platform in the Middle East and North Africa, will hold its 10th edition on March 24-26 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Under the theme 'Investing for the Future: Shaping the Global Investment Strategies', AIM will gather high-ranking government officials, decision makers, corporate leaders, policy makers, businessmen, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and investment experts to address the global challenges of securing viable investment aimed at contributing to economic growth. AIM is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy and is under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

About Born2Global Centre

Born2Global Centre (www.born2global.com) is a full-cycle service platform for global expansion. Since inception in 2013, Born2Global has been setting the standard for successful startup ecosystem as the main Korean government agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Born2Global has expanded and transformed startups to be engaged, equipped and be connected with the global market.

Media Contact

AIM

Kimberly Dela Cruz, Marketing Coordinator

[email protected]

Born2Global Centre

Jina Lee, PR Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Born2Global Centre
James Devlin was originally from Glasgow but had been living in Donegal

Friends of a man who overdosed at a house party in Co Donegal covered his face with ketchup, mayonnaise, pizza and vinegar as he lay sleeping, unaware he was dying.

An inquest sitting in Letterkenny Court heard James Devlin took five times the therapeutic dose of methadone, as well as a dangerous cocktail of alcohol and other drugs.

The 35-year-old, who was originally from Glasgow but had been living in Strabane, was a recovering heroin addict who suffered from schizophrenia and epilepsy.

The inquest heard how Mr Devlin's friends filmed their prank without knowing his life was in danger.

The hearing was told that the house party started after the deceased and a group of friends from Ballybofey went out drinking in nearby Stranorlar on May 25, 2018.

Samantha Malley, a member of the group, said that as well as drinking shots, Mr Devlin and a number of friends snorted Lyrica, a brand name for the pregablin nerve drug.

Ms Malley said that after leaving a bar, the group bought four bottles of wine and other alcohol from an off-licence before getting a taxi back to a Ballybofey flat belonging to another of the friends, Laura Sheehan.

Ms Malley said she saw Mr Devlin "take a big gulp" out of a bottle of methadone prescribed to Ms Sheehan's ex-partner Damien Murphy, who lived in the flat above her.

When she asked him why he had taken the methadone, Mr Devlin replied: "It will be all right."

Mr Devlin and Mr Murphy then left the apartment to collect some takeaway food and returned at approximately 12.30am. Mr Devlin fell asleep on Ms Sheehan's sofa a short time afterwards.

In evidence which was read out in court in her absence, Ms Sheehan said that while Mr Devlin was asleep, people at the party poured ketchup and mayonnaise over him and rubbed pizza and vinegar into his face.

Ms Sheehan said she filmed the prank at the start but as it escalated began to think it was "disrespectful to me and disrespectful to James, who was asleep".

She began to clean up the mess and asked her friends to leave because it was 7.30am and her children would be getting up soon.

It was while she was tidying up that Ms Sheehan noticed Mr Devlin had stopped snoring.

After checking for a pulse, she raised the alarm and shouted to Mr Murphy: "He's dead, he's dead."

Friends performed CPR on Mr Devlin while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Despite paramedics' efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest was told a post-mortem examination showed Mr Devlin had a level of methadone in his blood equivalent to five times the therapeutic dose.

This, combined with high levels of other drugs, caused his brain to shut down.

Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said someone on a methadone programme would have had a higher tolerance to the cocktail of drugs than Mr Devlin.

He returned a verdict of death by misadventure as a result of drug toxicity.

Coroner McCauley also said the prank had no role in the tragedy.
Allied bombing during the Second World War killed around 25,000 people in the German city of Dresden and turned tens of thousands of buildings into rubble exactly 75 years ago today.

British forces dropped 1,400 loads of explosives all over the area  with the help of 800 RAF Lancaster Bombers  in the hope that they would hit the Nazis in attacks that happened from 13 to 15 February 1945.

Another 200 bombers from the US continued the indiscriminate ruin of the city with at least 950 bombs during the two days.

Stunning past and present composite images have been created of landmarks to show the scale of damage and how much work had to be done to rebuild the city.

A City Hall tower statue looking down at the ruins of the city center (Richard Peter senior/Getty)

Women in 1946 carrying bricks outside the Martin Luther church in a neighborhood that was still wrecked from the bombing (Fred Ramage/Getty)

Ruins of buildings around Neumarkt square and a fountain with a statue (William Vandevert/Getty)

Propaganda director Heinz Grunewald, Dresden mayor Walter Weidauer and town architect Dr C Herbert outside City Hall (Fred Ramage/Getty)

The ruins of the Frauenkirche church and the empty pedestal for a statue of Martin Luther in 1946 (William Vandevert/Getty)

Theaterplatz square destroyed in 1946 after the bombings including the Catholic Hofkirche church (C) and Residenzschloss Dresden palace (R) (Getty)

Moritzstrasse and the Juedenhof palace (Fred Ramage/Getty)

The city center, including Prager Strasse - which connects the central station to Old Market Square (Getty)

The famous opera house and opulent museum buildings in the old city were all destroyed, as well as the Church of Our Lady  which buckled under its own weight after it was blasted with intense heat from a firestorm.

Flames from fires made air rise quickly, which created a vacuum on the ground that produced winds strong enough to uproot trees and suck people into the flames.

Historians said that the destruction was all for nothing as many lives were lost with little effect on the war that finally ended less than seven months later.

Dresden bombing: Then and now Show all 9 1 /9 Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: A portion of the Zwinger art museum in 1946 still in ruins from the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 and people walk in the courtyard of the Zwinger art museum on February 12, 2015 in Dresden, Germany William Vandevert/Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: The ruins at Theaterplatz square in 1946 still wrecked from the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 as well as the square today, including the Catholic Hofkirche church (C) and Residenzschloss Dresden palace (R), on February 7, 2015 Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: A statue on the tower of City Hall looking down at the ruins of the city center wrought by the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 as well as the same scene on February 12, 2015 Richard Peter senior/Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: Moritzstrasse and the Juedenhof palace in 1946 still wrecked from the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 as well as the same area today on February 7, 2015 Fred Ramage/Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: Women in 1946 carrying bricks outside the Martin Luther church in a neighborhood still wrecked from the February 13, 1945 Allied firebombing as well as the same area today on February 12, 2015 Fred Ramage/Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: The ruins of the city center, including Prager Strasse, following the Allied firebombing in 1945 as well as the same view on February 7, 2015 Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: The ruins of buildings around Neumarkt square and a fountain with a statue in 1946 still wrecked from the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 as well as the same scene on January 22, 2015 William Vandevert/Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: From left, propaganda director Heinz Grunewald, Dresden mayor Walter Weidauer and town architect Dr. C. Herbert in March, 1946 outside City Hall still wrecked by the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 as well as the same scene on February 12, 2015 Fred Ramage/Getty Dresden bombing: Then and now Dresden A composite image: The ruins of the Frauenkirche church and the empty pedestal for a statue of Martin Luther in 1946 still wrecked from the Allied firebombing of February 13, 1945 as well as the reconstructed church and statue on January 22, 2015 William Vandevert/Getty

Many died of collapsed lungs and the death toll is said to be higher than 25,000 due to the likelihood that bodies were charred before they had disintegrated.

The then-British prime minister Winston Churchill and US president Franklin Roosevelt bombed eastern Germany in preparation for Soviet forces, led by Joseph Stalin, to advance from the east.

The atrocity of the wars effects on Dresden are immortalised in Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse-Five. He was present at the time of the bombing so his most known novel could be considered a semi-autobiographical work.

This article was first published 13 February 2015
US First Lady Melania Trump has said that she is 'excited' for her trip to India along President Donald Trump later this month

Washington: US First Lady Melania Trump has said that she is "excited" for her trip to India along President Donald Trump later this month. In a tweet, Melania Trump said her maiden trip to India as the First Lady is an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the "kind invitation" to visit India.

Thank you @narendramodi for the kind invitation. Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad & New Dehli later this month. @POTUS & I are excited for the trip & to celebrate the close ties between the #USA & #India. https://t.co/49LzQPiVLf  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 12, 2020

Melania Trump was responding to a tweet by Modi tweet wherein he termed the US President and First Lady's visit to India as a "very special one".

"India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship," Modi had said in the tweet. President Trump and the First Lady are scheduled to travel to India on 24 and 25 February.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Moscow has previously denied Western allegations of political meddling, including findings by U.S. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller that it used social media accounts in an attempt to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential vote.

Facebook, which has struggled to stop governments and political groups using its platform to spread false or misleading information, regularly announces it has shut down disinformation campaigns from countries including Russia.

"Although the people behind this network attempted to conceal their identities and coordination, our investigation found links to Russian military intelligence services," Facebook said in a statement.

Facebook on Wednesday said it had suspended a network of accounts used by Russian military intelligence to seed false narratives online targeting Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.

Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said the latest Russian operation used more than 100 accounts on Facebook and its Instagram photo-sharing platform to create fake personas, often posing as journalists in the targeted countries.

These accounts then contacted local media and politicians to plant false stories about politically divisive issues, such as corruption allegations, ethnic tensions in the Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea and the downing of a Malaysian airliner in Ukraine in 2014.

"We've known for a long time that these people look for authentic voices to amplify their narratives," Gleicher told Reuters. "It is more of a classic intelligence operation, trying to manipulate key individuals to achieve a high impact."

Researchers at social media analytics firm Graphika, who reviewed the accounts before they were suspended by Facebook, said most of the activity dated back to 2016 and 2017, although some accounts were active as recently as this year.

The network failed to gather more than a few thousand followers but was able to get articles published in some local media outlets, said Ben Nimmo, Graphika's head of investigations.

The fake journalist personas also conducted interviews with Kremlin critics, tricking them into making unguarded comments and then sharing the messages online, he said. "The operation tried to poison the well of information by using false personas to plant pro-Kremlin and anti-Western narratives online and in local news outlets," said Nimmo.

Facebook said it had also suspended two other groups of accounts, unconnected to the Russian operation. One was linked to a previously-identified Iranian network that has targeted the United States and the other to a PR firm in Vietnam.
Syrian rebels may have used surface-to-air missiles to bring down a government helicopter this week, a development that could alter the balance of power in the countrys north.

Footage posted online appeared to show a shoulder-fired missile being used to down a Mi-17 military helicopter in Idlib on Tuesday, amid heavy fighting between rebels and Russian-backed government forces.

A group of Syrian rebel fighters is seen celebrating the downing of the aircraft, but it is unclear who fired the missile and the video could not be independently verified.

The Turkish military is currently on the ground in the province and it is possible its troops may have handled the weapon on behalf of rebel groups it supports.

If confirmed, the use or supply of the missiles to target Syrian government aircraft would mark a further escalation in the multifaceted war. The successful use of such weaponry may inhibit the Syrian governments ability to use attack helicopters on rebel-held towns and villages. Indeed, already in the days following the incident, some activists reported a drop in government air attacks in Idlib.

Syrian regime bombards Idlib Show all 23 1 /23 Syrian regime bombards Idlib Syrian regime bombards Idlib Members of the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, recover a wounded boy from the rubble of a building following a regime air strike on a vegetable market in Syria's last major opposition bastion of Idlib AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib The regime air strikes killed at least nine civilians, striking bustling areas of Idlib city AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib An injured woman waits to receive treatment at a makeshift hospital AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, searching through the rubble of a building AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib A Syrian boy is evacuated AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib AFP via Getty Images Syrian regime bombards Idlib The wreckage of a car AFP via Getty Images Syrian regime bombards Idlib A Syrian boy cries as he is evacuated AFP via Getty Images Syrian regime bombards Idlib Rescuers search for survivors EPA Syrian regime bombards Idlib AFP via Getty Images Syrian regime bombards Idlib A Syrian boy grimaces in pain after he was wounded in the airstrikes AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib A Syrian youth stands at the site of a regime air strike in Ariha town AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib Rescuers search for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building EPA Syrian regime bombards Idlib AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib Firefighters try to extinguish flames EPA Syrian regime bombards Idlib Emergency services look for survivors AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib A boy wounded in airstrikes is treated in a hospital AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib Syrian White Helmet civil defense workers extinguish a burning car Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib A Syrian walks on the rubble of a building AFP via Getty Syrian regime bombards Idlib AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib AP Syrian regime bombards Idlib AP

Throughout the course of the nearly nine-year conflict, foreign backers of Syrian rebel groups have tried to restrict the delivery of the missiles  also known as man-portable air defence systems (Manpads)  over concerns that they may fall into the hands of terror groups, who could use them to bring down civilian airliners.

Turkey backs a number of rebel groups inside Syria who are currently fighting alongside the jihadist Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, which has been the target of US airstrikes.

In the past, the US has urged its allies to restrict the delivery of Manpds to Syrian rebels. They have been used by rebel fighters a number of times, however. In 2018, a Russian Sukhoi Su-25 was shot down using the missile system over Idlib.

The downing of the helicopter comes amid the most serious clashes between Turkish forces and Syrian government troops in the course of the entire conflict.

Syrian troops launched a new push in December to recapture the last rebel-held bastion of Idlib, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee.

In recent days, the renewed push has brought Syrian troops into direct confrontation with Turkey. Thirteen Turkish military personnel have been killed by Syrian government shelling in the past 10 days. Turkey claimed to have killed 52 Syrian soldiers in response, and the countrys president vowed more reprisals if any more Turkish troops were harmed.

If there is the smallest injury to our soldiers on the observation posts or other places, I am declaring from here that we will hit the regime forces everywhere from today, regardless of Idlibs borders, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

We will do this by any means necessary, by air or ground, without hesitating, without allowing for any stalling, he added.

Charles Lister, director of the Countering Terrorism & Extremism programme at the Middle East Institute, said the use of Manpads may signal a more muscular approach from Turkey towards the current crisis in Idlib.

Its possible, or even most likely, that the Manpad used was already in theatre and wasnt a recent gift from the Turks, but thats frankly academic. Amid rumours and threats, a Syrian aircraft was shot down, he told The Independent.

That by itself contributes towards Turkish efforts to insert some more meaningful deterrence amid an environment in which it, and the opposition, have struggled to maintain much control or influence.

In recent days, Turkey has appealed to Russia to halt the Syrian government offensive. On Thursday, the Turkish defence minister said his countrys military would target rebel groups that violated a ceasefire in Idlib.

Force will be used against those violating the ceasefire, including radicals, and every measure will be taken, Hulusi Akar said, referring to a 12 January ceasefire Ankara says has been violated by Assads forces.

Ankara has deployed more than 1,000 troops to its military posts in Idlib since last week.

On Wednesday, Mr Erdogan said Ankara had given a message to the rebels it supports in the conflict to refrain from acting in an undisciplined way and giving Syrian forces an excuse to strike.

The rebels are a mix of nationalist factions and Islamist militants who have had deadly rivalries but are now closing ranks.

Ankara and Moscow back opposing sides, but have collaborated on a political solution to the war.

With agencies
Freshwater ecosystems occupy 1% of Earths area, but they support more than 126,000 species of fish and plants worldwide and feed about a billion people, said Tim Lyons, a species survival officer with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Unfortunately, they are one of the most threatened ecosystems on this planet, because we rely on freshwater for literally everything, he said.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature compiles the Red List, a growing database that assesses the extinction threat faced by plants, animals and fungi around the world. It categorizes those threats as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

Lyons, one of three of the groups officers now assigned to the ABQ BioPark, recently led a Red List Review Workshop to assess the threat of 210 species of freshwater fish in Central America.

He noted that a number of fish species in Central America are also found in the fresh waters of Mexico, and that a lot of species are closely related to what occurs right here in the Rio Grande Basin, including species of minnow, sucker and some cichlids.

About 30% of the Central American fish species assessed during the review were threatened with extinction to some degree. Whats important for New Mexico, Lyons said, is that the primary threats to fish populations in Central America and Mexico are the same as threats to fish species in New Mexico, including the Rio Grande silvery minnow, the Zuni bluehead sucker and the sturgeon.

Among these threats are the placement of dams that restrict fish species natural range; agricultural runoff containing fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides; sediment loading that occurs when land is cleared for agriculture and increased amounts of sediment are carried by the rain into freshwater sources; and the diversion of fresh water from lakes, streams and rivers for agricultural irrigation.

Lyons said another huge problem is the unintentional hybridization of fish populations that occurs when closely related species of fish mix and produce offspring.

For example, he said, in the waters flowing through Mexicos Sierra Madre, there are 16 species of native trout, which are highly localized species, and if brook or rainbow trout get in there, those distinct species will be lost in a matter of years.

Likewise, the same problem exists among trout in New Mexicos Rio Grande Basin.

If the intrinsic value of that biodiversity gets lost, then the species is lost because of genetic introgression, Lyons said. Its also important to consider that some of these species may be better suited to aquaculture and have better growth potential in captive settings, or may have better feed conversion rates. If we lose that biodiversity, its gone forever and well never know.

The workshop in Albuquerque was notable because it was the first time that fish experts from across Central America were in the same room. As a result of that interaction, they committed to form a freshwater conservation working group that will meet annually to facilitate conservation on the ground, and encourage collaboration among universities and participating parties to actually do conservation planning and put it into action, Lyons said.

ABQ BioPark Director Baird Fleming said the International Union for the Conservation of Natures role at the BioPark has increased. The species survival officers, previously assessors, now train other Red List assessors, and they have been trained to do conservation planning and conservation action for governments and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations.

The BioPark just got Red List partnership status, Fleming said. There are less than 15 partners in the world, and we are the only zoological institution. Its very prestigious for Albuquerque.

Being a partner means that Albuquerque now has a seat at the table and has voting power in how the IUCN moves forward into the future, Lyons said.
Potential jurors were also asked if they, any close friend or family member had ever run for or held federal, state or local office, and if they had formed any opinion about Trump or Clinton, or if their possible connection in the case would make it difficult for you to be fair and impartial to both sides?
California - Pan African Agribusiness Trade - 2020 World Ag Expo by Michael Harris

Wednesday Feb 12th, 2020 9:35 AM

2020 World Ag Expo offers tangible solutions to assist the African Continential Free Trade Area achieve 2025 goals. The California Black Agriculture Working Group remains committed and fully engaged to achieve mutually beneficial goals.

African leaders and their countries are making progress toward eradicating malnutrition and stunting but need to do more to hit United Nations malnutrition targets by 2025.



This was the main message of a meeting that took place during the 33rd African Union Summit.



Speakers at a meeting of the African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN) included the heads of state of Madagascar, Cote dIvoire and Sierra Leone, national ministers of health as well as African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, head of the African Development Bank.



Leaders acknowledged the scope of the challenge but sounded a note of optimism. We can conquer hunger in Africa, said Madagascars President Andry Rajoelina, one of five African Leaders for Nutrition champions. I call on all our partners to continue to work with us to address hunger and malnutrition.



Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said leaders should take it a step further. I have proposed for the AU to focus on tackling malnutrition as a theme for 2021, he said.



Stunting has declined by eight percentage points across Africa since 2000, an advance on one of the UNs 2025 targets. African countries have also shown strong progress toward achieving the target of 50% of the worlds children being exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. The other targets are: halting the epidemic of obesity; reducing anemia in women of reproductive age; reducing low birth weight and reducing wasting.



The ALN, a partnership of the African Union and African Development Bank, brings together heads of state, Finance Ministers and other leaders to raise awareness and accountability, and reinforce investment by African governments to end malnutrition among children.



The ALN meeting, held in Addis Ababa on Saturday, offered an opportunity to take stock of achievements ahead of the Nutrition for Growth Summit to be held in Tokyo in December.



Adesina outlined initiatives by the Bank and African Union to reduce malnutrition, such as the Continental Nutrition Accountability Scorecard, which offers African leaders a snapshot of nutrition-related progress and gaps.



During his opening remarks, Adesina emphasized the paradox of African malnutrition.



We have 65 percent of the worlds remaining uncultivated arable land. We have an abundance of freshwater and about 300 days of sunshine a year. Theres no reason for anyone to go hungry, the Bank chief said.



The meeting also offered recommendations for governments to strengthen African nutrition outcomes: promote a multi-sectoral approach; position nutrition within food systems; and spend more to combat malnutrition.



In addition to Rajoelina, current nutrition champions are King Letsie III of Lesotho, who addressed the meeting by video; Roch Marc Christian Kabore, President of Burkina Faso; Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the First Lady of Ghana; and Professor Howarth Bouis of HarvestPlus.
A producer for the reality TV show American Ninja Warrior has revealed how he was duped into giving $70,000 to a fake Irish heiress who conned him into believing she was fighting for a 5million euro inheritance, and that her A-list friends included Jennifer Aniston and Ashley Judd.

Johnathan Walton, 45, met Mair Smyth in 2013 at a meeting at his L.A. apartment complex to discuss residents having their access to the pool revoked.

They became close friends, with her telling him she was a member of a fictitious Irish royal family who stood to inherit 5million euros from her wealthy great uncle.

Instead, Smyth was a con artist who had been targeting L.A's elite for cash.

Jonathan Walton was duped by Mair Smyth after meeting her in L.A. in 2013. They are shown together

When she targeted Walton, she got him to loan her nearly $10,000 so she could cover her rent after claiming her bank accounts had been frozen. She said at the time that she was in a dispute with her cousin's over her inheritance, which had caused the freeze.

She also had him charge $50,000 to his credit cards when she was eventually arrested, and said she needed money to take a plea deal.

At the time, she managed to convince him that the arrest was a set-up orchestrated by the same cousins who she claimed wanted to squeeze her out of her great-uncle's will.

Smyth told Walton she was Irish royalty and that she stood to inherit $5million

Walton eventually realized he had been conned by checking court documents after Smyth's arrest.

In January 2019, she was eventually convicted of grand larceny and she has now been sentenced to five years behind bars.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, Walton described how Smyth charmed him into making him her best friend with her dazzling tales of Hollywood friendship and her straight-talking personality.

'Back then, I was a different person and I took everything at face value. That's how they get in your life, they try to help you,' he said, explaining that he fell for her offer of help in fighting their building about the pool restrictions.

Walton and his husband became friends with Smyth, and he and she became particularly close.

As their friendship blossomed, she gradually revealed tidbits from her privileged background.

During a visit to her apartment, she pointed out to him a signed document that was framed on the wall which she claimed was the Constitution of Ireland. She pointed to a signature that she said was her great uncle's.

She said she was due to inherit some of his fortune soon but that there were issues with his children.

To keep up the facade of a Hollywood power player, she said she did not have to work but wanted to and claimed to have friendships with Judd and Aniston.

The pair became so close that Walton took photographs for Smyth's dating app profiles (right). He also said he was friend while she underwent plastic surgery but thought nothing of it

She even showed Walton texts and emails which she said were from the pair.

'She seemed wealthy, she seemed educated, she fit the part that she was playing to a T,' he said.

Smyth promised to introduce him to them but, every time they were due to meet, the 'stars' suddenly backed out.

He soon became 'enthralled' in her family drama.

'It was like a soap opera plot, but it was happening in real life,' he said, adding that he thought nothing of when she got liposuction and plastic surgery because 'that's what wealthy women do'.

As they became closer, she confided in him that there was a clause to her inheritance that if she had been convicted of a felony, she would lose it all.

He warned her that her cousins may set her up for a crime to try to squeeze her out of her share.

So when she was arrested for allegedly stealing $200,000 from PacificIslands.com - a luxury travel company she worked for to 'pass time' - he immediately suspected the cousins.

Walton paid her $4,200 bond money. One of her boyfriends paid him back.

Eventually, Smyth's lies caught up with her. She is shown entering court after being arrested for grand larceny

She then asked him for rent money, claiming her accounts had been frozen.

He got her a $5,800 cashier's check. Then, when she moved into a cheaper apartment, gave her another one for $3,800.

Over the course of the next year, the case dragged.

Eventually, she told him she would be able to resolve it by paying a $50,000 plea deal fee. He charged it to his credit cards.

Then, she was hit with a 31-day jail sentence. She asked for another $4,000 to pay an expert witness to come to testify on her behalf. Walton then gave her another $2,000 to help her pay her lawyer's fees.

He had believed her story until February 2017 when, while logging on to the jail website to schedule a visit, he found discrepancies between what it said online and what she had told her.

Walton discovered she had many aliases and appearances that she used to dupe people

Rather than being accused of 'money laundering', as she said, she had pleaded guilty to a different charge and agreed to pay $40,000 in restitution - not $50,000 - to settle it with PacificIslands.com.

The company said she had operated a Ponzi scheme with their accounts.

Walton picked her up from jail but only to confront her about her lies.

He then spent the next two years trying to bring her down, pumping his own money into hiring private investigators and lawyers.

It emerged through his research that she had also been accused of fraud in Ireland.

At her January 2019 trial, her daughter was among those who testified. She told how she was a 'troubled person who has used her intelligence malevolently'.

The daughter added: 'The things that she has been accused of I'm absolutely disgusted by.'

Walton learned through his research that she had targeted others. Many did not want to speak out because they were so embarrassed.

'I think she moved here for the same reason we all moved here: to ply her craft.

'Her craft was to scam people,' he said.
"This is consistent with what we have been doing all along,'' said Ryan, a product designer who is part of the Hong Kong Design Industry Union, which produces artwork critical of authorities and is curating an exhibition to showcase collected images. He gave only his first name, fearing reprisals from authorities.
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 13:31 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206448a30 1 Entertainment Film-Indonesia,Indonesian-films,rom-coms,local-movie,romance,Valentines-Day Free

Valentines Day is just around the corner. For the hopeless romantics, it is one of the most important annual events, as it allows them to go all out in expressing their feelings for their loved ones.

While some cannot wait to spend the day with their partners, others may have yet to find the love of their life and prefer to stay at home during Valentines Day.

If you find yourself in the latter category, fear not, as The Jakarta Post has compiled a list of four Indonesian romantic comedies to prove that true love does exist.

Dilan 1990

Adapted from a novel by Pidi Baiq, Dilan 1990 follows the romantic relationship between senior high school students Dilan (Iqbaal Ramadhan) and Milea (Vanesha Prescilla) in West Java's Bandung in 1990.

Dilan 1990 was named the most watched film of 2018 with 6.3 million viewers, proving that it was among the most popular rom-coms ever produced.

The films cheesy dialogues with lines such as My job is to make you happy and Dont miss [me], its hard; you will not be able to [handle] it, let me do it, have captured the hearts of many.

Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (Whats up with Cinta)

Ada Apa Dengan Cinta is among the most popular rom-coms to date. The film was released in 2002 and marked Dian Sastrowardoyo and Nicholas Saputras rise to stardom.

It presents a high school love story between Cinta (Dian Sastrowardoyo) and Rangga (Nicholas Saputra), who come from different worlds. Cinta is a pretty, smart and popular student, while Rangga is quiet and prefers to spend his time dwelling in books.

Ada Apa Dengan Cinta showcases the cute yet challenging liaison between the two characters and aptly examines teenage friendship as Cinta and the gang go through a tough time.

Read also: Gossip Girl Indonesia to be released on Valentines Day on GoPlay

Love for Sale

If youre up for a modern love story, you may want to consider Love for Sale.

Starring Gading Marten, the film follows 41-year-old single Richard A. Widjaja, who lives with his tortoise. Richard leads a lonely life, until he accepts a bet to bring a girlfriend along to his friends wedding.

Richard discovers a dating service called Love Incorporated, which leads him to Arini Kusuma (Della Dartyan), who turns Richards life upside down and teaches him to embrace life.

Love for Sale features a refreshing plot about love, and Gadings stellar acting is not to be missed. He was named the Best Actor at the 2018 Indonesia Film Festival (FFI).

Kapan Kawin? (When Will You Get Married?)

If youre a single woman in your 30s, you might feel social pressure to get married.

Having just celebrated her 33rd birthday, Dinda (Adinia Wirasti) cannot escape from this pressure, despite her successful career. Her mother, Dewi (Ivanka Suwandi), relentlessly asks her to tie the knot, believing its the only way to make Dewi happy.

In a time of desperation, Dinda hires a street actor, Satrio (Reza Rahadian), to pretend to be her boyfriend.

Kapan Kawin? shows the challenges faced by contemporary Indonesian women. The storyline is easy to digest, and the relatable jokes make the movie all the more enjoyable. Furthermore, Rezas character is oddly likable. Viewers would find themselves slowly enamored by the charming and good-natured Satrio. (wng)
How to export, access and own your personal data with minimal effort

Our personal data is siloed, held hostage, and very hard to access for various technical and business reasons. I wrote and vented a lot about it in the previous post.

People suggest a whole spectrum of possible solutions to these issues, starting from proposals on dismantling capitalism and ending with high tech vaporwavy stuff like urbit.

I, however, want my data here and now. I'm also fortunate to be a software engineer so I can bring this closer to reality by myself.

As a pragmatic intermediate solution, feasible with existing technology and infrastructure without reinventing everything from scratch, I suggested a 'data mirror', a piece of software that continuously syncs/mirrors user's personal data.

So, as I promised, this post will be somewhat more boring specific.

You can treat this as a tutorial on liberating your data from any service. I'll be explaining some technical decisions and guidelines on:

how to reliably export your data from the cloud (and other silos), locally

how to organize it for easy and fast access

how to keep it up to date without constant maintenance

how to make the infrastructure modular, so other people could use only parts they find necessary and extend it

In hindsight, some things feel so obvious, they hardly deserve mention, but I hope they might be helpful anyway!

I will be presenting and elaborating on different technical decisions, patterns and tricks I figured out while developing data mirrors by myself.

I will link to my infrastructure map throughout the post, hopefully you'll enjoy exploring it. Links will point at specific clusters of the map and highlight them, so hopefully it will be helpful in communicating the design decisions.

I'm also very open for questions like "Why didn't you do Y instead of X?". It's quite possible that I'm slipping in extra complexity somewhere and I would be very happy to eliminate it.

 1 Design principles Just as a reminder: the idea of the data mirror is having personal data continuously/periodically synchronized to the file system, and having programmatic access to it. It might not be that hard to achieve for one particular data source, but when you want to use ten or more, each of which with its own quirks it becomes quite painful to implement and maintain over time. While there are many reasons to make it simple, generic, reliable and flexible at the same time, it is not an easy goal. The main principles of my design are modularity, separation of concerns and keeping things as simple as possible. This allows making it easy to hook onto any layer to allow for different ways of using the data. Most of my pipelines for data liberation consist of the following layers please don't be terrified of the word 'layer', typically these are just single scripts export layer: knows how to get your data from the silos The purpose of the export layer is to reliably fetch and serialize raw data on your disk. It roughly corresponds to the concept of the 'data mirror app'. Export scripts deal with the tedious business of authorization, pagination, being tolerant of network errors, etc. map : exports Example: the export layer for Endomondo data is simply fetching exercise data from the API (using existing library bindings) and prints the JSON out. That's all it does. In theory, this layer is the only essential one; merely having raw data on your disk enables you to use other tools to explore and analyze your data. However, long term you'll find yourself doing the same manipulations all over again, which is why we also need:

data access layer (DAL): knows how to read your data For brevity, I'll refer to it as DAL (Data Abstraction/Access Layer). The purpose of DAL is simply to deserialize whatever the export script dumped and provide minimalistic data bindings. It shouldn't worry about tokens, network errors, etc., once you have your data on the disk DAL should be able to handle it even when you're offline. map : data access layer It's not meant to be too high level; otherwise, you might lose the generality and restrict the bindings in such ways that they leave some users out. I think it's very reasonable to keep both the export and DAL code close as you don't want serializing and deserializing to go out of sync, so that's what I'm doing in my export tools. Example: DAL for Facebook Messenger knows how to read messages from the database on your disk, access certain fields (e.g. message body) and how to handle obscure details like converting timestamps to datetime objects. it's not trying to get messages from Facebook, which makes it way faster and more reliable to interact with data it's not trying to do anything fancy beyond providing access to the data, which allows keeping it simple and resilient

downstream data consumers You could also count it as the third layer, although the boundaries are not very well defined at this stage. map : my. As an input it takes abstract (i.e. non-raw) data from the DAL and actually does interesting things with it: analysis, visualizations, interactions across different data sources, etc. For me, it's manifested as a Python package. I can simply import it in any Python script, and it knows how to read and access any of my data. Next, I'm going to elaborate on implementing the export layer.

 3 Types of exports: a high-level view Hopefully, the previous section answered your questions about 'where do I get my data from'. The next step is figuring out what you actually need to request and how to store it. Now, let's establish a bit of vocabulary here. Since data exports by their nature are somewhat similar to backups, I'm borrowing some terminology. The way I see it, there are three styles of data exports: full export Every time you want your data, go exhaustively through all the endpoints and fetch the data. The result is some sort of JSON file (reflecting the complete state of your data) which you can save to disk. summary advantages very straightforward to implement

disadvantages might be impossible due to API restrictions takes more resources , i.e. time/bandwidth/CPU takes more space if you're keeping old versions might be flaky due to excessive network requests

examples When would you use that kind of export? When there isn't much data to retrieve and you can do it in one go. Exporting Pocket data There are no apparent API limitations preventing you from fetching everything, and it seems like a plausible option. Presumably, it's just a matter of transferring a few hundred kilobytes. YMMV though: if you are using it extremely heavily you might want to use a synthetic export. incremental export 'Incremental' means that rerunning an export starts from the last persisted point and only fetches missing data. Implementation wise, it looks like this: query previously exported data to determine the point (e.g. timestamp/message id) to continue from

fetch missing data starting from that point

merge it back with previously exported data, persist on disk summary advantages takes less resources more resilient (if done right) as it needs fewer network operations

disadvantages potentially very error-prone, harder to implement if you're not careful with pagination and misinterpret documentation you might never request some data if you're not careful with transactional logic, you might leave your export in an inconsistent and corrupt state

always harder to program. Indeed, Incremental exports areharder to program. Indeed, full export is just an edge case of an incremental one. Fun fact: most of your phone apps already implement incremental sync. It's a shame the logic can't be reused. examples If it's so tricky, why would you bother with exporting data incrementally? too much data This doesn't even mean too much in terms of bandwidth/storage, more of 'too many entities'. E.g. imagine you want to export your Twitter timeline of 10000 tweets, which is about 1Mb of raw text data. Even if you account for extra garbage and assume 10 Mb or even 100 Mb of data it's basically nothing if you're running it once a day. However, APIs usually impose pagination (e.g. 200 tweets per call), so to get these 10000 tweets you might have to do 10000 / 200 = 50 API calls. Suddenly the whole thing feels much less reliable, so you might want to make it incremental in order to minimize the number of network calls. For example: Telegram/Messenger/Whatsapp  basically IM always means there's too much data to be exported at once

flaky/slow API If it's the case you want to minimize network interaction. For example: web scraping is always somewhat slow; in addition, you might have to rate limit yourself so you don't get banned by DDOS prevention. Also, it's even flakier than using APIs, so you might want to avoid extra work if possible. Emfit QS sleep data: API is a bit flaky, so I minimize network interaction by only fetching missing data.

synthetic export This is a blend between full export and incremental export. If someone thinks of a better term for describing this concept, please let me know! It's similar to a full export in the sense that there isn't that much data to retrieve: if you could, you would just fetch it in one go. What makes it similar to the incremental export is that you don't have all the data available at once - only the latest chunk. The main motivation for a synthetic export is that no single export file will give you all of the data. There are various reasons for that: API restrictions Many APIs restrict the number of items you can retrieve through each endpoint for caching and performance reasons. Example: Reddit limits your API queries to 1000 entries.

Limited memory Example: autonomous devices like HR monitors or temperature monitors are embedded systems with limited memory. Typically, they use some kind of ring buffer so when you export data, you only get, say, the latest 10000 measurements.

Disagreement on the 'state' of the system Example: Kobo reader uses an sqlite database for keeping metadata like highlights, which is awesome! However, when you delete the book from your reader, it removes your annotations and highlights from the database too. There is absolutely no reason to do this: I delete the book because I don't need it on my reader, not because I want to get rid of the annotations. So in order to have all of them my only option is having regular database snapshots and assembling the full database from these pieces.

Security Example: Monzo bank API. After a user has authenticated, your client can fetch all of their transactions, and after 5 minutes, it can only sync the last 90 days of transactions. If you need the users entire transaction history, you should consider fetching and storing it right after authentication. So that means that unless you're happy with manually authorizing every time you export, you will only have access to the last 90 days of transactions. Note: I feel kind of sorry complaining at Monzo, considering they are the nicest guys out there in terms of being dev friendly; and I understand the security concerns. But that's the only example of such behavior I've seen so far, and it does complicate things. One important difference from other types of exports is that you have to do them regularly/often enough. Otherwise you inevitably miss some data and in the best case scenario have to get it manually, or in the worst case lose it forever. Now, you could deal with these complications the same way you would with incremental exports by retrieving the missing data only. The crucial difference is that if you do make a mistake in the logic, it's not just a matter of waiting to re-download everything. Some of the data might be gone forever. So I take a hybrid approach instead: at export time, retrieve all the data I can and keep it along with a timestamp, like a full export. Basically, it makes it an 'append-only system', so there is no opportunity for losing data.

at data access time, we dynamically build (synthesize) the full state of the data We go through all exported data chunks and reconstruct the full state, similarly to incremental export. That's where 'synthetic' comes from. The 'full export' only exists at runtime, and errors in merging logic are not problematic as you never overwrite data. If you do spot a problem you only have to change the code with no need for data migrations. illustrative example I feel like the explanations are a bit abstract, so let's consider a specific scenario. Say you've got a temperature sensor that takes a measurement every minute and keeps it in its internal database. It's only got enough memory for 2000 datapoints so you have to grab data from it every day, otherwise the older measurements would be overwritten (it's implemented as a ring buffer). It seems like a perfect fit for synthetic export. export layer: every day you run a script that connects to the sensor and copies the database onto your computer That's it, it doesn't do anything more complicated than that. The whole process is atomic, so if Bluetooth connection fails, we can simply retry until we succeed without having to worry about the details. As a result, we get a bunch of files like: # ls /data/temperature/*.db ... 20190715100026.db 20190716100138.db 20190717101651.db 20190718100118.db 20190719100701.db ...

data access layer: go through all chunks and construct the full temperature history E.g. it would look kind of like: def measurements () -> Iterator[ float ]: processed: Set [datetime] = set () for db in sorted (Path( '/data/temperature' ).glob( '*.db' )): for timestamp, value in query(db, 'SELECT * FROM measurements' ): if timestamp in processed: continue processed.add(timestamp) yield value I hope it's clear how much easier this is compared with maintaining some sort of master sqlite database and updating it. summary advantages much easier way to achieve incremental exports without having to worry about introducing inconsistencies very resilient , against pretty much everything: deleted content, data corruption, flaky APIs, programming errors straightforward to normalize and unify  you are not overwriting anything

disadvantages takes extra space That said, storage shouldn't be that much of a concern unless you export very often. I elaborate on this problem later in the post. overhead at access time When we access the data we have to merge all snapshots every time. I'll elaborate on this later as well.

more examples Github API is restricted to 300 latest events, so synthetic logic is used in ghexport tool

Reddit API is restricted to 1000 items, so synthetic logic is used in rexport tool I elaborate on Reddit here.

Chrome only keeps 90 days of browsing history in its database Here I write in detail about why synthetic exports make a lot of sense for Chrome.

 4 Export layer Map: export layer. No matter which of these ways you have to use to export your data, there are some common difficulties, hence patterns that I'm going to explore in this section. Just a quick reminder of the problems that we're dealing with: authorization: how to log in?

pagination: how to query the data correctly?

consistency: how to make sure we assemble the full view of data correctly without running into concurrency issues?

rate limits: how to respect the service's policies and avoid getting banned?

error handling: how to be defensive enough without making the code too complicated? My guiding principle is: during the export, do the absolute minimum work required to reliably get raw data on your disk. This is kind of vague (perhaps even obvious), so I will try to elaborate on what I mean by that. This section doesn't cover the exact details, it's more of a collection of tips for minimizing the work and boilerplate. If you are interested in reading the code, here are some of the export scripts and tools I've implemented. use existing bindings This may be obvious, but I still feel it has to be said. Unless retrieving data is trivial (i.e. single GET request), chances that someone has already invested effort in dealing with various API quirks. Bindings often deal with dirty details like rate limiting, retrying, pagination, etc. So if you're lucky you might end up spending very little effort on actually exporting data. If there is something in bindings you don't like or lack, it's still easier to monkey patch or just fork and patch them up (don't forget to open a pull request later!). Also if you're the author of bindings, I have some requests. Please: don't print in stdout, it's a pain to filter out and suppress. Ideally use proper logging modules

don't be overly defensive, or allow to configure non-defensive behavior It's quite sad when the library silently catches all exceptions and replaces them with empty strings/nulls/etc., without you even suspecting it. It's especially problematic in Python, where "Ask forgiveness, not permission" is very common.

expose raw underlying data (e.g. raw JSON/XML from the API) If you forget to handle something, or the user disagrees with the interpretation of data, they would still be able to benefit from the data bindings for retrieval and only alter the deserialization. Example of good data object: pymonzo exposes programmer-friendly fields and also keeps raw data

expose generic methods for handling API calls to make it easy to add new endpoints Same argument: if you forgot to handle some API calls, it makes it much easier for consumers to quickly add them. examples To export Hypothes.is data I'm using existing judell/Hypothesis bindings. the bindings handle pagination and rate limits for you

the bindings return raw JSONs, making it trivial to serialize the data on disk the bindings expose generic authenticated_api_query method For instance, profile data request was missing from the bindings; and it was trivial to get it anyway Thanks to good bindings, the actual export is pretty trivial. Another example: to export Reddit data, I'm using praw, an excellent library for accessing Reddit from Python. praw handles rate limits and pagination

praw exposes a logger, which makes it easy to control it

praw supports all endpoints, so exporting data is just a matter of calling the right API methods

one shortcoming of praw though is that it won't give you access to raw JSON data for some reason, so we have to use some hacky logic to serialize. If praw kept original data from the API, the code for export would be half as long. don't mess with the raw data Keep the data you retrieved as intact as possible. That means: don't insert it in in a database, unless it's really necessary

don't convert formats (e.g. JSON to XML)

don't try to clean up and normalize Instead, keep the exporter code simple and don't try to interpret data in it. Move data interpretation burden to the data access layer instead. The rationale here is it's a potential source of inconsistencies. If you make a bug during data conversion, you might end corrupting your data forever. I'm elaborating on this point here. don't be too defensive never silently fallback on default values in case of errors, unless you're really certain about what you're doing

don't add retry logic just in case In my experience, it's fair to assume that if the export failed, it's a random server-side glitch and not worth fine-tuning - it's easier to simply start the export all over again. I'm not dealing with that in the individual export scripts at all, and using arctee, to retry exports automatically. If you know what you're doing (e.g. some endpoint is notoriously flaky) and do need retries, I recommend using an existing library that handles that like backoff. allow reading credentials from a file you don't want them in your shell history or in crontabs

keeping them in a file can potentially allow for fine access control E.g. with Unix permissions you could only allow certain scripts to read secrets. Note that I'm not a security expert and would be interested to know if there are better solutions to that Personally, I found it so boilerplaty I extracted this logic to a separate helper module. You can find an example here.

 5 How to store it: organizing data Map: filesystem. As I mentioned, for the most part I'm just keeping the raw API data. For storage I'm just using the filesystem; all exports are kept or symlinked in the same directory ( /exports ) for ease of access: find /exports/ | sort | head -n 20 | tail -n 7 /exports/feedbin /exports/feedly /exports/firefox-history /exports/fitbit /exports/github /exports/github-events /exports/goodreads I find that the only important bit is if you keep multiple export files (e.g. synthetic), make sure their names include timestamps and the time order is consistent with lexicographic order. This means the only acceptable date/time format is some variation of YYYY MM DD HH MM SS Z . Feel free to sprinkle in any separators you like, or use milliseconds if you are really serious. Any other date format, e.g. MM/DD/YY , using month names, or not using zero-padded numbers is going to bring you serious grief. E.g.: ls /exports/instapaper/ | tail -n 5 instapaper_20200101T000005Z.json instapaper_20200101T040004Z.json instapaper_20200101T080010Z.json instapaper_20200101T120005Z.json instapaper_20200101T160011Z.json The reason is it's automatically sort/max friendly, which massively reduces the cognitive load when working with data. To make timestamping automatic and less boilerplaty, I'm using a wrapper script. backups Backups are trivial: I can just run borg against /exports . What is more, borg is deduplicating, so it's very friendly to incremental and synthetic exports. synchronizing between computers I synchronize/replicate it across my computers with Syncthing, also used Dropbox in the past. disk space concerns Some back of the envelope math arguing it shouldn't be a concern for you: the amount of data you generate grows linearly. That means that running exports periodically would take 'quadratic' space

with time, your available storage grows exponentially (and only gets cheaper) Hopefully that's convincing, but if this is an issue it can also be addressed with compression or even using deduplicating backup software like borg. Keep in mind that would come at the cost of slowing down access, which may be helped with caching. I don't even bother compressing most of my exports, except for the few which arctee wrapper handles. There are also ways to benefit from compression without having to do it explicitly: keeping data under borg and using borg mount to access it. You get deduplication for free, however this makes exporting and accessing data much more obscure. In addition, borg mount locks the repository so it's going to be read-only while you access it.

using a filesystem capable of compressing on the fly E.g. ZFS/BTRFS. It seems straightforward enough, thought non-standard file systems might be incompatible with some software, e.g. Dropbox. I haven't personally tried it.

 6 Data access layer (DAL) Map: data access layer. As I mentioned, all that DAL does is maps raw data (saved on the disk by the export layer) onto abstract objects making it easier to work with in your programs. "Layer" sounds a bit intimidating and enterprisy but usually it's just a single short script. It's meant to deal with data cleanup, normalization, etc. Doing this at runtime rather than during the export makes it easier to work around data issues, allows experimentation, and is more forgiving if you make some bugs. As I mentioned in the design principles, I'm trying to keep data retrieval code and data access code separate since they serve very different purposes and deal with very different errors. Just as a reminder what we get as a result: resilience Accessing and working with data on your disk is considerably easier and faster than using APIs.

offline You only access data on your disk, which makes you completely independent on the Internet.

modularity and decoupling: you can use separate tools (even written in different programming languages) for retrieving and accessing data That's very important, so we all can benefit from existing code and reinventing less wheels.

backups Keeping raw data makes them trivial performance concerns A natural question is: if you run through all your data snapshots each time you access it, wouldn't it be too slow? First, it's somewhat similar to the worries about the disk space. Data grows at the quadratic rate; and while processing power doesn't seem to follow Moore's law anymore there is still some potential to scale horizontally and use multiple threads. In practice, for most data sources that I use this process is almost instantaneous without parallelizing anyway. In addition: if you're using iterators/generators/coroutines (e.g. example), that overhead will be amortized and basically unnoticeable

you can still use caching. Just make sure it doesn't involve boilerplate or cognitive overhead to use. E.g. cachew. examples Example: DAL for Facebook Messenger knows how to read messages from the database on your disk, access certain fields (e.g. message body) and how to handle obscure details like converting timestamps to datetime objects. it's not trying to get messages from Facebook, which makes it way faster and more reliable to interact with data

trying to get messages from Facebook, which makes it way faster and more reliable to interact with data it's not trying to do anything fancy beyond providing access to the data, which allows keeping it simple and resilient You can find more specific examples along with the motivation and explanations here: Reddit

Instapaper/Endomondo

Pocket

Chrome

 7 Automating exports In my opinion, it's absolutely essential to automate data exports when possible. You really don't want to think about it and having a recent version of your data motivates you to actually use it, otherwise there is much less utility. In addition, it serves as a means of backup, so you don't have to worry about what happens if the service ceases to exist. scheduling I run most of my data exports at least daily. I wrote a whole post on scheduling and job running with respect to the personal infrastructure. In short: on desktop: at the moment, I'm mostly using cron (to be more specific, fcron). I'm still thinking of an alternative, but overall using cron is okay.

on Android phone: I'm using Automate app and cron arctee This is a wrapper script I'm using to run most of my data exports. Many things are very common to all data exports, regardless of the source. In the vast majority of cases, you want to fetch some data, save it in a file (e.g. JSON) along with a timestamp and potentially compress it. This script aims to minimize the common boilerplate: path argument allows easy ISO8601 timestamping and guarantees atomic writing, so you'd never end up with corrupted exports.

argument allows easy ISO8601 timestamping and guarantees atomic writing, so you'd never end up with corrupted exports. --compression allows to compress simply by passing the extension. No more tar -zcvf !

allows to compress simply by passing the extension. No more ! --retries allows easy exponential backoff in case service you're querying is flaky. Example: arctee '/exports/rtm/{utcnow}.ical.zstd' --compression zstd --retries 3 -- /soft/export/rememberthemilk.py runs /soft/export/rememberthemilk.py , retrying it up to three times if it fails The script is expected to dump its result in stdout; stderr is simply passed through. once the data is fetched it's compressed as zstd timestamp is computed and compressed data is written to /exports/rtm/20200102T170015Z.ical.zstd The wrapper operates on regular files and is therefore, programming language agnostic as long as your export script simply outputs to stdout (or accepts a filename, so you can use /dev/stdout ). It doesn't really matter how exactly (e.g. which programming language) it's implemented. That said, it feels kind of wrong having an extra script for all these things since they are not hard in principle, just tedious and boring to do all over again. If anyone has bright ideas on simplifying this, I'd be happy to know!
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for a lasting cease-fire in war-torn Libya, as Russia abstained from the vote following its objections to the language of the text.



The text -- which was drafted by Britain -- was approved on February 12 by the other 14 members of the Security Council following weeks of debate and wrangling.



The resolution restated "the need for a lasting cease-fire in Libya at the earliest opportunity, without preconditions" and expressed "concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya."



Russia had pushed to replace the word "mercenaries" with "foreign terrorist fighters."



Moscow, which backs eastern Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar, has been accused by UN experts and diplomats of aiding Russian military contractors fighting alongside Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), which has also received air support from the United Arab Emirates and backing from Jordan and Egypt.



Russia officially denies involvement in the civil war in Libya, which has been torn by violence since longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.



Russias support for Haftar pits it against the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli. The GNA also has the support of Turkey, which has said it is deploying its own soldiers to the country.



Haftars LNA, based in the east of the country, has conducted a months-long drive to capture the capital from the GNA.



An interim truce brokered by the UN came into force on January 12 and has led to a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes, although the situation remains tense.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Kerala has put bottled water in the essential commodity list and fixed its price at 13 per litre, state food minister P Thilothaman has said.

This has been due for long. Traders and manufacturers were fleecing people by overcharging them , said state food minister P Thilothaman. The Kerala Bottled Water Manufacturers Association has welcomed the decision. We were forced to hike prices when multinationals raised it to to ~20 a litre in 2015.The move will help the industry in the long run, said its president M E Mohammad.

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New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Supreme Court on Thursday asked political parties to bring on record reasons for selection of candidates with pending criminal cases, and added mere "winnability at polls" couldn't be attributed as a reason for the selection.

A Bench headed by Justice R.F. Nariman said, "It appears over the last four general elections, there has been an alarming rise in incidence of criminals in politics." The apex court noted the political parties offered no explanation for selection of candidates with pending criminal cases.

The apex court said: "It shall be mandatory for political parties (at central and state polls) to upload on their websites detailed information regarding selected individuals with pending criminal cases. The information must include the nature of offences, and relevant details, such as whether charges have been framed, the court concerned and the case number." Taking a step further, the court also sought clarification from political parties on the selection such candidates. "Along with the reasons for such selection, also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents couldn't be selected as candidates," said the court.

Moreover, the "selection shall be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned, and not mere 'winnability' at the polls," it said.

Issuing specific directions on publication of criminal antecedents in the public domain, the court said it should also be published in one local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper; on the official social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook and Twitter.

"These details shall be published within 48 hours of selection of candidate or not less than two weeks, before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier. The political party concerned shall then submit a report of compliance with these directions with the Election Commission within 72 hours of selection of the said candidate," observed the court.

If a party failed to submit a compliance report with the Election Commission, the poll panel should bring on record "such non-compliance by the political party concerned to the notice of the Supreme Court as being in contempt of this court's orders/directions," it said.

In 2004, 24 per cent MPs had criminal cases pending against them. In 2009, the number went up to 30 per cent, in 2014 to 34 per cent and in 2019 to 43 per cent.

The order came on a contempt plea, filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay. He had filed the contempt plea against political parties allowing candidates with criminal background causing criminalisation of politics.

The petitioner claimed the directions given by the apex court in the September 2018 verdict on the disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates was not being followed in the letter and spirit.
PARMA TWP., MI  A seasonal product offering at western Jackson County's first recreational marijuana shop is spruced up to look like a bouquet of a dozen roses.

But instead of traditional flowers, the bouquets at Kinship Cannabis Co. feature a different kind of flower  12 pre-rolled marijuana joints. The $50 product  along with Valentines Day baskets with other forms of marijuana  have been a hit, Kinship principal owner Curt Molino said.

"Anything we can do to be creatively marketing ourselves and giving somebody something that's a little extra than the other guy, that's what we try to do," Molino said.

Kinship opened at 2199 N. Concord Road, just off I-94, for recreational marijuana sales on Jan. 30. Its the first recreational marijuana shop in Parma Township and third in Jackson County. The other two, Choice Labs and 20 Past 4, are in Leoni Township.

This is Kinships first location, but the business plans to open additional marijuana shops in Monroe County, near where Molino is from.

Of Molinos four business partners, two of them are his brothers. The Molinos ventured into the marijuana business after one of their brothers died from ALS about a decade ago. Doctors prescribed him medical marijuana pills to help his calorie intake and his nerves, before he died.

Thats when the Molinos learned medical marijuana can be another source of wellness, and there was opportunity in the market for the brothers to pursue it. Kinship opened for medical marijuana in September before getting a license also allowing them to sell recreationally.

Kinship offers flower, cartridges, CBD, edibles, topicals and more, for medical and recreational marijuana, Assistant Manager Kathleen Bailey said.

"The edible gummies on the recreational side are like hotcakes," Bailey said. "Quicker than I can say 'edible gummies,' they're off the shelf."

The 2,400-square-foot building was built from scratch, and two more buildings are on their way up on the property so Kinship can grow and process their own marijuana. From the parking lot to the security system to the building itself, Molino said Kinship wants to dispel stereotypes about what marijuana shops look like.

"People don't want to have to buy their product in the alley," Molino said. "They want to come here, feel safe and secure, know that the medicine's been tested and it's been tracked."

Township limits number of marijuana businesses

Parma, Pulaski and Leoni townships as well as the city of Jackson are the only communities in Jackson County to opt into allowing recreational marijuana businesses to open up.

In Parma, the planning commission decided to limit the number of businesses to two  allowing each business to stack grower, processor and retailer licenses for the same property. The township is limiting it to two, so as not to oversaturate the area, Supervisor Wendy Chamberlain said.

Kinship has followed through on all their promises to the township and is a first-class facility, she said.

A second medical and recreational marijuana business is has initial approval to open up on Michigan Avenue, Chamberlain said.

Parma residents voted 526 to 463  which is roughly 53 percent voting yes  in favor of legalizing marijuana in the November 2018 election.

Were not doing this for any perceived income the township will make, Chamberlain said. Were doing this to serve the needs of our aging medical marijuana users and to recognize the states ballot initiative for the recreational.

More Jackson news:

Jackson Countys first recreational marijuana shop opens

Recreational marijuana shop 20 Past 4 opens in Jackson County

Pastry chef-turned-winemaker plans new microbrewery in Michigan Center
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-woman Gargi College here last week.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde asked lawyer M L Sharma, who mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing, to move the Delhi High Court with his plea.

"Why don't you go to the Delhi HC. If they dismiss the petition then you come here," the bench, also comprising justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, said.

The apex court said it would like to have advantage of Delhi HC's view on this matter.

Sharma expressed apprehension that electronic evidence related to the case might be destroyed.

On this, the top court said, "Delhi High Court can also pass order like the Telangana High Court in the police encounter case to preserve electronic evidence".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Express News Service

JAIPUR: A resident of Pindwara from Rajasthans Sirohi district killed his son killed after being misguided by a Tantrik.

The father, Pravin Suthar, was told by the Tantrik that his 24-year-old son Pankaj Suthar was biologically not his son.

This enraged the father so much that he enlisted the help of contract killers to murder his son. Pravin had placed a bounty of Rs 1.25 lakh for his sons killing.

The murder case remained unsolved for weeks. On Tuesday, police held a special press conference and claimed that the police had finally cracked the case with the arrest of five individuals including the father Pravin Suthar.

According to police, the four killers led by Kantilal Mali killed Pankaj Suthar and proceeded to burn his body.

The father was upset over his sons misdeeds. When he approached a Tantrik to suggest some solution, he was informed that Pankaj was not biologically his son. This turned the fathers dislike towards the son into hatred and he asked the Tantrik to kill his son. When the Tantrik refused, the father hired Kailash Mali to carry out the murder of his son, said SP Kalyanmal Meena.


Upcoming political events in the Bay Area:

SATURDAY

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: Washington state congresswoman and Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair in conversation at the Commonwealth Club. $30 for nommembers, $10 for students. 1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

SUNDAY

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: Washington state congresswoman and Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair in conversation at Mannys. $15. 2 p.m., 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Fighting climate change: Muriel MacDonald, community mobilizer and Sunrise Movement leadership team member, shares her experiences of fighting for systemic change. Sponsored by KindSF. Free. 6 p.m., The Center SF, 548 Fillmore St., San Francisco. More information is here.

MONDAY

Sen. Bernie Sanders: Candidate for Democratic presidential nomination holds a campaign rally. Noon, Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbor Way South, Richmond. More information is here.

Conor Dougherty: Author reads from his new book, Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America, and talks with journalist Nellie Bowles. Free. 7 p.m., East Bay Booksellers, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. More information is here.

TUESDAY

Candidates forum: For East Bay race in state Assembly District 15. Participating are Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks and challengers Sara Brink and Jeanne Solnordal. Sponsored by League of Women Voters. 7 p.m., Belmont Village Senior Living Albany, 1100 San Pablo Ave., Albany. More information is here.

WEDNESDAY

Iran Reframed: A Talk by Narges Bajoghli, assistant professor of Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University and an anthropologist, filmmaker and writer. Free. 4 p.m., Room 587, Humanities Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco. More information is here.

Watch party: For the Democratic presidential debate, hosted by TechEquity Collaborative. Free. 5 p.m., Starline Social Club, 2236 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. More information is here.

Watch party: For the Democratic presidential debate. $10. 5 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Conor Dougherty: Author discusses his new book, Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America, with journalist Angie Coiro. $7. 7:30 p.m., Keplers Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. More information is here.

THURSDAY

Primary ballot explainer: An overview and conversation of key housing and workforce and labor ballot measures on the March 3 primary ballot, hosted by TechEquity Collaborative. Free. Online, 344 Thomas L. Berkley Way, Oakland. More information is here.

Disinformation and democracy: A forum on the threats to democratic elections from digital disinformation. Panelists include Irina Raicu, director of internet ethics at Markkula Center; Alex Stamos, former chief security officer at Facebook and director of the Stanford Internet Observatory; and Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics at Markkula Center. $10. 6 p.m., Computer History Museum, 1401 North Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. More information is here.

Polarization and the Constitution: Is the Constitution part of the problem in political polarization rather than the solution, and if it is, what can we do about it? A conversation with Paul Pierson, political science professor at UC Berkeley. Free. 6:30 p.m., Salesforce Tower, 415 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here.

FRIDAY

Rep. Barbara Lee town hall: East Bay Democrat holds a town hall meeting, focused on expanding and protecting voting rights, Black History Month and the census. 6 p.m., Beth Eden Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1183 10th St., Oakland. More information is here.

FEB. 22

Watch party: For the Nevada Democratic caucus results. Free. 4 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Oscar Lopez Rivera: Puerto Rican independence activist, long imprisoned by the U.S. government for alleged connection to paramilitary actions, discusses his organizing activities as the island tries to recover from 2018 hurricanes. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 5:30 p.m., La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. More information is here.

Compassion in divisive times: A talk with Dr. Pilar Jennings, psychoanalyst and Buddhist teacher, on practicing the healing arts of Buddhist psychology during a time of social, racial and political divisiveness. $5. 5:30 p.m., S.F. Zen Center Conference Center, 308 Page St., San Francisco. More information is here.

FEB. 23

Dismantling racism: Screening of the documentary film When They See Us, followed by discussion groups focused on building bridges for the purpose of dismantling white supremacy and racism. Hosted by San Francisco Black and Jewish Unity Group. Free. 1 p.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Oscar Lopez Rivera: Puerto Rican independence activist, long imprisoned by the U.S. government for alleged connection to paramilitary actions, discusses his organizing activities as the island tries to recover from 2018 hurricanes. $20. 1 p.m., Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Race and the election: A discussion of the presidential election as a lens for issues of race. Panelists include author, actor and playwright Brian Copeland; author, blogger and writing teacher Aya de Leon; author Mimi Lok; and law professor and commentator Ian Haney Lopez. Free. 5 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. More information is here.

FEB. 25

Watch party: For the Democratic presidential debate. $10. 5 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here.

On Common Ground: KQED-FMs Sasha Khokha leads a discussion about how we find common ground in an age of extreme disunity. Panelists include emotional education expert Michele Borba; social psychologist Heike Winterheld and artist Shawn Lani, co-curators of the Exploratoriums Middle Ground exhibition; Make America Dinner Again co-founder Tria Chang; and Stanford political scientist Jonathan Rodden. Free. 7 p.m., Pier 15, the Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

FEB. 26

W. Kamau Bell: Political comedian teams up with Mother Jones to talk about the 2020 election. $15. 7 p.m., Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. More information is here.

FEB. 27

E.J. Dionne Jr. and Barbara Boxer: Washington Post columnist and former U.S. senator from California on how progressives and moderates can unite to win 2020 elections. $30 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $10 for students. Noon, 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. Second event with Dionne, a benefit for KPFA-FM, at 7:30 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Berkeley. More information is here.

FEB. 29

Watch party: For the South Carolina Democratic primary results. Free. 4 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here.

MARCH 1

Rep. Jackie Speier: Peninsula Democrat in conversation for KQED-FMs Live on Stage With Michael Krasny. $25. 5 p.m., Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, Hoytt Theater, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. More information is here.

MARCH 3

Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states, with former Arizona Sen. Gabby Giffords. $12. 4 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here.

Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states. Free. 5 p.m., IGS Library, 109 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here.

Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states. Hosted by TechEquity Collaborative. Free. 5 p.m., Starline Social Club, 2236 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland. More information is here.

MARCH 4

Gender issues and political identity: Rose McDermott, international relations professor at Brown University, discusses gender issues and leaders emotional manipulation of political identity. $5. 7 p.m., 518 Valencia St., San Francisco. More information is here.

MARCH 5

Rahm Emanuel: Former Chicago mayor and Barack Obama adviser on how mayors run the world. $40 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $15 for students. 6:30 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here.

MARCH 6

Facebook: Author Steve Levy discusses his new book, Facebook: The Inside Story. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12 advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. More information is here.

MARCH 8

Politics for teenagers: Democracy Online: A Political Discourse Conference for Teens features experts in ethics, journalism and technology to discuss the role of the internet in politics. Free. 10 a.m., Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. More information is here.

Spanish for activists: A session on canvassing in the Latinx community, sponsored by Democracy Action. Intended for intermediate and advanced Spanish speakers. Bring a laptop and phone. Free. 10:30 a.m., 80 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 20, Sausalito. More information is here.

MARCH 12

Breaking down the primary: Political experts discuss the results of Californias primary. Panelists include Aimee Allison, founder and president of She the People; Jennifer Fernandez Ancona, co-founder of Way to Win; and pollster David Binder. Hosted by KQED and SPUR. $10 for nonmembers, free for members. SPUR Urban Center, 654 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here.

MARCH 17

American Jews and Israel: Former Knesset member Yossi Beilin, chairman of the Geneva Initiative, on the relationship between Israelis and American Jews today and where we go from here. Hosted by Center for Jewish Peoplehood. $18 in advance, $25 at the door. 7 p.m., Osher Marin JCCs Hoytt Theater, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. More information is here.

Dan Pfeiffer: Pod Save America podcast co-host on A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again. $27 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $8 for students. 7 p.m., Oshman Family JCCs Schultz Cultural Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. More information is here.

MARCH 21

Robert Reich: UC Berkeley public policy professor and former U.S. labor secretary talks politics and his new book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It. $32 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $9 for students. 7 p.m., 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara Convention Center Theater, Santa Clara. More information is here.

Noam Chomsky: Political activist and social critic on What Hope for Palestine-and Beyond? The World After 2020. Introduced by Daniel Ellsberg; musical performance by Naima Shalhoub and Excentrik. $29-$99. 7:30 p.m., Sidney Goldstein Theatre, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco. More information is here.

MARCH 27

Jesse Wegman: Journalist and editor discusses his new book on the electoral college, Let the People Pick the President. $7. 7:30 p.m., Keplers Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. More information is here.

To list an event, please email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com.
Many experts have said early phases of outbreaks like this one tend to have a large number of severe cases, as the sickest people flock to hospitals and come to doctors attention. And in Wuhan, where the health-care system is overwhelmed, people have complained they cannot find a hospital to test them for the virus, let alone to treat their symptoms. So patients with milder versions may be at home, uncounted, waiting out the epidemic.
HOUSTON, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerson Firm, PLLC announces a continuing investigation of a hugely significant issue involving the fuel system of certain Toyota vehicles. This matter relates to consumers who purchased or leased 2019 and 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrids.



If you purchased or leased a 2019 or 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid then you may have claims that can be pursued. It is believed that the fuel system in these vehicles is defective such that the fuel tank cannot be filled to its advertised capacity, compromising the promised range of the vehicles, increasing emissions, and increasing the risk of overflow during fueling. Many consumers have been unable to fill up the vehicles tank to its advertised capacity of 14.5 gallons often being stopped at 8 gallons which limits the vehicles range well below the advertised range. Over 100 complaints have been made to NHTSA regarding this defect.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world and is headquartered and has its principal place of business in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is the parent company of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. which is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) is incorporated in California, with its headquarters in Plano, Texas. TMNA is a holding company of sales, manufacturing, engineering, and research and development subsidiaries of TMC located in the United States

Emerson Firm, PLLC with offices in Houston, TX and Little Rock, AR, is a law firm specializing in results, integrity, and personal service. Emerson Firm represents consumers throughout the nation and has significant class action experience with proven results. Emerson Firm lawyers have devoted their practice to complex commercial litigation for almost forty years and have recovered over a billion dollars for consumers in class actions throughout the United States.
She's the tattooed bombshell who's known for her risque fashion style.

And on Thursday, Vanessa Sierra announced that fans can get their hands on her designer frocks for a fraction of the price.

'I have so many new and unworn things!' the 24-year-old reality star wrote in a snap posted to her Instagram account.

Dress like a Love Island star! On Thursday, Vanessa Sierra (pictured) announced she is selling her designer outfits in a bid to raise money for charity

The raven-haired beauty went on to reveal she has created a new account on Instagram, specifically to sell some of the designer clothes she's worn over the past few months.

The designer frocks, range from $60-$250.

It comes after the former Love Island star posted a number of Photoshopped snaps in which she embraces a koala to promote her swimwear range, while also raising money for bushfire charities.

Everything must go! The reality star announced that fans can get their hands on her designer frocks as she listed them for sale

On sale: 'I have so many new and unworn things!' the 24-year-old reality star captioned a snap posted to her Instagram account on Thursday

At the time, the brunette stunner posed in a number of bikinis from her own Perdu Swim line, and announced all sales from the brand would go to bushfire charities.

She captioned one image: 'Okay now I have your attention. ALL profits from @perdu.swim sales this weekends are being donated NSW rural fire service to support our national heroes who are risking their lives to protect us.

'Australia is currently in a state of emergency. Families are losing their homes, people are losing their loved ones.

Charitable: Love Island star Vanessa (pictured) spruiked her swimwear line with a bizarre koala snap on Saturday. She was donating all proceeds from sales to bushfire relief

'Half a BILLION animals have died and Australia's ecosystem is being destroyed. There are many ways you can help in the form of physical and monetary donations. This is one of them. The bikini is just a thank you'.

She repeated that message on the official Perdu Swim page, and on a number of Instagram Stories that saw her posing in skimpy black and blue bikinis.

The former reality star spent New Year's partying at Icebergs in Bondi.
Toronto, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) today announced that The Co-operators has joined the organization as a member.

On behalf of our board and membership, I am pleased to welcome The Co-operators to IFIC, said Paul C. Bourque, President and CEO, IFIC. The co-operatives broad membership and national scope will provide a unique perspective on industry matters.

Since 1945, The Cooperators have become a trusted leader in the financial services industry, providing insurance and investment solutions to Canadians.

IFIC is recognized and respected as the advocate for the investment funds industry, explains Kevin Daniel, EVP and Chief Client Officer, The Co-operators. The Co-operators, through Co-operators Financial Investment Services (CFIS), is very pleased that our membership further enables our participation in the dynamic industry dialogue, while helping meet the wide-ranging financial needs of our clients.

For more information on The Co-operators, please visit www.cooperators.ca

About IFIC

The Investment Funds Institute of Canada is the voice of Canadas investment funds industry. IFIC brings together 150 organizations, including fund managers, distributors and industry service organizations, to foster a strong, stable investment sector where investors can realize their financial goals. By connecting Canadas savers to Canadas economy, our industry contributes significantly to Canadian economic growth and job creation. The organization is proud to have served Canadas investment funds industry and its investors for more than 50 years.

About The Co-operators

The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $47.6 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies, it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is ranked as the Corporate Knights' #1 Best 50 Corporate Citizen in Canada and listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Kincentric (formerly Aon Hewitt.) For more information on The Co-operators, please visit www.cooperators.ca.

Pira Kumarasamy

The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC)

416-309-2317

pkumarasamy@ific.ca



Michelle Robichaud

Media@cooperators.ca


Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared an old throwback snap from her Princeton University days on Instagram in honor of her new IGTV series about college students.

Instagram's official account posted the photo that was taken in 1983, back when the 55-year-old was a teenage undergraduate rocking matching denim-on-denim, posing for a picture on her New Jersey campus.

'If I could tell the girl in this photo one thing, it would be slow down and take a breath  youve got this,' Mrs. Obama said.

Flashback: Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared a 1983 throwback snap from her Princeton University days on Instagram

College fun: She's celebrating her new IGTV series, 'A Year of Firsts'

'The first episode is live right now,' she said in an Instagram stories video

The rare photo of Michelle was taken when she was 18 or 19, and shows the future first lady in boot cut jeans and a matching denim jacket, collar popped.

Underneath is a button-down, and she's accessorized with sneakers and a necklace.

Michelle was majoring in sociology and minoring in African-American studies at the school, and would go on to graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1985 and then get her law degree at Harvard.

Looking back, Obama said she would want to reassure herself  and she gives the same advice to other students.

'And thats exactly what I want to say to all of you out there who are just starting college. Youve got this, and I cannot wait to see where your journey takes you and everything you learn and achieve along the way,' she said.

Smart: Michelle was majoring in sociology and minoring in African-American studies at the school, and would go on to graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1985

The photo was posted to celebrate the premiere of Obama's new series, a collaboration between her own initiative Reach Higher and the media company ATTN: for an IGTV series.

Called 'A Year of Firsts,' it follows four students during their freshman year college.

'I have some exciting news to share with you today,' she said on Instagram. 'Reach Higher, my initiative to get students to and through college, is teaming up with ATTN: to follow the journeys of four college students from across the country.

'The first episode is live right now,' she added.

'Can't wait for you all to meet them and learn more about what taking that leap really feels like, day in and day out,' she'd previously said in an announcement about the series.

Mini series: Obama teamed up with media company ATTN: for an IGTV for the series, which follows students during their freshman year college

Tune in: The six episodes will run through June, and the first is out now

The series is part of Obama's Reach Higher initiative, which aims to 'inspire every student in the U.S. to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.'

The six episodes will run through June.

They will document the freshman year journeys of students Regan Dunn, Hasseeb [no last name given], Linette Delgado, and Robert Booker, who are from Washington, D.C., North Dakota, California, and Alabama, according to CBS News.

'The first year of college is exciting, but also a little nerve-racking,' said Obama.

'As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to try to navigate through a new place and make new friends, all while trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be.'

The show documents the freshman year journeys of students including Regan Dunn (pictured)

Tough: The series promises to discuss challenges like academic stress, making new friends, college affordability, and physical and mental health (pictured: series star Linette Delgado)

'Im so proud of these students,' Obama said of the cast, including Robert Booker (pictured)

Opening up: The students (including Hasseeb, pictured) offer a candid look at their freshman year

The series promises to discuss challenges like academic stress, making new friends, college affordability, and physical and mental health, as well as provide helpful insights to inspire and uplift young people.

'Im so proud of these students,' she said. By sharing their stories, theyre helping others see that the ups and downs of the first year of college are something everyone goes through  and theyre creating a supportive community for others facing similar challenges.'

ATTN: co-founder, Matthew Segal added: 'As Mrs. Obama highlights in each episode, there are many hidden challenges to making it through college.

'This series will meet many students where they live  on Instagram  and share candid perspectives about how to overcome barriers. Were thrilled to be partnering with Mrs. Obama and Reach Higher to engage and inspire students to invest in themselves through higher education.'

Her girls: Michelle, who went to Princeton for undergrad and Harvard for her law degree, has two daughters in college

Living it: While Malia (left) is a junior at Harvard, Sasha (right) just started the University of Michigan in the fall

The series is running just as Obama's own youngest daughter, 18-year-old Malia, is a freshman at the University of Michigan.

Sasha's choice to attend a Big Ten School  and to enroll in the fall following her high school graduation  set her apart from big sister Malia, 21.

Malia took a gap year before college, spending time interning before starting at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts the following fall.

She is now going into her junior year at the Ivy League institution.

This is one of two education-focused internet series that Obama has been working on.

In December, YouTube announced a partnership with the former first lady on a documentary about girls' education in Vietnam.

Busy making movies: In December, YouTube announced a partnership with the former first lady on a documentary about girls' education in Vietnam

More to come: She and Jenna Bush Hager traveled to Vietnam in December

Content: She and her husband also have a deal with Netflix and are working on several projects for the streaming service

Streaming on YouTube Originals and produced by Vox Media Studios, 'Creators for Change with Michelle Obama: Girls Education' will document Obama's trip to Vietnam last month.

Obama's trip was part of the Obama Foundations Girls Opportunity Alliance, and she was joined by Jenna Bush Hager, Julia Roberts, YouTube's Liza Koshy, and actresses Lana Condor and Veronica Ngo.

It is set to premiere in March.

Meanwhile, in 2018 it was revealed that the Obamas had signed a deal with Netflix, and they began working on projects with their company Higher Ground.

Their Netflix projects include a post-WWII drama series called Bloom, an adaptation of the biography Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, an adaptation of New York Times series Overlooked, a half-hour series for preschoolers, a documentary about the disability rights movement, and a series based the book The Fifth Risk: Undoing Democracy.
Self-defence: US troops were shot at by regime gunmen

US troops exchanged fire with pro-Assad gunmen with the Syrian regime claiming a civilian had been killed by American fire.

An US military patrol was stopped in the country's north-west by a crowd of militiamen and civilians loyal to Bashar al-Assad.

The fracas began with angry words and one Syrian man tearing a US flag off one of the armoured vehicles.

It quickly escalated and video footage showed armed men shooting rifles at US vehicles while American troops fired bursts of automatic gunfire.

"The patrol came under small arms fire from unknown individuals. In self-defence, coalition troops returned fire," said a US military spokesman.

The US said its troops are only in Syria to fight Isil.

"The American occupation soldiers fired live bullets and smoke bombs on the locals as a civilian was martyred," the Assad regime claimed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.13

Trend:

A representative delegation of the Russian Federation headed by the Governor of Saint-Petersburg Alexander Beglov is on a visit to Ashgabat, Trend reports with reference to Turkmenistan's embassy in Azerbaijan.

In the first half of the day on February 13, the guest was received by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of political, economic and cultural-humanitarian issues. It was noted that the collaboration of Turkmenistan with the regions of the Russian Federation holds a substantial place in bilateral cooperation.

Then, the meeting of Beglov with the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashit Meredov was held. The parties noted that the mutual visits of the heads of two states serve as an important link in the development of Turkmen-Russian relations. The positive cooperation experience in the framework of international and regional organizations was voiced. In this context, the initiatives of the Turkmen government aimed at the maintenance of peace, stability and economic growth in the region, as well as beyond it, were specifically underlined.

The parties noted the high level of trade-economic ties, including the constructive participation of the Russian companies in the number of projects on the territory of Turkmenistan. The present and prospective projects in the oil and gas, as well as in the transport spheres were considered.

The cooperation in the area of education, science, culture, art and sport was also discussed. In particular, the side considered establishing cooperation between the institutes of higher education of Turkmenistan and Russia through the formation of pertinent normative base with the aim of exchanging expertise in various spheres, particularly in the area of high technologies.

Speaking about the rich culture of the two countries, the parties underlined the success of cultural events organized in Turkmenistan and Saint-Petersburg and expressed hope for further cooperation in this course.

The parties reiterated the adherence of the two countries to further strengthening bilateral ties. Following the meeting, a protocol on the outcomes of the talks between the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Meredov and Governor of Saint-Petersburg Beglov was signed.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 18:37:03|Editor: huaxia

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TRIPOLI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya's UN-backed government on Thursday welcomed the resolution of the UN Security Council extending measures against illicit export of oil from Libya.

"NOC welcomes the adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 2509 authorizing measures against the illicit export of crude oil and other petroleum products from Libya, continuing to allow member states to inspect designated vessels on the high seas," the NOC said in a statement.

The corporation also condemned attempts by the eastern-based government to take control of the NOC's Inspection and Measurement Department.

The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted resolution 2509 that extends the authorization of measures against the illicit export of crude oil and other petroleum products from Libya until April 30, 2021.

Tribal leaders in eastern Libya recently closed oil ports, accusing the UN-backed government of using oil revenues to support armed groups against the eastern-based army.

According to the NOC, suspension of oil exports due to the closure of the oilfields and ports cost loss of nearly 1.4 billion U.S. dollars so far, and caused drop of daily crude oil production from more than 1.2 million to less than 200,000 barrels per day.

The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since early April 2019, attempting to take over Tripoli from the UN-backed government.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2020 - 00:27 | All, Japan, World, Coronavirus

A woman in her 80s infected with the new coronavirus died Thursday, becoming Japan's first confirmed fatality, the health minister said, as more cases of infection were reported besides the hundreds on a quarantined cruise ship near Tokyo.

The Japanese woman from Kanagawa Prefecture, just southwest of the capital, who had not traveled overseas recently, was found to be infected with the virus after she died, health minister Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference.

The woman had been diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized since Feb. 1, the health ministry said, adding her breathing deteriorated on Feb. 6.

She was the mother-in-law of a Tokyo taxi driver whose infection with the virus was confirmed Thursday, according to a government official.

The driver in his 70s was quoted as saying by a Tokyo metropolitan government official that he had not transported foreign visitors in the two weeks before he first showed symptoms on Jan. 29 and health authorities are seeking to determine how he got the virus.

The government is wrestling with the spread of the pneumonia-causing virus. On Thursday, 44 additional infections were confirmed aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama with thousands of passengers and crew remaining confined to the quarantined vessel.

In Wakayama Prefecture, a surgeon in his 50s became the first doctor in Japan to be infected with the virus, the local government said. It is not known whether he had close contact with visitors from China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

The latest cases, also including a Japanese man in his 20s from Chiba Prefecture who tested positive on Thursday, bring the total number of confirmed infections to 251 in the country. The bulk, 218, are passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess docked at Yokoyama.

The tally includes foreign tourists visiting from Wuhan, the epicenter of the viral outbreak and a Japanese bus driver who had close contact with Chinese tourists in Japan.

Medical experts say elderly people and those with chronic diseases are more likely to see their health conditions deteriorate due to the virus.

Still, the gradual rise in the number of infected people with no apparent records of traveling to China or having contact with those from virus-hit Wuhan and its neighboring areas has raised a sense of vigilance.

The health minister struck a cautious note about the situation, saying more data are necessary "from an epidemiological standpoint to say infections are growing across the country."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government will spend a total of 15.3 billion yen ($140 million) on such emergency measures as developing rapid testing kits. It will also make sure over 600 million masks are supplied a month.

Amid concern that a prolonged isolation on the cruise ship would worsen the health of people with pre-existing conditions, the government has decided to allow elderly passengers suffering from chronic illnesses to disembark earlier than scheduled if they test negative for the virus.

The roughly 200 passengers aged 80 and over on the Diamond Princess may be allowed off the ship as early as Friday, depending on their wishes and health condition, Kato told reporters, adding those with pre-existing conditions have already undergone screening.

Those allowed off the ship will stay at facilities arranged by the government until the isolation period ends next Wednesday. The more than 3,500 passengers and crew were originally scheduled to be confined aboard the ship through that day.

"There are some people whose health may deteriorate by staying (aboard) for an extended period," said Kato, while indicating the ministry may lower the age for people allowed to disembark.

After a male passenger in his 80s was found to be infected with the virus after leaving the vessel in Hong Kong, the ministry has checked the health of all those still on the ship, testing those with symptoms and others who came in close contact with them.

The ministry has since requested that people stay in their cabins to prevent the virus from spreading after taking those infected as well as those who fell ill to hospitals.

But as the days mount up without sufficient cleaning services and medical support, there have been growing calls from the remaining passengers for more doctors to come on board.

Meanwhile, the first group of Japanese nationals evacuated from Wuhan on a government-chartered aircraft amid the outbreak was allowed to go home Thursday after a little over two weeks of isolation.

A total of 197 people had been quarantined at a hotel in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, and government facilities since they returned on Jan. 29 from the Chinese city at the center of the outbreak.

They all tested negative in their final virus examination conducted Tuesday after completing a 12.5-day monitoring period for the virus.

The health ministry said 199 evacuees on the second chartered aircraft that arrived on Jan. 30 are also free to return home as their test results showed they were not infected.

"I appreciated the kind treatment we were shown by government officials and people at the hotel. I was able to spend my days without much stress," said a man in his 30s from Mie Prefecture who was among the evacuees. "I want to thank the local people who have encouraged us too."

The Tokyo government said it will make available 50 temporary public housing units free of charge for those who do not immediately have a place to stay.

The outbreak has already claimed more than 1,300 lives in China, with the number of people infected with the virus on the country's mainland close to 60,000, according to its health authorities. The World Health Organization has named the disease COVID-19.

Related coverage:

Daily deaths from coronavirus in China top 200 for 1st time

Olympics: Coronavirus will not affect Tokyo Games schedule: Mori

Cruise ship rejected by Japan, elsewhere allowed to dock in Cambodia
BEATRICE  Both sides at Joshua Keadles murder trial for the killing of a 19-year-old Peru State student who disappeared early Dec. 3, 2010, agreed on one thing in closing arguments Wednesday.

Tyler Thomas probably is dead, and thats sad. Its terrible, defense attorney Matt McDonald told jurors.

The concession wasnt a given, considering the Omaha womans body still hasnt been found more than nine years later.

But Mr. Keadle is not the cause of her death, McDonald quickly added.

The state disagrees, contending that whatever happened between Keadle and Thomas, Keadle decided to kill her.

The jury will consider both sides when court resumes at 9 a.m. Thursday. The nine women and three men on the jury spent about 3 hours deliberating the case after receiving it at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Earlier, Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Doug Warner said Keadles defense was all "cover-up, lies and deceit. Before even talking to investigators the same day of Thomas' disappearance, he started looking for alibis.

"Why do you need an alibi? Warner asked. "Its to cover up your tracks.

McDonald said Keadle left Thomas alive at a boat ramp less than 2 miles from the Peru State campus early that morning when she refused to get in his Ford Explorer.

After three days of denials, Keadle admitted she had joined him as he headed to the river to smoke marijuana. He said she wanted a ride to Omaha and offered a sex act in exchange, but then got mad after she did it and he wouldnt take her to Omaha.

Keadle said he pointed and said, "Omahas that way, before driving away.

He may be a jerk, but you cant convict him for being a jerk, McDonald said.

He said jurors can't hold Keadle accountable for making a bad decision to leave Thomas at the bank of the river.

He said Keadle had come clean about things he didnt have to  such as cursing as he left Thomas and about how she had threatened to say he raped her because he wouldnt take her to Omaha after the sex act.

If Keadle did kill Thomas, why would he admit to investigators he picked her up that night, McDonald asked.

He told jurors that the state wants them to wildly speculate about what happened despite a timeline that doesnt fit.

How many mistakes were made in this case that couldve helped solve it? McDonald asked.

But Warner took issue with his argument that the investigation was shoddy and no agency wanted to claim it.

The fact is that the work got done the best it could because someone  Keadle  destroyed all the evidence, he said.

All this other stuff is just diversion tactics to take your eye off the ball, Warner said.

He said when Keadle talked to investigators, he was holding the trump card.

He knows where shes at, and no one else does, the prosecutor said.

Warner said thats why from the very start, even before Keadle talked to police the first time, he started asking people to say hed been with them that night.

Mr. Keadles notion that he needs an alibi is all over this case, he said.

Warner said it wasnt until officers put doubt in Keadles mind that they could use his cellphone to place him and Thomas both at the river that he changed his story.

Warner said Keadle had taken Thomas to the river to isolate her, then killed her so she wouldnt be able to say what happened.

Mr. Keadle was in complete control of what happened that night. Hes the one who caused the issues. Hes the one that took her down there. Hes the one who put her in the circumstance where she was, the prosecutor said.

Tylers a fighter, Warner said.

"If she had a way get to back to town, she wouldve found a way back, he said. The only reason she didnt find her way back is because she was thrown in the river. And she was thrown in the river because she was killed.

The defense says its more likely that Thomas fell in the river or jumped, given how out-of- control she was that night. There was no blood evidence, and Keadle didnt have enough time to clean up. At most, by the timeline of phone records and video evidence, he was at the river with Thomas for 22 minutes.

We are not running from the facts. They help prove our case, McDonald said.

Warner said however Thomas died  whether Keadle shoved her or shot her and put her in the river  this was an intentional, premeditated killing.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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Madhumitha Viswanath By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Residents of BR Nagar in Ambattur have been fighting to save a waterbody, Vannan Kulam, from being encroached upon.In June 2019, they noticed earthmovers depositing large quantities of soil on the lakebed. Following this, residents got to know that some private parties were trying to take over the land for construction.

Spread over one acre, the Vannan Kulam was holding a good amount of water even five years back. Due to the droughts in 2018 and 2019, the pond had completely dried up and was filled with weeds and shrubs.

During this time, an individual in the locality, started extending his compound wall into the waterbodys bund. When residents confronted him, he said he was merely trying to stop water coming into his house. After this, huge lorries dumped soil on the pond.

This is when we suspected foul play, said Rajarajan K, a member of the BRR Nagar Residents Welfare Association. The association had written to the commissioner of Chennai Corporation, regarding this in August. Following this, officials from zone 7 inspected the spot. But residents said nothing has been one since then.In land documents, the area where the pond is located, is earmarked as a Kuttai Poromboke area. But sources informed us that there are efforts by some people to reclassify this area to allow construction. Near TI Cycles in Ambattur, a two acre-lake was reclassified and now a flat is built over it, said another resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

Residents said that from 2003 to 2014, when the pond was bereft of encroachments, they faced no problem of flooding in their locality. But over the years, as the condition of the pond deteriorated and it lost its water retention nature, severe water logging started to occur.A senior official from the corporation confirmed that the area under contention is indeed a waterbody.
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Top stories for Thursday, Feb. 13

WEST LINN POLICE: Oregons governor, a member of Congress and two district attorneys pushed Wednesday for investigations of wrongdoing by police in the rogue theft case against a black Portland man that has developed into a full-blown scandal with allegations of racially motivated cronyism. The city recently negotiated to pay $600,000 to the target of the rogue investigation, Michael Fesser, 48. West Linn Police Chief Terry Kruger said in a statement Wednesday: I too feel the full weight of this. (Maxine Bernstein/Staff)

CONCORDIA CLOSURE: More than 1,500 people will lose their jobs when Concordia University-Portland shuts down permanently this spring. The closure also spells uncertainty for the university's partnership with Faubion Elementary School, whose $48.8 million rebuild in 2017 included space for Concordia's education program. The Oregonian/OregonLive's editorial board writes that Concordia owes Portland a compassionate exit.

OREGON LEGISLATURE: Seven months into the states two-year budget cycle, officials at the Oregon Department of Forestry say theyve blown through most of the budget that lawmakers approved for the entire biennium and are asking lawmakers for an emergency cash infusion. In other news from Salem: According to a new revenue forecast issued Wednesday, estate tax collections are running considerably above expectations, due to the increasing size of a very few large estates, which means that super wealthy dead people will help trim the PERS deficit.

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LENTS AUDIT: Portland has invested $207 million in the Lents neighborhood since 2000 to jumpstart commercial development and create more housing and family-wage jobs, but the city hasnt checked how the spending has impacted the people who live and work there, an analysis shows.

CLEVELAND HIGH: Leo Lawyer has resigned as Cleveland High Schools principal, less than one year after he was hired to lead the school.

JEREMY CHRISTIAN TRIAL: The man accused in the 2017 MAX stabbings said Wednesday he will not exercise his right to testify in his trial on murder and hate crime charges.

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Snap of the day

Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

SOAKING SAFETY: A visitor relaxes at a hot springs in the Willamette National Forest. Two medical emergencies, including one death, at hot springs in Cascade Mountain forests this winter have raised the question of safety. The U.S. Forest Service doesnt issue warnings, saying visitors are responsible for themselves. Here are eight ways to stay safe while enjoying natural hot springs. (Jamie Francis/Oregonian file photo)

More news

Oregon Uber driver locked passenger in his car, raped her, police say

Thieves steal laptop with personal data of 650,000 Oregonians

Large piece of granite falls on worker in SE Portland

Oregon babys death in state care under investigation, officials say

OSHA fines companies after accident that killed 2 at Oregons Pickathon festival

Man who repeatedly tossed handfuls of nails onto Oregon City streets gets 30 days in jail

Find more at oregonlive.com

Weather and traffic

Rain is expected to start in Portland about lunchtime Thursday. High 45, low 38.

In Portland, nighttime drivers may see detours through Friday on freeway ramps around the Fremont Bridge.

Get the latest forecast at oregonlive.com/weather

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Advice

Ask Amy: DNA discoveries unearth family secrets and ethical dilemmas

Dear Abby: Mom worries teen dating drama will lead to shaming accusation

Dear Annie: Would a true friend keep enabling an alcoholic?

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Today's comics

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Today's obituaries

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Today in history

In 1633: Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before the Inquisition, accused of defending Copernican theory that the Earth revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. (Galileo was found vehemently suspect of heresy and ended up being sentenced to a form of house arrest.)

In 1945: During World War II, Allied planes began bombing the German city of Dresden. The Soviets captured Budapest, Hungary, from the Germans.

In 2015: Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, resigned amid suspicions his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, had used her relationship with him to land contracts for her green-energy consulting business.

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[February 13, 2020] Neovia Logistics Standardizes on IGEL Software-Defined Endpoints for its Global EUC Solution

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IGEL, provider of the next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces, today announced that Neovia Logistics has deployed its software-defined endpoint technology to create a standardized corporate end-user computing [EUC] solution for the business worldwide. The Neovia customer success story was the popular vote winner of IGEL's "I Challenge Everything" Sweepstakes Customer Testimonial Contest announced last month. The use of IGEL has enabled Neovia to transition away from managing a mixed vendor desktop environment comprising traditional distributed PCs and legacy thin client terminals, thereby avoiding being tied to and dependent on endpoint devices whilst ensuring that its 6,000 staff have the very best user experience possible. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Neovia is a global leader in third-party logistics [3PL], operating more than 100 facilities in 20 plus countries across six continents. Neovia was founded in 1987 as Caterpillar Logistics Services, providing services for the heavy equipment giant and its partner companies in construction, mining and other sectors. For over 30 years, it has had an OEM mindset and today solves complex logistics challenges for companies in the automotive, retail, oil and gas, aerospace and technology markets. 'Zero touch' management a key requirement and practical reality with IGEL Hector Cortez, Neovia's infrastructure manager, explains, "Historically, endpoint dissimilarity was a struggle. Multiple solutions and different hardware types were in use and -- with just eight staff in the Workplace Technology team looking after systems globally  the business had limited technical resources to manage it all." The project requirements were, therefore, broad ranging and challenging. Neovia Logistics wanted to rationalize and standardized its desktops and implement a solution which was reliable, secure, enabled OS updates to be made on-demand, supported infrastructure outside the corporate WAN, removed the need to have local IT engineer support and allowed existing IT investments to be re-purposed to keep costs to a minimum. Cortez adds, "We wanted zero dependency and genuine low to zero touch capability at the endpoint -- infrastructure that's easy to manage and 'plug and play.' This led us to choose a software-driven hardware agnostic approach to EUC and the selection of IGEL." VDI underpins 3PL operations As a 3PL provider, IT is fundamental to Neovia's ability to function. In the automotive sector, for example, it provides parts services to dealers on behalf of OEM car brands. So, when a consumer takes his car in for a service and replacement parts are not available, the local garage submits an order which triggers a workflow which Neovia then manages. Specific parts are located in a relevant warehouse, barcodes scanned, warehouse IT and billing systems updated, and parts packaged, labeled and shipped. Further to a successful proof of concept (PoC), Neovia purchased a range of IGEL solutions. This includes UD2 endpoints, Universal Desktop Converter (UDC) licenses  an innovative software solution which enables its existing x86 PCs and Dell Wyse thin client terminals to be recycled and converted into LINUX-based IGEL endpoints  along with IGEL Cloud Gateway. This allows IGEL endpoints  not on the corporate network  to be connected and managed remotely. In addition, IGEL's Universal Management Suite (UMS) software is used to administer the whole estate. For its VDI solution, Neovia uses Citrix Workspace running on virtualzed servers. Tevon Malone, Neovia IT end-user computing engineer, says, "We're delivering applications and personalized virtual desktops to all warehouse staff and contractors via Citrix. Staff then access a range of applications like SAP, Microsoft Office 365 and Skype for Business for video conferencing."



To deliver this multimedia, IGEL's UD2 endpoints support Citrix HDX - a remote display protocol required to stream high definition film, audio and other applications over a network to any device. With a central datacenter located in North Carolina, Neovia Logistics operates a high performance MPLS network to connect its geographically dispersed warehouse sites, with Citrix NetScaler application delivery controllers used to load balance, secure and optimize network traffic.

Software-defined endpoints ideal for a global business like Neovia Logistics IGEL's technology delivers many benefits: The UMS is user friendly and feature-rich making the whole IGEL environment easy to centrally manage which includes patching and major updates. Malone explains, "I control the whole corporate system from my desk in Texas using the UMS and, as lead admin, can delegate access roles. UMS means we now have the single pane of glass into our desktop environment and can see what is happening holistically." The UMS also allows the easy provisioning and pre-configuration of new IGEL equipment as legacy desktop equipment is swapped out at warehouse sites. When new endpoints are shipped and plugged into the network, they auto-register with the UMS. This means roll out is quick - literally in minutes - without the necessity to have technically trained staff available. Malone says, "That's the beauty of IGEL. The transition is so smooth and I can shadow devices and see what the end-users are doing to solve any local issues." The UDC software has given older hardware a new lease of life and meant that Neovia Logistics has avoided buying new desktops  keeping costs to a minimum and 'sweating' its investment in existing IT much further; Security has been maximized as IGEL's Linux OS is 'read only'. This ensures warehouse staff cannot make changes to the endpoints locally or introduce security vulnerabilities; Reliability is much better than the previous desktops deployed and uptime has significantly improved. Furthermore, the IGEL endpoints 'boot up' much faster which increases the productivity of staff as they can get on with their work quicker; The IGEL OS is flexible and is being used as part of electronic wallboard and kiosk solutions currently being implemented. The electronic wallboards are used at each warehouse location to display real-time reporting systems. These show goods moving in and out, stock levels, deliveries against orders, the status against client SLAs and other important data. Other kiosk type solutions being developed will offer Internet access for staff - using Mozilla FireFox and Chrome  via IGEL endpoints. Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, says, "A software-based approach to desktop management has allowed Neovia Logistics to quickly create a single, standardized EUC environment  all with minimal technical resources and fuss. The business now has a streamlined endpoint solution which is scalable, customizable, easy to manage, simple to roll out and which cuts out the hassle and cost of managing and updating hundreds of desktops across multiple locations and geographies." Learn more about how IGEL helps manufacturing and logistics companies solve their end user computing challenges here: https://www.igel.com/customer-stories/manufacturing-logistics. For more information on Neovia Logistics' use of IGEL watch this video. IGEL on Social Media

Twitter: www.twitter.com/IGEL_Technology

Facebook: www.facebook.com/igel.technology

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/igel-technology

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/IGELTechnologyTV

IGEL Community: www.igel.com/community About IGEL

IGEL provides the next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces. The company's world-leading software products include IGEL OS, IGEL UD Pocket (UDP) and IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS). These solutions comprise a more secure, manageable and cost-effective endpoint management and control platform across nearly any x86 device. Easily acquired via just two feature-rich software offerings,  Workspace Edition and Enterprise Management Pack  IGEL software presents outstanding value per investment. Additionally, IGEL's German engineered endpoint solutions deliver the industry's best hardware warranty (5 years), software maintenance (3 years after end of life) and management functionality. IGEL enables enterprises to save vast amounts of money by extending the useful life of their existing endpoint devices while precisely controlling all devices running IGEL OS from a single dashboard interface. IGEL has offices worldwide and is represented by partners in over 50 countries. For more information on IGEL, visit www.igel.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neovia-logistics-standardizes-on-igel-software-defined-endpoints-for-its-global-euc-solution-301004626.html SOURCE IGEL

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Nestle boss Schneider eyes more deals to bolster growth ambitions The logo is pictured on the headquarters of food giant Nestle in Vevey

By Silke Koltrowitz

VEVEY, Switzerland (Reuters) - Nestle Chief Executive Mark Schneider will fine-tune his transformation plans with more acquisitions, he said after the Swiss food group lowered growth expectations on Thursday.

The company had earlier said it will take longer than expected to hit its 2020 organic growth target despite posting its highest annual growth in four years and improved profitability.

Like rivals such as Unilever, Nescafe coffee and KitKat maker Nestle has been working hard to streamline its diverse portfolio in line with changing consumer tastes and growing demand for healthier and more environmentally friendly produce and packaging.

Under Schneider's leadership, the group has sought to focus on premium products in fast-growing market segments such as coffee and plant-based foods while retreating from slower-growth areas such as chocolate and processed meat.

But the German-American CEO, who has conducted more than 50 transactions and reviews affecting 12% of group sales since taking charge in 2017, said portfolio management had been "a bit heavy on disposals and a bit light on acquisitions" recently.

This will change in 2020, he said, with small to mid-sized deals the sweet spot.

"We're a year early on the margin, but have to push back the organic growth target by a year or so," he told reporters at Nestle's Vevey headquarters after the company reported 2019 results that showed organic growth of 3.5%.

Unilever last month reported underlying sales growth of 1.5% in the final quarter of 2019, its slowest in a decade. Danone reports results on Feb. 26..

"At this point, in February, I cannot promise to deliver 4% growth this year, I prefer to be cautious," Schneider said, adding that growth rates would slow a little from the past two years.

Jefferies analyst Martin Deboo said the new guidance implied modest consensus downgrades.

"We continue to prefer Unilever, where - despite more evident challenges - the headline metrics aren't that different and the valuation is supportive."

Story continues

SCHNEIDER 'BULLISH'

Nestle shares, which are trading at relatively high multiples after climbing more than 30% last year on Schneider's progress, were down 2.8% at 1455 GMT.

Schneider said he remains "bullish" on 2020 and expects acquisitions and trendier products, such as its Starbucks coffee range and plant-based burgers and sausages, to drive growth.

The company has already set up new structures to turn innovative ideas from outside and inside the group into new products, its technology boss said on Wednesday ahead of the results.

Some areas remain challenging, however, with price pressures in Europe, subdued growth in China - where its Yinlu peanut milk business is struggling - and a weak performance in bottled water, for which a new strategy will be revealed in the first half.

In his first year on the job, Schneider had initially targeted mid-single-digit organic sales growth and an operating margin of 17.5-18.5% in 2020. Cost cuts helped Nestle to reach a 17.6% operating margin last year.

"The guidance is probably not a surprise given what is happening in China - its second-biggest market, accounting for 8% of group sales - and the coronavirus," said Kepler Cheuvreux analyst Jon Cox.

Schneider said it was too early to quantify the financial impact on Nestle from the coronavirus outbreak. He said operations in China had resumed at the beginning of the week, albeit at a reduced rate because some staff had been unable to return to work.

Full-year net profit rose 24% to 12.6 billion Swiss francs ($12.89 billion), against a consensus forecast of 12.36 billion francs in a company-supplied analyst poll. Nestle proposed an increased dividend of 2.70 Swiss francs per share.

($1 = 0.9773 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz, additional reporting by Siddharth Cavale; Editing by David Goodman)
South African Airways may sell its two prized nighttime operating slots at Londons Heathrow Airport as the state-owned carrier battles to stave off financial collapse, according to people familiar with the situation.

The national airline is currently using only one of the two takeoff and landing slots and could shift London-Johannesburg flights to a cheaper daytime schedule, said the people, who asked not to be identified as an official announcement hasnt been made.

That would reduce costs as the turnaround time would be shorter and free up the more valuable night time slots for potential sale.

The airline was placed under a local form of bankruptcy protection by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after last making a profit in 2011 and having received 57 billion rand ($3.9 billion) in bailouts since 1994.

The administrators have announced that they will cut eight international routes and end all domestic flights aside from those between Cape Town and Johannesburg, drawing criticism from labor groups and government.

SAA continues to operate to London and this has been confirmed by network changes recently announced by the business rescue practitioners, spokesman Tlali Tlali said in an emailed response to questions on Thursday. This means the current Heathrow slots remain within SAAs overall portfolio.

The slots do not have to be used to fly between the U.K. and South Africa as they are merely time slots for Heathrow. Nevertheless, overnight flights to and from Johannesburg are convenient for the 11-hour journey and are likely to attract customers.

In addition to SAA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways currently ply the route.

Separately, Virgin said Wednesday that the airline plans to resume flights between Heathrow and Cape Town starting in October.

In 2016, Oman Air set a record by buying a landing slot in Heathrow for $75 million from Air France-KLM.

Now read: Urgent court application to block SAA job cuts
British Gas owner Centrica swung to a loss of 1.1billion last year, with the group blaming the Government's energy bill price cap and lower natural gas prices for its fall in fortunes.

The energy group's annual pre-tax profit was wiped out in a dramatic reversal of the 575million it banked a year earlier.

With fierce competition mounting in the sector, the group admitted it lost 286,000 energy supply accounts in the last year, and total revenues fell nearly 3 per cent to 22.7billion.

Dismal: British Gas owner Centrica swung to a loss of over 1billion last year

Centrica's annual loss is the deepest reported by the energy giant since 2015, when it made a loss of 857million.

In the last year, the group's shareholders have seen their annual dividend cut by 58 per cent, from 12p a share to 5p a share.

The FTSE-100 listed group's share price has taken a hefty hit since the publication of the results this morning and is currently down 16 per cent to 70.8p.

Centrica said the Government's energy price cap had cost it around 300million in revenues.

The Government's cap on energy prices came into force at the beginning of last year, promising to bring down bills for customers on default tariffs.

The group also booked 1.75billion in one-off charges, the biggest of which was a 476million impairment of its upstream oil and gas production assets and a 372million impairment against its 20 per cent stake in UK nuclear power plants.

The group's net debt is set to come in higher than expected, at around the 3.2billion to 3.6billion mark.

In the year to 31 December, the company's net debt soared by 20 per cent per cent to 3.1billion, while adjusted operating cash flow tanked 18 per cent to 1.8billion.

Outgoing Centrica boss Iain Conn admitted that while the last year had been 'challenging', the number of people ditching and switching British Gas as their energy provider had slowed down.

Poor: Centrica admitted it lost 286,000 energy supply accounts in the last year

Conn said the group saw its service arm grow over the year. The service arm deals with anything from boiler repairs to the installation of smart thermostats and security cameras.

The group has been on a major cost-cutting drive and in the last year made 315million worth of 'cost efficiencies.' In the year ahead, it plans to make another 350million worth of savings. The group also now has over 3,000 fewer staff than it did a year ago.

The number of injuries per 200,000 hours worked at Centrica rose to 1.006, marking a 4 per cent increase on the year before, and at least the third year that the measure has increased.

Consumers can go elsewhere now. Much like Royal Mail and BT, this monopoly incumbent has lost its way in the new world of competition - Neil Wilson

Conn said that the second half of last year was better than the first, 'demonstrating momentum as we enter 2020.'

In the last few years, a growing number of customers have been turning their backs on the UK's Big Six energy suppliers, and a number of experts hailed 2019 as the year that their stranglehold on the market was finally broken for good.

Centrica's rival SSE was snapped up by one of the smaller challengers, Ovo Energy, which only entered the market a decade ago.

Ovo and other challengers spent the second half of the last decade stealing customers away from the former giants, slashing Centrica's market share from 24 per cent when Conn took over, to 19 per cent towards the end of last year, according to figures from Ofgem.

'British Gas is really struggling with the onslaught from small suppliers, the price cap, and falling natural gas prices hitting them hard,' said Mark Todd, the co-founder of Energyhelpline.

Conn is gearing up to leave Centrica after a torrid five years at the helm, which has seen the group lose a sizeable number of British Gas customers and suffer a sliding share price.

A replacement for Conn is yet to be found. The company is also temporarily without a permanent chairman after Charles Berry began a leave of absence earlier this week due to a medical condition. Centrica said it expects Berry to return to his duties shortly.

Commenting on Centrica's results, Neil Wilson, chief analyst at Markets.com, said: 'Consumers can go elsewhere now. Much like Royal Mail and BT, this monopoly incumbent has lost its way in the new world of competition.'

Meanwhile, David Barclay, senior investment manager at Brewin Dolphin, said: 'Today's results cap an undoubtedly difficult year for Centrica with drops across the board and an increase in debt.

'The shares rallied following December's election, but have eased back since with weaker commodity prices undermining the short-lived change in sentiment towards the shares.

'The good news, however, is that management has identified that drastic action is required and is duly taking it to make Centrica a smaller, simpler, and more competitive business. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of work to do and investors will have a keen eye on future updates.'
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today announced that the Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback, Mazda6, CX-3, and CX-5 vehicles have earned its 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. Mazda's CX-9 Crossover earns an additional TOP SAFETY PICK for 2020 Model Year (MY) when equipped with specific headlights. IIHS noted Mazda as a standout, earning more awards than any other automaker.

Mazda Has Most 2020 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Awards of Any Other Automaker

To qualify for the 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, Mazda vehicles earned good ratings in each of the Institute's six crashworthiness evaluations: moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints & seats. Mazda vehicles also earned advanced or superior ratings for front crash prevention in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. Additionally, Mazda achieved good or acceptable headlight ratings, with the "plus" awarded to its models that come exclusively with good or acceptable rated headlights.

"We are proud to be the top 2020 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award recipient. It's a big accomplishment and stems from our commitment to our owners," said Mazda President Jeff Guyton. "Always keeping our customers in mind, Mazda is dedicated to providing the most advanced safety technologies, giving our customers a more enjoyable and confident driving experience."

Mazda's i-Activsense is an umbrella term covering a series of advanced safety technologies which make use of detection devices such as milliwave radars and cameras. They include active safety technologies that support safer driving by helping the driver to recognize potential hazards, and pre-crash safety technologies which help to avert collisions or reduce their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided. Mazda's i-Activsense advanced safety technologies include Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Smart Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-Keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Control, Adaptive Front-Lighting System, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

To learn more about Mazda's i-Activsense advanced safety technology, please visit the MazdaUSA.com website - https://www.mazdausa.com/why-mazda/safety.

The IIHS is an independent, non-governmental safety-testing organization, funded by the insurance industry. For more information, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO's social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

Related Links

https://www.mazdausa.com/


A world where journals might just go away

As the coronavirus outbreak puts open science under the microscope, the sharp divisions over how research is conducted and distributed are coming into focus.

Dr. Sue Biggins, senior vice president and director of the Basic Sciences Division at Fred Hutch, sees a certain inevitability in the rise of open science. We have to think about a world where journals might just go away, she said.

Everythings going to be on the internet. I want to see us focus on how to make things work for the next generation, and not just where we are now, said Biggins.

Driving the movement for open science is a mounting resentment against the power of scientific publishing houses that charge high fees for access to the works they publish, and the lengthy and opaque peer-review processes they employ. With trained scientific editors and networks of academic volunteers who analyze submissions, the premier houses produce elite journals such as Cell, Science and Nature, whose selections for print can make or break academic careers.

If you want to fly high with the so-called high-impact journals, the review process can drag along for a year, said Dr. Randy Schekman, a University of California, Berkeley cell biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2013.

In 2011, he was named the founding editor-in-chief of eLife, which provides free access to papers that are published after a streamlined peer-review process, and he served there for seven years. Coincidentally, eLife recently launched a pilot project, Transparent Review in Preprints, by which its peer-review services will be offered to authors of bioRxiv papers.

Schekman also is a leading advocate for the University of California library systems decision last year to break with Elsevier, publisher of Cell and nearly 3,000 other journals, over open access and subscription fees. More than 30 prominent UC faculty members have resigned from Cell Press editorial boards. Negotiations between the publisher and the 10-campus system are expected to resume.

Being a public institution, they wanted more for their money. They want all the work published by UC scholars to be open access, and Elsevier balked at that. It would put a huge dent in their excessive profit margins, Schekman said.
The Attorney-general Mr. Bos have been ordered by Joint Court of Justice of the Antilles to a public hearing complaint case and will have to defend the false reports of Mr Charlie Mercelina, the arresting officer in the unlawful arrest of human rights activist Mr James Finies, president of the Foundation We Want Bonaire Back, on the 6th September 2019. This case was based on a controversial letter from governor Rijna, that these authorities never disclosed, showing that Finies neither did breach any restrictions or conditions that was in this letter.

The importance of this case is very high as without free speech the enjoyment of other rights is not possible. Mr Finies, human rights defender, a peace-loving philanthropic and dedicated volunteer fighting for the violated and trampled human rights of the citizens of Bonaire by this abuse of power. The only intention by the Dutch authorities was to intimidate and silence the voice the Bonerian peoples expressed by Mr Finies and as such grossly violated Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right of expression and peaceful assembly.

The Bonaire prosecutor mr Blanco decided based on the false report of Mr Charlie Mercelina trumped up charges to justify their illegal actions and arrest of the Sept 6th 2019 incident to condemn Mr Finies to one year probation otherwise he will be prosecuted if he commit any other crime during his probation time. Mrs Blanco put this declaration in front of Mr Finies on October 8, 2019 to agree and sign but Mr Finies rejected and objected this conditional discharge, a one-sided story by police-officer Mr Charlie Mercelina that reported falsely despite and contrary to the truth as the whole world saw this incident live through Facebook at the moment it was happening at the Wilhelminaplein. An unprecedented showoff of abuse of power by the police-force on the peaceful human rights defender Finies which was in his full rights according to international law and universal declarations of human rights, as Finies did not form or neither was a threat and danger to health or lives of no-one neither of his companions or the general public and did not caused or was a problem to the public order nor traffic.

The public is invited to this public case and hearing of the unlawful arrest of of human-rights-defender James Finies this coming tuesday February 18th, 2020 at 14:00 at the court-house in Kralendijk Bonaire thru video-conference as the Joint Court of Justice of the Antilles and their judges and the Attorney-General that will be in the court-house in Willemstad Curacao and the defendant Mr Finies and his lawyer will be in the court-house in Kralendijk Bonaire.
Nancy Pelosi has blasted Donald Trumps interference in the sentencing of Roger Stone as an abuse of power.

Hours after the president followed up a previous attack on the prosecutors and judge involved in the case involving his longtime friend and veteran Republican operative, he launched a new assault upon the jurors.

Referring to a Fox News story that accused some of the jurors of political bias, he tweeted: This is not looking good for the Justice Department.

He added: It looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias.

At her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill, the House speaker denounced what she considered the presidents latest misconduct.

All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Show all 6 1 /6 All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Alan Dershowitz Dershowitz is a controversial American lawyer best known for the high-profile clients he has successfully defended. Those clients have included OJ Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. One longtime Harvard Law associated told the New Yorker Dershowitz "revels in taking positions that ultimately are not just controversial but pretty close to indefensible." Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Ken Starr Starr became a household name in the 1990s as the independent counsel who led the investigation that led to Bill Clinton's impeachment. That investigation began as a look into a real estate scandal known as Whitewater, and eventually led to impeachment after Mr Clinton lied under oath about having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. AP All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Jay Sekulow Sekulow is the president's longtime personal attorney, and, now, personal lawyer in the White House. He has been accused by former Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas of being "in the loop" during the Ukraine scandal. Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Pam Bondi Bondi is the former attorney general in Florida, and a longtime backer of the president's. She made a name for herself in Florida for taking hyper partisan stances on issues, and her penchant for publicity. She is likely to be a prominent public-facing figure during the trial. AFP/Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Pat Cipollone Cipollone is the White House counsel, and leading the president's defence team. Getty All the president's lawyers: The team fighting Trump's impeachment Rudy Giuliani While not officially named as one of the president's impeachment lawyers, it is hard to ignore Giuliani's outsized role in this process. The former mayor of New York has been making headlines for months as he defends his client, and for his apparent role in the effort to compel Ukraine to launch the investigation into Joe Biden. We'll see how he figures in the actual trial, which he has said he would like to be a part of. Reuters

This is an abuse of power that the president is again trying to manipulate federal law enforcement to serve his political interests, she said.

This is not what America is about. It is so wrong.

 Nancy Pelosi calls Donald Trump's budget plan 'heartless'

Earlier this week, it emerged the department of justice (DoJ) was ignoring the sentencing recommendations of its own staff in the case of Stone, 67, who was last year found guilty on seven charges resulting from Robert Muellers Russia probe.

The prosecutors had recommended he serve seven to nine years in jail. After the DoJ made the announcement following claims by Mr Trump that Stone had been unfairly treated, all four federal prosecutors involved in the case, quit or left the case.

This is what the president is, Ms Pelosi said on Thursday. He thinks hes above the law, he has not respect for the law.

Ms Pelosi, who last year oversaw the passage of two articles of impeachment against the president in the House of Representatives, added: What where are the Republicans to speak out on this blatant violation of the rule of law?
Playing on Kansas City Radio: Russian Propaganda Radio Sputnik, a propaganda arm of the Russian government, began broadcasting on three Kansas City-area radio stations during prime drive time. KCXL, in Liberty, Mo., carries programming produced by Radio Sputnik. Credit...

Here's a quick rundown of how this story got started . . .And finally, the nation's paper of record weighs in . . .Meanwhile . . .Most people haven't bothered to check it our or switch from satellite or streaming services in order to go back and listen to legacy terrestrial radio.You decide . . .
(Nikkei Asian Review)  Every February, travel agents in the Philippines are busy arranging Chinese visitors itineraries and locals upcoming summer trips, but this year has been different.

They are still busy  busy doing cancellations and refunds, said Ritchie Tuano, president of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, which has over 600 members. This virus has severely affected the industry.

The new coronavirus, which was first discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, has claimed more than 1,000 lives and infected over 40,000 people worldwide. To fight its spread, many governments, including Chinas, have restricted travel by Chinese, who have propelled Asias tourism industry in recent years.

But for the Philippines, the outbreak has shaken an economic pillar that President Rodrigo Duterte and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have worked hard to build.

After winning the presidency in mid-2016, Duterte set aside a contentious maritime dispute with Beijing and declared a break from the U.S., Manilas longtime ally and Chinas rival. On Tuesday, Dutertes government formally told the U.S. that it will terminate a pact that facilitates routine joint military exercises between the two allies.

In return, Xi has vowed to boost the Philippine economy, partly by lifting a de facto ban on travel by Chinese to the country and importing more tropical fruits.

The Philippines for years watched enviously as neighbors such as Thailand and Vietnam became Chinese tourist magnets. It took a diplomatic overture from Duterte to turn the Philippines into one.

In 2015, the Philippines drew 490,800 Chinese visitors, who spent 10.19 billion pesos ($200 million) in the country. Three years later, Chinese arrivals surged to 1.26 million and they pumped 110.79 billion pesos into the economy, representing a quarter of all foreign tourist receipts, according to data from the Philippine Department of Tourism. From January through November last year, 1.63 million Chinese visited the country.

The Philippines annual revenue from Chinese tourists is comparable to a months worth of overseas remittances or revenue from call centers  sectors that have powered the Southeast Asian nations economy.

Tourisms share of Philippine gross domestic product rose to 12.7% in 2018 from 10.1% in 2015, even as the economy expanded by over 6% annually during the period. The industry employed 5.37 million people in 2018, or 13% of the countrys workforce, up from 4.97 million in 2015, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Manila aims to set tourism records year after year to generate jobs, but that goal will be hard to achieve without the Chinese, who are the second-largest source of arrivals, after South Korea.

The tourism industry stands to lose 42.9 billion pesos in revenue from February to April due to the coronavirus, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told a congressional hearing on Wednesday. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said a prolonged outbreak could knock 0.7% off the countrys gross domestic product, putting the governments 6.5% to 7.5% growth target at risk.

There is no denying that this is indeed a crisis, the Philippine Travel Agencies Associations Tuano told the Nikkei Asian Review.

The pain is probably sharpest on the island of Boracay, with its famous white sand beach. A top destination for Chinese, 30% to 40% of the hotels and restaurants there have partnered with Chinese investors to help them cash in on the demand, according to Peter Tay, a board member with the Tourism Congress of the Philippines.

"With this ban on Chinese, many hotels and resorts and restaurants operations will be closed temporarily," Tay said.

After initially hesitating to impose a travel ban that might offend Beijing, Duterte came under intense public pressure to do so after the Philippines confirmed its first case of the virus on Jan. 30. Adhering to the One China policy, Dutertes ban covered Hong Kong and Macao and Taiwan, despite protests from Taipei. Local airlines, which have added flights to China recently, were forced to temporary halt them and brace for losses.

In the face of the crisis, Duterte has stood in solidarity with Beijing and urged the public to stop this xenophobia thing, as anti-Chinese sentiment swelled following the outbreak. We have many Filipinos in China. Even if we [had] none, we are a community of nations, we cooperate, Duterte said. China has been kind to us; we can only show the same.

Apart from tourism, there are signs that the fallout from the coronavirus could spill over to trade.

In 2018, China surpassed Japan for the first time in decades as the top importer of Philippine bananas, thanks partly to Dutertes diplomatic pivot. But banana growers in the southern Philippines, Dutertes home region, have reported cancellations of Chinese orders following the outbreak, according to Stephen Antig, executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers & Exporters Association. He said farmers could be losing $5 million a week in suspended shipments.

[Chinese] customers were probably hesitant to go out, hence the supermarkets halted orders, Antig told Nikkei. If this continues, our industry will suffer.

Antig said the situation is reminiscent of the 2012 standoff between Chinese and Philippine naval forces near Scarborough Shoal, which led to import sanctions by Beijing. But this time, the problem is not man made, Antig said.

At a Senate hearing on Tuesday, tourism industry representatives were told to diversify their markets and focus on local tourism until the coronavirus problem is resolved. Maybe this is a wake-up call for the industry not to rely too much on a single market, said Sen. Nancy Binay, who chaired the inquiry.

Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is confident that the impact on trade will be minimal, and that Manilas top trading partner will recover. I believe they can easily bounce back, Lopez said.

The story was first published in the Nikkei Asian Review.
STURBRIDGE  An off-duty Charlon police officer aided state police Monday by capturing a suspect who fled a motor vehicle stop.

Officer Brian Cardrant, driving through the area, saw a lot of police activity and then spotted the suspect running down the street, according to a post on the Charlton Police Department Facebook page.

Cardrant quickly captured the suspect and turned him over to the troopers. Investigators found 355 grams of heroin inside the suspects vehicle, police said.

Fabio Baez-Hernandez was charged with trafficking heroin. He also has open charges of possession of drugs with intent to distribute and firearm-related charges out of Worcester Superior Court. He also has prior convictions and served time in New York for similar charges, police said.
Airbus SE pledged to churn out more aircraft than ever and consolidated its ownership of the A220 jetliner, pressing home its advantage over Boeing Co. and its grounded 737 Max in the growing narrow-body market.

The European planemaker said Thursday that it expects to hand over about 880 jets in 2020, building on record output last year. Deliveries of the A320-family workhorse, a direct competitor to the Max, will rise to as many as 67 a month by 2023, while the smaller A220 will also see volumes accelerate.

Together, the moves are meant to draw a line under a tumultuous 2019 after production shortcomings prevented Airbus from fully exploiting the Max crisis at its U.S. rival. The Toulouse, France-based planemaker also ran into trouble with its military transport plane, the A400M, cancelled the ambitious A380 super-jumbo and settled a long-standing bribery probe for 3.6 billion euros ($3.9 billion U.S.), driving annual results to a loss.

Weve put a lot behind us in 2019 and are now looking at 2020 to set the foundations of sustainable growth, Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury told reporters. We want to continue to gain contracts, to maintain the visibility we have today.

Airbus is paying $591 million to the A220s developer, Bombardier Inc., to boost its stake in the a program to 75 per cent, expanding its bet on a plane that seats 100 to 150 people and complements the larger A320.

The promise of the new plane was underscored on Thursday when Airbus announced an outline agreement to sell 50 to Nigerias Green Africa Airways. Its a coup for the A220, after the startup originally ordered the Boeing Max, which has been idled since last March.

We have opportunities with the A220, Faury said. We see it can be a solution for some of the needs of the market.

For Montreal-based Bombardier, exiting the A220 program closes the book on more than $6 billion of investment that was meant to challenge the two top planemakers, but instead left it saddled with debt that has forced the company into a breakup.

Originally named the C Series, the A220 won praise for fuel-efficient engines, composite wings and an airy cabin featuring large windows. But the plane ran more than two years late and about $2 billion over budget, and had trouble attracting buyers in an industry dominated by Airbus and Boeing.

After U.S. President Donald Trumps administration imposed tariffs of about 300 per cent on the jet, Bombardier agreed to sell about half the program to Airbus. Still, the Canadian company was left with hundreds of millions of dollars of funding obligations. Those are now gone, and with Thursdays deal the government of Quebec lifted its share in the A220 program to 25 per cent.

After also selling its turboprop-plane business, its regional jet arm and a wing plant in Belfast, Bombardier is in advanced talks to sell its rail business to French rival Alstom SA, people familiar with the matter said Thursday. The embattled manufacturer is mulling the disposal of its corporate-jet operation to Textron Inc., maker of Cessna planes, the Wall Street Journal has said.

Shares of Airbus fell 1.6 per cent as of 12:34 p.m. in Paris, after announcing full-year results that were blighted by one-time charges.

Earnings highlights

Airbus slumped to a net loss after a 3.6 billion-euro penalty for a bribery settlement and a 1.2 billion-euro hit against lower export prospects for the A400M airlifter. The corruption settlement will hurt cash flow this year, as will the A400M, says Jefferies analyst Sandy Morris.

The company needs to maximize financial firepower until full repercussions of Max crisis are known, Morris said. Analysts said they were underwhelmed by Airbuss production goals, citing estimates in the range of 900. The company is seeing some softness in the wide-body market where it sells the twin-aisle A330 and A350 models, Faury said in a Bloomberg Television interview.

Narrow-body breadth

Airbus has managed to broaden out its A320 family to address different customer demands, from the stout A319 to the A321 XLR that can perform some long-range missions. Still, its struggle to build custom cabin configurations has held back its ability to run away from the Max.

The Boeing plane was grounded worldwide after two crashes within a five-month span that killed 346 people. Boeing has said it expects the Max to return to the skies mid-year at the earliest.

Coming out with an all-new narrow-body probably wont happen for another decade at a minimum, because technological advances dont justify the expense at this point, Faury said.

But he reiterated Airbuss intention to build a so-called stretch version of the A220, which would give the European company another weapon against the Max.

Asked if Airbus would consider stretching the model into a higher-capacity version, Faury said not in the short term, though its something the company is considering for the future.

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In Longgang and Baoan districts, property management company employees are helping quarantined people buy daily life necessities, and collect their household rubbish on a daily basis.





The sub-district offices are paying close attention to raising local residents' awareness of the importance of taking the initiative to conduct self-quarantine and reporting their conditions to the offices when necessary.





In the jurisdiction area of the Longhua sub-district office, and the Yantian sub-district office, the residential communities are keeping a close watch on the control of personal movements to lower the chances for local residents being exposed to the virus.





In the jurisdiction area of the Cuizhu sub-district office in Luohu, some residential communities have established sterilization facilities at building entrances to sterilize all people coming in.





In the communities in the Nantou sub-district, and Longtian sub-district, the authorities have taken advantage of all possible channels to promulgate and broadcast anti-epidemic information.




A Chinese couple and seven Thais were arrested in Thailand on Thursday charged with violating a law banning surrogacy for foreigners, Thai police said.

The former military junta outlawed the practice in 2015 after a string of scandals in a country that was once a hub for international surrogacy.

Thai police made the arrests in raids on several houses and offices in Bangkok and the central provinces of Patumthani and Sukhothai, police told reporters at a Bangkok press conference.

They found eight surrogate mothers, including one who was eight months pregnant, and also "saved" a 22-day-old baby boy and a four-month-old girl, police said.

They suspect up to 14 more children have already been trafficked to China.

"This is a transnational crime," said Major General Worawat Wattananakhonbanch.

"They planted the sperm in a neighbouring country, provided antenatal care in Thailand and then the mothers gave birth in China."



Thailand for years hosted a thriving yet largely unregulated international surrogacy industry popular with same-sex couples.

But a string of scandals in 2014 -- including tussles over custody -- spurred the military government to bar foreigners from using Thai surrogates.

One case saw an Australian couple accused of abandoning a baby with Down's syndrome carried by a Thai surrogate while taking his healthy twin sister.

In another high-profile controversy, authorities discovered nine babies in a Bangkok apartment fathered by a Japanese man using Thai surrogate mothers.

Police expanded their investigations into surrogacy since 2017 when a man was arrested for trying to smuggle six vials of sperm into Laos, Police Colonel Mana Kleebsattabutra added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BAGHDAD - Hundreds of Iraqi women took to the streets of central Baghdad and southern Iraq on Thursday in defiance of a radical clerics calls for gender segregation at anti-government protest sites.

An anti-government protest movement began Oct. 1 to decry rampant corruption, poor services and unemployment in Baghdad and Iraqs predominantly Shiite south. Over 500 have died since then under fire from security forces using live bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds. The protests have been unique because they have drawn both men and women who have camped out alongside each other in protest squares, a rare occurrence in Iraq, a conservative majority Muslim country.

On Thursday, women protesters waved Iraqi flags and banners in English and Arabic, chanting slogans condemning a recent security crackdown against demonstrators.

Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Parliaments Saeroon bloc, issued an 18-point code of conduct Sunday for protesters in which he cautioned against the mixing of men and women at sit-in areas.

In response on Thursday, women flooded the streets of Baghdad and the southern city of Nasiriyah.

Whoever accuses women of being weak doesnt understand Iraq, said protester Baan Jaafar, 35. We will continue to defend our rights through demonstrations and participate in the decision to build a new Iraq after the demonstrations.

Al-Sadr, whose political bloc won the most seats in Parliament in Iraqs May 2018 election, initially threw his weight behind the anti-government uprising but recently re-positioned himself toward the political establishment after political elites selected former government minister Mohammed Allawi as prime minister-designate, a candidate he endorsed.

Since then, he has issued a dizzying array of calls to followers, asking them to return to the streets days after withdrawing support from protests. The contradictory orders have exacerbated tensions already present between anti-government demonstrators and his followers.

We came out today against those who accuse Iraqi female demonstrators in Tahrir Square, said Nada Hassan, 24. We tell them that even if you kill or threaten us, we will continue to support the demonstrators.

Before the march, al-Sadr warned that Iraq must not turn into Chicago, equating the U.S. city with immorality. The statement was immediately mocked on social media with Iraqis posting memes and and tweets comparing Iraq to the American cosmopolitan city.
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A federal judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the US military from awarding a multibillion-dollar cloud computing contract to Microsoft, after Amazon claimed the process was tainted by politics.

A temporary injunction requested by Amazon was issued US judge Patricia Campbell-Smith, barring the Department of Defense from starting work on the contract known as JEDI, according to a summary of the ruling available online.

Details of the ruling were sealed for unspecified reasons.

Amazon has alleged it was shut out of the deal because of President Donald Trump's vendetta and is seeking testimony from the president and other top officials on the reasons for awarding the USD 10 billion US military cloud computing contract.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In this Dec. 16, 2019, file photo, a worker looks up underneath a Boeing 737 MAX jet in Renton, Wash. Boeing sold no new airline jets in January, and now the company is worried that the virus outbreak in China could hurt airplane deliveries in the first quarter. AP



Boeing sold no new airline jets in January, and now the company is worried that the virus outbreak in China could hurt airplane deliveries in the first quarter.



Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith said Wednesday that the company is ''spending a lot of time'' with Chinese airline customers, trying to help them navigate a downturn in travel.



Many nations have imposed restrictions on travel to and from China, and airlines including American, United and Delta have suspended flights there because of the outbreak.



Smith said that with the virus-caused decline in air travel, ''I can certainly see that impacting ... some near-term first-quarter deliveries for a lot of us.''



The executive spoke at a conference run by financial-services firm Cowen.



Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Boeing's commercial sales and marketing, told reporters at the Singapore air show that the company's supply chain has not yet been affected by the outbreak.






Chicago Public Schools says it has launched an investigation after four students complained that a teacher told a Hispanic student she should go back to her own country because she didnt stand during the national anthem.

The students at Senn High School on the citys North Side said they heard the teacher make the comment to the girl, who is a U.S. citizen, during a Hispanic heritage assembly Jan. 30.

If the allegations are true, the teachers comments would be a violation of the districts anti-discrimination policy.

CPS is committed to fostering learning environments that embrace and support all students, and the alleged actions of the teacher in question run counter to our beliefs and priorities, district spokesman James Gherardi said.

Yesica Salazar said she and the other students stayed seated during the anthem to protest police brutality, U.S. immigration policies and anti-immigrant political rhetoric. She said the teacher asked her if her legs were broken then said she should go back to my own country if I didnt want to stand, Salazar said.

I felt very offended because my parents have fought hard to be part of this country, the 17-year-old Salazar told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The four students held a sit-in at the school on Wednesday to protest what they called the schools slow response to their complaint as well as to urge the teachers removal from the school.

I felt like we were getting the run-around, Salazar said.

Authorities have not released the teachers name and the CPS has not said if any actions was taken against him.

Shakira Chacon, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen who moved to the United States from Costa Rica less than three years ago, said she was also offended by the teachers words.

When I heard that, thats when I jumped in and said, You dont say that to a student, its disrespectful, she said.
Turkmenistan's leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has fired the head of the powerful national security ministry, state media reported Thursday.

Berdymukhamedov dismissed Yalim Berdiyev, who had held the post since 2018, and replaced him with deputy national security minister Gurbanmyrat Annayev, the state-run Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper said.

Berdiyev had moved on to another job, it said, without giving details.

Berdymukhamedov rules without opposition or free media and little is known about what motivates government appointments.

Berdiyev was replaced after receiving a "final warning" from the Turkmen leader for "shortcomings" in January, although the source of the president's displeasure was unclear, state media said.

The 62-year-old leader also used the occasion to strip Berdiyev of his parallel role as secretary of the state security council and downgrade his military rank.

The state council secretary role has since been filled by Charymyrat Amanov, whose accompanying position as the cabinet of minister's deputy chairman for security and military issues was created this year.

Berdymukhamedov fired interior minister Isgender Mulikov after ten years in the post in October last year.

Mulikov was later shown on state television with his head shaven and handcuffed confessing to corruption.

Berdymukhamedov's predecessor Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in 2006, was similarly inclined to humiliate state officials in public.

Both Berdymukhamedov and Niyazov are feted by golden statues in the white marble-clad capital Ashgabat, testifying to a leadership cult that regularly prompts comparisons with North Korea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020

Indonesia has less than a month to prepare for the prestigious London Book Fair (LBF), as the government only recently made the decision confirming its participation.

The 2020 LBF will be held from March 10 to 12 at the Olympia exhibition center in London. More than 25,000 publishers, booksellers, librarians and literary agents from over 100 countries are set to attend the fair, making it the second-biggest exhibition after the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Indonesia has participated in the event since 2015 with the help of the National Book Committee (KBN) under the Education and Culture Ministry. In 2018, the now-defunct creative economy agency (Bekraf) took the lead after Indonesia was chosen to be the market focus at the book fair.

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This is how highway accidents happen: Parked truck, speeding bus, and the dead of night

A policeman inspects the mangled remains of a private bus that collided with a truck on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, February 12, 2020. At least 14 people were killed and many others were seriously injured in the accident. (PTI Photo)

Firozabad (UP): A double-decker sleeper bus crashed into a truck being repaired for a flat tyre on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Wednesday night, killing 14 people asleep in their seats and leaving 25 others grievously injured.

The cleaner of the truck, who too was injured, said he was changing the tyre by the road side when the bus came hurtling up and drove straight into the stationary vehicle.

There were 50 people, most from Bihar, in the bus, travelling from Delhi to Motihari. The accident took place at 10 am in the Nagla Khanagar police station area.

The 25 injured people are being treated in different hospitals, senior superintendent of police Sachindra Patel said.

One injured passenger told reporters he was on the upper deck of the sleeper bus when the accident occurred, and lost consciousness when the crash happened.

When I came to, I found everything around me broken. I don't know what happened to the man who was sleeping in the adjoining seat.
Im very excited that Marc will join our team and help us continue to provide efficient, best-in-class claims service that gives customers peace of mind, Berger said. His customer-centricity aligns with our aspirations to improve the customer experience, and his expertise will support our journey to advance corporate insurance together.

Scheidegger succeeds James George, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. George will step down as chief claims officer on April 01 after 25 years with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and its legacy companies. He will remain with the company through July 01 to aid in the transition.

Id like to thank Jim for his hard work and passion over his long tenure, Berger said. Under his leadership, claims continued its move to a market-facing function that clearly differentiated our offering. Jims notable contributions, such as our industry-leading claims commitment, give Marc and the rest of the claims organization a solid foundation to build upon as we transform CorSo into a business that sets new standards and leads the industry forward.
Houston auction attracted 8,850+ bidders from 71 countries; approx. 58% of equipment sold online

HOUSTON, TX, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. has started the year strong in Texas, selling 5,850+ equipment items for US$61 million+ in Houston this weekup approximately 35% from the same auction in 2019.

More than 8,850 people from 71 countries registered to bid in the February 11  12 Houston auction, including 6,950+ registering to participate online. U.S. buyers purchased approximately 90 percent of the equipment, with the top three state buyers being Texas, California, and Georgia, while international buyers from such countries as Australia, India, and the United Kingdom purchased 10 percent of the equipment. Online buyers purchased 58% of the assets.

"This was our largest-ever February Houston auction, with a record number of consignors and bidders, and strong pricing on both days of the event," said Kari Taylor, President, US Regions, Ritchie Bros. "We saw the number of online buyers increase 41% year over year, including strong participation from international bidders. It's clear the evolution of our marketing tactics and platform enhancements, including tools like PriorityBid, is making it easier for customers to participate online. This is also great news for our sellers, who can access our global demand from any of our live or online marketplaces. With big events still to come in Orlando, Fort Worth, and Las Vegas, as well as Marketplace-E and regular weekly online auctions, it's great to see supply spread more evenly across Q1 and the year. Sellers can access all our solutions, whenever they want and from wherever they are."

Equipment highlights in the Houston auction included 410+ truck tractors, 170+ excavators, 115+ skid steers, 90+ loader backhoes, 50+ cranes, 50+ dozers, and more. All items were sold without minimum bids or reserve prices.

AUCTION QUICK FACTS: HOUSTON, TX (February 2020)

Total gross transactional value  US$61+ million

US$61+ million Amount sold to online bidders  US$35+ million (58 percent)

US$35+ million (58 percent) Total registered bidders (in person and online)  8,850+ * new Texas record

8,850+ * Registered online bidders  6,950+

6,950+ Total lots sold  5,850+

5,850+ Number of sellers  765+ *new Texas record

Ritchie Bros. currently has close to 70,000 equipment items, trucks, and other assets listed for sale through its various marketplaces. The next Texas onsite auction will be held in Fort Worth on March 10  11. For a complete list of upcoming auctions and equipment available, visit rbauction.com and ironplanet.com.

About Ritchie Bros.:

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offers live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales. The company's suite of multichannel sales solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions, a complete end-to-end asset management and disposition system. Ritchie Bros. also offers sector-specific solutions including GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy Auctioneers, plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

Photos and video for embedding in media stories are available at rbauction.com/media.

SOURCE Ritchie Bros.
Jellyfish don't just sting with their tentacles - they create 'slime grenades' in water that irritate your skin even if you haven't touched them.

A team of researchers from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History found the microscopic structures in the mucus left by upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea).

They don't know what role these tiny structures, called cassiosomes, play in the ocean but do appear to be a key part of the animals feeding process.

While most of the time Cassiopea get their energy through photosynthesis from an algae that attaches to them, they may use the mucus to catch prey as a top up fuel.

The sting isn't particularly intense but it can leave people with an itch and a red rash and is enough to incapacitate a small creature.

Cassiopea, or upside-down jellyfish, on display at the National Aquarium. Researchers found it releases blobs of mucus that contains stinging cells

Swimmers can often spot large groups of jellyfish pulsing rhythmically on the seafloor in warm coastal waters around the world.

Unless wearing protective gear, it is best to steer clear of areas that Cassiopea - or upside-down jellyfish - inhabit as getting too close can lead to irritating stings.

Researchers say this happens even without direct contact with the creature - an effect often described by swimmers as 'stinging water'.

The team, which included experts from the University of Kansas and the US NAval Research lab found that the placid-looking creatures release a toxin-filled mucus into the water that is 'stinging' swimmers.

Young adult Cassiopea, or upside-down jellyfish, as seen from above in the lab at the Department of Invertebrate Zoology in the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History

The oval structures along the protruding edges are stinging capsules known as nematocysts, and the brown cells in the interior are symbiotic algae that live within the tissues of Cassiopea, or upside-down jellyfish

Dr Cheryl Ames, a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History in the United States, said it was a surprise and long awaited resolution.

'We can now let swimmers know that stinging water is caused by upside-down jellyfish, despite their general reputation as a mild stinger.'

The study, conducted over several years, grew out of the curiosity that some of the research team had about the discomfort they had all experienced firsthand after swimming near upside-down jellyfish.

Dr Ames explained that, initially, she and her colleagues were not even sure jellyfish were responsible for their stinging, itching skin.

Other ideas for the reason behind 'stinging water' included severed jellyfish tentacles, 'sea lice', anemones and other stinging marine animals.

They knew the Cassiopea in the museum's aquarium-room lab tanks released clouds of mucus when they were agitated or feeding.

When the research team first placed a sample of the mucus under a microscope, they were surprised to see bumpy balls spinning in the slimy substance.

They turned to several more sophisticated imaging methods to examine the mysterious masses closely, and eventually they said that a clearer picture emerged.

They discovered that the blobs were actually hollow spheres of cells, probably filled with the same jelly-like substance that gives jellyfish their structure.

Most of the outer cells were stinging cells known as nematocytes.

These cassiosomes can sting swimmers and prey without coming into contact with the jellyfish themselves

Other cells were present, too, including some with cilia-waving, hairlike filaments that propel the cassiosomes' movements.

But they found that inside the jelly-filled centre of each sphere was a bit of ochre-coloured symbiotic algae - the same sort that lives inside the jellyfish itself.

Taking another look at the jellyfish themselves, the team was able to detect cassiosomes clustered into small spoon-like structures on the creatures' arms.

When they provoked a jellyfish, they saw cassiosomes slowly break away, steadily leaving the appendages until thousands of them mingled with the animal's mucus.

Three Cassiopea, or upside-down jellyfish, from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean seen from above in the lab at the Department of Invertebrate Zoology in the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History

Microscopic stinging structures sit inside the mucus secreted by upside-down jellyfishgyrating balls of stinging cells that they call cassiosomes

They found that the cassiosomes were efficient killers of lab-fed brine shrimp with the tiny crustaceans succumbing quickly to the venomous spheres in the lab.

Molecular analyses conducted at the museum and the US Naval Research Laboratory identified three different toxins within the cassiosomes.

Research team member Anna Klompen, a graduate student at the University of Kansas, said jellyfish venom was poorly understood.

'This research takes our knowledge one step closer to exploring how jellyfish use their venom in interesting and novel ways.'

Photo of lab-fed brine shrimp succumbing to the cassiosomes in the lab. The stinging mucus stuns them and holds them until the jellyfish is ready to feed

Young adult Cassiopea, or upside-down jellyfish, as seen from above in the lab at the Department of Invertebrate Zoology in the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History

The team described the discovery as 'particularly exciting' because Cassiopea jellyfish have been recognised for more than 200 years, but cassiosomes have remained unknown until now.

Researcher Allen Collins, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration zoologist, said they're not the most venomous but it can impact human health.

'We knew that the water gets stingy, but no one had spent the time to figure out exactly how it happens.'

The Cassiopea can produce cassiosomes that can sting swimmers and prey without coming into contact with the jellyfish themselves

Already, the team has identified cassiosomes in four additional closely related jellyfish species, reared at the National Aquarium, and they are eager to learn whether they might be even more widespread.

Gary Vora, deputy laboratory head at the US Naval Research Laboratory, said it showed the power of multiple insittutations working together to solve a problem.

'What stood out most was the team's ability to experimentally pursue where the data was taking us, given the breadth of the tools that were required to come to these conclusions.'

The research has been published in the journal Communications Biology.
(Alliance News) - Natural gas storage firm InfraStrata PLC on Thursday said a public consultation related to the issuing of a marine licence for its Islandmagee project in Northern Ireland has been extended again.

The consultation period, which will now run until March 27, was extended by the company and the the Northern Irish Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs.

InfraStrata on Friday last week said the consultation was extended to March 23 due to the amount of public interest shown in the gas storage project.

The company, which has a draft marine licence, said the initial consultation extension to March 23 was not expected delay the process to attain a full marine licence.

Chief Executive Officer John Wood said on Friday: "We are delighted with the positive response that we have received during the consultation process. In order to accommodate further requests to attend and learn more about the project, we have decided to extend the process.

"We remain confident that the marine license will be issued following due process. The extensive scientific work undertaken on the project clearly indicates that the project will comply with the regulatory framework that is currently in place."

Shares in the company were 0.9% higher at 0.28 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  A police officer was killed on duty during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Cebu City, authorities reported Thursday.

The Philippine National Police identified the victim as Police Senior Master Sergeant Maximo Macua, Jr.  a member of the Drug Enforcement GroupSpecial Operations Unit 5.

Macua was fatally shot by suspects who fired at policemen during the raid on Tuesday in Barangay Mambaling, the PNP said in a news release.

The buy bust targeted a man named Franco Obeso and his cohorts, it added.

Obeso managed to escape and was later arrested in a hot pursuit operation where he fired back at the authorities. Police said he was brought to the hospital for treatment and is now under the custody of the Cebu City Police Office.

The PNP assured the family of Macua that they will receive all benefits accorded to policemen killed in the line of duty.


(Photo: 8 Must Visit Places in Laos)

Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. There are numerous must-visit places in Laos for exploration. This stunning country cannot boast of serene sandy beaches and several thousand tourists every year, but it makes it up with spectacular natural sceneries, ruins, ancient cities, and some of the most charming and warm locals on Earth.

Laos is a laid-back country, and from here, you are sure to enjoy a fresh and relaxed environment as you enjoy extraordinary moments with friends or family. So on your first trip to Laos, make sure you visit these eight places and discover what other tourists have not yet explored.

Bolaven Plateau  Must visit place in Laos

To the southern part of Laos lays the majestic Bolaven Plateau. It is a landscape filled with dense forests, thundering waterfalls, and astounding coffee and tea plantations. The plateau is found at an altitude of around 1000 meters, and it has cooler and milder temperatures than the other parts of the country.

Plentiful of natural highlights like the Dong Hua Sao waterfalls and Tad Fane is the reason most travelers are dying to visit Laos.

Van Vieng

It is a top-rated destination in Laos for backpackers and budget travelers. The stunning environment is located in central Laos and occasioned by fascinating natural sceneries of Limestone Mountain, karst hills, caves, rivers, and tunnels.

Ultimately this haven of tranquility can be considered an adventure capital for Laos. Several tour companies offer adventurous activities to tourists, such as kayaking, spelunking, hiking, and tubing. There is also a downtown bar at Vang Vieng, which is a must-visit once you come to this place.

Plain of jars

The plain of jars is technically one of the unique places on Earth. It is an unusual sight found in the Southern part of Asia, and it remains an archeological mystery. The jars are located in a vast area of land near Phonsavan.

These jars are symmetrically arranged in several archeological sites, and no one is aware of how that came to be or what purpose they serve. It is, of course, one of the must-visit places in Laos. But how can you travel to Laos and discover these stunning places? Well, whether you require a visa to gain access to Laos will largely depend on the country you come from.

Eligible citizens will be granted visas upon arrival to the country. The visa on arrival is, however, given to the visitors who are on tour to Laos. It usually lasts for 30-days. Laos government has even created an electronic visa for travelers to ease up the time taken. Travelers are expected to apply for this visa seven days before the due date to Laos.

The application process is online, meaning that there is no time wasted at entry points to the country. Citizens from 150 countries are eligible to apply for this online visa as it saves a lot on time and resources.

For the visa on arrivals, you need to have the following requirements:

Cash for the visa application process

An original passport

Two passport size photographs

A visa application form duly filled and signed. For more insights on this visa you can visit visalaos.com

Pathet Lao Caves

It is an attractive network of tunnels and caves that surround Vieng Xai town. Located to the northeast of Laos, this is one of the most magnificent scenes Laos has to offer visitors. It is a key highlight in this majestic country as these caves were used as a base during the popular Vietnam war.

The caves were also once used as home to over 20,000 people. Inside these caves were numerous facilities such as shops, homes, hospitals, bakeries, and military barracks. The caves were, however, bombed by the United States troops and are now used as tourist attraction sites.

Luang Prabang

It is a remarkable place situated around the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. It was technically Laos' capital until 1975. In fact, Luang Prabang is the frequently visited city in Laos with diverse and incredible sites and sceneries in the country. It is also a UNESCO Heritage Site due to the perplexing features you can observe here, such as French colonial buildings, bald monks, and old temples bearing golden roofs.

Wat Phou

It is commonly referred to as Vat Phou. Typically means "mountain temple." Wat Phou is a facility housing the Khmer temple ruins that existed several years back. These Hindu Temples can be backdated to between the 13th and 11th century. It consists of pavilions, tall trees, pillars, shrines, palaces, and courtyards.

The complex has great historical significance as it is already declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vientiane

It is Laos' capital city, and it has lots of fascinating and mind-blowing features. The magnificent city is among the must-visit places in Laos as it has a luxurious waterfront and other attractions. Visit Vientiane and discover the numerous Buddha statues, Phat That Luang stupa and the triumphal Patuxai.

There is a surprising mix of cultures and linguistics in this city as there are Vietnamese, Chinese, French, American, and the Lao roaming the streets of this dismaying city.

Mekong River

Mekong River is currently the greatest river in Southeast Asia, stretching for over 4,000 kilometers. The biggest section of this enormous river is in Laos, offering tourists and locals unique sceneries and panoramic views. The river also acts as a reliable means of transport. In a country with no well-established road network and the rugged terrain, the river remains the most reliable option to move about.

In case you want to explore more of Laos amazing sceneries and plantations, then the Mekong River will deliver everything at your doorstep.

Bottom Line

These are the top must-visit places in Laos that you should never miss to visit when you plan a holiday to the Southeast part of Asia. You will have the opportunity to learn and appreciate the culture of the Asian people as you explore the breathtaking views of the beautiful country.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
RJD insiders claim that the posters have been put up by the JD(U) to mislead people ahead of Assembly polls.

Patna: With Bihar Assembly elections slated to be held later this year, political parties have started using posters and hoardings to expose the failures of their opponents.

The latest poster referring to RJD chief Lalu Yadav and other party leaders as the thugs of Bihar has created a flutter in the grand alliance. The poster, which has been put up near the busy Income-Tax Crossing in Patna, accuses the Lalu-Rabri regime of jungle raj, corruption, caste wars and massacres in the state.

RJD insiders claim that the posters have been put up by the JD(U) to mislead people ahead of Assembly polls.

The poster shows JD(U)s desperation as the party is losing popularity in Bihar due to its failure on many fronts which includes law and order scenario, scams and rising corruption cases, RJD spokesperson Shivchandar Ram said.

Amid the ongoing poster war, RJD chief Lalu Yadav in a tweet on Wednesday used the Bollywood song, Tere dar par sanam chale aaye, tu naa aaya to hum chale aaye, to take potshots at CM Nitish Kumar for unveiling the statue of RSS ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay in Patna.

The RJD has been accusing Nitish Kumar of betraying the mandate by walking out of the grand alliance and realigning with the BJP.

Sources said that through his tweet, the jailed RJD leader has sent a clear message that the issue will be used during the Assembly elections.

The Opposition feels that JD(U)s confidence in Bihar has been shaken by the humiliating defeat the BJP-led alliance suffered in Jharkhand and Delhi Assembly elections.

People have rejected the BJP-led alliance in Jharkhand, Delhi and other states and they will suffer the same fate in Bihar later this year during the Assembly elections, RJD spokesperson Shivchandra Ram said.

In Bihar, the Assembly polls are expected in October. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is also JD(U) president, has already been declared the face of NDA in the state.

The JD(U) on Wednesday reacted strongly after a poster raising questions on the good governance policy of chief minister Nitish Kumar was put up in Patna.

Sources said that the poster with slogans like 2020 Nitish Kumar finish was put up by the RJD in retaliation to the slogans against Lalu Yadav.
Its good news from the weather department if you have to travel this weekend. We are going to finally have a weekend without a significant weather-making storm around the Great Lakes. Ill even take a look at long drives, like heading south to Florida as many Michiganders do at this time of year.

Heres a quick look at the weather this weekend.

Low temperatures for Saturday morning, February 15, 2020.

Saturday morning will definitely be a frigid morning. We are all going to want to be bundled up as we face temperatures in the single digits to 10 degrees.

temperatures

We will warm up quite a bit through the day Saturday. Most of Lower Michigan will inch toward the freezing mark by late afternoon.

Low temperature forecast for Sunday, February 16, 2020

Sunday morning wont be so cold. With temperatures starting in the upper 20s over Lower Michigan, its actually a warmer than average morning. We do have to remember its still mid-February, the heart of winter.

Sunday afternoon will also be a few degrees warmer than long-term averages.

As far as worrying about driving in a bunch of falling snow or freezing rain, this weekend wont be much of a worry. There is one six hour period of light snow expected late Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.

Radar forecast for 1 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday.

An area of scattered light snow will move across Michigan. The radar forecast above shows its not a storm system to worry about. You can always get a little slicker road with an inch of snow. But it is winter and completely dry roads rarely occur across Michigan.

Total snow forecast from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning.

The late Saturday snow should stay under one inch at most places.

If you are driving south to get out of winter for a while, you dont have any problems.

Total snowfall forecast for Saturday-Sunday, February 15-16, 2020

Its a pretty good weekend for traveling across Michigan, the Great Lakes region and even the eastern U.S. Have a great weekend!
Every year, New Zealands national day attracts wall-to-wall media coverage of events at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland, where government ministers, other political leaders, tribal leaders and religious figures give speeches, ostensibly summing up the state of the nation.

Waitangi Day, held on February 6, commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between several Maori tribal chiefs and representatives of the British Empire. The treaty made false promises that the British would respect Maori sovereignty over their land. By the end of the century, following the 1845-1872 New Zealand Wars, most land had passed into the ownership of the colonial power.

Successive governments since the 1970s have elevated the treaty to the status of a founding national document, which supposedly began a partnership between two cultures: Maori and European. Some Maori tribes have transformed into profitable businesses thanks to receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in treaty settlements from the government. This has created a layer of Maori capitalists whose wealth has grown rapidly in the past three decades, and who are represented politically by the Maori Party and the Mana Party.

The settlements were justified on the basis of racial identity politics: the payments to tribal elites would supposedly compensate for the damage done to all Maori by colonisation. In fact, settlements accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s precisely at the point where Labour and National Party governments carried out a sweeping assault on the working class, including privatisations and mass redundancies. The vast majority of working-class Maori people continue to live in poverty and have far higher rates of incarceration, discrimination in the justice system, healthcare and other areas, and lower life expectancy compared with non-Maori.

This years Waitangi events, following the announcement of the September 19 election date, were essentially a media-backed campaign rally for Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns Labour Party and its coalition partners, the Greens and the right-wing nationalist New Zealand First. The main political aim of the proceedings was to divert attention from the fact that social inequality and povertyfor Maori and non-Maori alikehas continued to worsen under Labour.

According to the UK Guardian, Maori leaders said the mood at Waitangi had been the most optimistic and positive they could remember. Similar statements were repeated throughout the NZ media, largely reflecting the fact that the Maori Party is hoping to return to parliament in an alliance with Labour. It suffered an electoral wipeout in 2017 after being part of the previous right-wing National Party-led government and supporting its austerity policies.

Arderns speech contained numerous half-truths and misleading statements: Weve helped more than 2,000 more Maori families into public housing, she declared. Weve increased the minimum wage. Weve put food in schools. Weve increased paid parental leave. Weve created increases in support for whanau [families].

In fact, all these increases are grossly inadequate. The public housing waiting list has ballooned in the past two years from 5,844 to a record 14,500 families, driven by sky-rocketing rents in the private housing market. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development says homelessness is an increasing and serious issue in six key regions: Auckland, Wellington, Northland, Napier/Hastings, Hamilton and Rotorua.

Small welfare and wage increases are not enough to keep pace with the cost of living. About one in four children lives in poverty, unchanged since the Labour-NZ First-Greens government took office in 2017.

Andrew Little, minister of justice and treaty negotiations, received an avalanche of media praise for delivering a short speech entirely in Maori language. Significantly, he began by praising the Maori politician Apirana Ngata, who played a critical role in recruiting Maori to fight in World War I and World War II. Little declared that in 1940 Ngata spoke of the price of citizenship for Maori as the 28th Maori Battalion prepared to go to war.

Maori participation in imperialist war was a central feature of Waitangi Day commemorations. An elaborate ceremony was conducted by the Defence Force to open a new museum dedicated to the Maori Battalion. According to the Northern Advocate the central theme of the museum, called Te Rau Aroha, is that fighting in World War II was the price of citizenship for Maori.

The completion of the museum, which cost the government $14.6 million, was a key part of the coalition deal between Labour and NZ First, the most militarist party in parliament. In a NZ First press conference in October 2017, after the formation of the government, party leader, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters praised Ngata for telling young Maori soldiers going off to their death that thats the price of being equal in New Zealand. NZ Firsts Shane Jones added: thats the narrative that should be built into the Maori identity of New Zealand its going to be elevated.

Unlike the false promises to alleviate poverty and homelessness, the pledge to elevate militarism has been kept.

Speaking at the opening of Te Rau Aroha, Peters glorified Maori soldiers in WWII for showing loyalty, determination, and a willingness to fight and readily accept[ing] they might lose their lives fighting for this country and what it stood for. Ardern said the museum would honour the spirit of all those who, without the pressure of conscription, willingly took up arms for their country, many making the ultimate sacrifice.

In fact, New Zealands ruling class joined the two World Wars to defend the British Empire and NZs own neo-colonial interests in the South Pacific, including its brutal and dictatorial rule over Samoa, which it had seized from Germany in 1914. About 140,000 New Zealanders fought in WWII and nearly 12,000 were killed. In the 28th Maori Battalion, the casualty rate was almost 50 percent higher than the average for NZ infantry battalions: of 3,600 soldiers, 649 were killed and 1,712 wounded.

This appalling waste of lives is now being promoted to prepare young people, including Maori, to make the same sacrifice in future wars. The Ardern government is spending billions of dollars on upgrading the military and expanding the size of the army. It has further strengthened the alliance with US imperialism as the Trump administration threatens war against Iran, China and Russia.

Along with glorifying war, the tribal elites in Northland provided a media spotlight for Brian Tamaki, leader of the Christian fundamentalist Destiny Church. During an interdenominational service at the Treaty Grounds, Tamaki gave a 25-minute speech in which he viciously scapegoated immigrants for poverty and the housing crisis.

Destiny Church, which will stand in the 2020 election as the political party Vision NZ, has staged numerous xenophobic and anti-Islamic provocations. Following the March 15, 2019, massacre of 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch, the church held an anti-Muslim rally opposite one of the mosques targeted by fascist gunman Brenton Tarrant.

At Waitangi, Tamaki described migrants as termites and parasites that totally consume the host. He denounced the government for allowing immigrants to access welfare, saying we should be looking after our own, and attacked successive governments for encouraging foreign investment, particularly from China.

Tamakis rhetoric echoed NZ First and Labour, which have agitated for years against Chinese investment and immigration. The Ardern government has imposed class-based restrictions to slash immigration and has followed the US in denouncing Russia and China as the main threats to the international order.

The Waitangi Day events set the stage for an election campaign that will be dominated by nationalism, anti-immigrant xenophobia and warmongering.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse)  Thu, February 13, 2020 09:07 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064302e2 2 Entertainment Janet-Jackson,concert,album Free

The veteran vocalist recently revealed that she will support her forthcoming twelfth studio album, "Black Diamond," with a 34-date arena tour.

In a statement on Instagram, Jackson opened up about the inspiration behind the long-awaited follow-up to 2015's "Unbreakable."

"Black Diamonds are the toughest of all the diamonds, the hardest to cut. I see that as the hardest to hurt or destroy. There is a lot that I have endured. I see myself as a Black Diamond in its purest form. I'm a rock, I have ruff edges but I keep moving forward. I want to show you my strength as well as give you strength," she explained.

Details about "Black Diamond" are still scarce to this date, although the award-winning songstress plans to hit the road in support of the LP as soon as June 24.

The "Black Diamond" world tour will find Jackson performing music from her forthcoming studio album as well as a special performance from her landmark 1989 opus, "Rhythm Nation 1814."

The album, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, was led by chart-topping hits such as "Miss You Much," "Escapade," "Black Cat" and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)."

Read also: Janet Jackson in Saudi concert boycotted by Nicki Minaj

The first leg of the trek will include high-profile concerts in 34 cities across North America, such as New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and Detroit.

While on tour in support of "Black Diamond," Jackson will also headline New Orleans' Essence Festival and the Cincinnati Music Festival, which will respectively take place on July 5-7 and July 24-25.

Tickets for the "Black Diamond" World Tour will go on sale to the general public on February 13 at 12 p.m. (PST), while subscribers to Jackson's mailing list have access to a special pre-sale code from this Tuesday, February 11.
A crude bomb reportedly went off in a Lucknow court compound on Thursday, "injuring" three lawyers in an incident which police said was triggered by rivalry between two groups.

Two live bombs were recovered, police said. But they added that nobody appeared to have seen or heard the blast, which a lawyer claimed took place outside his chambers.

Police have launched an inquiry. A large number of policemen and a bomb disposal squad were rushed to the site.

Lucknow Bar Association joint secretary Sanjiv Kumar Lodhi claimed he was the target of the attack because he has been complaining about some judicial officers.

He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber around 11.30 am. "I and two other lawyers were injured," he told reporters.

"One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded," he said, adding that the attackers left brandishing firearms.

Lodhi questioned the security on the premises of the collectorate, which houses the district courts. He demanded security for himself.

Joint Police Commissioner Naveen Arora said Lodhi has filed a complaint against the Bar Association's general secretary Jitu Yadav and three others, alleging that he was attacked with crude sutli bombs.

"Two live sutli bombs have been recovered from the site. In the investigations so far, no one has heard the sound of bomb blast and Sanjeev Kumar Lodhi has also not suffered any injury," Arora said.

"Investigations are on and prima facie it appears to be a case of mutual rivalry between two groups of lawyers," he added.

He said security at the collectorate and the district courts will be reviewed and further strengthened.

As the of an explosion spread, lawyers gathered in support of their colleague and raised slogans demanding better security in the court complex.

Bomb disposal and dog squads were rushed to the site as a large people gathered there. Lawyers complained that there is lack of security at the complex.

Last month, lawyers struck work across Uttar Pradesh protesting against the recent attacks on them.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had asked bar associations to abstain from work and put pressure on the government to bring legislation to protect lawyers.

On January 7, lawyer Shekhar Tripathi (32) was beaten to death with sticks by five men in Lucknow, triggering anger among his colleagues who sat with the body at the district collectorate demanding justice.

On December 17, a man was killed and two policemen injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at Bijnor Chief Judicial Magistrate's court.

In June 2019, Uttar Pradesh Bar Council president Darvesh Singh was shot dead in the court premises in Agra allegedly by another lawyer who then tried to kill himself, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kansas City Rodent Hording Backstory & Court Case Deets

Two facing animal cruelty charges after more than 260 animals rescued from home Two people are facing animal cruelty charges after more than 260 animals were pulled from a filthy home in Kansas City Monday. City officials said Mikabel Montero and Natasha Marie Acosta have each face three animal cruelty charges in municipal court -- specifically one count control of odors due to the smell emanating from the home, and two counts of inadequate animal care for lack of clean, fresh water and unsanitary conditions.

Gunfire Aftermath

Man wounded in Kansas City shootout convicted of firearm charge KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) -- A convicted felon who was wounded in a Kansas City shootout has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge. The U.S. attorney's office said in a news release Tuesday that 26-year-old Malliek Haynes proclaimed that he was a "gangster" during an April 2017 altercation with a group of people at a store and then repeatedly lifted up his shirt to show the .40-caliber pistol in his waistband.

Cash Fuels Drug Game But Civil Forfiture Targets Liberty

Kansas trooper finds nearly $350K of suspected drug money in gas tank of truck on I-70 Authorities say a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper found nearly $350,000 of suspected drug money hidden in the gas tank of a pickup truck after pulling over the driver on Interstate 70. The Wichita Eagle reports that federal prosecutors filed a civil asset forfeiture case Tuesday, asking a judge to give the money to the government.

Missouri Covers Assets

Bill would protect Missouri from financial court penalties JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The state of Missouri no longer would face financial punishment for wrongdoing in some civil lawsuits under a Missouri bill. State senators debated the proposal Tuesday. The legislation would mean the Missouri government couldn't be penalized with what are called punitive damages.

Rock Chalk Hobo Crackdown

Lawrence officials consider illegal camping ordinance change LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Lawrence officials are looking into changing or possibly repealing ordinances that make it illegal to camp or sleep on public land, in city parks and in downtown Lawrence. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that city commissioners discussed the issue Tuesday amid an increased focus on the homeless population after the city's shelter sharply reduced its capacity last year.

Show-Me Democracy For Missouri Felons

Some Missouri lawmakers pushing bill to expand voting rights for felons on parole JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- There's a push by some Missouri lawmakers to expand voting rights to felons on parole. They say the legislation could bring in tens of thousands of new voters. Current Missouri law allows felons to vote once they complete their probation or parole as long as they haven't committed an election crime.

Kansas Weed Crackdown

Kansas man faces decades in prison for medical marijuana FREDONIA, KS (KCTV) -- Larry Burgess has no criminal record. He's a cancer survivor who suffers from seizure disorder. He tried prescription drugs. A cocktail of 23 pills a day didn't cut it. "No seizure medication helped. In fact, my seizures got progressively worse over time. It was terrible. Terrible.

CHECK THE SUGAR CREEK EPIC DRUG WAR POLICE FLEX!!!

MO authorities post drug house closed sign in front yard of Sugar Creek home after recent raid SUGAR CREEK, MO (KCTV) - A sign that said, "this drug house, closed for business," has since been taken down. Sugar Creek Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office placed a notice after serving a drug warrant. KCTV5 News is asking police why the sign was necessary in the first place, so far they're not commenting, as charges haven't been filed.

Kansas Protocol Examined

Kansas Could Be The Next State To Make More Evidence Public In Fatal Police Shootings TOPEKA, Kansas - Wendy Couser, a former juvenile intake officer at the Newton Police Department, has always believed in the importance of consequences. But Couser feels that she's yet to see consequences for the law enforcement officials who beat, shot and killed her son, William "Matthew" Holmes, during an arrest in August 2017.

Show-Me Lucky Po-Po

Missouri trooper uninjured in hit-and-run involving semi KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper is uninjured after their vehicle was struck in a hit-and-run incident. The crash happened shortly before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on northbound Interstate 35. A trooper was pulled over to help a motorist in Harrison County near Ridgeway when a tractor-trailer struck the trooper's vehicle.

Tragedy Aftermath & Waiting For Justice Across The Bridge

Northland family still healing as they await sentencing in son's death More than two years after their son's death, a Northland family is hoping for justice. 17-year-old Jake Wehmeyer was killed in June of 2017. On Thursday, February 13th, the suspect, who was his friend, will be sentenced.

Kansas City Jailbird Advocacy

Participatory Defense Team Strives to empower Kansas City's incarcerated Those wandering into a KC coffee shop on a Saturday morning might expect to hear sleepy chatter about Netflix shows, brunch plans, or wild Friday nights-not an impassioned discussion about criminal justice, race, and violence. Then again, it's clear community organizers Justice Gatson and Tiara Moore aim to do something unexpected.

In this update, along with a quick shot of an old school KCPD crusier , we collect relevant information from across the metro on police action, court cases and all manner ofmisdeeds.Developing . . .
A former school bus attendant for Galena Park ISD is charged with misdemeanor assault after being accused of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old disabled student on several occasions, according to court documents.

Sergio Lopez, 67, was fired by the school district in January. The incidents were then reported to Harris County Constable Pct. 3, according to court documents. He worked for Galena Parked ISD nearly four years, according to the district.

CAUGHT: Suspected serial rapist apprehended in Spring

According to the charging documents, on three occasions between Nov. 19 and Dec. 2, 2019, Lopez was seen on video recorded on the bus assaulting the 13-year-old girl.

An investigator said Lopez, who was an attendant of the bus, could be seen waiting for the driver to exit the bus, then would touch and rub the victim's leg. The girl, who is physically disabled and non-verbal, could be seen pushing Lopez's hand away. In one incident, Lopez appears as if he "picks up his right hand and motions 'shh' with his right finger toward the victim."

The investigator reported that on two occasions in mid-January, Lopez was also captured on video kissing the girl about her face.

Prosecutors asked for Lopezs bail to be set at $10,000 due to the disturbing nature of the case and safety to the public, according to a report by KPRC 2. The judge set Lopezs bail at $100.

HoustonChronicle.com: ReelAbilities fest to educate Houston public on disability inclusion

According to the terms of the bond, Lopez was ordered to stay 500 feet away from any place where children routinely gather, according to court documents.

Galena Park ISD released the following written statement:

I can confirm out Human Resource Services Department, in conjunction with the Transportation Department investigated a former employee, who had been employed by GPISD since February 2016 about allegations involving a student. The investigation commenced as soon as the District learned of the concern on January 13, 2020.

The employee has not been employed by the District since January 14, 2020. The District has taken every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and has reported the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Danny Hermosillo is the Sr. Digital News Editor for Chron.com | Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @Dannyherm1| Email him at Danny.Hermosillo@chron.com
OMAHA  Hormel Foods is expanding its manufacturing operations into the Omaha metro area, a move expected to create a couple hundred jobs.

Papillion Foods LLC, an offshoot of Hormel, recently purchased a former Shopko distribution center in Sarpy County that closed last year shortly after Shopko declared bankruptcy.

The company initially expects to employ about 200 people, the majority of whom will be recruited locally, a Hormel spokesperson said in response to questions by The World-Herald.

We are excited to expand our manufacturing footprint with this project in the greater Omaha/Council Bluffs area and are targeting a November 2020 opening for this first phase, the company said in a statement.

The distribution center, at 10808 S. 132nd St., will undergo construction valued at $60 million, documents filed with the City of Papillion show. The company said it plans to convert the center into a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant for our ... world-class food brands, the statement said.

Hormel said it paid about $25 million for the building and the land beneath it.

Shopko had outsourced distribution for its stores in 2016 before filing for bankruptcy in 2019. At the time, it closed more than 100 of its 363 stores, including 20 Shopko stores in Nebraska and Iowa.

When the distribution center closed soon after, about 300 people lost their jobs.

The Sarpy County facility will be Hormels first manufacturing facility in Nebraska. The company also uses an independent supplier in Fremont.

Hormel Foods is a Fortune 500 food-processing company known for brands such as Skippy peanut butter, Jennie-O turkeys and Spam.
[February 13, 2020] ICE Bonds Completes Integration with BlackRock's Aladdin to Offer Fixed Income Portfolio Auction Functionality to Investment Managers

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses and provider of data and listings services, today announced that ICE Bonds has completed its integration with BlackRock's Aladdin, offering access to ICE Bonds' Portfolio Auction functionality, an automated execution protocol for portfolio trading. Aladdin is a premier portfolio management system for investment managers that combines sophisticated risk analytics with comprehensive trading and position monitoring tools. ICE Bonds' Portfolio Auction allows investment managers the ability to auction a portfolio of bonds on an all-or-nothing basis to one or multiple platform participants in a discrete, pre-determined period of time. Portfolios may consist of any number of individual bonds and may be all buys or all sells or a combination of both. Portfolio Auction offers two distinct trading session formats, At-the-Market or At-the-Close, giving investment managers the ability to leverage either ICE Data Services' Continuous Evaluated Pricing (CEP) or End-of-Day Evaluations. By connecting with Blackrock's Aladdin, investment managers can now seamlessly access and execute orders using the ICE Bonds Portfolio Auction, reducing operational risk and increasing workflow efficiencies. "In the past, portfolio trading has largely been a manual process, with no standardization, which is time consuming for all participants. By bringing this protocol together with our ICE Data Services' Continuous Evaluated Prices, portfolio managers can execute as close as possible to NAV prices, significantly reducing tracking errors against benchmarks," said Marshall Nicholson, President of ICE Bonds. "The addition of this auction protocol to ICE Bonds' existing RFQ and Central Order Book protocols will give traders a more efficient method to buy or sell a basket of bonds, which compliments the workflow of the ICE ETF Hub, our nnovative, open architecture solution supporting the primary market for ETF trading."



ICE Bonds offers trading solutions for Corporates, Municipals, Treasuries, Agencies, Structured Products and Certificates of Deposit. Customers can also leverage the continuous and end-of-day fixed income pricing and analytics offered by ICE Data Services, which is already available to customers over Aladdin. About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company formed in the year 2000 to modernize markets. ICE serves customers by operating the exchanges, clearing houses and information services they rely upon to invest, trade and manage risk across global financial and commodity markets. A leader in market data, ICE Data Services serves the information and connectivity needs across virtually all asset classes. As the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, the company is the premier venue for raising capital in the world, driving economic growth and transforming markets. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located at http://www.intercontinentalexchange.com/terms-of-use. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)." Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC (News - Alert)) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2020. About ICE Bonds "ICE Bonds" is a marketing name used to describe Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.'s (ICE) Fixed Income offering, to include execution services and ETF related services. The Portfolio Auction service is offered by Creditex Securities Corporation, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered Broker-Dealer, a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and a member of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. ICE- CORP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005837/en/

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Bankasia.com.bd 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 22 May 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

The total number of people who shared the bankasia homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the bankasia homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the bankasia homepage on Twitter + the total number of bankasia followers (if bankasia has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the bankasia homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if bankasia has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the bankasia homepage on StumbleUpon.

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE Bank Asia Limited - Login DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS bank asia limited, bank asia, asia limited, limited,



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 keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The title found in the head section of the homepage.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE HTML 4.01 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE ISO-8859-1 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache/2.2.3 (CentOS) (PHP/5.1.6) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux

Type of server and offered services. The language of bankasia.com.bd as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) 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 bankasia.com.bd by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

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The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. 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 type of 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.

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[February 13, 2020] Announcement Regarding Amendments to the Press Release titled "Announcement of Commencement of Tender Offer for Shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Securities Code: 3258)" due to Changes of Conditions of Tender Offer

Sapporo GK: (Translation) February 13, 2020 To all parties concerned







Company Name: Sapporo GK Managing Partner: Sapporo ISH Executor of Managing Partner: Takaaki Fukunaga Contact: Fortress Investment Group (Japan) GK Tel: +81-3-6438-4400

While Sapporo GK (hereinafter referred to as the "Tender Offeror") commenced the tender offer for the common shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Code No.: 3258, Tokyo Stock Exchange) (hereinafter referred to as "Target (News - Alert)") on August 19, 2019 (hereinafter referred to as the "Tender Offer"), the Tender Offeror decided as of today to change the conditions of purchase, etc. through the Tender Offer. Accordingly, the Tender Offeror hereby announces that the amendments shall be made to the "Announcement of Commencement of Tender Offer for Shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Securities Code: 3258)" dated August 16, 2019 (including the portions amended by the "Announcement Regarding Amendments to the Press Release titled 'Announcement of Commencement of Tender Offer for Shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Securities Code: 3258)' due to Changes of Conditions of Tender Offer" dated September 5, 2019, September 20, 2019, October 2, 2019, October 17, 2019, October 25, 2019, November 11, 2019, November 15, 2019, November 29, 2019, December 13, 2019, December 18, 2019, December 27, 2019, January 20, 2020 and January 29, 2020, respectively), as follows: Particulars: Portions to be amended are underlined. 1. Purpose, Etc. of Tender Offer, Etc. (1) Overview of the Tender Offer <Before amendment> <Omitted> As stated above, Fortress believes that it remains the best potential sponsor for the Target, and that its plan offers significant advantages over the plan submitted by Chitocea, in light of the preservation and enhancement of the Target's corporate value and protection of the interests of all stakeholders of the Target. Chitocea's plan will only increase leverage and reduce assets at the Target group, while Fortress' plan is expected to reduce leverage and provide a collateral pool equally to all creditors, as well as enhance the Target group's operations. Furthermore, the combination of the resources of MyStays and the Target's hotel operations contemplated in Fortress' plan are expected to provide important business synergies to the Target during a period where hotel fundamentals are declining. <After amendment> <Omitted> As stated above, Fortress believes that it remains the best potential sponsor for the Target, and that its plan offers significant advantages over the plan submitted by Chitocea, in light of the preservation and enhancement of the Target's corporate value and protection of the interests of all stakeholders of the Target. Chitocea's plan will only increase leverage and reduce assets at the Target group, while Fortress' plan is expected to reduce leverage and provide a collateral pool equally to all creditors, as well as enhance the Target group's operations. Furthermore, the combination of the resources of MyStays and the Target's hotel operations contemplated in Fortress' plan are expected to provide important business synergies to the Target during a period where hotel fundamentals are declining. Thereafter, in a release titled "Notice of Position Statement (Opposition) Regarding Tender Offer by Sapporo GK for UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited Stock" released subsequently on February 9, 2020 by the Target ("Target's February 9 Press Release"), the Target resolved at its Board of Directors meeting, held on the same day to continue to oppose the Tender Offer. Also, the Target announced on February 9, 2020 in a press release titled "Notice Regarding Change of Conditions for Tender Offer by Chitocea Investment Co., Ltd. for Unizo Holdings, Limited Stock" that Chitocea Investment Co., Ltd. ("Chitocea") decided on February 9, 2020 to extend the period of its tender offer, commenced on December 24, 2019 ("Chitocea TOB") until February 28, 2020 and to change the tender offer price from JPY 5,100 to JPY 5,700. According to the "Notice of Position Statement (Approval) Regarding Tender Offer by Chitocea Investment Co., Ltd. for Unizo Holdings, Limited Stock after Change in Tender Offer Conditions" released on February 9, 2020 by the Target ("February 9 Press Release Approving Chitocea TOB"), the Target resolved at its Board of Directors meeting held on the same day to continue to approve Chitocea TOB and to maintain its recommendation to all shareholders that they tender their shares to Chitocea TOB. For details on the aforementioned Target's Board of Directors meeting held on February 9, 2020, please refer to the Target's February 9 Press Release and the February 9 Press Release Approving Chitocea TOB. In light of the situation described above, the Tender Offeror made a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including Chitocea TOB, the status of tenders made by the Target's shareholders to the Tender Offer and the prospect of tenders going forward and determined, after careful consideration to extend the tender offer period of the Tender Offer until February 28, 2020, the last day of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB ("13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions"), as there is a need to extend the Tender Offer period to correspond with the extension of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB. (2) Background, Purpose and Decision-making Process Leading to Decision to Conduct Tender Offer and Management Policy Following Tender Offer (II) Target's Decision-making Process and Rationale <Before amendment> <Omitted> Thereafter, the Target resolved at a Board of Directors meeting held on December 22, 2019 to express an opinion to oppose the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror. For details, please refer to the December 22 Press Release. <After amendment> <Omitted> Thereafter, the Target resolved at a Board of Directors meeting held on December 22, 2019 to express an opinion to oppose the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror. For details, please refer to the December 22 Press Release. Further, the Target resolved at a Board of Directors meeting held on February 9, 2020 to continue to announce opposition to the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror. For details, please refer to the February 9 Press Release. (3) Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer Price and Avoid Conflicts of Interest, and Other Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer (II) Consultation with Independent Special Committee by Target <Before amendment> <Omitted> According to the December 22 Press Release, on December 21, 2019, the Target consulted with the Special Committee about whether it would be appropriate to express an opinion of opposing to the Tender Offer, and on December 22, 2019, the Special Committee submitted a report to the effect that it would be appropriate to do so. <After amendment> <Omitted> According to the December 22 Press Release, on December 21, 2019, the Target consulted with the Special Committee about whether it would be appropriate to express an opinion of opposing to the Tender Offer, and on December 22, 2019, the Special Committee submitted a report to the effect that it would be appropriate to do so. Further, according to the February 9 Press Release, on February 8, 2020, the Target consulted with the Special Committee regarding the appropriateness of announcing the opposition opinion to the Tender Offer, and on February 9, 2019, the Special Committee submitted a report concluding it appropriate to announce the opposition opinion to the Tender Offer. For details, please refer to the February 9 Press Release. (V) Ensuring of Objective Circumstances to Secure Fairness of Tender Offer Price <Before amendment> <Omitted> In addition, the Tender Offeror set the period of the Tender Offer before the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions as 30 business days, even though the minimum tender offer period required under law is 20 business days (Please note that the tender offer period was extended to 34 business days after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, then to 41 business days after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 51 business days after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 56 business days after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 60 business days after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 70 business days after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 80 business days after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 90 business days after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 93 business days after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 100 business days after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 111 business days after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, to 117 business days after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions). We intend to ensure the fairness of the Tender Offer by having a comparatively long tender offer period in order to provide the shareholders of the Target with an appropriate opportunity to consider whether or not to apply for the Tender Offer, as well as to ensure that any party other than the Tender Offeror will have an opportunity to make a competing tender offer for Target Shares. Please note that the tender offer period was from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 7, 2019 (Monday) after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, but then changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 17 (Thursday) after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 1 (Friday) after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 11 (Monday) after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 15 (Friday) after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 29 (Friday) after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 13 (Friday) after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 27, 2019 (Friday) after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 8, 2020 (Wednesday) after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 20, 2020 (Monday) after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 4, 2020 (Tuesday) after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 13, 2020 (Thursday) after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions. <After amendment> <Omitted> In addition, the Tender Offeror set the period of the Tender Offer before the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions as 30 business days, even though the minimum tender offer period required under law is 20 business days (Please note that the tender offer period was extended to 34 business days after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, then to 41 business days after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 51 business days after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 56 business days after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 60 business days after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 70 business days after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 80 business days after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 90 business days after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 93 business days after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 100 business days after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 111 business days after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 117 business days after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions), and thereafter, to 127 business days after the 13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions). We intend to ensure the fairness of the Tender Offer by having a comparatively long tender offer period in order to provide the shareholders of the Target with an appropriate opportunity to consider whether or not to apply for the Tender Offer, as well as to ensure that any party other than the Tender Offeror will have an opportunity to make a competing tender offer for Target Shares. Please note that the tender offer period was from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 7, 2019 (Monday) after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, but then changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 17 (Thursday) after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 1 (Friday) after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 11 (Monday) after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 15 (Friday) after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 29 (Friday) after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 13 (Friday) after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 27, 2019 (Friday) after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 8, 2020 (Wednesday) after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 20, 2020 (Monday) after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 4, 2020 (Tuesday) after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 13, 2020 (Thursday) after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 28, 2020 (Friday) after the 13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions. 2. Outline of Tender Offer (2) Schedule, Etc. (II) Anticipated Tender Offer Period at the time of filing of the Notification <Before amendment> From August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 13, 2020 (Thursday) (117 business days) <After amendment> From August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 28, 2020 (Friday) (127 business days) (8) Settlement Method (II) Commencement Date of Settlement <Before amendment> February 20, 2020 (Thursday) <After amendment> March 6, 2020 (Friday) 4. Others (1) Agreements Between Tender Offeror and Target or its Officers and Details Thereof (I) Agreements Between Tender Offeror and Target and Details Thereof <Before amendment> According to the August 16 Press Release, at the meeting of its board of directors held on August 16, 2019, the Target adopted a resolution support the Tender Offer and to recommend that shareholders holding Target Shares tender their shares in the Tender Offer. For details of the resolution of such meeting of the board of directors of the Target held on August 16, 2019, please refer to the August 16 Press Release, as well as "(IV) Approval of All Directors and Opinions Stating that No Objection was Made by Audit & Supervisory Board Members of Target" of "(3) Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer Prices and Avoid Conflicts of Interest, and Other Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer" of "1. Purpose, Etc. of Tender Offer, Etc." above. In addition, according to the September 27 Press Release, the Target resolved, at the meeting of its board of directors held on September 27, 2019, to withdraw its approval of the Tender Offer and its recommendation that all shareholders tender their shares in the Tender Offer, and that the Target was reserving its position regarding the Tender Offer and withholdings its opinion on whether to recommend each shareholder tender its shares in the Tender Offer. For details of the resolution of such meeting of the board of directors of the Target held on September 27, 2019, please refer to the September 27 Press Release. In addition, according to the October 21 Press Release, thereafter, the Target resolved at the Board of Directors meeting on October 21, 2019 to again withhold its opinion regarding the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror and regarding whether or not the Target recommends that shareholders tender their shared in the Tender Offer, and to continue discussions with Fortress. For details, please refer to the October 21 Press Release. Further, according to the December 22 Press Release, the Target resolved at a Board of Directors meeting held on December 22, 2019 to express an opinion to oppose the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror. For details, please refer to the December 22 Press Release. <Omitted> <After amendment> According to the August 16 Press Release, at the meeting of its board of directors held on August 16, 2019, the Target adopted a resolution support the Tender Offer and to recommend that shareholders holding Target Shares tender their shares in the Tender Offer. For details of the resolution of such meeting of the board of directors of the Target held on August 16, 2019, please refer to the August 16 Press Release, as well as "(IV) Approval of All Directors and Opinions Stating that No Objection was Made by Audit & Supervisory Board Members of Target" of "(3) Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer Prices and Avoid Conflicts of Interest, and Other Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer" of "1. Purpose, Etc. of Tender Offer, Etc." above. In addition, according to the September 27 Press Release, the Target resolved, at the meeting of its board of directors held on September 27, 2019, to withdraw its approval of the Tender Offer and its recommendation that all shareholders tender their shares in the Tender Offer, and that the Target was reserving its position regarding the Tender Offer and withholdings its opinion on whether to recommend each shareholder tender its shares in the Tender Offer. For details of the resolution of such meeting of the board of directors of the Target held on September 27, 2019, please refer to the September 27 Press Release. In addition, according to the October 21 Press Release, thereafter, the Target resolved at the Board of Directors meeting on October 21, 2019 to again withhold its opinion regarding the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror and regarding whether or not the Target recommends that shareholders tender their shared in the Tender Offer, and to continue discussions with Fortress. For details, please refer to the October 21 Press Release. Further, according to the December 22 Press Release, the Target resolved at a Board of Directors meeting held on December 22, 2019 to express an opinion to oppose the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror. For details, please refer to the December 22 Press Release. Furthermore, according to the February 9 Press Release, the Target resolved at a Board of Directors meeting held on February 9, 2020 to continue to announce opposition to the Tender Offer by the Tender Offeror. For details, please refer to the February 9 Press Release. <Omitted> End - This press release is made for the purpose of publicly announcing the Tender Offer and not for the purpose of soliciting an offer to sell nor offering to purchase any securities in the Tender Offer. Any shareholder who intends to apply for the sale, etc. of any securities should make sure to act at its own discretion after reviewing the Tender Offer Explanation Statement as to the Tender Offer. This press release does not constitute a solicitation of sale of, or an offer for purchase of, any securities, nor a part thereof, and neither this press release (or a part thereof) nor the delivery thereof shall provide a basis for any agreement for the Tender Offer and may be relied upon for executing any such agreement. - The Tender Offer is conducted to purchase common stock of the Target, a corporation incorporated in Japan. Although the Tender Offer will be conducted in accordance with the procedures and information disclosure standards prescribed in the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, these procedures and standards may differ from the procedures and standards in the United States. In particular, Sections 13(e) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules prescribed thereunder do not apply to the Tender Offer, and the Tender Offer does not confirm to those procedures and standards. All of the financial information contained in this press release is based on Japanese accounting standard, not U.S. accounting standards, and may not necessarily be comparable to financial information based on U.S. accounting standards. Further, it may be difficult to enforce any right or demand arising under U.S. federal securities laws, because both of the Tender Offeror and the Target are incorporated outside the United States and none of its officers are U.S. residents. It may be impossible to sue a company outside the United States and its officers in a non-U.S. court for a violation of the U.S. Securities laws. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that one would be able to compel a company outside the United States or its subsidiaries and affiliated parties to subject themselves to the jurisdiction of a U.S. court. - Unless otherwise specified, all procedures relating to the Tender Offer shall be conducted in Japanese language. If some of the documents relating to the Tender Offer are prepared in English language and if there is any inconsistency between the English version and the Japanese version, the Japanese version shall prevail. - This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to substantially differ from the projections and other matters expressly or impliedly set forth herein as "forward-looking statements." Neither the Tender Offeror nor the Target, nor any of their respective affiliated parties, assumes that such express or implied projections, etc. set forth herein as "forward-looking statements" will eventually prove to be correct. The "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release have been prepared based on the information held by the Tender Offeror and the Target as of the date hereof and, unless otherwise required under applicable laws and regulations, neither the Tender Offeror nor the Target, nor any of their respective affiliated parties, assumes any obligation to update or revise this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances. - There is a possibility that the Tender Offeror, any of the Target's financial advisors or the tender offer agent (including their respective related parties) may conduct purchases of common stock of the Target not under the Tender Offer for its or their own account or on the account of its or their clients, or may take any action toward such purchase, prior to the commencement of the Tender Offer or during the tender offer period, in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the requirements under Article 5(b) of Rule 14(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to such extent as is permitted by Japanese legislation related to financial instruments transactions and other applicable laws and regulations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005827/en/

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Today, Reuters announced it will create a new team of researchers to work with Facebooks third party fact checking program.

The team will consist of two English speakers and two Spanish speakers, who will review news headlines, user-generated photos, videos and other content shared over Facebook and Instagram.

The team will flag false or misleading posts and periodically add examples of untrustworthy posts to a blog called Reuters Fact Check Case Studies.

Reuters will join Facebook's grown third party fact checking initiative, dedicated two English speaking researchers and two Spanish speakers to help review posts on both Facebook and Instagram

Facebooks third party fact checking program was first started in 2016, after the company was widely criticized for its role driving political radicalization through the unchecked circulation of propaganda and disinformation.

Reuters team of fact checkers will join a group that also includes researchers from the Associated Press, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org.

Expanding our fact-checking program is an important part of our work to fight misinformation, Facebooks Keren Goldshlager said in a prepared statement.

We are thrilled that Reuters is joining our U.S. partnership, and know well benefit deeply from their expertise in visual verification and user-generated content.

Reuters previously partnered with Facebook on a 2018 program to help local newsrooms identify artificially manipulated video, audio and images to avoid being tricked by untrustworthy sources.

We are steadfastly recognizing the magnitude of misinformation taking place around the world, Reuters Jess April said in a statement.

Its a growing issue that impacts society daily and its a responsibility for news organizations and platforms to halt the spread of false news.

One example of the kinds of posts Reuters will review came with a photo of police attacking student protesters at Jamia Millia University in New Delhi in 2019 (pictured above). The photo, turned out to have been from a training exercise in 2017

Student protesters were injured at Jamia Millia University protests--one person lost an eye, prompting others to wrap their bandage their heads in solidarity. But false posts from real events create an atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty around real events

Some early examples of the kinds of information the team will review include a post of a photo of soldiers at New Delhis Jamia Millia University firing on student protesters in December 2019.

The image used for the post wasn't actually taken in 2019, but came from a 2017 mock protest police staged as a training exercise.

In another example, a Facebook user posted video footage of what they claimed was a Mexican military helicopter opening fire on a drug cartel compound in October 2019.

After locating the original videographer, Reuters confirmed the footage was actually taken from 2017 in a different part of Mexico.
In the case of the Balakot strike, it assiduously launched a disinformation campaign that there was no impact of the airstrike.

On February 14, 2019, a suicide car bomb attack on a CRPF convoy on the newly-rolled out highway from Srinagar to Qazigund led to a catastrophic loss of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel returning from leave. It was the largest loss by a single act in the 30-year sponsored proxy hybrid conflict in Kashmir. Following its well-established policy of strategic denial, Pakistan was quick to label the attack a false flag operation by India.

The Indian response had to meet a couple of parameters. First, it had to begin with an action in the military domain to meet public sentiments and political necessity. This was mandatory since a lack of response would run hollow to the strategy the Indian government had adopted following the Uri terror attack, which led to the surface-based surgical strikes of September 28, 2016. Second, a diplomatic initiative was necessary to neutralise the mounting Pakistani falsehood which could run away with the cultivation of its narrative among the international community. Third, the escalation had to be tightly under Indian control. In such a situation, the politico-strategic aim of the Indian government appeared to focus upon conveying that India could see through the nuclear bluff, would employ a calibrated kinetic response at a time and place of its own choosing, and display the will to escalate if necessary.

Detailed deliberations on the choice of response led to the selection of a surgical airstrike against the Balakot training facility of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), known to house a large number of terrorists under training, along with a seminary. The strike, 13 days later, was professionally executed by the Indian Air Force. What many observers failed to notice about the strategy underlying the Indian choice of target, just as in the case of the surface-based surgical strikes in September 2016, was the major dilemma it caused to the Pakistani leadership. The targets were purely terror-related and despite intense links between the Pakistan Army and the West Punjab-based terror groups, the Indian response did not target any military facility. In the case of the 2016 surgical strikes, Pakistan responded with a denial of any such strike having taken place. In the case of the Balakot strike, it assiduously launched a disinformation campaign that there was no impact of the airstrike.

However, with the confirmed entry of the IAF into Pakistani airspace, the Pakistani establishment was forced to respond. The dilemma for Pakistan was the choice of targets. Since no sponsored terror facilities exist in India, the choice was limited to the military domain. A message to the Pakistan public was necessary that an adequate response to the Indian action had been executed. In the bargain, Pakistan chose to do a sham entry by the Pakistan Air Force across the LoC in the Rajouri sector to drop some munitions. The strategy for the sham entry was well conceived and led to a mismatched air battle, leading to the shooting down of an Indian MiG-21 Bison, with unconfirmed reports of downing of a PAF F-16 too. The escalation ended swiftly with the hasty repatriation of the Indian pilot.

The events of February 14-27, 2019 led to a spiral of continuing activity that has placed Pakistan completely on the defensive. This should be seen through the prism of the political, diplomatic, military and psychological domains. Politically it hugely benefited the NDA government in winning a second term, while diplomatically the measured Indian response only against terror infrastructure and drawdown from escalation helped in maintaining moral ascendancy. The Indian narrative about being one of the oldest victims of trans-national terror through the Pakistan-sponsored proxy hybrid war in J&K was received much more positively in important capitals around the world. Militarily, the Indian Armys robust response in South Kashmir helped clean up several modules. All this gave the Indian government the political will and the confidence to take the next steps in J&K, for which there had been a clamour for long. Early in its tenure NDA 2.0 decided to act upon its long-prepared strategy for a political initiative.

On August 5, with unprecedented security arrangements in J&K, the special constitutional provisions for J&K were legislatively annulled and the administrative setup of the state restructured to carve out two Union territories  Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir. A second round of diplomacy by India ensured that the extraordinary initiative was seen internationally as Indias internal affair. The management of the security domain was ensured through tough measures. With preparatory work having gone into this, the Pakistani capability to calibrate its response to the initiatives was effectively neutralised through effective targeting of multiple networks, leadership and communication facilities. In the bargain, Pakistan was placed on the backfoot. For a change, the Indian communications strategy for the external domain appeared sound. The mention of PoK and its re-integration as the remaining agenda, and the possible review of Indias no first use nuclear doctrine, succeeded in sending out a message of far bolder intent.

The continuum into 2020 is seeing Pakistan psychologically on the backfoot with limited options to re-energise J&K. Two other factors are adding to the cascading effect of the events of 2019; first the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) scrutiny, and second, the rapidly deteriorating economy that was bailed out in 2019 through a $6 billion IMF package. The FATF process is leading to Pakistan attempting to showcase how much it has done in dismantling terror financing and sponsorship. with actions like pursuit of the case against Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. What is working for Pakistan as a silver lining, however, is the developing situation in Afghanistan, with a potential agreement between the United States and the Taliban, brokered by Pakistan. If that happens, and whatever be the final long-term outcome, Pakistan will for some time return to favour with the US. The perilous economic situation will necessarily again be bailed out but the risk factor of attempting a transformational revival of turbulence in J&K would play on both Pakistan and its chief financial supporters. With Afghanistan also in a state of transition, it may be beyond Pakistans capability to simultaneously handle two borders and two turbulent regions. We can expect a cooler summer in J&K, and it is thus the moment for India to go all out with better governance, a better communications strategy and outreach and, most of all, much better political handling.
All those clueless hacks who warned us for years not to trust China's economic data yet were so gullible to believe any coronavirus pandemic "data" released by Beijing are going to look pretty stupid right about now.

Hubei just released its latest round of coronavirus outbreak figures, and in a clear confirmation of the 'conspiracy theory' that China had altered the way it was reporting Covid-19 deaths and cases - clearly in order to suggest that things were improving and you should go back to work, while ideally buying stocks, the province at the epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic just came clean and the numbers are stunning.

The number of cases exploded by 14,840, resulting in a total of 48,206 cases, including 13,332 clinically diagnose cases:

And just like that we are back on the quadratic growth path in new cases, as one would expect from an exponentially spreading viral pandemic.

This also means that JPM, which earlier today was delighted by how far the infected case load is from its "pessimistic" forecast...

... will have to dramatically change its narrative.

So what happened?

Recall that on Monday we published "This Is How China Is Rigging The Number Of Coronavirus Infections" (just two days after pointing out that "There Is Something Very Strange In The Latest Chinese Official Coronavirus Numbers") in which we explained that China on Feb 7 moved the goalposts by changing the definition of the term "infection" and that "going forward patients who tested positive for the virus but have no symptoms will no longer be regarded as confirmed."

Well, it appears that a few days later, China changed its mind and has reverted to the original definition of "infection" while also including "clinical diagonisis" to determine if a new infection had take place. This is how Hubei explained the change:.

With the deepening of understanding of new coronavirus pneumonia and the accumulation of experience in diagnosis and treatment, in view of the characteristics of the epidemic in Hubei Province, the General Office of the National Health and Health Commission and the Office of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine issued the "Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for New Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia (Trial (Version) "adds" clinical diagnosis "to the case diagnosis classification in Hubei Province, so that patients can receive standardized treatment according to confirmed cases as early as possible to further improve the success rate of treatment. According to the plan, Hubei Province has recently conducted investigations on suspected cases and revised the diagnosis results, and newly diagnosed patients were diagnosed according to the new diagnosis classification. In order to be consistent with the classification of case diagnosis issued by other provinces across the country, starting today, Hubei Province will include the number of clinically diagnosed cases into the number of confirmed cases for publication.

Of course, the real reason for the original change as noted above was to give the impression that China was succeeding in containing the infection, which helped boost stocks - both in China and globally - sharply higher, and in the case of the S&P, to new all time highs.

As for the catastrophic revision, it may also explain why on Tuesday morning, China's CCTV reported that Hubei province removed its two top health officials, namely health commission head Liu Yingzi and party chief Zhang Jin from their posts. Almost as if, in retrospect, they were caught hiding something...

And while China can now claim it wants to be more transparent (which is odd for a nation that is still refusing to admit the US CDC on the ground) and wants a more comprehensive definition of "infection" because it is suddenly so concerned about all those people it ordered to go back to work on Monday (with new cases now emerging in people's workplaces forcing an immediate quarantine of all workers and co-workers), it somehow also changed the definition of "death", because at the same time as the explosion in new cases, which clearly indicates that the pandemic is now clearly out of control, the number of reported deaths in Hubei alone spiked by 242 to 1,310 (we are still waiting for the official number of deaths across all of China which will likely add quite a few more cases to the Hubei total).

For those curious what the now completely discredited fake coronavirus data, reported by China until today with the sole intent of boosting risk assets was, here is the full breakdown. Naturally none of these numbers matter anymore following today's sudden burst of Chinese truthiness.

In kneejerk reaction to the shocking surge in both new cases and deaths, Dow futures immediately plunged...

As did oil...

As is the yuan...

But at least gold is sharply higher:

Who could have seen that coming? The stock market wanted so badly to believe the Chinese data... bonds and commodities knew better. The clearest indication that all Chinese data was fake, however, came from Global Times Editor on Chief who earlier today tweeted that "New infection cases outside of Hubei have dropped for 8 consecutive days. It is now time for the US and other countries to actively consider resuming flights to China."

New infection cases outside of Hubei have dropped for 8 consecutive days. In Beijing with more than 21 million population, the daily new case of infection is around 10 recently. It is now time for the US and other countries to actively consider resuming flights to China.  Hu Xijin  (@HuXijin_GT) February 12, 2020

Ok you pathological liar.

Finally, we now look forward to what explanation China's global tourism impressario, WHO Director Tedros Adhanom best known as the "WHO Candidate Accused of Covering Up Epidemics", will come up with now after spending the past two weeks praising China's response and claiming there is no risk of a global pandemic, while criticizing the US for daring to halt flights to China.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An alleged captain of the Gambino family who prosecutors say organized a clandestine meeting on Staten Island to investigate the death of Gambino boss Francesco (Franky Boy) Cali could be sent back to jail for using a phone while out on bond, officials say.

On Feb. 10, An FBI agent observed Andrew Campos, 50, of Scarsdale, N.Y, while taking his daughter to a doctors appointment in Connecticut, with his head down using a cellular phone" -- something Campos was not supposed to do as part of his bond conditions, wrote Richard P. Donoghue, The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in a memo asking a federal judge to revoke the bond.

A federal judge previously granted Campos permission to take his daughter to the doctors appointment, the memo said.

The government has repeatedly argued that the defendant cannot be trusted to abide by any terms of release, Donoghue wrote. Given his long-time, high-ranking status in a violent criminal enterprise, his prior federal conviction, the serious nature of the instant offenses and his repeated efforts to obstruct justice and help evade court-authorized supervision, the government has requested that the defendant be detained pending trial.

After the medical appointment, FBI agents stopped Campos and his daughter to conduct a search and did not find any phones on him or in his car, according to the memo.

Campos daughter did not give permission to search her phone, the memo states.

A federal judge directed Campos to not use any phones, including those of his family members, who were not allowed to share their phones passcodes with him as part of his bond conditions

The agents observation is shockingly uncorroborated, wrote Henry E. Mazurek, who represents Campos, in a memo to judge Rachel Kovner on Tuesday. "The governments only other proffered evidence, a photograph [..], adds nothing. The governments lonely photograph only shows that the surveilling agents view of Mr. Campos was clearly obstructed and, as a result, the photograph does not explicitly picture the telephone.

On Feb. 10, An FBI agent observed Andrew Campos, 50, of Scarsdale, N.Y, while he took his daughter to a doctors appointment in Connecticut, with his head down using a cellular phone." (Courtesy of the Eastern District of New York)

Mazurek further states in the letter that Campos never asked his daughter to use her phone and that she kept the phone with her at all times during the visit.

Mazurek declined to give further comments about the Eastern Districts accusation Wednesday afternoon.

Court will resume on Friday afternoon with an evidentiary hearing and a decision will be made on whether or not to revoke bond.

Campos was arrested on Dec. 5, 2019, along with nine other alleged members and associates of the Gambino family, and was charged with, among other crimes, racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts of extortionate collection of credit, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

He was released on Dec. 23 on a $4.5 million bond, home detention and is subject to electronic monitoring of his cellular telephone and other internet-enabled devices by Pretrial Services," according to court records.

Shortly after his arrest, the Eastern District of New York unsealed a detention memo that stated Campos met with multiple other high-level crime family members to discuss the then-unclear circumstances surrounding Calis death, the Advance previously reported.

The detention memo does not detail where exactly on Staten Island the group met.

In the days following Calis death, Campos and Vincent Fiore, 57, an alleged Gambino soldier, actively helped the Gambino family investigate the murder, the memo alleged.

The day after the meeting, on March 18, Fiore talked to his ex-wife about the session and his investigation, telling her that he and Campos met with a half dozen people, prosecutors wrote in the memo.

Fiore also told her that he had seen the surveillance video of Calis slaying and speculated on a possible motive relating to a woman who had been at the Hilltop Terrace home on the day of the slaying, the memo says.

Prosecutors do not specifically say who that woman could have been.
Samsung launches world's first foldable glass phone, Galaxy Z Flip

Samsung on Wednesday launched its second foldable phone and the world's first foldable glass phone, the Galaxy Z Flip, which redefines smart phone with a pioneering a new mobile category.

The Galaxy Z Flip, the companys latest futuristic flagship, features a first-of-its-kind foldable glass display that allows the user to capture, share and experience content.

When folded, the Galaxy Z Flip is a stylish and compact palm-sized device. When unfolded, its a full-sized phone whose stunning, 6.7-inch Infinity Flex Display Samsungs first to feature a 21.9:9 aspect ratio  offers users truly seamless multitasking, a company website release stated.

The key highlight of Galaxy Z Flip is its bendable glass as it is for the first time that a brand has used thin bendable glass in a phone. The Galaxy is also the first foldable phone from Samsung to feature a clamshell design.

The device takes on the new Moto Razr foldable phone and will bring back memories of style associated with flip phones. For the first time in mobile phones, Samsung has used thin glass over a flexible display.

The Galaxy Z Flip features Samsungs proprietary bendable Ultra Thin Glass (UTG). This glass layer makes the device look sturdy and the screen less delicate. Also, repairing the display becomes easier as for deep scratches, just changing the glass layer instead of the entire display will do.

The thin glass layer in Galaxy Z Flip prevents the crease from appearing more prominent. Like in the Galaxy Fold, the plastic screen tends to develop a crease at the place where it folds giving an ugly look. Having a glass layer on the screen prevents this crease (due to the fold) from appearing more prominent.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip comes with a 6.7-inch screen which folds in almost half. It also features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex Display with an aspect ratio of 21.9:9 and pixel density of 425 ppi.

There is a small cover display with which you can change music, click selfies when the Galaxy Z Flip is folded

There is a small cover display on the outside which measures 1.06-inch. You can use that small touch display to change music, click selfies when the Galaxy Z Flip is folded. You can get notifications as well on the cover display when the device is folded.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip can stay open at different angles like a laptop screen.

The Galaxy Z Flip can stay open at a range of angles, like a laptop screen using the Hideaway Hinge system. Theres a new sweeper technology, which uses nylon fibers crafted by micro-height-cutting technology to repel dirt and dust.

Samsung has worked with Google to design a new Flex mode for the phone. When the device is free-standing, the display automatically splits into two 4-inch screens so you can easily view images, content or videos on the top half of the display, and control them on the bottom half. For example, you can watch and navigate YouTube  stream on the top while searching for other videos, reading descriptions and writing comments on the bottom.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage and runs Android 10-based OneUI interface with backing from a 3,300mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip comes with a total of three cameras

The main display comes with a punch hole notch which hides the 10MP selfie camera. On the outside, there is a dual camera setup with a 12MP ultra wide sensor with F2.2 aperture and a 12MP wide-angle primary camera with F1.8 aperture, OIS, up to 8X digital zoom.

The device can also be folded to 90-degrees and placed on a table to shoot videos or photos.

The device comes with a capacitive fingerprint sensor on the side. There is no headphone jack and Samsung is providing USB Type-C earphones inside the box.

Galaxy Z Flip is likely to be priced lower than Samsungs first folding phone Galaxy Fold in India, although there is no official launch date yet. The device is priced at $1,380 in the US and is expected to cost less than Rs1,00,000 in India at that rate.
Reporter

Stephanie Earls is a news reporter and columnist at The Gazette. Before moving to Colorado Springs in 2012, she worked for newspapers in upstate NY, WA, OR and at her hometown weekly in Berkeley Springs, WV, where she got her start in journalism.
Turkey has been conducting extensive activity within Jerusalems Old City and has specifically been targeting the Armenian and Christian Quarters, reports The Jewish Press in an exclusive article.

One resident told TPS about a Turkish diplomat who proposed to the Kahabadijan family, which owns a small museum with a rare collection of thousands of photos and documents on the Armenian holocaust, to cease its activities and to avoid disseminating documentation and information.

Ilya Kahabadijan, whose grandfather survived the massacres, told TPS that it was only 40 minutes into the meeting when the diplomat tried to develop a conversation about the loaded issue. I realized that she wanted to persuade me to cease my activity to preserve the Armenian massacre.

Ilya emphasized that the Turkish representative did not threaten him, but added that in any case, I showed her the way out and she understood that the Armenian community is ready to go all the way with the issue of the massacre. We will wait another 100 years, but we will not rescind our demand for compensation until we reach a payment agreement, like the one that Israel signed with Germany.

Turkish persuasion attempts include financial grant proposals to Armenians. Property owners in the Quarter say that Turkish government representatives have recently offered several $3000 grants for various needs, but their proposals have been rejected entirely by Armenian residents, who say these are silencing grants designed to ensure that the Turkish government will not be sued for the 1915  1917 massacres.

The growing Turkish activity in Jerusalem and its support for the Muslim Brotherhood are of concern to Israel. In its recent annual intelligence assessment, the IDF Intelligence Division has, for the first time, defined Turkey as a threat.

In recent years, the influx of Turkish tourists to the Old City in Jerusalem has increased after the mosques were included in tourist routes and following the Turkish governments participation in travel costs to Jerusalem.

the TIKA governmental agency for relief and assistance is also very active in several projects in Jerusalem. Dozens of mosques and houses have been renovated by the Turks.

TPS has referred a series of questions to the Turkish Embassy in Israel and the TIKA organization, but no replies were received until the publication of this article, although the embassy reported that the questions were received by them.
Gang violence in our community is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

This is the message from Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Clifford Paxton.

Clifford is responding to concerns that have risen following a stabbing on The Strand, a shooting in Hairini, a suspected arson in Greerton and a shooting near Te Puke in recent weeks.

Police would like to reassure the community that we are treating the recent incidents in the Western Bay of Plenty extremely seriously, and the safety and wellbeing of everyone is our priority.

We acknowledge the alarm that these recent incidents have caused.

We know tensions between gangs have caused fears for safety to arise, however, we would like to reassure people that general members of the public are not the focus of those tensions.

Clifford says the criminal and antisocial behaviour of gangs has a detrimental effect on communities, and their actions, lifestyle and a range of unlawful behaviour contribute to people feeling unsafe.

Following recent incidents, we have increased the police presence in the area.

The community can assist - where people are seeing things that concern them, we want to know.

We are already seeing good support from our communities and we'd like to thank them for that support today.

Anyone who has immediate concerns for the safety of themselves or others should call 111.

Anyone who would like to report anything of a less urgent nature can phone 105.
Sajid Javid quit as Britain's finance minister on Thursday just weeks before the scheduled annual budget statement, in a shock move provoked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's attempts to shake up his cabinet after Brexit. The chancellor of the Exchequer said he had "no option but to resign" after Johnson offered to keep him on but only if he got rid of all his political advisers. "I was unable to accept these conditions," he told reporters outside his home. "I don't believe any self-respecting minister would accept such conditions and so therefore I felt the best thing to do was to go." Javid was immediately replaced by his 39-year-old deputy, Rishi Sunak, a former investment banker and Brexit supporter who is seen as close to Johnson. Former Brexit minister Steve Barclay took over Sunak's position as chief secretary to the Treasury. The pound briefly retreated on Javid's departure but soon recovered as analysts said the new chancellor could open the way for more public spending and growth. Sunak appears more aligned with Johnson than his predecessor in backing a looser fiscal policy, noted Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics. "The move seems designed to allow the government to push through even bigger increases in public investment and perhaps resuscitate tax cuts that previously looked dead in the water," he said. But Javid's decision to quit rather than buckle to pressure also presents a challenge to Johnson's authority, just as he seemed at his strongest. After his election victory in December, Johnson fulfilled his pledge to get Britain out of the European Union on January 31 -- but the country's future ties with the bloc remain uncertain. - 'Stooge as chancellor' - Johnson began his cabinet reshuffle by sacking his ministers for Northern Ireland, business, housing and the environment, as well as his attorney general. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Johnson's de facto deputy Michael Gove and several other key ministers stayed in post -- and Javid was widely assumed to be safe. But there have been reports that the former City of London banker, born into a working-class Muslim family, had clashed with both the prime minister and his influential adviser, Dominic Cummings. Javid refused to say whether the pressure came from Cummings. Johnson's spokesman said a new economic team of special political aides had been formed to jointly advise both the prime minister and the chancellor. Asked whether the planned Budget statement would still take place on March 11, he said only: "Extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace." The main opposition Labour Party's finance spokesman John McDonnell said the government was "in crisis". Cummings had "won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury" and appointed a "stooge", he added. - Northern Ireland minister out - Johnson had earlier sacked Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith, a surprising move given Smith's role in restoring the power-sharing government to Belfast last month after a three-year suspension. Smith helped persuade the two main parties, Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to work together for the first time since the executive collapsed in January 2017 in a scandal over a renewable energy scheme. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar led tributes to Smith's efforts, saying he was "one of Britain's finest politicians of our time". His Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who was also closely involved in the power-sharing talks, said that without Smith's leadership there would be no government in Belfast. "You have been such an effective secretary of state for Northern Ireland at a time of real challenge and risk," he said. Arlene Foster, who as DUP leader was restored as first minister of Northern Ireland under the deal, also hailed his "dedication to the role". But The Times newspaper said Johnson felt "blindsided" by the deal because it includes an investigation into alleged crimes by British soldiers during decades of sectarian violence known as The Troubles. Johnson appointed Brandon Lewis as Smith's replacement. After years of political turmoil over Brexit, Johnson wants to focus this year on domestic issues, including investments in police, healthcare and infrastructure. He used Thursday's reshuffle to announce Alok Sharma as his new business and energy minister, with a new responsibility for running the UN climate talks in Glasgow in November. Claire O'Neill, the former president of the so-called COP 26 summit, was sacked last month. She subsequently warned that planning for the summit was "miles off track".
Women are critical thinkers. Unfortunately, they only make up about a quarter of those working in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This gender disparity within STEM shouldnt come as much of a surprise, since the conversation has been happening right alongside widespread efforts to close the gender pay gap and advocate for more representation of women in the workplace overall. But as with all of these goals, the push for gender parity in STEM requires a much more nuanced approach than simply a call to even out the numbers. In order to actually see more women in STEM, we have to look at the many biases that discourage women from pursuing these careers in the first place and the barriers that prevent them from continuing to move forward in these fields once they get there.

In honor of International Day of Women and Girls In Science, which was on February 11th, we wanted to highlight the experiences of different women who have carved out a space for themselves in STEM and the barriers theyve faced along the way. Even though the holiday has been recognized by the United Nations since 2015, only one of the three women interviewed for this piece knew the holiday even existedso its clear that recognition for women in STEM is still far from commonplace.

How the STEM culture favors men

Paulyn Cartwright, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Kansas, has been a first-hand witness to the barriers women face in higher education for nearly 35 years now. At the undergraduate level, she remembers her biology classes having a near-equal split of men and women, but when she went to Yale University in 1991 to obtain her PhD, her eyes were opened to the gender inequity she would continue to face throughout her career. As the classroom numbers shifted in favor of men, so did the environment.

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But this was, and still is, more than just a feeling. The disproportionate support for men versus women in STEM is systemic, and it continues on far past graduate school. A 2019 study assessed the discrepancy of research grants given out to early-career applicants and found that men received significantly more start-up support from their institutions than women.

Story continues

Within the highly competitive and rigorous environment of grad school, this recognition and institutional support can be the difference between whether a student decides to stick it out or call it quits. As a low-income, first-generation, female student, Dr. Cartwright knew from the beginning that her work was cut out for her, but she struggled with the uncertainty of whether or not it would pay off in the end. If you cant see or believe that youre going to make it to the next step, its even harder to get motivated to do it, she says.

Though shes always been inspired by historically prominent female scientistslike Rosalind Franklin, the woman who helped discover the structure of DNAat the time, she didnt have within-reach examples of women who had succeeded in her field.

Ive had very few personal role models in my life mainly because there arent a lot of senior-level women out there and I havent had that exposure, Dr. Cartwright says. And I think thats probably whats made things most difficult for me.

How gender stereotypes discourage women from pursuing STEM

In 2015, women received over half of the bachelors degrees awarded in the biological sciences, but they received far fewer degrees in other areas in STEM, with 43 percent in mathematics, 39 percent in physical sciences, 20 percent in engineering, and only 18 percent in computer sciences. These numbers are even lower for minority women.

A study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology noted that this lack of representation and visibility of women in these fields creates a cyclical effect that can discourage women and girls from ever entering:

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Melina Giakoumis, a PhD candidate at the City University of New York, saw these gender stereotypes play out in college when she was considering adding a math major along with environmental studies.

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As an undergraduate student, thats all it took for Giakoumis to let the computer science major go. Though she ultimately found marine biology to be her passion, she regrets not having the confidence to stand her ground to the department chair, especially because coding and data analysis is such a big part of her work now.

Mackenzie Clark, a computer software engineer at Squarespace, says she knew what she was signing up for when she decided to pursue computer science. From growing up watching her mom as an electrical engineer, she knew she would be one of the few women in her field. Still, she experienced imposter syndrome like no other. When Clark first started her job search, she says she didnt notice the barriers because of the many hiring initiatives aimed to close the large gender gap in engineeringbut that was a two-sided coin.

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This only fed the doubts she was already experiencing. [I thought,] Am I here because Im good enough to be here or am I just here to be a diversity stat?' Clark recalls. But now, with years of experience and a senior position to her name, Clark knows those initial doubts were false and that shes earned her place in her fieldand now, she hopes that other women will do the same.

Whether Im in positions of speaking or mentoring, I try to be the example I wish I had more ofits very encouraging to see these amazing female engineers starting out. And if I can do anything to help them get to where they want to go, then thats great, she says.

Clarks experience also shows how much of a difference it can make to have even just one woman to look up to. In addition to having her mom as an example early on, she cites that there was one female engineer at her first internship, who later encouraged her to study CS at Brown University, for altering the course of her life.

When women support women in STEM, it can be a lifeline

For instance, Giakoumis believes that not having a model to look toward is one of the biggest barriers facing women in STEM. Fortunately, shes had the Women in Natural Sciences group at the American Museum of Natural History as a constant source of support. As shes halfway through her PhD and heading toward a career in marine conservation, this group continues to remind her shes not alone and helps push her to keep going.

Having a wider networks of women scientists showing you it can be done, that you can have a full-time job that is steady, and have a life thats comfortable is a really important part of deciding to pursue STEM, she says.

And these networks dont just make a difference for women. Giakoumis says that systemic support for these groups and having an open conversation about the gender barriers at play can help change the dynamics and shift the overall culture at different institutions.

For Dr. Cartwright, some of these important conversations are happening online. Before social media, she says, The old-boy network that existed in science was all behind closed doors. But now, its out in the open, documented, and accessible to anyone.

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And thats something shes done many times. One time in particular, she saw a debate playing out on Twitter over two student papers, one of which was by a female grad student for a project she had supervised.

A bunch of men were talking about the different papers and then someone says, Well, were all going to the conference in France, so we need to meet over a beer and hash this out, Dr. Cartwright says. So Im like, Hello, given that Im an author on the paper and I too will be at the meeting, I would like to have a beer and talk about it, but I dont think it ever occurred to them to include me on that conversation.

To add more to the conversation and keep that old-boy network in check, Cartwright works to amplify the voices of those that have historically been pushed out. I make an effort to follow women and people of color in the sciences, I retweet them a lot, and I try to make sure that their voices are heard as well, she says.

As we highlight women in STEM in celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the conversation of gender inequity cant end there. STEM has a long way to go in order to make more space for non-binary and trans identities. As reported by Massive Science, the National Science Foundation surveys on workplace diversity rarely accounts for queer or trans people. So whether the conversations about gender barriers in STEM are taking place online or IRL, they should be inclusive and intersectional at all costs.
MILWAUKEE - Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a Milwaukee man in a drive-by shooting that killed a pregnant mother of five who was on board a party bus.

Antion Haywood, 31, was charged with first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon. He was being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on $250,000 bail.

Haywood is accused in the death of Annie Sandifer, 33. She was on board a party bus outside a Milwaukee supper club early on Feb. 1 when a gunman in a passing car fired shots. Sandifer was struck in the head. The bus drove to a hospital, but she didnt survive. Doctors were able to deliver her baby by emergency cesarean section. Police have said the baby, delivered just 26 weeks into pregnancy, was in stable condition.

A witness who was in the group that arrived at the supper club in the party bus told police there was no trouble at the club, according to the complaint. As the group left the club, a sedan stopped next to the parked bus. A man got out of the drivers door and threw a glass or a bottle into the parking lot. The man, who was staggering and appeared very drunk, got back behind the drivers wheel, did a U-turn and drove off, the witness said. A few minutes later, the same car passed the bus, and the driver shot multiple times through the sunroof, the witness said.

Investigators determined that Haywood and his sister had entered the club earlier, and that Haywood owned a four-door silver BMW sedan.

Police arrested Haywood after a traffic stop on Feb. 6. Police went to his home, found a BMW belonging to him and seized it the next day.

Investigators later searched Haywoods home and found unspent .45-calibre cartridges inside a bottle of liquid soap and on top of a dresser. All of the unspent cartridges bore the same head-stamp as spent cartridge cases found at the shooting scene, the complaint said.
Astilleros de Mallorca Shipyard in Palma, Spain The addition of Astilleros de Mallorca as an IGY Marinas Anchor Club Strategic Partner is an exciting and positive step for both the shipyard and IGY Marinas, comments Bert Fowles, VP Sales & Marketing, IGY Marinas.

The IGY Anchor Club Strategic Partner network supports industry leading companies that align with IGY Marinas class leading service commitment, which serves more than 9,000 unique vessels annually and approximately 100,000 customers each year across its global 18-marina portfolio. Through this strategic partnership, IGY customers are eligible to benefit from Astilleros de Mallorcas highly-respected refit services in the Balearics. With its uniquely accessible location, Astilleros de Mallorca also affords megayachts and superyachts ease of access from almost anywhere in the region.

As the 2020 European yachting season approaches, Astilleros de Mallorca will be showcased at IGY Marinas Caribbean destination in Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean, through an exclusive superyacht captains event, hosted by IGY Marinas and Astilleros de Mallorca. Captains will have the opportunity to discuss potential project needs and timelines and learn about incentives to IGY and Astilleros de Mallorca clients, as they plan their vessels European charters and cruising routes.

A full-service shipyard with proprietary inhouse key workshops and a member of ICOMIA group, Astilleros de Mallorca offers the best refit facilities in the Balearics. With its Preferred Subcontractors network and a fully dedicated project management team, Astilleros de Mallorca services more than 250 vessels of up to 120m per year.

This strategic partnership builds on the excitement of IGY Marinas first official season for IGY Sete Marina in Sete France and the companys recent announcement that IGY Malaga Marina in Malaga, Spain is joining the IGY portfolio, and other IGY activities in Europe.

The addition of Astilleros de Mallorca as an IGY Marinas Anchor Club Strategic Partner is an exciting and positive step for both the shipyard and IGY Marinas, and we are very much looking forward to building our relationship and welcoming more vessel support companies throughout Europe comments Bert Fowles, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for IGY Marinas. IGY, as the market leader in nautical tourism, is thrilled to launch this strategic partnership with such a respected leader in the repair and refit sector.

Exchanging expertise is the mainstay of delivering excellence customer service. We are delighted to be part of IGY Marinas Anchor Club and are looking forward to assist the vessels with the highest level refit industry know how. says Velislava Ilieva, Marketing Manager of Astilleros de Mallorca.

With the fast-approaching trans-Atlantic migration of vessels, captains are already building and organizing plans for their time in the European region and IGY Marinas seeks to stay at the forefront to assist the needs of captains, their crews, and their vessels through the IGY Marinas customer service and Anchor Club Strategic Partners.

Follow IGY Marinas on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/IGYMarinas or Twitter and Instagram @IGYMarinas. Discover the network of IGY Marinas at http://www.IGYMarinas.com.

About IGY Marinas

Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, IGY Marinas is one of the largest international marina company in the world and a leading point of contact for vessels in the Americas and Europe. The companys network includes 18 marinas operating in 11 countries, United States, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Turks & Caicos, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, France, Italy and Spain; with more than 9,000 unique vessels serviced annually and approximately 100,000 customers each year. With nearly 3,000 slips under management, IGY Marinas caters to a variety of markets, including sportfish, cruise, sail and megayacht. IGY Marinas also has more than 400 slips accommodating vessels over 80 feet (24 meters), making them the leading destination ports for some of the worlds largest yachts - servicing more than 1,000 superyachts per year.

Additionally, IGY Marinas boasts one of the worlds leading large-vessel support networks, the IGY Anchor Club Strategic Partners, which encompasses an array of services from provisioning to crew training, along with health and maritime travel. IGY Marinas also hosts top international sailing, fishing and nautical-related events, making its marinas highly soughtafter maritime activity destinations. With a passion for giving back on a global scale, the company supports its marinas twice a year as part of its Inspire Giving through You philanthropic initiative.

About Astilleros De Mallorca

Established in 1942, Astilleros de Mallorca offers the best refit facilities in The Balearics. With 78.000m operational area, proprietary inhouse workshops and capacity to refit yachts up to 120m, Astilleros de Mallorca meets all required quality and safety requisites of the most important Classification Societies and Associations. More than 250 yachts per year choose Astilleros de Mallorca Tailor Made Solutions no matter where the refit takes place  in the main shipyard in Mallorca, in the adjacent STP service area in Palma, or Freires facility in Vigo.

IGY Marinas Media Contact:

Kay Mellinger

+1 954-510-3307 / PR@IGYMarinas.com

Astilleros de Mallorca Contact:

Velislava Ilieva

+34 971-710-645 / vilieva@astillerosdemallorca.com
Feb 12 (Reuters) - An AirBaltic A220 flight diverted to France on Wednesday because of an engine issue is the fourth reported case involving the Pratt & Whitney engine powering the Airbus jet, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.

The A220-300 flight, traveling from Riga, Latvia, to Malaga, Spain, was diverted to Bordeaux because of a technical failure in the left engine, France's Bureau d'Enquetes et 'Analyses (BEA) said on Twitter. The flight landed safely.

Airbus SE and United Technologies Corp, maker of the Pratt PW1500G engines, confirmed in statements that they were aware of the flight and working "to provide assistance" as required.

The incident follows three emergency landings involving the GTF engine on Airbus's smallest jet, the A220.

"NTSB has accepted delegation for 3 previous incidents so NTSB will also look at the most recent incident," a spokesman for the U.S. government investigative agency said by email.

"NTSB is in the process of gathering initial data. It is still in the early stage of any investigation cannot make any conclusions at this time."

Pratt & Whitney has said that a software update for the GTF engine on the A220 is expected in the spring, pending regulatory approval.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert Editing by Leslie Adler)
The daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hanan, has dismissed the human rights abuse allegations levelled against her by Anthony Okolie, a man detained by the State Security Service for 10 weeks over the use of a sim card previously used by her.

Mr Okolie, through his lawyer, Tope Akinyode, had sued Hanan, the State Security Service (SSS) and MTN, over his illegal detention.

Mr Okolie is seeking an order to compel the respondents to jointly or severally to pay the applicant the sum of N500 million as general and aggravated damages for the gross and unlawful violation of the applicants right to acquire moveable properties, freedom of movement and self dignity.

Hearing

Speaking at the hearing of the suit filed by Mr Okolie at Federal High Court in Asaba on Wednesday, the presidents daughter, through her lawyer M.E. Sheriff, told the court Hanan would not be responding to the allegations because there was no need.

Instead, Mr Buharis daughter filed a written address in opposition to the originating motion on notice.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained the audio recording of proceedings.

My lord, we didnt file a counter-affidavit but a written address. We didnt file because we havent found a reason to file a counter-affidavit, Mr Sheriff told the court.

Furious judge

The judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, furiously responded saying: What do you mean you havent seen a reason? Sheriff, how can you not see a reason? Somebody has accused you. Even if it is to say, I didnt do so, cant you respond? Youre saying you did not see a reason. Sheriff, what kind of thing is this?

On his part, the SSS lawyer, E.E. Daobri, said he did not receive the necessary documents from the SSS headquarters in Abuja on time, hence, could not file a counter-affidavit.

He asked for a two-week adjournment.

Reacting to this, the applicants lawyer, Mr Akinyode, asked the court to ensure that the matter was given expedited action.

SSS Officials

He also alleged that the SSS are trailing him and his client since the matter started.

Justice Dimgba responded that, If this is true, Daobri, tell your men to stop it. They need their liberty to be able to come to court.

The judge adjourned the matter till March 3, 2020.
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Strategic Alliance, comprised of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce and the Asian Business Association of San Diego, has announced its official endorsement of Yes on Measure B, the Better Choice Measure.

The Strategic Alliance supports the Measure's plan to create 2,135 homes  60% of which will be affordable for working families  along the I-15 corridor to expand housing options for San Diego County's workforce.

"Just as small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, our working families are the fabric of our communities. San Diego's workforce deserves housing options near where they work, allowing them a better quality of life and to contribute to their communities," said Jason Paguio, President and CEO of the Asian Business Association of San Diego. "In a time when our county and the State of California are experiencing a housing crisis, we know voting Yes on B will deliver critically-needed housing that will benefit local working families."

A Yes vote for Measure B in March 2020 would affirm the County Board of Supervisors' unanimous 2018 approval of a plan that calls for 2,135 homes on 1,985 acres of privately-owned land along with 36 acres of parks, 19 miles of trails and more than 1,200 acres of permanent open space, instead of the current County General Plan designation that allows 2 million square feet of commercial and retail development along with 99 luxury estates.

"Today, we stand together to urge all San Diegans to vote Yes on Measure B," stated Donna DeBerry, President of the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce. "While San Diego County has a long way to go to address the severe housing shortage, Yes on B is a big first step in that direction."

The Strategic Alliance joins a growing coalition in support of Yes on Measure B. The Better Choice Measure has recently been endorsed by CAL FIRE Local 2881, Deputy Sheriffs' Association of San Diego County, Local Laborers 89 and San Diego North Economic Development Council, among many others.

"The Strategic Alliance is proud to join the broad-based coalition in support of Yes on B," said Iris Garcia, President of the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "We strongly support Yes on B that builds more housing for San Diegans."

About the Strategic Alliance Members

Asian Business Association San Diego (ABASD) believes in building sustainable communities through inclusive economic development and a qualified diverse workforce. ABASD accomplishes its mission through educational workshops, technical assistance, business mentorship, advocacy and access to capital to Asian Pacific Islander owned small businesses throughout San Diego County. For more information: www.abasd.org

The San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SDCHCC) is San Diego's largest business association representing the San Diego-Tijuana Hispanic Business community. The SDCHCC was founded as a not-for-profit legal entity in 1989 by a group of men and women business owners who felt a need for an organization to assist and promote the interests of the Hispanic entrepreneur in San Diego County. For more information: www.sdchcc.org

The Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce's (CSDBCC) mission is to create generational wealth through business enterprise, education, employment, and investing. Their goal is to support the business, career, and financial success of Chamber members which results in the economic empowerment of our Communities. The CSDBCC utilizes innovative programs, networking opportunities, and business partnerships to advance and strengthen Inclusive Economic Development throughout the City and County of San Diego. For more information: www.sdblackchamber.org

Ad paid for by Yes on B for a Better Choice: A coalition of first responders, fire safety experts, housing advocates, elected officials, business leaders and taxpayers. Committee major funding from Newland Sierra, LLC

SOURCE Yes on B
With the Supreme Court directing parties to upload online details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, the Congress on Thursday attacked the BJP over appointing a minister in Karnataka who is accused in mining cases, and alleged that the directive has already been torn to shreds by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Supreme Court has asked all political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.

The apex court said political parties will also have to upload reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases on their website.

"Today itself, Modi ji has torn to shreds the orders of giving reasons for giving tickets to leaders accused in cases," Surjewala tweeted with a news report on Anand Singh, accused in mining and forest crimes, being appointed the new minister for forest, environment and ecology in Karnataka.

"Modi ji & BJP again come to the rescue of 'Bellary Gang'! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLA's alone but Ministers of the ministry, which has been allegedly looted! Will SC issue conempt of PM and Karnataka CM?" Surjewala asked.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  President Rodrigo Duterte also wants to scrap the Mutual Defense Treaty, as well as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States, his spokesperson said Thursday.

The MDT states that Manila and Washington would come to each other's defense in case of an attack by a foreign state, while the EDCA allows the US military to maintain barracks and weapons storage structures inside five military camps in the Philippines.

These military agreements should end along with the two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement, said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a media briefing.

Duterte moved to scrap the VFA on Tuesday, marking the start of the 180-day period from when it will be effectively scrapped. The Duterte administration has since pushed for self-reliance, saying the President wants the country to be able to stand on its own.

"To be consistent with his (Duterte's) stand, then all treaties must go," Panelo said in a media briefing.

"I'm just reading the body language of the President. The premise is we have to strengthen ourselves. E 'di that means you will not be relying on other countries for your defenses," he explained.

The VFA, a 1998 agreement between Manila and Washington, legally allows the entry of a large number of American troops, exempting them from passport and visa regulations so they can participate in military activities in the Philippines.

EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement

How to end MDT, EDCA

Panelo agreed with the some lawmakers and experts that ending the VFA is as good as terminating the MDT and the EDCA, but he said he's not sure if the Philippines would have to send the US another termination notice to make that happen.

"I understand the Senate is going to review these two treaties... So we'll wait for their recommendation," Panelo said.

Earlier, Duterte pushed through with terminating the VFA despite the Senate's resolution calling for a thorough review before deciding on its fate.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin, Jr. also pushed for a "vigorous review" of the VFA instead, saying the continuance of the agreement "is deemed to be more beneficial" for the Philippines.

He highlighted benefits the Philippines has been getting from the VFA: military assistance, financial grants, and deterrence against possible attacks from other countries, among others. He said he will negotiate controversial provisions, such as the lack of travel restrictions for American troops and the authority granted to the US government to retain jurisdiction over military personnel if ever they commit crimes locally.

Still, Duterte pushed through with junking the VFA on Tuesday in response to the US' cancellation of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's US visa. The Philippine senator, known to have close ties with Duterte, acknowledged that the revocation of his visa may have something to do with alleged extrajudicial killings under his watch as chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018.

The night before sending the US the termination notice, Duterte called the US rude for meddling in the Philippines' local affairs, citing American senators' demand for the release of Senator Leila de Lima  an opposition lawmaker detained on drug charges, which they believe are part of the Duterte government's crackdown against its critics.

Panelo: We don't need the United States

When asked if the Philippines gained the US' respect after junking the VFA, Panelo said it did.

"Yes, of course. How? By terminating it, we show them that we do not need them," Panelo said.

This is contrary to US President Donald Trump's statement saying he "never minded [it] very much."

"I view it as, 'Thank you very much. We save a lot of money,'" Trump said in an interview in Washington. He also stressed how the US "came in and literally single-handedly" saved the Philippines from the ISIS-linked Maute group that took over Marawi City in Mindanao in 2017.

Panelo, however, hinted that Trump may not be entirely serious in shrugging off the end of the VFA.

"Let's see how his words will match the actions of the US government," he said.

He added that Washington needs Manila. "You must remember that the perceived enemies of the US are very near this country hence, they need us... Kagaya nga niyan nandito ang mga pwersa nila, they can easily neutralize any attack near us."
The House on Thursday passed a resolution scrapping the Equal Rights Amendments deadline for ratification by states, nearly 40 years after it expired.

All Democratic members plus five male Republican members voted for the resolution, which passed 232-to-83 and will now head to the Senate, where a similar measure has been introduced.

The Equal Rights Amendment, first introduced in Congress in 1923 and passed 1973, seeks to guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. The constitutional amendment must be ratified by 38 or three-quarters of all states in order to become part of the Constitution. Virginias newly Democratic-led legislature boosted the amendment over that threshold last month when it became the 38th state to ratify the amendment, but the 1982 deadline to do so has long since passed.

There is no expiration date on equality, said the resolutions sponsor, Democratic Representative Jackie Speier of California, adding that the amendment is just as salient as ever.

For survivors of sexual violence, pregnancy discrimination, unequal pay and more, the fight for equal justice under the law cant wait any longer, Speier added.

Republican critics of the amendment argued in debate on the House floor that the very amendment meant to guarantee women equal rights would harm women by promoting abortion and hobbling the ability of states to restrict it. Critics have also warned the amendment could force women into military combat as well.

This has nothing to do with the abortion issue. That is an excuse, not a reason, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg on Monday said she would rather start the process over rather than simply nullifying the deadline for ratification.

I would like to see a new beginning, she said at an event at Georgetown University law school in Washington, D.C. Id like it to start over.

Theres too much controversy about latecomers, said Ginsburg. Plus, a number of states have withdrawn their ratification. So, if you count a latecomer on the plus side, how can you disregard states that said, Weve changed our minds?'

More from National Review
In a new bombshell report, The Washington Post reveals a massive covert operation which was hidden in plain sight that seems straight out of Confessions of an Economic Hitman  its yet more conspiracy theory of the past now definitively proven conspiracy fact.

For the past decades, the CIA owned and operated a front company based in Switzerland for the purpose of spying on secret government communications across the globe, whether they were allies or adversaries. This according to newly unearthed 280-pages of an internal CIA history of the operation obtained by the Post along with Swiss public broadcaster SRF and German broadcaster ZDF.

Crypto AG, a Switzerland-based communications encryption firm, was secretly purchased by the CIA and West German intelligence services in 1971. The company not only made millions by selling encryption equipment to over 120 countries into the 21st century, but used the very same equipment to infiltrate each host countrys communications in a Trojan Horse style operation.

Among notable clients, the report lists Iran, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and even the Vatican  all which were duped into purchasing the backdoor spy hardware in a scenario which sounds a lot like what Washington is now accusing Chinas Huawei of doing. The global CIA surveillance operation was dubbed Operation Rubicon.

Ironically, while host governments thought Crypto AGs devices were securing messages users thought were encrypted, the reality was the opposite, and allowed the CIA to gather the most sensitive internal messages from governments across the world.

It was the intelligence coup of the century, one CIA document obtained by the Post reads. And it continues:

Foreign governments were paying good money to the U.S. and West Germany for the privilege of having their most secret communications read by at least two (and possibly as many as five or six) foreign countries.

For more than half a century, countries all over the world trusted a single company to keep the communications of their spies, soldiers and diplomats secret. The Swiss company, Crypto AG, was secretly owned by the CIA.https://t.co/tStuLX9xgs pic.twitter.com/MBdnKK4rRm  Greg Miller (@gregpmiller) February 11, 2020

As The Hill summarizes, US intelligence didnt have a mere indirect relationship with the company, but was directly overseeing the day-to-day at every level:

Cryptos operations  hiring decisions, designing technology, subverting algorithms and managing sales targets  were controlled by the CIA and West German intelligence until the early 1990s.

The CIA and NSA took complete control once the Germans pulled out of the program in the 1990s, reportedly over concerns risk of exposure was too great.

Only a handful of close US allies knew about the program and were reportedly on occasion given access to its intelligence haul, including the UK, Israel, Sweden, and officially neutral Switzerland.

The Washington Post also called the highly classified program the most closely guarded secrets of the Cold War  and it ultimately continued all the way to 2018. Neither the CIA nor the German BND have yet to comment on the revelation.

Unsurprisingly, there were allegations going decades back that the Swiss-based company was actually a CIA front. It was first reported in 1992 by Germanys Focus magazine, which had been established as an alternative to the more established Spiegel weekly news magazine.

Predictably, the report which originated at the time in independent media was immediately slammed as unbelievable conspiracy theory  as is detailed in the following astounding summary of recent history:

The reports cite a classified CIA history to underpin the allegations, some of which date back at least to 1992, when one of Cryptos employees was arrested and held in Iran for nine months as a suspected spy. At the time, the company called reports that it was a secret asset of Western intelligence agencies an unbelievable conspiracy theory, according to a report in German magazine Focus detailing a 1994 book on the subject.

Crypto AG bills itself as the preferred security partner for civilian and military authorities worldwide. The company further describes of its products: The Crypto AG encryption solution is used primarily by the military, governments or organizations that need swift, secure and easily-deployable communications solutions when conventional forms of communications are not accessible.

But again, those once at the forefront of uncovering the truth and who were quickly dismissed as quacks at the time are now vindicated by the smoking gun internal CIA documents themselves.

Immediately after the WaPo and Swiss SRF and German ZDF broadcaster reports were published on Tuesday, the Swiss government said it is opening a formal investigation into Crypto AG.
These are heady times for San Antonio bankers.

All seven San Antonio-based banks reported either record revenue or earnings, or both, last year. All but one had all-time highs in loans and deposits at the end of 2019.

Theres no secret behind the banks prosperity. An ever-rising population, job gains, a stout housing market and business expansion have all contributed to the robust lending activity and profits.

As we say in the banking industry, were still blowin and goin, and were fortunate, said David Bohne, CEO of Broadway Bank, the second largest bank in San Antonio with $3.8 billion in assets as of Dec. 31.

The other banks based in San Antonio are Frost Bank, Vantage Bank Texas, Jefferson Bank, The Bank of San Antonio, Crockett National Bank and Lone Star Capital Bank. (USAA Federal Savings Bank, a San Antonio-based thrift, wasnt included in this analysis of local institutions because it serves military families around the world and doesnt make commercial loans.)

On ExpressNews.com: Frost Bank parent reports first drop in annual profits in 6 years

To be sure, banks throughout the nation overall are performing well, Dale S. Sheller, senior vice president of Oklahoma community bank consultant The Baker Group, said in an email. The country is more than 10 years into an economic expansion, and many banks continue to reap the benefits of the 2017 cut in corporate tax rates.

Mike Fisher

Loan demand has been strong across the country, especially in Texas, Sheller said. Strong local economies drive loan demand.

San Antonios economy in the past depended heavily on the military and tourism but has been diversified across a broad range of industries, from manufacturing to medical research, said Bank of San Antonio Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr.

That has fueled job growth, which in turn has boosted the areas population and sparked home building, Bugg said.

I tell everybody, Thank God were in Texas, Bugg said.

Positive signs

Signs seem to indicate the local economy will continue to chug along this year, as well.

San Antonio is expected to gain 25,000 new jobs this year, a 2.3 percent increase thats slightly above last years pace, according to Keith Phillips, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. San Antonios unemployment rate already is among the lowest in the state, which led the country in job creation last year.

Meanwhile, builders could start construction on about 15,800 single-family homes this year in the local metro area, up 15 percent from 13,740 last year, Metrostudy regional director Jack Inselmann said last month.

The rise in the areas elderly population and the favorable lending environment with low borrowing costs convinced the owners of Paramount Healthcare to start construction last year on a 122-bed rehabilitation facility at 4366 Lockhill-Selma in Shavano Park. The project was financed with a loan for undisclosed amount from San Antonios Vantage Bank Texas.

The yet-to-be-named facility will treat patients after hospital stays and offer long-term care, said Paramount general counsel Shawn Golden. Its expected to open in the latter part of the year.

The booming economy has definitely freed up funds for these types of projects, Golden said. And of course, the business were in, demand is growing.

Weve always kept an eye out for good spots that are maybe underserved, and Shavano Park sort of fit the bill, he added. It will be the 12th facility in the family-owned business portfolio.

Vantage Bank Texas

The project contributed to a 12.2 percent rise in lending last year at Vantage Bank Texas, which ended 2019 with a record $1.6 billion in loans. Net income rose 20 percent to $23.6 million, though revenue dipped 2.5 percent to about $98 million last year.

Vantage merged with McAllens Inter National Bank in late 2018. The deal raised Vantages legal lending limit to $65 million per customer, CEO Sam Munafo said. Vantages limit had been $13 million, while INBs was $32 million.

The increase in Vantages lending limit factored in loans on its books climbing to $1.6 billion at the end of last year, he said.

Vantages loan-to-deposit ratio swelled to 96.4 percent last year, up from 89.5 percent at the end of 2018 and well above the national average that Sheller said ranges from about 80-85 percent.

Were comfortable in the 90s, but we have strong, strong liquidity, Munafo said. Liquidity is a measure of the cash and other assets banks have available to pay bills and to meet financial obligations.

The strength of Texas economy swayed Vantage officials to proceed with a second Fort Worth-area branch. Its slated to open in June. The bank opened a branch there last year, its first expansion since the merger and the first office outside its long-standing markets in San Antonio and South and West Texas.

Still, Vantage plans to shutter a branch each in McAllen, Pharr and Weslaco in March.

That markets slowed down some where theyre at in South Texas, Munafo said. Vantage, San Antonios third-largest bank with about $2.2 billion in assets, will have 23 branches after the second Fort Worth office opens.

Broadway Bank

Broadway Banks net income rocketed 19.5 percent to $52.6 million last year, while revenue climbed 8.7 percent to $168.5 million. Both dollar figures were records.

We operate in such great markets in San Antonio and Austin, the Hill Country and Central Texas, said Bohne, Broadways CEO. Weve gotten great credit across the board, so our customers are doing well (and) are healthy and strong.

Gains from the sale of some properties contributed to Broadways bottom line. It also recovered some assets that it had previously charged off.

Strong loan and asset quality lead to less in loan losses and related expenses, further helping a banks bottom line, Sheller said.

Real estate loans accounted for nearly two-thirds of the $2.1 billion in loans Broadway held at year-end. Those loans were about evenly split between commercial and residential property.

Loans at year-end increased 2.7 percent from the end of 2018, but Bohne said they averaged about 8 percent during the year.

We had nice growth for the first three quarters, and then we had significant pay downs at year-end, added Harvey P. Hartenstine, Broadways chief banking executive.

Broadways loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 64.3 percent at the end of the last year, down slightly from 2018 but still well above the mid-40s earlier last decade.

We are seeing positive loan growth, but we are having to go out there and fight more for deposits, Bohne said. An area of emphasis now for us is to continue to grow deposits. We think our sweet spot is going to be in that mid-60s range for loan-to-deposit ratio as we move forward.

Jefferson Bank

Jefferson Banks bottom line rose 5.5 percent to $24.3 million on $87.3 million in revenue last year. Almost 90 percent of the almost $1.4 billion in loans it held at year-end were in real estate. Commercial real estate accounted for about $850 million, while about $500 million was in residential.

I think if you look at banks across the country, your banks in Texas are your highest-performing banks, Jefferson CFO Vince Bordano said. Its the oil and gas industry, its the pro-business environment that we have.

Jefferson is the areas fourth largest bank with almost $2 billion in assets.

Some banks are trying to find ways to diversify their operations because of compression in net-interest margins as a result of three rate cuts by the Federal Reserve last year. Net-interest margin measures the difference between what a bank collects on loans and what it pays on deposits.

Businesses such as wealth management and insurance help raise a banks non-interest income.

The Bank of San Antonio

The Bank of San Antonio created a factoring subsidiary called Texas Express Funding LLC, which bank Chairman Bugg said is an extension of its commercial lending. A factoring firm advances cash to a company based on its receivables.

The bank also made an acquisition for its insurance subsidiary, opened a new division for its Aspireon Wealth Advisors and retooled the banks technology, Bugg added.

In 2019, we spent a lot of money on investment for the future, he said. As a result, the banks non-interest expense rose by more than 15 percent and resulted in a flat bottom line last year in comparison with 2018.

The bank posted net income of $10.4 million on $38.2 million in revenue, which climbed nearly 11 percent last year. Loans ended last year at $678 million, a roughly 20 percent increase. Its loan-to-deposit ratio ended the year at 91.2 percent, up from 83.6 percent at the end of 2018.

The Bank of San Antonio ended 2019 with $836.2 million in assets.

Meanwhile, Crockett National Bank, with $660.8 million in assets, reported record earnings of $16.6 million on $87.7 million in revenue last year. Lone Star Capital Bank, San Antonios smallest bank with $251.1 million in assets, earned $1.2 million last year  a 2.7 percent dip from record 2018 earnings. It generated $10.2 million in revenue, a high for the bank.

Frost Bank

Frost Bank, the citys largest bank with $34.1 billion in assets, registered a 2.6 percent decline in earnings to $453.5 million. Bank executives blamed higher expenses from an expansion in Houston and a new San Antonio headquarters for contributing to the decline. Revenue increased 4 percent to more than $1.4 billion.

It had $14.6 billion in loans at year-end, a 4.7 percent increase from 2018. The loan-to-deposit ratio was 52.7 percent, 1 percentage point above 2018.

Phil Green, chairman and CEO of Frost Banks parent company Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc., said last month that competition continues to be tough among lenders.

I will say that were seeing current customers borrowing increase less than what were bringing in from prospects, he said. And so we dont know if that is indicating that businesses are happy with their debt levels and theyre not looking to expand. Were sort of following that. Most of the loan growth were bringing in is coming in from prospects, which means its coming in from some other bank.

Outlook

In presidential election years, its common to hear business owners and executives say they are hitting the pause button on capital spending until they have an idea of which way the economy is heading.

But local bank officials dont see that happening in San Antonio this year.

You hear a lot on the national news that when we get into the second half of 2020, a lot of people are going to pull in their horns and just watch and wait, Bugg said.

I think in San Antonio, because the economy is doing well , I dont really see a national election having a negative impact on peoples capital expenditure plans and therefore wanting to borrow and build for the future, as much as maybe some pockets in the United States might be more focused on that.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
The Department of Justice is considering new laws that would give gardai investigating child abuse imagery and other serious crimes the power to demand passwords to digital devices.

Officials are also examining if laws are required to implement an international convention that would compel service providers to provide law enforcement with interceptions of digital communications.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said this week that the ability to demand people's passwords to their digital devices should be a power open to us. He said it should be part of a warrant to search a location, allowing gardai to gather both physical and digital evidence.

In relation to accessing encrypted communications, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, he said that laws providing law enforcement with an electronic key would be very useful.

He said: Criminals, not only in the child abuse space but right across all elements of organised crime, are relying more on encryption and we wish to be in a position to defeat that.

The Department of Justice said it is considering the requests from the Garda chief as part of a review of laws flowing from Ireland's signing of a Council of Europe convention on cybercrime.

The treaty dates back to 2002, but Ireland has not yet ratified it.

The Department is currently examining existing law to identify what new provisions, if any, might be required to allow for the ratification of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, the Department of Justice statement read.

This includes an examination of the existing law in relation to search and production orders.

It added: An Garda Siochana is inputting into that process. In that context, they have made a number of additional suggestions for potential future legislative change in this area, including the power to compel passwords. The Department is considering all issues raised by An Garda Siochana in relation to these matters, and their input is being taken into account in the formulation of policy.

The Council of Europe convention specifically refers to the investigation of child abuse imagery and computer fraud.

It provides for a range of investigative powers: expedited preservation of stored computer data; partial disclosure of traffic data; production orders compelling individuals or service providers to provide subscriber (name and address) information; search and seizure of stored computer data; real-time collection of computer data and interception of content data, including compelling a service provider to cooperate in the collection and recording of data.

Outside of investigating online child abuse imagery, gardai fighting organised crime have raised the need to compel passwords and get into encrypted technology.

The Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said encrypted phones  such as PGP Blackberry phones  are increasingly used by gangs, such as the Kinahan crime cartel, to direct drug trafficking, money laundering, shootings and murders.
Expo 2020 Dubai is a golden opportunity for African nations to greatly boost intra-Africa trade

- 54 African states learn how they can benefit from upcoming World Expo

- AU delegates exhibit keen interest in exclusive global roadshow

- AS World unveils Expo 2020 special packages and services for Africa

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AS World Group - in its capacity as Authorised Ticket Reseller for Expo 2020 Dubai - organised a global roadshow at the 33rd Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to promote the upcoming World Expo to all 54 member countries of the African Union (AU).

At its global roadshow at the 33rd AU Summit, AS World Group launched special Expo 2020 Dubai packages and bespoke services for African government ministries, chambers of commerce, universities, private businesses, etc.

Held from February 9-10, 2020 and attended by Heads of State and Government of the AU, the 33rd Ordinary Season of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU was held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa under the theme 'Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa's Development' and comprised statutory meetings and side events.

The AU promotes Africa's growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation and integration of African states.

To be held from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 at a purpose-built site, Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with a record 192 countries participating in the six-month long mega event under the theme of 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 33rd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Mr. Sajid Barkat, Chief Executive Officer, AS World Group, said: "As an official facilitator of Expo 2020 Dubai we organised a dedicated global roadshow at the 33rd AU Summit to showcase to all 54 African countries what Expo 2020 Dubai is all about and how their participation in the upcoming strategically important mega event can benefit their respective countries and economies across the board.

"We received enormous interest about Expo 2020 Dubai from official delegates and missions at the 33rd AU Summit and we are sure that Dubai's strategic location at the crossroads between Africa and the rest of the world - along with the Expo 2020 event - where every participating country will have its own national pavilion, will propel Africa to new heights," he added.

He added: "In order for African delegates, trade and other missions to make optimum use of Expo 2020 Dubai, AS World Group has launched exclusive and flexible packages encompassing three nights/four days and 360-degree services that comprise all logistics needs in Dubai, including visa arrangements, air tickets, hotel reservations, ground transportation, Expo 2020 Dubai site tickets, tourism offerings, etc. As such, we can cater to B2B, B2C and B2G segments.

"Expo 2020 Dubai is a golden opportunity for African nations to greatly boost intra-Africa trade, which currently stands at only 13%, compared to Europe's 30-40%," said Mr. Barkat.

"Africa, with its 1.3 billion people, is of strategic importance to Expo 2020 Dubai and this is where AS World comes in because by 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future' we serve as the perfect partner between the continent and the mega event," said Mr. Barkat.

A diversified international conglomerate - with operations spanning from event management to strategic consulting and investments - Dubai-based AS World Group is perfectly equipped to connect Expo 2020 Dubai with key audiences in Africa by leveraging its long-term connections with the entire continent.

The company has over 15 years' experience in supporting state protocol departments and chanceries in organising and managing all the logistics for official delegations during international conferences, bilateral and international summits, such as the UN General Assembly, UN Climate Change Conference, African Union Summits, etc.

'The World's Greatest Show', Expo 2020 Dubai is on track to receive 25 million visits from around the globe and has three subthemes - 'Opportunity', 'Mobility' and 'Sustainability' - and will feature over 60 live events each day, celebrating arts, architecture, culture, music, gastronomy and much more.

As the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia since the start of the first World Expo held in London in 1851, Expo 2020 Dubai will definitely enhance African government-to-government collaboration and inter-Africa trade and business opportunities as the six-month long event will bring 192 nations together in one place in Dubai, noted Mr. Barkat.

Since December 2019, when the company was appointed Authorised Ticket Reseller of Expo 2020 Dubai, AS World Group has leveraged its substantial sales, service and logistics networks in Africa to promote Expo 2020 Dubai to the continent, thereby assisting the upcoming World Expo to achieve its target of a total of 25 million visits during its six-month duration.

About AS World Group Conference Organizers Ltd.

With offices in Dubai, Paris and Dakar, AS World Group Conference Organizers Ltd.(DIFC) is a global facilitator that specialises in bespoke business services spanning congresses, conferences, trade shows, conventions, Heads of State visits, international summits, bilateral and intergovernmental meetings, seminars, business conventions, road shows, sporting events, cultural festivals, corporate events, fashion weeks, tourism, shopping, sightseeing, gastronomic tourism and resort stays.

For more information: www.asworldgroup.com.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090111/AS_World.jpg
T he repair bill for Big Ben's home Elizabeth Tower is set to rise by millions of pounds, it has been revealed.

There could be a cost increase of 18.6 million, parliamentary authorities were told in February 2020.

If the latest estimates are correct, it would see the new budget increased by almost a third from 61.1 million to 79.7 million.

To put it in context, the extra 18.6 million needed to complete the works is almost as much as the 20 million the government has pledged to fight coronavirus.

The discovery of asbestos and extensive World War II bomb damage to the 177-year-old Elizabeth Tower are among the reasons for the bigger bill.

However, a House of Commons Commission spokesman said its members were "extremely disappointed" by the request for "yet more funding".

The complexity of the repairs was also partly the reason why a bid to get Big Ben to bong on Brexit day was unsuccessful, with the cost of getting the bell to work by the deadline set at 500,000.

The StandUp4Brexit group managed to crowdfund 272,000 in a bid to make it ring - which has instead gone to veterans' charity Help for Heroes.

Given the latest cost hike, the Evening Standard explores the Big Ben restoration below...

When did work on the Elizabeth Tower start?

There were unforeseen conservation works needed to the tower / AFP via Getty Images

Work on the tower began on Monday, August 21 at noon.

Members of the public gathered in Parliament Square to mark the moment Big Ben's hourly bongs were silenced for a proposed four years.

What was the initial budget?

Prior to starting, the repair work was initially priced at 29 million.

However, by September 2017 unforeseen conservation costs and unexpected conditions around the tower had more than doubled the cost to 61 million.

The new figure included 45 million of restoration costs with an additional 16m for risk, VAT and fire safety.

How much has been spent on the repairs so far?

The Big Ben tower has been shrouded in scaffolding since 2017 / REUTERS

Renovation is still underway however, an additional 18.6 million has been requested from the public purse to complete the works.

It is not public knowledge how much of the former 61.1 million price tag gas been used already.

But, it seems works would not be able to be completed unless the latest proposed cash injection is approved.

The new budget will be set if it is approved by the accounting officers of the two houses.

When are the Big Ben repairs due to end?

Big Ben is silenced for four years 1 /10 Big Ben is silenced for four years Big Ben is to be silenced today for the next four years AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio A row has broken out about the silencing of the bells Rex Workers installed scaffolding as the major restoration was beginning Rex Big Ben will fall silent at midday Jeremy Selwyn Tourists gathered to hear the bell silence for the last time in several years Jeremy Selwyn Workers erect scaffolding around Big Ben's tower Jeremy Selwyn The bells were silenced to protect workers' hearing Jeremy Selwyn Tourists take a selfie in front of Big Ben's tower AP

The repair works started in 2017 and were due to end in 2021.

The completion date does not appear to have been extended.

Ian Ailles, director-general of the House of Commons, said the works are proving more complex than we could have anticipated.

The full extent of the damage to the Tower was impossible until the scaffolding was up, he said.
Mobile World Congress 2020 called off over coronavirus concerns

Mobile World Congress 2020, the worlds biggest trade show for smart phones, due to open in Barcelona, Spain, on 24-27 February, has been cancelled.

The GSMA decided to call off the show after several of the biggest exhibitors pulled out citing the threat of the coronavirus.

The Mobile World Congress that started with its first edition in Barcelona in 2006, has been the main meeting point of industry leaders, governments, ministers, policymakers and operators across the broader ecosystem.

With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event, the organisers stated in a website brief.

The release said GSMA and the city of Barcelona will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.

Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world, it added.

Several participants, including Japans Sony Corp, graphics giant Nvidia Corp, Swedish telecom gear-maker Ericsson, South Korea's LG Electronics, software provider Amdocs, e-commerce major Amazon and Japans NTT Docomo, have withdrawn from the event.

Nvidia, incidentally, was also one of the biggest sponsors of the event.

The GSMA had, on 9 February, said it would be going ahead with the event while also announcing necessary precautions to ensure public safety. It had barred visitors from the Hubei province in China, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, and had adopted a no-handshake policy this year.
Continuing its efforts to strengthen the disciplinary mechanism, chartered accountants' apex body ICAI has suggested legal provisions for "time-bound" completion of cases through an amendment to the Chartered Accountants Act.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which has over three lakh members, has cleared more than 400 cases under disciplinary mechanism in one year, its President Atul Kumar Gupta told reporters on Thursday.

According to him, the institute would be implementing an e-hearing (electronic hearing) mechanism and also work towards ensuring that no cases would be pending for more than eight months from the date of filing a complaint.

In one year, more than 400 cases were cleared and 60-70 per cent members were held guilty. Such actions would act as a deterrent for members against violations, he noted.

Emphasising that the institute has a strong regulatory mechanism, Gupta also said the institute was looking at changes in the Chartered Accountants Act.

He was responding to various queries, including about perception in certain quarters that the institute has a soft approach in disciplinary actions against members.

"We are even looking at an enabling provision in the CA Act... We are proposing that there should be time-bound completion of cases... We are looking forward (to it). Then there will be consistency...," he said.

ICAI has been set up under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, that regulates the profession of chartered accountancy in the country. It comes under the Corporate Affairs Ministry.

Further, Gupta said there would be changes in peer review mechanism this year and a revised Code of Ethics for the members would also come into effect from July 1, 2020.

About the ministry's consultation paper regarding auditors, Gupta said ICAI is "very happy" with it and that a number of proposals were initiated by the institute in the past.

Stressing that there are "no apprehensions," he also said the institute has set up a high-level group that would submit its report by February 28 to the ministry on the paper.

On February 7, the ministry came out with a consultation paper proposing significant amendments to existing regulations to enhance independence and accountability of auditors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mark Zuckerberg considered making "Dark Profiles" that would allow users to collect information about people that aren't on Facebook, according to a new book.

The possibility was one of a number of ideas that have been revealed in a new book about the history of Facebook and Mr Zuckerberg's ascent to being one of the most powerful people in the world.

That book, written by author Steven Levy and some of which has been published in Wired, includes information taken from one of Mr Zuckerberg's journals, written in 2006 as he was considering ways to make the early Facebook grow.

One of those was the dark profiles, which would be used for people who had either chosen not to join Facebook or had not got around to it yet.

People would create them for their friends, by entering their name and email address, the journals reveal. It would then be set up and let other people add information about the person to that page, like a Wikipedia article for anyone not on Facebook.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

In the journal, which he referred to as the "Book of Change", Mr Zuckerberg suggested it would be a good way of encouraging people to sign up. They could be alerted to facts people were writing about them and then be provoked into joining up, he suggested.

The Facebook boss was aware that the idea could be "creepy" and could stir up privacy concerns, he noted. But that might be assuaged with suggestions such as keeping them from appearing on search engines.

Recommended Facebook Dating launch blocked amid concerns over personal data

It is not clear how far Mr Zuckerberg's idea did get, with Levy writing that some staff appeared to have worked on a version of it. It did not arrive in the form suggested in the journal.

As Facebook grew, it was suggested that the company was in fact creating separate hidden profiles for people who don't use the site, so that they could collect up information for advertising even if people hadn't actually created an account.

Mr Zuckerberg was asked about those suggestions in 2018, when he was faced with questions from US politicians. After those hearings, the company confirmed that it did track non-users, which it claimed to do for security reasons as well as ad tracking.

Facebook said again in a statement after the "dark profiles" idea was revealed that it does not create profiles for those people who don't have accounts. "Facebook does not create advertising profiles for non-users," a spokesperson said.
(Reuters) - Swedish state-owned railway operator SJ reported a 11% rise in 2019 passenger traffic on Thursday, saying concerns over the environmental impact of air travel have contributed to the spike.

The Swedish-born movement of flight shaming, which calls for curbs to air travel due to its environmental impact, has gained prominence over the past year and the campaign has already begun affecting markets such as Germany and Sweden, with more passengers choosing the train over flying.

"We got a push from the environmental aspects," SJ President and CEO Crister Fritzson told Reuters.

Fritzson listed improvements in booking and payment services and punctuality as other factors which helped the railway boost traffic and win market share from airlines on important domestic routes, such as a the one linking Stockholm with Malmo, Sweden's third-largest city.

Last month, Sweden's state-owned airport operator Swedavia reported a 4% drop in air travel in 2019, with the decline led by a fall in domestic traffic, and cited environmental concerns as one of the reasons behind the decline.

SJ said the number of journeys completed last year with the railway rose by 2.5 million to 34.3 million. Fritzson said the trend looked set to continue in 2020, which would require government investment in the expansion of the country's rail network.

Other European rail companies have also seen increases in traffic last year, with some announcing plans to invest in their capacity. For example, Dutch rail operator NS has reported a 13% jump in international train tickets sold last year and Spain's national railway Renfe said high-speed AVE lines it operates saw a 4.9% increase in passenger traffic in 2019.

SJ said earlier last year it would invest 12 billion Swedish crowns (957.75 million) in new trains in the coming years, while Deutsche Bahn and the German government last month agreed to invest 86 billion euros (71.94 billion) over the next 10 years to upgrade its rail network.

(This story adds dropped word in the first paragraph.)

(Reporting by Tommy Lund and Jagoda Darlak; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
The Army officer and former National Security Council staffer who testified in the impeachment inquiry is not under Army investigation, a knowledgeable Defense Department official told The Daily Beast.

But veteran Army officers caution that the lack of an investigation does not necessarily mean Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman has escaped reprisal.

Ever since Vindman was escorted out of the White House on Friday, along with his twin brother, there has been intense speculation over the future of his military career. Vindman has returned to the Department of the Army.

Vindman infuriated President Donald Trump by testifying that the pressure he witnessed on Ukraine to aid the presidents reelection was inappropriate. After the Senate Republicans acquitted Trump in the impeachment trial, Trump has focused on retribution against his perceived enemies within the national-security apparatus. On Tuesday, Trump encouraged the military to discipline Vindman, saying the military can handle him. Thats going to be up to the military, well have to see, but if you look at what happened, theyre going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that, Trump said.

For now, theyre not. The Defense official said the Army was not investigating Vindmanan indication that, thus far, the Army does not see Vindman as committing a professional infraction by testifying to the inquiry.

The durability of that assessment stands as a key question affecting civilian-military relations in the post-impeachment phase of Trumps presidency. In an indication of how treacherous the military considers the politics of the Vindman episode, not even retired officers would speak on the record for this story.

A source close to Vindman told The Daily Beast, We have every confidence that the Army and the Department of Defense will regard Lt. Col. Vindmans truthful testimony in response to a legal congressional subpoena as entirely appropriate.

A former senior Army officer who would not speak for the record cautioned that just because Vindman is not under investigation does not mean his career is safe. In the militarys up or out culture, being denied a promotion to colonel by the next Army promotions board will spell the end of Vindmans service. And the ex-officer specified that the inherent subjectivity of the officer board will make it impossible to determine precisely if it was the ire of the president that prevents Vindman from ever having birds pinned on his shoulders.

Story continues

Theres so much bias that can seep into these promotion boards that all it takes is someone to have an issue with his testimony to tank his promotion possibility, the retired officer said.

Additionally, just because Vindman isnt under investigation now doesnt mean the Armys decision will hold. Just months ago, the Navy sought against Trumps wishes to strip accused war criminal Eddie Gallagher of his affiliation with the Navy SEALs. Trump persisted, prompting the departure of Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer.

Several in national-security circles have been disturbed that no military or civilian leaders within the Defense Department have spoken up for Vindman, a decorated Iraq war veteran whose testimony subjected him to an onslaught of denunciation from Trumps allies. As Vindman, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, testified in November, he found his loyalty to the United States called into question.

The Democratic Senate leader, New Yorks Chuck Schumer, called even before Vindmans testimony for the Army leadership to "issue public statements indicating your support for him." None manifested. On Friday, following the early end to Vindmans NSC assignment, the Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith of California, urge[d] Army leadership to ensure this brave Soldier does not experience any further retribution.

Through a spokesperson, Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declined to comment about Vindman. Milley was formerly chief of staff of the Army. A representative for Defense Secretary Mark Esper did not respond to a request for comment about the propriety of disciplining Vindman.

Ryan McCarthy, the secretary of the Army, told Cheddar that Vindman would temporarily work at the Department of the Army headquarters and then well send him off to war college this summer. An Army source cautioned that the previously-scheduled board reviewing senior-service college assignments has yet to determine which one Vindman will attend.

Vindman also came under attack on Tuesday from his former boss, national security adviser Robert OBrien. During an appearance at the Atlantic Council, OBrien said that the premature end of Vindmans NSC billet, which had been slated to run through May, was necessary because Trump is entitled to a staff that he has confidence in and that he believes will execute his policy.

But as he testified, Vindman thought he was executing policythe formal policy of supporting Ukraine, for which Congress had appropriated nearly $400 million in aid that Trump had withheld as pressure. Yet OBrien suggested that Vindmans objections to secretly conditioning aid on a foreign powers willingness to aid Trumps reelection were the real abuse of power.

We're not some banana republic where lieutenant colonels get together and decide what the policy is, OBrien said.

Friday Night Massacres Just the Beginning for Acquitted Trump

Not everyone thinks speaking out on Vindman is helpful. A different former senior military officer who also would not speak for the record said the consensus among his retired colleagues is that we should not put more pressure on the leaders or increase the attention given to this issue, as that could prove counterproductive. The ex-officer expressed confidence in Esper and Milley to ensure that nothing untoward transpires against Vindman.

But the first ex-officer said that the brass silence about Vindman is nothing short of dishonorable.

It smacks of the craven careerism that has permeated the ranks of our senior officer corps, this retired Army officer said. Its definitely dishonorable when public accountability and public ethics are so in question that those people whose careers are built on alleged public ethics and accountability are not present. If they cant take care of their men and women when the heat is on on a political level, I cannot imagine how they handle taking care of them in the heat of combat.

with additional reporting by Molly Jong-Fast

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So how will Mr. Trump go about running against one of these Democrats (or even Michael Bloomberg)? His re-election pitch will rest on three elements: the president himself, the economy and his Democratic opponent. The experience of impeachment may have provided a fourth: Mr. Trump as defender of democracy.

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.

He begins in a solid position coming off impeachment. Remember, President Bill Clintons popularity was greater after impeachment than before. According to Gallup, Mr. Trumps job approval rating shot up to 49 percent, his highest since taking office, as the Senate considered his case. Propelled by a robust economy and a dynamic State of the Union speech, those numbers may go higher.

The long run is less certain. Among Mr. Trumps fervent supporters the impeachment will be further evidence of his persecution by a corrupt establishment, for which they will love him all the more. But there are too few of them to re-elect him in a two-person race. Mr. Trump needs millions of voters who dont wear MAGA hats, for whom the impeachment, even after acquittal, could reinforce doubts about his character and competence.

So as long as Mr. Trumps base continues to admire him, hes willing to bid for the marginal voters he needs on the basis of what hes done for them lately. Impeachment doesnt help him with these voters, but hes betting it wont hurt him very much, either, because it hasnt hurt them. The economy has shrugged it off. Mr. Trump will point to his overall record in office but especially the economy, and not merely to the booming stock market but also to higher wages for the lower middle class and record unemployment for all. This is the kind of success that even skeptical voters might attribute to a businessman like him. Thats risky, because prosperity can be here today and gone tomorrow. But thats politics.

His insurance policy against bad economic times before Election Day is the Democratic presidential candidates themselves. Whether its Mr. Sanders, Mr. Buttigieg, Ms. Klobuchar or one of the others, the alternative to the president will not exactly be a Pericles. Four years ago, Mr. Trump defeated Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, emissaries of two of the most powerful political families in America, whose political accomplishments looked much more formidable, on the surface at least, than anything Mr. Sanders or Mr. Buttigieg or Ms. Klobuchar has ever done in politics. Why shouldnt he be rubbing his hands in anticipation?
Nine human trafficking suspects have been arrested, Bangladesh police said Thursday, after 15 Rohingya refugees drowned when an overloaded boat sank as it tried to reach Malaysia. Seventy-three people were rescued and dozens remain missing after the boat -- barely 13 metres (40 feet) long and carrying 138 Rohingya, mostly women and children -- sank off southern Bangladesh on Tuesday. The men were arrested in raids on Wednesday and Thursday in the southeastern district of Cox's Bazar where nearly a million Rohingya live in squalid camps after many fled Myanmar amid a military crackdown in 2017. Police said they had been searching for 19 suspects, 18 of whom are Bangladeshis, after the sinking. The nine are expected to be charged with abetting murder, a police spokesman told AFP. "Nine human smugglers have already been arrested in the past two days," deputy police chief of Cox's Bazar, Ikbal Hossain, told AFP. Police said trafficking attempts have increased since 2017, with 713 Rohingya rescued as they were taken by boat to other countries, mostly Malaysia, in the past two-and-a-half years. "During this period seven human traffickers were shot dead in gunfights with police. At least 69 traffickers were arrested," Cox's Bazar police inspector Ali Arshad told AFP. With few opportunities for jobs and education in the camps, thousands have tried to reach countries like Malaysia and Thailand by attempting the hazardous journey across the journey of Bay of Bengal. Trafficking often increases during the November-March period when the sea is safest for the small trawlers used by traffickers. An estimated 25,000 Rohingya left Bangladesh and Myanmar on boats in 2015 trying to get to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Hundreds drowned when overloaded boats sank. Police data from 2015 stated that more than 300 human traffickers were active in or near the camps. Dozens of suspected traffickers were killed by police following 2015 sinkings.
Noting an alarming increase of criminals in politics, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled on Thursday that all political parties must publicise, on their respective party websites, social media handles, and in newspapers, the details of candidates with criminal backgrounds who have been fielded to contest elections within a specified time period. It also said that parties must explain the reasons for selecting the candidate, and why someone without a criminal record was been selected instead.

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress welcomed the verdict, and said it will help deal with the criminalisation of politics.

The SC order was passed in response to contempt petitions, which, among other things, pointed out that despite directions given by court in an order on September 25, 2018, for decriminalisation of politics, the government and the Election Commission of India (EC) failed to take concrete steps on the issue.

The Supreme Court, in its 2018 judgment, asked for an enactment of a law to decriminalise politics, instructed candidates to fill in details of pending criminal cases against them in the form provided by EC, and ordered the disclosure by parties of the background of the candidates on public platforms.

Thursdays order, delivered by a bench of justices Rohinton Nariman and S Ravindra Bhat, strengthens the 2018 order, in the backdrop of the complaints about its weak implementation, in four ways.

One, the SC has now ruled that the details to be provided by the parties should include the nature of the offences, relevant details such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned court in which the case is pending, and the case number.

Two, the SC has directed the parties to furnish reasons for selecting the concerned candidate with a criminal record. Such reasons for selection, the court said, should be regarding the qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate, and not mere winnability in the polls.

The judgment said: It shall be mandatory for political parties [at the central and state level] to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases (including the nature of the offences, and relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned Court, the case number etc.) who have been selected as candidates, along with the reasons for such selection, as also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

The court said the information will have to be published in one local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper, and on the official social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook and Twitter.

The third principle added to the 2018 jurisprudence on the matter is that these details must be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate, or at least two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier.

And four, the top court has said that political parties should submit, before EC, a report of compliance with the courts directions within 72 hours of the selection of a candidate with criminal cases. If a political party fails to submit such a compliance report, the court said the EC should bring the non-compliance to the notice of the Supreme Court so that a contempt case can be initiated.

Political parties have welcomed the order.

Orders of the Supreme Court have to be complied with. It strengthens the electoral and democratic process in enabling voters to make a choice keeping all factors in mind, said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli.

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said that the order was an important step towards decriminalising politics. He claimed that it was also a vindication of party leader Rahul Gandhis fight against criminalisation of politics. The main opposition party also accused the BJP of tearing the order to shreds by appointing a tainted minister in the Karnataka government.

The Samajwadi Party (SP)?welcomed the directive. If there are cases against our party leaders, then those cases are related to dharna/demonstrations... In fact, SP?national president Akhilesh Yadav is a rare leader in the country. He fought against criminal elements in the party and cleansed the party,?said party?leader Ram Govind Chaudhary.

The Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) Mritunjay Tiwary said: We will abide by the SC ruling, but it is natural for political leaders associated with movements to face such cases. Many of the cases faced by legislators are due to conspiracies.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) refused to comment on the top courts ruling

At the root of the SCs order is the weak implementation of the 2018 order.

Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, one of the petitioners, submitted that EC had, in line with the court directive, issued directions to political parties and candidates to publish criminal antecedents. But EC did not make the necessary amendments to the rules governing this field  election symbols order and model code of conduct  and hence its directions did not have any legal sanction. Further, EC did not publish a list of leading newspapers and news channels wherein criminal antecedents of the contesting candidates had to be publicised. Upadhyay claimed that political parties took advantage of the same and published criminal antecedents in unpopular newspapers and news channels and at odd hours when people dont watch TV.

The election commission, too, during the hearing on January 24, acknowledged that the SCs directions to give wide publicity to the criminal antecedents of candidates contesting elections failed to yield the desired results.

The court, in its judgment on Thursday, noted that there has been an alarming increase in criminals in politics. In 2004, 24% of the members of Parliament (MPs) had criminal cases pending against them; in 2009, it went up to 30%; in 2014, this spiked to 34%. In 2019, 43% of MPs had criminal cases pending against them.

Senior counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who represented the petitioner, welcomed the verdict and said he hoped this serves as a wake-up call to parties to be careful about their choices. He highlighted two key features of the order. One is that it lets the public know that there is a conscious choice made by the party to select such a candidate. It is a bit embarrassing for the party to try and explain why they chose such a candidate. The second is that if they dont publish these details, then they will liable for contempt. If a party was liable for contempt, Sankarnarayanan added, a possible outcome was the loss of the party symbol.

Experts believe that a lot will hinge on compliance.

It would be interesting to watch the compliance by political parties and the action taken by the EC thereafter in the event of non-compliance. The potential loss of election symbol should ensure that political parties are forced to comply and at least think twice before nominating candidates with extreme criminal records, said senior counsel Sanjay Hegde.

Supreme Court advocate Sriram Parakkat said the courts order meant that any case filed by anyone against a candidate will have to be disclosed and publicised. The contempt judgment as well as the main judgment [of 2018] strike at the root of presumption of innocence, which, in my view, is what separates a society having rule of law from the other.

There have been concerns that the order could end up undermining the reputation and image of many candidates, who may face charges, possibly arising out of political motives, and have not been convicted.

Sankarnarayan argues this is not true. There might be false cases or frivolous cases but it will be for the political party to explain why they chose that person with those cases... Even as per the Representation of People Act, a candidate has to disclose details of cases in which charges have been framed. If charges have been framed, it means the court has stepped in and taken a view.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) has appointed Abbey Dennis as assistant director of Communications & External Affairs.

Dennis most recently served as the deputy press secretary to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, D.C.. Additionally, Dennis served as the press assistant at the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

TDCI Commissioner Hodgen Mainda said as assistant director of Communications and External Affairs, Dennis work to effectively communicate to Tennesseans how TDCI will carry out the governors message to improve Tennessee.

Her knowledge of federal programs involving disaster relief, insurance and communications are a perfect fit with the departments divisions and will be immensely beneficial as she helps oversee day-to-day communications for the department, Mainda said.

TDCI protects the interests of consumers while providing oversight for industries and professionals doing business in Tennessee. Its divisions include the State Fire Marshals Office, Insurance, Securities, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Regulatory Boards, Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, and TennCare Oversight.

Topics Tennessee
Tim Sweetsir is a US military veteran and retired law enforcement officer who served throughout New England and Europe and now lives in central New Hampshire with Debra, his wife of thirty years, and his three sons. He has published his latest book Killer in the Dusk: a fast-paced and compelling literary debut.

Tim writes, In a small little town bordering Vermont, an extremely violent man, Cameron Baker, starts his hunt. He is looking for his estranged wife, Kayla Cerone, and son who are on the run. She ran from him with her son to get away from the abuse that she had endured for the better part of five years.

Cameron is ruthless and does not care whom he hurts or how he hurts them. He wants no witnesses left behind who can identify him. He is fixated with finding his ex-wife and son. Once found, he will make her regret her decision to leave him and make an example of her.

He chooses his victims carefully as he makes his way through several states, leaving a trail of death and violence that baffles the local police, state police, and the FBI. Law enforcement vows to get the killer off the streets and behind bars, but they make a few mistakes in their investigation when they jump to conclusions too quickly. Hes bold and leaves a note behind on one of his victims. Cameron makes fools out of the police.

He hides out on a private island. After meeting its residents, he decides to use them as pawns to lure his ex-wife to the island. His threats are taken seriously.

But even Cameron can be careless, and his last victim just might have cost him his freedom or his life. Does he kill one too many for the thrill of killing before he is caught?

Published by Page Publishing, Tim Sweetsirs engrossing book is a must-read for fans of detective fiction.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Killer in the Dusk at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues to focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
An exit poll conducted during the New Hampshire primary suggests Bernie Sanderss dominance among young voters is holding up  beating all the other Democratic primary candidates put together with voters under 30.

Sanders won 51 per cent of the vote among voters aged 18 to 29 in the crucial first-in-the-nation primary. He narrowly won the primary overall with 25.7 per cent of the vote, edging out Pete Buttigeig at 24.4 per cent and Amy Klobuchar at 19.8 per cent.

But while his younger voter base is reliably propping up his poll numbers, Sanders is struggling to attract support from older Democrats. In the New Hampshire exit poll, he ranked third behind Buttigeig and Klobuchar with voters aged 45-64 (20 per cent) and 64 and over (15 per cent).

There are other signs that Sanders strength amongst younger Democrats will not be enough to guarantee him the nomination.

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

While Sanders has promised to finally deliver the political revolution he campaigned for in 2016, neither the New Hampshire primary nor the chaotic Iowa caucuses saw the hoped-for surge in turnout compared to the contests four years ago.

While the raw number of votes cast in New Hampshire was notably higher than last time around, the electorate has also grown, meaning turnout among eligible voters (including independents, who can vote in the Democratic primary) did not break the record.

As FiveThirtyEights Nate Silver put it: While Democratic turnout has been just fine, it has not exactly been revolutionary.

More worrying for him still, younger voters have so far made up a smaller proportion of those voting this time round, dropping from 19 per cent to 14 per cent.

If Sanders is the nominee and fails to expand his base beyond the young, this bodes ill for the national election in November. Younger people tend not to vote in the numbers that older people do; in fact, they are often the only age group where more than half of eligible voters do not vote.

There are still at least five credible candidates running for the Democratic nomination: Sanders, Buttigeig, Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden. Billionaires Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg have ignored the first primaries in hopes of dominating the race later on.

The next voting contest is the Nevada caucuses, to be held on 22 February.

UPDATE (26.02.20) A previous version of this article reported that turnout in both the New Hampshire and Iowa caucuses was "significantly down" compared to turn out in 2016. The article has been amended to clarify that while the number of votes cast in the New Hampshire caucuses increased, it did not do so at a rate akin to that which was observed four years ago.
A group of Quinnipiac political science students enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime over the past week, working for six days at the camps of presidential candidates vying to win the New Hampshire Democratic primary.

The students are enrolled in Presidential Elections Campaigns: The New Hampshire Primary, a public service learning course taught by Scott McLean, professor of political science.

In all, 19 young people from throughout Connecticut  Durham, Middletown, Milford, Danbury, West Redding, Cheshire and Monroe  selected who they wanted to support during their Feb. 7-12 visit.

McLean said his students worked on the project over winter break and during the first few weeks of the class.

They got to meet those candidates and really fall in love with them. Once they experience the actual work of campaigning, hearing these messages, and being swept up into the hard work, they feel much more confident and empowered. They understand the stakes of the election much better, he said.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg won Tuesdays primary with 26.2 percent of the vote, narrowly beating out U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-N.H., who earned 26.1 percent. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., got 18 percent.

The Press spoke to four local students and McLean Wednesday morning while they were still in the Granite State and about to head back to Connecticut.

Joshua Gorero of Durham and Jonathan Rosenblum of Middletown, who followed Andrew Yang, said they left with a great deal of optimism even though their candidate pulled out of the race unexpectedly late Tuesday.

It was quite sad it had to be like that now. I was a big Yang supporter since the early days, said Gorero, who changed his mind after initially supporting another candidate early on. Im more optimistic now, because what he did was build a platform for perhaps a VP pick or some higher office position, or even a 2024 candidacy.

Rosenblum, a former Republican who switched parties to vote in the primary, agrees.

It was bad. It went from this happy place where everyone was hopeful and energized to sad but caring. This bond had formed between all these people who support him. Hes such a genuine guy, Rosenblum said.

Yang is before his time, he added. He really was out there pushing for ideas. If you look back at the campaign trail, a lot of people were laughing at him, and saying he was stupid, but now a lot of candidates are starting to adopt his policies.

With the growth of artificial intelligence, in the future, jobs could well be replaced by robots or computers, Rosenblum added. Technology is increasing in the country. You cant keep creating these jobs on a blue-collar basis like Trump is doing.

But the word is, when automation and technology completely take over, youre going to lose the trucking business to auto trucking, for example, he added.

Coming off the New Hampshire caucus, excitement was high, said Milford residents Jensen Wilson, who worked with Buttigieg, and Ambar Pagan, who was embedded in Warrens camp.

Pete really put up a fight. Hes young, so he really connects with voters especially being a mayor. He has the experience of what middle America is like to connect to those voters, Wilson said.

She did a lot of research, watching videos and interviews to understand Buttigieg. Im surprised at how well he is doing, as a younger candidate with not as much experience as the others like Bernie or Warren. I thought Bernie Sanders would win, she said.

Wilson was a little stunned by the atmosphere of the rally and party Tuesday night. It was honestly amazing to see them cheering for him. The energy was enormous. The other students and I put in so much work and effort to see it pay off, she added.

It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Pagan said. Its amazing. It was great to meet Elizabeth in person yesterday. She told me something Ill forever cherish.

Once Warren learned Pagan was thinking of an eventual career in politics, she encouraged Pagan to get back in touch with her. That will forever stick with me, she said.

At the rallies and other events, Pagan found Warren to be inspirational, well-spoken and possessing a natural charisma, she said: Getting to see her as a person, and seeing her communicate with the community, and knowing she unifies so many different people.

Dream big, fight hard is Warrens campaign slogan. Being one of few female Democrats running, the candidate has to be forthright to get her message out, Pagan said.

She still tries to prove she can do this, and shes fighting hard. Shes full of energy and motivation. To some people, that might come off as being really loud, but it shows her dedication, she said.

For the first time, McLean required his students to visit at least one other campaign: maybe holding a sign, going to a rally or something like that so they could get a flavor for it. Each campaign has its own culture, its own way of relating to volunteers and voters.

Its really valuable for students to observe that and reflect on the best way to form your organizations mission, method and strategy with New Hampshire voters, McLean said.

The professor was particularly pleased to see his charges interact so well with everyone during a stressful period. Even though they disagree, and have very different parties with very different political views, they all worked together as a community of Quinnipiac students. They back each other up.

Its wonderful to know we have it within ourselves to disagree, and yet still be devoted to democracy and this process, he added.

Its refreshing to watch these young people gaining exposure early on in their lives, McLean explained.

Theyre going to learn you build these campaigns by going door to door, and talking to people, and hearing what they say about the issues. Whether they get into politics in the future, they will definitely know how to communicate with people, and the art of the conversation one on one, he said.
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Eric Herman and John Mulry released a book to help businesses avoid practices that can destroy them. Anyone desiring a copy may visit their website and receive a complimentary copy.CORAL SPRINGS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 12, 2020 / Serial entrepreneur, Eric Herman and best selling author, John Mulry have released a new book that teaches frustrated business owners how to run a highly successful business. The book points out common mistakes business owners are making especially' in regards to digital marketing.For further information see https://www.domyemails.com The release of this book is geared to explain the dangers that face every local business and entrepreneur. The authors entitled the book Time Bomb'. The purpose of the book is to help business owners avoid getting involved with things that will destroy their business.The book purports that most business owners are not aware of the things that will destroy their business. Many business owners get involved in what the authors call sins' that prevent them from moving forward.These practices and actions cripple businesses and actually repel the most ideal customers. Typically the business owner are not even aware it is happening. The book promises the reader a complete understanding of these practices, how to spot them and stop them. By doing so they state that a struggling business will find itself succeeding in the new digital economy.Eric Herman is a seasoned entrepreneur who has generated millions of dollars in sales online, real estate, finance, banking, and SaaS industries. He helps businesses, large and small, attract more leads and customers by using profitable omni-channel marketing strategies.John Mulry's mission is to transform 1,000,000 businesses by 2030. He is an award-winning, Dan Kennedy-trained trusted marketing advisor with a unique, deep knowledge that spans both online and offline direct response marketing. He's one of the most sought after direct response email marketing consultants of his generation.During the release period of the book, the authors are sending a complimentary hand-signed copy of Time Bomb' to anyone that visits the site.For more information see the above URL.Contact Info:Name: Eric HermanEmail: Send EmailOrganization: DoMyEmailsAddress: 4613 North University Drive SUITE 230, Coral Springs, FL 33067, United StatesPhone: +1-917-331-0179Website: https://domyemails.com SOURCE: DoMyEmails
There is a need for greater oversight on banks, but overreach by probe agencies must be avoided, Managing Director Arijit Basu said on Thursday.

"...when you are working with public money you need to be overseen and you have to have a Central Vigilance Commission or a Central Bureau of Investigation, but there should not be overreach. I think the government also in the recent past has taken a lot of measures to assure the bankers," Basu said.

With a view to protect prudent decision making of bankers, the government last month took a slew of decisions, including doing away with personal responsibilities of MD and CEO of public sector (PSBs) for compliance in dealing with large value frauds committed by bank officials.

Considering the complexities involved in the commercial decisions of managers in public sector firms, the Central Vigilance Commission set up the Advisory Board for Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF) for a mandatory first level examination on suspected frauds in excess of Rs 50 crore, involving public servants of GM rank and above, before investigations begin.

In order to boost staff morale and reduce scope for harassment, Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also directed PSB heads to clear long-pending vigilance cases against their officials for alleged malpractices.

The should form a panel headed by a general manager (GM) and it should either take decision to pursue the case with a timeline or close the file of long-pending vigilance cases, she had instructed.

Talking about the current levels of non-performing assets (NPAs), Basu said should have been cautious in some cases.

"There are two aspects to the reasons as to why this (non-performing assets) happened. One of them is rooted in the economy of the country...the other cause was the fact that when this was being done, there were certain accounts in certain cases where the banks should also have been much more cautious," he said.

The gross non-performing asset ratio of commercial banks is seen rising to 9.9 per cent by September 2020 from 9.3 per cent as on September 2019, according to the baseline scenario in a macro-stress test conducted by the Reserve Bank of India.

Basu also said the worst is behind the banking sector in terms of NPAs.

"In a major way, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has really helped us see that the ecosystem gets cleaned up. The legacy accounts, which were there, most of them have been addressed," Basu said at the Times Now Summit here.

He further said the retail credit growth of is seen at around 18 per cent.
South Africa: Stage set for SONA 2020

The brass is being polished and the stage is being set for guests and Parliamentarians, who will this evening get their marching orders from President Cyril Ramaphosa, as he delivers the 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Ramaphosa will at 7pm this evening take to the podium to address a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament  the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Here, he is expected to chart the course for the implementation of the 20192024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), following the 8 May 2019 National and Provincial Elections.

South Africans will have their eyes and ears glued to television screens, radio sets and social media platforms as the President - in his fourth SONA - dissects governments 2020 programme of action.

Former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and F W de Klerk, as well as former National Assembly Speakers Baleka Mbete and Dr Frene Ginwala are among the guests who have confirmed attendance at the much-anticipated event. Miss Universe Zozi Tunzi is also expected to be among dignitaries in the gallery.

The Parliamentary precinct has this week been abuzz with activity ahead of the event, with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) band rehearsing and officials making their final arrangements.

A series of mobile broadcast stations will be set up for the media, where analysts and experts will unpack the expectations of the SONA.

While Speaker of the National Assembly Thandi Modise has affirmed that Parliament is ready to host this years SONA, she said the institution was sensitive to the prevailing economic challenges and some of the aspects of the ceremony have been cut back to ensure Parliament is prudent with the budget.

Themed #GrowSA, today's occasion is expected to focus the nations attention on the symbolism and ceremonial content of South Africas democracy, as well as on the substance of renewal and growth at a time when South Africans wish to see and experience inclusive and sustainable growth that creates jobs and sustains communities.

Gathering momentum from the past two years Thuma Mina (Send Me) clarion call of action, President Ramaphosas speech this year is expected to shift gear, focusing on the call for the country to realise and propel its abundant potential.

Significant inroads in the two years have already set the country on a growth trajectory.

The address will be broadcast on SABC television and radio channels. It will be livestreamed on the Parliamentary website, and public viewing sites have been set up at various locations in provinces. South Africans can also track the conversation on social media by following @SAgovnews and #SONA2020 on Twitter. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
President of IBAG, Mrs. Lena Adu-Kofi

13.02.2020 LISTEN

The Ghana Insurance Brokers Association (GIBA) has officially launched its new name and logo to become more distinctive in its operations in the insurance industry.

The Association which has been operating for the past 32years now wishes to be called Insurance Brokers Association of Ghana (IBAG).

Speaking at the ceremony in Accra, the President of IBAG, Mrs. Lena Adu-Kofi said the Association underscored the need to rebrand the Association to give proper meaning to its mandate in the ever-evolving sector.

As the mouthpiece of the brokers and the insuring public, she noted that the Association will deepen its public education effort on insurance and continue to serve as an advocate for members regarding regulatory issues and governmental policies.

Mrs Adu-Kofi added that the insurance brokers will continue to provide professional risk management advice to policyholders, assist the insuring public to purchase the right insurance cover from a lawful insurance company and ensure fair treatment of clients through the prompt payment of legitimate claims.

The insurance broker does all the above and more, at no cost to the buyer of insurance. Insurance brokers worldwide are remunerated in the form of brokerage (fees), which is built in the insurance premium, she emphasized.

Mrs Adu-Kofi urges other insurance brokers to join the Association for the common good of the industry.

According to her, the Association has successfully undertaken many initiatives and achieved some great milestones over the years.

She indicated that the Association has contributed to the issuing and implementation of some regulatory guidelines and directives, such as the No Premium No Cover directive, the Reinsurance Guidelines, the Insurance Law, Commission rates for brokers, Premium rates for various policies.

We were involved in the setting up of the Ghana Insurance College (GIC) and the Insurance Awareness Coordinators Group (IACG), and continue to play key roles in the work of GIC and IACG.

We have held public lectures, seminars and insurance awareness activities including Health Walks, Corporate Games, radio and TV appearances, etc. We engage in numerous Corporate Social Responsible activities: including donation to Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Princess Marie Louis Childrens Hospital, and support for flood victims and many others, she stressed.

The Commissioner of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Mr. Justice Yaw Ofori indicated that the brokers have generally contributed about 25% of the total industry premium of Ghc2.3billion.

He added that 43% of non-life premiums was generated by brokers. This is no mean achievement and it is my hope that this rebranding will challenge you to do more.

According to him, the Commission has embarked on a number of projects to improve the industry that aims to protect the insuring public.

Mr. Yaw Ofori noted that the recently launched Motor Insurance Database (MID) has become operational with the aim of plugging leakages in motor premiums through the sale of fake stickers.

He calls on industry players and stakeholders to comply with the new system to help increase the trust and confidence of the insuring public.
The minister of humanitarian affairs and social development, Sadiya Umar, on Thursday paid a condolence visit to Auno, the village where over 30 travellers were killed by Boko Haram, on Sunday.

The minister, who arrived at Maiduguri on Wednesday, travelled to Auno amidst tight security in the company of the management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

The minister was received by the district head of Auno, Abba Annas, who thanked the minister for coming to see them after the attack.

The local official pleaded that the Nigerian government should deploy more security officers to the village stressing they still remain vulnerable to possible attacks.

Sundays attack was the deadliest of all attacks that we experienced in Auno in the past weeks and months, he said. The last attack was the sixth in the series of attacks this year.

We beg the federal government to deploy security to us here in Auno; we are too vulnerable. No one is protecting us despite all the attacks we suffer, he said.

Commiserating the people of Auno, the minister said President Muhammadu Buhari was sad over the incident especially with the level of losses.

We are here on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, who directed that the ministry should come and condole with the government and people of Auno, following the unfortunate attack by the Boko Haram.

The president has directed me to come with my team to sympathise with you and to also assure you of the governments commitment to meeting the immediate and lasting need of the people, she said

Mr Buhari on Wednesday visited the state to commiserate with the victims.

Meanwhile, Ms Umar said the government would rebuild all the destroyed houses and provide palliatives for those who lost their means of livelihood.

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Meanwhile, the NEDC Managing Director, Muhammed Alkali, said that the commission would work towards meeting the victims immediate and lasting needs.

Now we have seen what happened and the level of destruction, now we have to go back to sort ourselves and come back to provide succour and help to rebuild their lives, Mr Alkali said.

The minister was accompanied by the Chairman of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Paul Tarfa, and Yabawa Kolo, chairperson of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
New Delhi: The horrific murders of five members of a family in Northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura was allegedly carried out by the maternal uncle of the head of the family, Shambhu Chaudhary. Police arrested Shambhu's maternal uncle Prabhu Mishra on Thursday for the crime.

Prabhu committed the gruesome crime as he was unable to return Rs 30,000 that he had borrowed from Shambhu who had been putting pressure on him to pay back the amount. Shambhu and Prabhu had quarrelled over the money on several occasions with the former demanding that he (Prabhu) return the money at the earliest.

Police initially arrested Prabhu on the basis of suspicion. During interrogation, Prabhu broke down and allegedly confessed to the five murders.

All the five dead bodies were in a house in Bhajanpura on Wednesday. The five identified as Shambhu Chaudhary (43), his wife Sunita (37), son Shivam (17), son Sachin (14) and daughter Komal (12) had been killed with a sharp-edged weapon and bore injury marks on their neck and other parts of the body.

Police began investigating the case from a personal enmity angle as no traces of loot was found in the house. Shambhu ran a small juice stall and also drove an e-rickshaw in the locality. Hailing from Bihar's Supaul district, he was a tenant in the house where he and his family were killed.

The murders came to light after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from the house, which was locked from outside, and informed the police. The police broke open the door and found the five decomposed bodies. A forensic team was also called to the spot to collect evidence, said Ved Prakash Surya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast).
(TNS)  When Jeff Moneda first started working for Foster City, where trails wind along the towns scenic lagoons and the nicest homes perch along its picturesque canals, he received an email from federal emergency officials that jolted him into action.The first thing in my inbox was a letter from FEMA that said, You need to raise your levee or were going to place the entire city in a flood zone, said Moneda, the city manager. Talk about stress.For a city of 34,000 that was built on filled-in marshland along San Francisco Bay, the future hinges on the strength of an eight-mile-long levee that for decades has held back the rising sea. But with every tide and storm, the water keeps trying to move back and reclaim the town. Flood maps, even in more moderate scenarios, show much of the city inundated if nothing is done.The fate of Foster City and the rest of the Bay Area was front and center last week as state lawmakers grappled with the many threats California must confront as the ocean pushes farther inland. A special committee of state lawmakers gathered  for the second time in two months after years without meeting  to reignite a much-needed discussion on how to better prepare communities up and down the coast from devastating loss.Homes are flooding and critical roads and infrastructure are already mere feet from toppling into the sea, they said, but cities up and down the coast have been paralyzed by the difficult choices ahead. More than $150 billion in property could be at risk of flooding by 2100  the economic damage far more destructive than from the states worst earthquakes and wildfires.Failure to act will result in lost opportunities to be proactive  and much higher costs, according to scientists, local officials and legislative analysts who spoke before the state Assemblys Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy.Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath, D-Encinitas, who revived the committee last year, acknowledged just how much is at stake and said the Legislature needs to act fast and figure out what to prioritize.We are already 10 years late to this issue, she said, and there are options that are slipping away from us as we postpone a very difficult conversation.These remarks come at a time when more officials across the state are waking up to the social, economic and environmental catastrophe of sea level rise. The Ocean Protection Council, an advisory body tasked with guiding the states coastal policies, is now pushing California to be prepared for at least 3.5 feet of sea level rise by 2050.Legislative analysts, in an unprecedented report, recently made the case that any action  or lack of action  within the next 10 years could determine the fate of the California coast.For those in the Bay Area  where millions of people rely on major roads and infrastructure at risk of chronic flooding  fighting against the sea has been a costly and overwhelming challenge.With just 2 feet of flooding around the Bay Area, as many as 90,000 people could be left homeless, one official said. Keeping the island city of Alameda above water could cost almost $1 billion, another said, but would avert $8 billion in damage. Infrastructure engineers made the case for better sea walls to protect the San Francisco and Oakland airports  both built on bay fill and barely supported by aging dikes.In Foster City, property owners ended up agreeing  by a more than 80% vote  to tax themselves $90 million to raise the levee many feet higher. Officials hope to start construction as early as this summer.The barrier, mostly earthen, currently curves along the bay for miles. On Saturday, the morning of the annual king tide  a period when the sun, moon and Earth are aligned closest together and create a higher-than-high tide  water levels rose as high as 9 feet, according to the nearest tide gauge.Across the bay, groups of people gathered on piers and harbors, beaches and estuaries, to witness the water creeping up bridges and pushing into wetlands and low-lying roads. These extreme tides, coastal scientists say, will eventually become the new normal.Compounding the problem in this region is groundwater flooding as the ocean moves farther inland  what some researchers call the sea beneath us.As the ocean rises, that pressure pushes freshwater up from beneath our feet, said Kristina Hill, whose research at the University of California, Berkeley focuses on this less-talked-about sea level rise issue. Basements and underground foundations will heave, brackish water could corrode sewer pipes, toxic contaminants buried in the soil could bubble up and spread.We could spend hundreds of billions of dollars and still have flooding on the inland side of all those levees, Hill told the sea level rise committee, showing a map of areas where the water is already leaking out of the ground. Were very concerned about human health and the health of the bay.Solutions, experts say, depend on more cities, transportation officials and property owners working together across regions. Too many are still jostling for money and approvals to defend whats theirs  rather than seeing the much bigger picture.Rising tides and former marshes do not heed to city boundaries or property lines, they said, and the action of one jurisdiction may affect another down the coast. There needs to be more coordination, officials agreed, to restore wetlands and rethink critical infrastructure that serves more than any one community.San Mateo County, for example, recently formed a cross-jurisdictional sea level rise resiliency district that is funded even by its inland communities. Officials say this new flood control approach allows the region to plan for all its shoreline needs in a way that cannot be done on a city-by-city basis.Still, some last week worried that these new regional efforts could hurt their communities at the cost of protecting those with more political sway and power. Will the city of Millbrae, one official asked, be paying to protect more influential cities  while absorbing much of the environmental impact?Mark Stechbart, a resident of Pacifica, called on state lawmakers to not give up on sea walls. In his town, where bluffs are crumbling and waves often overtop roads, a push by some officials to consider relocating inland has angered many property owners.Pacifica, he said, should be afforded the same protections as SFO and Google headquarters, which we desperately need; otherwise, very serious amounts of property value are going to go in the water.Warner Chabot, who heads the San Francisco Estuary Institute, said more pilot projects will help make the case for sharing resources and ideas across boundaries. He has spent years encouraging the Bay Areas many different agencies to think about the shoreline beyond parcel by parcel, town by town.With more support from the state, he urged lawmakers, Californias coastal communities can be a national model of how urban regions, at the edge of the sea, can provide bold, equitable and inclusive solutions to climate change.2020 Los Angeles TimesVisit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): ENV-BAYAREA-SEALEVEL
The eighth instalment of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair starts at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) tomorrow and runs until Sunday, 16 February. Showcasing over 400 artists, 93 galleries, informative talks, art documentaries and much more the fair is one of the largest and leading events on the African art calendar.

Laura Vincenti

Which would be your must-see exhibition or artist at ICTAF?

Michelangelo Pistoletto

Is there an overarching theme for the fair?

Sungi Mlengeya

Isabelle Grobler

What are some of the challenges of putting on an event of this scale?

It must be gratifying to play a role in the reason that Cape Town was recently named Africa's art capital, what are your thoughts on this?

Fathi Hassan Fathi Hassan

How does local art still need to be supported?

What trends in the arts do you foresee developing in 2020?

We got in touch with Art Fair director Laura Vincenti to find out what goes into putting on an event of this scale, cultivating a pan-African dialogue and art trends for the year ahead.With over 103 exhibitors and over 400 artists participating it is impossible to single out one exhibition or artist but here are a few artists, galleries and art movements that visitors to the Fair can experience for the first time, such as artists, Mario Merz and Michelangelo Pistoletto of the Arte Povera movement, founded by Giorgio Persano. The American artists; Andy Robert, Amelia Etlinger and Riley Holloway. Taking cognisance of our overburdened planet a host of artists exhibiting at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2020, are using the detritus of human life as inspiration or raw material for their work. These artists include, Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos and Nigerian artist Nnenna Okore.No, there isnt an overarching theme for the fair other than we only showcase contemporary art. Two sections within Investec Cape Town Art Fair  SOLO and TOMORROWS/TODAY  do work to specific themes and/or guiding principles.SOLO, is a curated section featuring works by a number of emerging and established artists from around the world, offering a more in-depth view of varied artistic practices from a wide cross section of contexts  in the form of curated solo presentations.In its third iteration, SOLO will focus on the notion of space and how it presents itself thematically in artworks; through an amalgamation of mediums and concepts that tie into each other, with themes ranging from the representation of the black body and its movement to issues of exile, migration, mythologies and leisure. Through this focus, SOLO aims to encourage fair audiences to take note of the power relations that help to shape the boundaries of spaces and what is possible within them and who may enter, with which identities, discourses and interests.TOMORROWS/TODAY is structured as a curated exhibition, with a prestigious award attached and is a portal to new visions in the visual arts. The aim of TOMORROWS/TODAY has, from its inception, also been to shine a light on emerging and under-represented and under-recognised artists, set to be tomorrows leading names. It is open to those working on and beyond the African continent and as the title implies, the ongoing theme is one of transformation, and experimentation showcasing unorthodox art forms addressing current social and political issues.Our key challenge is to continually grow the fair to an international standard and to ensure Investec Cape Town Art Fair is one of the biggest appointments on the international art fair calendar. To ensure that the Fair is the largest and leading fair on the continent means to create an inherently consistent space that caters for galleries, artists, collectors and visitors. My very first challenge was looking at the space from different perspectives whilst simultaneously trying to meet priorities and needs that sometimes deviate from each other.We are a part of quite a prolific art ecosystem, so to develop and strengthen the collaboration between local institutions, museums and cultural associations to make Cape Town the place to be in February each year has been a very significant part of my challenges. We constantly need to be innovative and intriguing each and every year to attract more exhibitors and collectors from around the world. The key is passion.Yes we are extremely excited to see the report results.After almost a decade of groundwork, our consistent drive to bring together galleries and artists from Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and the USA is yielding remarkable results. A third of our exhibitors due to showcase at Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2020 will be new to the event, and close to 40% from the rest of the world.The city of Cape Town is a key inspiration for Investec Cape Town Art Fair. It supplies a world-class setting that provides a space for internationally-renowned names in contemporary art to work and be alongside the most exciting emerging artists from across the African continent, something you cannot find at other fairs.The list of great artists due to land in Cape Town shortly is staggering, reflecting on the significance of the moment. With the proliferation of art fairs in the world, Investec Cape Town Art Fair is the only international fair on the continent. The Investec Cape Town Art Fair stands as a medium for creating a dialogue between the northern and southern hemisphere - it is fair to say that the 2020 edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair presents itself as a unique and special opportunity to experience an international platform for artists from all over the world.The Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2020 will happen on what can be described as a veritable world stage, showcasing talent, dialogue and curated display. Expect to find the works of veteran Egyptian Fathi Hassan care of Lawrie Shabibi Gallery in Dubai; Shirin Neshat care of Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, Ghanaian painter Gideon Appiah care of Afikaris Gallery of Paris, Onyis Martin care of Circle Art Gallery in Nairobi, Luc Ming Yan care of Apalazzo Gallery in Brescia, Brazilian Beto Shwafaty care of Prometeo Gallery in Milan and local performer and sculptor Athi-Patra Ruga care of WHATIFTHEWORLD in Cape Town.This showing of some of the foremost art galleries in the world illustrates Cape Towns ability to serve as a destination for international galleries seeking access to a new market of enthusiastic collectors, and insight into the region's art scene, currently one of the fastest growing in the world. Investec Cape Town Art Fair offers an immersive and intimate experience of an entirely unique art capital, with plenty to offer international galleries and collectors to make the trip worthwhile.The Investec Cape Town Art Fair team promotes the city of Cape Town when we travel abroad, functioning as unofficial ambassadors. The fair is produced by Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa (FMEA) of Fiera Milano S.p.A, a global leader in exhibition management and the organisers of Miart Art Fair and they constantly promote the fair. International people know the city primarily as a tourist destination. But now its relevance as a cultural destination is growing. The connection between the two is very important.More art residencies equal accessibility. Art still needs to be made widely accessible in the public domain and not consumed only in private spaces this to ensure that we can invite a wide participation of individuals and initiatives in order to create new forms of interaction and ecosystems. We need to bridge the divide between the art and cultural sectors as well. But even more so, government also needs to take a concerted effort to channel funds into the arts.Locally, we can see our youth becoming more experimental in their attempts to try and move away from the Wests formal art making processes and moving towards making art centred on Africas values and tastes. Its exciting to see African artists in Africa producing African-centred content for Africans and not needing external validation.Internationally, we see people dabbling in radical and new artistic practises as well. Artists worldwide are looking to move away from the reality of art patronage. We are seeing the decolonisation of art history departments more and more, artists swinging to abstraction and moving to the digital realm and galleries are now forced to enhance their presence online.
Asia Coronavirus Death Toll Leaps in China's Hubei Province; Party Bosses Sacked

A worker with sanitizing equipment crosses the road in front of a hospital in Yichang City in Chinas Hubei province on Feb. 12, 2020. / Reuters

BEIJINGThe Chinese province at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in the death toll on Thursday under a new diagnostic method, and Beijing sacked two local leaders after criticism of their handling of the crisis.

Health officials in Hubei province said 242 people had died from the flu-like virus on Wednesday, the fastest rise in the daily count since the pathogen was identified in December, and bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 1,310. The previous highest daily rise in the toll was 103 on Feb. 10.

Reports in state-run media said provincial Communist Party boss Jiang Chaoliang had been sacked as secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee, and Ma Guoqiang had been removed as party chief in the provincial capital Wuhan.

The reports did not state a reason for the dismissals, but the two are the most high-profile Chinese officials to date to be removed from duty following the coronavirus outbreak that began in Wuhan late last year.

Thank you Communist Party. It should have been done earlier, Wuhan resident Wang You told Reuters.

Dozens of low-level health officials across the country have also lost their jobs for failing to contain the spread of the epidemic, which is believed to have emerged from a seafood market in Wuhan where wildlife was traded illegally.

The spike in the death toll came a day after China reported its lowest number of new cases in two weeks, bolstering a forecast by the countrys senior medical adviser that the epidemic could end by April.

Another 14,840 cases were reported in Hubei alone on Thursday, from 2,015 nationwide a day earlier, after provincial officials started using computerized tomography (CT) scans to look for signs of the virus.

Hubei had previously only allowed infections to be confirmed by RNA tests, which can take days to process. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, carries genetic information allowing for identification of organisms like viruses.

Using quicker CT scans that reveal lung infections would help patients receive treatment as soon as possible and improve their chances of recovery, the Hubei health commission said.

The new diagnostic procedure could explain the spike in the death toll, according to Raina McIntyre, head of biosecurity research at the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

Presumably, there are deaths which occurred in people who did not have a lab diagnosis but did have a CT. It is important that these also be counted, she told Reuters.

The new testing methodology is only being used in Hubei province so far, Chinese officials said.

Markets rattled

Asian stock markets wobbled and the safe-havens of the Japanese yen, gold and bonds rose after the new Hubei numbers dashed hopes the epidemic was stabilizing and the Chinese economy could bounce back quickly.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday the number of cases of infection in China had stabilized but it was too early to say the epidemic was slowing.

This outbreak could still go in any direction, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing in Geneva.

Experts say a vaccine could still be months away.

The latest toll from Hubei pushes the number of deaths in mainland China past 1,350, with about 60,000 confirmed cases.

Hundreds of infections have been reported in more than two dozen other countries and territories, but only two people have died from the virus outside mainland Chinaone in Hong Kong and another in the Philippines.

The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off the Japanese port of Yokohama, where a further 44 cases were reported on Thursday. So far, 219 of about 3,700 people on board have tested positive.

There was a happy ending for another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, which docked in Cambodia after being denied docking rights in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines over fears one of its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew might have the virus, even though none had tested positive.

This morning, just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment, Angela Jones, an American tourist on the ship, told Reuters. I thought: Is this real?

Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, remains under virtual lockdown, and other major Chinese cities are facing severe travel restrictions.

United Airlines said it would extend cancellations of all US flights to China through late April, meaning all US passenger carriers flying to China had now canceled flights into late April.

The move is the latest disruption to international travel that has paralyzed businesses and played havoc with major conferences and sporting events.

The Mobile World Congress, an annual telecoms industry gathering that draws more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona, was canceled on Wednesday after a mass exodus by exhibitors due to coronavirus-related concerns.

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, originally set for Shanghai on April 19, was postponed, as was Singapores annual rugby sevens tournament scheduled for April 11-12, a source familiar with the matter said.

Hong Kong extended the suspension of schools till at least March 16 in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the city, where 50 cases have been confirmed.

In Taiwan, which has reported only 18 cases of the virus, cabinet proposed a US$2 billion (2.9 trillion kyat) package to help the economy deal with the impact of the epidemic.

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Alfa-Bank now runs entirely on customer journeys, and the benefits to organizing around customer journeys are many: improved cross-functional collaboration, unified KPIs, reduced silos, superior client experiences, and better overall performance. But for traditionally structured companies, like the Russia-based bank, acclimating to this way of working can itself be a journey that requires addressing communications challenges and the need to reskill employees. Given the investment of time and resources that goes into a major customer-journey-at-scale transformation, getting it right is a high-stakes endeavor that calls for innovation and inspiration, as well as an organization-wide willingness to adapt.

Its also fun, says Michael Tuch, deputy chairman of Alfa-Banks executive board and the banks retail business director.

BCGs Bharat Poddar, managing director and senior partner, sat down with Tuch to discuss these topics and the role BCG played in the banks transformation. As Tuch observes, it all comes down to people. During the transformation, BCGs people (led on the ground by managing director and partner Max Hauser) worked seamlessly alongside their new colleagues at Alfa-Bank, developing a shared daily routine and motivation to succeed. The rewards of that success, Tuch says, are well worth the effort.


Neutral stance: BP's new CEO Kerry-born Bernard Looney has set out an ambitious plan to tackle the energy firms carbon emissions. Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

The new head of BP has set out the boldest climate plan of any major oil company, pledging to eliminate almost all of the carbon emissions from its operations and the fuel it sells to customers.

Kerry-born Bernard Looney, who has been the company's chief executive officer for just a week, set an ambitious agenda for what's becoming an existential challenge for the oil industry.

While peers including Royal Dutch Shell, Total and Equinor have responded to investor pressure by adopting targets for emissions curbs, none has promised to zero-out all emissions from the fossil fuels they pump from the ground.

Only Spain's Repsol, a smaller refiner and energy producer, has gone further by pledging to fully eliminate "Scope 3" emissions, which include fuel it buys from third parties and sells to consumers.

"The world's carbon budget is finite and running out fast. We need a rapid transition to net zero," Mr Looney said in a statement yesterday.

"This will certainly be a challenge, but also a tremendous opportunity. It is clear to me, and to our stakeholders, that for BP to play our part and serve our purpose, we have to change."

While Mr Looney struck a confident tone, he faces an enormous task. For BP to survive the energy transition in a world that's gradually falling out of love with oil, it will need to make big investments in new sources of clean energy, ensure cash keeps flowing from its fossil fuel assets, while also funnelling generous returns to investors.

It's a balancing act that its closest peer Shell is already struggling to master.

"For us the statement represents a step change in terms of vision for the company and one that moves the group toward the biggest reorganization and modernization in at least two decades, if not a century," analysts at Barclays said in a note.

"The magnitude and radical nature of this shift should not be underestimated."

Targeting Scope 3 emissions is a big step for an industry that produces the bulk of the world's planet-warming emissions.

To fulfil the pledge, Mr Looney or one of his successors may one day face a hard reckoning - either shift energy production to renewables, invent commercially viable technology to store the carbon emitted from burning oil and gas, or stick with fossil fuels and accept that production will have to drop.

BP's own operations emit the equivalent of about 55 million tonnes a year of carbon dioxide, while the oil and gas it pumps from the ground adds another 360 million tonnes, the company said. Looney plans to eliminate both those sets of emissions on a net basis by 2050 or earlier.

"This is what we mean by making BP net zero," Mr Looney said.

"It directly addresses all the carbon we get out of the ground as well as all the greenhouse gases we emit from our operations. These will be absolute reductions, which is what the world needs."

BP also aims to reduce by half the carbon intensity of the products it sells - including crude and fuels it purchases from other companies and sells to its customers - by offering people more choice of low- and no-carbon products.

BP's own upstream operations produced 1.14 million barrels a day of liquids in 2018, but it actually refined 1.7 million a day and its total sales to consumers were 2.74 million barrels a day, according to its annual report.

The plan is more ambitious than expected, but it won't be plain sailing, said RBC Capital Markets analyst Biraj Borkhataria. BP's commitment to do all this while still boosting free cash flow and shareholder returns is "really the key challenge," he said.

In the early 2000s, the company re-branded itself as "Beyond Petroleum" under another visionary CEO, John Browne. But big investments in solar power largely failed. In one of his last interviews before leaving office, Mr Looney's predecessor Bob Dudley warned against Big Oil moving too fast on new technologies to counter climate change, because their failure could lead to financial ruin.

However, circumstances are changing. Becoming greener is no longer a choice for the world's largest polluters.

The damaging effects of rising global temperatures are increasingly evident and established investors are starting to worry about the vulnerability of their investment portfolios to a climate crisis. It was among the most debated subjects in this year's World Economic Forum in Davos.

Last month, BlackRock added its significant weight to a $41 trillion (37.6trn) investor group that's pressing the biggest emitters to change their ways.

The Church of England Commissioners, one of the activist investors that has been pressuring Big Oil, praised BP's move. "This is the ambition that the world needs," Edward Mason, head of responsible investment, said in a tweet.
More than 500 killed by wild animals in Bengal since 2015, govt to give jobs to their kin

Four elephants die within 11 days in Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha

Viral: Baby elephant enjoys bathing in a river as mom keeps a close watch

Human-elephant conflict: A deadly battle over ever decreasing land

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Feb 13: A deadly conflict is underway as elephant-human face-off has become regular news in India with its wildlife confined to ever-shrinking forest land.

In the last five years, 2,361 humans were killed as a result of conflict with elephants, while 510 elephants were killed in incidents of electrocution, train accidents, poaching and poisoning during the same period.

West Bengal leads the list with 403 human deaths due to conflict with elephants, and 74 due to tigers. West Bengal is followed by Odisha in the number of human deaths caused by elephants (397) and by Maharashtra in the number of deaths caused by tigers (74).

Why should we care what happens to elephants?

Human-elephant conflict is already one of the biggest conservation challenges.

With India's ever-increasing population growth, elephants and humans are forced into closer contact, resulting in more frequent and severe conflict.

The shrinking habitats and restricted corridors are absolutely critical for conservation efforts and the future of its iconic mammals.

Elephant-human conflict, a result of habitat loss

Scientists have identified crop-raiding as the main form of conflict.

When elephants and humans face-off, there is conflict from crop-raiding, injuries and deaths to humans caused by elephants, and elephants being killed by humans for reasons other than ivory and habitat degradation.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

Elephants cause damage amounting from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars.

Why elephants form unusual all-male groups ganging up in human-occupied areas

Every year, 100 humans (in some years it maybe 300 people) and 40-50 elephants are killed during crop-raiding in India, according to an NGO World Wide Fund for Nature.

Water scarcity

Thirsty of water, the elephants are wandering into human territories. Most watering holes are empty, with even lakes and ponds drying up.

Lethal retaliation against elephants

Elephants, in search of food frequently raid and destroy crops and they can be very dangerous too. They are being viewed as a nuisance and killed.

For example, a total of 60 elephants found dead in retaliation incidents in NE India and Sumatra in 2001, poisoned by plantation workers.

Elephants eat up to 450kg of food per day

Elephants are messy eaters, they need up to 450kg of food per day. A single elephant can smash work of a hectare of crops in a very short time.

Consequences for local people

The elephant raids push small farmers, often desperately poor and already economically to a vulnerable condition.

They may lose their entire livelihood overnight from an elephant raid.

Over 32,000 animals, including 60 elephants killed on tracks in 3 years

Solution

Human-elephant conflict can take their toll both on human lives and property as well as elephant populations.

Non-availability of water is also much of a problem as compared to lack of proteinaceous food. Authorities must come up with ways to help these animals sustain in case the drought cycle intensifies in future.

Innovative ways of resolving such conflicts are vital for the viable conservation of Asian elephants.
Gov. Tony Evers has submitted a federal emergency declaration for three southeastern Wisconsin counties for $10 million in damage caused along the shore of Lake Michigan by winter storms last month.

Evers asked President Donald Trumps administration for the declaration to cover Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties for damage from the Jan. 10-12 storms that included large waves and shoreline flooding.

About $10 million in damages where repairs were eligible for federal reimbursement were identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Wisconsin Emergency Management. Initial reports estimated $30 million in damages to public infrastructure, but only a third of that met the threshold for federal money.

If approved, communities could recover 75% of the costs to rebuild public infrastructure and cleanup debris following the storms from the federal government. The state and local communities would pay for the rest.

The program is not for businesses or homeowners as the level of damage in these areas do not meet requirements for federal disaster relief, Evers administration said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Wisconsin
Leaders in Afghanistan say the United States has made notable progress in ongoing peace talks with representatives of the Taliban that are taking pace in the Gulf state of Qatar.

Late on February 11, President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that he had received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, sharing with him the latest developments in the turbulent U.S.-Taliban peace process aimed at ending the 18-year-old Afghan war.

The Secretary informed me about the Talibans proposal with regards to bringing a significant and enduring reduction in violence, said President Ghani, without elaborating.

The nearly 18-months of U.S.-Taliban peace talks lately have bogged down over Washingtons demands for the insurgent group to significantly cut Afghan violence in return for an American troop drawdown in the country.

The Talibans refusal, however, to go beyond its proposed weeklong scaling back of insurgent operations until an agreement is signed with the U.S. has in recent days halted progress in the dialogue process.

Last week, Pompeo demanded demonstrable evidence the Taliban would reduce violence before signing a deal.

Ghanis statement after his conversation with Pompeo on February 11 suggested the insurgents had reviewed their traditional stance to break the impasse in the peace process.

There was no immediate reaction from the Taliban.

Separately, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said Secretary Pompeo also called him and discussed the progress made in talks with the Taliban talks.

Abdullah noted in a statement that Pompeo expressed optimism that a reduction in violence and progress with current talks could lead to an agreement that would pave the way for intra-Afghan talks leading to durable peace.

Analysts were quick to underline the importance of calls between Afghan leaders and Secretary Pompeo.

Looks like U.S.-Taliban deal is imminent. That will be the biggest milestone by far in 10 years of off-and-on efforts to launch an Afghan peace process, tweeted Laurel Miller, a former U.S. State Department envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Taliban and U.S. negotiators are due to meet February 12 in the Qatari capital of Doha. The meeting, insurgent sources say, could lead to the announcement of a deal to de-escalate battlefield violence between Taliban and U.S.-led foreign troops as a first step toward the signing of a final peace deal.

Under the proposed peace agreement negotiated by Taliban and American officials, the insurgents would be bound to engage in intra-Afghan negotiations on a nationwide cease-fire and post-war power-sharing in Afghanistan.

The next stage  the negotiations among Afghans that are supposed to come next  will be much more complex and could well take longer. A U.S.-Taliban agreement is an important prelude but will only have enduring significance if intra-Afghan talks produce a real peace deal, said Miller, currently the director of Asia program at the International Crisis Group.

The conflict in Afghanistan started in 2001 when a U.S.-led military coalition invaded the country and ousted from power the Taliban rulers at the time for sheltering al-Qaida leaders. The Taliban has since waged a deadly insurgency, and it currently controls or contests nearly half of Afghan territory.

Afghan civilians, however, bear the brunt of the war, which has killed or injured more than 100,000 civilians in the last 10 years alone, according to the United Nations.
Industry leaders privately warned the Trump administration that the U.S. will struggle to produce the oil, gas and other energy products that China has committed to buy in a new trade deal, raising additional questions about one of the presidents signature economic achievements.

The phase one deal signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 15 calls for China to purchase an additional $52.4 billion in liquefied natural gas, crude oil, refined products and coal over the next two years. To do that, China would have to import an additional 1 million barrels per day of crude oil, 500,000 barrels per day of refined products and 100 tankers full of liquefied natural gas, the American Petroleum Institute cautioned last month in a closed-door meeting with the Energy Department.

Those amounts would strain shipping infrastructure and production capacity and would require China to purchase more crude oil than the federal government has predicted the U.S. would add in new production by 2021, the oil industry lobbying group said.

The United States ability to expand its exports of crude oil and other liquids would likely become a binding constraint, API said in its briefing for the Energy Department. And even if production is available, logistical challenges remain with marine shipping and the Panama Canal.

The warnings were detailed in briefing materials seen by Bloomberg News and confirmed by two people familiar with the late January meeting who asked not to be identified describing a private discussion. The meeting was requested by the Energy Department as the agency sought to understand how the Chinese purchase commitments would affect the U.S. oil and gas industry after the trade pact was inked, the people said.

CLASH OF THE TITANS: Opposing policies in U.S.-China trade negotiations spell trouble ahead

The presentation by an industry viewed as one of the biggest beneficiaries of Trumps trade deal with China underscores questions about Chinas commitment to buy at least $200 billion more in U.S. goods and services over the next two years -- more than double the $187 billion the U.S. exported to the Asian nation in 2017. Doubts have already been raised about the ability of U.S. to rapidly ramp up production of soybeans and other agricultural goods to fulfill the Chinese purchase pledges.

We appreciated the opportunity last month to brief the DOE about the challenges and opportunities that the phase one agreement presents, APIs senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs, Frank Macchiarola, said in an emailed statement. While market conditions suggest more clarity around particular issues is needed, we commend the administration for gathering information from stakeholders to ensure this agreement is implemented successfully.

Spokespeople for the U.S. Trade Representative and the White House did not respond to a request for comments.

Oil and gas industry representatives have broadly hailed the trade package, with the API in January proclaiming it a step in the right direction for U.S. energy. Other oil and gas leaders also have celebrated the Chinese purchase commitments, with Anne Bradbury, chief executive of the American Exploration and Production Council, saying the phase one deal helps us plan and invest in critical infrastructure to expand access to global markets while supporting U.S. jobs and economic growth.

Nevertheless, analysts have already warned that logistical and contractual constraints could make it hard for China to make good on its purchase commitments. For instance in gas, the nation is set to see a major increase of competing pipeline imports from Russia in the coming years that will squeeze LNG trade.

API offered a similarly sober assessment to the Energy Department, counseling that any ramp-up in Chinese purchases of U.S. crude oil could displace nearly one third of current exports, bid up prices and strain existing shipping capacity, especially over the next two years.

Coronavirus outbreak

The briefing occurred before an industrial shutdown in China caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak that sent oil prices tumbling and led analysts to sharply cut forecasts for global demand this year.

The meeting was one of several the Energy Department had with industry representatives ahead of a planned trip to China with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. An Energy Department official said similar discussions were held with a broad range of leaders in coal, LNG and trading in preparation for the trip.

A decline in expected oil demand globally and the coronavirus outbreak may mitigate energy industry concerns while also complicating Chinas ability to comply with its purchase plans.

A number of senior Trump administration officials have over the past week said that the virus outbreak will at the very least delay Chinas ability to live up to the terms of the buying spree promised in the trade deal. Even then, China hasnt notified the U.S. that its unable to meet its commitments, according to a U.S. agriculture department official Wednesday.

Analysts and markets were already skeptical over the deal and the $200 billion in additional purchases of everything from airplanes to crude oil and soybeans that is its centerpiece. Trump has himself said that his own advisers have counseled him that some of the commitments he sought from the Chinese were unrealistic and boasted of his own role in setting higher targets.

At the signing ceremony for the deal last month he recounted how he had overruled his own advisers after they agreed to an additional $20 billion in purchases of farm products.

So our people agreed to $20 [billion], and I said, No, make it $50 billion. What difference does it make? Make it $50 billion, Trump said. They say, Sir, our farmers cant produce that much. I said, I love our farmers. Let them tell me they cant do it. And I said, Tell them to go out and buy a larger tractor. Buy a little more land.
People dressed in protective clothes disinfect an area in Wuhan, in Hubei province on Jan 30, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Hector Retamal)

The hard-hit central province of Hubei reported 242 deaths in just one day and 14,840 new patients - by far its biggest one-day tally since the crisis erupted last month.

The jump raised the death toll to 1,355 and the total number of nationwide infections to nearly 60,000 - just hours after President Xi Jinping touted "positive results" from the government's drastic measures to contain the virus and a top Chinese expert predicted the epidemic would peak this month.

Officials in Hubei said they were broadening their definition for COVID-19 cases by including people "clinically diagnosed" with the virus in the daily tally.

This means officials can use lung imaging on suspected cases to diagnose the virus, rather than the standard nucleic acid tests.

Hubei health commission said the change would mean patients could get treatment "as early as possible" and be "consistent" with the classification used in other provinces.

It said it had made the change "as our understanding of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus deepens, and as we accumulate experience in diagnosis and treatment".

China has placed around 56 million people in virtual quarantine in Hubei and its capital, Wuhan, since late last month and restricted movements of millions more in cities far from the epicentre in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus.

Xi chaired a meeting of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee on Wednesday after figures showed that the number of new cases had dropped for a second straight day.

China has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its transparent handling of the outbreak, in contrast to how the country was criticised for concealing the extent of the SARS virus.

But it has faced continued scepticism among the global public, with suggestions that there may be similarities with the way it dealt with the 2002-2003 outbreak.

Authorities in Hubei have been accused of concealing the gravity of the outbreak in early January because they were holding key political meetings at the time.

"TOO EARLY TO PREDICT"

Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at China's National Health Commission, said on Tuesday he thought the outbreak would peak in mid- to late-February.

But in Geneva, World Health Organization officials warned Wednesday against reaching premature conclusions on the Chinese data.

"I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme.

In Spain, organisers of the world's top mobile telecommunications trade fair, the World Mobile Congress, said the event would be cancelled following an exodus of industry heavyweights over coronavirus fears.

The GSMA, which organises the annual show, set for Barcelona, said it was cancelled due to "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances".

The announcement was made just hours after Vodafone, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, Britain's BT and Rakuten of Japan had pulled out, following in the footsteps of Intel, Facebook, Cisco and China's Vivo.

US planemaker Boeing warned that there was "no question" the outbreak would hammer the aviation industry and the broader economy.

The epidemic has threatened to harm the Chinese economy, the world's second-largest, with ANZ bank warning that China's first-quarter GDP growth would slow to 3.2-4 per cent, down from a previous projection of 5 per cent.

It has also disrupted sporting events in China: Motorsport's governing body FIA announced the suspension of the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, originally scheduled for Apr 19, due to the "continued spread" of the coronavirus.

And this week's Singapore Air Show - Asia's biggest - was badly hit by exhibitors withdrawing and low attendance.

Due to the impact of the virus, the OPEC oil cartel lowered its forecast for growth in global oil demand this year by nearly a fifth.
Nadella's visit comes at a time when the Indian government is taking a strong position on issues like data localisation and tightening the rules for e-commerce companies as well as social media platforms.

Microsoft Corp chief executive officer (CEO) Satya Nadella will visit India later this month, the company said on Thursday.

While the company confirmed the visit of the top executive, it did not give details about the dates and cities he is likely to visit.

"Yes, Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, will be visiting India later this month to address customers, young achievers, students, developers and entrepreneurs," Microsoft said in response to an e-mailed query.

According to sources, Nadella will be on a visit to India from February 24-26.

He is likely to visit Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and meet industry leaders and government functionaries during his visit, they said.

The visit comes on the heels of the Indian-origin CEO recently voicing concerns over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - Nadella had last month said what is happening is "sad" and he would love to see a Bangladeshi immigrant create the next unicorn in India.

His remarks had raised a furore in the political circles.

In a statement issued by Microsoft on January 14, Nadella had said: "Every country will and should define its borders, protect national security and set immigration policy accordingly.

And in democracies, that is something that the people and their governments will debate and define within those bounds."

India is a major market for Microsoft - the tech titan has a significant presence in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

It is pertinent to mention here that US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit India on February 24 and 25.

Nadella's visit comes at a time when the Indian government is taking a strong position on issues like data localisation and tightening the rules for e-commerce companies as well as social media platforms.

India has so far resolutely stood its ground on these issues, refusing to bow to the pressure from US companies.

The Personal Data Protection Bill - which outlines norms for handling of personal data including processing by public and private entities - was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2019 and has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The proposed legislation mandates processing of 'critical' personal data only in India.

What constitutes critical data is to be notified by the Centre, it says.

It has also proposed that sensitive personal data - like financial data, health data, sexual orientation, biometric or genetic data, transgender status, religious or political belief/affiliation - can be transferred outside India with explicit consent, but will continue to be stored in India.

Prominent bodies like The US-India Business Council (USIBC) and internet and mobile players' association IAMAI have flagged concerns on some of the provisions in the Bill, saying that these will impinge on privacy of Indian citizens and create challenges for businesses.

The USIBC has said the Bill contains several new provisions outside the core issue of data privacy that raises serious concerns for the private sector, particularly the inclusion of requirements around non-personal data and social media intermediary liabilities.

Photograph: Lindsey Wasson/Reuters
Flights to Tripoli airport suspended after Haftar attacks Spokesman says no to UN flights to capital

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, FEBRUARY 13 - Flights to and from the Mitiga airport, the only one still functioning in the Libyan capital, were suspended Thursday after repeatedly rocket launching by militias answering to General Khalifa Haftar. Libya Observer reported the news on Twitter, noting that a state of panic was being seen among passengers. The news that flights had been suspended was confirmed on the Facebook page of the airport and by the deputy transport minister of the Tripoli-based government, Hisham Abu Shikawat, as reported by Al Ahrar TV. The spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed al Mismari, announced Thursday in a press conference that the UN will no longer be allowed to use Mitiga airport. The UN will have to use other airports such as the one in Misurata, Mismari said, since the LNA cannot ensure the safety of flights to and from Mitiga, since Turkey is using it as a base. On Wednesday, the UN expressed ''regret'' over a ban on flights carrying its personnel to and from Libya. A statement noted that the ban had been repeated several times in recent weeks.(ANSAmed).




Getting properties surveyed in the state requires patience, loads of it. Citizens have to wait for months, sometimes for more than a year, due to a shortage of government surveyors.

With 1.31 lakh survey requests pending for years and only 1,937 surveyors active on the field, Commissioner for Survey, Settlement & Land Records Munish Moudgil came up with an interim measure to tackle this vexing problem.

He deputed 97 surveyors to work for three months in various districts where the pendency was high. While 60 of them were sent to their neighbouring districts, others were posted to districts hundreds of kilometres from their home. This irked the state government employees association.

The result: Moudgil, a 1998-batch IAS officer, was transferred on Thursday.

Imagine having to wait for months if you want to get your property surveyed because you want to sell it to raise money for a marriage in the family, Moudgil said. Ultimately, we work for the citizens. What is the problem for surveyors to go and work in districts where citizens are suffering?

Karnataka has some 3,600 government surveyors, but only 1,937 are active. At any given point, Moudgil said about 300-400 surveyors are deputed to work on the Upper Krishna Project or with the Bangalore Development Authority. Another 300 are on leave, he pointed out.

The wait time for citizens seeking surveyors is determined by a software-driven process. Typically, one surveyor is prescribed 23 cases per month. If too many cases are pending, the new applicant has to wait for the application to be assigned and a waiting queue number is generated, Moudgil explained.

At present, the waiting queue number is 1,279 in Hangal in Haveri, followed by 1,064 in Athani, Belagavi. In Bengaluru and its surroundings (Anekal, Yelahanka, Magadi and Kanakapura), the queue number ranges from 221 to 532.

The IAS officer said the deputation had become an "ego issue and the state employees' association lodged a complaint with the government" against him, seeking his transfer. "I have been targeted for priortising the interests of citizens," he said.

Moudgil has now been appointed as secretary, department of personnel and administrative reforms.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) The Senate may conduct its own investigation on issues surrounding the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.

Senator Grace Poe filed Senate Resolution 322, directing the committee on public services to look into the operations of ABS-CB, including its compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise under Republic Act 7966 enacted in 1995

"Due to the gravity of the allegations and its possible effects, the committee has deemed it appropriate to lay the groundwork for a possible inquiry in the spirit of public interest," Poe said in a statement Thursday.

The resolution comes amid the recent controversial petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who sought to nullify the networks existing franchise due to its highly-abusive practices.

In his plea filed before the Supreme Court, the governments top lawyer brought forward ABS-CBNs alleged foreign ownership and operational issues as basis for the license cancellation.The media company has since denied the allegations.

Poe said the Senate inquiry "does not preclude any action" in other agencies, including at the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the lower chamber has yet to calendar a hearing that will tackle the long pending measuresa total of eleven are pending before the committee levelon ABS-CBNs franchise renewal. Some members said there has not been a green light from the House leadership regarding the issue.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, vowed the body will conduct impartial case proceedings, but failed to provide a specific timeline for when the hearings will be held.

Lopez-led ABS-CBN released a statement Thursday thanking lawmakers, other media outlets, its employees, and all others who expressed support to the network.

Nagbibigay po sa amin ng inspirasyon at tibay ng loob ang mga pahayag ng suporta mula sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno, kapwa taga-media mula sa Pilipinas at ibang bansa, ibat-ibang organisasyon ng industriya, akademya, simbahan, artista, mga Kapamilya, Kapuso, Kapatid, kaibigan fans, at mga manonood, the statement read.

[Translation: This gives us inspiration and strength: all the support from government officials, those from the media both from the country and abroad, different organizations, the academe, the church, and artists.]

READ: House panel apologizes to ABS-CBN employees over franchise challenge

A broadcast industry group also released a statement Wednesday in support of ABS-CBN.

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) reiterates its continued support of the renewal of the Congressional franchise of ABS-CBN, it said.

The KBP said the 17th and 18th Congresses have acted favorably on the franchise applications of their members -- 45 applications have been enacted to law, while nine applications have been approved by the House legislative franchises committee.

The KBP trusts that these pending applications will be favorably acted upon just like all other prior applications for renewal, the group said.

CNN Philippines Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report
LONDON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading cannabis market intelligence and strategic consultancy firm Prohibition Partners has today launched The European Cannabis Report: 5th Edition . The report is the latest in Prohibition Partners' suite of market-leading regional cannabis reports, and provides a detailed look at the most recent developments occurring inside the nascent European cannabis sector.

Key insights from the report include:

Luxembourg's impending legalisation of recreational cannabis is likely to cause a 'Domino Effect' of cannabis reform in Western Europe .

impending legalisation of recreational cannabis is likely to cause a 'Domino Effect' of cannabis reform in . In 2020 and beyond, Europe can expect to see progress towards a single-market distribution programme for cannabis-based medicinal products.

can expect to see progress towards a single-market distribution programme for cannabis-based medicinal products. European countries are seeking to establish a legal infrastructure and domestic supply in 2020, having been reliant on international imports in 2019.

European investors are beginning to emerge as North American capital focuses on domestic requirements.

European cannabis CPG groups continue to be attractive to North American investors and major international cannabis companies.

Ahead of the launch of the report, Prohibition Partners' Managing Director Stephen Murphy said:

"The European cannabis industry saw several important, progressive steps being taken in 2019. For example, there were progressive medical cannabis pilot access programmes announced in the UK and France and the government of Luxembourg pledged to legalise recreational cannabis by the end of its current term."

"While Europe was not immune to the difficulties experienced in the North American cannabis market, investors and operators are more buoyant about the opportunities that exist in Europe. New markets are coming online, existing players are beginning to find their niche and cannabis is continuing to disrupt mainstream industries."

"But the cannabis industry is still at a nascent stage of its development in Europe. Generally, it appears as though European lawmakers and regulators are taking a cautious approach and data from the international market show that there are still barriers to growth. Our market forecasts, analysis and insight reflect these changes to the market and present the most tangible intelligence across the industry."

The European Cannabis Report: 5th Edition offers an in-depth individual analysis of the countries and companies that are operating at the cutting edge of the European cannabis space, and details the key trends that will shape the future of these countries and the wider European market in years to come.

To learn more about the current European cannabis sector, and its future potential, download The European Cannabis Report: 5th Edition here .

About Prohibition Partners

Prohibition Partners unlocks the potential of cannabis through data, strategy and community. We enable our clients to make better business decisions that deliver transformational growth and disrupt mainstream verticals. We work with the industry's most influential stakeholders, some of the world's best-known brands and an unrivalled network of analysts, innovators and advisors.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/717815/Prohibition_Partners_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Prohibition Partners
The closer you get to President Trump, the closer you get to prison.

Roger Stone, the president's longtime friend and former campaign adviser, is living proof. On Monday, the Department of Justice recommended that he be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison for crimes he committed relating to Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. That night, at 1:48 a.m., our law-and-order president tweeted, "This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!"

The next day, in a total coincidence, the Department of Justice changed its mind and said that Stone deserved "far less" than the previously recommended sentence, prompting four prosecutors to withdraw from the case and one to resign in protest. Hours later, Trump tweeted, "All starting to unravel with the ridiculous nine year sentence recommendation!" If there's one thing we know that Trump hates, it's long sentences.

On Twitter and to reporters, Trump berated the prosecutors, a juror, and the judge presiding over Stones case. More ominously, he said he has the "absolute right" to tell the Justice Department what to do, but claimed he "didn't speak" to anyone there about Stone. He didn't have to speak. He tweeted instead.

On the same day he mourned Stone's imprisonment, Trump suggested that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman be disciplined for testifying truthfully about his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The president wants to penalize non-perjury and decriminalize perjury, punishing truths and rewarding lies made on his behalf.

After denying that he told the Department of Justice what to do about Stone's case, Trump tweeted congratulations to "Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought." He admitted that the Department of Justice was his political operation. Trump is doing to the judicial system what he did to the Republican Party: ethic cleansing.

Story continues

Early in Trump's presidency, Republicans blamed his misconduct on inexperience. After Trump told FBI Director James Comey to go easy on Michael Flynn, then-House Speaker Paul Ryan said, "The president's new at this. He's new to government. So he probably wasn't steeped in the long-running protocols that establish the relationships between DOJ, FBI, and White Houses. He's just new to this."

He's no longer new to making corrupt decisions, and neither are Republicans new to making excuses for him. Prior to his acquittal in the Senate, Republicans insisted he had learned his lesson. Indeed he had. Trump learned he can do whatever he wants and not be held accountable. He learned he cannot abuse his power because his power is, in effect, unlimited. And he learned not to conceal his wrongdoing. When committing high crimes and misdemeanors, it's better to commit them in public than in secret. That way, there will be no annoying investigations to stonewall.

Trump is indifferent to the quotidian procedures of government  he doesn't read his intelligence briefings, or anything else  but he's keenly interested in the criminal justice system, which is keenly interested in him.

In November 2017, Trump said "the saddest thing" for him as president was that "I am not supposed to be involved with the Justice Department. I am not supposed to be involved with the FBI. I'm not supposed to be doing the kind of things that I would love to be doing. And I'm very frustrated by it."

The next month, Trump told The New York Times, "I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department." The role of the attorney general, he said, was to serve the president, by shielding him from the legal consequences of his actions. "[Eric] Holder protected the president," Trump said. "And I have great respect for that."

In many cases, what Trump wants is what the law forbids, which is why he wants control over its enforcement, which the law forbids. Trump's attitude toward the law is expressed by Patrick Swayze's character in the movie Point Break: "Why be a servant to the law when you can be its master?"

Trump is less interested in punishing his opponents for fabricated crimes than he is in protecting himself, his family, and his associates from the consequences of their real crimes. But to do the latter, he must do the former. Protection requires deflection. Trump wants to create the illusion that corruption is rampant so that we will ignore and excuse his actual corruption. If "everybody does it," then it's unremarkable when Trump does it.

Even when there are real crimes on the other side, Trump sympathizes with the criminals. After former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.) was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, Trump said, "He was treated unbelievably unfairly" and mused about commuting his sentence.

Trump practices the golden rule with rule breakers. He treats criminals the way he wants to be treated, and he treats non-criminals the way he deserves to be treated.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article misstated the stage of Stone's trial. It's been fixed. We regret the error.

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More stories from theweek.com

Authoritarians aren't like Mao anymore. They're like Trump.

Giuliani claims he can 'prove' a 'Democratic scam' in Ukraine with iPad full of 'reports' he never actually shares

Trump now says he did send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine. CNN analysts think Trump forgot his earlier lie.


The Minister Designate of National Defence, Nicolae Ciuca, at the ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Alliance in Brussels, participated on Wednesday night, together with the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, and the chair of the Military Committee of NATO, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart William Peach, at the photographic exhibition "Afghanistan - Faces of War".

The exhibition, put up in the main lobby of the NATO General Headquarters, comprises 27 photographs taken by Romanian journalist Ilie Pintea in his travels to Afghanistan together with Romanian servicemen, shows a release of the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) sent to AGERPRES."These photographs remind us about each of the servicemen who stand behind the missions and operations conducted by NATO, not only by Romanian servicemen, but also allied and partner servicemen, some of them making the ultimate sacrifice," said Minister Ciuca, according to the quoted source.Ciuca also emphasized the importance the Romanian Army grants to transparency regarding the activities of soldiers deployed in theaters of operation, emphasizing the excellent collaboration with the public radio channel in Romania, which has ensured, for long periods of time, the presence of professional press correspondents, both in Afghanistan and Iraq.The NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, mentioned that "all this trip, starting in Afghanistan, the place of a lengthy war in which our country also has its share of sacrifice and glory, couldn't have ended better than here, at the NATO General Headquarters.""This is my way of giving back at least in this way some of the camaraderie and warmth I received from the servicemen I met in the theater of operations, be they Romanian or from allied countries. The mission Resolute Support in Afghanistan is the most powerful symbol of the support the Alliance grants the Afghan people, and these photographs symbolize what the support actually means, concretely, and remind us that sacrifices, such as that of corporal Stoica, were not in vain," Geoana emphasized.Ilie Pintea, journalist with Radio Romania News, traveled several times to Afghanistan and accompanied Romanian servicemen in numerous missions."Being dedicated to a fallen soldier, I believe this exhibition best illustrates the fact that this partnership is not just an abstract concept or a collection of documents, but it's about people, who fight and die together, with the same mission: to bring peace. We say, by honoring a fallen comrade, that WeAreNATO and I believe my photographs illustrate this concept and also draw a parallel between two worlds that seem so different, but which co-exist and learn to understand each other. Thank you to the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence because it offered me the possibility to participate, together with Romanian servicemen in the missions executed in the Afghan theater of operations. Not least I want to thank my colleagues with Radio Romania News for supporting me in this journalistic demarche," said Ilie Pintea.The photographs are centered on humans, be them servicemen or civilians, and the exhibition, in its entirety, is dedicated to the memory of First Lieutenant (post mortem) Madalin Stoica, who was killed on September 15, 2017, following an attack on a Romanian patrol executing a mission in the Kandahar region.Presently, Romania is one of the most important contributors to the Resolute Support Mission, in Afghanistan, with approximately 760 servicemen, and the Romanian Army lost, in this theater of operations, 27 heroes, the MApN shows.

AGERPRES
By Rasana Gasimova

French companies are ready to invest in Azerbaijans energy sector, French Ambassador Zacharie Gross has said.

A large French energy company is ready to make multi-billion investments in the country's economy. It depends on Azerbaijan whether this intention will be realized or not, Gross said in an interview to local media.

He noted that other leading French companies seek to invest in the development of Azerbaijans wind and solar electricity production.

Zacharie Gross also said that Totals investment in the development project of Absheron offshore gas field in the Caspian Sea exceeded 1 billion, noting that active work on this project would begin in 2021.

In addition, the French Development Agency is ready to invest in Azerbaijans green projects, such as solid waste management. This would allow using new cleaner technologies to reduce solid waste. This is beneficial for the environment and the local population, Gross said.

He also noted that French companies specializing in security, particularly, computer security, are ready to carry out activities in Azerbaijan.

I believe that one of the areas that have greatest development potential is urban services sector. An improved water distribution system can reduce the amount of water consumed, improve its quality, and also solve the problem of flood waters in winter."

Gross said that France is also interested in the investment form Azerbaijani companies in the manufacturing sector.

Touching upon the trade turnover between the two countries, Gross noted that this indicator is at a fairly low level.

At the end of 2018, the volume of trade between the countries amounted to about 615 million euros. This is disappointing because world-class French companies are able to offer Azerbaijan a lot to diversify the economy, including know-how and technology, he said.

Note that Azerbaijan is Frances main economic and trade partner in the South Caucasus.

In 2018, 2.4 percent of Frances total trade turnover with the three countries of the South Caucasus accounted for Azerbaijan. In 2019, France accounted for 3 percent of Azerbaijani exports and 2.1 percent of imports.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Actor Rana Daggubati says mounting his upcoming action spectacle "Haathi Mere Saathi" involved lots of challenges as they were focused on doing justice to the story.

Directed by Prabhu Solomon, the movie is about 'a man who fought for the jungle, the animals and against the society'. It will release across the country in three languages -- Hindi, Tamil and Telugu -- on April 2.

"It's not an easy film to get done. There were challenges. We were dealing with nature, dealing with three languages and the elephants. You have so many factors that are not going to be with you everyday but that's what it is about, completing a story.

"I went back two years while watching the making. I'm a different man today because I was able to do all these things," Rana told reporters.

The actor said for his character in "Haathi Mere Saathi", he had to shed to his weight by 30 kgs.

"After 'Baahubali', when Prabhu sir met me, I was looking like a bull. He said we have to try and figure something else out. We started understanding how will a person be if he's lived in the jungle for so long, what the nature of his food be and that's the physicality we brought along."



Rana says the film is a reflection to the environmental crisis across the world.

"It's a mirror to the society. This happening in many parts of the country, the world. Everywhere there's an elephant corridor and urbanisation around. There are cities which grow and break the natural habitat.

"As filmamkers, artises, we have films to voice out certain things. To influence people in the most entertaining way possible..."



The film also features Pulkit Samrat, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Zoya Hussain.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tenant Screening USA The change in law in Oakland is a seismic shift in tenant screening. Eliminating the use of criminal records may ultimately become contentious. Now is the time to work with a professional tenant screening agency.

A new law in Oakland California banning the use of criminal history records in the tenant screening process may represent a substantial shift in how tenants are vetted. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com opines: A law such as the one in Oakland should immediately alert all landlords and property managers to ensure their screening process is current with law and a best practice is to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency, such as TenantScreeningUSA.com. This approach can greatly assist in staying current with new laws and, potentially, significant laws.

The new Oakland law governing the use of criminal background records in tenant screening is significant.

From MercuryNews.com on January 21, 2020:

Oakland has moved to become the first city in the state to ban landlords from investigating the criminal history of renters applying for both public and private housing.

The Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, which the City Council passed unanimously Tuesday evening, will prohibit landlords from rejecting a potential tenant because of a prior criminal conviction. Landlords will not be allowed to ask about an applicants criminal history or require the applicant to disclose it through a criminal background check. (1)

Almeida adds: This law in Oakland could spread across the country and landlords and/or property managers should be prepared for this or any other significant change by working with a third-party tenant screening agency.

From SF.Curbed.com on January 23, 2020:

Landlords in other cities should pay attention: John Jones III, director for the campaign in favor of the Fair Chance ordinance, says he plans to begin drives for similar protections in other cities. Measures are brewing in Berkeley and Emeryville. (2)

With the new law there are some limitations as to which type of rental unit are affected.

From the website of the San Francisco Chronicle on January 21, 2020:

Some rental units will be exempt from the ordinance, including accessory dwelling units, single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes. Accessory dwelling units include backyard and secondary units. But those units are excluded only if they are owner-occupied. Additionally, landlords can still review the states sex offender list when examining a housing application. (3)

Almeida concludes: The change in law in Oakland is a seismic shift in tenant screening. Eliminating the use of criminal records may ultimately become contentious. Again, a best practice remains working with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to stay compliant with existing and new laws governing tenant screening.

TenantScreeningUSA.com provides full-service tenant screening for landlords and property managers of any size and can greatly assist in remaining fully compliant with all existing law governing tenant screening. With a highly trained and experienced staff, TenantScreeningUSA.com can provide help to landlords and property managers with all their tenant screening needs.

Notes:

(1) mercurynews.com/2020/01/21/oakland-may-ban-tenant-criminal-background-checks/

(2) sf.curbed.com/2020/1/23/21078782/oakland-background-check-renters-criminal-fair-chance

(3) sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-could-be-first-in-state-to-ban-criminal-14992798.php


Appointment of Anand Singh,an MLA



from the mine rich Ballari district as Minister for Forest, Ecology and Department has drawn flak from various quarters as several cases are pending against him, including under the Karnataka Forest Act.

The Opposition Congress has hit out at Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa for appointing Singh, a businessman with mining interests, as Forest Minister.

"Forest minister facing 15 cases under Forest act.

@BSYBJP allotting forest ministry to Anandsingh is illegal since he has over dozen cases pending against him, including serious offenses under Karnataka Forest Act.

How can a person charged with serious offences head the ministry?" the Karnataka Congress tweeted.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also objected to Singh's appointment as Forest Minister and termed the decision as "not right".

Several twitter users have also opposed Singh being made the Forest Minister, pointing out a conflict of interest.

An online petition has also been started, demanding that the Chief Minister drop him immediately.

Singh, one among the newly elected BJP legislators after defecting from Congress and facing disqualification, was inducted into the Ministry by Yediyurappa on February 6 and initially given the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs portfolio on February 10.

Buckling under pressure from some newly inducted Ministers, reportedly including Singh, who were unhappy with portfolios allocated to them,the Chief Minister the very next day reallocated certain portfolios,appointing the Vijayanagara MLA as Minister for Forest, Ecology and

However, Singh on his part has maintained that the portfolio was allocated to him by the Chief Minister and that he did not ask for it.

Claiming that the cases against him were "minor violations", he linked them to traffic violations.

"...like traffic violation cases if you have vehicles, similarly- there are naturally cases of violation as the family has been in the mining business for long."



Singhs election affidavit filed ahead of the December 2019 bypolls says he has 15 cases pending against him, as also offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, to be read with violations of the Karnataka Forest Act.

He was arrested by CBI in 2013 connection with alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belikeri port in Karnataka.

Singh was arrested in 2015 by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Lokayukta on charges of illegal transportation of iron ore.

Two of Singh's cabinet colleagues Laxman Savadi and C T Ravi had on Wednesday come out in his defence, stating that cases against him were still being probed and not proven.

Singh, who was a close associate of tainted mining baron G Janardhana Reddy, was also in the Congress.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pedro Delgado had long rented in and around Newark. Several years ago, his girlfriend, Vianset Marino, joined him in his most recent one-bedroom, which never felt quite big enough for him, much less for the two of them.

Although they loved the large kitchen, they couldnt put a TV in the bedroom because closets consumed the wall. And even so, there wasnt enough closet space for me to have a partner who had shoes, said Mr. Delgado, 41.

The apartment also felt dated. When the couple visited friends who rented in newer buildings, they looked around enviously, taking note of the modern finishes. Over the years, the technology and material has changed dramatically, Mr. Delgado said.

[Did you recently buy or rent a home in the New York metro area? We want to hear from you. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com]

He knew that several Newark projects in the works could offer more up-to-date living options. So the couple decided to bide their time until they found the right place. They put their furniture and cooking equipment in storage and, along with their Shih Tzu, Prince, moved temporarily to Ms. Marinos former home, a studio in her familys three-family house in North Bergen, N.J.

For me, it was perfect, said Ms. Marino, 38. But when you have me, Pedro and our dog, it is not a good situation.

Also, her bus commute to Midtown Manhattan, where she works in commercial insurance, was unpredictable. Sometimes several buses passed by, already packed. On a bad day, the commute took nearly two hours. One little thing in the Lincoln Tunnel and thats it, youre stuck, she said.

Mr. Delgados job in commercial finance occasionally requires him to visit the companys Manhattan office. For that, he took the ferry rather than endure the bus ride.

He was always online, looking at buildings that were going up, Ms. Marino said. He was sending me specs and layouts, and look at this and that one.

The couple wanted a corner one-bedroom on a high floor, which they thought would be quieter than a unit boxed in by neighbors. Ms. Marino dreamed of a walk-in closet with room for all her work clothes. Mr. Delgado wanted a private balcony or terrace for fresh air.

Their budget was up to $3,500 a month. But they werent focused on price, and were willing to spend more for the features they wanted.

They discovered that Newarks new and renovated rental buildings came with assorted layouts and plenty of amenities, including common indoor and outdoor spaces. They had little interest in shared amenities, but figured they would use a gym on occasion.

Among their options  all within a few blocks of one another in Newarks revitalized downtown:
Entered into a definitive agreement with Wockhardt Limited to acquire select divisions of its branded generics business

Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Wockhardt Limited to acquire select divisions of its branded generics business in India and a few other international territories of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives for a consideration of Rs.1850 Crores.

The business comprises of a portfolio of 62 brands in multiple therapy areas such as Respiratory, Neurology, VMS, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Pain and Vaccines, which would transfer to Dr Reddys along with related sales and marketing teams; and the manufacturing plant located in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh with all plant employees. The business undertaking is being transferred on a slump sale basis.

G V Prasad, the Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Reddys said India is an important market for us and this acquisition will help in considerably scaling-up our domestic business. The acquired portfolio shall enhance Dr. Reddys presence in the high growth therapy areas with market-leading brands such as Practin, Zedex, Bro-zedex, Tryptomer and Biovac. We believe the portfolio holds a lot of potentials and will get an impetus under Dr. Reddys. We welcome the team joining as part of the deal to Dr. Reddys family. The transaction is expected to be closed in the first quarter of the financial year 2020-21.
Hamilton

Book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Directed by Thomas Kail. Until May 17 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria Avenue. Mirvish.com or 416-872-1212.

How does a bastard, orphan

Broadway record-breaker

Fare in its Canuck debut

Five years later?

Lin-Manuel made a sensation

About the founding of his nation

But can the sheen of his creation

Beat 2020s political frustration?

Ahem. Its not as easy as it looks.

Hamilton is that once-in-a-generation musical theatre blockbuster  winner of 11 Tonys, it made Lin-Manuel Miranda a household name and spawned two albums, a bestselling making-of book, a documentary, and a recently announced film version to be released by Disney. It hypnotized fans with a (at the time) radical race-conscious casting of the U.S. founding fathers and a revolutionary score mixing Broadway styles with hip-hop, R&B, rap, the Beatles, and even bluesy folk into radio-ready earworms.

In fact, Mirandas finesse with words gave the mid-2010s several taglines to define that periods late-Obama administration sense of hope. Work! from The Schuyler Sisters was a feminist reclamation of womens overlooked influence in history. I am not throwing away my shot described the hustle culture of millennials with professional ambition. Immigrants, we get the job done became an audience favourite, finally recognizing the value of a persecuted group of Americans. The cast is ready for applause breaks, whether or not they come.

But allow this understatement  a lot has changed since 2015. Google The Room Where It Happened and you get results about a new memoir from Trump national security adviser John Bolton. In that song in the stage show, audiences titter at the use of quid pro quo in the lyrics. The only real villain in Hamilton, Britains King George, sounds prescient instead of petty when he sings What comes next? Youve been freed, do you know how hard it is to lead? and They will tear each other into pieces, Jesus Christ this will be fun (of course, now its also a pot-kettle accusation).

The context in which Toronto is now finally receiving its stop on the Hamilton national tour of Thomas Kails production with Mirvish Productions (on until May 17 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre) is nearly the polar opposite to the one that celebrated its birth. Millennials are burnt out, illegal immigrants are villainized more than ever, and women are still trying to be heard in court proceedings and presidential elections. Even for this ardent fan  confident enough in my knowledge of the lyrics that I could sub in for any character, given an unprecedented catastrophe  it made for some awkward moments. Its centring of a single man and his work ethic in the creation of a country, with no mention of the systems that made it possible for him to do so (nor of any woman in his orbit that isnt begging for his attention when he has Very Important Work To Do) sends alarm bells ringing, even when this story of the past is recast to look like the present.

That said (*exhales*), Hamilton is still a non-stop jam. Mirandas music, with layered orchestrations by music director Alex Lacamoire, transcends the topicality that launched its buzz and the slogans that turned into memes. The score, virtually entirely sung-through, is in perpetual motion, shifting in style depending on the national or personal mood (cabinet meetings as rap battles, duels conducted along to Biggie Smalls Ten Crack Commandments). Its no mystery how the musicals cast recording, which went platinum multiple times over, hooked an audience far greater than any single run could reach. Its undeniable, even when the live version inevitably differs with new voices.

Joseph Morales has the difficult job of stepping into Mirandas breaches as Alexander Hamilton, who immigrates to New York City from a small Caribbean island in 1776 and joins the revolution alongside the man who will eventually shoot him dead, Aaron Burr (Jared Dixon, making the shows emcee  and best part  his own with two electrifying performances of Wait For It and The Room Where It Happens) and a boy band of three comrades, John Laurens (Elijah Malcomb), Hercules Mulligan (Desmond Sean Ellington), and the Marquis de Lafayette (Warren Egypt Franklin, struggling with the French accent). Morales is an antidote to Mirandas Energizer Bunny portrayal of the soldier-turned-financier  throaty to Mirandas nasal, laid back to his spitfire. Its encouraging not to see an impression, but sometimes makes his laser-focused rise to the top less believable.

After winning the war against King George (Neil Haskell, leaning into a clownish monarch) under the leadership of George Washington (Marcus Choi), this band of bros becomes Hamiltons foils in governance  Ellington and Franklin find their stride as the odd couple of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, and help pull the second act out of its several lulls in comparison to the rapid-fire first act.

Unfortunately, Stephanie Jae Park as Eliza (Hamiltons suffering wife), Tarea Campbell as Angelica (Elizas sister and Hamiltons intellectual paramour), and Dariyln Castillo as the seductress Maria Reynolds cant lift the shows female characters out of their allotments as side players, getting in the way of male greatness. In fact, its even more apparent without the voices of Phillipa Soo or Renee Elise Goldsberry.

Nevertheless, the tour of Hamilton shines light on its impressive features that a cast recording cant convey  Andy Blankenbuehlers jaw-dropping choreography, low and smooth and hard all at the same time, and one gorgeous revolve in David Korinss set design.

History had its eyes on Hamilton, and though we wish it could have arrived sooner, witnessing its continued legacy beyond the buzz is a testament to good art thats worthy of criticism too.

Carly Maga is a Toronto-based theatre critic and a freelance contributor for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @RadioMaga
When the heavy wooden front door of 714 Steiner shuts behind me, Im enveloped in the kind of quiet that people often seek when living in a busy city. The only sounds are of our echoing voices and creaky footsteps as we walk through this historic building  the noise of tourists buzzing about outside barely penetrate the structure.

Im in the Painted Lady that just sold, and its in terrible shape. But Leah Culver, the entrepreneur and tech CTO who purchased the home last month for $3.55 million, is up for the challenge of rehabilitating the city landmark  even if it takes three years.

Culver is warm and welcoming as she shows me around the home in her lavender Lululemon zip-up, jeans and white sneakers. Her Instagram-famous pug Mr. Wiggles acts as a sidekick, inspecting dusty corners and balls of errant fluff as we trek across cracked tile floors and inspect peeling paint. But its the intact original details amid the crumbling interior, like ornate doorknobs and carved archways, that attracted her to the home.

(Click through the slideshow above for photos of the home, as well as of a neighboring Painted Lady in excellent condition for contrast.)

She had been searching for a home for more than a year and said she hadnt found anything she loved. She even toured the real Full House house on Broderick (yes, she watched the popular show as a kid), and while she said she liked the interior, it wasnt the flow she wanted or her preferred area of the city.

When her real-estate agent asked her where she would most want to live, she mentioned the Painted Ladies. When 714 came on the market in January, it seemed like fate, since the historic homes rarely come up for sale. She said she immediately fell in love with the views as well as the remaining original details she saw when she toured the home.

To be able to live in one of these is a dream. Im still kind of in shock, Culver said.

She hopes to stay true to as much of the original home as she possibly can, and is searching for an architect who specializes in restoring these types of houses. Im hoping to preserve the historic details and even play them up a bit, but Ill still have a modern kitchen, she said.

Culver also said she doesnt plan to add on to the house. I think a lot of people buy fixers-uppers and think, how can I expand this? But theres already so much space here. The house is plenty big, and I dont think Ill change much.

This will be the first house Culver has owned and she said shes never undertaken a renovation like this before. Originally from Minnesota, she moved to San Francisco after she graduated from college. Now the 37-year-old software engineer cant imagine leaving the city she calls home.

While shes already begun interviewing architects, she said that getting plans approved by the city can take months, and construction on the home likely wont start for six months or longer.

Even with the interior condition, her first priority is giving the exterior a paint touch-up. She said she wanted to choose a color that would compliment the houses around her and thinks that pink will work best. While its a misconception that the city dictates the color and upkeep  she joked you could paint it black if you really wanted  keeping the exterior in excellent condition is important to her. I do feel like in some way, its like giving back to the city, she said.

She stops mid-tour and snaps a few photos of detail around one of the fireplaces. Culver documents the renovation on both Instagram and Twitter under the handle @pinkpaintedlady, where she hopes to post every day to help others learn about rehabbing houses

Although some might be turned off by living in a tourist destination, she said the frequent tourism out her front door wasnt a concern. Im kind of an oddball, so I like having something different. I lived on Dolores Park forever and Im used to having people right outside my door.

Since shes moved in, she said shes appreciated neighbors opening their homes to her to give her a point of comparison, The neighbors have all been super nice, Culver said. Its nice to know that this block cares so much about keeping everything nice looking

One thing she may not be able to do is to convert the house into a single-family home, like most others of the Painted Ladies. Since her home is zoned as two units (one on the main floor and another on the top two floors), she said the city is likely to want to keep it that way. Since she intends to live in the home once its finished, she said she may move the second unit to the garage and model it like an in-law unit. Culver said she doesnt even have a car, so having multiple garage spaces isnt important to her.

Most of all, shes excited to get started and see what contractors envision for the home.

I think it will be a really fun project, she said. And then I'll live here and I'm hoping that will be the end of the story. Then it's just happily ever after.

Tessa McLean is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her at tessa.mclean@sfgate.com or follow her on Twitter @mcleantessa.
Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) announced on Wednesday they are heading to Kyiv for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The U.S.-Ukraine relationship is as important now as ever," the senators said in a statement. "The future of Ukraine matters to the United States and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally." The meeting is scheduled for Friday.

Zelensky became a household name in the United States last year during President Trump's impeachment inquiry. During a July 25 phone call, Trump asked Zelensky to launch investigations into a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. This conversation triggered the impeachment probe, which also focused on Trump's decision to freeze nearly $400 million in approved military aid to Ukraine. Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives in December, and acquitted by the Senate last week.

This won't be Johnson and Murphy's first time interacting with Zelensky. On Sept. 5, the senators met with Zelensky in Kyiv, when the military aid was still frozen. On Sept. 10, Murphy said Ukrainian officials brought up the aid during every meeting, and they did not know why it was being held up.

More stories from theweek.com

The sidelining of Elizabeth Warren

Authoritarians aren't like Mao anymore. They're like Trump.

Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert wonder if Bloomberg can beat his own history with women, stop-and-frisk


Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, had a meeting with G7 ambassadors in Kyiv February 13.

Andriy Yermak thanked the diplomats and their countries for supporting Ukraine and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation.

He briefed the envoys on the situation in Donbas and future steps in the framework of the Minsk process.

"The position of the President remains unchanged: we want to do everything necessary to end the war and hold local elections throughout Ukraine at the end of October. We work 24/7 as it concerns the lives of our citizens," Andriy Yermak stressed.

According to the Head of the President's Office, the Normandy summit in Paris was quite successful as it resulted in the mutual return of the detained persons at the end of December, and new lists have already been submitted in Minsk. However, it is important to fulfill all the agreements to move further toward peace.

Read alsoZelensky introduces chief of staff Yermak to NSDC

"The pace of work on the [swap] lists and the return of our people will not be slowed down," Andriy Yermak stressed, recalling that Volodymyr Zelensky made reshuffles in the group dealing with the issue.

The Head of the President's Office also said that one of three areas for the new disengagement had been practically agreed during yesterday's meeting in Minsk. At the same time, he said, the Ukrainian party strives to speed up the process as much as possible.

Andriy Yermak also assured that the main purpose of his activity as Head of the President's Office would be to ensure the effective work of the President for the success of Ukraine, according to the press service.

"We want to be an example of openness and democracy. This should be the office of extremely efficient people whose main goal is the success of the President and Ukraine. Therefore, I will do everything to make the exchange of thoughts and information even more fruitful," Yermak told the G7 ambassadors.
A senior member of the Nitish Kumar cabinet in Bihar on Thursday urged him to approach the Centre with the demand for safeguarding reservation in promotions by including it in the ninth schedule of the Constitution.

Shyam Rajak, who holds the industries portfolio, made the appeal through a statement he shared with the media here.

"Dalits across the country are once again hataash (disheartened) and niraash (disappointed) because of non- implementation of reservation in promotions," Rajak said in an apparent reference to the recent Supreme Court judgment, which has triggered a political storm.

Lavishing praise on the Bihar Chief Minister for a slew of measures he has initiated for the state, Rajak - one of the better-known Dalit leaders of the JD(U) - added "Nitish Kumar ji is requested to intervene, using his influence with the government at the Centre.

"Pressure be put on the Centre to put reservations in promotion in the ninth Schedule which would eradicate the possibility of tampering with the provision," he added.

The Supreme Court has held that states are not bound to provide reservation in appointments and there is no fundamental right to claim quota in promotions.

Observations made in the judgement have been widely reported in the media, leading to angry outbursts from various political parties.

The ruling BJP's allies - Lok Janshakti Party and Apna Dal - have voiced their protests on the floor of the Parliament while the Bhim Army - headed by Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad - has given a call for Bharat Bandh on February 23.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI probe monitored by it into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-woman Gargi College here last week.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde asked lawyer M L Sharma, who mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing, to move the Delhi High Court with his plea.

Why don't you go to the Delhi HC. If they dismiss the petition then you come here, the bench, also comprising justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, said.

The apex court said it would like to have advantage of Delhi HC's view on this matter.

Sharma expressed apprehension that electronic evidence related to the case might be destroyed.

On this, the top court said, Delhi High Court can also pass order like the Telangana High Court in the police encounter case to preserve electronic evidence.

Sharma had sought a direction to the probe agency to seize all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus.

He had also sought arrest of the people behind the planned criminal conspiracy.

On February 6, a group of men broke into Gargi College during the 'Riverie' fest and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees, who claimed that security officials just kept watching when the incident took place.

The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their unpleasant experiences during the fest and alleged that security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.

The petitioner alleged that it was a planned political and criminal conspiracy hatched in the backdrop of the Delhi elections and since February 6, no action has been taken against the accused.

Polls is Delhi were held on February 8 and the result was declared on February 11.

The state government took no action. It is a clear criminal conspiracy hatched by the political party to deploy accused persons to provoke the Delhi public for effecting voting in their favour. Despite presence of Delhi Police ... on February 6, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons, the PIL had stated.

The petition claimed that deliberate chants of Jai Shri Ram discloses that it is a political, planned conspiracy and blamed the chief minister of Delhi for not taking any action against the accused.

Entire incident is being supported/protected by the state government and no action of arrest has been done till now for justice and to prosecute all accused persons therefore unless this court takes action, real political persons and accused persons will not be arrested at all, the plea had said.

Besides the security arranged by the college, the area had Delhi Police and paramilitary force personnel who were stationed there for the assembly polls.

According to police, a case was registered under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
A woman who became the first person diagnosed with coronavirus in London turned up to hospital in an Uber, it has emerged.

The patient, a Chinese national who recently arrived in the UK from China, took an Uber to Lewisham A&E on Sunday.

Two Lewisham hospital staff members are now in isolation at home under "active surveillance" for 14 days after coming into contact with the woman.

Speaking about the first London case of coronavirus, chief executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Ben Travi confirmed the woman "self-presented at the A&E department".

A spokeswoman for Uber told the Standard that it received a request about a passenger "who has now been confirmed as having coronavirus".

She added: "Out of an abundance of caution, we temporarily suspended the account of the driver who transported the individual to hospital."

Staff in suits at St Thomas's Hospital / Jeremy Selwyn

Mr Travi added: There has been a confirmed case of coronavirus from a patient who self-presented at the A&E department of University Hospital Lewisham on Sunday.

The test result was confirmed as positive on Wednesday and we have been in touch with all staff who came into contact with the patient. The patient went to St Thomas yesterday evening.

Our colleagues in our emergency departments are following the latest advice and protocols from Public Health England. In this case, the patient self-presented at our A&E.

As soon as the patient did this, the patient was given a mask and then escorted to be tested in the dedicated area we have assigned for coronavirus testing outside the A&E building  while awaiting the installation of a purpose-built pod."

Mr Travi said that the woman has been taken to a "dedicated isolation room" in Lewisham hospital's emergency department.

She has now been discharged and was taken home by the London Ambulance Service.

He added: In line with our protocols, throughout their care, the patient was escorted and did not come into contact with other patients.

All staff who had direct contact with the patient have been contacted, including two members of staff who are undergoing active surveillance at home for a 14-day period as a precautionary measure  following the advice of Public Health England.

St Thomas' Hospital / Getty Images

An Uber spokeswoman said: "We received a request from Public Health England for information about a passenger who has now been confirmed as having coronavirus.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we temporarily suspended the account of the driver who transported the individual to hospital, and we remain in close contact with Public Health England.

"We have a dedicated online portal for public health authorities to contact Uber for information about riders and drivers, and we will take action on any user accounts on the recommendation of those authorities."

Dr Rachel Thorn Heathcock, consultant at Public Health England, added: We are in contact with Uber to ensure the driver receives advice and information on what to do should they feel unwell in the coming days.
WASHINGTON TWP. Pa.,  Washington Township put Police Chief Scott Miller on unpaid leave Wednesday night, but that was not enough for residents who want him to be fired immediately.

"It's time that the three of you do what's right," former Police Chief Daniel Cotturo told the board of supervisors.

Supervisors David Hess, Robert Smith and Carl Tolino voted unanimously for unpaid leave. They also hired attorney John Harrison to represent the township as it reviews Miller's future.

Miller was cited for failure to report an accident and driving at an unsafe speed after wrecking his truck Jan. 6 on Kesslerville Road in Plainfield Township, Northampton Country, District Attorney Terry Houck said last week after an investigation.

Houck said it was too late to bring driving under the influence charges even though Miller spent eight hours at a restaurant before the crash. The road was snowy and slippery when Miller crashed into a house, Houck said.

Slate Belt Regional Police responded after being notified by a tow truck driver, but did not administer breath tests.

"If anybody else had hit a house, they'd be in the back of a cruiser," resident JoAnn Carcione said.

Slate Belt police chief not charged with drunken driving after crash, DA says Chief Scott Miller was at a bar for 8 hours before the crash in early January, but investigators did not have evidence to charge him with DUI, the district attorney said.

Miller was not at the meeting Wednesday. One man spoke in support of the chief.

"He cares about the town and tries to do his best," Stephen Purdue said, adding that Miller deserves his day in court before minds are made up.

Charles Carcione said Washington Township should pay Miller the severance and benefits in his contract and move on rather than go through a lengthy process, so "it's finished and done."

Mark Cotturo, brother of the former chief, echoed many in the audience: "Do the right thing." Noel Kratzer said that police officers "are basically on duty all the time" because they represent the township.

Harrison, a labor lawyer with offices in Bethlehem, told the audience of about 50 several times in several different ways that the township cannot discuss personnel issues.

"There are legal constraints on what the board can say and can't say," Harrison said.

Because the vote for unpaid leave came shortly after 7 p.m., Miller had not officially been informed.

"We can hear you loud and clear," Harrison said about demands that Miller be fired. "There's a lot of emotion involved. Questions will be answered when the process ends."

After the charges against Miller are resolved, the township can move forward with its process, he said.

Smith said Miller will have to turn in his police gear to the township. Sgt. James Krome will be the officer in charge of the department during the leave.

Township solicitor David Ceraul said he could not participate in the review of Miller's status because of a conflict.

"My son is on the staff of the DA's office so I thought it best not to be involved," Ceraul said.
St. Clare's Hospital was everything to Jerry and Kathy Adach. They married after meeting at the Schenectady, New York area hospital, where both worked, in the early '80s. Their two daughters were born there. The couple, who devoted a combined 59 years of service to the facility, had expected to retire with a good pension from the hospital. That is, until last year, when their former employer  which went out of business back in 2008  delivered a gut punch: Its pension plan was in financial distress and wouldn't pay a dime of their expected benefits. For Jerry and Kathy, both 58, that means losing around $27,000 a year in planned retirement income  around a third of their combined income from the hospital. "Last year, out of nowhere, they just said, 'We're done,'" said Jerry Adach, who works in information technology. "We wanted to retire at 62. We can't now." "I banked on that pension," he said. "We can't make that up."

The Adachs are among more than 1,100 former St. Clare's employees suing to recover their money. (St. Clare's closed in 2008, merging with two other area hospitals to form Ellis Medicine.) Hundreds of other employees at similar workplaces in states like Minnesota, New Jersey and Rhode Island have also sued in recent years to salvage their pensions. Federal retirement law typically puts a backstop in place to prevent this sort of doomsday financial scenario for retirees and near-retirees. However, St. Clare's was affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Its pension, and those of other nonprofits throughout the U.S. with ties to religious entities, are beholden to different rules that could ultimately leave people empty-handed or with reduced benefits. "We have seen estimates that it affects about 1 million people," said Dara Smith, a senior attorney for the AARP Foundation representing many of the former St. Clare's workers. For families like the Adachs, who are near retirement with little time to make up for lost pension income, or retirees living on fixed incomes and unable to go back to work, the effect could be financially crippling.

I banked on that pension. We can't make that up. Jerry Adach former employee at St. Clare's Hospital

Around 661 former St. Clare's workers  nurses, orderlies, lab technicians, clerical and housekeeping staff  were told they wouldn't get any of their pension benefits, according to a court filing. Roughly 440 who were already receiving pensions had their benefits cut by 30% for life. The Adachs estimated they'd have to save an extra $650,000 to make up for the lost income. While they will still get monthly Social Security checks once in retirement, they've had to live more modestly, downsize to a smaller house and forgo some vacations they'd have liked to take. But the couple knows others who are worse off. "They're in a bad way, some of them," Mr. Adach said. "There are people who are really financially strapped right now." Joseph Pofit, chairman and president of the board of St. Clare's Corporation, the successor to St. Clare's Hospital and associated to some degree with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, declined to comment due to the ongoing litigation. Other organizations in the crosshairs of litigation have argued in court that their nonprofits serve the needy and the potential financial liability for their pensions could be devastating.

Church plans have different rules

Jason Cameron

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a federal law, requires private-sector companies offering pensions to pay annual insurance premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which steps in to pay monthly benefits to retirees (up to a maximum amount) if a company can no longer make its promised payments. The PBGC paid monthly benefits to more than 932,000 retirees in around 4,900 pension plans during the federal government's last fiscal year. The federal law, however, doesn't apply to "church plans"  meaning they don't have an insurance backstop in the event their pension goes belly up.

In 2017, the Supreme Court delivered a blow to workers in a similar situation to those at St. Clare's. While such pension plans weren't directly established by a church, the high court ruled that they are still considered "church plans" exempt from ERISA's protections. Former St. Clare's workers are suing the Albany diocese and other defendants in New York state court to try to recoup money they say was guaranteed. They claim the pension has assets of roughly $29 million, but owes workers more than $84 million  a shortfall of $55 million. "We respect the rights of pensioners to do what they feel is necessary to secure recovery of their lost benefits," said Mary DeTurris Poust, a spokeswoman for the diocese. "However, the Diocese of Albany never managed the St. Clare's pension fund. "St. Clare's is a separate corporation," she added. "Its pension was managed by the corporation, not by the diocese."

'Not a sob story right now'

Other workers are taking a similar approach. Around 135 former employees of a hospital system in New Jersey sued the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark in May last year, claiming it deprived plaintiffs of at least $2.7 million in lifetime pension benefits. St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island settled a lawsuit with 2,700 pension beneficiaries last year for $14 million. The hospital, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, wanted to cut pension benefits by 40% across the board, according to a court filing.
Andrew Bailey has hailed Brexit as a chance to restore the City's independence as he prepares to take the helm at the Bank of England.

Bailey, who succeeds Mark Carney as governor next month, said leaving the EU would give Britain the chance to ditch any Brussels red tape which damages the financial sector, while adapting other regulations to better suit the UK.

The Financial Conduct Authority boss told the House of Lords EU committee that he hoped future regulation would spur innovation and a more global outlook.

Andrew Bailey, who succeeds Mark Carney as Governor next month, said leaving the EU would give Britain the chance to ditch any Brussels red tape

He said: 'It is absolutely essential we have the capacity to review and adapt the rulebook. To find that that was constrained would be very difficult.'

Bailey expects Britain to review laws, arguing that Brussels should not expect the UK to stick rigidly to EU rules.

There are concerns at City firms, compounded by an EU row with Switzerland, that the EU could revoke agreements at short notice, harming their ability to service European clients.

Bailey said there were 'painful lessons' to be learned from the dispute, which saw Switzerland lose access to the EU.

He said it was crucial to avoid a 'metaphorical punch-up' with Brussels if there is a disagreement over UK changes to rules.
OTTAWAJapanese authorities might soon allow people quarantined aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship near Tokyo, where 12 Canadians have contracted the novel coronavirus, to disembark and finish out their isolation on land.

The 3,500 passengers on the ship have been under quarantine since last week, and so far 218 have tested positive for the disease, which the World Health Organization has dubbed COVID-19.

Its the biggest concentration of confirmed cases outside of mainland China, according to the World Health Organization

The 12 Canadians who contracted the virus on board the ship have been moved to Japanese health facilities, and at least three require hospitalization, Champagne said.

Champagne said emergency response teams and consular officials are in Japan to make sure Canadians are receiving the help they need.

We know that there are some people who need medications on board, they want to have contact with their families, were facilitating that, Champagne said at a briefing in Senegal, where he is on a diplomatic trip.

Canada has also dispatched health officials to Japan to co-ordinate with local public health authorities.

Japan plans to move passengers who wish to leave the ship in phases, with the most medically vulnerable guests being moved in the first phase, according to Princess Cruises, the line that owns the Diamond Princess.

That first group of people will be tested for the virus, and if they test negative will be taken to a quarantine housing facility, the cruise line said in a press release.

If they test positive theyll be moved to a health facility.

The shoreside quarantine centre will include individual rooms with private bathrooms, and while passengers will continue to receive their medical prescriptions they will not have access to specialized or western meals. They will be served Japanese bento boxes for the duration of the quarantine, according to the release.

Everyone who wishes to stay on the ship will be allowed to do so.

Champagne said about 250 Canadians on a separate cruise ship off the shore of Cambodia, the Westerdam, have tested negative for the coronavirus and will be returned to Canada at the expense of the cruise line, Holland America.

As for Canadians still in the centre of the viral outbreak, Champagne said all the 400 or so Canadians who wished to leave Hubei, the Chinese province that includes the city of Wuhan, have been repatriated and are quarantined in southern Ontario, at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

There are still permanent Canadian residents in Hubei, he said. Though Chinese authorities initially stipulated that only Canadian passport holders would be able to leave the quarantined region, they seem to have relaxed that rule, Champagne said, but he did not elaborate on whether Canada would make arrangements to fly more of them out.

The last flight chartered by the Canadian government to evacuate people from the city of Wuhan, which landed at CFB Trenton on Tuesday, was the last the government plans to send to the region. Those Canadians who chose to stay behind in Hubei have been provided with consular services, Champagne said.

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Fourteen people were killed and 25 injured when a bus rammed into a stationary truck on the Agra-Lucknow expressway here, officials said on Thursday.

The accident took place on Wednesday night, they said.

"The toll in the bus accident has gone up to 14. Besides, 25 injured are undergoing treatment in different hospitals," Senior Superintendent of Police Sachindra Patel said.

SP (Rural) Rajesh Kumar said the accident took place around 10 pm on Wednesday in the Nagla Khanagar police station area when the double-decker bus carrying passengers from Delhi to Motihari, in north Bihar, crashed into the stationary truck.

There were around 50 people on the bus at the time of the accident, Kumar said.

One of the passengers, who was admitted to Etawah hospital, told persons that he lost consciousness after the crash.

"When I regained consciousness, I found everything around me lying broken. I was on the upper floor of the sleeper bus when the accident occurred. I was brought here (Saifai hospital in Etawah) in an ambulance later. All the passengers were from Bihar. I don't know what happened to the one who was sleeping on the adjoining seat," he said.

The cleaner of the truck, who was also injured, said, "I was changing the deflated tyre of my truck by the side of the road when a speeding bus coming from behind dashed into it. My associates, including the driver, are badly hurt."



He added the bus was being driven rashly.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured, a senior official said in Lucknow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"The road accident on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh has caused deep grief. Many passengers have lost their lives ... My condolences to the families of the victims in this hour of grief. I wish those injured recover soon," the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet quoting Modi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Doctors from black and ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely than white doctors to be considered suitable to apply for specialty training jobs, an analysis of new data obtained for The BMJ has found.

The findings suggest that there has been little progress in addressing bias in recruitment since a landmark paper published by The BMJ in 1993, which found that doctors with English names were twice as likely to be shortlisted for senior house officer jobs than those with Asian names, despite having the same experience and training.

Aneez Esmail, Professor of General Practice at the University of Manchester, who carried out the 1993 research, said he was disappointed that 27 years later ethnic minority doctors were still less successful than white doctors in securing specialty training posts.

To see whether the appointments process had become fairer, Esmail obtained figures from the General Medical Council (GMC) to show the number of applicants to speciality training posts who were deemed "appointable" over three years, from 2016 to 2018.

Doctors who have completed foundation training have to be approved by regional recruitment offices or deaneries to apply for training posts, after an interview. They might be deemed unappointable for a range of different reasons, such as level of experience, competencies, or exam results.

The data show that doctors from black and ethnic minority backgrounds are far less likely to be appointable than white doctors. Across the three year period, three quarters (75%) of white applicants to training posts were appointable (23,589 out of 31,430), compared to only 53% of ethnic minority applicants (15,293 out of 29,072).

Esmail said the lack of progress since his last study was "very disappointing and frankly unacceptable in this day and age" and called on the GMC and Health Education England to investigate the causes.

"This data is shining a light on where there might be a problem. The reason we collect it is so that we can deal with discrepancies, differential attainment, differential applications, because it makes it a fairer and more transparent system," he writes.

Nico Kirkpatrick, the GMC's education operations assistant director, said that its standards made clear that education and training should be fair for all.

But he added: "We know that complex factors can disadvantage some doctors and lead to poorer outcomes, and that these can persist throughout doctors' careers. It is essential that these factors are identified and addressed early."

Wendy Reid, director of education and quality at Health Education England, said the organisation was working with royal colleges and others to better understand the factors relating to differential attainment.

Her agency had also established the Widening Access to Specialty Programme "to give international medical graduates experience of the NHS and support their applications into speciality training programmes," she said.

###

Peer-reviewed? No

Evidence type: News

Subjects: Speciality training applicants
Radomes, made from material transparent to radio waves, protect the radar equipment at Nurrungar. Credit:Australian Defence Department Even an urgency debate in the House of Representatives failed to persuade the Government to disclose any more details of the new operation. Mr. Fairhall would assure the nation only that the base would be "purely defensive". "The joint project threatens no one," Mr. Fairhall said. "Its function is to support collective self-defence." Mr. Fairhall said he would not table the agreement under which the base would be established. Access to the new facility would, like the other joint base at Pine Gap, near Alice Springs, be confined to people directly connected with the project. Ordinary members of Parliament would be barred. Labor members of Federal Parliament objected strongly to this "sinister" blanket of secrecy. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Whitlam) said that, while Labor did not oppose the base in principle, it believed the Government should say clearly how the base would be used. MPs should be allowed to inspect the operation.

Against this background of dispute the Governor-General (Sir Paul Hasluck) delayed giving his formal assent to the agreement until after the elections last October. He argued that a Labor Government might want to renegotiate the deal. As a result of the delay, work did not start on the station last September or October, as Mr. Gorton had announced. Not until last month did Mr. Fraser announce the letting of a $3.7 million contract for the main buildings and site facilities. However, work then commenced immediately. The same atmosphere of secrecy still surrounds the infant operations. The reporters who accompanied Mr. Fraser were told they must not identify the exact location of the base. A security officer who conducted the inspection refused to specify the size of the site or give a revised estimate of the time of completion. Officials even were reluctant to mention the Aboriginal name of the project  "Nurrungar. Only the circular shape of the foundation made it clear where the antenna would be located. The new base will be located in a basin about three-quarters of a mile long and half a mile wide, surrounded by low hills. Significantly it is not far from the U.S. deep space tracking station at Island Lagoon. Scientific speculation generally has suggested that the new facility will be use to communicate with American "spy" satellites and in the detection of enemy satellites or missiles. In these joint roles, the two American stations near Woomera could work in concert.

About 450 Americans are expected to move to Woomera when the new station goes into operation in a year or so. Their arrival will be welcomed as a shot in the arm for the whole base. One cannot help wondering about the future of Woomera. Since the 76,000 square mile testing range was established 308 miles north of Adelaide in 1947 it has been supported jointly by Australia and Britain. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been poured into its facilities and equipment. Its running costs run into more than $30 million a year, of which Britain pays around 40 per cent. But in recent years Britain has shown a distinct inclination to play down its participation in the operation, in line with its general defence de-escalation east of Suez. One cannot be optimistic about its future involvement when the current agreement on Woomera comes up for renegotiation next year. Reputation Since 1964, one of the main projects of the range has been the development of the Europa One satellite launching rocket for the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO). The Europa rocket now is nearing its final (tenth) launching, in which it hopes to put a satellite into orbit. When this is achieved the project (and the 450 staff) will leave Woomera and transfer to French Guiana, in South America.
The delivery of goods ranging from oil to car parts to yogurt are at risk of serious delays as railway blockades and growing protests against the construction of a pipeline in Wetsuweten territory in northern B.C. approach the one-week mark.

Members of the Wetsuweten are fighting the construction of a $6.6-billion pipeline through their land, and the recent standoff with RCMP forced the tension between energy projects and some Indigenous groups back into the national spotlight.

But the companies who depend on the more than 40,000 kilometres of rail criss-crossing the country to get goods to market say theyre getting caught in the crossfire, after Canadian National Rail said Tuesday it had no choice but to shut down significant parts of its network if blockades remained.

Every day we hear more and more from companies that either cant get their parts or ingredients or components to market, or cant get their products out. Its beginning to pile up, said Dennis Darby, the president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, whose members typically load about 4,500 rail cars a day.

Cenovus Chief Executive Officer Alexander Pourbaix said Wednesday that the blockage presented a significant risk to both his business and the Canadian economy as a whole. The company shipped about 120,000 barrels of crude a day via rail in January, executives said on a call.

In an email, Natacha Gouveia, a spokesperson for food company Danone, said they had yogurt sitting on freight trains and expected the blockades to impact their ability to deliver to western Canada.

Blockades near Belleville, Ont., and between Prince George and Prince Rupert in B.C., have already disrupted passenger traffic as well as shipments of grain, propane, lumber and consumer goods, according to CN.

Its not just passenger trains that are impacted by these blockades, its all Canadian supply-chains, CN Rail CEO Jean-Jacques Ruest said in the statement.

The blockade had also halted crude-by-rail shipments to New Brunswick, where the Irving Oil Corp. refinery, Canadas biggest, is located.

Darby of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters estimates that about half of all rail traffic in Canada is manufactured goods, destined to eventually end up in the hands of consumers. While shoppers wont have seen the effects of the blockades yet, he says, that may change if the blockades persist.

In todays modern industrial economy, there arent as many big warehouses of stuff as people tend to think, he said. Its kind of in, out and sell.

In terms of the impact on the economy as a whole, one of the most recent examples of the ripple effects of shuttering railways was the CN strike last November, which prompted the temporary closure of Canadas largest potash mine and some short-term layoffs at CN itself.

At the time, economists estimated the strike  which lasted a little over a week  cost the Canadian economy about $1 billion.

But more economically damaging in the long run, according to David Gillen, director of the Centre for Transportation Studies at UBCs Sauder School of Business, is the dent this will leave in Canadas reputation. He argues that companies may be less inclined to ship by rail if they cant be sure their goods are going to get to their destination.

Protests are particularly challenging, he adds, because unlike other interruptions of train travel, theyre hard to predict.

It creates a lot of uncertainty as to whether there is reliability, he said. I think that if (the government) doesnt nip this in the bud theres going to be some significant issues for Canada.

The intensifying protests are of concern, said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who added that his administration will be engaging with ministers to look at next possible steps. We recognize the important democratic right, and we will always defend it, of peaceful protest, Trudeau said to reporters in Dakar, Senegal. We are also a country with a rule of law, and we need to make sure those laws are respected.

In a separate statement issued Wednesday, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said there is time for all parties to engage in open and respectful dialogue to ensure this situation is resolved peacefully, and we strongly urge these parties to do so.

With files from The Canadian Press and Bloomberg

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Police detained Fr Sefer (Aho) Bilecen for sharing food and water with militants. He hasnt denied the allegations saying that he acted according to his Christian faith. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Meanwhile, the fate of the Christian couple that went missing a month ago remains unknown.

Istanbul (AsiaNews)  Turkish prosecutors announced the indictment Fr Sefer (Aho) Bilecen, of Mor Jakup (Saint Jacobs) monastery in Nusaybin, a city in south-eastern Turkey, on terrorism charges.

The Assyrian clergyman and other Christians were detained on 9 January. The priest gave some food (bread and water) to a member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) whose leader, Abdullah Ocalan, has been in prison since 1999.

The priest and the other Christians were arrested in a Kurdish majority area, scene of violent clashes with Turkish forces, based on anonymous information.

After a few days in custody, he was released without a formal charge; however, he was indicted on 16 January but the information was withheld until 8 February.

The case is based on informants testimony and a 2018 police report claiming that people connected to extremist groups had visited the clergymans monastery.

During the four days of detention in January, Fr Bilecen was repeatedly questioned by the security forces. If he is found guilty, he could get from seven and a half to 15 years in prison.

The charge sheet includes the accusation that the Assyrian priest failed to report the militants to law enforcement even though he knew their identity.

The priest has not denied offering food and water, but insisted that he did so in accordance with his faith, not out of political or ideological considerations.

The area in Turkeys predominantly Kurdish south-east has been the scene of armed clashes between Turkish forces and pro-independence PKK fighters for decades.

Reacting to the case, Assyrian Policy Institute (API) chairman Jon Koriel said: We are deeply concerned by the unjustified accusations made against Father Aho, and the damaging message his indictment sends to the rest of the Assyrian community in Turkey. We call on Turkish authorities to drop all charges against him without precondition.

Meanwhile, the fate of Hurmuz Diril and his wife Simoni Diril, an elderly Christian couple abducted on 11 January from their native village of Meer, remains shrouded in mystery.

One of their children, a Chaldean priest based in Istanbul, is still asking for prayers despite the ominous lack of information about what happened to them.
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading web design, development, and digital marketing agency, Americaneagle.com is proud to announce that four of its talented team members were named Most Valuable Professionals by Sitecore, the global leader in digital experience management software.

Senior programmers Ahmed Okour, Mohammed Syam, and James Gregory were named MVPs in the technology category and Americaneagle.com's Sitecore Practice Director, Jonathan Price was named an MVP Ambassador. With only 154 technology MVPs and 97 ambassadors named worldwide this year, this accomplishment solidifies Americaneagle.com's success and command of the Sitecore platform.

Recognizing professionals within the Sitecore community who actively apply their talent and expertise to help others best utilize Sitecore products to deliver premier customer experiences, the MVP program is now in its 14th year. Of more than 13,000 certified developers and over 24,000 active community participants, the 316 MVPs are truly an elite group. This year's MVPs were selected for the quality, quantity, and impact of the contributions they made in 2019, including the sharing of product expertise and mastery of the Sitecore platform to support both partners and customers.

"Saying we're proud of our four Sitecore MVPs this year would be an understatement," Michael Svanascini, Americaneagle.com president said. "Americaneagle.com has a longstanding relationship with Sitecore and these MVPs will help us continue to come up with dynamic solutions for our clients."

Americaneagle.com is a Platinum Sitecore Implementation Partner with over 100 Sitecore certified employees on staff. Through the agency's 25 years of digital experience, Americaneagle.com has successfully implemented the Sitecore platform on more than 500 projects. Some of Americaneagle.com's notable Sitecore clients include HomeServe, Joint Commission Resources, and Samaritan Health Services.

"One of our greatest assets is the highly collaborative Sitecore community, where members share technical knowledge and insights across numerous channels and at events to help each other build greater digital experiences for their organizations and customers," said Pieter Brinkman, Senior Director of Technical Marketing at Sitecore. "Sitecore MVPs stand out as leaders within the community for their passion and willingness to invest their own time with contributions ranging from educational blogs, videos, podcasts and speaking engagements to community engagement and support on social media and forums. They are an invaluable resource and important part of the Sitecore user experience, for which we are truly grateful."

More information can be found about the MVP Program on the Sitecore MVP site at http://mvp.sitecore.com.

About Americaneagle.com

Americaneagle.com is a full-service, global digital agency based in Des Plaines, Illinois that provides best-in-class web design, development, hosting, post-launch support and digital marketing services. Currently, Americaneagle.com employs 500+ professionals in offices around the world including Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Washington DC, Switzerland, and Bulgaria. Some of their 2,000+ clients include Dairy Queen, FASTSIGNS, Soletrader, Stuart Weitzman, WeatherTech, and the American Dental Association. For additional information, visit www.americaneagle.com.

Contact

Michael Svanascini, President

[email protected]

847-699-0300

SOURCE Americaneagle.com

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The President of Ukraine will also hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in the 56th Munich Conference on Security on February 14-15. This was reported by the press service of the President's Office.

"On February 14-15, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will pay a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany in order to attend the 56th Munich Conference on Security," the statement said.

It is stressed that the Head of the Ukrainian State will deliver an address at a separate session dedicated to Ukraine and will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of foreign countries.

As we reported earlier, on February 10, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Sergio Mattarella, the head of the Italian Republic, the press service of President's Office informed about it.

"The heads of state discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular, the development of political dialogue, prospects for trade, economic and investment cooperation, Italy's support for the reform process in Ukraine and the integration of our state into Euro-Atlantic structures," the message reads.
Jill Filipovic is an opinion columnist for several left wing media outlets, including CNN. Her latest column accuses Michael Bloomberg of racism, thereby disqualifying him as a presidential candidate

Her column relies on an audio recording of a 2015 speech by Bloomberg in Colorado which was released by a Bernie Sanders supporter. Filipovic is an Elizabeth Warren supporter (my condolences), but shares a loathing of Bloomberg, except for what he may be good for later in the year -- pouring billions into electing Democrats other than himself.

Bloombergs comments in his speech are a tough defense of his stop and frisk policy, used by New York City police when he was Mayor from 2001-2013.

"You've got to get the guns out of the hands of the people that are getting killed," Bloomberg can be heard saying. "You want to spend the money on a lot of cops in the streets, put the cops where the crime is, which means in minority neighborhoods."

"So, one of the unintended consequences is people say, 'Oh my God, you are arresting kids for marijuana that are all minorities.' Yes, that is true. Why? Because we put all the cops in the minority neighborhoods. Yes, that is true. Why did we do it? Because that's where all the crime is," Bloomberg says. "And the way you get the guns out of the kid's hands is to throw them up against the walls and frisk them."

"Ninety-five percent of murders, murderers and murder victims" are male minorities between 16 to 25, Bloomberg says.

Filipovic argues that what Bloomberg says is not true, not in New York City, nor nationally. Her evidence are a few statistics she throws out:

This is actually not true -- not in New York City, and not nationwide. In 2015, reportedly the same year as this recording of Bloomberg, black men committed 36% of murders, and were 52% of murder victims, according to FBI data cited by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. White men were 30% of murderers and 43% of murder victims. According to FBI statistics from 2015, just under 16% of male murder victims were Latino or Hispanic and less than 10% of offenders were Latino or Hispanic.

Filipovics numbers tell you nothing since they ignore the most significant numbers -- the share of the population made up by various groups, whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians in New York City or nationally.

The reality is that nationally, blacks commit over half of all murders, though they represent fewer than 13% of the US population. In other words, the non-black portion of the population (87%) commit fewer murders than the black population, 13% of the population. Almost a third of all murders list no perpetrator, since none were caught, or there were no witnesses, or victims expired before providing any information on their assailant.

The population breakdown according to the American Community Survey in 2017 is as listed below. Note that a significant number of Hispanics identify as white, and statistics are provided for whites including Hispanics who identify as white, and non-Hispanic whites (the 61.5% share).

According to the 20132017 American Community Survey, the racial composition of the United States in 2017 was:

Data are shown for the White, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Some other race alone populations.

Filipovic is also wrong when it comes to New York City. It appears that among identified murderers or those accused of non-negligent manslaughter in the city in 2015, 90% were black or Hispanic.

The Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter arrest population is similarly distributed. Black arrestees (59.1%) and Hispanic arrestees (31.2%) account for the majority of Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter arrestees while White arrestees (6.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.3%) arrestees account for the remaining portions of the Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter arrest population.

This is a bit lower than Bloombergs 95% estimate. The former Mayor also associated his 95% estimate with males aged 16-21, and that too was an exaggeration. In any case, New York Citys ethnic mix in 2010 included 33.3% non-Hispanic whites, 25.5% blacks, 23.6% Hispanics, 12.6% Asian, and 4.9% other or mixed race. So whites were more numerous than blacks in the city population, but committed a tiny fraction (just over 1/10th) of the number of murders committed by blacks.

None of this is to argue the merits of the stop and frisk policy itself. Certainly, there were a large majority of stops of innocent people. One can make an argument either way as to whether the inconvenience of all the stops that resulted in sending the drivers or people on their way was justified given the number who were arrested, especially with the enormous crime reduction in New York City that began with Rudy Giuliani, and continued under Bloomberg (murders dropped by 1,300 per year under Giuliani, and another 300 per year under Bloomberg). No other city in the world has ever experienced an 88% reduction in murders, and in New York the population grew while this was going on, meaning the murder rate dropped by 90%. This did not happen by accident nor due to good fortune.

Filipovic also argues that a heavy police presence in neighborhoods results in bad police community relations. In New York City, the strategy of flooding high crime zones with extra police resulted in large reductions in crime in those neighborhoods. The community members who were not assaulted, robbed, raped, or murdered might disagree with Filipovic about the policing strategy that changed the city from a high crime, shrinking metropolis to a growing unusually safe large city.

Photo credit: Jim Milles
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). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand AKM Industrial Company Limited (HKG:1639).

Our data shows AKM Industrial has a return on equity of 3.9% for the last year. That means that for every HK$1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated HK$0.04 in profit.

Check out our latest analysis for AKM Industrial

How Do You Calculate Return On Equity?

The formula for return on equity is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

Or for AKM Industrial:

3.9% = HK$46m  HK$1.2b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.)

It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. The easiest way to calculate shareholders' equity is to subtract the company's total liabilities from the total assets.

What Does Return On Equity Mean?

ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses.

Does AKM Industrial 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. If you look at the image below, you can see AKM Industrial has a lower ROE than the average (10%) in the Electronic industry classification.

SEHK:1639 Past Revenue and Net Income, February 12th 2020

That's not what we like to see. We'd prefer see an ROE above the industry average, but it might not matter if the company is undervalued. Nonetheless, it might be wise to check if insiders have been selling.

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How Does Debt Impact ROE?

Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking.

AKM Industrial's Debt And Its 3.9% ROE

One positive for shareholders is that AKM Industrial does not have any net debt! Although I don't find its ROE that impressive, it's worth remembering it achieved these returns without debt. After all, with cash on the balance sheet, a company has a lot more optionality in good times and bad.

In Summary

Return on equity is one way we can compare the business quality of different companies. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

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. Check the past profit growth by AKM Industrial by looking at this visualization of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

But note: AKM Industrial may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE 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.
To the editor:

I am curious why the article on Northwood's "Mass immigration presentation" reported that the 2017 foreign-born population in the US was quadruple the number in 1965 without noting that (1) in 1965, the US lifted very restrictive quotas, which has permitted greater numbers of people to immigrate, and (2) as a percentage of total population, the number has only doubled.

I am also curious about why speaker Ramesh Ponnuru states the 1890-1920 period of immigration, followed by 40 years of "pausing," "is remembered as successful." It's not clear who remembers this as a success, but surely not the thousands of European Jewish refugees who were barred by the 1924 immigration quotas and ended up perishing at the hands of the Nazis.

And speaking of the Immigration Act of 1924, it's odd to hear Ponnuru describe it innocuously as a "pause" without also mentioning that it was deliberately designed to keep out southern and eastern Europeans, mostly Catholics and Jews, as well as all Asian immigrants. Or that one of its sponsors, Albert Johnson, was also head of the Eugenics Research Association.

We do know one person who was extremely impressed by the Immigration Act, however, and considered it a model for creating a nationalistic state based on purity of blood: Adolf Hitler. But Ponnuru surely knows all this, as a Princeton history major. Odd that he wouldn't mention it. If the goal is truly to have an open dialogue about immigration policy, it's important to put facts in context.

KRISTIN OLBERTSON

Midland
New Data Scheduled for Presentation on Daxors BVA-100



NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daxor Corporation (NYSE MKT: DXR) an investment company with innovative medical instrumentation and biotechnology operations focused on blood volume measurement today announces it will be attending the Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) 49th Congress at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, FL, from February 16-18th, 2019. Research from the University of Hawaii - John A. Burns School of Medicine relating to the use of Daxors BVA-100 (Blood Volume Analyzer) diagnostic test in critical care use is scheduled to be presented.

The SCCM gathers more than 6,000 critical care professionals from around the world to share ideas and seek solutions to improve outcomes in the critically ill. In a peer-reviewed randomized control trial, the BVA test showed that optimization of intravascular blood volume led to a 44% change in treatment decisions, improves outcomes, length of stay, and can reduce mortality by up to 66% versus conventional therapy in complex critically-ill patients. We look forward to sharing with leaders new data on how precise, individualized fluid management can lead to better patient outcomes, said Michael Feldschuh, CEO of Daxor Corporation. The company will be exhibiting at Booth #902.

About Daxor Corporation

Daxor Corporation (DXR) is an innovative medical instrumentation and biotechnology company focused on blood volume measurement. We developed and market the BVA-100 (Blood Volume Analyzer), the first diagnostic blood test cleared by the FDA to provide safe, accurate, objective quantification of blood volume status and composition compared to patient-specific norms. The BVA technology has the potential to improve hospital performance metrics in a broad range of surgical and medical conditions including heart failure and critical care by better informing treatment strategies, resulting in significantly better patient outcomes. Our mission is to partner with clinicians to incorporate BVA technology into standard clinical practice and improve the quality of life for patients. For more information please visit our website at https://www.daxor.com .

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Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements regarding the impact of hiring sales staff and expansion of our distribution channels. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this release, including, without limitation, those risk associated with our post-market clinical data collection activities, benefits of our products to patients, our expectations with respect to product development and commercialization efforts, our ability to increase market and physician acceptance of our products, potentially competitive product offerings, intellectual property protection, FDA regulatory actions, our ability to integrate acquired businesses, our expectations regarding anticipated synergies with and benefits from acquired businesses, and additional other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. Daxor does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
(Newser)  Viewers' minds were blown Wednesday night when HGTV's House Hunters featured, for the first time, a "throuple." "A throuple is three people in a relationship," explained Lori in the episode; per E! News; she's been married to Brian since 2002, and after meeting Angellica ("Gelli") at a bar, the three fell in love and have since made things as official as legally possible via a commitment ceremony in Aruba. They were looking for a house in Colorado that would work for them (it needed, for example, a master bathroom that could accommodate three sinks, USA Today reports) and Brian and Lori's two children, ages 10 and 12. "Oh my god. A throuple on House Hunters," tweeted author Roxane Gay, one of many to express shock (and, in most cases, glee) on social media.

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It's the first time the show has featured a polyamorous or ethically non-monogamous couple, and many viewers were applauding the progressive moment. "Representation matters," tweeted one viewer. HGTV's official stance: "We feature all homebuyers and living choices." "The past four years, I've been living in Lori and Brian's house, so buying a house together, as a throuple, will signify, like, our next big step as a family of five rather than all four of them plus me," Gelli said during the episode, which ended with the throuple selecting a home with a price higher than their original budget. As Salon noted last month, polyamory "is on the rise," and a throuple was also just introduced in the ABC sitcom Single Parents. (Is it time to legalize ethical non-monogamy?)
A lonely bachelor has revealed he will pay an online cupid $25,000 to help him on his 'quest' to find a girlfriend this Valentine's Day.

Jeff Gebhart, 47, from Prairie Village, Kansas, said he found the online dating community 'toxic' and wanted to have the chance to date a women who he might not normally meet.

He has launched DateJeffG.com which is dedicated to finding the perfect person, and he's willing to pay matchmakers who help him to find his 'soul-mate' a healthy 'reward'.

The entrepreneur, who boasts of 'running with bulls and jumping out of planes' online, said he has a 'zest for life' and is looking for someone who is 'fun, driven and goofy'.

Jeff Gebhart, 47, from Kansas, is offering $25,000 to matchmakers who help him on his quest for love to find a soulmate

Online, Jeff describes himself as a 5'7' optimist who has never been married or had children.

The adventurous romantic writes: 'I've run with the bulls in Spain, jumped out of a few airplanes, and have been known to snowboard wearing my pink bunny costume.'

Speaking in a promotional video on his website, which has been watched over 41,000 times in the past week, he explained: 'I'm a little nervous but also excited. I'm excited to get this thing going.

'I'm single, and I don't want to go back to this "at base" dating stuff. I think a lot of people treat each other pretty poorly through that and it's a toxic community.'

'I have a choice there, so I'm choosing not to do that.'

He added: 'We all try Bumble, Tinder, Hinge but we only do it because that's all that's available to us. I'm trying to develop a better way and I think this is it.'

Speaking about the kind of woman he'd like to meet, he explained: 'I know 'at base' dating is so bad that there's a certain section of the demographic that's not even entered into it.

The entrepreneur said he finds the online community 'toxic' and just wants to find someone 'fun and goofy' who will enjoy relaxing with him and his dog Gunner (pictured together)

'I would never have the opportunity to meet these women. Not at the gym, not at the grocery store, not anywhere.

'This is my effort to reach out to those people, who are a little bit like me.'

Discussing his motivation for adding a $25,000 referral fee for those who help him on his quest, he acknowledged: 'It's a little weird, I get it, adding money into something where I'm honestly interested in finding a soul mate.'

But he explained that 'dating is expensive' and he would normally spend a lot on dates each month.

He said he landed on the $25,000 figure because he 'took what dating costs each month and how long it takes to find a significant other through the current means and we offered a reward for that.'

Saying the money was merely 're-appropriated' he added that he would 'rather it went to someone helping him on the quest for love' than a business.

Jeff said he was fed-up with online dating, calling the community 'toxic' and said he wanted to find a better solution

Matchmakers will be rewarded with $25,000 which Jeff said he would otherwise spend on dating

The entrepreneur also said he would donate a further $25,000 to an animal shelter if he successfully finds love.

Jeff's website leads visitors to a 'personality matching' survey, which they can take to see if they might be compatible with Jeff.

Once he's narrowed it down, he'll then go through the list of potential women and make his choice.

He noted that women who nominate themselves will not be eligible for the $25,000 referral fee.

Online, he wrote: 'I don't need a person to complete me, but I'm looking for a person with qualities that will allow us to complement each other.'

The entrepreneur said he was keen to find someone who had a 'zest for life' but who would also like to relax and hang-out with his dog Gunner.

He added: 'I'd like to find someone who is fun, easy to spend time with, someone who is confident, driven, shares the same interests as I and has a zest for life. Funny, goofy, and doesn't take themselves too seriously.'
Hope Hicks, a close aide to President Trump who resigned nearly two years ago, will return to the White House in a new role, administration officials said Thursday.

Ms. Hicks, 31, worked on Mr. Trumps 2016 campaign from its inception and followed him to the White House after he was elected, eventually becoming communications director. Her return will come as his re-election campaign intensifies and as his advisers say the superstitious president has talked about recreating some aspects of that first race.

Ms. Hickss title when she left belied her influence with Mr. Trump, who felt more personal comfort with her than with almost any other adviser. But on her return, she will report to Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, and work with the White House political director, Brian Jack. Her title will be counselor to the president.

A senior administration official said that Ms. Hicks would work on projects that Mr. Kushner oversees, including the re-election campaign. She will not rejoin the communications office.
Industry Update

Appointment

13 February 2020

Khalid Benghallem

Named Executive Chef

At Universals Endless Summer Resort  Dockside Inn and Suites in Orlando - FL, USA

Khalid Benghallem has been named Executive Chef. He was most recently Executive Sous Chef for the Wyndham Grand Resort Bonnet Creek, where he oversaw the culinary operations of multiple high-volume restaurants and banquets. Benghallem's career spans four continents with Executive Chef roles in Morocco, France and more. When he first arrived in Orlando, he worked as Sous Chef for Emeril's Orlando at Universal CityWalk.

Loews Hotels & Co Headquartered in New York City, Loews Hotels & Co is a hospitality company rooted in deep heritage in the hotel industry and excellence in service. The hospitality group encompasses branded independent Loews Hotels, and a solid mix of partner-brand hotels. more information

Recent Appointments at Loews Charly Houegban - Executive Chef 22 October 2021  Loews Vanderbilt Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Charly Houegban to Executive Chef. In his new role, Chef Houegban will spearhead all culinary aspects of the beloved Nashville enclave. read more

Reggie Dominique - Managing Director 14 October 2020  In Los Angeles, CA hospitality veteran, Reggie Dominique has been named managing director at Loews Hollywood Hotel. Dominique's 25 years of hospitality experience includes a diverse leadership background in hotel operations and sales, having spent the majority of his career with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC. read more
Digital Pathology Market Research Report, by Type (Human Pathology, Animal Pathology), Product (Hardware, Software), Application (Disease Diagnosis, Mhealth, Drug Discovery) and End-Users (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers)  Global Forecast Till 2023

Digital Pathology Market Overview

Market Research Future (MRFR), in its latest Digital Pathology Market report, mentions that the market poised to attain USD 8,305 Mn at 13.04% CAGR by 2023. Digital pathology consist of equipment used to capture, analyze, interpret, and manage information obtained from pathology slides, digitally. Digital pathology has a wide range of application in human pathology, tissue-based research, and drug development. The increase in pathologists and the growing awareness of benefits offered by digital pathology are expected to drive the global digital pathology market across the forecast period. The high rate of adoption of electronic health records and the increase in the integration of automation technology can expedite the expansion of the digital pathology market in the years to come. Technological improvements and adoption of effective analytical software are other drivers that are likely to cause surge in the global digital pathology market. The increase in adoption of digital pathology solutions by hospitals and clinics can also bolster the expansion of the global market. However, high implementation expense of digital pathology and stringent regulatory norms can limit the market expansion.

Get a FREE Sample Copy of Report with Complete TOC @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1955

Digital Pathology Market Segment

The study of global digital pathology market is done by type, applications, end-users, and products. The type-based segments of the digital pathology market are animal pathology and human pathology. The human pathology segment can surge at lucrative CAGR by 2023. The product-based segment of the digital pathology market are hardware, software, and storage. The availability of sophisticated software to execute digital pathology operations can spur the market. The application-based segments of the digital pathology market are drug discovery, disease diagnosis, Mhealth, telemedicine, and others. Increased awareness of digital pathology in Mhealth can prompt the market expansion. The end-users-based segments of the market are research centers & academic institutes, hospitals & clinics, and diagnostic centers. Diagnostics centers are high end-users of digital pathology.

Digital Pathology Market Regional Study

The global digital pathology markets regional analysis aids investor identify several growth opportunities and regional progress of the market. The vivid understanding of the digital pathology market is the stock-on-trade for the report. The report discusses various players of a region and their strategies and contribution that can redefine the global market of digital pathology.

North America boasting of its advanced technical base increases the viability of adoption of digital pathology across hospitals and diagnostics in these regions. This is expected to bolster the expansion of the regional digital pathology market. Europe digital pathology market is expected to experience high rate of expansion due to the existence of multiple developers of digital pathology. In Asia Pacific, the growing cognizance of benefits offered by digital pathology is expected to cause the regional market to surge.

Digital Pathology Market Competitive Dashboard

MRFR identified some notable companies operating in the digital pathology market. They are; Danaher Corporation (Leica Biosystems GmbH) (U.S.), Olympus Corporation (Japan), 3DHISTECH Ltd. (Hungary), Inspirata (U.S.), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (The Netherlands), Huron Digital Pathology Inc. (Canada), microdimensions GmbH (Germany), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Mikroscan Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Definiens (Germany), and others. The report details a comprehensive study on the digital pathology marketers. MRFR sorted these players by origin, regional franchise, product line, and industrial expertise. MRFRs SWOT analysis of the digital pathology market can also details on history, annual turnover, segmental share, profit margins, growth strategies, latest R&D initiatives, and expansion techniques of these key players.

Get More Information on Digital Pathology Market Research Report  Forecast To 2023 @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/digital-pathology-market-1955

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.

In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact:

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Market Research Future

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The phenomenon was further condemned by Bert-Jan Ruissen, MEP (ECR) who said that it is a shame we have to take safety measures around synagogues and schools; it is a shame that we have to still talk about antisemitism, that we have to start an online petition against it. But we must. Because, unfortunately, our society is much less modern and tolerant than we had hoped it would be by now.
M ia Goth is wearing a fluorescent Valentino gown and white thigh-high boots as she watches the sun set over Los Angeles.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lovell House, a masterpiece of modernist architecture and a film star in its own right after appearing in LA Confidential, she gazes over a hillside of swaying palms that slopes down towards the city, sprawling like an ocean. The scene couldnt be more quintessentially Hollywood, but in her mind Goth is 5,500 miles away.

Now more than ever I think of myself as British, says the 26-year-old, after her photo shoot wraps and she changes into her civilian outfit: a blue-and-white crocheted Miu Miu top and APC jeans. Her dark hair has been bleached blonde, lending her the air of a young Brigitte Bardot. Weve only just settled in the kitchen when she starts reminiscing about the city she still thinks of as home. Being in a place that couldnt be further removed from London helps you recognise how much youre actually from there, she says, her light voice turning wistful. I miss the people, the culture and the museums. Hot days when all you can do is go to a park and put the radio on. Getting a pint at a pub. Things like that dont really exist here.

Goth moved from London to LA when she was 19 to pursue acting following her staggeringly accomplished debut in Lars von Triers controversial erotic odyssey Nymphomaniac in 2013. The darkly comic and sexually explicit film divided critics, but Goth won high praise as the protege of Charlotte Gainsbourgs protagonist thanks to the effortless way she shifted from apparent naivete to self-possessed menace. The performance was made all the more jarring by Goths adolescent appearance, a striking look that has made her a sought-after model by the likes of Prada and Vogue. While she still models, Goth has no qualms about calling it her stepping stone to acting. Im grateful for what it gave me, which was an introduction to feeling comfortable in front of a camera, she says. And it was good pocket money.

VALENTINO dress, 1,850 (valentino.com). DIOR JOAILLERIE earrings, 3,750; bracelet, 5,950 (dior.com) (Amanda Charchian ) / Amanda Charchian

In 2015 she found herself embroiled in controversy when a Miu Miu advertisement featuring her image was banned by the Advertising Standards Agency because it decreed the ad presented a child in a sexualised way. At the time, Goth was 22. I was very taken aback by it, because I didnt feel I was being exploited, she says. I didnt feel it came across in any way sexual at all. I was literally just sat in a room. It says more about the people who had an issue with it than the actual campaign, because in my eyes it was a beautiful piece of art.

Since Nymphomaniac, Goth has burnished her reputation with a string of highly acclaimed art-house horror roles. She played a mysterious rehab patient in Gore Vebinskis A Cure For Wellness (2017), a dancer dragged into a world of witchcraft in Luca Guadagninos Suspiria and a violent criminal imprisoned in space alongside Robert Pattinson in Claire Denis High Life (both 2018). After all that psychological torture comes something completely different: this month shell be seen donning a bonnet for a good old-fashioned period drama playing Harriet Smith opposite Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn and Bill Nighy in Autumn de Wildes faithful adaptation of Jane Austens Emma.

The plot of Emma centres on the titular characters ill-fated attempts at matchmaking, a somewhat outdated concept in the age of dating apps. I think now everyones their own little Emma Woodhouse, says Goth. With dating apps, theyre sort of matchmaking for themselves, so our films a form of escapism.

She points out that in Austens day, marriage was as much about a financial arrangement as a romantic commitment. Now marriage is more sentimental, she says, perhaps naively. There arent the same economic pressures. In many ways its now more pure, because people get married solely for love rather than to make sure they get their pigs and sheep.

LOUIS VUITTON jacket, 2,550; top, 850; shorts, 1,050; boots, 1,500 (louisvuitton.com). DIOR JOAILLERIE ring, 10,700 (dior.com) / Amanda Charchian

Goth has some experience in this area. In 2016 she married her Nymphomaniac co-star Shia LaBeouf, who was by then as famous for provocative performance art as he was for acting. The couple filed for divorce two years later. At the time, their wedding became tabloid fodder when a livestream of the ceremony in Las Vegas  officiated by an Elvis impersonator, naturally  was picked up by TMZ. Goth doesnt discuss her dating life, but will say that she tries not to let the intrusive side of celebrity affect her. Thats not real at all, she says. I think as an actor you want to have as normal a life as possible, because the more grounded you can be the better your work is going to come out. The right directors arent drawn to that anyway. I dont think Claire Denis is looking at TMZ.

For the characters in Emma, marriage is a function of class and social status. Goth, who describes herself as working class, and very proud of that, had an itinerant upbringing. Born in London to a Brazilian single mother, she was just two weeks old when they moved to Brazil. Her first awareness of acting as a career came from visiting film sets with her maternal grandmother, the film-and-television actress Maria Gladys, but her mother moved her back to Britain when she was five. When she was 10 the pair went to live with Goths Canadian father, an ice-truck driver in Nova Scotia, but it proved to be an unhappy period during which she attended seven schools in a single school year. Goth and her mother returned to London when she was 12, and she spent her teens bouncing around Catford, Lewisham, New Cross, Sydenham and Brockley.

PRADA top, 1,380; skirt, 1,950 (prada.com).DIOR ring (left) 370, (right) 320 (dior.com) / Amanda Charchian

My mum was a waitress my entire life, she says. It was just me and my mum growing up. It wasnt always the easiest, but She pauses for a long moment, fiddling with the cap of a water bottle as she searches for the right words. In terms of empathy and compassion, especially for my characters in what I do now, I think its helped me immensely, she says finally. I went to Sydenham girls school, a state school not a private school, and all different walks of life went there. There were girls getting pregnant at 15, and others whose parents were upper-middle-class doctors. That social structure was an immense education. I wouldnt have had it any other way.

Goth describes herself as a very studious child who always wanted to act despite limited opportunities. My school wasnt really focused on that, she says. The drama department for GCSE was a little shack that had raindrops constantly pouring in. We werent putting on West Side Story.

She discovered partying while still a young teenager. Wed go to raves in Peckham, she remembers. I feel as though I grew up in the last age of innocence, on the cusp of social media. We were still into MySpace. I had a phone you still had to put credit on. We were at the precipice of the entire world changing.

Her own world changed when she was 14 and she was spotted at Underage Festival in Victoria Park by Gemma Booth, a fashion photographer whose work has appeared at the National Portrait Gallery. Goth signed with Storm Model Management but made clear that what she really wanted to do was act. I started going for auditions when I was 16, she says. I was doing that for a couple of years, then flew to Copenhagen to meet Lars and audition for Nymphomaniac. Three weeks after finishing sixth form, I got it.

BOTTEGA VENETA top, 4,080; shorts, 4,175 (bottegaveneta.com). DIOR earrings, 370 (dior.com) / Amanda Charchian

The then-18-year-old Goth had to audition naked for Von Trier for a role that sexualised her from the very start of her career, but she strongly dismisses any suggestion that the changing climate engendered by the #MeToo movement might make her look back at that experience differently. No, not at all, she says, sharply, determined that her agency in the matter not be discounted. Ive been a huge Lars von Trier fan for a very long time and I knew the scope of what I was auditioning for. Everything I did was completely with my own intent.

She describes having Von Trier direct her first performance as a blessing. Hes not concerned with any of the intellect that can go into movie-making, she explains. Hes all about feeling. He would say: Just go into the room and see what happens. I felt so safe.

Goth felt similarly grateful to win a role in Luca Guadagninos Suspiria, the Italian directors follow-up to his Oscar-winning Call My By Your Name. She has just worked with him again on a short fashion film for Valentino called The Staggering Girl, about a writer (played by Julianne Moore) returning to her Italian home and the ghosts of her past. Goth calls Guadagnino a visionary and is happy to be referred to as a muse for him and others. I take it as a compliment, she says. I dont think theres anything wrong with that term. Its very flattering.

Now settled in the hip LA neighbourhood of Los Feliz, Goths raving days are behind her. Im quite a sensible person, she says. I like to go to bed around nine and wake up at six. I made granola last night, thats what I do with my evenings.

Her tranquil home life contrasts with the nomadic nature of film-making. She recently returned from Croatia where she was shooting Mayday with Juliette Lewis and first-time director Karen Cinorre. Set for release later this year, Goth plays the leader of a group of girls on an island in what she calls a female Lord Of The Flies. Shes keen to explore new genres, and doesnt entirely shoot down my suggestion that she might one day star in a romcom. It depends whos directing it, she says. If we can get Ken Loach, Im in.

She hopes her latest film will help audiences  and directors  see her differently. I think Emma will probably surprise some people in terms of my range as an actor, she says. Im definitely not just a spooky actress whos drawn to peculiar projects for peculiaritys sake. I guess what Im trying to say is that I know I have a lot more of myself to show the world.

With that we walk outside to her car and she drives home under purple skies to her waiting granola. Were a long way from leaky school halls in Sydenham, but Ive never seen a Goth look more at home in the limelight.

Emma is out 14 February

Photography by Amanda Charchian
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took a swipe at the BJP over the LPG cylinders' price hike by attaching an old picture of Union Minister Smriti Irani.

"I agree with these members of the BJP as they protest the astronomical Rs 150 price hike in LPG cylinders," Rahul Gandhi tweeted with the hashtag Roll Back Hike.

He also attached a picture of Irani protesting along with the BJP workers with an LPG cylinder.

Rahul's tweet brings into focus the sharp political rivalry between him and Irani and is taken as a reminder that he has not forgotten the loss of his family bastion Amethi to the BJP leader. Irani had defeated the former Congress chief from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi by a margin of 55,000 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

His remarks came a day after the prices of the LPG cylinders were hiked by a steep Rs 144.50 per cylinder on Wednesday taking the price to Rs 858.50 per cylinder.

This was one of the steepest increases in the LPG prices in over five years.

A non-subsidised 14.2 kg cylinder will now cost Rs 858.50 in New Delhi, Rs 896 in Kolkata, Rs 829.50 in Mumbai and Rs 881 in Chennai.

The women's wing of Congress carried out a flash mob protest near Shastri Bhawan in the national capital over the steep price rise of the LPG cylinder.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Associated Press

Her arms at her side against her glimmering, long black jacket and her blond hair pulled into a ponytail, Susanna Malkki soaked in several minutes of applause after a thrilling Carnegie Hall debut. Musicians beamed as the audience erupted following the Philharmonics first Carnegie Hall appearance in six years, broadcast live on radio. Leelanee Sterrett, the acting associate principal horn, detected a focused energy that Malkki brought to the podium and called it one of those performances where in the concert everything was kind of taken up a notch, dialed up a notch.
February 13 : The Baahubali actor Daggubati is the lead in all the three versions of the film. The other versions of the film will also feature, Ratsasan actor Vishnu Vishal and Pulkit Samrat. The story will see Rana's character trying his best to save the animal kingdom, from the greedy encroachers. The actor revealed that Haathi Mere Saathi was not a laid-back film and had to face many challenges while shooting.

When asked about the challenges faced by him, on this Rana said, I can definitely tell you itthe challenges were not easy at all. Haathi Mere Saathi is not a laid-back film to be done. There were different sets of challenges we were dealing with, on the sets. We dealt with the nature. And as this movie will be release in 3 different languages. Language was another challenge for us. But the biggest of them all was the herd of elephants. On sets there are so many factors which doesnt go on with you every day. But I guess that's what all about completing a story or a film. I felt very hard, when I saw the making and remembered those 2 years of shooting. I just want to say, I am totally a distinct person. And I am happy that I was able to do all the things, the story required.

Talking about the looks and his character in film, Rana expressed, Initially when I dressed up for my character I was looking like a bull. So, my director asked me to reduce weight. I lost 30 kgs to look perfect for my role. And as we kept going on for the shoot, we started relating with the facts how my character would be. If somebody was living in a jungle for so long, what would be his nature of food and his physical appearance. It was really a very challenging role for me. I have never played such kind of character before But I must say, all the credit of my looks goes to my director. He is the who has created me so precisely for this film.

The film made headlines for Rana's super impressive look and the shoot for the film was currently on in the jungles of Kerala. The movie highlighting man-animal relationship is a story inspired by true events and a tribute to 1971 classic film Haathi Mere Saathi, starring Rajesh Khanna and Tanuja.

Haathi Mere Saathi is an animal drama also featuring Pulkit Samrat, Vishnu Vishal, Zoya Hussein and Kalki Koechlin. The movie is helmed by Prabhu Solomon, the trilingual is being shot simultaneously in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil with a different cast across languages. The Eros International's movie is titled "Kaadan" in Tamil and "Aranya" in Telugu. The music has been composed by Shantanu Moitra and sound designed by Resul Pookutty.
DALLAS  A former Dallas police officer who opened fire on a 21-year-old woman driving a stolen car in January 2017 is not guilty of assault in her death, a jury decided Thursday.

Christopher Hess was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant in the fatal shooting of Genevive Dawes. A Dallas County jury returned the not guilty verdict after two days of deliberations. If he had been found guilty, Hess could have been sentenced to from five years to life in prison.

Hess, 42, was one of two officers who responded to a suspicious persons call the night Dawes was shot and killed. They found her and another person asleep in a car that had been reported stolen, police said. Dawes ignored commands to exit the vehicle, then reversed into a police cruiser, rammed a fence and was backing up again when the officers opened fire, police said.

Hess shot into the car a dozen times. Prosecutors argued that his actions were unreasonable. The former officers lawyers told the court that the shooting was justified because the car was a threat.

After the verdict, defense attorney Messina Madson thanked the jury.

Today, he finally gets to breath again, she said.

We will never tell you this is anything other than a tragedy, Madson said. but it wasnt a situation of his making.

Daryl Washington, a lawyer for Dawes family, blamed the justice system for focusing on the perceived shortcomings of victims while accused officers appear in court with a halo over their head.

Are we giving the perception to people that if you happen to have a criminal past, if you happen to have a drug problem that its OK to take that persons life?, Washington said outside the court. Thats the message were sending to the entire United States, that if youre less than perfect then your life doesnt matter.

Hess did not testify in his defense but other officers and policing experts told the jury that they believed his actions were reasonable. The jury was shown body camera footage from multiple officers at the scene.

A grand jury returned the charge against Hess months after the confrontation. A spokeswoman for the district attorneys office wasnt able to say Thursday why the officer was charged with assault, rather than a more serious crime. Washington said Dawes family had hoped for a murder charge and questioned why another officer who also shot into the car wasnt indicted.

In 2017, Hess was the first Dallas officer in more than four decades to be indicted in a deadly police shooting. Since then, several other North Texas officers have been charged in fatal shootings, including former Dallas officer Amber Guyger, who was convicted of murder last year for the 2018 shooting of Botham Jean.

Hess was fired in July 2017 after an internal investigation found he had violated the departments felony traffic stop and use of force policies, and had placed a person in greater danger than necessary. He is still facing a federal civil rights suit brought by Dawes family.
There are, by my count, three remaining real profanities in American English, words that may be uttered in polite society only transgressively. Those three words are all personal slurs: one racial, one sexual, one relating to sexual orientation.

In a sense, that speaks well of us. The words that are forbidden are the words that are meant to hurt people belonging to vulnerable groups.

For most of the recent history of our language, English profanities referred mainly to things that were considered private, usually bodily functions of a sexual or excretory nature; a minor legacy of religiously derived profanities survives as well, though the relative impotency of those utterances can be judged by the fact that William F. Buckley Jr. in 2007 published a book titled Cancel Your Own Goddam Subscription to minimal controversy. Hell, once a word that was not said or written lightly, went lowercase and then went mainstream; like damned, it lost its juice once we stopped believing in the underlying concept. Zounds  a contraction of Gods wounds, the injuries inflicted on Jesus  once was a real profanity; in the late 1970s, a punk band called Zounds put out music on a label called F**k Off Records. Gods wounds do not interest us very much, but the procreative act does, and hence references to it retain some of their profane power.

But not the kind of power carried by the term of abuse that reduces American results to puerile euphemism: the n-word, they say.

Professor Peter Gade, the director of graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma journalism school (which exists!), has got himself into what passes for hot water for using that infamous slur in a conversation about slurs. The subject at hand was the social-media expression Okay, Boomer! which is a way for callow young whiners on Twitter to pretend that their lack of advancement in life is the result of the repressive forces of Hegelian capital-H History, which members of earlier generations  sing it if you know the words!  just dont understand. Okay, Boomer! is not directed exclusively or even mainly at Baby Boomers (my friend Jay Nordlinger, who is younger than that, reports having the imbecility hurled at him) but instead is intended to suggest that the target is out-of-touch in the now-familiar senescent Baby Boomer mode (cf. Biden, Joe, incoherent ravings of) and blissfully unaware of his generational  you know it!  privilege.

Story continues

Professor Gade argued that Boomer in this usage is an ageist slur in the same way that that unutterable epithet is a racist slur. And he uttered that unutterable slur, which means that a thousand carping undergraduate scolds named Caitlyn are demanding he lose his job and/or be sent to a reeducation camp of some kind.

This is, of course, ridiculous  not as ridiculous as the fact that the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma (motto: Inter oves locum prsta) exists and that young imbeciles spend their parents hard-earned money attending it, but ridiculous nonetheless. It is a practical impossibility to have a conversation about slurs  even a deeply stupid conversation involving a man holding what must surely be one of the most useless appointments in all of academia  without making reference to those slurs and, on occasion, using them. To argue that speaking a slur in the course of a conversation about slurs is like using the slur in an ordinary context is something like believing that oncologists must be carcinogenic since there is cancer everywhere they go.

The powers that be at OU have reiterated their fealty to the First Amendment and academic freedom, and also have indicated that they intend to ignore these entirely. Our university must serve as an example to our society of both freedom of expression and understanding and tolerance, said Joseph Harroz Jr., who, for his sins, serves at the universitys interim president. His words today failed to meet this standard.

But what standard is that, exactly? It is not as though Professor Gade used the word in malice  he used it in the course of talking about how we speak and write, which presumably is within the field of interest of the young ladies and gentlemen at the journalism school at the University of Oklahoma. His comparison may not have been a very intelligent or interesting one, but if that is going to be disqualifying, then things are going to get very quiet indeed down there in Norman, Okla.

The only standard that Professor Gade really failed to meet was the one of silly young mini-Maoist campus outrage-hobbyists  i.e., a standard that should matter to no intelligent adult. But, of course, hes groveling  comfortable academic appointments are difficult to come by.

The more college administrators countenance and encourage this sort of thing, the more of it they are going to get. When the ridiculous quarterwits at the Philadelphia University of the Arts decided that they could not share a campus with Camille Paglia, the only intellectual of any standing associated with that modest little school, the administration there had the guts to tell them to grow up or ship off. The University of Oklahoma, with its multi-billion-dollar budget, could afford to stand up for itself, for its values, and for its faculty. All it needs is all it lacks  guts.

More from National Review
The man who allegedly shot and killed 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins in February 2017 was found guilty of murder by a Fort Bend County jury Wednesday. The jury sentenced Jacobe Payton to 78 years in prison.

As previously reported by the Houston Chronicle, Adkins was killed on Feb. 25 when the Honda she and her mother, Latoyia Thomas, were in collided with a speeding Pontiac at Beltway 8 and West Fuqua.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of Syria to Armenia Mohammad Haj Ibrahim says the terrorists who are currently active in Syria are the successors of the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide which was organized by the Ottoman Empire in the beginning of the 20th century.

Todays terrorist organizations, who are committing horrifying acts against the Syrian people, are the grandchildren of those who committed genocide against the Armenians and others in the past, the Ambassador said at a news conference in Yerevan on February 13.

When during the Armenian Genocide the Armenians reached Syria, they formed an integral part of the Syrian society, they safely resumed their life in Syria  preserving their identity, religion, studying in Armenian schools. There are numerous churches which are eternalizing the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, most importantly the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir ez-Zor, the Forty Martyrs Church in Aleppo, as well as the Holy Martyrs of Armenian Genocide square in Damascus, the ambassador said.

Speaking about the Syrian parliaments unanimous adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution, the Ambassador said that Syria has always commemorated the memory of the victims of the massacres against the Armenians.

This issue has been studied long time ago, and the Syrian Government has treated with utmost respect the Syrians who have Armenian roots. They have always been an integral part of the Syrian society. The Armenian pogroms have always been commemorated in Syria, through the events held in the Armenian-populated regions, he said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
A two-day dive search along the coast of Gloucester turned up no evidence of a missing 59-year-old woman who was last seen 10 days ago, authorities said.

Abbie Flynn went missing on Feb. 2 after going for a walk near Farrington Avenue around 4:30 p.m., the Gloucester Police Department said. No foul play is suspected.

A Massachusetts State Police dive team searched Tuesday and Wednesday along the coastline near where Flynn was known to walk. Those areas included Brace Cove, Niles Beach and the waters off the Dog Bar breakwater, state police said in a statement.

The mission did not locate Ms. Flynn or any other evidence, the statement said.

During their search, troopers deployed a sonar device from the side of a boat, using sound waves to detect objects or anomalies underwater, according to state police.

The dive team will look for Flynn again if authorities find new information that warrants another search, authorities said.

State police as well as local harbor masters and the U.S. Coast Guard also helped Gloucester police search for Flynn on Feb. 3. Authorities looked for the 59-year-old in the many paths and woods near where she went missing and along the coast, according to the Gloucester Police Department.

Flynn has brown hair and was last seen possibly wearing a red jacket, police said. Gloucester police urged anyone with information about Flynns disappearance to call the department at (978) 283-1212.

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When Emily Roebling walked across the Brooklyn Bridge on May 24th, 1883, the first person to cross its entire span, she capped a family saga equal parts triumph and tragedy, a story that began sixteen years earlier when her father-in-law, German-American engineer John Augustus Roebling, began design work on the bridge. Roebling had already built suspension bridges over the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, the Niagara River between New York and Canada, and over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky. But the bridge over the East River was to be something else entirely. As Roebling himself said, it will not only be the greatest bridge in existence, but it will be the greatest engineering work of the continent, and of the age.

New York City officials may have had little reason to think so in the mid-1860s. Suspension bridges were collapsing all across Europe, notes the TED-Ed video above by Alex Gendler. Their industrial cables frayed during turbulent weather and snapped under the weight of their decks. But the overcrowding city needed relief. An East River Bridge Project had been in the works since 1829 and was seen as more necessary with each passing decade. Despite their misgivings, the authorities were willing to trust Roebling with a hybrid design that combined methods used by both suspension and cable-stayed bridges. Two years later, he was dead, the result of a tetanus infection contracted after he lost several toes in a dock accident.

Roeblings son Washington, a civil engineer who had fought for the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg, took over the project, only to suffer from paralysis after he got the bends while trapped inside a caisson in 1870. For the remainder of the bridges construction, he would advise from his bedroom, relaying instructions through his wife Emilywho became after a time the bridges de facto chief engineer. She studied mathematics, the calculations of catenary curves, strengths of materials and the intricacies of cable construction, writes Emily Nonko at 6sqft. She knew the bridge so well that many were under the impression she was the real designer.

1.5 times longer than any previously built suspension bridge, the video lesson notes, Roeblings design worked because it used steel cables instead of hemp, with towers rising over 90 meters (295 feet) above sea level. This is almost three times higher than editors at the New York Mirror projected in 1829, when they called the brand new East River Bridge Project an absurd and ruinous proposition. Who would mount over such a structure, when a passage could be effected in a much shorter time, and that, too, without exertion or trouble, in a safe and well-sheltered steamboat?

Just six days after Emily Roebling crossed the newly opened Brooklyn Bridge, a stampede killed twelve people, and months later, P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants over the bridge to prove its safety. Who would cross such a structure? It turned out, for better or worse, anyone and everyone would drive, walk, run, subway, bike, scoot, climb up, leap from, and otherwise mount over the East River by way of the neo-gothic wonder (and later its much uglier sibling, the Manhattan Bridge). Learn much more in the short lesson above how John A. Roeblings bombastic claims about his design were not far off the mark, and why the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the greatest engineering feats in modern history.

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A Mesmerizing Trip Across the Brooklyn Bridge: Watch Footage from 1899

An Online Gallery of Over 900,000 Breathtaking Photos of Historic New York City

Immaculately Restored Film Lets You Revisit Life in New York City in 1911

Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness
Tesla's decision to embark on a secondary stock offering is smart given the increasing global uncertainty around the coronavirus, CNBC's Jim Cramer said Thursday.

"Anyone who begrudges, with the stock all the way up from where he reported, is nuts," Cramer said on "Squawk Box." "Why not take the money? The world got a lot less certain in the last 10 days."

Shares of Tesla went on a wild ride last week  but year-to-date, the stock is up more than 80% and about 220% in the past six months. The stock opened 3% lower Thursday, but turned positive shortly after.

Tesla said before-the-bell that it plans a $2 billion common stock offering, a reversal from two weeks ago when CEO Elon Musk said the electric car maker didn't intend to take advantage of its soaring stock to raise fresh capital.

"We're spending money as quickly as we can spend it sensibly," Musk said then, adding, "in light of that, it doesn't make sense to raise money because we expect to generate cash despite this growth level."

But since Musk made those comments, "the world's changed," Cramer said, acknowledging the coronavirus concerns in the market.

The coronavirus has continued to spread, with more than 60,000 total confirmed cases and nearly 1,400 deaths. The vast majority are in China.

The outbreak's ripple effects have had significant economic impacts, disrupting supply chains and altering consumer spending.

Tesla temporarily closed its China stores and announced cars initially scheduled for delivery to customers there in early February would be late because of the coronavirus.

It also had to close its Shanghai factory for about a week; it got back up and running this week.

"You could argue what Elon's doing is saying, 'Look, the stock's much higher now. I need the money. Maybe you don't know how quickly China is going to come online. We have a lot of demand all over the place,'" Cramer said.

Later, on "Squawk on the Street," Cramer suggested all companies with significant operations in China should be preparing for prolonged coronavirus-related impact.

"Anybody who has a lot of business in China would do best to try to figure out how much money they need if it doesn't come back online until, say, the summer," Cramer said.

"Musk has made a judgement that he's going to be fine no matter what," he added.

Cramer used to be relatively skeptical of Tesla, but his outlook turned more positive toward the company late last year, due largely to the wishes of his wife, Lisa, who wanted a Model X sport utility vehicle.
The parents of IRA murder victim Paul Quinn have blasted Sinn Fein minister Conor Murphy for continuing to refuse their request to say their son was not a criminal.

In a letter to the Quinns, Mr Murphy again side-steps the matter as he did in an RTE interview last week.

Breege and Stephen Quinn told the Belfast Telegraph on Wednesday night that they are aghast that the Finance Minister is still declining to unambiguously state that Paul wasn't a criminal.

They are calling on Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald - who may end up Taoiseach after the party's spectacular Dail election success - to intervene with her Stormont minister.

Breege Quinn said: "Our hopes that Conor Murphy was finally about to put right the wrong he did our son were raised when Mary Lou McDonald told us last week that Conor was writing to us.

"We placed huge trust in her and we thought she would convince Conor to say that Paul was not a criminal.

"We have been waiting 13 long years for him to say those words. When we opened the letter our hearts sank.

"Mary Lou has said that Paul wasn't a criminal.

"Michelle O'Neill has said that Paul wasn't a criminal. But Conor Murphy - the person we need to hear it from most - still won't say it."

Mrs Quinn said that she was again asking Ms McDonald to speak to her Finance Minister urgently.

"When Mary Lou phoned me last week, I told her I was exhausted fighting for justice for Paul but that, as his mother, I had to keep going.

"Mary Lou said that, if her son was murdered and his name blackened, she would fight for him tooth and nail. So I know that she understands our pain."

In a direct appeal to the Sinn Fein president, Mrs Quinn said: "Please, please help end this for my family.

"Paul was given back to us unrecognisable.

"That can't be changed but Conor Murphy can say those vital words. He shouldn't even have to be asked.

"Why won't he say them?"

Paul Quinn was beaten to death by the IRA in a barn in Oram, Co Monaghan, in October 2007. Speaking after the murder, Mr Murphy branded him a smuggler and a criminal.

The Sinn Fein MLA later denied even making the remarks but he admitted doing so last week after the tape was unearthed of his BBC interview.

He then retracted his controversial comments and apologised to the Quinns.

But, unlike Ms McDonald and Ms O'Neill, he did not state that Paul wasn't a criminal.

The Sinn Fein president phoned the family last week. Mrs Quinn said it was a "positive and respectful conversation" and Ms McDonald promised that Mr Murphy would write to her.

But the letter falls short of stating that Paul wasn't a criminal. In the correspondence, Mr Murphy acknowledges the "hurt and pain" the Quinns have endured since 2007.

"I wish to apologise for the remarks that I made in the immediate aftermath and acknowledge how this has added to your grief and the awful ordeal inflicted upon your family," he wrote.

"I want to unreservedly withdraw those remarks and apologise to you and your extended family."

The Finance Minister said he wished to "strongly condemn" those responsible for the murder.

He said he would "welcome the opportunity" to meet with the Quinns in person to "acknowledge the hurt caused, offer my condolences, and apologise for my remarks".

Mrs Quinn said: "We appreciate that, after 13 years, Conor has retracted his slur.

"We welcome and accept his apology. But we cannot consider meeting him until he clearly states, as his other Sinn Fein colleagues have, that Paul wasn't a criminal."

During Minister's Questions at Stormont on Monday, UUP MLA Robbie Butler, asked Mr Murphy if he would categorically state that Paul Quinn wasn't a criminal and commit to giving a full account of what he knows about the murder to the authorities.

Mr Murphy said he had already spoken with gardai in the wake of the killing.

"I have written to the family, I made the statement last week and that is where the matter rests with me," he stated.

But Mrs Quinn said: "This is far from the end of the matter for me and Stephen. It was never about elections for us.

"It was always about clearing Paul's name and securing justice. We hope that politicians from all parties, including Sinn Fein, don't let this go.

"We welcome the media continuing to hold Conor Murphy to account."
Anyone who has been to the Tennessee River town of Decatur has heard of the fine-dining restaurant Simp McGhees on Bank Street. It is known for its excellent food as well as the legend behind its name.

Simp McGhee, short for Simpson, was a notorious 19th-century riverboat captain whose antics included having his license revoked for reckless piloting and reportedly drinking in bars with his pet pig. McGhees legend was so ingrained in Decatur lore that when Robert and Jenny Lind Riddle opened their restaurant in 1986, they named it for the captain. Christy Hayes Wheat has owned the eatery for the past 15 years.

The history is a big part of the allure and what draws people in to Simp McGhees, Wheat said in a 2013 interview. Everyone asks about the name and who he was. A short version of McGhees history is printed on the restaurants menus and website.

Mysterious beginnings

According to the 1970 book The Story of Decatur, Alabama, by William Jenkins and John Knox, McGhee was a debauchee but with a heart as big as all outdoors. Little is known about McGhees beginnings. He was born in 1859, some say to wealthy parents, others claim he was an orphan. He is reputed to have said: My daddy was a gambling man, my mama was the Tennessee River. Im too mean for dry land, too gentle for the river, but when I die, theres going to be hell to pay because hell aint big enough for both the devil and Simp McGhee.

Life on the river

McGhees career on the river began when he went to work for the Tennessee River Navigation Co. when he was 13 years old. He eventually rose through the ranks to captain several boats, including the Chattanooga and the James Trigg. He worked the route to Chattanooga and back, and was required to pass through a dangerous area known as The Chute. Law required riverboat captains to use a winch-and-rope apparatus to pull their boats through the risky pass but the operation took three hours and Simp wasnt a patient man. He was known to push his boats through the pass at full throttle, risking his crew and the boat.

McGhees shenanigans

One of the most popular legends about McGhee tells how he would take his pet pig with him to local bars. He would set the pig beside him and allow it to drink from a mug of beer. Kathryn Tucker Windham wrote in her book Alabama: One Big Front Porch that the pig was the only drinking buddy McGhee trusted.

Simp used to say that a thinking man had to be careful whom he drank with, that not many men were trustworthy drinkers, Windham wrote. So Simp would sometimes bring along a drinking buddy, a carefully chosen one, when he made the rounds of the bars in Decatur or Chattanooga. His chosen buddy was a pet pig that swigged beer with Simp at the bars.

McGhee was also a prankster. He delighted in playing practical jokes, Windham said, and he reportedly tricked many a fisherman and many a hog drover into providing free food for the steamboat he captained.

Return to the land

McGhee was finally caught in 1917 by federal agents who took his license for his risky behavior. He was forced from his beloved river. The man who once said, Id die of boredom if I stayed ashore lived only three months after his license was confiscated.

He died on June 16, 1917. He is buried in Guntersville.
The criminal case initiated into a Yerevan restaurant owners extortion of money from the former chief accountant of the restaurant was dismissed on January 22. Armen Harutyunyan, the lawyer of Vachagan Ghazaryan, former ranking security official and former head of security of Armenias third President Serzh Sargsyan, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In November 2018, the Investigative Committee reported that a number of criminal acts had been identified during the restaurant's operations, resulting in a preliminary estimate of 1 billion 163 million 516 thousand 352 drams in damage to the state.

As a result, a new criminal case was launched in connection with tax evasion, and sent to the Special Investigation Service (SIS), considering that a criminal case is already being investigated at the SIS into the actual owner of this restaurant, Ruzanna Beglaryan, and her husband, Vachagan Ghazaryan.

On June 22, 2018, a search conducted Vachagan Ghazaryan's home revealed 1 million 110 thousand 400 dollars, 35 million drams, and 230 thousand 500 euros, also 2,000 dollars and two expensive watches were found in the garage

Vachagan Ghazaryan was indicted on June 27, 2018, and his wife was indicted on August 3 of the same year.
Many schools have become the de facto mental health providers for adolescents, and many are not prepared for the task. Those are the findings of a new report from the research and consulting firm EAB , released Thursday at the annual conference for the American Association of School Administrators.

Students are struggling with an increasing number of mental health issues, the EAB report says. Rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicide are going up among adolescents, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or family income.

Thirty-five percent of 14- to 18-year olds have a mental health crisis each year, which includes self-injury, suicide ideation, or attempted suicide.

Meanwhile, research shows that students are far more likely to seek treatment for mental health issues at school than at a community-based clinic, if at all. Only half of students with a treatable mental illness received clinical care, the EAB report saysa product, most likely, of both stigma and a lack of access to care in many parts of the country.

These numbers illustrate the growing demand on school districts to meet these challenges. And while schools are a logical place for students to receive mental health servicesas almost all children go to schoolthe report says that schools are often under-resourced and underprepared to give students what they need.

We have a mental health provider shortage in this country generally, EAB managing director Pete Talbot said in an interview with Education Week. Schools have been thrust into this position, but theyre not really resourced. In many respects its an unfunded mandate.

Schools are not identifying students with mental health issues early enough, the report says, nor are they taking advantage of partnerships with external providers or adequately reintegrating students back into the classroom after they have had a mental health-related leave of absence.

Additionally, schools need to invest more time to combating the stigma around mental illness, the report says.

These are important, the report says, because reacting to students only after they are in a full-blown mental health crisis is not good for them or the people charged with educating them. Responding to a crisis is far more overwhelming for teachers and district staff than identifying a student early on and connecting them with the care and services they need. Furthermore, students struggling with mental health issues have trouble paying attention in class, are more likely to miss school, and also more likely to drop out altogether.

The report includes four primary recommendations on how districts can tackle these issues:



Use virtual treatment options such as telepsychiatry to fill gaps in areas where mental health providers are scarce;

Have a thorough plan for reintegrating students back into school life following a mental health-related leave of absence;

Create early warning systems through trainings and partnerships that help school staff identify students in need;

Have on-going mental health awareness campaigns throughout the year.

One way to implement some of the recommendations is through partnering with local first responders. For example, the report highlights districts that have worked out agreements where local first responders notify designated district staff when a student is involved in or witnesses a potentially traumatic incident. No details beyond the students name are shared with schools, for privacy reasons, but school personnel at least know to be on the lookout for signs that a student is in trouble.

But its on reintegrating students returning from a hospital stay that Talbot sees as schools major weak spot.

When students go back to school, they face many academic and social challenges.

The classic anology is: a student breaks his arm and everyone wants to sign their cast and carry their books to class, but a student who has been absent for a mental health reason, people may not want to talk about it, Talbot said. And its so easy for them to relapse.

Twenty to thirty percent of students require rehospitalization in the year after an initial hospital stay for a mental health-related issue, the report says.

The full report, which is a culmination of existing research and data, as well as conversations with over 100 superintendents, can be found here: Are Districts the Nations Adolescent Mental Health Care Providers? A Mandate to Support Seven Million Students in Crisis .

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By Michael McGough

Is the Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr facilitating Rudolph W. Giulianis attempt to blacken the name of former Vice President Joe Biden?

Thats an understandable concern after Barr acknowledged this week that the department indeed was willing to evaluate information Giuliani had gathered from Ukrainian sources about Biden and his son, Hunter.

In the July 25, 2019, telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy  the conversation that led to Trumps impeachment  Trump pushed a conspiracy theory that as vice president Biden had pressed the Ukrainian government to dismiss a top prosecutor because the prosecutor was investigating Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company on whose board Hunter Biden served.

That theorys main proponent appears to be Viktor Shokin, the prosecutor who was fired for not zealously pursuing corrupt Ukrainians. And it is undermined not just by denials from other Ukrainian officials, but also by the fact that Bidens pressure on the prosecutor was part of an international anti-corruption effort. But it figured in the defense of Trump during his impeachment trial and remains an obsession for congressional Republicans.

In an interview with Face the Nation on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and one of Trumps most ardent advocates, said that he and his committee would make sure that Hunter Bidens conflict of interest is explored because its legitimate. How could Joe Biden really fight corruption when his sons sitting on the Burisma board?

In the same interview, Graham said that he had spoken to Barr and that he told me that theyve created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if its verified.

On Monday, Barr essentially confirmed that startling statement, saying that the Justice Department has the obligation to have an open door to anybody who wishes to provide us information that they think is relevant.

But Barr added that he had told Graham that we have to be very careful with respect to any information coming from the Ukraine. There are a lot of agendas in the Ukraine, a lot of crosscurrents. And we cant take anything we received from Ukraine at face value.

Graham had also counseled caution in his Face the Nation interview, even suggesting that the information Giuliani was passing on might contain Russian disinformation. Graham mentioned the Steele dossier, the collection of detrimental information about Trump that figured in the FBI investigation of possible collusion between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

Given what witnesses in the House impeachment hearings said about Giulianis role in the Trump administrations machinations around Ukraine  including the dismissal of the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv  both Congress and the Justice Department should be skeptical of any dirt he dishes up.

Barr has a personal reason for staying out of anything having to do with Ukraine or Giuliani. In his phone call with Zelenskiy, Trump suggested that Barr was on the same team as Giuliani, his private lawyer. After complaining that you had a prosecutor who was very good and he was shut down and thats really unfair, Trump said that he would have Giuliani call Zelenskiy along with the attorney general.

Trump also said: Theres a lot of talk about Bidens 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.

The Justice Department later issued a statement saying: The president has not spoken with the attorney general about having Ukraine investigate anything relating to former Vice President Biden or his son. The president has not asked the attorney general to contact Ukraine  on this or any other matter.

Despite that denial, Barrs involvement in any decisions involving Ukraine, Giuliani or the Bidens creates a credibility problem  especially in light of the attorney generals cheerleading for Trump and the presidents well-known willingness to suggest that the Justice Department should investigate his political opponents.

A reporter for ABC asked Barr if he had thought about recusing himself from matters related to Giuliani and Ukraine. Barr didnt respond, but it was a pertinent question. Barr should think about it, and then announce that he will play no role in the Justice Departments evaluation of Giulianis information.

Michael McGough is the Los Angeles Times senior editorial writer, based in Washington, D.C.

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.
GARDNER, Mass., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (OTCQB: PEYE), a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced optical instruments for the medical and defense industries, announced operating results on an unaudited basis for its second quarter fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Second quarter fiscal 2020 highlights:

Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 was $2.8 million compared to $1.5 million in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, an increase of 89% driven primarily by Ross Optical operating as a division of Precision Optics. Revenues for both Precision Optics and Ross Optical increased quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year.

was compared to in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, an increase of 89% driven primarily by Ross Optical operating as a division of Precision Optics. Revenues for both Precision Optics and Ross Optical increased quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year. Gross margins for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 of 33% compared to 24% in the same quarter of the prior year driven primarily by Ross Optical operating as a division of Precision Optics.

of 33% compared to 24% in the same quarter of the prior year driven primarily by Ross Optical operating as a division of Precision Optics. Net loss of $550,825 during the quarter included $274,706 of stock-based compensation.

Precision Optics' CEO, Joseph Forkey, commented, "I am pleased with the strong top line performance during the second quarter which highlighted the continued traction we are achieving in our Precision Optics operations, as well as our recently acquired Ross Optical division, with both reporting growth in revenues on a quarter-over-quarter, and year-over-year basis. We continued to deliver against our three commercial level production projects and momentum continues to build in our product pipeline with two products anticipated to be launched this year. As previously discussed, the investments we continue to make in certain products advancing through their complex engineering phases negatively impacted our gross margins again this quarter. However, as these new products come to market, we believe they will contribute to a higher level of top line revenue as well as a return to higher blended gross margins."

Dr. Forkey continued, "We also continue to make disciplined investments in the areas of engineering, sales and marketing, and technology advancement. Recently, we announced the appointment of Jon Everett as our new VP of Engineering to increase our product development pipeline and move existing development projects towards commercialization. The joint Precision Optics and Ross Optical sales teams continue to work well together as we take advantage of the anticipated synergies between the operations, including our joint participation at two highly attended west coast industry conferences over the last two weeks. Finally, we are maintaining our leadership position in micro optics and 3D imaging, with a new patent issued recently for single-use devices, and the submission of two additional patent applications last week. I am pleased with the balanced approach we are taking to invest in the future of Precision Optics, while maintaining a focus on achieving consistent positive cash flows."

The following table summarizes the second quarter (unaudited) results for the periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:





Three Months Ended

December 31,



2019



2018 Revenues

$ 2,796,762



$ 1,477,851















Gross Profit



917,939





355,722















Operating Expenses:













Stock based compensation



263,473





10,228 Ross Optical division



325,987





- Other operating expenses



880,077





471,101





1,469,537





481,329















Net Loss



(550,825)





(125,948)















Loss Per Share:













Basic and Diluted

$ (0.04)



$ (0.01)















Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:













Basic and Diluted



12,873,971





11,618,878



















Conference Call Details

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss the second quarter 2020 financial results for Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Call-in Information: Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 735-3662 or (412) 317-5705.

Live Webcast Information: Interested parties can access the conference call via a live Internet webcast, which is available at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2109/33075.

Replay: A teleconference replay of the call will be available until February 20, 2020 at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 confirmation #10139141. A webcast replay will be available at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2109/33075.

About Precision Optics Corporation

Precision Optics Corporation has been a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical instruments since 1982. Using proprietary optical technologies, the Company designs and produces next generation medical instruments, Microprecision micro-optics with characteristic dimensions less than 1 millimeter, and other advanced optical systems for a broad range of customers including some of the largest global medical device companies. The Company's innovative medical instrumentation line includes state-of-the-art endoscopes and endocouplers as well as custom illumination and imaging products for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The Company believes that current advances in its proprietary micro-optics and 3D imaging technologies present significant opportunities for expanding applications to numerous potential medical products and procedures. The Company's website is www.poci.com. Investors can find Real-Time Quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com/stock/PEYE/quote.

About Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express the Company's intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements related to the Company's future activities or future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by the Company's management. These statements are not guarantees of future performances and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those risks discussed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

Company Contact:

PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION

22 East Broadway

Gardner, Massachusetts 01440-3338

Telephone: 978-630-1800

Investor Contact:

LYTHAM PARTNERS, LLC

Robert Blum

Phoenix | New York

Telephone: 602-889-9700

[email protected]

Following are the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, and statements of operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and statements of cash flows for the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)





December 31,

2019



June 30,

2019

ASSETS















Current Assets:















Cash and cash equivalents

$ 347,858



$ 2,288,426

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $246,953 and $246,953 at December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, respectively)



2,000,048





2,165,107

Inventories



2,019,195





1,734,604

Prepaid expenses



133,278





180,336

Total current assets



4,500,379





6,368,473



















Fixed Assets:















Machinery and equipment



2,764,154





2,748,715

Leasehold improvements



695,981





668,446

Furniture and fixtures



171,548





168,450







3,631,683





3,585,611

LessAccumulated depreciation and amortization



3,248,525





3,202,605

Net fixed assets



383,158





383,006



















Operating lease right-to-use asset



145,428







Patents, net



64,929





54,087

Goodwill



687,664





687,664



















TOTAL ASSETS

$ 5,781,558



$ 7,493,230



















LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY















Current Liabilities:















Current portion of capital lease obligation

$ 9,894



$ 9,572

Accounts payable



1,162,457





1,174,263

Customer advances



388,506





450,192

Accrued compensation and other



405,431





533,944

Amount due for business acquisition









1,443,341

Operating lease liability



55,247







Total current liabilities



2,021,535





3,611,312



















Capital lease obligation, net of current portion









5,027

Acquisition earn out liability



500,000





500,000

Operating lease liability



90,181

























Stockholders' Equity:















Common stock, $0.01 par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding  12,880,047 shares at December 31, 2019 and 12,071,139 shares at June 30, 2019



128,801





120,712

Additional paid-in capital



49,314,969





48,893,172

Accumulated deficit



(46,273,928)





(45,636,993)

Total stockholders' equity



3,169,842





3,376,891



















TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$ 5,781,558



$ 7,493,230



PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(UNAUDITED)





Three Months

Ended December 31,



Six Months

Ended December 31,





2019



2018



2019



2018

Revenues

$ 2,796,762



$ 1,477,851



$ 5,311,746



$ 3,037,309



































Cost of Goods Sold



1,878,823





1,122,129





3,419,690





2,219,080

Gross Profit



917,939





355,722





1,892,056





818,229



































Research and Development Expenses, net



228,576





125,413





380,730





226,211

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses



1,240,961





355,916





2,148,806





1,016,405

Total Operating Expenses



1,469,537





481,329





2,529,536





1,242,616



































Operating Loss



(551,598)





(125,607)





(637,480)





(424,387)



































Interest Income (Expense)



773





(341)





545





(846)



































Net Loss

$ (550,825)



$ (125,948)



$ (636,935)



$ (425,233)



































Loss Per Share:































Basic and Diluted

$ (0.04)



$ (0.01)



$ (0.05)



$ (0.04)



































Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:































Basic and Diluted



12,873,971





11,618,878





12,856,218





10,940,074



PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(UNAUDITED)





Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2019





Number of

Shares



Common

Stock



Additional

Paid-in

Capital



Accumulated

Deficit



Total

Stockholders'

Equity

































Balance, July 1, 2019



12,071,139



$ 120,712



$ 48,893,172



$ (45,636,993)



$ 3,376,891

Issuance of common stock in private placement



760,000





7,600





17,400











25,000

Proceeds from exercise of stock options



12,500





125





8,550











8,675

Issuance of common stock for services



25,000





250





44,750











45,000

Stock-based compensation















76,505











76,505

Net loss





















(86,110)





(86,110)

Balance, September 30, 2019



12,868,639





128,687





49,040,377





(45,723,103)





3,445,961











































Exercise of stock options net of 3,592 shares withheld



11,408





114





(114)













Stock-based compensation















274,706











274,706

Net loss





















(550,825)





(550,825)

Balance, December 31, 2019



12,880,047



$ 128,801



$ 49,314,969



$ (46,273,928)



$ 3,169,842









Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018





Number of

Shares



Common

Stock



Additional

Paid-in

Capital



Accumulated

Deficit



Total

Stockholders'

Equity

































Balance, July 1, 2018



10,197,139



$ 101,972



$ 45,484,186



$ (45,022,122)



$ 564,036

Stock-based compensation















342,984











342,984

Issuance of common stock for services



100,000





1,000





(1,000)













Net loss





















(299,285)





(299,285)

Balance, September 30, 2018



10,297,139





102,972





45,826,170





(45,321,407)





607,735











































Proceeds from private placement of common stock, net of issuance costs of $23,000



1,600,000





16,000





1,961,000











1,977,000

Stock-based compensation















10,228











10,228

Net loss





















(125,948)





(125,948)

Balance, December 31, 2018



11,897,139



$ 118,972



$ 47,797,398



$ (45,447,355)



$ 2,469,015



PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(UNAUDITED)



Six Months

Ended December 31,

2019

2018 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:









Net Loss $ (636,935)

$ (425,233) Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided From (Used In) Operating Activities -









Depreciation and Amortization

45,920



15,862 Stock-based Compensation Expense

351,211



353,212 Non-cash Consulting Expense

45,000



 Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities -









Accounts Receivable, net

165,059



68,287 Inventories, net

(284,591)



48,543 Prepaid Expenses

47,058



(65,526) Accounts Payable

(11,806)



48,482 Customer Advances

(61,686)



(563,192) Accrued Liabilities

(128,513)



(57,938) Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

(469,283)



(577,503)











CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:









Cash Paid for Business Acquisition

(1,443,341)



 Additional Patent Costs

(10,842)



 Purchases of Property and Equipment

(46,072)



(76,184) Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

(1,500,255)



(76,184)











CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:









Payment of Capital Lease Obligation

(4,705)



(4,407) Gross Proceeds from Private Placement of Common Stock

25,000



2,000,000 Gross Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options

8,675



- Net Cash Provided From Financing Activities

28,970



1,995,593











NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(1,940,568)



1,341,906 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

2,288,426



402,738











CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 347,858

$ 1,744,644











SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:









Offering Costs Included in Current Liabilities $ 23,000

$ 23,000













SOURCE Precision Optics Corporation
In 2019, the total revenue of the aviation industry in east Chinas Jiangxi province reached 102 billion yuan, up 18.2 percent year on year, according to the provinces Department of Industry and Information Technology.

A C919 prototype passenger jet.(Xinhua/Ding Ting)

This marks the province entry into the national aviation industrys 100-billion-yuan club.

With a solid aviation industry foundation, Jiangxi has attached great importance to the development of the sector in recent years, bringing the industry onto the fast track.

Zheng Zhengchun, director of the department, said the province has actively participated in the manufacturing of Chinas domestically developed large passenger C919 jetliner to integrate itself into the international aviation industry chain.

The Jiangxi Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Center, the fifth to be established by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, has demonstrated its great capabilities in aviation core services in the country.

Jiangxi has fostered new growth areas in the aviation industry and attracted a batch of key projects.

The provinces aviation industry revenue is expected to hit 170 billion yuan by 2023, marking an average annual growth rate of more than 14 percent.
The playwright, 82, who fled what was Czechoslovakia in 1939 with his Jewish family, said: I always cry, I keep thinking, I cant keep doing this. I think its about the 10th time Ive seen it.

The prolific playwright, whose career also includes winning an Oscar for the script of Shakespeare In Love, said Leopoldstadt set in Viennas Jewish quarter from the turn of the 20th Century to 1955 was a photograph of the period. He said he set it in Austria rather than the Czech Republic to avoid it being too autobiographical.

Stoppard added: Vienna was actually an attractive subject in itself because in the 19th Century and early 20th Century it was such a vital part of European culture and science.

The playwrights son Ed, who plays a member of the extended Jewish family almost destroyed in the Holocaust, said he tried not to dwell on his own familys experience during the war.

He said: Its a history shared by hundreds of thousands of European Jews, if not millions, so I maybe dwelt on it a few months ago but I dont anymore.

But then it will sort of blindside me occasionally and something small and odd will just resonate.

The shows producer Sonia Friedman, who has developed some of the West Ends biggest hits including Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, said it had been a very emotional night.

Friedman revealed the subject matter had unlocked something in her and inspired her to hire a genealogist to find out exactly what happened to her own Jewish ancestors in Eastern Europe. She added: Its been a very moving and powerful process for me.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 12, 2020 / Casa Minerals Inc. (TSXV:CASA)(OTC:CASXF)(Frankfurt:0CM) (the "Company" or "Casa") reports results of 2019 diamond drilling at its Pitman Project located near Terrace, B. C.

Casa Minerals' Pitman Property, located 25 km northeast of Terrace, B. C., was explored by 12 holes with total length 2036 metres. The drilling program began August 28 and continued until October 17, 2019 and was directed to the Paddy Mac gold quartz veins and to the recently discovered Dragon Tale silver-zinc-lead prospect. Drill cores were examined and sampled by Company personnel and samples were assayed by an accredited independent laboratory. QA/QC measures, including submission of duplicate and standard samples, were observed.

The Pitman property is located in the very rugged Coast Mountains and comprises several prospective mineralized areas, including the Paddy Mac gold veins with surface samples that assayed as much as 574.42 g/t gold plus silver, copper and lead, the nearby Golden Dragon area of irregularly distributed copper-gold occurrences, the Dragon Tale silver-zinc-lead mineralized area, the large Gold Dome and WoMo area that lies at higher elevation and includes many areas of high-grade gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and molybdenum mineralization, and the historic Pitman molybdenum prospect located near the Skeena River.

Paddy Mac

Casa's 2019 Pitman program was the first such exploration by drilling since 1980 at the historic Pitman Prospect and followed earlier work by the Company that included mapping, sampling, geochemical sampling and an airborne geophysical survey. Drill targets were selected from available data, including 2018 surface sampling and geological modeling. Drill holes are summarized in Table 1 and illustrated in Figure 1.
Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore and Thailand recorded new cases of the novel coronavirus now officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization in a bid to avoid associating the disease with China.

The new name for the disease caused by the virus was issued late last night in a WHO a bulletin citing 2015 sensitivity guidelines they not be named after a geographical location, an animal or a specific group of people to avoid causing offence as complaints of anti-Chinese sentiments have been on the rise.

Another 39 people onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan, have tested positive for the virus while others were told to remain in their cabins, bringing the total number of infected to 174. The ship is expected to remain quarantined another seven days.

Two more people were found with the virus in Germany, bringing the countrys total cases to 16. They are believed to be employees of car supplier Webasto, which said a Chinese employee had last month tested positive back home after visiting company headquarters in Munich.

A British man believed to have spread the virus to at least 10 others after traveling from Singapore to France and the United Kingdom has come forward to say that he has recovered. Steve Walsh, 53, works for U.K. gas analytics company Servomex, which last month held a private business meeting at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore, where a Malaysian and two South Korean employees were infected before returning home.

In the United States, the 195 Americans evacuated from Wuhan have been allowed to return home after 14 days in quarantine.

The coronavirus should reach its peak soon, either in the coming weeks or by April, reports citing a Chinese senior medical adviser said, as statistics suggest the countrys death rate is slowing. China reported 108 new deaths Tuesday and 94 today.

A total of 1,114 people have died and 44,718 infected in China as of Wednesday morning, according to the nations health committees.

Story continues

In announcing the diseases official name yesterday, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter that it was important to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease  

Though past diseases from the Spanish Flu of a century ago and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome of three years ago have not followed that convention, Ghebreyesus said it would be a model for the future.

Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing. It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks, he added.

Here are updates from other parts of Asia:

Singapore

Singapore announced two more cases yesterday involving a 35-year-old man from Malaysias Johor Bahru who works at Singapores Resorts World Sentosa Casino, as well as another Bangladesh national who had worked at the same place as the 42nd confirmed patient. Both tested positive on Monday.

Singapore on Sunday announced the first Bangladeshi to be infected with the virus in the country.

The Johor Bahru man developed symptoms on Feb. 5 and was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital after visiting the clinic on Feb. 9.

Heres every Wuhan virus infection in Singapore on a map (Updated)

The Bangladeshi man, 39, developed symptoms on Feb. 6 and went to the clinic the next day. Before that, he had gone to work at 10 Seletar Aerospace Heights, where the Singapore office of Canadian transport company Bombardier is located. He stays in a rental flat on Veerasamy Road.

Nine people have been discharged from hospitals after they were deemed to have recovered. Another seven are in critical condition and in the ICU.

Steve Walsh, the British man who contracted the virus after attending the Grand Hyatt business meeting, released a statement yesterday saying he has recovered.



I would like to thank the NHS for their help and care  whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus, his statement said.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong announced seven more infections yesterday, bringing the citys total tally to 49, higher than Singapores as of Wednesday morning.

The new infections involve three people who were among those evacuated from a Tsing Yi housing block over fears the virus could spread through connected plumbing.

Another newly infected person is linked to the hotpot and barbecue gathering where nine family members later tested positive for the virus.

The remaining three new infections have no links to other cases so far. They are a 59-year-old man who works at a church in Siu Sai Wan, a 71-year-old man from Po Lam and a 66-year-old man from Tuen Mun. Neither of them has a travel history.

Shortage of face protection masks in Hong Kong has also led to two robberies in the city. A 40-year-old Bangladeshi was robbed of 15 boxes of 750 masks and another woman was robbed of over a thousand masks from her apartment.

Thailand

After refusing to allow Dutch cruise ship MS Westerdam to take port in the kingdom, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said yesterday he had agreed to provide humanitarian help by supplying food and fuel.

The ship, operated by Holland America Line, carries more than 2,000 passengers and crew and had set out on a 14-day cruise from Hong Kong with a planned stop at Taiwan on its way to Japan.

The Thai PM said that he did not allow the ship to dock at the deep water port southeast of Bangkok in Chonburi province as it had not obtained permission 24 hours in advance.

There have been no reports of infections aboard the cruise ship, which has now been turned away by five countries, including Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and U.S. territory Guam.

Thailand also reported one new coronavirus case yesterday involving a 54-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan who was in close contact with another Chinese patient. She is being treated at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi province.

A previously infected Thai driver with tuberculosis was said to now be in stable condition.

Indonesia

The lack of a single confirmed case of the coronavirus in Indonesia has raised doubts and skepticism whether the disease is spreading undetected in the country or that authorities are ill-equipped to identify.

Indonesias Health Ministry yesterday dismissed rumors saying that the country does have adequate technology to identify infections through gene sequencing, similar to what it has been doing for bird flu and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS.



Siswanto, who heads the Health Ministrys Research Division, told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta yesterday that Indonesias coronavirus detection method, which requires around one day to produce comprehensive results, adheres to WHO standards.

Myanmar is another nation claiming to have no infections despite significant numbers of Chinese workers and travelers; hospitals there lack the means to test for it.



Manila

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines yesterday canceled all Taiwan-bound flights after the Department of Health included that nation in an expanded travel ban.

The cancelations left hundreds of Taiwanese travelers stranded at Philippine airports Monday night.

The department said Monday that because the World Health Organization had classified Taiwan as part of China, it must be included in a temporary ban on tourists from China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Taiwan does not consider itself a part of the Peoples Republic of China, but is regarded by Beijing as a renegade province.

As of Tuesday, the Philippines was probing at least 382 patients possibly infected with the virus. Of them, 111 have been discharged but remain under close monitoring.

Related:

Singapore nurses share stories of discrimination amid coronavirus outbreak

Singapore private cop who worked during Chingay parade infected with coronavirus

3 linked to evacuated housing block test positive as Hong Kong coronavirus total jumps to 49

Thousands of face masks stolen in Kowloon amid coronavirus-induced shortage

Duterte on the lookout for that f**king coronavirus, vows to slap the idiot

Thailand turns away cruise ship with no known virus infections

This article, Coronavirus disease gets new name as new infections hit Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters!
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. The Khosrov forest in Armenia is currently undergoing a self-rehabilitation process after the massive wildfire in 2017 August, Minister of Environment Erik Grigoryan told ARMENPRESS.

The Khosrov Forest in a reserve, therefore human intervention is prohibited here, and only some anti-fire activities are allowed. Tree-planting is also not possible, we can plant trees only in the Dilijan and Sevan national parks. The self-restoration process in the Khosrov Forest State Reserve is taking place very well, Grigoryan said.

He said the problem with the forest is to be able to minimize all possible risks because fire risks are gradually increasing due to global warming.

A massive wildfire began in the Khosrov forest on August 12th, 2017.

Authorities initially launched a criminal investigation, believing that the fire was started by negligent actions.

However, the case was dropped next year and authorities said the fire most likely broke out naturally due to high temperatures, lack of precipitation.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
A man was booked for allegedly submitting fake documents to a court here in Maharashtra while standing guarantee for the bail of an accused, police said on Thursday.

An offence was registered against Jaffar Ali Ansari who stood as a guarantor for Bharat Tolani, an accused in a sexual assault case under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, an official said.

On February 1, Ansari submitted documents such as ration card and driving license to the Kalyan sessions court, which were sent to Ulhasnagar police station for verification, he said.

The Ulhasnagar police found that the documents had been fabricated, following which court officials filed a complaint, he added.

A case was registered against Ansari under section 420 (cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, police PRO Sukhada Narkar said, adding that no arrest has been made so far.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney Wednesday offered an unequivocal apology to a female union official who accused him of making a threatening comment during a heated exchange a decade ago, and promised to help eliminate the misogynistic culture that continues to infect politics in New Jersey.

Sweeney, D-Gloucester, shared the statement with NJ Advance Media a day after a representative from the Communications Workers of America, the states largest state worker union, stood up at a public hearing and described a heated exchange in which he said: "If you were a man, I would take you outside right now and kick your ass.

When a man who is much bigger than you towers over you and threatens you with violence, that is not okay, said Fran Ehret, the CWA representative who made the statement during the first gathering of the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny.

Ehret said Sweeney on a number of occasions has contributed to culture of toxic masculinity in the state.

Sweeney said in his statement that he did not share Ms. Ehrets recollection of this meeting 10 years ago, however I will not dispute her statement from last night. Therefore, I extend my unequivocal apology."

I have done my best as a public official and as a person who respects the role of women in all areas of life, to help break down the barriers they have long encountered and to advance the laws, policies and programs that will help provide equal rights and equal opportunities for all women, Sweeney added. "This includes doing all that we can to do away with the misogynistic culture that continues to infect politics in New Jersey and elsewhere. That is a shared commitment that I will remain dedicated to.

Ehret said Wednesday evening she was surprised to get an apology from Sweeney.

Im pleasantly surprised because Sen. Sweeneys first reaction seemed to blame me and call me a ring leader, Ehret said. I hope his commitment to ending a misogynistic culture means he isnt going to continue to use his power to create an environment of intimidation when people disagree with him.

Sweeney, the most influential and powerful member of the New Jersey Legislature, has a turbulent relationship with public sector unions. He was the chief architect behind the passage of a law Gov. Chris Christie signed that cut public employee pensions and benefits. Ehret said the Democratic leaders comments were made during a heated exchange at a union meeting in 2010.

Ehret made the statements during the first of three public forums on womens experiences in politics and government. State Senate Mjaority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, formed the group last month in response to an NJ Advance Media report detailing sexual harassment and sexual assault in state politics.

The report, published Dec. 29 on NJ.com and in The Star-Ledger and its affiliated newspapers, included the experiences of 20 lobbyists, political consultants and elected officials who recounted everything from sexist comments to groping and rape while working in state government and politics.

Weinberg says after the hearings, the group will formulate suggestions on how to improve the political culture for women in New Jersey.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is launching margin trading today. Margin trading lets you trade on leverage. But it works both ways  margin trading lets you multiply your gains and your losses.

Margin trading is going to be available on Coinbase Pro, the companys exchange interface for educated investors. Both retail and institutional investors will be able to submit margin trading orders with up to 3x leverage. Itll work with any pair of assets with USD as the base currency.

For now, the feature is limited to 23 U.S. states if youre a retail investor. Institutional investors in 45 states and nine international countries can access margin trading, though.

There are many potential use cases for margin trading. For instance, you can allocate a tiny portion of your portfolio to a margin trading order to hedge across multiple positions. Coinbase believes it has enough liquidity to help investors set up sophisticated margin trading orders.

If youre a retail customer living in one of the 23 states where margin trading is available, you might not be able to use it. The company wants to restrict margin trading to the most advanced traders.

Coinbase is going to track your past activity on Coinbase Pro and look at trades, balances, deposits and withdrawals. If youre an active trader, youll be able to access margin trading.

Here's the list of 23 U.S. states with margin trading for retail investors: Florida, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas, Alaska, Oregon, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Maine, South Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and West Virginia.

Disclosure: I own small amounts of various cryptocurrencies.
TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, RBC iShares has announced that it is creating more choice for investors looking to invest sustainably, by filing a preliminary prospectus for three fossil fuel-screened ETFs. The new funds will be managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.



Demand for sustainable investment solutions is growing rapidly, as investors increasingly recognize the impact of climate change and other sustainability risks on their long-term investment returns.

RBC iShares is delivering on our commitment to increase access to sustainable investing options, building upon the successful launch of our first sustainable suite in 2019, said Pat Chiefalo, Head of iShares, BlackRock Canada. To better enable investor choice, these new products will aim to provide investors with advanced ESG screens, including fossil fuels.

New Fossil Fuel-Screened ETFs

BlackRock Canada has filed a preliminary prospectus for three new iShares Advanced ESG ETFs:

iShares ESG MSCI Canada Advanced Index ETF

iShares ESG MSCI USA Advanced Index ETF

iShares ESG MSCI EAFE Advanced Index ETF

Each ETF will seek to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance, net of expenses, of an ESG-oriented index selected at the discretion of BlackRock Canada. The current index methodology requires constituent issuers to meet minimum ESG score requirements and will exclude issuers with material involvement in a range of businesses with elevated ESG risks (as determined by the index provider), including fossil fuels, palm oil, for-profit prisons, controversial weapons, nuclear weapons, civilian firearms, and tobacco, among others.

About BlackRock

BlackRocks purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2019, the firm managed approximately US$7.43 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/ca | Twitter: @BlackRockCA | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock .

Story continues

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 900+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$2.24 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2019, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm1.

________

1 Based on US$7.43 trillion in AUM as of 12/31/19

About RBC Global Asset Management

RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and includes money managers BlueBay Asset Management and Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management. RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. The RBC GAM group of companies manage approximately $460 billion in assets and have approximately 1,400 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

A preliminary prospectus containing important information relating to these securities has been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in certain jurisdictions of Canada. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion or amendment. Copies of the preliminary prospectus may be obtained from BlackRock Canada at 1-866-474-2737 or isharescanada_inquiries@blackrock.com. There will not be any sale or acceptance of an offer to buy the securities until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued.

MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (MSCI). The ETFs are permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the indexes. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock Canada. The ETFs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs.

RBC iShares ETFs are comprised of RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

 / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used under licence.  2020 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact:

Maeve Hannigan, BlackRock Communications, 416-564-1540
One of the smarter things about Juliet Gilkes Romero's new play for the RSC is how it embraces the double meaning of its title: not only is it ostensibly about the government chief whip's steerage of the 1833 slavery abolition bill through parliament, it's also a direct reference to the frequent and violent floggings endured by the victims of the slave trade.

Alexander, Lord Boyd, is the aforementioned whip with the unenviable task of cajoling, persuading or simply blackmailing the various vested interests to see the bill onto the statute books. In Romero's incarnation, he is wonderfully conflicted, his personal morality thrust uncomfortably up against pragmatic imperatives and the greater prize of abolition.

Richard Clothier finds three full dimensions in the character, one moment compassionately empathic with the disenfranchised, the next selling out those nearest to him in order to score a political advantage. Clothier is charismatic and constantly interesting to watch, and the compromises he is forced to make feel real and properly awkward: history may, as one character claims, praise the reformers, but at what cost?

Boyd is far from the only intriguing presence on stage, though. Romero cleverly makes her play about more than one emancipation. She points, more or less overtly, at the inequality of the genders, the subjugation of the working class, the racial segregation of non-white populations, the entitlement of the "moneyed elite"  almost too many iniquities to deal with in one sitting.

Debbie Korley in The Whip

 RSC, photo by Steve Tanner

Katherine Pearce, for instance, plays former cotton mill worker Horatia Poskett, here representing both the poor and the downtrodden woman. Horatia is perhaps a little stereotypical in her northernness but Pearce delivers the role forcefully and with genuine conviction. Similarly, Corey Montague-Sholay's Edmund, a freed slave who learns to resent his master's casual presumptions, is more than a metaphor for his plight: he's complex and contradictory and human.

There's much atmosphere derived from Akintayo Akinbode's intelligent score and Ciaran Bagnall's supportive lighting and design, while the production values are never less than top-notch.

Directed by Kimberley Sykes, the play is far from perfect. It is too long, the dialogue strays into cliche and the interwoven narratives are occasionally so dense that they obscure the potent underlying messages. More uneasily, its attempts to strike resonances with modern Britain and the corruption at the heart of political life in our post-Brexit world are heavy-handed and frequently feel forced.

On the other hand, as a window into a difficult, dirty moment in British history, with all the murkiness that compromise demands and never shirking from the price that has to be paid, it is a powerful commentary on how we are governed and have been for centuries. As the poet Steve Turner once wrote: History repeats itself. Has to. No one listens.
Her testimony, along with that of other senior diplomats and members of the National Security Council staff, described how the administration pressured the government of Ukraine to investigate the son of former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., a political rival of Mr. Trump, in exchange for the release of military assistance.

Several of the people introducing Ms. Yovanovitch, including Thomas R. Pickering, another retired ambassador, commended her perseverance as allies of Mr. Trump sought to brush her aside and even denigrate her professional skills.

In December, Rudolph W. Giuliani, the presidents personal lawyer, described how he had personally advocated Ms. Yovanovitchs removal based on his belief that she was standing in the way of his campaign to investigate the role of the younger Biden at a Ukrainian gas company. Last month, Ukraine opened a criminal investigation into whether the presidents associates had placed Ms. Yovanovitch under surveillance to monitor her and perhaps hasten her removal.

Ms. Yovanovitch also drew praise for her poise when she ultimately came under direct attack from Mr. Trump himself. In the days surrounding her testimony in the impeachment inquiry, the president unleashed a barrage of criticism against her on Twitter that raised questions about whether the comments amounted to witness tampering.

In her speech on Wednesday, Ms. Yovanovitch spoke less about her very public role during the impeachment proceedings and more about the declining impact of the State Department, where she worked from 1986 until she was abruptly recalled last year from Ukraine.
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Aster DM Healthcare, the multi-specialty healthcare chain, has said it is evaluating the possibility of monetising its land parcels in Kerala to pare debt.

"We hold significant land in some of our hospitals, we thought that we will liquidate some of that, especially in Kochi, Kozhikode and Perinthalmanna. These (land parcels) were bought with the expectation of doing some projects. With those projects not materializing, we are planning to liquidate those assets, and use if for reducing debt and for capital expansion plans so there are no additional loans," said Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman of Aster, told Moneycontrol.

Moopen added that the valuation of these land parcels will be undertaken soon.

Aster has a consolidated net debt of Rs 2,791 crores. The debt equity ratio of the company is close to 0.8x.

"We think our debt equity ratio is at reasonable level. We have lower debt in India compared to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The average cost of borrowing in GCC region is 6 percent, while in India is around 9.5 percent," said Sreenath Reddy. Group CFO, Aster.

The company's India debt is around Rs 350 crore.

But Reddy said the company is looking at ways to reduce borrowing.

"We are looking to control capex so that it will enable us to have additional cash from operations to repay the debt," Reddy said.

The company has spent Rs 761 crore as capex until December 2019, which was higher than the guidance of Rs 580 crore it provided at the beginning of the year. The company said the capex shot up due to acquisitions.

However Aster said it will be lowering its capex to around Rs 450 in FY21.

Aster also said it has turned more conservative with taking up new projects and acquiring hospitals.

"So one important decision that we have taken looking at the market expectations is that in the next three years we will be very very selective on new projects, and only take up projects that are EPS accretive," said Moopen.

Aster said the cost optimisation initiatives across the group had helped it to save around Rs 25-30 crore in FY20. But the costs savings will fully reflected from FY21 onwards. The company is expecting to save around Rs 50 crore in FY31.

Around 81 percent of Aster's revenue comes from the GCC countries, of which UAE accounts for a major chunk. The rest comes from hospitals in India. In terms of EBITDA, GCC contributes 80 percent, and India 20 percent.

Aster had 920 operational beds in GCC and 2,608 operational beds in India as of December 31.

The GCC region had traditionally does well in the second half of

The average revenue per occupied bed (ARPOB) in the third quarter of FY20, at Rs 59,700. The average length of stay, a measure of the hospital's ability to efficiently monetise assets stood at 1.9 days for GCC compared to 3.5 days for Indian hospitals. To be sure, most of the GCC assets of Aster are mature ones, compared to India.
Bari to hold exhibition on migrants' pain 15/2-30/3 At Castello Svevo during Med bishops conference

(ANSAmed) - BARI, FEBRUARY 13 - From February 15 to March 30, Bari's Castello Svevo will be once again hosting the exhibition 'By Sea: Landings and Shipwrecks'.



The exhibition focuses on migration and the pain that it involves and will be back in the southern Italy port on the occasion of a gathering of Mediterranean bishops at Castello Svevo February 19-22.



The gathering is meant as a chance for reflection on spirituality and will end on February 23 with a mass held by the pope in Piazza Liberta.



Through a seruies of installations, the four artists involved in the exhibition tell of the pain and problems faced by those forced to leave their homeland to survive. Welcoming the 20,000 Albanian refugees from the Vlora ship in 1991 was, for the city of Bari, a historic act.



Duli Cara, an Albanian himself, remembers this in his work entitled 'Exodus-The Pain', which is tapestry with buttons that bear witness to the psychological state of migrants. The welcoming of the survivors of the Adriaticu Dures shipwreck in Bari in 1997 was for Beppe Gernone an experience that left its mark on him as a young reporter, which he shows in the photos exhibited. The shipwreck of the Kir pushed Nicola Genco, years later, to commemorate those 81 deaths at sea years later who had followed a dream that would never become a future. The works of Romolo Belvedere instead sum up the path of a tired humanity, injured and uncertain about what the future holds. A makeshift and always temporary bed of a migrant, made up of a myriad of plastic soldier figurines, evokes the field of a useless battle that invades his dreams. (ANSAmed).




A plea was moved in the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College here last week.

The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, had refused to entertain the petition and had directed the petitioner, a lawyer, to move the high court.

Hours after the apex court's decision, the lawyer filed the petition in the high court.

The petition, by advocate M L Sharma, has sought preservation of all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus.

It has also sought arrest of the people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy".

Ten people, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, were arrested by police on Wednesday in connection with the incident.

On February 6, a group of men broke into the Gargi College during the 'Reverie' fest and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees, who claimed that security officials stood watching when the incident took place.

The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their ordeal and alleged that security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.

Sharma, in his plea, has alleged that it was a planned political and criminal conspiracy hatched in the backdrop of the Delhi elections and no action was taken after the incident.

"It is a clear criminal conspiracy hatched by the political party to deploy accused persons to provoke the Delhi public for effecting voting in their favour. Despite presence of Delhi Police ... on February 6, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons," the PIL claimed.

The petition further claimed that "deliberate chants of Jai Shri Ram discloses that it is a political, planned conspiracy" and blamed the chief minister of Delhi for not taking any action against the accused.

Besides the security arranged by the college, the area had Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel who were stationed there for the Assembly polls.

According to the police, a case was registered under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SANTA FE  New Mexico lawmakers pushed forward late Wednesday with a proposal to establish a new fund to help seniors with transportation, food and similar services.

The state House voted 62-0 in favor of creating the Kiki Saavedra Senior Dignity Fund  named after the longtime state representative who died last year.

The proposal, House Bill 225, now heads to the Senate.

The new fund would focus on helping seniors, especially in rural areas. The services could including help with food, transportation, physical and behavioral health, caregiving and case management.

The legislation doesnt include an appropriation. But a budget proposal passed by the House earlier this month would earmark about $5.4 million to get the fund started.

The legislation is a priority of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who proposed about $25 million to establish the fund.

She praised lawmakers for passing House Bill 225.

It is well past time that New Mexico steps up for its population of seniors, supporting their independence and providing for their needs, Lujan Grisham said in a written statement.

The proposal is co-sponsored by five legislators, including Rep. Susan Herrera, an Embudo Democrat who presented the bill on the House floor late Wednesday.

We are called to do all we can to protect and better serve those New Mexicans who are most vulnerable and with this bill, we are committing to seniors and people with disabilities, Herrera said in a statement.
Its likely none of us will walk through life without bearing the wounds of anothers actions. Weve all been wounded in some way. Some of those who inflict hurt on us are easier to forgive than others. Were commanded to forgive in the Bible: "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ (Ephesians 4:32, CSB).

Forgiveness is much easier, however, when there is remorse from the other person and when the other person strives to make the situation better to help you heal.

So what about when the wound is deep, no retribution is made, the behavior continues, and the wound gets deeper instead of progressing towards healing? Its as if the wound is trying to heal, but the bandage keeps getting ripped back off when the one who inflicted the wound continues the behavior.

Forgiveness is necessary for your own healing, but it does not mean you have to remain with an abuser. If you are in a toxic or abusive relationship, its always wise to seek professional help on how to leave your situation. But sometimes forgiveness is possible in the midst of the struggle, and can be a catalyst for renewal.

David and Saul Illustrate the Opportunity to Forgive

In the Bible, David, before taking on the role of the King of Israel, was wounded repeatedly by the outgoing king.

King Saul had been chosen by the people, but through his disobedience, God rejects Saul as king of Israel. The prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse. David was a shepherd whose heart was pure and turned toward God. He served the king by playing music for Saul who was tormented by an evil spirit. Davids music calmed him, and he found relief from the spirit.

Saul immediately loved David (1 Samuel 16:21). He was also given a position as armor bearer, a prestigious honor for a shepherd boy. David would carry Sauls armor and sword into battle. An armor bearer was expected to protect the king but also expected to end the kings life if he might become prisoner of the enemy. David was called to lay down his life for the king.

It wasnt long before Sauls jealousy of David took over. It was evident that the Lord was with David and not with Saul. After marrying Sauls daughter (as given by Saul), taking Davids life became Sauls goal.

Jealousy Led to Wounds

David had to flee after escaping the point of Sauls spear. He was forced to leave his wife and family as well as his best friend, Sauls son, Jonathan. He spent the next four years, running all over the desert, into caves, and through the wilderness to save his own life.

David was not physically wounded by Saul, but the Psalms give us a picture of how David dealt with the pain of losing everything and being constantly pursued by someone he served and trusted. Sometimes our deepest wounds are from someone we have trusted and served in friendship or as family.

Although David never speaks about forgiveness in the Psalms, his words and life indicate the constant healing he experienced. Each pursuit of Saul should have ripped the bandage off Davids wounds, but they remained intact.

Photo Credit: GettyImages

3 Lessons from David on How to Heal and Forgive

How did David heal despite the constant threat of Saul? In Psalms (scripture written by David), he didnt focus on his wounds or his enemies, but on God.

Look at three ways David was able to forgive and remain on a path of healing:

1. When wounded, David prayed for deliverance and protection from those inflicting his wounds.

Rescue me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.  Psalm 59:1 CSB

Throughout Psalm 59, David acknowledges Gods strength and his faith that God will go in front of him to protect him from the attack, lies, and wickedness of his enemies. Faith that God will protect us helps our wounds begin to heal, knowing that no matter what, God is our protector.

With adequate protection, wounds can be healed.

2. While Saul pursued David, David pursued God.

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You; I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.  Psalm 63:1 CSB

In the desert, while fleeing from Saul, David focuses on seeking God. David pursues God as if he could not live without being in his presence. For David, Gods love is better than life (Psalm 63:3). Gods love is better than the pain, the grief, and the hurt. Pursuing God helps David rest at night, knowing Gods help is there holding him and holding him up.

3. David asked for Sauls life to be spared.

Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget.  Psalm 59:11 CSB

David asks that Saul and his attackers be brought to face their evil and sin, but not to the point of death.

Many times, when our wounds are gaping open, we want our attacker to feel the pain we feel or worse.

David prayed throughout the psalms that God would cause them to face their sin. Twice David was given the opportunity to end Sauls life, but David knew it would not bring an end to his pain (1 Samuel 24 and 26).

Killing an anointed king of Israel would not help his own wounds to heal. David chose to praise God and proclaim His goodness, again taking the focus off his wounds and placing it on God.

While Saul and David never reconciled, we do see that David forgave Saul in the end. Again, he never verbalizes the forgiveness, but in his actions, we see that healing had taken place.

At the end of First Samuel, Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle. When David hears of their deaths, Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died (2 Samuel 1:11-12 CSB).

Tearing of clothes is an outward expression of grief and an inward sign of deep sorrow. Later, David sang a lament about Saul and Jonathan, speaking about how loved and admired they were. Davids constant focus on God, while he endured four years of pursuit on his life, shows his wounds were healing. He was able to grieve the death of the one who inflicted him with deep wounds.

We can fully grieve the life of the one who hurt us when our focus is not on our pain, but on the one who delivered us from it.

As was true in Davids life, and in any of ours, forgiveness and healing can only take place when we focus on God as our deliverer, pursue Him with our lives, and pray for the one who has hurt us.

Complete healing will take time, but as we focus on God as our protector, the pain will lessen as the days go by.

Photo Credit: GettyImages

Leah Lively is a wife and mother of four living in central Virginia. Through writing and speaking opportunities, she is passionate about encouraging others in learning more about the Bible and maturing in their faith. Leah writes on her blog at leahlivelyblog.com and just released her second Bible study, 30 Days in Acts  A Journey: Igniting the Flame of the Early Church. Connect with Leah on Facebook and Instagram (@leahlivelyblog).
Mumbai, Feb 13 : Actress Vidya Balan has come out in support of the film "Kabir Singh" against criticism that the 2019 blockbuster glorifies a misogynistic hero and misogyny. Although she says she wouldnt play the female protagonist in the film, she would definitely watch such a film because it represents a harsh reality. She adds that she is mature enough to understand there are two sides to every story.

"Sometimes I watch films even if they are not keeping it to my beliefs. Over the years, I have matured as a person. Previously it used be all black or white for me but today, I understand. I will give you an example of the film 'Kabir Singh'. There was a huge uproar when 'Kabir Singh' released and people questioned how could the film glorify a character as Kabir Singh, who is absolutely disrespectful and violent towards women. Previously, I would have had the same reaction, but today I feel that the film is not necessarily glorifying it. It's about telling the story of a Kabir Singh and there are enough Kabir Singhs in the world, especially in our country. So, I am okay with that. I can make choice not to be a Kabir Singh. As a person that choice would be mine. But will I go to the theatre and watch 'Kabir Singh'? Of course I will. So, I think I have kind of matured," said Vidya, while interacting with students at her alma mater, St. Xavier's College, during a conversation titled 'Arts Meets Academia'.

Vidya had pursued a bachelor's degree in sociology at St. Xavier's before earning a master's degree from the University of Mumbai. Sociology students are known to look at the world from analytical and critical perspective. Do these traits work in her mind while selecting a film? "I have been fortunate that I have done work that aligns with my beliefs. Not that I haven't had the opportunity to do other work, but it's a choice I made that only I do the work I believe in. Over the past 12 years, I have had the chance to tell stories of women who find their voice and strength, so even if they start off as weak and vulnerable in the film, by the end of it they come a full circle. So, I think I am attracted towards these stories. I had the opportunity to do other stuff but I chose not to. I tried dabbling in it for a bit but I found myself absolutely inconsequential in that space, which is why I didn't do it," she replied.

"Kabir Singh" starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani is among Bollywood's highest-grossing films of year 2019, having earned Rs 278.24 crore in the domestic market according to the film trade website koimoi.com. However, the film has been embroiled in several controversies since release, with detractors claiming the film glorifies toxic masculinity.

Asked how studying sociology helped her in her life, Vidya said: "I keep saying that sociology is the reason I believe in the possibility of possibilities, because what sociology taught me is that what is not true for you maybe be true for someone else. What is true for you may not be true for someone else. When you study about so many societies and cultures, you realise that you have to have an open mind. You can't judge anyone for their practices or norms, and that opens up your mind. As an actor that is a very useful lesson so, yes, I feel sociology has definitely helped me." Vidya Balan's next film "Shankutala Devi" is slated to release on May 8.
Melissa van den Heuvel, an Industry Systems Associate at NZ Avocado, has been named Bay of Plentys Young Grower for 2020 at an awards dinner in Tauranga.

The competition took place last Saturday, February 8, at Te Puke Showgrounds, where the eight competitors tested their skills and ability to run a successful orchard in a series of challenges.

These were followed by a speech competition discussing how can we as growers be better members of the wider community at the gala dinner on Wednesday night.

Melissa also excelled in individual challenges, including the Horticultural Biosecurity challenge and Avocado Tree Planting challenge, and especially impressed judges with her speech on passing knowledge to future generations.

Emily Crum came in second place, while Megan Fox was third.

Melissas prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to Wellington to compete for the title of national Young Grower of the Year 2020 in August, as well as $1500 cash.

Melissa entered the BOP Young Fruit Grower competition as she believes it is a great way to further her knowledge about the industry she says she is so fortunate to be a part of.

Andrew Dawson, Chair of the BOP Young Growers Upskilling says the passion shown by the contestants is what makes this annual event so special.

These bright young people coming into our industry are hungry to learn and build their careers in horticulture. Its a real privilege to give them this space to shine  their drive and the great support from our industry partners is what keeps people coming back to this event year after year.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. CEO Nikki Johnson agrees, and says that these competitions are an important highlight for the horticulture industry.

The potential that Melissa and the other contestants have shown over the competition make me confident that the future of the horticulture industry is in good hands.

The horticulture industry is experiencing challenges as sectors such as kiwifruit and avocado rapidly grow, and upcoming leaders such as those that we have seen at this competition will be well needed as we move into an exciting future.

Melissa will go on to compete in the national Young Grower of the Year competition, run by Horticulture New Zealand.

There, they will join the winners of the Nelson, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, and Central Otago regionals, as well as a Young Vegetable Grower, to compete for the national title of Young Grower 2020, proudly sponsored by the Horticentre Trust.
Now that most major carriers are selling usage-based car insurance, one of the pioneers in that sector is selling its technology to other carriers as a claims management tool.

San Francisco-based Metromile announced this week that Tokio Marine Holdings had deployed a first notice of loss product through its $13 billion personal auto book of business in Japan. The Metromile Report product allows consumers to file claims using their smart phones and provides data to claims adjusters that helps detect fraud and apportion fault.

Metromile, starting as a managing general agent in 2011, was one of the first companies to use technology to sell insurance based on the number of miles driven. The company became a licensed insurer in its own right in 2016 and now sells coverage throughout the United States.

Metromile Communications Director Rick Chen said the platform that Metromile built to sell insurance on its own can be useful throughout the industry.

We realized that the underwriting claims technology we were building for our flagship insurance product was going to be valuable to other insurers too, Chen said. We can help them reduce loss-adjustment expenses by up to 30 percent.

Nine of the top 10 private passenger automobile insurers have usage-based insurance programs in place, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In 2018, there were 10 to 11 million telematics-enabled insurance policies in place, out of some 200 million insured automobiles, according to the Institute.

Metromile is packaging its technology in a software-as-a-service offering called Metromile Enterprise. The platform includes Report  the loss reporting tool  and three other products.

Metromile Replay is a virtual witness that recreates accidents based on data collected from the Pulse sensors that Metromile attaches to the onboard diagnostic ports in customers cars.

Metromile Detect alerts adjusters if its programming finds reason to suspect a claim is fraudulent.

Metromile Streamline provides back-office automation and customer intelligence.

Tokio was the first carrier to deploy Metromiles technology, starting with the Streamline product in August 2018. In that same year, the Japan-based carrier was among investors that provided $90 million in equity during Metromiles Series E funding round.

Tokio explained its investment in Metromile within its 2019 annual report. President and Group Chief Executive Officer Satoru Komiya said in a letter to shareholders that Metromile aspires to deliver the worlds highest level of response to automobile accidents.

Metromile uses its world-leading technologies to automate the automobile insurance claims service process to the greatest degree possible, Komiya said.

In a section of the annual report titled Prompt Claims Payments, the carrier said Metromile simplifies the claims reporting process for consumers while allowing clams adjusters to devote their energies toward complicated settlement negotiations.

The same report featured Tokios other investments in technology. Tokio said Orbital Insight Inc. will speed up claims payments after natural disasters by using satellite images and artificial intelligence to determine the scope of flood damage. NTT Docomo uses artificial intelligence to propose optimal insurance coverage based on customer needs and budgets.

Metromile joins some technology heavyweights in usage-based insurance technology sector. In January, Cambridge Telematics announced the launch of Claims Studio, an account reporting system built on its existing telematics technology, which monitors customers driving habits.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company was launched in 2010. The company says its technology is now used in more than 50 active programs with insurers and other partners in 25 countries.

Munic, based in Villejuif, France, also provides a patented on-board telematics product that is used by several U.S. carriers. The company on Feb. 10 listed an initial public offering on the Euronext Growth stock exchange in Paris.

Metromile reinvention as a technology provider comes after it took a beating as an insurance carrier.

The company lost $2.5 million in 2018, $308,000 in 2017, and $2.9 million in 2016, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Metromile reported $87 million in net written premiums in 2019, according to NAIC, and $32 million in 2017, according to an examination report by the Delaware Department of Insurance released in January 2019.
Vodafone Idea reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 6,438.8 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, its sixth consecutive quartely loss. It had registered net loss of Rs 5,004.6 crore in the corresponding quarter last year, the telecom operator said in a filing to the stock exchanges on Thursday.

Vodafone Idea's gross revenue slipped to Rs 11,089.4 crore in the quarter under review, as compared to Rs 11,764.8 crore in the year-ago period. Meanwhile, operational expenses came down to Rs 7,668.9 crore from Rs 10,601.6 crore.

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) grew sharply to Rs 3,420.5 crore during Q3 FY20, as compared to Rs 1,163.1 crore in Q3 FY19. EBITDA margin also rose to 30.8 per cent during the quarter under review, from 9.9 per cent in the same quarter last fiscal.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, Vodafone Idea claimed to command a subscriber base of 304 million, down from 387.2 million for the same period last year. However, the company saw its average revenue per user (ARPU) increase to Rs 109 from Rs 89, "supported by improved consumer mix".

Vodafone Idea, similar to the rest of the telecom industry, had a rough December quarter this fiscal due to the fallout of a Supreme Court verdict on adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Vodafone Idea is yet to pay its dues in the case, as the company is waiting for Department of Telecommunications to decide on a schedule of payments and other reliefs.

"We had accounted for the estimated liability of Rs 44,150 crore related to License Fee and Spectrum Usage Charges in the previous quarter... all taken for periods up to September 30, 2019 and adjusted for certain computational errors. While continuing to recognize the liability in the same manner, the company, during this quarter, adjusted the estimated liability for subsequent demands received, errors in computation, applicable interest for this quarter, payments made in the past not considered in the DoT demands, and consequential adjustments on satisfaction of contractual conditions under a mechanism with Vodafone Group," Vodafone Idea said in its statement.

"Accordingly, the net impact of these effects amounting to Rs 52.8 crore has been recognised as Exceptional Items during the quarter. Further, as directed by DoT, the company is undertaking a self- assessment exercise for computation of liability as per the AGR Judgment," the company further added.
A deadly attack on Iraqi protesters prompted Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani to reiterate his condemnation of the use of violence against demonstrators, despite a history of Kurdish authorities using the same tactics locally.

Followers of populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, known as Sadrists or Blue Hats, opened fire Feb. 5 on a protesters' camp in the southern city of Najaf, killing at least eight people and wounding at least 20 more. But medical personnel and humanitarians pegged the losses much higher: 23 dead and 197 wounded, some severely.

We condemn the repeated use of violence against demonstrators in Iraq," Barzani said in a Feb. 7 statement. "Peaceful demonstrations are a lawful, constitutional right, while killing demonstrators and using force in order to frighten and scatter protesters is an outright crime.

Barzani had issued a similar statement in early December, calling violence against citizen protesters "a wanton crime" and stating that the "criminals, regardless of their affiliation, must be identified by relevant Iraqi authorities and face justice."

Barzani has also called for Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, Iraqs prime minister-designate in Baghdad, to form a new Cabinet quickly, which some observers hope will help calm protesters. Allawi said he expects to complete his Cabinet by late February. He is trying hard to avoid the fate of his predecessor, Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraqs current caretaker premier. Abdul Mahdi agreed to resign in the face of the mass protests that have swept the country.

The Independent High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq recently estimated more than 500 people have been killed and more than 23,500 wounded, mainly by Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite militias, since the protests began Oct. 1.

The protesters are demonstrating for many reasons: the presence of US troops in their country, poor public services and Iranian influence on Iraq's government, which they consider corrupt. Some are protesting the nomination of Allawi, a Shiite, which they believe was engineered by Iran.

Since his Feb. 1 nomination by Iraqi President Barham Salih, Allawi has been trying to convince political forces that he will reject all partisan agendas and he favors nominating independent ministers from all of Iraq's ethnic groups.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as well as some non-Kurdish Sunni groups, are insisting that Allawi accept their nominations. But a group of Kurdish lawmakers in the Iraqi parliament known as Group15 (G15) oppose the views of KDP and PUK lawmakers in Baghdad. The group met Feb. 9 with Allawi.

Ahmed Haji Rashid, a lawmaker in the Iraqi parliament from the Islamic Group of Kurdistan (IGK) and a G15 member, told Al-Monitor, Allawi told us that most of the Shiite groups are in agreement with his views of a government of independent capabilities; the Kurds and [other] Sunnis should also accept independent ministers.

He said, Allawi said he has met with the Sunnis and clarified his pathway of not accepting partisan agendas; however, they [Sunnis] reject independent ministers." Rashid added, He promised to keep the balance among Iraqs [ethnic] components regarding his Cabinet members. We (the G15) told Alawi that if his government would be independent and preserve a balance among Iraqs components, as the constitution requires, we would support his Cabinet.

The G15 stressed that unless Allawi exclusively keeps arms and public monies in the hands of the state, no one can expect free and fair elections in the country. Rashid said the group urged Allawi to settle the issue of disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil (the Kurdish seat of government) and adopt an oil-for-budget agreement previously signed between Abdul Mahdis government and the KRG.

The KRG announced Feb. 8 that Allawi would visit Iraqi Kurdistan within the next two weeks.

KRG spokesman Jotiar Adil told Al-Monitor, We are against the use of violence and have said it clearly in our statements that the Iraqi government must be patient and deal with the protesters peacefully.

He added, As the [KRG], we have spoken with the Iraqi [federal] government  not any specific Shiite political party  because  the government is our main audience on any subject.

Regarding preconditions for Allawis anticipated Cabinet, Adil said the KRG supports any process that takes place within the law. The KRG, he added, has made it clear from the start that the Iraqi government should always abide by the set rules and that whoever takes office in Iraq must abide by the constitution, honor agreements signed with the KRG, and work for all of Iraqs different communities.

As for the protests, Barzani's stance against Baghdad's use of deadly force stands in stark contrast to the Kurdish government's past use of lethal force to suppress peaceful Kurdish protesters.

In solidarity with the Arab Spring, demonstrators took to the streets of Sulaimaniyah in February 2011 calling for reforms and better public services. The KRG and ruling parties security forces responded with live bullets, killing 10 protesters and wounding hundreds. Salih was then the KRG prime minister and later resigned under public pressure. Also, in late 2017 during several anti-government protests in Sulaimaniyah, at least five demonstrators were killed by KRG forces.

Othman Sidiq, a volunteer lawyer for the cases of those who were killed during the 2011 protests, told Al-Monitor, After nearly nine years, unfortunately, no one has been arrested or sentenced. Besides, the perpetrators are free and most of the cases were closed under illegal pretexts and through political pressures from the ruling parties. He added, The reason behind that is the judicial authority in the Kurdistan Region has yet to refuse decisions imposed by the political parties."

Adil denied that claim and said, In the Kurdistan Region, we respect and adhere to international human rights principles as well as protesters' rights, and the KRG has taken no illegal action against any protesters.

Zikri Zebari, a KRG parliament member representing the PUK and a member of the Human Rights Committee, told Al-Monitor, We have some criticism of the KRG in terms of abusing human rights, but overall the situation here is better than Iraq [in general]. He went on to say, Our committee has made follow-ups for the [2011] cases, and offenders  whatever their political positions are  should be brought to justice.

Kamal Chomani, a nonresident fellow at the Tahrir Institute, told Al-Monitor, There are several reasons behind [the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)] condemning the violence used by the [federal] Iraqi forces and militias against the protesters. First, the KRI is under pressure from the United States to back the protests and show support for anti-Iran blocs in Iraq. He added, Second, the KRI is in line with the marjaiyas' (Shiite religious authorities') condemnation."

However, Chomani said, The KRI condemnation, especially by [KDP leader and former KRG President] Massoud Barzani, [KRG Prime Minister] Masrour Barzani and Nechirvan Barzani, came as a surprise for many in the KRI, as the KDP, KRG and PUK have been so brutal in dispersing the protests in the Kurdistan Region  to the extent they have silenced almost all kinds of protest movements in the KRI. This hypocrisy of the KRI leaders has made politics so cheap, and this hypocrisy is a reason the entire KRI suffers from an existential crisis today.

Kurdish leaders eventually might support Allawis Cabinet since they have no better options, and if Allawi fails to present his Cabinet in time, Iraqs political scene has yet to see the worst.
A pair of scientists have proposed building two mega dams to enclose the North Sea in a bid to protect millions from the threat of its rising waters.

One massive structure, measuring 475km in length, would be built between north Scotland and west Norway, with a second 160km dam between south west England and west France also touted.

These would protect more than 25 million Europeans, scientists Dr Sjoerd Groeskamp and Joakim Kjellson believe.

"The costs and the consequences of such a dam are huge indeed. However, we have calculated that the cost of doing nothing against sea level rise will ultimately be many times higher," Dr Groeskamp, oceanographer at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, said.

However, he indicated that the dam suggestion may serve more as a warning to introduce measures to tackle climate change, making such drastic action unnecessary.

"This dam makes it almost tangible what the consequences of the sea level rise will be; a sea level rise of 10 metres by the year 2500 according to the bleakest scenarios," he said.

"This dam is therefore mainly a call to do something about climate change."

The calculations of his dam proposal will be published in the journal of the American Meteorological Society.
A fundamental change is taking place in the automotive industry. The global downturn in the industry, exacerbated by mounting trade war, together with the generational shift towards electronic and autonomous vehicles, has already resulted in a jobs massacre, which resulted in the loss of more than half a million jobs in 2019 alone.

Car workers in the large assembly plants in the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia are particularly threatened. The automobile industry has become the central economic factor for the entire region. During capitalist restoration in the 1990s, many large corporations relocated their production to these countries because they found well-trained workers to whom they could pay low wages.

This is particularly true for Slovakia. Global corporations such as VW, Kia, PSA and Jaguar-Land Rover assemble cars in Slovakia. On a per-capita basis, this country of 5.5 million inhabitants is the worlds largest car producer. In 2018, 198 cars were completed there per 1000 inhabitants; last year 202 cars were completed per 1000 inhabitants. Around 80,000 people are directly employed in the auto industry, and a total of 145,000 workers are dependent on the industry. Last year, a total of 1.1 million cars were produced, and cars account for a quarter of all exported goods.

Last year, Volkwagen, the largest private employer in the country, laid off 3,000 workers at its Bratislava plant, as well as 500 Hungarian contractors working in the country. These were the first layoffs in the countrys auto industry in a decade, according to Reuters.

A 2018 study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that Slovakia is the most vulnerable to job losses due to automation, with 40 percent of jobs in the countrys west at risk of being automated in the near future.

In the past, Slovakia was a centre of the arms industry for all of Eastern Europe, which collapsed after the disintegration of the Eastern Bloc in the 1980s and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. International auto companies found unemployed metal workers here, who were paid only a fraction of Western wages.

Since then, Slovakia has been used as an extended workbench. The legal minimum wage today is just under 3 per hour (US$3.26), and the average monthly wage is roughly 950 (US$1,032.90). Slovakian autoworkers face brutal working conditions. We work like robots on a conveyor belt, one told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter in 2017. More is constantly demanded, and mistakes are severely punished. In the neighbouring Czech Republic, workers at the Skoda car company earn even less than their colleagues in Slovakia. In Hungary, too, where Audi, Mercedes, Suzuki and BMW have plants, or at Ford in Romania, auto workers are confronted with miserable wages.

The conversion of eastern Europe into a sweatshop for European and international manufacturers has created a social powder keg. The first sparks appeared in June 2017 during the strike against Volkswagen Slovakia in Bratislava, the countrys capital and largest city, when 8,000 of some 12,300 workers at the plant paralysed production for six days. The strike was the first work stoppage in a large Slovakian car factory since the restoration of capitalism.

The strike was an early expression of the resurgence of the international class struggle. Exactly one year ago, 13,000 car workers went on strike for better wages at the Hungarian Audi plant in Gyor; and a thousand Ford workers went on strike in Craiova in southern Romania in December 2017. In North America last year, 48,000 American General Motors workers struck for 40 days, and 70,000 auto parts workers in Matamoros, Mexico, carried out a wildcat strike in defiance of the pro-corporate trade unions.

Under the title, A rude awakening in an auto paradise, finance daily Handelsblatt wrote at the time, For a long time, Slovakia was considered an auto paradise. Low wages, low taxes, and an industrial policy under head of government Robert Fico, which allowed the car companies to express their wishes.

However, wages remained low even after the VW strike and other labour disputes. While employers have been forced to pay higher bonuses for night, holiday and weekend work since May 1, 2018, this is by far not enough to compensate for the price increases. Prices are at European Union (EU) levels, and housing in Bratislava, for example, is just as expensive as in any major western European city.

The Slovakian government is now looking anxiously at the impending upheaval in the car industry. A few days ago in Davos, Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak called on companies to invest more in the future. On the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Lajcak said, We dont want to be seen as a place where only the parts are put together.

Bratislava is governed by an alliance of the Smer Social Democrats with the right-wing radical SNS, which, in agreement with the EU, is pursuing a strict austerity course and is taking aggressive action against refugees and Roma. The next parliamentary elections will be held later this month, on February 29. Since the VW strike in Bratislava, the government has been concerned that the sharp tensions could easily lead to a social explosion.

Such tensions could be seen in the reaction to the murder of the journalist Jan Kuciak, who had uncovered the Mafia-like ties among the nouveau riche upper class and extending as far as the office of the head of government, Robert Fico. When Kuciak and his wife were shot dead on February 21, 2018, this sparked unrest throughout the country and mass protests in Bratislava, forcing Fico to resign.

VW reacted to the nervousness of the Slovakian government with weak palliatives. On February 3, the VW Board of Directors announced the company would invest 35 million in Slovakia. However, no such investments are forthcoming at a smaller plant in Martin, a town about 230 kilometres east of Bratislava, or at the large VW plant in Bratislava. In Martin, where 800 car workers are currently slaving away for VW, differential gears for electric cars will be developed in the future. However, only about 12 new jobs will be created for this purpose, while 182 workers from Bratislava are to move there.

The announcement amounts to an admission that the VW group no longer offers a future to many thousands of VW workers in Slovakia.

In Germany, VW is preparing a comprehensive cuts operation. In an incendiary speech earlier this year declaring his intent to slaughter sacred cows, VW CEO Herbert Diess announced the destruction of 20,000 German auto jobs. A study last fall by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, which is closely aligned with the German Social Democrats, predicted that VW would eliminate 30,000 jobs worldwide.

The cuts in Germany are being coordinated with the IG Metall union, which participates in the companys supervisory body and is integrated with management through labour-management works councils. Bernd Osterloh, chairman of VWs general works council, expressly supported Herbert Diesss proposals with the words, This is the right way forward.

Steeped in a divisive Germany-first nationalism, IG Metall would praise any cuts in Slovakia or Eastern Europe as a defence of German jobs. In a moratorium on fair change, the German trade union explicitly calls for strengthening Germany as an industrial location through transformation. The moratorium is an offer by IG Metall to cooperate closely with the German corporations. It includes a standstill agreement and even the waiver of wage demands.

The trade unions in Slovakia also promote the nationalist and pro-capitalist perspective of social partnership. While the trade union Moderne odborov Volkswagen split four years ago from the corrupt OZ KOVO union, which was closely allied with IG Metall, the end of the strike in 2017 proved Moderne odborov also to be a nationalist supporter of social partnership.

It too pursues a policy that pits workers from different plants and countries against each other, thus sacrificing them to the interests of the company. In recent years, this policy has already enabled companies to close European plants such as Opel in Antwerp and Bochum. The closure of Ford in Blanquefort, France, is currently being pushed through using a similar strategy.

As the auto companies are pursuing a global strategy to force workers to pay for sales declines and the cost of new technologies, so too must autoworkers pursue an international strategy to defeat this cost-cutting drive. This requires a struggle against the trade unions, which divide and paralyse workers through their toxic nationalism.

In order to break with this reactionary strategy, autoworkers must form rank-and-file committees completely independent of the trade unions, which take up the fight against factory closures and redundancies on an international level and on a socialist basis.

We encourage workers who agree with this perspective to contact the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter at autoworkers@wsws.org.
Nanocell is the enhanced version of Tetracell camera technology that was introduced by Samsung back in 2017. While Tetracell has a two-by-two array, which means combining the neighbouring two pixels (total of 4 pixels) to act as one large pixel, Nanocell has three-by-three structure.

Samsung created a new benchmark for premium smartphones a couple of days ago by introducing the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the highlight of which was the massive 108-megapixel rear camera sensor along with three other sensors. This is the first time that we saw a smartphone getting a massive jump in the megapixel count after the 48-megapixel and 64-megapixel sensors. Samsung even demoed the capabilities of the camera in real life usage, during the launch. However, it did not reveal the specifics on how the 'Nanocell' sensor exactly works at that time. Now, in a blog post, the South Korean tech firm has talked at length about the technology that powers the 108-megapixel sensor.

The Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 sensor is sized at 1/33-inch and has 0.8um pixels. This, in tandem with the 'Smart-ISO' technologies, delivers bright 108-megapixel shots. The firm explains that 'Nanocell' is the enhanced version of 'Tetracell' camera technology that was introduced by Samsung back in 2017. While 'Tetracell' has a two-by-two array, which means combining the neighbouring two pixels (total of 4 pixels) to act as one large pixel, 'Nanocell' has three-by-three structure, which means combining the neighbouring three pixels (total of 9 pixels) to create one large pixel. We also call this entire process 'Pixel-binning' and in Samsung's marketing terms, 3x3 pixel binning is called 'Nona Binning'.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S20 India pre-orders begin tomorrow via Flipkart

All these nine 0.8um pixels together mimic a 2.4um size pixel, which results in a 12MP shot. For those unaware, more the um size, more light is captured by each pixel and as a result you get a brighter and sharper image. The reason why you get well-lit images by smartphone cameras, for instance Pixel, in low light is because it not just uses AI to shoot multiple images and compute the best output but also uses the 12-megapixel 1.4um sensor on the hardware level to get as much light as possible.

It is for the first time that a company has achieved 12-megapixel resolution image with 2.4um pixel size. Until now, handsets like Huawei used Quad Bayer sensors to achieve 12-megapixel and 16-megapixel shots from a 48-megapixel and 64-megapixel camera but with lesser microns or um (around 2.0um), resulting in less brighter images. Most of the others are limited to 1.6um.

However, one of the challenges that Samsung faced by adjoining cells is the increasing number of colour interference. The company states that the HM1 sensor has ISOCELL Plus technology that aims to reduce crosstalk and minimises optical loss as well as light reflection.

Some of the camera features touted by the firm for the Galaxy S20 Ultra include 100x digital zoom, 8K video recording at 24fps, real time HDR and more.
TACOMA, Wash.  A jury has awarded more than $10 million to a man who was seriously hurt when an Amtrak train derailed between Tacoma and Olympia in 2017.

Donnell Linton, 47 of Renton, is one of many passengers of Amtrak Cascades 501 who sued Amtrak after the train left the tracks and some of its cars crashed onto the freeway below. Three died and dozens were injured.

Jurors issued the verdict in Lintons favor Tuesday in in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, The News Tribune reported.

An Amtrak spokesperson declined to comment about the decision.

Linton and his son were traveling to Oregon to visit Linton's newborn grandchild when the train derailed Dec. 18, 2017, one of his attorneys, David Beninger, said.

Linton suffered fractures to his face, shoulder and ribs. He is still getting treatment, the attorney said. His son, now 14, also suffered facial fractures.

"He and his son got ejected from the train and landed on the pavement below," Beninger said.

Linton's verdict is not the first regarding the derailment.

A jury awarded nearly $17 million to several plaintiffs in one case last year. Soon after another woman's lawsuit ended with a $4.5 million verdict.

Other cases are pending. Some have settled, Beninger said.

There were 77 passengers and six crew members on board.

 The Associated Press
Several Indian-American investors based in San Francisco have shown interest to invest in Chhattisgarh during talks with state's Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel here on Wednesday.

Baghel, who is undertaking a visit to the United States, held a meeting with the businessmen with an aim to attract investment in his home state, according to an official statement.

Among the investors present in the meeting included, BJ Arun, the President of TiE (IndUS Entrepreneurs), a Silicon Valley non-profit association dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the Bay Area as well as globally, and Nitin Mehta, co-partner in GreenOaks Capital.

Other investors present at the meeting were -- Sarvajna Dwivedi, Jag Kapoor, Sushant Patnaik, Pallav Sharma, Krishna Yarlagadda and Harshul Asnani, head of Tech Mahindra in the US, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cannabis plants were seized and a growhouse detected as part of the high profile garda operation, Storm, which took place in Kilkenny this week.

Operation Thor, Project Storm took place over last three days in Kilkenny with main day of community engagement on Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes and Superintendent Derek Hughes briefed 130 gardai early yesterday morning (Wednesday).

Numerous searches were conducted with seizures of small quantities of controlled drugs and cannabis plants in a growhouse. 20 people were arrested in relation to investigations into criminal activity. 27 people were arrested on warrants and brought before Kilkenny District Court.

There were also a number of joint agency checkpoints conducted with the Road Safety Authority, Kilkenny County Council (Environmental Waste Department), Social Welfare Inspectors and Customs and Excise throughout the day in various locations with numerous detections.

Two vehicles were seized. There were a number of community engagement activities conducted, including visits to local national schools in Kilkenny City with Community Engagement teams and Garda Mounted Unit and Garda Incident Command Vehicle was also utilised.

24 Trainee Gardai from the Garda College Templemore assisted with this operation along with four visiting Student Police Officers from Norway who also visited Kilkenny Castle and the hurlers statue in the 'home of hurling'
Researchers demonstrate how the perfect flow of electrons on the surface of some types of topological insulators can be surprisingly fragile

Electrons race along the surface of certain unusual crystalline materials, except that sometimes they don't. Two new studies from Princeton researchers and their collaborators explain the source of the surprising behavior and chart a course for restoring conductivity in these remarkable crystals, prized for their potential use in future technologies including quantum computers.

The studies were published in the journal Science.

For the past 15 years, a class of materials known as topological insulators has dominated the search for the materials of the future. These crystals have an uncommon property: Their interiors are insulators -- where electrons cannot flow -- but their surfaces are perfect conductors, where electrons flow without resistance.

That was the picture until the discovery two years ago that some topological materials are actually unable to conduct current on their surface, a phenomenon that earned the name "fragile topology."

"Fragile topology is a strange beast: It is now predicted to exist in hundreds of materials," said B. Andrei Bernevig, a professor of physics at Princeton and co-author on both papers. "It is as if the usual principle that we have been relying on to experimentally determine a topological state breaks down."

To get a handle on how fragile states form, the researchers turned to two resources: mathematical equations and 3D printers. With Luis Elcoro at the University of the Basque Country, Bernevig and Princeton postdoctoral researcher Zhi-Da Song constructed a mathematical theory to explain what is happening inside the materials.

Next, Sebastian Huber and his team at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with researchers at Princeton, Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, South China University of Technology, and Wuhan University, tested the theory by building a life-sized topological material out of 3D-printed plastics.

Topological materials draw their name from the field of mathematics that explains how shapes such as donuts and coffee cups are related (they both have one hole). The same principles can explain how electrons hop from atom to atom on the surface of the roughly 20,000 or so topological materials identified to date. The theoretical underpinnings of topological materials earned a 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics for F. Duncan Haldane, Princeton's Sherman Fairchild University Professor of Physics.

What makes these crystals so interesting to scientists is their paradoxical electronic properties. The interior of the crystal has no ability to conduct current -- it is an insulator. But cut the crystal in half, and the electrons will skim across the newly revealed surfaces without any resistance, protected by their topological nature.

The explanation lies in the connection between the electrons on the surface and those in the interior, or bulk. Electrons can be thought of not as individual particles but as waves that spread out like ripples of water from a pebble tossed in a pond. In this quantum mechanical view, each electron's location is described by a spreading wave that is called a quantum wavefunction. In a topological material, the quantum wavefunction of an electron in the bulk spreads to the edge of the crystal, or surface boundary. This correspondence between the bulk and the boundary leads to a perfectly conducting surface state.

This principle of "bulk-boundary correspondence" to explain topological surface conduction was widely accepted until two years ago, when a handful of scientific papers revealed the existence of fragile topology. Unlike the usual topological states, fragile topological states do not have conducting surface states.

"The usual bulk-boundary correspondence principle breaks down," Bernevig said. But exactly how remained a puzzle.

In the first of the two Science papers, Bernevig, Song and Elcoro provide a theoretical explanation for a new bulk-boundary correspondence to explain fragile topology. The collaborators show that the electron wavefunction of fragile topology only extends to the surface under specific conditions, which the researchers call a twisted bulk-boundary-correspondence.

The team further found that the twisted bulk-boundary-correspondence can be tuned so that the conducting surface states reappear. "Based on the wavefunction shapes, we designed a set of mechanisms to introduce interference on the boundary in such a way that the boundary state necessarily becomes perfectly conducting," said Luis Elcoro, a professor at the University of the Basque Country.

Finding new overarching principles is something that always intrigues physicists, but this new kind of bulk-boundary-correspondence might also have some practical value, according to the researchers. "The twisted bulk-boundary-correspondence of fragile topology provides a potential procedure to control the surface state, which might be useful in mechanical, electronic and optical applications," Song said.

But proving that the theory works was virtually impossible given that one would have to interfere with the boundaries at infinitesimally small atomic scales. So the team turned to collaborators to build a life-sized model with which to explore their ideas.

In the second Science paper, Sebastian Huber and his team at ETH Zurich built a large-scale mock topological crystal out of plastic using 3D printed parts. They used sound waves to represent the electron wavefunctions. They inserted barriers to block the path of the sound waves, which is analogous to cutting the crystal to reveal the conducting surfaces. In this way, the researchers mimicked the twisted boundary condition, and then showed that by manipulating it, they could demonstrate that a freely conducting sound wave travels across the surface.

"This was a very left-field idea and realization," Huber said. "We can now show that virtually all topological states that have been realized in our artificial systems are fragile, and not stable as was thought in the past. This work provides that confirmation, but much more, it introduces a new overarching principle."

###

The work by the Princeton team was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (grant DE-SC0016239), the National Science Foundation (EAGER grant DMR 1643312 and MRSEC grant DMR-142051), a Simons Investigator grant (404513), the Office of Naval Research (grant N00014-14-1-0330), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and a Guggenheim Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Luis Elcoro is funded by the Government of the Basque Country, and Sebastian Huber acknowledges funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research QSIT, and the European Research Council (grant 771503).
Pope refuses to approve married priests in the Amazon to address clergy shortage

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Pope Francis has refused to allow the ordination of married men as Catholic priests in the Amazon region of South America to help with a local clergy shortage.

The Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region had previously suggested allowing married men in the remote parts of the Amazon to become priests in an earlier official document.

In the papal exhortation Querida Amazonia, which was released on Wednesday, translates to English as Beloved Amazon, the head of the Roman Catholic Church did not address the issue of allowing married men to become priests or women to become deacons.

Instead, Francis implored the bishops to pray for more vocations and to send more missionaries to remote areas of the Amazon to hold mass, The Associated Press reported.

The pontiff also urged people to have more respect for the rights of the impoverished, and stressed the importance of preserving the local environment, and honoring the cultural aspects of the local populations.

The Rev. James Martin, author and editor at large at the Jesuit publication America magazine, expressed optimism about the issue of married priests.

Pope Francis is officially presenting the synods final document along with Querida Amazonia, so it accompanies the exhortation as part of his teaching. That may mean that the synods proposals are still up for discussion in the future, wrote Martin on Wednesday.

In any case, the question of the official status of proposals included in the synod document, but not explicitly endorsed in the exhortation, should probably be left to canon lawyers.

Martin also wrote that while some might not like the Popes exhortation, the very process of following the synodal way and Pope Francis support of that way is a step forward for the church in the Amazon and around the world.

In October 2017, Pope Francis, the first pontiff to be from Latin America, announced that there would be a synod gathering centered on the Amazon region.

A major issue was the lack of priests in the region. Since in the Catholic Church only priests can consecrate the Eucharist, some areas of the Amazon go without communion for months or even years.

At the time, Francis had expressed an openness to allowing viri probati, or married men of good moral standing, to be ordained as priests in that specific region.

We must consider if viri probati is a possibility. Then we must determine what tasks they can perform, for example, in remote communities, explained Francis in 2017, The Telegraph reported.

Last October, Francis convened a three-week synod of Latin American bishops whose countries included the Amazon, focusing on multiple issues regarding the well-being of the region and its people.

While the Catholic Church mandates celibacy for priests, exemptions are given in rare circumstances. For example, married clergy from The Episcopal Church can become ordained in the Catholic Church without having to divorce their wives.

There are approximately 120 such married priests in the United States, according to a Los Angeles Times story published in 2017.
Andrew Yang, who suspended his presidential run Tuesday night, will be remembered for several contributions to the 2020 Democratic primary: He was an unlikely, off-kilter, and ultimately inspiring candidate; he elevated the niche policy idea of a universal basic income into the national discourse; and he gave us the Yang Gang.

The Yang Gang! Throughout the primary, this group of very-online supporters developed an impressive body of peculiar pro-Yang memes and even produced an anime title sequence for the candidate. They made an impressionbut now their candidate is done. I reached out to users in the YangForPresidentHQ community on Reddit, where more than a 100,000 of his supporters have congregated, and asked them how they came to support Yang, how they were taking his exit from the race, and how both Yang and the Yang Gang might impact U.S. politics going forward.

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Yang, whod never held public office, announced he was running for president in 2017, long before most anyone else. His candidacy didnt really take off, though, until he appeared on Joe Rogans extremely popular podcast in 2019. Podcasts continued to be core component of his publicity strategya theme that emerged when I asked supporters about how they discovered the Yang campaign:

I first heard of him on Ryan Higas podcast. I grew more curious about Yang, though, because it felt like he always backed up his claims and policies with data and multiple studies. Plus, he was the first candidate that didnt pay so much attention to Trump.Parker Jr. from New Hampshire I first heard about Andrew from a friend after he first appeared on The Breakfast Club with Charlamagne [Tha God]. I remember thinking to myself, Wow UBI, $1,000 sounds great, but theres no way he can win. Then in late April of 2019, I heard he was holding a rally in Minneapolis [] so I decided to go and check him out. The rally was incredible.Nathanael from Minnesota I set aside some time to listen to his [Joe Rogan Experience podcast] episode expecting just a good laugh and nothing more, but he blew me away.Arty from North Carolina

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The Yang Gang, while relatively small, was fiercely dedicated to Yangs vision and worked to spread his message on social media with particular fervor. They also helped him to raise tens of millions of dollars:

Ive donated, convinced both my parents on him  one of whom was a HARD Trump supporter. [] I also drove a few hours to see him in South Carolina once and was going to canvas for him there before he obviously dropped out.Arty from North Carolina I was quite active in motivating others online on Reddit and Twitter, talking about him constantly in person, and phone-banked twice the last weekend leading up to New Hampshire.Matthew from New Brunswick, Canada I ended up making my first political donation ever, and since then I have made several more, including purchasing merch such as his Math hat and bumper stickers. I also introduced his ideas to my friends and family. [] Its fair to say that this is the most Ive ever been involved in politics.u/bannablecommentary from Ohio

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Yangs self-consciously dorky persona and several relatively outlandish proposals helped him to attract attention. Asked about the highlights of the campaign, Yang supporters pointed to his use of the web and his debate in particular:

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I think it was the first or second one [debate], he did a fourth-wall break about how the debates format is poorly run, and how they focused so much on how he never wore a tie.Parker Jr. from New Hampshire His use of Twitter and the internet to just feel like a normal human, a normal guy running for president because he cares about the future of the country for everyone.Nathanael from Minnesota

Yang quickly lost steam in 2020. He was unable to win any delegates in Iowa or New Hampshire, and his campaign only had $3.7 million at the start of the year. Heres how the Yang Gang took it:

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Man, I was sad. I had an assignment that I needed to finish, and it was just tough to focus. It felt like someone I really cared about was riding off into the sunset at the end of a long journey.Nathanael from Minnesota He was getting tired and dropping in the polls. [] It would have been hypocritical for him to stay in the race after saying he was the MATH candidate and not making a huge splash. Im glad he dropped out. He needs the rest.Arty from North Carolina It was heartbreaking. I just donated yesterday. I had no idea it was coming. I probably tweeted like 100 times yesterday.Nathan from Oregon

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Yang, a perpetual outsider in the race, never polled even close to the top of the pack, though he still beat expectations. I asked supporters if, and where, it could have gone differently :

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The New Hampshire debate. This was after he did poorly in Iowa. A lot of Yang Gang members were hoping he would get more aggressive. He didnt and the Yang Gang became very divided, hostile, and negative. Thats when he lost his momentum in my opinion.Parker Jr. from New Hampshire The #YangMediaBlackout is well documented and not a figment of our imaginations. Relative to his polling numbers, he shouldve received way more speaking time at debates and much more coverage in the media.Nathanael from Minnesota

I also asked who they might support instead:

I wouldnt see myself supporting anyone else. He hasnt changed my mind on a lot other than UBI more, so he was already aligned with my ideals.Arty from North Carolina If I was American Id support Bernie, but his message wont have the same global effect policywise as Yang had. Many of the problems Bernie is running on arent as bad up here in Canada and Yang had solutions to problems that are going to affect the entire developed world soon.Matthew from New Brunswick, Canada Im going to look more into Steyer, he seems genuine about his passion for climate change solutions. Tulsi also recently put in support for UBI.u/bannablecommentary from Ohio

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Yangs campaign was defined by his insistence that giving every American $1,000 a month would cure many of societys ills, a policy also known as universal basic income. His supporters accept that UBIs time has not comeat least yet:

I think a lot of the establishment Democrats think its too radical and the older generation needs to die off before any momentum can happen (as dark as that is).Arty from North Carolina If you see how far Yang moved the window in just two years (moreso less than a year once people heard about him), I think it is definitely a strong possibility. I think Yang in his resignation speech mentioned that 76 percent of 18- to 30-year-olds are in support of it now. Thats insane considering almost nobody, myself included, knew what UBI was even just a year ago.Matthew from New Brunswick, Canada Unfortunately, I think things will have to get really bad before UBI is adopted on a national scale.Nathanael from Minnesota

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Yang was alsosomewhat misguidedlyfocused on the ways in which artificial intelligence will replace jobs. So I asked Yang Gang supporters if they agree that were doomed to be supplanted by robots:

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Not doomed, Yang was early with his predictions and many of his policies were preventative. The idea is to make a change before it happens rather than reacting when it is happening.Matthew from New Brunswick, Canada I am an embedded software engineer and have seen first-hand the kind of advances that are coming down the pipe. [] I have seen A.I. that can be trained to learn the writing style of popular editors and generate new articles given a variety of sources and just a few parameters for length and other factors. [] There are many things comings our way. I can only imagine trade jobs surviving.u/bannablecommentary from Ohio

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Its unclear what exactly Yang will do next, but hes signaled to staffers that hed run for president again. Heres what the Yang Gang would like to see their candidate do:
US Confirms 15th Coronavirus Case, First in Texas

The first coronavirus case in Texas was confirmed by U.S. officials on Feb. 12.

The patient who tested positive was part of a group evacuated from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the new virus, officially known as COVID-19. The individual was under federal quarantine with the rest of the group of evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. After showing symptoms, the patient was taken to a hospital and isolated before testing positive.

He or she is the first person under quarantine at the base who had symptoms and tested positive for the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement. This marks the 15th person in the United States to test positive for COVID-19.

There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan, the CDC said. More than 600 people who were evacuated from Wuhan remain under federal quarantine in Texas, Nebraska, and California.

Passengers board buses after arriving on an airplane carrying U.S. citizens being evacuated from Wuhan, China, at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., on Jan. 29, 2020. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo)

Another 195 peoplethe first group that was evacuatedwere released from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California, on Feb. 11 after completing a two-week quarantine. None of those people tested positive for the virus, officials said.

The other confirmed cases in the United States are in California, Arizona, Washington state, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Massachusetts. At least one, a patient in Washington, has been released from the hospital.

No deaths from the virus have been reported in the United States. One American has died from the virus in Wuhan. There have only been two deaths reported outside of China: one in the Philippines and one in Japan.

A Chinese worker wears a protective mask as he has his temperature checked in a nearly empty and shuttered commercial street in Beijing on Feb. 12, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

On Feb. 2, U.S. officials started funneling people traveling from China to 11 airports across the country for screening and possible quarantine if they show symptoms. Under an executive order from President Donald Trump, foreigners who have been to China within the past two weeks are blocked from entering the United States.

More than 30,000 people have been screened, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters in a phone call this week.

Officials are seeing fewer and fewer travelers from China, especially from Hubei Province, which includes Wuhan, Messonnier said. Most people have shown no symptoms and arent labeled as high-risk. Theyre allowed to continue on to their final destinations to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Our goal is to be as least restrictive as possible while ensuring the safety and health of all Americans, Messonnier said.
A Saudi national bearing symptom of coronavirus has reportedly fled from one of Nepal's hospital after the doctors had advised him to be quarantined. While speaking to Nepal's local media outlet, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population acknowledged that the patient had gone missing nearly a week after the doctors at Teku hospital advised the foreign national to be admitted for observation. It was also revealed that the Saudi national had flown into Nepal via China and it was after a week that symptoms of COVID-19 started showing.

Mahendra Shrestha, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health said, He didn't want to be admitted, the Saudi national who only speaks Farsi was here from China. He came to the hospital after suffering from cold and was advised to be admitted at the hospital. He denied to be admitted, there was a problem in communication because he only spoke Farsi. He is not able to be contacted and is not admitted at the hospital. He was having fever and cold.

READ: Shanghai Dining Spots Marooned On Valentine's Day Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

READ: Coronavirus: Russian Media Speculate US Conspiracy Behind Deadly Epidemic

Death toll reaches 1,355

The outbreak which took place in Wuhan in January has now killed thousands of people. The death toll for the virus in China has also reportedly jumped to nearly 1,355 with another 14,840 new confirmed cases as it revised the method for counting infections. The total number of confirmed cases across China are now more than 60,000. Hubei province, which is the epicentre of the viral outbreak, has also more than doubled to 242 deaths.

The World Health Organisation has reportedly said that China's Coronavirus outbreak is a 'very grave threat for the rest of the world' and should also be viewed by other nations as 'public enemy number 1'. The virus officially also named 'COVID-19' at the conference in Geneva held by WHO, where the body's chief further said that countries had a chance of stopping its global spread. Earlier this month, WHO also declared the Coronavirus as a 'global public health emergency'.

READ: 'Improvement In Condition Of 2 Indians Infected With Coronavirus On Board Cruise Ship Off Japanese Coast'

READ: Nissan Sales Suffer Blow Amid Controversies And Coronavirus Outbreak

(With ANI inputs)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avera eCARE Senior Care is expanding its services to multiple senior living campuses owned and operated by Trilogy Health Services LLC.

Via an extensive telemedicine network based in Sioux Falls, S.D., eCARE Senior Care supports local care teams with 24/7 access to a geriatrician-led team of specialists that provides urgent care services, assistance with medication questions, coordinated care, on-site assessments and more for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. eCARE Senior Care provides:

24/7 access to medical providers to allow treatment in place

State-of-art equipment that allows the provider to perform a medical examination from a distance

In 2019, Avera eCARE began serving six sites within Trilogy, a long-term care system. Through this expansion, eCARE Senior Care will now reach multiple campuses across Trilogys four-state footprint, making this a standard of care for their organization.

The collaboration Trilogy and Avera eCARE established earlier is thriving. Trilogy is a top-quality provider of senior care services, and we look forward to continuing this success at additional sites where cutting-edge care will support the work of local care teams, said Deanna Larson, Avera eCARE CEO. Through relationships like this across the nation, were demonstrating that health care of the future is happening now.

The eCARE Senior Care team includes board-certified geriatricians, certified nurse practitioners, geriatric-trained pharmacists, a licensed social worker, psychiatric nurse practitioner and registered nurses with gerontological certifications.

Benefits of eCARE Senior Care include fewer unplanned transfers, unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. As requested by local teams, Avera professionals also help to manage multiple comorbidities and facilitate earlier treatment for acute conditions.

Maintaining the health and well-being of our residents is our number one priority, said Leigh Ann Barney, President and CEO of Trilogy Health Services. We take great pride in employing a clinical staff that can provide a wide range of support within our communities. Working with Avera eCARE allows us to further widen the scope of clinical services we can offer on-site, thus lowering the likelihood of a trip to the hospital or the emergency room. This is in the best interest of everyone  especially residents and their families.

About Avera eCARE

Avera eCARE, based in Sioux Falls, S.D, offers one of the largest and most comprehensive virtual health networks in the world  partnering with more than 450 health care systems, rural hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, assisted livings, schools, correctional facilities  across the country. Learn more by visiting AveraeCARE.org.

About Trilogy Health Services

Trilogy Health Services communities offer a full range of personalized senior living services, from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing and rehabilitative services in over 100 senior living communities throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Trilogys senior living services are delivered by staff specially trained to honor and enhance the lives of our residents through compassion and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations. Trilogy Health Services is a subsidiary of Griffin-American Healthcare REIT III, Inc.

To learn more about Trilogy Health Services, please visit our website at www.trilogyhs.com.

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The Danish String Quartet. Photo: Caroline Bittencourt

Midway along the Danish String Quartets journey through Beethovens life, the players led the audience into a dark wood. The ninth quartet (Op. 59, No. 3) opens in dissonant despair, each crushing chord dropping inexorably onto the next. Then, in a classic feint, the apparently endless slough suddenly opens into a bright C major clearing. When the Danes pivoted from gorgeous misery to a blithe dance, you could practically hear the audience in Alice Tully Hall gasp in relief. The players, who look like lanky Vikings, all long limbs and blond hair, delivered each phrase as an utterance that had just sprung to mind. They seemed genuinely curious to know what came next, to keep up with the composers mercurial thoughts.

Performing the complete Beethoven quartets in 11 days is a mavens mountain. This series, presented by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, is packed with listeners who can compare and contrast these performances with those of the Juilliard, Tokyo, Berg, and Emerson Quartets. The Danes seemed unfazed by all the reverence.

The group is performing the quartets in the order they were written, tracing a fitful arc from upstart to master. In the first concert, they brought out an aspect of Beethoven that often gets short shrift: his charm. He was a phenomenal pianist and an experienced composer in the late 1790s, when he wrote his first quartets, Op. 18, but he was also a young man in his twenties, eager to seduce patrons and the amateur string players he depended on to buy his published scores.

The genre had a mild history before Beethoven, rooted in background music. A string quartet should not disturb a wine-drinking emperor too much, as the group put it in a program note. But even in these first pieces, Beethoven is already willing to disturb the digestion. The very first quartet he published (though not the first he wrote), The F Major quartet, Op. 18, No. 1, begins with a Zorro-like gesture: all four instruments fuse on a long F lunge, followed by a staccato flourish, like a foil writing a Z in the air. The Danes made that gesture more mischievous than menacing, the calling card of a witty composer brandishing his virtuosity. Somehow, they made it possible to experience this young mans music afresh, to block out the Olympian figure Beethoven became and unhear the lightning storms that snap through his later music.

A few days later, the ensemble reached 1806, when Beethoven published his Razumovsky quartets, Op. 59. He had reached his self-mythologizing years, secure in the knowledge that whatever insanity he could dream up could be packed into a traditional genre and made to work. There are intimations of danger in these works, a kind of manic cackle that will eventually turn explosive and bleak. But even here, the Danes remembered that what they do for a living is play.

Ive been following this extraordinary group for years, but I really understood their mojo only after I met them all in their basement studio at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. The groups three Danish players  violinists Frederik land and Rune Tonsgaard Srensen, and violist Asbjrn Nrgaard  first got together as teenagers at the Askov Folk High School in Jutland. (The fourth, cellist Fredrik Schyen Sjolin, grew up in Norway.) Founded in the 19th century to educate farmers during the enforced idleness of winter, these institutions have evolved into a network of specialized but laid-back summer programs.

You dont go there to achieve, but to develop for the sake of developing. Its more of a society of amateur musicians, says land. Nrgaard chimes in: Youd be having breakfast, and someone would tap you on the shoulder and say, Can you come and play eight or ten string quartets with us?We were always the last guys standing.

Those late-night summer sight-reading sessions spilled over into weekends during the school year, and companionship matured into professionalism. Chamber music came naturally to hotshot musicians accustomed to channeling ambitions into a collective endeavor. Srensen mentions the Law of Jante, a pan-Scandinavian prohibition against sticking out.

Maybe thats why Denmark doesnt have so many concerto soloists, he says.

In an orchestra its always like: You be the concertmaster. No, you be the concertmaster, Nrgaard jokes.

The players are analytical about their Danishness, which, they feel, has freed them from the weight of, say, Russian, Hungarian, or Viennese performing legacies. (Norway has an even weaker musical culture, made up mostly of people who went abroad and brought back different traditions, Sjolin says.) At one point, they tried on one of those heavy mantles, attaching themselves to the violinist Nikolaj Znaider, who was trained in the Russian style. He inculcated in them an obsessional attitude towards detail, an interpretive rigor expressed by a penciled annotation on every note.

That Jedi-like training ran headlong into their irreverence. Denmark is a flat country, literally and also in our attitude towards authority, Nrgaard says. That also applies to how you treat the classics. You have the right to question the composers. After all, they were just guys who wrote some good music. Adds Srensen,Were basically a cover band.

Its an attitude that translates directly into their music-making. For a dozen years, the quartet has organized its own October festival in a tiny hall in Copenhagen. For a long time, they did everything themselves: distributed free tickets, designed posters, trolled antique shops for stage props, set up chairs, and even poured the beer. The pieces of a cardboard-and-plywood bar they built for the occasion sit jammed into a corner of their studio. In recent years, they roped in guest performers and launched a four-concert series in a bigger hall, with programs that are more eclectic than cogent. We grew up post-vinyl, so we dont always think a program has to be like an album. We do Spotify concerts, Nrgaard says.

Their actual albums, on the other hand, are distinctly albumlike. Last fall, they released the second volume of their projected five-disc Prism series, which matches music by Bach and Beethoven with a 20th-century composer (first Shostakovich, then Schnittke). After long immersion in Denmarks national composer Carl Nielsen, the quartet discovered the countrys hymns and dance tunes, which eventually flowered into two ravishing albums of Nordic melodies: Wood Works and Last Leaf.

If I linger on their background, its because that mixture of casualness and control comes out when they perform; it makes them the quartet I would most want to hear play just about anything. Chords all have a diamond edge, tunes pour like molten silver, staccato passages skip like stones across a lake. But too often, musicians who command that level of technical precision bundle it with a premeditated interpretation, in which every phrase is weighed, chiseled, and inserted in its proper slot. Maybe thats how the Danes work too, but the effect is convincingly spontaneous. They understand the explosive power of an impromptu nuance, the way a hairsbreadth rubato can make the clouds part.

The midpoint concert ended with the final fugue of the C Major quartet (Op. 59, No. 3), executed at fighter jet speeds with an astounding mixture of nonchalance and intensity. The separate strands unspooled, overlapped, and intertwined, the notes slipping through their fingers like tiny knots, so that it seemed like the whole thing would have to end in an exhilarating tangle on the floor. When they were done, the audience jumped with the thrill of having witnessed such a thing. And so the group sat down and played the movement again as an encore, as if to say: We could do this all night. Were still the last guys standing.

The Danish String Quartet will perform the remaining Beethoven quartets in its series from February 13 through 18 at Alice Tully Hall.
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DehydraTECH increases bio-absorption; reduces time of onset; and masks unwanted tastes for orally administered bioactive molecules including cannabinoids, vitamins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nicotine and other molecules. Lexaria has licensed DehydraTECH to multiple companies in the cannabis industry for use in cannabinoid beverages, edibles and oral products; and to a world-leading tobacco producer for the development of smokeless, oral-based nicotine products. Lexaria operates a licensed in-house research laboratory and holds a robust intellectual property portfolio with 16 patents granted and over 60 patents pending worldwide.For regular updates, connect with Lexaria on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/lexariacorp) and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lexariabioscience/ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:Lexaria Bioscience Corp.Chris Bunka, CEO(250) 765-6424OrNetworkNewsWire (NNW)FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis release includes forward-looking statements. Statements which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The Company makes forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: that any additional patent protection will be realized or that patent achievements will deliver material results. Such forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the Company's best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company include, but are not limited to, government regulation and regulato
CURRY COUNTY, Ore.  A California man reported missing along the Oregon Coast last week has been found dead from an apparent car crash.

The Curry County Sheriff's said that it found the body of Jerry Van Hoosen down an embankment on Monday afternoon. The crash site was along Highway 101, about four miles north of Gold Beach.

Two members of the Curry County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team spotted tire tracks in the dirt on the east side of the highway and stopped to investigate. After looking down the embankment, they saw a red Ford pickup with California plates.

Investigators later confirmed that the truck was Van Hoosen's, and his body was found in the wreckage. Deputies believe that Van Hoosen died from the crash back on February 8.

According to a post from Margaret Van Hoosen of Kerman, California, her husband Jerry was on a fishing trip along the Oregon coast when he went missing. Margaret made a report to Brookings Police on February 11 after losing contact with her husband.

"The last place he was seen was Brookings, Oregon. He was traveling to Coos Bay and Reedsport, Oregon," Margaret said.

Jerry Van Hoosen was driving a red 2007 Ford Ranger. Margaret said that he liked fishing along the Chetco River.

An update from Margaret indicated that Brookings Police has been searching the area near Mt. Emily east of the Chetco after they were able to ping his phone in the area. Officers found washed-out roads in the area due to rain.

"My thoughts are that he drove up there checking it out for a future fishing spot and got stuck up there from the rain," Margaret said. "I say thanks to all my family and friends and everyone out there that has responded to this post and has shared it. I am so overwhelmed with all the love and caring from you all. The prayers are a blessing keep them coming please!"
Christopher J. Velis of Miraki Innovation to Deliver Keynote "The Next Quantum Leaps in Medtech" at LSI Emerging Medtech Summit 2020

Christopher J. Velis, Chairman of Miraki Innovation and Co-Founder of Auris Health (acquired by J&J for $5.7B) will deliver the keynote address at the Life Science Intelligence (LSI) Emerging Medtech Summit February 18-20th, 2020 at The Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA.

In his keynote, "The Next Quantum (News - Alert) Leaps in Medtech," Velis will share his insights on a repeatable process for quantum leaps of innovation. He'll discuss his experiences building companies such as Auris Health and he'll provide both an investor's and innovator's perspective on the future of medtech.

The event is drawing attendance from major medtech investors and strategics looking to partner with new medical device, diagnostic, digital health and other healthtech innovators.

In addition to Velis' keynote, the event will include ove 100 startup CEO presentations, and lively panel discussions with venture capitalists, large corporates, and industry thought leaders.







A full agenda and list of attendees is here.

Investors attending include: JJDC, Sante Ventures, Connecticut Innovations, US Venture Partners, NEA, Pangaea Ventures, SV Health Investors, Miraki Innovation Fund, MVM Partners, Evonik VC, Sands Capital, Mayo Clinic Ventures, HealthTech Capital, Grey Sky Venture Partners, and more.

Strategics attending include: J&J, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott, Stryker, Edwards Lifesciences, Terumo, Fresenius, Intuitive Surgical, BD, W.L. Gore, and more.

About Life Science Intelligence (LSI)

LSI is a medical technology focused market intelligence & consulting company. We help medtech executives make informed strategic decisions by better understanding market dynamics, trends, opportunities and the competitive landscape.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005771/en/
Photo: The Canadian Press Alberta Premier Jason Kenney meets with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in Calgary, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. Alberta's $30-million-a-year energy war room is again under the microscope after it responded to an article in the New York Times by questioning the news organization's credibility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

The head of Alberta's $30-million-a-year energy war room apologized after the organization attacked The New York Times in a series of tweets over an article about how large financial institutions have stopped funding Alberta oil production.

"I apologize from some of the tweets" in The Canadian Energy Centre's Twitter thread Wednesday morning, posted Tom Olsen, the CEC's chief executive, to his personal Twitter account.

"The tone did not meet CEC's standard for public discourse," he said, adding it has been dealt with internally.

A 20-tweet thread posted by the CEC earlier in the day responded to an article by The Times on how these companies "have stopped putting their money behind oil production in the Canadian province of Alberta, home to one of the world's most extensive, and also dirtiest, oil reserves."

The CEC tweets said The Times has been "called out for anti-Semitism countless times," has a "very dodgy" track record, is "routinely accused of bias" and is "not the most dependable source."

Four of the tweets were later deleted.

The remaining tweets take issue with the news agency's interpretation of the data, and defend the environmental record of Canada and the oil and gas sector, but don't directly attack the newspaper's credibility.

"It doesn't surprise us the reporting isn't great, but at least there is some context for folks to consider," the thread ends.

The New York Times is "confident in the accuracy of our reporting," wrote spokeswoman Ari Isaacman Bevacqua.

Olsen said that "there will be a substantive response" to the article within the centre's "mandate of challenging inaccuracies."

Premier Jason Kenney promised in last year's provincial election that the centre would have a mandate to promote the energy industry and fire back in real time against what the United Conservative government deems to be misinformation.

The centre has been criticized previously for using another organization's trademarked logo and for having its staff members refer to themselves as reporters instead of government employees.

Olsen has been mocked by critics for a slip of the tongue in a TV interview in which he said the purpose of the centre is about "disproving true facts.''

The Calgary-based centre has been set up as a provincial government corporation, but is overseen by three cabinet ministers on its board of directors.
A 54-year-old Alabama man has been indicted on sex crimes committed against two teen girls more than 20 years ago.

Attorney General Steve Marshall on Thursday announced the arrest of Robby Glenn Morrow. The Troy man was arrested by state agents and booked into the Crenshaw County Jail.

Morrow is charged with one count of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes. The alleged crimes, Marshall said, were committed against two young girls  ages 14 and 15  when the suspect was living in Luverne.

The crimes werent reported to the attorney generals office until late 2018. Investigators presented evidence to a Crenshaw County grand jury Monday. The grand jury issued the multiple indictments against him.

Court records do not yet list an attorney for Morrow.

Marshall said no additional information about the investigation or Morrows alleged crimes are being released. Court records show Morrow was arrested in 1999 on a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in neighboring Butler County.

In that case, which was later dismissed, the mother of a 16-year-old girl reported that Morrow had taken her daughter without parental permission from the familys campsite and driven with her to Georgia. He said he had planned to leave with (the victim) and try to marry her, the mother wrote in court documents.

Morrow, who was 33 at the time, was gone with the girl for two days. It wasnt immediately clear if that victim is one of the girls for which Morrow is now indicted.

If convicted, Morrow faces a maximum penalty of 20 years to life in prison for the count of first-degree rape, which is a Class A felony. He also faces potential penalties of one to 10 years for each of the five additional counts, all of which are Class C felonies.
Violet Anne Wynne (SF) celebrates with her family and supporters after being elected at the Co. Clare Count. Photo: Eamon Ward

A newly elected Sinn Fein TD has expressed strong opposition to the HPV and other vaccinations.

In a series of social media comments, Clare TD Violet-Anne Wynne criticised the HSE for suggesting there was no scientific evidence that vaccines were unsafe.

On Facebook, Ms Wynne compared the dangers posed by the "ingredients" in vaccinations to changing where you buy coffee.

The first-time TD also said the compulsory vaccination of children, which was introduced in Italy, was "medical tyranny".

The HPV vaccine has been credited with saving the lives of thousands of Irish women who could have developed cancer without been vaccinated.

However, in August 2017, Ms Wynne said: "Parents that have spoken out with concern are not scaremongering but are speaking out with the experiences they have witnessed suffered by their daughters. The fact is the truth hurts.

"It does have side-effects and I think people should be aware and there are many families out there not being heard," she added.

She said the vaccine does not take into account that each person's body will react differently to it.

"You like your coffee, right? So the place you usually go to is shut, would the coffee be the same in the other shop?" she wrote.

"It should be, it is coffee, the same label same ingredients, but there is something different. Just like the vaccines".

It is not the first time a Sinn Fein member has raised doubts.

Former Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada was forced to back-track during her presidential campaign after she said she would not give her daughter the HPV vaccine. Ms Ni Riada issued a statement saying she was not "anti vax".

The party press office said Ms Wynne's comments were "old remarks" which did not "reflect Sinn Fein policy".
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The U.S. Education Department is investigating foreign gifts made to Harvard and Yale as part of a broader review of international money flowing to American universities, officials said.

The department said Wednesday it is reviewing whether the Ivy League schools potentially failed to report hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts and donations from countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar and China.

The department previously opened investigations at schools including Georgetown University and Texas A&M as part of a campaign to scrutinize foreign funding and to improve reporting by universities.

Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all. We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent, as required by the law, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said.

A Yale spokeswoman, Karen Peart, said Thursday the university is preparing a response to the Education Departments requests for information about foreign funding.

Yale takes very seriously the importance of ensuring that funding from foreign sources does not in any way compromise American interests, and it respects the Education Departments requirements about reporting of such funding, Peart said.

A Harvard spokesman, Jonathan Swain, said it is reviewing the notice and preparing a response.

Federal law requires U.S. colleges to report contracts and donations from foreign sources totalling $250,000 or more. The Education Department said some of the foreign governments and corporations that donate to American universities are known to be hostile to the U.S. and may be seeking to steal proprietary research and spread propaganda benefiting other governments.

In Yales case, the department said it discovered in recent weeks that the university may have failed to report at least $375 million in foreign gifts and contracts. It said in a letter to Yale that the university appeared not to have reported a single foreign source gift or contract in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 despite having a significant presence abroad.

Peart said that after Yale became aware of the oversight last year, it submitted in November the required reporting of foreign funding for the four missing years. She said the university believes its reporting is current and complete.

Yale does not conduct classified or secret research, and the research we do conduct is published and available to the public through scholarly journals and other outlets, Peart said. Yale upholds the free inquiry of its faculty and does not accept, from any source of funding, restrictions on its research or teaching.

At Harvard, a professor was charged last month with lying about his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program and concealing payments he received from the Chinese government for research. The Education Department noted the arrest in its announcement Wednesday and said it is concerned Harvard may lack appropriate institutional controls over foreign money and may have failed to report fully all foreign gifts and contracts.

The department said its enforcement efforts since July have prompted the reporting of approximately $6.5 billion in previously undisclosed foreign money. It said $3.6 billion of that was reported by 10 schools: Cornell University, Yale, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Texas A&M, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A Conversation With Malaika Myers Malaika Myers

Chief Human Resources Officer for Hyatt

A CHRO touches the life of every employee in the company. Hyatt's CHRO, Malaika Myers, has her eye on a bigger group -- 40% of the world's youth population. That's the global percentage of "opportunity youth" -- young people aged 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working. And Hyatt and Myers want to hire 10,000 of these young people for entry-level roles by 2025 through Hyatt's RiseHY initiative. RiseHY opens the door to employment opportunities and increased economic stability for individuals, families and communities, but it's not a charity. It's an initiative that fulfills real organizational hiring needs across Hyatt's 875+ locations worldwide. RiseHY also helps the communities surrounding Hyatt properties to thrive and aligns with Hyatt's purpose: to care for people so they can be their best. "It's great for the opportunity youth. It's great for the communities we operate in. It also is great for us. You couldn't have a better marriage," Myers says. RiseHY has been swiftly successful. The program -- with the assistance of community-based organizations, Hyatt's empathetic management strategies and employee support -- launched a little over a year ago and has already reached nearly 20% of its goal. Still, Myers knows it will take the combined efforts of many others to touch the lives of 40% of the world's youth population. "RiseHY is great for Hyatt in numerous ways, but I'd love for lots of other companies to reach this population of young people and connect them to the economy," Myers explains in this CHRO Conversation, "because there are millions of young people with talent, and the impact that we can collectively make on society is significant."

Emond: There are a lot of important issues a CSR program can focus on. Why did Hyatt decide on hiring 10,000 opportunity youth?

Myers: We decided to make a commitment around hiring because we know that when people get jobs, it changes their lives. When we started thinking about this initiative, we had three pillars in mind: our purpose of care, potential impact in the communities in which we operate and the realities we face as a hospitality company. RiseHY hit all three of those. Hospitality always has a need for entry-level workers, and Hyatt has a global reach with more than 875 properties. Hiring 10,000 people by 2025 is an ambitious commitment, but it's a commitment we know we can meet.

We decided to make a commitment around hiring because we know that when people get jobs, it changes their lives.

Emond: How do you introduce the program to opportunity youth?

Myers: We are working with community-based organizations that are involved in career readiness and training programs. These organizations have a deep understanding of their communities' needs and are well-positioned to help us overcome potential obstacles to hiring opportunity youth.

For example, it's unlikely that young people know about the types of roles we offer if they've never been inside a hotel. To get to 10,000 hires by 2025, we have to scale quickly, so we created a virtual reality experience that gives many opportunity youth a behind-the-scenes look at "a day in the life at Hyatt." For RiseHY, we're focused on entry-level roles, including bell attendant, housekeeper, steward, wait staff and entry-level culinary opportunities. Through the virtual reality experience, whether at a community-based organization or at home, they can click and follow a housekeeper or a bell attendant around to see what they do during the course of the day.

Emond: What do your numbers look like?

Myers: We've hired nearly 20% of our 10,000 goal, distributed around the globe. RiseHY is not concentrated in the U.S. -- we have teams in Canada, India, Latin America and France that are very focused on the program. As we continue to increase the number of participating hotels, we celebrate all contributions from our hotels, regardless of whether they hire one opportunity youth or 20.

Emond: How long has RiseHY been up and running?

Myers: We started in late 2018.

Emond: And you've already made almost 2,000 opportunity youth hires around the world. That's 20% of your goal accomplished in just over a year.

Myers: I think telling the stories of these opportunity youth has really galvanized our hotels. We have such amazing stories about people that we've hired -- orphans who have had to make their way alone in the world, immigrants who have come to a country with nothing and built a career after finding their way into one of our properties, people with intellectual disabilities who have found a place where they can grow. A position recently opened at the Hyatt Hub headquarters in Chicago, and our facilities director asked, "Can we find a RiseHY hire? Can we focus this job for an opportunity youth?" Our colleagues in all areas of the business want to be part of this, which is incredibly exciting to see as we move into the program's second year.

Emond: I realize it's very early on this, but obviously one of the key things you're going to track is retention and advancement. Do you see anything yet?

Myers: It is too early to tell. But as of last fall, our 90-day turnover for RiseHY hires was the same as any other hire. One of the things that I love about this industry is the ability for people to come in at entry-level roles and grow to be senior leaders in our organization. Many of our general managers started as food servers or pool attendants or housekeepers. Retention is important, but just as important is supporting these individuals so that they don't just have jobs -- they have careers. We provide training and support to help them grow and develop, and are launching an internal mentoring program.

Emond: So at some point in every initiative, you start seeing what you didn't know when you began. What are you learning now that you didn't know before?

Myers: One key learning from the first year is about how to support RiseHY hires once they're in our hotels, as we know that many of them have not worked in a traditional work environment before. We provided training to our managers and colleagues, and we're expanding those efforts to support our RiseHY hires with nonwork-related realities. Things like childcare and commute time and transportation can be more challenging for them. We are currently identifying community-based organizations that can assist with additional support services.

Retention is important, but just as important is supporting these individuals so that they don't just have jobs -- they have careers.

Emond: Have you connected to other companies that are succeeding with similar projects?

Myers: There are a number of other organizations that focus on opportunity youth. We've spent time with other companies -- McDonald's, Bank of America and Walgreens, to name a few. I am also on the board for Skills for Chicagoland's Future, which is an organization focused on connecting employers with unemployed and underemployed job seekers, with programs specifically targeting opportunity youth. That's one of the reasons I'm happy to share our story in CHRO Conversations because there's no pride of authorship here -- we'll share what we've learned with any organization that wants to get involved.

Emond: You mentioned that preparing Hyatt employees for RiseHY hires was part of your pre-launch. How is it going for them now, a year later?

Myers: RiseHY is a point of pride for Hyatt colleagues. We're demonstrating what it means to care for people in a real and compelling way. That's what makes me most hopeful -- the energy, pride and enthusiasm that I see from Hyatt colleagues around this initiative. There are a lot of reasons I come to work excited every day about what I'm doing, and RiseHY is probably at the top of that list. Every time I meet a colleague who has joined Hyatt through this program, I know that is a life we have changed. And that's just through direct employment -- there are so many other people we'll help along the way. I am proud of where we are so far and where we'll be by 2025. Or sooner.

This article was based on an interview with Larry Emond.
Oracles nearly decade-old lawsuit against Google over Googles use of Java is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Oracle argues in a brief filed with the court that Google violated Oracles intellectual property rights by using Java APIs in Googles Android operating system.

Although Google implemented its own version of Java for Android, it used the same names and functionality as the Java programming interfaces. Oracle claims that violates its patents and copyrights related to Java.

While Google would prefer to live in a world unencumbered by intellectual property rights, in the real world, copyrights are an essential protection and incentive for innovation, said Dorian Daley, Oracle executive vice president and general counsel.

Oracle accuses Google of clear-cut infringement and plagiarism. Google was falling behind in the smartphone market and could have licensed the software code or written its own code, Oracle said.

In response, Google on Thursday argued for open software interfaces. Oracles position would undermine the practices that have helped developers build on existing technology and create new products. Thats why developers and businesses from across the tech industry have supported open software interfaces and opposed attempts to monopolize the creation of new applications, Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said in a statement.

Oracle filed the lawsuit in 2010, not long after the company acquired Java creator Sun Microsystems. The case has gone back and forth from lower to appellate courts, with Google winning the first round and Oracle succeeding on appeal. The case irked software developers from the beginning.
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Yowie Group Announces Winner of Charity Donation Competition Over Holiday Season as WIRES Wildlife RescueNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Yowie Group, (ASX:YOW) the confectionary company bringing families sweet treats combined with an educational experience, today announced the donation of $20,000 to WIRES Wildlife Rescue as a result of their charity donation competition. Over the holiday season, Yowie gave their fans the opportunity to vote for an eco-conservation organization of their choice. The majority of fans directed their votes to WIRES, an Australian wildlife rescue organization, in the wake of the bushfire crisis.WIRES Wildlife Rescue is the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charity in Australia. It is a non-profit organization providing rescue and rehabilitation for all native Australian fauna. All animal rescuers and caretakers are volunteers. Recently, Australia has faced its worst national emergency to date, with bushfires impacting and destroying ecosystems and species across multiple states."With headlines reaching the United States about the tragic bushfires in Australia, Yowie fans were quick to want to help the animals from down under," said Cynthia Thayer, Global CMO of Yowie Group. "We are happy to be donating to WIRES on behalf of our consumers." With the fires destroying unprecedented amounts of habitat, food shortages have increased and lack of suitable habitat will be a significant long-term challenge for surviving wildlife. The money donated to WIRES by Yowie Group will be directed toward the relief and recovery of the animals and ecosystems affected by the bushfires.For more information about Yowie Group or WIRES, please visit yowieworld.com or wires.org.au About YowieYowie is best known for its flagship product, the Yowie surprise inside the chocolate. Each Yowie product is created in the shape of the Yowie characters (Yowie is what they call Bigfoot in Australia) and contains limited-edition collectible animal toys and a full color leaflet featuring a picture of the real-life animal, its profile and level of endangerment. Our social media channels and website allow collectors to learn more about the animals and their world while having loads of fun through games and competitions. The combination of tasty, clean-label treats, fun animal toys and an educational experience encourages kids to learn about wildlife and the threats endangered animals face. Yowie surprise inside chocolates, Yowie Bites and Yowie Gummies are available in more than 30,000 retail outlets across the U.S. For more information visit www.yowieworld.com CONTACT:Katie Morales949-777-2439SOURCE: Yowie Group
Ariana Grande gushed alongside Bernie Sanders in backstage photos. Eric Andre was spotted phone-banking for the senator from Vermont. Joe Rogan extolled Sanders' virtues on one of the country's most widely listened to podcasts. Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend turned campaign rallies into a Bernie-Bonnaroo.

Comedian Sarah Silverman, director Michael Moore, actors Danny Glover and Mark Ruffalo, and rappers Cardi B and Killer Mike have stumped for Sanders and cut campaign videos. The Strokes played in New Hampshire at a Sanders rally where they also happened to debut two new songs.

When we talk about celebrities endorsing candidates, we want to know if it'll make a difference. Will Mandy Moore and Anna Wintour boost Pete Buttigieg's chances? Will Jonathan Van Ness and Megan Rapinoe get out the vote for Elizabeth Warren?

But just take a step back and marvel at how, of all the presidential candidates, Sanders may have the broadest and wildest assortment of celebrities, no matter what that support actually ends up producing. A coalition of wealthy tastemakers have enthusiastically thrown their support behind Sanders, a just-barely septuagenarian whose public persona is captured by Larry David's parody on "Saturday Night Live": a humorless politician who would ride the bus to the hospital, doesn't know or care about pop culture and spends 40 minutes figuring out how to turn on the TV.

In the rush for the 2020 nominations, celebrities and generations aren't falling in line as might have been expected in a different era. Buttigieg, the youngest candidate, is far behind Sanders in attracting younger voters. Sanders' celebrity coalition, in this universe, makes a weird kind of sense.

"Bernie is cool, because he's not cool," said Howard Bragman, a longtime Hollywood public relations and crisis management strategist. "You couldn't be any less cool than Bernie, and if you saw him on the street, you'd want to take him to a Hollywood makeover show. ... But then you wouldn't have Bernie. There's an authenticity there, and that is cool."

Authenticity is currency for celebrities. The contrast between them and Sanders tracks with what goes viral on Twitter, said Elaine Lui, the "etalk" and "The Social" TV personality who runs the website LaineyGossip.com. "It fits into a cutesy narrative," she said. Remember that video of the older lady on the subway who didn't know Jay-Z was a famous rapper? Think of a tweet showing someone's aunt baffled by the latest meme. "It's like crusty grandpa and how awesome that is," she said.

Celebrities backing Sanders highlight how his views align with theirs. "They want a Green New Deal, they want Medicare-for-all, and it doesn't hurt that many of their fans are also Bernie voters," said progressive strategist Rebecca Kirszner Katz. "Multimillionaire celebrities are talking about why Bernie's plans make sense. That resonates with people because (the celebrities) are the ones who are going to be taxed."

Lui called that "a very weird marriage" of wealthy and privileged people "aligning themselves with a candidate who is saying, 'Hey, you are the 1 percent and my platform is targeting you.' " There's either a sincere or cynical way to interpret this. "Does that mean you're happy to pay more taxes? Or does that mean you have the resources to hire people to protect your money better?"

Sanders' appeal among celebrities, particularly young ones or those with young fans, is reflected in his regular supporters. He's dominating the youth vote in polls (a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday put his support at 54 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds; Warren, in far second place among that age group, had 15 percent).

Late-night comedian Jimmy Fallon, after showing audiences Ariana Grande's photo with Sanders, asked the candidate in November, "Why is a 78-year-old politician connecting with all these younger voters?"

"That is a good question, I'm still trying to figure it out," Sanders responded. "Ariana is not only a great entertainer, which she is. We were at a concert with her in Atlanta, just a zillion people there, she gave a great show." And then he moved on from her status as a pop star, calling her very "socially conscious" and praising her for registering people to vote at her shows.

Celebrities once ran the risk of alienating fans by wading into politics. Musicians have long been the most vocal, whereas TV or movie stars "have to put up as big a tent as possible to get as wide an audience as possible," Bragman said. In some genres, like with country music, vocally opposing a Republican president can alienate fans. But "in contemporary Hollywood, the greater risk is any alignment with Trump. So anything in the Democratic Party is generally not particularly dangerous," he added.

Democrats have long enjoyed the celebrity advantage. In 2016, nearly every headliner backed Hillary Clinton. She closed out her campaign with an Ohio concert featuring Jay-Z and Beyonce. She then lost Ohio, and the presidential race.

Trump still talks about it. "I didn't need Beyonce and Jay-Z. And I didn't need little Bruce Springsteen and all of these people," Trump said at a Minnesota rally late last year.

"If what you're trying to speak to potential voters or your base in particular that we shouldn't care what Hollywood thinks, what elites think, that can be a message that resonates," said Eric Kasper, a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire political science professor specializing in politics and pop culture. "It's kind of the idea of turning a weakness into a strength."

Katz, the progressive strategist, said too many celebrity acquaintances can backfire if it makes the candidate seem part of the rich. But Sanders might be immune to that trap. "It's very hard to accuse Bernie Sanders of being elitist," she said.

Some endorsements can get negative attention. The Sanders campaign promoted Rogan's, and received blowback from some on the left. MoveOn called on Sanders to "apologize and stop elevating this endorsement," tweeting in a statement that Rogan has a history of "promoting transphobia, homophobia, Islamophobia, racism and misogyny." The campaign defended its move, saying in a statement that its goal is "to build a multiracial, multigenerational movement that is large enough to defeat Donald Trump and the powerful special interests" and that "sharing a big tent requires including those who do not share every one of our beliefs, while always making clear that we will never compromise our values."

Politicians also have to be careful when interacting with celebrities and youth culture; there's a danger of coming across as too thirsty. Killer Mike, a longtime Sanders backer, has challenged the notion that Sanders has pandered to rappers and their fans. Sanders appeals to them because "kids in hip-hop come from working-class and poor environments," Mike said in a campaign video.

It's unclear what advantage, if any, a celebrity gets by backing Sanders. Lui hasn't seen any evidence of it boosting album sales or Instagram followers. With Cardi B, her endorsement highlights another layer of her persona. "Cardi's gift is that she always surprises people," said Lui. "She's constantly revealing her multitudes."

And then there's the question of: Does Ariana Grande loving you even matter? Kasper likens celebrity backing to yard signs, which can signal how much support a candidate has or the health of a campaign.

"Celebrity endorsements and endorsements overall might be something that has become a necessity for a campaign," he said, "but that in and of itself is not going to win an election for you."

Lui, who has been exploring "the psyche of fandom," said a particular celebrity's worth to a candidate is also measured by the fervor of their fan base, not just its size.

"Some fandoms are inherently proactive and engaged and put in the effort," she said, citing South Korean boy band BTS' fan base as one of the most active right now. "BTS fans are not lazy. They're out there doing their thing, and I would say Taylor Swift's fans are not lazy. But some entertainers have lazy fans. They love the fame, but are they willing to get up and out of the house?"

The same could be said of a politician's supporters.
Actor Song Kang-ho, third from left, waves as he arrived at Incheon International Airport, Wednesday. He, along with some other members of the "Parasite" team, returned to Seoul after wrapping up their U.S. trip to Los Angeles for the 92nd Academy Awards. / Yonhap



'Parasite' likened to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'



By Kang Hyun-kyung, Park Ji-won



Can the Korean cinema boom last? If so, for how long?



While watching the broadcast on Monday of director Bong Joon-ho winning awards at the Oscars for the critically acclaimed film "Parasite", some were wondering if Korean cinema is capable of producing masterpieces like it again in the future.



Among others, "Parasite" has been lauded for its rare combination of artistry and commercial success.



Experts are divided but in general they were not so positive about the prospect for further homegrown movies that can rock the global movie market like Parasite has.



Cho Jun-hyoung, a senior researcher at the Korean Film Archive in Seoul, said there are few filmmakers who are as talented as Bong Joon-ho or Park Chan-wook, another film-making sensation.



"Korean cinema is currently dominated by filmmakers in their 50s, better known as the '586' Generation, and post-Bong Joon-ho filmmakers appear to be hard pressed," he said. "As the generation dominates in other fields, so it is in the film industry."



Cho said Bong and a few other talented filmmakers triggered the Korean cinema boom, which began from the late 1990s through to 2011. But he said there are no other subsequent filmmakers who truly standout as Bong and Park have created movies that can meet the tough conditions of artistry and commercial success.



"What's worse is that the two greats appear to have passed their peak," he said. "But I think Korean cinema can be a subject of interest in North America in the next couple of years due to the stunning success of 'Parasite.' But whether it can be sustainable or not is a different story."



Korea's cinema boom was rekindled in the 1990s with the arrival on the scene of some talented filmmakers. Cho said deregulation and the lifting of censorship during the Kim Dae-jung government in the late 1990s also helped Korean cinema enter a new era. "There was a market for movies and moviegoers flocked to theaters," he said.






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They are perennial TV favorites, having entertained children with their puppetry and characters from the Seventies and Eighties until today.

And on Thursday, famous brothers Sid and Marty Krofft were honored with the 2,687th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Hollywood, California. The ceremony attracted a smattering of famous stars.

Chief among them was Scream actor David Arquette, who played Captain Barnabus on the Krofft-created kid's show Sigmund And The Sea Monsters for Amazon Prime.

Chief among the stars who attended: Scream actor David Arquette stopped by the Hollywood Walk Of Fame ceremony for Sid and Marty Krofft on Thursday

Brothers and co-creators:Sid (left) and Marty were honored with the 2,687th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Hollywood

Sid and Marty, 90 and 82 respectively, are Canadian television stars and puppeteers who are responsible for favorites like the Bugaloos and Mutt & Stuff, and they have also served as producers on many TV specials and films, including 2009's Land of the Lost starring Will Ferrell.

Arquette, 48, showed up to the outdoor event in true cowboy fashion, in a spiffy white getup that included a wide-brimmed Stetson, tailcoat and ruffled shirt, black belt and white slacks with red piping and decorations.

He wore white-tipped shoes, and topped his look off with a pair of aviator sunglasses.

The ex-husband of Courteney Cox said a few words at the event, and left his face scruffy for the occasion.

Hollywood cowboy: Arquette showed up in a spiffy white getup that included a wide-brimmed Stetson, tailcoat and ruffled shirt, black belt and white slacks with red piping and decorations

Other famous faces who showed up in support of the Krofft brothers included Maureen McCormick, who famously played Marcia Brady on the original run of ABC television sitcom The Brady Bunch, and Beverly D'Angelo of Vacation and American History X fame.

While Maureen, 63, wore an understated black ensemble, Beverly, 68, wowed in a lovely white floral pantsuit.

She donned a turquoise blouse underneath her blazer, and sported open-toed platform shoes in a matching floral pattern.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia: Other famous faces who showed up included Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady on the original run of ABC television sitcom The Brady Bunch

Also in attendance: Beverly D'Angelo of Vacation and American History X fame wowed in a lovely white floral pantsuit

Other guests arrived in full costume from the Kroffts' shows.

Other recent recipients of the Hollywood Walk of Fame sidewalk star include 50 Cent, Burt Ward (Robin from the Batman TV series), Wendy Williams, Tyler Perry, Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell and Harry Connick, Jr.

Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame comes via self-submission and a $40,000 fee.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said the death of the music legend, Victor Olaiya, is a great loss to the creative industry in particular and the entire country in general.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the minister said Mr Olaiyas death, even at a ripe old age, came as a rude shock.

He described the late music icon as a legend of his time, whose music signposted a great epoch in the history of Nigeria.

Sir Victor Olaiyas was not just a musician but a great patriot, hence it was not a surprise that he played officially when the country became independent in 1960 and when it became a republic in 1963.

The doyen of highlife music charted a path for many generations of Nigerian musicians, and this great role was not lost on him when he did a collabo with 2Face Idibia that was received with much acclaim.

It was a symbolic handover of the torch of excellence to the new generation of Nigerian musicians, Mr Mohammed said.

He said the best tribute that could be paid to the memory of the late music legend is for todays generation of musicians to continue to strive for excellence in their field.

The minister extended his condolences to the family, friends and associates of the late Mr Olaiya, and prayed to God to grant repose to his soul and to comfort the family he left behind.

Victor Abimbola Olaiya, was a Nigerian trumpeter ,who played in the highlife style and was extremely famous during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Born on December 31, 1930 in Ekiti, his music has continued to attract both old and young artistes.

Some of his popular songs are, Omo Pupa, Mofe Mu Yan, Iye Jemila.

He died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, on Wednesday, aged 89, after a brief illness.

(NAN)
Supreme Court judge Justice MM Shantanagoudar recused himself from hearing the plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act

New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice MM Shantanagoudar on Wednesday had recused himself from hearing the plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act.

After Justice Shantanagoudar "expressed his inability" in hearing the matter, the apex court directed its registry to obtain necessary directions from Chief Justice of India S A Bobde for listing the plea on February 14 before an "appropriate bench"

Pilot's plea came up for hearing before a three-judge bench comprising justices NV Ramana, MM Shantanagoudar and Sanjiv Khanna.

"I am not participating in this matter," Justice Shantanagoudar said at the outset without citing any specific reason for his recusal.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Pilot, urged the bench to list the matter for Friday.

"List before another bench since Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar expressed his inability to participate in the hearing of the matter," the bench said in its order.

"The Registry is accordingly directed to obtain necessary directions from the Chief Justice of India for listing of the matter on 14 February before an appropriate bench," the top court said in its order.

Pilot had on Monday approached the top court challenging her brother's detention under the J-K Public Safety Act, 1978, saying the order of detention is "manifestly illegal" and there is no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order".

The plea has sought quashing of the 5 February order detaining Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, under the PSA and also sought his production before the court.

Pilot has said that exercise of powers by authorities under the CrPC to detain individuals, including political leaders, was "clearly mala fide to ensure that the opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution is silenced".

Her plea said the intent of exercise of power was to "incarcerate not just him but the entire leadership of the National Conference, as well as the leadership of other political parties, who were similarly dealt with including Farooq Abdullah, who has served the state and the union over several years... stood by India whenever the situation so demanded."

It said that on the intervening night of 4 to 5 August 2019, Omar Abdullah was put under house arrest and it was later learnt that section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 was invoked to justify such arrest.

"There has been a grave violation of Articles 14, 21 and 22 of the Constitution," the plea said, adding, "similar orders of detention have been issued by respondents (authorities of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir) over the last seven months in a wholly mechanical manner to other detenues, which suggest that there has been a consistent and concerted effort to muzzle all political rivals".

It said there could be no material available to detain a person who has already been detained for previous six months and the "grounds for the detention order are wholly lacking any material facts or particulars which are imperative for an order of detention".

"In fact, a reference to all public statements and messages posted by the detenue during the period up to his first detention would reveal that he has kept calling for peace and cooperation - messages which in Gandhi's India cannot remotely affect public order," it said.

The plea said Omar Abdullah was not even served with the material that formed the basis of the detention order and its non-supply vitiates the detention, which is liable to be quashed.

It said that at no point of time in his "prolific political career", he has resorted to or indulged in conduct unbecoming of a "conscientious public figure".

The grounds of detention against Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the state from 2009-14, claims that on the eve of reorganisation of the state he had allegedly made attempts to provoke general masses against the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A.

Omar Abdullah, who has been junior foreign minister and commerce minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Cabinet in 2000, was served with a three-page dossier in which he was alleged to have made statements in the past which were "subversive" in nature.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced its 2020 winter diamond drilling program at its flagship 35,705 hectare Moore Uranium Project, located approximately 15 kilometres east of Denison Mine's Wheeler River project and near regional infrastructure on the southeast side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. The Company is planning to carry out 2,500 metres of drilling in 7 to 9 diamond drill holes to follow up on the success of the drill programs completed last year. This fully funded and permitted drill program will test both unconformity and basement-hosted targets along the high grade Maverick structural corridor. Of particular interest are potential underlying basement feeder zones to the unconformity-hosted high grade uranium present along the Maverick corridor. These targets have seen limited historical drill testing.



Moore Uranium Project Claims Map:

http://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/MooreLakeRegionalTenure.jpg

Winter 2020 Dill Program at the Moore Uranium Project:

Drill targets in this program will include unconformity and basement-hosted mineralization along the Maverick structural corridor. The Company specifically plans to expand the high grade mineralization recently discovered at the Maverick East Zone and to test the Goose and Viper target areas along strike with a focus on basement-hosted mineralization. Only 2 km of the total 4 km long Maverick structural corridor has been systematically drill tested leaving robust discovery potential along strike, as well as at depth in the underlying basement rocks which have seen limited drill testing to date.

Moore Uranium Project Maverick Corridor:

http://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/Moore-Lake-Maverick-Corridor-Map-v1.jpg

Maverick East Target:

At Maverick East, recent drilling by Skyharbour intersected significant clay alteration and localized high grade uranium mineralization extending from the unconformity into the basement rocks. Hole ML19-06, drilled in the Maverick East Zone during the most recent drill program in 2019, intersected 0.62% U 3 O 8 over 12.0 metres, and included a high grade basement-hosted intercept of 2.31% U 3 O 8 over 2.5 metres. The focus will be on down dip and strike extensions of the Maverick East target. Past drilling has confirmed the presence of uranium mineralization over broad intervals in excess of 80 metres strike length in both the sandstone and basement rocks. It appears that the mineralization is plunging in a northeasterly direction and tends to be basement dominated to the northeast. Highlights of the Maverick East Zone also include hole ML-202 which returned 1.79% U 3 O 8 over 11.5 metres, including 4.17% U 3 O 8 over 4.5 metres and 9.12% U3O8 over 1.4 metres.

Moore Uranium Project Main and East Maverick Zones Drilling Map:

http://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/Maverick-Detail-Map.jpg

Skyharbour recently completed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Magnetometer Survey ("UAV-MAGTM Survey") by Pioneer Aerial Surveys Ltd. ("Pioneer"). The UAV-MAGTM survey successfully identified high-priority cross-cutting features and structures along the Maverick corridor. Identification of these features has better defined drill targets for this upcoming drilling program at Moore. In addition, refinement of the Company's geological and structural model regarding the northward plunging mineralized zones at Maverick East is now complete and has greatly assisted in drill targeting the basement rocks of the Maverick East Zone, along strike and down dip of the current mineralization.

Maverick Structural Corridor - Northeast Extension Targets:

Drilling to the northeast of the Maverick and Maverick East mineralized zones will be within the remaining 2 km of the Maverick Structural Corridor, and include the Goose and Viper target areas approximately 500 metres and 1.5 kilometres along strike to the northeast respectively. A large proportion of this trend has been tested by a series of broadly spaced drill holes and/or fences with significant untested gaps. Virtually all of the holes exhibited extensive sandstone and basement alteration and geochemical enrichment similar to that found within the Maverick and Maverick East Zones. Narrow intercepts of uranium mineralization were identified in numerous locations along this portion of the corridor. Many of these mineralized intercepts occur at the unconformity, but in a few key areas significant strongly altered basement structures within prospective graphitic and metasedimentary units were the host for this mineralization, with only limited drilling of the basement at depth completed.

Moore Uranium Project Regional Drill Targets Map:

http://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/Moore-Lake-Property-Wide.jpg

At the Viper Zone, historical drilling encountered basement-hosted mineralization in hole ML-161 which returned 1.0 metre of 0.083% U 3 O 8 and was accompanied by significant pathfinder element enrichment, clay alteration and structural disruption approximately 100 metres below the unconformity. Hole ML17-08 drilled by Skyharbour in 2017 also encountered significant clay alteration and structural disruption with localized silicification and pathfinder element enrichment. In addition to the drilling results, the UAV-MAGTM survey indicates a prominent magnetic low associated with this target. The mineralization in hole ML-161 has never been followed-up down-dip, and thus represents a high-priority target for further drilling.

Moore Uranium Project Overview:

In June 2016, Skyharbour secured an option to acquire Denison Mine's Moore Uranium Project, on the southeastern side of the Athabasca Basin, in northern Saskatchewan. The project consists of 12 contiguous claims totaling 35,705 hectares located 42 kilometres northeast of the Key Lake mill, approximately 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project, and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Unconformity style uranium mineralization was discovered on the Moore Project at the Maverick Zone in April 2001. Historical drill results include 4.03% eU 3 O 8 over 10 metres including 20% eU 3 O 8 over 1.4 metres, In 2017, Skyharbour announced drill results of 6.0% U 3 O 8 over 5.9 metres including 20.8% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. In addition to the Maverick Zone, the project hosts other mineralized targets with strong discovery potential which the Company plans to test with future drill programs. The project is easily accessible by air and in winter via ice roads which simplifies logistics and lowers costs.

Moore Lake Uranium Project Geophysics Map:

http://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/MooreLake-Basic-geo-revamp.jpg

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Richard Kusmirski, P.Geo., M.Sc., Skyharbour's Head Technical Advisor and a Director, as well as a Qualified Person.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.:

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium and thorium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with six drill-ready projects. In July 2016, Skyharbour acquired an option from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, to acquire 100% of the Moore Uranium Project which is located approximately 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced stage uranium exploration project with high grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone. Drill results have returned up to 6.0% U 3 O 8 over 5.9 metres, including 20.8% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Skyharbour has signed option agreements with Orano Canada Inc. and Azincourt Energy whereby Orano and Azincourt can earn in up to 70% of specific segments of the Preston Project through a combined $9,800,000 in total exploration expenditures, as well as $1,700,000 in total cash payments and Azincourt shares. Preston is a large, geologically prospective property proximal to Fission Uranium's Triple R deposit as well as NexGen Energy's Arrow deposit. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Falcon Point Uranium Project which hosts a high-grade surface showing with up to 68% U 3 O 8 in grab samples from a massive pitchblende vein, the source of which has yet to be discovered. The Company's 100% owned Mann Lake Uranium project on the east side of the Basin is strategically located adjacent to the Mann Lake Joint Venture operated by Cameco, where high-grade uranium mineralization has been identified. Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbour's Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:

http://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/SYH_Landpackage_2014.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd..

SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD.

"Jordan Trimble"



Jordan Trimble

President and CEO

For further information contact myself or:

Simon Dyakowski

Corporate Development and Communications

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

Telephone: 604-639-3850

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@skyharbourltd.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
Lucknow, Feb 13 : The Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, on Thursday, got off to a stormy start as the entire opposition created a ruckus during the Governors address.

The protest had many colours with slogans culled from film songs and famous poems while opposition members came wearing colourful caps. Samajwadi Party members wore red caps, Bahujan Samaj Party ones came with blue and Congress MLAs came with white caps.

The colours reflected on the placards too.

As soon as Governor Anandiben Patel entered the Vidhan Sabha she was greeted with slogans like "Rajyapal wapas jao".

Members of the Samajwadi Party, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party held up placards denouncing the Yogi Adityanth government over issues like CAA, NRC, farmers' plight, law and order, child rape, unemployment and hike in prices of cooking gas.

For the first time, some placards held aloft by the SP members carried the photograph of SP President Akhilesh Yadav. One of the placards read "Mehngai dayan khai jaat hai" -- a popular song from the film "Peepli Live".

Another placard said: "Laazim hai hum bh dekhenge" form the famous poem by Faiz Ahmad Faiz.

However, unmoved by the noisy disruption, the Governor continued to read from her prepared speech.

The opposition, in a rare display of courtesy, did not throw paper balls at the Governor.

"We did not throw paper balls because the Governor happens to be a woman," said a SP MLA.

Meanwhile, the Governor's address was rather lackluster and seemed like a compilation of press releases of the Yogi government in the past year.
[February 13, 2020] Hart InterCivic Becomes Increasingly Popular Voting System

The Verity Voting system from Hart InterCivic is gaining ground as a leading election provider in the United States, with about 40% of new Verity customers leaving competing vendors for Hart. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005517/en/ In a January 2020 survey, customers who switched from another election technology vendor to Hart InterCivic said they have an overall better customer experience with Hart. (Graphic: Business Wire) Request a Verity Demo A survey, conducted in January 2020 of customers who switched from other companies to Verity showed that 93% feel they have had a better overall experience with Hart. "Not only do our election partners want the most up-to-date, secure voting technology available, they demand and deserve the most responsive customer service. We understand that transitions can be complex, and we provide top-tier professional service to help customers adapt to new technology and processes," said Julie Mathis, CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. "Other election vendors cannot honestly make these claims. Nearly 90% of our customers who have switched say Hart is more responsive and helpful. We are proud of this record, and we're shooting for 100%." Recently, Hart has seen an increase in counties choosing Verity to replace older technology from other vendors. Canyon County, Idaho, will replace their ES&S system with Verity for the March 10 primary. "I am tired of Canyon County being the example of elections going badly," Commissioner Pam White said during the approval process for Verity and quoted in the Idaho Press. "Canyon County has historically had multiple problems during elections, including late nights of ballot counting - the county finished counting ballots after 3 a.m. one election night in 2018 and at 7 a.m. the next morning in 2017. In 2018, the elections office forgot to count 39 ballots from overseas citizens and active members of the military on election night," the paper reported.



Verity will eliminate most of the human error that comes with having election poll workers distribute ballots, Haley Hicks, elections supervisor for Canyon County, told the newspaper. With 94,000 registered voters, Canyon County will rely on Verity Duo, a ballot marking device that tabulates votes from human-verifiable information, not a black box barcode or QR code.

Other systems, including ES&S, rely on converting voters' choices to barcodes to be interpreted by computer, an approach some security officials have questioned. Last year, Colorado banned the use of barcodes for counting votes over security concerns and other jurisdictions are considering similar restrictions. On Election Day in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, an improperly calibrated barcode system resulted in 26,000 votes in a highly contested race being incorrectly counted. This forced officials to hand count the paper records overnight to determine official results before they could be released to the public. "We chose to build a product that tabulates votes the right way - our competitors didn't," said Jim Canter, Chief Technology Officer at Hart InterCivic. In North Carolina, a new territory for Hart, Union County also is replacing an aging ES&S system with a Verity paper trail solution. With 147,000 registered voters, Union joins Brunswick, Chatham and Caswell counties in updating to the Hart InterCivic system. Onslow County will test Verity in the primary. In Texas, where Verity is designed and manufactured, Ward County is the latest jurisdiction to leave ES&S for Hart. Voters in Ward County will hand mark their paper ballots to be counted by Verity's patented optical scanning system. "Hart pioneered digital ballot scanning, and Verity protects every step of the election process," said Mathis. "Verity is a trustworthy, secure election solution backed by Hart's signature service and reliability. We are proud to deliver what voters need and want." Mathis expects more jurisdictions to select Hart's secure and efficient technology to replace older systems as counties prepare for 2020 elections. Learn more about Verity: https://www.hartintercivic.com/voting-solutions/verityoverview/ About Hart InterCivic Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart is committed to helping advance democracy one election at a time. Hart's mission fuels our passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The result is Verity - truly different election technology. Reimagined from the inside out, Verity Voting promises to provide jurisdictions with a future-proof investment in secure, transparent voting. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005517/en/

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Burma Chinese State Firm, HKs VPower to Implement Three Electricity Projects in Myanmar

Power transmission lines strung across Yangons Hlaing River / The Irrawaddy

YANGONAmid the governments efforts to avoid power shortages across the country, a Hong Kong company has announced that its joint venture with Chinese state-owned CNTIC will invest in three power plant projects in Myanmar with a total capacity of 900 megawatts (MW) and an estimated value of over US$800 million (1.2 trillion kyats).

Hong Kong-listed VPower Group International Holdings Limited, one of the largest investors in Myanmars electricity sector, this week said it had set up a joint venture with Chinese state-owned China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) to provide power in Myanmar.

VPower said each company held a 50 percent share in the investment, development and operations of the planned projects.

CNTIC is a subsidiary of China General Technology Group Holding Ltd. based in Beijing, one of the largest state-owned Chinese conglomerates, investing in machinery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, engineering contracting, construction, real estate and technical consulting.

VPower gave no details of the projects in Myanmar.

According to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC)s investment approval documents, the joint venture received approval in January this year and November last year to proceed with three foreign-owned power projects to generate and sell power to consumers locally.

In late January, MIC approved a $297.39-million (433-billion-kyat) gas-fired power plant at Thilawa port in Yangons Thanlyin Township. The project is expected to produce 350 MW of electricity.

The MIC documents show that in November, the government gave the green light for the JV to invest in two other gas-fired plants in Thaketa Township, south of Yangon, and Kyaukphyu Township in western Myanmars Rakhine State. It said the Thaketa plant was expected to produce 400MW with an investment of US$363 million (528 billion kyats).

With an estimated cost of $140 million (204 billion kyats), the Kyaukphyu plant also aims to generate 150MW, which is expected to distribute 20 percent of its power to Rakhine users and 80 percent to the national grid.

Kyaukphyu is in a key location for Chinese President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative. Myanmar and China signed a framework agreement for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone in November 2018. The project gives western China access to the Indian Ocean and allows its oil and gas imports to bypass the Strait of Malacca.

According to MIC, VPower has invested in Myanmars power sector since 2015. In October 2019 the company announced it won a tender for the implementation of a 20 MW gas plant approved by Myanmars Electric Power Generation Enterprise (EPGE).

The company has also invested an estimated $65 million (95 billion kyats) in a 90-MW power plant on land owned by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy in Taung Tha Township, Mandalay Region.

It also invested in a 145-MW gas power plant in Kyaukse Township in Mandalay Region in a joint venture.

In January, VPower received approval from MIC to implement a 21-MW power plant at Kyun Chaung in Magwe Region.

Myanmar has Southeast Asias lowest rates of access to electricity, experiencing regular blackouts during the hot season. Hydropower remains Myanmars main source of electricity, followed by natural gas and heavily polluting coal.

Electricity and energy minister U Win Khaing said last year that the ministry aimed for 55 percent of the population to have access to power by 2020-21, 75 percent by 2025-26 and 100 percent by 2030-31.

The ministry predicted up to 1,600 MW of shortages this year. Last year the government said it planned to buy 1,000 MW from the Guangzhou-based state-owned enterprise China Southern Power Grid to cover some of the shortfall.

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Facebook Removes More Than 20 Accounts, Pages Linked to Myanmar Military-Backed Mytel

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Yangon Pollution Hits Danger Levels Each Morning: Monitors
Looker in the Report for the Third Consecutive Year

Looker, a leading data platform company, today announced that Gartner, Inc. has positioned the company in the Challengers quadrant in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms1. Looker was first included in the Magic Quadrant in 2018 making this the third consecutive year the company has continued being positioned in this report.

"The growing demand for tools that close the gap between discovering insights and taking action is creating a profound change in the way we use data in the workplace," said Nick Caldwell, Chief Product Officer at Looker. "At Looker our vision is to meet this demand by enabling data experiences that go far beyond traditional business intelligence. We are building features, integrations and developer tools that infuse data into the day-to-day tools and workflows of people in all industries across all departments."

"CarGurus' technology-driven approach to building the most trusted and transparent automotive marketplace brings data analytics to the core of everything we do," said Bryan Kaufman, Senior Data Applications Engineer at CarGurus. "Looker plays an integral role in our daily operations, providing employees across the company with access to site instrumentation statistics, key internal financial and sales reporting, and up-to-date strategic initiative performance. This gives us full visibility into our data to derive actionable insights on millions of car listings and shoppers every day."

Looker is the platform for data that puts real, actionable information into the hands of its customers across their organization when they need it by infusing data experiences into day-to-day workflows. It allows virtually any organization to extract value from data at web scale and embed customized Looker data experiences. More than 2,000 companies are using Looker and half of those companies are integrating insights and experiences beyond Looker with over 5,000 developers creating data experiences on the platform.

Download a complimentary copy of Gartner's 2020 Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms, and learn more in this blog entitled Looker and the Magic Quadrant: A Shift In the Market.

For more information on a specific use case, Looker is hosting a webinar with its customer Allbound on Thursday, March 5th at 10am PT entitled: Generating ROI with Embedded Analytics.

Looker will be participating at the Gartner Data Analyst Summit in London from March 9 11, 2020 at booth PL15. Looker customer, Scott Joslin, SVP of Data Strategy at Warner Media International, will be speaking on Tuesday, March 10th at 3pm with a session entitled 'Static to Dynamic: Driving Data Democratization in Media.'

Pedro Arellano, Looker's Vice President of Product Marketing, will be presenting at the Gartner Data Analytics Summit 2020 in Grapevine, Texas on Monday, March 23rd, 1:15pm 2:00pm, and Looker will be exhibiting at the conference from March 23rd 26th at booth 304.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Looker

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Looker and associated marks and trademarks are registered trademarks of Looker Data Sciences, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Teagasc/Boortmalt Malting Barley Conference

The drinks industry in Ireland, and in particular whiskey sales, has expanded considerably over the past number of years. This increase in demand has had a knock on effect for the Irish malting barley sector, with the area of malting barley being grown in Ireland increasing over the past number of years to meet demand. This gives Irish growers opportunities to enter a niche market with their produce and increase farm profitability.

This increase in demand has had a knock on effect for the Irish malting barley sector, with the area of malting barley being grown in Ireland increasing over the past number of years to meet demand

This was the backdrop to discussions at this years malting barley conference which took place on Monday, 10 February in Enniscorthy Co. Wexford. The annual event was organised as part of the Teagasc/Boortmalt joint programme which is currently in its second year.

Kieran Kilcawley, from Teagasc Moorepark, outlined a research project that he is currently working on. His research examines the area of Terroir in whiskey. Terroir is a concept which states that taste and smell of whiskey can be directly associated with where the malting barley crop has been grown and factors such as soil type and location can impact taste. This research is ongoing, however initial results have indicated that there is a link between the location of the crop and its taste.

Growers attending received an update on the activities over the past year from the Teagasc/Boortmalt joint programme. Eoin Lyons, Teagasc/Boortmalt programme advisor, outlined the farm trials that were carried out on the monitor farms over the past year. Issues such as catch crops, aphid control and growth regulator were all topics for discussion on the night. Nitrogen rate for malting barley for the coming season was also discussed. The situation with regard to nitrogen retained in the soil this year compared to last could not be more different. High rainfall, large crop offtakes and poor cover crops will all point towards a low level of nitrogen present in soil this year and therefore nitrogen requirement for this years malt crop will have to be altered in order to optimise yield and protein.

With the loss of Chlorothalonil next May, control of Ramularia in spring malting barley will become increasingly difficult. With this in mind, Steven Kildea, crops researcher in Teagasc Oak Park, gave an update on what alternatives are available for Ramularia control when Chlorothalonil goes off the market. Steven updated the attendees on the trial work completed last season. The trial work showed that there are alternatives to Bravo on the market but they may not be as effective. However, with his final remarks, he stated that the situation in relation to Ramularia control measures is much more positive compared to a year ago.

Finally, Tom Bryan, technical manager with Boortmalt, outlined the companys plans for 2020. He indicated that the new malting barley facility in Athy is now complete and operational with the reconstruction of the old facility due to be completed shortly. He added that with this increase in the malting capacity in Athy, the company aims to purchase a record quantity of malting barley this season, increasing its total tonnage to 180,000 tonne.
Former Deputy Education Minister-in-charge of Tertiary, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has debunked the assertion made by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that without the temporary hold-up double-track system in place the Free Senior High Policy will not have been successful.



The Vice President shed more light on the Akufo-Addo administrations philosophy on education when he addressed participants at the two-day Government Townhall and Results Fair taking place at the Great Hall of the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, on Tuesday 11th February 2020.



We had a big challenge, however. We did not have sufficient infrastructure in most schools to accommodate the increased numbers (The free SHS has resulted in a 69% increase in enrollment). Today, 1.2 million children are benefiting from free SHS. The question we faced was Whose Child Should be left at home? he rhetorically asked.



Commenting on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is also the NDC MP for North Tongu, indicted the NPP government for not thinking through the Free Senior High Policy before rolling it out.



To him, the double-track system is an after-thought because the people at the helm of affairs hit a dead end.



Why didnt they tell Ghanaians that the free SHS they were coming to implement, they will use the double-track system to do it? So, the double track is after-thought, an ad-hoc measure based on the fact that they were not prepared for the free SHS."



If you dont formulate your policy well if you dont think through and you are not rigorous with your analysis, you have a faulty landing, then you have no choice but to be scrambling around and that is why they introduced double trackthey knew that free SHS is possible without double track and that is why double-track didnt feature in their manifestos, he reiterated.



The North Tongu lawmaker said that the NDC has no plan to displace any student when they come to power as the ruling NPP is speculating based on the fact that the Mahama government will abolish the double-track system.



We are talking about an emergency infrastructure expansion. If you look at our track record in 2010/2011 academic year, we could have said that President Kuffour didnt put measures in place to cater for the 4-year term and also say that we didnt extend it from 3 years to 4 years and so we should do double track where some students will be asked to stay home or even ask them to wait for the next academic year when we return to 3-year system. Those were all policy options available but they were the lazy mans options and so we didnt adopt any of the lazy mans options. We chose the hard-working, visionary mans option and that visionary man option was to embark on an emergency infrastructure expansion. When there is a will, there is always a way, he pontificated.













Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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PRINCETON, New Jersey, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning February 15, students worldwide can view TOEFL iBT Reading and Listening section scores on screen immediately upon conclusion of the test. These unofficial scores can be used by students as an early performance indicator and can help them make well-informed decisions - such as reporting their scores at the end of the test - based on this performance.

These scores are viewable to students prior to leaving the test center, and can be viewed again via their full, official score reports approximately six days after the test date, via the TOEFL Official App or their online account.

"The TOEFL iBT test is the only English-language assessment that provides students the ability to view scores immediately following the test," said Srikant Gopal, Executive Director of the TOEFL Program. "Our commitment to students and institutions drives the changes and enhancements we've implemented over the last several months - they ensure the testing experience is as convenient and flexible as possible for students, while maintaining the rigorous standards of a fair and unbiased assessment that institutions rely on as a valid measure of academic English-language proficiency."

In addition, recent ETS policy updates have made online registration more convenient than ever. Students can now register online for an upcoming test administration just two days before a test (formerly four days).

"We understand that students worldwide will face deadlines and unexpected circumstances that may require them to make decisions later in the process," said Gopal. "We're confident this updated policy will provide ample opportunity for students to register at a time that is most conducive to their schedules."

To learn more about the new instant scoring feature and updated registration policy, as well as other enhancements implemented over the last several months, please visit www.ets.org/toefl/better_test_experience. For general information on the TOEFL test, please visit www.ets.org/toefl.

About the TOEFL Test

The TOEFL test of academic English is a product offered by nonprofit ETS. The test is welcomed by more than 11,000 institutions in over 150 countries worldwide and is universally accepted in popular English-speaking destinations like the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and by over 98 percent of universities in the U.K., including 100 percent of Russell Group institutions. The test is preferred over other English-language tests in the United States and key European destinations like France and Germany. In Canada, the TOEFL test is preferred by graduate admissions officers. With central scoring of the test through a combination of anonymous human raters and AI scoring technology, the TOEFL test offers a 100 percent fair and unbiased alternative. More information regarding the TOEFL test, including registration, study tips and sample questions, is available on the TOEFL Go Anywhere website at www.toeflgoanywhere.org.
The Chinese province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in the death toll on Thursday, as global health experts warned the epidemic could get far worse before it is brought under control.

Beijing: The Chinese province at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in the death toll on Thursday, as global health experts warned the epidemic could get far worse before it is brought under control.

Health officials in Hubei province said 242 people had died from the flu-like virus on Wednesday, the fastest rise in the daily count since the pathogen was identified in December, and bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 1,310. The previous record rise in the toll was 103 on 10 February.

The grim new tally came a day after China had reported its lowest number of new coronavirus cases in two weeks, bolstering a forecast by Beijings senior medical adviser for the outbreak there to end by April.

But the 2,015 new confirmed cases reported in mainland China on Wednesday was dwarfed by the 14,840 new cases reported in Hubei alone on Thursday when provincial officials said they had adopted a new methodology for counting infections.

It was not immediately clear how the new methodology affected the results, nor why the death toll rose so sharply.

Asian stock markets wobbled and the safe-havens of the Japanese yen, gold and bonds rose after the Hubei numbers were reported.

Results from Chinese trials testing a combination of antiviral drugs used to treat HIV against the new coronavirus are due in weeks, but experts say a vaccine could still be months away.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned any apparent slowdown in the spread of the epidemic should be viewed with extreme caution.

This outbreak could still go in any direction, he told a briefing in Geneva.

Another expert said that while the coronavirus may be peaking in China, this was not the case elsewhere.

It has spread to other places where its the beginning of the outbreak, Dale Fisher, head of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network coordinated by the WHO, said in an interview in Singapore. In Singapore, we are at the beginning.

Singapore has 50 cases, including one found at its biggest bank, DBS (DBSM.SI), on Wednesday that caused an evacuation at the head office.

Hundreds of infections have been reported in more than two dozen other countries and territories, but only two people have died from the virus outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong and another in the Philippines.

Tedros said a WHO-led advance team that travelled to China this week had made good progress on the composition and scope of its work.

The head of the WHOs emergency programme, Dr Mike Ryan, said it was too early to predict the beginning, the middle or end of the epidemic.

Quarantined Cruises

The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off the Japanese port of Yokohama, with 175 of about 3,700 people on board having tested positive.

The ships operator, Carnival Corp (CCL.N), is among foreign companies taking a hit from the outbreak, with many flights suspended and businesses disrupted.

Planemaker Boeing (BA.N) said airlines were facing a fall in profits as the crisis reduces passenger demand and prolongs weakness in economically sensitive air freight.

Global ship deliveries have also been dented as yards in China, one of the biggest shipbuilders, struggle to get fully back to work.

There was a happy ending in sight for another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, which Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines had refused to let dock over fears one of its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew might have the virus.

Cambodia agreed to let it land, the Holland America Line said.

This is an example of international solidarity we have been consistently calling for, WHO chief Tedros said. Outbreaks can bring out the best and the worst in people.

The outbreak is suspected to have originated in the Hubei provincial capital of Wuhan in December. The city of 11 million people remains under virtual lockdown, and other major Chinese cities are facing severe travel restrictions.

The latest big event to be cancelled moved or postponed was the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, originally set for Shanghai on 19 April.
Another Indycar team has turned down the services of Fernando Alonso, as the Spaniard's Indy 500 dream collapses for 2020.

The former F1 driver had reportedly agreed a deal to attempt the final victory of his 'triple crown' with the top Andretti team.

But engine supplier Honda, still reeling from Alonso's highly critical comments from their collaboration at McLaren, reportedly vetoed the deal.

38-year-old Alonso therefore turned his attention to the Chevrolet powered teams, including the one headed by Indycar driver Ed Carpenter.

The two-time F1 champion was again turned down.

"We're not positioned to run more than three. We're a two-car team," Carpenter told NBC Sports.

"If we doubled the size of our team for May, it wouldn't be good for everybody."

(GMM)
Chancellor Sajid Javid has sensationally walked out of Boris Johnsons cabinet in protest at a Dominic Cummings-driven power grab to give 10 Downing Street greater control over the Treasury.

Mr Javids dramatic resignation threw what was intended to be a relatively modest reshuffle into disarray, and cast doubt over the date of the all-important Budget, which had been due to take place in just 27 days time on 11 March.

But there were suspicions that No 10 was prepared for the move, as Treasury chief secretary Rishi Sunak was summoned within minutes to be promoted to his old bosss job.

Mr Sunak indicated that he was ready to accept Mr Cummings demand that the chancellor should lose his independent team of special advisers at the Treasury and instead rely on a joint economic unit of advisers under No 10s control.

In an apparent swipe at his successors compliance, Mr Javid said that these were conditions that no self-respecting minister would accept.

And in his resignation letter, the former chancellor made a series of barely concealed warnings over the growing power wielded by Mr Cummings as the PMs most senior adviser.

Cautioning Mr Johnson that he would continue to need the clear and candid advice that he had offered as chancellor, Mr Javid added: I also believe that it is important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you wish to be associated with.

In a sign of concern over the potential for No 10 to overrule the Treasury, he urged the PM to allow his former department to retain as much credibility as possible under the new arrangements and to play a central role in driving the economic agenda.

Sources close to the chancellor said that Mr Johnson assured Mr Javid that he wanted him to stay on at the Treasury and believed him to be the best person for the job before laying down the demand that he replace all his advisers.

Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government  and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty

His walkout made him the shortest-lived chancellor in 50 years and meant he left office without ever having delivered a Budget, having seen his planned statement in the autumn cancelled because of the election.

The rivalry with Mr Johnsons aide dates back to the sacking last year of one of the chancellors closest advisers, who was frogmarched out of Downing Street at Mr Cummings orders.

Mr Cummings was not in Thursdays meeting, but it is understood he had clashed with Mr Javid over the chancellors commitment to balance the current budget in the next three years, which denied Mr Johnson leeway for tax giveaways at the election and risked leaving the government with a 10bn black hole.

No 10 was also still thought to be fuming over last weeks leak of the chancellors support for the HS2 rail line, which was seen as an attempt to seize glory for the multibillion-pound project days ahead of Mr Johnsons public confirmation that he was giving it the green light.

Downing Street would not say whether Mr Johnson regarded the government as committed to Mr Javids fiscal rules, saying only that they had featured in the 2019 manifesto.

The PMs spokesperson also declined to confirm that the Budget would go ahead on 11 March.

Asked if the date could be moved, the spokesperson said: Extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace.

He insisted that the Budget would be written, as normal, by the chancellor and his Treasury officials.

But it was made clear that they will receive political input from the new joint advisers team for 10 and 11 Downing Street, who are to be appointed over the coming days.

A No 10 source played down fears that this might cause tensions at the top of government, insisting there was not a cigarette paper between Mr Johnson and his new chancellor.

The pound tumbled briefly following Mr Javids resignation, but rallied strongly as traders apparently calculated that a stronger No 10 grip on the Budget process increased the likelihood of a spending splurge.

At 39, Mr Sunak is the second youngest chancellor in more than a century, following George Osborne, who was 38 when he entered No 11 in 2010.

But after just five years in parliament, he does not wield anything like the clout of Mr Osborne, who was a recognised part of a tightly-knit power duo with David Cameron, leading some observers to suggest he would be chancellor in name only.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: This must be a historical record with the government in crisis after just over two months in power.

Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as chancellor.

Former permanent secretary Lord Macpherson, who was the Treasurys most senior civil servant for 11 years under chancellors Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling and George Osborne, warned that an imbalance of power in favour of No 10 risked reducing its effectiveness as a brake on profligate initiatives.

Quoting Keynes description of the Treasury as an essential bulwark against overwhelming wickedness, he said: Prime ministers who seek to weaken it generally end up regretting it.

And he said Mr Johnson had made Mr Sunak virtually unsackable: As Ken Clarke used to say, no PM can afford to sack two chancellors. The position of Mr Javids successor will be stronger as a result.
If it was up to Stan McKenzie of McKenzie Farms and Nursery to prepare his bok choy and lemons for a Southeastern Wildlife Exposition crowd, hed put them both in a pan.

Id probably do a stir fry with shrimp and soy sauce over white rice, with a little green onion to boot, says the Scranton, S.C., farmer, who also grows yuzus, citrumelos and citranges, an orange hybrid more common in Florida.

But it will fall to pastry chef Tania Harris of The Lazy Goat in Greenville to decide what to do with McKenzies produce for a demo session. Their pairing is one of 17 scheduled for the SEWE Kitchen Stage, sponsored by the S.C. Department of Agriculture; this is the third year that the agency invited food writers Matt and Ted Lee to curate the lineup.

Partnering chefs with farmers and fishermen obviously brings into play a lot of interesting personalities and stories, Matt Lee says of the format. And its easy for everyone in the audience to see the close relationship between them.

In some cases, the featured chef and farmer have known one another for years. For example, John Ondo of The Atlantic Room at Kiawah Island Resort is set to share the stage with grits maker Greg Johnsman of Geechie Boy Mill. In other instances, the chef knows the product well, but isnt acquainted with the person responsible for it until the two meet up at SEWE.

Last year, pastry chef Cynthia Wong was asked to collaborate with Patrick Myers of Lowcountry Creamery, which has always supplied the milk for Life Raft Treats Not Fried Chicken and other popular ice cream confections. After the two jointly explained the attributes and importance of quality dairy to SEWE attendees, Myers invited Wong to his farm. She ended up taking her sons to visit with Myers Jersey cows.

Its fun because the venue is neutral ground where chefs and farmers can come together and form a friendship, Ted Lee says.

As for McKenzie and Harris, theyre strangers. The Lees put them together based on Harris affinity for the piquant and sweet and tropical stuff, Matt Lee says. Everyone jokes that pineapple is her favorite fruit, so we knew wed have to find something at the Southern edge of whats possible.

Harris, a S.C. Chef Ambassador, graduated from culinary school in her native Mexico City, where she later worked for Nestle. Her inclination to combine sugar with tart fruit surfaces on her menu in the form of goat cheese panna cotta with pomegranate seeds and coconut rice pudding with caramelized pineapple.

Ted Lee says they settled on McKenzie as her farmer foil after learning about his work from Kelly Vogelheim of Town Hall Restaurant in Florence. (Vogelheim is also taking the stage at SEWE. Shell be cooking with pork supplied by Gra Moore of Carolina Heritage Farms.)

She used him to get persimmons, so hes sort of a fruit matchmaker, Lee says. Hes known as a citrus wizard.

Matt Lee adds, What hes doing is inherently interesting to us: Is it possible to grow citrus here at the commercial level, and what are the limits? I hear hes pushing the limits.

When reached by The Post and Courier, McKenzie confirmed the Lees characterization.

Blow it up big: Your source for South Carolina citrus, he said, envisioning his farms name in 48-point type. Global warming got us with that freeze in January 2018, but were on the comeback trail.

S.C. citrus will also figure into the dish that Delaney Oyster House chef Shamil Valazquez devised to showcase Barrier Island Oysters grown by Josh Eboch; hes planning to serve them on the half shell with a sunflower seed chimichurri, sunchoke chip and sunflower chip.

At press time, Harris hadnt yet sketched out her dish. But the Lees say they dont mind when the chefs leading sessions court serendipity, and they suspect the growers on the schedule feel much the same.

What we have more of this year is the kind of farmer whos really adventuresome and doing creative things, Matt Lee says. Theres a restlessness and eagerness to find new ideas and push new flavors to chefs.

For the first time, SEWE attendees this year are guaranteed a taste of those flavors. While participating chefs have always been encouraged to distribute samples, theyre now required to do so.

Also new this year is a session aimed at children, and a mandate that all restaurants represented register with the states Fresh on the Menu program, a certification only available to restaurants at which 25 percent or more of the ingredients come from South Carolina. That condition led to Sushi-Wa backing out, since its chef couldnt guarantee he would be able to restrict his seafood purchases.

They had the principles to say, We cant, in good faith, make this pledge, Matt Lee says.

Among the Charleston area restaurants up for the challenge were Gabrielle and Workmens Cafe, which are likely to take very different approaches to the ingredients theyre provided.

Were always hoping for that element of surprise, Matt Lee says, recalling when Rodney Scott last year marched into the tent with a whole hog. We match-make these things hoping something new will develop.
Hard seltzer began to catch fire during the summer of 2018 but became an industrywide conflagration in 2019 as the White Claw brand family grew a whopping 330 percent, generating more than $833 million in sales, according to Chicago-based market research firm IRI. The second-biggest hard seltzer brand, Truly, also had a strong 2019, growing 180 percent to nearly $369 million in sales.
The NATO's training mission was suspended last month after the US drone strike at Baghdad airport

Related NATO suspends Iraq training mission after Soleimani killing

The Iraqi government has given NATO the green light to stay in the country, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday, weeks after Iraq demanded that foreign forces leave over the US killing of Iran's top general at Baghdad airport.

``The government of Iraq has confirmed to us their desire for a continuation of the NATO training, advising and capacity building activities for the Iraqi armed forces,'' Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels during a meeting of allied defense ministers.

``We will only stay in Iraq as long as we are welcome,'' he added.

NATO's Canada-led training mission was launched in 2018 and involves around 500 troops. It was suspended last month after the US drone strike. The plan now is to move hundreds of trainers working with the international force fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq over to that mission.

Unlike the international coalition, NATO's training effort does not involve combat operations.

Stoltenberg provided no details about how many troops might be added to the training force or what new activities they might eventually undertake, but more could be made public after he meets top officials in the anti-IS coalition in Munich, Germany on Friday.

Officials have said that ``a couple of hundred'' troops would change roles. The first step would be to expand the training to three more bases in central Iraq. A second step, possibly over the summer, would see the mission's mandate changed to take over more activities currently handled by the coalition.

The move is basically a re-branding exercise meant to satisfy US President Donald Trump's demand that NATO do more in the Middle East region. No additional troops are to be deployed to the region.

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RTHK: US files more charges against Huawei

The US Justice Department has brought more criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou and several of its subsidiaries, accusing the company of plotting to steal trade secrets from competitors.

The company is also accused of installing surveillance equipment that enabled Iranian authorities to monitor and subsequently detain protesters during anti-government demonstrations in 2009, and of lying to competitors and US government about business it was doing in North Korea despite the imposition of sanctions there.

Meng is currently fighting extradition from Canada, where she had been arrested at US request over a related probe into Huawei's violations of US sanctions.

The case comes as the Trump administration is raising national security concerns about Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and is aggressively lobbying Western allies against including the company in the latest 5G wireless networks.

The latest indictment brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn adds charges of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to steal trade secrets to the earlier charges of lying to banks about deals that violated economic sanctions against Iran. Federal prosecutors in Seattle have brought a separate trade secrets theft case against the company.

The latest allegations accuse Huawei of plotting to steal the trade secrets and intellectual property of rival companies in the US In some cases, prosecutors said, Huawei recruited former employees of rival companies and also offered bonuses to its own employees to steal information from competitors.

The company also used proxies, including professors at research institutions, to steal intellectual property, prosecutors said.

The stolen information including antenna and robot testing technology as well as user manuals for internet routers.

In May 2013, according to the indictment, a Huawei employee removed a robot arm from the lab of another company, and measurements and photographs of the arm were then shared with company engineers.

In another allegation, a professor at a Chinese university entered into a contract with Huawei to develop prototype software for memory hardware, then signed a licensing agreement with a rival company that offered the professor access to its own proprietary technology.

The company has consistently denied the allegations against it.

Trump administration officials have recently levelled national security allegations against Huawei in an effort to encourage European nations to ban the gear from next-generation cellular networks. (AP)

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
"We do have standalone 5G plans and thats what were working on," he said.

"We will not do anything jointly until this thing is fully clear and we are able to combine both companies together," Mr Berroeta told analysts on a call following the decision.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia boss Inaki Berroeta was all smiles on Thursday after the court threw out a decision by the ACCC to block its merger with broadband player TPG. Credit:Louie Douvis

Vodafone's local boss Inaki Berroeta was taking a cautious approach on Thursday despite the Federal Court finding in its favour and overturning a decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to block the merger after Justice John Middleton found it would not substantially lessen competition and thus harm consumers.

Vodafone Hutchison Australia will hold off on utilising the massive amounts of spectrum it has acquired through its $15 billion merger with TPG in case the competition watchdog appeals a ruling that approved the tie-up.

The ACCC will have several weeks before it has to decide whether to launch an appeal against the ruling which left the chairman of the regulator Rod Sims saying he was "disappointed". Mr Sims told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald it was too soon to say whether the watchdog would appeal the decision until its lawyers had read the court ruling. If the ACCC appeals, it will be several months before the outcome is known.

TPG owns two times10 MHz of the 700 MHz spectrum, which it intended to use to build a fourth mobile 4G network before abandoning its plans when the federal government banned its preferred technology provider Huawei for security reasons. The merger means that Vodafone would be able to use that spectrum to further develop its network.

"What 5G gives us is the opportunity to deliver more to the customers in a very different way," Mr Berroeta said.

"5G does allow for additional services and additional revenue and this where I think the opportunity for 5G comes, much more than charging a higher access fee.

"The amount of traffic that 5G will carry in the next couple of years still will be limited. So we also need to take into consideration the capacity that we provide for the main service, 4G," he said.
As focus turns to combating the coronavirus, people with life-threatening diseases say their needs are being neglected.

Chengdu, China  Authorities in China are stepping up efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak in the central city of Wuhan, deploying thousands of nurses and doctors to the outbreaks epicentre and building new hospitals at breakneck speed to treat the tens of thousands infected.

The virus, which has killed more than 1,100 people, has stretched Chinas healthcare system, leaving not only those who have the virus, but also those battling even more severe and life-threatening diseases without access to medical care or even the drugs they need.

In Wuhan, whose 11 million residents are living under a virus-related lockdown, many people requiring treatment for conditions such as cancer and kidney disease say their medical needs have been neglected because of the focus on containing the outbreak. The virus, officially named Covid-19, can cause pneumonia and, in some cases, multiple organ failure and death.

Ruyi Wan is among those shut out from the system.

The 20-year-old woman was diagnosed with leukaemia in May last year, and was unable to beat the disease despite undergoing three rounds of chemotherapy.

Her symptoms persisted: the treatment made her vomit, develop ulcers, and lose hair, her mother Juan Wan said.

Shes not afraid of all these, but she is terrified of the pain. Her legs hurt, her chest hurts, her stomach hurts  She is in too much pain to even stand straight or go to the bathroom by herself.





In December, doctors recommended Wan try chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, in which a patients immune cells are altered to attack cancer cells, followed by a bone marrow transplant. But in January, the doctors came with the bad news: the bone marrow bank in Wuhan had been closed because of the viral outbreak.

Treatments on hold

Wans parents tried to seek help in neighbouring Hebei Province, but were told that no hospitals were accepting patients from Wuhan.

Her mother said the news was devastating for Wan.

Please let me die! I cant bear this pain anymore! her mother recalled the young woman telling her last week.

Wans case is not uncommon in Wuhan, where 28 of the 146 hospitals in the city have been designated to treat patients infected with the new virus.

A doctor at Wuhans Tongji Hospital, who requested anonymity, told Al Jazeera that the outbreak has affected treatment for most other ailments.

Most surgeries have been postponed due to the large number of unconfirmed coronavirus cases, [and] we have to be wearing full gear to do the normally basic surgeries, and we simply dont have enough supplies, she said.

As a result, its unfortunate that many patients, including cancer patients, are not getting proper treatment.





Other patients who are struggling to obtain medical treatment include people who need dialysis for late-stage kidney disease.

Xiaohong Min, a diabetic woman who contracted the coronavirus while also receiving treatment for kidney failure, messaged a support group set up on WeChat on February 8 saying she did not know how long she could last, according to messages seen by Al Jazeera.

The group, one of a number that have appeared on the app, is called non-pneumonia patients seeking help and includes about 200 people.

It was not the coronavirus that was killing her, according to the 42-year-old woman, who described her symptoms as mild. She said she feared for her life because no hospital could give her dialysis treatment.

No hospitals are accepting coronavirus-infected patients except for the designated hospitals, but all of those are so packed and Ive been waiting for six days to get hospitalised, Min wrote to the group.

My pneumonia symptoms are not severe, but because I havent had dialysis for so long, the toxin has been building up in my body for almost a week, and I havent eaten for four days  I dont even need to get admitted to hospitals; I just need to get dialysis once and that will help me get through another three or four days.

After almost nine days without dialysis, Min said on Tuesday that she had finally received treatment for her kidneys at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital.





Medical workers at several hospitals in Wuhan told Al Jazeera that there were a large number of dialysis patients who have not been getting proper treatment since the coronavirus outbreak.

I have been constantly trying to link my patients to other hospitals after our dialysis centre was closed due to the outbreak, said Ling Ding, head nurse at the dialysis centre of Wuhans Hanyang Hospital. But all places are packed, so its an incredibly difficult situation.

Hoping for a miracle

Al Jazeera contacted Wuhans health commission for comment, but officials had not responded at the time of publication.

Jianhua Wang, deputy chief physician of the nephrology department at Wuhan Central Hospital, told Al Jazeera the government had closed off the dialysis centres in all the designated hospitals to treat fever patients for the purpose of avoiding cross-infection.

He added: We are aware of the large number of dialysis patients and are working around the clock to make sure they get treatment while minimising risk of infection.

The decision to shut down public transport has also affected those with chronic diseases who need regular medication, including people with conditions such as HIV [human immunodeficiency virus] .

I havent been able to get my drugs for three days because of the suspension of public transport, and I dont know where I could get the drugs, wrote one person with HIV in a WeChat group using the the pseudonym Xiaohui.

People with underlying conditions are also those with more vulnerability to the virus, and the WeChat groups are a way for them to find the support  medical, emotional or financial  that they need.

When a grain of ash of the age falls on the shoulder of one person, it becomes a mountain, Shing Di, who started the group where Min posted her plea, told Al Jazeera, quoting an old Chinese saying. People are suffering and its not only unethical but also impossible for me to look away.

While Min, was finally able to get dialysis, leukaemia patient Wan Ruyi continues to wait.

Ruyi is too weak to be transported now, her mother said.

But we are still waiting  I hope for a miracle because Ruyi is so young and has so many dreams. We cant let her die.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that there is a chance of forming a narrow right-wing government after the election  i.e., one that would depend on at least 61 mandates  and he is thus chasing after every possible vote. As part of this sprint for votes, Netanyahu pushed Feb. 9 for a government decision on bringing to Israel 400 new immigrants from Ethiopia who have first-degree relations in Israel. He is doing so while ignoring strong opposition from many elements within the Ethiopian community in Israel who claim that those potential immigrants are not Jewish and not interested in being Jewish, but are using an opportunity to leave Ethiopia, whose economic situation is dire. Some have even told Al-Monitor that bringing in these Christian Ethiopians will hurt the Likud party and decrease support for it among Jewish Israeli Ethiopians.

Netanyahu promoted this decision even against the opposition of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and the legal adviser to the prime ministers office, Shlomit Barnea Farago, who both believe that there is a legal impediment to approving this decision. An opinion presented to the ministers before the Feb. 9 debate argued that the decision would constitute a benefit to a voting public that could be seen as motivated by political considerations. The opinion sharply criticizes the lack of comprehensive groundwork and verified data on the number of people at transit camps in Ethiopia who seek to emigrate to Israel. It further stated that no reason has been given that points to concrete urgency to make the decision less than a month before the election date. Likewise, this does not relate to continuity in implementing government policy but rather to a change in policy. There is concern that making this decision will restrict the judgement of a new government. Therefore, there is concern that accepting the suggestion at this time would constitute a benefit to a certain electoral sector, which could be seen as motivated by election campaign considerations.

Ultra-Orthodox Interior Minister Aryeh Deri could have also become an opponent of the decision, following the opposition of several rabbis to bringing non-Jews to Israel. Eventually, Deri supported the proposal, apparently toeing the line with Netanyahus demands in order to help him in the election campaign.

Netanyahu boasted at the government meeting that he is responsible for bringing thousands of immigrants from Ethiopia in his decade in office, and promised that budgets would be allocated to absorb and integrate the new immigrants and to fight racism toward the Ethiopian community. The recent Cabinet decision relies on government decisions from 2016 and 2018, according to which Ethiopian citizens should be admitted as immigrants if they have first-degree relations in Israel, most of whom are from the Falash Mura  descendants of Jews who converted to Christianity in the 19th century, who are now living in transit camps in Gondar and Addis Ababa. Their immigration in the past and their immigration now falls under the provisions of the Law of Entry to Israel and not the Law of Return, which applies only to Jews or descendants of Jews. Government decisions have determined that the conditions for bringing in this group require an official request from a first-degree relative living in Israel, being on a list of those waiting at transit camps, consent to undergo a conversion process, and more.

A decisive factor in reaching the decision in 2016 was the political pressure exerted by then-Knesset member Avraham Nagosa and Knesset member David Amsalem, both from the Likud, who leveraged the then-narrow majority of the government, which depended on 61 Knesset members. The two announced that they will not vote with the government in the Knesset if it does not accept the decision to bring the thousands of Falash Mura and their relatives from Ethiopia.

The current government decision follows the return of Knesset member Gadi Yabarkan from the rival Blue and White party to the Likud last month. With these two moves Netanyahu hopes to ensure the votes of the Ethiopian community for the Likud. More than 130,000 Ethiopians live in Israel, and their electoral power is estimated at two to three mandates. Even though the vote of the community is not uniform, many of them have traditionally voted for parties on the right, but in the latest election, in September 2019, many votes shifted to Blue and White. This is both because it put two Ethiopian candidates on its list and because the community wished to register a protest at the accidental killing in June 2019 of an Ethiopian youth  Solomon Tekah  by a policeman, an event that drew violent protests against the police and the government.

The debate over the immigration of these 400 people has torn apart the two parts of the Ethiopian Israeli community, Beta Israel and the Falash Mura. Beta Israel had maintained Judaism in Ethiopia over the years and were brought to Israel during the 1980s and 1990s. As aforementioned, the Falash Mura are Christian of Jewish descent, who converted in the 19th century for various reasons and sought to immigrate to Israel, with the support of Jewish organizations. In 2003, a decision was made to bring this group to Israel as well, which was estimated to number a few thousand, but has grown over the years. Tens of thousands of Falash Mura, who gathered at transit camps in Addis Ababa and Gondar, have already immigrated to Israel. The constant growth in their numbers stems from the wish of the group and organizations that support them to unite families, and thus more and more relatives are added to the list. The number of people waiting now in Ethiopia to immigrate to Israel is estimated at 9,000.

Uri Prednick, chairman of the movement to promote the immigration of Ethiopian Jews, said that indeed many thousands of people in Ethiopia wish to immigrate to Israel to be united with their families. We have to do justice once and for all with the remnant of Ethiopian Jewry who left their villages and gave up all their property to immigrate to Israel. Bringing them will ease the burden of thousands of families in Israel who greatly suffer because of the cruel separation from their loved ones, he told Al-Monitor.

On the other hand, Ayanau Pareda Senbeto, a journalist who immigrated in 1991 with his parents as part of Operation Solomon, said that Christian immigration poses an existential threat to Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Those who now await immigration are no longer Falash Mura, he told Al-Monitor, but total Christians who cause a growth of Christian missionizing and a sharp rise in the number of Ethiopians who attend churches in Israel.

Kes Avihu Azarya, a respected religious leader of the Jewish Ethiopian community, said that because the Kessim, the religious and spiritual leaders of the community, have not been asked to verify the entitlement of Ethiopians (their linkage to Judaism and to the community) to immigrate to Israel attests to the process not being clean and that people are being brought who have no connection to Judaism or even to the Falash Mura. He accused the Chief Rabbinate of not being involved in the process and not preventing the immigration of people who have no connection to Judaism.

However, this effort has already failed, since in the past two decades tens of thousands of Falash Mura have been brought to Israel, who now wish to bring their relatives as well.
The chief of the World Health Organisation has urged countries to work together against the "grave threat" posed by the coronavirus outbreak as an expert revealed there was potential for billions across the world to be infected by the deadly virus.

The WHO is holding a conference in Geneva on combating the virus, which has killed more than 1100 people in China and spread to dozens of countries around the world.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said viruses could have "more powerful consequences than any terrorist action".

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged nations to take extra precautions in the prevention of the coronavirus spread. Source: AP

Although 99 per cent of the infections are in China, where it remains "very much an emergency", it also "holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world", Dr Tedros said at the conference, where the virus was officially named "COVID-19".

Professor Gabriel Leung, chair of public health medicine at Hong Kong University, told The Guardian if Chinas drastic measures of locking down multiple cities has worked, the rest of the world should think about adopting similar procedures.

According to the publication, experts have suggested each infected person could go on to transmit the virus to 2.5 people, giving an attack rate, which is the proportion of people who will become ill, of 60 to 80 per cent, meaning over four billion could get the deadly virus.

Sixty per cent of the worlds population is an awfully big number, he said on Tuesday en route to the Geneva conference.

Mr Leung noted the speculative figure was simply a prediction and may not eventuate.

Hong Kong commuters wear masks as the cases of the virus outside of China continue to rise. Source: Getty Images

Is 60-80 per cent of the worlds population going to get infected? Maybe not, he said.

Maybe this will come in waves. Maybe the virus is going to attenuate its lethality because it certainly doesnt help it if it kills everybody in its path, because it will get killed as well.

However, the case of a British man dubbed a super spreader, who passed the virus to at least 11 other people without having been in China, has raised fears of a new phase of contagion abroad.

Story continues

"We have to use the current window of opportunity to hit hard and stand in unison to fight this virus in every corner," Dr Tedros said, warning a failure to act would lead to far more cases in the future.

WHO sent an advance team to China this week for an international mission to examine the epidemic, where more than 44,000 people have now been infected.

Coronavirus could spread like fire

Chinese authorities have locked down millions of people in a number of cities, but another 94 deaths were reported on Wednesday in the hardest-hit province of Hubei, the central province where around 56 million people are under lockdown.

Several governments have banned arrivals from China and major airlines suspended flights in a bid to keep the disease away from their shores.

Most cases overseas have involved people who had been in Wuhan, the quarantined central Chinese city where the virus emerged late last year, or people infected by others who had been at the epicentre.

The Briton caught the virus while attending a conference in Singapore and then passed it on to several compatriots while on holiday in the French Alps before finally being diagnosed back in Britain.

The 53-year-old said on Tuesday he had fully recovered, but remained in isolation in a central London hospital.

"The detection of this small number of cases could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire," Dr Tedros said on Monday.

A police officer wearing protective gear instructs a resident at a Hong Kong apartment block where an outbreak of coronavirus was detected. Source: Getty Images

Cases outside of China spike

The biggest cluster of cases outside China is aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship moored off Japan, where 135 people have been diagnosed.

The ship has been in quarantine since arriving off the Japanese coast early last week after the virus was detected in a former passenger who had disembarked in Hong Kong.

More than 100 people were evacuated from a 35-storey Hong Kong housing block Tuesday after two residents in different apartments tested positive for the virus.

People were forced to leave as health officials in masks and white overalls scrambled to work out whether the virus had spread through the complex of about 3,000 people.

"Of course I'm scared," a 59-year-old resident, who gave her surname as Chan, told AFP.

The United States said on Tuesday it had authorised non-essential consulate staff to leave Hong Kong "out of an abundance of caution" linked to the virus.

China feeling the strain following outbreak

Chinese authorities dismissed two senior health officials from Hubei and tightened restrictions in the capital Wuhan, forbidding people with fever from visiting hospitals outside of their home districts and sealing off residential compounds.

Local authorities both in Wuhan  where the virus is thought to have emerged in a market selling wild animals  and Hubei have faced a torrent of criticism for hiding the extent of the outbreak in early January.

The death of a whistleblowing doctor from Wuhan has sparked calls for political reform in China.

"The problem of human-to-human transmission has still not been solved in Wuhan," the official Xinhua news agency quoted Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist, as saying.

Chinese President Xi Jinping wearing a protective face mask as he speaks to local residents in Beijing. Source: Xinhua via AP

"I believe that with enough venues, enough doctors, better protective gear and our various support teams, the situation in Wuhan should improve quickly, but it is still at a rather difficult stage," he said, forecasting a mid-to late-February peak in the outbreak.

President Xi Jinping has largely kept out of the public eye since the outbreak spread across the country.

But he emerged on Monday, pictured wearing a mask and having his temperature taken at a hospital in Beijing.

While meeting residents outside he joked they should not shake hands.

Mr Xi called the situation in Hubei "still very grave" and urged "more decisive measures" to contain the spread of the virus.

With AFP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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A violent clash in Germany has left two men in their 20s injured with one in a serious condition while two of the suspects are still being pursued by police.

Police and special forces have deployed helicopters around a train station in Plochingen, which is 15 miles from Stuttgart, where two people suffered gunshot and knife wounds this afternoon.

In a press statement released this evening, Reutlingen Police Department said: 'The 21 and 29 year old [who were] injured were admitted to clinics.

'According to [current intelligence], the 29-year-old suffered stab wounds and the younger [gunshot] wounds.'

They added that the younger man is in a serious condition.

Policemen of a special task force stand on a street next to their vehicle. Police are searching for three fugitives after an altercation with two injured people in the city in the Esslingen district

In a Twitter post earlier today, the police said the men were injured during a confrontation near the railway station in Plochingen.

'One suspect is arrested, we are searching for other suspects with special forces,' they added.

Two of the suspects are still at large.

'We arrested a person in Esslingerstrasse near a gas station,' a police spokesman told web.de.

A locator map showing the small city of Plochingen, which is 15 miles from the southern city of Stuttgart

In the later press release, they added that the man in custody is 20 years old and was unarmed when arrested.

German authorities have cordoned off nearby streets and are urging people to stay indoors.

According to a tweet by the Plochingen police force: 'According to the current status, two people are said to have been injured in a dispute in Esslinger Strasse.'

Pictured: A file photo shows Plochingen railway station, which is nearby to where the incident was reported to have happened

'The search is ongoing, we are on the spot with strong forces,' they added.

'If you don't have to go to the city urgently, it's best to stay at home and avoid the area.'

The motive behind the attack is not currently known and 'forensic technicians are on site to secure evidence,' the police said.

More to follow...
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:25:52|Editor: yan

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NAIROBI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's privately owned United States International University (USIU-Africa) on Thursday launched Confucius's classroom to strengthen the teaching of the Chinese language to students and faculty members.

Julius Jwan, director of Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), said the first Confucius classroom to be launched at a private university in the country will help boost uptake of mandarin among the youth.

"The classroom launched today will play a key role in increasing the human skills that are required to popularize mandarin in Kenya," said Jwan, adding that Kenya is on course to introduce the Chinese language as an optional subject from grade four.

He said the Confucius classroom at USIU-Africa is expected to become a training hub for future Chinese language teachers, diplomats and entrepreneurs amid robust Sino-Kenya trade and cultural ties.

USIU-Africa's Confucius classroom was established through a partnership with publicly funded Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute to help expand the scope of teaching Chinese language and culture to Kenyan youth.

"The youth who are fluent in spoken and written Chinese language will be in a better position to seize opportunities arising from our economic cooperation with China," said Jwan.

Paul Zeleza, vice-chancellor of USIU-Africa said that one of the oldest private universities in Kenya has prioritized teaching of the Chinese language to expose students to opportunities linked to globalization.

"A mastery of Chinese language is key to help our students navigate the global system where China is a dominant player," said Zeleza.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global ammunition market size is expected to reach USD 27.64 billion by 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. Rising demand for defense equipment in militaries owing to increasing geopolitical tension across the globe is expected to drive the demand for ammunition.

Key suggestions from the report:

Small caliber ammunition emerged as the largest segment in 2019 and is expected to generate revenue over USD 14.51 billion by 2027; majorly due to wide range of applications including assault rifles, handguns, and pistons

Centerfire ammunition accounted for a revenue share of USD 6.82 billion in 2019 and is projected to witness rapid growth over the next eight years; since it is defined as a universal standard in most of the defense forces across the globe

In the application segment, the defense segment emerged as the largest segment in 2019, accounting for approximately 88.5% revenue share in 2019, majorly due to rising ammunition procurement by homeland security forces

The Asia Pacific ammunition market is expected to record an exponential CAGR of 4.8% over the coming years, primarily due to the upgrading of defense forces across countries such as China , India , Australia and Singapore

The U.S. market for ammunition was valued at USD 6.42 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow substantially during the forecast period, mainly due to rising defense expenditure in the economy coupled with intensive training activities conducted by the country's defense forces

Read 140 page research report with ToC on "Ammunition Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Caliber (Small, Medium, Rockets & Missiles), By Product (Rimfire, Centerfire), By End Use (Defense, Civil & Commercial), And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027'' at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ammunition-market

The Indian Army is planning to increase the number of artillery and mortar platforms over the next ten years through indigenous development programs and foreign procurement thereby contributing to the demand for ammunition over the forecast period. In addition, rising hostilities in Middle East nations are expected to supplement the regional demand.

Advancements in ammunition technologies, such as the replacement of brass-case bullets using polymer-case bullets are projected to offer notable growth opportunities to the market. The use of polymer material is projected to reduce the weight of ammunition by 40%, while maintaining its impact, thereby making it lighter and consistent as compared to conventional bullets. Rising warlike situations supplemented by heightening geopolitical pressures across the globe is leading to an exponential rise in stockpiling trends in the global ammunition market. This strategy is expected to offer notable cost savings, since the ammunition can be purchased in high volume at cheap prices, thereby posing positive growth trends for the market.

Grand View Research has segmented the global ammunition market based on caliber, product, application, and region:

Ammunition Caliber Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Small Caliber



5.56 mm





7.62 mm





7.62 x 51 mm







7.62 x 39 mm







Others





9 mm





9 x 18 mm







9 x 19 mm







Others



Medium Caliber



23 mm





30 mm





Others



Large Caliber



VSHORAD





122 mm





Others



Rockets, Missiles and Other



Tank Ammunition





Artillery Ammunition

Ammunition Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Rimfire



Centerfire

Ammunition Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Civil & Commercial



Sports





Hunting





Self Defense



Defense



Military





Law Enforcement

Ammunition Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

North America



U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Italy





Spain





Russia





Turkey





Czech Republic





Poland



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





South Korea





Australia





Singapore



Central and South America



Brazil





Argentina



Middle East & Africa

&

Saudi Arabia





UAE

Find more research reports on Advanced Interior Materials Industry, by Grand View Research:

Structural Core Materials Market  The global structural core materials market size was estimated at USD 1.68 billion in 2016. Growing demand for these materials from the wind energy industry is a major trend observed in the market.

The global structural core materials market size was estimated at in 2016. Growing demand for these materials from the wind energy industry is a major trend observed in the market. Aerospace and Defense Materials Market  The global aerospace and defense materials market size was estimated at USD 19.70 billion in 2017. It is poised to progress at a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period.

The global aerospace and defense materials market size was estimated at in 2017. It is poised to progress at a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period. Chromium Market  The global chromium market size was estimated at USD 13.07 billion in 2016. Increasing demand from the stainless steel industry for various end-use markets.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

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Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

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Democrats are calling for sanctions on Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter amid concerns that the Donald Trump administration has been too soft on him as he continues his monthslong assault on Tripoli.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called on the Trump administration to sanction Hifter under a 2017 Russia sanctions law due to the support his militias receive from the Wagner Group, a mercenary firm with strong ties to the Kremlin.

The Wagner Group has been designated under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and theyre clearly in business with Hifter, Murphy told Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker at a Senate hearing on Libya today.

Murphy also sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today asking for a comprehensive summary of US efforts to counter Russian influence in Libya and a detailed analysis of the relationship between Hifter and the Wagner Group. The letter also inquires as to whether that relationship could trigger mandatory sanctions under CAATSA, which mandates secondary sanctions on those who conduct significant transactions with the Russian defense and intelligence sectors.

Schenker refused to discuss whether the Trump administration is considering sanctioning Hifter, noting that hes participating in United Nations-sponsored talks to resolve the Libya conflict.

We want to encourage this, and were hoping that he goes to the next step in these talks, said Schenker.

His response drew a testy response from the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. Menendez threatened to start holding up Trumps nominations on the committee unless the State Department started implementing mandatory CAATSA sanctions.

As one of the authors of CAATSA, it is not voluntary, Menendez told Schenker. It is not discretionary. It is mandatory. I think the administration thinks it can ignore Congress with impunity, violate the congressional  not only  intent, but also the actual wording of the law.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., accused the Trump administration of sending mixed messages on Libya, noting that the United States joined Russia last year to block a British-backed UN Security Council resolution that blamed Hifter for an airstrike on a detention center that killed dozens of African migrants.

Kaine called on the Trump administration to send an unequivocally loud and clear message that the United States supports Libyas UN-recognized Government of National Accord based in Tripoli.

Congress increased scrutiny of the Wagner Groups role in the Libya war comes as the Government of National Accord steps up its lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. The Government of National Accords public relations firm Mercury Public Affairs launched a full-court press in Washington last month to justify its defense pact with Turkey against Hifter.

Mercury Public Affairs has aggressively spotlighted Hifters ties to the Wagner Group and Russia, highlighting legislation that instructs the director of national intelligence to report on the mercenary groups role in Libya, Syria and elsewhere. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has included the Wagner Group language in a new Russia sanctions bill, which the Foreign Relations Committee advanced 17-5 in December.

Ironically, the Democrats push to sanction Hifter under CAATSA also highlights lawmakers bipartisan frustration with Trump for refusing to implement the same penalties on Turkey, which has dispatched troops alongside its Syrian proxies to bolster Tripoli against the Libyan warlord and the Wagner Group.

Despite pressure from Republicans, Trump has so far refused to implement the legally mandated CAATSA sanctions on Turkey for purchasing the Russian S-400 missile defense system. While the State Department had previously threatened to sanction Turkey if it made the S-400 system operational, Pompeo moved the goal posts farther back to full operationalization after Ankara tested the systems powerful radar on US-made aircraft last year.

Menendez also pushed Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on whether he would implement sanctions despite political pressure from the White House today during a Senate Finance Committee hearing.

I will specifically say no, said Mnuchin. I oversee the sanctions department. Sanctions are driven by foreign policy. Foreign policy is directed by the president. So, no  specifically I would say that sanctions, as are other foreign policy, are by direction of the president and executed through me.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) have resolved to collaborate to ensure that Nigerian youths shun corruption.

The NYSC and EFCC collaborated to organize a road walk aimed at creating awareness among the youths on the need to shun corruption and be sincere, prudent and patriotic.

Addressing a press conference today at the NYSC Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State capital, EFCC Detective Superintendent, Mr Seun Oluwakorede said the walk against corruption is the first of it's kind in Nigeria and that it would be held in all the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Oluwakorede said the sole objective is to engage the largest number of people, particularly the youths to "SAY NO TO CORRUPTION".

He said President Muhammadu Buhari remains committed to the fight against corruption and that the Acting Chairman of EFCC Mr. Ibrahim Magu and his team are working hard to win the war against corruption.

He said the initiative was part of the new strategies on the fight against corruption. Oluwakorede said that the idea was to discourage youths from involving in corrupt tendencies.

The South-West zonal coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Emmanuel Attah while speaking at the press conference said on Friday, February 14, the corps members would converge at the Osogbo City Stadium as early as 7am, hit the streets and walk to the popular Freedom Park.

Attach urged the youth to support the war against corruption, saying "If we don't kill corruption, corruption will kill us".

The NYSC coordinator in Osun State, Mr Ayodele Adegoke said over 500 corps members have been mobilised for the walk and that they would be joined by other youths in the state.

Adegoke added that NYSC and EFCC personnel and other top government officials in the state and other volunteers would be part of the walk.
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands and LONDON and BERLIN and WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global claimant litigation firm Hausfeld announced the opening of an office in Amsterdam, its 12th office globally and 7th in Europe. Recognised in particular for pioneering the private enforcement of competition law across Europe, the opening reinforces Hausfelds successful track record in the Dutch market since 2010.



Beginning on 1st March 2020, Hausfeld Advocaten will initially consist of the entire team of lawyers, including three litigation partners, from Zippro Meijer Advocaten, while the firm continues its recruitment drive.

About the office opening, Chairman Michael Hausfeld said: Having worked closely with the Zippro Meijer team for several years now across a range of cases, we are delighted that they will join us. Our Amsterdam office will provide a full offering of litigation services by lawyers with extensive experience in complex competition, commercial, consumer and financial services disputes, as well as the Hausfeld ethos of offering innovative solutions to dispute resolution. This will create greater access for Dutch and other citizens and businesses across Europe and elsewhere to seek redress individually and collectively for harms suffered from competition infringements and other illegal conduct.

Hausfeld Vice Chair Anthony Maton said: Our Dutch client base has grown quickly in the last few years. We are best known for our work on the Trucks cartel for which we received the FT Innovative Lawyer Award in 2018 in conjunction with Transport en Logistiek Nederland. To date, we have filed 20 claims collectively representing approximately 200,000 trucks. We have also acted in Dutch litigation on behalf of many Dutch and other European clients in claims such as the Elevators, Air Cargo, and Pre-stressing Steel cartels since 2010, and are very familiar with the progressive and claimant-friendly Dutch legal system.

The trend whereby European corporate claimants actively seek private enforcement against unlawful behaviour continues. With the recent changes on Dutch collective redress including the enactment of a new law taking effect in January 2020, Dutch lawmakers recognise the importance of offering businesses and individuals an efficient mechanism when they fall victims to such behaviour.

Hausfeld Vice Chair Brian Ratner added, It is about responding to client demand and offering our clients a choice of jurisdictions best suited to their business and needs. With the largest dedicated global private enforcement team active in Europe since 2009, we have been involved in more litigation and recoveries than any other firm. More so, we have the experience of going to trial if case negotiations do not bring the desired result. And now, we have an unmatched presence in the three primary jurisdictions for litigation in Europe.

Dutch Partner Rogier Meijer said, Our Zippro Meijer team is thrilled to join Hausfeld, the undisputed global leader in claimant-side litigation, and further establish their Dutch practice. Our combining of forces is a natural consequence of having worked so effectively together over the years for our shared clients. We are excited to grow our team to meet the anticipated demand for our litigation services.

Notes to Editors

The Amsterdam offices contact details from 1st March are Keizersgracht 62-64, 1015 CS Amsterdam, the Netherlands and +31 20 520 7565.



The Hausfeld Advocaten lawyers are Partners Erik-Jan Zippro, Rogier Meijer and Sander Timmerman and Associates Jantina Hiemstra and Azadeh Arooni. They have a recognised expertise as claimant litigators. The team also includes Rob Okhuijsen, Director of Strategy and Case Development. For more information .



Zippro Meijer gets recognition for its disputes work on behalf of claimants. Most recently Global Competition Review 100 2020  The EU Claimants Bar remarked: Boutique firm Zippro Meijer (now Hausfeld Advocaten) stands out with its focus on plaintiff litigation in the Netherlands, where it has become a significant player. Comprising managing partners Erik-Jan Zippro and Rogier Meijer, along with partner Sander Timmerman and one associate, the firm boasts a client roster one would expect to see at a much larger firm.



About Hausfeld: Hausfeld is a global claimant litigation firm, currently with offices in Berlin, Boston, Brussels, Dusseldorf, London, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Stockholm and Washington DC. The firm has a broad range of complex litigation expertise, particularly in antitrust /competition, corporate and commercial litigation, financial services, environmental, mass torts, consumer protection, and human rights matters, often with an international dimension. Hausfeld has extensive experience with offering innovative solutions to offer clients maximum flexibility in terms of managing their cost exposure. Hausfeld is the only claimant firm to be ranked by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a top tier firm in private enforcement of antitrust/competition law in both the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. For more information about the firm, including recent trial victories and landmark settlements, please visit www.hausfeld.com

For additional information contact:

Deborah Schwartz,

Media Relations

240 355-8838

deborah@mediarelationsinc.com
Following Bernie Sanders win in the New Hampshire Democrat primary, former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein took to Twitter to share his opinion on the Vermont senator.

He thinks Mr Sanders would be a bad president. Unsurprising, given that a central theme of the Sanders campaign is criticism of billionaires and Wall Street.

Mr Sanders was not the only target of Mr Blankfeins tweet  he also went after president Donald Trump and Russian interference in US elections.

If Dems go on to nominate Sanders, the Russians will have to reconsider who to work for to best screw up the US. Sanders is just as polarising as Trump AND hell ruin our economy and doesnt care about our military. If Im Russian, I go with Sanders this time around, said Mr Blankfein.

Key policies of the Sanders campaign platform include raising taxes on the rich and a wealth tax on the richest Americans to pay for universal healthcare and child care. He has also said that he hopes there comes a day when billionaires do not exist.

The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony. She has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord Vice News The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty

Mr Sanders campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, replied: This is what panic from the Wall Street elite looks and sounds like.

While Mr Blankfeins statements and warnings about progressive policies are popular on Wall Street, they were met with a certain amount of amusement by fans of Mr Sanders and his democratic socialist allies who are keen to see a disruptive force in the economy that they say favours only elites.

People for Bernie tweeted: When you say our economy, whose economy would that be, Lloyd?

Other Twitter users were quick to point out the irony of an investment banker, who has apologised in the past for his role in the global financial crisis, complaining about someone else ruining the economy.

When asked about the tweet on CNN by Annie Grayer, Mr Sanders commented: Let me see, a billionaire executive on Wall Street doesnt like me. Hmm, I am shocked by that, Annie. I am really shocked.

Mr Blankfein and Mr Sanders have argued before on Twitter on the subject of stock buybacks. Mr Blankfein contended that companies used to be encouraged to return money to shareholders when it couldnt reinvest in itself for a good return. The money doesnt vanish, it gets reinvested in higher growth businesses that boost the economy and jobs. Is that bad?

Mr Sanders responded: Lloyd Blankfein, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, is correct that the money from stock buybacks doesnt vanish. It increases the wealth of billionaires like him. Instead of making the very rich even richer, how about increasing wages for American workers. Is that a bad idea?

Having retired from leading Goldman Sachs in 2018 after 12 years, Mr Blankfein has continued to be vocal in his support for corporate America. He has also criticised Elizabeth Warren in the past, saying that her policies would bring cataclysmic change to the economy.
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Controversial rapper Slowthai has apologised to comedian Katherine Ryan after the hip hop star was accused of sexually harassing her on stage before starting a fight in the crowd at last night's NME Awards.

The grime artist said he 'promised to do better' after he was loudly booed by the audience and heckled with cries of 'misogynist' during a cringeworthy interview with Ryan while accepting the Hero of the Year accolade.

In a tweet sent today, Slowthai said he was 'no hero' and offered to hand his award over to the Canadian comic following his 'shameful actions', leading Ryan to reply: 'I knew you were joking and congratulations on your very award-worthy album.'

During an awkward exchange on stage last night, Slowthai attempted to lean on the comedian's breasts and made lewd sexual comments about 'her flowers' in front of the shocked audience at Brixton Academy in south London.

After being confronted by angry fans, the 25-year-old rapper hurled a champagne flute into the crowd being jumping into the front row, causing a melee in which he was held back by several bouncers.

In the face of a social media backlash today, Slowthai broke his silence with a tweet directed at the organisers of the NME Awards.

During their awkward exchange on stage, Slowthai attempted to lean on Katherine Ryan's breasts and made lewd sexual comments about 'her flowers' in front of the shocked audience at Brixton Academy in south London

In a tweet sent today, Slowthai said he was 'no hero' and offered to hand his award over to the Canadian comic following his 'shameful actions', leading Ryan to reply: 'I knew you were joking and congratulations on your very award-worthy album'

Katherine Ryan is seen pleaded with Slowthai to stop hitting out after he jumped off the stage and into the crowd at the NME Awards last night

He wrote: 'Please forward my award to @kathbum for she is the hero of the year. What started as a joke between us escalated to a point of shameful actions on my part.

'I want to unreservedly apologise, there is no excuse and I am sorry. I am not a hero. Katherine, you are a master at your craft and next time I'll take my seat and leave the comedy to you.

'To any woman or man who saw a reflection of situations they've been in in those videos, I am sorry. I promise to do better. Let's talk here.'

Responding to his tweet, Ryan wrote back: 'I knew you were joking and congratulations on your very award-worthy album! I hope you know that a bad day on social media passes so quickly. Everything will be better tomorrow. Xx'

Last night's ugly scenes boiled over following Slowthai's bizarre interview with show host Ryan, during which he first urged her to 'smell my cologne', before shushing her and calling the comedian 'baby girl'.

He then leaned into her body and said 'You ain't never had someone play with you liked I'd play with you', leading Ryan to fire back sarcastically: 'You are like the hottest guy I've seen.'

As the shocked audience watched on, the rapper replied 'Stop playing with me', leading Ryan to call him 'needle d***' to the delight of the crowd, who cheered her put-down.

Slowthai then went on to tell her she could earn him, but Ryan fired back: 'Or I could just earn loads of money and buy my own house without a man.'

As he left the stage, Ryan also joked 'Thank you Mike from Love Island,' before adding: 'You are younger than my babysitter.'

Among those in the crowd last night was fellow award winner Taylor Swift, who was said to left 'gobsmacked' by last night's ugly scenes.

British rapper Slowthai holds up effigy of Boris Johnson's severed head By Tim Stickings for MailOnline British rapper slowthai sparked fury at the Mercury Prize ceremony in September by holding up an effigy of Boris Johnson's severed head. The award-nominated artist, who wore a 'F*** Boris' T-shirt decorated with lewd images of the Prime Minister, held up the provocative mask on stage at the Eventim Apollo in London. After stripping to the waist during an energetic act he shouted: 'F*** Boris Johnson. F*** everything'. The BBC live feed cut away from the rapper as he held up the effigy, but the audience responded with rapturous applause as slowthai (who spells his stage name with a lower-case S) left the stage. But there was anger online with one viewer saying 'someone's probably going to end up getting killed because of this move'. 'This is really dumb, embarrassing and dangerous,' they said. Advertisement

Slowthai hit headlines in September when he held up an effigy of Boris Johnson's severed head at the Mercury Prize ceremony.

His 'F*** Boris' T-shirt was adorned with lewd images of the Prime Minister as he performed at the Eventim Apollo in London.

After stripping to the waist during an energetic act he shouted: 'F*** Boris Johnson. F*** everything'.

Mr Johnson laughed it off by joking that the rapper had actually said 'Back Boris' but was let down by the acoustics.

The rapper has been an outspoken critic of the Conservative Party and often vilifies Brexit in his songs, once referring to former Prime Minister Theresa May as a 'd***head' in an interview with NME.

He has regularly refers to himself as a 'Brexit bandit' and is known to start chants of 'f*** Theresa May' at live shows.

Speaking last month, Slowthai said his outspoken attitude was inspired by 90s Britpop pioneers Oasis.

Slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, was born in 1994 in Northampton.

Raised by a single mother-of-four, he has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the wake of his extended plays I WISH I KNEW in 2017, and RUNT, released the following year.

He grew up with his three other siblings after his father left the family house when he was aged just three-years-old.

The rapper, whose mother is half Bajan, spent the first 14 years of his life on a council estate on the east side of Northampton, known as the Lings, which is where he claims much of his musical inspiration stemmed from.

From the age of 13, he claims that he would shun school to drink alcohol - mostly White Ace or Lambrini - and around the same time started smoking cannabis.

He later studied music technology at college and is said to often have skipped school to attend a local recording studio.

Following accusations on social media (pictured) that Slowthai had sexually harassed Ryan, the comedian, 36, took to Twitter to claim that the rapper had 'not made me uncomfortable', claiming she had defused the situation

British rapper Slowthai also sparked anger at the Mercury Prize ceremony by holding up an effigy of Boris Johnson 's severed head in September

Controversial rapper Slowthai hurled a champagne glass into the audience (left) before jumping into the crowd to angrily confront hecklers (right) during an explosive row at the NME Awards last night

Katherine later added the line 'Happy to announce my new relationship' on to an Instagram story posted by Laura Whitmore

When his mother moved away from Northampton, Slowthai began living with a family friend in the idyllic village of Little Houghton, two miles east of the neighbouring town where many of his friends were still based.

He lived in the large converted farmhouse with the couple and their four children, before his mother eventually helped him get a job with clothing store Next, walking two miles a day across the village fields to get to work.

After college he worked as a labourer, and when he was dismissed he decided to focus entirely on his music career. He got his nickname as he used to slur and mumble, so his friends would call him 'Slow Ty'.

Last night was a successful night for the rapper, who won best collaboration for his work with Mura Masa, as well as his hero of the year award, which is voted for by the public.

Taylor Swift was also honoured at the ceremony, picking up the best solo act in the world award.

The singer told the audience that thanks to a previous NME award she won she is now able to display two of the middle finger-shaped trophies side by side in her home.

She added: 'This is like the craziest awards show I have ever been to, thank you.'

In the other categories Little Simz picked up the award for best British album for GREY Area, while AJ Tracey won best British song with Ladbroke Grove.

The best album in the world award went to Lana Del Rey's Norman F***ing Rockwell, while best song in the world went to Billie Eilish for Bad Guy.

Best British solo artist went to FKA twigs and best British band was chosen as The 1975. US heavy metal band Slipknot won the best band in the world gong. Also honoured was Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis.

After being presenter with the award, she said: 'I watched my dad pick this up when I was 16-years-old and I was like, I will never do this festival and I'm in so deep, there's no getting out of it.'

The rapper gave a riotous performance at the NME Awards in London before making lewd comments on stage to Katherine Ryan and throwing a champagne glass at the crowd

Slowthai (pictured at the ceremony in London last night) was nominated for his album Nothing Great About Britain, which casts a critical eye over life in the modern UK

Straight outta Little Houghton: Slowthai's rise from the mean streets of a Northampton council estate where he was raised by a single mother and shunned school to drink Lambrini - before getting a job at Next

British rapper Slowthai - real name Tyron Kaymone Frampton - has often credited his upbringing on a Northampton council estate as the inspiration for his emotionally and politically-charged lyrics.

But from the age of 13 he lived in the decidedly un-gritty village of Little Houghton with a 'family friend' after leaving his single mother's home.

The village with a population of 400 was where he launched his music career after a stint working at Next and gaining a BTEC in music technology at college - and the rapper credits the pleasant surrounds for 'giving him a conscience'.

Yet Frampton's music focuses on his childhood on a council estate in the Lings area of Northampton where he boasts about constantly playing truant, riding stolen bikes, smoking marijuana and drinking Lambrini.

He says that anyone with a job would be regarded as a 'f****** abnormality' and uses his music to rail against the Conservative Party and Brexit - despite his estate's constituency voting overwhelmingly to leave the EU in 2016.

Northampton North has also been Conservative since 2010 and MP Michael Ellis increased his majority by 6% with the help of Boris Johnson at the last election.

British rapper Slowthai (pictured as a youngster on his birthday) has often credited his upbringing on a Northampton council estate as the inspiration for his politically-charged lyrics

Frampton has regularly courted controversy in his short career, infamously holding a fake severed head of Boris Johnson at last year's Mercury Prize awards.

An outspoken critic of the Conservative Party and often vilifies Brexit in his songs, once referring to former Prime Minister Theresa May as a 'd***head' in an interview.

He has regularly refers to himself as a 'Brexit bandit' and is known to start chants of 'f*** Theresa May' at live shows.

Slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, was born in 1994 in Northampton.

Raised by a single mother-of-four, he grew up with his three other siblings after his father left the family house when he was aged just three-years-old.

The rapper, whose mother Gaynor is half Bajan, spent the first 14 years of his life on a council estate on the east side of Northampton, known as the Lings, which is where he claims much of his musical inspiration stemmed from.

The area voted overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit in 2016 and has been a Tory-backing constituency since 2010, with Mr Johnson's government increasing the party's share of the vote in 2019.

The rapper, whose mother Gaynor is half Bajan, spent the first 14 years of his life on a council estate on the east side of Northampton, known as the Lings

He got his nickname as he used to slur and mumble, so his friends would call him 'Slow Ty'.

From the age of 13, he claims that he would shun school to drink alcohol - mostly White Ace or Lambrini - and around the same time started smoking cannabis.

He later studied music technology at college and is said to often have skipped school to attend a local recording studio.

When his mother moved away from Northampton, Slowthai began living with a family friend in the idyllic village of Little Houghton, two miles east of the neighbouring town where many of his friends were still based.

He lived in the large converted farmhouse with the couple and their four children, before his mother eventually helped him get a job with clothing store Next, walking two miles a day across the village fields to get to work.

After college he worked as a labourer, and when he was dismissed he decided to focus entirely on his music career.

He has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the wake of his extended plays I WISH I KNEW in 2017, and RUNT, released the following year.

The rapper released his debut studio album Nothing Great About Britain in 2019 to critical acclaim, receiving a nomination for best album at that year's Mercury Prize.

But he hit headlines in September when he held up an effigy of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's severed head at the awards ceremony.

His 'F*** Boris' T-shirt was adorned with lewd images of the Prime Minister as he performed at the Eventim Apollo in London.

After stripping to the waist during an energetic act he shouted: 'F*** Boris Johnson. F*** everything'.

Mr Johnson laughed it off by joking that the rapper had actually said 'Back Boris' but was let down by the acoustics.

Speaking last month, Slowthai said his outspoken attitude was inspired by 90s Britpop pioneers Oasis.
The Medicines for All Institute has entered into a partnership with a manufacturer in South Africa to commercialize advances made by the institute to improve access to lifesaving medications for HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

The institute, which has successfully developed cost-saving formulas for key anti-HIV drugs, is based at Virginia Commonwealth University and its College of Engineering in Richmond, Virginia.

Officials at VCU and Chemical Process Technologies Pharma Ltd. recently signed a three-year agreement outlining their collaboration. The South African company will validate and scale up processes developed by Medicines for All and serve as a test site for increased production. The institute will work with the company to develop new processes and technologies.

"We see this as a beneficial collaboration for both parties," said Perrer Tosso, Ph.D., global innovation manager for Medicines for All. The institute seeks to have its processes implemented in low-income countries, especially in Africa. CPT Pharma does not have to start from scratch to develop new processes. "The manufacturer has the opportunity to adopt our processes and carry them through commercialization," he said.

Both partners hope the cooperation will lead to lower drug costs in the local market -- and ultimately, the global market.

CPT Pharma, based in Waltloo, Pretoria, South Africa, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemical Process Technologies, which has been manufacturing animal health products and animal health active pharmaceutical ingredients since 2001. In 2014, CPT began expanding its business into human health. With support from South African government agencies, it opened a four-story pilot plant in Pretoria in 2017 to manufacture generic active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Hannes Malan, Ph.D., managing director of CPT Pharma, said he was intrigued when he heard about the institute's groundbreaking work on the anti-HIV medication nevirapine. South Africa is home to the world's largest AIDS epidemic and relies on medications that are imported.

"Medicines for All's vision of improving access to lifesaving medications by developing and commercializing technology could help make the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Africa a reality," Malan said.

Malan's company focuses on chemical process development and technology commercialization. "We understand the challenges of taking a reaction," and deploying the final major step to scale it up, he said. "We're extremely excited about the opportunity."

During the technology transfer process, VCU will host South African doctoral students and researchers in Richmond and send its researchers to South Africa.

CPT Pharma's pilot plant was developed with funding from the state-owned Industrial Development Corp., which seeks to spur sustainable economic growth in South Africa and Africa.

"It is anticipated that commercializing processes developed by [Medicines for All] in South Africa will improve the security of the supply of priority drugs, and create the institutional capacity to develop a local [active pharmaceutical ingredients] manufacturing industry," said Nelis Geyer, industry development champion for chemical products and pharmaceuticals at Industrial Development Corp.

One goal of the institute is to reduce global dependence on a few manufacturers while empowering other countries to be self-sufficient in providing high-quality health care to their own citizens.

The institute is also working with the Ivory Coast government to train researchers and develop high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in the West African country.

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About VCU and VCU Health

Virginia Commonwealth University is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 217 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Thirty-eight of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU's 11 schools and three colleges. The VCU Health brand represents the VCU health sciences academic programs, the VCU Massey Cancer Center and the VCU Health System, which comprises VCU Medical Center (the only academic medical center in the region), Community Memorial Hospital, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, MCV Physicians and Virginia Premier Health Plan. For more, please visit http://www.vcu.edu and vcuhealth.org.

About Medicines for All

The Medicines for All Institute operates under the auspices of the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering. The institute's mission is to improve access to affordable, highquality medicines. This is done by lowering the cost of medications, both in market and in development, as well as enhancing the security of supply chains for these essential medications. Medicines for All accomplishes its mission by reducing the cost of active pharmaceutical ingredients -- a major cost driver in treating infectious diseases in the developing world. Visit medicines4all.vcu.edu.
TOKYO  Japan announced Thursday its first death from a new virus from China, hours after confirming 44 more cases on a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo as fears of the spreading disease mount in the country.

Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the first fatality is a woman in her 80s who had been hospitalized since Feb. 1 when she was diagnosed with pneumonia. Her confirmed diagnosis came after her death, he said. The woman, a resident of Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo, was the mother-in-law of a taxi driver who also became a newly confirmed case, Japanese media reported. Health Ministry officials declined to confirm a relationship at the request of her family.

Officials also confirmed two other cases, a doctor in his 50s who works at a hospital in western Japan and a man in his 20s who lives in Chiba, near Tokyo. None had a record of traveling abroad in recent weeks or contacts with Chinese  a possible sign that the virus is spreading inside the country.

Earlier Thursday, he announced 44 new cases on the Diamond Princess, which is still carrying nearly 3,500 passengers and crew members. The ship now has 218 people infected with the virus out of 713 tested since it entered Yokohama Port on Feb. 3, the largest cluster of infections outside China.

In all, Japan has 250 confirmed cases of the new disease that apparently started in Wuhan, a city in central China, in December.

China has reported 1,367 deaths among 52,526 cases on the mainland. Two other locations outside the mainland, Hong Kong and the Philippines, have recorded one death each.

Kato said five of the patients sent to hospitals earlier have severe symptoms and are on artificial respirators or under intensive care.

The government has decided to allow passengers older than 80 to get off the ship after testing negative for the virus, Kato said. He said results of tests on about 200 eligible passengers are underway, and those with chronic health problems or in cabins without operable windows will be given priority.

Kato said the measure is to reduce health risks for passengers stuck in rooms under difficult conditions. Those who are released will be asked to stay at a designated facility through the end of the quarantine period.

We are doing our utmost for the health of crew members and passengers who remain on the ship, Kato told a news conference.

Some experts have questioned Japans strategy of isolating the passengers and crew in a potentially virus-affected environment on the ship while the disease is already slowly making its way into the country.

On the ship, infections are getting very dense.  It now provides a favorable environment for the virus to spread and I think its time for people to get off, said Shigeru Omi, an infectious disease prevention expert and former regional director for the World Health Organization. Its like we are seeing a very condensed version of what could happen in a local community.

Omi, who currently heads the Japan Community Health Care Organization, said those people who have tested positive for the virus are only a fraction of what could already be spreading outside of the ship. We should assume that the virus has already been spreading in Japan, he said.

Later Thursday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a 15.3 billion yen ($139 million) economic package to fight the virus, including funding for the development of vaccines and virus test kits, support for hundreds of returnees from Wuhan and measures to strengthen border controls to minimize the spread of the virus in the country.

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Associated Press journalist Richard Colombo contributed to this report.

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Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi
Black History Spotlight  Trailblazing Gospel Radio Announcers

Radio broadcasters were instrumental in spreading gospel music to the masses. In honor of Black History Month, the Sentinel features a few of the L.A. faith-based deejays and radio stations that ruled the airwaves in the middle decades of the 20th century.

Rev. Clayton D. Russell  As the first Black gospel radio announcer in Los Angeles, Russell launched his broadcast on KFOX in 1938 with a 15-minute church service featuring fellow announcers Joe Adams and Forest War Perkins.

Russells program was expanded to one-hour in 1941, making him the first African American to have a long-format show in the L.A. area. He went on to produce programs on a variety of local radio stations and stayed on the air for the next 30 years.

In addition, he served as the second pastor of Peoples Independent Church of Christ in L.A. from 1935 to 1953, and founded the Church of Divine Guidance in 1954, where he served until his passing in 1981.

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A prominent leader in the Black community, Russell was a fiery activist during World War II. According to writer Kevin Leonard, Russell helped to form Victory Markets, a chain of cooperative grocery stores that served the rapidly expanding African American community during the war.

He also organized mass demonstrations to fight employment discrimination and worked to elect Black politicians. Russell even sought elected office himself, running for county supervisor in 1946 and for L.A. City Council in 1959. Throughout his career, Russell was a gospel music promoter, patron of the arts and community advocate.

Rev. Clarence Welch  Welch began his religious broadcasting career in 1951 on KALI. Listeners of the era turned to Welch for the best in Black gospel music and song.

His Songs of the Cross broadcasts also featured his choir of the same name. He is also credited with airing the historic performance of Mahalia Jackson in the late 1950s.

During his 38 years of religious broadcasting, he worked at KALI, KGER, KGFJ, KDAY and KTYM. Welch died in Los Angeles at the age of 76.

John and Vermya Phillips In 1957, the husband and wife team of John and Vermya Phillips began their pioneering career in religious broadcasting at KTYM. Their Moments of Decision programs on KTYM, KFOX and KBCA exemplified longevity in gospel music broadcasting.

Johns interest in music sparked in 1946 when he filled the truck of his car with turntables and speakers and became a mobile deejay. Initially, he played all types of music at various venues, but he soon switched to a gospel-only format.

He married Vermya in 1955 and together, they inspired audiences throughout the area. In addition to broadcasting, John produced many albums featuring his wife. Vermya was also a noted recording artist, who sang on several records, both alone and with other groups, in the 1960s. She released her first gospel CD in 1978.

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The Phillips were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2000 in Detroit, Michigan. John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2007 in Akron, Ohio.

Vermya passed away in 2004 and John continued his gospel music broadcast until failing health led him to retire in 2019.

KGFJ Radio Station  In 1939, KGFJ carried the informative programs of several other broadcast pioneers such as Charlotta Bass, publisher of the California Eagle; Mrs. A. C. Bilbrew, who was one of the first to introduce Negro spirituals to L.A. radio; along with J. Cullen Tentress and William Gillespie.

Other notable L.A. gospel announcers include Brother Joe Henderson, Brother Joseph Mathews, Milt Nixon, Jake Jacobs, Cal DuBois Tolbert, Joe White, Paul Kidd, Ruth Dickerson, Brother Prince Dixon, Reginald E. Utley, Prez Blackmon, Edna Tatum, Aundrae Russell, Nawania Lyle, Rev. Gil Fears and Kameron Greene.
(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. said the Philippines move to terminate a 22-year-old military agreement, which can be ended with 180-days notice, was unfortunate as it tries to bolster its presence and compete with China in the Asia-Pacific region.

Scrapping the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement -- which sets the terms for joint exercises and engagement of American soldiers in the Philippines -- would be the first concrete step by the Philippines to cut defense ties with the U.S.

Pentagon chief Mark Esper said Wednesday it was a move in the wrong direction for the long-standing relationship between the two countries and for the Philippines strategic location.

Its a shift that President Rodrigo Duterte had signaled since his six-year term started in 2016 as he realigned his foreign policy toward China. The Philippines and the U.S. signed a mutual defense treaty in 1951 which binds the nations to defend each other, if attacked.

Trump, and the others, are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement, Duterte said in a speech in Manila on Monday night referring to the U.S. president. I said, I dont want it, he said according to the official transcript.

Win for China

Scrapping the military deal will bring the Southeast Asian nation closer to China, as U.S. support for Philippine military will likely be reduced, said Malcolm Cook, senior fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

As with many other decisions made by President Duterte, China appears to be the biggest winner and Philippine external security the biggest loser, Cook said.

The Philippines may find it difficult to access millions of dollars in military aid, and trade relations may also be hurt once the pact is terminated, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said last week. Joint military activities -- including training for thousands of Philippine and American soldiers -- will also be severely curtailed, he added.

The 74-year-old Duterte revived his threats to end the military pact with the America last month after the U.S. canceled the visa of his former police chief who oversaw his deadly drug war. Duterte said the nations military ties with the U.S. didnt solve the decades-long communist insurgency.

Story continues

The Philippines leader has previously questioned whether the U.S. would defend the Philippines if China seizes disputed shoals and reefs in the South China Sea -- skepticism that has persisted in the Southeast Asian nation for decades. Beijing has built several artificial structure in the Spratly Islands where Manila also has claims. Philippine fishermen and vessels resupplying Philippine-occupied features in the waters have also been harassed by Chinese ships.

(Updates with Esper comments in first, third paragraph)

--With assistance from Clarissa Batino and Glen Carey.

To contact the reporters on this story: Andreo Calonzo in Manila at acalonzo1@bloomberg.net;Philip J. Heijmans in Singapore at pheijmans1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ruth Pollard at rpollard2@bloomberg.net;Cecilia Yap at cyap19@bloomberg.net

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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Harvey Weinstein's attorney accused prosecutors Thursday of creating a fictional "universe" that "strips women of common sense" and "autonomy" while wrapping her case in his rape trial.

Attorney Donna Rotunno made her closing argument after the defense rested earlier this week, telling jurors that prosecutors have told them "a story" about the disgraced producer because the facts aren't on their side.

"The irony is that the ADAs [assistant district attorneys] in the case are the producer, and they are writing the script," she said, The Wrap reports. "In their story, they've created a universe that strips women of common sense, autonomy. In their universe, women are not responsible for the parties they attend, the men they flirt with, the choices they make to further their own careers, the hotel invitations, the plane tickets they accept."

Weinstein is facing sexual assault and rape charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The trial has centered around the accusations of two women, one of whom alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006 and another who alleges he raped her in 2013. Six accusers testified as prosecutors sought to establish a pattern of criminal behavior. Weinstein's attorneys argued the women had consensual encounters with him; he has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex acts.

Rotunno, who was recently criticized for saying in an interview she hasn't been sexually assaulted "because I would never put myself in that position," asked the jury to use their "New York City common sense" and ignore the "gut feeling" they may have had coming into the trial while evaluating the evidence, per The Hollywood Reporter. She also told the jury they're the "last line of defense in this country from the overzealous media, from the overzealous prosecutors."

Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi will make her closing argument on Friday, and jury deliberations are set to begin next week.

More stories from theweek.com

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The powers of the Justice Department are among the gravest our government has, to strip people of their liberty. And now, apparently, they are subject to the stormy impulses of one man: The Mad King.

President Trump is interfering with a purpose that is nakedly political and getting what he wants, thanks to his loyal henchman, Attorney General William Barr. In an extraordinary reversal, the DOJ just downgraded its recommended prison sentence for Trumps buddy, Roger Stone, hours after the president fumed about it on Twitter.

This is a huge deal, Elie Honig, a former New Jersey and federal prosecutor, told us on Wednesday. Theres a long-standing norm that has been observed, going back many decades in both political parties, that you just do not mess with DOJ.

Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

After all, if the president can weaponize the Justice Department to either protect his allies or go after his enemies, we are going down a dangerous road. Direct political interference in our justice system is a hallmark of a banana republic, as Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9th Dist.) says.

The people who value rule of law and the integrity of the DOJ arent going to let this go unchallenged, so Barr is being called in to testify by the House Judiciary Committee and chairman Jerry Nadler.

Recall that Stone got convicted of lying to Congress in the Russia probe, in order protect the Trump campaign. Poor, old Stone, whose prosecution has been called horrible and very unfair by Trump, also threatened a witness in a federal case with violence  "Prepare to die and in a final touch, vowed to kidnap the mans therapy dog. Show a little compassion, folks.

The seven- to nine-year prison sentence that the line prosecutors had recommended for him was squarely within the appropriate guidelines. To have the Justice Department publicly undermine it after an angry Trump tweet was incredibly demoralizing. Four career prosecutors quickly quit the case in protest.

But even more importantly, it violates a key tenet of our democracy, that prosecutors are not supposed to be political. Remember when Attorney General Loretta Lynch recused herself from the Clinton email probe after a chat on the tarmac with Bill Clinton?

Barrs DOJ claimed the timing was all just an inconvenient coincidence, caused by a breakdown in communication, and that Trumps opinion played no role.

Except then, Trump tweeted again  and celebrated Barrs interference: Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not even have been brought.

Even if you believe that Trump had no actual influence, much like you believed Sen. Susan Collins when she said hed learned his lesson from the impeachment trial, the mere appearance that this is politically motivated hurts the integrity of the DOJ.

Just last month, prosecutors also reportedly went back to the court to reverse their recommendation that another of Trumps pitiable, lying pals, Michael Flynn, deserved jail time. We are noticing a pattern here.

No one can stop Trump, aside from judges like the one in Stones case. She could ignore the new Justice Department request and sentence him as she sees fit  which is likely why Trump is now attacking her on Twitter.

And in the end, Trump could simply pardon Stone. But there would likely be a political outcry, Honig says: Hes trying to soften that blow, by having the Justice Department do it for him.

People like to make fun of New Jersey for being corrupt. But cash stuffed in coffee cups and traffic chaos in Fort Lee is nothing like having the DOJ do your dirty work.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
A video is circulating of US presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg defending redlining  a long-sanctioned practice of racial discrimination in housing and financial services.

Redlining is the practice of denying housing, services and products to particular neighbourhoods, and takes its name from the literal red lines that would be drawn around those areas on city maps by agencies and businesses.

Banks, lenders and federal agencies deliberately used redlining to target and exclude neighbourhoods of colour, meaning that residents would find it hard or impossible to access credit, loans or mortgages. Congress has legislated against the practice in various ways over the years, starting with the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

On the tape, Bloomberg blames the ban on redlining for the 2008 financial crisis, saying that the practice had prevented banks from issuing predatory loans to low-income people with bad credit.

Redlining, if you remember, was the term where banks took whole neighbourhoods and said, People in these neighbourhoods are poor, theyre not going to be able to pay off their mortgages, tell your salesmen dont go into those areas.

There was a lot of pressure on banks to make loans to everyone ... and then Congress got involved  local elected officials, as well  and said, Oh thats not fair, these people should be able to get credit.

And once you started pushing in that direction, banks started making more and more loans where the credit of the person buying the house wasnt as good as you would like.

A campaign spokesperson defended the remarks, saying: Hes saying that something bad  the financial crisis  followed something good, which is the fight against redlining that he was part of as Mayor.

But in a Twitter thread responding to the video, Nikole Hannah-Jones, co-founder of the Ida B Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, said the reality of redlining did not match Bloombergs description.

Redlining was an explicitly racist policy that ensured that until 1968, 98 per cent of federally insured loans went to white Americans. It created one of largest white affirmative action programmes weve seen and is a direct cause of the devastating black/white wealth gap.

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 impact of redlining is still felt, the harms still devastate, as identical homes in black neighbourhoods are worth less than those in white neighbourhoods, black people were pushed into predatory loans, and entire communities face generational disinvestment. Im disgusted.

Bloomberg was already dealing with a potential hit to his image after the recirculation of an audio recording in which he defended his controversial use of stop-and-frisk policing to target minorities while mayor of New York City. He is currently on a tour of southern primary states with large black populations, and on Thursday was set to launch an outreach campaign entitled Mike for Black America.
The UAE royalty Sheikha Fatima bin Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Italian luxury brand BVLGARI have roped in Sonam Kapoor Ahuja as the face of the Jannah High Jewelry Collection. Underlining the journey of cities like Rome and Abu Dhabi, the collection is themed as a Five Petal Story; it is an ode to heritage by the young princess and the brand.

Sonam is the face of some of the most delicately crafted bijouterie designed by Her Highness and helmed by BVLGARI, a source reveals.

The source adds, Sonam is a fashion force with a strong star presence and she has a keen understanding of the jewellery craft. She has already shot for the collaboration and she launches the Jannah Collection with Her Highness.

A celebutante, Sonam was invited for a private viewing at Louvre Museum of the designs by Sheikha Fatema. The actress unveiled the collection followed by a gala dinner.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 04:59:28|Editor: yan

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AMMAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Wednesday announced investment projects involving multiple sectors worth 4.5 billion U.S. dollars, state-run Petra news agency reported.

The investment projects are located across the 12 governorates in Jordan, involving tourism, industry, health, agriculture and services, according to Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz.

Jordan will make efforts to attract necessary fundings and investments for the announced projects, he said.

"The investment projects were chosen after thorough studies and they will help contribute to development in the country and create the much-needed job opportunities," the prime minister noted.

Out of the total 68 investment projects are 27 tourism ones which entail establishing hotels, restaurants, resorts and amusement parks with a total investment worth 2 billion dollars.
The Minority in Parliament has once again criticised the budget for the Pwalugu Multipurpose dam which it claims has been hugely inflated.

Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu on Wednesday insisted that the project is a complete rip-off and must be reviewed.

The Pwalugu Multipurpose project will consist of three main components, namely; hydropower plant, 60MW solar plant and an irrigation scheme covering an area of some twenty-five thousand (25,000) hectares.

The 60-megawatt facility is expected to cost US$366 million, but together with the irrigation component of the dam, the entire project is estimated at close to US$1 billion.

The project, according to President Akufo-Addo, will be the single, largest investment ever made by any Government in the Northern sector of the country.

But speaking at a forum organized by the opposition National Democratic Congress dubbed State of Ghana's Energy Sector: Confronting Corruption and Ensuring Wealth Creation for All, Not A Few on February 12, 2020, Haruna Iddrisu said: the Minority caucus on the leadership of the energy committee [of Parliament] has indicated [to them that] $366 million for 60 megawatts of electricity is a complete rip-off and padded.

Background on project

The President cut the sod for the commencement of the project on Friday, 29th November 2019 and stated that the dam will avert the perennial flooding caused by the spillage of the Bagre Dam.

The Volta River Authority says the project will commence in April 2020.

The entire project will be executed by a Chinese construction firm, Power China International and supervised by the Volta River Authority over a period of five years.

Parliament to approve agreement this week

Parliament will later this week, take a decision on the three agreements currently before the House in relation to the engineering, procurement, and construction of the Pwalugu multi-purpose dam.

Minority threatens to boycott deliberations on Pwalugu multipurpose dam

The Minority in Parliament had hinted of boycotting all activities related to the approval of the agreements.

The Minority MPs insist that the government must suspend the deal immediately.

Addressing the press last week, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu bemoaned what he calls the inflated and padded cost of the project.

The caucus has been raising issues about the deal since Parliament returned from recess in January 2020.

Pwalugu multipurpose dam needs no renegotiation  Majority Leader

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, says the Minority's concerns about the cost of the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project are misplaced as the scope of the work to be done warrants the budgeted amount for the project.

---citinewsroom
Dear Answer Man: You're so all seeing. Can you answer me this? Where does GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn live? He represents the First Congressional District. Does he live in the district?  1st District Resident.

Dear Resident: As those familiar with the congressman's biography know, Rep. Jim Hagedorn was born in Blue Earth and he remains a Blue Earth resident as a representative of the First Congressional District.

Or does he?

Confusion and uncertainty has reigned on that last score since an entry was spotted in a year-end campaign finance report filed by the Republican Party. The report listed a "James, Hagedorn" with a St. Louis Park, Minneapolis address.

That's not in the 1st District.

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In addition to the unexpected address listing, Hagedorn's profession was described as "self-employed," instead of "congressman." It also had his first name in the last name column and his last name in the first name column.

The entry showed cash contributions to the GOP party of $356 and $346.

The listed address is that of Jennifer Carnahan, chairwoman of the Minnesota GOP and Hagedorn's wife.

Under normal circumstances, that wouldn't be so unusual. Many husbands and wives live together, even when they don't get along. And Hagedorn and Carnahan get along by all appearances since he took her as his guest to President Trump's State of the Union address last week and not someone from the 1st district.

But Hagedorn represents the 1st District, and sharing residency with his wife would mean Hagedorn is living outside the district he represents. That might represent a political problem, if true.

Hagedorn's campaign spokesman, Ted Prill, said Hagedorn lives in Blue Earth and attributed the confusion to a "bookkeeping error on the part of the Minnesota GOP." The campaign report has since been amended and lists Hagedorn's address as Blue Earth and his employer as "the United States Congress."

Prill said the donations came from the "Friends of Hagedorn," which is the Hagedorn campaign and located in Mankato.

"To clarify, the address on the original, incorrect form is not the correct address for Rep. Hagedorn, who lives in Blue Earth," said a press statement from Hagedorn's office. "Neither Rep. Hagedorn nor his campaign filed the original, incorrect form."

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But that begs the question, Who did? And why did that person think that Hagedorn lived in St. Louis Park? And why did that person just happen to type out the address of Hagedorn's wife? Which would not be so unusual in nonpolitical circumstances.

Hagedorn's staff referred all questions to the Minnesota GOP, essentially tossing the hot potato from Hagedorn to the party run by Carnahan, his wife.

A statement from Becky Alery, executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota, didn't shed much light on those fundamental questions.

"The premise of the question is based upon incorrect campaign compliance information filed by the MNGOP," Alery said. "The form has been amended to reflect the correct information. Rep. Jim Hagedorn resides in Blue Earth  in the house he has lived in for many years."
Photo: The Canadian Press The closed train tracks are seen in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in support of Wet'suwet'en's blockade of a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and British Columbia Premier John Horgan are working to arrange meetings with Indigenous leaders in an effort to halt blockades of rail lines that have choked Canada's economy.

Miller wrote a letter to three chiefs in Ontario regarding a protest on Tyendinaga Mohawk traditional territory that has halted freight and passenger traffic between Toronto and Montreal. He offered to meet at a location of their choice on Saturday.

"My request, that I ask you kindly to consider, is to discontinue the protest and barricade of the train tracks as soon as practicable. As you well know, this is a highly volatile situation and the safety of all involved is of the utmost importance to me," Miller said in the email, a copy of which he posted publicly Thursday morning.

"I hope you will agree to this request and that we can meet in the spirit of peace and co-operation that should guide our relationship."

Horgan also publicly released a letter Thursday addressed to Simogyet Spookw, who also goes by Norman Stephens, a chief of the Gitxsan Nation in B.C. In the letter, the premier thanked the chief for reaching out to his office to propose a meeting with hereditary chiefs of the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en Nation.

"I confirm our government's willingness to participate in such a meeting," Horgan said, adding that his office has urged the federal government to respond as quickly as possible to the proposal.

"I understand that on receipt of this letter and a similar commitment from Canada, the blockade of the CN line will be removed to allow for a period of calm and peaceful dialogue."

A spokesman for the premier's office confirmed that Horgan is referring to a blockade set up near New Hazelton, B.C.

Stephens did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Blockade organizers across Canada have said they're acting in solidarity with those opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation near Houston, B.C.

Blockades were erected after the RCMP enforced a court injunction last week against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who had been stopping construction of the pipeline, a key part of a $40-billion LNG Canada liquefied natural gas export project.

Miller's offer comes after the Assembly of First Nations and Opposition politicians urged the Liberal government to take swifter and firmer action to defuse tensions over the pipeline.

Via Rail has cancelled service on its Montreal-Toronto and Ottawa-Toronto routes until at least the end of the day on Friday because of the Mohawk blockade near Belleville, Ont.

Via has also said the blockade near New Hazelton means normal rail service is being interrupted between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

Ian Boxall, vice-president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, said the rail blockades are affecting almost every commodity.

Boxall said dozens of ships in Vancouver are waiting to be loaded, while eight await shipments in Prince Rupert.

In Manitoba, Premier Brian Pallister said the Justice Department will seek an injunction to end a rail blockade west of Winnipeg and have it enforced within a few days.

Meanwhile, two hereditary chiefs from the Wet'suwet'en First Nation have launched a constitutional challenge of fossil-fuel projects.

The challenge calls on the Federal Court to declare that Canada is constitutionally obliged to meet international climate-change targets, which the chiefs contend would cancel approvals for the Coastal GasLink line.

Coastal GasLink says it has agreements with all 20 elected First Nations councils along the 670-kilometre route, but the hereditary chiefs in the Wet'suwet'en First Nation say they have title to a vast section of the land and never relinquished that by signing a treaty.

Without their consent, the project cannot be built, they say, and they've repeatedly gone to court to stop it  without success.
A man accused of fatally shooting his common-law wife after he allegedly stabbed a man to death with a screwdriver hours earlier is now facing capital murder charges.

Michael Morales, 36, originally faced two charges of murder, but on Wednesday, the charges were upgraded. He is being held on bonds totaling $2 million.

Morales is accused of killing Felix Pacheco Garcia, 37, and 45-year-old Mary Sanchez, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

Deputies said Morales stabbed Garcia to death during a violent struggle over a drug debt sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight Monday at Garcias home in the 1900 block of Sandy Circle.

After the fight with Garcia, Morales went to his home in the 900 block of Mogford where he told Sanchez about the incident, deputies said.

He called 911 while he was at the home and was treated at a local hospital for his injuries from the fight.

When he returned home, Salazar and Sanchez fought through the night about Garcia. At about noon Tuesday, Morales allegedly used a high-powered rifle to shoot Sanchez, who died instantly, investigators said.

Morales and Sanchez were the owners of two popular South Side businesses that specialized in shaved ice concoctions, fried foods and other snacks.

M&Ms Shaved Ice was founded in 2004, according to its Facebook page.

Customers who frequented M&Ms Shaved Ice expressed shock and anguish on social media Wednesday after news broke that Morales had been arrested in connection with his wifes death.

Never known such nice and hardworking people as him and his wife, one woman said.

Jacob Beltran is a reporter covering San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jbeltran@express-news.net | Twitter: @JBfromSA
Description

Paradox of Constructed Nature: The Faculty Show 2020 features works by nine adjunct faculty members of the Visual Arts Department at SUNY Old Westbury.



Liz Atzs work evolved from her experimental interdisciplinary approach to process, material, and abstraction. She mines the materials of consumer culture to create painting, drawing, installation, and photography. Her recent work employs plastics, textiles, and other materials acquired from dollar stores and industrial sources.



Chris Bors post-Pop conceptual paintings feature mash-ups of images in which anything visual is fair game for repurposing. He works with bold graphics and text, commenting on commodification, trash culture, and personal obsessions. .

Jude Broughan presents three large loose-hanging works and two smaller mixed-media panels that reveal her interest in travel and its resultant instability of place. Broughan draws on the languages of painting and printmaking alongside those of photography and collage to play with space and form, line and color.



Ronnie Burrage, MFAIA, drummer, artist, producer, and composer, has performed with Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner, Jackie McLean, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and Archie Shepp among many other innovators of America's classical art from Jazz.



An alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury, Michael Capobianco offers Hard, Shrunken, and Plush, a new series of mundane objects that have been crushed, coated, and condensed to be fossilized and preserved for future generations. These "trapped-in-amber" objects question the real and imagined relationship between the viewer and the artifacts of our shared cultural history.



Lizzy De Vita works in performance, text, sound, drawing, installation, video, and sculpture unified by her interest in viral moments where interpersonal boundaries are blurred. De Vita will present Edging (2015), a video of a manicurist painting the nails of a client in a scene that takes an unexpected turn to make the viewer re-examine the relationship between client and low-paid personal services worker.



Brooklyn-born Egyptian-American Anthony Hamboussi presents Arab Republic of Egypt, a photographic project documented in Egypt between 2009 and 2016. This series of street photographs was made within the framework of the state of emergency under which Egyptians have lived for most years since 1956.

Korean-born Hong Seon Jang, known for his sculptural installations, will present Ghost (2018), an ivory tusk in a Plexiglas box made of Ivory soap bars and a wooden pallet, representing the paradoxes of the marketplace.

Maxine Montilus founded MV Dance Project, which had its debut at Brooklyn Studios for Dance in 2019 with its first evening-length work "Strength in Spirit". In 2017, Montilus served as the Afro Cuban/Haitian Folklore consultant to choreographer Camille A. Brown for the Tony-winning musical Once On This Island.

Gallery Hours:

Mondays  Fridays: 12pm  5pm, and by appointment.
- Both Navy and Air Forces also performed the aerial salute known as missing man formation

- The military band sang the national anthem to celebrate the late statesman

- Two groups of the Kenya Navy officers alternated in firing the cannons until the 19th shot as military jets also flew above

The Kenya military has accorded retired president Daniel arap Moi both civilian and full military honours up until he was buried on Wednesday, February 12.

Moi, who was a commander-in-chief of the armed forces for 24 years he served as president, received a 19-gun salute in intervals of five seconds after his body was lowered into the grave.

READ ALSO: John Mark: Daniel Moi's son who has been missing in ex-president's funeral events

Kenya military officers accorded Moi both civilian and military honours. Photo: TUKO.co.ke.

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Gavana Alfred Mutua aondoka mapema katika mazishi ya Moi ili kumtembelea Tuju hospitalini

After the body was hauled on a gun carriage to Mois Kabarak home, sounds of trumpets from the military band dominated the air.

The military band went ahead to perform the national anthem to celebrate the late statesman and set in a serene but solemn atmosphere.

The military men lay a wreath of flowers on Moi's grave. Photo: TUKO.co.ke.

Source: Original

Immediately after the anthem, Kenya Navy officers began firing canons for the 19-gun-salute for the deceased former head of state and ex-commander in chief of the armed forces.

Two groups of the Kenya Navy officers alternated in firing the cannons until the last shot.

After the cannons were fired, Air Force officers performed the missing man formation with three jets.

Moi's son Raymond eulogising his late father. Photo: State House Kenya.

Source: Facebook

The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flypast of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event in memory of a fallen political figure, high ranking military service member or a fallen pilot.

In Kenya, the customary gun salutes are performed by the firing of blank guns and the number of rounds as a military honor depends on the occasion.

A Kenyan sitting president is ordinarily accorded 21-rounds but a former head of State who is buried in military uniform receives the same number of shots.

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Light moments during Moi's farewell: Kenyans excited to enter Parliament for the first time |Tuko TV.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
As a competitive fisherman, Norman Maktima has dropped his hook into rivers and streams worldwide.

But hes missed out on one of the top spots right here in his native New Mexico.

With a new program from the state Department of Game and Fish, Maktima now has the perfect excuse to visit the southwestern part of the state in search of the elusive Gila trout.

The department enacted the New Mexico Trout Challenge in January as a means to encourage anglers to catch each of the five trout species in the state; the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Gila trout, brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. Most of the species can be found throughout northern and central New Mexico waterways, but the Gila trout is unique to the southwestern part of the state.

Im pretty interested in it, Maktima said. My girlfriend is the one that pointed it out first. Shes excited about adding all the species to the list. I think its a great opportunity, and Im willing to give it a go. It will take me down to Gila, which I have not fished.

Maktima, who also is the senior guide for Santa Fes High Desert Angler, said hes looking forward to seeing a new part of the state, which is the very idea of the Trout Challenge.

It allows for a little more exploration and adds to the adventure aspect, he said. Its one of the reasons I like fly-fishing. Learning about the adventure aspect, learning more about different areas to fish and having a good time because of it.

Silver City angler Jerome Amaro, who is already participating in the Trout Challenge, might be a good one to ask for advice about the area, because hes been fishing the local waters for years and was excited to hear about the Trout Challenge.

Something like this has been in the works for a while and Im glad they finally took the fish by the fins and really made it happen, he said. Ultimately, its all about fishing, getting people on the water. Thats really the big picture.

What Amaro said he particularly likes about New Mexicos Trout Challenge is it can be undertaken by anybody.

Whats really cool about this one is it doesnt matter if youre a newbie, a bait fisherman, lure fisherman or a fly fisherman, he said. There is no distinction. I think thats neat. It doesnt create these artificial classifications for anglers. Its a matter of getting out on the water and I think its really neat.

Participating anglers will need to download the Powderhook application on a smartphone or tablet to track their progress. Information such as the lake or stream where the fish was caught, how much the fish weighs and a picture of the fish are just a few examples of the information required. For anglers who do not have a smartphone or tablet, there are alternative ways to enter this information, including calling the Information Center at 888-248-6866.

The Trout Challenge is open-ended, and all who completes it will receive a NMTC coin for bragging rights. Nicolas Villescas of Albuquerque was the first person to complete the challenge.

If you look at other states, New Mexico and California are about the only states that have more than four different trout species, said Ross Morgan, public information specialist for Game and Fishs northwestern region.

I thought it was a perfect fit for the state of New Mexico, he said. Its an opportunity for people to get out and challenge themselves. Its a great way to promote fishing in New Mexico. A lot of people out there didnt know New Mexico had that many species of trout. Its great to see it take off. Its been a hit. Its pretty incredible to see that many people excited about it.
China seemed to score a major victory in its fight against the coronavirus by building two new hospitals in an extremely short time, promising 2,600 new beds.

Chinese state media lauded the lightning-speed construction of the makeshift hospitals, saying it reflected the "nation's building prowess."

Official data, however, shows the facilities have been slow to treat patients.

As of February 12 the two facilities were housing 1,136 patients  less than half of their goal.

The virus has killed at least 1,360 people and infected more than 60,000, with the Wuhan area the worst-hit.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It was probably China's biggest propaganda coup of the coronavirus outbreak: announcing and building two new hospitals in a time frame that was almost incomprehensible in the West.

Chinese state media livestreamed frantic construction efforts as first the Huoshenshan and then the Leishenshan hospitals sprang up out of nowhere, the first built in 10 days and the second in 12.

They were to provide sorely needed new beds for victims of the outbreak: 1,000 at Huoshenshan and 1,600 at Leishenshan.

China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 7, 2020

China's official Xinhua news agency called the quick turnaround "Mission Impossible made possible." Cameras toured the fresh-built facilities and noted that patients were being moved in already.

Official data, however, shows that the utility of the hospitals has yet to match the pace or spectacle of their construction, with the facilities running at less than half their projected 2,600 capacity.

Here is a graph showing the number of occupied beds reported each day by local officials:

Wuhan new hospital beds graph

Business Insider/Google

This chart shows the raw figures:

Date Leishenshan Beds Huoshenshan Beds Feb 2 0 0 Feb 3 0 50 Feb 4 0 45 Feb 5 0 76 Feb 6 0 86 Feb 7 0 86 Feb 8 30 286 Feb 9 85 382 Feb 10 88 803 Feb 11 90 924 Feb 12 123 1,013 CAPACITY 1,600 1,000

The hospitals combined had only 1,136 beds occupied out of a possible 2,600 beds available by Wednesday.

Story continues

It is not clear what is responsible for the mismatch between the hospitals' notional capacity and the reality.

According to The Guardian, elsewhere in the city there is a dire shortage of space, with exhibition centers and sports halls being converted into makeshift medical sites.

The virus has killed at least 1,360 people and infected more than 60,000. Most of the cases have been recorded in China's Hubei province, where Wuhan is the largest city.

Medical staff test facilities and make the bed at Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital to make final preparations to admit patients infected with the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 3, 2020.

Getty

On Thursday, Hubei officials reported an enormous spike in cases: 14,840 new infections.

Earlier this month, officials said that major hospitals had to turn away patients because they were lacking beds and adequate medical resources.

"The medical resources in Wuhan, especially the ICU team, are not enough to deal with this severe treatment," Jiang Rongmeng, a member of the Chinese National Health Commission's team, said earlier this month, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday that the number of designated hospitals in Wuhan treating coronavirus patients has risen to 40. The two new hospitals, it said, would be used to treat patients in severe or critical condition.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CALGARY - A former Alberta fire chief hailed by many as a hero for his role in battling the destructive Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016 has been accused of sexually harassing a female subordinate during previous jobs he had.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fort McMurray fire chief Darby Allen speaks to members of the media at a fire station in Fort McMurray, Monday, May 9, 2016. The former Fort McMurray fire chief hailed by some as a hero for his role in battling a massive 2016 wildfire has been accused of sexually harassing a female subordinate during his previous job in Calgary's fire department. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rachel La Corte

CALGARY - A former Alberta fire chief hailed by many as a hero for his role in battling the destructive Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016 has been accused of sexually harassing a female subordinate during previous jobs he had.

The allegations against Darby Allen when he worked in Calgary's fire department date back to about 2002 and have not been proven in court.

The woman filed a statement of claim in Alberta Court of Queen's Bench in 2018 that alleges Allen made sexually charged comments, groped her and became hostile when she made plans with other men. It also alleges Allen poked her in the back with his erect penis in her cubicle.

"Allen subjected the plaintiff to near daily sexual harassment, assaults and battery," says the claim, first reported by CBC News on Thursday.

"Allen abused his power and authority over the plaintiff to threaten her employment, as well as her personal autonomy and safety, to further his sexual harassment and battery."

The claim also alleges the City of Calgary knew that Allen, who was decades older than the plaintiff, was abusing his power.

"At all material times, the city allowed Allen unfettered authority and power in his positions of power over the plaintiff."

The claim says Allen's actions caused or worsened the woman's post-traumatic stress disorder and resulted in headaches, night terrors, insomnia, depression and other ailments.

The document says a city investigation ultimately led to Allen being fired.

Allen, who is originally from the United Kingdom, became the face of the fight against the Fort McMurray fire, which he famously nicknamed "the beast."

When he and other Fort McMurray first responders marched in the Calgary Stampede parade two months after the disaster, Allen's history in Calgary was not widely known. He said at the time it was "like coming home again."

In a statement of defence filed last May, Allen denied the harassment allegations and said the matter was settled when the woman accepted compensation from the city.

It also said the plaintiff signed a release which "acknowledged that she released all employees of the City of Calgary, and by implication, Allen."

The woman told the CBC that she did not sign such a document or receive any compensation.

The city says in its statement of defence that the court has no authority to hear the claim and asks that the suit be dismissed with costs. It filed a separate application last February saying the matter should be settled through arbitration and asked the court to strike the statement of claim.

Allen's lawyer said his client would not comment while the matter is before the courts. The women's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

The City of Calgary said in a statement that significant efforts have been made in its fire department over the past few years to further build a respectful workplace.

"This work will continue to be a constant focus to ensure all employees feel physically and psychologically safe when at work. Harassment and abuse will not be tolerated," it said.

Allen left his job as Fort McMurray fire chief in early 2017. He told The Canadian Press at the time that he and his wife were looking to relocate somewhere more temperate due to her health.

His LinkedIn page says he now lives in Vancouver and does public speaking.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020
A bill introduced in the Utah state legislature last week that would require every porn video or publication to come with a health hazard warning label took a big step toward becoming law on Tuesday, when the states House Judiciary Committee voted to approve the bill, passing it on for a vote by the full House.

The committee voted 9-2 in favor of the bill, which would require every online porn clip to be preceded by a 15-second label warning of porns alleged negative impacts to brain development, emotional development, and the ability to maintain intimate relationships.

Im sorry, but if you want to threaten my kids, Im not playing nice anymore," Republican state rep Eric Hutchings said at Tuesdays hearing on the bill, HB0243, as quoted by the Salt Lake Tribune.

The bill would slap a $2,500 fine on any porn site that failed to attach the warning, but that fine would be levied for each offense. In other words, a single porn clip viewed 1,000 times in Utah without the warning would result in a $2.5 million fine. But one Republican rep, Travis Seegmiller, said that the proposed fines were not steep enough.

The nature of the damage is so extensive and severe and pervasive and destructive and horrific that to be honest, this seems like chump change compared to whats happening to our kids, the rep from St. George, Utah, said, as quoted by the Tribune.

The American Civil Liberties Union objected to the bill, saying it would unconstitutionally curtail free speech rightsand the Free Speech Coalition, an adult industry advocacy organization, also warned of the bills potential consequences in a statement released last week.

The FSC also said that the supposed science behind the claims of porns harmful effects is not credible, noting that the bill cites no specific research to back up its claims of a hazard to public health.

Should this bill be passed, the likely targets would be a long list of targets social conservatives regularly deem obscenefrom feminist art and LGBTQ film to comprehensive sex education texts, the FSC said in the statement. The State of Utah and its taxpayers would be on the hook for millions of dollars defending a law that is ultimately indefensible.

Republican state rep Bradty Brammer, the author of the bill, said that he crafted its language by referring to Utahs 2016 resolution declaring porn a public health hazard, according to the Associated Press.

Photo By Coolcaesar / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain
Police are investigating whether the death of a man whose body was found dumped in bushland on the NSW South Coast was a gay hate crime.

A dog walker found 56-year-old Peter Keeley's bound body in bushland in Broulee earlier this month with injuries to his face and head.

A post mortem was "inconclusive", police said in a statement.

Early on Thursday morning, police arrested two 17-year-old boys at their family homes in connection with the death.
[February 13, 2020] Semiconductor Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Equipment Market 2019-2023|Rising Demand for Semiconductor Lasers to Boost Growth | Technavio

Technavio has been monitoring the semiconductor chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment market and it is poised to grow by USD 2.88 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005279/en/ Technavio has published a new market research report on the semiconductor chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment market from 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire) Rising demand for semiconductor lasers has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, growing demand for ALD equipment might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report Semiconductor Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Equipment Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Semiconductor Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Equipment Market is segmented as below: End-user Memory

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Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of semiconductor chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment market vendors About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005279/en/

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Like a slow-motion, underwater cattle drive, wildlife officials in a half-dozen aluminum boats used pulses of electricity and sound on a recent gray morning to herd schools of Asian carp toward 1,000-foot-long nets.

The ongoing roundup on wind-rippled Kentucky Lake opens a new front in a 15-year battle to halt the advance of the invasive carp, which threaten to upend aquatic ecosystems, starve out native fish and wipe out endangered mussel and snail populations along the Mississippi River and dozens of tributaries.

State and federal agencies together have spent roughly $607 million to stop them since 2004, according to data compiled by The Associated Press. Projects in the works are expected to push the price tag to about $1.5 billion over the next decade.

Thats more than five times the amount predicted in 2007 when a national carp management plan was crafted, and no end is in sight. Programs aim to reduce established populations and prevent further spreading, but wildlife officials concede they may never be able to eradicate the prolific fish.

Much of the focus has been on limiting their northerly migration and keeping them out of the Great Lakes, where experts say they could devastate a $7 billion fishing industry. That effort features an underwater electric barrier near Chicago, water sampling for carp DNA, subsidies for commercial fishers and experiments with a mass roundup-type harvest.

It has been largely successful, although the lakes remain vulnerable and grass carp  one of the Asian varieties  have been spotted in Lakes Erie, Ontario and Michigan.

Less money and attention have been paid to the carps virtually unchecked spread east and west into the Missouri and Ohio rivers, among others.

Asian carp were imported to the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s as an eco-friendly alternative to poisons for ridding Southern fish farms and sewage lagoons of algae, weeds and parasites. They escaped through flooding, deliberate stocking and other means.

It was a dumb idea, said Joel Brammeier, president of the advocacy group Alliance for the Great Lakes. Even back then, biologists understood the risks of bringing live, non-native animals into the country. It should never have happened.

Greg Conover, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who oversaw development of the national Asian carp strategy, realized how abundant they were becoming in the Mississippi River as he studied native paddlefish in the 1990s.

At first there were no carp, then we were catching a few carp here and there, then eventually we were filling the nets with carp and no paddlefish, he said.

The catchall term Asian carp refers to four invasive species  bighead, black, grass and silver carp.

Sport anglers are feeling their impacts. Scientists reported that carp in the upper Mississippi are out-competing prized native fish such as yellow perch and bluegill. And silver carp hurtle from the water like missiles when startled by boat motors. Collisions have broken noses, jaws and ribs.

That has hurt the tourism industry, said Ron Brooks, Kentuckys aquatic nuisance species program director.

There are no precise estimates of Asian carp populations in U.S. waters, but there are believed to be millions. At times, theyve totaled up to 90% of all fish populations on some backwaters of the Mississippi River.

Asian carp are established in much of the central U.S. They grow quickly and reproduce abundantly; females lay up to 5 million eggs at a time. Silver carp mature in three to four years and can grow to about 60 pounds. Bighead, the largest, can reach 110 pounds.

Grass carp  the only Asian carp species that still can be legally imported for weed control  have been found as far west as Utah, and in Florida and New York.

Early attempts to rein in Asian carp were slow going.

Some fish farmers didnt want the carp banned. States were slow to act. One control method, commercial fishing, hit a snag when processors realized that, while the carp are a prized food in China, buyers there like them fresh, not frozen.

But control efforts are increasing and becoming more successful. In the upper Illinois and Des Plaines rivers last year, a combination of the roundup method and commercial fishing helped pull in 1.5 million pounds of carp, said Kevin Irons, aquatic nuisance species manager with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Irons said they have seen a 96.7% drop in the Asian carp population on that stretch of river since 2012.

Still, the Illinois remains infested. To prevent carp from migrating northward into Lake Michigan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing the priciest initiative yet: fortifying a lock and dam on the outskirts of Chicago with an electric barrier, underwater speakers blasting irritating noises, and air bubble curtains. The project, awaiting congressional approval, could cost more than $800 million.
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Linkedin Emma Batha (Reuters) London, United Kingdom  Thu, February 13, 2020 10:05 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206433edd 2 People Yazidi,sex-slave,choir,singing,music,Iraq,ISIS,Britain Free

When Rainas Elias was 14, Islamic State militants overran her Yazidi homeland in northern Iraq, kidnapped her and sold her to a fighter who repeatedly raped and tortured her before selling her to an even more brutal monster.

Two years after her escape, Elias is visiting Britain this week with a choir created by young survivors of Islamic State (ISIS) atrocities.

The girls, aged 15 to 22, say the choir provides them with friendship, healing and an escape from the traumatic memories that haunt them.

"I feel very happy with them. It's helped me a lot psychologically," Elias said through an interpreter after performing at a London music conservatory.

The choir has sung at Westminster Abbey and will perform at the Houses of Parliament and in front of Prince Charles, a longtime patron of AMAR, a charity helping with the girls' rehabilitation in Iraq.

The estimated 400,000-strong Yazidi community in Iraq is a Kurdish minority whose faith combines elements of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Islam.

ISIS, which considers them devil-worshippers, killed and abducted thousands of Yazidis after unleashing a 2014 assault on their Mount Sinjar heartland in what the United Nations says was genocide.

Although the militants were driven out three years ago, most Yazidis still live in camps, too afraid to return.

Read also: After years of silence, music fills streets of Iraq's Mosul

Ancient tradition

On a boat ride down the River Thames this week, the girls gathered on the deck to take in the sights and snap selfies.

In their sunglasses and high street fashions, they could have been any group of excited teenagers on their first trip abroad - until they brought out a large tambourine-like daf drum and broke into song.

Music is central to Yazidi religion and culture, but it has never been written down or recorded.

British virtuoso violinist Michael Bochmann has been working with Yazidi musicians and AMAR to record the ancient music.

On Tuesday, Bochmann and the choir handed over the archive to Oxford University's Bodleian Library.

The project also aims to protect Yazidi music by teaching it to hundreds of young people in the camps.

Although traditionally performed by men, nearly half those learning are girls and women, which Bochmann is delighted by.

He said the choir was having a transformative effect.

"It's extraordinary how they've grown in confidence," Bochmann told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The great thing about music is that it makes you live in the here and now. More than any other art form, it can make you happy in the present moment."

Read also: In Iraq, religious rap meets a chorus of controversy

Justice and protection

For their performance, the girls donned long white and lilac dresses tied with orange sashes, and black headdresses adorned with gold.

As they danced with sequined scarves or ululated during a folksong it was hard to imagine the horrors they had endured so recently.

About half the 14 choir members were enslaved. Most did not want to tell their stories, but Elias was keen to speak out.

"I'm not sure whether I'll (ever) recover from what I've experienced," said the teenager who spent three years in captivity.

Elias was sold three times to different men after her abductors took her to Syria.

The second man, a Saudi national, died while she was pregnant. She was sold with her child to a Moroccan who raped her "like a monster", sometimes six times a day.

She became pregnant twice but lost both babies, attributing the first miscarriage partly to torture.

Elias's family secured her release in 2017 for $12,000, but ISIS kept her daughter.

"I suffered a lot. I hope the world community will help us capture the (men) and imprison them," said Elias.

Her sister and two brothers are among thousands of Yazidis who are still missing.

Some choir members were even younger when abducted. One girl was sold five times to ISIS rapists after being kidnapped when she was 11. Another was nine when she was taken as a domestic slave. Her tiny frame suggests how little she was given to eat.

Elias, now 19, said the international community must help rescue remaining captives and ensure the Yazidis are never persecuted again.

It is a message the choir is taking to politicians and religious leaders during their trip to Britain.

While ISIS may have been defeated, the Yazidis say they have not gone away and could resurface.

"The danger is still there. The only thing that can save us is a world commitment to protect us," Elias said.

"What I experienced, the torture and rape, I cannot forget. Of course I'm still afraid."
As Valentines Day approaches, one of Britains leading virologists has warned people to stop hugging or kissing to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Stock image

As Valentine's Day approaches, a leading virologists has warned people to stop hugging or kissing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Prof John Oxford, of Queen Mary University in London, said he hoped "British stand-offishness" could protect the nation from the deadly bug.

Describing coronavirus as a "social virus", he said: "It rather hates it in Britain, compared to China, because we are so stand-offish."

The World Health Organisation has warned that a vaccine is unlikely to be ready for 18 months. Prof Oxford suggested that, in the meantime, people should keep themselves to themselves.

"I think we have to galvanise ourselves in our social actions, how we interact with people, I think that is extremely important; more so than wearing a mask. I think that's a total diversion," he said.

"What we need to do is less handshaking, hugging, kissing, that sort of thing, because this virus looks like it is spread by ordinary tidal breathing, not necessarily colds and coughing."

The virus has killed more than 1,100 people out of the 45,000 cases that have been diagnosed across the world.

Prof Neil Ferguson, a mathematical biologist at Imperial College, warned that the world was "in the early phases of a global pandemic".

He said that reducing physical contact between people might slow the virus's spread but was highly unlikely to stop transmission.

Meanwhile, organisers of the world's biggest mobile technology fair are pulling the plug over worries about the viral outbreak from China. The annual Mobile World Congress show will no longer be held as planned in Barcelona, Spain, on February 24-27.

"Global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," John Hoffman, head of the GSMA organising body, said yesterday.

The decision comes after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out, with the latest cancellations by Nokia, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and BT.
On Monday, US Attorney General William Barr announced lawsuits against the state of New Jersey and against King County, in Washington state, over so-called sanctuary policies that it claims obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The announcement marks the first time that the federal government has sued a state over its decision to curb its cooperation with immigration officials. The lawsuits were announced mere hours after President Donald Trump told a meeting of governors at the White House that sanctuary city policies were a tremendous problem.

The lawsuits come on top of the Trump administrations decision to block participation in the Trusted Travel programs for New York state residents. Trusted Travel programs allow easier access over the US border. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken these measures as retribution for the states Green Light bill that grants drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants but restricts federal access to their data. New York has sued DHS for the action.

The federal lawsuit against New Jersey, which names Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal as defendants, challenges the states Immigrant Trust Directive, which forbids officials from providing information about the immigration status and release dates of people in custody to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The directive also requires police officers to notify a detainee in writing if ICE files an immigration detainer request for him or her. According to the Department of Justice, the directive violates the US Constitutions supremacy clause.

Noting that he had introduced the directive in 2018, Grewal called the lawsuit an election-year stunt in a statement issued by his office. Nothing about todays lawsuit changes our work on the ground, he added.

Yet Grewals posturing as a defender of immigrants is itself a stunt, because nothing about the directive changes ICEs work on the ground. When he introduced the directive, Grewal pointed out that it did not make New Jersey a sanctuary for criminals. The directive prohibits 287(g) partnerships, which enable local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents or detain immigrants for ICE without a warrant signed by a judge. But it does not stop police, prosecutors, and prison officials from helping ICE agents with proper requests.

In fact, New Jersey officials complied with about two-thirds of all federal requests to hold individuals for 48 hours or more, according to a report that New Jersey Policy Perspective released in 2018. The report also found that the number of detainers issued by ICE had increased by approximately 88 percent between 2016 and 2017.

Murphy, for his part, has largely stopped posing as a protector of immigrants. While he was running for governor as a Democrat, he vowed to make New Jersey a sanctuary state. Since taking office, he has stopped using that phrase.

In the lawsuit against King County, Washington, which includes Seattle, the Department of Justice is challenging a local order that forbids contractors working for ICE to use King County International Airport (also known as Boeing Field) to fly immigrant detainees within or outside the country. The order forbids officials from providing aeronautical or non-aeronautical services to these contractors, and the Department of Justice again alleges that this violates the supremacy clause.

After the order was issued, a local company informed an ICE contractor that it would no longer service its flights. When no other company agreed to serve the contractor, it began flying detainees out of the Yakima airport, which is more than two hours away. This airport creates difficulties, according to the Department of Justice, because there is no facility nearby where detainees could be housed if flights are delayed because of bad weather.

This is another attack by the Trump administration on communities that have implemented policies that uphold our values. Its posturing that further politicizes the Department of Justice, said Democratic congressional representatives Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith, whose districts include Seattle, in a joint statement. King County is well within its right not to be involved in federal immigration enforcement activities without valid court orders.

But in the same statement, Jayapal and Smith gave away their own posturing. We stand ready and willing to work with anyone to enact comprehensive immigration reform, they said, showing their willingness to betray immigrant workers.

King County Executive Dow Constantine, who issued the local order on flights at Boeing Field, objected that the Trump administrations lawsuit had interrupted his own efforts to conclude a rotten compromise. We are already actively engaged in an administrative process with the Federal Aviation Administration to resolve our differing interpretations, he told NBC News.

These lawsuits are the latest development in the Trump administrations ongoing crusade against immigrants and asylum seekers. Beginning with the presidential campaign of 2016, Trump has called immigrants animals and rapists. At a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, in January, Trump called immigrants criminals who should be taken the hell out of our country, according to NorthJersey.com.

Since taking office, Trump has ordered the construction of a wall along the border with Mexico, established concentration camps where immigrants and asylum seekers are held in squalor without due process, and knowingly deported immigrants to countries where they would face persecution or death. Democrats in Congress have given their support, tacitly or explicitly, to each of these initiatives.




Haiti - Insecurity : The OPC deeply concerned about the increased acts of kidnappings





The Office for the Protection of the Citizen (OPC), expresses its deepest concerns about the increase in criminal acts in the country, in particular cases of kidnappings of people against ransom. Stressing that "this climate of insecurity which is settling in the country, is the consequence of the proliferation of armed gangs which operate without fear in disadvantaged neighborhoods."



According to information circulating in the press and on social networks, the kidnapping phenomenon is on the rise and is becoming more and more worrying and affects all categories of people https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-30011-icihaiti-insecurity-release-against-ransom-of-the-5-young-hostages-kidnapped-in-delmas-3.html . the OPC deplores that the police and judicial authorities "are not able to put forward figures, on the number of documented victims, nor to mention the number of investigations opened on the issue", believing that such practices have disastrous consequences not only on the health of the victims and their loved ones but also that the economic situation of many families "this phenomenon has reached the threshold of unacceptable and requires urgent and effective measures," insists the Office.



"The OPC hears the cry of distress of fellow citizens, young people, mostly professionals who are threatening to leave the country. If in the past, people fled the country

for economic and political reasons, currently the phenomenon of banditry coupled with acts of kidnapping have caused the displacement of many compatriots abroad."



The Office recalls that the security of lives and property of citizens is the responsibility of the State under the Haitian Constitution and international instruments for the protection of Human Rights https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30012-haiti-politic-pm-lapin-announces-measures-to-combat-insecurity.html . The OPC reiterates its call for solidarity and a collective awareness to get the country out of this crisis and recommends to members of civil society concerned with peace, tranquility and security in general to cooperate with the police institution in its fight against crime.



Finally, the Agency believes that "there is an urgent need for the country's security forces to mobilize to define effective strategies to provide immediate responses and stem this scourge which continues to sow mourning and desolation in society."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30012-haiti-politic-pm-lapin-announces-measures-to-combat-insecurity.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-30011-icihaiti-insecurity-release-against-ransom-of-the-5-young-hostages-kidnapped-in-delmas-3.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















With 99 reported vulnerabilities and patches to both Microsoft browsers, Office and Windows, this month's Patch Tuesday update is not as large an administrative burden as you might initially think. We've rated the browser updates as a Patch Now update due to issues with the Chakra engine, but both Office and Windows can be scheduled according to a regular patch cadence. Unfortunately, we have another Adobe Flash update to deploy, but no critical development updates for February.

You can find more information in our helpful infographic here.

Known issues

Each month, Microsoft includes a list of known issues that relate to the operating system and platforms included in this update cycle. I have referenced a few key issues that relate to the latest builds from Microsoft including:

Microsoft Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV) can still generate the error message," STATUS_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0xC00000A5)." Microsoft is still working on a solution. Until a fix is released, you can try the operation as an administrator or try to own directories in question before the operation.

After installing some Asian language packs you may still (see KB4493509) receive the error, "0x800f0982 - PSFX_E_MATCHING_COMPONENT_NOT_FOUND."

Microsoft has been working on a fix for both these issues for a while now; we dont expect a resolution any time soon.

Major revisions

This month, two CVEs have undergone a major revision increment:

CVE-2019-1332: CVE information revised to announce the availability of Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (CU) and Microsoft SQL Server 2016 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 (GDR).

CVE-2019-8267: Microsoft revised this to include Internet Explorer 11 installed on all supported editions of Windows 10 Version 1809, Windows Server 2019, Windows 10 Version 1903, and Windows 10 Version 1909 because they are affected by this vulnerability. This change may affect your server update cycle

Each month, we break down the update cycle into product families (as defined by Microsoft) with the following basic groupings:

Browsers (Microsoft IE and Edge)

Microsoft Windows (both desktop and server)

Microsoft Office (Including Web Apps and Exchange)

Microsoft Development platforms ( ASP.NET Core, .NET Core and Chakra Core)

Cloud and Devices

Adobe Flash Player (to be discontinued)

Browsers

Microsoft has released nine updates to both browsers (Internet Explorer and Edge) this month, with five rated as critical, two as moderate and the remaining two as important. The biggest concerns are the four critical updates to the Chakra core scripting engine that could lead to remote code execution.

Microsoft advises that these four critical vulnerabilities could lead to a scenario where "An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.

Add this update to your "Patch Now" schedule.

Microsoft Windows

Ok, this may sound like a lot of updates: Microsoft has released 79 patches to the Windows desktop and server ecosystem. Five of these updates are rated as critical and the rest are all rated as important by Microsoft. It sounds (and feels) like a lot of patches, but other than the critical updates to the Remote Desktop (RDP) platform, the administrative burden is not that great.

This patch cycle feels more like an administrative cycle than that one that addresses critical or exploited vulnerabilities. Its clean-up time for Microsoft after the Christmas break and a very light January patch cycle.

Add these updates to your standard release schedule.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft has released six updates to Microsoft Office  all rated as important. The most serious for this month affects Microsoft Excel with a potential (but difficult-to-exploit) remote code execution scenario involving how Excel handles objects in memory. All of this months reported vulnerabilities require access to the target system and require users to take explicit action on vulnerable systems. There is an update this month to Microsoft SharePoint server which will require a reboot of all affected servers.

Add these Office patches to your regularly scheduled updates

Microsoft development platforms

This month, Microsoft has not released any updates to the many variations of .NET, but we do have one update to SQL Server that has been rated as important. CVE-2020-0618 is relatively difficult to exploit, as it requires access to the SQL server instance and requires specially crafted pages sent to the SQL Server Reporting services.

Add this update to your regularly scheduled patch release cadences.

Cloud and Devices

We have allocated this space to the recent cloud (Azure) and device updates from Microsoft. This month, Microsoft has not released any Azure related patches, but has published a Microsoft Surface (device level) patch (CVE-2020-0702) that has been rated as important (and difficult to exploit).

Add this device related update to your regular patch cycle.

Adobe Flash Player

I thought that we were done with critical Adobe Flash Player updates from Microsoft. I even instructed our development team to remove this section from our internal bulletins. Well, they (Flash Player) updates are back, with a vengeance.

This month, we see another ActiveX flaw in Flash Player (ADV20003/CVE-2020-3757) that could lead to the execution of arbitrary code on the compromised computer. According to the Adobe security bulletin, The vulnerability exists due to a type confusion error when processing Flash content. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted .SWF file, trick the victim into playing it, trigger a type confusion error and execute arbitrary code on the target system. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of the target system.

Microsoft has documented a potential work-around relating to the Flash ActiveX control which includes making the following registry changes:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}]

"Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}]

"Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400

Add this update to your "Patch Now release schedule.
An Garda Siochana wish to warn members of the public to be aware of Romance fraud as we approach St Valentines Day. In 2019, 75 cases of Romance Fraud were reported to Gardai. The victims were both male and female. The total losses suffered were in excess of 1,000,000.

This particular fraud is enabled via online dating sites or other social media by fraudsters who will provide the victims with well-prepared stories designed to deceive. The victims develop online relationships with the fraudsters, who use fake identities, photographs and life stories. Inevitably, the fraudster will ask their victim for money. The fraudster will continue to ask for money until the victim has no more money to give or realise they are being conned. This crime often leaves vulnerable people with a feeling of hurt and mistrust in addition to their financial loss.

The warning signs include:

 The fraudster asking the victim to communicate by instant messaging, text or phone calls rather than messaging through the dating website

 The fraudster will start asking for money for various reasons, starting with low amounts:

- to pay for travel to meet the victim

- to pay moving expenses (ship furniture and pay customs)

- to pay medical expenses for a sick child or relative

- to invest in a guaranteed business opportunity

- to pay a tax bill or other spurious reason

 No meetings in person take place. The fraudster will present reasons for not meeting, or may arrange to meet and then cancel

 The fraudster will avoid personal questions, but will ask plenty

 They will ask for money to be transferred to bank accounts abroad or via money transfer agencies to locations outside of Ireland

 Phone calls from Irish numbers or lodgements to Irish bank accounts should not be considered as evidence that the person is genuine

In one case an Irish victim developed a relationship with a male on a dating website. He gained her trust and she sent him 62,000 over a period of time. In another case, a victim linked up with a female in an on-line chat room and ended up sending her 50,000.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau advises the public as follows:

 STOP AND THINK! ASK YOURSELF, IS THIS PERSON REAL? - If you are asked for money by a person with whom you are in an on-line relationship

 NEVER share personal or banking details with unknown persons online.

 NEVER receive money from, or send money to persons unknown.

 THINK twice before using a webcam (intimate images can be used for blackmail).

 TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS  if it sounds like it is too good to be true, it is probably not true.

 IF IN DOUBT, talk to a family member or a friend.

 If you have been the victim of this type of crime, please report it in confidence to your local Garda station.
Donald Trump made a previously unannounced visit on Thursday afternoon to his reelection campaign headquarters in Virginia to meet with campaign officials.

He was joined by White House Advisor Jared Kushner and his campaign manager Brad Parscale for the hour-long meeting at the Republican National Committee Annex Office in Arlington.

The Trump campaign posted a picture of the presidents visit to its social media accounts.

'Thank you for the visit and inspirational talk today, Mr. President!' the caption read. 'We won't let you down in November!'

There appeared to a few dozen to 100 people in the photo, but featured in the first one and two rows were Kushner, Parscale and the campaign's top communications advisers Kayleigh McEnany, Katrina Pierson and Tim Murtaugh.

The meeting in Virginia was held amid comments from Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg vowing to spend however much necessary to beat Trump in November.

Donald Trump made an unannounced visit to his reelection campaign headquarters in Arlington, Virginia Thursday afternoon

The president was joined on his trip to the Washington, D.C. outskirt by Senior Advisor Jared Kushner (left) and reelection campaign manager Brad Parscale (right)

While Trump was holding the meeting, Bloomberg was hosting a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina  a Super Tuesday state

Even though he is a newcomer candidate, only announcing in November, Bloomberg has swiftly risen in the polls and ranks in the top four nationally. He has also already spent more than $200 million on advertising

Bloomberg has vowed to spend 'whatever it takes' to beat the president, and some reports indicate he is willing to spend $2 billion of his own cash to out Trump from office in November

His campaign has said in the past that Bloomberg is prepared to spend $2 billion of his own money on his run, whether successful or not.

The only other event on the presidents public schedule is an Oval Office meeting with Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Oval Office later Thursday afternoon.

Bloomberg has also been dominating ad space, as he has already spent more than $200 million on advertisements and is paying social media influencers to post memes about his campaign.

Trump's 2016 campaign was marked by his smart, strong social media  in particular Facebook  advertising strategy.

And a Facebook official said he never saw a more effective digital advertising campaign.

Both Trump and Bloomberg spent $10 million on TV ads that played during the Super Bowl.

Virginia is a Super Tuesday state, and in 2016 it went from Trump in the primaries with a narrow 2.8 per cent lead against Marco Rubio, who came in second in the state's primary contest. Trump lost Virginia, however, in the general elections against Hillary Clinton.

Bloomberg has focused all of his ad efforts on Super Tuesday, as he has virtually ignored the four first primary contest states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

The former New York City mayor is a latecomer to the Democratic primary field, but has swiftly become one of Trump's main targets.

The president has often attacked the billionaire candidate for his height, and claims he won't be able to perform well at the debates should he qualify to make the stage because he won't be able to stand on a box and appear taller.

Trump has made Bloomberg a target of the Democratic field, and on Thursday tweeted that he is a 'loser.' The tweet included a photoshopped image of the two at dramatically different heights and Bloomberg in an oversized suit

He also took a hit at Bloomberg's height claimed in another tweet that former New York City mayor is 5'4' and told him not to use a box to stand on if he qualifies for a Democratic debate

Both native New Yorkers, Bloomberg and Trump used to be friends before they were political foes. Here Trump, 6ft 3in, pictured with son-in-law Jared Kusher (right) and Bloomberg, 5ft 8inc, is between the two

'Mini Mike is a 5'4' mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians. No boxes please,' Trump tweeted Thursday.

Bloomberg is 5ft 8in and Trump is noticeably taller at 6ft 3in.

The former New York City mayor responded to Trump, '[W]e know many of the same people in NY.'

'Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown,' he claimed in a tweet. 'They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence. I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will.'

He posted in another tweet Thursday, and compared him to Jeb Bush  one of Trump's previous primary competitors in the 2016 elections.

'Mini Mike Bloomberg is a LOSER who has money but can't debate and has zero presence, you will see,' he said in a tweet. 'He reminds me of a tiny version of Jeb 'Low Energy' Bush, but Jeb has more political skill and has treated the Black community much better than Mini!'
A worker stands in front of parts of Hyundai Motor's sedans at its plant in Asan, Korea, Jan. 27, 2016. Reuters



South Korean car giant Hyundai Motor has increasingly relied on China to supply auto parts to its manufacturing hub at home in recent years. As the coronavirus spreads, its strategy could be backfiring.



One of its main suppliers, Kyungshin, which has rapidly boosted capacity in China over the past two decades to capitalise on the country's lower labour costs and proximity to South Korea, has seen its operations hit hard by the epidemic.



Hundreds of workers failed to turn up for work last week at two of its four plants, in Jiangsu and Qingdao, following a Chinese New Year holiday that was extended due to the outbreak, according to a source familiar with the matter. In Jiangsu, only about 300 of the 600 employees who were due to return showed up, the source said.



Now Kyungshin, which supplies almost half of the wiring harnesses for Hyundai's auto electrical systems in the carmaker's South Korean manufacturing hub, is scrambling to make up for production shortfalls.



It has increased output at its factories in the United States, India, Cambodia and South Korea, according to three people with knowledge of the measures, who told Reuters the company was running its Korean plants around the clock.



As it falls behind schedule, the company plans to use planes as well as ships to speed up the transport of its parts to South Korea, added the sources who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.



Kyungshin said it was doing all it could to normalise parts supply.



Hyundai told Reuters it was reviewing various measures to minimize the disruption to its operations and "ensure a stable and optimal production system."



The carmaker's South Korean hub accounts for about 40% of its global production, with vehicles exported to the United States, Europe and Middle East as well as other countries.



The return to work by millions of people in China, where the coronavirus has killed more than 1,100 and infected over 44,000, has been marked by public fears over safety and mistrust of authorities.



Kyungshin's travails in part reflect those of several global automakers, including Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Daimler, and their suppliers who have seen operations disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, highlighting their China exposure.






Retired General John Kelly, President Trumps former chief of staff, has commended Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council official who testified against President Trump during impeachment, for doing exactly what we teach them.

He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave, Kelly told the audience at Drew University on Wednesday night. He went and told his boss what he just heard.

Kelly added that Trumps July call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, which sparked the whistleblower complaint and impeachment, was like an illegal order, and that Vindman did the right thing in speaking out about it.

During testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in November, Vindman said he felt it was improper for the president of the United States to demand a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen and political opponent, after Trump mentioned Hunter Biden on the call as an example of corruption, and added that the comments would undermine U.S. national security.

We teach them, Dont follow an illegal order. And if youre ever given one, youll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss, Kelly said Wednesday.

Vindman was escorted from the White House last week in what his lawyer called revenge, by Trump. He was not scheduled to leave the White House until July.

The most powerful man in the world  buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit has decided to exact revenge, Vindmans lawyer David Pressman said. The president admitted to reporters that he was not happy with the Army officer.

You think Im supposed to be happy with him? Im not. Theyll make that decision. Youll be hearing, Trump said. Defense Secretary Mark Esper added that the Pentagon does not allow retribution against service members, and signaled Vindman would be returning to the Pentagon.

Last month, Kelly said he believed former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who reportedly writes in his forthcoming book that Trump told him directly that a holdup in Ukrainian military aid was conditioned on the announcement of an Ukrainian investigation into the Bidens.

Story continues

Johns an honest guy. Hes a man of integrity and great character . . . he always gave the president the unvarnished truth, Kelly said.

More from National Review
The Karnataka high court ruled on Thursday that the prohibitory orders imposed in Bengaluru on December 18 to deter anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests were illegal and asked the state government why it assumed that every protest will disturb public peace.

Chief Justice Abhay S Oka also asked why permission for the protest was cancelled overnight and held that the government could not provide sufficient grounds for clamping prohibitory orders in the city.

Bengaluru police commissioner had imposed Section 144 ahead of planned anti-CAA protests on December 18, 2019, citing a possible threat to peace and maintenance of law and order.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Gowda, one of the petitioners in the case, tweeted his happiness at the ruling and said the Karnataka government needed to learn its lesson from it.

Very happy to share that the Karnataka HC ruling on my PIL has held illegal the Sec 144 order imposed in Bengaluru. BJP government must learn to accept that peaceful protest is our fundamental right and desist from imposing illegal orders.

Happy to share that the Karnataka High Court ruling on my PIL has held illegal the Sec 144 order imposed in Bengaluru@BJP4Karnataka govt must learn to accept that peaceful protest is our fundamental right & desist from imposing illegal ordershttps://t.co/TfdQFYJ9OD  Rajeev Gowda (@rajeevgowda) February 13, 2020

A similar prohibitory order was imposed in Mangalore, which was violated by the anti-CAA protesters, resulting in violence and subsequent police firing in which two people were killed. An inquiry is ongoing in that matter.

Several opposition parties including the Congress have accused the Central government of alleged misuse of prohibitory orders to stifle democratic and peaceful protests.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 12, 2020 | 09:46 AM | PADUCAH

The two-vehicle crash near the 2-mile marker at about 9 am blocked eastbound traffic from Metropolis to Paducah for about three hours. Illinois law enforcement closed I-24 at the Metropolis exit, and passenger vehicles were detoured across the Brookport Bridge.





Paducah Police spoke with the driver of the semi, 63-year-old Joe Henry of Carthage, who told officers that although he saw a car to the left of him and one behind his semi, he thought they were far enough back for him to change lanes. As he began changing lanes, Henry says the car began to speed up in an attempt to pass him. He attempted to swerve back into the right lane, but the car, driven by 70-year-old Lloyd Kidd of Metropolis, ran off the road, into the median, then swerved back onto the highway where the two vehicles collided.





Kidd told officers he noticed the truck changing lanes, and swerved into the median to avoid the collision. He says he drove back onto the highway to avoid hitting a guardrail.







Both men were taken to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries.



_____

Previous story:







After a crash created a blockage on Eastbound I-24 Wednesday morning, the highway will have to be closed again to allow removal of the damaged semi.

A recovery crew is planning to offload the truck by accessing the crash site from the back side of the nearby Pilot Truck Stop, which will eliminate traffic disruptions during that process. Afterwards, the eastbound lanes of I-24 will likely have to be closed to allow the truck to be pulled up the embankment and removed.



The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet hopes to provide notice about an hour before the truck is removed.



Eastbound traffic entering Kentucky from Illinois is blocked on I-24, after a crash involving an overturned semi and another vehicle.





The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says eastbound traffic is shut down at the 2 mile marker. This is just off the Kentucky end of the I-24 Ohio River Bridge between Metropolis and Paducah.





This prevents traffic from crossing the I-24 bridge into Kentucky. Passenger vehicles are being re-routed to the U.S. 45 Ohio River Brookport Bridge. The Brookport Bridge is restricted to a 15-ton load limit, a 9.5 ft. height limit, and an 8 ft vehicle maximum width which prohibits most commercial trucks and all STAA trucks from crossing.





The overturned semi is hauling food products that may have to be offloaded, which officials say could take about three hours.

I-24 in McCracken County had to be closed twice on Wednesday, while highway crews worked for about 12 hours to unload and then recover an overturned semi near Exit 3.Meanwhile, a recovery crew offloaded the truck's cargo of food products by accessing the crash site from the back side of the nearby Pilot Truck Stop. The operation was further complicated by rain, and the fact that the semi was leaking fuel.After offloading was completed late in the afternoon, I-24 was closed by officials for a second time around 7:15 pm so the semi could be uprighted and recovered.According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the site was cleared by about 9:30 pm and all lanes were reopened.The crash near the 2 mile marker about 9 am stopped and detoured traffic from Metropolis to Paducah for about three hours.Crews worked through the afternoon to offload the truck's cargo using access from the nearby Pilot Truck Stop. They should complete that work by about 7 pm.Since the truck is leaking fuel, crews want to remove it as soon as possible. They will close the eastbound lanes of I-24 about 7:30 pm so the recovery crew can begin work. Crews hope to give a one-hour notice before the closure takes place.There was no estimate given on how long it will take to remove the truck.________Previous Story:Eastbound traffic entering Kentucky from Illinois is now moving again after being stopped for about three hours.Traffic was blocked near the 2 mile marker between Metropolis and Paducah, after a crash involving an overturned semi and another vehicle near the Kentucky end of the Ohio River Bridge.Vehicles were being re-routed to the U.S. 45 Ohio River Brookport Bridge.________Original Story:
Herbal Medicine Market 2020

Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Herbal Medicine  Global Market Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2026 To Its Research Database.

Description:

The purpose of the report is to provide a comprehensive and detailed analysis for the industry Herbal Medicine. The report takes 2020 as the base year and considers a wide range of factors affecting the industry to provide a forecast till the year 2026. The information provided by the report can be used by industry and market analysts as well as by people who have an interest in the industry. The data used in the report is reliable and accurate. Primary and secondary research has been conducted to collect the data. The data in the report has been analysed using a wide range of mathematical and statistical metrics so as to provide the users of the report with quantifiable numbers that can be used to compare the performance of the industry with others of the same type. Methods like Price Trend Analysis. SWOT, Porters 5 Forces have been made use to prepare the report and give a reliable analysis of the industry.

The report covers market size status and forecast, value chain analysis, market segmentation of Top countries in Major Regions, such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa, by type, application and marketing channel. In addition, the report focuses on the driving factors, restraints, opportunities and PEST analysis of major regions.

Major Companies Covered

Tsumura

Potters

Schwabe

Arizona Natural

Arkopharma

Yunnan Baiyao

Nature Herbs

Bio-Botanica

Bayer AG

Herbal Africa

Sanjiu

Kunming Pharma

Imperial Ginseng

Natures Answer

Blackmores

SIDO MUNCUL

Tongrentang

Madaus GmbH

Zhongxinzhiyao

Hainan Haiyao Co.,Ltd

Dabur

Guangzhou Pharma

JZJT

TASLY

Weleda

Zand

Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/4856233-2014-2026-global-herbal-medicine-industry-market-research

Major Types Covered

Tablets & Capsules

Powders

Extracts

Others

Major Applications Covered

Hospital & Retail Pharmacies

E-Commerce

Others

Years considered for this report:

Historical Years: 2014-2018

Base Year: 2019

Estimated Year: 2019

Forecast Period: 2019-2026

Enquiry Before Buying @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/4856233-2014-2026-global-herbal-medicine-industry-market-research

If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.

Segmental Analysis: 

The industry Herbal Medicine is segmented on the basis of the applications, end-users as well as the type of products and services it provides. The report therefore studies the industry on the basis of these segments. The report provides detailed data related to the applications that drive the growth of the industry. The report also discusses the products and services and their end-users who make a significant contribution to the revenue of the industry Herbal Medicine. New product innovations by the industry are also talked about in the report.

Table of Content: 

1 Introduction

1.1 Objective of the Study

1.2 Definition of the Market

1.3 Market Scope

1.3.1 Market Segment by Type, Application and Marketing Channel

1.3.2 Major Regions Covered (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Mid East & Africa)

1.4 Years Considered for the Study (2014-2026)

1.5 Currency Considered (U.S. Dollar)

1.6 Stakeholders



8 Competitive Intelligence  Company Profiles

8.1 Tsumura

8.1.1 Tsumura Profile

8.1.2 Tsumura Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.1.3 Tsumura Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.1.4 Tsumura Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.2 Potters

8.2.1 Potters Profile

8.2.2 Potters Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.2.3 Potters Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.2.4 Potters Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.3 Schwabe

8.3.1 Schwabe Profile

8.3.2 Schwabe Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.3.3 Schwabe Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.3.4 Schwabe Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.4 Arizona Natural

8.4.1 Arizona Natural Profile

8.4.2 Arizona Natural Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.4.3 Arizona Natural Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.4.4 Arizona Natural Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.5 Arkopharma

8.5.1 Arkopharma Profile

8.5.2 Arkopharma Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.5.3 Arkopharma Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.5.4 Arkopharma Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.6 Yunnan Baiyao

8.6.1 Yunnan Baiyao Profile

8.6.2 Yunnan Baiyao Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.6.3 Yunnan Baiyao Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.6.4 Yunnan Baiyao Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.7 Nature Herbs

8.7.1 Nature Herbs Profile

8.7.2 Nature Herbs Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.7.3 Nature Herbs Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.7.4 Nature Herbs Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.8 Bio-Botanica

8.8.1 Bio-Botanica Profile

8.8.2 Bio-Botanica Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.8.3 Bio-Botanica Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.8.4 Bio-Botanica Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.9 Bayer AG

8.9.1 Bayer AG Profile

8.9.2 Bayer AG Sales, Growth Rate and Global Market Share from 2014-2019E

8.9.3 Bayer AG Product/Solution Launches and Enhancements Analysis

8.9.4 Bayer AG Business Overview/Recent Development/Acquisitions

8.10 Herbal Africa

8.11 Sanjiu

Continued..

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Partner Relations & Marketing Manager

sales@wiseguyreports.com

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How early life trauma can contribute to functional neurological disorder

BOSTON - In individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND), the brain generally appears structurally normal on clinical MRI scans but functions incorrectly (akin to a computer software crashing), resulting in patients experiencing symptoms including limb weakness, tremor, gait abnormalities and non-epileptic seizures. In some cases, childhood maltreatment may have been a contributing factor, yet links between risk factors such as childhood abuse and brain mechanisms for the development of FND remain poorly understood. In a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry, researchers led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) examined the brains of individuals who experienced early-life trauma, some with FND and others without the condition. The findings may provide a better understanding of what happens in the brains of some patients with FND, as well as those with various other trauma-related brain disorders.

In the study of 30 adults with FND and 21 individuals whose clinical depression diagnoses served as controls, some of the participants in both groups had experienced early-life maltreatment, as determined through questionnaires. In FND patients only, differences in the severity of childhood physical abuse correlated with differences in connections between certain regions of the brain--for example, between the limbic regions which control emotions, arousal and survival instincts among other functions, and the primary motor cortex which is involved in voluntary movements.

"Motor and limbic circuits were more strongly interconnected in individuals with FND reporting a greater severity of childhood physical abuse," explained lead author Ibai Diez, PhD, a senior research fellow in Neurology and Radiology at MGH. This finding may lead to potentially important insights on the plastic brain mechanisms involved in promoting increased cross-talk between motor control circuits and emotion processing circuits.

In additional assessments, investigators examined how the expression of genes in a publicly available data set from the Allen Institute related to brain areas showing prominent plastic effects correlated to the degree of early-life physical abuse in patients with FND. As background, some genes in the literature have been shown to increase risk for developing brain disorders after experiencing early-life maltreatment. The researchers found that brain areas showing prominent functional re-organization in patients with FND were the same brain areas highly expressing genes involved in neuroplasticity and nervous system development.

"Our study has potential implications regarding our understanding of brain-trauma relationships not only in patients with FND but also across the greater spectrum of trauma-related brain disorders," said senior author David Perez, MD, MMSc, director of the MGH FND Clinical and Research Programs.

Perez stressed that although childhood maltreatment may be a risk factor for the development of FND in some individuals, there are many social, environmental, and biological factors that likely influence the development of FND later in life.

"More work is needed to understand how the brain mechanisms underlying FND in those without prominent childhood maltreatment may be the same or different as those individuals with FND with a high burden of childhood adversity," he said.

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The research was the result of a collaboration between the MGH Functional Neurology Research Group led by Perez, the laboratory of Jorge Sepulcre, MD, PhD, in MGH's Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Gregory Fricchione MD of the Benson-Henry Institute, the laboratory of Erin Dunn PhD, and Timothy Nicholson MD, PhD, of King's College London.

About the Massachusetts General Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $1 billion and comprises more than 8,500 researchers working across more than 30 institutes, centers and departments. In August 2019 the MGH was once again named #2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its list of "America's Best Hospitals."

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Carmila exceeded its growth objective for recurring earnings per share which stood at 1.63/share, up +6.6%

Carmila's model of leading local shopping centres demonstrates its commercial and financial efficiency and its attractiveness to customers: retailer revenues increased by +2.0% and organic growth of net rental income stood at +3.1%

Regulatory News:

The 2019 results are proof of the strong business momentum and demonstrate the power and efficiency of Carmila's (Paris:CARM) positioning around proximity.

2019 was a profitable operating year for Carmila and its retailers.

Retailer revenues grew +2.0% on a like-for-like basis.

Net rental income increased by +6.2% to 333.2 million, including organic growth of +3.1%.

to including organic growth of Recurring earnings amounted to 222.5 million, an increase of +7.2% compared with 2018. Recurring earnings per share grew +6.6% to 1.63 per share . Carmila thus exceeded its growth objective for the year of between +5.0% and +6.5%.

million, an increase of compared with 2018. Recurring earnings per share grew to . Carmila thus of between +5.0% and +6.5%. The portfolio valuation, including transfer taxes, stood at 6,421.5 million at 31 December 2019, a +0.3% increase. Appraisers consolidated their portfolio valuations for the second half of 2019: over 6 months, the appraised value of Carmila's portfolio was stable on a like-for-like basis (+0.3%), as was the portfolio's average capitalisation rate (5.90%). Over 12 months, on a like-for-like basis, the portfolio valuation dropped slightly by -0.9% (-56.8 million).

at 31 December 2019, a +0.3% increase. Appraisers consolidated their portfolio valuations for the second half of 2019: over 6 months, the appraised value of Carmila's portfolio was (+0.3%), as was the portfolio's average capitalisation rate (5.90%). Over 12 months, on a like-for-like basis, the portfolio valuation dropped slightly by -0.9% (-56.8 million). The EPRA NAV per share stood at 27.79 , a drop of 0.6/share over 12 months (-2.1%) after the distribution of a 1.50 per share dividend.

at , a drop of 0.6/share over 12 months (-2.1%) after the distribution of a 1.50 per share dividend. The LTV1 remains low at 34.9% at end December 2019 (+90 bp in 12 months).

Confident in its outlook and the sustainability of its cash flows and growth drivers, Carmila has an objective for 2020 recurring earnings per share growth of between +2% and +4% based on 2019 recurring earnings per share of 1.61, adjusted for the 2.0 million of financial income from securities recorded in the 2019 financial statements.

Alexandre de Palmas commented: "2019 was a very successful year for Carmila and its retailers, who faced numerous operational challenges with enormous flexibility and efficiency, relying on the strength of centres with deep ties to their community and long-appreciated by their customers.

2019 was also a year of new business development. In 2019, Carmila made structural achievements and explored promising avenues both in terms of partnerships with dynamic, high-performing retailers and the development of new expertise. Thanks to its expert and entrepreneurial teams, business development proved to be a significant future growth driver for the group."

2019 Income

Gross rental income for 2019 totalled 359.5 million,an increase of +5.6% as a resultof organic growth combined with acquisitions and extension projects completed in 2018 and 2019.

Net rental income for 2019 stood at 333.2 million, an increase of +6.2%.

Like-for-like growth in 2019 was 9.7 million, i.e. +3.1% including 1.6% for indexation and 0.5% from the application of IFRS 16 in 2019.

Acquisitions completed in 2018 represented 2.2% of the 2019 growth in net rental income (+6.9 million) and the extension projects delivered in 2018 and 2019 were responsible for 1.5% of this growth (+4.6 million).

Other effects represent -0.6% growth in net rental income and include the impact of strategic vacancies of premises to allow for restructuring and extension operations.

Operating costs net of other operating income and expenses for 2019 totalled 52.8 million, versus 50.6 million in 2018, an increase of +4.5%. This growth was mainly linked to variable expenses indexed to income or activity.

EBITDA for 2019 stood at 282.6 million, up +6.9% compared with 2018 EBITDA EBITDA growth, higher than gross rental income growth, bears witness to the sound management of operating costs and unrecoverable expenses.

The net financial expense for 2019was -58.1 million, versus -58.6 million in 2018. The cost of net debt was up due to the interest paid on the bond issued in March 2018. However, other financial income and expenses benefited from a positive adjustment in the market value of the short-term investments portfolio (a 2.0 million reversal in 2019), and the positive impact of the application of IFRS 9. The average cost of debt for the financial year stood at 2.1%.

EPRA Recurring Earnings,after restatement for adjustments related to the application of IFRS 9, the amortisation of fees from the bond issue and adjustments to the market value of short-term investments, stood at 222.5 million, up +7.2% compared to 2018.

Recurring earnings per share were up 6.6% to 1.63 per share. Carmila exceeded its announced 2019 objective for recurring earnings per share between +5% and +6.5%.

Letting activity

2019 proved to be a busy year, with 874 leases signed for a minimum guaranteed rent of 38.3 million. These lettings comprised signed leases on (i) 436 vacant premises for a minimum guaranteed rent of 16.9 million, (ii) 48 premises on extension projects for 3.8 million, and (iii) 390 renewals for 17.5 million, generating a reversion of 6.9%.

The portfolio's financial occupancy rate2 at 31 December 2019 was 96.3%, up 0.1% compared to 31 December 2018 (a rate of 96.2%).

Lettings of vacant premises enabled Carmila to diversify its retail offering: across the three countries 69% of leases in 2019 (in gross rental income) were signed with tenants active in the Services and Restaurant sectors, particularly in Beauty and Health 24%, Culture, Gifts and Leisure also 24% while Food and Restaurants represented 14%. Clothing and accessories represented 26%.

Temporary retail activity was also part of Carmila's letting momentum. This includes Specialty Leasing and Pop-up Stores, with lease terms for retail premises ranging up to 36 months. Temporary retail activity grew by a remarkable 33.9% in 2019, with total revenues standing at 14.3 million. The most significant share of this growth was generated in Spain where Carmila has a stronger rental market share than in 2018.

Retailer performance

On a like-for-like basis, retailer revenues grew +2.0% cumulative for all three countries in 2019, with France at +2.1%, Spain at +2.0% and Italy at +1.7%.

This overall growth is due to the sharp increase in revenue in three different sectors: Food and Restaurants significantly increased (France +3.3%, Spain +2.7%, Italy +0.9%) thanks to the solid performance of fast food chains, followed by Services (France +5.1%, Spain +1.8%, Italy +6.9%) supported by the good performance of telephony. The Health and Beauty sector (France +3.1%, Spain +5.6%) benefited from solid performance from opticians and hairdressers-barbers, who showed momentum in 2019.

The revenue growth trend for Ready-to-Wear was overall positive (+1.0% in France, +3.2% in Spain and +0.8% in Italy). Retail brand performance varied, with some retail brands growing strongly (including H&M, Zara, Kiabi and Mango) and others under-performing (such as children's fashion).

Digital marketing strategy

In 2019, Carmila continued its distributed marketing strategy, allowing each of its centres to have the best marketing and digital tools available in the market and local data bases.

Our B-to-B digital tools offering is increasingly used by retailers. More than 800 transactions per month were carried out in France, Spain and Italy as part of Kiosque, i.e. in total more than 10,000 B-to-B marketing transactions during 2019, two times more than in 2018. The stores supported for at least six months in 2019 (+67% in number terms over 2018) out-performed their network by 4.4 points due to the use of locally-activated digital levers. This outperformance rose to 8.1 points for campaigns greater than 2,000.

For this reason, initiatives to accelerate the development of local customer databases are expanding. At end-2019, the number of "opt-in" contacts able to be activated in these databases was 2.8 million across our three countries (+25% compared to end-2018).

CSR activity

In 2019, Carmila strengthened its CSR commitments, by developing a programme of responsible initiatives entitled "Here, we act" built around three pillars.

Pillar no. 1: "Here, we act" for the local regions

Carmila is undertaking actions to develop the local economic network, initially aimed at retailers, with the development of the "tenants' extranet" intended to enable retailers to obtain information and perform administrative tasks. Actions also apply to the centre's customers, with the organisation in 2019 of 1,000 campaigns on the theme of the food transition and responsible consumption trends.

Lastly, these actions apply more broadly to stakeholders in local life, through partnerships with associations like the French "Secours Populaire", or start-ups from the social and solidarity economy like Too Good To Go.

Pillar no. 2: "Here, we act" for the planet

Carmila is committed to a process of continuous improvement of its environmental performance. To that end, the company launched a wide-ranging campaign to certify its assets, and thus 45 sites have been certified during 2019 (30 in France, 10 in Spain, 5 in Italy).

At 31 December 2019, Carmila's BREEAM certification rate stood at 61% of its portfolio by value (an increase of 25 points compared with 2018), with 76% of the sites receiving a Very Good or Excellent score.

Pillar no. 3: "Here, we act" for the employees

During 2019, a well-being at work programme was developed in Spain under the name "A tu Salud". This programme is intended to be rolled out in France and Italy. Carmila also encourages its employees to participate in the CSR programme through, for example, the creation of a joint council on gender equality, or by financing the participation of two teams in the Oxfam 100 km solidarity walk.

Thanks to these actions, the employee satisfaction rate is high: 87% of employees expressed satisfaction with their job3

Debt and balance sheet structure

In November 2019, Carmila privately placed a fourth bond with a face value of 50 million, a 12-year maturity and a coupon of 1.89%.

At 31 December 2019, Carmila's gross debt stood at 2,416 million and its cash position amounted to 174 million. Available facilities (RCF and net available cash) stood at 1.2bn. The average debt term was 5.0 years (5.5 years at 31 December 2018).

At the end of December 2019, the consolidated net financial debt/fair value of property assets (including transfer taxes was low at 34.9%. The consolidated net financial debt/fair value of property assets (excluding transfer taxes) was 36.7%.

The EBITDA/Net cost of financial debt ratio at 31 December 2019 was 5.0x, compared with 4.9x one year earlier, well above the minimum contractually agreed bank covenant threshold of 2.0x.

The Net debt/EBITDA ratio was 7.9x in 2019, a -30 bp improvement over 2018.

Portfolio valuation and NAV

The portfolio valuation, including transfer taxes, stood at 6,421.5 million at 31 December 2019, +16.9 million higher (+0.3%) than at 31 December 2018 (6,404.6 million).

Over 12 months, on a like-for-like basis, the portfolio valuation declined by -0.9% (-56.8 million). Appraisal values showed this slight drop in the first half of 2019. In the second half, appraisers stabilised their valuations (+0.3%).

The average capitalisation rate for the portfolio was 5.90% compared with 5.77% at 31 December 2018. This increase in the average capitalisation rate was the result (i) of a slight increase in the market capitalisation rates in France (+24 bp)mitigated by the work of asset management (-9 bp) and (ii) a slight decompression in the market capitalisation rates in Spain (+14 bp).

The fully diluted EPRA NAV per share at 31 December 2019 stoodat 27.79, versus 28.39 per share at 31 December 2018, i.e. a drop of -0.60 per share (-2.1%) after the distribution of a 1.50 per share dividend.

The fully diluted EPRA triple net asset value (EPRA NNNAV) was 26.45 per share, i.e. a change of -2.5%.

Extension pipeline and acquisitions

In 2019, Carmila opened the fully let extension of the Rennes-Cesson shopping centre. A leading shopping centre in the east of Rennes, the shopping centre is home to 30 new stores and counts 70 retail brands across 11,500 sqm centred around H&M, Mango, Maisons du Monde and a 9,800 sqm Carrefour hypermarket. The revamped merchandising plan hosts a balance of branches, master franchisees operating major brands as well as successful, high-performing local independent players (Holly's Dinner, Bessec, Made in De), which strengthens this shopping centre as a destination for upscale (CSP+) customers.

The extension will generate 2.4 million of additional rental income on an annual basis.

After the delivery of Rennes-Cesson, a restructuring at Bourg-en-Bresse in 2019, and placing five projects on standby, the 2020-2024 extension pipeline at 31 December 2019 includes 19 projects for a forecast investment of 1.3 billion and an average developer yield of 7.2%. The pipeline includes 9 flagship projects in Nice Lingostiere, Montesson (western Paris), Barcelona Tarassa, Marseille Vitrolles, Aix-en-Provence, Thionville, Antibes, Toulouse Labege and Lyon Venissieux. These projects represent 90% of the value of the pipeline.

Carmila plans to deliver three projects in 2020, in particular the extension of the Nice Lingostiere shopping centre and the restructuring of Calais Coquelles, for annualised net rental income of 8.0 million and a total investment of 118.4 million.

Business development

Carmila Retail Development

In 2019 Carmila continued to develop its joint venture activity through its Carmila Retail Development subsidiary. This company partners with high-performing retailers in the growth phase of their development, to support them and enable them to have priority access to premises in Carmila shopping centres. At the end of 2019, four main partners operated 56 stores in Carmila's French and Spanish shopping centres for an annual rental income of 2.1 million, and 15 stores in third-party centres. Commitments to date from these partnerships represent a total of 7.5 million for an unrealised capital gain of 6.5 million.

In the upcoming two or three years, the development plan of these four partnerships envisions more than 160 stores open for an annual rental income of 6 million, a net commitment of 15 million and a potential capital gain of 12 million.

Carmila believes that this activity is a powerful future growth driver and aims, when fully up and running, to be continuously partnered with 15 to 20 retail brands for a net commitment of approximately 20 million and an unrealised capital gain on the order of 50 million (Carmila share). The investments in two to four brands would be reconsidered each year.

HealthHub

Carmila also intends to implement an ambitious Health offer in its shopping centres to strengthen its "convenient and "practical" offer and meet a substantial need for the population with regard to large pharmacies, dental and ophthalmology practices, primary care, etc. The Carmila sites, accessible, at the heart of urban areas and with free parking facilities, are particularly appropriate to this offer.

The company is thus partnering with experienced and well-known professionals to develop health activities in its shopping centres. In 2019, a partnership was formed as a joint venture called Pharmalley. To date, the joint venture has partnered with pharmacists to transfer or expand four pharmacies in its shopping malls, with the goal to acquire five to ten pharmacies per year (investment of 0.5 million to 1.5 million each and a similar expected capital gain in four years.

At the end of 2019, a new joint venture was being created: Dentalley, which is set to launch its dental practice offering with the first openings in 2020. The objective is to develop 50 dental centres in five years for an EBITDA after six years of 15 million/year and a maximum commitment of 7 million. Carmila partners with the best references in the business to develop this activity.

Lou5G

Lastly, the Lou5G subsidiary is actively developing its land rental business for telephone antennas. By renting land to each of the four national telephone operators for the installation of antennas, Lou5G is helping the national effort to bridge the digital divide. 130 antennas have been let in 2019 for 1.5 million of signed leases. Carmila's objective is to continue developing this activity to reach a valuation of 100 million in five years.

Dividends and Outlook

Confident in the robustness and effectiveness of Carmila's business model, the Company's management will ask the General Meeting scheduled for 14 May 2020 to approve the payment of a 2019 dividend matching that of 2018, i.e. 1.50 per share

This dividend level represents a pay-out ratio (dividend/recurring earnings) of 92.0% for 2019 versus 98% for the financial year 2018, with a target pay-out ratio standing at 90%.

Carmila has excellent visibility for its income (long leases, indexation, highly stable occupancy rate), productivity gains that enable it to reduce its cost ratio, and a solid financial structure with stable and predictable cost of debt (S&P rating of BBB, long maturity debt, 82% of which is fixed rate, good financial liquidity). Furthermore, Carmila has powerful growth drivers at its disposal, including sustained organic growth, a carefully managed pipeline comprising large-scale structural and value-creating projects, and a local digital marketing strategy intended to help retailers develop their revenues.

In addition, Carmila's teams are agile, dynamic experts in the leading shopping centres in their local regions and focused on innovation. They are researching and developing promising growth drivers, such as land development in partnership with Carrefour Property, and continuing development of joint venture activities with double-digit 5-year IRR objectives.

Consequently, Carmila's management is confident in the sustainability and strength of the company's business model.

2020 will be a year of large project launches to develop the company's growth with the following objectives:

Three deliveries of development projects, in particular the extension of Nice Lingostiere and the restructuring of Calais Coquelles with the establishment of Primark on 6,000 sqm;

Significant advances on flagship projects after the municipal elections;

Continued selectivity on acquisitions to concentrate on financially very favourable opportunities;

Acceleration of growth from Business Development.

In this context, Carmila's objective for recurring earnings per share growth is between +2% and +4% based on recurring earnings per share in 2019 of 1.61 per share, adjusted for the 2.0 million of financial income from securities recorded in the 2019 financial statements.

Main results and financial indicators

(in thousands of euros) at 31/12/2019 31/12/2018 % change Gross Rental income 359,457 340,250 5.6% Charges rebilled to tenants 79,359 74,799 Total Income from rental activity 438,816 415,049 Real estate expenses -21,214 -18,659 Rental charges -71,307 -71,076 Property expenses (landlord) -13,111 -11,656 Net Rental Income 333,184 313,658 6.2% Payroll expenses -52,840 -50,574 Allowances for depreciation of fixed assets, amortisation of intangible fixed assets and provisions -3,493 -3,508 Other operating income and expenses 1,343 -277 Gain (losses) on disposals of investment properties and equity investments -610 -1,796 Change in fair value adjustment -90,172 13,586 Share in net income of equity-accounted investments 4,376 3,882 Operating income 191,788 274,971 -30.3% Financial income 559 384 Financial expenses and allowances -57,277 -54,011 Cost of net indebtness -56,718 -53,627 Other financial income (expenses) -1,389 -4,931 Net financial income/(expense) -58,107 -58,558 -0.8% Income before taxes 133,681 216,413 -38.2% Income tax -17,804 -52,804 Consolidated net income 115,877 163,609 -29.2% Consolidated net income (Group share) 115,686 163,557 -29.3% EBITDA 282,563 264,347 6.9% EPRA earnings 219,407 202,447 8.4% Recurring Earnings 222,545 207,521 7.2% Portfolio valuation 6,421,482 6,404,613 0.3% EPRA NAV 3,799,450 3,876,129 -2.0% Per-share data (euros) Recurring Earnings per share (average) 1.63 1.53 6.6% Diluted EPRA NAV per share 27.79 28.39 -2.1%

Next events and publications:

14 February 2020 (9:00 am Paris time)Investors and Analysts Meeting

14 May 2020 (9:30 am Paris time): ShareholdersAnnual General Meeting

29 July 2020 (After market close): 2020Half Year Results

30 July 2020 (14:30 Paris time)Investors and Analysts Meeting

About Carmila

Carmila was founded by Carrefour and large institutional investors in order to develop the value of shopping centres anchored by Carrefour stores in France, Spain and Italy. At 31 December 2019, its portfolio comprised 215 shopping centres in France, Spain and Italy, leaders in their catchment areas, and with a total value of 6.4 billion. Inspired by a genuine retail culture, Carmila's teams include all of the expertise dedicated to retail attractiveness: leasing, digital marketing, specialty leasing, shopping centre management and portfolio management.

Carmila is listed in compartment A of Euronext Paris under ticker CARM. It benefits from SIIC ("societes d'investissements immobiliers cotees") tax status (French REIT regime).

On 18 September 2017, Carmila joined the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate (EMEA Region) indices.

On 24 September 2018, Carmila joined the Euronext CAC Small, CAC Mid Small and CAC All-tradable indices.

On 26 November 2019, Carmila joined the MSCI Global Small Caps Index.

1 The consolidated net financial debt/fair value of property portfolio ratio (including transfer taxes).

2 Excluding 1.8% strategic vacancy rate at end-2019, 1.9% at end-2018.

3 Annual survey of all employees in the three countries

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005590/en/

Contacts:

Investor and analyst contact

Marie-Flore Bachelier General Secretary

marie_flore_bachelier@carmila.com

+33 6 20 91 67 79

Press contacts

Morgan Lavielle Director of Corporate Communications

morgan_lavielle@carmila.com

+33 1 58 33 63 29
Keanu Reeves brought his mother as his date to the 92nd annual Oscars awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 9, 2020. Costume designer Patricia Taylor, who brought Keanu into the world, dazzled in a white pant suit and heels beside her Hollywood actor son, dressed in a black tuxedo.

Reeves, 55, voiced the character of Duke Kaboom in Toy Story 4, which garnered the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

Keanu Reeves and his mother, Patricia Taylor, arrive for the 92nd annual Oscars at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Getty Images | ROBYN BECK)

Its chaos, its madness, its fun, Reeves told E! as he and his mother braved the gauntlet of red-carpet reporters and cameras.

When asked whether she, and not Reeves, could reveal a tidbit about The Matrix 4, due for release in 2021, Taylor replied, Nada, nothing! Only about Matrix 1, 2, and 3.

Reeves walks the red carpet with his mother for the 92nd annual Oscars at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California, on Feb. 9, 2020 (Getty Images | VALERIE MACON)

Many fans had expected Reeves to be accompanied by his partner, 47-year-old artist Alexandra Grant, at the Oscars. Grants friend, actress Jennifer Tilly, had previously revealed to Page Six that despite only having made their first public appearance together at LACMAs Art + Film Gala in November 2019, Reeves and Grant have been dating for years.

Keanu wants to openly share his life with her, a different, anonymous source told People. He is extremely happy and grateful to have Alex in his life.

Taylor and Reeves pose for the paparazzi at the 92nd annual Oscars at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, California, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Getty Images | Amy Sussman)

However, at the 2020 Oscars, hosted by the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, Reeves proudly greeted the paparazzi with his mother on his arm.

As per the Daily Mail, mother and son coordinated their outfits by both wearing Dolce & Gabbana. Reeves sported a D&G tuxedo and Cartier cufflinks, while Taylor, 76, donned a D&G pant suit and matching jewelry by Cartier.

Reeves attends the world premiere of Disney and Pixars Toy Story 4 at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, California, on June 11, 2019. (Getty Images | Jesse Grant)

After photos from the awards ceremony began to circulate on social media, fans flocked to leave supportive comments, celebrating the starmade famous by lead roles in Point Break, Speed, and both The Matrix and John Wick franchisesfor his close bond with Taylor.

Keanu Reeves came to the Oscars with his mom, exclaimed one viewer, as per the Independent. They look so sweet!

Reeves brought his mom to the Oscars and thats what will be thawing my icy cold heart tonight, joked another.

Reeves and Taylor pose at the ceremony honoring Reeves with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Jan. 31, 2005. (Getty Images | Vince Bucci)

The actors father walked out on his family when Reeves was just 3 years old. Taylor raised her young son and his sister, Kim, in various cities including Sydney and New York, finally settling in Toronto when Reeves was 6. The actor then became a Canadian.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2019, Reeves acknowledged, I definitely have a bit of the gypsy in me.

Reeves and Taylor arrive at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures The Lake House at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles, California, on June 13, 2006. (Getty Images | Kevin Winter)

Touching on his fathers abandonment, Reeves continued, For sure, I think its definitely traumatizing. But its hard to know how [it affected me], he explained, because I dont know what the other life would have been, you know what I mean?

The 2020 Oscars was a family affair for many of the stars walking the red carpet. Reeves was not the only star to bring his mother; as per Fox News, Oscar nominee Charlize Theron, 44, also arrived with her glamorous mother, Gerda Jacoba Aletta Maritz, on her arm.

As per Today, Oscar winner Laura DernBest Supporting Actress for Marriage Storyarrived with her three-time Oscar-nominated mother, Diane Ladd, plus her teen son Ellery and daughter Jaya.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in its history, Honduras has an articulated security strategy with strengthened, certified and equipped justice operators who wage a daily war against organized crime, specifically against drug trafficking and gangs.

"The sound progress against insecurity and narcotrafficking in Honduras is the result of decisive actions for taking thousands of criminals out of circulation," said Deputy Security Minister Luis Suazo.

Among the measures promoted by President Juan Orlando Hernandez to achieve a true transformation in the security bodies are the legislative reforms, creation of elite forces, police depuration and the strengthening of security operators, which today count with equipment and technology tools for scientific and technical research, Suazo explained.

The strengthening of the justice organisms derives from the approval of several laws, mostly promoted by the Honduran president when he was head of the National Congress, such as the Law of Extradition, Law of the Military Police for Public Order, Organic Law of the Police, Law of the Police Career, Law of National Intelligence, Population Security Law, Special Law of the National Defense and Security Council and the reform to the National Penitentiary Institute.

Another cornerstone of the Hernandez administration's strategy is the national-level inter-agency task force (Fuerza Nacional de Seguridad Interinstitucional -FUSINA), which brings together Armed Forces, National Police, Directorate of Investigations and Intelligence, and representatives of the Ministers of Defense and Public Security and the Supreme Court of Justice, to successfully coordinate efforts against organized crime, gangs and extortionists and to restore urban security.

The intervention of the National Police, which was infiltrated by organized crime and criminal gangs, was key to cleaning up the structure of the institution, through a purging process that had the backing of the church and civil society.

Along with ongoing efforts to root out corruption in the police force, President Hernandez also promoted the creation of special forces that have become a threat to criminal gangs such as the Military Police for Public Order (PMOP), the Police Investigation Directorate (DPI), the National Directorate of Investigations and Intelligence (DNII) and the Communications Intervention Unit (UIC).

Likewise, in mid-2018, the Honduran president created the National Anti-Maras and Gangs Force (FNAMP), which has become the terror of criminal groups engaged in extortion and other crimes that threaten peace and security of the population.

As part of the setting up of elite bodies, and with the support of the United States government, personnel from the National Police and the Technical Agency for Criminal Investigation (ATIC) were trained as specialists in weapons and tactics, being the first group of Swat agents in Honduras, Deputy Security Minister Luis Suazo said.

Both President Trump and the former head of U.S. Southern Command, General John Kelly, has praised Honduras for its progress in reducing violence, combatting corruption, and cooperating with the U.S. in areas such as extradition.

As part of his security strategy in the search for peace and the eradication of violence, President Hernandez has also made special emphasis on strengthening criminal investigation and police intelligence and for the first time the country has police crime scientific laboratories, with state-of-the-art technology.

Official figures of Honduras against insecurity and narcotrafficking are available in this link: http://ciudadanohn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/EVOLUTION-OF-DRUG-TRAFFICKING.pdf

SOURCE Gobierno de la Republica de Honduras
BioAsia 2020 Announces the Genome Valley Excellence Award to Dr. Carl H June & Dr. Vas Narasimhan

BioAsia, Asia's largest annual global Biotechnology and Life Sciences forum organized by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award will be bestowed upon Dr. Carl H June, CAR-T Cell Therapy Pioneer, Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA for his pioneering work in the field of immunotherapy; breakthrough research in developing CAR-T therapy for treatment of Cancer and development and commercialization of worlds first FDA-approved gene therapy and Dr. Vas (Vasant) Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis for inspiring the world with the bold new vision to reimagine the pharmaceutical business including embracing digital technology and transforming healthcare; his extensive work on a range of public health issues particularly in developing countries and exemplary work in development of over 20 novel medicines, including advances cell and gene therapies as well as vaccines. The award will be presented to them during the 17th edition of BioAsia which will be held between February 17 to 19, 2020 at HICC, Hyderabad.

Dr. Carl H June is an American immunologist and Oncologist. He is the pioneer in the field of immunotherapy and globally acknowledged for the development of T-Cell Therapy for Cancer. His findings have helped to develop and commercialize the first FDA approved gene therapy called Tisagenlecleucel. CAR-T Cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy that uses specially altered T-Cells (a part of the immune system) to fight cancer. A sample of patients T-Cells is collected from the blood and then modified to produce special structures called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) on their surface. Dr. June is Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, popularly known as Vas Narasimhan, is the CEO of a global pharmaceutical company  Novartis. He is an Indian American Physician and has led a strategic and cultural transformation at Novartis to build a leading medicines company globally powered by advanced therapy platforms and data science. Dr. Narasimhan joined Novartis in 2005 and he served as the Global Head of Development before he assumed charge of CEO of the company in 2017. Dr. Narasimhan previously served as Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology injectables at Sandoz International. He is a member of the US National Academy of Medicine. With his ancestral roots at Tamil Nadu, Dr. Narasimhan completed his graduation in biological sciences from University of Chicago and did his MD from Harvard Medical School. He also completed his masters degree in Public Policy from John F Kennedy School of Government, US.

Genome Valley Excellence Award was constituted in 2004 to recognize and honour eminent individuals and organizations for their exceptional contribution to the Life Sciences research and public health. The Government of Telangana presents this special award to eminent leaders every year after a careful examination and technical consideration by the reputed jury committee appointed by it.

Speaking on 2020 Genome Valley Excellence Award, Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Dept of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Telangana, said, "We are pleased to announce the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award 2020 to Dr. Carl H June and Dr. Vas Narasimhan for their remarkable contributions to the life sciences sector which would further revolutionize the whole public health across the globe. BioAsia, attracts lot of the best minds of the life sciences industry across the world and is an excellent platform for industry, academia, scientific community and startups to interact, network and build relationships towards the core objectives of their respective fields. The Government of Telangana has always been supportive of innovations in Life Sciences and is committed to helping the industry to grow by providing it the world-class infrastructure while ensuring time-bound approvals to improve the ease of doing business in the state".

Elaborating the significance of Genome Valley Excellence Award, Mr. Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, BioAsia & Director (Life Sciences and Pharma), Government of Telangana, said, "Presenting the Genome Valley Excellence Award is one of the highlights of the BioAsia summit organized every year. We have been conferring the prominent scientists, industry leaders and organizations who are inspiring the leaders to join the mission of improving human life and made significant contributions to the Life Sciences sector across the globe. Over the years, the Genome Valley Excellence Award has been gaining tremendous esteem among the global lifesciences community as several Nobel laureates are also among the recipients of this prestigious award".

BioAsia 2020 is set to host eminent global industry leaders from the life sciences sector including Dr. Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis, Dr. Carl June, CAR-T Expert, University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Peter Piot, Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Co-Discoverer of Ebola, Mr. Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group, Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman, Sun Pharma, Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon, Mr. K Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddys Laboratories, among others.
India remains sceptical about the conviction and sentencing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed days ahead of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with people in New Delhi familiar with developments saying on Thursday that Pakistan should do more to end terrorism emanating from its territory.

Saeed, the 69-year-old head of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), and an aide, were both given five-and-a-half year jail terms in two cases of terror financing by an anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Wednesday. Saaed can appeal against the verdict in higher courts.

The people cited above, who declined to be named, said the Indian government saw media reports about the Pakistani court sentencing the UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorist in terror financing cases.

Noting that the verdict came just four days before a plenary meeting of FATF in Paris will assess action taken by Pakistan to counter terror financing, a person said that Saeeds sentencing was part of a long pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to the support for terrorism.

The person added: The decision has been made ahead of the FATF plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen.

Western diplomats believe the FATF meeting will retain Pakistan in the grey list, in which it was placed in 2018, as Islamabad has not fully complied with a 27-point action plan to stamp out terror financing and money laundering.

The people cited above said it also remains to be seen whether Pakistan would take action against all other terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control, and bring the perpetrators of cross-border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot, to justice expeditiously.

The trial of seven people, including LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, has floundered in a Pakistani anti-terrorism court for more than a decade with no visible results. Lakhvi was released on bail in April 2015 and his current whereabouts are not known.

Pakistani officials have said the trial has not progressed because more evidence and information is required from India, but this claim has been rejected by Indian authorities.

The US, however, was more supportive of the conviction of Saeed, with Alice Wells, the Trump administrations pointperson for South Asia, describing it as an important step. But she too said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan should deliver on his pledge to prevent non-state actors to operate from Pakistani soil.

Todays conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate is an important step forward  both towards holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for #Pakistan in meeting its international commitments to combat terrorist financing, Wells tweeted on Wednesday.

And as @ImranKhanPTI has said, it is in the interest of #Pakistans future that it not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil, she added.

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Julian Smith (pictured with Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald) was ousted as Northern Ireland Secretary this morning just weeks after he sealed a widely-supported deal to restart power-sharing in the province

Boris Johnson served his revenge chilled to perfection today as he sacked two senior ministers months after they incurred the wrath of Downing Street.

Julian Smith was ousted as Northern Ireland Secretary this morning just weeks after he sealed a widely-supported deal to restart power-sharing in the province.

He is reported to have angered No 10 over the terms of the deal with relation to prosecutions of British soldiers.

Theresa May's former chief whip, he is also thought to have only narrowly avoided the sack last September when he questioned preparations for a No Deal Brexit and its impact on Ulster.

A short time later Attorney General Geoffrey Cox was also forced out, further reducing the number of ministers who also served under Theresa May.

His future is also thought to have been in doubt since last autumn, when he told the PM that proroguing Parliament was 'lawful and within the constitution', only for it to be overturned by the Supreme Court.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox was also forced out, further reducing the number of ministers who also served under Theresa May.

He was replaced by Suella Braverman, the former Brexit minister and hardline Eurosceptic

The sacking of Mr Smith was criticised by politicians on all sides of politics in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

He was replaced by Brandon Lewis despite success in delivering a power-sharing deal in the fragile region, which saw the Northern Ireland Assembly restored after three years of deadlock.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed Mr Smith as 'one of Britain's finest politicians of our time'.

And First Minister Arlene Foster, leader of the unionist DUP, praised the outgoing secretary of state for his 'incredible' dedication.

Downing Street reportedly felt left out of the loop over the terms of the deal Mr Smith was negotiating last month.

There are concerns in Tory circles that the agreement includes an investigation into alleged crimes by British soldiers during the Troubles.

But those close to Mr Smith insisted that Number 10 and the Prime Minister had been kept fully informed about the terms of the Stormont arrangement.

Marty Adams, from historical abuse victims' campaign group Survivors Together, drew parallels with Mo Mowlam, the former Labour Northern Ireland secretary who was demoted by Tony Blair only six months after delivering the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

Mr Smith was replaced by Brandon Lewis despite success in delivering a power-sharing deal in Belfast (pictured with Boris Johnson, First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill)

Relatively unknown in Westminster before becoming Attorney General in 2018, Mr Cox became a key player in Theresa May's government in the run up to the original March 29, 2019 Brexit deadline.

He announced himself on the national political scene with a barnstorming speech as the warm up act for Mrs May at Conservative Party conference in October 2018.

With his booming voice and soaring rhetoric he left many in the conference hall wondering why he wasn't the prime minister.

His professional opinion would later have a major impact on Britain's departure from the EU.

MPs wrestled with the government as they demanded Mr Cox's Brexit legal advice be published with the Commons eventually victorious in the contest.

The publication of the legal advice in December 2018 torpedoed Mrs May's hopes of getting her Brexit deal through parliament because in it Mr Cox said the UK could not unilaterally leave the Irish border backstop protocol if it was ever implemented.

But last year he blotted his copybook in the eyes of No 10.

The government's chief law officer advised Mr Johnson that there was no problem with his prorogation plan, and any criticism would be 'politically motivated'.

But the eminent QC was embarrassed after the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the suspension was illegal and an 'extreme' move to 'frustrate' debate on Brexit.

At the time a spokeswoman for his office said: 'The Government acted in good faith and in the belief that its approach was both lawful and constitutional.

'These are complex matters on which senior and distinguished lawyers have disagreed.'
Ukraine exports almost 38 mln tonnes of grain since July 1

16:43, 13.02.20 723

Ukrainian farmers have already shipped 16.1 million tonnes of wheat abroad.
Parts of the state with sparse police presence could see more state troopers on the highway under a bill advancing through the Oregon Legislature.

If passed, Senate Bill 1545 would put hundreds more state troopers on the states highways over the next decade. During a committee hearing on the bill held last week, State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton told lawmakers that Oregons current trooper-staffing level is at the bottom of the barrel compared to other states.

He said that Oregon has 458 troopers assigned to its patrol division, about the same number it had in the late 1960s and early 1970s, to cover a state thats grown to a population of over 4 million. He presented the committee with a map showing vast expanses of Oregon, primarily outside of the Interstate 5 corridor, where state troopers arent available 24 hours. He said that after dark in some areas youre really on your own.

This illustration should be a little bit scary to all of us, he said.

He said that the lack of state troopers has left local law enforcement agencies spread thin as they respond to situations on highways that should be addressed by the Oregon State Police.

If passed, the bill would start ramping up trooper patrol staffing levels beginning next year. For the 2021-2023 two-year budget cycle, the number of state troopers on the patrol division would be boosted to 522. That number would rise to 796 by the 2029-31 budget cycle. The bill would require the state police to maintain a staffing level of 15 patrol troopers for every 100,000 residents by 2030. Hampton said the bill would gradually put Oregons trooper staffing levels in the middle compared to other states. As of 2016, Oregon has 8 troopers per 100,000.

Hampton pointed out during the last session lawmakers provided funding allowing the Oregon State Police to hire more dispatchers, records technicians, medical examiners and other staff that troopers need to do their jobs. He said that the earlier funding made it possible for the state police to hire more troopers and was currently on a hiring spree.

The bill was introduced at the request of the Oregon State Police Officers Association. Tanya Henderson, the groups president, told the committee that the low staffing levels create unsafe situations for officers who have to wait long times for backup.

The bill is broadly supported by groups representing law enforcement and others. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously for the bill last week. According to a legislative document, the Oregon State Police would be able to hire about 22 employees at a cost of $9 million and would hire a similar number through 2031. Fully implementing the bill will cost $146 million.

Contact reporter Jake Thomas at 503-575-1251 or jake@salemreporter.com or @jakethomas2009.

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To the Editor:

Re Paging Michael Bloomberg, by Thomas L. Friedman (column, Feb. 12):

I am a Trump supporter, but the only Democrat I would vote for is Michael Bloomberg. The reasons for this are given quite nicely by Mr. Friedman. From my point of view Mr. Bloomberg is right on the social issues that Mr. Friedman cites, and most knowledgeable on business issues, budgets and how to run a major big organization like our government.

So if the Democrats want a chance this year, nominate Michael Bloomberg and get at least this one Republican vote and many, many more.

Ron Kuntzman

Rye Brook, N.Y.

To the Editor:

I disagree with Thomas L. Friedmans argument that Michael Bloomberg would be the strongest candidate against President Trump. First of all, Billionaire Mike is anathema to far too many of Bernie Sanderss supporters. While I agree that Senator Sanders would be a weak opponent for Mr. Trump, not alienating his dedicated adherents is an absolute prerequisite for a Democratic victory.

Mr. Bloombergs sudden reversal on strongly championing stop and frisk while mayor of New York will surely not be persuasive to many in communities of color.
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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won the recently-concluded Delhi Assembly elections, has reportedly registered one million new members in 24 hours.

Delhi went to polls on February 8, and the results declared three days later revealed that AAP won by a thumping majority, securing 62 of the 70 constituent Assembly seats.

A mobile number was released the very same day for interested parties, who could now join the party by just giving a missed call to the number.

Early on February 13, the partys official Twitter handle wrote: More than 1 million people have joined AAP within 24 hours of our massive victory. To join AAP, give a missed call on 9871010101.

AAP earlier claimed that almost 11 lakh people had taken part in the partys campaign by giving a missed call to the number that was shared with people across the country using multiple media outlets. It was a part of AAPs nation-building campaign titled AAP Rashtra Nirman, wherein all Indians were invited to join the party and help develop the nation.

The partys national convener Arvind Kejriwal will be sworn in as the chief minister of the national capital for the third time on February 16 at Ramlila Maidan.
Yale University is preparing to respond to an investigation from the U.S. Department of Education into potentially millions of dollars of unreported gifts from and contracts with foreign entities, according to a university spokeswoman.

The U.S. Department of Education announced the probes at Yale and Harvard universities on Wednesday, saying it has discovered Yale may have failed to report at least $375 million in foreign gifts and contracts over the past years and it has requested records to facilitate the investigation.

In the last year, the department has escalated enforcement of the law requiring colleges to report gifts from, and contracts with, any foreign source that exceed $250,000 in value and to disclose any foreign ownership or control, twice each year.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said if colleges and universities are accepting overseas gifts, students, donors and taxpayers have a right to know.

Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are under-reporting or not reporting at all, DeVos stated. We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent, as required by the law.

Department of Education Principal Deputy General Counsel Reed Rubenstein wrote in a letter to Yale President Peter Salovey this week that Yale has failed to report a single foreign source gift or contract in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

However, Yale University says it has a considerable presence abroad, represented by sites in dozens of cities and countries  (some) operated by Yale or a closely affiliated entity, claims considerable success in setting up jointly run laboratories with Chinese universities  funded by Chinese granting agencies  and has solicited and received directed foreign contributions advancing specific religious and ideological priorities, Rubenstein wrote.

Karen Peart, a Yale spokeswoman, said the universitys failure to report any foreign gifts or contracts from 2014 to 2017 was an oversight, and that we moved as quickly as possible to address it after becoming aware of that.

Yale believes its reporting is now current and complete, she said. The Education Departments Feb. 11 notice asks Yale to provide further information about such funding. Yale is reviewing the Education Departments request and is preparing a response.

The seven-page letter dated Feb. 11 asks Yale to disclose details of foreign funding used to develop the new Jackson School of Global Affairs and Yale Law Schools Paul Tsai China Center.

The Paul Tsai China Center was founded in 1999 as the China Law Center. It was renamed in 2016 following a $30 million gift to Yale Law School from alumni Joseph Tsai.

The letter also asks Yale to disclose records related to Chinese telecommunications companies, Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp.; two Russian groups, the Kaspersky Lab and Skolkovo Foundation; and Irans Alavi Foundation. Also requested are a list of programs and individuals funded by these organizations or foreign governments.

It further wants Yale to say whether there were any conditions imposed or influence on any of the Institutions curriculum, programs, or activities by any foreign source of a gift.

According to Rubensteins letter, Yale has been asked to provide the detailed records of gifts or contracts from or with a foreign source to the Institution since Aug. 1, 2013, and a detailed narrative explaining why any gifts were not reported.

The foreign entities named in the letter include the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China; Saudi and Qatari nationals; the Qatar National Research Fund; the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China; Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation; the Yenching Academy, a postgraduate college in Beijing; and the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College, a college in Singapore run by the two universities.

The department also requested all records referencing the the Thousand Talents Program, a Chinese science recruitment program, the Office of Chinese Language Council International, and any university, school or other research entity in or organized under the laws of China, Qatar, Russia or Saudi Arabia.

Yale has also been asked to provide information about its institutional controls and audit and accounting practices, and to produce a list of all programs, people and activities at the university which are directly funded or supported by and/or employed due to foreign gifts or contracts. That request includes information on students studying on foreign scholarships or endowments created by foreign nationals, since 2013.

Harvard University, the federal department said Wednesday, is currently under investigation due to concerns that the school may lack appropriate institutional controls over foreign money and has failed to report fully all foreign gifts and contracts as required by law.

The largest colleges and universities are multi-billion dollar, multi-national enterprises using opaque foundations, foreign campuses, and other sophisticated legal structures to generate revenue that is intermingled with domestic sources of funding from tuition, grants, and the like, the Education Department said Wednesday. These colleges and universities actively solicit foreign governments, corporations, and nationals for funds although some donors are known to be hostile to the United States and may be seeking to project soft power, steal sensitive and proprietary research and development data and other intellectual property, and spread propaganda benefitting foreign governments.

Yale takes very seriously the importance of ensuring that funding from foreign sources does not in any way compromise American interests, and it respects the Education Departments requirements about reporting of such funding, Peart said. She said the university believes that international relationships are a signal strength of American higher education, which have helped our universities produce exceptional scholarship and research and exceptionally prepared graduates, to the direct benefit of the American people.

Yales research is not secretive or classified and is published and available to the public through scholarly journals and other outlets, she said. Yale upholds the free inquiry of its faculty and does not accept, from any source of funding, restrictions on its research or teaching.

Since June, the Education Department has opened similar civil compliance investigations at six other colleges: Georgetown, Texas A&M, Cornell, Rutgers, the University of Maryland and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to the department.

Alex Hontos, a former U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney who is knowledgeable in procurement law and government contracting, said Thursday that all universities and colleges are now under the microscope and should take the matter seriously.

The newly announced investigations of Harvard and Yale show that the governments investigations of foreign influence at educational institutions is multi-faceted, gathering pace and a central enforcement priority of this Administration, he said.

Hontos said disclosure and reporting requirements have been law for decades but that enforcement has been lax until last year.

Colleges and universities are on notice, Hontos said. They should expect continued scrutiny of disclosure reports  and potentially remedies for violations of those rules  going forward.

The latest investigations at Yale and Harvard follow the January arrest of Harvard chemistry and chemical biology chairman Charles Lieber, who is accused of lying about his involvement in the Thousand Talents Program and about payments from the Chinese government.

According to The Associated Press, prosecutors allege Lieber received $50,000 a month from the Wuhan University of Technology, and living expenses up to $158,000, in addition to more than $1.5 million to establish a research lab there. He agreed to do work on behalf of the university, including publishing articles, organizing conferences and applying for patents, prosecutors say.

Liz.Teitz@hearstmediact.com; lclambeck@ctpost.com, twitter/lclambeck
LOS ANGELESGrooby, the company totally dedicated to trans erotica, has released what has been confirmed to be the first-ever hardcore virtual reality scene starring a Thai tgirl at GroobyVR.com. The scene is the first of its kind shot by a major studio.

Were very excited at Grooby to produce yet another first, stated Grooby CEO Steven Grooby. We were the first company to shoot Thai trans girls specifically for the internet in 1997, and in 2020 were the first company to produce VR Thai trans content. This is a new area for GroobyVR. Those who want to experience sex with a gorgeous Thai girl can now do it virtually!

In this landmark scene, Bangkok sensation Nadia is paired with Jak in an up-close-and-horny virtual reality hardcore scene shot by TEA winner Frank. Those interested may view this scene exclusively at GroobyVR.com.

Founded in 1996, Grooby is the leading producer of trans erotica. In addition to operating over 30 membership sites, the company produces nearly 50 DVDs a year and hosts the annual TEAs (Transgender Erotica Awards) held in Hollywood, CA. More information about the two-day event can be found at theTEAShow.com.
Updated at 5:41 p.m. ET on 2020-02-13

The coronavirus outbreak could impede the construction of Beijing-backed infrastructure projects across Bangladesh, officials said, amid reports that thousands of Chinese working on them have been stranded in China as a result, after going home for Lunar New Year festivities.

Bangladeshi health authorities so far have confirmed no cases of anyone being infected with the novel coronavirus in the South Asian country, but four construction workers from Bangladesh have been diagnosed with the virus in Singapore, the Ministry of Health in the city-state said Thursday.

If the coronavirus situation does not improve, we will face problems, Md Shafiqul Islam, project director of the Padma Bridge , Bangladeshs largest-ever infrastructure construction project, told BenarNews this week. It will exert a negative impact.

Although construction on the bridge is ongoing, he was pointing to how the outbreak has reduced the size of the overall workforce, which relies heavily on Chinese workers, and slowed the progress of such mega-infrastructure projects in recent weeks.

Chinese engineers and laborers who work on those projects have been blocked from returning to Bangladesh as a result of travel restrictions imposed by Beijing during the outbreak, Islam and other officials said.

The outbreak of the virus, whose epicenter is in Wuhan, China, could further delay the U.S.$1.1 billion road-and-rail bridge across the Padma River  which was already behind schedule and slow other Chinese-linked infrastructure projects pushed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party, officials said.

Meanwhile, at least 47,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus in 25 countries and 1,369 people have died from it, according to latest situation report released on Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Most of the infections and deaths have occurred in China. The U.N. agency has declared the outbreak a global emergency, and is now classifying the mystery virus as Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19.

Islam said about 1,000 Chinese nationals were employed as engineers or construction workers on the Padma Bridge alone, but the outbreak came as China and Chinese communities worldwide celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Rat. Lunar New Year festivities involve the largest annual migration of humans within mainland China and to and from the worlds most populous nation.

Nearly 250 of them [bridge workers] have gone back to China for holiday making. But the Chinese government barred them from leaving China, Islam said, adding he was also concerned about the timely arrival of construction supplies from Beijing.

If the consignment does not arrive, we will face a shortage of supplies, he said.

Impact on other projects

Elsewhere, Khurshedul Alam, the acting managing director of a joint venture building a $2.5 billion power plant near the Payra port south of Dhaka, confirmed that the projects commissioning had also been delayed because Chinese construction workers had been blocked from re-entering Bangladesh.

We cant do the post-test-run maintenance as some workers are stuck in China in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic, Alam told the Business Standard newspaper.

Obaidul Quader, Bangladeshs minister for road transport and bridges, told reporters last week that construction of key projects could hit a snag if the virus outbreak lasted for more than two months.

There would be some problems if it lingers for three to four months, he said.

Quader said 332 of the Chinese nationals working at the Padma Bridge had left for China.

Only 33 of the 332 people returned, he said. Eight of the 33 returnees are out of quarantine. Others remain in quarantine.

Chinese construction companies, including the China Major Bridge Engineering Corporation, are building the 6.1-km (3.8-mile) Padma Bridge, which would connect the capital Dhaka with 21 southwestern and south-central districts.

The project appears to be behind schedule, but Islam, the project director, told BenarNews that engineers had installed 24 of the total 41 spans required to finish the project. Once complete, it would connect the capital Dhaka with Bangladeshs central and southwestern districts.

Nurul Islam Sujan, Bangladeshs railways minister, said the virus could also impact construction of a rail link that 878 Chinese nationals were rushing to connect with the Padma Bridge.

China is a major development partner of Bangladesh, so it [coronavirus] would impact both Bangladesh and China, Sujan told reporters.

Last week, Li Jiming, the Chinese ambassador to Dhaka, told reporters that about 8,000 Chinese nationals work at infrastructure projects in Bangladesh and about two-thirds of them had travelled to China for Chinese new year celebrations. None of them had tested positive for the virus, he said.

Let general people be alert but dont create panic, the envoy said. No panic, no rumor and be rational.

Analyst: Virus could bring bigger economic consequences

China is also one of Bangladeshs largest trading partners, registering annual bilateral trade of about $12 billion, with the imbalance tilted heavily in Beijings favor.

According to Mostafizur Rahman, a scholar at the think-tank Center for Policy Dialogue, the virus could deliver an economic shock to Bangladesh, because local workers have expressed concerns that they could get infected by working with the Chinese, an undetermined number of whom had been placed under quarantine by Bangladeshi authorities.

The extent of negative economic impact in Bangladesh caused by coronavirus will depend on the prolongation of the epidemic, he said. We may face bigger economic consequences.
Paris, France (PANA) - The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, who made a historic visit to Somalia on Tuesday to renew cooperation ties after years of civil war, said her agency "is determined to mobilize the international community in a multilateral approach to support the government's rehabilitation work through education and culture"
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Seefeldt

From Popular Mechanics

China and Russia maintain large missile and bomber forces capable of targeting airfields with precision, knocking them out and preventing high performance fighter jets from flying.



So the Air Force is planning to disperse its fleets of fighters, bombers, and other planes during a war to protect them from attack.

The dispersal plan, known as Agile Combat Employment, will require the service to become lighter and more rapidly deployable in emergencies.

The U.S. Air Forces sprawling bases abroad will come under major attack in a future conflict. Long-range missiles and bombers will cross oceans to shut American air bases, a key instrument of Washingtons military power. In response, the service is looking to spread its fighting resources far and wide so that no single attack could wipe out a key capability. But that will require the Air Force to become lighter and more agile, capable of operating in small numbers from isolated airfields.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa

The Air Force maintains a handful of giant airbases worldwide, serving a sprawling empire of air power. In the Asia-Pacific, the Air Force maintains major bases at Kadena on the Japanese island of Okinawa, two air bases in South Korea, a handful in Japan, and the giant Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. These air bases support fighters, bombers, tankers, and intelligence collection aircraft and would be the front line in a war with China.

While concentrating air power in so few bases is an efficient and cost-effective way of running an air force, it also concentrates targets for the enemy in wartime. Over the past several decades, China has built up a force of thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles armed with conventional and nuclear warheadsit could use to target enemy air bases. It could also launch long range strikes by submarine, aircraft carrier-based fighters, and long range bombers such as the H-6N . Highly accurate and with large warheads, these missiles have the potential to target destroy hangars filled with fighters, blow up fuel and ammunition dumps, and create gaping craters in runways.

Story continues

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Valerie Seelye

According to Defense News , Air Force units will now head to the hills at the first sign of war, dispersing from their massive bases to local airports, isolated airstrips, any place that can support airplanes. The idea is to use those large bases not to concentrate air power but as a hub to feed dispersed air power, maintaining a steady flow of fuel, ammunition, and food to small detachments of fighters and other warplanes hiding at airfields adversaries may not even know about.

For example, an Air Force F-15 unit based at Kadena Air Base could disperse to smaller, regional Japanese airports both on mainland Japan and farther down in the Ryukyu island chain. A squadron of 24 fighters could disperse to predetermined alternate bases in packets of four. They would be accompanied by a small number of maintainers, refueling vehicles, munitions, and armed guards, all flown in by C-130J Super Hercules transports .

While this would not be as efficient as keeping the entire squadron located at a single base, it would ensure that an attack on any one base would not destroy the entire squadron. Modern, secure communications and midair refueling would mean that the squadron could still fight as a cohesive unit, rendezvousing in the air to fly and fight together.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa

The concept, Agile Combat Employment (ACE), will require a new generation of support equipment. Forklifts, fueling vehicles, and other support vehicles will need to become lighter, capable of being stuffed in the back of a transport and then dropped off at an austere airfield. Maintainers and ammunition handlers might be fewer in number, particularly if they take casualties, forcing fewer airmen to perform more work. A powered exoskeleton that allows a maintainer to lift heavier loads with less fatigue is one option.

The Air Force is already training to carry out the ACE concept. Earlier this year, Air Force maintainers at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, farther north on the same island, enabling the Air Force to operate from two airfields on the island. The Air Force has also discovered that the ability to quickly sortie and disperse air power away from catastrophic weather events, such as typhoons, is very similar to dispersing them from man-made threats. In April 2019, units at Misawa Air Base participated in exercise Resilient Typhoon , which allowed Air Force F-16 and other units to, execute dispersing, recovering and rapidly resuming flying operations during a major storm.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ridge Shan

Air power will be essential in the next war, but if an adversary cant count on destroying American jets on the ground early onit may decide an attack isnt worth the cost.

Source: Defense News

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As reporters for Nigerias Premium Times newspaper, Samuel Ogundipe and Azeezat Adedigba told CPJ they spoke often over the phone. They had no idea that their regular conversations about work and their personal lives were creating a record of their friendship.

On August 9, 2018, Ogundipe published an article about a communication between Nigerias police chief and vice president. Days later, police investigating his source issued a written summons, CPJ reported at the time. It was not addressed to Ogundipe and made no mention of his article or the charges he would later face of theft and possession of police documents. Instead, as Ogundipe recounted, police called Adedigba for questioning in connection with a slew of serious crimes, allegations that evaporated after police used her phone to summon her friend to the station.

Ogundipes experience is one of at least three cases since 2017 where police from across Nigeria used phone records to lure and then arrest journalists currently facing criminal charges for their work. In each case, police used the records to identify people with a relationship to a targeted journalist, detained those people, and then forced them to facilitate the arrest. The police methods reinforce the value of internet-based, encrypted communications at a time when authorities have also targeted journalists phones and computers to reveal their sources. Those prosecuted in all three cases are free on bail.

Nigerian journalist Samuel Ogundipe (Photo: Samuel Ogundipe)

If the police called me and said we have something to ask you, I would go therethis is just their tactics, Ogundipe said.

Ogundipe and Adedigba told CPJ that police made no secret of the way they had established their relationship, showing them each call records they claimed to have obtained from the pairs cellphone network providersNigeria-based 9mobile and South Africa-based MTN, respectively.

[Police have] been checking who Ive been talking to[in order to] see who was close enough to me to be used as bait, Ogundipe added.

CPJs repeated calls in late 2019 and early 2020 to Nigerian police spokesperson Frank Mba rang unanswered.

The 2003 Nigerian Communications Act mandates that network service providers assist authorities in preventing crime and protecting national security. Regulations for enforcing it grant senior police officials power to authorize requests to obtain call data from telecom companies without a judicial warrant, according to CPJs review. That data includes where and when regular phone calls and SMS messages took place and between which numbers, according to documents reviewed by CPJ and interviews with three individuals with knowledge of police requests for call data in Nigeria. All three requested not to be named for fear of reprisal.

Nigeria has over 184 million active mobile phone lines, with roughly two million lines added every month to service its estimated 190 million people, according to 2019 data released by the national telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). SIM card ownership for these lines is tracked under a 2011 regulation, which CPJ reviewed, mandating the collection of personal information, including fingerprints and photos, that police can access without a warrant as long as a senior-ranking officer gives written approval.

Other NCC regulations, released in October 2019 and reviewed by CPJ, detail police permissions to intercept communications under certain circumstances.

At the time of publishing, Ogundipe told CPJ his next court date had yet to be scheduled, but two journalists who were taken into custody at the end of 2019Gidado Yushau and Alfred Olufemiwere preparing for their fifth hearing scheduled in Kwara State for March 4. Similar to Ogundipe and Adedigba, police used call records to identify individuals that could be used to lead them to their targets, those affected told CPJ.

Nigerian journalist Gidado Yushau (Photo: Gidado Yushau)

Yushau, publisher of The News Digest website, and Olufemi, a freelance reporter, were charged in November 2019 with criminal conspiracy and criminal defamation in connection with a complaint over a May 2018 News Digest report Olufemi wrote about a factory owned by Sarah Alade, now special adviser to Nigerias president. Alade and other representatives of the factory did not answer calls or declined comment when CPJ reported on the case.

The first journalist police used to track down Yushau and Olufemi worked in another city for an unrelated news outlet. Wunmi Ashafa, a Lagos-based journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), told CPJ that police tricked her into meeting, then made her summon her colleague, Yusuf Yunus, who in turn was used to facilitate the arrest of the Digests web developer, Adebowale Adekoya. The officers claimed to know they were connected from their call records.

Police were tracking all the people that are calling me, that Im talking to, Yunus told CPJ in an interview. The network provider has said that this line and this line have spoken at this particular hour, he said police told him. Ashafa and Yunus said they were released after police detained Adekoya.

I dont know why they decided to do that, Ashafa told CPJ, adding that she missed a meeting at her daughters school because police involved her. They apologized to us, to myself and Yunus, that that was the only way they could get [Adekoya]. Mistaken for the Digests publisher, Adekoya described being held for five nights, driven over 1,200 kilometersincluding to Abuja and Kwara Stateand threatened with detention if he did not lead the officers to Yushau and promise to help bring Olufemi into custody, before his release.

Nigerian journalist Alfred Olufemi. (Photo: Alfred Olufemi)

CPJ reached Peter Okasanmi, a spokesperson with the Kwara State police, by phone in January. He declined to comment on Yushau and Olufemis case because the trial was ongoing, but described how police regularly used telecommunications information to make arrests.

We are able to track the culprits by use of technology through the SIM [cards] that were registered, Okasanmi said. Suspects, they are usually like kidnapperswe use all of those gadgets to track their locations and get them arrestedwe have our own equipment we are using, he added, without elaborating.

On November 4, CPJ contacted NCC spokesperson Henry Nkemadu by phone and upon his request sent questions regarding security agencies access to communications data, but received no response. Subsequent calls to Nkemadu and other NCC officials went unanswered.

Police used a similar tactic in 2017 to arrest Tega Oghenedoro, the Uyo city-based publisher of the Secret Reporters news website who writes under the pseudonym Fejiro Oliver, CPJ reported this month. He faces cybercrime charges related to reports alleging corruption in a Lagos-based Nigerian bank and is due in court on May 28, CPJ reported.

Isaac Omomedia, an aide to the governor of Delta State, told CPJ in October 2019 that he did not know Oliver, but that they had a mutual acquaintance, Prince Kpokpogri, the publisher of Integrity Watchdog magazine.

In March 2017, Omomedia arrived at a hotel in Asaba, the Delta State capital where he lives, after receiving a call to collect a parcel from the DHL delivery company, he told CPJ. Instead, he was met by six police officers who questioned him about Kpokpogri, someone they claimed to know he was in touch with by reviewing his call records. On their instructions, Omomedia said he invited Kpokpogri to a meeting.

Kpokpogri told CPJ that police arrested him upon arrival, drove him over 200 kilometers to Uyo, and told him, in turn, to summon Oliver. The officers had identified him because they had bugged both his and Olivers phone lines, he remembered them saying. Kpokpogri said police arrested Oliver when he arrived and drove them both over 350 kilometers to Benin City; Oliver was then flown to Lagos and Kpokpogri was released without charge.

Kenneth Ogbeifun, the Lagos-based investigating officer in Olivers case, requested emailed questions when contacted for comment by CPJ in January 2020. Follow-up emails and messages went unanswered. CPJ also reached an officer who confirmed his name as Moses and that he was part of the team that arrested Oliver on behalf of Lagos police, but when asked about how Omomedia and Kpokpogri were used in the arrest, the line disconnected.

Those involved in Olivers arrest, and the chain leading to Yushau and Olufemi, told CPJ they relied on the Nigeria-based Globacom, also known as Glo, India-based Airtel, or MTN for their cell phone service.

I will give you the number used to commit the crime and you have only 60 minutes to produce the details, the Premium Times quoted Isa Pantami, Nigerias minister of communications and digital economy, as saying in late 2019. Operators that failed to produce data would be sanctioned, according to that report.

CPJ called the ministry of communications and digital economy in mid-January. Philomena Oshodin, a deputy director, said that she was not the relevant person to comment before the line went silent; follow up messages went unanswered.

Between November 2019 and January 2020, CPJ reached out to public relations departments at MTN, 9mobile, Airtel, and Glo, and emailed questions to representatives for each about security agencies access to telecom user data in Nigeria. None replied with answers by date of publication.

Youre reporting as a journalist, which is not a crime[but] you feel youre being punished, Ogundipe told CPJ, reflecting on his arrest and prosecution. Its very scaryits difficult to predict how far these guys will go.

For information on digital safety, consult CPJs Digital Safety Kit.

EDITORS NOTE: The text has been modified in the fifth paragraph to correct the fact that 9mobile is no longer a subsidiary of Etisalat.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement offer significant business opportunities for European enterprises, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier said.

German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

According to the minister, as a fast growing economy, Vietnam is an ideal market for European products and services.

On the back of the two trade pacts, it will be much easier for European commodities to break into this important market, he stressed.

He also described the EPs approval of the deals as a vital signal for free trade and protectionism prevention.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Joachim Lang said the local industrial sector breathed a sigh of relief when the EVFTA and EVIPA were adopted by the EP, explaining the deals will promote trade exchanges with the Southeast Asian country.

Sharing the same view, President of the Federation of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA) Holger Bingmann billed the EVFTA as the most ambitious free trade agreement ever negotiated with a developing country.

He believed the EVFTA, together with the EVIPA, will contribute to boosting economic relations between businesses from both sides.

Statistics from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) showed that Germany exported 4.1 billion EUR (4.45 billion USD) worth of products to Vietnam in 2018, a year-on-year surge of 18 percent. Meanwhile, Vietnam gained 9.8 billion EUR from shipments to the European nation, up 1.4 percent from 2017.

EP member welcomes ratification of EVFTA, EVIPA

Member of the European Parliament (EP) Geert Bourgeois has hailed the EPs February 12 ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), saying they aim at developing a mutually-beneficial partnership.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in France, Bourgeois, a rapporteur of the Committee on International Trade on the EVFTA and the EVIPA, stressed that the documents are the most ambitious new-generation agreements the EU has signed with a developing country.

He described Vietnam as a rapidly developing and competitive economy and one of the most open economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The ratification of the EVFTA is an important step towards the final goal of establishing a free trade region between the EU and ASEAN, he stated, adding that the EVFTA, together with similar ones the EU has signed with Japan and Singapore, will tighten connectivity between the EU and Asia.

The two documents were signed in Hanoi on June 30 last year. They include intensive, extensive and comprehensive commitments covering the fields of economy, trade, investment and sustainable development issues.

At the EPs plenary session in France, the EVIPA was passed with 407 votes for, 188 against and 53 abstentions; and the EVFTA, with 401, 192 and 40, respectively.

According to research conducted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the two deals will help Vietnam increase its GDP by 4.6 percent and its exports to the EU by 42.7 percent by 2025. Meanwhile, the European Commission has projected the EUs GDP will increase by 29.5 billion USD and its exports to Vietnam by 29 percent by 2035.

Czech, German media spotlight EPs approval of agreements with Vietnam

The EP's plenary session in Strasbourg, France

Media reports in the Czech Republic have highlighted the importance of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) for the country and the EU in general after the agreement was approved by the European Parliament (EP) on February 12.

Articles on the websites ihned.cz and E15.cz quoted parliamentarian Dita Charanzova, Vice President of the EP as saying that the European Commission (EC) has successfully negotiated a quality agreement, helping open a new market for Czech businesses.

Charanzova also stressed the significance of the trade agreement to the Czech Republics export-based economy because the European country is part of the global production line.

In his article on ihned.cz, reporter Ondrej Houska said the EVFTA will bring great benefits to Czech companies because under the agreement, almost all tariff barriers will be gradually removed.

According to the foreign ministry of the Czech Republic, the EVFTA will help the countrys exports of mechanical products to Vietnam increase by more than one third in the coming years, and it will also enable Czech firms to have access to Vietnams public procurement service.

The Czech Republic is one of the EU member states that actively support free trade, it added.

Meanwhile, E15.cz said the EVFTA is considered the most comprehensive agreement signed by the EU with a developing country.

The website novinky.cz cited information posted on the ECs Twitter account saying the commission welcomes the EPs approval of the EVFTA and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Immediately after taking effect, the EVFTA will facilitate trade growth, create more jobs, and promote economic growth for both sides by removing 99 percent of all tariff lines, it said.

In Germany, after the two agreements were approved, key local news agencies, newspapers, televisions and radio stations also reported on the event.

ZDF Television said with the support of a majority of parliamentarians in Strasbourg of France, the EP gave the green light for the EVFTA, helping remove tariff barriers between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Tagesspiegel newspaper ran an article describing the booming socio-economic development in Vietnam. It cited data from the World Bank as saying that in the 2002-2018 period, 45 million Vietnamese people escaped from poverty.

According to German media, with the EPs approval of the EVFTA, the last real barrier to this trade agreement has been lifted, opening up huge opportunities for German and European businesses./.VNA
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 novel coronavirus, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China on Feb. 5, 2020. (China Daily via Reuters)

Social Media Users Punished As China Tightens Censorship of Coronavirus Outbreak

Chinas International Center of Cyber Law publicized on its website a list of social media users who were punished between Jan. 22 and Feb. 6 for spreading rumors on the Internet about the outbreak of novel coronavirus, now named COVID-19.

The table listed 167 cases with dates, details of the rumor, and punishment for each case. Some cases involved more than one social media user.

Preceding the table was a short statement, In the face of a major public health crisis, it is necessary to control Internet rumors in a timely manner.

Tally of COVID-19 Patients Is a Forbidden Topic

The majority of the offences were notifications of confirmed or suspected cases in their city or neighborhood. Some included the number of deaths.

For instance, a man in Baoding City, Hebei Province, wrote on his blog: I truly believe the authorities have not revealed the true number of infected patients. I heard that in a village about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from ours the number of confirmed cases was six on Jan. 26. All were sent to hospital for quarantine. But I have not seen any official reports that included these six cases.

He received five days of administrative detention for this posting. Administrative detention refers to arrest and detention of an individual without trial.

Another man in Anhui Province was given six days of administrative detention and a 500 yuan ($72) fine for revealing in his blog that, 21 medical personnel at North Anhuis Coal and Electric General Hospital have been infected with the mysterious viral pneumonia, and have been under quarantine for days.

A person surnamed Chen in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province said in his post, In Hebei Province, so far there have been 313 people infected with the virus and 26 people have died from it. Police claimed that his statement was a rumor that had caused people to panic. Chen was given 10 days of detention.

A social media user surnamed Lu in Guangxi Province was detained for 10 days for revealing in his post that a man who recently returned from Wuhan suddenly died. Police insisted that although a man in a local village had indeed died, Lus statement about the man returning from Wuhan was incorrect.

On Jan. 27, a person surnamed Wang in Xinjiang Autonomous Region notified his friends on WeChat: Be sure to explain to our relatives that this disease is not as simple as what is said in media reports. It is not a flu-type disease, it is a plague-like contagion. My cousin in Wuhan called me yesterday and told me that the real situation is many times worse than media reports. There are long lines of people waiting for treatment in hospitals in Wuhan, and there is a shortage of protective gear for medical workers. They are now treating patients with little or no protection.

What Wang said is consistent with overseas media reports, but local police determined that it was false information and placed Wang under detention.

Video Postings Refuted

In several cases, individuals were punished for the videos they posted on social media.

On Feb. 5, several social media users in Chengdu shared a video showing many medical personnel gathering outside a high rise building with narration identifying the residential compound. Chengdu Police released a public notice criticizing them, listing their names, and claiming that the scene shown in the video did not take place in Chengdu.

Similarly, in Yibin City, Sichuan Province a man surnamed Chen posted a video on Feb. 3 showing an ambulance and medical staff busily working in his community. See, at Sunshine Community, two people are being taken away, he said in the video.

Police stated that Chen did not know what was really going on, and had caused adverse effects among locals by claiming that the patients he saw had COVID-19. Based on official information from our local CDC, there is no confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in our district so far, the police announcement read.

In two other cases, police ordered the video posters to admit that their videos contained archival footage unrelated to the COVID-19 outbreak.

#China #Wuhan An allegedly diseased #WuhanCoronavirus patient was moved onto a van full of bodies.  A woman was crying desperately in the background.  Workers in hazmat suits tossed their used gloves into uncovered rubbish bins in the residential area.pic.twitter.com/OFoWNbfDQT  W. B. Yeats (@WBYeats1865) February 11, 2020

Internet Policewoman Says She Works 20 Hours a Day

A small media group in Shandong Province praised an Internet policewoman for working 20 hours a day monitoring WeChat postings. Guo Qiqi, a policewoman at Cyber Surveillance Center of local police department, was so busy during the Chinese New Year holidays, that she kept her cell phone with her to perform her work around the clock, the Jan. 28 report said.

According to Guo, on Jan. 22, the citys police department launched an emergency response plan. For seven consecutive days, four female officers worked in shifts to ensure 24-hour monitoring of the Internet.

As soon as an issue is identified, we must resolve it within 30 minutes. There is tremendous pressure. We cannot even have a meal with our families during the New Year. All our time is dedicated to reading WeChat postings, checking rumors, and deleting posts, Guo said.

When this report caught readers attention, they posted Guos story on various Chinese forums to condemn the Chinese regimes censorship. The news has sparked anger among many residents.

It is precisely because of these bastards that the virus is now spreading all over the world.

They are doing the most wicked job that harms all.

Internet police are mad minions of the Chinese Communist Party. They are shameless.
Since the beginning of 2020, six children have gone missing from Fort Bend County. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these children is asked to call the 24-hour Missing and Exploited Children Hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or contact the Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office at (281) 341-4665.

Jacy Gamon, age 17, from Katy, has been missing since Jan. 30. Gamon is a white female with blue eyes and brown hair. She is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. She may be traveling in the company of another minor.
Indian-origin Alok Sharma was on Thursday named the new UK minister in charge of the crunch UN climate talks to be hosted by Britain this November.

Agra-born Sharma, promoted to the post of Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle, will take charge of the crucial summit COP26' as its former president was removed amid controversy just weeks ago.

Claire Perry O'Neill, a former energy minister, had openly criticised Johnson soon after her sacking, saying the UK prime minister doesn't really get climate change.

Sharma, 52, has a tough role ahead of him as the man in charge of the UK's climate strategy and also bringing about global consensus on some contentious issue around greenhouse gas emissions at the summit in Glasgow.

The conference plans also have been hit by tensions between London and the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh, led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a vocal Johnson critic who is demanding a new independence referendum.

"The Scottish government needs to work with us to make sure it is a successful summit," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Sturgeon has insisted the two governments are working well together on COP but Sharma will undoubtedly face some political push and pull in this new complex post.

He steps into a role previously turned down by former Prime Minister David Cameron, who said he believed a member of the Cabinet should take on the role.

Sharma's previous Cabinet position as Secretary of State for Development, in charge of the Department for Development (DfID), is seen as good grounding for the COP26 charge.

Previous COP summits have all tended to be led by the host government's most prominent minister with a relevant portfolio, usually the environment minister.

Brought up in south-east England, the trained accountant and former banker has served in a number of junior ministerial roles since his entry into in 2010, including as fire minister.

The MP for Reading West was elevated to the Cabinet level as DfID minister by Johnson in July last year and has reportedly been promoted further as business minister because the government plans to modify DfID to work closer with the trade department.
Late last week as Bernie Sanders and the top 2020 Democratic contenders campaigned in New Hampshire, a massive storm rolled through the northeast of the United States, dumping snow across the Green Mountains and pine trees of Vermont.

Outside the senators home in Burlington, an inches-thick blanket of snow covered his car, a bright red Chevy Bolt parked up against a garage door. The white Bernie bumper sticker was visible from the street.

In a city that has been shaped by Sanders over decades and which has adopted the Brooklyn-born politician as something of a local folk hero, the sticker is hardly a shock. The house itself is not particularly notable  not small but not a mansion either. It doesnt have a modicum of the security one might expect to surround the potential future leader of the US, nor even a hedge out front.

Ive known him ever since he was mayor, says Barry DeLaDuca, an 80-year-old who has lived in the neighbourhood since before Sanders moved in. I think its interesting and nice and a good change. He hasnt changed his viewpoints since Ive known him.

Is he a fun neighbour to have? We kind of respect these people in our neighbourhood and in Vermont, too. We like to give them their space and let them be people along with whatever theyre trying to achieve. I see him, say 'Hello'. Hes polite, says 'Hello' back. Hes not  in my viewpoint  one of those with a gotta-go-out-and-shake-their-hand kind of attitude.

The quiet could soon change, though, as could the security outside Sanders home if he marches closer to the Democratic nomination and the presidency. Among his neighbours who spent their Saturday morning with snow shovels in hand, that fairly new possibility conjures up a sense of pride, and an odd reckoning that the man they have seen pushing a cart at the Hannafords grocery store down the street may soon be the most powerful man in the world.

Sanders house after a heavy snow (Clark Mindock/The Independent)

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

Sanders has had a good start to 2020. Since the launch of his campaign a year ago, he has made a consistently strong showing in the once-burgeoning Democratic field, and has won the popular vote of both states that have voted so far in the Democratic primaries and caucuses.

In Iowa, Sanders came out behind Pete Buttigieg in delegates but beat his rival and fellow former mayor (Sanders represented Burlington in the 1980s, while Buttigieg gave up his South Bend, Indiana, office earlier this year) by some 6,000 votes overall.

After both declared victory amid the meltdown of an app that Iowa's Democrats thought would streamline their voting process, Sanders went on to win the New Hampshire primary.

Back in Burlington, where Sanders launched his political career with a long-shot campaign for mayor that he won by just 10 votes, his neighbours say that he was a regular sight around town even as he became one of the best known politicians in the country.

He tips well when he stops by for takeaway, one observes, and says 'Hi' to his neighbours when hes around. They insist that he is treated like anyone else in this community just 20 miles south of the US-Canada border, where car radios pick up French and country stations alike.

Hes a good tipper, hes always in a hurry, hes always busy, says David Beams, a bartender and restaurant worker who lives just a few houses down from him. I think one thing about Burlington is that when you see celebrities around town or well-known people, I dont think they behave any differently and nobody really bothers them. Ive always appreciated that. Hes just another guy around here.

Still, his name is on murals in town, and bumper stickers, and the 78-year-old senator is something of a draw for students at the University of Vermont, which is around 15 minutes from his home. He may be treated like anybody else, but he has certainly left his mark.

Well, theres diversity, but people are really proud that he was one of our neighbours. We talk about that a lot, says Jim Palmer, a landscape architect and former professor who has lived in the neighbourhood across the street from Sanders for about eight years.

He continues: We travel a fair amount and everybodys always amazed when we tell them that hes our neighbour.

A grafitti-covered building near Sanders' home in Burlington (Clark Mindock/The Independent)

But the question remains: even in this liberal college-town that sways state elections, do people think he can win the the presidency in 2020?

And, if he does, will he have any chance of making good on his vision of social and economic equality that has made him a hero to young Democrats but has been rejected by other voters as an impractical fad?

I thought his time had passed, says Brian Neufeld, a middle-school science teacher, referring to the enthusiasm around Sanders' campaign in 2016 election and his eventual defeat in that race. I see hes garnered a lot of enthusiasm after Iowa. Im excited about that for him. My entire investment is who can beat Trump, so I want to put my momentum behind the candidate that can unseat the incumbent.

On that point, Neufeld has some reservations about the senators candidacy: Im not sure if the countrys ready for Bernie. I love his ideas, Im just afraid that the moderate portion of our society sees him as too radical, and Id hate to set him up for that failure.

It is certainly a question that Democrats across the country have been wrestling with. While many seem to support some of Sanders most ambitious proposals  77 per cent of Democrats support Medicare for All, for instance  others have expressed concern that he is a bit too radical compared with those promising more incremental change.

However, while Sanders run for president doesnt necessarily have everyones support in Burlington  a Trump bumper sticker was spotted at a nearby police station  his consistency on policy dating back to the 1980s is often celebrated.

Bernie has always been the guy that just runs by his own rules. Hes never let anything sort of influence him in one way or another. He has his track record that speaks for itself, really, says Tim Sharbaugh, a medical worker who lives down the street from the senator. He doesnt let money influence his politics. He puts the human first and thats what I really like about him, which is something that is pretty lost in politics these days.

Nick Stephany, a solar-industry worker who works just outside of Burlington, is among those who isnt really "feeling the Bern", but his hesitancy is rooted in the belief that Sanders is a better leader for Vermont in the Senate than the country as a whole.

Bernies a good guy. Ive either known him or known of him my entire life, he says.

Stephany is among those who are suspicious of national politicians as a whole: Any individual who seeks to be the president of the United States is immediately suspect in my eyes.

In addition, he has concerns about what that national prominence could do to Sanders: Im worried if he gets elected, he gets brought into the room with the joint chiefs of staff and they say, That was all good talk  this is how it works.

Its a question that pulls at a thread that a Sanders presidency would almost surely unravel: can a political revolution for the working class at the expense of billionaires  and one that is contrary to the military-industrial complex, with its links to almost every community in the country  ever truly take root in the US?

For Stephany, that potential reality could be devastating: That changes the Bernie, and we dont want to change the Bernie.
Police in Kakamega are looking for a 44-year-old woman over the brutal murder of her husband earlier this week.

Reportedly, Roseline Nafula from Lubanga Village in Matungu sub-county fatally struck 50-year-old Joseph Okoth in the head using a club(Rungu) after he accused her of infidelity.

The incident occurred after Mr Okoth had returned home at around 6 pm Tuesday and found his wife hosting two men in their house.

Infuriated, Okoth ordered the men out of his house before confronting Nafula, accusing her of being unfaithful.

Police said a heated argument ensued and Nafula reached for a club which she used to clobber her husband of 24 years to death.

She smashed the rungu against a wound in Okoths head; the deceased had recently undergone a surgical operation, Kakamega County Police Commander, Bernard Muli, told K24 TV.

Okoths body was moved to St. Marys Mission Hospital morgue in Mumias as police launched a manhunt for the suspect.

Once we arrest the suspect, we will charge her with murder.

Neighbours who talked to the media claimed the couple had been embroiled in an unending marital dispute.

Apparently, Okoth often complained that his wife denied him conjugal rights and that was unfaithful. Another neighbour said Okoth had left Nafula a few years ago before getting back together in 2017.

Kakamega police boss Muli urged couples to exercise patience and tolerance in marriages. Resorting to violence or murder wouldnt help solve marital problems.

Okoth and Nafula had six children; three boys and three girls. The eldest child is aged 23 and the youngest is 9 years old.
It's almost that magical time of year again, when bars buy wholesale jugs of green food dye to doctor their beer, when green top hats and green-rimmed glasses replace the standard work attire and when parades of green floats snake their way through cities across the globe.

St. Patrick's Day may have begun in earnest as a solemn celebration of Ireland's patron saint, but nowadays it's an excuse for communal revelry. It's a chance to don your greenest apparel and take to the streets to celebrate Irish culture and community.

This St. Patrick's Day, consider taking a trip abroad - check out these vacation deals you can book right now and get inspired to celebrate abroad. For a little added inspiration, here are six cities that do St. Patrick's Day right!

Dublin

File this entry under "no brainer". Dublin, the largest city in the Emerald Isle and capital of the Republic of Ireland, knows a thing or two about hosting a St. Patrick's Day celebration. But whereas much of North America celebrates with pub-crawls and kitschy green trinkets, Dubliners use the special day as more of a straightforward celebration of Irish culture. The city hosts festivals, live music, outdoor activities and a parade. Sure, you'll still find drunken revelers in top hats, but they're mostly tourists.

New York

While Dublin remains the spiritual epicenter of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, New York takes the crown as the world's biggest St. Patrick's Day celebration. With roughly 150,000 marchers and over 2 million spectators, the parade alone is massive. Add to that the number of revelers populating the city's many pubs and restaurants, and you've got yourself a certifiable party.

Buenos Aires

Something you might not know is how far south in the Americas the Irish diaspora spreads. Argentina is home to over 500,000 Irish people, and, despite their far remove from the homeland, they come out to celebrate. The Fiesta de San Patricio, as it's called locally, is the largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in South America, an all-out street party, complete with costumes, music, dancing and lots of food and drink.

Sydney

When the Sydney Opera House changes its spotlights to green on March 17th, you know you're in for a good time! Starting at Hyde Park, and ending at one of the various Irish pubs around town, the parade is the day's main attraction. If you're looking to raise a glass of Guinness to the patron saint, here's Time's Out's list of the best Irish pubs in Sydney.

Honorable mentions for the finest St. Paddy's Day celebrations go to Boston, Chicago, Saint John's, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo, all of which hold big, boisterous March 17th parties in honour of the patron saint of Ireland.

If you want to see firsthand how the world celebrates Irish culture, visit Travelzoo to check out their last minute deals. Whether you want to celebrate in Ireland, or way over in Australia, they'll have perfectly priced deals to get you there.
By Rasana Gasimova

Azerbaijans Deputy Economy Minister Niyazi Safarov has voiced his countrys commitment to the development of digital economy.

Addressing the international conference titled Digital economy: Modern Challenges and Real Opportunities held in Baku on February 13-14, Safarov said that it was important for Azerbaijan's economy to reduce dependence on the oil sector, increase competitiveness in the non-oil sector, develop human capital, and thus, develop digital economy

He noted that Azerbaijan has done a lot of work in this direction, stressing that e-government has been formed, through which various e-services are provided, new platforms are created and, as a whole, the traditional economy is being transformed into a digital economy.

Safarov noted that since the launch of the licensing portal and issuing permits in Azerbaijan on March 1, 2019, more than 1,500 licenses have been issued through the platform. He said that in 2019, the portal was improved, and work on the integration of information systems in the portal continued and more than 800 electronic licenses were granted to entrepreneurs.

"More than 1,500 licenses have been issued via the portal for issuance of licenses and permits since its launch in Azerbaijan on March 1, 2019. Last year, the portal was improved, work on the integration of information systems in the portal was continued and more than 800 e-licenses were granted to entrepreneurs," he said.

Safarov noted that the ministry provides 94 services in the field of economic activities, 68 of them being provided online; 63 e-services are interactive, and the remaining five are informational. Over 96,000 requests were received at the e-government portal in 2019.

Addressing the conference, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Transport Communications and High Technologies Elmir Valizade ICT revenues in Azerbaijan in 2019 reached $2.2 billion which amounts to 1.8 percent of GDP and 2.9 percent of non-oil GDP.

He emphasized that 97.1 percent of the countrys territory is covered by the network, noting that presently, 80 percent of Azerbaijans population are internet users, and 75 percent - broadband users.

Valizade added that Azerbaijan ranked 43rd out of 141 countries in the Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum in 2019.

Note that the aim of the International Conference on Digital Economy: Modern Challenges and Real Opportunities is to discuss recent contributions to the understanding of the digital economy and its consequences for modern societies.

The Conference brought together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars and also specialists from business and government to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Digital Economy.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
A TikTok user pushed the limits of mischief after she went around a shopping mall literally snatching away food out of peoples hands.

According to Fox News, social media blogger Kat Curtis filmed her antics at Californias Glendale Galleria shopping mall where she was seen grabbing fast food from random strangers while riding the escalator.

The short clips were posted as a series on TikTok, the video-sharing platform.

As the prank went viral, Curtis posted a compilation of those clips on her official Twitter account.

The compilation video was tweeted with How to get free food at the mall, written at its bottom.

At the beginning of the compilation, Curtis snatches a handful of french fries from an oblivious young man on the opposite escalator, who continues to stare at her in a state of shock for a good while.

Later on, in the subsequent parts, the mischievous lady directly bites mouthfuls of foods from two absolute strangers who are left both dumbfounded and amused at the outrageous practical joke.

What the Twitter community found the most hilarious were the blank expressions of the first victim, reported Fox News.

One user commented: Shes trying to remember the face because theres no way such disrespect is going unpunished.

Its all fun and games until one night you see him making the same face outside of your window, commented another.

However, the sceptical lot called-out the video for being choreographed and staged.

I call this a huge cap. who going down the escalator with fries pointed away from him, commented one person, while the other said that they for sure know each other because the brother didnt react, at all. We play a lot but not about our food, so no way this was random.
As 2019 came to a close, oil prices were under pressure from the continued surge of U.S. shale oil. Although OPEC and its partners had already cut production by more than 1 million barrels per day (BPD), U.S. oil production had grown by about 2 million BPD from early 2018 to late 2019.

While some are quick to credit soft demand with the assault on oil prices, the reality is that oil demand is still growing each year by over 1 million BPD. The real challenge for OPEC hasnt been soft demand  its the continued onslaught of shale oil production.

Following a failed price war that started in 2014, OPECs strategy has been to prop up oil prices by cutting production. The cartel is now in a waiting game with U.S. shale producers, cutting production to keep prices propped up, while holding out for the slowdown of U.S. shale production. When that eventually happens, OPEC will be back in the drivers seat  assuming it doesnt take so long that electric vehicles (EVs) are by then cutting deeply into oil demand.

In December 2019, OPEC and Russia attempted to respond to sliding oil prices with new production cuts. Following its December meeting in Vienna, OPEC announced it would increase its production cuts by another 500,000 barrels per day (BPD).

That brought the total production cuts from OPEC and its allies to 1.7 million BPD. But then along came coronavirus, which is a black swan event. At the beginning of 2020, nobody had yet died from the virus. Now, the death total has surpassed that of the SARS virus that caused energy prices to slump in 2003.

China is aggressively attempting to contain the virus, and that is impacting the Chinese economy. (At least one economist is warning that the virus is going to paralyze China). As the worlds largest oil consumer, a slowdown in Chinas economy suddenly has a real potential of impacting oil demand growth. Thus, OPEC now has to contend with U.S. shale oil growth and a short-term impact on demand.

Related: A Third Of Fossil Fuel Assets May Soon Be Stranded

The dual-threat caused a 20 percent slide in oil prices from the beginning of the year to early February. Last week OPEC members met with Russia (among others) with the hope of announcing additional production cuts that might stabilize oils free fall. This time Russia refused.

As fellow Forbes contributor Ellen Wald pointed out, Russia has its own reasons for keeping production at current levelsmostly because its oil companies and government need the revenue.

OPEC had hoped to announced additional production cuts of 600,000 BPD, but with Russias refusal to participate, no action is anticipated before OPECs next meeting in March.

Meanwhile, the oil price free-fall could continue, if coronavirus continues to spread. At present, that looks likely. How far prices fall at this point will be a function of the spread of coronavirus and OPEC and Russias eventual response (or lack thereof).

By Robert Rapier

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The latter appeared together last summer at Orchestra Hall, when Joffrey collaborated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to present the company premiere of Christopher Wheeldons Commedia and a world premiere called Bliss!, by Chicagoan Stephanie Martinez. Both these works are improved by a traditional proscenium space; Bliss! looks particularly sharpened with an expanded cast, extra sparkles on the ladies costumes and stunning lighting by Penny Jacobus. In tackling Stravinskys Dumbarton Oaks Concerto, Martinez takes on a very difficult score (no less challenged, members of the Chicago Philharmonic play live with Scott Speck conducting). Stravinskys 1938 composition for chamber orchestra does not inherently lend itself to dancing; the piece was commissioned for Robert and Mildred Bliss wedding anniversary (hence the title), and was loosely inspired by one of Bachs Brandenburg concertos. It is as if Stravinsky chopped up the Brandenburg in a blender and put the bits back together. Conductors have likened this work to a Picasso painting  radical, rambunctious and playful for its time. The same could be said of Martinezs choreography. She clearly took a deep dive with the music, pulling it apart and putting it back together again, adding the feel of flirtatious frat boys to a demanding dance with tons of ballet technique.
Death and taxes are not the only sure things in life. Politicians stalling on making difficult decisions is also a certainty.

A decision on whether to permit the terminally ill the right to end their lives is miles from safe political ground. Over the last decade in Connecticut, lawmakers have proposed related bills seven times. It was slated to come up for discussion before the states Public Health Committee again Monday, but some members were absent, so the right call was made to postpone. It may be back on the schedule Friday.

Progress inched forward over that decade. After a 12-hour hearing last year, the committee chose not to forward a bill. It may seem unlikely to gain more traction in a short session, but that would be just another excuse.

One indicator of forward movement came last year when the Connecticut State Medical Society shifted its position to engaged neutrality, which translates to leaving the choice to member physicians.

That move toward individual choice is what this issue is all about. It also mirrors how the movement tilted in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Medical Society steadfastly opposed medically assisted death and repeated proposals until three years ago, when it took a neutral position.

Massachusetts and New Hampshire are considering it again this year. In the meantime, eight other states, along with Washington, D.C., have passed aid-in-dying measures, starting with Oregon in 1994 and Maine and New Jersey most recently in 2019.

So, like someone who wants to cross the state border to buy recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, a terminally ill person could choose to die in another state.

(A) ZIP code should not define a persons end-of-life journey, said Tim Appleton of Compassion & Choices in Connecticut.

The subject is uncomfortable, thus the euphemisms used to define it (The Death with Dignity Act). But lawmakers need to do their homework to understand safeguards written into bills, and consider if more are needed.

Typically, the law includes several safeguards. Two physicians must determine the person has fewer than six months to live. The individual alone can make the call, and must be declared competent and follow a waiting period.

Opposition has understandably been raised on religious grounds that a life must not be taken under any circumstances. Those hesitations are routinely disregarded by lawmakers at wartime.

There is also the reasonable fears of abuse. Existing laws mandate that witnesses to the decision cannot be someone who could benefit from the persons death.

The instinct to stall on this issue is understandable because it calls for everyone to imagine themselves with a loved one who is dying.

There is no decision more personal than this one. A person who is suffering should not be blocked from ending their agony by institutions, whether religious or governmental. The mere existence of this law could ease emotional pain.

Everyone should have to right to die with dignity. There is no dignity in hesitating to prevent suffering.
Trump India visit: First Lady of the US, Melania Trump, took to Twitter to state that she and US President Donald Trump were really excited to visit India. The visit of US President Trump and First Lady is scheduled from February 24-25. PM Modi will host President Donald Trump and Melania Trump in Ahmedabad and New Delhi.

Thank you @narendramodi for the kind invitation. Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad & New Dehli later this month. @POTUS & I are excited for the trip & to celebrate the close ties between the #USA & #India. https://t.co/49LzQPiVLf - Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 12, 2020

PM Narendra Modi took to his official Twitter handle to say that India will extend a warm and memorable welcome to the 'esteemed guests'.

Extremely delighted that @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS will visit India on 24th and 25th February. India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2020

In another tweet, the PM said, "India and USA share a common commitment to democracy and pluralism. Our nations are cooperating extensively on a wide range of issues. Robust friendship between our nations augurs well not only for our citizens but also for the entire world."

Also read: US wants India to buy $6 billion worth of farm goods to seal trade deal

President Trump told the American press that he was looking forward to his first visit to India since his tenure as President began and also hinted that two countries could possibly sign a trade deal. On February 24, an event on the lines of 'Howdy Modi' will be organised in Gujarat. The mega event will be addressed by President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump. The event 'Kemcho Trump' is likely to be similar to the 'Howdy Modi' event that was held in Texas last year.

Also read: Looking forward to my first visit to India: US President Donald Trump

The 'Kemcho Trump' event will be organised in Ahmedabad's newly contructed Sardar Patel Stadium that has a seating capacity of 1.10 lakh. The US President will also inaugurate the stadium. Before this event, the POTUS along with Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram. A 10-km long roadshow has also been planned from Ahmedabad airport to Sabarmati Ashram.

Also read: Trump's India visit: Will it be just lofty intent or something more tangible?
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on Thursday boycotted the inauguration of the first phase of the East-West Metro service by Union railway, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal because chief minister Mamata Banerjee was not invited.

The official invitation letter mentioned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Union minister of state Babul Supriyo as the guest of honour and fire services minister and local TMC legislator Sujit Bose, TMC Lok Sabha member Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and Salt Lakes TMC mayor Krishna Chakraborty as guests.

A senior metro official, who did not want to be identified, said the invitations were sent as per protocol. He also said that an invitation letter was sent to the chief minister though her name did not figure in the card. Which protocol says that the chief minister who had served as Union railway minister should not be invited to a programme like this? asked minister of state for parliamentary affairs Tapas Roy.

At the inauguration, Supriyo said it would have been better had representatives of the state government also attended the event.

Talking about the project, he said that it is Indias only railway corridor that has been funded entirely by the Centre, with the railway ministry contributing 74% and the Union urban development ministry paying for the rest.

Interestingly, on Wednesday, Supriyo had posted a note on his social media page, justifying the exclusion of Banerjees name from the invitate. Have a look at the invitation card of the East-West Metro launch tomorrow We did what is correct and conventional - that is Invite and Mention the names of everyone from the State Government ON the card itselfbut did Didis (Banerjees) Govt invite me when these Electric Buses were flagged off? he wrote, referring to the 80 electric buses recently launched by the state.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislator Sujan Chakraborty said, Banerjee should have been invited. However, it also on record that when she inaugurated the extended phase of the Kolkata Metro as a union railway minister, then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was not invited.

The first phase of East-West Metro will connect Salt Lake sector five to Salt Lake stadium, a distance of 3.7 km by road. It is part of the elevated portion of East-West metro.
Realization of those plans depend on whether the United States and the Taliban, in discussions this week, can finalize the parameters of the violence reduction, including its duration  expected to be seven days  and geographic coverage. They would also need to agree on the extent to which it applies to both the militants and U.S. forces, according to current and former Afghan and Taliban officials who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.
SAN DIEGO - A Southern California aquarium has successfully bred the rare weedy sea dragon, the lesser known cousin of the sea horse that resembles seaweed when floating.

San Diegos Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography said in a news release Thursday that two weedy sea dragons have hatched this week, making the aquarium one of the few in the world to successfully breed the unusual fish.

The babies with leafy appendages are less than an inch long, and have eaten their first meal of tiny shrimp. The aquarium is keeping the delicate creatures out of public view for now.

The hatchlings come less than a year after the aquarium at the University of California, San Diego built what is believed to be one of the worlds largest habitats for the sea dragons, whose native populations off Australia are threatened by pollution, warming oceans and the illegal pet and alternative medicine trades.

The 18-foot-long tank has 11 weedy sea dragons and three leafy sea dragons, which have never been bred in captivity.

The aquarium hopes to breed the two different kinds of sea dragons so scientists can learn more about the mysterious species. Little is known about them because their populations are so small and in remote areas.

Since 1995, the Birch Aquarium has bred 13 different seahorse species, sharing more than 5,000 juvenile seahorses with other aquariums around the world.

So far, only the weedy sea dragon has been bred in captivity, and only a handful of times.

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach was the first in the world to breed the weedy sea dragons in 2001. It also is trying to breed leafy sea dragons.
After the BJP's defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, poll managers of its West Bengal unit are divided whether to push its aggressive strategy on the CAA-NRC or mellow it down and lace it with alternative policies of governance.

The BJP that recently suffered a defeat at the hands of the AAP, which won the polls for the third consecutive time on the plank of good governance, is in two minds about its strategy for 2021 Assembly polls in West Bengal.

In West Bengal, the BJP had won 18 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 parliamentary polls, while it had swept all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi.

"But within a few months, we see that the results are completely opposite in Lok Sabha polls and Assembly polls in Delhi. So we cannot take it for granted that just because we won 18 seats in Bengal, we will also win the Assembly polls."



"So we need to change our strategy for state elections. It is not necessary that what works for national elections will also work for state polls. Our campaign should not only highlight implementation of CAA and need for NRC. It should also lay similar stress on alternative and better policies of governance," a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.

Since last year, the demand for NRC to weed out infiltrators and the new citizenship law have emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing them tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for their implementation.

Another section of the state BJP, considered close to its president Dilip Ghosh, is of the opinion that there is no need for a change in the party's strategy in West Bengal, as aggressive has yielded positive results for the party.

"If you want to counter a party like the TMC, you have to keep up the tempo and your aggressive strategy. It has helped us. Our campaign on the issues of the new Citizenship bill and the proposed NRC had yielded good results in Lok Sabha polls.

"If we change our strategy, it will be considered that we are retreating. This would send a wrong message to our party cadres. Obviously we will have an alternative set of governance policies but that doesn't mean diluting our campaign over CAA-NRC," the BJP leader said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Last year we introduced innovative new solution enhancements and integrations to provide customers with direct access to enterprise data stored in a variety of external repositories and line of business applications, all from their preferred user interface," said Antti Nivala, CEO at M-Files.

M-Files Corporation, the intelligent information management company, today announced that strong cloud adoption accelerated its subscription-based annual recurring revenue (ARR) in 2019 by more than 100 percent over 2018. The company's primary SaaS solution, M-Files Online, is a hybrid intelligent information management platform that allows customers to implement both cloud and on-premises solutions without having to separately purchase licenses for each.

"As we accelerated our transition to a SaaS and cloud-based business model in 2019, customers and partners reaped the benefits of our innovative licensing options that enable M-Files Online customers to become instantly cloud-ready and able to leverage the cloud in a phased and targeted manner as they see fit," said Antti Nivala, CEO at M-Files. "Last year we also introduced innovative new solution enhancements and integrations to provide customers with direct access to enterprise data stored in a variety of external repositories and line of business applications, all from their preferred user interface."

Customer and Partner Growth

M-Files added nearly 1,300 new customers in 2019 across its global footprint, including enterprises in professional services, manufacturing, financial services, and energy, among other industries.

M-Files also strengthened its global network of partners around the world with specialized expertise in key use cases, vertical industries and systems integration. In 2019, a technology partnership with Konica Minolta drove successful projects across 14 European countries, which inspired an expanded alliance in 2020 to bring intelligent information management to the entire European market.

New Add-ins for Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, and Outlook

Last year, M-Files announced enhancements to its Microsoft Office 365 solution, enabling seamless integration within the familiar user interfaces of Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, and Outlook. The solution provides easy access to out-of-the-box document management, compliance and governance features via the user interface where users work most throughout the day.

New Solution Enhancements and Integrations

Additionally, the company introduced its M-Files for Google G Suite solution, which offers easy collaboration and enhanced security and compliance in a single package, seamlessly connecting G Suite applications with other business systems and repositories. Furthermore, M-Files unveiled a new Salesforce integration that enables access to documents and enterprise data either in the cloud or on-premises, all from the familiar Salesforce user interface.

Achievements and Advancements

In 2019, M-Files achieved SOC 2 Compliance, which certifies the company's adherence to strict information policies and practices that ensure the security and confidentiality of customer data stored in the cloud. Last year, M-Files also heightened its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities with enhancements to Smart Classifier and the launch of M-Files Discovery. Smart Classifier automates document classification, and M-Files Discovery helps detect, categorize and manage documents with Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or other types of sensitive information.

Global Investment and Recognition

In 2019, the company was recognized for its innovative approach to information management, including being named a Visionary in the Gartner 2019 Magic Quadrant for Content Services Platforms (CSP), the Leader in the Nucleus Research ECM Technology Value Matrix, and the Top Rated Enterprise Content Management Software by TrustRadius, based on end-user reviews and ratings. Additionally, M-Files was recognized by the European Investment Bank (EIB) as one of the most innovative tech companies in Europe and cited for its continued focus on driving innovation in information management. For more information, visit http://www.m-files.com.

For more information on M-Files Intelligent Information Management, please visit:

http://bit.ly/m-files-intelligent-information-management-us

To schedule a demo, please visit:

http://bit.ly/m-files-request-demo-us

About M-Files Corporation

M-Files provides a next-generation intelligent information management platform that improves business performance by helping people find and use information more effectively. Unlike traditional enterprise content management (ECM) systems or content services platforms, M-Files unifies systems, data and content across the organization without disturbing existing systems and processes or requiring data migration. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in its unique Intelligent Metadata Layer, M-Files breaks down silos by delivering an in-context experience for accessing and leveraging information that resides in any system and repository, including network folders, SharePoint, file sharing services, ECM systems, CRM, ERP and other business systems and repositories. Thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries use M-Files for managing their business information and processes, including NBC Universal, OMV, Valmet, Rovio, SAS Institute and thyssenkrupp.

Media Contact:

Debra Dekelbaum, Senior Manager, US PR, debra.dekelbaum@m-files.com, +1 (972) 516-4210, ext. 272
The Humble ISD school board discussed its upcoming calendar and construction updates at its monthly meeting on Feb. 11.

The board also honored super staffers, including Kelley Norris, a Maple Brook Elementary School fifth grade teacher, Toni Matthews, a paraprofessional at the Community Learning Center and Zachary Williams, a customer support specialist in the technology department.

District construction on track

All construction projects in the district are in good standing, according to board member Robert Sitton.

Centennial Elementary is still on track to open in August while the rebuild of Lakeland Elementary and construction of Elementary No. 30 are both on schedule to open in August of 2021.

The $31.2 million Centennial Elementary will be located in the Lakewood Pines subdivision. It was funded through the 2008 bond referendum. Elementary No. 30 and Lakeland Elementary will feature a similar design and are scheduled to go for bids together. Both are currently in the design phase.

Kingwood Middle School is on schedule and plans are being reviewed by the team and user groups to finalize the designs before moving forward. The district is starting to have the underbrush cleared and trees survey for Middle School No. 10, which will be located on Woodland Hills Drive next to Ridge Creek Elementary. The new school will open in 2022.

Atascocita High School has site preparation work underway and PBK architects are looking at new renderings for Humble High School and talking with stakeholders on the project to look at phasing over the next two years.

The North agriculture barn is scheduled for completion in May of 2021. The district is currently seeking bids for the ag barn.

Parental concerns

Jay Qatato, a mechanical engineer with three children in Humble ISD, addressed the board in regard to the academic calendar implemented for the 2019-2020 school year. It provided two new week-long breaks during the school year. The week-long breaks in both February and October were approved again for next year at the school board meeting in January.

Qatato said the calendar prevents students from having momentum and makes it difficult for parents to find a structure for their children during the week-long breaks. He presented a packet to the board of a printed PowerPoint presentation and quoted data to advocate his points.

Our academic calendar is like a rollercoaster, Qatato said. It has so many turns and twists and ups and downs. Its absolutely unbelievable. Our students cant have any momentum.

The academic calendar was voted on by the board on Jan. 14 after a survey sent out by email to the district, which had 14,634 respondents. About 65% voted for a week-long October break and 62% voted for a week-long February break. Classes start Tuesday, Aug. 11 and end on Friday, May 28, with hours remaining the same except for high schools, which will have 2 minutes added to the end of the day to meet state requirements.

The next school board meeting will be on March 17 at 7 p.m. at the Humble ISD Administration Building located at 20200 Eastway Village Dr., Humble.

For more information, visit https://www.humbleisd.net/Page/64196.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com
The new Batman explains why he's saying goodbye to Gotham and hello to New York City

New Batman, New York City - why DC's Dark Knight is leaving Gotham City
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all political parties to upload on their websites the details of criminals records against their candidates in Parliamentary and Assembly elections, along with the reasons for the selection of those with criminal antecedents.

The top court also directed parties to publish credentials, achievements and criminal antecedents of candidates on social media platforms.

The court gave the order on a contempt petition filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay which had claimed that the directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict on the disclosure of criminal antecedents by the poll candidates were not being followed.

The apex court directed all political parties to publish within 48 hours the criminal records of candidates in Parliamentary and Assembly elections.

It also said that the political parties, upon clearing the name of the candidates, must submit a report regarding publication within 24 hours after the nomination of the candidate.

The court further said that the parties will be liable for contempt if they failed to comply with the order. It asked Election Commission to file a contempt petition in the top court if political parties did not comply with the directives.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China is nudging insurers to work on cheaper medical cover linked to the coronavirus and is assuring them of fast-track approval for these new products.

The move will mark a shift in the Chinese insurance market where the bulk of existing products are essentially investment schemes and pure healthcare coverage accounts for only about a fifth of the total life insurance premium.

According to their websites, China Life (601628.SS), China Pacific Insurance (2601.HK), Ping An Insurance Group (601318.SS) and Zhong An Online P&C Insurance Co (6060.HK), among others, have included coverage for the virus in their existing medical insurance products.

At least half a dozen more are in the process of requesting approval for products with coronavirus coverage in the coming weeks, said the people, declining to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The scramble comes as the Chinese province of Hubei, at the epicentre of the outbreak, reported a record surge in the death toll on Thursday.

However, the global health experts warned that the epidemic could get far worse before it is brought under control.

Chinas Banking and Insurance Regulator (CBIRC) have adjusted actuary rules for healthcare, accident and life insurance as well as annuity insurance, which will help lower premiums for such insurance by 3 per cent to 5 per cent.

The sources said the lower premiums and push for cheaper, basic medical cover, were largely prompted by the need to deal with treatment for those who may get infected by the coronavirus.

CBIRC did not respond to Reuters request for comment.

(Reuters/NAN)
With the government denying them entry via any air, land or seaport, as many as 55,000 non-resident Indians and people of Indian origin are stuck in several parts of China where the coronavirus outbreak has claimed nearly 1,400 lives, multiple sources said. India had recently evacuated over 640 of its citizens from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak.

Yet, around 80-100 Indians are stranded in the city and nearby areas. The Indian Embassy in Beijing estimates more than 50,000 Indian citizens to have been working in mainland China as of early 2019. Besides, there are also no clear ...
The Supreme court has sacked David Lyon less than 24 hours before his inauguration as governor of Bayelsa state.





Lyon, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the governorship election in the state in November 2019.





A panel of justices led by Mary Odili asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Lyon and to re-issue another to the candidate with the second highest number of votes.





The decision of the apex court was in affirmation of the verdict of a federal high court disqualifying Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, Lyons running mate, for submitting forged credentials to INEC.

The supreme court held that the action of Degi-Eremienyo affects Lyon because both men ran on a joint ticket.





The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Douye Diri, its governorship candidate, had filed a suit against Lyon, Degi-Eremienyo and INEC, seeking the disqualification of the APC deputy governorship candidate.





They alleged Degi-Eremienyo gave false information in his CF 0001 form submitted to INEC.





Inyang Ekwo, the trial court judge ruled in favour of the PDP on November 12, 2019.





Ekwo held that there was no connection between the name on the candidates school-leaving certificate, first degree (BA), masters degree and the affidavits he swore.





However, the court of appeal upturned the decision of the trial court and affirmed the candidature of Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.





Stephen Adah, the justice who chaired the three-man panel of the appellate court, said the PDP did not prove their case against the APC candidates.





The court held that Degi-Eremienyo submitted an affidavit which showed evidence of his change of name from Adeyi-Eremienyo to Degi-Eremienyo.





I agree with the appellant that the owner of the school leaving certificate and the GCE certificate are one and the same and I therefore set aside the judgment of the court below, Adah said.





Not satisfied with the decision of the court of appeal, Diri and his party filed an appeal at the supreme court.





In its judgment, the apex court set aside the decision of the appellate court and affirmed the verdict which nullified the candidature of Degi-Eremienyo.





Ejembi Eko, who read the lead judgment, ordered INEC to issue certificates of return to candidates of the party with the next highest number of lawful votes and with the required constitutional geographical spread in the election.





Consequently, Diri Duoye, candidate of the PDP, who secured 143,172 votes against Lyons 352,552, will now be inaugurated as governor of Bayelsa.
In a campaign advertisement released on Thursday morning, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders took aim at Pacific Gas and Electric Co., ultimately suggesting the embattled utility company come under public ownership.

The ad, which runs for nearly three minutes, features activists addressing PG&E's role in a number of recent wildfires in Northern California, including the Nuns Fire of 2017 and the Camp Fire of 2018. At the end of the video, the ad appears to call for PG&E's transition into a public entity.
Shiromani Akali Dal stalwart Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday said minorities have to be taken along to successfully run a government, asserting that all religions should be respected.

IMAGE: SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal addresses their 'Rosh' rally at Rajasansi, near Amritsar. Photograph: PTI Photo

The remark came against the backdrop of criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party, an old ally of the SAD, over the amended Citizenship Act and plans to implement a National Register of Citizens.

Addressing a rally in Amritsar, Badal also expressed "grave concern" over the situation in the country.

"It is a matter of grave concern that the present situation in the country is not that good. I will say that all religions should be respected and take along minorities, take along your allies if you have to be successful in running the government so that all brothers (countrymen) consider themselves part of a family," Badal said.

"Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs brothers should embrace each other rather than we sow seeds of hatred," he added.

The SAD had earlier wanted Muslims to be included in the CAA, a legislation which seeks to give citizenship to the persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Akalis, who are part of the National Demoratic Alliance even refused to contest the recently held Delhi assembly polls after it was asked by the BJP to change its stand on the CAA.

Badal said those in power at the Centre and the states should ensure that the country was run strictly in accordance with secular democratic ethos as enshrined in the Constitution.

"It is written in our Constitution that our country will have secular and democratic rule," he said.

"Any deviation from the sacred principles of secularism can only weaken our country. Those in power at the state as well as others must work unitedly and tirelessly to safeguard, preserve and protect India as a secular democracy.

"This is the legacy we inherited from the great Guru Sahiban, saints and seers. And this is the legacy we must leave for the coming generations," Badal added.

The Akali leader lashed out at the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government for failing to keep poll promises, asking him either to honour the promises made to people or quit.

He also targeted senior leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who were expelled from the party, saying they were given every post they desired for but still they chose to backstab the party at the instance of "anti-panthic" forces.

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal said the people would not allow Amarinder Singh's move to "break" the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to succeed.

He also accused the CM of "befooling" the people by making "false" promises in the name of the 'Dasam Pitah' (Tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh).

The SAD chief alleged that electricity had become "expensive" in Punjab due to the "mismanagement and scams" of the Congress.

He added that Congress leaders had struck "underhand deals" with the management of the private thermal plants which resulted in a loss or Rs 4,100 crore to the state exchequer.

Sukhbir Badal claimed that power purchased at Rs 3 per unit was being sold to consumers at Rs 9 to Rs 10 per unit.
BRIDGEPORT  The case against three Stratford teenagers accused of setting fires in four communities on a whim  including the blaze that burned the American Shakespeare Theatre to the ground last year  was continued Thursday for more discussion between the lawyers and the prosecutor.

During the brief court hearing Thursday afternoon, 18-year-old Christopher Sakowicz, the only one of the three being held in lieu of bond, was brought before Superior Court Judge Joan Alexander.

The judge set a new court date of April 29 for Sakowicz, 18-year-old Vincent Keller and 17-year-old Logan Caraballo.

Neither the lawyers nor Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Howard Stein would comment after the hearing.

The three teens are charged with arson, burglary and reckless endangerment in the 2019 fires.

In addition to the Jan. 13 fire that destroyed the American Shakespeare Theater in Stratford, the three teens are charged with the Jan. 15 fire in a vacant building at the Southbury Training School, the Feb. 8 fire in a vacant house on Richards Place in West Haven, the Feb. 17 fire at the former Bilco Co. in West Haven, the March 9 fire at Good Earth Tree Care on Longbrook Avenue in Stratford that destroyed a truck and the March 24 fire that damaged construction trailers at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.

A fourth teen has also been charged in connection with at least some of the fires but he is being treated as a juvenile and has not been identified publicly.

Following the theater fire, police said the teens posted a video admitting they set the fire on SnapChat that was circulated around Bunnell High School where both Sakowicz and Keller are seniors.

Police said Sakowicz and Keller later admitted to setting the fires.

During the interview, Christopher (Sakowicz) became very animated and excited talking about fire and different patterns fires make in various settings, police said.

Police said Sakowicz told them that the teens had broken into the theater basement through an unlocked rear door and that he had lit the fire using gasoline he had brought with him. On the way out of the burning theater, Sakowicz told police he had grabbed a security alarm panel as a souvenir.

Sakowitz and Keller later rode their bicycles to the theater site to watch it burn, police said.
The pain being felt across China's behemoth steel sector from the coronavirus outbreak is far from over, according to a senior industry analyst, who expects further near-term declines in prices, bulging inventories, and weaker demand before a recovery kicks in after several months.

"The peak of the fundamental pressures has yet to come," Wang Jianhua, chief steel analyst at Mysteel Research Institute, said in an interview. "While China is beginning to return to work, the rise in steel demand, activity is very limited, and it may take one to two weeks to even see a start in recovery."

China's steel industry is struggling. Credit:Bloomberg

The world's largest steel industry has been roiled by the crisis as an extended break, transport curbs, and quarantine policies threaten to hurt demand. While President Xi Jinping has vowed China will meet economic goals and win the battle against the epidemic, there are multiple signs mills are struggling. The pace of construction - a key source of steel demand - has slowed, according to Wang, who has more than 15 years' experience in the steel industry.

"Demand for construction steel is literally almost at a standstill," said Wang. After China extended the Lunar New Year break, and with the need for some workers to be quarantined, consumption is set to be affected for a considerable period of time, he said.
Peoples Bank donated more than the $20,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.

The Munster-based bank, which operates more than 20 banks across Chicagoland, gave the Boys & Girls Club the money to support its work in Lake and Porter counties, where most of the Peoples branches are located.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana's mission is to inspire kids in the community to be their best, and we are happy to support the work theyre doing, said Tanya Leetz, Peoples Banks executive vice president and chief information and technology officer. At Peoples Bank, our mission is to help our customers and communities be more successful. Partnering with the Boys & Girls Club enables us to fulfill that mission.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana President and CEO Ryan Smiley said the bank's donation will go toward the club's operating budget.

We couldnt be more appreciative of Peoples Bank and the Community First committee, Smiley said. We know the outstanding work they do in the community, and for them to choose our organization to receive this donation is an honor.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14

Trend:

Turkey condemned Syria for adopting a resolution condemning the so-called "Armenian genocide," reads the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Trend reports.

"Syrian Regime Parliaments resolution today (February 13th) recognizing the incidents of 1915 as so-called genocide provides a grim example in itself. It is the picture of the hypocrisy of a regime which has indulged in every kind of carnage towards its own people including children for years, and which caused the displacement of millions of them and well-known for its dexterity in using chemical weapons," reads the statement.

"The humanitarian tragedy that this regime has caused still continues with one of the greatest disasters in history that has been witnessed in our border".

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that the predecessor of Turkey, the Ottoman Empire, committed the so-called "genocide" in 1915 against Armenians living in Anatolia.
New Attorney General Suella Braverman, the daughter of immigrant parents who built a new life in Britain, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the Cabinet at the age of just 39.

The former barrister has already threatened to 'take back control' from interfering judges in politics amid Boris Johnson's battle with the judiciary, and will no doubt strengthen pro-Brexit voices at the top table.

Her elevation to Cabinet level as the Prime minister's most senior legal advisor is a surprise choice to replace Geoffrey Cox who was axed in the reshuffle.

The 39-year-old MP for Fareham was born and raised in north-west London by parents who came to the UK from from Kenya and Mauritius in the 1960s with little money in their pockets.

New Attorney General Suella Braverman's meteoric rise to the Cabinet at age 39 will no doubt strengthen pro-Brexit voices at the top table

Her mother was as a nurse with the NHS for more than 45 years after being recruited at just 18, while her father worked for a housing association.

Speaking of her modest upbringing on her website, the former Attorney in New York says her parents were 'proud to serve their local community' of Wembley, which no doubt sparked her interest in politics.

'No problem was too small. Whether it was trying to save the local library, or keep the local playing fields open or help a resident get a better home,' she wrote.

The aspiring lawyer was state educated in Brent before she won a scholarship to an independent girls' school in the nearby borough of Harrow.

From there, she gained a place to study law at the Queens' College, Cambridge University, where she was president of the university Conservative Association, before gaining a master's at the Sarbonne in Paris.

Braverman sat her Bar Exam in New York State qualifying as an attorney, and has seen her career sky rocket ever since.

The Brexit minister, who is a former barrister, has threatened to 'take back control' from interfering judges in politics amid Boris Johnson's battle with the judiciary

During her 10 years as a barrister, she was on the Attorney General's Treasury Panel, and defended the Home Secretary in immigration cases and the Ministry of Defence in the Guantanamo Bay Inquiry.

Braverman, who lives in Tichfield Common with husband Rael and son George, worked as a barrister in London specialising in judicial review and immigration - before winning her constituency seat in 2015.

A staunch Brexiteer, she campaigned Leave in 2016 and was made chair of the European Research Group of pro-Leave Conservative MPs a year later.

But she relinquished that role when she was appointed a junior minister Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) - but lasted just nine months.

The 39-year-old MP for Fareham was born and raised in north-west London by immigrant parents (right) from Kenya and Mauritius who arrived to the UK in the 1960s with' very little'

Suella, who lives in Tichfield Common with husband Rael and son George, worked as a barrister in London specialising in judicial review and immigration - before winning her constituency seat in 2015

On the day Theresa May's proposed deal was published, she resigned in protest, saying Northern Ireland Backstop 'robs the UK of the main competitive advantages from Brexit'.

The new Attorney General sparked controversy last year when she was accused of being 'antisemitic' over her over her declaration that: 'As Conservatives, we are engaged in a battle against cultural Marxism.'

The Board of Deputies of British Jews asked her not to use the phrase again, but described her as 'clearly a good friend of the Jewish community'.

Braverman today faced criticism on her appointment of Attorney General, with many deeming her 'unfit' for the role.

The Liberal Democrats party's justice spokesperson Daisy Cooper said it is 'the latest shocking step in Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings' assault on the rule of law'.

Meanwhile, the barrister and former Conservative MP Anna Soubry similarly tweeted that Braverman had 'little experience'.

She wrote: 'Genuine concern that as a hardline, no-deal Brexiteer with little experience [Braverman] will not undertake the important role of AG  which invariably means giving firm legal advice a Govt/PM doesn't want to hear because it doesn't suit them politically.'
The debate over Iran has also been fueled by many lawmakers frustration at what they see as a lack of candor from administration officials about what prompted the strike on Soleimani. Officials have offered shifting explanations of the basis for the strike, including that Soleimani posed an imminent threat to U.S. personnel in the Middle East and that it was retaliation for an attack on a U.S. base in Iraq that killed a U.S. contractor.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Kira Smith, a nurse-midwife, has seen patients in the shade of a tree with a blanket hung for privacy. Shes done exams in the back of a Land Rover. Her offices have been huts and mud-walled buildings.

The Syracuse woman, who graduated from Nottingham High School and Yale Medical School, left private practice in 2016 to work in conflict zones and refugee camps overseas.
In the first half of the twentieth century, especially after the calamity of the Great Depression, the conventional wisdom held that the power of corporations must be held in check by other comparably sized organizationschurches, unions, and, above all, a strong national government. But in the decades that followed, a new generation of economists argued that tweaks to how companies operatedmore hostile takeovers, more reliance on corporate debt, bigger bonuses for executives when stock prices increasedwould enable the market to regulate itself, obviating the need for stringent government oversight. Their suggestions soon became reality, especially in a newly deregulated financial sector, where they precipitated the emergence of junk bonds and other questionable innovations.  Foreign Affairs
Nestle has axed its range of low sugar chocolate Milkybar Wowsomes less than two years after it was launched because of 'underwhelming' demand.

Confectionery makers have recently come under huge pressure from the Government, Public Health England, and consumers to help cut obesity rates.

The Swiss food giant released its Milkybar Wowsomes in 2018, which was reportedly the first product at the time to create sugar with a more porous structure.

Using a technique inspired by candy floss, 'hollow' sugar helped to reduce sugar levels in Milkybars by almost one-third, Nestle said.

A technique inspired by candy floss is behind the launch of Milkybar Wowsomes (pictured), the first chocolate of its kind worldwide (stock)

WAR ON SUGAR: how the STATE takes the fight against OBESITY to HUGE COMPANIES The Sugar Tax punishes huge multinational corporations that manufacture products with high sugar quantities (stock) The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, also known as the Sugar Tax, came into force in April 2018 following public pressure to tackle obesity. The tax on soft drinks had resulted in over half of manufacturers reducing the sugar content of drinks since March 2016 - the equivalent of 45,000,000kg of sugar every year. This money will go towards doubling the Primary Sports Premium, the creation of a Healthy Pupils Capital Fund to help schools upgrade their sports facilities, and give children access to top quality PE equipment. The levy will also give a funding boost for healthy school breakfast clubs. Since the levy was announced two years ago, the expected amount of revenue has gone down from 520m in Year 1 to 240million. Advertisement

Some industry experts had seen the discovery as a breakthrough that would help Nestle take a leading position in a growing market for low-sugar products.

Last year, Mars Wrigley UK brought out reduced-sugar Mars and Snickers, while Mondelez followed suit with low-sugar Cadbury Dairy Milk.

But now Nestle has been forced to axe the Milkybar Wowsomes, and instead focus on 'working on some new and exciting products'.

A Nestle spokesperson told MailOnline: '[Milkybar] Wowsomes did not meet consumer expectations in terms of price point and taste.

'We have learned a lot from the launch of Wowsomes and we have developed an even higher performing, more versatile and affordable sugar reduction technology. We are now concentrating our efforts on a rapid rollout of this solution and the first launches are scheduled for mid-2020.'

They added: 'Nestle is committed to reducing sugar in our food.

'Since 2000, we have reduced the sugar content of our products by an average of about 34 percent. We do this through gradual sugar reduction in our products, offering versions containing significantly less sugar and replacing sugar with natural ingredients such as fibres, flour, dairy and cocoa powders, as well as with natural sweeteners and sweetness-enhancing flavours.

'We also invest in innovative, patented technologies that enable us to reduce sugar content more significantly. We will continue to be at the forefront of this work.

'While we are no longer making Milkybar Wowsomes, we are working on some new and exciting products for the future. Our latest 30 percent reduced sugar chocolate is the MORE range, which encompasses the Raspberry and Hazelnut KitKat Chunky and the Oats, Apple and Cinnamon Yorkie.'

Milkybar Wowsomes were brought out with fanfare two years ago, sold in multi-packs and bags, and containing no artificial sweeteners.

At the time, MailOnline reported Nestle's claims that a single 18g bar had 6.6g of sugar and a calorie count of 95 - down by 30 percent.

It had come under pressure from doctors, the Government, and Public Health England to cut sugar levels to help combat obesity.

Milkybar Wowsomes (pictured) were brought out with fanfare two years ago, sold in multi-packs and bags, and containing no artificial sweeteners (stock)

Wowsomes are a new take on the Milkybar (pictured) which launched 81 years ago (stock)

Jas Scott de Martinville, the head of Nestle's global research and development, said: 'It has been a real challenge for us to get to this stage. To create a confectionery product in just 12 months which has 30 percent less sugar than similar chocolate products and contains no artificial sweeteners is extraordinary.

'A new product like Milkybar Wowsomes introduces greater choice and allows parents to treat their children with chocolate that tastes great but has less sugar.'

Stefano Agostini, chief executive for the UK and Ireland, had said: 'A new product like Milkybar Wowsomes introduces greater choice and allows parents to treat their children with chocolate that tastes great but has less sugar.

'We are demonstrating how we can, and will, contribute to a healthier future and that we take our public health responsibilities very seriously.'

Attempts to cut obesity rates have seen Unilever this week promise to stop marketing its products to children. The maker of Twister ice cream and Popsicle ice lollies said it would limit the use of cartoon characters in its advertising.

Jack Winkler, emeritus professor of nutrition policy at London Metropolitan Univserity, told The Grocer magazine how the 'big three' [Cadbury, Mars, Nestle] are 'frightened that any new variants with no or low sugar might affect' their brands.
Christian rapper escapes death after highway ambush, shares testimony about God's protection

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Mainstream rapper turned Christian emcee, Demarco Gemstones Castle, recently shared details about surviving a highway shooting in Chicago that he said God forewarned him about.

About 3 months and 8 days ago around 5:10 in the morning after getting off work someone followed me on the expressway, rammed my truck twice from behind and shot my truck up while I was driving to be left for dead, Castle wrote in a Feb. 4 Facebook post that included several photos of himself covered in blood following the attack.

Castle said he found a 984 K20 Suburban Lifted on Craigslist and purchased the vehicle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What he wasnt aware of before he purchased the vehicle was that the Suburban model he purchased is "gang-related" and shouldn't be driven through certain neighborhoods in Chicago.

"And if youre seen in the wrong neighborhood driving one they will ram you from the back or from the side shoot the truck up while youre in it and set it on fire and kill you," he added.

The rapper said he had just become aware of the dangers surrounding the model when God began speaking to him.

When I pulled into work [that] night a voice in my head told me dont park against the gate because someone was on the other side waiting to kill me and that I should park in the middle of the lot with all the other cars. I thought I was trippin so I just parked in the middle of the lot, Castle explained.

While I was working that night there was a voice in my head said, youre going to die tonight. I got very afraid and I started praising God and talking in tongues coming against those words. I then heard a voice say, you will be rammed once you get off work. So I begin praying and pleading the blood of Jesus again. I heard the voice of God tell me to repent. With no hesitation I confessed everything Ive ever done in life and began to repent and I felt free, he added.

As he drove home from work that day, he said the Lord continued to instruct him. He said God told him his vehicle had been tampered with and he shouldnt put on the heat. As Castle drove on the highway he was eventually rammed and his attackers opened fire, shooting the entire vehicle. He laid on his side as bullets filled the car but miraculously, he was not shot once.

I asked God, was I about to die? He replied 'No, I promised you a long prosperous life remember?' Castle recalled hearing God tell him.

The Chicago native eventually dove out of his vehicle and escaped with minor injuries. He testified that he is alive because of God.

Listen people! Jesus is real! I survived because He kept me, Castle declared.

He added: The devil never meant for me to make it out of 2019, but God had other plans for my life. This is my testimony and I just want to tell you guys I survived because of the hand of God on my life. Theres no other explanation, nothing no one can tell me as to why I survived! I will serve Him all the days of my life, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior!

Castle ended his post by saying he forgives whoever did this to me."

"They dont know it was a child of God that they were trying to kill. I pray blessings over your life and that they will someday come to find the Lord as I have. Satan is wiping us out; we are at war! Again, whoever did this to me, I forgive you! God forgave me.
L ondon Fashion Week begins this evening, bringing with it 60 catwalk shows and presentations, and an influx of style luminaries, who descend on our city biannually in search of the next big thing.

Having first fought my way in as a fresh-off-the-boat Scottish fashion student  who begged a fashion PR to exploit her honourable work ethic in exchange for a ticket to a show  I have been covering LFW for this newspaper for 14 years (28 seasons, at last count).

I have rarely felt more comfortable singing its praises  or, indeed, been more confident in its contribution to our great city  than I do now. What was once a low-budget event, with plenty of creative talent but no significant global impact, is now a lucrative platform for blockbuster brands, from Victoria Beckham and Burberry to Tommy Hilfiger.

But LFW is more than the sum of the names on its schedule. As the country struggles with economic uncertainty, and the global fashion industry faces up to its culpability in the climate crisis, its impossible not to feel a stirring of pride for this event. It has transformed from an overlooked understudy to an international power player which is leading the way with its future-facing approach.

Theres never been a more appropriate time to shout about our designers, with Brits among the worlds most lauded and in demand. Take Yorkshire-born Central Saint Martins alumnus Daniel Lee who, nearly two years into his role as Bottega Venetas creative director, has catapulted the Italian luxury label into a new age. Another fine example is the Scottish designer Christopher Kane, who has reclaimed full ownership of his brand from conglomerate Kering.

They say genuine creatives thrive in turbulent times, and this is certainly true in London now. Instead of wringing their hands and lamenting Britains departure from the EU, our designers are adapting their business models and supply chains, and creating visionary collections to boot. Roksanda, Jonathan Anderson and Richard Quinn are among the closely watched talents.

The best street style from London Fashion Week AW19 1 /160 The best street style from London Fashion Week AW19 London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 PA Wire/PA Images London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 PA Wire/PA Images London Fashion Week AW19 PA Wire/PA Images London Fashion Week AW19 Bettina Looney wears head-to-toe beige at London Fashion Week IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 SplashNews.com London Fashion Week AW19 EPA London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 Grant Buchanan / SplashNews.com London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 Getty Images London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 EPA London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree London Fashion Week AW19 IMaxTree

While its fashion equivalents in Milan, Paris and New York could be accused of resting on their laurels, London has never stood still. The result is a dynamic and progressive collective of designers and creatives who are duty-bound to move with the times, not resist them.

This agility means the impact of coronavirus, resulting in poor attendance from the events lucrative Asian audience, has already been minimised with increased digitalisation of key shows.

British fashion is something of a litmus industry, watched closely by those in other fields searching for inspiration for how to move forward. Undoubtedly, its innovative solutions are the reason businesses from sectors such as tech are falling over themselves to build associations with its leading figures.

This season, LFW leads the way on sustainability, with the British Fashion Councils Positive Fashion initiative the big story. It covers everything from supporting better environmental practices to improving fashions contribution to the wider community. The plan manifests in an exhibition and events across the capital, as well as a number of awards given out over the next five days.

The prettiest dresses from London Fashion Week SS20 1 /45 The prettiest dresses from London Fashion Week SS20 Roksanda SS20 AFP/Getty Images Christopher Kane SS20 Roksanda SS20 Molly Goddard SS20 Halpern SS20 House of Holland SS20 Preen by Thornton Bregazzi SS20 Roland Mouret SS20 Erdem SS20 Emilia Wickstead SS20 SplashNews.com Victoria Beckham SS20 Erdem SS20 J.W. Anderson SS20 Rejina Pyo SS20 Burberry SS20 Simone Rocha SS20 Molly Goddard SS20 Getty Images Proenza Schouler SS20 Proenza Schouler Victoria Beckham SS20 Getty Images Simone Rocha SS20 Simone Rocha Simone Rocha SS20 Simone Rocha Simone Rocha SS20 Simone Rocha Preen by Thornton Bregazzi SS20 Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Molly Goddard SS20 Getty Images Preen by Thornton Bregazzi SS20 Preen by Thornton Bregazzi 16Arlington SS20 16Arlington Simone Rocha SS20 Simone Rocha Preen by Thornton Bregazzi SS20 Preen by Thornton Bregazzi 16Arlington SS20 16Arlington Halpern SS20 Halpern 16Arlington SS20 16Arlington Preen by Thornton Bregazzi SS20 Preen by Thornton Bregazzi 16Arlington SS20 16Arlington 16Arlington SS20 16Arlington

The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, in its third year, recognises a label with enviable sustainability standards which has brought value to its community. The inaugural Karl Lagerfeld Award is to be given to a designer who has focused on improving the traceability and transparency of their supply chain. There is more work to be done, not least around the topic of diversity. Still, efforts to overhaul the image of fashion as an exclusive world thats in the ownership of the few are also being made, with a series of high-profile public events this weekend.

If youre a cynic who writes LFW off as a traffic-halting vanity project full of the dreadful stereotypes you encountered in The Devil Wears Prada, I beg you to look beyond the circus of Instagram influencers. Consider the value of those who make the event what it is  from the pattern cutters beavering away in East End studios, to the steady-handed videographer responsible for streaming Victoria Beckhams catwalk show to the world. They are the citys creative life force, and the reason our art colleges are top on the hit lists of budding designers from across the globe.

An insight into fashions contribution to the UK economy may also change your mind. Without a doubt, LFW is worth more than the thousand-pound handbags that populate its front rows. Figures from 2019 confirm that Brits are buying more clothing  luxury and otherwise  than ever before, with consumer spending set to rise 25 per cent to 76 billion in the next five years.

Furthermore, the fashion industry directly contributes 32.3 billion to our GDP, bringing with it 890,000 jobs and many more employment opportunities within the UKs broader creative economy. This includes everything from graphic design to marketing, and amounts to an estimated 3.12 million jobs, or one in 11 of all UK roles.

As a Londoner, theres a high chance you play a part in this stylish workforce. Unquestionably you have a hand in British fashions successes  be that as a sustainably-minded shopper who is loyal to our fantastic charity shops; a catwalk enthusiast who looks to the high street to recreate trends; or one of the 400,000 visitors to the V&As Mary Quant exhibition. Fashion orbits us all.

Whether you care about the shows, the clothes, the art colleges and those working in the industry or not, fashion is Londons beating heart  and you are a crucial stitch in its rich tapestry.
A young man shot at a southwest Birmingham club two weeks ago has died.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Travars Montez Wages Jr. He was 21.

The shooting happened about 2:55 a.m. Jan. 30 at Wages Event Center at 2726 Pearson Ave. S.W. Authorities said there was an altercation with shots fired and Wages was struck. Birmingham police Sgt. Johnny Williams said Wages had walked outside just before he was shot.

He was taken to UAB Hospital where remained until he was pronounced dead Wednesday at 7:49 p.m.

There are no suspects in custody.

Wages is Birminghams 14th homicide in 2020. Of those, two have been ruled justifiable. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 21 homicides, including the 13 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
India remained sceptical about Pakistans sincerity in squeezing flow of fund to terrorist outfits and combatting the menace of terror, even as the United States lauded Prime Minister Imran Khans government in Islamabad after a court in the neighbouring country sentenced Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed to imprisonment for 11 years after convicting him in two cases.

A day after the Anti-Terrorism Court at Lahore in Pakistan convicted Hafiz Saeed and his aide Malik Zafar Iqbal of money-laundering and raising fund for terrorist outfits, New Delhi noted that it was among the long-pending international obligation of the government of the neighbouring country to "put an end to support to terrorism".

Alice Wells, acting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs, however, said that the conviction of Hafiz Saeed and his associate was "an important step forward" by Pakistan  "both toward holding (the) LeT accountable for its crimes" and for meeting the "international commitments" of the Khan government in Islamabad to "combat terrorist financing".

Also read  Ahead of FATF plenary, Pakistan court convicts Hafiz Saeed for terror funding

Saeed leads the Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), which is a front of the outlawed terrorist organisation LeT. He has masterminded the LeTs November 26-28, 2008 carnage in Mumbai as well as several other terrorist attacks in India, but was allowed to live free in Pakistan till July 17, 2019, when growing pressure from the United States forced Prime Minister Imran Khans government in Islamabad to arrest him.

He was, however, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced for his role in arranging funds to run terrorist organisations, not for masterminding the cross-border terror strikes the LeT operatives from Pakistan conducted in India.

Saeed was convicted and sentenced just ahead of an international scrutiny of Pakistan governments efforts to plug the loopholes in its legislative and administrative mechanism to check the flow of funds to terrorist organisations.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)  an intergovernmental organisation  will hold its plenary in Paris from February 16 to 21. The organisation coordinates global efforts to combat money laundering and terror financing. It put Pakistan on its "Grey List" in 2018 for "strategic deficiencies in its legal regime to check money laundering and terrorist financing". During its plenary in Paris next week, the FATF is likely to review the progress made by the Khan government in Islamabad in stopping illicit flow of fund to terrorist organisations in Pakistan.

Pakistan has been lobbying hard with China, the US and other western nations to ensure a favourable outcome of the FATF scrutiny  either removal from the "Grey List" or at least preventing further downslide into the "Black List".

A source in the government of India in New Delhi noted that Saeed had been convicted and sentenced by the Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan just on the eve of FATF plenary meeting. "Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen," said the source.

Saeed was designated by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as an "individual" linked to Al Qaeda and Taliban on December 10, 2008  just days after the 26/11 terror attacks. The US government too had announced a $10 million bounty on him in April 2012. He, however, was allowed, not only to live free in Pakistan but also to regularly spew venom against India.

He was placed under house arrest in Pakistan several times in the past  in December 2001 after the terror attack on Parliament of India in New Delhi, in July 2006 after explosions on trains in Mumbai and in December 2008 after the 26/11 attacks in the financial capital of India. He was, however, released just a few weeks or months later every time. He was last placed under house arrest in January 2017 but was released after a few months.

It was after the FATF stepped up pressure on the Khan government after grey-listing Pakistan, Saeed was arrested in July 2019 and sent to jail.

"It has to also be seen whether Pakistan would take action against other all terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control, and bring perpetrators of cross border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot to justice expeditiously," government sources in New Delhi said.

The 26/11 carnage was carried out by 10 LeT terrorists from Pakistan. They had sailed from Karachi to Mumbai and killed over 166 people over three days in November 2008. Though LeT commander Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi, who had coordinated the attack from a "control room" set up in Karachi in Pakistan, was arrested in the neighbouring country after the attack, he was released on bail in 2015 while the trial of his six aides has been going on at a snails pace over the past 11 years.

After the January 2016 terrorist attack at the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot in Punjab, India had allowed a team of investigators from Pakistan to visit the scene. The probe launched in the neighbouring country did not lead to any breakthrough though.
JESS MURPHY COOKS THE BOOKS

Galways ever-splendid Kai restaurant and cafe returns with its Cookbook Club (February 25), this time focussing on London restaurant Dishooms From Bombay With Love and a cuisine inspired by legendary Irani cafes in late 19th century India, with chef/proprietor Jess Murphy serving up family-style sharing platters of dishes created from recipes in the book. Booking essential.

MIXING IT UP

British TV mixologist Scott Gemmell fetches up at Rosscarberys Celtic Ross Hotel for a foraged cocktail masterclass (March 7) with Gemmell joined on his foraging by former Mews chef Ahmet Dede and Sally Barnes of Woodcock Smokery, before heading back to base camp to create a cocktail menu. (Weekend accommodation package also available.)

Chicco Foods, of Kinsale, producers of some fine condiments and preserves, are offering an afternoon hands-on Kombucha and Sourdough Workshop (February 22), all for just 45 pp. To book, email ruth@chiccofoodskinsale.com or telephone 087 6878768.

BRINGING LAVERTY BACK TO LIFE

Maura Laverty - This Was Your Life (February 28) is a play based on the former and often controversial Irish household name, for decades renowned as a cookery guru, author, broadcaster, and agony aunt. Staged in Ballymaloe Grainstore, attendees can also avail of a package that includes dining and accommodation, as Ballymaloe House head chef Dervilla OFlynn creates a three course menu inspired by Lavertys classic retro recipes. (booking essential)

British TV mixologist Scott Gemmell fetches up at Rosscarberys Celtic Ross Hotel on March 7th

A CLASSIC FROM THE CULINARY VAULTS

In light of the above mentioned play, The Menu harks back to an Irish classic cookbook, Maura Lavertys Full and Plenty, once the preeminent culinary tome in Irish homes, a barnstorming assemblage of recipes interspersed with fictional stories.

Sponsored by the Irish Flour Millers, breads, cakes, and pastry are given pride of place, flour never far from the ingredients list, evoking an era when fish was boiled, cheese was solely cheddar, and sauces were emulsified with margarine.

Soups are hearty affairs of mouse-trotting consistency while fish dishes are heavy on cream and butter and, yes, flour; a salmon trout dish uses 1/4 pint of red wine for braising. Vegetables are, for the most part, boiled, firmly pre-dating modern preference for al dente crunch though salted green beans sound intriguing.

The meat section is infinitely more contemporary after the recent revival of cheaper cuts and offal; certain advice is timeless, Laverty believing beef should be hung as long as possible, lean meat spurned, and proper hamburgers made only from minced round steak and seasoning. Steaks feature cooking times that would see tender filet rendered as toughest brogue; again flour is added to most sauces.

Ham baked in a jacket of paste, flour and water sounds genuinely intriguing while Spanish tripe, garlic and all, is exciting treatment for an often challenging ingredient and an authentic, vibrant paella recipe reminds that Lavertys first exposure to serious cooking came as a 17-year-old who ran away to Spain for kicks.

Cracking pudding/dessert recipes are maximise returns apples turn up in Bettys, Charlottes, crisps, pies, and dumplings  and flour or breadcrumbs are as ever ubiquitous  even an apple custard features the latter. Ice cream is egg and condensed milk, whipped and frozen.

One fictional tale, of newly-weds Sheila and Dan Foley, sees Maura echoing the times, though perhaps not her own personal ethos, to decree a wifes first duty to her husband is to cook him the kind of meals he likes, and no marriage is really happy otherwise, Sheilas initial culinary efforts fail to satisfy Dan who craves hearty, wholesome fare.

Eventually advised by a customer in his pub that, a woman wont ever be happy until you let her see whos boss, he demands she cook him a pigs cheek. Sheila comes good in the end, learning to combine substance with savour although sauces of margarine and flour would suggest alingering proto-feminist subversion on her part.

The book concludes bizarrely with a cordon bleu-trained writer providing a chapter entitled French Cooking Made Easy, which, with its stuffed artichoke hearts and green beans cooked a la Francaise, utterly alien fare in contrast to most that has preceded.

Though thoroughly entertaining, intentionally or otherwise, it would be all too easy to dismiss Full and Plenty with patronising condescension though there are still plenty of perfectly sound, even thought-provoking recipes. Best of all, times passage has rendered it a truly fascinating social document of a bygone era, as riveting and revealing as any of Lavertys fiction.

Maura Laverty - This Was Your Life is a play based on the former and often controversial Irish household name.

TODAYS SPECIAL

A pre-Christmas splurge on Claire Trihys range of Claires Cordials, Syrups, Chutneys and Preserves left The Menu with a host of goodies that included her son Conors raw Irish Whitfield Honey, a potent, characterful mouthful with soft floral and fruit notes that has been a mainstay of the morning bowl of porridge. In addition, he has been enjoying Claires Beetroot and Ginger Chutney, a sweet, earthy condiment with gentle spicy elevation, very sound with mature hard cheeses but it was Worcesterberry Jam which had him most intrigued. From the US, the Worcesterberry presents much like a gooseberry but is in fact a species of currant and a hardy thriver, well able to establish itself on these shores (available from the wonderful Future Forests, in West Cork).

The jam is a runny affair, soft whole berries, ever so slightly punctured, swimming in syrup in other words, a challenge with toast and The Menus progeny swore blind the sharp tart berries were blackcurrants or at least, blood relatives. Either way, they were exquisite with creamy natural Glenillen yoghurt and added a whole new dimension to baked apple crumble.
The suspected antifa radical who drove through a Republican voter registration tent full of Trump supporters in Jacksonville, Florida allegedly took video just before the attack and told police "someone had to take a stand."





BREAKING: Suspect in Jacksonville van attack confirmed anti-Trump political motive to police, and willingly showed them cell phone video of himself driving at the stand full of Trump volunteers



Someone had to take a stand @OANN pic.twitter.com/biwHmGveGi  Jack Posobiec  (@JackPosobiec) February 11, 2020



From Jacksonville.com:

A Jacksonville man jailed after crashing a minivan through a tent of Republican volunteers in a Walmart parking lot says he did it because "someone had to take a stand," according to part of a less-redacted arrest report made public Tuesday.



[...] [Suspect Gregory William Loel Timm] said he went to Walmart to get some food and cigarettes, then noticed the tent in the parking lot and parked near it. When detectives spoke to him, he showed them videos he had taken "prior to driving into the tent," the narrative said.

"The suspect then showed another video to us of him driving toward the tent with the victims standing in front," the narrative said. "... The suspect was upset that the video ended before 'the good part' as he described it."



The video stopped prior to the impact with the tent, although it showed people standing in front of it "so he could go run everything over," the report said.

Jacksonville.com reported a 72-year-old female volunteer was just inches away from being run down.





Here is defendant Gregory Timm smirking in court



And here are two of the women for Trump he is charged with targeting in an attempted van attack pic.twitter.com/T0zyeQF2dT  Jack Posobiec  (@JackPosobiec) February 11, 2020



Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds.





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Sunday, February 9, 2020 - Florida: Man arrested after allegedly driving van into GOP registration tent

Sunday, February 9, 2020 - Trump Supporters Attacked After Van Plows Through GOP Voter Registration Tent In Florida; Suspect Arrested

Approximately six Trump supporters were attacked in the parking lot of a Jacksonville, Florida Walmart Saturday afternoon at around 3:50 p.m. when a man in his 20s plowed through a voter registration tent, according to the local Sheriff's Office.
On just can't talk about romance without mentioning Shah Rukh Khan's name. Kartik Aaryan is no different! The actor, who's gearing up for his forthcoming release, Love Aaj Kal, boasts about superstar Shah Rukh Khan and says he's elated to play a romantic character in the film. In his recent tete-a-tete with a leading daily, Kartik said, "I've grown up watching Shah Rukh Khan's romantic films. I'm his huge fan."

"So, playing a romantic hero was always my dream. Now, for the first time, I've got an opportunity to portray, not one, but two different characters from two different eras, who are hard-core romantic at heart. And the fact that I got to do 'something different' in an Imtiaz Ali film - who is known for creating a magical yet relatable romantic world - is like sone par suhaga, and a very special feeling, too."

When Kartik was asked if he feels he is a great space as he is getting different kind of scripts from the filmmakers, he said that he rather feels grateful to the filmmakers for giving him the opportunity to be part of their dream, their world. Kartik also asserted that it's the best time to be in the Hindi film industry as filmmakers are trying to push the envelope and creating something new.

Kartik Aaryan On Being Criticized For Picking Films That Are Sequels Like Dostana 2

"As a result, great scripts are being written. For instance, I saw Tanhaji (earlier this year) and was blown away by the visuals that (director) Om Raut has created. I'm glad that he thought of me for his next film," said Kartik.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Love Aaj Kal also casts Sara Ali Khan and Randeep Hooda in the lead roles. The film is slated to hit the theatres tomorrow i.e., February 14, 2020.

Are you planning to catch Love Aaj Kal tomorrow? Do let us know in the comments section below.
A nine-year-old Florida boy has been charged with trying to kill his five-year-old sister by stabbing her with a kitchen knife last month, officials said.

On January 28 the boy charged at his younger sister in their family's Ocala apartment when their mother left the home to get the mail and to get some candy for her kids from a neighbor.

When she returned she said she found the boy stabbing his sister with a kitchen knife in a bedroom.

'Die, die!' the mother recalled her son saying, according to the affidavit.

The child told investigators he thought of killing his sister two days before the stabbing, Ocala police said.

A nine-year-old Florida boy has been charged with trying to kill his five-year-old sister by stabbing her with a kitchen knife on January 28, officials said. Police pictured at the Ocala apartment where the stabbing took place

Police caution tape pictured at the Ocala apartment where the stabbing took place. When asked why the boy stabbed his sister, he said the thought of killing his sister entered his head two days ago and he couldn't get it out of his head, according to the affidavit.

The boy was charged Tuesday with attempted first-degree murder and appeared in court on Wednesday in the central Florida city of Ocala, prosecutors said.

The boy's attorney entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday morning.

The police detective who described the incident in the affidavit said he found a large kitchen knife in the hallway and blood appeared to be on the blade. He also found blood inside the room and leading out into the hallway

When asked why the boy stabbed his sister, he said the thought of killing his sister entered his head two days ago and he couldn't get it out of his head, according to the affidavit.

The boy was charged Tuesday with attempted first-degree murder. The boy's attorney entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday morning. The boy was covered with a jacket as he stood before a judge last week

The girl was released last Friday from the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The boy remains detained and is being represented by the public defender's office

The girl was released last Friday from the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

The boy remains detained and is being represented by the public defender's office.

The public defender's office is awaiting results of a competency examination that will determine whether the boy understands the charges, the Ocala Star-Banner reported.

A trial is slated to start on February 21st.
A 13-year-old boy is in a critical condition after being struck by a car in Sydney's north-west.

Emergency services were called to Burdekin Road, Quakers Hill, at 7.30am on Friday.

The boy was treated at the scene by paramedics for head injuries before being taken by helicopter to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

His mother and twin brother were on the scene when the incident occurred.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday appointed Alex Wong, the State Department's deputy special representative for North Korea, as representative for special political affairs at the UN with the rank of ambassador.

That effectively completes the breakup of the U.S. team spearheading denuclearization talks with North Korea.

Late last year, Trump promoted Stephen Biegun, the special representative for North Korea, to the post of deputy secretary of state, and Allison Hooker, a Korean Peninsula specialist on the White House National Security Council, to senior director for Asian affairs at the NSC.

Then in late January, Mark Lambert, another special envoy for North Korea, was reassigned to a State Department team of diplomats working to counter the influence of China and other countries at the UN.

This means three of four key negotiators have left the team, and Biegun himself also has things other than North Korea on his plate at the State Department.

"Trump's resolve to continue negotiations with the North deflated quickly after Pyongyang snubbed Biegun's proposal for talks during his tour of Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing late last year," a diplomatic source in Washington said.

Trump did not mention North Korea at all in his scattershot State of the Union address. On Monday, CNN reported that Trump "has told top foreign policy advisers that he does not want another summit with Kim Jong-un before the presidential election in November."

White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien was also skeptical about the current approach to negotiations. "We'll have to see as to whether another summit between the leaders is appropriate," O'Brien said the same day.

The South Korean government made no comment on the development on Wednesday despite its desperate attempts in recent months to restart U.S.-North Korea talks by holding out carrots to Pyongyang.

"The North Korean issue has been pushed on the back burner in the Trump administration's foreign policy," a government source here said. "But even so we'll just have to work harder to achieve progress in inter-Korean relations."

North Korea traditionally responds with military provocations to any signs that the U.S.' attention is diverted elsewhere.


As lovebirds around the world celebrate Valentine's Day, investors may want to consider companies that profit from Cupid's bow and arrows.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average U.S. consumer is expected to spend approximately $196.31 on Valentine's presents for their significant others, children, teachers and classmates, coworkers, friends and even pets this year. This is up from last year's record of $161.96. Total spending is projected to reach $27.4 billion, which is a 32% increase from $20.7 billion a year ago.





Of that, the annual survey found those celebrating the holiday plan to spend $5.8 billion on jewelry, $4.3 billion on an evening out, $2.9 billion on clothing, $2.3 billion on flowers, $2.4 billion on candy, $2 billion on gift cards and $1.3 billion on greeting cards.

Since jewelry is the largest category of spending for the holiday devoted to love, investors may be interested in finding value opportunities among retail companies that sell luxury goods. According to the GuruFocus All-in-One screener, a Premium feature, as of Feb. 13, companies in this space include Charles & Colvard Ltd. (NASDAQ:CTHR), Fossil Group Inc. (NASDAQ:FOSL), Movado Group Inc. (NYSE:MOV), Signet Jewelers Ltd. (NYSE:SIG) and Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF).

Charles & Colvard

Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, the jeweler is known for producing and using moissanite, a man-made gemstone comparable to diamonds, in its selection of engagement and weddings bands, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Charles & Colvard has a $28.72 million market cap; its shares were trading around $1 on Thursday with a price-earnings ratio of 11, a price-book ratio of 0.59 and a price-sales ratio of 0.76. Its low price ratios contribute to its GuruFocus valuation rank of 9 out of 10.

The Peter Lynch chart shows the stock is trading below its fair value, further suggesting it is undervalued.

Story continues

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Boosted by comfortable interest coverage and a high cash-debt ratio, Charles & Colvard's financial strength was rated 9 out of 10 by GuruFocus. The Altman Z-Score of 2.66, however, warns the company is under some financial pressure since it has recorded a decline in revenue per share over the past 12 months.

The company's profitability scored a 4 out of 10 rating, driven by margins and returns that outperform over half of its competitors. Charles & Colvard also has a moderate Piotroski F-Score of 6, which indicates its operations are stable, and a business predictability rank of one out of five stars. According to GuruFocus, companies with this rank typically see their stocks gain an average of 1.1% per annum over a 10-year period.

Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio)' Renaissance Technologies has a 2.51% stake in the company.

Fossil Group

While primarily known for its watches, the Richardson, Texas-based company also sells handbags, luggage and accessories. Fossil has a market cap of $330.38 million; its shares were trading around $6.51 on Thursday with a price-earnings ratio of 218.01, a price-book ratio of 0.64 and a price-sales ratio of 0.15.

According to the Peter Lynch chart, the stock is overvalued. Based off of its GuruFocus valuation rank of 9 out of 10, however, it is undervalued.

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Despite being weighed down by debt and poor interest coverage, Fossil's financial strength scored a 5 out of 10 rating. The Altman Z-Score of 2.39 suggests the company is under some financial pressure as it has recorded a decline in revenue per share over the past five years. In addition, its return on invested capital is less than its weighted average cost of capital, which indicates it may not be capital efficient.

The company's profitability fared better, scoring a 7 out of 10 rating even though it has declining margins and returns that underperform a majority of industry peers. It also has a high Piotroski F-Score of 8, which implies operations are healthy, and a one-star business predictability rank.

With 2.63% of its outstanding shares, Simons' firm is Fossil's largest guru shareholder. Hotchkis & Wiley, Lee Ainslie (Trades, Portfolio), Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) and Philippe Laffont (Trades, Portfolio) also have positions in the stock.

Movado Group

The high-end watchmaker, which is based in Paramus, New Jersey, is known for its signature metallic dot that marks 12 o'clock and minimalist style. Movado has a $386.94 million market cap; its shares traded around $16.83 on Thursday with a price-earnings ratio of 7, a price-book ratio of 0.75 and a price-sales ratio of 0.55. GuruFocus noted these ratios are near multiyear lows, contributing to a valuation rank of 9 out of 10.

Based on the Peter Lynch chart, the stock appears to be undervalued.

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Movado's financial strength and profitability were both rated 7 out of 10 by GuruFocus. Although the company has adequate interest coverage, the Altman Z-Score of 2.95 hints that it is under some financial pressure as its assets are building at a faster rate than its revenue is growing, suggesting it is becoming less efficient.

While the company's operating margin is in decline, it still outperforms a majority of competitors. Movado is also supported by strong returns, a moderate Piotroski F-Score of 5 and a one-star business predictability rank.

Of the gurus invested in Movado, Hotchkis & Wiley has the largest position with a 1.4% stake. Other top shareholders include Simons' firm, Chuck Royce (Trades, Portfolio), John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio), Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio), Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss and Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio).

Signet Jewelers

As the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, the Bermuda-based company has several well-known brands under its umbrella, including Kay Jewelers, Zales and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry. Signet has a market cap of $1.39 billion; its shares were trading around $26.59 on Thursday with a price-book ratio of 1.33 and a price-sales ratio of 0.22. Despite being near one-year highs, the ratios do not offset the GuruFocus valuation rank of 10 out of 10.

The median price-sales chart shows the stock is trading below its historical average, suggesting it is undervalued.

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GuruFocus rated Signet's financial strength 4 out of 10. Although it has sufficient interest coverage, the Altman Z-Score of 1.9 indicates the company is under some financial stress as its Sloan ratio implies poor earnings quality. In addition, the company may be becoming less efficient since its WACC outweighs its ROIC.

The company's profitability scored a 7 out of 10 rating despite having declining margins and negative returns that underperform a majority of industry peers. Signet is supported by a moderate Piotroski F-Score of 4 and a one-star business predictability rank.

Sarah Ketterer (Trades, Portfolio) is Signet Jewelers' largest guru shareholder with a 4.84% stake. Ainslie and Greenblatt also own the stock.

Tiffany

The iconic New York jeweler favored by Audrey Hepburn's character in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" also sells glass lamps, sterling silver, china, crystal, stationery, fragrances, water bottles, watches, personal accessories and leather goods. The company's pending merger with LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (XPAR:MC) was approved by shareholders last week. The $16.2 billion deal is expected to close in mid-2020. Tiffany has a $16.27 billion market cap; its shares were trading around $134.30 on Thursday with a price-earnings ratio of 30.06, a price-book ratio of 5.15 and a price-sales ratio of 3.72. The high demand for its shares due to the acquisition coupled with price ratios near 10-year highs gives the company a low GuruFocus valuation rank of 1 out of 10.

According to the Peter Lynch chart, the stock is overvalued.

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Tiffany's financial strength was rated 6 out of 10 by GuruFocus, driven by sufficient interest coverage and a robust Altman Z-Score of 5.2, which suggests the company is in good financial health.

The jeweler's profitability scored an 8 out of 10 rating on the back of strong margins and returns that outperform a majority of competitors and a moderate Piotroski F-Score of 6. As a result of recording a slowdown in revenue per share growth over the past year, Tiffany's two-star business predictability rank is on watch. GuruFocus says companies with this rank typically see their stocks gain an average of 6% per year.

With a 5.28% stake, Steve Mandel (Trades, Portfolio) is Tiffany's largest guru shareholder. Other gurus set to benefit from the acquisition include First Eagle Investment (Trades, Portfolio), Pioneer Investments (Trades, Portfolio), Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio), Grantham, John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio), Greenblatt, PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) and Laffont.

Disclosure: Author owns shares of Tiffany & Co.

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This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






A day after a Pakistan court sentenced Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed in two terror financing cases, people familiar with the development in the government said that the efficacy of the decision remains to be seen.

We have seen media reports that a court in Pakistan has sentenced UN designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed in terror financing case. It is part of a long pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism, people familiar with the development said.

The decision has been made on the eve of FATF Plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen, they added.

Saeed was given a five-and-a-half year prison term in terror financing cases - the first time the US-designated terrorist has been held guilty by the Pakistani judiciary.

Anti-terrorism court judge Arshad Hussain Bhatta ruled that the five-and-a-half year prison terms given to Saeed in both cases would run concurrently and also fined him 15,000 in the two cases.

Singnificantly, the verdict came four days before the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) plenary meeting in Paris to assess action taken by Pakistan to counter terror financing and money laundering. Pakistan has been keen to get off the so-called grey list of the organisation set up to combat terror financing and money laundering.

It has to also be seen whether Pakistan would take action against other all terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control, and bring perpetrators of cross border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot to justice expeditiously, people familiar with the development further said.

Saeed, who was detained last July, can appeal against the ruling in higher courts.

Saeed, 69, for whom the US has offered a bounty of $10 million, has been detained without charge several times since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but has never been formally charged or prosecuted in Pakistani courts. US and Indian officials have accused him of a key role in masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people.

Saeed recorded his statement in court and pleaded not guilty.
"The point of this certificate is the focus on community," said Vincent Francisco, Ph.D., director of the KU Center for Community Health and Development and Professor of Applied Behavioral Science. "Whether you're working as part of a community coalition, a community-based organization, a nonprofit or a corporation, developing effective behavior change programs in a community context requires unique perspectives, approaches and training, which this program provides."

The nine-credit-hour certificate program is conducted completely online, in keeping with the all-online Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science also offered through KUEC and the Department of Applied Behavioral Science. The degree prepares students for careers in the field of behavioral science, particularly in applied behavior analysis. Skills for community health and development, which overlap with applied behavioral science, include advocacy, assessing community needs and resources, and developing strategic plans and change models that address a community's public health needs.

Francisco says the certificate program allows degree-seeking students to pick up additional knowledge and provides current professionals with an opportunity for specialized training, without having to earn another degree.

"For many people, earning an entire degree will take many years," Francisco said. "This concentration will allow them to pick up the skills needed for effective community programming, building upon their other advanced behavioral science skills." The certificate can be earned in less than a year.

The online graduate certificate in applied community health and development originated as an in-person program taught at KU's Lawrence campus, with a curriculum based on more than 15 years of teaching and training.

Stephen Fawcett, Ph.D., Kansas Health Foundation Emeritus Distinguished Professor and senior advisor for the Center for Community Health and Development at KU, wrote the proposal for the in-person program. Fawcett is also co-director of the World Health organization Collaborating Centre. He says the online version will make it easier for more students to gain valuable professional skills.

"Building healthy communities is the work of all of us  whether as professionals or as community members. This requires skill in working together to identify and address issues that matter in our communities," Fawcett said. "To be effective, we need to be able to evaluate our efforts and sustain what works. This is why the graduate certificate is so important! It prepares learners for all these skills, and more."

KU Edwards Campus Vice Chancellor David Cook says the new online certificate allows more students to make a difference in the Kansas City region and beyond.

"We're proud to offer this opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge at a societal level and make an impact through the work they'll do after furthering their education," Cook said. "The Applied Community Health and Development specialization represents a commitment to bettering our world, and a commitment to addressing the unique community health needs of the region."

About The University of Kansas

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. Its mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world. The KU Edwards Campus at 127th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park brings the high-quality academic, professional and continuing education programs as well as research and public-service benefits of KU to the Greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of the region.

Contact:

Hannah Lemon, KU Edwards Campus

913-897-8755, [email protected]

SOURCE University of Kansas Edwards Campus

Related Links

https://edwardscampus.ku.edu


(Bloomberg) -- Follow Bloomberg on LINE messenger for all the business news and analysis you need.

As the deadly new coronavirus spreads rapidly around the world, one of Asias most-populous countries says it has no confirmed cases -- and some public health experts arent really buying it.

Indonesia, which last month suspended direct flights to the Chinese city of Wuhan where the virus originated, still hasnt reported any confirmed cases. Officials maintain their monitoring meets the standards of the World Health Organization, which has endorsed the countrys approach.

But scientists have expressed doubts given the nearly 50 cases in Singapore, more than a dozen in neighboring Malaysia and infections reported as far afield as Nepal and Finland. Harvard University researchers published a paper this month comparing the number of reported cases in countries with their air travel volume to China.

We found that Indonesia, as well as possibly Cambodia and certainly Thailand, were reporting fewer cases than you would expect given the number of travelers, said Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiology professor at Harvard Universitys T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who co-authored the study. We presented that as an indicator that these countries were missing cases that didnt get detected.

The conclusion suggests the number of cases worldwide -- now at more than 45,000, mostly in Asia -- may actually be even larger. That figure is crucial for understanding key aspects of the virus, including the mortality rate, which so far appears much lower than Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003.

Extreme Risk

Lipsitch said the research is not meant to single out any one country, and that even Singapore -- with one of the best public health systems in the world and experience with SARS -- has failed to detect certain cases.

For Indonesia, the doubts pose a perception problem that could have economic implications. Medical groups and corporate risk companies have advised against traveling to Indonesia and other countries with questionable public health screening until the virus is contained.

Story continues

Companies should expect supply chain disruptions in countries with few or no cases, and consider canceling meetings and conferences throughout Southeast Asia, said Sofia Nazalya, an Asia analyst at global risk advisory firm Verisk Maplecroft. The company puts Indonesia and Cambodia in the extreme risk category based on its ability to respond to a pandemic.

We expect that existing coronavirus cases in Indonesia are currently going undetected, Nazalya said. Close travel links between Indonesia and China as well as other neighboring countries where cases have been reported, and the highly infectious nature of the virus, make the chance of zero-infection remote.

Indonesias health ministry has so far denied any problems with the countrys detection methods. N. Paranietharan, the WHOs representative in Indonesia, said the country is conducting health screening at 135 entry points, ensuring enough specific test kits for the virus, equipping designated hospitals and training personnel to handle suspected cases.

Questions Baseless

Indonesian authorities announced Thursday they were retracing the movement of one Chinese tourist, who tested positive in China days after his return from a visit to Bali.

We are coordinating with the immigration and the airlines, Bali Health Agency Head Ketut Suarjaya said. It is possible that this person did not contract the virus while in Bali because he only stayed in Bali for more or less six days and Bali is still virus-free as of now. He may have contracted it elsewhere, Suarjaya said by phone.

The tourist traveled from Wuhan to Bali on Jan. 22 and returned on Jan. 28. He tested positive for coronavirus on Feb. 5 after arriving in Huainan city in Anhui province, The Jakarta Post reported, citing an advisory by Anhui provincial government on its Weibo account.

Indonesia is doing what is possible to be prepared for and defend against the COVID-19, Paranietharan said by email, referring to the coronavirus.

In a statement earlier this week, Indonesias health ministry said 62 of 64 specimens collected as of 6 p.m. on Feb. 10 were negative, while the remaining two were still being tested. Indonesia had just two cases of infection and zero fatalities during the SARS epidemic, according to WHO data.

As WHO said, we have proper and adequate facilities to detect coronavirus according to WHO standards, Vensya Sitohang, director of health surveillance and quarantine at the ministry, said Wednesday. So questions surrounding Indonesias ability to detect virus are baseless.

Not Equipped

Still, not everyone is convinced. Central Health Partners, which operates medical clinics in Hong Kong, this week advised patients to carefully consider travel to countries like Cambodia and Indonesia with limited disease surveillance capacity.

Indonesia would struggle to enforce a citywide lockdown or properly track its citizens across a vast archipelago, according to Sakshi Sikka, a senior pharmaceuticals and healthcare analyst at Fitch Solutions.

The countrys healthcare sector is not equipped for such a crisis, Sikka said.

(Updates with new information on Bali tourist in 11th paragraph)

--With assistance from Arys Aditya.

To contact the reporters on this story: Iain Marlow in Hong Kong at imarlow1@bloomberg.net;Tassia Sipahutar in Jakarta at ssipahutar@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Scott at bscott66@bloomberg.net, Muneeza Naqvi

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.
NASA satellite imagery revealed that vertical wind shear appears to be affecting Tropical Cyclone Uesi in the Southern Pacific Ocean.

On Feb. 13 at 0315 UTC (Feb. 12 at 10:15 p.m. EST), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Uesi being adversely affected by vertical wind shear. The image showed that the bulk of clouds were being pushed to the southeast of the center of circulation.

In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels. Northwesterly wind shear was affecting Uesi and pushing the bulk of clouds to the southeast of the center.

At 0300 UTC on Feb. 13 (10 p.m. EST on Feb. 12), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued the final bulletin on Tropical cyclone Uesi. At that time, Uesi was located near latitude 27.7 degrees south and longitude 161.1 degrees east, about 332 nautical miles southwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. Uesi had maximum sustained winds near 55 knots (63 mph/102 kph). The storm was moving to the south-southwest.

On Feb. 13 at 11:59 pm AEDT (Australia Eastern Time) or 7:59 a.m. EST, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) noted "Ex-tropical cyclone Uesi is moving rapidly southwards and will produce destructive wind gusts at Lord Howe Island over the next few hours." ABM said that the system is expected to maintain an intensity equivalent to a category 2 tropical cyclone as it passes the island. For updates from ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/.

NASA's Aqua satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.

###

Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA's expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.

By Rob Gutro

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Focuses business on accelerated, near-term revenue growth with enhanced, coast-to-coast sales partnership with humble+fume

Enhanced cost structure and near-term revenue generating opportunities expected to drive profitable growth

Reports 17% year-over-year net revenue growth and maintains a strong liquidity position with total cash and restricted cash balance of $55 million with $35 million of undrawn capacity on the Company's Credit Facility

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. ("Supreme Cannabis" or the "Company") (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1) today announced its financial and operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, as well as an update on its strategy and outlook.

As announced on February 11, 2020, Supreme Cannabis has implemented a new operating structure, including staff reductions, to drive efficiencies and support long-term, profitable growth. With an optimized cost structure in place, the Company is moving forward with its strategy to transition to a premium cannabis CPG company, driving near-term revenue with new high-quality brands and products at every price segment. This expanded, consumer-facing brand portfolio is being supported by an innovative sales model that achieves comprehensive distribution across Canada.

"As we realign our structure and expectations with the current state of the industry, I maintain my strong belief in Supreme Cannabis' ability to drive near-term revenue growth, profitability and long-term value with new high-quality brands and products at every key price segment," said Colin Moore, Director and Interim President and CEO. "I'm proud of the team's progress and difficult work rightsizing the Company's cost structure and focusing the business on near-term revenue drivers. As one of the few licensed producers with completed cultivation infrastructure and in-house value-added processing capabilities, as well as proven premium brands in the recreational market, we are well positioned to accelerate our CPG-focused transition. Our strong liquidity position, including the Credit Facility arranged by a tier one bank, further ensures we have the capital necessary to execute going forward."

In the quarter, Supreme Cannabis built on the success of its premium 7ACRES brand with the launch of the Company's first pre-rolls under Sugarleaf by 7AC ("Sugarleaf"). The Sugarleaf brand will addresses a mid-tier price point and continue to introduce products that offer more convenient and accessible consumption experiences. In the remainder of fiscal 2020, Supreme Cannabis will further expand its brand portfolio to capture additional market share and drive revenue growth with recreational brands that address the ultra-premium and value segments. Products launched under these brands will drive incremental sales volumes by growing and sourcing additional cannabis inputs not intended for 7ACRES premium products.

Supreme Cannabis also expanded distribution of its 7ACRES brand to all 10 Canadian provinces last quarter. The Company is addressing this national revenue opportunity through an enhanced retail sales strategy and partnership with Humble & Fume Inc. ("humble+fume"), a leading distributor of cannabis accessories in Canada. Under a comprehensive sales representation and cost-sharing agreement, humble+fume will act as a sales agent for Supreme Cannabis' recreational products across Canada, creating the only sales force in Canada able to offer a complete solution of cannabis brands and accessories to retailers. Supreme Cannabis will efficiently and effectively achieve coast-to-coast sales coverage and build brands at a store level, with an initial team of 14 sales professionals driving distribution, brand advocacy and budtender education.

"With the number of retail stores in Canada quickly growing and cannabis consumers making their purchase decisions in store, having representation at the individual store level provides an essential opportunity for our business to drive near-term revenue growth and support our transition to a cannabis CPG company," continued Mr. Moore. "Our partnership with humble+fume allows us to realize industry-leading sales coverage and focus our sales and marketing efforts at the most impactful stage of the cannabis consumer's journey. We enter the second half of 2020 focused on the opportunity to address the Canadian market with competitive consumer brands supported by an unmatched sales force."

Select Financial and Operational Results.

($ thousands) Q2 2020 Q1 2020 Q2 2019 Net revenue 9,059 11,433 7,718 Gross margin, excluding fair value items 2,633 7,065 4,525 Operating expenses 19,755 18,491 10,891 Net loss after taxes (17,315) (16,525) (1,551) Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.05) (0.05) (0.01) Adjusted EBITDA (10,439) (4,932) (3,265) Cash 48,705 36,420 91,966

Net Revenue

Net revenue increased year-over-year by 17% from $7.7 million in Q2 2019 to $9.1 million in Q2 2020 and decreased quarter-over-quarter by 21% from $11.4 million in Q1 2020. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in net revenue is primarily attributable to the Company's planned transition from a focus on wholesale to recreational sales. In the quarter, lower wholesale sales were partially offset by the increase in recreational sales. Net revenue was also impacted by actual and anticipated price adjustments of $0.5 million.

In Q2 2020, wholesale sales accounted for 38% of net revenue compared to 54% in Q1 2020. Supreme Cannabis' remaining wholesale flower supply agreements came to an end, which contributed to lower quarter-over-quarter wholesale selling prices and sales volumes. Despite this factor and market-wide wholesale price compression, Supreme Cannabis continued to achieve favourable wholesale pricing, with an average wholesale flower price of $3.26 per gram. As the Company advances its transition to a CPG focus, it will continue to opportunistically supplement recreational sales with attractive wholesale transactions.

Recreational sales in Q2 2020 reached $5.7 million and, as a percentage of net revenue, increased from 46% in Q1 2020 to 62% in Q2 2020. In the quarter, recreational sales were impacted by market conditions, including slower than expected store roll-outs in key Canadian provinces. Recreational net revenue was also impacted by a lower than expected contribution from the Company's other businesses. Recreational net revenue for Q2 2020 was comprised of $5.0 million from 7ACRES products and $0.7 million from Blissco products. Supreme Cannabis continued to achieve strong recreational pricing with a net average selling price of $5.39 per gram.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was down year-over-year from $(3.3) million in Q2 2019 to $(10.4) million in Q2 2020 and quarter-over-quarter from $(4.9 million) in Q1 2020. Lower average selling prices and higher impairment charges related to inventory write-downs resulted in decreased margins. Adjusted EBITDA was also impacted by a quarter-over-quarter increase in operating expenses.

Capital Expenditure

Capital expenditures in the quarter were $11.9 million, primarily reflecting the completion of construction at the 7ACRES Facility, the addition of an ethanol extraction lab at the Blissco Facility and phase 1 retrofitting to the Kitchener Facility. With the completion of these construction projects, capital expenditure for the remainder of fiscal 2020 is expected to be minimal, consisting of additional CPG equipment and minor retrofitting to the 7ACRES Facility where supported by near-term cash flow returns.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

In the quarter, Supreme Cannabis entered into a credit agreement with Bank of Montreal as Lead Arranger and Agent on behalf of a group of lenders for $90.0 million of senior secured credit facilities (the "Credit Facility"), consisting of a term loan of $70.0 million and a revolving credit facility of $20.0 million. The Company initially drew $55.0 million of the term loan under the Credit Facility, ending the quarter with a total cash and restricted cash balance of $55.0 million and $35.0 million of undrawn capacity.

During Q2 2020, the Company completed its standard evaluation of investments which resulted in a reduction in the carrying value of MG Health Lesotho. This reduction is reflective of general cannabis market conditions and recognized as a loss in Other Comprehensive Income.

Operations.

Prior to calendar year end, on December 21, 2019, all major construction on the Company's 440,000 square foot premium cultivation facility (the "7ACRES Facility") was completed. Since completing construction and optimizing new equipment, Supreme Cannabis has realized greater operational efficiencies, improving its throughput trimming rate by 400% and increasing its packaging capacity by 200%. Subsequent to quarter end, 7ACRES brought a second automated bottling line into production, increasing total packaging capacity to a maximum of 24,000 containers per day. The Company expects that 7ACRES will bring a third automated bottling line into production prior to fiscal year-end.

The 7ACRES Facility has approximately 250,000 square feet of licensed cultivation space, comprised of 21 flowering rooms and four rooms dedicated to vegetation and propagation. With major construction complete, the Company has put in submissions for licenses to Health Canada and expects to bring an additional 20,000 square feet of flowering space and 10,000 square feet of vegetation and propagation space online in Q3 2020. An additional room that previously operated as a storage and support space is currently undergoing minor retrofits to be converted back into a flowering room. The remaining 25th flowering room is operating as 7ACRES' processing and packaging space. Once necessary processing and packaging capacity is brought online at the Company's facility in Kitchener, Ontario, the company intends to convert this room back into a cultivation space.

As previously announced, Supreme Cannabis leased an 107,000 square foot building in Kitchener, Ontario to serve as a central manufacturing, processing and packaging centre for Supreme Cannabis brands (the "Kitchener Facility"). The Company has completed the first phase of construction on the Kitchener Facility, which includes a retrofitted multi-purpose processing clean room. The Company has submitted its application to Health Canada for a cannabis processing license. This license will allow Supreme Cannabis to conduct product packaging and value-added processing at the Kitchener Facility. In Q4 FY2020, the Company expects to begin whole flower packaging and pre-roll manufacturing for Supreme Cannabis brands at the Kitchener Facility.

In Q2 2020, Supreme Cannabis completed construction on Blissco's 12,000 square foot extraction facility in Langley, British Columbia (the "Blissco Facility"), adding a large-scale ethanol-based extraction lab that expands on Blissco's existing CO2-based extraction capability. In the quarter, Blissco received its Cannabis Oil Sales License from Health Canada as well as a license amendment that allows for the sale of cannabis 2.0 products. As previously announced, with this license amendment and the capacity to produce over 7,000,000 tincture bottles annually, Blissco's state-of-the-art extraction facility will process product for 7ACRES' vaporizer partnership with Pax Labs, Inc. ("PAX").

As previously announced on December 5, 2019, Supreme Cannabis' genetics business, Cambium Plant Sciences ("Cambium") is operating out of the 7ACRES cultivation facility. The Company is no longer proceeding with capital expenditure on the construction of the previously announced Cambium facility. In the quarter, Cambium combined and catalogued Truverra's genetic library, increasing its number of unique strains by 70%. Cambium is testing new strains within the 7ACRES facility and expects to commercialize new strains under the 7ACRES brand prior to year-end.

Products and Brands.

At the end of Q2 2020, Supreme Cannabis launched Sugarleaf pre-rolls, the Company's first offering priced below the premium category. Sugarleaf is currently available in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and will increase distribution in fiscal 2020. Sugarleaf will launch an additional pre-roll strain in Q3 2020 and enter more product categories prior to fiscal year end. The company will use Blissco's oil extraction and formulation expertise to introduce an additional oil under the mainstream Sugarleaf brand. This builds on Supreme Cannabis' position in the CBD oil category, with Blissco's full spectrum CBD oil, Pur Dew, addressing the premium end of the category.

Through the Sugarleaf brand, the Company has seen strong demand for pre-roll products and intends to bring whole flower pre-rolls to market under the 7ACRES brand in Q3 2020. By the end of Q3 2020, 7ACRES will also introduce its first 2.0 cannabis product in the form of PAX pods for the PAX Era vaporizer. 7ACRES inputs will be extracted at the Blissco facility and Blissco's experienced team will formulate premium oils for the 7ACRES PAX Era pods. Prior to fiscal year end, the Company expects to introduce additional 2.0 products under the 7ACRES brand in the form of concentrates.

Supreme Cannabis continues to achieve capital light international exposure in the EU and UK through its Truverra branded CBD products. Truverra's e-commerce model, includes distribution on Amazon UK and on truverra.com. Supreme Cannabis is gathering valuable market insights through Truverra's consumer website. Subsequent to quarter end Supreme Cannabis launched a new Truverra website, improving the consumer journey and shopping experience. Supreme Cannabis will continue to address international medical opportunities under this international brand.

Outlook.

Due to current market conditions, including a slower than anticipated retail rollout nationally, Supreme Cannabis is withdrawing its previously issued financial outlook for fiscal 2020, which was originally announced on September 17, 2019 and subsequently confirmed on November 14, 2019. This decision is discussed in further detail under the heading "Outlook" in the Company's MD&A for the second quarter ended December 31, 2019.

The Company is confident in its ability to grow near-term revenue and reach profitability based on its accelerated transition to a premium Cannabis CPG company, its improved operating structure and its expected offering of new high-quality brands and products at every price segment. The Company provides the following updated outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year:

Efficient and effective coast-to-coast sales coverage with the humble+fume sales partnership. The partnership will allow for brand building at a store level, thereby enhancing distribution, brand advocacy and budtender education.





Launch of 2.0 products including PAX era vaporizer pods and cannabis concentrate products.





Expanded brand portfolio with the launch of recreational brands that address the ultra-premium and value segments.





7ACRES to complete its transition from a wholesale business to premium consumer brand by Q3 2020, with completed in-house packaging capabilities for all flower products under the 7ACRES' brand. Supreme Cannabis will continue to opportunistically supplement recreational sales with attractive wholesale transactions.





Engaged an internationally recognized search firm that is identifying and evaluating candidates for the position of CEO.





Fully funded to execute on all planned initiatives.



Supreme Cannabis' MD&A and consolidated financial statements for the second quarter ended December 31, 2019, along with all previous public filings of The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc., may be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com.

All figures are in Canadian dollars.

About Supreme Cannabis.

The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc., (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1), is a global diversified portfolio of distinct cannabis companies, products and brands. Since 2014, the Company has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing, premium plant-driven lifestyle companies. Supreme Cannabis' portfolio of brands caters to diverse consumer experiences, with brands and products that address recreational, wellness, medicinal and new consumer preferences.

The Company's brand portfolio includes, 7ACRES, Blissco , Truverra, Sugarleaf by 7AC and Khalifa Kush Enterprises Canada . Supreme Cannabis' brands are backed by a focused suite of world-class operating assets that serve key functions in the value chain, including, scaled cultivation, value-add processing, centralized manufacturing and product testing and R&D. Follow the Company on Instagram , Twitter, Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube.

We simply grow better.

Forward-Looking Information.

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information", "future oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to the CPG-focused transition; the expansion of the brand portfolio; driving incremental sales volumes; the relationship with humble+fume; achieving coast-to-coast sales coverage and building brands at a store level; capital expenditure for the remainder of fiscal 2020; production capacity at the 7ACRES Facility; the application to Health Canada for a cannabis processing license; beginning whole flower packaging and pre-roll manufacturing at Kitchener Facility; processing product for 7ACRES' vaporizer partnership with Pax; commercializing new strains under the 7ACRES brand prior to year-end; future launch and distribution of Sugarleaf and 7ACRES products; the updated outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year; and other statements that are not historical facts. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, targets, performance achievements, prospects or opportunities is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "could", "should", "would", "outlook", "forecast", "anticipate", "foresee", "continue" or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking information is current as of the date it is made and is based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by us at the relevant time in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances.To the extent any forward-looking information in this press release constitutes "future oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks", within the meaning of applicable securities laws, the purpose of such information being provided is to demonstrate the potential of the Company and readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. However, we do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct.

Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information as discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated September 17, 2019 ("AIF"). A copy of the AIF and the Company's other publicly filed documents can be accessed under the Company's profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions that the list of risk factors and uncertainties described in the AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information.

Non-GAAP Measures and Additional Subtotals.

This news release contains certain financial performance measures that are not recognized or defined under IFRS ("Non-GAAP Measures") including, but not limited to, "Adjusted EBITDA". As a result, this data may not be comparable to data presented by other cannabis companies. For an explanation and reconciliation of these measures to related comparable financial information presented in the financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS for the second quarter ended December 31, 2019, please refer to the "Results of Operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018" section in the MD&A for the second quarter ended December 31, 2019. The Company believes that these Non-GAAP Measures are useful indicators of operating performance and are specifically used by management to assess the financial and operational performance of the Company.

The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding fair value changes on growth of biological assets, realized fair value changes on inventory sold or impaired, amortization of property plant and equipment & intangible assets, share based payments, finance expense, loss on disposal of property plant and equipment, unrealized and realized gains or losses on investments, gains or losses on non-controlling interest and income taxes.

The Company presents additional subtotals in its Financial Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. The additional subtotals include, but not limited to, gross margin, excluding fair value items in its statements of comprehensive loss ("Additional Subtotals"). The Company defines gross margin, excluding fair value items as the gross margin before recording fair value changes on growth of biological assets and realized fair value changes on inventory sold or impaired. More information on changes in fair value of biological assets can be found in "Changes in fair value of biological assets" section of the MD&A for the second quarter ended December 31, 2019.

Non-GAAP Measures and Additional Subtotals should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Company's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Supreme Cannabis' management. Accordingly, these Non-GAAP Measures and Additional Subtotals are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

SOURCE The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.supreme.ca/


CITY HALL -- Two weeks after Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis broke the news about winning President Donald Trumps full endorsement in the Islands congressional race, the president made his endorsement official Wednesday.

@NMalliotakis is running for Congress in NY, I know her well, we need her to defeat Max Rose, who voted for Impeachment! Nicole is Strong on Crime & Borders, #2A, Cutting Taxes, & she Loves our Military & Vets. Nicole has my Complete & Total Endorsement! Trump said in a tweet late Wednesday.

Following a visit to the White House last month to take part in the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, Malliotakis told the Advance she won Trumps full support and endorsement in the congressional race, an endorsement she said the president would publicly announce on his own timeline.

However, the presidents campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh had declined to comment on the endorsement at the time.

I am honored by President Trumps endorsement and his words of support, spoken directly to the American people through his social media. I plan to defeat Max Rose and return New Yorks 11th Congressional District to commonsense leadership," Malliotakis said. "When Im in Congress, President Trump will have a partner who will be a vocal advocate for improving security at our borders, making our neighborhoods safer, and continuing the strong economic growth our nation is seeing under his leadership.

.@NMalliotakis is running for Congress in NY, I know her well, we need her to defeat Max Rose, who voted for Impeachment! Nicole is Strong on Crime & Borders, #2A, Cutting Taxes, & she Loves our Military & Vets. Nicole has my Complete & Total Endorsement! https://t.co/N0FIGeyjaw  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

The endorsement comes as Malliotakis and her only opponent in the upcoming June Republican primary race, Brooklyn Prosecutor Joseph Caldarera, have both been trying to closely align themselves with Trump.

Fellow Republicans and Democrats, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, had speculated Malliotakis may have made up news of Trumps endorsement.

Some, were also puzzled at why the president would back Malliotakis when she said in 2016 she regretted voting for Trump and wished she would have written in Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubios name in instead.

However, she now closely aligns herself with the president and his family, and has said her remarks, which were made during her 2017 mayoral campaign, were taken out of context.

Rep. Max Rose quickly shot back at the endorsement on Twitter.

Lobbyist Nicole Malliotakis represents everything people hate about politics. #NY11 expects honesty and integrity from their elected officials, but she doesnt believe in either, Rose said on Twitter promoting a new campaign ad. The only core belief Nicole has shown is that shell say or do anything to try and win an election. Thats not how we roll in #NY11. I wont let anyone get away with lying to my constituents. Ever."

Lobbyist Nicole Malliotakis represents everything people hate about politics. #NY11 expects honesty and integrity from their elected officials, but she doesnt believe in either. pic.twitter.com/uaIgAhTVHo  Max Rose (@MaxRose4NY) February 12, 2020

Malliotakis primary opponent Caldarera said unlike Malliotakis, hes been solidly behind Trump for the last five years and the only conservative candidate in the race.

While Im disappointed, it doesnt change the fact that she is pro-choice and has voted for the safe act and higher taxes and spending, Caldarera said. "The economy is booming because of President Trump, despite the Albany creatures like Nicole Malliotakis doing everything they can to stop him at every turn. I am the only real conservative in this race and I look forward to debating the Assemblywoman on the issues and her liberal voting record over the course of the next four months.

KEY NATIONAL RACE

The Islands congressional race has been a key race for national Republicans, which they believe the party can flip come November.

The district voted for Trump in 2016, a seat that had been Republican for three decades until Democrat Michael McMahon, now the Islands district attorney, won a single term in office in 2008.

But in 2018, their opponent freshman Rep. Max Rose joined a wave of Democratic candidates who flipped Republican-held seats to take control of the House, in a midterm election that was widely seen as a referendum on Trump.

Last year, Trump endorsed former Rep. Daniel Donovan over his GOP primary rival ex-congressman Michael Grimm.

But Trumps endorsement did not hold its weight in the general election when political newcomer Rose defeated Donovan, an incumbent, with more than 50 percent of the vote.

The Islands race toward the Republican primary had initially been off to a somewhat crowded start with Malliotakis, Caldarera and controversial Youtube prankster Joey Saladino in the running.

But Saladino folded his congressional bid in December, a move that essentially cleared the field for Malliotakis in the upcoming primary race against just one opponent, Brooklyn prosecutor Joseph Caldarera.

So far, Malliotakis has come out as the regional and national Republicans favored candidate in upcoming June primary race.

Last month, Malliotakis won the full support of the state and local Conservative Parties. She was also endorsed unanimously by the Staten Island and Brooklyn Republican Executive Committees.

She has also received support from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Whip Steve Scalise and House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney and most recently won her first endorsement from a sitting Staten Island Republican elected official -- Minority Leader Steven Matteo (R-Mid Island).

But last month, the National Republican Congressional Committee the assemblywomans GOP opponent in the primary race Caldarera as an on the radar candidate after it gave Malliotakis the same designation last year as part of the NRCCs overall Young Guns campaign program aimed at taking back the House majority.

The NRCC did not say what kind of specific backing they provide Young Guns" candidates, but the committee links to the fundraising pages of those candidates who are part of the program.

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI TWITTER.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

The parliamentary elections that were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9 is a new manifestation of democracy in the country, the embodiment of the fact that the country has taken another important step in the direction of democracy, Deputy Chairman - Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), Vice Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov said, Trend reports.

Ali Ahmadov noted that over 1,300 candidates had never previously participated in the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan.

"This is a record high. On the one hand, this is a manifestation of citizens' trust in an open and transparent electoral process, on the other hand, it is one of the clear indicators of democratic traditions in Azerbaijan," the vice prime minister said.

The vice prime minister emphasized that the elections were highly appreciated by international observers.

"International organizations have shown tremendous interest in these elections in Azerbaijan. Imagine, Azerbaijan is not such a big country in terms of population, elections are held in only 125 constituencies and there was a competition for 125 deputy mandates. However, despite the relatively small, by the standards of many countries, number of seats, about 900 international observers arrived in the country," Ali Ahmadov said.

"In particular, this is a manifestation of great interest in Azerbaijan on the international arena. Summarizing all this, I want to say that parliamentary elections have become a significant milestone in political history of Azerbaijan and represent a significant advancement of the country along the democratic path of development. At the same time, these elections are an indicator of people's trust in the policies pursued by President Ilham Aliyev and faith in the head of state," the vice prime minister added.
Rome: The Italian Senate has voted by a large margin to allow the prosecution of right-wing opposition leader Matteo Salvini for forcing 131 rescued migrants to remain on a coast guard vessel for days when he was Italy's interior minister.

Salvini's fellow senators let stand a Senate commission's vote to lift his lawmaker's immunity so the Tribunal of Ministers can decide if he effectively held the migrants hostage last summer.

Opposition populist leader Matteo Salvini speaks at the end of the debate at the Italian Senate on whether to allow him to be prosecuted. He asked to have his immunity lifted. Credit:AP

The Senate vote fell 84 short of the number needed to overturn its commission's decision on Salvini's immunity last month. Salvini insisted during Wednesday's pre-vote debate that he would be proud to stand trial for defending Italy's borders, but senators from his anti-migrant League skipped the vote.

Once the tally was announced, he immediately compared himself to impeached US President Donald Trump, who has called the investigations during his presidency as the work of Democratic opponents and vindictive political enemies on the left.
Former Planning Commission deputy chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Thursday said he had advised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee against the controversial retrospective amendment to the Income Tax Act in 2012 meant to bypass a Supreme Court verdict and nail British telecom giant Vodafone in a tax case.

Unfortunately, they did not heed his advice, Ahluwalia told The Wire in an exclusive interview, ahead of the launch of his forthcoming book Backstage: The Story Behind Indias High Growth Years.

Ahluwalia also said at no point thereafter has Manmohan Singh told him that the decision to retrospectively amend the Income Tax Act was a mistake.

The government had amended Income Tax Act in 2012 with retrospective effect making offshore deals taxable in India after the Supreme Court ruled in January that year that Vodafones transaction was not taxable here. India's tax dispute with Vodafone Plc revolves around its purchase of Hutch Essar in 2007 for $11 billion.

Ahluwalias comments are significant as he played a key role in the then Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, particularly with respect to framing of policy stand. Manmohan Singh- led UPA government, after being in power for a decade, was voted out in 2014.
Wouldn't it be handy if you were able to record your baby's heartbeat or even take an ultrasound scan just using a smartphone app at home, without having to make an appointment to visit your obstetrician or go to the hospital, with all the additional travel and waiting time that entails? Technology is currently being developed which ought to make this possible in the near future. Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) and Universitatsklinikum Erlangen (UKER) are investigating what would be needed in order to offer a service like this to expectant parents. They have received funding of approximately 3.2 million euros over the next two and a half years from the Federal Ministry of Health within the context of the SMART Start project.

'Funded projects such as these allow us to make a significant impact on encouraging the digitalisation of healthcare in Germany,' says Prof. Dr. Bjoern Eskofier, one of the coordinators of the project and holder of the Chair of Computer Science 14 (Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab). At the current time, antenatal care is entirely analogue. All maternity notes listing the results of the various tests are printed out and entered in a physical booklet or antenatal folder. According to Stefan Gradl, a doctoral candidate at Prof. Eskofier's lab, the disadvantages are that 'this mound of paper is liable to get lost or damaged and important results can be easily overlooked or forgotten.'

The days of noting everything down on slips of paper belong to the past.

Help is now at hand thanks to a digital solution. In an ideal scenario, the programme will be able in future to derive sensible recommendations for action for all foreseeable situations during pregnancy based on a wide range of data. An initial clinical study with 500 test persons is planned at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Universitatsklinikum Erlangen. Straightforward wearable devices such as smartwatches will be used as part of the study. The participants will also be given various devices to take home - a contraction monitor supplied by the start-up Bloomlife and portable ultrasound probes.

'The purpose of the study is to find out how we can make it as easy as possible for expectant mothers to carry out routine antenatal examinations themselves,' explains Dr. Hanna Hubner, who is responsible for managing the study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The aim of the research is to develop as user-friendly an app as possible.

The app should be able to record and analyse measurements and forward the data to obstetric specialists. The company Refinio has been commissioned with programming the app. It is hoped that the collected data can be used to develop measures aimed at improving mindfulness and stress reduction in antenatal care. The Chair of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy is currently researching how this can be done.

Taking the pressure off the health service

There is no doubt that steps have to be taken to improve prenatal care according to Dr. Patrick Stelzl. The deputy senior consultant is in charge of the medical aspects of the project at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UKER. 'Our goal is not to replace personal contact to doctors and midwives and abandon expectant mothers to technology,' he explains. On the contrary - he would like to ease the pressure for all concerned. 'If we can reduce the time and effort required for routine examinations, we will then have more resources to deal intensively with complicated pregnancies,' explains Dr. Stelzl.

Digital options are also an important building block for ensuring antenatal care in areas with few specialist doctors. You only have to take a look at the facts and figures to realise that this is necessary: whilst there were still over one thousand maternity wards throughout Germany in 1991, today there are only approximately 700.

Interdisciplinary project

One of the central requirements of the study is to find out how to minimise mistakes during the use of the app. In this context, Prof. Dr. Peter A. Fasching, Professor of Translational Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Universitatsklinikum Erlangen, emphasises that 'in spite of all the advantages offered by the new technology we must still ensure that expectant mothers are in safe hands at all times.' Both data protection and ethical aspects have a major role to play in determining the extent to which the new digital service will be accepted. For this reason, the Chair of Systematic Theology II (Ethics) is also involved in the project, and the Chair of Health Management will investigate which organisational challenges and costs would be incurred for introducing the digital version of the antenatal folder.

###

Prof. Dr. Bjoern Eskofier is coordinating the interdisciplinary research project together with Prof. Dr. Matthias W. Beckmann and Prof. Dr. Peter A. Fasching from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UKER. The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology is also involved with Prof. Dr. Peter Dabrock and Dr. Matthias Braun, as well as Prof. Dr. Johannes Kornhuber and PD Dr. Bernd Lenz from the Chair of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Universitatsklinikum Erlangen and Prof. Dr. Oliver Schoffski from the Chair of Health Management at FAU.
A war veteran with severe PTSD has been reunited with his service dog names Brian after he was stolen.

Brenton Lawrence's 60kg bull mastiff was allegedly taken from his home in Uleybury, north-east of Adelaide, on February 6.

After battling the elements for six days, three-year-old Brian was found by a man in Craigmore nearby.

Heartwarming footage showed the moment the pair were reunited on Wednesday night.

Heartwarming footage showed the moment the pair were reunited on Wednesday night

The former Australian Army serviceman relies on Brian to calm his post-traumatic stress disorder.

'PTSD is a really evil thing it just builds up and builds up,' the 54-year-old told 7 News.

'He distracts me from my thoughts.

'He'll pick up when you're down and either put his head into you or foot onto you or even jump onto you.'

Mr Lawrence offered a $2000 reward for the person who found the 60kg bull mastiff

Mr Lawrence first realised Brian was gone when he went to let him inside.

'I've gone outside to let him back in because it's hot  and he was gone,' he told The Advertiser.

The 54-year-old claimed someone took advantage of Brian's placid nature.

'He's such a friendly dog. If someone just said 'Come on, let's go for a drive', he would just jump right in the car.'

Mr Lawrence offered a $2000 reward for the person who found Brian.




The Karnataka government on Thursday said it was mulling opening Sanskrit and Music departments at all universities in the state.

"There is growing interest towards Sanskrit in foreign countries these days. We cannot ignore our languages.

Our government has taken steps towards establishing a Sanskrit University at Magadi," Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwathnarayan said.

Though there were efforts in this regard earlier, it did not come into effect, he was quoted as saying by his office in a statement.

The minister said 100 acres of land has been allotted for the Sanskrit University.

Other than this, there were plans to open Sanskrit and Music departments at all Universities, he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the Higher portfolio, visited Mattur, known as the 'Sanskrit village', in Shivamogga district and held discussions with scholars of the ancient language there.

Sanskrit is spoken by most people of Mattur in their day- to-day communication.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The death toll for the coronavirus outbreak in China has reportedly jumped to 1,110 on February 12 with another 1,638 new confirmed cases, according to Hubei's health commission. The total number of confirmed cases across China are now more than 44,200. Hubei province, which is the epicentre of the viral outbreak, has also reported 94 new deaths.

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 virus was officially also named 'COVID-19' at a conference in Geneva held by the World Health Organisation, where the body's chief said that countries had a chance of stopping its global spread. Earlier this month, WHO also declared Coronavirus as a 'global public health emergency'.

READ: Illinois Lab Begins Testing For New Coronavirus

The organisation further cautioned about the spread of cases outside of China as it could be 'the spark that becomes a bigger fire'. There are also more than 300 cases in 24 other countries and territories, however, only two deaths have been reported outside China so far. WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also reportedly said that although 99 per cent of cases are in China, where it remains 'very much an emergency', it also 'holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world'.

$675 million for response plan

In order to tackle the spreading virus, WHO stated that the international community has further launched a $675 million preparedness and response plan covering the months of February through to April 2020. Earlier, WHO had also warned the international public health authorities that the Wuhan Virus was of a significant threat to the nations outside mainland China and the disease's pandemic nature enforced a global response to the outbreak.

READ: World Must Consider Coronavirus 'public Enemy Number One', WHO Warns

However, on February 10, the Chinese government eased some restrictions on work and travel and the workers now are reportedly returning back to offices and factories. Coronavirus has also thrown the travel industry into chaos, threatening billions of dollars in losses while keeping a million travellers at home. Asia, which attracts 75 per cent of Lunar New Year travellers, has further seen a decline even though the Chinese New Year is one of China's major travel periods.

READ: 39 More On Board Japan Cruise Ship Have New Coronavirus: Minister

READ: 'Coronavirus Vaccine Could Be Ready In 18 Months': WHO Chief
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MUNICH, GERMANY and PARIS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / The fourteenth annual BIO-Europe Spring(R) international partnering conference meets for the second time in beautiful Paris, France, March 23-25 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The event is produced by EBD Group and hosted by Medicen Paris Region, together with Choose Paris Region and the Paris Region Council.More than 2,500 senior executives from 1,400+ leading international biotech and pharmaceutical companies, investors and business development team members will attend this annual event, held this year in one of Europe's epicenters for life sciences, bringing together world-renowned research clusters, universities and innovative companies. The region is especially attractive for startups and SMEs thanks to the availability of public and private funding, access to top R&D talent and a massive marketplace."We are very excited to work with EBD Group to make their springtime flagship event a big success in Paris," said Christian Lajoux, Chairman of Medicen Paris Region, the world-class life sciences cluster for the Paris region. "The health-tech ecosystem of the Paris Region is so rich and innovative that it is a great place to find the best experts-clinicians, scientists, startups-to design and build strong collaborative projects and, in the end, high-level therapeutic solutions brought to the market." Lajoux said, "Our ecosystem is particularly strong in the fields of digital health, innovative biotherapies, biological diagnostic and medical imaging, applied to all therapeutic areas (oncology, neurosciences, immunology, infectiology, rare diseases).""BIO-Europe Spring is the most significant industry event of the new year where top executives from global biotech, pharma and finance come together with hundreds of potential partners to negotiate favorable deals for developing therapies and cures," said Pam Putz, Managing Director Europe for EBD Group. "We're so happy to bring this event back to the wonderful city of Paris." One-to-one partnering meetings through EBD Group's partneringONE(R) are a key business strategy that have transformed the drug development industry by facilitating collaboration between innovators and biopharma executives from every corner of the globe. Company presentations include early stage projects, innovative startups, established biotechs and midsize and large pharma companies, as well as a Startup Spotlight sponsored by Lilly.Last year's event featured:15,438 one-to-one meetings3,600 licensing opportunities posted2,570 delegates1,465 companies100 company presentations81 exhibitors55 countries represented26 workshops and panelsRegistration information for BIO-Europe Spring is available online.# # #Additional links and information:Follow BIO-Europe Spring 2020 news and updates on Twitter or on LinkedIn .About Medicen Paris RegionMedicen Paris Region is a competitiveness cluster for innovative health technologies, with national and international scope. With more than 450 companies, research centers, universities, hospitals and local authorities as members, it aims to position the Paris region as Europe's leading healthcare cluster. It focuses on five strategic areas: biological diagnostics, diagnostic and interventional imaging, innovative biotherapies, digital health and technotherapies.About EBD GroupEBD Group's overriding mission is to help collaborations get started across the life science value chain. Our range of partnering conferences has grown to become the largest and most productive conference platform in the industry. Each one of our landmark events held in key life science markets around the world is powered by our state-of-the-art partnering software, partneringONE(R), that enables delegates to efficiently identify and engage with new opportunities via one-to-one meetings.Today our events (BIO-Europe(R), BIO-Europe Spring(R), BioPharm America(TM), Biotech Showcase(TM), China Showcase, Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase, ChinaBio(R) Partnering Forum, Rare Disease Innovation and Partnering Summit, Connecting Cancer, Imagine Health Summit, and BioEquity Europe) annually attract more than 15,000 senior life science executives who engage in over 50,000 one-to-one partnering meetings. These vital one-to-one engagements are the wellspring of deals that drive innovation in our industry.EBD Group is an Informa company. For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com Media contact:Kit Muller, EBD Group: +1 760 930 0500; kmuller@ ebdgroup.com European media support:Anne Hennecke, MC Services AG: +49 211 529 252 22; anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu SOURCE: EBD Group
People in Kemptville can't stop gobbling up photos and videos of the most famous bird in town, Van Turken the wild turkey.

The hen was first spotted in December strutting along her namesake Van Buren Street in the community south of Ottawa.

The Facebook group Van Turken  Kemptville's favourite turkey now has nearly 1,800 members as of Thursday morning. The town had about 3,900 residents in the 2016 census.

Images of Van Turken perched on cars, marching in front of moving vehicles, trotting through parking lots and even chasing people are posted daily, along with dozens of posts praising the bird and her boldness.

"This chick is all kinds of drama!" writes one Facebook poster.

"I think she left her flock, probably fed up with them LOL," writes another.

Watch Van Turken chase away a civil servant.

Local businesses have jumped on the turkey train, creating Van Turken T-shirts, to-go cups and coffee cozies.

"It's turned into quite the phenomenon," said Jill Sturdy, communications coordinator with the Municipality of North Grenville.

"The town really wants this bird to be the town mascot."

While wild turkeys are common in Kemptville and the surrounding areas, Sturdy said it's strange to see one alone and it's even more odd to see one seemingly at ease around lots of people.

"Usually when you see turkeys, you see them in a group and you see them in some of the fields," she said.

"Where she hangs out the most is on a very busy intersection on County Road 43 which is the main thoroughfare through the town."

Angel Leah/Facebook

The turkey has so far evaded two efforts by natural resources officers to capture her and take her to a more tranquil, natural environment, said Sturdy.

While some joke about inviting Van Turken over for Sunday dinner or using her as a traffic calming measure, Sturdy said the town hopes she can be caught sooner rather than later to ensure she doesn't get hit by a car.

"People love this turkey and they want the best for her," she said.

CBC has reached out to the Kemptville branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources but has yet to hear back.
The Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington will host a discussion and book signing with Wayne Reid and Judge Charles Gill Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

They will sign copies of their book Death by Cop: A Call for Unity! at the 2 Green Hill Road shop.
The Luxembourg bishopric has published the figures on how many people came forward about having experienced sexual abuse at the hands of figures within the Catholic Church.

In 2019, six people contacted the bishopric's service dedicated to victims of abuse within the Church. The allegations referred back to the 1970s, 1960s, and even during the Second World War. Of the victims who contacted the hotline, four were men and two women.

The sexual abuse cases come amidst a dozen other allegations of physical and emotional abuse against a representative of the church. The Archbishop of Luxembourg personally insisted on asking forgiveness from all those affected, both for the abuse itself and the consequences thereof. The Catholic Church in Luxembourg continues to highlight the issue. In 2019, a four-day course was organised, with 74 people participating.

The hotline remains available to any other victims, who can contact the service by phone (+352) 621 67 63 49 or by mail at fir-iech-do@cathol.lu.
The Spiritual Director, Communio Sanctorum Ministry, Anambra, Nigeria, Very Rev, Fr. Prof BonaChristus Uchenna Umeogu has revealed that the wonder and secret of wonderland in Agu Awka is the Communio Sanctorum ministry located in the area.

Fr. Umeogu who is the Dean Faculty of Arts, informed that the location of his prayer ministry inside the wonderland almost opposite Unizik Main gate Awka through the Cien fuel station on the Old road opposite the gate has made it closer to both students and villagers within Awka South local government area.

He said the central location of the ministry ground now in Wonderland near the Awka-Enugu Federal Highway and prayers said by children of God in the ministry inside the wonderland has turned the area a Jerusalem of sorts and destination for people looking for where to reside.

He prayed for the old and new students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University already identifying with the ministry to have sufficient grace from God to guide and provide for them always as they pray for peace and progress of Nigeria and stoppage to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria at the Communio Sanctorum ground.

Fr Bona enjoined security chiefs in Nigeria to rise above ethnic and religious differences pulling them down and tackle insecurity challenges bedevilling the country, lamenting the high rate of banditry, kidnapping and herders/farmers clashes across Nigeria.

Fr. Umeogu, a Catholic Cleric, and a Professor of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Unizik, where he is the Dean, Faculty of Arts frowned at the level of impersonation, examination malpractice and certificate forgery in the society and lauded the renewed efforts by the Federal Government aimed at minimizing certificate forgery and the likes.

He called on the managers of Nigerian health system to rise to the challenge of New Coronavirus to avoid its devastating effect in Nigeria and as well continue efforts aimed at containing already contending issues like flu and Lassa Fever ravaging our states with number of deaths.

In an interview, a member of the Communio Sanctorum Ministry, Comrade Okoli Ukamaka Agnes, confirmed that the glory of Wonderland became manifest since the location of Communio Sanctorum ministry in Wonderland, noting that there is no ministry in South East like Communio Sanctorum.

Comrade Okoli informed that miracles abound in the ministry as many families have been liberated. She said once you set your feet on the Communio Sanctorum ground God takes over your challenges. She said the location of the ministry now is the best for all intending pilgrims as it is well located on the old Onitsha-Awka-Enugu expressway.

On her part, Lady Olisakwe Eucharia who said she was new to the ministry , confirmed that the testimonies of members which she has severally heard attracted him to the ministry and that her problems after presenting it to the man of God, Rev. Fr. Prof. BonaChristus Umeogu, her spirit became calm and expectant of solutions to her problems.

I am new here but I can confirm that there is God here. Friends testimonies abound. The man of God is approachable and down to earth. He talks with authority. For my case, after talking to me, my mind regained peace.

A man who did not want his name mentioned equally confirmed that Fr Bona is a man of God as he not only preaches the word of God but heals with Communio Sanctorum drugs.

Communio Sanctorum is now inside Wonderland on Rev. Fr. Prof. BonaChristus Umeogu street, Communio Sanctorum road, Agu Awka. You access it through Unizik Permanent site second gate by the old road.

Earlier in a speech during the first Thursday of the Month, Fr. Bona Umeogu announced that there would be a special prayer session on 29th February, 2020 at the Communio Sanctorum ground to enthrone Gods mercy. He said such opportunity will reoccur again in the next four years. He encouraged the worshippers to appear on white that day. He asked God to keep all those who witnessed this leap year to witness it again in the next four years.

He announced a special Valentine package for widows and poorest of the poor at the Umunya Adoration ground. And for those who were looking for life partners, their programmes comes up on Mondays tagged singles.
LOS ANGELES  Virgin Galactics spaceship VSS Unity, tucked under the wing of its special carrier aircraft, headed east Thursday from Southern California on a long-awaited ferry flight to its new home in New Mexico, where it will be prepared for commercial operations carrying tourists on hops into space, the company said.

The move to New Mexico marks a significant milestone toward commercial flights, which the company has said it anticipates this year.

The mothership, named Eve, took off from Mojave Air & Space Port and circled over the Mojave Desert before turning east toward Spaceport America in southern New Mexico.

The spaceship was built at Mojave, where it made two test flights into space.

Virgin Galactic moved more than 130 employees from California to New Mexico and last year inaugurated a program to prepare its first customers for the experience.

The company also recently reported significant progress in the construction of another spaceship.

The winged rocket ships are designed to be carried to high altitude by the mothership and released.

A rocket motor will propel the spaceships into the lower fringes of space to allow tourists to briefly float in microgravity and view the Earths curvature. The landing is an unpowered glide to the runway.

The company says its spaceships also will carry experiments that require several minutes of microgravity.

Founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, the company is now formally named Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. and went public on the New York Stock Exchange in October.

The fleet is being manufactured by The Spaceship Company, a wholly owned subsidiary.

___

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:20:10|Editor: zyl

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SYDNEY, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- An original artwork by the renowned street artist Banksy will be donated and sold in Australia to raise money for bushfire relief, local media reported on Thursday.

Artworks by Banksy have sold for millions of dollars previously, as collectors and appreciators seek a piece by one of the world's most widely regarded living artists.

Since September 2019, a fire emergency predominantly in the South West of Australia claimed over 30 lives and destroyed thousands of homes.

As the extensive recovery effort begins, art collectors, Sandra Powell and Andrew King from the Australian State of Melbourne saw the opportunity to put their lifelong passion for practical good.

According to the Australian Associated Press, they donated the Banksy piece from their private collection to go on sale, alongside close to 100 other works from some of the world's most exciting artists.

The work by Banksy, who is as mysterious as he is revered, depicts a circular saw blade heading towards a frail-looking figure sitting on a bench as is titled "Weston Super Mare."

Earlier this week, another piece by Banksy titled "Vote to Love" was sold in Britain for 1.5 million U.S. dollars.

Other Australian and international street artists up for sale include Rone, Adnate and D*Face whose pieces have been donated by a range of artists, collectors and galleries.
A woman diagnosed with coronavirus in London first went to AandE in an Uber to seek help (PA)

The woman diagnosed with coronavirus in London first went to A&E in an Uber to seek help, it has emerged.

The patient, who contracted the virus in China, turned up at Lewisham hospitals A&E department in south London on Sunday and spoke to staff at the reception desk.

Public Health England (PHE) has been advising anyone who thinks they may have symptoms of coronavirus to stay at home and call NHS 111, who will send out a specialist team if needs be.

Two staff from Lewisham hospital are now in isolation at home after coming into contact with the woman, believed to be a Chinese national.

What is contact tracing and how are we using it to tackle novel #coronavirus? #COVID19

Find out in our latest blog: https://t.co/niipf4YBSV  UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) February 13, 2020

The Guardian first reported the story.

In a statement to the PA news agency, Ben Travis, chief executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, said: There has been a confirmed case of coronavirus from a patient who self-presented at the A&E department of University Hospital Lewisham on Sunday February 9.

The test result was confirmed as positive on Wednesday February 12 and we have been in touch with all staff who came into contact with the patient. The patient went to St Thomas yesterday evening.

Our colleagues in our emergency departments are following the latest advice and protocols from Public Health England. In this case, the patient self-presented at our A&E.

As soon as the patient did this, the patient was given a mask and then escorted to be tested in the dedicated area we have assigned for coronavirus testing outside the A&E building  while awaiting the installation of a purpose-built pod.

Stay up to date with the latest novel #coronavirus information and advice here: https://t.co/VkyixaihL6#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/y9POUkOePQ  UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) February 13, 2020

As further assessment was required, the patient was then taken to a dedicated isolation room in the emergency department.

In line with our protocols, throughout their care, the patient was escorted and did not come into contact with other patients.

The patient was later discharged and taken home by London Ambulance Service.

All staff who had direct contact with the patient have been contacted, including two members of staff who are undergoing active surveillance at home for a 14-day period as a precautionary measure  following the advice of Public Health England.

The woman remained at home while further checks were carried out.

(PA Graphics)

Dr Rachel Thorn Heathcock, consultant at Public Health England, said: We are in contact with Uber to ensure the driver receives advice and information on what to do should they feel unwell in the coming days.

As the journey was less than 15 minutes, the driver did not have close sustained contact with the individual and are not considered high risk.

An Uber spokesman said: We received a request from Public Health England for information about a passenger who has now been confirmed as having coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, we temporarily suspended the account of the driver who transported the individual to hospital, and we remain in close contact with Public Health England.

We have a dedicated online portal for public health authorities to contact Uber for information about riders and drivers, and we will take action on any user accounts on the recommendation of those authorities.

Earlier this month, hospitals were told to create priority assessment pods for people with suspected coronavirus to keep them away from other patients.

The letter, from Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director for coronavirus, said plans were needed to avoid a surge in emergency departments.

Patients who think they have symptoms will be directed to a pod away from A&E, from where they can call specialist NHS 111 teams on a dedicated phone, the letter said.

An assessment will be made by NHS 111 and staff told of the patients location if further testing is deemed necessary.
The government will organise an organic food festival for women entrepreneurs from February 21-23 here to promote the segment which is projected to expand nearly three-fold to Rs 75,000 crore in market size in the next five years, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said on Thursday.

The three-day festival will be organised jointly by Food Processing and Women & Child Development ministries at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in the national capital. The theme of this festival is 'Unleasing India's Organic Market Potential'.

"We are organising an organic food festival in Delhi where more than 150 women entrepreneurs, over 40 self help groups and two co-operatives from all over the country will be participating," Badal told reporters here.

The minister said the festival would provide a platform for these women entrepreneurs to exhibit their organic produce as well as for consumers to buy products.

The government will be investing around Rs 3 crore to organise this festival, she said, adding that the entry would be free for public. As many as 10 states and industry chambers helped in reaching out to these 150 entrepreneurs.

Badal said such festival would be organised regularly across various states.

Talking the about potential in this sector, the minister said the organic market is estimated to reach Rs 75,000 crore by 2025 from Rs 27,000 crore currently.

Food Processing Secretary Pushpa Subrahmanyam highlighted that India is ranked number one in organic producers and 9th in area under cultivation for organic products.

The country produced around 1.7 million tonnes of certified organic products in 2017-18. It exported organic products worth USD 515 million in the same year.

To boost organic products and women entrepreneurship, the two ministries had signed an MoU to help them get connected with government's financial schemes.

The overall effort is targeted towards strengthening 'organic' branding for India by enhancing direct linkage of local producers with buyers as well as boosting processing potential of organic output.

During the festival, training programmes will be organised for women entrepreneurs in the area of packaging, storage, marketing, innovations on renewable energy, food safety regulations and organic certifications.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Transfer, not fire

Regarding Tuesday letters, (A11, Feb. 11): There was a letter that said the military officer who testified against President Donald Trump was fired. That would be incorrect. He was reassigned to the Pentagon. He did not lose his job or his paycheck or any of his benefits. It is often reported when military personnel and career federal civil servants are reassigned that they have been fired. Those in the private sector understand being fired to mean you lost your paycheck and your benefits. That is not what happened to the military officer in this case. Given the situation it really does not seem unreasonable that the President no longer wanted to work personally with this person and had him reassigned.

Thomas Austin, Montgomery

China and energy

Regarding Chinas challenge to the worlds energy capital, (A1, Feb. 10): Thank you to the Houston Chronicle for your informative article. I found the following statement from the article very revealing and well calculated about Chinese strategy: They have figured out which technologies will have the greatest impact in addressing climate change, and they have carved out those segments for a leadership position.

I am frustrated by the lack of U.S. policy makers working to figure this out. We need visionary legislators who can see past our current high-carbon emission systems. We need bold policies that catalyze U.S. innovation (and profits) for a changing world. We need forward-thinking leadership that guides the U.S. toward free-market climate change solutions that dont leave us eating the competitive dust. Sixty-eight percent of Harris County residents support policy to regulate CO2 as a pollutant, and 63 percent support policy requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a carbon tax, according to Yale Climate Opinion Maps 2019. The House of Representatives bipartisan bill Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR763) will drive down Americas carbon pollution, while unleashing American technology innovation and ingenuity. Energy transitions are inevitable. Taking economic advantage of them is a smart strategy.

Susan Atkinson, Durango, Colorado

It is sobering to think that China might outstrip the U.S. as an energy supplier, but lets not lose sight of the real issue here: beefing up the petroleum industry in any nation is suicide right now. Its great that China is renewing its focus on green, clean and clean-ish (nuclear) power, but the idea that it might also be redoubling its efforts to flood the world in oil is depressing. However, it does underline something important: the U.S. still has a chance to become a green powerhouse. We could be the standout. Were going to have to switch to renewables one way or another  why not be the industry leader? With carbon pricing, incentives for turbines and solar, and a lot of infrastructure work that we already need to do, we can beat China at the energy game for the 21st century  and save the world doing it. Whats better than that? Thank you.

Anna Gooding-Call, Danvers, Massachusetts
WASHINGTON  The House of Representatives voted Thursday to remove the 1982 deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment for women, a move that is mostly symbolic as the Senate is not likely to follow suit and the ability of Congress to change the deadline has not been tested in the courts.

The House resolution was supported by five Republicans: John Curtis of Utah, Rodney Davis of Illinois, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Reed of New York and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey. No Democrat voted against the measure.

The 232-183 vote came weeks after Virginia became the 38th  and potentially pivotal  state to ratify the amendment.

But that came decades after the ratification deadline set by Congress when the amendment was coming close to passage in the 1970s.

There can be no expiration date on equality," Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., the lead sponsor of the resolution, argued on the House floor.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., holds up a copy of the Constitution during an event about their resolution to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

In addition to the legal uncertainty, the amendment faces opposition from anti-abortion groups who say it would lead to the removal of restrictions on abortion.

If we want to discuss protecting rights for all Americans, it needs to pertain to everyone, including and especially newborns," Rep. Carol Miller said. The West Virginia Republican said the ERA would force government-funded health care providers to conduct abortions.

In the GOP-controlled Senate, Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska back a similar equal rights effort.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was dismissive of the resolution when asked last week if he would allow it to come to the floor.

"I haven't thought about that," he said. "I am personally not a supporter, but I haven't thought about it."

If codified into the Constitution, the change would explicitly declare that women have equal rights under the law. Supporters say it's a long-needed protection for women who face discrimination in the workplace and struggle against domestic violence and sexual harassment.

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Though many federal, state and local laws prohibit discrimination, those can be changed much more easily than a constitutional amendment. Courts treat sex discrimination cases inconsistently, advocates say.

"For too long, women have relied on the patchwork quilt of laws and precedents," Speier said. "We have been forced to take our cases all the way to the Supreme Court  and often there we lose."

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., countered that the amendment would bring many consequences harmful to women. Girls would no longer pay less for car insurance for having fewer accidents than boys, he said. Women, who live longer than men, would have to pay higher life insurance rates.

"Look past what looks nice on a bumper sticker," he said.

Congress approved the ERA in 1972, including in it what the Congressional Research Service calls a "customary, but not constitutionally mandatory," seven-year deadline for ratification by three-fourths of the states. When the number of states fell three short of the required 38 by 1977, Congress extended the deadline to 1982. No additional states acted by the new deadline.

Speier said it's no coincidence that the ratification efforts began anew in 2017 when women took to the streets in protests, then marched to the polls in the subsequent elections, including last year's in Virginia that gave Democrats the votes to approve the ERA in the state Legislature.

In 2017, Nevada became the 36th state to ratify the amendment. Illinois followed in 2018. After coming within one vote of passage in the Virginia Legislature when it was under GOP control last year, the Democratic-controlled Legislature voted in January to approve it.

This is the first time that a proposed constitutional amendment was approved by the required number of states after a deadline under the premise that it could still be ratified.

The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel said last month that the only way to ratify the amendment is to start the process over again.

"We conclude that Congress had the constitutional authority to impose a deadline on the ratification of the ERA and, because that deadline has expired, the ERA Resolution is no longer pending before the States," the opinion says.

The Justice Department weighed in because Alabama, South Dakota and Louisiana filed a federal lawsuit to block the archivist of the United States from certifying ratification.

Besides Alabama and Louisiana, other states that have not ratified the amendment are: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah.

South Dakota, which is part of the legal challenge, ratified the amendment in 1973, then voted to withdraw in 1979. Four other states  Nebraska, Tennessee, Idaho and Kentucky  also voted to withdraw in the 1970s. Whether the Constitution allows states to do that is another potential issue for the courts.

On a separate track from the resolution voted on Thursday, House and Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would start the ratification process over.

If approved, the Constitution would state that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

"How," asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "can you have a problem with that?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Equal Rights Amendment for women: House votes to remove deadline
IndiGo's eight crew members, who were part of its Kolkata-Guangzhou flight operations, have been in quarantine in Kolkata for the last few days as a precautionary measure against coronavirus, sources said on Thursday.

The low-cost carrier suspended its flights on the Delhi-Chengdu route and the Bengaluru-Hong Kong route from February 1 due to the virus outbreak. It suspended flight operations on the Kolkata-Guangzhou route from February 6.

China has reported 1,367 deaths till Thursday due to the coronavirus outbreak amid concerns that the crisis is nowhere near slowing down contrary to official projections.

"Eight crew members - cockpit crew as well as cabin crew - are in quarantine in Kolkata for a period of 14 days as a precautionary measure. They were part of the airline's Kolkata-Guangzhou flight operations," said a source.

Another source stated that they have been in quarantine for the last few days.

When asked about these eight crew members, IndiGo stated, "We are following all the prescribed Airport Health Organization (APHO) guidelines and are taking preventive measures for our crew operating flights to regions affected by coronavirus."



"Currently, none of our crew has shown any symptom and they are under constant observation," the airline added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
While were excited were still here, its a little bittersweet, Wilson said. Because we shouldnt still be here after 100 years having the same sorts of discussions were having  talking about infringement on peoples right to vote, talking about having to protect that very hallowed right to vote, for which many people fought and died. The occasion is not just commemorative and celebratory. Its also meant to be reflective and deliberate, so we can think about whats next and whats on the horizon and why this fight continues.
U.S. Congress has moved closer to passing legislation that would limit President Donald Trump's ability to wage war against Iran.

But he can still veto it, and its unlikely that enough Republican lawmakers would flip sides to stop him.

The Senate on Wednesday (February 12) advanced the bill known as the Iran War Powers Resolution.

If enacted, it would mean that the president cannot order the military to engage in any hostile acts with Iran except in clear cases of self defense.

Otherwise it would require the express authorization of lawmakers, such as if Congress declares war.

The Constitution says that only congress can declare war, not the president.

Eight Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, A final vote is expected later this week.

Trump says the resolution would send the wrong message to Tehran.

He tweets, quote, "We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness."

Supporters disagree. Senator Tim Kaine:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SENATOR TIM KAINE, SAYING:

"We don't send a message of weakness when we stand up for the rule of law in a world that hungers for more rule of law."

The House of Representatives passed a similar resolution last month in the wake of the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

Trump ordered the strike on the second most powerful man in Iran, but didn't inform Congress until afterwards.
Support to sustain the NHP for Atlanta citizens and international visitors

ATLANTA, GA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - ecoATM, a world leader in the reCommerce of consumer electronics, made a $10,000 donation today to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (NHP) in celebration of Black History Month and in recognition of its Atlanta customers. ecoATM is committed to making a positive impact to the communities in which it operates beyond providing a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly way to recycle electronic devices.

"ecoATM is rooted in the Atlanta community," said Dave Maquera, CEO of ecoATM. "We have over 50 kiosks in Walmart and other locations throughout the metro Atlanta area, and we are excited to be giving back to our community. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is a treasure that attracts visitors not only nationwide, but also internationally. Just as sustainability is core to ecoATM, our donation will be dedicated to preserving this national treasure for the citizens of Atlanta and people worldwide."

Located in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District, The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park consists of important sites associated with the life and legacy of the civil rights leader, including the home where he was born, Ebenezer Baptist Church where he served as co-pastor, historical Fire Station No. 6 and the park visitor center. The donation from ecoATM will go directly towards supporting the ongoing operations of the park, including property maintenance and educational programming.

"The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is dedicated to ensuring Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy lives on and inspires both present and future generations," said Judy Forte, Superintendent, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. "We thank ecoATM for their commitment and dedication to help Atlanta continue to preserve our beautiful park."

For more information on ecoATM and its kiosk locations, please visit ecoatm.com. For more information on the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, please visit nps.gov/malu/index.htm.

About ecoATM

The pioneer of reCommerce, ecoATM provides a convenient way for consumers to sell their electronic devices  smartphones, cell phones, tablets, iPods, and more for reuse or recycle. ecoATM is a financially and environmentally responsible option for trading in unused electronics, with over 4,300 kiosks in malls and retail locations across the country. Learn more at www.ecoatm.com.

SOURCE ecoATM Gazelle
A 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly throwing acid on his wife after stabbing her with a screwdriver in south sub-urban Kolkata on Thursday, police said.

The woman had gone to her sons school to give him lunch during tiffin-break,said a senior officer of Kasba police station on condition of anonymity.

It was around 11:30 am and other students and parents were also present at the school. The man came and stabbed the woman with a screwdriver on the back of her head. When she tried to resist he threw acid on her, said the officer.

The incident took place outside a private school in front of other children and their parents. The accused, Jayanta Das, was overpowered by shopkeepers and passersby.

He was arrested from the spot. The woman was rushed and admitted to a hospital for treatment, the officer said.

We have arrested the man on the basis of a complaint lodged by the woman, the officer said.

The man works as an electrician. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the couple had a marital discord. The accused used to suspect his wife and had frequent quarrels over the issue. Further investigation into the incident is on, said the officer.

According to police, the woman said that Das used to suspect her of having an extramarital affair.

Police said that the acid injuries were not much but she had deep stab injuries on the back of her head. Her condition was reported to be stable. Further details are awaited, police said.
Two UB research studies claim that it is more likely that language evolved gradually, instead of by means of sudden single mutation.

12/02/2020

Recerca

One of the most controversial hypotheses for the origin of human language faculty is the evolutionary conjecture that language arose instantaneously in humans through a single gene mutation. Two recent publications by researchers at the University of Barcelona (UB), led by Cedric Boeckx, ICREA Research professor from the Section of General Linguistics and member of the Institute of Complex Systems of the UB (UBICS), question this hypothesis, advocated among others by linguist Noam Chomsky, and suggest that it is more likely that language evolved gradually.

Merge, the cognitive operation key to human language

For decades, several scholars such as Chomsky have proposed that modern humans are genetically equipped with a unique cognitive capacity that specifically allows us to implement computations over hierarchically structured symbolic representations. This capacity is enabled by a formally simple cognitive operation known as Merge, which is the basis of our ability to represent complex grammars in a way that other species cannot. Merge is claimed to be sufficient to yield grammatical structure. Put it simple, Merge takes two linguistic units (say, words) and combines them into a set that can then be combined further with other linguistic units, effectively creating unbounded linguistic expressions. These, in turn, are claimed to form the basis for our cognitive creativity and flexibility, setting us aside from other species, said Cedric Boeckx.

The strongest version of this hypothesis Cedric Boeckx continued  suggests that the biological foundation of our modern language capacity is a single genetic mutation, a macromutation, that emerged instantaneously in a single hominin individual who is an ancestor of all modern humans, and spread through the population.

Modeling the single gene mutation hypothesis

In the first paper, published in Scientific Reports with participation of Cedric Boeckx and researchers from the Free University of Brussels (Belgium) and the Max Plank Institute of Psycholinguistics (Netherlands), they examine this hypothesis by modeling the evolutionary dynamics of such a scenario, taking into account different parameters such as how long ago this mutation would have happened and the population size at the time. We examine the dynamics of a single, critical, mutation spreading rapidly through a population in a given time window, combining this theoretical proposal with contemporary genetic and demographic findings, said Cedric Boeckx.

In this case, researchers have applied a variety of techniques from theoretical biology to the question of how to quantify the probability of a complex trait like language evolving in a single step, in many small steps, or in a limited number of intermediate steps, within a specific time window and population size.

Researchers concluded that, instead of a single mutation with an extremely large fitness advantage, the most likely scenario is one where higher number of mutations, each with moderate fitness advantages, accumulate. A scenario in which the genetic bases of our linguistic ability evolved through a gradual accumulation of smaller biological changes. This scenario can be articulated in many different ways, for instance as syntax evolving from phonological form, from rapid manual actions or from much simple pragmatic sequencing of words, said Boeckx.

Challenging the logic of the hypothesis

In the other study, published in PLoS Biology, UB graduate student Pedro Tiago Martins and Cedric Boeckx question this evolutionary hypothesis from a different angle: by going over its logic. Defendants of the single hypothesis claim that Merge, being such a simple operation had to be the result of a single genetic mutation that endowed one individual with the necessary biological equipment for language. In addition, because Merge is either fully present or fully absent in other words, there cannot be such a thing as half-Merge, the human language faculty had to emerge suddenly, as the result of this single mutation.

From the formal properties of Merge, it is not possible to derive of number of evolutionary steps that led to the emergence of Merge. The computational simplicity of Merge does not correlate in any meaningful way to biological simplicity, and that once different levels of organization are taken into account there is no way to derive such simplistic evolutionary scenarios for any complex trait.,said Pedro Tiago Martins. The study highlights that even if a trait, such as the Merge operation, does not manifest itself in intermediate steps, its evolution may very well be gradual.

Researchers explained that the evolution of something as complex as human language deserves integration of results and insights from different corners of the research landscape, namely the fields of neurobiology, genetics, cognitive science, comparative biology, archaeology, psychology, and linguistics. This is hard because it requires compatible levels of granularity between all fields involved, but it is the only way of achieving meaningful understanding, said Pedro Tiago Martins.

Together, these studies suggest that evolutionary reasoning does not warrant a scenario of sudden emergence of human language by means of a single mutation, and that it is more likely instead that language evolved gradually.
There was a time in my life when the only thing I wanted for my birthday was dinner at La Familia, a moodily lit Mexican restaurant in West Phoenix with wobbly tables, big leather booths, rancheras on the jukebox, and my favorite restaurant dish in the city: the Number 11.

The Number 11 was an oval-shaped platter covered with my favorite foods: fluffy tomato-tinged sopita de arroz; pinto beans softened into a creamy mash; and a cheesy chile relleno cosseted in a flash-fried egg white batter. The plate was gilded with a tuft of iceberg lettuce and roughly chopped tomatoes and served with a homemade flour tortilla so big it could be folded into thirds like a dinner napkin.

A server in oven mitts would carefully slide it all onto the table with the cautionary chant heard to this day in old-school Mexican restaurants across America: Careful! Hot plate!

The Number 11 was hearty and flagrantly rich, a spectacle of fleshy, smoky chile and molten white cheese. The rice and beans were crucial to the experience, offering succor from the chiles needling spice, but also fortifying and delicious on their own. Eating it filled me with a warm buzzy pleasure.

Photo by Alex Lau

My family didnt have the means for regular sit-down restaurant dinners, so a visit to La Familia was a rare treat. Of course, this only compounded my desire for the Number 11.

Around my 15th birthday, I became a vegetarian, a development that gradually steered me away from restaurants and toward the home kitchen. Then one day, as a college student visiting the old neighborhood, I went to look for La Familia and found a billiards hall in the gritty strip mall suite where the restaurant once lived.

But the memories of La Familias tall laminated menus and scorching-hot platters had already dug a permanent niche in my heart. And my appreciation for the Number 11and the Mexican combo plate format in generalhas never waned.

Though it remains a ubiquitous part of Mexican American restaurant culture, the humble combo plate is seldom celebrated. More often, its dismissed by food writers as cheap, formulaic, old-fashioned, or inauthentic.

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Its most famous detractor is cookbook author and Mexican food authority Diana Kennedy, a vociferous critic of north-of-the-border Mexican American cuisine. In her book, The Art of Mexican Cooking, Kennedy dismisses the combo plate as an overly large platter of mixed messes, smothered with a shrill tomato sauce, sour cream, and grated yellow cheese preceded by a dish of mouth-searing sauce and greasy deep-fried chips.

Yet for all its lack of pretense, the combo plate is a complicated cultural artifact. Its roots are in Tex-Mex cooking, a regional cuisine that itself has been the object of scorn and confusion over the years, mostly, again, over questions of its authenticity. Until recently, Tex-Mex cooking was often derided as a bastardized or Americanized form of Mexican cooking, and not a style in its own right.

Photo by Alex Lau

Back at the turn of the century, the combo plate was popularized by Otis Farnsworth, an enterprising Midwesterner who was taken to a Mexican-owned restaurant on San Antonios west side while in town on business. Intrigued by the long lines of Anglos lining up for enchiladas and sopa de arroz, he got the idea to open his own Mexican restaurant.

The Original Mexican Restaurant, as he named it, opened in 1900 near the present-day RiverWalk in San Antonio. One of the restaurants hallmarks was the Regular Supper, a platter that allowed customers to combine different dishesenchiladas, tamales, beans, riceon one plate. The person credited with adding numbers to the plates is Miguel Martinez, a Mexican immigrant and entrepreneur who rebranded his Dallas restaurant, Martinez Cafe, as El Fenix in 1922the year he started serving Mexican food in the form of combo plates. Adding numbers made it easier for non-Spanish speakers to order food.

From the beginning, then, the combo plate was a way to make Mexican cooking more accessible to Anglo diners. The format has never been a good reflection of the way most Mexicans and Mexican Americans eat in the home. As comedian George Lopez quipped in an early comedy special, Mexican children dont go to abuelitas house and order a combination platter.

But the combo plate is more than a marketing tool or culinary relic. Its a tangible symbol of Mexican and American ingredients and flavors merging on the plate, and a driver of cultural cross-pollination. In the American Southwest in the early 1900s, local indigenous, Mexican, and Spanish ingredients and culinary traditions often came together in new ways. Chili gravy, for instance, the cumin-inflected enchilada sauce thats become a hallmark of Tex-Mex combo platters, was borne out of a need to make Mexican chile-based sauces more palatable to Anglo diners.

The rise of the combo plate is also closely tied to the history of some of our countrys oldest and most influential Tex-Mex, Sonoran-Arizonan, and Cal-Mex restaurants. At groundbreaking businesses like L.A.s El Torito, Tucsons El Charro Cafe, and Caros Restaurant in Texass Rio Grande Valley, the format was instrumental in popularizing dishes like fajitas, carne seca, and the puffy tacofoods that once seemed foreign to many Americans.

Photo by Alex Lau

Historically, the combo plate has been an important driver for small businesses. Ron Salisbury, owner of El Cholo, one of the oldest family-owned Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, remembers how combo plates helped his grandparents restaurant bounce back after losing most of its lunch clientele to a newer restaurant called El Vaquero. The original El Cholo on Western did as all the Mexican restaurants in early Los Angeles, and sold everything a la carte, Salisbury said. El Vaquero had created combination plates. The next week we created our own and all of the business returned.

And for families like mine, dining on a scraped-together budget, a well-executed combo plate can be an essay in plenitude, variety, good value, and pleasure. As a kid, I clambered into one of La Familias big squeaky booths on my birthday and reveled in the Number 11s cheesy opulence with a level of enthusiasm that remains unmatched to this day.

As an adult, I appreciate the combo plate as an emblem of my bicultural heritage, but also as a diminishing species in the modern restaurant ecosystem. Older Mexican American restaurants, national keepers of the combo plate, are a naturally shrinking segment. So I say lets celebrate the format for as long as we have it.

Some of my favorite places to find a combo plate in Los Angeles these days include La Luz del Dia on historic Olvera Street (my go-to is the No. 3: one taco, one tamale, and a hearty pool of rice and beans); El Sombrero in El Monte; and Zacatecas Restaurant in Hawthorne. La Barca, a long-running Mexican restaurant near the University of Southern California campus, is home to a doozy of a combo plate called La Grandota (The Big One).

Photo by Alex Lau

As Mexican cooking continues to rise in popularity around the world, I hope that Mexican American regional permutations, past and present, are more widely recognized and celebrated. Just as Mexican cuisine encompasses myriad distinct regional styles, so too does Mexican American cooking, and embracing that richness means embracing the combo plate.

Its a mistake to discount the foodways that have gotten us to where we are today. I hope a new generation of chefs take inspiration from the combo plates fascinating history of innovation, regionality, and cross-cultural exchange to move boldly into the future of Mexican cooking everywhere. And whatever the future brings, I hope it's as delicious as the number 11.

Patricia Escarcega is a writer and restaurant critic at the Los Angeles Times.

Want More Stories From Taco Nation? Right This Way...

Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit
Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's direction to political parties to upload on their websites the reasons for selecting candidates with criminal antecedents.

"It's a good decision. Criminals have entered politics and people should know, so that they can question these political parties," Kapil Sibal told ANI.

He also said, "As part of the right to information, the voters will now be able to choose even between those who have minor criminal charges and those with serious criminal charges."

Earlier today, the Supreme Court had directed all political parties to upload on their websites the details of criminals cases against their candidates within 48 hours in Parliamentary and Assembly elections, along with the reasons for the selection of those with criminal antecedents.

The top court also directed parties to publish credentials, achievements and criminal antecedents of candidates on social media platforms.

The court gave the order on a contempt petition filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay which had claimed that the directions given by the apex court in its September 2018 verdict on the disclosure of criminal antecedents by the poll candidates were not being followed.

The court further said that the parties will be liable for contempt if they failed to comply with the order. It asked Election Commission to file a contempt petition in the top court if the political parties did not comply with the directives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Playing and interacting with his nieces convinced Andy he wanted to be a father. But when it finally happened, Andy, an executive in Texas, was surprised by how deeply and fundamentally fatherhood changed him. Andy used to be the kind of man who worked hard and played hard. I worked 80-plus hours a week, and when I wasnt working, I wanted to eat and drink. But now? Going from buying bottle service and hitting steakhouses on weekends to warming up bottles and changing diapers our lives changed for the best. Its hard to describe the overwhelming emotion of the moment you become a father, Andy says. The first time you get to hold your kid was the best moment of my life. I stayed awake for 36 hours straight because I couldnt stop watching her and didnt want to miss anything.

Andys story might be familiar, but what goes on with new dads is profound. When a man becomes a dad, testosterone drops, oxytocin rises, sleep shifts. But thats just the beginning. All these changes can lead to personality shifts  a rise in patience and empathy, vulnerability, and sadness. Postpartum depression for dads is a common experience. So is emotional maturity, the mellowing out of a man.

Becoming a dad is a metamorphosis. When men become dads they enter a new phase of life, one profoundly different from the last. Its as if they were hitting puberty a second time. The hormonal shifts are there. So are the emotional shifts. Society sees you differently, too. New dads and teens have a lot in common. This is a parallel that is only surprising in how it does not come up more often.

I can see how some guys would experience the total upheaval that comes with becoming a dad as a second puberty, says psychologist Shane Owens, Ph.D. The most profound change I can think of is the sense that the universe is a lot bigger and beyond your control than you thought it was.

Puberty and Fatherhood: A Time of Transition

Pinning down parallels between new fatherhood and puberty is complicated in part because researchers are rethinking the way puberty should be studied, calling for more diverse subjects and acknowledging the need to consider social identity and personal background, says puberty researcher Jane Mendle, Ph.D., associate professor of human development at Cornell University. In addition, the study of puberty has mostly focused on girls, because menstruation provides a tangible metric in the path to womanhood. Puberty in girls also tends to follow a more linear path, whereas boys puberty is more like popcorn, going off in less predictable patterns, she continues. So there has been a missing narrative about boys in puberty research.

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The adaptation of any life transition can be monumental, Mendle says. The transition itself is really rapid, and then theres this aftermath where youre coming to terms with what does this new stage of life mean? The interesting thing about both puberty and parenthood is that the transition is primarily a biological one, but it has all this social resonance. And its the social piece of it is thats ultimately very important.

There are emotional and intellectual aspects of puberty, sure, but by definition, puberty is a biological process. Its the period of sexual maturation, when the body becomes capable of sexual reproduction. In boys, the penis and testicles reach adult size, pubic hair grows, testosterone levels spike and the voice cracks. As Mendle pointed out, these things dont always happen in the same order.

Intellectual and emotional maturity are different. Maturity doesnt necessarily ride shotgun with puberty  its cruising on a different highway in the brain  and its similar for fathers. Not all men feel off-the-charts seismically different the instant they become fathers. How much new fatherhood and puberty will affect men can vary quite a bit, Mendle says.

To some degree, maturity can be elusive, Mendle says. Someone can be physically but not mentally mature and not necessarily emotionally prepared for the changes that are happening to them. People respond to life transitions in an individualized way.

Dr. Brandon Eddy, assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas agrees that maturity comes in levels and degrees. We all progress to what we can call adulthood in several steps, and research has coined a new term for this: emerging adulthood, Eddy says. Were not quite a seasoned, veteran adult but were not a child anymore, either. I think having a child is another step there.

Even with family therapy degrees under his belt, Eddy says he felt more mature after child number three than he did after his first.

A part of that could be wisdom, or it could be that mistakes I made with our first were fewer with the second and third, he says. You do feel [an increasing] level of responsibility  its not just my life I could potentially mess up, its my whole familys.

Puberty and Fatherhood: A Time of Change

No matter how fatherhood might affect maturity levels, studies suggest new fatherhood causes physiological changes to men, even if theyre unaware of them. After becoming dads, fathers testosterone levels drop, the authors of a 2016 study found. A review published last year explored how this drop in testosterone makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint: Men with lower testosterone tend to be less aggressive and more interested in nesting than hunting for mates, Garfield says.

Dads also show spikes in oxytocin  long known to aid in mother-baby bonding  when looking at pictures of kids compared to levels in non-fathers, researchers concluded in a 2014 study. Researchers working to increase fathers involvement in neonatal care are trying to build the case that skin to skin contact with their babies produces oxytocin spikes in fathers as well as mothers, Garfield says.

And although not all men gain weight when they become fathers, on average, men gain five pounds after becoming dads, Garfield and his colleagues found.

I did get fatter, says Nick, a special education teacher and father of two in New Hampshire. Having children made the sensual world plummet, and I dont really mean sex specifically, but just that a wide range of pleasant and pleasurable experiences went away. Youre just too busy and tired to do things you took for granted before and that let you experience the world through your body.

Triple-chocolate cake and gourmet cookies are reliably intense sensory experiences, he says.

Also on the neural front, fathers  non-biological parents included  show the same changes in brain activity that mothers do when caring for their babies, researchers have noted.

I would be shocked if there were not important neural changes to the brain after fatherhood because the brain is plastic, Mendle says. What that means is it changes in response to what we experience, so naturally fatherhood is going to be one of those experiences.

Research of parenthood, like puberty research, is starting to broaden, acknowledging the growing understanding that some of the changes mothers experience affect fathers and non-biological parents as well. Non-birth parents sometimes feel shut out and less important compared to birth mothers, for example, and they often suffer in silence because they dont want to complain to Mom, whos going through her own massive life transition.

After her wife, Kate, gave birth to their son, Harry, I felt largely unsure of my role, says Jen, a yoga studio owner in Saint Petersburg, Florida, who says she sees a lot of similarities between her position and that of fathers. Whereas before, I was the most important person in Kates life, afterwards I was not. I was not the most important person in Harrys life, either, and this hasnt really changed. I feel like Im in love with them, and theyre in love with each other.

Puberty and Fatherhood: A Fragile Time for Mental Disorders

Persistent feelings of sadness sometimes blossom into depression, a well-known byproduct of adolescence that also plagues new fathers. Researchers arent sure whether depression in new dads is due to hormonal changes or circumstances but suspect it might be both. What is clear at this point is that it happens, Eddy says.

In our study, we heard from dads who went with their wives to doctors appointments and watched her fill out follow-up questions about depression and told us, Im reading them and cant help wondering whether someone should be asking me these questions, Eddy says. But society, as a whole, tells fathers that the expectation of them is to be supportive, not to be supported.

Garfield was one of the authors of a recent call for the American Academy of Pediatrics to revise its recommendation to include fathers in perinatal depression screening. That even the AAP didnt think to consider dads in depression screening illustrates a lack of acceptance that postpartum depression in fathers even happens.

Men receive a lot of negative messages from people who dont believe paternal postpartum depression is even a thing, including from a lot of educated people in health care, says Eddy, whose current study is examining the barriers keeping depressed dads from seeking help. They hear, Youre not depressed, you just need to grow up, or What do you have to be sad about? You didnt just go through pregnancy.

Interesting parallels aside, obviously, new fatherhood isnt exactly like puberty. Everyone goes through puberty and not everyone will become a father. Testosterone soars in boys during puberty but falls when men become fathers, so in that way its the opposite. Although the body changes during puberty, its not like most teen boys sprout a dad bod while still in high school.

But teen boys and new fathers typically experience a roller coaster of emotions during the transition, and we need to get better at acknowledging that for the sake of families.

A fathers mental health has a direct impact on how they parent, says clinical psychologist Emily Guarnotta. A father dealing with significant stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues is going to have a hard time with some of the fundamentals of parenting, such as expressing empathy and patience.

Is Fatherhood a Sort of Post-Post Pubescence? Why Labels Matter

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control first included fathers in its ongoing Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Its a step in the right direction in understanding the particular challenges of new fatherhood, but it only came about thanks to moms, who have long been the focal point of family studies when it comes to the first year after birth.

Garfield remembers the inclusion of dads was in response to moms asking researchers, Why are the only questions youre asking about my partner about whether he slapped or kicked me during pregnancy? I couldnt have gotten through this without him. All that is to say that were just starting to look at these questions about the transition to fatherhood, and we should have answers to some of those questions in the future, Garfield says.

Its well acknowledged that moms go through a transition, but that transition is different from men. Their changes are more apparent, for one. There is pregnancy, hormones, physical labor. And for years after, there is an expectation (an unfair one, many moms would point out) of a growth in nurturing attitude. Postpartum depression for women is easily understood. Theyre breastfeeding, theyre withdrawing from hormones, their body and mind have gone through so much.

The truth is, dads go through a transition too. One that is perhaps less obvious and difficult to finger. In this way it is like puberty. In many ways it is not.

To some of my friends and many of the guys in my practice, there was no experience like becoming a dad, says Shane Owens. Puberty, while it may have been horrible and amazing at the time, pales in comparison.

Dr. Brandon Eddy also notes that the comparison isnt perfect. I dont love comparisons, and puberty isnt a choice, whereas becoming a parent is. [But] both are times of uncertainty and trying to navigate a new situation. It can be a scary time. Theres a lack of information and a lot of mixed messages out there, too, about what does it mean to be a father, a mother, a good parent? Fathers are often embarrassed to talk about it and ask questions.

Call it what you will, the changes to men after having a kid are very real. The point is not the name, but an acknowledgment that children change both parents in ways that are deep and meaningful. That recognition? Well, its a start.

Related Articles:

The post New Dads Go Through a Second Puberty appeared first on Fatherly.
With the total number of coronavirus cases reaching up to 50 as of Wednesday, the Ministry of Health in Singapore said that government will pay the hospital bills incurred by patients infected by the deadly virus.

The Straits Times reported that this coverage does not extend to outpatient treatment at general practitioner clinics or polyclinics, nor does it apply to treatment sought at private medical facilities.

"The Government will pay the hospital bill in full for such admissions in public hospitals, which are required for public health reasons," the Ministry of Health was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

The first confirmed case of the virus, officially known as Covid-19 was announced on 23rd last month. Last week, Singapore raised its disease outbreak response level to orange.

This came even as Health authorities in China's Hubei, the epicentre of the outbreak reported 14,840 new confirmed cases of the virus on Thursday, almost 10 times the number reported a day earlier, according to South China Morning Post.

Meanwhile, in another report, The Straits Times stated that two Bangladeshi nationals, both confirmed cases of the deadly virus were working at a site to expand aerospace manufacturer Bombardier Aviation's facilities.

The outlet quoted a spokesman for the manufacturer as saying that the works at the site are to extend the company's service centre at 7 and 8 Seletar Aerospace Heights. It also cited a spokesman for Boustead Projects, which is overseeing the project at the site, as saying that both workers are employees of a sub-contractor.

According to the spokesperson, three employees of Boustead Projects are currently under quarantine and the project site is operating with additional health measures like temperature screenings in place.

The developments come a day after it was reported that South Korea and Israel have told their citizens to defer travel to Singapore where the number of confirmed case is highest for any other country other than China.

The death toll from the virus in China jumped has surged past 1100, way more than the global total of SARS at 774 deaths in 2002- 03.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said PMO and health ministry are screening airports to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in India. He also reiterated that the government has stocked up on medical supplies in case of any untoward events.

Briefing the media in New Delhi, he said that border areas were constantly being monitored and screening facilities at airports were constantly being updated to deal with a situation if new coronavirus cases arise. He said flights arriving from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong will be screened for new cases.

The health minister also said that the external affairs ministry is doing their best to help the stranded Indian crew members and tourists aboard the cruise ship quarantined near Yokohama, Japan.

Also Watch | Coronavirus scare: Separating facts from fiction

The minister said that so far only three cases have been tested positive for the COVID2019 out of 1,071 samples. He said that a total of 15,991 persons are being followed up for a period of 28 days of which 3,058 have completed 28 days of observation period. 497 suspected cases have been isolated.

Clinical samples of the 654 evacuees at Manesar and ITBP camps have also been tested and all of them were found to be negative.

Referring to the coronavirus cases which have tested positive in the country, Harshvardhan said that the three positive cases from Kerala are all Indian students from Wuhan in China.

Harsh Vardhan also said that the health ministry is in contact with the health authorities in the United States and they are ready to help China with medical supplies to contain the outbreak which has taken the lives of 1,367 people so far.

All 402 people kept in ITBP quarantine facility have tested negative and their condition is stable.

(With inputs from IANS)
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Linkedin Song Su-hyun and Hong Dam-young (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)  Thu, February 13, 2020 14:09 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20644b041 2 Entertainment BTS,Samsung Free

Speculation is growing about Samsung Electronics possibly teaming up with global sensation BTS for the tech giants latest Galaxy devices.

At the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event held at the Palace Fine Arts in San Francisco Tuesday, V, a member of the seven-piece group, made a surprise appearance in a presentation video of the latest Galaxy phones, including the flagship Galaxy S20 and the foldable Galaxy Z Flip.

The screen flashed a photo of V wearing Samsungs wireless earphone Galaxy Buds, as well as the promotional image of Black Swan, BTS latest single that was released last month ahead of their planned comeback next week.

A Samsung official denied BTS or V are the new face of the Galaxy campaigns but admitted the two parties are mulling diverse collaborations.

We do have a partnership with BTS and are seeking collaborations in diverse ways, the official told The Korea Herald on condition of anonymity. He declined to further elaborate.

Actually, BTS endorsed LG Electronics flagship G7 smartphone back in 2018 as the official campaign ambassador. Unlike its crosstown rival, it is rare for Samsung to feature a celebrity model for its Galaxy S campaigns.

Vs appearance at the Galaxy event immediately set Twitter ablaze, sending fans into a frenzy.

Another tech company used BTS members in a tech presentation. Last year it was Google, this year it was at the Samsung event, wrote one Twitter user. Another user wrote, Ive been an iPhone user for a decade, but Im going to switch to Galaxy if Vs the model. Samsungs definitely promoting Black Swan. The hashtag #SamsungxTaehyung has been trending on Twitter as well, buoyed by fans excitement about the upcoming collaboration between the tech giant and the K-pop juggernaut.

Gearing up for a comeback, BTS will drop its new album Map of the Soul: 7 on Feb. 21.

Topics : BTS Samsung

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This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Anuj Chopra (Agence France-Presse) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Thu, February 13, 2020 16:35 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206456f55 2 Lifestyle Saudi-Arabia,dating,Valentines-Day Free

In Saudi Arabia's rigid past, religious police once swooped down on rose sellers and anyone peddling red paraphernalia around Valentine's Day, but now a more open -- albeit risky -- dating culture is taking root.

Pursuing relationships outside of marriage in the conservative Islamic kingdom once amounted to a death wish, and would-be Romeos resorted to pressing phone numbers up against their car window in hope of making contact with women.

Now a sweeping liberalization drive -- which has rendered the religious police toothless and allowed gender mixing like never before -- has made it easier for young couples to meet in cafes and restaurants.

Well-heeled millennials also hunt for romantic liaisons via Twitter and Snapchat, and apps such as Swarm -- designed to log places the user visits but often repurposed to look for dates.

"Selling red roses was like selling drugs," one young Saudi filmmaker told AFP, sitting in a music-filled Riyadh cafe with his girlfriend while a courting couple gazed into each other's eyes on the next table.

"Even this was once unthinkable -- a woman sitting next to an unrelated man," said the girlfriend, a media professional.

"Now women are asking men out."

Pre-marital relationships remain a cultural minefield though in a country steeped in Islamic tradition and where matchmaking is typically overseen by family elders, forcing couples to keep unsanctioned romance under wraps.

Covert dating operations illustrate how Saudi Arabia's mainly young population is often compelled to lead dual lives in the pursuit of social liberties that may outstrip the kingdom's capacity for change.

Secrets and lies

Samirah, a 27-year-old finance executive in the Saudi capital, felt a flutter of nerves when her boyfriend's mother stumbled upon a handwritten birthday card and gift she gave him -- and that risked her own family finding out.

In a society where family honor is often tied to female chastity, the revelation would have provoked fury from her family and jeopardized their months-long courtship that began through common friends.

Her boyfriend managed to deflect his mother, but the scare prompted the young couple yearning for more freedom to plan a forbidden rendezvous -- a long weekend in Dubai disguised as a business trip.

"Saudi society is more open, but everyone lies about relationships because people are judgemental," said Samirah, who like other interviewees requested that her real name be withheld.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the millennial heir to the Saudi throne, has loosened social norms in a seismic cultural shift away from hardline Islam, allowing cinemas and parties while reining in clerics opposed to events like Valentines Day.

In scenes unimaginable until just two years ago, women have been seen swaying on the shoulders of men at music concerts as the kingdom tears down the walls of sex segregation.

But while the religious police have stepped back, the internal policing within Saudi families and society at large has not stopped, highlighting the limits of a Western-style liberalization drive in a deeply conservative country.

A Saudi woman in her late 20s told AFP she suspected her "control freak" brother, who works in the military, had deployed official spyware to track whether she was meeting men.

"Young Saudis are caught between the old and new," said Nour, another woman who works in social development.

"Many suffer from the Madonna-whore complex. Just because you are willing to go on a date does not mean you have a loose character."

Read also: City in Aceh bans Valentines Day celebration as it goes against Islamic law

'Full of risks'

Saudi women also bridle at pervasive sexism in a society that -- despite undergoing change particularly in urban areas -- some say reduces them to their future role as wives and mothers.

Sex outside of marriage remains a criminal offence in most of the Arab world, and the restrictions also fuel the risk of blackmail.

"It is a big concern if you break up on bad terms," said Samirah.

"Women live in terror: What if he recorded photos and videos of me? What if he tells my father? What if he lands up at home?"

Modern romance is also perilous for men -- getting a hotel room can cause huge anxiety as couples are often expected to prove they are married at check-in.

Nasser, a 25-year-old advertising professional, said last year one of his friends was caught kissing his girlfriend inside a private booth in a Riyadh restaurant.

The restaurant manager threw open the screens and started filming them while shouting: "This is haram!" or un-Islamic.

"Sometimes the only safe place to date is in your car," Nasser told AFP.

"Dating is full of risks."
Caracas: An ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says officials have detained a close relative of opposition leader Juan Guaido, accusing the uncle of trying to smuggle "dangerous materials" into the country.

Guaido accused Maduro of using his uncle, Juan Jose Marquez, as a means of threatening him as he returns from an international tour rallying support to oust the socialist leader.

"I hold you responsible, usurper Nicolas Maduro, and each one of your minions in Maiquetia for what happens to Juan Jose Marquez," Guaido said, calling his uncle an "honest and brave man."

Venezuelan opposition leader and re-elected president of the National Assembly Juan Guaido. Credit:Getty Images

Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello, a Maduro ally, said in his weekly TV program on Wednesday night, local time, that Guaido's uncle had been detained for allegedly carrying small amounts of C-4 explosives and two bullet-proof jackets.
Pastor J. Edgar Boyd and First AME Kick-off L.A.s African American Heritage Month

More than 1,200 people filled the sanctuary of First AME Church of Los Angeles for the worship service to kick-off the citys celebration of African American Heritage Month on Feb. 9.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and FAME Pastor J. Edgar Boyd collaborated to co-host the worship service, which is the first of many activities that L.A. will sponsor to commemorate the contributions of Blacks in U.S. history. Public Works Commissioner Mike Davis chairs the month-long AAHM celebration.

The celebration featured Jennifer Holliday, a Tony and Grammy award-winning artist, who delighted the congregation with a gospel selection. FAMEs Brookinaires and Unity Choirs provided a spirited accompaniment to Holidays performance.

Underscoring the reason for the special service, Boyds sermon focused on the importance of building upon the historical legacy of African Americans. His topic, A Living Testimony, used the scriptural reference of Ezekiel 37:1-14, which stresses that God, through His sovereign power, can restore those who are spiritually dead. Asking, Can these dry bones be resurrected, Boyd urged the audience to revisit and build upon the work that our ancestors started.

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U.S. Senator Kamala Harris also addressed the standing-room-only crowd, referring to the debacle, which was the Donald Trump impeachment trial and the importance of our community to show up and vote in the upcoming elections.

Noting that throughout the trial, references to our forefathers kept coming up, Harris declared, Well, the fathers of this nation never anticipated that a Black woman like me would be speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate, but in their wisdom, they did anticipate a corrupt President [Donald Trump] could/would one day take office.

Several elected officials and civic leaders joined the hundreds of parishioners for the AAHM worship. Attendees included U.S. Senator Kamala Harris; Assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Sydney Kamlager-Dove; State Senator Steve Bradford, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; L.A. Councilmembers Herb Wesson, Curren Price, Monica Rodriguez and Nury Martinez; L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer and L.A. Controller Ron Galperin.

Also on hand were MWD Chair Gloria Gray, MTA CEO Phil Washington, MTA Commissioner and AME Social Action Director Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, USPS District Manager Ken Stavely, LAPD Chief Michel Moore, Sentinel Executive Editor Danny Bakewell, Jr., KCBS news anchor Pat Harvey, NAACP  L.A. Chapter President Minnie Hadley-Hempstead and NAACP  Beverly Hills  Hollywood Chapter President Ron Hassam.

The service also included a presentation by FAME members Bernard and Shirley Kinsey of The Kinsey Collection, who outlined the critical role that Blacks played in the U.S. government during in the period after slavery and before reconstruction.

Bernard Kinsey recounted, how African American contributions to this country have been erased from the history books and told the story of the first Black senators and representatives. Those trailblazers were Sen. Hiram Revels (R-MS), Rep. Benjamin S. Turner (R-AL), Robert DeLarge (R-SC), Josiah Walls (R-FL), Jefferson Long (R-GA), Joseph Rainey and Robert B. Elliott (R-SC).

Highlighting the service was the unveiling of the U.S. Postal Services Black Heritage Forever stamp in memory of Gwen Ifill, an African American woman who broke gender and racial barriers and became a role model for journalists.

Ifill was also a longtime member of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. She passed away from endometrial cancer in 2016 at the age of 61.

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Executive Editor Danny Bakewell, Jr. and correspondent Vicki Phillips contributed to this article.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of America Movil is pictured on the wall of a reception area in the company's corporate offices in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - America Movil, Mexico's largest telecommunications provider, shed light on its plans to roll out 5G technology in Latin America on Wednesday as the company's shares surged on a strong earnings report.

America Movil shares rose as much as 6% to 16.72 pesos, the highest since July 2018. The company controlled by the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim reported a 63% increase in fourth-quarter net profit on Tuesday, helped by reduced costs and strong gains in postpaid customers.

For 2020, America Movil will focus on rolling out 5G technology in Latin America, Chief Executive Daniel Hajj said on a call with analysts. The technology will likely debut in Mexico this year and may arrive in Brazil as well, depending on the availability of spectrum, Hajj added.

"We just launched in Austria our 5G network," Hajj said. "And we're going to do that all around Latin America in the second half of the year."

The company expects capital expenditures of $8.5 billion for the year, on par with last year's, Hajj said. The investment will be focused on deploying fiber in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and other markets, Hajj said.

Hajj also expressed optimism about the prospects of America Movil's U.S. subsidiary, TracFone, as T-Mobile US Inc's takeover of Sprint Corp advances. A federal judge approved the deal on Tuesday.

"It's good for TracFone - it's good to have all of this consolidation in the market," Hajj said.

In a note to investors, investment bank Barclays applauded America Movil's gains in lucrative postpaid customers during the quarter, as well as improved profitability in markets such as Colombia, Peru and the United States.

(Reporting by Julia Love; Editing by Richard Chang)
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address as House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Vice President Mike Pence look on in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington on Feb. 4, 2020. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Transparency in Health Care Costs a Worthy Goal, But May Not Affect Prices, Analysts Say

The jury is still out on whether President Donald Trumps executive order last yearhighlighted in last weeks State of the Union addressto require hospitals to be more transparent about the prices they charge will actually bring health care costs down, according to health care experts consulted by The Epoch Times.

The system by which prices are determinedwhich includes the government getting involved, negotiations between hospitals and physicians, as well as between hospitals and health insurersis impenetrably complex and difficult to understand, analysts say. And very few consumers feel the sting from high hospital prices because they dont pay them directly.

But Trumps action, Executive Order 13877, signed June 24, 2019, aims, in the words of the administration, to dismantle opaque pricing structures. Although the order doesnt itself make law, it helps to set the administrations regulatory agenda.

The American patient should never be blindsided by medical bills, Trump said in his State of the Union address on Feb. 4.

That is why I signed an executive order requiring price transparency. Many experts believe that transparency, which will go into full effect at the beginning of next year, will be even bigger than health care reform. It will save families massive amounts of money for substantially better care.

EO 13877 instructs the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Treasury, and Labor to prepare regulations requiring hospitals to publicly display and regularly update what they charge for services, fees, and supplies. The order also asks the agencies to come up with rules requiring health care providers, health insurers, and self-funded health plans to disclose information about anticipated out-of-pocket expenses for patients before they receive services.

The order also asks HHS to prepare a report on how the administration can reduce incidents of surprise medical billing. That issue is now being debated in state legislatures and in Congress. On Feb. 11, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee approved legislation on a bipartisan basis that aims to curb surprise medical bills that surface after a service has been performed, The Hill newspaper reported.

The bill, one of several competing measures, is expected to move to the House floor for consideration.

Under the status quo, healthcare prices are about as clear as mud to patients, Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in November 2019 when HHS released draft regulations that have yet to be finalized. The presidents plan will bring forward the transparency we need to finally begin reducing the overall health care costs, she said.

But health care analysts suggest EO 13877 is more aspirational than substantial, and that the devil is in the details.

David Hogberg, author of the book, Medicares Victims: How the U.S. Governments Largest Health Care Program Harms Patients and Impairs Physicians, told The Epoch Times that greater price transparency in health care is generally a good idea.

But I doubt Trumps executive order will have much effect on the cost of health care, since consumers will still pay very little of the cost of their care directly, he said. Reforms such as expanding Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and experimenting with reference pricing in Medicare would have a greater impact.

An HSA is a type of savings account that allows consumers to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for medical expenses. External reference pricing requires researching the price of drugs outside the United States, where they tend to be less expensive.

Gregory Conko. (Courtesy Gregory Conko)

Gregory Conko, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a pro-free market think tank, said it remains to be seen what impact the presidents approach will have.

Conceptually, I would say the idea that we ought to have greater transparency in health care is a good one, he said.

But making hospital prices more easy for consumers to find doesnt help most consumers because they wont be paying the price that is made public, he said.

Health care prices in the United States are often quite high because, except in the individual market, people are insulated from the decision to buy health care services in that they dont see the true cost, he said.

Most consumers arent going to hospitals and paying out-of-pocket for services, he said.

Employers generally pick up the tab for insurance premiums, and about one-third of Americans dont even have private insurance because someone else, for example, Medicare or Medicaid, or both, is paying the bills, Conko said.

There are no incentives to shop around for health insurance or health care services, and nobody who is providing health care services has an incentive to advertise the price.

Trumps plan will also require health care insurers to create a mobile phone app, so at the margin, this is arguably a good thing that would be beneficial, but it depends how the plan is actually implemented, he said.
More than 2,000 children in Northern Ireland are waiting to be assessed for medical conditions which could impact their education.

West Belfast, North Belfast and South Down are the three worst affected areas.

A Sinn Fein MLA said she would be seeking an urgent meeting with the Education Authority on the matter.

A statutory assessment is used to determine if a child needs extra support at school or nursery.

Currently 2,108 children are going through the process.

The figures were disclosed by Education Minister Peter Weir after an Assembly question from Sinn Fein's Caral Ni Chuilin.

A breakdown by parliamentary constituency shows the highest number are in West Belfast (208 pupils).

North Belfast (172 pupils), South Down (160) and Newry and Armagh (151) are also among the worst affected.

North Belfast MLA Ms Ni Chuilin said: "The number of children waiting to be statemented across the north is unacceptable.

"I have particular concern that North and West Belfast are at the top of those waiting lists."

She added: "I have been meeting with local parents that have children currently awaiting to be assessed and it is clear this delay is stressful for the parent and the child.

"We need to ensure that there are proper resources put in place to ensure an efficient assessment process. Catering for the educational needs of all our children is paramount."

The Education Authority did not respond to requests for comment.
The US Senate opened debate on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's authority to go to war with Iran, with passage likely after eight Republicans sided with Democrats to advance the bill.

A vote on the war powers resolution could take place as early as Thursday, amid concerns that Trump could embark on open military conflict with Tehran without consulting Congress.

Passage could embarrass the president, who has been able to count on the Republicans' solid majority in the Senate to block legislation he disagrees with.

While Trump is expected to veto the legislation, he warned the Senate on Wednesday to vote it down and not limit his policy choices.

It is very important for our Country's SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution, he tweeted.

We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness... If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party.

In January the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed its own version of the law, after Trump's order to kill Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran dramatically escalated tensions and raised fears of a devastating war between the two foes.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, the sponsor of the Senate resolution, said it aimed at preventing unilateral war.

Congress has got to reassert our constitutional role in matters of war and peace, he said.

The two chambers' versions will have to be reconciled before being sent to the White House, which could all take place by the end of February.
A new law, signed by President Donald Trump this month, will make veterans eligible to participate in certain programs from the National Science Foundation, a move designed to introduce more vets to jobs in science and technology.

The law, known as the Supporting Veterans In STEM Careers Act, extends to veterans specific NSF scholarship and fellowship programs and different kinds of grants. It took effect Feb. 11.

The National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency that invests in fundamental research in science and engineering, offers a number grants to scientists and students, enabling research that might not receive a lot of attention in the private sector.

Funding from the NSF goes through 2,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states. The foundation funds around 12,000 of the 50,000 proposals it receives each year.

The new law includes several reporting requirements, such as a study from the Government Accountability Office on barriers student veterans face when trying to enter a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math-oriented career field, and an order that the NSF report veteran participation in STEM fields in its annual report to Congress.

The bill received bipartisan support when introduced last year, and passed the House and Senate unanimously.

The bill's signing comes on the heels of the president's fiscal 2021 budget request, which includes a proposal to cut the National Science Foundation's funding by 7%, down to $7.7 billion from $8.3 billion in fiscal 2020.

"A focus on Industries of the Future is critical to the Nation's long-term economic and national security. NSF's Big Ideas will play significant roles in not only advancing artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and other potential industries of the future, but in identifying the yet unknown transformative technologies that will emanate from today's investments in basic research," NSF Director France Cordova said in a statement responding to the request. "The president's FY 2021 budget request reflects our commitment to support the administration's research and development priorities."

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com.

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New Delhi, Feb 13 : Etihad Airways is looking at deploying aircraft earlier used to fly to China to other markets after the outbreak of novel coronavirus there, a senior company official said here on Thursday.

Talking to reporters here on the 15th anniversary of Etihad's foray into the Indian market, Danny Barranger, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Etihad Airways said: The epidemic has so far not severely impacted the airline financially as it has a wide network globally. But it is a fluid situation and changing day by day and week by week. As far as China is concerned, we have suspended some operations. We are still operating to Beijing, but at the same time we are looking... whether we can operate those assets elsewhere in the short-term." On its India operations, Barranger said that India is its largest market outside of UAE, its home market.

"Etihad operates 161 return flights per week between Abu Dhabi and 10 key Indian cities -- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram -- connecting each of these gateways to international destinations throughout the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Africa," an Etihad statement said.

Barranger said that currently there were no plans to expand to new cities in India but the company would increase its operations in the existing destinations.

"Not in the short term... we want to make sure that we expand working in these 10 cities, making sure that they continue to upgrade. And as we get new aircraft, there will be opportunities in the future for expansion."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Taking note of the "alarming increase" in the number of candidates having criminal antecedents in the last four general elections, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed all the political parties to upload on their websites within 48 hours the details of criminal cases against their candidates upon clearing the name.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Rohinton F Nariman directed the and state political parties to also give reasons as to why they preferred a person with the criminal antecedent in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

The court's direction came on a contempt petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, which sought action against the authorities and parties for not complying fully with a September 2018 judgment of a Constitution Bench, which had directed political parties to publish online the pending criminal cases of their candidates.

Parties are also directed to publish the reason for the selection of candidates, including their merits and achievements, besides winnability. They have to also justify why they couldn't set up clean candidates, the apex court said in its verdict.

The Bench further directed the political parties to upload the information in this regard on their social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook as well as publish them in local newspapers. The Court said that information should contain the nature of crime and the stage of trial and investigation in the case.

The top court directed that all political parties must submit compliance reports to the Election Commission within 72 hours of selecting the candidate with pending criminal cases, failing to which will result in a contempt action. It also asked the EC to follow up on the matter.

Recently, the EC had made a proposition before the apex court to ask political parties to not give the ticket to those with criminal antecedents.

Election Commission and petitioner Upadhyay had submitted to the apex court a framework jointly prepared as 'Criminal Antecedents of Candidates (Reporting and Publication) Order, 2020'.

The proposal submitted by them has mandated rejection of the nomination of candidates and suspension of the symbol of political parties.

It noted that there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of criminals in politics. In 2004, 24 per cent MPs had criminal cases pending against them, while in 2009 it reached 30 per cent. In 2014 the number went up to 34 percent and in 2019 it reached 43 per cent.

The five-judge Constitution Bench in 2018 judgment had requested the Parliament to bring a "strong law" to cleanse political parties of leaders facing trial for serious crimes.

The top court had said that the rapid criminalisation of politics cannot be arrested by merely disqualifying tainted legislators but "should begin by cleansing the political parties".

The Supreme Court in 2018 had suggested that Parliament should frame a law that makes it obligatory for political parties to remove leaders charged with "heinous and grievous" crimes like rape, murder and kidnapping, and other offenses, and refuse ticket to offenders in both parliamentary and Assembly polls.

It had also issued guidelines, including that both the candidate and the political party should declare the criminal antecedents of the candidate in widely-circulated newspapers and electronic media as well.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) - The World Food Programme (WFP) has refuted claims by Zimbabwe's Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, Ndavaningi Mangwana, that one of its haulage trucks overturned and was mostly submerged in water
(@FahadShabbir)

To prevent viral infections, doctors suggest practicing good hand hygiene

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th February, 2020) To prevent viral infections, doctors suggest practicing good hand hygiene. In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, public health guidelines continue to emphasize this.

Is hand washing really that helpful in the context of an epidemic? New research suggests that it is.A new study explains why hand washing is so important when it comes to controlling a virus outbreak.When it comes to preventing viral infections especially those that spread via droplets from coughs and sneezes washing the hands is always the first-line measure.Now, in the midst of the recent coronavirus outbreak, correctly washing the hands remains public health officials' top advice when it comes to controlling infection rates.30% of people do not wash their handsThe researchers started from existing data indicating that a large number of people do not wash their hands after using the restroom.According to study co-author Prof.

Christos Nicolaides, "70% of [] people who go to the toilet wash their hands afterward."The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that best practices for hand washing include not only rinsing the hands with water, but also applying soap and scrubbing the palms, the back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the fingernails.Better hygiene may reduce disease spreadThe researchers used existing data about global flights.

Specifically, they looked at flight duration, flight distance, connections, and estimates of the amount of time travelers spend in airports.

Based on these measures and data from studies into how people interact with others and with their surroundings as well as what this might mean for the potential of coming into contact with pathogens the investigators built simulations of contagion patterns.They pinpointed 120 airports that they think play a key role in the spread of contagious agents.

However, they also explain that these are not necessarily the airports with the highest traffic.For example, airports in Tokyo, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii, are likely to be key players in the spread of disease due to the fact that they offer direct connections to many of the world's largest airports.

However, these do not have the highest traffic overall.These airports are also points of transit between a significant number of countries in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres.Implementing targeted hygiene campaignsAlthough the researchers explain that educational campaigns about personal hygiene could help improve the overall situation, they admit that this may be difficult to achieve in such a high number of airports.Nevertheless, they argue that it may be possible to achieve similarly positive results by identifying "the 10 most important airports" close to the source of an outbreak and implementing an educational hand washing campaign in each of those.
United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that two codefendants have been indicted and detained on federal child exploitation charges. On February 11, 2020, Katie Heidinger of Velva, ND made her initial court appearance on Six Counts of Producing Sexually Explicit Images of Minors and One count of

Distribution of Sexually Explicit Images of Minors. Today in federal court, Magistrate Judge Hochhalter ordered that Heidinger be detained without bond, pending trial. Codefendant Derrick Walker of Minot, ND is charged by the grand jury with the same six counts of production and is also charged in a separate count of Receipt of Images Depicting

the Sexual Exploitation of Minors. On February 10, 2020, Walker was ordered to be detained, pending trial on the matter. An Indictment is an accusation and notice of charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Federal grand jury has issued indictments alleging numerous counts of child sexual exploitation against Katie Heidinger of Velva, ND and Derrick Walker of Minot, ND, said U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley and we are preparing to move toward trial and justice for the multiple child victims in this case.

The federal grand jury indictment alleges that Katie Heidinger possessed numerous videos and images depicting the sexual exploitation of minor children John Doe One, John Doe Two, John Doe Three, John Doe Four, Jane Doe One, and Jane Doe Two. Federal and State investigators allege that Katie Heidinger was involved in a romantic relationship with Derrick Walker and that Heidinger produced and distributed the videos and images, using the internet, at Walkers request. Heidinger was initially arrested and charged in McHenry County, ND, and remains charged there with multiple counts of Gross Sexual Imposition. Walker was arrested and initially charged in

Ward County and currently has no state charges pending.

This case was investigated by the McHenry County Sheriffs Office, Ward County Sheriffs Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, Minot Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Gary Delorme is prosecuting the case.
As Californians vote by mail and prepare to cast ballots in person during the states March 3 Democratic presidential primary, Sen. Bernie Sanders is sharpening his criticism of an often-controversial business: Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

The Sanders campaign is distributing a nearly 3-minute video assailing PG&E for its role in recent wildfires. In the digital advertisement, several activists, a survivor of the 2018 Camp Fire and others lambaste the San Francisco energy company.

Speakers describe PG&E as being caught in a death spiral and blame it for decades of negligence. Sanders is seen walking through the burned remains of Paradise (Butte County) toward the end of the video as his supporters champion the Vermont senators proposed Green New Deal  and indicate they want the investor-owned PG&E to become a publicly owned utility.

Sanders campaign is running the ad on YouTube and promoting it on Facebook and Instagram.

The videos debut suggests that Sanders, who has led several recent California primary polls, sees an opportunity in PG&Es woes. Economic justice and the fight against climate change are pillars of his campaign, and he has long railed against corporate wrongdoing. In California, PG&Es responsibility for deadly fires has led to ongoing legal and political repercussions, including from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has repeatedly threatened a state takeover of the company.

Sanders visited Paradise in August and pointed to the destruction brought by the Camp Fire  which was caused by a PG&E power line  as he touted his aggressive climate proposals. Paradise should be the wake-up call for our entire nation about the realities of climate change, Sanders said at the time.

He also had sharp words for PG&E in October, when the company shut off electricity for millions of people to prevent its power lines from starting more catastrophic fires.

The people of California are suffering because of the greed and corruption of utility corporations and their executives, Sanders said in a statement at the time. After Newsom said a state takeover was possible in November, Sanders applauded the governor in another statement that said California residents cannot remain hostage to a profiteering corporation for a very basic human need.

In response to the new campaign video, PG&E spokesman James Noonan said in an email that the company is focused on public safety and is working to get fire victims paid fairly and expeditiously through its bankruptcy case.

PG&E is committed to doing right by the communities impacted by wildfires, and to doing everything we can to reduce the risk of wildfires in the future, Noonan said in the email. The companys workforce of more than 20,000 people has made tremendous progress to improve fire safety in recent years, and there is much more work for us to do ahead, he said.

Fighting climate change is bigger than politics. It requires a collective approach with all of us working together to limit and adapt to its impacts, in a way that leaves no one behind, Noonan said. PG&E recognizes the foundational role clean energy has in enabling this transition, and is making significant progress in doing our part with more than 85% of our delivered energy coming from non-emitting resources today.

PG&E officials stand ready to help the state and country accomplish their bold clean energy goals, while delivering power that is safe, reliable, clean and affordable, he said.

The ad could help Sanders expand his support base in California, said David McCuan, a political scientist at Sonoma State University.

Everyone can identify with PG&E and the fires, McCuan said. Its not just activists that want to take over PG&E.

Its a smart move for Sanders, McCuan said  and something that other candidates seeking the Democratic nomination may follow. Criticizing PG&E over its connection to devastating Northern California fires echoes long-standing critiques of other big, bad boogeymen such as Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Pharma, McCuan said.

Sanders is also tapping into widespread negative perceptions about PG&E following recent fires and mass blackouts. A Change Research survey of 2,605 likely general election voters published in October found that 61% of those who responded had unfavorable views of PG&E  up from 49% eight months earlier. The survey had a margin of error of 1.9 percentage points.

He is preaching to the choir, and at the same time asking those that are not of the converted to give a closer look at his policies, McCuan said.

Sanders ad comes as California voters, a majority of whom are registered to vote by mail, are already beginning to cast their ballots.

The campaign video shows familiar scenes of the Golden Gate Bridge and PG&Es headquarters in downtown San Francisco, along with shots of protesters calling for a government takeover of the company and devastation from wildfires. The video at one point shows the Santa Rosa site of the Journeys End mobile home park, which was devastated by the 2017 Tubbs Fire.

Activist Emily Algire says in the Sanders video that PG&E has a long, long history of really messing up the people that they are supposed to be taking care of. Clinical psychologist Fereshteh Madjlessi says her only sliver of optimism and faith, at this point, is Sanders.

The video concludes with a suggestion that the investor-owned utility should be run by the government.

Sanders has already come out in support of that idea, which PG&E has consistently resisted. His campaign website includes a survey that encourages respondents to add your name to support bringing PG&E under public ownership.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia was planning to implement the Global Electric Mobility program in 2019, but the project on switching the government fleet to electric vehicles has been delayed, Minister of Environment Erik Grigoryan told ARMENPRESS in an interview.

This is a global process and not only Armenia is involved, and due to certain procedural delays of other countries the program got delayed. The Government of Armenia will switch to using electric vehicles in the nearest future. The project will be implemented through environmental grant funds provided by the Global Environment Fund. The legislation related to electric vehicles came into effect in the second quarter of 2019. Comparing the import figures of electric vehicles of the same period of 2018 we see a huge difference. In 2018 only 1 electric vehicle was imported to Armenia, while in 2019 nearly 150. Today there are already dealers who are officially importing only electric vehicles. The manufacturing of these cars contains more innovation and technology than machinery. We hope that Armenia will also be able to become a country with the capacity of assembling, and at a certain stage also manufacturing electric vehicles. We also plan to have a greater number of EV charging stations not only in Yerevan but in other cities, in order for motorists driving electric vehicles not to have problems, Grigoryan said.

Asked about another environmental project on limiting the use of plastic bags, Grigoryan said the draft legislation that was approved by the Cabinet was debated for a very long time. There were procedural obstacles, but it got finally adopted. It will soon be debated in parliament, and if passed the sale of up to 50 micron single-use plastic bags will be banned from January 1, 2020. This is the de jure dividing range, we expect that by 2022 the use of plastic bags will significantly drop as a result of the publics change of behavior, he said, noting that the ban features certain exceptions, such as recycled trash bags, bags used for food packing and weighing. The alternative will be paper and other reusable fabric bags, the minister said.

There are 44 plastic producing companies in Armenia, and 27 of them are manufacturing only polyethylene bags. The law allows them on one hand to sell their stock within two years, and on the other hand to change their profile and start making biodegradable plastic. The producers will gain great market advantage and can further expand and export their products to EEU countries, Grigoryan said when asked about the businesses in the area and what effect the law will have on them.

Minister Grigoryan also highlighted other programs currently under implementation. He pointed out the groundwater saving project in the Ararat Plain that began in 2019. He said they were able to save nearly 100 million cubic meters of groundwater as a result of conservation and dissolving of abandoned wells, as well as reduction of volumes of active wells in the Ararat Plain in 2019. This saving is greater than the water used in Yerevan in an entire year, he said.

We seek to maximally reduce the non-efficient use of water. Last year important work was done also in terms of inventorizing abandoned tailings and waste. Under my orders a list of 10 territories subject to primary recultivation was created. At this moment we have applied to the Cabinet and in the event of relevant funding we will begin the physical recultivation work. There are a number of implemented works in the forestry area also, but these works are continuous.

In terms of international cooperation, Grigoryan said there are numerous examples. He pointed out the recently opened Environmental Monitoring and Information Center, a laboratory opened as a result of cooperation between the Armenian Government and the European Union.

He said they plan to acquire two mobile labs for air and water quality control. In 2020 the EU has provided 5 million Euros in funding and we plan to implement certain actions for the restoration of Lake Sevan, he said.

Multiple projects are underway under the climate programs, and there are two major initiatives: As part of a 1,5 million dollar grant by the Adaptation Fund it is the recultivation program of the abandoned quarries in Artik, as a result of which a park will be created and the dust emissions will significantly decrease. 2,5 million dollar has been allocated for the second project, as a result of which a number of social-economic programs will be implemented in the nearby communities of Khosrov Forest Reserve and the Dilijan National Park, Grigoryan said.

Other programs include the construction of an agricultural market in Meghri by KfW grants, the installation of solar power stations in two villages, again in Meghri region.

The Minister of Environment also highlighted the fight against illegal fishing in Lake Sevan.

The full interview is available in the Armenian version.

Interview by Lilit Demuryan

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
EastEnders' Linda Carter is set to make a shock move as her past fears about husband Mick and Whitney Dean return, ahead the soap's 'epic' 35th Anniversary week.

Linda's (Kellie Bright) marriage to Mick (Danny Dyer) has already been on the rocks as she became paranoid Mick and his mum Shirley have been plotting to take her son away from her due to her descent in to severe alcoholism.

And in dramatic scenes at the Queen Vic, it is believed that a drunk Linda will leave Mick humiliated in front of everyone by ranting about their rocky marriage.

Revelation: Linda's (Kellie Bright) marriage to Mick (Danny Dyer) has already been on the rocks as she became paranoid Mick and his mum Shirley have been plotting against her due to her descent in to severe alcoholism

It has been hinted that Linda suspects her landlord husband has re-sparked a romance with Whitney once again.

Viewers know that Mick shared a shock kiss with Whitney a couple of years ago and will find himself rushing to her aid after her situation with Leo King gets out of control.

And the bombshell moment comes only days after she served Mick with their divorce papers in a scene reminiscent of Angie and Den Watts' iconic Christmas Day moment in 1986.

Anger: In dramatic scenes at the Queen Vic, it is believed that a drunk Linda will air her and Mick's dirty laundry in front of everyone

But her reveling quickly comes to an end when she comes to blows with Shirley over what has happened.

Actress Kellie Bright has been praised by viewers and health authorities alike for her extremely convincing portrayal of an alcoholic parent.

Last week her character put her son Ollie in severe danger after burning food in the oven, filling the house in smoke and leaving her son to climb on to the roof.

Troubled: Actress Kellie Bright has been praised by viewers and health authorities alike for her extremely convincing portrayal of an alcoholic parent

Build up: This comes ahead of an 'epic' 35th anniversary week starting on Monday, with a boat party on the River Thames leading to disaster, and the grim reaper paying a visit

Speaking about the character's issues on This Morning, Kellie said: 'When they floated the idea to me about Linda's alcoholism, it was about six months before we started the story, and so I tried to work backwards and think about all the things that have happened during the course of the show.

'You know she was brought up in a pub, her dad died when she was very young. In my head I have made her father an alcoholic, and because of her lifestyle, I think she could count on one hand the number of days she's not had a drink.'

'It is part of her life, it is embedded in her life.'

This comes ahead of an 'epic' 35th anniversary week starting on Monday, with a boat party on the River Thames leading to disaster, and the grim reaper paying a visit.

Disaster: Each of the week's four episodes takes place on the same day but is told from a different character's perspective, leading ultimately to Friday's show where it is revealed who dies

Each of the week's four episodes takes place on the same day but is told from a different character's perspective, leading ultimately to Friday's show where it is revealed who dies.

Speaking about the episode, the programme's Executive Producer Jon Sen said: 'For the 35th anniversary we wanted to entertain the EastEnders audience on the iconic river which has heralded the start of the show for 35 years.

'This unmissable week of episodes is destined to be exciting, gripping and heart-breaking  it will be a week that will go down in EastEnders history.'

If you have been affected by the contents of this article, you can find help and support on Alcohol Change UK's website
At least 3188 persons were killed in 2019 in Nigeria, a new report that tracked casualties in conflicts, violent clashes and extrajudicial killings across the country has said.

According to Nigeria Mourns, 3188 people lost their lives between January and December 2019 as a result of violent incidents which include gang wars, clashes, extra-judicial killings, resource crises, kidnappings and, Boko-Haram/ ISWAP attacks.

The report says of the above number of deaths, 2707 were those of civilians, while 481 were state security agents.

In other words, it said for every 5.5 deaths recorded, at least one of them was that of a security officer.

The state with the highest number of fatalities, it said was Borno State in the North-east, closely followed by Zamfara in the North-west.

It also released an analysis of the trends and what they portend for Nigerias future.

Having spent the last year tracking the violence and recording only deaths that can be collaborated by two sources, we recorded 3188 deaths for 2019, the group said in a statement Thursday.

The organisation noted that the report did not include persons considered to be missing in action but concretely verified deaths.

In tracking the killings we found an alarming trend of attacks on security agents and their weapons being carted away.

Another interesting fact is the vast areas of ungoverned spaces in Northern Nigeria & the vast ungovernable waters of the South-south which have formed territories for violent actors in these regions. We had difficulties documenting sexual violence, it said.

READ ALSO:

A report published by PREMIUM TIMES in 2019 indicated that at least 25,794 people were killed in various attacks during the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari between May 2015 and May 2019.

According to available data from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations Africa programme which documents violence in Nigeria, these attacks were motivated by political, economic, or social grievances.

The data used was taken from weekly surveys of Nigerian and international media reports.

The report noted that this state of insecurity intensified from May 29, 2011, the inauguration date of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Despite these attacks, President Buhari and members of his cabinet insist the insecurity has been curbed and that the deadly Boko Haram has been technically defeated.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:22:44|Editor: yan

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LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Britain's biggest energy supplier Centrica Thursday reported a 35 percent drop of adjusted operating profit in 2019 year-on-year, blaming the country's new price cap for the loss.

According to the firm's preliminary results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2019, the adjusted operating profit fell by 35 percent to 901 million pounds (about 1,176.7 million U.S. dollars) compared with 2018.

Meanwhile, the group's adjusted gross margin decreased by 9 percent to 3,852 million pounds (about 5,030.5 million dollars) in 2019. The adjusted revenue declined by 2 percent to 26.8 billion pounds (35 billion dollars).

Iain Conn, chief executive of Centrica, said: "2019 operating profit and earnings were materially impacted by a challenging environment, most significantly the implementation of the UK default tariff cap and falling natural gas prices."

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, Britain's energy regulator, introduced a price cap on default energy tariffs on Jan. 1, 2019, which would give price protection to around 11 million energy customers.

Speaking of 2020, Conn said the firm expects to "deliver earnings momentum relative to 2019 from our core customer divisions", adding that upstream earnings are likely to "be impacted by the lower commodity price environment."

As an international energy services company, Centrica also operates in countries including Ireland, Canada and the United States.
Bombshells are set to unravel in Albert Square when EastEnders' celebrates its 35th anniversary next week.

And Natalie Cassidy, 36, led the cast as they headed to BBC Radio 2 to discuss what was in store on the soap on Zoe Ball's Breakfast show on Thursday.

The actress, who played Sonia Fowler, cut a stylish figure in a white teddy bear coat, while Kellie Bright, 43, looked quirky with her clashing pattern ensemble.

Celebrations: Natalie Cassidy, 36, led the cast as they headed to BBC Radio 2 to discuss what was in store for the 35th anniversary on Zoe Ball's Breakfast show on Thursday

Natalie layered the cosy coat atop of a rose slogan white T-shirt and brown checked trousers.

The soap star cinched in her waist with a Gucci double G belt and opted for comfort with her white 445 trainers.

Kellie (Linda Carter), meanwhile, cut a quirky figure in a tartan checked coat, leopard print silk scarf and long floral skirt.

The duo, who were joined by Max Bowen ( Ben Mitchell), Diane Parish (Denise Fox) and Tony Clay (Callum Highway), stopped to sign autographs for fans who stood patiently outside the studios.

Quirky: Kellie Bright, 43, looked quirky with her clashing pattern ensemble

Chic display: The actress, who played Sonia Fowler, cut a stylish figure in a white teddy bear coat

Stylish: Natalie layered the cosy coat atop of a rose slogan white T-shirt and brown checked trousers

High spirits: Natalie chatted to Diane Parish (Denise Fox) as they left the studio

Revelations: Bombshells are set to unravel in Albert Square when EastEnders' celebrates its 35th anniversary next week

Kellie's character Linda will make a shock move during her 35th anniversary week as her past fears about husband Mick and Whitney Dean return.

Linda's marriage to Mick (Danny Dyer) has already been on the rocks as she became paranoid Mick and his mum Shirley have been plotting to take her son away from her due to her descent in to severe alcoholism.

And in dramatic scenes at the Queen Vic, it is believed a drunk Linda will leave Mick humiliated in front of everyone by ranting about their rocky marriage.

Rainy day: The pair were prepared for the wet weather with Natalie's umbrella

Designer: Denise looked sartorially-savvy in a long black coat, Louis Vuitton bag and white shirt

Alternative: Kellie (Linda Carter), meanwhile, cut a quirky figure in a tartan checked coat

Style statement: She teamed the look with a leopard print silk scarf and long floral skirt

Casual: Max Bowen, 25, ( Ben Mitchell) was casually-clad in a lilac grey hoodie and ripped denim jeans

Epic: Tony Clay (Callum Highway) also joined Natalie to discuss the bombshell storyline for the 35th anniversary week

It has been hinted Linda suspects her landlord husband has re-sparked a romance with Whitney once again.

Viewers know Mick shared a shock kiss with Whitney a couple of years ago and will find himself rushing to her aid after her situation with Leo King gets out of control.

And the bombshell moment comes only days after she served Mick with their divorce papers in a scene reminiscent of Angie and Den Watts' iconic Christmas Day moment in 1986.

Kind: Natalie stopped to sign autographs for fans who stood patiently outside the studios

But her reveling quickly comes to an end when she comes to blows with Shirley over what has happened.

Actress Kellie has been praised by viewers and health authorities alike for her extremely convincing portrayal of an alcoholic parent.

Last week her character put her son Ollie in severe danger after burning food in the oven, filling the house in smoke and leaving her son to climb on to the roof.

Meanwhile, the 'epic' 35th anniversary week starts on Monday, with a boat party on the River Thames leading to disaster, and the grim reaper paying a visit.

Each of the week's four episodes takes place on the same day but is told from a different character's perspective, leading ultimately to Friday's show where it is revealed who dies.

Speaking about the episode, the programme's Executive Producer Jon Sen said: 'For the 35th anniversary we wanted to entertain the EastEnders audience on the iconic river which has heralded the start of the show for 35 years.

'This unmissable week of episodes is destined to be exciting, gripping and heart-breaking  it will be a week that will go down in EastEnders history.'

The 35th anniversary week begins on Monday on BBC One at 8pm.
IMF elaborates on progress of talks with Ukraine

23:10, 13.02.20 1369

The decision on approving the new program is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board.
The coronavirus (nCoV) is spreading globally. In addition to specific tasks for ministries and localities, what are the key methods that the country is taking to prevent and fight the outbreak?

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Minister of Health

We are very active in dealing with the nCoV epidemic, and we have prepared all methods for the prevention and fight at all levels of outbreak development. Importantly, we have close directions from the Secretariat of the CPV Central Committee, the government, and the prime minister.

In addition, there is consistent and efficient co-ordination between ministries and agencies. The National Steering Committee for Coronavirus Prevention has a meeting every two days to deploy measures in a comprehensive manner, aiming to efficiently constrain infections.

The prime minister has said that we accept to lay down some economic interests in order to ensure the safety and lives of people because their lives and health is the important thing. Previous outbreaks such as SARS and MERS were both similar infections of the respiratory system. They were caused by types of coronavirus related to 2019-nCoV.

Among the three epidemics, MERS had the highest death rate at 34.5 per cent, with SARS next at over 10 per cent. Compared to SARS in 2003, our current measures are stronger.

Quarantine is an important method. Currently, the country has three levels of quarantine: at healthcare facilities, concentrated quarantine, and at-home quarantine with supervision. This method was taken in 2003, and with this Vietnam successfully fought against the deadly SASR outbreak.

As of February 5, around 900 potentially-infected people have been quarantined in localities which border China, with the majority being Vietnamese. Now, all major border gates and six side gates are controlled. The Ministry of Health is ready for all levels of epidemic developments, even in the worst situation if the outbreak reaches a nationwide spread. We have prepared about 3,000 sickbeds, of which 2,000 are in Hanoi.

Vietnam has successfully cured three nCoV cases. What treatment process is applied, and what are the lessons from the success in fighting SARS?

The testing method to detect coronavirus-infected cases that the world is applying is known as real-time PCR  a method with high sensitivity and specificity. There is no specific treatment available for nCoV infections.

At present, treatment of infected cases is mainly symptomatic treatment, meaning that if victims have a fever, doctors will supply antipyretic treatment while ensuring sufficient nutrition, perfusion, and respiratory monitoring. If disease development is minor, victims can breathe oxygen and if it is serious, a re-breather is used. The infection cases in Vietnam are being treated via symptomatic treatment. Now three of them are successfully cured and have been discharged from hospital. We can be ensured that this therapeutic regimen is now on par with the world.

Vietnam also used this regimen for SARS treatment at a time when our conditions were insufficient. We applied symptomatic treatment, respiratory monitoring, and built quarantine loops to prevent infection at health facilities, successfully fighting against the SARS pandemic.

We affirm that the healthcare sector is capable of fighting and treating of the nCoV outbreak. We are constantly updating appropriate and improved therapeutic regimens in line with the rest of the world such as treatment experiences in China and Thailand, and other new methods. Currently, China is using HIV drugs in coronavirus treatment because the country bases that the nCoV strain is similar to parts of the RNA sequence found in HIV. Some effectiveness has been proven, and these drugs are also available in Vietnam. The country is ready to use this when necessary.

Amid serious development of the epidemic, what are the next actions of the healthcare sector in the upcoming days?

We are preparing to have professional council meetings to learn from the successful cure of the three cases, and update the therapeutic regimen for treatment facilities, even those in districts.

We propose to set up a fourth quarantine loop, meaning quarantining people that have had direct contact with those already in contact with infected cases, in order to increase safety and thus minimise the infection rate.

In order to help people assess possible risks and guide them with self-quarantine and contact with health facilities, we are working with Viettel on a mobile app which will be completed in the next days.
There havent been strong indicators this week that he has, she said.

In the Oval Office on Wednesday, Mr. Trump insisted he had in fact grown wiser based on the impeachment experience  but not in ways that many in his party were hoping for. That the Democrats are crooked, he told reporters when asked about the lessons he took from the episode. They got a lot of crooked things going. That theyre vicious. That they shouldnt have brought impeachment.

On Capitol Hill, Republicans offered up general platitudes about the principle that presidents should stay out of pending legal matters. But none asked for an explanation of Mr. Trumps handling of Mr. Stones case, or suggested his actions warranted further scrutiny.

Instead, after three years of provocations, attacks on political opponents and allies alike, and abrupt policy reversals, Republican lawmakers fell back on a set of neutral responses they have found crucial to navigating the choppy waters of Mr. Trumps presidency.

Privately, many in the party say it is just often not worth it to challenge him in the open. Better to try lobby the White House quietly, like a handful of Republican senators did last week when they tried to intervene to stop Mr. Trump from firing Gordon D. Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union, who testified in the House impeachment hearings. But their entreaties did not work.

Matters of foreign policy have often prompted more public disagreements, like a planned vote on Thursday to curtail Mr. Trumps war powers, but they are few and far between.

The handful of moderate Republicans who have broken with the president on matters of consequence  including in recent weeks to criticize his pressure campaign on Ukraine undergirding the Houses impeachment case  are reluctant to to do so again and again.
/ -- GitHub Inc., world's leading software development platform, today announced the opening of its subsidiary, GitHub India Private Limited, with the aim to better serve the developer community and GitHub's enterprise customers in the country. India is home to GitHub's third largest community of developers, growing 22 percent over the past year, adding to an already significant base.

Speaking at the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum 2020, Erica Brescia, Chief Operating Officer, GitHub, said, "As the third largest group of active developers on GitHub, Indian developers are truly building the future of software. Over the past year, the number of public repositories in India has grown 75 percent, demonstrating a sharp increase in collaboration across the Indian developer community. In building out a local team in India, our goal is to create stronger relationships with developers and support open source development across developers, maintainers, and enterprises."



GitHub's growth strategy in the country will be spearheaded by Maneesh Sharma, General Manager of GitHub India. Over the next few months, GitHub will build a team across all functions-including community, engineering, sales, support, marketing and services-to enable customers to adopt DevOps best practices at scale and collaborate with over 40 million developers across more than 100 million projects.

Along with support for a thriving open source community in India, GitHub is also working with organizations across industries to help them deliver winning customer experiences using a modern software supply chain and industry best-practices.

A growing number of companies in India, including Swiggy and ArisGlobal are collaborating and building the software that powers their businesses on GitHub Enterprise.

GitHub is also expanding its channel partner program to support GitHub Enterprise customers in running their software development operations effectively, and enable them to achieve their digital transformation ambitions.

India is also home to one of the largest communities of student developers in the world. GitHub is committed to supporting the next generation of developers and helping more student communities come together to learn and build on GitHub. As part of the efforts to empower student developers, GitHub Education is extending its popular GitHub Hackathon Grant program to students in India, supporting student hackathons with up to $1,000 in grants.

About GitHub



GitHub is the developer company. We make it easier for developers to be developers: to work together, to solve challenging problems, to create the world's most important technologies. As the home of the world's largest community of developers and their code, we foster a collaborative community that can come together-as individuals and in teams-to create the future of software and make a difference in the world.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
File image: Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi

The Supreme Court has extended the deadline given to the four convicts of the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case to file their replies by a day.

The next SC hearing on the case has been scheduled at 2 pm on Feb 14 after the replies from the death row convicts are in.

The convicts are expected to reply to the Centres appeal challenging the Delhi High Court verdict, where a plea against staying their execution was dismissed earlier.

The execution of Pawan Gupta, Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, and Akshay Singh was initially supposed to take place on January 22, which was postponed to February 1. However, it got delayed again as the convicts kept filing various petitions to stay or delay their execution.

All the convicts are lodged in Tihar Jail at present. Three of them have exhausted all their legal remedies; only Pawan Gupta has not filed for curative or mercy plea yet.

The four were awarded a death sentence for raping and brutalising a 23-year-old paramedic student, on December 16, 2012, inside a moving bus in South Delhi. She succumbed to her injuries later at a Singapore hospital.
Music festivals celebrate both art and artists of various genres of music. They also provide a platform for veterans and new artists to showcase their talent in front of a dedicated audience. From good food to good company, music festivals are the perfect space for magic to happen for those who dont mind a little bit of crowd. Listed below are some of the best music festivals in the world for anyone who wants to visit them.

Also Read | UK's Health Chief Slams Gwyneth Paltrow's Lifestyle Brand

Top 5 music festivals in the world

1. Green Man Festival, the United Kingdom

When compared to other major music festivals, Green Man is quite small and intimate. However, it manages to combine various genres of music with a host of different types of art, which includes painting, poetry, literature, and films. Featuring favoured, talented local artists, this music festival is a beautiful combination of bonfires and secret musical performances.

Also Read | Railways To Run Special Train From Odisha For 'Urs' Festival

2. Splendour in the Grass, Australia

Held in the Byron Bay town, this splendid gig in Australia is a perfect mix of temperate weather, delicious seafood, and dazzling sun. It involves performances by some of the biggest names in the music industry. The name of the festival has been derived from Wordsworths iconic poem: Ode: Imitations of Immortality.

Also Read | Rihanna's Top Musical Collaborations That Gave Her Worldwide Recognition

3. Harare International Festival of the Arts, Zimbabwe

One could expect a country with a rich cultural history as Zimbabwe to host one of the most vibrant music festivals in the world. Harare was started in 1999, and since then, it has become one of the central art festivals in the country, including music, dance, and art. It showcases the local culture of the African continent, including genres such as Afro-pop. Some of the biggest names in the African music industry are associated with this music festival.

Also Read | Urvashi Rautela And Other B'Town Actors Who Featured In Yo Yo Honey Singh's Music Videos

4. CMA Festival, the USA

The USA has a rich past of country music, and the CMA festival continues to preserve this culture. Not only does the festival include days of awesome concerts, but it also organises meets and greets where the audience members can meet and interact with their favourite artists. Almost anyone associated with country music has performed a gig at the CMA festival.

5. Way Out West, Sweden

A unique thing about this music festival is that it never stops. Once the line-up of performances for the day is complete, the audience will not have to go back home; instead, they can go to the after-hour gigs and listen to some more music there. Several big names associated with the pop music industry have played at this music festival, which makes it even more enjoyable.

Music lovers can choose to visit any of the above music festivals, or similar ones held in other countries. Once you visit a new country for the festival, you even get a chance to explore that country as a tourist. Take your pick and get packing!
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 13 : The Congress on Thursday wrote to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking the removal of State Police chief Loknath Behera and sought the CBI and NIA probes in the wake of serious findings against him by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) 2019, report that came out on Wednesday.

Vijayan, however told the media, that he is yet to see the letter of Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala.

"Moreover, I have said there are procedures in the way CAG reports are handled. I will reply to what has surfaced in the Kerala Assembly as that's the way," said Vijayan.

The assembly will now meet again on March 2, after a short break.

Behera, however said he will not speak anything when the media got around him on Wednesday.

Chennithala in his letter to Vijayan says that Behera is one of the senior most officials in the country and has blatantly violated all basic guidelines.

"The CAG report has glaring omissions on the part of Behera and hence he has to be removed. Since the issues relate to 25 missing rifles and cartridges, diversion of funds in violation of the norms, Vijayan should first remove Behera and then order appropriate CBI and NIA probe," said Chennithala in his letter to Vijayan.

Chennithala is expected to call on Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in the coming days to brief him on the issue.

Meanwhile, senior Congress legislator, P.T. Thomas, who had raised allegations of corruption against Behera in the floor of the assembly on Wednesday, said what has come out in the CAG report is only the tip of the iceberg.

"The state police chief is the highest officer in the Police department and hence the need of the hour is, first Behera should step down and Vijayan should order the appropriate probe by an outside agency. Yesterday when Vijayan was replying to my statements, he was beating around the bush and shied away from answering my questions. In the coming days more and more revelations will be coming out," said Thomas.

The report also points out a collusion between Keltron (State Public Sector) and the police with regards to the purchase and it has now surfaced that a special programme by CIMS, which links the state police headquarters with external private agencies through CCTVs to maintain safety and security of homes and business establishments was a deal that was done by keeping many in the dark.

The police department purchased two bullet resistant vehicles for security of VIPs, VVIPs and Z+ category visitors to Kerala at a total cost of Rs 1.10 crore without inviting tenders.

Arunlal, a member of the CCTV suppliers and distributors said this was a clandestine deal done by Keltron and the Police as a company that got the contract did not get it through the proper channel.

"When we heard about this project we had approached the Keltron, whose official said that they have done things according to the law. But none knew about the so called global tender, which the company that is implementing it, won," said Arunlal.

Meanwhile, Bernard who is attached to Galaxon - the company that got the CIMS project said that they have come through the proper channel and are experienced in this field and have bene working with similar projects in UAE.

"There is a government order, which has assigned us the work," said Bernard.

Batting for Vijayan, CPI, state secretary Kanam Rajendran said the CAG has done its job.

"Now let us wait for the Assembly public accounts committee, as that's the rule when they examine it, said Rajendran.
Card. Tong announces special pastoral measures. The only religious activities that will not be suspended are weddings and funerals. Parishes and chapels will remain open. The changes will also affect Lent and Easter.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - From the day after tomorrow and until February 28, the diocese of Hong Kong has decided to suspend the Eucharistic celebrations in churches and chapels to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. The government of the former British colony has declared that the next two weeks will be decisive in the fight against the epidemic: the population is invited to stay at home and avoid crowded places. In response to these directives this morning Card. John Tong, apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, issued a note announcing special pastoral measures.

The only religious activities that will not be suspended are weddings and funerals. Parishes and chapels will remain open; they can establish specific times of the day or week, in which to allow the faithful to adore the Blessed Sacrament and pray for the end of the emergency. The diocese offers two alternatives to participation in Sunday mass: follow the live online function, broadcast on the diocese's website, or meditate on the readings of the day and pray the Rosary.

In a separate notice, the diocese has published some notices regarding Lent and Easter. On February 26 - Ash Wednesday - there will be no public celebrations. Penitential practices such as the Via Crucis will not be conducted collectively. Finally, the celebration of the rite of the Christian initiation of adults will not take place at Easter but will be postponed to the solemnity of Pentecost (May 31).
Reader of Chinese Edition Epoch Times: Your Coronavirus Coverage Saved My Life

A Chinese-American woman called the Chinese-language Epoch Times office in New York City on Feb. 9 to express her gratitude for the media company. She learned about the severity of the new coronavirus (formally named COVID-19) outbreak when she watched The Epoch Times Chinese-language YouTube channel during a visit to Beijing in late January. YouTube is banned inside China, but many use VPN software in order to bypass the countrys firewall.

The Epoch Times video reports helped her make the right decision; she immediately booked a return flight to the United States and left China before Chinese cities were quarantined one after another.

A Readers Experience

Tina Zhang is a native of Beijing. She traveled to her hometown on Jan. 24 to visit a friend who fell ill.

Be it the airport or on the street, there were few people wearing face masks in Beijing on Jan. 24, Zhang said. The next day, people were told to avoid going out and to wear a mask if they have to go to public places, but at the same time, the authorities told us this disease is not very contagious.

When she went grocery shopping on Jan. 26, she noticed everyone on the street was wearing a mask and tried to keep a distance from one another. They rushed to grab whatever supplies they needed and immediately left the supermarket after paying for their items.

Beijing was stricken by SARS in 2003. Beijing citizens are still traumatized by memories of that outbreak, which killed hundreds of people in China.

Zhang became nervous and tried to check news reports about the virus.

Tina somehow came across the Chinese-language Epoch Times news channel on YouTube, which reported that Wuhan was in the midst of a serious outbreak, and that the virus was quickly spreading across China and other countries.

She then checked news from Chinese state media and news portals such as Sohu and Sina, but they did not report such details. Instead, the reports conveyed that the outbreak was under control.

Which one should I trust? Zhang thought to herself.

In The Epoch Times YouTube video, anchor Li Muyang presented footage, audio, and explanations. They are very convincing, Zhang said. In addition, his image and voice carried powerful energy. That made me feel he is honest and trustworthy. I immediately decided that I should change my return date and book an earlier flight [back to the United States].

She then asked her husband, who was at home in the United States, to book a ticket for her, saying, Hurry up. Dont waste time asking me why.

She also notified several friends who traveled to China for the Chinese New Year holiday, saying, I have had the chance to see the true information. Hurry up and go back [home to the United States]! It will save your life!

Her friends did not believe her.

In the end, only one of her friends took her advice, and asked Zhang to book two tickets for her and her child, despite the expensive price tag.

The moment my airplane landed in Los Angeles airport on Jan. 28, I felt wholeheartedly that I was finally free of all worries, Zhang told The Epoch Times. She stayed in China for less than four days.

The aforementioned friend left China the day before her home city was locked down under quarantine. If she stayed a day longer, she wouldnt have been able to leave the country, Zhang said.

Return Home

To explain the situation to her husband, who is an American, Zhang showed him related reports from The Epoch Times. Upon learning about the authorities cover-up of the true situation in China, her husband was furious.

He couldnt understand why the Chinese regime reported the [severity of] outbreak to the U.S. Embassysince Jan. 3 but did not alert its own people until Jan. 20, Zhang said.

She also called on the Chinese people, especially those in Hubei Province, where the outbreak is most severe, to condemn the authorities for failing to contain the disease.

The Epoch Times indeed saved my life. If I had stayed in China, I would be in constant fear, as I would risk getting infected with the virus after going out to supermarkets, using the elevator, or even from using the public restrooms. Actually The Epoch Times saved my family, because when I came back safely, my family was also saved from this highly contagious disease, Zhang said.

She commended The Epoch Times staff for their courage and kindness. You always expose the truth even when there are various challenges, and other media groups do not have such courage, she said, explaining that most other Chinese-language media outlets are afraid to publish information that is unsavory for the Chinese regime.

The Chinese regime has on several occasions accused the Chinese-language Epoch Times of being an anti-China publication.

Zhang said she hopes overseas Chinese will look past the Chinese regimes propaganda and give the publication a chance. Its high time for you guys to wake up, based on what you have seen during the outbreak of this virus.

She believes that the Chinese-language Epoch Times will gain more recognition, trust, and respect among the Chinese community as a result of its reporting on the COVID-19.

All the reports on the coronavirus from The Epoch Times are truthful, and your reports have helped many people [in China]. I can attest to that, she said.


PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French telecommunications operator Orange SA (ORAN) reported that its net income for fiscal year 2019 was 3.226 billion euros compared to 2.158 billion euros in 2018 on a historical basis. The increase was due to the growth in operating income and financial income, partially offset by the increase in the corporate tax charge.



Group EBITDAaL was 12.9 billion euros in 2019, an increase of 0.8% in the year.



Group operating income was 5.927 billion euros compared to 4.829 billion euros in 2018 on a historical basis, an increase of 22.7%. The increase was mainly due to the counter-effect of the charge recorded in 2018 for the new 'part-time for seniors' plan and by the improvement in EBITDAaL.



Orange Group revenues were 42.2 billion euros in 2019, up 0.6%. Restated for the impact of digital content offers, revenues rose 0.8% in 2019. This momentum was driven by very strong growth in Africa & Middle East, and good performances by Enterprise and Europe, which together more than compensated for a slight reduction in France and a decline in Spain.



There were 10.8 million convergent customers, up 3.4%, reflecting very strong growth in Europe.



There were 207.2 million mobile customers, an increase of 3.0%, driven by Africa & Middle East.



Fixed broadband customers totaled 20.7 million, up 2.7%, reflecting the acceleration of FTTH (Fibre to the Home) network deployment, notably in France.



Orange confirmed its objectives for 2020. It still expects EBITDAaL to be 'flat positive'.



The payment of a dividend of 0.70 euros per share for the full year 2020 will be proposed, with an interim dividend of 0.30 euros per share to be paid in December 2020.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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OLYMPIA  The Washington House passed a measure Wednesday that would ban race-based discrimination against hair texture and hairstyles.

The measure passed on a bipartisan 87-10 vote and heads to the Senate for consideration. If passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, Washington would join three other states with such a ban: California, New York and New Jersey.

Oregon lawmakers are considering a similar law.

The bill amends the Washington Law Against Discrimination so that the term race includes traits historically associated or perceived to be associated with race, including hairstyles like afros, braids, locks and twists. Under the measure, people could file claims with the states Human Rights Commission if they believe they were discriminated against because of their hair.

It is a shame that in 2020 we have to pass a bill to respect black women, men and children in their hair texture and the styles that they choose to wear, said Democratic Rep. Melanie Morgan, the bills sponsor. This form of discrimination is embedded in the harmful impacts of black codes and historical injustices. These codes continue to limit the freedom of identity and cultural expression.

-- The Associated Press
Representative Image

The winner of the first prize for Kerala Christmas New Year Bumper lottery, worth a whopping Rs 12 crore, went to a 52-year-old Porunnan Rajan.

According to a report by The Hindu, Rajan is a member of the Kurichiya tribal community and hails from a village in Kannur.

The lucky draw was held on February 10, but the people who confirmed that Payyana Lottery sold the ticket, couldnt find the winner. Later on, Rajan, who had kept the ticket safely with him, handed it over to the bank manager.

The report noted that Rajan fate turned around with the lottery as he was going through financial distress. He had borrowed Rs 7 lakh to get his daughter married among other needs and was finding it difficult to pay off the loan amount.

He said,I had bought the lottery ticket when I had gone to the bank to seek a loan, which they refused. However, when I approached them the second time, I learnt that I have won a huge amount of money.

Rajan also aimed to clear off his debt, and build a concrete house with his winnings.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 12:36:12|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to better deal with problems in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic prevention and control, several Chinese provinces and cities have announced putting individuals on a credit blacklist for concealing symptoms and violating quarantine.

Chinese provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu and Jilin, as well as the cities of Shanghai, Chongqing and Hangzhou have approved guidelines to blacklist those who violate quarantine or conceal coronavirus symptoms, travel history in key virus-hit regions or history of contact with confirmed and suspected patients.

Those in violation will not only be subject to legal liabilities in accordance with the law but be blacklisted on the local credit information platform, according to the guidelines.

On Feb. 12, Hangzhou put nine residents on a credit blacklist for concealing symptoms and violating quarantine. One resident returned to Hangzhou on Jan. 26 and concealed a living history in Wuhan and Shenzhen, according to local authorities.

Their discredited behaviors will be included in the individual public credit records and put on Hangzhou's credit blacklist for one year.

The guideline released by Hangzhou also clarified the identification and punishment mechanism of such discredited behaviors.

Meanwhile, Chongqing also announced blacklisting those behaviors such as the production and sales of fake commodities, hoarding of goods and price-gouging during the epidemic.

So far, 28 people involved in such activities have been recorded in Chongqing.

In Jilin, behaviors that impede epidemic prevention and control such as violence against medical workers will be subject to legal liabilities in accordance with the law.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : A heart-warming video of firefighters who take less than a minute to rescue dog from the icy Big Sioux River and reunite it with its owner has gone viral on social media and the Internet is all praises for him.

The video was shared on Facebook by Sioux Falls Fire Rescue with the caption, "Water Rescue yesterday south of Sertoma Park. Rescue 5 in action where they made it look easy, as you can see a total of less than 51 seconds. They saved the dog and reunited it with her owner. Training is everything!" In the viral video, one can clearly see that how the firefighters personnel took a total of less than 51 seconds and saved the dog and reunited it with her owner.

As soon as the video was posted, it went viral and social media got filled with tweets praising the courage of the firefighters.

A user wrote, "I love these guys! Great feel-good story!! More, please!" Another wrote, "Bless the heroes." A post read, "Firefighters are amazing people, where would we be without them. Actually should be known by more inclusive job title, they are citizens heros." "Awesome job guys" a user remarked.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Even as the organisers of the world's largest mobile exhibition have decided to cancel the Mobile World Congress 2020 in Barcelona in view of safety concerns due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, many technology firms are still weighing options about how to make the announcements that they planned to make at the event.

Since, traditionally, many of the announcements at MWC Barcelona take place even before the main exhibition starts, some companies may still be going ahead with their announcements as scheduled.

"Since HONOR's event was separate from MWC, please note that as of now our event is on as per the scheduled timeline," an HONOR spokesperson told IANS.

However, many other companies have chalked out alternative plans.

After announcing that it would not participate at MWC 2020 - even before the event was cancelled - Vivo said that it would withdraw from other related events later this month in Barcelona.

"We will soon introduce the APEX 2020 concept phone which we had originally planned to showcase at MWC," Vivo said, without explaining where and when it would make the announcements.

Realme said that it was planning to unveil its first 5G flagship smartphone realme X50 Pro 5G, at the MWC 2020.

"Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, realme has been concerned about the effects and working on alternatives of all possible situations, including having planned our event undertaken by our European team based in Spain without any staff from China," the company said.

"Keeping in light with the impact of the virus and the cancellation of MWC 2020, Realme has decided to cancel the participation at MWC Barcelona 2020, accordingly. Our first 5G flagship smartphone realme X50 Pro 5G, originally planned to debut at the MWC, is going to be launched online globally in Madrid on February 24th," the company added.

Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth will join the launch event and reveal its future AioT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) plans, according to the company.

After withdrawing its participation from MWC 2020, Swedish telecommunication giant Ericsson said that it will take the demos and content created for MWC Barcelona to customers in their home markets with local events called "Ericsson Unboxed".

In a statement, the GSM Association (GSMA), said it had cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 "because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event." The novel coronavirus that originated in the Wuhan area of China in December 2019 has spread to over 25 countries, raising safety concerns and impacting businesses in many parts of the world.
The Ekiti State Executive Council on Wednesday approved a bill for the establishment of the Ekiti State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps.

The government of Ekiti State had earlier published the bill for a law to establish the State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps on its website for citizenry access and understanding.

Three days ago, the states attorney general, Wale Fapohunda, presented the Draft Law for the establishment of Ekiti State Security Network codenamed: Amotekun to the governor, Kayode Fayemi, in Ado Ekiti.

In a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, on Thursday, he said the meeting discussed the legal framework for the security outfit presented by Mr Fapohunda and approved it.

It also directed that the bill be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for legislative processing and subsequent passage into law.

Background

Amotekun is a security formation launched by the south-western states to tackle the problem of insecurity within the region.

Operation Amotekun is expected to complement the efforts of the regular police force in the area of combating kidnapping, armed robbery, as well as herdsmen and farmers contentions.

A PREMIUM TIMES report highlights that Amotekun is an attestation of the failure of the current security system at bringing about the needed safety of lives and property in line with the fundamental objectives and principles of state policy as captured in Chapter II, Section 14(2b) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The establishment of the security outfit created a controversy when the Nigerian government declared the regional security outfit, illegal.

However, the governors of the states, who met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the Inspector General of the Police, Mohammed Abubakar agreed to put a legal framework in place for the security outfit.

Meanwhile, the governors of these states have received copies of a bill to establish the South West Security Network in their respective states which would oversee the planned regional security corps also known as Amotekun.
The Maharashtra government has



said it has no objection to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over probe into the Elgar Parishad case.

The Centre last month transferred the probe in the case from Pune Police to the NIA, a decision which was then criticised by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra.

However, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Kumar told PTI on Thursday that "the state Home department has no objection to the case being entrusted to the NIA".

Last week, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray criticised the Centre's decision, saying the Union government has all rights to step into the probe, but it should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the investigation to NIA.

He said the case was handed over to NIA when NCP chief Sharad Pawar was demanding a probe into it by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The NIA last week filed an application before a sessions court in Pune, seeking transfer of case papers, seized data, court records and proceedings to the special NIA court in Mumbai.

However, the prosecution then opposed NIA's application, saying the reasons given by central probe agency in its plea were not legal and sufficient to transfer the case to a special NIA court.

"The offence is committed within the jurisdiction of local court; charge sheet has filed and draft charges have been also filed and the matter is fixed for framing of charges," the prosecution had said in its response.

The case is related to speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, and the next day's violence near the Koregaon Bhima war memorial in the district.

The Pune Police claimed that the conclave was backed by Maoists, and the speeches made there triggered the violence.

During the probe, the police arrested Left-leaning activists Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao for alleged Maoist links.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Published on 2020/02/12 | Source

The new MBC drama "Find Me in Your Memory" had its first script reading on the 12th.

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The drama is a romance between Lee Jeong-hoon (Kim Dong-wook), a next-generation anchor with hyperthymesia (highly superior autobiographical memory) who remembers things all the time, and rising star Yeo Ha-jin (Moon Ga-young), a 'scandal maker' who forgets the most important time in her life.

"Find Me in Your Memory" is written by Kim Yoon-joo from "Queen In-hyun's Man" and "Nine: Time Travelling Nine Times" and helmed by Oh Hyeon-jong from "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo" and "Two Cops".

Oh Hyeon-jong stated, "I thank everyone for trusting me to be in this drama and I'll do my best not to bring anyone in harm's way".

Kim Dong-wook in the role of national anchor Lee Jeong-hoon, who remembers everything, said, "I hope we end the drama on good terms and good health. I will do my best to be the best at my character".

Moon Ga-young in the role of issue maker Yeo Ha-jin, an actress, said, "It's an honor to be here. I hope everyone is well in this cold winter".

The production explained, "Kim Dong-wook, Moon Ga-young, Yoon Jong-hoon, Kim Seul-gi, Lee Joo-bin, Kim Chang-wan, Jang Young-nam, Lee Seung-joon, Lee Soo-mi, Ji Il-joo and Lee Jin-hyuk worked so well together during the script reading. Kim Seul-gi did her part as Moon Ga-young's manager and sister. Jang Young-nam did not disappoint and Lee Seung-joon and Lee Jin-hyuk in the broadcasting line increased the fun in the reading".

The drama begins on the 18th of March.

___________

"Find Me in Your Memory" is directed by Oh Hyeon-jong, written by Kim Yoon-joo, and features Kim Dong-wook, Moon Ga-young, Jang Young-nam, Lee Seung-joon, Lee Jin-hyuk, Han Da-mi. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/03/18~Upcoming, Wed, Thu 20:55 on MBC.
: With mercury-levels



in Kerala already on the rise, India Meteorological Department on Thursday said the maximum temperature is most likely to be above normal by two to four degrees celsius in three districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kottayam from February 13 to 14.

The normal temperature in the three districts is 33 degrees celsius.

On Thursday, Alappuzha recorded 37.3 degrees celsius, 5 degrees more than the normal, while in Kottayam it was 37 degrees and Thiruvananthapuram 34 degrees.

According to IMD, dry prevailed over Kerala and Lakshadweep on Thursday.

Minimum temperature rose appreciably in Alappuzha district, fell in Palakkad district and there was no large change in other districts.

Punalur reported the lowest minimum temperature of 22 degrees.

The state labour department has already issued orders rescheduling the working hours of those who are exposed to sunlight by allowing mandatory break times to prevent sunstroke.

As per the order, which has come into effect from February 11 to April 30, those working on morning shifts would get a mandatory three-hour break from noon to 3pm.

Their eight-hour shift would commence from 7 am.

For the other shifts which begin after morning and post-noon, it would be rescheduled to end before noon and begin after 3 pm, as per the order.

The instructions would not be applicable to those labourers working in places over 3,000-feet above sea-level.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has warned those exposed to sunlight including construction workers, roadside vendors, traffic policemen, media reporters, traffic inspectors should take adequate precaution during their duty hours.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. Secretary for Defense Mark Esper, front center, shakes hands with British Defense Minister Ben Wallace during a group photo of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Feb. 12, 2020. (Virginia Mayo/ AP Photo)

NATO to Expand Iraq Training Mission, Still Needs Iraqs Approval

NATO is ready to expand its military training effort in Iraq, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, but the Iraqi government has not yet approved the move.

The Canada-led NATO training mission in Iraq was launched in 2018 but suspended last month after a U.S. missile strike at Baghdad Airport killed the Iranian regimes top military official, Qassem Soleimani, and Iraqs Parliament demanded that foreign troops leave. President Donald Trump asked NATO on Jan. 8 to become more involved with the Middle East after Iran fired missiles at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops the day before.

The NATO plan now is to move hundreds of trainers working with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Iraq to NATOs mission of helping to build up the Iraqi army to the point that it will be able to maintain stability and security in the country on its own. No additional NATO personnel would be deployed to the strife-torn country.

The participants of the NATO Defense Ministers meeting held on Feb. 12 in Brussels agreed that this plan is only the first step in supporting Iraq, and that lawmakers will explore further what else NATO can do. The goal is to defeat ISIS and ensure that it will not return.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks at a news conference following NATO defense ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels on Feb. 12, 2020. (Francois Lenoir/Reuters)

In the first instance, this will consist of taking on some of the Global Coalitions current training activities. Ministers also agreed to explore what more we can do, Stoltenberg said at a press conference.

Stoltenberg said that all NATO activities would be closely coordinated with the Iraqi government, and he remains in close contact with the countrys leaders. NATO is in Iraq on the invitation of the Iraqi government. And we will only stay in Iraq as long as we are welcome, he said. However, when asked why there was no formal approval from the Iraqi government authorizing the move, Stoltenberg reiterated what he had said. The move of the training activities can only be done with the consent of the Iraqis, he added.

Stoltenberg said that the training activities in Iraq will be resumed as soon as possible. NATO has not yet provided details on the number of troops or types of training activities that will be shifted over from the Global Coalitions training force, which numbers about 500. He added that these details would be discussed with the Global Coalition in Munich, Germany, on Friday.

The question remains whether countries will increase their military contribution and move their activities from the Global Coalition to the NATO mission in Iraq. Several Allies, or all Allies, actually, supported the decision to do more and also to take over some of the activities which is today conducted by the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Stoltenberg said.

NATO as an alliance and all NATO Allies are also members of the Global Coalition. Unlike the Global Coalition, NATO troops are not involved in combat operations in Iraq.

Members of the Task Group Taji X Quick Reaction Force explain their mission and capabilities to the NATO command team at Camp Taji, Iraq, on Feb. 7, 2020. (Army Spc. Caroline Schofer/U.S. Department of Defense)

The Defense Departments expectation is to increase NATOs presence in Iraq to reduce the number of American troops there, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.

To the degree that NATO can offset the U.S. presence, that would over time allow us to bring some forces home, which you all should know has been my ambition for some time, Esper told reporters en route to NATOs defense ministers conference, according to the Department of Defense.

A reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq would allow the United States to right-size forces in other theaters, the Indo-Pacific area in particular, in accord with the National Defense Strategy, he added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
State public security head says it will take years to eradicate crime

Cancun, Q.R.  Head of Public Security in the state of Quintana Roo says that although crime strategies have been progressive, it will take years to contain and eradicate it.

The secretario of Seguridad Publica in the state, Alberto Capella Ibarra said that it could take as long as 15 years for their crime strategies to show similar results as the Colombian police have had in their effectiveness against crime.

The police chief mentioned that there has been a gradual decrease in crime in destinations such as Benito Juarez (Cancun) where he began with the Single Command. He says this has allowed progress on the issue of insecurity.

He also said other municipalities will show concrete results, noting that it is necessary to continue with the inter-institutional coordination where there were many deficiencies on the part of the municipal police.

He says that they are not taking about months, but about years, to obtain similar concrete results as they have in places such as Colombia where, he adds, it took more than 15 years to achieve an effectiveness in the police on the streets.

Capella Ibarra reiterated the importance of continuing on the path laid so there are positive results in terms of preventing criminal groups from attempting to establish operations. He says the strategy to decrease crime rates is a daily fight, noting that despite public perception, there has been a decrease of nearly 40 percent in malicious homicides in the northern area of Cancun and the containment of crime in others.
John Szarkowski was about 13 when he saw an image by Dorothea Lange that enormously impressed him. After he had become the powerful director of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, he would recall that he took it to be a picture of the hard-faced old woman, looking out of the handsome oval window of the expensive automobile with her hand to her face as though the smell of the street was offending her, and I thought, Isnt that marvelous? That a photographer can pin that specimen to the board as some kind of exotic moth and show her there in her true colors.

A quarter of a century after his initial encounter with the photo, working in 1965 with Lange on his first one-artist retrospective at MoMA, he read her full caption for Funeral Cortege, End of an Era in a Small Valley Town, California, and realized that the fancy car belonged to an undertaker, and the expression he took for haughtiness was grief.

The wry confession of his mistake, which Szarkowski made in 1982 to an interviewer, is not mentioned in Dorothea Lange: Words and Pictures, which opened Sunday at MoMA. But it illustrates the curatorial theme: Langes pictures require verbal commentary to be read legibly.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which share two oilfields that have not been pumping oil for five years, have authorized the restart of one of those oilfields as early as Sunday, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, quoting an internal memo it has seen.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have given the go-ahead to the resumption of oil production from the Wafra oilfield, which has been out of operation since May 2015, due to a dispute between the two neighboring countries.

At the end of 2019, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reached an agreement to resume oil production from the two oilfields they share in the Neutral Zone.

The so-called Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) was established between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 1922 to settle a territorial dispute between the two neighboring countries. As of 2015, the oil production capacity in the neutral zone stood at a total of 600,000 bpd, equally divided between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Production from the zone averaged around 500,000 bpd just before the shutdown of the two oil fields, Khafji and Wafra, in 2014-2015.

Operational differences and a worsening in bilateral relations led to the suspension of production back in 2015. The worsening came as Saudi Arabia renewed Chevrons concession for Wafra. According to the Kuwaiti side, Riyadh did that without consulting it.



Related: Another Oil Major Bails On Marcellus Shale

The two neighbors now have agreed to restart the two oilfields, which could put an additional 500,000 bpd-600,000 bpd on the oil market, at full capacity.

Last month, Kuwait said that it expects its share of the oil production from the Neutral Zone to be 250,000 bpd by the end of 2020.

Earlier this month, sources from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia told Oilprice that trial production of 10,000 bpd would begin at the Khafji field on or around February 25.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A 103 megawatt (MW) portfolio of three windfarm projects has been put up for sale by a consortium of owners including Cavan-headquartered Galetech Energy Developments.

The consortium's other members include GE Energy and Belgian renewables firm Storm Management. KPMG is advising them on the sales process, according to industry publication 'SparkSpread', which first reported the planned divestiture.

The consortium is selling a 23MW project at Taghart in Co Cavan, a 34MW project in Co Offaly called Cloghan, and a 46.2MW scheme called Pinewood in Co Laois.

The Taghart and Cloghan projects already have grid connection agreements and Pinewood has applied for a connection.

SparkSpread noted that a special purpose vehicle of Galetech, Storm Management and GE owns an 80pc stake in Taghart, with the local McBreen family owning the remainder. The scheme is likely to cost around 30m to develop.

Galetech owns 50pc of the Cloghan and Pinewood projects, with Storm and GE owning 40pc and 10pc respectively of each scheme.

All three windfarm projects are hoping to secure 15-year subsidies under the new Renewable Electricity Supports Scheme (RESS). That new scheme is set to hold its first auction towards the end of the next quarter.

The RESS will hold auctions at regular intervals in order to take advantage of declining technology costs, according to the Government. The RESS also mandates that projects looking for support under the scheme must offer local communities an opportunity to invest in and take ownership of a portion of renewable projects in their local area.

There's continued strong interest in Ireland's renewable energy sector after the Government last year committed to raising the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources to 70pc by 2030.

On Tuesday, Utility giant Electricite de France (EDF) announced that it has acquired a 50pc stake in an Irish offshore windfarm project from a company whose shareholders include developer Johnny Ronan and his former construction business partner Richard Barrett.

It has been previously estimated that the entire Codling Bank project, which will eventually see hundreds of wind turbines erected about 13km off the Co Wicklow coast, could be worth as much as 100m. The site is set to generate up to 1.1 gigawatts of electricity when it's eventually operational. It's likely to cost well over 2bn to develop.

Last November, Greencoat Renewables paid more than 37m for a 20MW windfarm in Killala, Co Mayo. The same month it paid 10.5m for a 14MW windfarm in Co Donegal, called Beam Hill. Those acquisitions brought Greencoat's portfolio of operational wind assets to 461MW.

In January, an NTR fund bought a 19.2MW windfarm in Co Wicklow.

Earlier this month, Dublin-based Empower signed a deal with New Zealand's Morrison & Co - an alternative asset manager - to spend as much as 160m developing seven windfarms in the south west of Ireland.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this Aug. 23, 2019, file photo, former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb takes the oath of special prosecutor before Judge Michael Toomin during a status hearing concerning actor Jussie Smollett at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago. Webb decided to prosecute Smollett again, 11 months after county prosecutors dropped charges that the Empire actor hired two men to fake the attack to further his career. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool, File)

When a grand jury revived the criminal case against Jussie Smollett, the indictment for many people called to mind two nights on two different streets in the same big city.

On one Chicago street was a wealthy, famous black man who claimed he was a victim of a racist, anti-gay attack. On the other street was an anonymous black teenager shot 16 times by a white police officer.

A day after Smollett was charged for a second time with staging the attack, the two cases reopened divisive arguments about the role of race and class in the justice system and what fairness looks like.

The integrity of the legal system is at stake, said David Erickson, a former state appellate judge who teaches at Chicago Kent College of Law. If Smollett "would have walked away, everybody would have thought there is no justice in Cook County."

A special prosecutor decided to prosecute Smollett again, 11 months after county prosecutors dropped charges that the Empire actor hired two men to fake the attack to further his career. He has maintained his innocence.

Delmarie Cobb, a local media and political consultant, said she thinks less about Smollett's account of what happened, which she never believed, than about the 2014 fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald and how it took the city a year to release the dasham video  only after a judge ordered it  and to charge the officer with murder.

As a black person, I am insulted by the whole thing and ... all I can think about is 16 counts versus 16 shots, she said, referring to the number of counts of disorderly conduct that prosecutors originally charged Smollett with.

She wondered about all the anger expressed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and others who blasted Smollett for lying to police and smearing the city after evidence pointed to a conspiracy to mislead authorities and drum up publicity.

Where was the outrage when Laquan McDonald was killed in the year before we discovered the video? she asked.

What is more outrageous, Cobb said, was watching the police department throw dozens of officers working hundreds of hours onto Smollett's case, which involved no injuries, while giving far less attention to the hundreds of shooting deaths elsewhere in the city.

The department, she added, went so far as to track down Smollett's alleged accomplices in Africa while its rate of resolving homicide cases lags far behind other major police forces.

Erickson and others suggested that Smollett's case also raises serious questions about political influence.

They say special prosecutor Dan Webb's investigation was important because of what happened in the days after Smollett was first charged: Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx communicated with a member of Smollett's family at the request of Tina Tchen, Michelle Obama's former chief of staff.

Her actions, critics say, sent a powerful message to anyone who was paying attention.

This told everyone if you have the right friends, you can get away with it, Erickson said.

The last thing a prosecutor should do is take the political temperature of anything and make decisions based on that kind of influence, said Ron Allen, a professor at Northwestern University's law school. That's utterly despicable.

Smollett was accused of stoking racial tensions with his claim that his attackers looped a rope fashioned as a noose around his neck. Erickson and Allen believe Foxx turned the case into a lesson about influence.

Race has nothing to do with juice in Chicago, Erickson said, referring to political clout or influence. People of all colours have juice in Chicago.

Foxx said she recused herself from the matter before her office secured an indictment against Smollett, but she continued to weigh in throughout the case. She has suggested the criticism does have a lot to do with race  her race.

I have been asking myself for the last two weeks what is this really about? she said last year after her office dropped the charges. As someone who has lived in this city, who came up in the projects of this city to serve as the first African American woman in this role, it is disheartening to me ... that when we get in these positions somehow the goal posts change.

On Wednesday, it was not lost on her that the six-count indictment came just weeks before an election in which Foxx's opponents are using her handling of the Smollett case against her.

I certainly would hope that the decision in this case was based on the facts, the evidence and the law, she said.

Marshall Hatch, a prominent minister on the city's West Side, said he thinks the charges are part of a larger effort to siphon enough black votes away from Foxx to cost her a second term. As an example, he pointed to a television ad by one of her opponents that includes a young black woman who says she did not get the same kind of treatment in her criminal case as Smollett did.

Foxx has done a good job for our community, and now this will be used to kind of muddy her up, he said.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - ALX Resources Corp. (TSXV: AL) (FSE: 6LLN) (OTC: ALXEF) ("ALX" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update of exploration activities at its 100%-owned Falcon Nickel Project ("Falcon", or the "Project") located in the northern Athabasca region of Saskatchewan, Canada.

2020 Drilling Program

A site visit carried out by ALX in October 2019 at the Currie Lake deposit area ("Currie Lake") confirmed grades in surface rock samples of up to 3.17% nickel and 0.40% copper from historical trenches, along with anomalous grades of cobalt, gold and platinum group metals (see ALX news release dated November 20, 2019). ALX has since identified drill targets at Currie Lake located deeper than the reported historical mineralized intersections. ALX's geophysical modeling completed in February 2020 has revealed that the historical drilling, last carried out in 1957 and 1965, overshot the highly-prospective anomalies defined by the recent geophysical modeling. Three drill holes totaling 535 metres are recommended for the "V-1" anomaly. Other targets along the Currie Lake trend are still in development for the inaugural 2020 drilling program, which is proposed to consist of up to 1,000 metres in 4 to 5 holes. Permits for the program have been received and drilling is anticipated to commence on or about March 1, 2020.







Figure 1: Currie Lake Deposit Area: Historical DDH and 2020 Proposed Drill Holes, V-1 Target

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3046/52381_aedca74104734942_001full.jpg

2020 Geochemical Sampling Program

In January 2020, ALX completed a helicopter-supported Spatiotemporal Geochemical Hydrocarbon ("SGH") survey from the surface ice of Konkol Lake, which is located over the eastern end of the Currie Lake East airborne conductor trace. ALX collected 45 lake sediment samples from a grid consisting of nine lines spaced 150 to 200 metres apart. Results from the SGH survey are expected in late February 2020 and will be integrated into the targeting matrix for ALX's 2020 drilling program.

To view maps and pictures of the Falcon Nickel Project target areas click here

About the Falcon Nickel Project

The centre of Falcon is located approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) northwest of Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan within the Tantato Domain, which forms a segment of the Snowbird Tectonic Zone. ALX acquired claims at Falcon beginning in May 2019 by way of staking and through three separate land purchases, bringing the size of the Project to approximately 20,002 hectares (49,427 acres) (see ALX news releases dated June 12, 2019, October 7, 2019 and October 24, 2019).

Falcon hosts a magmatic nickel-sulphide mineralizing system that has been underexplored by modern methods until its acquisition by ALX. A long history of exploration beginning in 1929 discovered numerous nickel-copper-cobalt showings within Falcon's boundaries, including the Axis Lake deposit ("Axis Lake"), the Rea Lake deposit ("Rea Lake") and the Currie Lake deposit ("Currie Lake").

Axis Lake is the most significant nickel-copper-cobalt deposit within the Falcon area and was the subject of historical mineral resource estimates variously reported as:

3,750,000 tons of 0.60% nickel, 0.60% copper, and 0.15% cobalt (c. 1929-1930, from Mineral Occurrences in the Precambrian of Northern Saskatchewan, Beck, 1959 ) 1 , and

) , and 3,400,000 tons of 0.60% nickel and 0.60% copper, (Technical Report, Organic Soil Sampling, Airborne and Ground Geophysics and Diamond Drilling, Fond du Lac Property, Fond du Lac Area, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada dated April 15, 2007, Vivian and Lo, 2007) 2.

Historical mineral resource estimates for Rea Lake of 70,400,000 tons grading 0.10% copper and 0.10% nickel plus traces of gold and silver are reported in the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index ("SMDI") 1627 3. Historical mineral resource estimates for Currie Lake of 47,536 tonnes grading 0.79% nickel are reported in SMDI 1585.4

1, 2, 3, 4. The historical mineral resource estimates listed above use categories that are not consistent with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and cannot be compared to NI 43-101 categories, and should not be relied upon. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimates as current resources and ALX is not treating the estimates as current resource estimates. However, the estimates are relevant to guiding the Company's exploration plans and provide geological information regarding the type of mineralization that could be present in the Falcon area.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Sierd Eriks, P.Geo., President and Chief Geologist of ALX, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101. Readers are cautioned that some of the technical information described in this news release is historical in nature; however, the historical information is deemed credible and was produced by professional geologists in the years discussed.

About ALX

ALX's mandate is to provide shareholders with multiple opportunities for discovery by exploring a portfolio of prospective mineral properties, which include nickel-copper-cobalt, gold and uranium. The Company executes well-designed exploration programs using the latest technologies and holds interests in over approximately 200,000 hectares in Saskatchewan, a stable Canadian jurisdiction which demonstrates strong potential for economic base metals deposits, and hosts a producing gold mine as well as the highest-grade uranium mines in the world. ALX has recently acquired the Falcon Nickel and Flying Vee Nickel projects in northern Saskatchewan, the Vixen Gold Project in the historic Red Lake Mining District of Ontario, Canada, and the Draco VMS Project in Norway. ALX is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AL", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "6LLN" and in the United States OTC market under the symbol "ALXEF".

For more information about the Company, please visit the ALX corporate website atwww.alxresources.com or contact Roger Leschuk, Manager, Corporate Communications at PH: 604.629.0293 or Toll-Free: 866.629.8368, or by email: rleschuk@alxresources.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of ALX Resources Corp.

"Warren Stanyer"

Warren Stanyer, CEO and Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include: the Falcon Nickel Project ("Falcon") is prospective for nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization; the Company's plans to undertake exploration activities at Falcon, and expend funds on Falcon. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that ALX may not be able to fully finance exploration at Falcon, including drilling; our initial findings at Falcon may prove to be unworthy of further expenditure; commodity prices may not support exploration expenditures at Falcon; and economic, competitive, governmental, societal, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and share price. Even if we explore and develop the Falcon project, and even if nickel-copper-cobalt or other metals or minerals are discovered in quantity, the project may not be commercially viable. Additional risk factors are discussed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52381
The lawyer representing Vinay Sharma, one of the convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, said on Thursday that the social investigation report and medical status report of the rapist was not taken into consideration by President Ram Nath Kovind while rejecting the mercy petition.

Vinays lawyer AP Singh made the comments in the Supreme Court, which heard the plea of the convict.

The social investigation report, medical status report, and nominal role of the petitioner Vinay Sharma has not been taken into consideration by the President while rejecting the mercy petition, he said.

The lawyer said that Vinay was kept in illegal confinement and illegally tortured in Tihar Jail.

Vinay Sharma was kept in illegal confinement. He (Vinay) was illegally tortured in Tihar jail prison. I am here only to seek justice, where can I go for justice? That is why I am pleading here before the court for justice. They are not terrorists, they are not habitual offenders. These are the grounds for mercy to these convicts, Singh said.

Singh claimed that there has been a history of physical assaults on Vinay.

Vinay had been sent for psychiatric treatment on many occasions. The petitioner has suffered adverse mental condition and faced immense trauma, he said.

The lawyer added, Vinay should have been treated with proper medical treatment for his poor mental health. He was provided complete medical treatment for his mental illness.

Vinay filed the petition in the top court against the Presidents decision to reject his mercy plea.

The convict, through his lawyer AP Singh, has requested the death penalty to be commuted to life imprisonment.

On February 1, Vinays mercy petition was rejected by the President.

On January 31, the death sentence of four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur were stayed by a lower court till further orders.

All the four convicts are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalising of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, by six people including a juvenile in Delhi. She died at a Singapore hospital a few days later.

One of the five adults accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail during the trial of the case.
A passenger who was onboard a SpiceJet flight from Bangkok to Delhi is suspected of having caught coronavirus infection. The passenger was quarantined by the Airport Health Organisation after the plane landed at Delhi airport, PTI reported.

"On February 13, 2020, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-88 operating between Bangkok and Delhi was suspected of Coronavirus infection," the SpiceJet spokesperson told the agency. "He was seated on seat no. 31F and was the only passenger in that row. The said passenger was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) after landing in Delhi," he added.

So far, three persons in Kerala and three in Kolkata have also been tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. A passenger called Himadri Barman tested positive on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh tested positive on Wednesday, the Director of NSCBI Airport, Kaushik Bhattacharjee told PTI. Bhattacharjee said earlier, a passenger called Anita Oraon had also tested positive during thermal scanning.

Meanwhile, the death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has risen up to 1,113 and the confirmed cases of infection have jumped to 44,653. The coronavirus outbreak originated in central China's Hubei province in December last year. The virus was officially named "COVID-19" by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Following this, several countries banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights to the country.

Also read: Coronavirus scare: 'Help us, we want to go home,' 3 Indians isolated on British cruise ship in Japan tell PM Modi
[February 12, 2020] Wellington Drive Technologies update on the impacts of Coronavirus

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellington Drive Technologies (Wellington) is closely monitoring the impact of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCov) on its supply chain operations. Wellington supplies motors and IoT hardware to customers that are manufactured by its supply partners East West Vietnam and Match-Well China. The company's supply chain is global in nature and components that suppliers need for production are sourced globally, and from across Asia, including China, which is the predominant or sole source of certain componentry. As a result of the nCoV emergency and measures put in place in China by local and central government, Wellington is expecting an impact on product supply. This is due to government restrictions on factory openings, restrictions in movement of people and port and logistics facility closures. Some known impacts are as follows: -- Wellington's East West Vietnam factory is open; however, production will be impacted by China-sourced component supply shortages.

-- Wellington's China-based supplier, Match-Well, had its post New Year factory opening delayed by local authorities. As of February 11th, the factory partially opened with reduced staff. Several China-based component suppliers for Connect SCS and ECR2 motors remain closed with minimal visibility on opening dates and supply recovery plans;

-- Chinese ports and shipping companies have restricted throughout. There is limited feedback from these Chinese ports and customs departments on incoming and outgoing deliveries or release of shipments currently in transit. Logistics generally across the Asia region are being delayed by related restrictions;

and,

-- Thee are significant constraints put on movement of people and goods between Chinese provinces and within cities; couriers and deliveries have been restricted, and in some cases cancelled.



Wellington is in the process of switching more production to East West's Vietnamese factory until products can resume shipment into and out of China. In addition, the company is working with alternate sources for some components to mitigate some of the supply risk. The company has implemented travel restrictions to and within mainland China and is reducing international travel generally in order to protect employees. It is following travel and health guidance provided by international governments and authorities.

2020 forecast

There are some indications from authorities that factory production in China will restart towards the end of February and into March. Initial forecast scenarios are being prepared that assume the company is only able to supply product from existing inventory until such a time as the China component supply chain situation is resolved. Wellington is currently assuming resumption of normal production and shipping around the end of April 2020. These initial forecasts indicate a potential risk to revenue of approximately US$3.6m (around NZ$6m) from February to April. The company does not expect that all of this delayed supply will be perishable, so some catch up later in Q2 currently appears likely. Forecasting the full loss of this revenue would take 2020 forecast sales to around NZD$65m, which would be below our existing guidance for revenue growth of around 15% over 2019. The company will continue to update its forecast scenarios as further information about nCoV becomes available. If necessary, Wellington can defer planned incremental expansion spending, which would somewhat mitigate the flow through impact on the forecast 2020 profit. 2019 results update

The company expects to release its 2019 results by the end of February 2020. There is no impact to 2019 as a result of NCov related issues with revenue and profits expected to be consistent with guidance, which was for EBITDA between $3.5m and $4.0m and a net profit. About Wellington Drive Technologies: Wellington is a leading provider of IoT solutions, cloud-based fleet management platforms, energy-efficient electronic motors and connected refrigeration control solutions. It serves some of the world's leading food and beverage brands and refrigerator manufacturers and offers proximity-based marketing for Smart Cities to the Australian market. Wellington's services and products improve sales, decrease costs and reduce energy consumption. Headquartered in Auckland with a global reach, Wellington is listed on the New Zealand stock exchange under the ticker symbol NZ:WDT For further information visit www.wdtl.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellington-drive-technologies-update-on-the-impacts-of-coronavirus-301004171.html SOURCE Wellington Drive Technologies

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A former Goldsky investor who was accused in court of stealing money from the hedge fund has called the claims untrue.

Matthew Skene said he was not sure why allegations were made against him in the Federal Court at Brisbane in Thursday.

Matthew Skene leaves the Federal Court in Brisbane on Thursday. Credit:Jono Searle/AAP

The lawyer for the Goldsky liquidators had put to him accusations from director Ken Grace and his wife Jane that he is responsible for $24 million being unaccounted for since Goldsky's 2018 collapse.

"It's totally untrue - that's ridiculous," Mr Skene told the court.
Oil operations in South Sudan have resulted in soil and water being polluted with toxic chemicals and heavy metals that have serious consequences on the health of residents in oil-rich regions, but authorities have purposefully buried four such reports, the Associated Press reports, citing the reports it has obtained from people with knowledge of the oil operations.

According to the reports, open waste pits near oil sites have contaminated the water and the soil, resulting in an increased number of miscarriages and alarming birth defects, the AP reported on Thursday.

One of the newest countries in the world, South Sudan, broke from Sudan in 2011 and took with it around 350,000 bpd in oil production. But then civil war in South Sudan broke out in 2013 that further complicated oil production.

Currently, South Sudan pumps around 180,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

The two main oil consortia operating in South Sudan are Chinese-led Dar Petroleum Operating and the Greater Pioneer Operating. According to the environmental reports the AP has obtained, the companies and the government of South Sudan have been aware for years of those reports and have buried them.

According to non-profit organizations, South Sudans oil operations are one of the dirtiest in the world.



Related: Oil Traders Could Lose Big On Coronavirus Panic

Last month, South Sudans government said that it looks to have a full environmental impact audit of all its oil-producing fields and conduct such audits ahead of any new exploration and drilling in the country.

The sector has in the past caused a loss of grazing land, deforestation, soil and water contamination, and health issues in and around oil-producing areas, the South Sudan government further noted.

South Sudans President Salva Kiir said in August last year that he will not tolerate irresponsible activities in the oil sector and has promised that the era of "bad business" is coming to an end.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Cult mother Lori Vallow's estranged husband had changed his life insurance policy to make his sister the beneficiary of the $1million payout and not Lori before he was shot dead.

Vallow is in Hawaii with her current husband, Chad Daybell. She is refusing to answer questions about where her children, Tylee, 17, and JJ, seven, are. The kids have been missing since September when they vanished in Idaho.

In July, Lori's brother Alex Cox shot her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, dead.

Cox, who is now also dead after dying of mysterious circumstances in December, told police at the time he killed Vallow in self-defense.

In a new episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace which airs on Thursday at noon, it is revealed that Lori sent a furious text message in the days that followed having just learned that Charles had switched the beneficiary of his life insurance policy from her to his sister.

It is unclear when he changed the policy.

The text, sent to Kay by Lori read: '5 kids and no money and his sister gets everything.'

Lori Vallow was furious when she learned that her estranged husband Charles had changed his life insurance policy to name his sister and not her as the beneficiary of it. Lori's brother Alex Cox shot Charles dead in Lori's home in July

It is unclear whose '5 kids' she was referring to. In addition to Tylee and JJ, Lori has an adult son, Colby, from a previous relationship.

Charles had told his sister Kay - who is JJ's biological grandmother - that Lori no longer wanted to look after JJ.

He and Lori adopted JJ after they got married. Not long before Lori separated from Charles, she took Tylee to Hawaii for an extended visit, leaving JJ behind with Charles.

Kay told CrimeOnline that the text message was her final piece of contact with Lori.

Police are yet to issue an arrest warrant for Lori or Chad, despite them failing to produce Tylee or JJ for a recent court appearance in Idaho.

The judge had asked her to prove the children were still alive but she flouted the order and stayed in Hawaii with her new husband.

Kay and her husband have been begging her to tell them where the children are for months.

Lori's children JJ, seven, and Tylee, 17, have been missing since September and she will not say where they are

JJ's biological grandparents are Larry and Kay Woodcock. Kay is also Charles' Vallow's sister. She said this week that Charles changed his life insurance policy to give her $1million to look after JJ with

Also dead: Lori's sister Alex Cox and Chad's wife Tammy Daybell. They both died in mysterious circumstances

Photos from Lori and Chad's November 5 wedding were published by FOX10 this week, in which the couple are seen gleefully dancing on a Hawaiian beach

Before leaving Idaho, Lori moved her children's belongings into a storage unit.

She also sold JJ's service dog.

She and Chad got married in Hawaii on November 5. She then returned to Idaho.

Timeline of JJ and Tylee's disappearance July 11: Lori Vallow's husband, Charles Vallow, is killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona August: The last time Joshua's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, said they saw the boy via FaceTime August: Lori moved children Joshua and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho September 23: The last time Joshua was seen at his school in Idaho October 19: Chad Daybell's wife, Tammy Daybell, dies at their Idaho home October 25: A friend of Tylee receives a text from her phone November 5: Lori and Chad get married November 26: Out-of-state relatives ask Idaho police to perform a welfare check on Joshua. Lori and Chad claim he is in Arizona with a family friend. Police also learn Tylee has not been seen since September, either November 27: Police execute a search warrant at Lori and Chad's home, discovering the couple have fled the city December 11: Tammy Daybell's body is exhumed from the Utah cemetery December 12: Lori's brother, Alex Cox, believed to have died in Arizona December 21: Police issue a press release about JJ and Tylee, revealing they believe their disappearance is linked to Tammy's death December 24: Lori and Chad issue a statement through an attorney saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing 'allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor' December 30: Police accuse Lori and Chad of lying to investigators and say they believe the couple know where the kids are or what happened to them January 26: Lori and Chad are seen for the first time in months as police serve two search warrants in Kaua'i January 30: Lori misses court deadline to produce the children to authorities Advertisement

Later in November, a relative asked police to perform a wellness check on the children, who had not been or heard from since September.

When police in Rexburg, Idaho, went to Lori's home to ask where JJ was, she told them he was in Arizona.

The officers left the property, seemingly satisfied with her answer. When they realized no one had heard from the children though for months, they went back the next day.

Lori and Chad had, by then, fled the home.

They were tracked down on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, where they have been living in a gated community, but refused to answer questions on the children's whereabouts or well being.

In December, Lori's brother Alex died in mysterious circumstances not long after getting married in Las Vegas.

Chad Daybell's wife, Tammy, died in similarly mysterious circumstances in October, two weeks before he and Lori got married.

On Wednesday, it emerged Lori was telling friends she is waiting for the 'media hype' surrounding her case to die down.

April Raymond, spoke to Dateline NBC for a special about the disappearance of JJ and Tylee.

Raymond said Lori has been 'telling people there's a lot of media hype around her right now. And she's waiting for that to die down.'

Raymond added: 'I would describe it as something a little more serious, a lot more serious.'

Chad, 51, is a prolific author of 25 books focusing on doomsday scenarios and near-death experiences. He is what's known as a 'prepper' - someone who is getting ready for the End of Times - and was a member of a group called Preparing a People.

Last month DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Chad had been kicked out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints back in the fall after he declared himself a prophet.

Lori reportedly began reading Chad's writing while she was living in Hawaii with Charles, JJ and Tylee between 2014 and 2017.

It's unclear how or when exactly Lori and Chad met, but family members say it was sometime around June 2018.
LA PAZ, Bolivia - Authorities in Bolivia said Thursday they have arrested a woman with suspected links to drug traffickers who amassed an inexplicable fortune within just a few years.

Interior Minister Arturo Murillo told the Unitel television station that Dora Vallejos, 36, turned herself in the night before.

She has to explain where she got $150 million in wealth that has now been identified, he said, as well as clarify her connections.

Vallejos came under scrutiny after a man identified as one of her relatives was arrested in Mexico last month when authorities found seized a plane carrying a ton of cocaine.

Murillo also noted that her husband had been convicted of a drug offence, though he did not specify which.

Vallejos herself faces charges of illegal enrichment.

A handcuffed Vallejos declared her innocence when she was shown to the news media in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, where she was detained.

Justice Minister Alvaro Coimbra said Vallejos wasnt wealthy before 2013, but has since come to own more than 40 properties, including cattle ranches and houses.

Officials have also suggested repeatedly she is linked to officials in the government of ousted leftist President Evo Morales, particularly former Interior Minister Carlos Romero. He is one of several officials of the former government who have been detained on corruption allegations by the interim administration that took over when Morales resigned and left the country in November.

Romero last week denied that, saying he did not know Vallejos.

Vallejos is fearful. There are people who are afraid she could talk, Murillo said. We will givfe her security. She wont go to a common jail.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: INCB) (CSE: INCB.CN) (the "Company" or "INCB") is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter of intent ("LOI") with BioNeva Innovations of Carson City, LLC and other related asset holders, to acquire a fully-licensed cannabis cultivator and related assets located in Carson City, Nevada that includes an 8,250 ft2 cannabis greenhouse.

Steve Gormley, CEO of the Company shared: "My team and I are extremely pleased to be acquiring BioNeva. The addition of cultivation to our existing capabilities should contribute significantly to our earnings and should provide better EBITDA margins for our current and future brands."

The LOI provides that the Company will purchase all issued and outstanding units of three entities, namely, BioNeva Innovations of Carson City, LLC ("BioNeva"), Sierra Superfoods, LLC ("Sierra") and DB3 Management, LLC ("DB3") in exchange for the issuance of 28,805,833 shares of the Company and a vendor take-back loan with a principal amount of USD$3.25 million (the "VTB Loan"). The VTB Loan bears interest at the rate of 5% per annum and the principal amount is due and payable on 12/31/24. The VTB Loan is interest-free for the first two years, after which point interest will be payable quarterly through the issuance of shares of the Company at an issue price equal to the volume-weighted average trading price of the ICI shares for the 20 trading days prior to each quarterly interest payment date.

BioNeva is a cannabis cultivator located in Carson City, Nevada. BioNeva is fully operational and requires no additional capital for buildout. The facility is currently growing product and is expected to begin producing revenue towards the end of Q2 2020. The projected yield of the BioNeva facility is approximately 44kg (100 pounds) per month. BioNeva currently holds cultivation facility licenses for both medical and recreational marijuana issued by the State of Nevada. Its cultivation operations are conducted in an 8,250 ft2 cannabis greenhouse facility situated on 2.03 acres of leased land near Carson City, NV. The greenhouse flowering canopy is 4,000 ft2 and incorporates a highly efficient greenhouse roof glazing material, as well as auxiliary lighting systems that require minimal power consumption. The facility is currently managed by DB3. Sierra holds the hard assets and equipment associated with the BioNeva cultivation facility. DB3 currently manages the cultivation facility at Carson City as well as another unrelated cultivation facility under development in Washoe County, NV. DB3 derives revenue from its management of the Washoe facility of a minimum of USD$15,000 per month (with potential for 30% of net profits). The Washoe facility has been designed in a 20,000 ft2 greenhouse facility with the capacity for approximately 148kg (325 lbs) per month. The Washoe facility is still under construction but is expected to be operational in Q4 of 2020 and generating revenue by Q1 of 2021.

The LOI also provides for the following conditions:

a due diligence condition in favour of both the Company and the vendor parties;

receipt of all necessary regulatory and third party approvals; and

the preparation and execution of definitive agreements.

Closing of the acquisition is expected to occur on or before February 29, 2020.

While the acquisition does not constitute a related party transaction for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, Bob Yosaitis, a director of the Company holds a 25.3% interest in the units of BioNeva, a 25.3% interest in Sierra and a 40% interest in DB3. Mr. Yosaitis abstained from voting in connection with the approval of the transactions.

Bob Yosaitis, a director of the Company and a holder of BioNeva, Sierra and DB3, added: "My partner and I believe in the corporate strategy and growth of INCB and have offered favorable deal terms reflective of our confidence in INCB's near and long-term objectives."

Dan Larkin, a principal of BioNeva, Sierra and DB3 commented: "We have been impressed with the strategy and vision behind International Cannabrands. This partnership further allows us to leverage this turnkey facility and to expand the INCB brand and product offerings made available in Nevada."

Steve Gormley, concluded: "As we're seeing the effects of a seismic downturn in the cannabis sector, now is the time to pick up viable assets that still have significant enterprise value and can be bought at a massive discount. This acquisition falls squarely into the Company's corporate development strategy of acquiring select, highly-profitable value chain investments to facilitate brand growth, enhance margins and bolster cash flow."

About International Cannabrands

International Cannabrands is a CBD and cannabis-focused brand portfolio, leveraging the potential of the plant by offering best of breed products that naturally complement today's consumer lifestyles. The Company's mission is to build and market a diversified portfolio of cannabis and CBD brands, with strategic manufacturing and distribution partnerships to support better EBITDA and margins. ICI markets products with THC content where that practice has been legalized at the state level through either medicinal or recreational use. ICI also markets products containing CBD in the US and internationally. The Company believes as the legal cannabis and CBD markets evolve, high-quality, unique products will increasingly capture market share and provide a valuable platform for growth.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Disclaimer concerning Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements included herein constitute "forward-looking statements" relating to the closing of the acquisition of BioNeva and related entities, within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company are described in its publicly-available disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

International Cannabrands Contact:

Steve Gormley

Chief Executive Officer

International Cannabrands, Ltd.

12655 W Jefferson Blvd

Los Angeles, CA, 90066

Ph: +1-(323)-828-4321 or steve.gormley@intlcannabrands.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Dave Burwell

Vice President

The Howard Group

#350, 318 - 11 Avenue SE

Calgary, AB T2G 0Y2

Ph: +1-(403)-221-0915 or dave@howardgroupinc.com

Media Inquiries: media@intlcannabrands.com
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Texas A&M University-Kingsvilles American Chemical Society student chapter has been selected to receive a national award.

The organization, which has more than 20 members, was recently reinstated as an active chapter.

According to its website, the Society Committee on Education selects student chapters to receive special recognition on the basis of their programs and activities.

I am very proud of our student chapter, said Crystal Chi, the chapters president. To be nationally recognized and win a commendable award in the same year that we became active is a huge achievement. We have a lot of fun in our organization, and because we really enjoy chemistry, we don't see it as work.

The chapter is active in the community through volunteer events and outreach events such as judging science fairs and monthly "Pizza Lectures" where they invite a professor from the university to talk about their research, Chi said.

Chemistry Department Chair, Dr. Christine Hahn, said the chapter's achievement demonstrates the strength of its chemistry majors and their outstanding leadership.

It shows that the Chemistry Department is an attractive place where students become involved in a variety of activities which will shape their lives and prepare them for the future. The chapter's achievement has definitely contributed to strengthening our Chemistry program, Hahn said.

Chi said the chapter welcomes students of any major who have an interest and passion for chemistry.
A bomb explodes in the Lucknow court on Thursday, as per the reports 3 lawyers have been injured. The report says lawyer Sanjeev Lodhi was on target.

A bomb exploded in a Lucknow court on Thursday injuring 2 lawyers. Reports said one of them has been taken to the hospital in a serious condition whereas one suffered minor injuries. The explosion happened in the Lucknow collectorate in Hazratganj, near the magistrates office. The site of the explosion is a kilometre from the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

Reports said that a quarrel was going on between 2 sets of lawyers and the blast was targeted at a lawyer who was inside the court. Lawyer Sanjeev Lodhi, who was injured, is a joint secretary of the Lucknow bar association. Local police said the bomb was a crude explosive and the man who threw the bomb has been identified as Jeetu Yadav. Reports said there were 3 others with bombs who were arrested and taken to Wazirganj police station.

Also Read: Kejriwal 3.0: Arvind Kejriwal to be sworn in as Delhi CM on February 16

Also Read: Delhi Election 2020 Winners List: AAPs Raj Kumari Dhillon beats Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga of BJP by a margin of 20131 votes

#UPDATE Lucknow: Crude bomb was hurled towards chamber of lawyer Sanjeev Lodhi who has blamed another lawyer Jitu Yadav for the incident. Police at the spot https://t.co/X8eJ7SJJbn  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 13, 2020

Also Read: Its Kejriwal 3.0; Manoj Tiwari, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee congratulate AAP convener

The explosion has created chaos around the court, the lawyers started shouting and demanding the culprits to be arrested soon. They are claiming the bomb was set to target Sanjeev Lodhi and his team. As per eyewitnesses, it was pre-planned and a few bombs were used to scare the injured lawyers. More details awaited.

For all the latest National News, download NewsX App
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc. (CSE: ICAN, OTCQB: ICNAF) (Integrated Cannabis or the Company), a multi-state brand operator in California and Nevada, is pleased to announce that, pursuant to a directors resolution, it will change its name to Icanic Brands Company Inc.



There will be no change to the symbol. The Companys common shares will continue to trade under the ticker ICAN on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE). The CSE will publish a bulletin announcing the effective date of the change in the Companys name and it is anticipated that the common shares will begin trading under the new name on or about Tuesday, February 18, 2020. The CUSIP number assigned to the Companys shares following the name change is 451063101 (ISIN: CA4510631019).

No action is required to be taken by shareholders with respect to the name change. Outstanding share certificates are not affected by the name change and do not need to be exchanged.

About Integrated Cannabis Company

Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc. is a leading cannabis branded products manufacturer based in California & Nevada, the largest and most competitive cannabis markets in the world. The companys mission is to make cannabis safe and approachable - that starts with manufacturing high-quality products delivering consistent experiences.

For more information, please visit the companys website at: www.icaninc.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Eugene Beukman

Director

For further information about Integrated Cannabis, please contact the Company at:

Email: investors@icaninc.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.
Alfa and his accomplices

A young man popularly known as Alfa and his accomplices have been arrested after one of them dug into a mans grave to steal his head for money ritual purposes.

Samson, who got the name Alfa after he completed his Islamic studies, came up with the idea after he was handed a book where a late herbalist wrote down the tricks of his trade.

Waidi Soremi, 25, of 7, Aboaba Street, Itori-Oke in the Ewekoro Local Government Council Area of Ogun State, is the son of the late herbalist. He found his fathers account book after his death and handed it over to Samson, aka Alfa.

Samson Erinle, 25, went through the late herbalists book and took special interest on the aspect of money-making ritual he found in the book.

In January, one Taiwo Mesioye, who hailed from the same neighbourhood with them, died and was brought home for burial. Waidi, Samson, and Samsons cousin, named Taiwo Erinle, 23, all attended the funeral.

After the funeral, armed with the knowledge he got from the herbalists book handed to him, Alfa called Waidi and Erinle and told them that it was time for them to wriggle themselves out of poverty. He said that to do that, they will have to get the head of the man who had just been buried.

Waidi narrated, according to Crime Puzzle: It was during the funeral that Alfa disclosed to me that he got something very useful for us from the account book that would change our fortune for good. He said, with a human head, our condition would be better off. At that instance, we all agreed to look for a way to dig the deceased grave and make use of the head.



On January 20, 2020, 9 days after the burial, Waidi singlehandedly raided the grave of Mesioye. He dug out the corpse, severed the head, then closed the grave back. He said the operation took him 3 hours.

He said: I commenced the operation at about 12:00am to 3:00am.

Alfa and his accomplices arrested for stealing the head of a corpse for money rituals (graphic photos)

Waidi took the severed head and hid it in the town masquerade shrine, which was opened by Taiwo Erinle, whose father is the custodian of the said shrine.

However, when morning came, the late Mesioyes younger brother noticed that his brothers grave had been tampered with. He then lodged a complaint with the traditional ruler of the town, who alerted security operatives.

The three suspects, it was gathered, fled the community and went into hiding, but were fished out by the police detectives, Crime Puzzle reports.

In their confessional statements to the police, they all conceded to have planned the desecration of the corpse and narrated the roles they all played.

However, Samson and Taiwo said that Waidi did not inform them that he was embarking on the operation that day, an allegation Waidi did not deny.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Ahmed Iliyasu has said that the suspects will be charged to court on completion of the investigation.
The old Tesco building in Edenderry could be demolished in 2020 with plans afoot for a major redevelopment of the area, according to local councillor Noel Cribbin.

Cllr Cribbin asked about the demolition and clearing of the Tesco building and surrounding 33-acre site at the most recent Edenderry Municipal District meeting.

The meeting was informed that such demolition work would have to be the subject of a Part 8 planning process which involves public and stakeholder submissions. That process is intended for 2020.

Cllr Cribbin described this as "great news for the town" and a "game-changer, opening up 33 acres for development." Residential and retail developments also form part of the wider JKL Backlands project.

The councillors are to be shown a draft of the masterplan of the Tesco site on February 28.

This news comes after Offaly County Council commenced the tendering process for a new library and arts centre on the site in Edenderry.

They are seeking architectural and engineering services for the planning and development stage of the project which seeks to deliver a modern purpose-built community library and arts base in the town.

The facility would span approximately 2,000sq metres and is part of further ambitious plans to rejuvenate the area.

Offaly County Council will use this process to appoint an architect-led project management design team to prepare a detailed design to current standards and regulations, including all civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and energy conservation designs.

The successful tenderer will also be required to carry out a construction tender process on Offaly County Councils behalf.

Funding of 75,000 for an architectural report of the area was secured last year through the Department of Rural & Community Development.

The deadline for tenders for this early stage closes on March 9, 2020.

This is the early stages of a project which has been discussed in a serious way in Edenderry since 2017. Further funding would be needed from central government in the coming years to get the project from blueprint to shovel-ready stage.
Marie Yovanovitch received a standing ovation from a crowd of diplomats while accepting an award at Georgetown University, where the ousted ambassador delivered a speech warning the State Department was in trouble under Donald Trump.

The former US ambassador to Ukraine was removed from her post in April 2019 following a covert effort by the presidents personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others to have her taken out of the State Department.

Shortly after, Mr Trump urged the newly-elected Ukrainian president to launch investigations into one of his 2020 political rivals, Joe Biden, as well as unfounded allegations of Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election.

Ms Yovanovitch, who then served as a key figure in the presidents impeachment, said on Wednesday that the State Department was being hollowed out while individuals who lack policy vision, moral clarity and leadership skills were taking over.

Vacancies at all levels go unfilled, she said, and officers are increasingly wondering whether it is safe to express concerns about policy, even behind closed doors.

Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Show all 26 1 /26 Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Donald Trump Accused of abusing his office by pressing the Ukrainian president in a July phone call to help dig up dirt on Joe Biden, who may be his Democratic rival in the 2020 election. He also believes that Hillary Clintons deleted emails - a key factor in the 2016 election - may be in Ukraine, although it is not clear why. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Whistleblower Believed to be a CIA agent who spent time at the White House, his complaint was largely based on second and third-hand accounts from worried White House staff. Although this is not unusual for such complaints, Trump and his supporters have seized on it to imply that his information is not reliable. Expected to give evidence to Congress voluntarily and in secret. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal The Second Whistleblower The lawyer for the first intelligence whistleblower is also representing a second whistleblower regarding the President's actions. Attorney Mark Zaid said that he and other lawyers on his team are now representing the second person, who is said to work in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge that supports claims made by the first whistleblower and has spoken to the intelligence community's inspector general. The second whistleblower has not yet filed their own complaint, but does not need to to be considered an official whistleblower. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rudy Giuliani Former mayor of New York, whose management of the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 won him worldwide praise. As Trumps personal attorney he has been trying to find compromising material about the presidents enemies in Ukraine in what some have termed a shadow foreign policy. In a series of eccentric TV appearances he has claimed that the US state department asked him to get involved. Giuliani insists that he is fighting corruption on Trumps behalf and has called himself a hero. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Volodymyr Zelensky The newly elected Ukrainian president - a former comic actor best known for playing a man who becomes president by accident - is seen frantically agreeing with Trump in the partial transcript of their July phone call released by the White House. With a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of his country, and the Crimea region seized by Vladimir Putin in 2014, Zelensky will have been eager to please his American counterpart, who had suspended vital military aid before their phone conversation. He says there was no pressure on him from Trump to do him the favour he was asked for. Zelensky appeared at an awkward press conference with Trump in New York during the United Nations general assembly, looking particularly uncomfortable when the American suggested he take part in talks with Putin. AFP/Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pence The vice-president was not on the controversial July call to the Ukrainian president but did get a read-out later. However, Trump announced that Pence had had one or two phone conversations of a similar nature, dragging him into the crisis. Pence himself denies any knowledge of any wrongdoing and has insisted that there is no issue with Trumps actions. It has been speculated that Trump involved Pence as an insurance policy - if both are removed from power the presidency would go to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, something no Republican would allow. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Rick Perry Trump reportedly told a meeting of Republicans that he made the controversial call to the Ukrainian president at the urging of his own energy secretary, Rick Perry, and that he didnt even want to. The president apparently said that Perry wanted him to talk about liquefied natural gas - although there is no mention of it in the partial transcript of the phone call released by the White House. It is thought that Perry will step down from his role at the end of the year. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Joe Biden The former vice-president is one of the frontrunners to win the Democratic nomination, which would make him Trumps opponent in the 2020 election. Trump says that Biden pressured Ukraine to sack a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that Bidens son Hunter was on the board of, refusing to release US aid until this was done. However, pressure to fire the prosecutor came on a wide front from western countries. It is also believed that the investigation into the company, Burisma, had long been dormant. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Hunter Biden Joe Bidens son has been accused of corruption by the president because of his business dealings in Ukraine and China. However, Trump has yet to produce any evidence of corruption and Bidens lawyer insists he has done nothing wrong. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Barr The attorney-general, who proved his loyalty to Trump with his handling of the Mueller report, was mentioned in the Ukraine call as someone president Volodymyr Zelensky should talk to about following up Trumps preoccupations with the Bidens and the Clinton emails. Nancy Pelosi has accused Barr of being part of a cover-up of a cover-up. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Mike Pompeo The secretary of state initially implied he knew little about the Ukraine phone call - but it later emerged that he was listening in at the time. He has since suggested that asking foreign leaders for favours is simply how international politics works. Gordon Sondland testified that Pompeo was "in the loop" and knew what was happening in Ukraine. Pompeo has been criticised for not standing up for diplomats under his command when they were publicly criticised by the president. AFP via Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Nancy Pelosi The Democratic Speaker of the House had long resisted calls from within her own party to back a formal impeachment process against the president, apparently fearing a backlash from voters. On September 24, amid reports of the Ukraine call and the day before the White House released a partial transcript of it, she relented and announced an inquiry, saying: The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Getty Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Adam Schiff Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, one of the three committees leading the inquiry. He was criticized by Republicans for giving what he called a parody of the Ukraine phone call during a hearing, with Trump and others saying he had been pretending that his damning characterisation was a verbatim reading of the phone call. He has also been criticised for claiming that his committee had had no contact with the whistleblower, only for it to emerge that the intelligence agent had contacted a staff member on the committee for guidance before filing the complaint. The Washington Post awarded Schiff a four Pinocchios rating, its worst rating for a dishonest statement. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman Florida-based businessmen and Republican donors Lev Parnas (pictured with Rudy Giuliani) and Igor Fruman were arrested on suspicion of campaign finance violations at Dulles International Airport near Washington DC on 9 October. Separately the Associated Press has reported that they were both involved in efforts to replace the management of Ukraine's gas company, Naftogaz, with new bosses who would steer lucrative contracts towards companies controlled by Trump allies. There is no suggestion of any criminal activity in these efforts. Reuters Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal William Taylor The most senior US diplomat in Ukraine and the former ambassador there. As one of the first two witnesses in the public impeachment hearings, Taylor dropped an early bombshell by revealing that one of his staff  later identified as diplomat David Holmes  overheard a phone conversation in which Donald Trump could be heard asking about investigations the very day after asking the Ukrainian president to investigate his political enemies. Taylor expressed his concern at reported plans to withhold US aid in return for political smears against Trumps opponents, saying: It's one thing to try to leverage a meeting in the White House. It's another thing, I thought, to leverage security assistance -- security assistance to a country at war, dependent on both the security assistance and the demonstration of support." Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal George Kent A state department official who appeared alongside William Taylor wearing a bow tie that was later mocked by the president. He accused Rudy Giuliani, Mr Trumps personal lawyer, of leading a campaign of lies against Marie Yovanovitch, who was forced out of her job as US ambassador to Ukraine for apparently standing in the way of efforts to smear Democrats. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Marie Yovanovitch One of the most striking witnesses to give evidence at the public hearings, the former US ambassador to Ukraine received a rare round of applause as she left the committee room after testifying. Canadian-born Yovanovitch was attacked on Twitter by Donald Trump while she was actually testifying, giving Democrats the chance to ask her to respond. She said she found the attack very intimidating. Trump had already threatened her in his 25 July phone call to the Ukrainian president saying: Shes going to go through some things. Yovanovitch said she was shocked, appalled and devastated by the threat and by the way she was forced out of her job without explanation. REUTERS Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Alexander Vindman A decorated Iraq War veteran and an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, Lt Col Vindman began his evidence with an eye-catching statement about the freedoms America afforded him and his family to speak truth to power without fear of punishment. One of the few witnesses to have actually listened to Trumps 25 July call with the Ukrainian president, he said he found the conversation so inappropriate that he was compelled to report it to the White House counsel. Trump later mocked him for wearing his military uniform and insisting on being addressed by his rank. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Jennifer Williams A state department official acting as a Russia expert for vice-president Mike Pence, Ms Williams also listened in on the 25 July phone call. She testified that she found it unusual because it focused on domestic politics in terms of Trump asking a foreign leader to investigate his political opponents. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Kurt Volker The former special envoy to Ukraine was one of the few people giving evidence who was on the Republican witness list although what he had to say may not have been too helpful to their cause. He dismissed the idea that Joe Biden had done anything corrupt, a theory spun without evidence by the president and his allies. He said that he thought the US should be supporting Ukraines reforms and that the scheme to find dirt on Democrats did not serve the national interest. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Tim Morrison An expert on the National Security Council and another witness on the Republican list. He testified that he did not think the president had done anything illegal but admitted that he feared it would create a political storm if it became public. He said he believed the moving the record of the controversial 25 July phone call to a top security server had been an innocent mistake. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Gordon Sondland In explosive testimony, one of the men at the centre of the scandal got right to the point in his opening testimony: Was there a quid pro quo? Yes, said the US ambassador to the EU who was a prime mover in efforts in Ukraine to link the release of military aid with investigations into the presidents political opponents. He said that everyone knew what was going on, implicating vice-president Mike Pence and secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The effect of his evidence is perhaps best illustrated by the reaction of Mr Trump who went from calling Sondland a great American a few weeks earlier to claiming that he barely knew him. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Laura Cooper A Pentagon official, Cooper said Ukrainian officials knew that US aid was being withheld before it became public knowledge in August  undermining a Republican argument that there cant have been a quid pro quo between aid and investigations if the Ukrainians didnt know that aid was being withheld. Getty Images Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Hale The third most senior official at the state department. Hale testified about the treatment of Marie Yovanovitch and the smear campaign that culminated in her being recalled from her posting as US ambassador to Ukraine. He said: I believe that she should have been able to stay at post and continue to do the outstanding work. EPA Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal Fiona Hill Arguably the most confident and self-possessed of the witnesses in the public hearings phase, the Durham-born former NSC Russia expert began by warning Republicans not to keep repeating Kremlin-backed conspiracy theories. In a distinctive northeastern English accent, Dr Hill went on to describe how she had argued with Gordon Sondland about his interference in Ukraine matters until she realised that while she and her colleagues were focused on national security, Sondland was being involved in a domestic political errand. She said: I did say to him, Ambassador Sondland, Gordon, this is going to blow up. And here we are. AP Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine scandal David Holmes The Ukraine-based diplomat described being in a restaurant in Kiev with Gordon Sondland while the latter phoned Donald Trump. Holmes said he could hear the president on the other end of the line  because his voice was so loud and distinctive and because Sondland had to hold the phone away from his ear  asking about the investigations and whether the Ukrainian president would cooperate. REUTERS

During the speech, Ms Yovanovitch called for US diplomacy to take on a principled, consistent and trustworthy approach, adding: To be blunt, an amoral, keep-them-guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul.

At some point, the once unthinkable will become inevitable, she continued, that our allies who have as much right to act in their own self interest as we do, will seek out more reliable partners whose interests might not align well with ours.

Recommended Marie Yovanovitch receives standing ovation after Trump attacks her

Ms Yovanovitch served in US foreign policy under Democratic and Republican presidents throughout the course of her over 30-year career in diplomacy.

She later delivered testimony to the US House of Representatives during its impeachment inquiry into Mr Trump.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly declined to intervene in Ms Yovanovitchs removal from the State Department, and has failed to publicly defend the career diplomat after the apparent smear campaign on the part of the presidents attorney.

The crowd at Georgetown University was reportedly comprised of both diplomats and students who cheered for Ms Yovanovitch as she received the award.

Ms Yovanovitch also received a standing ovation from the crowd following her testimony on Capitol Hill  a rare occurrence during congressional hearings.
Green Fuels ethanol price has at all times remained significantly cheaper than the petrol pump price. As a consequence, when blended with petrol, it actually brings the petrol pump price down, translating into consumer savings. The use of ethanol, being a substitute for imported petrol, also results in foreign currency savings at a national level. This saved foreign currency can then be used for other critical imported products such as fertilizer, electricity, maize etc.
BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate announced Thursday that it has decided to arrest Hu Huaibang, ex-chairman of the China Development Bank (CDB), for suspected bribe-taking.

The case of Hu, also former secretary of the CDB committee of the Communist Party of China, had been investigated by the National Supervisory Commission and transferred to the procuratorate for further investigation and prosecution.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 05:09:28|Editor: yan

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BEIRUT, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Support Group for Lebanon Wednesday called on the Lebanese government to swiftly take comprehensive and credible reforms to stop the deteriorating conditions and meet the people's demands, according to a statement by the UN Information Centres.

The group highlighted the importance of working on restoring the confidence of the Lebanese people and the international community to activate future international assistance for Lebanon.

It also expressed its willingness to "support the efforts of government leaders to combat corruption and tax evasion, including the adoption and implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, the Anti-Corruption Commission Law and judicial reforms, as well as other measures that guarantee transparency and full accountability."

The International Support Group for Lebanon was launched in September 2013 by the United Nations and former Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in order to mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is lobbying hard for Canada to win a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council. He might do better if his Liberal government had a more coherent foreign policy.

Trudeau was in Africa this week making his pitch. Next week he is scheduled to travel to the Caribbean to do the same.

At stake is a two-year gig on the UNs 15-member top deliberative body. Two seats are coming up for election this summer. Three countries  Canada, Ireland and Norway  are vying to be chosen.

The final decision will be made by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Trudeau says Canada should be on the Security Council because thats where the worlds most pressing issues are discussed.

Having a Canadian voice at that table is important for Canadians but also for countries around the world who share our values, he said earlier this week in a speech aimed at members of the African Union meeting in Ethiopia.

Trudeau didnt mention that some of those he was lobbying  including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power seven years ago in a bloody coup  are not exactly exemplars of Canadian values.

But thats just the normal hypocrisy of diplomacy. The governments real problem in this contest is that its foreign policy has been inconsistent and, at times, difficult to divine.

Indeed, the only constant has been Ottawas desire not to offend the prickly U.S. president, Donald Trump.

Thus, Canadas response to Trumps deeply flawed Middle East peace plan was, in effect, a Delphic no comment.

Canada will carefully examine the plan, said Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Similarly, Ottawas unusual support for regime change in Venezuela can best be explained as an attempt to curry favour with Washington.

The Trudeau government says it wants to get rid of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro because he is an anti-democratic dictator. Yet it is quite happy to deal with other anti-democratic dictatorships, including Cubas.

The reason? Canada has business interests in Cuba. It has next to none in Venezuela. Supporting the U.S. demand for Maduros ouster is, for Canada, relatively costless.

Otherwise, Canadian foreign policy under Trudeau remains a puzzle.

The government promised to devote more resources to UN peacekeeping. But in the end it delivered little in either manpower or money. Its eventual contribution to the UN mission in Mali can best be described as grudging.

The government promised to make human rights a priority. And at one point, former foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland did publicly chide Saudi Arabia for its treatment of women.

But Ottawa was taken aback when the Saudis retaliated. Plans to take Saudi Arabia to task for its human rights violations  which eventually included the murder of prominent dissident Jamal Khashoggi  quietly disappeared into the maw of Ottawas bureaucracy.

And then there is China. Thats where Ottawas desire to please the Americans by holding prominent Chinese business woman Meng Wanzhou for extradition to the U.S. ran into a buzz-saw.

The Liberal government insists that its top priority in China is the release of two Canadians jailed there in retaliation for Mengs arrest.

But Dominic Barton, the businessman turned ambassador chosen by Trudeau to lead this effort, appears badly informed about the plight of other Canadians imprisoned in China.

Speaking to a Commons committee last week, Barton said that Huseyin Celil, a Uighur activist, who has been in a Chinese jail for 14 years, is not a Canadian citizen. In fact, he is.

Even if Canadas foreign policy were more coherent, it is not at all clear that a temporary seat on the Security Council would be much of a prize. Current members include Belgium and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As far as I can tell, their brief stint on the UNs top body has not made either country more influential.
Book by former PGC officer highlights unusual wildlife encounters

Dick Bodenhorn has published a book highlighting some of the unusual encounters he had while working with the Pennsylvania Game Commision.
Hours after the Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival last week at the all-women Gargi College here, the petitioner moved the Delhi High Court on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde asked the petitioner lawyer, advocate M L Sharma, who mentioned the matter seeking an urgent hearing, to move the Delhi High Court with his plea.

"Why don't you go to the Delhi HC. If they dismiss the petition then you come here," the bench, also comprising justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, said.

The apex court said it would like to have advantage of Delhi HC's view on the matter.

In the SC, the petitioner expressed apprehension that electronic evidence related to the case might be destroyed.

On this, the top court said, "The Delhi High Court can also pass order like the Telangana High Court in the police encounter case to preserve electronic evidence."



Sharma, in his plea, has sought preservation of all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus.

It has also sought arrest of the people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy".

Ten people, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, were arrested by police on Wednesday in connection with the incident.

On February 6, a group of men broke into the Gargi College during the 'Reverie' fest and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees, who claimed that security officials stood watching when the incident took place.

The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their ordeal and alleged that security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.

Sharma, in his plea, has alleged that it was a planned political and criminal conspiracy hatched in the backdrop of the Delhi elections and no action was taken after the incident.

"It is a clear criminal conspiracy hatched by the political party to deploy accused persons to provoke the Delhi public for voting in their favour. Despite presence of Delhi Police ... on February 6, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons," the PIL claimed.

The petition further claimed that "deliberate chants of Jai Shri Ram discloses that it is a political, planned conspiracy" and blamed the chief minister of Delhi for not taking any action against the accused.

Besides the security arranged by the college, the area had Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel who were stationed there for the Assembly polls.

According to the police, a case was registered under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON  Former Rep. Claudia Tenney on Wednesday picked up the biggest endorsement to date in her attempt for a comeback campaign: President Donald Trump.

Trump tweeted a message of support for Tenney, who is battling two other Republicans for the GOP designation in the 22nd Congressional District.

Claudia Tenney is a fantastic candidate running in New York, where she was a Great member of Congress, Trump tweeted. She is Strong on Crime, Borders, Cutting Taxes, your #2A, and she Loves our Military and Vets. Claudia has my Complete and Total Endorsement!

If Tenney wins the designation and any Republican primary election, she would face Rep. Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, in a November rematch of their hotly contested 2018 election.

Trump raised money for Tenney in Utica in August 2018, trying to boost her campaign in one of the most competitive House races in the nation. Brindisi won the election by about 1 percentage point.

Tenney, of New Hartford, faces competition for the Republican nomination this year from George Phillips, of Endwell, an educator and former aide in Congress, and Franklin Sager, a teacher from Port Crane.

Phillips issued a statement after Trumps endorsement, noting that Tenney fell short in her bid to defeat Brindisi two years ago.

I still believe that voters want a fresh face to take on Anthony Brindisi in the general election and am confident that by the time we get to the June 23rd Republican primary that we will win over enough voters to be successful," Phillips said.

Tenney said in a statement that she was humbled by Trumps endorsement. She said her number one priority is working with the president to continue growing our strong economy and delivering results for the hardworking men and women of our district.

The 22nd Congressional District covers all of Madison, Oneida, Cortland and Chenango counties and portions of Oswego, Broome, Herkimer, and Tioga counties.

Tenney has picked up the designation from Republican committees in three of the counties in the district  Oswego, Madison and Herkimer counties. If theres a Republican primary in the district, the election would be June 23.

Trump won the 22nd District by more than 15 percentage points over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

Read more

Claudia Tenney tops GOP rivals for Congress, raises $300K for primary election

Rep. Anthony Brindisi launches early TV ads for his 2020 campaign

Claudia Tenney wins GOP designation for Congress in 3 Upstate NY counties

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751

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Niwari : , Feb 13 (IANS) Terming the 2020 Delhi Assembly poll results "disappointing", Congress General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said that the party needs to reinvent itself with new ideology, new thinking and new ways of functioning.

Speaking to media in Prithvipur area here, he said: "The results of the Delhi are very disappointing for the party... And new thinking, new ideology and new ways of functioning is required." Scindia, who himself lost from his family bastion of Guna in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said that in the last 70 years the country has changed a lot.

"And in the new era, we have to go to people with a new thinking," he said.

Earlier, Congress spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee has also voiced her opinion publicly, saying "enough of introspection" and that it is "time for action now", blaming lack of strategy and unity at the state level.

"We are again decimated in Delhi. Enough of introspection, time for action now. Inordinate delay in decision making at the top, lack of strategy and unity at state level, demotivated workers, no grassroots connect - all are factors. Being part of the system, I too take my share of responsibility," Mukherjee said in a tweet on Tuesday, when the results of the Delhi assembly polls were announced.

The Congress scored a nil in the 70-member Delhi assembly for the second consecutive time since 2015. This was the party's third dismal performance in the national capital. Despite ruling the city for 15 years from 1998 to 2013, it was reduced to eight seats in the 2013 Assembly polls.

Mukherjee, who is the daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, also hit out at former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram after he, in a tweet, taunted the BJP over its defeat in Delhi, saying AAP won and the "bluff and bluster" lost.

In her response, she said: "With due respect sir, just want to know - has Congress outsourced the task of defeating BJP to state parties? If not, then why are we gloating over AAP victory rather than being concerned about our drubbing? And if 'yes', then we might as well close shop." This is the first strong message from a Congress leader indicating that all is not well in the party.
February 13, 1970: Robbie Langwell, 11, has an immediate decision at hand with only one box of Valentine candy and identical twins, Karen, left, and Sharon Collie, 9. The youngsters are students at Thunderbird Elementary and are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Travis Collie and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Langwell. (photo)

Plainviews Citizens of the Year for 1970 were announced at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday night. Left, Mayor M. B. Hood comments on the plaque held by the Man of the Year, Jim Collins. Right, Mrs. Eleanor Griffin, named Woman of the Year, pauses at her banquet seat shortly after receiving her award.

February 13, 1980: Starting March 1, Plainview will have its own Crime Line as a vehicle to apprehending persons committing felony offenses in Hale County.

A project of the Citizens Against Crime Committee, the 24-hour line (a number is to be assigned soon) will put a caller in contact with a police detective or someone at the police station to whom information can be given about a crime.

--Jim Hightower, Democratic candidate for one of three spots on the Texas Railroad Commission, has two major aims in his bid to unseat incumbent Jim Nugent. Hightower will oppose Nugent in the Democratic primary and former stat senator Doc Blanchard has announced as a Republican.

--The annexation of Westridge and six other tracts was indefinitely tabled Tuesday night by a 3-2 vote of the city council, in effect killing the controversial measure.

February 13, 1990: Realizing that our people are our principle resource, the Education Committee is working toward several goals that will contribute to Plainviews economic destiny through education, said Don Williams, president of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, at the monthly meeting of the chamber board this morning.

--Blake Buchanan, who was born in Central Plains Regional Hospital on Jan. 13, has lots of kinfolks, including four generations on each side of his family. From the top they are his parents, Claire and Scott Buchanan; great-great-grandparents Roy Stovall and Grace Neel; Great-grandmothers Betty Evans and Betty Buchanan; grandmother Donna Blankenship and grandfather Mike Buchanan. (photo)

February 13, 2000: For the first time in memory, Energas and the 67 cities it serves in the region have failed to reach a compromise on a rate-hike request  the companys second in four years.

--A Grand Alpha for and by senior citizens today is the first of four major events as part of the 14th annual observance of Black Awareness and Martin Luther King Celebration.

--Meagan Kemp (center) daughter of Steve and Latrice Kemp, was crowned queen of the Plainview Lions Club at its annual Sweetheart Banquet last week. First runner-up in the contest that drew 13 entries was Melissa Francis (left), daughter of Joe and San Francis, and second runner-up was Isil Yildiz, daughter of Dr. Ilhan and Fusun Yildiz. Miss Kemp will compete in the district contest, April 14-15 in Lubbock. There will be no state contest. Last year, Constance Barbian, daughter of David and Sheila Barbian, went on to win the state contest. (photo)
Christian university in Oregon to close after 115 years; student to file class-action lawsuit University spokesperson says lawsuit's claims are 'without merit'

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After 115 years, Concordia University in Oregon will close its doors following the end of the 2020 spring semester and faces a potential class-action lawsuit launched by a student who claims he was misled about the institutions financial struggles.

In a statement, the private Lutheran institution with about 5,700 students explained that its board of regents voted after much prayer and consideration of all options to cease operations of the school in a resolution approved on Feb. 7.

The boards vote follows years of mounting financial challenges and a challenging and changing educational landscape.

Interim President Tom Ries said the board concluded that it's impossible to pursue the schools mission considering the current and projected enrollment and finances of the school.

The board has come to this difficult decision recognizing that it is in the best interest of our students, our faculty, our staff, and our partners, Ries said. He pledged to share more information as it becomes available.

According to Oregon Live, the closure will result in over 1,500 layoffs that will occur by September.

Concordia says it is in active discussions with accrediting bodies to provide students with opportunities to continue their education at other higher education institutions. Concordia is also in talks about how to help faculty and staff transition to the next phase of their careers.

The universitys 24-acre, Northeast Portland campus will return to the ownership of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, one of the campus lenders. The institutions will be looking to sell the property.

One Concordia student said that he plans to sue the school on grounds that it misled students about its financial condition and left them without a way to graduate or transfer to another school.

Student William Spaulding told Oregon Live that he hired an attorney Monday to draft a class-action lawsuit in state court accusing the school of unlawful business practices. Spaulding is requesting a jury trial.

Spaulding claims that he and other students would not have paid for the 2020 semester had they been informed about the schools struggling finances.

According to the College Board, the average annual tuition costs for first-year students at Concordia is $29,480. Including room and board and other expenses, the average cost is $45,360.

Concordia University misrepresented the qualities and characteristics of its education services and the value of its tuition credits, the complaint claims.

The lawsuit does not specify how much Spaulding is seeking in monetary damages but does request injunctive relief to require the university to disclose how much it profited from tuition in 2020. The lawsuit can be amended later to reflect the value of damages.

According to Spauldings lawsuit, the first time Concordia students were told about the financial struggles of the school was the same day the school announced it would close.

Upon information and belief, the high-paid executives at Concordia University knew since 2019 that the University was in dire financial condition and that the Universitys closure in 2020 was looming, the lawsuit argues.

The lawsuit further complains that the university advertised programs through late 2019 and early 2020 and even promised students that by 2024 the university would have a strong national reputation."

Relying on Concordia Universitys advertisements and representations, plaintiff paid Concordia University thousands of dollars for educational services and tuition credits in 2020, the lawsuit adds.

Spaulding is represented by lawyer Michael Fuller. Fuller told The Portland Business Journal that he is also talking with three Concordia University students who attended Marylhurst University when it shut down in 2018.

In an interview with Business Journal, Ries said that the school had been considering an option to stay open before the vote of the board of regents last week.

A Concordia University spokesperson told The Christian Post in an email that the university believes that the claims made in Spauldings lawsuit are without merit.

Right now we are focused on supporting our faculty, staff and students in their transition, the spokesperson added.

Concordia Universitys closure comes as many small, private colleges are struggling with lower enrollments and struggling finances.

In 2018, it was reported by Moody's Investors Service that about a quarter of private colleges and universities in the U.S. spent more than they earned in 2017. Meanwhile, the median revenue for such schools was 2.4 percent with a median expense growth of 3 percent.

Ries told KGW8 that Concordia University has had a negative cash flow for quite some time.
February 13, 2020

SBM Offshore is pleased to announce a EUR150 million (c. US$165 million) share repurchase program, effective from February 13, 2020.

The objective of the program is to reduce share capital and, in addition, to provide shares for regular management and employee share programs. The repurchase program is expected to be completed within the year 2020, and it will be accomplished under the authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company held on April 10, 2019. The execution of the share repurchase program will be done under the terms of an engagement letter with a third party, performed in compliance with the safe harbor provisions for share repurchases, and therefore transactions may be carried out during closed periods.

In accordance with the European Market Abuse Regulation, the Company will inform the market of the progress made in the execution of this program through weekly press releases and updates on its website. In accordance with normal practice to cater for possible changes in future circumstances, the share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any amount of shares, and it may be suspended at any time at the Companys discretion.

Corporate Profile

The Companys main activities are the design, supply, installation, operation and the life extension of floating production solutions for the offshore energy industry over the full lifecycle. The Company is market leading in leased floating production systems, with multiple units currently in operation.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company employs approximately 4,450 people worldwide spread over offices in our key markets, operational shore bases and the offshore fleet of vessels.

SBM Offshore N.V. is a listed holding company headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It holds direct and indirect interests in other companies.

Where references are made to SBM Offshore N.V. and /or its subsidiaries in general, or where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies SBM Offshore or the Company are sometimes used for convenience.

For further information, please visit our website at www.sbmoffshore.com .

The Management Board

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, February 13, 2020

Financial Calendar Date Year Annual General Meeting of Shareholders April 8 2020 Trading Update 1Q 2020  Press Release May 14 2020 Half Year 2020 Earnings  Press Release August 6 2020 Trading Update 3Q 2020  Press Release November 12 2020 Full Year 2020 Earnings  Press Release February 11 2021



For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Bert-Jaap Dijkstra

Group Treasurer and IR

Telephone: +31 (0) 20 236 3222 Mobile: +31 (0) 6 21 14 10 17 E-mail: bertjaap.dijkstra@sbmoffshore.com Website: www.sbmoffshore.com

Media Relations

Vincent Kempkes

Group Communications Director

Telephone: +31 (0) 20 236 3170 Mobile: +31 (0) 6 25 68 71 67 E-mail: vincent.kempkes@sbmoffshore.com Website: www.sbmoffshore.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on managements current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those in such statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results and performance of the Companys business to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. Certain such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as believes, may, will, should, would be, expects or anticipates or similar expressions, or the negative thereof, or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this release as anticipated, believed, or expected. SBM Offshore NV does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Nothing in this press release shall be deemed an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Attachment
C zech activist investor Krupa Global Investments said it will meet NMC Health chief executive Prasanth Manghat in Abu Dhabi next week.

Krupa claims to have found a private-equity investor for the Middle East hospitals operator, which has been attacked by hedge fund Muddy Waters since December.

Krupa said: [We] will raise several issues we have regarding the future of NMCs business. Krupa thinks that changes in ownership structures will eventually occur, due to recent selling by top shareholders.
Rebers incident took place in 2017, when he and his family rented a house with a residential elevator in North Carolinas Outer Banks. His daughter, Nora, was 2 when she got caught between the elevators swing door and its accordion door, Reber said. Reber said he tried to open the outer door, but it was locked. He managed to pry it open enough to see his daughter standing in the elevator well. The elevator must have been called upstairs as Nora stood in the gap, narrowly missing the young girl.
CALGARY - The head of Alberta's $30-million-a-year energy war room apologized after the organization attacked The New York Times in a series of tweets over an article about how large financial institutions have stopped funding Alberta oil production.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 12/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney meets with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in Calgary, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. Alberta's $30-million-a-year energy war room is again under the microscope after it responded to an article in the New York Times by questioning the news organization's credibility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

CALGARY - The head of Alberta's $30-million-a-year energy war room apologized after the organization attacked The New York Times in a series of tweets over an article about how large financial institutions have stopped funding Alberta oil production.

"I apologize from some of the tweets" in The Canadian Energy Centre's Twitter thread Wednesday morning, posted Tom Olsen, the CEC's chief executive, to his personal Twitter account.

"The tone did not meet CEC's standard for public discourse," he said, adding it has been dealt with internally.

A 20-tweet thread posted by the CEC earlier in the day responded to an article by The Times on how these companies "have stopped putting their money behind oil production in the Canadian province of Alberta, home to one of the world's most extensive, and also dirtiest, oil reserves."

The CEC tweets said The Times has been "called out for anti-Semitism countless times," has a "very dodgy" track record, is "routinely accused of bias" and is "not the most dependable source."

Four of the tweets were later deleted.

The remaining tweets take issue with the news agency's interpretation of the data, and defend the environmental record of Canada and the oil and gas sector, but don't directly attack the newspaper's credibility.

"It doesn't surprise us the reporting isn't great, but at least there is some context for folks to consider," the thread ends.

The New York Times is "confident in the accuracy of our reporting," wrote spokeswoman Ari Isaacman Bevacqua.

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Olsen said that "there will be a substantive response" to the article within the centre's "mandate of challenging inaccuracies."

Premier Jason Kenney promised in last year's provincial election that the centre would have a mandate to promote the energy industry and fire back in real time against what the United Conservative government deems to be misinformation.

The centre has been criticized previously for using another organization's trademarked logo and for having its staff members refer to themselves as reporters instead of government employees.

Olsen has been mocked by critics for a slip of the tongue in a TV interview in which he said the purpose of the centre is about "disproving true facts.''

The Calgary-based centre has been set up as a provincial government corporation, but is overseen by three cabinet ministers on its board of directors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12.
The son of the late First Minister Rev Ian Paisley, has urged unionism "not to lose heart" following recent political developments in both the UK and Ireland.

Rev Kyle Paisley, who is a minister at Oulton Broad Free Presbyterian Church in Suffolk, was reflecting on Sinn Fein's historic success in the Republic's General Election last weekend, in which the party won the most first preference votes and took 37 seats - just one behind Fianna Fail.

Kyle Paisley also reflected on last December's Westminster poll, which saw the election of more nationalist than unionist MPs for the first time.

"The enormous political changes we are witnessing in British and Irish politics, demand strong leadership and a sharpened discernment in unionism," he said.

Amid Brexit-fuelled calls in some quarters for a referendum on Irish unity, Mr Paisley added: "If a border in the Irish Sea creates an economic division between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, then Brexit will prove itself to be what many have already called it - the child of English nationalism.

"And with the dramatic upsurge in Sinn Fein's political fortunes in the Republic of Ireland, who can tell what pressure might be brought to bear on London to widen the division with Northern Ireland which Brexit has the obvious potential to create?

"A combination of English nationalism and resurgent Irish nationalism makes this a most uncertain time for Northern Ireland. Perhaps the most uncertain time, in respect of its constitutional standing, since its foundation a hundred years ago."

In 2007, then DUP leader Ian Paisley agreed to share power with Sinn Fein as First Minister alongside Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness.

What followed became a very public friendship with images of the pair laughing and joking together earning them the nickname 'The Chuckle Brothers'.

Kyle Paisley said republicans are "clearly, cock-a-hoop at the present situation, and their hopes are rising", adding: "The old adage springs to mind: 'A week is a long time in politics'.

"Hopes can fall as well as rise, depending on political developments and how well or how poorly success is handled.

"Nothing is certain until it has happened, and nothing is guaranteed to last. In light of this, I believe that unionism should not lose heart.

"But, it must redouble its efforts to sell the Union, after a poor showing in recent times."
Copa Holdings (CPA) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.17 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.98 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.04 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 9.60%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this holding company for Panama's national airline would post earnings of $2.31 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.45, delivering a surprise of 6.06%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Copa Holdings, which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry, posted revenues of $681.93 million for the quarter ended December 2019, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.26%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $656.06 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Copa Holdings shares have lost about 1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 3.9%.

What's Next for Copa Holdings?

While Copa Holdings has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Story continues

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Copa Holdings was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.45 on $691.80 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $9.45 on $2.81 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Transportation - Airline is currently in the top 13% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CLEW today announced that it will be demonstrating the industry's first ever AI-powered critical care solution at the Society of Critical Care Medicine's (SCCM) 49th Critical Care Congress, in Orlando, Florida from Feb 16 - 19, 2020.

At-a-glance, the CLEW Unit View provides complete current and predicted clinical situational awareness, all notifications, patient risk stratification, as well as patient data summary and visualization.

The CLEW solution harnesses vast amounts of clinical and patient data in real-time to deliver highly accurate predictive clinical analytics. Using prediction models CLEW provides ICU and TeleICU providers with preemptive patient care information, enabling continuous patient risk stratification, acuity-based resource allocation, clinical optimization and improved case volumes.

On Feb. 17th in theater 4 between 12.30-1.30 CLEW Medical Director, Dr. Itai M. Pessach will present research and results about these AI models impact care. CLEW interfaces with existing EHR systems and medical devices and can be deployed either on-premises or in the cloud.

Commenting on the need for a meaningful breakthrough in the delivery of healthcare, CLEW founder and CEO Gal Salomon said, "Using artificial intelligence is the only way to create change that really moves the needle to deliver true patient value. With its U.S. market launch, CLEW aims to help U.S. health systems improve clinical outcomes and the patient experience by shortening stays and improving efficiency while reducing costs."

Dr. Craig Lilly, Vice Chair, Critical Care Operations and Director of the eICU program at UMass Memorial commented on the use of AI in critical care, "Rather than reacting or having alerts and alarms in the room that tell us that a patient is deteriorating, we know ahead of time so that we can intervene in a way that prevents the patient from ever having any symptoms in the first place. It's truly an advance."

As a trending new solution leveraging the full power of AI and big data in healthcare, CLEW was recently featured on the educational TV series "Information Matrix". Filmed on location at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, the episode includes in-depth interviews with critical care practitioners and highlights how the pioneering use of AI-Machine Learning at a leading US healthcare facility is being used to improve patient value and care delivery.

About CLEW

CLEW is a real-time AI analytics platform designed to help clinicians make better informed clinical decisions by predicting life-threatening complications across various medical care settings. With CLEW, healthcare organizations can improve outcomes and safety, streamline patient care, and efficiently handle regulations and penalties, ultimately lowering the cost of care. The platform uses machine learning and data science technology to develop patient-specific physiological, predictive models to deliver predictive warnings during all phases of a patient's stay. Originally developed and proven in the ICU, these models optimize scarce clinical resources and guide health care providers in predicting patient deterioration, across all care settings. For more information visit http://www.clewmed.com

Investigational device, limited to investigational use only.

Media Contact:

Cheryl Isen

425-233-9032

[email protected]

SOURCE CLEW

Related Links

https://clewmed.com


Authorities in Richmond released a photo Wednesday of a man suspected to have robbed a person at gunpoint earlier in the week and may be one of two men who robbed another person at gunpoint in Oakland on the same day.

Richmond police officials said the suspect followed the victim a short distance after exchanging pleasantries around 5 p.m. Monday in the area of the 12500 block of San Pablo Avenue near Clinton Avenue. The suspect allegedly pulled a firearm out, pointed it at the victim and demanding property and money, which the victim handed over.
Jalandhar Claiming that the Sikh community was with the taksalis, Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) president and former MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura said the Ajnalas had broken a commitment they had made before the Akal Takht by rejoining the SAD. Former Ajnala MLA Amarpal Singh Bony and his father, former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala, shifted their party on Thursday.

They had performed ardas (prayer) at the Akal Takht to fight against the Badals at the time of forming the taksali party. They have broken that commitment. The community is with us, said Brahmpura at a meeting of groups and parties against the SAD in Jalandhar on Thursday. Rebel SAD leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former deputy speaker and taksali leader Bir Devinder Singh, and Sewa Singh Sekhwan were also present at the meeting.

Sekhwan termed the Ajnalas going back to the SAD as a setback. Dhindsa was also dismissive of the development, It hardly matters if an individual ot two goes back to the SAD; hundreds of new members are joining us on a daily basis.

In his address to the gathering, Dhindsa said, We have to stop the loot of the resources of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) under the control of Sukhbir Singh Badal. Our future generations will question why no Akali leader stopped the loot of SGPC resources, if we cant take a stand at this point. He added, We (Taksali leaders) have decided not to contest assembly and parliamentary elections. We will, however, give a honest candidate to the community in the SGPC elections that are expected to be held soon.

On a media query on hate politics and the Delhi assembly results, he said, People have proven the power of democracy. He claimed that the SAD had stopped criticising the BJP nowadays. Akali Dal 1920 president Ravi Inder Singh claimed that Sukhbir did not deserve to the SAD president as he did not even know the basic history of Sikhism.

BIR DEVINDER, SEKHWAN DONT GET TIME TO ADDRESS GATHERING

Brahmpura was left miffed at the organisers after Bir Devinder and Sekhwan did not get time to address the gathering. The assembly wound up as soon as Brahmpura ended his speech. Former Jalandhar SAD president Gurcharan Singh Channi and former SAD women wing president Harjit Kaur Talwandi were the organisers.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for a political solution to the Idlib crisis.

According to him, fierce fighting between Russian-backed Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed insurgents is causing a humanitarian crisis in Syria.



The recent attacks on civilians in the war-stricken province where millions have fled intense fighting was a "humanitarian catastrophe" Maas said in an interview with a German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, adding that images coming out of the province had awoke feelings of "anger and frustration" in him.



Maas also said that a solution involving Turkey, Russia and President Bashar al-Assad was necessary to end the war. He added that Germany had made it "very clear" to Russia that it must assert its influence on the Bashar al-Assad regime.



Germany's foreign minister also sees a role for Germany, saying his country is doing everything "to afford contributions to de-escalation," Deutsche Welle reported.



Maas also added his voice to growing concern that the violence would cause a new wave of refugees to flee over the border to Turkey.
A man wearing a t-shirt reading 'Public Enemy No. 1' has been arrested and charged over the alleged supply of MDMA and cocaine.

He was one of two men arrested by police on Thursday, accused of supplying drugs to the harbour city of Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney.

A 24-year-old man was arrested after police raided his home in Macquarie Hills, part of NSW's Hunter region, at 7.30am on Thursday.

A simultaneous police raid of a house in Elermore Vale on the outskirts of Newcastle, which resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man.

During the searches, officers seized 28g of MDMA, steroids, $15,000 cash, mobile phones, documents and other items relevant to the investigation before taking both men to Waratah Police Station.

Two men, one of whom was wearing a 'Public Enemy No. 1' shirt, have been arrested and charged over the alleged supply of MDMA and cocaine

A detective apprehended one of the accused drug dealers. A 24-year-old man was arrested after police raided his home in Macquarie Hills, part of NSW's Hunter region, at 7.30am on Thursday

During the searches, officers seized 28g of MDMA, steroids, $15,000 cash, mobile phones, documents and other items relevant to the investigation

The 24-year-old man allegedly supplied 37 grams of MDMA and 35.5 grams of cocaine on several occasions between November 2019 and January 2020.

He was charged with 32 offences, including nine counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

Cocaine has an average street value of $300 per gram in Australia, meaning that the alleged sale of 35.5 grams could have net $10,650.

Meanwhile, MDMA powder costs $200 per gram, meaning that the alleged sale of 37 grams could have made $7,400.

The 28-year-old man allegedly supplied of 27.5 grams of cocaine between November 2019 and January 2020.

He was charged with supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity x2), supply prohibited drug (between small and indictable quantity x3), and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

An unknown substance seized by police during the raid. The 24-year-old man allegedly supplied 37 grams of MDMA and 35.5 grams of cocaine on several occasions between November 2019 and January 2020

Police were pictured wearing protective gear and one wielded a battering ram during Thursday's raid

A detective and member of Strike Force Raptor liaise during the raid on Thursday

One of the men arrested was wearing a 'Public Enemy No. 1' T-shirt, a term that was widely used by the FBI in the 1930s to refer to notorious gangsters or fugitives

NSW Drug and Firearms Squad Detectives began investigating the supply of prohibited drugs, including MDMA and cocaine, in the Newcastle and Hunter region in October 2019.

Investigations led detectives to receive two search warrants, which resulted in the two men being arrested during police raids on Thursday.

One of the men arrested was wearing a 'Public Enemy No. 1' T-shirt, a term that was widely used by the FBI in the 1930s to refer to notorious gangsters or fugitives.

Public Enemy is also a US hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, and DJ Lord, who also released a song called Public Enemy Number One.

Police were pictured wearing protective gear and one wielded a battering ram during Thursday's raid.

Both accused men were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.

Investigations under Strike Force Pallamana are continuing.

One of the alleged drug dealers arrives at Waratah Police Station. Both accused men were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday
The Irish republican charged with murdering Lyra McKee allegedly grabbed the empty casings from the bullets that killed her - but wasn't the masked gunman, a court heard today.

Paul McIntyre, 52, is accused of killing Miss McKee, 29, who was shot dead while observing a riot on Londonderry's Creggan estate in April.

Outside the city's magistrates' court McIntyre raised his arms to supporters waving 'political prisoner' placards who later scuffled with up to 40 police officers minutes after the journalist's partner Sara Canning arrived to see the alleged killer in the dock.

When the charges were put to McIntyre on Wednesday he replied: 'I did not murder anyone. If police speak to witnesses it will show it was not me.'

Police in Northern Ireland [PSNI] say the decision to put McIntyre in court came after talks with senior legal counsel and prosecutors who agreed there was enough evidence to charge him with murder.

Detectives are relying five hours of video captured by a MTV crew fronted by the broadcaster Reggie Yates who were filming in Creggen when republicans started throwing petrol bombs and shooting at police.

McIntyre is accused of picking up casings from the bullets used to kill Lyra and a man wearing his clothes and matching his description is seen doing so in a 'snapshot' of low-quality mobile phone footage, the court heard.

During a 50-minute hearing this afternoon, McIntyre's defence lawyer Derwin Harvey said: 'The allegation against Mr McIntyre is that Mr McIntyre is at this riot and a male shoots the gun and that Mr McIntyre, after the gun was shot, picks up the cases'.

He told the court that his client denied involvement in the murder more than 50 times during police interviews, adding: 'There is no clear evidence linking Mr McIntyre to this event.'

Paul McIntyre, from Londonderry, raises his arms to supporter as he arrived at court where he is accused of killing LyraMcKee, 29, who was shot dead while observing a riot in the city in April. He denies murdering the journalist

Up to 40 of McIntyre's supporters were outside Londonderry Magistrates and clashed with police when they were asked to move

Lyra's death appalled Britain and Ireland and has been credited with creating political impetus to restablish power sharing in Northern Ireland. Her partner Sara Canning was at court today

Lyra McKee's sister Nichola Corner and her husband John Corner leaving Londonderry Magistrates' Court where Paul McIntyre, 52, appeared charged with the murder

Miss McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers 10 months ago.

The Belfast-based writer was living in Londonderry with her partner, Sara Canning, who also arrived at court on Thursday morning.

The journalist's sister Nichola Corner was among several people in the public gallery wearing T-shirts emblazoned with her picture.

The court heard a lengthy defence submission applying for bail, but the judge adjourned the hearing until he receives further information from the prosecution about the evidence linking McIntyre to the charges.

A PSNI detective, who said she could connect McIntyre to the charges, outlined the extent of evidence police had examined in the last nine months.

Senior legal counsel consulted by prosecutors had concluded that the test for prosecution had been met.

The detective objected to bail on the grounds of potential interfering with witnesses, risk of further offending and of fleeing the jurisdiction.

McIntyre appeared before a judge in May last year charged with riotous behaviour and arson.

His lawyer said the crux of the case against him was an expert report that compared clothing worn by the man seen picking up the bullet casings with two clips of footage of McIntyre in Londonderry earlier in the day.

He said the key items of clothing were a pair of Adidas trainers, O'Neill's tracksuit bottoms and a black cap.

He highlighted that the expert who compiled the report did not definitively state that the person picking up the casings was McIntyre, instead saying the person was a 'suitable candidate' for matching the accused's appearance.

He said two witnesses police had spoken to described McIntyre as being between 5'8 and 5'10 tall. He added that his client was 5'2, representing a 'massive discrepancy'.

Supporters of McIntyre today held placards saying he is a 'political hostage' and a 'British scapegoat' scuffled with up to 40 police officers as they refused to move from the entrance to the city's magistrates' court this morning.

His lawyer Mr Harvey said footage that showed a man picking up bullet casings was a 'matter of seconds' long and taken on a mobile phone rather than high-definition MTV cameras. He noted the film crew had left the scene by that stage.

Supporters of Paul McIntyre outside Londonderry Magistrates' Court where they claim he is a political prisoner

The group was accused of blocking access to the court, which led to scuffles with the police

Officers formed a line outside the gates where McIntyre was cheered as he arrived with police in a Range Rover

The lawyer said there were insurmountable obstacles to a charge of murder by joint enterprise.

District Judge Barney McElholm expressed concern about sinister graffiti in the Creggan area where Ms McKee was killed and 'vile' posters showing a badly wounded police officer.

He said those behind such incidents were doing McIntyre 'no good whatsoever' but his main concern was that everyone was 'treated fairly' in the case.

The judge said: 'A young woman with her entire life ahead of her, and it was a very promising life, was murdered mindlessly and pointlessly; like all other murders carried out in this country.

'It is also very important that the murderers of Lyra McKee are brought to justice but we need to get the right people and every person deserves a fair trial.'

He asked prosecutors to provide further information about issues related to height and biometric testing and points Mr Harvey had raised about witnesses who could potentially exonerate his client.

McIntyre will next appear in court on February 27.

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Lyra McKee at her funeral at St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast in April last year

Ms McKee was shot dead while observing disorder in the Creggan area of Derry on April 19, 2019 (crime scene pictured)

Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards, the first couple to be legally married in a same-sex couple in Northern Ireland, are pictured kissing in front of a tribute wall to Lyra McKee in Belfast

In a statement on Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: 'I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.'

Ms McKee was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and part of the generation which reached adulthood during peace time. She wrote for publications including Private Eye and Buzzfeed.

Her funeral was attended by then prime minister Theresa May, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.

Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.

Days later the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.

Powersharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.

McIntyre is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.

The New IRA said it carried out the killing.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking for the CBI, the ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to be impleaded as respondents in a matter pertaining to the multi- crore Vidarbha irrigation scam.

A division bench of Justices R V Ghughe and S M Modak was hearing the application filed by one Atul Jagtap seeking for probe into the scam, also involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to be transferred from the state Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Jagtap sought for the agencies to be impleaded as respondents in his petition.

The bench, however, refused to do so saying that it could always direct the CBI to inquire into the case at a later stage if required.

The bench noted that the investigation in the alleged scam is in progress and charge sheets and FIRs have been lodged.

The bench has posted the matter for further hearing on March 13.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are the two wings of the Democratic Party. Clinton is the Democratic establishment, consisting of corporatists who sacrifice American workers for globalism and their corrupt masters. Because the Clintons, the Democratic leadership in Congress, CNN, and MSNBC all want to stop Bernie, I want to help him. He's not a globalist, or the tool of international big business. He's the anti-Clinton.

Even if you're a Republican, there's a chance you could help Bernie defeat Clintonism. South Carolina votes on February 29, followed three days later by Super Tuesday, with votes in, among others, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont. If you live in one of these states, you can vote for Bernie in the primary, even though you're a Republican.

On Monday, in New Hampshire, President Trump suggested that his audience vote for the Democrat who would be the easiest for him to beat. But I'm advocating for Sanders not because I think he'd lose to Trump. I'm supporting him because most of his most powerful enemies are my enemies as well.

My enemy's enemy is my friend.

The other reason to vote for Sanders is to stop Buttigieg. He's the new version of Bill Clinton. Bright, charming, pedigreed, and glib, he hides his real agenda behind an eager, smiling face. Like Clinton, he's a snake, a fork tongued phony. Stopping Buttigieg is important, and Bernie can do it, and win black votes doing it. As black journalist Elie Mystal explains in the Nation, blacks really don't like Buttigieg. Clinton knew blacks well all his life and could relate to them. White-bread Mayor Pete doesn't know how.

I live in California, so I have to change my registration to vote for Bernie on March 3. Since there really isn't a Republican Party of California, it will be well worth doing.

Fritz Pettyjohn has been a registered Republican for 56 years.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr.
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, this past Tuesday defense officials told a House subcommittee that belonging to a white supremacist or neo-Nazi group would not automatically get a service member kicked out of the U.S. military.

Representatives of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Armys Criminal Investigation Division appeared to make a distinction between membership in an extremist organization and active participation in deciding on recruitment and retention, Military.com reports.

This distinction left several members of the subcommittee aghast. I am flummoxed by what Ive heard today, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-California, chair of the subcommittee, said in a statement to Military.com.

Robert Grabosky, deputy director of Law Enforcement at the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, told the subcommittee that it is not prohibited for service members to belong to a white nationalist group so long as there is no active participation within the organization.

It is unclear how the military would categorize active participation as, across all branches of the military, there is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to actively participating in hate groups.

Military recruiters are armed with few tools from records checks to interviews to keep supremacists out of the ranks making it a difficult task to weed out those with ties to hate groups, the Marine Corps Times writes.

The problem has plagued the military in recent years.

In 2008, the FBI sounded the alarm for this frightening rise, noting with high confidence that Military experience is found throughout the white supremacist extremist movement as the result of recruitment campaigns by extremist groups and self-recruitment by veterans sympathetic to white supremacist causes. Extremist leaders seek to recruit members with military experience in order to exploit their discipline, knowledge of firearms, explosives, and tactical skills and access to weapons and intelligence.

Further FBI warnings singled out the strong potential for white supremacist recruitment of military personnelthe military training veterans bring to the movement and their potential to pass this training on to others can increase the ability of lone offenders to carry out violence from the movements fringes.

The Marine Corps alone has seen a spike in incidences involving white supremacist groups.

One Marine, Lance Cpl. Vasillios G. Pistolis, was kicked out of the Corps after a 2018 ProPublica investigation linked him to the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group that some deem a terror organization.

Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Hasson, a former Marine and outspoken white nationalist, was arrested on February 15, 2019 for drug and firearm charges, but investigators had feared he was planning an attack on several political and media targets, the Marine Corps Times reports.

While Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Mississippi, ranking member of the subcommittee, cautions that we dont have a lot of reliable data on extremist ideology that is permeating the military, membership to white supremacist and neo-Nazi organizations across the civilian population continue to rise. Within the last four years, the number of U.S. hate groups have risen by 30%, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization that tracks hate groups, reports.

As social media becomes awash with anti-Semitic rhetoric and Nazi propaganda, the question for the military becomes, according to Kelly, what can we do better to keep em out and what can we do to get em out?
It is only February 2020 and things are steadily heading south for the British royal family. The infamous, yet widely read, U.K. tabloid The Sun broke the news Tuesday morning that Peter Phillips, the Queen's grandson, is seeking a divorce from his wife of 12 years, Autumn. This sad revelation follows Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle's surprising announcement of stepping down as senior members of the family and their subsequent move to Canada with son, Archie Harrison.

Royal but Untitled

Peter Phillips is the son of Queen Elizabeth's only daughter, Princess Anne with former husband Captain Mark Phillips. At 42, he is the eldest grandchild and is currently 15th in line for the throne. And as Royal insiders add, the Queen's favorite. Phillips and soon-to-be ex-wife Autumn met in Montreal as guests at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2003. They were married in Saint George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2008 and have two daughters, Savannah, 9, and Isla,7.

As the offspring of Princess Anne, many still ask why siblings Peter and Zara Tindall do not hold royal titles. The decision to refuse such titles were made by Princess Anne and Captain Phillips in their desire for a more normal life for their children. However, the siblings actively work for, and remain close, to the royal family. This leads to conclusion that Peter and Autumn's daughters will share the same upbringing.

Royal Divorce Tracker

As pointed out by the Express, this divorce is the first in this generation of British royals. It will also be first royal divorce of the decade once it comes to pass. Readers' Digest has compiled a list of royal divorcees in recent history. Princess Margaret, sister of the Queen, is on the list. The digest also mentions three out of four of the Queen's children. These unusual statistics are said to be extremely saddening to the Her Majesty, as she has been married to Prince Philip for 70 years. Their marriage is the longest in the history of British sovereignty.

Also read: How Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's Wedding Unfolded During World War II

An Amicable Separation

Peter and Autumn remain friends and both are seeking joint custody of their daughters. Vanity Fair reveals that they are still sharing their marital home in Gloucestershire with the hopes of keeping the family intact despite the unpleasantry of divorce proceedings. While Autumn Phillips, formerly Autumn Kelly, was born and raised in Quebec, there have been no speculations, so far, that suggest she will be moving back to her native Canada.

Expressed in the couple's joint statement was that the decision to separate was done after "many months of discussion," squashing rumors that this split has blindsided the Queen's grandson, Peter. The couple has also requested the public to respect their daughters' privacy and to show them "compassion" as they go through this difficult period.

Related article: Queen Elizabeth Reportedly Putting Blame On Prince Charles For Prince William, Kate Middleton Marriage Woes

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Fine Gael has said a reversing of Confidence and Supply and facilitating a Fianna Fail-led government from opposition is a non-runner.

Following the meeting of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party today, it had been suggested that one of the options was to see Leo Varadkar back Micheal Martin from the opposition benches, but this has been ruled out by senior Fine Gael sources.

It won't work. Not happening, we couldn't be clearer. It would also mean Sinn Fein would be the lead opposition party. Fianna Fail would want to drop the arrogance or this is going nowhere, one senior figure said last night.

Sources have backed the idea of a so-called 'Super Grand Coalition' with Fianna Fail and the Greens, in a bid to deny Sinn Fein power.

The party has again ruled out any suggestion of talking to Sinn Fein about forming a government, meaning that a tie-up with Fianna Fail is realistically the only viable option, if a second general election is to be avoided.

The party has been conspicuous in its silence since Monday, but speaking privately, leading party figures have made clear they would prefer to go into opposition, but do not see it as possible.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Health Minister Simon Harris, and European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee were in Leinster House to sign in as new members of Dail Eireann, but were remaining tight-lipped as to what will happen.

Behind the scenes, party sources said the party is perfectly happy to take a back seat until the Dail convenes and allow Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald make the running in terms of trying to form a government.

Tanaiste and Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney echoed Mr Varadkars remarks that his party is preparing for opposition.

At the moment, our preference is to be in opposition, to rebuild the party and recognise the people have voted for change, he said.

Mr Coveney said his party was happy to give (Sinn Fein leader) Mary Lou McDonald some time and space to try to put a left-wing government together.

The electorate seems to have rejected the confidence and supply arrangement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, he said, adding that he wouldnt support a reverse arrangement to put Fianna Fail in power.

I think it is a bad idea, he said.

Mr Coveney said the country faces a number of choices: a possible second election - which Im not sure anyone wants but may happen; a Fianna Fail/Sinn Fein plus government; or some other construct, but it wont involve Fine Gael and Sinn Fein in government together".

Mr Coveney also ruled out any leadership heave against Mr Varadkar, saying there was no appetite for it and that his party leader was just getting started.

Other senior cabinet ministers, not willing to speak publicly, echoed Mr Coveney's comments.

Without question, we'd prefer to be going into opposition. We have been in Government for nine years, we could really do with rebuilding and reconnecting with our base, but getting there is tricky and not clear, said one minister.

Mr Varadkar also hit out at new Sinn Fein Clare TD Violet Anne Wynne over views she expressed in opposition to the HPV vaccine.

More evidence that Sinn Fein is Ireland's populist party. They don't believe in science  whether it's vaccines or the need for a carbon tax, he tweeted.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

In December, U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced that Albuquerque was one of seven of the countrys most violent cities chosen to receive millions of dollars in grant funding, resources and personnel as part of a Department of Justice operation to combat crime.

However, it turns out the Albuquerque Police Department might not be able to receive those grants due to Albuquerques status as a sanctuary city.

And the Police Department has not received federal grant funding under the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative to test its backlog of untested rape kits or been able to use the federal grant it received in 2018 to hire a program director for the Crime Gun Intelligence Center.

Its an issue local officials are denouncing as political extortion.

The federal government had decided to send in resources  which we gladly want to work with  to assist us to lower these crime rates, Deputy Police Chief Harold Medina said. It kind of feels like political extortion that now theyre trying to give us limitations of how we can access this federal funding that we need to help keep the citizens of Albuquerque safe.

U.S. Attorney for New Mexico John Anderson said he believes the conditions the DOJ is asking Albuquerque to comply with are reasonable. To be eligible to receive roughly $10 million in grant funding, the city must agree to certain conditions, namely that it will allow a federal audit of the forms city employees fill out saying theyre legally allowed to work in the United States and it wont prohibit departments or employees from providing information to immigration authorities.

The issue of the sanctuary city status comes in because before a state or local police department  for example, APD  can receive those federal funds they have to certify certain compliance with federal immigration laws, Anderson said in an interview.  Their refusal to sign the certification has precluded the city from receiving grant funding.

Immigrant-friendly city

In April 2018, the City Council passed a resolution strengthening Albuquerques status as an immigrant-friendly city.

The resolution says no municipal resources will be used to identify an individuals immigration status, the city will not collect any information on a persons immigration status, except when necessary, and if it collects that information its prohibited from disclosing it unless the city is served with a warrant.

City Councilor Pat Davis, who sponsored the resolution along with fellow Democrat City Councilor Klarissa Pena, said the council is not considering taking any action on the resolution.

To deliberately withhold money that they say will help Albuquerque because we dont want to sign off on an unconnected, unrelated political agenda in the presidents election year is just blatantly political bullying, said Davis, who is president of the City Council. And were not going to play ball with that. There is nothing at all in the way we fail to ask for immigrant status for letting kids into after-school programs that has anything to do with immigration or lowering crime.

Pena echoed this sentiment in a statement, saying the resolution reaffirms the citys commitment to civil rights regardless of an individuals immigration status.

Attorney General Barrs attempt to strong-arm cities and states to give up our rights to set policy and regulations flies in the face of the intent of the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which entrusts police power to the states and their political subdivisions, i.e. municipalities, Pena wrote. It does not require states and municipalities to assist federal authorities in implementing and enforcing immigration law.

However, newly elected City Councilor Brook Bassan  a Republican whose campaign included criticisms of Albuquerques sanctuary city status  said she plans to start a conversation about resolving the issue.

I still stand by the fact that I do not believe we should be a sanctuary city, Bassan said. Now I feel like we have yet another massive reason why we should think about that and reevaluate it so we can get a lot of help from our federal government.

Both U.S. senators from New Mexico called the withholding of grant funding political games and strong-arm political tactics on the part of the administration of President Donald Trump.

There is a place for these debates, and that is the U.S. Congress  where the Senate has specifically voted against placing these kinds of conditions on federal funding, Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, both Democrats, wrote in a joint statement. We urge the Department of Justice to stop stirring up divisions in New Mexico communities and instead cooperate with our local law enforcement agencies to ensure they get the help they need to do their job.

Operation Relentless Pursuit

The details of the DOJs Operation Relentless Pursuit have not been released, but federal authorities have said it will include a surge of federal agents from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as $71 million to be distributed among the cities.

U.S. Attorney Anderson sent a letter to the mayor in mid-January expressing his concern that the city will not get funding and met with city and police officials last week. He also wrote an op-ed about the funding for Mondays Journal.

He said the immigrant-friendly policies affect the grant funding, but the Albuquerque area will still get an influx of federal agents.

We dont need any of the types of certifications that weve been talking about with respect to the grant funding in order to bring federal law enforcement to Albuquerque, Anderson said in an interview this week. The reason there are those conditions attached to the grant funding is because those are typical conditions that attach to grants that go from the federal government to state or local entities.

Lindsay Van Meter, the managing assistant city attorney, said the conditions regarding immigrant-friendly cities were imposed by Trump after he took office.

What DOJ continues to do is tweak the wording of the conditions slightly and put it on new grants, Van Meter said. This has been a campaign through several different grants by the DOJ to extort immigrant-friendly cities to follow their policies by withholding substantial funding for law enforcement. These conditions have never been attached in the past.

The city still plans to apply for the grant and is considering litigation if it does not get the funding, Deputy Chief Medina said.

Other cities have sued the attorney general for imposing conditions related to immigrant-friendly cities on grant funding, and in some cases have been successful. In September, in a case in which Albuquerque was a plaintiff as a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a federal judge ruled that the attorney general cannot require cities to comply with conditions to receive grant funds.

Anderson said that even though APD might not be eligible, the New Mexico State Police or the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office might be able to get the funding for the Albuquerque area. Asked why BCSO, in the immigrant-friendly Bernalillo County, is eligible for the grants, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office said the Sheriffs Office has said it will apply for the funding and the Journal should contact Sheriff Manuel Gonzales for specifics. A BCSO spokesman did not respond to questions.

I dont think wed move on to another city, Anderson said. I cant tell you what would happen to the funds. I certainly hope this isnt the case, but if, for example, all those funds cant come to Albuquerque, I dont know if those funds revert or what happens to them. But certainly its my sincere hope that between all of our law enforcement partners here we get as many dollars to Albuquerque as we possibly can.

Anderson said Operation Relentless Pursuit has nothing to do with enforcing immigration law.

Operation Relentless Pursuit is about violent crime, Anderson said. Now Ill say that when it comes to enforcing on violent crime, the department does not take into account immigration status. So if people who are committing violent crime are U.S. citizens, were going to go after them. If theyre undocumented aliens, were going to go after them.
Chinese cities are upping measures to support medical workers and their families, who have been in the national spotlight with their sacrifices and heroism in the ongoing battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In north China's Shanxi Province, the provincial women's federation has started weekly deliveries of vegetables, fruits, meat and other daily necessities to families of doctors and nurses who are at the front line to assist the hardest-hit province of Hubei. So far, hundreds of medical families in the province have received such parcels.

In Wenzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province, the women's federation also supplies masks and disinfectants, which are in tight supply in most Chinese cities, to needy medical families.

The city government of Bengbu, Anhui Province, has asked hospitals and communities to assist the families of medical staff in solving "practical difficulties," including purchasing necessities, their children's education and their elderly parents' care.

The province in eastern China also promised a cash bonus of 6,000 yuan (861 U.S. dollars) to doctors and nurses working at the anti-virus front line, and promotions for those with outstanding performances.

Some cities are digging into their tourism resources. The city of Chishui in Guizhou Province has waived the entrance fees to its major scenic spots, including a world natural heritage site, for the nation's medics this year in a move to "salute the doctors and nurses at the front line of the epidemic fight."

In Beijing, the insurance sector is urged to offer tailored products for medics. Li Mingxiao, director of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission's Beijing Supervision Bureau, said insurance agencies in the Chinese capital had donated 25.8 billion yuan worth of insurance to frontline medics and their families.

To contain the spread of the epidemic, Chinese health authorities have dispatched a total of 11,921 medical personnel from across the country to Hubei, the National Health Commission said Sunday.

Outside Hubei, a large number of medical workers are also racing against the clock in isolation wards. Some families have seen both the husband and wife busy dedicating their time to hospital work, leaving only the elderly and children at home.

In east China's Jiangxi Province, officials called for all sectors of society to take good care of the families of frontline medics as if they were "close family."

Liu Ying, an emergency doctor in Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi, has been in an isolation ward for more than half a month. "I only sleep for about four hours every day," said Liu, whose wife has just given birth and needs extra care.

To Liu's relief, his hospital has arranged staff to supply food to the family while reassuring his wife with daily updates about Liu's work. After some volunteers donated a batch of fresh vegetables to the hospital, the family immediately received a portion.

"I feel sorry for my family but at the same time I'm glad that the hospital has come to our aid," said Liu.

"We should not only provide full protection of medical staff, but also eliminate their fears and worries by helping their families," said Zhang Wei, director of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, where Liu works.

Wu Chongyang and Wang Pinghong, who both work at the hospital, are barely able to focus on their daughter as she prepares for the college entrance examination this year. Xiong Qiuyan, head teacher of her class, offers to tutor her via the Internet every day.

"It seems that the entire society is caring for us. It gives us courage and strength in our fight against the novel coronavirus," said Liu.




Tennessee-born Dane Jackson, already one of the greatest whitewater kayakers of all time, has accomplished what could be recognized as the landmark achievement of his stellar career by descending the 134-foot Salto del Maule waterfall.

Mr. Jackson, who routinely launches himself into first descents of waterfalls while racking up first place finishes in competitions around the globe, has had his sights set on Salto del Maule for over five years. During that time, he along with a crew of Chilean kayakers, gathered knowledge of the Maule river and the daring drop to learn about the ideal conditions needed to pull off this astounding feat. Today, it all came together in epic fashion.

This is what happens when obsession becomes reality, Mr. Jackson said when reflecting on his accomplishment.

As dramatic as it is difficult, Salto del Maule has a mystical look about it as the Maule river drops 134 feet from the volcanic ridge above. On hand to capture Mr. Jacksons triumph was an all-star crew led by Corey Rich, FPV drone footage captured by Raphael Boudreault-Simard of Flow Motion Aerials and Produced by Novus Select.

Mr. Jacksons latest achievement at Salto del Maule now ranks as the second tallest waterfall descent on record behind Palouse Falls Washington, USA (189). The son of Olympic paddler, Eric Jackson, Dane has never stopped seeking new challenges and will continue to test the limits of whats humanly possible to achieve in a kayak.

To check out his latest adventures, find him on his Instagram and YouTube channel.
The anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh have extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come and celebrate Valentine's Day with them on Friday.

The protesters, who are staging a demonstration since December 15 last year demanding withdrawal of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and a proposed all-India National Register of Citizens (NRC), will also unveil a "love song" and "a surprise gift" for Modi.

Posters at the protest site in south-east Delhi and also circulating on social media platforms read: "PM Modi, please come to Shaheen Bagh, collect your gift and talk to us."



"Whether Prime Minister Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah or anyone else, they can come and talk to us. If they can convince us that whatever is happening is not against the Constitution, we will end this protest," Syed Taseer Ahmed, one of the first protesters at Shaheen Bagh, told PTI.

He said according to the government's claims, the CAA was "to award citizenship and not to take away someone's citizenship", but nobody explained "how is it going to help the country".

"How is CAA going to help us tackle issues of unemployment, poverty and economic slowdown, which are the most pressing issues," Ahmed said.

Protests against the CAA and the NRC unfolded at ShaheenBagh, Zakir Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Khureji Khas and other places in the national capital and elsewhere in the country in December.

The protesters at Shaheen Bagh have pitched a tent on a main road linking Noida to south-east Delhi via the Kalindi Kunj bridge, which, according to an official estimate, witnesses movement of around 1.75 lakh vehicles on a daily basis.

Ahmed said school buses, ambulances and emergency vehicles were allowed hassle-free movement since the protest started two months ago and the claim that the stir was causing a lot of problems to the common people was "exaggerated".

"Had it been at the levels as it is being portrayed by some people, we would have been evacuated from here long ago. The BJP would have won the Delhi polls and the Centre would have removed us. So, this claim that the Shaheen Bagh protest is causing major inconvenience is unsubstantiated," he added.

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 after being subjected to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. The law excludes Muslims.

Those opposing the law contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and thus, violates the Constitution.

They also allege that the CAA, along with the NRC, is intended to target the Muslim community in India.

However, the Centre has dismissed the allegations, while maintaining that the law is intended to give citizenship to persecuted people from the three neighbouring countries and not to take away the citizenship of anyone.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two warring sides agree to reduce violence as President Donald Trump says a peace agreement was very close.

The United States and the Taliban have secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan, Pentagon chief Mark Esper said, raising hopes for a peace agreement to end the 18-year-old war.

Weve said all along that the best, if not the only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement. Progress has been made on that front and well have more to report on that soon, I hope, Esper told reporters in Brussels on Thursday, dubbing his meetings with NATO colleagues productive.

Esper did not say when the partial truce would begin but President Donald Trump on Thursday said a peace agreement was very close.

I think were very close, Trump said on a podcast broadcast on iHeart Radio when asked if a tentative deal had been reached. I think theres a good chance that well have a deal  Were going to know over the next two weeks.

Trumps comments are the latest indication of significant progress in negotiations that the US and the Taliban have been holding since December in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The Pentagon chief said if the process goes forward there would be continuous evaluation of any violence.

It is our view that seven days, for now, is sufficient but in all things, our approach to this process will be conditions-based, I will say it again, conditions-based, he said.

The US and the Taliban have been locked in gruelling talks that have stretched over more than a year, as the Trump administration seeks an end to the USs longest conflict.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in an armed rebellion launched by the Taliban after it was deposed from power in 2001.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the talks had achieved a pretty important breakthrough.

Sources say the partial truce could lead to the signing of a US-Taliban peace deal that would see the US pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan, in return the Taliban would provide various security guarantees and launch eventual talks with the Kabul government.

There are about 13,000 US troops as well as thousands of other NATO personnel in Afghanistan, 18 years after a US-led coalition invaded the country following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.

The news of a potential agreement comes amid continued attacks by the Taliban, who controls about 40 percent of Afghanistan, according to Afghan defence officials.

Last month the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, a US government agency, assessed that there had been a record-high number of attacks by the Taliban and other anti-government forces in the last three months of 2019.
The father of an already confirmed new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient in the northern province of Vinh Phuc has become the 16th infection in Vietnam.

The new patient, N.V.V., from Son Loi Commune of Binh Xuyen District in Vinh Phuc, contracted the virus from her 23-year-old daughter N.T.D., who recently returned to Vietnam after having attended a vocational training program in the central Chinese city of Wuhan located in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the viral outbreak.

The 50-year-old father interacted daily with his daughter since her return to Vietnam on January 17.

As D., her mother, and her younger sister all tested positive for the virus, V. was also quarantined as a high-risk subject.

V. first developed symptoms such as coughing, fever, and shortness of breath on February 11.

Test results announced on Thursday morning showed that the man has been infected with the new coronavirus.

V. is currently in a stable condition and quarantine at a general clinic in Binh Xuyen Distict.

This is the 11th patient that has been confirmed in Vinh Phuc so far, out of Vietnams 16 cases.

The province is thus considered the COVID-19 epicenter in the Southeast Asian country.

Three patients in Vinh Phuc have made a recovery and been released from hospital.

As more than half of Vinh Phucs COVID-19 patients reside in Son Loi Commune, which has a population of 10,600, the provincial administration decided to seal off the entire commune for 20 days starting from Wednesday.

The novel coronavirus disease, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, has killed 1,363 people and infected over 60,100 globally since it first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, according to the South China Morning Post.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese.

Among them, seven have fully recovered and been discharged from hospital. They were all treated for free.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
[February 13, 2020] Infortrend employs Head of Strategic Commercial Development, NEU

LONDON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend Technology, Inc welcomed Kelly Lock, formally of Global Distribution, as our Lead in Strategic Commercial Development for North Europe as we continue to expand. This move is a significant stride in Infortrend's strategy to expand and deepen its presence in the marketplace. Commenting on the exciting news, Victor Chiang, General Manager EMEA explained: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Kelly into our team and look forward to seeing the immediate impact that she will have. Kelly knows our strategy well and brings great value with her in the form of her experience and knowledge of the market. This continual growth of our team showcases our commitment to the EU region an a marketplace that has huge potential."



Kelly added, "I'm delighted to be joining the Infortrend business at what is an exciting time for the industry. I look forward to developing the INFORTREND brand and expanding our current reseller network." About Infortrend

One of the most credible storage vendors in the market

We are Stock market listed, have close to 200 patents, ISO9000 accredited, and have won numerous awards for performance

Our Products fall into 4 families

SAN performance solution with no single point of failure



Hybrid NAS/SAN solutions



Scale-Out NAS solution which can increase capacity and performance linearly



Adaptive Storage Solution  EV Series

Our Focus is

On Prem Cloud Tiering Solutions



Ultra, Ultra High Performance All Flash Arrays



Large Capacity solutions (a single RAID will expand up to 1792 drives (25PB)

Full EU support structure

On-Site support in every EU country



RMA stock in the UK



Sales stock in The Netherlands



Pre & post sales in EU



7-10 Day Lead time on all units www.infortrend.com/uk/Home SOURCE Infortrend

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Alibaba Group warned it expects to see a drag on its top line for the quarter to March due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak which has created substantial logistical constraints and dampened consumer sentiment in certain discretionary categories like apparel.

While demand for goods and services is there, the means of production in the economy has been tempered by delayed opening of offices, factories, and stores after the Lunar New Year holiday, said Maggie Wu, chief financial officer at Alibaba.

The Chinese government extended the holiday across the nation until Feb. 3, although many provinces and cities went further and banned most businesses from operating for another week until this past Monday. Even then, the private sector has been slow to resume work due to lack of workers stuck in quarantine, and companies that are up and running are mostly allowing employees to work from home, impacting efficiency.

Wu noted that it was too early to provide an estimate for the full financial impact, but said what weve seen particularly in the past 12 to 13 days since the start of February, our overall revenue growth rate will be negatively impacted in the March quarter.

Some of our businesses that rely on physical means of production on the supply side will even show negative revenue such as China retail marketplace and local consumer services, she added. But overall, we remain optimistic about China and remain confident about long term growth prospects. Whatever we see right now, we believe it is a one-off occurrence.

The company shared that it too was facing labor issues. Couriers for Cainiao; its logistics services were at less than 20 percent availability. That being said, it assured the financial impact of the worker shortage would not be as substantial given that Cainiaos revenue base has expanded to technology products, which it charges a fee for, and a solid revenue performance from its last-mile services.

Story continues

The company also pointed to a long-term upside with the quarantine measures creating an acceleration of online purchasing behavior, particularly in lower-tier cities and in the categories of groceries and daily goods, as well as an explosive growth rate in its remote work-from-home software, Ding Talk, which it has provided to its merchants and their employees at no cost.

Earlier, Alibaba unveiled 20 different measures to help merchants on its platform weather this period. These included the waiving of all platform service fees for the first half of the year, reductions on warehouse and logistics fees, and low-interest loans for merchants via its financial services arm, Ant Financial.

Alibaba vice chairman Joe Tsai commented that apparel and consumer electronics faced big challenges in the supply chain but also a reduced willingness [from consumers] to make those kinds of purchases at the height of the epidemic.

But he expected a quick rebound once the virus subsides. The demand is still there and I strongly believe that after the virus goes away, the consumers have a strong desire because they have been at home for a long time, they will go out to consume.

Business in January prior to the outbreak was strong, Alibaba said, and the company ended 2019 on a high note, having successfully created a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, Alibaba saw revenue grow by 38 percent to 161.45 billion renminbi, or $23.19 billion, driven by its China retail business and cloud computing, the latter which generated revenue of over 10 billion renminbi in a single quarter for the first time. Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was 52.31 billion renminbi, or $7.51 billion.

More from WWD
Dublin, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Pharmacovigilance World 2020" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Pharmacovigilance World 2020 will provide a platform for the participants to discuss, share and stay updated with present state of affairs in Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety, and contribute to the public health. It will also allow all its participants to interact with the experts, discuss the various developments, challenges faced and innovations in the field.



The conference will bring-forth the participants and the representatives from various fields of pharmacovigilance and drug safety under a common umbrella and will provide them an opportunity to network with various industry professionals including pharmaceuticals, biologics, devices, CROs and PV service providers.



With the augmented incidence of diseases, and the non-medical use of prescription drugs, the incidence of drug abuse has increased enormously in the recent years, which is apparent with the excess documentation of adversities and drug toxicities.

In this context, the drug safety and pharmacovigilance has emerged as a dynamic clinical and scientific discipline to provide adequate information and ensure health safety by the joint interaction of doctors and patients in choosing appropriate treatment method and drug. However, evidences suggest though avoidable, the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medicines continue to be the bigger life risk.

In England, ADR was responsible for up to 6% of hospital admissions, carrying a mortality of 2% and costing the NHS 466 million per annum (654 million, US$ 602 million) in 2004. In some countries, ADR is ranked among the top 10 leading cause of mortality. The concept of drug safety and pharmacovigilance has evolved considerably and is highly necessary to keep the severity of ADR under check. In order to prevent or to reduce harm to patients and improve public health, it is vital to develop and practice mechanisms for evaluating and monitoring the safety of medicines in clinical use. Pharmacovigilance brief the potential implications of such trends on the evolution of the science.



However, these days it is confronting issues to develop a better health care system in this global pitch. Some of the major challenges include globalization, web-based sales and information, broader safety concerns, public health versus pharmaceutical industry economic growth, monitoring of established products, developing and emerging countries, attitudes and perceptions to benefit and harm, outcomes and impact, etc.



Key Highlights

Pharmacovigilance and globalization

Women and child health care medicines and pharmacovigilance

Patient-centric approaches in PV

Pharmacovigilance legislation and regulations

Harmonization and pharmacovigilance

Advanced therapeutic techniques and pharmacovigilance

Pharmacovigilance and data management and eudravigilance

Post-marketing surveillance in pharmacovigilance

PV regulations and challenges

Benefit-risk management strategies

Risk management and minimization

Adverse drug reactions reporting

Signal detection and post-authorization safety

Good Pharmacovigilance Practices

Innovative approaches to drug safety

Strategies to improve PV

Real-World Evidence in PV

Big data and AI in pharmacovigilance

Pharmacovigilance Monitoring and automation in Social media

Other emerging technologies in PV

Agenda



DAY 1



08:30 - Registration & Refreshments



08:50 - Chairperson's opening remarks



09:00 - Morning Keynote: Pharmacovigilance in the Elderly - The importance of monitoring adverse drug reactions in elderly patients



09:30 - Morning Keynote: Pharmacovigilance of women and child health care medicines and its challenges

Pharmacovigilance - significance, scope and challenges

Personalized medicines

Safe drug use: Adverse drug reactions, Adverse-drug interactions, monitoring

10:00 - An Integrated care: Effective Implementation of vigilances systems

Separated vigilance systems can lead to the emergence of divergence in terms, definitions, variety of reporting forms and methods and the build of specific databases where cross analysis is no more possible.

To be more proactive and innovative in PV and to ensure that emerging problems are promptly recognized and solutions are effectively communicated

This integrated approach is very useful, especially for emerging countries to strengthen regulatory processes and to promote high standards of product vigilance for the protection of the health and safety of Citizens.

10:30 - Morning Coffee/Tea & Networking



Legislation & Regulatory update



10:50 - PV regulations and challenges and how to accommodate all the various national requirements in a global organization



11:20 - International harmonization and drug regulatory requirement

Sales, information and knowledge of consumers

Awareness, generic names, reduction of medication errors in private clinics

Industrial association

Inspection, Quality & Compliance



11:50 - Reason, Scope and Significance of establishing good PV system

Quality system within organizations

Critical PV process

Training

Risk management

12:20 - GxP inspections of PV system, scope, trends and challenges



12:50 - Networking & Luncheon



13:30 - Ensuring Quality Oversight in Pharmacovigilance



Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and PV



14:00 - Advanced therapeutic techniques and pharmacovigilance

Advanced therapeutic techniques and pharmacovigilance

Challenges related with monitoring and safety

Benefit-risk assessment of ATMP

14:30 - Major developments in regulatory framework

The future of gene therapy, stem-cell therapy, and tissue engineering

EU guidelines and updates - Good Manufacturing Practices for ATMPs

15:00 - Afternoon Tea/Coffee



15:20 - Interactive Roundtable Discussion

All attendees will have a great opportunity to discuss a selection of the most interesting topics addressed during the conference in small groups with their peers.

Every table will nominate a head of the table, who will summarize the topic discussed, present the main puzzles and questions posed.

Strategies and Outsourcing



15:50 - Strategies to improve Pharmacovigilance



16:20 - Panel discussion: with session speakers and interaction with the floor



PV Outsourcing: Challenges and Opportunities

Economy

PV Quality assurance

post-authorization safety studies

Building partnerships

Identifying the key areas for outsourcing

The main challenges faced and impact of new legislation

Core competencies, activities-database, follow-up studies, case-studies, etc.

16:50 - Chairperson's closing remarks



17:00 - Networking Drinks Session



DAY 2



08:30 - Registration & Refreshments



08:50 - Chairperson's opening remarks



09:00 - Keynote Case Study: Interim results of a PASS on ospemifene in postmenopausal women with Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy (VVA)



PSMF, Eudravigilance & Data Management



09:30 - PSMF - Pharmacovigilance system master file

PSMF summary design, role of QPPV and managing audits

Responsibilities of stakeholders.

Accessibility of PSMF and Transparency and ensuring compliance

Challenges in the managing data collection, audit information and documenting changes in logbooks, transferring information to license partners or third parties.

10:00 - Eudravigilance - how well has it been integrated and accepted by organizations

Improvement in data analysis and exchange of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) between EMA, and various parties.

The new and improved of Eudravigilance

Connecting EMA with other regulatory bodies using Eudravigilance

10:30 - Morning Coffee/Tea & Discussion



Postmarketing surveillance & drug safety



10:50 - Structured benefit risk in the post-marketing surveillance in pharmacovigilance



11:20 - PMS and globalization

Limitations of premarketing clinical trials

Adhering to various national and international regulatory bodies

Adverse event reports, role of FDA/ CDER/ DPV/ FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)

Type of post-marketing surveillance - Role of MedWatch or similar

Adverse Event Reporting and Signal Detection



11:50 - Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics studies to minimize adverse event

Assessment and categorization - adverse event reporting clinical trial, pre-/post-marketing pharmacovigilance reporting timelines



12:20 - An industrial perspective: Post-marketing Signal Detection and management

Present Drug safety signal detection systems and tools and what do they lack

Emerging techniques and tools in the detection and management of signals

Sources for identifying safety signals

12:50 - Networking & Luncheon



Risk Management and Risk Minimisation



13:30 - Risk Minimization and Management

Assessment with comprehensive data quality

Compliant safety system (GxP compliant, inspection-ready system)

Safety signals, effective trials, strategic risk assessment decisions

14:00 - Minimizing risk and innovative approaches for prediction such as the use of safety biomarkers and pharmacogenetics



Next-Gen Technologies & Data Management



14:30 - Pharmacovigilance Monitoring and automation in Social media



15:00 - Afternoon Tea/Coffee



15:20 - Impact of Machine learning and artificial intelligence in PV

Ever expanding data and its safety

Importance and application of AI

Improving speed, accuracy and reliability using AI

15:50 - Real-World Evidence for Assessing Drug Safety



16:20 - Improving patient involvement and wearables

Role of internet/ communication techniques, advertisement

Illegal effects

Post-market surveillance of devices

Therapeutic good administration

Safety management

16:50 - Panel Discussion: Innovation and the future of Pharmacovigilance

Importance of bringing patients on board

The need for patient database and effective communication

Emerging technologies, digitization and social platform

Benefits of digital technology and regulatory hurdles

17:20 - Chairperson's closing remarks

For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qlpugx

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
Grassland Agro is committed to helping farmers meet the environmental challenges faced by agricultural industry by offering a free fertiliser planning service. There are considerable improvements that can be made in soil fertility.

Recent Teagasc research shows that 90pc of fields sampled in Ireland are sub-optimal for either pH, phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) or all combined. Improving soil fertility would allow for a reduction on the reliance of farmers on chemical fertiliser and improve overall productivity on farm.

Each Farm Is Different

To tackle the challenge, Grassland Agro has recruited and trained a team of agronomists to deliver on-farm fertiliser advice and plans.

The fertiliser planning programme was developed by Dr. Stan Lalor using the latest research available from Teagasc Nutrient advice guidelines and specifies the rate, timing and product to be applied on each field in a straight-forward template.

The old adage that each farm is different is as true today as when it was first uttered in terms of different stocking rates, soil types, systems and objectives.

Grassland Agro has a team of 24 professionally trained agronomists covering the entire island of Ireland. The agronomy team receive in-house training from Dr. Stan Lalor, Dr. P.J OConnor and Dr. John OLoughlin.

Each member of the agronomy team also completes the Teagasc Crop Nutrition Management course delivered by Dr. David Wall and Mark Plunkett.

Sustainability

The Grassland Agro fertiliser plan tackles the three key areas of sustainability.

1. Economic

Each farm is unique, and often there can be variation in pH, P and K status within a farm. The fertiliser bill is one of the largest variable costs on farm and warrants careful analysis. By targeting each of these issues, as opposed to a blanket treatment, costs can be considerably reduced.

The lost production of sub-optimal soil fertility or pH will also be calculated for a farmer and each round of fertiliser will be included in the plan and costed so that a farmer can do a cash-flow budget for the year.

2. Environmental

Nitrogen (N) inputs can be reduced by rectifying pH, and sub-optimal soil fertility. N use efficiency is impacted by sub-optimal soil fertility namely P, K and lack of sulphur (S).

The over application of nutrients on areas where soil fertility is high can also have negative environmental impacts and using the Grassland Agro fertiliser planning service will allow for a more informed decision to be made.

3. Social

The bug bear of many Irish farmers is the increasing requirement to defend their social licence to farm.

Irish agriculture is world class with respect to carbon intensity in the area of dairy, beef, lamb and grain production. It is something we should celebrate and be proud of.

However, the advantage of this component is that it challenges all Irish farmers to further increase efficiency and increase profitability while maintaining the environment in which we live.

Soil Sampling

The first step in devising a fertiliser plan is to have soil samples available. Now is the optimal time to conduct soil sampling. The Grassland Agro agronomy team can collect your samples or assist in soil sampling if you do not have up-to-date samples.

If you have soil samples and would like to get a free fertiliser plan by Grassland Agro, then please email your soil test results to: Hello@grassland.ie.

The correct method of soil sampling is outlined in the video (below).

Grassland Agro Fertiliser Plan

When the results are received, Grassland Agro can build a fertiliser plan bespoke to each farm and each field.

Grassland Agro fertiliser plans are done on farm with the farmer with his/her budget, soil type, soil samples, production requirement and system in mind. The fertiliser plan is designed to be as simple as possible, while considering the challenges of a farm and the requirements of the farmer.

When developing a soil fertility programme, fields are grouped together based on the soil results. This means that fields with a low P or K index can be targeted to rectify the issue.

Additionally, fields could be low in P and high in K or vice versa. This leads to the question of why we would treat all the fields on a farm with the same treatment?

Considerable savings can be made by optimising the rate, timing and fertiliser choice on farm. The organic supply of P and K on the farm (slurry/FYM) can be tested for the farmer to analyse the NPK content.

After the slurry is sampled, the chemical fertiliser can be balanced and targeted to fields where it would be of most benefit. The fertiliser plan will also outline a liming programme for each paddock or set of fields based on the soil sampling programme.

Grassland Agros agronomy team can also assess soil structure and a soil health test can be conducted. The farmer will also have the support of Grassland Agro throughout the growing season, as weather or growth rate could cause changes to the fertiliser plan.

Andrew Claxton, a dairy farmer in Co. Waterford, who has been working with Grassland Agro, details his story in the video (below).

Andrew has seen improvements in his soil fertility and grass production and has saved money on his fertiliser bill.

If you have soil samples and would like to get a free fertiliser plan by Grassland Agro, then click here for more information.

Sponsored by
Market Reaction: The Pound to Euro exchange rate is +0.68% higher @ 1.1995425405109 today

The Pound to US Dollar exchange rate is +0.57% higher @ $1.303225 today

Johnsons Cabinet Re-shuffle Takes an Unexpected Turn as Sajid Javid Resigns

Boris Johnson made a widely anticipated re-shuffle. Despite a few surprise sackings, there was nothing too shocking or market sensistive about the moves.

However, the Chancellor Sajid Javids resignation has caused volatility in UK markets. Sterling is surprisingly higher.

Disturbing coronavirus news out of China has hurt market sentiment and stocks are dropping.

Volatility has returned in the second half of the week, especially in the British Pound as political headlines have given traders plenty to think about. Elsewhere, global stocks are lower after coronavirus news has worsened with a jump in the death toll and reported cases. Data is on the light side, but US CPI will be reported later on Thursday and could move the US dollar.

Political Drivers Back with a Bang

UK politics have taken a breather from market headlines in recent weeks. Indeed, ever since the general election and the progression of Brexit the focus has been more on domestic data and whether the Bank of England will cut rates or stay on hold. But Thursdays news has taken markets by surprise and caused a burst in volatility in Sterling and the FTSE.

First came the news about Johnosns cabinet re-shuffle. A re-shuffle was expected, and although there were a few surprise sackings, there was nothing much to prompt any large market moves. However, just after the first announcements came the big surprise. As The Guardian reports,

Sajid Javid has resigned as chancellor after being asked by Boris Johnson to sack all of his advisers. He is set to be replaced by Rishi Sunak, the chief secretary to the Treasury, who is a favourite within No 10. Javid has been in post since the summer and has repeatedly clashed with Johnsons senior adviser, Dominic Cummings.

GBP/USD made a few confused spikes in both directions in the immediate aftermath. Initially it dropped around 20 pips to 1.296, but this move quickly reversed for a large move higher to break 1.3. Cable currently trades at 1.303 and EURGBP has been pushed down to 0.8327. The conclusion is therefore that the market likes the direction Boris Johnson is taking, perhaps as Johnson and Cummings have more power over finances.

John McDonnell, finance spokesman for Labour, was not complimentary.

This is a historical record. A government in chaos within weeks of an election. Its clear Dominic Cummings has won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and has installed his stooge as the Chancellor.

At the other side of the scale, the FTSE has fallen hard with a drop of -1.5% taking it back to 7400. This was partly due to the coronavirus and weakness in all global stock markets, but the drop was made larger by strength in the GBP which deflates the FTSE.

Will the Pound Sterling Strength last?

"Talking long-term $GBP risks. The real story from today is PM wanting greater control of budget. Should be a 'red flag' for investors. Trump-like erratic actions pose a threat to a still Brexit-sensitive pound (more so as we approach Dec). Make hay while the sun shines $GBP bulls." says Viraj Patel, FX & Global Macro Strategist at Arkera.

Market Sentiment Turns Sour on China News

Most stock markets have shrugged off the coronavirus news and the S&P500 in the US has made new all-time highs for three days straight. However, this all changed on Thursday and the situation in China looks anything but normal and in control. The S&P500 is around 0.7% lower and Asian markets are lower still. Heres The Guardian with the latest disturbing news,

The number of deaths and infections caused by the coronavirus in China have risen dramatically after authorities changed the way they calculate the figures, amid an ongoing purge of party officials in the stricken province of Hubei and in Hong Kong.

On Thursday, China confirmed 254 additional deaths  the majority of them in Hubei, the centre of the outbreak, bringing the total death toll to 1,367. After days of declines in new infections, Hubei province reported an enormous increase of almost 15,000  a jump of about a third on the total so far.

The optimism shown earlier in the week has quickly vanished and stocks are particularly vulnerable going into the weekend as the risk of negative headlines is high.

Live GBP Exchange Rates Today:

TRY = 7.897804145 (+0.82%)

CNY = 9.10074598125 (+0.74%)

SEK = 12.57788060375 (+0.69%)

EUR = 1.1995425405109 (+0.68%)

CHF = 1.275459791375 (+0.68%)

CZK = 29.7928964025 (+0.64%)

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USD = 1.303225 (+0.57%)

NOK = 12.04447061125 (+0.56%)

HKD = 10.121464381875 (+0.54%)

MXN = 24.28344755375 (+0.52%)

NZD = 2.02011238132145 (+0.49%)

JPY = 142.9852857125 (+0.43%)

ILS = 4.46380627 (+0.37%)

ZAR = 19.3509364125 (+0.31%)

AUD = 1.93613923533475 (+0.31%)
This wasnt the first time the union declined to formally endorse. In 2008, the group threw its backing behind Barack Obama, becoming the first major union in the country to endorse his bid for the Democratic nomination. But the endorsement angered many in the unions rank and file, a number of whom ultimately supported Hillary Clinton  who won many of the caucus sites along the Las Vegas Strip, where casino workers turn out.
TALLINN, ESTONIAEstonias foreign intelligence agency says the likelihood of a military attack from neighbouring Russia remains low, but that any confrontation between Russia and the West could quickly turn into a threat situation for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Director General Mikk Marran of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service said Wednesday that while Moscow wants to refrain from a conflict with NATO, it may opt for a preventive military offensive in the Baltic region if it anticipates an escalation of a conflict even if this occurs in another region.

The main security threat for Estonia in the year 2020 is Russia. That threat hasnt changed as Russia hasnt changed, Marran told reporters during a news conference following unveiling of the agencys annual review in Tallinn, the capital of the former Soviet republic of 1.3 million.

Russian President Vladimir Putins regime remains in power and continues its fight against the democratic world order, including Estonia and our (NATO) allies. Almost all threats to Estonias security derive from activities by Russia, Marran said.

The 79-page report said Moscows increasing deployment of weapons along the borders of Estonia and its neighbours Latvia and Lithuania, Moscows covert influence operations and its Cold War-style military manoeuvres are destabilizing the Baltic Sea region. The region is home to nine European nations.

The Russian armed forces have deployed short-range ballistic Iskander missiles some 120 kilometres from its Estonian border and a mere 45 kilometres from its Lithuanian border, the agency noted. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have all been NATO members since 2004.

Some 18,000 Russian ground and airborne troops are currently stationed close to the border areas with Estonia and Latvia complete with a substantial amount of offensive equipment that brings absolute supremacy to Russia in military terms against NATO forces in the Baltic region, according to estimates by the agency.

Moscows relations with Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius have remained icy for nearly 30 years since independence of the Baltic nations in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Estonia and Latvia both have sizable ethnic-Russian minorities, while Lithuanias ethnic-Russian population is more minor.

Last month, Putin watched over naval exercises involving multiple missile launches in the Black Sea. More than 30 warships and 39 aircraft took part.

Read more about:
Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, has mobilized more than 34,000 officials, government workers and Communist Party of China members into its 1,100 communities to fight the epidemic.

The city committee of the CPC said on Tuesday the figure includes 16,700 employees of government units and State-owned enterprises who will join community workers in neighborhoods hit hard by the virus.

Working at their side will be another 17,700 CPC members, who will extend their reach to all communities and villages, according to the committee.

The latest round of mobilization came as the city's community workers were caught short-handed while combing communities in search of confirmed and suspected patients who authorities have vowed to offer timely diagnosis and treatment.

Ye Jun, a government worker in the city's Hongshan district, has become a temporary community worker for the Guangba Road community.

"I designed a WeChat mini-program on which residents can report the health condition of themselves and their family members," Ye said.

Ye also phones the residents, especially the elderly who don't use smartphones, to check their health condition.

"I make 100 to 200 phone calls every day," Ye said. "Some elderly people are anxious, so I chat with them about their daily lives to make them feel better."

Ye and other community workers also help residents buy vegetables and daily necessities and deliver them to their homes.

"The government employees and Party members help community workers disinfect the neighborhoods and take residents' temperatures," said Wang Bi, the community's local Party official.

Yang Duanhua, a worker with the district's judicial bureau who helps disinfect five seven-floor apartment units twice a day, noted some challenges with the protective gear.

"I usually like to have a cup of tea in the office, but it's inconvenient to go to the restroom when disinfecting the apartment buildings in my isolation gown, so I try to drink as little water as possible," Yang said. Wuhan, which has been on lockdown in an effort to contain the epidemic outbreak, has reported 18,454 confirmed cases.

By Sunday, the city had combed 3,371 residential communities and villages. A total of 10.5 million residents had been checked, representing a 99-percent screening rate.

"It's key to do epidemic prevention work in communities to win the battle against the novel coronavirus," said Chen Rongzhuo, an expert on community management and a professor at Central China Normal University.




Mixed-gender K-pop group KARD released its fourth mini-album "RED MOON" on Wednesday. Courtesy of DSP Media



By Dong Sun-hwa



K-pop band KARD is singular.



It is the only mixed-gender idol group on the K-pop scene today, which has been pulling off diverse sonic styles ranging from tropical to moombahton  a blend of reggae and electro house.



The four-piece group has experimented from its beginnings in 2016, diving into genres that were not yet in vogue in Korea. But thanks to the genres' worldwide popularity and the band's compelling performances, KARD rose to global stardom and formed a solid international fandom, especially in South America. It has played numerous concerts outside Korea as well.



But this engendered a misunderstanding that the group solely focuses on the overseas market. Thus, many domestic fans have been calling on it to juggle its career in Korea too. The four members  J.Seph, BM, Somin and Jiwoo  are well aware of this and they revealed they also crave to seize more opportunities here.



Jiwoo and BM. Courtesy of DSP Media



"We also want more engagement in musical activities here," Jiwoo said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seongsu-dong, Tuesday. "An official from a Korean broadcasting station recently told us that KARD was like a fictional group to him (as we rarely make a public appearance in Korea). He said he was so surprised to bump into us."



She added: "Legions of people, including our fans, are also telling us to be more active in Korea. We would like to do so and have asked our management company DSP Media for more chances."



J.Seph said he felt sorry for domestic followers, because the band had to embark on a world tour soon after releasing "Dumb Litty" in September. The quartet could not meet lots of Korean fans then. Hence, he wants more meet-ups this time.



KARD dropped its fourth mini-album "RED MOON," fronted by the lead track of the same name, on Wednesday. The number is a catchy combination of moombahton, trap and EDM, which likens the steamy chemistry to the red moon.



"We came back with a moombahton-flavored song to display KARD's unique charm once again," Somin said. She was mostly reserved during the interview, but was eager to speak up when the reporters asked about KARD's music.



BM dubbed moombahton "a symbol of KARD."





J.Seph and Somin. Courtesy of DSP Media
A small community in southern Mexico has started offering military-style weapons training to children.

Some of them are as young as six or seven years old.

Cartel violence plagues Guerrero state and residents say they have little choice.

They say some schools in the area are controlled by the cartels.

Bernardino Sanchez founded a "community militia" that defends the town.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FOUNDER OF SELF DEFENCE ''COMMUNITY POLICE'' FROM GUERRERO STATE MOUNTAIN REGION, BERNARDINO SANCHEZ, SAYING:

''There are children who don't go to school anymore. Instead of wasting time forming gangs in the street, we prepare them to keep them busy so that they don't join the criminals. That's part of their education.''

Only 6,500 people live in Rincon de Chatula.

But it's seen an outsized amount of violence in recent years.

Ten people from the area were ambushed and killed just last month by suspected members of the Los Ardillos cartel.

Many more have been tortured or even beheaded.

Sanchez says the gangs want to extort farmers and force them to grow opium.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FOUNDER OF SELF DEFENSE ''COMMUNITY POLICE'' FROM GUERRERO STATE MOUNTAIN REGION, BERNARDINO SANCHEZ, SAYING:

''The Los Ardillos trick the indigenous people by going into their communities and offer to purchase poppy paste at a high cost but once they have bought two or three times from them, they lower the price. If they don't want to sell to them anymore, they take it by force and kill them.''

The move to train children in firearms shocked Mexico and made global headlines.

But privately - elders in the community admit - its mainly an attempt to grab the attention of officials in faraway Mexico City.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has denounced using children to shine a light on the problem.

Mexico saw a record number of murders last year, over 34,000.

Meanwhile many residents of the town live in fear.

Farmers tend their cornfields with shotguns on their backs and militiamen patrol around the clock.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital is creating a virtual center to support pediatric caregivers, physicians and physician scientists and their research.

Spectrum Health announced Thursday, Feb. 13 that Acrisure LLC pledged $15 million to establish the Acrisure Center for Innovation in Childrens Health at the hospital.

We are grateful to the leadership and employees at Acrisure for this generous commitment to improving childrens health, said Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Spectrum Health, in a statement.

The idea behind the center is to invest in programs that increase the health outcomes for children.

Freese said the funds will enable the facility to accelerate its focus in areas like genomics, precision medicine and other innovative advancements in childrens health.

But as other needs come up, the center will take on new, high impact programs and projects.

Acrisure, a global insurance broker firm, is a local company thats currently moving its headquarters from Caledonia to downtown Grand Rapids.

As we move our headquarters to downtown Grand Rapids, beyond the jobs, we intend to make a significant impact on the community, said Greg Williams, co-founder, president and CEO of Acrisure, in a statement.

Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital embodies our passion for innovation and strategic growth and is a partnership were intensely proud to be part of."

Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital is a teaching hospital and regional referral center. It is Michigans largest neonatal center and offers advanced pediatric specialty care.

Read more on MLive:

Muskegon schools closed Thursday due to illness

Gov. Whitmer, Grand Valley announce program for adults to get college degree faster

5-room Airbnb-style hotel coming to downtown Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids street to be removed, transformed by Grand Valley State
Following Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussexs bombshell announcement to step back as senior members of the Royal Family a lot of fans and experts alike have wondered how that major decision will affect Harrys relationship with his family members going forward. And many have questioned what his relationship is like now with his 98-year-old grandfather, Prince Philip.

Heres more on that and what the Duke of Sussex had to abandon that likely upsets Philip the most.

Prince Philip and Prince Harry | Steve Parsons  WPA Pool/Getty Images

What Philips relationship with Harry has been like over the years

The Duke of Edinburgh has always been very close with Prince Harry. In fact, when Philip retired from his royal duties in 2017, it was Harry who was appointed and took over his grandfathers role as Captain-General Royal Marines.

In April 2018, Philip had hip replacement surgery just a few weeks before Harry married Meghan. It was reported that the younger prince wanted nothing more than his grandfather to be at his wedding. Philip then became determined to be at the church and see his grandson tie the knot so he really focused on his rehab and recovery to ensure that he wouldnt miss it.

He made a massive effort to be fit to walk into church for Harrys wedding to Meghan, said former royal reporter Philip Dampier.

How Prince Philip reacted to Megxit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The first time Prince Philip was seen out in public since the news of whats been called Megxit was the day Queen Elizabeth II called for a meeting with Princes Charles, William, and Harry. The monarchs husband was spotted leaving the estate ahead of the royal summit and did not look happy.

When Philip heard about the Sussexes plans, he was reportedly shocked and shouted, What the hell are they playing at?

Another source who spoke to The Sun explained, To say that the duke feels let down would be a considerable understatement. A lot of Philips anger comes from seeing Her Majesty upset.

The role Harry took over for Philip is now vacant

Prince Harry and Prince Philip| Eddie Mulholland/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Likely the biggest blow to Prince Philip is that Harry will no longer be Captain-General Royal Marines and will have to be replaced by someone else.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments, a statement from Buckingham Palace read.

There is no doubt that the Duke of Edinburgh is disappointed in Harry for not fulfilling that role, but only time will tell how much it will affect their relationship going forward.

Prince Philip reportedly would like his daughter, Princess Anne, to take over the position.

Read more: How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Been Enjoying Life Away From the Royal Family
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE: BE) investors who have suffered significant losses to submit their loss now to learn if they qualify to recover their investment losses. The firm is investigating possible securities fraud and certain Bloom investors may have valuable claims.



Relevant Holding Period: Before Feb. 13, 2020

Sign Up: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/BE

Contact an Attorney Now: BE@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Bloom Energy Corporation (BE) Investigation:

The investigation centers on whether Bloom and senior executives misled investors about the Companys revenue recognition practices.

On Feb. 12, 2020, after the market closed, the Company admitted Blooms previously issued financial statements for 2018, as well as those for the first three quarters of 2019, should no longer be relied on.

Bloom blamed this shocking development on improper revenue recognition for the Companys Managed Services Agreements (MSAs). More specifically, Bloom divulged that it had improperly recorded revenue for the impacted MSAs up front, instead of over their life as required by GAAP. Bloom admitted that as a result it: (1) overstated revenues by $165 million to $180 million; (2) expects to report an increase in operating loss in a range of $20 million to $35 million; and, (3) expects to report an increase in net loss in a range of $55 million to $75 million.

This news drove the price of Bloom shares sharply lower during aftermarket trading on Feb. 12, 2020.

Were focused on recovering investors substantial losses and determining whether Blooms improper revenue recognition practices were intentional, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Bloom Energy should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email BE@hbsslaw.com .

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com . For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw .

Contact:

Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895




Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, talks to media outside the White House in Washington on Jan. 15, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

US Disappointed With Chinas Coronavirus Response: Top White House Adviser

U.S. leaders are disappointed with the way China has handled the new coronavirus outbreak, top White House adviser Larry Kudlow said on Thursday.

In his sharpest criticism of China to date over the response to the virus, Kudlow said the United States hasnt received enough information from Chinese Communist Party officials about whats happening.

I wish we did know more. You know, this should not be about politics or for that matter, trade. This is just plain, ordinary health, public health, to help people, Kudlow told reporters at the White House in Washington.

The virus is contained in the United States. We dont know if its contained in China.

Official numbers from China purportedly showed a decline in cases before a significant spike was reported overnight. Many experts believe the communist regime is underreporting the true number of cases.

A man wearing a mask and covered with a plastic bag walks on a street in Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus on Feb. 13, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters)

We thought they were tailing off in their head count. It turns out that that might not be the case, Kudlow said. Kudlow, President Donald Trump, and other officials are engaging with Chinese officials on the situation. Trump praised China in an unrelated event earlier this week.

We have very good trade deal with them and so forth. But, on this particular matter, we are quite disappointed in Chinas response, said Kudlow, the National Economic Council director.

China still hasnt accepted an offer from the United States to send a team of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist in the response to the virus, Kudlow said.

U.S. health officials have repeatedly talked about the offer to China. Weeks have gone by without China accepting the offer, the officials have said, save for one statement last week.

In that statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said that China decided to let American experts join a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation to help work in the coronavirus outbreak. Deere didnt respond to a request for clarification.

A medical worker in protective suit replaces an oxygen tank for a patient at a community health service center, which has an isolated section to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the novel coronavirus and suspected patients of the virus, in Qingshan district of Wuhan in Hubei Province, China on Feb. 8, 2020. (China Daily via Reuters)

WHOs advance team landed in China on Monday and Dr. Mike Ryan, a WHO official, said the rest of the team, estimated at 7 to 12 people, would land over the weekend.

WHO officials have declined to say where the team will go or what they will study.

We dont want to tell them what to do, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, told reporters at a press conference on Monday. We want them to be really free, empowered, and really see things for themselves.

Only two experts have been named publicly: Dr. Bruce Aylward, a Canadian doctor heading the advance team; and Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO official who was also part of the advance team. The WHO has not said whether any American experts were part of the group slated to land soon.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a top CDC official, told reporters on a call this week that the agency is ready to send experts to China. The CDC stands ready to send staff to the affected areas in China to work on this investigation and as soon as we are given this invitation to do that we are happy to do that, she said. But we havent been invited yet.
(Photo : Wyron A on Unsplash) [HOW TO] Valentine's Day Google Assistant Hacks: Play Music, Cook Meals, or Even Say 'I Love You' in 8 Languages (Photo : Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash) [HOW TO] Valentine's Day Google Assistant Hacks: Play Music, Cook Meals, or Even Say 'I Love You' in 8 Languages (Photo : Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash) [HOW TO] Valentine's Day Google Assistant Hacks: Play Music, Cook Meals, or Even Say 'I Love You' in 8 Languages

Happy Valentine's day! Are you ready for your special gift for that special someone of yours? If not yet, why don't you invite her to your place?

No worries, you no longer need to overthink on what to cook, which music to play, or even research about love facts as Google Assistant is here to help you on this Valentine's day! With quick tricks and Google's new set of commands, your Valentine's day will surely be a blast!

These Google Assistant hacks are useful on Valentine's Day 2020!

Just in time for the V-Day, Google has recently added new voice commands to their system in order for you to enjoy Valentine's day without thinking too much of anything.

If you have a Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker or Smart Display, like Nest Hub in your home, you can now command it to instantly play some jazz music while glowing red and purple lights play on your background. Just say 'Hey Google, turn up the love,' and Google AI will show you what love dates should look like.

This feature is available all over the world and can only be used with the English language. Aside from that, there are several other voice commands that you can try out today in order to make your date so perfect.

Google assistant hacks for valentine's day

If you want to impress your date into thinking that you know how to speak other languages, Google Assistant can help you. Just say "Hey Google, Happy Valentine's Day," and the AI will provide you instructions on how to say 'I love you' in eight languages such as Korean, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, Danish, Gujarati, Indonesian, and even the love language French.

Other commands include:

"Hey, Google, play romantic music."

"Hey, Google, show romantic dinner recipes."

"Hey, Google, serenade me."

"Hey, Google, play a podcast about relationships."

"Hey, Google, tell me a fact about love" to learn about love in the animal kingdom.

"Hey, Google, do you love me?" to create a heartfelt poem with the Assistant.

And if you're still thinking that Google Assistant cannot help you on this year's Valentine's day, here are some of the voice commands that you will be needed if you are planning a night out for you and your partner-- with the usage of your smartphones.

"Hey Google, show me some restaurants near me with a nice ambiance."

"Hey Google, directions to a flower shop near me."

"Hey Google, show me movie times."

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
If the case eventually goes to trial, the four may be tried in absentia under Dutch law.

The Netherlands refused a request by Moscow to consider allowing Russia to prosecute three Russian nationals identified as suspects in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, the Dutch justice minister revealed on Wednesday.

The first court hearing in the Dutch case against the three Russian suspects and one Ukrainian is scheduled for March 9, Reuters said.

If the case eventually goes to trial, the four may be tried in absentia under Dutch law.

Read alsoTerrorist leader Girkin says not to testify in MH17 trial

The Netherlands is leading an investigation into MH17 being shot down on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 people on board. Two-thirds of the passengers were Dutch. The plane was flying over territory held by Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine on a journey to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.

Dutch Minister of Justice Ferd Grapperhaus, in a letter to parliament about the progress of the case, said Russia made the request last October.

"The justice minister answered that the transfer of prosecution of the three Russian suspects was not an option for the Dutch authorities and will not be considered," the letter said.

Investigators say the missile that hit the airline came from a launcher transported from a Russian military base in Kursk, just across the border.

Moscow denies wrongdoing. Russia does not extradite its own citizens, so none of Russian suspects are expected to appear in a Dutch court. However, a Dutch law firm has said that one of the Russian suspects in the case has asked it to represent him.
In a first, brings nodal centres of RxDx Bangalore & Fortis Mumbai on the mfine platform. mfine plans to onboard 100 remote clinics in the next six months

mfine, an AI powered, on-demand healthcare service which enables virtual medical consultations, has announced the launch of Remote Clinics. Remote Clinics bring the hospital's satellite or nodal centres, corporate clinic outposts and diagnostic health centres on the mfine platform and enables virtual consultations with speciality doctors via audio and video chat. mfine rolled out the first set of remote clinics in partnership with RxDx Bangalore and Fortis Mumbai. The company plans to scale this model across India by partnering with similar specialty hospitals having primary health centres and aims to add 100 more clinics on its network in the next six months.

Access to health care services is particularly challenging in many districts in India outside of cities. Moreover, rural communities depend on a system of small clinics and health centers to provide primary care services, often utilizing non-physician health professionals. Remote clinics help hospitals expand services in rural areas by connecting patients to specialists. These clinics equipped with new technology can move beyond traditional functions and provide a broader range of services. The remote clinics enable better monitoring of a patients progress and also helps them with regular follow-up with the same speciality doctor very conveniently on mfine app or in the clinic. The combination of a remote clinic and mfine app will be especially helpful for the elderly, bedridden and differently-abled patients. Chronic patients who need to consult with specialty doctors on a regular basis will also be able to continue their treatment using the mfine app.

A recent study carried out in rural India found that the majority (76.2%) of the subjects were aware of primary health clinics (PHCs) in their area but utilization of its services was found to be 36.3%. This was attributed to lower socio-economic background, lower literacy rates and lack of awareness. The figure is lower for patients who consulted with specialty doctors since most of these doctors are only available in the cities. India currently has 8000 private hospitals with 20,000 rural clinics. Government and private establishments are already over-burdened by the patient volume, which makes a remote consulting a win-win strategy for patients and doctors alike.

mfine has started the first phase of deployment with RxDx Hospitals Bangalore, a reputed multi-specialty chain of hospitals consisting of 8 primary healthcare clinics and 15 corporate clinics. Apart from the remote clinics, mfine will also support the doctors working at RxDx Aarogyasri centres, nodal and corporate clinics across all branches. mfine is also onboarding Fortis Mumbai with 4 primary healthcare centres.

mfine aims to be one of the largest virtual hospitals in the world with services across primary care, secondary care and chronic care management including auxiliary services like diagnostic tests. mfine is currently assisting more than 2500 consultations everyday. The startup has over 750 doctors from 225 leading hospitals consulting across 25 specialities on its platform.



Ashutosh Lawania, Co-Founder, mfine

Remote clinics aligns with mfines vision of making quality care accessible to every Indian. By diminishing the impact of distance and time, mfine remote clinics can expand capacity, foster coordinated care, improve the quality and efficiency of the hospital and support patient management. Regular monitoring and follow-ups are much easier done on mobile and will save a lot of time and money for patients. Hospitals can also now deliver healthcare to more patients and offer super specialty services in distant areas through their nodal centers. 

Dr. Sunita Maheshwari, Founder, RxDx Hospitals

RxDx has been a part of the mfine hospital network since the last 2 years and we have enabled virtual OPD and other healthcare services for patients on mfine platform. mfine Remote Clinics will further help RxDx to enable access to Super Speciality care in distant parts around Bangalore city where there is meagre access to super speciality doctors. It will also help RxDx to expand Super Speciality OPD services in corporate clinics.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has unearthed a major scam involving import of canola oil of Candian origin by wrongly declaring it as rapeseed oil from Bangladesh to evade taxes, finance ministry sources said on Thursday.

Certain importers misused provisions of the SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) to evade around Rs 25 crore of customs duty by disguising import of canola oil as rapeseed oil.

Further investigations are in progress, the sources added.

According to the sources, intelligence developed by DRI indicated that certain unscrupulous firms were importing crude canola oil of Canadian origin by wrongfully declaring it as 'Crude Rapeseed Oil/Mustard Oil/Rice Bran Oil' of Bangladeshi origin through Ghojadanga Land Customs Station (LCS) at the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.

Customs duty of about 35 per cent is applicable on import of canola oil of Canadian origin. However, these importers were showing the goods to be of Bangladeshi origin and thereby enjoying fraudulently the benefit of full exemption of customs duty available under SAFTA.

During December-January, around 15,000 tonnes of ostensible 'crude rapeseed oil' were imported through Ghojadanga LCS from Bangladesh availing duty exemption under SAFTA -- a conspicuous spurt.

Sources said analysis of the imports of the same goods for 2017, 2018 and 2019 (up to November) indicated that only a minimal quantity of imports had happened throughout the country (all ports included) from anywhere in the world.

The quantum of these imports has been to the tune of around 500-1,500 tonnes per year.

Therefore, this sudden spurt in import of the ostensibly declared 'crude rapeseed oil' from Bangladesh under SAFTA raised suspicion.

Sources said investigations found a trader using his drivers as proxies to run an import company and another one using two different firms to import the oil.

To claim the benefit of full duty exemption, the modus operandi of these importers was to submit SAFTA Certificates of Origin after showing the 'Origin Criterion' as Category 'A', that is wholly produced in Bangladesh.

Canola oil is a completely different product than natural rapeseed oil. Canola oil is a 100 per cent genetically modified (GM) product, whereas rapeseed oil is made from a naturally found plant. Canola oil cannot have its origin in Bangladesh, as that country has only one GM food crop -- eggplant aubergine (brinjal).

Major producers of canola oil are Canada, US, Australia and Germany.

Canola oil is a vegetable oil derived from a specific variety of rapeseed (GM crop) that is low in erucic acid (maximum of 2 per cent). The change in name serves to distinguish it from natural rapeseed oil, which has much higher erucic acid content (30-60 per cent), making the latter inedible.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Collapse of micro-enterprises shakes the foundation of Korea Inc.



The ongoing new coronavirus outbreak is inflicting considerable damage on the self-employed and small businesses. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) on 1,096 members early this month, 97.9 percent of respondents said their sales have declined since the start of the epidemic. No fewer than 44 percent said their turnover had more than halved, the KFME said. Asked about changes in customer visits, 97.5 percent said the number of clients visiting their stores had also plummeted. The largest share of them, or 61.4 percent, cited the cancellation or indefinite postponement of scheduled events and travel as reasons for these.



All this shows how the adverse economic effects of he COVID-19 are spilling over to the self-employed. More than nine out of 10 are complaining about dismal sales records. The epidemic's damage has spread to all industries and businesses. Still, the effects on small enterprise owners need to be interpreted from a different perspective. Big businesses and large shopping malls with deep pockets can absorb temporary damage  small businesses and the self-employed cannot. These micro-businesses have to rely on daily earnings to make ends meet, and most of them cannot keep their stores open if sales fall for a month or longer. If small vendors collapse, regional commercial spheres will also swiftly crumble.



The government should come up with immediate countermeasures. First of all, it should work out various steps to boost consumption. That will not be easy as the new coronavirus has frozen consumer sentiment. For now, the administration does not have much option but to extend financial support. More than half of the respondents in the survey cited budget frontloading and the provision of "management-stabilizing funds" as the most urgent and practical support.



The Moon Jae-in administration has to seek realistic ways to help struggling small businesses, such as formulating an extra budget. If the grassroots of the economy breaks down, its impact will be felt across the board. In conclusion, the Moon government needs to present and implement steps to save small firms and the self-employed from the fallout of COVID-19.








Business leaders and city councilors from Boston and Quincy plan to host a dim sum brunch to support businesses that they say have been affected by the fears surrounding the coronavirus.

The coronavirus has led to thousands of cases around the world, but had little impact in Boston. Yet community organizers and elected officials say Asian business owners are losing business over the fear of the virus that was traced back to Wuhan, China in late 2019.

Even though the risk of coronavirus is very low in Boston  you have more odds of catching the flu than this  people are staying away from Asian American owned businesses, staying away from Chinatown and other restaurants in Asian American communities across the state, said Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu.

The city councilor is working with Quincy City Councilor Nina Liang and Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, whose district includes Chinatown, to organize a dim sum brunch at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bostons China Pearl restaurant.

Since the brunch was first announced, Wu said the event has garnered more than 100 supporters who say they will go.

Join @naaapboston @nina_liang @EdforBoston & me for dim sum brunch on Saturday with friends! Come show support for Chinatown small businesses hit hard by coronavirus fears during what should be the busiest time of year, Lunar New Year. RSVP: https://t.co/TavgO0R3dL  Michelle Wu  (@wutrain) February 12, 2020

The coronavirus, which was traced back to Wuhan, China in late 2019, has led to nearly 60,000 cases in the Asian country, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed its 14th U.S. case on Wednesday.

Reports of xenophobic incidents are on the rise since the coronavirus outbreak.

In Los Angeles, video of a man yelling at a Thai American woman on public transportation in Los Angeles went viral. Tanny Jiraprapasuke told NBC News she was the only Asian American on the train when the man was yelling about China being the source of the coronavirus and making epithets about Chinese Americans.

In New York City, a woman wearing a face mask was allegedly assaulted and called diseased in a subway over an incident that appeared to be related to fears about the coronavirus.

Wu said shes heard from families saying their children have been bullied in the wake of the outbreak. The councilor said she has personally noticed a difference when she and her children travel around the city.

Its been apparent since the news began to grow even just as Im getting on the T with my kids, people would keep a little more distance, she said. You notice who else on the train has empty seats all around them, its the Asian Americans on the train.

The drop in customers comes at a time when Chinese businesses typically expect higher crowds in celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Its been really painful," Wu said. "The restaurant community employs so many people so this is directly affecting families ability to make ends meet, and it also reinforces a very painful stereotype that many of us have experienced our entire lives as being cast as the perpetual foreigner.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Ilkin Seyfaddini  Trend:

The territory of Samarkand will almost triple, from 11,200 to 30,000 hectares, and the population of Samarkand will reach 1.1 million people by 2040, Trend reports via Uzbek media.

According to the data as of the beginning of 2018, it makes up about 540,000, i.e. two decades later the number of citizens will double.

Such a forecast is contained in the Uzbek government's decree approving the master plan for Samarkand, developed by the republic's Construction Ministry.

By 2040, the Ministry of Construction plans to increase the amount of houses in this city from 6.1 million square meters to 22 million. Moreover, emphasis will be on single and double-storey houses, which will account for 60 percent of the total volume of new buildings. Buildings three to five floors high will account for 30 percent of the city's new housing stock.

The master plan provides the construction of additional schools, hospitals, hotels, retail outlets and other urban infrastructure facilities, taking into account the growth rate of Samarkand.

At the same time, any construction or reconstruction of existing buildings in the central part of the city on the area of 1100 hectares will be carried out only after the approval of plans by the Ministry of Culture.

In general, the development of the master plan will take into account the UNESCO recommendations on the preservation of Samarkand's cultural heritage.

Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded, according to archaeological data, between the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. The city was the center of the historical region and capitol of Sogdian satrapy.

---

Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini
From Janet Jackson to Steely Dan, Portlands big concert season is full of musicians ready to bring you back to your childhood. So break out the Discman or the Walkman or the victrola, depending on when that childhood happened, and get ready to dance down memory lane.

The Steely Dan and Steve Winwood "Earth After Hours Tour will stop at 23 venues in June and July. Portland will be the first show of the tour. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster. You can also check StubHub for tickets.

Alanis Morissette is celebrating 25 years of Jagged Little Pill (why yes, you are old now!) with a 31-stop tour in 2020 and one of those stops is just outside of Portland. You can find tickets at Ticketmaster and StubHub.

Private eyes are watching you decide whether or not you want to buy a ticket to this show. If you do, tickets are being sold by Ticketmaster and StubHub.

Its your life, you know? You have to live it while youre alive and go to the shows you want to go to. You arent going to live forever. Maybe one of those shows is Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams at Portlands Moda Center on June 11? You can find tickets at Ticketmaster and StubHub.

Foreigner is coming to Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Washington, on Friday, July 17, as part of their Juke Box Heroes 2020 tour. Do you feel that its urgent for you to buy tickets? So urgent (urgent, urgent, urgent)? Tickets are for sale now on Ticketmaster. Tickets are also available on StubHub.

Janet Jackson is coming to Portland so get your dance moves ready. You can buy tickets to the Moda Center stop of her Black Diamond World Tour via Ticketmaster. Tickets are available on StubHub as well.

The band that really wants to push you down and take you for granted is coming to Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield on Thursday, Sept. 17. Tickets are available on StubHub and Ticketmaster.

Roger Waters returns to Portlands Moda Center at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, with his This Is Not a Drill tour, which will be performed in the round, offering a new perspective on his famously theatrical shows. Tickets are now on sale. They are also available from StubHub.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Reuters

The Mobile World Congress (MWC), the annual telecoms industry gathering that draws more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona, was cancelled on Wednesday after a mass exodus by exhibitors due to fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

Bowing to the inevitable, the GSMA telecoms association that hosts the get-together said it had cancelled the 24-27 February event despite assurances from local and national health officials that it would have been safe to hold it.

"The GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event, John Hoffman, the CEO of organiser GSMA, said in a statement.

(Also read: Facebook, Cisco, AT&T will also skip MWC this year over coronavirus fears)

The announcement followed a crisis meeting of the GSMA board, after its hand was forced by the pull out of anchor European members including Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone , BT and Nokia.

Spain's Telefonica, one of the biggest telecom operators not to have announced it was pulling out, said on Wednesday evening it "understands the GSMA's decision to cancel the Mobile World Congress 2020 due to the situation generated by coronavirus."

It said it would always support Barcelona as host city of the Mobile World Congress.

(Also read: Amazon withdraws from Mobile World Congress 2020 over coronavirus fears)

Barcelona's mayor, Ada Colau, said earlier she wanted to send a "message of calm," insisting the city was ready to host the event, while Spanish health officials reiterated that there was no reason to call off MWC.

The World Health Organisation, a UN agency leading the coronavirus crisis response, had also called in vain for calm.

There is no evidence at present to suggest that there is community spread outside China, so WHO is not currently requesting that large gatherings are cancelled," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told Reuters in Geneva.

That failed, however, to alleviate concerns among major exhibitors that the precautions would be insufficient to halt the virus, which has spread beyond China's borders to two dozen countries.

"To bring people together and connect them: That is what Telekom stands for. This is also what the Mobile World Congress, the 'class reunion' of our industry, stands for," Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Hoettges posted on LinkedIn.

But he said that large gatherings of people with many international guests posed a particular risk: "To take this risk would be irresponsible."

The Chinese contingent at MWC has numbered 5,000-6,000 in recent years, making the event particularly vulnerable given the outbreak of the virus that has killed more than 1,100 people on the Chinese mainland.

The GSMA said the host cities and partners respected and understood its decision, adding that they would "continue to be working in unison" towards staging next year's event.

Hoffman and Colau are to hold a joint press conference on Thursday.

Due to the sheer scale of MWC, with delegates packing out Barcelona's hotels and restaurants and causing the city's trade fair grounds to burst at the seams, postponement was never a realistic option, sources said.

On the hook

A final decision was made harder by the terms under which any events insurance taken out by the GSMA would pay out, industry sources and insurance experts said. This would be unlikely to kick in unless restrictions are imposed on public gatherings in the country on health grounds.

"Where there is no ban and businesses make their own commercial decision, I cannot see the market paying out," Edel Ryan, who is on the Special Risks team at broker Marsh JLT Specialty, said before the GSMA's decision.

Major Chinese exhibitors, led by Huawei, had stuck to plans to attend to the very last, ordering at-risk staff to isolate themselves in advance and drafting in replacements from elsewhere to run event stands and host clients.

The GSMA had banned attendees from China's Hubei province, where the coronavirus outbreak began, and required others to prove that they had been outside the country for at least two weeks prior to the event.

Coronavirus has proved to be contagious even when people who have caught it are asymptomatic, meaning that people attending might not even realise that they could infect others at MWC. Tracking the meetings and movements across the Fira trade grounds and the city of Barcelona of anyone who later tests positive would be a difficult task.

(Also read: Coronavirus outbreak FAQ: Face masks, safe meat, tips to stay safe from the deadly airborne infection)
Is Pete Buttigieg the Israel Lobby Choice?



Cyberwarfare began in Iowa



By Philip Giraldi

February 12, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Many Americans might consider it decidedly odd that the recent impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump also featured constant vilification of President Vladimir Putin, to such an extent that one might have though that the Russian leader was also in the dock awaiting sentencing. The irony is, of course, that while Russian interference has virtually become a cliche, its actual impact on the 2016 election outcome was less than negligible.

Russia was cited seemingly incessantly by House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff, to include the always useful assertion that if we dont fight them over there [in Ukraine] well have to fight them over here. Even more ridiculous, Schiff suggested that if Trump were to lose the presidential election later this year, he might well refuse to accept the result and could be supported by an invading Russian army.

Senator Charles Schumer of New York delivered one of the more astonishing pre-impeachment vote diatribes, tying Trump to foreign interests. He said No greater subversion of our democracy than for foreign powers to determine or elections My fellow Americans, asking for foreign interference in our elections is a high crime. Our Nation was founded on the idea of truth. Yet the same Schumer brazenly claims that he is the protector of Israel in the U.S. Senate, that his surname is derived from the Hebrew shomer which means guardian.

Strangely, the country that, acting directly and through proxies like Schumer, does regularly and openly interfere in American politics and elections is Israel, but it was not mentioned at all in the hours of testimony in spite of the fact that Trumps partiality towards the Jewish state has done more actual damage to genuine U.S. interests than the Kremlin was ever able to do. One would have thought Israel and its kleptocratic leader Benjamin Netanyahu would have deserved at least a nod from Congress.

Indeed, Israel has been involved in American politics before, even if it is predictably never held accountable, and it has been suggested that Russiagate was really Israelgate based on what actually took place when shortly after the 2016 election, when Trump National Security Adviser designate Michael Flynn called Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The call was made at the direction of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, who, in turn, had been approached by Netanyahu, who not coincidentally is a family friend of the Kushners.

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Netanyahu had learned that the Obama Administration was going to abstain on a United Nations vote condemning the Israeli settlements policy, meaning that for the first time in years a U.N. resolution critical of Israel would pass without drawing a U.S. veto. Kushner, acting for Netanyahu, asked Flynn to contact each delegate from the various countries on the Security Council to delay or kill the resolution. Flynn agreed to do so, which included the call to the Russians. Kislyak took the call but did not agree to veto Security Council Resolution 2334, which passed unanimously on December 23rd.

What exactly did Kushner seek from Flynn? He asked the soon-to-be National Security Adviser to get the Russians to undermine and subvert what was being done by the still-in-power American government in Washington headed by President Barack Obama. In legal terms this does not quite equate to the Constitutions definition of treason since Israel is not technically an enemy, but it most certainly could be construed as covered by the conspiracy against the United States statute that Special Counsel Robert Mueller exploited in his investigations.

Currently, Israel may just turn out to be part of last weeks story of the astonishingly inept Democratic Party caucus in the state of Iowa. Award winning investigative journalist Max Blumenthal has provided the back story relating to the app that was developed to expedite Iowas voting but which instead delayed the reporting of the results for nearly a week. It now appears that the app might be part of an operation being funded by Jewish billionaires with close ties to right wing Israeli settler groups who are opposed to Senator Bernie Sanders and supporting Mayor Peter Buttigieg. The failed app that caused the problem was developed by a company called Shadow Inc., which was staffed by former Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama supporters and funded by billionaire Seth Klarman, who also is a major contributor to Pete Buttigiegs campaign and also has been linked to former and current senior members of the intelligence community. The Iowa Democratic Committee reported that the software that included the app was paid for by the Buttigieg campaign, Pete for America Inc.

Klarman is a deeply committed hard line Zionist. Blumenthal described in a separate article how Klarman has been a top funder for major Israel lobby outfits, including those that support the expansion of illegal settlements and Islamophobic campaigns. Klarman was the principal financier of The Israel Project, the recently disbanded Israeli government-linked propaganda organization that lobbied against the Iran nuclear deal and backed the Israeli settlement enterprise. Klarman has heaped hundreds of thousands of dollars on the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) and the American Jewish Committee. And he funded The David Project, which was established to suppress Palestine solidarity organizing on college campuses across the U.S. and battled to block the establishment of a Muslim community center in Boston.

Klarman also financially supports major Israeli lobbying and disinformation organizations to include AIPAC-founded Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) and the anti-Iranian neocon think tank Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD. Blumenthal also reports that Klarman owns the Times of Israel, which once called for Palestinian genocide.

The delay in the Iowa results just might have been deliberate, possibly caused by the Shadow app. The New York Times review of the caucus results concluded that they were riddled with errors and inconsistencies, with tallies that are internally inconsistent, that were missing data or that were not possible under the complex rules of the Iowa caucuses. In some cases, vote tallies do not add up. In others, precincts are shown allotting the wrong number of delegates to certain candidates. And in at least a few cases, the Iowa Democratic Partys reported results do not match those reported by the precincts.

Apart from possible fraud or even a hack, Senator Bernie Sanders, who appeared to be heading for a win, found that the inconclusive and even disputed result denied him momentum and a victory speech heading towards this weeks primary in New Hampshire. It also allowed Buttigieg to preemptively declare a predicted win on twitter even before any votes had been counted: By all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious. #IowaCaucuses. And it is possible that worse is to come as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) head Tom Perez is tweeting his intention to recanvass, which would mean a complete review of all work sheets and might even require new voting. It could conceivably cost Bernie a win. Sounds a bit like a conspiracy, doesnt it?

It is, in fact, remarkable the extent to which Buttigieg has hardened his line supporting Israel. He has abandoned his commitment made last June that he would withhold aid from Israel if it were to seek to annex more of the West Bank, saying then that If Prime Minister Netanyahu makes good on his threat to annex West Bank settlements, he should know that a President Buttigieg would take steps to ensure that American taxpayers wont help foot the bill.

Buttigieg also is on record as having said in October I think that the aid is leverage to guide Israel in the right directionthat our policy goal will be to do what you do when a friend is moving in a way that youre worried about, which is to put your arm around them and guide them somewhere better.

Presidential aspirant Pete Buttigieg is not saying that any more. Mondoweiss reports an exchange he had in a speaking engagement in Iowa on January 29th with IfNotNow organizer Elias Newman:

Newman: recently I was happy to see that you said if annexation happens that youll make sure the U.S. doesnt foot the bill. So, I wanted to knownow that annexation is happening in full force, are you ready to commit? Are you ready to commit, to make sure the U.S. doesnt send a blank check to Israel? Buttigieg: The U.S. cannot be promoting annexation, like it is under this president. By the way, I am not talking about withdrawing aid or withdrawing our support from Israel Newman: Youre not willing to make good on your commitment Buttigieg: Well, if youre asking me to commit to withdrawing American support for Israel, the answer is no. Newman: I asked you a yes or no question.are you committed yes or no, to withdrawing aid for the occupation Buttigieg: I stand by what I said about this. Newman: What, just now or a couple months ago? Buttigieg: So, if youre asking me in light of the presidents proposal, I would withdraw aid from Israel? The answer is no.

In short, Buttigieg is a manufactured corporate candidate who is little more than an empty suit, having no core values whatsoever apart from seeking to become the first gay president. The Establishment is comfortable with him and he is good-looking, seemingly affable and articulate, though he suffers from an unpronounceable surname. He has now checked the box making him acceptable to the Israeli government and its powerful domestic lobby, which have always been suspicious of Trump even as he gives them gift after gift. Being Israel-friendly is also a must with the mainstream media.

But perhaps the more important question must be related to the actual extent of Buttigiegs possible involvement in another DNC/Clinton inspired and Israel-supporter financed scheme to stop Bernie Sanders. There are indications that Zionist attack ads directed against Sanders have already been and will continue to be surfacing. No one is seemingly asking, for example, whether the Shadow Inc. app, which was vulnerable to hacking, might have actually been able to change the vote totals without leaving an electronic footprint? Or was it designed to fail, casting doubts on the caucus result, which would most hurt a surging Sanders? Someone should ask Pete if we have seen the last of anything like the app that he and his apparent paymasters unleashed in Iowa to subvert the electoral process? Stay tuned.

Philip Giraldi Ph.D., is a former counter-terrorism specialist and military intelligence officer of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Mr Giraldi, is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is www.councilforthenationalinterest.org , address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform@cnionline.org.

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==See Also==

Buttigiegs staunch support of Israel bucks the Democratic partys trend.

Buttigieg Says Palestinian Leaders Are No Partner for Peace

Pete Buttigieg backtracks on pledge to leverage aid to Israel
Indian-origin politician and Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy's son-in-law Rishi Sunak was appointed as United Kingdoms new finance minister. This appointment was a part of the recent reshuffle after the appointment of UKs newest Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Wikipedia

Rishi Sunak is the son in law of Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy and Sudha Murthy, married to Akshanta Murthy, residing in Hampshire, UK. He is soon expected to move into No. 11 Downing Street, right next to the Prime Minsters office.



Narayan Murthy & Sudha Murthy

Narayan Murthy founded Infosys and was the CEO for the enterprise for 21 years. At Infosys, he designed and applied the Global Delivery Model for IT services outsourcing from India.

Reuters

Sudha Murthy is a social worker and author and looks after philanthropic work conducted through Infosys.



Sunak is replacing Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid who recently resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He has worked as Javids juniors the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. His position today is the second most crucial government position.

Rishi Sunaks Early Life

Belonging to a Punjabi family, son of a pharmacist mother Usha Sunak and a National Health Service (NHS) general practitioner (GP) father Yashvir Sunak.

He completed his early education at Winchester College, followed by a degree in Politics, Philosophy, Economics at Lincoln College, Oxford. He has also attained an MBA from Stanford University.

Rishi Sunaks Political Career

Hes been a part of parliament since 2015, being a conservative candidate for Richmond Yorks. Before that, he has worked at Goldman Sachs, as well as a partner at the hedge fund management company The Childrens Investment Fund Management.

In his initial days in the parliament, he was a part of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select committee. In 2016, he also supported Brexit. He was again elected as MP in 2017 and acted as Parliament Undersecretary for Local Government between January 2018 to June 2019.

He was again elected in the 2019 general election with an increased majority of 47.2 percent.

During the Brexit referendum, he said, supporting the idea of Brexit, "From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen how we should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure Britain has a stronger future."

He will be accompanied by Home Secretary Priti Patel on the government panel along with Indian origin MPs Alok Sharma, Suella Braverman and others.
ATLANTA  Part of a restaurant ceiling collapsed inside Atlantas airport Thursday, leaving a large chunk of it draped over countertops in the dining area. One person was taken to a hospital, and a second person was treated at the scene, airport officials said.

The collapse happened shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday in Concourse A, one of the closest concourses to the main domestic terminal, the airport said in a statement.

It appears that the ceiling was improperly attached, and there are now plans to review construction methods and design plans at other businesses inside the airport, said Tom Nissalke, the airports assistant general manager for planning and development.

At a Thursday briefing for reporters, Nissalke described the piece that fell as a floating ceiling. When asked whether the ceiling was misattached, Nissalke responded, thats how it appears, yes.

Because of its weight, the structure has to be attached to the rigid roof deck, which is designed to hold the weight, he said.

It was not attached to the roof deck, based on what weve seen thus far, Nissalke said.

He estimated that the chunk of ceiling that fell weighed 700 to 800 pounds (318 to 363 kilograms) and crashed down as customers ate breakfast inside the restaurant. It had been that way for about the past three and a half years, he said.

Airport officials say they will now delve into the design plans to find out what happened.

Were reviewing drawings that were the permitted drawings, to see exactly what happened and was the construction implemented according to the plans, Nissalke said.

The ceiling fell in Cat Coras Kitchen, one of several airport locations opened by celebrity chef Cat Cora, a Jackson, Mississippi native. In 2015, Cora became the first-ever female Iron Chef on the Food Networks Iron Chef America.

Coras business partner, the concession firm that operates the restaurant, said in a statement that it considers the safety of its guests and employees to be deeply important.

We are currently working with the airport and other partners to fully evaluate the situation, including any potential injuries and/or facility damage, said Regynald Washington, president of Atlanta-based Paradies Lagarderes dining division.

The airports review will extend beyond Cat Coras Kitchen, Nissalke said, though he wasnt sure Thursday how many businesses that might be. Paradies Lagardere has partnered with Atlantas airport on many projects and its website lists more than 30 restaurants and shops in the airport.

Were going to go ahead and review all the other drawings associated with this concessionaire just to see if a similar situation exists, Nissalke said. We are going to be reviewing all those other spaces.

The concession company has restaurants and stores in dozens of U.S. airports, according to its website. It lists more than two dozen shops and restaurants in several major airports, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, Detroit Metropolitan Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

In a statement from her publicist, Cora said that she was awakened Thursday morning by a call from her partners at Paradies Lagardere informing her of what had happened.

We are working with our airport team very closely to assess the situation, Cora said.

Above all, we just want to make sure everyone involved is ok, she said.

One person asked to be transported to a hospital, airport officials said. A second person was treated at the scene and then continued on with travel plans, Nissalke said.

There are many companies involved in designing and building restaurants and other establishments inside the airport. Businesses known as concessionaires lease space from the city of Atlanta, then typically prepare a design and construct the restaurant or store using architects, engineers and contractors, Nissalke said.

Photos on social media showed workers in orange vests inspecting the scene on one side of the fallen ceiling chunk, as airport travelers stood on the other side.

There was no impact on operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, authorities said. The airport calls itself the worlds busiest, averaging 275,000 passengers daily.
WASHINGTON - Democrats are still searching for a presidential front-runner.

No single candidate following the Iowa and New Hampshire contests has demonstrated undeniable strength, suggesting the race remains fluid with loyalties in flux, according to AP VoteCast.

The polling indicates voters are gaming out a series of overlapping and clashing impulses, trying to judge who among Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice-President Joe Biden would be most competitive in November against President Donald Trump.

The survey did not include former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was not on the ballot in New Hampshire.

Moderate voters, who made up a majority in New Hampshire, splintered their votes, allowing a young and more liberal coalition to carry Sanders to a narrow victory.

But AP VoteCast shows that New Hampshire voters who fit the profile of Bidens supporters in Iowa gravitated toward Klobuchar and, to a lesser extent, Buttigieg  helping lead them both to strong showings in the state.

Conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago, AP VoteCast is a wide-ranging survey of more than 3,000 Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire.

The Democratic nomination and the outcome of the 2020 election will ultimately depend on how a disparate group of voters find a way to come together.

KLOBUCHAR

After all the debates and town halls, it was mostly a last-minute decision to vote for Klobuchar for those in New Hampshire.

A stunning 56% of her supporters said they made up their minds in the days before Tuesdays primary. As in Iowa, her voters tended to be older than 45 and have college degrees. Most defined themselves ideologically as moderate or conservative.

But her standing among these groups appeared to improve from Iowa following her solid debate performance last week in New Hampshire. If you are tired of the extremes in our politics and the noise and the nonsense, you have a home with me, Klobuchar said.

Still, there were signs that her backers could rally behind Buttigieg as the primary contest spreads to states where Klobuchars campaign has limited infrastructure.

A wide majority of Klobuchar voters, 80%, said they would also be comfortable if Buttigieg became the nominee, and 41% identified him as their second choice.

BUTTIGIEG

The Midwesterner enjoys broad support, just not among liberals.

Compared with other top candidates, his backers look more like New Hampshire Democratic voters overall by age and education. He also nabbed somewhat higher support in New Hampshire than in Iowa among moderate and conservative voters without a college degree, after that group gave him and Biden comparable support a week ago.

But about 8 in 10 Buttigieg supporters self-identified as moderate or conservative. Roughly three-quarters thought it would be more difficult for a strongly liberal Democratic nominee to beat Trump in November.

Buttigieg supporters dont put much stock in experience, not a surprise considering the 38-year-olds time as an elected official consists of two terms as the mayor of Indianas fourth-largest city.

Only a quarter of Buttigieg supporters said it is very important for a Democratic nominee to have the right experience, compared with half of Klobuchar supporters and majorities of Biden, Warren and Sanders supporters.

Similar to Klobuchar backers, a large share of Buttigieg supporters, 72%, said they would be satisfied with her as the nominee. But somewhat fewer of them, 29%, named her as their second choice.

SANDERS

Four in 10 of Sanders voters said they knew all along that they would back him, evidence of his strong core of support.

His voters were disproportionately young and very liberal. A majority of them did not hold a college degree. Sanders was also the top choice of nonwhite voters and LGBT voters  cohorts that each made up a fairly small share of the electorate.

Sanders supporters think the best way to beat Trump is by outflanking him on the left on universal health care, free college and other matters, rather than charging down the middle. Nearly 6 in 10 said that a strongly liberal candidate would make no difference or even help him against Trump.

The majority of New Hampshire Democrats feel differently, with nearly two-thirds saying a liberal candidate would face a tougher battle against Trump.

If Sanders failed to win the nomination, majorities said they would find Warren or Buttigieg acceptable. But only 33% felt satisfied by a Biden nomination and 48% said so for Klobuchar.

WARREN

Warren saw her overall support tail off from Iowa to New Hampshire, where she received less than 10% of the total vote. But her coalition looked roughly the same: mostly women and mostly college graduates. Put it all together and close to half of her supporters were women with a college degree.

A wide majority were liberal, including 44% who called themselves very liberal.

Nearly 6 in 10 Warren supporters said its very important for a woman to be elected in their lifetimes  far more compared with other top contenders supporters, including Klobuchars.

BIDEN

Theyre older. Theyre more moderate. Theyre nostalgic for the presidency of Barack Obama. And in New Hampshire, they were a distinct minority.

The former vice-president placed fifth, validating his assertion at the states debate that he would take a hit. Biden is betting heavily that he will fare better in the more racially diverse contests in Nevada and South Carolina.

In New Hampshire, roughly 8 in 10 Biden backers were 45 or older. About half had a college degree.

Compared with backers of other candidates, a higher share of Biden supporters said a candidate who would restore the political system to how it was before Trumps administration was more important than one who would fundamentally change Washington.

Nearly two-thirds said it was very important for the Democratic nominee to have the right experience and to work across the aisle.

___

AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The survey of 3,111 voters in New Hampshire was conducted for seven days, concluding as polls closed. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 3.0 percentage points.
"Ingrid fits into our broader strategy of growing our internationally-recognized construction transactional team, which works very closely with energy companies and other major developers to achieve their commercial goals," said Scott Greer, head of the firm's worldwide Energy and Construction transactional practices. "She is an experienced practitioner who will enhance the capabilities of the team."

Myers assists clients in the development of LNG, solar, biomass, and nuclear facilities. She has prepared bid requests and drafted and negotiated engineering, procurement, and construction contracts; technology licenses; and equipment supply, operations and maintenance, and fuel supply agreements. Myers also regularly represents clients in connection with decommissioning projects, particularly decommissioning of nuclear power generation facilities, as well as in the acquisition and disposition of energy industry companies and projects, including coal mining companies and power generating facilities.

"Ingrid has a strong reputation for being one of the best at what she does and for fostering a spirit of collaboration amongst her colleagues," said Tracie Renfroe, managing partner of King & Spalding's Houston office. "She will fit nicely on our construction transactional teamone of the foremost in the worldwhich has helped clients build projects in more than 75 countries."

Myers joins the firm from Morgan Lewis. Before attending law school, she worked as a geologist in the mining and petroleum industries. Myers received her JD from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, her Ph.D. from James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia, and her M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"The opportunity to join King & Spalding is compelling to me because of its global platform and caliber of people," Myers said. "My new construction colleagues have a reputation of being at the leading edge of the industry and I am excited to partner with them to grow the practice."

The firm's U.S. construction transactional team is the largest of its kind in the United States, and with the addition of Myers, the firm's Houston office has four partners and seven associates focusing almost exclusively on the drafting and negotiation of construction-related agreements.

About King & Spalding

Celebrating more than 130 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with over 1,100 lawyers in 21 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com.

SOURCE K&S

Related Links

www.kslaw.com


Flying an empty aircraft for the second time in one week, Hoang, a captain working for a Vietnamese airline, has heard that the airline is incurring big losses because of nCoV.

The coronavirus outbreak has caused the aviation industry to suffer heavily. A lot of flights have been canceled.





I have had to fly empty aircraft to Hanoi in the last two days. Each flight costs VND500-700 million. It is foreseeable that the airline will incur a big loss, Hoang said.



Working for the airline for five years, Hoang said he has never had such a problem before. He estimated that the number of flying hours of the pilots has dropped by 50 percent, which means lower income.

Most recently, two teams of Vietnam Airlines were told to halt working and stay isolated after a coronavirus infected passenger was discovered on a flight from Zhengzhou, China to Nha Trang City, Vietnam.

Most recently, two teams of Vietnam Airlines were told to halt working and stay isolated after a coronavirus infected passenger was discovered on a flight from Zhengzhou, China to Nha Trang City, Vietnam.



Fearing coronavirus, many passengers have canceled flights and asked for refunds.



Hanh, director of a consumer goods company in Tan Binh district, decided to cancel flights between HCM City and Thanh Hoa for her two children for fear for nCoV. Tam, the manager of a labor export company, has postponed a flight to Japan for three new workers until August.



Thu, a first-class booking agent in Thanh Xuan district, commented that passengers are canceling all flights unless they are urgent.



Tourists are not flying to Australia, China, Japan and South Korea. Even the flights on domestic air routes are unsalable, she said.



Hoa, the owner of a booking agent on Quang Trung street in Go Vap district, HCM City, said in previous years, the number of passengers booking tickets to Hanoi was always high in January and February, the Huong Pagoda festival season. However, it is quite different this year.



Hoa said she is considering cutting the staff to cut the operation cost.



With the scenario that the number of foreign travelers wouldnt increase this year because of the epidemic, KBSV warned that Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, which hold the largest market share, cannot maintain revenue growth in passengers, especially as new airlines join the market.



Air carriers admit that they are under pressure. Vietnam Airlines CEO Duong Tri Thanh said the carrier has stopped flying to China and the number of passengers has dropped sharply. To deal with the epidemic, the carrier has changed procedures and services, from in-land to air services, which cost too much money.



According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the number of passengers has decreased by 30-50 percent at Cam Ranh and Da Nang airports.

Chi Mai

Treatment options for coronavirus to be studied Vietnamese scientists will test the effectiveness and safety of using HIV/AIDS medication to treat those infected with the novel coronavirus (nCov).
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I'm not here to tell you that doing your taxes isn't incredibly stressful and confusing. (It can be).

But, if you're the parent of a young child in California filing this year I may have good news for you: You could receive up to an additional $1,000 back. That's on top of existing Earned Income Tax Credits which could net you hundreds - or thousands - of dollars (more on that later).

THE BASICS

This is the first year people can claim the state's Young Child Tax Credit.

Parents of children under six, who made at least one dollar in 2019, and less than $30,000, can be eligible. But to get it, you must file a tax return.

Yes, technically, if you make below a certain amount of money, you don't have to file one. But people like Sara Sgarlata, who coordinates a free tax prep site in Boyle Heights, really, really want you to.

"Don't miss out on dollars that can go back in your pocket," Sgarlata said.

And remember, if you made less than $56,000 last year, you can get professional help filing your taxes for free. Find a place near you here.

(If you plan to file with TurboTax make sure you're not paying when it should be free. ProPublica reported more than 14 million people unnecessarily paid for the software last year.)

HOW IT WORKS

The Young Child Tax Credit is what's called a refundable credit.

"You don't have to pay them back, you can use the money," said Franchise Tax Board spokesman Jason Montiel. "It's yours to use for whatever you need."

If you owe income tax, the credit chips away at what you owe.

If you file electronically, the direct deposit could show up in a few weeks. Sending your taxes by mail could take months.

AND THERE'S MORE

People who get the Young Child Tax Credit also qualify for the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, which was created in 2015.

This is another way people who make less than $30,000 can get money back. The general rule is that people with lower earnings and/or more children qualify for larger credits.

You must also:

Be at least 18 years old (or if you're younger, have a child)

Have a valid social security number

Have lived in California for at least half the year

UNCLAIMED FREE MONEY

The state estimates 400,000 people could qualify for the new Young Child Tax Credit.

But here's the problem. You have to file your taxes to get the tax credit money and many people -- for various reasons -- don't.

For example, with the state Earned Income Tax Credit, a survey from the California Budget and Policy Center found only one in five people who were eligible had even heard of the program.

Researchers have tried mailing people letters telling them about the tax credit and found it had basically no effect.

California is trying to fix this and offered $10 million in grants last year to help promote the tax credit programs and offer free tax prep help.

HERE'S WHAT YOU COULD GET:

One of the places offering help is El Centro De Ayuda in Boyle Heights.

Elena Landa plans to use the money from her tax refund to pay rent, buy clothes for her daughters, save for an emergency and support family in Mexico. (Mariana Dale/LAist)

This is the second year Elena Landa has come here to file for taxes. The mom of three works as a dishwasher.

"Me siento un poco nerviosa," Landa said, admitting she was a little nervous that she didn't bring all her paperwork.

Within an hour, her taxes were done. Including the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (make sure to ask about that too), the state's version, and the new Young Child Tax Credit, her refund was more than $10,000.

She plans to use the money to pay rent, buy clothes for her daughters, save for an emergency and support family in Mexico.

"Gracias a dios por todo esto," Landa said. "Thank God."

Page 22 of CA Budget Center 1055 CalEITC Chartbook Update October 2019



Contributed to DocumentCloud by KPCC Documents of Southern California Public Radio  View document or read text



Between state and federal credits, a parent can significantly boost their income. The California Budget and Policy Center estimates that a parent of two children who works full-time and made $24,000 last year could increase their income by 39%, and the same parent who made $6,000 would increase their income by 99%.

The federal Child and Earned Income Tax Credits work similarly to California's, but have slightly different rules.

"Tax credits are a very simple way to pull people out of poverty because they put cash in people's pockets," said Alissa Anderson, a senior policy analyst at the center.

If you want to see what you could qualify for, here's a handy calculator.
The bulk data, Evans noted, contains records on defendants who might later be granted expungement and have their records erased. He expressed concerns that the information could be misinterpreted in ways that are unfair to individual judges  "it can lead to conclusions based on data taken out of context, Evans spokesman Patrick Milhizer told the Tribune in one email last year. And Evans has characterized the news media as a commercial enterprise that would sell the information to make money.
One of the three Indian students who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) after returning from Chinas Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, has been discharged from the hospital in Kerala after a full recovery, the Union government said on Thursday.

The recovery marks the first case of a person in India recovering from the highly contagious disease that now threatens global trade and economy, in addition to its potential to turn into a global pandemic. There are two more students in India who have been infected with the virus and continue to be in hospitals, where their condition is stable.

There have only been three cases of novel coronavirus in India so far; all of them are from Kerala. One of them has been discharged, the others are stable and recovering, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.

The three had returned to Kerala from Wuhan, the city in central Chinas Hubei province where the virus was reported to have first spread from a meat market in December 2019.

Tests for the two remaining students have shown that their viral load is reducing, which means they are recovering. They will be discharged only after confirmatory tests done at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, come back negative, an official from the health ministry said on the condition of anonymity.

Nearly 1,400 people have died of the virus, officially named Covid-19, while over 60,000 have been infected globally, with most casualties and cases reported from China.

Covid-19 is highly infectious, but the case fatality outside mainland China is less that 0.2%. Many of epidemiological parameters of this disease, however, are not yet known, Vardhan said.

A group of 645 Indians evacuated by the government in two special flights from Wuhan this month have tested negative for the virus on their arrival in Delhi, but they will be discharged only after 18 days of quarantine. Their samples will be collected again in the next few days, and once proven negative, the evacuees will be discharged on February 19 and 20, said Union health secretary Preeti Sudan.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter of letter of appreciation, lauding the high level of commitment shown by Air India crew members and other officials who had helped evacuate the Indians stranded in Wuhan.

In addition to the Indians in Kerala, at least two are suspected to have been sickened by the virus on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that the Indian mission in Japan is providing all assistance to the 138 Indian crew members and passengers on the cruise ship.

Our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo is in constant touch with the crew and passengers of Diamond Princess off Yokohama, Japan, rendering all necessary support & assistance. Passengers & crew are currently quarantined by Japanese authorities, Jaishankar wrote on Twitter.

The cruise ship with 3,711 people on board arrived at the Japanese coast early last week and was quarantined after a passenger who de-boarded in Hong Kong in January was found to be the carrier of the virus on the ship. A total of 218 people have been found to be infected till Thursday.

While India has temporarily suspended visas to all Chinese citizens, authorities are also screening passengers from Japan and South Korea for possible symptoms of the virus at 21 airports across the country. So far, 249,447 people from 2,315 flights have been screened.

About 16,000 people who either have a history of travel to China or came in contact with those infected with the virus are being monitored. Apart from them, 497 across the country have been isolated to check for infections.

Two people in Kolkata were also isolated on Thursday for showing possible symptoms of the virus, which can cause fever and respiratory issues. The two had flown in from Bangkok.

Fifteen laboratories of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have tested 1,071 samples for possible infections till now.

There is sufficient stock of medicine for two months, we have planned everything, Vardhan said after a briefing by Manukh L Mandaviya, Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers, during a high-level inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday.

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In that interview, he said that he agreed with Universals plan to delay the film, saying Once inaccurate assumptions about the content and intent of the movie began to take hold, I supported the decision to move the film off its release date.

A new ad campaign for The Hunt introduced this week describes it as the most talked about movie  that no ones actually seen and encourages viewers to decide for yourself.

Betty Gilpin (GLOW) stars as one of the targets, who decides to fight back and turn the tables on her would-be killers, who include Hilary Swank and Glenn Howerton. The cast also includes Ethan Suplee, Emma Roberts, Ike Barinholtz, Amy Madigan and Steve Coulter, an alumnus of the UNC School of the Arts who had a role in Purge: The Series.

Coulter  who said he could not disclose his role in the film  said that he was very pleased that Universal was going to release the film.

I remember when we were shooting, we all talked about how tricky it was going to be to advertise the movie, Coulter said.
Hong Kong: Building units disinfected

(To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has disinfected all A07 units of Hong Mei House, Cheung Hong Estate in Tsing Yi to combat the novel coronavirus.

Centre for Health Protection Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan made the statement during a press conference today.

She said: I understand the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has completed the disinfection of all the units of that building, the A07 units.

Dr Chuang added Housing Department engineers are inspecting individual units of the building.

If some of the pipes need to be rectified, they would do the rectification as soon as possible so that the residents can move back as soon as possible, hopefully.

The exact date depends on the inspection work and the rectification works and also the testing of the residents.

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
IKEA

Swedish furniture maker IKEA is investigating alleged presence of excessive chemicals in mugs supplied by a Vadodara-based company, according to a report by The Economic Times.

A fact-finding team from the company last week visited Shaily Engineering, which supplied the mugs that had been recalled in January, the report said.

IKEA recalled Made in India Troligtvis travel mugs, sold at Rs 129, from 400 stores across the world. The recall was conducted just four months after IKEA had began selling the product.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

IKEA works together with approximately 1,600 suppliers globally. Due to confidentiality and business reasons we do not share details about individual supplier relations, an IKEA spokesperson told ET.

Sanjay Shah, the chief strategy officer at Shaily Engineering, declined to comment when approached by the paper.

Amit Sanghvi, Managing Director - Shaily Engineering, said on February 4 that the company had not been immediately impacted by the recall of the Troligtvis travel mugs.

At the moment, we dont have any liability on the product recall, Sanghvi said an analyst call. He added that Shaily Engineering was not 'not at fault' for the recall.

The Troligtvis travel mugs were recalled due to excessive level of dibutyl phthalate (DBP). IKEA has recommended that customers return the product and offered a full refund.
The Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria (FIWON) has asked the Lagos state government to review the ban on okada, saying residents are now forced to trek long distances.

The ban on okada and tricycle in 15 local councils became effective on February 1, and despite protests from some quarters, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has insisted that his government will sustain the restriction.

Reacting at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Gbenga Komolafe, general secretary of FIWON, said extending the ban especially to inner roads was ill thought.

While we admit to the reality of the fact that okada are easily prone to fatal accidents on highways, we hasten to add that allowing okada on these major highways is a failure of regulation on the part of law enforcement agencies saddled with the responsibility of road traffic management in Lagos, he said.

The motley crowds of traffic police, LASTMA and Federal Road Safety officials on these roads simply ignore to control and restrain okada and indeed other commercial public transport operators and commercial drivers on these roads.

Apart from the fact that the Keke Marwa has not been known to ply highways, extending the ban to inner roads and neighbourhood transport routes is whimsical and ill thought out. Even in highbrow gated communities such as Omole Estate and Ikeja GRA, residents, who have all the leverage to restrict Keke Marwa from entering their gates into the communities, allow them because they are aware that not all the residents are car owners.

Now residents of these estates and hundreds of other out of the way neighbourhoods across the local governments are groaning in pains as they are forced to trek impossible distances to the major roads where they can catch buses to their destinations. Not only that, many car owners who only make use of their cars occasionally, and who rely on okada and keke marwa to transport from their remote neighbourhoods and communities to major bus stops, are now forced to use their cars leaving most Lagos neighbourhood and major roads clogged with cars resulting in terrible traffic.

He asked the government to unveil transportation policy for input by informed members of the public.

Komolafe also described as wicked, the governments eviction of some residents from water-front communities in Lagos.

He said thousands of families have been rendered homeless following the governments action.

Scores of thousands of families have been rendered homeless by a government that swore to provide basic security for them. Not only have homes and ancestral landmarks and monuments been destroyed, thousands of livelihoods providing basic subsistence to the residents of these communities have also been destroyed at a time that so many Nigerians are suffering the consequences of mass unemployment. Thousands of children can longer go to school because their schools have been leveled,  Komolafe said.

The major reason given for this action is that residents of these communities have been engaged in illegal, criminal activities such as oil bunkering and vandalisation of NNPC pipelines.

We find this excuse specious, if not outrightly wicked. How can so many communities including the elderly, women and children all be involved in bunkering? How many of these people have been arrested and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies, if this allegation were true? If indeed some residents of this community were involved in criminal activities, would the solution lie in wholesale destruction of their homesteads without any plan in place for resettlement and rehabilitation of innocent people including the elderly, women and children?
At exactly 5:39 p.m., according to store records, Essel rang up a sale for a bottle of wine. Moments later, detectives assert, the customer attacked Essel with the bottle  using its broken edges to stab and slash Essel in the chest, throat and back. Detectives have said a knife may have been used as well. The shopkeeper also suffered wounds to his left elbow and right hand, according to police, suggesting that he was trying to block the blows.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus stopped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tuesday to promote her new movie opposite comedian Will Ferrell, called Downhill, and, while there, the actress shared an interesting story about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While filming Downhill in Austria, Louis-Dreyfus traveled to Vienna, where she visited the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Louis-Dreyfus shared, "This wonderful gentleman was taking us around and he told this amazing story. Prior to our visit, Vladimir Putin had come and they had given him a private tour."

For context, Louis-Dreyfus explained, "All over the museum, they have these gorgeous urns filled with orchids and lilies and all sorts of  and it's very, very, you know, Viennese looking, sort of opulent and gorgeous."

"Turns out," Louis-Dreyfus added, "Vladimir Putin doesn't like flowers, or the smell of flowers, so they all had to be removed from the museum. While you may be thinking, who doesn't like flowers? That's not the weirdest part of Louis-Dreyfus's story.

"Then get a load of this," Louis-Dreyfus said playfully, with a little bit of foreshadowing. "They told us that Vladimir Putin travels with his own bathroom, that they had to set up outside the museum, right in front, so that if he needed to use the facilities, he had his own. And it's his very own Porta Potty that he travels with on the plane. And he uses it on the plane, too." And because Louis-Dreyfus was on a roll with her poop-related puns, the Downhill star concluded her story with the best statement.

Louis-Dreyfus stated, "Like, we're all that interested in his sh**. You know what I mean?" The actress also added, "It's kind of freakazoid" and that "it feels like Dr. Evil."

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on CBS.

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Besides being highly successful Hollywood stars, Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock have another thing in common.

The pair sat down for a candid conversation in Interview Magazine where they reflected on their long friendship - including the fact that they were introduced to each other by a man they both would end up dating.

The pair both went out with actor Tate Donovan in the 90s, who they both starred alongside onscreen - Bullock in the film Love Potion No.9 and Aniston in Friends, where Donovan played her boyfriend Joshua.

Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan in 2004 / Bei/Shutterstock

Bullock dated him for four years between 1990-1994, while Aniston dated him shortly after between 1995-1998.

Aniston recalled she and Bullock had first met at a Golden Globes party thrown by talent agency CAA, where Donovan introduced the pair.

Bullock said, We were introduced by our former boyfriend [Tate Donovan]. I say 'our' because you and I both partook of this one human being.

Yes, we did, Aniston said, thats a beautiful way of saying it.

We both partook of Tate, Bullock repeated.

Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan in 1997 / Getty Images

Bullock later described Donovan as a very patient human being, given that he dated us both. Aniston responded, He seems to have a type.

Talented. Funny, Bullock continued. Kind. Introspective. Generous.

Lovers of architecture, lovers of interior design, Aniston continued.

Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan in 1997 on Friends / Getty Images

Donovan was asked about his relationships with Aniston and Bullock on Huffington Post Live in 2013, reflecting that his time working on Friends with Aniston was horrible and that he wouldnt recommend working with an ex.

He explained, I love those guys [on Friends.] Id go and visit the guys when I wasnt working...But unfortunately Jen and I were breaking up [when I was on the show]. We were broken up and the producers were like, Hey, would you wanna do six episodes on the show? And I was like, maybe it would be good to work through this breakup.

What an idiot, Donovan continued through laughter. It was bad.

Donovan played Joshua Burgin on Friends, who was a client of Rachel's while she worked at Bloomingdale's as a personal shopper and he didn't realise for a while that she was interested in him.

They later split up after Rachel panicked him after the subject of marriage kept coming up in their conversations, culminating in Joshua finding Rachel in a wedding dress and eventually led to their break up.

He remembered calling Aniston in April that year to tell her that he had been asked to star in Friends as her boyfriend and said that she thought it was an April Fools Day joke, until she realised he was serious.

Donovan said that they both thought maybe we should but said they both found it hard.

It was horrible. It was so tough man. Oh gosh, Donovan said. I remember just getting back to my dressing room and just weeping. It was tough. Could you imagine?

When asked what it was like seeing his famous exes Aniston and Bullock around Hollywood, he revealed he still sees Bullock a bunch.

He said, [Seeing Aniston and Bullock] is awkward and also wonderful. Youve both moved on and found other loves, and you have this great smile.

I generally, you know, enjoy it, he finished.
Kochi, February 13 : A division bench of the Kerala high court on Thursday directed the state election commission to conduct the upcoming local body elections in Kerala on the basis of the voters list prepared for the 2019 lok sabha polls.

The verdict came on a plea filed by the congress-led opposition UDF challenging the election commissions decision to conduct the ensuing local body polls on the basis of the voters prepared for the 2015 local body polls.

A single bench of the Kerala high court had earlier turned down the UDFs petition challenging the election commission decision.

The division bench, considering the UDFs petition, had asked the election commission if it could reconsider the decision to conduct the upcoming polls using the 2015 list. The election commission had responded by saying that it was willing to reconsider the decision if the high court asked it to.

The division bench comprising chief justice S Manikumar and justice Shaji P Chali in its verdict directed the election commission to update the voters list prepared for the 2019 lok sabha elections by adding the names of the new voters registered until 7 February 2020 and use the update electoral roll for the impending elections to the local self-government bodies.

The state election commission had favoured using the 2015 list since it was a wards-based electoral roll and hence suitable for the three-tier local bodies polls held on the basis of wards. The database for the 2019 voters list for the lok sabha was prepared on the basis of assembly constituencies and hence ill-suited for the local body polls, it had said.

The opposition UDF, however, objected to this move on the ground that using the 2015 list would pave way for ineligible names getting included in the list. Even names of those who passed away since 2015 could figure in the list, they had warned.
FIR filed after online NRC data goes missing

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 13: An FIR has been filed against a former official for not surrendering the central data access in her custody before quitting the job in the wake of former NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela being transferred.

This comes in the wake of the NRC data stored online showing the list of included and excluded candidates going missing from the official website.

It may be recalled that the details were posted in October 2019 following an order of the Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, leader of the opposition in Assam, Debabrata Saikia sent a letter to the Register General and Census Commissioner, informing him about the data going missing.

NRC online data in Assam goes missing

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

"The data have vanished especially when the appeals process has not even started due to the go-slow attitude adopted by the NRC Authority. There is, therefore, ample scope to suspect that the disappearance of online data is a mala fide act and is prima facie a deliberate violation of the directive issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court," Saikia also wrote in his letter.

Officials at the NRC office, however, said that the data should be back in a few days. The data was stored in the cloud storage and since the service period expired and the renewal of the subscription was not done following the transfer of former coordinator Prateek Hajela, the data is missing. The new coordinator would undertake the renewal process, following which the data will be back, the official also said.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday by describing as "wise move" his claims that the Centre had no role in the detention orders passed in Kashmir.

He also termed the grounds for detention of local politicians under PSA laughable and bizarre" and wondered which Valley the foreign envoys visited if they said that none expressed concern over political detainees.

"If EU envoys said that no one expressed concern about political detainees, I wonder which Valley they visited? Centre had no role in the detention orders passed on Kashmir says HM. A wise move, considering how laughable and bizarre the grounds of detention are," he said on Twitter.

Shah earlier said that everyone, including politicians, are free to visit the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, whenever they want to and there is no restriction on anyone's movement.

Asked about the detention of three former chief ministers -- Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti -- the home minister said it was a decision of the local administration to slap the Public Safety Act on them.

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.

Earlier during the day, army officials briefed the delegation of foreign envoys visiting Jammu and Kashmir about the security situation there.

The 25-member delegation arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday on a two-day visit as part of a Union government-facilitated trip to help the envoys have a first-hand assessment of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a region which faced months of harsh restrictions after its special status was stripped of in August.

The delegation later flew to Jammu for further engagements, officials said.

The group comprises envoys from Afghanistan, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Guinea, Hungary, Italy and Kenya.

Envoys from Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Rwanda, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uzbekistan are also part of it. This is the second batch of foreign envoys visiting the Union territory in the last one month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 18:20:00|Editor: Xiaoxia

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MOGADISHU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States said Wednesday it has resumed some direct security assistance to Somalia to help boost counter-terrorism operations in the southern region against al-Shabab militants.

The U.S. which suspended food and fuel assistance for most of Somalia's armed forces over corruption concerns in 2017 lauded efforts taken by the government to improve the public financial management of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF).

"The U.S. resumed providing direct security assistance to a non-mentored unit of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) this week in support of counterterrorism operations in Lower Shabelle against al-Shabab," Washington said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

Washington called on the government to continue prioritizing security sector reforms, including asset management and human resources, as part of the comprehensive effort to build and sustain capable, professional, and accountable security forces.

"We commend the steps taken by the Federal Government of Somalia to improve the public financial management of the SNAF as part of ongoing institutional reforms, which give the U.S. increased confidence in accountability mechanisms for donor resources," it said.

The U.S. said while these ongoing SNAF reforms are important, it will only continue support to SNAF operations that are focused on defeating terrorist organizations.
One of America's most senior military commanders has used a visit to Sydney to lash Beijing for pernicious and malign behaviour in the Indo-Pacific, warning that Chinas goal is to reshape the region's way of life.

Admiral Philip Davidson, the head of the powerful US Indo-Pacific command, accused China of using coercion, influence operations, and military and diplomatic threats to bully other states into accommodating [its] ... interests.

Admiral Philip Davidson, head of the US Indo-Pacific command, speaks at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Thursday. Credit:Peter Morris, Sydney Heads

In pursuit of their vision, the Communist Party of China employs a whole-of-government approach, using political, economic and military tools as well as a vast propaganda machine to ... reshape [regional] relationships, he told the Lowy Institute on Thursday.

This is a competition between a Beijing-centric order and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, William M. McSwain, announces at the podium that Jeffrey Blackwell was charged with fraud, bribery, and false tax return, during a press conference at the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Pa. Thursday, September 12, 2019 Read more

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William McSwain needs a history lesson.

On Wednesday, McSwain was the keynote speaker at the Union Leagues annual celebration of Lincoln Day, where he preached blind devotion to the rule of law.

In his address, McSwain said that the spirit of Southern slaveholding secessionists lives in the hearts and minds of those who declare Philadelphia a sanctuary city. His reasoning is as ahistoric as it is offensive: Slaveholders defied federal authorities when they seceded from the Union, and that is just like Philadelphia not cooperating with federal immigration forces. McSwain went on to say that sanctuary cities  a movement to protect brown and black immigrants  would have thrilled Southern slaveowners  a group that did not recognize the humanity of people of color.

McSwain then made a bizarre leap when he claimed that sanctuary cities would have elated those who told Rosa Parks to go to the back of the bus. So, lets see: In a speech about the need for blind obedience to whatever the law says, McSwain celebrated an activist who broke a law that she found unjust. When Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus on Dec. 1, 1955, she broke the Alabama state law. She was arrested and convicted of refusing to obey the orders of a bus driver. Parks protest challenged racist Jim Crow laws.

Perhaps McSwain applauds Parks because he doesnt care about any laws but federal law. But his obsession with District Attorney Larry Krasner suggests otherwise. Krasner stopped prosecuting certain state offenses, like possession of an addiction treatment drug. McSwain said that Krasner willfully  even gleefully  ignores entire sections of the criminal code. Had there been a prosecutor in 1955 Montgomery, Ala., who refused to charge Parks for her protest, we can only assume that McSwain would have been livid in the name of the rule of law.

To bolster his argument that Philadelphia is basically on the edge of secession, McSwain mentioned the citys support for supervised injection sites. He said that it should be self-evident it is illegal. He forgot to mention that in October, a federal judge ruled the opposite.

 READ MORE: Judge: Philly supervised injection site proposal does not violate federal law

 READ MORE: Philly DA Larry Krasner will no longer prosecute people for possession of an addiction treatment drug

Slavery was the law of the land. Jim Crow was the law of the land. Separate but equal was the law of the land. What is legal is not always what is right. Laws change, often thanks to brave women and men who are willing to act courageously with the risk of legal sanctions.

The rule of law matters and should be respected  from the streets of Philadelphia to City Hall, and all the way to the White House. But rule of law doesnt mean permanent law.

The anti-corruption efforts of McSwains office  including charges against two sitting members of City Council  are examples of federal law enforcement actions that make our city stronger. But when McSwain, an unelected official, wedges himself into every political discussion in our city, he seems driven more by politics than policy. Thats a shame because it erodes trust in the rule of law that he holds so dear.
Historian Ramachandra Guha and Foreign Minister Subramanian Jaishankar locked horns on Twitter over the controversial claim that Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India's first prime minister, had initially excluded Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from his Cabinet.



Released an absorbing biography of VP Menon by @narayani_basu. Sharp contrast between Patel's Menon and Nehru's Menon. Much awaited justice done to a truly historical figure. pic.twitter.com/SrCBMtuEMx

 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 12, 2020



Learnt from the book that Nehru did not want Patel in the Cabinet in 1947 and omitted him from the initial Cabinet list. Clearly, a subject for much debate. Noted that the author stood her ground on this revelation. pic.twitter.com/FelAMUZxFL

 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 12, 2020



This is a myth, that has been comprehensively demolished by Professor Srinath Raghavan in The Print.

Besides, promoting fake news about, and false rivalries between, the builders of modern India is not the job of the Foreign Minister. He should leave this to the BJPs IT Cell. https://t.co/krAVzmaFkL

 Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) February 13, 2020



The letter of 1 August where Nehru invites Patel to join the first Cabinet of free India, calling him the strongest pillar of that Cabinet. Can someone show this to @DrSJaishankar please? pic.twitter.com/N6m1mOr7SF

 Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) February 13, 2020

Jaishankar, on February 12, tweeted that he learned about this claim at the launch of Narayani Basus book The Unsung Architect of Modern India.The author quoted an interview with VP Menon to substantiate her argument. The book mentioned Menon saying that Sardar Patel was included in the list of Cabinet ministers only after Menon had spoken to Louis Mountbatten to warn him of the consequences of such a move.Guha replied to the tweet by stating that the claim was a myth.To which, Jaishankar wrote:The debate continued, and the Guha shared a letter written by Nehru wherein he personally invited Patel to join his Cabinet.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 16:05 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064553da 1 National Garuda,Garuda-Indonesia,Garuda-Indonesia-Airways,denpasar,Bali-Airport,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,wuhan,coronavirus,Shanghai,China,outbreak Free

Garuda Indonesia has grounded an aircraft used for flight GA858 following reports that a Chinese national who had tested positive for the new coronavirus was on board on the Bali-Shanghai flight on Jan. 28.

Garuda director of operations Tumpal M. Hutapea said in press release on Thursday that the airline would decontaminate the aircraft by spraying disinfectant to ensure the cleanliness of the flights cabin and to sterilize it against bacteria.

The procedure would also be carried out on the planes cargo area, he said.

Besides disinfecting the plane, Tumpal said Garuda would also change the aircrafts High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) air filter, a standard feature installed on every Garuda aircraft to kill viruses and bacteria within the cabin.

Efforts being carried out are in line with [those used to prevent the] coronavirus epidemic in a number of countries. We are doing this as part of our commitment to strengthening anticipatory measures against the virus, he said. [The measures] are part of Garudas standard safety and sanitation procedures during an epidemic.

The release did not mention, however, whether the coronavirus patient identified as Jin had indeed boarded the flight, or whether the company would take measures to inform other passengers on the flight that a fellow traveler had tested positive.

Read also: Tourist tests positive for coronavirus eight days after return from Bali: Chinese authorities

Garuda Indonesia representatives did not immediately respond to The Jakarta Posts request for comment on the matter.

The Huainan Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Feb. 5 that a patient named Jin who had tested positive for the new coronavirus had flown on Lion Air flight JT2618 from Wuhan to Bali on Jan. 22. The patient stayed on the island for about a week before taking a Garuda Indonesia flight GA858 from Bali to Shanghai on Jan. 28.

The center urged passengers of the two flights to impose self-quarantine measures, head to a hospital wearing a mask if they have a fever and avoid public transportation.

Read also: Lion Air confirms passenger named 'Jin' among 188 on Wuhan-Bali flight

The release did say that Garuda Indonesia cabin crew members who serviced the Bali-Shanghai route were subjected to routine health check-ups at the airports Port Health Authority (KKP) before and after their duties.

Garuda Indonesia ensured that all passengers on flights to and from China had undergone the profiling and medical check procedures conducted by relevant authorities at the airport, Tumpal said.

Garuda Indonesia has temporarily halted all flights to and from China since Feb. 5, in line with the governments policy in regards to the outbreak.(ydp)
SFGATE

A vehicle traveling in the Mission District struck two pedestrians Wednesday afternoon, before continuing on and striking a Muni bus as a passenger was exiting, San Francisco police said.

The driver of a burgundy Toyota Prius was turning north onto Mission Street, from 23rd Street, when the vehicle allegedly struck two pedestrians about 4:20 p.m., the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.
A policeman inspects the mangled remains of a private bus that collided with a truck on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, February 12, 2020. At least 14 people were killed and many others were seriously injured in the accident. (PTI Photo)

Firozabad (UP): A double-decker sleeper bus crashed into a truck being repaired for a flat tyre on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Wednesday night, killing 14 people asleep in their seats and leaving 25 others grievously injured.

The cleaner of the truck, who too was injured, said he was changing the tyre by the road side when the bus came hurtling up and drove straight into the stationary vehicle.

There were 50 people, most from Bihar, in the bus, travelling from Delhi to Motihari. The accident took place at 10 am in the Nagla Khanagar police station area.

The 25 injured people are being treated in different hospitals, senior superintendent of police Sachindra Patel said.

One injured passenger told reporters he was on the upper deck of the sleeper bus when the accident occurred, and lost consciousness when the crash happened.

When I came to, I found everything around me broken. I don't know what happened to the man who was sleeping in the adjoining seat.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Indian-origin Rishi Sunak as his new finance minister. He replaced Sajid Javid who resigned from the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer in a surprise move during the recent ministerial reshuffle by Johnson.

Sunak is married to the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, Akshata Murthy. He is affiliated with the British Conservative Party and has been a Member of Parliament for Richmond (Yorks) since October 2014.

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP @RishiSunak has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer @HMTreasury pic.twitter.com/OTYOkujnbo UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 13, 2020

Before being appointed as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sunak was the second in command to the finance minister as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and oversaw public spending.

Sunak has earlier worked as an analyst with Goldman Sachs. He later worked with a hedge fund and went on to set up an investment firm. He was also a director in Narayana Murthy's investment firm, Catamaran Ventures.

ALSO READ: Britain, European Union clash over post-Brexit trade deal; 11 months to strike agreement

Sunak's father was a doctor and his mother ran a chemist shop. Sunak attended the Winchester College before going on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. He also has an MBA from Stanford University in the United States, where he was a Fulbright scholar.

He has been regarded as a rising star in the Conservative Party. He regularly does media interviews on behalf of the government and had even stood in for Johnson in some television debates during last year's election campaign.

(With agencies' input)

ALSO READ: Goans have till December to take the Portugal route to live in Britain
Traders' body on Thursday said it has sought an audience with US President Donald Trump, who will be visiting India on February 24-25, to express concern over business practices being followed by American companies like and Walmart-owned in India.

"We will apprise him of the practices being adopted by US companies in India, especially India and Walmart-controlled to control and dominate retail trade which no country in the world can accept," Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal told PTI.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has been alleging violation of FDI policy rules by American e-commerce majors to the detriment of domestic retailers.

Khandelwal said that besides sending a communication to Trump, has also requested Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to facilitate a meeting of CAIT delegation with the US President.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump is slated to travel to India on February 24 and 25. In addition to New Delhi, he will stop at Ahmedabad in Gujarat to address a joint public meeting with Modi at a stadium.
The new gender-swapped High Fidelity has many charms. One is that it takes place in a surreptitiously modified alternate universe. Admittedly, at no point does the Hulu seriesbased on the John Cusack film based on the Nick Hornby novel about a lovelorn record store owner who hides from his heartbreak by obsessively ranking his life experiencesannounce, reveal, or in any way state that it takes place in a world ever so slightly different than our own. But an astute viewer can take a hint.

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The clues are as thick as the grooves in the LPs that Rob (Zoe Kravitz) sells out of her sparsely attended Brooklyn record shop, one that not only makes rent but somehow affords two full-time employees. While the stores inexplicable solvency means the show also exists in the same alternate universe as every other TV series set in an affordable New York City, it is not High Fidelitys primary oddity. No, thats the one where a biracial, female millennial living in the present has the musical taste and quirks of a Gen X white guy living in 2000, when the word streaming mostly applied to tears.

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Like the film, the new High Fidelity, which was created by Sarah Kucserka and Veronica West, concerns itself with a Rob (nee Robin) who is coming off a gutting heartbreak she cannot see clearly. A year prior, her fiance Mac (Kingsley Ben-Adir), a dreamy Brit, left her, and shes still picking up the pieces, hibernating in her apartment, listening to records and making Top Five lists, which she shares in punchy asides straight to the camera. Her social circle primarily encompasses her two employees, the irrepressible Cherise (DaVine Joy Randolph) and the corkscrew-curled, low-key Simon (David H. Holmes), her gay best friend and ex-boyfriend, although Rob seems like the sort of person who used to have more friends. As the show begins, she starts dating again, trying to move forward even as shes looking back, exploring her Top Five Heartbreaks and contending with the emotional fallout of the return of (the) Mac.

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The original High Fidelity, a movie I really like, was about a particular kind of man: the asshole who thinks hes a nice guy. Heartbroken and furious over a relationship he refused to see hed sabotaged, he quipped his way through his past love life, looking not for answers but benediction: He wasnt to blame for any of it, right? While Cusack is always soulfulhis smart aleck beta energy being the ideal vehicle for musical mansplainingand the movie sees his flaws clearly, if gently, it does involve him bedding a series of extremely accomplished and beautiful women he would be the first to agree were too good for him.

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Like Cusacks Rob, Kravitzs is immature, a charmingly self-pitying introvert who wallows and self-flagellates in an appealing way. She too cares more about good taste than kind behavior. She bonds with Simon because they both believe that what you likethe music, the books, the artis so much more important than anything else about you, a convenient formulation for Rob, whose taste is impeccable but whose behavior is less so. But Kravitzs Rob isnt simply the same as Cusacks; she isnt just a retread. In swapping Robs race and gender, the show refreshes the type, simply because a race- and gender-swapped toxic music nerd isnt a type. Thats one of the points of the adaptation: This kind of person is so associated with guys that just by making the character a woman, it cracks the premise opena cover song that sounds like a brand-new track.

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That track is, mostly, very lovely, a searching and sweet love song anchored by wonderfully unshowy performances from Kravitz and Holmes and a wonderfully showy one from Randolph. Like I said at the top: High Fidelity has many charms. But it does also have a recurring dissonance, a bunch of vestigial generational and dude behaviors that make the record skip. I am speaking of the Top Five tic, which, in form and content, is like a moo coming from a cat.

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There have never been more ways to be a womanphysically, behaviorallythan there are now, but this does not mean that women are identical to men. Our exteriors define so much of our lived experience, so much of how we are treated, that you cant just strip the skin off a person, lay it on another, and think that you have captured their essence, a misunderstanding that has tripped up so many projects, American Dirt only being the most recent. The film version of High Fidelity understood Robs (and his record store compadres) compulsion to listify and rank everything as a deeply dude-ish reflex meant to help collate, sort, and control his unruly emotions. When Rob felt lost, hurt, confused, he Top Fived or gave detailed instructions on the correct way to make a mixtape. Its not as if women dont want to organize the emotional chaos of our lives, but a heartbroken woman is not, in my experience, going to distract herself by obsessively ranking her desert island records or fanatically relating her rigid rules for playlist construction.

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This is not because boys are natively wonks and factoid lovers who care so much more about playlists than women do. Its because the way we have been taught to gather and share knowledge, what kind of knowledge weve been taught is valuable, and the way we connect with other human beings are all so deeply gendered. Accumulating and sharing stats and factoids is one way men bond, talk, and play with one another. It is notgenerally speakinghow women bond or talk or play with one another, because, among other things, we have more latitude to talk about our feelings and everyone elses.

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Moreover, as a female hetero dating strategy, it is maladaptive, even as it was so much part of the original Robs romantic appeal. As the show itself makes clear, deep, esoteric knowledge and mastery is not something men, to their great discredit, always respond to well, even in a woman who looks like Zoe Kravitz. (A heel with an impeccable record collection hates how much Rob knows her Paul McCartney.) Some men are on a power trip and find it threatening, some are douches and find it unfeminine, and then theres just the fact that this kind of knowledge performance is often extremely dull. (Please, flash to that time in college you let some dude explain music to you). And while women have been acculturated to be nice and patient and even curious about this sort of thing, mengenerally speaking, again! have not. Of the gazillion reasons women dont womansplain, one is that many men are not polite enough to sit through it.

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I found all of this to be unrealistic to the point of being slightly distracting, but not in a bad way. Its like the pickle that comes with the club sandwich, the vegetable on the diner plate, something to crunch onlook at all the subtle and unforeseen ramifications of a straightforward gender swap. Heyo! Maybe theres no such thing as a straightforward gender swapthat cuts through the tasty bacon and fries.

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More distracting, though, is the generational stuff. The soundtrack for High Fidelity has been overseen by Questlove, and it sounds great, but there is a heavy emphasis on the past. All the bands the show has Rob talking about at length, to demonstrate her mastery to the audience, are old and rockist: Fleetwood Mac, McCartney, Bowie, Minnie Riperton, and Swamp Dogg are the kind of acts that get shoutouts, and rap and hip-hop are barely played in the store. The young shoplifters who turn out to be making their own good music are also a kind of rock duo. Cherise, who, like Jack Blacks character in the film, really wants her own band, cites a huge number of older rock and R&B influences. Theres a sexy, up-and-coming rock star Robs sleeping with (the gender-swapped version of the character Lisa Bonet, Kravitzs mother, played in the original film), who is produced by Jack Antonoff, but his most memorable performance is of Boyz II Mens 1994 hit Ill Make Love To You. When Cherise plays a bad song that she insists is also a bop, one that Rob and Simon eventually admit is kind of great, its Come On Eileen. Rob is supposed to have unimpeachable taste, but it seems, instead, like she has the taste of a woman who doesnt want to be accused of having chick taste, or even just millennial taste, which suggests a pretty different character than the musically confident and knowledgeable one Kravitz is playing.

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Yet whats good about the show is good enough that none of this made me want to turn it off. Instead, it made me want to explain it, to think about alternate universes. Is there something that had happened in the world of the show that would make sense of Robs rockist obsessions, her rankings? Think about that movie about a world where the Beatles didnt exist, but better. Does High Fidelity exist in a timeline where Kurt Cobain didnt die? Kool Herc was never born? CDs were never invented? Napster never existed? Some very great rock band was the biggest act of the 2000s? In which some high-profile element of second-wave feminism involved obsessive listmaking? Or a Marie Kondoesque phenomenon, in which people sparked joy through top fiving, swept the globe?

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High Fidelity works if you assume its inflected with a light sci-fi air. It even matches the setting: The production shut down streets in Crown Heights for weeks and weeks, but the results are oddly anodyne. (Maybe its set in a New York with half the gentrification?) And once the show gets past the first four episodes, the writing begins to more exactly fit its protagonist and her performance. As Kravitzs Rob diverges from Cusacks and the language of the film, she stops listing stuff quite so much. She becomes not a riff on someone else, but herself. Funnily, as this happens, the comparison that kept popping into my mind stopped being High Fidelity and started to become the first season of Phoebe Waller-Bridges Fleabag, another show in which a woman communicates directly to the camera, drawing us in even as she withholds information from us, all to keep up an image of herself she knows is bunk. Unlike Cusacks character, this Rob is monologuing because she does know herself. Shes just not ready to face it. The song was different all along.
Gen. Philip Kearny has watched over the U.S. Capitol for 132 years.

Kearny, a New York-born cavalry officer, earned honors for his bravery fighting in the Mexican-American War before his death fighting for the Union in the Civil War. The town of Kearny, where he lived for a few years, was named in his honor.

Since 1888, a bronze statue of the general, complete with cavalry saber and soaring mustache, has stood in the Capitols National Statuary Hall alongside 99 other historical figures from across the country.

But Kearnys watch may be ending soon. A New Jersey state Senate bill passed Feb. 10 that would ask the U.S. Library of Congress to remove Kearnys statue and replace it with one of Alice Paul, a Mount Laurel advocate for womens suffrage. The measure, which is sponsored by South Jersey Democratic senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Linda Greenstein, and Dawn Addiego, has angered Kearny residents, including Mayor Al Santos, who called the bill upsetting" and "a poor way of doing history.

The way this is being done, its just picking a winner and a loser, Santos said, adding that he supported measures honoring Paul, but you dont do that by diminishing the legacy of someone else.

This is not a question of a Confederate figure, he noted.

William Styple, a historian from Kearny who is writing a book on Kearny, said he wrote a letter to lawmakers opposing the bill.

I just dont think people are educated on who Philip Kearny was, he said, noting that the bills writers had spelled the generals name wrong. He detested slavery. He called it a stain on the American flag.

But Lucienne Beard, the executive director of the Alice Paul Institute, a gender equality advocacy group, said she has nothing against Kearny specifically, but Paul represents the New Jersey value of fighting for social justice and equality, writ large."

Paul, who was born in Mount Laurel in 1885, was imprisoned, went on hunger strikes, and endured violence and abuse in her activism on behalf of the 19th amendment, according to the organization.

The U.S. suffrage movement was the civil rights advance that affected the largest number of people in this country, said Beard, who said she supports the bill but was not involved in drafting it. That should be memorialized.

Each state is allowed to contribute two statues to the National Statuary Hall, which sits in the U.S. Capitol. New Jerseys contributions are the statue of Kearny and one of Richard Stockton, a lawyer and lawmaker who signed the Declaration of Independence. Its unclear why the bills writers picked Kearny to replace and not Stockton.

Since 2000, when the law was changed to allow statues to be replaced, 11 states have switched out statues, and legislation to do so is pending in roughly a half-dozen other states. The process of replacing a statue is a long one: a state must ask Capitol officials for permission, and a committee needs to approve designs for new statues, which must be made of marble or bronze.

Many of the recent initiatives are aimed in part at increasing the diversity of the halls historical figures, who are overwhelmingly white and male. Of the 100 statues, only nine are women.

We would want to add to the diversity," said state Sen. Linda Greenstein, who sponsored the bill. Kearny and Paul were both great Americans, no question about that, she said, but added, I feel very strongly about Alice Paul.

Shes a very important person, she said, not just to women, but to men.

State Sen. Nicholas Sacco, who represents the town of Kearny, abstained on the bill, saying that Kearny was too important a figure to residents of Kearny to lose.

I am a firm believer that Alice Paul should be recognized for her trailblazing role in achieving womens suffrage, Sacco said. At the same time, General Philip Kearny is not only a historical figure but a war hero and an admirable representative of the State of New Jersey, Hudson County, the 32nd Legislative District and particularly the Town of Kearny. I felt that removing his statue from the National Statuary Hall would be disrespectful to his memory and to the people of the Town of Kearny."

Sacco noted that he voted for a separate bill to erect a statue of Paul at the statehouse in Trenton.

The unfortunate thing is that we cant just add a third (statue), Greenstein said. If the bill did become law, she said, she would support bringing Kearnys statue back to New Jersey and organizing some sort of a ceremony around it.

You cant please everyone, thats for sure, she said. Therell always be some people wholl be upset.
GODFREY  Cars, mental health and Black History Month were discussed Tuesday night at the Lewis and Clark Community College Board meeting.

Chris Reynolds, associate professor of Automotive Technology, addressed the board about the need for a new facility for the automotive program. This comes after the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation  the programs accrediting agency  made recommendations for a new facility.

As faculty, we must maintain compliance with ASE Education Foundation for employment requirements, Reynolds said.

He said that, under these compliances, students need to be assigned specific tool packages. The colleges program has a significant amount of equipment, he said, noting that with enrollment in the past decade averaging 54 to 120 students over the last four years, the need for space has not declined.

When asked if the program could use a site off campus, Reynolds said that would be possible but it might interfere with the students general education schedules.

Also on Tuesday, the board heard from Dr. Sean Hill, Vice President of Student Engagement, about Black History Month plans. Hill, along with other colleagues, organized events to mark this month, such as a soul food dinner, a student art show and an interactive game called Mad City Money. There also have been guest speakers, including Associate Judge Veronica Amouti.

Hill is organizing an Underground Railroad bus tour planned 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13.

People dont realize the extense of which the Underground Railroad went through this community, Hill said. There are several buildings which still have underground passages and hiding places within the Underground Railroad.

Other events include:

 Feb. 18: Be a Better Public Speaker with D.C. Cooper at Reid Memorial Library, 1:30 p.m.

 Feb. 20: Beyond the March panel discussion, Reid Faculty/Staff Dining Room, noon

 Feb. 24: Black Student Association Blood Drive, The Commons, 10 a.m.

These event are another way of bringing communities together, Hill said.

The board also approved creating an expert panel as required by the Illinois Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The Illinois General Assembly describes the acts intent as providing more mental health awareness on public college campuses. The board of trustees at each institution is to designate an expert panel to develop and implement policies and procedures that advise students, faculty and staff on proper procedures to identify and address needs of students exhibiting poor mental health.

The act goes into effect July 1.

Jill Lorsbach and Renee Baur, both with LCCCs Disability Services, spoke about the importance of the act and adopting it into the college.

We are living in a microcosm of what is going on in the world today, Baur said.

Terri Austin, Transitional Counselor, also spoke about the acts importance and how many students are coming to them (the counselors) with lack of support.

We can literally save these kids lives, not just their education, Austin said. They have to know that there is somebody out there that will listen.
Kilkennys ace hurling star, turned twinkle-toes and heart-throb on RTEs Dancing with the Stars programme will step it out at the front of Kilkenny Citys St. Patricks Day Parade for 2020.

The Urlingford eight time All Ireland winner has accepted the honour bestowed by the St. Patricks Day committee and will follow many other sporting and community figures to step it out on the route from the Market Yard, starting at 1.30 pm, through High Street past the reviewing stand on the Parade, through Rose Inn Street and finishing once again in the Market Yard.

The Parade will be followed for the first time by a major street party in John Street on the continent side of the river Nore.

This will include live music by some of Irelands best groups, including Kila and the new Kilkenny samba band, food stalls, face-painting, set dancing and DJ more.

Aidan Fogarty described it as a singular honour to be asked to be Grand Marshall.

I am delighted and honoured to lead such a wonderful celebration of all that makes Kilkenny fantastic. I have attended the parade since childhood and never dreamt that I might one day lead the parade. It would be great if Im still Dancing with the Stars on St. Patricks Day, and hopefully heading towards another final just a week later. That of course will depend on how I perform and the support I get-a lot like when I was playing with my colleagues in the black an amber jersey of my county.

Committee chairperson, Cllr. Joe Malone, said he was delighted with Aidans acceptance of the Grand Marshall position.

Aidan has won the hearts of the nation in the same way as he always won the hearts of Kilkenny people. We are delighted with his success on the dance-floor, just as we celebrated his tormenting of defenders when helping Kilkenny to those eight All Ireland titles he helped to secure. We know that Kilkenny people will cheer him long and loud through the citys streets and hopefully support him all the way to his first All-Ireland dancing title.
NEW DELHI A deputy director of Parliament security branch has been demoted for posting offensive, derogatory, demeaning and sarcastic remarks on social media against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some union ministers and chief ministers. This is the first time a parliament official has faced action for social media activities, people familiar with the development claimed.

Urujul Hasan, who had been under suspension since June 2018, was demoted to a lower grade of security officer for five years, a notification issued on Wednesday said. The order, signed by Rajya Sabha director K Sudhakaran, also says that he would not be able to regain his current position after five years.

Parliament has a separate branch called the Parliament security service which is headed by an Indian Police Service officer. Officers are recruited in the service through exams and their sole responsibility lies with managing security of Parliament. Some of its officers are also deputed as Marshalls in both Houses of Parliament.

Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu took the final call on Hasans demotion after an internal committee found him guilty of misconduct. According to some officials, he was found forwarding political messages. The secretariat cited a Madras high court judgment to point out that forwarding any social media post tantamounts to endorsing them.

The order, uploaded as an internal cirucular of Rajya Sabha, adds that Hasan also shared a number of posts indicating his active involvement/assistance/ indulgence in political activities, canvassing in connection with an election to the legislature, failure to maintain political neutrality.

The action has been taken under provisions of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules that bars officials from any conduct which is considered unbecoming of a Government servant. Another section of the rule that prohibits government servants from being associated with an organisation that takes part in politics or assisting any political movement or activity was also invoked against him.
A California man convicted of murder 15 years ago will walk free later today as newly tested DNA evidence combined with the use of genealogical websites have led police to finally find and arrest the real killer.

Ricky Davis has been behind bars for 14 years for a crime he didn't commit, after he was sentenced in 2005 to 16 years to life for the 1985 murder of Jane Hylton, who had been stabbed 29 times.

Davis finally won his freedom Thursday when a judge threw out his second-degree murder conviction in an emotional court hearing in Placerville, where it was revealed that police had tracked down and arrested the 'real killer' by running the suspect's DNA profile through genealogy websites.

The new suspect called Michael Green was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Roseville, El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson announced in a press conference after the court hearing Thursday.

Using genetic genealogy, unknown male DNA found on the victim was identified as belonging to Green - one of the three boys that Hylton's 13-year-old daughter Autumn Anker met in a park the night her mother was murdered, said Pierson.

He added that the suspect was a juvenile when the crime took place.

Video courtesy of FOX 40

Ricky Davis (right) was sentenced in 2005 for the 1985 murder of Jane Hylton (left)

Davis finally won his freedom Thursday when a judge threw out his second-degree murder conviction in an emotional court hearing in Placerville (above), where it was revealed that police had tracked down and arrested the 'real killer' by running the suspect's DNA profile through genealogy websites

The new suspect Michael Green (pictured) was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Roseville

Hylton, a 54-year-old newspaper columnist for the Foothills Times, was found stabbed to death in the home in El Dorado Hills that she shared with Autumn, Davis, then 20, and Davis' girlfriend Connie Dahl, 19.

She had a bite mark on her left shoulder and her body appeared to have been moved.

The 1985 case went unsolved for 14 years before investigators said DNA evidence - and Dahl's incriminating confession - tied Davis to the slaying back in November 1999.

He was charged with her murder and convicted in 2005.

A judge overturned Davis' conviction back in April, after newly-tested evidence found DNA from an unknown male on the victim's nightgown and under her fingernails.

Davis was kept behind bars while awaiting a retrial.

He will now walk free later today as genealogical testing led police to identify the real killer and solve the 35-year-old crime.

Pierson said new DNA evidence had led his office to reopen the case and that they were 'very confident Mr. Davis was wrongfully accused and convicted of this crime.'

Pierson also told the court Thursday that Dahl's confession, which was critical to Davis' conviction, was 'what I would characterize as an aggressive, confession-driven interrogation.'

El Dorado Superior Court Judge Kenneth Melekian told Davis Thursday that he is now 'factually innocent' of the murder.

Hylton, 54, had been stabbed at least 29 times in the Sacramento home she shared with Davis, her 13-year-old daughter Autumn Anker and Davis' girlfriend Connie Dahl

Davis at his trial. The case went unsolved for 14 years before investigators said DNA evidence and Dahl's confession tied Davis to the slaying back in November 1999

The scene of the crime: A judge overturned Davis' conviction in April, after newly-tested evidence found DNA from an unknown male on the victim's nightgown and under her fingernails. Davis will finally be exonerated of Hylton's murder as genealogy testing has helped police track down the real killer, a law enforcement source said

'We don't do this very often,' Melekian said, adding that Davis is entitled to seek compensation for his wrongful conviction.

According to The Sacramento Bee, Davis thanked the judge and hugged his family members who had joined him in court.

WHAT IS GENETIC GENEALOGY? In the past year, investigators across the country have embraced genetic genealogy, a DNA-dependent forensic technique that identifies suspects through their relatives. The technique involves cross-referencing the DNA profile of an unidentified suspect with public databases containing DNA from users who've submitted samples to consumer companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com to explore their family tree and get informed about potential genetic health concerns. Genetic genealogy gained notoriety through decades-old cold cases like the Golden State Killer, and police are now using it on fresh cases as well. While many are excited by what genetic genealogy means for the future of forensic investigations, others have expressed concerns about genetic privacy and policy procedures. Advertisement

The exonerated man is expected to walk out of jail today after paperwork is completed.

Pierson revealed the identity of the new suspect Michael Green, after the new DNA evidence was matched to the alleged killer by using genealogy websites.

He said authorities had discovered that Davis was 'wrongfully convicted' and had identified the new suspect as a product of 'science-based interviews and genetic genealogy'.

Pierson said that the male DNA found on the victim's nightgown and under her fingernails had been identified as belonging to one of the three boys that Autumn had encountered that night.

The victim's daughter had met the three teenage boys earlier that night at a park.

She went back to the house, took a shower and changed and told her mom she was going to someone elses house when she was actually meeting the three boys, Pierson said.

The male DNA matched that of Michael Green, who is now in custody.

One of the other males, known as Calvin, is deceased.

The third individual Steven was located and interviewed Wednesday by authorities.

Steven is being treated as 'not a participant' but a 'witness to the somewhat immediate aftermath', Pierson said.

He added that prosecutors dont believe Autumn was present during the attack and confirmed that she is not a person of interest in the case.

Autumn had told authorities at the time of the murder that she had met the three boys - who she named as Michael Green, Calvin and Steven or Brian - that night at the park.

But when authorities tracked down an individual called Michael Green and asked if he had been with her that night, he denied it and Autumn was made to appear as though she was lying, Pierson said.

Officers had in fact located the wrong Michael Green, he said.

A new suspect called Michael Green was arrested Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors announced in a press conference after the court hearing Thursday (above)

Using genetic genealogy, unknown male DNA found on the victim has now been identified as belonging to one of the three boys that Hylton's 13-year-old daughter Autumn Anker met the night her mother was murdered, El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson (above) said

Hylton's mutilated body was found in the Sacramento home on July 7 1985. She had been stabbed 29 times.

Hylton had moved into the house just one day before her murder, because of marital problems she was having with her husband Archie Hylton.

Davis, Dahl and Autumn were all at the scene, deputies said.

Davis and Dahl claimed they found the victim dead in an upstairs bedroom and called 911.

They told officers at the time that they had gone to a party the night before and had returned home at around 3:30am to find Autumn waiting outside for them, saying she was worried she would be told off by her mom for staying out late.

They said they then entered the property together to find the gruesome scene.

The only other key suspect at the time was Hylton's estranged husband who was questioned and cleared after he had a solid alibi.

The day after the brutal murder, Dahl gave a reporter a tour of the crime scene, showing them 'a bloody hand print on the wall' and 'where she believes the body must have been laid as if asleep is the way she describe it', the reporter said.

Genetic genealogy is a DNA-dependent forensic technique that identifies suspects through their relatives. It was used to catch Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo Jr (above)

CATCHING THE GOLDEN STATE KILLER A former police officer is currently awaiting trial accused of being the notorious Golden State Killer who went on a rampage raping and murdering victims across California in the 1970s and 1980s. Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., 74, was arrested by a team of federal and local law agents in front of his house in April 2018 after the crimes went unsolved for decades. Detectives finally traced the spate of rapes and murders to DeAngelo using genealogy testing. Paul Holes, an investigator who worked on the case for years, has spoken out about how the new DNA-dependent forensic testing, has told how he took DNA from the crime scenes and entered profile into genealogy database GEDmatch, where members of the public upload genealogical data when trying to trace their family tree. More than 100 users matched the culprit as a distant relative and detectives contacted some of the people to narrow down who the Golden State Killer could have been. DeAngelo's name cropped up in the pool of suspects last week and he was found to also be a match to existing evidence from the investigation, authorities said. DeAngelo's name had not previously been on the radar of law enforcement for the crimes. 'This investigation lasted over 40 years, but with this course of DNA testing and matching, it took us only four months to get to the right pool of people,' Holes told CNN at the time. 'This guided us to the right pool of people without having to ruffle the sensibilities of a whole lot of people.' The evidence has now linked him to 13 murders and more than 50 rapes across the state. DeAngelo would allegedly sneak into suburban homes at night. If a couple was home, he would tie up the man, place dishes on his back and threaten to kill both victims if he heard the plates fall while he raped the woman. He would then ransack the house, taking souvenirs, notably coins and jewellery before fleeing on foot or bicycle, authorities said. DeAngelo, who served in the Navy, was a police officer in Exeter, in the San Joaquin Valley, from 1973 to 1976, at a time a burglar known as the Visalia Ransacker was active. DeAngelo was fired from the Auburn department in 1979 after being arrested for stealing a can of dog repellent and a hammer from a drug store, according to Auburn Journal articles from the time. He was convicted of the theft and fined 100 US dollars. Ten killings occurred after he was fired and all took place in Southern California. California prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty against him if he is found guilty. Advertisement

When cold case detectives reopened the case in 1999 and questioned Dahl, she testified against her ex-boyfriend in a deal that saw her being given the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Dahl told a jury that Davis had wanted Autumn to come to the party with them but Hylton refused to let her go.

She said that she and Hylton had gotten into a struggle where she had 'accidentally' bitten the victim.

She claimed she then went outside the home while Davis continued the attack that ended in Hylton's brutal death.

Dahl also alleged that the victim's daughter Autumn helped move her mother's body.

Dahl was sentenced to just one year in county jail for her alleged involvement and died in 2014.

Davis always denied any involvement in the crime, maintaining that he and Dahl were at the party when the murder took place.

The Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP) began investigating the case in 2006.

Recent testing revealed that DNA found under the victim's fingernails and on her nightgown in the area of Dahl's alleged bite mark belonged to none of the three alleged accomplices.

It also refuted Dahl's confession that she had bitten the victim.

The DNA was also not a match for Archie Hylton, the victim's husband.

A judge reversed Davis' murder conviction on April 15 2019 after lawyers for NCIP argued that 'had the original jury heard the DNA results, it would have likely reached a different outcome.'

The El Dorado County District Attorney announced the latest developments in the case Thursday morning.

Authorities said in a press conference that exonerating the innocent man and finding the real murderer had only been possible by using genetic genealogy.

'This is the first case in California where genetic genealogy has not only led to the freeing of an individual from prison for a crime he did not commit but the identification of the true source and the arrest of the individual who did it,' officials said.

Genetic genealogy has been used by authorities to solve a number of high-profile cold cases over the last couple of years.

It's the same technique authorities used to catch Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo Jr.

DeAngelo, 74, was finally arrested in April 2018 for at least 50 rapes and 12 murders across California dating back as far as 1975.

Police tracked him down using the technique, which involves cross-referencing the DNA profile of an unidentified suspect with public databases containing DNA from users who've submitted samples to consumer companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com to explore their ancestry.

Authorities are now also using the technique to try to track down the infamous Zodiac Killer who murdered at least seven people across Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The killer, who got the name 'Zodiac' after they sent letters and cards including ciphers taunting the local press, actually claimed to have killed 37 victims.

Authorities are now using genealogy sites to track down the infamous Zodiac Killer. A composite San Francisco police circulated in 1969 of the Bay Area killer (above)

Betty Lou Jensen, David Faraday and Darlene Ferrin (left to right) are alleged to be victims of the Zodiac Killer

WHAT DO THE ONLINE GENEALOGY SITES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT GOLDEN STATE KILLER'S ARREST? 23andMe '23andMe chooses to use all practical legal and administrative resources to resist requests from law enforcement, and we do not share customer data with any public databases, or with entities that may increase the risk of law enforcement access. 'In certain circumstances, however, 23andMe may be required by law to comply with a valid court order, subpoena, or search warrant for genetic or personal information.' Ancestry.com 'Ancestry advocates for its members' privacy and will not share any information with law enforcement unless compelled to by valid legal process, such as a court order or search warrant. 'Additionally, we publish law enforcement requests in our transparency report annually. It's important to note that in all of 2015, 2016, and 2017 we received no valid legal requests for genetic information.' Helix 'Helix has not been contacted by law enforcement and has not received requests for information relating to the suspected 'Golden State Killer' or any other investigation. 'In the event that we do receive a request, Helix limits what information and under what conditions its customers' personal information is provided to law enforcement. Specifically, Helix operates consistently with its Privacy Policy which provides that Helix may disclose customer's personal information, including Genetic Information: 'to comply with law, a valid court order, a judicial proceeding, subpoenas, warrants, bankruptcy proceedings, or in connection with any legal process, provided that we will not disclose your Genetic Information without a valid subpoena or search warrant specific to your Genetic Information. If we are required to disclose your information, we will do our best to provide you with notice in advance, unless we are prohibited by law from doing so.'' FamilyTreeDNA FamilyTreeDNA, the pioneer company in the field of genetic genealogy, was not contacted formally, by any law enforcement agency, regarding the Golden State Killer case. While we take our customers' privacy and confidentiality extremely seriously, we support ethically and legally justified uses of groundbreaking advancements of scientific research in genetics and genealogy. The irony is the fact that this arrest was made on National DNA day, which should not be lost on any of us. Living DNA 'Living DNA is under strict English and EU laws when it comes to data security. We would resist any request to access customer data without the consent of the customer, and would only release data where legally compelled to do so, e.g by where ordered by a court having jurisdiction over us. We have not been asked to provide, nor have we provided any customer details/data to any authority worldwide including the US authorities.' MyHeritage According to Motherboard reporter Sarah Emerson: 'MyHeritage, a similar genealogy site that lets you upload raw DNA data, just confirmed that it was not involved with the case, and says it was not used by [law enforcement] as a tool to compare genetic profiles.' Advertisement
A new TD who will represent Laois, Offaly and Kildare voters raised more than 33,000 though the internet crowdfunding site Gofundme.

New Kildare South TD Dr Cathal Berry, who has a residence in Portarlington, Co Laois, launched his Cathal Berry General Election Campaign Gofundme page in October 2019 with a 37,650 target

Since then he raised 33,654 from 413 donors. The top donation was 500. The most recent donation of 200 was made on the day after he was elected to the Dail.

In his Gofundme post, he said that unlike other candidates he would not have access to any "financial support from political parties or big business". He said any GoFundMe contributions received would be used "exclusively to back this crowdfunded, grassroots campaign."

He said funds raised would be used to cover the cost of posters, videographers, T-shirts, the website, booking conference rooms and providing refreshments for a significant number of hard-working volunteers.

He asked people to share the Gofundme link on social media platforms from January 11 onwards.

The Gofundme page notes that the Standards in Public Office Commission (www.sipo.ie) require that all donors are Irish citizens. Furthermore, it says the Campaign Finance Sub-Committee ensures that all donations are correctly and appropriately spent.

The new Independent TD is a medical doctor who retired from the Defence Forces in 2019. He unseated Fianna Fail TD Fiona O'Loughlin who had been a favourite going into the race for one of the three seats on offer.

He had the backing and organisation of former Progressive Democrat supporters and representatives locally and nationally. Former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell launched his campaign in Newbridge.

On the Laois Offaly side of the constituency, former PD councillor Paul Mitchell canvased for him around Portarlington where a big campaign was mounted. The area was targeted by the PDs when Tom Parlon was elected to the Dail.

Kildare South has four TDs in the new Dail because of a controversial boundary change which saw a big chunk of Laois and Offaly going into Kildare.

Dr Berry said his priorities include healthcare, housing, climate action, education and the plight of Defence Forces families.




(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Is Sprint Corp. a duck or a rabbit?

Bear with us. Earlier this week, SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son showed investors a bemusing slide with an ambiguous image of a duck and rabbit. If you look at the picture from the right, you see a different critter than the view from the left.

In his characteristically gnomic fashion, he was trying to suggest that there were two ways of evaluating SoftBank, and investors were doing so from the wrong perspective. But the analogy could also hold true for Sprint, the U.S. carrier in which SoftBank is the biggest shareholder, and whose planned merger with rival T-Mobile US Inc. finally secured the regulatory green light on Tuesday.

When it was agreed back in April 2018, the all-stock deal gave Sprint an equity value of $27 billion. Since then, the two firms trajectories have diverged. Prior to Tuesdays decision, T-Mobile stock had gained 31%, while Sprint had fallen 26%. Because Sprint shareholders are set to get T-Mobile shares in exchange for their existing stock, the value of the deal had therefore climbed to $36 billion, while the market only valued Sprint at $20 billion.

So you can see why Deutsche Telekom AG, which owns 63% of T-Mobile, is now seeking to renegotiate the terms of the deal, whose existing terms lapsed in November. It looks like it might now be overpaying, so Tim Hoettges, the German firms CEO, has a fiduciary duty to his shareholders to at least give it a try.

Heres the metaphorical duck. Son is more vulnerable than he might have been just a week ago. Thats because the activist investor Elliott Management Corp. has built a stake in SoftBank, seeking governance improvements and a $20 billion buyback. SoftBank is meanwhile trying to find the capital for its new, reduced Vision Fund, the follow-up to the $100 billion pot of venture capital cash that Son used to make outsize bets on Uber Technologies Inc., WeWork parent We Co. and some 80 other firms over the past three years. The deconsolidation of Sprint reduces its debt exposure, while selling the remaining stake could free up capital to invest in the new fund or buybacks. The current deal terms value its stake at about $30 billion.

Story continues

Whats more, Sprint needs the merger more than T-Mobile. The declining share price has been driven by lackluster earnings and falling subscriber numbers. In the almost two years since the deal was agreed, Sprints number of subscribers has fallen by 460,000 to 54 million at the end of December. T-Mobile has meanwhile added 12 million customers for a total of 86 million.

Now for the rabbit. A major renegotiation only becomes realistic if Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile are prepared to walk away from the deal. T-Mobile stocks 13% jump after the takeover was approved on Tuesday suggests that shareholders are happy with the deal even under the current terms. It will create value by reducing the cost of new 5G networks; giving the new company more pricing power over its customers; and letting the German-controlled firm get hold of Sprints valuable wireless frequencies.

Ultimately, the deal remains in both firms interests. Deutsche Telekom would probably prefer an expensive takeover to no deal at all. Were the terms to be reevaluated based on the diverging stock prices, then T-Mobile could expect a swap ratio of at least 12 Sprint shares for each of its own (assuming a $27 billion valuation), up from the 9.75 shares agreed two years ago. Is such a drastic change likely? No. But given SoftBanks need for cash, theres a good chance it will be open to concessions to get the deal done.

To contact the authors of this story: Alex Webb at awebb25@bloomberg.netTim Culpan at tculpan1@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.

Alex Webb is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Europe's technology, media and communications industries. He previously covered Apple and other technology companies for Bloomberg News in San Francisco.

Tim Culpan is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. He previously covered technology for Bloomberg News.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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Derry has given its support to Bernie Sanders in the fight to become the new President of the US.

The people of Derry in New Hampshire have voted Sanders as their preferred choice for the Democratic Party nomination for the US election later this year.

Democratic nominees are currently travelling around the country seeking support for their campaigns.

Sanders won 28.7% of support from the people of Derry, while his party colleague Pete Buttigieg secured 26% of the votes.

However, a short distance away in the town of Londonderry, Buttigieg emerged the winner, winning 28.1% of the votes.

Sanders was the third most popular choice in Londonderry, securing 20.6% of the vote.

After votes across the US, the Democratic Party will choose its candidate to take on President Donald Trump in the November election.

The New Hampshire towns of Derry and Londonderry were founded by emigrants who moved to the US from Ireland.

After establishing the towns, the emigrants called them after their home towns.
The condition of two Indian crew infected with coronavirus on board a cruise ship off the Japanese coast is stable and improving, the Indian embassy in Japan said on Thursday as authorities confirmed that 218 passengers have been infected with the deadly disease.

The Indian nationals are currently in a medical facility under quarantine as per the Japanese health protocol, an Indian embassy official told PTI.

"We have established contact with the doctor treating them and have been told that their condition was stable and improving. They will be put to another round of tests in next few days and further treatment will be carried out based on the results," he said.

The cruise ship Diamond Princess with 3,711 people on board arrived at the Japanese coast early last week and was quarantined after a passenger, who de-boarded last month in Hong Kong, was found to be the carrier of the novel virus on the ship.

A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and six passengers, were on board the ship.

Sonali Thakkar, 24, from Mumbai, who is part of the security team on board the cruise ship, told CNN that she and her colleague became ill with a headache, cough and a fever two days ago.

She has been asked by her supervisor to stop working and she is currently staying in her cabin in isolation.

"I'm not eating very well and have been having fevers. We all are really scared and tense," she told the American TV channel in a Skype call on Wednesday.

Thakkar said that there are some crew members whose job it is to serve food to the isolated passengers and those on the security team who had been working around infected people.

"And then we all eat together. There are many places where we all are together, not separated from each other. Especially when we sit in the same mess hall and eat together, the place where it can spread very fast.

"There are many more crew members who have been isolated to their cabins who are not even being tested yet," she added.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Indian embassy is in constant touch with the crew and passengers, and rendering all necessary support and assistance.

"Our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo is in constant touch with the crew & passengers of #DiamondPrincess off Yokohama, Japan, rendering all necessary support & assistance. Passengers & crew are currently quarantined by Japanese authorities," he said in a tweet.

"Two Indian crew members have tested positive for #Coronavirus. Will keep you updated," he said in another tweet.

On Wednesday, the Indian embassy said in a statement that due to the suspicion of novel coronavirus infection, the ship has been quarantined by the Japanese authorities till February 19, 2020.

All the infected people have been taken to hospitals for adequate treatment, including further quarantine, in accordance with the Japanese health protocol, it said.

The Indian embassy was in touch with the Japanese authorities to ensure the welfare of Indian nationals on board the ship as well as the possibility of their early disembarkation, in case they are not found to have tested positive for the virus, it said.

"None of the Indian nationals have complained of discriminatory treatment meted out to them," it said, adding that the mission has been in constant touch with the ship management company- Princess Cruises (for the crew members) and the employer of six passengers to tie up their travel back to India.

Those on the ship have been asked to wear masks and allowed limited access to the open decks as they are advised to remain in the cabins most of the times to contain the spread of the virus, according to media reports.

Carnival Japan Inc., the Japanese branch of Princess Cruise Lines Ltd., which operates the ship, on Monday vowed to refund all 2,666 passengers due to the on board outbreak of the new coronavirus



The company will additionally cover all costs incurred by those quarantined aboard the ship since last Tuesday, when passengers were originally scheduled to disembark at Yokohama.

The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has spiked to 1,367 with 254 new fatalities, the highest for a single day, reported mostly from the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection jumped to nearly 60,000, health officials said on Thursday.

The coronavirus outbreak originated in central China's Hubei province in December last year.

The virus was officially named "COVID-19" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday.

Several countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights to the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President will visit India for two days later this month when he is expected to reach a trade agreement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making things "right" in the two countries' ties.

According to the sources, Trumps business delegation with around 15 CEOs would represent sectors ranging from finance and banking to information technology and retail. A few of the top names doing the rounds include Mastercard President & CEO Ajay Banga, WaterHealth President & CEO Sanjay Bhatnagar, and AECOM Chairman & CEO Michael S Burke.

However, when asked about leading names of Indian origin such as and Satya Nadella, India officials refused to confirm if they too would be part of the delegation.

Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Officer is likely to be in India between Feb 24 and Feb 26 and may visit New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai. He is also likely to meet senior Indian industry leaders during his visit, and Microsoft also is trying to arrange Nadellas meeting with Prime Modi.

On the India side, leading businesses likely to be invited to the CEOs round table during Trumps visit include Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, N Chandrasekaran, Anand Mahindra, A M Naik, and Sunil Mittal, among others.

But as mentioned before, nothing except that Trump will be in India on February 24 and 25, is confirmed.

That apart, a visit by Trumps right hand man for trade negotiations  United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer  also remains uncertain. Lighthizer was set to attend a crucial meeting in New Delhi this week to iron out trade issues, but no official confirmation was put out, as of Wednesday.

People in the know say the government is now betting on a compromise on agri trade, which may see India systematically revoking high import duties on key agricultural produce such as almonds, walnut, apples, and wine, on which New Delhi had raised duties by up to 50 per cent last year. Farm lobbies have pressurised the government to restrict market access for these products. Discussions on other American demands  lower duties for industrial components, engineering products, and tech goods like smartwatches and iPhones  are lengthy and not expected to be completed by the time of Trumps visit, an official said.

While both sides are working on a comprehensive trade package, US trade officials have expressed their displeasure with New Delhis decision to saddle medical device imports with an additional health cess.

India has refused to roll it back, but people in the know say the government may allow a trade margin policy for specific high-value items like coronary stents. Further, the US on Tuesday classified India as a developed economy, making it ineligible for...



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Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday requested the anti-CAA protesters at Nagpada to shift their protest to a "designated site" as they do not have required permission to protest in Nagpada.

The protest which has been going on in Nagpada is has been famously nicknamed "Mumbai Bagh" protest, in semblance to Delhi's Shaheen Bagh protest.

Deshmukh said, "Women protesting there (in Nagpada) have not taken permission for staging protest in that area. We have requested the protesters to call off their protest from that site. They can continue their protests at a designated site."

On February 3, the Mumbai Police had issued a notice under Section 149 of CrPC to people who have been protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Population Register (NPR) and the proposed Register of Citizens (NRC) in Nagpada area.

The police invoke Section 149 of the CrPC to prevent cognizable offences.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bombardier has sold off its remaining stake in the Airbus A220 passenger jet programme - the wings of which are made in Belfast.

In 2018, Bombardier sold a majority stake in its C Series narrow-bodied jet programme to Airbus, with Bombardier itself still retaining an interest. The C Series was then renamed the A220.

Almost 700 orders have been made for the jet. The latest being an order of 50 for Green Africa Airways, Nigerias Lagos-based airline.

On Thursday it was confirmed the Airbus had acquired a 75% stake in the A220 for $591million. The remaining 25% is held by the Government of Quebec.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson welcomed the developments hailing it a "good day" for the programme and Belfast.

He said: "The vote of confidence by Airbus in taking their initial stake in the A220 has been rewarded, and even today we see further orders as they take sole control of the programme.

"The linkages between Spirit Aerosystems and Airbus present further potential opportunities for the Belfast plant. Some of these have already been pointed to by industry experts, and key to that is the expertise within the Belfast operation and the possibilities for further growth here.

"I will continue to offer any support that I can to assist the company and help ensure the kind of positive and settled future everyone wants to see for the Belfast plant.

Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said the agreement demonstrated the company's "support and commitment to the A220 and Airbus in Canada".

"Furthermore it extends our trustful partnership with the Government of Quebec. This is good news for our customers and employees as well as for the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry.

"I would like to sincerely thank Bombardier for the strong collaboration during our partnership. We are committed to this fantastic aircraft programme and we are aligned with the Government of Quebec in our ambition to bring long-term visibility to the Quebec and Canadian aerospace industry.

Bombardier said the sale helped to address its capital re-structuring and exit from commercial aerospace production.

The firm invested more than 4.5bn in the A220's development before ceding control of the programme to Airbus in 2018 as it struggled to sell the single-aisle plane.

But the process of launching the C Series was beset by problems and delays, leading to the decision to sell the programme to Airbus.

It was at the centre of a major trading dispute with Boeing which let to the US government threatening to impose duties of almost 300% on the firm. Boeing had argued state intervention meant Bombardier has an unfair advantage in the market place.

However Bombardier won the case.

Bombardier sold its Belfast operation to US company Spirit AeroSystems last year.

At the end of January 2020, 107 A220 aircraft were flying with seven customers on four continents. In 2019 alone, Airbus delivered 48 A220s, with the further ramp-up to be continued.
San Diego, CA, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Education firm EABs latest report, Are Districts the Nations Adolescent Mental Health Care Providers? outlines the difficulties school districts face in handling their emerging role as the nations primary provider of adolescent mental health services. The report was released today at the School Superintendents Association (AASA) National Conference on Education.

Whether theyre ready or not, schools are being forced to serve as the frontline providers of mental health services for Americas youth, said EAB Managing Director Pete Talbot. Theres an argument to be made that schools should serve this role since virtually all kids pass through their doors. However, at many schools, administrators and staff are not adequately trained or resourced to fulfill that mission.

Adolescent anxiety, depression, and suicide are all on the rise across demographic and socioeconomic groups. EAB analysis indicates that 35 percent of students aged 1418 experience a mental health-related crisis each year, defined as involving one or more of these issues: non-suicidal self-injury (18 percent), suicidal ideation (10 percent), or attempted suicide (7 percent). A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health revealed that young people are 21 times more likely to visit a school-based health clinic for their mental health concerns than a community-based clinic.

Through research and recent discussions with more than 100 school superintendents, EAB found that diagnosis and treatment efforts are hampered by four key factors: (1) poor reintegration of students back into school post-crisis, (2) persistent social stigma around mental illness, (3) inability to identify students of concern early on, and (4) lack of coordination between schools and external care providers. To overcome these barriers, school districts nationwide are encouraged to adopt the following best practices:

1. Help Students Reintegrate Following a Leave of Absence

Few districts have established detailed and effective practices for reintegrating students into academic life following a mental health-related absence. Such students have demonstrated an increased risk of experiencing emotional and academic challenges, and many will not graduate. It is important for schools to implement thorough back-to-school transition plans and programs that combine clinical care, academic support, and family engagement.

Successful reintegration of students back into school following a crisis is the area where most school districts have the greatest opportunity to improve the provision of mental health care, Talbot added.

2. Reduce Mental Health Stigma via Year-Round Engagement

Most districts make efforts to engage students and educators in the broader mental health conversation. However, these efforts tend to focus on specific campaigns of limited duration, which makes it difficult to sustain their impact. To reduce the stigma around mental illness, year-round programs are necessary. One solution gaining traction is the launch of student-led mental health clubs. These clubs are typically facilitated by a staff advisor and enable students to discuss perceptions, personal experiences, and opportunities to positively impact student wellness. Such discussions help normalize mental health issues, encourage conversations about individual struggles, and enable students to ask for and accept help without hesitation or shame.

3. Broaden and Strengthen Your Crisis Identification and Referral Network

Early warning systems can help school personnel identify students at risk before a crisis occurs. Districts should focus on creating multiple ways to identify students of concern, including building stronger partnerships with community providers and first responders. For example, some school districts have launched Handle with Care initiatives that expand and strengthen collaboration with local first responders. With the use of such a program, designated district staff members are notified by first responders when a student witnesses or is involved in a potentially traumatic incident. That notification contains no incident details other than the name of the student, but it alerts teachers and support staff to monitor that student for signs of distress.

4. Leverage Telepsychiatry and Virtual Treatment Options Where Necessary

In areas where community mental health resources are unavailable or in short supply, school districts can contract with national providers to make telepsychiatry and virtual treatment available to their students. Telemental health remains underutilized among schools despite its proven clinical effectiveness.

When students struggle with psychological or emotional issues, they are more likely to be distracted in class, unable to attend school, or drop out of school entirely, Talbot cautions. Schools need to take the lead in engaging as many people as necessary to build a stronger safety net and serve as the center of a coordinated system of adolescent mental health care.

About EAB

EAB partners with 1,700 colleges, universities, and K-12 schools across North America and abroad to foster student success at every level. Our work with K-12 districts is focused on identifying the most innovative, scalable, and proven strategies to address top challenges. Our research and implementation toolkits focus on topics such as narrowing the third-grade reading gap, college access, career readiness, teacher recruitment, district communications, and school safety. By equipping schools with best practices to solve critical problems, we are making education smarter and our communities stronger.




Ahead of Valentine's Day, acclaimed Egyptian chef Suzanne Sabah, a certified pastry chef specialising in French pastries in addition to delights from Arab, Indian and American cuisines told Ahram Online that the love fest's activities are celebrated everywhere almost the same way. The main difference, however, is the choice of foods.

Valentines Day is celebrated the same way almost everywhere. People exchange gifts and go out for romantic dinners. Maybe friends gather if they are single and have a nice outing, she said.

Sabah recalled, In the beginning, I baked and created my own recipes as a hobby. I started from scratch. I taught myself everything. Then, cooking turned into a profession.

Last summer, Sabah earned the City and Guilds professional diploma from the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) in Dubai.

The ICCA is among the top 10 culinary institutes and schools of its kind in the Middle East. I was trained by awe-inspiring chefs from different countries. My perception changed.

Sabah makes frequent appearances on television.

She gave Ahram Online tips to cook a romantic dinner at home.

"First, organise the table. Use elegant tablecloth and matching napkins for the setting to look chic and cosy. Second, arrange the candles on the table. Use soft light candles and flowers to decorate the table. Third, the table must have a theme, such as a steak with salad and hot soup. Lastly, for dessert, British chocolate is the perfect choice."

Chocolate truffles:

Ingredients:

240 g dark chocolate, finely chopped

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tbsp butter (cut into cubes)

For coating: Cocoa powder and melted chocolate

Method:

In a pan, heat the cream and butter until boiling. Add cream onto chopped chocolate. Leave it to rest for a couple of minutes. Then, mix the chocolate using a spatula until it is completely melted. Cover and chill in the fridge for one hour.

Make the chocolate dough into small balls. Dip balls into cocoa powder or melt some chocolate on a bain-marie. Then, cover the truffles. Use red coloured fondant. Cut it into heart shapes and stick right on the truffle.

Red velvet cupcakes:

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

3/4 cups sugar

1 egg

Vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk (rayeb milk)

1 tbsp liquid red food colouring

1/2 tsp vinegar

1/2 tsp baking soda

Cream cheese frosting:

227 g cream cheese (room temperature)

Vanilla

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2/3 cup cold whipping cream

Method:

Preheat oven to 180C and line up 12 muffin tins with red paper cupcakes. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. In the bowl of your electric mixer beat the butter until softened for about 1-2 minutes. Put the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Then, add egg and vanilla. Beat them until combined.

In a measuring cup, whisk the buttermilk with the red food colouring. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour.

Mix the vinegar and baking soda together in a small cup. Allow the mixture to fizz. Then, quickly fold into the cake batter. Work very quickly; divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Bake them in the oven for approximately 20 minutes.

Cream cheese frosting:

In the bowl of the electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and sugar and mix them well. Using the whisk attachment, gradually add the heavy cream and whip until the frosting is thick enough to pipe. Use a pastry bag and tip to make a rose design on top of the 12 cupcakes.

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MPs in the parliamentary commission on the environment and climate have not heard a great deal more than they heard in December about the government's climate and energy plan, a number of parliamentarians reported on Tuesday.

The government unveiled its climate and energy plan in December, describing the plan as "ambitious and innovative". Another key component of the plan was an emphasis on social justice, but MPs remain none the wiser on what exactly these social measures are. MPs in the parliamentary commission met on Tuesday morning, but did not feel their questions on the ins and outs of the plan had been answered.

Minister for Energy Claude Turmes and Minister for the Environment Carole Dieschbourg were called to attend the session to provide explanations on the national climate and energy plan. The clarifying session came after a consultative debate in December and after the government council approved the plan before the Chamber of Deputies broke up for the holidays.

After the session, the head of the CSV in parliament Martine Hansen commented that a number of questions remain unanswered. While the document supplied by the ministers has became padded out, nothing has changed in terms of its content.

Hansen elaborated: "As said before, the goals are certainly ambitious, but it remains unclear to me just how the government plans to achieve these goals. Secondly, we [the parliamentary commission] made a number of suggestions and proposals concerning measures in December, and the ministers have not accepted even one of those. So much for respecting the Chamber of Deputies. It begs the question why we even had a debate.

"Thirdly, we all tend to say the entire plan must be accompanied by social justice. The plan should not create any more social difficulties, but I don't actually see how the measures listed will prevent that. Whenever we discuss compensation measures, the discussion only ever surrounds the socially-weak layer of society.

"It appears that families that already receive a cost of living allowance will be compensated. But others, who also do not earn a lot, will have to front additional costs. That is unacceptable."

As for the costs of the national plan, which should last until 2030, Turmes begrudgingly supplied some details. He told MPs the plan would create more jobs and economic power, estimating that the GDP will increase by 900 million over a ten-year period.

The plan's objectives include raising shares of renewable energy to 25%, from the current 11%.

Lagging behind: Luxembourg near bottom in Europe in renewable energy for heating and cooling

Additionally, CO2 emissions for Luxembourg should be reduced by 55% by 2030, and the Grand Duchy should become climate neutral by 2050. Turmes described the climate pan as a road map for Luxembourg, and on that basis, measures first introduced in the climate plan could become law in the future.

As of Wednesday, the 200-page plan will be accessible to the public. The ministers also added they would be happy to add other ideas to the plan, including those proposed by the CSV.

During the consultation phase, the government will meet with actors from different sectors, such as Fedil, the voice of Luxembourg's industry. The open consultation period is due to conclude by the end of March.

In April, the government will send the non-binding climate and energy plan to Brussels.
DR Congo magnate and political heavyweight Moise Katumbi will seek to recover his mining operations after a French court restored his right to assets sold to liquidated French company Necotrans, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Katumbi, an opposition leader and former governor of the mineral-rich Katanga province, returned to DR Congo last year after three years of self-imposed exile in Belgium.

The French supreme court has ruled to restore Katumbi's rights to Mining Company Katanga or MCK, Mumba Gama, one of the former governor's lawyers, told AFP.

Gama said the court ruling showed that "fraudulent manuevers" to try to sell Katumbi's shares had failed.

"We will regain possession of all of MCK's heritage and prosecute those who have illegally enjoyed it," he said.

MCK operations, its transport fleet, offices and premises are currently "illegally occupied" by NB Mining Africa, the lawyer said.

NB Mining was founded by Pascal Beveraggi, a French businessman who has been fighting in French court since 2017 with Katumbi.

"Pascal Beveraggi was not party to the transaction between MCK and Necotrans," a press release for NB Mining said.

It said the Katumbi team were wrongly exploiting the court ruling, which the statement said had nothing to do with Beveraggi or NB Mining Africa.

MCK, which specialised in logistics services and civil engineering for the mining sector, was bought from Katumbi at the end of 2015.

The sale happened two months after Katumbi announced he had broken ranks with former President Joseph Kabila, who he accused of trying to stay in power beyond the end of his mandate.

After President Felix Tshisekedi came to power in the December 2018 election, Katumbi returned to the DR Congo, where he continues political and business activities.
Martin was convicted of felony aggravated assault in 1995 in Mississippi, which should have made him ineligible for a firearm owner identification card. Records show the conviction was never entered into national databases, and Martin passed two separate background checks in 2014, one which allowed him to obtain his gun license and one which allowed him to purchase the Smith & Wesson.
Residential societies of Noida and Greater Noida are providing a list of people who have returned from China in the month of January as well Chinese nationals living in the neighbourhood to the health department, after they were asked to conduct a survey to identify potential carriers of coronavirus.

On Wednesday, residents of Grand Omaxe in Sector 93B provided a list of 22 Chinese nationals who are residing in their society so that the health department can ascertain if any of them are showing symptoms of the highly contagious disease that originated in Wuhan, China, and has claimed over 1,300 lives so far.

Residents welfare association of Mahagun Moderne in Sector 78 has provided a list of around 15 Chinese families residing there. Officials have completed the surveillance of around 12 persons who have returned from China recently.

Residential societies are providing us the list of Chinese nationals living in their areas and those who have recently returned from China. We have completed our surveillance of identified persons at Mahagun Moderne society. A team has gone to Grand Omaxe from where we have got a list of around 22 Chinese nationals residing there. We have requested all societies to help us identify people who are at a risk of contracting the virus, Anurag Bhargava, chief medical officer, Gautam Budh Nagar, said.

Federation of Noida and Greater Noida Apartment Owners Association has asked all high-rises in sectors 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 to inform the health department about high-risk category persons.

There are 15 Chinese families in Mahagun Moderne society and 14 had gone to China to celebrate the Chinese New Year (January 25). We have also asked all societies attached with us to take precautions to avoid the infection, Sandeep Chauhan, president, Federation of Noida and Greater Noida Apartment Owners Association, said.

We have been visiting all the societies where foreign nationals are residing and following up on the addresses we received from the state government, Ajay Verma, district malaria officer, who is heading the team in Noida, said.

Abhishek Pathak, Marcomm Head, Mahagun Group, said, We have instructed our maintenance staff to maintain hygiene and cleanliness. The threat of coronavirus is real and we have to be alert at all times.

We have around 22 Chinese nationals in our societies. We have visited them and asked if they have any symptoms of the virus. Until now, nobody has been infected. A team of health department has visited our society to follow up on the list provided by us, PVS Prakash, president of Grande Omaxe association of apartment owners, said.

In another incident, health officials had to call police while checking two cross-references at Paras Tierea society in Sector 137, after they were stopped by guards from entering the society. We were stopped from entering Paras Tierea society following which we had take the help of the police in convincing them that the surveillance is important for the well being of all as coronavirus is deadly and contagious, Bhargava said.

According to the health officials, over 350 persons have been identified and surveillance of around 300 persons have been completed. Officials have taken samples of 21 persons as a precautionary measure, out of which 11 samples have tested negative for the disease.
BEIJING, Feb. 13  The Chinese military has never engaged in any form of cyber theft. The US accusation is groundless and totally hegemonic, said Senior Colonel Wuqian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in a written statement published on Thursday.

The US Department of Justice recently announced charges against four Chinese military members for hacking a US credit reporting agency in 2017. In response, Senior Colonel Wu Qian said on Feb. 13 that the US accusation is groundless, totally hegemonic and judicial bullying. China firmly opposes this and strongly condemns it.

Wu Qian pointed out that China is a staunch defender of international cyber security. The Chinese government has always firmly opposed and cracked down on illegal cybercrimes in accordance with the law. The Chinese military has never engaged and participated in any form of cyber theft.

He said that it is an open secret with irrefutable proof that the US has long been violating international law and basic norms governing international relations by conducting large-scale, organized and indiscriminate cyber espionage, monitoring and surveillance activities against foreign governments, enterprises and individuals. From the case of WikiLeaks to Edward Snowden, the US still owes an explanation to the international community. On the issue of cyber security, the US has applied a naked double standard and acted in a hypocritical manner.

Wu Qian urged the US side to immediately correct its mistake and withdraw the charges so as to avoid further damage to the relations between the two countries and two militaries.
Havana is getting ready to host the XXII Habanos Festival, which will take place from the 24th of February to the 28th

The brands taking centre stage during the Festival will be; Bolivar, Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta

La Casa del Habano will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year

HAVANA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Havana is hosting the XXIIHabanos Festival, the largest international event for aficionados of the finest tobacco in the world, Habanos, which will be held from the 24th of February to the 28th. The event will be attended by enthusiasts of this unique product from all over the world, with the Bolivar, Montecristo and Romeo y Julietabrands taking centre stage.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8692251-the-xxii-habanos-festival-opens/

Attendees, from more than 60 countries, will enjoy a comprehensive programme full of activities designed to explore some aspects of the Habanos culture: tours of plantations to the area of Partido*, San Antonio de los Banos*, in Artemisa, and tours of the La Corona and Partagas factories to learn more about the Habanos production process across its entire value chain.

The Trade Fair and, particularly, the Welcome Evening, will open the XXII Habanos Festival. The Trade Fair is the meeting and interchange point for tobacco industry professionals worldwide and the Welcome Evening, which will be held at Club Habana, will pay homage to the Bolivar brand with the presentation of Bolivar Reserva Cosecha 2016.

The program will also feature practical sessions and keynote speeches led by renowned experts in the world of Habanos, meeting together at the International Seminar, to be opened on Wednesday, the 26th of February. The XXII edition of the Habanos Festival will organise, for the third year in a row, the Habanos World Challenge.

The Evening dedicated to the 30th anniversary of La Casa del Habano and the 85th anniversary of the Montecristo brand will be held at the El Laguito Reception Hall on Wednesday, the 26th of February, with a dinner for 550 guests designed for the enjoyment of aficionados of the most prestigious premium cigars in the world.

On the 28th of February, the Gala Evening dedicated to the Romeo y Julieta brand will be the Festival's grand finale. This evening, full of surprises, will conclude with the Habanos Awards and the traditional Humidors Auction, with all proceeds going to the Cuban Public Health System.

*Protected Appellations of Origin

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1089044/XXII_Habanos_Festival.jpg

Contact:

BCW: press.habanos@yr.com

Izaskun Martinez Tel: +34 670 09 40 74

Carla Llado Tel: +34 669 54 69 09
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Linkedin Yoolim Lee (Bloomberg) Singapore  Thu, February 13, 2020 09:20 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206431ec8 2 Business Bukalapak,Achmad-Zaky,start-up,unicorn,technology,Nadiem-Makarim,Gojek,Southeast-Asia,Indonesia,business,management Free

Achmad Zaky spoke with unusual candor after taking the stage in Jakarta that October afternoon. People stopped chattering and lowered their phones when he began recounting the decade he spent building one of Indonesias most successful startups. What none of the hundreds in the cavernous hall knew then: it was his last big public act as chief executive of Bukalapak.com.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, the 33-year-old self-taught computer whiz was on his way out. After a series of failed experiments and missteps -- including an abortive attempt to go toe-to-toe with Alibaba-backed rivals -- Zaky had lost his boards confidence that he could lead a vastly expanded company into its next phase of growth. Just months away from ceding the reins of the $2.5 billion e-commerce outfit he built from the ground up, he spent much of the speech reflecting on his decade-long stewardship.

Im not smarter than you. My success rate is maybe 10 percent, he told the now-silent audience. Back then, I was an engineer focusing on the product, he added. As the company grew, I was thinking I have to be a leader.

Yet some of his backers had doubts Zaky was the right person to lead Bukalapak given its current complexity, people familiar with the matter said. That may surprise industry observers for whom Zakys name had become synonymous with Indonesian e-commerce. He acquired something akin to folk hero status because, unlike many fellow founders, the self-effacing executive from a Java village made it big without Ivy League degrees or billions from the likes of SoftBank Group Corp.

Read also: Bukalapak co-founder Achmad Zaky steps down as CEO

His departure in January sent a signal to Southeast Asias largest startups, which unlike Silicon Valley remains largely founder-driven. From Grabs Anthony Tan and Tan Hooi Ling to Tokopedias William Tanuwijaya, they rode a funding boom fueled by a mobile explosion to create some of the worlds largest tech startups. But they also burned enormous amounts of cash in pursuit of growth. Now that economic uncertainty is squeezing funding and WeWorks epitomized the perils of placing expansion above profitability, the time has come for corporate mavens to take the reins, some argue.

Its the coming-of-age of Southeast Asias tech scene, said Paul Santos, managing partner at Singapores Wavemaker Partners. Its the end of an era of unbridled ambition and hopefully the beginning of a period of sustainable growth.

Zaky is only the second founder-CEO to leave a Southeast Asian unicorn, following Gojeks Nadiem Makarim, who became Indonesias education minister. While the formers departure seemed sudden, it was the culmination of a gradual separation, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing internal matters.

Some of Zakys decisions rankled investors. Bukalapak -- which means open a stall -- succeeded by becoming the go-to bazaar for shoppers seeking bargains. But a few years ago, in his zeal to bring more mom-and-pop stores into the network, Zaky pushed too hard for ever-lower prices, disrupting market pricing and upsetting some consumer brands, they said.

Later, as Bukalapak expanded, Zaky grew ambitious and tried to take on rivals like SoftBank-backed Tokopedia and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s Lazada by flogging pricier goods. Bukalapak backtracked when it realized it was getting too far away from its roots. Then in 2019, he incensed followers of popular Indonesian President Joko Widodo after tweeting that the government was spending too little on R&D and suggested a new leader might beef up the budget: #UninstallBukalapak becoming a trending topic on Twitter.

Discussions about a changing of the guard began long before that. Zaky had talked with his board about wanting to pursue his passion of helping young entrepreneurs. But that coincided with increasing pressure for the startup to turn a profit, one reason why it announced 10 percent job cuts. Directors felt that, while Zaky had been instrumental in Bukalapaks early days, the company had outgrown him and proposed bringing on an experienced executive. In December, the board appointed a successor in Rachmat Kaimuddin, a former director of finance and planning at PT Bank Bukopin that Zaky himself and a co-founder recommended.

As startup capital raising and profitability come under pressure, we should expect to see more CEO exits. Not just for under-performance, but for other reasons that were ignored under hyper-growth, said Suresh Shankar, founder and CEO of Singapore-based Crayon Data. Travis-like (behavioral), Adam-like (financial engineering) or Moonves (CBS, alleged sexual misbehavior) exits will become more common. Sometimes one of these causes or the other will be used as the excuse, to make company under-performance seem more palatable.

Read also: No more burning money: Calls grow for more rational tech valuation as VCs eye Indonesian start-ups

Unlike Ubers Travis Kalanick, Adam Neumann of WeWork or CBSs Leslie Moonves (who denied allegations of impropriety), Zaky leaves Bukalapak with his reputation largely intact. He will remain an adviser to Bukalapak while chairing his own foundation to support startups.

Born in central Java in 1986 to school teachers, Zaky got his first PC (an Intel 486) from his uncle at the age of 10 -- the only one in his village. By the time he got to high school, he was competing in national competitions, and eventually enrolled in the prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology. There, he met Nugroho Herucahyono, with whom he started Bukalapak in his dorm room. College friend Fajrin Rasyid left Boston Consulting Group to join them in 2011.

By the end of the first year, theyd run out of money and considered throwing in the towel. Then a chance meeting with Japanese venture capitalist Takeshi Ebihara revived the startup (Zaky tagged along with a friend to a meeting.) To his surprise, Ebihara offered to invest in Bukalapak. He also provided early guidance to the founding team.

One of the lessons was the importance of control. Zaky was cautious about raising too much money to avoid dilution. While Tokopedia and Grab raised billions, Bukalapak raised less than $500 million from investors including PT Elang Mahkota Teknologi, better known as Emtek, Singaporean sovereign fund GIC Pte and Jack Mas Ant Financial.

I want to make sure I have a large stake, like Mark Zuckerberg, Zaky said in an interview in 2016 at Bukalapaks offices in Jakarta, decorated with replicas of bird cages to convey the Asian bazaar aesthetic and slogans like Get Sh*t Done.

Zakys and Nadiem's exits now presage a trend. Its not about you, Nadiem wrote in his farewell email.

Read also: Farewell, Gojek: Nadiems letter to staff shows high hopes for future of Indonesia, Gojek

In his own parting memo, Zaky counted professionalizing his company among his achievements. He recounted an incident in its early days when the website went down for days and no one was bothered. By mid-2019, when the company had 2 million mom-and-pop store partners and agents and more than 70 million active users, Bukalapak had executives to run finance, strategy and operations.

I remember our early years when our management style was still dormitory style, he wrote. Over time, our management has become more modern.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday questioned the ongoing protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Shaheen Bagh. Ramesh said that the protests are serving the BJP's "communal interest and also helped communal Muslim interests." He also mentioned that the people in Shaheen Bagh, the epicenter of anti-CAA protests, should agitate against the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) if they are worried that their citizenship is going to be taken away from them.

Jairam Ramesh on Shaheen Bagh

Speaking to the media Ramesh said, "I don't understand what Shaheen Bagh people are protesting about. Are they worried that their citizenship is going to be taken away from them? That is a legitimate fear. Then they should agitate against NPR and NRC. Why are they only agitating against CAA? I understand the emotion and sentiments. Initially (protest) in four days, five days...but after a while, I think it served the BJP's interest to keep Shaheen Bagh going, it served the communal Muslim interests to keep Shaheen Bagh going. These protests helped the BJP, but it also helped the communal outfits."

READ | SC Seeks Centre's Reply On Jairam Ramesh's Plea Challenging Validity Of Amended RTI Act

READ | Congress Should Ruthlessly Reinvent Itself: Jairam Ramesh

"Frankly, beyond a point of time, I did not go to Shaheen Bagh. The BJP wants to exclude certain communities from the CAA... BJP's policy is one of excluding Muslims. We want to include everybody. Tamils from Sri Lanka, Christians from Bhutan, Ahamedias from Pakistan... Citizenship should not be based on religion. That is our fundamental position because that was rejected by our Constitution makers and it violates Article 14 of our Constitution." Ramesh added.

Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Mani Shankar Aiyar had visited Shaheeh Bagh in January to express solidarity with those protesting against the amended citizenship act. Ramesh, however, hit out at the BJP-led Central government for bringing amendments to the Citizenship Act, claiming it was brought to divide the people on the basis of religion. The Congress party's stand on the amended Act was very clear, he said.

The Congress party ended up securing zero seats in the 2020 Delhi assembly polls, a repeat of its 2015 no-show, following which significant infighting has broken out within the party.

READ | Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh Counters Single Language Idea For Country

READ | Jairam Ramesh: 2017-18 'terrible' Choice For New GDP Base Year

(with PTI inputs)
15 COVID-19 patients discharged, with 8 new confirmed cases in Singapore on February 13

As of 12 pm on February 13, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed a total of 58 cases of the COVID-19 infection, with eight new cases today. 15 of these patients have recovered and been discharged.

Of the 43 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving. Seven are in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Photo courtesy: unsplash

The MOH, with the assistance of the Singapore Police Force has found a links between previous confirmed cases and the newly announced ones. Meanwhile, three additional cases of COVID-19 infection were verified, MOH said in a statement.

Case 48 (announced on February 12): A 34 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China but was in Malaysia on January 26. The man reported onset of symptoms on February 1, and had sought treatment at four general practitioner (GP) clinics on February 2, February 4, February 7, February 9 and February 10. He went to NCID on 10 February

Prior to hospital admission, he had visited Plaza Singapura (68 Orchard Road), Star Vista (1 Vista Exchange Green) and Fusionopolis (1 Fusionopolis Place). He also went to work at Grace Assembly of God (Tanglin) (355 Tanglin Road) and Grace Assembly of God (Bukit Batok) (1 Bukit Batok West Avenue 4). The patient stays at Bukit Batok Street 25.

National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Photo courtesy: NCID

Case 49 (announced on February 12): A 46 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China. He reported onset of symptoms on February 3, and sought treatment at a GP clinic on February 8. The man was admitted to NUH on February 10.

Prior to hospital admission, he had gone to work at Grace Assembly of God (Tanglin) and Grace Assembly of God (Bukit Batok). He stays at Toh Guan Road.

Case 50 (announced on February 12): A 62 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. Prior to hospital admission, he went to work at DBS Asia Central at Marina Bay Financial Centre (12 Marina Boulevard). He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on 12 February morning.

Case 51: A 48 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China. He is currently warded in an isolation room at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). He is linked to the cluster at Grace Assembly of God.

He reported onset of symptoms on February 4 February and sought treatment at a general practitioner (GP) clinic on February 5 and 10. 5 February and 10 February. Subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on February 12 afternoon.

Prior to hospital admission, he went to work at Grace Assembly of God (Tanglin) (355 Tanglin Road) and Grace Assembly of God (Bukit Batok) (1 Bukit Batok West Avenue 4). He stays at Bishan Street 13.

Case 52: A 37 year-old male Bangladesh national who is a Singapore Work Pass holder, and has no recent travel history to China. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is linked to the cluster at Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site.



He reported onset of symptoms on February 7. He was identified as a close contact of Cases 42 and 47 and was transported by an ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on February 11 with tests confirming COVID-19 infection on February 12 afternoon.

Prior to hospital admission, he had gone to work at the Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site. He reported that he had mostly stayed at his rental apartment at Campbell Lane since the onset of symptoms.

Case 53: A 54 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China. He is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is linked to the cluster at Grace Assembly of God. He reported onset of symptoms on February 10, and went to NCID on February 12 where he was immediately isolated.

Prior to hospital admission, he reported that he had mostly stayed at home at Hillview Avenue. He works at the National University of Singapore, but had not interacted with colleagues and students after onset of symptoms.

Cases 54 to 58: Cases 54 (54 year-old female Singapore Citizen), 57 (26 year-old male Singapore Citizen) and 58 (55 year-old male Singapore Citizen) are linked to the cluster at Grace Assembly of God. All three cases did not have recent travel history to China. They were confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on February 13 morning, and are currently warded in separate isolation rooms at NCID.

Case 55 is a 30 year-old male Singapore Citizen with no recent travel history to China. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on February 13 morning, and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is a family member of Case 50.

Case 56 is a 30 year-old male Bangladesh national with no recent travel history to China. He was confirmed to have COVID-19 infection on February 13 morning, and is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. He is linked to the cluster at the Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site.

MOH has also stated that as of 12 pm on February 13, 711 of the suspect cases have tested negative for COVID-19, while test results for 82 cases are pending.
SAN FRANSCISO, Calif. - Penguins made a love connection at a San Francisco aquarium.

In what has become an annual Valentine's Day tradition, biologists handed out red felt hearts Tuesday to African penguins at the California Academy of Sciences.

The hearts were handed out to the penguins who naturally use similar material to build nests in the wild. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The hearts were handed out to the penguins who naturally use similar material to build nests in the wild. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The birds grabbed the hearts in their beaks and waddled around their rocky enclosure toward their nests.

Spokeswoman Kelly Mendez says it's often the male penguin who retrieves the heart and carries it back to his mate. The penguins use the felt for material in their nests, which helps reinforce the couples' bonds.

The activity is part of the academy's captive breeding program to help increase the African penguin population, which is endangered in the wild
In a Monmouth University poll, Mr. Bloomberg is a little lower, with 11 percent support over all, but that number ticks up to 14 percent when looking only at the Super Tuesday states, which hes going after hardest. (The difference is within the polls margin of error.)

Of course, it will be tougher for Mr. Bloomberg to get a strong grip on the handlebars if Mr. Sanders enters Super Tuesday at cruising speed, thanks to strong performances in Nevada and South Carolina  or if either Mr. Buttigieg or Ms. Klobuchar does better than expected in those two contests.

No one has ever been successful waiting until after the early contests, the longtime Democratic pollster Mark Mellman said in an interview. But nobody is applying as much money to the problem as Michael Bloomberg is. So its a big experiment, and nobody can say what the results will be. (Mr. Mellman is president of a Democratic super PAC that has aired attack ads against Mr. Sanders.)

Mr. Bloomberg is not without his own vulnerabilities  especially with voters of color, a crucial bloc that would become wide open if Biden left the race.

A recording from 2015 was circulated this week in which Mr. Bloomberg bluntly defends the use of stop-and-frisk policing during his tenure as mayor, when the tactic was used disproportionately against black and Latino people across New York City. On the tape, which was recorded when Mr. Bloomberg gave a speech at the Aspen Institute, he seems to suggest that young African-American and Latino people are more prone to crime than young white people.

Mr. Bloomberg issued a statement on Tuesday seeking to explain those comments and noting that he had apologized for the overuse of stop-and-frisk. But he had defended the policy as recently as last year, and the statement didnt directly address the role he played in aggressively expanding the use of the tactic while he was mayor.

Mr. Bloomberg is seen unfavorably by a higher percentage of Democratic voters than any other candidate, according to recent polling. He is trailing everybody else on that metric, Patrick Murray, the director of polling at Monmouth University, told me. For voters who are searching around for a candidate still, or not fully committed, it gives him less of an opportunity to win their support.
Asia-Pacific region needs better data to assure SDG progress in agriculture and food security systems  UN FAO

February 12,2020 | Source: reliefweb

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today called for an acceleration in improvements to agriclturural data gathering and monitoring to ensure the targets set out in the Sustainable Development Goals are accurately reported in the worlds biggest region  Asia and the Pacific.



As the clock ticks towards 2030, the year when the worlds 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)http://www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/en/ must be achieved, countries are working to improve their systems of statistic-gathering and analyses for better planning in crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors.



However, the capacity to adequately monitor and analyse agricultural statistics varies dramatically country-by-country, and no where in the world is that variance more prevalant than in the Asia-Pacific region.



Pietro Gennari, Chief Statistician of FAO, noted the significant data gaps in Asia-Pacific in monitoring the SDGs, and the slow progress towards achieving its goals. Slow country commitment to measuring the SDGs, and the poor performance towards achieving the SDGs, are closely connected. We are witnessing an inversion of the familiar axiom whereby what gets measured gets done. We are not measuring the SDG indicators, and this is one of the crucial reasons why we are not on track to achieving the SDG targets.



FAO today opened the 28th Session of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS)http://www.fao.org/economic/ess/ess-events/ess-apcas, in Bali, Indonesia. The Commission Session runs from 10-14 February. It is hosted by the Government of Indonesia with more than 100 participants from some 30 countries and 10 international and regional organizations attending.



Focusing on the specific needs of food and agricultural statistics of Asia-Pacific, this biennial meeting of agricultural statisticians and experts reviews and support the regions preparedness to produce adequate statistics to monitor progress towards the 2030 SDG targets.



Food insecurity plays an important role as a determinant of many different forms of hunger and malnutrition. The majority of the worlds hungry, and children affected by stunting, live in Asia. Hunger has increased in many countries where the economy has slowed down or contracted, mostly in middle-income countries. Furthermore, economic shocks are contributing to prolonging and worsening the severity of food crises caused primarily by conflict and climate shocks. Even in upper-middle and high-income countries malnutrition is an issue, with obesity evident in school-age children, adolescents, and adults.



Collaboration among internal institutions within the government such as Statistics Indonesia, Ministry of Agriculture, relevant ministries/agencies with the FAO of the United Nations, is needed to produce high quality agricultural statistics that are accurate, timely and relevant to provide SDGs indicators. said Chief Statistician of Statistics Indonesia, Dr. Suhariyanto, in his key note speech. Sharing of knowledge and good practices in the regional conference, such as APCAS, is a way to improve and accelerate production of agricultural statistics in Asia Pacific. Adding to that, the discussion at the forum will be effective to monitor the SDGs achievements in the region.



Agenda 2030 identifies 17 goals, 169 targets and some 232 indicators to monitor progress. This is a huge and daunting task for national statisticians, and the clock is ticking down to 2030. With only a decade to go, and nearly half a billion hungry people still struggling to survive in our region, we must strengthen partnerships among governments, international organizations and the private sector to meet these data needs, said Stephen Rudgard, FAO Representative to Indonesia. FAO stands ready to support national efforts through its technical assistance programmes.



The APCAS meeting provides a platform for Asia Pacific countries to directly engage in drawing attention to their unique challenges in development of agricultural statistics such as geographical remoteness, changing cropping patterns and livestock rearing due to climate change and transboundary diseases, and limited statistical infrastructure and resources.

Theme(s): Others.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Three Armath Engineering Laboratories will be opened in Gujarat, India. The Laboratories are expected to have up to 400 children. The Armenian teachers will visit India on March 15 to conduct training for the teachers of Indian laboratory for six months, as well as will install the equipment and the software.

Karen Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises, and Dr. Vijay Shah, a physician, business and social activist representing BattleLab India Pvt LTD, today thoroughly introduced the initiative to the reporters.

In order to export Armath we have conducted negotiations with a number of countries. The geography was interesting as it started from the Dominican Republic up to Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, etc. In several countries we succeeded. We signed a memorandum of cooperation with Ethiopia and Afghanistan. There are also agreements with India, Bangladesh and Mongolia. Preliminary negotiations exist with the army of Bangladesh, two major schools and university network. The issue of introducing Armath in the Armenian Army is also under discussion for already two years, but there are no concrete agreements yet, whereas this is a vital issue now, Vardanyan said.

Dr. Vijay Shah, talking about the installation of Armath laboratories in India, stated that it can help the Indian children in selecting a right profession because in India especially 10-16-year-old teenagers have creative skills, but they are not fully revealed, but the Armath methodology and education model will help at best to discover that.

India has a large population, and we are ought to strengthen our future specialists, train them and arm with new knowledge and skills so that they can be maximally competitive in the developing world, Dr. Vijay Shah said.

He said the laboratories in India will focus on the following five directions  programming, 3D modeling, robotics, artificial intelligence and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle). All these will give a complex knowledge to the children who will be able to use them in the contemporary world, he said.

The Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) has launched and implements the Armath Engineering Laboratories educational program. UATE started the process of exporting the Armenian model of technology education all over the world.

Currently, 575 engineering laboratories operate on the territory of Armenia, Artsakh and Georgia. Around 15000 students are involved in our programs.

At Armath Engineering Laboratories kids aged 10-18 are introduced to science, technology, engineering, and math education through interactive after-school classes, exciting competitions, innovative camps and more.

The young engineers are given the opportunity to design, build, test, and improve their own creations in a safe and fun environment, while making new friends and creating startups.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
is the son of a Pakistani immigrant bus driver who fought racism to become a high-flying banker and eventually Boris Johnson's finance minister before unexpectedly resigning on Thursday.

The 50-year-old's career had been skyrocketing until he became the biggest casualty of Johnson's first government shakeup since the Conservative leader became prime minister in July.

Javid served as interior minister under former prime minister Theresa May and was chosen by Johnson to become his effective second in command just as Britain was facing a crash exit from the European Union.

He replaced Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer when the prospects of a messy divorce after 46 years was unnerving the markets and sending the pound to multi-year lows.

Yet the father of four, who was born in Rochdale, near Manchester, and fondly recalls once shaking free market champion Margaret Thatcher's hand as a young boy, already had first-hand experience navigating financial turmoil.

Javid made big bets and huge profits as a risky derivatives trader for Deutsche Bank during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

Javid then entered and saw his ministerial career swing from one high to the next.

Economists viewed him as a liberal who was fluent in complex banking matters and knew the drawbacks of bureaucracy and red tape.

Javid's instincts saw him vote in 2016 to remain in the European Union because of its economic benefits to trade.

But he later rallied to the Brexit cause and ended his own Tory leadership challenge to support Johnson.

Javid grew up in a tough area of the southwestern English city of Bristol, where he recalled being called the racist term "Paki" in school.

He also faced initial questions about his background in his early days in finance but persevered and became the first from an ethnic minority in one of the top three British government jobs.

He won promotions to business and then housing secretary before arriving in April 2018 at the interior ministry.

Javid developed a reputation as a loyal minister who was tough on crime but also sensitive to the racial injustices of Britain's past immigration policies.

His predecessor quit amid a scandal over the "Windrush" generation -- Britons born in the Caribbean who migrated legally in the 1960s but were being deported because of a lack of papers.

His first pledge was to promote "decency and fairness".

But he faced criticism for cancelling the UK citizenship of Shamima Begum -- a 19-year-old mother who as a teen to join the Islamic State Group in Syria and wanted to return to London.

Javid's appointment as finance minister was in keeping with Johnson's pledge to create a diverse cabinet.

His wife Laura is a church-going Christian and he is not a practising Muslim himself.

Some of his four children are looking at future careers in finance.

Javid's biggest challenge was finding a balance between his free market views and the high-spending pledges Johnson made during his campaign.

Johnson had also pledged to cut taxes -- two incompatible promises if Britain was to keep to strict budget rules.

Javid's seven-month stint as finance minister was rocked by rumours of deep division's with Johnson's chief political adviser Dominic Cummings.

"The prime minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team," a source close to Javid told Britain's Press Association.

"The chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms.
The University of Wyoming paid its attorneys more than $42,000 in an unsuccessful attempt to block the release of records outlining the board of trustees investigation and decision to part ways with former president Laurie Nichols, records released last week show.

The university spent $42,532.61 between July and December to fight a lawsuit brought by WyoFile, the Star-Tribune, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and the Laramie Boomerang. The organizations had jointly sued the school in June, after UW blocked the release of records that detailed the end of Nichols tenure and the boards decision making. A judge ruled in favor of the news outlets in early January and said that the records could be released, albeit with redactions.

The cost of the schools defense was released late last week in response to another records request by WyoFile and the Star-Tribune. The released invoices show that Hirst Applegate, the Cheyenne-based law firm hired by the board to defend it against the media, billed UW six times in the latter half of 2019. All but one of those invoices was for $7,000 or more.

A voicemail left for Dave True, the board chairman, was not returned. Various faculty and department leaders around campus declined to comment or did not return messages. Donal OToole, who was the Faculty Senate chair when Nichols was dismissed, called the expense a stupid waste of money. The expense is more than double what a Wyoming resident pays in tuition each year.

At the Capitol, where a legislative budget session is underway, one lawmaker questioned the expenditure.

I hope they feel they got what they paid for, said Sen. Mike Gierau, a Jackson Democrat who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, because as someone who appropriates money to the University of Wyoming, I just dont see it.

In a statement, university spokesman Chad Baldwin said the boards paramount concern in defending the medias lawsuit was safeguarding the confidentiality of those individuals whose comments were factored into the decision to not renew Nichols contract.

Those individuals were offered assurances of confidentiality in exchange for their willingness to be interviewed, and the board felt it had a responsibility to seek to maintain the privacy of those numerous individuals prior to and after the lawsuit was filed, Baldwin wrote. In that very important respect, the university is pleased with the outcome of the litigation and grateful that Judge (Tori) Kricken ordered the redaction of those names in the documents that were released.

Bruce Moats, the attorney who represented the news outlets in the lawsuit, said the university couldve redacted the documents themselves when WyoFile and the Star-Tribune first requested them more than 10 months ago.

If thats all they were concerned about, the (state) Supreme Court has been very clear that redaction is appropriate, he said. They couldve done that in the first place.

In court and in its rejection letter to the news outlets last spring, the university had argued that the requested documents could not be released because they contained privileged personnel information. The news outlets disagreed and contended the records could and should be released. The Star-Tribune and WyoFile had submitted the requests in the days and weeks after the board announced in March that Nichols contract would be allowed to expire in June. From the outset, the board refused to comment on why it was not sticking with its widely popular president. Nichols herself maintains that she was never given an explanation.

The lawsuit was filed in June and ended earlier this month. In September, the Star-Tribune and WyoFile reported that the board had quietly investigated Nichols in the weeks before the late March announcement.

In early January, Judge Kricken ordered that nearly all of the documents should be released. Earlier this month, the board announced it would not appeal the decision, and more than 100 pages of records were unsealed.

The records indicate Nichols was accused of verbally abusing subordinates. Interview notes show university HR took two detailed reports against the former president, one in 2018 and one in early 2019, in which shes alleged to have yelled at a caterer and a UW Foundation employee. After the 2019 report, the school hired a Denver-based law firm to conduct a more detailed inquiry.

What exactly that outside investigation discovered remains unclear. But after the other documents became public, the university said the investigation indicated Nichols behavior was not limited to those two reports and that she had exhibited a pattern of abuse. Nichols, in two statements released earlier this month, denied the allegations. She said the reports were taken out of context, and she expressed frustration that the board did not notify her of the complaints or its investigation.

The board had used the taxpayers money against them, one conservative lawmaker argued.

The UW board then used taxpayer funds to try to block the release of the details of the dismissal, Casper Republican Rep. Chuck Gray said in a statement Wednesday. He criticized the boards lack of transparency. The board eventually relented, but it was not acceptable that a lawsuit was required for that basic transparency.

Gray sponsored a bill that wouldve made the trustees elected officials serving shorter terms. That proposal died Wednesday in the House.

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An interdisciplinary team of bio-engineers and economists from KU Leuven has mapped out how wood could replace petroleum in the chemical industry. They not only looked at the technological requirements, but also whether that scenario would be financially viable. A shift from petroleum to wood would lead to a reduction in CO 2 emissions, the researchers state in Science.

Our plastics, cleaning agents and building materials are usually made from chemical components derived from petroleum, rather than from renewable materials. Petroleum is currently cheaper to use as a raw material. But that doesn't have to be the case. The team of researchers previously published on how wood can be transformed into chemicals that can be used in a plethora of products. That process has now been fully mapped out. Moreover, they calculated that it can be financially feasible to build and run a biorefinery that converts wood into chemical building blocks.

To extract chemicals from wood, it is first split into a solid paper pulp and a liquid lignin oil. The pulp can be used to produce second generation biofuels or natural insulation, while the lignin oil, like petroleum oil, can be further processed to manufacture chemical building blocks, such as phenol, propylene, and components to create ink. The lignin can also be used to make alternative building blocks for plastics. Chemical compounds based on lignin are less harmful to humans, compared to those made out of petroleum.

"In the paper industry, lignin is seen as a residual product and usually burned. That's a pity, since just like petroleum, it can have many high quality uses if it can be properly separated from wood and the right chemical building blocks are extracted," explains Professor Bert Sels of the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems. As a result, wood could replace petroleum in the chemical industry.

The new publication is an important milestone in the team's long-term research. "What's so special about this study is that we calculated the economic viability of a switch from petroleum to wood," says Bert Sels. To create a realistic scenario, the researchers joined forces with a Belgian-Japanese ink company. This is because certain compounds from lignin can be used to make ink. The calculations indicate that a chemical plant that uses wood as a raw material can be profitable after a few years.

CO 2 storage

Through smart forest management, wood can be harvested sustainably. "Moreover, as a result of the shrinking paper industry, there is currently a surplus of wood in Europe," Sels explains. The researchers are also collaborating with waste processors and landscape managers to use prunings and other waste wood.

The environmental cost of using wood would be smaller than when using petroleum, since chemical compounds made from wood cause less CO 2 emissions. Moreover, products made from wood derivatives can store CO 2 , just like trees do. "As a result, it would be possible to store carbon from CO 2 in plastics -- preferably recyclable ones," Sels said.

To demonstrate the application of their research, the team will now scale up the production process. The first test phase has already started. Ultimately, they want to create a wood biorefinery in Belgium. In the meantime, the researchers are in conversation with various business partners who can process the cellulose pulp and lignin oil in a variety of products.
Jeannie Mai is calling out trolls for making offensive jokes about her Asian heritage and the coronavirus outbreak.

During Wednesdays episode of The Real, Mai, 41, condemned social media comments about the deadly illness posted on photos of her and her boyfriend Jeezy at New York Fashion Week.

When Jeezy and I were in fashion week just recently and there were pictures posted, I saw in the comments on other blogs a couple times of like, Dont be catching that coronavirus Jeezy,  Mai said. Or, she got that corona that latched him in. And thats so hurtful because there are actually people that are dying from this.

And I also heard that there are schools that are considering to quarantine Asian kids because they just want to keep it safe, she continued. This is real life out there. I just want to say, we know that misinformation coupled with fear leads to Xenophobia. Xenophobia is a deep-rooted fear against foreigners. We just got to do better and know that when it comes to yourself, educate yourself so that you dont life to fears.

Co-host Loni Love supported Mai and emphasized the importance of learning about the coronavirus, which has killed 1,018 people as of Feb. 11.

Just a reminder that coronavirus is not airborne, its not that, said Love, 48. So wearing a mask doesnt  because we had Dr. Oz come on and we said, Come on Dr. Oz, explain this to us. So its going to be online, look at that and look at what he said about the coronavirus.

Also if you are Asian and youre feeling something, I would recommend, I read, that they said that you should actually talk about it and put out the stories because thats how, just like on black Twitter we share our stories of racism, you guys need to do that too, she said.

Benny Lozovsky, BFA

RELATED: 44 New Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed on Quarantined Cruise Ship

Added co-host Adrienne Bailon Houghton, And we need to, again, be allies to our Asian folks, our Asian friends, and stand with them. If you see something, say something. Dont let people put up memes like that.

Story continues

Mai then ran into the audience, happily hugging different people as the co-hosts laughed.

Like really, its okay, were all right, she insisted.

RELATED VIDEO: Global Efforts Against the Spread of the Coronavirus Continue to Take Place

Coronavirus is a blanket term for several respiratory illnesses, ranging from the common cold to more severe viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Symptoms typically include fever, cough, trouble breathing, headache and sore throat. For people who have severe cases, it can turn into pneumonia, SARS, kidney failure and death, according to the World Health Organization.

Worldwide, there are now 43,141 confirmed cases of this new coronavirus, with the majority  42,670  occurring in mainland China. Most deaths occurred in people over 60 with preexisting conditions, and all but two were in mainland China.

And thus far, there have been 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the U.S., seven of which are in California. The other five cases have been found in Seattle; Phoenix; Madison, Wisconsin; Chicago and Boston.
NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Leaders Network, the largest network of travel agencies in North America with more than 55,000 travel advisors and 5,700 agency locations, conducted a research survey of its travel advisors across the US and Canada to assess the impact of coronavirus on leisure travel bookings.

While approximately 30 percent of travel agencies reported a high to moderate number of cancellations for China and other parts of Asia, few reported many cancellations to other destinations. Close to 400 travel advisors completed the survey.

"It is important to keep this in perspective," said John Lovell, President, Leisure Travel, Supplier Relations & Networks, Travel Leaders Group. "While it's true that there are roughly 45,000 cases in China; there are about 440 confirmed cases outside of China and 13 in the United States. Less than one percent of the cases are outside of China. Aside from a travel advisory to avoid travel to China, there are no travel warnings regarding any other destination."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that this flu season, which started in late September, there have been at least 22 million cases of the flu in the US with 210,000 hospitalizations.

When asked about cancellations due to coronavirus, advisors reported very few cancellations of trips to other destinations, including Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, the Continental US and other parts of the world due to coronavirus. Agencies reported that the vast majority of cancellations were for trips to China, followed by a lesser number of cancellations for trips to Asia outside of China. For example, advisors reporting no cancellations outside Asia ranged from 81% to 93% depending on the destination.

Sixty-four (64) percent of advisors said they had zero cancellations of cruise bookings due to coronavirus worldwide. The survey found that 13 percent of advisors said they saw a high number of cruise booking cancellations with the primary impact on itineraries that include China and other parts of Asia, Lovell said. With the health and safety of passengers the highest priority, cruise lines are taking extra precautionary measures such as enhanced screening and sanitizing protocols and denying boarding to passengers from China and Hong Kong.

Once the situation is addressed, 96 percent of advisors said they are confident their clients will rebook their cancelled trips.

"While we are getting inquiries, we are not seeing many cancellations outside of China and Asia," continued Lovell. "This is the peak winter break travel period for sun and fun destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean. We are not seeing those destinations impacted by this. Cruise bookings in the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska are solid. People are not going to give up their vacations or stop traveling."

Travel Leaders Group's internal task force for major events is monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus and ensuring accurate information is shared with advisors in a timely manner. Messages with supplier updates, such as airline changes, cruise itinerary changes, insurance policy updates, as well as resources from the state department and other government agencies are distributed several times a day. The company is also hosting webinars for advisors and corporate travel customers with travel medicine experts as well as risk management experts.

"At times like these, the value of booking with a travel advisor becomes increasingly apparent. We are here to help our travelers in providing information, as well as rebooking. We don't want travelers to give up their hard-earned vacations so if they are hesitant, we are suggesting alternatives in other parts of the world," said Lovell.

Advisors do not make recommendations on whether it is safe to travel to a destination. Ultimately, it is the traveler who must make that decision, ideally doing so in an informed manner and considering his or her own individual risk tolerance.

Travel Leaders Network advises travelers to review all official sources of information such as the CDC and the World Health Organization. Travelers should be wary of information posted on social media from unofficial sources.

About Travel Leaders Network

Travel Leaders Network (www.TravelLeaders.com), assists millions of leisure and business travelers annually, and is one of the largest sellers of luxury travel, cruises and tours in the travel agency industry. Representing approximately 6,000 travel agency locations across the United States and Canada. Travel Leaders Network's award-winning Agent Profiler agent locator, marketing, technology, supplier partnerships and educational programs empower member agencies to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, grow their business and lead the industry. Travelers also have access to The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group; a selection of travel offers and discounts available at no additional cost to holders of select American Express cards. For more information visit TheTravelCollection.com. Travel Leaders Network is a Travel Leaders Group LLC company.

SOURCE Travel Leaders Network

Related Links

http://www.travelleadersnetwork.com


JEFFERSON CITY  State ethics regulators have fined the campaign of former Gov. Eric Greitens $178,000 over campaign finance violations dating to Greitens upstart, outsider bid to become Missouris chief executive.

The Missouri Ethics Commission released its long-awaited probe of Greitens campaign apparatus on Thursday. The commission found reasonable grounds to believe the Greitens campaign committed two violations of Missouri law, but dismissed other allegations.

The MEC said the fine was linked to two dark money groups that were raising and spending money to further Greitens political career.

The MEC investigation did not find that Eric Greitens had personal knowledge of the violations, the report noted, however, candidates are ultimately responsible for all reporting requirements.

A consent order says Greitens can pay $38,000 of the fine and be done with the case as long as no more violations occur, and said the ethics commission found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Eric Greitens, individually.

Despite the fine, Greitens legal team declared victory.
LAVAL, QC, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard") (TSX: ATD.A) (TSX: ATD.B) confirms the announcement by Caltex Australia Limited (ASX: CTX) ("Caltex") that Couche-Tard has made a further revised non-binding, indicative offer to the Board of Caltex to acquire 100% of Caltex by way of scheme of arrangement (the "Further Revised Proposal") at a cash price of A$35.25 per ordinary share, reduced by any dividend declared or paid to Caltex shareholders prior to implementation of the transaction.

The Further Revised Proposal was made on February 12, 2020 and follows two earlier nonbinding proposals that were described in our press release published on November 26, 2019. The revised price under the Further Revised Proposal represents Couche-Tard's best and final offer price, in the absence of a competing proposal.

Consistent with Couche-Tard's previous proposals, the Further Revised Proposal allows Caltex to pay a fully franked special dividend. The offer price would be reduced by the quantum of the permitted special dividend, however certain Caltex shareholders would receive incremental value from the franking credits associated with that permitted special dividend.

The Further Revised Proposal represents attractive acquisition premia based on the reference dates described in the table below (which does not include incremental value for certain Caltex shareholders attributable to the fully franked special dividend):

Acquisition Premia October 10, 2019 November 22, 2019 trading day prior to Original

proposal trading day prior to Property IPO

announcement Reference Price Premium Price Premium Price (A$35.25)







Closing Price A$25.43 38.6% A$27.85 26.6% 1-Month VWAP A$25.50 38.2% A$27.87 26.5% 3-Month VWAP A$25.56 37.9% A$26.09 35.1% 6-Month VWAP A$25.72 37.1% A$25.80 36.6%

Further Revised Proposal conditions and other matters

Any transaction remains subject to various conditions including:

Satisfactory completion of due diligence by Couche-Tard;

No material asset sales, divestments or acquisitions of assets, capital raisings, capital management initiatives or similar transactions by Caltex, including the planned property IPO;

Unanimous recommendation from Caltex's Board, agreeing to a scheme implementation deed containing customary terms and conditions, and approval by Couche-Tard's Board; and

Approval by Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board.

Couche-Tard does not guarantee that an agreement will be reached or that a transaction will be concluded, and reserves the right to terminate discussions immediately at any time and not to pursue the Further Revised Proposal for any or no reason, without any obligation on its part.

Brian Hannasch, President and CEO of Couche-Tard, said: "We believe this Further Revised Proposal takes into consideration the information provided throughout our engagement to date and represents a compelling premium for Caltex shareholders, as well as immediate certainty of value.

We have long viewed the Asia-Pacific region as strategic to Couche-Tard's future growth, and we look forward to our continued engagement with the Caltex Board in progressing this Further Revised Proposal.

We remain a committed buyer of the entire Caltex business, where we see a potential opportunity to leverage our deep operating expertise and global insights to support and grow the Caltex business."

Advisors

Goldman Sachs is acting as financial adviser and Allens is acting as legal adviser to Couche-Tard in relation to the Further Revised Proposal.

About Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Couche-Tard is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In the United States, it is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of the number of company-operated stores. In Europe, Couche-Tard is a leader in convenience store and road transportation fuel retail in the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), as well as in Ireland, and has an important presence in Poland.

As of October 13, 2019, Couche-Tard's network comprised 9,815 convenience stores throughout North America, including 8,591 stores with road transportation fuel dispensing. Its North American network consists of 19 business units, including 15 in the United States covering 48 states and 4 in Canada covering all 10 provinces. Approximately 109,000 people are employed throughout its network and at its service offices in North America.

In Europe, Couche-Tard operates a broad retail network across Scandinavia, Ireland, Poland, the Baltics and Russia through ten business units. As of October 13, 2019, Couche-Tard's network comprised 2,708 stores, the majority of which offer road transportation fuel and convenience products while the others are unmanned automated fuel stations which only offer road transportation fuel. Couche-Tard also offers other products, including aviation fuel and energy for stationary engines. Including employees at branded franchise stores, approximately 24,000 people work in its retail network, terminals and service offices across Europe.

In addition, under licensing agreements, approximately 2,280 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in 16 other countries and territories (Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Macau, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam), which brings the worldwide total network to more than 14,800 stores.

For more information on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. or to consult its quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis, please visit: https://corpo.couchetard.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements set forth in this press release, which describes Couche-Tard's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or forecasts, may constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation. Positive or negative verbs such as "believe", "can", "shall", "intend", "expect", "estimate", "assume" and other related expressions are used to identify such statements. Couche-Tard would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts, could differ materially from those indicated in or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. Major factors that may lead to a material difference between Couche Tard's actual results and the projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements include the effects of the integration of acquired businesses and the ability to achieve projected synergies, fluctuations in margins on motor fuel sales, competition in the convenience store and retail motor fuel industries, exchange rate variations, and such other risks as described in detail from time to time in the reports filed by Couche-Tard with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information available as of the date of the release.

SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Related Links

http://corpo.couche-tard.com


The finance minister has observed that green shoots are sprouting in the economy. But what about the grey hair sprouting profusely all over the place? There is no out of the box remedy.

One suggestion is that since only seven persons out of every hundred pay tax, why not tax the remaining 93 at the rate of Rs 1 per day, which is not a big amount. Now the prime minister has stated that only 15 million of the 1.3 billion people pay tax. Of the rest, even if 10 per cent dont pay, the collection works out to nearly Rs 1 billion per day translating to almost Rs 360 billion a year which ...
New Collaboration Supporting E-Smart Systems' HiTeam Data Center with a Complete ICEraQ Immersion-Cooling System will Provide a 90% reduction in ZELENDATA CENTRE's Cooling Systems' Electricity Consumption

GRC (Green Revolution Cooling), the leader in single-phase immersion cooling for data centers, today announced a new business collaboration with HiTeam, a subsidiary of E-Smart Systems, at the new ZELENDATA CENTRE in Technology Park in Vrsac, Serbia, the country's first green data center.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005508/en/

GRC ICEraQ Immersion-Cooling System Integrated with Supermicro Servers. (Photo: Business Wire)

ZELENDATA CENTRE provides colocation, infrastructure as a service, and software as a service, and its Supermicro servers are being cooled by GRC's ICEraQ liquid immersion cooling systems.

"Our goal is to provide infrastructure with lower operating costs, as well as being environmentally conscious," said Goran Veljovic, Sales and Marketing Director at E-Smart Systems. "Using the ICEraQ immersion cooling system provides critical services today and will meet the needs of future data center users, while enabling companies to be environmentally responsible in their choice of data center provider. As the first green data center in Serbia, we are excited for the ZELENDATA CENTRE to lead the way, enabling Serbians to embrace business performance using green technologies."

One of the main motivators for using GRC liquid-immersion cooling was the need to protect the environment in a cost-effective way. Additionally, the data center will realize a lower initial cost, as well as a significant savings in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), when compared to a traditional air-cooled data center. The main source of electricity for the data center is the MK Fintel Winds' Kosava wind farm in Izbiste. GRC's immersion-cooling solution reduces electricity consumption of the cooling system at ZELENDATA CENTRE by 90%, or approximately 40% of the total consumption of the data center.

"We are thrilled to partner with E-Smart Systems to offer our ICEraQ Quad immersion cooling systems to the southeastern Europe market," said Peter Poulin, CEO at GRC. "They are dedicated to protecting the environment, using green 'environmentally friendly' solutions for their data centers, and that aligns with one of our core values here at GRC. It is an honor to be here with the U.S. Ambassador, the Honorable Anthony F. Godfrey to recognize E-Smart Systems and the ZELENDATA CENTRE for their focus on the environment and goal to provide mission critical services to organizations here in Serbia."

About the ZELENDATA CENTRE

400m 2 space

space 12 ICEraQ Quads. Each Quad includes 4 ICEraQ systems at 25kw per rack.

Up to 2 MW substation

Uses a Dry Cooler

Modular UPS system

BISCI and AISI standards

On Wednesday, Peter Poulin attended the ZELENDATA CENTRE grand opening ceremony, along with the Honorable Anthony F. Godfrey, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia; Goran Trivan, Serbia Minister of Environmental Protection; Dragana Mirovic, Mayor of Vrsac, Serbia; Goran Veljovic, Sales and Marketing Director at E-Smart Systems and 150+ additional stakeholders.

About GRC

GRC is the immersion cooling authority. The company's patented immersion-cooling technology radically simplifies deployment of data center cooling infrastructure. By eliminating the need for chillers, CRACs, air handlers, humidity controls and other conventional cooling components, enterprises reduce their data center design, build, energy, and maintenance costs. GRC's solutions are deployed in seventeen countries and are ideal for next-gen applications platforms, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, HPC, 5G, and other Edge Computing and core applications. Their systems are environmentally resilient, sustainable, and space saving, making it possible to deploy the solution in virtually any location with minimal lead time. Visit http://grcooling.com for more information.

About HiTeam

HiTeam was founded in 2003 as part of Hemofarm a.d. The company was the first to bring internet access to Vrsac through dial-up and wireless connection, as well as the first internet cafe in the city. Today the company is 100% owned by E-Smart Systems from Belgrade, with over 90 employees and is the undisputed leader in the regional IT market. Their portfolio of products includes Internet service provider, system support, retail and wholesale hardware and software, and installation of cable systems.

About E-Smart Systems

E-Smart Systems d.o.o. Beograd was founded in 2000 in Belgrade. It is a privately-owned company engaged in development, production, design, implementation and education in the field of information technology. Since 2011, the company has been certified ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 20000. As one of the first companies in the region using cloud computing, the company offers numerous services to its clients, including information systems safety, financial and industrial systems, IT infrastructure and protection, development and implementation of Microsoft Share Point platform-based solutions, mobile technologies, mobile gateway and embedded systems.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005508/en/

Contacts:

Milldam Public Relations

Adam Waitkunas

978-828-8304 (mobile)

adam.waitkunas@milldampr.com
Discovery has ordered a mini-documentary special on the dwarf planet Pluto that will take a closer look at the controversy surrounding the former planet and why it was demoted to dwarf status in 2006, TheWrap has learned exclusively.

Called #TeamPluto, the special premieres Feb. 18 on the 90th anniversary of the day Pluto was first discovered in 1930.

The special will follow YouTube star and TV host Nick Uhas and his team of astronomers, scientists and historians on their quest to understand what happened to Pluto.

Also Read: 'In Pursuit With John Walsh' Leads to Capture of Real-Life Fugitive Thanks to Viewer Tip

The special will answer questions regarding what led to its abrupt reclassification in 2006, why it was stripped of its planetary standing, and whether it could ever be reinstated to its former glory. It will also do a deep-dive into the scientific and social importance of the dwarf planet, as well as its strange history over the last 90 years that humans have been aware of its existence.

Plutos upcoming 90th anniversary is the perfect time to dig in and tell the true story of this often misunderstood planet, said Scott Lewers, executive vice president of multi-platform programming at Discovery Factual and head of content Science. At its core, Discoverys mission is to further and better our understanding of science, exploration, and the human condition through storytelling, and in this special program, Pluto will receive our full attention.

As part of Discoverys partnership with Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, viewers will also get access to the place where Tombaugh first discovered Pluto all those years ago.

Also Read: How 'Manhunt: Deadly Games' Was Reworked for Spectrum Originals

We are honored to partner with Discovery on this special program that celebrates Pluto and its discovery at Lowell Observatory 90 years ago, said Danielle Adams, Lowell Observatorys deputy director for marketing & communications. From the search for Planet X that was initiated by Percival Lowell to current research from the New Horizons spacecraft that flew by Pluto in 2015, viewers will get an inside look at the processes that lead to scientific discovery.

Story continues

Viewers can also vote in an official poll on Discoverys Facebook page as to whether or not they think Pluto is a planet.

#TeamPluto is produced for Discovery Channel by Discovery Studios. Sandy Jarrell and Suzanne Rauscher are executive producers. Brian Leff is showrunner and co-executive producer. Scott Lewers, Kristen Variola, and Christina Bavetta executive produce for Discovery Channel while Joe Mazzeo serves as coordinating producer.

#TeamPluto premieres February 18th at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery and Discovery Go. The mini-documentary will premiere on Science Channel and Science Go on Feb. 22.

Read original story New Discovery Special Examines Plutos 2006 Demotion From Planet Status (Exclusive) At TheWrap
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:44:52|Editor: Yurou

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SYDNEY, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two people have been caught attempting to smuggle 122 live fish into Australia's Melbourne airport, authorities revealed on Thursday.

The fish were concealed in plastic bags filled with water inside the pair's checked baggage, which according to Head of Biosecurity Lyn O'Connell, was searched as the result of an intelligence-led operation.

"Live fish can carry and transmit parasites, bacteria and viruses that could affect our native aquatic wildlife, and our 3 billion Australian (2.01 billion U.S. dollar) fishing and aquaculture industries," O'Connell said.

"They may also be considered a biosecurity pest and be damaging to our unique aquatic environments and ecosystems."

Australian Border Force Regional Commander for Victoria Craig Palmer, explained that relevant departments work hard to stamp out wildlife-related crime, which is not only cruel but threatens the country's unique biodiversity.

"Smuggling live animals in packages is not just illegal, it's cruel and inhumane. Many animals smuggled in this way do not survive," Palmer said.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing and penalties for ignoring Australia's strict wildlife import laws can be harsh, including heavy fines and imprisonment.
The federal government will support any partnership that addresses literacy and educational challenges including the problem of out of school children and girl child education in Nigeria, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Osinbajo stated this on Thursday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a delegation from Google Global Services in the United States.

According to him, it might help if we begin to look at something more in the area of literacy type skills because really, we are looking at how to expand the whole scope of education especially education for girls.

So, the question really is how we can use technology to make it easier for girls, in particular, to go to school, because if we somehow bring education to their doorsteps, it might take care of some of the problems around taking them out of their home environment.

According to the Vice President, for us, our education mandate is so crucial.

Explaining how the federal government is partnering with different stakeholders, Mr Osinbajo said, It is an interesting partnership  business, government and civil society working together. We are already looking forward to a lot of the great work that will be done.

All of that fits into our education agenda which partly aims at addressing the out of school children and the girl child education issues.

Speaking on behalf of the Google delegation, Doron Avni, the firms Government Affairs and Public Policy Director described Mr Osinbajo as an excellent partner whose support had enabled the organization record remarkable success in Nigeria.

According to him, Obviously, we have an excellent partner here who has been doing Gods work, it is thanks to leading partners like him that we are able to be helpful in communities in which we operate.

READ ALSO:

We had made a pledge to train 10 million people in Africa by 2022, I am happy to report to you that so far we have trained more than 5 million people. Most important is the fact that out of those 5 million, 3 million are Nigerians.

With the collaboration that we have with the Ministry of Education, we have now integrated some of Googles curriculum on online safety into the schools curriculum. So, we will be reaching 56 million students in Nigeria this year.

He then added that the companys target of training up to 10 million people in Africa by 2022 was realizable.

Earlier in the day, Mr Osinbajo while speaking to a delegation from Procter & Gamble led by its President for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Suran Magesvaran, said the initiatives of the Buhari administration in the past four years would boost local industries and make them more competitive on the African continent.

The Vice President said We are concerned about making sure that our industries are competitive by fixing power and other infrastructure. We are looking at port operations, trying to connect the port to the Lagos-Kano rail line.

On his part, Mr Magesvaran announced the companys plans to set up a new multi-million-dollar plant in Nigeria as part of its new investments in Africa.

Source: Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

Office of the Vice President
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, February 12, 2020  Thomson Reuters introduces Legislative Insights, a new tool on Westlaw Edge that provides actionable data relating to proposed federal legislation.

Westlaw Edge users will now be able to take advantage of the comprehensive legislative content from Thomson Reuters and technology from Skopos Labs to present a complete picture and provide counsel relating to proposed legislative changes that may affect a client, company, agency or an entire industry.

Legal professionals want to exhibit a deep level of understanding of their clients businesses and operations, said Lisa Mulrooney, director of Product Development at Thomson Reuters. Legislative Insights on Westlaw Edge enables users to deliver greater value through deeper insights and strengthen their trusted partnership with their clients.

Driven by a proprietary machine learning and natural language processing methodology from Skopos Labs, Legislative Insights uses more than 250 factors to assign a Probability of Enactment score to each bill. Additionally, a tag is generated for relevant industries that will likely be impacted if the bill is passed.

The algorithm weighs multiple factors, including the text of a bill as well as political and external variables. A text example could show an environmental bill would be more or less likely to pass with the terms climate change included compared to a bill where global warming is used. Political variables could range from the composition of Congress to the assigned committee. External factors incorporated may be related to gross domestic product or natural disasters.

Thomson Reuters was an early investor in Skopos Labs through Thomson Reuters Ventures, its venture capital group that focuses on growing and mentoring early stage startups. The Skopos Labs team consists of artificial intelligence researchers, attorneys, data scientists, software engineers, and policy experts, building solutions ranging from legislation, regulation and election-level insights.

Khalid Al-Kofahi, vice president of Research & Development for Thomson Reuters and head of its Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing, noted the value of continued development and collaboration to meet the need of our customers. "Thomson Reuters has been employing AI and machine learning for more than 25 years. We continue to build and enhance AI applications in-house but also partner with companies that can complement our offerings. The capabilities of Skopos Labs are impressive, and we're excited to bring more AI and machine learning to Westlaw Edge through Legislative Insights."

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the worlds most global news service  Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

CONTACT

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That stance has put it at odds with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, whose supporters responded angrily this month after the union distributed fliers criticizing his health care plan. Ms. Arguello-Kline said in a statement on Wednesday that supporters of Mr. Sanders had viciously attacked union members, and that the group was simply trying to share facts on what certain health care proposals might do to take away the system of care we have built over eight decades.

The union, which represents tens of thousands of workers in Las Vegas and Reno, has sat out primaries before: It did not take sides in 2016, when Hillary Clinton defeated Mr. Sanders in Nevada. But there is a reason its endorsement has been one of the most coveted in the Democratic primary: In 2008, it got behind Barack Obama and played a pivotal role in helping him claim the Nevada caucuses.

The unions admiration for Mr. Biden is clear: While Ms. Arguello-Kline said on Thursday that the group respected every single political candidate in the Democratic race, Mr. Biden was the only one she mentioned by name.

Weve known Vice President Biden for many years, she said. We know hes been our friend. We know all these candidates and we respect each of them.

But Mr. Bidens lackluster performances in Iowa and New Hampshire, and the broader uncertainty hanging over the race, made it difficult for the union to endorse someone who could be out of the primary next month.
A Texas family have filed a lawsuit against a multibillion-dollar pipeline company claiming that one of its truck drivers was watching pornography on his phone when he crashed into a vehicle carrying two teenagers, killing all three people.

The deadly head-on collision took place shortly after 9pm on April 25, 2019, on Ranch to Market Road 33 in Glasscock County.

According to a police report, Energy Transfer Partners electrical technician James Darling, 39, was driving home from a job in his company vehicle, a white 2014 Ford F250, when he failed to stay in his northbound lane and smashed into 18-year-old Jonathan Weaver's 2011 GMC Sierra pickup truck, which was headed south.

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The parents of Jonathan Weaver, 18 (left), have filed a lawsuit against Energy Transfer Partners, claiming that the company's employee, James Darling (right), was busy watching pornography behind the wheel when he caused a deadly crash in April 2019

The deadly accident took place in Glasscock County, Texas, on the night of April 25, 2019. The screenshot above shows Darling's mangled ford F-250 truck

A paramedic at the scene told a state trooper Darling's phone was playing a pornographic video showing a man and a woman having sex

This image appears to show Darling's cellphone following the deadly crash

The impact of the collision was such that the front of Weaver's vehicle compressed six feet, pinning him to the dashboard and causing catastrophic internal injuries.

Both Weaver and his passenger, 19-year-old Mathew Swinney, were pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision, along with Darling.

According a memo from the Texas Highway Patrol, one of the paramedics at the scene told responding Trooper Trevor Cole that as he was extracting Darling from his mangled truck, his cell phone 'was in his lap and was currently playing pornographic video material which led me to conclude that the driver...may have been distracted by video observation.'

Audio from a body camera video obtained by CBS News includes a first responder's voice saying of Darling: 'he had a cell phone in his hand and there was porn on it.'

The Weaver family's attorney, Chip Brooker, on Wednesday filed the lawsuit against the Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners in the Dallas County District Court claiming negligence and seeking unspecified wrongful-death damages.

The complaint states that a Texas Highway Patrol investigation has concluded that Darling caused the crash by failing to stay in a single lane, and that his watching an adult video showing a man and a woman having sex 'possibly contributed to the collision' by distracting him.

The investigation also found that none of the three men involved in the two-vehicle crash was wearing a seat belt at the time.

Both Weaver, 18, and his passenger, Mathew Swinney, 19 (right), were pronounced dead on the scene after their pickup truck was crushed by Darling's vehicle

Weaver's parents, Patrick and Dalena Weaver, believe their son's death was entirely preventable

The thrust of Brooker's legal argument, as presented in the lawsuit, is that as a publicly traded company with more than 11,000 employees, Energy Transfer Partners should have used some of its considerable resources to property train its staff to avoid distracted driving, and to monitor its vehicle fleet.

'Jonathan's death was entirely preventable and unnecessary,' the court document argues.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited in the complaint, in 2017 alone distracted driving killed 3,166 people on US roads.

Jonathan's parents, Patrick and Dalena Weaver, want their lawsuit to send a message to Energy Transfer Partners that the company 'should put safety first before profiting from another unmonitored vehicle or distracted driver...'

In response to the lawsuit, the company released a statement to CBS News saying: 'Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragic accident, however, accident reconstruction analysis suggest that our employee was not at fault. Beyond that, we decline to further discuss specific personnel or pending litigation.'

According to his obituary, Jonathan Weaver was an accomplished team roper who had received a full rodeo scholarship from Howard College. He is survived by his parents, Patrick and Dalena Weaver, and his two sisters.

Darling was married and had a daughter. The family lived in Big Spring, where the electrical technician was building a new home at the time of his death.

'James was highly respected, loved, and cherished by everyone he came in contact with,' the obituary stated.
Heavy rainfall across south-east Queensland has led to a record flood scare on a Gold Coast river and major flood warnings for others as the threat of severe storms lessened across the region.

It comes as a missing kayaker was found dead on the Mary River west of Maleny after a night of record rainfall on the Sunshine Coast and police search for a woman feared swept away in the Gold Coast hinterland.

A football field covered in floodwater in Woombye on the Sunshine Coast. Credit:AAP Image/Dan Peled

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Shane Kennedy said severe storms in the region dumping 102 millimetres in just two hours at the weir had led to a rapid response from the Coomera River.

"We are seeing intense rainfall, potentially leading to life-threatening flash flooding, particularly around the northern Gold Coast area," he said.
(Newser)  Police investigating the disappearance of a 6-year-old girl in Cayce, S.C., say the search continues despite social media rumors that a body had been found. Authorities have released footage of Faye Swetlik getting off a school bus on Monday afternoon, shortly before she was reported missing from her front yard. They also shared footage of two vehicles seen in the neighborhood around that time in the hope of speaking with the occupants. Meanwhile, two cars were towed from the property where Faye lives with her mother and grandmother, with authorities saying only that they could be of use, per WIS.

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"We're not leaving any stone unturned. We are exhausting every resource we have and then some," Sgt. Evan Antley of the Cayce Department of Public Safety tells CNN. Per WIS, he noted that "a lot of incorrect information on social media  could potentially divert valuable resources from our mission of bringing Faye home." However, he urged people to keep highlighting the case to get the word out. An Amber Alert has not been issued as there's no sign that Faye was abducted and police have not ruled out the possibility that she walked off. More than 250 officers are combing the area. "We're hoping for the best," says Antley. (Read more missing child stories.)
RTHK: Vietnam quarantines area with 10,000 residents

Villages in Vietnam with 10,000 people close to the nation's capital were placed under quarantine on Thursday after six cases of the deadly new coronavirus were discovered there, authorities said.

The locking down of the commune of Son Loi, about 40 kilometres from Hanoi, is the first mass quarantine outside of China since the virus emerged in Wuhan late last year.

"As of February 13, 2020, we will urgently implement the task of isolation and quarantine of the epidemic area in Son Loi commune," said a health ministry statement.

"The timeline... is for 20 days".

Son Loi is a farming region made up of several villages.

The health ministry previously said five people in Son Loi had been infected with the virus, and on Thursday reported a sixth case.

On Thursday, checkpoints were set up around the commune in Binh Xuyen, a district on the outskirts of Son Loi.

Health officials wearing protective suits sprayed disinfectant on vehicles by the checkpoints.

Villager Tran Van Minh said authorities had already advised residents to avoid large gatherings.

"Life has been badly affected," he told the media by phone, adding that much of the labour force is reliant on jobs in construction and house painting.

"Now we cannot get out and even if we do, clients don't welcome us that much as before."

More than 1,350 people have died in China from the virus, and nearly 60,000 others have been infected, since it was first detected in Hubei province in early January. Hong Kong has seen around 50 cases, with one fatality. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Here is a selection of people who have begun new roles with companies and organisations in Ireland, including OneLogin, 3Sixty, Philip Lee, Learning Pool, Irish Farmers Association and Cork County Council.

Niamh Vianney Muldoon has been appointed as senior director of trust and security, EMEA, with identity and access management company OneLogin in Dublin.

With 21 years in security, prior roles include global information security business enablement director with ex-DocuSign, as well as information security risk management roles in financial institutions, the eGaming industry and cloud application providers such as AIB, Paddy Power, and Workday.

In 2004, she became Irelands youngest CISSP-certified information systems security professional. In 2015, she was the only Irish woman nominated in the first Women in Technology awards in Europe.

David McCarthy has been appointed as senior business transformation practitioner with business consultancy firm 3Sixty.

A native of Cork with 15 years of industry experience, he has held senior leadership roles dealing with large-scale transformation programmes. He was owner/operator of marketing, lobbying, and public affairs firm McCarthy Consulting, and has held roles with Deaf Enterprises, Saoirse Foundation, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Mad Pride Ireland and other groups. With 3Sixty, he will lead the delivery of a range of transformation projects in the deployment of new processes and systems, employee engagement, and leadership programmes.

Marie Kinsella has been named as a partner with law firm Philip Lee.

She brings a wealth of expertise in financial services regulation, healthcare and pharmaceutical law, public and administrative law, criminal investigations etc. She has advised on high-profile Irish investigations: Commission

of Investigation into deaths in Leas Cross Nursing Home, the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, the Portlaoise Inquiry; Scally Inquiry into Cervical Check. She has led in developing healthcare and pharma laws in Ireland and the UK for 20 years.

As an enforcement manager with Central Bank of Ireland, she worked on the tracker mortgage investigation.

Qualified as a solicitor in the UK, she has worked in two leading law firms in the UK.

Sharon Claffey Kaliouby has been appointed as the new vice-president for North America with Learning Pool.

She will lead the Derry-based e-learning companys US expansion. Sharon was most recently a learning fellow and advisor for Elliott Masie Productions and previously head of global learning and development for State Street Global Advisors in Boston, USA.

She is also co-founder of the #WomeninLearning initiative, one of the 2019 Top 50 Leaders in Learning and Development - Americas, the 2018 Learning and Performance Institute Professional of the Year, and a two-time member of the USFA National gold medal womens sabre fencing team.

Brian Rushe has recently been appointed as the IFAs representative to the Teagasc Authority  representing the interests of farmers on the national agri-research bodys non-executive board of governance.

A dairy farmer from Co Kildare, he is also the new deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association, having been elected to that post at its AGM in January. He is a former chairman of IFA in Kildare and West Wicklow. He is a Nuffield scholar, where his study topic was; Speaking up for Agriculture  Protecting Farmings Social Licence. Brian replaces Richard Kennedy, who has stepped down having completed years on the authority.

Valerie OSullivan has been appointed as Cork County Councils divisional manager for South Cork and the Metropolitan area.

With an Executive MBA, Masters of Business Administration from University College Cork, Valerie joins Cork County Council after 12 years with Cork City Council where she was Director of Services.

She returns to Cork County Hall where, along with managing the Southern Division, she will also oversee Cork County Councils Directorates of Municipal District Operations and Rural Development; Planning and Development and Roads and Transportation. Valerie takes up her new position from Monday, February 17.
Heart Felt Expressions: a comforting reminder of the unending love and unparalleled power of the Lord. Heart Felt Expressions is the creation of published author Faith C. Lee, a mother and a wife to her husband for thirty-seven years. She worked in the laundry industry for many years with the intention of going back to school. In 1993, she earned her GED diploma. She also received a Word Processing Certificate, along with several other certificates and awards for outstanding Academic Achievement.

Lee writes, Faith C. Lee was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the second of eight siblings. She is a faithful and devoted wife to Nathaniel Lee and the mother of eight precious adult children. She enjoys singing spiritual songs, some straight from the Word of God as the Holy Spirit leads. Writing and creating poems and verses has a special part in her life.

She has been recognized for support of The Societys Principles of Peace, Education, Accomplishment, Charity, Equality in 19971998 by the National Library of Poetry. She also received the Editors Choice Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry presented by the National Library of Poetry in 1997, 1998, and in December 2008.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Faith C. Lees new book shares beautiful fragments of Gods love in pages of touching words that carry messages of faith.

View a synopsis of Heart Felt Expressions on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Heart Felt Expressions at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Heart Felt Expressions, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Hicks left the White House to become a senior executive at New Fox in California and had embraced a different life, people close to her said. She wrestled with the whether to return to Washington for weeks, trying to decide if she wanted to leave a lucrative salary and a quieter life to return to the fray, according to people who discussed the matter with her and spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private conversations. She was repeatedly courted by Kushner and the president who argued to Hicks that they needed her for the reelection, a person with knowledge of the discussions said.
A longtime pastor who is running for a Miami-Dade County Commission seat was arrested late last month after police say he violently grabbed his wife and slapped her in the face during an argument.

Mark Coats, the pastor for 20 years at Grace of God Baptist Church and a former county administrator, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery after a Jan. 29 incident at his home in Palmetto Bay.

According to an arrest affidavit by Miami-Dade Police, Coats wife sustained visible injuries to her inner right arm and collar bone and complained of pain to her face. Police said Coats became upset after his wife confronted him about the cleanliness of the home.

Coats told officers he had only tried to restrain his wife and that he didnt slap her, according to the arrest affidavit. He has entered a plea of not guilty.

He told the Miami Herald on Tuesday that the dispute was a private matter, and that he was shocked by what was written in the report. He also said he and his wife have resolved the dispute. His wife could not be reached for comment.

Coats attorney, Larry Handfield, told the Herald that Coats should not have been arrested. He suggested Coats wife had overreacted to the incident and that she didnt tell the truth to police.

Sometimes when emotions get the best of people, they say things that they wish they had not said, Handfield said. He did not put his hands on his wife, and Im quite sure his wife regrets what has happened.

Asked about the report that says Coats told police he did place his hands on his wife to restrain her, Handfield said he didnt mean literally that Coats hadnt touched her.

If he was trying to restrain her, that would not be offensive or criminal conduct or contact, Handfield said.

Mark Coats

Coats is running for the District 9 seat in the southern part of the county, which is being vacated by Dennis Moss after 27 years. Coats was a special assistant to Alex Penelas during Penelas tenure as county mayor, according to his campaign website, and he was an aide and chief of staff to former Miami city commissioner Victor De Yurre.

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He has also been an administrator for a private school, Grace Christian Preparatory in Homestead, which is affiliated with his church. Coats is an outspoken proponent of school choice.

Coats and his attorney said Tuesday that he is moving forward with his campaign despite the charges against him.

Theres no reason for him to get out of the campaign, especially when hes totally innocent, Handfield said.

His opponents on the Aug. 18 ballot include Kionne McGhee, a state representative and leader of the Florida House Democrats; former Homestead City Council member Elvis Maldonado; Johnny Farias, who sits on a zoning board known as the South Bay Community Council; and lawyer Marlon Hill.

Coats has raised about $44,000, less than each of his opponents has, according to campaign finance reports. Penelas donated $1,000 to his campaign in February 2018, the month Coats filed to run for office. Penelas did not respond to a request for comment on the arrest.

Coats also said Tuesday that he is still the pastor at his church in Goulds, a community in southeast Miami-Dade. Reached by phone, a representative for the church said Coats was still the pastor there but wouldnt comment on the allegations of domestic abuse.

Coats was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami on his own recognizance after his arrest, according to court records. He is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Feb. 24.

Miami Herald staff writer David Ovalle contributed to this report.
Paris, Feb 13 : Ministers and high-level representatives from COP host countries met at the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday to review ways the energy sector can meet climate and other sustainability goals.

The speakers included Kwasi Kwarteng, the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth of Britain, which holds the Presidency of the upcoming COP26 this year; Michal, Kurtyka, Poland's Minister of Climate and President of COP24; and Joan Groizard Payeras, Director-General of the Energy Agency at the Ministry for the Ecological Transition of Spain, which hosted the COP25.

Held at the IEA headquarters in Paris under the Agency's "Big Ideas" speaker series, the conference was attended by dozens of Ambassadors and senior representatives from about 50 countries, industry executives, and representatives from financial and international organizations.

The conference took place a day after the IEA announced that global carbon emissions had stopped growing last year, defying common expectations that they would increase in 2019.

The news provided a positive backdrop for the discussions, which were chaired by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

As part of its mandate as the leading global energy organization, the IEA is focusing on both energy security and global clean energy transitions, helping governments steer the energy sector towards international climate targets in a secure, sustainable and affordable manner.

In his opening remarks, Birol pointed that the energy sector accounted for most of the global carbon emissions, and has a key role to play in global energy transitions.

"Without solving the challenge of the energy sector, we have no chance of solving our climate challenge," Birol said in his opening remarks.

"We want 2019 to be remembered as the year of peak in global emissions and the 2020's as the decade of the decline in emissions. And the energy sector is ready to be part of the solution." As part of its commitment to bridging the gap between the energy sector and the climate goals, the IEA announced it would hold its Clean Energy Transitions Summit on July 9 in Paris.

This ministerial-level event will bring together key government ministers, CEOs, investors and other major stakeholders from around the world with the aim of accelerating the pace of change through ambitious and real world solutions.

The immediate aim will be to focus on concrete actions to reverse the growth in carbon emissions this decade, focusing on all the fuels and existing technologies that can help achieve that goal in a hurry.

To support these objectives, the IEA will publish two major studies ahead of the summit.

The first will be a World Energy Outlook Special Report that will map out how to cut global energy-related carbon emissions by one-third by 2030.

The second will be the newest Energy Technology Perspectives report, which will focus on an energy sector pathway for reaching net-zero emissions, looking in detail into all technology opportunities that could help to reduce emissions in hard to abate sectors.

The IEA Clean Energy Transitions Summit will be preceded by the fifth edition of the Agency's annual energy efficiency ministerial conference, which will also take place in Paris on July 8, and will be an opportunity to review the findings of the IEA's Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency.

"The debate around climate change is sometimes too heated and there is too much tension between the energy community and the climate change community," said Birol.

"We think this debate needs to be taken in a cool-headed manner. This calls for a grand coalition that brings together all the stakeholders that have a genuine commitment to reducing emissions - governments, industry, financial institutions, international organizations and civil society. Without this grand coalition, it will be very difficult to address this challenge."
Six-year-old Faye Swetlik has been found dead, authorities in South Carolina have confirmed.

The first-graders death is being treated as homicide, officials from Cayce Department of Public Safety said on Thursday in an emotional press conference.

Director Byron Snellgrove said that the body of a man was also found in the neighbourhood where Faye was last seen.

He did not say if the two deaths were related, but said that there is no ongoing threat to the community. The man is yet to be identified.

Crime scene tape has been seen in a wooded area near Churchill Heights, part of Cayce, a town outside of Columbia, South Carolina.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Faye was last seen at 3.45 pm on Monday after she got off the school bus and was playing outside her home. Her family reported her missing around 5 pm.

Authorities had searched door-to-door looking for the child and the FBI also got involved.

The Lexington County Sheriffs Office asked for anyone the owners of security cameras to reach out to them in the hunt for leads.
The first round of discussions between representatives of the trade unions and the national conciliation service took place this Thursday afternoon.

ISL employees formed a picket line in front of the offices of the national conciliation services at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Luxembourg City earlier today.

Delegation walking in. The photos published on this site are subject to copyright and may not be copied, modified, or sold without the prior permission of the owner of the site in question.

The ongoing discussions revolve around the finalisation of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The last collective bargaining agreement applicable within International School of Luxembourg was signed in 2016 and covered the time period between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2018.

In December last year, the social dialogue between the unions and ISL officials reached an impasse, which led ISL to ask the National Conciliation Service for its support in the process of finding an acceptable agreement.

Picketers today widely expressed dissatisfaction with their employer's behaviour and stressed that they would not give in until they are heard. Matthew Dwyer, a teacher at the International School of Luxembourg, explained that they had gathered to "promote a true social dialogue between the employees and the employers." He stressed that they staff are "unhappy with the way the process has been dragged out" and particularly oppose the proposed two tiered system. If passed, this would mean that current employees remain on the same pay scale while new employees would be put on a different scale.

In Dwyer's view, this system would "promote division" and create a poor working environment while decreasing staff morale. The new agreement, he stressed, would "set a bad tone for the school, which is supposed to be a happy and encouraging place for all stakeholders involved."

ISL picket line The first round of discussions with the national conciliation service took place this Thursday afternoon.

According to an earlier press release from trade union OGBL, ISL "management had not changed course since the start of the negotiations and was determined to introduce a new scale with a less favorable career for future teachers." Staff repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed changes and largely rejected the proposal.

The union negotiation conducted a survey among ISL staff between 9 and 13 January, asking "if they give a mandate to the unions to sign the employers' proposal and if they are ready, in case of disagreement, to strike." 71.15% of the personnel took part in the vote. The vast majority of the voters (89.19%, which amounts to 63.46% of the personnel) responded that they were against the proposed scale and in favour of the conciliation procedure and its possible consequences.

The actions of staff and the unions began with joint walk-ins and walk-outs on 20 and 21 January. Staff and the unions stressed they were determined not to give in. In a press release in December last year, the school management had meanwhile argued that they did not categorically reject claims for salary improvements and that they were in favour of constructive dialogue.

ISL labour dispute - no agreement reached at National Conciliation Office

ISL labour dispute: International School of Luxembourg, unions, and staff delegates to continue negotiations on 27 February
Concurs repetat pentru selectarea unei companii sociologice, care sa efectueze un studiu tematic "Barometrul opiniei publice in domeniul schimbarilor climatice"
The New Orleans Saints and the Archdiocese of New Orleans are opposing a court motion that would allow several local media outlets to attend a hearing next week set to resolve the status of public access to communications between the team and church surrounding a clergy sexual abuse case.

According to Ramon Antonio Vargas of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the two entities are trying to keep the newspaper and three local television stations from attending the hearing on February 20. Attorneys representing a plaintiff that is suing the church over alleged sexual abuse from former deacon George Brignac have sought the release of email communications between the team and church over the public relations strategy for the church in the wake of the scandal.

Lawyers representing the Saints and the Archdiocese each argued against opening the hearing to media.

Trials are public; discovery is not, attorneys James Gulotta and Andrew Mendez argued in a filing on the Saints behalf.

The plaintiffs lawyers have said there are 276 emails showing members of the Saints organization were advising the church on how to handle their public messaging of the scandal. The team, including owner Gayle Benson, have vehemently denied any wrongdoing saying their advice to the church was to be as open and transparent as possible. However, its a stance the plaintiffs attorneys reject saying the emails in question show otherwise.
The Kolkata Police will be inducting into its combat force the dog breed that had helped the US Seal team track Osama bin Laden, a senior police officer said on Thursday.

The breed, named Belgian Malinois, will be acquired by the Kolkata Police for its specialised dog squad being set up to combat terror activities in the city, he said.

The main reason to introduce this breed is due to its ability to deal with any terror-like situation and "that has been proven in several incidents around the world", the officer said.

A new kennel for the 'attack dogs' is being set up near 'Nabanna', the state secretariat.

One of the dogs, trained outside the state, has already been "inducted", he said.

We had been planning to introduce them for quite sometime and now we have got the permission from the Home Ministry. These dogs will be trained by experts from outside the state, and will take a year before being inducted," he said.

The CRPF has already inducted Belgian Malinois dogs. The Maharashtra Police has also written to the home department and the DGP to procure Belgian Malinois for Naxal-hit areas and for Force One, their elite team that deals with terror activities.

The Kolkata Police already has a dog squad which is attached to its Detective Department.

The dog squad has 35 dogs of different breeds - Labrador, Doberman, German Shepherd, Beagle Rottweiler and Golden Retriever.

Already 10 German Shepherd dogs and two Labradors have been sent from a kennel in Hyderabad for the dog squad, the police officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Asia Bangladesh Police Arrest Eight in Trafficking Crackdown After Boat Tragedy

Bangladesh Navy divers rescue a Rohingya girl after the boat she was traveling on capsized near St Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. / Supplied

DHAKABangladesh police have arrested eight people including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in a fresh crackdown against human traffickers in Teknaf subdistrict of Coxs Bazar following Tuesdays sinking of a Malaysia-bound fishing trawler that killed 15 Rohingya women and children who had been living in camps in the district, which is home to hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Coxs Bazar deputy police chief Iqbal Hossain vowed that authorities would get tough against suspected human traffickers, and said more action would be taken in the coming days.

We launched [the crackdown] in all upazilas [sub-districts] in the district yesterday [on Wednesday] and will continue, Iqbal told The Irrawaddy.

The district police headquarters said on Thursday morning that at least 15 Rohingya refugeesone male, 11 women and three childrenwere killed and 110 were rescued early Tuesday after the fishing boat capsized off the coast of St. Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal en route to Malaysia from Coxs Bazar.

Iqbal said that so far, four of the 15 bodies had been identified and returned to the families for burial.

He said the remaining bodies had been handed over to a national charity after DNA was collected from them for profiling.

Police investigators arrested Syed Alom, 28, Mohammad Aziz, 30, Mohammed Karim, 40, and Foyez Ahmed, 50, all residents of Noakhalipara in Baharchhara union of Teknaf; Saddam Hossain, 24, and Mohammed Rofik, 29, of Jumma Para; Mohamed Osman of Balukhali Rohingya camp; and Humayun Kabir, 23, of Bazarpara, in the district.

All eight suspects were named in a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Bangladesh Coast Guard contingent commander MS Islam with Teknaf police station on Wednesday.

In the FIR, the Coast Guard official stated that at least three fishing trawlers were used to transport Rohingyas to Malaysia from the Noakhalipara coast on Monday night, and one of them capsized due to being overloaded.

According to the FIR, the Rohingyas on board were from various Rohingya camps in Ukhia and Teknaf sub-districts.

The Prothom Alo reported on Wednesday that over 500 trafficking middlemen were active in the 34 Rohingya camps, many of them trying to lure Rohingya women to Malaysia with a promise of better living conditions.

Md Mahbub Alam Talukder, chief of the Coxs Bazar Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), voiced concern over the situation, saying Rohingyas desperate to travel via the sea route were falling prey to frauds from host community.

He said his organization was trying to educate the Rohingya population of the dangers, while encouraging law enforcement to remain vigilant against traffickers.

Coast Guard officials said one of the survivors of Tuesdays tragedy, Anowara of the Kutupalong camp in Ukhia, boarded the trawler with her three children hoping to join her husband, who lives in Malaysia.

Anowara lost two of her three children when the boat capsized and sank, the officials said.

Rohingya community leader NH Rabbi said the tragedy was the result of the shutdown of networks, restrictions from every opportunity including of higher education, no liabilities, no justice, more discrimination by authorities and NGOs, less security and less income sources, no proper treatment and lack of accountability among others. Wait and see [what happens] in the next six months.

In a joint statement, two UN bodiesthe International Organization for Migration and UNHCR, the UNs refugee agency said they were closely liaising with Bangladeshi first responders.

Irregular boat movements are not new to the Coxs Bazar district, as both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis risk the unsafe journey to travel abroad due to compelling circumstances. Recognizing the dangers they face at sea, the UN has been working with government authorities to raise awareness among refugees and local people on the risks they may face, the statement said.

It said, The UN is also supporting the strengthening of law enforcement capacities to address smuggling and trafficking and to protect those most at risk. Support is also available in the district to trafficking survivors.

Dhaka-based daily newspaper Prothom Alo reported that in the past year, 796 Rohingyas and two Bangladeshis have been rescued from boats that ran into trouble while bound for Malaysia.

Coxs Bazar District Court public prosecutor Faridul Alam told The Irrawaddy that despite the ongoing operations against people smugglers, demand for travel was high among Rohingya refugees trying to reach relatives in Malaysia.

They were using different routes to this end, said the public prosecutor, adding that at least 637 human trafficking cases had been filed between 2012 and January 2020.

Of those, 621 cases were pending trial, the court official said.

Iqbal Hossain, the deputy police chief, said authorities would launch a crackdown on human traffickers, adding that police had obtained the identities of suspected traffickers from survivors of previous incidents and other suspects now in custody.

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RIO DE JANEIRO - A Brazilian journalist was gunned down in his home on Paraguays border as he ate dinner with his wife, father-in-law and young child, prosecutors said Thursday.

Leo Veras lived in the Paraguayan town of Pedro Juan Caballero and ran a local news website. He had recently been receiving threats for his investigative work into smuggling at the border, according to a statement from the journalists union in Brazils Mato Grosso do Sul state. Veras father-in-law saw two armed men step out of a truck that parked on the corner, approach the area where the family was eating and begin firing on Wednesday, Paraguayan prosecutor Marco Amarilla told radio station Universo 970. Veras tried to flee, and received 12 gunshots from behind. The last shot was in the head.

Veras wife said that he had been withdrawn and stressed lately, Amarilla added.

The porousness of the border between Paraguay and Brazil has been key for bringing contraband cigarettes, pesticides and drugs into the latter country. Pedro Juan Caballero is also the site of a jail from which at least 75 prisoners escaped in January, most with ties to a major Brazilian drug trafficking gang, the First Capital Command.
The referendum to change the government in Atlantic City will head to court after the countys Democratic party challenged the legality of how signatures were collected.

In a lawsuit and brief obtained by NJ Advance Media and sent to Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez, the Atlantic City Democratic Party has filed for a temporary injunction to stop the change of government referendum that is currently scheduled to take place March 31.

The political organization alleges the petition to change the government from the current mayor-council setup to a council-municipal government, created by Atlantic City Residents for Good Government Inc., was defective with signatures obtained through a fraudulent manner, according to a brief sent to the court by Democratic party attorney Samuel Lashman.

Among the allegations, the party claims signatures were forged, people signed the petition who were not residents of Atlantic City, and petition circulators were illegally paid for their work on a per-signature basis.

More than 3,000 signatures were collected during the petition drive  which the city clerk certified was enough to put the measure on the ballot. If the referendum were to pass and the government was to change in the state-controlled resort town, the citys government would consist of five council members and an elected mayor, along with an appointed municipal manager who would act as the executive. Currently, the city has a mayor and nine council members, one from each of the citys six wards and three at-large members. Mayor Marty Small, Jr. has called the movement a coup.

Atlantic City Democratic Party Chairwoman Gwen Lewis said in addition to the findings made in the brief, two teenagers under the age of 18 were circulating the petition, which is against the law. She also claimed that the notaries who need to witness the petition-collector signing the document werent present when that happened.

We knew that with that many signatures, something was wrong with the whole process, Lewis told NJ Advance Media. We started investigating to see if things were done correctly. We found that there was a lot of fraud.

Lewis added that anyone who feels as if they signed that petition under false pretenses or anything else that concerned them, should contact her through the Atlantic City Democratic Committee.

Bob McDevitt, president of Atlantic City Residents for Good Government Inc., told NJ Advance Media that the allegations made in the legal documents were absurd.

It is another indication that this cartel that runs the city is definitely afraid of having an actual referendum vote on changing the form of government, McDevitt said. Every single step of the way, they have been trying to throw obstacles they think we cannot overcome. The reality is there is a widespread sentiment in the city that they want a change. They can get all the lawyers they want. At the end of the day, this will get decided at a ballot box and not a courtroom.

One of the notaries named in the injunction lawsuit is Linden 5th Ward Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby, who said she had no knowledge of 14 or 16-year-olds who were involved in the collection of signatures and that she only notarized the paperwork after witnessing the signature-collector sign the document

All I did was witness the signature of the person who signed that they collected those signatures, Cosby said. That is all that I am involved in. I would never risk my notary commission for anything nefarious. Some folks will go to any lengths to stop progress. I get that they would fight the petition but if they did it properly, then why fight it? Let the voters decide. 

Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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The former US ambassador to the Ukraine, who was at the center of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, has slammed America's 'amoral' foreign policy based on 'threats.'

Marie Yovanovitch, who Trump abruptly recalled from her post last May, spoke at Washington's Georgetown University where she received an award on Wednesday.

'Right now, the State Department is in trouble,' she said. 'Senior leaders lack policy vision, moral clarity and leadership skills.

'To be blunt, an amoral, "keep-em-guessin" foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul,' Yovanovitch said.

Trump last year disparaged Yovanovitch in a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which was the center of his impeachment for abuse of power.

Marie Yovanovitch, who Trump abruptly recalled from her post last May, spoke at Washington's Georgetown University where she received an award on Wednesday

The House of Representatives impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to announce investigations, including into his political opponent Joe Biden. The Republican-majority Senate acquitted Trump this month.

Yovanovitch was a highly regarded career foreign service officer when Rudy Giuliani, serving as Trump's personal lawyer, led a campaign against her as he sought to push Ukrainian officials to help him in his reelection campaign.

Giuliani later said in a series of interviews that he forced her out of her post and provided the president with information that showed she impeded investigations that could have helped Trump.

Yovanovitch, who was removed from her post in May 2019 with no public explanation, testified to Congress that she had pressed the Ukrainian government to address long-standing U.S. concerns about corruption and described a 'concerted campaign' against her based on 'unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives.'

The 33-year diplomatic veteran said she was subjected to a smear campaign orchestrated in part by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

She also leveled criticism at State Department leadership, and by extension Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for failing to push back against forces that 'apparently hijacked our Ukraine policy,' or to support her in the face of 'dangerously wrong' attacks.

Trump publicly criticized her as she testified, saying on Twitter that 'everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad.



Pressure campaign: Rudy Giuliani and his then sidekick Lev Parnas - now indicted on felony charges and co-operating with Congress - ran an effort to have Marie Yovanovitch fired

In her Georgetown address, Yovanovitch called for the State Department to develop a stronger relationship with Congress, to offer more training and flexibility for diplomats and to take seriously the job of countering misinformation.

'Truth matters,' she said.

The Trainor Award she received is presented to 'an outstanding American or foreigner for distinction in the conduct of diplomacy,' according to Georgetown.

Previous recipients include Madeleine Albright and Kofi Annan.
Happy Black History Month! Though we should celebrate the amazing contributions of African Americans year-round, February presents a special opportunity to honor our collective history and proud legacy. And what a legacy it is!

This years celebration is especially poignant as we recognize 401 years of Africans in America  long before America became America. African Americans helped found this country. African Americans have enriched our nation through hard physical labor, by clearing the fields for colonial crops, by fighting the British in the Revolutionary War, and by building the edifices of new nation  from Mount Vernon to the United States Capitol. African Americans have made amazing contributions in the arts, business, public service, sports, science and much more. Our story is one of pain, perseverance and triumph, and its still being written.

During Black History Month, Im particularly reflective of these iconic African Americans, whose achievements define Black excellence. They fought bondage, discrimination, bigotry, and hatred to achieve what many believed was unachievable for African Americans. Though these heroes and sheroes lived in many different eras of history, come from a wide array of backgrounds, and boast many different achievements, they all dared to dream, and they had the gumption to go after them.

Much of this fortitude grows out of the reality that only the strongest were able to survive the interminable Middle Passage. Only the strongest survived the physical chains of slavery. But amazingly, we drew on the strength and spirit of our ancestors. All of this helped to build the heart and soul of our community  a community that strives to take care of all people and give all of our kids a solid foundation. This foundation sets the stage for success and achievement.

For example, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who came of age in the heart of the segregated South, was deeply involved in the community of Ebenezer Baptist Church. There, he gained a strong sense of compassion and a commitment to social justice, which helped him grow into the moral leader of the Civil Rights Movement.

Michelle Obama developed a love of dance during her early years, and as first lady, she used that passion to inspire all Americans to live more active lives through her Lets Move campaign.

As a child, Denzel Washington found inspiration and role models through his involvement in the Boys and Girls Club. And as an adult, the award-winning actor has used his platform to support the organization.

Its clear that for African Americans, and for all Americans, the opportunities we have as children help shape our entire lives. This is especially true when kids are up against enormous obstacles. A club, a sport, a job or a volunteer position can be a lifeline that helps lead someone to a brighter future.

Thats why for seven years now, I have hosted my Youth Opportunities Fair, to connect young people with educational and inspiring experiences right here in our community. It is one of my favorite events of the year, because it has been so successful in enriching the lives of countless young Hoosiers.

The event will be held noon to 7 p.m. Monday, March 16 at the Indianapolis Central Library. Attendees will be able to chat with organizations offering a wide array of enrichment opportunities for ages 5 and up, plus businesses offering jobs for working age youth.

For young people seeking work opportunities, professional volunteers will also be there to offer helpful tips for success, such as how to impress employers, create or improve a resume and more. The event is free and open to the public with no RSVP required.

I encourage kids, parents and caretakers to attend this great event. You may find a program that sparks a passion, or a first job that launches a rewarding career, and you will definitely leave with a greater appreciation for all our community has to offer our kids.

The next icons of Black history, and American history, are right here in our own community. Through events like the Youth Opportunities Fair, we are helping to shape them into the leaders they are meant to be.

Rep. Carson represents the 7th District of Indiana. He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus and one of three Muslims in Congress. Rep. Carson sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Intelligence Committee, where he is chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence and Counterproliferation. Contact Rep. Carson at carson.house.gov/contact.
During a meeting hosted by Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who is on a working visit to Germany, was asked a question about immigration and emigration. You talked about the changes taking place in Armenia, but have these changes helped increase immigration? It is known that Armenians are scattered across the globe and they have a large Diaspora, but is there information about immigration and the number of Armenians who have emigrated from Armenia in this period?

As far as immigration is concerned, I must say that there is very important news. Since 2018, the number of citizens of Armenia seeking status in the territory of the European Union has decreased more than twice, the Prime Minister said.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, after May 2018, the number of citizens of Armenia seeking status of refugee in the territory of the European Union has dropped by nearly 60%, and the number continues to drop.

Since 2018, Armenia has been seeing positive dynamics of entry and exit of citizens of Armenia. In particular, in 2019, we summed up the results according to which 10,000 more citizens of Armenia have entered the country than exited, and the processes that have been unfolding in Armenias real estate market since 2018 prove this as well. Real estate prices in Armenia are growing so much that people are even starting to complain because prices for rent have significantly risen. Yes, we hope this process continues. I would love to say that there is no more emigration from Armenia, but it is stopping. This is clear to me, and the figures show it, Nikol Pashinyan said.
NJ Transits critical program to install a federally mandated safety system by the end of the year is getting back on track.

Software problems that threatened to set testing of Positive Train Control back five months when they were revealed in October have been resolved and live testing of the system has been expanded from one to five trains at night, said Kevin Corbett, NJ Transit CEO and president.

NJ Transit officials have applied to the Federal Railroad Administration to move to the next phase of testing of PTC using trains carrying passengers.

This would move it up by a month  I dont want to prejudge until FRA gets back to us, Corbett said after Wednesdays board meeting. This would give us an extra month cushion from the schedule presented in October.

The system has to be tested and certified for operation by Dec. 31, 2020, or rail service could shut down. If NJ Transit decided to run trains without a certified PTC system, it could be fined $27,000 a day.

Last October, officials from contractor Parsons Inc., told the agencys board of directors that the project was five months off a schedule to do revenue testing of PTC on trains carrying passengers, because of a subcontractors software problem. That software problem has now been resolved, Corbett said.

PTC uses computers and trackside transponders to determine if a train operator is obeying speed limits and signals. If they fail to do so, PTC stops the train.

PTC had been tested on a section of the Morris & Essex lines that will be expanded to Gladstone branch, Raritan Valley, Pascack Valley and North Jersey Coast Lines. Amtrak, the owner of the Northeast Corridor and NJ Transit trains have to be tested to make sure they work with the other railroads PTC system.

We got help from the FRA and additional resources from the subcontractor and we applied for going to revenue service testing, Corbett said. We have additional crews coming on board so there will not be disruptions to service.

In 2018 NJ Transit was up against a similar deadline for the first phase of PTC, starting that year with only 12% of PTC installation on trains train and in back offices completed done, but finished several weeks before a Dec. 31, 2018 deadline.

PTC came under fire in an Office of the State Auditors report released last month. That report found the cost to install PTC a had ballooned to $500 million and that NJ Transit had not exercised $9 million in liquidated damages against contractors.

That report questioned if NJ Transit would make the Dec. 31 deadline to have PTC implemented, tested and certified. Corbett said theyll make the end of 2020 deadline.

In 2018 we were 12% done when I came on board in February and we got that done, Corbett said. I feel a lot more comfortable this time.

Cederick Fulton joined NJ Transit board with three other members on Feb. 12. He was seated on the dais next to Transportation Commissioner and chairwoman Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.

Corbett made the announcement as four new members joined the board of directors after being confirmed by the state senate in January.

Board member and former state senator Robert Gordon was seated but couldnt vote because of a 1911 law signed by governor Woodrow Wilson. That law prohibits Gordon from serving on other state boards because he is head of the board of public utilities. The law is a throwback to the robber baron era.

State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, both D-Bergen, introduced bills in both houses of the legislature to make an exception for Gordon.

I hope they will get to a vote in the Feb. 24 assembly session and in ours (state senate) on March 4 or 5, Weinberg said.

Weinberg offered advice to the four new board members, Gordon, James D. Adams, CedricK T. Fulton and Richard Maroko about what the position should mean to them.

It means asking the tough questions and standing up publicly for the interests of the hundreds of thousands for commuters, Weinberg said.

Two more nominees remain to be confirmed, Janna Chernetz, Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director and Michael Benson, who brings human resources expertise to the board. The final open seat remains to be nominated by assembly speaker Craig Coughlin D-Middlesex to bring the board to 13 members.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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The issue of the extension of the



AFSPA in Nagaland was raised in the state Assembly on Thursday, with the members voicing concern over the matter.

Opposition Naga People's Front MLA Imkong L Imchen said the Centre has been extending the law over the years despite the state government recommending against it.

He said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 infringes upon the fundamental rights of the people.

The Centre had issued a notification on December 30 last year extending the law, which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior notice, in Nagaland till July-end.

Imchen wondered why the law is being extended despite the ongoing talks between the Centre and the Naga outfits.

"Law and order is a state subject. When the Nagaland cabinet says 'no' (to the extension of AFSPA), why does the Centre not accept it? AFSPA is terrifying and unmerciful to the citizens," Imchen said, calling on the 60-member House to discuss the issue "very sincerely and seriously".

Agreeing to the senior opposition legislator's suggestion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said, "This issue is very important as the people of the state have felt its effect."



He informed the House that the Union Home Minister always seeks the state government's suggestion "just as a formality" before extending the law.

"Every time suggestion is sought, the state Cabinet discusses the matter and tells the Centre that there is no need to extend AFSPA or the Disturbed Areas Act," Rio said.

He expressed fears that till the Naga political issue is resolved, the AFSPA will remain imposed and the Centre will keep extending it.

Observing that the public feels that the state Cabinet is not serious about preventing the extension of AFSPA, Rio said, "Though law and order is a state subject, the Naga political issue is being dealt with by the Centre because of which the Nagaland government's views are not considered".

Asserting that there is no difference of thought between the ruling and opposition members of the House over the issue, Rio said deliberations over the matter can be held in the next session of the Assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it completely lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.'

In contrast to all that, I prefer to spend time on companies like Tian Chang Group Holdings (HKG:2182), which has not only revenues, but also profits. Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation. In comparison, loss making companies act like a sponge for capital - but unlike such a sponge they do not always produce something when squeezed.

Check out our latest analysis for Tian Chang Group Holdings

How Fast Is Tian Chang Group Holdings Growing?

If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS). Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. Who among us would not applaud Tian Chang Group Holdings's stratospheric annual EPS growth of 59%, compound, over the last three years? Growth that fast may well be fleeting, but like a lotus blooming from a murky pond, it sparks joy for the wary stock pickers.

I like to take a look at earnings before interest and (EBIT) tax margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. Tian Chang Group Holdings shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 9.0% to 14%, and revenue is growing. That's great to see, on both counts.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

SEHK:2182 Income Statement, February 13th 2020

Since Tian Chang Group Holdings is no giant, with a market capitalization of HK$329m, so you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects.

Story continues

Are Tian Chang Group Holdings Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Personally, I like to see high insider ownership of a company, since it suggests that it will be managed in the interests of shareholders. So as you can imagine, the fact that Tian Chang Group Holdings insiders own a significant number of shares certainly appeals to me. Indeed, with a collective holding of 73%, company insiders are in control and have plenty of capital behind the venture. This makes me think they will be incentivised to plan for the long term - something I like to see. In terms of absolute value, insiders have HK$240m invested in the business, using the current share price. That should be more than enough to keep them focussed on creating shareholder value!

Is Tian Chang Group Holdings Worth Keeping An Eye On?

Tian Chang Group Holdings's earnings per share growth have been levitating higher, like a mountain goat scaling the Alps. That EPS growth certainly has my attention, and the large insider ownership only serves to further stoke my interest. At times fast EPS growth is a sign the business has reached an inflection point; and I do like those. So to my mind Tian Chang Group Holdings is worth putting on your watchlist; after all, shareholders do well when the market underestimates fast growing companies. Another important measure of business quality not discussed here, is return on equity (ROE). Click on this link to see how Tian Chang Group Holdings shapes up to industry peers, when it comes to ROE.

Although Tian Chang Group Holdings certainly looks good to me, I would like it more if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, too, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction

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.
McClatchy Co., the fifth-largest newspaper company in the U.S. by circulation according to Statista, filed for bankruptcy Thursday, the company announced.

According to the company  which publishes dozens of newspapers across the country, including the Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee, Kansas City Star, Idaho Statesman, Fresno Bee and Charlotte Observer  this is a move that will end family control of Americas second-largest local news company and hand it to creditors who have expressed support for independent journalism. The filing will also, it says,  allow McClatchy to restructure its debts and, it hopes, shed much of its pension obligations.

If the court accepts the plan submitted Thursday, McClatchy would be operated by hedge fund Chatham Asset Management LLC as a previously held company. The announcement notes that more than 7 million shares of publicly available and protected family-owned stock would be canceled.

Also Read: McClatchy Seeks Federal Bailout of Pension Fund

While this is obviously a sad milestone after 163 years of family control, McClatchy remains a strong operating company and committed to essential local news and information, said chairman Kevin McClatchy in a public statement. While we tried hard to avoid this step, theres no question that the scale of our 75-year-old pension plan  with 10 pensioners for every single active employee  is a reflection of another economic era.

In November 2019, McClatchy announced it was looking for a bailout of its pension fund.

In reporting its third-quarter results at that time, McClatchy said it is negotiating capital and pension restructuring with PBGC and key stakeholders.

McClatchy was in talks with the federal government about possibly taking over its pension fund as it was unable to make a $124 million contribution due through 2020.

Read original story McClatchy, Owner of Miami Herald and Sacramento Bee, Files for Bankruptcy At TheWrap
F ashion folk dont always agree but there is one thing every designer and retailer from Shoreditch to Shanghai believes: China is big business.

Chinese designers, editors, celebrities, bloggers and influencers have replaced many big Western names on the front row at the shows. Except, that is, this year. There are precious few Chinese guests at New York Fashion Week this week. The Chinese editions of Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire and InStyle have suspended fashion week travel. The Chinese will also be conspicuous by their absence in London, where fashions caravan moves on Friday, and in Milan and Paris from next week. Chinese labels Angel Chen, Ricostru and Hui have confirmed that they wont show in Milan. Now, Shanghai Fashion Week next month has been cancelled.

Its not that designers, buyers and critics dont want to attend; nor that they cant find a stylish enough surgical mask to ward off coronavirus. They simply cant make it, due to the restrictions on flights to and from China and the compulsory quarantine in many Chinese cities to try to halt the spread of the virus. Its terrible, says Carlo Capasa, president of the Italian National Fashion Chamber, which oversees Milan Fashion Week. Hes not simply referring to the victims of the virus, nor the disruption to his showcase event, but to the industry as a whole.

Coronavirus is the worst thing to happen to fashion since the financial crisis of 2008. All the major labels depend on attracting Chinese consumers. They account for one third of global luxury goods sales and 90 per cent of last years growth in the market, according to consultants at Bain & Company. Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo owner, Capri Holdings, says revenue will be $100 million lower this year due to the outbreak: 150 of its stores on the mainland closed last week. The situation and measures to protect the population are having a material impact on our business, says John Idol, Capris CEO. Shares in some of the top players, including LVMH and Kering, fell when the outbreak was revealed. Burberry has closed 24 of its 64 stores on the mainland and Julie Brown, its chief financial officer, says the company cant stand by previous forecasts for this fiscal year.

Fashion houses and retailers are being hit by a triple whammy. First, consumers in China arent splashing out as they used to. When there are tens of thousands of suspected coronavirus cases in your country, hundreds of related deaths worldwide and millions of people in quarantine, popping out for a new Celine tote is a little too gauche for even the most hardened shopper. Chinese social media platforms are plastered with messages that proclaim: Who am I showing off to? and Health comes first. Luca Solca, global luxury goods market analyst at Bernstein, reports: Luxury consumption in China has ground to a sudden stop.

Footfall in Chinas boutiques and malls has plunged so sharply that many are shortening business hours or shutting completely. A leading brand reports that just five people walked into its Shanghai boutique one day last week, down from the usual 800. Shanghai Village, part of the Bicester Village family of discount malls, closed days after the outbreak was confirmed at the request of the government. Prospects for retailers are even worse in Hong Kong, where the pro-democracy protests have already sent the luxury goods market into a tailspin. Sales have plunged by as much as 2 billion over the past eight months, analysts say. Louis Vuitton, Kering and Richemont concede that revenues in the territory are down by almost half.

While mid-market brands are growing elsewhere, in China these businesses are also under threat. Levi Strauss, which in October opened its biggest Chinese store in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, has closed half its stores around the country. Uniqlo has been forced to shutter more than 300 stores across mainland China.

Second, the near-blanket ban on overseas travel for Chinese is bad news for luxury labels and department stores in the fashion capitals. Around 150 million overseas trips were made by Chinese travellers in 2018, making them the most significant customers for growth in the travel retail industry, says Stephanie Wissink, a Jefferies LLC analyst.

In 2018 there were 391,000 visits from China to the UK, VisitBritain figures show, with Chinese tourists spending more than 700m here. Analysts estimate as much as half of that ends up in the coffers of the big Bond Street brands, their offshoots in Bicester Village, and the tills at Harrods and Selfridges where Chinese shoppers now outspend Americans by a factor of five.

In Paris, luxury boutiques report a sharp drop in Chinese shoppers. Japanese department store, Isetan, has slashed its full-year net income guidance by 50 per cent. Italian fashion trade bodies forecast a 2 per cent drop in first-half revenues. The absence of Chinese tourists during Chinese New Year was sorely felt in Milans boutiques, where many brands had created capsule collections dedicated to the Year of the Rat.

Michelle Thompson

Third and most serious of all, fashions supply lines will be hit if Chinese factories, many of which are closed due to quarantine and travel restrictions, do not reopen soon. China is the worlds largest textile producer with exports worth more than $280bn a year. Many European labels are worried about deliveries of their AW 2020 collections. Their orders usually arrive at Chinese factories around now, with manufacturing in March for delivery in May. These dates could slip. We are calling the factories in China but no one is answering, says an operations chief at a leading Spanish brand. We may have no clothes to sell. There will also be delays in supplying fabrics to the West for luxury houses to make goods in their own countries.

Small labels are already under strain. At the moment [it looks like] well have no products, says Xuzhi Chen, a London-based designer best known for his luxury womenswear. He shifted all his labels production to China in 2017. Even when the factories reopen not all of the workers will return immediately, so were not sure theyll be working at full capacity, he says. Bigger brands are scrambling to boost production outside China. Uniqlo, which makes more than half of its clothes in China, will increase production in its factories in Vietnam, Cambodia and India, says Aldo Liguori, spokesman for Uniqlos parent company, Fast Retailing. We are treating this seriously, he says. Zara, H&M and Asos are likely to follow suit.

High fashion houses that tend not to manufacture in China are playing down the effects of the virus. They concede that the absence of Chinese influencers will mean this months shows will lose amplification, but point out the spectacles are streamed live. Well be on Weibo, TikTok, Little Red Book, WeChat video and Youku, says one Kering executive. Bosses at European and US brands add that commercial collections  the clothes that make it into shops  shown alongside the splashy shows are sold to China via virtual showrooms, so will be largely unaffected.

So whats next, ask fashionistas, who are ignoring the catwalk in favour of WHO updates? The situation is changing every day, says Giorgio Armani, who has had to shutter stores on the Chinese mainland.

Optimists hope the Chinese governments draconian measures to contain the virus will get it under control by March. Thats what LVMHs China teams expect. If they are right, it wont be too bad for business, says Bernard Arnault, chief executive of the group that owns Louis Vuitton, Celine, Berluti, Dior, Fendi, Givenchy and Loro Piana. LVMH and Kering, which owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta, YSL, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, expect any downturn to be made up in the second half of this year.

Analysts agree, pointing out that after the Sars outbreak in 2003, Chinas economy still grew by 10 per cent that year  a sharp slump followed by a sharp recovery. Brands with momentum and high margins should be able to withstand short-term volatility, says Swetha Ramachandran at asset management group GAM. However, if the virus spreads and travel restrictions last two years, it would be a totally different matter, says Arnault. Jonathan Siboni of data intelligence firm Luxurynsight, agrees. If the Chinese market remains diminished, it will have a tremendous effect on the best-known brands.
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is pleased to announce Stephen F. Balshi, MBE, as the recipient of the 2019 Dental Technician Leadership Award. This award recognizes outstanding service to prosthodontics and to the dental laboratory profession. Balshi received this award at the 49th Annual Session of the ACP in Miami, Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, 2019.

"The specialty of prosthodontics has always been the one I felt was cutting edge and showing a leadership role in the industry," said Balshi. "The ACP is my favorite dental organization and meeting each year. Being nominated by esteemed members of the College is a truly an honor and I'm thankful to be recognized as an individual who has contributed to the prosthodontic community."

Balshi is the President of CM Prosthetics Inc., a dental laboratory that focuses on the rehabilitation of the fully edentulous, utilizing state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology. He received his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Balshi earned a master's degree at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University in Philadelphia, with a published thesis on the stability of Branemark System implants and immediate function.

Balshi is an affiliate member of the ACP's Dental Technician Alliance.

About Prosthodontists

A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and other oral or facial issues. Prosthodontists specialize in helping patients with implants, dentures and veneers, all the way to full mouth and jaw reconstructions.

About the ACP

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is the association that represents the specialty of prosthodontics. Founded in 1970, the ACP is dedicated to advancing the art and science of prosthodontics and promoting the specialty to the public and dental professionals. For more information, consumers can visit GoToAPro.org and dental professionals can visit Prosthodontics.org.

Evan Summers

[email protected]

SOURCE American College of Prosthodontists

Related Links

http://GoToAPro.org


Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. In addition to our traditional advice, every Thursday we feature an assortment of teachers from across the country answering your education questions. Have a question for our teachers? Email askateacher@slate.com or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group.

Is lap-sitting with a teacher OK? Recently I volunteered at my sons school for a few hours for an assembly. He is in kindergarten and is my oldest. I was looking around at all the kids watching the program and noticed a child who appeared to be a first grade special-needs student sitting on the lap of the schools only male teacher. It was clear the kid wanted to get up and run around and was having trouble paying attention. The teacher returned him to his lap several times in a playful way and was holding him still with his arms much of the time, even massaging the students shoulders a few times. It was similar to the cuddly way a parent might treat their own child, but this was a student and a teacher. Is that typical behavior or is it inappropriate? My alarm bells were going off, as I would never want my son to be touched by a teacher in a similar way. But maybe I watch too much TV and am overthinking it because it was a man? And if it is appropriate, do I say anything? And what do I say, and to whom? It was in full view of many other teachers and the principal.

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False Alarm?

Dear False Alarm,

No, I dont think that what youve described is OK.

A handshake, a high-five, a pat on the back, or even a hug if the child consents and it seems necessary are all perfectly acceptable, but any other touching should be avoided.

Here are a few things I know: There are times when little kidskindergarteners and first graderswill plop themselves in your lap, usually because they have established familiarity with you or are in need of some extra TLC. Even though I have never taught these lower grades, this has happened to me many times, at assemblies, in the cafeteria, and other places where I come into contact with these younger students. In every case, I say hello to the student, ask if everything is OK, and gently transition the child to a spot beside me as quickly as possible. As a male teacher, I feel added pressure in these circumstances simply because of stigmas attached to this kind of behavior.

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The early elementary teachers I spoke to this week (including my wife, whos a former kindergarten teacher and now teaches third grade) use similar strategies. None of them permit students to sit on their laps. There are state, district, and school-based codes of conduct that govern what an appropriate touch from an adult might look like, and the specificity of these codes varies, but the rule of thumb is simple.

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Teachers and other school employees should avoid touching students whenever possible. A handshake, a high-five, a pat on the back, or even a hug if the child consents and it seems necessary are all perfectly acceptable, but any other touching should be avoided unless its being done to prevent a student from harming themselves or others and the teacher has been properly trained. I also know that when it comes to restraining children, the guidelines are exceptionally specific and training is required. (I have needed to restrain students in the past who meet this criteria, but in these cases, sitting on my lap has never been a part of that restraint.)

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I spoke with Erica Newfang, a school psychologist who works with elementary-age children every day and is the best school psychologist I have ever known, and she said that while she offers affection to kids who need consoling, like putting an arm around them or offering a quick hug, I have one or two who try to sit on my lap, but I dont allow it. I feel like its a boundary we need not cross. And as a means of containing kids, there should be and are better strategies.

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To me, thats really it: Its a boundary we need not cross. Even if done innocently and with the best intent, its not necessary and should not be done.

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I think that a conversation with the principal is definitely in order. If you can get a copy of the code of conduct for your state, district, or school to determine if the behavior you describe is specifically forbidden, that might bolster your confidence going into the meeting. But I also think you can simply make the argument that you would not be comfortable having your own child treated this way and you dont think this should be an acceptable strategy for any student in your childs school.

Frankly, its probably going to help the teacher in question by eliminating any potential problems that he might have in the future.

Good luck.

Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut)

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I have an almost 3-year old daughter who has so much energy. She is a naturally happy kid who has always loved school. For the past two weeks, however, anytime she gets to the school premises, her mood changes and she breaks down into tears when she has to enter her class. She screams and cries terribly, saying, I dont like this school! I asked her teacher if theres anything she knows of that could account for this change in my daughters behavior, and she seemed offended that I would ask and dismissed my question. What could be wrong? I am very worried.

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Whats Going On?

Dear WGO,

I cant be certain, but given the timing of the change, my guess is that the problem isnt school, but winter break. All children go through a regression when they experience an extended breaksome elementary schools refer to this as the summer slide because its most pronounced following the long summer vacation, but for younger children (and older children with special needs) it can be more pronounced. Im not saying that she regressed in her emotional status or her ability to enjoy school, but rather her behavior.

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Its not even that surprising, really: She went from being able to spend every day home with more individualized attention and lower demands, possibly even more time with family, to being back at school where demand is higher, individualized attention is lower, and she has less time with her preferred adults. I am also sometimes cranky when I have to come back from a really nice, relaxing break. The difference is that as an adult, I know I have to put on my Adult Hat and get back to work. Your daughter isnt even 3 yet! She doesnt have an adult hat. But she can complain.

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I find it a little odd that her teacher took offense at your question, but I wouldnt sweat it too much. If youre really worried, you can explain the situation again. Instead of framing it as Does my daughter actually hate school? you could try something a bit more diplomatic, like: My daughter didnt have issues at the start of the year. I can see the honeymoon period is over, and shes having a hard time now. What should we do about it?

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There are lots of ways to ameliorate this sort of thing. For slightly older students, I often suggest they take the bus (if thats a possibility) instead of being dropped off by a parent. Having a distinct, independent experience arriving at school tends to start the day on a better note for students with some separation anxiety. Ive also found it helpful to put up some pictures in the classroom of parents or familywhen kids are having a bad day, or particularly miss their loved ones, these photos can provide some comfort. Ultimately, whatever the root cause of this new mood change, its an important learning opportunity! Your daughter can work through this and develop emotional coping skills as well as some early self-advocacy skills, as long as you and her teachers can work together to set up an opportunity to do so.

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Ms. Sarnell (preschool special education teacher, New York)

We live across the street from a public elementary school and have always planned to send our child thereits truly diverse along multiple metrics, which is very appealing. Our child is supposed to start kindergarten in the fall, so we recently asked to sit in on a kindergarten class. We were completely taken aback to observe that a substantial amount of the instruction seemed to take place on screens (both an interactive-touch smart screen and individual tablets) and that there were many, many screens throughout the school. The principal told us about half of kindergarten instruction (up to two hours a day) is on a screen of some sort and that screen time increases as the children progress through grade levels, up to having their own laptops in fifth grade.

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In our home, weve observed a negative correlation between screen time and our kids ability to pay attention and be pleasant; as a result, weve kept screen use limitedour kid gets maybe an hour a week, total, of watching television programs, and no tablet or computer time of any kind. (Yeah, I know we sound like Luddites, but it has worked really well for us.) After asking around, the local Montessori schools seem to be the only ones that limit access to screens for elementary-aged kids. I knew there would likely be more screen time at school than at home, but hours a day feels excessive for a 5-year-old. Is this the new normal in public schools? Is private school our only option for limiting school screen time?

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Wheres the Blackboard?

Dear Blackboard,

This may be the norm for the school across the street from your home, but it is not the new normal in most public schools. There are many days in the kindergarten classes in my public school where students would not be using screens at all, and my own children, who go to school in a different school district, didnt start getting regular exposure to screens until second grade. By third grade, they have their own Chromebooks, but even then, these are used primarily for writing and research.

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When it comes to access and use of screens, schools and school districts have enormous differences in philosophies, and considering that the iPad was released less than eight years ago and took much longer to become a tool used by students in most schools, I think it will be a while before any longitudinal research is available to guide educators in terms of screen time.

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Anecdotally, I can tell you that the students in my fifth grade class who have limitations on screens and dont yet own phones tend to be the students in my class who enjoy reading the most and are the most attentive and focused, but this may simply be related to the boundaries that their parents are setting for them throughout their lives.

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I think youll find that different schools and school districts have different philosophies related to the integration of technology in the classroom, and that, within those schools, teachers will also have a variety of philosophies, and I suspect that the same is true for private school as well.

I am a teacher, for example, who limits screen time in class, knowing full well that my students have a lifetime of screens ahead of them, but some of my colleagues make great use of laptops and iPads throughout the school day.

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It might be worth talking to some families in your community to see if technology in the classroom has been an issue, to get an additional perspective. Depending on what your research yields, I think you have some navigating ahead of you in terms of finding a school whose education philosophy matches yours. Rest assured, though, that the fact that youre considering these issues and treating screen time with such diligence and thoughtfulness in your home bodes well for your childrens future, regardless of what happens in school.

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Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut)

After going through four different mental health providers over the past two years, hours of formal psychological testing, and six months of weekly therapy, we have some vague idea of whats going on with our 16-year-old son. (Hes been pretty uncooperative about the process, so everyone weve interacted with has given us varying diagnoses.) We feel confident he has social anxiety, and weve seen that since elementary school. Weve never addressed it formally with the school, and hes had no accommodations. He has probably had some mild depression off and on over the years. But weve also recently been told that he is on the autism spectrum with Aspergers. He went to therapy for this for six months, but when the therapist decided to talk to him more explicitly about Aspergers, he became infuriated and refused to go to therapy anymore.

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So I have no desire right now to go to his high school and ask for an IEP or special accommodations, because Im sure hed be angry about being labeled. But Im worried we are shortchanging him. One obvious sign of his Aspergers is that he is refusing to do homework because its stupid and I know this stuff. I dont want him to be excused from doing his homework, but I also wonder what we could be doing differently to support him. He passes his classes because he aces his tests. His grades go way down because of his lack of assigned work, so he gets by with Cs.

Hes already suggested that hed like to stay home for college, and he seems pretty animated about attending the local community college. We are happy he sees a future. What should we do to help him?

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How to Support When Support Isnt Wanted?

Dear HtSWSIW,

I think you need to let yourself off the hook! Youve sought out mental health services; youve done psychological testing; youve put him in therapy. In sum, youve done what can be reasonably expected of any parent in your situation. Theres no other executive action you need to take.

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Instead, Id ask him what he wants and needs. Your conversations might go something like this:

It seems to me like you suffer from [depression, social anxiety, etc.]. Is that right? I want to support you. How can I help? Is it something youd like to address with medication, therapy, or another method?

You seem to be angry about the autism diagnosis. Is that right? Why? (And then dont try to tell him why he shouldnt be angry.)

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You pass your classes with Cs because you ace the tests. That seems satisfactory to you. Is that right? Can you see any benefit to getting As by doing the homework?

Perhaps youve already had these conversations, in which case you can make a choice: Have them again, or let him experience the natural consequences of his choices. Based on my experience in teaching, parenting, and life, Im a fan of natural consequences, early and often.

Ms. Scott (eighth grade teacher, North Carolina)

More Advice From Slate:

My daughter is a freshman in high school, and she recently got an assignment that seems inappropriate. The assignment is for the kids to identify someone in their family who died of cancer, and then students are supposed to research that kind of cancer and create a poster presentation to display for the entire school. This seems like a terrible idea, and an invasion of privacy. Should I talk to the teacher?
Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif phoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Feb. 4 to encourage Palestinian internal reconciliation and express opposition to the so-called US deal of the century. The call marked a historic development in Iranian-Palestinian relations.

The next day, Zarif contacted the head of Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, to reassert Iran's refusal of the US deal. He reiterated Irans position backing the Palestinians, and its willingness to exert diplomatic and political effort to support them.

Although Zarifs call to Haniyeh was typical of the strong relationship between Hamas and Iran, his call to Abbas was the first of its kind in many years. Relations between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Iran are shaky and frozen, at best.

Abbas Zaki, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, leads a current within the PA that advocates rapprochement with Iran. He viewed Zarifs recent phone call as Iran expressing its concern over the dangers posed by the US deal.

He told Al-Monitor that the deal targets all entities in the region who are not affiliated with the United States and Israel. The announcement of the deal is an opportunity for the advocates of the Palestinian cause to unite to counter the US trusteeship and its Mideast peace deal, he said. While Iran seems to be seeking to achieve Palestinian reconciliation, the Palestinians ought not to wait for a foreign party to end their division. I dont think the Arab countries are bothered by the Palestinian-Iranian contacts. We need Arabs and Iranians on our side. President Abbas, who is accepted by Iran, could be the appropriate figure to act as an Arab-Iranian messenger to ease the tension in the region.

Iran has shown great opposition to the US deal. Before Zarifs contacts with Abbas and Haniyeh, Esmail Ghaani  who replaced Qasem Soleimani as chief of Iran's Quds Force  called Haniyeh and Ziad al-Nakhala, leader of the Islamic Jihad, Feb. 2 to voice his rejection of the deal. Ghaani expressed Irans readiness to work to thwart the deal.

Just hours after Donald Trump announced the deal Jan. 28, Zarif tweeted that "the so-called Vision for Peace is simply the dream project of a bankruptcy-ridden real estate developer. But it is a nightmare for the region and the world."

Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told a Feb. 3 press conference that the deal pays no heed to Palestinian rights. The official Twitter account of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the deal "will die before Trump dies."

A member of Iran's Shura Council who is close to Khamenei told Al-Monitor: Iranian contacts with all Palestinian sides, Abbas and the factions are evidence of the danger that Iran senses from the deal. Iran believes the deals announced goal is to annihilate the Palestinian cause, but its implicit goal is to besiege and isolate Iran from the region. This is the danger that Iran has perceived and that prompted it to contact the PA and overlook any previous disputes with it. At this point, Iran does enjoy the luxury of maintaining bilateral disputes.

In a parallel development, Mousavi accused Saudi Arabia of blocking an Iranian delegation from participating in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's meeting in Jeddah to discuss the US deal. In a Feb. 2 statement, Mousavi said Saudi Arabia denied a visa to the Iranian delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari, until the final hours before the meeting.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on the Iranian accusation.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Khaled Qaddoumi, Hamas' representative to Iran, said Zarifs contact with Abbas was initiated by Iran, not the PA. Iran is well aware that the Palestinian cause is facing a historic juncture, and therefore it wants to put aside all intellectual, political and ideological differences with Palestine," he said. "Israel is our common enemy. The danger that the US poses to Palestinian, Arab and Islamic parties should force us all to unite to confront the common enemy.

In an Al-Monitor interview in February 2014, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the PA has normal relations with Iran. We have an embassy, and we have attended official meetings with Iranians outside the region," he said. "I see Foreign Minister Zarif at many meetings.

Saber Kol Anbari, an Iranian writer and a researcher for Al Jazeera, told Al-Monitor, Zarifs contact with Abbas seems remarkable because it is the first in many years, after their diverging positions on the Palestinian cause. Iran rejects the peace process, while the PA politically embraces it. Despite the divergent views between the two sides, the announcement of the US deal prompted Iran to establish contacts with the PA and the factions, aimed to come out with a united position against this deal.

Jibril Rajoub, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, visited Tehran in January 2014  the first Fatah official to visit Iran in decades. Since then, relations between the PA and Iran have been marred by tensions, with the PA accusing Iran of interference in Palestinian internal affairs.

For Abdel Sattar Qassem, a professor of political science at An-Najah National University in Nablus, Iran wants to keep having a role in the Palestinian cause, and prefers to solve this cause through armed resistance.

He told Al-Monitor, I dont expect Zarif to speak with Abbas about the resistance. Meanwhile, Abbas does not seem to be willing to renege on his regional alliances. Any change might negatively affect his political future. The Iranian contact with Abbas will not disturb Saudi Arabia and Egypt, because Abbas is committed to their policy.

In past years, Iran has reiterated its desire to see the Palestinian ranks united. Palestinian unity strengthens the position against the US deal, as emphasized during Iran's recent calls with Abbas and Haniyeh.

Iran seeks to obtain regional and international positions rejecting the deal. It believes this deal not only targets the Palestinian cause but rather aims to establish a new regional system, whereby Israel normalizes ties with Arab countries, especially Gulf states, which want to secure Palestinian acceptance of the US deal.
Around 20 children were injured Thursday when mortar fire hit a primary school in the northern fringes of Myanmar's Rakhine state, an area where the military is locked in battle with Arakan Army (AA) rebels.

The attack happened in Buthidaung township, one of several areas in lockdown, and it is not clear who was responsible.

Scores of civilians have been killed, hundreds injured and some 100,000 displaced since January last year when both sides stepped up operations.

The AA claims to be fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.

Teacher Thar Aye Maung from Khamwe village told AFP by phone how his school was hit Thursday morning, injuring 21 pupils.

"One girl is badly hurt. Most of the others have injuries to their hands and legs."



He said all the wounded children were ethnic Khami, a Buddhist minority in a state with a complex patchwork of different groups living alongside the Rakhine.

The fighting was about two miles away from the village, he added.

"We thought the shells couldn't reach our school."



Maungdaw district chief Soe Aung confirmed the incident, but said 19 children had been wounded.

There was "no reason" to believe the mortar had been fired by the military, said Western command spokesman Colonel Win Zaw Oo, adding the army sometimes loses weapons and ammunition to the rebels.

"(The AA) fires at villages with our shells and then misleadingly claims the military is responsible."



The armed rebel group could not be reached for comment.

The AA has ratcheted up operations in recent months with a series of brazen kidnappings, bombings and raids against the military and local officials.

The army has hit back hard, deploying thousands of soldiers to the area.

Buthidaung is one of nine townships to suffer a government-imposed internet blackout, restrictions decried by rights groups in a statement Thursday.

"(They) disproportionately affect civilians in conflict areas, hampering humanitarian aid operations, livelihoods, and the work of human rights monitors."



Northern Rakhine state is the same area that saw an exodus to Bangladesh of some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing brutal military operations in 2017.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Chinese restaurant owner faces trial after a senior judge complained about kitchen fumes wafting into his second home.

Kwok Chim, 42, runs the popular Summer Palace Cantonese restaurant overlooking the grounds of Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.

But after Appeal Court judge Lord Justice Sir Gary Hickinbottom and his wife Lady Georgina Caroline bought a 525,000 house nearby, they started to complain of smells coming from the kitchen and into their home.

They reported their concerns to Cardiff Council, which upheld the complaint and referred it to the courts.

The restaurant, which has a five star food hygiene rating, installed a new extractor fan but did not get appropriate permission and now faces prosecution for failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

Mr Chim today appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court to deny two breaches of environmental health law.

Other neighbours fear the restaurant could be forced to close if it loses the case.

Kwok Chim, 42, today appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court to deny two breaches of environmental health law after Lord Justice Sir Gary Hickinbottom complained about fumes coming from his Chinese restaurant in Cardiff

Clive Percy, prosecuting, said: 'Mr Chim has a restaurant which has an extraction system.

'Cardiff Council received a complaint about the system causing noise and smells at the adjoining premises.

'Last year, officers attended the site and were satisfied that it was a nuisance.'

The Hickinbottoms were not named during the hearing.

Lord Justice Hickinbottom, 64, was appointed to the Privy Council in 2017 following his appointment as Lord Justice of Appeal and has sat on many high profile cases including the challenge to the third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The couple, who also own a property in Chelsea, bought their Grade-II listed home in the conservation area of Llandaff in 2016.

But since then they have lodged complaints to Cardiff city council about the Cantonese restaurant and nearby private members club the Llandaff Institute.

Other neighbours in historic Llandaff - where children's author Roald Dahl grew up - have pledged their support for the restaurant.

Conservative Councillor Sean Driscoll said: 'It's a bit like buying a house near a train station then complaining about the noise from the trains. Or near to a farmyard then complain about the smell from animals.

'What is next, are they going to complain to the Cathedral about the sound of the church bells?

Kwok Chim, 42, runs the popular Summer Palace Cantonese restaurant overlooking the grounds of Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff

'This situation is absolutely unbelievable. The Summer Palace have bent over backwards to mitigate against this issue.

'We are happy to work with the parties to find a solution so hopefully common sense will prevail.'

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: 'If you come to live near a Chinese restaurant it's ridiculous that you should not expect smells.

'Mr Chim has spent 19,857 on trying to placate them and apparently it still isn't enough.

;He wants time to investigate in what way the extractor could be improved and time to install it. He is very sympathetic.

'We get noise and smells too but it is transitory - it's there for a small while then blows away in the wind.

'We are very lucky to live here and they are very lucky to live there and it's really sad that they have decided not to be neighbourly.

'There is a general sense of outrage in the community that they could cause so much pain for everyone.'

Marian Tylk, stewardess of Llandaff Institute, said it would be 'absolutely devastating' if the restaurant lost its case.

She said: 'It would be devastating, absolutely devastating. It would be a real shame, I'm getting quite upset about it, they're a family too - it's awful.

'The village is dying. What's happening with the Chinese is heartbreaking, devastating. Even if you go past there now at lunch time you can see how busy it is, everyone loves it.'

Mr Chim will next appear in court in April when he faces trial over the alleged breaches.
Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya appeared before the Royal Courts of Justice in London for his appeal against being extradited to India, during which the prosecution highlighted overwhelming evidence of dishonesty on his part

London: Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya appeared before the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Wednesday for day two of his High Court appeal against being extradited to India, during which the prosecution highlighted "overwhelming evidence of dishonesty on the part of the former Kingfisher Airlines boss.

Mallya, 64, is wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an alleged Rs 9,000 crores in unpaid bank loans.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), appearing in court on behalf of the Indian government, began countering the defence claims that there is no prima facie case against Mallya. There is enough in the 32,000 pages of overall evidence to fulfil the [extradition] treaty obligations that there is a case to answer, CPS barrister Mark Summers told the court as he began his submissions, which will conclude on Thursday.

Mallya sat in the public gallery as his legal team highlighted the widespread woes of the airline industry in India, including another collapsed firm Jet Airways. "Let's hear the arguments in court, he said, as he entered the courtroom.

Lord Justice Stephen Irwin and Justice Elisabeth Laing, the two-member bench hearing the appeal, confirmed at the start that they would not be handing down their verdict immediately after the hearing, scheduled until Thursday.

At the start of day two of the appeal, Mallya's barrister, Clare Montgomery, reiterated the central defence that there had been no misrepresentation or fraud on the part of her client and that Kingfisher Airlines was the victim of economic misfortune alongside other airlines. "The airline industry is littered with examples of struggling airlines being supported for strategic reasons," said Montgomery.

She has focussed her arguments on trying to establish multiple errors in Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot's verdict in favour of her client's extradition in December 2018 and revisited a series of bank statements and balance sheets provided to Indian banks to seek loans as proof of full disclosure. There is not just a prima facie case but overwhelming evidence of dishonesty and given the volume and depth of evidence the District Judge [Arbuthnot] had before her, the judgment is comprehensive and detailed with the odd error but nothing that impacts the prima facie case, said Summers, who challenged the defence arguments over misrepresentation to the banks.

Justice Irwin repeated Montgomery's previous assertion of this being a very dense case and has sought a detailed chronology and list of documents from the defence team by Monday, before they consider their verdict.

On Tuesday, Montgomery had opened her arguments to try and establish that Mallya had no fraudulent intentions when he sought bank loans for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines because he is no fly by night figure but an immensely wealthy man who was not running any sort of ponzi scheme but a reputable airline, which fell into economic misfortune along with other Indian airlines. She [Arbuthnot] did not look at all of the evidence because if she had, she would not have fallen into the multiple errors that permeate her judgment, she said.

Representatives from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as well as the Indian High Commission in London were present in court for the hearing. Mallya had received permission to appeal against his extradition order signed off by former UK home secretary Sajid Javid last February only on one ground, which challenges the Indian government's prima facie case against him of fraudulent intentions in acquiring bank loans.

At the end of a year-long extradition trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London in December 2018, Judge Arbuthnot had found clear evidence of dispersal and misapplication of the loan funds and accepted a prima facie case of fraud and a conspiracy to launder money against Mallya, as presented by the CPS on behalf of the Indian government.

Mallya remains on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April 2017 involving a bond worth 650,000 pounds and other restrictions on his travel while he contests that ruling.
Ravinder Takkar, managing director and CEO of Vodafone Idea, said that the debt-burdened telco will remain focused on rapid network integration, 4G coverage and capacity expansion in key markets. He also said in a statement that Vodafone and Idea are on track to deliver synergy targets in operating expenses by June. His comments gave the hint that Vodafone Idea will seriously pursue its recovery plans, while fighting the AGR dues case.

The investors have deserted Vodafone Idea in the recent past, believing that the chances of the company going to insolvency court are higher. This sentiment has reflected in the share price of Vodafone Idea as it crashed over 25 per cent in the last three weeks to Rs 4.50 a share on Thursday. The market value of the company stood at Rs 12,873 crore on Thursday, compared to Bharti Airtel's Rs 2.94 lakh crore.

It is known to the investors that the company has sought relief from the government for paying its Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues of Rs 53,000 crore. It has also filed for modification of the Supreme Court's supplementary order, after the dismissal of its review petition. The investors have already lost the hope of getting a relief from the government.

ALSO READ: Vodafone Idea posts sixth quarterly loss in a row, Q3 net loss at Rs 6,439 crore

Another hope for revival may be the asset monetization plan of the company. It is exploring the options to monetise nearly 160,000 kilometers of intra-city and inter-city fibre as well as their data centre. Vodafone Idea also has plans to monetise its 11.15 per cent stake in Indus Towers on completion of the Indus Towers-Bharti Infratel merger. The merger has received all the required approvals, except the regulatory approval from Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the company said.

As at December 31, 2019, Vodafone Idea had completed network integration in 86 per cent of total districts. As part of the network integration, they have removed surplus equipment from around 58,000 sites out of the total around 73,000 co-located sites for reducing the cost. Besides, they exited from around 17,000 low-utilisation sites.

In the December quarter, the telecom operator has added 8.3 million 4G customers, taking overall 4G subscriber base (including VoLTE users) to 104.2 million. Total data volumes grew by 8.5 per cent to 3,790 billion MB compared to the last quarter. The subscriber base declined to 304 million in the third quarter from 311 million in the second quarter. However, the subscriber churn further reduced to 3.3 per cent, compared to 3.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent in second and first quarters, respectively. The average revenue per user (ARPU) improved to Rs 109 as against Rs 107, supported by improved customer mix.

ALSO READ: Vodafone Idea to drop brand 'Idea' from postpaid services

The gross debt (excluding lease liabilities) of Vodafone Idea stood Rs 1,15,850 crore, including deferred spectrum charges of Rs 88,530 crore. The cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 12,530 crore. The company has a net debt of Rs 1,03,310 crore, which is substantially high considering the cash flow. Despite the debt burden, the company has spent Rs 3,330 crore as capital expenditure in the third quarter, which indicates that the management is keen on improving the operations, despite the high liabilities.

The third quarter gross revenue of Vodafone Idea has slipped 5.74 per cent to Rs 11,089.4 crore. However, the operational expenses came down drastically to Rs 7,668.9 crore from Rs 10,601.6 crore. The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew sharply to Rs 3,420.5 crore, as compared to Rs 1,163.1 crore in the same quarter last year. EBITDA margin also rose to 30.8 per cent vis a vis 9.9 per cent. It reported sixth consecutive quartely loss of Rs 6,438.8 crore in the third quarter because of customer losses, high operational costs and one-time expense related to its statutory dues. The telco had posted its largest loss in the previous quarter at Rs 50,897.9 crore.

ALSO READ: AGR fallout: Does Reliance Jio want Oil India, PowerGrid and GAIL to go bankrupt?
A Richmond elementary school will be named after Michelle Obama, marking the first school in Northern California and the second in the state to honor the former first lady, who has championed education and child health initiatives.

The West Contra Costa County Unified School District voted unanimously at its Wednesday night meeting to rename Wilson Elementary School to Michelle Obama Elementary School.

The parents and students advocated to rename their school after Michelle Obama because they believe the values our former First Lady embodies and the educational, child-centered causes she champions, are representative of what we all aspire to nurture in our school communities, board President Stephanie Hernandez-Jarvis said in a statement. She is a role model for our children and we strive to serve our students with the same kind of love, advocacy, and courage that she served our country.

The name change coincides with a renovation. The district said the school is temporarily housed in El Cerrito while its 42nd and Roosevelt Avenue campus is rebuilt. The school was first constructed in the 1920s and named after Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States. It is expected to return to its original location with its new name to start the 2020-21 school year.

Parent Teacher Association members requested that the board consider the name change. A committee voted Jan. 23 to recommend renaming after two meetings with community input.

We wanted to choose someone on a global level, PTA President Maisha Cole said. With a new school and new learning environment, we want our children to think beyond Richmond, to think beyond California, and remind them that they can make a difference locally and globally.

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.

Michelle Obama Elementary in Los Angeles is the other school in the state to honor the first lady in its name, according to the California Department of Education.

Anna Bauman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Police arrested the wrong person in the 2017 shooting deaths of three men at a coin and precious metals shop in Anchorage, a defence attorney said at the murder trial of the suspect, who provided security at the store.

Anthony Pisano, 45, is charged in the deaths of Steven Cook, 31, an owner of The Bullion Brothers, and building tenants Kenneth Hartman, 48, and Daniel McCreadie, 31.

During opening statements Wednesday, defence attorney Kevin Fitzgerald said co-owner Michael Dupree killed Cook, the Anchorage Daily News reported. When Hartman and McCreadie responded to the shots, Fitzgerald said, Pisano shot them in self-defence.

Prosecutor Brittany Dunlop said only Pisano was responsible for killing the three men on Sept. 12, 2017, and his motive was robbery.

Ladies and gentlemen, there was no second shooter and this wasnt self-defence, she told the jury.

Cook and Dupree opened the store in 2015. Dunlop described it as the Cheers of gold bullion shops where friends and customers would stay for hours to shoot the breeze.

Dupree and Cook met Pisano through a mutual friend and police officer. Pisano was a former paratrooper stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. After nearly two decades in the Army, he had retired as a sergeant and was hired to provide security for the store.

Pisano desperately needed money, Dunlop said, noting that the day before the shooting, security footage showed him checking how much cash was inside the store. The prosecutor displayed photos from the day of the killings showing Pisano entering the store, turning off security cameras and carrying in a black box containing flares and two bottles filled with gasoline.

Witnesses reported shots just before 10 a.m. Dupree called 911 and said Pisano had shot Cook in an office. Dupree said he had wrestled a handgun away from Pisano and ran out of the store.

Investigators said Pisano then shot McCreadie, who was found in an open doorway, and Hartman, who found at the top of a stairwell.

Fitzgerald said Dupree shot Cook after their relationship had become strained because Dupree had grown disenchanted with the gold shop. Cook had asked Pisano to turn off the security camera because the two owners were secretive about their business, Fitzgerald said.

The lawyer said Pisano tripped and fell after Cook was shot. His gun fell from his holster and Dupree grabbed it before leaving the shop, Fitzgerald said.

Pisano used Cooks gun to defend himself when McCreadie appeared and the two held each other at gunpoint, Fitzgerald said, Hartman appeared at the top of the stairs. Fitzgerald said, and Pisano believed he was also armed. Pisano shot both in self-defence, the lawyer said.
One of Earth's premier instruments for studying nearby asteroids is back to work after being rattled by earthquakes, and its first new observations show that a newly discovered space rock is actually two separate asteroids.

The instrument is the planetary radar system at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. The observatory was closed for most of January, after a series of earthquakes hit the island beginning on Dec. 28, 2019. The observatory reopened on Jan. 29. Meanwhile, on Jan. 27, scientists using a telescope on Mauna Loa in Hawaii spotted an asteroid that astronomers hadn't seen before. The team dubbed the newfound space rock 2020 BX12 based on a formula recognizing its discovery date.

Because of the size of 2020 BX12 and the way its orbit approaches that of Earth, it is designated a potentially hazardous asteroid . However, the space rock has already come as close to Earth as it will during this pass (2.7 million miles or 4.3 million kilometers); astronomers have calculated the asteroid's close approaches with Earth for the next century, and all will be at a greater distance than this one was.

Related: Photos: asteroids in deep space

Radar images show the binary asteroid 2020 BX12, which scientists discovered this year. (Image credit: Arecibo Observatory/NASA/NSF)

The asteroid's flyby wasn't a threat to life on Earth, but it was an opportunity for scientists who were hoping to learn more about space rocks. On Feb. 4 and 5, the radar station at Arecibo set its sights on 2020 BX12. Based on the observations, the scientists discovered that 2020 BX12 is a binary asteroid, with a smaller rock orbiting the larger rock. About 15% of larger asteroids turn out, on closer inspection, to be binary, according to NASA .

The larger rock is likely at least 540 feet (165 meters) across, and the smaller one is about 230 feet (70 m) wide, according to the observations gathered by Arecibo. When the instrument observed the two space rocks on Feb. 5, they appeared to be separated by about 1,200 feet (360 m).

Scientists couldn't gather enough data to be sure, but they suspect that the two rocks might complete an orbit of each other in 45 to 50 hours and that the smaller rock may be brighter than, and tidally locked with, its companion , meaning the same side always faces the larger object.

Existential dread is a key motivator for asteroid discoveries, and planetary defense experts hope that, by surveying nearby space rocks, they will identify a threat with enough time for us to protect ourselves. But asteroids are also scientifically interesting, since they represent rubble from the formation of the solar system.
DECATUR  Do you work on Election Day? Will you be out of town or have something else that will consume all of your time?

Even if the answer is yes, that doesn't mean you will have to miss your opportunity to vote in the March 17 primary election. That's because Macon County residents have the chance to cast their votes early at the county office building on weekdays and select weekends leading up to the election.

The basic purpose of early voting is to allow people enough time to get to the polls, Macon County Clerk Josh Tanner said. Some people may be scheduled to work or will be out of town, so he said this gives ample time for residents to vote. Bonus: There's usually no line.

Some people have already made up their mind on who theyre voting for, so theres no need to wait, Tanner said.

Jerry and Ruth Pruitt took advantage of the early voting option on Wednesday. The couple didn't want to miss the opportunity to vote since they will be traveling to Texas.

Notable races, proposals

The purpose of the primary election is to determine which candidates will represent each party in the general election Nov. 3. In the primary, voters are required to select a ballot for a single party. Selecting a nonpartisan ballot will allow them to vote on a proposition in their precinct.

The race garnering the most attention is for president. There are 13 Democrats on the ballot hoping to replace incumbent President Donald Trump in the White House. Trump is being challenged in the Republican primary by businessman Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente.

The primary also features five Republicans (Mark Curran Jr. of Libertyville, Tom Tarter of Springfield, Casey Chlebek of Glenview, Peggy Hubbard of Belleville and Robert Marshall of Burr Ridge) seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Two Democrats (Betsy Dirksen Londrigan of Springfield and Stefanie Smith of Urbana) are seeking the 13th Congressional District seat held by Republican Rodney Davis.

Voters county-wide will decide the Republican candidates for circuit clerk (Jennifer Yborra and Sherry Doty) and states attorney (Philip Tibbs and Scott Rueter), and will trim the list of candidates for County Board Districts 5 and 7.

The races for county coroner, recorder, auditor and County Board Districts 2 and 4 are uncontested, as are the races for 96th, 101st and 102nd seats in the Illinois House.

In addition to ballot questions seeking a tax increase to fund a building project that will include a new middle school in the Maroa-Forsyth School District and fund police protection in Warrensburg, voters in several Macon County communities also will decide the fate of recreational cannabis issues within their boundaries.

When can you vote?

The Macon County Clerk's Office on the first floor of the county office building, 141 S. Main St., will be open for early voting on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through March 6, including Feb. 17, President's Day and George Washington's birthday.

Other times available are:

9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 7;

Noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, March 8;

8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13, and Monday, March 16;

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15

Vote by mail ballot applications are available through March 12.

Registration

Macon County residents can register online to vote through Feb. 18 or in person through Election Day, Tanner said. If someone wants to register to vote on Feb. 19 or after, they must also vote at that time. The Illinois State Board of Elections says two forms of identification and proof of mailing address are needed when registering in person to vote.

If someone registers by mail, they will need proof of identity by submitting their drivers license number or state identification card number. If neither are available, the last four digits of their Social Security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or another government document proving someones name and address.

It is Central Illinois, so you dont know what the weather will be like on Election Day, Tanner said, mentioning sleet or snow as possibilities. People who may have trouble getting around may want to come in and vote early.

Contact Kennedy Nolen at (217) 421-6985. Follow her on Twitter: @KNolenWrites

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Federal industrial relations minister Christian Porter has implored Jetstar and the Transport Workers Union to resume wage negotiations to avoid strike action he says will inflict further harm on a tourism industry already reeling from the caronavirus and the horror bushfires season.

The TWU said on Friday that about 250 baggage handlers and ground crew at major airports would walk off the job for 24 hours on Wednesday, amid a stand-off with the budget airline over pay and conditions.

The action will likely cause widespread cancellations and is a dramatic escalation in the industrial dispute. TWU held two-hour work stoppages in December which caused 28 flights to be cancelled and others to be rescheduled.

Mr Porter implored both sides to present and consider reasonable wage offers to avoid hurting Australia's tourism sector, which accounts for 3 per cent of GDP and 8 per cent of jobs.
Disparities in poll affidavits filed by Karnataka minister Anand Singh in 2018 and 2019

Bengaluru: Did newly appointed forests minister Anand Singh hide his criminal case record from the Election Commission when filing his nomination for the December byelection?

The byelection saw him and 10 other defectors who aided the BJP in toppling the JD(S)-Congress coalition government re-elected.

If a comparison is made between the election affidavit Anand Singh filed for the general elections in 2018--when he contested as a Congress candidate from Vijayanagar (Hospet)--and his documentation for the December 2019 byelection, it is evident that he did not disclose details pertaining to at least 15 cases.

Between 2018 and 2019, he was acquitted in one case.

In the affidavit filed in 2018, Anand Singh mentioned that he had 16 criminal cases pending against him, mostly related to forest encroachment, illegal mining and disappearance of a mine seized at Belikeri port near Karwar.

While most of the cases were filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Lokayukta and the Forest Department, some, including the one pertaining to the disappearance of iron ore from Belikeri, were filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Soon after he resigned as a Congress MLA, Anand Singh was acquitted by the Special Court for Elected Representatives, Bengaluru, in a case pertaining to alleged export of 1.3 lakh tonnes of seized iron ore from Belikeri port. The CBI had filed the charge sheet in this case in 2017 and judge Ramachandra D Huddar cited lack of evidence while acquitting him.

However, when Singh filed his nomination papers for the December 2019 byelection, the column in the affidavit pertaining to criminal cases against him was left blank. When the media quizzed him about the pending cases against him, he dismissed it, saying that they were minor cases, like `traffic offences'. He added that he hailed from a mining family, and there are always likely to be some minor cases filed against miners, which should not be taken seriously.

Congress on the offensive

The Congress party has questioned the BJP for appointing Anand Singh as the forest minister despite the several mining cases against him. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that while the Supreme Court directed parties to upload details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, the directive had already been torn to shreds by prime minister Narendra Modi.

Modiji and BJP again come to the rescue of the Ballari Gang! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLAs alone but Ministers of the ministry which has been already looted,'' Surjewala tweeted.
There were no Ukraine army casualties in the past day.

Russia's hybrid military forces on Wednesday mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

Read alsoMinsk talks: next disengagement area in Donbas warzone practically agreed  Ukraine envoy's press secretary

"The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire three times on February 12," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 13, 2020.

The enemy opened fire from a proscribed 120mm mortar, grenade launchers of various types, and rifles.

Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the villages of Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, and Pivdenne.

There were no Ukraine army casualties in the past day.

No enemy attacks were reported from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on February 13.
Along with many other states, California, Arizona and Nevada all have renewable portfolio laws. California requires that 60% of its electric power be from renewable sources by 2030. Nevada requires 50% by 2030. Arizona requires 15% by 2025. Renewable power is defined by law in each state, but usually it amounts to wind or solar.

One might think that having a quota for renewable power means that the power has to be generated by wind or solar and consumed within the state. There is a loophole. The renewable attribute can be legally separated from the actual power. So, the power can be consumed in one place, but a different place gets credit as if it had actually consumed the renewable power. For example, a wind farm in Colorado can generate a megawatt hour of electricity. The power is actually sold and consumed in Colorado, but California gets credit for a megawatt hour of renewable power.

The Colorado wind farm in the normal course of events can sell the abstract credit, known as an RPC or Renewable Power Certificate to California. California needs credits to meet it renewable power quota, so it is willing to pay, for what is a piece of paper. The wind farm can also sell the real electric power separately to someone who is willing to buy electricity that comes without the renewable power attribute, because the renewable power attribute has been sold to California. This is a legal way to convert power from fossil fuels into renewable power, or to meet a renewable power quota without actual renewable power.

California Energy Commission

Sometimes the certificate may be more valuable than the power. In fact, sometimes the power may literally be worth less than nothing. At certain times California has too much solar power that it cant use because it would destabilize the grid. When the power is worth less than nothing, the producer will have to pay someone to use the power. Someone has to use the power or there cant be a certificate. That would be a counterfeit certificate. You cant just throw the power away. That would negate the whole rationale. You might think that any state would be happy to accept free power, but it may be inconvenient for technical or economic reasons, or it may just be that only one party is available that can take the power and they can exercise monopoly power and make the party trying to get rid of the power pay for the privilege.

A similar situation exists in the spring with wind power in the Pacific Northwest. Wind power receives a 2.4 cents per kilowatt hour subsidy from the federal government. But in the spring, there is a surplus of hydroelectric power due to plentiful rainfall. The wind power suppliers pay power consumers to take their power so they can get the federal subsidy. The hydroelectric suppliers have no motive to do the same because they dont get a subsidy. So, the hydroelectric suppliers spill the excess water and some electricity users get paid rather than billed for their power. This is known as a market distortion caused by the government.

Often with solar power there is too much during the middle of the day and not enough later in the day. In the evening there isnt any solar power. In California the major problem with excess solar power is in the spring, when the sunshine is kicking in, but the big consumption for air conditioning hasnt yet kicked in. California could simply tell the solar power generating stations to cut back, but then they would lose credit toward their renewable power quota. Some contracts may even make them pay for the power that they would have received without the cutback. So, they try to get utilities in adjacent states to take the power, keeping the certificates for themselves. This was all revealed in a Los Angeles Times article. Apparently, California is paying as much as $15 a megawatt hour to unload the unusable solar power.

To see why this makes sense for California it is necessary to look at the economics of solar power. To generate solar power if there werent various subsidies would cost about $80 per megawatt hour. With the federal and state subsidies the cost might be reduced to $25 per megawatt hour. In contrast, the marginal cost of generating power with natural gas is $15 to $20 a megawatt hour. But the $25 renewable power runs out when the California grid cant accept any more solar in the middle of the day. If they pay Nevada $15 to accept the excess solar, they now have a route to get renewable credits for $40 per megawatt hour, $25 for the solar power and $15 to get Nevada to accept the unusable power. Essentially by a legal strategy they are converting natural gas electricity, delivered in the evening, into renewable electricity. Nevada, on the other hand is getting electricity that is not legally renewable, even though it really does come from solar. Nevada may not want more non-renewable electricity unless they are paid for it, because Nevada has a quota for renewable power too.

The situation is more than a little strange. Propaganda from the sellers of wind and solar power makes people think that wind and solar are actually useful. Huge subsidies make wind and solar seem cheaper than they really are. The idea that introducing wind and solar in U.S. states will make a significant difference in world CO2 emissions is wrong. The real emissions problem, if it is a problem, is in Asia. People that really believe in global warming should face up to the fact that nuclear is the only route to stopping the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. Some of the most important advocates of global warming catastrophe make that clear.

The most salient fact conc erning wind and solar is that they are intermittent and erratic sourcesof power. They always have to be backed up with fossil fuel plants that take over when the sun sets or the wind stops. They never replace fossil fuel plants.

A pathetic attempt to correct the inherent problems of wind and solar is to add batteries to store power. That costs a fortune, a very high price to pay to help in meeting renewable power quotas..

The utilities know the facts. But the utilities have no incentive to stop the waste because they have figured out how to make money by promoting dubious renewable power. Apparently, the politicians on state public utility commissions and in state legislatures dont have the knowledge or the courage to represent the interests of the people, rather than the interests of the manufacturers of wind and solar stations and the interests of the environmental organizations that are profiting from an artificial fear of traditional energy. People send money to environmental organizations because they have been convinced that catastrophes are looming.

Norman Rogers is the author of the book: Dumb Energy: A Critique of Wind and Solar Energy (Amazon). His website RenewableFairyTales.com goes into more detail concerning renewable energy.
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Bharat Book Bureau Provides the Trending Market Research Report on Recycled Ocean Plastics Marketunder Plastic Category. The report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, competitive intelligence and Market reports.

Report Includes:

- An overview of the Recycled Ocean Plastics Market

- Analyses of the global market trends with data from 2018 to 2019, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2024

- Insight into the Top 20 countries ranked by mass of mismanaged plastic and input of plastic to the oceans from most polluting rivers across the World

- Information on opportunities and challenges with respect to using plastic waste as a resource with the help of recycled ocean plastics

Request a free sample copy of Recycled Ocean Plastics Market Report @ https://www.bharatbook.com/marketreports/sample/reports/1970991

Summary:

Plastic production has increased by about 200 times since 1950. Only 9% of the plastic ever made has been recycled. The remainder is burned or thrown away into nature or landfills. Since plastic is so rigid, it can last for centuries without breaking down. This means that plastics made and thrown away in the past are often found in the earths oceans.

The plastic in oceans originates in both land-based and marine sources. It is estimated that nearly 80% of ocean plastics come from land-based sources and the remaining 20% comes from marine sources. Plastic marine waste refers to pollution from fishing fleets, which leave behind fishing nets, boats, ropes and sometimes abandoned vessels. Of the 20% from maritime sources, approximately 10% is estimated to come from fishing fleets. This is backed by estimates from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) which shows that unused, missing or discarded fishing gear contributes about 10% of total ocean plastic.

There are several routes via which plastic enters the ocean ecosystem. Plastic reaches the ocean from coastlines, rivers, tides and aquatic sources.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Recycled Ocean Plastics Market

Introduction

Plastics in the World's Surface Ocean

Opportunities

Use Plastic Waste as a Resource

Market Forecast of Recycled Ocean Plastics by Resin Type

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

High-Density Polyethylene

Low-Density Polyethylene

Polypropylene

Polyvinyl Chloride

Polystyrene

Polyurethane

Polycarbonate

Other Resins

Market for Recycled Ocean Plastics by End Use

Consumer Products

Building Products

Automotive

Industrial and Commercial

Market for Recycled Ocean Plastics by Region

Asia-Pacific Market for Recycled Ocean Plastics

European Market for Recycled Ocean Plastics

North American Market for Recycled Ocean Plastics

RoW Market for Recycled Ocean Plastics

Analyst's Credentials

Reason for Doing This Study

Intended Audience

Related BCC Research Reports

List of Tables

Table 1 : Global Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Resin Type, Through 2024

Table 2 : Global Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by End User, Through 2024

Table 3 : Top 20 Countries Ranked by Mass of Mismanaged Plastic

Table 4 : Global Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Region, Through 2024

Table 5 : Asia-Pacific Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Country, Through 2024

Table 6 : European Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Country, Through 2024

Table 7 : North American Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Country, Through 2024

Table 8 : RoW Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Country/Region, Through 2024

List of Figures

Figure 1 : Input of Plastic into Oceans from the Most Polluting Rivers Across the World, 2017

Figure 2 : Plastics Throughout the Worlds Surface Oceans, 2017

Figure 3 : Global Market Volumes of Recycled Ocean Plastics, by Resin Type, 2018-2024

Browse our full report with Table of Contents : https://www.bharatbook.com/marketreports/recycled-ocean-plastics-market/1970991

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The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which witnessed a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, winning 62 of the 70 seats, is set to contest the upcoming Bihar elections, The Times of India has reported.

AAPs Bihar unit chief Shatrughan Sahu has said the party has already begun its mass-connect initiatives in the state, and that it will fight the elections on the same development agenda, akin to what they did in Delhi.

We have already started our Jan Samvad Yatra and covered 26 districts in Bihar so far. We have been directed by the senior party leadership to make necessary preparations to make a strong mark in the upcoming Bihar elections, Sahu told the newspaper.

This will be the first time that the Delhi-based regional party will be contesting the assembly elections in Bihar. Previously, AAP had fielded 39 candidates from Bihar in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, but all of them had lost. The party had fielded three candidates during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Kishanganj, Bhagalpur and Sitamarhi, but they too met with the same fate.

Sahu said that it will be different this time around. He said that AAP was much stronger now and the governance agenda of Kejriwal is being appreciated and followed elsewhere in the country.

We get good response from the people when we visit the state hinterlands, which are still devoid of basic amenities, AAPs Bihar unit chief told the newspaper.

Sahu said that the party will be questioning Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumars work on the basic issues like education, health and water in the state. Nitish Kumar questioned the Kejriwal governments work on health, education and roads in Delhi. We will ask the same questions to Nitish here (in Bihar), Sahu said.

Sahu asserted that AAP will emerge as the most reliable alternative in Bihar just as it did in Delhi, as people are neither happy with the Lalu Prasad-led RJD, nor with the JD(U)-BJP government in the state.
Australian supermarket shoppers have recently discovered that their pre-packaged meats weigh less than the advertised amount in grams, and a small symbol on the packet might be to blame.

When a Woolworths customer shared a photo of their $7.50 lean beef mince last week measuring 262g - rather than the 500g it was meant to be - the internet erupted in anger.

But one well informed social media user pointed out that the letter 'e' next to the weight stands for estimate, meaning the amount doesn't necessarily have to be the same on the packet, but does have to be 'close' to it.

'The "e" sign on a food label indicates that the volume or weight of the product is an average value,' it reads on FoodInfo.net.

An unhappy customer has claimed her 500g Woolworths lean mince weighed in at barely half the amount stated on packet (scales pictured), but the 'e' symbol is to blame

'Packaging machines in the food industry are not completely accurate; there will always be a margin of inaccuracy.'

Internationally, the mark is used to certify that the contents of the package 'comply with specified criteria for estimation'.

A Woolworths spokesperson said: 'We want our customers to shop with the confidence they're getting what they're paying for.

'We're aware of the customer's claim and have been looking into it with our meat production partner.

'We have a range of checks and balances in place throughout production to help ensure our products comply with trade measurement requirements.

What does the 'e' symbol represent on a packet of meat? 'The "e" sign on a food label indicates that the volume or weight of the product is an average value,' said FoodInfo.net. 'Packaging machines in the food industry are not completely accurate; there will always be a margin of inaccuracy.' Advertisement

'If ever our customers are concerned about the weight of a product, we'd encourage them to return it for a refund.'

It comes after the customer who purchased the mince vowed to no longer buy meat from Woolworths, who both attach the 'e' symbol to its produce.

'Seriously Woolworths... I have been buying this mince like this for a while and (it is) not cheap due to trying to cut out fat,' the shopper Mandy wrote on Facebook.

'I weighed it today and there is less than 300g in a supposed 500g pack!

A customer also also complained on February 2 she had paid for 1.464kg of chicken breast (packaging pictured) but weighed out only 1.370kg - claiming 125g was packaging

'And yes my scales are fine. I use them daily. How many people are you ripping off including the packaging weight?'

Woolworths audits its products regularly and uses commercial scales to make sure their food complies with weight requirements.

But other shoppers were also not impressed with the claimed disparity in weight.

'I had the same problem. I now ask them to weigh everything in store before I take it,' one fellow shopper said.

'Wow! I never thought to weigh feed,' another wrote.

Another customer was infuriated this month after buying moisture infused meat but still having to pay $20 per kg

The report comes after another Woolworths customer claimed on February 2 she had paid for 1.464kg of chicken breast (packaging pictured) but weighed out only 1.370kg - with 125g of packaging.

Another customer was infuriated this month after buying moisture infused meat but still having to pay $20 per kg.

'Please explain why meat is now "moisture infused",' the unhappy customer wrote.

'Basically we now have to have water in our meat and also pay for it at $20 per kg.'
The first signs of US media backlash against Harry and Meghan have begun with a New York Post columnist attacking the Duke for 'dredging up his emotional chaos for the right price' and branded the pair as 'freeloading, cynical'.

The Sussexes are settling into life in the Canada after telling the world they desire more privacy and normality to raise Archie.

As Britain reeled from the Royal split, the US was broadly sympathetic to the couple as they pledged to embark on a mission to promote environmentalism once they were free from negative press coverage that some of their supports deemed racist against Meghan.

But journalist Maureen Callahan is among those turning on the pair after the 35-year-old Duke spoke at a summit for JP Morgan Chase, a bank at the centre of the 2008 financial crash, as opposed to focusing on activism.

She slammed them as papered freeloaders who are cashing in on their Royal identity without performing the required duties and criticised them for not even pretending to live up to their green credentials.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, (pictured in South Africa, in October) were the headline act at the JP Morgan Chase & Co event. So far they've refused to confirm or deny reports they were paid between $500,000 and $1 million for their appearance

Callahan wrote: 'Just weeks after slamming the door on Buckingham Palace, declaring their suffering as wealthy, pampered, world-famous senior royals so unbearable that they must take their leave and flee to the Canadian woods in search of privacy, humility, a slower way of life, time to think about which noble eco-warrior causes to support (while flying private, of course) and to create normalcy for themselves and their baby, Harry and Meghan are out on the stroll, selling their goods and services  whatever those may be  to the highest bidder.

'You'd think, for appearances' sake, they would have held out a little longer. It's not as if they're suddenly destitute. Harry and Meghan are, after all, still on the royal payroll through at least May, after which Prince Charles has vowed to support them.

'And since decamping Britain, they've been freeloading, staying indefinitely at a $14 million (10,724,490) Vancouver mansion (a deal brokered by music producer David Foster) and at Serena Williams' Palm Beach estate during a recent trip to Florida.'

Harry spoke about how he's been undergoing years of therapy to deal with the death of his mother Princess Diana (pictured with Harry as a young child in 1987)

She then moved on to what she feels is the double standard of allegedly being paid to speak about Princess Diana's death.

His appearance comes after he last year complained of press coverage of his mother's life and the impact it had on him.

Prince Harry said: 'Every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash. It takes me straight back.'

But Callahan wrote yesterday: 'But for the right price, he'll dredge up all that deeply personal emotional chaos, held sacred for decades, to a room full of global powerbrokers  despite zero chance any of it will elucidate or ameliorate a single real-world problem.

Harry has previously spoken about the negative impact of press coverage about his mother and the impact, but was prepared to open up about his emotions and speak about her death for what experts say was up to $1million

'To cap off this inaugural foray into life as working commoners, Harry and Meghan reportedly had dinner with two of the most philanthropic and publicity-shy people on the planet, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez.

'Now they're reportedly house-hunting in LA and New York City  exactly where celebrities seeking seclusion go  and have been in talks with Goldman Sachs since at least November, months before announcing their plans to 'step back.''

Citing Diana's work to change the public's attitude toward AIDS by kissing those dying of the disease, she spoke of how the princess used her profile to fuel important activism.

She compared that to Harry pitching to Disney chief Bob Iger as he 'begged' him to take Meghan on for voiceover work in a video that shows a clearly embarrassed Beyonce looking on.

Diana, she said, would never exploit her Royal credentials to make a lucrative brand like SussexRoyal.

Callahan writes that Harry has 'shown no scruples, no self-awareness, no shame' and that the pair's ditching of Royal duties renders him 'just another hustler out to make a buck'.

The Sussexes were flown to the JP Morgan forum in the firm's lavish Gulfstream private plane, from the $11 million mansion in Vancouver they've been living in for the past few months as guests of a mysterious billionaire benefactor

Yesterday, it was revealed that Harry's held talks with another monster investment bank, Goldman Sachs, to build on the 'Sussex Royal' brand

Aubrey Hansen at CNN has also piled in on the pair, saying they are incapable of hiding their ambitions.

'If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had decided to step further into the background, performing their royal duties on a less intensive basis and spending more time in private, I doubt there would have been much criticism,' she writes.

'That's not what they did, though. They quietly made plans to live in Los Angeles. Then Harry loudly announced their arrival on the private circuit by telling wealthy bankers all about his mother's death (for a hefty fee, of course).'

Hansen says that alleged racist coverage of Meghan had nothing to do with their move and believes it was 'all about money and their personal ambition'.

Columnist Piers Morgan led criticism of Harry and Meghan's decision to ditch the UK, writing on MailOnline last month that the Duke wants to 'become a royal Kardashian and keep Meghan happy'.

He wrote: 'Oh, I know, I knowthe only accepted narrative, certainly on Twitter, is that the mean, beastly, racist media has driven out poor Harry and Meghan with our despicable antics.

'We shamefully refused to let them lecture us about the environment AND use private jets like taxis!

'And we had the audacity to think a $500,000 star-studded, baby-shower party in New York was a tad inappropriate given that Harry and Meghan were busy urging us on Twitter that same week to pay more attention to poor people.

'Oh, and we shockingly suggested that if you're going to have the taxpayers fork out $3 million on refurbishing your home, you should probably not hide photos and details of your son's birth or stop the public taking your picture at Wimbledon.

'Yes, the 'bullying' media's treated them appallingly, and it's all because Meghan has a black mother  despite the fact we all fell over ourselves for 18 months to say how fantastic it was to have a bi-racial woman enter the Royal Family.'

And yesterday he was the first to slam their appearance at the JP Morgan summit in an article titled: 'Harry and Meghan claimed they quit for peace, privacy and time to focus on saving the planet  in fact they just wanted the freedom to exploit Diana's death for millions of dollars from environment-destroying bankers.'

Morgan wrote: 'They were introduced by their friend, CBS News host Gayle King, and then after a brief introduction by Meghan, Harry delivered a speech about his favourite topic: mental health.

'More particularly, he spoke about how he's been undergoing years of therapy to deal with the death of his mother Princess Diana. None of this was new territory.

'Indeed, Harry has talked of little else in recent years, constantly emoting in public speeches about his 'struggle' with his grief even now, 23 years later.

'It would take a heart of stone not to have sympathy for a man who was just 12 when he was made to walk behind his mother's coffin in front of a billion TV viewers.

'I remember watching that at the time and thinking it was a disgracefully heartless thing to make a heartbroken little boy do.

'But Harry's not the only person to ever lose a parent when he was young. It's sadly happened to many millions of people, including me  my father died when I was one.

'And there's a big difference between talking about it to raise public awareness of grief-related mental health issues - and doing it privately for a big fat fee to a bunch of super-rich bankers, business tycoons, politicians and celebrities.

'By commercially exploiting his mother's death to make vast pots of money like this, Harry is surely behaving in exactly the same way he professes to despise from the media?'

Other foreign outlets are echoing Morgan's sentiments, including in Australia. Writing for News.com.au, Daniela Elser accused the pair of 'double dipping' by taking money from Prince Charles while also speaking at the summit.

Royal sources have not confirmed whether Harry received payment for his speech, but PR experts estimate he could have raked in between $500,000 and $1million from the appearance.
GREENSBURG, Pa., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has been recognized by leading utility research firm Escalent as a Utility Residential Customer Champion for its top-tier success engaging with residential customers.

West Penn Power scored among the top electric and natural gas utilities nationwide in Escalent's 2019 Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer EngagementTM: Residential study based on interviews of 67,000 customers of 140 utilities across the country. The study found West Penn Power achieved excellence in the areas of service satisfaction, brand trust and product experience.

"We continuously work to build trust through enhanced electric service reliability, new technologies and a commitment to meet our customers' ever-changing energy needs and expectations," said John Rea, regional president of West Penn Power. "Today's utility customers expect innovation, digital convenience and proactive communications, and we're honored to be recognized as a Customer Champion for these efforts."

West Penn Power uses simple personalized channels to encourage proactive two-way communication with our customers. Customers can follow West Penn Power on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook for company news, behind-the-scenes stories, energy efficiency and electrical safety tips, and updates during major weather events. A suite of convenient tools are also available to help customers stay connected with important account and outage information, including alert and text messaging services and a responsive website.

To reduce the number and duration of outages experienced by its customers, West Penn Power has embarked on a five-year, $147 million plan to make additional improvements above and beyond the usual work it already performs to upgrade its electric distribution networks. Such work includes replacing older poles and underground and overhead lines.

In addition, West Penn Power completed an ambitious, multi-year installation of digital smart meters in 2019 so its approximately 725,000 customers can better manage their electric use and make informed decisions about how they are using electricity. The company also offers its residential customers a broad array of energy efficiency programs from appliance rebates and lighting discounts to home energy audits. Learn more at www.EnergySavePA.com.

Escalent is a leading human behavior and analytics firm and has conducted research on utility topics for more than 30 years. This is the sixth year it has published its residential study, the only industry benchmark study on customer engagement.

West Penn Power serves approximately 725,000 customers within in 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @JCP_L, @PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV.



Editor's Note: A photo of the Escalent Utility Residential Customer Champion award is available for download on Flickr.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

Related Links

http://www.firstenergycorp.com


Two weeks after a malfunction in a vote-reporting app helped make a mess out of the Iowa caucuses, another election app is stirring up anxieties.

Voatz, which allows voters to submit their ballots virtually, is facing scrutinynot for the first timeas researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published a report on Thursday identifying what they claim to be major security flaws in its infrastructure that should deter anyone from using it. This comes just as an undisclosed number of counties are set to start implementing it in the presidential election for absentee voters. As the report states, Given the severity of failings discussed in this paper, the lack of transparency, the risks to voter privacy, and the trivial nature of the attacks, we suggest that any near-future plans to use this app for high-stakes elections be abandoned.

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As is the case with any election technology, the specter of interference is a major obstacle to implementation. Voatz purports to harness end-to-end encryption, facial recognition, and blockchain, which is the network technology that facilitates cryptocurrency, to identify voters and make sure that ballots are not tampered with. The researchers say, however, that these measures still leave open a number of vulnerabilities that would allow a malicious party to negate or change votes, as well as spy on a users ballot. The paper claims, for example, that a hacker could launch a brute force attack to discover a users PIN for their account or gain administrative privileges to a smartphone to manipulate the app.

Because of Voatzs alleged lack of transparency, the researchers reverse-engineered the app by using information that the company had made publicly available in order to run their tests. In a blog post responding to the study, Voatz stated, With qualified, collaborative researchers we are very open; we disclose source code and hold lengthy interactive sessions with their architects and engineers. The company has also alleged that the MIT study is inherently flawed, in part because the version of the app that the researchers were testing was outdated, not connected to Voatzs servers, and only the Android version. And in a particularly barbed portion of the post, Voatz attacks the researchers for trying to deliberately disrupt the election process, to sow doubt in the security of our election infrastructure, and to spread fear and confusion.

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The New York Times reported that Mason County in Washington has decided not to use the Voatz app for its primaries at the end of March. The county had planned to allow troops overseas to vote with the app, and some had already done so according to the company, but Auditor Paddy McGuire told Slate that he got cold feet after attending a meeting that the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency had convened with the researchers and the counties that were set to use the app. The app-related debacle in Iowa further convinced him that relying on Voatz would be a risky move, at least from an optics standpoint.

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We had just had the hysteria around Iowa and I had watched talking heads on CNN say that the elections needed to be nationalized, McGuire said. Given the media storm around Iowa, I was reluctant to become the Iowa Democratic Party. While the Iowa app failed due to a coding issue, rather than a security breach, its made people wary of similar products. McGuire is still open to using the app in the future, positing that while there will never be an absolutely invulnerable app, the technology is acutely needed for people serving overseas; he finds the alternative of using an email attachment to be too unsecure and physical mail to be too unreliable. Im unwilling to say to a Marine that you dont get to vote because some guy at MIT said its not safe. While Mason County will not be offering Voatz as an option this primary cycle, West Virginia still plans to go ahead with its plans for the app.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
The efficacy of Pakistan's decision to send Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed to jail remains to be seen as it came just days ahead of a global watchdog's review on Islamabad's action against terror networks operating from the country, official sources said on Thursday.

A Pakistani court on Wednesday sentenced Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai terror attack, to 11 years' prison in two cases relating to terror financing.

The sentencing of Saeed came just four days ahead of a meeting of global anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Paris to review Pakistan's compliance of an action plan prescribed by it to contain terror groups in the country.

Last year, the FATF asked Pakistan to fully implement its anti-terror action plan by February 2020 or face severe action. Pakistan was already kept under the "grey list" of countries by the FATF for failing to contain terror financing.

Indian government sources said it is part of a long-pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism and that efficacy of Saeed's sentencing remained to be seen.

"The decision has been made on the eve of FATF Plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen," an official source said elaborating on the government's assessment of the action.

The sources said it's also to be seen whether Pakistan would take action against all other terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control.

India has been pressing Pakistan to take action against all those involved in cross-border terror attacks including the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.

It has to be seen whether Pakistan brings perpetrators of cross border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot to justice expeditiously, the sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wednesday, February 12, is the fifth anniversary of the agreements.

The UN Security Council will gather on February 18 on Russia's initiative to discuss the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Read alsoU.S. again urges Russia to cease aggression against Ukraine

"In connection with the fifth anniversary of the Minsk agreements, marked today [February 12], Russia has requested holding an open UN Security Council session with an OSCE envoy's participation to analyze the implementation of the agreements," Russia's First Deputy Envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyansky told the Russian news agency TASS.

UNIAN memo. Peace talks on Donbas, eastern Ukraine, were held in Minsk on February 12, 2015. The participants were the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the then French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As a result of the negotiations, a set of measures aimed at implementing the Minsk agreements reached in September 2014 was approved. In addition, a declaration was adopted by the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia in support of these measures.

Among other things, the agreements reached by the Normandy Four leaders provide for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, the withdrawal of all heavy weapons from Ukrainian territory, the exchange and release of all hostages, as well as the holding of local elections in Donbas.
Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat polls to be held in 8 phases from March 5-19

India

oi-Deepika S

Srinagar, Feb 13: Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat elections will be held from March 5, making it the first major political exercise in the valley after the government scrapped Article 370 and split it into two union territories.

"Panchayat elections for vacant posts of every block will be held using ballot boxes. It will be conducted in eight phases," said Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar.

"First phase of elections will be held on 5th March, second phase on 7th March, 3rd phase on 9th March, fourth phase on 12th March, fifth phase on 14th March, sixth phase on 16th March, seventh phase on 18th March& 8th phase on 20th March," he said.

"Union territory of Ladakh has not yet sent us request for conduct of elections so we've not included Ladakh. In any case, Ladakh is snow-bound and it is very cold out there. So it is not feasible to have election at this point of time," he added.

"The model code conduct has come into forces in Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

There are 13,161 vacancies in Panchayats across the Union Territory.

The announcement of the election comes even as three former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti continue to be in detention.

The posts were lying vacant since November 2018. Out of Kashmir's 20,093 panch and sarpanch seats, more than 12,500 seats have remained vacant since then.

Jammu and Kashmir is now governed by the Centre which has appointed GC Murmu as the Lieutenant Governor to look after the affairs of the union territory.
US stocks slip as Wall Street foresees higher interest rates AP - 1 hour ago Stocks fell in morning trading on Wall Street Tuesday as traders try to calibrate how markets and the economy will handle the higher interest rates that are likely on the way from the Federal Reserve this... $SPX : 4,681.72 (+0.24%) $DOWI : 36,031.45 (-0.10%) $IUXX : 15,758.87 (+0.93%)

Elusive SPX Bottom Monica Kingsley - 1 hour ago S&P 500 reversed sharp intraday losses, and credit markets moved in a decisive daily risk-on fashion. Turnarounds anywhere you look  HYG, TLT, XLK but will that last? VIX having closed where it opened,...

Gearing Up For USDA Tomorrow. The Corn & Ethanol Report 01/11/2022 The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago We kickoff the day with NIFB Business Optimism Index (Dec) at 5:00 A.M., Redbook YoY (08/Jan) at 7:55 A.M., Fed George Speech at 8:30 A.M., Fed Chair Powell Testimony and IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism (Jan)...

Bank of America slashes fees for account overdrafts AP - Tue Jan 11, 8:08AM CST NEW YORK (AP)  Bank of America is slashing the amount it charges customers when they spend more than they have in their accounts and plans to eliminate entirely its fees for bounced checks. $SPX : 4,681.72 (+0.24%) $DOWI : 36,031.45 (-0.10%) $IUXX : 15,758.87 (+0.93%) BAC : 48.94 (+0.02%)

California lawmakers to debate universal healthcare proposal AP - Tue Jan 11, 7:49AM CST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California lawmakers on Tuesday will start debating whether to create the nation's first universal health care system in a key measure of whether the proposal will muster the... $SPX : 4,681.72 (+0.24%) $DOWI : 36,031.45 (-0.10%) $IUXX : 15,758.87 (+0.93%)

Hogs Down Triple Digits Again on Monday Barchart - Tue Jan 11, 7:29AM CST Lean hog futures started the new week with triple digit losses of at least $1.27. For April contracts the $2.65 drop added to the loss on Friday for a net $4.77 drop in two sessions. USDAs National... HEG22 : 78.100 (-0.35%) HEK22 : 89.275 (-1.16%) KMG22 : 90.125 (-0.41%)

Soybeans Lower in Early Trading, With November Weakest Barchart - Tue Jan 11, 7:29AM CST Soy futures are mostly 2 to 5 cents lower so far for Tuesday. Soon to expire January is up 2  in very thin activity. Nearby Soybean futures fell 23 3/4 to 26 3/4 cents on Monday, a more than 1% drop.... ZSF22 : 1382-0 (+0.53%) ZSPAUS.CM : 13.5194 (+0.63%) ZSH22 : 1393-4 (+0.63%) ZSX21 : 1234-0s (+1.79%) ZSPX21US.CM : 12.3270 (+1.90%)
Surgery for appendicitis is the most common emergency operation in children

Hundreds of children are having needless operations to remove their appendix ever year, researchers have warned.

One in six children who underwent surgery for appendicitis actually had a healthy organ removed, according to a study of hospitals across Britain and Ireland.

Surgery for appendicitis is the most common emergency operation in children, with 10,000 children undergoing the procedure every year in Britain.

But according to the new study many of these operations are not needed - up to 1,600 a year, according to the researchers led by University of Birmingham.

They believe children are being misdiagnosed because doctors are not properly interpreting the ultrasound scans used to examine them.

Hundreds of children in the UK are having needless operations to remove their appendix ever year, researchers have warned (stock image)

The scientists tested the extracted organs of 1,827 children after they underwent appendicectomies at 139 different hospitals.

The tests - published today in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal - showed 16 per cent of the children had never had appendicitis in the first place.

Researcher Aneel Bhangu, senior lecturer in surgery at the University of Birmingham, said: 'Appendicectomy is the most common emergency operation in children.

'Our study found that overall the diagnosis is wrong for one in six children who undergo appendicectomy, and a normal appendix is removed.

'This places an unacceptable burden on both children and their carers.'

The children tested were aged between five and 15.

Overall, only around a third of children admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis actually underwent an appendicectomy.

Of those who had the operation at the age of five to ten, 12 per cent had unnecessary operations.

WHAT IS APPENDICITIS? Appendicitis is a swelling of the appendix, a two to four-inch-long organ connected to the large intestine. Appendicitis can cause severe pain and it's important for it to be treated swiftly in case the appendix bursts, which can cause life-threatening illness. In most cases surgeons will remove the appendix in an appendectomy  scientists aren't sure why people need an appendix but removing it does not harm people. The causes of appendicitis aren't clear but it is thought to be caused by something blocking the entrance to the organ. Symptoms include pain in the stomach which later travels to your lower right-hand-side and becomes severe. Pressing on this area, coughing, or walking can all make the pain worse, and other symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and a fever. Source: NHS Advertisement

Of boys aged 11 to 15, 16 per cent of the operations were needless.

And for girls aged 11 to 15, 22 per cent were not needed.

They called of urgent improvements in ultrasound scan analysis to avoid more needless operations.

They said all children with suspected appendicitis should be given a routine 'risk score' to rule out the problem, and then the remainder should be given an ultrasound by someone trained specifically in spotting appendicitis.

If an ultrasound is inconclusive, doctors should consider carrying out a CT scan as a second-line diagnostic tool, although they admitted this exposes children to radiation.

Dr Dmitri Nepogodiev, one of the study leaders, said: 'Obviously CT is not ideal in children due to the radiation exposure - albeit this exposure is relatively low- so we would only suggest this in the small group of patients with uncertain diagnosis after ultrasound.

'MRI is an excellent alternative - very accurate, with no radiation - but it is unlikely that most hospitals will be able to offer MRI in the emergency setting.'

In time, he said, MRI scans may replace CT scans, but at the moment the NHS does not have enough machines.

Regardless, with each child appendicectomy costing about 3,700, avoiding needless surgery could save the NHS 4.4million a year and spare hundreds of children from the knife.

Dr Nepogodiev, added: 'It's important that children receive the right diagnosis before a decision is made to operate.

'Ultrasound scans have the advantage that unlike CT scans they do not expose children to radiation.

'They have been found to be an effective diagnostic tool in other countries, but we found that in the UK ultrasound is frequently inconclusive.

'Hospitals should ensure seven-day-a-week availability of ultrasound done by staff specially trained to assess for acute appendicitis in children.'

A similar study published by the same team last year found the problem is even worse among adults.

They found that for 20 per cent of adults who underwent appendicectomies the organ had been completely healthy - resulting in 5,500 needless operations among adults each year.
A school bus transporting 36 fifth-graders and four adults rolled over on a Kansas turnpike, and 17 students were injured. They were conveyed to the hospital for treatment on Wednesday morning.

The bus was on its way from Park Elementary in Wichita to Topeka on a field trip, according to Wichita Public Schools spokesperson Susan Arensman, as reported by KAKE-TV.

Apparently, the bus got into a slide and toppled over into a ditch about 15 miles south of Emporia in Lyon County, near mile marker 112 on the turnpike at 9:40 a.m. the Emporia Gazette reported.

Probably snowy weather conditions played a role, but it is uncertain what exactly caused the accident, and the matter is still under investigation, Kansas Highway Patrol Lieutenant Dave Hundley told the Weather Channel, which, in turn, briefed the gazette about the situation.

Lyon County Sheriffs Office issued a Facebook post about the incident, stating:

The Sheriffs Office is still assisting @kshighwaypatrol @kansasturnpike with this rollover bus accident at mile marker 112 on the turnpike. This was in Chase County, it said.

Other units that responded included Butler County EMS, LifaSave EMS, Emporia Fire and EMS, USD 253, Williams Automotive, CrossWinds Counseling, Lyon County Emergency Communications, the statement read.

The adults, two teachers, the bus driver, and a chaperone were uninjured. Seventeen children were treated for minor injuries to Newman Regional Health in Emporia, Arensman said.

The parents of the children involved were informed, and the unharmed students were transported back to Wichita.

School Bus Crashes in Germany Kill 2 Children, Hurt 14

A school bus crashed in central Germany early Thursday, killing two children and leaving five others seriously injured.

Officials said the bus carrying 22 elementary school children, aged eight to 11, slid off an icy, cobblestone road, crashed into a ditch, and flipped over several times near the village of Berka in Thuringia state. The village is 160 miles (260 km) southwest of Berlin.

Emergency staff took all the children to surrounding hospitals, including those who were only slightly injured. The bus driver was also injured.

When two children die, the world stops turning for a moment, district administrator Reinhard Krebs said.

Police officers investigate a school bus that has crashed in Berka Vor Dem Hainich, near Eisenach, Germany, on Jan. 23, 2020. (Swen Pfoertner/DPA via AP)

Dozens of firefighters, police officers, doctors, and psychologists were at the scene to help with the rescue operations, officials said.

Thuringia Interior Minister Georg Maier told reporters that the crash had left the small village of Berka in shock. He said the affected school would be open on Friday, but that psychologists would be there to help the children and teachers cope with the loss.

Associated Press contributed to this report
We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. 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 we'll take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in New World Development Company Limited (HKG:17).

Do Insider Transactions Matter?

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, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information.

We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. As Peter Lynch said, 'insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise.

View our latest analysis for New World Development

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At New World Development

Non-Executive Vice Chairman Wai-Hoi Doo made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for HK$6.4m worth of shares at a price of HK$10.71 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being HK$10.28). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Wai-Hoi Doo was the only individual insider to buy shares in the last twelve months.

Wai-Hoi Doo purchased 3.60m shares over the year. The average price per share was HK$10.79. The chart below shows insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Story continues

SEHK:17 Recent Insider Trading, February 12th 2020

New World Development is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership of New World Development

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. New World Development insiders own about HK$357m worth of shares. That equates to 0.3% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About New World Development Insiders?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about New World Development. One for the watchlist, at least! Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in New World Development, you should check out 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.

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.
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA)  Sixteen members of the same family were burnt to death on Tuesday night when armed bandits stormed Bakali Village in Fatika District in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria
Lonavala: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses at the presentation of the President's Colour to the INS Shivaji, in Lonavala, Maharashtra on Feb 13, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News

Lonavala: President Ram Nath Kovind inspects the Guard of Honour at the presentation of the President's Colour to the INS Shivaji, in Lonavala, Maharashtra on Feb 13, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News

Pune : , Feb 13 (IANS) In the emerging geo-political situation in the world, the Indo-Pacific Region demands greater vigilance, President R.N. Kovind told the Indian Navy here on Thursday.

As a leading global power, India plays a crucial role in shaping the global paradigm with respect to international security trade and commerce.

"India's rise in the international order has been fuelled by many factors, including the capabilities and valour of our armed forces. Today, the geopolitical situation in the world and in the Indo-Pacific Region demands greater vigilance," President Kovind said.

"A nation's maritime interests are usually also linked to its economy and the well-being of its people. I am told about 90 per cent of our trade, by volume, is handled by sea routes," he said.

He expressed satisfaction that the Indian Navy has adopted mission-based deployments in the Indian Ocean region. He presented the President's Colours to INS Shivaji, a leading training establishment of the Navy in Lonavala.

"High quality training of marine engineers is crucial for sustained deployments and presence in our areas of interest. The future will also see great diversity in the propulsion systems ranging from conventional to nuclear and electric and hybrid propulsion. Concepts of maintenance will also undergo a paradigm shift with increased requirements on operational availability of platforms," the President said.

The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of India's Armed Forces, said INS Shivaji will need to impart the requisite skills to all trainees to prepare them to meet future challenges, and enhance the role of the Navy not just in national security but also economic security, and in the wider process of nation-building.

"The Navy is India's chief instrument of its sea power. It is also the guardian of the nation's maritime interests, both military and civilian. The nation is proud of the Navy's commitment to protecting our maritime frontiers, securing our trade routes, and also extending a helping hand in times of civil emergencies," he said.

President Kovind pointed out that considering the entire world as one family and moving forward with the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam' (world is one family), India is constantly meeting its global responsibilities.

In this context, he lauded the role of the Navy's 'Operation Vanila' to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the people of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean after it was devastated by Cyclone Diane in January.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:54:49|Editor: huaxia

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2020 is the year of "Silencing the Guns on the Continent" for Africa. It "is supposed to be a landmark year" for the 55-member pan African bloc, as the AU endeavors "ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts and preventing genocide in the continent by 2020."



by Habtamu Worku and Wang Shoubao

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Only few could be more excited than Young Nial, a South Sudanese refugee currently residing in Ethiopia, as the African continent embarks on "Silencing the Guns" to end all wars, which continue wreaking havoc on the resource-rich, yet less-stable continent.

Being one of the major flagship aspirations of Africa's 50-year continental development Agenda 2063, dubbed "The Africa We Want," Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020 has been everything that the 16-year-old South Sudanese refugee has been yearning for, as the extended civil war in his home country forced him to seek refuge in South Sudan's neighbor Ethiopia, along with his four family members.

"No war in my country means we will be able to return to our home and start a normal and peaceful life once again," Nial told Xinhua.

As African leaders vowed to end all wars across the continent during their latest meeting as part of the 33rd African Union (AU) Summit that was held at the headquarters of the AU in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa from Feb. 9 to 10, Nial and millions of conflict-affected children across the continent have been given a boost of hope that they will be able to embrace continental peace and stability, a major prerequisite to a prosperous Africa.

The 33rd African Union (AU) summit of heads of state and government is held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 9, 2020. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

LONG WAY TO GO

Amid the greater need to end all wars across the continent, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said that the year 2020 has been proclaimed the year of "Silencing the Guns on the Continent" while addressing the continental leaders' summit.

"How to succeed in this feat in a continent grappling with significant phenomena such as terrorism, inter-community conflicts, pre and post electoral crises or even disputes between states?" the chairperson of the 55-member pan African bloc asked African heads of state and governments on Sunday.

Mahamat also emphasized the need to exert concerted efforts to realize the continental aspiration of silencing the guns across the African continent.

"By acting concretely on all these issues and their root causes, by giving ourselves the political, military and diplomatic means, the challenge of silencing the guns can be won," he added.

While progress has been made in reducing state-driven conflicts across the continent, many also argue that recurring conflicts are rolling back gains already made in achieving lasting peace in several regions of the continent.

African leaders adopted the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps for "Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020" back in January 2017 as part of AU's 50-year continental development Agenda 2063, which envisaged ending all conflicts in Africa by 2020 with the provision of specific timelines and streamlined division of targets.

The 33rd African Union (AU) summit of heads of state and government is held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 9, 2020. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Ramtane Lamamra, special envoy of the AU Commission chairperson on Silencing the Guns, argued that while respect for national sovereignty is paramount, "this should not undermine the efforts to scale up conflict prevention and, if and when necessary, take collective action in the name of the principle of non-indifference as enshrined in the Constitutive Act."

"Cognizant of the fact that civil conflicts are triggered by series of disagreements, disparities within or between individuals, communities and factions, we are faced with the challenges of being more creative in conceptualizing and implementing innovative solutions to conflicts," Lamamra said on Monday.

"In this perspective, our focus should primarily be to ensure the preservation of national unity, functioning of state institutions and overall sovereignty of the people," said Lamamra.

He said a significant proportion of conflicts across Africa have been predominantly driven by ethnic rivalry over political succession, disagreement over modalities for the conduct or outcome of national elections, and power struggles within the state.

Conflicts have also arisen due to struggle over control and access to natural resources and their benefits, Lamamra added.

"While we continue to deploy conventional methods of conflict resolution through processes that involve the use of wise Pan-Africanist, international and regional organizations, the involvement of neighboring countries, peace support operations and civil society organizations, we should be cognizant of the nature, scope and cultural settings of these conflicts," he said.

CALL TO REPEAT UNITY

As African leaders join hands to tame conflicts that are wreaking havoc on the continent's development aspirations under the AU umbrella, experts are also calling on the continent's policymakers to repeat the unity achieved on Africa's Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which was launched in July 2019.

Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat (C) announces the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement during the launching ceremony in Niamey, capital of Niger, July 7, 2019. (Str/Xinhua)

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS), an African non-profit organization, in its recent publication "Conflict is Still Africa's Biggest Challenge in 2020," stressed the imperative for African leaders to "repeat the show of unity achieved on continental free trade to silence the guns."

According to the institute, 2020 "is supposed to be a landmark year" for the 55-member pan African bloc, as the AU endeavors "ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence, violent conflicts and preventing genocide in the continent by 2020."

Noting that Africa's pattern of "new conflicts bubbling up alongside existing ones is likely to repeat itself," the ISS also emphasized that the Sahel region is of particular concern.

According to the institute, a surge of violence in both Burkina Faso and Mali this year underscored the fragility of the governments in both countries, while conflicts in and around the Lake Chad Basin area have also continued.

Noting that South Sudan's peace deal "is hanging by a thread," the institute also indicated that new fighting between ethnic groups in central South Sudan had left at least 79 people dead and forced the deployment of UN peacekeepers.

"The prospects of a resolution to this (South Sudan's) long-running conflict in 2020 look slim," the institute argued.

It also noted that the situation has resulted in "widespread communal violence and tensions within the ruling party."

The institute also argued the need to tame regular flare-ups of violence in the Central African Republic, the conflict in the Ebola virus-affected Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Nigeria's entrenched long fight against Boko Haram, saying the phenomenon necessitates further attention during the just-started 2020.

Child soldiers rescued from Boko Haram by Nigerian army attend a handover ceremony in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria, on Oct. 3, 2019. (Photo by Makama Sule/Xinhua)

African experts have also emphasized the magnitude of expected continental engagements that would help end all wars and conflict in Africa.

"While no one can argue with that laudable goal, the continental body and its member states will have to work miracles to achieve it by the end of this year, especially when the trend seems to be heading in the other direction," Costantinos Bt. Costantinos, who served as an economic advisor to the AU and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, told Xinhua.

GROWING OPTIMISM

As articulated by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the current chair of the AU for the year 2020, the ambition of Silencing the Guns will help the African continent to fully capitalize on the continent's natural resource as well as human capital.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks during the opening of the 33rd African Union (AU) summit of heads of state and government at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 9, 2020. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

"We are rich in natural resources yes, but also in history, in intellectual output, in culture, in a sense of humanity and in human capital," Ramaphosa said, adding that "as Africans living in this new era, we shoulder the greatest of responsibilities to ensure that our wealth does not become our poverty; that our blessing does not become our curse, and that our endowment does not become our downfall."

"It is to us that the task has fallen to build an Africa that is prosperous and at peace with itself," the South African president said.

According to Ramaphosa, the South African government will work together with the AU Commission's Peace and Security Council to "focus our efforts on conflict resolution across the African continent, especially those experiencing protracted conflicts."

Despite growing concern that silencing the guns would be a mammoth task, given the nature of ongoing and recurrent conflicts across the conflict, some have also expressed optimism regarding the continent's potential and capabilities to do so.

According to Lamamra, repeating recent achievements made in promoting peace and security in Africa would help realize the major objective behind the continental aspiration of ending all wars.

"Looking at the achievements made in promoting peace and security in the continent in recent decades ... the noble objective of silencing the guns and ending wars in the continent is achievable," Lamamra said.

He also noted that from around 30 active conflicts in 2004, Africa must celebrate the fact that it is now addressing fewer conflicts than in the past.

"Africa has a robust blueprint for promoting peace, security and stability, as well as advancing good governance, respect for human and people's rights and constitution," he said.

(Video reporters: Liu Ruijian, Wang Shoubao, Shiferaw Tadesse, Addis Zenebe)(Video editor: Ma Ruxuan)
The Pentagon announced that a rocket struck an Iraqi base housing American troops today and that US forces had intercepted a Yemen-bound dhow carrying Iranian-designed weapons days earlier, extending the ongoing military tit-for-tat with pro-Iranian forces.

A defense official told Al-Monitor that the K1 base in the oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk was hit by a Katyusha rocket at 8:45 p.m. local time today, causing no injuries.

The Iraqi media also reported today that troops found the launch pad and 11 rockets near the base, but had not tracked down the perpetrators. A rocket attack from Iranian-backed forces killed a US contractor at the base Dec. 27, sparking a cycle of violence that culminated in Irans Jan. 8 ballistic missile attack on Al-Assad airbase.

Today's strike came after the US Navy seized a cache of Iranian-origin weapons bound for Yemens Houthi rebels Feb. 9, the Pentagon said today, and just hours before the Republican-led Senate voted to limit President Donald Trump's ability to undertake offensive strikes against Iran in a 55-45 bipartisan vote.

Trump allies Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., notably crossed party lines today alongside six other Republicans.

Experts said the Katyusha strike and the interception of Iranian equipment were signs that a more normal pace of conflict had resumed after the Jan. 8 and Dec. 27 missile strikes against the United States and the Jan. 3 US drone strike that killed Quds Force chief Qasem Soleimani, a top general in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

An elevated new normal is a good way to describe it. We're back to business as usual, which was expected after the events of the past couple of months, said Ariane Tatabani, a political scientist at the RAND Corporation who follows Iran. Iran was never going to just conduct a few direct strikes and call it a day.

Tatabani said Iran has been careful about attacks following the Jan. 8 ballistic missile strikes that left 109 US troops with mild traumatic brain injuries. The point was to make sure they bookended it so they could resume proxy action with a certain degree of plausible deniability, she said.

The bevy of weapons captured by the Navy included 150 anti-tank missiles and other arms "of Iranian design and manufacture" such as surface-to-air missiles, weapon scopes and drone parts. The US Central Command said many of the systems are identical to Iranian components seized by the United States in November.

The developments could set the tone for more congressional pushback on the Trump administrations "maximum pressure" campaign to rein in Irans use of proxies in nations such as Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is finally set to testify in front of the Houses powerful foreign affairs panel Feb. 28, a House aide and a former US official told Al-Monitor.

While the top US diplomat failed to appear for two scheduled hearings in the wake of the drone strike that killed Soleimani, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., said late last month that Pompeo had agreed to testify on the Quds Force leaders death. No date was named at the time.

Ahead of his testimony, Pompeo told travelling reporters today he plans to continue to scrutinize Iran-backed attacks in the region. The top US diplomat will visit Saudi Aramcos Abqaiq refining facility that the Trump administration suspects that Iran targeted with a massive drone and missile strike Sept. 14.

The attack led the Pentagon to deploy two F-15 fighter squadrons, an air expeditionary wing, three Patriot missile defense batteries and a THAAD air defense battery to Saudi Arabia. The United States has added 20,000 troops to the Middle East since tensions surged with Iran after the Trump administration ended sanctions waivers for importers of Tehrans oil in May.

But with Trump repeatedly hinting that the United States wont retaliate against Iran unless an American is killed in the military back-and-forth, experts say that Pompeo will have to reassure US partners in the Middle East who are worried that the United States wont come to defend them if Tehran opts to put another country in the crossfire.

The US does have a threshold for sure, but it is one that both allies and adversaries understand is high, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which advocates for tough US policy on Iran. Under such a scenario, allies will always be wondering, Will Washington have our back if Iran comes after us? This is precisely the sort of doubt the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] sought to sow with the [June 20] downing of the US drone as well as the attack on Abqaiq in 2019.
Barclays' American chief executive Jes Staley is being investigated in Britain over his close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein who he visited in Florida when he was serving a jail term for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Boston-born Mr Staley also admits taking a sailing trip with his wife Debbie to the paedophile's Caribbean hideaway dubbed 'paedo island' in the months before he joined the Canary Wharf-based bank - but insists he cut all contact with him after that.

Prince Andrew's child abuser friend Epstein also allegedly funneled dozens of wealthy clients to Mr Staley during his time running JP Morgan's private bank, where customers must have assets of at least $10million.

Barclays today told the London Stock Exchange that their CEO has been 'transparent' about the pair's 'close' but 'professional' relationship.

But Britain's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Conduct Authority are investigating whether he has disclosed the full truth about his ties to the convicted sex offender after reports by Bloomberg and the New York Times last year claimed they were 'good friends'.

Bankers who fail the FCA's 'fit and proper' test can be fined - or in the most serious cases banned from Britain's 1trillion ($1.3trillion) financial service industry, which would make it impossible for Mr Staley to continue in Barclays' top job.

The investigation announcement in London came on the morning the bank revealed its pre-tax profits for the past year jumped 25 per cent to 4.4 billion - and as a result Mr Staley has been rewarded with a bumper pay packet of 5.93million ($7.7million) in 2019 - up from 3.86 million-a-year ($5million) 12 months earlier.

Barclays' chief executive Jes Staley (pictured in the bank's London HQ) is being investigated over his relationship with US convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Mr Staley visited the convicted sex offender's 'paedo island' in the Caribbean on his own 90ft yacht - better known as Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands

The Barclays boss, pictured with his wife Debbie in 2017, could be fined or even banned from working in the UK financial services industry if he failed to disclose the full truth about his ties to the convicted sex offender. The American banker insists he has

Barclays' American 'casino banker' boss is sailing expert who warned $16m-a-year in US before moving to London Mr Staley, pictured arriving in Downing Street for a meeting in 2018, has the full backing of Barclays despite a UK probe into his historical links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Jes Staleys selection as Barclays' new boss in 2015 was seen as a clear signal Barclays wants to become a global powerhouse in investment banking again. Critics warned it was reverting to the fast buck culture cultivated by disgraced former boss Bob Diamond, who built Barclays investment bank into a major force before he was forced to resign in 2012. He was overlooked in favour of Mancunian Antony Jenkins, who focussed on retail banking such as savings and mortgages. Critics warned it was reverting to the fast buck culture cultivated by disgraced former boss Bob Diamond, who built Barclays investment bank into a major force before he was forced to resign in 2012. Insiders insist Mr Staley is very different to the lavishly paid Mr Diamond, but the men have strikingly similar backgrounds in investment banking. Born James but known as Jes, Mr Staley began life in Boston, Massachusetts, less than an hours drive from Mr Diamonds home town of Concord. Both studied economics before long, successful careers in investment banking. Mr Staley spent 34 years at Wall Street giant JP Morgan, eventually running its vast investment banking division. He collected a $16million pay package in 2012, then joined US hedge fund BlueMountain the following year. Like Mr Diamond, Mr Staley enjoys the trappings of a super-rich lifestyle, with two luxury homes in New York. The father of two is a keen sailor on the familys custom-made 90ft yacht named Bequia, after the Caribbean island where he honeymooned with wife Debbie. Insiders insist Mr Staley is very different to the lavishly paid Mr Diamond, but the men have strikingly similar backgrounds in investment banking. Advertisement

Mr Staley, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, spent three decades at JP Morgan, then moved to Brazil, where he met his wife Debbie, before becoming Barclays supremo in 2015.

But he has been dogged by his relationship with Prince Andrew's paedophile friend who hanged himself in jail last year ahead of a trial for allegedly sex-trafficking underage girls.

Mr Staley told Bloomberg TV today: 'It's well known in the press that I have had a long standing professional, or had a longstanding professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. It began in 2000 when I was asked to run JP Morgan's private bank and he was already a client of the bank at that time.

'The investigation is actually focused on transparency and whether I was transparent with and open with the bank, and with the board, with respect to my relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. And indeed it's clear in my own mind that going all the way back to 2015 when I joined Barclays, I have been very transparent with the bank and very open and willing to discuss the relationship that I had with him'.

The British bank also backed him today.

In a statement to the stock market, Barclays said this morning: 'As has been widely reported, earlier in his career Mr Staley developed a professional relationship with Mr Epstein.

'In the summer of 2019, in light of the renewed media interest in the relationship, Mr Staley volunteered and gave to certain executives, and the chairman, an explanation of his relationship with Mr Epstein.'

Barclays added that the boss said he had had no contact with Epstein since joining his current employer in December 2015.

The bank added: 'The relationship between Mr Staley and Mr Epstein was the subject of an inquiry from the Financial Conduct Authority, to which the company responded.

'The FCA and the Prudential Regulation Authority subsequently commenced an investigation, which is ongoing, into Mr Staley's characterisation to the company of his relationship with Mr Epstein and the subsequent description of that relationship in the company's response to the FCA.'

Boston-born Staley, who made millions as a hedge fund manager and former high-flyer at Wall Street giant JPMorgan, was chosen as the man to replace ousted Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins and took over just before Christmas 2015.

Months earlier he visited Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands, according to the Financial Times.

After getting the top job at Barclays it was claimed the American banker was secretly backed for the job in 2012 by convicted sex offender Epstein  a friend of the Duke of York who was sentenced to more than a year behind bars in 2008.

The Mail on Sunday claimed that Mr Epstein began pushing Mr Staley forward for the Barclays job in 2012.

The pair are said to have met in Mr Epsteins plush New York home that year and a photograph from 2011 also showed the men together at the mansion with Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates.

Boston-born Mr Staley is said to have been introduced to American hedge fund boss Glenn Dubin, centre, whose wife, former Miss Sweden Eva (left) went out with Epstein for 11 years and the paedophile is said to have told friends he wanted to marry their daughter Celina (right)

Mr Epstein, who made a fortune from his investment firm J Epstein & Co, was said to have been furious when Mr Staley was overlooked for the Barclays job after fellow American Bob Diamond (pictured) lost his job in 2012

Mr Staley had been touted for the top job at Barclays threee years before he got it after fellow American Bob Diamond left under a cloud following the Libor-fixing scandal.

Mr Epstein, who made a fortune from his investment firm J Epstein & Co, was said to have been furious when Mr Staley was overlooked for the job.

A report at the time claimed Epstein described Briton Antony Jenkins, who was then head of the retail division at Barclays, as an internal dweeb as he got the job when the bank decided not to go for another American.

It was also claimed that then Chancellor George Osborne was blocking Mr Staleys move to Barclays in 2012 and Mr Epstein wanted the get the Chancellor to change his mind.

Jeffrey Epstein reportedly wanted to marry Celina Dubin to have a $50million trust and would be able to avoid inheritance taxes but changed his mind before his death

The Treasury and Bank of England were said to be uncomfortable with another casino banker taking the reins at Barclays following the departure of Mr Diamond.

Former Barclays chairman Sir David Walker  who was also seen as an obstacle to Mr Staley getting the job in 2012  also left.

According to the New York Times Epstein had funneled dozens of wealthy clients to Mr. Staley and Wall Street powerhouse JP Morgan bank.

They also had a mutual acquaintance in hedge fund boss Glenn Dubin, who was said to have been introduced to Mr Staley by Epstein.

Mr Dubin's wife, Swedish model Eva Andersson Dubin, started dating Epstein in the 1980s for 11 years.

In December last year it emerged Jeffrey Epstein reportedly told associates that he considered marrying the younger daughter of his ex-girlfriend Eva and Mr Dubin, who she married in 1994.

Epstein said he wanted Celina to inherit some of his reputed $500million fortune, including his private island in the Caribbean, and marriage would help avoid inheritance taxes.

That year, Epstein named Celina as a beneficiary, but she was removed in 2015 before the Dubin family was aware that she was listed.

After Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a child for prostitution, the Dubins' wrote an email to his probation officer saying they were '100% comfortable' with Epstein interacting with Celina.

However, the family appeared to publicly distance themselves from Epstein after his arrest in July last year.

Davidson Goldin, the Dubin family spokesperson, echoed the sentiment in a statement.

'Glenn saw him perhaps once a year in large group settings and had no business interactions with him whatsoever after 2007. Eva and Celina Dubin accepted less than a handful of invitations to gatherings that included the founder of Microsoft and a DNA pioneer.'

'The Dubins are horrified by Jeffrey Epstein's despicable conduct. Had they been aware of it, they would have cut off all ties instantly,' he said.
CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- San Diego based commercial real estate management and investment advisory firm Intersection announced the closing of escrow on La Place Court in Carlsbad on Feb. 12, 2020. The office property is the second procured by the company for the Intersection Diversified Value Fund (IDVF), which provides investors with a portfolio of properties that have in-place cash flow and high potential for appreciation.

La Place Court offers 81,965 square feet of office space on a 4.58-acre campus with two office buildings. Historically, the property has maintained a high occupancy, and as of closing, 90% of the property is leased.

Intersection acquired La Place Court from Swift Real Estate Partners, represented by Louay Alsadek, for approximately $15.8 million. Financing was completed by CBRE Capital Markets team Bill Chiles and Scott Peterson.

La Place Court is the second property in the IDVF, which is targeted to acquire $60 million in properties with approximately $25 million in equity according to Intersection Director of Acquisitions Dan Leon. The funds other property is Oberlin Court in Sorrento Mesa, which was acquired in May 2019.

We feel that the risk adjusted returns for this product type are solid, especially given the continued strength of the Carlsbad submarket as indicated by increasing tenant demand from the technology sector, improving workforce talent, and strong demographics, Leon said.

With this acquisition, Intersection officially plants their flag in Carlsbad, with plans to be a tenant of La Place Court providing on site brokerage and management services.

Having ownership on site enhances the value of the property for investors, said Intersection Senior Director Henry Zahner, who represented Intersection in the sale.

By having a presence at La Place Court, well be in a unique position to familiarize ourselves with both the property and its tenants, said Zahner. Furthermore, we will gain valuable insights in leasing remaining space.

Leon added, Being on site is all about the delivery of best-in-class service. It means being there for our tenants.

Quality of service is a hallmark for Intersection, which is led by Rocco Cortese and Mark Hoekstra. With more than 60 years of experience in the real estate industry, Cortese and Hoekstra have built a customer-focused team that is providing investment, brokerage, and management Concierge services in the commercial real estate industry.

With this focus in mind, Intersection plans to modernize the property by integrating a seamless connectivity between indoor and outdoor working environments. Leon says this will create an innovative atmosphere at La Place Court, attracting a cohesive tenant mix that lays the groundwork for collaborative opportunities among tenants.

La Place Court promises to be a truly unique work setting that already offers tenants convenience and high-end amenities. Located in the prestigious Carlsbad Research Center, the facility boasts exceptional access to Interstate 5 and Highway 78. With the McClellan-Palomar Airport less than one mile away and being centrally located between San Diego and Orange County, the property provides an ideal hub for doing business in Southern California.

By acquiring a high-end asset at below replacement cost, were providing investors with a portfolio that enhances short and long-term appreciation, Leon said.

Opportunities to invest with Intersection will remain through 2020 as the team continues to secure properties and raise capital for the IDVF. Inquiries about the fund or investing can be sent via email to investors@intersectioncre.com.

About Intersection

Intersection is a full-service commercial real estate management and investment advisory firm offering solution-driven strategies for owners, occupiers and investors in commercial real estate. The team leases and manages approximately 2.9 million square feet in California, Utah, and Colorado. For more information on Intersection, visit https://www.intersectioncre.com

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Cherng Talay Police arrest Layan Beach thief

PHUKET: Cherng Talay Police yesterday (Feb 12) arrested a thief who stole an Italian tourists waist bag, containing his passport, credit cards and cash, which was left on Layan Beach while the tourist went swimming.

tourismcrimepolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Thursday 13 February 2020, 02:49PM

After being taken to Cherng Talay Police Station and shown the CCTV footage, Thaksin confessed to stealing the bag and dumping the bag along with the passport and credit cards in a wheelie bin in front of the PTT petrol station on Ban Don-Cherng Talay Rd. Photo: Cherng Talay Police

After being taken to Cherng Talay Police Station and shown the CCTV footage, Thaksin confessed to stealing the bag and dumping the bag along with the passport and credit cards in a wheelie bin in front of the PTT petrol station on Ban Don-Cherng Talay Rd. Photo: Cherng Talay Police

The thief was arrested at Layan Beach at about 3pm yesterday (Feb 12). Photo: Cherng Talay Police

Lt Prasan Ketsaro of the Cherng Talay Police reported that the tourist, Massimo Gallo, arrived at the police station at around 3:30pm on Tuesday (Feb 11) to report that his bag had been stolen.

Mr Gallo explained that he had left his Fila waist bag on the beach while he went for a swim.

The bag contained Mr Gallos passport, four credit cards and 30 and B1,240 in cash, he said.

Police checked CCTV nearby and were able to see the man who stole the bag, Lt Prasan explained.

Then, at around 2:30pm on Wednesday, a national park officer reported that a man matching the description of the thief was back at Layan Beach.

Police went to the beach and found the man, Thaksin Chokmeesee, 21, originally from Nakhon Phanom, at around 3pm.

At the time he was taken in for questioning, Thaksin had 30 in banknotes on him, Lt Prasan noted.

However, after being taken to Cherng Talay Police Station and shown the CCTV footage, Thaksin confessed to stealing the bag and dumping the bag along with the passport and credit cards in a wheelie bin in front of the PTT petrol station on Ban Don-Cherng Talay Rd, Lt Prasan said.

Thaksin was charged with theft by using a vehicle to flee, which is a specified charge of theft in Thailand, Lt Prasan confirmed.

Officers also seized Thaksins Honda Click motorbike as evidence, he added.

Lt Prasan did not report whether Thaksin had confessed to, or was suspected of, stealing any other belongings from the beach.
A Russia-backed Syrian regime offensive on the last major rebel bastion in the country's northwest has displaced more than 800,000 people since December, the United Nations said on Thursday.

"Of the more than 800,000 people who have been displaced in northwest Syria from 1 December 2019 to 12 February 2020, some 60 percent are estimated to be children," said the United Nation's humanitarian coordination office, OCHA.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 19:33:11|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's parliamentary election campaign officially started across the country on Thursday.

According to Iran's Guardians Council of Constitution, the main entity in charge of vetting candidates, more than seven thousand candidates have been approved to compete in the February election.

Iranian people will go to the ballot boxes on Feb. 21 to elect the lawmakers for 290-seat parliament.

Nearly 58 million Iranians are eligible to vote in the 11th round of parliamentary elections.

Out of eligible people to cast a ballot in the election, 50.13 percent are men.

The two main parliamentary camps, namely reformists and principalities, have issued the list of candidates they want to field.

Last week, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the Iranians to actively participate in the upcoming elections.

Khamenei advised some Iranian media and officials to avoid "talking in a way to discourage people from attending the elections."

He also said that the enemy "exaggerates" the disputes and uses them against Iran.

The Iranian top leader called for big turnout in the election, saying that it will disappoint the enemy.

According to the state TV, the 11th parliamentary elections and the midterm elections for the Assembly of Experts, a body whose members designate the country's Leader, are to be held simultaneously on Feb. 21.
The candidates for the 11th Congressional District discussed at a forum Wednesday the countrys imploding national debt and how they plan to tackle it.

Candidates were asked during a Midland County Republican Womens luncheon if they believed President Donald Trumps recent $4.8 trillion budget proposal would do enough to address the national deficit. Many said they didnt believe it would.

I dont think it did go far enough, said Midlander Brandon Batch.

Trump has said his latest budget proposal is designed to eliminate the debt within 15 years, but Batch said he preferred the first budget Trump proposed during his time in office, which called for a 30 percent reduction from every federal agency.

I support that, Batch said. What we know for a fact is that every single federal agency that is out there spends way too much and they spend it inappropriately.

Former Midland City Councilman J.Ross Lacy said the only way the U.S. can actually dig ourselves out of this hole is by starting to eliminate departments within the federal government, including the Department of Education.

The federal government has no business being in the education business, he said. Education is a state and local issue. Its a mom-and-dad issue, and we need to bring it back to the dining room table.

Lacy also proposed eliminating the Environmental Protection Agency and the Internal Revenue Service, calling the IRS the most unconstitutional agency.

He said the EPA is being used as a weapon against the oil and gas industry, which he has previously said is capable of regulating itself.

The largest contributors to the nations $23 trillion deficit are Medicare, Social Security and the Department of Defense, which are collectively adding $3 trillion to the deficit. About $60 billion is budgeted for the Department of Education annually, and the EPAs proposed 2021 budget is $6.7 billion.

Former Midland mayor J.D. Faircloth, who has made the deficit the central focus of his campaign and has the slogan make America debt-free again, echoed the sentiment that Trumps proposal isnt enough. We cant cure the deficit overnight. Its going to take time, he said.

Congress and the president have to decide that every year were going to make a significant effort to reduce that deficit, whether its 10 percent or 15 percent, he said.

His solution would be eliminating mandatory spending within the budget and exposing waste, he said. Faircloth pointed to the most recent audit done on the Department of Defense, which he said the agency failed.

Unfortunately, thats the way Washington works and its going to be really hard to break that spending addiction, Faircloth said.
A mob in Umuoru Etiti village, Ubulu Community in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, on Wednesday, burnt down the home of a South Africa-based businessman, Declan Nsofor, for allegedly killing his brother.

This followed an online video that showed Mr Nsofor killing his kinsman, Odenigbo Ife (aka Ideh) in South Africa, during a fight.

Mr Nsofor, in the video, which went viral on Tuesday, was seen fighting Mr Ife and refusing to listen to pleas by people around to stop fighting.

At a point, he was seen picking up a large stone and hitting Mr Ife. The victim fell to the ground and reportedly died instantly.

They were said to be fighting over a business deal gone bad.

According to unconfirmed social media accounts, Mr Odenigbo stood surety for Mr Nsofor over a business deal.

But, after several months, Mr Nsofor was said to have foot-dragged in paying the debt, a development that led to the fight.

Ripples

The video incensed the youth from Amorie Ubulu who mobilised and set the house of the suspect on fire, a community source said.

Apart from setting the house of the suspect ablaze, the irate youth destroyed all his property.

Police spokesman in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident.

He said that the police had begun the manhunt for those who set the house ablaze.

Information revealed that two brothers, one Nsofor Nwazugbo, of Etiti Ubulu and one Ideh Odenigbo of Amorie Ubulu, residents in South Africa had conflict of interest in the early hour of today which resulted in fight and led to the death of Ideh Odenigbo in South Africa.

Information got to the village youths whereby the angry youths of the deceased person set the house of the suspect and properties worth millions of naira ablaze.

We mobilised to the scene, took photographs of the burnt building. No arrest had been made yet but serious effort is in progress to arresting the perpetrators for possible prosecution, Mr Ikeokwu said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company's Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon was named "Best Kentucky Bourbon" at the World Whiskies Awards on February 11, 2020. Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye also was awarded Category Gold for Rye 12 Years and Under.

American Whiskey magazine Names Kentucky Peerless Small Batch Bourbon "Best Kentucky Bourbon"

Peerless Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn was a finalist for best distiller. Finally, Peerless was among the 12 final nominees for best distillery tour, managed by Peyton Beall. Whisky Magazine, under the same publication as American Whiskey magazine, named Kentucky Peerless "Craft Producer of the Year" for the Americas and "Global Craft Producer of the Year" in 2019.

Owner and Fourth Generation Corky Taylor responds, "We are honored to be named the 2020 Best Kentucky Bourbon by American Whiskey magazine. Considering all the great bourbons made in Kentucky, we are humbled to receive this award. This award is shared by our team and wouldn't be possible without them."

Peerless Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn said, "Being recognized in front of your heroes is an unbelievably humbling experience and truly a dream come true. There are so many amazing bourbons and distilleries in Kentucky, so for us to be commended among the greats is such an honor. Our team, our families and our supporters have all worked so hard to make this possible and we are blessed to have them."

The World Whiskies Awards are industry-nominated, and according to their website, judged by a panel of "leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts". Find out more at kentuckypeerless.com or visit the distillery at 120 N. 10th Street in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open for tours and tastings Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

The Peerless family's very first bourbon went into a barrel in 1889. They have since revived the craft in their own state-of-the-art distillery in the Bourbon District, where they use the finest ingredients. The Peerless family believes that patience builds character and fine Bourbon and Rye can never be rushed. All under one roof, the select Kentucky Peerless grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled and barreled as Bourbon and Rye.

For Best Kentucky Bourbon elements, visit http://bit.ly/WhiskyMagazineAwardElements

For more information, visit kentuckypeerless.com

Contact: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company

120 North 10th Street, Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 566-4999

[email protected]

For press inquiries: [email protected] - https://kentuckypeerless.com/trade

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US military says the weapons included 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three surface-to-air missiles.

A United States Navy warship seized weapons believed to be of Iranian design and manufacture, including 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three Iranian surface-to-air missiles, the US military said on Thursday.

In a statement, the military said the guided-missile cruiser Normandy boarded a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, in the Arabian Sea on Sunday.

The weapons seized include 150 Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), which are Iranian-manufactured copies of Russian Kornet ATGMs, the statement said.

Other weapons components seized aboard the dhow were of Iranian design and manufacture and included three Iranian surface-to-air missiles, it said.

Iran did not immediately comment on the US militarys statement.

The military said that the weapons seized on Sunday were identical to those seized by another US warship in November.

Last year, the guided-missile destroyer Forrest Sherman seized advanced missile parts believed to be linked to Iran from a boat it had stopped in the Arabian Sea.

In recent years, US warships have intercepted and seized Iranian arms likely bound for Houthi fighters in Yemen.

Under a United Nations resolution, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the Security Council. A separate UN resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leaders.

The Houthis have built their arsenal using local manufacturing, foreign expertise and parts smuggled in from Iran, their ally, and elsewhere. The conflict in Yemen is seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Without question, the role of Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof"  the patriarch of a Jewish family who struggles over questions of identity during a time of religious persecution in early 20th-century Russia  is a towering figure in the musical theater canon. One might consider it a dream role for male performers of a certain age; its past portrayals by actors like Zero Mostel and Chaim Topol made indelible impressions upon audiences.

Yet for Yehezkel Lazarov, who plays Tevye in the touring Broadway production making a stop at Proctors this week, the prospect of taking on such an iconic character was not necessarily among his hopes as a young performer growing up in Israel. Musicals have only recently begun to find a foothold in the country, Lazarov explains; before the early 2000s, large-scale musical productions were rare and unlikely to be successful. Although he began tap dancing at age 8 and spent his boyhood Saturday mornings watching his parents' collection of musicals on videotape, the unwritten rule was "If you're a theater actor, you don't do musicals."

Lazarov's adult career has included acting and directing in the works of Yiddish author Sholem Aleichem, whose stories about Tevye the Dairyman were the basis for "Fiddler." But he did not feel particularly connected to the musical itself. "(It) was a film that we all saw, and we all knew the song ("If I Were a Rich Man")," he says. "We all know that there is Topol, that he's (been) playing it for like 20 years and he did thousands of shows... it belongs to him, you know? It's his show."

That all changed for Lazarov when his agent contacted him about the tour. "He knew the production, and he heard that they were looking for a Tevye... and without even asking, he talked to them about me," Lazarov laughs.

Taking the role meant turning his life upside-down  certainly it would impact his ability to focus on the interdisciplinary arts school he had founded in Israel; the play he was in the middle of directing and multiple other projects he was working on; and his role as a husband and father. He refers to the decision to sign on as one of "those moments when you just cannot say no... you don't really understand why."

The why became clearer to him once he accepted; his personal connections to the role ran much deeper than he had realized. Like Tevye, Lazarov has three daughters of his own. His real-life relationship with his wife, who is not Jewish, similarly tested the resilience of family ties against the backdrop of religion. And, perhaps most significantly, his own grandparents had left their small Russian village on foot to escape the pogroms. In terms of the importance of the role finding him at this time in his life, he says that "it almost seems like my grandfather and my grandmother planned it."

Others may also discover a deeper connection by looking at the show from a fresh perspective, as well. The current production offers new choreography by Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins. The set is simple and modern; Lazarov refers to it as "just exactly what you need on stage, nothing more than that."

"It's very easy to take 'Fiddler on the Roof' in the direction of caricatures," Lazarov adds. He credits director Bartlett Sher for creating a "very clear, very clean" authentic sensibility that doesn't try "to be something (other) than what it is."

And what it is can perhaps best be summed up by considering three areas in which Lazarov sees the play's relevance to the present day. First, he says, "it's about the balance. It's about the fiddler on the roof, standing there, being in a dangerous place  as we all are. (It's) the moment that you look in the sky and you're talking to God... and you're doubting your own beliefs."

The second has to do with "tradition"  the title of another of the show's best-known songs. "On the one hand, tradition is one of the most beautiful things that keeps us alive, keeps us together... and on the other hand, it can be a devastating thing. It can be something (to) ruin a family, ruin a community," he says.

And finally, it's about politics: "It's a story about immigrants at the end of the day. They all need to leave their homes because of pogroms, because someone doesn't want them there... It keeps this play extremely relevant," he adds. "As long as human beings and God exists, 'Fiddler on the Roof' will continue to be relevant."

Tony Pallone is a contributor to the Times Union.
All smiles for now as party colleagues say farewell to Brendan Howlin

Brendan Howlin has announced his resignation as Labour leader after the party decided that it will not play any formal role in the next government.

A leadership contest will get under way in the coming weeks.

Speaking after a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) at Leinster House yesterday, Mr Howlin said the party did not receive a mandate to enter any government in the 33rd Dail.

However, he did not rule out the party supporting certain policies from opposition.

Mr Howlin met Green Party leader Eamon Ryan yesterday to discuss policy co-ordination and has also held talks with the leaders of the Social Democrats and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin in recent days.

He declined to be drawn on his discussions with Mr Martin.

Nomination

Labour's executive board will meet this weekend to approve arrangements for the election of the next leader. Any candidate who wishes to enter the race will need a nomination from another TD or senator.

Among the contenders likely to throw their hat into the ring are former deputy leader Alan Kelly, who was unable to secure a nomination to challenge Mr Howlin for the leadership four years ago.

Mr Kelly is likely to face competition from Aodhan O Riordain and Ged Nash, who both regained Dail seats they lost four years ago in last weekend's General Election.

Mr Nash declined to be drawn on his intentions yesterday.

"It's Brendan's day," he said.

Mr O Riordain and Mr Kelly did not respond to calls. Another potential contender, Cork East TD Sean Sherlock, is understood to be ruling himself out of the contest.

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin yesterday, Mr Howlin said: "It has been an honour to lead the Labour Party but now is the right time to pass on the baton to a new generation.

"It has been undoubtedly a difficult election for us but I believe we have succeeded in sowing the seeds for future growth."

Mr Howlin failed to improve on Labour's worst-ever election result having assumed the leadership from Joan Burton in 2016.

The party returned six TDs in the General Election - one fewer than it had in the last Dail.
We only have one planet and we need to protect it, Abu-Taleb said. Small businesses are having a tough time. I will not be supportive of an ordinance that would penalize a business that is doing business in our village. I just want us to be more thoughtful in how we approach this matter. We like the direction. Its just how to get there.
Plans for a bridge to connect Northern Ireland and Scotland could follow similar plans to the Oresund Bridge, which connects Denmark and Sweden. (Getty)

Boris Johnsons proposal to link Scotland and Northern Ireland with a bridge is not only possible but could be built within 15 years, according to a structural engineer.

Ian Firth, a fellow at the Institution of Civil Engineers, said there were a "huge number of technical challenges" in the prime ministers idea for a crossing between the two areas across the Irish Sea.

But the bridge designer said "anything is possible if you throw enough money at it"  and that such a structure could be built within 15 years.

The proposal of a bridge over the 20-mile gap between Northern Ireland and Scotland has been modelled on the Oresund Bridge, which runs for five miles across the Oresund strait between Sweden and Denmark.

Boris Johnson told MPs to 'watch this space' over proposals for the bridge. (AP)

One idea for the bridge that Firth suggests is a cable-supported floating bridge with towers supported by large, submerged pontoons connected to the sea bed by cables.

A bridge above the water faces the potential issue of ships hitting bridge supports, so they would need to be spaced by about 1km apart, meaning no more than two ships could pass at any one time.

Read more: A bridge too far? UK looks at linking Scotland to Northern Ireland

A potential solution to this could be to not have a bridge at all, and instead submerging a tube and tethering it to the seabed, Firth saidFirth.

However, a tunnel could limit safety options in the event of a fire or an accident, according to The Conversation.

Firth described the project as being "right up there" with the toughest bridges built thus far in the world, and said he thought such a plan would be "eye-wateringly expensive.

Possible routes for the bridge connecting Scotland to Northern Ireland. (PA)

Chris Richards, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Civil Engineers, said the proposal should be put to the National Infrastructure Commission and subject to a "comprehensive and independent" study.

Downing Street said this week that a "range of officials" were looking at the idea of a bridge, but was unable to say how many civil servants were examining proposals.

Story continues

Read more: All the times HS2 was 'given the green light'

The prime minister's official spokesman said it was a "proper piece of work" and that Johnson was "ambitious" about infrastructure projects across the country.

Johnson has repeatedly spoken about such a bridge, even though experts have warned that the depth of the Irish Sea and the presence of dumped munitions would cause problems for any project.

Portpatrick in Scotland is one of the starting points being considered for the bridge. (Getty)

The project could cost a reported 20bn, although Johnson has previously said it would "only cost about 15bn.

Read more: EU chiefs dig at Boris Johnsons Australian-style Brexit

The prime minister told MPs "watch this space" when asked about the prospect of a "Boris bridge" in Parliament in December 2019.

The distance from Larne to Portpatrick, one of the most likely routes for a bridge, is around 45km.

There is no problem with distance, money or the Beaufort's Dyke explosives disposal area, according to the prime minister.

Government sources said it was possible to build a bridge with a tunnelled section to cope with some of the difficulties caused by the depth of the Irish Sea.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
As with Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, it is up to the surveillance court that handles the cases of the inmates held in the Catllar facility to decide whether Forcadell is granted the leave she has requested. Unlike what happens with any leave longer than three days, the benefit can be granted before a favourable judgement is handed down and then taken away, if the judge turns it down. This means that Carme Forcadell will be leaving the Mas dEnric prison in the coming days to start doing voluntary work and look after a member of her family. One of the reasons the former Speaker had given to support her request was her mothers health. She has also asked to be allowed to do voluntary work Forcadell is retired now but no details have emerged as to which NGOs she will be helping out.

The former Speaker of the Catalan parliament will still be a category 2 inmate, but thanks to Article 100.2 of the prison systems regime she will enjoy several benefits that category 3 inmates enjoy ordinarily. The main one is day-time leave during the week. In order to apply for weekend leave Forcadell with either have to wait until she has served a quarter of her sentence o be classed into category 3. For now she will be going back to her prison cell in Mas dEnric every evening on the three weekdays when she will be given day-time leave. At weekends and the other two weekdays, she will remain in jail.

One of the last to be given leave

Forcadells leave programme will allow her to be released a year before she serves the first quarter of her sentence. Following her conviction for a crime of sedition, Spains Supreme Court imposed an 11.5 year prison sentence on the former Speaker and she will be allowed to request leave through to February 2021. This is in part because of the lengthy prison sentence she received after the failed independence bid in 2017, but also because she was not imprisoned until 23 March 2018, whereas the two Jordis have been locked up since 16 October 2017. Oriol Junqueras and Joaquim Forn have been in prison since 2 November 2017.

As with the other political prisoners, once Forcadell has served one fourth of her sentence, she will be allowed to apply for up to a full weeks worth of leave at one time, but no more than 36 days per year. Inmates are also allowed to combine that leave with some outings that must first be authorised by the prison board.

Besides the rules and regulations that apply to penitentiary facilities, the PSOE is looking to reform Spains criminal code, which might have a bearing on Forcadells situation, as well as that of the other Catalan political prisoners. The Spanish government has gradually been disclosing details of the intended changes the latest is that it will become a crime to glorify the Franco regime but lowering or scrapping the penalty for the crime of sedition is something that would be commensurate to the length of each individual sentence.
The New York Times reports today that the Bloomberg campaign is going big with a social media campaign run by Jerry Media. I got to thinking that the name sounded familiar, and then I remembered: Jerry Media is the social media marketing company, big with so-called self-appointed online influencers, behind the disastrous Fyre Festival. (If you havent seen the Netflix documentary about Fyre, settle in with some good adult beverages; you wont believe it. Of course, in the age of Theranos, another epic fraud fueled in part by a credulous media, I guess we can believe it.)

The Fyre Festival seems like the perfect metaphor for this years bonfire of the Democratic Party vanities.

Meanwhile, a thought: What if Bernie Sanders is actually a clever DNC ploy to make every other Democratic candidate look moderate, when in fact they are all just as socialist-stupid as he is? This especially comes to mind with regard to Mayor Pete, who the media is now calling a moderate even though there are lots of reasons to suspect he is deeply radical, as Roger Simon argues in his Epoch Times column this week. We know that Democrats conceal their true views from voters as much as possible, and the problem with Bernie is that he channels the inner id of Democrats too well. But as I say, maybe this is not an accident?

The debut of Bloomberg on the debate stage and upcoming primary ballots at last complicates the scene, but if Buttigieg emerges as the main challenger to Sanders, expect at least a few in the media to start running Who Is the Real Pete Buttigieg? stories. In this respect he reminds me of Gary Hart in 1984. Heres an excerpt from my Age of Reagan account of the rise and fall of Hart:

In the two weeks after New Hampshire, Hart trounced Mondale in Florida, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Nevada. Hart had barely campaigned in some of these states, and his organization was thin. Hart was suddenly the front-runner, and campaign contributions instantly surged. Fresh opinion polls showed Hart drawing even with Reagan in a head-to-head matchup. So many things were going wrong that Mondale contemplated dropping out of the race; a campaign aide prepared a memo for the logistics of withdrawing. The front-loaded primary schedule that was supposed to benefit Mondale threatened to be his rapid undoing; had the 1984 primaries been as front-loaded as they are today, it surely would have meant his quick end, as it did to Howard Dean in 2004. In 1984 the process was still sufficiently dilated to allow Mondale a small window of time to recover.

Apply this lesson to Biden as you like. To continue:

Presidential candidates who rise from obscurity in American politics tend to be like half-baked souffles: they collapse just as quickly. With success came intensified media scrutiny, and soon it emerged that Hart was . . . weird. It turned out his given name was Hartpence; he had shortened it to Hart in college, but gave contradictory accounts of why he had done so. He had radically changed the style of his signature well into adulthood. And there was an odd discrepancy about his age: Hart claimed to be 46, and his campaign biography said he was born on November 28, 1937. In fact Hart was born in 1936. He had started using the latter date when he applied to the Virginia Bar in 1965, and had used the new date ever since. He had studied for a divinity degree at Yale, but curiously omitted this fact from his various biographies such as Whos Whoand the Congressional Directory. Harts only new ideas, one of his campaign aides quipped, were his name and his age. . . Harts problem, as Richard Brookhiser observed, was that the candidate of new ideas could not afford weird behavior, and Harts bizarre explanations for these biographical oddities set off a media feeding frenzy and unnerved a lot of Democrats. What the public held against Hart, Ronald Steel wrote later, was not his lack of solutions, but his lack of authenticity. Numerous leading media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the TV networks ran prominent features on Harts peculiarities. The hypothesis must be entertained that the media, having been caught off guard by Harts surprise emergence, was out to exact retribution. The New York Times and the three TV networks dont like it when they proclaim before the first primary that Mondale is the all but certain nominee, only to have the pesky voters defy them. Who gave Hart permission? His candidacy had made a fool of Washington insiders, Times William A. Henry wrote; No one, no matter how long his memory, was able to recall anything in politics to compare with the mania of exuberance about Gary Hart that swept America. Prairie fire, Harts delighted partisans called it. (Curious that Harts boosters used the same catch phrase Reagan had been using for 20 years.) The media was certain to do its best to put the fire out. On the CBS Evening News in early March, shortly before the next round of big primaries, Dan Rather led a segment thus: Who is this man, this Gary Hart? On NBC the following night, Roger Mudd asked: How old is Gary Hart? And why did he change his name? NBC wasnt done. Two nights later, NBCs John Dancy offered another Hart segment that began: Who is Gary Hart, anyway, and what does he believe? Tom Brokaw dismissed Hart as this seasons hit rock-n-roll single. Roger Mudd practically taunted Hart in an interview: Why do you imitate John Kennedy so much? CBSs Bruce Morton kept up the theme: Gary Hart is the hottest political property around, at least this week. But who is he? ABC was not left out, with Jack Smith delivering a devastating syllabus of Harts strangeness: Hes even fudged the year of his birth.

As I say, expect some of this treatment for Mayor Pete if he surges to the top.

It should also be pointed out that the Democratic convention in San Francisco that yearI attended as a reportercould be thought of as the beginning of the identity politics chokehold on the Democratic Party. But thats for another day.

ChaserThis is CNN! (with the caveat that this headline may not be authentic, or may have been removed).
Thursday 13 February 2020 marks the 60th anniversary of the first French nuclear test in Algeria. To be followed-up later in 1960s in French Polynesia, the experiements turned France into one of the world's foremost nuclear powers. But seven decades on, thousands of victims are still waiting for compensation from the French government.

The site chosen for France's first nuclear test, Codenamed "Gerboise Bleu" or "Blue Desert Rat" was the Reganne oasis 700 km south of Colomb Bechar in the Algerian Sahara.

The operation, authorized by then-President General Charles de Gaulle, took place at 0704 GMT on 13 February 1960 and was about four times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

"Hurray for France," de Gaulle wrote at the time.

French authorities continued to use the Reggane site for the next three atmospheric tests, but this soon triggered severe condemnation from other African nations, forcing the government to take its nuclear testing underground.

However, in 1962 further controversy broke out after an underground nuclear blast named "Beryl" dispersed radioactive rock and dust into the atmosphere, which victims say left a legacy of environmental devastation and health problems that linger today.

In 1996, then-President Jacques Chirac called a halt to nuclear testing.

Most experiments took place in French Polynesia. But 17 took place in Algeria between1960 and 1966, ending just four years after Algeria's independence from France.

Activists maintain that testing sites are still contaminated, with many just fenced off by barbed wire, at best.

Waiting for compensation

Altogether, between 27,000 to 60,000 people from communities surrounding the test sites were affected, according to one media report.

Frances nuclear compensation commission, CIVEN, said more than 1,600 claims have been filed under a 2010 French law that finally acknowledged health problems linked to the tests.

To qualify, victims need to prove that they have a minimum level of exposure to weapons tests and suffer from one of two dozen possible types of cancer.

Story continues

Of the 51 claims from Algeria, only one claim has been honoured.

The unresolved fallout of the nuclear explosions has fed into longstanding tensions between Paris and its former colony.

Experts say that Algerians want the French to recognise the crimes committed against them. Numerous Saharan residents today suffer cancers, blindness and birth defects.

In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that France's colonialisation of Algeria had been a "crime against humanity."
GUYSBOROUGH, N.S. - The judge overseeing an inquiry into a triple-murder and suicide carried out by an Afghanistan war veteran says Lionel Desmond faced a large gap in treatment for a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Desmond Fatality Inquiry is being held at the Guysborough Municipal building in Guysborough, N.S. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

GUYSBOROUGH, N.S. - The judge overseeing an inquiry into a triple-murder and suicide carried out by an Afghanistan war veteran says Lionel Desmond faced a large gap in treatment for a severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder.

As testimony drew to a close Thursday, provincial court Judge Warren Zimmer also said Veterans Affairs Canada did not share key information about Desmond's mental illnesses with the last health professional to talk to him before he shot his family and himself on Jan. 3, 2017.

The provincial fatality inquiry, which started last month in Guysborough, N.S., has heard evidence that after Desmond was discharged from a treatment facility in Quebec in August 2016, he received no therapeutic treatment before the killings four months later.

"From August to December (2016), I haven't seen anything to suggest there had been a real therapy session anywhere, any time," Zimmer told the inquiry.

"That's a big gap."

The inquiry has heard that Desmond sought help through a Nova Scotia hospital's emergency room on two occasions before he managed to meet in December 2016 with a community-based psychotherapist in Antigonish, N.S., contracted by Veterans Affairs.

Catherine Chambers, a therapist who specializes in treating PTSD, told the inquiry she had been in touch with Desmond's case manager at Veterans Affairs but never received any medical documents from the department.

Zimmer read from Veterans Affairs reports indicating Desmond had not responded well to the treatment at the Quebec facility. As well, staff at the facility said Desmond could be suffering from cognitive impairments that required a sophisticated neuropsychological assessment.

"I want you to have an appreciation for what was known at the time that he was discharged and was coming to you," Zimmer told Chambers.

"It's important to appreciate that all of this information was sitting there, and you had none of it."

Zimmer then cited testimony from a psychiatrist in Antigonish who said in a Dec. 2, 2016, report that it appeared Desmond was "falling through the cracks in terms of follow-up by military and veterans programs."

"This information would have been valuable for you to know," Zimmer said to Chambers, "that the person who's coming to see you had, by the view of Dr. Slayter, 'fallen through the cracks?'"

Chambers agreed, saying the recommendation that Desmond receive a neuropsychological assessment for cognitive problems meant he wasn't a good fit for community-based psychotherapy like she provided.

She admitted she did not ask Desmond's case worker at Veterans Affairs to send her any documents, though there was evidence the department was in the process of sending consent forms for Desmond to sign that would allow for the release of health records.

"Since the events of Jan. 3, 2017, my experience has been that information has been provided more regularly," Chambers testified, adding that she now makes a point of requesting health records before she agrees to see any veterans.

Earlier in the hearing, Zimmer read aloud from a Veterans Affairs letter, dated Dec. 15, 2015 after Desmond had been discharged from the military, recommending him for treatment at Ste Anne's Hospital in Montreal, which has an operational stress injury clinic.

At that point, Veterans Affairs was already aware Desmond's PTSD symptoms were severe and that he suffered from a major depressive disorder.

Desmond received treatment in a residential unit between May 30, 2016 and Aug. 15, 2016, when he left the program early, complaining about excessive noise and lack of trust with staff.

On Aug. 9, 2016, Desmond's Veterans Affairs case worker reported he had experienced minor progress at the facility and, more importantly, staff had observed "what appears to be cognitive limitations." That's when Veterans Affairs recommended a neuropsychological assessment, Zimmer told the inquiry.

"We know that he left that clinic in August, and I don't think we can point to any kind of therapeutic intervention up to and including Jan. 3, 2017," Zimmer said.

On Wednesday, Chambers testified that Desmond called her only a few hours before the killings to schedule an appointment, but he also told her his wife Shanna had recently asked for a divorce  a key piece of evidence that had not been revealed to the inquiry until this week.

On Thursday, Chambers said Desmond's phone call indicated to her he was in a state of crisis, mainly because of the news of the divorce and the fact that the couple had argued about a minor vehicle accident on New Year's Eve  and Desmond was asked to leave the family home.

Chambers, who had met twice with Desmond in December, said she succeeded in getting him to agree to a "safety plan," which required him to stay away from his home and to go to the hospital if his PTSD symptoms flared or if he started having thoughts of harming himself or others.

"He said he did not have plans to hurt himself or anyone else," she told the inquiry.

About three hours later, Desmond legally purchased a SKS 7.62 Soviet-era semi-automatic carbine, which he later used to kill his 31-year-old wife, their 10-year-old daughter Aaliyah and his 52-year-old mother Brenda inside the family's home in Big Tracadie, N.S.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.

 By Michael MacDonald in Halifax

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version referred to Desmond as a former sniper.
In a nutshell: As game streaming still tries to break into the mainstream, companies continue to open and test their services on as many platforms as possible. The latest is xCloud for iPhones and iPads. Microsoft is beginning a testing period on Apple mobile devices, but Cupertino's iron grip on its ecosystem is holding back the iOS version of the service.

Microsoft launched a limited preview of its Project xCloud gaming-streaming service on iOS. The app is available for those registered with the TestFlight program. Microsoft will be inviting 10,000 testers to try xCloud on iPhone or iPad. Those missing the first batch of previews may be invited later, as Microsoft will be swapping users in and out during the testing period.

The app does have some limitations, however.

To comply with App Store policies, the preview experience on iOS may look and feel different for those who have been testing on Android, said Microsofts Director of Programming Larry Hryb, referring to a list of changes to the app.

Unlike the Android version of xCloud, the iOS app will not have the ability to stream games from an Xbox console. It will be an xCloud-only platform, at least for now. Additionally, Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be the only title available for the time being. Apple, for some reason, is disallowing anything else to run on its hardware.

It is not unusual for apps to be canned due to Apples iOS restrictions. The ill-fated OnLive game-streaming app was slated for an iPhone release, but never got approval from Cupertino. It was speculated at the time that it was due to a disagreement over running in-app purchases through Apples app store.

Users interested in being in the iOS xCloud preview need to jump through a few hoops to be selected. First, they must have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.0 or later with Bluetooth 4.0. They will also need a Microsoft account linked to their gamer tag.

Microsoft says users need a Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One wireless controller. PlayStation 4 controllers are also now compatible with iOS, but it is unclear if it will work with xCloud or if Redmond is just trying to push Xbox controller sales. Give it a try and let us know.

Users not already registered for the Android version of the xCloud preview can sign up through its web form. Those already using xCloud, need to update their registration to indicate that they want in the iOS pool. Microsoft says that this does not void their Android preview, and they can play on either device.

After completing the registration or the device update, users will be sent invites via email on a first-come-first-served basis until all 10,000 slots are filled. Microsoft did not indicate how long the first round of testing would be.

Well distribute invitations to participate on a first-come, first-served basis, said Hryb. For testing purposes, we may need to cycle through registrants in order to best utilize the available testing audience. If you miss out on the initial allocation, you might receive an invitation to participate later in the preview!

With only one game to play, it hardly seems worth the effort, but hopefully, Apple will loosen its restrictions and allow more titles on the platform sometime down the road.

Masthead credit: Wccftech
The Ministry of Health has introduced an electronic supply chain management system as the master plan to improve healthcare delivery.



The five-year strategic plan (known as the Ghana Integrated Logistics Management Information System (GhILMIS) is aimed at coordinating demand and supply chain processes effectively.



The challenges to be addressed by the electronic platform include shortage of medical supply due to delayed approval and procurement processes and the lack of adequate data on medical supplies stock.



Launch



At the launch of the system in Koforidua last week, the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, said it was characterised by improved ability to forecast operational demand, time acquisition, reduce administrative processing time and increase management efficiency, among other benefits.



He said the system would help the country to better address prevailing implementation challenges and form the bedrock for the structural transformation of the public health supply chain.



Today, I am delighted to state that the GhiLMIS is live and operational in all our supply chain entities at the central level, all regional medical stores, our four teaching hospitals and 200 plus regional and district hospitals, he said



He added that the system had started yielding results even in the early stages of implementation and cited the results to include facilitating the availability of real time data and accountability mechanisms; harnessing data revolution that supported informed decision making and reduction of logistics transaction cycle time from one week to one hour.



Other results, he said, included the reduction of level of effort (LOE) from people to a person, optimisation of both capacity management and transportation projected to significantly reduce overall supply chain costs resulting in effective resource utilisation.



Mr Agyeman-Manu said it was expected that by November 2020, all health centres and functional CHPS would have been successfully signed onto the system fully.



Reforms



He said the introduction of the system formed part of overall reforms within the health sector to improve healthcare delivery and accelerate the delivery of Universal Health Coverage.



He said the government, through the MoH and its agencies, primarily the Ghana Health Service (GHS), had over the past decade undertaken a comprehensive and coordinated strategic reform, critical to strengthening the public health sector supply chain to fully support the delivery of a stronger and robust all-responsive national health system.



One of the principles of this transformation agenda is leveraging the availability of modern innovative technology and information management systems to provide end-to-end visibility and facilitate the accessibility to quality supply chain data aimed at driving strategic decision-making across the value chain, he said.



Mr Agyeman-Manu said the development started in 2012 and was revised in 2015 while in 2017, the MoH, with support from development partners, initiated the process to procure and implement an LMIS that supported the availability of the right health commodities when and where beneficiaries needed them.



He said the piloting of the system in 2017 included starting the process to automate all business processes used in the management of a full logistics and supply chain management life cycle of healthcare commodities and creating a single LMIS that supported all logistics functionalities adaptable to the needs of individual MoH entities.



Shift from Paper base-system



The Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said moving away from paper-based systems and accepting the e-LMIS system was quite challenging initially but with effective collaboration and involvement of all key stakeholders it had become a success.



He underscored the importance of the system in an era where technology kept evolving in public health systems to boost healthcare delivery.



We must have systems that ensure essential health commodities are available to the right clients when they need them. Supply chain managers need to have visibility into all functions of the supply chain such as procurement, warehousing, inventory, distribution, funding, and policy, he said.



Mr Kuma-Aboagye said the GhiLMIS had provided near-real time accessibility to quality supply chain data.

Source: Daily Graphic









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Surrogate mothers-for-hire, Chinese man arrested in Bangkok

BANGKOK: Five Thai women paid to be illegal surrogate mothers and a Chinese man were arrested at a large house in Bangkok during a series of police raids this morning (Feb 13).

crimeChinese

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 13 February 2020, 02:19PM

A hired surrogate mother and a baby boy, aged around 30 months, detained during a police raid on a large house in Bangkok this morning (Feb 13). Photo: Bangkok Post

More than 200 police and officials from other agencies were involved in operations targeting 10 premises in Bangkok and other provinces shortly before dawn.

Police said a total of nine people, a Chinese couple and seven Thais, were arrested on court warrants during raids in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Sukhothai provinces.

The Chinese suspects are Ran Zhao, 37 and his wife Su Yingting, 48.

Five Thai women were arrested - Wilasinee Su, 50, Lah Khantiyo, 43, Siyaporn Sawadipan, 30, Wiyada Chuechan, 35, and Saibua Jaemmee, 44 - and two men - Nikhom Simarat, 48, Thammanoon Panjasangkhom, 40.

A tenth suspect remained at large.

The raids followed a police investigation into a group of Chinese nationals they learned hired Thai women as surrogate mothers, which is illegal.

At a large house on Nakniwas Road in Lat Phrao district of Bangkok, they found six Thai women, a 30-month-old baby boy and a Chinese man. Most of the women were surrogate mothers, according to police.

The women and the Chinese man were held in police custody for legal action. The child was placed in the care of welfare officials.

Pol Maj Gen Worawat Watnakornbancha, chief of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, said police had been tracking a commercial surrogacy network. It had been providing illegal surrogacy services since 2012. Its agents approached Thai women, offering them payment to be surrogate mothers.

They paid the women 400,000-600,000 baht each. If a woman had twins she was paid extra, Pol Maj Gen Worawat said.

Once the Protection of Children Born from Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act 2015 took effect, outlawing surrogacy, the surrogacy network had instead arranged for the women they hired to be impregnated with donor sperm in a neighbouring country, and then return to Thailand.

When they were due, the women were flown to China and gave birth there. Afterwards, they returned to Thailand alone, the ATPD chief said.

The Royal Thai Police Office would work with Chinese authorities in finding the whereabouts of the babies, he added.

About 30 women had been hired to be surrogate mothers, spread over five provinces, Pol Maj Gen Worawat said.
Agitating against



the alleged delay in the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, an outfit on Thursday staged a protest during the visit of Union minister Krishan Pal Gurjar to West Khasi Hill district, officials said.

Upon arrival of Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar to the venue of an event here, members of Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisation (CoMSO), an umbrella body of 15 outfits, were seen waving black flags and showing placards, they said.

"We are here to remind that Meghalaya wants ILP," one of the placards read.

Chairman of CoMSO, Robertjune Kharjahrin, said the protest was to remind the Union minister and the Centre about the ILP resolution passed by the Meghalaya Assembly and that it should immediately approve it.

Newly appointed Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui met the CoMSO leaders and requested them to withdraw their volunteers from various locations across the state who have been put up by the outfit to thwart illegal immigration to the state.

Rymbui said the Meghalaya government is doing its best to urge the Centre to grant ILP to the state.

The Meghalaya Assembly had adopted a resolution demanding implementation of ILP in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Eric Williams Photography

Green activist Maya van Rossum is in New Mexico this week to talk about her new book, The Green Amendment: Securing Our Right to a Healthy Environment.

While in Albuquerque this past Saturday, Van Rossum stopped by Weekly Alibi HQ to talk about the book and how it applies to the state of New Mexico, where she hopes to foster the introduction of legislation to amend our states constitution to include the green amendment. She plans to have such a measure ready at next years 60-day legislative session.

The adoption of a green amendment to the state constitution would ensure a future grounded in conservation and environmentally healthy priorities to make life here happy and sustainable.

Essentially, van Rossum believes that regulatory laws enacted and enforced by legislators with regards to the environment just dont work. Her book, in fact, argues that such laws and regulations are designed to accommodate pollution, not prevent it.

This is an untenable situation that can only be resolved by making state constitutions the arbiters of environmental law. Van Rossum, a lawyer from Pennsylvania, is also the head of a non-profit group called the Delaware Riverkeepers, where she is the chief Riverkeeper.

Background

Maya van Rossum is a lively, positive human being. Shes been actively engaged in environmental advocacy and litigation for over 25 years. Not only is she known nationwide as the Delaware Riverkeeperpart of an organization that spans four states where the Delaware River runsbut for her advocacy for the Green Amendment.

My Green Amendment movement, which is what brings me to New Mexico, is really an outgrowth of that 25-plus years of environmental advocacy. Van Rossums history as a advocate for river biospheres specifically and environmental protection in general is well-regarded and when asked to describe her vision, she does so enthusiastically.

Its twofold. Throughout that time, I have come to starkly recognize that no matter what state youre inPennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware or the state of New Mexicoour environmental laws are failing us. They are failing us because they are focused on permitting and managing environmental pollution and degradation. Theyre not about preventing that.

To van Rossums mind, it all has to do with the function of government in our postmodern society. Government does whatever they want to do, and at the end of the process, they say, Okay, lets think about the environment. At that point, its too late. The environment is already polluted, contaminated. So at that point, they issue a permit to manage the degradation that were allowing to happen.

Fundamental Rights

Because of what she sees as a long-term imbalance between government processes and the protection of the environment, van Rossum is convinced that there is only one solution that will get our culture back on track to prevent further spoiling of the Earth while establishing sustainability as the overarching force in American environmental law.

Were going to change the entire landscape. Were not just going to change our perceptions, but also the legal structure. Were going to transform it and the way were going to do that ishopefully here in the state of New Mexico and my goal is to do this in every state of the nationto have added to the bill of rights section of the state constitution what I call a Green Amendment.

Van Rossums book makes it clear that such an amendment would enable great change, leveling the playing field in contests between environmentalists and industry. A green constitutional amendment promises to effect a broader cultural and intellectual transformation. This sea change, according to van Rossums main thesis, is about explicitly recognizing the right to a healthy environment. Such constitutional recognition would alter how people think about the environment and our relationship to it. The mantra pure water, clean air and a healthy environment would take on the stature of an entitlement in peoples minds, becoming far more that what it is nowa nice idea.

All Change

In the midst of a 2020 legislative session focused on finance and education, van Rossum is looking to next years session to introduce a measure to amend the states constitution as outlined above. The passage of such a measure would ultimately result in a voter referendum on the issue. Its an amendment that recognizes and protects the inalienable rights of all people, including future generations, to pure water, clean air and a stable climate. It will be the duty of government officials to protect those rights.

In a state where the major operating money to keep the state runningand even advancinghas lately been coming directly from a booming oil and gas industry, Weekly Alibi asked van Rossum how she plans to sell such a change to the states constitution to working people in the northwest and southeast parts of the Land of Enchantment. We also wondered how change might be affected at the currently anti-regulatory federal level.

Van Rossums answer was clear. Of course we want people to understand, to act justly and morally. We want to make it clear: We dont want you to not have a job, we just dont want you to have a job that kills people. So lets make that transition, lets create clean energy jobs, lets help citizens learn new trades so that they can have good paying jobs that dont jeopardize future generations.
An iceberg twice the size of Washington, D.C., has broken off the Pine Island glacier in Antarctica, scientists reported this week.

The Pine Island glacier recently spawned an iceberg over (297 square kilometres) that very quickly shattered into pieces, the European Space Agency (ESA) said in a statement.

The Pine Island glacier is one of the fastest-retreating glaciers in Antarctica, according to NASA. The glacier and the nearby Thwaites glacier together contain enough vulnerable ice to raise global sea level by 1.2 meters, NASA said.

What you are looking at is both terrifying and beautiful, Mark Drinkwater, head of the Earth and Mission Sciences Division at the ESA, told CNN. It is clear from these images (that the Pine Island glacier) is responding to climate change dramatically.

The glacier has been losing large chunks of ice over the past three decades. While large calving events like this one used to take place at Pine Island glacier every four to six years, theyre now a nearly annual occurrence, the Washington Post said.

Its floating ice front, which has an average thickness of approximately 500 meters, has experienced a series of calving events over the past 30 years, some of which have abruptly changed the shape and position of the ice front, the ESA said.

Over the past eight years, the Pine Island glacier is losing about 58 billion tons of ice a year, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Copernicus twin Sentinel-1 all-weather satellites have established a porthole through which the public can watch events like this unfold in remote regions around the world, Drinkwater said in a news release.

What is unsettling is that the daily data stream reveals the dramatic pace at which climate is redefining the face of Antarctica, he said.

Read more about:
The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 spacecraft is lowered into horizontal position at its Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport launch site at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 12, 2020. Antares is scheduled to launch Cygnus on a NASA cargo mission on Feb. 14.

Northrop Grumman will launch a Valentine's Day NASA care package to astronauts on the International Space Station today (Feb. 14) and you can watch the action live online.

An uncrewed Cygnus cargo ship, which has been delayed since Sunday (Feb. 9), is scheduled to launch on an Antares rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. Liftoff is set for 3:43 p.m. EST (2043 GMT).

You can watch the Cygnus launch live here and on Space.com's homepage, courtesy of NASA TV. NASA's webcast will begin at 3:15 p.m. EST (2015 GMT).

Related: Bacteria & bone: Here's the science launching on Cygnus NG-13

More: How Northrop Grumman's Antares rockets & Cygnus ships work

Northrop Grumman initially tried to launch the Cygnus cargo mission, called NG-13, just after sunset on Sunday, but a sensor issue on ground equipment forced a delay. Foul weather prevented launch attempts for much of this week, but conditions appear to be improving, NASA officials said.

The odds of good weather at launch time are about 80% for Friday, with thick clouds and ground winds the main concerns, NASA officials said. Those weather odds improve to a 95% chance of good conditions on Saturday (Feb. 15), but drop back to 80% on Sunday, if needed.

The Cygnus NG-13 spacecraft is carrying 7,600 lbs. (3,400 kilograms) of experiment gear, food and other supplies for the three-person Expedition 62 crew on the space station. If all goes well, the spacecraft should arrive at the station on Sunday (Feb. 16).

NASA TV will provide live coverage of the Cygnus-13 spacecraft's arrival at the station, beginning at 2:30 a.m. EST (0730 GMT).

Visit Space.com on Friday for launch coverage of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-13 cargo mission for NASA.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram.
What is a DDoS attack?

A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is when an attacker, or attackers, attempt to make it impossible for a service to be delivered. This can be achieved by thwarting access to virtually anything: servers, devices, services, networks, applications, and even specific transactions within applications. In a DoS attack, its one system that is sending the malicious data or requests; a DDoS attack comes from multiple systems.

Generally, these attacks work by drowning a system with requests for data. This could be sending a web server so many requests to serve a page that it crashes under the demand, or it could be a database being hit with a high volume of queries. The result is available internet bandwidth, CPU and RAM capacity becomes overwhelmed.

The impact could range from a minor annoyance from disrupted services to experiencing entire websites, applications, or even entire business taken offline.

Related video: Early warning signs of a DDoS attack

3 types of DDoS attacks

There are three primary classes of DDoS attacks:

Volume-based attacks use massive amounts of bogus traffic to overwhelm a resource such as a website or server. They include ICMP, UDP and spoofed-packet flood attacks. The size of a volume-based attack is measured in bits per second (bps). Protocol or network-layer DDoS attacks send large numbers of packets to targeted network infrastructures and infrastructure management tools. These protocol attacks include SYN floods and Smurf DDoS, among others, and their size is measured in packets per second (PPS). Application-layer attacks are conducted by flooding applications with maliciously crafted requests. The size of application-layer attacks is measured in requests per second (RPS).

For each type of attack, the goal is always the same: Make online resources sluggish or completely unresponsive.

DDoS attack symptoms

DDoS attacks can look like many of the non-malicious things that can cause availability issues  such as a downed server or system, too many legitimate requests from legitimate users, or even a cut cable. It often requires traffic analysis to determine what is precisely occurring.

A DDoS attack timeline

It was an attack that would forever change how denial-of-service attacks would be viewed. In early 2000, Canadian high school student Michael Calce, a.k.a. MafiaBoy, whacked Yahoo! with a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack that managed to shut down one of the leading web powerhouses of the time. Over the course of the week that followed, Calce took aim, and successfully disrupted, other such sites as Amazon, CNN and eBay.

Certainly not the first DDoS attack, but that highly public and successful series of attacks transformed denial of service attacks from novelty and minor nuisance to powerful business disruptors in the minds of CISOs and CIOs forever.

Since then, DDoS attacks have become an all too frequent menace, as they are commonly used to exact revenge, conduct extortion, as a means of online activism, and even to wage cyberwar.

They have also gotten bigger over the years. In the mid-1990s an attack may have consisted of 150 requests per second  and it would have been enough to bring down many systems. Today they can exceed 1,000 Gbps. This has largely been fueled by the sheer size of modern botnets.

In October 2016, internet infrastructure services provider Dyn DNS (Now Oracle DYN) was stuck by a wave of DNS queries from tens of millions IP addresses. That attack, executed through the Mirai botnet, infected reportedly over 100,000 IoT devices, including IP cameras and printers. At its peak, Mirai reached 400,000 bots. Services including Amazon, Netflix, Reddit, Spotify, Tumblr, and Twitter were disrupted.

In early 2018 a new DDoS technique began to emerge. On February 28, the version control hosting service GitHub was hit with a massive denial of service attack, with 1.35 TB per second of traffic hitting the popular site. Although GitHub was only knocked offline intermittently and managed to beat the attack back entirely after less than 20 minutes, the sheer scale of the assault was worrying, as it outpaced the Dyn attack, which had peaked at 1.2 TB a second.

An analysis of the technology that drove the attack revealed that it was in some ways simpler than other assaults. While the Dyn attack was the product of the Mirai botnet, which required malware to infest thousands of IoT devices, the GitHub attack exploited servers running the Memcached memory caching system, which can return very large chunks of data in response to simple requests.

Memcached is meant to be used only on protected servers running on internal networks, and generally has little by way of security to prevent malicious attackers from spoofing IP addresses and sending huge amounts of data at unsuspecting victims. Unfortunately, thousands of Memcached servers are sitting on the open internet, and there has been a huge upsurge in their use in DDoS attacks. Saying that the servers are "hijacked" is barely fair, as they'll cheerfully send packets wherever they're told without asking questions.

Just days after the GitHub attack, another Memecached-based DDoS assault slammed into a US service provider with 1.7 TB per second of data.

Related video: The Dyn DDoS attack one year later

The Mirai botnet was significant in that, unlike most DDoS attacks, it leveraged vulnerable IoT devices rather PCs and servers, Its especially scary when one considers that by 2020, according to BI Intelligence, there will be 34 billion internet connected devices, and the majority (24 billion) will be IoT devices.

Unfortunately, Mirai wont be the last IoT-powered botnet. An investigation across security teams within Akamai, Cloudflare, Flashpoint, Google, RiskIQ and Team Cymru uncovered a similarly sized botnet, dubbed WireX, consisting of 100,000 compromised Android devices within 100 countries. A series of large DDoS attacks that targeted content providers and content delivery networks prompted the investigation.

On June 21, 2020, Akamai reported that it had mitigated a DDoS attack on a large European bank that peaked at 809 million packets per second (Mpps), the largest ever packet volume. This attack was designed to overwhelm the network gear and applications in the target's data center by sending billions of small (29 bytes including IPv4 header) packets.

Akamai researchers said that this attack was unique because of the large number of source IP addresses used. "The number of source IPs that registered traffic to the customer destination increased substantially during the attack, indicating that it was highly distributed in nature. We saw upward of 600x the number of source IPs per minute, compared to what we normally observe for this customer destination," the researchers noted.

DDoS attacks today

While the volume of DDoS attacks has wavered over time, they are still a significant threat. Kaspersky Labs reports that the number of DDoS attacks for Q2 2019 increased by 32% over Q3 2018, primarily due to a spike in attacks in September. For 2020, Cloudflare reports that the volume of DDoS attacks increased every quarter except Q4,

Recently discovered botnets like Torii and DemonBot capable of launching DDoS attacks are a concern, according to Kaspersky. Torii is capable of taking over a range of IoT devices and is considered more persistent and dangerous than Mirai. DemonBot hijacks Hadoop clusters, which gives it access to more computing power.

Another alarming trend is the availability of new DDoS launch platforms like 0x-booter. This DDos-as-a-service leverages about 16,000 IoT devices infected with the Bushido malware, a Mirai variant.

A DDoS report from Imperva found that most DDoS attacks in 2019 were relatively small. For example, network-layer attacks typically did not exceed 50 million PPS. The report's authors attributed this to DDoS-for-hire services, which offer unlimited but small attacks. Imperva did see some very large attacks in 2019 including a network-layer attack that reached 580 million PPS and an application-layer attack that peaked at 292,000 RPS and lasted 13 days.

That trend changed in Q4 2020 when Cloudflare reported a "massive uptick" in the number of attacks over 500Mbps and 50K pps. Those attacks also became more persistent with nearly 9% of attacks observed between October and December lasting more than 24 hours.

Cloudflare also observed what it called a "distrubing trend" in the increased number of RDDoS attacks in 2020, where organizations receive a threat of a DDoS attack that will disrupt their operations unless a ransom is paid. The malicious parties tend to target victims that are less able to respond and recover from such an attack.

DDoS attack tools

Typically, DDoS attackers rely on botnets  collections of a network of malware-infected systems that are centrally controlled. These infected endpoints are usually computers and servers, but are increasingly IoT and mobile devices. The attackers will harvest these systems by identifying vulnerable systems that they can infect through phishing attacks, malvertising attacks and other mass infection techniques. Increasingly, attackers will also rent these botnets from those who built them.

How DDoS attacks evolve

As mentioned briefly above, its becoming more common for these attacks to be conducted by rented botnets. Expect this trend to continue.

Another trend is the use of multiple attack vectors within an attack, also known as Advanced Persistent Denial-of-Service APDoS. For instance, an APDoS attack may involve the application layer, such as attacks against databases and applications as well as directly on the server. This goes beyond simply 'flooding,' attacks says Chuck Mackey, managing director of partner success at Binary Defense.

Additionally, Mackey explains, attackers often dont just directly target their victims but also the organizations on which they depend such as ISPs and cloud providers. These are broad-reaching, high-impact attacks that are well-coordinated, he says.

This is also changing the impact of DDoS attacks on organizations and expanding their risk. Businesses are no longer merely concerned with DDoS attacks on themselves, but attacks on the vast number of business partners, vendors, and suppliers on whom those businesses rely, says Mike Overly, cybersecurity lawyer at Foley & Lardner LLP. One of the oldest adages in security is that a business is only as secure as its weakest link. In todays environment (as evidenced by recent breaches), that weakest link can be, and frequently is, one of the third parties, he says.

Of course, as criminals perfect their DDoS attacks, the technology and tactics will not stand still. As Rod Soto, director of security research at JASK explains, the addition of new IoT devices, rise of machine learning and AI will all play a role in changing these attacks. Attackers will eventually integrate these technologies into attacks as well, making it more difficult for defenders to catch up with DDoS attacks, specifically those that cannot be stopped by simple ACLs or signatures. DDoS defense technology will have to evolve in that direction as well, Soto says.

Editor's note: This article, first published in September 2017, has been updated to include current data from Cloudflare.

More on DDoS attacks:
Pearland residents and businesses recently fell victim to various instances of identity theft, phone scams and passing of fake money, according to reports from the citys police department.

A man and woman passed counterfeit $100 bills Feb. 4 in the 11100 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, according to a Feb. 5 police report.

A woman passed a counterfeit $5 bill during a gasoline purchase Feb. 5 in the 11100 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, police said.

A forged $100 bill was reported Feb. 9 in the 1900 block of Main Street, police said.

Credit-card information was stolen between Dec. 26, 2019, and Feb. 3, according to a police report filed Feb. 3 in the 2100 block of Main Street.

Identity theft was reported Feb. 3 in the 2300 block of Granite Shoals Court, police said.

Police filed a report for stolen banking information Feb. 3 in the 8800 block of Hawk Road.

Identity fraud occurred between Jan. 17 and Feb. 3, according to a police report filed Feb. 3 in the 1300 block of Laurel Leaf Lane.

An accountant was scammed into wiring money from a business account, according to a police report filed Feb. 4 in the 3200 block of Parker Drive.

A manager at a restaurant on Business Center Drive was scammed after a phone call, according to a Feb. 5 police report.

Credit-card information was stolen between Dec. 26, 2019, and Feb. 4, according to a police report filed Feb. 4 in the 2300 block of Cedar Street.

A Steam/iTunes gift card scam occurred between Jan. 31 and Feb. 4, according to a police report filed Feb. 4 in the 2700 block of Shauntel Street.

Police filed a credit-card abuse report Feb. 5 in the 2500 block of Rock Shoals Way.

Identity fraud occurred between Nov. 1, 2019, and Feb. 5, according to a police report filed Feb. 5 in the 1500 block of Knotty Pine Circle.

Credit-card abuse was reported Feb. 6 in the 15800 block Texas 288, police said.

Identity fraud occurred between July 21, 2019, and Jan. 3, according to a police report filed Feb. 8 in the 13600 block of Silent Walk Drive.

Police filed an identity theft report Feb. 8 in the 1200 block of Romero Drive.

Theft

Theft occurred between Jan. 31 and Feb. 3, according to a police report filed Feb. 3 in the 2100 block of Pearland Parkway.

A Jan. 21 theft was reported Feb. 3 in the 2700 block of Miller Ranch Road, police said.

Police filed a theft of service report Feb. 3 in the 3500 block of Business Center Drive.

Shoplifting was reported Feb. 3 in the 11000 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, police said.

Theft occurred Jan. 30 or Jan. 31, according to a police report filed Feb. 4 in the 3100 block of Main Street.

Police charged a Houston man, 17, with shoplifting and evading arrest Feb. 4 in the 11200 block of Broadway Street. Two 18-year-old Houston men also were charged with shoplifting, police said.

A woman stole merchandise Feb. 5 from Dillards, 11200 Broadway St., police said.

Theft from a building was reported Feb. 5 in the 2800 block of Pearland Parkway, police said.

Police filed a shoplifting report Feb. 6 in the 1900 block of Main Street.

Vehicle theft occurred Feb. 5 or Feb. 6 in the 2400 block of Business Center Drive, police said.

Police conducted a vehicle theft investigation Feb. 6 in the 2700 block of Pearland Parkway.

Police took a Houston man, 35, into custody on a Harris County warrant after he allegedly shoplifted Feb. 6 at Buc-ees, 11151 Shadow Creek Parkway.

A Friendswood woman, 34, was charged with shoplifting and failure to identify as a fugitive Feb. 6 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police charged a 17-year-old Pearland man with shoplifting Feb. 6 in the 1900 block of Main Street.

Vehicle theft was reported Feb. 7 in the 2400 block of Business Center Drive, police said.

Theft occurred Feb. 3, according to a police report filed Feb. 7 in the 12300 block of Shadow Creek Parkway.

Police filed a theft report Feb. 7 in the 3500 block of Business Center Drive.

A package was stolen from a UPS service Feb. 7 in the 11200 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police charged two Houston men, 34 and 39, with shoplifting Feb. 8 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street.

Theft occurred between Jan. 17 and Feb. 8, according to a police report filed Feb. 8 in the 2700 block of Green Mountain Drive.

Police filed a theft report Feb. 9 in the 3900 block of Conroe Lake Court.

Police charged a Houston man, 34, and woman, 40, with theft Feb. 9 in the 1900 block of Main Street.

A Pearland woman, 56, was taken into custody on a shoplifting charge Feb. 9 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was reported Feb. 9 in the 1000 block of Main Street, police said.

Burglary

A handgun was stolen from an unlocked vehicle between Jan. 25 and 29 in the 1900 block of Prairie Creek Drive, according to a Feb. 3 police report.

Burglary of a building was reported Feb. 4 in the 1000 block of Main Street, police said.

Police filed a vehicle burglary report Feb. 4 in the 2500 block of Business Center Drive.

Property was stolen from a vehicle Feb. 5 in the 2900 block of Cedar Hill Court, police said.

Burglary of a habitation was reported Feb. 5 in the 2600 block of Old Alvin Road, police said.

Police filed a building burglary report Feb. 8 in the 11600 block of Shadow Creek Parkway.

Police filed a vehicle burglary report Feb. 8 at a park in the 3400 block of Pearland Parkway. The victims credit card was used later at H-E-B and Kohls in League City, police said.

Robbery

Police filed an aggravated robbery report Feb. 5 in the 3500 block of Broadway Street.

Narcotics

A boy was found in possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone Feb. 3 in the 4700 block of Bailey Road, police said.

An adult student was found in possession of a vaping device containing a yellow substance believed to be THC Feb. 3 in the 3700 block of Main Street, police said.

Police charged a Pearland man, 21, with possession of marijuana, unlawfully carrying a weapon and evading arrest with a vehicle Feb. 3 in the 10100 block of Broadway Street.

An Alvin man, 39, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and evidence tampering Feb. 3 in the 1200 block of Main Street, police said.

Police charged a Houston man, 34, with possession of a controlled substance Feb. 4 in the 12600 block of Mykawa Road.

A Pearland man, 31, was charged with possession of a controlled substance Feb. 5 in the 11100 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Three students were found in possession of a vaping device Feb. 5 in the 2300 block of Old Alvin Road, police said.

A Houston man, was charged with marijuana possession Feb. 5 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway, police said.

Police took a Pearland man, 22, into custody on charges of marijuana possession and DWI Feb. 6 in the 8600 block of Broadway Street.

Police charged a Houston woman, 24, with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance Feb. 6 in the 16600 block of Texas 288.

A Rosharon man, 20, was charged with marijuana possession Feb. 7 in the 16000 block of Texas 288, police said.

Police charged an Alvin man, 23, with possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a controlled substance and evidence tampering Feb. 7 in the 5000 block of Main Street.

A 29-year-old Pearland woman was charged with marijuana possession after a traffic stop Feb. 8 in the 3400 block of Southdown Drive, police said.

Assault

Family violence was reported Feb. 3 in the 6500 block of Hillock Lane, police said.

A Pearland man, 39, received a citation for assault Feb. 3 in the 4400 block of Halik Road, police said.

Police issued an assault citation to a 22-year-old Houston man after a reported verbal disturbance Feb. 3 in the 15700 block of Texas 288.

A student pushed a school employee Feb. 4 in the 2000 block of Cullen Parkway, police said.

Assault was reported Feb. 5 in the 9400 block of Hughes Ranch Road, police said.

Aggravated assault occurred Jan. 22, according to a police report filed Feb. 5 in the 4400 block of Magnolia Oaks Drive.

A student squirted liquid hand sanitizer into a teachers eye Feb. 6 in the 3300 block of Manvel Road, police said.

Assault was reported Feb. 7 in the 6500 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police filed an assault, family violence report Feb. 7 in the 1400 block of Oday Road.

Police charged a Pearland man, 23, with assault against an elderly or disabled individual Feb. 8 in the 3200 block of Flower Field Lane.

A Pearland woman, 29, was charged with assault, family violence Feb. 9 in the 5700 block of Groveton Lane, police said.

Police filed an assault by threat report Feb. 9 in the 2900 block of Perdido Bay Lane.

Driving while intoxicated

Police charged an Alvin woman, 56, with DWI Feb. 8 in the 6900 block of Broadway Street.

A Houston man, 37, was charged with DWI Feb. 9 in the 8300 block of Broadway Street, police said.

Police took a Pearland man, 38, into custody on a DWI charge Feb. 9 in the 3300 block of Veterans Drive.

Police charged a 30-year-old Houston man with DWI Feb. 9 in the 14100 block of Texas 288.

Threats, harassment

Police filed a report for hoax bombs after a suspicious package was found Feb. 4 in the 4700 block of Bailey Road.

Harassment occurred between Jan. 5 and Feb. 4, according to a police report filed Feb. 4 in the 4600 block of North Magnolia Elms Drive.

Harassment was reported Feb. 7 in the 5800 block of Magnolia Parkway, police said.

False report

False report to a peace officer occurred between Sept. 21, 2019, and Feb. 4, according to a police report filed Feb. 4 in the 2400 block of Country Club Drive.

Police charged an 18-year-old Pearland man with false statement to a peace officer Feb. 7 in the 11500 block of Carson Avenue.

Criminal trespass

A male suspect trespassed on school grounds Feb. 5, according to a police report filed Feb. 7 in the 2000 block of Cullen Parkway.

Police filed a criminal trespass report Feb. 8 in the 3300 block of Broadway Street.

Public intoxication

Police took a Houston woman, 30, into custody on a charge of public intoxication Feb. 7 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway.

A Pearland man, 46, was charged with public intoxication Feb. 8 in the 2500 block of Business Center Drive, police said.

Traffic

Police charged a Houston man, 36, with driving while license invalid Feb. 5 in the 1800 block of Kingsley Drive.

A Houston man, 30, was charged with no drivers license Feb. 8 in the 2700 block of Cullen Parkway, police said.

Other incidents

Police charged a 17-year-old Houston man with disorderly conduct Feb. 7 in the 11300 block of Broadway Street.

A vehicles rear window was broken Feb. 8 or Feb. 9, according to a police report filed Feb. 9 in the 2500 block of Dry Bank Lane.
T wo of the worlds top chefs are partnering in aid of a charity that supports those in the service industry whove fallen on hard times.

On April 22, Alain Ducasse and Jason Atherton will host guests for a five course supper at Ducasses eponymous, three Michelin-starred restaurant in the Dorchester hotel, raising money for Hospitality Action. Atherton is Principle Patron of the charity.

The menu will feature some of the chefs signature dishes, including Ducasses Scottish langoustines, cooked up with pistachio and citrus, and Athertons turbot with morels and black truffle. While the pair will host the evening, including the opening Champagne reception, their executive chefs will be in the kitchen; Jean-Phillipe Blondet of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and Daniel Birk of Atherton's Social Company.

The five-courses come with a wine pairing and is priced at 290 per person, with a substantial percentage of proceeds going toward Hospitality Action. The 183-year-old charity offers financial, physical and psychological support to those in the hospitality sector who are struggling.

Hosting this event with Alain, a chef who I have always looked up to and followed, is incredibly special. To be supporting a charity I feel so passionately about is an honour, especially to do so at an institution like Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Atherton said, I hope other chefs and restaurateurs see someone like the legendary Ducasse backing Hospitality Action as encouragement for them in turn to champion outstanding conditions for our chefs, waiters, and hospitality professionals. We cant wait to raise a toast with you to celebrate all they do.

Tickets go on sale on February 17 at 9am, with a second batch released on March 16. Reservations can be made over the phone, on 020 7629 88 66, or via email anais.malet@AlainDucasse-Dorchester.com.

For more information on Hospitality Action, visit hospitalityaction.org.uk
If ever there were any questions about whether the region could sustain a new Mercedes-Benz dealership after an 11-year absence from the area, those doubts have been proven wrong.

We never had any doubts, say owners Peter and Michelle Wirth, who opened Mercedes-Benz of Springfield in October 2017.

Mercedes-Benz is the car brand with the highest customer loyalty. Once someone drives one, they are highly likely to drive a Mercedes-Benz for the rest of their life, Peter Wirth adds.

Just two years after opening their doors, the numbers  well ahead of projections  prove there are many loyal Mercedes-Benz owners in the region.

At the time the Wirths held a birthday party for the dealerships second anniversary on Oct. 16, the numbers told the story:

 Over 16,000 cars serviced since opening day; and

 Nearly 2,077 vehicles sold and delivered.

When you open a new dealership, you usually give it three years to gauge its success. Overall, we have far exceeded our expectations, and, at two years in October, we were already where we hoped to be after three or four years in business here, Michelle Wirth says.

The Wirths  he was previously general manager and she was chief marketer at Mercedes-Benz of Nanuet, New York  have long been bullish on the Mercedes-Benz brand. She has a degree in mechanical engineering and began her career with Mercedes-Benz USA, where she held positions in engineering, public relations and marketing. He is also no stranger to the brand, having grown up in a town not far from Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters to Mercedes-Benz, where he learned more about the luxury product while working as an intern at the company.

85 Mercedes-Benz of Springfield hosts car wash fundraiser for local businessman and family

Adding to their confidence in opening the dealership were two factors: their location at 295 Burnett Road in Chicopee; and the realization that there is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle for almost everyone, Peter Wirth notes.

When you open your dealership, Mercedes-Benz gives you an exclusive market area, which for us includes 169 ZIP codes in four different states from Western Massachusetts to Northern Connecticut as well as southern Vermont and New Hampshire, he explains. We selected our site at the end of (Interstate 291) and the intersection of Exit 6 on the Massachusetts Turnpike because of its convenient access from these areas. I believe that if you have a good reputation, that you truly care about your customers, and offer good service and the right price, people will travel to you for service and sales.

For customers, we have entry level coupes, sedans and SUVs that all begin in the mid-$30,000 price range, as well as commercial vehicles for your business that start in the same price range, he adds.

The Wirths, who left their home in northern New Jersey to settle in Northampton with their four children, have quickly become a part of the business and social fabric of the community.

Weve made it our intention to work with as many local organizations as possible. That means buying locally whenever possible or donating space at our modern, floor to ceiling glass building for nonprofits to hold events, Michelle Wirth says.

Mercedes-Benz of Springfield has also added to the regional economy and workforce by steadily growing in numbers, initially staffing their new endeavor with 30 employees on opening day, now growing to 48.

We were fortunate to be able to hire a local workforce to open our dealership, many with a familiarity with Mercedes-Benz vehicles, she says, noting they continue to expand their workforce and are currently looking to fill additional positions.
A viral video has captured the unnerving moment a chunk of ice made bizarre sounds after being dropped down a 450ft-deep borehole.

In the footage posted on Twitter, the ice core makes an unnerving variety of laser-like pinging sounds and an unusual 'heartbeat' as it crashes to the bottom of the hole.

Scientists were in Antarctica extracting 8,000-year-old ice cores to study Earth's prehistoric climate when they recorded the video.

Scientists were in Antarctica extracting 8,000-year-old ice cores to study Earth's prehistoric climate when they had their own piece of fun and dropped the ice core down a deep borehole (pictured)

WHAT IS THE DOPPLER EFFECT? The Doppler Effect is a well-understood physical phenomenon which is also seen in astrophysics as the universe expands and creates 'redshifting', but is more commonly seen in sirens. For example, when a blaring ambulance or police car shoots past with its sirens on, they seem high pitched as they approach you and then lower pitched as they speed past. This is due to the compression of sound waves as they come closer, and they then stretch out as they grow more distant. A stretched out sound wave has a greater wavelength, and therefore a lower frequency, resulting in an increasingly lower pitch. Advertisement

The video was posted by isotope geochemist, John Andrew Higgins and University of Washington Postdoctoral Research Associate, Peter Neff.

Dr Neff posted a similar video in February 2018 which went viral with more than ten million views.

But a different version surfaced earlier this month and has already received almost 23,000 likes.

In a the video filmed by Dr Higgins, Dr Neff reveals the ice cores were drilled at Law Dome in Antarctica.

The research team was taking huge pieces of ice and extracting them in a bid to study their composition.

He says: ' We are drilling a whole bunch of ice cores to pull out ancient air to study how the atmosphere cleans itself.

'The most recent work that I've done is with the ice bubbles that are trapped in the ice.

'We have ice that can be up to 8,000 years old. Just like tree rings, we can build records of what climate was like in the past.

'Once you have all of these boreholes that you're done with, you've done all the science.

'The logical human thing to do is to throw some ice down a deep hole to see what it sounds like. And that's what we did.'

Dr Neff explains that the distorted sound heard as the ice falls is a bizarre change in pitch, which is the Doppler effect.

As the ice core fell, an unnerving variety of laser-like pinging sounds and an unusual 'heartbeat' was created as it crashed to the bottom of the hole

Dr Neff, talking in a video taken by the University of Washington, revealed the ice cores were drilled at Law Dome in Antarctica

This is a well-understood physical phenomenon, which is also seen in astrophysics as the universe expands and creates 'redshifting', but is more commonly seen in sirens.

For example, when a blaring ambulance or police car shoots past with its sirens on, they seem high pitched as they approach you and then lower pitched as they speed past.

This is due to the compression of sound waves as they come closer, and they then stretch out as they grow more distant.

A stretched-out sound wave has a greater wavelength, and therefore a lower frequency, resulting in a decreasing pitch.

This creates the unusual distorted sound. But the laser-like noises at the end of the video are created by the ice hitting the bottom of the hole.

Dr Neff explains: 'When the ice hits the bottom of the borehole, the sound doesn't only come straight up.

'The soundwaves start to bounce of the side of the hole.'

This bouncing affect off the walls of the borehole is also responsible for the soft heartbeat sound created at the end.
Director General of Police-rank IPS officer A B Venkateswara Rao, who was placed under suspension by the Andhra Pradesh government, on Thursday filed a petition in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) challenging his suspension from service, terming it "highly illegal."



He sought quashing of the suspension order forthwith.

The Andhra Pradesh government late on Saturday night placed Rao under suspension for allegedly "endangering" national security through his "acts of treason" when he was state Intelligence chief during the previous government.

Rao, who belongs to the 1989 batch, was removed as Anti-Corruption Bureau DG immediately after the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government assumed office on May 30 last year. Ever since, he has not been given a posting.

In his petition, Rao alleged that his suspension was "highly illegal, arbitrary, based on malafide, bias and malice and in violation of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969."



He also contended that it was a gross violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India and principles of natural justice.

Rao said he had an unblemished service of over 30 years during which he was awarded the prestigious Indian Police Medal for meritorious service and President's Police Medal for distinguished services.

He was also a recipient of the Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak and UN Medal for Peacekeeping.

On his transfer from the ACB DG post on May 30, 2019, Rao said he was not issued posting orders despite several oral and written representations to the government and was also not paid salary and allowances for the past eight months.

His last written plea was made on January 28, 2020.

"As a rebuttal, a Government Order (GO) was issued late on the night of February 8 placing me under suspension, despite it being an official holiday.

The order copy was served personally only at 7.15 am on February 13," he pointed out.

In the GO No 18, Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney said Rao's suspension was 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.

A leaked 'confidential' report on Rao, considered the 'Man Friday' of previous 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 wilfully 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 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.

Rao said there was no truth in the report and he was not mentally perturbed over it.

His son Chetan Sai Krishna, too, rubbished the allegations and said he never did any business with either the Andhra Pradesh government or any other government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
She portrays Cecilia Kass, a woman who has recently escaped an abusive relationship in the new thriller.

And Elisabeth Moss looked dazzling in a bold, scarlet puff-sleeved gown as she attended the Invisible Man photocall at the London West Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The Handmaid's Tale star, 37, stunned in her eye-catching ensemble as she joined an effortlessly chic Juliette Lewis, 46, at the event.

Lovely: Elisabeth Moss looked dazzling in a bold, scarlet puff-sleeved gown as she attended the Invisible Man photocall at the London West Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles on Wednesday

Elisabeth was every inch the Hollywood siren in her stunning dress which featured a full skirt and a tie waist that cinched her in at the waist.

She boosted her height with dark navy heels, while she matched her pedicure with her ensemble.

The TV star left her blonde tresses to fall loosely on her shoulders, while she accentuated her features with a subtle palette of make-up.

Meanwhile, Juliette looked stylish in a cream blazer and matching creme Equipment Hanne satin blouse.

She tucked her top into a pair of wide-legged black trousers and added a pair of pointed black heels.

Looking good: The Handmaid's Tale star, 37, stunned in her eye-catching ensemble as she joined an effortlessly chic Juliette Lewis, 46, at the event

Her raven tresses were styled into tousled waves, while she added a slick of shimmering make-up.

The pair were all smiles as they attended the photocall for the Sci-fi/Thriller, written and directed by Leigh Whannell.

The film, adapted by the H.G Wells classic sees Cecilia's abusive ex-boyfriend - scientist Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) - terrorise her after faking his own death and making himself invisible in a lab.

Stunning: Elisabeth was radiant as she posed for snaps at the event

Wow: Elisabeth was every inch the Hollywood siren in her stunning dress which featured a full skirt and a tie waist that cinched her in at the waist

Finishing touches: She boosted her height with dark navy heels, while she matched her pedicure with her ensemble

After she's left a large sum of money, she finds herself being stalked by an Invisible Man which she believes to be him.

In real life, the Mad Men alum is very good at 'turning it off' and 'compartmentalizing' her life when on and off-screen.

'I'm really good at turning it off, going home and texting my friends, having a glass of wine, and putting it aside,' Elisabeth said in the February edition of Harper's Bazaar.

'It's not unconscious. I need to be able to do that to treat my work with joy and enthusiasm.'

Fabulous: The TV star left her blonde tresses to fall loosely on her shoulders, while she accentuated her features with a subtle palette of make-up

Chat: 'I'm really good at turning it off, going home and texting my friends, having a glass of wine, and putting it aside,' Elisabeth said in the February edition of Harper's Bazaar

Passionate: 'It's not unconscious. I need to be able to do that to treat my work with joy and enthusiasm'

Chilling: The film, adapted by the H.G Wells classic sees Cecilia's abusive ex-boyfriend - scientist Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) - terrorise her after faking his own death and making himself invisible in a lab

New thriller: Elisabeth portrays Cecilia Kass, a woman who has recently escaped an abusive relationship in the new thriller

Moss aspires to be like her peers Holly Hunter, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep - who remain guarded and private off camera despite giving it their all each take.

'I don't think it has to do with your level of stardom but in how you conduct your life,' the homeschooled Scientologist explained.

'You have to be careful. Once the information is out there, you can't take it back.'

The two-time Emmy winner continued: 'I totally understand why people want to know that stuff. I see a story about Olivia Colman, who I love, and I want to devour it.

'I dissect it like, "Where does she live? What does her kitchen look like?" I want to see Olivia's kitchen. But I never want to get to the point where someone's watching something I'm doing and thinking about what my kitchen looks like.'

Style Queen: Meanwhile, Juliette looked stylish in a cream blazer and matching creme Equipment Hanne satin blouse

Effortlessly chic: She tucked her top into a pair of wide-legged black trousers and added a pair of pointed black heels
South Africans suffering from slow Internet connectivity could see relief by the end of the weekend.

Two more repairs on submarine cables that connect South Africa and other African countries to Europe are set to be finished on Sunday 16 February, restoring international end-to-end connectivity on both affected lines.

The updates were provided by the South African National Research Network (SANReN) and the Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa (TENET).

WACS S4 UK Break: The cable vessel is in progress with fault isolation activities. Tentative ETR 16th Feb 2020. SAT-3 Congo Break: work is progressing according to the planned schedule with an ETR of 16th Feb 2020.  REN Alerts (@RENAlerts) February 12, 2020

Three breaks occurred on the two undersea cables along the western coast of Africa and close to the UK on 16 January. Two of the breaks were on the WACS line and one on the SAT-3 cable.

This left many South African Internet users with slow connectivity to sites and services hosted internationally.

The causes of the faults have not been confirmed, although reports indicate that one of the breaks on the WACS cable may have been caused by pressure from heavy sediment which flowed down along the seabed from the mouth of the Congo River.

Repair progress

The first WACS break was repaired by the crew on the cable-laying vessel the Leon Thevenin, which departed Cape Town Harbour on 23 January.

It is currently attending to another break along the Congolese coastline  this time on the SAT-3 cable  and is expected to complete repairs on Sunday.

Another vessel left the Avonmouth Docks in Bristol, England on Wednesday afternoon and arrived at the location of the second WACS cable fault along the UK coast on the same day.

The latter repair was initially scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, but the ship was delayed due to heavy winds and rough sea conditions caused by Storm Ciara.

ISPs affected

Although many South African ISPs were initially severely affected by the breaks, much of the international traffic was diverted to additional capacity on the Seacom cable running along Africas East Coast.

MyBroadbands speed tests showed that mobile operators Vodacom and MTN appear to be virtually unaffected by the issue, while Cell C and Rains international speeds were roughly half that of their local speeds.

Telkom was the worst-affected, with international speeds being reduced to 5% that of local speeds.

The Internet Service Providers Association said that increased local peering and improved redundancy had ensured that South Africa was not completely cut off from the rest of the world while the cables were broken.
Even though many wines that once demanded aging  whether Bordeaux, Barolo, Napa cabernet sauvignon or Burgundy  can now be consumed younger, these wines still benefit from additional aging. Some that we have tried in Wine School, like Pomerol and Bandol, would certainly have been better with a few more years under their corks.

One category, however, tries to make life easier for all lovers of aged wine. That would be our subject over the last month, Rioja Gran Reserva, in which the rules of the appellation require that wines be aged at least five years by the producers before they can hit the market. Many are even older than that by the time they are sold.

This system of equating quality with age is out of step with current thinking that the potential of a wine is more a function of the distinctiveness of its terroir.

Within Rioja, a debate over this point drags on. More than a few producers no longer employ the official terms indicating a wines aging before release, like crianza (three years), reserva (four years) and gran reserva.

Instead, some label wines simply by their provenance, as is now the custom in so many other parts of the world. Since these wines generally dont use label terminology like gran reserva, they are not bound to age the wines before sale, so they dont.

At Wine School, we are sympathetic to arguments in favor of terroir. Yet we also cherish traditional styles. And we are grateful that some of the greatest Rioja producers, like R. Lopez de Heredia, are simultaneously traditional and progressive. Lopez ages its gran reservas longer than any other producer before they are sold, but these wines are also identified as products of single vineyards.

As always, I recommended three good examples of the wine. They were: Faustino I Rioja Gran Reserva 2006, Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Gran Reserva Monte Real 2010 and La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 2009.
Officials in Chinas Hubei replaced after surge in deaths and criticism of provincial governments handling of outbreak.

China on Thursday removed the top political leadership in Hubei, the province at the centre of the escalating coronavirus outbreak, shortly after health officials there reported 242 people died from the virus on Wednesday  more than twice the number of the previous day and the highest daily toll since the outbreak began. This has raised the death toll to 1,367.

The province and its capital Wuhan where the infection now known as COVID-19 is thought to have originated in late December also reported more than 14,800 new cases of the infection after adopting new clinical methods to diagnose the virus.

The number of infected across China rose to 59,805.

At least 25 countries have confirmed cases and several nations have evacuated their citizens from Hubei. Three deaths have been recorded outside mainland China  one in Hong Kong, one in the Philippines, and the most recent in Japan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the virus poses a grave threat to the world, with chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying the virus could have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action.

Updates for February 13 have concluded. For February 14 updates click here.

Thursday, February 13

Economic Advisor: White House disappointed in Chinas transparency

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow Thursday said the Trump administration was disappointed with Chinas response to the coronavirus and the fact that no United States health officials have been invited in to help with the outbreak.

We thought there was better transparency coming out of China, but it doesnt appear to be, Kudlow said.

Trumps says China handling Coronavirus professionally

US President Donald Trump praised China over its handling of the fast-moving coronavirus outbreak in an interview that aired on Thursday, adding that the United States was working closely with Beijing.

I think theyve handled it professionally, and I think theyre extremely capable, Trump said in a podcast broadcast on iHeart Radio.

Asked if China was telling the truth about virus, Trump said: Well, you never know. I think they want to put the best face on it.

Indian generic drugmakers may face supply shortages from China

Shortages and potential price increases of generic drugs from India loom if the coronavirus outbreak disrupts suppliers of pharmaceutical ingredients in China past April, industry experts told Reuters news agency.

An important supplier of generic drugs to the world, Indian companies procure almost 70 percent of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for their medicines from China.

Indias generic drugmakers say they currently have enough API supplies from China to cover their operations for up to about three months.

WHO: No major change in trajectory of coronavirus outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that a spike of 14,000 coronavirus cases in China on Thursday was the result of new counting methods, and did not represent a major shift in the outbreak.

This increase that youve all seen in the last 24 hours is largely, in part, down to a change in how the cases are being reported, Michael Ryan, head of WHOs health emergencies programme, told reporters.

Ryan also said he expected members of a WHO-led international mission to China to arrive over the weekend.

US confirms 15th case of COVID-19

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday confirmed the 15th case of the coronavirus in the United States, and said the person under federal quarantine at an airbase in Texas was the latest confirmed case.

It is the first person under quarantine at the airbase among a group of people that arrived from China on February 7 who had symptoms and tested positive for the disease, the CDC said.

Beijing florist gives out hand sanitiser with Valentines Day flowers

Its the eve of Valentines Day and flower seller Cai Xiaoman is enclosing a special gift  a small bottle of hand sanitiser to ward off coronavirus  as she sends out her last few bouquets to customers in Beijing.

It has been a tough month for her. Sales are down 90 percent in the midst of an outbreak. Wearing a face mask, Cai carefully sprays her hands with alcohol and puts on a pair of gloves before packaging her flowers. She then puts hand sanitiser into the bouquets she creates.

She says she was inspired by a customer who asked her to sanitise a bouquet before she delivered it. She is now giving sanitiser to other customers as a personal gesture.

I think this is very heart-warming, and I want my customers to feel comfortable, she told Reuters news agency. Because now the outbreak is severe, and everyone is scared. I hope this will end soon.

A florist who prefers to be called Cai Xiaoman wearing a face mask at a flowers shop in Beijing. [Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters]

Cambodia says no passengers on castaway cruise ship have coronavirus

None of the 20 passengers on board a cruise ship which docked in the Cambodian port town of Sihanoukville on Thursday have the coronavirus, a spokesman for the Southeast Asian countrys health ministry told Reuters news agency.

The MS Westerdam, carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew, docked in Sihanoukville in the evening after anchoring offshore early in the morning to allow Cambodian officials to board the vessel and collect samples from passengers with any signs of ill health or flu-like symptoms.

Chinas Huanggang city to tighten virus control measures

The Chinese city of Huanggang, near the epicentre of the outbreak of the coronavirus, said on Thursday that starting from Friday it would tighten epidemic control measures including sealing residential complexes and only allowing essential vehicles on roads.

Food and the delivery of other essential goods will be arranged by designated personnel, the city said in a statement.

Apple to reopen some stores in Beijing

Apple will reopen some stores in Beijing on February 14 with reduced operating hours, it said on its website, while many of its other stores in mainland China will remain shut as the country continues to battle a coronavirus outbreak.

The company said on February 8 that it was making preparations to reopen its official outlets after shutting down all of them earlier this month.

A woman wears a face mask as she walks past an Apple store that is temporarily closed due to health concerns in Beijing. [File: Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press]

Xi pledges to minimise impact of virus, maintain momentum of economy

China will definitely be able to minimise the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and will maintain the development momentum of the countrys economy, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, state media reported.

China will strive to achieve this years development targets, Xi added, in a telephone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the report said.

Qatar to reschedule oil and gas shipment to China: energy minister

Qatar Minister of Energy Saad al-Kaabi said the countrys energy companies are actively participating in meeting some of the requests to reschedule or redirect Qatari oil and gas shipments to China amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Al-Kaabi said in a statement on Wednesday that Qatar supports its Chinese energy counterparts in order to support all efforts made by its government to deal with the outbreak.

Japan confirms its first coronavirus death: Health minister

Japan reported its first coronavirus death, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said.

The victim is an 80-year-old woman living in Kanagawa prefecture, which borders on Tokyo, Kato told a news conference.

Singapore reports 8 new cases, total tally jumps to 58

Singapore reported its biggest daily jump in coronavirus cases, with eight newly infected patients bringing its total to 58, the health ministry said.

All of the new cases were linked to previous patients, the ministry said. Of the 58 confirmed cases reported, 15 have recovered and been discharged from hospital while seven are in critical condition in intensive care, it added.

Malaysia confirms 19th case

A Chinese national has become the 19th person in Malaysia to be infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the health ministry revealed.

The 39-year-old woman arrived in Malaysia with four other people from Wuhan on January 25. According to local media reports, she is the daughter of the 16th coronavirus victim, and a friend of the 14th victim.

Singapore, Hong Kong World Rugby Sevens Series postponed

The Singapore and Hong Kong legs of the World Rugby Sevens Series have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, World Rugby announced.

The Singapore tournament, which was due to take place on April 11-12, will now take place on October 10-11, and the Hong Kong leg has been moved from April 3-5 to October 16-18.

Fifty cases have been recorded each in Hong Kong and Singapore [Jerome Favre/EPA]

Second citizen journalist in Wuhan vanishes: activists

A second citizen journalist reporting on the epidemic in Wuhan has disappeared, activists said.

Fang Bin, a seller of traditional Chinese clothing, stopped posting videos or responding to calls and messages on Sunday, said activists Gao Fei and Hua Yong, citing Fangs friends. His phone was off on Wednesday.

Another citizen journalist, Chen Qiushi, vanished on Friday.

Bin had posted videos online of in Wuhans overcrowded hospitals, including relatives mourning their deceased and patients lying in hospital beds.

Commune in Vietnam under lockdown after increase in virus cases

Official media in Vietnam have reported that a commune of 10,000 residents northwest of the capital Hanoi was put in lockdown due to a cluster of cases there.

The online newspaper VN Express cited a senior official of Vinh Phuc province as reporting an increase in cases in Son Loi commune.

Vietnam has confirmed 16 case of the diseases, most of them in the Vinh Phuc province.

Police wearing masks guard a road checkpoint before entering the Son Loi commune in Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam [Yves Dam Van/AP]

North Korea imposes quarantine measures on all foreign visitors

North Korea will impose a month-long quarantine on all foreign visitors and others suspected of having COVID-19, the official Korean Central News Agency said on Thursday.

The decision to extend the quarantine period to 30 days was based on research studies suggesting the incubation period of the virus could be as long as 24 days.

The report did not confirm the countrys previous quarantine period, but the Russian embassy in Pyongyang said in a Facebook post earlier this month that North Korea was putting foreign visitors under a 15-day quarantine.

North Korea has yet to report a case of the virus, but state media reports have hinted that an uncertain number of people have been quarantined after showing symptoms.

China replaces head of its Hong Kong and Macau affairs office

China is replacing the head of its office that oversees matters in Hong Kong, the human resources ministry announced in Beijing on Thursday.

Xia Baolong, a 67-year-old vice chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will replace Zhang Xiaoming.

Communist party chief in Wuhan replaced  state media

Ma Guoqiang, the party chief in Hubeis capital Wuhan, has been fired, the state-run Global Times reported.

The paper said the removal of the provincial bosses amid complaints over their handling of the outbreak showed the central government was responding swiftly to the crisis.

Here is a significant sign of how swiftly China's central govt responds to the #coronavirus outbreak: it took only about 2 months to see a major reshuffle of top officials in #coronavirus epicenter Hubei compared to 4 months during the 2003 #SARS outbreak. https://t.co/00N9bpNN69 https://t.co/gUyFBzZPQF pic.twitter.com/crRD2UMHso  Global Times (@globaltimesnews) February 13, 2020

Singapore official warns more coronavirus cases likely

An official in Singapore said the number of infections in the city-state was likely to rise because the virus was clearly circulating within the population.

We really cannot say whether it will get better, whether it will get worse, what sort of situation is going to unfold, Lawrence Wong, a cochairman of Singapores taskforce fighting the outbreak, said.

We dont know how successful we will be in all of these containment measures that we have put in place.

Wong said additional measures could involve social distancing in order to try and reduce the chance of the virus spreading further.

Singapore has reported 50 confirmed cases. Eight people are in criticial condition, while 15 have fully recovered.

Chinas Hubei province communist party chief relieved of duty  state media

Jiang Chaoliang, the head of the Communist Party in the Chinese province of Hubei, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, has been relieved of his duties, state media reported on Thursday.

Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong has been appointed as the new secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the report said, citing the partys central committee

Forty-four more coronavirus cases on Japan ship: Health minister

A further 44 people on board a cruise ship moored off Japans coast have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the countrys health minister said on Thursday.

Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said the 44 new cases were detected from another 221 new tests. They raise the number of infections detected on the Diamond Princess to 218, in addition to a quarantine officer who also tested positive for the virus.

More people on board the quarantined Diamond Princess were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]

Tokyo, IOC officials reiterate that the Olympics are on

Tokyo Olympic organisers reiterated on Thursday at the start of two days of meetings with the International Olympic Committee: The Summer Games will not be waylaid by the coronavirus that is spreading from neighbouring China.

I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering a cancellation or postponement of the games. Let me make that clear, Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organising committee, said, speaking through an interpreter to dozens of top IOC officials gathered in Tokyo.

The Olympics open in just over five months, and the torch relay begins next month.

Numerous sporting events have already been postponed as a result of the virus.

Seriously ill pushed to margins as China battles coronavirus

Ruyi Wan was diagnosed with leukaemia last May and was hoping for a bone marrow transplant after chemotherapy failed.

But as medical resources are funnelled into fighting the coronavirus, the 20-year-old has been unable to get treatment in Wuhan and cannot go elsewhere because of the travel restrictions. With a serious illness she is also more vulnerable to the infection.

I hope for a miracle because Ruyi is so young and has so many dreams, her mother Juan Wan told Al Jazeera. We cant let her die.

Read Shawn Yuans story on the people suffering from cancer, kidney disease and HIV now struggling to get the treatment they need in a system stretched to its limits.

US airlines extend China flight cancellations into late April

United Airlines said late on Wednesday it would extend cancellations of all US flights to China until late April because of the coronavirus, joining other US carriers that have suspended China routes.

Airlines say part of the reason is a dramatic drop in demand, but the US has also introduced strict restrictions on travellers to the United States who have visited China, barring nearly all non-US residents if they have been in China within the previous 14 days.

The US is also limiting flights from China or other international flights with US passengers who have been to China within the previous 14 days to 11 major airports for enhanced screening. It also requires a quarantine of US citizens who have recently visited Hubei province in China.

As we continue to evaluate our operation between our U.S. hubs and Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong, we have decided to extend the suspension of those flights until April 24. Learn more: https://t.co/3g6Lbe4xQZ pic.twitter.com/IabHFdcYmP  United Airlines (@united) February 13, 2020

CDC confirms 14th US case of coronavirus in Wuhan evacuee

A second person evacuated from Wuhan to a US military base near San Diego has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus, raising the tally of confirmed cases in the United States to 14, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday.

The patient was among 232 people under quarantine at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar after being airlifted out of Wuhan earlier this month, CDC spokeswoman Ana Toro said.

Another evacuee was diagnosed with the virus earlier this week, but CDC officials said it appeared the two had been separately exposed to the virus in China before arriving in the United States.

They arrived on different planes and were housed in separate facilities.

At this time there is no indication of person-to-person spread of this virus at the quarantine facility, but CDC will carry out a thorough contact investigation as part of its current response strategy to detect and contain any cases of infection with this virus, Dr Christopher Braden, deputy director of the CDCs National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.

Cruise ship shunned over coronavirus fears arrives in Cambodia  ship tracker

A cruise ship which had spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone on board might have the coronavirus arrived in Cambodia on Thursday, satellite-tracking data showed.

The MS Westerdam arrived in Sihanoukville, according to data published by the Marine Traffic website.

Although no passengers have fallen ill on board, the ship had been turned away by Japan, Taiwan, Guam, the Philippines and Thailand over fears that someone on the cruise could have the virus.

UK confirms new case, first in London

The UK has confirmed its ninth case of coronavirus, saying the latest patient  the first in London  had caught the virus while in China.

One further patient in England has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in the UK to nine, Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England said in a statement.

This virus was passed on in China and the patient has now been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at Guys and St Thomas in London.

Read more about which countries have confirmed cases here.

Read the updates from Wednesday, February 12 here.
Steve Walsh, who has been linked to cases of coronavirus.

A so-called super-spreader at the centre of a UK outbreak of coronavirus has been discharged and is no longer contagious, the NHS has said.

Steve Walsh, a businessman and scout leader from Hove in East Sussex, said he was glad to be back with his family in a statement after being discharged, having been kept under quarantine at Guys Hospital in London.

Im happy to be home and feeling well, he said.

I want to give a big thank you to the NHS who have been great throughout and my thoughts are with everyone around the world who continues to be affected by the virus.

Its good to be back with my family, he added, requesting privacy from the media.

Confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK and where quarantines and treatment centres have been set up. (PA Graphics)

Mr Walsh contracted the disease  now known as Covid-19  at a conference in Singapore.

He became known as a super-spreader in media reports because after his trip to Asia he stopped off for several days at a French ski chalet, where five Britons were later infected with the virus.

Mr Walsh was also linked with five more cases of coronavirus in the UK, including two doctors.

Professor Keith Willett, the NHS strategic incident director, said in a statement: Im pleased to say that  following two negative tests for coronavirus, 24 hours apart  Mr Walsh has been discharged from Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, having made a full recovery following his treatment.

Guy's Hospital in central London, where Mr Walsh was under quarantine. (PA Images)

Mr Walshs symptoms were mild and he is no longer contagious, and poses no risk to the public, he is keen to return to his normal life and spend time with his family out of the media spotlight.

I would like to thank the clinical team who treated Mr Walsh in hospital, as well as all the NHS staff who are working hard with other health organisations to limit the spread of coronavirus and treat the small numbers who have contracted the illness.

Anyone with any health concerns should contact NHS 111.
[February 13, 2020] FundCount Takes Top Honors at the Private Asset Management and the WealthBriefing Swiss Awards

BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FundCount, LLC, a worldwide provider of accounting and investment analysis software, announced today that it has won two prestigious industry awards: "Best Partnership Accounting" at the Private Asset Management (PAM) awards and "Best Client Accounting" at the WealthBriefing Swiss awards. The annual PAM awards showcase the achievements of private banks, multi-family offices, wealth advisers, legal firms, consultants and other key service providers operating within the sector. FundCount's win as "Best Partnership Accounting Solution" affirms the strength of the software in meeting the exacting needs of those who invest in private equity and other private funds or invesments.



FundCount was also recognized as "Best Client Accounting Solution" at the WealthBriefing Swiss awards, which recognize best of breed providers in the global private banking, wealth management and trusted advisor communities throughout Switzerland. Judges praised the company's "truly integrated wealth management portfolio and partnership accounting system with a real-time general ledger." Additionally, a member of the judging panel said, "With all capabilities embedded on a single platform, FundCount offers a single 'source of truth' that provides clients with enhanced efficiency, reduced operational risk and lower costs." Commenting on the two wins, Alex Ivanov, CEO and founder of FundCount, said, "We are honored to have been recognized by both PAM and WealthBriefing. Winning these awards, particularly against such notable competitors, underscores the success of FundCount in meeting the diverse needs of single and multi-family offices, fund administrators, private equity firms and hedge funds across the globe."

About FundCount

Founded in 1999, FundCount provides integrated accounting and investment analysis software that improves operational efficiency and delivers immediate, actionable intelligence to clients around the globe. Today, over 130 single and multi-family offices, fund administrators, hedge funds and private equity firms worldwide with assets totaling more than U.S. $150 billion rely on FundCount for accurate, timely information and flexible reporting. FundCount supports its growing client base from the company's U.S. headquarters and four additional international locations. For more information, visit www.fundcount.com. SOURCE FundCount

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar



on Thursday expressed grief over a Motihari-bound bus, coming from New Delhi, meeting with an accident in Uttar Pradesh which has claimed at least 14 lives and left 25 others injured.

All the passengers were from Bihar.

Condoling the deaths, the chief minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh to the next of the kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured passenger of the ill- fated bus which collided with a truck on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Firozabad district.

He also directed an official stationed at the Bihar Bhawan in New Delhi to visit the site of the mishap and ensure proper medical treatment to all those who have received injuries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LOS ANGELES and PUNE, India, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising Prevalence of Lung Diseases and Increasing Preference for Minimally Invasive Surgery are Expected to Propel the Growth of the Global Bronchoscopy Market at A CAGR of 6.1% during the Forecast Period, 2019-2026.

Request Free Sample Report of Bronchoscopy Market Report @ https://www.esticastresearch.com/report/bronchoscopy-market/#request-for-sample

The increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases globally is a key factor catalyzing market growth. According to the data published by the American Cancer Society, in the U.S., nearly 228,820 new cases of lung cancer are expected to occur in 2020. Factors such as the increasing uptake of minimally invasive surgery, rising investments by hospitals in bronchoscopy facilities, and technological advancements in bronchoscopy are expected to drive the market growth during the assessment period. For instance, in April 2018, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) installed a Virtual Bronchoscopy Navigation (VBN), an advanced facility for the treatment and diagnosis of patients with small tumor-like spots in the lungs. Despite the drivers, factors such as the lack of trained pulmonologists and physicians, product recalls, and risk of contamination of devices may negatively impact the growth of the market.

The global bronchoscopy market has been segmented into product, usability, patient age, application, and end-user. The product segment is classified into bronchoscopes, imaging systems, accessories, and others. Further, bronchoscopes has been sub-segmented into flexible bronchoscopes, rigid bronchoscopes, and ebus bronchoscopes. The imaging system has been sub-segmented into light sources, video processors, camera heads, wireless display and monitors, and others. The accessories has been sub-segmented into cleaning brushed, cytology brushes, biopsy forceps, Transbronchial aspiration needles, biopsy valve, mouthpieces, and others. The usability segment has been classified as disposable and reusable bronchoscopes. By patient age, the market has been segmented into pediatric patients and adults. The application segment has been classified into bronchial diagnosis and bronchial treatment. Furthermore, the end-user segment has been segmented into ambulatory surgery centers/clinics and hospitals.

Global Bronchoscopy Market, By Product (Bronchoscopes, Other), By Usability (disposable, reusable bronchoscope), By Patient Age (Adult Patient, Pediatric Patient), By Application (Bronchial diagnosis, other), By End-User, Estimation & Forecast, 2019  2026. Know more about this Report: https://www.esticastresearch.com/report/bronchoscopy-market/

Based on geography, the global bronchoscopy market has been divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. North America has been classified into the U.S. and Canada. Europe region has been divided into the UK, Germany, Italy, France, and the Rest of Europe. Asia-Pacific has been classified into South Korea, China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, the South America region has been segmented into Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Rest of South America, while the Middle East & Africa is categorized into GCC Countries, Africa, and the Rest of the Middle East.

North America is anticipated to dominate the global bronchoscopy market over the assessment period. The market growth in the region is attributed to growing incidence and prevalence of respiratory diseases, increasing prevalence of lung cancer in Canada, presence of well-established healthcare sector, and suitable reimbursement scenario in the U.S. According to the data published by the Lung Cancer Canada, in 2017, lung cancer accounted for about 28,600 new cases in Canada. In addition, nearly 14,200 women were diagnosed with lung cancer in Canada in the year 2017. The Asia Pacific region is estimated to register significant growth during the assessment period owing to the factors such as developing healthcare infrastructure, huge lung disease burden, and growing healthcare expenditure.

Prominent companies operating in the bronchoscopy industry include Karl Storz, Olympus Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Ethicon, Medtronic plc, Ambu A/S, Fujifilm Holdings, Hoya Corporation, Cook Medical, Teleflex Incorporated, Richard Wolf GmbH, Lymol Medical, and Laborie Medical Technologies. Collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, product developments, and product launches are major strategies undertaken by market players to strengthen their foothold in the bronchoscopy market.

Click to view the Full Report TOC, Figure and Tables @ https://www.esticastresearch.com/report/bronchoscopy-market/#table-of-content

Strategic Initiatives by key players

In July 2018 , Olympus Corporation received FDA clearance for its BF-MP190F Bronchoscope. The BF-MP190F is a completely rotatable, ultra-thin bronchoscope with a ratio of 1.7 mm working channel to 3.0 mm distal-end outer diameter. This ratio offers pulmonologists with benefits through sampling, access, and diagnosis of lung diseases such as lung cancer.

, Olympus Corporation received FDA clearance for its BF-MP190F Bronchoscope. The BF-MP190F is a completely rotatable, ultra-thin bronchoscope with a ratio of 1.7 mm working channel to 3.0 mm distal-end outer diameter. This ratio offers pulmonologists with benefits through sampling, access, and diagnosis of lung diseases such as lung cancer. In June 2018 , Olympus Corporation entered into a partnership with MedTech Innovator. With this partnership, Olympus Corporation emphasized its obligation to innovation in the medical technology field.

, Olympus Corporation entered into a partnership with MedTech Innovator. With this partnership, Olympus Corporation emphasized its obligation to innovation in the medical technology field. In May 2018 , Ethicon through its subsidiary NeuWave Medical signed a development and commercialization agreement with Auris Health to work on robotically assisted bronchoscopic ablation of lung lesions to diagnose lung cancer.

, Ethicon through its subsidiary NeuWave Medical signed a development and commercialization agreement with Auris Health to work on robotically assisted bronchoscopic ablation of lung lesions to diagnose lung cancer. In September 2017 , Teleflex Incorporated announced the acquisition of NeoTract. With this acquisition, Teleflex Incorporated aimed to increase its product offerings.

, Teleflex Incorporated announced the acquisition of NeoTract. With this acquisition, Teleflex Incorporated aimed to increase its product offerings. In September 2017 , Ambu A/S launched Ambu aScope 4 Broncho, the 4 th generation of single-use/disposable bronchoscopes at the European Intensive Care Congress in Vienna .

, Ambu A/S launched Ambu aScope 4 Broncho, the 4 generation of single-use/disposable bronchoscopes at the European Intensive Care Congress in . In May 2017 , Olympus Corporation acquired Image Stream Medical for a deal prized $87 million . Image Stream Medical is a manufacturer of video equipment and system integration that are utilized in operating rooms.

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The head of Australia's peak foreign student body believes the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak has done long-term damage to the reputation of the country's $38 billion international education industry.

Ahmed Ademoglu, who represents 700,000 international tertiary students in Australia, said they felt "exploited" and would discourage future students from enrolling here.

Ahmed Ademoglu, head of Australia's 700,000 international students, says students have found the government's coronavirus approach heavy-handed. Credit:

International students were aggrieved in particular by the detention of Chinese students in Australian airports and the block on Chinese student visas since the travel ban was introduced on February 1, according to Mr Ademoglu, president of the Council of International Students Australia.

Mr Ademoglu told a meeting of the education global reputation taskforce in Melbourne on Wednesday, including Education Minister Dan Tehan and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham, that students were sharing negative experiences of Australia with their peers.
Paramus, NJ, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- February 13, 2020  Paramus, NJ  Bergen New Bridge Medical Center released the findings from its 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) along with the resulting Implementation Strategy. These two documents detail the communitys healthcare needs and New Jerseys largest hospitals three-year plan to address those needs.

The CHNA was made possible through a collaborative effort among the Bergen County Department of Health Services, the Community Health Partnership of Bergen County, the countys seven acute care hospitals, including Bergen New Bridge.

It is the first time the county-owned hospital participated in the regional population-based assessment process since October 2017, when Bergen New Bridge gained nonprofit status, and Deborah Visconi became the renamed hospitals President and Chief Executive Officer.

The CHNA affords us an amazing snapshot of our communitys healthcare needs while affirming the impact our daily work has on our neighbors, said Visconi. This process confirmed for us that Bergen New Bridge is uniquely positioned and well equipped to address key community health needs, particularly the social determinants of health.

As a result of the findings in the CHNA, and in light of its existing service lines and areas of expertise, Bergen New Bridge has identified four community health priorities, which together embody the leading health issues and barriers to care for regional residents:

Mental/behavioral health and substance use disorders;

Wellness, prevention, and risk factors;

Chronic and complex conditions; and

Social determinants of health and access to care.

As a safety-net provider, Bergen New Bridge recognizes how underlying conditions  such as housing, transportation, income/employment  may affect disparities in health care outcomes and access.

The results of this assessment will help Bergen New Bridge tailor its services to the needs of our County residents, said Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III. We look forward to the hospital expanding its already robust relationship with community partners to build a healthier Bergen County and to better serve those who need critical services and resources.

-more-

Bergen New Bridge goes beyond the four walls of the medical center to offer a broad range of programs and services to benefit the health and wellbeing of local community members  particularly those who are vulnerable and most in need, Visconi said.

Were eager to take an even more dynamic role in creating barrier-free access to quality health care in collaboration with Bergen County officials and our community partners, including Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Care Plus NJ, and Integrity House, she said.

To learn more about Bergen New Bridge Medical Center or to view the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment, please visit www.newbridgehealth.org.

# # #

ABOUT BERGEN NEW BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC), a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital located at 230 East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, NJ. The Medical Center is both the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in NJ and the fourth-largest publicly-owned hospital in the nation.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, a not-for-profit safety net facility, provides high-quality comprehensive services, including acute and ambulatory care from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and community physicians, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and long-term care to the greater Bergen County community. The Medical Center, including its Long-Term Care Division, is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and is in-network with all major New Jersey commercial insurance plans covering 99.91% of NJ residents.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is a full-service hospital with a 24/7 emergency department, surgical suites, physical rehabilitation, pharmacy, laboratory, radiologic services (including digital mammography), and more than 26 medical specialties available through its Ambulatory Care Center. The Medical Center is a Veterans Community Care Provider proudly serving the healthcare needs of veterans and is a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) for 2019. Learn more at www.newbridgehealth.org.
Washington D.C. [US], Feb 13 (ANI): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday (local time) met his Saudi Arabian counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud here and discussed among other issues, "the continued need to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing behaviour."



"U.S.-#Saudi partnership is critical as we confront Iran's destabilizing behavior. We also share an interest in de-escalation in Yemen. Glad to meet with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on these regional security issues," Pompeo tweeted after the meeting.

According to Al Arabiya, this was the second time in three months that Pompeo and the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister have met.

A state department spokesperson in a statement said, "Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Al Saud discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern, including the continued need to counter the Iranian regime's destabilizing behaviour."

The statement said Pompeo underscored the importance of the U.S.-Saudi partnership in confronting the Iranian regime's threats.

The two leaders expressed their concern over the recent violence in Yemen, including Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia, and they agreed on the need to swiftly return to de-escalation. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for a political solution to the conflict facilitated by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. (ANI)


ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan - Turkmenistans autocratic president has fired his longtime security chief, a man widely seen as one of the most influential officials in the Central Asian nation.

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedovs decree published Thursday in the governments newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan orders the dismissal of National Security Minister Yaylym Berdiyev.

The document said the minister was relieved of his duties due to his transfer to another position, but it didnt say what job he will take. Last month, the president reprimanded Berdiyev for unspecified flaws and stripped him of another title he had  that of the secretary of the State Security Council.

The Turkmen leader named Berdiyevs deputy, Gurbanmyrat Annayev, to succeed him as the security minister. Deputy Prime Minister Charymurat Amanov was named to fill the position of the secretary of the State Security Council.

Berdymukhamedov has ruled the gas-rich ex-Soviet Central Asian nation since 2006 through an all-encompassing personality cult that styles him as Turkmenistans arkadaq, or protector. He has been frequently shown on state TV dressing down government officials.

In December, two other former top government officials were shown confessing on state television for their reported involvement in corruption, dressed in prison robes, their hands hand-cuffed and heads shaven clean.

T urkmenistan, a nation of 5.9 million people on the Caspian Sea, lies on the ancient Silk Road trading route to China. It has huge reserves of natural gas but human rights groups say its government is among the worlds most repressive.
Tiger Air have launched a 40 per cent off sale for Valentine's Day, slashing deals to holiday destinations across the country.

The budget carrier announced the bargain airfares on Thursday, allowing lovebirds to mark February 14 by snatching up discounts on romantic getaways.

Sydneysiders can jet to the Gold Coast from $41 one-way, while Melbournians can escape to Hobart from $47 one-way.

Tiger Air have launched a 40 per cent off sale for Valentine's Day (stock image)

Sydneysiders can jet to the Gold Coast from $41 one-way, while Melbournians can escape to Hobart from $47 one-way. Pictured: Melbourne skyline looking towards Flinders Street Station

There are also one-way flights from Brisbane to Sydney at $58 and Melbourne to Cairns from $89.

Flying to Perth from Sydney or Melbourne could cost just $139 one-way, while Sydney to Adelaide is on offer for as low as $69 one-way.

Travel dates depend on the destination but the sale applies to travellers hopping on board between April and September.

Discounted fares are up for grabs until midday on Tuesday, unless sold out prior.

To find out more, visit the Tiger Air website here.
Church planting group Acts 29 removes CEO Steve Timmis amid allegations of abusive leadership

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The board of the church planting group Acts 29 has voted to remove CEO Steve Timmis from the global church planting network after investigating accusations about his "abusive leadership" style.

"The Board of Acts 29 was made aware of some accusations of abusive leadership against our CEO Steve Timmis," read a statement to Baptist Press. "The Board launched an investigation of these claims and found evidence that he should be transitioned out of the CEO role immediately."

In an email sent to pastors, the board announced a new season of leadership, adding, Acts 29 would like to thank Steve for his years of service and leadership, and the legacy of faithfulness he is leaving behind. We want to honor Steve by sending him on a 4-month sabbatical leave and paying him through the end of 2020, according to a screenshot of the letter posted on Twitter by author and investigative journalist Julie Roys.

The Acts 29 board said it has asked Brian Howard to lead as executive director for the next few months while a final decision is made regarding the long term leadership of Acts 29.

A Christianity Today article detailed multiple accounts from former church members, elders and friends of the pastor describing a pattern of spiritual abuse through bullying and intimidation, overbearing demands in the name of mission and discipline, rejection of critical feedback, and an expectation of unconditional loyalty.

On Sunday, the U.K.-based church which Timmis founded, The Crowded House, also confirmed online his resignation as a church elder.

We write with a concern for the reputation of Christ and a desire to care for his people, the church said in a statement. On Friday 7th February Steve Timmis resigned as an elder of The Crowded House. We have valued his ministry among us and his role in founding the church. Many of us owe him a personal debt.

We also feel the weight of the stories told in the article. It is therefore our intention to ask someone from outside our network to explore what has happened and make recommendations. It will be for that person to shape the process, but we want to listen to all concerned with humility. We are willing to hear where we may have failed people. We recognize the need to open ourselves up to external and impartial scrutiny."

Additionally, Inter-Varsity Press UK announced it will no longer sell Timmis titles, saying that the style of close church community advocated in these books lacked sufficient safeguards against abusive control and apologizing for them possibly contributing to unhealthy and even abusive church cultures."

Led by president Matt Chandler, pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, Acts 29 describes itself as a diverse, global family of church-planting churches characterized by theological clarity, cultural engagement, and missional innovation.

According to the 2019 Annual Report, Acts 29 has grown from just a few church plants in the early 2000s into a global family of nearly 800 churches worshiping in more than 30 languages in more than 50 nations.

This is not the first time an Acts 29 leader was forced to step down. In August 2014, Acts 29 co-founder and pastor Mark Driscoll was also removed after allegations of "ungodly and disqualifying behavior."
The body of a missing 6-year-old South Carolina girl has been found, and officials are now linking her death, which is being investigated as a homicide, with another death.

Byron Snellgrove, director of the Cayce Department of Public Safety, announced Thursday the body of Faye Swetlik was found and police are treating the case as a homicide.

Snellgrove said authorities did so with "extremely heavy hearts."

Snellgrove said at a brief news conference Thursday that no arrests have been made in the girl's death but there was no danger to the public.



The "critical" piece of evidence that helped authorities find Faye's body was found in a trash can that belonged to the man also found dead in the neighborhood, Sgt. Evan Antley, with the Cayce Public Safety Department, said Friday.

Antley said investigators do not believe that Faye's body was in the location where she was found for very long.

Coty Scott Taylor, 30, was also found dead in his home on Piccadilly Square, which is near Faye's home, Antley said. His cause of death has not been released.

Antley said the two cases are linked but would not go into detail. He did say the evidence that led them to Faye's body was found in a trash can that belonged to Taylor. He would not say what that evidence was, but said it was something that would have been listed on the missing person's flyer.

Antley said Taylor has no criminal history and was not known to law enforcement officers.

"He was not a relative, he was not a friend, he was merely a neighbor that lived in Churchill Heights," Antley said.

Faye went home on a school bus Monday. The family noticed she was missing about 3:34 p.m. and called police by 5 p.m., police said.



Earlier, authorities revealed they were looking into two vehicles in relation to the search.

Authorities released a picture Wednesday of two vehicles that were in the Churchill Heights area when Faye was last seen playing in her yard on Monday.

One of the two vehicles authorities were looking for in connection with Faye has been identified, the Cayce Department of Public Safety said.

Antley said investigators have spoken with the owner of the vehicle but would not provide any details.

Officials said investigators are still seeking information about the silver vehicle.



More than 200 officers questioned people to attempt to find Faye.

Previously, police had stressed Wednesday that people should not believe social media rumors about a body being found.



Officials said Faye was reported as wearing a black shirt with the word "PEACE" written in neon colors, a floral skirt and polka dot boots.



Police have set up a tip line for anyone with information: 803-205-4444.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Not only is San Antonio getting a taste of White Castle this weekend, but now the national chain is pledging to donate thousands of dollars to the San Antonio Food Bank.

White Castle is hosting a Valentine's Day pop-up restaurant Thursday and Friday at the Alamo Ranch H-E-B on the far West Side. Although reservations for the pop-up are sold out, there is still a way to try the famous sliders and do some good at the same time.
Congress leader P L Punia on Thursday compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nathuram Godse, saying he had bowed down and touched the steps of Parliament in 2014 the same way Godse did before assassinating Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhavan here, Punia said, "Prime Minister bowed and touched the Constitution with his forehead when elected for the second time in 2019 (Lok Sabha polls). He had bowed and touched the stairs of Parliament when he was elected as prime minister for the first time in 2014. This is their habit."



He added, "Godse had also bowed and touched the feet of Gandhiji before shooting him. This is their old tradition..."



Slamming Punia for his comments, BJP's spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said repeated attempts by Congress leaders to attack Modi and likening him with Godse "reveal lurking fear of the Congress that the prime minister has effectively invoked the true developmental spirit of Mahatma Gandhi and his wily nily emerged as the true legatee of Gandhi by following his ideology".

The Congress party and its dynasty had only stealthily usurped the Gandhi title but had over the decades systematically ignored his legacy and only perpetuated the Nehru family dynasty, he told PTI.

Another BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said Modi resides in the hearts of 130 crore Indians and by humiliating him the Congress is actually insulting all Indians.

Modi was elected by the people of this country and now by making such statements, the Congress has crossed all limits of decency, he said, adding the more the Congress abuse the prime minister, the more the people shower their love on him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court in Moscow has fined Twitter and Facebook for failing to move Russian user data onto servers in Russian territory.

The Taganka district court on February 13 ordered the two global behemoths to pay 4 million rubles ($63,336) each for violating a law that obliges social-media companies to store their clients' data solely inside the country.

The lawsuits filed by Russia's media watchdog, Roskomnadzor, are the latest effort by Russian authorities to impose more control and increase their ability to monitor content and users of social media.

Russian authorities say the law, passed in 2014, is aimed at protecting Russians' personal data.

Twitter and Facebook were warned last year to comply with the data law by January 31, 2020.
Disgraced politician Anthony Weiner and estranged wife Huma Abedin were spotted together on the streets of New York City Wednesday evening, DailyMail.com can reveal.

The 43-year-old Hillary Clinton aide sported dark shades with a Starbucks coffee in hand as she walked alongside her disgraced former U.S. Congressman husband while he took a phone call.

The high-profile exes are seldom seen out together since they filed for divorce in 2017 following the 55-year-old's sexting scandal with a 15-year-old girl.

This is only the couple's third time being photographed together in over two years. The last time the pair were seen was on Halloween 2019 when they took their seven-year-old son Jordan to school.

Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin were spotted walking the streets of New York City together on Wednesday

Weiner took a phone call as estranged wife Abedin walked ahead of him, sporting a black trench coat, dark shades and holding Starbucks

This is only the third time the high-profile couple have been seen in public together since 2017

The couple filed for divorce in 2017, but Abedin withdrew her request in January 2018, deciding to settle privately, as their marital status is currently unclear

And before that, Weiner and Abedin had not been seen together publicly in exactly two years to the day, the last being when they took Jordan to school on Halloween in 2017.

Now, Jordan was nowhere in sight, as Abedin wore a long black coat with high grey boots.

Weiner cut a casual figure in a sweatshirt and beanie, and took a phone call prompting Abedin to walk a head of him.

The couple filed for divorce in September 2017, but Abedin withdrew her request January 2018, deciding to settle privately. Their marital status is currently unclear.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Weiner had moved into the same apartment building as Abedin just a few months after he was released from prison for sexting a 15-year-old girl.

The last time they were seen together was Halloween 2019 after they made a school run with their seven-year-old son Jordan

Before that, Weiner and Abedin had not been seen together publicly in exactly two years, the last being when they took Jordan to school on Halloween in 2017 (pictured)

The investigation into Weiner's devices began when DailyMail.com revealed that the disgraced congressman had an online sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl for months and sent her lewd messages and pictures.

During the investigation into Weiner's devices, one agent in the FBI team compared the discovery of Clinton's use of a private email server to 'dropping a bomb in the middle of the meeting', James B. Stewart wrote in Deep State: Trump, the FBI, and the Rule of Law.

The technician tasked with rifling through Weiner's iPad, iPhone and laptop in September 2016 found 340,000 emails between Clinton and Abedin, Weiner's estranged wife, with many using a hillaryclinton.com address.

But the shocking discovery went ignored at the FBI because senior officials were 'overwhelmed' by the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, Stewart wrote.

The investigation into Weiner's devices began when DailyMail.com revealed that the disgraced congressman had an online sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl for months and sent her lewd messages and pictures

Nobody at Quantico was taking action, so one agent went outside the chain of command and shared the allegations with New York prosecutors, which led to James Comey reopening the investigation days before the 2016 election.

One agent said he was 'scared' by the damning emails he found and then 'pressed on his superiors to follow up on the bombshell discovery'.

After DailyMail.com exposed Weiner, he was given 21 months in prison for sending sexually-explicit texts to the underage girl He was released after 18 months.

The girl was pictured but never identified. Weiner was aware that the girl was underage, according to DailyMail.com interviews with the girl and her father, as well as a cache of online messages.
A man wears a mask as he walks past a mural showing a modified image of the Chinese Communist Party emblem in Shanghai, China after the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus

China has reported a spike in the number of cases in the coronavirus outbreak.

It said there were 254 deaths on Wednesday from the strain of coronavirus, officially named Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation, as the number of new cases jumped by 15,152.

The large rise came after new methodology was applied in the hardest-hit province of Hubei over how cases are categorised.

The total number of deaths from the outbreak now stands at 1,367, with the total number of confirmed cases rising to 59,804.

The change in categorisation appeared to push forward the process to a doctor's on-the-spot diagnosis rather than waiting for the results of laboratory tests.

Meanwhile, the leader of the province of Hubei, which has been hardest hit by the outbreak, has been replaced by the ruling Communist Party.

Ying Yong, a former mayor of Shanghai, will take on the role of the party chief in central Hubei of where the Covid-19 virus was identified late last year.

Two other senior officials in Hubei have been dismissed amid criticism about the handling of the outbreak.

State media also reported that a slew of others have been expelled from the party for transgressions related to the epidemic.

Many countries have implemented travel restrictions on recent visitors to China, which has more than 99% of the world's reported infections.

In an unprecedented measure to contain the disease, the Chinese government placed the hardest-hit cities - home to more than 60 million people - under lockdown.

China's ambassador to the UN said Beijing "is confident that it is capable of winning the fight" against the new virus.

Zhang Jun told a UN meeting in New York that China's confidence has been further boosted by the decline of new confirmed cases in regions beyond Hubei province for eight consecutive days, and the significant rise in cured cases to more than 5,000.

He called on the international community to maintain solidarity, increase sharing of information, experience and technology, "and work with the Chinese government and people to jointly meet the challenges".

The Chinese ambassador stressed the need for mutual trust, saying people everywhere must "oppose politicisation of health issues and leave no breeding ground or space for any racist comments, discrimination or stigma".

Authorities in Japan have said 44 more people on a quarantined cruise ship have tested positive for Covid-19.

The country's health ministry said 218 people of the 713 tested on board the Diamond Princess have been infected by the virus.

The ship, which is still carrying more than 3,500 passengers and crew members, returned to the Yokohama Port on February 3 and has been in quarantine since.
Ming Qis San Antonio business was thriving until the deliveries from China  plastic cups for smoothies, travel mugs and jars for CBD products  stopped because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Like thousands of small business owners across the U.S., Qi has been unable to line up replacements.

With dwindling inventory and a backlog of orders for thousands of pieces of merchandise, her small, 14-month-old Austin Highway business is in deep trouble.

The two factories that manufacture her products closed for the Lunar New Years celebration in mid-January, a normal occurrence in China, but never reopened as scheduled at the end of last month.

Right now, they keep on pushing back the opening day, Qi said, referring to the Chinese governments order closing factories. First, they said they would reopen on Feb. 3, then they said Feb. 10. Now, they say maybe early March. They keep on pushing back, but the situation's not getting better. It's getting worse.

Qi understands the seriousness of the outbreak. She said several distant relatives of hers have died in her hometown, the small village of Xifurong in Shandong Province in eastern China.

At least 10 people, she said, have perished in the village of several thousand people. Among the sick are other relatives.

I am keeping my fingers crossed, she said. Some of them are in severe condition from this disease. And, originally, I was able to send to them masks. Right now, (Chinese authorities) already blocked the road to the village. I can't send them anything anymore right now. 

Shes also hoping for the best for her business. Its called HelloPharma, a nod to Qis pharmacy doctorate from Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 2008 and the fact that she also sells CBD products  oils and creams derived from cannabis used for pain relief.

After a series of jobs at pharmaceutical and lab companies in Austin and San Antonio, Qi teamed up with two business partners, Matthew Brown and Richard Tisdale, to launch her company in December 2018. HelloPharma has a small retail operation, but most of the business is mail-order bulk orders.

On ExpressNews.com: Coronavirus strands Chinese professor and family in San Antonio

Despite its name, Qi said 70 percent of the business comes from the smoothie cups, travel cups, T-shirts and other products she sells to companies for promotional giveaways at conventions and other events. Sales of the promotional products brought in $700,00 in revenue in 2019.

Qi said another $300,000 in revenue came from the CBD products. The products are not manufactured in China, but the jars and containers for the creams and oils come from there.

The products and containers could be manufactured in the U.S. or other countries, but not at the low prices Qi pays the two Chinese factories.

For example, the smoothie cups cost Qi $1 each plus shipping. Shes able to sell them at $3 a cup, undercutting other competitors.

No one can beat Chinas prices, she said.

Qi estimates it would cost $6 per cup if they were manufactured in the U.S.

Theres also a family connection.

Her brother Xuzhou owns one of the factories Qi relies on. Its in Jiangsu Province, about 150 miles from her hometown.

Brown, one of her partners, said finding another factory in another country could take months, leaving HelloPharma unable to fill new orders. A more pressing concern is a backlog of merchandise orders.

On ExpressNews.com: Dozens of coronavirus evacuees from China arrive in San Antonio

He said buyers already have given HelloPharma half the purchase price of their merchandise. The buyers also have locked in their prices prices  which were based on low-cost Chinese production of the goods.

Qi said her business has back orders for 50,000 smoothie cups alone. She said companies giving away the cups as promotional items have ordered as many 10,000 at once.

On the CDB side of the business, Qi said she has a backlog of 8,000 orders for small jars of CBD cream. Qi makes the cream, but its put into jars at a plant in Orange County, Calif. Qi supplies the jars made in China to the manufacturer.

Without the jars, the product cant be packaged.

Complicating matters, Qi said some products shipped by the Chinese factories before the coronavirus outbreak closed factories are being held under quarantine by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a California port. She hasnt gottten an explanation why.

Qi doesnt know how long HelloPharma can survive without receiving the merchandise needed to fill orders. She also worries about her relatives and the Chinese people.

This is a very hard situation, she said.

Randy Diamond covers aviation, energy and manufacturing in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read his stories and more local coverage on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | randy.diamond@express-news.net
Punjab elections: You will never have to stage another dharna says Kejriwal

Covid-19 cases are rising in Delhi, but no need to panic as hospitalisation low, says Kejriwal

No lockdown in Delhi for now but some curbs, says Arvind Kejriwal amid Covid surge

Will Arvind Kejriwal's 3.0 thrive AAP to win Lok Sabha 2024?

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Feb 13: Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shrilling pitch against anti-citizenship protests at Shaheen Bagh, the BJP witnessed its defeat for the second time in the national capital. However, keeping this aside, the next big challenge Delhi is to witness is the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

It can be seen that voters have lost interest in Congress as the nation's grand-old-party registered a double-duck that failed to win even a single seat in Delhi election. It is also seen that the party's vote share has reduced from 9.7 per cent to 4.26 per cent, which is in fact, good news to the BJP.

In the Lok Sabha election, BJP fears none but the Congress. It is the Congress, under the leadership of Interim president Sonia Gandhi to be an Opposition forces.

Kejriwal vs Modi: Is it time for AAP to stick its finger in the national pie

Though Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) or Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) may be a stalwart in their own right, the two parties fail to provide leadership at the national level.

While Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is in his third term as the CM in the national capital, Kejriwal should work upon expanding his party base in other states.

In the next two years, Bihar and West Bengal elections are on the line. While Bihar is all set to go to polls later this year, Kejriwal might face difficulties to make progress in this state as the BJP-JDU alliance would look for yet another term.

The AAP chief also faces the same dilemma in West Bengal. If Kejriwal tries to expand his party in Bengal, he would probably make Mamata Banerjee his rival. It can be seen that Mamata has been extremely stubborn about Bengal politics and is already facing aggressive challenges from the BJP in her turf.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

Five lesser known facts about Arvind Kejriwal

OneIndia tried to contact BJP leader and Supreme Court lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay in New Delhi, but the latter refused to make any comment in this regard.

With this, it can be seen that the humiliating loss that Congress witnessed in Delhi assembly election have less time to revive and strike back during the Lok Sabha election. If failed, it is the BJP - PM Modi's another victory.
As regards the massive influence China is said to have over Ghana, the question we must ponder over is: Perchance, are those who posit that the people who now lead our nation, are beholden to China, to the point that they are petrified of the reaction of China, in everything they do, as a Government, right in saying so?

According to such analysts, so frightened are Ghana's current leaders, of China, that they fear that evacuating Ghanaian students studying in China, and bringing them back home, will be bad PR for China globally. Eeiiii, Oman Ghana - enti yewieye paaa, enei? Eyeasem, ooooo. Hmmmm...

Consequently - so goes the argument - the current regime's most influential figures are thus prepared to sacrifice the lives of those poor students, for that reason: and will thus leave them there till the coronavirus emergency is declared over by the Chinese authorities - however long that takes.

The same fear-laden-phenomenon, apparently also applies to the untenable and obdurate refusal of the government of President Akufo-Addo to reverse the incredibly-stupid and shortsighted decision to allow bauxite mining in the Atewa Forest Reserve. Alas, such is how foolish African nations have been taken hostage, mentally, by sundry imperialists and neocolonialists, since time immemorial. Hmmmm. Eyeasem, ooooo - asem kesie ebeba debi ankasa. Yooooo...
Scandinavian Airlines admits they copied Turkey

Scandinavia's largest airline has ruffled many feathers with an overtly multiculturalist ad claiming that all of Scandinavian culture was copied.

Nordic airline SAS removed an internet ad debunking myths about Scandinavia on Wednesday after it became the victim of an online hate campaign, particularly from nationalist and right-wing groups.

The airlines commercial What is truly Scandinavian? sought to extol the virtue of travel by showing how aspects of the regions culture, from Swedish meatballs to Danish pastries to parental leave, all came from elsewhere originally.

"WE TAKE EVERYTHING WE LIKE ON OUR TRIPS ABROAD"

What is really Scandinavian? Absolutely nothing, it said. In a way, Scandinavia was brought here piece by piece, by everyday people we found the best of our home away from home.

Lawmakers in the populist Danish Peoples Party said SAS, or Scandinavian Airlines, had denigrated Danish culture and they called on the Danish government, which has a 14% stake in the airline, to react.

Controversial Ad that Scandinavian Airlines pulled after a day WATCH

I have always flown with SAS a lot but I would have bad taste in my mouth if I did it again because they spit on us like that, the partys foreign affairs spokesperson, Soeren Espersen, told tabloid Ekstra Bladet.

"MEATBALLS ARE ACTUALLY TURKISH"

The ad said Danish pastries were actually Austrian, Swedish meatballs originated in Turkey, the regions windmills came from what is now Iran, liquorice was Chinese and even the pride of Norway - the paperclip - was invented by an American.

When analyzing the pattern and volume of reactions we have reason to suspect an online attack and that the campaign has been hijacked, the airline said in a statement.

SAS said it expected to share more information about the social media campaign waged against the ad later on Wednesday.

We stand by the core message in the commercial, that travel enriches us, it said.
Hours later, a senior Justice Department official claimed department leadership was shocked at the recommendation and would move to undo it. All four career prosecutors moved to withdraw from the case, with one quitting the government entirely. The Justice Department then filed a new recommendation  signed by Shea and a different career prosecutor  that said the previous guidance could be considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances. It did not advocate for a specific penalty but suggested three to four years in prison would be reasonable.
Patna Universitys vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad on Monday laid foundation stone for construction of first-of-its kind e-library cum cafeteria in order to facilitate better academic culture among students

The e-library cafeteria will remain open 24 hours for the students where they can read books online and enjoy tea, coffee and snacks.

Professor Ravindra Kumar said, The e-library will be constructed with an estimate expenditure of 12 lakh. It will have 20-25 computers in the first phase and sitting arrangements for the students. It will be connected to National Academic Depository which will allow the students to access millions of books. The library would remain open for 24 hours which will benefit hostel students particularly to access and prepare study material in the night as well.

The e-library is expected to get competed within five months and become fully functional from the new academic session. No other university in Bihar has such library till date, he added.

Patna University has 100-year-old central library which has rich collection of 4 lakh volumes including textbooks, journals and periodicals.

Shreya Kumari, student of Darbhanga House, said, I am excited to get e-library facility in the university as it will create conducive library culture. The initiative to add cafeteria with library will be get grand response as it will help us to stay and read in leisure time and also help in group study.
RADNOR, Pa., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LBC Credit Partners ("LBC"), a leading provider of financing solutions to middle market companies, provided a senior secured credit facility to support the acquisition of My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream ("Company") by an investment fund managed by Lakeview Capital, Inc.

LBC served as Agent and Sole Lead Arranger for the senior secured credit facility.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is the creator of the mochi ice cream category and the leading national brand currently available in over 20,000 retailers throughout the United States. The Company has over a 100-year history and is credited with creating mochi ice cream, a handheld, portion-controlled snack of premium ice cream wrapped in sweet, pillowy rice dough.

Lakeview Capital, Inc. is an operationally-focused family office investment firm headquartered in Michigan.

About LBC Credit Partners

LBC Credit Partners provides middle market and small-cap financing solutions supporting sponsored and non-sponsored transactions throughout the U.S. across a broad range of industries. With over $3 billion of capital commitments, we have provided in excess of $6.4 billion to over 229 issuers throughout our 15-year history. * LBC is headquartered in the Philadelphia area and has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. To learn more, visit www.lbccredit.com. *Information as of September 30, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lisa Rubano-Volansky

Tel 724-979-4293

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE LBC Credit Partners
NASA's Artemis program aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. After that, the goal is to send astronauts to Mars.

NASA

NASA is hiring a new class of astronauts for its Artemis missions, which aim to set up a station on the moon and send people to Mars.

Last time the space agency hired a new class of astronauts, it received 18,000 applications.

For those selected, training includes underwater spacewalk simulations, learning Russian, and flying fighter jets.

Applications are open now.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

NASA is looking for new astronauts.

The new class will staff the agency's Artemis missions, which aim to set up a station on the moon and eventually send humans to Mars.

"It's the best job, on or off the planet," Brandi Dean, a spokesperson for NASA, told Business Insider.

The application period for the new cohort opened Monday and closes March 31. The salary range: $104,898 to $161,141. You can apply here.

NASA doesn't have a set number of open positions, but past cohort sizes have ranged from eight to 12. The last time the agency hired astronauts, over 18,000 applications came in.

What it takes to become an astronaut

This is the first time in four years that NASA is hiring astronauts, and the job requirements have changed a little.

Applicants still need US citizenship and two years of related professional experience. But Artemis astronaut candidates also need to pass a 2-hour online assessment after submitting their applications  it's a screener to ensure they're able to meet the expectations of the role.

Also, a master's degree in a STEM field is a requirement for the first time, rather than a bachelor's. (Two years of work towards a Ph.D in STEM, an MD, or completion of a test-pilot program would also work, NASA says.)

Astronaut Christina Koch, who returned from an expedition to the space station on February 6, 2020, pictured on March 14, 2019.

Associated Press

Dean said NASA changed these job requirements to better reflect the candidates that actually get hired.

"Everyone's had a master's or had been a test pilot, so it made sense," she said.

The hiring process is long. The most promising applications go to a panel made up of current astronauts, who pick out the most qualified individuals. Astronauts know what the job entails, Dean said, and "they'll tell you that what's harder to see on paper is operational experience."

Story continues

That experience, in simple terms, is work in life-or-death situations. People who've been in the military tend to have it. Astronaut Kate Rubin's "operational experience," meanwhile, came from conducting research that helped create therapies for the Ebola virus.

After reference checks, approximately 120 people are invited to interview onsite. A smaller group gets invited back, and an even smaller group returns again for medical testing.

"We probably won't be able to announce until 2021," Dean said.

'You're actually hired as an astronaut candidate'

Once hired, the new class of astronauts will join the 48 astronauts in the active corps.

"When you're hired, you're actually hired as an astronaut candidate," Dean said.

The candidates spend a lot of time in the classroom and receive intensive training to develop the basic skills required of astronauts. That includes spacewalk practice underwater, virtual-reality experiments, lessons in Russian, learning how to operate a robot arm, and mastering ISS protocol.

The astronaut candidates also all fly T-38 fighter jets.

"That's one segment that's completely real" in the training, Dean said. "These decisions could have life-or-death consequences. You have to be ready to deal with anything that might come up."

A pair of T-38s dive toward a runway at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Story Musgrave / NASA

After two years of initial training, astronaut candidates are eligible for assignments.

According to NASA's announcement about the open roles, those assignments could involve living and working on the International space Station.

It adds: "They may also launch on NASA's powerful new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, docking the spacecraft at the Gateway in lunar orbit before taking a new human landing system to the moon's surface. After returning humans to the moon in 2024, NASA plans to establish sustainable lunar exploration by 2028. Gaining new experiences on and around the moon will prepare NASA to send the first humans to Mars in the mid-2030s."

Once they're assigned to a mission, that usually requires another couple years of training. But astronauts waiting for assignments are still quite busy, Dean said.

"You're not just twiddling your thumbs," she said. "You're helping develop new spacecraft, supporting fellow astronauts who are in space, and lots more."

NASA's timeline of the Artemis missions.

NASA

Dean added that NASA was already planning to hire a new class of astronauts before a funding boost for the space agency was included in the new federal budget. But the additional money will allow astronauts to conduct more research and give them more opportunities in their roles.

"We're asking all eligible Americans if they have what it takes to apply," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
She is an edgy model who is known for always pushing the boundaries when it comes to fashion.

And Alice Dellal left nothing to the imagination as she attended the NME Awards 2020 x Copper Dog Whisky afterparty at Sweeties at The Standard in London on Wednesday.

The heavily tattooed model granddaughter of late property tycoon Jack Dellal, 31, ut on an eye-popping display in a scarlet and black zebra print catsuit, which flashed her braless assets.

Wow: Alice Dellal left nothing to the imagination as she attended the NME Awards 2020 x Copper Dog Whisky afterparty at Sweeties at The Standard in London on Wednesday

The strapless garment teased a glimpse of her washboard abs and cinched in at her midriff before flowing into 70s-inspired flared trousers.

The star also put on a very cheeky display as she flashed her pert derriere and thong underwear in the sizzling catsuit.

Adding a rocker edge, the star slipped on a cropped leather jacket emblazoned with rock band badges.

Alice wore her platinum tresses in soft waves, parted on the side, with her pretty features enhanced with smoky shadow and plum lipstick.

Oh my! The heavily tattooed model granddaughter of late property tycoon Jack Dellal, 31, ut on an eye-popping display in a scarlet and black zebra print catsuit, which flashed her braless assets

The beauty looked delighted as she arrived at the star-studded soiree, clutching a 20 note, a lighter and a cigarette.

Alice is a well-known face in the fashion world, who models for Chanel, Agent Provocateur and Marc Jacobs,

As the granddaughter of 'Black' Jack Dellal, the Brazilian property tycoon, Alice stands to inherit a fortune of 800 million.

Despite this, Alice has always been hardworking and famed photographer Mario Testino once called her his 'muse.'

The well-connected socialite is the sister is shoe designer Charlotte Olympia, and art curator Alex, who runs a gallery in London's east end.
(Newser)  The Deepwater Horizon spill was worse than thought, thanks to "invisible and toxic oil," say researchers. Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, a study out of the University of Miami suggests the spread of the spill was 30% larger than satellite data indicated, reports the Washington Post. "There was a substantial fraction of oil invisible to satellites and aerial imaging," says study co-author Igal Berenshtein, per USA Today. Co-author Claire Paris-Limouzy explains that satellites easily detect oil that comes to the surface "as a thick layer" but miss smaller concentrations. The researchers used 3D computer simulations to identify a greater range of damage, one that stretches from Texas to the east coast of Florida, reports CNN.

story continues below

What's more, the "invisible" oil was so toxic it could have killed half of all marine life it touched, according to the study in Science Advances. "Oil in these concentrations for surface water extended beyond the satellite footprint and fishery closures, potentially exterminating a vast amount of planktonic marine organisms across the domain," the authors write. The hope is that their approach will be used in conjunction with satellite imagery to detect the full extent of future spills. The Deepwater spill dumped somewhere between 168 million to 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf. (The Trump administration is appealing a judge's ruling that Obama-era restrictions on offshore drilling remain in place.)
The number of coronavirus deaths and cases reported in the Chinese province at the centre of the outbreak spiked dramatically on Thursday, dashing hopes that the viruss spread was stabilising.

Hubei province officials said 242 more people had died from the virus on Wednesday, the sharpest rise in the death toll since Covid-19 was first identified in December, taking the total deaths above 1,350.

And 14,840 new cases were reported, seeing the total infected worldwide rise above 60,000. The spike comes in part from a move by health officials in Hubei to accept positive CT scans as confirmation that a patient is infected, rather than waiting for an RNA lab test.

Experts say the move will allow people to get treatment more quickly and could save lives, but it will also mean a higher number of deaths attributed to Covid-19 in the short term.

It comes after just 2,015 new China cases were reported on Wednesday, a low number that suggested the outbreak might be stabilising. The WHO nonetheless warned against complacency with director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus telling reporters: This outbreak could still go in any direction.

Meanwhile, Beijing moved to sack two top provincial officials, the Communist Partys highest-ranking bosses in both Hubei and the city of Wuhan respectively, amid criticism of how the outbreak was handled.

The death of a whistleblower doctor in Wuhan, who was initially told to keep his concerns about the virus quiet, has received widespread international attention, and experts say the outbreak could have been better contained if local officials had responded more quickly and effectively.

Reports in state-run media said provincial Communist Party boss Jiang Chaoliang had been sacked as secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee, and Ma Guoqiang had been removed as party chief in Wuhan. The reports did not give a reason for the dismissals.

Dozens of low-level health officials across the country have also lost their jobs for failing to contain the epidemic.

"Thank you Communist Party. It should have been done earlier," Wuhan resident Wang You told Reuters.

The biggest cluster of cases outside China remains a cruise ship quarantined off the Japanese port of Yokohama, where a further 44 cases were reported on Thursday. In all, 219 of about 3,700 people on board have tested positive.

There was a happy ending for another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, which docked in Cambodia after being denied docking rights in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines over fears one of its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew might have the virus, even though none had tested positive.

"Just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment," Angela Jones, an American tourist on the ship, said. "I thought: Is this real?"

Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, remains under virtual lockdown, and other major Chinese cities are facing severe travel restrictions.

Many airlines have suspended flights to China, while countries have imposed bans or quarantine for people arriving from China, disrupting businesses and playing havoc with conferences and sporting events.

The Mobile World Congress, a telecoms industry gathering that draws more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona, has been cancelled after an exodus of exhibitors.

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, set for Shanghai on 19 April, was postponed, as was Singapore's rugby sevens tournament scheduled for 11-12 April.

Hong Kong, where 50 cases have been confirmed, extended the suspension of schools to 16 March.

Additional reporting by agencies
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Students of Delhi University's all-girls Gargi College will continue the ongoing protest as the "students are unhappy with the response of the administration." "Gargi College has continued to strike for its fourth consecutive day, to reiterate that the students aren't happy with the answers given to them by the administration," the student body said in a statement.

The students body said the protest would continue and enter its fifth day on Friday.

The girls of Gargi College are protesting against the alleged molestation that occurred on the campus during Day 3 of the annual cultural fest Reverie 2020 on February 6.

The statement of the student body said, "They portrayed their anger through poetry today, using their words as a tool of resistance. They shall be striking till they receive the budget of the event, the final constitution of the ICC (internal complaints committee), and the reports of the Fact Finding Committee." University's proctor also held a meeting with the students union on Thursday.

"The Proctor assured us of the college's support to the students and their cause, and reinstated that the college will work to make the university and colleges safe throughout the year," the body said.

Meanwhile, the 10 people arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the incident were sent to judicial custody.
An emergency worker in protective clothing drives an ambulance carrying a person diagnosed with COVID-19 in Yokohama, Japan, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Japan Confirms First Death From New Coronavirus

Japanese authorities on Thursday confirmed the first death in the country from the new coronavirus that originated in China.

The victim was a Japanese woman in her 80s.

Test results came back as positive after her death, Heath Minister Katsunobu Kato said at a press conference in Kyodo, according to The Japan Times.

Kato told reporters that the woman was being treated at a hospital near Tokyo since early February after showing symptoms of the new virus, known as COVID-19.

The woman is the countrys first confirmed fatality and the second reported outside of China. The first took place in the Philippines. That person was a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus.

China has reported tens of thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths. Many experts and public health officials believe the number is higher than the Chinese Communist Party is reporting.

Passengers stand on the deck of the Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored at Yokohama Port in Yokohama on Feb. 12, 2020. (Yuta Omori/Kyodo News via AP)

Forty-four new cases, meanwhile, were confirmed among the passengers on a cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan, Princess Cruises confirmed in a statement. The Diamond Princess ship now has 218 cases out of 713 people tested since it entered port on Feb. 3, by far the largest cluster of infections outside of China. There are some 3,700 people on board.

Princess Cruises said that Japanese health officials are planning to let people complete the two-week quarantine at a facility on land.

The passengers will be tested for the virus and if its positive theyll be taken to a local hospital. If its negative, theyll be told they can leave the ship for transport to a housing facility to finish the quarantine period. The facility includes private rooms and bathrooms with Japanese bento-style boxes for meals.

From the information available it is our understanding that this will be a phased approach, with the most medically vulnerable guests in the first phase, including older adults with preexisting health conditions, Princess Cruises stated.

Kato said five of the patients sent to hospitals earlier have severe symptoms and are on artificial respirators or under intensive care.

A woman waves from outside Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal as she communicates via phone with a passenger (not pictured) standing on the balcony of a cabin on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, as the vessels passengers continue to be tested for coronavirus, in Yokohama, Japan, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

He said the government has decided to allow passengers older than 80 to get off the ship after testing negative for the virus. He said results of tests on about 200 eligible passengers are underway, and those with chronic health problems or in cabins without operable windows will be given priority.

Some experts have questioned Japans strategy of isolating the passengers and crew in a potentially virus-affected environment on the ship while the disease is already slowly making its way into the country.

On the ship, infections are getting very dense, said Shigeru Omi, an infectious disease prevention expert and former regional director for the World Health Organization. Its like we are seeing a very condensed version of what could happen in a local community.

Omi, who currently heads the Japan Community Health Care Organization, said those people who have tested positive for the virus are only a fraction of what could already be spreading outside of the ship. We should assume that the virus has already been spreading in Japan, he said.

In all, Japan has 247 confirmed cases of the new disease.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Skin Deep sheds a light on a very controversial subject matter in the medical community, while simultaneously informing and entertaining its audience, said Brett Rogalsky, Acquisitions Coordinator at Gravitas Ventures.

Director/Editor Pi Ware's ("Solitude," The Act) powerful new documentary Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons, takes a deep dive approach into the heated controversy surrounding Morgellons disease, a skin condition that most of the medical industry considers delusional. This investigative independent film has been acquired by Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, and will make it's global VOD/Digital & DVD release across platforms everywhere on March 31st, 2020.

Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons, explores the controversy surrounding Morgellons--a disease where fibers grow from sufferers' skin, but a disease that the medical industry considers "all in the patient's head". The film brings to light the heated debate as to who is delusionalthe patients who believe or the doctors who deny-- and whether medical treatment for Morgellons should be antibiotics or anti-psychotics. Joining director/editor Pi Ware on this film are editor Tom Putnam (Burn, Marwencol); cinematographers Sam Price-Waldman (There Is No Place for You Here, Wolf Mountain), and PJ Raval (Call Her Ganda, Trouble the Water); composer Andrew Gross (Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, Bring It On: Fight To The Finish); producers Levon Mergian (Searching, Avarice), Patrick Belton (True Blood, Some Guy Who Kills People), Gary Leva (Fog City Mavericks, A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope), Laura Stoddard (Before the Fire, Beyond the Bolex) & Ware; and executive producers Denise James and Jerry James.

Skin Deep sheds a light on a very controversial subject matter in the medical community, while simultaneously informing and entertaining its audience, said Brett Rogalsky, Acquisitions Coordinator at Gravitas Ventures.

Some doctors claim that Morgellons is a rare form of Lyme Disease in which fibers grow from the skin of victims. Other doctors claim that Morgellons is nothing but a delusion. Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons uncovers the controversy behind the patients who suffer and the physicians who treat them.

This film has been a revelation for me personally as a filmmaker, and Im looking forward to the important conversations it will generate with audiences, states director Pi Ware.

The documentary follows subjects on both sides of the debate: a Texas nurse who suffers from the disease, and a skeptical dermatologist who asserts "there are no bad doctors". The film investigates new research that claims the fibers are protein-based filaments created by the body, explores historical patterns of medical arrogance, and exposes the fatal flaws in the 2012 Morgellons study by the CDC.

Skin Deep: The Battle Over Morgellons climaxes in a showdown at the Morgellons Conference in Austin, Texas, where the skeptical dermatologist presents his controversial opinions, and where bridges between doctors and patients will either be built... or burned.

Skin Deep was also highlighted in Variety Magazine. Here is a link to that article: https://variety.com/2020/film/news/atom-egoyan-guest-of-honour-us-distribution-1203500234/.

Where to follow the film and its journey:

Facebook: @Morgellonsmovie

Instagram: @Morgellonsmovie

Twitter: @Morgellonsmovie

About the Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation:

The Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation, based in Austin, TX, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and philanthropy in the battle against Morgellons disease. Director, Cindy Casey-Holman, RN, leads the foundation, named for her husband, Charles E. Holman, a pioneer in the fight against Morgellons disease. Currently, there is no public funding and very limited private funding to support research for this disease, and the CEHMDF is the recognized authority and primary funding source for Morgellons disease medical/scientific research. Donations are tax-deductible in the US. To learn more about Morgellons disease go to: http://www.MorgellonsDisease.org

Contact information:

http://www.thecehf.org/contact-us/
Vicente, who was 54 when he died, was the family patriarch, the planner, the quintessential grandfather. As Valentines Day or Easter came around, he began asking what they would cook or where they would go. He enjoyed sitting with his grandchildren through Disney on Ice performances. He wanted to spend time with his family, even if the activity wasnt his first choice, Diana said.
Moving fireworks from July to January was one tongue-in-cheek creative solution to reducing wildfires in the Bitterroot Valley that was offered on Wednesday.

Community leaders from a variety of agencies met with researchers from the University of Montana to share their positive and negative experiences, perceptions and challenges of their involvement with wildfire.

The topic of discussion at the Bedford Building was about how people interact with the natural world, natural resources and wildfires.

Alexander Metcalf, Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions, Department of Society and Conservation at The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, and his team of researchers and students came to interact and listen.

The project that brings us here today is focused on how communities like yours and ecosystems are affected by response to wildfire, he said.

Metcalf called the meeting an opportunity to share the state of the science on resilience to wildfire, report back results from their three-year study in the Bitterroot and Methow, Washington, valleys including interviews and surveys with residents and community leaders.

He said the meeting was to hear directly from community members on their reaction to these pieces of information and share their personal and community stories of living with wildfire.

We are specifically interested in the impacts from wildfire (both negative and positive), reflections on how communities responded during wildfire events and between them, and ideas for how we could all do a better job moving forward, Metcalf said. We are preparing technical reports and scientific publications based on all our findings that should help land managers, fire managers and communities work better together to promote resilience.

The three-hour meeting had presentations and round table discussions by a variety of stakeholders including Five Valley Land Trust, Darby Schools, Montana State Parks, Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation, Forest Service, Lolo National Forest, Ravalli County Sheriffs Office, Ravalli County Planning, Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development, Rocky Mountain Labs, Bitterroot River Protection, MSU Extension and the media.

We know that change is part of life and that the places that we live in, both the ecosystems and the people, are complex, Metcalf said. The idea is that when we go through some sort of disturbance like wildfire we can bounce back. Or if we are prepared we can use that opportunity to bounce forward to someplace that were trying to go.

He acknowledged that communities are intrinsically linked to the ecosystem and environment.

Our environment is important to us and our way of life, he said. Fire is a natural part of the system. Fire is here and we have to learn to live with it but that can be sometimes hard. Each community is different with its own values, strengths, weaknesses and relationships with each other.

Metcalf told participants that for thorough research his team needs more of your voice.

We need to understand how communities are functioning and how they interact with wildfire, he said. My goals are to elevate the voice of people for determining how we manage our lands and help those who are impacted. We are pretty good at managing the forest but we are not so good at getting people involved.

He said his team is embracing community character, recognizing that our dynamic community has special and unique places, Community members feel self-sufficient and the fabric of the community keeps changing as our population grows.

The breakout discussions covered both personal and professional experiences about how the community was impacted positively and negatively, how the community responded during and between events and how everyone, community members and agencies, could better prepare.

The groups created robust lists that included the need for better inter-agency communication; more community access to updated accurate information about the fires, travel, evacuations and resources; reduction in hazardous fuels before events begin; more incentives to not build in forest interface; community liaison groups; evacuation plans ready; and fireproof construction for residences.

On the positive lists were that the community reaches out to provide assistance to neighbors, there was better communication than during previous fires and some plans for handling evacuations were already in place.

Roger Laferriere, Rocky Mountain Laboratories Emergency Prepared Coordinator, said, It is not about the fire, it is about peoples lives.

He said that at the lab they set up a Voluntary System Taskforce where they work together to take care of the needs of their employees as they arise.

He said that there are many political policies and philosophies but on the good side the community does come together, Laferriere said. More so than everything, everyone puts their political differences aside and comes together.

The final thoughts included not letting the ball drop between events but to take a breather then prepare, continuing conversations around the community.

The researchers said the valued the participants sharing of their 30 plus years of experiences with wildfire.

The research is funded by the Joint Fire Science Program, an interagency funding organization, for more information visit www.firescience.gov/.

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YOKOHAMA BAY, JAPAN -- It will take three days for a Central New York couple quarantined on a cruise ship off Japan to find out if they have caught the coronavirus.

Cheryl and Paul Molesky, of Syracuse, said they were tested Thursday morning in Japan for COVID-19. A masked health worker took throat swabs from the couple inside their room aboard the Diamond Princess, the cruise ship docked in Yokohama Bay. The Moleskys will find out Sunday if theyve caught the virus.

But the test hasnt dampened the couples spirits.

We feel pretty darn good, Paul Molesky said.

The Moleskys spoke to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard on Thursday via video chat. More than 3,000 people have been quarantined on the Diamond Princess for over a week.

As of Thursday, 218 passengers and crew members from the Diamond Princess have tested positive for COVID-19, reported The Japan Times. Five passengers have severe symptoms, the Japanese health minister told reporters. Some are breathing via artificial respirators.

Over 48,000 people -- mostly in China -- have caught COVID-19, reported The New York Times. Over 1,300 have died. Japan today reported its first death from the virus (not a passenger from the cruise ship.)

The Moleskys have created a video diary on YouTube to offer a peek into life aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess. They shared a video of Paul Molesky getting tested for COVID-19 on Thursday.

In the video, Paul Molesky smiled before opening his mouth wide, allowing a health worker to swab his mouth. He soothed the worker after the test, telling the man, Im OK.

Despite being stuck in their room, they are trying to make the best of a tense situation.

Were still not having a bad time. Were lucky we have a balcony room, Cheryl Molesky said. We can head outside and enjoy the sun.

If they test positive for COVID-19, Paul Molesky said theyll be taken off the ship to a hospital. They have been told the Japanese health care system is one of the best systems in the world. So if they do get sick, Paul Molesky said theyll at least get good care.

The quarantine is supposed to end on Wednesday, Feb. 19, Cheryl Molesky said. Theyre not sure what will happen next: Will they be sent back to the United States? Will they be allowed to travel in Japan, as they originally planned?

The Moleskys expect theyll have some answers in a few days. For now, theyre staying positive.

Its cold here, but the sun shines on the balcony, Cheryl Molesky said. Its better than Syracuse any day.

Want to keep up with the Moleskys? Watch their video diary on YouTube.

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.
Four of the UK's biggest drum and bass acts will be getting together for a massive back to back session and all of it is going to be streamed live for everyone to enjoy!

Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock and 1991 are coming live from Los Angeles on Friday morning - streaming from 11am NZ time.

Sub Focus shared the announcement on his social media channels.
A curious koala has been filmed sniffing a bong in a man's backyard.

The native marsupial was perched on a balcony fence at a home in South Australia as he observed items sat on a table.

The video, shared to Instagram by S*** Adelaide on Wednesday, showed the koala bow his head towards the glass bong.

'The koala is having a bong,' the man behind the camera is heard saying.

'He's having a bong.'

The koala then retracted from the smoking device and stared into the camera.

The 'unreal' video was praised as being distinctly Australian.

'Just Adelaide things... Just the usual... Why would you live anywhere else?' one person wrote.

'Couldn't get more Australian right now,' another commented.

One viewer said the koala was 'living his best life'.
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday said that the firm owned by Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve's family had been given the project to digitise city police's records after the then state government granted permission for it.

The project was given to the firm, CrispQ Information Technologies Pvt Ltd, owned by Barve's son Sumukh Barve and wife Sharmila Barve, by the previous Devendra Fadnavis-led government for five years.

"The firm was given the digitisation project after the (then) state government granted permission for it. There is a letter of permission from the Joint Secretary of Home Department Sunil Sovitkar dated October 7, 2019," Deshmukh told reporters after meeting Barve.

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh had told reporters that he has sought details of the project and called Barve for a meeting in that connection.

On Wednesday, Barve had acknowledged that the firm owned by his son and wife was given the project, but said that the services were offered free of cost and there was "no question" of any financial gain.

The firm, CrispQ Information Technologies Pvt Ltd, offered its services "free of cost and there was no question of any financial gains to it", Barve had told PTI.

"The company had offered its service pro bono and it was for the benefit of the Mumbai Police," he said.

Barve is set to retire on February 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BRUSSELS (AP)  Down one country with the departure of Britain, the European Union's executive proposed a new system for adding members in a move made all the more urgent by French objections to open enlargement talks with two Western Balkan nations.

The European Commission hopes the streamlined rules will avoid further delaying the start of accession negotiations when aspiring members to what is now the 27-country bloc have met the conditions for such talks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the proposal was a good message to North Macedonia and Albania, who were both desperately disappointed when their hopes for the swift commencement of accession negotiations were rebuffed in October.

And perhaps crucially, France acknowledged that the proposal was good, "a significant change, a big step in the right direction.

This is a major element that allows positions to move  not only Frances position, said a top official at the French presidency, who asked not to be identified in accordance with Elysee customary practices.

The EU is hoping that a breakthrough for Albania and North Macedonia can be found in March. The bloc also has a major Western Balkans summit planned for May.

There are worries that if the EU doesn't open its arms, then several countries in the strategically important Balkan region could pivot instead to Russia and China. For a bloc that's just lost the diplomatic and geopolitical clout of Britain, that could be a hard pill to swallow.

EU enlargement is a WIN-WIN situation," von der Leyen said in a tweet.

Enlargement is especially contentious in some capitals in the EU over such issues as corruption and the rule of law.

North Macedonia and Albania were left aghast when their hopes of starting accession talks late last year were dashed, with France insistent that the enlargement process was revamped first.

Both aspirants voiced their initial satisfaction at the developments.

Story continues

This renewed approach will result in a double victory in the coming weeks: opening negotiations together in an advanced process, North Macedonia foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov said in a written statement.

And Albanias acting Foreign Minister Gent Cakaj said the expectation is that membership negotiations would commence this year and that the country would continue its reforms and the fundamental transformation in line with the new methodology.

He added that the EU has its sights on the  stability, development and democratization of the Western Balkans in general.

The EU hasn't added a member state since Croatia joined in 2013. It started out with six nations in 1958 and lost its first member state when Britain pulled out last weekend.

Over the past dozen years, as first the financial and then the migration crisis hit the continent, the appetite for taking in new, poorer nations has dwindled.

___

Konstantin Testorides in Skopje, North Macedonia, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, and Llazar Semini in Tirana, Albania contributed to this report.
All the blazes in Australia's hard-hit state of New South Wales have been brought under control, firefighters said on Thursday, signalling the end of a "black summer" that claimed 33 lives nationwide. But heavy rains that helped extinguish the blazes that have raged along the east coast since September are causing flash floods in parts of the state, posing new problems for some residents. "Not all fires are out, there's still some fire activity in the far south of the state but all fires are contained so we can really focus on helping people rebuild," the state's fire service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said on Twitter. "It is very good news," a Rural Fire Service spokesman told AFP. Bushfires scorched more than 10 million hectares in the country's east and south, killing at least 33 people and an estimated one billion animals, while destroying more than 2,500 homes. The crisis cloaked major cities including Sydney in smoke for weeks on end, saw towns cut off and prompted the deployment of the military to rescue stranded citizens. Beleaguered volunteer firefighters have fought the blazes day-in-day-out in what has been described as Australia's "black summer". The fires were exacerbated by prolonged drought and worsened by climate change in the country's hottest and driest year on record. - Not threatening - Days of recent rainfall have extinguished the largest fires and brought those that remain under control. In the Australian Capital Territory around Canberra firefighters are still trying to bring one blaze under control, but it was not said to be threatening. Attention has now turned to tackling flash flooding expected in the coming days following the heaviest rains in 30 years. On Thursday dams near Sydney overflowed after days of torrential rain, a spectacular reversal from months of drought. The Nepean dam was just a third full less than a week ago, but on Thursday video footage showing water cascading over the dam wall. Hundreds of people have been rescued from floodwaters in recent days. Wild weather is set to ramp up again from Friday, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi would bring "damaging to destructive winds" and heavy rainfall to remote tourist destination Lord Howe Island. Senior meteorologist Grace Legge said storms were also expected for Queensland and New South Wales -- with areas still recovering from bushfires likely to be hit again. "Any showers and thunderstorms that do develop are falling on already saturated catchments, so there is a risk with severe thunderstorms of flash flooding," she said. The Australian bushfires raged for months, devastating tens of thousands of hectares After months of devastating bushfires, parts of Australia are now battling flash floods brought by record rains
Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Officials with the 385th District Court confirmed Wednesday that Judge Robin Malone Darr will retire at the end of month.

Darr has been telling colleagues about her decision, and on Wednesday, she was set to send out a press release about her decision.
Lakeland Dairies has set a price for January milk increasing the base price.

In the Republic of Ireland, a base price of 31.81c/litre (including VAT and Lactose bonus) will be paid for milk supplied in January

The base price has been increased by 0.5c/l. Qualifying farmers will also receive the usual Out-Of-Season payment.

In Northern Ireland, a base price of 25.25p/l will be paid for January supplies. The base price has been increased 0.25p/l.

Commenting on the price, the Co-op said while European and US milk production has returned to growth in recent months, the global dairy market fundamentals are reasonable with supply and demand pretty well balanced.

"However, there is a growing concern in the market on the back of the Coronavirus.

Over the past month, sentiment in China has become weaker as authorities there move to get a handle on the virus. This has resulted in a slowing of consumer sentiment and distribution channels.

Lakeland Dairies will continue to monitor the market situation closely over the coming weeks.
The United States is discussing military cuts in Africa, has tightened visa rules for Africans and President Donald Trump notoriously was quoted as disparaging the continent with a vulgar epithet. But in his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in his nearly two years in office, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will seek to lay out a positive vision for US cooperation with the continent where China has been increasingly active. Pompeo on Saturday begins a trip to Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia, chosen for their leaders' attachment to democratic values in a continent that has seen backsliding in recent years. "These three countries are major contributors to regional stability. Also, the countries are benefiting from dynamic leadership," a senior State Department official said on customary condition of anonymity. The official said that a "major theme" will be the growing role of China, which has poured money into the continent as part of its global blitz of infrastructure spending. China has invested especially heavily in Angola, which racked up an estimated $25 billion in debt to Beijing to be repaid with oil shipments. The United States has been encouraging developing countries to exercise caution with China, saying that big-ticket projects can turn into debt traps that primarily benefit China, and has billed the US private sector as an alternative. The US official said Pompeo would stress "economic growth, trade and investment" in a continent whose population is forecast to double by 2050. "We want to absolutely empower that youth and make sure that they are a force for dynamic growth and economic empowerment and better governance in the world," he said. - Concerns on security - The United States has hardly sent consistently supportive messages ahead of Pompeo's trip. The Pentagon announced this week that it will start adjusting its military presence in Africa as it considers cuts, with resources instead expected to go to countering China, Russia and Iran. France has voiced particular concern at the impact of US cuts on the fight against Islamist extremism. The French are leading a 4,500-strong operation in the Sahel to crush a rise in militants, with the United States providing in-flight refueling and other logistical support. "I think the signal the US government is said to have sent that they are withdrawing from the Sahel will be very, very worrisome in Senegal and in the Sahelian countries," said Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, a professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. "This should be a very important talking point during his visit," said Mbaye, who is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. Weeks before Pompeo's trip, the United States said it was also sharply tightening visa rules for citizens of six countries including Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria, and Sudan, whose new civilian government has been seeking international support. US officials said the countries needed to resolve technical issues related to security, but some critics recalled Trump's widely reported remarks in 2018 when he used a profanity to describe African and poorer Western Hemisphere nations that send immigrants to the United States. - A trip is not a 'strategy' - One former US diplomat expressed confusion over the goals of Pompeo's trip to sub-Saharan Africa, the only region he has not previously visited. "It's not clear why he is going now and whether this is part of any broader US strategy on Africa, especially when the administration has indicated in just the last few weeks that it intends to exponentially reduce its security and aid investments," said the former diplomat, who requested anonymity to speak candidly. "You can't just check the box of having an Africa policy by stopping in a few countries on a big continent and then call that a strategy." Witney Schneidman, who worked on Africa in the State Department under president Bill Clinton, said Pompeo's trip showed the Trump administration trying belatedly to set "a positive tone on the continent." But he said that Pompeo would have his hands full explaining the mixed messages from Washington, which include sharp cuts in both the Commerce Department and overseas aid in Trump's latest budget proposal. "I think that he risks getting caught up in a sort of China-China-China dynamic and really needs to convey to African leaders that Africa is genuinely a priority for the United States," said Schneidman, who is also at the Brookings Institution. "If he can cut through and promote those messages clearly, then I think his trip will be successful." The last secretary of state to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Pompeo's predecessor, Rex Tillerson, in March 2018. He was unusually buoyant in Africa but the trip was not auspicious. On his return, Trump fired him. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo boards his plane at Andrews Air Force Base en route to Munich on a trip that will include his first tour of sub-Saharan Africa Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his democratic reforms and reconciliation with Eritrea, speaks on a visit to South Africa in January 2020 Soldiers from the French Army in the Sahel monitor a rural area in northern Burkina Faso in November 2019 Senegal's President Macky Sall, seen here in January 2020, will meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the start of the top US diplomat's Africa tour Angola's President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, seen here in May 2019, has won praise for his democratic reforms Then US secretary of state Rex Tillerson receives a cup of brewed coffee during a traditional ceremony at the US embassy in Addis Ababa in March 2018
On February 5, Pope Francis addressed a crowd of economists and finance ministers that had gathered together for a seminar on New Forms of Solidarity Towards Fraternal Inclusion, Integration and Innovation. During his speech, the pope addressed the economy, sin, and finance, and he also called for wealth distribution in order to alleviate poverty. The world is rich, and yet the poor increase around us, he said. If extreme poverty exists in the midst of wealth (also extreme), it is because we have allowed the gap to widen to become the largest in history. The pope says its a fact the poor have only grown poorer, while the rich continue to get richer  but is this really true? How effectively can poverty be alleviated through wealth redistribution? Actons president and co-founder, Rev. Robert Sirico, comes on to the podcast to answer.

Read: John Paul IIs Sollicitudo Rei Socialis encyclical

Pope Francis endorses wealth redistribution, calls for an end to tax cuts for the richest people

Read Pope Francis speech given at the New Forms of Solidarity seminar

New to the Acton Line podcast? Subscribe here! We also recommend starting with these episodes:

Do you have feedback for the Acton Line podcast team? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] If you like Acton Line, dont forget to leave a rating and review on the Apple podcast app!
On-orbit manufacturing startup Made In Space has tapped Colorado's Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) to help support its Archinaut One demonstration mission contracted by NASA, which is currently set to take place in 2022. The mission will see Made In Space show off the assembly of two 10-meter solar arrays on orbit, which will then be used to power an ESPA-class satellite, providing up to five times more power than is available via power sources used for those satellites not assembled on orbit.

BCT will be providing development of the spacecraft platform (along with Northrop Grumman) that Made In Space will use to delver its Archinaut manufacturing platform, which employs additive manufacturing and robotic assembly to be able to build structures while on orbit. The Colorado company, founded in 2008, has developed a number of spacecraft for a variety of projects, including JPL's first-ever operational CubeSat project, the Asteria space telescope.

I spoke to BCT systems engineer Brian Crum about the Made In Space project, and he said that it's representative of the kind of work they've been doing, which mainly concentrates around interesting demonstration missions and initial operations of novel space technologies that could have tremendous impact on how work is done in space.

"Given the size of spacecraft that we develop and specialize in, and at that price point, it really lends itself to these Demonstration Missions that are follow-on to operational concepts," he said. "We are a good solution for testing out concepts, and we get approached quite a bit for that [...] we get a lot of interesting ideas of people wanting to try things, and this is definitely one of them."

BCT is actually in the process of building more than 60 spacecraft, and it doubled in size over the past year. Next, the company plans to open a new combined headquarters and production facility that spans more than 80,000 acres, which should be opening sometime later this year. That growth is directly driven by an uptick in business -- something Crum says is the result of a boom in experimentation and technology demonstrations coming from all vectors, including government and private industry.

"There are definitely more people that have more appetite for risk," he said. "We we are growing because the demand for the spacecraft is growing, that's the simple answer. We're hiring the right people to support these programs, and the number of programs is greatly increasing. Along with that, as we grow larger in size, and the spacecraft grow larger and size, they become more complex, which means they need a little bit more effort. So there's there's a little bit more engineering that goes into them as well."
The stunning Tiger's Nest in Bhutan. (Getty Images)

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Bhutan is a hot destination right now. This tiny Himalayan kingdom, set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, was named the top country to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet.

Rough Guides also ranked it as one of the best places to travel to in 2020. And for good reason.

Not only is this the worlds only carbon-negative country, its also immensely beautiful: verdant valleys tinkle with the sound of ringing yak bells, red-robed monks wander between Buddhist monasteries and traditional villages are scattered through pristine pine forests.

This is a place where you can walk with pilgrims past sacred rocks and shrines, earn some good karma by hanging prayer flags at mountain passes and sample local delicacies like dried yak cheese and fresh betel nut.

Bhutans sustainability credentials are also impressive.

Over 60% of its forests are protected for future generations, and its set to become the first fully organic nation by 2020. The tourism policy is strictly high-value, low-impact, in line with the philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

Foreign visitors must pay a minimum of $250 per day.

This may sound steep, but it includes all food, accommodation, transport and a local guide. It also provides access to one of the most uncrowded  and unspoilt  corners of South Asia.

Where to stay

The budget stay | Book here

Wangchuk Lodge in Gangtey. (Booking.com)

For a quaint lodge with great views and a low price tag, book a room at Wangchuk Lodge in Gangtey. Accommodation is simple but clean, and facilities include free wifi, parking and a hot stone bath. Rooms from 23 per night.

The boutique stay | Book here

Relax in Como Uma Punakha's wellness area. (Como Hotels)

Located at the western edge of the lush Punakha Valley, COMO Uma Punakha is luxurious and intimate, with just eight bijou rooms overlooking hills and the Mo Chu river.

The decor is sleek, and theres also a small but excellent restaurant and spa. Rooms from 375 per night.

Story continues

The blow the budget stay | Book here

A lodge suite at Six Senses Gangtey. (Six Senses)

With five luxuriously simple wooden lodges in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Six Senses Gangtey has magnificent views, cosy log fires and traditional Bhutanese style.

Food is impressive, staff are attentive and activities include breakfasting with monks in a nearby monastery to visiting a local yak farmer. Rooms from 765 per night.

How to get there

There are no direct flights from the UK to Bhutan, so youll need to travel via another Asian destination.

The national carriers Drukair and Bhutan Airlines service Bhutan, with direct routes into Paro from Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok and Singapore.

The starting price is usually around 500pp. There are small domestic airports at Gelephu (southern Bhutan), Bumthang (central Bhutan) and Yongphula (in the east).

There are no train lines or public transport by boat in Bhutan. Most travellers have all road transportation provided by their tour agency.

You can find local taxi services in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Jakar.
A man allegedly threw acid on



his wife in the city on Thursday before attacking her with a screw-driver on suspicion that she is having an extra-marital relationship, police said.

The woman who has been living with their two children at Kasba in south Kolkata is hospitalised with burn injuries on her neck and hands.

Police said their five-year-old son was present when he attacked her with a screw-driver, pinned her to the ground and threw acid on her.

The incident occured in front of their son's school. Local people caught him and handed him over to police.

During interrogation, the man said he suspected his wife of having an extra-martial affair and wanted to teach her a lesson.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
English Danish

PRESS RELEASE





Tvis, 13 February 2020

Glenn Andresen joins Svane Kkkenet Norway as new country manager

TCM Group, one of Denmark's leading and most innovative manufacturers of kitchens and furniture for bathrooms and storage, has as of April 1 2020 hired Glenn Andresen Country Manager Norway for its main brand Svane Kkkenet.

Glenn Andresen was previously sales and marketing manager and country manager for respectively Sigdal and Norema (part of the Nobia group) in Norway. In addition to extensive industry knowledge, Glenn Andresen also has comprehensive experience in recruitment, which will support Svane Kkkenets determined focus on the expansion journey towards 15-18 branded stores in Norway.

We are pleased to add a management profile with such strong background and look forward to Glenn, together with the rest of the organization, putting even more power on our sales performance in Norway, especially towards the B2B segment. In addition, we have a clear goal of establishing more branded Svane stores in the largest cities, where we see great interest in our design and innovative products, said CEO of TCM Group, Ole Lund Andersen.

Svane Kkkenet has a total of 28 branded stores in Denmark and 8 branded stores in Norway. In addition to Svane Kkkenet, the brands Tvis Kkkener, Nettoline, kitchn as well as private label solutions are part of TCM Group.

TCM Group reports its 2019 financial results on February 26, and expects revenue of DKK 1,000-1,030 million and adjusted EBITA of DKK 160-170 million.









For further information:

CEO Ole Lund Andersen, TCM Group, +45 97 43 52 00

About TCM Group

TCM Group is Scandinavias third largest manufacturer of kitchens and furniture for bathrooms and storage. The products are Danish design, produced in Denmark and rooted in a proud tradition of good quality and good craftsmanship. TCM Group pursues a multi-brand strategy, under which the main brand is Svane Kkkenet and the other brands are Tvis Kkkener, Nettoline and kitchn. Combined, the brands cater for the entire price spectrum, and are sold through c. 135 dealers in Denmark and the rest of the Scandinavia. In addition, TCM Group sells private label kitchens through DIY stores in Denmark and independent kitchen stores in Norway. See www.tcmgroup.dk for more information.

Attachment
Update, 2/4, 9:30 a.m.: A spokesperson for the Center for American Progress contacted Paste with the information that culinary union secretary-treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline has never been a member of the Advisory Board at the Center for American Progress. That runs contrary to a claim in her Culinary Union bio, a preserved version of which can be seen here. CAPs advisory board, as listed online, does not feature Arguello-Kline. The spokesperson clarified that she was on an advisory commitee for a jobs proposal.

Culinary Union 226 is a political powerhouse representing tens of thousands of hospitality workers in Nevada, and on Tuesday the Nevada Indepenent discovered they were posting flyers attacking the Medicare For All healthcare plan proposed by Bernie Sanders:

The new flyer, a copy of which was obtained by The Nevada Independent, compares the positions on health care, good jobs and immigration of six Demoratic presidential hopefuls who have come to the unions headquarters over the last two months to court its members. But the primary difference outlined in the document, which is being distributed in both English and Spanish, is in the candidates positions on health care, taking particular aim at the Vermont senator over his Medicare-for-all policy, which would establish a single-payer, government run health insurance system.

The flyer says Sanders, if elected president, would end Culinary Healthcare, require Medicare For All, and lower drug prices.

Interestingly, they described Warrens plan as replacing their healthcare, rather than bringing it to an end, and they sent this information out to members via text and email Tuesday night.

On its face, this is shockingby all indications, the Culinary Union has indeed negotiated a solid healthcare plan for its members, but in our current for-profit, employer-tied model, it goes without saying that even good plans can go by the wayside in the case of layoffs or other life changes. That wouldnt be true in a Medicare for All system, and its a disingenuous Republican talking point to say M4A would end other healthcare plans (or kick you off your plan, to use the language that many opponents prefer) without mentioning that it replaces that insurance with a comprehensive government plan that would save money due to the eradication of premiums, deductibles, copays, and etc. Nobody would lose his or her insurance under the Sanders transition to M4A, despite the implication of the culinary unions flyer. Also, and more importantly for a union, a universal healthcare system would vastly increase the power of unions by removing the need to negotiate healthcare, and removing it from managements list of bargaining chips. If healthcare was handled by the government, the union would be free to organize for higher wages and better working conditions. This is a big reason why unions are so much stronger in Europe, where government-run healthcare is the norm. Sanders has specifically mandated in his plan that if M4A passed, businesses would have to direct their extra profits to unions and employees.

But for anyone who has watched the attack patterns of anti-Sanders groups for the last five years, what came next was no surprise: The culinary union began to complain about the mean Sanders supporters attacking them online:

Our union believes that everyone has the right to good health care and that health care should be a right, not a privilege, said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the groups secretary-treasurer, adding that the union had already negotiated its own health care plan for what working people need.

Its disappointing that Senator Sanders supporters have viciously attacked the Culinary Union and working families in Nevada simply because our union has provided facts on what certain health care proposals might do to take away the system of care we have built over eight decades, she said, noting that Sanders had participated in Culinary town halls and toured the unions facilities.

That was the obvious last step in the same old game plan, which can be outlined as follows:

1. Launch a disingenuous attack on Sanders or one of his plans.

2. Wait for his massive support base on the Internet to complain.

3. Moan about the vicious attacks, push the narrative that he has a supporter problem.

In this case, hilariously, the ultimate aim seems to be painting Sanders as the anti-union candidate ahead of the Nevada caucuses.

But if the pattern was predictable, the origin was notwhy was this particular union going after Bernie Sanders, of all candidates? There has long been a stark divide between the leadership of unions, which tend to flock to establishment candidates, and the rank-and-file who disdain that leadership because of its support for political leaders who dont actually help workers, but this was still a puzzle. Until, that is, more information came about out the most outspoken member of the unions leadership, Geoconda Arguello-Kline.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



STATEMENT by: Me



The Secretary/Treasurer of Nevadas Culinary Unionwho published this statement lying about Sanders and M4Ais also a board member at CAP (Neera Tandens corporate think tank).



But wait, theres more! (1/3)



h/t @You2marspic.twitter.com/qZVPXe0A7R  Samuel D. Finkelstein II (@CANCEL_SAM) February 13, 2020

Arguello-Kline participated in a '16 hit against Bernie in the run up to NV.



She told ThinkProgress, CAP's defunct news outlet, that Bernie staff posed as Culinary workers & snuck into hotels to influence union members.



Neera & Podesta gleefully discuss it in this leaked email. pic.twitter.com/h30wGqVetE  Samuel D. Finkelstein II (@CANCEL_SAM) February 13, 2020

Is this a case of union leadership weaponizing their position to ingratiate themselves w/the rich?



Is she acting inbad faith?



I don't know. But I do know that this womanin 2016 & 2020used her leadership position to attack Bernie, just days before NV. Two times!  Samuel D. Finkelstein II (@CANCEL_SAM) February 13, 2020

Sanders supporters may not know the name of Arguello-Kline offhand, but they absolutely know the name of Neera Tanden and the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank closely associated with the Clintons and a longtime opponent of progressive politics, where Arguello-Kline is a board member. (Update, Friday 2/14: See the note at the top of this post. Arguello-Kline is not a board member at CAP, contrary to claims in her bio, and a CPAC representative said she has never been a board memberher role was less prominent. None of which changes the fact that ThinkProgress, owned at the time by CAP, ran a story featuring Arguello-Kline attacking Sanders on behalf of the Culinary Union before the 2016 caucuses, which Tanden then boasted about in an email to Clinton campaign chair John Podesta.) Tanden and the CAP are perhaps Sanders's most public enemies, and Arguello-Kline attacking him on behalf of the culinary union makes a lot more sense when you know that association. Amazingly, she tried the same attack strategy in 2016 before those caucuses!

With that puzzle solved, we turn to Elizabeth Warren, who has shown in the last month that whatever bond existed between her and Bernie Sanders has eroded, and left her squarely opposed to the other progressive in the race and his allies. She made it clear without mentioning his name in her post-New Hampshire speech, and then, in the midst of the culinary union controversy, she tweeted this:

No one should attack @Culinary226 and its members for fighting hard for themselves and their families. Like them, I want to see every American get high-quality and affordable health careand I'm committed to working with them to achieve that goal. https://t.co/onVqAcZRoB  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 13, 2020

Its a shame, because for a long time it seemed like there was real solidarity between Sanders and Warren, and clearly thats over. It would have felt unthinkable for Warren to pile on in a cynical attack like this only six weeks ago, but here we arethe new battle lines are drawn, and she clearly now sees Sanders and his supporters as enemies. Maybe this latest twist shouldnt be a surpriseshe crossed the culinary unions picket lines last yearbut its discouraging nonetheless.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The state government has tightened the noose around trouble makers who had allegedly indulged in arson and vandalism during anti-CAA protests in the state capital on December 19-20, 2019.

The court of Additional City Magistrate on Thursday fixed the charges against 13 persons in connection with the violence and issued notices to recover Rs 21.76 lakh as damages from them.

All 13 accused have been given 30-day time to deposit the penalty money. As per the notice, the accused are expected to deposit the money either collectively or a single person by March 16, 2020. This is the first recovery notice issued to the alleged trouble makers in Lucknow. Hearing against others implicated in the cases is on.

Earlier, the Lucknow district administration had issued notices to 20 people, in all, to recover the damages initially, but seven of them were exonerated and charges were fixed against remaining 13.

While conducting the hearing, the court said that as the police failed to produce enough incriminatory evidence against seven persons so they were being absolved of all the charges.

Those, who have been served the notice, are charged with indulging in violence, arson, stone-pelting and vandalism. They are accused of damaging the vehicles and setting them on fire.

Notably, around a dozen cars and scores of two-wheelers were burnt during anti-CAA protests in Lucknow on Decmber19-20, 2019.

Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash confirmed the issuance of notice by the court of ADM (Trans-Gomti). The DM claimed that if the accused would fail to deposit the money till the deadline, their properties would be seized to draw the damages.
The budget session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly will begin here from March 16.

The notification for the budget session has been issued after the governor's approval, an official release said on Thursday.

The session will begin with the governor's address on March 16. It will have 17 sittings and conclude on April 13, the release said.

The state budget for fiscal 2020-21 would be presented during the session, but its date has not yet been specified.

As the Lok Sabha polls were held in April-May last year, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government presented its maiden budget in the state Assembly on July 10, 2019, instead of February-March as per the convention.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Netflix has announced the release date for Ricky Gervais' After Life, season two.

The streaming service has revealed that six new episodes will be available from April 24 - and continue the story of Tony, a writer for the local newspaper whose life is upended after his wife dies from cancer.

The show is set in the small fictitious town of Tambury and continues to explore Tony's struggle with immense grief for his wife.

Coming soon: Netflix has announced the release date for Ricky Gervais' After Life season two as April 24

The plot sees Tony try to become a better friend to those around him - who are each grappling with their own problems.

Things intensify when the threat of the local newspaper being shut down rears - sending everyone into a panic at the prospect of unemployment.

The characters turn to Am-Dram as a way to lift spirits - with undoubatably hilarious results.

Alongside Ricky Gervais, cast includes Penelope Wilton, Ashley Jensen, Bill Ward, Tom Basden, Joe Wilkinson, Kerry Godliman, Roisin Conaty and Diane Morgan.

To be continued: The story of Tony, a writer for the local newspaper whose life is upended after his wife dies from cancer, will continue on the series

Goals: The plot sees Tony try to become a better friend to those around him - who are each grappling with their own problems

Looming: Things intensify when the threat of the local newspaper being shut down rears - sending everyone into a panic at the prospect of unemployment

Back in October, Ricky, 58, posted a picture of himself in character as the provincial journalist with his late on-screen wife Lisa, [Godliman], and on-screen dog Brandy.

He cryptically captioned the photo, which is clearly from a flashback scene, with: '#AfterLife2 Have a great day.'

Inevitably, the Instagram snap sent Ricky's 1.9 million followers into meltdown as they shared their excitement over the new series.

Not long now: Ricky shared a first look snap of After Life series two to his Instagram in October [pictured as his character Tony with with his late on-screen wife Lisa, played by Kerry Godliman, and on-screen dog Brandy]

One person said: 'My favourite thing ever xxx,' followed by hand and heart emojis.

A different fan put: 'Cant wait to watch the new season! Thank you Ricky for being such a loud voice for animals. The most admirable quality someone can have.'

Another follower commented: 'Hey hey @rickygervais loved season 1. Truly a suprise emotional rollercoaster with a positive ending!! When can we start looking forward to season 2? Not being greedy just excited is all.'

Cryptic: Keeping tight-lipped about when the release date is, Ricky cryptically captioned the photo, which is clearly from a flashback scene, with: '#AfterLife2 Have a great day.'

Meltdown: Inevitably, the Instagram snap sent Ricky's 1.9 million followers into meltdown as they shared their excitement over the new series

A different account added: 'We all love this in our family. Cant wait to see the new series. Poignant, beautiful, well acted, what more can I say.'

While another show watcher gushed: 'Love this! Waiting dearly for the show.'

Ricky wrapped filming on the second season of his show After Life in the autumn and the star of The Office posed with his co-stars as the news of the series' completion was announced on Netflix's Facebook page.

Fans soon flooded the comments on the post, with excited fans writing: 'Can't wait for this!... Hope its as good as the first season... cant wait for series 2 nobody does sarcasm like ricky gervais... hen's it on?....how long do we have to wait? Can't WAIT!'

Done! Ricky wrapped filming on the second season of his show After Life earlier this month (clockwise from top left Ricky Gervais and Diane Morgan as Tony Johnson and Kath, Diane Morgan as Lisa Johnson, David Bradley as Ray Johnson, Ashley Jensen as Emma)

The week before, Ricky had shared behind-the-scenes footage of his co-stars as filmed the award-winning Netflix show.

Ricky panned the camera across his co-stars, which included Roisin Conaty, who plays Daphne, Joe Wilkinson, who plays Postman Pat, and, Mandeep Dhillon, who plays Sandy.

The stars didn't realise the actor was taking a video, captioned 'I keep all the greatest British comedy actors working today in this room until Im ready to film scenes for #AfterLife2', to which Roisin, 40, joked: 'Is this a video? Why are we being quiet?!'

With the After Life cast then excitedly exclaiming: 'Woohoo After Life, After Life series two!'

Exciting: Just the week before, Ricky had shared behind-the-scenes footage of his co-stars as he continues to film his hit award-winning Netflix show After Life series two

Greetings: The Office star took to Instagram to share a video of his cast sitting in a room as they waved to the camera

Series two: Ricky panned the camera across his co-stars, which included Roisin Conaty, who plays Daphne, Joe Wilkinson, who plays Postman Pat, and, Mandeep Dhillon, who plays Sandy

Ricky has been keeping his 1.8M followers updated with the progress of filming and has shared several sweet snaps with his on-screen dog Brandy.

He also posted a snap of himself with Diane Morgan who plays Kath, Tony Way who plays Lenny, Tom Basden who plays Matt, and Mandeep Dhillon who plays Sandy, outside their characters' job Tambury Gazette.

Ricky captioned the photo taken on 11 September: 'Filming has started on #AfterLife2. What were your favourite things about series one, and who or what would you like to see more of in the next chapter?'

The versatile actor has won praise for his work on the Netflix black comedy about provincial journalist Tony, played by Gervais, whose comfortable, settled life is torn apart following the death of his wife to breast cancer.

Fun: The stars didn't realise the actor was taking a video, he captioned it: 'I keep all the greatest British comedy actors working today in this room until Im ready to film scenes for #AfterLife2'

Sweet: Ricky has been keeping his 1.8M followers updated with the progress of filming and has shared several sweet snaps with his on-screen dog Brandy

Ready to go: The versatile actor has won praise for his work on the Netflix black comedy about provincial journalist Tony, played by Gervais, whose comfortable, settled life is torn apart following the death of his wife to breast cancer

Ricky, who developed the show from an original screenplay, began work on series two before launching his new stand-up show across mainland Europe.

Taking to Twitter in September, Gervais shared a shot of himself with a completed draft of the shooting script, telling fans: 'I start pre-production on #AfterLife2 next week and film it in September and October.

'Then I'm bringing [stand-up show] #SuperNature to Europe! Madrid, Paris, Berlin, and Prague to start with. Stay Tuned for details.'

Responding to a fan after being asked if series two was harder to write, Gervais admitted the only pressure was hoping it matched the success of its predecessor.

Moving: Ricky, who developed the show from an original screenplay, has begun work on series two before launching his new stand-up show across mainland Europe

'It was easier as all the characters and locations were in place, but harder in the sense that series 1 went down so well, if that makes sense,' he tweeted.

Posting on Instagram later that day, Gervais joked that he had just undergone a medical examination on behalf of the new series.

Just had my medical exam for #afterlife2 & theyre pretty sure Ill make it through the filming process without dying,' he shared alongside a snap of himself raising a glass of wine.

Opening up: Responding to a fan after being asked if series two was harder to write, Gervais admitted the only pressure was hoping it matched the success of its predecessor

Banter: Posting on Instagram later that day, Gervais joked that he had just undergone a medical examination on behalf of the new series

'They couldnt guarantee that Id be around to watch it go out on Netflix though. Still, cheers!'

The first series ended on an optimistic note after Tony, whose life is overshadowed by thoughts of suicide, arranges a date with his dementia stricken father's nurse - played by former Extras co-star Ashley Jensen.

Alongside Jensen, actors Mandeep Dhillon, Diane Morgan, Tony Way, Joe Wilkinson, Tom Basden and David Bradley are all expected to return for the second run.

The first series of After Life was filmed on location around Bristol, Camber Sands, Hemel Hempstead, Beaconsfield, Rickmansworth and London suburb Hampstead.

After Life returns to Netflix on 24 April 2020 with 6 brand new episodes.
A Gold Coast man who was having an affair with a masseuse told his wife he'd had enough of her before he ploughed their car into a river, killing her.

Edward Kenneth Lord, 56, is awaiting sentencing in the New South Wales Supreme Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his wife Michele in October 2015.

Edward Lord pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his wife Michele. Credit:Facebook

He failed to apologise in a Sydney courtroom packed with her family and friends on Thursday, despite having the opportunity to express remorse for the first time.

Lord's barrister, Jason Watts, claimed the concreter acted spontaneously when he drove their Nissan coupe into the Tweed River and the couple had previously enjoyed an "excellent" day together.
Galaxy Z Flip Side

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip on Tuesday, a flip phone with a foldable screen that bends in half.

During my brief time using the Z Flip, I was impressed with its smooth glass screen, the way the hinge was able to keep the display propped open, and its compact design.

The Flip still doesn't answer the overarching question of why you might want a foldable phone in the first place, but its glass screen, lower price, and higher-quality camera should give it a leg up over the very similar Motorola Razr.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With its next foldable device, Samsung is bringing back the flip phone.

The company unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip on Tuesday, a new smartphone with a foldable screen that snaps shut like an old-school flip phone. For Samsung, it's the second iteration of what it believes could be the next evolution of the smartphone, coming after it launched the larger, tablet-sized Galaxy Fold last year.

The Z Flip's defining feature is its foldable display, which bends horizontally to give the phone a clamshell form factor. That's a major departure from the Galaxy Fold, the phone Samsung debuted roughly one year ago that opens and closes vertically like a book.

Samsung's new take on the foldable smartphone  and the other improvements it's brought to the Flip such as a flexible glass display and a hinge that's better at keeping out debris  serves as further evidence that major device makers are still experimenting with what's next for the smartphone. It also comes after Motorola just launched a very similar foldable phone, a revival of its classic Razr from the early 2000s.

After spending roughly 30 minutes using the new Z Flip, I can tell that there's promise in bringing back the flip phone. There's the convenience factor that comes with being able to fold a phone in half and more easily store it in small spaces, like a small purse or pocket, and the way the foldable screen neatly splits the display in half when using apps in split-screen mode. But whether that justifies paying a price that's slightly higher than that of the average smartphone has yet to be seen.

Story continues

Overall, the Galaxy Z Flip doesn't feel all that different than using a regular smartphone, and perhaps that's a good sign. That it feels just as natural as the phones we use today and doesn't require a learning curve is a signal that there might be promise in the Z Flip.

Here's a closer look at what it's like to use the Galaxy Z Flip.

The Galaxy Z Flip, like its name implies, open and closes like a flip phone. Here's what the phone looks like when its opened halfway.

Galaxy Z Flip Open

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

It'll be available in black and purple in a glossy, mirror-like finish as shown below.

Galaxy Z Flip purple 2

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

What really sets the Galaxy Z Flip apart, however, is its glass display. Other foldable devices like the Motorola Razr and Galaxy Fold have plastic screens. I haven't tried the Razr yet, but during my brief time with the Flip, the display felt as smooth and fluid as you'd expect from any non-foldable phone.

Galaxy Z Flip open far away

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

Still, the crease where the screen folds in half is also fairly noticeable on the Z Flip, although it does seem more subtle than that of the Galaxy Fold.

Galaxy Z Fold Crease

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

One of the most interesting uses for a phone like the Flip that bends in half is the way you can easily prop the phone up to take a photo. The bottom half of the phone essentially acts like a tripod, as shown below.

Galaxy Z Flip Tripod

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

In the short time I spent using the Galaxy Z Flip, I was also able to see how apps worked in split screen mode. In the example below, YouTube is running in the top portion of the screen while Gmail is on the bottom.

Galaxy Z Flip Apps

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

The phone's crease naturally splits the display in half, but it's unclear whether the foldable aspect of the screen will actually make the Flip any better at multitasking than any other Android phone.

For the most part, snapping photos with the Galaxy Z Flip feels the same as taking photos with any other smartphone. But it did seem like the section of the camera app that includes the shutter button and other shooting controls occupied a larger portion of the screen than usual.

Galaxy Z Flip Taking Photo

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

The Galaxy Z Flip has two 12-megapixel camera: one wide-angle lens and one ultra-wide-angle lens. It lacks a telephoto lens like the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S20, but it still has an advantage over Motorola's competing Razr, which only has one 16-megapixel camera.

The Galaxy Z Flip has a small 1.1-inch cover display for showing the time and notifications. You can also see text messages on this tiny screen, as shown below.

Galaxy_Z_Flip__Text_Message

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

The display will also prompt you to open the phone to view the full notification.

Galaxy Z Flip Notification

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

It's also possible to use the small display as a viewfinder for the front-facing camera, but doing this felt awkward. The screen shape and size isn't well-suited for taking photos.

Galaxy Z Flip Selfie Camera Closed

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

Still, the small notification window on the Galaxy Z Flip feels like it makes a lot more sense than the cover screen on the Galaxy Fold, which was too thin and small to really use for more than viewing the occasional text message. It's great to see Samsung lean into this aspect by minimizing the screen and optimizing it for its most important job on the Z Flip.

Samsung is flaunting the phone's ability to fold in half as a perk for those who are looking for something more portable than today's rectangular-shaped smartphones. The Z Flip certainly does feel more compact when closed, but shutting the phone also makes it slightly thicker than the average smartphone.

Galaxy Z Flip Closed Holding

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

It's also not quite as easy to open with one hand as I had hoped. But I was impressed with how durable the hinge felt overall.

And even for those who do want a smaller phone, it's unclear whether a phone like the Galaxy Z Flip, or Motorola Razr, would accomplish that. The Galaxy Z Flip is only more compact when you're not using it, as is the Razr. When the phone is unfolded, it's around the same size as Samsung's 6.9-inch Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Galaxy Z Flip and Ultra

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

All told, the Z Flip's lower price, high-quality glass screen, and dual camera could make it a more compelling choice over the Razr for some shoppers.

Galaxy Z Flip Purple

Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider

With the Galaxy Z Flip, it's clear that Samsung is still getting a feel for what the next generation of mobile phones may look like. And perhaps the answer isn't just one form factor but several, unlike today's market in which nearly every smartphone pretty much looks the same.

The Z Flip in some cases makes your phone more portable  primarily when you're not really using it  but it's unclear what it will bring to the experience beyond that.

Or maybe the fact that using the Galaxy Z Flip doesn't feel all that different than a regular smartphone is the biggest indicator of Samsung's success with the device.

But at the very least, the fact that its price point is lower than the nearly $2,000 Galaxy Fold and $1,500 Motorola Razr  combined with a familiar, nostalgic design  could mean that the Flip has a better chance at success.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MANILA -- The Philippines needs better laws to curb online sexual exploitation of children (Osec).

This was the rallying call of the Child Rights Network (CRN), the largest alliance of organizations and agencies pushing for children's rights legislation in the Philippines, as they launched the #ShutdownOSEC campaign on Tuesday, February 11.

CRN called on Congress to help stop Osec by reviewing and updating the current laws to encompass: appropriate definitions of Osec terms, accountability of the private sector to children, child rescue and rehabilitation, and punishment of perpetrators.

During the launch, child rights organizations, legislators, private sector, and youth representatives discussed Osec cases in the Philippines, laws invoked against it, and how various sectors in the country can contribute to shutting it down.

According to CRN, online sexual exploitation seriously damages children. It leads to depression, social isolation, and even suicide attempts. What's worse is that Osec has become a family business for some, diminishing its menace as an actual form of sexual abuse of children.

The full scale and reach of Osec in the country is unknown, but the Philippines has been described as a top global source of child sexual abuse materials.

"With the current trend, it cannot be business as usual. Technology is very dynamic, enabling the issue's prevalence. Hence, we should also be dynamic and agile in our response; we need to start working on stopping Osec now," said Romeo Dongeto, CRN convenor.

#ShutdownOSEC is a follow on activity to ChildFund Philippines and CRN's workshop with the media last December 2019, where they proposed guidelines for reporting OSEC cases in the news.

Laws and allies needed

CRN noted that the Philippines has Osec cases because the country's systems have less than completely detected and prosecuted them. Despite the laws being designed to be comprehensive to punish all possible cases of child abuse, their "all encompassing nature" do not capture the commensurate punishment for Osec.

Story continues

Currently, the most referenced laws for Osec are Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, followed by the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, and the Anti-Child Abuse Act. These laws do not: clearly define Osec; punish the livestreaming of child sexual abuse; and impose obligations on private sector to prevent and stop Osec.

Consequently, latest data revealed that in 2018 alone, at least 600,000 naked and sexualized photos and videos of Filipino children were shared and sold online. Out of these thousands of cases, only 27 perpetrators were convicted in 2018.

Among those who participated in the launch were government allies Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Tingog Sinirangan Partylist Representative and House Committee on the Welfare of Children Chair Yedda Romualdez.

But more allies are needed to make sure that appropriate actions are taken on both houses of Congress, and that legal reforms will be signed into law.

"We call on our leaders in government to help us shut down Osec. We need to make sure our laws are updated to penalize violators and protect more children from the harms of Osec. Civil society cannot do it alone. We need a whole of nation approach if we are to stop this terrible crime that robs children of their future," Dongeto added.

CRN also invited the public to participate in #ShutDownOSEC campaign by learning about Osec and reporting it to the proper channels such as Bantay Bata 163, the 1343 anti-trafficking hotline, and PNP when they see it.

More details about the campaign at: www.childrightsnetwork.ph/ShutDownOSEC. (PR)
Dear evangelical Christian leaders:

My Christian faith has always been an important part of my life. I have fond memories of walking to church as a family and teaching Sunday school with my parents. My faith is a guide for my life and reminds me to show kindness, compassion and love for others. It reminds me to accept others for who they are. My faith brought comfort to me when I was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. And my faith has brought comfort to me through the highs and lows of life.

My Christian faith is something that guides my life, but its not something I use for political or social gain, the way many of you do. Its disheartening to see how many of you not only support President Trump, but encourage your followers to do the same.

You point out that Trump takes a hard stance on abortion and appoints judges to the Supreme Court who are pro-life. You point to President Trump advocating for prayer in schools and promoting religious liberty. You pick one or two things you like and use it as justification to support someone whose life and actions couldnt be further from what Christianity teaches and whats written in the Bible.

The Bible teaches us to love others, to serve the poor and marginalized, to show our faith through our actions. Trump repeatedly does none of this.

You say Trumps good deeds are justification enough for supporting him. But the world is laughing at you. You love to judge others yet you somehow continue to support a president who shows time and time again, both in his words and actions, that he has no morals.

You claim all life is sacred, and we are made in Gods image to oppose abortion, yet many of you continue to support the death penalty.

You claim all life is sacred, yet you continue to support a president whose policy on asylum seekers is directly responsible for the loss of innocent human life.

Think of how the world views you and the Christian faith. You claim to serve a higher power, yet you continue to not only turn a blind eye to Trumps lies, but you promote him and encourage your followers to do the same.

You encourage your congregations to act like Jesus. Look at the way Trump talks about women, his policy that separates children from their parents at the border, and his abuse of the office of the presidency for his own gain.

Tell me, do those actions look Christ-like?

The Christian faith teaches us to love everyone. It teaches us to welcome in strangers, and those who society shuns. It teaches us everyone has dignity and were all children of God. Yet you continue to support a president who follows none of these teachings.

Please stop turning a blind eye to a man who bends and distorts Christianity and uses it to his own political advantage. Its harmful to our nation and is a black mark on Christianity. Its no wonder that religious leaders now rank lower in trust than scientists, CEOs and journalists, to name a few.

Our country needs religious leaders who speak the truth and take a stand for whats right. Do not continue to turn a blind eye and promote a president who speaks about Christianity, but whose whole life reflects none of the teachings of our faith. Its harmful to our nation and calls into question your ability to be witnesses of the faith.

Andrew Hutchinson lives and works in San Francisco. He served in the Army for eight years and worked for three years at a veteran support nonprofit helping vets find purpose and identity after their military service.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 22:05:33|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government on Thursday recognized the Armenian Genocide as being committed by the Ottoman government in the early 20th century, as Syria's relations with Turkey have hit a new low.

The Syrian government's recognition was announced by the parliament which also condemned "any attempt to deny this crime and distort the historical fact."

"That crime is one of the toughest in the history of humankind," the parliament added.

The Armenians say as many as 1.5 million of them were murdered within the Ottoman Empire from about 1914 to 1923.

Hamoudeh Sabbagh, the Syrian parliament speaker, said the decision was made as Syria is "subject to Turkish aggression based on the obnoxious Ottoman ideology."

The response of the Syrian army in the face of the current Turkish attacks is a "historic" act that aims to prevent "the re-emergence of a new Ottoman monster," he added.

The sharp rhetoric comes as the Turkish and Syrian armies have been exchanging fire over the past few days in northern Syria.
By AFP

BEIJING: China has demoted the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, the State Council said Thursday, following months of pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous city.

The shuffling of officials at China's top policy body on the financial hub's affairs comes after months of political unrest -- the starkest challenge to Beijing since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Senior Beijing official Xia Baolong, currently secretary-general at the national committee of China's top political advisory body, was promoted to director while Zhang Xiaoming was re-appointed as a deputy in charge of daily operations at the office.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong Airlines axes 400 jobs, asks remaining staff to take unpaid leave as coronavirus hits city

In Hong Kong, millions have taken to the streets since June last year, originally in opposition to a now-abandoned proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China.

The movement then morphed into demands for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

In recent days, Hong Kong's leaders have faced criticism as well over shortages of masks and resources that emerged in their handling of a virus epidemic starting from the mainland.

Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political science professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, said 67-year-old Xia served as deputy to President Xi Jinping when was party secretary of Zhejiang province.

"I think Xi Jinping wanted to find someone he could trust," said Cabestan.

Cabestan said Xia, a former Zhejiang Communist Party chief, has since been known for a hardline approach in fighting the re-emergence of Christianity there.

The personnel changes are aimed at boosting coordination between Beijing and Hong Kong, he said, as well as giving more support to the pro-establishment camp in Hong Kong's Legislative Council.

"(Xi) wants fresh blood, people he can trust, who are going to bring Hong Kong closer to China," he said.

The State Council added that Luo Huining, head of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, and Fu Ziying, who heads the Macau liaison office, will also be given the roles of deputy director while still keeping their existing positions.
Seven has announced three Live Sites for its Fire Fight Australia broadcast this Sunday, in areas severely impacted by the recent bushfires.

Mel McLaughlin will host a Live Site at Club Narooma on the far south coast of NSW.

Lobethal residents in the Adelaide Hills can attend the Live Site at Fabrik, Mill Square. And the third will be at the Sarsfield Recreation Reserve in eastern Victoria.

Channel Seven, in partnership with TEG Dainty and TEG Live, is proud to present Fire Fight Australia Live (AEDT) from ANZ Stadium this Sunday, February 16 from 1.00pm, as the music industrys best unite to raise money for national bushfire relief.

Sevens telecast of the 10-hour sold out concert will begin at 1.00pm with The Morning Shows Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies kicking off coverage. Then join Sunrise hosts David Koch and Samantha Armytage from 5.00pm, as they take viewers well into the night. Sevens Sonia Kruger and Sunrises Sam Mac will have the ANZ Stadium crowd and backstage covered.

Throughout the broadcast, viewers will be encouraged to donate via www.firefightaustralia.com to support those whose lives have been impacted by the worst bushfire season in living memory. Donations will go to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewals Fire Fight Fund*.

Seven Group Holdings (SGH) and its major shareholder Australian Capital Equity (ACE) have already pledged $10 million to the bushfire relief efforts and will co-fund the live telecast with Foxtel.

Fire Fight Australia will feature global rock legends Queen + Adam Lambert, global superstar Michael Buble (exclusive live cross performance), Grammy award winning Canadian singer songwriter k.d. lang, and Rock n Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper along with a cavalcade of Australian music industry heavy weights (in alphabetical order); 5 Seconds of Summer, Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Conrad Sewell, Daryl Braithwaite, Delta Goodrem, Grinspoon, Guy Sebastian, Hilltop Hoods, Icehouse, Illy, Jessica Mauboy, John Farnham, Lee Kernaghan, Olivia Newton-John, Peking Duk, Pete Murray, Tina Arena and William Barton.

The concert will be hosted by writer, actor and comedian Celeste Barber, who has already raised more than $50 million towards bushfire relief through her own record-breaking online appeal.

Fire Fight Australia airs Live (AEDT) on 7 and 7plus this Sunday from 1.00pm plus a special edition of The Latest after the concert.
On my way into the Metropolitan Museum of Art recently to see Pen, Lens & Soul: The Story of the Beautiful Project, an exhibition of poetry and photography by black girls and women based in Durham, N.C., I looked up to its facade. And there I saw Wangechi Mutus stately African and divinely inspired female quartet of bronze sculptures.

As I headed to show, at the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education, I began thinking that the spatial difference between these two collections was not a juxtaposition between high art for public viewing and art used for community outreach. Instead they were on a continuum, in which the black girls in the photographs and Mutus figures actively challenged the notion of who belongs in those cultural spaces.

Today, more than ever, mainstream institutions are recognizing black womens work (and beauty) in new and unprecedented ways. In 2019, black women were crowned in the five major beauty pageants, including Miss World and Miss America. A recent four-week Film Forum series focused exclusively on performances by black actresses (many of whom werent even credited for their roles in early Hollywood films), while another at the Museum of Modern Art, Its All in Me: Black Heroines, opens soon. And since its unveiling at the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery in 2018, Amy Sheralds painting of the former first lady Michelle Obama has received a record number of visitors. (This summer it will go on a five-city tour, with Kehinde Wileys painting of President Barack Obama.)
By Trend





Plan of Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) for projects support in 2019 was 446.5 billion tenge ($1.1 million), DBK Deputy Chairman of the Management Board Duman Aubakirov told Trend.

Aubakirov noted that in accordance to DBKs development strategy, the bank is planning to allocate approximately 4.4 trillion tenge ($11.5 billion) for development of processing industry and industrial infrastructure through 2023.

Aubakirov disclosed that over the course of 2019,DBK approved funding of nine investment projects total cost of which was 935 billion tenge ($2.4 billion) and DBKs support of which amounted to 374.7 billion tenge ($982.7 million), as well as funding of three pre-export operations with 8 billion tenge ($20.9 million).

"The currency structure of DBKs loan portfolio continues displaying increase of tenge-denominated loans share," Aubakirov said.

He noted that share of tenge-denominated loans in banks loan portfolio increased from 42.5 percent in 2018 to 51.8 percent as of Nov. 30, 2019 and amounted to 859.6 billion tenge ($2.2 billion). At the same time, share of US dollar denominated loans amounted to 47.5 percent.

"New manufacturing capacities were launched at five ventures in 2019, total cost of which was 140 billion tenge ($367.1 million), whereas DBKs support exceeded 83 billion tenge ($217.6 million). Manufacturing of power transformers, ferrosilicon, poultry meat, as well as the production of green energy is being carried out at these ventures," Aubakirov said.

Talking DBKs Plans for 2020, Aubakirov noted that bank will go on funding major projects in processing industry and infrastructure.

"DBK is interested in projects aimed at manufacturing of highly processed goods, development of manufacturing, which affect related industries and have high export potential," Aubakirov said.

Along with long-term and short-term projects funding, DBK will continue use of measures such as joint funding, provision of DBK guarantees, leasing and equity financing via its subsidiaries in 2020, Aubakirov noted.

"At the same time, within the framework of export-oriented local manufacturing support, DBK will focus on searching for promising niches at the markets of key trading partners of Kazakhstan. In order to expand banks support measures, DBK will provide both exporters and importers with new measures in the form of additional loan and documentary operations," Aubakirov said.
West Virginia, which has become an early tester of blockchain voting, is expanding Internet voting to include those with physical disabilities.But the move comes just as researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have published a paper asserting that Voatz  the app West Virginia has been using in its pilot tests  has serious flaws, including the ability of bad actors to change votes without voters' knowledge.

Gov. Jim Justice signed SB 94 into law last week giving the secretary of state permission to create a system that allows people with physical disabilities to vote electronically. The Office of the Secretary of State lauded its success with Boston-based vendor Voatz that tallied 144 ballots from uniformed and overseas citizens in 2018. The Secretary of States Office may choose the startup again to enact the new laws mandate for the 2020 primary and general elections.But election security experts and computer scientists have grown increasingly skeptical of the cybersecurity surrounding voting apps, especially after a mobile app used during the Iowa Caucus recorded data accurately but only reported it partially due to a coding error.Though what happened in Iowa was more technical in nature, experts caution that systems like Voatz's are susceptible to cyberattacks despite claims of advanced defenses based on encryption technology. Voatz, for example, leverages the biometric systems built into smartphones coupled with blockchain storage to secure ballots.Researchers from MIT reverse engineered the Voatz app and found critical gaps in security, according to a research paper . The team recreated the companys system based on publicly available information and learned that bad actors could monitor votes being cast and change or block ballots without voters' knowledge.Susan Greenhalgh, vice president of programs for the nonpartisan National Election Defense Coalition (NEDC), said blockchain isnt as secure as it's purported to be and that existing malware lying in wait on smartphones and tablets can be leveraged by hackers to change a vote after a ballot is cast and before the information is locked into the blockchain.We cant afford to introduce a system thats not secure and its also not right for one segment of the voting population to vote on something that could be tampered with more readily than anyone elses vote, Greenhalgh toldAdditionally, the NEDC found in its own studies that a blockchain can be compromised if half the servers are hacked, she said.Voatz categorically refuted the MIT paper, stating the researchers worked with a version of the app that was at least 27 versions behind the companys current app and that they took liberties when simulating the servers.The reality is that continuing our mobile voting pilots holds the best promise to improve accessibility, security and resilience when compared to any of the existing options available to those whose circumstances make it difficult to vote, the company wrote in its response.Meanwhile, Voatz quietly posted a report by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Hunt and Incident Response Team (HIRT) earlier this week.HIRT assessed 14 of the companys servers, 21 workstations and monitored network traffic at Voatzs corporate headquarters in Boston from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4, 2019. The HIRT report concludes that its analysts did not find threat actor behaviors or artifacts of past activities. They did identify areas where the companys IT personnel could deploy defense-in-depth protections and configurations  a multi-layered approach with redundancies  to better defend the network.Donald Kersey, the general counsel for the West Virginia Office of the Secretary of State, said the state is closely monitoring the growing cybersecurity concerns circling electronic voting. He said the state hasnt chosen a vendor solution for Internet voting yet, and officials are weighing options like Voatz or the no-cost Maryland online absentee-ballot system , which has also faced criticism for vulnerabilities.You have to make sure youre balancing integrity with security while at the same time making sure that the public understands what youre doing and believes that it is secure enough to keep their confidence high in the results, he said.Tusk Philanthropies provided the state with Voatz during the 2018 election and will make a recommendation for 2020, but the state reserves the right to forgo the offered option and go out to bid, he said. Voatz is backed by Bradley Tusk, a venture capitalist who has used the philanthropic arm of his holdings to facilitate government use of the voting app.To date, Voatz has carried out several pilot projects, accounting for about 600 votes in federal elections in Denver, West Virginia and counties spanning Oregon, Utah and Washington state.Greenhalgh said as Internet-connected voting becomes more common the accountability and reliability of elections decays. She said the technology lacks end-to-end verification , so even with auditing she believes malware tampering is still possible. Voatz sends a printout of the users ballot to their local elections office for audits.End-to-end verifiable voting is a concept that seeks to employ cryptographic tools to allow voters to not just confirm that their vote was recorded correctly, but to confirm that the overall vote tally is correct, too, without compromising the secret ballot, she said.Those technologies, however, arent ready for real-world deployment and will require a vested interest from election officials to move from conceptualization to implementation, she said. The other secure option is going back to tried-and-true paper analog, or in the case of helping those with physical disabilities, ensuring more polling stations comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).I feel we would be better served to be putting pressure on making those polling locations fully ADA-compliant and accessible because those polling locations are not just used a couple days a year for elections, she said. Theyre used because theyre libraries, schools, churches and different municipal buildings and if you make them accessible for those election days then you make them accessible all the other days, too.Whichever vendor West Virginia chooses, Kersey said it will be ADA-compliant and the most secure option available. He said whats most important for the Office of the Secretary of State is that voters and elections officials trust the solution.The important thing here is weighing security with accessibility and making sure that the integrity of the election is not put at stake because of a theory, he said.
When Tiffany Lopez joined the staff at Fremont High School, she had one goal: to get a chapter started for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

It had been 20 years since FHS had one, and Lopez felt it was the right time.

I was in FCCLA when I was in high school, and its really instrumental to me to get that going, she said. And so here we are. We are getting started, and were doing great.

Lopez was successful in rebooting the FCCLA chapter, which now has 25 high school students in its membership.

As part of its fundraising process, FCCLA is first making chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentines Day this week for students to purchase.

FCCLA is a state and national organization that focuses on leadership and opportunities in careers to support families. The organization, founded in 1945, has over 175,000 members in 5,300 chapters across the country.

FCCLA also allows for students to take part in Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) events, which let members compete with presentations at statewide and national levels.

In the organization, Lopez said students will have the chance to give back to the community while learning leadership skills to help develop themselves.

We focus on careers, we focus on culinary, we focus on children and families, so theres a lot of things that FCCLA does, she said. It really encompasses the family and consumer science department, but we take it to the state and national level.

In order to restart the chapter, Lopez had to contact the FCCLA state advisor, who sent her the information to get started.

Our Fremont Public Schools administration was all on-board, and so were super appreciative of that, she said.

FHS freshman Mercedes Booze and junior Oscar Avila both heard about FCCLA from Lopez, who they had as teachers.

I was just really excited about the competitive part of it, about talking about whats important to us, Booze said. And then of course, volunteering is also very interesting.

Avila said he was looking forward to working within the community with FCCLA.

Right now, were doing fundraisers, but in the future, were going to be helping so many other places, like maybe infants and retirement homes and everything, he said.

Currently, FCCLA is meeting informally to help the chapter raise money.

Were planning on doing meetings once a month after school, Avila said. Right now, this is just the fundraising piece, so were after school helping out.

In the future, Lopez said she wants the students to take part in STAR events that FCCLA holds.

Were not going to actually participate in the event, but were going to go help and be coordinators, she said. Were going to be leaders in order to help out other schools at the state event, and hopefully next year, we would compete.

Other future plans for FCCLA include an Adopt-a-Highway, a car wash fundraiser and reaching out to private and public entities for community service, Lopez said.

Im looking forward to learning about Fremont and the community and learning about the real world by helping out people, Booze said.

Both Booze and Avila said that they loved working with their fellow FCCLA members, even if it was just for fundraising.

These are amazing people, Avila said. They are really nice, they have great personality and I really like working with them.

Like Booze, Avila said he as looking forward to taking part in competitions.

I think that will be interesting for me because its a whole different perspective of what people might think about something, he said.

Lopez said she wants the students to learn how to take the initiative through FCCLA, which she has already seen with the strawberry decorations.

Thats one of the biggest things about FCCLA, is that component of leadership, she said. And that is what were looking for in those students, is to be those role models, be those examples and be that leader in and out of the classroom.

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A shameless couple sparked outrage in Myanmar by filming themselves having sex at a sacred Buddhist temple and posting it on PornHub.

The pair stripped off in broad daylight at a pagoda in the ancient city of Bagan, the country's best-known tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The amateur porn stars, both aged 23, posted the 12-minute video on the X-rated website under their profile name 'YeeesYeeesYeees' where they describe themselves as a 23-year-old Italian couple with piercings and tattoos.

The woman performs a sex act on the man as he pans round to show the pagoda in the background in the 12-minute video posted on the X-rated website PornHub

It had been viewed nearly 250,000 times but clocked up more than 5,500 dislikes compared to just over 2,200 likes by Thursday evening local time.

Locals reacted angrily online.

'Our Bagan pagodas are The Holy Land,' wrote Mg Khin Gyi on Facebook with multiple angry emojis.

A pagoda in Bagan, the ancient temple city in Myanmar where a couple filmed a porn video (file photo)

According to the site, the pair boasts more than 81,000 subscribers and over 35 million views of their 17 videos since they joined 11 months ago.

They say on their profile: 'We're a fun couple, down to earth and open to trying all sorts of new things! We're here to have fun with you!!!'

The title of the video is, 'Don't get offended by this huge c**shot outdoors,' and the camera pans round to show the pagoda in the background.

Managing Director of New Fantastic Asia tour company, Tun Tun Naing, questioned what seemed to be 'negligent' security at Bagan's sites and called for action.

Mandalay chairman of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association Myo Yee added his voice to the rising clamour, saying the case was bad news for an industry hit hard by coronavirus woes.

'It's a difficult time for us because not many tourists are coming here,' he told AFP.
OTTAWA - Canada will aim $6.5 million at research on stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus, after co-ordinating with researchers around the world on tackling the outbreak.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (698 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-CDC via AP, File

OTTAWA - Canada will aim $6.5 million at research on stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus, after co-ordinating with researchers around the world on tackling the outbreak.

Representatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are returning from two days of talks with the international research community at a World Health Organization forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

There, more than 300 scientists and researchers mapped out a plan to answer the questions that linger about the virus that has killed more than 1,000 people, and agreed on a set of research priorities.

Chinese researchers participated remotely, and their message was that research should be focused on keeping people alive.

"That's a good lens, because this is a rapid emergency response," said Charu Kaushic, scientific director of CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity, from her hotel room in Geneva. Kaushic is also a professor at McMaster University in Hamilton.

That could mean developing medical therapies or a vaccine in the long term. China, where the virus was first detected and where most of its victims live, is already testing dozens of potential drug treatments.

In the meantime though, researchers will be tailoring their studies to focus on infection prevention, quarantine protocols, personal protection measures, and other ways to keep the virus at bay. The WHO aims to study not only possible vaccines and therapies, but also the effectiveness of the public-health response and the social impact the disease has inflicted on the world.

"We need a vaccine against misinformation as well," Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies chief, said of the research goals Thursday.

The novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, has so far infected more than 45,000 people.

CIHR and several other Canadian research bodies have pulled together $6.5 million to hand out as research grants for science on the outbreak, and expect more money to be forthcoming as they continue negotiations with the federal government.

The group put out a call for research proposals Monday, and Kaushic said she will spend the next 24 hours refining applications so they align with the World Health Organization's priorities.

The granting agency has suggested researchers look at everything from medical interventions to the spread of fear and discrimination caused by the virus.

The applications for the Canadian funding will be evaluated as quickly as possible, with the hope that researchers will be able to get to work before the end of the month.

Rapid research responses like this one are not unusual Kaushic said, but the speed with which institutions put this one together is unprecedented.

Other health crises, like the latest Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have taught researchers how to co-ordinate quickly to better inform the response to a serious health crisis, said Greg Hallen with the Ottawa-based International Development Research Centre, one of the institutes helping to fund the Canadian research grants.

"What it really has reinforced is ... the importance of understanding the social dynamics of the disease outbreaks: how it transfers, and what messaging works in relation to ensuring communities and health agencies act in the best possible ways to prevent the worsening of the pandemic," said Hallen, who is co-ordinating the centre's response to COVID-19.

The centre's contribution to the research will be aimed at projects that partner with developing countries to draw on their expertise, and make sure they are equally prepared for a possible outbreak in their country.

An unusual requirement will be placed on all the winning grant recipients in the case of the coronavirus: they'll be expected to attend meetings with other global researchers to continue the co-ordinated approach to fighting the virus.

"This outbreak is a test of solidarity  political, financial and scientific," said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement Wednesday.

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"We need to come together to fight a common enemy that does not respect borders, ensure that we have the resources necessary to bring this outbreak to an end and bring our best science to the forefront to find shared answers to shared problems."

The international community will come together again in several months to see if there are any research gaps.

While the vast majority of confirmed COVID-19 cases are in China, the research community agreed the world must be prepared for the outbreak to overflow the country's borders.

"We don't know how this is going to play out, which is why we can't stop at this point," Kaushic said. "We have to continue with the worst-case scenario."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version had an incorrect name for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The performing arts are evanescent. As soon as a word leaves the actors lips, or the dancer touches her knee, I, the viewer, try desperately to retain the essence of the art, to remember what it was  its form, its sound, its color. I am grasping, but savoring, and in the end, just left with a memory that gives way to a feeling on the verge of an emotion. I am entertained, but I have learned. I am different now.

That is how I felt at the end of this years Emergence Festival, Napa Valley Colleges yearly showcase of student and faculty work, especially featuring students who may be marginalized or not have a voice in our wider cultural conversation.

The sensitivity of these artists was deep. They were fearless, serious and honest. They are meeting life where life stands. That challenge becomes the dance, the monologue and the song.

Playwright, actor and dancer Rafael Manzo performed the prologue to his original play Despues about a friend of his with depression who kills himself. Hes taking every performing art class NVC has to offer, from poetry to theater, and writing as much as he can. He is a vibrant young artist, unsure of where he is going next, but whose promise is great.

This year, a film was included in the show, which is remarkable because of the technological mastery involved. The film was by Carolyne Lopez and was about her anxiety. She called it A Light in the Darkness. It was a haunting expression of what it is like to not be in control of your own mind. It involved visions of her family, the beach, and candles that light up the darkness.

Sally Anderson, who is on the faculty of NVC, choreographed a dance that was performed by Alisha Borges and Christa McDonald called Phoenix: We Will Rise. Anderson said that at the beginning, the dance was about the wildfires Napa experienced in 2018, but then, with Australia and the general sense of modern environmental degradation, the dance began to encompass a graver meaning. It ends with a dancer, dressed in orange, ceremoniously holding a candle over two others, dressed in blue, on the floor.

Los Hermanos Banuelos or The Brothers in the Pool, is composed of vocalist and IT wizard at NVC Jose Sanchez, and his guitar player, Pedro Peralez. Sanchez sang two heartbreaking corridos, Mexican narrative ballads or life songs in Spanish. One was about a Mexican man who comes to the U.S. looking for work, but he gets deported back to Mexico. The second was about a man who comes to the U.S. wanting to work in the movies, but gets no closer to show business than working as a dishwasher in a theater.

Sanchez sang these two songs with a plaintive heartfelt voice. You could feel the desperation in these stories that are all too common in California.

A relief from the despair came in the form of Best Part a dance with nine dancers choreographed by NVC faculty member McDonald. The dancers came dressed in silk pajamas and nighties and danced to a sultry R&B song. The promise of such ripe sensuality in the midst of raw anguish brought a tear to my eye. Young men and women, those who are thin and those who are healthy, enticed me, seduced me, made me feel like there was a reward for all the work this earthly existence requires of the human condition.

In a strong divergence from the silk pajama dance, NVC faculty Janet Stickmon read aloud an excerpt from her book To Black Parents Visiting Earth about what she would tell a black parent from another planet about the socio-political situation that earthly black parents face raising children in the United States. Stickmon spoke honestly, without pretense, about the challenges she has faced with her children, and what she has noticed in her life as an academic.

The evening ended with a dance piece choreographed by NVC faculty Marci Sanchez called Aint No One Know. The music for this piece sounded like an a capella spiritual choir. The five dancers in denim and earth tones, flowed like a murmuration of starlings or a school of fish, swerving, swirling, and ended, peacefully, on the floor.

It was an emotional night. Never in my life has dance provoked such visceral feeling. And Ive never seen a variety show that included such a disparate array of sensitivity and longing.

The Emergence Festival takes place every year in February. For more about NVCs performing arts programs, go to performingartsnapavalley.org.

Email John Henry at jhm@johnhenrymartin.com or go to www.johnhenrymartin.com.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kem Sokhas defense lawyers walked out of court this morning, alleging irregularities with a piece of evidence and for not being allowed to address their grievances in court.

The piece of evidence in question is purportedly a joint statement between Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha during the formation of the Cambodia National Rescue Party. The court is currently discussing Kem Sokhas career during the formation of the now-dissolved party.

For the last two days, the defense alleged that the evidence reference code on the copy of the joint statement given to them did not match with the reference code on the prosecutors copy of the evidence nor with the judges copy.

The council of judges have questioned the defenses motives for discussing this piece of evidence, alleging they were delaying the trial and asked why did this piece of evidence matter so much to them.

The defense in return said that it only wanted to follow the procedures and ensure that all aspects of the trial  including the evidence presented  was following the legal procedures.

After an hour of discussion about the controversial piece of evidence, the defense attempted to raise the issue again  this time adding that they had not been given all the evidence in the case file  the presiding judge curtly asked defense lawyer Ang Odom to sit down and not speak in court.

We are asking you to sit down. If you dont know the procedures then you can go to the ECCC, judge Kuy Sao said, referring to Ang Odoms previous work at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

At this point, the defense lawyers conferred for a few seconds and began to pack up their belongings, informing the court that they were leaving because they were not allowed to speak in court.

You asked us to speak today about the evidence, said defense lawyer Meng Sopheary. But you do not allow us to speak.

The lawyers then walked out leaving Kem Sokha by himself in court.

Prior to the walkout, the presiding judge had asked the court clerk for the original copy of evidence with the investigating judge to be brought to the trial room so that all parties could examine it and to prove to the defense that all the evidence was accurate.

At which point, the prosecution said they did not want to waste their time verifying documents for the defense and asked to leave the court. The judge granted their request and the prosecution left the court. But, minutes later they returned after the defense had walked out.

Then began an unusual display of the evidence, which was brought in a large padlocked metal box, in court that lasted nearly an hour. All the evidence from the investigating judges case file was laid out on the defenses table, despite none of the defense lawyers present in court.

The court clerks sifted through the documents to find the controversial evidence, which was in a package of evidence marked 126. A document, seemingly the joint statement, was then held up by the judge to show the gallery and all parties that it was in the case file, even asking Kem Sokha to look at the document.

The judge wanted the court technician to display the same document using the projector, but was informed that the laptop in court did not have a disc drive. A second computer had a disc drive but was unable to project the document.

Finally, a third laptop was procured, which could display the document in question. After scrolling through more than a hundred documents, the document was found, marked 126|1194.

Presiding judge Kuy Sao ruled that all the evidence matched with the evidence included in the investigating judges case file.

But, Kem Sokha stood up in court and displayed the document the defense had, and said the reference code 126|1194 was missing from the document.

Kuy Sao said he had already deemed the evidence authentic and matched the investigating judges case file. He then asked Kem Sokha if he wanted to continue the trial or postpone the proceedings to decide with he wanted to change his lawyers.

I need lawyers to be present in court, said Kem Sokha. Without lawyers, I would like to ask for a delay.

The trial will resume on February 26, prior to which Kem Sokha will have to inform the court if he wants to change his lawyers and to request for all the evidentiary documents the defense claims has not been made available to them.
According to the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, off-take by China as well as Hong Kong has come down by 10 per cent since the outbreak.

Chennai: The coronavirus outbreak and the consequent closure of manufacturing units and jewellery stores in China as well as Hong Kong has added to the woes of gems and jewellery exports, which were already reeling under the pressure of slower global demand and credit crunch.

According to the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, off-take by China as well as Hong Kong has come down by 10 per cent since the outbreak. If the situation persists the impact could be higher and more widespread, finds the industry.

Some of the jewellery units have been closed following the outbreak. Jewellery stores too are closed and the consumption has been hit across the country, said Colin Shah vice chairman, GJEPC.

Chow Tai Fook, the worlds biggest jewellery chain by revenue, has temporarily halted operations in about 80 per cent of its stores in mainland China. Chow Tai Fook has more than 3,600 outlets in mainland China. The remaining stores are also opened for lesser hours. It has also temporarily closed 40 stores across Hong Kong and Macau as fears over the possible spread of the novel coronavirus are keeping shoppers away from stores.

In January, the overall exports of gems and jewellery from India dipped 9.17 per cent to $2,966.42 million against $3,265.88 mn in January 2019.

China and Hong Kong are major buyers of cut and polished diamonds from India, accounting for around 30 per cent of the exports. Export of cut and polished diamonds have come down 5. 67 per cent in January and is down 16.80 per cent between April and January.

The slowdown in China can spread to other markets as well and this is a major worry for the industry, said Shah. Chinese travellers are major buyers of diamond studded jewellery in the US market.

The industry has appealed to the government and the Reserve Bank of India to revise credit terms for exporters and importers in the gems and jewellery trade which has been badly affected by the Hong Kong protests last year and therecent novel coronavirus outbreak.

It has asked for leeway and time for credit facilities availed by exporters / importers for meeting their financial commitments and extension of tenor.
Photo: Contributed

This week the House of Commons is adjourned to allow for MPs to be back home in our ridings where we can meet with local citizens and other groups and organizations.

The opportunity to hear concerns and challenges citizens have with our federal government is critically important to the work that we do as Members of Parliament.

This week I am hearing many concerns over the protests that occurred at the B.C. legislature over opposition to the construction of the Coastal GasLink LNG pipeline.

I have also heard concerns over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project now that reports recently stated construction costs of the pipeline expansion are expected to cost $12.6 billiona significant increase from the previous $7.4 billion announced by PM Trudeau when his Liberal government decided to purchase the pipeline.

There is also another energy related project that I suspect will soon become more well known.



The Teck Frontier oilsands mine project potentially located north of Fort MacKay, Alta., is currently awaiting a federal approval from the Trudeau Liberal cabinet.

So what is the Teck Frontier project?

It is a $20.6-billion project that will create roughly 7,000 jobs during construction and will generate $12 billion in tax revenues for Ottawa and $55 billion in tax and royalty revenues for Alberta over its 41-year life.

The project has spent a decade in various stages of licensing and reviews and has been given conditional approval from the joint federal-provincial review panel which declared the project to be in the public interest.

However, that environmental review process works differently than the process that exists today.



Opponents of the projects point out that the mine will generate an estimated 4.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

There are also concerns related to wetlands, forest impact, wildlife as well indigenous groups that support or oppose the project, to name a few.



If the Trudeau Liberal government approves the project, opponents question how the Prime Minister can meet his promise that Canada will be net zero on GHG emissions by 2050.

If the project is rejected by the Liberal cabinet, supporters of the project believe serious harm will occur to the relationship between Alberta and the federal government that could threaten national unity.

While some dismiss these concerns, it should also be recognized that major GHG emitting projects have not been treated equally by this Liberal government across Canada.

One example in Quebec is a cement factory that was given an exemption from an environmental review.



This cement factory will emit between 1.8 and 2.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year and will be the largest GHG emitter in the entire province of Quebec.

Another example is from New Brunswick, where the Trudeau Liberal Government gave a 95% carbon tax exemption from dirty coal power.



The Belledune power plant, which burns a combination of coal and petroleum coke, emits up to 2.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses annually and was the second largest source of greenhouse gases in Atlantic Canada for 2016.



At that same time, the largest emission generator in Atlantic Canada was the Irving Oil Ltd. refinery in Saint John. It is well known that refinery frequently receives oil offshore via tanker from countries that have no carbon taxes and little, if any, environmental policies



My question this week, do you think Canadian energy projects should be treated on an equal basis?

I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.
A bipartisan trio of senators will meet with Ukrainian President a week after Senate Republicans acquitted President Trump of both abuse of power in his actions toward Ukraine and obstruction of Congress in its subsequent investigations

Three U.S. senators will come to Kyiv on Friday, February 14, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Reuters reports. Republican Senators Ron Johnson and John Barrasso and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy are seeking to reinforce the importance of Ukraine as a strategic U.S. ally after President Donald Trumps acrimonious impeachment trial.

The U.S.-Ukraine relationship is as important now as ever, Republican Senators Ron Johnson and John Barrasso and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said in a statement on Wednesday announcing their trip.

The future of Ukraine matters to the United States and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally, they said.

Johnson and Murphy last met with Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Sept. 5, as his government was dealing with Trumps decision to freeze nearly $400 million in security assistance. They held meeting with Ukraines Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka, Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Danyliuk, Head of State Security Service Ivan Bakanov and Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodnyuk.

According to Reuters, Murphy told reporters at a news conference in Washington with Johnson on Sept. 10 that Ukrainian officials did not have a full understanding of why the money might be withheld, and that they had brought up the issue in every meeting during their trip.
An Garda Siochana have issued a warning ahead of St Valentine's Day to warn members of the public to be aware of "Romance" fraud.

In 2019, 75 cases of Romance Fraud were reported to Gardai. The victims were both male and female. The total losses suffered were in excess of 1,000,000.

This particular fraud is enabled via online dating sites or other social media by fraudsters who will provide the victims with well-prepared stories designed to deceive.

The victims develop online relationships with the fraudsters, who use fake identities, photographs and life stories. Inevitably, the fraudster will ask their victim for money.

The fraudster will continue to ask for money until the victim has no more money to give or realise they are being conned. This crime often leaves vulnerable people with a feeling of hurt and mistrust in addition to their financial loss.

The warning signs include:

The fraudster asking the victim to communicate by instant messaging, text or phone calls rather than messaging through the dating website

The fraudster will start asking for money for various reasons, starting with low amounts: to pay for travel to meet the victim to pay moving expenses (ship furniture and pay customs) to pay medical expenses for a sick child or relative to invest in a guaranteed business opportunity to pay a tax bill or other spurious reason

No meetings in person take place. The fraudster will present reasons for not meeting, or may arrange to meet and then cancel

The fraudster will avoid personal questions, but will ask plenty

They will ask for money to be transferred to bank accounts abroad or via money transfer agencies to locations outside of Ireland

Phone calls from Irish numbers or lodgements to Irish bank accounts should not be considered as evidence that the person is genuine

In one case an Irish victim developed a relationship with a male on a dating website. He gained her trust and she sent him 62,000 over a period of time. In another case, a victim linked up with a female in an online chat room and ended up sending her 50,000.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau advises the public as follows:
Houston police officers responded to a complaint of indecent exposure at a Whataburger on Thursday night, only to watch as the man who was the subject of the complaint ran onto the East Freeway and was killed.

Houston Police Department Vehicular Crimes Division Cmdr. Kevin Deese told OnScene.tv that the man ran off as soon as police made eye contact with him upon arriving at the restaurant at Wayside and East Freeway at about 10:15 p.m.
Samsung is hyping its first full line of 5G-enabled flagship smartphones  the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra  introduced at the company's 'Unpacked' event Tuesday.

The 5G line is a key differentiator for Samsung as it aims to protect its top spot in the smartphone market. US wireless carriers also latched onto the announcement as an opportunity to get more consumers to connect to their 5G networks (and pay for 5G data plans).

But before you start saving up for one of the new phones, note that the 5G performance you'll experience will vary depending on which version of the S20 you buy.

When they go on sale next month, the basic version of the S20 will probably get you only a marginal increase in speeds compared to existing 4G LTE networks, because of the type of 5G network it is built to connect to. The premium S20+ and S20 Ultra, however, should have the kinds of superfast speeds and massive bandwidth that have driven excitement around 5G.

However, Verizon said Tuesday that Samsung is working on a version of the basic S20 that will be optimized for superfast 5G, which will be released in the second quarter of this year.

Please explain.

5G is the next generation of wireless technology that's expected to bring dramatically faster speed and the ability to handle many more connected devices. That makes it key for both device makers and wireless network operators.

For smartphone users, 5G could eventually provide them with the ability to download a feature film in seconds or video call without annoying lags and pixelation.

But for that to work, people need a device that's not only built to access 5G networks, but one that can access a specific type of 5G network.

Carriers have two general strategies carriers for building out 5G networks: using what's called high-band spectrum (aka 'millimeter wave' frequency) or low-band spectrum (aka 'sub6' frequency).

High-band spectrum enables speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, and provides huge bandwidth and other benefits. But those high frequency signals can't travel very far and they struggle to move through hard surfaces. For an effective high-band network, wireless carriers must install a bunch of cell boxes within relatively small areas, so they're mostly deploying them one individual city at a time.

Low-band spectrum, on the other hand, can cover much larger areas, making it more effective for nationwide 5G networks. But speeds on low-band are only about 20% faster than existing 4G LTE.

T-Mobile has launched a nationwide 5G network built on low-band spectrum, though it's also building high-band networks in select cities. AT&T has deployed high-band networks in more than 20 cities, and is also working on a low-band network that is expected to launch in mid-2020 (CNN parent company WarnerMedia is owned by AT&T). Verizon has high-band networks in more than 30 cities, but has not yet begun to deploy a low-band network.

What does that have to do with the phones?

Devices can be built to connect to low-band networks, high-band networks, or both. The most significant benefits will come from the ability to connect to both kinds of network, as with the Galaxy S20+ and the S20 Ultra.

Say you're on a road trip. When driving through a city with a high-band 5G network, you'll get the superfast speeds. Once you leave the city, your phone reverts to the low-band 5G network and you still get a slight bump in speeds over 4G.

If your phone can connect only to high-band 5G, it'll get those high speeds in the city but revert to 4G when you're back out on the road. If it only connects to low-band 5G, it will only deliver a small increase in speeds.

This might make the basic model of the S20 less attractive  at least until the high-band version is released later this year. However, a Samsung spokesperson confirmed that the company doesn't plan to make a version of the basic S20 that connects to both high- and low-band networks. That's just for the premium models.

Still  details of the individual S20 models aside  Samsung's full line of 5G phones is likely to give the company a boost, said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy.

Moorhead added that he expects the S20 line will help Samsung steal market share from other device makers. Apple, one of Samsung's leading competitors, has not yet released a 5G-enabled phone, though it is widely expected to do so later this year.

The devices could also be good news for wireless carriers, something they are likely counting on given the huge cost of deploying 5G.

'The new S20's will absolutely incent customers to adopt 5G plans,' Moorhead said.
For the first time, researchers managed to make intact human organs transparent. Using microscopic imaging they could revealed underlying complex structures of the see-through organs at the cellular level. Resulting organ maps can serve as templates for 3D-bioprinting technologies. In the future, this could lead to the creation of on demand artificial organs for many patients in need. The findings published in Cell joined forces from Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU), and Technical University of Munich (TUM).

In biomedical research, seeing is believing. Deciphering the structural complexity of human organs has always been a major challenge due to the lack of technologies to image them at the cellular level. Recent developments in tissue clearing allowed researchers to obtain first cellular views of intact transparent mouse organs in 3D. These methods, however, were not applicable to human organs.

"We had to change our approach completely"

Human organs are particularly stiff due to accumulation of insoluble molecules including collagen in tissues that have grown for years or even decades. Thus, traditional detergents that are used for making mouse organs transparent do not work on human organs, particularly adult ones. "We had to change our approach completely and start from scratch to find new chemicals which can make human organs transparent," says Shan Zhao, PhD student at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and first author of the study. After exhausting trials, the team discovered that a detergent called CHAPS could make small holes throughout the entire stiff human organs. CHAPS allows additional solutions to travel deep into centimeters-thick human organs and convert them into a transparent structure.

After making the human organs transparent, which were obtained post mortem from Prof. Ingo Bechmann's lab at the University of Leipzig, the team had to tackle additional challenges for both organ imaging and the analysis of the large amount of resulting data. First, they developed a new laser-scanning microscope with a large sample holding capacity called "Ultramicroscope Blaze" in collaboration with Miltenyi Biotec. This microscope enabled imaging of human organs as large as the kidney. Next, together with Prof. Bjoern Menze from TUM, the team developed deep learning algorithms to be able to analyze hundreds of millions of cells in 3D.

The researchers named this new technology SHANEL (Small-micelle-mediated Human orgAN Efficient clearing and Labeling). "SHANEL can develop into a key technology for mapping intact human organs in the near future. This would dramatically accelerate our understanding of organs such as the brain, their development and function in health and disease," explains Dr. Ali Erturk, Director of the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and also Principal Investigator at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research at the hospital of LMU.

Final goal: 3D-bioprinting of artificial organs

Cellular maps of human organs could be used to engineer large scale human tissues and organs with emerging 3D-bioprinting technologies. Towards this goal, Erturk and his team are currently working on mapping major human organs, starting with the pancreas, heart and kidney.

"There is a huge shortage of organ donors for hundreds of thousands of people," says Erturk. "The waiting time for patients and the transplantation costs are a real burden. Detailed knowledge about the cellular structure of human organs brings us an important step closer to creating functional organs artificially on demand."

###

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/i1-upP0kq5o

Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen is a research center with a mission to discover personalized medical solutions for the prevention and therapy for environmentally triggered diseases and promote a healthier society in a rapidly changing world. Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen is headquartered in Neuherberg in the north of Munich and has about 2,500 employees. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, the largest scientific organization in Germany with more than 40,000 employees at 19 research centers.

The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen is interested in elucidating the mechanisms leading to neurological diseases and ageing, in particular stroke and dementia. To this end, the Institute develops and implements 3D imaging technologies to be able to generate the highest resolution views of intact organs.
A handful of Republican senators ignored Donald Trump's warnings about a Democratic-crafted measure designed to limit his ability to go to war with Iran.

The upper chamber passed the bill, authored by Senator Tim Kaine, with all 43 Democrats in support and eight Republicans joining them. Senators were both concerned that Mr Trump's killing of a top Iranian general  whom they all agree was a terrorist leader  was too brazen and that Congress since 9/11 has given too many war powers to the executive branch.

Senators Lamar Alexander, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Todd Young of Indiana, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Jerry Moran of Kansas defied Trump's call that GOP senators kill the bill before it could reach the House, where it is expected to pass.

Mr Trump issued a warning to GOP senators on Wednesday afternoon.

"We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani...." Mr Trump tweeted ahead of a procedural vote on the measure, referring to Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force he ordered killed earlier this year. (The Trump administration has deemed the IRG a terrorist organisation, which was part of their argument he has ample legal authorities to order such strikes -- echoing the Bush 43 and Obama administrations.)

"...If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day," Mr Trump wrote in a second tweet. "Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don't let it happen!"



The measure was written by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2016.

"The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution," Mr Kaine said in a statement. "The resolution will force a public debate and vote in Congress as intended by the framers of the Constitution to determine whether United States forces should be engaged in these hostilities."

Mr Kaine, a member of the chamber's Foreign Relations Committee, crafted his measure after Mr Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, just the latest action by two presidents that have worried Mr Kaine about Congress giving up its constitutional war-making authorities, a decades-long trend.

The White House used that designation and the office of the president's Article II powers to defend the country against all threats as legal justification for taking out the Quds leader, backed by most Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell kept most of his caucus in line  ensuring an expected veto from Mr Trump would not be overridden  voiced his opposition to the Kaine measure earlier this week, which he deemed "deeply flawed on a number of levels," a signal to his caucus that he wants it to fail.

"It is too blunt and too broad. It is also an abuse of the War Powers Act, which was designed to strike a balance between the president's constitutional war powers and Congress' own war powers and oversight responsibilities," the Kentucky Republican said. "Some of us believe the War Powers Act went too far in undermining the Separation of Powers and infringing upon the authorities of the commander in chief."
LAS VEGAS  Nevadas most powerful labor union is warning workers about Democratic presidential frontrunner Bernie Sanders' health care views.

On Tuesday night, before New Hampshires primary was called in favor of the Vermont senator, Culinary Union workers received leaflets describing Sanders intentions for union health care this way:

End Culinary Healthcare and Require Medicare For All.

The Culinary Union represents 60,000 housekeepers, porters and bartenders working in Las Vegas casinos. At the top of the unions presidential asks is to maintain the robust health care plans members have fought hard to negotiate and win.

In a statement, Sarah Michelson, Sanders Nevada campaign director, defended the senators stance with union workers.

"Bernie has stood with workers his entire career, fighting on picket lines against pension cuts and corporate greed, Michelson said. Medicare for All will be no different; the program is crafted with the working class and particularly union members in mind.

Medicare for All, she said, will guarantee that coverage is as comprehensive or more so than the health care benefits union workers currently receive.

Union health clinics, including the Culinary's health clinic, will remain open to serve their members, Michelson. With health care as a human right, unions will have more leverage to negotiate better wages and benefits."

Story continues

Bernie Sanders se alzo con el triunfo en New Hampshire.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the union says, would Replace Culinary Healthcare after 3-year transition or at end of collective bargaining agreements.

The leaflets noted that former vice president Joe Biden, former mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and billionaire activist Tom Steyer would Protect Culinary Healthcare.

The Culinary Union has not yet endorsed a candidate. Nevadas Democratic caucuses are Feb. 22.

In New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday, Sanders edged former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Buttigieg  a closer-than-expected finish that leaves the race for the Democratic presidential nomination still muddled.

Sanders topped Buttigieg by about a point when the Associated Press declared him the winner just before midnight Tuesday. Klobuchar came in a surprising third, a finish that built on her well-received performance at Friday's debate in New Hampshire.

That could keep the race for the Democratic nominee more unsettled than it often is after the first two contests.Five candidates have at least six national delegates, lead by Buttigieg and Sanders.

Contributing: USA TODAY, Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette-Journal: Bernie Sanders 'Medicare For All' healthcare plan has Nevada union at odds
NSW Police aimed to conduct almost a quarter of a million personal searches last financial year as part of a quota-driven system slammed as a politically motivated "numbers game" by the state's ex-top prosecutor.

Figures revealed under freedom-of-information laws show individual police area commands are set targets for the execution of powers such as searches and move-on orders, as well as addressing an array of crimes, with people in some areas targeted for searches at nearly 13 times the average rate.

The internal statistics show police aimed to undertake 241,632 searches in the financial year ending June 2019, an eight per cent rise on the previous year's target. The actual number of searches undertaken was 238,813, about 100 fewer than 2018.

The search target for 2019-20 is 237,089.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Hybrid Imaging Market size is expected to reach $9.1 billion by 2025, rising at a market growth of 4.44% CAGR during the forecast period. Hybrid imaging is the fusion of more than two imaging technologies that form a new technique. The combinations of the innate benefits of the fused imaging technologies form a novel and much stronger modality. Some of the alternatives imaging techniques are Photon Emission Transmission (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound and CT, Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), MRI and CT, and others. Hybrid imaging technology can enhance the precision, attenuation, correction, and localization of one-stop imaging, thereby offering a more accurate diagnosis.



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05862266/?utm_source=PRN



The promising future of PET will be secured with the next generation of imaging resources. Advances in quantitative scans include the assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR). This identifies global cardiac perfusion flaws that would have been overlooked with qualitative SPECT scans. The advancements have rendered PET a go-to hybrid modality for cardiac molecular imaging. New PET techniques would be able to detect beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. Further, cardiovascular scanning would pose more exciting opportunities for PET, considering its potentially enhanced image resolution compared to SPECT.



The industry for hybrid imaging has seen the rapid acceptance of PET/CT hybrid imaging technology due to its advantages like early diagnosis, precise disease staging, and effective response to chronic conditions such as cancer. Also, PET/CT is the benchmark for oncology imaging and the manufacturers are further developing the manufacturing capabilities of hybrid imaging systems. It would further increase the rate of adoption globally. Restricting factors for the growth of hybrid imaging systems are site accreditation, the shortage of skilled professionals, and the rising cost of imaging systems.



Based on Application, the market is segmented into Oncology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Brain & Neurology, and Other Applications. Based on Type, the market is segmented into PET/CT systems, SPET/CT systems, PET/MR systems, OCT/Fundus Imaging System and Other types. Based on End Use, the market is segmented into Hospitals, Diagnostic Imaging Centers and Other End Use. Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa.



The major strategies followed by the market participants are Product launches and Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Canon, Inc. (Canon Medical System Corporation), Hitachi, Ltd. (Hitachi Healthcare), and Siemens AG (Siemens Healthineers) are some of the forerunners in the Hybrid Imaging Market. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Siemens AG (Siemens Healthineers), Canon, Inc. (Canon Medical Systems Corporation), General Electric (GE) Co. (GE Healthcare), Hitachi, Ltd. (Hitachi Healthcare), Koninklijke Philips N.V., PerkinElmer, Inc., Bruker Corporation, Atlantis Worldwide, LLC.



Recent strategies deployed in Hybrid Imaging Market



Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:



Dec-2019: GE Healthcare came into partnership with Affidea, a provider of medical services. The partnership is aimed at deploying imaging and digital technologies across Affidea's diagnostic imaging services network.



Dec-2019: Hitachi teamed up with T-Systems North America for developing new Hitachi Vantara-powered managed services. These services target the opportunities and challenge that healthcare and life science customer's face around enterprise imaging and other business operational systems.



Nov-2019: Hitachi Healthcare partnered with Christie Innomed. Under this partnership, Christie is aimed at distributing its diagnostic and surgical ultrasound imaging systems in Canada.



Oct-2019: GE Healthcare announced partnership with Theragnostics to commercialize prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET / CT imaging agent, GalliProst. The diagnostic helps in visualizing prostate cancer by offering information on the status of disease and enabling personalized treatment.



Jun-2019: Canon Medical signed an agreement with R-Pharm, a leader of the Russian healthcare market. Under this agreement, the former company promotes the sales of its diagnostic imaging systems and localizes its medical equipment production at R-Pharm's facilities in Russia.



May-2019: Siemens collaborated with Getinge in which the latter company launched PILOT in conjunction with Siemens' nexaris Angio-MR-CT solution. PILOT is a patient-centered transfer system that enables surgical staff to move patients between treatment rooms and imaging systems without repositioning.



Oct-2018: Siemens reinforced its collaboration with IMRIS for advancing both the companies in the growing multimodality hybrid operating room (OR) neurosurgical market. IMRIS would support the sales of both Siemens Healthineers and IMRIS ceiling-mounted fixed options for computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and angiography imaging modalities.



Acquisition and Mergers:



Aug-2019: Philips completed the acquisition of Carestream's Medical Imaging IT Business. The acquisition enhanced the ability of the former company in providing flexible solutions to health systems and hospitals.



Jul-2019: Bruker took over PMOD Technologies LLC, a provider of research-use-only software for preclinical and molecular imaging. The acquisition helped Bruker in providing intuitive end-to-end solutions, which makes research-use-only software for preclinical and molecular imaging precise and productive.



Jan-2018: Canon Medical acquired DelftHold BV, a recognized and valued brand in the medical sector. The acquisition strengthens the portfolio of the former company.



Product Launches and Product Expansions:



Dec-2019: Canon Medical introduced Aquilion ONE / PRISM Edition, a spectral CT system. This system is designed for deep intelligence, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) technology for maximizing spectral and conventional CT capabilities and automated workflows alongside providing intelligent clinical insights. These insights assist the physicians to make more informed decisions across the patient's care cycle.



Jul-2019: Philips introduced Azurion with FlexArm for setting a new standard for positioning flexibility and patient imaging for image-guided procedures in India. This product expanded its business to the Indian market.



Mar-2019: Canon Medical made enhancements to its Celesteion PET/CT system. The enhancement includes a wide range of new acquisition and reconstruction techniques for improving the workflow and image quality of its Celesteion PET/CT system.



Feb-2019: Canon Medical released the Alphenix platform, which is the next generation of interventional systems. This platform incorporates all-new features, which allow the clinicians to deliver images with precision and clarity without compromising the workflow alongside prioritizing the low dose.



Dec-2018: Hitachi Medical System Europe released third-generation of intelligent Vector Flow Mapping (iVFM). This non-invasive intracardiac blood flow visualization technology offers unique information about intraventricular vortex and its energetic efficiency including relative pressure, kinetic energy loss, or wall shear stress display and analysis.



Scope of the Study



Market Segmentation:



By Application



 Oncology



 Ophthalmology



 Cardiology



 Brain & Neurology



 Other Applications



By Type



 PET/CT systems



 SPET/CT systems



 PET/MR systems



 OCT/Fundus Imaging System



 Other types



By End User



 Hospitals



 Diagnostic Imaging Centers



 Other End Use



By Geography



 North America



o US



o Canada



o Mexico



o Rest of North America



 Europe



o Germany



o UK



o France



o Russia



o Spain



o Italy



o Rest of Europe



 Asia Pacific



o China



o Japan



o India



o South Korea



o Singapore



o Malaysia



o Rest of Asia Pacific



 LAMEA



o Brazil



o Argentina



o UAE



o Saudi Arabia



o South Africa



o Nigeria



o Rest of LAMEA



Companies Profiled



 Siemens AG (Siemens Healthineers)



 Canon, Inc. (Canon Medical Systems Corporation)



 General Electric (GE) Co. (GE Healthcare)



 Hitachi, Ltd. (Hitachi Healthcare)



 Koninklijke Philips N.V.



 PerkinElmer, Inc.



 Bruker Corporation



 Atlantis Worldwide, LLC



 Cubersa, Inc.



 Amber Diagnostics, Inc.



Unique Offerings



 Exhaustive coverage



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 Subscription based model available



 Guaranteed best price



 Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free



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It is one of the most horrific tragedies of our time, but thanks to the work of people like Catherine Corless, the victims of one Mother and Baby home, in Tuam, Co Galway, are finally getting a voice.

Researching an essay for a historical journal in 2012, Catherine's work led her to conclude that the remains of hundreds of babies had been buried in what appeared to be the vault of sewage tank.

Speaking at Leitrim's Health Is Wealth in Carrick-on-Shannon, Catherine said:" "I've tried to be a voice (for the Tuam babies) because they have no voice."

"These were illegitimate children. We know how mothers who got pregnant out of marriage were very much frowned on, first of all by the church. They were condemned right from the start that they were the sinners. Families were very much in fear of the church at the time," she explained.

Families would go to their priest for advice and he would tell them to hide the young woman away, to send her to a mother and baby home like the one in Tuam.

"The mother went in, she had to work until her baby was born. After her baby was born she had to do all the manual work in the home. There were about 80 of them there at a time. The Bon Secours nuns didn't have to hire anyone - they had a free workforce paying for their sin of getting pregnant outside of marriage," points out Catherine.

"They never went after the fathers...these young fellas would skip off to England," she said, leaving the young women to shoulder the blame and the responsibility alone.

"In the 1940s there was an average of about a death every fortnight in the Mother and Baby home in Tuam," explains Catherine, adding that these children ranged from a few weeks old, right up to 3 and 4.

Catherine said that inspectors reports from the time showed that the children in the home were in very bad condition, they had pot belies and "were neglected".

In another cruel twist, the young mothers who slaved in these homes were forced out when their child was a year old. Heartbroken these women were forced to leave their villages never to return, many moving overseas to places like England where "very often they ended up in bad relationships".

Even if they went on to have another family, the children from such families also suffered "because of this heartbreak. The mother would be in such bad mental health.

"A lot of these women carried this burden with them and their children never knew about it at all," acknowledges Catherine.

She said she has been "trying to promote the cause of the mothers and the babies - especially the babies who were buried so callously. And it is a sewage tank - it has been proven by a Commission of Enquiry.

"When those remains were found in 2017, I was sure, OK the church are going to come on board. Everyone is going to come on board. This is terrible. This is Tuam, what are we going to do about it? Instead of that it was quietened down again. Nothing happened for nearly a full year. This day in Tuam there are 796 babies still missing."

She said she has been described as a "nuisance" and has been dismissed by some since she went public with this scandal.

"I have great support from my husband Aidan, who was very nervous at the start about all this, especially when it was going to be exposed. I mean I was taking on the church. I was taking on the Bon Secours sisters. I was taking on the State," she admits.

"There's a lot of shame and there was this thing of giving Tuam a bad name," said Catherine, but she say she desn't see it that way that, and she has urged people with information to come forward.

"If we can deal with this now, this atrocity and own up to it, that will give Tuam a good name," she said.

"I expected our own local authorities and the church again to take it from me once it (the babies' remains) was discovered. These are the Tuam babies and there are so many of them there, but nobody seemed to care I still had to take on the fight. I had to keep pushing the government, the government were pushing it away, pushing it away as much as possible.

She says "people can help by keeping on talking about it. Keep saying what an atrocity it is. This just can't be wiped away."

There are very few of the survivors of the Tuam Mother and Babies home left she adds and something must be done to address this tragedy.

She pointed out the bones of these young babies were uncovered, initially, by two young boys playing in the area in the 1970s and said that this all should have been dealt with decades ago.

"How the Bon Secours sisters, who are a nursing congregation, could do that is beyond me. But everyone has a chance now to say 'this is awful, we have to undo it'".
Use of SPA ensures that errors in temperature forecast are reduced significantly in comparison with those of other procedures ill./: Illia Horenko

The exponential growth in computer processing power seen over the past 60 years may soon come to a halt. Complex systems such as those used in weather forecast, for example, require high computing capacities, but the costs for running supercomputers to process large quantities of data can become a limiting factor.

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany and Universita della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano in Switzerland have recently unveiled an algorithm that can solve complex problems with remarkable facility  even on a personal computer.

Exponential growth in IT will reach its limit

In the past, we have seen a constant rate of acceleration in information processing power as predicted by Moore's Law, but it now looks as if this exponential rate of growth is limited. New developments rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning, but the related processes are largely not well-known and understood.

Many machine learning methods, such as the very popular deep learning, are very successful, but work like a black box, which means that we don't know exactly what is going on. We wanted to understand how artificial intelligence works and gain a better understanding of the connections involved, said Professor Susanne Gerber, a specialist in bioinformatics at Mainz University.

Together with Professor Illia Horenko, a computer expert at Universita della Svizzera italiana and a Mercator Fellow of Freie Universitat Berlin, she has developed a technique for carrying out incredibly complex calculations at low cost and with high reliability.

Gerber and Horenko, along with their co-authors, have summarized their concept in an article entitled Low-cost scalable discretization, prediction, and feature selection for complex systems recently published in Science Advances.

This method enables us to carry out tasks on a standard PC that previously would have required a supercomputer, emphasized Horenko. In addition to weather forecasts, the research see numerous possible applications such as in solving classification problems in bioinformatics, image analysis, and medical diagnostics.

Breaking down complex systems into individual components

The paper presented is the result of many years of work on the development of this new approach. According to Gerber and Horenko, the process is based on the Lego principle, according to which complex systems are broken down into discrete states or patterns. With only a few patterns or components, i.e., three or four dozen, large volumes of data can be analyzed and their future behavior can be predicted.

For example, using the SPA algorithm we could make a data-based forecast of surface temperatures in Europe for the day ahead and have a prediction error of only 0.75 degrees Celsius, said Gerber. It all works on an ordinary PC and has an error rate that is 40 percent better than the computer systems usually used by weather services, whilst also being much cheaper.

SPA or Scalable Probabilistic Approximation is a mathematically-based concept. The method could be useful in various situations that require large volumes of data to be processed automatically, such as in biology, for example, when a large number of cells need to be classified and grouped.

What is particularly useful about the result is that we can then get an understanding of what characteristics were used to sort the cells, added Gerber. Another potential area of application is neuroscience. Automated analysis of EEG signals could form the basis for assessments of cerebral status. It could even be used in breast cancer diagnosis, as mammography images could be analyzed to predict the results of a possible biopsy.

The SPA algorithm can be applied in a number of fields, from the Lorenz model to the molecular dynamics of amino acids in water, concluded Horenko. The process is easier and cheaper and the results are also better compared to those produced by the current state-of-the-art supercomputers.

The collaboration between the groups in Mainz and Lugano was carried out under the aegis of the newly-created Research Center Emergent Algorithmic Intelligence, which was established in April 2019 at JGU and is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.

Image:

https://download.uni-mainz.de/presse/10_idn_spa_algorithmus_01.jpg

Use of SPA ensures that errors in temperature forecast are reduced significantly in comparison with those of other procedures

ill./: Illia Horenko

Read more:

https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/8760_DEU_HTML.php  Carl Zeiss Foundation supports the establishment of a new research center for artificial intelligence at Mainz University (2 Oct. 2019)

Junior Professor Dr. Susanne Gerber

Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (IDN) and

Center for Computational Sciences in Mainz ((CSM)

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

55099 Mainz, GERMANY

phone +49 6131 39-27331

e-mail: sugerber@uni-mainz.de

https://csg.uni-mainz.de/susanne-gerber/

S. Gerber et al., Low-cost scalable discretization, prediction, and feature selection for complex systems, Science Advances 6:5, 29 January 2020,

DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aaw0961

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/5/eaaw0961/tab-pdf

https://csg.uni-mainz.de/susanne-gerber  Susanne Gerber

https://csg.uni-mainz.de  Computational Systems Genetics Group at JGU

https://www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-compscien/  Center for Computational Sciences in Mainz

https://www.ics.usi.ch/index.php/people-detail-page/20-illia-horenko  Illia Horenko at the Institute of Computational Science at Universita della Svizzera italiana
If there were ever a vehicle "dynasty" in North America, honors would certainly go to the F-150. Ford's flagship truck doesn't just inch ahead of competitors in terms of sales - it far surpasses them.

Is the Ford F-150 really that popular? And, if so, how did the F-150 come to claim the crown of North America's favorite truck? In this post, let's look at a few stats to back up the claim, and detail what it is about the F-150 that has consumers coming back time and again.

The Stats

If you make a claim like, "the Ford F-150 is the preeminent North American truck dynasty", people are going to ask you to cite sources. Luckily, the numbers don't lie:

The Ford F-150 has been the top-selling vehicle - not just truck - in North America for the last 40 years.

In 2019, an eye-popping 623,980 F-150s were sold in America alone, beating out the next best-selling truck (the Chevrolet Silverado) by almost 200,000 units. That's not even including the Canadian market, where Key West Ford sells many new and pre-owned F-150s through its dealership.

Globally in 2018, Ford reports selling in excess of 1 million F-150s

The revenue from the F-series was reported to be $50 billion in 2018, or, roughly the entire GDP of Alaska.

But that still begs the question: why is the Ford F-150 so popular?

About the F-150

Automotive pundits point to a few different reasons for the F-150's popularity: performance, price, provenance and brand loyalty.

The F-150 simply wouldn't be the sales juggernaut it is if wasn't a reliable, high-performance vehicle. It offers an option between a V8 and turbocharged 6-cylinder engine (both incredibly powerful) with a payload of 3,120 pounds and towing capacity of 13,200 pounds. It's a dependable workhorse.

The price is also right. Ford lists a starting price of 32,339 for the F-150 in Canada, but you can find even lower prices through Key West Ford. Because its popularity has remained steady for many years, there are also a number of affordable used options on the market. Simply put, for the power and capability you get, the F-150 is incredibly priced.

Next, provenance definitely factors into the equation. People like the fact that the F-150 is made in America; in a time of widespread outsourcing, it's a sign of solidarity and national pride. There's also the reasoning (however suspect) that America just makes better vehicles - it has a long history of manufacturing, after all.

Finally, because of all the three reasons above - its superior performance, good price and American provenance - the F-150 has developed a loyal following over the past 40 years. When your old F-150 bites the dust, you may entertain the idea of picking up a Silverado or a Ram 1500, but you usually just come home to roost, buying a new F-150 to replace the old one. That kind of brand loyalty is tough for competitors to shake.

The numbers are clear: the F-150 was and is North America's favorite truck. And with its powerful functionality and affordable price tag, it's easy to see why.
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Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano and Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 07:33 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20642b92b 1 National Jokowi,Indonesia,Islamic-State,IS-sympathizers,Syria Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has decided to ban Indonesian nationals who joined the Islamic State (IS) movement in Syria from returning to Indonesia, calling them ex-citizens, as he instructed his aides to immediately sort out their identities and put them on the immigration database.

The move followed the governments decision not to repatriate some 689 Indonesian IS supporters currently stranded abroad, with the government saying that it would prioritize the safety of the hundreds of millions of citizens at home.

During the Cabinet meeting [on Tuesday], I gave an order to identify each of the 689 people, including their names and where they came from, Jokowi told reporters on Wednesday.

Once the data is completed and put into an immigration database, we can ban them from entering [the country], he went on to say, adding that the IS sympathizers are ex-citizens.

Citing data from the United States Central Intelligence Agency, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD previously said that some 689 Indonesians had been identified as IS sympathizers in Syria and Turkey, as well as other countries.

Read also: BREAKING: Indonesia not repatriating IS fighters to protect nation from 'terrorist virus'

According to the data, some 228 people still hold identification as Indonesian citizens while others do not have proper documents to prove their citizenship. Indonesian authorities have previously suggested that most of the Indonesian IS supporters are women and children.

When asked about the IS sympathizers fate, now that Indonesia had decided against their return, Jokowi said that joining IS was their own decision and that they would have calculated the risks from doing so.

We will still provide opportunities for orphans [to return home], those who are children under 10 years old, Jokowi said, But so far we still dont know if there are any.

Prior to Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, Jokowi had voiced his personal disapproval of the idea of repatriating Indonesian IS supporters, although he added that the decision would be made after hearing from relevant ministries.

Mahfud also conveyed a personal view similar to Jokowis, saying that repatriating IS fighters could pose a danger to the country.

Editors note: The number of identified Indonesian IS supporters has been corrected from 698 to 689. We apologize for the mistake.
Chinese president Xi Jinping is building a "dystopian digital surveillance state" to promote his brand of totalitarian rule, according to a recent report by a human rights group.



"Pushing for his vision of a dystopian digital surveillance state, Xi wielded his largely unfettered powers to suppress those aspiring for and promoting a vision of China with respect for universal human rights," the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) network said in its annual report.



It said 2019 saw enhanced government efforts to step up online censorship, blocking any content deemed "subversive" by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.



"Authorities expanded the use of artificial intelligence, including facial recognition, DNA collection technologies and big data algorithms, to monitor and target critics and suppress ethnic Tibetans and Uyghurs," the group said in a statement on its website.



CHRD said human rights defenders in China had tried to stand up to the increasingly powerful regime by reporting rights violations, criticizing abusive laws and policies, organizing protests, and fighting abuses of power in court.



"In retaliation, authorities subjected many defenders to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, administrative penalties, collective punishment against their families, and targeted surveillance," CHRD said.



Police issue warnings



The report came as Chinese police issued warnings to a group of activists who signed an open letter to the government calling for an official, public apology to late Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who was questioned by police for "rumor-mongering" after trying to alert the authorities to the coronavirus outbreak in its early stages.



Guangdong-based lawyer Liu Zhengqing, who signed the letter, said he had since received a visit from local officials.



"It was because I signed the letter on behalf of Dr. Li," Liu said, but appeared to be under surveillance or threat, because he was reluctant to speak further. "They just warned me and told me not to sign anything like that in future."



"It's really inconvenient for me right now," he said, in wording that activists sometimes use to indicate surveillance or fear of retaliation by the authorities.



The letter, penned by retired Sun Yat-sen University professor Ai Xiaoming, garnered hundreds of signatures. Li, who was accused of "rumor-mongering" along with seven other medical workers in Wuhan, later caught the COVID-19 virus himself and died.



RFA contacted a total of 13 people who signed it. Most appeared reluctant to pick up the phone. One said it was "inconvenient" to talk.



Beijing behind Hong Kong abuses



CHRD said Beijing had also been behind human rights abuses in Hong Kong during months of anti-extradition and pro-democracy protests in the city which drew strong criticism over police use of violence to suppress largely peaceful demonstrators.



"Calls for Hong Kong police to be held accountable for excessive use of force against protestors on June 12 and repeatedly afterwards were dismissed," CHRD said.



Instead, Beijing had engaged in disinformation campaigns on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube against the Hong Kong protests, as well as seeking to influence the outcome of Taiwan's general election, it said.



The group said it knew of 1,016 documented cases of people behind bars for expressing their views peacefully or defending the rights of others by the end of 2019, not including at least one million Uyghur and other ethnic groups who have been forced into internment camps for "re-education."



"Many Tibetans are in jail or under strict monitoring," it said.



It said those taken to police stations are now subjected to standard biometric data collection, including being fingerprinted, and having DNA and blood samples taken and biometric photographs taken.



Forced biometric data collection was routine at police check points in Xinjiang, the report said.



Extending influence abroad



Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party has been keen to exert influence in international agencies and far beyond its borders, the report said.



"At the United Nations, China has since 2017 pushed with unprecedented aggressiveness to replace universal human rights with its own alternative vision," CHRD said.



"The human rights crisis in mainland China, its peripheral regions, and its threat to people in other countries ... demands a serious international response," it said, warning that Beijing has been exporting rights abuses along with its strings-attached loans and infrastructure projects under its "Belt and Road" program.



"The international community must face up to the urgency of guarding democracy, human rights, and rule of law against Chinas aggressive campaign," it said.



The report said that charges of "endangering state security" and "subversion" are typically used to jail people who stand up for their rights or those of others.



It cited the detentions on Dec. 26 of Zhang Zhongshun, Dai Zhenya, Li Yingjun, and debarred lawyer Ding Jiaxi, as well as the convictions of rights website founder Liu Feiyue and Protestant pastor Wang Yi on such charges.



Forced disappearances



Detainees accused of crimes relating to "national security" are routinely denied access to lawyers, and are held under "residential surveillance" at an unknown location for six months, during which time they are at risk of torture and other abuses.



U.N. human rights experts have called on Beijing to end the practice, which they say is "tantamount to enforced disappearance."



CHRD said it knew of 17 documented cases of individuals disappeared under the "residential surveillance at a designated location (RSDL)" system at the close of 2019.



"Guangzhou police disappeared journalist and feminist activist Sophia Huang into RSDL for three months after she wrote about the protests [in Hong Kong]," CHRD said.



It said police in Shenzhen had also placed three labor rights activists who edited the iLabour online publication into RSDL for reporting on migrant workers campaigns seeking compensation for pneumoconiosis.



"Torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment remained rampant in China in 2019," the report found, including the deprivation of medical treatment for nine gravely ill detainees or prisoners of conscience in detention centers, jails, or extrajudicial detention camps.



In July 2019, citizen journalist and NGO director Huang Qi, who has suffered from a terminal kidney disease, was sentenced to 12-years in prison, and was subsequently denied adequate medical care while in prison.



It added that several detained Uyghurs had reportedly died in Xinjiangs extrajudicial detention facilities, while there were also reports of Tibetans dying following torture in prison.



Families, children punished



It said the authorities are increasingly using retaliation against the families and children of activists they wish to silence.



"Beijing police forced jailed rights lawyer Wang Quanzhangs six-year-old son out of school four days after he started first grade," the report said.



It cited the case of Pu Wenqing, the 87-year-old mother of Huang Qi, who was disappeared into police custody for weeks and has remained under round-the-clock surveillance after campaigning for her son.



In Xinjiang, some Uyghurs were detained in internment camps or punished simply because their overseas family members campaigned or spoke out about mass detention, or because their family members had travelled abroad or had been detained themselves in camps, the report said.



Police knocked on doors or summoned people who used virtual private networks (VPNs) to get onto overseas social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and forced them to delete their posts or accounts, CHRD said.



One Hui Muslim student was sent to an internment camp in Xinjiang for using a VPN, which police said was "terrorist software," it said.



Virus warnings suppressed



Authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan "did not acknowledge the severity of the virus rapid spread through human-to-human transmission" in the early weeks of the coronavirus epidemic, the report said.



"Government censors deleted millions of posts online and issued strict guidelines to web censors after the February 2020 death of Dr. Li Wenliang, who had been punished for trying to send an early warning and died from the virus," it said.



Meanwhile, some Chinese universities removed clauses on "freedom of thought" from their charters, and professors faced censorship, suspension, and investigation, or imprisonment for classroom speech or publications.



Police also detained at least two Chinese who returned to China for family visits over their social media comments posted while they were overseas, it said.



The group called on China to end the arbitrary detention of rights activists, abolish political crimes like "subversion," close the Xinjiang camps, and end cultural genocide against Tibetans and Uyghurs.



It also said Beijing should "end censorship, dismantle the digital surveillance police state, including the Great Firewall."



Reported by Wang Yun for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Palestinian leaders say report will reinvigorate push to boycott international companies in occupied territories.

Palestinian leaders have hailed the United Nations Human Rights Office report, which lists firms linked to illegal Israeli settlements, saying it is a critical step towards boycotting Israeli businesses operating in the occupied West Bank.

The UN body said it identified 112 business entities  94 based in Israel and 18 in six other countries  which it has reasonable grounds to conclude have ties with Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.

It identified companies listed in the United States, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Among these was the US-based home-sharing company, Airbnb.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the findings had been subject to an extensive and meticulous review process and the report reflects the serious consideration that has been given to this unprecedented and highly complex mandate.

Her office said the report does not provide a legal characterisation of the activities in question, or of business enterprises involvement in them.

Violation of international laws

Palestinian leader Mustafa Barghouti said the report provides critical information that shows these companies are willfully operating their businesses in violation of international laws.

Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in 1949 to protect civilian populations in war-torn countries, says occupying powers shall not transfer their population to occupied territories.

Barghouti told Al Jazeera that the report will reinvigorate the international movement Boycott, Divestment and Sanction or BDS and its allies who seek to boycott companies and businesses who are deemed violating international law by operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.

This report will have a very big impact because it will encourage Palestinians and others around the world to increase their boycott of these companies, he said.

The Palestinian leader called on international institutions to stop investing in companies working in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The BDS was launched in 2005 by Palestinian civil society organisations calling for the international community to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel. The movement is inspired bythe struggles decades ago to end apartheid in South Africa.

Earlier, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki called the publication of the list a victory for international law.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he ordered an exceptional and harsh measures against the UN body in the wake of the much-delayed report.

Palestinian leader and head of Civil Affairs Authority Hussein al-Shaikh said in a tweet that the US and Israel are challenging the international consensus and are using intimidation tools against the UN human rights agency.

They are challenging international consensus and ruling using colonial intimidation tools https://t.co/A4XLJWtOWa    Hussein Al Sheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) February 13, 2020

The UN list comes less than a month after Trump administration unveiled its Middle East plan that supported the legalisation of the Israeli occupation of Palestinianlands and annexation of large swathes of the West Bank.

Legal experts believe the listing can be used in strategic litigation against companies identified in the report.

Professor Kevin Jon Heller, who teaches international law at the University of Amsterdam and Australian National University, said he does not believe the report itself can function as grounds for domestic legal action against the companies at this point.

Any legal action against one of the corporations in a domestic court would still require proof that the corporations activities were illegal under domestic law, he said.

He, however, said the report is a helpful tool for focusing strategic litigation on the corporations identified in it.

Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem following the 1967 war and has since built hundreds of illegal settlements for its Jewish citizens throughout the occupied Palestinian territories.

There are more than 750,000 illegal Israeli settlers currently in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian officials.





Israel and the Palestinians signed the Oslo Accord in 1993 that stipulated a two-state solution  the idea of Israel and Palestine living side-by-side  based on the 1967 lines.

Decades after Oslo, however, Israel has built more Jewish settlements and confiscated more Palestinian lands effectively killing the agreement and ending any Palestinian hopes of establishing their desired state.

The report is a much-needed tool towards denying Israeli and international companies from benefitting from occupying Palestinian lands, said Barghouti, the Palestinian leader.

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter:@ali_reports
Internet, TV channel used to deal with semester delay due to epidemic control

Schools have been asked to pick different time slots to start the spring semester to make sure there will not be a concentrated mass movement of students when the new semester begins, the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday.

The ministry announced in late January that the spring semester for all schools would be postponed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Several provinces and municipalities, including Shanghai, Chongqing, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, have announced that the new semester would not start by the end of this month.

Places where the epidemic is more serious should start the new semester at different times than other places, universities should choose different time slots than secondary and primary schools, and schools in the same area should also avoid starting the new semester on the same date, said Wang Dengfeng, head of the ministry's Department of Physical, Health and Arts Education.

"When the new semester begins, students who have close contact with confirmed patients and who demonstrate symptoms of cough and fever should be quarantined, and other students should undergo daily health inspections," Wang said at a daily news conference.

Students who are in Hubei province must wait until the travel restrictions in the province are removed to return to their schools in other provinces, and they should also be quarantined when they return, he said.

Online classes offered

With the start of the new semester delayed, primary and secondary students will be able to attend classes online or study via television, said Lyu Yugang, head of the ministry's Department of Basic Education.

A cloud platform will also be launched on Monday to provide students in primary and secondary schools with education resources covering all major school subjects, he said.

For students in remote or rural areas with poor internet accessibility, a television channel by China Education Television will start airing classes on Monday so they can study at home, Lyu said.

Local education authorities and schools should decide whether the online classes will cover content for the new semester and whether all students will be required to take those classes, he said.

"Online courses are only temporary measures taken during the epidemic, so when the new semester begins, schools should not replace classroom teaching with online classes," he added.

Wu Yan, head of the ministry's Department of Higher Education, said the ministry has issued a guideline for universities to conduct online classes, with 22 online platforms offering 24,000 courses to students.

These classes were not made in a hurry. Rather, they are of high quality and were carefully selected from courses created over the past few years, he said.

Don't overburden students

Schools should not add an unnecessary academic burden on primary and secondary students through online classes, the ministry said on Tuesday night amid criticism that online teaching has significantly increased the workload for students and teachers.

Answering the ministry's call in late January, education authorities, schools and after-school training institutions have been offering students online courses since the spring semester was postponed.

An official with the ministry said no online classes should be provided to kindergarten students, and primary students in lower grade levels can decide whether to take the classes.

For students in higher grade levels, schools should limit the time and amount of online learning, the official said.

Online courses should include infection prevention, psychological health and educational activities and content rather than just subjects that put extra pressure on students, the ministry said.

Schools should make good use of existing online teaching materials rather than putting an extra workload on teachers.




A senior Pakistani Taliban commander was killed by a bomb in eastern Afghanistan, militant and intelligence sources said on Thursday, the latest such incident to target the group in recent days.

Sheharyar Mehsud, chief of a militant faction which is part of the umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, or Pakistani Taliban), was the target of the remote-controlled blast in Kunar province, a TTP commander in Pakistan told AFP.

A Pakistani intelligence official who confirmed the incident said Mehsud had fled to Afghanistan in 2016.

The blast comes nearly two weeks after two other key TTP leaders -- Khalid Haqqani and Qari Saifullah Peshawari -- were killed in a clash with security forces.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the killings.

They have come as the US and the Afghan Taliban -- which is separate from the TTP -- appear close to a breakthrough on a deal for an American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Islamabad has helped to facilitate the gruelling talks, which have stretched over more than a year.

Pakistan was one of only three countries to recognise the Afghan Taliban regime, and its shadowy military establishment -- particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) -- is widely believed to back the bloody insurgency in Afghanistan. Islamabad denies the accusation.

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 have dropped dramatically in recent years, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 -- the year the TTP was formed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lounge at the Ferenc Liszt International Airport, offering Hungarian specialties and an exclusive meeting room, according to a press release.

"We offer professional and innovative solutions, hence the idea of innovating the way we show and advertise ourselves to our international clients was self-explanatory," said Tungsram president-CEO Jorg Bauer at the lounges opening ceremony. "Hence we have created this lounge, where our clients may spend the waiting time until their plane departs comfortable - not an everyday solution."



Bauer added that he considers himself the "Industrial Ambassador" of Hungary, and hence it is important that the hospitality offered by the lounge reflects Hungarian traditions.



"This lounge perfectly represents the partnership between Budapest Airport and Tungsram," says Rolf Schnitzler, CEO of Budapest Airport, noting that the two companies signed a cooperation agreement more than a year ago.



"It is an honor, that Tungsram, a Hungary-based global brand chose Budapest Airport as an exhibition space. We are certain that the new business lounge and Tungsrams presence at the exclusive advertisement platforms will contribute greatly to the innovative Hungarian companys international reputation."



The 72 sqm lounge can host 15-20 people at the same time. It is open between 5:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. every day. Malev Ground Handling is responsible for catering, with the food reflecting Hungarian culinary culture in a modern, "finger food" form. Guests may also order warm dishes from restaurants at the airport.



Tungsram Lounge is located next to gate A8 in Terminal 2A. It may only be used by Tungsrams clients and business partners, on an invitational basis.



Photo courtesy of bud.hu
Three people were in the car in the 5300 block of South Albany Avenue around 10:20 p.m. when a person in the back seat opened fire and struck a 27-year-old man in the front seat while the car was moving, according to police.
(Newser)  "I knew this day would eventually come," convicted murderer Calvin Bright said upon walking out of jail in Washington, DC, Wednesday after 25 years. "I never doubted it because I'm innocent." Bright, 47, was sentenced to 65 years to life on two counts of first-degree murder in 1995, but at a re-sentencing hearing Wednesday, the sentence was changed to "time served," reports WUSA. The reason? An old letter from one DC officer to another that named a different suspect in the shooting deaths of Tammy Peay and William Ramsey. The letter identifying the suspect as "Catman," a man of Chinese descent, was written in 1994, but not revealed until two years ago. That's when the US Attorney's Office disclosed finding the letter in a file kept by homicide detectives, according to Bright's lawyer, David Benowitz. Two years of litigation followed.

story continues below

"It would have changed everything about this case," says Benowitz, who's represented Bright since 2007. "As Mr. Bright's original counsel testified, had he had that information he would have changed how he investigated the case, how he litigated the case." The letter shows an officer "received info that 'Catman' was the subject who committed the double murder." Benowitz says Bright passed a polygraph test in which he was asked if he was the killer, per CBS News. "I'm just ready to move on with my life," Bright said at the hearing, where his release on time served was secured on the condition that he not sue the district. Working toward an associate's degree, he hopes to find work in criminal justice, and possibly open his own firm, so as to help "the next person that winds up in the predicament that I went into," he tells WUSA. He'll be on probation for five years. (Read more prison release stories.)
The woman is in exile in the United Kingdom following her abduction in May 2018. The activist is famous for her criticism of the Pakistani army and for research into forced disappearances by the military, and has a large social media following.

Islamabad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Either appear in trial for propaganda against the government or face terrorism: this is the threat addressed by the Islamabad security agency to a famous activist. This was revealed by Radio Gadhara, an online service affiliated with Radio Free Europe. The activist in question is Gul Bukhari, self-exiled to the United Kingdom after a brief kidnapping in 2018 to escape the pressure of the government that wanted to silence her.

On February 11, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) counter-terrorism branch ordered the woman to appear in court to answer the accusation of online propaganda against the government, national security organizations and the judicial system. According to organizations that defend human rights and the freedom of the press and expression, in this way the Pakistani authorities want to suppress dissent not only of those who live within national borders, but also by those who live abroad.

Gul Bukhari has already withstood attempts to silence her. In May 2018, the 54-year-old activist, who was a contributor to The Nation newspaper and television commentator at the time, was kidnapped by some thugs in Lahore, while she was going to a television studio to record a broadcast. The woman is famous for her critical views of the Pakistani army and forced disappearances by the military, and has a large following especially on social media. Thanks to the freedom of speech guaranteed by the network, it denounces the repression of the Pashtun movement, defends civil rights and those who end up targeted by authorities for standing up to power groups.

Reporters Without Borders maintain that the law "is often used by authorities to silence journalists who dare to cross the regime's implicit red line." The Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) complains that the Pakistani authorities could request the extradition of the activist through Interpol, and freeze all the woman's properties.

Currently Bukhari has told the Committee she does not fear a forced return, but has no intention of going to trial. CPJ coordinator Steven Butler says "threatening to indict a journalist for terrorism and confiscating his property for comments on social media or published articles is absurd, and only reveals the extreme insecurity of the government".
The U.S. flag flies over Chinese shipping containers that were unloaded at the Port of Long Beach, in Los Angeles County on Sept. 29, 2018. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

US Trade Performance Shows Strong Internals and Evident Decoupling From China: Expert

'Decoupling is evident from the dramatic reduction in the US goods trade deficit with China,' says trade expert Alan Tonelson

U.S. trade performance is running on strong internals, an economic policy expert told The Epoch Times, adding that last weeks official U.S. trade figures show President Donald Trumps policies are showing impressive signs of decoupling from China.

Decoupling is the realignment of trade links, including supply chains, and so reducing Americas reliance on Chinese imports, among other aims. It also makes the nation less vulnerable to economic contagion, such as that which may be inflicted on global economies from the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic in China.

The risk of economic woes spilling across the border of an already slowing China as it struggles to contain the virus, which now carries the official designation COVID-19, was a threat highlighted in Tuesdays Congressional testimony by Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

We are closely monitoring the emergence of the coronavirus, which could lead to disruptions in China that spill over to the rest of the global economy, Powell said in prepared remarks.

The epidemic would likely have some effect on the U.S. economy, he said, but it was too early to tell if it would be significant enough to merit a response from the Fed.

The question we will be asking is will these be persistent effects that could lead to a material reassessment of the outlook, Powell told the House Financial Services Committee in Washington, during the semi-annual testimony on the Feds monetary policy.

Encouraging Highlights

Figures released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Feb. 5 show a range of what Alan Tonelson, who founded the public policy blog RealityChek and has written widely on trade and economic policy, calls encouraging highlights.

Tonelson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that one of these policy bright spots is that the overall U.S. trade deficit fell year-on-year in 2019, which was one of Trumps signature campaign promises.

Further, the BEA numbers show a reduction in Americas annual goods deficit with Chinaanother of the administrations objectivesby a record 17.62 percent last year. Also, despite the problems facing Boeing, which is an important contributor to trade surpluses, Americas manufacturing deficit has stabilized significantly.

Tonelson added that a key validation of the effectiveness of this administrations trade policies is that the U.S. economy continued to grow last year even as that portion of the trade deficit most influenced by trade policy increased at a particularly slow rate.

The obvious conclusions? Trade policy can influence the size and rate of change in the trade deficit, and that the Trump trade policies are working, he said.

Regarding decoupling, Tonelson said it is evident both from the dramatic reduction in the U.S. goods trade deficit with China and from the impressive reduction in the value of 2-way U.S.-China goods trade.

BEA figures show that value of total merchandise trade between the United States and China fell by more than 18 percent to $558.87 billion, the lowest level since 2012.

Decoupling the U.S. economy from Chinas is crucial for U.S. prosperity, because the pre-Trump policy of expanding trade and commerce with the Peoples Republic has been such a net loser for the American economy, Tonelson said. And its crucial for U.S. national security because the pre-Trump policies recklessly transferred so much in the way of resources and defense-related technology to an increasingly hostile and aggressive China.

Domestic factory output data for 2019, which has yet to be released, will allow a comparison between moves in the trade deficit level and the overall growth of industry, serving as another useful datapoint in gauging the state of American manufacturing.
Almost half of the province's students from Grade 7 to 12 have used vaporizers and e-cigarettes  more than any province except Saskatchewan, and well above the national average.

That's up from 38 per cent that said they used the products when surveyed in 2016-17, according to the latest data from the federal government outlined in the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Survey.

"We're leading the pack, unfortunately," said Kevin Coady, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco.

"A couple of provinces are just a step behind us, but if you look at the national average, for example, the national average for 'ever tried' is 34 per cent, and we're at 47 per cent."

The group lobbies to keep e-cigarettes away from children. That effort includes campaigns to get government to regulate the products under the same umbrella as tobacco, and youth programming to teach students about the dangers of using e-cigarettes and related products.

"It's like the new toy on the market, not realizing where it might take them," Coady told CBC Radio's On The Go.

With recent illnesses linked to vaping use popping up across Canada and the United States, Coady said they're jumping at the opportunity to do more.

Latest effort

On Wednesday ACT, in partnership with the provincial government, launched its newest effort to keep young people from picking up vaping, but this time the group is targeting parents.

The information campaign seeks to educate adults about the risks of vaping among youth. ACT hopes it'll spark conversation with their kids.

The province kicked in $75,000 to help the group increase the frequency and duration of the campaign, in order to reach more parents, but details about what it will involve are still vague.

Plans include a social media presence, webinars, billboards and teacher-led presentations.

"We're not totally focusing on some of the diseases and some of the lung problems that have surfaced, because a lot of connection there goes to the use of cannabis, and that's a different story," Coady said.

Story continues

In December, the provincial government said it would not allow cannabis vape products to be introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador, pending more research.

The government said reports of lung diseases associated with vaping need more analysis by experts to figure out the exact cause, but many of the cases involve vaping cannabis.

"But just the fact that young people want to use these vapes very regularly, and not even realizing sometimes how much nicotine is in them. The nicotine in some of the pods that you can get your hands on and use can be equal to a couple of packs of regular cigarettes."

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Doug and Christine Weber are taking a different approach to retirement, spending free time and some of their nest egg to combine two worthy causes  renewable energy and mission work.

The Westlake couple have formed a nonprofit, Kingdom Solar, with the vision of financing solar arrays for churches and other nonprofits. The idea is to allow the churches and agencies to spend less on utilities and more on helping others.

Kingdom Solar recently completed its first project, paying $100,000 to install a solar array at Elizabeth Baptist Church, a Cleveland church where mission work extends well beyond Sunday worship services.

The churchs activities include feeding and clothing the poor, hosting addiction-treatment classes, helping ex-prisoners re-enter society, and perhaps most notably providing emergency shelter for thousands of homeless women and children each year.

We punch above our weight, said Richard Gibson, pastor of the largely African American church on Francis Avenue near Slavic Village.

Doug Weber, who was an environmental attorney with FirstEnergy, said he doesnt recall when the idea for Kingdom Solar came to him but that it was something he had been contemplating for some time. Elizabeth Baptist Church seemed like a logical place to start.

The church had taken over the former St. Hyacinth Catholic Church closed by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese a decade ago during its purge of underperforming parishes. Elizabeth Baptist bought the six-building complex  listed at $350,000  for $38,000. But it needed work, Gibson said.

Of the churchs six buildings, two  the boiler room and school house - were condemned. The former convent would become The Haven Home shelter and the gymnasium its overflow area. The rectory was converted into a bookstore and room for after-school activities.

But last winter, it became evident that the cost to heat the shelter and gym, and to provide electricity for lights, electronics and the like, was stressing the churchs finances to the tune of $5,000 a month.

Thats when the Webers entered the picture. The couple knew Gibson and were familiar with the churchs needs. Gibson and Doug Weber had been active participants in a regional Christian fellowship group known as Transparent Men and Christine Weber served on The Haven Homes board.

A deal was worked out where Kingdom Solar would pay for the solar panels to be installed at a cost of $100,000. Better Together Solar in Cleveland did the work after being selected through a competitive bid. That company, led by Rob Martens, had installed a prominent solar array at the First Unitarian Church in Shaker Heights that also powers a charging station for electric vehicles.

Richard Gibson (left), pastor at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Cleveland, and Doug Weber of Kingdom Solar.

The Elizabeth Baptist project included more than 170 panels spread across the rooftops of the The Haven Home and gym to generate about 60 kilowatts of power.

Going forward, the church will buy far less of its electricity from the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. And an arrangement between the Elizabeth Baptist and Kingdom Solar will allow the church to benefit from the cheaper solar power over time while making payments to Kingdom Solar that help it seed similar projects, hopefully with other investors involved.

Part of the philosophy is we want this to be repeatable and sustainable, Weber said during a recent interview at the church. To some degree, well use the cash flow from this project and other projects to hopefully do similar projects at other nonprofits.

Gibson said he kept his congregation apprised of the solar installations progress with regular updates at the beginning of worship service. He believes Elizabeth Baptist is the first church in Cleveland to rely on solar power and that he wants his church to be an example for others.

Said Doug Weber, Bottom line its a win-win project. Its a win for the environment. Were harnessing the most abundant natural resource we have, solar energy, and its a win for Elizabeth Baptist Church.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 10:25:58|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Approved by Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping, 2,600 additional medical personnel from the armed forces will be tasked with treating patients in two hospitals in Wuhan, capital city of Hubei Province and the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

They will follow the operation model of Huoshenshan Hospital and be tasked with treating confirmed patients of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Taikang Tongji Hospital and a branch of Hubei's Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital.
NEW YORK - Trevor Noah bounds into a bright, skylit conference room at "The Daily Show" offices in Manhattan wearing a black Nike T-shirt and a headset mic, like he's a pop star, or maybe a SoulCycle instructor. It's the first full day of arguments at President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, plus it's Bagel Tuesday, so, big morning all around for everyone here at Comedy Central's flagship fake-news program.

Forty or so writers, producers and correspondents (plus a handful of dogs) fill the room, forming a notably diverse group - though there is still a healthy smattering of white dudes, even a lone conservative. Later, Noah explains that his work to diversify the staff is not "zero-sum." Grinning, he promises: "I'm not going to fire white guys."

Co-executive producer Justin Melkmann queues up news clips and they are met with Alan Dershowitz giving quite the creative explanation for why, in 1998, he asserted that the president did not have to commit a crime to be impeached but now he is arguing the opposite side. "I wasn't wrong then," Dershowitz said on CNN. "I'm just much more correct right now."

It's a classic Trump-era comedy trap: How do you satirize something that is thoroughly absurd upon arrival?

But Noah responds to the clip with glee. "It's a wonderful illumination of how you can interpret the Constitution," he says. "It's like religion. Like, you can hate gay people because the Bible says so, right? Until your son is gay, and then you can say, 'Well, I don't see the word gay anywhere in the Ten Commandments.' " He lifts his hands up, framing an imaginary movie screen above his head. "It's a perfect encapsulation!"

What is Noah looking for in this endless scroll of headlines, which he starts checking on his phone before he gets out of bed? "I'm trying to find the zeitgeist of the day," he says later. He wants "The Daily Show" to "run the gamut of news, from the dumbest, most ridiculous, inconsequential stories that mean nothing in your life, all the way through to the war that may be happening between America and Iran." He also wants to analyze societal issues that aren't necessarily news-pegged or anchored at the White House, reeling off a list of issues such as race inequality, climate change, police shootings and student debt, and exemplified by a recent episode about mental health stigma in the black community.

As Noah sees it, "The Daily Show" is "not just here to make you feel afraid. We're using comedy to help process everything that is happening in the world."

Not too long ago, audiences turned to late night not to process the world but to forget the world; nightmare fodder so close to bedtime was verboten. The hosts - all men, mostly white - put on suits and ties and did their best Johnny Carson, and the format went virtually unexamined and unchanged for years. When Jon Stewart slid behind the "Daily Show" desk in 1999, he wasn't the only guy in the 11 p.m. ET hour to talk politics, but he was certainly the only one prioritizing that over sketches and celebrities.

Executive producer Jill Katz has been with "The Daily Show" for 14 years. Sitting in front of a framed Rally to Restore Sanity poster in her office, she tells me: "I felt like we used to be sort of a big fish in a small pond. People didn't even know that this was an angle to comedy."

Sometime between the night Jimmy Fallon tousled Trump's hair and the night Trump won the election, audiences lost their taste for performatively nonpartisan humor. Engagement, not escapism, became the order of the day. For "Daily Show" alumni - Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Hasan Minhaj - this was familiar territory. But now even the most ardently apolitical late-night hosts were polishing their Trump impressions, caving to the covfefe of it all.

Almost overnight, it seemed like everyone who had been trying to be the next Johnny Carson was in the business of trying to be the next Jon Stewart. Which left "The Daily Show," and its new young host, fighting for real estate on the very block they built.

- - -

Noah's office is spacious but cozy, all exposed brick and brown leather. A shelf on one wall glimmers with success, including an Emmy and the framed clipping from when his memoir, "Born a Crime," became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller.

He answers questions in deliberate, unhurried paragraphs, even though he has plenty on his docket for the day, including a photo shoot for this article. (When I ask that afternoon if anybody knows how it went, showrunner Jen Flanz assures me, "It's literally impossible to take a bad picture of Trevor.") Leaning forward in his seat, elbows resting lightly on his knees, Noah considers the way his late-night competitors seemed to be participating in a post-Stewart sweepstakes.

"The irony is that, when Jon Stewart was leaving, I asked him why he liked me as the next host," Noah says. "And he said, 'I want you to host because I know you're not going to try and be me. So I get to leave with my legacy.' And that means a lot to me, because it freed me. I'm not trying to be Jon, nor do I need to be."

Noah was just 31 years old and had been with "The Daily Show" for four months when he was named Stewart's successor in March 2015. To the uninitiated, and even to longtime fans, Noah might have been a surprising pick to take over for Stewart after his 16 years at the helm. But Neal Brennan, co-creator and co-writer of "Chappelle's Show" and a regular contributor to "The Daily Show," expected to see Noah's name on the shortlist.

"The first time he did the show, it went viral. And that's rare, right?" (That debut segment, "Spot the Africa," has more than 5.7 million views on YouTube.) "He's also an impressive guy. He carries himself like a diplomat. And he's temperamentally capable of doing a show. A lot of that job is like, you have to manage 100 people. ... (You have to be) capable of it beyond just saying the s--- on the teleprompter, because that's the tip of the iceberg," Brennan says.

Born to a black mother and a white father and raised under apartheid in South Africa, Noah was unlike anyone who'd worked at "The Daily Show" before. His speedy ascent seemed to signal that Comedy Central was eager to bring a long-overdue fresh perspective not just to "The Daily Show" but to all of late-night comedy, a genre whose idea of diversity is having a James, a James who goes by Jimmy, and also another James who goes by Jimmy but lives in L.A.

At first, Noah wasn't the only host of color on the network. Larry Wilmore's "The Nightly Show" - a "Daily Show" spinoff that took over the old "Colbert Report" time slot - premiered in January 2015. But Wilmore's show was canceled after only two seasons, officially due to low ratings and tepid social media engagement, though it does not seem incidental that Wilmore's series was reliably home to candid discussions about race, and its replacement was a pop-culture quiz show hosted by a white guy. Also hurting Wilmore was the fact that, nine months after his show premiered, his lead-in was no longer Jon Stewart: As one might expect during a regime change from a beloved host to a relative newcomer, ratings declined when Noah took over. By his 100th episode, he'd lost 37 percent of "The Daily Show's" viewers.

"It wasn't the easiest transition, I'll say that," Brennan says. "Everyone who worked there was a 'Daily Show With Jon Stewart' writer. Getting it to "The Daily Show With Trevor Noah" took some figuring out."

Noah's promotion arrived just a year before Trump was elected - which you might think would have been a no-duh boon for the show, comedy-fodder-wise. But whenever possible, a concerted effort is made to resist the pull of the Trump vortex. "I take into account fatigue," Noah says. "Because I've learned audiences, including myself, just get tired because it feels like nothing has changed, nothing has moved."

Noah sees a one major culprit for everyone's exhaustion: cable news. "I think that's what hurts Americans in many ways," he says. "Cable news runs so many stories into the ground that people get bored of them, even if it's major news stories that could affect their lives."

Fair point, though "The Daily Show" could not exist in anything resembling its current form without cable news, whose work is the object of the show's most pointed satire. So while cable news is maybe (probably) poisoning the civic discourse, the truth is cable news is also what gives the "The Daily Show" form and purpose, something to riff on and snark at. The relationship between the two is less Hatfields vs. McCoys, more Wile E. Coyote vs. the Road Runner.

For Noah, it's been interesting to see that viewers tune into "The Daily Show" expecting to find a recognizable political leaning - much like the cable-news channels it parodies have apparent red or blue agendas. "A lot of people think they know what my point of view in a certain area would be, because they have predetermined what 'The Daily Show' is," Noah says. "Many people don't understand that I don't come from a world with just Democrats and Republicans. ... So I don't think along clearly defined lines in that way."

While that partisan ambiguity may have unsettled or even turned off some longtime "Daily Show" fans, Noah's idiosyncratic way of thinking and talking about stories is what ultimately made this new show pop.

"We (learned to) lean into Trevor's voice a lot more," says writer-producer Zhubin Parang. By "voice" Parang meant Noah's distinctive point of view, but the show also shines because of Noah's literal voice: Anytime Noah does impressions, characters or accents, Brennan says, "the audience loses its mind." It doesn't hurt that this is a talent that sets him apart from Stewart. ("Jon could do, like, the Jersey guy, the Jewish guy," Brennan says. "And I've known Jon for 25 years. I'm not telling tales. Jon would probably agree with me.")

After that initial dip, ratings improved, but Noah is especially popular online, where "The Daily Show" logs 74 million views per month.

"When I started at 'The Daily Show,' I played it safe, and that was because I didn't want to destroy an amazing institution," Noah says. "As I've grown more comfortable, I came to realize the best way to create a unique show was just to be myself - because I, myself, am unique, you know?"

You know who else thinks Trevor Noah is unique? Oprah Winfrey. Asked what makes Noah so well equipped for this role, she says: "I think part of it is being an outsider. Not actually being from this country, and everything that shaped who he is ... allows him to see things with a greater, open mind. He has an ability to not be so subjective, but to have some objectivity to it all."

"It also helps that he's as cute as a golden retriever puppy," she adds, "Every time I look at him, I think: There's that golden pup." (Before hanging up, she returned to this thought: " 'Cute as a golden pup.' Be sure to use that! We know there is nothing on Earth cuter than a golden retriever pup.")

It's not just Noah; the format of the show keeps the host flanked by correspondents, whose respective identities and experiences expand the scope of what "The Daily Show" is able to cover.

"I don't know any other show that has as much of a genuinely diverse cast of people giving their opinions straight to camera," says correspondent Ronny Chieng, who, like Noah, is a one-man manifestation of the show's melting-pot vibe: A Chinese stand-up comic, he was born in Malaysia, grew up in Singapore and New Hampshire, attended college in Australia, and met Noah at a comedy festival in Montreal.

Since Noah took over, "The Daily Show" has hired a dozen new writers. Noah feels particularly suited to running a newly diverse staff. "I think it is maybe because I come from a country where we had to do that," he says. "One minute, we were separated as races. And then the next day was like, 'All right, everyone can mix.' But then, as you mix, you start to understand ... the cultural differences."

Noah cites John Oliver as the biggest reason he agreed to do "The Daily Show" and as the person who helped him become comfortable with the idea of someone from another country commenting on what was happening in America. The outsiderness Noah initially feared would be an obstacle soon revealed itself to be an asset.

During Noah's first week as host, Trump kicked off his presidential campaign with the now-infamous speech about how Mexico "isn't sending their best people" to the United States, but instead is shipping over "drugs," "criminals" and "rapists." "Daily Show" viewers were probably expecting their new host, an immigrant himself, to react in apoplectic horror. But as the clip of Trump's speech ended, Noah beamed: "For me, as an African, there's just something familiar about Trump that makes me feel at home."

The segment, "Trump is an African dictator," spliced a bunch of Trump's xenophobic and bombastic rants with near-identical tirades from the presidents of South Africa, Gambia and Uganda. At the end, Noah declared: "Donald Trump is presidential. He just happens to be running on the wrong continent."

As most comedians (and reporters) struggled to find language that would adequately describe what scanned to many as unprecedented rhetoric from a presidential hopeful, Noah's vantage point gave him the understanding most lacked. "I think, to this day, that is still the best framework to look at Trump through," Parang says.

"I don't think it's any coincidence that (was) his first really good first act," Brennan says. "Seth wasn't going to do that. Kimmel wasn't going to do that."

"Nobody else could do that headline," Flanz says. "Except for Trevor."

- - -

The impeachment trial sputters into nothing. Meanwhile, wildfires blaze across continents, leaving a trail of ash and death in their wake; thousands of migrant children continue to be separated from their parents and housed in cages; and countless Americans are forced to use GoFundMe as their primary medical coverage.

Maybe the biggest challenge of comedy in the Trump era is not that cable news is a relentless infotainment-fest, or that there's a surplus of late-night competitors, or that our new reality is innately absurd. Maybe it's that nothing really feels funny anymore. Sometimes it is hard to imagine things ever feeling funny again.

"We're entertaining in a country that is angrier than it's ever been during the life of political satire," says correspondent Roy Wood Jr. "To make an angry person laugh, you have to come from an extremely specific place. ... And I think that's what Trevor does so well."

"His best quality, as I see it, is his discernment," Oprah says. "He doesn't just see things. He sees the surface, beneath the surface, around the surface, and the wholeness of things. And that is an incredible quality to have: in life, in people, with relationships, in business, (and) it allows him, in my opinion, to create insight through humor."

"That word discernment is big. It's big," she continues. "It's what most people lack, is the ability to see beneath the surface of things. And he's able to do that, to connect a country that is basically enraged and outraged by everything, by using humor to find the common thread for us all."

Whether you think Noah is succeeding at "The Daily Show" probably hinges on your attitude about the worth of that very effort. Is 2020 really about finding the common thread? Or is it about accepting that there is no common thread to find, that we have passed the event horizon for compromise? Brennan described Noah as "the embodiment of reconciliation." For some, that makes Noah sound like the just-right man for the moment; for others, especially those accustomed to seeing late-night hosts "eviscerate" the villains of any given news cycle, it probably has the opposite effect. "I don't think everything's the end of the world," Noah says. "I don't think everything is chaos."

Noah has joked in his standup about daily life under a racist police state, even about the day his mother was shot in the head. (Technically, it's her line that gets the laughs: "Now you're officially the best-looking person in the family," she told him; he replied, through tears, "By default!") He knows from laughing through horror.

"I myself have always used humor to process pain (and) tension in life," Noah says. "So that's what the 'Daily Show' is here for: to inform you, and to just help you remember who you are as a human being, who laughs through some things that may not be funny because you remember what you're trying to get to on the other side."
I am thrilled to announce the appointments of Dale and Mike to their new roles that are critically important as we continue to scale our business, said Tim Best, CEO of Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary.

Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary announced today the appointment of two new roles to its executive leadership team as the company continues to build upon its footprint as the leading organization connecting companies with veteran talent.

Dale Young was appointed Chief Financial Officer. Dale, bringing his decades of financial leadership experience to the company, will be responsible for financial planning, accounting, human resources and administration.

Mike Francomb has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer. With more than 20 years with Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary, Mike most recently served as the SVP of Technology and will be responsible for leading the technological strategic vision and execution for the company which feeds current and future customer and client experiences and products.

I am thrilled to announce the appointments of Dale and Mike to their new roles that are critically important as we continue to scale our business, said Tim Best, CEO of Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary. Dales decades of senior financial leadership experience and Mikes impressive tenure and knowledge of our sector combined with his mastery of the human resources technology space will secure our placement as the industry leader in helping our clients connect with top veteran talent.

Dale Young said, I am extremely excited to join the Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary team. Under Tims leadership the company has established itself as a leader in the veteran resource space. I look forward to being part of a family that provides an exceptional service to our veterans and I hope to bring focused financial leadership to the organization to help further strengthen our brand in the market.

Mike Francomb said, Im humbled and excited by this appointment. It signifies a commitment by the company to keep pushing forward as a leader in the recruiting space. With the rapid development of new technologies supporting HR and recruiting, Im enthusiastic about how we plan to bring them together in unique ways and develop our own technology, to more efficiently and effectively connect the companies we work with and the military veterans we serve.

Dale Young Biography:

Dale was appointed as CFO of Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary in January 2020. He has previously served in senior leadership roles at The First Group, Diamond Resorts International, Universal Studios, the Ritz Carlton Club and Marriott Vacations Worldwide.

An active certified public accountant, Dale is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and Tulane University with degrees in accounting and history.

Mike Francomb Biography:

Mike was appointed as CTO of Bradley-Morris/RecruitMilitary in January 2020 having previously served as SVP of Technology. Mike has been with the organization for 21 years and served in a variety of key senior leadership roles including technology, sales, recruiting, business and event operations, marketing and strategic business development. Mike joined RecruitMilitary in its start-up phase in 1998 because of his passion to serve veterans and expand his experience in a start-up environment.

Mike served as an Army Field Artillery Officer for seven years after graduating from the United States Military Academy. While in the Army, Mike held a variety of front-line leadership and staff positions, and deployed to Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm with the 24th Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, GA. He also served as a gunnery instructor at the United States Army Field Artillery School.

To learn more about Bradley-Morris, visit http://bradleymorris.com and follow them on LinkedIn.

###

About Bradley-Morris, Inc.

Bradley-Morris, Inc. (http://www.Bradley-Morris.com), the largest military-focused recruiting company in the U.S., offers employers access to more than 1,000,000 military job seekers via services that include contingency recruiting as well as military job fairs and employer branding via its RecruitMilitary subsidiary.

About RecruitMilitary

RecruitMilitary (http://www.recruitmilitary.com) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), the largest military-focused recruiting company in the U.S. Together, BMI and RecruitMilitary offer employers access to more than 1,000,000 military job seekers via services that include contingency recruiting, military job fairs, a job board, employer branding, a military base publication and more.

About MBA Veterans Network

The MBA Veterans Network (http://www.mbaveterans.com) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bradley-Morris (BMI), the largest military-focused recruiting company in the U.S. MBA Veterans Network is an organization dedicated to connecting military veteran students and alumni at the worlds top-ranked universities with employers who value their elite academic credentials, military leadership abilities, and limitless career potential.

Media contact

press@bradley-morris.com
The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson | Theatre Royal Windsor | Monday, February 10

BORIS Johnson was the editor of the Spectator and the Daily Telegraphs star columnist.

But he wasnt content to go down in history as a Fleet Street legend.

Nor was he prepared to sit on his laurels as the MP for Henley.

No. He wanted a statue in Parliament Square. Maybe even Trafalgar Square.

Having declared at a young age his ambition to be world king, he arguably still has time to achieve this unlikely sounding goal.

A number of biographies have already been devoted to Boriss life and times.

We can look forward to them being revised and updated in due course.

Boris will no doubt get around to writing his memoirs one day. In the meantime, why not a play?

Let history record that the crisis that eventually helped propel Boris through the front door of Number 10 was not of his making  even if he had played a bit fast and loose with some of the finer details of his despatches from Brussels back in the day.

Jonathan Maitlands play takes as its starting point a real-life dinner party that Boris and his wife Marina Wheeler hosted at their Islington home in February 2016. The guests were Michael Gove, Sarah Vine, and the Evening Standards owner, Evgeny Lebedev.

The main topic of discussion was, of course, the then impending referendum on Brexit.

While Gove had been a significant player in David Camerons government, the same could not really be said of Boris.

But at this vital juncture in our national life, both men faced a momentous decision over whether to back leave or remain.

We all now know which way they jumped  but this was the moment of truth.

Maitland adds to the drama by freezing the real life action and having Will Bartons Boris banter with the shades of Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and an audience-conscious Tony Blair.

There are some big laughs. At the very start of the play, just ahead of being interviewed by Tim Wallerss Huw Edwards, Boris frantically ruffles his hair and untucks his shirt.

When an effusive Evgeny Lebedev tells him You can put the Great back into Great Britain because you are a great man, Bartons jocularly deadpan Good point is so convincing a response that you briefly wonder if the real Boris has snuck on to the stage.

The same could almost be said of Emma Daviess Mrs Thatcher  whose entry into the drama is one of the productions visual coups.

In the event it is Bill Champions Churchill who seems to persuade Boris to plump for leave when he intones: Sometimes it is better to lose honourably than to win.

The suggestion that Boris was shocked by the result of the referendum is fair play, but in that case the notion that his choice of side was cynically calculated to secure career advancement doesnt really stack up.

Had leave lost, David Cameron would still be PM, Britain would still be in the EU, and we would be due a general election in May.

Set in 2029, the second half of the play proved of rather less interest as far as this reviewer was concerned  though having Michael Gove take holy orders was pretty funny.

Suffice to say, Ill look forward to reading about what really happened on that fateful night in 2016 in Boriss memoirs.

Until Saturday.

Matthew Wilson
BAD AXE  The Huron County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution at a future meeting about whether to make the county a second amendment sanctuary.

As reported on by other media outlets, a growing number of Michigan counties are either passing or considering resolutions designating themselves as second amendment sanctuaries, which call for local law enforcement agencies to not enforce any unconstitutional firearm laws against citizens."

The considerations come as the state of Virginia is working to pass gun control legislation, which prompted an open-carry rally to take place in the state capital of Richmond in January.

Reportedly more than 100 Virginia municipalities have declared themselves second amendment sanctuaries as a result.

Twenty-two other Michigan counties have either adopted resolutions, are considering them, or affirmed residents constitutional rights instead, most of them located in the northern part of the lower peninsula.

Of those counties, Lapeer County has adopted a resolution, St. Clair County adopted a resolution without calling itself a sanctuary, and Bay and Sanilac counties are considering resolutions without using the word sanctuary.

Casey Armitage, a Harbor Beach resident who is also on the board of Michigan Open Carry and brought the idea to the Huron County government, is not hung up on the idea of using the word sanctuary as part of the resolution.

One of the conflicts of that word is that John Q Public doesnt quite understand what it's about, Armitage said during this weeks board of commissioners meeting. They tend to believe a sanctuary makes constitutional open carry okay in the county. We dont want that.

She said that the point of the 2A resolutions, as they are commonly called, is more symbolic than carrying any legal weight.

Its more about how you feel about a particular issue, Armitage said. Really, at the end of the day, its reaffirming your oath of office to protect the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 6 of the Michigan Constitution.

Armitage said that different counties have used different language in their resolutions, such as saying they will not provide funding to sheriffs departments or prosecutors that uphold laws that infringe on the second amendment.

The Michigan state Legislature introduced extreme risk protection order bills in 2019 to help prevent gun violence, but they have since stalled in committees.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 06:24:21|Editor: yan

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KHARTOUM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's government on Thursday welcomed the German parliament's decision to resume and expand economic and development ties with Sudan.

"Sudan's government welcomes the decision by the German parliament, issued on Feb. 13 to resume and expand economic and development relations with Sudan after three decades of suspension," said Sudan's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

"The decision comes as part of the German engagement with Sudan since the success of the revolution, when the German government sent a number of official and technical delegations to support the requirements of the phase based on the priorities presented by the transitional government," it added.

The ministry reiterated commitment of Sudan's transitional government to move from the phase of humanitarian assistance to creating sustainable strategic development partnerships based on comprehensive development in cooperation with regional and international partners in a manner that supports the national economy.

It said the transitional government is looking forward to working with the German government to upgrade the developmental cooperation and economic partnership in many fields, including energy, mining and infrastructures.

In 1989, the German parliament issued a decision suspending development cooperation with Sudan due to break out of the civil war.

However, Germany has kept on providing humanitarian support at some of the affected areas in Sudan, particularly in Darfur states.
BEIRUT - Some 100,000 Syrian civilians have been displaced over the past 48 hours in the northwestern region of the country by an ongoing offensive by the Syrian government backed by Russian forces. The figure was reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which said that tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing from areas southwest of Aleppo and heading for the Turkish border. Most are women and children. The NGO said that about 700,000 people had been displaced from December until the first week of February.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) announces that the 2019 ABC Norman R. Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award has been presented to Professor Rachel Mata, PhD, a pharmacist, pharmacognosist, and natural products researcher who has spent most of the past five decades investigating the quality, composition, and benefits of Mexican medicinal plants and fungi.



ABC presents the annual award, named in honor of the late, celebrated professor Norman R. Farnsworth, PhD, to an individual who has made significant research contributions in the fields of pharmacognosy (the science studying drugs of natural origin, usually from plants), ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, or other scientific disciplines related to medicinal plants. Farnsworth, who died in 2011, was a highly published and internationally-renowned research professor of pharmacognosy, a senior university scholar in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and one of the founding members of ABCs Board of Trustees.



Dr. Mata, professor emerita at the Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, UNAM), is best known for her work on the chemistry of plant compounds from Mexican medicinal plants, fungi, and lichen. Additionally, she has also made important contributions to the development of analytical methods for botanical ingredient quality control, some of which have been used for the preparation of monographs of herbal remedies included in the Second Edition of the Mexican Herbal Pharmacopeia.



For almost half a century, Prof. Mata has been at the forefront of research in the fields of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology, natural products drug discovery, and analytical chemistry. Besides the discovery of many new compounds from traditional medicinal plants, published in  among other publications  a series of papers under the umbrella of Chemical studies on Mexican plants used in traditional medicine, she also contributed to the discovery of a number of compounds of agrochemical interest, such as limonoids with herbicidal and insecticidal properties.



The impact of Prof. Matas many scientific contributions goes well beyond her more than 180 scientific papers, book chapters, and books. She taught and mentored over 100 graduate, masters, and bachelor students, including prominent Mexican natural products researchers. She also served as president of the Phytochemical Society of North America in 1997.



Throughout her career, Prof. Mata has received numerous awards and recognitions, most notably the Norman Farnsworth Research Award granted by the American Society of Pharmacognosy in 2014. At the national level, Dr. Mata has been distinguished with the National University Award (Teaching in Natural Sciences) in 2000, with the Martin de la Cruz Prize awarded by the Mexican Ministry of Health in 2002, and the National Chemistry Award Andres Manuel del Rio in 2013, granted by the Mexican Chemical Society. In 2019, the Journal of Natural Products (the official journal of the American Society of Pharmacognosy) published a special edition in her honor.



According to ABC Chief Science Officer Stefan Gafner, PhD, I have become familiar with Prof. Matas work through her many presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. In my opinion, she has become  through the quality and impressive body of work, and her collaborative spirit  the face of pharmacognosy research on Mexican medicinal plants. I consider her one of the giants in the field of botanical natural products research and believe that she is most deserving of this award.



I am very pleased and grateful to receive the 2019 American Botanical Council Norman R. Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award, wrote Prof. Mata in an email. I would like to thank ABC for honoring me with this award, in particular to [ABC Founder and Executive Director] Mark Blumenthal and Stefan Gafner. I accept this award in honor of my mentors, colleagues, and students who over the years have shared their scientific work with me in the area of pharmacognosy. To be recognized by ABC is a true honor because this organization really endorses the rational use of medicinal plants, which has been for many years one of the main goals of my research at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Mexico City. The fact that this year the award turns to Mexico reflects the worldwide inclusion of ABC.



She continued, To receive an award named after the late Professor Norman R. Farnsworth is overwhelming. Professor Farnsworths legacy to the world of modern pharmacognosy is invaluable. He was an inspiration for many generations of pharmacognosists, including myself. I feel even more honored to be placed in such distinguished ranks as those of the past honorees, most of whom have been colleagues at one time or another, and who have made important contributions to the world of medicinal plants.



Past recipients of the ABC Farnsworth award include Otto Sticher, PhD (2018), Raphael Mechoulam, PhD (2017); Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, PhD (2016); John T. Arnason, PhD (2015); Harry Fong, PhD (2014); Gordon Cragg, PhD (2013); De-An Guo, PhD (2012); Doel Djaja Soejarto, PhD (2011); A. Douglas Kinghorn, PhD (2010); Rudolf Bauer, PhD (2009); Ikhlas Khan, PhD (2008); Hildebert Wagner, PhD (2007); Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD (2006); and Joseph Betz, PhD (2005).



The award will be announced and presented at the 15th Annual ABC Botanical Celebration and Awards Ceremony on March 4, 2020, in Anaheim, California. The event, for ABC Sponsor Members, occurs during Natural Products Expo West.



About the American Botanical Council
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MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saputo Inc. (Saputo or the Company) (TSX: SAP) is proud to highlight Lino Saputo, Jr.s achievement as Canadas Outstanding CEO of the Year for 2019, a prestigious award for chief executives in Canada. Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, business partners and members of Canadas business community, Mr. Saputo, Jr. was honoured at the Outstanding CEO of the Year Award Gala in Toronto, Ontario, yesterday evening.

The members of the Advisory Board unanimously selected Mr. Saputo, Jr. as the 30th recipient of the Award  amongst all Canadian CEOs. They recognized his outstanding leadership and identified Saputo as a highly regarded organization that has experienced stellar growth and built a significant global presence. The selection committee also felt the Companys story serves as a remarkable example of true Canadian leadership and success.

With over 32 years of service under his belt, the last 15 of which as Chief Executive Officer, Lino Saputo, Jr. shares his pride and enthusiasm for this remarkable accomplishment with the entire Saputo organization. It is often said that you are only as good as those you surround yourself with. This recognition is a reflection of the truly tremendous work of a passionate and dedicated team that is committed to living up to the values on which our Company was founded over 65 years ago, he remarked.

The Financial Post Magazine published a feature interview with Lino Saputo, Jr. in tandem with the initial announcement of this accolade in October 2019.

About Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year

Canadas Outstanding CEO of the Year award was founded in 1990 to identify and recognize exemplary leadership and achievement by a Canadian Chief Executive Officer. This highly coveted award honours an exceptional leader who has made an outstanding contribution in business, demonstrating excellence in leadership, corporate performance, global competitiveness, innovation and social responsibility.

About Saputo

Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy products of the utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products and dairy ingredients. Saputo is one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, the largest cheese manufacturer and the leading fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, the top dairy processor in Australia and the second largest in Argentina. In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. In the United Kingdom, Saputo is the largest branded manufacturer of cheese and a top manufacturer of dairy spreads. Our products are sold in several countries under well-known brand names such as Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, Cathedral City, Clover, COON, Cracker Barrel*, Dairyland, DairyStar, Devondale, Friendship Dairies, Frigo Cheese Heads, Joyya, La Paulina, Liddells, Milk2Go/Laits Go, Montchevre, Murray Goulburn Ingredients, Neilson, Nutrilait, Scotsburn*, South Cape, Stella, Sungold, Tasmanian Heritage, Treasure Cave and Woolwich Goat Dairy. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company and its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SAP.

*Trademark used under licence.

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The number of foreign investors may decrease by 3.7-4.7 million, and the number of domestic travelers by 10.9-15.3 million.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), analyzing the average spending of travelers and the decrease in predicted number of travelers, has estimated that the loss the Vietnams tourism industry may incur could be up to $7.7 billion.





The number of travelers in the last five years

The Chinese market, which provides 30 percent of total foreign travelers to Vietnam, is expected to see the sharpest decrease, by 90-100 percent. Vietnam may lose 1.7-1.9 million travelers from the market. The average spending of tourists is $1.021 per traveler, which means a loss of $1.8-2 billion.



Meanwhile, the number of travelers from other markets may decrease by 50-70 percent, or 2-2.8 million travelers. With the average spending level of $1.083, the loss would be $2.2-3 billion.

As for the domestic market, with the estimated decrease of 50-70 percent, or 10.9-15.3 million and the average spending of VND1.9-5.8 million, the loss would be $1.9-2.7 billion.

As for the domestic market, with the estimated decrease of 50-70 percent, or 10.9-15.3 million and the average spending of VND1.9-5.8 million, the loss would be $1.9-2.7 billion.



VNAT and travel firms are busy dealing with tour cancellations and money refunds, but it is time for them to prepare scenarios to recover the market when the epidemic ends.



If the epidemic ends in late March, tourism promotion campaigns need to start in April. If this scenario happens, the tourism sector can begin the annual domestic travel season which begins in late May, and begin organizing outbound tours.



In another scenario, foreign travelers may return to Vietnam in June. In order to regain growth in inbound market and serve the high season of receiving foreign travelers (from October 2020 to April 2021), the tourism sector needs to step up advertisement activities in from April to September 2020.



Some healthcare experts predict that the nCoV epidemic can end after the summer 2020 at the earliest.



In this case, tourism activities would resume only from Q4 2020. Travel firms will meet difficulties with their promotion programs in the domestic market because they dont have much time. However, they will still have time to promote inbound tourism.



VNAT believes that it would be better to step up the exploitation of nearby fast-growing markets which can be connected with favorable air routes such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and ASEAN.



Vietnam will attach more importance to the North American markets, including the US and Canada, especially since US-Vietnam direct flights are expected to be provided in the near future.

Kim Chi

Agoda reveals Vietnamese travelers favor local destinations in 2019 Vietnamese cities continued to be popular among local travelers in 2019, with local destinations taking up nine out of the top ten cities in 2019, according to Agoda.
After years of a relationship at arm's length, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines will embrace a new "west coast international alliance" that will include Alaska's entry into the Oneworld Alliance and a new connection to India. After United, Alaska Airlines is the second largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport with about 13 percent of the market. American is the third largest, with an 8 percent share.

Alaska Airlines has always boasted about its partnership-based approach to loyalty. It has never been a member of any of the big three alliances: Oneworld, SkyTeam or Star Alliance. Instead, it has pursued partnerships with major 16 airlines around the world to provide plenty of global options for its high mileage frequent flyers. While those partnerships will remain in place for now, this announcement marks a departure from that strategy.

Alaska says that it now intends to join the Oneworld Alliance by next summer, a move that "will connect Alaska fliers to more than 1,200 destinations worldwide." Six of Alaska's current partners are Oneworld members, so this should help fill gaps in global coverage. At the same time, American flyers will gain access to Alaska Airlines deep network along the west coast.

Alaska's intent to become a Oneworld member needs to be approved by other airlines in the alliance. After that's done, Alaska fliers with elite status will find their loyalty to be worth a lot more. Other Oneworld carriers will give Alaska elites global recognition with priority check-in, boarding, and baggage services. Oneworld's Emerald and Sapphire tiers provide lounge access on international itineraries, a coveted perk of being a high-level elite.

"Were focused on delivering for our guests over the long-term  which means continued profitable growth to enable new aircraft and new opportunities," said Andrew Harrison, Alaska's Chief Commerical Officer. "This supports those goals, and is an important step on the path."

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So far, Alaska has not yet described how the Oneworld levels will be applied to its Mileage Plan tiers.

In 2018, Alaska pondered becoming a Oneworld Connect member, a secondary membership tier that offers customers some -- not all -- of the benefits of an airline alliance. Read more about that here.

Also, American Airlines will launch nonstop flights from Alaska's Seattle hub to Bangalore, India beginning October 2020. According to Brett Catlin, Alaska Airlines' managing director of alliances and network, about 200 people per day fly from from the Bay Area to Bangalore currently, and there's not an easy way to get there. SFO fliers typically take the long flight to one of the big hub airports in Europe or Asia and connect onwards from there.

Flying Alaska Air to from SFO, Oakland or San Jose to Seattle and then connecting on American to Bangalore could shave 4-5 hours off that journey (which takes 22-24 hours currently), according to Catlin. American's Bangalore flight will be the only nonstop to the tech hub from the US.

American will also add another nonstop from Seattle to London Heathrow starting in March 2021.

The new alliance will also make it easier for Alaska Airlines fliers in the Bay Area to earn and burn miles on flights to South America or the South Pacific by connecting at American's big hub in Los Angeles.

The airlines will continue their domestic codeshare arrangement "that offers customers hassle-free booking and travel between the two networks, and it will expand to include international routes from Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle," according to Alaska Air. Planned cuts to the codeshare agreement between the two airlines that were supposed to go into effect March 1 are being put on hold, pending government review.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Mileage Plan and American AAdvantage loyalty members "will enjoy benefits across both airlines, including the ability to earn and use miles on both airlines full networks, elite status reciprocity and lounge access to nearly 50 American Admirals Club lounges worldwide and seven Alaska Lounges in the U.S." That likely means those already overcrowded Admirals Clubs are going to get more crowded, and the same goes for Alaska's lounges.

Alaska Airlines Lounge members will still be barred from using the Admiral's Club lounge at SFO for the time being. But eventually, after American moves to Terminal 1 on March 24 and opens a new Admirals Club there on the same day, reciprocal benefits will kick in. The same goes for when Alaska Air opens its lounge in SFO's Terminal 2 in late 2020.

Alaska's Catlin told SFGATE that American and Alaska fliers could be able to accrue miles on both carriers as soon as this spring.

For San Francisco-based American frequent fliers and Oneworld elites, this is welcome news. American's presence out of the San Francisco Bay Area has been shrinking in past decades. Its 2013 merger with U.S. Airways boosted the carrier's overall flights and destinations, but American fliers yearned for long-discontinued flights that were popular with fliers, like flights between San Francisco-Boston and San Francisco-Hawaii. Alaska Airlines operates both.

Reader Scott H from San Francisco, who flies both American and Alaska Airlines frequently, said that he's very excited to hear about the new alliance."For Alaska devotees, American greatly opens up the international network and mercifully fills in so many gaps across the country. It lightens the load for Alaska to throw unnecessary routes on the books that American could handle better. For American flyers it gives awesome west coast frequency and Alaska's great service. I also think American Air fliers in Los Angeles will be thrilled. I certainly am as someone who loves both airlines."

What do you think about the new alliance? Share your thoughts in THE COMMENTS.

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By Kevin Barfield

For years, the secretive Delaware River Port Authority has served the interests of the politically connected over the good of commuters and local communities.

Advocates are now beginning to call the DRPAs leaders on it.

Over the last 10 years DRPA has given lucrative contracts to politically connected companies, surrendered its stake in a key parcel along the Camden waterfront for less than its worth, and participated in a failed land deal that tanked plans to bring a badly needed fresh foods grocer into the heart of New Jerseys poorest city.

DRPAs New Jersey commissioners, all appointed by Chris Christie and allied with South Jersey power broker George Norcross, worked to advance his interests. And Camden residents were the losers.

DRPA has for years been viewed as a patronage pit  and its questionable dealings with Conner Strong & Buckelew, Norcross insurance brokerage, were the subject of a scathing 2012 New Jersey Comptrollers report.

But its involvement in a scheme that denies Camden residents access to fresh groceries should shock even longtime critics of the bi-state agency.

The DRPA has, for years, owned tracts of land along Admiral Wilson Boulevard that are key to Camdens revival.

The agency should have launched a public, transparent process to re-envision this gateway to our city in a way that ensured a responsible developer was selected that had the wherewithal to redevelop the site in a way that served local residents.

Yet instead, the DRPA Board in 2013, with no public debate, quietly awarded lucrative development rights to the parcel to a developer that had hired Parker McCay, the politically connected law firm chaired by George Norcross brother, Philip.

That developer promised to build a supermarket on the site. But the project quickly collapsed, and the parcel remains a blighted, empty lot seven years later  and an example of how Camden residents lose when the politically connected engineer closed-door deals for themselves.

This approach stands in stark contrast with what the City of Philadelphia is doing just across the river to revitalize its waterfront. After years of public discussion, the city has made key investment in amenities like the Race Street Pier to draw people to the Delaware. And now it has issued a series of requests for proposals that invite qualified developers to submit bids to redevelop key parcels to address identified community needs.

The Camden Rising slogan is a false promise if the political power brokers who control our city cant even get a supermarket built.

Camden faces a health crisis because we are a food desert. The closest supermarkets are located in wealthy suburbs miles away. As a result, Camden residents who dont own cars are forced to use public transit, taxi, or a bicycle to shop for groceries. This adds costs  and time  that working families dont have. We yearn for a fresh food grocer in the heart of Camden.

A supermarket would not only make Camden healthier, it would also put us one step closer to social and economic equality with wealthier nearby towns.

It is appalling that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority awarded $1.1 billion of tax incentives to companies allied with Norcross  and not a single dollar has been invested in a fresh supermarket for Camden.

Proponents of the Norcross agenda for Camden say the Admiral Wilson Boulevard project failed because of market forces. But it is hard to take that argument seriously when Norcross and his cronies wrote special provisions in the states economic development law to benefit companies they controlled. And when the DRPA sold air rights to key waterfront land to a company allied with Norcross.

At its most recent board meeting, DRPA Chairman Ryan Boyer committed to meeting with me and the Camden NAACP to discuss the land where the supermarket was to be built. Thats a good first step  but its only a first step.

We need a full accounting of DRPAs Camden land holdings. The agency must immediately launch a transparent, public process, involving the community, to ensure that any future land deals benefit toll payers and local communities.

And New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf need to launch an investigation to get to the bottom of these suspicious land deals so that the public can have confidence that this agency will work to benefit residents  and not power brokers.

Kevin Barfield is president of the Camden NAACP.

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.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a grassroots group of religious liberty advocates organized a rally outside of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to call on the Court and Judges Laura Cordero and Jennifer Anderson to dismiss a current case involving the D.C. non-profit corporation UCI. The case, The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification International vs. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, is setting a dangerous legal precedent that violates religious freedom and the independent governance/management of Washington, D.C. non-profit organizations.

The Court's 2018 summary judgment decision constituted a violation of the First Amendment as it required a secular court to make a religious interpretation of the Unification movement's theology, history, and polity amid an ongoing schism. In doing so, the Court disregarded indisputable evidence of clear religious and spiritual differences regarding what fulfills UCI's purposes and attempted to determine the purpose and organization of the Unification movement. Individuals at today's rally urged the Superior Court of D.C. to review the vast amount of evidence before them, dismiss the case, and protect the First Amendment right to religious freedom. The decision also violated the constitutional right of due process, as key rulings were rendered unilaterally by a judge--where the facts were being heavily disputed--without an opportunity of a trial by jury.

Furthermore, the case sets a dangerous precedent that threatens not only UCI, but all board-governed non-profits based in Washington, DC. Without legal precedent or basis in current DC law, Judge Anderson of the D.C. Superior Court is contemplating not only the removal of board members in a religious non-profit who acted according to their spiritual beliefs, but the replacement of the board with members of a third-party organization who hold diametrically opposing beliefs. In effect, the D.C. Superior Court is enabling a hostile takeover by a third party.

"The Superior Court of the District of Columbia is intruding on our religious freedom by placing judgement on our spiritual beliefs without any true understanding of the core essence of our faith or legal authority to define it," said Rev. Howard Self, who emceed today's rally outside of the Superior Court. "We are calling on the Court to immediately dismiss this case. It is impossible for the judges to understand this case without knowing the faith, history, principles, or theology of the Unification movement."

UCI is a D.C. non-profit corporation and one among many entities inspired by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Historically, UCI has been controlled by a board of directors which has always decided on the direction and management of the corporation. While inspired by Rev. Moon's vision and teachings, UCI has always been governed by its board and not by any third party, as declared in all its government filings.

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification International (FFWPUI), filed their case against UCI and its directors, including Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, in May 2011. The FFWPUI, led by Hak Ja Han (Rev. Moon's widow) and self-proclaimed heir Hyung Jin Sean Moon, initially claimed that UCI is within a hierarchy in which UCI is subordinate to the FFWPUI. They also claim that the FFWPUI is the "Unification Church" itself; a religious claim that UCI's directors and thousands of members of the Unification movement around the world do not agree withand a claim that the courts have no business determining. Despite the clear evidence of an open schism with multiple individuals claiming to be the ultimate spiritual authority, the D.C. Superior Court has chosen a side in the schism in support of the "Unification Church" as defined by Han and the FFWPUI. The case which started in 2011 has now gone through multiple judges.

"Judges Laura Cordero and Jennifer Anderson should dismiss this case because it does not belong in the Courts," said Bishop Dr. Paul Murray, Director of Public Policy for Religious Liberties with One Way Churches International. "The central factors of this case are clearly internal religious issues; the courts have no authority to interpret such matters of religious structure, purpose or meaning. Not only those within the Unification movement but people of faith all over the country recognize the serious implications of this decision. Any decision other than a dismissal violates the First Amendment right to freedom of religion and sets a dangerous precedent for religious liberty going forward."

To learn more about the grassroots movement that has launched to protect religious freedom, visit RighttoBelieve.org.

SOURCE Right to Believe

Related Links

https://righttobelieve.org/


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Barclays plc (BARC.L, BCS) said it retains the board's full confidence to its Chief Executive Officer Jes Staley, who has been under the radar for his relationship with U.S. Financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Staley is being investigated by British regulators over his relationship Epstein, who committed suicide in U.S. jail last year. The British multinational investment bank and financial services firm said it believes that Staley has been sufficiently transparent with the company as regards the nature and extent of his relationship with Epstein. For the past 6 months, Media reports have highlighted historical links between Staley and Jeffrey Epstein. Staley developed a 'professional relationship' with Epstein earlier in his career, but they had no contact since Staley joined Barclays Group in December 2015, the British bank said in a statement. The relationship between Staley and Epstein was the subject of an enquiry from the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Barclays noted that it will continue to cooperate fully with the regulatory investigation. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has attributed the travails of democracy in Nigeria to the abolition of the study of history in schools in the country.

Mr Soyinka said the abolition commenced when five political parties decided to dissolve into one.

He was referring to the five parties in 1998 which came together to adopt the then military dictator, Sani Abacha, as their sole candidate for president.

He recalled the late Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bola Ige, referring to those parties as five fingers of a leprous hand.

Was It is just a coincidence that these parties decided to merge themselves at the same time when history was abolished as a subject? To me, it is not a coincidence. To me, the government at that time only felt that Nigeria had arrived at the end of history, so what is the point? 

Mr Soyinka said this Tuesday in his keynote address to the African Humanities Programmes Regional Assembly in Abuja. The three-day programme, which was the fourth in the series, ended on Thursday.

RAED MORE:

Even if history is a waste, there is one good reason not to ignore the waste because it may turn combustible when no one is looking. Dont ask me what we are doing in this afflicted nation when things happen to us and history was abolished, he said.

He said the lack of historical background has created a gap in the formulation of young minds of new generation students.

There was a kind of decontextualisation of experience, even the processing of information, he said.

He said the government also lamented the abolition of history in the curriculum but it seems the pronouncement is passing into history too.

Mr Soyinka said Africa today supplies the largest percentage of global migration, but added that the phenomenon affects the entire world and not just Nigeria.

Does anyone need reminding of the response from the leadership of this latter-day cattle coloniser known as Miyetti Allah? No price for guessing! A recourse to history to justify the serial brigandage and massacres. I wonder what may lie in the heads of this spokesperson, they invoke history to justify dehumanisation, he said.

At the event, a professor of theatre and film studies at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, said Africans cannot divorce their collective existence from ethnicity and religion because it gives us identity.

I believe that what we should be talking about is the way humanities scholars are handling production concerning ethnicity and religion. Are we handling them from a sentimental point of view or from a purely academic point of view that is research-oriented?

And then we should try to locate our studies in the global scholastic space. We need to read what other people are writing because what is happening in Nigeria is not just Nigeria, it happens all over Africa.

Religion is a way of life, we cannot depart ourselves from there. I cannot pretend that I do not have a religion. Likewise, I cannot also pretend that I do not come from an ethnic group. For us to move forward in Nigeria, we have to remove ethnicity sentiments, especially as scholars, from our writing because our writing has the ability to mobilise, incite, bring together, to unify, to heal and so what do we want our writings to be?

She said it is essential for the academia to be objective in their presentations.

Even if it is a historical fact, we have to go into the field research and make sure that what we are presenting is not from a sentimental point of view as scholars, because you cannot equate us with people out there. But in research, we can right some of these wrongs.

We are not segmented by ethnicity or religion, rather we are unified and that makes us unique. We have an ethnic group we cannot deny. We have an identity, we have a collective identity and that makes us Nigerians. So how are we bringing our religiosity and ethnic group together to give us a unified peaceful nation, she said.

ACLS speaks

The Director of International Programs, American Council of Learned Societies, Andrzej Tymowski, said the AHP programme has more than 400 fellows of faculty of arts from Nigerian universities who take off one year of teaching to devote themselves to research and writings.

One of the big problem for Nigerian scholars is that they have to teach and do service, they cannot finish their dissertation and the books they need, he said.

The African humanities programme started in 2008 and it is currently running in five countries  Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria.

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Battery Ventures, the now 37-year-old investment firm, just closed on two new funds with $2 billion in capital commitments -- nearly double the record-breaking $1.2 billion that the firm closed on exactly two years ago.

The raise is part of a broader trend of firms rushing back to market every two years to lock down ever greater capital commitments.

But General Partner Chelsea Stoner insists the firm's $1.2 billion flagship fund (its 13th) and $800 million companion vehicle reflects the firm's determination to slow down its pace of fundraising. "Our last fund we deployed in two years, and we want to get back to [fundraising every] two-and-a-half to three years," Stoner explained in a call yesterday about Battery's new vehicles and how they might be invested.

More from our chat follows.

TC: Battery just raised a lot of capital. What's going on?

CS: Not a whole lot is changing on our end. We have the same 10 general partners. We're seeing tons of opportunities. We don't foresee check sizes increasing. The fund size is more a function of those opportunities and wanting to get back to [a longer window between fundraising].

TC: I did see a promotion, Zack Smotherman, who joined Battery in 2013 and was named a partner with this new fund.

CS: I think, you know, we're really big on promoting from within. He started as a VP, then was a principal for the last few years. He isn't a GP, but he's on track to become a GP over time.

TC: How many of you are focused on earlier-stage versus later-stage versus buyout deals, and how is the capital divided up?

CS: A lot of us tend to focus on one or two of those core areas. A GP might tend to look at early-stage and growth deals or else growth and buyout deals. It's sort of amorphous. Ideally, a third of our capital goes to each area; that's the goal.

TC: Battery is thematically driven; what are some of the themes the firm is focused on in 2020?

Story continues

CS: A lot of them center on cloud computing. We still feel like we're in the middle innings of innovation change away from on-premise technologies, and that has spurred more vertically focused software to crop up [all over the place]. I'm on planes quite a bit and looking at geographies outside of Silicon Valley, and we're seeing really interesting companies in Phoenix, AZ, Burlington, VT, Madison, WI, and Bainbridge Island, WA, among other spots.

Where we see a lot of opportunity in the healthcare space, for example, is on the aging population. We all know there are tailwinds there and some really interesting technologies that are being applied to a variety of areas. BrightTree [a cloud-based healthcare IT company that sold software and services to home medical equipment companies and pharmacies], which was acquired by [medical device maker] ResMed [in 2016], is an example.

TC: Battery is very focused on finding and funding "market leaders." Given that the firm funds companies at such different stages, across numerous geographies, how does it sift through every business in a particular vertical to make a determination about which will win?

CS: We're very research intensive. We'll pick a theme like the aging population, then go segment by segment, [poring over] potential technologies and areas of care that this population will need. From the beginning, we have an intensive sourcing model with analysts and associates who spend most of their time doing this kind of research, including cold calling, conducting online research, talking with industry participants about who they think the up-and comers-are and what kinds of software folks are using.

It's a lot of different data that we're collating, but we also want to get in front of these companies and have face-to-face meetings with them and understand their key growth vectors. Then we bring it all together and assess who we think is the category leader and what we need to do to partner with them.

Sometimes it takes years. Sometimes, companies don't need our capital. It's extremely competitive, especially when company is already profitable.

TC: How do you persuade a growing, profitable company that it needs your money?

CS: It's a lot of strategy work, consulting work. You identify for them that 'this product would go well with an interesting acquisition [candidate] that has this product.' We explain that, 'this is what we've seen work in other situations,' whether it's developing certain kinds of products or maybe accepting payments. CEOs and founders don't have the benefit of seeing other companies and entrepreneurs and [knowing] things that have worked and don't work.

TC: How much capital are you investing outside of the U.S. and where?

CS: We opened an office in London four years ago after we'd tip-toed our way in. We'd been doing deals over there mostly on the buyout side, out of our Boston office, and just decided that there were so many opportunities that we [dove in]. We're also doing a lot out of our Israel office, which we opened 12 or 13 years ago. So between those two offices, we're doing a lot in Europe, from early-stage consumer [deals] in Berlin to cloud investing.

A lot of themes we've seen play out here in cloud land we're starting to see take shape over there. [Europe] is a little further behind in terms of cloud adoption.

TC: You mentioned the market being extremely competitive. Where is it more extreme -- on the early-stage or later-stage deals?

CS: All of the above if we're being honest. It's no secret that growth-stage investing has become very competitive. That's been true for the last five-plus years as more public market investors have gotten into the space. But every stage is very competitive, and you need to bring a competitive lens to deals.

TC: Would you say Battery is price sensitive?

CS: When it's the market leader, no. It really goes back to doing your work. You have to get that right (the category leader), but we think most markets in the land of business-to-business software are winner take all or, at at most, sometimes there's two winners [that accrue] most of the equity value. So it's critical to figure out that category leader.
Jill Karnicki, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Child prostitutes were seen as criminals not victims under Texas law until 2010 when Ann Johnson won a case at the Texas Supreme Court involving a girl who was 13 when she was arrested. The case changed both the state law and the national conversation around sex trafficking, and is among several achievements that distinguish Johnson from a strong slate in the Democratic primary for House District 134.

The district includes affluent neighborhoods on the west side of Houston including Bellaire, West University, River Oaks and Timbergrove. Rep. Sarah Davis, a Republican, has held the seat since 2010 even as it has gone blue in other races. In 2018, Beto received over 60 percent of the vote there. This primary has outsize importance because Democrats see flipping it as critical to taking control of the Texas House and the looming redistricting battle. All three candidates are exceptionally articulate.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:48:46|Editor: yan

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WINDHOEK, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 percent of pregnancies between ages 15 and 19 in Namibia were a result of non-consensual sex (rape or statutory rape), UNESCO representative to Namibia, Djaffar Moussa-Elkadhum said Thursday.

Moussa-Elkadhum said factors that contribute to the high rate of teenage pregnancy in Namibia include sexual abuse because of physical and financial vulnerability, traditional norms, low levels of education, limited information about and access to contraceptives.

"In addition, parents are unable to educate their children about sexuality because they lack resources, are uncertain of what to say or because they feel uncomfortable discussing the subject with them," he said.

Early and unintended pregnancies remain a huge challenge for Namibia, with a pregnancy and childbearing prevalence of 19 percent among girls aged 15 to 19.

Namibia and other countries in eastern and southern Africa have targeted to reduce early and unintended pregnancies by 75 percent by the year 2020.
A level-III fire has broken out on Thursday morning at Rolta company in Andheri East, Mumbai.

According to official reports, the fire is confined to the server room on the second floor of the Rolta company.

Eight fire tenders are currently present at the spot and four fire fighting jets are in operation to control the fire.

The search operation is underway to search and rescue any trapped persons.

More details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two days after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the Delhi assembly polls by a landslide, Union home minister Amit Shah conceded on Thursday that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders should not have made remarks like goli maaro (shoot them) and Indo-Pak match in the election campaign, accepting that these may have played a part in the partys defeat.

Such statements should not have been made. Our party has distanced itself from such remarks, Shah, the former BJP chief considered the partys principal election strategist, said at an event organized by Times Now television channel.

It is possible that our performance may have suffered because of this, he said.

In the highly charged campaign for the Delhi elections, the BJP made national security one of its main planks and targeted protestors against the Citizenship (Amendment) who have gathered in the Shanheen Bagh area, projecting them as anti-national. AAP won the polls with 62 seats in the 70-member state assembly, leaving the BJP stranded at single digits with the remaining eight, after campaigning on local issues such as education,.health care and affordable electricity and water supply.

At Thursdays event, Shah added that the BJP does not fight elections only for victory or defeat, but believes in expanding its ideology through the polls.

Shah said his assessment of the Delhi elections had gone wrong but asserted that the result of the polls was not a reflection on the CAA or the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Strongly defending the CAA, which provides for Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the home minister said there was no provision in the new law that would divest the citizenship of Indian Muslims.

We have never discriminated against anyone on the ground of religion. There is no provision in the CAA which says that citizenship of Muslims will be revoked. Dont just criticise the CAA, but discuss it on the basis of merits. CAA is neither anti-Muslim nor anti-minority. I am ready to meet anyone, but discussions need to happen on merit. Unfortunately, nobody wants to come forward and discuss CAA, he said.

The Union home minister said anyone who wanted to discuss issues related to the CAA with him could seek an appointment from his office. (We) will give time within three days, he added.

Shah also said that the government had so far not taken any decision on preparing a nationwide NRC, and made it clear that those unwilling to show their documents during the National Population Register (NPR) exercise, which gets underway on April 1, were free to do so. The NRC is aimed at identifying illegal immigrants and the NPR is a biometric repository of people resident in India.

Shah, however, said the NRC was a promise made by the BJP in its election manifesto.

Asked about the ongoing agitations against the CAA, Shah said everyone had a right to peaceful protest but violence was not justified.

We tolerate non-violent protests, but vandalism cant be tolerated. Silent protest is a democratic right, he said.

On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said everyone, including politicians, are free to visit the newly-created Union territory whenever they want to and there is no restriction on anyones movement.

Asked about the detention of three former chief ministers -- Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti -- under the Public Safety Act, which allows for their detention without trial for two years, the Union home minister said the decision had been taken by the local administration.

Omar Abdullah has approached the Supreme Court, he noted, adding that the judiciary could decide on the move.
CNBC's Jim Cramer said Wall Street is awarding companies, like Carnival, who have made outlook adjustments to account for the impact of the novel coronavirus on business. The "Mad Money" host sat down with Shopify COO Harley Finkelstein to get a read on the e-commerce company coming off its strong fourth-quarter earnings report.

Carnival cuts, rises

Members of media gather at the Diamond Princess cruise ship, operated by Carnival Corp., docked in Yokohama, Japan, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Toru Hanai | Bloomberg Getty Images

stock managed to bounce back as investors attempt to get ahead of the coronavirus story, CNBC's said Wednesday. Shares of the British cruise line operator rose more than 2%, despite the company's warning that the novel virus outbreak could impact its bottom line this year. Wall Street is "blessing any company that spells out its China losses, from Carnival, with its highly visible duo of plague ships, [to] and ," the "Mad Money" host said. "When you see Carnival stock up 2.6% today on the possibility of a big but quantifiable chunk of earnings going away, well, you know this market is driven by hope."

Direct to consumer

Harley Finkelstein, COO, Shopify Scott Mlyn | CNBC

collected the big bucks during the holiday shopping season, and that's indicative of emerging retail trends, Chief Operating Officer Harley Finkelstein told Cramer. The e-commerce platform, which supplies businesses with means to sell products online, recorded almost $3 billion of global sales over the Black Friday to Cyber Monday shopping period last November, a 61% increase from the year prior. "That is the example where direct-to-consumer is no longer a fad," Finkelstein said in an interview. "It is now a steady state, and it's being powered by Shopify. We're at the center of that."

Cramer's lightning round
(Natural News) It is uncomfortable to face violent threats. We endure that discomfort because it is better to face them than run from them. Communists in the US have flocked to Senator Bernie Sanders campaign, and the things they want to do are horrible. Fortunately, weve faced threats like this before and were prepared to face them again. The US model of limited government and empowered people is up to the dangerous task of defending liberty. We are made for this.

(Article by Rob Morse republished from AmmoLand.com)

Im not going to put words in the mouth of American Communists. Project Veritas recorded many Sanders staffers in candid conversations. These are their words, not mine. Please see my sources and listen to the Communists in their own words.

It is worth your time to read what they said 

Well, the Gulags were founded as Re-Education CampsWhat will help is when we send all the Republicans to the Re-Education Camps. Im ready to start tearing bricks up and start fighting.. Ill straight up get armed.. Im ready for the f*cking revolution, bro.. Guillotine the rich. The Soviet Union was not horribleI mean, for womens rights the Soviet Union  I think  the most progressive place to date in the world. So, do we just cease  do we just dissolve the Senate, House of Representatives, the Judicial Branch, and have something Bernie Sanders and a cabinet of people, make all decisions for the climate? I mean, Im serious. ..I think the goal is just to build a..coalition Their politics fall outside of the American norm, so their politics are Marxist/Leninist.. they have more of a mind for direct action for engaging in politics outside of the electoral system. Once we break up Google, YouTube, Facebook,?nationalize these things, then that would be a huge thing forward so far as education stuff goes. We would need a federal government and labor union movement that is working together to?strip power away from capitalists and preferably directing violence toward property. ..its gonna take militancylike a militant labor movement thats willing tostrike, and if necessary, you know, just destroy property and things like that. A militant labor movement is kind of.. our last real chance before we try other means. After we abolish landlords, we dont have to kill them, thats my feeling I think its damaging to the soul, but um, there were plenty of excesses in 1917 (Russian Revolution) I would hope to avoid. We dont want to scare people off, you first have to feel it out before you get into the crazy stuffYou know we were talking about more extreme organizations like Antifa, you were talking about, Yellow Vests, all that but were kinda keeping that on the back-burner for now.

Its unfortunate that we have to make plans for extreme action but like I said, theyre not going to give it to us even if Bernie is elected.

Communists in the Sanders campaign said they would take power by force once elected, or burn cities if the convention, or the voters, rejected their candidate. Politicians who still call themselves Democrats also want ordinary citizens disarmed. That strange coincidence is no coincidence at all.

Bernies campaign workers are not alone in their ideas. Their fellow communists, the Ruling Council in China, said Americans should be disarmed. Remember that the Chinese government killed over 10 thousand unarmed students who were protesting in Tiananmen Square. The Bernie Bros want to bring that level of terror here. Ill remind you that 10 thousand dead students at is a mere dust mote when compared to the 45 million people the Chinese government killed during Maos Great Leap. The Bernie Bros think we need a few million corpses here in the United States will bend us to their will.

Communists Utopia is always a few million corpses away.

Governments have power and governments have money. They have both at the point of a gun. Our system of government in the US of A was supposed to stop the excesses of government by leaving power, both political and martial, with the people. No wonder the Communists want us disarmed.

When the one percent disarm the 99 percent, then the 1 percent have all the power.

We shouldnt be surprised by this political turn towards totalitarianism. The Sanders approach is a logical extension of Obamas ideas. A government large enough to give you want you want has to be large enough to take everything you have. Under President Obama, the Democrats used the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice as political tools against their enemies. Democrats broke the medical-service-sector in the US with Obamacare. Today, Democrats propose to disarm and regulate honest US citizens. Billionaires like Soros and Bloomberg buy state legislatures while political parties prostitute themselves for campaign donations. Political operatives manipulate election results in the US.

Now, socialists want more power and more control.. and shallow headline surfers agree.

Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has some campaign staffers who want a simpler solution than winning elections. They will take power at the end of a gun. A public school teacher in North Carolina told her class that Vice President Mike Pence should be shot in the head. I wonder if that point of view is fairly common amongst her union leaders. It is time we listened to them and believed what they say.

The Socialists fantasy ignores the American People. We are not going quietly. In fact, were not going along with them at all. We wont turn over our lives, and our childrens lives, to government thugs. We were made for this, and the power lies with us, not with them. I mean it.

The second amendment doesnt leave us armed to hunt deer, but to hunt tyrants. Read it for yourself. It is a terrible power reserved for terrible times, times that violent communists want to bring here. You wont let it happen.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Read more at: AmmoLand.com
KCPD QUESTION COMMUNITY: WHO KILLED TINA MOORE?!?!?

KCPD seek public's help to solve January homicide KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, police are asking the public for help to solve a homicide case from January. Detectives are "out of leads" in the investigation into the shooting death of 36-year-old Tina Moore, according to KCPD. Who killed Tina Moore?

KC Loves The Troops

National Salute to Veteran Patients Friday at KCVA Event honors Veterans, raises awareness of VA mission, encourages Americans to volunteer

Save Epperson House!!!

UMKC seeks developer to restore giant KC mansion Epperson House - Kansas City Business Journal UMKC is seeking a developer to restore the Epperson House, a 24,000-square-foot mansion that was donated to it in the 1940s. The massive building has fallen into a state of disrepair and is listed on Historic Kansas City's Most Endangered List.

China To JoCo Interrupted

Shawnee couple's adoption of child from China on hold due to Coronavirus outbreak SHAWNEE, Kan. -- The process of adopting a child from overseas is already long, but now some parents are being told to wait even longer to get their children. It's collateral damage of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Mayo Pete's Plan FAILS

Union president accuses Pete Buttigieg of "perpetuating this gross myth" about union health care: "This is offensive" Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, strongly criticized Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday, arguing that he was perpetuating a "gross myth" about union workers' health care. The union president, who represents about 50,000 members nationwide, has previously voiced support for Senator Bernie Sanders and his signature Medicare for All proposal.

Rush Trolling Endures

Rush Limbaugh: 'Mr. Man' Trump Will 'Have Fun' With 'Gay Guy' Buttigieg Kissing His Husband Days after being awarded the Medal of Freedom during President Trump's State of the Union address, right-wing talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh wondered aloud about how, in a general election face-off, "Mr. Man, Donald Trump" would "have fun" with Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg's sexuality.

Mexico Pays For It???

Fact check: Trump falsely claims 'redemption money' from immigrants is paying for border wall, baffling experts Experts on immigration policy told CNN they had no idea what the term "redemption money" means. Americans are paying for the wall.

Pope Backs Catholic Traditions

Disappointment, outrage over papal document on the Amazon Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the Amazon disappointed those hoping for an opening of clerical roles to married men and women, with many noting that the pope failed to extend his prophetic voi...

KC Music Scene Unites

Give a hand to John Tierney with benefit at The Truman The Truman is hosting a benefit concert for famous KC bartender, friend, and co-worker, John Tierney Feb. 16th. Join local bands Various Blonde w/ The Snotrockets, Go Kart, Otis 13 & The Brothers Rex. Tickets are available now at: bit.ly/JohnTierneyBenefit Famous KC bartender, John Tierney, lost his left arm to sarcoma last month and he needs our help!

Weed Game Insight

Maddening Process For Rejected Reefer Applicants For Kelly Waggoner, it started with canines. Now, it's about people. Six years ago, Waggoner was already a successful small business owner in Cass County, having worked for years as a freelance graphic designer. He was also passionate about helping abused and neglected dogs.

Cold Decision Awaits

How cold is too cold? Kansas City school districts keeping eye on weather KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Schools around the Kansas City metro are keeping a close eye on the weather as winter comes roaring back into the area. But this time, it's not snow they're worried about - it's the cold.

Kansas City Coldness Tonight

Temps to plummet for your Thursday Hide Transcript Show Transcript COMPARED TO WHERE IT IS BEHIND THE FRONTAL SYSTEM. GRANDA -- GRAND IS 24. WHERE THIS FRONT MOVES THROUGH, YOU WILL FEEL IT. WET SNOW CONTINUES THROUGH ABOUT SEVEN. WENDY AND 30 DEGREES. THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT YOU THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS.

A glimpse at the news night wherein we collect important and educational info from the world of pop culture, community news and updates across the nation and around the globe . . .And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now . . .
WASHINGTON  Two Texas Democrats say they will oppose a ban on hydraulic fracturing proposed by some of their Democratic colleagues.

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a freshman Houston Democrat considered one of the most vulnerable members of Congress, called efforts to ban fracking misguided in a lengthy statement issued just hours after Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Darren Soto of Florida introduced a bill to outlaw it.

I do not support this bill or any similar proposal to ban fracking, said Fletcher, whose west Houston district includes the energy corridor.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, a South Texas Democrat facing a primary challenge from a progressive immigration attorney backed by Ocasio-Cortez, said in a statement to Hearst Newspapers that the oil and gas industry provide more than 108,000 jobs in my region of Texas, and fracking plays a large role at this time.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

These jobs do not only feed our local families, they also feed our local economy and fund our local schools, said Cuellar, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House. He said he supports both conventional and alternative forms of energy, in order to maintain Americas energy independence from foreign sources.

I am working in Congress to responsibly transition our economy to alternative forms of energy, without sacrificing American livelihoods or safety, he said.

Texas Democrats  especially Fletcher  face a particularly tricky balancing act on energy and environmental issues as much of their party, including its top presidential contenders, calls for bans to limit oil and gas production upon which much of the state relies.

Fletcher in 2018 flipped a seat Republicans had held since the 1960s and is now a top target for the GOP as it seeks to reclaim the district. President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed one of her potential challengers, Wesley Hunt, tweeting that he is strong on Crime, the Border, our 2nd Amendment, Trade, Military and Vets.

As a representative for the energy capital of the world, I am committed to working with my constituents and my colleagues in Congress to develop smart policy for our energy future that addresses the concerns for our environment and our communities, the reality and urgency of climate change, and the need for clean, reliable energy at home and around the world, Fletcher said.

For subscribers: Endangered Texas Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher had an eventful first year

Fracking is destroying our land and our water, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. It is wreaking havoc on our communities health. We must do our job to protect our future from the harms caused by the fracking industry.

Her bill, a companion to one introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the current front-runner in the 2020 Democratic primary, would ban fracking nationwide by 2025.

Fletcher said the ban would negatively impact our national economy, our energy costs, our environment and our efforts to meet energy demand with cleaner, more responsible development in the United States.

It would also increase our dependence on foreign energy sources, she said. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the energy challenges and opportunities before us with thoughtful policies that address our challenges and reflect our shared values for a cleaner energy future.

ben.wermund@chron.com
Pope Francis receives in audience President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali.

By Vatican News

A statement released by the Vatican Press Office on Thursday revealed that during the morning Pope Francis received in audience, in the Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The statement said that during the discussions, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the two leaders expressed satisfaction for existing good bilateral relations. They went on to focus on the situation in the West African country, with particular reference to humanitarian and security issues, endangered by the spread of religious radicalism and terrorism.

Reference was also made to various matters of regional and international interest, including growing food insecurity in the Sahel region, the phenomenon of migration, and peacekeeping in western Africa.

President Keita subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Huthi rebels will put on trial military personnel suspected of being behind deadly air strikes on civilians in Yemen, where the UN has deplored horrific rights violations.

Wednesdays announcement by coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki is the first of its kind since the coalition, which includes the United Arab Emirates, first intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to shore up the government after the Iran-aligned Huthis seized the capital Sanaa.

The judicial authorities have begun the procedures of the trial, and the judgements will be announced once they acquire the peremptory status, Maliki, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency, told journalists in London.

He said the trials would be based on the results of investigations by the Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT), which the coalition established but says operates independently.-

The cases being investigated include a 2018 air strike on a school bus in the northern region of Dahyan that killed at least 40 children, Saudi-based Arab News said.

They also include a raid on a wedding party the same year in the Huthi-controlled Bani Qais area of Hajja province, which left 20 dead, and the 2016 deadly bombing of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), in which 19 people were killed,

The coalition is committed to holding responsible violators of international humanitarian law  if any  in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country in the coalition, Maliki added.

The number of suspects and their nationalities were not immediately known.

The coalition is comprised of several Sunni Arab countries but its pillars are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who have since 2015 been using warplanes to strike targets in Yemen.

Since then, fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, displaced millions and sparked what the UN calls the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

 No clean hands 

Both the coalition and the rebels have been accused by the United Nations and rights groups of committing violations in Yemen that could amount to war crimes.

In September, UN war crimes investigators appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2017 said they had identified, where possible, individuals who may be responsible for international crimes and had provided the confidential list to UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet.

If confirmed by an independent and competent court, many of the violations identified may result in individuals being held responsible for war crimes, they said in a statement.

There are no clean hands in the conflict, one of the experts, Charles Garraway, told reporters at the time.

Both the Yemen government and the Saudi-led coalition refused to cooperate with the experts.

But the latter said they had based their findings on more than 600 interviews with victims and witnesses, as well as documentary and open-source material.

According to the experts, air strikes, indiscriminate shelling, snipers and landmines were terrorising civilians across Yemen, one of the most impoverished countries in the world.

They urged the international community to refrain from providing the parties at war in Yemen weapons that could be used in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have bought billions of dollars worth of weapons from the United States, France and Britain.

SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP
Roger Stone, a longtime associate to Donald Trump and self-proclaimed dirty trickster, has found himself back in the news after the president criticised prosecutors for recommending he receive a seven-to-nine year prison sentence.

The Justice Department took the rare step of signalling it would seek a more lenient sentence for Stone following Mr Trumps comments on the case, in which he described the recommendation as unduly harsh.

This is a horrible and very unfair situation, Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!

Stone was convicted in November over seven crimes, including lying to Congress and witness tampering during former Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

He became the sixth former aide to Mr Trump to face a conviction in cases resulting from the federal probe.

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 24-page indictment charged Stone with one count each of witness tampering and obstruction, as well as five counts of providing false statements. The filings also accused him of acting as a conduit between the presidents 2016 campaign and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in the lead up to the election.

The false statements all largely surrounded Stones communications to associates about Wikileaks, which released stolen emails from Hillary Clintons 2016 Democratic presidential campaign. He also was accused of tampering with witness Randy Credico, a radio host who Stone seemed to threaten in text messages as he was preparing to deliver evidence to the House Intelligence Committee.

Recommended What White House officials say about Trump and Roger Stone

The former special counsel said in its indictment of Stone that he deliberately obstructed multiple probes, including investigations into Russian interference led by the FBI, House and Senate intelligence committees.

All four of the front-line prosecutors who worked on the case resigned, apparently in protest, shortly after the Justice Department announced its intention to seek a lighter sentence.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has not left out the possibility of pardoning his longtime friend.

The president responded to reporters at the White House on Wednesday asking if he had considered issuing a pardon, saying: I dont want to say that yet.

The sentencing has been set for 20 February. It remains unclear whether Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who has presided over the case, would accept new recommendations from the Justice Department or provide a lengthier sentence for Stone.

Mr Trump has continued to slam the judicial process and recommended sentencing for Stone, saying on Wednesday: You have murderers and drug addicts, they dont get nine years. Nine years for doing something that nobody can even define what he did?

The president also suggested the prosecutors ought to apologise to a lot of people whose lives theyve ruined.

The White House has since claimed Mr Trump did not speak with the Justice Department before it stepped in to seek a lighter sentencing.

Look, hes the chief law enforcement officer. He has the right to do it. He just didnt, White House principal Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told Fox News. He didnt make any comment  didnt have a conversation, I should say, rather, with the attorney general, and thats just ludicrous. Its just another scandal that the Democrats are trying to push forward.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has requested the Justice Departments Inspector General office investigate the decision to intervene in the prosecutorial decision.

Mr Trump interfering in the case has caused a swift backlash on Capitol Hill, with presidential hopeful and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren saying in a statement: Americans of all political stripes should be gravely concerned about the corruption that pressures federal prosecutors to give sweetheart deals to criminals who do their crimes on behalf of Donald Trump.

She added: Yes Roger Stone, Im looking at you.
[February 13, 2020] MDClone Expands to Canada

Better healthcare insights to help drive better patient outcomes are coming to one of Canada's largest hospitals. MDClone and The Ottawa Hospital jointly announced today a collaboration to unlock healthcare data to define 21st century data driven decision making in service of those outcomes. This marks the third country that MDClone operates in, including the United States and Israel. "Starting a relationship with The Ottawa Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Canada, is a dream come true for MDClone," said Ziv Ofek, Founder and CEO. "We now have the collective opportunity with The Ottawa Hospital to democratize data and give physicians better tools to discover better ways to help thousands of Canadians. The power of leveraging data for better healthcare delivery is truly a global desire and this collaboration is an exciting example in Canada. Partnering with a world class healthcare organization focused on innovation like The Ottawa Hospital is the perfect starting point to fulfill our shared vision of insights impacting care." MDClone's platform democratizes data across the healthcare ecosystem, making it easier for healthcare professionals and researchers to identify and leverage the potentially lifesaving data within them into actionable information that can transform patient care and outcomes. The innovation behind MDClone's technology lies in its flexible yet powerful infrastructure. All patient data become events on individual timelines. The platform then seamlessly connects data points across many patients and many sources, which helps healthcare professionals ain more meaningful insights that will define 21st century healthcare.



Additionally, the platform can gather, use and share the insights while fully protecting patient privacy. MDClone's technology can create a synthetic data set from health system data that is statistically comparable to the original but contains no actual patient information. With MDClone, The Ottawa Hospital healthcare professionals and researchers can analyze data and discover new healthcare breakthroughs without compromising patient privacy. "MDClone's technology is helping The Ottawa Hospital deliver 21st century healthcare to our patients," said Dr. Alan Forster, VP, Innovation & Quality. "The platform's ability to help our physicians and researchers visualize, analyze and share high-value clinical insights while protecting patient privacy is an important part of providing world-class care and better outcomes for our patients. With this collaboration, Ottawa Hospital is leading Ontario and Canada in building the infrastructure for effective, secure innovation."

About MDClone MDClone democratizes data, empowering exploration, discovery and collaboration to improve patients' health. With MDClone, any user can ask and answer any question in real time. This dramatic paradigm shift is made possible by MDClone's unique technology for organizing, accessing and protecting the privacy of patient data, enabling healthcare knowledge workers to turn ideas into actionable insights in rapid cycles. Founded in 2016 in Israel, MDClone works with major health systems, payers and life science companies in the U.S., Canada and Israel. About The Ottawa Hospital The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada's largest learning and research hospitals. It provides acute, specialized and complex care to the region's 1.3 million residents and is home to Eastern Ontario's regional Trauma Centre. The Ottawa Hospital is internationally known for changing the way medicine is practiced around the world thanks to brilliant minds, pioneering treatments, cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities. Through innovation and research, our doctors, researchers and staff are defining new standards in patient care by discovering better ways to diagnose and treat patients. Our focus on learning and research helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to people in Eastern Ontario and parts of Nunavut. The Ottawa Hospital has received the highest rating from Accreditation Canada, Accredited with Exemplary Standing, reflecting our commitment to provide the world-class, compassionate care we would want for our loved ones. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005950/en/

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ALTON  In honor of Robert Wadlows 102nd birthday on Feb. 22, The Old Bakery Beer Co. at 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, is throwing a party in his honor.

Wadlow of Alton holds the record for being the tallest person in recorded history at a height of 811 before his death at age 22.
Whew! I don't know if you heard, but Samsung held its first super-duper-neato special event of the year on Tuesday, and the company's got a few new phones for us all to ogle.

The devices themselves seem fine enough, in their respective ways. I'll sum 'em up quickly for you, because what I really want to talk about is something a bit deeper. So here's the lowdown:

The Galaxy S20 is Samsung's new main 2020 flagship. It comes in three models, all with 5G in the U.S., and they're all about as Samsung as it gets: big screens, small bezels, and All The Specs  loads o' numbers that look impressive on paper (108 megapixels! 8K video! 120Hz screens! 16GB of RAM!) but ultimately mean very little when it comes to real-world impact. They're also expensive: $1,000 on the lower end and all the way up to $1,600 for the maxed-out top-of-the-line model.

The Galaxy Z Flip is a new horizontally-folding foldable phone  basically a better version of the recently released Motorola Razr, from the looks of it, and an interesting technological advancement but almost certainly something no normal person should actually buy at this point.

That's the ultra-abbreviated version, anyway. The reality is that Samsung's bound to sell a boatload of its Galaxy S20 phones, as it generally does with its primary new flagships  and that's the area I really wanted to explore.

First, a quick pinch of context: Aside from creating appealing devices, Samsung has worked hard over the years to build up brand awareness and loyalty. Initially, that was driven by bold, memorable, and ubiquitous marketing  but then, at least in part, it turned into a bit of a self-propagating cycle. By that, I mean that the longer someone sticks with a particular style of Android phone and the more times they upgrade from one generation of that phone to another, the more likely they are to make that same sort of upgrade the next time the need arises.

Think about it: How many people do you know who bounce between different brands within Android? In my experience, outside of a small subset of enthusiasts, most people don't even entertain the notion. They've had Galaxy phones for the past few cycles, so when the time to upgrade comes around, the only question they consider is which model and style of Galaxy phone they want to get. Just as smartphone platform preference has largely become tribalized, smartphone brand preference within Android seems to have turned into a mostly static quality.

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And the effects of that go even deeper: When someone who doesn't yet have a strong brand preference within Android looks to make a buying decision  an average phone-buyer, whether for individual or company-wide purposes  what do they think about first? More often than not, it's what brand they know and see everywhere they look, both in the hands of their colleagues or companions and in the most prominent positions on store shelves. Once that cycle starts, it's difficult to disrupt.

Samsung knows that, and it showed us this week just how carefully it's working to reinforce that cycle  in a way that's almost the polar opposite of what Google does with its Pixel line of phones.

Think about these bigger-picture takeaways from this week's Samsung event and how much of a contrast they illustrate between Samsung's smartphone selling approach and Google's:

1. Samsung revealed that Galaxy S owners are waiting longer than ever to upgrade their devices.

This first one's mostly just for context, but it's important: The average upgrade cycle among Galaxy S owners, specifically, jumped from 22.6 months in 2016 to 26.6 months in 2019  an increase of 18%, according to Samsung. That mirrors the industry-wide pattern we've been hearing about for a while now, but seeing Samsung acknowledge the same trend specific to Galaxy S owners  and seeing it get stated with the flat-out assumption that those Galaxy S owners are gonna upgrade to a new Galaxy S phone and not any other brand's offering  is pretty telling.

It also leads us directly to our next point:

2. For the first time, Samsung is going to keep producing its previous-generation phone  the Galaxy S10  and will sell all of those models for $150 less than their original prices.

This is something Apple has long done but most Android device-makers (Google included) have yet to come around to  and by golly, it makes so much sense, it almost hurts.

Yes, Samsung's Galaxy S20 prices may be mildly outrageous, but if you don't want to drop a cool grand or more on a bunch of cutting-edge technology you probably don't need, well, now you can get last year's still-quite-impressive Galaxy S10 phone for a much more palatable $750 price. Heck, you can go as low as $600, if you want to drop down to the still-perfectly-nice S10e model.

Google did this ever so briefly with the Pixel 2 back when the Pixel 3 came out, which gave me hope that it was adopting a similarly smart strategy  one that would be especially sensible with Pixel phones, by the by, being that they're the only Android devices to receive a full three years of guaranteed operating system updates  but it turned out the company was just selling off whatever stock it had left as opposed to continuing to produce the older model as a deliberate, ongoing strategy. Alas.

And then there's the biggest point of all:

3. Samsung is bending over backwards to encourage current Galaxy owners to upgrade.

Sure, the Galaxy S20 might be a thousand bucks  but if you've got a Galaxy S10, you can trade in your old phone and get the new one for a mere $400 (unlocked and off contract). Got a Note 10? Samsung will give you a $700 trade-in credit and sell you the new model for $300.

Even older Galaxy models come with decent trade-in discounts. The Galaxy S9 and Note 9, for instance, give you $300 off the price of a new phone. And if you're coming from a Pixel, the Pixel 4 will net you a $600 credit, bringing the S20's price down to $400. The 2018 Pixel 3 will get you $300 off the S20's starting price. And even the midrange Pixel 3a will get you $200 off the price of a shiny new S20 phone.

Google has its own trade-in program for Pixel phone purchases, too, but it pales in comparison. The company offers a maximum of $265 in credit for a Galaxy S10  less than half of what Samsung gives for that same device. Even for its own previous-gen Pixel 3, Google provides a maximum trade-in value of $165 toward a Pixel 4, compared to Samsung's $300 credit for that same Google-made phone.

Samsung clearly knows the value of motivating customers to stick with the Galaxy brand

A widely cited adage states that acquiring a new customer costs five times more than retaining an existing customer. Samsung may not provide anywhere near Google's level of post-sales software support  and hell, it even quietly sells its users' data!  but when it comes time to think about a new phone purchase, Samsung clearly knows the value of reinforcing its relationship with existing customers and motivating them to stick with the Galaxy brand. Google, on the other hand, seems to make little more than a token effort.

(And this isn't just on the phone front, either, incidentally: Over on the smart speaker side of things, where Amazon is absolutely slaughtering Google despite having an objectively worse product, Amazon wisely encourages Echo owners to trade in their older devices in order to receive a store credit plus an instant 25% off any new Echo product. Google puts out plenty of new smart speaker models but does absolutely nothing to encourage that same sense of brand loyalty and repeat purchasing among owners of its aging products.)

When I think about all the stuff Samsung announced this week, the phones are certainly everything everyone hoped they would be  eye-catching, technologically impressive, and probably the precise right amount of push forward needed to maintain Samsung's mobile-tech dominance. But the circumstances surrounding those phones seem far more significant to me, especially in that bigger-picture sense of what Samsung's doing to support its technology and reinforce the loyalty it's worked so hard to create.

We can talk endlessly about the ways Google could position its Pixel phones and market them to the masses, but even if it manages to win over new users, it needs to come up with a smarter strategy for maintaining its momentum and creating a self-propagating cycle of customer loyalty. And, as Samsung's reminding us all this week, it doesn't have to look far to find an example of exactly how that oughta be done.

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CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Electronic Load Market by Voltage (Low, High), Current Type (AC, DC), Application (Aerospace, Defense & Government Services, Automotive, Energy, Wireless Communication and Infrastructure, and Others), Region- Global Trends and Forecast to 2024", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Electronic Load Market is expected to grow from an estimated value of USD 3.0 billion in 2019 to USD 4.0 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2019 to 2024. The growth of this market is driven by maximizing the reliability of wireless communication.North America and Asia Pacific are the leading regions for wireless communication and infrastructure as countries such as the US, Japan, China, and South Korea are investing substantially in 5G network infrastructure development.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=164762665

The DC segment is expected to hold the largest share of the Electronic Load Market, by current type, during the forecast period

DC electronic loads are used for testing a wide range of power devices, such as power supplies, power converter & inverter testing, batteries, automotive charging stations, solar panels, fuel cells, and other power electronics components. This segment is expected to hold the major share in 2019 owing to the increasing need for testing the reliability of batteries. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market during the forecast period due to the increase in the deployment of electric vehicles in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. All these factors are expected to boost the DC market growth.

Low voltage is the largest segment in the Electronic Load Market, by voltage, during the forecast period

The low voltage segment held the largest share of the market in 2018. Low voltage electronic loads range up to 1,000 V. Rise in the usage of portable devices and the growing need for testing the reliability of a power source are factors that are likely to drive the demand for low voltage electronic loads. Low voltage electronic loads are mainly used by the manufacturers to test equipment during the stage of production to understand the product features and its adherence to the technical standards.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Electronic Load Market"

101 - Tables

33 - Figures

146 - Pages

Automotive is expected to be the fastest-growing market, by application, during the forecast period

The automotive segment is driven by an increase in the development of electric and autonomous vehicles. The growth of electric vehicles is dependent on batteries. Hence, battery manufacturers are using electronic loads to test the capacity of batteries using constant power mode to provide consistent power drain as the battery voltage drops over time. This helps them in identifying the right size batteries for electric vehicles during the manufacturing stage.

North America is expected to dominate the global Electronic Load Market

North America is the largest market for the electronic load. The region has been segmented by country into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The demand for electronic load in this region is driven mostly by aerospace, defense and government services, wireless communication, and automotive. It is the largest market for electronic load during the forecast as the device manufacturers use electronic loads to test numerous power devices during the manufacturing stage to avoid malfunctioning. The aerospace, defense & government services is the largest sector globally as they produce technologically advanced aircraft and defense systems. This is supported further by the national governments' increasing defense spending and budget allocations. Moreover, this region also houses some of the major manufacturers who continuously focus on R&D to innovate new technologies.

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=164762665

To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the top players in the Electronic Load Market. These include Keysight Technologies (US), AMETEK (US), National Instruments (US), Chroma ATE (Taiwan), and Teledyne Technologies (US). The leading players are trying to establish themselves in the markets in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their respective market share.

Please Explore Relevant Report:

Test and Measurement Equipment Market by Product (General Purpose Test Equipment, Mechanical Test Equipment), Service Type (Calibration Services, Repair Services/After Sales Services), End-Use Sector, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

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Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/electronic-load.asp
During the summer holidays, we visited a theme park. There were lots of fun rides. Children-friendly rides that young ones ride on their own, family rides where the whole family enjoy together and also some thriller rides for those wanting some excitement.

After a few rounds of watching my boys ride their kiddie rides, and accompanying them on the usual ferris wheel and merry-go-round, one ride kept catching my eye  the music express. This ride resembles a caterpillar with cars connected in the middle that spin around a track with slopes and increasing speed.

I have never been on this ride before. It was new to me. Despite having watched it a few times and supposedly knowing what to expect, the thought of not really knowing how it feels as a passenger in the ride rather than just a viewer by the sidelines drew me to it yet felt daunting. It was new and scary at the same time.

The new job

This new year, I enter a new phase in life. After completing my Graduate Diploma in Teaching(Primary) last year, I will now embark on my journey as a primary school teacher.

As exciting as it is to be teaching again after a five year break as a stay-at-home mum, going back to work this time around as a generalist teaching all subjects to young children instead of just teaching English to older students is rather new for me.

With two boys under six, I have been attracted to young children and have had some experience being a parent helper at my older boys kindergarten and primary school. Looking at his teachers and interacting with his friends made me interested in teaching young children and I decided to pursue this career.

Just helping as a parent and being a primary school teacher though is different, just like how merely watching the music express ride and riding it feels different. Now that I have been officially employed as a primary school teacher, it feels surreal - the scary new.

The unknown

Although I have been a teacher before and have studied a year with two teaching experiences, I still feel scared. It feels like no matter how much I have learnt or despite my experience, there is always some things that will be new. The thing about new that makes it scary is the unknown.

The unknown always exist regardless of how much experience we have or how prepared we are. Unknown colleagues, unknown students, unknown parents, unknown plans... we dont know what to say, what to express, what interests and what doesnt the list is unending.

The unknown keeps us awake at night thinking of the possibilities. Unknown possibilities. The unknown makes us ponder how it would be and how it could be.

The known

While the unknown is new and scary, the known is old and comforting. Every known however comes to being starting with an unknown. So for anything to be known, we have to first embrace the unknown. We have to first experience the scary new.

Like how the ferris wheel and merry-go-round becomes common to us, we have to first ride the music express to familiarize ourselves with it. The only way for the music express to change from being new and scary to old and comforting is to change it from the unknown to the known  to ride it!

Often, when faced with the scary new music express ride, we freeze by the side and watch it over and over hoping to overcome it. However, all we needed to do was to muster our courage and get into the line and ride it.

Sometimes in life, we tend to agonise about an issue without doing anything about it. Being a primary school teacher was my new scary. However, I decided to jumped into the line and ride it. I studied and got myself employed then started teaching.

Im not saying just doing it would immediately make everything fine. What I am suggesting is that doing something about it turns the unknown into a known; thus making it less scary.
Press Release

13 February 2020

CHICAGO - Investor sentiment for hotel product remains cautiously optimistic, as investors navigate international, political and economic dynamics in addition to the recent coronavirus outbreak in China. According to JLL Hotels & Hospitality's annual Hotel Investment Outlook ("HIO"), a forward-looking, global analysis of trends affecting the hotel investment market, global hotel transaction activity will be shaped by record levels of real estate fund-raising and interest from new buyers.

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The Global Outlook

Global hotel transaction volumes in 2019 reached US$66 billion, bolstered by a resilient global economy and continued demand from domestic and international travelers. However, the length of the current market cycle, trade conflict and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit gave investors cause to feel more cautious, which led to a 6 percent decrease in total hotel market liquidity compared with 2018. In 2020, global hotel liquidity is expected to decrease approximately 10-15 percent as investors adopt a slightly more selective approach. Yet, the pipeline in deal flow activity will continue across all regions through 2020.

Generalists and International Investors Driving Volume

This year, two buyer groups are expected to account for the lion's share of hotel investment activity.

Generalist investors who invest in multiple asset classes will continue to be the largest hotel investor group due to their mandate to deploy capital. Generalist investors now take part in 70 percent of investment volume in 2019 versus nearly 60 percent a decade ago. Additionally, international capital will be a key provider of global liquidity, with capital outflow volume expected to rise across North America, Europe and Asia.

This year's report outlines three key trends to watch for in 2020:

The rise of affordable lifestyle hotels. Changing guest demands and increased competition from the alternative accommodation space have fueled hotel parent companies' interest in smaller, more technology-focused hotels located in urban areas. Over the past five years, the affordable lifestyle brand sector has seen the total global number of rooms more than double.

Changing guest demands and increased competition from the alternative accommodation space have fueled hotel parent companies' interest in smaller, more technology-focused hotels located in urban areas. Over the past five years, the affordable lifestyle brand sector has seen the total global number of rooms more than double. The emergence of first-time hotel buyers. Investors new to commercial real estate, as well as those with experience in other commercial real estate property sectors, are increasingly turning toward hotels in search of higher yield and diversification.

Investors new to commercial real estate, as well as those with experience in other commercial real estate property sectors, are increasingly turning toward hotels in search of higher yield and diversification. The increase of the hospitality operating model. As real estate owners and landlords acknowledge that their end-users - whether hotel guests, retailers or corporate occupiers - expect a certain level of service and a memorable experience, more real estate products with hospitality elements will proliferate, such as hotels offering co-working spaces.

"While we expect global hotel transaction volumes in 2020 to trend slightly downward from last year, investors will continue to pursue areas of opportunity as the market remains relatively strong," said Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO, JLL Hotels & Hospitality. "Furthermore, the evolving nature of the sector with the rise of the hospitality operating model, affordable lifestyle hotels, and new investors to the space are key industry trends that will provide exciting opportunities for the sector as we begin a new decade."

The Americas: 2020 projection

In 2020, hotel transaction volume is expected to post flat to slightly negative growth of 6 percent relative to 2019 transaction volume of $28.6 billion. Single asset sales will support volumes throughout the year as investors pursue high-profile properties in the region's most liquid markets - New York, Florida and California. Additionally, North America may end up as 2020's largest recipient of cross-border investment, buoyed by large portfolio trades such as South Korea's Mirae Asset Management's acquisition of Anbang's luxury portfolio.

"In the Americas, we expect investors to remain selective and focused on prime properties in the most liquid investment markets as well as assets in robust secondary markets that offer attractive yields," explains Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Americas CEO, JLL Hotels & Hospitality. "However, the record level of capital waiting to be deployed and the growing share of large institutional investors into the space will continue to drive robust investment activity across all lodging segments over the long term."

JLL's Hotels & Hospitality Group has completed more transactions than any other hotels and hospitality real estate advisor over the last five years, totaling more than $63.2 billion worldwide. The group's 350-strong global team in over 20 countries also closed more than 5,420 advisory, valuation and asset management assignments. Our hotel valuation, brokerage, asset management and consultancy services have helped more hotel investors, owners and operators achieve high returns on their assets than any other real estate advisor in the world.

For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit the firm's U.S. media center Web page: U.S. newsroom.
An attempt by a Perth primary school principal to ban cupcakes on birthdays has backfired after the state government stepped in to put the policy on hold in the wake of widespread outrage.

The move by Arbor Grove Primary School principal Glen Purdy was chided by both sides of politics, with WA Education Minister Sue Ellery voicing her support of birthday treats and Opposition Leader Liza Harvey labelling the move "political correctness on steroids".

A principal decided a cupcake ban was the best way forward. Credit:Simone de Peak

The Ellenbrook school's note to parents raised eyebrows after telling them the school executive had been mindful of the increasing number of students with food allergies and intolerances, the cultural diversity of the school, and the beliefs and traditions of those cultures.

The note asked parents to no longer send students to school with cupcakes, lolly bags or other unhealthy options to share with their classmates when celebrating their birthdays.
A former Goldman Sachs intern is suing the bank, alleging the company 'fostered a fraternity culture' and took advantage of his 'youth and vulnerability.'

Patrick Blumenthal interned for Goldman Sachs in San Francisco from September 2017 through February 2018, according to a case filing obtained by Court House News.

While working with the company, Blumenthal was assigned to 'Team 007' under the leadership Julius Erukhimov. Erukhimov was a private financial wealth advisor for Goldman Sachs.

Erukhimov and Goldman Sachs are listed as defendants in the case. Michelle Kelly, Kimberly Vivas and Aime Hendricks, along with 100 other John Does, are listed in the lawsuit.

'On multiple occasions, Julius was very physically aggressive with the Plaintiff,' the filing states.

Patrick Blumenthal interned for Goldman Sachs in San Francisco from September 2017 through February 2018, according to a suit he has filed against the company

'On one occasion, Julius threatened to punch Plaintiff if Plaintiff didn't tell him something that someone had said about him. It was well known at Goldman Sachs that Julius had a habit of getting drunk and punching people.'

Even prior to Blumenthal starting the internship, there were allegedly complaints about 'Julius' hazing and "frat" behavior that were reported to managing agents at the company.

'No disciplinary measures were ever taken by Goldman Sachs, thereby approving and ratifying Julius' conduct,' the filing adds.

While working with the company, Blumenthal was assigned to 'Team 007' under the leadership Julius Erukhimov. Erukhimov was a private financial wealth advisor for Goldman Sachs

Blumenthal alleges there was a wall in the office that acted as a Goldman Sachs composite, also known as 'Goldman Sachs University.'

The interns picture was included on the wall and had his nickname - Bloomy - attached near the photo. Bloomy was pronounced 'Blew Me,' with the photo being directly under Erukhimov's. Erukhimov's nickname on the wall was 'Fast Julie.'

The office head, business unit manager and others from management could see the wall and failed to act on it.

Blumenthal claims the bullying occurred as soon as he started with the company, with peers forcing him to drink while at a company kickball event.

The court filing states that Blumenthal was told he would have 'to take an infinite amount of shit from people.'

At one point, one of Blumenthal's superiors was said to have sent around a fake email thread that he had allegedly sent to the company's CIO asking to accept that they were father and son. He claims the superior wanted folks to think that he was the illegitimate child of the CIO.

Blumenthal says that Erukhimov and others pressured him to drink excessively as it was company culture and also because he was turning 21 while interning.

He claims that Erukhimov even gave him a pack of TUMS and Adderall so that he could drink more.

Erukhimov and Goldman Sachs are listed as defendants in the case. Michelle Kelly, Kimberly Vivas and Aime Hendricks, along with 100 other John Does, are listed in the lawsuit

Blumenthal highlights one 'First Friday' drinking session in February 2018, Erukhimov told him that he would 'teach him how to drink.' Erukhimov allegedly punched Blumental in the stomach, telling him to return the punch.

When Blumenthal refused, Erukhimov allegedly hit him again and proceeded to start 'wrestling' with the intern.

Erukhimov is said to have put Blumenthal in a choke hold, causing the intern to pass out. Blumenthal urinated on himself and was thrown to the ground where he injured his head on the concrete patio.

Blumenthal claims that none of the other Goldman Sachs employees in attendance did anything and eventually had Erukhimov take him to his home.

At Blumenthal's apartment, Erukhimov allegedly threatened the intern. He told him that his cousin and/or uncle would kill him if he reported the incident.

Erukhimov also reportedly told Blumenthal of his extensive gun collection and how his uncle had almost decapitated someone, before leaving the apartment.

The intern was 'terrified to speak' about what transpired, eventually emailing Kimberly Vivas - a business-unit manager at the bank - about the incident on March 26, 2018. She told him to email an HR rep in New York

Blumenthal went to the hospital two days later, where he was diagnosed with a hemorrhagic stroke.

The intern was 'terrified to speak' about what transpired, eventually emailing Kimberly Vivas - a business-unit manager at the bank - about the incident on March 26, 2018.

Vivas told Blumenthal to contact Aime Hendricks, an HR rep from New York, but the intern did not hear from the woman for nearly a month after emailing her.

Hendricks would eventually respond to Blumenthal, telling him that 'we have taken actions we have deemed appropriate.'

Blumenthal claims that the hazing occurred at various Goldman Sachs across the world, including having four first-year associates having to dress as Teletubbies.

Others were forced to attend meetings where they had to regurgitate the company's history in order to get a decent performance evaluation.

Blumenthal is seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

In a statement to Business Insider, the company claimed that it had 'tried unsuccessfully to obtain more information' from Blumenthal. They added that they were 'committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming workplace, asserting that 'the alleged behavior does not reflect our values.'

They added that Erukhimov was no longer employed at Goldman Sachs.
Paul McIntyre arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court where he is appearing charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in April 2019 (Brian Lawless).

Protesters show their support for Paul McIntyre outside Londonderry Magistrates Court as the 52-year-old from Derry, appears in court charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee on February 13, 2020 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Paul McIntyre, the man charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court on February 13, 2020

Paul McIntyre, the man charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court on February 13, 2020

Protesters show their support for Paul McIntyre outside Londonderry Magistrates Court as the 52-year-old from Derry, appears in court charged with the murder of Lyra Mckee on February 13, 2020 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The man accused of murdering Lyra McKee is alleged to have committed a joint enterprise with an unknown gunman by picking up the cases of the bullets used to kill her, a court heard.

Paul McIntyre, 52, was remanded in custody at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Thursday after appearing charged with the murder of the journalist last April.

During a 50-minute hearing, defence lawyer Derwin Harvey said: "The allegation against Mr McIntyre is that Mr McIntyre is at this riot and a male shoots the gun and that Mr McIntyre, after the gun was shot, picks up the cases."

The court heard a lengthy defence submission applying for bail, but the judge adjourned the hearing until he received further information from prosecution about the evidence linking McIntyre to the charges.

Mr Harvey said the case rested on a "snapshot" of low-quality mobile phone footage which the prosecution claims showed a man wearing clothing matching what his client was wearing earlier in the day.

Earlier supporters clashed with police outside court as he arrived for his first appearance.

They held placards saying he is a political hostage and a British scapegoat and scuffled with up to 40 police officers as they refused to move from the entrance to the courthouse.

McIntyre raises his arms towards cheering supporters outside court (Brian Lawless/PA)

There were loud cheers as McIntyre was brought out of a Range Rover and taken into the court building.

Lyra McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.

The Belfast writer was living in Derry with partner, Sara Canning, who also arrived at court on Thursday morning.

Ms Mckees sister Nichola Corner was among several people in the public gallery wearing T shirts emblazoned with her picture.

Ms McKees partner Sara Canning arrives at Londonderry Magistrates Court (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ms McKee was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and part of the generation which reached adulthood during peace time.

She wrote for publications including Private Eye and Buzzfeed.

Some tension as supporters refuse to move away from entrance when instructed by police pic.twitter.com/PMExnrR4di  David Young (@DavidYoungPA) February 13, 2020

Her funeral was attended by then prime minister Theresa May, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins at St Annes Cathedral in Belfast.

Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.

Days later the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.

Power sharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.

Journalist Lyra McKee (Chiho Tang/Oranga Creative/PA)

McIntyre is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and belonging to or professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation. His address was given in court as Kinnego Park, Londonderry.

The New IRA said it carried out the killing of Ms McKee.

McIntyre will next appear in court on February 27.
Providence Resources is once again looking for fresh money, saying it is considering its funding options as it only has sufficient working capital to cover its costs through to the end of next month.

The oil and gas exploration company tapped shareholders for 3.4m last year to fund itself into the early part of this year.

That move - which it referred to as the unthinkable - followed a failure by Chinese consortium APEC Energy to produce 8m in promised project funding for the flagship Barryroe field off the Cork coast. APEC was Providences development partner at Barryroe.

Providence has since embarked on a severe cost cutting round and replaced long-standing chief executive Tony OReilly Jr with industry veteran Alan Linn.

Providence has now formally begun the legal process of assigning APECs 50% stake in Barryroe back to the original owners, meaning Providence will regain an 80% shareholding, with Lansdowne Oil and Gas owning 20%.

A fresh farm-out deal - aimed at bringing in a new development and funding partner for Barryroe - is now being sought. Providence said that a number of companies are actively assessing field data at Barryroe.

Providence has brought attention to Barryroes considerable gas resource and said several additional companies that had not initially been sniffing around the field have expressed interest in its gas potential.

Providence said its short-to-medium term focus remains on Barryroe, which will need at least two appraisal wells drilled to remove lingering uncertainties.

In other words, is Barryroe a large oil field with a gas cap, or a large gas field with an oil rim? said Davy analyst Job Langbroek.

These uncertain elements have always been understood, but the gas potential is now also being emphasised following interest from several industry groups examining the data. In the context of the new climate action environment, this interest is welcome, Mr Langbroek said.

Providence is also looking to find a farm out partner for its Dunquin South prospect, located off the south-west coast, after Italian explorer Eni said it was pulling out.
BEIJING/SHANGHAI -- Chinas Communist Party has replaced the party heads in the coronavirus stricken province of Hubei and its capital Wuhan, state media said on Thursday, reporting the most high profile officials to be dismissed in the wake of the epidemic.

The removal of Jiang Chaoliang, the leading Communist Party official of Hubei province, and Ma Guoqiang, his counterpart in Wuhan, follows the dismissal of two provincial health officials on Tuesday, and is part of a wider effort by Beijing to remove bureaucrats it accuses of shirking their duties.

The central government has set up a special cabinet task force under Premier Li Keqiang to handle the crisis, and the new appointments in Hubei suggest that Chinas senior leaders are taking greater control.

Shanghai mayor Ying Yong has been appointed as the new secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, replacing Jiang, the official Xinhua news agency said without explaining why Jiang was removed.

Ying worked closely with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latters time as party boss and governor of Zhejiang province, which neighbors Shanghai.

Wuhan party chief Ma has been replaced by Wang Zhonglin, party boss of Jinan, the capital city of eastern Shandong province, Xinhua reported separately.

Officials in Hubei have been heavily criticized for their handling of the epidemic in a province of almost 60 million people. The outbreak began in Wuhan late last year, and has spread throughout China, killing more than 1,000 and infecting tens of thousands across the country.

Former Wuhan Party boss Ma admitted in a nationally televised interview that the impact of the virus on China and on the world would have been less if containment measures had been taken sooner.

Analysts have said that the initial delay in raising the alarm in Wuhan may have arisen from local officials fear of bringing bad news to the attention of the central government, especially as Lunar New Year festivities approached.

Allen Huang, a Wuhan native living in Beijing, told Reuters the outbreak was a grave, man-made disaster caused by mismanagement and deception at the city and provincial government level.

After the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002-2003, China promised to improve the way it shared information about epidemics, and put in place a new system allowing hospitals to report new cases in real time.

This Wuhan epidemic shows that the situation has not really improved, said Willy Lam, an expert in Chinese politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Mike Pompeo says the United States has long opposed the creation or release of the list.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said the US government would not furnish any information for a database of companies operating in the occupied West Bank that the United Nations human rights office released, and said the compilation hurts efforts in the Middle East.

The United States has long opposed the creation or release of this database, he said in a statement. Its publication only confirms the unrelenting anti-Israel bias so prevalent at the United Nations  Attempts to isolate Israel run counter to all of our efforts to build conditions conducive to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that lead to a comprehensive and enduring peace.

The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday named 112 companies it said have business ties to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.

A spokesman for Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the report was not a blacklist and was not intended to qualify any of the companies business activities as illegal.

But the release prompted a Palestinian threat of legal action against the firms, and raised concerns that the companies could be targets of boycotts or divestment to pressure Israel over its settlements.

Pompeo, along with two leading US senators, assailed the release for its potential of turning companies into boycott targets.

It is outrageous that the @UNHumanRights Commissioner @mbachelet would release the database of companies operating in Israeli-controlled territories. Its publication confirms the unrelenting anti-#Israel bias so prevalent at the @UN.  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 13, 2020

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin and Republican Senator Rob Portman, who sit on the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the US Congress, called it an anti-Israel database, akin to a blacklist, of companies that made major US companies, including General Mills and Airbnb, vulnerable to boycotts.

The Human Rights Council should use its energy to encourage both Israel and the Palestinians to return to good faith negotiations, said Cardin. The United States cannot stand by while American businesses are being pressured by a foreign entity because of their work in Israel, one of our key allies.

Palestinians hailed the report, with Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki calling it a victory for international law.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said the UN rights council was a biased and uninfluential body.

The US has stood for many years as one of Israels strongest allies. Last month, President Donald Trump revealed a Middle East plan that envisions a disjointed Palestinian state that turns over key parts of the occupied West Bank to Israel and favours Israel on key contentious issues including borders, the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements.

The proposal was swiftly rejected by the Palestinians, who were not invited to provide input. Palestinians broke off ties with the Trump administration in late 2017 after it recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved its embassy there.
Lakshadweep forest department on Wednesday seized a consignment of 1,716 sea cucumbers weighing 852 kg worth 4.26 crore from Suheli, an uninhabited island around 60km away from Kavaratti, Lakshadweeps capital.

Sea cucumbers are single branched marine organisms (invertebrates) and are high in demand across Southeast Asia, mainly China.

The countrys premier wildlife investigation agency, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) said this was the largest sea cucumber seizure recorded globally so far, and urged the Interpol to issue a Purple Notice (a category that aids Interpols efforts to tackle environment crime and issue notices for criminals hunting wild animals to sell their body parts in international markets).

This has become a grave concern. We asked Interpol to issue a Purple Notice on the modus operandi of this illegal trade in a bid to disseminate the information to other nations about the scale of the trade, said Tilotama Varma, additional director, WCCB.

A Sea Cucumber Protection Task Force (SCPTF) team, recently constituted by the Lakshadweep forest department, acted on a tip-off and made the seizure on Wednesday. Sea Cucumbers in the consignment were processed by removing their intestinal parts, and kept in a large container with preservatives. They were ready to be exported to Sri Lanka, subsequently to China and other southeast Asian countries, said Damodhar AT, chief wildlife warden, Lakshadweep.

The sea cucumbers were going to be loaded in a Tamil Nadu registered fishing vessel from Suheli Island, and were further going to be transferred to a Sri Lankan boat at the international border. However, the fishing group received information of our movement and managed to escape, leaving the entire consignmentof 1,716 sea cucumbers worth 4.26 crore on board, added Damodhar.

The SCPTF team also recovered weapons used for the crime including 9 catching hooks, one 2.5m harpoon, three knives, collection nets, baskets, 167kg preservatives, 200 litres of kerosene, a GPS set, packing materials etc.

A detailed offence report was filed on Thursday and submitted before a judicial magistrate court in Andrott Island. We have identified several suspects, including local fishermen from the islands based on circumstantial evidence. A thorough investigation is underway, Damodhar said.

However, he pointed that the Lakshadweep administration was not equipped to handle illegal operations of this scale. Only 11 of the 36 islands (across 4 lakh sq km) in Lakshadweep are inhabited and only six forest officers are manning all 11 islands.

Following the seizure, WCCB said a team has been dispatched for Lakshadweep to lead the investigation. Besides collecting intelligence and coordinating operations, WCCB is holding special sensitisation programme for fishermen, coast guards, enforcement agencies at seaports and airports vulnerable to this illegal trade, said Varma.

This is the third major offence within two months. HT had reported on January 15 that 172 sea cucumbers worth 1.17 crore were seized, and four persons arrested as part of an international marine animal trafficking syndicate. On January 23, the department arrested an international trade kingpin and seized a consignment of 52 dead sea cucumbers worth 5 lakh.

Experts explained the importance of these species and why they need to be protected. These species are ecological indicators for any marine habitat. They enhance the productivity of coral reefs apart from playing a crucial role in the food chain. They maintain overall stability of the ocean sea floor in terms of oxygenation and make other crucial contributions to the community around them, said E Vivekandan, former chief scientist, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

Sea cucumbers are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, akin to the protection garnered to tigers, leopards or elephants. The species is banned from trade or commercial use as it is covered under appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which India is a signatory. A total ban on harvesting sea cucumbers was imposed in 2001 under the WPA by the Union environment ministry.

Sea cucumbers are worm like sea creatures that are single branched marine organisms (invertebrates) and are high in demand across Southeast Asia, mainly China, for eating purposes in the form of soup.

THE SEA CUCUMBER TRADE

Found at the bottom most lagoons and the ocean floor, sea cucumbers can extend from 1.9 centimetres to more than 6 feet (1.8 metres) long.

They are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. They cannot be transported in any form for commercial use. A total ban on harvesting of sea cucumbers was imposed in 2001 under the WPA by the Union environment ministry.

High in demand across southeast Asia, mainly China, for eating purposes in the form of soup. The cost of 1 kg sea cucumber is around 50,000 for local fishermen

The illegal trade spreads across different countries. Using Lakshadweep as the source, sea cucumbers are supplied to Kochi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and then sent across to Sri Lanka, and further to southeast Asian countries, mainly China

In India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the maximum varieties of sea cucumbers, followed by Lakshadweep Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, and Palk Bay (between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka), and some places along the mainland coasts.

DEMAND FOR LAKSHADWEEP MARINE PROTECTION FORCE IN LOK SABHA

Following large scale illegal seizures of sea cucumbers from Lakshadweep islands, PP Mohammed Faisal, Member of Parliament, Lakshadweep on Monday submitted a petition to Central government in Lok Sabha for the protection of sea cucumbers and other marine wildlife in Lakshadweep by forming a dedicated marine protection force under the forest department. Unless a well-equipped dedicated force works round the clock to safeguard the marine species, biodiversity, heritage and ecosystem of Lakshadweep, it will be extremely difficult prevent such large scale organised crime in the Islands. At present, the staff is inadequate in guarding such a huge territory of 4 lakh sq. km in Lakshadweep Islands without any modern logistics, weapons and other equipment, and are risking their life, the minister wrote in his petition before Lok Sabha.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Badri Chatterjee Badri Chatterjee is an environment correspondent at Hindustan Times, Mumbai. He writes about environment issues - air, water and noise pollution, climate change - weather, wildlife - forests, marine and mangrove conservation ...view detail
Hundreds of contractors have taken to the streets of Westminster to protest against the devastating impact that IR35 reform from April is already exerting on off-payroll workers.

Backed by 12 contractor websites, the protestors sprawled out onto the pavements, roads, verges and steps around Parliament Square, loudly chanting in unison Stop IR35.

Banners showing Sajid Javid's face were paraded, stating: One month to save British Contracting  Tell the government to stop the off-payroll tax and save UK jobs and skills.

'Zero Rights Employment'

Other banners condemned, in capitals; Zero Rights Employment  a term to describe the reforms effect of taxing contractors as employees but with none of the rights of employment.

The culmination of the march saw contractor industry captains including Chris James of accountancy group JSA and Andy Chamberlain of IPSE descend on Portcullis House.

There, influential MPs like David Davis who also want IR35 reform shelved or scrapped lent their support, by meeting the protestors, listening to their concerns and echoing their chants.

'Tin-eared Treasury'

It was great to have MPs of all parties listening and engaging and backing the calls for a halt to the April roll-out, says a Stop IR35 campaign spokesman.

Its staggering the way that the tin-eared Treasury are ignoring the UK jobs being lost and the small businesses being forced to close.

But they certainly couldnt fail to notice todays protests and we will keep campaigning until they start to listen.

'Disastrous legislation'

To register the protest in writing, a letter calling for a 12-month delay to the April 6th framework was handed in to the Treasury, by Stop The Off-Payroll Tax boss Dave Chaplin.

Another of the letters signatories, the FCSA, said last night: We are proud to support the protest because the proposed legislation changes are fundamentally flawed and are already having a very detrimental impact on businesses and professional contractors.

We are seeing some firms opt for cheaper resources overseas and the potential impact on the UKs economy is significant.

Therefore it is essential that we join together to make ourselves heard by MPs who are the only ones with the power to prevent this disastrous legislation becoming a reality.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

-

Dear Chancellor,

IR35: The off-payroll tax draft legislation

We are a collection of associations, groups and stakeholders which represent the views of the UKs self-employed contractors, freelancers and consultants. We are extremely concerned by the devastation already being caused by the forthcoming IR35 legislation, due to hit the private sector in April. We are writing to you now to urge you to suspend the April roll-out, for at least twelve months, in order to prevent the closure of thousands of compliant UK businesses. A delay would also provide time to explore alternative arrangements which would protect the tax base without restricting the flexible labour market and damaging the wider economy.

The draft legislation is already having a catastrophic impact, which you and the Treasury must surely now be aware of. Many large companies (including several major banks, Vodafone and GSK) have announced they will no longer engage contractors out of fear they will fall foul of the notoriously complex legislation. Since then more companies have followed suit. This means genuinely self-employed people are losing work opportunities, while clients themselves are losing vital, flexible expertise.

Hiring organisations find the IR35 rules just as bewildering as everyone else. That is why they are terminating all their contractor engagements. The simply do not want any involvement in the new IR35 regime. Other organisations have correctly assessed that the only way to avoid a huge tax liability, is to declare that all engagements are inside IR35. This is inevitably resulting in entirely compliant contractor businesses having to close.

The hiring organisations still need contingent workers to complete projects and it is reported that some companies are avoiding the whole problem and additional costs by engaging contractors in other countries , or that workers are being brought in on Tier 2 visas by abusing the Intra-Company transfer rules. There is also a fear that non-compliant umbrella company arrangements are being used to circumvent IR35 which will lead to an increase in the use of disguised renumerations schemes and there could then be a repeat of the awful Loan Charge scandal, something that of course resulted from the original, flawed, IR35 legislation.

Already many contractors are reporting that they have lost their roles, others are now finding it difficult to find new roles. Many are also facing huge cuts in pay and even HMRC own estimates acknowledge that 153,000 people will see lower pay. This will cause hardship for some, especially as by its nature, contracting and freelancing already means periods without a stable income.

What is most worrying of all is that many contract and freelancer workers are effectively being forced into a status of zero rights employment, where they will be taxed as employees, via PAYE, but without any of the security or benefits of employment, no sick, holiday or maternity/paternity and no pension contribution. This is grossly unfair and must not be allowed to happen. We urge you to ensure that no-one pays taxes as an employee unless they have the rights and benefits of employment.

It is now absolutely clear that the impact of this ill-considered legislation is very different from the impact predicted by the Treasury and HMRC. With so many unexpected consequences already coming to light, it is now, in our view, essential that the government pauses this legislation before it is too late.

We completely understand the government must do all it can to ensure everyone pays the correct tax, but this is not the way to do it. Delaying for twelve months would provide an opportunity for us to work with government and other experts on devising more transparent, understandable rules that would protect Exchequer revenue while also enabling the flexible labour market to flourish.

You personally promised a review of IR35 legislation during the election (as part of the proposed Government review of self-employment) so it was deeply disappointing when the new Government announced that the roll-out was going ahead anyway. Instead of the review of the law, all we have had is a rushed consultation of the implementation of the roll-out, which is clearly not what you committed to. We urge you now to have as proper review of the IR35 legislation as promised and halt the April roll-out to allow this to happen.

We, the contracting and freelancing sector are ready to sit down and work with you to at last work out how best to recognise contracting and freelancing in the tax system, to encourage dynamic, flexible working and providing skills needed by many UK businesses. We urge you to delay and work with us, before it is too late and the sector  and UK economy  are damaged.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Stop The Off-Payroll Tax

IPSE

FCSA

ContractorCalculator

FPB

LCAG

ContractorUK

FreelanceUK

Professional Passport

ITContracting

WTT Consulting

PRISM
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Justuno has released our push notifications feature from beta testing and it is now live for all users. We're excited to release this offsite messaging capability, which allows our users to further personalize their marketing wherever their customers areon or off the web.

Push notifications are short messages sent via a mobile or desktop browser to subscribers even when they aren't on a website. This makes them a powerful tool for marketers to drive past traffic back to their website, provide special notices or alerts, and ultimately convert more visitors into new business.

"Push notifications are a powerful tool for retailers since it's more personal than email and doesn't run the risk of getting lost in an inbox," said Justuno's CTO and co-founder, Travis Logan.

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MIAMI - The man who was found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of an unarmed black man during a parking lot dispute was attacked in prison Tuesday and has been transferred to protective custody, his lawyer said.

Michael Drejka, 49, was hit in the head with a sock that had a lock inside, defence attorney Bryant Camareno told The Associated Press. Drejka is being held at the Lancaster Correctional Institution in north Florida.

Drejkas wife told his attorneys he is now living in fear, news outlets in Tampa reported. He needed five stitches to close the wound, the reports said.

The Department of Corrections said in a news release that Drejka was examined by medical staff and the incident is being investigated.

At this time, Drejka is in administrative confinement separate from the general population, pending protective management review, the statement said.

Camareno said his client had the impression that he was targeted by someone.

Drejka , who is white, was convicted in August for the July 19, 2018, shooting that killed Markeis McGlockton, 28. Drejka is serving a 20-year sentence.

Drejka had confronted McGlocktons girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, for parking in a handicapped space while McGlockton went inside a convenience store with his 5-year-old son. Security video recorded McGlockton leaving the store and shoving Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton as he backed away. McGlockton ran inside the store, where he collapsed and died in front of his son.

The video was played multiple times for the jury of five men and a woman before they reached the verdict.

Drejka didnt testify at the trial, but a video of his interview with detectives was shown in court.

He told investigators he has a pet peeve about illegal parking in handicapped spots and often walks around such cars looking for handicapped stickers and placards, sometimes taking photographs. He said he often sees people illegally parked in the handicapped spot at that convenience store, but the owner doesnt do anything about it.

Drejka said he saw McGlocktons car in the handicapped spot that day, so he went to its back and front, looking for stickers, which store security video shows. He said the cars windows were tinted, so he didnt know anyone was inside.

Jacobs, who was sitting with the couples two younger children, partially put down her window and asked what he was doing. He said he told her it was not very polite to park in the spot and she took that as an affront. He said that sparked an argument that got heated, with Jacobs saying Do I have to get my man?

Jacobs testified that Drejka had started pointing and yelling at her. She said she cracked the window to hear what he was saying and a screaming match ensued.
A computer-generated reconstruction of Arrokoths shape makes it look like a squashed snowman, but slightly less squashed than originally thought. (NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI Image / Roman Tkachenko)

The space snowman that was the focus of a close encounter with NASAs New Horizons probe last year is helping scientists answer a cosmic question: How did the building blocks of the solar system get their start?

This is a game-changer, said Alan Stern, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute and principal investigator for the New Horizons mission.

Stern and other members of the New Horizons science team shared their latest findings about the snowman-shaped object now known as Arrokoth today at the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences annual meeting in Seattle. Those findings are detailed in a trio of studies published by the journal Science.

The biggest revelation has to do with Arrokoths ancient origins.

A detailed analysis of the objects double-lobed, snowman-like structure supports the view that Arrokoth came into existence when a localized cloud of primordial material collapsed into two nearby clumps that gently fused together.

Thats in contrast to an alternate view, known as hierarchical accretion, which proposes that objects from different parts of the early solar system smashed together to form planetesimals like Arrokoth.

The studies released today follow up on first-look reports that were published in Science last May. The updated view presented by the scientists today is based on an analysis of 10 times as much data as they had available back then.

This animated view of Arrokoth is based on images that were captured at slightly different viewing angles by NASAs New Horizons probe as it flew past. The 3-D effect helps scientists get a better sense of the Kuiper Belt objects shape and structure. (NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI Image / Roman Tkachenko)

New Horizons was launched back in 2006 and got an unprecedented look at Pluto as it flew past in 2015. Arrokoth, which is a billion miles beyond Pluto, was chosen as the piano-sized probes next target for observation. Its thought to be representative of the small mini-planets that took shape during the collapse of the solar nebula, the vast cloud of gas and dust that surrounded our infant sun.

With New Horizons encounter with Arrokoth on New Years Day of 2019, the space snowman became the farthest-out celestial object to be observed close up. The science team was wowed by the data that trickled back in the first months after the encounter, but they still had some mysteries to sort out.

Story continues

Scientists now say several new clues have led them to the conclusion that Arrokoths two constituent pieces formed in the same neighborhood of the primordial solar system and came together gently.

First of all, the two lobes have closely aligned poles and equators, and theres no evidence of a high-speed smash-up. Only at much lower collision velocities, substantially less than the mutual escape speed, and at an oblique angle, do the outcomes of our simulations begin to resemble Arrokoth, the New Horizon scientists wrote in one of their research papers.

The simulations suggest that Arrokoths two halves came together at a speed of 7 mph or less. Theyre just kissing, William McKinnon, a planetary scientist at Washington University of St. Louis, explained at todays briefing. If they were spacecraft, theyd be docking.

Another clue came from the uniformity of the objects spectral signature. Both lobes are unusually red in color, and spectral analysis suggests the strong presence of methanol ice. The fact that the two lobes are chemically homogeneous serves as further evidence that they formed in close proximity.

Its drawing basically from locally sourced materials all at once, Lowell Observatorys Will Grundy said.

McKinnon said the cloud-collapse scenario would explain how the solar system got such a fast start 4.5 billion years ago. It jump-starts planet formation, he said.

Planetesimals like Arrokoth almost certainly served as the seeds for growing bigger worlds, including terrestrial planets like Earth and gas giants like Jupiter, the scientists said.

A 3-D reconstruction of Arrokoths shape indicates that the larger lobe measures 12.8 by 12.3 wide and 5.8 miles thick, while the smaller lobe is 9.6 by 8.6 miles wide and 6.1 miles thick. Those dimensions make the snowman look more like a squashed bug  but overall, its not as squashed as scientists assumed it was last year. Arrokoths volume is now estimated to be 30% larger than previously thought.

Today New Horizons is more than 315 million miles beyond Arrokoth and zooming outward through the Kuiper Belt, the icy ring of material on the solar systems edge. Its expected to keep sending back scientific data about Arrokoth for another year.

In the meantime, New Horizons scientists will be using time on ground-based telescopes to search for more distant Kuiper Belt objects that could be candidates for a future flyby. Within the next year or two, they hope to identify a third way-out world thats ready for its close-up.

The three Science studies are The Geology and Geophysics of Kuiper Belt Object (486958) Arrokoth, with John Spencer of the Southwest Research Institute as first author; The Solar Nebula Origin of (486958) Arrokoth, a Primordial Contact Binary in the Kuiper Belt, with William McKinnon of Washington University in St. Louis as first author; and Color, Composition and Thermal Environment of Kuiper Belt Object (486958) Arrokoth, with Will Grundy of the Lowell Observatory as first author.

More from GeekWire:
A 52-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Lyra McKee.

Paul McIntyre is due before Londonderry Magistrates Court this morning.

The 29-year-old journalist was shot dead in Derry on April 18 2019 as she observed a riot.

McIntyre, who was arrested by detectives on Tuesday and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite, is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.

Three other men arrested over her death were released on Tuesday night. A 20-year-old and a 27-year-old were released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service while a 29-year-old was released without charge.

We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation, the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.

"I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us.

"I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today, as we approach the anniversary of Lyra's murder.

"We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice," he said.

Supporters of McIntyre, from the Ballymagowan Park area of Derry, last night condemned his arrest and charge. They urged local republicans to attend the court this morning "to show Paul their support".

Ms McKee was killed in the Creggan area of Derry.

The New IRA admitted responsibility for the murder, which sparked headlines across the UK and Ireland.

In the wake of her killing, DUP leader Arlene Foster joined a vigil at the scene of the killing alongside Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald.

Ms McKee's funeral later heard calls for political leaders to resolve their differences and restore power-sharing.

The PSNI renewed its appeal for mobile phone footage of the night of the murder not previously shared with the police to be passed on to detectives.

The 29-year-old journalist was shot dead in Derry on 18 April 2019 as she observed a riot.

The man, who was arrested by detectives on Tuesday and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite, is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.

He will appear at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Earlier, three other men arrested over her death were released on Tuesday. A 20-year-old and a 27-year-old were released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service while a 29-year-old has been released without charge.

The quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.

"I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us. I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today, as we approach the anniversary of Lyras murder.

We saw widescale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice, he said.

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Ms McKee was killed in the Creggan area of Derry.

The New IRA admitted responsibility for the murder, which sparked headlines across the UK and Ireland.

In the wake of the murder DUP leader Arlene Foster joined a vigil at the scene of the killing alongside Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald.

Ms McKee's funeral later heard calls for political leaders to resolve their differences and restore power sharing.

The PSNI renewed its appeal for mobile phone footage of the night of the murder not previously shared with the police to be passed on to detectives.

Lyra McKee's family have complained to the Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson about how the PSNI carried out a search operation in Derry before her killing.

The PSNI said the search was necessary for operational reasons aimed at targeting dissident republicans.
Nobody saw Trump coming; nobody saw Brexit coming; nobody saw Sinn Fein coming. Shell-shocked media like headless chickens dont know what happened or what to do or where to go.

It was the medias duty to look at the real underlying causes of economic upheaval but they failed miserably. Bland discussion with gravely mistaken usual experts who never understood what happened in 2008 and are still in denial was the medias entire agenda.

As long as there is a denial of how greatly technology changed economics, the worst is still to come. It is to be hoped the media will now prove adequate for the task.

Election 2020 is Irelands Donald Trump moment; its Brexit shock horror decision; its moment of revolt against those who serve only the establishment.

The little guys have risen and rebelled; they are not going to continue electing conventional establishment government to bend the knee to multinationals and vulture funds while the lowly Irish languish and die on hospital trolleys or while many, unable to buy a home, pay rack rents to cuckoo funds or commute for hours to contracted jobs with very little security, entitlements or pension rights.

The establishment never understood nor wanted to understand how greatly modern technology changed the whole economic scene and how inadequate present ideology is to spread the benefits to all, and allay the fears of those abandoned by market forces because they are needed less and less in commercial distribution chains or automated workplaces.

Media has for 12 years refused to debate the real causes and impacts of technological change. They rely entirely on ill-informed and gravely mistaken economists and politicians to peddle the rubbish that 2008 was just another recession and that we are now in recovery.

What we experience is remission from the realities of technological economics and 2020 election results is the underlying malady of ill-advised policy breaking through. Just like the US and Britain, those in politics, economics and media who deny unprecedented economic change are on the run.

There has been a refusal for 12 years to seriously discuss the unprecedented economic impact of modern technology.

There had better be a change of tune before being swept away by those abandoned by inadequate ideology and cast on the scrapheap of business failure, impending unemployment, insecurity, dependency and despair.

Politics and the media have failed those people in eagerness to serve establishment markets and masters and we will all pay a sorry price if denial persists.

The technological achievement will out; it will not be denied and you ignore it at your peril.

- Padraic Neary

Tubbercurry

Co Sligo
Using the pretext of a pair of attacks on police officers by a single individual, now in custody, Edward Mullins, the head of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the union representing New York City police sergeants, announced that the police were declaring war on the citys mayor, Democrat Bill de Blasio. Mullins went on to say, De Blasio is to blame for this We have sent the message that it is OK to jump turnstiles it is OK to resist arrest. Were emboldening criminals.

These sentiments of police as victims were echoed by Detectives Endowment Association Vice-President Paul DiGiacamo. It sends a terrible message onto the community. It promotes criminal activity with no consequences, DiGiacamo said. The people who suffer are the people out there enforcing the law.

This coordinated response by the police is part of a right-wing backlash against a new state law eliminating cash bail for non-violent offences, a policy which had targeted the working class, many of whom languished in jail for months or years before going to trial because they didnt have the thousands of dollars required to be set free.

Wild and unsubstantiated claims have been made by the police that since the beginning of the year, when the new law took effect, the crime rate in the city has shot up by 16.9 percent year over year due to dangerous criminals being let loose. This while statistics indicate that murders are down by six percentage points and rapes have also declined. Overall, the city has experienced the lowest crime rates in decades.

Nevertheless, in an effort to foment a climate of fear and hysteria, as a justification for increased police violence and repression against the working class, the police union head accused the mayor of selling out the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to vile creatures, the 1 percent who hate cops but vote for you. These vile creatures which draw the ire of the police are in fact poor, working class individuals who have the democratic right to be considered innocent until and unless proven guilty at trial. According to the NYPD, however, the poor have no such rights.

This campaign toward establishing a police state atmosphere received the enthusiastic backing of President Donald Trump, who tweeted that the New York police were under assault, blaming the mayor and the states governor, Andrew Cuomo, also a Democrat, for weak leadership. Trumps constant promotion of the police and military is part of his efforts to build a fascistic movement against the working class. In response, the head of the sergeants union stated that Trump should send in the feds. In effect, raising a call for martial law in the United States largest city. US Attorney General William Barr stated, I want them to know that they have the full support of this administration and this Department of Justice.

Both de Blasio and Cuomo reacted with vapid statements decrying what amounts to an open threat against civilian control of the police force. De Blasio whined that it is dangerous for Mullins to foment hatred and division. The mayor attempted to solidarize himself with the police after the shooting incidents, saying, Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere.

The response of NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was even more tepid, characterizing Mullins statements as inappropriate. It was in fact Shea who first claimed that the supposed spike in crime during January was the result of the curtailment of cash bail.

Cuomo commented that relations between the police and the community are dangerously frayed. This follows demonstrations against the increased use of police in the New York subways, prompted by the governors call for an additional 500 police to patrol the transit system.

In an expression of their true class positions, both de Blasio and Cuomo, who had previously supported the legislation eliminating cash bail for non-violent offenses, have since backpedaled, calling for adjustments to be made.

What amounts to a police revolt in New York City, supposedly provoked over two incidents against police carried out by a single individual, must be seen in its proper context. Over one thousand people were shot and killed by police in the US last year. The total so far for 2020 is at least 90. The growing class struggle around the world has been met by increased ruling class violence and repression, from police attacks on demonstrators in France to the establishment of concentration camps for immigrants on the US southern border.

New York is one of the most unequal cities in the world. Over 60,000 of the citys residents are homeless. While the citys elite amass ever greater amounts of wealth, the income gap between them and the majority of the population continues to widen. As of last year, New York was home to 103 billionaires. The top one percent of the population accounted for 40 percent of total income. Twenty percent of New Yorkers are officially considered poor, nearly twice the rate in 1970. Under such circumstances, a social explosion is inevitable, and the ruling class is preparing to respond.
The Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has urged stakeholders in the radio industry to be tolerant of multiple views and perspectives in the delivery of radio programming as part of efforts to improve diversity on radio.



Speaking on the theme of the 2020 World Radio Day - Diversity in Radio, Mr. Nkrumah observed that there is a growing tendency of many of us who want to force our opinions down the ears and the minds of everybody else and if it is not our opinion, then everybody else is wrong.



Mr. Nkrumah said it was crucial that industry players increase the level of tolerance while expressing their views to ensure that diversity penetrates through radio signals and affect content and everything else from the medium.



The Minister who is also MP for Ofoase Ayirebi also encouraged that media platforms design radio content that will promote diversity of opinions from the marginalized and the minority.



The views of these kind of people must be reflected in the kind of conversations we want to have so that we dont end up being the judges of the discussion but the consumer at home benefits from the various perspectives and in the end makes up his or her mind he added.





The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) set aside 13th February of each year to celebrates radio as a way of educating people, providing information and promoting freedom of expression across varied cultures.



According to the UNESCO, the day was set aside to primarily raise greater awareness among the public and the media of the importance of radio; to encourage decision makers to establish and provide access to information through radio; as well as to enhance networking and international cooperation among broadcasters.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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If state lawmakers think the issue of school property tax elimination isnt uppermost on the minds of their constituents, they should have been in Marysville on Wednesday afternoon.

Perry County resident Bonnie Comp, a widow whose house burned down last year, shared she struggles to pay her school taxes and keep up with her other bills.

Stephen Moyer of Pottsville asked for empathy for seniors and veterans who are in fear of losing their homes after working their whole lives and paying taxes. As a Meals on Wheels volunteer, he said he sees it when he delivers meals.

Were past discussion, he said. We need action.

They were among the more than 50 residents who turned out for the midday meeting at the Marysville Lions Club for a Senate Majority Policy Committee meeting on school property tax elimination.

Sen. John DiSanto, R-Dauphin County, said he doesnt grow tired of hearing the personal stories about the burden school property taxes place on his constituents.

They all kind of keep you motivated to fight the fight, he said.

Pennsylvanians have been waiting for over four decades for state lawmakers to find a different way to fund public schools. Lawmakers promise to do something about this issue in each election cycle. Yet, despite many fits and starts over the years, it remains unresolved.

Meanwhile, the amount of money that schools rely on to come from this major revenue stream continues to rise. A recent report from the Independent Fiscal Office forecasts the school property tax collections this year will amount to $15.3 billion.

Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill County, told the crowd at the meetings outset that he and DiSanto and the three other lawmakers in attendance are committed to "not giving up. "

After all, DiSanto said Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, committed to bringing a school property tax reform bill to a vote on the Senate floor this year.

Scarnati told reporters last month Gov. Tom Wolf is engaged in the issue and agrees with him that its an issue that should be addressed.

It comes down to tough votes. Thats what it comes down to, Scarnati said. You just cant keep going home telling people you are for property tax reform but secretly dont want to vote on it. Weve got to have that conversation.

A bi-partisan House and Senate work group last year came up with five different alternatives to eliminate or reduce property taxes by making changes to the states personal income and/or sales tax rates. Argall has his Senate Bill 76 that provides a pathway to property tax elimination through a combination of higher sales or personal income taxes. Rep. Frank Ryan, R-Lebanon County, last year put forth a plan that, among other elements, would impose a tax on retirement income.

Rep. Mark Keller, R-Perry County, said Republicans in the GOP-controlled House havent discussed the issue while waiting to see what legislation the Senate sends over to them.

We know the Senate is close to a vote, he said.

At the meeting, the panel of lawmakers also heard from representatives from the school, business, taxpayer and homebuyer communities, whose stances sometimes clashed.

If you shift the burden from property taxes to other taxpayers, we are concerned that some of those proposals disproportionately shift that burden on to small businesses, said Alex Halper from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

But Ron Boltz of the Pennsylvania Liberty Alliance, a grassroots organization whose mission is focused on property tax elimination, countered businesses get tax advantages that homeowners dont.

Robert Pleis, superintendent of Twin Valley School District, urged lawmakers to keep in mind as they deliberate property tax reform that districts struggle to cover the mandated costs of charter school bills, special education and pension that rise faster than state funding increases.

Norristown Area School District Superintendent Christopher Dormer made a plea that lawmakers build in assurances that future funding levels to districts are stable and predictable. He said the sales and income taxes can fluctuate and districts cant handle a reduction in funding if those tax collections drop.

Boltz challenged that, saying property taxes are dependable to school districts but not stable for taxpayers who see their school tax bills generally rise year after year.

Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe County, was among those in attendance to hear the discussion. He regularly harps on the need for property tax reform at the end of Senate session days and shares stories of the burden it places on his constituents, including homeowners who died to avoid losing their homes. He said he is determined to get something done this year on property tax elimination.

If we cant do [Senate Bill] 76, Im going to be very firm in doing something for seniors, he said.

Rep. Andrew Lewis, R-Dauphin County, said every perspective that was offered at the session will be considered. But he made it clear he shares the view that Boltz and PA Liberty Alliance colleague Dean Klopp, expressed that homeowners should not lose their homes because they cant pay government taxes.

Its a justice issue, Lewis said. You should not have to rent your own property.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar on Thursday issued a statement expressing grief over the death of 14 people who were killed in an accident at the Lucknow-Agra expressway near Firozabad.

He also wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

The Bihar Chief Minister also announced that the victims of the accident hailing from Bihar will receive a compensation of Rs 2lakh in case of fatality and Rs 50,000 for serious injuries.

Earlier on Thursday, a private bus, with 40-45 passengers on board, rammed into a stationary truck on the Lucknow-Agra expressway.

"The bus driver did not take notice of the truck and hit it from behind," said Sachindra Patel, SSP, Firozabad.

The injured were admitted to Saifai PGI for treatment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Swedish director Ruben Ostlunds 2014 film Force Majeure produced some noticeable ripples in the international art film realm thanks to its icy examination of love and marriage. Existing somewhere between the banal horrors of Michael Haneke (Cache, Funny Games, The Piano Teacher) and the detached decay of Bergmans Scenes From a Marriage, it won the Jury Prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. Like virtually any foreign film that receives any measurable attention, an American remake was inevitable.

The English language reshoot comes to us courtesy of the writing-directing team of Nat Faxon & Jim Rashwho did wonderful, subtle work adapting Kaui Hart Hemmings novel The Descendants for Alexander Paynes 2011 film version. (The duo split a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for their efforts.) Unfortunately, their grip on the material seems less confident this time around. To be fair, Ostlunds original was a tough nut to crack. Billed as something of a black comedy, the film was a uniquely uncomfortable peek inside the rapidly disintegrating marriage of a vacationing couple. How funny you found its occasional humor depended largely on how amused you were by other peoples existential angst.

Our main characters in this Americanized go-around are Pete (Will Ferrell) and Billie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a middle-aged, upper-middle-class couple trying to loosen up for a change and have some fun at a fancy Austrian ski resort with their two bored teens. The inclusion of Ferrell and Louis-Dreyfus offers the promise of some comic hijinks. And Faxon & Rashs version does turn up the dial on the comedyto a degree. Those hoping for a wacky, Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby-style romp are bound to be disappointed. Ferrell, setting the tone here, finds himself much more in the seriocomic mood of 2011s bleakly satirical indie Everything Must Go.

The basic plot follows the original fairly closely. The simple story centers entirely around a single incident that happens at the ski resort. While sitting at an outdoor restaurant with the kids, Pete and Billie watch as an avalanche, triggered by the resorts show cannons, rumbles down the mountainside toward them. At first, diners react with awe, rising to their feet to record it on various smartphones. But as the white wall billows dangerously close, threatening to engulf the patio, Pete reactsinstinctively and none too wisely. Essentially, he gets up from the table and runs the hell away. The avalanche proves to be a bust, running out of steam before hitting the restaurant. Everyones fine, including Petes wife and kids. He returns to the table and tries to brush off what happened. But the damage has been done. The family now sees him in an entirely different light.

In the original the avalanche was even more of a non-issue, a faint dusting of snow that served as a metaphor for the stress fractures hiding under the surface of our protagonists stable but chilly marriage. In the 2014 version, shes quietly horrified and hes secretly mortified. The more they dont talk about the incident, the worse it becomes. In this version, the avalanche is a bit scarier, and it leads to a lot more overt problemsmostly in the form of raised voices and heated arguments.

The glacial, observational tone of Ostlunds film (so many lengthy, uninterrupted wide shots) has been speeded up here, but the tone remains voyeuristic and uncomfortable. Yet where Ostlunds packed a primal punch, Faxon & Rashs offers only a light slap. Gone is the hair-trigger tensionthe looming mountain peaks, the threatening snowstorms, the unexpected Boom! of the avalanche cannons. So much in the original was left unspoken. But here, Ferrell and Louis-Dreyfus are freed to engage one another in angry banterwhich somehow eases the building tension while increasing the discomfort level. Nobody likes to watch mom and dad fight, and at the root of it all, thats what Downhill is.

There are weightier emotional issues that Downhill hints at. But Faxon & Rashs script doesnt dig nearly deep enough into the frozen tundra. Is Pete a coward? Are his actions somehow unmanly? Does he really not care for the health and safety of his family? The original film brought up these immediate questions, but quickly extrapolated beyond them, looking past the simple fear of natural disaster and into more esoteric adult bugaboos such as growing up, getting married, having kids, accepting responsibility, growing old and dying. Whatfor better or worsewas an uncomfortable and emotionally lacerating ride is now far more commercial and watered down, right up to the ameliorative, arguably happy ending this version tries to conjure. Go find the original instead.
Facts about St. Valentine

Unfortunately, because St. Valentine lived more than 1700 years ago, we dont have many solid details on his life. Because, as mentioned before, we dont have 5600 Greek manuscripts corroborating the evidence and details of his life, as we do have for the New Testament, we have only some skeletonic facts about the life of this Saint.

First, we do know that St. Valentine lived during the mid to late 3rd century. As a refresher in church history, this was a period of intense persecution in Rome prior to Constantines reign in Rome in the 300s AD where he legalized Christianity.

We know that St. Valentine was working as a Roman priest during the reign of an emperor named Claudius, as explained by David Kithcart in this article. The emperors nickname, Claudius the Cruel, can give readers a hint at some of the persecution Christians may have endured under his rule. Whats more, many Romans experienced some persecution under the emperor as well.

As stated in the History.com article linked above, Claudius likely believed that the reason the Roman army wasnt as formidable as possible was because husbands wanted to stay at homes with their wives and families instead of fighting in wars.

To combat this, Claudius made marriage and engagements illegal in Rome to sway male soldiers to stay in the Roman army and not worry about a significant other back home.

Valentine, a proponent of marriage, especially Christian marriage, married many couples in secret.

When Claudius II discovered him, explains Kithcart, he sentenced Valentine to a three-part execution: beating, stoning, and then a beheading. Most believe St. Valentine was killed during the year 270 AD, but some have debated whether his death happened during one of the surrounding years.

Valentine has since become a patron Saint of Love, and actually, a patron saint of beekeepers, explains this article from World Vision, since bees are often equated as an aphrodisiac.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Elijah Hail
Toyota Gazoo Racing's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso smiles ahead of the 2020 Dakar Rally. (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP)

Ed Carpenter says he rejected the Spaniard's pitch to add a car because he already has one extra entry for the May 24 oval classic, according to a report on the network's website.

"We're not positioned to run more than three. We're a two-car team," Carpenter said. "If we doubled the size of our team for May, it wouldn't be good for everybody."

The American will drive one car with Dutchman Rinus VeeKay in another and an extra entry for Indy-area native Conor Daly, who was a career-best 10th last year in his sixth Indy 500 start.

Alonso, 38, was reportedly poised to drive for Honda-powered Andretti Autosport before the enginemaker rejected the plan.

There are other Chevrolet-powered IndyCar teams but Roger Penske's top Chevy lineup already has an extra fourth car for 44-yar-old Brazilian Helio Castroneves, who seeks to match the career Indy 500 win record with a fourth victory.

Alonso won the 2005 and 2006 F1 crowns and retired after the 2018 season. He raced in the 2017 Indy 500, starting fifth and leading 27 laps before his engine failed 21 laps from the finish. He placed 24th.

Last year, Alonso attempted to qualify for the race but was edged in qualifying for the last spot in the 33-car field.
Last week I was informed about 11 young individuals who were each issued a ticket for kayaking on the Current River. The water level was evidentially eight inches too high for non-motorized watercraft. They werent smoking dope or pushing pills, they were just enjoying natures beauty on the river with family and friends. Isnt that what we want our young people doing?

If the river levels were so dangerous that it warranted 11 tickets being issued, then why on earth would the ranger allow them to get back on the river and finish the float? Either it wasnt that dangerous or he just put several peoples lives at serious risk. My opinion is that the river levels were not dangerous and this was just an over reach of government.

When the individuals asked how they were supposed to know that the river was closed to kayaking, they were told they should have called and asked. The ranger told them that if they would have started at the campsite and floated to the bridge, instead of starting above and floating back to the campsite that they would not have received the tickets. Since he had jurisdiction over that part of the river he was issuing tickets to all of them. Whether you start at point A or end at point A the water level will still be the same at Point A.

Something just doesnt seem right when all 11 of these individuals are old enough to put their life on the line for our country, but government doesnt believe they can make a decision about kayaking when the water level is slightly above normal. Over the last several weeks we have seen a lot of things happen that we never imagined would happen in our lifetime. If we dont wake up to what is going on around us we will see government take more and more of our freedoms away.

Meet the Candidates forum

It was so nice to be in Wayne County last week for a Meet the Candidates forum for the upcoming August primary election. I was surprised at the number of people that showed up to listen to the candidates. There were candidates for the local as well as statewide elections. Its nice to have some many individuals interested in public service. It is not an easy thing to do to put your name on the ballot and all of these individuals need to be commended whether they win or not, for having the desire to serve their community.

Online dashboard to track Missouris economic recovery

Missouri moved into Phase 2 of the Show Me Strong Economic Recovery Plan on Tuesday, June 16 and is now officially fully open for business. In an effort to track the states economic recovery, Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Economic Development launched an online economic recovery dashboard. The new dashboard can be viewed at showmestrong.mo.gov/dashboard/.

The director of the Department of Economic Development said, In the economy, were starting to see early signs of recovery. Data driven decision making is a core value of our department and it is crucial that other leaders use this data to revitalize our economy and get Missourians back to work.

The dashboard tracks metrics across multiple categories impacting businesses, communities and citizens. Already, the state is exhibiting early signs of recovery, including:

A decrease in continued unemployment claims from a peak of more than 440,234 to just over 350,490.

An increase in the hours worked by Missourians employed hourly by small businesses such as restaurants and retailers. These workers were at only about 50 percent of the hours that they worked in January. The most recent data shows improvement, with a 22.9 percent decline from January levels as of May 29.

An increase in the small businesses seeing an uptick in revenue. At the end of April one survey showed only 5 percent of small businesses were seeing increases in revenue. The latest data has climbed to more than 15 percent.

Renewed credit and debit card spending. At its lowest point, credit and debit card consumer spending had fallen by roughly 35.2 percent since January. The latest data shows the state has returned to within 5 percent of January levels.

Increases in job postings in some of the hardest hit industries like leisure and hospitality.

Helping low-income Missourians with cooling bills

Low-income Missourians who may need help with payments for their summer cooling bills received good news this week. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) received an additional $15 million in funding that will allow the program to assist more Missourians in need. The increased funding will double the maximum benefit amount to $600 and allow the program to serve the needs of a greater number of Missourians who are now facing a crisis.

The program provided assistance to 114,639 Missouri households during the federal Fiscal Year 2019. To be eligible for the program, low-income Missourians must:

Be responsible for paying home cooling costs,

Have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments,

Have a household income of 135 percent or less of the federal poverty level (a monthly income of $2,400 for a family of three or $2,897 for a family of four) and,

Be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence.

To apply for the LIHEAP program, households need to complete one application form and then mail or fax the form to the office serving their community listed on the last page of the application. The application can be found online at https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/formsmanual/EA-1-Application-for-the-Low-Income-Home-Energy-Assistance-Program.pdf. Missourians can also call 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for more information.

New Missouri driver license available June 22

Missourians who go to renew their driver licenses will see a new design chosen in honor of the states upcoming bicentennial. The newly redesigned licenses will be available starting June 22 and the new design will also be reflected on the Missouri non-driver identification card and instruction permit.

Along with an updated design, the new Missouri driver license includes enhanced security features that will further deter counterfeiting and fraud and help protect Missourians from identity theft. It is important to note that a previously issued Missouri driver license or ID card is still valid until its listed expiration date and that nothing else about the process of applying for or obtaining a driver license or ID card is changing.

The new design includes enhanced security features such as designated header colors for different license types, ghost images, an updated laser perforation in the shape of a dogwood flower and more. Special optional indicators, such as Organ Donor, Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) and Veteran, will appear on the front of the card, while others appear on the back.

Missouri residents who wish to obtain the new driver license as part of normal processing will not be charged any additional fees. The standard duplicate processing fees will apply to those who request a new driver license or ID card outside of their normal renewal period and solely for the purpose of obtaining the new version.

Missouri residents will continue to have the option of applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card. The REAL ID-compliant versions of Missouris new driver license and ID card will continue to feature a star in the upper right-hand corner. Versions of Missouris new driver licenses and ID cards that are not compliant with REAL ID will continue to have NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES in the upper right-hand corner.

Its important for Missourians to note that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 health crisis. For more information about REAL ID, visit dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information/.

Missouri residents can apply for their driver license, non-driver ID card or instruction permit at any one of the more than 170 contract license offices throughout the state. Find a license office near you at dor.mo.gov/offloc/.

I hope you have a wonderful week! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have. As your Representative, I am here to assist you however I can. I can be reached by email at Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-2112. Please do not contact me via social media. These messages are easy to overlook and may not be responded to in a timely manner.

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Nirbhaya's parents Thursday protested outside a trial court premises here against the delay in hanging of the four death row convicts for gang rape and murder of their daughter, while the condemned prisoners' kin protested against the death sentence.

The protests were held after the court adjourned for Monday the hearing on the pleas seeking fresh warrants against the convicts.

"We too have some rights. The legal system is only thinking about the rights of the convicts," Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi said, while joining a protest being held by women rights activist Yogita Bhayana outside the courts premises.

The family members of the convicts, on the hand, held placards stating that "five people cannot be hanged for the death of one person".

Devi had also sat on 'dharna' outside the Patiala House courts premises on Wednesday demanding execution of the convicts without any further delay.

She further said, "There is no appeal pending in any court in the country... I appeal to the Supreme Court to issue the death warrant as this court (trial) is in no mood to issue one. We are losing hope".

While raising slogans for hanging of the four convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31) -- Devi said: "We are waiting for justice. I assure rape victims that they will also get justice. But today I myself have lost hope."



Bhayana said, "The people of this country are losing hope with every passing day. When will convicts be hanged?"



Convict Pawan Gupta's sister demanded that her brother should not be hanged.

"He is innocent. Five deaths for one death is not justified. We want the death penalty to be abolished. There should be no politics on this case," she said.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Boral Limited (Boral or the Company) (OTCMKTS: BOALY; BOALF). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980.



The investigation concerns whether Boral and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On December 5, 2019, Boral disclosed that it had identified financial irregularities in its North American window business, involving the misreporting of inventory levels and raw material and labor cost at the window plants, and was conducting an internal investigation into the matter. Then, on February 9, 2020, Boral revealed that its investigation had found inflated earnings at its North American window-making business and announced that the Company had fired the division's vice president of finance and financial controller.

On this news, Borals American depositary receipt price fell $1.08 per share, or 7.83%, to close at $12.72 per share on February 10, 2020.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.
Uranium Energy Corp Welcomes President Trump\-\-s 2021 Budget for the Purchase of Domestic Uranium

Posted by Publisher Internet

Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC, the ?Company? or ?UEC? -? https://www.commodity-tv.com/play/stephen-moore-trump-decision-on-us-uranium-probably-until-end-of-2020/) applauds President Trump?s ?Budget for America?s Future? which includes a 10-year, $150M per year program ($1.5 billion total), to purchase U.S. mined uranium for a strategic national Uranium Reserve.

In the budget, the Administration noted that: ?Establishing a Uranium Reserve provides assurance of availability of uranium in the event of a market disruption and supports strategic U.S. fuel cycle capabilities. This action addresses immediate challenges to the production of domestic uranium and reflects the Administration\-\-s Nuclear Fuel Working Group (NFWG) priorities. The NFWG will continue to evaluate issues related to uranium supply chain and fuel supply.??

In commenting on the Uranium Reserve proposal, US Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette indicated: ?This is the very beginning of a long process to revitalize in many respects the entirety of the nuclear fuel cycle. What you\-\-ve seen in the President\-\-s budget is a request for $150 million to begin the process of purchasing uranium. But it won\-\-t stop there.\

Former Secretary of Energy and UEC Chairman, Spencer Abraham, stated: ?We appreciate the Trump Administration?s recognition of the national security risk from U.S. over reliance on imported uranium for 99% of uranium supplied to the commercial nuclear reactor fleet. The establishment of a Uranium Reserve will allow domestic uranium companies to restart some operations and begin to rebuild domestic uranium mining capability. We hope Congress will support the Administration?s proposal and funding request.? The sooner action is taken the sooner we can put people back to work in the uranium mining sector and begin reducing our overdependence on uranium imports from countries that are not always aligned with U.S. interests.?

President and CEO, Amir Adnani, added: ?The Administration should be applauded for taking steps to revive and expand domestic nuclear fuel production as outlined in President Trump?s July 12, 2019 memo establishing the NFWG. We are pleased President Trump has taken the first step to act on the recommendations of the NFWG by initiating a program to purchase U.S. mined uranium for America?s strategic Uranium Reserve. This is great news for the domestic uranium mining industry, and we look forward to working with the NFWG to help fulfil the program?s objectives.?

Since inception in 2005, UEC?s main strategic focus has been on acquiring and developing U.S. in-situ recovery (ISR) projects that are an environmentally friendly and a lower cost alternative to conventional mining. The Company has a near term extraction profile of 4 million pounds of U3O8 per year from our South Texas and Wyoming ISR projects.? The Company?s South Texas hub-and-spoke strategy contains the fully licensed and operational Hobson Processing plant with a capacity of 2 million pounds a year, and license amendments pending, to increase that capacity.? Our South Texas Palangana mine has proven production capabilities and received renewal permits in 2019, authorizing extraction for an additional ten years.?

UEC has made the only new discovery of a uranium resource* in the U.S. over the last decade at Burke Hollow in South Texas, and has been aggressively advancing the project towards extraction over the last two years. Burke Hollow has received all its major permits, has an expanded Production Area 1 after this past year?s drilling campaign and can be a timely source of supply for the national Uranium Reserve. ??

The Company?s Reno Creek ISR project in Wyoming is the largest, licensed, pre-production project in the U.S. with a Measured and Indicated Resource of 32 million tons grading 0.041% U3O8 containing 26 million pounds of uranium and Inferred Resources of 1.92 million tons grading 0.039% U3O8 containing 1.49 million pounds*.? Reno Creek is licensed to produce 2 million pounds of U3O8 per year and received a modified Permit to Construct in 2019, allowing the Company to move forward with construction of ISR wellfields that could also contribute to the U.S. Uranium Reserve Program.

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is a U.S.-based uranium mining and exploration company.? In South Texas, the Company?s hub-and-spoke operations are anchored by the fully-licensed Hobson Processing Facility which is central to the Palangana, Burke Hollow and Goliad ISR projects.? In Wyoming, UEC controls the Reno Creek project, which is the largest permitted, pre-construction ISR uranium project in the U.S.? Additionally, the Company controls a pipeline of uranium projects in Arizona, New Mexico and Paraguay, a uranium/vanadium project in Colorado and one of the highest-grade and largest undeveloped Ferro-Titanium deposits in the world, located in Paraguay.? The Company?s operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

The mineral resources referred to herein have been estimated in accordance with the definition standards on mineral resources of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in NI 43-101 and are not compliant with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the ?SEC?) Industry Guide 7 guidelines.? In addition, measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources and inferred mineral resources, while recognized and required by Canadian regulations, are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.? Accordingly, we have not reported them in the United States.? Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral resources in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves.? These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility.? It should be noted that mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.? It cannot be assumed that all or any part of measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources or inferred mineral resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category.? In accordance with Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.? Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the reported measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources or inferred mineral resources referred to herein are economically or legally mineable.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company are or may constitute ?forward-looking statements? as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws and including, without limitation, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, for which the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements.? These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.? Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as ?expects? or ?does not expect?, ?is expected?, ?anticipates? or ?does not anticipate?, ?plans, ?estimates? or ?intends?, or stating that certain actions, events or results ?may?, ?could?, ?would?, ?might? or ?will? be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as forward-looking statements.? Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.? Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage.? Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.? There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.? Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved.? Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.? Many of these factors are beyond the Company?s ability to control or predict.? Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company?s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.? The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.? Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.? This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.
Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter speaks at a rally for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose presidential campaign Nutter is chairing. Read more

Last year, as he prepared to launch his presidential campaign, Michael Bloomberg spoke at a black megachurch in Brooklyn and bluntly apologized for the use of the controversial police tactic known as stop and frisk during his tenure as mayor of New York City.

I was wrong, Bloomberg told congregants at the Christian Cultural Center. And I am sorry.

Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who is now Bloombergs campaign chairperson, helped craft the speech and is one of Bloombergs top surrogates on the issue. But you wont hear Nutter apologize for the use of stop-and-frisk during his eight years as mayor.

In an interview Wednesday, Nutter defended stop-and-frisk as a constitutionally allowed strategy and tactic that was one of many tools used by police during his tenure.

As mayor, he said, you are responsible for public safety. You must do everything you can, legally, to reduce violence.

Nutter, however, said he would apologize to any Philadelphians who were abused by police in stop-and-frisk encounters.

I certainly would apologize to any person who was treated inappropriately, or felt that they were treated inappropriately, but again, the focus of the effort is trying to do everything we could, legally, to reduce violence, he said.

In 2013, a federal judge found that New Yorks stop-and-frisk program violated the Constitution because it targeted minorities for stops without reasonable suspicion they had committed crimes. The ruling, however, didnt find that all stop-and-frisk policies are unconstitutional. New York revised its policy, and the practice is still used by police there and in Philadelphia.

Bloomberg is facing renewed criticism over stop-and-frisk following the release of a 2015 audio recording in which he justified the policy and discussed violence and race in blunt terms.

Ninety-five percent of your murders  murderers and murder victims  fit one M.O. You can just take the description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops, Bloomberg says in the clip. They are male minorities, 16 to 25. Thats true in New York. Thats true in virtually every city. ... And thats where the real crime is. Youve got to get the guns out of the hands of the people that are getting killed.

A key strategy for Bloomberg  whose late entry into the race meant he missed the early state contests  is to appeal to African American voters, a vital Democratic constituency. Nutter said that recent polls show Bloomberg as the second choice among black voters, after former Vice President Joe Biden. How Bloomberg weathers the controversy surrounding the audio recording could play a significant role in his campaign.

Just as stop-and-frisk continues to dog Bloomberg, the issue has not gone away in Philadelphia politics, either. Mayor Jim Kenney has faced criticism from criminal justice reform advocates for abandoning his campaign promise to end the tactic once he took office replacing Nutter.

City Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker has written legislation that would let voters decide whether to ban unconstitutional stop-and-frisk in the city through a referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot.
(CNN)  The Chinese province at the center of the novel coronavirus outbreak reported a record spike in deaths Thursday, bringing the total number to more than 1,300 people globally, as experts warned the epidemic could "create havoc" in less prepared countries.

Health authorities in Hubei announced an additional 242 deaths and 14,840 cases of the virus, known officially as Covid-19, as of Thursday morning, the largest single-day rise since the epidemic began and almost ten times the number of cases confirmed the previous day.

The government explained the spike as due to a change in how cases are tabulated -- the total will now include "clinically diagnosed cases" after rising numbers of residents complained about the difficulty in getting tested and treated for the virus.

"Clinically diagnosed cases" are those patients who demonstrate all the symptoms of Covid-19 but have been unable to be scientifically tested, or died before they were tested. The hope is that more people will be able to receive treatment by allowing doctors to diagnose them with the virus.

Almost 34,000 patients have been hospitalized across Hubei, the central Chinese province of which Wuhan is capital, including 1,400 or so in a critical condition. So far, 3,441 patients have recovered and been discharged.

Globally, the virus has killed infected more than 60,000 people worldwide, with the vast majority of cases in mainland China. Only two deaths have occurred outside of the mainland China.

The major increase in the number of deaths and cases of the coronavirus appears to dash hopes that the outbreak was leveling off. It comes as additional cases were confirmed on the quarantined cruise ship docked in the Japanese city of Yokohama, and in the US, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the country "can and should be prepared for this new virus to gain a foothold."

In the UK too, a new case was confirmed Wednesday in the capital London, with health officials warning that more were likely to follow.

World Health Organization (WHO) officials had previously expressed some optimism at the apparently stabilizing outbreak in China, but even then they cautioned that the virus could still spread elsewhere.

"This outbreak could still go in any direction," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday.

"We have to invest in preparedness," Tedros said, adding that richer countries should help invest in countries with a weaker health system. He warned the virus could "create havoc" if it reaches a country whose health system is not capable of handling such an epidemic.

Case number confusion

The massive increase in the number of cases exposes confusion over just how to diagnose the virus globally, not least in central China, where residents with symptoms had expressed frustration that they were not able to get treatment due to a delay in diagnosis.

Those delays could be significant, with some reports of patients waiting up to a week for their results, as the testing kits were sent from Hubei to a lab in Beijing. While there have been efforts to speed up the process, scientific testing of samples is difficult and time consuming, and allowing doctors to diagnose patients will enable far more people to receive treatment, including in several purpose-built hospitals dedicated to treating the virus in Wuhan.

Delays in testing are not confined to China. In the US, the CDC currently requires that all potential samples are shipped to its central laboratories for full testing.

In its guidance for hospitals, the CDC also warns that "in the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected." However, it adds that if a person is showing symptoms but tests negative for Covid-19, it is likely that the virus is not the cause of their illness.

Speaking at a US Senate hearing on Wednesday, Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, said that testing was not been done aggressively enough and should be expanded to cover more symptoms.

"I think that we should be leaning in very aggressively to broaden diagnostic screening right now, particularly in communities where there was a lot of immigration, where these outbreaks could emerge, to identify them early enough that they'll be small enough that we can intervene to prevent more epidemic spread in this country," he said.

Gottlieb pointed to Singapore, which has now identified around 50 cases, to make a point about the US, which receives similar numbers of travelers from China every year.

"On a statistical basis, there's no reason to believe that if Singapore got implants of this virus, we didn't. You would expect them to be identified earlier in Singapore" as a densely populated island, he said. "But it does suggest, at least to me, that we probably have some community spread right now that we just haven't identified yet."

He also questioned the quality of data coming out of China -- something many outside observers have been doing, and the radical shift in how cases are diagnosed will likely not help.

"I don't trust the reporting in China, and I also believe that the China numbers reflect the most severe cases, so we're getting a skewed view of the case fatality rate and how severe this is," Gottlieb said.

Counting milder or asymptomatic cases could make the case fatality rate drop significantly, he added, but "even a case fatality rate of .2 or .5 could be catastrophic if this is highly contagious and spreads around the world."

Speaking at the same hearing, Asha George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, said that China may be limited in its testing and reporting resources, versus simply "a lack of desire on the part of the Chinese government to report."

In public health schools, George said students are taught to assume they don't have complete data and account for cases they don't yet know about.

"We're often taught to multiply by seven or eight times what you've been told. For every one case you see, there are seven or eight out there that you don't," she explained. "So that means actually we'd be looking at hundreds of thousands of cases. I think that's the scale at which we should be planning."

Cruise ship misery

Outside of China, the largest single outbreak remains on a cruise ship in the Japanese port of Yokohama, south of Tokyo.

Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said an additional 44 virus cases had been confirmed on board the

Diamond Princess as of Thursday, bringing the total number on board to 219.

Kato did not give a breakdown by nationality of the new cases, nor of passengers versus crew. CNN's latest tally indicates that at least 24 Americans have tested positive for the virus aboard the ship.

The Health Minister also said that people who had tested negative for the virus and are over 80 years old, or have a non-virus medical condition requiring attention, will be allowed to leave the ship and move to a government medical facility, if they wish. He did not give a timeline for that process. Already on Tuesday, an unknown number of passengers with non-virus medical conditions were allowed to disembark.

Frustration is growing, however, among the thousands passengers and crew on board, who have been unable to leave the ship for a week now.

Speaking to CNN, one crew member said she fears the crew are at greater risk of being exposed to the outbreak because they are not being quarantined in the same way as the passengers and are having to continue working to take care of the guests.

Sonali Thakkar, 24, from Mumbai, said she and her colleague -- who she shares a cabin with -- became ill with a headache, cough and a fever two days ago. Her supervisor told her to stop working and she is currently staying in her cabin in isolation.

"I'm not eating very well and have been having fevers," she told CNN in a Skype call Wednesday. "We all are really scared and tense."

Thakkar fears that the virus may be spreading around the crew members. At least five have already tested positive for the virus.

There was more positive news for another cruise ship, which has been struggling to find a port to dock at for several days after countries turned it away due to fears over a potential coronavirus outbreak.

The MS Westerdam had been in a holding pattern at sea after it was denied entry by Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan despite the ship having no confirmed cases on board. It is due to arrive in Cambodia Thursday morning, after authorities there approved it to dock there.

Tedros, the WHO director, thanks Cambodia for welcoming the ship.

"This is an example of the international solidarity we have consistently been calling for," the WHO director-general said, adding that "outbreaks can bring out the best and worst in people" and that "stigmatizing individuals or entire nations does nothing but harm the response."
TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: PFIA) Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the February 2020 monthly cash distribution of $0.0305 per unit for the ETF units (ETF Units) of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Income Alternative Fund. Unitholders of record of the ETF Units, at the close of business on February 21, 2020, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on February 28, 2020.



About Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Picton Mahoney Asset Management specializes in differentiated investment solutions and rules-based volatility management. Picton Mahoney helps its clients fortify their portfolios based on experience honed over the years through different market cycles and investing environments.

Founded in 2004 and 100% employee-owned, Picton Mahoney is a portfolio management boutique entrusted with over $8.0 billion (as at January 31, 2020) in assets under management. Pioneers of Authentic Hedge investment principles and practices in Canada, the firm offers a full suite of investment solutions, including mutual and alternative funds, to institutional and retail investors across the country.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Alternative funds can only be purchased through a registered dealer and are available only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale.

For further information please contact:

Arthur Galloway

Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Tel: (416) 955-4108

Web site: www.pictonmahoney.com

Email: service@pictonmahoney.com
NiseriN/iStock(EL PASO, Texas) -- Under heavy guard and restrained by shackles, the alleged gunman in a mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart store that left 22 people dead made his first federal court appearance on Wednesday to face multiple hate-crime charges stemming from the August 2019 massacre.



Patrick Crusius, 21, appeared in U.S. District Court in El Paso after Magistrate Miguel Torres rejected a request from his attorneys that he be allowed to enter the courtroom unrestrained.



In his ruling, Torres wrote that Crusius posed a security risk based on the "extremely violent offenses" he is charged with.



"The Court finds it appropriate that the Defendant be restrained at his initial appearance ... using the customary restraints used by the United States Marshals under the circumstances," wrote Torres in an order signed about an hour before Crusius' court appearance, according to El Paso ABC affiliate KVIA .



Around a dozen victims who survived the attack attended the hearing, some breaking into tears as they watched Crusius, according to KVIA.



Crusius' two court-appointed attorneys, David Lane and Rebecca Hudsmith, waived the reading of the charges against him and his right to a detention hearing.



"We are going to do everything in our power to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America," Lane told reporters outside the courtroom.



Already facing state capital murder charges, Crusius was indicted last week on 90 federal charges, including 22 counts of committing a hate crime resulting in death, 22 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder, 23 counts of a hate crime involving an attempt to kill and 23 counts of use of a firearm during a crime.



U.S. Attorney General William Barr said he will decide whether to pursue the death penalty after consulting with the victims' families.



Crusius did not enter a plea and remained silent throughout Wednesday's hearing.



He is accused of being the sole gunman to carry out the Aug. 3, 2019, killing rampage that federal authorities investigated as an act of "domestic terrorism," meaning the suspect was allegedly intent on "coercing and intimidating a civilian population," officials said.



Crusius allegedly told investigators following his arrest that he set out to kill as many Mexicans as he could after driving from his home in Allen, Texas, about 650 miles east of El Paso, armed with an AK-47 style semi-automatic rifle and 1,000 rounds of hollow-point ammunition, officials said.



During the investigation of the massacre, investigators discovered a document titled "The Inconvenient Truth" allegedly written by Crusius and posted online, in which he purportedly discussed his hate for immigrants and Mexicans, and said his motive for the attack was to defend the United States from an invasion, according to the federal indictment.



Law enforcement officials told ABC News that Crusius cased the Walmart, going inside without any weapons, apparently to size up the clientele inside the store, which is about 5 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.



After seeing the 1,000 to 3,000 people that police estimate were inside at the time, Crusius exited the store and allegedly armed himself, officials said. He returned wearing protective ear muffs, safety glasses and wielding the high-powered rifle, according to video surveillance of him inside the store.



Police officials said Crusius allegedly started firing indiscriminately at victims, many of whom were doing back-to-school shopping, before he even walked through the front door.



The victims killed ranged in age from 15 to 90. More than two dozen people were injured in the rampage.



Eight of the 22 people killed were Mexican nationals and nine additional Mexicans were among those wounded, officials said.



Weeks before the shooting, Crusius' mother contacted police to express concern over her son owning an assault rifle due to his age, maturity level and lack of experience, the family's attorneys, Chris Ayres and R. Jack Ayres, told ABC News in August.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Over the past few months, incidents of police brutality in Delhi have remained in the forefront, hitting a new low every time, with every new incident. Even as anti-CAA protesters and students fight public apathy, police brutality continues unabated.



"The students had barely reached the Holy Family Hospital when they found police standing prepared there in three layers. They were wearing steel gears, carrying flash rods, sticks and more. They started squeezing students with the steel gear. We were beaten up with shoes, flash rods and also kicked in the stomach," alleged Safura Zargar, one of the injured students.

Hundreds of Jamia students and residents of nearby areas were stopped by police on February 9 for taking out a march to Parliament against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and a possible National Register of Citizens, leading to a standoff during which scuffles broke out between protesters and security personnel.

AP

The students alleged that the police action was a preplanned conspiracy to stop their march by attacking them.

Students have claimed that police kicked them on their private parts, tore their hijabs, questioned their patriotism and abused them when they tried to march to Parliament against CAA and NRC.

Addressing a press conference, around 20 injured students under the Jamia Coordination Committee narrated what they claimed were police brutalities, according to a report by news agency PTI.

The students claimed over 50 of them received injuries on their chest, stomach and their private parts during the scuffles.

Reuters

They said they were taken to the MA Ansari Hospital at Jamia Nagar and Al Shifa Hospital. Twelve students are in the ICU, they claimed.

The students who were speaking to the media were discharged from the hospitals.

"A senior officer threatened me in front of a group of students, 'I will tear you apart'. I told him he can do whatever he wanted, but I won't be scared. Policemen also commented on my beard and questioned my patriotism," claimed Mujibullah Sawan, another injured student.

Doctors who examined women after the attack said they had injuries on their private parts.

Denying the charges, South East DCP RP Meena said, "All allegations levelled against us are untrue. The entire protest has been videographed by us. In fact, some of our men were manhandled and they received injuries in the scuffle. No force was used against the protesters."

bccl

But an injured female student alleged, "When I saw a few students being thrashed, I rushed to help them. When I was about to cross the barricade, some policewomen pushed me down. One of the male policemen kicked in my private part and I fainted."

She claimed she can identify the policeman who thrashed her and was ready to do so if asked to.

Another female student claimed, "Policemen stood on my thigh. I have suffered a ligament tear. They tore my hijab. Policewomen passed lewd comments like 'take her in a corner and teach her what Constitution is'."

The women students brought their purported medical reports as evidence of the injuries, while the male students presented photos of the injuries.
Conde wants to hold referendum on staying in power beyond two terms, which sparked anti-govt protests in October.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Guinea are expected to take to the streets again over President Alpha Condes proposal to hold a referendum to change the constitution.

They are angry because Conde wants to change the constitution to allow him to govern beyond his final, second term.

Opposition parties have threatened to boycott the vote.

More than 30 people have died since demonstrations began in October.

Al Jazeeras Raheela Mahomed reports.
"Getting it done (his campaign slogan) means finally fixing our broken immigration system and creating a path to citizenship to the 11 million people living in the shadows," Bloomberg said. "And getting it down also means protecting a woman's right to choose."

He said he raised salaries by 43% while mayor in New York City. He also claimed graduation rates rose by more than 40% while he was in office and that he cut the number of people without health insurance by 40% "and raised life expectancy by three whole years."

Bloomberg said he was the only candidate who could "send Donald Trump permanently to Mar-a-Lago," referring to Trump's Florida residence. He shared the same message at his earlier stop in Winston-Salem.

"I think he's the only one who can beat Donald Trump," said 26-year-old Lee Goldston, district director for the Progressive Turnout Project, a grassroots organization aimed at getting Democrats to vote.
Deputy Commander of US European Command (EUCOM) General Stephen Twitty and Solvenian Chief of Defense Major General reviewed bilateral defense ties and discussed Slovenia's co-sponsorship of an upcoming military exercise, EUCOM said in readout of the meeting on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2020) Deputy Commander of US European Command (EUCOM) General Stephen Twitty and Solvenian Chief of Defense Major General reviewed bilateral defense ties and discussed Slovenia's co-sponsorship of an upcoming military exercise, EUCOM said in readout of the meeting on Thursday.

"The leaders discussed a broad range of topics, including military mobility and logistics, defense modernization, continued support of the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF). Twitty also expressed appreciation for Slovenia's contributions and efforts to US and NATO missions," the release said.

The readout also noted that Slovenia will co-sponsor of the Immediate Response military exercise with Croatia and continue supporting US and NATO missions in Latvia, Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.
Ive never seen so many prosecutors, including those who arent political or those who havent been following this situation closely, go to red alert so quickly, said Joyce White Vance, a former U.S. attorney in the Obama administration. The reason is this: If a president can meddle in a criminal case to help a friend, then theres nothing that keeps him from meddling to harm someone he thinks is his enemy. That means that a president is fully above the law in the most dangerous kind of way. This is how democracies die.
Married At First Sight's Stacey Hampton has publicly defended her ex-fiance, Rebels Adelaide boss Shane Michael Smith, who is the father of her two sons.

Speaking to Who magazine this week, the 26-year-old lavished praise on the bikie and urged society not to judge him on his criminal past.

'He's honestly the greatest person and I think he's ashamed of his past,' she gushed.

Supportive: Married At First Sight's Stacey Hampton has publicly defended her ex-fiance, Rebels Adelaide boss Shane Michael Smith, who fathered her two sons (pictured together)

'I met him when I was really young, 19, through mutual friends and I wasn't aware of his lifestyle but I feel for him so quickly,' she continued.

'At the time, I didn't realise he actually had charges from ages ago that had come up - assault charges.'

Smith was convicted of bashing two nightclub bouncers in 2017.

'He's honestly the greatest person and I think he's ashamed of his past,' she told Who magazine

The blonde bombshell dated the Rebels' Adelaide president, 37, until they split in July 2017.

Stacey, 26, was branded the 'bride from hell' after she snubbed 'husband' Michael Goonan on Married At First Sight, saying he was 'not what I usually go for'.

Smith, a heavily tattooed 'fitness trainer', fits Stacey's type perfectly, as she admits to being attracted to 'masculine' men with tattoos.

The former couple share sons Kruz, two, and Kosta, four, who appeared on MAFS. Smith has Stacey and Kosta's names tattooed on his hand

She is equally as inked-up as Smith, with a huge intricate design stretching across her stomach and right thigh as a tribute to her late brother.

The former couple share sons Kruz, two, and Kosta, four, who appeared on MAFS with Stacey.

Stacey, who is 11 years younger than Smith, said they met when she was 'very young'.

'We met when I was very young, fell in love quickly and then tried to make it work for the kids,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was a civil break-up. He's an amazing dad and I have no regrets.'

Stacey, 26, was branded the 'bride from hell' after she snubbed 'husband' Michael Goonan (right) on MAFS, saying he was 'not what I usually go for'

Stacey (left, with two friends) is equally as tattooed as her ex-partner, and has a huge intricate design stretching across her stomach and right thigh

One of many family photos on Smith's social media shows the bikie leader in his Rebels colours as Stacey cradles Kosta during their time together.

'That's Stacie (sic) Hampton my wife,' he wrote alongside two heart emojis, when friends complimented his glamorous partner.

Smith also has Stacey's name tattooed on his hand along with Kosta's name and birth date - January 25, 2016.

In February 2019, Smith was convicted and fined $3,500 for assaulting two bouncers outside a nightclub in Bendigo on August 6, 2017.

Pictured: Stacey in a recent photo with Kruz and Kosta posted to her Instagram

He narrowly avoided jail after a magistrate dismissed an affray charge because the savage beatings weren't deemed to be evoking of terror in bystanders.

Bendigo Magistrates' Court heard Smith was at the Universal club in the northern Victorian town with several other Rebels.

Festivities to commemorate the 2008 car crash death of member Bruno Carlo spilled out of the gang's clubhouse about 11.30pm.

A fight began between the six bikies and other revellers on the dance floor after an altercation in the smokers area and security tried to intervene.

Stacey, who is 11 years younger than Smith, said they met when she was 'very young' and in her early twenties, and only stayed together so long for their kids

Proud parent Smith poses with Kosta (left) and a newborn Kruz sometime in 2017

The court heard Smith threw punches at patrons and security, then 'king hit' a bouncer in the face, punched his head and torso and kicked him as he lay on the ground.

The melee left a patron unconscious in the local hospital's intensive care unit for nine hours, and another combatant with a broken jaw.

The court heard Smith, who was one of two bikies charged over the brawl, had committed previous violent crimes.

He was originally slapped with 10 charges but police dropped seven of them.

In February 2019, heavily-tattooed Smith was convicted and fined $3,500 for assaulting two bouncers outside a nightclub in Bendigo on August 6, 2017

Magistrate Michael King then dismissed the affray charge because the attacks 'would not have terrified a reasonable onlooker'.

He also said there was 'no community interest' in jailing Smith before he received treatment for his anger issues.

Meanwhile, Stacey was less impressed with millionaire businessman Michael Goonan, 28, whom she 'married' on Married At First Sight, but warmed up to him during the couple's honeymoon.

Smith posted this collage of Stacey, their two sons, and his daughter from an earlier relationship to his Facebook
Home Alone is one of the cult movies from the 90s. The film followed an eight-year-old boy Macaulay Culkin, who single-handedly protected his home from two burglars (Pesci and Stern) after his family mistakenly left him behind for their Christmas vacation.

Yes, this little boy, who has shared the screen with Donald Trump, is not so little anymore. The 39-year-old might not be a very popular name in Hollywood anymore but his movie still continues to be a mandatory Christmas watch.

In a recent interview, the actor shared his audition story for a movie that got Brad Pitt his first ever acting Oscar. Any guesses?



Twitter

Well, the Home Alone actor went ahead and auditioned for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Talking about his experience, Macaulay said, "It was a disaster. I wouldnt have hired me. Im terrible at auditioning anyway, and this was my first audition in like eight years."

The actor had no qualms in admitting that he is not the best person to audition and considering he's a child artist, he hasn't done it in a really long time.

Screengrab

Macaulay, however, did not mention what role he was looking at. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a Quentin Tarantino movie and features a large ensemble cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie.
By John O'Donnell and Koh Gui Qing

FRANKFURT/ NEW YORK (Reuters) - Credit Suisse Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam, ousted over a spying scandal, stands to collect as much as 30 million Swiss francs ($30 million) after resigning this month, two people familiar with the matter said.

The compensation for Thiam, including pay, bonus and stock options, marks the end of a five-year reign at Switzerland's second-largest bank that ended after a split with the chairman following revelations of spying on top managers.

Thiam has denied any knowledge of staff surveillance, which first came to light in September when former executive Iqbal Khan confronted a private detective who was following him through Zurich.

The package would make Thiam, who has on average been awarded roughly 10 million francs annually by the bank in the three years to 2018, one of the highest-paid European bank chiefs. Credit Suisse declined to comment.

High executive payouts at the bank have irked its investors, prompting a protest in 2017. During Thiam's tenure, its share price has fallen by almost half as it raised fresh funds from investors.

Thiam, however, is entitled to the money because he is resigning from the bank this week officially on good terms, which means there is no need for the management board to dock his pay.

He nonetheless departs under a cloud. Although Credit Suisse cleared Tidjane of snooping on former star manager Khan, the suicide of a private investigator involved and the emergence of a second spying case as it sought to draw a line under the first sparked an outcry in Switzerland. The scandal rattled faith in the Swiss bank, a pillar of the local economy that was founded to finance the building of the nation's rail network that tunnels through the Alps.

Credit Suisse has said Thiam was unaware of the surveillance and that former Chief Operating Officer Pierre-Olivier Bouee, a longtime Thiam aide, initiated it in a solo run. He was since fired and has not commented publicly.

Story continues

Ultimately chairman Urs Rohner won board backing to ask Thiam to leave, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

For many investors, Thiam leaves behind a mixed legacy.

"He took out 4 billion francs of costs. That was critical," said Andreas Venditti, an analyst at Vontobel. "On the downside, he had to cut his original targets because they were too optimistic."

As he handed over to his successor on Thursday at a press conference, Thiam took issue again with what he described as false reports, including one that he had chartered helicopters for work.

"I've given five years of my life to this company, it's not nothing," he said. "Now I'm going to go and get some rest."

(Reporting By John O'Donnell; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Sydney, Feb 13 : All of the blazing bushfires in New South Wales (NSW) were now considered contained, fire officials in the Australian state said on Thursday.

"After what's been a truly devastating fire season for both firefighters and resident, who've suffered so much this season, all fires are now contained in New South Wales," the BBC quoted NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Assistant Commissioner Rob Rogers as saying.

It is the first time in the fire season that containment, meaning firefighters managing to build a perimeter around the fire, so it cannot spread further, has been achieved.

While there was still some fire activity in the south of the state, said the RFS, emergency workers could now "really focus on helping people reboot".

Across the country, fires have killed at least 33 people and destroyed thousands of homes since it first erupted in September 2019.

More than 11 million hectares of land, an area comparable to the size of England, has been affected across all states and territories.

NSW has been the worst-affected state. Two blazes alone - the Currowan and Gospers Mountain fires - each burned about 500,000 hectares.

But both were declared out after the record rainfall earlier this week, along with dozens of smaller fires, the BBC reported.

Flood warnings have been issued for NSW and for southern Queensland as Storm Uesi approaches, bringing winds of up to 130km/h.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has contributed more towards the revival of the flagging Indian economy than the government, but it will be some time before the pick up in demand can be seen, Andrew Holland, CEO of Avendus Capital Alternate Strategies, told CNBC-TV18 in an interview.

"I would rather stick to the best in class companies in each of the sectors and those are going to be the largecaps because whilst the budget was okay, the RBI did the heavy lifting to help the economy in a very short-term. The litmus test of all of these is going to be between now and end of March to see if demand is really picking up and the measures that both the governments in particular the RBI is starting to bear some fruit," he said.

The state of fiscal deficit in India has precluded the government's efforts in reviving the economy in the short-term, Holland added. "Given the fiscal deficit of the government, it will be very difficult for them to get things moving in short-term. So the jury is out now, to my mind, till the end of March, but because of the virus in China, a lot of sentiment between now and middle of March will also play from global perspective.

"I am not trying to be overly negative here but there are a few things out there which were taken for granted which I am not sure I can give any evidence that anything has picked up. I don't think. It's only a week since the Budget and RBI (monetary policy announcement for February), but we were banking that it's going to work. However, channel checks we are getting at the moment (are) saying nothing has moved. So let's give it a month but if not, then we get back to the sentiment perhaps we were last September before the corporate tax cut."

On his investment stratagem, Holland said: "The longs will be in quality companies and on the shorts; it's very rotational because we get squeezed quickly on the short side but there are certain companies and sectors which will continue to underperform.

"Pharma we became more constructive about 6 months ago. We think the sector still has a few problems there but we think it's all in the price now. So we would look to adding pharma but you have to be aware of what is happening globally at the moment to that to play through but we are constructive.

"On IT, probably more neutral. Obviously it's a place to hide when markets are more volatile but there is nothing that excites me to say, I have got to go into largecap IT. If anything there might be some more interesting stories in the midcaps and that's something that we are looking at more," Holland further added.

Source: CNBC-TV18
By ANI

NEW DELHI: The efficacy of Pakistan's decision to convict Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in terror financing cases "remains to be seen" and whether the country would take action against all other terrorist entities and individuals operating from its soil, government sources said on Thursday.

Saeed was sentenced to 11 years in prison by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday - a development that came "on the eve of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Plenary meeting", sources said.

"We have seen media reports that a court in Pakistan has sentenced UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed in terror financing cases. It is part of a long-pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism," they noted.

ALSO READ| Crucial for Pakistan to meet commitments against terror financing: US backs Hafiz Saeed's conviction

"The decision has been made on the eve of the FATF plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen. It has to also be seen whether Pakistan would take action against other all terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control, and bring perpetrators of cross border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot to justice expeditiously," sources said.

Saeed's conviction comes days ahead of the Plenary and Working Group meetings of the FATF - a Paris-based global watchdog which, last year, had warned Pakistan to deliver on its commitments to curb terror financing and money laundering.

The Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD) chief and three of his associates - Hafiz Abdul Salam bin Mohammad, Mohammad Ashraf and Professor Zafar Iqbal - had been indicted by the ATC - on terror financing charges on December 11 last year in a case filed by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot will start patrolling Aker BPs oil and gas production vessel in Norwegia this year.

Meet Spot, the first robot to get its own employee number at Norwegian oil producer Aker BP ASA.

Developed by Boston Dynamics Inc., the robot is set to start patrolling Aker BP's oil and gas production vessel at the Skarv field in the Norwegian Sea this year, testing its ability to run inspections, detect hydrocarbon leaks, gather data and generate reports.

The upshot for Aker BP, which is seeking to be a front-runner in the digitalization of the oil industry, is to make offshore operations safer and more efficient, the company said as it presented the robot at its capital markets day in Oslo on Tuesday. Aker BP will run the tests with Cognite AS, the software venture controlled by the oil company's main owner, Aker ASA.

"These things never get tired, they have a larger ability to adapt and to gather data," Kjetel Digre, Aker BP's senior vice president for operations, said in an interview. The company's Chief Executive Officer Karl Johnny Hersvik said he was "pretty sure" Spot wouldn't be the last robot to get an employee number.

Guided by a remote, Spot walked up to Hersvik on stage at the company's event at an Oslo hotel on Tuesday. When asked whether it had detected any people in the audience that weren't supposed to be there, the dog nodded, though it wasn't clear who that was.
A passenger onboard a SpiceJet flight from Bangkok to Delhi was quarantined on suspicions of having contracted the 2019 Novel coronavirus, news agency ANI reported.

The passenger was quarantined by the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) when the flight landed at Delhi.

A SpiceJet spokesperson told ANI, "On February 13, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-88 operating between Bangkok and Delhi was suspected of COVID-19. The passenger was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) after landing in Delhi."

He was the only one sitting in his row on the flight, CNN-News18 reported.

Two passengers who arrived at the Kolkata NSCBI Airport from Bangkok have also tested positive for the coronavirus, Airports Authority of India officials told PTI on February 13.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

Two Indian crew members onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked off the Yokohama coast in Japan were tested positive for coronavirus, the Indian Embassy in Japan said on February 12.

The cruise ship has reportedly been quarantined by Japanese authorities till February 19.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:20:19|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China saw rising demand for medical waste treatment as the output of such waste soared amid the combat against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the China Securities Journal reported.

Medical waste is expected to total 179,000 tonnes nationwide in 2020 including 162,000 tonnes of used masks, surging over 25 percent from 2018, accoridng to Ping An Securities.

Faced with the rising amount of medical waste, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment stressed separate treatment of infectious medical waste, safe transfer of the waste and reinforcement in emergency management.

The country's efforts also strengthened at the local level, with Hubei Province vowing to double its capacity of treatment while Guangdong Province requires separate transfer of waste from designated medical institutions, quarantine locations and households. Northeastern Liaoning Province urged the collection of used marks, setting up 36,000 facilities for mask disposal.

China's environmental enterprises beefed up operations to deal with the waste, with the average daily treatment capacity of Dongjiang Environmental Co., Ltd. rising 30 percent to 40 percent in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

China Tianying Inc. obtained patents related to plasma gasification and almost completed a project capable of treating 3 tonnes of medical waste each day.

Two waste-to-energy plants of Yonker Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. kept running at full capacity in February and the company has increased investment in the industry.

The industry is likely to grow fast in the post-epidemic period, China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. said, citing the potential of improvement in construction cost of treatment facilities and market concentration.
Sajid Javid has resigned as the head of the U.K.'s finance ministry, surprising financial markets and political pundits in the country.

He has served as finance minister (known as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the U.K.) since July, when Boris Johnson was first appointed prime minister. He will be the shortest serving U.K. finance chief since 1970.

Javid  the son of a Pakistani bus driver who previously served as home secretary  was due to present Britain's budget in March, the U.K.'s first after its departure from the EU last month. The resignation comes as Johnson was making changes to his Cabinet on Thursday where the U.K.'s attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, also resigned.

Media reports suggest that Javid was offered the chance to remain finance minister on the condition that he fires all of his advisors. He reportedly said no and opted to resign himself.

There had been growing tensions between the finance minister and the prime minister's inner circle, in particular ahead of the budget release in four weeks' time. According to the Financial Times, allies of the prime minister dubbed Javid "Chino," meaning chancellor in name only.

Rishi Sunak, who has served as chief secretary to the Treasury since July 2019, will step into the role.
WASHINGTON  A federal crackdown on universities that fail to disclose donations and contracts from foreign governments has ensnared Harvard and Yale, the Education Department said on Wednesday.

In letters to the schools on Tuesday, the department wrote that it was investigating whether the two Ivy League universities had failed to report at least $375 million from countries including China, Iran, Russia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The department is seeking extensive records related to grants, gifts, contracts and overseas programming.

In a letter to Harvard, the department said it was aware of information suggesting Harvard University lacks appropriate institutional controls, and as a result, the universitys reports to Washington may not include or fully reflect all reportable gifts and contracts from or with foreign sources.

In the case of Yale, officials wrote that although the university had a considerable presence abroad, represented by sites in dozens of cities and countries, it appeared to have failed to report a single foreign source gift or contract in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Rising anti-government fervor, a biting economic crisis, and the absence of free and fair elections are likely to dampen voter turnout in Irans upcoming parliamentary elections.



Fearing a low turnout in the February 21 vote would harm the legitimacy of the countrys theocratic system, Iranian officials are pulling out all the stops to get the vote out.



'I Beg You'



President Hassan Rohani called on voters to get out and vote in the elections despite "possible complaints and criticism.



I beg you not to be passive, Rohani, a relative moderate, exhorted the public on February 11.



His remarks came after the Guardians Council, which vets all candidates, disqualified some 9,000 of the 14,000 who people who registered to run, including 90 current lawmakers.

Irans reformists said that 90 percent of its candidates throughout the country have been barred from running.

In the 2016 vote, a bloc of reformists and moderate conservatives won 41 percent of the 290 parliamentary seats. Hard-liners won 29 percent and independents took 28 percent. Experts predict hard-liners to dominate the legislature.



Ali Rabiei, Rohani's spokesman, offered an even starker message to voters.



"The upcoming elections are the most important elections in the history of the Islamic Republic," Rabiei said on February 3. "The only way to prevent the collapse of Iran is by going to the polls."



'Go To Hell'



Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for a high turnout and said voting was an act of patriotism.



Any person who has an affinity for Iran and its security must take part in the elections, Khamenei said in a speech on February 5. Someone may not like me personally, but if they love Iran, they must go to the ballot box."



The enemies that threaten the country and the people are more frightened of the publics support than our military capabilities, Khamenei added. Yes, they are scared of our missiles, but they are more frightened of the publics support. Taking part in the elections is a stamp of support for the system from the people, and it will lead to security.

Public anger has mounted amid a crunching economic crisis that has been fueled by biting U.S. sanctions that were reinstated after President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the landmark international agreement that curbed Irans controversial nuclear program.



When officials announced gasoline rationing and price hikes in November 2019, anti-government protests erupted in more than 100 Iranian cities and turned violent before security forces violently put them down amid an Internet blackout.



Amnesty International said more than 300 people were killed and thousands detained in the crackdown.

In January, Iran shot down a Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight after it took off from a Tehran airport, killing all 176 people aboard.



Iranian authorities initially denied any responsibility for the accident. But three days after the tragedy the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) admitted the plane had been shot down "unintentionally," leading to days of protests in Iranian cities, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Irans clerical leadership.

Referring to Khamenei, mourners shouted "death to the dictator."



Ali Vaez, the director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group (ICG), said Khameneis call for people to come out and vote in elections that were even less free than previous votes shows the disconnect between the state and the society in Iran.

Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda, a hard-line ally of Khamenei, went further by suggesting that those who stay away from the polls will receive divine punishment.



"Those who do not take part in the elections will go to hell," said Alamolhoda.



Public Apathy



Gauging public opinion is difficult in Iran, where people can be jailed for their opinions. But there are signs of public apathy towards the vote.



A poll conducted by the state-run News Network on the Telegram app on February 5 showed over 78 percent of viewers said they would not take part in the elections. Although the posts were deleted, the poll was repeated with similar results.



Days later, the posts were deleted again, and a News Network presenter announced that the channel was fake.

Analysts said Iranians who would have voted for pro-reform and moderate candidates could decide not to vote, given the mass purge of reformist candidates by officials.

With the election results effectively preordained, analysts said it was unclear even if the conservatives and hard-liners could mobilize their supporters.



What this means is that turnout is more important than who takes the majority of seats in parliament, said Scott Lucas, an Iran expert at Birmingham University in Britain.



Khamenei tipped off that priority last week when he appealed for a high turnout as a message to Iran's enemies, he added. The question is to what extent the regime will massage the turnout figures to get the magic number that it wants to declare victory over those enemies -- both at home and abroad.
Philip McLaughlin is the co-owner of Grey Heron

Whats your background? Myself and my brother, Dave, have a background in business and marketing. Ive been in the family business for eight years now.

Our grandfather set up a pharmacy and farm store 70 years ago and then opened Bandon Craft Centre across the road on Bridge Street in 1978.

Dave lived in Dublin for 13 years working in project management and events until he moved down three years ago to join the business.

Even though we dont have a background in design, we always had a keen eye for it and know what we like. Were also very lucky to be surrounded by great designers and makers.

We rebranded and revamped Bandon Craft Centre last April, which included the name change to Grey Heron. Were absolutely delighted with how it turned out, and people have responded very positively to it.

It was a real boost for us as well when we were announced as one of the Top 30 Finalists in the AIBMS Retail Excellence Awards late last year. The list is announced by Retail Excellence Ireland annually and it meant a lot to see our efforts as a business recognised in this way.

Whats a typical workday like for you? A typical workday would always start with a coffee to get into us gear!

On from there, it is really varied as we work across the family business including the pharmacy, farm store, and Grey Heron.

We try to focus as much as we can on developing all aspects of our business and adding value to our customers.

Tell us about a recent project you have worked on?

With the rebrand and revamp of the store last year to Grey Heron, we felt it was time to give ourselves a facelift and to broaden our audience by creating a new identity.

The Skylight Gallery was on the second floor over Bandon Craft Centre and it was a fantastic space for artists to exhibit their work, but we felt it wasnt accessible to everybody.

With that in mind, we brought the gallery down into the shop to increase visibility of the artists work while adding to the customer experience within the shop.

Regarding our brand, we worked with local graphic designer Nina Cait Gilbert, from www.designbird.ie.

We came up with the name as the grey heron is synonymous with the Bandon River.

Were really delighted with what Nina came up with and we feel its a very marketable brand.

Our interior ideas came from a blend of people around us. Artist Joanne Neville and Claire Graham from the Old Mill Stores played a huge part.

We also took trips to different design shops around the country and abroad to get inspiration. Macroom-based carpenter Sean Burke did our cabinetry.

Whats your design style?

Simple and contemporary.

What inspires your work?

Theres so much artistic and creative talent in Ireland making amazing things and we love working with them.

We also feel that the high level of design shops around Ireland really inspired us to create Grey Heron.

Whats your most treasured possession?

This is very boring but its my work diary! Working across different business types can bring its challenges and you can be quickly spun around into chaos if youre not organised!

Who is your favourite designer?

There are too many to only list one. I love the work of printmakers Lily Corcoran, local man Shane ODriscoll, Emma OHara, Luke Reidy, and Aoife McLaughlin (thats a cheeky plug there for my wife!).

What would be your dream project?

Wed love to add to the experience of the shop eventually by adding a creative space to the building for artists and makers to work.

Have you any design tips?

Declutter, keep it simple, and dont be afraid to try something off centre!

Interview by Aileen Lee
Our Beloved Dad and Gramps, Jack Franklin Sisler, Jr. aged 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, February 10, 2020. He was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado, on September 23, 1929, and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, CA. God, Honor, and Country were the creeds he lived by. He joined the Army Air Corp. at the age of 17, and retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Jack traveled to Washington, D.C. on an Honor Flight in the spring of 2015, escorted by his daughter, Kathy Sisler, as he visited the many war memorials located there. He went on to describe this trip as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. Jack was a 33rd Degree Mason, serving twice as Past Master of Adobe Lodge #41. He was an active member of the Sabbar Shrine, serving on the Motor Patrol, and was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters. He loved riding motorcycles, traveling the world, and savoring a good Scotch.
Much conservative writing about communism being published today amounts to little more than nostalgia reading. It seems that every year we see yet another of the endless line of books dealing with either the Red Era in Hollywood or the glories of Joe McCarthy. The purpose of these appears to be to generate feeling of comfort on looking back at an era in which men were men, commies were commies, and J. Edgar Well, well overlook what he was doing.

The problem is that this stuff, pleasant though it may be, tends to push out work that deals with aspects of communist theory and practice that have an actual impact on the current situation. Too few conservatives are adequately informed about these matters. Not many could define the Iron Law of Wages, surplus value, or, in particular, heightening the contradictions.

Heightening the contradictions that sounds pretty harmless. But in fact, it is the most important element of Marxist thinking as applies to things as they are in the opening decades of the third millennium. Heightening, or enhancing, or exploiting the contradictions is the concept used to push every last political and social program of the modern Left.

How often does the Left come up with ideas that, on the face of it, appear absurd, irrational, or utterly insane? The answer, is, of course, all the time. The general response is bewilderment or incomprehension  a shrug and an assertion that those lefties are crazy.

But in truth, theyre no such thing. Theres nothing irrational about it. Its all part of the program.

The concept comes directly out of Marx. Capitalism, according to Marx, is filled with contradictions, all of which guarantee its eventual failure. One example is the belief that capitalists, seeking every greater profits, will increase the immiseration of the working class, which will in turn encourage revolutionary consciousness, leading to the downfall of the capitalist system. This leads to the idea of heightening he contradictions  encouraging matters so as to bring about the emergence of the glorious workers paradise even sooner. This involves activities  both propaganda and direct action  that increase anxiety and dissatisfaction among the workers while generating isolation, fear, and doubt in the targeted classes.

This concept has been dealt with in detail by numerous Marxists, including Lenin, Mao, and Rosa Luxemburg, to mention just a few. Following the master, communist-era Marxists largely confined the concept to economic matters. Expanding it to the social sphere was an American contribution. Appealing to American workers on an economic basis was hopeless  they were the best-paid laboring class in the world, largely content with things as they were. But there were other apparent schisms in the American social structure that might be open to exploitation.

Drugs  Widespread drug use became politicized in the late 1960s. It wasnt just a matter of waving your freak flag high  it was also a means of putting it to the Man. Drugs, whether pot, acid, heroin, what have you, immediately turned Americas youth into an oppressed minority. Arrests of drug users created cynicism and bitterness. The Hard Left valorized users and addicts. Heroin use became endemic in the 1970s, leading to increased crime and destroying entire neighborhoods, particularly in the inner cities. Not a single policy created to control drugs accomplished anything other than increasing drug use and further damaging society. But that was the point.  Widespread drug use became politicized in the late 1960s. It wasnt just a matter of waving your freak flag high  it was also a means of putting it to the Man. Drugs, whether pot, acid, heroin, what have you, immediately turned Americas youth into an oppressed minority. Arrests of drug users created cynicism and bitterness. The Hard Left valorized users and addicts. Heroin use became endemic in the 1970s, leading to increased crime and destroying entire neighborhoods, particularly in the inner cities. Not a single policy created to control drugs accomplished anything other than increasing drug use and further damaging society. But that was the point.

Race  The American racial problem was essentially solved in the mid-60s. But the Left, sensing a dramatic opportunity, leapt in, raising marginal racial crackpots such as Huey Newton, Stokely Carmichael, and H. Rap Brown to the status of racial spokesmen, deliberately antagonizing working-class whites through bussing and legal block-busting, and constructing elaborate theoretical (Black Liberation Theory), and legal (affirmative action) systems designed to institutionalize racial hostility.

Abortion  The two decisions (Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton) written by the incompetent Harry Blackmun were so incoherent that they could tolerate virtually any interpretation whatsoever. The left took advantage of them to attack religious belief, increase tensions between the sexes, and degrade the very definitions of life and personhood.

Immigration  in 1967, a perfectly worthwhile and well-managed system of overseeing Mexican migrant labor (the Bracero program) was eliminated by liberal bureaucrats. Desperate workers began sneaking across the border to find work, often remaining rather than returning and risking another cross-border passage. Leftists seized on the resulting illegal community as an oppressed proletariat deserving protection along with privileges largely denied the native-born.

LGBTHX1138  During the 60s, homosexuals, understandably tired of persecution and second-class citizenship, began agitating for a new social status. This unfortunately became melded with leftism, resulting in the gay concept, which can be defined as homosexuality plus new leftism. This pitted gays, lesbians and those associated with them such as cross-dressers as a sexual proletariat against the straight majority. As with blacks and immigrants, the gays constituted a new proletariat that could be exploited to undermine the status quo.

The list is effectively endless. To go from general to particular, consider the Obama/Holder Fast and Furious program. In this puzzling scheme, powerful firearms were deliberately sold to border drug cartels on the promise that they would be tracked, even though there was no means of doing so. But puzzlement vanishes once we apply the contradictions paradigm. Clearly, the intent was to increase border violence, inflict terror on the public, and utilize that to curtail Second Amendment rights.

The same is true of any other senseless or irrational leftist program. None of them, whether they involve introducing transsexualism to schools or placing jihadis in Congress, occurred by accident. They were meant to happen exactly the way they did, to heighten the contradictions.

How has conservatism responded? It hasnt. In fact, theres no sign that conservatives, mired in the Cold War interpretation of communism, have any idea that the concept exists. The contradictions tactic is next to universal and ever-present in any leftist effort or scheme, but far from having workable countermeasures, traditional American conservatives have been utterly oblivious.

Open any conservative magazine, access any website, go through the archives of any conservative think tank, and you will find myriads of articles, blogs, and papers dealing with the issues mentioned above. All of them contain precise, carefully researched information, well-crafted arguments, all bulge with quotes from Tocqueville, Chesterton, and Russell Kirk. All of it is excellent of its kind, and all of it is utterly useless. Because thats not where the battle is being fought. The Left isnt interested in rational arguments, but in bringing the temple down.

Whats the solution? The answer is simplicity itself -- argue the strategy. Instead of constructing lapidary responses, start out by stating bluntly and straightforwardly that this isnt about transsexuals, or immigrants, or race, or whatever. What its about, first and foremost, is a method of attacking this country and its people, an effort to make an end run around the rules without admitting theyre doing any such thing. The record is clear that the Left doesnt actually give a damn about blacks, or women, or anybody else. The record is clear that the left is not interested in solutions. Once that is made evident, the battle will be half won. You will immediately throw leftists on the defensive, forcing them into a position of having to prove their bona fides  which they will not be able to do. It will also open up the debate to past efforts of a similar type. The ball will be in their court, and they will fumble it, as they always do.

Chances are that there will be no necessity for fancy, filigreed arguments  with leftists on the defensive, it will never reach that point.

Conservatives have been neglecting an effective weapon. Its time to start heightening their contradictions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Nargiz Sadikhova  Trend:

The title of Honorary Doctor of ADA University was conferred on well-known US analyst Thomas Goltz at the proposal of Rector of ADA University Hafiz Pashayev and upon the decision of the University Senate, Trend reports on Feb. 13.

Goltz has been awarded the high title for his research on Azerbaijan and the Caspian region, well-known publications in this sphere and a great contribution to strengthening of mutual understanding between the peoples of Azerbaijan and the US.

During the award ceremony, Pashayev stressed that Goltz is his great friend, and in particular, great friend of Azerbaijan.

Goltz is an excellent author and his works became the best among the books devoted to the early years of the formation of Azerbaijan, Pashayev added.

Although these books cannot be called diaries, they vividly describe the experience of the author himself and have been written in a personal manner, the rector added. The books by Goltz have been translated into Azerbaijani and Turkish.

As for Goltzs articles, as a former ambassador to the US, I must stress that these books revealed the history of Azerbaijan for the US readers, Pashayev added. In one article about Khojaly, Goltz wrote that most of the people he met in Khojaly city either died or were missing."

Goltz found many creative ways to tell the world about Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region, the rector said. During the most difficult period for Azerbaijan, Goltz was always near, and I really think that this award is the smallest thing we can do for you. I hope that you will keep Azerbaijan forever in your memory.

The most important thing that has changed in Azerbaijan since my first visit to Azerbaijan is the education system and educational institutions, Goltz said speaking at the ceremony. When people ask about the changes in Azerbaijan since my first visit to the country in 1991, I am stressing numerous aspects.

"While talking about modern Azerbaijan, the huge infrastructural changes that have occurred in the country, beautiful modern architecture and other visible changes can be cited, Goltz said. But the most important thing that has changed in Azerbaijan is the education system. The development of ADA University is worth mentioning.

Every time I visit Azerbaijan, I deliver lectures to a new audience, Goltz said.

Goltz expressed gratitude to the ADA University, as well as the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic SOCAR for the support and presented a collection of books to the ADA University.

Goltz is the author of the book entitled "Azerbaijan Diary", which is one of the first books on independent Azerbaijan and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The articles written by Goltz in Washington Post, National Interest and other reputable newspapers described Azerbaijan for the world community, and, in particular, revealed the truth about the Khojaly tragedy was widely covered.
Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Barbara Streisand pop to mind as representative examples. All three are eager to lecture the American public on the need for equality and non-discrimination. Yet, not one of the recipients of the Oscar gift bags worth $225,000 spoke out against that extraordinary excess nor demanded that the money spent purchasing these "gifts" be used to benefit the poor and the homeless. Nope, take the money and run.

It is especially galling to see how the Hollywood Community has embraced the era of red-baiting Joseph McCarthy as the new standard for what is acceptable. There was a time that a few brave souls in Hollywood (I am thinking Lucille Ball, Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck), spoke out against the blacklisting of actors, writers and directors for their past political ties to the Soviet Union. Now I have lived long enough to see the so-called liberals in Hollywood rail against Donald Trump and his supporters as "agents of Russia." Many in Hollywood, who weep crocodile tears over the abuses of the Hollywood Blacklist, are now doing the same damn thing without a hint of irony.

If you are a film buff (and I consider myself one) you should be familiar with these great movies that remind the viewer of the horrors visited upon actors, writers and directors during the Hollywood Blacklist:

The Front --a 1976 comedy-drama film set against the Hollywood blacklist in the 1950s. It was written by Walter Bernstein, directed by Martin Ritt, and stars Woody Allen and Zero Mostel.

Good Night, and Good Luck --a 2005 historical drama film directed by George Clooney, tells the story of Edward R. Murrow fighting back against the hysterical red-baiting of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Trumbo--a 2015 American biographical drama film directed by Jay Roach that follows the life of Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was blacklisted but continued to write award winning movies in alias (e.g. Spartacus).

This was an ugly, awful and evil time in America. It was a period of time fed by fear and ignorance. While it is true that there were Americans who identified as Communists and embraced the politics of the Soviet Union, we scared ourselves into believing that communist subversion was everywhere and that America was teetering on the brink of being submerged in a red tide.

Thirty years ago I reflected on this era and wondered how such mass hysteria could happen. Now I know. We have lived with the same kind of madness since Donald Trump was tagged as a Russian agent in the summer of 2016. And the irony is extraordinary. The very same Hollywood elite that heaped opprobrium on Director Elia Kazan for naming names in Hollywood in front of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, are now leading the charge in labeling anyone who dares speak out against the failed coup as "stooges" of the Kremlin or Putin.

Hillary Clintons crazy rant accusing U.S. Army Major and Member of Congress, Tulsi Gabbard, as a Kremlin puppet is not a deviation from the norm. Clinton exemplifies the terrifying norm of the political and cultural elite in this country. Accusing political opponents of being controlled by foreign enemies, real or imagined, is an old political tactic.

Makes me wonder what Edward R. Murrow or Dalton Trumbo would say if we could bring them back from the dead.
Unfortunately for some shareholders, the Chicago Rivet & Machine (NYSEMKT:CVR) share price has dived in the last thirty days. Even longer term holders have taken a real hit with the stock declining 12% in the last year.

Assuming no other changes, a sharply higher share price makes a stock less attractive to potential buyers. In the long term, share prices tend to follow earnings per share, but in the short term prices bounce around in response to short term factors (which are not always obvious). So some would prefer to hold off buying when there is a lot of optimism towards a stock. One way to gauge market expectations of a stock is to look at its Price to Earnings Ratio (PE Ratio). Investors have optimistic expectations of companies with higher P/E ratios, compared to companies with lower P/E ratios.

Check out our latest analysis for Chicago Rivet & Machine

Does Chicago Rivet & Machine Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry?

Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E is 21.71. You can see in the image below that the average P/E (21.8) for companies in the machinery industry is roughly the same as Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E.

AMEX:CVR Price Estimation Relative to Market, February 13th 2020

Its P/E ratio suggests that Chicago Rivet & Machine shareholders think that in the future it will perform about the same as other companies in its industry classification. The company could surprise by performing better than average, in the future. I would further inform my view by checking insider buying and selling., among other things.

How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios

If earnings fall then in the future the 'E' will be lower. That means unless the share price falls, the P/E will increase in a few years. Then, a higher P/E might scare off shareholders, pushing the share price down.

Chicago Rivet & Machine shrunk earnings per share by 54% over the last year. And it has shrunk its earnings per share by 13% per year over the last five years. This might lead to muted expectations.

A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank

Story continues

Don't forget that the P/E ratio considers market capitalization. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth.

While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores.

Is Debt Impacting Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E?

Chicago Rivet & Machine has net cash of US$7.3m. This is fairly high at 30% of its market capitalization. That might mean balance sheet strength is important to the business, but should also help push the P/E a bit higher than it would otherwise be.

The Verdict On Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E Ratio

Chicago Rivet & Machine has a P/E of 21.7. That's higher than the average in its market, which is 18.5. Falling earnings per share is probably keeping traditional value investors away, but the healthy balance sheet means the company retains potential for future growth. If fails to eventuate, the current high P/E could prove to be temporary, as the share price falls. Given Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E ratio has declined from 21.7 to 21.7 in the last month, we know for sure that the market is less confident about the business today, than it was back then. For those who prefer to invest with the flow of momentum, that might be a bad sign, but for a contrarian, it may signal opportunity.

When the market is wrong about a stock, it gives savvy investors an opportunity. People often underestimate remarkable growth -- so investors can make money when fast growth is not fully appreciated. Although we don't have analyst forecasts you could get a better understanding of its growth by checking out this more detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow.

But note: Chicago Rivet & Machine 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.
Held from February 9-10, 2020 and attended by Heads of State and Government of the AU, the 33rd Ordinary Season of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU was held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa under the theme 'Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa's Development' and comprised statutory meetings and side events.

The AU promotes Africa's growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation and integration of African states.

To be held from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021 at a purpose-built site, Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with a record 192 countries participating in the six-month long mega event under the theme of 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 33rd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Mr. Sajid Barkat, Chief Executive Officer, AS World Group, said: "As an official facilitator of Expo 2020 Dubai we organised a dedicated global roadshow at the 33rd AU Summit to showcase to all 54 African countries what Expo 2020 Dubai is all about and how their participation in the upcoming strategically important mega event can benefit their respective countries and economies across the board.

"We received enormous interest about Expo 2020 Dubai from official delegates and missions at the 33rd AU Summit and we are sure that Dubai's strategic location at the crossroads between Africa and the rest of the world - along with the Expo 2020 event - where every participating country will have its own national pavilion, will propel Africa to new heights," he added.

He added: "In order for African delegates, trade and other missions to make optimum use of Expo 2020 Dubai, AS World Group has launched exclusive and flexible packages encompassing three nights/four days and 360-degree services that comprise all logistics needs in Dubai, including visa arrangements, air tickets, hotel reservations, ground transportation, Expo 2020 Dubai site tickets, tourism offerings, etc. As such, we can cater to B2B, B2C and B2G segments.

"Expo 2020 Dubai is a golden opportunity for African nations to greatly boost intra-Africa trade, which currently stands at only 13%, compared to Europe's 30-40%," said Mr. Barkat.

"Africa, with its 1.3 billion people, is of strategic importance to Expo 2020 Dubai and this is where AS World comes in because by 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future' we serve as the perfect partner between the continent and the mega event," said Mr. Barkat.

A diversified international conglomerate  with operations spanning from event management to strategic consulting and investments  Dubai-based AS World Group is perfectly equipped to connect Expo 2020 Dubai with key audiences in Africa by leveraging its long-term connections with the entire continent.

The company has over 15 years' experience in supporting state protocol departments and chanceries in organising and managing all the logistics for official delegations during international conferences, bilateral and international summits, such as the UN General Assembly, UN Climate Change Conference, African Union Summits, etc.

'The World's Greatest Show', Expo 2020 Dubai is on track to receive 25 million visits from around the globe and has three subthemes  'Opportunity', 'Mobility' and 'Sustainability'  and will feature over 60 live events each day, celebrating arts, architecture, culture, music, gastronomy and much more.

As the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia since the start of the first World Expo held in London in 1851, Expo 2020 Dubai will definitely enhance African government-to-government collaboration and inter-Africa trade and business opportunities as the six-month long event will bring 192 nations together in one place in Dubai, noted Mr. Barkat.

Since December 2019, when the company was appointed Authorised Ticket Reseller of Expo 2020 Dubai, AS World Group has leveraged its substantial sales, service and logistics networks in Africa to promote Expo 2020 Dubai to the continent, thereby assisting the upcoming World Expo to achieve its target of a total of 25 million visits during its six-month duration.

About AS World Group Conference Organizers Ltd.

With offices in Dubai, Paris and Dakar, AS World Group Conference Organizers Ltd.(DIFC) is a global facilitator that specialises in bespoke business services spanning congresses, conferences, trade shows, conventions, Heads of State visits, international summits, bilateral and intergovernmental meetings, seminars, business conventions, road shows, sporting events, cultural festivals, corporate events, fashion weeks, tourism, shopping, sightseeing, gastronomic tourism and resort stays.

For more information: www.asworldgroup.com.

SOURCE AS World Group

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http://www.asworldgroup.com.


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WINSTED - Two juveniles were taken to the hospital after being struck by a car on Wheeler Street late Wednesday afternoon, dispatchers said.

The juveniles, a boy and a girl, were on a bike when the accident happened around 5:30 p.m.
For the cruise industry, the coronavirus is a public-relations nightmare.

For more than a week, the world has watched as the Diamond Princess ship has been quarantined in the Japanese port of Yokohama, its 3,600 passengers and crew stuck and the number of people infected by the coronavirus climbing to at least 175.

A second ship has been sailing the South China Sea like a modern-day version of the Flying Dutchman, turned away from five ports over fears that a person on board was infected.

Even thousands of miles from the outbreak, in Bayonne, New Jersey, four Chinese passengers aboard a cruise liner were briefly quarantined after health officials screened more than two dozen passengers. They turned out not to have the coronavirus.

The cruise lines have faced crises before, from their ongoing battles with the norovirus, which can tear through an entire shipload of passengers causing gastrointestinal problems, to the 2012 sinking of the Costa Concordia, whose captain ran it aground off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people. But COVID-19, as the virus has been named, whose ultimate worldwide spread is still to be seen, could be its biggest challenge yet.

The longer ships like the Diamond Princess stay in the press, the more people who have never taken a cruise before think of cruising as a less than ideal vacation, said James Hardiman, managing director of equity research for Wedbush Securities, who follows the industry.

Cruise companies have been reluctant to release any data about whether there has been any impact on bookings in the $45.6 billion (U.S.) global industry in the weeks since the outbreak began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, but some travel advisers said they are off by 10 per cent to 15 per cent.

The companies, including the biggest lines like Norwegian Cruise Lines and Carnival Corp., which includes Princess Cruises, have either declined to comment or released statements reiterating that their priority is passenger safety. Each cruise line also listed the precautions it is taking to keep passengers safe: Because they typically have thousands of people in a small space over an extended period, cruise ships are known to be incubators for illnesses.

Royal Caribbean offered a glimpse into the situation in a Feb. 4 statement but would only go so far as to say the Wuhan coronavirus and the efforts to contain it are expected to negatively affect our results. The company, whose ship was briefly stopped in Bayonne, announced that no one with a Chinese passport would be allowed to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise, a decision later rescinded after an outcry.

But Erika Richter, senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors, an industry group, said that demand for cruises, which had been on an upward trajectory before news of the coronavirus broke, was off from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, according to some advisers.

Not surprisingly, cruises in Asia and the Pacific were especially hard hit. Alex Sharpe, president and chief executive of Signature Travel Network, a consortium of 7,000 travel advisers, said that, New demand for these cruises is very low currently, and that spring sailings were unlikely to sell from our market.

If the industry doesnt get its arms around this, it could affect customer confidence in China toward cruises for a very long time, said Hardiman, of Wedbush Securities.

China has been one of the travel industrys biggest growth markets in recent years, and trips in the Asia-Pacific region make up about 10 per cent of the industry, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group. Between eight per cent and nine per cent of passengers on cruise lines represented by the trade group are from China, Macao or Hong Kong, and the number of ships deployed in Asia grew 53 per cent between 2013 and 2017.

A growing number of ports across the Pacific, from Busan, South Korea, to the New Caledonian ports of Lifou, Mare and Isle of Pines, are banning cruise ships. Hong Kong has been closed since Feb. 6.

Passengers said that rather than trying to accommodate them, cruise companies have been uncommunicative and unhelpful. Maranda Priem, 24, of Washington, D.C., and her 53-year-old mother, from Minnesota, were supposed to be aboard the Norwegian Jade, a 2,200-passenger ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines, which was originally scheduled to depart from Hong Kong on Feb. 17 for a cruise stopping in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

As her concerns about the coronavirus grew, Priem repeatedly emailed and called the company asking if she could switch to a different cruise or receive a refund or future credit. Her requests were denied. In an email Feb. 4, Roxane Sanford, co-ordinator of guest relations for the cruise line, reminded Priem that mainland China does not include Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan and added that regrettably, we are unable to proceed with cancellation and refund.

When the Hong Kong port closed, the company moved the sailing to Singapore, a change in itinerary that required Priem and other passengers to rebook their flights and absorb any extra costs. On Wednesday she decided to cancel, without knowing if she would get the nearly $1,700 she paid for the cruise back.

Its been a bit of a nightmare dealing with Norwegian, she said. Norwegian wont tell us what they will reimburse, and they havent been helpful.

Norwegian Cruise Line did not respond to requests for comment.

When a ships itinerary is changed, passengers have little recourse as a practical matter, said Jim Walker, a maritime lawyer who represents people suing cruise lines. Cruise lines are able to freely alter their itineraries, and if you dont have insurance, youre just stuck, and the trouble with insurance is, it often has exceptions for pandemics and things like this.

Walker said that he has received a significantly higher volume of calls from travellers looking for guidance on how to deal with cruise lines changing itineraries without offering refunds or the chance to reschedule.

Cruises tend to be expensive  with an average nine-day sailing in Asia running about $1,800, travel advisers said  and book long in advance. Angela Jones, 56, from Canton, Georgia, a passenger on the MS Westerdam, the Holland America ship that was stuck in limbo looking for a port that would take it, booked her trip 1.5 years ago.

When news about the coronavirus broke, her daughter, Jordan Jones Dorman, said Tuesday, She considered cancelling, but the company said repeatedly that theyd be OK and wouldnt offer a refund if she cancelled. Shed been saving up for this trip. Hindsight is 2020, but why was the cruise still happening?

Sihanoukville, in Cambodia, finally agreed to let the ship dock Wednesday. Holland America Line said that it would arrange and pay for all passengers flights home, in addition to giving a full refund for the cruise.

Hardiman, of Wedbush Securities, estimated that it cost Royal Caribbean about $4 million to cancel a recent four-day cruise, a number that could differ depending on ship size and other factors.

Cruise companies have never seen this before and just dont know what to do, said Ross Klein, a sociologist at Memorial University of Newfoundland who studies the cruise industry. For the cruise lines and the industry, a lot of these decisions are based on economics. They are asking themselves, How do we get by spending the least amount of money and losing the least amount of money?
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An Illinois paediatrician who committed suicide left behind a note saying he faked records and lied about vaccinating children, according to reports.

The note was written by Dr Van Koinis, 58, and detailed his regret for falsifying vaccination reports for his young patients, the Chicago Tribune reports. He led a practice in Evergreen Park near Chicago.

Investigators believe Dr Koinis was known in the community for helping parents forge their children's vaccination documents for school. Illinois statute requires all students to provide proof of vaccinations for preventable communicable disease.

"He was well known for being someone who was into homeopathic medicine, and from what we have determined, it was well known that people opposed to vaccination could go to him," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said.

The doctor was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head in September.

His suicide note reportedly expressed regret from the doctor about his decision to forge vaccination documents, and revealed he committed the forgery over the last 10 years. The doctor was a licensed practitioner in Illinois starting in 1991, state records reveal.

"The length of time he mentioned and the fact that he was so focused on this as a regret of something he did and the fact he committed suicide led us to believe it was quite serious on many levels," Mr Dart said.

Dr Koinis' regret is also indicated by the note only mentioning the forged documents and nothing else.

"He was incredibly regretful for what he did and it was the only thing he mentioned in the suicide note. It was this and only this," Mr Dart told WBBM.

It is not believed Dr Koinis refused to vaccinate children with parents who wanted them done, but investigators encourage families who visited the doctor to check they received the proper immunisations with another physician. This check can be done through blood work.

An investigation is ongoing into the suspected conspiracy to falsify vaccination records, but authorities said no charges have been filed at this time.

Story continues

Mr Dart urged parents to recognise the importance of their children receiving vaccinations prior to attending school.

"I don't care about your personal feelings on vaccinations, kids need them," Dart told the Chicago Tribune. "You can't waive them arbitrarily. You clearly can't forge documents or encourage them to be forged and pass them on, so we're moving along that track."

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British rapper Slowthai - real name Tyron Kaymone Frampton - has often credited his upbringing on a Northampton council estate as the inspiration for his emotionally and politically-charged lyrics.

But from the age of 13 he lived in the decidedly un-gritty village of Little Houghton with a 'family friend' after leaving his single mother's home.

The village with a population of 400 was where he launched his music career after a stint working at Next and gaining a BTEC in music technology at college - and the rapper credits the pleasant surrounds for 'giving him a conscience'.

Yet Frampton's music focuses on his childhood on a council estate in the Lings area of Northampton where he boasts about constantly playing truant, riding stolen bikes, smoking marijuana and drinking Lambrini.

He says that anyone with a job would be regarded as a 'f****** abnormality' and uses his music to rail against the Conservative Party and Brexit - despite his estate's constituency voting overwhelmingly to leave the EU in 2016.

Northampton North has also been Conservative since 2010 and MP Michael Ellis increased his majority by 6% with the help of Boris Johnson at the last election.

British rapper Slowthai (pictured as a youngster on his birthday) has often credited his upbringing on a Northampton council estate as the inspiration for his politically-charged lyrics

Raised by a single mother-of-four, Slowthai (pictured as a toddler) grew up with his three other siblings after his father left the family house when he was aged just three-years-old

From the age of 13, Slowthai lived in the decidedly un-gritty village of Little Houghton with a 'family friend' after leaving his single mother's home

Slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, was born in 1994 (shown middle) in Northampton, where he spent his childhood

Frampton has regularly courted controversy in his short career, infamously holding a fake severed head of Boris Johnson at last year's Mercury Prize awards.

An outspoken critic of the Conservative Party and often vilifies Brexit in his songs, once referring to former Prime Minister Theresa May as a 'd***head' in an interview.

He has regularly refers to himself as a 'Brexit bandit' and is known to start chants of 'f*** Theresa May' at live shows.

Slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, was born in 1994 in Northampton.

Raised by a single mother-of-four, he grew up with his three other siblings after his father left the family house when he was aged just three-years-old.

The rapper, whose mother Gaynor is half Bajan, spent the first 14 years of his life on a council estate on the east side of Northampton, known as the Lings, which is where he claims much of his musical inspiration stemmed from.

The area voted overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit in 2016 and has been a Tory-backing constituency since 2010, with Mr Johnson's government increasing the party's share of the vote in 2019.

He got his nickname as he used to slur and mumble, so his friends would call him 'Slow Ty'.

From the age of 13, he claims that he would shun school to drink alcohol - mostly White Ace or Lambrini - and around the same time started smoking cannabis.

He later studied music technology at college and is said to often have skipped school to attend a local recording studio.

When his mother moved away from Northampton, Slowthai began living with a family friend in the idyllic village of Little Houghton, two miles east of the neighbouring town where many of his friends were still based.

He lived in the large converted farmhouse with the couple and their four children, before his mother eventually helped him get a job with clothing store Next, walking two miles a day across the village fields to get to work.

After college he worked as a labourer, and when he was dismissed he decided to focus entirely on his music career.

Slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, was born in 1994 in Northampton, where he spent the majority of his formative years

The rapper, whose mother Gaynor is half Bajan, spent the first 14 years of his life on a council estate on the east side of Northampton, known as the Lings

British rapper Slowthai also sparked anger at the Mercury Prize ceremony by holding up an effigy of Boris Johnson 's severed head in September

Slowthai is pictured as he performs at the NME Awards at the O2 Academy Brixton last night

He has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the wake of his extended plays I WISH I KNEW in 2017, and RUNT, released the following year.

The rapper released his debut studio album Nothing Great About Britain in 2019 to critical acclaim, receiving a nomination for best album at that year's Mercury Prize.

But he hit headlines in September when he held up an effigy of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's severed head at the awards ceremony.

His 'F*** Boris' T-shirt was adorned with lewd images of the Prime Minister as he performed at the Eventim Apollo in London.

After stripping to the waist during an energetic act he shouted: 'F*** Boris Johnson. F*** everything'.

Mr Johnson laughed it off by joking that the rapper had actually said 'Back Boris' but was let down by the acoustics.

Speaking last month, Slowthai said his outspoken attitude was inspired by 90s Britpop pioneers Oasis.
A Massachusetts woman had the first date from hell after her date decided to rob a bank and use her as his unwilling getaway driver.

Shelby Sampson, from Attleboro Falls, was initially charged as an accessory for assisting Christopher Castillo in the heist at the Bristol County Savings Bank on Commonwealth Avenue while the pair were on their first date. Prosecutors would eventually drop the charges against her, the Sun Chronicle reports.

Castillo, 33, was sentenced to three years in prison for armed robbery followed by another two years in jail for assaulting three police officers, according to a Tuesday release from the Bristol County DA.

Sampson, who was 40 at the time, told police that she and Castillo had met through an online dating app. The pair met for the first time on December 5, 2016 - the day of the robbery.

Shelby Sampson, from Attleboro Falls, was initially charged with accessory for assisting Christopher Castillo in the December 2016 heist at the Bristol County Savings Bank

The woman explained to authorities that she picked Castillo up in her Nissan Altima from his parents' home in Rhode Island.

The two traveled to North Attleboro but Sampson claims Castillo drank wine as they drove.

Sampson says Castillo asked her to stop at a car near the bank and left the vehicle for a few minutes. She said he then came back and recalled that he was sweating and carrying a hat. Castillo was reportedly also wearing sunglasses and had a gun and cash on him.

According to the DA's office, Castillo told the bank teller that he was 'really hurting' and needed the money. He left with $1,000

It was then that he told her to 'f*****g go.'

Sampson sped off but saw the police lights and quickly exited the vehicle, where authorities detained Castillo.

The Chepachet resident went into the bank and showed a teller a gun that was in his jacket, demanding $1,000.

According to the DA's office, Castillo told the teller that he was 'really hurting' and needed the money.

After leaving the bank, Castillo ran out to the car and made Sampson drive off

Castillo then ran out to the car and forced Sampson to drive before the pair were spotted by police.

When Sampson exited the vehicle, Castillo ducked down. Police then pulled him out of the car and struggled restraining him. Castillo is said to have spat on officers but eventually told them that the gun he had was not loaded.

Authorities determined that the gun was an antique owned by Castillo's step father. He had been charged with carrying an illegal firearm but that charge has since been dropped.
Rotunno contended Sciorras career was on life support when she got a call from journalist Ronan Farrow while he was reporting on allegations against Weinstein. If she fits into his theory she suddenly becomes relevant. Shes now more relevant than she was ever before because she changes her memory and now shes been raped, Rotunno said. Now shes the darling of the movement.




Omoyele Sowore

The Federal Government of Nigeria has re-arraigned activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, on a fresh two-count charge of treasonable felony, on Thursday.

At the court today, the prosecution counsel, Aminu Alilu asked that the previous seven-count charge, which was filed in September 2019, be substituted with the amended charge.

Sowore and Olawale Bakare, his co-defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The former charges bordering on fraud, cyber-stalking and insulting the president have been removed from the new list.

According to the charge, the accused staged a revolution campaign on 5th day of August 2019, tagged #RevolutionNow aimed at removing the president during his term of office by unconstitutional means.
SYRACUSE, N.Y.  The state has banned a Syracuse doctor from performing cosmetic surgery because he used an unqualified technician in a hair transplant procedure.

The state Board for Professional Medical Conduct ordered Dr. Dennis Daly to close SNY Surgery Center in East Syracuse. It also directed him to permanently stop performing hair transplants, Botox treatments and other types of cosmetic surgery.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Regency Gold Corp. (TSXV: RAU.H) ("Regency" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of new directors to the board and the appointment of a new executive management team for the Company. The new team is comprised of Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer and Director, James Gallagher, Executive Chairman and Director and Dean Chambers, Director. Ms. Kelsey Chin, will remain in her current capacity as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company.

In connection with the foregoing, the Company announces the resignation of William Radvak as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company and the resignations of Aleem Nathwani and Brian Stecyk as Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors and management would like to thank Messrs. Radvak, Nathwani and Stecyk for their contributions to the Company and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

About the New Management Team and Directors

Brief biographies of the members of the newly appointed Board of Directors and management team of the Company are as follows:

Abraham Drost, M.Sc., P. Geo., CEO and Director - Mr. Drost is a Professional Geoscientist (Ontario) and a graduate of the University of Waterloo (B.Sc) and Queen's University (M.Sc.). Mr. Drost is a former President and Director of Sabina Gold and Silver Corp., former President and Director of Gold X Mining Corp. and former CEO, and Director of Mexican Gold Corp. Mr. Drost is a former Chairman of Premier Gold Mines USA Inc. and the former CEO and founding Director of Premier Royalty Inc., prior to the sale to Sandstorm Gold Ltd. He was a former CEO and then Director of Mega Precious Metals Inc. at the sale to Yamana Gold Inc. Mr. Drost was most recently CEO and Director of Carlisle Goldfields Ltd. at the sale to Alamos Gold Inc. He previously served as Regional Land Use Geologist with the Ontario Geological Survey, promoting exploration best practises for junior mining companies on aboriginal traditional territories.

James Gallagher, P. Eng., Executive Chairman and Director - Mr. Gallagher is a Professional Engineer and seasoned mining executive with a 35-year track record of optimizing operational performance, leading successful projects and consulting with global scope. Mr. Gallagher was most recently the President and CEO of North American Palladium Ltd. ("NAP"). During his 6 year tenure at NAP, Mr. Gallagher rebuilt the senior management team, introduced advanced technologies and mining methods at the Lac des Illes Mine and achieved an operational and financial turnaround that made the Lac des Illes Mine one of the largest and lowest cost underground mines in Canada, culminating in the 2019 sale of NAP for $1 billion to Impala Platinum. Prior to NAP, Mr. Gallagher spent 24 years with Falconbridge Ltd., in a variety of operational and project management roles and eight years as Global Director of Mining for Hatch, leading one of the largest mining EPCM teams in North America. Mr. Gallagher is a Director and chair of the Health, Safety and Technical committee for Harte Gold, serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Mining Association.

Dean Chambers, P. Eng., ICD.D., Director - Mr. Chambers is a Professional Engineer and financial executive with over 35 years of business, technical and financial experience. In 2017, Mr. Chambers retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Sherritt International Corporation, a major international resource company. Mr. Chambers' career as a senior executive in the mining and chemical industries also includes progressive positions with The Dow Chemical Company, Falconbridge Limited and Dynatec Corporation. Most recently, Mr. Chambers served four years on the Board of Directors and chaired the Audit Committee of North American Palladium Ltd. leading up to its successful sale to Impala Platinum in 2019. Mr. Chambers holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mr. Chambers also serves on the Industrial Advisory Committee for the Engineering and Management program at McMaster University.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Abraham Drost"

Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer of Regency Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:

Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer of Regency Gold Corp.

Phone: 807-252-7800

Email: adrost@cleanairmetals.ca

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Cautionary Note

The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.



NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52404
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Linkedin Chappy Hakim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020

President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Jan. 23 inaugurated the third runway of Jakartas Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA), which was built to manage the rapid growth in air traffic at the countrys busiest airport.

Over the past two decades, air traffic congestion has caused frequent disruption at departure terminals, resulting in many delayed flights, even outright cancellation.

Air traffic had reached such a critical level that flight delays lasted between eight and 10 hours. Such a severe traffic problem could have been avoided had the SHIA management, in this case state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II, properly anticipated the impacts of growth in traffic.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mi  A woman struck a flight attendant and interfered with the crew during a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Rapids, a federal indictment said.

Amy Jo-Manshum John is charged with two counts of interference with flight crew members and attendants, a potential 20-year felony.

The government said she was unruly and tried to intimidate other flight attendants.

John has yet to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.

The trouble happened Dec. 14 aboard Allegiant Airlines Flight 1795, on a non-stop flight from Hollywood International Airport in Floridas Broward County to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.

The indictment said she assaulted a flight attendant who was identified in court documents by initials, D.W.

Specifically, while the flight was in progress, defendant swung her arm twice at D.W. to strike her, Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay West wrote in the indictment.

The indictment said John intimidated three other flight attendants, and such intimidation interfered with the performance of these flight attendants and lessened their ability to perform their duties as flight attendants. Specifically, while the flight was in progress, defendant was disruptive, unruly, and disobedient.

Beyond a possible prison sentence, if convicted John faces up to three years on supervised release and up to $250,000 in fines.

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New Delhi, Feb 13 : An interesting battle has erupted between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and historian Ramachandra Guha over whether India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru did not want Sardar Patel in his first cabinet.

The war erupted over Twitter after Jaishankar released a book on V.P. Menon, a senior civil servant who worked closely with Patel, by Narayani Basu and endorsed the view that Nehru did not want Patel in his Cabinet. The Twitter exchange has now carried on for two days in spurts.

"Learnt from the book that Nehru did not want Patel in the Cabinet in 1947 and omitted him from the initial Cabinet list. Clearly, a subject for much debate. Noted that the author stood her ground on this revelation," Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday.

"Sharp contrast between Patel's Menon and Nehru's Menon. Much awaited justice done to a truly historical figure," he said.

Jaishankar went on to say, quoting Menon, that there was a deliberate campaign to efface Sardar Patel's memory.

"'Exercise of writing history for politics in the past needs honest treatment. When Sardar died, a deliberate campaign was begun to efface his memory. I know this, because I have seen it, and at times, I fell victim to it myself'. So says VP Menon," Jaishankar said in a series of tweets.

Reacting to the Minister's statement that Nehru did not want Patel in his Cabinet, historian Ramachandra Guha called it a "myth" which has comprehensively demolished by Professor Srinath Raghavan.

Guha went on to say that it is not the "job of the Foreign Minister to promote fake news, false rivalries which should be left to BJP's IT Cell".

"Besides, promoting fake news about, and false rivalries between, the builders of modern India is not the job of the Foreign Minister. He should leave this to the BJP's IT Cell," Guha said in a sarcastic tweet.

Jaishankar then made a repartee.

"Some Foreign Ministers do read books. May be a good habit for some Professors too. In that case, strongly recommend the one I released yesterday," he said.

Backing up his argument with documents, Guha then posted a letter from Nehru to Patel dated August 1, 1947. In the letter, Nehru invites Patel to join the first Cabinet of free India, calling him the "strongest pillar" of that Cabinet.

"Can someone show this to Jaishankar, please," Guha asked on Twitter. Tagging Jaishankar's 'foreign ministers do read books' tweet, the historian added, "Sir, since you have a Ph D from JNU you must surely have read more books than me.

"Among them must have been the published correspondence of Nehru and Patel which documents how Nehru wanted Patel as the 'strongest pillar' of his first Cabinet. Do consult those books again." Joining the conversation, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said: "Problem with this very accomplished and erudite Foreign Minister is that he wishes to forget the books he read before becoming Foreign Secretary in January 2015" and released a series of letter showing that Nehru called Patel "a pillar of the Cabinet".

Ramesh released a Nehru letter to Patel dated August 1 1947, where he writes, "you are the strongest pillar of the Cabinet." He also posted Nehru's letter to Mountbatten of July 19, 1947 with Patel right on top of the new cabinet list. He also shared Nehru's letter to Patel dated August 4, 1947 with the cabinet list including the latter's name.
The United States is discussing military cuts in Africa, has tightened visa rules for Africans and President Donald Trump notoriously was quoted as disparaging the continent with a vulgar epithet.

But in his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa in his nearly two years in office, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will seek to lay out a positive vision for US cooperation with the continent where China has been increasingly active.

Pompeo on Saturday begins a trip to Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia, chosen for their leaders' attachment to democratic values in a continent that has seen backsliding in recent years.

"These three countries are major contributors to regional stability. Also, the countries are benefiting from dynamic leadership," a senior State Department official said on customary condition of anonymity.

The official said that a "major theme" will be the growing role of China, which has poured money into the continent as part of its global blitz of infrastructure spending.

China has invested especially heavily in Angola, which racked up an estimated $25 billion in debt to Beijing to be repaid with oil shipments.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his democratic reforms and reconciliation with Eritrea, speaks on a visit to South Africa in January 2020. By Phill Magakoe (AFP/File)

The United States has been encouraging developing countries to exercise caution with China, saying that big-ticket projects can turn into debt traps that primarily benefit China, and has billed the US private sector as an alternative.

The US official said Pompeo would stress "economic growth, trade and investment" in a continent whose population is forecast to double by 2050.

"We want to absolutely empower that youth and make sure that they are a force for dynamic growth and economic empowerment and better governance in the world," he said.

Concerns on security

The United States has hardly sent consistently supportive messages ahead of Pompeo's trip. The Pentagon announced this week that it will start adjusting its military presence in Africa as it considers cuts, with resources instead expected to go to countering China, Russia and Iran.

Soldiers from the French Army in the Sahel monitor a rural area in northern Burkina Faso in November 2019. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP/File)

France has voiced particular concern at the impact of US cuts on the fight against Islamist extremism. The French are leading a 4,500-strong operation in the Sahel to crush a rise in militants, with the United States providing in-flight refueling and other logistical support.

"I think the signal the US government is said to have sent that they are withdrawing from the Sahel will be very, very worrisome in Senegal and in the Sahelian countries," said Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, a professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar.

"This should be a very important talking point during his visit," said Mbaye, who is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

Senegal's President Macky Sall, seen here in January 2020, will meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the start of the top US diplomat's Africa tour. By Tobias SCHWARZ (AFP/File)

Weeks before Pompeo's trip, the United States said it was also sharply tightening visa rules for citizens of six countries including Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria, and Sudan, whose new civilian government has been seeking international support.

US officials said the countries needed to resolve technical issues related to security, but some critics recalled Trump's widely reported remarks in 2018 when he used a profanity to describe African and poorer Western Hemisphere nations that send immigrants to the United States.

A trip is not a 'strategy'

Angola's President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, seen here in May 2019, has won praise for his democratic reforms. By Michele Spatari (AFP/File)

One former US diplomat expressed confusion over the goals of Pompeo's trip to sub-Saharan Africa, the only region he has not previously visited.

"It's not clear why he is going now and whether this is part of any broader US strategy on Africa, especially when the administration has indicated in just the last few weeks that it intends to exponentially reduce its security and aid investments," said the former diplomat, who requested anonymity to speak candidly.

"You can't just check the box of having an Africa policy by stopping in a few countries on a big continent and then call that a strategy."

Witney Schneiderman, who worked on Africa in the State Department under president Bill Clinton, said Pompeo's trip showed the Trump administration trying belatedly to set "a positive tone on the continent."

But he said that Pompeo would have his hands full explaining the mixed messages from Washington, which include sharp cuts in both the Commerce Department and overseas aid in Trump's latest budget proposal.

"I think that he risks getting caught up in a sort of China-China-China dynamic and really needs to convey to African leaders that Africa is genuinely a priority for the United States," said Schneiderman, who is also at the Brookings Institution.

Then US secretary of state Rex Tillerson receives a cup of brewed coffee during a traditional ceremony at the US embassy in Addis Ababa in March 2018. By JONATHAN ERNST (POOL/AFP/File)

"If he can cut through and promote those messages clearly, then I think his trip will be successful."

The last secretary of state to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Pompeo's predecessor, Rex Tillerson, in March 2018.

He was unusually buoyant in Africa but the trip was not auspicious. On his return, Trump fired him.
By The Associated Press Feb. 12, 2020 | 05:28 AM | MANCHESTER

Bernie Sanders won New Hampshires presidential primary, edging moderate rival Pete Buttigieg and scoring the first clear victory in the Democratic Partys chaotic 2020 nomination fight.

In his Tuesday night win, the 78-year-old Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, beat back a strong challenge from the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. The dueling Democrats represent different generations, see divergent paths to the nomination and embrace conflicting visions of America's future.

As Sanders and Buttigieg celebrated, Amy Klobuchar scored an unexpected third-place finish that gives her a road out of New Hampshire as the primary season moves on to the string of state-by-state contests that lie ahead.

Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden posted disappointing fourth and fifth place finishes respectively and were on track to finish with zero delegates from the state.

The New Hampshire vote gives new clarity to a Democratic contest shaping up to be a battle between two men separated by four decades in age and clashing political ideologies. Sanders is a leading progressive voice, having spent decades demanding substantial government intervention in health care and other sectors of the economy. Buttigieg has pressed for more incremental change, preferring to give Americans the option of retaining their private health insurance while appealing to Republicans and independents who may be dissatisfied with Trump.

Their disparate temperaments were on display Tuesday as they spoke before cheering supporters.

We are gonna win because we have the agenda that speaks to the needs of working people across this country, Sanders declared. This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.

Buttigieg struck an optimistic tone: Thanks to you, a campaign that some said shouldn't be here at all has shown that we are here to stay."

Both men have strength heading into the next phase of the campaign, yet they face very different political challenges.

While Warren made clear she will remain in the race, Sanders, well-financed and with an ardent army of supporters, has cemented his status as the clear leader of the progressive wing of the party.

Meanwhile, Buttigieg must prove he can attract support from voters of color who are critical to winning the nomination. And unlike Sanders, he still has multiple rivals in his own ideological wing of the party to contend with. They include Klobuchar, whose standout debate performance led to a late surge in New Hampshire and a growing national following. While deeply wounded, Biden promises strength in upcoming South Carolina. And though former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg was not on Tuesday's ballot, he looms next month when the contest reaches states offering hundreds of delegates.

After a chaotic beginning to primary voting last week in Iowa, Democrats hoped New Hampshire would help give shape to their urgent quest to pick someone to take on Trump in November. At least two candidates dropped out in the wake of weak finishes Tuesday night: moderate Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and political newcomer Andrew Yang, who attracted a small but loyal following over the past year and was one of just three candidates of color left in the race.

The struggling candidates still in the race sought to minimize the latest results.

Warren, who spent months as a Democratic front-runner, offered an optimistic outlook as she faced cheering supporters: Our campaign is built for the long haul, and we are just getting started."

Having already predicted he would take a hit in New Hampshire after a distant fourth-place finish in Iowa, Biden essentially ceded the state. He traveled to South Carolina Tuesday as he bet his candidacy on a strong showing there later this month boosted by support from black voters.

Still, history suggests that the first-in-the-nation primary will have enormous influence shaping the 2020 race. In the modern era, no Democrat has ever become the partys general election nominee without finishing first or second in New Hampshire.

Sanders and Buttigieg were on track to win the same number of New Hampshire delegates with most of the vote tallied, with Klobuchar a few behind. Warren, Biden and the rest of the field were shut out, failing to reach the 15% threshold needed for delegates.

The AP allocated nine delegates each to Sanders and Buttigieg and six to Klobuchar.

The action was on the Democratic side, but Trump easily won New Hampshire's Republican primary. He was facing token opposition from former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld.

With most of the vote in, Trump already had amassed more votes in the New Hampshire primary than any incumbent president in history. His vote share was approaching the modern historical high for an incumbent president, 86.43% set by Ronald Reagan in 1984. Weld received about 9% of the vote of New Hampshire Republicans.

The political spotlight quickly shifts to Nevada, where Democrats will hold caucuses on Feb. 22. But several candidates, including Warren and Sanders, plan to visit other states in the coming days that vote on Super Tuesday, signaling they are in the race for the long haul.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited TEVA reported fourth-quarter 2019 earnings of 62 cents per share, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings per share rose 18% year over year due to higher operating profit, partially offset by higher tax.

Revenues came in at $4.47 billion, which beat the consensus estimate of $4.37 billion. Sales rose 1% (up 2% in constant currency terms) year over year as higher sales of respiratory products and new drug Austedo offset lower sales of Tevas key multiple sclerosis injection, Copaxone due to generic erosion and sales decline in some international markets.

Segment Discussion

Teva reports through the following segments based on three regions  North America (United States and Canada), Europe and International Markets.

North America segment sales were $2.37 billion, up 6% year over year due to launch of Truxima, Tevas biosimilar version of Roches RHHBY Rituxan, in November 2019 and higher sales of Qvar and Austedo, which offset the impact of generic erosion of Copaxone.

Copaxone posted sales of $264 million in North America, down 26% year over year due to generic erosion.

Combined sales of Bendeka and Treanda declined 11% to $125 million due to lower volumes and price. The launch of a competing bendamustine solution by Eagle Pharmaceuticals EGRX in June 2019 hurt volumes of Bendeka/Treanda.

ProAir sales rose 77% to $80 million due to higher sales reserves recorded in the year-ago quarter. Qvar sales were $67 million in the quarter, rising massively year over year due to higher price and volume.

Austedo, a new drug approved to treat chorea associated with Huntingtons disease and tardive dyskinesia, recorded sales of $136 million in the quarter in North America compared with $105 million in the previous quarter.

Ajovy, Tevas new migraine treatment, recorded sales of $25 million in the quarter, same as the previous quarter. Teva said that Ajovy captured about 17% share of total prescription in the United States, less than 19% in the previous quarter. Management, in the past, had attributed the lower market share to preference of patients for auto injectors while Ajovy is available as a subcutaneous injection. Importantly, Tevas auto injector device for Ajovy is now approved in the United States and EU and will be launched soon, which could re-ignite growth in 2020.

Story continues

Generic products revenues rose 3% at $1.14 billion in the North America segment as additional sales from the launch of generic products including Truxima were offset by price and volume erosion due to competitive pressure.

Teva saw stabilization of the generic pricing environment in the United States as well as Europe, in 2019. In 2020, it expects both North America and Europe generics to be relatively stable compared to 2019, benefiting from generic launches.

Distribution revenues, generated by Anda, acquired from Allergan AGN in 2016, rose 13% in the quarter to $412 million.

The Europe segment recorded revenues of $1.18 billion, down 2% year over year as higher sales due to generic launches were offset by lower Copaxone revenues. However, on a constant currency basis, sales rose 2%.

In the International Markets segment, sales declined 3% (same in constant currency terms) to $578 million due to lower sales in Japan and Israel. Sales, however, rose in Russia.

The Other segment (API manufacturing business and certain contract manufacturing services) recorded revenues of $332 million, down 11% year over year, in constant currency terms.

Costs Decline

Adjusted gross margin declined 210 basis points (bps) to 50.6% in the quarter. Adjusted research & development expenses declined 18% year over year to $237 million due to pipeline optimization. Selling and marketing (S&M) expenditure declined 13.4% from the year-ago level to $665 million due to cost cutting and re-structuring activities. General and administrative (G&A) expenses declined 6.4% year over year to $309 million. Adjusted operating income rose 12% in the quarter to $1.06 billion due to lower costs.

Full Year 2019 Results

In 2019, revenues were $16.9 billion, down 8% (down 5% in constant currency terms). Adjusted earnings were $2.40 per share, down 17.8%, year over year.

2020 Guidance

Teva expects revenues to be in the range of $16.6 - $17.0 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $17.11 billion. Earnings are expected in the band of $2.30-2.55 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $2.51 per share

In 2020, Teva expects global Copaxone sales of approximately $1.2 billion, $300 million lower than in 2019. While Austedo is expected to record sales of $650 million, Ajovy is expected to bring in $250 million in global sales.

Adjusted operating income is expected to be between $4.0 billion and $4.4 billion in 2020. Free cash flow was guided in the range of $1.8-$2.2 billion.

Our Take

Though Tevas fourth-quarter earnings were in line, sales beat expectations. Tevas revenues seem to have stabilized after declining for the past few quarters which probably led to a 9% increase in share price on Wednesday. Also, its sales guidance for 2020 was slightly better than expected

However, in the past year, Tevas shares have declined 23.8% against the industrys increase of 2.7%.

Teva faces challenges in the form of generic erosion of Copaxone, new competition for branded products, pricing erosion in the U.S. generics business and a massive debt load. Nonetheless, its two-year restructuring plan was successful, leading to $3 billion in cost savings by 2019.

Its newest drugs Austedo and Ajovy could emerge as significant drivers of long-term sales growth. With encouraging progress on restructuring activities, stabilization in U.S. and European generics business and improvement in financials, we believe the company may return to growth in 2020

Teva, however, is involved in an opioid litigation and faces DOJ investigations on allocations of price fixing, which are overhangs on its stock. Teva faces several lawsuits, which claim that it is one of the several companies whose opioid-based drugs were responsible for fueling nationwide opioid epidemic.

There is uncertainty related to the ultimate liability Teva could face in these litigations/investigations. The company may have to pay huge amounts to settle the opoid litigations. However, its chief executive officer, Kare Schultz, said on the conference call that he is cautiously optimistic about the opioid litigation ending in a firm settlement.

Currently, Teva has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Quote

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Belkin International has reached out to highlight a slew of accessories that are fully compatible with the new Samsung Galaxy S20 series. The gadgets fall into the charging, audio, and connectivity categories, respectively.

While not entirely new to the market, each accessory is also compatible with Samsungs second foldable smartphone. Thats the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. So theres really something there for everybody who happens to be picking up any of the handsets launched this week at Samsungs annual Unpacked event.

Audio solutions for the Galaxy S20 or Z Flip from Belkin

The first two solutions on offer from Belkin are each audio-focused accessories that work with the Samsung Galaxy S20 series or the Galaxy Z Flip. Samsung has left the 3.5mm audio jack well behind with its latest devices so both utilize USB-C.

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First up is Belkins RockStar 3.5mm Audio + USB-C Charge Adapter. As its name implies, thats a combination audio and charging adapter, with both plugs built into a single unit. That unit links to a short cable that ends with a USB-C port that plugs into the smartphone.

On the charging side, the RockStar branded dual-use adapter can connect to any compatible USB Power Delivery or Quick Charge 2.0 charger or power source. That allows charging at up to 36W. The big selling point for this adapter is that users can simultaneously utilize the built-in 3.5mm audio jack. That port is tied in with a digital-to-analog converter for high-quality audio throughput.

Belkins RockStar 3.5mm Audio + USB-C Charge Adapter retails at just $39.99 direct from the company.

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For those who just need a 3.5mm auxiliary cable to output only audio, Belkin also offers the RockStar 3.5mm Audio Cable with USB-C Connector. This accessory is a bit more straightforward. It features a single cable at up to 6-feet in length that ends in a USB-C plug at one end and a 3.5mm audio plug at the other.

Like similarly designed accessories, that lets users plug into their Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Flip on the one end. The other end can be plugged into any 3.5mm audio input jack such as those found on many car stereos. Belkin sells the RockStar 3.5mm Audio Cable with USB-C Connector at just $24.99

Belkin accessories for powering up

The most well-populated category for Belkins Samsung Galaxy S20 series or Galaxy Z Flip accessories is geared toward powering up the devices. First up is the BOOSTCHARGE USB-C to USB-C Cable with Strap. Thats a four-foot durable, double-braided nylon USB-C to USB-C charging cable that comes in black, white, or pink colors. It also features a brown-leather button strap to keep the cable organized.

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Unlike standard cables, Belkins offering also features Aramid fibers at the core and elongated TPE ends. That adds to both flexibility and durability. And theyre fully compatible with USB-PD charging standards for fast charging for just $24.99 from Belkin.

Conversely, Belkins BOOSTUP Quick Charge 3.0 Home Charger with USB-A to USB-C Cable is a more standard Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0-compatible home charger.

That charges at up to 18W via a single port via a four-foot cable at $34.99. So it isnt quite enough to hit the new Galaxy S20 series 25W fast charging minimum. But Belkins solution will charge faster and safer than many aftermarket chargers and comes with a Belkin Connected Equipment Warranty. Thats worth up to $2,500 to replace the devices if something does go wrong.

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The final two charging accessories for Samsungs new Galaxy-branded handsets from Belkin are wireless charging solutions.

Each offers the same Belkin Connected Equipment Warranty but both serve entirely different needs. Both also work with any Qi-enabled smartphone  or just about any wireless charging smartphone on the market. Each also works with cases up to 3mm thick as long as the case isnt metal.

The BOOSTUP Bold Wireless Charging Pad 10W for Apple, Samsung, LG, and Sony is a home wireless charging solution. That offers up to 10W of charging power in white, pink, or black colorations.

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Aside from its sleek, minimal design and a multipurpose LED indicator, Belkins home wireless charger also features foreign object detection. That means the charger will actively stop any power delivery if certain objects are placed on the pad or between the phone and the pad. In effect, it adds a separate layer of safety. All of that costs just $59.99.

Last but not least, Belkins Wireless Charging Vent Mount 10W  Wireless Car Charger is an in-car solution offering effectively the same benefits. The charger attaches to the air vent in a car and comes with a dedicated plug to utilize the vehicles auxiliary power outlet. Belkins in-car wireless charger costs $59.99.

Belkins WiFi 6 router keeps connection speeds up at home

The last of the Samsung Galaxy S20 and Z Flip accessories put forward by Belkin is the Linksys MX5 Velop AX Whole Home WiFi 6 System. As its branding implies, thats a WiFi 6 router. So it can help users get the fastest connection speeds possible even when theyre not out on the town picking up 5G. For those users with a mobile data cap, thats a bonus. The router can ensure that users arent burning through that when theyre at home, without sacrificing speed.

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Specifically, WiFi 6 offers up to 4-times the speed and the MX5 Velop AX Whole Home WiFi 6 System is no exception to that. With up to 12-stream connectivity, speeds of up to 5.3 Gbps are possible. Thanks to an associated app, that also comes with serious on-the-go control for the network and easier setup.

The router is additionally compatible with Velop Mesh WiFi nodes. So even if the extended range available with WiFi 6 doesnt quite cover the whole home, its relatively easy to extend the network further.

The Linksys MX5 Velop AX Whole Home WiFi 6 System is set at a price of $399.99 direct from the Linksys website.
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that the safety violations of two companies led to the deaths of two workers at a Happy Valley music festival last summer.

OSHA has issued $31,000 in fines to Pickathon LLC and GuildWorks LLC after two workers died at the Pickathon Music Festival last August in a lift accident.

The workers, Brandon Blackmore and Brad Swet, were up in a boom lift taking down a shade installation at the Happy Valley music festival. The lift, which was on an incline, tilted and fell, killing the two men. They fell about 40 feet. The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office said that the two were wearing safety equipment and were roped to the boom lift.

OSHA said two alarm devices on the boom lift had been disabled, one of which would have alerted users that the machine was on uneven terrain. The other would have stopped the platform from moving upward if an employee became pinned between the platform and something overhead. Each company was fined $12,500 for disabling the alarms.

OSHA also fined GuildWorks $6,000 for not following the instructions provided by the boom lift manufacturer  including not raising the lift while on an uneven surface, maintaining a firm footing on the platforms floor at all times and not putting the lift in a raised position while the counterweight, used for balance, was on the downward side of a slope.

The agency said the investigation revealed that Pickathon and Guildworks had a history of failing to follow proper safety procedures.

It is an employers responsibility to make sure that safety rules are followed for the very purpose of protecting workers from such tragedies, said Michael Wood, an OSHA administrator. This is a time to pause and remember that two people died, leaving behind family and friends. And it is a time to remind ourselves that this accident was entirely preventable.

Blackmore had worked for GuildWorks for two years, and Swet had been an independent contractor with GuildWorks for seven years, according to a news release from GuildWorks in August. After the accident, Pickathon and Guildworks set up a fundraiser for the families of the two men.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR

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Egypt extends detention of Coptic Christian activist, delays court hearing

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Authorities in Egypt have again delayed the court hearing for a Coptic Christian activist jailed last November on preposterous charges, according to a persecution watchdog group.

It's been over two months since plainclothes police officers in Cairo raided the home of Christian activist Rami Kamil during the early hours of the morning. He was taken into custody and reportedly accused of joining a terror group as well as broadcasting false information.

However, advocates contend that Kamil was targeted because of his advocacy for human rights and religious freedom. Kamil is part of the Maspero Youth Union, an activist group fighting for equality and civil rights for the Coptic community. He has also written about the mistreatment suffered by Christians in Egypt.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a United Nations-recognized NGO that works in several countries to assist persecuted communities, reports that Kamil was slated to appear before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on Jan. 19.

But on the day of his hearing, Kamils lawyers waited several hours before being informed that the Ministry of Interior did not bring Kamil from Torra prison to the SSSP office for the hearing.

According to CSW, this is not the first time that the government ministry failed to transfer Kamil from the prison to the hearing.

Sources who spoke with the nonprofit agency believe that failure to bring Kamil to his scheduled hearings are an attempt to prolong his legal process as well as increase psychological pressure.

There have been several procedural irregularities in Kamils case. According to CSW, Kamils detention was extended by 15 days after an interrogation by prosecutors. Defense attorneys were informed that Kamils detention would be extended again even though he has not been formally charged with a crime.

It is not yet clear when the next hearing is scheduled.

Mr. Kamils detention increasingly appears to be an effort to punish him for his work as a human rights defender, CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said in a statement. We call for his immediate and unconditional release, and for due process to be observed.

SSSP officials are accused of preventing Kamils lawyers from gaining full access to documents related to their clients case while the request for Kamils release remains unanswered.

Mr. Kamils lawyers must be permitted to access every document and testimony related to this case to mount an appropriate defense, Thomas added.

The Egyptian government must ensure that it upholds its constitutional obligation under article 53 to ensure equality before the law without discrimination.

Egypt ranks as the 16th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs World Watch List.

According to the U.S.-based advocacy group Coptic Solidarity, political detentions in Egypt are common as the state utilizes a variety of tools to censor free speech.

Since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rose to power in 2014, the group reports that restrictions of free speech, free assembly and freedom of the press have been well documented.



Crushing political dissent, imprisoning journalists and censoring the press are rarely discussed in relation to church building permits, discriminatory practices and violence against Copts in Egypt, writes Amy Fallas of The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

The arrest of a prominent Christian activist who works to document sectarian attacks alongside the targeting of an independent media outlet should challenge policymakers to consider issues of religious freedom in tandem with the protection of other civil liberties in Egypt.

Although Sisis government has promoted initiatives to support religious freedom for Coptic Christians and fight radical Islamic extremism, Fallas fears that U.S. leaders have celebrated Sisis initiatives without assessing if these efforts actually improved conditions for Christians in Egypt.

In response to the opening of the cathedral in January 2019, President Donald Trump interpreted the inauguration as Sisis effort to move his country to a more inclusive future! she wrote. Yet analysts in Egypt and abroad pointed to how this gesture obscured the fact that the Church Construction Law passed in 2016 was slow to approve construction and renovation permits for thousands of churches across the country.

Although Egypt has legalized some churches, thousands of churches await government recognition.

As Open Doors USA notes, many Egyptian Christians face substantial roadblocks when it comes to living out their faith and that religious freedom for Christians is not fully guaranteed.

Egyptian Christians are often victims of social exclusion and face constant discrimination in areas such as justice, education and basic social services, Open Doors USA warned in a fact sheet. In rural areas, Christian women have been targeted for abduction and forced marriage.
Britain can look forward to the liveliest VE Day since 1945 with confirmation that pubs, clubs and cinemas can stay open until 1am to mark 75 years since the Second World War ended in Europe.

Ministers had already announced that the traditional early May bank holiday will be moved from Monday May 4 to Friday May 8 for the landmark anniversary.

And Home Secretary Priti Patel will lay an order before Parliament formally extending licensing hours on the day.

And Home Secretary Priti Patel, pictured yesterday in Parliament, will lay an order before the Commons formally extending licensing hours on VE day

A file photo shows a picture of a pub in Hammersmith. All premises that are licensed to trade until 11pm will get a top-up of an extra two hours to take them into the morning of May 9, the Home Office said

The biggest event will be VE Day 75 at Londons Royal Albert Hall, supported by the Daily Mail

All premises that are licensed to trade until 11pm will get a top-up of an extra two hours to take them into the morning of May 9, the Home Office said.

Miss Patel said: Pubs are at the heart of our communities and this is a great opportunity to raise a glass to mark this historic occasion.

The biggest event will be VE Day 75 at Londons Royal Albert Hall, supported by the Daily Mail.

Featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Military Wives Choirs, celebrities VIPs and, above all, veterans, the event has sold out.

However, it will be screened live in more than 400 cinemas nationwide.
When most Americans think of the World War II battle for Iwo Jima  if they think of it at all, 75 years later  they think of one image: Marines raising the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi, the islands highest point.

That moment, captured in black and white by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal and as a color film by Marine Sergeant William Genaust, is powerful, embodying the spirit of the Marine Corps.

But these pictures are far from the only images of the bloodiest fight in the Marines history. A larger library of film, and the men captured on them, is similarly emotionally affecting. It can even bring Americans alive today closer to a war that ended in the middle of the last century.

Take for instance, just one scene: Two Marines kneel with a dog before a grave marker. It is in the final frames of a film documenting the dedication of one of the three cemeteries on the island. Those two Marines are among hundreds present to remember the more than 6,000 Americans killed on the island in over a month of fighting. The sequence is intentionally framed by the cinematographer, who was clearly looking for the right image to end the roll of film in his camera.

I came across this film clip in my work as a curator of a collection of motion picture films shot by Marine Corps photographers from World War II through the 1970s. In a partnership between the History Division of the Marine Corps and the University of South Carolina, where I work, we are digitizing these films, seeking to provide direct public access to the video and expand historical understanding of the Marine Corps role in society.

Over the past two years of scanning, I have come to realize that our work also enables a more powerful relationship with the past by fostering individual connections with videos, something that the digitizing of the large quantity of footage makes possible.

The campaign within the battle

Iwo Jima, an island in the western Pacific less than 1,000 miles south of Tokyo, was considered a key potential stepping stone toward an invasion of Japan itself.

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During the battle to take the island from the Japanese, more than 70,000 Marines and attached Army and Navy personnel set foot on Iwo Jima. That included combat soldiers, but also medical corpsmen, chaplains, service and supply soldiers and others. More than 6,800 Americans were killed on the island and on ships and landing craft aiding in the attack; more than 19,200 were wounded.

More than 50 Marine combat cameramen operated across the eight square miles of Iwo Jima during the battle, which stretched from Feb. 19 to March 26, 1945. Many shot still images, but at least 26 shot motion pictures. Three of these Marine cinematographers were killed in action.

Even before the battle began, Marine Corps leaders knew they wanted a comprehensive visual account of the battle. Beyond a historical record, combat photography from Iwo Jima would assist in planning and training for the invasion of the Japanese main islands. Some Marine cameramen were assigned to the front lines of individual units, and others to specific activities, like engineering and medical operations.

Most of the cameramen on Iwo Jima used 100-foot film reels that could capture about two and a half minutes of film. Sgt. Genaust, who shot the color sequence atop Suribachi, shot at least 25 reels  just over an hour of film  before he was killed, roughly halfway through the campaign.

Other cameramen who survived the entire battle produced significantly more. Sgt. Francis Cockrell was assigned to document the work of the 5th Divisions medical activities. Shooting at least 89 reels, he probably produced almost four hours of film.

Sgt. Louis L. Louft fought with the 13th Marines, an artillery regiment; his more than 100 film reels likely resulted in more than four hours of content. Landing on the beach with engineers of the 4th Division on Feb. 25, 1945, Pfc. Angelo S. Abramo compiled over three hours of material in the month of fighting he witnessed.

Even taking a conservative average of an hour of film from each of the 26 combat cameramen, that suggests there was at least 24 hours of unique film from the battle. Many surviving elements of this record are now part of the film library of the Marine Corps History Division, which were working with. The remainder are cataloged by the National Archives and Records Administration.

While military historians visiting the History Division in the past have used this large library, the bulk of its films have not been readily available to the public, something that mass digitization is finally making possible.

For many decades, the visual records made by Marines have been seen by the public only piecemeal, often with selected portions used as mere stock footage in films, documentaries and news programs, chosen because a shot has action, not because of the historical context of the imagery.

Even when they are used responsibly by documentary filmmakers, the editing and selection of scenes imposes the filmmakers interpretation on the images. As a historian and archivist, though, I believe it is important for people to directly engage with historical sources of all types, including the films from Iwo Jima.

The highest and purest form

After the battle, the Americans buried their dead in temporary cemeteries, awaiting transportation back to the U.S. The film segment just before the graveside scene shows a service honoring the Americans of all backgrounds who had bled and died together.

At that service, Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn, the Marines first-ever Jewish chaplain, gave a eulogy that has become one of the Marine Corps most treasured texts. Noting the diversity of the dead, Gittelsohn said, Here lie officers and men, Negroes and whites, rich men and poor  together. Here are Protestants, Catholics, and Jews together. Here no man prefers another because of his faith or despises him because of his color.

Gittelsohn called their collective sacrifice the highest and purest democracy.

Connecting to the present

After the dedication ceremonies, Marines walked the 5th Division cemetery, looking for familiar names. The photographers were there, and one recorded the footage of the two Marines  names not known  and the dog, at a grave with only the number 322 as a visible marking.

The image stood out. The two Marines looking directly at the camera seemed to reach across the decades to compel a response. Researchers at the History Division identified the Marine beneath marker 322 as Pfc. Ernest Langbeen from Chicago. It felt appropriate and important to add his name to the online description for that film, so I did.

I then located members of the Langbeen family, and told them that this part of their familys history existed in the History Divisions collections and was now preserved and available online after more than seven decades.

Speaking with the family, I learned more about the Marine in grave 322. One of the two Marines in the picture may well be his best friend from before the war, a friend who joined the Corps with him. They asked to serve together and were assigned to the same unit, the 13th Regiment.

Now, family members who never knew this Marine have a new connection to their history and the countrys history. More connections will come for others. The digital archive were building will make it easier for researchers and the public at large to explore the military and personal history in each frame of every film.

The visual library of more than 80 online videos from Iwo Jima carries in it countless Pfc. Langbeens, ordinary Americans whose lives were disrupted by a global war. Each film holds traces of lives cut short or otherwise irrevocably altered.

The films are a reminder that, 75 years after World War II, all Americans remain tied to Iwo Jima, as well as battlegrounds across the world like Monte Cassino, Peleliu, Bataan and Colleville-sur-mer. Americans may find their relatives in this footage, or they may not. But what they will find is evidence of the sacrifices made by those fighting on their behalf, sacrifices that connect each and every American to the battle of Iwo Jima.

[ Like what youve read? Want more? Sign up for The Conversations daily newsletter. ]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts.

Read more:



The United States Marine Corps Film Repository at the University of South Carolina is made possible in part through the generous support of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society as well as donations from Marine Corps Leagues and individuals.
A 104-year-old war hero was left speechless after receiving thousands of Valentines Day cards from well-wishers and admirers.

William White, a World War Two US Marine veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart medal for his service, was dazzled to see his home fill with more than 70,000 tributes from across the world.

The retired major lives in an assisted living facility in Stockton, California, from where one of his fellow residents launched a heartwarming social media campaign in his honour.

Dubbing it Operation Valentine, the neighbour asked friends and strangers alike to send greetings to Major Bill in time for February 14.

Thousands of Valentine's Day cards poured into his postbox / REUTERS

The goal was initially set at a modest 100 cards  in recognition of Major Whites age  but the response swiftly outstripped all expectations.

Its just too fantastic, Major White told reporters while surrounded by waist-high stacks of bulging postal boxes..

Major White said the surprise was 'too fantastic' / REUTERS

A week before Valentines Day, at least 70,000 cards and letters had arrived from people in every US state and several foreign countries.

The quantity of mail is so great that the great-grandfathers family has had to enlist volunteers to help open the cards and read them to the proud veteran.

Many of the emotional messages have shared a deep appreciation not only for Major White for his service, but to all veterans who have given their lives to their country.

The 104-year-old was awarded a Purple Heart medal after being wounded at Iwo Jima / REUTERS

A woman identified only as Jane told the major, who retired after 35 years of active service, that her late grandfather also fought in the Second World War as a US Army paratrooper.

I miss him so much, she wrote. By sending you this card, I feel as though I am sending my grandfather a card.

The 104-year-old admitted he had never really celebrated Valentines Day before, even when his wife of 42 years was alive.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are embarking on their brand-new life and stepping away from the royal family to enjoy their own independence.

The couple has been spending a few weeks in limbo as they sort out the details of the change in their status  including figuring out how they will make money, how they will raise their young son, and where they will live.

A recent report reveals that the two have narrowed down a home base, and the location is certainly surprising to many royal supporters.

Why are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle retiring as senior royals?

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

While many people might have guessed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle werent particularly happy with how things were going within the royal family, few could have predicted the announcement that they made in early January. The couple revealed that they would be retiring as senior royals and stepping away in order to focus on their own projects.

Although the initial statement, which they posted to their shared Instagram account, was scarce on details, it made waves around the world all the same. Markle and Prince Harry stated that they wanted to make their own income and work on projects important to them, such as a bespoke charity, all while raising their son in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Reportedly, the news came as a shock to the royal family, and that the queen herself wasnt even aware of the extent of the couples plans. Still, the royals have been working with Markle and Prince Harry, to help craft a new living situation that will suit their plans for the future.

Where will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be living?

Shortly after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their announcement, the two headed to Canada to lie low and avoid the spotlight. There were many reports that the couple wanted to create a home base there  after all, Markle spent years of her life there, filming her TV series Suits, and has a special attachment to the country.

However, a recent report reveals that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are actually seriously considering moving to Los Angeles, California, instead.

The report, which features inside secrets from a royal family insider, claims that while the couple absolutely loves living in Canada, they also love the culture and support system that they have in California. After all, Markle was raised in Los Angeles and is a self-proclaimed California girl.

The royal insider also revealed that it is likely the couple will end up purchasing homes in both LA and Canada  which will leave them with precious little time to devote to Prince Harrys family in the U.K.

Royal fans are very confused

One of the big reasons for Prince Harry and Meghan Markles step back from the spotlight has been the negative treatment that Meghan Markle has endured from the press and public.

In light of the negativity, the couple has been even more fervently embracing their privacy and has chosen to keep many details of their home life (and baby Archies upbringing) strictly to themselves. They even withstood a barrage of criticism after keeping his christening a private affair.

Therefore, the possibility of Markle and Prince Harry moving to Los Angeles is even more baffling to royal fans. As Hollywoods home base, the streets are full of paparazzi and press, looking for the latest celebrity pictures and videos.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would certainly be one of the most targeted couples, and they certainly wouldnt enjoy the same level of privacy that they are currently receiving in Canada. It also seems unlikely that they could work out any sort of deal in L.A. that would give them the privacy and peace that they claim to crave.
HONG KONG  An apartment building in Hong Kong, its units linked by pipes. A department store in the eastern Chinese city of Tianjin, where more than 11,000 shoppers and employees mingled. A ski chalet in France, home base for a group of British citizens on vacation.

These sites, scattered around the world, have become linked by a grim commonality: They are places where pockets of new coronavirus cases have emerged in recent days, raising fears about the virus ability to spread quickly and far beyond its origins in central China.

Since the dangerous outbreak emerged in late December, the vast majority of cases have been concentrated in Wuhan, the city where the new virus was first reported. The authorities there and in the surrounding province have sealed off tens of millions of people in a desperate attempt at containment.

But as the outbreaks toll has mushroomed  it has claimed more than 1,000 lives in China and sickened more than 43,000  it has become clear how easily the virus can be transmitted and how hard it may be to contain, even in communities around the world that are far removed from Wuhan. Many of the people infected had not even been there.

In Tianjin, the authorities ordered more than 10,000 people into quarantine, after they traced one-third of cases in the city to a single department store.

In Hong Kong on Tuesday, dozens of residents were evacuated from their apartment building overnight, as two people living 10 floors apart were found to be infected with the coronavirus. Officials said an unsealed pipe might be to blame.

And in Britain on Tuesday, a businessman who is believed to be the source of 10 other cases in Britain and France said that he showed no symptoms before testing positive for the coronavirus.

The new coronavirus, though most serious in China, holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, said at a forum in Geneva on Tuesday.

As the outbreaks health implications have mounted, so has its political toll: It is already one of the most significant crises for the central government in decades. Chinas ruling Communist Party dismissed two health officials in Hubei, the province at the center of the epidemic, and replaced them with a leader sent from Beijing. They were the first senior officials to be punished for the governments handling of the outbreak.

This week, the Chinese authorities urged factory workers and farmers to get back to work. But at the same time, other officials warned that there may be new outbreaks in the coming weeks  particularly in three populous provinces, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Henan  as migrant workers return to their jobs after the Lunar New Year break.

They also highlighted the role of clusters, which they defined as two or more infections within a relatively small area, in accelerating the diseases spread.

Wu Zunyou, the chief epidemiologist of Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference Tuesday that there had been nearly 1,000 clusters in China, with 83% occurring within families. But schools, factories, shopping centers and medical facilities also contributed to the spread, he said.

In Tianjin, more than 600 miles from Wuhan, officials have taken drastic steps to contain a cluster of cases linked to the department store in the district of Baodi. An outbreak in that city could be especially troublesome for the central government: It is only a half-hour from Beijing by high-speed train.

At least 33 of the citys 102 confirmed patients worked or shopped at the department store, or had close contact with employees or customers, according to local health authorities. Of those, many  including the latest patient, a 31-year-old woman announced Tuesday  had no history of travel to Wuhan.

In response, officials said that people who had visited the store in late January would be required to quarantine themselves at home. They said they had already tracked down around 11,700 employees and shoppers but expected that number to rise.

Health officials in the city used loudspeakers along streets and in communities to urge residents to contact the government if they had been to the store recently, Chinese news reports said. They also sent teams of officials into villages and put out alerts on social media.

The authorities deployed round-the-clock security guards in parts of Baodi, and said they would allow residents in some areas to leave their homes only once every two days.

Mao Jinsong, the district head of Baodi, compared the department store to the seafood market in Wuhan where the outbreak is widely considered to have started.

Do not let Baodis department store become Wuhans seafood market, he said at a news conference.

In Hong Kong, the authorities ordered the evacuation of some apartment building residents after finding that a 62-year-old woman, who was newly confirmed as infected, had an unsealed pipe in her bathroom. The woman lives 10 floors below a resident who was earlier found to be infected.

Four other people living in three other units also displayed symptoms of the coronavirus, according to Sophia Chan, Hong Kongs health secretary. Later Tuesday, the citys health authorities announced that three relatives of the 62-year-old woman had also been infected.

The news further rattled an already-nervous city, which is still scarred by the memory of the 2003 SARS outbreak. Back then, 329 residents of a crowded housing development became infected with the new virus, which some experts believe had spread through defective piping. Forty-two of the infected residents died.

The authorities sought to ease those fears Tuesday, pointing to differences in the pipe systems of that building in 2003 and the newly evacuated one. But they acknowledged the risk of previously unknown modes of transmission, potentially even through the air, not just through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

On Tuesday afternoon, the police had blocked off the building, allowing in only residents who showed identification. A street cleaning vehicle sprayed down the road outside, even as light rain fell.

We absolutely will not lower our guard, and will definitely conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation, Carrie Lam, Hong Kongs chief executive, said.

Still, Andrew Easton, a professor at the University of Warwick who specializes in the molecular biology of viruses, said it was virtually inevitable that the new coronavirus would spread rapidly within communities, even with heightened vigilance by both health officials and everyday people.

Any situation that brings a group of individuals together in close proximity or frequently for extended periods of time will provide enhanced opportunities for the virus to spread, he said in an email. He added: Of course the virus can be transmitted before symptoms appear in an infected individual, so it is not possible to always avoid such situations.

The case of the French chalet makes clear just how rapidly the virus can leap from person to person, even after global awareness of the outbreak has spread.

The infections there are believed to have roots in a conference in Singapore last month, which a British man, Steve Walsh, attended before flying to Geneva, according to the French authorities and to Walsh, who publicly identified himself on Tuesday. While there, Walsh is believed to have been exposed to the coronavirus, though he did not immediately show symptoms.

From Singapore, Walsh traveled to the chalet in the French Alpine village of Les Contamines-Montjoie, where he stayed with a group of other Britons. Then he went home to southern England.

Soon after his return, he was diagnosed with the virus. Then, five of the other Britons at the ski resort, who are still in France, tested positive for the virus, according to the French authorities.

And on Monday, the British authorities announced that four more people in Britain  including two health care workers  had been diagnosed with the virus, doubling the number of cases in the country. All the new cases were linked to the chalet cluster, officials said.

On Tuesday, Walsh, who identified himself in a statement issued from the hospital where he is in isolation, sent his sympathies to others who have been exposed.

Whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus, he said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

Can parties deny ticket to people with criminal background? SC to decide today

The Supreme Court on Thursday will pronounce its verdict on steps to be taken to address the problem of criminalisation of politics. The court in its judgment is expected to decide whether directions can be issued to political parties to deny tickets to candidates with criminal background. Read more.

Punjab cops seek Indian Air Forces help to counter UAVs

The Punjab Police is concerned about the growing use of technology in a narco-terrorism racket from across the border in Pakistan, with about 40 movements of sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) noticed in the Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozpur and Fazilka districts. Read more.

Disquiet in BJP after partys crushing defeat in Delhi poll, but all back nationalism plank

Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Manoj Tiwari Wednesday dismissed reports that he offered to step down after the partys crushing defeat in the Delhi elections in which it won only eight seats. Read more.

Kolkata cant dial 100 as police system goes down; cellphones come to the rescue

When someone is in distress, dialling police helpline number 100 can help. But not in Kolkata. The entire system which hosted the number 100 and other emergency services like 112, 1090 and 1091 went down on Tuesday. Read more.

Tug of war likely among Maharashtra coalition partners over Rajya Sabha seat

With seven Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra retiring in April, there might be a tug of war between the three allies of the Maharashtra Vikas Agadhi for an additional seat in the Upper House. Read more.

Sarfaraz Khan making up for lost time with daddy hundreds

Sarfaraz Khan is fast making up for lost time this season. As Mumbai play their last game of their season, Macho is one of the first names on the team sheet. On Wednesday, he served another reminder of his potential with a scintillating 169 not out. Read more.

Kartik Aaryan says hes a big Shah Rukh Khan fan: Playing a romantic hero was my dream

Actor Kartik Aaryan has said that he is a big Shah Rukh Khan fan, and that playing a romantic hero had always been a dream of his. Read more.
By Karson Humiston Founder & CEO of Vangst.

With attitudes changing about the legalization of cannabis, 2020 is looking bright for the cannabis industry, even though it faced many uphill battles in 2019. According to projections in the 2019 edition of the Marijuana Business Factbook, retail sales of medical and recreational cannabis in the United States are estimated to double from 2018 to 2020 and could rise to $30 billion by 2023.

The cannabis industry will continue on a track for long-term growth if the demand for cannabis and hemp products stays at an all-time high, legalization is pushed forward in other states, new laws are implemented in mature markets, and consumer awareness is increased.

Here are 8 cannabis industry predictions for 2020 from cannabis industry recruitment firm Vangst:

Continuation Of State-Level Legalization

Despite some disappointing losses last year, the cannabis industry is still looking towards more states moving toward adult-use legalization. In January, New Hampshire approved a bill that would legalize adult-use in the state, and New Mexico is in the process of revising a bill that could legalize it as well. Cannabis advocates are hopeful Virginia, Arizona, and Missouri may legalize adult-use cannabis soon, while medical conversations are starting in Alabama, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Kentucky. Finally, three states  Mississippi, New Jersey, and South Dakota  have already put marijuana legalization measures on their November ballots.

Federal Legalization Stand Still

Although the MORE Act and the SAFE Banking Act arent likely to pass in 2020, federal conversations have started, which is an optimistic outlook for the future. Rep. Joe Kennedy III recently changed his stance on marijuana and signed the MORE Act, raising the number of co-sponsors to 67, and four bipartisan sponsors of the SAFE Banking Act sent a letter to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo on Jan. 21 asking him to advance the Senate version of the bill. The 2020 presidential election could help or hinder the future of these bills, depending on the elected nominee.

Story continues

Tech Takeover

As more retailers accept debit card payments, thanks to cashless ATMs (point of banking system) and online payment processing companies, businesses will likely continue catering to consumer preferences and offer cashless transactions. Retail cannabis locations are also embracing e-commerce and are extending this service for faster in-store pick-up. The tech takeover doesnt stop there -- companies are focusing on product transparency by allowing the consumer to track the supply chain information, potency, and dosage information for legal products.

See Also: Cannabis Tech Companies On Restrictions At CES: 'Lots Of Room For Growth Ahead'

And while cannabis tech was barred from CES 2020, there are hopes that it will be allowed in the future. This will educate consumers on what cannabis tech can do and help it become more widely accepted.

CBD Cools Off As Other Cannabinoids Come Into Focus

CBD took center stage in 2019 as brands flocked to offer CBD-infused products of every kind imaginable, but with more than 100 other known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, lesser-known compounds like CBG, CBN, THCv and others will gain traction as the benefits for each become more well-known. Each cannabinoid has its own handful of medicinal properties, and consumers value personalization when it comes to health and the retail experience. Well likely see a shift towards more comprehensive cannabinoid product offerings this year.

Talk Of Terpenes

Cannabis connoisseurs are looking more closely at terpenes, the aromatic oils that provide the identifying smell of a strain. While more research is needed to identify to what extent terpenes affect the experience, some brands may switch from reporting the sativa/indica distinction to displaying a more extensive report of cannabinoids, terpenes and the overall effect of the strain.

Investments Tighten Up

Cannabis is an incredibly lucrative and exciting landscape, but investors are proceeding more cautiously before funding new opportunities. As the industry is at its largest and most profitable yet, its not a sign of the industry as a whole. However, investors may spend more time evaluating companies and requesting records of proven profits before pulling the trigger.

Convenience Is King

Although there are already consumption-friendly restaurants and lounges in California, Colorado is finally allowing cannabis hospitality licenses. It could mean cannabis consumption lounges will become available in the state, with the trend possibly continuing in Washington and Illinois. Also, Colorado passed a bill that will allow cannabis delivery, another milestone that California, Nevada, Oregon, and Massachusetts already have in place. And Alaska recently approved the first marijuana retail stores that will allow customers to smoke or consume products on site.

Karson Humiston is the founder and CEO of cannabis recruiting platform Vangst. She was named a Forbes 30 under 30 in 2018. Vangst if a portfolio company of Casa Verde Capital.

Lead image by Ilona Szentivanyi. Copyright: Benzinga.

The preceding article is from one of our external contributors. It does not represent the opinion of Benzinga and has not been edited.

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 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Ella is not someone who likes to be out of control, and she tends to take it upon herself to make sure there are no lulls in a conversation. This makes her a great date  according to Allison, she totally nailed it!  but tends to leave her feeling unsatisfied, even guilty. I did feel like I was hosting the conversation and was encouraging her to speak, Ella said. I dont want that to be the case. I want it to be a give and take.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson began a post-Brexit shake-up of his top team Thursday by sacking his Northern Ireland minister, despite his role in restoring devolved government to Belfast.

Julian Smith was a surprise casualty of the Conservative leader's first cabinet reshuffle since his victory in December's general election and after Britain left the European Union on January 31.

Smith was widely praised for persuading rival parties in Northern Ireland to return to the power-sharing government last month, three years after the assembly collapsed over an energy scandal.

But The Times newspaper said Johnson felt "blindsided" by the deal, because it includes an investigation into alleged crimes by British soldiers during decades of sectarian violence known as The Troubles.

Smith announced his departure on Twitter, saying it had been "the biggest privilege" to hold the job and that he was "extremely grateful" to Johnson for giving him the chance to serve.

Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney replied quickly, praising him for his work "at a time of real challenge & risk".

"Without your leadership I don't believe (Northern Ireland) would have a Govt today... UK & #Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it," he wrote.

Johnson held off from carrying out a cabinet reshuffle immediately after his December victory, choosing to wait until Britain left the EU.

After years of political turmoil over Brexit, he wants to focus this year on domestic issues, including investments in police, healthcare and infrastructure.

There had been speculation he was planning a major reorganisation of government departments but Thursday's revamp is expected to be more modest.

Business minister Andrea Leadsom announced she was leaving government.

But key figures such as finance minister Sajid Javid and foreign minister Dominic Raab are expected to stay.

Johnson is however expected to announce the new president of the COP 26 UN climate summit, which is being held in Glasgow in November.

The former president, Claire O'Neill, was sacked last month. She responded with a blistering attack on his leadership, and warned that planning for the summit was "way off track".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Time to start thinking spring, birders. Migration is coming.

The snows still flying and temperatures are still below freezing, but those warblers in Central and South America are already making plans to head our way. Soon theyll descend on Northwest Ohio in a colorful frenzy, and birders will flock to meet them at the Biggest Week in American Birding.

The festival itself, one of the largest events of its kind, is still months away. It takes place May 8-17 in and around the Black Swamp Observatory in Oak Harbor. Registration, however, is just around the corner.

You dont want to wait long, either. Not if you plan to join any of the festivals guided birding trips or other keynote events. The best of these tend to fill up rapidly. The Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, the festivals hub, has been sold-out for months.

Eager Biggest Week patrons this year have the option of purchasing premier registration, entitling them to register and sign up for conference events two days early, beginning at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The rest must wait until noon on Thursday, Feb. 20.

The full schedule of 2020 Biggest Week events, including workshops, talks, and guided trips, is viewable online now at biggestweekinamericanbirding.com.

Premier registration, $50-$70, also is available now. Standard registration, $30-$55, begins Feb. 20. For more information, go to biggestweekinamericanbirding.com or call 419-898-4070.
Bengaluru, Feb 13 : US-based global safety certification firm Underwriters Laboratories (UL) would bridge skill gap in the life sciences industry in partnership with Karnataka's Manipal Global Education Services (MGES), an official said on Thursday.

"We have signed an agreement with UL to bridge the skill gap of students, professionals, corporates and entrepreneurs in the life sciences industry across the country," city-based Manipal Education and Health Group president Subrat Mohanty said in a statement here.

The collaboration envisages short-term certificate, long-term diploma and postgraduate diploma programmes in life sciences through Manipal ProLearn School of Pharma for excellence in quality.

UL's South Asia Managing Director Suresh Sugavanam signed the agreement along with Mohanty.

"The programmes will focus on training to develop job-specific skills in graduates and support the development of skilled resources for quality assurance, quality control and manufacturing operations in the life sciences industry," said Mohanty on the occasion.

In partnership with UL, the Manipal group will customise content to facilitate curriculum design and development through classroom and online learning as per the regulatory guidelines of the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

"We will roll out the course content and assessments on our learning platforms through UL certified trainers," said Mohanty.

The programmes will enable the partners to develop industry-ready graduates in the pharma and life sciences sector, said Sugavanam.

"We will offer a holistic programme with practical knowledge to stay abreast of the latest developments in the life science industry, worldwide," added Mohanty.

The Illinois-state based UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges.


Soldiers and porters jointly load supplies and materials onto a Z-8 transport helicopter on Feb. 12, 2020. (eng.chinamil.com.cn /Photo by Wang Chuanshun)

By Wang Chuanshun

WUHAN, Feb. 13 --At the request of the epidemic prevention and control headquarters of Hubei Province, the PLA Central Theater Command dispatched two Z-8 transport helicopters to deliver badly needed medical drugs and materials from Wuhan to Xiangyang and Yichang on the morning of February 12, 2020.

It is learned that such transport tasks will be conducted twice a week with two sorties per time until the end of traffic restrictions in Wuhan, capital city of Hubei Province and the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
A Madison man has been missing for more than a week and Madison County Sheriffs Office officials are concerned for his safety.

Virginia State Police have issued an alert for James Jimmy" Jenkins, 85, who was last seen on the evening of Feb. 4 at his home on Ridgeview Road, in Madison County.

Jenkins may be traveling in a blue 2000 Chevrolet S-10, police said. He is described as a white man, about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds. He was last wearing a black and white flannel shirt and blue jeans.

Madison County Sheriffs Office investigators said there is a credible threat to his health and safety posed by his disappearance.

The sheriffs office asks anyone with information on Jenkins to contact them at (540) 948-5161.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 13:14:16|Editor: huaxia

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WUHAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been admitted to a makeshift hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, as of the end of Wednesday.

The hospital has reached its full capacity, with all beds occupied, including those in the ICU, said Zhang Sibing, head of the Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital, one of the two newly-built temporary hospitals for treating patients infected with the virus.

The majority of the patients receiving treatment at the hospital have shown trends toward a stable condition, according to Zhang.

The hospital provides patients with personalized treatment in combination with nutrition therapy, psychological counseling and rehabilitation training.

Huoshenshan Hospital, built in 10 days, received its first batch of patients on Feb. 4. All patients admitted to the hospital were transferred from designated hospitals in Wuhan.
Up to 500 jobs are threatened at the UKs second largest steel manufacturer, British Steel. The corporation employs around 5,000 workers based mainly at its blast furnace steel works in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire in eastern England.

British Steel went into administration, the rough equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, in May of last year. Its owner, private equity company Greybull Capital, appealed to the Tory government for a 30 million (US $38.8 million) loan to rescue the company but this was turned down. The loan request came just weeks after the government lent the firm 120 million.

British Steel, still in the hands of the official receiver, has continued to operate while attempts have been made to find a buyer. The sale is being conducted by London-based accountancy firm Ernst & Young, known as EY.

Pressure is mounting to find a buyer, with British Steel said to be losing around 1 million a day. It is currently financed by a rescue package arranged by then Tory government Prime Minister Theresa May last August. The rescue package amounted to 300 million in the form of grants, loans and indemnities. The government indemnity agreement is due to run out at the end of this month.

Several companies have expressed an interest in buying British Steel. The leading candidate is the Chinese firm Jingye, which announced its interest in buying the company in November.

Jingyes chairman is former Communist Party official, Li Ganpo, who founded the company in 1994 and is said to own nearly 90 percent of it. Based in the Hebei province of China, the company was able to benefit from the boom in infrastructure growth as the Chinese economy grew. Jingye has expanded its business interests to include hotels, property and chemicals.

Jingye assets are mainly based in Hebei province and its bid for British Steel is a departure from its normal business plan. In 2018, Jingye produced 11 million tonnes of crude steel compared to the 7 million tonnes produced by the UK as a whole. Jingye has offered to pay 50 million for British Steel, declaring it will invest 1.2 billion into the operation.

The nationalist, pro-capitalist steel trade unions have no perspective to oppose any job cuts or attacks on conditions. Like unions across the world, which function as essential corporate partners in pushing though job cuts, speed-ups and rationalisations, the Community, Unite and GMB unions are playing the same role at British Steel.

Jingye has already consulted with the steel unions about its intended purchase of British Steel in order to smooth the way for the restructuring of the company and hundreds of job cuts. In 10 days of talks, the unions agreed to new contracts and job losses even before Jingye bought the company.

As the Financial Times commented on the January talks, Executives from Jingye and union officials have reached an understanding for the basis of new employment contracts and other aspects of a turnaround plan, three people with knowledge of the discussion said.

A joint statement by the unions said, As was widely expected, Jingye also intend to reduce overall headcount. This could be up to 500 jobs, though significant numbers have recently left the business, and will be subject to ongoing detailed discussion at departmental level. This is not something that the unions could endorse, and we have made the argument that the business needs to ensure the plant can be run efficiently and safely.

While posturing as opponents of job-cutting, the unions have a track record of colluding with corporate downsizing. The deal was described by the unions as broadly positive, but is being presented to their members for their consent with a gun held against their heads. Union officials are making it clear if workers do not accept this blackmail deal, the Jingye takeover will fall through, threatening the entire operation and more than 4,000 jobs.

Reporting on the talks, the Independent cited a statement from the National Trade Steel Co-ordinating Committee which incorporates the Community, Unite and GMB unions. It said, As British Steel is in liquidation, any new owner could just offer new contracts with statutory minimum terms and conditions. There is no legal obligation to offer more, nor to consult on any changes.

These talks also took place in the context of the Special Managers (EY staff) having made it clear that there will not be another sale process for the whole business if the Jingye deal does not complete. British Steel would be broken up and sold in parts [emphasis added].

Importantly, the employment package is also in the context of Jingyes 1.2 billion investment plan. We have seen the detail, and this investment would transform the business and secure the future of British Steel.

Speaking like a corporate executive, Ross Murdoch, national officer for GMB, said the union-Jingye deal is the right balance between delivering cost savings and maintaining jobs with decent terms and conditions to drive the new business forward.

The FT noted that Jingye, has obtained all necessary approvals from regional and national authorities in China, according to people close to the situation, and is now aiming to complete the transaction around February 27.

An obstacle to the deal going ahead could come from the French government. Part of British Steels holdings include its Hayange plant in northeast France. The plant produces steel rail for the state-owned train operator SNCF. The sale of Hayange needs approval from the French government because it is regarded as a strategically important facility. Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister has informed the UK Chancellor Sajid Javid of the French governments opposition to Chinese ownership of Hayange.

The BBC reported January 31 that the Hayange plant has already been advertised for sale separately from the UK operation, apparently with the blessing of the French authorities.

Labour Party shadow minister, Gill Furniss, whose portfolio includes steel, has written to Tory minister for steel, Nadhim Zahawi, urging the government to obtain French approval for the Jingye deal.

Furniss asked Zahawi about his contacts with the French government and demanded the Tories intervene to win French approval for the sale and for details of any reserve plans. The shadow minister is seeking to push through the deal on the nationalist basis of protecting our steel industry. Writing to Zahawi, she said, The government has claimed that it is committed to the steel sector in the UK. Now is the time to put these words into action.

The UK government has lined up other companies that have expressed an interest in taking over British Steel should the Jingye bid fall through. One is a Turkish conglomerate Cengiz Holdings, whose owner is close to Turkish president Erdogan. Cengiz management claims to be on good terms with the French government.

Another alternative is steel manufacturer Liberty Steel, a multi-national company with assets on every continent. A company spokesman said earlier this month, We have made it clear to the official receiver that we would be interested in buying British Steel in the event that the process with Jingye is discontinued. We believe we have a viable plan to make the business sustainable.

The various global firms are competing to secure access to the assets of British Steel, as part of their fight for prominence in an international market increasingly riven by trade war measures. For the steelworkers at Scunthorpe, the impending sale of the plant is just the latest episode in an ongoing erosion of jobs and conditions.

Greybull, the owners when British Steel went into liquidation last May, bought the plant in 2016 from its previous owners, Tata Steel, for the sum of 1. Known as a vulture fund, Greybull imposed cuts to jobs and conditions.

At the time, the WSWS commented, The sale of Tatas plants confirms the warning made by the World Socialist Web Site of the rotten role of the nationalist and pro-capitalist policies of the Labour Party and the trade unions in paving the way for further attacks on the working class in Britain and internationally.

We continued, At the centre of the takeover is what Greybull described on [April 11, 2016] as an agreement with trade unions and key suppliers to reset the cost base of the business. This includes workers taking a one-year pay cut of three percent and a three percent cut in their pension contributions. In a statement [April 11, 2016], the Unite union said it is recommending members vote to accept the changes in a ballot due to close on 19 April ahead of the formal sale of the Scunthorpe steelworks.

This was a call by the UKs biggest unionwhich never once raised the issue of industrial action to fight the threat to its members jobsto sacrifice workers conditions in the name of international competitiveness. In a further indictment of the unions role, Unite convenor for Tata Steel Scunthorpe, Martin Foster, said, It should not be forgotten though that many workers have already lost their jobs at Scunthorpe and those that remain are making huge sacrifices with their pay and pensions to secure their jobs.

In order to deliver the necessary cost savings, the unions will play the same role under Jingye if the takeover is finalised.
The funeral of murdered teenager Keane Mulready-Woods takes place in Drogheda today.

The 17-year-old was killed and his body dismembered in parts of Dublin last month.

Keane Mulready Woods was last seen in Drogheda on January 12.

He was later killed and his dismembered remains were found in a sports bag in Coolock in north Dublin and a burnt out car near Croke Park.

His death is believed to be linked to the ongoing Drogheda feud.

Today, the 17-year-old's funeral takes place in the Holy Family Church in Ballsgrove at 11am this morning.

Burial is afterwards in Calvary Cemetery.
The constellation of Orion the Hunter is one of the most dependable sights in the night sky. Even in the most light-polluted cities, the outline is readily visible. Orion has always looked a little cocky to me: the three stars of his belt cut an angled line, suggesting a hip thrust out to one side, while the bright stars that bejewel the corners of his shoulders and tunic make him look like he could be drawing his bow, which is what some mythological traditions say hes doingor he could be standing with his hands on hips, demanding to speak to the manager.

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However, recent observations reveal that Orion may not be so stalwart after all: Betelgeuse, the bright star whose ruby-tinted glow marks Orions shoulder, is getting dimmer. This fainting (yes, cue your mental image of a giant star swooning on an equally large chaise longue) has some people speculating that we might be witnessing the final days before Betelgeuse burns out in a spectacular stellar death explosion, known as a supernova. Over the past few months, Betelgeuse has plunged in rank from being the 12th brightest star in the sky to being closer to the 20th, and astronomers all over the world are keenly watching to see what happens next.

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Betelgeuse is a whats known as a red supergiant, a gargantuan star with about 20 times the mass of the sun. Betelgeuses outer layers have swollen so much that if it were plopped down in our solar system in place of the sun, it would fill the space all the way out to Jupiter, swallowing up Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Massive stars like Betelgeuse are known to live fast, die young: At a mere 8 million years young, Betelgeuse is nearing the end of its days. (For comparison, our sun is a bit under 5 billion years old and hasnt even reached midlife yet.) While supernovae happen all over the universe, its a rare treat to have one so close, and even better that at roughly 600 lightyears away, Betelgeuse is far enough that well get to see the fireworks without also being zapped by high energy radiation from them. Betelgeuses distance also means that, whatever happens, we are currently observing its pastthe dimming starlight we are seeing now on Earth has been traveling towards us for several hundred years. For all we know, Betelgeuse may have already exploded, but if it has, the light of its supernova hasnt reached us yet. If Betelgeuse has already exploded and the light from the explosion arrives here (for example) tomorrow, then well see the supernova tomorrowbut if Betelgeuse explodes tomorrow, Betelgeuse-time, Earth wont see it for another 600 or so years.

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Betelgeuses fainting is an exciting chance for naked-eye stargazers to see stellar evolution in action: If you go out and find the constellation of Orion, Betelgeuse is noticeably dimmer than before. The fact that Betelgeuse is ordinarily bright means that people have been studying it for a long time, and we rarely get such a detailed glimpse of what happens when stars die, let alone a star we know well. Betelgeuse is one of the only stars besides the sun whose surface has been imaged, revealing a face mottled by bright hot spots. Betelgeuses end, like that of all stars, will come as the result of a fuel crisis: Stars create energy via nuclear fusion, but over time run out of fresh fuel to fuse. In Betelgeuses case, its reached a stage where its puffed-up outer layers are unstable. Like a boiling pot left unattended, their churning dredges heavier elements from deep within the star, flecks of burnt stellar stew rising to the top.

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Part of what has captured peoples imaginations about Betelgeuse isnt just the possible supernova light showits that it is very rare to see the night sky change in such a clear, easily observable way. The stars tempt us into thinking that they are staticmany things in space change over timescales so cosmically long, no human can hope to see them. The idea that the stars were fixed has been around a long time, and throughout history, its even been considered sacrilege to say otherwise.

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But while Betelgeuses recent behavior has attracted special attention, its actually changing all the time. Betelgeuses atmosphere pulses at multiple frequencies, making the star change in brightness over periods of hundreds of days to years. While Betelgeuse may mark Orions shoulder, its pulsing could just as easily be thought of as Orions heart, a blood-red giant beating in our night sky. But it hasnt always been there, either. Betelgeuse was born around the time when the last common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees lived, so while it has evolved alongside humans as a species, no dinosaur ever saw its light.

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Betelgeuses recent changes are a reminder that the universe is a dynamic place, both variable and transient: Every night, across the sky, stars are changing in brightness while planets whirl around them, comets and asteroids are whizzing through the solar system, and distant stars die in huge explosions, scattering stardust that will eventually become a new generation of stars. Modern telescopes, like the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory, survey the sky over and over, collecting images to create cosmic movies that will reveal our changing sky like never before.

Its unclear whether Betelgeuse is beginning its death rattle or just having a particularly big swing in its already variable brightness. If it does go supernova, it will be nearly as bright in the sky as the full moon and will glow for months before its embers fade. If you are in a dark enough place on Earth during that time, it might even be possible to see your shadow cast by its last light. This spectacular show would come with a cost, however. While the leftover supernova remnant would still be visible to telescopes, its glowing filaments gracing Orions shoulder like a corsage, humanity would lose the ability to see it with our bare eyes. Perhaps then, instead of wishing for its demise, we can all look to Betelgeuse to live on and remind us that in this universe, change and impermanence are the only constants.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

Trend:

Azerbaijani Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has attended a meeting held at NATO headquarters in Brussels at the level of Defense Ministers of the Nations contributing to the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

During the meeting, security issues and political situation in Afghanistan, recent achievements and the future of the mission were discussed.
Mike Bloomberg Announced The Greenwood Initiative, a Plan to Revitalize the Black Community

At the site of the Black Wall Street Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg announced the Greenwood Initiative: Economic Justice for Black America. Mid-January, Bloomberg addressed the biases stifling the Black community and countering the issues with future plans that will create generational wealth through ownership.

Even though Greenwood was called Black Wallstreet it wasnt full of bankers; it was really just a thriving upper-middle-class community where people worked hard, played by the rules and believed that they could get ahead, Bloomberg stated in the opening of his speech. In other words, it was just like many places across the country. Except it was a Black community.

He continues explaining the depths of the attacks; homes ruined, businesses burned to ashes and families broken apart killing more than 200 Black residents. Recalling a personal account from a diary of an individual who experienced the massacre. Bloomberg expressed his confusion and disdain for the results of years of negligence and abuse towards the Black community.

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For hundreds of years, America systematically stole Black lives, Black freedom and Black labor. Theft of labor and a transfer of wealth enshrined in law and forced by violence, he stated. The impact of that theft over a period of centuries has meant an enormous loss of wealth from individuals and families across generations.

Its time to say enough and do something about it, he proclaims. The challenge of African American wealth creation today is inextricably linked to the racial inequalities of the past.

The Greenwood Initiative, broken into three parts intends to lay a path to create nearly one million Black homeowners and 100,000 Black business-owners over the next decade. The initiative also includes a $70 billion investment in the countries most disadvantaged communities nationally.

Bloomberg believes homeownership is the way to build generational wealth, through the Greenwood Initiative. He aims to provide down payment assistance, enforce fair lending laws, reduce foreclosures and evictions and increase the supply for affordable housing.

The second aspect, increasing the number of Black business-owners is set to be accomplished by setting up user-friendly one-stop shops for entrepreneurs, expanding the access to mentorships and incubators and Black-owned businesses, increase access to capital and by supporting Black-owned banks. The efforts will also give much focus to Black women as they are now the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs.

Lastly, Bloombergs plan to invest $70 billion into neighborhoods that need financial assistance includes, identifying 100 cities nationwide that the most disadvantaged. This plan also includes the creation of the Neighborhood Equity and Opportunity Office (NEOO) which will set the agenda, authorize spending and guide implementation and manage the evaluation of the effort.

That will reduce but not eliminate the wealth gap between White and Black families, but it will build the momentum we need to close it entirely someday, Bloomberg said.

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Achieving these goals will help our country begin to confront the legacy of what Frederick Douglas called the sin and shame of America  the time has come to fully commit ourselves to acknowledging our history and righting our countrys wrongs.

Throughout the years Bloomberg has faced his fair share of critiques. As Mayor of New York, many policies implemented led to the over-policing of Black and Brown people. In his speech, he opens up about the effects stop-and-frisk policy had on citizens. He stated once he realized it cause more harm than good, he removed the law in efforts of bettering the lives of those targeted.

I was wrong not to act faster and sooner to cut the stops, and Ive apologized to New Yorkers for that, and for not better understanding the impact it was having on Black and Latino communities, he explains. Ive always believed, though, that leadership involves listening to diverse opinions, and acknowledging when you didnt get them right, and learning from it. Thats what Ive always tried to do.

With the Greenwood Initiative, Bloomberg promises to farther right the wrongs of not only his decision making but that of Americas history. Through inclusion, he claims to make each level of the community apart of his decision-making process, which will ultimately affect voters and citizens in every state.

Our plan will empower each group to play an important role, and our work will benefit all Americans who have been subject to discrimination and bias.

Black history is American history, he says in his closing. Finalizing with an acknowledgment of the contributions Black Americans have made in our history.

Even as they knew they would be deprived of their fair share of the rewards, from our countrys first days Black Americans found hope and kept face in the promise of equality embedded in the Declaration of Independence. When war came, as it did in every generation, they signed up to fight on the front lines, he said.

To me, there is no greater patriots in Americas long history than the Black citizens who are willing to die for a nation that was denying them their rights.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, won 62 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi, while the BJP bagged the remaining eight seats.

IMAGE: A view of the Delhi BJP office on the Delhi polls results day in New Delhi on February 11, 2020. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo

The Bharatiya Janata Party increased its vote share in the Delhi Assembly polls but lost out to the AAP as the contest became "bipolar", party sources said after its top leaders conducted initial rounds of post-mortem of the party's drubbing.

The BJP's Delhi unit head Manoj Tiwari on Thursday met party president J P Nadda and its general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh for more than two hours at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

According to the sources, it was felt by leaders in the meeting that the party had put up a spirited fight and as a result the vote share of it and its allies rose by 8 per cent, but it suffered drubbing as the election turned out to be a "bipolar contest" and the Congress, once a dominant player in Delhi, was nowhere in the picture.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, won 62 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi, while the BJP bagged the remaining eight seats.

The Congress, which had governed the national capital for 15 years before the AAP, failed to win a single seat.

The BJP's vote share, along with that of its allies, increased to nearly 40 per cent but it lost out to the AAP, whose vote share was at 53.5 per cent, almost same as last assembly polls.

The Congress could garner only 4.26 per cent vote compared to more than 9 per cent votes it had bagged in the 2015 election.

In the meeting it was felt that in future, the party should prepare itself for bipolar contest in the national capital.

Thursday's meeting came a day after Nadda met all general secretaries of the party and held a discussion for more than two hours with them on the same issue.

The BJP has planned a large number of meetings to analyse its performance constituency wise on Friday at its Delhi unit's office.

Separate meeting each will held with the party's losing candidates, in-charges of different regions in the national capital, parliamentarians, the Delhi unit's office-bearers and others.

A report will be prepared on the basis of these meetings by the BJP's Delhi unit which will be submitted to the central leadership.
Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who is in Germany as part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, met with Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office Michael Roth, as reported the news service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Mnatsakanyan stated that Armenia attaches great importance to the partnership with Germany, and the interlocutors thoroughly touched upon the joint projects and initiatives aimed at expanding the cooperation between Germany and Armenia.

They also touched upon a broad range of issues related to the EU-Armenia partnership agenda and attached importance to the role of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Emphasizing that people are the main beneficiaries of the partnership, Minister Mnatsakanyan attached great importance to the implementation of activities for the launch of the visa liberalization dialogue.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the Armenian governments large-scale reforms targeted at the strengthening of democracy, rule of law and confidence in the judiciary and the fight against corruption.
Anticapitalistas, the faction of the ruling pseudo-left Podemos party in Spain linked to Frances Pabloite New Anticapitalist Party (NPA), are threatening to leave the Spanish government.

According to an electronic vote of the Anticapitalistas leadership leaked last week, they will not stand candidates in the March 21 Third State Citizens Assembly of Podemos, the partys key leadership body. They could still technically submit candidates until February 17, however.

This maneuver by Anticapitalistas reeks of hypocrisy. They are trying to shield themselves from mounting anger among workers and layers of the middle class at the reactionary policies of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, which is committed to austerity, militarism and police state policies. They are speaking of abandoning the government only a few days after a general strike in Spains Basque Country to defend pensions and yellow vest protests by Spanish farmers.

Anticapitalistas European MP Miguel Urban called his partys coalition with the Spanish Socialist Party a social free market government of the PSOE with some leftist ministers in its midst." He then warned of disaffection and frustration provoked by the neoliberal policies of the governmentthat is, of his own party.

The proposed departure of Anticapitalistas from the PSOE-Podemos government is a political fraud. Even as they move to leave, Anticapitalistas are making clear they have no principled differences with the government and will work with it again on the basis of its right-wing policies. They are leaving not to oppose Podemos and the PSOE, but to provide the ruling parties with a narrow political cover against growing anger among workers and youth.

Anticapitalistas leader Teresa Rodriguez insisted yesterday in a joint video with Podemos General Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias that Anticapitalistas and Podemos will maintain close and friendly relations. While announcing that she would not seek the investiture of Podemos in the southern region of Andalusia, she stressed that she would remain an ally of Podemos.

Rodriguez said, I believe that in politics as in life, there are ways of separating that are aggressive, violent and patriarchal, and then there are civilized, respectful, empathetic and even loving ways, which are the healthiest, which can be built and are possible in politics. That is the significance of the message we are sending today.

Pointing to discrepancies in Anticapitalistas over the governments strategy, she said: Andalusia should be led by a team in harmony with what has been decided by the majority of the leadership and membership of Podemos. That is, Rodriguez wants her region to be led by a team in harmony with the PSOE-Podemos government. She added that she wants to be getting it wrong by worrying about the government coalition, and wishes sincerely all possible luck to Pablo and his team.

As he tweeted the video, Iglesias commented: In politics as in life sometimes paths separate. Thank you to Teresa and your people for your loyalty. Thank you for doing this with maturity. This good-bye is just a see you soon. From different spaces we will meet to defend social justice. Good luck!

This was a summary of his remarks in the video with Rodriguez, where he praised her for giving an example of how to do things right, repeating: There is not good-bye, only see-you-soon.

The pro-PSOE daily El Pais also approved, writing that the departure of Anticapitalistas would strengthen the Stalinist Iglesias: The conclusion shared by different Anti-capitalist leaders is that, with them outside of Podemos, the vision of Iglesias as the leader of the Spanish radical left would be softened. Pablo would be the great beneficiary, an Anticapitalistas leader concluded, speaking to this newspaper. The most immediate consequence is that the moderate profile of Podemos would be reinforced.

If Rodriguez is calling for a loving break with Podemos, this is because she shares the anti-worker orientation of the petty-bourgeois, pseudo-left operatives making up this party. Five years after its Greek ally Syriza (the Coalition of the Radical Left) betrayed its 2015 election promises and imposed billions of euros in austerity on the Greek people, Podemos has in turn become a byword for right-wing policies. The PSOE-Podemos government is pledged to impose 8 billion in social austerity measures in 2020, while defending previously passed labour laws that undermined working conditions.

The government has also continued its predecessors anti-migrant policies, supporting Moroccos police terror on migrants to keep them from crossing the Mediterranean to Spain, while incarcerating migrants in detention centers or expelling them to their home countries.

It has continued the police state build-up in Spain, sending police to brutally attack strikes and farmers protests and arrest strikers. It passed a Digital Security Law that allows the state to shut down digital communications, internet infrastructure and apps at will, without a court order.

It has also worked to suppress notorious fascist torturer Antonio Gonzalez Pachecos service record. Better known as Billy El Nino (Billy the Kid), Pacheco was one of the most feared torturers of General Francisco Francos 1939-1978 fascist dictatorship. Though still alive, Pacheco has never answered for his crimes.

Though it has a loving relationship to such reactionary policies, Anticapitalistas is considering leaving Podemos.

It fears the growing international upsurge of the working class, which is rebelling against obscene levels of social inequality produced by capitalism. In Spain, a general strike in the Basque region paralysed the region two weeks ago. It was carried out under the slogan Jobs, pensions and decent lives, and was followed by farmers protests. Internationally, strikes have erupted in the US and Mexican auto industries, against French President Emmanuel Macrons pension cuts and against anti-Muslim laws in India.

Should the Anticapitalistas ultimately leave the government, they will work to gather petty-bourgeois organizations together to disorient and suppress working class opposition to Podemos. Other groups calling for a re-groupment of pseudo-left organizations like Anticapitalistas have already signaled their interest in an alliance with them.

The Corriente Revolucionaria de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras (Male and Female Workers' Revolutionary CurrentCRT) has called for the Pabloites to join them in a new anti-capitalist front. Last November, it posted an open letter to Anticapitalistas stating: If we fail to set up a leftist political alternative in the face of the inevitable failure of Podemos in a government that will not change anything, those who will reap discontent will be the right and the far-right.

Anticapitalistas European MP Urban made clear that Anticapitalistas could be interested in taking up the CRTs offer. The goal would be to build an organization to disorient and break up working class actions against the Podemos government, which Anticapitalistas supports.

Urban told EFE: "There has to be a social left in the streets and squares, and also a political left that does not enter [the government]. One that can escort the government when things are done well and criticize and pressure when things are done badly. He said Anticapitalistas are willing to undertake that task of building that alternative with many people from the political and social left.

The complicity of the Pabloites in the reactionary PSOE-Podemos government vindicates the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals critique of their pseudo-left politics. The only way forward is to mobilize the working class, in Spain, across Europe and internationally, independently of and against pseudo-left groups like Podemos. This requires building a section of the ICFI in Spain to take up its traditions of uncompromising political struggle against the Stalinist and Pabloite tendencies making up Podemos.
Ahmed and Lynch Elected Officers by GEICO Board

The GEICO Board of Directors last week elected Marouf Ahmed and Connie Lynch as the company's newest officers. Ahmed was named assistant vice president of Management Development; Lynch was named assistant vice president of Claims Legal.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005074/en/

GEICO AVP of Claims Legal Connie Lynch (Photo: Business Wire)

"Both Connie and Marouf have amply demonstrated their readiness to take on these new assignments," said GEICO President and CEO Todd Combs?.

Ahmed began his GEICO career in 2003 as a sales agent at the Woodbury, New York, regional office. He quickly worked his way up to sales supervisor, a position that led to a transfer to GEICO's Buffalo, New York, regional office in 2004. In 2006, he was promoted to sales manager and after a year in that role he joined the service department as a manager.

He came to GEICO corporate headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in 2010 to serve as a business project manager and spent about a year in tat role before he was promoted to multi-line process coordinator. He subsequently joined the IT Division, helping lead modernization of digital capabilities company-wide.







Ahmed transferred to the company's San Diego regional office in 2014 to lead service operations as a director. He returned to Chevy Chase three years later to serve as director of the GEICO Management Academy, which supports the company's goal of continued talent development to create a stronger and more diverse pipeline of leaders for the company.

Ahmed has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Hofstra University and an MBA from the University of Buffalo (SUNY).

After working as a defense attorney in private practice, Lynch joined GEICO's Staff Counsel as a trial attorney in 1997. After successfully defending the company and its customers in dozens of trials, Lynch, in 2008, transferred to the Claims Legal division. There, she, too, excelled and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility, including senior claims attorney and managing attorney.

Based at GEICO corporate headquarters, Lynch has extensive experience in complex litigation, having successfully managed class actions, anti-trust, affirmative fraud and bad faith cases around the country.

She holds a bachelor's degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland and a JD from American University School of Law.

About GEICO

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28 million vehicles. For more than 80 years, the company has worked to make people's lives better by protecting policyholders against unexpected events. As GEICO has grown, it has delivered money-saving coverage and outstanding customer service to policyholders through its investment in human resources and technology. GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and has a national workforce of more than 40,000 associates.

Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft and term life coverage are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Visit www.geico.com for a quote or to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005074/en/
DELPHI, Ind. (WLFI)  Three years after two teens were last seen alive in Delphi, Indiana State Police said they are "one piece away" from finding the killer.

ISP will not hold a news conference Thursday on the three year anniversary of when Abby Williams and Libby German went missing. That's different from the previous two years, where police gathered the media and public to provide an update.

So News 18 took our questions to Indiana's top cop.

"We are still as energized now as we were the day after," said Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter.

No one questions Carter's passion to solve the Delphi double-homicide case. Every time he talks about it, you can see it in his eyes.

"It's easy to throw out the cold case idea. Nah, we're not even close to that," Carter said.

Three years after the homicides, police are continuing to keep what they know close. We asked, but Carter couldn't answer many of our specific questions on the investigation. However, he is renewing that police are on the heels of the killer.

"One piece away, one piece away," Carter said when asked how close they were to solving the case. "Eventually, somebody will do the right thing. It might be the killer himself; might be a person who knows who he is."

Related: ISP release video, additional audio and a new sketch of the subject

Two investigators still work full-time on the case from the Delphi City Building. The ISP Laboratory Division, intelligence team and Fusion Center are still combing through the now 50,000 tips.

"We never throw anything out," said Carter. "When we are done with all we have, we start over. I think I got 18 tips yesterday. Just me at my desk."

It's easy to be your own detective and criticize the actual ones, but Carter says they accept that pressure.

"I'm so proud of them. I'm so proud of them," Carter said. "We can't talk about what we think. Everybody else can. Or what they believe happened. We can't. There has been some criticism of me, and I'm willing to take that. I can't explain all the things that I know."

Just police and the killer have that knowledge.

"He has no idea what we know, but one day he will," Carter added.

This a different type of case, because police have almost everything they need 'heroically' captured on Libby German's cellphone.

"I can't think of a time in my entire career, or in many other careers, where we have the voice of the person we believe is the killer, a photograph of who we believe is connected to the murder, and even a snip-it of how he moves," said Carter.

Indiana State Police have released a new video, sketch and audio of who they believe killed Abigail Williams and Liberty German in Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Read all the new information released here: https://t.co/WAQy2GPOYO pic.twitter.com/sbNXiHdnkN  WLFI News 18 (@WLFI) April 22, 2019

Carter said more information could be released in the future, but for now, this is what we are getting. He thinks it's enough.

"Somebody knows," Carter repeated. "Somebody knows."

He wants you to remember the two sketches are not photographs.

"I believe that eventually, we are going to be able to say this person's the killer, and there's a combination of those two images that will land on his face, whatever that might look like," Carter explained.

Carter said this is one of his priorities in life. Even if it takes another year or more, he's going to get it done for the families.

"If we hit year four, I hope we are sitting here again," said Carter. "But we will do everything within our power, and within the parameters of law, to find the individual who did this to Abby and Libby."

A memorial service is being planned at Delphi United Methodist Church Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. They're taking donations for food and pet supplies.

If you know anything in the killings of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, send your tip in. Email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com with any information.

For our complete coverage of the Delphi Homicides from the past three years, click here.
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday met Parliamentary delegation from Canada in New Delhi.

In the meeting, he said that India is an ideal destination where students from foreign countries can come to study niche courses like Yoga and Ayurveda, along with other disciplines in some of the best institutions in the country.

The Parliamentary delegation from Canada was led by the Speaker of the Senate George J Furey.

Nishank also spoke about the upcoming New Policy and how it is poised to make in India more accessible, inclusive and high quality.

He also discussed how relations between India and Canada can be strengthened further in the field of education.

"Pokhriyal also explained in detail the initiatives taken by the Ministry of HRD for internationalization of Higher Education, such as Study in India, Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) and Scheme for Promotion of Academic Research Collaboration (SPARC). He highlighted that Canada is one of the 28 countries participating in SPARC, with more 19 joint research proposals underways between Indian and Canadian Institutions," an official release said.

"Under GIAN, nearly 90 faculty members from Canadian institutions have come to teach courses in Indian institutions Shri Pokhriyal invited students from Canada to study in the fields of Yoga, Ayurveda, Hindi, Sanskrit, and other Indian languages and Indian philosophy along with science and technology in various Indian educational institutions," it read.

The minister spoke about the work being done by Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI), a bi- organization created by a joint announcement of Government of India and Government of Canada in 1968, towards promoting academic exchange between the two countries.

"We should strive to develop a system whereby the top Canadian companies and Indian companies provide an opportunity to internship students in their respective countries. Many multinational companies are doing excellent work in both India-Canada locations," he said.

Pokhriyal also appealed that there is a need to promote collaborative research with Indian establishments in Canada, as it is doing excellent work in the fields of nanotechnology, green energy, ecology, medicine, etc.

"We should make special efforts to the enhance exchange of students between the two countries," he said.

The minister hoped that the meeting will effectively help in developing strategies to promote balanced international mobility of students and faculty between higher education institutions between India and Canada.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Women wearing masks are seen on a bus in downtown Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus on Feb. 13, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters)

WHO Officials Rush to Figure Out Size of Coronavirus Epidemic

'How big is the iceberg?' Dr. Mike Ryan told reporters on Thursday

World Health Organization (WHO) officials are rushing to try to figure out how widespread the new coronavirus outbreak is after Chinese authorities reported a slew of new cases and deaths overnight.

Figures from the Chinese Communist Party are widely considered to be unreliable, but the even the official numbers show a stark jump in the number of cases and deaths, prompting WHO officials to work on the scope of the outbreak.

How big is the iceberg? Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the WHOs emergencies program, told reporters at a press conference at the organizations headquarters in Geneva.

We do know, and we all accept, that there is transmission occurring at some level in communities. Weve all seen those clusters, weve all seen those super-spreading events, he added. The question mark is how much is happening outside what we see?

The iceberg reference followed the head of the World Health Organization telling reporters earlier this week: We may only be seeing the tip of the iceberg.

Medical personnel arrive with medical supplies in a transport aircraft of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force at the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport following the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 13, 2020. (China Daily via Reuters)

Officials want to do household and community spread and implement serology testing to figure out the scope, Ryan said.

WHO officials have largely praised China for its response to the outbreak, even challenging a reporter who asked on Wednesday whether there had been any pressure to say nice things about the authoritarian country.

Ryan said the iceberg might not be that great, pointing out that public health officials in other countries who are testing suspected cases havent discovered large numbers of positives.

I sometimes find it difficult to understand why the assumption to the awful is the one thats accepted and while the assumption of what might be a higher proportional detection of cases is almost seen as invalid, Ryan said.

COVID-19, the new coronavirus, started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since spread to every region of the country. It started appearing in other countries the next month and caused the second death outside China, in Japan, this week.

Japan has hundreds of cases and other Asian countries are dealing with a rising number of patients testing positive as countries around the world take measures in attempts to stem the spread of the virus, about which much is still unknown.

The cruise ship Diamond Princess is pictured beside a Japanese flag as it lies at anchor while workers and officers prepare to transfer passengers who tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, Japan, on Feb. 12, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/ Reuters)

Scientists havent pinpointed the origins of the virus or some crucial details of how transmissible it is. China has prevented international health experts from being on the ground, finally allowing three experts into the country this week. Some seven others are expected to join them over the weekend, Ryan said.

The team members have largely been shielded from public view; the WHO has said the advance team was led by Dr. Bruce Aylward, a Canadian expert, and included Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO official. American officials said this week that no U.S. experts have been approved for the team.

Ryan said scientists are still working on pinpointing the origins of the virus while downplaying the jump in the number of reported cases in China.

We have seen a significant spike in the number of reported cases in China, but not a significant change in the trajectory of the COVID-19 outbreak, he said. This increase is in large part down to a change in how cases are diagnosed and reported.
Douglas Benevento, who as the leader of Region 8 of the Environmental Protection Agency is widely credited with breaking a negotiating logjam that prevented progress on the Butte Hill consent decree, has been nominated to the No. 2 position in the agency by the Trump Administration.

The nomination was announced early Thursday morning.

While he will require Senate confirmation to the role of deputy administrator, he is assuming the position on an acting basis pending that hearing. No Senate timetable has been set. That will be up to Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Its an honor to serve the administration, and particularly in the role Ive been asked to fulfill, Benevento said in an exclusive interview this week.

Benevento has been fulfilling many of the deputy duties since last March, including supervising the regional administrators.

As regional administrator youre more hands-on. Moving up to this job the level of abstraction is higher, he said. But in many ways its the same. Just as in Butte and Anaconda, we get to make a difference in peoples lives, addressing environmental damage, making sure its done well and making sure people live in a safe environment. I want to carry that with me, make sure we get things done. Its very satisfying work.

Asked about the Trump Administrations consistent proposed budget cuts to EPA, including Superfund, he said, "I think the President's budget will allow us to move forward and continue the job we've been doing. The agency needs to do the job more effectively and more efficiently and I think we've demonstrated we can do that. Whatever money Congress appropriates, and Congress makes the final decision, we will in fact use efficiently."

Benevento pointed out that Superfund sites like Butte and Anaconda "have special accounts that potentially responsible parties have paid into. Those sites are different." He said there is "money available for Butte and Anaconda and Libby to make certain the necessary work gets done."

He said his job will be to see that all the regions have the emphasis and support from headquarters necessary to do their work.

Benevento has a close relationship with Andrew Wheeler, EPA's leader.

He said their friendship "goes back to the 1990s when we were both working on the Hill. He was working for Sen. Inhofe (Republican Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma) and I was working for Sen. Allard (Wayne Allard, a Republican from Colorado). We collaborated on a lot of things on the Hill and just kept the relationship up after I went back to work for the state of Colorado."

Benevento has a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, a master's degree in government administration from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from the University of Denver.

While he was on Allard's staff, he worked to secure funds and establish cleanup requirements for the Rocky Flats Superfund site. He also worked on the House Agriculture Committee chaired by Rep. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and was instrumental in the development of the 1996 Farm Bill.

From 1999 to 2005, he worked for Colorado Gov. Bill Owens at the Colorado Department of Public Health and environment, including four years as executive director of the agency.

He has also practiced environmental law in the private sector, and worked for Xcel Energy.

He and his wife Gwen and two daughters live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Benevento said that he is very conscious of the work that still needs to be done at the Montana sites.

"Now that I'm in this job I'm still going to be paying a lot of attention to Montana," he said.

"Butte and Anaconda will definitely have a friend at headquarters."

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Technavio has been monitoring the commercial vehicle transmission market and it is poised to grow by 6.6 million units during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005512/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global commercial vehicle transmission market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Rising adoption of electric commercial vehicles has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, fluctuating cost of raw materials might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market 2019-2023: Segmentation

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market is segmented as below:

Type

Automatic Transmission

Manual Transmission

Automated Manual Transmission

Geographic segmentation

North America

APAC

Europe

South America

MEA

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR32145

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market 2019-2023: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our commercial vehicle transmission market report covers the following areas:

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market Size

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market Trends

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies increasing popularity of 10-speed transmission in commercial vehicles as one of the prime reasons driving the commercial vehicle transmission market growth during the next few years.

Commercial Vehicle Transmission Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the commercial vehicle transmission market, including some of the vendors such as Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., Allison Transmission, Inc., Daimler AG, Dana Ltd., Eaton Corp. Plc, Grupo KUO SAB de CV, JATCO Ltd., Magna International Inc., Ricardo Plc and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the commercial vehicle transmission market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023

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Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the commercial vehicle transmission market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

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About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian air defences downed several missiles coming across the occupied Golan Heights from Israel before they hit their targets in the capital Damascus, Syrian state television said on Thursday.

"The hostile missiles came from the occupied Golan ... and they were downed before they reached their targets," an army statement said.

Damascus earlier this month accused Israel of attacking military targets in southern Syria including near the capital.

An Israeli military spokesman said they do not comment on foreign reports.

Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has deepened the concerns of Israel and in the last few years raised the prospect of a military confrontation.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Additional reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Vaccinated? Now get 10% discount on Indigo air ticket: How to avail it?

6 Covid positive cases reported after screening 3,476 passengers from travellers from 'at risk' Countries

International Passengers subject to random COVID-19 test can leave airport after sample is given: MoCA

25 international passengers who arrived in Maharashtra since Nov 1 tested positive for COVID-19: State govt

Coronavirus outbreak: 2 test positive in Kolkata, 1 quarantined in Delhi

India

oi-PTI

Kolkata, Feb 13: Two passengers who arrived at NSCBI Airport from Bangkok have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Airports Authority of India officials said on Thursday.

With this, a total of three passengers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Kolkata.

A passenger called Himadri Barman tested positive on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh tested positive on Wednesday, the Director of NSCBI Airport, Kaushik Bhattacharjee, told PTI.

Both of them were sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital, he said.

Coronavirus: 19 Chinese crew allowed to enter Kolkata after being quarantine

"Earlier a passenger called Anita Oraon had also tested positive during thermal scanning," Bhattacharjee said.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

Already two airlines which had direct flights between Kolkata and China have suspended their flights.

Low cost carier IndiGo has temporarily suspended its flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from February 6.

"In line with the WHO guideline to contain the spread of coronavirus, IndiGo will be suspending its Kolkata- Guangzhou service from February 6, 2020 to February 25, 2020 and Guangzhou-Kolkata from February 7 till February 26," the airline had said in a statement.

After IndiGo, China Eastern Airlines suspended its flights between Kolkata and Kunming in China from February 10 to February 29.

2 Indian crew on board cruise ship off Japanese coast test positive for coronavirus

Passengers of flights coming to Kolkata from Kunming and Guangzhou in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok were being screened since January 17.

At present, passengers arriving from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are being screened as no flights are operating to and from China.

A passenger aboard a Spicejet flight from Bangkok to Delhi is suspected to have coronavirus and was quarantined after landing in Delhi.
People are leaving Illinois because of high property taxes. When I am out knocking on doors, I cant tell you the number of families who have told me if the state doesnt fix the property tax problem they are moving. That is the first and foremost critical issue we have to address, Thomas told the audience.
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Teacher satisfaction has halved and student morale has dropped a year after two high schools merged under a "super school" model that was intended to improve choice but has instead left staff well-being at an "all-time low".

An evaluation of the 2019 merger of Griffith and Wade High Schools into Murrumbidgee Regional High School in western NSW said it had increased teacher workloads and amplified existing difficulties attracting and retaining quality staff.

Artist impression of upgrades to the merged Murrumbidgee Regional High School. Credit:School Infrastructure NSW

The controversial merger was initiated by then-education minister and local member Adrian Piccoli in 2016. Under the new model, one executive principal works across the two campuses, which are four kilometres apart.

But the interim report, prepared by the University of NSW, found the merger left "no clear framework for school leadership" and led to "serious issues with staff well-being", as staff across both campuses had insufficient opportunities to work together and develop quality programs.
The gems and on Thursday urged the government to reduce the on precious metals, cut and polished diamonds and gemstones and amend taxation laws to give domestic traders a level playing field in the global market.

"We have been pursuing with the government constantly with few concerns which require immediate attention, like reduction in on -- gold, silver, platinum to 4 per cent from 12.5 per cent. Reduce on cut and polished diamonds and gemstones from 7.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent," Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal said.

Speaking at the 13th edition of the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), he said the industry has also been urging the government for amendment in taxation laws enabling sale of rough diamonds in Special Notified Zone (SNZ), Mumbai. "This is very important to give a level playing field to our traders in the global market," he added.

The four-day IIJS, which commenced from Thursday, is hosting more than 700 exhibitors and is expected to attract over 18,000 visitors from India and 55 countries.

Agrawal also announced that GJEPC is coming up with a new show in Jaipur in Rajasthan -- India Gem and Jewellery Show -- to be held from April 1-3, especially for international buyers.'




Well, that took long enough. After weeks of gingerly circling his opponent, Jeremy Corbyn finally threw a few punches at PMQs yesterday.

None particularly measured, mind you.

In pugilist terms, it was more a series of hit-and-hope haymakers, like watching the much-mocked class wimp finally come out swinging. But at least it gave supporters something to cheer.

The Leader of the Opposition kicked off by attacking this weeks deportation of foreign nationals to Jamaica, citing the case of a black boy deported for a drugs charge.

The Government benches exploded. The Prime Ministers mouth drooped, his expression half-pained, half-appalled

If there was a young white boy with blond hair who dabbled in class A drugs and conspired with a friend to beat up a journalist, would the Prime Minister deport him? Corbyn pondered as he referenced the PMs insalubrious past. Or is it one rule for young black boys born in the Caribbean and another for white boys born in the US?

The Government benches exploded. The Prime Ministers mouth drooped, his expression half-pained, half-appalled.

A low blow, Mr Speaker!

The Right Honourable Gentleman demeans himself, the PM muttered while adjusting his groin protector.

Mr Corbyn whirled his arms, gearing himself for another swing. He moved on to the blocked extradition of Anne Sacoolas, the American intelligence officers wife accused of killing motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

The Leader of the Opposition kicked off by attacking this weeks deportation of foreign nationals to Jamaica, citing the case of a black boy deported for a drugs charge

He accused the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, of misleading the Dunns by failing to reveal Mrs Sacoolas was a CIA spook.

Will the Prime Minister commit to his removal from office tomorrow in his reshuffle? he asked, to more jeers. With Mr Raab absent, Jacob Rees-Mogg chose to be outraged on his behalf.

Ord-er! Or-der! the Leader of the House wailed as he appealed to the chair to intervene, his expression like a drowning frogman gulping for oxygen over the rising swell. Speaker Hoyle was unmoved.

Warming to his theme, Corbyn pointed out that the Sacoolas affair highlighted the lop-sided nature of Britains extradition treaty with the US. The Prime Minister was forced to agree  the arrangement needed looking at.

Corbyn gave himself a congratulatory rake of the whiskers, looking like a man whod just checkmated a grandmaster in three moves.

He accused the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, of misleading the Dunns by failing to reveal Mrs Sacoolas was a CIA spook

The Twitterati declared Mr Corbyn the victor of this tussle. I wouldnt quite put it that way, more a case of a Prime Minister now barely bothering to even show up against a lame duck leader.

But these are thankless times for Jezza and for his own sense of dignity at least he showed some bite.

Certainly there was none yesterday from SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who focused his queries on displaced children in Syria.

Blackford seems off his oats at the moment. That mischievous grin has lately turned into a heavy scowl.

Perhaps its a side-effect of relocating to Dennis Skinners old position on the green leather since the election. Or possibly its the PM who really does get under the Scot Nats fingernails.

They used to dislike Theresa May, but they simply loathe Boris.

There came a delightful moment when Kirsten Oswald (SNP, East Renfrewshire) pointed out that the House of Lords recent decision to raise members daily allowance from 313 to 323 now takes it beyond the monthly allowance for someone on universal credit.

The PM concurred, responding: I hate agreeing with these people but I do find it odd that the Lords have chosen to do that. Cue a Scots Nats eruption. These people?! they chorused, bridling at the PMs condescension.

There came a delightful moment when Kirsten Oswald (SNP, East Renfrewshire) pointed out that the House of Lords recent decision to raise members daily allowance from 313 to 323 now takes it beyond the monthly allowance for someone on universal credit

Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewlisss eyes almost torpedoed out of their sockets.

Then Richard Thomson (SNP, Gordon) dragged up the Intelligence and Security Committees yet-to-be published report into alleged Russian interference in UK politics.

Groans. Boris assured that all those who wish to see him damaged will be disappointed by the reports findings.

On current showing, they are certainly going to need far stronger ammo than conspiracy theories.

A decent Leader of the Opposition would be a good start...
LONDON (Reuters) - S&P Global warned China on Thursday that its credit rating or its outlook could be downgraded if the government tried to offset the economic impact of the coronavirus with a spending splurge.

S&P currently rates China at A+ with a stable outlook. The more important threat to Chinas sovereign credit standing may emerge if the government becomes eager to prop up growth with heavy stimulus measures, it said in a new report.

Such a development...could lead to a negative rating action.

The firm has estimated that the coronavirus outbreak will lower Chinese real GDP growth in 2020 to 5.0%, from a previous forecast of 5.7%. It sees the negative impact as temporary and expects growth will rebound to 6.4% in 2021.

(This story was refiled to tweak headline)
The event follows the September discovery of the remains by Dr. Ulrich Klopfers wife when she was cleaning out the Crete Township, Illinois, garage after her husbands death. Chicago attorney Kevin Bolger said the garage was stacked floor to ceiling and was not used by the woman at all. Klopfers family has been cooperating with investigators, Bolger said.
At a national level, a new structure for social dialogue is required where issues may be discussed in a deliberative manner.

Any proposal for social dialogue should involve Government, trade unions and employers, the community and voluntary sector, as well as farmers and environmental groups.

Any structure for social dialogue that excludes any of these groups would be a recipe for ensuring that most of Ireland's resources would be captured by those participating in the discussion.

Such an approach would simply lead to deepening divisions and growing inequality in Ireland.

Government needs to engage all sectors of society, not just trade unions and employers, in addressing the huge challenges Ireland currently faces in the areas of infrastructure and services.

If Government wishes all sectors of society to share responsibility for producing a more viable future, then it must involve all sectors of society in planning for it.

Responsibility for shaping the future should be shared among all stakeholders.

There are many reasons for involving all sectors in this process, including to ensure priority is given to well-being and the common good; to address the challenges of markets and their failures; and to link rights and responsibilities.

When groups have been involved in shaping decisions, they are far more likely to take responsibility for implementing these decisions, difficult as they may be.

A process of social dialogue involving all and not just some of the sectors in Irish society would be a key mechanism in maximising the resources moving forward.

After the economic crisis of 2008, 'social partnership' was cast as one of the villains of the drama of Ireland's bubble and bust.

However, social dialogue in various forms remains common across Europe's most successful economies and can play a key role in building a fair and sustainable future here in Ireland.

Ireland's economic growth has been spread very unevenly. In the absence of some kind of national social dialogue, the strongest can fight their corner in the open market or the political realm, while the weakest will be left behind.

In such a scenario, inequality will continue to grow and the integrated development that is required will not be achieved.

Furthermore, there are a range of key issues that go beyond the economy. These include infrastructure (e.g. social housing, public transport, rural broadband); services (e.g. healthcare, education, caring); climate change and sustainability generally; just taxation; and good governance.

These are all issues that impact on the economy and are impacted on by the economy.

Ireland needs an approach that addresses these issues simultaneously, not one that gives priority to the economy and hopes the benefits will trickle down, which they never do.

A new social dialogue could address these issues and build a fairer future.

Ireland would greatly benefit from having a structure that would engage all sectors at a national level.

Social dialogue involving all sectors of society would be hugely beneficial.

It would help highlight issues at an early stage which would allow them to be addressed promptly. More importantly, it would ensure that the various sectors of society were involved in developing mutually acceptable solutions to problems that emerge which, in turn, would be most likely to ensure their support for such solutions when implemented by Government.

As already noted, Ireland faces significant challenges in the coming decades, among them the housing and health situations, an increasingly older population, and the transition to a cleaner, greener economy.

We need to get beyond growth and markets and recognise that, while they do have a role, they are only part of the solution.

It is also important that all sectors and interest groups in society - young and old, urban and rural, businesses, trade unions, farmers, community and voluntary, social inclusion, and environmental - have a voice in deciding how these challenges will be met.

At the core of the new model of social dialogue is not the drive toward cost-competitiveness (although this is incorporated through the wage-bargaining process and productivity improvements), but a broad-based enhancement of capabilities in the economy and society.

These do not emerge spontaneously, however, and the role of civil society - where the community and voluntary sector is particularly important in Ireland - is critical here.

A credible social dialogue process must include the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector, as well as the trade unions, employers and farmers.

A new social dialogue along the lines outlined above can recapture the strengths of earlier periods without their failings.

The most competitive and egalitarian economies in Europe operate on this model - supporting the development of their businesses, investing in their populations and protecting their societies.

There are many forms that partnership agreements can take.

It is time for a conversation about how a different partnership can help a sustainable recovery that will boost business development, improve well-being, and invest in the future of citizens and communities.

Dr Sean Healy is CEO of Social Justice Ireland
American bank BNY Mellon is looking to add up to ten per cent to its 13,000-strong employee base in India to serve the global markets, a top official said on Thursday. The bank's employees are spread across two centres in Pune and Chennai, and handle both operations as well as technological functions.

The announcement comes at a time when some of the back offices in India promoted by global financial majors are facing difficulties with headlines like job cuts dominating largely due to the woes of the parents.

"We will continue to hire on a net basis as we have been doing for the past two years, where we have added 5-10 per cent on a net basis," BNY Mellon International Operations' country chief executive Sudish Panicker told PTI.

He said from an infrastructure perspective, its facilities in Chennai and Pune can handle the additional 1,000-odd people.

The new hires will include both freshers and also laterals, Panicker said, declining to comment specifically if the troubles of peers who might be downsizing are helping its hiring.

He said the company has not been facing troubles with hiring in India and may not want to play an opportunistic play given the overall scenario.

The company is also looking at skilling of its existing staff on digital skills and technologies by creating in-house modules which help the employees' career progress as well, he said.

At present, 30 per cent of its 6,000 people on the operations side have taken at least one digital course and the target is to take the number up to 70 per cent by end of the year.

Panicker said at present, India has a third of the total workforce for the bank globally, which making it the largest single geography outside of North America by staffage.

He, however, made it clear that the bank does not look at head count alone but by the complexity of the work that its employees do here.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 08:13:13|Editor: huaxia

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Staff members transfer medical supplies provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 12, 2020. The UNDP has announced Wednesday to donate emergency medical supplies worth 500,000 U.S. dollars to help China combat the novel coronavirus. The first batch of the supplies have been handed over to the Ministry of Commerce of China. (Xinhua)
Whether he ever becomes president or not, Bernie Sanders has put discussion of Medicare for All squarely on the national agenda, with some help from Elizabeth Warren. It is not too soon to think about the details, just in case.

Some Medicare for All advocates (but not, I believe, Sen. Sanders) want to finance it with a payroll tax. This would be a bad idea.

Payroll taxes are regressive. They hit average people harder than those whose incomes consist largely of things not subject to payroll taxes: interest, dividends and capital gains. It is arguable whether progressive or flat-rate taxes are best, but regressive taxes are clearly a bad idea given today's increasing economic inequality.

Payroll taxes have multiple disadvantages for low-earning workers. A payroll tax that is paid directly by the worker, of course, decreases the already small take-home pay. If it is paid by the employer, it discourages hiring because it creates a significant increase in the cost of the employee, as well as in the complexity of payroll management.

The best way to pay for Medicare for All will be to increase the federal income tax. But this would be politically impossible unless Congress requires employers to increase each worker's pay by the amount saved by no longer insuring that worker  in effect, a large pay bonus. Otherwise, workers objecting to a higher income tax without any additional income to pay for it would strongly oppose the new insurance system.

Of course, employers couldn't pay out the same money twice  both as additional payroll tax to the government and as a bonus to the employees.

Financing Medicare for All through the income tax would eliminate the expensive administrative complexity of Obamacare. Under Obamacare, the lower one's income, the higher the government subsidy. Determining people's eligibility for Medicaid or subsidies therefore requires intrusive and constant government monitoring of people's incomes.

Medicare for All would cover everyone no matter what their income, but lower-income people would still be paying less because they pay less income tax. Financing insurance through the income tax would eliminate government's high administrative costs of means-testing benefits. It would also eliminate Obamacare's paperwork hassle for patients who "churn" from one kind of eligibility to another as their incomes fluctuate.

Retired people are not on a payroll, so a new payroll tax wouldn't hurt them, but they do pay income taxes. If these are increased to finance Medicare for All, people already on Medicare would pay increased taxes. And they wouldn't get the offsetting wage bonus that employed people would receive from their employers. Everything else being equal, they would therefore oppose Medicare for All.

Everything else would not be equal, though. Medicare for All would save current retirees substantial amounts. Most proposals for Medicare for All eliminate deductibles and feature limited or no co-pays. Retirees would no longer pay the large amounts now subtracted from their Social Security to pay for Medicare Part B. They would no longer need Medigap insurance to cover expenses not covered by today's Medicare, or to pay these expenses themselves. They would not have to pay for Part D insurance for prescriptions. They would also receive any extra coverage, such as dentistry, provided by an improved Medicare-for-all.

These savings would offset and possibly totally equal their income tax increase.

Even if retirees' savings don't completely offset their increased income taxes, neutralizing political opposition to Medicare for All by current retirees would not require financing it with a payroll tax. We could just increase the income tax but provide a tax credit canceling out retirees' net tax increase.

Eliminating opposition by the large number of already retired people could help make what is politically impossible today  replacing Medicare for Some with Medicare for All  tomorrow's reality.

Paul F. deLespinasse of Corvallis is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Computer Science at Adrian College. His most recent book is "Beyond Capitalism: A Classless Society With (Mostly) Free Markets." His columns have appeared in newspapers in Michigan, Oregon, and a number of other states. This column originally appeared in NewsMax.

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The bandh call given by some



pro-Kannada organisations demanding implementation of an over three decades old report recommending job reservation for Kannadigas, had little effect on normal life in Bengaluru and other parts of the state on Thursday.

Barring a stray incident of stone pelting at a bus in Dakshina Kannada district, the bandh was peaceful,police said.

Buses and auto rickshaws plied as usual defying the bandh call given by the 'Karnataka Sangathanegala Okkoota', a consortium of organisations in Karnataka.

The organisers of the bandh are demanding implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report, which recommended that preference be given to Kannadigas in government and the private sector.

In Bengaluru, city buses plied as usual though most of them ran empty as there were very few commuters.

Auto rickshaws and cabs ran regular services,though one of the auto rickshaw drivers' associations had supported the bandh.

R K Nagar and surrounding areas, the main trade area of the city, saw normal activity.

A few Kannada organisations took out a rally in the city and their leaders later submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa at his residence, demanding strict implementation of Sarojini Mahishi report.

Some of them forced traders to shut shops



In Anekal near Attibele in the city on the Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border, activists reportedly tried in vain to forcibly shut shops and business establishments.

At Pirangipet in Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district, stones were pelted at a private bus in the morning.

Police said 200 people were detained as a preventive measure to avoid any law and order situation.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had appealed to the outfits to keep their agitation peaceful.

He had also said his government always stood for Kannada and Kannadigas and had initiated measures to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa (right) with a member of the NGO

13.02.2020 LISTEN

The Oyibi Gonten Mantse, who is also the Regent of the Nungua Mankralo stool, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II, is in partnership with a non-profit organisation (NGO) based in Colorado, United States of America (USA), to provide nutritious meals to poor families in Africa.

Under the partnership arrangement, the NGO Stop Hunger-Colorado Feeding Kids will collaborate with the Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II Foundation to identify and provide street children and other deprived families with healthy meals to enable them to live decent lives.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Friday, Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II said the partnership was forged when he was invited as the special guest at an event in the USA organised by the NGO.

There are a lot of innocent children in our part of the world who need support to get three healthy meals a day, and even though the phenomenon is quite glaring, not much is being done about it.

What I saw in Colorado regarding the work they are doing encouraged me to bring such quality of well-meaning kindness to Africa where it is very much needed, he said.

Eliminating hunger

Nii Bortey Kofi Frankwa II explained that the NGO was a volunteer organisation that had for the past 12 years helped with the global effort to eliminate hunger around the world.

He said the partnership would focus on achieving selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal Two which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

I am comfortable with the work already done and look forward to what we are about to do in Africa after observing, in the past few weeks, about 180,000 meals provided freely to families in need in the Caribbean. I believe that gesture in Africa will be highly welcomed, he said.

---graphic.com.gh
But Erika Richter, the senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors, an industry group, said that demand for cruises, which had been on an upward trajectory before news of the coronavirus broke, was off from 10 to 15 percent according to some advisers.

Not surprisingly, cruises in Asia and the Pacific were especially hard hit. Alex Sharpe, president and chief executive of Signature Travel Network, a consortium of 7,000 travel advisers said, New demand for these cruises is very low currently and that spring sailings were unlikely to sell from our market.

If the industry doesnt get its arms around this it could affect customer confidence in China toward cruises for a very long time, said Mr. Hardiman, of Wedbush Securities.

China has been one of the travel industrys biggest growth markets in recent years, and, trips in the Asia-Pacific region make up about 10 percent of the industry, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group. Between 8 and 9 percent of passengers on cruise lines represented by the trade group are from China, Macau or Hong Kong and the number of ships deployed in Asia grew 53 percent between 2013 and 2017.

A growing number of ports across the Pacific, from Busan, South Korea to the New Caledonian ports of Lifou, Mare and Isle of Pines, are banning cruise ships. Hong Kong has been closed since Feb. 6.

Passengers say that rather than trying to accommodate them, the cruise companies have been uncommunicative and unhelpful. Maranda Priem, 24, of Washington, D.C., and her 53-year-old mother, from Minnesota, were supposed to be aboard the Norwegian Jade, a 2,200-passenger ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines, which was originally scheduled to depart from Hong Kong on Feb. 17 for a cruise stopping in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

As her concerns about the coronavirus grew, Ms. Priem repeatedly emailed and called the company asking if she could switch to a different cruise or receive a refund or future credit. Her requests were denied. In an email on Feb. 4, Roxane Sanford, coordinator of guest relations for the cruise line, reminded Ms. Priem that mainland China does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, and added that, Regrettably we are unable to proceed with cancellation and refund.
Steven Mallet waited 10 months in jail before finally pleading guilty to a crime he said he didnt commit. He spent more than a decade with the conviction hanging over his head.

Ten minutes after Mallet limped to his seat in court on Thursday, Harris County District Judge Kelli Johnson declared him innocent.

This appears so egregious on its face, its a miscarriage of justice, Johnson said, of Mallet, one of the numerous defendants arrested and convicted on the testimony of former Houston narcotics officer Gerald Goines. And most of all, I think it causes a breakdown in confidence in our American justice system.

Im glad to hear this wrong has been corrected, she said, promising to sign off in support of his case and recommend all relief to the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Mallet is the second person declared actually innocent after being arrested by Goines, though prosecutors on Thursday said they are reviewing more than 250 convictions he obtained over the last 11 years of his career.

The former Houston drug cop came under scrutiny after orchestrating a raid in January 2019 in which two people died and five officers were injured. Weeks after the raid, police said Goines had lied about drug buys that were the basis for the raid, and he and his former partner were arrested. Goines now faces murder charges in state court and for civil rights violations in federal court. His former partner faces tampering charges in both state and federal court. Both officers have since retired from the force.

WRONG DOOR: Botched Houston drug raid not the first

The fraudulent operation led to investigations by the FBI and the Harris County District Attorneys Office, where prosecutors dismissed dozens of Goines pending cases in the months after the raid.

In recent weeks, however, prosecutors have for the first time begun to tackle innocence claims by people who were convicted because of Goines casework and testimony.

On Feb. 3, prosecutors said they believed Mallets brother, Otis Mallet, was innocent. The two men were arrested in 2008 on drug charges after Goines said that while undercover, he had bought drugs from the two men. Goines testimony and casework was the linchpin of the two cases, prosecutors said.

At trial, a jury convicted Otis Mallet and sentenced him to eight years in prison. He served two years behind bars before being paroled, but he always maintained his innocence and later challenged his conviction. Steven Mallet, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to time served in order to get out of jail. He said he did so rather than wait for a trial in which there was no guarantee that a jury could be persuaded that Goines was lying, according to a statement prepared for his Thursday court hearing.

It happens more than you would think, his attorney Bob Wicoff said, describing Mallets ordeal as deplorable.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg noted that while Otis Mallet had always argued his innocence  even after his conviction  his brothers case was significant because Steven Mallet had pleaded guilty to the charge filed against him, marking a higher threshhold for prosecutors when considering whether or not to declare him actually innocent.

QUESTIONABLE CASES: Key Houston police narcotics officers at center of fatal Harding Street drug raid tallied few arrests, low-level busts

Mr. Mallet was in a slightly different spot [than his brother], he pled guilty, she told Judge Johnson. She said that in spite of the plea, the fact that Goines did not tell the truth about the case caused our office to be used as a tool to wrongfully convict Steven Mallet as well as Otis Mallet and this represents a huge travesty of justice.

The Mallet brothers are unlikely to be the only people who Goines arrested whose cases are reviewed and potentially overturned, she said, explaining that her prosecutors have identified 441 cases Goines worked between 2008 and 2019, which led to 263 convictions against 234 defendants. Its unclear how many of those cases are single-witness cases with similar circumstances to the Mallet brothers, where Goines testimony or casework was the basis on which prosecutors and police obtained convictions.

The claims that are going to tend to be successful are going to be these one-witness claims, said Josh Reiss, chief of the DAs post conviction unit. How many of those one-witness claims there are in these 263, I dont know. Its going to take some time to dig in, but thats what were going to do.

st.john.smith@chron.com

twitter.com/stjbs
 Flash

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Wednesday that the Ebola outbreak which started in August 2018 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) still constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday that the decision was the unanimous view of the WHO Emergency Committee.

Major concerns from the WHO is that withdrawing the PHEIC now might have adverse consequences for the response efforts through diminishing focus, let alone the serious ongoing outbreaks of other diseases, including measles and cholera, in the country.

The committee acknowledged the revised risk assessment, which puts the risk now as high at national and regional levels, and low at the global level. It said the remaining challenges include community acceptance for response measures, protection of personnel at strategic health checkpoints, improvement of infection prevention and control practices in health facilities, strengthening of the local health system, and comprehensive treatment and support for patients in recovery.

The WHO recommends that the DRC should continue building trust with survivors and community awareness and engagement to prevent resurgence of the disease, while enhancing acceptance of response measures and addressing access and security issues. Cross-border screening and monitoring at checkpoints around hotspots and at main roads should also continue.

The WHO recommends other at-risk countries to continue preparedness for detecting and managing imported or locally acquired cases, and to strengthen risk communications and community engagement, especially at points of entry.

Still the WHO advises that no country should close borders or place any restrictions on travel and trade, and it does not consider entry screening at airports or other ports of entry outside the region to be necessary.

The latest DRC Ebola epidemic began in early August 2018 in its eastern region of Kivu. As of Monday, there were a total of 3,431 cases in the DRC, of which 3,308 were confirmed and 123 were probable, while 2,253 persons have died.
A popular Chinatown restaurant has been forced to close its doors after three decades, as customers abandoned the eatery due to fears of catching the deadly coronavirus.

Shark Fin House was opened in 1989 and this week co-owner Gabriel Chan was forced to announce its closure.

Fighting back tears, Mr Chan told The Age the business had seen an 80 per cent drop off in customers and they had to lay off 40 permanent staff and 10 casuals.

Mr Chan said he was also at risk of having to close the sister restaurant if customer numbers didn't pick up (patrons pictured enjoying a meal at Shark Fin House)

Mr Chan said there was a '95 per cent chance' he will never reopen the restaurant.

He now has one remaining restaurant, the Shark Fin Inn, which he has urged people to support in order to avoid its closure.

'We'll do everything to try to save the restaurant. This is a bad, bad time,' he said.

'We're very sad, very unhappy, but we still have to work, so I would tell the people don't scare, come to the restaurant, support us.

'Hopefully, in two months, we will get a better result.'

The popular restaurant had a popular following and was given strong reviews by patrons.

Fans of the restaurant lamented its closure on social media.

'Seriously, how dump are people to avoid a Chinese restaurant in Melbourne due to fears of a virus in China?' one user wrote.

'One of the best! Very sad,' another replied.

'What is wrong with us? Please return to the Chinese restaurants,' another added.
JC Flowers and Co, a US-based private equity fund, is leading a consortium of about half a dozen investors that may pump in $2 billion in cash-strapped YES Bank. The financial firms who have submitted 'non-binding' expressions of interest are JC Flowers & Co, Tilden Park Capital Management, OHA (UK) (part of Oak Hill Advisors) and Silver Point Capital. The private lender has also said it'll release the December quarter financial results by March 14.

In a late night filing on Wednesday, YES Bank said its financial advisers were in discussions with these investors on the commercial terms, including pricing of their investments. YES Bank said its management was extensively working with its investment bankers, legal and accounting advisers on the funding issue. The private lender added it would delay the October-December quarter financial results in wake of the ongoing capital raising process.

"Given that the current capital raising process has the Bank's fullest attention; it would like to inform the exchanges that it will publish its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine month period ending December 31, 2019, on or before March 14, 2020."

This would, however, exceed the 45-day period from the end of the relevant quarter as stipulated under Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

New York-based JC Flowers & Co is a private investment firm that invests in the financial services industry globally.

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) on Wednesday downgraded YES Bank's long-term issuer rating to 'IND A-' from 'IND A', while maintaining on 'Rating Watch Negative' (RWN). The rating downgrade was attributed to continued delay and inconclusive quantum of the anticipated equity infusion in YES Bank.

Also read: India Ratings downgrades YES Bank on concerns over delay in capital infusion

The bank continues to remain in discussions with various potential investors, but has failed to reach a conclusive outcome. In December, YES Bank said its board was willing to favourably consider London-based Citax Holdings' $500 million offer, adding that it would continue to evaluate other potential investors to raise capital up to $2 billion.

Last month, YES Bank rejected $1.2 billion investment offer made by Canadian industrialist Erwin Singh Braich/SPGP Holdings.

Also Read: YES Bank gets shareholders' approval to raise up to Rs 10,000 crore

Edited by Manoj Sharma
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 13:00:14|Editor: huaxia

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Retail sales in Brazil were up 1.8 percent in 2019 compared with 2018, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) announced on Wednesday.

According to the IBGE, only one out of the nine sectors analyzed by the agency registered decrease in sales volume -- books, newspapers and stationary products, whose sales were down 20.7 percent in 2019.

Though the figures were positive, the rise was not as significant as in 2018 when retail sales were up 2.3 percent compared with 2017, the IBGE said.

In addition, though Brazil has seen three consecutive years of increase in retail sales, the country has yet to recover enough to compensate the fall of over 10 percent in sales between 2014 and 2016, it added.

Retail sales were doing better in the beginning of 2019, said the IBGE, but sales in December had a negative impact on annual figures. In the last month of 2019, retail sales were down 0.1 percent, mostly due to lower-than-expected supermarket sales -- despite the holiday season.

The IBGE attributed the lower sales in December to the lack of improvement in workers' income. Informal work -- which generally gets lower wages than formal jobs -- grew significantly in Brazil in 2019, accounting for 40 percent of the occupied population.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, First Liberty Institute submitted public comment on behalf of two faith-based organizations, Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs (MOWP) and Shield of Faith (SOF) Missions, in support of a proposed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rule that will ensure faith-based organizations are treated equally by federal agencies.



For too long, faith-based organizations have been forced to choose between their religious identity and partnering with the federal government to serve our veterans, said Mike Berry, General Counsel to First Liberty Institute. Organizations like Mighty Oaks and Shield of Faith do so much good in serving our veterans every day. We commend the VA for leveling the playing field to ensure they can now partner with the federal government to help our veterans without having to sacrifice their religious beliefs.

First Libertys comment supports reversing a 2010 Obama Administration rule that required faith-based social services providers to refer beneficiaries to a secular provider. Secular providers were under no such requirement. The old rule also required faith-based social services providers to advertise the fact that they would make such referrals. The law firms comment explains that the First Amendment requires religious organizations to be treated equally and permitted to act consistent with the religious convictions that form the basis of their mission.

By removing the referral requirement, the VA would also come into compliance with President Trumps Executive Order 13279, which states, No organization should be discriminated against on the basis of religion or religious belief in the administration or distribution of Federal financial assistance under social service program.

SOF Missions exists to combat the suicide epidemic among service members and veterans by empowering warriors to find purpose and resiliency. The Mighty Oaks Warrior Program teaches combat veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress how to get beyond combat trauma and live their lives in the manner God intended. Mighty Oaks uses their platform to advocate for civilian and government support of Americas Warriors returning home, and the inclusion of faith-based treatment options.

To read the comments, click here .

About First Liberty Institute

First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.



To arrange an interview, contact Lacey McNiel at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
There is a picture of Nazish, a refugee from Pakistan who has settled in DuPage County with her family. Her story includes events which were very hard for her, but in a poem written in her native Urdu and translated into English, she explains that for refugees, There are no Muslims, Christians or Hindus. There is just one religion called Humanity, and the refugee is the founder. One of the photos of Nazish is particularly striking. We see her strength and admire her grit. I became so involved in the pictures of the people, looking at them, connecting with what they were sharing, that I forgot about the Volunteerism in its title.
When Lucas Bax was born, his family knew he would have a congenital heart defect that would require surgery. That didnt make dealing with it any easier.

Lucas was diagnosed with a major heart defect at his 22-week scan, after earlier being diagnosed with Down syndrome, which causes a heightened risk of congenital heart defects.

Lucas Bax has overcome a congenital heart defect.

His mother, Christine Everson, said the news was difficult to deal with as she and her family came to terms with the ramifications.

"They said he would probably need heart surgery within the first week of being born, and that just blew my mind," Ms Everson said.
Photo: Doug Zuba/Unsplash

Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Detroit.

City Council urging governor to declare public health crisis over water shutoffs

The city of Detroit has shut off water to nearly 150,000 homes for delinquent payments in the past seven years. Now City Council members are trying to stop the shutoffs until a water affordability plan is adopted.

Read the full story on Detroit Metro Times.

The multi-year journey to make a concrete Yamasaki building net zero energy

EcoWorks has embarked on a green renovation of its unique office building. But its been more challenging than expected.

Read the full story on Curbed Detroit.

Only 1 Detroit vehicle qualifies for coveted top safety rating

The Cadillac XT6 is the only Detroit vehicle to earn the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Read the full story on The Detroit News.

This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
Ancient Antarctic ice melt caused sea levels to rise by nearly 10 feet around 129,000 years ago  and it could happen again, scientists have warned.

Experts found that rising ocean temperatures caused mass-scale melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which unlike its eastern counterpart rests on the the sea bed.

The episode occurred during a period of warmer temperatures known as the 'Last Interglacial', which lasted between around 129,000116,000 years ago.

Less than 3.6F (2C) of ocean warming was needed to bring about the deluge, suggesting that similarly extreme sea level rise could result from climate change.

The Paris Climate Agreement has committed signatory nations to capping global warming at 3.6F (2C)  but the team warn we 'don't want to get close' to this.

Scroll down for video

Ancient Antarctic ice melt caused sea levels to rise by nearly 10 feet around 129,000 years ago  and it could happen again, scientists have warned. Pictured, a blue ice area in Antarctica

WHAT WAS THE LAST INTERGLACIAL? Also known as the 'Eemian', the Last Interglacial was a warmer period of Earth's history that lasted from around 129,000116,000 years ago. Interglacials separate Ice Ages, which occur around every 100,000 years thanks to changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun that alter how much warming solar radiation arrived on the Earth's surface. We are presently living in another interglacial, which scientists have called the 'Holocene'. Human-made global warming in the Holocene makes the current interglacial unique in the history of out planet. However, experts study the Last Interglacial to see how our planet has responded in the past to extreme environmental changes. During the Last Interglacial, sea levels were some 10 feet higher  and experts have now shown that the melting of the West Antarctic was largely responsible. Advertisement

In their study, earth scientist Chris Turney of the University of New South Wales in Australia and colleagues travelled to a so-called 'blue ice' area near the Patriot Hills on the edge of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Blue ice areas are regions where surface snow and ice is gradually stripped away by fierce, dense winds to leave a smooth, sometimes rippled surface that  in contrast to Antarctica's typically white landscapes  has a blue tint to it.

As the surface is stripped away, ancient ice flows up to replace it, offering scientists a window into the ice sheet's history that easy to access.

'Instead of drilling kilometres into the ice, we can simply walk across a blue ice area and travel back through millennia,' said Professor Turney.

'By taking samples of ice from the surface we are able to reconstruct what happened to this precious environment in the past.'

The researchers used a combination of the order of fine layers of ash deposited by volcanic eruptions and analyses of gas bubbles and DNA from bacteria trapped in the ice in order to date the different parts of the blue ice's surface.

From this, the team found that there was a gap in the record of preserved ice dating back to just before the Last Interglacial  one that coincides with the known period of extraordinarily high sea levels.

This suggest that, at this time, the West Antarctic underwent rapid melting in response to the warmer global temperatures.

Warmer ocean water would have melted and thinned out the floating ice shelves that surround and protect the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, leaving it vulnerable.

The researchers used a combination of the order of fine layers of ash deposited by volcanic eruptions and analyses of gas bubbles, pictured, and DNA from bacteria trapped in the ice in order to date the different parts of the blue ice's surface

'Not only did we lose a lot of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, but this happened very early during the Last Interglacial,' said Professor Turney.

The findings provide the first major evidence that the melting of the West Antarctic drove much of the rise in sea levels the Last Interglacial  which are thought to have been between 19.729.5 feet (69 metres) higher than in the present day.

Scientists had previously been uncertain where all the extra water had come from.

The melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, the loss of mountain glaciers and the internal expansion of the warming ocean could have only accounted for a total of around 9.8 feet (3 metres) of sea level rise.

'The melting was likely caused by less than 2C ocean warming  and that's something that has major implications for the future, given the ocean temperature increase and West Antarctic melting that's happening today,' Professor Turney said.

Less than 3.6F (2C) of ocean warming was needed to bring about the deluge, suggesting that similarly extreme sea level rise could result from climate change. The Paris Climate Agreement has committed signatory nations to capping global warming at 3.6F (2C)  but the team warn we 'don't want to get close' to this. Pictured, fine layers of ash in an ice sample

The severity of the ice loss from the West Antarctic in the Last Interglacial raises fears that the ice sheet might be similarly sensitive to ocean warming in the future.

'The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is sitting in water, and today this water is getting warmer and warmer,' said Professor Turney.

Following their study of the ice sheet, the team ran simulations to explore how rising temperatures might impact the floating ice shelves that surround the West Antarctic sheet and act as a buffer, slowing the flow of ice off of the continent.

The team found that a 3.6F (2C) warmer ocean would generate around 12.5 feet (3.8 metres) of sea level rise in the first thousand years  which much of this coming after the loss of the ice shelves some two hundred years into the warming.

'The positive feedbacks between a warming ocean, ice shelf collapse, and ice sheet melt suggests that the West Antarctic may be vulnerable to passing a tipping point,' said paper co-author and University of New South Wales earth scientist Zoe Thomas.

'As it reaches the tipping point, only a small increase in temperature could trigger abrupt ice sheet melt and a multi-metre rise in global sea level,' she added.

'We would lose most of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in a warmer world,' agrees Professor Turney.

In their study, earth scientist Chris Turney of the University of New South Wales in Australia and colleagues travelled to a so-called 'blue ice' area near the Patriot Hills on the edge of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

According to the predictions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global sea level is expected to rise by some 15.731.5 inches (4080 cm) over the next century  with Antarctica only contributing around 2 inches (5 cm) of this.

However, the researchers fear that the southernmost continent has the potential to melt considerably more than expected.

'Recent projections suggest that the Antarctic contribution may be up to ten times higher than the IPCC forecast, which is deeply worrying,' said paper co-author and glaciologist Christopher Fogwill of the University of Keele in the UK.

'Our study highlights that the Antarctic Ice Sheet may lie close to a tipping point, which once passed may commit us to rapid sea level rise for millennia to come.'

'This underlines the urgent need to reduce and control greenhouse gas emissions that are driving warming today.'

With their initial study complete, the researchers are now looking to expand the scope of their research to find out how quickly the West Antarctic Ice Sheet responded to warming  and which areas were affected first.

'We only tested one location, so we don't know whether it was the first sector of Antarctica that melted, or whether it melted relatively late,' said Professor Turney.

'How these changes in Antarctica impacted the rest of the world remains a huge unknown as the planet warms into the future.'

'Testing other locations will give us a better idea for the areas we really need to monitor as the planet continues to warm.'

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Senate voted 55-45 on Thursday in favor of a war powers resolution curbing President Trump's ability to launch military action against Iran without congressional authorization.

Why it matters: It's a bipartisan rebuke of the president's foreign policy that passed even after the White House threatened to veto the resolution.

Eight Republican senators  Mike Lee (R-Utah), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine)  joined Democrats in voting for the resolution.

Between the lines: The House last month passed a "concurrent" war powers resolution, which does not have the force of law or go to the president's desk for a signature. "This is a statement of the Congress of the United States," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the time. "I will not have that statement diminished by having the president veto it or not."

The Senate measure is a more forceful "joint" resolution, meaning it can be voted on by the House and sent to Trump's desk to be enacted into law. The Senate does not have the two-thirds majority necessary to override Trump's veto.

What they're saying: Lee, who ripped into the Trump administration last month for its handling of the classified briefing on the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, said, "For me, this is about supporting President Trump in his foreign policy, in his effort to make sure that we don't get involved too easily, too quickly, in an unconstitutional way, in any war."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) acknowledged that Trump would likely veto the resolution, but said: "It sends a shot across his bow that the majority of the Senate and the majority of the House do not want the president waging war without congressional approval."

Trump tweeted Wednesday: "It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness."

What's next: Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that the House will take up the Senate's joint resolution "in the coming weeks."

The big picture: This is not the first time bipartisan senators have joined forces to rebuke Trump's Middle East policies. The Senate has passed resolutions calling on Trump to pull U.S. support from the Saudi-led coalition in the war in Yemen and blocking the administration's sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. Both were vetoed by Trump.

Go deeper: White House threatens to veto Iran war powers resolution
The second batch of foreign delegates met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Gita Mittal here on Thursday and raised concern over internet restrictions that were imposed post the abrogation of Article 370, which accorded special status to the region.

According to informed sources, when the envoys asked whether internet restrictions created any obstacle in the judicial working in the region, the Chief Justice said, "The internet was not restricted for a single day," and that she herself has done various video conferences during that period.

Justice Mittal also told the foreign envoys about her focus on access to justice for all. She noted that the judicial system in Jammu and Kashmir has further started incorporating ideas of reforms from various countries, especially juvenile justice, women's rights, and legal aid systems, the sources added.

Earlier today, the foreign delegates also held talks with Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu and Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam.

Lieutenant Governor Murmu hosted a luncheon for the visiting diplomats and gave details of the future roadmap of the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Subrahmanyam told the delegation that panchayat elections have been announced in the region and preparations have begun in full swing.

The envoys also held a meeting with the Chief Secretary Subrahmanyam and senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir administration. The batch includes envoys from Germany, Canada, France, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Afghanistan, Austria, Uzbekistan, Poland, as well as of the European Union.

The envoys visited Srinagar yesterday and met Kashmiri traders, businesswomen, and entrepreneurs and discussed various issues related to trade and tourism. The delegation also met civil society members, sportspersons and many youths.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Charles Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of iconic aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh, disappeared from the familys New Jersey home on the night of March 1, 1932.

A ransom note, demanding $50,000, was found on a window sill. In the days that followed, many more ransom notes arrived by various means, and law enforcement and private investigators launched a massive investigation.

Newspapers around the country covered the case relentlessly, with noted columnist H.L. Mencken calling it the biggest story since the Resurrection.

Complicated negotiations with the possible kidnapper -- known as The Fox -- soon began. Ransom money was eventually turned over to a mysterious man.

But the small body of Charles Lindbergh Jr., his head crushed, was discovered on May 12, a little more than four miles from the Lindbergh home. Ever since, the events have been known as the crime of the century.

And 85 years ago today, a German immigrant named Bruno Hauptman was convicted of that crime -- in the trial of the century.

Charles Lindbergh is celebrated at a ticker-tape parade. (Oregonian archive)

The FBI continued its investigation for more than two years after the childs death, following literally thousands of leads in all sections of the United States.

The breakthrough: the deposit in a New York bank of gold certificates identified as part of the ransom payment.

In September 1934, agents arrested Hauptmann, and he was charged with extortion and murder.

The case against him was based on circumstantial evidence, the FBI notes. Notches in the ladder used to spirit the baby from the second-floor room at the Lindbergh house matched tools owned by Hauptmann. Experts concluded the handwriting in the ransom notes matched Hauptmanns. The phone number of a man involved in the delivery of the ransom was scrawled on a door frame inside a closet in Hauptmanns home. And some of the ransom money was in his garage.

Hauptmann maintained his innocence, but jurors found the evidence convincing. They convicted the defendant.

Officials launched a massive search for Charles Lindbergh Jr. in 1932. (Oregonian archive)

On April 3, 1936, just over a year after his conviction, Hauptman was put to death in New Jersey State Prisons electric chair.

Over the years, the crime of the century has been subject of countless books, movies and plays.

Most historians believe justice found the right man, but, inevitably, theories have emerged arguing that Hauptmann was innocent and framed, with one even positing that Lindbergh himself had accidentally killed his son and then staged a fake kidnapping.

-- Douglas Perry

@douglasmperry

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
At the meeting, delegations of ASEAN member states in Geneva reached agreement on steps of preparation for WTO-related work in the time ahead, including the drafting of a ASEAN joint statement to be issued at the upcoming Trade Policy Review of the European Union, accelerating negotiations on fisheries subsidies and strengthening dialogues with ASEAN partners on WTO reforms.

Meetings of the ACG in WTO provide a platform for ASEAN member states to share views and information, foster their coordination on work of the WTO and contribute to strengthening the intra-bloc solidarity.
The story of Russia turning off the gas to punish Ukraine for some perceived indignity will be familiar to most Eurasianet readers.

Somewhat less known is the story of Russias dependence on Ukraine  specifically, Ukraines pipeline infrastructure. As Europes purchases of Russian gas increased over the past decade, Russia was slow to build alternative shipping routes. That lack of options became clearer at the end of 2019, when Moscow was forced to sign a new transit contract with Kyiv.

Russian gas exports to Europe (including Turkey) rose from 138.6 billion cubic meters in 2010 to 200.8 bcm in 2018, according to Gazprom, Russias gas monopoly.

Around 40 percent of these exports pass through Ukraine, earning Kyiv about $3 billion in fees in 2018, according to state energy firm Naftogaz, and accounting for about 27 percent of Naftogazs consolidated revenues. Still, the company says, those 86.8 bcm in 2018 were much lower that what it had agreed with Moscow; the 2009 contract stipulated 110 bcm for that year. Between 2009 and 2018 about 849 bcm of Russian gas crossed Ukraine, though the contract was for 1,110 bcm during that period.

Since the 2014 Euromaidan revolution and Russias military intervention in Crimea and the Donbas began that year, Gazprom has sought to deprive Kyiv of this easy income by reducing its reliance on the country for transit.

Related: Shale Gas Drillers Are Facing A Perfect Storm

Gazprom has invested in offshore pipelines to bypass Ukraine: the $10.6 billion Nord Stream 2 with a capacity of 55 bcm under the Baltic Sea to Germany, Russias largest customer in Europe, and the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea to Turkey. TurkStream launched last month and should be able to supply southeastern Europe. (Even before the pipeline, Russia provided Turkey about 50 percent of its gas.)

Gazprom had hoped Nord Stream 2 would come online by the end of 2019, when its 10-year contract with Kyiv expired. But the project is behind schedule. The projected launch has been pushed to 2021 because of delays from the Danish government in awarding permits for its territorial waters. In addition, last December the U.S. Senate voted to sanction companies working on the project.

Without Nord Stream 2, Moscow was forced to sign a last-minute agreement with Kyiv on December 21 which will see at least 225 bcm of Russian gas transit Ukraine between 2020 and 2024. Naftogaz says it will receive over $7 billion from the deal. In addition, Gazprom agreed to pay $2.9 billion to Naftogaz to end a long-running legal dispute between the two firms.

By Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
With Valentine's Day just a day away now, Rajkummar Rao has already set the bars high for men who are planning to do something unique and special for their loved one. He took to Instagram to give a digital touch to the most beautiful way of expressing love - by sending a letter.

Rajkummar took to Instagram to share a letter for Patralekhaa in which he has shared a few interesting insights on love. In his letter, the actor talks about popularly accepted and often misunderstood expressions and gestures people use to express love.

Rajkummar questions the use of phrases like "madly in love" and "blinded by love" to express feelings of love. He rejects the usage of such phrases which indicate that love "overrides logic" and "leaves you incapacitated."

The actor also rejects expressions like settling down. In his letter, he writes, I know we have anything but settled down, we have in fact risen up and accomplished more than what we could have individually. I think... I know that we have built a greater us."



Take a look at the letter:



Patralekhaa shared the same letter on her Instagram saying: "Thank you for this, Rk. Happy Valentine's Day." And it's not just us who found Rajkummar's expression of love so romantic yet so thoughtful and meaningful, fans have also been appreciating Raos gesture. They also called it a very sensible way of putting his thoughts out.







 Rajkummar Rao

 Rajkummar Rao

 Rajkummar Rao

Talking about their relationship, Patralekhaa had earlier said, "He was my 4 am friend, my best friend first and then my boyfriend. He is a vegetarian, doesnt smoke or touch alcohol and cannot even kill a mosquito because he doesnt believe in hurting a living being."



The two have been giving us major couple goals for quite some time now and this letter will surely set new standards for expressing love this Valentine's Day. We hope the couple continues to stay with each other in all ups and downs, giving us new goals in the future too.
Jimenez Arms, the Nevada-based gun manufacturer that Kansas City sued last month, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Nevada. The company's bankruptcy petition listed assets of less than $50,000. That, coupled with more than $1,000,000 in outstanding liabilities, may make it difficult for Kansas City, should it prevail in its lawsuit, to recover compensation from the company.
The Conroe ISD rezoning committee for elementary schools in The Woodlands presented its recommended drafts to the community at a meeting at Knox Junior High on Feb. 12. The committee has been collecting comments and creating different scenarios for several weeks, whittling down options. The next step will be to bring the recommendations to the board on Feb. 18 for final approval.

As presented at the meeting Wednesday night, the committee plans to recommend Scenario A 3.1.2, which is version of Scenario A presented at the last round of meetings.

Scenario A 3.1.2 is expected to impact 608 students, which is 100 fewer than the original scenario. The biggest move will be 323 students from Jacobs Reserve moving from Ride Elementary to Galatas Elementary.

The rezoning process started in December with several community meetings set up to explain the reasoning and the process.

Typically a rezoning is triggered by a new school opening in the district, but in this case the process was triggered by overcrowding at several schools in The Woodlands. Ride, Powell, Glen Loch, and Lamar are all currently over capacity and utilizing portable classrooms, and Bush is expected to be significantly over capacity in a few years due to planned growth in the area.

Last month, the committee presented three scenarios for community feedback and received over 800 comments. Around 13 different versions of those scenarios were considered before the committee landed on Scenario A 3.1.2.

Ideally, this rezoning will be able to plan for future growth well enough that another rezoning wont have to happen for a while, but thats not a guarantee. As Deputy Superintendent Chris Hines noted at the meeting, because fewer students are impacted in the proposed scenario it may mean that rezoning is only delayed for the time being.

What I do feel good about with this plan is that even though we can probably say this is not a 10-year solution, everything that is being done in this plan shouldnt have to be undone in the next step, Hines said.

Some parents walked away with their fears alleviated.

I feel like they tried to impact as few people as they could and appreciate that theyre keeping us all in mind  those of us in portables  to get us out of them, said Sarah Pounders, who has a student at Glen Loch Elementary. Other than possible changes to special programming at Glen Loch, the proposed plan does not include moving students in or out of the school. I was really happy that we werent lost in the shuffle.

However, some parents were disappointed with the outcome. Becky Barton has students at Galatas Elementary and Mitchell Intermediate, which will both be affected by the plan.

I feel they could have achieved it with far less impact to students, she said.

In Bartons view, the process so far has worked to keep the Jacobs Reserve community together, but that same concern was not extended to students at her kids schools. The zone where Barton lives has been moved between schools several times over the last 10 or so years, and she said the people who live there are upset with the back and forth.

People there are really frustrated that theyre being used as a swing zone, she said.

Her family moved to the area in 2008 and deliberately chose Galatas Elementary for her student. When she had a second child and they needed to move to a bigger house, she said it took her 18 months to find a home within the catchment area to stay at Galatas.

Schooling is of utmost importance, she said. When youre a family, its the number one choice that you make.

The proposed new zoning can be found on the district website at www.conroeisd.net/attendance-boundary-process-the-woodlands-twcp-elementaries/.

jamie.swinnerton@chron.com
Rose Parade rejuvenates Stary's love of music, teaching

Ronald Stary of Watertown Middle School has returned from the Rose Parade. This year, the parade honored 300 music directors.
CAMDEN - Pediatric cancer patients may soon get a better night's sleep and experience improved comfort levels, thanks to a new grant-funded project led by a Rutgers University-Camden researcher.

Lauren Daniel, an assistant professor of psychology and a licensed clinical psychologist, has received a $50,000 grant from the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research to lead the pilot program "Disrupted Sleep and its Association with Symptom Burden and Reduced Engagement in Supportive Care in Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Patients."

Daniel, a former fellow at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with niche expertise in the sleep patterns of children with cancer, will collaborate with members of CHOP's behavioral oncology research team, including Jason Freedman, inpatient medical director and an attending physician within the Division of Oncology; Kim Venella, a nurse practitioner in bone marrow transplant; and Lamia Barakat, director of psychosocial services and behavioral oncology research.

The study will be assisted by data provided by CHOP, which will be collected on an intervention to improve sleep in pediatric cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplants.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to branch out into a new area of research aimed at improving the quality of life of patients at CHOP," says Daniel, who formerly worked as a clinical psychologist at the hospital.

Daniel explains that she had been working on quality improvement initiatives with colleagues at CHOP focused on improving sleep for pediatric cancer patients. The team began with a survey of children and families about elements of hospitalizations that disrupted overnight sleep. Families cited frequent awakenings for nighttime care as the most disruptive factor to sleep. The current study will try to reduce nighttime awakenings for care by six hours for sleep overnight.

The team is currently studying how sleep affects the day-to-day symptoms and coping abilities of patients in the peritransplant period, the early stage when cells are starting to graft and grow. The researchers ultimately hope to determine what they can alter to improve sleep patterns of patients - and encourage changes in nursing practices accordingly - in order to improve psychosocial outcomes.

"Sleep is closely related to many aspects of quality of life in pediatric cancer patients," says Daniel, who notes that Rutgers-Camden students will be working with her on project. "Our goal is to improve sleep so that we can affect change in psychological and physical functioning during treatment."

An earlier study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital, explains Daniel, found that pediatric patients undergoing stem cell transplants are woken up on an average of 12 times per night for a variety of reasons, including vital checks, to urinate, and to get pumps and other medical equipment serviced.

In their forthcoming study, says the Rutgers-Camden researcher, pediatric stem cell transplant patients will wear an actigraph, a wristwatch to measure their motion, for a two-week period after receiving transplant cells and be asked to complete daily surveys on what their sleep experience was like the night before. Their symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, will then be assessed every five days. Researchers will also extend the intervals between vital checks and determine the effects on their symptoms.

"Nurses go into rooms every four hours, so we are trying to increase the time between visits to six hours overnight in order to minimize the disruptions," says Daniel. "It may not seem like a long time, but hopefully it can make modest improvements in how they are sleeping overnight."

###

In addition to her work at CHOP, Daniel is leading an international team of sleep researchers to establish research priorities for better understanding the role of sleep in pediatric cancer. Their paper, "A call to action for expanded sleep research in pediatric oncology: A position paper on behalf of the International Psycho-Oncology Society Pediatrics Special Interest Group," is forthcoming in the journal Psycho-Oncology.
NSW's last coronavirus patient has been discharged from hospital, with four coronavirus patients in the state now cleared of the disease.

NSW Health's executive director of health protection Jeremy McAnulty said it was "terrific news".

"NSW Health is extremely proud of its medical response to date with prompt, expert care to all patients, a comprehensive screening program and extensive information campaign," Dr McAnulty said.

Scientists at NSW Pathology used samples from NSW patients to cultivate and map the virus.

Australia's number of confirmed cases has remained at 15, while another 15 Australians on board a cruise ship docked in Japan have also contracted the virus. More than 220 Australians on the ship remain in quarantine.
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is not absolute and the Army is bound by legal scrutiny, the 25-member delegation of foreign envoys on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir was told on Thursday.

They visited the headquarters of Chinar Corps in Srinagar where they were given a detailed presentation by GOC- Chinar Corps Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon.

Sources, privy to the meeting, said that envoys raised questions over the AFSPA to which Lt Gen Dhillon replied, saying that "AFSPA is special power but not absolute and the Army is bound by legal scrutiny."

He also informed the envoys about the local employment scheme and recruitment drive run by the Army.

According to sources, he also told the delegates about how the Army is engaging mothers in Kashmir to persuade their radicalised sons, who have joined the terrorist's organisation or ranks to return home.

Lt Gen Dhillon also informed the envoys that all the terror camps in Pakistan are 100 per cent functional and as the snow melts there will be attempts of infiltration with help of cover fire by the Pakistan Army.

He also said that Pakistan is using the international border for infiltration and India is equipped to intercept and eliminate the same.

The delegation comprising envoys of Germany, France, Mexico, and other countries is on a two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the ground situation in the region nearly six months after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

The group consists of representatives from Afghanistan, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, Germany, Republic of Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Rwanda, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

Last month, envoys of 15 countries including US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Philippines, Norway, Maldives, Fiji, Togo, Bangladesh, and Peru visited Jammu and Kashmir on January 9 and 10 to see the efforts being made by the government for the region's development.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The hearing to determine whether first-degree murder defendant Jerome Davis would be freed before trial was still 30 minutes away when the mother of his alleged victim gave a profanity-laced preview of what she would tell the judge.

That ------ ------ killed my daughter, Tammi McKinley roared last month from the lobby outside the courtroom where Davis would soon appear, and where his attorney would deride the case against him as weak.

Two women struggled to pull McKinley away from Daviss family and friends. Bailiffs rushed in to restore order.

McKinley, the mother of murder victim Khira McKinley of Charlotte, continued to shout and curse, briefly disrupting the proceedings of another case behind the closed doors of Mecklenburg Superior Court Judge Bob Bells courtroom.

In Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a policy debate over whether people accused of murder should be eligible for bail has been joined by the raw, powerful and occasionally uncensored voices of the loved ones of the dead.

Top Mecklenburg magistrate resigns amid criticism new bail rules free dangerous felons

Under Marsys Law, a constitutional amendment passed by North Carolina voters in 2018 that went into effect last year, families of crime victims have been given expanded and protected roles in the criminal-justice process. That includes having the right to speak before judges decide whether to release criminal defendants on bonds before trial.

The survivors participation has become more timely in Mecklenburg County courts. Last March the countys judges  led in part by Bell  joined a nationwide movement to approve more bonds for criminal defendants, including those accused of murder.

Bell, a former homicide prosecutor and now the countys senior resident Superior Court judge, says all criminal defendants  even accused killers  have the right to a fair hearing on whether they should be freed before trial.

First-degree murder  that sounds really bad. But you know and I know that theyre not all the same, Bell told the Observer last month.

Story continues

I believe that public safety should be a paramount concern and that there are people who should be held in custody awaiting trial. But thats not everybody.

Police say Khira McKinley, 23, was killed in Charlotte on July 4, 2019.

Threat to public safety

In December, police and prosecutors pushed back. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney aimed a critical spotlight at the judges bond decisions by announcing that his department would no longer offer electronic monitoring for freed murder defendants. Monitoring using electronic ankle bracelets has been a longtime condition of most of the countys pretrial releases.

I cannot stand behind having murder suspects on (electronic monitoring) ... I think the better place for them would be in jail awaiting trial, Putney said.

Some judges give Charlotte murder suspects ankle bracelets. No more, CMPD says

District Attorney Spencer Merriweather agreed. While he says the countys court system must reduce the number of defendants jailed under unnecessary bonds, Merriweather believes first-degree murder cases are a special class.

We want to make sure that we have the right people in pretrial custody, not the nickel-and-dime defendants, but the people who are a threat to public safety, Merriweather said.

Its an understatement to say so, but someone accused of taking someone elses life gives me enough pause to say that this is someone the judges should be very careful about before releasing from custody, Merriweather said.

Now, victims families have joined ranks with opponents of bail for accused killers, turning what were once largely routine hearings for murder defendants into highly charged courtroom dramas.

Risk vs. freedom

With Mecklenburg judges now more likely to grant bonds in murder cases, prosecutors have begun to delve more deeply into the grisly details of the crimes. Defense attorneys counter with their best arguments on why their clients deserve temporary freedom. Families offer emotional accounts of how their loved ones lived and died and why the accused should remain in custody.

Then it falls to the judge.

The countys bail reform, according to Bell, actually is a return to the spirit of the states original law.

Previously  under a practice known as charge-based bail  bonds for murder defendants were rare. In some cases, judges refused to offer bonds at all, or they set the figure so high that critics said they were tantamount to prison sentences without convictions, with defendants having to wait two to three years behind bars for their cases to come to trial.

Under Mecklenburgs new risk-based approach, judges say they base their bond decisions on two factors: whether the defendant, if freed, would be a threat to public safety or a threat to flee.

Bell says he also takes into account the strength of the prosecutions case, the filings and oral arguments from both sides, the defendants criminal record and level of community support, as well as what the victims families have to say.

Mecklenburg County has a new bail policy. But does it go too far  or not far enough?

He said much of the opposition to bail for violent offenders is the concern they will strike again. Thats always the fear, and it has happened before, he said.

Last month, Merriweather called for the legislature to replace the states bond laws with the federal model, which doesnt use cash bonds and where judges base custody decisions solely on whether defendants pose a threat to public safety.

Prominent Charlotte defense attorney Tony Scheer, a former Mecklenburg prosecutor, says the new bond policy continues more than a decade of courtroom reforms that has made the countys criminal-justice system among the most progressive in the country.

The alternative, he said, is to keep the jail filled with people accused but not convicted of a crime and let them rot until we can get them a trial.

Scheer also is a critic of the police decision to drop electronic monitoring for homicide defendants, recently describing it in court as an attempted CMPD veto of due process, including the presumption of innocence.

If police hoped their decision would end the pretrial release of accused killers, it hasnt worked. While most first-degree murder defendants remain in custody, at least three have been given bonds since Putneys announcement.

Combined with statistics released before the policy change, that means just under three dozen Charlotte-Mecklenburg murder defendants are currently free while they await trial.

An Ikea carving knife

Nonetheless, the absence of electronic monitoring has further complicated bond decisions.

Bell said he factors in the lack of police surveillance in first-degree murder cases whenever he considers bail.

During a December bond hearing, prosecutor Heidi Perlman told a judge that CMPDs new policy had removed the last line of defense between the public and Bailey Todd, a 22-year-old accused killer from Matthews.

Todd is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the June slashing death of her former longtime boyfriend, Josh Griffin. Todds boyfriend at the time of the killing, Sean Harper, also is charged with murder, court records show.

Bailey Todd, 22, is accused of murder. Her lawyer has said she should be allowed bond because she is not a flight risk or a threat to commit crimes.

In opposing Todds bond request, Perlman took a deep dive into the details of Griffins death: How tensions between Todd, Griffin and Harper had simmered throughout the day before they binged together after midnight in Harpers car on cocaine and Bombay gin.

Eventually, according to the prosecutor, Harper attacked Griffin, who fled for his life into nearby woods before being slashed to death with a 12-inch Ikea carving knife.

After the prosecutor finished, Griffins family members had their say.

His mother told Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin that Todd was capable of unpredictable violence. His grandfather described Todd as a sociopath who has no conscience, and asked Ervin not to turn her loose on society until this thing is over.

Scheer told the judge that Todd and Griffin had a long and volatile relationship, and that at the time of his death, Griffin was under a restraining order that banned him from seeing her. According to jail records, Griffin also faced an array of pending charges  from assault on a female and communicating threats to discharging a firearm in an enclosed area to incite fear. All involved Todd.

According to Scheer, Todd had expected a fight between her former and current boyfriend  not a killing. He said she was not a flight risk nor a threat to commit more crimes.

In the end, Ervin lowered Todds bond to $300,000. Jail records indicate she was released on Jan. 10. Her trial has not been scheduled.

Todds pre-trial release began the day after Tammi McKinley made her case on why another accused killer should stay in jail.

She told the judge, I lost my baby.

He killed my baby girl

On July 4, Khira McKinleys body had been found in the front seat of her Toyota Corolla. Prosecutor Glenn Cole said the bullet that killed her was fired from such close range that the muzzle flash had burned the skin under the 23-year-olds left breast.

Jerome Davis

Davis was arrested a month later in Spartanburg  proving that he is a flight risk, Cole said. At the time of his bail hearing, hed been jailed without bond for nearly five months.

Tammi McKinley had composed herself by the time Cole signaled her to come to the front of the courtroom. She spoke in a low monotone to ask Bell to keep Davis in custody.

He killed my baby girl. He took my daughter. I just dont think he should be out, she said with Davis standing a few feet away. No decent person would treat a girl like that. Hes not a man ... Thats all I have to say.

Defense attorney Norman Butler told Bell that the prosecution had no eye witnesses linking Davis to Khira McKinleys shooting. Reports of Davis previous assaults of his girlfriend were based on hearsay, he said, leaving the state with a case so flimsy that it almost required his client to be released from jail.

Butler asked for a reasonable bond.

Bell, without comment, refused to give it. Davis was led out of the courtroom and taken back to his cell.
A Demat (i.e. a dematerialised) account holds shares in digital/ electronic format. A Demat account allows you to buy shares and store them safely. It is similar to your bank account. A Demat account can be used to hold a variety of investments including shares, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, government securities etc. When you purchase shares, it will be credited to your Demat account and similarly, when you sell, it will be debited from your account. Any shares you are holding in paper form can also be dematerialised and stored in electronic form in your Demat account. There are basically three different types of Demat accounts that cater to different investors:

Regular Demat account: This type of account caters to traders who are Indian citizens and reside in India.

Repatriable Demat account: This account is useful to the Non-Resident Indians as it allows fund transfers abroad. It requires an associated NRE bank account.

Non-Repatriable Demat account: This account, too, is for the Non-Resident Indians. However, in this case, funds cannot be transferred abroad, and this account requires an associated NRO bank account.

Different Types of Demat account

Regular Demat Account

Traders who are Indian citizens and reside in India use this type of account. In India, Regular Demat account service is provided by depositories such as NSDL and CDSL through intermediaries / Depository Participants / Stock Brokers etc. The charges in the case of regular Demat account vary as per the volume held in the account, type subscribed, and the terms and conditions laid by the depository and the Depository Participant (DP).

A Regular Demat account aims at making trading operations simpler. Transfer of shares can be carried out easier than ever, and it can be completed within a few hours as compared to weeks or months, taken previously. Since the regular demat account allows the investor to hold shares in the electronic form, it eliminates the risk of misplacement, damage, theft, and forgery, as was the case with physical shares. Convenience is another area which a regular Demat account offers. It has done away with, cumbersome processes like buying and pasting share market stamps, and restrictions on selling shares in odd lots thereby helping us to save some money too. Thus, a Regular Demat Account makes the process of dealing with stocks and shares simple and convenient.

Other than the making handling and storing of shares safer and making operations simpler a Regular Demat account helps us to do away with paperwork, making it a cost-effective activity. The procedure to change address and other details too have been made seamless and less time-consuming with the advent of Regular Demat accounts.

Regular Demat account holders, i.e. traders who are Indian citizens and reside in India, can also transfer their holdings from an existing Demat account to another institution without any additional charge. If a Regular Demat account holder wishes to transfer a joint Demat account, then they will have to open the new one in the same names.

Repatriable Demat account

By opening a Repatriable Demat Account, an NRI can make investments in the Indian share market very quickly from any part of the world. The transactions immediately reflect in the demat account. This account is useful to the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) as it allows fund transfers in foreign countries. Those who want to hold a Repatriable Demat Account will require an associated NRE bank account. Just like a Regular Demat Account that can also have joint holders who should be citizens of India irrespective of the resident status, NRI demat accounts have nomination facility.

In India, though both residents and non-residents can make use of demat account to trade in shares, if a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) wants to open a repatriable demat account, he/she will have to follow the rules of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines mandate NRIs to open a trading account with a designated institution authorised by the RBI. An NRI will have to avail either a Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) or Non-Resident External (NRE) account to route his/her various investments. Types of Demat Account options available for NRIs are:

PINS Account or Portfolio investment NRI Scheme: This account allows NRIs the buying and selling of equities through the stock exchanges in India. This can be further classified as NRE and NRO PINS accounts. While Portfolio investment NRI Scheme demat accounts allow for transactions where the funds can be repatriated to foreign countries, NRO PINS account does not allow fund repatriation for executed transactions.

For opening a Repatriable Demat account, an NRI should produce a copy of passport, copy of PAN card, copy of Visa, overseas address proof, like utility bills, or rental/lease agreement, or sale deed, passport size photograph, FEMA declaration, and cancelled check leaf of NRE/NRO account. All these documents should be attested at the Indian Embassy of the country where the NRI resides.

Non-Repatriable Demat Account

Non-Repatriable Demat Account, too, is for the Non-Resident Indians. However, in this case, funds cannot be transferred abroad, and this account requires an associated NRO bank account. An NRI, with earnings both abroad and in India, genuinely faces difficulties in managing his/her finances. They also find it difficult to monitor bank accounts in a different country, and while trying to repatriate money to their home account. With NRE & NRO demat accounts they can have their peace of mind.

As per the guidelines stipulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), a non-resident Indian can only hold up to 5% of paid-up capital in an Indian company. An NRI can invest in Initial Public Offers (IPOs) on a repatriable basis by using an NRE demat and funds in his/her Non-Resident External (NRE) bank account. If an NRI invests on non-repatriable basis, then the Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee (NRO) account and NRO demat will be used.

If a person already has a demat account before gaining the status of NRI, then he/she can convert it into the NRO category to trade after leaving the country or open a new account. In both cases, previously owned shares will be transferred to the new NRO holding account.

An NRI can also use his/her demat account through Portfolio Investment Scheme (PINS) to make investments in India. The PINS plan permits an NRI to transact in shares and mutual fund units. A PINS account works similarly to an NRE account. Even when NRIs have an NRE account, a separate PINS account is mandatory for trading in equities. NON-PINS Account is used for investing in Initial Public Offerings (IPO) or investments made in mutual funds and as residents. It is important for an NRI to remember that he/ she can maintain only one PINS account at any point of time.

Non-PINS account can be classified as NRE and NRO Non-PINS account. Transactions made through NRE can be repatriated, while NRO transactions cannot be repatriated. Also, the NRO Non-PINS accounts allow trading in futures and options.

FAQs

What is an NRE (Non-Resident Rupee) Account?

An NRE account is an Indian rupee-denominated account, offering complete security. These accounts can be in the form of current, savings, recurring, or fixed deposits. The foreign currency you deposit into the account is converted to Indian rupee. You can transfer your funds (principal as well as interest) to a foreign account from an NRE account without any complications and restrictions. However, the amount you deposit into these accounts must be earned outside India.

What is an NRE account mainly used for?

NRE account is primarily used for carrying out business, personal banking and making investments in India. The international debit card enables you to transact and withdraw money 24x7. Also, mutual fund investments too become effortless and instant, if you link your NRE account number to the investment account.

What is a Non-Resident Ordinary Rupee (NRO) Account?

An NRO account is a savings or current account held by NRIs in India to manage their income earned in India. Account-holders can deposit and manage their accumulated rupee funds without any hassle. You can apply for an NRO account jointly with a resident Indian or even an NRI. The account allows you to receive funds in Indian or Foreign currency. It is even feasible to transfer money from your current NRE account. However, the interest you earn in this account is subject to (TDS) Tax Deducted at Source payments.

How is an NRE Account different from NRO Account?

Repatriation is free for NRE account holders for both the principal and the interest amount. An NRO account has limited access for repatriation. It restricts you from remitting more than $1 million inclusive of taxes during an assessment year. You can repatriate the interest amount freely, but the principal amount can be repatriated only within the set limits. It also requires an undertaking along with a certificate from a Chartered Accountant. Also, an NRE account is tax-free (no income tax, wealth tax, or gift tax) in India, while, the interest earned in NRO account and credit balances are subject to respective income tax bracket. They are also subject to applicable wealth and gift tax.

Can I hold a joint NRE account along with another NRI?

You can have a joint NRE account only if both the parties are NRIs. On the other hand, you can open an NRO account with another NRI or a resident Indian (a close relative) as mentioned under Section 6 of the Companies Act 1956.

Am I eligible to open a Demat account for trading?

If you're a resident of India and over 18 years of age, you're eligible to open a Demat account. You will need to submit valid address and identity proofs along with the account opening form.

Can I trade in derivatives?

If youre a resident of India and over 18 years of age, you are eligible to open a Demat account and trade in derivatives. You will need to submit valid address and identity proofs along with the account opening form.
A spokeswoman denied that the Justice Department was taking orders from the president in recommending the lower sentence, a claim Mr. Trump undermines every time he opens his mouth. On Tuesday, he announced that he has an absolute right to tell the Justice Department what to do.

No, in fact, he does not. The Constitution compels the president, among other things, to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Since Mr. Trump has described that document as like a foreign language, well take this opportunity to inform him that this clause does not give him the authority to run the Justice Department like a goon squad at one of his failed casinos.

Republicans in Congress tried once again to rationalize the presidents irrational behavior. Senator Marco Rubio said it was not uncommon for line prosecutors to be overruled by their superiors.

Actually it is quite uncommon, particularly when the original recommendations fall within the federal guidelines range. If there were any genuine concerns over the length of Mr. Stones recommended sentence, the department has well-established protocols for addressing those concerns in an orderly way.

In any ordinary Justice Department, a president publicly calling for leniency toward a close personal ally would set off alarm bells. But this, of course, is no ordinary Justice Department. An aspiring autocrat is only as powerful as his enablers, and Mr. Trump hit the jackpot in Mr. Barr, who is now taking control of all cases involving the president, including Mr. Stones conviction. He has also agreed to accept information from the presidents actual personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who has been sniffing around Ukraine looking for dirt on Joe Biden and his son, Hunter  part of an effort, you may recall, that recently resulted in Mr. Trumps impeachment.

Mr. Barr cautioned that he would be very careful with any information coming out of Ukraine. Mr. Trump, we can be confident, will not. In his world, the criminals are the victims, while the real crooks are those who devote their lives to the rule of law.

The departure of four respected prosecutors under these circumstances should worry all Americans. As Republicans in Congress abdicate their responsibility to act as a check on the executive and Mr. Trump packs the Justice Department with loyalists like Mr. Barr, the nonpolitical administration of justice depends all the more on career civil servants who have dedicated themselves to upholding the law, and not to helping a president abuse his office.
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A US AID worker watches as relief supplies are unloaded at Manila's international airport on Oct. 13, 2009. (Jay Directo/AFP via Getty Images)

USAID Whistleblower Denied Legal Protection, Seeks Redress Over Termination

Mark Moyar looked forward to joining the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as President Donald Trumps appointee and making government more honest and efficient, but he never dreamed that doing so would cost him his job and possibly even his career.

From February 2018 to August 2019, he worked as director of USAIDs Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation, during which he reported multiple individuals for several months of waste, fraud, and abuses.

Instead of receiving protection, Moyar faced allegations of disclosing classified information, a security clearance suspension, and termination. Moyar explained in a letter to Congress that he believes he was also denied due process after being forced out.

Political appointees such as Moyar can be fired without due process. This case, however, involves his security clearance, and USAID regulations state that individuals who face adverse security clearance actions must be granted due process. Moyar said he was denied access to the security clearance appeal process.

USAID Director of Security John Voorhees, in a statement to USAID Administrator Bonnie Glick, threatened to revoke Moyars security clearance if Glick didnt fire him.

In a letter to members of Congress, Moyar explained that he has been struggling to find employment due to his sudden termination and security clearance suspension, and worrying that his financial situation will have gone from bad to terrible.

Mark Moyar. (USAID)

Allegations Over Moyars Book

Through a congressional source, The Epoch Times obtained a copy of correspondence and documents relating to the case.

According to the documents, USAIDs decision to suspend Moyars security clearance stemmed from allegations made in June 2019 by an unidentified individual from the Pentagon, who claimed that Moyars book, Oppose Any Foe: The Rise of Americas Special Operations Forces, contained classified information.

Published in 2017, the book covers the rise of the United States Special Operations Forces and their role in U.S. security efforts against external threats. The book is currently still on the Central Intelligence Agencys book list for studies in intelligence.

Moyar argued in his sworn statement to USAID that his book was academic in nature and based on public information.

Documents obtained from Congress detail the situation surrounding the books publication. On April 10, 2016, Moyar had contacted the Defense Departments (DOD) Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR) to submit his book manuscript for prepublication review. He received a confirmation a few days later that his materials were received.

According to DOPSR guidelines for prepublication review, books and manuscripts must be submitted to DOPSR at least 30 working days before the date needed and before submission to a publisher. After submitting his materials, Moyar was in contact with DOPSR and had allotted 145 working days for the DOPSR to approve his book manuscript.

Over the course of four months, DOPSR continued to delay its review of the book manuscript, informing Moyar that they had yet to complete their review and couldnt provide clearance.

DOPSR eventually wrote to Moyar that we cannot prohibit you from publishing prior to us completing our review, but if the book contains classified information, the author would have liabilities.

Because DOPSR, which ended communication with Moyar after November 2016, didnt object to the contents of the book manuscript and was given more than the required 60 days for prepublication reviews, Moyar and his publisher decided to proceed with publication in 2017.

Moyar argued in his sworn statement that he believes, If DoD had genuine concerns, they would be obligated to convey those concerns rapidly to my publisher and me if they believed it necessary to prevent a harmful disclosure.

A screenshot of a video of a presentation given by Mark Moyar at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security in Washington on Oct. 31, 2017. (Screenshot/Daniel Morgan Graduate School)

Further Appeals

The DODs allegations regarding the book, which came two years after the books publication and during Moyars appointment to USAID, sparked the USAIDs decision to suspend Moyars security clearance.

USAID ensured Moyar that they would look into the DODs allegations. USAID initiated a six-week investigation, which failed to uncover any evidence of unauthorized disclosure of classified information. DOD also refused to provide USAID with concrete evidence to support their allegations of Moyar supposedly disclosing classified information.

However, Voorhees still called for Moyars termination.

In September 2019, Moyar submitted a whistleblower retaliation complaint to the USAID Office of Inspector General, calling Voorheess decision an instance of the double standards of the Deep State.

Moyar explained in USAID-related correspondence he sent to Congress that he believes his termination and security clearance suspension were in retaliation from people he reported for fraud, waste, and abuse during his appointment at USAID.

Although political appointees, such as Moyar, arent covered by the Whistleblower Protection Act, they are protected by the Presidential Personnel Directive 19 (PPD-19). According to PPD-19, U.S. government officials are prohibited from taking or threatening to take any action affecting an employees Eligibility for Access to Classified Information as a reprisal for a Protected Disclosure.

USAID Inspector General Ann Calvaresi Barr agreed to lead an investigation regarding Moyars complaint, and on Dec. 19, 2019, Barrs office provided Moyar a copy of the investigation report, which denied him protection under PPD-19.

Moyar expressed in his letter to Congress that the report was a remarkably inaccurate, shallow, and biased document.

As such, the USAID Office of Inspector General sent him a notice on Jan. 10, stating that the agency didnt commit any wrongdoing and stands by its decision to terminate him.

Currently, Moyar is planning to submit an appeal to the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) sometime in February. The ICIG can decide whether to hear the appeal. If heard, the appeal would require a six-month investigation.

Additionally, the USAID administrator, who has the authority to reverse decisions, can choose to reverse Moyars termination and security clearance suspension.

In his letter, Moyar urged Congress members to contact USAID leadership, the White House, the Department of Justice, and anyone else who might be able to help rectify this matter.

USAIDs Office of Inspector General declined to comment to The Epoch Times about the case; the agencys Office of Security didnt respond to a request for comment.
Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman has shrugged off the anti-Iranian threats from an Israeli official, warning of a crushing response to any stupid measure against Irans interests across the region, Iran Front Page reports.

In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi dismissed the claims and threats from an official of the Zionist regime against Iran, stressing, The Islamic Republic of Iran will show a crushing and regrettable response to any act of aggression or stupid measure from that regime (Israel) against our countrys interests in Syria and the region.

He also highlighted the terrorist and occupying nature of the Zionist regime, adding, The foundation and nature of this regime has been based upon the occupation of the Palestinian territory and the neighbouring states, upon carnage, plundering the assets (of other nations), terror and aggression over the past 70 years.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been present in Syria at the invitation and with the agreement of that countrys (Syrias) government with the purpose of fighting against terrorism sponsored by the US and Israel, and our country will not hesitate for a moment over safeguarding its presence in Syria and defending its national security and regional interests, and will give a decisive and crushing response to any act of aggression or stupid move, the spokesperson underlined.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will also prosecute the Quds-occupying regime (Israel) for its threats and warmongering comments at the international circles, Mousavi concluded.
Which actors would you like for your film, Mr. Anderson?

...Yes.

If youre a fan of Wes Andersons work, particularly with Searchlight Pictures, you have seen some of the most delightful stuff to ever be captured on film. Generous, sweeping pastel palettes, acting choreographed with razor-sharp finesse, and of course, the glorious, glorious symmetry thats become synonymous with the filmmaker.

 Searchlight Pictures

Theres plenty of reasons to be excited for the upcoming film, The French Dispatch - but before we get into excited adulations surrounding what might just be the most Wes Anderson film by Wes Anderson, take a look at the trailer, which just dropped this Thursday.



The trailer opens with Bill Murray as Arthur Howitzer Jr., editor of the French Dispatch - described in the trailer as a factual weekly report on the world of politics, the arts  high and low  and diverse stories of human interest.

Anderson happens to be a collector and fan of The New Yorker magazine - and the journalists depicted in the film as well as the stories they follow seem to be loosely inspired by the unique, thrilling and often bizarre tales youd find during the publications heyday in the 1950s. It also seems that the film jumps back and forth in time a la The Grand Budapest Hotel - playing around with colour, black-and-white and in a delightful nod to classic cinema, old-school aspect ratios.

It appears that the central plot of this film weaves itself around three particular stories, hunted down by the Dispatchs legendary journalists.

 Searchlight Pictures

The Concrete Masterpiece is the subject of the first story - reported by J.K.L. Berensen (Tilda Swinton). The masterpiece itself is an enigmatic painting produced by an apparently psychopathic, imprisoned artist - Moses Rosenthaler (Benicio Del Toro), whose muse Simone (Lea Seydoux) also happens to be his jailer. Things take a turn for the intense as art dealer Julien Cadazio (Adrein Brody) shows up with one thing on his mind - to get Rosenthaler to part with his beloved painting, no matter the cost.



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If youve ever watched Bernardo Berteluccis The Dreamers, youll like this one. Deeply influenced by the 1968 student riots in Paris, Revisions To A Manifesto is written by Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand), and follows the story of two young French revolutionaries - Zeffirelli (Timothee Chalamet) and Juliette (Kyna Khoudri). While this little vignette seems to have the least footage in the trailer, we do get a rather funny, mysterious glimpse of Zeffirelli interrupted during a shower by Krementz, who seems to be... crying?



 Searchlight Pictures

Again - if you dig Wes Anderson, it would come as no surprise that hed sneak in food critic Roebuck Wright (Jeffrey Wright) into the Dispatchs battalion of front-line reporters. The filmmaker has always enjoyed creating marvelous setpieces revolving around food, and this one takes the cake - no pun intended. The Private Dining Room revolves around a master chefs (Steve Park) unique dining experiences, and one particular dinner where a guest (Mathieu Amalric) receives a chilling phone call, informing him that his son has been kidnapped. Its speculated that actors Williem DaFoe, Liev Schrieber, Ed Norton and Saiorse Ronan also have a part to play in this delectable tale.



Owen Wilson and Christoph Waltz are also casted - along with a bevy of exceptional French talent. While the film is slated for a July 24th release, its to be expected that the film will have a special screening at this years Cannes Film Festival, which will be held a bit earlier this May.

If only we had a few tickets to France...


A conservation group fighting the proposed Kalama methanol plant now wants the federal government to investigate Northwest Innovation Works for potentially misleading investors.

But it was unclear Wednesday whether the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will follow up on the claims.

Columbia Riverkeeper, a Hood River-based nonprofit conservation group, sent a letter Tuesday to the SEC alleging that Northwest Innovation touted Chinese demand for methanol as a fuel, while seeking investments for its $2 billion methanol plant at the Port of Kalama. But the company never explained to investors that it doesnt intend to participate in the fuels market.

From the time it first proposed the plant in 2014, the company has said the methanol will be used to make plastics in Asia, not burned for fuel.

We perceive that there is a disconnect between what Northwest Innovation Works is telling its investors and what its telling regulators and the public, and weve tried to raise that issue with everyone from Cowlitz County to Ecology, and now to federal regulators, said Miles Johnson, senior attorney with Riverkeeper. While we dont have control over what the SEC does, we do have control over the kinds of questions we get to ask, and we think this is an important one.

Riverkeeper is arguing both sides of the issue: First, it challenged the companys statements about making the methanol only for plastics; now its accusing Northwest Innovation of misleading investors by implying it will sell the methanol for fuel.

Representatives with the SEC declined Wednesday to comment on the letter or the general investigation process.

Northwest Innovation Chief Commercial Officer Vee Godley said Riverkeeper is trying to generate something out of nothing, and the claims in the letter are continued misinformation and spreading rumors.

The bottom line is ... we are making this product for materials. Weve said that from day one, Godley said. We have even entered into an agreement  with the port that this methanol will only be used for materials.

The company also stood by those claims in 2019, when Riverkeeper first accused it of misleading the public, state regulators or potential investors. That year company officials said any investor who did their due diligence would see the project is dedicated to making materials for plastics manufacturing.

(Riverkeeper) seems to be desperate. They cant beat us on science, so I guess they are desperate to find other avenues to try to sway public opinion, Godley said of the letter.

Riverkeepers claims are based on a 26-slide PowerPoint presentation for potential investors from March 2018. That same presentation served the basis for the nonprofits accusations in April 2019. The presentation outlines methanol applications and market opportunities.

The Investment Overview asserts and implies that NWIWs core business model is producing methanol for the Chinese fuel market  but never explains that NWIW does not intend to participate in that market, Riverkeeper writes in its letter.

The company appears to have misled potential investors about the market and level of demand for NWIWs product and, by extension, the value of investing in NWIW, the letter continues.

Northwest Innovation is proposing to build the nations largest gas-to-methanol manufacturing and export facility. The plan would use natural gas as feedstock to create methanol and then export that methanol to China, according to the company.

Company officials say the plant would create 1,000 construction jobs, nearly 200 permanent jobs and generate millions in tax revenue.

Opponents of the project have voiced concerns about the methanol being used as fuel instead, which would release more greenhouse gas emissions than accounted for in environmental studies.

The company has pledged to offset all its in-state greenhouse emissions, and the county/port climate change analysis concluded that the project would reduce global emissions by at least 11 million tons per year, or the equivalent of about 2 million cars, by offsetting coal-based methanol production.

At the end of the day the environmental solution we are bringing to this community, the jobs, the revenue, the opportunity (will) help improve this county. Its a shame people are trying to stop that, Godley said Wednesday.

Even if the SEC investigates, Johnson said he doesnt expect it to directly affect the permitting process. (The project has been caught up in permitting for almost six years, and in December the state Department of Ecology ordered a second supplemental environmental impact statement about the plants potential impacts on global climate change; the study could take up to a year.)

But an investigation could inform Ecologys future permitting decisions, Johnson said. And it might force the company to disclose its business plans to investors, which could chill Northwest Innovation Works ability to attract investment to the project, Johnson said.

Columbia Riverkeeper believes that everyone  the public, regulators, and potential investors  deserves to know the facts about NWIW.

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The number of patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus aboard a quarantined cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan has continued to risemaking the ship the largest cluster of the deadly virus outside China.

An additional 44 cases of the illness were identified on the Diamond Princess on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 218. That accounts for more than one third of all cases detected outside mainland China.

Japanese health officials will allow elderly passengers to leave the cruise ship and complete their quarantines at a shoreside facility if they test negative for COVID-19, the countrys health ministry said Thursday.

With nearly 6% of the 3,711 passengers and crew members now infected, the 952-foot cruise ship also has the highest infection rate of the coronavirus anywhere in the world. Wuhan, China, the city where the disease is believed to have originated has nearly 33,000 official casesbut spread across a population of more than 11 million, thats an infection rate of less than 0.3%.

Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking on this link, and please send any tips, leads, and stories to virus@time.com.

Health experts say the Diamond Princess highlights the high risk that an infection will spread in confined spaces. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, close-contact environments such as cruises can facilitate the transmission of viruses through droplets or contaminated surfaces.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship sits docked at Daikoku Pier in Yokohama, Japan, on Feb. 10, 2020. | Carl CourtGetty Images

And due to the long duration that passengers are on their vessel, traveling on a cruise ship could present higher infection risks than other forms of transportation, like planes and trains, according to Hui-ling Yen, an expert on influenza transmission at the University of Hong Kong.

On an airplane, if there were exposure to the virus, you probably only have one generation of transmission because of the duration of the flight. On a cruise, the transmission could be sequential. One person may infect another, who may infect another, she says. You could have an ongoing transmission trend.

Story continues

The past few days have seen an exponential increase, but the worst could be over, Yen says.

This few days should have been the peak. Most of the literature about the virus reported that the mean incubation period is around 5 days. So if the quarantine works, we should start to see a decline soon, Yen adds.

According to Japan Times, 29 of the latest batch of 44 people infected with the coronavirus are Japanese, with the remaining 15 from other countries. One case is a crew member. A large majority of the newly confirmed patients are elderly.

The passengers and crew on the Diamond Princess are halfway through a 14-day quarantine on the virus-stricken cruise ship. The quarantine began Feb. 5 after the company learned that a passenger from Hong Kong who had previously been onboard had tested positive for coronavirus. The quarantine has been set to end Feb. 19.

Japans health minister Katsunobu Kato said Thursday that passengers age 80 or older will be permitted to disembark the cruise ship if they test negative for the virus and complete their quarantine at a temporary facility.

On the cruise ship, there are elderly with pre-existing conditions and those who are staying inside rooms without windows having to take part in the quarantine period, Kato said, according to Japan Times. In those situations, as they have no choice but to stay for a long time period, there are individuals whose chronic illnesses get worse and compromise their health.

Individuals who test negative and want to leave the ship can begin disembarking as early as Friday, Kato said.

Princess Cruises confirmed the Japanese governments decision in a statement. From the information available it is our understanding that this will be a phased approach, with the most medically vulnerable guests in the first phase, including older adults with pre-existing health conditions, the company said. Those who test positive for the virus will be taken to a local hospital for further examination and isolation, according to the cruise line.

Until they are evacuated or the quarantine period ends, passengers have been largely confined to their rooms; their chief interactions are with crew members who deliver food three times a day, a number of passengers on the cruise told TIME. Since the weekend, they have been allowed out on the open decks in shifts for about an hour at a time, provided they wear face masks and stand no closer than 2 meters (6.5 feet) to each other.

Kent Frasure, a 42-year-old passenger from Portland, Oregon, is alone in his cabin after his wife tested positive for the virus and was brought to a hospital.

[She has] no symptoms and is not receiving any treatment or medication, he says. They are checking her temperature and vitals every day.

Read more: Like Im in a Bad Movie. Concerns Mount on Quarantined Ship as More Passengers Test Positive for Coronavirus

As the number of cases on the cruise continues to rise sharply, passengers said they want everyone on board to be tested. Up till now, only those who have reported symptoms and who live in the same cabins as passengers who have been diagnosed with the virus have been tested. (It is unclear how many passengers have taken tests, though the Japanese health ministry said Wednesday that 492 samplesincludes specimens collected from the same people multiple timeshave been collected.)

But a shortage in COVID-19 test kits has prevented health authorities from widespread testing, with authorities acknowledging a limited capacity to process virus test samples.

Given the lack of testing kits, officials say they are prioritizing elderly passengers and those living in windowless rooms. They will be tested first and allowed to disembark if they are found to be negative. The Japanese health authorities will house them at designated lodgings when they are on land.

Globally, more than 60,000 people have been infected with the virus, and more than 1,300 have died as a result. The vast majority of cases are in mainland China.

The Diamond Princess is among the cruise ships that have been caught in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak. The Westerdam, which was denied entry to five ports including in Thailand, Taiwan and the U.S. territory of Guam, finally docked in Cambodia Thursday morning.

Last week, passengers on the World Dream cruise ship in Hong Kong were held for four days after the company learned that three passengers who had sailed on the vessel earlier were confirmed to have the virus. Passengers were finally allowed to disembark on Monday after all crew tested negative for the virus.
The world's biggest chat app has become even bigger. WhatsApp on Wednesday announced that it has amassed over 2 billion users across the world, up from 1.5 billion in 2018. While announcing its new user base, WhatsApp also laid emphasis on what it does to ensure strong encryption for the app's ecosystem and that it will work towards tightening the security. It is a significant surge for the Facebook-owned chat app that has faced criticism over its encryption policy from the lawmakers globally.

WhatsApp CEO Will Cathart told The Wall Street Journal that the company will not change its encryption policy, even it means flouting directions of the regulatory bodies of select countries demanding decryption of chat messages. But he also said that WhatsApp will provide metadata of the chats to the lawmakers for investigative purposes. In the backdrop, multiple fiascos on user privacy and encryption have marred the reputation of Facebook, the parent company of WhatsApp, making it hard for it to convince the lawmakers.

Facebook's user base, on the other hand, has 2.5 billion users globally, which is not far from WhatsApp's current global footprint. In fact, the instant messaging application has planned to leverage the user base to serve advertisements in its bid to monetise the service. The idea to earn revenue from WhatsApp goes against what the co-founder Brian Acton and Jan Koum had propositioned initially.

The end-to-end encryption, which has been at the helm of the functioning of WhatsApp, has come under the scanner from the lawmakers in some countries. The governments have urged Facebook's WhatsApp to develop a tool that will circumvent the encryption wall on the app, citing reasons such as those helpful in tracking people who spread fake news and incite violence. But WhatsApp has so far not complied with the demands of the governments.

Separately, Facebook has announced that it will integrate its four platforms - the Facebook marquee app, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Previously, features such as Stories have been introduced to all the apps. Adding to this motive, Cathart told WSJ that the facility to extract metadata will be interoperable with other messaging apps. However, this integration will be restricted as per the messaging service.




Products containing the cannabis extract cannabidiol (CBD) could be removed from shelves next year if they fail to provide consumers with more safety information, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.

CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the marijuana plant which does not disrupt the central nervous system because it does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the other key compound in cannabis which causes users to get high.

This means that products containing CBD do not lead to changes in mood and perception like marijuana in its complete form is known to do.

In the last couple of years the British high-street has seen a boom in the availability of CBD products; you can now buy everything from CBD skincare to CBD gummy sweets, CBD toothpaste, CBD shampoo and CBD hummus.

But on Thursday, the FSA warned that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and people taking medication should not consume foods containing the ingredient.

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The FSA cautioned anyone who might eat such foods not to have more than 70mg a day.

In a warning to CBD businesses, the regulator added that goods containing CBD could be taken off the shelves if they fail to provide consumers with more information about the safety and contents of their products by the end of March 2021.

Emily Miles, chief executive of the FSA, said the warning has been issued because even though CBD products are widely available on the high street they are not properly authorised.

The CBD industry must provide more information about the safety and contents of these products to the regulator before 31 March 2021, or the products will be taken off the shelves, Miles said.

Also today, we are advising that CBD could be risky for vulnerable groups, and suggesting an upper limit of 70mg a day for everyone else taking the product.

24 pieces of life advice from celebrities Show all 24 1 /24 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 6. Oprah Winfrey The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 1. Demi Lovato No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 2. Bruce Lee It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials. Rex Features 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 3. Ziggy Marley Doing something that is productive is a great way to alleviate emotional stress. Get your mind doing something that is productive. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 4. Winnie The Pooh Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering. 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 5. Lena Dunham "I am certainly no self-help guru but here is what I know tonight: when you take the time and space you need, kindly and responsibly, you're suddenly available to the people you love in a whole new way." Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 7. Barack Obama If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. AFP/Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 8. Michelle Obama One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really dont invest any energy in them, because I know who I am. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 9. Lizzo "I love you. You are beautiful and you can do anything." Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 10. RuPaul "The only thing wrong with me was that I thought there was something wrong with me." Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 11. Maya Angelou You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 12. Stephen Fry It is the useless things that make life worth living and that make life dangerous too: wine, love, art, beauty. Without them life is safe, but not worth bothering with. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 13. Meghan Markle Be able to delegate, because there are some things that you just cant do by yourself. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 14. Nelson Mandela Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 15. Haruki Murakami "And once the storm is over you wont remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You wont even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you wont be the same person who walked in. Thats what this storms all about. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 16. CS Lewis You Are Never Too Old To Set Another Goal Or To Dream A New Dream. Rex Features 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 17. Audery Hepburn Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 18. Ella Fitzgerald Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 19. Billy Porter For me, life is about being positive and hopeful, choosing to be joyful, choosing to be encouraging, choosing to be empowering. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 20. Betty White It's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 21. Drew Barrymore "Life is very interesting in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 22. Jane Fonda Its never too late  never too late to start over, never too late to be happy. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 23. Jennifer Aniston There are no regrets in life. Just lessons. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 24. Beyonce Knowles "The reality is: sometimes you lose. And youre never too good to lose. Youre never too big to lose. Youre never too smart to lose. It happens" Getty Images

The actions that we're taking today are a pragmatic and proportionate step in balancing the protection of public health with consumer choice. It's now up to industry to supply this information so that the public can be reassured that CBD is safe and what it says it is.

As a result of the FSAs statement, companies are being asked to apply for novel food authorisation which, the agency said, will reassure the public about the safety of CBD products.

While the FSA has issued guidance, which applies only to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is local authorities which have the power to enforce the novel foods legislation.

Professor Alan Boobis, chairman of the Committee on Toxicity, which advises the FSA and department of health, said while the risk from CBD is not certain, the agency's approach is a sensible and pragmatic one.

My committee has reviewed the evidence on CBD food products and found evidence there are potential adverse health effects from the consumption of these products, Boobis said.

We are particularly concerned about pregnant or breast-feeding women and people on medication.

We don't know enough to be sure about such a risk but I am pleased with the sensible and pragmatic approach the FSA is taking. The committee will continue to keep these products under review in the months ahead.

The FSA has confirmed that its announcement does not affect people who take medically prescribed CBD or cannabis.
Vietnamese residents queue to receive free protective facemasks at a make-shift distribution centre amid concerns of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hanoi on Feb. 8, 2020. (Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images)

US Military Preparing for Coronavirus Pandemic

Military spokesman says plan doesn't 'indicate a greater likelihood of an event developing'

U.S. Northern Command is preparing for the potential spread of the novel coronavirus among U.S. military personnel.

According to a Marine Corps planning guidance message, commanders have to review, update, and validate existing disease containment plans and policies in order to implement procedures for response, isolation, quarantine, restriction of movement, and community-based intervention.

Officials need to become familiar with [the] authority to declare a public health emergency, restrict movement, quarantine, and isolate, the message reads. Military officials also need to coordinate with federal, state, local, and military facilities.

The current threat of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus has raised concern that this virus could result in a pandemic disease. In such a scenario, nCoV could spread, infecting U.S. personnel, and threaten the operational readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps, it states.

A military official sought to temper concerns about the new message.

It doesnt indicate a greater likelihood of an event developing, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mike Hatfield told the Military Times, which first reported on the new directive.

As military professionals, planning for a range of contingencies is something we owe the American people, Hatfield said, adding that we coordinate with other combatant commands to assess potential impacts in the event of a pandemic, and we ensure the U.S. military is poised to respond as required.

A customer pushes a cart while shopping inside a supermarket of Alibabas Hema Fresh chain, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on Feb. 11, 2020. (Stringer/Reuters)

The military profession fosters a culture of planning, and the fact that we are coordinating planning efforts across the geographical combatant commands is consistent with how we prepare to respond, if directed, he said.

The U.S. Navy also issued similar service-wide messages this week about COVID-19, the Military Times reported. Northern Command is executing its pandemic plan, and geographic combatant commanders are executing their supporting pandemic plans, the Navy stated.

Military commanders also have been told to confine service members who have been to China since Feb. 2 to their residences. If they live in a barracks or share a bathroom, they must be restricted to another lodging facility for isolation.

COVID-19, a flu-like virus that originated in Wuhan, China, is reported to have sickened tens of thousands in China. In the United States, 15 cases of the virus have been confirmed as of the morning of Feb. 13.

A top doctor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. agency responsible for confirming cases of the virus, warned on Feb. 12, We can and should be prepared for this new virus to gain a foothold in the U.S.

At some point, we are likely to see community spread in the U.S. or other countries, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the head of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters during a conference call. This will trigger a change in our response strategy.
A large new development on an industrial estate at Little Island in Cork is being challenged by Fianna Fail TD, Padraig O'Sullivan amid claims it will disturb local residents in terms of noise and traffic as well as posing an environmental risk.

The Cork North Central TD has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala against Cork County Councils decision to grant planning permission for the development of five new warehouses and light industrial units at Harbour Point Business Park on Little Island.

Harbour Point Warehousing and Logistics is seeking to build the five units in four new buildings incorporating office accommodation as well as three new security kiosks, five waste compactors and parking for 215 cars.

Although the company wanted to operate from the new units between 7am-10pm, seven days a week, council planners imposed a ban on their use on Sundays and public holidays and limiting operational hours on Saturdays to 8am-6pm.

Traffic and congestion issues are well documented in Little Island. This development has the potential to exacerbate existing difficulties regarding traffic, Mr OSullivan said.

The former councillor, who won the Cork North Central by-election in Nov and successfully retained his seat in last weeks general election, claims the proposed new industrial units have the potential to add to ongoing problems with local residents and other businesses in relation to noise, odour and nuisance.

Mr OSullivan said he is extremely concerned at the potential for the development to have a negative impact on the environment given its proximity to the shoreline of Cork Harbour which is a designated special conservation area.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland had said the proposal conflicts with national policy in relation to the control of development on the national road network and would have an adverse impact on traffic at the N25 junction with access roads to Harbour Point Business Park.

A Bord Pleanala decision in the case is due by June 8.
Kenvonte 'KJ' Thompson Jr was resuscitated after nearly drowning in the pool of a Holiday Inn hotel in Michigan. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released

Michigan police have released a horrifying video showing the moment a toddler nearly drowned in the swimming pool of a hotel while surrounded by more than a dozen adults and older children.

The boy was eventually pulled from the water after another child noticed him at the bottom of the pool, and two off-duty nurses who heard screams for help managed to resuscitate him.

The Livonia Police Department released video the of the incident that happened just before 8pm on January 24 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Livonia to remind parents to keep an eye on their children when near water.

In the video, the two-year-old boy, who has been identified as Kenvonte 'KJ' Thompson Jr, is with his family as they celebrate his sister's ninth birthday. But he is seen wandering to the edge of the pool where a group of kids are playing.

He then sits on the edge of the pool before lowering himself into the water.

Capt Ron Taig of Livonia police told the DailyMail.com that the department decided to share the video of KJ's near drowning on social media, because they wanted to bring awareness to drownings

Michigan police have released a horrifying video showing the moment K nearly drowned at a hotel swimming pool while surrounded by more than a dozen adults and older children

Somehow KJ ends up further away from the group of people and is seen barely moving on his back under water

The clip then shows the boy face down underwater as he continues to sink all the way to the bottom

Moments later, the boy struggles to stay afloat and flails around in the water with other children and adults nearby.

Somehow, KJ ends up further away from the group of people and is seen barely moving on his back underwater.

The clip then shows him face down underwater as he continues to sink all the way to the bottom.

A nine-year-old girl then pointed out that the child was lying motionless at the bottom of the pool to her godmother.

The woman walks over to investigate and screams for others to call 911. She then dives into the pool and pulls the child from the water.

According to a press release from Muskegon Community College, their nurses, Amy Herrington and Yolanda Burris, were at the hotel for a nearby annual Michigan Nursing Student Association Convention when their workout in the hotel's facility was interrupted by screams.

A nine-year-old girl (right) then pointed out that the child was lying motionless at the bottom of the pool to her godmother

The woman (right) walks over to investigate and screams for others to call 911. She then dives into the pool and pulls the child from the water

According to Livonia police, two off-duty nurses were at the hotel and took immediate action. The nurses performed CPR on the child, successfully reviving him after many cycles. The godmother is seen pulling the child from the water

'A kid came running down the hallway yelling, "Theres a baby in the bottom of the pool!"' Herrington said.

'We both stopped immediately,' added Burris. 'Amy ran out first and I followed her.'

'A lady had pulled the baby out of the pool and started CPR,' Burris recalled. 'She was trying to do her best, but I taught CPR and it did not look effective to me.'

Herrington said she then 'pushed the lady out of the way' and started CPR to try to revive KJ.

'We didn't think he was going to come back. We didn't hear any breathing. He wasn't responding,' said Burris.

The nurses said KJ eventually started breathing and making faint whimpering sounds.

He was then transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.

According to a press release from Muskegon Community College, their nurses, Amy Herrington (left) and Yolanda Burris (right), were at the hotel for an annual Michigan Nursing Student Association Convention when their workout was interrupted by screams

Capt Ron Taig of Livonia police told the DailyMail.com that the department decided to share the graphic video on social media, because they wanted to bring awareness to drownings.

Taig warned parents and guardians of young children to 'be aware'.

'Watch your children. Because of the confusion and chaos, the child gets too far away. You gotta keep people close,' he added.

In the Facebook post from the department, officers also listed facts about drownings.

'According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three children die every day as a result of drowning,' the department wrote in the caption of the video.

'In fact, drowning kills more children ages one to four than anything else except birth defects.

'Thankfully, parents can play a key role in protecting the children they love from drowning. The Livonia Police Department would like to remind you to always monitor children in the water,' police said.

Police said they have concluded their investigation and have turned it over to the prosecutor's office.

The boy's mother and aunt were at the pool when the incident occurred.

It's unclear if charges will be filed.
A Delhi court on Thursday adjourned hearing on a petition filed by the parents of the 2012 gangrape case for fresh death warrants for the four convicts till 2 pm on Monday. Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana pointed to the rights of the convicts under Article 21 of the Constitution for his decision.

In my considered opinion, Article 21 of the Constitution protects the life and liberty of a condemned prisoner till his last breath. It is a matter of right to exhaust his legal remedies and the court cannot afford to ignore the fundamental rights of the convict, said the judge.

The judge also appointed an advocate to represent Pawan Gupta, one of the four death row convicts in the case, after he refused to take a lawyer offered by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA) as legal aid.

I deem it appropriate that even the legal aid counsel for Pawan is entitled for some time of effective representation. So that the legal aid providers to the convict is not illusionary or superficiary exercise, said the judge.

He also said that deciding this application would lead to further legal complications. A dejected mother of the gangrape victim, Asha Devi, said, I am keeping faith in you (the judge), but when the death warrant is not passed, I will again come on the next date with the same hope and faith.

ALSO WATCH | SC reserves order on Delhi gangrape convicts mercy plea rejection

The parents of the 2012 Delhi gangrape case victim, through their lawyer, had told the court during the hearing today that patience of the society is being tested by this case.

Jitendra Kumar Jha, the lawyer of the parents said that judiciary is being taken for granted as the death warrant has been postponed thrice in the case. It was a heinous crime which shook the conscience of the society. But now, it is the peoples will which is being bulldozed, said the lawyer.

Public prosecutor Irfan Ahmed too demanded that the death warrant be issued.

The parents of the victim moved the Delhi court earlier this week for issuance of fresh death warrant after the seven-day period given by the Delhi high court expired.

On the first day of hearing on Wednesday, the mother of the victim broke down after the judge offered legal aid to one of the convicts Pawan Gupta. This court is of the opinion that any of the condemned convict is entitled for legal aid till his last breath, said the judge.

I am here from one and a half years, I am here and waiting for them to avail their legal remedies. However, even I am victims mother, and even I have some rights. I would request you to please issue the death warrant, said Asha Devi.

The application was moved after the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted liberty to the authorities to approach the trial court for issuance of fresh date for the execution of these convicts.

The date of execution for the four convicts - Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31) - was first fixed for January 22 in Tihar jail, was later postponed for 6 am on February 1 by a January 17 court order.

The physiotherapy intern was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

Six people - the four convicts, Ram Singh and a juvenile - were named as accused.

The trial of the five adult men began in a special fast-track court in March 2013.

Ram Singh, the prime accused, committed suicide by hanging himself in Tihar jail days after the trial began. The juvenile, who was said to be the most brutal of the attackers, was put in a correctional home for three years.

He was released in 2015 and sent to an undisclosed location amid concerns over a threat to his life. He, when released, was 20 years old.

Mukesh, Vinay, Akshay and Pawan were sentenced to death in September 2013 by the trial court.
Representative image

Hours after the data stored online on Assams National Register of Citizens went missing from cloud, an FIR was lodged against a former NRC official.

The case was lodged in Paltan Bazar Police Station of Guwahati, reported Northeast Now. The cops have begun an investigation.

The FIR was filed against the official by the office of the Assam NRC coordinator on February 12 for not surrendering the password for the central data record system before quitting her job.

Speaking to the media, an NRC official has said: We have filed (FIR) against an NRC officer on Wednesday for not providing the password to the data records system. She quit without handing over the password, because of which no authorised official is being able to access any data.

According to a Times of India report, the official quit her job soon after her boss Prateek Hajela had been transferred to Madhya Pradesh in November. However, the exact date since when the NRC authorities did not have access to online data is not known.

Though all the data from the website nrcassam.nic.in has vanished, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs claimed the data only went offline because of a technical glitch as their contract with IT company Wipro had not been renewed. It has assured that all the data is safe and will be restored soon.

Wipro has complained of pending dues worth Rs 70 crore from the Assam NRC office. The authorities at the Bengaluru-headquartered company claimed that their subscription for cloud storage had expired in October itself. However, as a goodwill gesture, they allowed the NRC office to obtain free services till January.

Meanwhile, an Assam-based NGO called the Assam Public Works has filed an FIR against Hajela, alleging he indulged in cybercrime during the six-year period when he supervised the NRC exercise. Abhijit Sarma, President, Assam Public Works, said: The CID has been requested to register a case against Hajela for tampering with public data.
Months later, Weger, then married with an infant son and 3-year-old daughter, confessed to the murders but had recanted by the time he went to trial. He has maintained his innocence ever since, including in a Tribune interview three years ago in which he said hed rather die in prison than admit to something he said he did not do.
LONDON (AP)  Two women tied the knot Tuesday in Northern Irelands first same-sex wedding, after the region became the last part of the United Kingdom to legalize gay marriage.

Care worker Robyn Peoples, 26, and waitress Sharni Edwards, 27 married at a ceremony in Carrickfergus, near Belfast. The couple said they had not intended to be the first to wed, but were thrilled to become symbols of change in Northern Ireland.

We fought so long and hard for this opportunity to be seen as equal and now we are here and it's just amazing, said Robyn. She and her wife both took the married name Edwards-Peoples.

She said the significance of the negotiation was to show that we are equal to a man and a woman. Our love is just the same, it's no different."

Northern Ireland's legislature did not follow the British and Scottish parliaments in allowing same-sex marriages starting in 2014. The socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party, the biggest group in the Northern Ireland Assembly, opposed legalization.

But after a campaign by equal-rights groups, Britains Parliament stepped in last year to bring the region into line with the rest of the country. The change took effect Jan. 13, with the first weddings able to take place four weeks later.

U.K. lawmakers acted while Northern Irelands regional assembly and government were suspended amid a feud between the main Irish nationalist and British unionist power-sharing parties. The power-sharing administration was restored last month after a three-year hiatus. But even if Northern Ireland lawmakers wanted to, they could not easily overturn the marriage law made by Parliament in London.

British lawmakers also voted last year to expand access to abortion, which had been severely restricted in Northern Ireland.

Among those who campaigned to change the marriage law was Sara Canning, whose partner, journalist Lyra McKee, was killed by gunfire from Irish Republican Army dissidents as she covered anti-police rioting in Londonderry in April 2019.

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Canning said Northern Irelands first same-sex marriage was a wonderful moment in our history."

"This really means so much and has brought me some much-needed light in what has been a dark year," she said. "I know Lyra would have been so overjoyed to see this day.

No one has been charged with McKee's killing, though police said four men were arrested in Londonderry, also known as Derry, on Tuesday.
A former Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen chief, who was an accused in the Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith leader Showkat Shah murder case, was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a mosque here on Thursday, police officials said.

Abdul Gani Dar alias Abdullah Gazali, a resident of Beerwah in Budgam district, was found dead inside the Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith mosque at Maisuma in the city, the officials said. Dar was the chief of militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) in the 1990s.

A police spokesman said information about a murder of a person inside a mosque in the Maisuma area was received in the afternoon.

"Accordingly, senior police officers visited the crime spot and retrieved the body of an individual.

"The killed person was identified as Abdul Gani Dar alias Gani Gazali, aged about 80 years," the spokesman said.

The police officials said there were injury marks on the head of Dar.

Police reached the spot and are scanning the CCTV footage around the mosque to ascertain if Dar was murdered, they said.

Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith chief Maulana Showkat Shah was killed in a blast outside the same mosque ahead of Friday prayers on April 8, 2011. Dar was a co-accused in the murder case and was currently on bail.

The spokesman said photography and video recording of the crime spot was carried out and an Forensic Scientific Lab (FSL) team was called for the examination of the scene of the crime.

"Detailed search of the premises was also carried out. Police is also examining the CCTV footage in the area," the spokesman said, adding a case has been registered in this regard.

"We assure community members that investigation in the matter will be fast tracked, in a professional and impartial manner," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Photo credit: Courtesy of Krispy Kreme Challenge

From Men's Health

Grabbing an energy gel midrace is one thing, but eating a dozen doughnuts? Thats an epic failor epic featwaiting to happen. And on Saturday, February 1, thousands of runners are lining up in Raleigh, North Carolina, to take that risk at the Krispy Kreme Challenge.

For runners familiar with the beer mile, this race is just as challenging when it comes to food consumption and racing. To participate, runners must run five miles and eat a dozen glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts midway through the race, all in under 60 minutes. The rules are strict: If you dont eat all of the doughnuts or you take longer than an hour to complete the race, youre technically not a finisher.

Running the five miles is the easy part, race director Georgia Burgess told Runners World. The hard part is eating all of the doughnuts. Almost everyone who fails the challenge does so because they couldnt eat them all.

Burgess, who is a junior at N.C. State University, has been helping organise the Krispy Kreme Challenge since her freshman year. Since its inception 16 years ago, the student-run event has become a bucket-list race for competitive runners and eaters alike.

The first competition began as a dare between a few N.C. State undergrads in December 2004. The friends agreed to run from the Memorial Bell Tower on campus to the Krispy Kreme 2.5 miles away, down a dozen glazed doughnuts, then run back. That year, junior Ben Gaddy, a member of the universitys club rowing team, finished the seemingly impossible task in a time of 34:27 .

News of Gaddys feat was quickly picked up by local media and spread around campus, and the race soon grew into a massive annual charity event in Raleigh. As of January 29, nearly 5,000 runners have registered for the 2020 race.

Not everyone signed up will attempt the challenge, though. Runners who dont have the guts (literally) can opt to race as casual runners, which means they can carry the box of doughnuts with them to eat after the race. People can also participate as no-doughnut runners, meaning they dont get a box of doughnuts.

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Each year, a large portion of race proceeds go toward the UNC Childrens Hospital. So far, the Krispy Kreme Challenge has raised more than $1.7 million for the hospital, Burgess said. The rest of the entry fees ($25 for students and $30 for adults) go toward course setup and purchasing doughnuts.

Before the race kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Burgess and her team will pick up around 6,000 boxes of a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts, which will be stacked on tables at the turnaround point, ready to be devoured.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Krispy Kreme Challenge

While finishing the challenge alone is impressive, some race to compete. The best race strategy is to run as fast as humanely possible for the first 2.5 miles, eat quickly, then try to hold yourself together on the way back, Burgess said.

Last year, Jacob Wormald, 23, from Pelham, New Hampshire, set the course record in a time of 29:18 , averaging 5:51 per mile. According to his Instagram, it only took him four minutes and 11 seconds to eat all 12 doughnuts.

There are a few ways to eat the doughnuts successfully, Burgess said. The worst way is to eat them one by one. If you do that, its either going to take too much time or youre going to get too full to eat them all.

One popular method of doughnut-eating is flattening three or four doughnuts on top of each other to form one pastry. You can trick your mind into thinking that youre only having three doughnuts when youre really having more, Burgess said.

Another way is to squeeze each doughnut into a ball, dip them in water, then eat them. The water takes some of the sugar off and moistens the doughnut, so it goes down easier, she said.

Burgess has also seen one particularly creative, if disturbing, method: smashing the whole dozen into a monster-sized doughnut ball.Then you eat it like an apple, she said. Its nasty.

Amazingly, though theyre eating 2,400 calories at once, participants dont throw up as often as you might think. Im always surprised at how well people can keep the doughnuts down, she said. Still, she and the other volunteers set up plenty of trash cans along the course for runners who cant hold their pastries in.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Krispy Kreme Challenge

Oftentimes, participants stop eatingor runningbefore they get too nauseous. While 1,627 people attempted the doughnut challenge last year, only 1,360 actually completed it. Of the finishers, 169 were women and 1,191 were men. The first female finisher of 2019 was Leyla Kosakowski, 30, of Fairfax, Virginia, who finished in 45:05.

I was a wimp my freshman year and ran as a no-doughnut runner, Burgess said. Id like to think that one day Ill be able to finish it.

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The management of Access Bank Plc has announced the relocation of its head office from Danmole Street in the Victoria Island axis of Lagos State to another location in the commercial city.

The bank made this known in a disclosure notice sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday.

The notice, signed by Sunday Ekwochi, the company secretary, stated that the new headquarters would be on No 14/15, Prince Alaba Oniru Road, Oniru, Lagos.

The bank said this relocation would be effective from month end.

Access Bank Plc wishes to notify the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), its shareholders and the general public of the change of the banks registered head office address from Plot 999c, Danmole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos to No 14/15, Prince Alaba Oniru Road, Oniru, Lagos, the bank said.

The notice urged the NSE and the stakeholders to kindly amend your records accordingly.

Access Bank has operated from its head office on Plot 999c, Danmole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos for almost a decade.

In 2012, the bank relocated from its former Corporate Head Office in Oyin Jolayemi Street to former Intercontinental Bank Plc Headquarters at Plot 999C, Danmole Street also in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The decision came after the bank announced a merger and acquisition deal with the defunct Intercontinental Bank plc.

Access Bank said at the time that the new Corporate Office at Plot 999C; Danmole Street would provide the bank with enlarged space and enhanced capacity to deliver excellent service to its stakeholders.

In December 2018, the management of Diamond Bank announced its merger with Access Bank.

The proposed merger would involve Access Bank acquiring the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank in exchange for a combination of cash and shares in Access Bank via a Scheme of Merger. Based on the agreement reached by the Boards of the two financial institutions, Diamond Bank shareholders will receive a consideration of N3.13 per share, comprising of N1.00 per share in cash and the allotment of two (2) New Access Bank ordinary shares for every seven (7) Diamond Bank ordinary shares held as at the Implementation date, the bank said at the time.

Access bank has since taken over Diamond Bank.

In April 2019, following the acquisition, Diamond Bank was delisted from the trading platform of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
Bernie Sanders is now the front-runner to win the Democratic nomination. Yet note that in the betting markets, Sanders is the leader to win the nomination but President Donald Trump is favoured to then win reelection in November

In 1981, as a Washington Post intern prowling for stories, I called the new socialist mayor of Burlington, Vermont.

He was an earnest and intelligent oddball, I decided, but not a serious politician with a future. So I didnt write about Mayor Bernie Sanders  underscoring that I have a record going back almost four decades of misjudging political talent.

Sanders is now the front-runner to win the Democratic nomination. Yet note that in the betting markets, Sanders is the leader to win the nomination but President Donald Trump is favoured to then win reelection in November.

I cringe as I write that. Yet Trumps Gallup job approval rating has reached a new high and oddsmakers have significantly elevated his chances of reelection.

So that is the prism through which to view this election: Would Sanders increase or reduce the likelihood of a Trump victory? And would he help or hurt Democrats running for the Senate in states like Kansas and Alabama?

I admire Sanders for his authenticity and passion. He has poured his heart into ending US complicity in atrocities in Yemen, even though this cause wins him no votes. Likewise, Sanders has shown unusual political courage in criticising Israels land grabs in the West Bank, leading a political action committee to run attack ads against him. (The accusation that Sanders, who lived on an Israeli kibbutz for a time and would be the first Jewish president, is anti-Israel is absurd.)

That said, Sanders raises some red flags.

Sanders voters said in exit polls that they were drawn to him because of his positions on the issues. But his proposals have almost no chance of becoming law, particularly if the Senate stays in Republican hands. If there is to be some progress on healthcare, or college affordability, or income inequality, or the appointment of judges, it will come through the election of a new president with hefty coattails  the capacity to help candidates lower on the partys ticket. In particular, much will depend on the outcomes of Senate races in a handful of states.

Thus a candidates precise positions may matter less than his or her coattails. If you want universal health coverage, a fairer tax system, sensible judges and action on climate change, then you should focus on who is best placed to beat Trump  and on who can most help Democrats like Doug Jones, an endangered senator from Alabama, also win in November.

So is Sanders electable? Can he help Senate Democrats? Frankly, we have no idea, and we all tend to project electability on candidates we like.

Electability is truly in the eye of the beholder, notes Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia. Were all terrible at figuring out who is electable and who isnt.

Back in 1980, Sabato noted, some Democrats rejoiced when Republicans nominated an obviously unelectable candidate named Ronald Reagan. Then in 2016, the one thing many pundits agreed on was that Trump was unelectable. So lets bring some humility to the exercise.

Still, consider who voters say they might support. Gallup finds that 93 percent of voters now say that they would be willing to vote for a well-qualified woman, up from 33 percent in 1937. And 96 percent say they could support a black candidate, up from 38 percent in 1958. (Voters may exaggerate their own tolerance, but the trend is clear.)

Similarly, 78 percent of voters say they would be willing to support a gay candidate, up from 29 percent in 1983. Indeed, Pete Buttigieg might face more resistance because he is young (only 70 percent are willing to back a candidate under 40) than because he is gay.

Yet there is one kind of candidate that Americans remain hostile to. Only 45 percent say that they would be willing to vote for a socialist. And Sanders faces another hurdle: Only 69 percent say they would consider a candidate over 70.

These are generic questions, and its possible that voters would warm to a particular septuagenarian socialist, especially when the alternative is a certain septuagenarian Republican. In head-to-head polls against Trump, Sanders does well; all Democrats do similarly. Yet I keep thinking of how British voters recently overwhelmingly reelected a deeply flawed conservative leader over a socialist challenger.

Supporters of Sanders believe that he would greatly increase turnout, but there was no sign of that in Iowa or New Hampshire. Sanders won in New Hampshire only because the liberal wing of the party is uniting around him, while the moderate wing is deeply divided (in some ways, this is an echo of 2016, when Republicans could not coalesce around a rival to Trump).

Joe Biden is the electability candidate who keeps losing. Buttigieg is a brilliant talent, but relatively untested. Michael Bloomberg would reassure centrists but is an establishment figure in an anti-establishment moment, and he is particularly unproven in swing states.

In the end, Amy Klobuchar might be the strongest Democratic nominee in swing states. And because she projects Midwestern unthreatening, it would be difficult to demonise Senate candidates for associating with her.

Nicholas Kristof c.2020 The New York Times Company
Sudan's former president Omar Hassan al-Bashir smiles as he is seen inside a cage at the courthouse where he is facing corruption charges, in Khartoum, Sudan, on Aug. 31, 2019. (Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

Sudanese Government Reaches Settlement With USS Cole Victims

CAIROSudans transitional government said Feb. 13 it has reached a settlement with families of the victims of the 2000 attack on USS Cole in Yemen, in a bid to have the African country taken off the U.S. terrorism list and improve relations with the West.

The settlement is the latest step by Khartoum to get off the terror list.

Earlier this week, Sudans provisional rulers said they had agreed to hand over longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court to face trial on charges of war crimes and genocide during the fighting in the western Darfur region.

Also, Sudans interim leader earlier this month met in Uganda with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced that Israel and Sudan would normalize relations. Observers and Sudanese officials have said that the settlement with the USS Cole bombing victims was among the last hurdles faced by Sudan.

At the time of the Oct. 12, 2000, attack in the Yemeni port of Aden that killed 17 sailors and wounded more than three dozen others, Sudan was accused of providing support to al-Qaeda, which claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sudans interim authorities are desperate to have sanctions, linked to its listing by the United States as a state sponsor of terror, lifted. Sudans justice ministry said the settlement was signed with the victims families Feb. 7 in Washington, but its statement gave no details of the settlement.

There was no immediate comment from Washington.

Sudans information minister and interim government spokesman, Faisal Saleh, told The Associated Press by telephone that Justice Minister Nasr-Eddin Abdul-Bari had traveled last week to Washington to sign the deal, which included compensation for both the wounded and the killed.

Experts in a speed boat examine the damaged hull of the USS Cole at the Yemeni port of Aden after an al-Qaeda attack that killed 17 sailors on Oct. 15, 2000. (Dimitri Messinis/AP Photo)

He said the figures couldnt be disclosed because the Sudanese government is still in negotiations to reach a similar settlement with families of victims of the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. More than 200 people were killed in those attacks and more than 1,000 were wounded.

Our lawyer advised us not to disclose the figures because that might affect our ongoing negotiations, Saleh said. He said, however, that the U.S. side is free to disclose the amount if it wishes to do so.

For Sudan, being removed from the U.S. terror list will end the countrys isolation and allow it to attract much-need loans from international financial institutions in order to rebuild the economy after the popular uprising last year that toppled al-Bashir and installed the joint civilian-military sovereign council.

The new Sudanese rulers say they werent responsible for the attack on USS Cole and that they had negotiated the deal out of their keenness to resolve old terror claims inherited from the ousted regime of al-Bashir.

In the USS Cole attack, two men in a boat detonated explosives alongside the U.S. destroyer as it was refueling in Aden. The victims families, along with the wounded sailors, had sued the Sudanese government in U.S. courts demanding compensation.

In 2012, a federal judge issued a judgment of nearly $315 million against Sudan but last March, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that ruling on the grounds that Sudan hadnt been properly notified of the lawsuit.

Andrew C. Hall, a lawyer who represents survivors of the attack, said at the time that the victims, though disappointed with the ruling, would continue the case, along with a second related case filed by family members of the 17 sailors who died in the attack.

It wasnt clear when the 76-year-old al-Bashir could be handed over to the court in The Hague, Netherlands. He faces three counts of genocide, five counts of crimes against humanity, and two counts of war crimes for his alleged role in leading the deadly crackdown on a rebel insurgency in Darfur. The indictments were issued in 2009 and 2010, marking the first time the global court had charged a suspect with genocide.

Saleh also told the AP that the U.S. administration has set the overhaul of the countrys security apparatus as another condition to remove Sudan from the terror list.

The Americans believe Sudans support of terror was carried out through its security apparatus, Saleh said. So they want to be assured that there has been a radical change in the way it operates.

By Noha Elhennawy
Japanese consumer electronics major is expecting a 6 per cent growth this fiscal to reach its target of Rs 12,000 crore sales in India as it tides over sluggish consumer demand in Asia's third largest economy, a top company official said.

India on Thursday forayed into 'connected living solutions' by launching its IoT and AI enabled platform Miraie. The company expects around 25 per cent of sales value in the consumer appliances business in 2020-21 to come from the smart connected products.

The company has introduced connected range of smart air conditioners, door bell and plugs and switches and has plans to bring some units of refrigerator and washing machine in this range also.

" in India (including all entities and Anchor) is looking have 5 to 6 per cent of growth to happen this year," said Panasonic India and South Asia President and CEO Manish Sharma.

The rated sales average of February and March are heavy and Panasonic would reach its target of Rs 12,000 crore as announced last year, he said.

"It seems to be on track," he said adding that in the appliances business, its expects around 50 per cent growth in March quarter from the corresponding period and similarly for the coming June quarter specially from the AC segment.

Sharma said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the challenges of slowdown being faced in the appliances and consumer electronics industry as products of basic necessity would continue to grow.

"However, products which are commoditised as TV, we have to be slightly cautious," he said adding "this is a category, which we have to watch out".

"As a company, we have to focus mainly on 4K large screen TV," he said adding "Our focus would be 50 inches plus screen size TV."



The number of new launches in the 43 inches and above would be increased and below than it would be focused on semi urban and rural markets.

However, he also hinted that there could be a price hike in the TV segment from April onwards, as the open cell (TV panel) prices have gone up in China by around 3 per cent.

"From April, there is a possibility looking at the global trends of the panel prices (which account for 60 per cent of the TV price). We already are witnessing panel price increase happening in China. From April onwards, prices either may remain where they are due to better efficiencies or may increase 3 to 5 per cent if the current trend continues," he said.

While talking about its Miraie platform, Sharma said Panasonic wants to democratise the technology and would not charge additionally for its smart range products. Unlike its competitors, Panasonic would introduce Miraie platform in entire range of inverter AC this season.

"This incremental technology should not come with an incremental cost. It would be almost on the same cost of a non connected AC. This strategy would follow in other product categories such as washing machine and refrigerator," he added.

The company expects that smart range would consist a substantial chunk of its consumer appliances business in coming years.

"By the end of next financial year, 25 per cent of our total revenue from consumer appliances would be through connected products," said Sharma adding that it would be probably the highest in the industry.

Panasonic's Miraie platform has been designed and developed completely at its Bangalore-based India Innovation Center with product support from Japan. It leverages Google's Voice Assistant and Amazon's Alexa technology to offer hands-free operations and control devices with voice commands.
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Luke Tamborinyoka of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Nelson Chamisa says there is no reason to commemorate World Radio Day in Zimbabwe. What's your take on this?
Using old Nuvo newspaper racks, 24-year-old Sierra Nuckols has been creating food pantries, known as the Community Food Box Project, for communities struggling with food insecurity throughout Indiana for the past three years.

After studying apartheid in South Africa as a student in the Desmond Tutu Center Youth Fellows program, Nuckols returned to Indianapolis with a new perspective on food insecurity, or as she called it, food apartheid. Nuckols prefers this term to food desert, because she said the former forces people to look at the historic and social reasons food insecurity exists.

If you look at the problem as a food apartheid and look at the systematic reasons why food insecurity and food deserts exist in the first place, Nuckols said, its clear that the issue is a social justice issue.

African Americans are more likely to live in an area with food insecurity than any other demographic, with poverty being the main cause of food insecurity.

Grocery stores and corporations can look at a map and know where they wouldnt make money, and they wont take their businesses there, Nuckols said. It creates this kind of segregation of food and resources.

The idea for the pantries came from the Little Free Libraries that are scattered throughout the city, offering free books for people, often in exchange for one they leave behind. After hearing about a movement in Arkansas to create food pantries in a similar fashion, Nuckols decided to create food boxes in Indiana.

After Nuvo ceased printing in March of 2019, Nuckols worked with the news outlet to refurbish its newspaper boxes into pantries, often having children and prisoners help paint them.

The boxes are put in areas with food insecurity, and then the community and partnered organizations donates food to the boxes, Nuckols said. Its the responsibility of the organizations to keep the boxes filled when the community cant.

The pantries are always in need of non-perishable food items, canned food, diapers, hygiene products and ready-to-eat foods.

The boxes dont tackle the food desert issue, Nuckols said, but it does tackle the issue of immediate and emergency food needs.

Among the partnered organizations are IPS School #87, Amber Woods Apartments and the Martin Luther King Community Center and the Indianapolis Recorder.

Recorder staff member and president of the Indianapolis Chapter of Indiana Black Expo (ICIBE) Jeana Ouattara has taken up the cause, getting the Indianapolis Recorder and ICIBE involved. She hopes more long-term solutions to food insecurity come from the effort.

This is just a Band-Aid, Ouattara said. This problem cant wait. People need to eat everyday. I used to work in education, and some kids only eat when theyre at school. Knowing there is a box with noodles in it or green beans for your kids helps to get by.

Three years into the project, Nuckols has found the conversations started because of the food boxes to be the most impactful aspect of the project.

You can think about how people are hungry, Nuckols, who has never dealt with food insecurity, said. But you dont really know what its like unless you go through it. The learning experience of talking to people that are actually hungry and how much it affects them in their daily lives.  Thats what sticks with me the most.

Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.

L-R: Raimeka Graham, president, and Jeannine McMillan, vice president and program chairman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Chi Chi Omega Chapter stand, with the 2019 Positive Educated Achievers Reaching Leadership and Sisterhood or P.E.A.R.L.S. Club next to the Haughville Community Library Food Box that Chi Chi Omega Chapter sponsors as a service project for the program.
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A nature photographer captured this remarkable image of a Great Gray Owl playing hide and seek with its prey in the forests in British Columbia, perfectly demonstrating the cunning design of nature's best predators.

Despite being one the tallest owls in North America, the Great Gray snapped here almost manages to completely conceal itself while sitting in plain sight as its feathers blend perfectly into the tree bark behind it.

The only thing that gave away the owl's presence to the wildlife enthusiast was the bird's piercing yellow eyes as it turned its head around.

Alan Murphy, 59, is a wildlife photographer from Houston, Texas, who snapped the incredible pictures while taking a photography workshop in British Columbia in July 2019.

Can you spot the Great Gray Owl snapped here in a forest in British Columbia, Canada, in July 2019 by Alan Murphy?

The Great Gray's feathers and coloring allow it to camouflage itself in the tree bark but its piercing yellow eyes give it away

'While searching the forests of British Columbia for birds to photograph, I came across this guy,' Murphy wrote in a Facebook post.

'It's like finding a needle in a haystack. See if you can see the Great Gray Owl. Nature is amazing!!'

'You can see how the plumage of the owl blends right into the texture of the tree bark making it almost invisible,' Murphy said.

'The owl is looking away so you can't see the face rendering the bird invisible.

'Even though I was focused on the bird, it was still hard to see it.

'The one image showing the owls face gives his position away a little.

'I am in awe of the wonders of nature and this is a great example of how wonderful it is to get to see such clever camouflage used by a bird,' he added.

'I am truly a blessed man to be able to experience this and be able to do it for a living.'

Photographer Alan Murphy, who grew up in Ireland and England before moving to the United States in 1984, first became interested in bird watching and photography aged five when his parents bought him a pair of binoculars and a bird field map

The Great Gray Owl, pictured here, is one of the tallest owls in North America but is surprisingly light because it has less claws

The Great Gray Owl may be one of the tallest owls in North America but that doesn't mean it is ever easy to spot as its feathers are perfectly colored to blend in with the trees in its forest habitat.

Maybe that's why this particular breed can be identified because of a surprised look on its face as it's never expecting to be caught out.

When you do catch it, the Great Gray will be dressed up for the occasion as they can also be identified by an arrangement of feathers that looks just like a bow tie across its neck.

While one of the tallest breeds, the Great Gray Owl is surprisingly light and weighs less than the Great Horned Owl and the Snowy Owl which both have bigger claws and talons.

Its complex and deceptive camouflage is also designed to help it sneak up on its prey, allowing it to attack before the unsuspecting creature even knows the owl has it in its sights.

'The way they hunt is that they find perches and they stand quietly in one spot. They have really good eyesight, but that doesn't necessarily do the entire trick in order to catch their prey,' avian biologist William Blake told FiveMinutesSpare.com.

'They have evolved to be extremely well camouflaged in order to have a better time foraging on mammals.

'Once they see one, the goal is for them to approach them in a very silent manner and their camouflage helps them to not be seen by the prey they're about to pounce on.'

In the spring and summer months when the weather is warmer, the owls will hunt from low posts closer to the ground to watch for mice and vole but return to higher perches in the winter months because of the heavy snow.

The Great Gray Owl can be identified by the surprised look on its face and an arrangement of feathers that looks like a bow tie

A Great Horned Owl, pictured here hanging from a kite string in North Dakota, is shorter than the Great Gray but heavier

The Snowy Owl, pictured here a leisure park in Germany, has more claws and talons than the Great Gray making it heavier

Murphy explained that the owls 'have large facial discs that focus sound. Their ears are asymmetrical (one higher than another) which they can triangulate the sound to pinpoint their prey, even under two feet of snow.

'When the owls head is bobbing and swaying from side to side, they are triangulating the sound in front of them. Once the movement is located under the snow, they will dive down their own body length into the snow to catch the prey.'

Photographer Murphy, who grew up in England and Ireland but moved to the United States in 1984, became interested in bird watching after his parents bought him a pair of binoculars and a bird field guide when he was five.

'I love the challenge of getting close to birds, the creative aspect of designing the image and the technical challenge of the camera settings,' he told photography site Kruger-2-Kalahari.

'There are always more birds to shoot than I have time for, and there are always better images to be made than the ones I have, so bird photography will be my passion for the rest of my life.

'In bird photography, I believe your greatest asset is the knowledge you have on your subject. In my opinion, to become a great bird photographer, you should first be a great birder.

'This means you should know your subjects' habits, calls and songs, know how to identify the species in front of you, know what species can be found in a certain habitat and how to get close to them. These aspects are far more important than having a camera with lots of bells and whistles.'

Murphy travels around North America changing location from season to season to watch different birds but always returns to Canada in the winter months to capture the Great Gray.

In British Columbia, where Murphy took his photographs, the Great Gray Owl population is currently stable. The bird requires a healthy coniferous and mixed forest with trees large enough to house the tall bird's nest in order to thrive.

In fact, the Great Gray Owl population is growing worldwide with thanks to conservation efforts.

There are thought to be currently roughly between 50,000 and 99,000 of the species in the wild.
Punjab Police on Thursday claimed to have nabbed 23 criminals from Ferozepur and adjoining states Haryana and Rajasthan, based on information revealed by a gangster who was arrested in November last year.

Wanted gangster Sukhpreet Singh, alias Budha, was deported from Armenia and arrested when he landed at the Delhi airport in November 2019.

"Budha made several revelations, which led the state police to solve many untraced heinous crimes in Punjab," Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta said.

He said the arrested criminals were facing charges of murder, dacoity and extortion, kidnapping and targeted killing.

Police have recovered 36 firearms from the criminals and four shops dealing in guns have been sealed, Gupta said in a statement here.

"Further operations are in progress to identify and crack other links of these accused," he said.

Taking a serious note of "large scale discrepancies and loopholes" in the stock, sale and purchase records of arms and ammunition of arms dealers and licence holders, a state-wide audit is also being carried out, the police chief said.

The Punjab DGP said police arrested Ashish of Tikri village in Meerut district on January 30 based on information received from Budha. Ashish was the main supplier of illegal automatic weapons used by the criminals, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a little less than a month, Colorado will make the sometimes painful switch to daylight saving time, turning clocks forward an hour, a change that will last until Nov. 1.

In Colorado, lawmakers have been trying for decades to get the clock-changing monkey off the backs of its citizens, going back to at least 1988, when then-Sen. Bill Schroeder, R-Morrison, tried to get the state onto DST year-round.

Its not a joke anymore, said Sen. Ray Scott, R-Grand Junction, whose bill  Senate Bill 105  on making Colorado a year-round DST state is awaiting its first hearing in the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

It was scheduled for Monday but has been laid over to another date while Scott and Senate Democrats work out a solution that would put the decision into Coloradans hands, instead of, or perhaps along with, ceding control to Congress.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has introduced a bill, known as the Sunshine Protection Act (S. 670) that has gained bipartisan support from senators whose states have decided they want off the time switch, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Patty Murray, D-Wash.

Rubios bill would put the nation on daylight saving time year-round.

Its now a when, not an if,  Scott said.

In 2011, then-Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, asked that his bill to put the state on DST year-round be heard on the day after the switch. Sleepy-eyed lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to approve the bill, but it died in Senate Appropriations.

Brophy now is trying to gin up support for the ballot measure that would make DST year-round, although he has tried before and failed to get a measure to ballot in the past.

Seven states have done away with the clock switch, pending approval of Congress. That includes California and Florida in 2018 and five more states (Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, Maine and Delaware) in 2019.

Two states, Hawaii and Arizona, have not recognized DST for decades.

Utah also passed a resolution that asked Congress to put the nation on DST year-round but it did not commit Utah to doing that for now. In 2019, 40 states looked at 78 bills on one form or another of DST, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures, and 17 came close to adopting measures on ending the change, not including the seven states that took the permanent step.

As introduced, Scotts bill would put Colorado on year-round DST. But Scott said that hes doing a strike-below  basically, a do-over  that would allow voters to make the choice. It would be a choice unlike any other ballot measure, asking voters to choose whether they prefer year-round DST or year-round Mountain Standard Time.

In October, a poll conducted by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 71% of Americans want the semiannual yearly changes to end. As to what people prefer, the poll was more or less split between those who prefer year-round DST and those who would stay on standard time all year.

Scott said he believes its one of the most bipartisan issues the Legislature will look at. He said that privately, Democrats hate the switch as much as Republicans, but special interests (most notably, the ski industry) have blocked previous efforts every year.

Opposition to the bill doing anything at all  meaning the clock switch would continue as scheduled  is coming from the ski industry and the Motion Picture Association of America and its member broadcast networks.

Putting Colorado on DST year-round would make Colorado residents woefully out of step with the rest of the states in the Mountain Time Zone, they say. Broadcasters would have to move their programming to air an hour later than what Colorado residents rely on, the association said in a statement.

The ski industrys objections focus on how it would impact their operations, including safety protocols. That would require, for example, employees to prepare daily ski operations in the darkness of the early morning hours in the early part of the ski season.

But if Colorado doesnt make a choice, Congress will do it for us, Scott said, and that would apply to the ski industry as well.

Should Scotts bill meet its demise in Senate State Affairs, however, that does not mean the issue is over for the session.

Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, says he loves Daylight Saving Time, but he hates the switch.

Id rather not have to change my clock. It makes me cranky, it increases the number of traffic accidents, and theres a measurable cost to the economy, he said.
(Ammoland.com) - The General Assembly is now engaged in a full-fledged assault on gun owners. They've introduced a total revamp of the poorly named Firearm Safety Act of 2013 and a host of other bills that criminalize and punish gun owners. A full list of bills can be found on our bill tracker, which can be found here. It's imperative you meet and speak with your representatives in opposition to these bills. They need to see and hear from you, the people they're willing to have locked up. If you don't know who represents you, you can find them and their contact info HERE, https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/gaco.html

Here is a sampling. Please note the hearing dates for these bills and plan on being there. We do our best to protect gun owners, but no one should be a free-rider in the face of these threats. (See full article for details)

"Untraceable Firearms"  HB910 and SB958

"Assault Long Guns and Copycat Weapons"  HB1261

"Licensed Firearms Dealers (Firearms Dealers' Safety Act)"  HB1257

"Access to Firearms  Storage Requirements"  HB636 and SB646

"Permit to Carry, Wear, or Transport  Required Courses"  SB422

You can see the statuses of all the bills, our positions, and testimony at tinyurl.com/guns2020 .....
Automotive Automatic Transmission is a device that is connected to the back of the engine and sends the power from the engine to the drive wheels.

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Automotive Automatic Transmission Market studies record 2019 gives certain records of primary players like producers, suppliers, vendors, traders, clients, traders and and so on. Automotive Automatic Transmission market report offers a professional and deep evaluation on the prevailing country of Automotive Automatic Transmission Market that consists of major types, major packages, information kind consist of ability, manufacturing, market share, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, boom rate, intake, import, export and etc. Enterprise chain, manufacturing procedure, price shape, advertising channel are also analyzed in this report.The boom trajectory of the worldwide Automotive Automatic Transmission Market over the assessment period is shaped by way of several common and emerging regional and international developments, a granular assessment of which is offered in the research report. The study on reading the global Automotive Automatic Transmission market dynamics takes a critical examine the business regulatory framework, technological advances in related industries, and the strategic avenues.Request for sample with TOC @ https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1824664 Scope of the Report:The concentration degree of automotive automatic transmission market is high with the top 10 manufacturers occupied market share over 70%. The major player in this market are AISIN, Jatco, Honda, ZF, Volkswagen, Hyundai, etc., some of which also is vehicle manufacturers.China is the largest consumer of automotive automatic transmission and is expected to retain the higher growth rate during the next five years due to strong growth in automotive industry. China has witnessed a major chunk of the production and consumption of automotive automatic transmission in the Asia Pacific region.The import and export business of this industry is not frequent. The main reason lies in that many international manufacturers expand their business through building factories or investments in targeted markets. Also, many major players have built up plants in developing countries, like China, India and Thailand.In automotive automatic transmission market, DCTs will occupy more and more market while the AMTs may fall into disuse slowly. CVTs are generally applied in Japan and Korea, and it is not popular in other regions. ATs may keep a slow growth rate.Today, 6-speed and 8-speed automatic transmission are becoming more and more popular, and 10-speed automatic transmission is also introduced, in the future, higher speed automatic transmissions are expected.The worldwide market for Automotive Automatic Transmission is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly xx% over the next five years, will reach xx million US$ in 2024, from xx million US$ in 2019, according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study.This report focuses on the Automotive Automatic Transmission in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.-Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers : AISIN,Jatco,Honda,ZF, Volkswagen,Hyundai,GM,Ford,Getrag,Allison Transmission,SAIC,Chongqing TsingshanEaton Corporation,Fast-Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers : North America (United States, Canada and Mexico),Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy),Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia),South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)-Market Segment by Type, covers : AMT,AT,DCT,CVT-Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into : Passenger car,Commercial VehiclesThe content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:*Chapter 1, to describe Automotive Automatic Transmission product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.*Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Automotive Automatic Transmission, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Automotive Automatic Transmission in 2017 and 2018.*Chapter 3, the Automotive Automatic Transmission competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.*Chapter 4, the Automotive Automatic Transmission breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2014 to 2019.*Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2014 to 2019.*Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2014 to 2019.*Chapter 12, Automotive Automatic Transmission market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2024.*Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Automotive Automatic Transmission sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.Answers that the research report acknowledges:- Market length and growth rate throughout the forecast period.- The important thing factors of the market of Automotive Automatic Transmission- Key market trends have dampened the growth of the Automotive Automatic Transmission market.- Challenges for market boom.- The main vendors of the market of the Automotive Automatic Transmission- Targeted swot analysis.- Possibilities and threats going through current vendors in the worldwide Automotive Automatic Transmission market.- Trend elements influencing the marketplace in geographic regions.- Strategic tasks focused on key suppliers.Contact Us:Email: sales@ researchtrades.com Call us: +1 6269994607 (USA), +91 7507349866 (IND)Web: www.researchtrades.com Skype ID: researchtradescon
New Delhi: Director Imtiaz Ali says there can be a movie without romance at its core but it would be difficult for him to conceive a story that doesn't feature some sort of a man-woman dynamic.

With "Love Aaj Kal", starring Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan, Imtiaz is revisiting the theme of his 2009 original that explored the idea of love over two time periods.

"I am comfortable (with love stories) but it's not that every story has to be like this. I will not want this comfort to restrict me from making any other kind of story that comes to my mind. It could be a story where there is no romance at all but that's difficult to conceive (at this point of time)," the director told PTI.

Asked whether it was possible for an Imtiaz Ali film to have no romance, the director said he was wondering the same.

"Even in a story like 'Highway', it has a man (Randeep Hooda). I don't have any story yet that doesn't have a man and woman thing going on in some way. With the growing understanding of life and relationships, things will change, but in my mind, there's no story without some sort of a man-woman dynamic."

The follow-up, he said, is not a sequel in the typical sense. It looks at the man-woman relationship with changing times.

"I'm not into making part twos or sequels but I realised 'Love Aaj Kal' is the only story of mine which is franchisable in away. Over the years, I found myself thinking, 'If 'Love Aaj Kal' was made today, this is what would happen'.

"The previous generation was seeking absolutely something else... I have seen this dynamic changing so drastically in the last 10 years. Things that were pious like physical intimacy for a young man or woman... That was the final post. Now it's the first thing, it means nothing now. It's so dynamic. That's how this film came through," he said.

The 48-year-old filmmaker, who has come to be known as the master of modern romance in Hindi cinema with movies such as "Jab We Met", "Rockstar" and "Tamasha", agrees that his idea of love is more evolved today and his films will continue to reflect this growth.

"More than a shift, it's an evolution. The earlier concepts, I had, 'Let's say 'Socha Na Tha', of love relationships has not replaced itself by another concept. It's become more detailed and varied. It's not that I'm looking in a different place. I'm looking at the same place, but you see different shades within that. I think movies that I make will have no option but to reflect that in some way or the other," he said.

The idea of generational change in romance somehow reflects in Sara's casting as Zoe, though the director said it was not the sole reason to get her onboard.

"I knew that it would be in the minds of people that watch this film. There's a certain happiness and warmth in the fact that there was Saif and now it's Sara. But that's not the reason why I cast her, that's not what I was aiming for. But it seemed nice and warm that the connection exists," he said.

Sara and Kartik as Zoe and Veer are playing a young couple in a metropolitan city. Zoe, Imtiaz said, is the principal protagonist in the sense that the story is happening to her.

"When we look at Zoe or anybody of that age, they come from parents that largely have broken marriages and where the relationship has gone south. How is it possible for her to be so blind when she falls in love? So there's a conflict... In this generation, no one can force you to be with a person or the other way around. The conflict is internal as it's in Zoe's case," he said.

The decision to cast Kartik, who has suddenly burst on the Bollywood scene with a spate of comedic hits, had nothing to do with his past performances, the filmmaker said.

"I wanted to cast a person who could understand small towns and understand metro life. Somebody who's living the absolutely uber metro life but at the same time understands the traditional values of the relationship, so Kartik is that person. He understands things very easily. I'd not seen any of his films before.

"Lot of people told me he's not this kind of an actor. He does comedies. But ultimately, if you look at previous films and cast an actor, then you're not casting an actor, you're casting a character that you've seen in films. You have to meet the person and see what he can do."

Asked about the criticism that his films have often been told from the male protagonist's point of view, Imtiaz said, "The honest truth is that I cannot help it."

"I have a certain point of view towards women. If it's a man's point of view of looking at woman, I hope it is respectful and loving. The reason there are these women in my films is that I have seen bits and pieces of them in my life," he said.

The director said though he was open to collaborating with a woman, the gender of a writer should not matter.

"You don't have to be a woman to understand another woman. You have to be an empathetic person to begin with and even if a woman writer writes about Zoe, she is still not writing about herself. She is still writing about another person."

Also starring Randeep Hooda and Arushi Sharma, the film is set to be released on Friday.
Accounts: The Tedcastle Group is behind the Top Oil brand

Departing directors at the Tedcastle Group shared termination payments of 1.257m last year.

The payout to the directors followed the purchase by Canada-based Irving Oil of the family-owned Tedcastle Group, which contributed to the firm recording pre-tax losses of 4.05m in the 12 months to the end of March last.

The Tedcastle Group operates the Top Oil brand.

New accounts for the Tedcastle Group, via Hillingdon Investment Company Unlimited Company, show that the business recorded the loss as revenues increased marginally to 1.09bn last year.

The business owns a 55,000-tonne import terminal at Dublin Port, and more than 200 service stations and 21 heating oil depots.

The directors said that the performance of the group was satisfactory.

Eight directors stepped down from the board on January 30 last year.

Along with the payout to directors, Hillingdon recorded the pre-tax loss due in part to reorganisation and transaction costs of 3.3m concerning the Tedcastle Group purchase. Share-based payments of 10.6m and pension costs of 1.36m also contributed to the pre-tax loss. Before the various costs, Hillingdon recorded an operating profit of 11.1m, down 11pc on the profit of 12.57m in fiscal 2018.

Numbers employed last year increased to 544 from 479, as staff costs went up to 32.4m from 24.4m.

The staff costs include the share-based payments of 10.6m. Pay to directors totalled 6.7m, which included the termination payments of 1.25m and share-based payments of 4.3m.
NATO Allies have reaffirmed their determination to provide political and practical assistance to Ukraine in implementing reforms and support the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said.

He said this at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday following a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defense Ministers' session, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We had a very good meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister [Andriy Zahorodniuk]. All the Allies expressed strong support to Ukraine, to Ukraine's territorial integrity, to its sovereignty," he said.

Stoltenberg recalled that NATO continues to provide strong political and practical support to Ukraine in developing defense capabilities, in particular, in developing the Ukrainian Navy.

"It is also important that Ukraine continue on the path of reform. We commend Ukraine for the promise they made. We commend President [Volodymyr] Zelensky for the initiative he has taken to renew the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. We have seen some progress here, in particular, within the Normandy Format. We welcome the fact that we have seen prisoner exchanges, and disengagement has also been expanded," he added.

He noted that there are still problems in the Donbas settlement process, in particular, observers from the OSCE SMM cannot work safely in non-government-controlled areas. He also called for the provision of conditions for their unhindered operation.

Photo: NATO

op
Kejriwal vs Modi: Is it time for AAP to stick its finger in the national pie

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Feb 13: Will Arvind Kejriwal be Narendra Modi's challenger in 2024. There are a good four years away for the next national election, but there is already talk that Kejriwal would be the face of the Opposition in the 2024 elections.

While the AAP would already be nurturing its national ambition, leading psephologist, Dr Sandeep Shastri feels that Kejriwal should not dip his finger in the national pie now.

Moments after the victory in Delhi, a banner was put up outside the AAP office in Delhi. It said that people should join AAP in a nation-building exercise. To join AAP dial, 9871010101, the banner read.

Five lesser known facts about Arvind Kejriwal

This banner is an indicator that the AAP has once again started to nurture national ambitions like it had done in 2014. In 2014, the AAP launched the Main Bhi Aam Admi campaign. It had provided a toll-free number for people to either give a missed call or send a message in order to join the party.

Dr Shastri says that the Delhi victory is based on a sustained and solid groundwork done over a long period. One does not see that groundwork elsewhere and hence I feel the Delhi replication on the national stage at this juncture is difficult.

In 2014, AAP had fielded 434 candidates. The party managed to win four seats, all from Punjab. The vote share of the party was at 2 per cent. 414 of its candidates forfeited deposits as they failed to secure one-sixth of the vote in their constituencies.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

In the 2013 Delhi elections, the party had won 32 seats, but in the national poll, it failed to bag even a single one. Even in the 2019 national election, the AAP did not win a single seat, despite it bagging 67 of the 70 seats in the assembly polls.

In the 2019 elections, the AAP did throw its hat into the national ring. It fielded candidates from Delhi, Goa and Punjab. In Haryana, the party had formed an alliance with the JJP and contested on three Lok Sabha seats.

Trump's India visit: PM Modi promises memorable welcome

Out of the 40 seats that the AAP contested on, it won 39 of them. The AAP also tried its hand in the assembly segment outside Delhi. In Goa, the party lost all the seats it contested in 2017. In the Punjab election of 2017, the AAP contested with the Lok Insaaf Party. In all the alliance won 22 seats, of which 20 were bagged by the AAP.

In the Haryana and Maharashtra elections, the AAP contested on 70 seats but lost all of them. It fielded 24 candidates in Maharashtra and 46 in Haryana.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Turkey has launched active operations against the Armenian and Christian districts in Old City, ARMENPRESS reports the Jewish Press informs.

The residents told about the efforts of Turkish officials, who try to persuade them to deny the Armenian Genocide carried out by the Turks 100 years ago. They also try to acquire the property of the local Christians.

One of the locals told about a Turkish official, who offered the family of Kakhabadijan that possesses a unique collection of thousands of photos and documents about the Armenian Genocide, to stop their activities and refrain from the spread of the photos and documents.

The Kakhabadijans devoted their lives to the illustration of the Armenians massacres by Turks and have produced several short films about the topic. Ilya Kakhabadijan, whose grandfather is a genocide survivor, told that after just 40 minutes after the start of the meeting with the Turkish official, he understood that his goal was to persuade him to stop his activities. Ilya emphasized that the Turkish official did not threaten him, and added, I showed him the exit and he understood that the Armenian community is ready to pursue the issue of the Armenian Genocide until the end. He added that they will wait for another 100 years but will not abandon the demand on restitution until they achieve a treaty like Israel signed with Germany.

Turkish efforts to persuade Armenians include also financial grants. Some locals tell that in the recent period the Turkish government offered a number of grants of 3 thousand USD for various needs, but all of their offers were denied by the Armenians, who say that these are grants for keeping us silent. The extermination of Armenians was a pre-planned and organized genocide, which was carried out by the Ottoman Empire during the years of WWI and even until 1923. 1.5 million of Armenians fell victim of this crime against humanity.

The Jewish Press also informs that months ago the residents of the Armenian community were shocked by the fact that one of the houses in the district was sold to a Muslim with a price 3 times higher its market price. The investigation showed that Turkey sponsored the purchase of Armenian real estate.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
L abour has called for an investigation into who paid for the Boris Johnson's 15,000 trip to the Caribbean.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett has written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards' Kathryn Stone requesting she look into details of the Prime Minister's luxury holiday, which took place over the new year.

The senior opposition MP said he remained dissatisfied with the explanations provided by Downing Street.

Confusion reigned following Mr Johnsons declaration in the register of MPs interests that he had accepted accommodation for a private holiday for my partner and me, value 15,000, citing billionaire businessman David Ross as the provider.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds / Getty Images

A spokesman for Mr Ross, the co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, denied on Wednesday that he had stumped up any money.

But the Conservative Party donors spokesman has since clarified his stance, agreeing it was a benefit in kind to the PM and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds during their private break to the island of Mustique.

Labour, however, has stepped up its calls for a Westminster inquiry into how the PM came to enjoy the free provision of a five-figure villa.

In his letter to the commissioner, Mr Trickett said: The Code of Conduct requires members to provide the name of the person or organisation that actually funded a donation.

The evidence now suggests it was not David Ross. The entry made by the Prime Minister therefore appears to be incorrect.

Mr Trickett said the public should know whether the PM knowingly make a false entry into the register.

He added: Transparency is crucial to ensuring the public have confidence that elected members of this House have not been unduly influenced by any donations or gifts that they may receive.

For this reason, I request that you to investigate whether the Prime Minister has followed all transparency requirements when registering the donation.

A Downing Street source said much of what was being alleged by Mr Trickett had been made out of date by the updated statement by Mr Ross spokesman.

What is being said in the letter has been covered off by additional statements made by David Ross spokesman, the source told the PA news agency.

Number 10 insisted the details of the getaway were properly declared, with it stated in the register that the trip was a benefit in kind from Mr Ross.

All transparency requirements have been followed, as set out in the Register of Members Financial Interests, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

In a statement on Thursday, a spokesman for Mr Ross said: Following media reports, I would like to provide further explanation of the benefit in kind Mr Ross provided to Mr Johnson

Mr Ross facilitated accommodation for Mr Johnson on Mustique valued at 15,000.

Therefore this is a benefit in kind from Mr Ross to Mr Johnson and Mr Johnsons declaration to the House of Commons is correct.

The private holiday lasted from December 26 to January 5, according to the entry in the register.

The trip provided Mr Johnson with a break after the election campaign, which produced a Conservative landslide for the first time since the 1980s.

Mr Johnson faced criticism at the time for failing to cut his festive break short when international tensions rose after the US killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on January 3.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry accused the Prime Minister of sunning himself while leaving Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to chair three emergency Cobra meetings about the assassination.

A spokeswoman for the Standards Commissioner said a decision by MPs in 2018 to allow colleagues being investigated to remain anonymous meant the office could not confirm whether an investigation would be opened into the PM.

The commissioner can neither confirm nor deny receipt of a complaint, nor confirm nor deny whether there is to be an investigation, said the spokeswoman.
In China, journalists are conditioned to keep their online activity apolitical. But the coronavirus outbreak took censors by surprise. In the panic, editors were temporarily emboldened. Han Zhang, who is on the editorial staff at the New Yorker, sat down with Kyle Pope, editor and publisher of CJR, to discuss the flow of outbreak information in the Chinese media, how many coronavirus fatalities may go unreported, and her last interview with citizen journalist Chen Quishi, before he disappeared.

SHOW NOTES

How the coronavirus has tested Chinas system of information control, Han Zhang, The New Yorker

Grief and wariness at a vigil for Li Wenliang, the doctor who tried to warn China about the coronavirus, Han Zhang, The New Yorker

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Amanda Darrach is a contributor to CJR and a visiting scholar at the University of St Andrews School of International Relations. Follow her on Twitter @thedarrach.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The push to add New Mexico to the ranks of states that have legalized recreational cannabis for adult use will have to wait another year.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-4 late Wednesday to table a high-profile marijuana legalization bill, as two Democrats joined with Republicans to block it from advancing.

Backers acknowledged the measure is all but dead for this years 30-day session, which ends next week, but said they plan to try again in 2021.

Wed have no chance of getting it through now, the bills sponsor, Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, said in an interview after Wednesdays vote. This is a setback, but I think in the long run it will produce a better bill.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had added the cannabis legalization bill to the sessionss agenda, and said after the vote that its inevitable that New Mexico will legalize marijuana  although it wont happen this year.

I am disappointed but not deterred by tonights committee motion. The door remains open. We will keep working to get it done, the Democratic governor said in a statement. And ultimately we will deliver thousands of careers for New Mexicans in a new and clean and exciting industry, a key new component of a diversifying economy.

However, several prominent business groups and the states Conference of Catholic Bishops were among those opposing the bill, which critics described as too far-reaching.

Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, the Judiciary Committees chairman, lacerated the bill with a string of questions and observations.

Among other things, he questioned why the bill would give labor unions a key role in determining who would get marijuana dispensary licenses.

Im not comfortable with us deciding who are going to be the kingpins of a new industry, Cervantes said in Wednesdays debate.

He was ultimately joined in voting to table the bill by Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Ojo Caliente, and the committees four Republican members  Sens. Mark Moores of Albuquerque, Ron Griggs of Alamogordo, Bill Payne of Albuquerque and Greg Baca of Belen.

The panels other Democratic members who were present for the debate voted against tabling the bill.

Stubborn opposition

This years bill, Senate Bill 115, cleared its first Senate committee last month but languished for nearly two weeks before being taken up by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Among other provisions, it calls for state-level licensing, expunging marijuana possession convictions from individuals criminal records and giving local governments some authority to determine where cannabis dispensaries could be located.

Although tax rates would vary by city and county, the average statewide tax rate would be about 20%, backers say.

That revenue would be earmarked for substance abuse programs, a subsidy fund for low-income medical cannabis patients and law enforcement equipment and training, among other uses.

The point of this is to do the same thing we do  with tobacco and alcohol, Ortiz y Pino said during Wednesdays debate.

He also said legalization would not encourage the use of cannabis, as many New Mexicans already use marijuana they get either as medical marijuana patients or from the black market.

However, critics argued that legalizing marijuana could erode drug-free workplace policies and lead to more impaired drivers on the states roadways.

We are pleased the Legislature chose not to rush into this, Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, said after Wednesdays vote. It would have created significant challenges for workers and employers alike.

New strategy?

The defeat of this years marijuana legalization proposal marks the latest in a string of setbacks for proponents at the Roundhouse.

It could also lead to a new strategy.

In the run-up to this years session, Lujan Grisham created a working group and tasked the group with crafting recommendations that could lead to New Mexico becoming the 12th state to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults and tax its sales.

However, Ortiz y Pino said that most legislators did not have time to fully digest the measure despite that process and that the final version may have been too complicated.

We just need to simplify the bill, he told the Journal.

Voter support for legalizing recreational cannabis and taxing its sales has steadily increased in recent years, as 61% of New Mexico adults surveyed in a recent Journal Poll said they support legalization, while 33% said they opposed the idea.

Lujan Grisham cited the public support for the issue in suggesting she wont stop pushing for cannabis legalization.

Poll after poll has demonstrated that New Mexicans want a 21st century economy and want cannabis to be part of it, she said, adding that the policy shift would create new career opportunities for New Mexicans and give more options to those convicted of low-level drug offenses.
With newly empowered Democrats in the Virginia state house ready to advance legislation lifting abortion restrictions and eager to strengthen protections for those in the LGBT community, Reverend Dr. Robert M Grant, Jr. didn't hold back in his opening prayer before the General Assembly Tuesday morning.

In a scathing, biblically based denunciation of same-sex "marriage" and abortion, the pastor's 6-minute prayer drove some Democrats to walk off the floor and another one to shout out, "Is this a prayer or a sermon?" Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) ultimately broke in by banging her gavel and leading the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

From YouTube (cued to the point where Pastor Grant began praying against abortion):

Democrats clearly expected the black clergyman from Warrenton to know his place and deliver an invocation in alignment with their progressive politics. Things didn't go as planned.

Reverend Grant began by urging the politicians "not to provoke God's anger and bring wrath upon this state by what you create as law." He went on to ask why there are so many abortion clinics near black communities and called it "black urban genocide." The deliberate and determined Rev. Grant didn't stop there.

"I pray that you may understand that all life is precious and worthy of a chance to be born," he said. "God is a giver of life, and people have no right or authority to take life, the unborn has rights, and those rights need to be protected."

After the pastor advocated for prison reform, he sparked noticeable fury with his remarks on marriage. Before he could finish his prayer that "this chamber will uphold the Virginia family" and "that the bills and laws passed will always protect the biblical traditional marriage as God instructed the first man and woman in the Bible," a heckler shouted out his disgust.

"It was totally disrespectful to all of us in the House," stated the Democrat delegate from Prince William County. Others said it was "off the rails" and "it felt like a condemnation."

Even though Grant had been invited by a Republican delegate from Fauquier County, another Republican sided with the Democrats: "I didn't know if he was ill-instructed or didn't know what he was here to do," said Del. Matt Farris (R-Campbell), but "this wasn't the time or place to do all of that ... we need to be working together and not divisive."

It must have outraged the Democrats and their RINO friends to have someone speak up for the unborn and for marriage between a man and a woman. We can be confident that if Rev. Grant supported gay "marriage" and abortion in his prayer, he would have received a standing ovation. Let's not forget that the Democrats collectively intolerant of the pastor's views are the same ones ruled by an infanticide-supporting governor in a blackface/KKK photo, a lt. governor accused of rape, and an attorney general who admitted to wearing blackface in his younger days.

Speaking to reporters afterward, the courageous Grant stood by his prayer. "I think the statehouse belongs to all the citizens. If you don't want to hear what a pastor has to say, then don't invite me."

Photo credit: YouTube screen grab.
In Retrospect: News from the Jan. 13, 1922 and Jan. 12, 1972 Souderton Independent
The targeting of Jackson, who has presided over a set of cases involving Trump associates in the past year, is the latest in a drumbeat of disparagement from the president when he disagrees with rulings. After Trump criticized a district court judge who ruled against the administration in 2018, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. took the rare step of responding and countering the presidents characterization of the judge as an Obama judge. Roberts, nominated by President George W. Bush, has himself been the target of the presidents ire. Trump labeled him an absolute disaster for his vote in 2012 to uphold the Affordable Care Act.
A federal appeals court has upheld an Oregon school districts student safety plan that allows transgender students to use restrooms, locker rooms, and showers that match their gender identity, rejecting multiple legal theories that such a policy violates Title IX or the privacy, parental, or religious rights of those students and parents who object.

We ... hold that a policy that treats all students equally does not discriminate based on sex in violation of Title IX, and that the normal use of privacy facilities does not constitute actionable sexual harassment under Title IX just because a person is transgender, said a decision by a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, in San Francisco.

We hold further that the Fourteenth Amendment does not provide a fundamental parental right to determine the bathroom policies of the public schools to which parents may send their children, the court said in its Feb. 12 decision in Parents for Privacy v. Barr .

The court said it was clear that this case touches on deeply personal issues about which many have strong feelings and beliefs. When the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last fall in a pending case about the rights of gay and transgender workers, several justices seemed keenly interested in how their ruling might affect the debate over the use of school restrooms by transgender students.

But the 9th Circuits decision was consistent with a recent wave of federal district and appeals court rulings that have ruled in favor of transgender student rights and found against privacy arguments raised by students who object to using the same facilities as transgender students. The Supreme Court last May declined to hear an appeal in a case from Pennsylvania in which lower federal courts upheld a school districts pro-transgender policy against a similar challenge by objecting students.

The Oregon case involves the 3,000-student Dallas School District No. 2, which adopted its student safety plan after a student at Dallas High School who was born biologically female began identifying as male. The plan allowed the student to use facilities matching his gender identity and included training for staff and lessons for students against bullying and harassment.

Some parents and students objected to the plan on privacy and religious grounds. They sued on several grounds, including that the plan violated the students 14th Amendment right to privacy, the parents fundamental right under the 14th Amendment to direct the education and upbringing of their children, and the families First Amendment right to free exercise of religion.

The suit also named as defendants the U.S. attorney general, currently William P. Barr, and the U.S. secretary of education, currently Betsy DeVos, but that was based on a theory that federal guidance under President Barack Obama had encouraged the school districts plan. President Donald Trumps administration rescinded that guidance.

A federal district court dismissed the challenge to the student safety plan, and in the new opinion, the 9th Circuit court panel affirms that dismissal.

On the claim under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the appellate court rejected the challengers contention that the school districts policy turned school restrooms, locker rooms, and showers into environments of sexual harassment.

Just because Title IX authorizes sex-segregated facilities does not mean that they are required, let alone that they must be segregated based only on biological sex and cannot accommodate gender identity, the 9th Circuit said. Nowhere does the statute explicitly state, or even suggest, that schools may not allow transgender students to use the facilities that are most consistent with their gender identity.

The court rejected the 14th Amendment privacy claim, noting that the school districts plan provides alternative options and privacy protections to those who do not want to share facilities with a transgender student.

In summary, the court held that the districts carefully-crafted Student Safety Plan seeks to avoid discrimination and ensure the safety and well-being of transgender students; it does not violate Title IX or any of plaintiffs cognizable constitutional rights.

The case drew several pro-transgender friend-of-the-court briefs, including from the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, GLSEN, the National PTA, the National School Counselor Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, among others, while the American Civil Liberties intervened on behalf of the transgender student who sparked the policy.
When Samantha Rodriguez lost her mother, Lisa, to cervical cancer in 2013, it didnt seem like anything could be worse than experiencing that devastating heartbreak. But just three years later, when Rodriguez was 17, she found herself grieving again over the death of her father, Alexander, who died after a battle with lymphoma.

In what could have been her darkest, loneliest hour, there was no time for Rodriguez to feel that desolation, as she was surrounded by her five younger siblings, all of whom needed someone to assume a parenting role. Someone who would let them know that even during these difficult times, everything is going to be OK.

Though she was still in high school at the time, Rodriguez, now 21, didnt hesitate to step up to the plate.

I always knew that I was going to care for them, ever since the start, she says. After losing our father I realized, OK, I need to make doctors appointments and sign things for their schools, things like that.

Rodriguezs siblings, Milagros, 17, Brenda, 15, Michael, 13, Bella, 9, and Destiny, 7, are all under the legal guardianship of their grandmother, Lourdes Navarro, in Orlando, Florida. However, Rodriguez explains Navarro is limited as to how much she can help with her grandkids because of arthritis pain and a language barrier (she only speaks Spanish). For this reason, Rodriguez asked for power of attorney from her so that she is allowed to take care of all the legalities typically handled by a parent. Now that she is old enough, Rodriguez is in the process of getting legal guardianship of her siblings.

There are five kids. As much as I would love to give them and as much as they deserve, I want to make sure Im doing the right things for our future.

Samantha Rodriguez

I still get weird faces, even now, like look at this 21-year-old, youre their guardian? You dont look like their guardian, she says. I just put a smile on my face and I dont let it get to me.

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Its that tenacious attitude that pushes Rodriguez, who works as a waitress to help support her family while attending Valencia College in Orlando. She has plans to further her education at the University of Central Florida. Still, even the most determined of individuals might be afraid when they find themselves in the dual roles of older sister and parent. For Rodriguez, her biggest fear is not having financial stability.

Knowing that I want to give them so much and being only one person, it's hard, she says. There are five kids. As much as I would love to give them and as much as they deserve, I want to make sure Im doing the right things for our future.

Rodriguez describes her days as hectic between taking the kids to school, getting to appointments, picking them up from school, and making sure everyone is fednot to mention her own work and school schedule.

Our weekdays are definitely crazier than our weekends, she says. I log everything down, take notes, and just try to stay focused. It can be difficult to remember if I dont write everything down. I have a schedule and I know everything I need to do for the next week, every single day. It might not go perfectly but I have a good idea of whats going on.

While Rodriguez continues to adapt to life as a caregiver, she realizes she has to consistently revisit her approach as her siblings get older. Two are teenagers, with her brother on the brink of 14, and as anyone who has been at the parenting game for a long time knows, the challenges are different with each age.

They want to do their own thing and Im trying to learn how to talk to them as a friend and a parent, she says. They're going to want to make their own decisions. I try to get them to understand that I've been where they are. I know exactly how they want to grow up. I just want them to focus on school. Don't worry about getting a job right now. Leave the responsibility to me and be a kid while you can.

The Rodriguez family has received support from the Orange County Sheriff's Office aviation unit, who learned of their story on social media. Several anonymous donors in the community bought Rodriguez a car and in April 2019, Samantha started a GoFundMe page to accept donations of support from the community as she continues to provide for her siblings.

"Just to know that there are people out there who want to help me when they don't really know me, I'm lost for words," she says. "It's just amazing to see how much people can care."

In June it will be seven years since she said goodbye to her mother, but Rodriguez will never forget the kind example she set. She taps into her mothers loving spirit with every move she makes.

She always kept a smile in any situation, says Rodriguez. We went through a lot of crazy stuff as children and I always saw her with a smile. It reminds me to be grateful for the moment and not think of all the worries. I think that is what has really pulled me through all of this. I try to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. Everything is temporary. Im staying positive and pushing for our future.

More information about kinship guardianship and available assistance can be found at Childwelfare.gov.
Three Midland area men graduated recently from the Michigan State Police Training Academy.

Midland's Cody Bauer graduated from the 136th Trooper Recruit School, and Dylan Bradley, of Grand Rapids, and Joshua Koch, of Midland, graduated from the 24th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School.

Bauer, a 2013 Midland High graduate, is now a trooper serving at the Mount Pleasant post.

He started the 25-week program in June, and it ended in December.

Before that, he studied criminal justice at Delta College.

"A year or so into my degree, I was talking to my uncle and a good family friend, and they said I should look into the Michigan State Police and opportunities in that department," Bauer said. "My uncle (Mark Klein) is an officer in Midland, so I grew up around him and the police department."

Training for the Michigan State Police also appealed to him because of the possibilities and the good things he had heard.

"I love the department," he said. "Between what it has to offer with specialty teams and building your own career I felt this was the best opportunity."

Recruits are trained in areas that include firearms, water safety, patrol techniques, ethics and crime scene processing.

Drive track training proved to be one of his favorite activities.

"Drive track - it was a blast," Bauer said. "It's a road course race track where you learn various skills in handling vehicles, like evasive and defensive driving."

While Bauer knew he wanted to be a Michigan State Trooper, he also knew he wanted to stay close to home.

"Half way through, we filled out a form and we chose our top locations; I chose the Tri-Cities and Mount Pleasant," he said.

According to the Michigan State Police website, recruits also participated in a Thanksgiving meal giveaway for veterans and a Toys for Tots toy drive, among other outreach events.

Dylan Bradley graduated from Midland High in 2013. He and Bauer started training around the same time.

Bradley started a 20-week program with the Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School in July. His program also ended in December.

Bradley and Bauer have known each other since eighth grade, and agreed it was nice to have a familiar face at training.

"Me and Cody went to school together. He went through Troop School at the same time I went through Motor Carrier School," Bradley said.

The two divisions would interact at physical training, role-playing and first aid scenarios, meal times and other activities.

"It was nice," Bauer said. "We both got a look into the other school. It was helpful to kind of pick each other's brains, and with someone you know and trust."

Bradley was equally encouraged by Bauer.

"The best part of that was like - he's still here. He's still working hard; I'm going to keep pushing," he said.

Bradley is stationed at the Rockford State Police post.

While considering career options in high school, he spent one semester studying law enforcement through the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District.

He later earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice through a joint program with Delta College and Ferris State University. Before graduating in 2017, he completed an internship with the Michigan State Police in West Branch.

Bradley's uncle, retired Michigan State Police Detective Mike Larsen, as well as his cousins - Lieutenant Jason Bradley, with the Illinois State Police, and Brian Bradley, with the FBI - provided encouragement along the way.

He also credits his job at Feeny Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Midland with helping to prepare him for his future. Some of his responsibilities there, during high school and college, were completing reports, communicating with the public and working within a chain of command. Those skill sets carried over into his current work.

Bradley's job duties as an MCO fall within commercial vehicle law enforcement. These include making sure large loads are within regulations and checking that proper permits have been obtained, in addition to several other duties.

"If we pull someone over and they do have a warrant, we arrest them," he said. "But we are more involved in safety enforcement than responding to incidents and accidents."

Bradley is happy with his new job.

"It's a place that I enjoy to go; not just a place to work. It's a good community of people," he said. "Everybody has been great."

Bradley's mother pinned his badge to his uniform during the MCO graduation ceremony.

"It was awesome; it was such a great accomplishment for him and a very proud moment for our whole family," said Kerry Bradley, of Midland.

Joshua Koch also graduated from the 24th Motor Carrier Recruit School in December. He is stationed at the Caro State Police Post.
A group of Kashmiri Pandits in the US has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in Parliament that Kashmir's identity was buried when the exodus of the community began in 1990, saying this recognition is a step towards their rehabilitation and justice.

The Global Kashmiri Pandits Diaspora hailed Prime Minister Modi for his "historic statement" where he spoke about the pain of the Kashmiri Pandits who had to leave the valley due to militancy.

Describing Jammu and Kashmir as the crown jewel of India, Modi, while replying to a debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Lok Sabha on February 6, said that on the dark night of January 19, 1990, Kashmir's identity had been buried.

The diaspora group said that January 19 is marked by the Kashmiri Pandits worldwide as the 'exodus day' when the entire population of the community was forced to flee, almost overnight, their homeland of generations following a "targeted campaign of murders, rapes, destruction of properties and ethnic extermination".

"Recognition of the exodus day in the Indian Parliament is seen by the community as a step towards restoration of justice and rehabilitation that has been the community's demand for over three decades now," the group said in a statement.

Modi had also said that no one can side with the statements of three detained chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir who had said that abrogation of provisions of Article 370 will separate Kashmir from India.

The prime minister said statements made by former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah on the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 are not acceptable.

"Who made Kashmir only about land grabbing? Who made Kashmir's identity only about bombs and guns? Can anyone forget that dark night of January? In reality, Kashmiri identity is closely linked with harmony," Modi had said in the Lok Sabha.

The diaspora organisation said that there is "overriding evidence that over the last 30 years the property rights of lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits have been systematically eroded, leading to a genocide and loss to the tune of 35 billion dollars. Land, houses, temples and shrines belonging to the minority Kashmiri Pandit (Hindu) community have been illegally taken over".

The group's members had met Prime Minister Modi in Houston in September last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chennai, Feb 13 : Even as two Indian crew of the Diamond Princess ship requested the Indian government to evacuate the Indians in the ship, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said two Indian crew members have tested positive for Coronavirus.

In a tweet Jaishankar said: "2 Indian crew members have tested positive for #Coronavirus. Will keep you updated." In another tweet he said: "Our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo is in constant touch with the crew & passengers of #DiamondPrincess off Yokohama, Japan, rendering all necessary support & assistance. Passengers & crew are currently quarantined by Japanese authorities." On Wednesday, an Indian crew member Anbalagan hailing from Tamil Nadu in a whatsApp video said: "We need help and we are all scared. Six members of the crew were infected with Coronavirus." The cruise ship is quarantined off the coast of Yokohama in Japan.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Feb 13 : World Radio Day is celebrated annually on February 13 to recognize radio as a method for teaching individuals, transporting data and promoting the opportunity of expression across global cultures.

Today is world is celebrating World Radio Day. On the occasion of World Radio Day, Twitterati extended his greetings to all radio lovers and to those working in the industry.

The day is observed every year on February 13 to raise greater awareness among the public and the media of the importance of radio and to encourage decision-makers to establish and provide access to information through radio.

The theme of this year's World Radio Day is 'Radio and Diversity'. It brings the focus on diversity, linguistic tolerance and plurilingualism.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has extended his best wishes to people on World Radio Day. In a tweet, he said, "Today the world is celebrating #radioday. Radio has become an integral part of life. Now you can listen to the radio on the phone too. Radio is the only support in a remote village, farm or forest. Radio has become more popular due to 'Mann Ki Baat' programme." On January 14, 2013, the UN General Assembly formally endorsed UNESCO's proclamation of World Radio Day. During its 67th session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 13th of February as World Radio Day.

UNESCO tweeted: "13 February is #WorldRadioDay! Let's celebrate today the power of radio to promote diversity in all its forms!" "It's the #WorldRadioDay today. The advent of a transistor enriched our lives as we grew up. It's been a constant companion since then for news, views and music. The Coming in of FMs gives innumerable choices. Enjoy...," Puducherry Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi tweeted.

BJP MLA Harsh Sanghavi wrote, "Greetings on the occasion of #WorldRadioDay. It is one of the most powerful medium of communication. Whether it be listening to Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's Mann ki Baat or any other thing "Radio" plays a key role in communicating and connecting." A user wrote, "Happy World Radio Day to all! Today is all about celebrating radio and the power that it has of connecting people across the world. #HappyWorldRadioDay #WorldRadioDay." A post read, "No matter what your age is, no matter where you live, you can always connect with the outside world with radio. Happy World Radio Day to everyone."
A new round of violence on the southern outskirts of Tripoli on Thursday left civilians dead and wounded, triggering warnings from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) about the worsening humanitarian situation.

"It has got more and more dangerous for everybody in Libya," Caroline Gluck, Senior External Relations Officer at UNHCR Libya, said Thursday, hours after clashes between rival forces caused new civilian casualties.

"150,000 people have been displaced due to conflicts since last April in Tripoli," Gluck told RFI, adding that the insecurity had made it harder to reach civilians.

Thursday's violence, which came a day after a UN Security Council resolution calling for a "lasting ceasefire", will do little to improve the situation.

The Tripoli capital's sole functioning airport of Mitiga, frequently shut down by violence, announced it was again suspending flights following a rocket strike.

Witnesses heard explosions in the largely agricultural area of Machrou al-Hadhba about 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the Tripoli city centre.

Rockets also struck residential neighbourhoods, killing one woman and wounding four other civilians, according to a spokesman for the health ministry, Amin al-Hachimi, who accuses forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar of repeatedly violating the ceasefire.

The United Nations says more than 1,000 people have died in clashes between Haftar and the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) since April, when the renegade military commander launched an offensive on Tripoli.

Terrible dilemma

Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused pro-Haftar forces of using cluster bombs in a residential area in Tripoli on 2 December.

For Gluck, the violence has disrupted the work of the UNHCR.

"We can only travel in armored vehicles. We have limited time on the ground for our national staff as well who have to get security clearance for any mission," she commented.

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Worse still, is having to choose who qualifies to get out.

"It is an impossible decision sometimes," she says, "it causes a lot of frustration. Many people ask us why am I not on this flight? Please evacuate us help us resettle. We cannot."

Last year, a little over 2000 people were airlifted out of Libya to safety. Some 47,000 others are still waiting for the green light.
The additional broadcasting format enables distributors full access to Insight TVs UHD feed across Europe and the Middle East.Commenting on his companys appointment to distribute the content, Aymeric Genty, regional vice-president for western and northern Europe for Eutelsat said:  HOTBIRDs unparalleled coverage across the European and Middle Eastern regions, provides great opportunities for those broadcasters seeking to expand their distribution network. We are delighted to be working with Insight TV to help increase its connectivity, widen its European and Middle Eastern reach and offer distributors unrivalled access to its exciting content.Added Insight TV CEO Rian Bester: We are committed to working with the worlds leading satellite and IP distribution providers, to make our original content available for distribution across as many territories as possible. Eutelsat is a major satellite operator which covers Europe entirely as well as the Middle East, making it the ideal partner to help grow our distribution network.Insight TVs upcoming content slate for the distribution network includes shows include Sandboarding in the Dragon Hill shot entirely in 8K UHD, as well as epic Martial Arts show featuring Hollywood legend Dan Fogler Story of Masters and Ghost Chasers: Exploring the Other Side, which follows the adventures of famed urban explorers and YouTube stars Josh and Cody.
The ruling BJP on Thursday said the Supreme Court direction that all political parties upload on their websites details of pending criminal cases against their candidates would strengthen electoral democracy. It also said the directions would enable voters to make a choice keeping "all factors" in mind when they cast their vote.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.

BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the orders of the top court have to be complied with."It strengthens the electoral democratic process in enabling the voters to make a choice keeping all factors in mind," he said.

The apex court said political parties will also have to upload on their websites reasons for selecting such candidates.A bench headed by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said the reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases should be justifiable with reference to qualification and merit and not merely on winnability.

Also read: Modi has torn SC order to shreds: Congress on BJP appointing minister accused in mining case

Also read: Make criminal background of candidates public; state reason for selection: SC to political parties
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  When real estate broker Bradley Veneklase travels with friends and family, he often turns to Airbnb, the digital home sharing company, to book his lodging.

He likes the unique experience of staying in a local residents home or apartment as opposed to a 100-room hotel. Now, Veneklase hopes to combine that experience with a new hotel hes tentatively planning to open in late summer in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Finnley, 65 Monroe Center St. NE, will have just five rooms.

But what the hotel lacks in size it makes up for in quality, Veneklase said.

With only five units I have the ability to have nicer furnishings and finishes then someone building a 100-room hotel could, he said. Because its affordable to do with five units. Its not affordable to do with 100 units.

The hotel is being built on the ground floor of 65 Monroe Center. The building formerly housed commercial space on the first floor, and the second floor contains six condominiums, Veneklase said.

The projects price tag is estimated at roughly $750,000.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority voted to provide Veneklase $25,000 to help pay for exterior lighting improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance efforts and a mural planned for the buildings west-facing wall.

Veneklase said nightly room prices have not been finalized but are expected to be competitive with other downtown hotels.

The Finnley will be Veneklases first foray into the hotel business. The East Grand Rapids resident is a real estate broker who primarily focuses on condominium sales in downtown Grand Rapids.

The new establishment will be operated more like an Airbnb than a traditional hotel. It wont have a lobby, front desk attendant or a concierge. Instead, patrons who book reservations will receive a code that provides access to the hotel and their rooms. There will, however, be staff on site everyday who will cleaning rooms and changing bedding.

Madcaps across the street, restaurants are next door, he said. The city is their lobby.

Veneklase said he expects the hotel to be a popular choice with travelers once it opens.

I expect it to be very full in the 80 to 85 percent occupancy range simply because we dont have anything like it, he said.

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NEWPORT, Wales, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- W2, the leading provider of real-time digital solutions for global regulatory compliance, has partnered with PeP to help the Turkish payment services provider vet the identity of its new digital customers in the UK and to further automate its onboarding processes.

PeP have recently become principal members of Visa and will be launching their UK wallet proposition in June 2020.

When looking for a vendor to help automate its new digital onboarding process, PeP had three key requirements; they needed an identity verification solution powered by the latest facial-comparison technologies, a solution that reliably verifies multiple types of government-issued IDs including both passports and driver's licenses and also, they were looking for a customer monitoring solution compliant with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.

"We are very proud to partner with PeP, providing them with all the tools needed to support a smooth, simple and frictionless customer onboarding journey," said Warren Russell, W2 CEO. "PeP was looking for a partner to help simplify customer onboarding and the subsequent monitoring of customers whilst ensuring they consistently meet their compliance obligations and in W2, they have found just that."

"With the emergence of new methodologies that use machine learning and data analytics, we recognise that the regulatory landscape is becoming more complex and fast-paced than ever before. In W2, we have found a partner that is committed to making compliance as simple as it can be," said Artun Kumrulu, Board Member at PeP. "Having a reliable digital onboarding process in place that allows us to do better business while protecting our reputation means everything to us."

About W2

W2 provides real-time solutions that simplify the global regulatory compliance requirements for mobile and digital transactions via a single API integration. Supporting businesses in the financial, ecommerce, betting and gambling sectors, W2 gives access to innovative solutions and products that reduce risk, combat fraud, facilitate identity verification and digital onboarding and; are foremost customer-centric to ensure businesses stay compliant whilst achieving competitive advantage and higher customer retention and acquisition. Solutions include: PEPs and Sanctions, Know Your Customer (KYC), Identity Verification (ID), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Fraud prevention checks, Credit and Banking, and Know Your Business (KYB) reporting.

To learn more about W2 and its award-winning solutions, please visit https://www.w2globaldata.com/.

About PeP

PeP is a trademark brand of Paladyum Electronic Money and Payment Services Inc. Paladyum Electronic Money and Payment Services Inc.is an authorised Electronic Money Company that has been licensed by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) on 13/07/2017. Paladyum offers EMI accounts, prepaid issuing, issuing & acquiring processing, multi-currency wallet, domestic & international money transfers and invisible payment services for its individual and business customers. Integrated with 10+ banks and 50.000+ ATM's and physical channels, instant bank transfer, cash-in, cash-out services are available to its customers.

For more information, visit https://www.peple.com.tr/

SOURCE W2
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Maiduguri blamed the leaders of Borno communities for not doing enough in terms of cooperation with the military to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said: This Boko Haram or whoever they are, cannot come up to Maiduguri or its environs to attack without the local leadership knowing.

Mr Buhari said this while responding to Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Bornos comments on the insurgency.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how days after the Auno village massacre of travellers, President Buhari visited Maiduguri to commiserate with the people.

Mr Buhari was also on Wednesday booed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as residents who are unhappy with his administrations handling of security, thronged the streets.

Over 30 stranded travellers, who could not gain entrance into Maiduguri on Sunday, were attacked and killed by members of the Boko Haram insurgents.

The development generated condemnation across the country.

The military had blamed the killings on the travellers, whom they said defied a curfew placed on the route linking Borno and Yobe states. But Governor Babagana Zulum blamed the military for its inability to protect the highway and citizens

Buharis visit

The president visited the Shehu of Bornos palace where he delivered his condolences and expressed his concerns over the unending Boko Haram war.

The monarch, Abubakar Gabai, commended the president for coming to commiserate with the state.

He acknowledged that the security situation in the state had once improved until recently when it has resurfaced.

We appeal to your Excellency for urgent attention. You have done well for us and you are still doing much for us and we appeal to you continue in that direction. The people of Borno are very grateful that you have to cut short your engagement in Addis-Ababa to come and visit us, the monarch said.

Mr Zulum also thanked the President for visiting the state.

The governor, however, faulted critics who insisted that the situation was better before May 2015 when Mr Buhari came to power compared to now.

The governor said he was surprised that Nigerians have so quickly forgotten the past; some have tried to compare the situation in Borno now with what it was prior to the 29th May 2015 when all the major roads leading to Borno were closed except the Maiduguri-Kano road.

There were sporadic killings and attacks even here in the Maiduguri metropolis. About 20 local government areas of Borno State were displaced.

But from May 2015, we have recovered most of the displaced local government areas. By the year 2016 and 2017, we have almost celebrated the demise of the Boko Haram insurgency. But from March 2019, we have started recording simultaneous attacks and increased activities of the insurgents which have resulted in the loss of lives of our people.

We are calling on the Nigerian military to retrace their steps and replicate the successes they have recorded in 2016 and 2017 so that we can end this insurgency once and for all. We want them to take the war to the insurgents in the fringes of the Lake Chad. We also want the Nigerian military to foster unity between themselves and the civil populace. Also, (we) call on the Nigerian military to assist our people to gain access to their farmlands.

Buhari blames Borno leaders

But Mr Buhari, while responding to the state officials, laid the blame on community leaders.

I am delighted with what the governor of Borno State and the Shehu of Borno have said; especially both of them have recognised the efforts this administration in the area of security by comparing the situation in 2015 and now, the president said.

I am happy that the governor has advised the military to work hard to restore the situation in the state. But it cannot be done without good intelligence. And to my understanding, good intelligence by my experience, having been a soldier before, means cooperation with the local population.

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This Boko Haram or whoever they are, cannot come up to Maiduguri or its environs to attack without the local leadership knowing; because traditionally the local leadership is in charge of the security in their own respective areas. In my understanding of our culture, I wonder how Boko Haram survives up to this time.

As commander in chief, I campaigned in both in 2015 and 2019 on three fundamental issues and one is security because you cannot properly preside over a country without security, even those who dont go school know that.

Secondly, it is the economy; we have vibrant and energetic youth in this country where 60 per cent are below the age of 30. We have to remind them that they must help us to stabilise this country so that they can have a better future. If they dont cooperate with the government, they are endangering their future. I am already 77 years old and how many more years do I expect under normal circumstances.

We are working for you in this country.

As the commander in chief, I will deal with the security situation. I believe there is an improvement in security. Economy-wise we worked hard in the area of agriculture and have seen the result in the agricultural sector; three results. One, which is fundamental, is food security. Officially, we dont import rice because we want to defeat the smugglers; and we saved hundreds of millions of dollars. And this happened because the farmers went back to the land.

Buhari shuns Auno, scene of attack

Meanwhile, Mr Buhari did not visit Auno, the location of the massacre along the Maiduguri-before he departed Maiduguri.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the villagers in Auno had gathered to welcome the president whom they believed would visit their community to sympathise with them directly.

However, the president left Borno around 4 p.m. without visiting Auno, which is about 15 km from Maiduguri airport that is normally reached in less than 20 minutes of driving.

In his statement after the presidents visit, his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, gave no reason for the president not visiting Auno.

Mr Shehu highlighted the presidents speech in Maiduguri and his commitment to improve the security situation.
Landlords scared of viral infection are evicting doctors risking their lives treating patients in the fight against the new coronavirus.

At 7.30 a.m. on February 7 Dr Than Manh Hung, deputy head of the emergency department at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi, put on his protective clothes to examine four coronavirus patients. They were stable and their temperature was normal.

There are five doctors in the department and a nurse, and they have been at work for eight days to monitor and treat the patients, and be ready for any new epidemic-related developments.

On January 30, after two cases of infection were confirmed in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, Hung only had time to go home and pick up a suitcase packed by his wife, kiss his sleeping children goodbye and return to the hospital.

Dr Hung smiles as he narrates his story. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Duong.

He says his mother "cried and did not want me to go." "If everyone chooses easy jobs, who will handle difficulties?" he asked her.

Since that day he has called her twice a day to comfort her. His wife is also a doctor, and understands her husbands responsibilities.

Hung sometimes gives himself a massage since he sleeps on a hard, cold chair every night. He got himself some painkillers the previous day.

"I took part in the battles against the H1N1 epidemic in 2009, MERS-CoV in 2012 and flu, measles and dengue epidemics. During the H1N1 epidemic, I was worried since I did not know how the new virus spread and its virulence."

So on hearing about the new coronavirus outbreak in China he and his colleagues quickly learned about it.

"Before Vietnam had any case of infection, we had compiled a document on the disease and built a response scenario."

In a small room in his department, Hung hangs some sweaters outside the closet to dry them with wind from the air conditioner. Under his table is a suitcase filled with clothes.

Over the last week 15 patients have been admitted to the department of internal medicine. With 30 suspected cases and the virulence of the virus, the number of doctors approaching patients is always limited, which also helps them save on protective gear.

Doctors at the hospital get food from people living nearby on February 7, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Duong.

"One doctor and two nurses take care of 30 patients in each shift, and so there is much work," Tran Hai Ninh, head of the department, says. "Patients are completely quarantined. [So] we not only examine them but also do the logistics work."

They joke they are "hotel staff" because they have to take care of each patients food and hygiene. Some ask for snacks, and the nurses have to ask people to buy and bring them around.

On February 7 Ninh was walking around looking for a place in the department to install a wifi connection. The wifi connection enables the patients to catch the news on the Internet and amuse themselves."The hospital does everything to prevent patients from walking out," Ninh says.

Ninh has been in the hospital since January 30 while her husband works at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and the couple have no time for their family. They have sought their parents help to take care of their two children.

Dr Ninh and the hospital's technical staff scout the place to install a new Internet connection for patients. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Duong.

"During the day I am so busy and reject all my childrens calls. I only pick up my parents calls since I am worried. I call the kids at 9 p.m. before they sleep."

The hospital has four departments working with the virus, outpatient, emergency, internal medicine, and virus and parasite related diseases.

The 60 doctors and nurses who work around the clock always follow safety rules to protect themselves. But, unfortunately, they face discrimination since people are ignorant and worried about the epidemic.

A nurse in the virus-parasite department was evicted by her landlord, who then spread lime all over the house before her husband explained that she was quarantined and never visited home.

Another nurse faced a similar situation after a local medical center claimed he had contracted the new coronavirus. Dr Hung had to call the center to explain.

Some of the medical staff are staying at the hospital though they do not need to be quarantined because of the stigma they face.

Vietnam declared the novel coronavirus an epidemic on February 1 and schools across the country are closed until next Sunday.

Out of the 15 confirmed infection cases so far, seven have been discharged from hospitals. The global death toll has reached 1,363 as of Thursday morning.
Just south of Mojokerto in East Java lies a somewhat peculiar and humble temple complex. Sitting among rice paddies and lily ponds, Pura Kawitan Majapahit pays homage to an empire thought of by many today as the historical antecedent of modern Indonesia, the Majapahit Empire.

Nusantara, a term used by Indonesians today to refer to the Indonesian archipelago, first emerged during the Majapahit Empire, which existed from 1293 until 1520. In 1334, Gadjah Mada, the prime minister widely credited with taking the Majapahit Empire to the height of its glory, proclaimed in the Sumpah Palapa (Palapa Oath) that, until he had unified all of Nusantara, he would not taste palapa, a word historians continue to debate the meaning of, with interpretations ranging from spices to religious rituals. For Gadjah Mada, Nusantara referred to the outer reaches of the archipelago; however, it later came to represent a unifying concept in the sense of Indonesian nationalism that began to emerge during the independence struggle of the early 20th century.

Pura Kawitan Majapahit is located in Trowulan, the former capital of the empire, built at the foot of the imposing Mount Arjuna. The temple complex lies just to the north of the Segeran Pool, a giant rectangular expanse of water bordered by the characteristic red brick of the city that is believed to have once been a recreation spot for the Majapahit royals and their guests.

The pool is one of the few physical remains of the empires capital. Nestled among sugar cane fields and rice paddies, these reminders of the past include Candi Bajang Ratu  a temple gateway built to commemorate King Jayanegara after his death  the grand Wringin Lawang gate and the believed burial site of Raden Wijaya, the founder of the empire. According to the caretaker of the site, the presidents of modern Indonesia have made pilgrimages to Raden Wijayas grave to pay their respects.

Like the presidents of modern Indonesia, Pura Kawitan Majapahit seeks to honor the nations ancestors, and in doing so embodies one of the foundational philosophies of the modern nation, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), which itself is a quotation from the Javanese poem "Kakawin Sutasoma", written by Mpu Tantular during the Majapahit Empire, that promoted coexistence and unity between Shivaism and Buddhism, the major faiths of the period.

The temple complex was established to preserve Majapahit customs and culture, without drawing distinctions between religion and ethnicity, Putu Surya Kertiyasa, the hamengku utama (guardian or caretaker) of the temple complex said, adding that, following the principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, it was a space for Indonesians of all faiths to honor their ancestors.

The complex consists of a series of shrines, statues and other religious objects, placed around a series of ponds. The first of these visitors will see is a shrine dedicated to Shiva, built with red brick in a style reminiscent of the Majapahit temples in Trowulan. Shiva is the deity seen at the center of the Surya Majapahit (Sun of Majapahit), the emblem of the empire, where he is surrounded by the eight other Dewata Nawa Sanga (Guardians of the Directions) arranged in the image of an eight-pointed sun.

Read also: Experts believe wall structure in Mojokerto to be burial site of Ken Arok's descendant

Pura Kawitan Majapahit was founded in 1995 with a ceremony that followed Majapahit customs and rituals, many of which continue to be preserved in Bali. Similar ceremonies are held annually in accordance with the Javanese and Balinese calendars. This year, the ceremony was held over several days from late January into early February.

On regular days, it is common for buses of visitors from Bali to make the journey to the temple complex, as many Balinese trace their ancestry and cultural roots back to the past Hindu-Buddhist civilizations of Java. However, for Putu the complex is not intended to represent one form of faith alone, instead visitors are free to conduct rituals in the manner they see fit.

Chinese lanterns and decorations also feature prominently around the complex, an acknowledgment, Putu said, of the way in which Chinese culture had become intertwined with the cultures of the archipelago throughout the centuries.

Perhaps the most intriguing sight within the complex is the pairing of a large Majapahit-style shrine and a Chinese-style pagoda, which stand side by side before a pool of lilies. Putu said that for him personally, the pagoda represented Buddha and was a place to honor his maternal ancestors, while the Majapahit-style temple represented Siva and was a place to honor his paternal ancestors. However, Putu made a point of stating that this was his personal interpretation and that others may find their own meaning.

The complex also houses a large collection of antique kris, the highly ornate daggers that have been produced throughout Indonesia for centuries. The authenticity of the kris has been verified by the Center for Javanese Cultural Institutions (PLKA), with the blades dating back to the Majapahit era and even earlier. Kris hold special importance in many of the cultures of the archipelago and have long been regarded not only as weapons but as spiritual objects. Putu said that members of the community had donated the blades to Pura Kawitan Majapahit so they could continue to be honored in accordance with traditional rituals.

At the center of the complex is a shrine adorned with the Garuda Pancasila, the emblem of modern Indonesia. Featuring Garuda, the mythical eagle ridden by the god Vishnu, clutching a scroll bearing the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, the emblem pays homage to the nations past to present a guiding philosophy for the present. With few physical remains of the Majapahit period, Pura Kawitan Majapahit also seeks to carry on the spirit of the empire that centuries after its fall came to inspire the formation of a new nation.
(Natural News) There can be no doubt that proper hygiene practices like regular hand-washing are vital to maintaining good health. An understanding of how germs are spread and what makes people ill has literally saved millions of lives over the past century.

But, could it be that we have taken the pursuit of cleanliness too far? Might it be possible that a little dirt in the home could actually protect our families from certain illnesses?

A recent Finnish study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, examined the link between dirt and the development of asthma in children, and reached a surprising conclusion: A little dirt in the home can actually protect children from asthma because the bacteria in soil can build up their resistance to the condition. (Related: You know turmeric for its many health benefits; add anti-asthma to that list.)

The most common chronic childhood illness

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, around 26.5 million Americans are currently battling asthma, including 6.1 million children. Asthma results in 439,000 hospitalizations and 1.3 million emergency room visits each year, and is the most common chronic childhood illness.

Asthma is generally controlled through the use of corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as by taking measures to try to avoid or minimize exposure to common asthma triggers like dust mites, ragweed, pollen or animal dander. Irritants in the air, like smoke and chemical fumes, as well as extremely dry, wet or windy weather conditions, can also trigger asthma attacks and cannot always be avoided.

Managing asthma can be a costly and difficult enterprise, taking a toll on the family and limiting the activities a child can partake in. And sadly, despite the availability of medications to treat the condition, around 3,500 people still die from asthma every year. (Related: Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products.)

Replicating a farmyard environment in the home

Interestingly, as reported by the U.K.s Daily Mail, the Finnish study referenced above found that a childs risk of developing asthma is lowest when his or her home environment mimics that of a farmyard:

Researchers from the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland analysed the range of bacteria in 1,400 homes in Finland and Germany. 

Exposure to greater numbers of bacteria species which usually belonged outdoors made childrens lungs healthier.

Study co-author, Pirkka Kirjavainen, explained, The key characteristic of microbiota in homes protecting from asthma appears to be large abundance of bacteria which originate from the outdoor environment and are beneficial or harmless to health, relative to bacteria that are a potential threat to our health.

Previous studies have found that children who grow up on farms where there are animals have a 50 percent lower risk of developing asthma and allergies than those who grow up in the cities.

The Mail explained why:

Although there were more of certain strains of bacteria, there were fewer of those which would normally be found in the human lungs or which could cause breathing infections.

Obviously, a large percentage of the population no longer live on farms but make their homes in urban areas. How can parents in these families improve their childrens resistance to asthma? Dont ask everyone to take their shoes off at the door! The researchers found that wearing shoes indoors that have first been worn outdoors can also introduce a significant number of the same protective bacteria common on farms into the home.

So, if you cant live on a farm, at least bring the outdoors in as much as possible, thereby exposing your family to the healthy bacteria in soil proven to prevent asthma.

Learn more ways to prevent chronic and acute illnesses at Prevention.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Nature.com

ACAAI.org
A group of research scholars of IIT Kharagpur on Thursday claimed that a discussion on the issue of citizenship on the campus had to be called off, after permission for holding the programme was withdrawn.

A spokesperson of research body "Education Group' said, initially they were given the permission to organise the programme at the IIT employees-run staff club within the campus on February 12.

However, they were informed by the club on Tuesday that it had been withdrawn for "some reasons".

"We were informally told that discussions on such a contentious issue cannot be held within the campus area as per the instructions from higher authorities of IIT Kharagpur," she said.

IIT Kharagpur officials did not wish to talk about it but a faculty, not willing to be named, said, it had nothing to do with the "pro-Centre" or "anti-Centre" policy of the premier educational institute.

"Our policy is not to allow any programme which may trigger tension, division and untoward incident within the campus.

"The researchers are free to organise the programme outside the campus," he said.

The spokesperson of the research body said, it would have been a general academic discourse on the issue of identity and citizenship without directly referring to the controversy involving the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register.

"We had invited three speakers and none of them were politicians," she said.

Ranjit Sur, a rights activist who had been invited as a speaker, said, "This is a knee-jerk response from IIT Kharagpur which shows they are not willing to allow debate on contemporary issues on the campus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 06:19 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20642a1b9 1 City firefighters,robot,Jakarta-Fire-and-Rescue-Agency Free

The Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency has purchased a Rp 37.4 billion (US$2.7 million) firefighting robot.

The Dok-Ing MVF- U3 has advanced features to assist firefighters and reduce the life-threatening risks of the job, Satriadi Gunawan, the agency head, claimed.

The unit features various robotic rescue tools, thats why it is expensive. Basically, it is not just one robot, but two or three robots in one unit," Satriadi said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.

Satriadi said the device would reduce the chances of life-threatening accidents as it could be operated from long distance and could reach difficult areas.

Firefighters do not have to go inside [burning buildings], they can control the water sprayer from afar, he said.

The ability to fight fires from a safe distance reduces the risk of fatalities in dangerous situations, such as blazes in chemical storage facilities and gas stations.

The unit was purchased in 2019, and the agency plans to buy more robotic devices in 2020.

Satriadi said the Dok-Ing MVF-U3 was a material dissolver, while the units to be bought in 2020 would be rescue devices.

Ivan Zanic, a Croatian mechanical robotic instructor, said the device could be deployed not only for burning buildings, but also for special incidents such as bomb blasts and missile attacks.

This robots main function is to put out fires in areas that cannot be reached by firefighters, Ivan told kompas.com.

The robot can also be used in the event of a terror attack and fires caused by nuclear or mining disasters.

The robot can be operated with a remote control within a 1.5 kilometer radius. It is also equipped with nine cameras installed at different angles. It is also fire and explosion resistant, and can hold 2,500 liters of water and 500 liters of foam.

The unit can spray water up to 55 meters and foam up to 45 m and push 10 ton objects. (gis)
A film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is looking for extras as producers plan to film in Ireland in the next couple of months.

The Last Duel' is advertising an Open Casting for huge crowds of Irish based Film Extras to attend and apply next Friday, February 21 in Dublin City Centre.

The Last Duel is an epic period feature film soon to be shooting in various parts of Ireland over the coming months. It will be directed by Ridley Scott and will star Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Driver and Jodie Comer.

Filming will mostly take place around Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Tipperary. Affleck, Damon and Nicole Holofcener have written the screenplay which is based on the book The Last Duel by Eric Jager. Set in Medieval France, the story is an epic tale of betrayal and justice.

"We will be looking to directly employ lots of film extras for huge crowd scenes in the coming months. We are holding an Extras Open Casting day next week in Dublin City Centre and, we are trying to put out as much information as possible to attract interested people to apply to take part as an extra. It is paid work and the open casting will be open to adults," producers said.

To apply, people should come along anytime between 10am and 6pm on Friday, February 21 at Dublin's Liberty Hall.

They are looking for men and women of all shapes and sizes.

-You should LIVE LOCALLY (IRELAND) to be considered & have a work visa/PPS number

-You DO NOT need an appointment and can turn up anytime between the hours stated

-To apply, you do need to attend

-You will be asked to fill out an application form, which we will give you upon arrival

-We will take a photo of each person when there after you fill out the application form

-Please only attend if you wish to apply, time is limited and we want to give everyone genuinely wishing to apply a chance.

-You will be asked to leave if you are just hanging out with friends

- The process will only take about 20 mins when you get into the venue

-You need to be a full-time resident and living in Ireland with a working visa and PPS number.

-We will not call anyone from outside of Ireland so please DO NOT travel to our open casting if you DO NOT FIT THE CRITERIA!

-We will be filming mostly in Wicklow, Meath & Tipperary.

- When we call for work/fittings, notice can sometimes be very short so availability should be good

-Please be prepared and arrive with knowledge of your measurements e.g. your Height, Chest, Dress, Shoe sizes etc. as you will be asked to put all these details on the application form

-You do not need to bring an additional CV or Headshots along, but we will accept them if you wish

For further info, please email: thelastduelextras@gmail.com or facebook fb.me/TheLastDuelExtras
Jeff Bezos has bought a Beverly Hills mansion for $US165 million ($245 million), a source said, setting a record for a Los Angeles-area home.

The world's richest man bought the 9-acre (3.64 hectare) property from media mogul David Geffen, said the person, declining to be identified as the details are private. The acquisition was reported earlier on Wednesday by the Wall Street Journal.

The purchase by the Amazon.com founder of the so-called Warner Estate is the latest in a string of mega-deals for residential properties in the US.

Jeff Bezos splurged out on David Geffen's billionaire estate.

Lachlan Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was one of at least four people to pay more than $US100 million for a home in the US last year. The others include the record $US238 million hedge fund Citadel founder Ken Griffin plunked down in January 2019 for a New York penthouse at 220 Central Park South. In December, fellow hedge fund billionaire Steven Schonfeld and his wife Brooke closed on a mega-mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, for $US111 million.
Rishi Sunak, who was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, was appointed to one of the senior-most positions as finance secretary, reflecting a meteoric rise within the Conservative party.

Sunak, son-in-law of Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy, takes over from Sajid Javid, who resigned as Prime Minister Boris Johnson carried out the first reshuffle since winning a large mandate in December 2019.

Sunak, 39, who has a background in business and finance and was the chief secretary in the Treasury, takes on a role equivalent to the finance minister in India. He was first elected in 2015 from Richmond, Yorkshire.

Also promoted is Alok Sharma, who is the new business secretary. Priti Patel, another Indian origin cabinet minister, stays as the home secretary, which is another top role in the UK government.

The appointments mean that three of the top cabinet jobs in the Johnson government are held by Indian origin ministers.

Suella Braverman (nee Fernandes) of Goa origin is the fourth person of Indian origin to hold a top post in the Johnson government. Suella Braverman was appointed attorney general and will attend cabinet meetings.

Rishi Sunak will be in-charge of steering the UKs finances as it seeks to forge a new path in the post-Brexit world. His immediate is to present the next budget in March.

The new appointments mark a new record for the 1.5 million strong Indian communitys participation in British politics since the late 19th century, when Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian to be elected to the House of Commons.

As James Cleverly, chairman of the Conservative party said at a recent Republic Day event, Johnson is leading the most desi government in British history.

Sunak, who is married to Narayana Murthys daughter Akshata, soon came under fire from the opposition Labour, which called him Johnsons stooge in the Treasury department. He succeeded Javid, who became a victim of politics linked to Johnsons close aide, Dominic Cummings.

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Lets be honest; he was the vice president under the first African-American president so his early name recognition was really high and that lifted his numbers, said John King, a state lawmaker who recently endorsed Mr. Steyer.

The heightened stakes have made other challenges more apparent, including the sometimes awkward fit between Mr. Biden and a new generation of young, black elected officials who are sweeping the South. Compared with Mr. Clyburns generation, this group is less moved by arguments of deference and the chummy collegiality of beltway politics. Instead, they view themselves as ambitious insurgents.

One of the up-and-comers, Mr. Moore, ticked off a list of what he views as blemishes on Mr. Bidens record that should be barriers for black voters: Mr. Bidens past support for crime bills that some experts argue resulted in harsh sentences for black offenders; his treatment of Anita Hill during Clarence Thomass Supreme Court confirmation hearing; and his eulogy for Strom Thurmond, the states onetime Dixiecrat senator.

Joe Biden wasnt selected as a running mate for Barack Obama because he was a civil rights activist, said Mr. Moore, who had supported Senator Kamala Harris before she withdrew. It was because he was a safe white choice.

Mr. Biden has caused some of his own problems. During a private meeting with prominent black mayors in Georgia last year, according to three people with direct knowledge of the gathering, he caused a stir when answering a question about education reform. Mr. Biden said one problem black communities face is that the parents cant read or write themselves, a remark that shocked and frustrated many in the close-knit group.

In a statement, Mr. Bidens campaign said he was seeking to reference his own experience.

The Vice President regularly talks about how his fathers experience has shaped the way he feels about and views the relationship between parents and their childrens learning, the statement said.

As he works to shore up his support here, Mr. Biden must rely on components of his campaign that were never the strongest. Mr. Bidens fund-raising organization, for instance, was never robust in South Carolina and throughout areas of the South with heavy black populations.
A recent land purchase by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes is stirring rumors of an off-reservation casino in Idaho.

The 157-acre site is located off a busy interstate near Mountain Home, KTVB reported. The property is nearly 200 miles from tribal headquarters in Fort Hall but the tribe hasn't made a decision on what to do with the land, the station said.

Generally, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act bars casinos on land acquired after 1988. But Section 20 of the law contains several exceptions, such as those for recently recognized tribes, tribes that were restored to federal recognition or tribes with land claim settlements.

Typically, the National Indian Gaming Commission , through what is known as an Indian lands opinion , determines whether a tribe meets one of the exceptions. On other occasions, the Bureau of Indian Affairs might be involved in making a determination.

Tribes that do not meet an exception can still pursue a casino through the two-part determination process. In this situation, IGRA requires approval not only from the BIA, but also from the state governor.

Two-part determinations are extremely rare. There haven't been any in Idaho in the 32-year history of IGRA.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes operate the Fort Hall Casino, the Bannock Peak Casino and the Sage Hill Casino. The facilities are located on the Fort Hall Reservation in southeastern Idaho.

Mountain Home is on the southwestern side of Idaho, about miles outside of Boise, the capital and most populous city in the state.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 05:42:32|Editor: huaxia

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Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli soldiers during a protest against the expanding of Jewish settlements, in the West Bank city of Qalqilya, Jan. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Nidal Eshtayeh)

In response to the de facto UN blacklist of companies operating in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, Palestinians call it "a step toward foiling attempts to legalize them" while Israel denounced it as "biased" and "shameful."

RAMALLAH/JERUSALEM, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinians hailed on Wednesday the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) for releasing a list of companies that do business in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, while Israel denounced the list as "biased" and "shameful."

In a statement, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said the UN list "is a step toward exposing the settlements and foiling the attempts to legalize them."

"The decision is an implementation of the international resolutions that reject the settlements," Ishtaye added.

He called on the companies that work in the Israeli settlements to shut down all its branches "in the illegal Israeli settlements" as they "breach international law and resolutions."

"The Palestinian government is ready to study the possibility of moving the factories of these companies to Palestinian towns and villages if they want to correct their mistake," the prime minister noted.

It is worth noting that the UNHCHR list is part of the implementation of a decision made by the UN Human Rights Council in 2016.

Also on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the UNHCHR move is "biased" against Israel.

"Whoever boycotts us will be boycotted," Netanyahu said, adding he has already instructed his government to sever ties with the UN council.

Rejecting the publication of the 112-firm list, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the list is a "shameful surrender to pressure exerted by countries and organizations interested in harming Israel," according to a statement issued by his office.

Most of the firms in the list are Israeli ones, including banks and communication and construction companies. The list also includes some international companies.

Some 600,000 Israelis live in the heavily-secured settlements in Palestinian territories, which are illegal under international law.

The Palestinians condemn the settlements as an obstacle to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. 
A resolution asking TVA, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and other federal authorities to join Tennessee in aggressively addressing the Asian carp invasion on Tennessee waterways was unanimously approved by the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday. Senate Joint Resolution 723, sponsored by Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston), recognizes the urgency of the infiltration of the invasive fish into the Tennessee River system, its negative effects on the ecosystem, and the disastrous economic consequences to the state if the problem continues to accelerate.

The fundamental purpose of this resolution is to bring recognition to the urgency of this problem, said Senator Yager. Aggressive measures must be undertaken to prevent Asian carp from ruining our ecosystem, fishing, and recreational boating if we as a state do not respond. Robust federal intervention is essential, with additional resources needed to help prevent the fish from spreading further.

Tennessee is an active participant in the Mississippi River Interstate Cooperative Resource Association, an organization of 28 states and federal agencies that are working together to lobby for additional carp management funds.

Senator Yager suggested erecting a barrier at Nickajack or Chickamauga Dam as a means to stop the spread of the fish upstream. The Asian Carp have made it this far, and candidly, we were shocked to know that some have been found in Chickamauga Lake. We want to stop it there so Chickamauga, Watts Barr and Loudon Lakes are not spoiled by this infiltration, he continued.

All species of Asian carp that have entered Tennessee waters compete for space with native fish species, with some reaching 100 pounds. The bighead and silver carp compete with native fish species for food by consuming microscopic algae and zooplankton. Black carp may eat many species of snails and mussels that are native to Tennessee, while grass carp eat vegetation that provides cover for sportfish such as largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

Upon passage, the resolution will be sent to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Tennessee congressional delegation, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, members of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army of Engineers and other affected state and federal agencies.

The resolution now moves to the Senate floor for final approval.
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Penny Mordaunt today made a shock return to the government as Boris Johnson ended his Cabinet reshuffle with the same number of women in jobs as when he started but risked criticism after appointing them to less prominent roles.

Mr Johnson started the day by sacking Andrea Leadsom as Business Secretary, Theresa Villiers as Environment Secretary and Esther McVey as housing minister while Nicky Morgan stepped down as Culture Secretary.

He then appointed Anne-Marie Trevelyan as International Development Secretary, Suella Braverman as Attorney General, Amanda Milling as Minister Without Portfolio and Ms Mordaunt as Paymaster General.

It means that Ms Trevelyan was the only newly appointed female secretary of state as the PM finished the day with two fewer women in such roles. Ms Mordaunt and Ms Milling are ministers while Ms Braverman is now the government's chief legal adviser.

Ms Mordaunt's return to the Cabinet is also likely to spark controversy given that her two previous jobs were at secretary of state level at defence and international development.

Scrutiny of the gender balance of Mr Johnson's Cabinet came after he appointed Rishi Sunak as his new Chancellor following the bombshell resignation of Sajid Javid.

The PM began the day by sacking a handful of prominent ministers in order to reshape his new administration.

He promoted International Development Secretary Alok Sharma to the role of Business Secretary, pushed Brandon Lewis from security minister to Northern Ireland Secretary and made Stephen Barclay Chief Secretary to the Treasury after his Brexit Secretary role was abolished on January 31 following the UK's departure from the EU.

Who is in Boris Johnson's new-look Cabinet Chancellor: Rishi Sunak Foreign Secretary: Dominic Raab Home Secretary: Priti Patel Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Michael Gove Justice Secretary: Robert Buckland Defence Secretary: Ben Wallace Health Secretary: Matt Hancock Business Secretary: Alok Sharma Trade Secretary: Liz Truss Work and Pensions Secretary: Therese Coffey Education Secretary: Gavin Williamson Environment Secretary: George Eustice Housing Secretary: Robert Jenrick Transport Secretary: Grant Shapps Culture Secretary: Oliver Dowden International Development Secretary: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Leader of the House of Lords: Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Northern Ireland Secretary: Brandon Lewis Scottish Secretary: Alister Jack Welsh Secretary: Simon Hart Attorney General: Suella Braverman Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Stephen Barclay Minister without Portfolio: Amanda Milling Paymaster General: Penny Mordaunt Chief Whip: Mark Spencer Advertisement

Meanwhile, Oliver Dowden was named as Lady Morgan's replacement as Culture Secretary while George Eustice was made Environment Secretary.

Many of the most senior members of the government were reappointed to their existing positions including: Priti Patel, Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Robert Buckland, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Matt Hancock, Liz Truss, Gavin Williamson, Robert Jenrick, Grant Shapps, Ben Wallace and Therese Coffey.

However, those moves by the PM were totally overshadowed by Mr Javid's sensational decision to quit the government.

Mr Javid walked away after a blazing row with Mr Johnson in Number 10 this morning as the Treasury chief refused to bow to demands from the PM's top aide Dominic Cummings to sack his special advisers and accept a team being imposed on him.

Mr Sunak, who as Chief Secretary to the Treasury was Mr Javid's deputy, was swiftly elevated to the second most powerful job in the government.

The 39-year-old becomes the second youngest chancellor in modern British history after George Osborne who was 38 when he took on the role in 2010.

Mr Javid had earlier been photographed grinning when he arrived in Downing Street but he has now left Number 11 after just 204 days in post and less than a month before the Budget.

The extraordinary development came after the PM wielded the knife on a host of veteran Cabinet ministers as part of a brutal shake-up.

Ms Leadsom, Ms McVey and Ms Villiers were all removed from the frontbench as the PM conducted face-to-face meetings with them in his parliamentary office early this morning before heading back to Number 10.

He also got rid of Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith.

Mr Smith, sacked just weeks after successfully restoring powersharing arrangements in Stormont, confirmed his departure on Twitter saying serving in the job had been the 'biggest privilege'. His fate is believed to be linked to his chilling warnings about the consequences of No Deal Brexit last Autumn.

Mrs Leadsom, who insiders claim irritated No10 aides by arguing at Cabinet, said she was proud to have been in government for six years, and would now 'focus on my constituents' after being sacked as business secretary while Ms McVey said she was 'very sorry' to have been relieved of her duties as housing minister.

Ms Villiers made light of losing her job as environment secretary on Facebook, joking that 'what the PM giveth the PM taketh away'. Meanwhile, Mr Cox delivered a thinly-veiled rebuke, pointing out that he had introduced Mr Johnson at his Tory leadership launch and been a loyal Brexiteer.

Boris Johnson conducted a major shake-up of his Cabinet today as he axed numerous senior figures and made a wave of fresh appointments

Penny Mordaunt today made a surprise return to the Cabinet as she was appointed as the Paymaster General, based in the Cabinet Office

Rishi Sunak, pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning, has been made Chancellor after the stunning resignation of Sajid Javid

Boris Johnson has made relatively unknown former Brexit minister Suella Braverman his Attorney General (pictured today), replacing Geoffrey Cox

Mr Sunak, who is said to be good friends with Sajid Javid (pictured together at a Star Wars screening), becomes Chancellor at the age of 39, making him the second youngest Treasury chief in modern British history

Mr Javid addressed the media outside his London home this afternoon after Westminster was stunned by his departure from the government

Mr Johnson spent the early part of the morning in Parliament as he sacked a number of his senior ministers before later returning to Number 10

Alok Sharma has been promoted to become the new Business Secretary while Anne-Marie Trevelyan takes Mr Sharma's old job as the International Development Secretary

Oliver Dowden, pictured today ahead of a visit by the Prince of Wales to the Cabinet Office, appeared to be in high spirits after his promotion to Culture Secretary

Boris Johnson's new look Cabinet Anne-Marie Trevelyan - International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan was widely tipped for a promotion to the Cabinet long before today's reshuffle. She was made a junior defence minister at the end of July last year when Boris Johnson became PM but was always expected to eventually be elevated to the Tory top team. Her profile in Parliament was boosted in 2018 and 2019 as she helped lead the Tory Eurosceptic attack on Theresa May's Brexit deal. She quit a junior role in Mrs May's government in November 2018 in protest over the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels. And the 50-year-old went onto become a senior member of the European Research Group of anti-EU Conservative MPs. Oliver Dowden - Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden Nicknamed 'Olive', Oliver Dowden was plucked from relative political obscurity and elevated to the Cabinet by Boris Johnson last year as he was made Paymaster General. He got the moniker when he worked as a fixer for David Cameron when the latter was in Number 10. The 40-year-old father of two represents the Hurtsmere seat in Herfordshire, the area where he was born and raised. He was state educated before winning a place at Cambridge to study law. Mr Dowden worked for the Conservative Party and then in public relations before returning to become a special adviser and then Mr Cameron's deputy chief of staff. Suella Braverman - Attorney General Suella Braverman's elevation to the Cabinet at just 39 will strengthen pro-Brexit voices at the top table. Before entering parliament Ms Braverman was a barrister. She has been the Tory MP for Fareham in Hampshire since 2015. She served as the chair of the European Research Group of Eurosceptic Tory MPs between June 2017 and January 2018. Ms Braverman joined Theresa May's government first as a junior treasury aide and then as a Brexit minister in January 2018. However, she opposed Mrs May's EU divorce deal and quit in protest at the agreement in November 2018. Alok Sharma - Business Secretary and COP26 president An ardent and long-time supporter of Boris Johnson, Alok Sharma has enjoyed growing prominence in Westminster ever since the former took power. He was initially elevated to the Cabinet last year when Mr Johnson became PM as he was handed the International Development brief. But today's move represents a significant step up the pecking order for Mr Sharma who was frequently sent out to bat for Mr Johnson during the Tory leadership campaign. The 52 year-old only started his ministerial career in July 2016. He had a relatively low profile in Theresa May's government but did hit the headlines when he was housing minister in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. Steve Barclay - Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay Mr Barclay rose to prominence as the Brexit Secretary but saw that job abolished on January 31 when the UK finally left the EU. He was widely expected to return to the Cabinet in the reshuffle but the fact he has come back as a high ranking minister rather than as a secretary of state does represent a demotion and will raise eyebrows. He was relatively unknown when he originally took the Brexit Secretary role but he grew into the role and has been one of Mr Johnson's most loyal supporters. Brandon Lewis - Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis The 48-year-old father of two was handed a promotion today as he went from Security Minister to Northern Ireland Secretary. A former policing, housing and immigration minister he was privately educated and became a barrister before becoming MP for Great Yarmouth in 2010. He notably oversaw the Tories' disastrous 2017 general election campaign while he served as Conservative Party chairman. He was moved as party chairman at the reshuffle last July when Mr Johnson took power. George Eustice - Environment Secretary George Eustice George Eustice moves up to take the top job in the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs after serving as its number two minister since last year. The 48-year-old Brexiteers has been the Tory MP for Camborne and Redruth since 2010 and was appointed Food Minister by David Cameron in 2015. Before entering politics he previously worked for his family's strawberry farming business in Cornwall, and says his family has lived and worked in the area of his constituency for 400 years. A keen Brexiteer who supported the Vote Leave campaign, he previously campaigned against joining the Euro before becoming an MP. He stood as a Ukip European election candidate in 1999 before switching parties and was the Conservatives' head of press under Michael Howard. Advertisement

As well as becoming Business Secretary, Mr Sharma has also been made minister for the COP26 UN climate change summit which is due to be held in Glasgow in November.

The summit has descended into a state of shambles in recent weeks following the sacking of ex-Tory minister Claire Perry O'Neill as its president.

No10 hopes the new Cabinet line-up will be largely complete by this afternoon.

Mr Johnson is expected to hand promotions to a number of female Tory MPs to maintain the existing gender balance in his top team.

Labour seized on the resignation of Mr Javid as evidence that the new Tory government is in a state of 'crisis' just two months after the general election.

John McDonnell, the outgoing shadow chancellor, said: 'This must be a historical record with the government in crisis after just over two months in power.

'Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as Chancellor.'

There had been rumours that Ms Trevelyan, a junior defence minister, could replace her current boss Ben Wallace.

But ultimately she was handed the role at the Department for International Development.

Victoria Atkins, a Home Office minister had also been tipped to climb the ladder but now appears unlikely to do so.

Mr Dowden, a former adviser to David Cameron, was widely tipped to take over from Baroness Morgan who is standing down to spend more time with her family and that proved accurate as he was promoted from the role of Paymaster General.

Ms Mordaunt, sacked by Mr Johnson after being a cheerleader for his Tory leadership rival Jeremy Hunt last year, had been tipped to make a return to the Cabinet.

And while she was handed a government role, replacing Mr Dowden as Paymaster General, it was not at the same level as her previous role as secretary of state for defence.

Mr Smith said on Twitter: 'Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege.

'I am extremely grateful to @BorisJohnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country.

'The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much.'

DUP leader Arlene Foster paid tribute to Mr Smith for his 'incredible' contribution to restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

She tweeted: 'Spoke with @JulianSmithUK a short time ago to thank him for his help in getting devolution restored.

'We may not have always agreed (we did sometimes) but his dedication to the role was incredible.

'Best wishes to him and his family. Always welcome in Fermanagh.'

Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Coveney sent a message to Mr Smith saying: 'U have been such an effective SOS for NI at a time of real challenge & risk.

'Without your leadership I don't believe NI would have a Govt today.

'Thank you @JulianSmithUK for your trust, friendship and courage; UK & #Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it.'

Ms McVey tweeted: 'I'm very sorry to be relieved of my duties as Housing Minister I wish my successor the very best & every success I'm very grateful to the Prime Minister for having given me the opportunity to serve in his government & he will continue to have my support from the back benches.'

Mr Cox, who was subject to hostile briefings from No10 that he was not a 'team player', said he was proud to have been part of government in 'turbulent political times'.

In his resignation letter, the QC stressed his credentials as a loyalist, saying he had always backed Mr Johnson to 'see off the twin threats of Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage'.

He pointed out that he told MPs last year they risked 'incurring the wrath of the British people by continually frustrating the result of the referendum'.

'I have been truly privileged to have served as Attorney General during the recent turbulent political times. I am now leaving the Government at the PMs request.

'I shall continue to represent and stand up strongly for the interests of Torridge and West Devon,' he said.

Ms Villiers posted ruefully on Facebook: 'What the Prime Minister giveth, the Prime Minister taketh away: just over six months ago, I was delighted to be invited by the Prime Minister to return to government after three years on the backbenches.

'This morning he told me that I need to make way for someone new.

'I am deeply grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve twice at the highest level of Government, first as Northern Ireland Secretary and then as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

'I tackled both roles with passion, commitment, and huge amounts of hard work.'

Outside the Cabinet, universities minister Chris Skidmore revealed today he was out of government, joking that he had been freed to 'be a better dad'.

Transport ministers George Freeman and Nusrat Ghani have also been given the bullet - although their boss Grant Shapps is set to stay in post.

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg tried to deflect enquiries about his future this morning by chatting blithely about the weather as he left his London home - although he was proven to be safe despite a backlash over comments about Grenfell during the election campaign.

The PM's maverick aide Mr Cummings had initially wanted to slash the size of the Cabinet and axe a series of Whitehall departments.

But his advice appears to have been rejected for now, with ministers saying there is little sign of big changes to the machinery of government.

However, one current Cabinet minister cautioned that 'you never know what they are dreaming up in secret'.

Speaking at a Nato meeting in Brussels yesterday, Defence Secretary Mr Wallace admitted reshuffles could be 'brutal' but said he hoped his military experience and the fact he is a northern MP would help keep him in post.

Mr Wallace will not attend the Munich Security Conference tomorrow.

But one Whitehall source dismissed speculation this meant he was going to be sacked, saying: 'Quite the opposite.'

Reports last month suggested the PM was willing to jettison as many as six female Cabinet ministers.

However, he appears to have backed away to avoid allegations of sexism.

A Government source said the PM was aiming to have a '50/50 gender balance' among the 26 most junior ministerial positions.

Grant Shapps, pictured left after leaving 10 Downing Street this afternoon, was kept on as Transport Secretary while Jacob Rees-Mogg will remain as Commons Leader

Matt Hancock, pictured in Downing Street today, was one of many senior ministers who were kept in their existing Cabinet roles. He will continue as Health Secretary

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has also been axed - with solicitor general Michael Ellis filling his duties taking questions in the House this morning - and Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers was ousted

Until Mr Javid's exit, the most surprising move by the Prime Minister had been the sacking of Julian Smith just weeks after brokering the deal which restored the powersharing administration in Stormont

Esther McVey (left) and Theresa Villiers (right) were both sacked in the reshuffle today

Julian Smith confirmed his departure from Cabinet today - just weeks after a breakthrough that saw powersharing restored in the province - saying serving as Northern ireland Secretary had been the 'biggest privilege'

Mrs Leadsom said she was proud to have been in government for six years, and would now 'focus on my constituents'

Outside the Cabinet, universities minister Chris Skidmore revealed he was out of government, joking that he had been freed to 'be a better dad'
(Natural News) Although the global coronavirus epidemic has only recently made international headlines, some in China have known about it since the beginning of December. Thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinpings high-tech dictatorship, that information was not made public, and the virus was allowed to take off.

(Article by Xiao Qiang republished from Project-Syndicate.org)

BERKELEY  In his 2016 book The Perfect Dictatorship: China in the 21st Century, Norwegian political scientist Stein Ringen describes contemporary China as a controlocracy, arguing that its system of government has been transformed into a new regime radically harder and more ideological than what came before. Chinas controlocracy now bears primary responsibility for the coronavirus epidemic that is sweeping across that country and the world.

Over the past eight years, the central leadership of the Communist Party of China has taken steps to bolster President Xi Jinpings personal authority, as well as expanding the CPCs own powers, at the expense of ministries and local and provincial governments. The central authorities have also waged a sustained crackdown on dissent, which has been felt across all domains of Chinese social and political life.

Under the controlocracy, websites have been shut down; lawyers, activists, and writers have been arrested; and a general chill has descended upon online expression and media reporting. Equally important, the system Xi has installed since 2012 is also driving the direction of new technologies in China. Cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) are all being deployed to strengthen the central governments control over society.

The first coronavirus case appeared in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, on December 1, 2019, and, as early as the middle of the month, the Chinese authorities had evidence that the virus could be transmitted between humans. Nonetheless, the government did not officially acknowledge the epidemic on national television until January 20. During those seven weeks, Wuhan police punished eight health workers for attempting to sound the alarm on social media. They were accused of spreading rumors and disrupting social order.

Meanwhile, the Hubei regional government continued to conceal the real number of coronavirus cases until after local officials had met with the central government in mid-January. In the event, overbearing censorship and bureaucratic obfuscation had squandered any opportunity to get the virus under control before it had spread across Wuhan, a city of 11 million people. By January 23, when the government finally announced a quarantine on Wuhan residents, around five million people had already left the city, triggering the epidemic that is now spreading across China and the rest of the world.

When the true scale of the epidemic finally became clear, Chinese public opinion reflected a predictable mix of anger, anxiety, and despair. People took to the Internet to vent their rage and frustration. But it did not take long for the state to crack down, severely limiting the ability of journalists and concerned citizens to share information about the crisis.

Then, on February 3, after Xi had chaired the Standing Committees second meeting on the epidemic, the CPCs propaganda apparatus was ordered to guide public opinion and strengthen information control. In practice, this means that cutting-edge AI and big-data technologies are being used to monitor the entirety of Chinese public opinion online. The controlocracy is now running at full throttle, with facial-, image-, and voice-recognition algorithms being used to anticipate and suppress any potential criticism of the government, and to squelch all unofficial information about the epidemic.

On February 7, Li Wenliang, one of the physician-whistleblowers who tried to sound the alarm about the outbreak, died of coronavirus, which unleashed a firestorm on social media. The Chinese public is already commemorating him as a hero and victim who tried to tell the truth. Millions have taken to social media to express their grief, and to demand an apology from the Chinese government and freedom of expression.

For the first time since coming to power, Xis high-tech censorship machine is meeting with intense resistance from millions of Chinese Internet users. The controlocracy is being put to the test. Most likely, though, the outbreak itself will be used to justify even more surveillance and control of the population.

Xi is an unabashed dictator. But his dictatorship is far from perfect. His obsessive need to control information has deprived Chinese citizens of their right to know what is happening in their communities, and potentially within their own bodies.

As of February 9, the outbreak has killed more than 900 people and infected another 40,000 in over 25 countries. For all its advanced digital technologies and extraordinary economic and military power, China is being governed as if it were a pre-modern autocracy. The Chinese people deserve better. Unfortunately, they and the rest of the world will continue to pay a high price for Xis hi-tech despotism.

Read more at: Project-Syndicate.org
The body of Faye Swetlik (pictured) has been found in her South Carolina neighborhood

The bereaved grandmother of Faye Swetlik shared a video showing the six-year-old singing You Are My Sunshine just hours after authorities in South Carolina confirmed that she was found dead.

The body of Swetlik, who has been missing since Monday afternoon, was found in her South Carolina neighborhood on Thursday, the same day investigators said the body of an unidentified man was located nearby.

'It's with extremely heavy hearts that we announce we have found the body,' Director of Public Safety for Cayce, Byron Snellgrove said through tears at a Thursday news conference where he spoke for only about a minute and took no questions.

Snellgrove confirmed that the coroner identified the child's body on Thursday morning.

Faye's death is being treated as a homicide and no arrests have been made.

Her grandmother, Ruth Collins, has posted several messages on her Facebook page expressing hope that her granddaughter would eventually be found.

'I want my baby back,' Collins said at a prayer vigil on Tuesday. 'We've got to find her.'

After officials announced that a body had been found, Collins posted a picture of a single burning candle, and a touching picture of her kissing her granddaughter's head.

Swetlik's grandmother shared video on Thursday showing her six-year-old granddaughter sing 'You Are My Sunshine'

Young Faye is seen above with her grandmother, Ruth Collins, who provided the video of her singing

'My heart is out there somewhere and I dont know how to handle it,' said Fayes grandmother Ruth Collins a day after her granddaughter went missing

The body of an adult male was also found in the Churchill Heights neighborhood during the course of the investigation.

That person has not been identified and police did not release information about where exactly the bodies were found.

Snellgrove didn't give any evidence to connect the two deaths, but said there was no danger to the public.

A DailyMail.com request for comment to the Cayce Department of Public Safety wasn't immediately returned.

Authorities gave an update on the investigation Thursday morning. At that time, police said they had towed two cars from the home where the child lived.

Faye was a first-grade student at Springdale Elementary School. She went missing on Monday after getting off the school bus

A coroner identified the child's body this morning, police confirmed Thursday afternoon

Sgt Evan Antley with the Cayce Department of Public Safety confirmed that the vehicles were removed from the home but didn't share details of anything that 'may or may not have been found in those vehicles'.

The sergeant also confirmed that officers had searched Faye's home 'multiple times'.

Police had also closed off the neighborhood where the girl lived to everyone except residents, their visitors and delivery trucks. An officer was also stationed outside of her residence.

Faye's death is being treated as a homicide and no arrests have been made.

The search for Faye was a three-day effort that involved helicopters, K-9 teams and assistance from state police and the FBI

At the time, Antley said he couldnt comment on specific suspects or any persons of interest.

Hundreds of officers in Cayce, along with state police and FBI agents, worked around the clock to try to find the little girl.

Police initially said they were hunting for two cars that were seen in the Churchill Heights neighborhood before Faye vanished after getting home from school on Monday.

Cayce Department of Public Safety posted images of the cars, saying: 'The two vehicles shown were in the neighborhood during the time #FayeSwetlik was last seen.'

Officials said they have identified the person driving the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but investigators are still seeking information about the silver sedan.

Director of Public Safety for Cayce, Byron Snellgrove (pictured) became emotional as he announced the death of little Faye

Faye's death is being treated as a homicide and no arrests have been made. Officers pictured during the investigation on Thursday

Authorities said the child's body was found in the Churchill Heights neighborhood where she lived. Police have also found the body of an adult male who has not been identified

Police initially said they were hunting for two cars that were seen in the neighborhood before Faye vanished on Monday. Officials have identified the person driving the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but investigators are still seeking information about the sedan

Faye was last seen playing in front of the Londonderry Lane home in Cayce, near Columbia, at approximately 3.45pm.

Her family reported her missing at 5pm, saying they had been searching for her.

Police did not say whether the person driving the Trailblazer lived in the Churchill Heights neighborhood.

Authorities also released footage of Faye getting off her school bus on Wednesday morning as they announced that the search for the girl had been expanded.

In the footage, Faye gets out of her seat, speaks to the bus driver and then exits the vehicle. According to a witness, this was at around 2.50pm Monday.

Faye - a student at Springdale Elementary School - was last seen wearing a black shirt with neon colors, a flower print skirt and polka dot rain boots. The shirt had the word 'peace' written on it.

Snellgrove said Faye's mother, her mother's boyfriend and Faye's father have all been cooperating with the investigation.

For the past few days, Faye's grandmother, Ruth Collins, had been pleading to the public on social media for help with finding her granddaughter.

Footage of Faye getting off the bus on Monday afternoon was release by police on Wednesday

In the video, Faye (pictured) is seen getting out of her seat and walking to the front of the bus

Faye (center) is then seen speaking to the bus driver (left) before exiting the bus

'I'm going crazy not knowing where she is,' Collins wrote in a Facebook post.

In a statement, the family told ABC News that 'Faye is a bubbly and happy little girl'.

'She's not the type of kid that will up and walk away... Faye pays attention to her surroundings. We just want to find Faye and bring her home.'

The child's mother has not made any public statements since Faye went missing earlier this week.

On Tuesday night, community members gathered at Trinity Baptist Church to pray for Faye's safe return.

For the past few days, Faye's grandmother, Ruth Collins (left with Faye and right), has been pleading to the public on social media for help with finding her granddaughter. 'I'm going crazy not knowing where she is,' Collins said

On Tuesday night, community members (pictured) gathered at Trinity Baptist Church to pray for Faye's safe return

The child had been playing in front of her home (pictured) at the time she went missing

Faye was lactose intolerant with a speech impediment from having a tethered tongue.

Tethered tongue, or ankyloglossia, is when a thick band of tissue tethers the bottom of the tongue to the tip of the floor of the mouth.

'When she walks into a room she brightens it up. Everyone loves Faye,' Snellgrove said.

'Faye loves dresses, fancy shoes, spending time with her family, cats and playing outside.'

Several public figures have spoken out about the Swetlik case.

Vice President Mike Pence gave a speech to The Citadel, a military academy in South Carolina, according to Fox News.

'[A]llow me to address an issue that I know is on the hearts of people all across South Carolina today,' the vice president said on Thursday.

'And as your vice president and as a father, let me say we were deeply saddened to receive word this afternoon that the remains of Faye Swetlik, a 6-year-old girl who went missing from her parents front yard just three days ago, have been found.'

Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted: 'Like all South Carolinians, I was heartbroken to hear the news about the death of Faye Swetlik.

'I pray for the family of this beautiful young girl as they deal with this horrific tragedy.'

Authorities are asking for anyone with information that could help with their homicide investigation to contact the #FayeSwetlik Hotline at 1-803-205-4444.
Geneva Motor Show organisers have said the event will still be going ahead as planned, despite the deepening coronavirus crisis cancelling a technology show in Europe.

Yesterday, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, which attracts 100,000 visitors from across the world, was cancelled, the first time the show had been called off in 33 years. Organisers blamed the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, organisers of arguably Europes most important car show  which attracts 600,000 visitors  have admitted they are carefully monitoring the coronavirus outbreak on an hour-by-hour basis.

A spokesperson for the Geneva Motor Show  set to be held between March 5-15 at the Palexpo  told the PA news agency that currently the show was still going ahead, but admitted they were cautiously watching the situation evolve.

Laura Manon, spokesperson for the show, said: The news that the Mobile World Congress has been cancelled has just reached us and is a shock. We are carefully looking at the situation and taking advice from health organisations here in Geneva and the World Health Organisation with regards to our show.

As it stands today, the motor show is still going ahead. Last year, less than one per cent of visitors came from outside Europe, but we are aware the coronavirus situation is changing by the hour.

All aspects of the #COVID19 outbreak & ways to control it were discussed (1): -the natural history of the virus, its transmission & diagnosis -animal & environmental research on the origin of the virus, including management measures at the human-animal interface  World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 12, 2020

The Geneva Motor Show issued a statement on its website yesterday which said organisers had put in place a sanitary action plan which included increased cleaning and disinfection.

Story continues

Staff were also being given training on personal preventative measures and new signs were being installed at the show to remind attendees about hygiene recommendations.

The statement said: The current situation in Switzerland is rather reassuring  none of the samples tested so far has been positive for the novel coronavirus.

The MWC started to look in doubt when big-name attendees including Ericsson, Sony, Nokia, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom pulled out.

In a statement to Bloomberg, following news of the MWC cancellation, John Hoffman, chief executive officer of organisers GSMA, said the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances make it impossible to hold the event.

Geneva motor show organisers said that so far no exhibitors had pulled out, but that the situation could change at any time.

We advise visitors and exhibitors to monitor our website carefully for any updates on the shows status, she added.

A spokesperson for the World Health Organisation / Europe said it was down to national authorities to make decisions about these types of issues based on their own assessed risks.

The spokesperson added: There is no evidence at present to suggest that there is community spread outside China, so WHO is not currently requesting that large gatherings are cancelled.

Similarly, companies and other organisations are at liberty to make their own decisions according to their specific circumstances and their assessment of the risk to business.

WHO works closely with organisations that plan mass gatherings to provide advice, inform their risk assessment and support on any potential impact on health.
Hot tub water that sprayed into the air likely caused an outbreak of Legionnaires disease that killed four people in North Carolina last year, state health officials said last month.

The state Department of Health and Human released its final report on the outbreak, which infected people who attended a state fair in western North Carolina. The final report tallied 136 cases of Legionnaires disease and one case of Pontiac fever in residents of multiple states, officials said.

Ninety-six people were hospitalized.

People attending the North Carolina Mountain State Fair, held in September in Fletcher, were likely exposed to the bacteria in aerosolized water from hot tubs on display at the fair, the report said. Hot tubs have been linked to outbreaks of Legionnaires disease nationally and internationally, state health officials said in a news release.

In response to this outbreak, the state Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control have distributed guidance for vendors and others on how to minimize risks from hot tubs and other display equipment that aerosolizes water, the news release said.

Legionnaires disease is form of bacterial pneumonia, or lung infection. It can be treated with antibiotics. The bacteria also can cause a milder flu-like illness called Pontiac fever, which doesnt require treatment.

The final report confirms the cause that was included in an interim report released in October.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics North Carolina
(Alliance News) - Beowulf Mining PLC on Thursday said Sweden's reputation as a "low risk mining jurisdiction" is being hurt by the time it has taken for the company to receive a permit for a project in the country.

The Nordic-focused exploration firm is looking to secure a concession at its Kallak North iron ore project in the County of Norrbotten in northern Sweden.

Chief Executive Kurt Budge said: "Sweden's reputation as a low risk mining jurisdiction is being damaged. Investor confidence can only be restored if the government honours the investments and work done by companies applying for licences and concessions, in accordance with the laws of the country."

The company added that its application at Kallak "fully meets the requirements" of Swedish legislation.

Budge took aim at the Swedish government for sitting on its Kallak application since July 2017, but "offering nothing in terms of transparency. The Beowulf CEO added that the company has been allowed to invest SEK80 million, about GBP6.4 million, over almost 13 years.

The company received a letter from a Swedish government minister which stated that a decision regarding the application is "in preparation". The minister added that it was not able to suggest when a decision is expected to be taken, however.

The mine is located in a region of land resided by the indigenous Sami people, who have previously resisted further operations at Kallak.

"If there is one thing that the coalition partners in government appear to agree on when it comes to mining applications, it is that Swedish law should determine whether an application is successful or not. The government needs to decide on Kallak. Politics and emotion have no place in such a decision, if Sweden's laws are to be 'worth the paper they are written on'," Budge said.

He added: "On this subject, the inclusion of Sami in regional development in Sweden, permitting, sustainable mining, supply chain transparency, the green economy and the fossil free economy, Beowulf is an active participant and contributor to the debate. We are in Sweden for the long-run, to work in partnership with the communities in which we operate."

The company said that Swedish media reports last week which stated the company has decided to take legal action against the government, were "incorrect and premature".

"Beowulf is in the business of exploring for and developing mining projects. We are not in the business of fighting legal battles, but if forced to do so, to get just resolution, then we will act accordingly," Budge explained.

Shares in Beowulf were 1.9% higher at 4.54 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Dublin, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automated Guided Vehicle Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global automated guided vehicle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 46% during the period 2020-2025.



Key Market Insights



Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, forecast, and growth drivers in the market.

Includes a detailed analysis of growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities.

Delivers a complete overview of segments and the regional outlook of the automated guided vehicle market.

Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage.

The demand for automatic guided vehicles (AGV), which enhance the logistics movement with minimal manual intervention, in automation, retail, and food & beverage (F&B) application segments is driving the market. Advanced technologies such as automatic truck-unloading and improved safety systems, coupled with high productivity, are the other major factors responsible for automated guided vehicles demand.



The growth in the e-commerce industry is expected to enhance the efficiency of warehousing operations, along with the reduction in the product damages is likely to increase the usage of material handling equipment, such as AGVs. Warehouse managers are expected to focus on the latest automatic guided vehicle techniques to minimize the manual labor expenditure, improve retrieval and storage tasks, and streamline material transport, full-case palletizing, and carton picking.



However, the growing popularity of self-driving vehicles and the availability of low-cost labors are expected to inhibit AGV growth in emerging countries.



Market Growth Highlights



Rising automation in material handling

Increasing demand for higher productivity and flexibility in the production process

Increasing demand for AI in factories

SMEs to dominate adoption of automated guided vehicles

Market Segmentation



This research report includes a detailed segmentation by product, application, navigation, and geography.



The increasing demand for efficient movement with large loads capacity for long and short distances is expected to drive the demand for tow vehicles. These vehicles are considered to be economical as multiple loads can be moved from place to another, thereby resulting in productivity and eliminating the usage of manual trains or fork trucks.



The unit load AGVs are likely to grow at the fastest CAGR as these vehicles offer the flexibility of automatic load transfers. They are a viable option to cover long distances and perform repetitive tasks. Unit load AGVs are autonomous, which helps to improve the worker's safety. Forklift trucks are used to lift and move goods over shorter distances. These vehicles can lift loads from the floor as well as from stands. Moreover, the increasing shift toward digital factories is expected to favorably impact the adoption of automated forklift trucks during the forecast period.



The growing complexity of vehicles, along with stringency in safety norms and emission standards, is likely to propel automotive sector manufacturers to invest in automatic guided vehicles. The application of AGVs helps automotive companies to reduce operational costs, which enables them to offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Moreover, to increase the safety in operational services, several vendors are expected to emphasize on the usage of AGVs.



Automatic guided vehicles in the retail segment are expected to grow at a rapid rate. The swift growth of online sales in the retail sector and the increasing usage of AGVs in warehouses enable companies to offer speedy product delivery. They are being adopted in the food and beverages, and the segment is expected to grow at a rapid rate sector owing to their ability to handle palletized and unit loads of goods and packaging materials in the cross-docking, manufacturing, trailer loading, and warehousing environments. The growth of online food ordering is expected to put immense pressure on retailers for timely product delivery. Moreover, the usage of AGVs in the F&B segment is expected to increase cost-effectiveness and reduce product damage and spillage.



The laser guidance segment is likely to grow at a significant pace. The laser guidance technology helps the vehicle to operate efficiently and automatically, which provides flexibility in manufacturing and warehouse facilities. The natural guidance segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR as these types of automatic guided vehicles are easy to implement and do not require retrofitting of the workspace. As these vehicles combine laser range finders and gyroscope to determine the location and calculate the shortest path, they are likely to gain prominence in dynamic workplaces.



Inductive guidance systems are expected to grow considerably in the application segments such as aerospace, industrial plants, and automotive segments as they are not sensitive to oil, tire abrasion, dirt, and require low maintenance. The increasing usage of magnetic guided AGVs in the food and beverage, warehousing, and manufacturing industries is expected to drive the sale of automated guided vehicles during the forecast period.



Insights by Geography



North America is one of the major regions for the adoption of automatic guided vehicles and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. The growth is expected to be largely on account of the increasing adoption of automation systems, revitalization of the US economy, and the growth of the e-commerce industry.



The growth of the automated guided vehicle market in North America largely depends on the political and economic scenario in the region, along with the growing adoption of automation in industries. Besides, the growth of the e-commerce industry in North America is expected to induce higher sales of AGVs during the forecast period. In Europe, the market is likely to grow as this region is a leading exporter and producer of automated guided vehicles.



The increasing demand for high-end quality goods at competitive pricing, coupled with intense market competition, is expected to propel several industries to implement for automatic guided vehicles. The growing demand for smart technology is expected to promote the introduction of automated solutions in several warehousing facilities in the market.



The APAC market is expected to witness robust growth due to the rise in regional economies and the increase in manufacturing units by global OEMs. The region has emerged as the manufacturing hub with the highest adoption rate of industrial robots, which are likely to drive the demand for automatic guided vehicles. China is considered to be the largest e-commerce driven country in the world, and the e-commerce sector is expected to witness a boom in the region.



Insights by Vendors



The global AGV market is highly concentrated with the presence of several local and global players. The market is expected to witness intense competition. Automated guided vehicle manufacturers are likely to emphasize on identifying market opportunities, thereby setting up certain goals to achieve productivity and efficient usage of capital resources.



One of the key strategies expected to be implemented by market players includes the introduction of differentiated products and solutions. Hence, companies strive to offer differentiated channels for distribution and better product mix, thereby catering to changing consumer needs in the market.



Key manufacturers are likely to offer and expand the product line-up in their business segments with the launch of several innovative techniques, thereby gaining an edge over their competitors. Manufacturers are expected to rely on key competitive factors such as reliability and quality, product innovation, product support, pricing, warranty, distribution, financing options, and shelf space.



Key Vendors

Daifuku

JBT Corporation

Kion Group

Toyota Industries

Other Vendors

AGVE Group

Amerden

America in Motion

AMS ASTI Mobile Robotics Group

Atab

Axter Automation

BA Systmes

Comau

DimaSimma

DS Automation

Echkart

EK Automation

Esatroll

Eurogroep

Fetch Robotics

Fori Automation

Grenzebach Group

GreyOrange

Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz

Hyster-Yale Group

Inser Robtica

iROB

Jungheinrich

Kivnon Logistica

Kollmorgen

Kuka

Mad Automation

Mecalux

MLR System

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks

Murata Machinery

Oceaneering

Optimus Robotics

Bastian Solutions

Robotic Automation

Robotnik Automation

Savant Automation

Scaglia INDEVA

Scallog

SCOTT

Seegrid

Simplex Products

Solving

SSI SCHAEFER

Synersight

Technoferrari

Teradyne

Transolt Technologies

WEWO Techmotion

Quirepace

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1nd015

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
A Police Ombudsman investigation has found that a police officer breached guidelines by failing to advise a solicitor that she was recording video footage in his office.

In a complaint to the Police Ombudsman, the solicitor described the incident as a breakdown of trust and courtesy".

The incident happened in west Belfast last January, when the police officer returned a sum of cash to one of the solicitors clients. The officer said she recorded the exchange in order to protect both herself and the solicitor in light of a previous allegation made by the owner of the money.

However, the solicitor complained that he should have been asked to consent to being filmed, and said that if he had he would have refused.

A Police Ombudsman investigator examined the body worn video footage and found that the officer had started recording before she went into the office.

She confirmed that the camera was recording only when the solicitor noticed a red light flashing and asked: can I get a copy of the body cam.

He complained that he should have been advised that the camera was recording.

The police officer later told a Police Ombudsman investigator that it should have been obvious to the solicitor that the camera was recording, but accepted that she had breached police guidelines by failing to inform him.

She said it had slipped her mind, and added that neither she nor anyone else had viewed the footage before it was provided to the Police Ombudsman investigator.

The video showed the officer being brought from the law firms reception area, through a door labelled private and into an office where the money was handed over and signed receipts exchanged.

The police footage captured documents sitting in different parts of the office, and audio of a number of staff members from the legal firm engaged in phone calls.

The Police Ombudsman investigator noted that the recording took place within a private area of a solicitors office where a high degree of privacy and confidentiality is expected".

In this environment, even if completely unintended, there was the potential to capture personal and legally privileged information, as well as confidential communications, an ombudsman spokesperson said.

The Police Ombudsman, Maire Anderson, warned of the need for police officers to be aware of the context in which they are recording information.

Police guidelines state that the use of body worn video should be overt, and that subjects should be advised that audio and video is being recorded, she added.

Mrs Anderson recommended that the officer should be disciplined. However, the PSNI decided to address the issue by implementing measures to improve the officers performance.
Tyrus Wong, Readers Digest cover art January 1970; opaque watercolor on paper; 8.5 x 12 in. [Photo/Courtesy of Tyrus Wong Family]

Under the crystal-blue dome, beneath a cherry tree, stands the lonely figure of a young deer looking into the distance. Leaving an indelible mark on the history of US animated film, this image of Bambi was created by renowned artist Tyrus Wong, whose legacy today, 110 years after his birth in 1910, seems more pioneering and pertinent than ever.

Bidding farewell to his mother and sister at the age of nine, Wong, born in Taishan in China's Guangdong province, sailed with his father to a distant land.

Encouraged by his father to practice calligraphy at night in lieu of art school, the young Wong eventually dropped out of junior high school in California to attend Otis College of Art and Design on a full scholarship. He received formal Western art training while studying the art of the Song Dynasty at Los Angeles Central Library in his free time.

Wong's Chinese roots and American upbringing allowed his work to flourish in the heartland of the world's film industry, Hollywood, at a time when Asian faces were a rarity.

He was working as an "in-betweener" at Walt Disney Studios at the age of 28, filling out the movements between key drawings, when he learned that the studio was in pre-production for the 1942 feature film Bambi.

Tyrus Wong at his home in Sunland, CA 2004, photograph by Peter Brenner [Photo/Courtesy of the Museum of California Art and Design (MoCAD)]

Wong went home and painted several pictures of a deer in a forest, influenced by the rich landscapes of the Song Dynasty. These evocative sketches immediately captured the attention of Walt Disney himself  the lush pastel strokes shot through with a sense of unbounded fantasy, magnificent pairs of antlers blurring into red-orange flame, flickering in the mist of green woods. They were illustrations that allowed you to almost smell the forest.

To eke out a living, Wong set up a restaurant in Chinatown, Dragon's Den, where he and his fellow artists created giant murals and hand-painted menus. He was later hired as a production illustrator and sketch artist, creating concept art for hundreds of live-action films for Warner Brothers. During his 26 years at the company before his retirement in 1968, he worked on productions including Rebel Without a Cause, Calamity Jane, The Wild Bunch, Sands of Iwo Jima and Auntie Mame.

Wong's creativity and drive helped shape the cultural and artistic life of Los Angeles in the 1930s and '40s. Little known to the public in his lifetime, by his death on December 30, 2016 at the age of 106, he had risen to prominence as a highly regarded Chinese-American artist. His story is an inspiration to all those who pursued their dreams in an unfamiliar land.
For many, their ideal image of a serene mountain town is a cozy village nestled in the mountains of Switzerland, Austria, Italy or France. But taking a family ski trip to one of these dreamy destinations can take a lot of time, money and planning. To experience the magic of an Alpine ski village without taking a trans-Atlantic flight, consider a ski vacation to Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.

Majestic Mountains You Need to See in Your Lifetime

Home to the Mont Tremblant Ski Resort, this ski town is just a short road trip or flight away for many Americans. Its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings and mountain backdrop create a scene from a storybook. The towns restaurants, bars and cafes also offer plenty of rich, French-Canadian fare.

On top of being easier and cheaper to reach, the resort offers a variety of slopes with quality grooming at reasonable rates. The average price of a peak-season, one-day adult lift ticket in the United States was $94 in 2018, according to ski magazine Snow-Online.com. But for the 2020 ski season, Mont Tremblants adult single-day lift tickets are running $75, or about $64 a day if you buy multi-day passes.

Accommodation options range from chic boutique hotels to chain hotels and simple rentals. During the 2018-19 ski season, lodging costs averaged about $70 per person per night, according to a report by HomeToGo.

For an Old World ski trip closer to home, the town of Mont-Tremblant is a charming choice. Mont Tremblant Ski Resort is just one of the many best affordable ski vacation destinations in North America.
Brandon Lewis has been named new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by Boris Johnson.

The appointment of the former Minister of State for Security and Deputy for EU Exit and No Deal Preparation comes after Julian Smith became the first casualty of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government reshuffle.

The MP was removed from the Northern Ireland Office.

Mr Smith said in a tweet that it had been "the biggest privilege" to serve the people of Northern Ireland and that he was "extremely grateful" to Boris Johnson for giving him the opportunity to serve "this amazing part of our country".

"The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible," he said on Twitter. "Thank you so much," he posted.

Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to @BorisJohnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much.  Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) February 13, 2020

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar commented on the MP's departure and thanked him for helping to "restore powersharing in Stormont" and secure an agreement to avoid a hard border.

"In 8 months as Secretary of State, Julian you helped to restore powersharing in Stormont, secured an agreement with us to avoid a hard border, plus marriage equality. You are one of Britains finest politicians of our time. Thank you," he posted.
The last time the FBI's five lead investigators in the Watergate Hotel break-in case were together was when President Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in 1974.

Nearly 50 years later, the now silver-haired special agents gathered Wednesday night at The Citadel to reflect on the case that made their careers.

Decades have passed, but history seemingly tends to repeat itself.

John Minderman was the weekend on-call case agent on the day of the Watergate Hotel break-in during the early hours of June 17, 1972.

He would help investigate and connect the crime to Nixon and his White House.

Minderman said the current headlines seem all too familiar as comparisons between the Donald Trump presidency and the Nixon era have been scrutinized by media outlets across the country.

"I see striking parallels between what we were forced to go through and what's happening today," Minderman told The Post and Courier.

"Watergate was a political perversion. It was a criminal act; it was a felony. It was perpetrated to some extent by foreign nationals. There was the CIA and FBI investigating this and information was being leaked to the press," he said.

Some of the men are aware of the historical parallels between 1972 and 2020. Claims of a politicized FBI. Presidents facing impeachment. Evidence of election tampering and party hacking. And world tensions, including, just like then and now, places in the Middle East.

While many of the investigators shied away from comparisons from current events, they didn't pull any punches when reflecting on the Watergate break-in, which started when several burglars were arrested at the Democratic National Committee office located in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.

That led to a two-year investigation that was reported to the public in real time largely by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The duo won a Pulitzer Prize for connecting Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President (known as CREEP) to the break-in, which ultimately led to the Republican's resignation in 1974.

This was made possible by an informant the Post reporters dubbed "Deep Throat," who was revealed in 2005 to be Mark Felt, the former associate director of the FBI.

The agents this week didn't speak kindly of Felt or the Post's reporting.

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"He didn't save the Republic. It was the hard-working agents on the ground that solved this," said former FBI investigator Paul Magallanes.

"Felt was an outlaw. He breached his oath by leaking," Magallanes said. "He wasn't a hero. He was a bum."

Magallanes was instrumental in the Watergate investigation.

Minderman said Magallanes developed sources in the D.C. area who were Cuban nationals. Because Magallanes spoke Spanish, he gained their trust and ultimately established the money connection between CREEP and the Watergate burglary.

Angelo Lano, the lead investigator assigned to Watergate, told The Post and Courier that Woodward and Bernstein's reporting was causing headaches. People the FBI were interviewing discretely were worried they'd be outed in The Washington Post.

Ultimately, Lano felt like the reporters were taking credit for the FBI's hard work.

"It was upsetting that the results of our investigation were being publicized," Lano said. "It's distracting. It takes the emphasis out of the people conducting the investigation."

In total, 69 government officials were charged in connection to the scandal, and 48 of them were found guilty.

H.R. Haldeman and John Erlichman, both White House staff members, resigned and were subsequently jailed. John Dean, White House legal counsel; John Mitchell, attorney general and chairman of CREEP; Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, ex-White House staff; and Charles Colson, special counsel to the president, also served jail time.

On Aug. 9, 1974, Nixon resigned the presidency from the Oval Office saying "because of the Watergate matter I might not have the support of the Congress that I would consider necessary to back the very difficult decisions and carry out the duties of this office in the way the interests of the Nation would require."

The five investigators have only kept in touch through email, occasional visits and phone calls. But this gathering in Charleston was the first time they were able to get the whole group back together.

Lano said they told jokes, exchanged funny stories about the investigation and reminisced on how tough it was.

"During the Watergate investigation, it was very hectic," Magallanes said. "But we had Angelo as a maestro, and we were his instruments. He directed us and we, together performed a beautiful symphony."
Key Companies Covered in the Biomarkers Market Research Report are Abbott, R&D System, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., R&D System, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Axon Medchem, Bio-Rad, Laboratories, Inc., BioVision Inc., Sino Biological Inc., CENTOGENE N.V. and others

PUNE, India, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Biomarkers Market is set to gain traction from their increasing usage in a wide variety of applications, namely, drug discovery and development, safety assessment, and medicine. Besides, numerous biotech and pharmaceutical companies are persistently investing huge sums in the research and development activities. The increasing prevalence of cancer is also one of the crucial factors that would affect the market positively during the forecast period.

The above information is given by Fortune Business Insights in a recent study, titled, "Biomarkers Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Indication (Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology, and Others), By End User (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Diagnostics & Research Laboratories, Hospitals & Specialty Clinics, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026." The study further mentions that the biomarker market size was USD 39.10 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 97.51 billion by 2026, thereby exhibiting a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period.

For more information in the analysis of this report, visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/biomarkers-market-102173

Highlights of the Report

In-depth information about the Biomarkers Market trends, growth opportunities, challenges, drivers, and barriers.

List of all the segments and niche regions present in the market.

Extensive analysis of the competitive landscape, including new contracts, agreements, mergers and acquisitions, innovative product launches, collaborations, and investments.

Details about the strategies used by prominent companies to enhance their businesses.

Drivers -

Increasing Demand for Personalized Medicine to Accelerate Growth

Biomarkers are increasingly used in disease diagnostics. They also play an important role in development of personalized medicine for several disease conditions. Disease diagnosis and treatment procedures possess certain limitations and because of this, the concept of personalized medicine is becoming popular nowadays. Patients suffering from immunological disorders and cancer are rapidly inclining towards customized treatment options based on their genetic and clinical features. It would propel the Biomarkers Market growth during the forecast period.

Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/biomarkers-market-102173

Segment -

Oncology Segment to Grow Steadily Backed by Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

In terms of indication, the market is grouped into oncology, cardiology, neurology and others. Out of these, the oncology segment dominated the market in 2018. This growth is attributable to the increasing cases of cancer. Growing demand for personalized medicine in diagnosis and treatment of cancer, along with increasing number of new biomarker based assays and tests being introduced by market players, is propelling the growth of oncology segment. Rising prevalence of neurological disorders and increasing investment by key market players in the development of neurology biomarkers are is one of the major factor anticipated to drive the growth of the segment at faster rate.

Regional Analysis -

Rising Investment by Key Players to Favor Growth in North America

The market is geographically fragmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Europe. Out of these regions, in 2018, North America held USD 14.80 billion Biomarkers Market revenue and is expected to grow by showcasing a high CAGR in the coming years. This is likely to occur because of the rising investments by several industry giants in the development of biomarkers. The region will be followed by Europe.

Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is anticipated to grow with a higher CAGR owing to the increasing demand for disease diagnosis because of the rising incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer. As per the Ministry of Health, approximately 203 million people are living with cardiovascular diseases in China at present. It is set to upsurge by 73.0% in 2030. It would in turn, drive the growth of the market in this region.

Competitive Landscape-

DiamiR Receives Award from ADDF; Roche Bags FDA Approval for Biomarker Assay

The market consists of several big, medium, and small enterprises that are aiming to gain more Biomarkers Market share by developing state-of-the-art products and gaining fast track approvals. Various companies are also striving to receive funds from renowned agencies for the creation of new biomarkers. Below are two of the key industry developments:

November 2019 : DiamiR, a provider of unique blood-based diagnostic tests, declared that it received an award worth USD 492,000 from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). It would help the company in supporting a project called 'Circulating brain-enriched microRNAs as peripheral biomarkers of neurodegeneration.'

: DiamiR, a provider of unique blood-based diagnostic tests, declared that it received an award worth from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). It would help the company in supporting a project called 'Circulating brain-enriched microRNAs as peripheral biomarkers of neurodegeneration.' May 2017 : F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, a multinational healthcare company, based in Basel , announced that it has bagged the U.S. FDA approval for biomarker assay. It will be used to deliver PD-L1 status for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).

Fortune Business Insights profiles some of the most reputed organizations present in the Biomarkers Market. They are as follows:

Abbott

R&D System

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

R&D System

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Axon Medchem

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

BioVision Inc.

Sino Biological Inc.

CENTOGENE N.V.

Other key market players

Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/biomarkers-market-102173



Detailed Table of Content:

1.Introduction

1.1. Research Scope

1.2. Market Segmentation

1.3. Research Methodology

1.4. Definitions and Assumptions

2.Executive Summary

3.Market Dynamics

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

4.Key Insights

4.1. New Product Launches, by Key Market Players

4.2. Prevalence by Disease Indication, By Key Countries/ Region, 2018

4.3. Incidence of Cancer, By Key Countries/ Key Region,2018

4.4. Key industry Developments - Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships

4.5. Overview of Biomarkers In Personalized Medicine

5.Global Biomarkers Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026

5.1. Key Findings / Summary

5.2.Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Indication

5.2.1. Oncology

5.2.2. Cardiology

5.2.3. Neurology

5.2.4. Others

5.3.Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End User

5.3.1. Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

5.3.2. Diagnostics & Research Laboratories

5.3.3. Hospitals & Specialty Clinics

5.3.4. Others

5.4.Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Region

5.4.1.North America

5.4.2.Europe

5.4.3.Asia Pacific

5.4.4.Latin America

5.4.5.Middle East & Africa

TOC Continued.!



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WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump congratulated Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday for intervening to lower the Justice Departments sentencing recommendation for the presidents longtime friend Roger Stone, calling his prosecution a disgrace for which he deserves an apology.

In sharply worded tweets and comments to reporters, Trump dismissed criticism that the Justice Department was abandoning its traditional independence by responding to his unhappiness with the recommendation that Stone serve up to nine years in prison for obstructing a congressional inquiry.

Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought, Trump tweeted. He compared the Stone case to the Russia investigation led by Robert Mueller, the special counsel.

Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress! Trump said, though he did not explain the accusation against Mueller, a former FBI director.

Trumps comments came less than 24 hours after four career prosecutors withdrew from the Stone case after senior officials at the department overruled the seven- to nine-year term they had recommended Stone receive. One of the prosecutors also resigned from the Justice Department.

The reaction by the prosecutors and the presidents subsequent comments roiled Washington for a second day as Democratic lawmakers, former law enforcement officials and ethics watchdog groups accused Trump of abusing the power of his office to influence the Justice Department in a continuing criminal case.

Eric H. Holder Jr., who served as attorney general under President Barack Obama, called the situation unprecedented. Walter M. Shaub Jr., former director of the Office of Government Ethics, likened Tuesdays actions by Trump and the Justice Department to those in countries with authoritarian regimes.

Stone was convicted in November of obstructing the House Intelligence Committees examination of Russian interference in the 2016 election by lying to investigators under oath and trying to block the testimony of a witness who would have exposed his lies.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump denied that his tweet about Barr was political and called the prosecution of Stone a disgrace.

Asked whether he would pardon Stone, the president said, I dont want to say that yet, but I tell you what: People were hurt viciously and badly by these corrupt people.

Read more about:
urdish fighters ripped open rabbits and snakes with their teeth as part of a graduation ceremony.

The recruits crawled through freezing cold mud, ripped apart animals with their teeth and smashed blocks with their boots as they finished their training.

Known as the Peshmerga , the Kurdish army were instrumental in defeating ISIS .

Initially they were taken by surprise when the Islamic State attacked Kurdistan, overrunning their positions.

However, they held off the jihadis at the city of Kobane during a brutal four month siege.

Kurdish fighters were a key element of the Syrian Democratic Forces who captured the city of Manbij from ISIS in 2016.

In 2017 they liberated Raqqa, the Syrian capital of the Islamic State.

Women and men train and fight together

Iraqi Kurdistan is a semi-autonomous region of Iraq. Greater Kurdistan stretches across parts Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran and has never been recognised as a state.

After Donald Trump ordered the pull out of American forces in Syria, Kurdistan was invaded by Turkey.
Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, has said it would study the ruling of the Supreme Court judgment nullifying the election of the candidate the All Progressives Congress (APC), David Lyon, as the winner of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa.

On Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Mary Odili sacked Mr Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information before the commission.

The apex court, in the judgment delivered by Ejembi Eko, consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Messrs Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.

The judge also ordered that INEC should immediately declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread, the winner.

INEC

But an INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the commission would go back to its operations department and find out which political party came second in the polls as required by the courts, DailyTrust reported.

The Supreme Court has directed the commission to issue the Certificate of Return (CoR) to the political party that placed second in the Bayelsa governorship election and which also has the geographical spread in the election.

So, what the commission would do is to go back to its operations department and make a determination on which political party came second in the election and which political party got the geographical spread in the election, he said.

But the Chief Press Secretary to INEC, Rotimi Oyekanmi, told PREMIUM TIMES the commission had not been served with the judgment details.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has always complied with court judgments/orders. However, in the case of the Supreme Courts judgment on the Bayelsa governorship case, the commission is yet to be served with the judgment. No action can be taken until we are served, Mr Oyekanmi said.

Ruling

Following the judgment, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Diri Duoye, is expected to be inaugurated on Friday as governor of Bayelsa State.

Mr Duoye came second in the election with 143,172 votes to Mr Lyons 352,552 votes.

He won the election in two of Bayelsas eight local governments while Mr Lyon won in the remaining six.
The private equity owner of one of Europe's largest private education groups, Galileo Global Education, has put the business up for the sale in a deal worth about 2.5 billion euros ($2.72 billion), three sources told Reuters. U.S. buyout fund Providence has hired Goldman Sachs and Rothschild to find a new owner for the Paris-based firm which runs a network of 42 schools in ten countries, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. An auction process kicked off in early February with Providence targeting a wide range of potential bidders including family offices, ...
Tihar Jail authorities told a Delhi court Thursday that Pawan Gupta, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, has refused to take a lawyer offered by DLSA as legal aid.

Additional Session Judge Dharmender Rana had on Wednesday offered a counsel to Gupta and expressed displeasure over delay from his side.

Gupta said he has removed his earlier lawyer and will need time to engage a new one.

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) had provided Pawan's father with a list of its empanelled advocates to chose from.

Pawan is the only one among the four convicts who has not yet filed a curative petition -- the last legal remedy available to a person which is decided in-chamber. He also has the option of filing a mercy plea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ooredoo a communications company with a customer base of more than 100 million across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, has announced a new IoT initiative in Qatar: an industrial metering solution.

Using IoT will help Qatars organisations to understand which departments or sections are consuming the most water and energy and thereby pinpoint ways to start saving on their consumption costs.

An example offered by Ooredoo is of organisations with rented facilities or storage space, which are charging their tenants for the energy and water consumption. These organisations had, until recently, to take time-intensive and error-prone manual readings of sub-meters in facilities in order to collect usage data and charge the related costs to their tenants.

Qatars organisations can now automatically capture energy and water usage data, accessible from their central office  granular usage reports with breakdown by departments or building sections. This will help them understand and optimise energy and water consumption.

Organisations with rented space can automatically get updated readings from their sub-meters within facilities and easily generate cost reports to their tenants. The captured real-time data can also be used to detect critical events, such as water leakage, critical high consumption, or even power outages in sections.

Ooredoo Industrial Metering is an end-to-end cloud-based solution to automatically capture energy and water usage in facilities, and includes all components covering hardware, mobile Internet of Things connectivity, and applications and services.

The application, built on Ooredoos IoT Platform, provides a graphical dashboard with real-time analytics, granular reporting with historical data for benchmarking and alerts on critical events. The platform is hosted in Ooredoos Tier 3-certified Qatar Data Centre.
The following editorial was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

(TNS) The U.S. military marked its 18th year in Afghanistan last year and, in the process, set a depressing new record by dropping 7,423 bombs in the country, the highest number since U.S Air Forces Central Command began tracking the figures in 2006.

This number comes on the heels of the December publication of internal government documents by the Washington Post. These documents, which came from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, confirmed what millions of Americans already knew: The war in Afghanistan, costing more than $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars as well as the lives of thousands of U.S. soldiers, is a war without a mission. The upper echelons of the federal government dont know what purpose a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan serves.

So why, then, does the U.S. government continue to drop nearly 7,500 bombs on Afghanistan, killing hundreds of civilians each year? Who are the targets supposed to be? What purpose does the destruction serve? What is the objective?

Getting answers to such questions is practically impossible. Those responsible for U.S. policy in Afghanistan will not explain their decisions. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper refused to attend a congressional hearing on the war in Afghanistan last month. President Donald Trump has long said he wants to wind down the conflict, yet it persists.

The American people deserve to know why the war in Afghanistan continues, in spite of what is plainly obvious to most citizens, soldiers and veterans. This conflict has gone on unabated for nearly two decades. Children born just after the initial invasion are now old enough to fight the same battle. Who can justify the unjustifiable?

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., may have said it best: Our young men and women that we send to war, our best and our brightest, they deserve better. An explanation is the least we are owed.
Sudan to compensate families of US sailors killed in al-Qaeda attack on US warship 20 years ago, state media says.

Sudans transitional government has agreed to compensate the families of 17 United States Navy sailors killed in an al-Qaeda attack on the USS Cole warship in Yemen 20 years ago, state news agency SUNA said on Thursday.

The settlement is the latest among steps that Khartoum has taken to end Sudans international pariah status and get the African country removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The 17 sailors were killed, and dozens of others injured, in the attack on October 12, 2000, when two men in a small boat detonated explosives alongside the US Navy-guided missile destroyer as it was refuelling in the southern Yemeni port of Aden.

The SUNA report said the settlement had been signed on February 7, but did not mention the amount paid in compensation.

A source with knowledge of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters news agency that Sudan has agreed to settle the case for $30m.

But Sudans interim government spokesman, Faisal Saleh, told The Associated Press that the figure could not be disclosed because the Sudanese government is still in negotiations to reach a similar settlement with families of victims of the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

More than 200 people were killed in the attacks and more than 1,000 were wounded.

The initial figures on the table had been in the billions, Saleh said, but Sudans interim government had inherited an empty treasury.

We expect the United States and the world to understand and to be supportive instead of imposing more obstacles, Saleh said.

The families of the US sailors had sued Sudan under the 1976 Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which bars suits against foreign countries except those designated by the US as sponsors of terrorism, as Sudan has been designated since 1993.

In 2012, a federal judge issued a judgement of nearly $315m against Sudan. But in March last year, the US Supreme Court overturned that ruling on the grounds that Khartoum had not been properly notified of the lawsuit.

The announcement came two days after Khartoum and rebel groups agreed that all those wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and genocide in the Darfur region should appear before the tribunal.

The list includes Sudans longtime leader Omar al-Bashir, who was removed from power last year following a popular uprising.

For Sudan, being removed from the US terror list will end the countrys economic isolation and allow it to attract much-need loans from international financial institutions.
Bombardier exits commercial aviation, ending bold bet on promising jet FILE PHOTO: Bombardier sign is pictured at the static display of aircraft in Geneva

By Allison Lampert and David Ljunggren

MONTREAL/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Bombardier <BBDb.TO> exited commercial aviation on Thursday, selling a loss-making plane programme that ended its high-stakes gamble on a new jet that once drove it to the brink of bankruptcy.

The Canadian plane and train maker sold its minority stake in the A220 jet, formerly known as the CSeries, to Airbus SE <AIR.PA> for $600 million, and said it would take a $1.6 billion charge on the programme.

Bombardier once threatened to reshape global aviation with the first all-new narrow-body jet in 30 years, triggering a race by major rivals to develop their own new planes.

But the $6 billion programme was beset with delays and cost overruns. Bombardier, which required government bailouts in recent years as it struggled to fund the programme, finally sold a majority stake to Airbus in 2017 for one Canadian dollar, partly to avert a potentially devastating trade challenge from U.S. planemaker Boeing Co <BA.N>.

The latest deal gives Airbus a 75% stake in the A220 programme and the Canadian province of Quebec will own 25%. It also allows Bombardier to avoid future capital investments of about $700 million.

Quebec, which agreed to invest $1 billion in the programme in 2015, said it would not spend further on the venture.

Airbus will buy back Quebec's entire stake on Jan. 1, 2026, said provincial Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon.

"Yes, the aerospace sector has experienced some turbulence these past few years but I think this will soon be behind us," Fitzgibbon told reporters in Quebec City. "I think this step was essential for the firm to continue its activities."

The Canadian government, meanwhile, was confident that a C$372 million ($280.59 million) loan it gave Bombardier in 2017 will be repaid and Ottawa will not write it off, a government source said.

The source added it wasnt yet clear whether Bombardier or Airbus would be responsible for paying the rest of the loan.

Story continues

Bombardier has been shedding businesses to turn itself around. Chief Executive Alain Bellemare told analysts on Thursday that the "clean up over the past five years" would continue.

"We have options and we are going to continue looking at our options to see if there (are) ways that we can accelerate the deleveraging phase of the turnaround plan," he said on a conference call.

The company forecast a near-positive cash flow, a closely-watched metric, for 2020. Its cash flow was a negative $1.20 billion in 2019.

The company is weighing a possible sale of its remaining business jet or rail divisions.

Bombardier's shares were down 1% in afternoon trading after earlier dropping 9% on disappointment the company did not announce a deal to sell its rail unit to France's Alstom <ALSO.PA>.

Bombardier has faced higher rail costs due to a few challenging contracts and has $9.7 billion in outstanding bonds according to Refinitiv data.

The company sees 35-40 deliveries of its flagship Global 7500 business jet in 2020, which list for $73 million each.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and David Ljunggren in Ottawa. Additional reporting by Ankit Ajmera and Rachit Vats in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Coronavirus has now infected at least 219 people, including 15 crew members, and at least one quarantine officer.

With a total of 531 crew and seafarers, Filipinos make up half the staff of the Diamond Princess cruise ship that is quarantined in Japans Yokohama port because of the coronavirus, and as the illness spreads, they are becoming increasingly worried.

On Thursday, health authorities in Japan said 44 more people had been confirmed with the infection, bringing the total to at least 218 passengers and crew, as well as one quarantine officer.

Among those crew who are infected, at least 11 of them are Filipinos, according to the Philippine government, raising alarm among family members back home, as well as fellow crew members who continue to work under quarantine conditions.

The nationalities of at least four other sick crew members remained unknown as of Thursday.

While news reports are focused mostly on the 2,670 passengers of the ill-fated ship, its 1,100 crew members are on the front line, as they race against time to contain the spread of the virus inside the ship, keeping the vessel clean, while continuing to serve the passengers who have been confined mostly to their cabins.

In a social media post, Leigh Antonette Barruga from the Philippines said her brother, Paolo, is a crew member of Diamond Princess, and that her family is heavily distressed over the situation.

What we can ask right now is for prayers, and to ensure the safety of the crew members and hopefully, receive medical attention, she said.





In a separate post, Katherine Yu, Paolos fiancee, said the crew feel unsafe and helpless.

Their situation on the ship stresses them out and that could cause their immune system to weaken making them more vulnerable to the virus, Yu added. Were desperately seeking your help. Please let them go back to their families and loved ones. It would put our minds at ease if you would just kindly let them go back home.

Al Jazeera reached out to Paolo, as well as several other crew members, but they did not respond to requests for interviews.

According to his social media account, he started working for Princess Cruises, which operates Diamond Princess, in October 2018.

I want him to stay alive

The 115,000-tonne ship has been docked in the Japanese port city of Yokohama since February 6, after it was reported that an 80-year-old man, who had disembarked a few days before in Hong Kong, had tested positive for the virus. At least 10 people were initially infected before it spread to other passengers and crew.

In China, more than 1,300 people have died from the virus, with about 60,000 confirmed infections as of Wednesday.

Mary Grace Magsaysay, also from the Philippines, posted online that her husband, Elmer Magsaysay, was working as a chef on the quarantined ship.

Its getting worse, she wrote after reading news about more people inside the ship getting infected.

Another spouse of a Diamond Princess staff member said she was worried about her husbands situation because he is close to one of five Filipino crew members, who have tested positive for the virus.

In a separate message to Al Jazeera, the woman, who asked not to be identified, said she wanted the cruise ship company to allow her husband to leave the ship.

I dont care if he loses his job, the most important thing is that he will stay alive.

All the patients who have tested positive for the virus have been taken off the liner, and placed in quarantine in a Japanese hospital.

Please help us

Meanwhile, a Filipino crew member told the Philippine television channel, GMA, that they were being taken care of by the Japanese government and the cruise company.

The employee, who asked not to be identified, sent photos from inside the cruise ship showing Filipino crew members wearing surgical masks and gloves while delivering food to passengers. However, they were not wearing hazmat suits and other protective equipment, unlike the Japanese health officials who entered the ship to carry out the coronavirus tests.

In a brief statement, the Philippine embassy in Japan said it is currently working with both Philippine and Japanese Government agencies to provide assistance to all Filipinos onboard the cruise ship.

Another 39 coronavirus cases were reported on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Wednesday [Franck Robichon/EPA]

In its industry report for 2020, Cruise Lines International Association, the worlds largest cruise industry trade organisation, said the industry was responsible for 1.17 million jobs worldwide, generating $50.24bn in wages and salaries.

The Manila-based Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, which is responsible for recruiting Filipinos to the crew, assured those working on the Diamond Princess that the company remained in touch with the cruise operator to ensure their safety, in a video released online. It later switched the video to private, restricting public access.

There are also an estimated 160 Indian nationals working on board the Diamond Princess, and some have pleaded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rescue them from the ship.

In one of a series of videos posted online, Binay Kumar Sarkar was joined by five of his colleagues as they called on their government to allow them to leave the ship before they got infected with the virus.

Please save at least those of us who are healthy, he said.

Ship is the safest place for quarantine

But Dr Abdul Ghafur, an infectious disease specialist based in the Indian city of Chennai, said placing the passengers and crew under quarantine inside the ship was the safest way to contain the infection.

According to latest media reports, 218 passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship and one quarantine official have tested positive for the novel coronavirus [Franck Robichon/EPA]

Even if you bring them outside the ship for quarantine, still they will be enclosed in one building, he said.

As to the continued increase in the number of infections inside the ship, Ghafur said the virus may have already been incubating for several days, and that many of the patients were only now beginning to show symptoms.

Given the enclosed nature of the cruise ship, numerous cross-transmissions may have already happened before the first cases were confirmed, he said.

Those who remain in the ship for the 14-day quarantine are allowed to stroll outside their cabin but are required to wear surgical masks and maintain a six-foot (1.8 metres) distance from other passengers. However, families inside the ship were seen interacting with each other at close range without any protective gear.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president, said, the company was working with the Japanese government on additional enhancements, approving new procedures as we adapt our process to the unique challenges of this situation.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship reported 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew on board the ship before it was forced to dock in Yokohama on February 6 [Jiji Press via EPA]

In a separate video posted online, Swartz said emergency and public health protocols that are in place in their ships are world-class and have been developed with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The statement did not address what will happen to the crew members who have requested to leave the ship.

Another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, arrived in the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville early on Thursday, after being turned away by five countries over fears that the people on board might have been infected with the coronavirus.

Earlier this week, some 3,600 passengers and crew of the World Dream cruise ship were allowed to disembark in Hong Kong, after a similar scare. The ship was earlier turned away by Taiwan.

With additional reporting by Manar Al Adam in Kuala Lumpur
Donald Trump and John Kelly, the retired Marine general whom he fired as White House chief of staff, have finally gone to war.

"When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X's, he misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut," he wrote, making clear he demands and expects silence from aides whom he sometimes presses to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The president's tweet came after Mr Kelly on Wednesday night offered his most blunt and candid comments since being ousted about his former boss. Mr Kelly described Mr Trump as naive about North Korea and tried to distance himself from the president's hardline immigration policies.

Mr Kelly used an appearance at a New Jersey college to call the president's request that Ukraine's leader "do us a favour though" by investigating top Democrats after discussing an American military aid package "an illegal order" to the US national security apparatus.

More follows
In one of the pictures, Kamya can be seen flaunting her toned body in a bikini. Along with the picture, the 40-year-old actress wrote, My body is my canvas, each mark tells a story and reminds me how Im braver than what caused it, each dot which at some point I may have tried to hide as a silly conscious younger self and the ever-changing pounds on me depending on my love for my baby and my love for food! I m proud of and own my canvas and cant wait to fill it with the brushes of my desires in the years to come (sic)." (Image: Instagram)
After most major mobile and tech companies pulled out of the Mobile World Congress due to the looming threat of coronavirus, CODIV-19 has finally taken its toll on the biggest mobile trade show in the world as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Association announced that MWC 2020 will be cancelled with regard to the safety of the host country and of the coming delegates, February 12.

In a statement released by John Hoffman, GSM Association's CEO, he stated the threat of the novel corona virus transmission and outbreak have made it impossible to hold the event. MWC Barcelona was supposed to take place from February 24 to 27, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.

In addition, he further stated that GSMA's decision to have MWC 2020 cancelled stemmed from the concern for the safety of Barcelona and the host country, Spain. Also, due to the fact that the World Health organization has declared the CODIV-19 outbreak to be a global concern. Moreover, travel concerns and other circumstances concerning the spread of the virus also strengthened the decision to not go through with the event.

The GSMA also assured that the Host City and other parties concerned with the hosting of the event fully respect their decision and will continue working for the 2021 MWC which will still be in Barcelona. The CEO also expressed the association's sympathies to those that have been affected by the virus.

It can be recalled that major companies have previously pulled out of the MWC 2020 because of the corona virus scare. Companies like Sony, Amazon, LG, Nvidia, Intel, Vivo, Nokia and many more have cancelled their MWC appearances over nCoV fears. Cisco , BT amd HMD also followed and cancelled with the organizers.

Also read: Hong Kong Officials Investigate Possible Coronavirus Transmission Through Pipelines

Earlier this week, Sony posted a statement on their website that they withdrew their MWC 2020 appearance giving utmost concern and importance to the well being of their partners, employees, customers, and the media.

With the corona virus death toll rising to over 1,000 and cases having exceeded 42,000, WHO has declared the outbreak to be of global emergency. Although most of the cases and deaths have been reported in the outbreaks ground zero in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China there are already at least 25 countries which have reported CODIV-19 cases.

Before finally announcing the event's cancellation, the organizers have previously taken health measures to try and push through with the event. Before MWC 2020 got cancelled, GSMA increased disinfection measures in the venue, even made a new microphone changing protocol for speakers, has a "no handshake policy" and have released a ban on all visitors that were to come from Hubei Province, the outbreak's epicenter.

Despite the organizer's previous statements saying that the corona virus will not affect the conduct of the event, the increasing rate of infections and deaths has finally led GSMA to prioritize health concerns of everyone and have the world's biggest mobile trade event, MWC 2020 cancelled.

Related article: MWC 2020: Amazon, Sony and Other Major Companies pull-out due to Corona Virus Threat

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. and OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Airlite Plastics Co. announced today the unification of their EPS foam brand "Arctic Fox" into their recently acquired Cold Chain company KODIAKOOLER.

The combination of the Arctic Fox brand into KODIAKOOLER represents another step towards Airlite's ever-growing Cold Chain division. Arctic Fox has been the branded name for Airlite's EPS foam coolers and gel ice pack refrigerants manufactured by Airlite. The recent acquisition of KODIAKOOLER by Airlite presented an opportunity to merge all product lines under one name. The KODIAKOOLER brand will now represent a more extensive product offering including EPS foam, natural fiber, and reflective insulation, as well as refrigerants and other cold chain packaging products with distribution across the United States.

"We are very excited about the next phase of our Cold Chain division. Expanding the KODIAKOOLER product line to offer both our manufactured EPS foam along with reflective pouches and box liners, pallet covers, refrigerants, and KODIAKOTTON (our natural fiber, sustainable packaging product) will allow us to fully service any Cold Chain packaging application," says President and CEO of Airlite Plastics Co., Brad Crosby.

About KODIAKOOLER.

KODIAKOOLER is an insulated packaging company that has been providing temperature-sensitive solutions to large and small customers since 2005. Through innovations such as KODIAKOTTON sustainable natural fiber products and time-saving KWIKPACK technology, KODIAKOOLER stands as the industry leader in temperature-sensitive packaging. For more information, visit https://kodiakooler.com/

About Airlite Plastics Co.

Airlite Plastics Co. is a privately held, family-owned company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska for more than 73 years. Its product lines include containers and lids for food packaging, drink cups and lids, as well as polystyrene coolers, insulated concrete form (ICF) materials, a permeable paving system and other custom plastic products. For more information, please visit http://www.airliteplastics.com/

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12810305

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Airlite Plastics Co

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WELLINGTON COUNTY, ONT.A 14-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police has been suspended from duty after being charged with four criminal offences, including breach of trust.

The OPP has not shared any details of the circumstances that led to its investigation, which was launched earlier this month.

But the force says Sukhvinder Singh Toor was arrested on Wednesday by members of its professional standards bureau.

Hes been charged with breach of trust, attempting to obstruct justice, as well as intercepting and disclosing a private communication.

Police say Toor is a longtime member of the forces Wellington County detachment.

Hes due to appear in court next month.
Alaska Airlines and American Airlines on Thursday announced they would extend their partnership that allows their customers to book flights on each others' network and earn frequent-flyer miles to international flights, in a bid to chase high-spending technology giants' corporate travelers.

American said it plans to launch the first flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, near the headquarters of Amazon and Microsoft, to Bangalore, India, and another flight from Seattle to London Heathrow. American is planning to start the Bangalore service in October and the London flight in March 2021. The airline had ended its India service in 2012 when it stopped flying between Chicago and New Delhi.

The existing partnership between Seattle-based Alaska and American that applies to domestic flights was set to be scaled back at the end of the month when reciprocal mileage redemptions would have ended. The new agreement allows travelers to book as well as earn and burn miles on each other's flights and includes American's international service from Los Angeles to China, New Zealand and Australia, in addition to the upcoming international destinations from Seattle.

"The way our agreement had been structured ... it wasn't creating the kind of value that we wanted it to," said Brett Catlin, Alaska Airlines' head of network, schedule and alliances. "So we really wanted to reinvent it with this international tilt."

Catlin did not say how much revenue he expected the revamped partnership would add for each airline. Alaska is planning to join the One World alliance, which includes British Airways, Japan Airlines and Qantas.
VALPARAISO  It's almost like Police Chief Jeffrey Balon is afraid the council will change its mind after it approved his use of $15,000 from the Forfeiture and Seized Assets Fund for several new programs, including buying two electric bicycles and leasing a motorcycle.

Following the council's action at Monday's meeting, Balon said he planned to get the orders in for the three vehicles this week so he will have them ready for duty in May. The bicycles cost about $4,000 each to buy and equip while the motorcycle lease is for $4,500, including equipment. The vehicles are to be used as firsts for the city in pilot programs for each.

The two bicycles are needed because bike patrols are done in pairs. The difference is a standard bike limits the officers to downtown and the immediate proximity, while the electric ones have a range of 50 miles on a charge and can cruise at 30 mph. They will allow the officers to patrol all the way to the city limits.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  A visibly irked Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa appealed Thursday to the media to respect the policemen, following reports of PLtCol Jovie Espenido's inclusion in President Rodrigo Duterte's drug watchlist.

"Ang sinabi ko naman sainyo. Respect our [cops]. Nakiusap naman ako na wag na sana nating tingnan yung mga personalities," Gamboa told the media in a chance interview in the morning.

[Translation: I already told you. Respect our cops. I have already appealed that you should not look at our personalities.]

"And you know the intention. Here comes [that issue], I feel insulted with that. I will not answer," Gamboa said when pressed for further comments on Espenido's controversy.

Online news site Rappler reported that Espenido was included in the controversial list, just two years after leading deadly anti-narcotics operations against drug-linked politicians.

It was Espenido who was heading the Ozamis City Police at the time when he bared that the Parojinogs were the source of illegal drugs in the city. Then-mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. was among those killed in the operation.

Gamboa previously bared that PNP will verify the reported involvement of 357 policemen in Duterte's watchlist, including a brigadier general and a one-star rank official.

In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines on Tuesday, he even added that of this number, at least 15 police officers who were part of the list are now considering the early retirement option.

Meanwhile, Malacanang said it will be validating Espenido's inclusion in the drug list.
Mr. Barr was hardly the first top adviser to the president to wish he would stop tweeting, but he was the first to say it so publicly and forcefully while still in office. His action instantly set off speculation inside the administration about what it would mean for his future.

The attorney generals office had let the president know some of what he planned to say and is remaining in his job, a person familiar with the events said. But as with other issues, Mr. Trumps view may depend on how the news media, particularly Fox News, covers Mr. Barrs comments.

Some Fox personalities quickly drubbed Mr. Barr for crossing the president. I am so disappointed in Bill Barr, Lou Dobbs, one of Mr. Trumps favorite hosts, said on Fox Business, just a day after praising the attorney general for doing the Lords work by overruling the career prosecutors.

Republicans in Congress rushed to voice support for Mr. Barr, urging the president to heed his advice. If the attorney general says its getting in the way of doing his job, maybe the president should listen, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said in an interview on Fox News.

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who is close to the president, said in a statement that the attorney general was the right man at the right time to reform the department and stand up for the rule of law.

In the ABC interview, Mr. Barr declared his independence in what amounted to an explicit challenge for a president who prizes loyalty over almost anything.

The thing I have most responsibility for are the issues that are brought to me for decision, Mr. Barr said. And I will make those decisions based on what I think is the right thing to do, and Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody.
In a setback for Akali breakaway Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali), its leader Rattan Singh Ajnala and his son Amarpal Singh Bony rejoined the SAD on Thursday.

Former MP Ajnala, who was SAD (Taksali) senior vice president, and two-time former MLA Bony returned to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after a meeting with its chief Sukhbir Singh Badal at their residence in Amritsar district.

Badal told reporters that he was happy that the Ajnala family had returned to the SAD.

Later, Bony attended a SAD rally led by Badal at Rajasansi in the district. Bony had won two assembly elections as a SAD candidate.

Ajnala and Bony along with veteran leaders Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Sewa Singh Sekhwan were expelled from the SAD for "anti-party" activities in November 2018.

They later floated the SAD (Taksali) to take on Badal who they had accused of "deviating" from the 'panthic' agenda and causing "irreparable" damage to the SAD.

Addressing the rally, Bony alleged that the dissidents Akalis could never come together.

"They (the dissident Akalis) can never come together be it Taksalis, (Sukhdev Singh) Dhindsa Sahib and Ravi Inder Singh (SAD 1920). There are so many shops (in that group)," he alleged.

"Several conspiracies are going on there and some 'nakabposh' (people wearing masks) were trying to go with the Congress and even were approaching Rahul Gandhi for that, Bony alleged, saying that the "mother party will always remain the mother".

Referring to a December 14 event by rebel SAD leaders in Amritsar, Bony said he felt "hurt" over the felicitation of former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna, who, he said, was a Congressman.

The event was held on the foundation day of the SAD.

Ajnala's and Bony's rejoining the SAD comes at a time when expelled leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, his son Paramjit Singh Dhindsa along with SAD (Taksali) leaders are trying to stitch up a front against Sukhbir Badal to "liberate" the SAD from the Badal family and "revive its lost glory".

The Dhindsas had rebelled against the SAD leadership, especially its chief, and had also questioned the leadership over the "lack of democracy" within the party.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WhatsApp has amassed two billion users, up from 1.5 billion by the end of 2017, the company announced on Wednesday.

The mobile messaging app was founded in 2009 and acquired by Facebook in 2014. The deal was valued at $19 billion, the largest acquisition by the social media giant to date.

Despite its size, WhatsApp's growth remains robust: It has gained 500 million new customers over the past two years.

WhatsApp touts its end-to-end encryption technology, which ensures that all contents in chats are secured by default. Not even WhatsApp can read messages or listen to calls that take place among the participants of conversations, according to WhatsApp's blog posts.

But the encryption technology has drawn backlash across the world for security reasons. In India, where WhatsApp has more users than any domestic messaging apps, the government has called for regulations that give it access to encrypted data. In Australia and the United Kingdom, similar laws are also in discussion.

In October, US Attorney General William Barr asked Facebook to delay its plans to encrypt messages on its platform, citing that information relating to terrorism and sex trafficking can be spread across encrypted messaging apps.

WhatsApp strongly defends its encryption technology. 'We will not compromise on security because that would make people less safe,' according to WhatsApp's announcement on Wednesday. 'For even more protection, we work with top security experts, employ industry leading technology to stop misuse as well as provide controls and ways to report issues  without sacrificing privacy.'
All parties told to publicise details of candidates criminal records.

New Delhi: Expressing concern over the alarming increase in the number of candidates with criminal cases in the last four general elections, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that winnability cannot be the only criteria for fielding a candidate.

Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, heading a three-judge bench, said: We have also noted that political parties offer no explanation on why candidates with pending criminal cases are selected as candidates in the first place.

Directing all political parties to upload the details of their candidates criminal history on their websites, on the social media and in newspapers within 48 hours of thir selection or two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier, the court said: Political parties will have to specify reasons for selecting candidates having pending criminal cases against them on their website.

The details, the court said, must include the nature of the offences, and other particulars whether charges have been framed, the court before which proceedings are going on and the case number.

This information about the candidate, the court said, shall be published in one local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper; official social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook and Twitter.

The parties must submit the same details to the Election Commission within 72 hours, the court said. If political parties failed to give the details, or the Election Commission was unable to implement the directive, it would be considered contempt of court, the judges said.

In 2004, 24 per cent of MPs had criminal cases pending against them. In 2009, that figure went up to 30 per cent; in 2014 to 34 per cent, and in 2019 as

many as 43 per cent of MPs have criminal cases pending against them, the court noted.

While only 15 per cent of MPs in the 15th Lok Sabha had declared serious criminal charges against them, the number for the new Lok Sabha has reached 29 per cent, signifying a 106 per cent increase in the past 10 years.

The reasons for selecting a candidate, the court said, shall be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned, and not mere winnability at the polls.

The reason to select candidates should be based on merit and not winnability. Winnability cant be the only justification, the top court directed.

The verdict comes on contempt petitions filed by lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and others, drawing the courts attention towards the non-compliance of its directions on September 25, 2018.

The court noted that the contempt petition raises grave issues regarding the criminalisation of politics in India.

Exercising its powers under Articles 129 and 142 of the Constitution, the court mandated political parties to give reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases and why others without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

Speaking for the bench, that also comprised Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and M. Ramasubramanian, and referring to the documents placed before the court and submissions by lawyers, Justice Nariman said over the past four general elections, there was an alarming increase in the incidence of criminals in politics.

From 2004 onwards, the percentage of MPs facing non-serious criminal charges have been between 12 per cent to 15 per cent, with 14 per cent of MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha facing such charges.

However, a look at the percentage of MPs facing serious charges shows that the number goes up with every general election.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra (since retired) had directed political parties to publicise the criminal record of the candidates fielded by them so that people could make an informed choice while exercising their franchise.

While directing political parties to give wide publicity about the criminal antecedents of the candidate being fielded by them, by posting these on their website, through the print and electronic, media, the court had said the time has come for Parliament to to enact a law to cleanse the polluted stream of politics by prohibiting people with criminal antecedents in the political system.

Observing that the nation eagerly waits for such legislation to curb the entry of politicians with criminal antecedents, the court had said in 2018 the sooner the better, before it becomes fatal to democracy.

The time has come that Parliament must make a law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter the political stream, the court said in 2018.
We have an immigration problem in the United States. My grandparents came into the United States in the 1800s and met on the boat coming in from Germany; they married in Cleveland in 1895. Many people came from Italy, settling all over the country -- legally. When they stopped checking people coming into the United States, thats where the problems started. That should never have happened. Its not President Donald Trumps fault; it all fell on his shoulders, but hes trying to fix it.

Michael Bloomberg supports a pathway to citizenship for people illegally in United States -- this should have been done years ago. President Trump fought hard to secure our borders, which he did. Walls had to go up. People had to be documented. We cant let illegals in -- theres no room. Bloomberg only talks about health care and is only running to defeat Trump and now is teamed up with former President Barack Obama in ads. Obama couldnt do in eight years what Trump has done in three.

From Day One when Trump won, the witch hunt started and hasnt stopped. It hasnt bothered Trump. I hope he does get four more years. More power to him!

Carole R. Ullemeyer,

Fairview Park
As the Pentagon has reported more injuries to troops from the Iranian missile attack last month, lawmakers are paying more attention and, in some cases, seeking answers.

The Pentagon said Monday that 109 military members have now been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries from the Iranian missile attack in Iraq. The military didnt disclose any injuries until a week after the Jan. 8 attack and the number has steadily increased in recent weeks. On Jan. 30, the Pentagon had reported 64 were injured.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders claimed victory in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, lifting him to front runner status for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Close behind in second place was former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg followed by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar who surprised many with a strong third place showing, re-energizing her campaign. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more on the New Hampshire results from Washington. VOA Khmer's Chenda Hong narrates.
A British drink-driver had his right to privacy breached by police who kept his DNA profile for years after his crime, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.

Fergus Gaughran, of Newry, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in 2008, was disqualified for a year and fined 50.

But the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) kept his DNA, fingerprints and photograph despite his repeated requests to delete them.

A ruling today declared Mr Gaughran's data was retained without 'reference to the seriousness of his offence' and without evaluating the need to keep it indefinitely.

Judges in Strasbourg added that the PSNI's actions 'amounted to an interference' with his private life.

A British drink-driver had his right to privacy breached by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who kept his DNA profile for years after his crime, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled

Mr Gaughran had unsuccessfully challenged the PSNI's continued retention of his data at the High Court in Belfast in 2012, and again in 2015 at the Supreme Court in London.

His DNA sample was destroyed in 2015 at his request, but officers continued to retain on an indefinite basis the digital data extracted from his sample, his fingerprints and photograph.

Mr Gaughran unsuccessfully challenged the right of police to retain the information indefinitely at the UK's highest court in 2015, when justices ruled that the retention policy was 'proportionate'.

He lodged an application to the ECHR in October 2015, relying on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to respect for private and family life.

Police, DNA profiles and the law The police in the UK have a right to keep the DNA profile, including fingerprints and photographs, of anyone arrested of a recordable offence. Recordable offences broadly refer to any that could incur a prison sentence, but also include begging, illegal taxi driving and driving without insurance. DNA samples must be destroyed within six months of them being taken, unless they are required for a court case, so a DNA profile can be taken from them and added to the National DNA Database (NDNAD). If you are arrested but not charged, police can keep data for three years and an extra two years if permitted to do so by a district judge. You can apply for an 'early deletion' of your DNA profile before the end of the necessary retention period. But this is only possible if you were not convicted or handed a penalty notice for disorder (PND). Those convicted of a recordable offence could have their records kept indefinitely. Advertisement

In a judgment issued today, seven judges unanimously found that Mr Gaughran's right to privacy had been violated.

The ruling said: 'The Court found that the retention of the applicant's DNA profile, fingerprints and photograph amounted to an interference with his private life which had pursued the legitimate purpose of the detection, and therefore, prevention of crime.'

The Strasbourg-based court said it had examined whether an interference in the applicant's privacy rights had been justified.

But its ruling said: 'However, the applicant's biometric data and photographs had been retained without reference to the seriousness of his offence and without regard to any continuing need to retain that data indefinitely.'

The court found that the PSNI were only able to delete biometric data and photographs in 'exceptional circumstances', which meant Mr Gaughran could not request a review of the retention of his data.

It noted that the majority of member states in the Council of Europe put a time limit on retaining data, while the UK permits indefinite retention of DNA profiles.

The judgment said: 'The Court found that the nature of those powers failed to strike a fair balance between the competing public and private interests.

'The respondent State had therefore overstepped the acceptable margin of appreciation and the retention at issue constituted a disproportionate interference with the applicant's right to respect for private life, which could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society.

'There had accordingly been a violation of Article 8 of the Convention.'

As it was a Chamber judgment, both sides now have three months to ask for the case to be referred to the Grand Chamber of the ECHR for a final ruling.

If no such request is made, or a referral request is rejected by the court, the judgment becomes final.

It is then transferred to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, responsible for overseeing the implementation of the judgment by the UK, which is the member state in this case.

The UK will be required to present a plan of how they intend to implement the judgment to the Committee of Ministers.
Bharat Bandh on 27th September 2021: What is Open, What is Closed

BKU-Bhanu chief attacks Rakesh Tikait on Bharat Bandh: 'They want to follow Taliban'

Bharat Bandh was peaceful; no untoward incident reported from anywhere: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

Bhim Army chief calls for Bharat Bandh on Feb 23 against SC ruling on reservation

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 13: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad has called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 23 against a Supreme Court ruling that states were not bound to provide reservation in jobs and promotions.

He urged MPs and MLAs belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes to build pressure on the government to bring an ordinance to nullify the ruling.

Karnataka bandh tomorrow: What is open, what is closed

Azad said his outfit will hold a march from Mandi House to Parliament on February 16 to press for its demands.

Several political parties, including some NDA allies, have cornered the government on the Supreme Court ruling that said state governments were not bound to provide reservations in jobs and promotions.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

On Monday, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the SC/ST Amendment Act, 2018, and said a court could grant anticipatory bail only in cases where a prima facie case is not made.

A bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that initial inquiry is not essential before lodging an FIR under the act and the approval of senior police officials is not needed.

Other member of the bench, Justice Ravindra Bhat said that every citizen needs to treat their fellow citizens neutrally and uphold the concept of fraternity.

The Supreme Court's verdict came on a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PIL) challenging the validity of the SC/ST Amendment Act of 2018, which was brought to annul the effect of the court's 2018 ruling, which had weakened the provisions of the stringent Act.
A team of mechanical engineers at Binghamton University, State University of New York investigating a revolutionary kind of micro-switch has found another application for its ongoing research.

After finding a new type of MEMS (microelectromechanical system) that allows better control, the researchers have used that knowledge to build an air-pressure sensor that could improve many everyday devices.

"This is the same mechanism as devices we've designed in the past, but it's a different application," said principal investigator Shahrzad "Sherry" Towfighian, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Binghamton's Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science.

"The heart of the sensor still consists of four electrodes, and conventional sensors have two electrodes," said Towfighian. "That allows us to better tune the properties of the system."

The study was funded through a $480,958 grant from the National Science Foundation. Binghamton University PhD student Mark Pallay conducted much of the research under the supervision of Towfighian and her co-principal investigator, Distinguished Professor Ronald N. Miles of the Mechanical Engineering Department. Pallay has since graduated and started working at Seagate Technology as a research and development engineer.

One advantage of this MEMS -- a microscopic device with moving parts that is produced in the same way as electronics -- is its self-contained design. There's no need for a computer to analyze the readings, making the response time faster and more reliable.

"It not only senses the pressure but also triggers a switch," Towfighian said. "Usually a sensor needs to sense the pressure, process it through software to decide if the right conditions have been met and then trigger the switch. This one is a compact pressure sensor and switch, so by sending the voltage to one of the electrodes, you can make it work at different pressures."

As with all the MEMS switches that the Binghamton University team has designed so far, this new offering can have a multitude of uses, such as measuring barometric pressure, monitoring oxygen for premature babies at hospitals or detecting tire pressure in vehicles.

"Sometimes it's critical to detect the pressure threshold," Towfighian said. "For example, you're in an airplane and you want the air masks to come down if the air pressure drops below a certain amount. It's very easy to set the bias voltage to trigger automatically."

She added that the way the switch is built with four electrodes also means a longer lifespan: "Often there is a problem with the current devices that they have a limited lifespan because of having two electrodes, but having two other electrodes enables us to make it more durable and increase the life of the device."
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Skinvisible, Inc. ("Skinvisible") (OTCQB:SKVI), is pleased to announce that it has signed a Licensing Agreement with Ovation Science Inc. for the exclusive worldwide rights to its DermSafe hand sanitizer made with chlorhexidine gluconate.

Skinvisible has signed this License Agreement with Ovation Science subject to the terms of the Agreement which includes three years of exclusivity for an on-going royalty and the option to pay a license fee after the first term. Skinvisible previously signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Ovation Science for the use of its Invisicare polymers for cannabis, hemp and hemp seed oil products. This new license agreement for DermSafe represents an additional agreement with its own terms and conditions.

"This is a great opportunity to have our DermSafe hand sanitizer made available through Ovation, specifically initially for China as this is a viable option for Skinvisible to generate immediate royalty revenue," said Terry Howlett, President and CEO, Skinvisible. "We look forward to having Ovation expand its distribution and seek opportunities in the global market."

About Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals is a research and development company that licenses its proprietary formulations made with Invisicare, its patented polymer delivery system that offers life-cycle management and unique enhancements for topically delivered products. Invisicare holds active ingredients on the skin for extended periods of time, allowing for the controlled release of actives. www.skinvisible.com

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains 'forward looking' statements within the meaning of Section 21A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby including with respect to the possible development of any such products, the acceptance of any such products in the market place, the size of any such markets, the ability of any product candidates to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration among others. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties associated with an emerging company. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors discussed in Skinvisible, Inc. reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including, but not limited to, a report on Form 10Q for the period ending September 30, 2018). The Merger Agreement has been signed however the closing conditions need to be satisfied for the proposed Merger to close.

Contact:

Doreen McMorran

info@skinvisible.com

PH: 702-433-7154

SOURCE: Skinvisible Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576426/Skinvisible-Announces-License-Agreement
Mary (sympathetically played by Javakishvili) is but one of several underwritten characters whose stereotyped function  in her case, as the hesitant but ultimately supportive female friend  cries out for at least a bit more development. David too is a cliche throughout most of the film, his gift for screwing up rather loosely drawn, but then almost at the end, Akin includes a scene between the two brothers of rare emotional depth that highlights even further the dissonance between the expertly conceived moments and their weaker counterparts. The director, born in Sweden to Georgian parents, has stated that he developed his story following numerous interviews with gay Georgians, and while theres no arguing the truth of the situations, the script needs sharper writing to translate commonalities into a fresher, more trenchant storyline.
The oil industry in South Sudan has left a landscape pocked with hundreds of open waste pits, the water and soil contaminated with toxic chemicals and heavy metals including mercury, manganese, and arsenic, according to four environmental reports obtained by The Associated Press.

The reports also contain accounts of alarming birth defects, miscarriages and other health problems among residents of the region and soldiers who have been stationed there.

Residents describe women unable to get pregnant and having excessive numbers of miscarriages, and babies born with severe birth defects.

Abui Mou Kueth's infant son, Ping, was born with six fingers on both hands, one stunted leg, a deformed foot and kidney swelling.

"I was shocked the first time I saw the baby," she said, cradling him in her arms.

She said he was not able to breastfeed and needed special formula. I am worried about his future.

The AP obtained the reports and supporting documents from people with close knowledge of the oil operations, one of whom works in the industry. The reports have never been released publicly.

The reports, which date as far back as 2013, were presented to the oil companies and South Sudan's ministry of petroleum but subsequently buried, according to four people with close knowledge of the oil operations and the documents. All spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of their safety.

South Sudan is running one of the dirtiest and poorest managed oil operations on the planet," said Egbert Wesselink, the former head of a European coalition of more than 50 non-profit organizations focused on the impacts of the country's oil sector. He worked on the oil fields in South Sudan before the country gained independence in 2011, and now works with PAX, a Dutch-based human rights organisation.

"I don't think there's a single major industrial operation on earth that's getting away with this, he said.

There's been no clear link established between the pollution and the health problems.

But community leaders and lawmakers in the oil-rich areas in Upper Nile and Unity states -- in the northeast and north of the country bordering Ethiopia and Sudan -- accuse South Sudan's government and the two main oil consortiums, the Chinese-led Dar Petroleum Operating Co. and the Greater Pioneer Operating Co., of neglecting the issue and trying to silence those who have tried to expose the problem.

An AP reporter looking into the pollution and health issues was detained and questioned by government officials and government security forces working on behalf of the oil companies.

Neither company responded to multiple requests for comment on the reports, and did not answer detailed questions sent by email and text message from the AP.

The reports show that the government and the oil companies have been aware for years that contamination from drilling could be causing severe health problems in the local population.

But little has been done, local residents say, to clean up the mess. Promises by the government and the oil companies to tackle the pollution have repeatedly been broken, they say.

People are dying of unknown diseases, said Simon Ngor, a pastor with a church in Melut, a small village in the oil-rich area of Upper Nile state. The oil company says they're working on it but I don't think they actually are.

The environmental and health problems are particularly damaging in South Sudan, a country that was only established nine years ago and shortly after was torn apart by civil war and famine. It's among the poorest nations in the world and depends on its oil industry to survive.

The oil-rich area around Paloch, a city in Upper Nile state, is dotted with exposed pools of toxic water. A chemical junkyard in Gumry town, about 45 minutes from Paloch, was strewn with overflowing containers of black sludge that seeped into the ground and were surrounded by toxic waste when an AP reporter visited in September 2018.

The air inside the yard, which was unsecured and easy to enter, smelled overwhelmingly of chemicals. Rows of stacked shipping containers lined the inner perimeter of the yard, some were left open exposing bags of what appeared to be chemicals. Many containers had labels stipulating there were hazardous toxins inside. Trash was heaped in various corners of the plot.

The junkyard caught fire in May and has yet to be cleaned up, according to a resident who visited in September and spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of their safety.

The AP interviewed more than two dozen people in Paloch and the surrounding areas, and residents reported alarming health problems that echoed those found in the buried reports: babies with birth defects, miscarriages and people dying of unexplained illnesses.

Dr. Bar Alony Wol, the county health department director, pulled out his phone in his small one-room office in Melut and pointed to a photo of a baby girl born in September 2018 with her intestines outside of her body. A few years ago, he said, he saw a baby born with no head.

"We're losing children," said Nyaweir Ayik Monyuak, chairman of the Women's Association in Melut. The 43-year-old lost two children of her own between 2008 and 2011.

She and a dozen other women were crowded on a tattered L-shaped sofa in a dimly lit shed that serves as a meeting place in Melut. One by one, the women took turns telling their harrowing stories.

Six had lost babies in the last 10 years. And all of them knew someone who had given birth to a child with deformities, had struggled to conceive or had miscarriages.

When some of the shyer women were hesitant to speak up, the more vocal ones encouraged them to share their experiences.

Ajok Ayel said she lost a child in 2010 and hasn't been able to get pregnant since.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 02:29:03|Editor: yan

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ROME, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Italian agricultural sector remains the largest in the European Union (EU), a new report from a leading Italian industry group said, but it trails France and Germany in terms of the overall value of agricultural production.

According to research from the General Italian Confederation of Agriculture, best known as Confagricoltura, there are 1.13 million people employed in the country's agricultural sector last year, making Italy the only country in the EU with more than 1 million agricultural sector workers -- a status it has held steady over the last decade.

But in terms of overall value produced by the agricultural sector, Italy ranks third, with agricultural production worth 56.6 billion euros (62.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019. The first two are France and Germany. It was the first time in four years that the value of Italy's agricultural sector production fell below that of Germany.

In comparison with Italy's 1.13 million agricultural sector workers, France has 741,000 such workers and Germany 473,000.

"There are many factors at play when it comes to Italy's rankings in terms of agricultural workers and the value of agricultural production, including the fact that 90 percent of Italy's agricultural sector workforce is made up of part-time workers," Roberto Caponi, head of the labor section for Confagricoltura, told Xinhua. "That is higher than in other major European countries. That helps inflate the total number of workers without necessarily adding to total production."

But Caponi said the sector suffers from other issues that keep Italy's agricultural sector from being more effective.

He mentioned the relatively small size of Italian farms -- statistics from the European data entity Eurostat show that just 4 percent of Italian farms include more than 50 hectares of land, compared to around 40 percent in France -- as well as a lower-than-average penetration for mechanization and the use of digital technologies. Because of taxes and other fees, labor costs in Italy are also higher than the European average, Caponi said.

Factors mentioned by other analysts include higher energy costs and less efficient transportation networks compared to those in other countries.

"The agricultural sector in Italy is very important, directly and indirectly counting for around 3 percent of the country's gross domestic product," Caponi said. "It should be a higher priority for the sector to modernize."

But according to Denis Pantini, head of the agro-industry division at the economic research consultancy Nomisma, there are some distortions that come from measuring the size of the agricultural sector based on jobs.

"Overall, Italy has less land under cultivation than France or Germany or even Spain," Pantini said in an interview.

"Italy gets a lot of benefits from high-end agricultural products like wine and olive oil that help tip the scales a little in the country's favor," Pantini said. "But that shouldn't hide the fact that long-term reforms are needed in order to incentivize more innovation and efficiency that will help make the sector more competitive."
Two police officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals task force were shot and wounded Wednesday in Northeast Baltimore while trying to arrest a former corrections officer sought in connection with an attempted murder in Pennsylvania.
While Sony was originally about to announce a few Xperia smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (that event was cancelled), we barely know anything about them. We expect a new flagship phone called the Xperia 5 Plus, a new midrange device, which could be the Xperia 9, with a Snapdragon 765 chipset and, possibly, the Xperia 1.1.

Well we've stumbled upon a couple of leaks pertaining to the situation. Before we go on, be mindful that all of this is unverifiable so consider it highly suspect information.

According to insider Zachbucks the Sony Xperia 1.1 could have the same camera setup as the Galaxy S20+, which is to say a 12MP f/1.8 main camera, a 64MP f/2.0 hybrid zoom camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide and a Time of Flight 3D depth sensor. The leak continues to claim that 2 or even 3 out of the 4 sensors could be made by Samsung and not Sony.

Finally the Xperia 1.1 could be able to capture 8K HDR video - mind you that's not the "plain" 8K video the Galaxy S20 phones can capture, but rather HDR 8K video. HDR video capture isn't all that common on phones, even in 4K resolution (the Xperia 1 can do it), which is what makes this rumor difficult to believe.

In related news a render has surfaced of what is allegedly the Xperia 9 midranger.

The render looks a bit ragged and could easily turn out to be nothing more than a fake. It shows a phone with a triple rear camera and a front with a tiny bottom bezel, nonexistent side bezels and a huge top bezel.

We don't know much about the rumored Xperia 9 save for the aforementioned Snapdragon 765 chipset. The name itself is quite questionable, although there is a gap between the Xperia 10 and 10 Plus and the Xperia 8.

Source | Via
- Dr. Bawumia has rebuked and questioned why anyone will oppose the NPP's flagship free SHS programme and the Double Track system

- According to the Veep, the Akufo-Addo-led administration will continue with the Double Track system, while they provide infrastructure to support the free SHS policy

- Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that government is providing over 1000 infrastructure projects across the country to make senior high school education more accessible to the children of Ghana.

This major investment in education is anchored on the firm conviction of the Akufo-Addo administration that the key to economic transformation is human capital, not natural resources, hence the need to equip Ghanas next generation with the requisite skills and knowledge to move the nations development agenda.

The Vice President shed more light on the Akufo-Addo administrations philosophy on education when he addressed participants at the two-day Government Townhall meeting and Results Fair in Kumasi, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

READ ALSO: NPP are better managers of the economy - BoG data reveals

The empirical evidence is very persuasive that the key to economic transformation is human capital, not natural resources. This is why President Akufo-Addo has placed an emphasis of making sure that every Ghanaian child, regardless of the financial circumstances of their parent will have access to free senior high school education.

This was a promise we made prior to the election in 2016 and one that we have fulfilled. It is the most significant social intervention introduced in Ghana since independence. We are investing and building capacity for the future of this country.

We had a big challenge however. We did not have sufficient infrastructure in most schools to accommodate the increased numbers (The free SHS has resulted in a 69% increase in enrollment). Today, 1.2 million children are benefiting from free SHS. The question we faced was Whose Child Should be left at home?

ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana

In response to this challenge we introduced the double track system as a temporary solution to the problem while we construct new school infrastructure. The thinking here is akin to how churches have first, second and even third services to deal with large numbers.

There are people who say that we should have finished building the schools before introducing free SHS but I would say that it is better to educate a child even under a tree than to have them sitting at home. With that same logic we would have had to finish building all the hospitals we need before introducing the NHIS!

READ ALSO: NDC's Deputy National Organizer and NPPs Maame Afia Akoto set to tie the knot

Vice President Bawumia defended the introduction of the double track system, insisting that without it, hundreds of thousands of students would not be able to access free SHS.

He opined that those who are criticizing the double track system have not been able to offer an alternative.

"Abolishing the double track system means abolishing free SHS as we know it. Whose child should stay at home?," he quizzed.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Dr. Bawumia, has announced that Ghana is moving to cashless society from March 2020.

He explained that a universal QR code will be launched by the Bank of Ghana to facilitate the new process.

My Unpleasant Memories as a Street Girl Drive Me to Do Charity - Stacy Amewoyi Reveals| #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: I am not responsible for unresolved murder cases in A/R - Minister fumes

Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
"The publicity that this has given us is going to help us do more in the areas that we are in. And so I want to be sure that something is not painting the wrong picture, because if it that hurts us, it's going to hurt these individuals in these areas," he said. "We need the country to get behind what we're doing."
POTTSTOWN  Borough council unanimously approved site plans Monday night for a proposed $208 million sustainable energy facility on Keystone Boulevard that is expected to generate more than 100 jobs. Now called the Pottstown Sustainable Energy Park, or PSEP, the project is being proposed for 11 acres at 405 Keystone Blvd. The company uses a new process called "gasification" to...
California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis is endorsing Pete Buttigieg for president, giving him the backing of the second-highest statewide elected official.

What I see in Pete Buttigieg is someone who is young, who is smart, who is a veteran who has served overseas representing our country, Kounalakis told The Chronicles Its All Political podcast Wednesday.

Buttigiegs only experience in elective office was his two-term stint as mayor of South Bend, Ind., a city smaller than Antioch. Kounalakis, however, said that was no small accomplishment  she said Buttigieg had led a small but feisty city into better things.

She said Buttigiegs experience as a naval intelligence officer shows that he knows and understands what American power is and what it needs to be again.

Kounalakis said she was looking for a viable candidate after her first choice, California Sen. Kamala Harris, dropped out in December. She said she saw that in Buttigieg when he emerged from the first two contests, in Iowa and New Hampshire, atop the field with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Kounalakis conceded that she had struggled with her decision not to endorse one of the three women remaining in the race  Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

The ability to convince people on the ground that youre the right one  thats not a small thing, Kounalakis said. Frankly, that motivated me even more to get out there, because I think (Buttigiegs) success was minimized a little bit and marginalized.

Kounalakis will introduce Buttigieg at a town hall event Friday in Sacramento.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Girls consistently outperform boys on reading tests  and have done so for several decades around the world. Lack of motivation, a weak vocabulary, poor reading engagement and lack of role models have all been considered possible reasons for this disparity.

But results from recent global student assessments, known as PISA, suggests the global reading gap is closing. But in most cases, not for the reasons teachers, parents, researchers, or governments might have hoped for. Indeed, it seems gaps closed overall not because boys are necessarily doing massively better, but because the performance of girls has declined.

PISA is the OECDs Programme for International Student Assessment and it tests the reading, mathematics, and science literacy skills of 15-year-old students across a variety of OECD and partner countries. The latest PISA from 2018, which was the seventh since 2000, focused on reading and included about 80 countries. So far three rounds of PISA have focused on reading - 2000, 2009, and 2018  giving researchers almost 20 years of trends to analyse.

Read more: You could be putting your child off reading  here's how to change that

A concerning trend

Although girls continue to perform considerably better than boys, on average, there is evidence that the gender gap may be closing because girls are not performing as well as they used to. The PISA test is designed so that the average student has a score of 500 and two-thirds of participating students have a score between 400 and 600. Among the 29 OECD countries with available data, the average performance of boys was under this average (479 points in 2000, 476 in 2009 and 475 in 2018). By contrast, the average performance of girls was above the average: 511 in 2000, 515 in 2009 but 505 in 2018.

But these averages mask large differences in the learning trajectories of high achieving and low achieving boys and girls. The findings show, for example, that among low achievers, the performance of both boys and girls declined  girls declined by 21 points and boys 13 points. On the other hand, among high achievers the performance of both boys and girls improved, with especially large improvements within the boys group (12 points among boys and three points among girls).

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These patterns suggest greater polarisation between low and high achievers, with the lowest-achieving girls trending the most markedly in the wrong direction.

Why is this happening?

One possible reason for this difference stems from changes in how the tests were carried out  the test was paper-based until 2009 but was administered on computers in 2018. Some studies indicate that boys perform better in some of the skills involved in reading digital texts and may be motivated to perform well in tests that are delivered on computers.

Pexels

Trends over time in who reads for enjoyment and for how long do not appear to explain the evolution in reading achievement across different groups. Changes in the amount of time devoted to reading for enjoyment were not associated with changes in the performance of different groups of students.

Similarly, although many parents and teachers worry that internet use reduces the effort teenagers invest in schoolwork  and the amount of time students spent on the internet soared between 2009 and 2018  those groups who increased their internet use the most are not the ones with the steepest performance declines.

Differences across countries

Despite this, some countries have managed to close the gender reading gap. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Slovenia and Sweden all experienced improvements in boys reading performance while girls performance remained stable or improved (albeit less markedly than boys).

In the UK though, the picture is mixed. The gender reading gap was lower in the UK than the average performance gap across OECD countries  in the UK it was 20 points while the average across the OECD was 30 points. On average boys in the UK improved while girls remained stable. But boys did not improve enough to lead to a statistically significant narrowing of the gender reading gap.

Similarly, an analysis of which boys improved suggests that advancements in reading performance were concentrated among middle- and high-achieving boys. Though overall, the largest improvements were seen in high-achieving girls. This indicates how the lowest achievers  both boys and girls  remain at risk of academic failure.

The fact that these patterns are so similar across a range of countries suggests that a common set of cross-national issues are most likely responsible for the changes identified.

At the same time, the fact that some education systems bucked the general trend is a reminder that local circumstances, policy choices and the work of individual educators can make a real difference and promote the learning of both boys and girls. Its clear though that closing this reading achievement gap continues to be a pressing global challenge.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Louis Volante receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Francesca Borgonovi is currently on leave from the OECD, which is responsible for the development of the PISA study. She received funding from the British Academy through its Global Professorship programme. The views expressed are purely those of the authors and may not in any circumstance be regarded as stating an official position of the OECD or the British Academy.
Life expectancy in Australia's regional areas is one to two years lower than in cities. In remote areas it is up to seven years lower. And for Indigenous Australians, most of whom live outside of cities, this gap is even greater.

The Closing the Gap report released on Wednesday exposed the unrelenting national shame concerning the state of health of Indigenous Australians, whose children have twice the mortality rate of non-Indigenous children.

Why not for Australia's rural residents? A woman sits in her Brooklyn apartment in New York and has a telemedicine video conference with a physician. Credit:AP

But there is also the broader health gap in Australia, the city-rural divide. It effectively condemns those who live outside cities to an earlier death. And the Indigenous health gap, which is a part of that city-country divide, will not be closed unless we address the broader challenge.

There was another federal announcement on Wednesday  funding to train 100 rural doctors in obstetrics, emergency medicine and general practice. But when the problem is so substantial, this is not in itself a sustainable solution.
Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said hate speeches like 'goli maro' and 'India-Pakistan match' should not have been made by BJP leaders during the recent Delhi Assembly election campaign and that such remarks may have resulted in the party's defeat.

New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said hate speeches like 'goli maro' and 'India-Pakistan match' should not have been made by BJP leaders during the recent Delhi Assembly election campaign and that such remarks may have resulted in the party's defeat.

Shah, however, said the BJP does not fight elections just for victory or defeat but believes in expanding its ideology through polls.

"Statements like 'goli maro' and 'India-Pakistan match' should not have been made. Our party has distanced itself from such remarks," he told at a Times Now programme.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Times Now Summit: I will give time within 3 days to anyone who wants to discuss with me the issues related to the Citizenship Amendment Act https://t.co/n3fWCCYi7V  ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020

Replying to a question, Shah admitted that the BJP may have suffered because of the statements made by some party leaders in the Delhi polls.

The home minister said his assessment on Delhi elections went wrong but asserted that the result of the polls was not a mandate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Shah said anyone who wants to discuss issues related to CAA with him can seek time from his office. "(We) will give time within three days," he added.

He blamed the Congress for the Partition on basis of religion.

Strongly defending the CAA, which provides for Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the home minister said there is no such provision in the new law that will take away the citizenship of Muslims.

"We have never discriminated against anyone on the ground of religion. There is no provision in the CAA which says that citizenship of Muslims will be revoked. Don't just criticise CAA, but discuss it on the basis of merits. CAA is neither anti-Muslim nor anti-minority. I am ready to meet anyone, but discussions need to happen on merit. Unfortunately, nobody wants to come forward and discuss CAA," he said.

Shah also said that so far the government has not taken any decision on rolling out the NRC for the whole country and made it clear that those unwilling to show documents during the the National Population Register exercise were free to do so. He, however, said the NRC was a promise of the BJP in its election manifesto.

Asked about the ongoing agitations against the CAA, Shah said everyone has a right to peaceful protest but violence is not justified.

"We tolerate non-violent protests, but vandalism can't be tolerated. Silent protest is a democratic right," he said.

On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said everyone, including politicians, are free to visit the newly-created Union Territory whenever they want to and there is no restriction on anyone's movement.

Asked about the detention of three former chief ministers  Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti  he said it was a decision of the local administration to slap them with the Public Safety Act.

Omar Abdullah has approached the Supreme Court and let the judiciary take a decision on it, he said.
A 26-year-old woman has admitted going on a stabbing rampage at an IGA supermarket in which four people were wounded including a five-year-old girl.

Chloe May Geale, 26, went on the frenzied attack using scissors and a knife on August 29 2019 in the New South Wales town of Salamander Bay near Port Stephens.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assaulting police and reckless wounding at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

Ms Geale allegedly attacked a man in his car, before stabbing several people at an IGA gorcery store, and then turned the knife on the little girl - stabbing her in her head.

In September 2019 her lawyer said she would be willing to be under house arrest if given bail, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Chloe May Geale, 26, went on the frenzied attack using scissors and a knife in August 2019 in the New South Wales town of Salamander Bay near Port Stephens

She argued her client's mental health was vulnerable and that she was suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression and should be allowed to leave the house only for medical treatment.

Prosecutors, however, argued the case against Ms Geale had serious disturbing elements and she was a danger to the community.

Bail was denied.

Geale's guilty pleas led to the withdrawal of four counts of armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and affray.

She is to front court again next week.

Geale is accused of carrying out the attack at this grocery store in New South Wales




An official (R) distributes leaflets with instructions on preventing the new coronavirus in Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province. Photo by VnExpress/Tat Dinh.

Vinh Phuc Province has locked down Son Loi Commune in Binh Xuyen District, where seven people have contracted the new coronavirus.

The lockdown, to last 14 days starting on Thursday, is the latest effort by authorities in the northern province to contain the disease after a three-month-old girl tested positive for the virus (nCoV).

According to standing vice chairman Le Duy Thanh, the number of infection cases in Son Loi Commune has been increasing, prompting authorities to increase the number of disease control checkpoints there from five to eight.

Provincial authorities have also established mobile shops and provided food and free face masks to over 10,600 people.

"Vinh Phuc has the highest number of positive cases in the country but the disease has not spread to other areas and provinces," Thanh said.

"Everything is still under control. We are putting in every effort and believe we'll be able to contain it."

A control checkpoint for the new coronavirus disease in Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Nguyen.

The province on Wednesday passed a resolution on providing support for quarantined people and for those working at disease control checkpoints.

Those at quarantine and medical centers will receive a daily food allowance of VND60,000 ($2.3), while those quarantined at home will get VND40,000.

Health and other workers at disease control checkpoints meanwhile will receive VND200,000 on normal working days and VND400,000 on holidays.

Schools will remain closed until February 23.

Vinh Phuc has 10 of the 15 confirmed nCoV cases in Vietnam. The source of the infection was a group of eight workers who returned from China's Wuhan City, its epicenter, on January 17.

The province quarantined 311 people, of whom 104 have so far tested negative for the virus. Another 252 people are being monitored at home after they were found to have come into contact with patients but have shown no symptoms.

Authorities have established a field hospital with 300 beds at the College of Culture and Arts in Vinh Yen Town and a 200-bed facility at a military school in the same town.

Vietnam declared the nCoV outbreak an epidemic on February 1.

As of Thursday the global death toll had climbed to 1,369 and confirmed infections topped 60,000. Nearly 6,000 patients have recovered.
Geneva (AFP) - The UN health agency on Wednesday said it was extending its global emergency designation for the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo but said the sharp decline in cases was "extremely positive".

The recent outbreak was first identified in August 2018 and has since killed more than 2,300 people in eastern DR Congo -- an area where several militia groups are operating.

"As long as there is a single case of Ebola in an area as insecure and unstable as eastern DRC, the potential remains for a much larger epidemic," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva.

The WHO, however, said it was downgrading the national and regional risk of the disease from very high to high, while it kept the global risk at low.

Tedros also voiced hope that the emergency could be lifted within the next three months on the advice of the WHO's Emergency Committee of international experts.

The World Health Organization last July declared it a "public health emergency of international concern" -- a designation that gives the WHO greater powers to restrict travel and boost funding.

Tedros, who will be travelling to DRC on Thursday to meet President Felix Tshisekedi, on Tuesday said only three cases had been reported in the past week.

But for the epidemic to be declared over, there have to be no new cases reported for 42 days -- double the incubation period.

The health emergency designation last year came a few days after a patient was diagnosed with the virus in the provincial capital Goma -- the first case in a major urban hub.

More than a month before that, the WHO reported that the virus had spread to Uganda for the first time.

The Ebola virus is passed on by contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions or organs of an infected or recently deceased person.

The death rate is typically high, ranging up to 90 percent in some outbreaks, according to the WHO.

This is the second worst outbreak of the disease since 2014 when it killed about 11,000 people -- mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Story continues

Efforts to contain the current outbreak have been hindered by attacks on health workers and conflicts in the east.

The WHO said in November it had moved 49 staff out of the Beni region in eastern DRC because of the insecurity.

The Beni region, straddling the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has been repeatedly attacked by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, which activists say has massacred more than 300 people since October.
Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has announced an Idaho Falls woman was sentenced Monday for insurance fraud.

45-year-old Misty A. Adams pleaded guilty to felony insurance fraud in December.



Seventh District Court Judge Bruce Pickett sentenced Adams to a unified sentence of five years with two years fixed and three years indeterminate.



The court then suspended the sentence in favor of five years of felony probation.



Adams was ordered to serve 28 days in jail, complete 100 hours of community service and undergo psychological testing.



The judge also ordered Adams to pay a $500 fine, $1,865 in restitution to the Idaho Department of Insurance, $7,967 in restitution to Allstate Insurance, as well as court costs.



An investigation revealed Adams, as a licensed insurance producer, backdated an auto insurance policy for her sons vehicle after he was involved in an accident.

Once the policy was backdated, Adams then filed a claim on behalf of her son, who was uninsured at the time and not entitled to benefits.

Due to the false policy date, the insurance company paid the claim. It did not discover the fraudulent date until after payment was made.



Deputy Attorney General Jessica Cafferty in the Attorney Generals Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

The Idaho Department of Insurance investigated.



We thank Local 8 News for reprint permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:51:47|Editor: yan

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MANAMA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Investors around the world pay increasing attention to Bahrain as the country works hard to protect the flexibility of its economy against the risks of international oil price fluctuations.

The Bahrain Economic Development Board, which is tasked with attracting investments and promoting the investment environment in the kingdom, announced this week the attraction of 134 foreign companies with a total investment of 835 million U.S. dollars.

The investment was made in a number of sectors, including financial services, information and communication technology, as well as tourism, education, and healthcare.

Saudi Al-Haram Company specialized in clothing opened its first branch in 2018 in Bahrain. So far three branches have been opened, creating 150 jobs for Bahrainis.

"All procedures to launch our business in Bahrain were smooth and we didn't face any hinder," said Hassan Noor, CEO of the company.

The government support has also encouraged Surinda Mandhwani, a partner of the VFM Accounting & Bookkeeping, to open his business' second branch in Bahrain after the United Arab Emirates.

"We have chosen Bahrain for its being an old financial hub in the region," he told Xinhua.

Bahrain allows foreigners to be involved in almost all business activities and have 100 percent ownership. They can also start their businesses through SIJILAT, an electronic system that allows the registration and licensing of commercial establishments by linking all government organizations concerned.

Bahrain looks forward to attracting more investments this year through its continuing support for the non-oil sector to achieve economic diversity, as Minister of Financial and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa recently announced a 63-percent increase in the non-oil revenues last year.
TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peeks Social Ltd. (TSX.V: PEEK) (OTCQB: PKSLF) is pleased to announce that, an additional $310,000 of financing has been further arranged to the Companys January 13, 2020 announcement regarding a non-brokered private placement. Management and Insiders have subscribed for $300,000 of the total amount of this second $310,000 tranche.

$200,000 of the current tranche is being contributed by Chief Marketing Officer Rick Padulo and an additional $100,000 from Chief Executive Officer Mark Itwaru is being contributed on top of Mr. Itwarus previously announced $1,857,067 from January 13, 2020 for a total of $1,957,067.

In total, the Company issued an aggregate of 41,141,340 units at a price of $0.05 per units to Mark Itwaru, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company for gross proceeds of $1,957,067. The Company is relying upon available exemptions from Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions in connection with the subscription for securities by its CEO as the transactions constitute related party transactions.

Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant is exercisable to purchase one half of one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.075 per share for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance. The common shares and warrants will be subject to a four month hold period. The private placement is subject to the Company obtaining final acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange upon the filing of required materials in due course.

Following the closing, Mark Itwaru, Chief Executive Officer, together with Riavera Corporation (Riavera) beneficially owns or has control and direction over an aggregate of 186,756,517 common shares of the Company or 58.1% of the Issuers outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis. Mark Itwaru, the President and CEO of the Company, is the sole director and officer of Riavera (but does not beneficially own Riavera) and accordingly has control and direction over the common shares of the Company held by Riavera. The total holdings are comprised of: (a) Mark Itwarus beneficial holdings of 124,797,657 common shares, warrants to purchase 22,325,940 common shares at $0.10 per share, warrants to purchase 19,570,670 common shares at $0.075 per share, and options to purchase 350,000 common shares at $0.30 per share and options to purchase 150,000 common shares at $2.00 per share and options to purchase 14,492,800 at $0.05 per share; and (b) 61,958,860 common shares of the Company and options to purchase 300,000 common shares at a price of $1.12 held by Riavera (64.4% on a partially diluted basis, after giving effect to the conversion of all convertible securities held by the two parties). Neither the Company, nor to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, Mr. Itwaru, have knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally disclosed.

The private placement proceeds will be used for ongoing for general corporate purposes.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release.
The Central government would address all issues in its new National Textile Policy which is likely to be announced in a couple of months, Union Textile Secretary Ravi Capoor has said. This was announced on Wednesday during an interactive session with captains of the textile industry in the region. Capoor said the policy would ensure basic raw materials availability at international price and encourage scale-up of operation by developing 10 mega textile parks with over 1,000 acres of land closer to the ports, among others.

The new policy would address power cost, credit cost and its availability and expedite conclusion of the free trade agreements with EU, the UK and other countries to boost exports, a press release from the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), which organised the session, quoted Capoor as saying.

He exhorted the textile industry, especially in Tamil Nadu, to diversify into polyester segment to boost exports. The global textiles market of cotton and man-made fibre is in the ratio of 30:70 while it was the reverse in India.

Of the total textile exports, cotton textiles accounted 80 per cent due to the price advantage of the homegrown cotton, while it is only 20 per cent in the man-made fibre segments due to the expensive raw material.

Capoor asked Tirupur Knitwear Cluster to brand its garments and products under sustainable programme that might fetch a larger margin globally and the government would extend necessary support to promote the brand.

CITI chairman T Rajkumar said the government has identified the textile industry as the thrust area and in real terms Make in India facilities without any imports right from fibre to finished goods, ensures inclusive growth by providing jobs.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: The Coronavirus crisis in China is all set to disrupt the Free Medicine Scheme run by the Gehlot government in Rajasthan. Ten major companies who supply essential medicines to the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation under this much-lauded scheme have written a joint letter that the majority of raw materials for these medicines are imported from China. As the companies are now left with stocks for just 15 days, they should not be penalised in case there is any delay in their supplies, it said.

Nearly 80 % API ( raw material used to make medicine ) used for the manufacture of the free medicine are imported from China but with imports being cancelled due to the virus threat, the companies are now facing a tough situation.

Kailash Narayan Meena, Director (Procurement) remarks, "We are trying to ensure that the supply of Free Medicines to patients in Rajasthan is not affected and they get the medicines they need. For that we have issued directives to the suppliers. But given the special situation if they are unable to procure the raw materials and cant make any alternate arrangements, then we shall take further action keeping in mind the tender conditions on which they work.

Sources in the Medical Department have revealed that the crisis threatens not just Rajasthan but the drug and medicine suppliers across India. They warn that if the situation does not improve quickly, availability of a wide variety of medicines ranging from antibiotics and hormones to vitamins could be badly hit in the country. They also point out that the government may be forced to put an end to the export of medicines though India currently exports medicines worth Rs. 1.3 lakh crores annually.

Experts say that India imports 57 type of molecules from China and for 19 types of raw materials the country depends entirely on China. At present, India has sufficient stocks to last till April this year but there have been no imports from China for over a month. An Expert Committee of eight technical departments has submitted a primary report which says that if supplies from China are not resumed within a month, India could soon face a grave crisis.

We got very little supply of raw materials since China had holidays in January and after that this virus threat has led to the stoppage of any production there. As a result, the supply of Free Medicines has been badly affected in the past month. Even when production resumes, getting the stocks to India by sea route will take a minimum of 20 days,  revealed a senior official of the department.

:
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The Central government would address all issues in its new National which is likely to be announced in a couple of months, Union Textile Secretary Ravi Capoor has said.

This was announced on Wednesday during an interactive session with captains of the textile industry in the region.

Capoor said the policy would ensure basic raw materials availability at international price and encourage scale-up of operation by developing 10 mega textile parks with over 1,000 acres of land closer to the ports, among others.

The new policy would address power cost, credit cost and its availability and expedite conclusion of the free trade agreements with EU, the UK and other countries to boost exports, a press release from the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), which organised the session, quoted Capoor as saying.

He exhorted the textile industry, especially in Tamil Nadu, to diversify into polyester segment to boost exports.

The global textiles market of cotton and man-made fibre is in the ratio of 30:70 while it was the reverse in India.

Of the total textile exports, cotton textiles accounted 80 per cent due to the price advantage of the home- grown cotton, while it is only 20 per cent in the man-made fibre segments due to the expensive raw material.

Capoor asked Tirupur Knitwear Cluster to brand its garments and products under sustainable programme that might fetch a larger margin globally and the government would extend necessary support to promote the brand.

CITI chairman T Rajkumar said the government has identified the textile industry as the thrust area and in real terms Make in India facilities without any imports right from fibre to finished goods, ensures inclusive growth by providing jobs.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the family members of firemen who were killed while controlling a fire here, officials said on Thursday.

Three firemen were killed and six persons injured when a three-storey building collapsed in the Tallab Tillo area here when fire department personnel were trying to put out a blaze that broke out in it.

The firefighters were identified as Vimal Kumar Raina, Rattan Chand and Mohammad Aslam.

The Lt governor announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased firemen, an official spokesman said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mike Bloomberg has 300 paid staffers on the ground in California. Tom Steyer has 100. Bernie Sanders has 90.

Heres how unusual that is for a California primary campaign: Donald Trump had seven paid staffers in the state before the 2016 GOP primary. As in one more than six. He relied on 15,000 volunteers to win.

The best way for candidates to reach voters in the nations most populous state is still through TV and digital advertising. But theres a big change this year that reflects Californias sudden importance in choosing the Democratic nominee: Candidates are spending big money to employ staffers to boost support leading up to the March 3 primary.

That could mean trouble for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, even after her strong showing in Tuesdays New Hampshire primary. Her campaign says it is ramping up operations in California but has not said whether it has any staffers in the state. She has spent no money on TV ads here.

Instead, Klobuchar is trying to build a campaign plane as she flies west.

If you havent spent time building the (field) operation and dont have the money to compete on TV, its going to be very difficult to compete, said Democratic Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks of Oakland, who was the California field director for Barack Obamas 2008 run and state director for Hillary Clintons 2016 primary campaign.

Obama had only 20 paid staffers in California before the February 2008 Super Tuesday primary. But Wicks had begun preparing the previous June. Eventually, she and the campaign trained 50 volunteer field organizers who worked 20 to 40 hours a week and established 40 field offices across the state.

It was a full-on grassroots campaign, Wicks said.

Even that wasnt enough. Clinton won the California primary with 51% of the vote, to 43% for Obama.

Wicks had better luck in 2016 when she led the Clinton campaign in California. But she got a late start  just three months before the June primary  since the national campaigns leaders didnt think Clinton would be facing a challenger by the time the state voted. But Sanders proved resilient all the way through the primary season, and ultimately came within seven percentage points of beating Clinton in California.

The Clinton campaign had 30 staffers in California, but was able to tap into a large network of activists, including some Wicks had trained eight years earlier.

The beauty of California, even if you dont have a lot of time, is that we have a lot of volunteers across the state, a really highly trained activist base, who know how to do this, Wicks said.

Sanders has been organizing in California since May, particularly in predominantly Latino communities. The Vermont senators campaign opened some of its 20 offices in more remote inland areas, where folks havent been since the 1960s, State Director Rafael Navar said this week at a Sacramento Press Club event recorded for The Chronicles Its All Political podcast.

Bloombergs campaign has opened more than 20 offices in California since the billionaire former New York mayor entered the race in November, said State Director Chris Myers.

Other Democratic candidates have also been in the state for a while. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has nearly 50 paid staffers here, and former Vice President Joe Biden has 20.

Wicks said that trying to match other campaigns months of efforts now  a week after voting started in California and less than three weeks before election day  is a very short runway.

Thats the challenge facing Klobuchar, who spent the entire campaign polling in the single digits until this week and put all her efforts into making a strong early showing in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., who is now atop the Democratic field along with Sanders, faces a similar problem. He does have 15 paid staffers in California, but has yet to open a field office.

Still, Buttigieg has a footprint in California that Klobuchar lacks. Hes raised $12 million in California, far more than Klobuchars $2 million, and he just won the endorsement of the states second-ranking Democratic officeholder, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.

Klobuchar, meanwhile, is relying on a loose network of supporters like Lisa and Steve Schatz. The Atherton couple have hosted or attended three fundraisers for Klobuchar since May and will attend another Sunday in San Francisco.

She has a record of getting things done. Shes progressive but shes practical, Steve Schatz said.

Everyones on social media  people are hearing about her, Lisa Schatz said. I cant tell you how many people have contacted Steve (since the New Hampshire primary) and told him they want to make huge donations.

Klobuchar raised $2 million nationally after Fridays debate in New Hampshire and $2.5 million more after Tuesdays primary. But she had only about $5 million cash on hand on Dec. 31, the end of the last fundraising period.

That stash would be gone in days in California, which is just one of 14 states holding contests on March 3. One-third of the delegates needed for the nomination will be allocated that day.

Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle

A candidate needs to spend at least $2 million a week for a month to run statewide on TV, said Tim Clark, who ran Trumps 2016 campaign in California. Bloomberg has blanketed California with $33 million worth of TV ads, while Steyer, the other billionaire in the Democratic race, has spent nearly $16 million.

But its not enough to just air TV ads. Without a ground game, candidates will struggle  especially in a multicandidate race like the Democrats have, Clark said. If your voters dont see you on the ground, they may not show up because they dont sense you have momentum and support.

Maybe thats where Bloomberg has it right, Clark said. If he has 300 staffers on the ground, he understands the dynamic that you cant just buy it on the air. You have to show people that are willing to put their boots on the ground and say they are for you.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for a "lasting ceasefire" in war-torn Libya, where a fragile truce has been in place since January.

The text, drafted by Britain, was approved by 14 votes out of 15, with Russia abstaining.

It was subject to weeks of wrangling, reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country and to uphold a weapons embargo.

The resolution affirmed "the need for a lasting ceasefire in Libya at the earliest opportunity, without pre-conditions."



It also expressed "concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya."



Russia had pushed to replace the word "mercenaries" with "foreign terrorist fighters."Libya, Africa's most oil-rich nation, has been mired in chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Since April 2019, the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has fought back against an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar, who is supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

A ceasefire was agreed on January 12, but there are still near-daily clashes near Tripoli and arms continue to flow into the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Climate change aggravates global health problems, above all for people in Africa. The group "Climate change and Health in Sub-Saharan Africa" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) studies climate-induced damage to health in Burkina Faso and Kenya. Within this project, a team of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) develops a high-resolution forecast model for the spread of malaria. It strongly depends on temperature, precipitation volume, and humidity in the respective region.

"Malaria still is one of the most dangerous diseases in particular in tropical countries," says Professor Harald Kunstmann, expert for regional climate and hydrology at the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU) at KIT's Campus Alpine. According to the World Health Organization, 216 million cases of malaria and 445,000 malaria deaths were recorded in 2016 alone. In the respective regions, spreading of the disease via the anopheles mosquito strongly depends on temperature, precipitation volume, and humidity. The threshold values of these parameters play an important role for the spreading of the mosquito and the plasmodium pathogen. "Considering the increasing variations of temperature, precipitation, and humidity due to climate change, precise knowledge of the changes in these variables indicating the malaria risk is more important than ever," Kunstmann emphasizes.

Research of the KIT team focuses on the regions of Kisumu in Kenya and Nouna in Burkina Faso, in which detailed health and malaria data exist. Moreover, the meteorological measurement network is planned to be extended by another five weather stations. Based on the high-resolution climate data and the already existing health data, the scientists will develop a new computer system to model in very high detail the hydro-meteorological variables determining the spreading of malaria. In addition, the system will model the temporal and spatial propagation of the parasite. The simulation will also take into account findings on how changing of land use influences the spreading of malaria.

Within the next three years, the experts will develop and validate their computer model system chain on a small regional scale and quantify its uncertainties.

This work may give rise to an instrument to forecast the spread of malaria as a function of the local climate conditions in larger regions or even on a nation-wide scale." Harald Kunstmann, climate researcher and hydrologist

Climate change and health in sub-Saharan Africa

Apart from the increase in malaria, the DFG research group will also focus on malnutrition of children and the consequences of heat stress. Under the direction of the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, the group will start work on January 01, 2020 and will be funded with about EUR 5 million by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the next three years. Apart from KIT, the consortium members are, among others, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam-Rehbrucke, Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the Centre de Recherche en Sante de Nouna in Burkina Faso, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Kisumu.
Ethos is a nationally recognized, award-winning independent student publication. Our mission is to elevate the voices of marginalized people who are underrepresented in the media landscape, and to write in-depth, human-focused stories about the issues affecting them. We also strive to support our diverse student staff and to help them find future success.



Ethos produces a quarterly free print magazine full of well-reported and powerful feature stories, innovative photography, creative illustrations and eye-catching design. On our website, we also produce compelling written and multimedia stories.



Ethos is part of Emerald Media Group, a non-profit organization thats fully independent of the University of Oregon. Students maintain complete editorial control over Ethos, and work tirelessly to produce the magazine.



Since our inception as Korean Ducks Magazine in 2005, weve worked hard to share a multicultural spirit with our readership. We embrace diversity in our stories, in our student staff and in our readers. We want every part of the magazine to reflect the diversity of our world.
Life for passengers on board a cruise ship placed in quarantine because of the coronavirus has been described as a mixture of fear, surprising moments of levity and boredom.

The Diamond Princess is quarantined in a Japanese port with scores of cases of coronavirus, locking those inside away from the outside world.

But social media posts and interviews given by those on board suggest that at times there is an almost festive atmosphere, with tales of locals on jet skis buzzing past the ship, shouting greetings.

However, other days are filled with concern and sadness when new cases of the deadly illness are confirmed.

One passenger who became ill described the initial terror of being whisked to a hospital while covered in protective plastic, but also of the surprisingly mild symptoms.

The Diamond Princess is anchored as emergency vehicles stand by at Yokohama Port, near Tokyo (AP)

Confirmed cases of coronavirus around the world. (PA)

With the number of those ill increasing, there is also a doubt about whether this kind of quarantine works, with some experts questioning if keeping more than 3,500 passengers and crew in such close quarters might spread what is now known Covid-19.

Despite the tiny rooms, dirty sheets and boring food, some passengers appear to feel like they are still on holiday  despite being quarantined.

Cheryl and Paul Molesky, from Syracuse, New York, can be seen in their YouTube videos lounging, often in plush bathrobes, on their balcony, enjoying the sweeping views of a glittering, sun-streaked ocean and the snow-capped Mount Fuji.

Read more: Doctors warn of rapid spread of coronavirus on London Underground

Mr Molesky, a 78-year-old potter, said: We try to have an upbeat presentation and make sure that our attitude comes across that we're not hurt, we're not in pain were actually just enjoying ourselves. Its been very nice.

Mrs Molesky added: "Rather than just sit here and worry about, are we going to get the coronavirus, we decided to make the most of every day, and just forget about that for now. If it happens, it happens.

Paul Molesky, left, gets a DNA swab test in his cabin room on the Diamond Princess (AP)

Passengers stand on the deck of the Diamond Princess cruise ship (AP)

Elsewhere on the ship, a Japanese man in his thirties who refused to give his name because of privacy concerns said he spends his days mostly taking photos of each meal and posting them anonymously on Twitter.

Story continues

"All I can do is to wait and tweet," he said.

The ship has a sushi restaurant, Japanese-style bath and theatre, but passengers are now mostly confined to their rooms.

Many cabins are as small as, if not smaller, than many hotel rooms, while the more affordable rooms are not much wider than a double bed and do not have much seating space aside from a desk chair, according to pictures posted in the ship's website.

Cheryl Molesky and Paul Molesky film a selfie video on their balcony of the Diamond Princess (AP)

Mr Molesky scrubs the toilet in his cabin while being in quarantine (AP)

The cheapest ones do not even have windows. Many balcony cabin are around 222 square feet or less, according to the website. A lot of the interior rooms, which feature large mirrors in place of a window, are only 158 to 162 square feet.

Guests must often change their own sheets, clean their bathrooms and do their own laundry because contact with the crew has been limited since the first 10 cases were confirmed on board.

The days often revolve around food service. Knocking on four doors at once, an elaborate delivery choreography takes place: One masked and gloved crew member hands out the plates, another the silverware, while another checks off names and room numbers.

A woman with a teddy bear waves to another passenger quarantined on the cruise ship (AP)

Media gather outside the quarantined Diamond Princess where life on board the luxury cruise ship is mixed (AP)

The boat has added more movies and TV channels to try to help with the boredom. People without balconies are allowed to walk on the deck an hour each day, as long as they keep two metres apart. Passengers chat and wave to each other from their balconies.

Meanwhile, in a recent video posted on Twitter, a group of men wearing Diamond Princess jackets, masks and what appear to be the uniforms of kitchen workers stood before a camera saying: "We are scared.

Read more: Diamond Princess cruise passenger speaks out on coronavirus quarantine

A man identified as crew member Binay Kumar Sarkar said, after removing his mask: "We should be rescued immediately and reunited with our families before it is too late.

Some of the crew members who have tested positive for the virus are restaurant, bar or housekeeping staff who probably had contact with passengers until 5 February when the first test results were released and restaurants and bars were closed.

Masked passengers are seen on the deck of the cruise ship as scored tested positive for coronavirus (AP)

Masked passengers stand outside on the balcony of the ship (AP)

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK so far (PA)

On Thursday, an Australian mother and daughter wearing face masks told Australia's Nine Network television from a Japanese hospital that officials took them off the ship after the daughter tested positive for coronavirus.

Read more: Woman describes life on board Diamond Princess as passengers

"They put me in, like, a wheelchair, sort of, and put like a plastic  almost like a bubble around it  and they were just wheeling me everywhere," said daughter, Bianca DSilva.

Student Bianca, 20 and her mother, Suzanne, said they were both briefly ill, but feel fine now.

"Honestly, it just felt like your everyday cold. Like, I feel absolutely fine now, physically," Bianca said. "I had a bit of headache before and just a slight fever but that's about it, honestly."
At the most recent Oscars, four Academy Awards went to the South Korean Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite is now the first South Korean film every award it did, ever. (A South Korean film had never, before this year, even gotten a nomination.) However, a writer in the New York Times recently argued that another 2019 film made by an Asian director was snubbed by the Oscarsand its one that better represents Asian-Americans.

What Parasite cleaning up at the Oscars means

Director Bong Joon-ho celebrates with actor Kang-Ho Song after Parasite won the award for Best Picture | Mark RALSTON / AFP via Getty Images

In an opinion piece titled Parasite Won, but Asian-Americans Are Still Losing, in the New York Times, writer Watler Chaw makes the argument that reaction to Parasite from the Asian-American community was a bit overblown. While he understood the celebration, Chaw thought a lot of the reaction was misguided.

The victory of Parasite is a stunning moment that may not also be a watershed moment, Chaw penned.

While on the one hand, its certainly cause for celebration that an organization with notoriously questionable taste seems to have gotten it right this year. Its also unquestionably huge for the South Korean film industry.

But Chaw mainly believed that Parasites Academy award victories as reparation for years past. The Oscars have, for decades, not acknowledged South Korea whatsoever.

This is merely Hollywood recognizing, very belatedly, South Koreas amazing film industry  which has been making superlative films for decades, Chaw wrote. He said no one, on either end of the political spectrum, was reacting in a way that made sense.

Parasite, the Academy Awards, and politics

For the left, Chaw continued in the NYT, the victory of Parasite represents a validation of diversity initiatives undertaken by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recent years. He also references prominent Asian-American film critic Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times. Chang wrote that Parasites success was: a sign, perhaps, that the academys efforts to diversify its ranks and become a truly global institution.

Bong Joon-ho with his Oscars for Parasite | FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

The honors for Parasite will satisfy some of the hopes and stoke some of the fears of both sides of the social divide, Chaw wrote. The liberals that see the film as a topical work of genius, a stake in the heart of both capitalism and wealth inequality, Chaw argues, is a valid interpretation. He says it even is bleeding into our presidential politics.

Chaw says Parasite was topical in that way for many American moviegoers:

In a way few films ever have, Parasite captures the spirit of its time by nailing the dissatisfaction with the ruling elite that is driving the Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren campaigns and, paradoxically, carried Donald Trump to office in 2016.

Despite Parasite, Asian-American representation still suffers, Chaw writes

However, Chaw thought the euphoric reaction from many Asian-Americans, was a bit much. Because, as he argued, the Parasite victory has nothing to do with Asian-American representation.

And, he continued, the belief on the right that the films awards were a craven effort by the academys voters to  atone for this years repeat of a near-#OscarsSoWhite repeat probably holds some kernel of truth as well.

Chaw argues that The Farewell was snubbed by the Oscars

Awkwafina after winning the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy for The Farewell at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards | Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

But, Chaw writes: caught between both sides of the argument are actual Asian-Americans. He claims that overall, Asian-Americans identified with and therefore were rooting more for Lulu Wangs The Farewell, rather than Parasite, in this years awards circuit. The Farewell, which stars Awkwafina, is about a young Asian-American woman who at a time of personal crisis is confronted with the widening cultural gulf between herself and her parents and grandmother.

While The Farewell found popular success and recognition at the Golden Globes and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Chaw acknowledged, it garnered no Oscar nominations. Theres an extra layer to The Farewell, too: Wang is an Asian woman.

Winners of Best Feature for The Farewell at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards | Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

I find its exclusion a better indicator of how not just Asian-Americans but also female directors are still seen in Hollywood, Chaw wrote.

In general, Chaw says hes hesitant to give too much credit to the academy for its sudden interest in inclusion.

We would have liked to see The Farewell get some Oscar nods, as well. However, Parasite continues to be a timely, engaging, funny, horrifying, beautifully-told and -acted story that is intriguing viewers around the world. We think the Academy got it right this yearat the very least just to honor South Korean film.
The US Education Department says universities under-reported hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign gifts.

The United States Department of Education has opened an investigation into whether the universities of Harvard and Yale failed to report hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign gifts and contracts as required by law.

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, may not have reported at least $375m in foreign money over the last four years, the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

This is about transparency, US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in the statement. If colleges and universities are accepting foreign money and gifts, their students, donors, and taxpayers deserve to know how much and from whom.

Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are under-reporting or not reporting at all, she added.

Federal law requires most colleges and universities to report gifts from and contracts with foreign sources that are worth more than $250,000 twice a year.

Education department records over the last 30 years show US universities and colleges have reported more than $6.6bn in donations from Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

This sum may be significantly underestimated, the education department said.

Yale received a request from the department on Tuesday for records of certain gifts and contracts from foreign sources under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, university spokeswoman Karen Peart told the Reuters news agency.

We are reviewing the request and preparing to respond to it, she said.

The education department said it is also concerned that Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, lacked the proper controls over foreign money and may have not fully reported all donations and contracts coming from outside the US.

Harvard told the Bloomberg news agency that it was also reviewing the departments request and preparing a response.

In a letter to Harvard on Tuesday, the education department told the university it was opening an administrative investigation because it was aware of information suggesting the university lacks appropriate institutional controls. As a result, its reporting may not include the entirety of gifts or contracts with foreign sources.

The department requested records of gifts from foreign sources, including from the Peoples Republic of China, Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corp, Kaspersky Lab, the governments of Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, as well as other entities connected to those governments.

It also requested documents related to Chinas Thousand Talents Plan.

The agency sent a similar letter to Yale, saying the university appeared to fail to report a single gift or contract from 2014 through 2017 and asked for records related to all its foreign sites and gifts from countries including Saudi Arabia, China and others.

Two weeks ago, Charles Lieber, the chair of Harvard Universitys Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and two Chinese nationals who were researchers at Boston University and a Boston hospital, were charged by the US Justice Department with lying about their alleged links to the Chinese government.

Lieber said that Harvard lacked adequate institutional controls for effective oversight and tracking of very large donations, according to the education department.

In a report about Chinas influence on US education, a Senate committee on investigations described foreign spending on US schools as a black hole because colleges and universities routinely fail to comply with the law.
The City Council approved a request Thursday from the city-funded early childhood education program, Pre-K 4 SA, to place the renewal of its sales tax on the May ballot to avoid the high-turnout, lengthy ballot in the November election.

The vote was 8 to 1, with Councilman Clayton Perry the sole no vote. Council members Manny Pelaez and Adriana Rocha Garcia were absent.

If the goal is to have more San Antonians voice their opinion on Pre-K 4 SA, then we should place it on the ballot that projects the most substantial turnout  in November  and not potentially double the bill for our neighbors by funding a separate election, Perry said after the meeting.

Pre-K 4 SA board members and CEO Sarah Baray have expressed concern that the sales tax that funds the early childhood education program could be buried in Novembers long ballot, topped by a presidential election, and fall victim to voter fatigue.

Supporters believe the program stands a better chance of renewal in May, when voter turnout is traditionally lower but participants are more invested in local issues.

Voters first approved the 1/8-cent-per-dollar share of the city sales tax that created Pre-K 4 SA in November 2012.

The program operates four centers, each offering full-day pre-kindergarten to 500 of the citys 4-year-olds, and it trains teachers and distributes grants to participating school districts, many of which have ramped up their own pre-K offerings in recent years.

Because the initial vote in 2012 was in November, it was presumed the renewal would also be in November this year. Perry raised concerns about about the cost, an estimated $900,000, for a special election in May.

He also questioned the citys transparency with voters who likely will be deciding in November a separate sales tax question: whether to redirect $40 million in annual sales tax revenue that now funds protection of the Edwards Aquifer and linear parks to expand and improve bus services and transportation infrastructure.

I believe that this move means to cloud the judgment of our residents at the ballot box, Perry said. Splitting the 1/8-cent sales tax allocated to Pre-K 4 SA and tucking it away on a May election with limited other items on the ballot feels disingenuous to me.

City Manager Erik Walsh recommended Pre-K 4 SA pay the cost of the special election. Baray said the program could cover it with funds in its existing reserve balance.

Christian Anderson, who managed Ivy Taylors mayoral campaign in 2017, has been tapped to run Keep Pre-K 4 SA, a political action committee-funded campaign to persuade voters to renew the sales tax.

On ExpressNews.com: Pre-K 4 SA is increasingly an option for San Antonio families too affluent for free pre-k

Stephanie Adams, a resident in District 10 and mom to Madeline Adams, a current Pre-K 4 SA student, told council members before the vote that the program taught her daughter how to control her emotions and express her feelings, a feat far more meaningful to Adams than the academics of numbers, colors or the alphabet.

She knows her ABCs, she knows her 123s, she can say her name, she can write her name, Adams said during a presentation before the vote. But if she cant control her emotions and she cant learn how to be a student, theres no point.

Madelines sister Charlie, 2, sat elevated on the hip of another parent behind her mom wearing a big red bow, black and red checkered dress and glittery red shoes. The council video camera panned to her.

There is nothing more important to me than my  child growing up to be an adult and not having to have any extra help on the back end, because were fixing it now, Stephanie Adams said.

Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox

Jack Finger, a regular gadfly at council sessions, called the program a glorified day care and questioned the validity of a study released a year ago that showed Pre-K 4 SA alumni performed slightly better in third grade on standardized tests than their peers. It was conducted by Mike Villarreal, director of the University of Texas at San Antonios Urban Education Institute.

Villarreal, a former state representative, is married to Jeanne Russell, who helped create the city program as former Mayor Julian Castros education policy adviser.

I would like a more neutral organization, other than a government agency like UTSA, to examine this stuff, Finger said.

The National Institute for Early Childhood Education at Rutgers University, considered a leading authority on high quality pre-K, has held San Antonios program up as a national model, along with City Health, a nonprofit policy advocacy group that grades cities on a range of urban issues.

Education leaders have credited Pre-K 4 SA with influencing House Bill 3, a state law enacted last year to revamp public school funding that included money for school districts to offer full-day pre-K programs.

In expressing support, Councilman John Courage, a former teacher, described heartbreaking and frustrating experiences teaching special education students and middle school and high school students who never learned emotional skills.

So I was really touched by the parents who spoke this morning and talked about how they felt this program has really helped their childs emotional development. I think thats an important ingredient to think about as we look at what Pre-K 4 SA does, Courage said.

Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralva
In 2019, the Romanian Gendarmerie conducted 45,790 public peace missions, provided 400,122 mixed patrols and 208,794 patrols of gendarmes only, acting Interior Minister Marcel Vela said Thursday, when the Gendarmerie unveiled its 2019 activity report.

"The gendarmes carried out 892 special and anti-terrorist missions together with its partners; 27 with the National Prison Administration; 62 with the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT);. 439 with the BCCO anti-terrorism brigade; 9 with the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA); 23 with the DGA General Anti-Corruption Directorate, and 332 with other bodies. I think the Gendarmerie is on the right track," said Vela.He said that in 2019, the Gendarmerie detected 15,205 crimes, of which 6,075 on their own and 9,126 jointly with the Police, having managed 10,662 public events and manifestations attended by over one million people."I know, you estimate gendarmes, that you do not have the easiest job. I know that there is still more work to be done to become among the most beloved people and I urge you to do your job in the spirit of the law. I can guarantee you that together we will be able to win back the citizens' trust. The barometer of your professionalism is the citizen, and the citizens must be satisfied that we are at their service," said Vela.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed Germanys increased cooperation with Armenia and significant changes in the South Caucasus state when she met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Berlin on Thursday.

It was their third meeting in 18 months. Merkel noted with satisfaction that German-Armenian relations have intensified since her previous talks with Pashinian held in August 2018 in Yerevan and in February 2019 in Berlin.

We will continue to talk today about deepening bilateral relations, she said in a statement to the press made at the start of their latest meeting.

Merkel stressed that a lot has changed in Armenia since Pashinian swept to power in the Velvet Revolution of April-May 2019.

There is a parliamentary democracy, elections have been held, and there is also a major renewal process  for example in the legal system, she said. We naturally hope that Armenia will be very successful here because that's not an easy process.

We are therefore very happy about your courage and your determination to follow this path, she told Pashinian.

Germany is a close friend and partner of Armenia and we feel the power of that friendship in both emotional and practical senses, Pashinian said for his part. Germany is one of the powerful bridges connecting Armenia to the European Union, European civilization and culture.

The Armenian leader went on to thank Germany as well as the EU for their moral, political technical and financial assistance to ongoing reforms announced by his administration. He said he will discuss his reform agenda with Merkel.

An Armenian government statement issued after the talks said Merkel promised continued German assistance to democratic reforms in Armenia. It said Pashinian briefed her on his political teams controversial decision to hold on April 5 a referendum on dismissing seven of the nine members of Armenias Constitutional Court.

Economic issues were also high on the agenda of the talks, according to the statement. Pashinian was reported to urge German companies to invest in various sectors of the Armenian economy.

Germany is already Armenias number European Union donor and trading partner. It has provided the South Caucasus nation with hundreds of millions euros in aid and low-interest loans since the 1990s. German-Armenian trade rose by over 4 percent, to $451 million, last year, according to official Armenian statistics.

In her public remarks, Merkel said she will also discuss with Pashinian the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Armenian government statement on the talks made no mention of the conflict.
The long-anticipated peace deal between the United States and the Taliban will reportedly be signed on February 29, putting an end to the 19-year-old war. The US officials and Afghan Taliban will be signing the deal in Qatar's Doha. Subsequently, the US troops will purportedly prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan, after almost two decades, in a phased manner. After the deal signing, the troops are expected to pull out of the South East Asian country within 18 months, that is till August 2021.

On Wednesday, the US-Taliban officials notified that the two parties were close to signing a deal that will oversee the 'reduction in violence' in Afghanistan, putting an end to the bloody war. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that he had received a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo telling him of notable progress in the talks with the Taliban. The Taliban do not recognize the government in Kabul and have refused to negotiate directly with Ghani.

The Taliban had issued an ultimatum to Washington after weeks of talks with a U.S. peace envoy, demanding a reply on their offer of a seven-day reduction of violence in Afghanistan, or they would walk away from the negotiating table, two Taliban officials said Wednesday. Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen has not commented on the peace deal yet.

The talks between the two were resumed in Qatar in December 2019, three months after the US President Donald Trump abruptly halted the diplomatic efforts and called it "dead." The peace deal was expected to focus on the 'reduction of violence' through a ceasefire and intra-Afghan negotiations. The US President Donald Trump had confirmed the resumption of talks, however, had refused to give a timeline for the drawdown of US troops. "Yes," Trump told a small group of reporters at the Bagram Air Field on November 29.

The US and the Taliban had appeared on the verge of signing a deal that would have seen Washington begin withdrawing thousands of troops in return for security guarantees. It was also expected to pave the way towards direct talks between the Taliban and the government in Kabul and, ultimately, a possible peace agreement after more than 18 years of war. During a surprise visit to a US military base in Afghanistan in November, Trump said the Taliban "wants to make a deal."

READ| Pakistan backs Taliban; counters India's support for democratic Afghan

Pakistan's role in peace talks

Pakistan previously had welcomed the announcement of the resumption of the stalled talks between the US and the Taliban. Islamabad has been playing an active and negative role in Afghanistan, a US report asserted, stating that Islamabad is attempting to weaken the government in Kabul. As per a report, Pakistan has played an active, and by many accounts, a negative role in Afghan affairs for decades. "Pakistan's security services maintain ties to Afghan insurgent groups, most notably the Haqqani Network, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) that has become an official, a semiautonomous component of the Taliban," CRS, which periodically prepares reports on issues of importance for Congressmen for them to make informed decisions, said.

Islamabad's Afghan policy has been motivated to counter New Delhi's influence in Afghanistan, considering India's backing for the government of the country, which has brought some democratic normalcy in the war-torn country. Islamabad, by backing the armed group has contradicted New Delhi in Afghanistan, who has significantly contributed economically, culturally to the neighbour, and been the largest regional contributor to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

READ| Pakistan-Taliban meet irks Afghanistan, questions legitimacy of meet
The challenge is what to do with the early caucus numbers once they have been tallied. The now-discarded app was supposed to make it easy. Officials said Thursday that they would not transmit the results of the early caucus sites to precinct captains until caucus day, when they will use the iPads.

Nevadas early caucus process is relatively new, having debuted in 2008 after Senator Harry Reid pushed to move the state earlier in the primary calendar. Mr. Reid and other party officials have defended the caucuses as a way to engage grass-roots activists in the increasingly liberal state.

Mr. Reid, who is now retired but remains active in state politics, is widely seen as having one of the strongest state party apparatuses in the country. And he seems to view Iowas problems as an opening for Nevada to move even closer to the front of the line of presidential nominating contests.

Iowa has forfeited its chance to be No. 1  I dont think thatll happen anymore, Mr. Reid said in an interview with Vice that was published Wednesday. Nevada, he added, is really a state that represents what the country is all about.

But with the debacle in Iowa, the pressure is on Nevada as never before. Officials from the Democratic National Committee have been dispatched to Las Vegas as the party continues to scramble and test other options. Tom Perez, the D.N.C. chairman, plans to arrive in the coming days.

The D.N.C. is working with the Nevada Democratic Party and we are confident that they are doing everything they can to implement the lessons that have been learned from this process, said David Bergstein, a spokesman for the committee. We have already deployed staff and will continue to work with them in the coming days.

But campaigns say that with just a few days until early voting begins and little clear guidance from the party, they are increasingly anxious that the process will break down before the caucuses begin. Party officials have said that they would rely on paper worksheets, just as they did in previous caucuses in 2008 and 2016. Still, the biggest challenges are dealing with two new demands this year: reporting both the raw total vote as well as delegate counts, and figuring out how to calculate the effect of early votes.
Mr. Jiang, by contrast, was an economist and a former banker, who was only three years ago on the shortlist to take over Chinas central bank.

Wuhans party secretary, Ma Guoqiang, was replaced by Wang Zhonglin, a counterpart in another regional capital, Jinan, in Shandong Provence. Mr. Ma had offered to resign, the citys mayor said in January, but he had remained in his position until Thursday.

Mr. Wang served for 15 years in the Public Security Bureau in Shandong before rising through the party ranks.

Mr. Xis inclination to turn to officials with whom he is familiar is not surprising. Nor are their backgrounds in security affairs. Moving to install the officials now, even before the extent of the crisis is clear, underscored the challenge the epidemic has created for Mr. Xi and for his ambitions as the countrys most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

Wu Qiang, an independent political analyst in Beijing, said in an interview that, To cope with a crisis that may become more serious in the future, the first thing that they need is highly loyal people.

At Wednesdays meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee, Mr. Xi urged officials to do everything possible to improve the care of those sickened in Hubei. At the same time, he urged them to make sure that business returned to normal and that the government met its economic development goals for the year, according to an official summary of the meeting by Xinhua, the state-run news agency.

Those goals include his 2020 deadlines for eradicating extreme poverty and creating a comprehensively well-off society.
3 1 of 3 Twitter/President Donald Trump Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Jacy Lewis/Reporter-Telegram Show More Show Less 3 of 3





President Donald Trump endorsed 11th Congressional District candidate August Pfluger of San Angelo on his Twitter account Wednesday, as part of a series of endorsements he made with links to candidates WinRed profiles.

[Pfluger] is a Great Veteran and Strong Leader for Texas where he is running for Congress, Trump said in his post. He will protect your [Second Amendment], fight for our Farmers, Oil/Gas workers  August has my Complete and Total Endorsement!
Astrocytes are neural cells with many important functions in the nervous system. The inflammation of these cells occurs in brain infections and neurodegenerative disorders, a process called astrogliosis. Aware of this fundamental process for the prevention of diseases and improvement of current treatments, a team led by researchers at the D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) and other five Brazilian Federal Universities published one of the first studies to categorically observe this inflammatory reaction in human astrocytes created in the laboratory.

The term astrogliosis may sound unfamiliar to the general public, but this inflammatory process is common to several diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and congenital malformations caused by the Zika virus. Although astrogliosis is well studied in the neuroscience field, most of the knowledge came from animal models, an experimental strategy that contributes to scientific advancement, but it does not reproduce human brain complexity. "Animal testing has its indubitable relevance in science, but the reality is that it doesn't fully reproduce some human aspects, especially when related to responses of the immune system. This is the case of human glial cells, including astrocytes, which are responsible for the metabolic maintenance of neurons and their nerve impulses", says Pablo Trindade, the study's first author.

To understand the inflammatory process of astrogliosis, the research coordinator and scientist at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and IDOR, Stevens Rehen, adopted a cell culture procedure that is already his signature in several other studies on the human brain - among them, the development of brain organoids that helped to correlate Zika virus infection to the onset of microcephaly. The method used by Rehen's team is the reprogramming of human cells found in the urine of voluntary donors, turning them into pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells are then stimulated to become healthy astrocytes or any other human cell necessary for the research at the time. In this case, from the creation of astrocytes, the scientists have put these cells to react with an inflammatory protein, known as TNF, obtaining a map of the human astrogliosis in the laboratory. The observed results indicate that the inflammation process already occurs within the first hour, and it gradually impairs astrocytes function over time.

In addition to morphological changes of these cells, which start to show smaller nuclei and stretched shapes, the inflammation also interfered with the primary function of astrocytes: the regulation of neurotransmitters, that are substances secreted by neurons responsible for information transmission across synapses. The study identified that human astrocytes under astrogliosis showed impairment in the glutamate uptake. Of note, glutamate is the most important stimulatory neurotransmitter involved in many brain functions including learning and memory.

The publication is a highlight in studies about astrogliosis, since the approach allowed scientists to analyze the phenomenon in a non-invasive way using human cells. The researchers point out that the evidence and methods from this study can serve as a basis for other investigations, including those aimed at discovering new treatments, which can improve the quality of life of people suffering from brain inflammation triggered by infections or neurodegenerative diseases.

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A man from New Jersey, one of numerous tourists taking advantage of the mild weather to visit Organ Pipe last week, pulled his car over near the new wall. Standing on the dirt road that runs next to the border, he had a eureka moment when he saw a small square of metal poking out of the dirt. He picked it up and dusted it off, excited about having a souvenir of the wall.

Nearby, a construction crew was installing bollard panels with large openings at the bottom in a wash that ran south into Mexico. As they worked, a woman who said she was a naturalized U.S. citizen splitting her time between Thailand and San Francisco drove a van up to the workers and offered to cook for them or help in any way she could.

Tourists drove along South Puerto Blanco Drive, a dirt-and-gravel road that meanders through the southern portion of Organ Pipe. The road was rutted last fall, but a steady stream of heavy construction vehicles appeared to have smoothed its surface.

About 10 miles west of the construction crew, several cars were parked near Quitobaquito Springs as drivers waited to tour the pond fed by the springs, which have slaked the thirst of countless travelers and animals for centuries.
BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on



Thursday came down heavily on the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra for ignoring attacks by its new ally Congress on freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

The former chief minister latched on two articles published in a Maharashtra Congress magazine, which are critical of the Hindutva ideologue, to ask why the Sena is feeling so "helpless".

He demanded a ban on the Marathi magazine 'Shidori' in which the anti-Savarkar articles have appeared.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said, The Maharashtra Congress publishes 'Shidori', which has allegedly described late Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as an apologist and a rapist.

"These references are part of two separate articles published in the magazine. I wonder how much the Sena is helpless for power that its ally is defaming Senas ideologue, Savarkar."



"The magazine should be banned and the Congress should apologise over the malicious content in the magazine against Savarkar, the Leader of Opposition in the assembly said.

The articles also say the Shiv Sena, which is heading the government in the state, is averse to facts, he said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party, a former ally of the BJP, should answer how much insult it can tolerate by its ruling alliance partner, Fadnavis said.

The Sena should make its stand clear on whether it agrees to the description of Savarkar by the magazine officially published by Congress, he said.

The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has removed a bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while the party-led dispensation in Rajasthan has ordered removal of paintings of Savarkar and Bharatiya Jana Sangh co-founder Deendayal Upadhyay from schools, Fadnavis said.

Despite all this, the Sena is sharing power with the Congress, he said.

Besides the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP is also a key constituent of the ruling Maha Vikas Agadhi in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The inauguration of the awaited East-West corridor of the Kolkata Metro faced controversy on Thursday after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's name was left off the guest list. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has been invited as the chief guest for the event.

TMC lawmakers will boycott the inauguration of the awaited East-West corridor of the Kolkata Metro faced controversy on Thursday after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's name was left off the guest list. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has been invited as the chief guest.

While Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and MLA Sujit Bose were invited, they have decided not to attend the programme in protest. Additionally, the Bidhanagar Municipal Corporation chairperson Krish Chakraborty will also boycott the event.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's name missing from the invitation for the inauguration of Phase I of the East-West Metro corridor between Salt Lake Sector-V to Salt Lake Stadium. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/FFWcXcaKqE  ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020

"The East-West Metro corridor project was brainchild of Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as railway minister from 2009 to 2011. It was she who had sanctioned the money in railway budget. Now, when the project is being inaugurated she has not been invited. This is an insult to the people of Bengal," Dastidar was quoted as saying by PTI.

She was also quoted by News18 as saying, "Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee planned the East West Metro Corridor. The work was started by her and now they are disregarding her effort. She was not invited and therefore we are also skipping the event."

The first phase of the East-West Metro corridor connecting Sector V with Salt Lake Stadium in the city will be inaugurated later on Thursday by Goyal.

Another TMC MP Sougata Roy told CNN-News18 that it was "very sad" that Banerjee hadn't been invited because she had also contributed to the project as the Union railways minister.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bose said, "Why should we attend the event when our chief minister has not been invited? The BJP should refrain from such petty politics."

Railway officials, however, have declined to comment on the matter.

Defending the decision to not invite Banerjee, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, the TMC is "paying for its past sins".

"During the Left rule, Mamata Banerjee, as the railway minister, had not invited the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, on several occasions. So they (TMC) should be the last to talk about courtesy."

"In several administrative meetings in Bengal, BJP lawmakers have not been invited. Was that a sign of courtesy? The railways have invited local public representatives. Now it is up to them to decide whether they would attend the inauguration," he added.

The East-West corridor project marks the first time that tunnels have been made under a river to connect twin cities. Tunnels have been made under the Hooghly river to connect the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah. The project faced a roadblock in August 2019 after buildings developed cracks and some collapsed in Central Kolkatas Bowbazar area when an aquifer burst during tunneling work.

However, work was resumed after the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday gave the green signal based on a report by IIT Madras, which said that tunneling work could begin again.

The completion of the project was set for June 2021, but the 16.6-kilometre-long rapid transit system is likely to be operational by 2022. "Out of 10.9 kilometre-stretch, we have completed nearly 9.8 kilometres of underground section of the corridor, a Metro official was quoted by News18.
Luis Palau says cancer is at bay 2 years after terminal diagnosis; now passing ministry mantle

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World-renowned evangelist Luis Palau revealed his cancer is now at bay, though doctors had given him months to live when he was diagnosed two years ago. And now hes ready to fully pass the mantle of ministry to his sons.

At the top of 2018, the beloved minister made the unexpected announcement that he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Months later, in a Thanksgiving Day update, Palau testified that he was defying the odds and doing much better than doctors had anticipated. Now, two years after the diagnosis, Palau says his cancer is under control because of their care regiment.

In March 2018, Palau shared that after two months of chemotherapy, the doctors were amazed at the results of his CT scan and blood work. All tumors had shrunk by one-third and there was no new growth of the tumors. The results were so uncommon for someone with stage 4 cancer that Palau said the doctors were stunned.

Again, at the end of last year, "One of the tumors actually shrank slightly!" he wrote on his website.

"I'm actually feeling quite well. And the cancer seems to be kept at bay with the current protocol," he said.

Since then, the Luis Palau Association has carried on with multiple initiatives and in a new interview with CBN, the minister said its time for him to step out of the way and let his sons and those that follow continue on with the ministry freely.

He said moving aside and allowing Andrew and Kevin Palau to take up the ministry mantle will be "without relinquishing love and caring for my sons."

"You've got to make room for the next generation to freely minister  freely do," Palau said.

"Although you think, 'OK, we've transitioned.' Kevin is the president [and] Andrew is the better-known evangelist. But are you still in the way? And I've come to realize I am somewhat in the way."

Palau also has two other sons, Keith and Stephen, and he was filled with love and joy as he spoke of his children.

"I used to say when people would ask me years ago, I'd say, 'I hope my boys will put on my burial tomb: My father wasn't perfect, but he sure loved Jesus Christ," he described.

Although he continues to defy the odds, Palau said he is ready to go to Heaven whenever God sees fit.

"The only sad thing is leaving my wife and my kids and the team and a few of my best friends," he said. "But really, I'm ready to go. I have the peace of the Lord."

The Palau Association has collaborated with thousands of churches in hundreds of cities around the world. Palau has led millions into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in over 75 nations.

An autobiographical movie on the life of the renowned preacher, "Palau the Movie, was released last year. The film journeys through the life of Palau, revealing how a bad-tempered young street preacher goes on to impact the world for Jesus.
The US has welcomed the conviction of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD chief and described it as an "important step forward" for Pakistan in meeting its commitments to combat terror financing and not to allow non-state actors to operate from its soil.

The statement of a top state department official came after Saeed, a UN designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, was sentenced to 11 years in two terror financing cases on Wednesday, four days ahead of a crucial meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Paris where Pakistan will present its case to escape from being blacklisted.

According to Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it is in the interest of his country's future that it does not allow non-state actors to operate from its soil.

She said in a tweet: "Today's conviction of and his associate is an important step forward both towards holding LeT accountable for its crimes, and for Pakistan in meeting its commitments to combat terrorist financing".

Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief, was arrested on July 17 in the terror financing cases. The 70-year-old fiery cleric is lodged at the high-security Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

Anti-terrorism court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta sentenced Saeed and his close aide Zafar Iqbal to five and a half years each and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 in each case.

The crackdown on Saeed's outfit last year followed a warning by the terror financing watchdog to Pakistan to deliver on its commitments to curb terror financing and money laundering.

The verdict comes four days ahead of the crucial meeting of the from February 16 to 21 in Paris where Pakistan will present its case to get itself off the Grey List.

The in October last decided to keep Pakistan on its 'Grey List' for its failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

If not removed off the list by April, Pakistan may move to a blacklist of countries that face severe economic sanctions, such as Iran.

Reacting to Saeed's sentencing, Indian government sources said it is part of a long-pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism and that efficacy of Saeed's sentencing remained to be seen.

"The decision has been made on the eve of Plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen," an official source said in New Delhi, elaborating on the government's assessment of the action against Saeed.

The sources said it's also to be seen whether Pakistan would take action against all other terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control.

India has been pressing Pakistan to take action against all those involved in cross-border terror attacks including the Mumbai carnage.

Saeed-led JuD is the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

The US named Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice in the Mumbai attack incident. He was listed as a terrorist under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008.
The Xiaomi Mi 10 and Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro are finally official with four cameras apiece and Snapdragon 865. Both phones support wireless charging and are the first Mi branded devices with a punch hole in the display for the selfie camera.

Their headline feature is on the back though - the 108MP sensor as first seen on the Mi Note 10. They also come will great connectivity support - going all the way to SA and NSA 5G and Wi-Fi 6.

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro

The more impressive of two is definitely the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro. It comes with a 6.67 AMOLED FullHD+ screen with curved edges. The panel supports 90Hz refresh rate and 180 Hz touch sampling rate.

The company is really proud of its display which can reach up to 1200nit peak brightness, can have 4096 levels of brightness adjustment and DC dimming.



Promo images of Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro

The biggest talking point of the Mi 10 Pro is the camera - the 108MP sensor has an 8P lens (that's one more than even the Mi Note 10 Pro) and is flanked by three other impressive cameras - a long telephoto lens supporting 10x hybrid zoom, a shorter 12MP 2x telephoto for portrait shots and a 20MP ultrawide angle snapper.

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pros 108MP camera comes with OIS and EIS and has plenty of AI enhancements for stills and video recording, the later coming in resolutions all the way to 8K.

The Mi 10 Pro comes three memory configurations 8GB RAM /256GB storage, 12GB/256 GB, and 12GB/512GB. They all use the latest available tech - LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 storage.

On the inside there is a 4,500 mAh battery that can be charged at up to 50W through a cable, 30W wirelessly, and can output up to 10W for reverse charging your other gadgets.

The prices of the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro are CNY4,999 ($715/657), CNY5,499 ($787/723), CNY5,999 ($860/790), and the phone is scheduled to arrive on February 18 for pre-order in two colors - Blue and White.

Xiaomi Mi 10

The vanilla Mi 10 retains the 6.67 AMOLED screen as well as the 108MP main shooter on the back. However it loses both telephoto cameras bringing a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro shooter instead. The ultrawide unit is also downgraded to 13MP resolution.



Promo images of Xiaomi Mi 10

The Xiaomi Mi 10 also comes with the speedy LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 storage and will keep shooting videos in 8K, like its big brother.

It even outdoes the Pro with its 4,780 mAh battery, but only offers 30W wired charging. Impressively enough it retains the 30W wireless charing meaning that it can charge just as quickly both ways. The 10W reverse charging is available as well.



Xiaomi Mi 10 in Peach Gold, Green, Black

Launching tomorrow at exactly 10 AM Chinese time, the Mi 10 will start selling in Peach, Green, and Black. Prices are CNY3,999 ($572/526) for the 8GB/128GB version, CNY4,299 ($615/565) for an 8GB/256GB unit, and CNY4,699 ($673/618) for the top 12GB/256GB variant.

The phone was supposed to be globally announced in Barcelona as part of the MWC 2020, but since the conference is canceled, we are yet to hear more about Xiaomi's plans.

Source (in Chinese)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a 14th case of novel corona virus in the country Wednesday.

The patient in California is said to be among those evacuated from China last week and under federal quarantine at a U.S. military base.

The novel coronavirus that has spread globally since first being identified in pneumonia patients in the Chinese City of Wuhan at the beginning of the year continues to challenge health care experts.

Its rate of infection appears to be slowing in China, but it remains unknown whether this is a temporary pause.

China is currently reporting a total of 44,653 cases of the respiratory virus and 1,113 deaths. Some 24 other countries are reporting at least 395 cases, according to the World Health Organization.

During a news conference Wednesday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, warned of the potential for community spread even in the U.S. where containment measures have been in place to minimize public exposure.

These include enhanced health screening measures at 11 U.S. airports; barring foreign nationals who have visited China during the last 14 days from entry, and a 14-day quarantine at one of four U.S. military bases of American citizens evacuated from China.

Messonnier said the country can and should be prepared for this new virus to take a foothold in the U.S.

She also said some of the 200 kits sent last week to designated state public health laboratories as well as more than two dozen countries to help speed up testing for the virus in conjunction with the CDC malfunctioned in trial runs, giving inconclusive results, and that the CDC is investigating why this happened with some of the kits.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had given emergency use authorization, that is accelerated approval, for the diagnostic test developed by the CDC to be used to evaluate suspect samples for what the WHO has named COVID-19, that is, coronavirus disease 2019.

There are a total of 427 people under investigation to date for the virus in the U.S., with 347 testing negative, 66 pending and the 14 confirmed.

There is much clinically that remains unknown about COVID-19, including the severity of the disease, its transmission and whether it will sustain itself in the population. Experts continue to debate whether the virus will be eventually contained and die out or become established and result in seasonal outbreaks.

WHO health officials said this week that the new respiratory disease virus appears to result in mild symptoms in about 80 percent of cases; pneumonia in about 15 percent and 3 to 5 percent of cases require intensive care.

The number of cases and deaths reported from the virus in China has been attributed in part to a failure on the part of government officials to acknowledge and contain it early and a health system quickly overwhelmed in terms of the ability to treat and isolate infected patients.

There have been only two reports of deaths outside of Chine from COVID-19.

Theories being investigated are that the virus, similar to other coronaviruses, originated in bats and spilled over into humans through an intermediary host animal. The virus was first linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, although at least one study of the first clinical cases raises the possibility that the virus was in circulation in that city prior to its link to cases at the market in December.

Coronaviruses are RNA viruses and the respiratory infections they can cause in humans can range from mild to severe. Some of these viruses invade the upper respiratory tract  the nose and the throat  while others invade the lower respiratory tract and can lead to pneumonia.

Common prevention measures include frequent hand washing, remaining home when sick and avoiding close contact with anyone coughing or sneezing and similarly covering ones mouth or nose when doing the same.

There are no drugs or vaccines approved for the new virus, though research efforts are ongoing, but at least one Chinese hospital has started a clinical trial with an antiviral medication whose brand name is Kaletra and that has been most used in the United States to treat HIV patients. It belongs to a class of drugs known as protease inhibitors because they block a key enzyme that helps viruses replicate.

Its combination of two drugs  lopinavir and ritonavir  is said to have shown some clinical benefit with patients infected by SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002, caused by a coronavirus that is said to have some clinical similarities with COVID-19.

There is also discussion around the use of remdesivir, which was developed as a vaccine for Ebola, to be used an antiviral with COVID-19 as it has been shown to lessen lung disease in mice with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), also caused by a coronavirus.

Dr. Armando Paez, an infectious disease doctor at Baystate Medical Center, was asked about the use of antivirals medications to treat COVID-19.

Are you surprised that an HIV drug  Kaletra  is being used to treat coronavirus patients in China?

No. Lopinavir/ritonavir is a protease inhibitor. Coronavirus uses protease enzyme in viral replication. This can be a potential target to block viral life cycle. Kaletra has been investigated and used to treat other coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV.

What mechanism do antiviral medications now in use against RNA viruses have to address within the body to stop the complications from the infection?

Antiviral medications can block viral replication but the bodys immune response to the infection is important as well in the manifestations and complications of the infection.

The National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is said to be testing  or planning to test  Kaletra as well as interferon-beta and remdesivir for activity against COVID-19.

Remdesivir which was developed for Ebola seemed to be effective in treating the first patient confirmed with an imported case in the U.S., according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

How hopeful are you based on what is currently known about COVID-19 that one of these or another existing antiviral might prove effective?

I am hopeful that any of the above antiviral agents being investigated can, at least, decrease complications and mortality associated with coronavirus infection.
Samajwadi Party MLA Nahid Hasan, arrested in a cheating case, was on directions of the Allahabad High Court released on bail in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district on Thursday.

Judge Subodh Singh ordered the release of the Kairana MLA from Muzaffarnagar jail after furnishing two surety bonds of Rs 70,000 each.

A court here had earlier extended the judicial custody of Hasan till February 24 against which an appeal was filed in the High Court.

Hasan was arrested on January 24 in a cheating case filed against him last year. He has been accused of cheating a local resident of Rs 80 lakh in a land deal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Louisiana man is facing up to 70 years in prison for burning down three churches last year in a bizarre attempt to build up his reputation as a black metal musician.

22-year-old Holden Matthews has admitted to burning down three churches in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, to promote himself among fans of black metal, a subgenre of heavy metal. The son of a sheriff deputy, Mathews reportedly wanted to mimic the church burnings carried out in the 1990s by Norwegian black metal musicians as a crusade against Christianity. Matthews single-handedly set fire to three churches, using gasoline and oily shop rags in the middle of the night, in a span of 10 days.

Photo: Pixabay

Holden Matthews made a conscious decision to randomly target and destroy churches within his own community, FBI special agent Bryan Vorndran said. His atrocious actions inflicted severe pain and grief upon these congregations, as well as all of St. Landry Parish.

After each fire, Matthews would go online and brag about his actions to other black metal enthusiasts, sending videos and photos of the arson to his friends, accompanies by black metal song lyrics and album cover art that the acts inspired him to create. Like Varg Vikernes, one of the high-profile Norwegian musicians arrested for burning churches in the 90s, Matthews planned to use a photo of a burning church as the cover of the next album for his band, Pagan Carnage.

Listen to that sound dude haha beautiful, he said of one churchs destruction in a video message he sent to a friend. There was absolutely nothing left my dude.

After being arrested by his fathers sheriff department, 22-year-old Holden Matthews admitted to the three arsons, claiming that he had only done it to raise his profile as a Black Metal musician.



Although there were allegations of hate crime, as the three burned churches were frequented primarily by black people, Matthewss federal public defender, Dustin Talbot, stressed that his actions were not racially motivated. Talbot claimed that his client only targeted the churches because they were made of wood and would burned faster  a fact confirmed by one of the accuseds messages to a friend  and that he had committed these acts in a naive attempt to use images of the fires to gain acceptance into an online music community.
An emergency motion is to be raised at the next Regional Health Forum in connection with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old patient at CUH.

Member Ted Tynan wants Cork University Hospital chiefs to explain what they have done to make sure this doesnt happen again.

So far they have only said that they have conducted a review of admissions protocols.

But Councillor Tynan said that so far, the response from the hospital has been entirely unsatisfactory.

All they have said is that they have conducted a review of admissions protocols, he said.

But they havent said what the results of that review are and they havent explained what they have done or are doing to make sure this type of horrific incident doesnt happen again.

It really is unacceptable that the hospital has not made more of an account of itself in relation to this incident.

The Cork City Council councillor added: People need to know that their daughters are safe at this hospital.

Cllr Tynan, of the Workers Party, was speaking after CUH issued a very brief statement following the conviction of a 62-year-old man for sexually assaulting the teenager in the bed beside him.

Andrew ODonovan, from Butlersgift, Drimoleague, County Cork, was given an 18-month suspended jail term on Tuesday for sexually assaulting the girl.

He has a diagnosed schizophrenic condition and had been attending mental health services since the 1980s for anxiety, agitation, euphoria and insomnia.

Yet he was placed beside the young girl, who was recovering from serious injuries when he started sexually assaulting her.

Her injuries were so bad she was due to stay in hospital for six weeks, but instead and because of the sexual assault, left after just 11 days.

Because of her physical injuries at the time, she could not reach the call button over her head.

And staff were only alerted to what was going on when the mans heart monitor set off an alarm that his heart rate was rising and they thought he was having a heart attack.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain questioned how it was that a vulnerable and incapacitated young girl was placed in a ward with ODonovan.

"You have to question in circumstances like this what management was doing, said the judge in his summing up.

You have to question the management of the ward system. There appears to be no system of management or supervision.

You have to question the placing of these patients in this ward together.

To date, CUH has refused to say when it conducted the review, who carried it out and what action it has taken since the review.
TYENDINAGA, Ontario  A dilapidated snow plow, three tents and some barrels sit beside the snowy tracks of the Canadian National Railway in Tyendinaga, Ontario, a protest in support of Indigenous leaders trying to stop the construction of a gas pipeline thousands of miles away, in British Columbia.

The blockade, set up by the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, may not look imposing. But the barricade, and similar ones erected at transport points across the country, has disrupted travel for Canadians since last week  and drawn attention to the pipeline dispute.

Tens of thousands of travelers have had to scramble after rail service was halted between Toronto and the cities of Montreal and Ottawa. Hundreds of freight trains have been stalled, and ports in eastern Canada have been isolated from the rest of Canada and the United States. Factories have braced for closing because of delivery interruptions.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weighed in for the first time, calling on all sides to resolve this as quickly as possible.
by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, February 13, 2020

The State of Massachusetts has sued leading e-cigarette maker Juul and its parent company, Pax Labs, charging that the company targeted under-age consumers in its launch advertising.

The prosecutors allege that Juul intentionally chose young-looking models for ads it ran on websites targeted to teens and children, including Nickelodeons Nick.com and Nickjr.com, the sites for the Cartoon Network and Seventeen magazine, and sites meant to assist kids with schoolwork.

Illinois, California and New York have also sued Juul, but Massachusetts is the first to cite the companys internal ad strategy documents as evidence, according to CNN. State Attorney General Maura Healey, who launched a year-long investigation in July 2018, asked Juul to turn over documents in order to probe its marketing practices and whether it was tracking underage use of its products.

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Those documents, charges the lawsuit, indicate that Juuls Vaporized-themed launch marketing strategy, starting in 2015, was designed to persuade young people that its e-cigarette is a cool, cutting-edge tech lifestyle product that advances (a user's) image."

The suit, filed yesterday, also alleges that the company picked advertising models who appeared to be inappropriately or unsuitably young, and that its internal documents describe the models as "New York trendsetters who embody the Juul brand and speak to millennial consumers."

It asserts that Juuls own board of directors, as well as employees, acknowledged concern that models photographed for the Vaporized Campaign appeared to be too young."

Further, it alleges that Juuls documents indicate that the company gave celebrities with big teenage fan bases Juul products to try to recruit them as influencers.

A Juul spokesperson told CNN that the company had not yet reviewed the lawsuit, but stressed that Juuls customer base is the worlds 1 billion adult smokers, and we do not intend to attract underage users."

"We remain focused on resetting the vapor category in the U.S. and earning the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and transition adult smokers from combustible cigarettes," the statement added.

According to NPR, Juul's initial advertising relied primarily on social media ads featuring "playful, partying 20-somethings. But when federal regulators first began discussing banning flavored e-cigarettes in 2018, Juul shut its social accounts.

Last year, it launched a $10-million TV ad campaign, "Make the Switch," that claimed e-cigarettes can help adults find healthier alternatives to smoking traditional cigarettes.

But in September 2019, after CNN, CBS, Viacom and WarnerMedia banned e-cigarette ads, Juul suspended all broadcast, print and digital product advertising in the U.S., at the same time it replaced its CEO.

The Food and Drug Administration has now banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, and more regulation may be on the way.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:49:53|Editor: huaxia

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KHARTOUM, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Whoever committed atrocities during the rule of the former Sudanese government will be brought to justice, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council, said on Wednesday.

Al-Burhan made the remarks during his meeting with Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, at the presidential palace in Khartoum.

Al-Burhan reiterated the keenness of the transitional government to establish the rule of law and present a model of democratic rule.

He also emphasized the government's commitment to respect international conventions, especially those relating to human rights, vowing to achieve justice in all parts of Sudan.

Sudan agreed on Tuesday to send all those criminals with arrest warrants in Darfur to the International Criminal Court for trial.

Officials belonging to the former Sudanese government are facing charges of alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur.

On March 4, 2009, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for allegedly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur region.
Ernestine Johnson Morrison Backing Her Business with Knowledge and Black Empowerment

Actress and entrepreneur, Ernestine Johnson Morrison is taking her life lessons and skills to better the state of the Black community in Atlanta and soon her hometown of Los Angeles.

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Morrison has spent the majority of her life under the influence of strong leaders who pushed her to be better. I wouldnt be where Im at without my mentors, she shares. Its important for me to also mentor those coming from under me offering all the tools, gifts and resources that people offered to me to help me become who I am.

Its really my due diligence and my honor to be that for somebody else because its how we grow and keep businesses and frequencies circulating. Now, as a 32-year-old entrepreneur, entertainer and wife, shes building an empire based on serving the Black community.

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After moving to Atlanta nine years ago, Morrison founded several businesses including Green Lit ATL and The Legacy Center. Green Lit ATL is the premiere film industry event where creators are able to show off their work and network amongst the industry. The Legacy Center, also known as The Blackhouse is a co-working and educational center to help broaden the horizon for young Black entrepreneurs and elevate their businesses. She, along with her husband, Jay Morrison, also founded the Tulsa Real Estate Fund.

The California native recalls her move to Atlanta as an alignment and a necessary move towards her growth. I feel like it was where I was supposed to be in order for me to thrive, flourish and build my brand.

With her family still in Los Angeles, Morrison returns throughout the year to vacation and occasionally work, with hopes of expanding her businesses to Los Angeles. After just celebrating the first anniversary of Green Lit ATL, shes excited for whats to come and the collaboration with The Legacy Center.

Green Lit ATL was created to give producers, directors and actors a space to screen their work and use practical resources to help build longevity within their careers. The platform provides writer and producer courses, as well as networking events to find the connections needed to generate content.

I wanted to contribute my talent, my gift and my resources to Georgia, she says. Thankful for what the state has given her, Morrisons goal before returning to Los Angeles has been to give back to the city that helped build her into who she is today. Atlanta helped build my brand and offer what I had in me to the Atlanta film industry.

Its all about elevating ourselves economically; my husband does it through real estate. I do it through film. We use both of our gifts for the greater vision; showing people we have every tool and resource to put ourselves into position to build generational wealth for our family.

As the founder of The Legacy Center, Morrison says he desires to be a part of the conversation surrounding the billions of dollars Atlanta has brought in through the film industry over the years was her driving force. The couple merged their passions to create an education and networking hub, co-working space and wealth endowment center.

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Im really proud of The Legacy Center, she said. I remember speaking it into thin air and now to see it here, from deciding to paint the building Black and naming it The Legacy Center, finding the building  its far beyond the vision that it initially started with.

The Legacy Center also happens to just be two miles from Tyler Perry Studios, which she also believes in an act of alignment as her goal has been to work with the film giant since moving to Atlanta. We would be completely remiss to not follow his [Tyler Perry] model of put yourself at the table, build your own table.

The Legacy Center opened its doors to the public on January 8, 2020, with a great turnout as expected. The celebration went on for five days as they hosted five different events to get the community further acquainted with their mission.

As Green Lit ATL is an extension of The Legacy Center; the founder is extremely hopeful for the future of both endeavors. I hope that our first run is successful and that [in the next year] were gearing up to open our second location and we have multiple locations throughout the nation.

Remaining true to herself, a woman of many talents, Morrisons purpose is visible in her every move. Both of her latest ventures will tap back into her passion for helping others, which has always benefited not only others but herself.

Ive always operated from a spirit of servitude, she says, explaining one of the reasons she feels so blessed is because she is steadily serving others. A lot of blessings fall out of the sky for me, like out of thin air; I know its because Im constantly giving.

While functioning at her highest frequency, Morrison wakes up with the spirit of gratitude daily for all she has and is capable of doing. Without a stop in sight, she continues filling her businesses, staff and family with love, encouragement and motivation.

I would tell young Ernestine that she was enough, that pain is necessary for the process. I would also tell her everything God put in her is there intentionally, its not by mistake and I would walk in that confidence.

For more information visit https://legacycenter.com/.
The U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into Harvard and Yale universities over allegations the Ivy League schools chose not to report hundreds of millions of dollars worth of foreign gifts.

The department found in recent weeks that Yale may have intentionally failed to report at least $375 million in international contributions over the last four years. Harvard may have chosen not to fully report all its foreign gifts and contracts as well, though authorities did not say by what amount, according to a statement from the federal government.

This is about transparency, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in the statement. If colleges and universities are accepting foreign money and gifts, their students, donors, and taxpayers deserve to know how much and from whom."

Harvard also lacks appropriate institutional controls over foreign money, the statement said.

The allegations come after three criminal cases relating to Chinese espionage in Massachusetts were announced by U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling last month, one of which involved a Harvard professor. In January, Lelling highlighted the ongoing threat" of Chinas economic spying campaign and research theft.

Dr. Charles Lieber, chair of Harvards chemistry and chemical biology department, is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Chinese university and hiding his work for a government-run effort to lure scientists across the world to hand over their expertise and research to China.

This is a small sample of Chinas ongoing campaign to syphon off American technology and know-how for Chinese gain," Lelling said during a press conference broadcast by WCVB last month.

Federal law requires American colleges and universities to report gifts and contracts twice a year from any foreign source that exceed $250,000, according to the Department of Education. Fewer than 300 of the roughly 6,000 American colleges and universities report receiving foreign money each year, though.

However, the schools that do accept international contributions frequently underreport funds or choose not to report the money at all, the department said.

From 2012 to 2018, U.S. higher education institutions reported receiving more than $15 million from Hanban, a propaganda arm of the Chinese government. Further financial records from the schools found they actually received roughly $113 million, as nearly 70% of the institutions failed to properly report funds received from the organization, according to the education department.

U.S. higher education institutions have reported more than $6.6 billion worth of international contributions from Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates since the 1990s, Department of Education records showed. Ten schools, including Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have reported approximately $3.6 billion in previously unreported foreign gifts, according to the federal government.

The Senate has described foreign spending on American colleges and universities as a black hole."

Schools frequently fail to abide by the law, and international money may also "come with strings attached that might compromise academic freedom, the Department of Education said.

Unfortunately, the more we dig, the more we find that too many are underreporting or not reporting at all, DeVos said in the departments statement. "We will continue to hold colleges and universities accountable and work with them to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent, as required by the law.

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112-year-old Chitetsu Watanabe celebrates after being confirmed as the worlds oldest living male by Guinness World Records. Photo: Kyodo/via REUTERS

A Japanese man with a sweet tooth who believes in smiles has become the world's oldest male at 112 years and 344 days, according to Guinness World Records.

Chitetsu Watanabe, who was born in Niigata in northern Japan in 1907, received a certificate for his accomplishment at a nursing home in the city.

The previous record holder, Masazo Nonaka, died last month. The oldest living person is also Japanese, Kane Tanaka, a 117-year-old woman.

Until a decade ago, Mr Watanabe used to do bonsai, the Japanese art of raising small sculpted trees, and had his work exhibited. These days, he loves desserts such as custards and cream puffs.

Mr Watanabe graduated from agricultural school and moved to Taiwan to work on sugar cane plantation contracts.

He lived in Taiwan for 18 years. He married Mitsue and they had five children.

After the end of World War II, Mr Watanabe returned to Niigata and worked for the local government until retirement.

Asked about the secret to longevity, Watanabe advised: Don't get angry and keep smiling.
African, Muslim and Jewish Germans tell Al Jazeera why a far-right political storm should spur everyone into action.

Berlin, Germany  German minority communities living in the eastern state of Thuringia have raised the alarm after a political storm that saw an anti-immigrant far-right party gain a stronger footing in regional politics.

In last Wednesdays local elections, politicians from the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union (CDU) worked with the nationalist Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) to overthrow popular incumbent Bodo Ramelow, of the socialist party Die Linke.

The FDPs candidate, Thomas Kemmerich, won by a single vote to become state premier.

Merkel condemned the debacle, saying the election was unforgivable.

After winning, as criticism mounted, Kemmerich resigned to remove the stain of the AfDs support for the office of the premiership.

The development broke a long-standing position within German politics in which mainstream parties refused to collaborate with the populist AfD party, which peddles an anti-immigrant, anti-European Union agenda.

The shift sent shockwaves across the countrys political landscape, prompting calls by Chancellor Merkel for fresh elections, and sparked anti-fascist protests from Thuringia to Berlin and Frankfurt.

Daniel Egbe has lived in Germany for decades and says the rise of the far right worries migrant communities [Courtesy Daniel Egbe]

Cameroon-born Daniel Egbe has lived in Thuringias university town Jena for nearly 30 years, and was among more than 1,000 protesters who participated in a local demonstration.

Egbe, a 53-year-old chemistry professor and founder of migrant-focused organisation African Network for Solar Energy, told Al Jazeera: None of us were expecting this to happen and we are disappointed with the major political parties for collaborating with a party considered fascist and anti-migrant.

He said the outreach efforts will now be stepped up in his organisation, which counsels and supports African migrants and runs Africa-related events designed to promote a better image of the continent within the local community.

The AfD is getting stronger and to live in such conditions is not easy for migrants, he added.

The recent political developments force us to be even more engaged in the fight against Afrophobia in Jena. Africans are still experiencing verbal hostility on the streets or at their work, and there is widespread latent Afrophobia in most city services. Its imperative that we do something positive now.

Rise in far-right crimes

Germany has seen a rise in racist hate crimes in recent years.

Government figures show that in the first half of 2019, there were nearly 9,000 attacks by far-right groups and individuals  an increase of nearly 1,000 compared with the same period the year before.

Research from a counselling centre for victims of hate crimes showed that in 2018, at least three right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic attacks occurred daily in five East German federal states  Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony.

Meanwhile, AfDs popularity is growing in the east of the country  the party made big gains in state elections in both Brandenburg and Saxony last year.

The AfD is not only a threat to minorities, the party endangers democracy in Germany. It threatens the whole of German society. Reinhard Schramm, retired professor and chairman of Thuringia's Jewish community organisation

Suleman Malik has lived in Thuringias state capital Erfurt for nearly 20 years.

As a spokesman for the small Ahmadiyya Muslim community, he has been playing a central role in the construction of a mosque in the city.

He told Al Jazeera that resistance to the plans has resulted in a building process lasting more than 10 years.

There have been problems with acquiring land and difficulties convincing construction companies to take on work.

In a clear sign of racism, a dead pig being was sent to the site.

Suleman Malik is trying to build a mosque for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in East Germany but has faced resistance from the far right and local construction industry [Courtesy: Suleman Malik]

Malik, 33, said: We experience racism on a daily basis here. I have been spat in the face while handing out religious literature and I regularly receive death threats on social media. The AfD has also arranged petitions and protests against the construction.

Malik said the place of worship will be the first visible mosque in eastern Germany, once construction is completed later this year.

If the AfD get into power, they will threaten our democratic order, and initiate rules against minority communities. This could lead to political disaster in the country and parts of our constitution, like freedom of speech and freedom of religion, will be affected, he said.

Our mosques are built with the purpose of bringing people together and serving our neighbours and the local society. In the past, we have organised events with other minority communities. We will continue to stand together.

Malik has been working closely with retired professor Reinhard Schramm.

As the chairman of Thuringias Jewish community organisation, he is among the local supporters who have backed the mosques construction.

We are also actively involved in an interreligious discussion group in which Jews, Christians, Muslims and Bahai participate. Right-wing extremists who are against Muslims today will also be against Jews tomorrow. And vice versa, Schramm told Al Jazeera.

For many Germans, one particularly concerning element from last weeks political storm was the historical links to the countrys Nazi past.

It was in Thuringia during the final days of the Weimar Republic in the 1930s that the first Nazi politicians entered government, just before Adolf Hitler becoming the chancellor.

It was also the first time since World War II that a German politician was elected to the top state position off the back of far-right political support.

Reinhard Schramm, retired professor and chairman of Thuringias Jewish community organisation, said he is worried for Germanys Muslim minority [Sascha Fromm/Thuringer Allgemeine]

Schramm, 76, and his mother were the only survivors in their family during the Nazi-era. He said he is concerned about what would happen to the country if history repeats itself.

The AfD is partly to blame for the growth of hatred and murder and our concern about the party is big.

I am very sad about the present development because we Jews paid a terrible price during the Nazi era. This must never happen again with any minority.

I worry about the Muslim minority in our country, many of whom will stay even after the turmoil of war in the Middle East, and will enrich German society in the medium and long term. And I worry about all of Germany. At the end of the war in 1945, not only was Jewish life wiped out, but Germany was also in ruins.

The AfD is not only a threat to minorities, the party endangers democracy in Germany. It threatens the whole of German society.
The outbreak of Coronavirus in China has got the investors worried across the globe. The economic impact of Covid-19 or Novel Coronavirus to the world equity markets will be bigger than that of SARS in 2003, which did not impact the world economy.

China is the focal point, and the role of the Chinese economy in providing incremental growth to the world economy cannot be ruled out. Hence, any slowdown in China is likely to impact companies across the globe both negatively and positively.

During the period, the pie (share) of the Chinese economy (in the world economic growth) has grown 4 times to 16.3% from 4.2% of the world economy. If the situation takes longer to stabilize, the impact on the world economy will be higher, Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services said in a report.

The trade between India & China has also grown in the same period to USD 87 billion in FY19, imports being the major component. It will have some positives and negatives for India in the short to medium-term, he said.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

India imports large amounts of raw materials & semi-finished goods for sectors like auto, pharma (APIs), consumer durables and electronics. Costs are likely to increase which will also impact profitability.

Revenue and exports to China are limited to sectors like Agriculture, Auto, Aquaculture and Engineering.

Stocks that are likely to get impacted positively include companies that are in the electronic equipment, organic chemicals, fertilizers and plastics space that are top import areas from China, and are going to get the benefit from the fall in imports from China.

Eight stocks that are likely to benefit from the outbreak of Coronavirus are Dixon Technologies, PI Industries, Supreme Industries, Aarti Industries, UPL, KPR Mills, Asian Paints and Tata Steel, experts say.

Stocks that are likely to get impacted negatively from the Coronavirus outbreak are Tata Motors, Motherson Sumi, Havells India, Sun Pharma, and PI Industries, according to Geojit Financial Services report.

The world wants to diversify its high trade exposure with China. India has been emerging as a strong source of the exporter in segments like Manufacturing, Chemicals, IT and Engineering. India can capitalise on Make In India in the long-term, Geojit Financial Services said in a note.

Indian markets witnessed a knee-jerk reaction in January when the reports first emerged and since then the market has been volatile.

The economic effect of SARS in 2003 was very low but it had a much higher impact on the world equity market since it was the first epidemic fear post the 9/11 terror attack of 2001.

Reports suggest that the market has handled it with more stability and with a limited impact on world financial markets and in South-East Asian regions.

This is because of the belief that a large part of the epidemic effect will be limited to certain regions, that too for H1CY20 and reduce as the climate gets hotter. China has started opening its essential services, ports and manufacturing hubs slowly, Geojit said in the report.

This is expected to have a short-term effect, but maybe an in-built blessing for other emerging economies like India to develop as a long-term investment destination when the world adopts diversification to reduce sourcing risk, it said.
Egypt will set up a 210 million euro ($228 million) facility north of Cairo that will convert rice straw into wood, the oil ministry said in a statement on Thursday, in a bid limit air pollution resulting from its burning.

The plant, in the Nile Delta's Beheira, will produce 205,000 square meters a year of medium-density fiberboards (MDF), using technologies by Germany's plant engineering firm Siempelkamp, which will help carry out the project.

Burning agricultural waste, mostly rice straw, has for years posed a major environmental challenge and caused severe air pollution in the already highly-polluted country. Experts have said rice straw has plenty of potential uses.

A deal for the project was signed on Thursday between newly-established state wood technology company WOTECH and state-owned oil firm Petrojet during an international energy conference in Cairo. Another agreement was signed with the German firm.

The project will help support government's efforts "to transform rice straw from an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity," the ministry said.

It is part of the ministry's plans to expand in the petrochemical industry and set up new projects to provide main production materials for many local industries, the ministry said.

The project was first announced in October. The ministry said at the time it is the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East and the second globally after the United States.

The plant will produce high-quality local products that will be used in various sectors like furniture, construction, and decoration, the ministry added.

The project's shareholders include the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, SEDPC company, and Petrojet.



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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alianza Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ANZ OTC: TARSF) (Alianza or the Company) is pleased to report that the $250,000 financing announced on January 30, 2020 has been oversubscribed and increased to $1 million. The final amount raised will be announced upon closing of the offering but it will be approximately 20 million units at $0.05 for a total of $1,000,000.



Jason Weber, President & CEO, noted that Management appreciates the support of shareholders and participants in the current financing, enabling us to significantly expand the placement. We are very much looking forward to 2020 and our first drill program in Nevada with our partner Hochschild PLC in April.

Financing Terms

Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant at $0.05 per unit. The warrant is valid for three years from the date of closing of the offering and is exercisable at $0.10 to acquire one common share.

Finders fees of 7.5% in cash and 7.5% in finders warrants will be paid to eligible parties. Members of Alianzas board of directors and management team may be participating in this offering. All securities are subject to a four-month hold from the date of closing.

About Alianza Minerals Ltd.

Alianza employs a hybrid business model of joint venture funding and self-funded exploration to maximize opportunity for exploration success. The Company currently has gold, silver and base metal projects in Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Nevada and Peru. Alianza currently has three projects optioned/leased out in Nevada and Yukon Territory, and is actively exploring on three others. Alianzas current partners include Hochshild Mining PLC (LON: HOC) and Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE: CDE).

The Company has 82.4 million shares issued and outstanding and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ANZ and trades on the OTC market in the US under the symbol TARSF.

Mr. Jason Weber, P.Geo., President and CEO of Alianza Minerals Ltd. is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Weber supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this release.

For further information, contact:

Jason Weber, President and CEO

Sandrine Lam, Shareholder Communications



Tel: (604) 687-3520

Fax: (888) 889-4874



Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Melanie Barbeau

mbarbeau@renmarkfinancial.com

Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989

www.renmarkfinancial.com



To learn more visit: www.alianzaminerals.com

























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. STATEMENTS IN THIS NEWS RELEASE, OTHER THAN PURELY HISTORICAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING STATEMENTS RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S FUTURE PLANS AND OBJECTIVES OR EXPECTED RESULTS, MAY INCLUDE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON NUMEROUS ASSUMPTIONS AND ARE SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES INHERENT IN RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT. AS A RESULT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
The head of Australia's consumer watchdog Rod Sims says he does not regret opposing the $15 billion merger between Vodafone and TPG Telecom as one of his predecessors slammed the decision of the Federal Court to approve the deal.

"I dont regret for a second to oppose this merger, I think weve done the right thing," Mr Sims told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday afternoon. "I respect the courts decision of course, but we dont regret the stand we took on behalf of Australian consumers."

In a highly anticipated decision, the Federal Court on Thursday threw out a ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that the planned tie-up between the two telecom giants would harm consumers.

Former ACCC boss Allan Fels criticised the decision, saying the judge relied too much on the "self serving" evidence of TPG executive chairman David Teoh.
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Truss , an award-winning marketplace for commercial real estate, announced today two new partnerships with Eden and Rightsize Facility to offer more efficient and complementary services for the business owners who use their platform. Eden, the leading workplace management platform, makes it easier for fast-growing, innovative companies to run and scale their offices. Rightsize helps business owners plan, furnish and service their office expansion, relocation or consolidation.

"We're thrilled to work with both Eden and Rightsize as both businesses have synergies with our marketplace and the offerings we provide in helping small to medium sized business owners find and lease their office space," said Bobby Goodman, co-founder of Truss. "We know business owners and entrepreneurs are incredibly busy and our goal is to provide solutions that help them accomplish what they need to do as quickly as possible."

Truss aims to help business owners find, tour and lease office space or coworking space through a seamless process on their mobile devices or computers. On average, business owners save 19 percent on their lease and helps them rent space on average 60 percent faster than the traditional leasing process. Both partnerships with Eden and Rightsize allow Truss to offer more enhanced and streamlined efficiencies for business owners.

"We are excited to work in partnership with Truss to offer our accelerated delivery model for office furniture. The complimentary services provided through this partnership will allow business owners to find, lease, furnish and move into their completed space quickly and efficiently and to provide access to a comprehensive workplace management platform for ongoing office services," said Mason Awtry, president of Rightsize Facility.

"We're thrilled to partner with Truss to offer our online marketplace of best-in-class services," said Joe Du Bey , CEO & co-founder of Eden. "From cleaning services and handymen, to ordering coffee and IT Maintenance, today's office occupiers are seeking turnkey solutions that are flexible, functional and responsive. The prominent synergies between our platform and Truss' made this a clear fit, as we're equally committed to driving transformation in the workplace industry."

Business owners can search, tour and lease office and coworking space through Truss' platform.

More about Truss

Truss helps small and medium businesses find, tour and lease office and coworking space. More than 15,000 small to medium sized business owners have used Truss to date to help them find the right commercial real estate space. Business owners and entrepreneurs can search for the space from their own computers or mobile devices. The AI-enabled technology enables business owners to find the right space in a convenient and easy manner. Truss also offers dedicated brokers and partner brokers who act as the point person throughout the seamless process. TrussCRE is a listing marketplace to streamline transactions for brokers. TrussCRE continually adds new inventory with complete pricing details on every listing. To learn more about Truss, visit www.truss.co or follow them on social media on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .

More about Rightsize

Rightsize Facility is a nationwide office interiors firm that will facilitate everything from space planning, to furniture selection, to delivery and installation. We are your single source to PLAN, FURNISH and SERVICE office expansion, relocation or consolidation for corporate clients in transition.

More about Eden

Eden is the leading workplace management platform, making it easier for innovative companies to run their offices. Eden is available in 25 major global metro areas, with more than 2,000 service partners providing all facilities and workplace experience services required to run a high standards office. Top requested services on Eden include janitorial, handymen, IT support, electricians, plumbers, cabling, snacks, coffee, food delivery, and more. Using Eden's platform, a facilities or workplace manager receives bids for any requested service, consolidated billing, service partner communication tools, and access to Eden's ticketing / work-order software. To learn more about Eden, visit www.eden.io or follow them on social media on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .

SOURCE Truss

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Elizabeth Warren campaign shifts ad spending after struggle in New Hampshire primary originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

After unimpressive results in the first two Democratic party contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is making significant rearrangements in her television presence in two upcoming contests.

In the past week, the Warren campaign has canceled or moved more than $1.2 million worth of television ads in Nevada and South Carolina, which are scheduled to cast votes later this month.

The campaign began pulling ads from Nevada and South Carolina on Monday last week amid the chaotic Iowa caucuses -- cancelling more than $660,000 worth of ads from the two states, according to the ad research firm CMAG/Kantar in Washington, D.C.

MORE: Women backing Warren in New Hampshire call 'electability' concerns a 'red herring'

The day of her fourth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, they cut another $370,000 in South Carolina, moving the majority of that money to Nevada, according to the Warren campaign. Nevada holds caucuses a week before the South Carolina primary.

The Warren campaign also added a $67,000 placement in Maine, a Super Tuesday state slated to vote on March 3, and about $40,000 of ads to radio stations and print newspapers in South Carolina.

Based on CMAGs data and the campaigns account of its spending, Warren is now left with about $1 million in Nevada and South Carolina in coming weeks, with no placements in any of the Super Tuesday states, other than the modest sum in Maine.

PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren appears at her New Hampshire primary night rally in Manchester, N.H., Feb. 11, 2020. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Meanwhile, her rivals in the Democratic field have been making aggressive investments on television ads. Sen. Bernie Sanders already has spent nearly $4 million on television ads in California and Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Monday added $262,000 in Nevada. Former Vice President Joe Biden also has spent more than $1 million in the early states, and also has the backing of a super PAC. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has a modest amount of ads coming up, but is also boosted by a major super PAC, VoteVets.

Story continues

In recent days, despite the lack of airtime booked in Super Tuesday states, Warren and her senior staff have made clear thats where theyre setting their sights.

"The fight were in, the fight to save our democracy, is an uphill battle. But our campaign is built for the long haul. And we are just getting started," Warren said in her speech Tuesday night in Manchester, when she started by congratulating Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar for their respective first-, second- and third-place finishes in New Hampshire.

MORE: Iowa Democratic Party chairman resigns in wake of caucus chaos

Campaign manager Roger Lau communicated directly with staff and supporters Monday, assuring them that they have a plan for the path forward.

Just before Lau sent an email to supporters pushing internal campaign numbers that showed Warren was "poised to finish in the top two in over half of Super Tuesday states," as well as detailed lines of attack against each of the five front-runners, he sent an email to the campaign staff pledging to stay in the race.

"I know you have been getting a lot of questions about how we are thinking about our next steps coming out of Iowa and after the polls close in New Hampshire, and I think it will be helpful for your own conversations with others on behalf of the campaign," Lau told staff in the email, obtained by ABC News.

"As EW said on our all-hands call last week, she didnt get into this race with the belief that this would be easy. None of us did, either.  Making real change in this country has never been easy -- but as EW often says, if you dont fight, you cant win," Lau wrote to staff, referring to Warren by her initials.

PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren appears at her New Hampshire primary night rally in Manchester, N.H., Feb. 11, 2020. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Warren also jumped onto a call with supporters Tuesday night around 10 p.m., shortly after she gave her speech and finished taking selfies with supporters at her election night party. Warren was upbeat, according to one person on the call, and asked everyone on the call to unmute themselves and give a cheer to the New Hampshire team. The call was to reassure the campaign that theyre in it for the long haul, the person on the call said.

But the Warren campaign still has to get through two more early states before Super Tuesday, and polls do not show Warren leading in either of them.

Rival campaigns were quick to point out that the fight for the 14 Super Tuesday states will require a heavy infrastructure, which a campaign can only afford if they pull in money and enthusiasm with some victories.

MORE: After Iowa, Warren says shes built her campaign to go the distance

The debates in Nevada and South Carolina in the next two weeks hold a lot of potential because of the boost Fridays debate gave Klobuchar, according to Adam Green, who has worked with Warren and her team since 2012 as the co-founder of PCCC.

"Super Tuesday is the big kahuna. A big priority for all candidates is having momentum entering Super Tuesday and nothing will contribute to momentum more than good moments on the debate stage," Green said.

On the heels of Bidens drop in support from African American voters in national polls, Green also pointed to the potential to pick up some of his supporters in racially diverse states like South Carolina and Nevada.

Last fall, Warren was the first in the crowded Democratic field to invest millions of dollars on television ads in the early states, months before her top-polling rivals took the ad battle to that level. With digital ad buys, the campaign had announced it would be spending eight figures on the airwaves and online.

The big early investments were made during the height of Warrens fundraising prowess last fall. Her campaign brought in a whopping $24.6 million between July and September, topping Buttigieg and Biden, and closely following Sanders, who raked in $25.2 million.

In the last quarter of 2019, however, Warren trailed behind all three, bringing in just $21.3 million compared to top-fundraiser Sanders $34.4 million. Warren also showed the highest burn rate -- spending -- of 158% among the four top-tier candidates.

In the email to staff on Saturday, Lau said the campaign saw "the best debate-day fundraising to date" after Warrens "strong performance" on the debate stage Friday, but how much she brings in throughout the competitive primary season remains to be seen.
New Delhi: Union Ministers Harsh Vardhan, Hardeep Singh Puri, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the meeting of High level Group of Ministers (GoM) to reviews current status, and actions for prevention and managem Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Union Ministers Harsh Vardhan, Hardeep Singh Puri, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the meeting of High level Group of Ministers (GoM) to reviews current status, and actions for prevention and managem Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Union Ministers Harsh Vardhan, Hardeep Singh Puri, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the meeting of High level Group of Ministers (GoM) to reviews current status, and actions for prevention and managem Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 13 : With two Indians confirmed to have been infected with the deadly coronavirus aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama in Japan, the Centre on Thursday has assured all assistance.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that the Indian embassy in Tokyo was providing assistance to the crew and passengers.

"Our Embassy @IndianEmbTokyo is in constant touch with the crew & passengers of #DiamondPrincess off Yokohama, Japan, rendering all necessary support & assistance. Passengers & crew are currently quarantined by Japanese authorities," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

"2 Indian crew members have tested positive for #Coronavirus. Will keep you updated," he added.

Sonali Thakkar, a security officer on the ship, has been sending out messages asking the Indian government to take them back home or at least send some medical experts along to expedite the coronavirus tests.

Thakkar was placed in isolation on Monday, a week after the ship docked at Yokohoma on February 3.

"We are scared that if the infection is spreading, it is spreading so fast that we could also become one of them. We don't want to. We just want to go back home," she said according to reports.

The British cruise ship with 3,711 people on board arrived at the Japanese coast early last week and was quarantined after a passenger who de-boarded last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the virus on the ship.

A total of 138 Indians, including passengers and crew, were on board the ship.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government on Thursday said that the total number of coronavirus cases on the ship has increased to 218, after the emergence of over 44 fresh cases.
[February 13, 2020] First Responder Technologies to Demonstrate World's First WiFi-based Walk-through Metal Detection Unit at UK Home Office Expo March 3 - 5, 2020

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, Feb. 13, 2020 /CNW/ - First Responder Technologies Inc. ("First Responder" or the "Company") (CSE: WPN | FWB: 3WK) a developer of WiFi-based technologies to detect and deter mass shooting and terror attacks involving concealed weapons, is pleased to announce that it will be demonstrating its walk-through metal detection capability using WiFi at the invitation-only UK Home Office Expo (Security and Policing 2020) March 3-5, 2020 in Farnborough, UK ("UK Home Office Expo"). The UK Home Office Expo is an invitation-only event, sponsored by the government of the United Kingdom, which offers a world-class opportunity to meet, network and discuss the latest advances in public safety and security, a global market worth more than $500 billion USD on an annual basis. The Company's demonstration of walk-through WiFi-based metal detection technology (the "Walk-Through Detection Unit") is the second significant development milestone the Company has achieved (desktop-based system, December 2019) toward its goal of delivering a WiFi-based concealed weapons detection, minimum viable product before the end of 2020. A WiFi-based concealed weapons detection system represents a multibillion-dollar global opportunity that could represent a paradigm-shift in how security professionals anticipate and respond to mass shooting and terrorist threats involving soft targets, including schools, places of worship, theatres, stadiums and shopping centres. The Company is working to advance a fully functioning working prototype for release in May 2020, which is expected to demonstrate three basic key functions: The detection of metal concealed in a bag, or on the person of an individual, passing through the "virtual fence post" bollards (" Metal Detection ");

"); The estimation of the size and shape of the concealed object (increases probability of weapons detection and reduces false positives) (" Size and Shape Detection "); and

"); and The trigger of an alarm on a laptop or smartphone carried by a person in authority with access to th system, enabling him or her to take defensive action (from interdicting a suspect to locking a door) ("Early Warning").



The Walk-Through Detection Unit demonstrated at the UK Home Office event, will showcase both its Metal Detection and Early Warning capabilities, two of the three functions the Company has identified as necessary to complete a properly functioning prototype. The Company continues a robust research and development effort, involving teams led by global team of PhD-holding physicists and computer scientists at Rutgers University, VVDN Technologies Private Limited in India, and Misty West Energy and Transport Ltd. in Canada, to solve the complexity of the Size and Shape Detection challenge.

Business Development Update The Company is also pleased to announce that it has signed alpha test agreements with partners in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom; given the momentum surrounding the development of its WiFi business, the Company has decided to delay the development of its pepper spray program and re-allocate funds to expedite the advancement of its WiFi technology. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Robert F. Delamar" Robert F. Delamar, CEO First Responder Technologies Inc.

915 - 700 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC. V6C 1G8

[email protected] About First Responder Technologies Inc. First Responder Technologies Inc. (the "Company") is a technology development company that commercializes academic and internally developed intellectual property for use in the public safety market. The Company is developing a WiFi-based technology, based in part, on academic research licensed from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey ("Rutgers") that can be used to detect concealed weapons. The Company's threat detection technology line of business was created to capture a significant portion of the global weapons detection systems market, and in particular, the global perimeter security detection market. In the Company's view, WiFi-based threat detection technology may be utilized by a wide range of facilities, including schools, places of worship, shopping centres and theatres, to not only make their premises secure, but also reduce their cost of security, from the interior of a facility to the perimeter. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information visit: www.firstrespondertech.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. SOURCE First Responder Technologies Inc.

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ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent survey of corporate real estate executives (CRE) at corporations globally, 78 percent of the respondents reported that their base salary had increased in calendar/fiscal year 2018-2019 and 73 percent projected that their salary would increase yet again in the coming year.

The survey was conducted by CoreNet Global and FPL Associates.

The average increase for calendar/fiscal year 2018-2019 was 4.7 percent. The average projected increase for the coming year is 4.1 percent.

For a head of global corporate real estate, the average total remuneration was $307,000 in this year's survey.

In addition, forty-two percent of participants received an increase in their annual incentive (cash bonus) award payout in 2018 (when compared to 2017). Automobile allowances, tuition reimbursement, and dependent care resources are among the most valuable perquisites.

In the third quarter of 2019, FPL and CoreNet Global developed a questionnaire for the purpose of gathering compensation information relevant to internal CRE organization employees in the current market. In this year's survey, 146 end user companies were represented, including Cisco Systems, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Standard Chartered PLC, as well as numerous other Fortune 500 companies.

About CoreNet Global

CoreNet Global is a non-profit association, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (US), representing more than 11,000 executives in 50 countries with strategic responsibility for the real estate assets of large corporations. The organization's mission is to advance the practice of corporate real estate through professional development opportunities, publications, research, conferences, designations and networking in 46 local chapters and networking groups globally. For more information, please visit www.corenetglobal.org or follow @CorenetGlobal on Twitter.

About FPL Associates L.P.

FPL Associates, a member of the FPL Advisory Group family of companies, provides a range of specialized compensation and management consulting solutions to a select group of related industries. As part of its compensation services, FPL Associates assists clients in the assessment, design, and implementation of compensation programs for professionals and board members. The company specializes in crafting performance management and reward systems that align management interests with the achievement of strategic business objectives. For more information please visit www.fpl-global.com.

SOURCE CoreNet Global

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Can social media be saved? Can democracy be saved?

The first question may seem less compelling than the second, but to some very worried observers, they are intimately entwined.

Social networking  on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and a host of other online networks  is the root of all current cultural evils, in the eyes of some critics. However, campaigns to persuade users to withdraw from it have gained little traction.

Undeniably, social networks offer positive experiences that are hard to give up. They connect people instantly. They disseminate photos of newborn babies, delicious recipes and miraculously standing brooms. They let us know when celebrities  or old acquaintances  have passed on. They help raise money for good causes. They educate. They provide a forum for discussions that are penetrating and sincere. For some, they are an antidote for loneliness.

They also vacuum up users personal data and share it with marketers to support alarmingly targeted advertising campaigns. They provide convenient tools for bullies to harass their victims. They offer a platform for hate speech and terrorist recruitment. They distort the truth. They spread and amplify fake news and other lies. They sow distrust and enmity among family members and friends. They chip at the very foundation of long-treasured institutions. Some see them as an existential threat.

As part of a comprehensive virtual discussion on the state of technology in 2020, we put two central questions to ECTs panel of industry insiders in an effort to tease apart some of these tangled issues. We asked them to identify the biggest problems with social media and to propose some potential solutions.

We also asked how concerned they were about the spread of disinformation online, particularly with respect to elections, and for their insights on how that issue should be addressed.

Our roundtable participants were Laura DiDio, principal at ITIC; Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group; Ed Moyle, partner at SecurityCurve; Denis Pombriant, managing principal at the Beagle Research Group; and Jonathan Terrasi, a tech journalist who focuses on computer security, encryption, open source, politics and current affairs.

Social Media Ills in a Nutshell

The trouble with social media platforms, according to our panelists, is that they make it so easy for people to behave badly. Also, people are too careless with their information. Its too easy for an impulsive moment to go viral.

Theres a lack of foresight when it comes to managing these vast personal data respositories. Social networks have all but destroyed privacy.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Social networking is addictive.

Platforms are biased. Standards are not applied fairly.

Theyre businesses that want to profit, above all else.

Some solutions? Break them up. Require licensing. Deploy artificial intelligence monitors. Regulate.

The Social Blob

Users are both the victims and the villains on social media, suggested Rob Enderle, who noted the tendency for people to post without thinking.

In general, many people think they can hide behind the anonymity of their keyboards and use social media as a weapon to bully other people, with little thought for the consequences of what they type, said Laura DiDio.

Many people also overshare and provide too much information about themselves and their personal life. This too, can have unintended and often tragic consequences, she added.

The social media business model is exploitative, remarked Jonathan Terrasi, in the sense that consumers only nominally consent to it, very seldom providing truly informed consent.

Privacy is the biggest issue, said Ed Moyle.

One macabre factor is that users social media accounts often outlive them, noted DiDio.

I still get notifications for birthdays, anniversaries, etc., for deceased friends and coworkers, she remarked.

The challenge of fixing social media may seem insurmountable, but there is no shortage of potential solutions on offer, ranging from creative ways to modify personal behavior to business self-regulation to accepting the need for governmental intervention.

The most obvious solution is to practice discretion, but Im not sure how realistic that is for many people, said DiDio. Ive seen some people say theyre taking a break from Facebook or Twitter or Instagram in the morning only to be back posting a few hours later! To paraphrase Karl Marx: Social media is the opiate of the people.

AI to the Rescue?

Instead of persuading people to stop using social media platforms, why not provide tools that can help them engage more wisely?

Perhaps artificial intelligence systems could be of use in this regard, Enderle suggested.

Imagine that youre firing off an angry reply to your brother-in-laws snarky political jibe and, as you type, a little thought balloon pops up and asks you if you really want to post that comment. Perhaps the AI even suggests language that makes your point in a less confrontational way.

Speaking Freely

To me, the most significant issue with social media is uniform and transparent applications of a platforms community standards,' said Terrasi.

At this point, people seem to have not just conceded that social media puts limits on online speech, but have actually welcomed certain forms of what is, at the end of the day, censorship, he pointed out.

Whether its removing Islamic State (ISIS) content at the behest of the Obama administration, or social media cracking down on disinformation in the face of vociferous pressure from their users, policing certain kinds of speech on social media is a practice that users truly want, Terrasi maintained.

However, what were finding, both historically and presently, is that social media companies do not enforce their standards uniformly, and a lot of users  activists especially  feel that they are being dealt with more harshly than other users who have committed more grave infractions, he said.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Its gotten to the point where different political factions believe that a given social media platform is secretly carrying water for their opponents, which at the very least creates a toxic atmosphere for discourse, Terrasi observed.

About 100 years ago, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote the defining standard for free speech, said Denis Pombriant.

It had something to do with issuing propaganda during wartime. Holmes said that the speech much present a clear and present danger to society for society to take action against it. Thats where we get the idea that free speech or not, you cant yell fire in a crowded theater. It makes sense, he continued.

Using that standard, there are many things happening on social media today that violate the standard set by Holmes. Rather than regulating speech per se, which is a never-ending pit to fall into, if we applied simple structures that have worked well for centuries already, we could reduce the problem to a minimum without trampling anyones rights, Pombriant suggested.

The Self-Policing Approach

One of the underlying problems with social media is the internal corruption of the platforms that is attributable to runaway greed, suggested Pombriant.

The CEOs represent a new gilded age, he remarked.

Social media has a business model problem that will be solved when they are broken up into platforms and apps, Pombriant suggested.

Further, like other professional organizations that police themselves, social media platforms should be subjected to certification and licensing for professional participation, he argued.

This works well for all kinds of occupations, from doctors and lawyers to electricians and barbers. You can cut your own hair, you can wire a socket in your own home, you can treat your own cold without professional intervention  but if you want to do any of those things for others you need a license, Pombriant noted.

Social media for personal use should not require any form of licensing, but when organizations use it to influence the public it is reasonable to require them to have demonstrated competency up to and including identifying who they are unambiguously, he said.

How many social media ills could be solved right now with just minimal transparency? Not having that transparency is the core of a clear and present danger, maintained Pombriant.

I see what youre saying, Denis, and it seems very elegant on paper, but I dont see that working in practice  at least in the realm of political speech, which produced the consternation that precipitated the present vigorous public discourse on online speech, Terrasi responded.

If corporate or governmental political actors identified themselves as such, then we could by all means require licensing on their part, he agreed.

The reality, though, is that nothing will compel these actors to do any such thing. If, for instance, a private sector entity with fringe political agendas wants to incept its narrative, they will just get people to create accounts and generate content under the pretense that they are individuals sharing their sincerely held personal beliefs, Terrasi said.

There is literally no way to police this practice, short of shaking down every user of every account and investigating the possibility that they represent some entity other than themselves, he pointed out.

Not only would these rogue political actors do this, but they have in fact done this: Russia sowed discord in the American public discourse in 2016 by fabricating fake personas of individuals with supposedly personally held beliefs, and these messages resonated with American voters enough that they were amplified, Terrasi added. I dont see a realistic way to out every account that serves the interests of a larger entity, with or without licensing requirements.

The Big Guns

Manipulation at a national scale requires intelligent regulation, according to Enderle.

That said, I fear intelligent regulation is an oxymoron, he added.

It seems to me that the only long-term viable solution is regulation, Moyle agreed.

Social media needs to make money to operate, and companies will derive revenue in whatever way theyre allowed, so the business model wont change until substantive government regulation gives them an ultimatum, Terrasi chimed in.

I believe that eventually the liabilities surrounding social media will eliminate or nationalize most of it, Enderle predicted. It is becoming one of the most useful tools to coordinate a variety of attacks and, traditionally, governments will prioritize eliminating risks like that.

Doomed by Disinformation?

In this weeks informal ECT News poll, we asked readers how concerned they were about online disinformation during the U.S. presidential election cycle. Although were still polling and the final results arent yet in, a whopping 58 percent of respondents so far said they were very concerned, and 15 percent were somewhat concerned. In contrast, 27 percent of those polled were not at all concerned.

There was no waffling among our roundtable panelists. Theyre very worried.

Disinformation is everywhere. It is a potent weapon and made all the more so because many people simply do not recognize it as such, said DiDio.

Too often the news media is guilty of promoting opinion instead of fact and in trying to be first instead of right, she pointed out. Early on in my career as a reporter, Ted Kavanau who was the news director at WNEW-TV in New York, had a sign posted as you entered the newsroom: There are two sides to every story. How many sides did you get?'

There are many forces seeding the mushrooming disinformation cloud, Enderle suggested.

The proliferation of disinformation increasingly tied to foreign governments and fringe groups is greatly concerning as is the increased use of false statements of fact from political figures and national news organizations, he said.

This appears to be tearing much of the West apart. Yet fixes could destroy free speech. These unfortunate trends could eventually destroy much of the democratic governments that exist and at the heart of the efforts are our own social networks. I fear the repercussions will be far more dire than we currently realize, Enderle added.

The problem is larger than elections IMHO, agreed Moyle.

The election problem is especially vexing because it involves foreign nations and such interference can be construed as an act of war, noted Pombriant.

We need to come together globally to agree on standards for what is OK and what is out of bounds.  It probably involves a cyberwar treaty or addendum to the Geneva Conventions, he suggested.

So Andrey Krutskikh, a senior Kremlin advisor, bragged about the Russian disinformation capability in 2016, Moyle pointed out.

They will absolutely do this again. They have to in order to achieve the objective they wanted, as a negotiation instrument with the U.S., he continued.

So get ready for that. More disinformation incoming for sure, Moyle said.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

While there is probably no way to know definitively one way or the other, elections prior to the 2016 U.S. federal election were not perceived, or forensically proven, to have been compromised by disinformation on social media  disinformation being intentional inaccuracy while misinformation is unintentional  despite the fact that social media has been a factor in campaigning for at least the previous two federal elections, Terrasi pointed out.

So the question we have to pose to ourselves is, did social media platforms actually become a more fertile ground for disinformation since 2012, or did the agent provocateurs and partisan political operatives simply get more adept in abusing social media to proliferate disinformation? he wondered.

It takes time for any actor to become versed in a new medium, and it could be that political actors are just acclimating to social media just as it took a while for them to fully leverage television, Terrasi suggested.

Political speech is one of the rare forms of First Amendment speech that is truly unlimited, so the government cant really regulate what is said. Concurrently, social media has no incentive to ban all political speech from their platforms  even if they ban paid political ads, as some platforms have to date, he added.

Bearing all of that in mind, the only viable remedy for the manipulation of information intended for the political forum is tighter regulation on political spending, which is not something the federal government has pursued very far lately. Any change on this front will have to come from a bipartisan groundswell of popular support, Terrasi maintained.

What to Do?

As grave as the problem may be, there are ways to combat the tsunami of disinformation, our panelists maintained.

The problem, and it is serious, can be solved through certification of users, breaking up the vendors, and demanding transparency, insisted Pombriant.

This is an ideal use of a behavioral AI looking for data trends and red flagging them for mitigation, or automatically mitigating with a defined escalation path to remediate any mistakes, suggested Enderle.

The best solution could be a more basic one, however. To reduce the effectiveness of disinformation campaigns, we need an increase in critical thinking skills across the board, said Moyle.

Many people arent trained well in critical thinking skills. They literally are unable to tell a biased or untrustworthy source from a reliable one, he pointed out.

Fixing this requires building up those skills  which is challenging to do. Long term, this issue will resolve itself. Young people now learn to tell the difference between news and spurious crap early as a survival skill, Moyle noted.

We likely should aggressively teach both confirmation bias and argumentative theory at a young age so our race learns to self-mitigate. We have found the problem and it truly is us, Enderle added.

The only sure defense is equipping everyone to serve as their own best advocate and critically evaluate all the information presented to them  and the motives behind its presentation. It is an arduous, unglamorous task, but it is the only one that promises a durable solution, said Terrasi.

Everyone needs to check and vet their sources of information and not simply jump to conclusions and retweet or share so-called facts before they are certain that it is factual and correct information, urged DiDio.

Think for yourself and question everything! Thats a good start, she said.

In the digital age, information and disinformation is literally no further than our fingertips. Unfortunately, many people tend to consume information with less thought then they would give to what flavor they want in their morning beverage, DiDio remarked.

We as individuals and collectively as organizations  news, vendors etc.  have to demand critical thinking and apply standards and regulations for noncompliance, she maintained.

Once disinformation hits the Internet, its very difficult to take down, DiDio observed.

So there must be consequences. Current laws have many loopholes, and we as a society must work to close those loopholes  and we must also enact new legislation that keeps pace with and adequately delivers punishment that fits the crime, she argued.

The Institutions That Sustain Us

One possible approach to stopping the madness could be to shore up the institutions that have served our society well when other crises have threatened the social fabric.

The threat posed by disinformation is certainly dire, but I think it is early to sound the death knell for liberal democracies, Terrasi said.

I think some of this pessimism owes to the admittedly difficult nature of education-based campaigns, because all it takes is a large enough segment of uneducated or easily misled voters to swing an election  another case of the chain being only as strong as the weakest link, he pointed out.

I think that this effort can be bolstered by restoring integrity and vigor in our civil institutions, Terrasi suggested.

I know that that is a somewhat unpopular opinion at the moment, but institutions have historically been arbiters of contentious but complex subjects that make their outcomes felt on society at large, he continued.

I dont think having expert bodies weighing in on complicated issues is a bad thing, Terrasi added.

What I will grant is that many institutions have been co-opted by narrow powerful interests, and that has to be addressed. I can accept if we need to clean house in some institutions, but I still think we need functioning ones to anchor public discourse in facts, he emphasized. It requires a compromise in which institutions admit their failings, and the public admits that ordinary people usually dont have better answers to the intricacies of policy making than experts do.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The Department of Revenue Intelligence has unearthed a major scam involving misuse of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) provisions by certain firms.

According to highly-placed sources, few firms have been caught importing Canola oil of Canadian origin by wrongfully declaring it as Rapeseed oil from Bangladesh.

This scam lead to evasion of around Rs 25 crore in customs duty, as the import of Canola oil of Canadian origin attracts a customs duty of about 35 per cent, whereas full exemption of customs duty is given to products of Bangladeshi origin under SAFTA.

Sources said that the DRI gather intelligence which indicated that certain firms were importing crude Canola oil of Canadian origin by wrongfully declaring it as crude rapeseed or mustard or rice bran oil of Bangladeshi origin through the Ghojadanga Land Customs Station (LCS) at the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.

In the past two months around 15,000 MTS of ostensible crude rapeseed oil was suddenly imported through Ghojadanga LCS from Bangladesh availing duty exemption under SAFTA.

This sudden spurt of import from Bangladesh under SAFTA raised suspicion with regard to the description of the goods and their actual identity, sources said.

Consequently, investigations were initiated by DRI against certain importers through searches conducted on February 8 and the scam unearthed.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is promoting Doaejissal Supermarket located in Mapo District where the award-winning film "Parasite" was shot as a tour attraction./ Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan City



By Kim Se-jeong



The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday it will actively promote four locations where scenes from director Bong Joon-ho's film "Parasite" were shot as tourism attractions.



"Parasite" won four Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards that were held Feb. 9.



The four sites include Doaejissal corner store in Mapo District, where the first scene of the film was shot; the stairs near the store where Kim Ki-jeong buys peaches and carries them to the Park's house; Jahamun Tunnel stairs in Jongno District which the Kim family used to return home from the Park's house in the pouring rain; and Sky Pizza in Dongjak District which donated a stack of pizza boxes for the shooting.



The city said the first project will be a guided tour of the four sites for movie fans sometime this month or early March, adding that it is also working to add signs and photo zones at each site.






Buckingham Palace and US officials denied that Prince Charles 'avoided' shaking hands with US vice president Mike Pence at an Auschwitz memorial event in Jerusalem Thursday.

A video clip of the Prince of Wales greeting officials in Israel shows him walking along the front row of seats, shaking hands with world and Jewish leaders.

When he came to Pence, the heir to the British throne seemed to look him in the eye before moving on to shake hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country's President Reuven Rivlin.

As the video went public, both Pence's staff and Buckingham Palace denied it was a snub and said the pair had met before entering the hall, exchanging smiles and joking with each other, and shaken hands after the event.

Katie Waldman, the Vice President's press secretary, tweeted a video and picture of Pence and Charles together before the event.

A Buckingham Palace told the BBC the prince and Mr Pence had a 'long and warm conversation' before the ceremony began.

The Prince of Wales approached Mike Pence at the event in Israel as he greeted dignitaries, but did not shake his had after looking him in the eye

A video clip of the Prince of Wales greeting officials in Israel shows him walking along the front row of seats, shaking hands with several dignitaries. But when he came to Pence, the heir to the throne merely looked him in the eye before moving on to shake hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Mike Pence patted Prince Charles on the back after he walked past without shaking his hand and greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Auschwitz event today

Vice President's press secretary, Katie Waldman, tweeted a photo she said was taken before guests entered the hall at the Auschwitz memorial event today, showing Prince Charles and Mike Pence sharing a joke

Waldman added in a statement: 'Vice President Pence and the Second Lady spoke with Prince Charles for five minutes in the pre-program before they entered the hall. Also they shook hands at the end of his remarks.'

In the clip the Prince first speaks to the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, then shaking hands with Moshe Kantor, founder of the World Holocaust Forum which held the event.

He is then seen walking past Pence to shake hands with Netanyahu and the Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin.

The Prince did not appear to make an effort to approach Pence and his wife, Karen, as the VP then patted the Queen's first son on the back as he spoke to Netanyahu.

Strictly speaking, Prince Charles followed protocol, shaking hands with a head of state - the German president - then his hosts, Kantor, Netanyahu and Rivlin; Pence is not a head of state or a host.

Once Charles walked past Pence, he then took his seat next to French President Emmanuel Macron and warmly shook hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Charles reached across Emmanuel Macron to warmly greet Russian President Vladimir Putin just moments after walking past Mike Pence

After a friendly discussion with Netanyahu, Prince Charles then shook hands with Macron.

The Prince greeted Putin with a handshake and a smile in a separate clip posted online.

Charles had been meeting including world leaders at the event to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Earlier at the memorial, Prince Charles told invited guests that the stories of the Holocaust belonged to many of those in the hall and Jewish people across the globe.

He added: 'But we must never forget that they are also our story: a story of incomprehensible inhumanity, from which all humanity can and must learn.

'For that an evil cannot be described does not mean that it cannot be defeated. That it cannot be fully understood does not mean that it cannot be overcome.'

From left: US Vice President Mike Pence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Britain's prince Charles during the Fifth World Holocaust Forum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem

After walking past Mike Pence, Prince Charles went on to shake hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right)

When Pence spoke he urged the international community to 'stand strong' against Iran, calling it the only country where Holocaust denial is 'state policy'.

He was watched by Nancy Pelosi, the US House Speaker, who clapped as he spoke.

Putin used his platform at the event to take political aim at Poland. Polish politicians have been infuriated by the central role given to Putin at the historic commemoration.

The Russian leader has tried to blame the country for the outbreak of WWII to detract from the Soviet-Nazi pact made in 1939 that carved up Eastern Europe.

The Prince of Wales has urged nations to learn the 'lessons' of the Holocaust as he joined world leaders in condemning the scourge of anti-Semitism, during an event marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.

Charles described the extermination of six million Jewish people during the Second World War as a 'universal human tragedy' affecting all, not just the families of those killed by the Nazi regime.

The heir to the British throne spoke during the World Holocaust Forum in Israel and told guests, who included Russian President Vladimir Putin and France's President Emmanuel Macron, the story of 'incomprehensible humanity' must not be forgotten.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron during the Fifth World Holocaust Forum today in Jerusalem, Israel

Charles, Prince of Wales shakes hands with Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv Yisrael Meir Lau during the World Holocaust Forum

The unloading ramp and the main gate called the 'Gate of Death' at the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz II-Birkenau in Brzezinka, Poland, February or March 1945

And he warned that 'hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart' but society must remain 'resolute in resisting words and acts of violence'.

Speaking at the gathering, the largest international event in Israel's history, staged at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, Charles said: 'The Holocaust was an appalling Jewish tragedy, but it was also a universal human tragedy, and one which we compound if we do not heed its lessons.'

He told the guests, including the Kings of Spain and the Netherlands, the stories of the Holocaust belonged to many of those in the hall and Jewish people across the globe.

Charles added: 'But we must never forget that they are also our story: a story of incomprehensible inhumanity, from which all humanity can and must learn.

'For that an evil cannot be described does not mean that it cannot be defeated. That it cannot be fully understood, does not mean that it cannot be overcome.'

Vice President of the United States Mike Pence (right) and his wife Karen Pence (left) during the Fifth World Holocaust Forum today

World leaders pose for a family photo during the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem. Vice President Mike Pence, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the presidents of Germany, Italy and Austria were among the more than 40 dignitaries attending

Warning that intolerance was never far away, he said: 'We must be vigilant in discerning these ever-changing threats; we must be fearless in confronting falsehoods and resolute in resisting words and acts of violence.'

During his speech Charles also paid tribute to the 'selfless actions' of his grandmother, Princess Alice, who in 1943 while living in Nazi-occupied Greece sheltered a Jewish family in her own home.

In 1993 Yad Vashem bestowed the title of Righteous Among The Nations on her and she is buried at the nearby Mount of Olives.

Charles described the title as 'a fact which gives me and my family immense pride.'

The presidents of France, Germany and Russia were among those to also deliver speeches to the forum, held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz being liberated by Soviet troops on January 27 1945.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acknowledged during his speech that 'the worst crime in the history of humanity was committed by my countrymen'.

He added: 'Seventy five years later after the liberation of Auschwitz I stand before you all as president of Germany and laden with the heavy historical burden of guilt.'
Facebook's new dating service has been postponed after Ireland's Data Commissioner Helen Dixon stepped in

Facebook has been forced into an embarrassing postponement of its new dating service all across Europe - 36 hours before Valentine's Day - after Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) stepped in.

The regulatory body, which oversees Facebook's operation across the EU, sent agents to the social media giant's offices in Dublin because Facebook had not informed it of the launch.

The move leaves the social media body red-faced, even though the Herald understands that Facebook will proceed with the European dating launch in the future and that the product has been "postponed" rather than "cancelled".

A spokesman for Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon said Facebook only informed it on February 3 that the dating launch was occurring on February 13.

"We were very concerned that this was the first that we'd heard from Facebook Ireland about this new feature," he said.

"Our concerns were further compounded by the fact that no information or documentation was provided to us on February 3 in relation to the Data Protection Impact Assessment or the decision-making processes that were undertaken by Facebook Ireland.

"In order to expedite the procurement of the relevant documentation, authorised officers of the DPC conducted an inspection at Facebook Ireland's offices in Dublin on Monday last, February 10, and gathered documentation."

Yesterday, Facebook informed journalists and the DPC that they were postponing the launch.

"It's really important that we get the launch of Facebook Dating right, so we are taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market," said a Facebook Ireland spokesman. "We have worked carefully to create strong privacy safeguards and have shared this information with the [Irish] DPC ahead of the European roll-out."

The DPC is now reviewing documentation associated with the proposed dating service.

Scrap

It's not the first time that Facebook has had to scrap a major initiative at the hands of Ms Dixon's office.

Last year, Facebook had to put off its plans to merge some messaging functions between Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram following the DPC's intervention.

It also had to scotch its plan to use WhatsApp data in supporting Facebook ads when Ms Dixon, as well as other European regulators, objected.

Facebook Dating has already been launched in the US, as the tech giant seeks to go head-to-head with popular online dating services such as Tinder.
Elections officials in numerous states have piloted various mobile voting applications as a method of expanding access to the polls, but MIT researchers say one of the more popular apps has security vulnerabilities that could open it up to tampering by bad actors.

The MIT analysis of the application, called Voatz, highlighted a number of weaknesses that could allow hackers to alter, stop, or expose how an individual user has voted.

Additionally, the researchers found that Voatzs use of Palo Alto-based vendor Jumio for voter identification and verification poses potential privacy issues for users.

The study comes on the heels this month's trouble-plagued Iowa Democratic Presidential Caucus, which used an online app to store votes but failed to do so accurately because of a coding flaw and insufficient testing.

Some security experts have long argued that the only secure form of voting is paper ballots.

Voatz Voatz iPhone mobile voting application.

The Voatz mobile voting application has been used in small pilots involving only about 600 voters total in Denver, West Virginia, five counties in Oregon, Utah and Washington State, where the main focus was on inclusivity for absentee voters living overseas.

In response, Voatz called the MIT report flawed because it based its analysis on a long-outdated Android version of the app.

Had the researchers taken the time, like nearly 100 other researchers, to test and verify their claims using the latest version of our platform via our public bug bounty program on HackerOne, they would not have ended up producing a report that asserts claims on the basis of an erroneous method, Voatz stated in a blog post today.

We want to be clear that all nine of our governmental pilot elections conducted to date, involving less than 600 voters, have been conducted safely and securely with no reported issues, Voatz said.

In 2018, West Virginia piloted Voatz's mobile voting app for resident service members and family living overseas who wanted to vote in the midterm general election.

West Virginia Secretary of State's office pointed to a Department of Homeland Security security assessment of the 2018 Voatz pilots indicating there was "no threat actor behaviors or artifacts of past nefarious activities were detected in the vendors networks."

Audits of paper ballots created by the Voatz plaform on election day also confirmed the results were accurate, according to the Secretary of State's office.

"We want to get the word out to media outlets like Computerworld to ensure WV voters that we are taking every possible precaution to balance election security and integrity with WV requirement to provide absentee ballots electronically to overseas, military and absentee voters living with physical disabilities," Mike Queen, deputy chief of staff for West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, said via email.

The MIT study, however, underscored the need for Voatzs mobile app design to be more transparent because public information about the technology is vague at best.

Voatzs platform uses a combination of biometrics, such as mobile-phone based facial recognition, and hardware-backed keystores to provide end-to-end encrypted and voter-verifiable ballots. It also uses blockchain as an immutable electronic ledger to store voting results.

Voatz has declined to provide formal details about its platform, citing the need to protect intellectual property, the researchers said in their paper.

In a blog post today, Voatz called the researchers approach flawed, which invalidates any claims about their ability to compromise the overall system.

"In short, to make claims about a backend server without any evidence or connection to the server negates any degree of credibility on behalf of the researchers, Voatz said.

The researchers also called Voatz out for reporting a University of Michigan researcher who in 2018 conducted an analysis of the Voatz app. This resulted in the FBI conducting an investigation against the researcher, the MIT researchers said.

Its not the first time Voatz has been criticized for not being more open about its technology. Last May, computer scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of South Carolina, along with election oversight groups, published a paper that criticized Voatz for not releasing any "detailed technical description" of its technology.

There are at least four companies attempting to offer internet or mobile voting solutions for high-stakes elections, and one 2020 Democratic presidential candidate has included voting from a mobile device via the blockchain in his policy plank, the MIT researchers said in their paper. To our knowledge, only Voatz has successfully fielded such a system.

Along with Voatz, Democracy Live, Votem, SecureVote and Scytl have all piloted mobile or online voting technology in various public or private balloting that included company stockholder and college board elections. Most recently, a Seattle district piloted the Democracy Live technology in a board of supervisors election that was open to 1.2 million registered voters.

Tusk Philanthropies, a nonprofit focused on promoting mobile voting as a way to increase voter turnout, has provided financial support to help governments implement mobile voting pilots, allowing the agencies to choose the vendor provider.

In a statement to Computerworld, Tusk said it feels confident in the results of all the pilot elections because it conducted independent, third-party audits which showed that votes cast over the blockchain were recorded and tabulated accurately.

With that being said, we always welcome new security information and will work with security experts to review this paper, Tusk said. Security is an iterative process that can only get better over time. There is no room for error in our elections, especially when it comes to data leakage, compromised encryption, broken authentication, or denial-of-service attacks.

Medici Ventures, the wholly-owned investment subsidiary of Overstock.com, has also backed Voatz, whose application has mainly been used to allow absentee voter service members and their families to cast their ballots via their smartphones from anywhere in the world.

Jonathan Johnson, CEO of Overstock and president of Medici Ventures, responded in a statement to a New York Times article about the MIT study, saying he believes the Voatz technology is responsible and safe.

It not only prevents voting fraud, but it also protects the privacy of each voter. The Voatz app even generates a paper ballot that can be audited to guarantee the fidelity of the vote, Johnson said. This is, we believe, the right path forward to safe innovation in election technology. We should not let ourselves derail the future of voting."

Critics of mobile or online voting, including security experts, believe it opens up the prospect of server penetration attacks, client-device malware, denial-of-service attacks and other disruptions  all associated with infecting voters' computers with malware or infecting the computers in the elections office that handle and count ballots.

Jeremy Epstein, vice chair of the Association for Computing Machinerys US Technology Policy Committee (USTPC), has been a vocal critic of mobile voting platforms, including Voatz. He said the MIT study was very thorough and demonstrates exactly what experts have been saying for years.

Internet voting is risky. It's no surprise that the Voatz system is vulnerable to many kinds of attacks, even to an attacker with no access to source code or other inside information, Epstein said via email. The attacks demonstrated by MIT are well within the capabilities of nation-state adversaries who are interested in manipulating US elections, and such an adversary won't publish their results as the MIT team has done, leaving us with an election that may be undetectably manipulated.

The five-year-old Voatz slammed the MIT researchers for never connecting even the outdated app they used to the companys servers, which are hosted by Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure.

In the absence of connecting to the actual servers recording public votes, the researchers fabricated an imagined version of the Voatz servers, hypothesized how they worked, and then made assumptions about the interactions between the system components that are simply false, Voatz said.

Epstein retorted that Voatz's comments demonstrate that they don't understand either the severity of the attacks or the way security works in general.

Any election official using Voatz products would be well advised to cancel their plans, before a stealthy attack in a real election compromises democracy, Epstein said.
Virtual Roundtable

6 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2020

This year's top issues in education technology reflect the bigger picture of a student's pathway from individual course all the way to graduation and career.

Education technology goes beyond the classroom. Increasingly, the tech that supports teaching and learning must factor in the bigger picture of a student's entire pathway through college, from individual course all the way to graduation and handoff to a career. So when we talked to three higher education and technology leaders about the ed tech trends to watch this year, their responses reflected that broader view of what's important for today's students. From extended reality to predictive analytics and industry partnerships, here's what they told us about today's top issues in ed tech.

Our Panelists Bridget Burns

Executive Director, University Innovation Alliance James Frazee

Chief Academic Technology Officer and Associate Vice President, Instructional Technology Services, San Diego State University Ernie Perez

Director, Educational Technology, Digital Learning & Innovation, Boston University

1) Workforce Readiness

Bridget Burns: I expect to see more colleges think about how data and technology can help to address the "communications gap" we face in the transition from college to careers. We need useful and effective solutions to help support colleges in their quest to communicate what their graduates know and can do. In an era of LinkedIn profiles and digital credentials, the analog transcript is a woefully insufficient way to translate educational experiences into searchable workplace skills. I expect we'll see more institutions tap technologies like digital badges or even virtual internships to bridge the gap.

Ernie Perez: I think we need to keep a lookout for what is happening with the micro-credentialing space. For instance, recently edX announced that it would be offering MicroBachelors to help adult learners progress in their careers. This is on top of the many MicroMasters that already exist within edX and other similar platforms. These micro-credentials will be stackable and will have some university credits associated with them. As we look at workforce readiness, we will start to find learners looking for specific skills and for programs that fit their needs. We are no longer looking at students that are willing to spend four-plus years getting a bachelor's degree in an on-campus setting; rather, they are looking for just-in-time learning for the skills that are needed for the job or jobs that they have or aspire to get.

In addition, workforce readiness comes to play later on in life when learners are looking to get graduate degrees while holding down jobs, taking care of their families or staying at home. Online degrees are aplenty but what we will start seeing more of are affordable degrees at scale. For example, here at Boston University, we are offering an online MBA program starting in Fall 2020 that will cost $24,000 all in.

2) Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots

Burns: I think we'll see more institutions adopt the use of chatbots to meet student expectations while also maximizing staff and faculty time. Through the University Innovation Alliance's early experimentation with chatbots, we're seeing chatbots as a way to reorient the university around customer (student) service. It's not so much the technology  although chatbots are helping automate basic tasks so advisers can focus more on students  but about what you do with it. We also think it's time for institutions to hold the IP we create, so our institutions are working to develop an open source database of common student questions and confusion that has been surfaced by the chatbots. Those insights are forcing new conversations about how we serve our students, and that holds tremendous promise.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General William Barr took a public swipe at President Donald Trump on Thursday, saying that the presidents tweets about Justice Department prosecutors and cases make it impossible for me to do my job.

Barr made the comment during an interview with ABC News just days after his Justice Department overruled its own prosecutors  who had recommended in a court filing that Trump's longtime ally and confidant Roger Stone be sentenced to 7 to 9 years in prison  and took the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek. The department didn't offer an amended number.

Barr himself has been under fire for the Justice Department action, and Thursday's comment served as a defense of his own integrity. He is a Trump loyalist who shares the president's views on expansive executive powers.

The remarks, made so quickly after the decision to back away from the sentencing, suggested that Barr was aware the reversal had chipped away at the department's historic reputation for independence from political sway. But he stopped short of acknowledging wrongdoing by anyone.

There was no immediate response from the White House.

Barr said that Trump's tweets created perception problems for the department that called into question its independence, but he denied there was any order from Trump and said Trump's tweets did not factor into the decision.

Barr joined a roster of high level aides who have publicly criticized Trump, with the key difference that he is still in his job. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton is to publish a book next month detailing his time in the White House including criticism of Trump actions such as his decision to withhold military assistance while seeking a political favor from Ukraine. Former Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has largely kept a low profile since leaving the White House, has grown more open about his unflattering assessments of the president.

Earlier this week, Trump applauded Barr on Twitter for the decision to reverse the sentencing recommendation, writing: "Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought."

The department insisted the decision to undo the sentencing recommendation was made Monday night  before Trump blasted the recommendation on Twitter as "very horrible and unfair" and prosecutors had not spoken to the White House about it. The about-face prompted the four attorneys who prosecuted Stone to quit the case. One left the Justice Department altogether.

"I'm happy to say that, in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case," Barr said in the ABC interview. "However, to have public statements and tweets made about the department, about our 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 in the department that we're doing our work with integrity."

Stone was convicted in November of tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election. He's scheduled to be sentenced next week.

Barr said he was "of course" prepared to deal with any ramifications from the president for his comments.

"As I said during my confirmation, I came in to serve as attorney general. I am responsible for everything that happens in the department, but the thing I have most responsibility for are the issues that are brought to me for decision," Barr said in the interview.

It is extremely rare for Justice Department leaders to reverse the decision of prosecutors on a sentencing recommendation, particularly after that recommendation has been submitted to the court. The actual sentencing is up to the judge.

"What they did to Roger Stone was a disgrace," Trump said Thursday during an interview with Geraldo Rivera on Newsradio WTAM1100.

"I don't think they quit the case. I think they felt they got caught," the president said of the Stone prosecutors. "I don't think they quit for moral reasons. I think they got caught in the act by me."

"Now what am I going to do, sit back and let a man go to jail maybe for nine years when murderers aren't going to jail. You have some of the most serious horrible rapists and everything else. They don't go to jail for nine years," Trump said.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsay Graham tweeted his support for Barr, saying the president had done a "great service" for the people by selecting him. Earlier this week, Graham said, and Barr later confirmed, that Justice was accepting information that Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is gathering in Ukraine about the president's Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son.

In the ABC interview, Barr said of the president: "If he were to say go investigate somebody because  and you sense it's because they're a political opponent  then the attorney general shouldn't carry that out, wouldn't carry that out."

Democrats decried the Justice Department's reversal and called for immediate investigations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the Justice Department's inspector general to step in. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that Barr had "stooped to such levels" and that "the American people deserve better."

Barr has been a steady ally of the president's since he returned to the top post at the Justice Department last year. He cleared the president of obstruction of justice even when special counsel Robert Mueller had pointedly declined to do so, and has declared that the FBI's Russia investigation, which resulted in charges against Stone, had been based on a "bogus narrative."

On Thursday, he said he would not be "bullied or influenced by anybody."

"And I said, whether it's Congress, newspaper editorial board, or the president. I'm gonna do what I think is right. And, you know, the, I think the -- I cannot do my job here at the Department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me."

___

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Eric Tucker, Deb Riechmann and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
Hong Kong: PRH fixtures comply with rules

The fixtures and fittings, including drainage systems, of unsold public rental housing flats in the Tenants Purchase Scheme estates comply with the original design and relevant statutory requirements, the Housing Authority said today.

In response to media enquiries, the authority said sitting tenants who opt to purchase their flats could report the landlords fixtures and fittings that require repairs.

The works staff of the property service company appointed by the authority will then inspect and follow up on items requiring repairs.

If defects are found, the property service company will arrange a contractor to carry out repairs. All completed repairs will then be inspected by the companys staff.

The authority noted that if unauthorised alterations are found in the flats, including those made to drainage systems, tenants will be required to reinstate unauthorised works back to the original design before their flat purchase applications are accepted.

This story has been published on: 2020-02-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold Lion Resources Inc. ("Gold Lion" or the "Company") (CSE: GL) (FWB: 2BC) has appointed Douglas Meirelles to the Company's board of directors. Mr. Meirelles is a senior level executive with more than 15 years of domestic and international experience in the mining industry. Most recently he worked as Country Manager for Equinox Gold, overseeing the Aurizona Gold Mine through to re-commissioning and commercial production. Prior to that, Mr. Meirelles served in senior and high-level management positions for Troy Resources, Serabi Gold and Newcrest Mining. Mr. Meirelles is also a board member of the Mining News and is a fellow of the Brazil-Canada Mining Chamber of Commerce.



Dorian Banks has resigned as a director of Gold Lion, effective immediately. The Company thanks Mr. Banks for his valuable contributions to the Company and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

About Gold Lion Resources Inc.

Gold Lion Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company actively involved in the exploration of its property portfolio including the Cuteye Group of Properties and the Fairview Property. The Cuteye Group of Properties includes the Mister Jay.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Oliver Friesen

CEO

T: +1 (778) 772-1751

The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement
Nestle Chief Executive Mark Schneider will fine-tune his transformation plans with more acquisitions, he said after the Swiss food group lowered growth expectations on Thursday.

The company had earlier said it will take longer than expected to hit its 2020 organic growth target despite posting its highest annual growth in four years and improved profitability.

Like rivals such as Unilever, Nescafe coffee and KitKat maker Nestle has been working hard to streamline its diverse portfolio in line with changing consumer tastes and growing demand for healthier and more environmentally friendly produce and packaging.

Under Schneider's leadership, the group has sought to focus on premium products in fast-growing market segments such as coffee and plant-based foods while retreating from slower-growth areas such as chocolate and processed meat.

But the German-American CEO, who has conducted more than 50 transactions and reviews affecting 12% of group sales since taking charge in 2017, said portfolio management had been "a bit heavy on disposals and a bit light on acquisitions" recently.

This will change in 2020, he said, with small to mid-sized deals the sweet spot.

"We're a year early on the margin, but have to push back the organic growth target by a year or so," he told reporters at Nestle's Vevey headquarters after the company reported 2019 results that showed organic growth of 3.5%.

Unilever last month reported underlying sales growth of 1.5% in the final quarter of 2019, its slowest in a decade. Danone reports results on Feb. 26..

"At this point, in February, I cannot promise to deliver 4% growth this year, I prefer to be cautious," Schneider said, adding that growth rates would slow a little from the past two years.

SCHNEIDER 'BULLISH'

Nestle shares, which are trading at relatively high multiples after climbing more than 30% last year on Schneider's progress, were down 2.5% at 1122 GMT.

Schneider said he remains "bullish" on 2020 and expects acquisitions and trendier products, such as its Starbucks coffee range and plant-based burgers and sausages, to drive growth.

The company has already set up new structures to turn innovative ideas from outside and inside the group into new products, its technology boss said on Wednesday ahead of the results.

Some areas remain challenging, however, with price pressures in Europe, subdued growth in China - where its Yinlu peanut milk business is struggling - and a weak performance in bottled water, for which a new strategy will be revealed in the first half.

In his first year on the job, Schneider had initially targeted mid-single-digit organic sales growth and an operating margin of 17.5-18.5% in 2020. Cost cuts helped Nestle to reach a 17.6% operating margin last year.

"The guidance is probably not a surprise given what is happening in China - its second-biggest market, accounting for 8% of group sales - and the coronavirus," said Kepler Cheuvreux analyst Jon Cox.

Schneider said it was too early to quantify the financial impact on Nestle from the coronavirus outbreak. He said operations in China had resumed at the beginning of the week, albeit at a reduced rate because some staff had been unable to return to work.

Full-year net profit rose 24% to 12.6 billion Swiss francs ($12.89 billion), against a consensus forecast of 12.36 billion francs in a company-supplied analyst poll. Nestle proposed an increased dividend of 2.70 Swiss francs per share.
Representative image

In what could be inconvenient for customers, bank employee unions have called for a three-day strike in March - the third such strike in 2020 alone.

The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) and All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) have called for a strike from March 11-13, Business Today reported.

The strike this time has been called as in the latest round of talks, the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) failed to meet unions' demands. An improved offer of 12.5 percent hike was rejected, with unions demanding a 20 percent hike on employees' payslip components, the publication said.

For customers, the strike would mean six consecutive days of disruption in services since it comes right before the second Saturday of the month, a holiday for banks. In addition, March 10 is also a holiday on account of Holi. Thus, services would take a hit from March 10-15.

Previously, bank employees had participated in the Bharat Bandh held on January 8 and the two-day strike on January 31 and February 1.
A man from Thergaon was duped of Rs 34 lakh by a woman he met on social networking site. The accused committed the online fraud with the help of a fake customs official. The incident took place between November 7, 2019, and November 25, 2019.

The complaint was lodged by Dattatray Madhav Shinde, 58, a resident of the Green Society in Thergaon.

The woman, identified as Holly Nancy, befriended Shinde on a social networking site. Posing as a British national, she told the complainant that she is coming to India carrying foreign currency and wants to transfer 1 lakh pound to his bank account.

Another woman who identified herself as Sangeeta Sharma contacted the complainant posing as a customs officer. The complainant paid Rs 34,01,459 lakh through multiple transactions between November 7, 2019 and November 25, 2019, according to the police. The callers cited processing fee as the reason for transactions.

A case under Sections 419 (personation), 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with Sections 66(c), 66(d) of Information Technology Act was registered at Wakad police station.

Assistant inspector Pawar of Wakad police station is investigating the case.
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Dramatic video shows a workman knocked over by a sheet of plywood which was picked up by gale-force winds and flung at his head as the UK braces itself for a more severe storm at the weekend

Ben Newberry was struck on the neck and laid flat out on the ground by the impact in Leicestershire.

After being put in a neck brace by an ambulance crew and checked over at hospital the builder was given the all-clear.

Ben was taking a coffee break while working in a housing estate in Syston on Tuesday - as wind speeds topped at 80mph - when the drama unfolded. Video shows a sheet of ply, 4ft by 4ft and weighing at least 20lbs (9kg), take off as a gust of wind strikes.

The footage emerged as the UK is warned to brace itself for a storm dubbed Dennis the Menace that's set to cause further havoc on Saturday and over the weekend, as parts of the country struggle to recover from flooding caused by Storm Ciara.

The three day weather forecast from the Met office shows rain sweeping the length and breadth of the country on Saturday

Storm Dennis has been named and will bring very strong winds and potential for disruption to many parts of England and Wales on Saturday

The video shows the wood reaching head height as it strikes a totally unsuspecting Ben and flattens him. There is an audible clunk as the ply connects with Ben.

His shocked colleagues can then be seen checking on him before the video cuts out.

A later picture shows Ben lying on a hospital bed in a neck brace.

Speaking today Ben said: 'They were a bit worried so they took me to hospital because I couldn't remember anything. But I'm fine now. 'It hit me on the neck, just knocked me out for a couple of seconds. No damage done. 'It was just on a job and there was a floor laying firm there too. Unfortunately the wind got up and picked the ply up, came across and knocked me out.'

Video shows a sheet of ply, 4ft by 4ft and weighing at least 20lbs (9kg), take off as a gust of wind strikes, hitting Ben Newberry in the head

His shocked colleagues can then be seen checking on him before the video cuts out

Storm Dennis will bring wind and rain on Saturday. It is tipped to bring worse rain problems than Storm Ciara

Waves crash onto the shore as the sun rises over Langland Bay near Swansea in South Wales

@smiddy_lcfc123 wrote under Ben's post writing: 'F****** properly stacked it and all.' @marcobutts added: 'The noise it makes when it hits your head, priceless'. @SPalmtree91 commented: 'F***** hell dad'. @lukepreston_ said: 'Class'. @mad_hazz commented: 'I've watched this at least 35 times today and it gets funnier every single time'.

The effects of Storm Ciara, that hit the UK at the weekend leaving more than 20,000 homes without power continued to wreak havoc into the working week.

Four people died during the storm a 58-year-old man, whose car was hit by a tree on the A33 in Hampshire on Sunday, a 50-year-old man who got into difficulties while with a diving party off the west coast of Scotland near Oban, and a 77-year-old man who fell in icy conditions in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. On Tuesday, a dog walker in his sixties was killed after being hit by a falling tree in Black Wood, Liverpool.

A man and woman walk along the B797 as a digger clears drifting snow on February 12, 2020 on Wanlockhead, Scotland

Photo taken from the Twitter feed of @NetworkRailSCOT of rail teams clearing snow at Corrour station near Loch Ossian, on the West Highland Line in Scotland

Storm Dennis is set to bring more severe weather to the UK this weekend.

Dennis verges on the most powerful North Atlantic storm since records began 196 years ago.

The Met Office has warned of 1,200-mile wide Dennis' five inches' rain bringing worse rain problems than Ciara, which saw 700 properties flooded. 75mph gusts  lower than Ciara - hit from Friday night and through the weekend.

There's warnings that fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, leading to threats to homes and businesses with a good chance communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

Four separate amber warnings are in place on Sunday - two which cover the south of England, one for south Wales and another in the north west of England.

Saturday is set to be the most hazardous day.

Weather maps predict Dennis will bring massive 50ft waves offshore, 24ft waves on South-West coasts and 20ft on North-West coasts. Storms are more powerful the lower their air pressure, maps show Dennis' pressure plunging to an estimated 914mb at 3pm on Saturday.

The system will develop in the North Atlantic before moving eastwards over the next few days and then hitting the country on Saturday with strong gusts of over 60mph, and heavy rain on the already saturated ground, so there is a further risk of flooding.

Incredible drone footage captured the devastating effects of Britain's recent bout of bad weather when huge waves smashed a sea wall to pieces and flooded fields in West Sussex

A car is stranded in a car park as the waters of the River Ouse passing through York breach the river banks causing flooding as water levels rise on February 11

Waves crash over the promenade at Porthcawl, South Wales, as strong gales continued to blow today

The RAC reported its busiest days for a year, with call-outs up 20 per cent at up to 8,500-a-day this week. 'There's no respite with storms and snow  and more motorists will be impacted by Dennis than Ciara, as Dennis hits on Saturday rather than Sunday as Ciara did, when fewer people travel,' said RAC spokesman Simon Williams.

Further north, there were snow flurries in Alston, County Durham, and Nenthead, Cumbria, as well as up to two inches on surrounding fells.

Hundreds of trains face being cancelled or severely delayed at the weekend, after 3,500 - 27 per cent of the UK's train services  were axed or very late on Sunday during Ciara, Network Rail data showed.

Dozens more flights face being cut, after over 1,000 were cancelled due to Storm Ciara, FlightRadar24 data showed, with Heathrow alone cancelling 472 flights and Gatwick 333.
[February 13, 2020] 2020 Supercapacitors Innovation & Patent Review, Featuring Over 335 Thousand Energy Storage Patent Documents

DUBLIN, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Supercapacitors Innovation & Patent Review 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This review discusses R&D options that are evaluated by key supercapacitor players to improve energy & power density as well as reliability, according to a machine learning-supported analysis of global patent filings. Reasons to Buy Comprehension of the supercapacitor innovation-decision tree allows for the identification of promising R&D directions that have not yet been explored. The connection between successful materials innovations and improving or worsening market positions by key players can be understood based on this review. Key Highlights A key highlight is that this review allows for the exact identification of the current state-of-the-art, based on which areas with the highest future R&D impact can be identified that will allow for the launch of market-leading products. Report Scope 335,683 energy storage patent documents published across the globe between January 2017 and October 15th, 2019 have been screened using a proprietary machine learning approach for commercial relevance in relation to supercapacitors

and have been screened using a proprietary machine learning approach for commercial relevance in relation to supercapacitors The resulting ranking includes 169 companies

Patent portfolios & technology stacks by 37 key companies are discussed in detail and have been assembled into 16 decision tree figures that illustrate 164 different technical choices & prioritizations

72 links are provided to company product websites

1-4 key patents by another 85 companies are listed Key Topics Covered

Executive Summary

About the Author

Introduction

How Do Supercapacitors Differ from Li-Ion Batteries?

The focus of this Review

Terminology

Innovation Decision Tree for Supercapacitors

li>Active Materials for Various Supercapacitor Types Aluminum-based Current Collectors for Various Supercapacitor Types

Separators

Electrode Binders

Electrolyte Components for EDLCs

Electrolyte Components for Asymmetric Hybrid Capacitors

Electrolyte Components for Symmetric Hybrid Capacitors

Materials and Electrode Architectures for EDLCs with Organic Electrolytes

Materials and Electrode Architectures for Asymmetric Hybrid Capacitors with Organic Electrolytes

Lithium-Doping Approaches for Asymmetric Hybrid Capacitors

Materials and Electrode Architectures for Symmetric Hybrid Capacitors with Organic Electrolytes

Materials and Electrode Architectures for EDLCs with Aqueous Electrolytes

Materials and Electrode Architectures for Symmetric Hybrid Capacitors with Aqueous Electrolytes

Performance Improvements through Cell Engineering

Performance Improvements through Module Engineering

Incorporation of Supercapacitors into End Applications

Machine Learning-Based Identification of Commercially Relevant Patents

Overview Material, Cell & Module Suppliers

Classification According to Capacitor Type

Classification According to Application Focus

Predictions

Deep Dive - High Voltage Electrolytes (>3 V) for EDLCs

Technology Stacks by Key Companies

CRRC/CSR - China



Taiyo Yuden - Japan

-

Toyota - Japan



LS Mtron - Korea



Nippon Chemi-Con - Japan



Bosch - Germany



LG Innotek/LG Chem - Korea



Blue Solutions/Capacitor Sciences - France / USA

/

Hunan Nepuenergy - China



Maxwell Technologies/Maxwell Laboratories/Nesscap (Tesla) - USA /Korea

/Korea

Seiko Instruments - Japan



Vinatech/Vina Technology - Korea



Shanghai Aowei - China



Murata Manufacturing (including former Sony battery unit) - Japan



Asahi Kasei/Asahi Chemical - Japan



TDK - Japan



Samwha Capacitor/Samwha Electric/Korea JCC - Korea



AVX (Kyocera) - USA



Tokin (Kemet) - Japan / USA

/

Supreme Power Solutions/Jiangsu Jisheng Xingtai - China



TPR/TOC Capacitor/Nisshinbo/Okaya - Japan



ZapGo/Zapgocharger - United Kingdom



Nichicon - Japan



Kuraray/Calgon Carbon - Japan / USA

/

Cataler - Japan



JM Energy/JSR - Japan



Vitzrocell - Korea



Po-Celltech/Pocell - Israel



Farad Power - USA



JTEKT - Japan



Panasonic/Sanyo - Japan



General Capacitor - USA



Skeleton Technologies - Estonia / Germany

/

Ioxus - USA



Nanoramic Laboratories/FastCAP Ultracapacitors - USA



NAWATechnologies - France



enerG2 Technologies/BASF - USA / Germany

/ Additional Patent Filings with Commercial Relevance

Patent Analysis Methodology & Validation



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As far as the accuracy of the information goes, none can beat scientific findings. They are results of fact-finding research collected over countless person-hours and backed with evidence. Scientific predictions have for ages shaped out the outlook of the planet and the future of everything in it that is currently in the hands of human species. Scientific forecasts on the future of humanity are never good, and this is because humanity has proved over and over again how self-destructive they can be. In the blind pursuit of its preservation, humanity keeps destroying the same things upon which their survival hangs upon entirely. So, what are some of the most horrifying scientific predictions that have been made regarding the future of humanity?

Increase of natural disasters due to climate change

Climate change has been an iron noose around humanity's neck for over a century now, and it does not show any signs of slowing down. According to scientists, the planet only has a little over a decade to change how energy is used to reduce the impact of climate change before it is too late. Once the tipping point is reached, then all hope of reversing the ravages of climate change will be impossible. Coastlines around the world are slowly being overwhelmed by rising sea levels as more ice from up north is melted by increasing temperatures. Cyclones are growing in frequency and intensity within the tropics. It is predicted that if the world temperature were to rise by another three degrees, then most of Florida and Bangladesh among other regions would be underwater.

Outbreak of new pandemics

When discussing the future of humanity, epidemics are never far away. There have been significant instances in the timeline of man's existence where humanity was almost wiped out by diseases. Smallpox took out 300 million people at its peak. The modern world has higher probabilities of pandemic outbreaks than ever before, couple that with how easy traveling has become, then you have yourself a ticking time bomb. Experts have warned that antibiotics are being rendered ineffective every year as viruses mutate, and they believe that by 2050 deaths caused by resistant pathogens will increase to 10 million a year compared to the current 700,000 annual deaths.

Global enery crisis

The consumption of fossil fuels has been on a non-stop full throttle for the last 200 years. Crude oil reserves are disappearing at the rate of four billion tons a year. If this pace of consumption is sustained, oil reserves will completely run out in the next 50 years. If, by that time, the world will not have embraced a new source of clean energy, then most of the current industries, including food production, will be rendered defunct. Researchers have predicted a global energy crisis that will be caused by the high demand for energy against a decline in coal and biofuels reserves

Mass destruction due to asteroid impact

It has happened before humans walked the earth, and chances of another impact happening again may be slim, but not impossible. Asteroids large enough to cause a total wipeout hit the planet once every 120,000 years, with many other small ones striking the earth in between. In 2011, NASA scientists revealed that they had mapped out space objects that were bigger than a mile in radius that is likely to hit the planet. In the event that an asteroid of that size strikes the earth, it would displace enough dust into the atmosphere to block the sun and cause famine wiping out hundreds of millions.

The domination of artificial intelligence

There is a lot of good that comes with technological advancement. In recent years, the development of Artificial Intelligence has turned into a race. There are benefits of using AI, but experts have also warned of the dangers of granting too much power to technology. Wars are now being fought remotely using drones controlled by operators thousands of miles away from their targets, striking enemies with frightening precisions. Plans are underway to entirely cut out human input from the drones by the introduction of Artificial Intelligence drones that make their own decisions. At the current pace of technological advancement, the world will be a different place a century from now, and the possibility of that future being run by Artificially Intelligent machines is not far-fetched. Replacing the human workforce with machines has already caused problems before, and it is expected to create more trouble in the future.

Biological and chemical warfare becoming popular

It is one thing to have diseases popping out from the natural world, but it is an entirely different situation when it becomes possible for these diseases to be engineered in the lab with the sole purpose of using them against fellow humans. The same goes for chemical warfare, where toxic chemicals are weaponized and used to end lives. Increased use of poisonous gases like Sarin and VX in conflicts is a potential future reality despite the international ban that has been imposed on them. The availability of DNA editing systems like the CRISPR means that anybody with knowledge of how viruses work can quickly develop their virus at minimal costs. With future technological advancements expected to go beyond imagination, the risk of biological and chemical warfare is going to increase exponentially in the next 50 years.

Overpopulation

It took over 200,000 years for human populations to reach a billion for the first time. But it has taken only 200 years for that number to hit 7 billion people. If that rate of population growth is maintained, the world will be home to 8 billion people by 2025, and another 1 billion people will have been born by 2050. With resources diminishing, sustaining such a population will put a strain on nature and lead to civil unrest, hunger, and the spread of diseases. Urban centers will be the most affected, and they will see an increase in crime, slum dwellings, and a host of other problems that humanity is not ready to face.

Increase in air pollution

The quality of the air is expected to worsen, even further increasing respiratory diseases. Massive industrialization, mining, and deforestation that have been the hallmarks of the last century has led to an increase of toxic substances in the air. Vehicular emissions in urban centers only serve to make air conditions worse for living organisms. Scientists have predicted that air pollution will be the number one killer by the year 2050 with annual deaths caused by air pollution jumping up to 6 million.

Food and water scarcity

Overpopulation will not be the only cause of hunger in the world. With every decade that becomes warmer due to climate change, food production around the globe shrinks by 2%, which translates to a loss of 4 million metric tons of food. Africa and Asia will be the hardest hit as they are the food baskets of the world. As the tropics get warmer, more pathogens and pests that affect crops will increase and spread further to areas previously never had to deal with such crop diseases. The global production of wheat, millet, and corn will drop by 10% by 2050, which results in their prices going up, making them beyond the reach to over 2 billion people. All these are pointers of a devastating world hunger epidemic in the future. Access to clean water is already a problem in the current world, with over 40% of people experiencing a shortage of it for a month every year. According to MIT researchers, about 5 billion of the predicted 9.7 billion people in 2050 would be living in water-stressed areas with no means to irrigate their farms.

Increased use of cyber attacks

Cyber Warfare has become the centerpiece of all major global conflicts in the last decade, and signs show that this is just the beginning. With most of the daily life routines and services like healthcare, banking, education, and security embracing technology, they have also opened themselves to interference from malicious forces. In the future, hackers could, for instance, disable a country's energy grid and bring everything to a halt, from hospitals to their defenses leading to significant life losses and property damage. In 2014, a German steel plant was hacked with most of the automated machines getting disabled, leading to huge losses exposing workers to danger after the central furnace could not be shut down.

Saving the future

Every single prediction made by scientists has a human connection. They are consequences of irresponsible human activities that can only be solved by human actions. A nuclear war can be avoided by the complete destruction of all nuclear arms by all countries. Shutting down of all biological and chemical weaponization programs will put an end to the risk of a future fallout. Saving forests and reducing pollution can help reduce the dangers that climate change poses for future generations. To deal with possible disease pandemics, better lifestyles have to be promoted, and the ban on the sale and trafficking of exotic animals has to be implemented to reduce the chances of contacts between humans and diseases carrying animals. Many of the current living human beings will not be around when that future comes, but their actions today affect the people who will be present then, therefore, saving the future has to begin now rather than later.
MOREAU  Town planners have developed a law for ground-mounted solar panels on acres of farmland, but it isnt public yet.

So on Tuesday, supporters and opponents gathered to talk about the issue without knowing whether the Town Board plans to allow the panels.

The board had to hold a hearing because it ran out of time to finish the law during the last six-month moratorium on building solar arrays, which can involve hundreds of panels erected on many acres of land.

Now the board wants to extend the moratorium for up to another six months while its attorney reviews the law and then board members debate and edit it. The board will vote on the moratorium extension on Feb. 25.

Board members offered only hints at what might be in the draft, which may be released before the Feb. 25 meeting.

Supervisor Todd Kusnierz said he spoke extensively with a lawyer and a project manager for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, known as NYSERDA, and that the towns attorney did too.

The town wants to do all it can to protect our agricultural resources, Kusnierz said.

But the board has also heard from farmers in unique circumstances financially who want solar, he added.

Kusnierz said he believes the draft is a viable local ordinance regarding the regulation of commercial solar arrays.

Farmers on both sides said the board should not wait another six months before making a decision.

I think (the first six-month moratorium) was plenty of time, said farmer Laura Killian, who wants solar energy panels on her familys farm to raise enough money to go back to dairy farming. Its not fair to ask us to wait another six months.

A farmer who isnt as bullish on solar energy took Killians side.

People like the Killians deserve an answer, and a timely answer, so they can begin to negotiate a path forward, said farmer Chris Barden.

He told the board that he did not think they should say that anything goes in the agricultural district, but that there also should not be a complete ban as farmers try to make ends meet.

But farmer Harvey Stein of Northway Farm said the board is charged with preserving farmland in the agricultural district, not protecting individual farmers who may not have a profitable business.

He urged the board to take all the time it needed to investigate everything that could occur.

He also said solar arrays are not a wise way of funding other agricultural ventures.

Do we now want our farms to become dependent on the energy industry? he said. If you have solar farms everywhere, its not going to be profitable for anybody.

Nonsense, said farmer Jim Hooper of Haven Oaks Farm. He said that renewable energy will be the way of the future, replacing coal and natural gas.

We cant have too many solar farms. Thats not going to drop the price, he said.

Others worried about the long-term impact on farmland covered with solar panels.

I dont think we should rush into industrializing our farmland, said resident Martha Winsten.

Farmer Eleanor Stein offered a compromise.

If its on the back side of a mountain and its not facing homes, maybe thats fine, she said. If it cant be hidden by anything, then look at that and deny that claim.

Even a farmer outside Moreau who has a solar array said there should be limits.

Farmer Jim Czub, who has solar panels on his farm in Schaghticoke, has a neighbor who has filled 300 acres with solar panels.

Seeing them all in one spot, thats painful. I dont necessarily agree with that approach, he said.

But he added that installing solar arrays could be a way of preserving farmland.

The last thing I want for farmland is housing. Theres absolutely no coming back from housing, he said. With solar, theres an opportunity. If theres a need, you can yank the panels out. They come out easy, and the land has not suffered. In fact it may have improved because its had a rest.

You can reach Kathleen Moore at 742-3247 or kmoore@poststar.com. Follow her on Twitter @ByKathleenMoore or at her blog on www.poststar.com.

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CCTV released as six men jailed following 45,000 burglary spree across the UK  including Wrexham

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 13th, 2020

Six men from Wirral who burgled houses and dozens of businesses across the UK have been jailed for a total of more than 30 years.

Gary Platt, 43; Kieran Platt, 25; Joseph Salla, 19; Joshua Wilkinson, 22; Lee Hodgin, 33; and Peter Mighall, 45; all pleaded guilty on Friday 6th December to conspiracy to commit burglary.

Wilkinson also admitted a charge of dangerous driving whilst Gary and Kieran Platt asked for a number of other burglary offences to be taken into consideration.

The men were members of an organised crime gang who carried out two house burglaries, 30 commercial burglaries and five theft from motor vehicle offences between Sunday 4 August 2019 and Monday 4 November 2019.

The gang specifically targeted business premises with the intent of stealing cash from their safes.

They raided pubs, restaurants, bus depots, convenience stores, social clubs and even dry cleaners during their crime spree.

The group used a high powered Audi S4 car to travel to and from businesses they targeted. They stole the vehicle whilst burgling a house in Barnston, Wirral.

In an attempt to evade capture, the gang stole number plates and used them on stolen vehicles when committing offences.

The areas they targeted included Wrexham, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield, Willaston, Wirral, Kendal, Morecambe, Northop, Oswestry and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Detectives from Ellesmere Port CID linked the six men to the burglaries through mobile phone, ANPR and CCTV evidence, and their crime spree was brought to an end on Thursday 7 November 2019 when officers from Cheshire, Merseyside and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit executed simultaneous search warrants at their homes in Wirral.

Stolen property, clothing, tools and mobile phones that linked the men to various burglaries were seized during the raids.

Gary Platt, of Anthorn Close, Noctorum, Birkenhead; Kieran Platt, of Sandalwood Drive, Noctorum, Birkenhead; Salla, of Oakleaf Mews, Noctorum, Birkenhead; Wilkinson, of Dalesway, Heswall; Hodgin, of Lansdowne Road, Birkenhead; and Mighall, of no fixed address; were subsequently arrested.

They were sentenced for their offences at Chester Crown Court today.

The group were jailed for a total of 31-and-a-half years.

The individual prison sentences they received were:

Gary Platt: Six years

Kieran Platt: Six years

Salla: Four-and-a-half years

Wilkinson: Four-and-a-half years

Hodgin: Six years and nine months

Mighall: Three years and nine months

CCTV from some of the incidents has been released by Cheshire Police:

Following sentencing, Detective Sergeant Graeme Carvell, who led the investigation, said: I am delighted that these men are now behind bars facing the consequences of their actions in the form of significant prison sentences.

Their convictions and sentencing marks the conclusion of what has been a lengthy and complex investigation into a series of burglaries which spanned across numerous police forces in England and Wales.

Over a three-month period the gang went to great lengths to plan and co-ordinate more than 30 burglaries at houses, pubs, restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses across the UK.

They stole a car worth 13,000 during a house burglary.

The group also stole more than 45,000 and caused in excess of 35,000 worth of damage to business premises.

All of the businesses targeted provide essential services to local communities, and the burglaries have had a profound effect on the owners and their staff.

The gang had the audacity to burgle the same premises on a number of occasions and used a variety of techniques in a failed attempt to try to cover up their crimes, including concealing their identities and using cloned vehicles.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Draco added: As a result of the excellent work conducted by the dedicated team of detectives here at Cheshire Constabulary, this crime spree has now been brought to an end.

This case demonstrates our commitment to relentlessly pursuing and bringing to justice organised crime groups who cause so much harm to our communities.
H ampstead and Kilburn last night became the latest front in the battle between Labour leadership contenders Rebecca Long-Bailey and Keir Starmer, as a packed nomination meeting saw both sets of supporters try to swing the meeting in their favour.

A local source tells us that Momentum and Long-Baileys camp were desperate to make sure Keir didnt get nominated as its a neighbouring constituency of Starmers. But The Londoner also understands that Starmers supporters were heavily whipped to attend the meeting. It is claimed a plan was made by supporters of Long-Bailey that featured an email from Camden Momentum telling their members not to back Starmer and a letter to local paper the Camden New Journal attacking him and pushing Rebecca before the meeting was held. The letter from Katherine Bligh said Sir Keir was the chief architect of Labours disastrous Brexit policy and said he was so London-centric, he is not going to appeal to voters in the North nor the Midlands either. Bligh continued: At least one candidate is everything that Sir Keir is not. Members would do well to elect Rebecca Long-Bailey together with Richard Burgon as deputy leader."

Bligh, who is chair of Hampstead and Kilburn Constituency Labour Party, then ran last nights nomination meeting, which attracted around 400 attendees. Momentum were out in full force and they whooped and cheered every time RLB was mentioned, the source tells us. There were some crazy speeches from them including one that said Tony Blair has been the worst prime minister in our lifetimes.

When local MP Tulip Siddiq tried to speak, it is claimed the meetings chair Bligh pretended she didnt see Siddiq and people shouted out Tulip wants to speak! She had no choice in the end but to pick her. But despite the apparent skullduggery, the Starmerites ended up happy as their man won on first preferences  a trend of nominations so far. But theres still a long way to go in this very long race.

Hare-brained review request

Sir David Hare had an unfortunate encounter after hed just written the first part of his MI5 trilogy.

The playwright bumped into John le Carre in the street, who asked him what he was working on.

In a rash moment, I informed our greatest spy novelist that I had just finished a new screenplay about MI5, Hare writes in the New Statesman. I mistook his politeness for interest and said, if he liked, I could send it to him. His reply was deserved. By all means send it to me  but I shall be withering.

--

Sir David Hare / WireImage

The title of Roger Bootles latest book, The AI Economy, received a mixed reception. The economist told an Adam Smith Institute crowd: One reader said, Why on earth are you writing about a major road?. And a friend of mine with a farming background said: What do you know about artificial insemination? Too intelligent by half.

--

Brian May angrily swiped at an Australian cameramans phone while posing with fans in Brisbane. The Queen guitarist explained the incident on Instagram: I headed towards him with the intention of temporarily separating him from his phone... before my security guy gently dissuaded me. Under pressure Down Under.

Gosht! Stanley stops for a chaat

Stanley Tucci and friends at Gymkhana / Dave Benett/Getty Images for Gym

At a VIP dinner to celebrate Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhanas reopening last night, The Londoner caught up with naan other than Stanley Tucci. The actor told us about shooting the upcoming adaptation of Roald Dahls The Witches: The strangest thing was acting with a green screen. I feel like a very old man, its so sophisticated now.

Dancer Eric Underwood was sanguine about his appearance in feline flop Cats: Well, you have to laugh or cry. Its better than being forgotten. Tucci was joined by his partner, literary agent Felicity Blunt, and fellow actors Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Sagar Radia. In Soho, meanwhile, Aston Martin Red Bull celebrated its partnership with technology firm IRIS with actors Gabriella Wilde and Cressida Bonas while on St Martins Lane chef Gizzi Erskine and presenter Myleene Klass celebrated the launch of Erskines pop-up restaurant The Nitery.

SW1A

Reshuffle day is always stressful for Westminsters movers and shakers. Labour MP for Easington Grahame Morris recalls getting into a Commons lift with Lib Dem Lynne Featherstone during the coalition years. Are you going up? Morris asked her. A flustered Featherstone replied: Its too early, I havent heard anything yet. Our thoughts and prayers are with ministers and their bag carriers.

--

The Londoner spoke to a number of Tory MPs and ministers last night who were jittery about whether they would be getting the call from No 10 to either step up or ship out. But someones future seems assured by his peers. A junior minister told us: I look forward to serving under Oliver Dowden. His colleague quipped: Mate, at some point well all be working for Oliver Dowden. Is now the time to buy shares in the MP for Hertsmere?

Is it rock on for Lara Stone and beau

Dave Benett/WireImage for amfAR

Lara Stone has dropped a big hint that she and her boyfriend David Grievson are engaged. Stone and Grievson were recently pictured leaving a jewellers in Primrose Hill, sparking speculation they had been buying an engagement ring. At the time they declined to comment. Was it a ring they were buying, we asked?

Theres not an engagement ring... from there, David Walliamss ex replied. So theres a ring? There might be one, Stone said coyly. Of course The Londoner congratulated her on the good news. Stone immediately said thank you! before hastily adding maybe.

--

Quote of the day

'The system is not broken; it just needed flushing'
Benchmark indices closed in the red on February 13, snapping the winning run of the last two consecutive sessions on account of weak domestic and global cues as the rise in new cases of coronavirus epidemic weighed on the market sentiment globally.

Sensex ended the day 106 points lower at 41,459.79 while Nifty finished at 12,174.65, down 27 points.

"Nifty formed a bearish candle on the daily scale but supports are intact at lower levels which may attract buying interest on declines. Now, it has to continue to hold above 12,150 zones to witness an up move towards 12,280 then 12,350 zones while major support shifts at psychological 12,000 zones," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal

Financial Services.

We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades:

Key support and resistance level for Nifty

According to the pivot charts, the key support level for Nifty is placed at 12134.43, followed by 12094.17. If the index continues moving up, key resistance levels to watch out for are 12220.33 and 12265.97.

Nifty Bank

Nifty Bank closed 0.83 percent down at 31,230.25. The important pivot level, which will act as crucial support for the index, is placed at 31,057.4, followed by 30,884.6. On the upside, key resistance levels are placed at 31,526.2 and 31,822.2.

Call options data

Maximum call open interest (OI) of 24.88 lakh contracts was seen at the 12,500 strike price. It will act as a crucial resistance level in the February series.

This is followed by 12,400 strike price, which holds 21.76 lakh contracts in open interest, and 12,300, which has accumulated 18.44 lakh contracts in open interest.

Significant call writing was seen at the 12,200 strike price, which added 2.13 lakh contracts, followed by 12,300 strike price that added 2.02 lakh contracts and 12,400 strike price, which added 1.55 lakh contracts.

Call unwinding was witnessed at 12,500 strike price, which shed 2.5 lakh contracts, followed by 12,000 which shed 1.18 lakh contracts.

Put options data

Maximum put open interest of 38.31 lakh contracts was seen at 12,000 strike price, which will act as crucial support in the February series.

This is followed by 11,800 strike price, which holds 21.57 lakh contracts in open interest, and 11,900 strike price, which has accumulated 20.35 lakh contracts in open interest.

Put writing was seen at the 11,900 strike price, which added 69,525 contracts, followed by 12,100 strike, which added 66,525 contracts.

Put unwinding was seen at 12,000 strike price, which shed 2.04 lakh contracts, followed by 11,800 strike price which shed 43,725 contracts.

Stocks with a high delivery percentage

A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in these stocks.

30 stocks saw long build-up

Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long build-up was seen.

24 stocks saw long unwinding

Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which long unwinding was seen.

58 stocks saw short build-up

An increase in open interest, along with a decrease in price, mostly indicates a build-up of short positions. Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short build-up was seen.

30 stocks witnessed short-covering

A decrease in open interest, along with an increase in price, mostly indicates a short-covering. Based on open interest (OI) future percentage, here are the top 10 stocks in which short-covering was seen.

Bulk deals

(For more bulk deals, click here)

Quarterly earnings: ONGC, Madhav Infra Projects, Corporate Courier and Cargo, DCM, Delta Leasing & Finance, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Eveready Industries India, Fortis Healthcare and MMTC are among the companies that will release their December quarter numbers on February 14.

Stocks in the news

Vodafone Idea: Posts a loss of Rs 6,453.2 crore for the December quarter of FY20 against a loss of Rs 5,004.6 crore posted in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Avenue Supermarts: Floor price for OFS set at Rs 2,049 per share, promoters to sell up to 1.48 cr shares.

Nestle: Q4 profit jumps 38.4 percent to Rs 473 cr, revenue rises 8.7 percent to Rs 3,149.3 cr YoY.

Future Retail: Q3 profit dips 16.7 percent to Rs 165 cr, revenue declines 3.3 percent to Rs 5,193.2 cr YoY.

Page Industries: Q3 profit drops 14.6 percent to Rs 87 cr, revenue rises 7.5 percent to Rs 793.8 cr YoY.

Apollo Hospitals: Q3 profit rises 9 percent to Rs 94.8 cr, revenue rises 16.6 percent to Rs 2,529.5 cr YoY.

FII and DII data

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs 1,061.39 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares of worth Rs 960.48 crore in the Indian equity market on February 13, provisional data available on the NSE showed.

Fund flow

Stock under F&O ban on NSE
BERLIN  Germans on Thursday marked 75 years since Allied bombs destroyed the eastern city of Dresden, with national leaders emphasizing atonement and the universal mourning of the wars victims even as the far right has promoted a revisionist view of the Nazi state.

Images of Dresdens skeletal, burned-out buildings have become synonymous with the ravages of war. The inferno devastated the city, the capital of the state of Saxony, resulting in temperatures so hot that they caused the stone dome of the Church of Our Lady to collapse. It was rebuilt after reunification and consecrated in 2005.

But in Germany, the attack also sowed the seeds of debate over victims and responsibility, one that has taken on new meaning as a resurgent far right in the countrys east promotes a revisionist history of World War II.

Mourning all of the wars victims has been central to Germanys remembrance efforts since reunification in 1990.
Secrecy and Propaganda.... The Politicians Tool Kit

I am getting complaints about the quantity and quality of the filming of commissioner meetings. Both the quantity and quality has been limited by the majority of the commissioners. The quality is terrible. While some people do not care what government does, many do care. Especially those who are experienced enough to know that more than 40 percent of their income is going to the government for some very questionable uses.



About a year and a half ago word circulated among commissioners that the stopping of filming of commissioner meetings would result in a lot less chatter and complaining from the public. Citizens cannot complain about what they do not know about. Almost immediately the majority of the commissioners started plotting to diminish and eliminate information presented to the public.



Beaufort County started putting on line only the legislatively mandated commissioner meetings. All those other meetings about budget and planning were stopped. The majority then fired Randy Walker, who was doing a very good job at a total cost the county of less than twenty five thousand dollars each year. They then spent $110,000 for programmable video equipment for the new commissioner meeting room. Randy Walker provided his own equipment.



Randy Walker received severe criticism for the good job he was doing. The camera was focused on the commissioner who was speaking. Facial expressions are known to betray people who are lying or just simply rolling logs in front of progress. Most people can tell very quickly who is telling the truth by seeing the speaker's face. Studies have shown that facial expressions and body language will usually uncover a liar very quickly.



Now we have a single fixed camera that shows all the commissioners at one time. The video is so bad you cannot tell who is talking unless you know where that commissioner sits. The focus is set so you cannot see their mouth moving. Distribution to cable has been limited by Beaufort County giving up our channel to the City of Washington.



All of this is by design, so the public knows less and less about government.



If we can elect a conservative Board of Commissioners, we will return to the Randy Walker standards for filming and we will film enough of government meetings so the public can be informed.



Secrecy and propaganda in government are tools of the devil. There are many secrets about the handling of your money that would enrage you if only you could have access to the information.



Jerry Evans and John Rebholz are running for commissioner. They are liberal and part of the bad government committee. Vote for one of the other candidates and return us to fair and honest government.



Jerry Evans refuses to vote to send for repair people for the jail cells. That one vote is costing a minimum of 1.5 million dollars in waste. He was a player in the destruction of the Belhaven Hospital and the looting of the 3.5 million dollars in the Beaufort County Hospital trust fund. All that money has been spent.



John Rebholz proudly says he is a Ron Buzzeo Republican. We do not need any more of that.



All totalitarian governments limit information and spoon feed the public only the information they want them to have.


The world's biggest telecom assembly MWC 2020 has been cancelled as telecom companies one after the other pulled out of the annual conference following the outbreak of the deadly novel in China.

The (MWC) is held every year in Barcelona and top Indian industry leaders, as well as top government officials and ministers, have been attending the event.

Bharti Airtel head Sunil Mittal, telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash were expected to attend the global event this year.

"With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," the industry body said in a statement.

China on Thursday reported 254 fatalities from the outbreak - the highest in a single day and double than the previous record high - taking the death toll to 1,367 and nearly 15,000 fresh cases on Wednesday.

The Philippines reported the first death outside China from the virus. So far, 445 cases have been reported from about 26 countries including three from India.

Global telecom industry body GSM Association body has been organising the event annually since 2006 in Barcelona, Spain, where governments, ministers, policymakers, operators and industry leaders across the broader ecosystem discuss developments in the technology sector with telecom as a common thread.

Some of the sponsors and leading exhibitors including those companies which are on the board of GSMA pulled out of the event due to threat from novel coronavirus. These companies include Vodafone, Cisco, LG, Vivo, NTT Docomo, Sony, Amazon, Facebook, Mediatek, Intel, Nvidia etc.

"The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world," the association said.

Around 100,000 people from across the globe attend the event every year. According to reports, organisers may not get insurance claim as Spain has not recognised the situation as a health emergency.

Some of the sponsors and exhibitors said that they will have to bear a major loss on account of cancellation of airfare and hotel bookings.

"We have been refunded around 30 per cent of the airfare. Our company is still talking to the hotels for a refund but it seems difficult as most of the hotel bookings in Barcelona are non-refundable during the MWC days. There is no clarity yet on refund of participation money from GSMA," a company official, who is also one of the sponsors of MWC 2020, said on the condition of anonymity.

An email query sent to GSMA over the possibility of a refund did not elicit any immediate reply.
Washington: First he went after the prosecutors who recommended a multi-year sentence for his friend Roger Stone. Then US President Donald Trump turned his Twitter ire to the "witch hunt disgrace" of special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation, which led to Stone's indictment. But perhaps most surprising was Trump's decision to target US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson - who will determine Stone's fate when he appears in her courtroom next Thursday.

It was not the first time Trump had gone after a federal judge or questioned the judiciary, but Tuesday's attack was nevertheless vexing to current and former judges as Jackson prepares to decide whether to send the president's friend to prison - and for how long.

"The timing is outrageous, and the notion that you're attempting to influence a judge," retired federal judge Nancy Gertner said.

"He's trying to delegitimise anyone appointed by someone other than him and say that the only people who can be trusted are Trump judges," she said.
And while the candidates trying to appeal to the countrys political middle  Mr. Biden, Ms. Klobuchar and Mr. Buttigieg  jockey for advantage in the early states, Mr. Bloomberg is betting that enough voters elsewhere in the country will come to see him as the consensus alternative to Mr. Sanders.

I was not running, remember, in four states, Mr. Bloomberg said on Wednesday in response to a question about his campaign strategy. Im a believer that if were going to unite this country, we should unite the whole country. So Ive been going to small states as well as big states, states that are on Super Tuesday and states that dont vote for a long time.

Over the next several weeks, Mr. Bloomberg plans to campaign heavily, starting on Wednesday in Tennessee before going to North Carolina and Texas on Thursday, then Virginia on Saturday. All four states vote on Super Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Chattanooga, Mr. Bloomberg said he saw nothing productive about joining in the criticisms of Mr. Sanders. And in a speech to prospective voters, he made an appeal for unity. The stakes couldnt be higher, he told the crowd, only 500 members of which made it into the main room to hear him speak while 500 more waited in an overflow room or stood outside in the rain. The way to defeat Trump is by appealing to the broadest possible coalition  Americans of all backgrounds and parties  to stand shoulder to shoulder.

Ms. Stevens says voters in her congressional district outside Detroit are looking for just such a candidate. She avoided talking about Mr. Sanders. But in explaining her support for Mr. Bloomberg, she made it clear that she did not believe Mr. Sanders had a profile that would appeal to her constituents.

What I think is going to resonate in my district is somebody who is a world-class business leader or a government leader, she said, somebody who has led a city that is bigger than the populations of certain states.

The concerns among many Wall Street executives about Mr. Sanders are straightforward: His worldview is at odds with the capitalist, free-market system on which the American finance industry thrives. Vin Ryan, founder of the venture-capital firm Schooner Capital and a supporter of Ms. Warren, said he viewed Mr. Sanders as a lightning rod whom Republicans would attack nonstop as a socialist.

Youve got enormous numbers of independent voters that dont like Trump, he added, but when you come to the pocketbook issues  particularly that fact that in spite of Trump the economys doing well, that redounds to the presidents benefit, he said.

Jeremy W. Peters reported from Chattanooga, Sheryl Gay Stolberg from Washington, and Kate Kelly from New York.
The Budget session of the Assam



Assembly will begin from March 2 and continue till March 27, an official release said here on Thursday.

The Budget for the year 2020-21 will be presented on March 4, the release said.

There will be a recess from March 7 to 19 and the session will resume from March 20 with Voting of Demand for Grants.

The session will be concluded on March 27.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oral arguments at the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. are set for March 3, 2020

BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voip-Pal.com Inc. (Voip-Pal, Company) (VPLM) is very pleased to provide an update on the status of its current patent infringement lawsuits:



The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has scheduled oral arguments on March 3, 2020, in Washington D.C. for Voip-Pals appeal of the first Alice 101 Motion to Dismiss in Case Nos. 18-CV-06177-LHK, 18-cv-06217-LHK, C, 18-cv-04523-LHK, 18-cv-06054-LHK, asserting the RBR parent patent and RBR messaging continuation patent. The Company will be represented by its lead attorney, Lewis Hudnell III . The case will be heard by a panel of three appellate court judges. If the Appeals Court reverses the lower court, an opinion could take as long 3-6 months to be released. However, if the judges affirm the District Court, their decision could be released much sooner.

Voip-Pal will be filing its Appeal brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit by February 10, 2020, in the second Alice 101 Motion to Dismiss, granted by the court on November 1, 2019, in Case Nos. 18-CV-06216-LHK, and 18-CV-07020-LHK, asserting four RBR continuation patents.

Additionally, the Company is accessing its options and exploring other avenues for monetization and protection of its patent portfolio. More information on this will be released in due course.

Emil Malak, CEO of Voip-Pal, stated, We are working within a patent system that currently favors the infringers. While it is not always an easy task, it is our wholehearted belief that in the end justice will prevail over injustice. We are determined to see these battles through to the end until we achieve a fair outcome for our shareholders. Patience is a virtue.

About Voip-Pal.com Inc.

Voip-Pal.Com, Inc. (Voip-Pal) is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM ) headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The Company owns a portfolio of patents relating to Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology that it is currently looking to monetize.

Story continues

Corporate Website: www.voip-pal.com
With Sinn Fein's election breakthrough in focus, the outgoing Taoiseach and other top officials at a financial conference in Dublin rushed to reassure investors that Ireland remained open for business.

Financial and property shares have already been hit hard by the emergence of Sinn Fein, whose manifesto pledged to reduce tax breaks for banks that were bailed out by the State, and to introduce a raft of controls on the private rented sector, from price caps onwards.

While accepting that voters had rejected the policies of his Government, Leo Varadkar told the conference that "the political centre in Ireland has been shaken... but it has held".

Other officials noted that a change in Government would not be accompanied by a radical redrawing of the State's policies on winning the business of multinationals and other companies from overseas.

"All of the major parties are committed to foreign direct investment," Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland, told the European Financial Forum.

Despite representing a sharp shift to the left in economic policy, Sinn Fein has said it will stick to the State's 12.5pc corporation tax rate, which has been key to attracting investments from a raft of companies - from big pharma to high-tech - to set up here.

The party has, however, said that it will impose higher taxes on transfers of intellectual property to Ireland, a move that it says would raise 722m, in what is its biggest budget revenue-raising measure.

It has also said it would drop the State's appeal against an EU ruling that Ireland gave Apple a sweetheart tax deal worth 14bn.

Multinational companies pay more than 7 in every 10 the State receives in corporation taxes, while foreign investors directly employ a quarter of a million workers.

The election is the latest risk to hit Ireland, which is the most exposed economy in the world to the damage from Brexit.

This, according to Central Bank of Ireland figures, could potentially lop 9bn off economic output by 2028 if the UK does not strike a trade deal with the European Union.

That risk has been amplified by the insistence of prime minister Boris Johnson that any deal must be struck this year, or London will trade with the EU on the same terms that it trades with the rest of the world.

"The UK has set a tight, maybe somewhat unrealistic, timeline for those negotiations," Mr Shanahan said.

The outgoing Minister of State for Financial Services, Michael D'Arcy, chose to stress Ireland's post-Brexit attractions to international investors, including financial services.

"We are the only English-speaking, common law country in the EU," he said.

However, Mr D'Arcy conceded that "there will be a reset" from the Fine Gael administration that has ruled since 2011. "It is a matter for the new Government to put in place a new strategy," he said.

But he too stressed there would be continuity in the overall attitude to attracting investment.

"There will be no change in commitment to foreign direct investment companies," he said.

Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf, who was appointed by the outgoing Fine Gael Government in controversial circumstances that drew criticism from Sinn Fein, warned that the Irish economy also faced risks from coronavirus thanks to trade links with China.

While he noted that "growth has been strong", he also said that the State "should not be complacent".

"Any impact on the Irish economy would be felt through both direct and indirect channels," he said.

"From a decline in demand for Irish exports to China, to the negative impact on overall world demand and a consequential impact on Irish exports. As China accounts for a large and growing share of world output - about 19pc of world GDP in 2018 - we would expect a disruption to China's economy to have an impact on Ireland," the governor added.

Research from the Central Bank issued yesterday noted that a large portion of the export growth experienced by the State last year was down to sales of computer components to China.
New Delhi/Washington, Feb 13 : Notwithstanding China's ongoing medical emergency due to the Covid-19 epidemic, Washington remains wary of Beijing's aggressive expansion of its regional influence.

While Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced an additional $100 million of existing funds to support China in combating the coronavirus last week, a couple of days later, he warned that the US could not ignore Beijing's actions. "Look at the nearly 18 tons of medical supplies that the US just flew to China this last week to fight Coronavirus. But while there are places we can cooperate, can't ignore China's actions and strategic intentions," he said.

"If we do, we risk the important components of our relationship that benefit both countries. The Chinese Government has been methodical in the way it's analysed our system, our very open system, one that we're deeply proud of. It's assessed our vulnerabilities, and it's decided to exploit our freedoms to gain advantage over us at the federal level, the state level, and the local level," Pompeo added.

Explaining the US position, he said: "At the end of the cold, American started to engage with China heavily. It made good sense. We thought the more we interact, the more it would become a liberal democracy, like us here in the United States. It didn't happen. Indeed under Xi Jinping, the country is moving exactly in the opposite direction. More repression, more unfair competition, more predatory economic practices, indeed more aggressive military posture as well." Interestingly, in an attempt to counter Beijing's growing footprint in the Indo-Pacific region, Washington sent its largest-ever delegation to the air show in Singapore. R. Clarke Cooper, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, last week warned Beijing saying: "Even as China battles the coronavirus, it should not use this week's Singapore air show as an opportunity to strong-arm US partners or steal intelligence or technological secrets." "We do not want to see them using the air show as a platform for exploitation and theft of not only our technologies but also others' technologies," he said.

Washington, Cooper said, was watching for any sign that Beijing was trying to expand its regional influence "aggressively". "That includes efforts at the air show or more broadly to pile significant debt on customers purchasing particular weapon systems or otherwise jeopardise the sovereignty of US allies," he said.

The warnings came just days after the US and China signed a trade agreement on new terms negotiated by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump called the deal "ground breaking new agreement" which will "defend American workers, protect US intellectual property, bring billions of dollars into our treasury, and open vast new markets for products made and grown in the US".

In the first round of negotiations, China has agreed to import an additional $200 billion worth US goods and services by 2021 and also reduce some of the tariffs on US products. However, the major bones of contention over the bilateral trade are scheduled for the next round of negotiations, most likely after the US elections this year.

Incidentally, the US on Monday indicted four members of the Chinese military for allegedly breaking into the computer networks of Equifax credit reporting agency. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang on Tuesday, however, denied that the Chinese government and military and their relevant personnel had engaged in cyber theft of trade secrets.
A Chinese man has been sentenced to jail for a year and four months after savagely beating an anti-coronavirus officer who banned him and his wife from entering a closed road.

The man, Xie, and his partner, Shao, were attempting to take a shortcut on their way back home on Friday when they were stopped.

His wife was handed a suspended sentence of six months for the bloody attack.

The couple are pictured carrying out a vicious attack on an officer who stopped them from passing a blocked road. The husband is now serving one year and four months behind bars

The blood and hair left on the crime scene after the officer was injured in his head and face

The blocked route, located in the city of Linhai in Zhejiang Province, had been temporarily shut down as part of the measures to stop the spread of the virus.

The couple was prevented from crossing by an officer, surnamed Wu.

Xie and Shao started pushing and verbally abusing Wu after the group got into a heated argument.

The husband repeatedly hit Wu's head with a cement brick as the wife punched in the officer's legs and waist, leaving him with multiple injuries.

They were arrested by local police on the same day and were sentenced by a local court yesterday.

Xie and Shao (pictured) receive their sentences by the People's Procuratorate in Linhai through a webcam as the coronavirus continues to spread across China and around the world

The prosecutors of the People's Procuratorate in Linhai are pictured evaluating the case

The husband was sentenced with a year and four months while the wife was given a suspended sentence of six months, according to the prosecutors (pictured) of Linhai city in Zhejiang

Lan Chunmei, a prosecutor of the People's Procuratorate in Linhai, said in a statement that the couple 'should be given severe punishment'.

'In the battle of fighting coronavirus, there are hundreds and thousands of officers on the front line like Wu, who are responsible, brave and dutiful.

'They are the ones guarding the safety of the people,' Lan said.

Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has killed at least 1,370 people and infected nearly 60,400 globally. A Chinese woman with a face mask is pictured waiting at a bus stop in Beijing

The province of Hubei in central China has been the centre of the outbreak as sufferers are pictured at a Wuhan hospital which is designated for critical coronavirus patients

After evaluating the case, the local court found the husband guilty of obstructing a public officer and jailed him for a year and four mouths.

The wife was given a six-month suspended sentence after the court took into consideration her obligation to look after the couple's two children.

Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has killed at least 1,370 people and infected nearly 60,400 globally.

'In the battle of fighting coronavirus, there are hundreds and thousands of officers on the frontline like Wu, who are responsible, brave and dutiful.' Two medical workers are seen leaving a shopping centre in Beijing

The picture shows a Chinese woman wearing a protective mask whilst waiting for a bus as the coronavirus continues to sweep across China and around the world

The province of Hubei in central China has been the ground zero of the outbreak since the virus first emerged at a seafood market in its capital city, Wuhan.

There are now at least nine cases in the UK after a woman who arrived in London from China a few days ago is being treated for coronavirus.

Medics warned the London Underground could be a hotbed for spreading the virus.
ASD has been developing and managing very low-income housing for over 30 years. We are excited about this new development, centrally located just across the Trinity river, south of downtown, that offers new quality affordable housing- President and CEO Traswell C. Livingston III.

On Tuesday, February 11, AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD) held its groundbreaking ceremony for its 511 Lancaster Project, a new affordable housing residential facility. The property, located at 511 Lancaster Avenue is the first housing development that ASD has undertaken since 1996.

Dallas is full of new development projects for new multi-family housing. ASD has been developing and managing very low-income housing for over 30 years. We are excited about this new development, centrally located just across the Trinity river, south of downtown, that offers new quality affordable housing. - President and CEO Traswell C. Livingston III.

Acquiring the property in 2018, ASD has received $1.19 million from the City of Dallas/HUD to remodel and refurbish the existing 8 units into 12 units with plans to open in late 2020. Once complete, The Lancaster Project will provide an independent living environment for low-income (80% or lower Area Media Income) men, women and families living with HIV/AIDS.

Working with construction partners Oglesby Greene Architects, ASD has developed a construction plan that will enable us to add four additional new construction housing units to The Lancaster Project property, increasing the projects housing capacity by 50%. Grants from The Moody Foundation, the Perot Foundation and other private donations are being used for this expansion project.

Local government officials in attendance included Chad West, Dallas City Councilman, District 1 who currently leads the committee on Housing and Homelessness Solutions.

This is a great day for affordable housing. Every year this organization takes another step in helping our affordable housing crisis- Chad West

We have fought these battles long and hard. I applaud you for the courage, the stick-to-it-ness of those who have been here on the ground fighting and meeting the challenges - Dallas County Commissioner District 3 John Wiley Price.

Dallas County Commissioner District 1, Dr. Theresa Daniel, and Undra Miller from Senator Royce Wests office were also in attendance.

Livingston says -This housing is focused on those that at some point were chronically homeless, have stabilized their health, no longer need supportive housing and are ready to move on to more independent housing. Too often they are faced with barriers of criminal to background, credit scores and just plain stigma based on income sources. This development offers hope, a promise that emergency shelter does not have to be forever, there are agencies out there working to provide affordable housing for them.

Please contact Chris Turman, Development Director at (214) 941-0523, cturman@aidsdallas.org for additional funding information.
The number of people taking the first HSK test in Hanoi, Vietnam reaches a new high in 2020

Banners are drawn up in the campus of Hanoi University to welcome to the HSK test takers. (Photo/ People.cn)

The Confucius Institute of Hanoi University held the first HanyuShuipingKaoshi (HSK), a Chinese proficiency test for non-native speakers, in 2020 recently with a total number of more than 1250 people taking the test, making an auspicious start of the HSK test this year.

The test is characterized by a large number of subjects and people this time, including HSK level 2 to Level 6, HSKK(Intermediate) and HSKK(Advanced). The main examiners worked from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to ensure the successful completion of the exam.

The number of people who have applied for the exam in the Confucius Institute of Hanoi University has grown by leaps and bounds. The number this time is more than 12 times and twice of that in 2018 and 2019, respectively. This shows that the Chinese cultural fever in Vietnam is growing and the Chinese market demand has broad space for development.

Since the opening of HSK test center in 2018, the Confucius Institute of Hanoi University has trained an excellent team of invigilators. Hanoi University has provided high-quality test room and equipment for HSK test, and the Chinese Department of Hanoi University has also given tremendous support to the test work. The Confucius Institute of Hanoi University is committed to improving the management level of the test center, striving to build it into an outstanding one, so as to promote teaching and learning through the test, and better serve many Chinese learners in Vietnam. (Compiled by Zhang Xinfeng)
Tesla Inc made an about-turn on Thursday by announcing plans to raise $2 billion in a stock offering as the electric-car maker taps into an astronomical jump in its share price in the past few months. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has repeatedly assured investors that the company will not need to raise more money. As recently as last month, Musk said: "It doesn't make sense to raise money. Diluting the company to pay down debt doesn't sound like a wise move." The company said it would offer 2.65 million shares, of which Musk himself will buy up to $10 million ...
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 19:21:30|Editor: huaxia

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Medical team member Lin Kai (L) bids farewell to his family before leaving for Wuhan of central China's Hubei Province at the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 13, 2020. A team comprised of 277 medical workers from Fujian left for Wuhan of Hubei Province on Thursday to aid the novel coronavirus control efforts there. They will work together with medical workers from other provinces to take over the 10 intensive care units of Tumor Center of Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)
Home Search ICH US enters brutal ideological civil war as four-party system begins to take form By Slavoj Zizek February 12, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Despite Trumps impeachment victory, the US is entering into an ideological civil war, because the real conflict is not between the Democrats and the Republicans, but within each of those parties themselves. Two weeks ago, while promoting his new film in Mexico City, Harrison Ford said that America has lost its moral leadership and credibility. Really? When did the US exert moral leadership over the world? Under Reagan or Bush? They lost what they never had, ie, they lost the illusion (the credibility made in Harrisons claim) that theyve had it. With Trump, what was already true merely became visible. Back in 1948, at the outset of the Cold War, this truth was formulated with brutal candor by US diplomat and historian George Kennan: [The US has] 50 percent of the worlds wealth but only 6.3 percent of its population. In this situation, our real job in the coming periodis to maintain this position of disparity. To do so, we have to dispense with all sentimentalitywe should cease thinking about human rights, the raising of living standards and democratisation. In this we find an explanation of what Trump means by America first! in much clearer and more honest terms. So we should not be shocked when we read that the Trump administration, which came into office pledging to end endless wars, has now embraced weapons prohibited by more than 160 countries, and is readying them for future use. Cluster bombs and anti-personnel landmines, deadly explosives known to maim and kill civilians long after fighting has ended, have become integral to the Pentagons future war plans. Those who act surprised by such news are simply hypocrites: in our upside-down world, Trump is innocent (not impeached) while Assange is guilty (for disclosing state crimes). Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter So what IS going on now? Its true that Trump exemplifies the new figure of an openly obscene political master in disdain of the basic rules of decency and democratic openness. The logic that underlies Trumps actions was spelled out by Alan Dershowitz (who is, among other things, an advocate of legalized torture). The Harvard Law professor stated that if a politician thinks his re-election is in the national interest, any actions he takes towards that end cannot by definition be impeachable. And if a president did something that he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment, Dershowitz argues. The nature of power out of any serious democratic control is clearly spelled out here. What was taking place in the ongoing debates about Trumps impeachment was a case of the dissolution of the shared common ethical substance which makes argumentative polemical dialogue possible: the US is entering into an ideological civil war in which there is no shared ground to which both parties to the conflict can appeal  the more each side elaborates its position, the more it becomes clear that no dialogue, even a polemical one, is possible. We shouldnt be too fascinated by the theatrics of the impeachment process (Trump refusing Pelosis handshake, Pelosi tearing up a copy of his State of the Union address) because the true conflict is not between the Democrats and the Republicans but within each of the parties. The US is now transforming itself from a two-party state into a four-party state: there are really four parties that fill in the political space - the establishment Republicans, establishment Democrats, alt-right populists and democratic socialists. There are already offers of coalitions across party lines: Joe Biden hinted that he might nominate as his vice-president a moderate Republican, while Steve Bannon mentioned, a few times, his ideal of a coalition between Trump and Sanders. The big difference is that, while Trumps populism easily asserted its hegemony over the Republican establishment (a clear proof, if one was ever needed, that, in spite of all Bannons ranting against the system, Trumps reference to ordinary workers is a lie), the split within the Democratic party is getting stronger and stronger  no wonder, since the struggle between the Democratic establishment and the Sanders wing is the only true political struggle going on. To use a little bit of theoretical jargon, we are thus dealing with two antagonisms (contradictions), the one between Trump and the liberal establishment (this is what the impeachment was about), and the one between the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party and all the others. Brutal battle ahead The move to impeach Trump was a desperate attempt to regain the moral leadership and credibility of the US  a comic exercise in hypocrisy. This is why all the moral fervor of the Democratic establishment should not deceive us: Trumps open obscenity just brought out what was always there. The Sanders camp sees this clearly: there is no way back, US political life has to be radically reinvented. But is Sanders a true alternative or, as some radical Leftists claim, is he just a (rather moderate) social democrat who wants to save the system? The answer is that this dilemma is false: Democratic Socialists started a mass movement of radical re-awakening, and the fate of such movements is not predestined. Only one thing is certain: the worst imaginable stance is the one of some Western radical Leftists who tend to write off the working class in developed countries as a workers aristocracy living off the exploitation of developing countries and caught in racist-chauvinist ideologies. In their view, the only radical change can come from nomadic proletarians (immigrants and the poor of the Third World) as a revolutionary agent (maybe linked to some impoverished middle-class intellectuals in developed countries)  but does this diagnosis hold? True, todays situation is global, but not in this simplistic Maoist sense of opposing bourgeois nations and proletarian nations. Immigrants are sub-proletarians, their position is very specific, they are not exploited in the Marxist sense and are as such not predestined to be the agents of radical change. Consequently, I consider this radical choice suicidal for the Left: Sanders is to be unconditionally supported. The battle will be cruel, the campaign against Sanders will be much more brutal than the one against Corbyn in the UK. On the top of the usual card of anti-Semitism, there will be wide use of the race and gender cards  Sanders as on old white man Just recall the brutality of Hillary Clinton's latest attack on him. And all these cards will be played on grounds of a fear of Socialism. Critics of Sanders repeat again and again that Trump cannot be beaten from his (Sanders) all-too-leftist platform, and the main thing is to get rid of Trump. To this we should just answer that the true message hidden in this argument is: if the choice is between Trump and Sanders, we prefer Trump Slavoj Zizek, is a cultural philosopher. Hes a senior researcher at the Institute for Sociology and Philosophy at the University of Ljubljana, Global Distinguished Professor of German at New York University, and international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities of the University of London. This article was published by "RT" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
Port Houston has received $70.4 million for maintenance dredging in the 2020 fiscal year, officials announced Wednesday at a Port Commission meeting.

The money, up from the $20 million to nearly $30 million received in past years, is to maintain the waterway's current width and depth. Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther said the funds would help the channel prepare for a $1 billion deepening and widening project.

At HoustonChronicle.com: Industry outlines plan for funding $500M to widen, deepen Houston Ship Channel

The money for maintenance dredging was included in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' fiscal year 2020 work plan, which also included $1.13 million that would enable the Corps to review the port's design for widening and deepening the Houston Ship Channel and keep the project on its expedited schedule.

The larger project would widen the Galveston Bay portion of the Houston Ship Channel to 700 feet from the current 530-foot width and deepen parts of the channels shallower upstream segments to accept ships with 45-foot drafts.

Also helping to accelerate the timeline of this project, which would take at least a decade under the federal governments traditional process, is industry's commitment to paying $500 million to fund the work. Though how companies will fund this money is still being worked out.
A van of the German Red Cross carrying German citizens repatriated from the Wuhan arrives at the German Red Cross hospital in Berlin Kopenick, on 9 February. (John MacDougall/AFP)

The coronavirus outbreak could cause the German economy to fall into recession this year, according to a study published by Deutsche Bank Research.

We expect the coronavirus to dampen gross domestic product by 0.2 percentage points in the first quarter, making a technical recession highly possible in the winter half-year," the study says.

The economists said that the coronavirus poses a risk to the global recovery, as hopes rest on a recovery in the Chinese economy.

Germanys export-driven economy is heavily reliant on China, its most important trading partner. Germanys exporters already felt the effects of the cooling Chinese economy in 2019, and its car manufacturing industry is particularly vulnerable to any weakening demand from the enormous Chinese automotive market.

Read more: European stocks hit new highs as coronavirus fears recede

However, the bank said that if the spread of the coronavirus soon peaks as expected, demand may simply shift to the later course of 2020."

The number of deaths from the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has hit 1,113, according to the Chinese authorities, and the total number of infected has now soared past 44,000.

Deutsche Bank said that its January data had suggested that German economic growth would stablise, but that the data had been collected before the coronavirus outbreak became public knowledge.

S&P Global ratings on Wednesday estimated that the coronavirus outbreak is likely to shave cut 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points off the UKs economic growth this year.

Germanys federal statistics office will publish its GDP data for the last quarter of 2019 on Friday.
File Photo: Navy Adm. Philip Davidson testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, April 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By Colin Packham

SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - China is threatening the sovereignty of small Pacific Islands and undermining the region's stability, a top U.S. military commander said on Thursday, in comments likely to inflame tension with China.

U.S.-China relations improved in January with the signing of a trade deal that defused an 18-month row that has hit global growth but strains remain.

Admiral Philip Davidson - commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command - said the United States "was all in" to counter China in the Pacific, citing its "excessive territorial claims, debt trap diplomacy, violations of international agreements, theft of international property, military intimidation and outright corruption".

"The Communist Party of China seeks to control the flow of trade, finance, communications, politics and the way of life in the Indo-Pacific," Davidson said in a speech in Sydney.

The Chinese embassy in Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has in the past rejected accusations of aggressive behaviour and of luring small economies into debt "traps".

China has been more active in the resource-rich Pacific in recent years, seeking to extend influence with aid and encouraging countries away from diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China regards as renegade province with not right to state-to-state ties.

China's increasing assertiveness in the energy-rich South China Sea, in particular, has raised U.S. and regional concerns.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which some $3.4 trillion in shipping passes each year. Countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei have over-lapping claims to parts of the sea.

Davidson's comments came at the end of a visit to old ally Australia, which included talks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Australia, which long enjoyed unrivalled influence in the Pacific, has in recent years been more assertive in maintaining its standing in the region.

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In 2018, it launched a A$3 billion fund to offer Pacific countries grants and cheap loans for infrastructure.

While vying for influence in the Pacific, Australia and China have also argued over Chinese activities in Australia.

In 2019, Australia concluded that China was responsible for a cyber-attack on its parliament and its three largest political parties - although it declined to publicise its findings amid concern of trade disruptions.

China denied responsibility.

China is Australia's largest trading partner, buying more than one-third of its total exports and sending more than a million tourists and students there each year.

"Beijing has showed a willingness to intervene in free markets and hurt Australian companies simply because the Australian government has exercised its sovereign right to exercise its national security," Davidson said.

(Reporting by Colin Packham Editing by Robert Birsel)
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for a "lasting ceasefire" in war-torn Libya, where a fragile truce has been in place since January.

The text, drafted by Britain, was approved by 14 votes out of 15, with Russia abstaining.

It was subject to weeks of wrangling, reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country and to uphold a weapons embargo.

The resolution affirmed "the need for a lasting ceasefire in Libya at the earliest opportunity, without pre-conditions."

It also expressed "concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya."

Russia had pushed to replace the word "mercenaries" with "foreign terrorist fighters," but was unsuccessful.

Libya, Africa's most oil-rich nation, has been mired in chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Since April 2019, the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has fought back against an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar, who is supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

A fragile ceasefire was established on January 12 and at an international summit in Berlin a week later, world leaders agreed to end all foreign interference in Libya and to uphold a weapons embargo.

But there are still near-daily clashes near Tripoli and arms continue to flow into the country.

Moscow is accused of sending several thousand mercenaries from the private Russian security company Wagner to support Haftar, who controls much of the south and east of Libya. Russia denies any involvement.

During negotiations, the United States demanded the Wagner group be clearly identified in the text, diplomats told AFP, before accepting the sole mention of "mercenaries."

The deputy US ambassador to the UN, Cherith Norman Chalet, lamented after the vote that the Council was not united.

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"It's also very unfortunate that foreign mercenaries, including from the Kremlin-linked Wagner group, are making an inclusive political solution harder to achieve," she said.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, said his country abstained because of doubts in Moscow about the possibility of enforcing the resolution when the warring parties had not yet agreed to the terms of the ceasefire.

- More talks on horizon -

The resolution called for continued negotiations by the joint military commission set up in January between the two sides, with the goal of achieving a "permanent ceasefire."

This would include a monitoring system, a separation of forces and confidence-building measures.

The commission's Geneva meeting ended Saturday without a resolution, but the UN proposed resuming talks from February 18.

The resolution also called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to submit proposals for monitoring the ceasefire "as soon as possible, when a ceasefire is agreed by the Libyan parties."

It also called on regional organizations, "notably the African Union, League of Arab States and European Union" to collaborate in order to "support the UN" in its search for a political solution and supervision of a ceasefire.

More than 1,000 people have died in the clashes between Haftar and the GNA, while another 140,000 have been displaced, according to the UN.
In this photo provided by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), one of the Indian nationals who were airlifted from coronavirus-hit Hubei province of Chinas Wuhan, gives final sample to medics before release from the quarantine facility set by up ITBP, at Chhawla in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI)

New Delhi: One passenger on board SpiceJet Bangkok-Delhi flight was quarantined at Delhi while two passengers, who arrived at Kolkata from Bangkok, have been placed in isolation for suspected novel coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

On February 13, 2020, a passenger travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-88 operating between Bangkok and Delhi was suspected of coronavirus infection. He was on seat no. 31F and was the only passenger in that row. The said passenger was quarantined by Airport Health Organisation (APHO) after landing in Delhi, the SpiceJet said.

At Kolkata airport, a passenger named Himadri Barman was quarantined on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh on Wednesday, officials said. Both passengers were sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital, a Kolkata airport official said.

Earlier, a passenger named Anita Oraon had also showed signs of fever during thermal scanning, Kolkata airport director Kaushik Bhattacharjee said.

In India, three cases have been confirmed so far in Kerala while two Indian crew on board cruise ship Diamond Princess off the Japanese coast have tested positive for the COVID-19. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said three persons who tested positive for COVID-19 in Kerala are stable now.

Dr Vardhan said on Thursday that all 645 Indians, including 7 Maldivians, evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city are likely to be discharged once all of them test negative after a stay of 14 days.

India has extended support to the Maldives in testing samples and Bhutan in managing COVID-19. India has agreed to support Afghanistan in testing samples. India is also extending help to China by sending essential items for combating COVID2019 in China as per commitment of the Prime Minister, the minister said following a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GOM) on this issue.

He added that people are being screened for coronavirus at 21 airports, 12 major ports, 65 minor ports and at 6 land crossings and all states have been informed of the guidelines and precautionary measures. At the airports, a cumulative of 2,51,447 persons (2,315 flights) have been screened, 3 suspected cases and 161 contacts have been identified, 5,491 and 285 passengers and crew have been screened at major and minor ports, respectively.

A total of 15,991 persons are being followed up for 28 days of which 3,058 have completed 28 days of observation period. As many as 497 suspect cases have been isolated.

Some of the airlines have also temporarily suspended operations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter of appreciation to the Air India crew and health ministry officials involved in the evacuation of citizens of India and Maldives from the Chinese city of Wuhan following the outbreak of novel coronavirus, the Prime Minister's Office said on Thursday.

The letter would be handed over to the evacuation team, including Air India crew and Health Ministry officials, by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, the PMO statement said.

Air India had conducted an emergency evacuation operations from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

Despite being aware of the aforementioned severe situation in the region, the Air India sent two B-747 aircraft with teams of Air India as well as teams from Ministry of Health for two consecutive days, on January 31 and February 1, returning the next day, the statement said.
Too few designers get a chance to study experience design in school, stifling the chances of them pursuing a career in brand experience, says Mia Choi, Chief Creative Officer and cofounder of MAS Event + Design.

MAS Event + Design, a leading experience design studio, is once again inviting the countrys best design and architecture undergrads to participate in a unique national student design competition, the 2020 Brand X Challenge.

Produced to expose students to the fast-growing experience design sector, this winter teams of undergrads will design an experiential activation for SEPHORAspanning physical space, digital elements and social media channels. Three finalist teams will be selected and one winning team will score a cash prize, summer internships and a trip to Chicago for the Brand X Awards gala, held May 12 at the annual Experiential Marketing Summit.

Being able to design and deliver unique experiences has become increasingly more important in the retail industry; experiences not only help to enable more personal connections with all clients, but gives them the opportunity to play and learn within a community-fostering environment, which is a key goal for us at SEPHORA, says Jessica Stacey, Sephora VP-PR and Experiential Marketing. Were excited to work with MAS Event + Design and Event Marketer to help students cultivate their experiential design skills, and cant wait to see what they create.

Student teams will work directly with SEPHORA and MAS experience designers to refine and enhance ideas, giving them a taste of real-world experience design. In addition to developing work for their portfolios as they learn about the experience design discipline, the program and its top scoring teams will be promoted by media partner Event Marketer magazine online and in print to more than one million designers and marketers.

Too few designers get a chance to study experience design in school, stifling the chances of them pursuing a career in brand experience, says Mia Choi, Chief Creative Officer and cofounder of MAS Event + Design. We are committed to showcasing this field as a real career path for emerging designers.

Brand X is managed by the editorial team at Event Marketer and begins with a nomination period through February 21 during which teams sign up, followed by online learning briefings with SEPHORA and MAS to get educated about experience design and the SEPHORA brand. Teams will then be issued a creative brief on the experiential program, and they begin creating. MAS designers will offer mentor reviews of students designs with advice and comments. Ultimately, designs are submitted and judged in April and winners notified in May. The programs online presence is anchored at facebook.com/brandxchallenge.

Brand X is one of the most important programs we are involved in this year, says Jessica Heasley, Event Marketer Group Editor & Publisher. I am proud to help open the eyes of tomorrows experience creators.

About MAS Event + Design

We are an award winning collective of designers and producers that create moments that make you want MAS.

We dont just mean more - we are MORE. More voices. More backgrounds. More to bring to the table. Were designers, architects, technologists, doers, thinkers, artists, engineers, and always a trusted partner. We transform business objectives and KPIs into the tangible. Sometimes for one, sometimes for thousandsalways with more impact.

We create MORE than an event. More than an experience. More than expected.

In 2018, we joined Opus Agency. Collectively, we service over 70 global companies, including 13 of the 20 most valuable brands in the world among them being Amazon, BMW, Google, YouTube, Microsoft, and other innovative global leaders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Softbank.

Learn more at http://www.maseventdesign.com.

About Sephora Americas

Since its debut in North America over 20 years ago, Sephora has been a leader in prestige omni-retail with the purpose of creating an inviting beauty shopping experience and inspiring fearlessness in our community. With the goal of delivering unbiased shopping support and a personalized experience, Sephora invites clients to touch and try 25,000 products from 400 carefully curated brands, enjoy services at the Beauty Studio and engage with expertly trained beauty advisors in more than 490 stores across the Americas, as well as over 660 locations inside JCPenney. Clients can also experience Sephora online and through our mobile app, access the free-to-join Beauty Insider program and digital community, which together enhance the experience of Sephoras passionate clients. Sephora has been an industry-leading champion of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment, guided by our longstanding company values. In 2019, Sephora announced a new tagline and manifesto, We Belong to Something Beautiful, to reinforce its dedication to fostering belonging amongst all clients and employees and to publicly strive for a more inclusive vision for retail in the Americas. Sephora continues to give back to our communities and advance inclusion in our industry through our Sephora Stands social impact programs. For more information, visit: https://www.sephora.com/about-us and @Sephora on social media.

About Event Marketer

Event Marketer was founded in 2002 to serve the information needs of strategic brand-side event marketers across the spectrum of experiential marketing. Today it is the worlds largest information resource on experiential marketing, serving more than 100,000 Fortune 1000 marketers. The EM portfolio spans a flagship magazine, exclusive corporate training, the annual Experiential Marketing Summit executive conference, the Ex Awards, the annual Women in Events Week national event franchise, Experiential Marketing Training Camp, the Experience Design & Technology Awards and more. Learn more at http://www.eventmarketer.com.
eSentire's new cloud portfolio brings 24x7x365, configuration and vulnerability monitoring, threat detection and response to IaaS and SaaS

WATERLOO, Ontario and SEATTLE, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- eSentire, Inc ., the global leader in cloud-delivered Managed Detection and Response (MDR) , today announced the availability of esCLOUD. This comprehensive portfolio extends eSentire's industry-leading MDR capabilities and elite threat hunting expertise for on-premises to modern cloud environments.

Technical preview of esCLOUD will begin at the end of February with general availability at the end of March. The esCLOUD portfolio will include support for Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Microsoft Office 365 with support for Google G Suite, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Dropbox and Box to follow this year.

Cloud platforms accelerate the use of new technologies and services, enabling IT to move at the speed of business. This has created yet another level of security complexity and risk as cloud extends the attack surface beyond traditional security controls. Cloud adoption is resulting in significant volumes of business-critical data moving to the cloud, but often without the protections that were in place in traditional enterprise environments.

Rapid development and deployment in the cloud means that simple configuration errors can lead to the exposure of large volumes of sensitive data. esCLOUD constantly monitors customer cloud environments to detect improper configurations and vulnerabilities that could lead to data loss and compromise. Automated policy enforcement, combined with response and remediation from eSentire's expert security analysts, ensures that customers can operate in the cloud with confidence.

C.J. Spallitta, Chief Product Officer, eSentire, said: "esCLOUD, backed by our elite threat hunters in our 24x7 Security Operations Centers, gives our customers peace of mind that their increasing adoption of cloud service has the critical visibility and rapid response to threats that will keep their business secure."

Michael Guenzler, SVP, Chief Information Security Officer, Venerable, said: "Cloud is essential to meet the demands needed to grow our business. We will build upon our existing relationship with eSentire and the robust cybersecurity capabilities they provide to continue to mitigate threats across our growing cloud footprint."

Mike Sapien, Chief Analyst, Ovum, said: "Most organizations have moved to cloud services. Securing the cloud is very different from securing on-premises networks and endpoints. Realtime, accurate configuration and vulnerability monitoring along with threat detection and response is required today as many organizations are employing hybrid IT environments leveraging IaaS and SaaS providers. eSentire's new esCLOUD portfolio provides protection from the most relevant threats so companies can move their workloads to the cloud with greater confidence. Organizations need solutions that provide the right visibility across their entire IT environment - from cloud assets to network to endpoints and on-premises equipment. eSentire combines this multi-signal approach, with strong security expertise and 24x7 SOC monitoring, allowing them to detect and respond to sophisticated threats across the entire IT ecosystem."

esCLOUD for IaaS

For customers who have a cloud-native or hybrid cloud network infrastructure, esCLOUD for IaaS will provide real-time detection, response and containment capabilities for threats, misconfiguration, network anomalies and adherence to compliance standards.

esCLOUD for SaaS

esCLOUD for SaaS expands the use of esLOG+ to ingest logs from SaaS environments. eSentire's proprietary investigative logic alerts the security analysts in the eSentire SOC when threats are found.

eSentire delivers the power of MDR extending across an organization's growing cloud workloads. For more information about esCLOUD and eSentire Managed Detection and Response, visit here .

About eSentire:

eSentire, Inc.,?the global leader in?Managed Detection and Response (MDR),?keeps?organizations safe from constantly evolving?cyberattacks?that technology alone cannot prevent. Its 24x7 Security Operations Center (SOC), staffed by elite security analysts, hunts, investigates, and responds in real-time to known and unknown threats before they become business disrupting events. Protecting more than $6 trillion AUM, eSentire absorbs the complexity of cybersecurity, delivering enterprise-grade protection and the ability to comply with growing regulatory requirements. For more information, visit www.esentire.com ?and follow @eSentire.

Media Contact:

Kim Cumpson

Kim.Cumpson@esentire.com

1.519.497.1354

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:12:40|Editor: huaxia

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FARAH, Afghanistan, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Four Taliban militants were killed in an Afghan Air Force overnight strike in western Farah province, a provincial governor said on Thursday.

"The strike targeted a militants' vehicle which approached a security checkpoint in an area in Pusht Rod district, Farah province, Wednesday night. Four militants aboard the vehicle were killed and the car was destroyed," Mohammad Shouhib Sabit told Xinhua.

The militants tried to attack security forces before being targeted by the strike.

The province has been the scene of clashes between Taliban and security forces for long.
Two words  continuity and change  sum up the historical and current engagement of India with Africa.

I have always felt that an Indian diplomat must have hands-on experience of Africa. I made it a point to seek a posting in Africa  one of my most enriching experiences was my stay in South Africa. My direct association with Malawi and Mozambique gave me a valuable insight into our extraordinarily diverse and mutually beneficial relationship with these countries.

While the political, and more recently, economic and developmental exchanges have often been commented on, the cultural aspects to our relationship are striking. In fact, there is a little bit of Africa in every Indian and a little bit of India in every part of Africa.

In the many nations and regions of Africa, or in the many states and regions of India, there is abiding faith in the power of communities and the strength of togetherness. This suggests a common embrace of cooperation and harmony  with fellow human beings and as well as nature. This is the African way, and this is the Indian way.

In the 20th century, the Indian and African experience was one of struggle for liberation, for freedom from colonialism and racial prejudice, and for the rights of every man and woman. The struggle for Africas liberty was our own struggle.

Even as a poor, newly-independent nation, we didnt think twice before imposing a trade embargo on apartheid-era South Africa. This happened when South Africas share was close to 10% of Indias international trade.

Our most emotional link with Africa is of course that of Mahatma Gandhi, who worked and strived in South Africa for so many years. As he once remarked, I may have been born in India but I was made in South Africa. For this making of the Mahatma, India owes Africa an eternal debt. More recently, the magnificent life and legacy of Nelson Mandela have united us in a spirit of inspiration and purpose.

As the waves of freedom and democracy swept across Africa, India was always around to secure hard-won gains and help maintain peace. India came forward to participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Congo, Somalia, Liberia, Burundi and Sudan. India also provided support for African Union initiatives to bring peace to Somalia and Mali, among others. We have a long tradition of training African military officers in Indian institutions. India has helped set up defence academies in countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Yet, amid this continuity, there is also change. There is a new energy and new electricity to the India-Africa equation in recent years.

The Indian and African economies represent two of the worlds most dynamic economic growth stories. Many of the worlds fastest growing economies are in Africa and the combined GDP of the continent is $2.4 trillion. By 2030, Africa will represent almost a quarter of the worlds workforce and consumers. With 54 countries, a billion people, a youthful demographic and an abundance of resources, Africa will carry our planets hopes and responsibilities.

Reaping the benefits of democracy and political stability, countries in Africa have taken major strides towards economic integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). When in force, AfCFTA will raise intra-Africa trade levels by 52% and create one of the largest and most ambitious economic spaces in the world. India wants to be a part of that exciting space.

Indias relationship with Africa has been advanced using consultative and responsive mechanisms under the rubric of India-Africa Forum Summit. The 2015 summit was a remarkable event that saw participation from all 54 countries of the African continent.

Under the specific guidance of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, in the past five years, our political engagement has intensified as never before. There have been 34 outgoing visits to African countries at the level of President, vice president and prime minister. There is not a single country in the continent that has not been visited by at least a Union minister. To enhance diplomatic engagement, India is opening 18 new embassies in Africa, to take the total number of Indian missions to 47 out of a total of 54 countries in Africa. Nine of the 18 new missions have already opened.

The picture on trade and investment is encouraging. India-Africa trade in the previous year was valued at $69 billion, a 12% annual increase. The Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme announced by India has benefited African nations by extending duty free access to 98.2% of Indias total tariff lines. Thirty-eight African countries benefit from the DFTP Scheme. India has become the fifth largest investor in Africa with cumulative investments of $ 54 billion. Indian investment has created thousands of jobs for local citizens.

Our cooperation incorporates power projects and dams in Sudan and Rwanda; water treatment in Tanzania; sugar factories in Ethiopia; and technology parks in Mozambique and Swaziland. We have built the presidential palace in Ghana, the National Assembly building in the Gambia, and very recently the Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre in Niger, completed in just 14 months.

More than digital pathways and brick and mortar projects, Indias association with Africa is about the human touch  about facilitating the capacities of the people of Africa, particularly youth. There are thousands of African students in India at any given point, and we are immensely proud of the fact that 13 current or former presidents, vice presidents and prime ministers in Africa have studied at institutions in India. Each African student arrives as a scholar, stays as a friend and returns as an ambassador of India.

The goodwill that our country draws from such linkages is unimaginable. Our partnership with Africa is beyond strategic concerns and economic benefits. It is based on the emotional bonds we share and the solidarity we feel.PM Modi, in his speech to Ugandan Parliament in 2019 has said that Indias priority is not just Africa; Indias priority is Africans  every man, woman and child in Africa. Our shared values and our friendship represent a constant as well as ignite a continuity.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla is the Foreign Secretary of India. This is an abridged version of a speech he delivered at a conference on Africa in New Delhi on February 12

The views expressed are personal
By Rasana Gasimova

Azerbaijan Tourism Board has launched a strategic partnership with famous Russian travel platform Aviasales.

The partnership aims to increase the tourist flow to the country through joint marketing projects and networking with users through the support service, the State Tourism Agency reported.

The first project implemented as part of cooperation with Aviasales will be an online test competition. Participants of this competition held from February 12 to March 9, should create their own itineraries through Azerbaijan on the https://azerbaijan.aviasales.ru/website and share them on social media. The winner will get a plane ticket to Azerbaijan.

The winner will be randomly selected on March 16. Only citizens of Russia aged over 18 can participate in the competition.

Speaking about the project, the CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid said that the Russian market is one of Azerbaijans priorities.

We are glad that one of the leading tourism platforms in the world is our strategic partner. Together with Aviasales we want to inform tourists about what Azerbaijan has to offer and invite them to have another look at the country, he said.

According to Aviasales research, the number of tourists traveling from St. Petersburg to Azerbaijan increased by 60 percent, and those visiting the country from Moscow by 20 percent.

Moreover, the number of tourists visiting from Kaliningrad, Irkutsk, Samara and Novosibirsk has increased by 70-75 percent.

Yaroslav Stepanyuk, Head of New Markets at Aviasales, said that Azerbaijan is one of the favorite destinations of Russian tourists.

We are well familiar with this market. Since last fall, our team released the Azerbaijani version of the Aviasales platform. Thus, in addition to serving Azerbaijani travellers, we are promoting the tourism potential of Azerbaijan in foreign markets, he said.

Note that in 2019, the number of Russian citizens who visited Azerbaijan amounted to 932,000 people, which is 6.1 percent more than in 2018.

In January 2020, Azerbaijan was visited by 67,884 Russian citizens, which is 20.5 percent more compared to the same period in 2019.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
ALBANY  Facing pressure from Republicans and law enforcement officials, state Senate Democrats are rolling out a plan to alter the hotly contested bail reform law that has dominated conversation in Albany for months.

Under the plan, first reported by Newsday, the state would completely eliminate cash bail while allowing judges more discretion in determining when to hold someone before trial. The proposal is the culmination of weeks of meetings with law enforcement officials, as well as private deliberations among a group of eight Democratic senators who have attempted to satisfy both progressives and bail reform critics.

"Simply put, the reforms will ensure that no one will be incarcerated simply because of their inability to pay and that no one will be let out of prison because of their enormous wealth," Senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. "Our reforms would represent the most progressive justice reforms and justice system in the nation."

Stewart-Cousins said judges would be given "some discretion but with extremely strict guidelines" to remand certain individuals. Prosecutors have pushed for judges to be allowed discretion in setting bail if a person is believed to pose a danger to themselves or others.

Bail reform proponents have said that giving judges discretion to hold individuals would open the door for racial bias, perpetuating a long-standing criminal justice system that has disproportionately affected minorities. The Senate Democrats hope to allay those concerns with the promise of data collection, allowing lawmakers to evaluate the new law and its impact on different communities.

The proposal would also qualify some crimes for remand that are not currently eligible for bail, including any incident involving the death of another person  meaning all manslaughter charges  some domestic violence felonies and certain hate crimes. A person who is eligible for remand would have a hearing within two days of arraignment to decide whether they will be released or detained, and any defendant who is remanded would be able to request a re-hearing.

Many of the eight senators who have met privately to discuss potential changes to bail reform are the same members of a criminal justice working group first convened last year: Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris of Queens, as well as Sens. Luis Sepulveda, D-Bronx; Jamaal Bailey, D-Bronx; Zellnor Myrie, D-Brooklyn; Brian Benjamin, D-Manhattan; Todd Kaminsky D-Long Island; James Gaughran, D-Long Island; and Jen Metzger, D-Ulster County.

While there appears to be a growing consensus among Senate Democrats that the Legislature must adopt some changes, the details are still in the works. Sepulveda on Wednesday declined to comment on "any of the specifics of the bill until I give both chambers and my colleagues an opportunity to review them. Whatever we may propose now, at the end of the day, the entire body may not agree with  and then we have to address that," he said.

"We are discussing issues [that], we agree, may be problematic  issues that maybe we didn't, as a body, take into consideration," Sepulveda told reporters outside of a rally to keep bail reform intact. "We are discussing issues where, perhaps, there are loopholes that create a certain level of a lack of safety, because that's what we do."

Senate Majority spokesman Gary Ginsburg declined to say when the conference would release a formal proposal and whether Senate Democrats have enough support to pass it, as some more progressive members  including Sens. Jessica Ramos of Queens and Julia Salazar of Brooklyn  attended a demonstration on Wednesday assailing any changes to the reform. Still, a 40-member Democratic majority in the 63-person Senate gives the conference a bit of wiggle room even with a few defectors.

"I don't want to speak for my colleagues, but I can tell you that the majority leader would not be sharing comments like that without considerable support in the conference," said Sen. James Skoufis, D-Orange County.

On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo indicated that he would support the Democrats' plan, telling reporters at an event in Pulaski that the "old system" made justice unfairly reliant on a person's wealth  but that any sweeping reform must be reviewed after it is enacted.

"I always supported getting away from cash bail, but when you make a change like that, you have to watch what the effects are," Cuomo said. "These are complex systems. You change one part, then you step back and you see what the effect is, and you adjust accordingly. So let's get the facts, let's get the data and let's make the system better."

The plan will also likely garner support among law enforcement officials, who have been some of the most outspoken opponents of bail reform. Lawrence Marks, the states chief administrative judge and the person who oversees the day-to-day operations of the states court system, testified at a joint budget hearing Wednesday that he would support greater judicial discretion at bail hearings.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

If you dont have money, you wait in jail. Theres something fundamentally wrong about that, Marks said. But I think what New Jersey has done  I would eliminate bail entirely, including for the most serious offenses. But you cant eliminate bail entirely unless you allow judges to factor in risk to public safety. New Jersey has done that. Its worked.

The proposal will likely face an uphill battle in the Assembly, though, where Speaker Carl E. Heastie has stood firmly behind bail reform as enacted, repeatedly saying that it is too early to make any adjustments. He has also credited a few "sensationalized" media stories with driving the narrative that bail reform is putting criminals back on the streets  something that may have contributed to a dramatic shift in public sentiment about the changes.

"We must be careful not to rush to make changes that could cause more people to be incarcerated before their trial and before they have been convicted of a crime," Heastie said in a statement.

It is unclear whether the Senate Democrats' compromise could gain the support of some Republicans, who have for months called for a full repeal of the reforms. They have held more than a dozen press conferences over the past several months rallying against the changes.

"Its encouraging Senate Democrats have acknowledged the current system isnt working and shouldnt continue, but Im not sure their Assembly colleagues have come to that realization," Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, said in a statement. "This entire process should go back to square one."

He said it is too early to support or propose a bill that has not yet been drafted, but "Im hopeful we can use common sense and reach common ground on a solution that doesnt threaten public safety."

Senate Minority Leader John J. Flanagan, meanwhile, said the Senate Majority's plan is "nothing more than a fig leaf to cover for the vulnerable Democrats whose constituents want the mess they voted to create repealed." Indeed, several senators most concerned about bail reform hail from purple suburban districts.

"New Yorkers want the full repeal of dangerous bail and discovery 'reform' laws that continue to result in one horror after another and will accept nothing less," Flanagan, R-Long Island, said in a statement. "It is only at that point that true engagement with law enforcement, prosecutors, crime victims and the entire public could take place to discuss public safety and justice."
A doctor uses a microscope to look at bacteria containing coronavirus DNA fragments in a research lab at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in London, England, on Feb. 10, 2020. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)

Virus With Genes Scientists Cant Identify Discovered in Brazil

Scientists in Brazil said they have discovered a virus that appears to be almost entirely new and consists of unrecognizable genes that have never been seen before.

The Yaravirus, named after Brazilian water goddess Yara, was found in Lake Pampulha, which is an artificial lagoon in the city of Belo Horizonte, according to a research paper published on BioRxiv.

Researchers at Frances Aix Marseille University and Brazils Federal University of Minas Gerais found that more than 90 percent of the genetic makeup of the virus has never been seen before.

Most of the known viruses of amoeba have been seen to share many features that eventually prompted authors to classify them into common evolutionary groups, the authors wrote. They added that Yaravirus carries an important number of previously undescribed genes.

The virus has the ability to infect amoebas. Researchers said there is no evidence the virus can infect humans.

It would be necessary to isolate new viruses similar to Yaravirus to improve our analysis and try to define their origin, Jonatas Abrahao, an associate professor at Federal University, told Live Science. If we consider all known viruses by now, we can say that most of them do not represent any threat for our health, he added.

In elaborating on how unusual the virus is, Abrahao said only six of its 74 genes showed some degree of similarity to other known viruses. The new virus is only 80 nanometers in diameter, or about 0.1 percent the thickness of a human hair.

But he said the discovery suggests scientists know only a very small fraction of this diversity of viruses on Earth. There is still a lot to explore, he added.

According to an alert on BioRxiv, the Yaravirus findings have not yet been peer-reviewed.

A tourist wearing a mask poses for a photo with the Olympic rings in the background, at Tokyos Odaiba district, Japan, on Jan. 29, 2020. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/File)

The discovery comes on the heels after a new type of coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19, is believed to have sickened tens of thousands in China, prompted lockdowns in dozens of Chinese cities, and prompted other countries to implement travel bans on travelers coming from China.

Coronaviruses, which were first discovered in the 1960s, are a number of viruses that can cause respiratory infections, including the common cold. Rarer forms such as MERS, SARS, or COVID-19 can be fatal.

Seven strains of human coronaviruses are known, including 229E (alpha coronavirus), NL63 (alpha coronavirus), SARS, MERS, OC43 (beta coronavirus), and HKU1 (beta coronavirus). People around the world commonly get infected with human coronaviruses 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A recently aired documentary that reveals corporate criminal negligence may have been responsible for a fatal train accident last year has prompted calls for an independent criminal investigation into CP Rail, Canadas second largest railway.

The 22-minute documentary, Runaway Train, was the product of a seven-month-long investigation undertaken by the CBC investigative program the Fifth Estate.

Train 301 was travelling west to Vancouver when it derailed near the Alberta/British Columbia border at around 1 a.m. on February 4, 2019, killing the three crew members on board: conductor Dylan Paradis, locomotive engineer Andrew Dockrell and conductor trainee Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer. (See: Canada: Train derailment kills three, exposes terrible working conditions)

Shortly after the accident, the federal governments Transportation Safety Board (TSB), released its preliminary findings. It determined that the 112 loaded grain cars had been parked in 28C weather on a steep grade with emergency air brakes applied, but no handbrakes. The train had been parked for almost three hours when the replacement crew arrived. Soon after their arrival, the air brakes failed and the train began to move on its own, accelerating beyond the authorized maximum track-speed of 15 mph to a speed in excess of 51 mph, until it derailed into the mountainside.

The timeliness of CBCs exposure was underscored by a train derailment that occurred in Saskatchewan last Thursday. At around 6 a.m., a CP Rail freight train derailed near Guernsey, for the second time in as many months, forcing the evacuation of 80 people after oil tanker cars caught fire. Federal Transport Minister Mark Garneau subsequently announced a 40-kilometer-per-hour speed cap for all trains carrying dangerous goods for 30 days.

The CBC documentary includes footage describing a string of critical failures on the part of the railway company, including in maintenance, inspections, and braking practices, and the compelling case for criminal negligence.

Nikki Atherton, a friend of Dockrell, told journalists that on the night prior to the accident, Dockrell told her that he was reluctant to go to work that night because extreme cold compromises the locomotive air brakes. The Fifth Estate reported that Dockrell had filled out a safety hazard report that was found in the train wreckage outlining virtually identical problems with the air brakes just the day before.

Persistent brake issues are well-known to CP Rail and the railway industry. The CBC journalists found that there had been similar safety hazard reports from other railway workers about the impact of cold weather on the brakes, and that CP Rails own manuals warn that a major challenge is that cold weather increases air leakage in a trains brake system. Research papers published in 2018 obtained by the Fifth Estate indicate CP Rail knew that its inspections were failing to catch many cars with zero or very low brake effectiveness.

Immediately following the accident, the company pulled thousands of the old government grain cars out of service to be repaired. The Fifth Estate journalists also pointed out that the particular route train 301 was travelling along is a well-documented hazard, with 25 runaway trains and derailments in the last 25 years alone.

Brake failure has led to repeated tragic train accidents across the country. In 2013, Canadas worst train disaster in more than a century took place at Lac-Megantic, Quebec. The train, which was carrying a cargo of oil, suddenly started to move down the steep incline it had been parked on by a lone conductor. It careened into the center of town and exploded, killing 47 people. The TSBs investigation concluded that failure of the locomotive air brake on the night of the disaster was a key factor in the accident.

The investigation into the Lac-Megantic tragedy later revealed that the cost-cutting train company, Montreal Main and Atlantic Railway (MMA), had instructed its staff not to use the automatic brakes. Additionally, MMA had received unusual exemptions from Transport Canadasuch as operating with a one-man crew, which was also a factor in the Lac-Megantic disaster.

After the Lac-Megantic tragedy, Transport Canada drafted new operating rules requiring that all trains left unattendedas the Lac-Megantic train was on the night of the explosion be secured by a minimum number of hand brakes.

Despite regular tragedies and a mountain of evidence pointing out obvious dangers to rail workers and public safety, successive governments have refused to properly oversee the industry, let alone prosecute flagrant safety violations. Transport Canada acknowledges that work rules are feckless, and that it does not approve or enforce company instructions.

Even the most cursory government oversight will not be tolerated by industry. Last February, after the train 301 derailment, Transport Canada announced a new rule requiring the application of handbrakes on trains in mountainous territory following an emergency use of air brakes. Both of Canadas largest railway companies, CP Rail and CN Rail, immediately appealed the ruling.

The Fifth Estate program also revealed that the initial police investigation, unbeknown to the victims families, was conducted by the train companys own police force, which for over 100 years has been authorized by the government to police the railways property and trains.

CP Rail Police told the Fifth Estate that their investigation into the fatal accident was thorough and did not result in any charges. However, the lead safety investigator on the crash, Mark Tataryn, told reporters that after he requested evidence and witness testimony, he was abruptly ordered to stop the investigation just one month after it began. Youve got a police agency that is essentially running shop how they want without anybody making sure there is police due diligence, he said.

Tataryn, who resigned over the debacle, told reporters he was denied his request to access the audio recordings that were aired on the radio moments before the derailment and charged that CP Rail is seeking to cover up the facts. If I were in the shoes of the [victims] families, Id be asking a lot more questions as to what took place.

The TSB, the supposedly independent federal investigator, has no authority to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. It is stacked with Liberal and Conservative appointees who have spent their careers switching seamlessly between government and industry. In late January, when the lead safety investigator looking into the train 301 accident, Don Crawford, stated publicly that there is enough to suspect theres negligence here and it needs to be investigated by the proper authorityi.e., not the police agency bankrolled by CP Railhe was immediately demoted by the TSB on the grounds that it was completely inappropriate for him to voice any opinion implying civil or criminal liability.

The railway unions have responded to the Fifth Estate documentary by calling for an independent inquiry into the train 301 accident. Francois Laporte, president of Teamsters Canada, the union that represents CP Rail employees, stated, If CP has nothing to hide, they should welcome an outside investigation for the sake of the families and all those affected by this disaster.

Laportes protests are crocodile tears. For decades, the Teamsters, Unifor and other railway unions have worked hand-in-glove with management and government in deregulating the rail industry and slashing jobs, thereby helping create the treacherous working conditions that rail workers face across North America. Whenever rail workers have tried to fight back and secure safety protections and other improvements in their working conditions, the unions have shut down strike action, and rammed through contracts that further imperil and exploit them.

Last November, when roughly 3,200 CN Rail workers struck nationwide over concerns about long hours, fatigue, and dangerous working conditions, Teamsters Canada rushed after just seven days to reach an agreement with management that met none of the workers major strike demands. Laporte then congratulated the Liberal government for remaining calm and focused during negotiations, while acknowledging that the core problem of fatigue in the rail industry can only be resolved through government regulations.

In a press release, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), called the CP Rail Police investigation into train 301 flawed and demanded that an independent criminal investigation take place. But its real intention in posturing as a defender of working people is to channel public outrage over corporate negligence and a flawed investigation back into the unions and the social democratic New Democrats, the same pro-big business organizations that have facilitated the treacherous working conditions on the railways.

The Fifth Estates documentary, Runaway Train aired on January 26th, and can be viewed here.
Stanley Tucci is set to host his very own culinary docuseries at CNN, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, a spokesperson for the WarnerMedia-owned network told TheWrap Wednesday.

The four-part CNN original series hails from Raw Television, the producer behind CNNs documentary feature Three Identical Strangers and Discovery Channels reality series Gold Rush.

Per CNNs description, Searching for Italy will show Tucci travel to a number of very different regions in the country and he will also look at the history of the food, for instance, looking at how wealth and poverty impacted on the cuisine culture in Florence, Tuscany. He will also visit Rome, Sicily and Milan to gain a better understanding of the history, culture and people. Tucci will taste every piece of pasta, drink every glass of wine, and discover what makes Italy and its cuisine so irresistible.

Also Read: 'The Good Place' Star Jameela Jamil to Host HBO Max Voguing Competition Show 'Legendary'

The Emmy-winning actor and cookbook author is no stranger to the Italian food scene, having lived with his family in Florence for a year in the 70s. He also took his passion for the countrys culinary arts to the silver screen in 1996 when he co-directed and starred in Big Night, a movie about Italian immigrant brothers who start a restaurant in New Jersey.

Deadline first reported the news of the Tucci-hosted CNN original series.

Read original story Stanley Tucci to Host CNN Culinary Docuseries Searching for Italy At TheWrap
The EU is preparing to give Turkey extra time to ensure transparency and openness in taxation in accordance with EU requirements, so as not to get into the black tax list, Reuters reported referring to sources in the diplomatic circles of Brussels.

The EU does not want to add Turkey to the blacklist of tax havens for political reasons, one of the agencys sources noted, therefore, it agrees to give more time to change the tax regime.

Turkey should in theory be listed, but for political reasons it avoided it, an EU diplomat told Reuters.

According to Reuters, Ankara was supposed to pass laws to automatically exchange tax information with the EU by the end of 2019. The second source told the agency that now the term can be extended until the end of 2020.
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) ("the Company" or "RegeneRx"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, today announced that the Canadian Patent Office has issued a new patent to the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) for treating patients with peripheral neuropathy using Thymosin beta 4 (T4). T4 is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in RegeneRx's proprietary drug candidate, RGN-352, a first-in-class injectable formulation designed for systemic administration. Its use for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy or diabetic-induced vascular dysfunction has previously been patented in several other countries including in the U.S., EU, Asia and Israel.

RegeneRx in-licensed the intellectual property relating to the use of T4 from the Henry Ford Hospital System in Detroit, MI based on work performed by Dr. Michael Chopp and his colleagues. The patent will expire in December of 2032.

An estimated 20 million people in the United States have some form of peripheral neuropathy, a condition that develops as a result of damage to the peripheral nervous system  the vast communications network that transmits information between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and every other part of the body. (Neuropathy means nerve disease or damage.) Symptoms can range from numbness or tingling, to pricking sensations (paresthesia), or muscle weakness. Areas of the body may become abnormally sensitive leading to an exaggeratedly intense or distorted experience of touch. Severe symptoms may include burning pain (especially at night), muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction. Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy.

About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.regenerx.com)

RegeneRx is focused on the development of novel therapeutic peptides, including Thymosin beta 4 (T4) and its constituent fragments, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration.

RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac and dermal indications, four active strategic licensing agreements in the U.S., China, Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others), and the EU and has patents and patent applications covering its products in many countries throughout the world. RGN-352, the Company's injectable formulation of T4, has successfully completed phase 1 clinical trials and is phase 2-ready. RGN-259, the Company's preservative-free ophthalmic eye drop, is currently in phase 3 clinical trials for dry eye syndrome and neurotrophic keratopathy, both of which will have data read-outs this year. The Company's dermal gel, RGN-137, is in phase 2 clinical trials for epidermolysis bullosa, a rare hereditary disease where the patients suffer from severe fragility of the skin and internal organs.

For additional information about RegeneRx please visit www.regenerx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this shareholder letter that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, patents, know-how, statements regarding our strategic and research partnerships, clinical trials, regulatory applications and approvals, and the use of our drug candidates to treat various conditions. All forward-looking statements are expectations and estimates based upon information obtained and calculated by the Company at this time and are subject to change. Moreover, there is no guarantee any issued patents will provide exclusivity or will not be challenged in a particular jurisdiction, or that any clinical trial will be successful or confirm previous clinical results. Please view these and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings it makes with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements in this shareholder letter represent the Company's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update this information, as a result of future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, the digital financial news organization, is teaming up with OTC Markets Group to film executive interviews from the OTC Markets New York headquarters, beginning February 13th, in its newly-built production studio.



Companies traded on the OTCQX Best Market will be given the opportunity to tap into an audience of six million investors via Proactives state-of-the-art video network, gaining international exposure.

Proactive has operations in London, New York, Toronto, Sydney, Vancouver and Perth staffed by a team of 30 journalists and broadcasters. Its newly revamped website is the one-stop-shop for professional and engaged private investors tracking growth stocks.

Proactive chief executive Ian Mclelland said: We are delighted to be working with OTC Markets Group, the home to some of the worlds most exciting growth companies. We look forward to introducing the people behind these businesses to an audience eager to hear their stories.

We are thrilled to leverage the Proactive teams broadcast expertise to expand the scope and reach of our OTCQX Video Series, said Jason Paltrowitz, EVP, Corporate Services. The addition of an onsite studio to our corporate headquarters will give our issuers greater access to high quality video content coupled with broader global distribution.

About Proactive

Proactive is one of the fastest-growing financial media portals in the world, providing breaking news, commentary, and analysis on listed companies and pre-IPO businesses across the globe. Editorial and video content is featured on Proactive's platforms, and through syndication, it reaches many of the worlds largest news amalgamators, financial websites, and news tracking services. News coverage takes place around the clock via six offices on three continents, and dedicated teams regularly organize large investor events in London, New York, and Sydney. Proactive is proud to serve more than 600 clients worldwide.

To see more of our market coverage visit

www.proactiveinvestors.com

Subscribe to Proactive News Digest

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 10,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com .

OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

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Contact:

Ian Lyall

Phone Number: +442079890813

Email: ian.lyall@proactiveinvestors.com
Mumbai, Feb 13 : Actress Richa chadha, who will be next seen in the political drama "Madam Chief Minister", urges filmmakers to make more films about women leadership.

Directed by Subhash Kapoor, "Madam Chief Minister" features Richa in the lead role of a chief minister of a state.

"I was pleasantly surprised to be cast for the titular role in Subhash Sir's film. I have followed his work since 'Phans Gaye Re Obama', which I enjoyed very much. 'Madam Chief Minister' is one of the most exciting scripts I have read and it possessed me. I am so grateful for this opportunity, as it is rare to come across writing and insight like this. It has been the toughest yet most enjoyable working experience for me. I have always believed that more stories of women in leadership roles need to be told and I am glad I could be a part of one such story," Richa said.

The film has been shot in Lucknow. It also stars Akshay Oberoi, Manav Kaul and Saurabh Shukla.

"Madam Chief Minister" is slated to release on July 17.
KENNESAW, Ga., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FortifyData Inc., a global provider of next-generation cyber risk management, is excited to announce a major move to larger facilities in Kennesaw for its headquarters as well as a presence in Amsterdam, Netherlands to help serve its global client base.

The new Class A headquarters north of Atlanta is approximately 12,000 square feet and can house more than 90 employees. This new facility will provide FortifyData's staff with much-needed space to accommodate its rapid growth. The Netherlands location will support FortifyData's expanding European presence.

"We are excited to relocate to our new, headquarter facilities in Kennesaw," commented Bob Morrell, CEO. "This move represents another significant milestone for our fast-growing cyber risk management business. The new office space better accommodates our growing team and enables us to hire additional talent to continue to provide industry-leading support and service to our global clients. Moreover, the office in the Netherlands solidifies our commitment in Europe and provides a local presence for our growing customer base in the region."

FortifyData's new headquarters is located at 1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 300, Kennesaw, GA 30144.



About FortifyData

Founded in 2015, FortifyData is committed to guarding companies of all sizes from the threats of cyber crime. Founded by cyber security experts who have lived on the front lines of cyber attacks, FortifyData looks at the threats from cyber security multidimensionally. This means evaluating every aspect of your cyber posture, including third parties, technology, processes and personnel  and doing it continuously. More information at www.fortifydata.com.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Lowman

Phone: +1 888-396-4110

Email: [email protected]

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Australia on Thursday announced a ban on travellers from China would extend for at least a week beyond Saturday's planned deadline, as the death toll from the coronavirus soared.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government would maintain "entry restriction on foreign nationals who have recently been in mainland China" for further week "to protect Australians from the risk of coronavirus".

A decision to extend the ban further will be taken week-to-week, he said.

The decision is a blow to Australian tourism operators who have seen business from



Chinese visitors dry up, as well as for tens of thousands of Chinese students hoping to return to Australia for the new academic year.

China's official death toll and infection numbers from a new coronavirus spiked dramatically on Thursday after authorities changed their counting methods, fuelling concern the epidemic is far worse than being reported.

The virus has now officially killed more than 1,350 people in China and the World Health Organisation has warned the disease has not yet peaked.

"I just want to assure all Australians, that we are doing everything we can to keep Australians safe at this time, and to ensure that we are mitigating everything that is possible to address any of the threats," Morrison said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The General Secretary of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress [NDC], Johnson Asiedu Nketia is wondering who scored the ruling New Patriotic Party [NPP] 78% with regards to fulfilled achievements in their 2016 manifesto.



How can they [NPP] set their own exams questions, answer it, mark it and score themselves? Only NPP will do that! he said.



Ghanas Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said the NPP government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo has delivered 78 percent on its promises, assuring that the country will rise again.



With barely 10 months to the general elections, Bawumia said that the government had fulfilled 78 percent of the 388 promises it made to the electorate in the 2016 elections.



But speaking on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, General Mosquito as widely known in politics argued that It will only be right for Ghanaians to judge and grade the NPP on their performance. They dont have to grade themselves.



Listen to interview...





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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Appointment of Anand Singh, an MLA from the mine-rich Ballari district as Karnataka minister for forest, ecology and environment has drawn flak from various quarters as several cases are pending against him, including under the Karnataka Forest Act.

Bengaluru: Appointment of Anand Singh, an MLA from the mine-rich Ballari district as Karnataka minister for forest, ecology and environment has drawn flak from various quarters as several cases are pending against him, including under the Karnataka Forest Act.

The Opposition Congress has hit out at Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for appointing Singh, a businessman with mining interests, as the forest minister.

"Forest minister facing 15 cases under Forest act. @BSYBJP allotting forest ministry to Anand Singh is illegal since he has over dozen cases pending against him, including serious offenses under Karnataka Forest Act. How can a person charged with serious offences head the ministry?" the Karnataka Congress tweeted.

Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Siddaramaiah has also objected to Singh's appointment as forest minister and termed the decision as "not right". Several Twitter users have also opposed Singh being made the forest minister, pointing out a conflict of interest.

An online petition has also been started, demanding that the chief minister drop him immediately.

Singh, one among the newly elected BJP legislators after defecting from Congress and facing disqualification, was inducted into the Cabinet by Yediyurappa on 16 February and initially given the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs portfolio on 10 February.

Buckling under pressure from some newly inducted ministers, reportedly including Singh, who were unhappy with portfolios allocated to them, Yediyurappa reallocated certain portfolios, appointing the Vijayanagara MLA as Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment.

However, Singh on his part has maintained that the portfolio was allocated to him by the chief minister and that he did not ask for it.

Claiming that the cases against him were "minor violations", he linked them to traffic violations.

"...like traffic violation cases if you have vehicles, similarly- there are naturally cases of violation as the family has been in the mining business for long."

Singhs election affidavit filed ahead of the December 2019 bypolls says he has 15 cases pending against him, as also offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, to be read with violations of the Karnataka Forest Act.

He was arrested by CBI in 2013 connection with alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belikeri port in Karnataka.

Singh was arrested in 2015 by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Lokayukta on charges of illegal transportation of iron ore.

Two of Singh's cabinet colleagues Laxman Savadi and CT Ravi had on Wednesday come out in his defence, stating that cases against him were still being probed and not proven.

Singh, who was a close associate of tainted mining baron G Janardhana Reddy, was also in the Congress.
A federal judge issued an order this week temporarily reinstating a national hotline for detained immigrants that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shut down in August, shortly after the popular Netflix series, Orange is the New Black aired a show about it.

Judge Andre Birotte Jr. in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday ordering ICE to immediately reinstate the hotline until a case against the federal agency by an Oakland nonprofit, Freedom for Immigrants, is resolved.

At issue is a toll-free, confidential hotline that until 2018 existed in over 200 facilities across the country and handled up to 14,000 calls a month. At that time, ICE shut it down in all but eight facilities in Florida. Then, two weeks after Netflix featured the hotline in a show last summer, ICE shut down the hotline in the remaining detention centers.

Established in 2013 by Freedom for Immigrants and a Florida affiliate, the hotline helped detainees report abuse, find resources and connect with family members. Volunteers fielded calls from ICE detainees across the country who shared issues and allegations, including sexual assault, improper use of solitary confinement, poor food quality and mold in cells, said Christina Fialho, executive director of Freedom for Immigrants.

The group sued ICE in December, claiming authorities shut down most of the hotline in 2018 to punish immigration advocates. The group said ICE continued its retaliation in August, shortly after the Netflix shows season premiere on July 26 featured immigrants using the hotline and reporting issues.

The decision to shut down our hotline was an attack not just on people in detention but on our free speech, said Fialho. This case reminds us all that the Trump administration is accountable to the people and the Constitution.

She called the hotline a crucial tool that gives detainees a voice and helps them build a community behind bars.

Lawyers for the Department of Homeland Security, where ICE operates, told the court that it shut down the hotline because it allows hotlines only for groups on a government list of pro bono legal service providers, and Freedom for Immigrants wasnt on the list.

The group also triggered security concerns because it arranged three-way calls and call-forwarding, the agency told the court.

But in his ruling Tuesday, Birotte said that evidence presented by Homeland Security showed its officials knew about the call forwarding as early as December 2013.

He said evidence in the case showed the federal agency had a history of retaliatory conduct against Freedom for Immigrants.

On Wednesday, ICE told The Chronicle that halting the hotline didn't prevent detainees from hiring a lawyer from its approved list of legal service providers. ICE also said it gives detainees reasonable and equitable access to telephones.

Created by TV producer Jenji Kohan, Orange is the New Black often touches on pressing social issues, such as immigration. The show delves into the lives of women incarcerated in a fictional minimum-security prison in upstate New York.

In the show that led to the controversy, two of the main characters, Blanca and Maritza, are detained by ICE after their release from prison. With no money to make calls, the pair learns about the Freedom for Immigrants hotline and secretly shares the number with other detainees.

Two weeks after the show, on Aug. 7, ICE shut down the hotline.

That scene  and others featured in that show prompted ICE to retaliate, Freedom for Immigrants said.

The group initially asked Homeland Security to reinstate the hotline, according to Fialho, who said the agency didnt respond and didnt reinstate the line.

The group sued in December, claiming the shutdown violated its constitutional rights and retaliated against Freedom for Immigrants for reporting abuses in detention facilities.

To bolster its claim, the group told the court that Homeland Security had retaliated before. In 2018, after a Freedom for Immigrants affiliate helped reunite families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border, the federal agency shut down a visitation program  which the group said was a response to its work.

The group complained to Homeland Securitys office of civil rights, according to court papers, and a month later, the agency retaliated again by ending the hotline in all but eight locations in Florida.

In August, the agency shut down the hotline altogether.

We never, ever imagined that they would actually shut it off. It was certainly shocking for us, said Carolina Paiz, executive producer of the show. It was devastating to see that somehow we had hurt the very immigrants we were seeking to give voice to.

Paiz was among a group of writers and producers who went inside the Adelanto detention facility in Southern California to do research for the show. She remembers writing the hotline number in the palm of her hand and sharing it with detainees whom she met with.

Its more than a hotline  I would say it's a lifeline, she said. It became this beautiful thing where we could say, at least there is this.

Fialho said ICEs decision to shut down the hotline has caused irreparable harm to us and to people inside.

This isnt something that can be repaired, she said. These folks who have been detained havent been able to contact us.

Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : The production cuts continued by OPEC may not be enough to stabilise global markets and the oil cartel may have to look cutting crude output by another 0.85 million barrels to balance the market hit hard by the Coronavirus outbreak.

According to a report by ICICI Securities, in the worst case scenario of China demand falling further on virus spread, OPEC may need to further cut production by 0.85 mbpd in the months of February and March to prevent the price of global crude oil from falling.

China is the largest importer of oil and among its top consumers after the US. The spread of coronavirus there has also impacted oil consumption and resulted a further slide in already oversupplied oil market.

The report of the brokerage firm has said that if China's demand falls by 2.6-2.0 mbpd (Platts' worst case scenario) in February-March 2020, it would result in a scenario where existing production cuts by major oil producers may not be enough to sustain prices.

OPEC's January 2020 output at 28.37 mbpd is 0.29 mbpd below agreed quota, mainly due to fall in Libya's output by 0.36 mbpd to 0.79 mbpd. Libya's current output is 0. 2mbpd and if it goes to zero by end of February 2020, OPEC output will remain at 27.88 mbpd in Q1CY20E. However, OPEC may still have to cut output by another 0.85 mbpd to balance the market in Q1CY20, the report said.

From mid January oil prices has fallen over 20 per cent to about $54-55 a barrel.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend, Dixie Southern Vodka's multi-year partnership as the "Official Vodka of NASCAR" will come to life at the DAYTONA 500. So far this year, more than 2,000 cases have been ordered to meet demand in Florida, which is just a fraction of the national pull that the partnership  which became official on Jan. 1, 2020  has already generated. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in 30 U.S. states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Ingredients: 2 oz. Dixie Southern Vodka; 1 oz. cranberry juice; 2 oz. lemonade; 2 muddled orange wheels; Sprite; Lemon wedge. Instructions: Add Dixie Southern Vodka, cranberry juice, and lemonade to shaker. Shake, pour into glass over muddled orange wheels. Top with ice and Sprite. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Matti Christian Anttila, founder of Dixie Southern Vodka and CEO of Grain & Barrel Spirits, explains: "Just as NASCAR grew from southern roots into a national sport watched by millions, Dixie Southern Vodka had evolved from regional to national presence. The NASCAR partnership is now accelerating on- and off-premise chain account presence and driving the brand into 25 new states within months. This is just the beginning: stay tuned for our cup race, the Dixie Vodka 400, which on March 22 will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Homestead-Miami Speedway."

As the Official Vodka of the DAYTONA 500 and Daytona International Speedway, Dixie will be served at all bars, concession areas, and suites at the Daytona International Speedway, including the Dixie Vodka Filling Station located at the Chevy Injector on the third floor of the track. The official cocktail of racing, the Speedway Cocktail, will debut at the track and be featured at select accounts around Daytona Beach.

About Dixie Southern Vodka

Charleston, South Carolina-based Dixie Vodka is the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast and the ninth-fastest-growing spirit brand in the United States (2019, Beverage Information Group). Since launch in 2014, Dixie has been one of the most awarded vodkas in the U.S., including Dixie Black Pepper being named the world's top flavored vodka at the globally recognized San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2019). In addition to its core Southern Vodka, 6x distilled from All-American corn and naturally gluten-free, Dixie has five authentically southern flavors made using regionally farmed ingredients. Committed to responsible stewardship of the land, Dixie is a member of 1% for the Planet and a certified South Carolina product. Dixie is owned by Grain & Barrel Spirits, an innovative spirits producer and a member of the Inc. 5000, the definitive list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States. Grain & Barrel also owns pre-prohibition favorite Chicken Cock Whiskey and The Endless Summer Spirits Company. For more information, visit http://www.dixievodka.com/ and https://grainandbarrel.com/, and follow Dixie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Christine Deussen

Deussen Global Communications, Inc.

917-545-1459

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Ingredients: 2 oz. Dixie Southern Vodka; 1 oz. cranberry juice; 2 oz. lemonade; 2 muddled orange wheels; Sprite; Lemon wedge. Instructions: Add Dixie Southern Vodka, cranberry juice, and lemonade to shaker. Shake, pour into glass over muddled orange wheels. Top with ice and Sprite. Garnish with lemon wedge.

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The US Senate voted Thursday to rein in President Donald Trump from attacking Iran, sharply rebuking his foreign policy despite a week earlier acquitting him in his impeachment trial. Eight senators of Trump's Republican Party, which enjoys a majority, bucked their leadership to join Democrats in a resolution that bars any military action against Iran without an explicit vote from Congress. "The Senate just sent a clear shot across the bow -- a bipartisan majority of senators don't want the president waging war without congressional approval," Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote. The resolution will head to the Democratic-led House of Representatives, which passed a similar text last month. But much like an earlier attempt by Congress to end US support for Saudi Arabia's devastating offensive in Yemen, Trump is nearly certain to issue a veto, with lawmakers lacking the two-thirds majority to overturn it. Moments before the vote, a rocket slammed into an Iraqi base housing US troops in the first attack on the site since a December 27 barrage killed a US contractor, according to Iraqi and US security sources. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The contractor's death set off an escalating crisis in which Trump ordered a drone strike at the Baghdad airport that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful general. - Power of Congress - Democratic Senator Tim Kaine introduced the resolution after Soleimani's death, concerned that the United States was rushing into another Middle East war without debate. While warning of dire consequences of an escalating conflict with Iran, Kaine said his main point was to restore the authority of Congress to declare war, as spelled out in the US Constitution. "An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition," Kaine said in a speech on the Senate floor. The resolution makes an exception if the United States is "defending itself from an imminent act." Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth put concerns about Trump more bluntly. "My 21-month-old toddler has better self-control than this president does," she told reporters. Tensions have soared between the United States and Iran since 2018 when Trump withdrew from a denuclearization accord negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama and imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at reducing Tehran's regional clout. Soleimani, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards' overseas Qods force, enjoyed vast influence within the clerical regime and was seen by the United States as orchestrating rocket attacks in Iraq. - Move to target Guards defeated - The Senate defeated a motion by Senator Tom Cotton, a vociferous opponent of Iran, to gut the resolution by exempting any military action directed at "designated terrorist organizations." The Trump administration last year classified the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization, the first time the United States has done so to a government body. Republican Senator Jim Inhofe denied Trump was seeking war and described the killing of Soleimani as self-defense. "There is no war with Iran. An air strike is not a war. Punishing Iran for killing an American citizen is not a war," he said. "In fact, the president's decision to eliminate Soleimani has made war much less likely because it showed Iran that its terrorism would come at a price." But eight Republicans -- all of whom voted to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial -- joined the Democrats. Senator Susan Collins, a closely watched moderate Republican, said the resolution did not cease ongoing activities such as US Navy patrols around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for oil shipments. The Iranian regime should not "interpret these votes as a lack of resolve against its aggression and malign activities in the region," she told reporters. But the resolution, she said, will show that "no president has the authority to commit our military to a sustained conflict." Among other Republicans who voted yes was Mike Lee, who said a classified session by the Trump administration after the Soleimani killing was uninformative and the "worst" defense briefing he has ever received. Senator Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who decided to convict Trump, voted against restricting him on Iran.
Hengan Group donates sanitary products to female medical workers on the frontlines in Wuhan and the neighboring city of Xiaogan in Central China's Hubei Province. [Weibo account of Hengan Group]

FUZHOU, Feb. 12 (Xinhua)  Within two days, 32,000 shorts-shaped pads loaded in volunteers' minivans were shipped to 10 hospitals in Wuhan and the neighboring city of Xiaogan in Central China's Hubei Province to aid women fighting the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak there.

The sanitary products, donated by Hengan Group, a sanitary napkin manufacturer based in eastern China's Fujian Province, are part of a campaign to show care and respect for female medical workers and patients on the frontlines.

Since the virus outbreak picked up speed in late January, tons of supplies from home and abroad have been donated and shipped to Hubei to ease the shortage there. However, there was one basic need left unnoticed: sanitary pads.

"Female medical workers here are in dire need of comfortable pads. It is difficult to purchase such products due to the lockdown of Wuhan and other cities," said Lin Jing, a nurse of the first medical team sent from Fujian to Wuhan to aid the epidemic prevention and control there.

On Feb.7, a netizen named "Liang Yu Stacey" on China's twitter-like Weibo launched the campaign "reassurance for sisters fighting the virus," calling to attention women's needs for sanitary pads in Hubei.

The initiative became a trending topic on Weibo, attracting over 53 million views and 51,000 comments. "We understand that there is a shortage of medical supplies in Hubei, but women's basic needs should also be seen, understood and respected," one comment read.

Companies including Hengan and charity groups answered the call quickly and started donating hygiene products to hospitals and aiding medical teams in Hubei.

Chinese company Kingdom Healthcare has donated 28,800 shorts-shaped pads and Purcotton has donated 20,000 pads. Meanwhile, feminine care brands owned by overseas companies including P&G, Kimberly-Clark and Unicharm have donated at least 2,700 boxes in total.

As of 5:00 p.m. Monday, 170,000 shorts-shaped pads and other hygiene products have been sent to 26 hospitals in epidemic-hit cities.

More people are taking action.

Zhejiang Women and Children's Foundation launched a project to raise funds on Weibo to purchase 10,000 such pads, which cost about 705,000 yuan (101,000 U.S. dollars). So far, the project has raised over 116,800 yuan.

Hengan Group is also planning on expanding its donation. The company said it will work with e-commerce platforms and online influencers in various ways including launching an appeal for donations during live stream shows.

Lin was glad that people across the country show growing concerns over their needs in this difficult time.

"We are doing our best to treat and comfort patients, and people are also showing care for us," the veteran nurse said. "It is such a heartwarming surprise."

As of Feb. 9, a total of 11,921 medics across the country have been dispatched to Hubei to join the local medical personnel to fight the virus, according to the National Health Commission. At least half of them are women.

(Source: Xinhua)
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif.- The state of California is investing $4.5 million dollars to combat dementia. The money comes from the Healthy Brain Initiative.

Shasta County is one of six counties to receive the money, receiving $750,000.

My son-in-law's mother had it, my sister-in-law, and my mother in law had it, said Shirley Roberts of Anderson. It's sad, when they dont know who you are and you're trying to talk them or they're trying to talk to you.

Roberts watched loved ones suffer from dementia and it broke her heart.

You could tell in her eyes that she was really sad, said Roberts.

Through education, research, partnerships, and health care the state is stepping up to help.

To have a program like this where they can tap into some of the resources as well as the care is needed is really huge, said Sherry Mundt of The Vistas Assisted Living & Memory Care.

Numbers from the California Department of Public Health show, about 670,000 people suffer from dementia. Some with mild to very advanced symptoms.

Those in Redding say, the money will help.

We need that because its a disease that everybody is going to get sooner or later, said Roberts.

Other counties who also received funding include Los Angeles, Sacramento, Placer, Santa Clara, and San Diego Counties. Shasta County will receive the money three fiscal years.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rhetoric in a recent fundraising email from the Ohio Republican Party  warning that Democrats are trying to steal the 2020 election  gives people the wrong idea when it comes to having faith in the electoral process, says Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

What Im not going to do is insert myself into the fights between the parties about whose candidate is best and whatever else, but using language like stealing an election is unfortunate, LaRose said Wednesday.

He later added: If youre writing television ads, emails or social media content for a political candidate, you want to stir emotions. But we need to discipline ourselves not to use language like that because it does give people the wrong idea, for sure.

LaRose was asked about the email, originally sent under Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timkens name on Tuesday. It read in part: In 2016, Ohio played a key role in President Trumps victory. In 2020, the story might be different. Democrats are desperate and dangerous. Theyre working at every turn to steal the 2020 election and slander a proven leader.

Ohio Republican Party

Contacted for a statement for this story, Ohio Republican Party Executive Director Rob Secaur responded: Frank should follow his own advice and not insert himself into fights between political parties.

LaRose, Ohios top elections official, has made promoting public confidence in Ohios elections process a priority since taking office in January 2019.

Thats included ordering mandatory security upgrades to county elections boards and pushing for a new law that funded a new top elections cybersecurity job in his office.

Hes also criticized heated political rhetoric  a favorite LaRose talking point is to say that the political left has exaggerated the prevalence of voter suppression, while the right has exaggerated the prevalence of voter fraud.

But thats put him at odds at times with messaging from his party, led by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed without evidence  as recently as this week  that widespread illegal voting marred the 2016 election.

LaRose discussed the fundraising email at an event in Columbus organized by his office to brief community groups from around the state on disinformation efforts targeted at minority voters.

LaRose said in past elections, online operatives acting on behalf of foreign governments have urged minority voters to stay home on Election Day while posing as members of that community.

I think there is a natural distrust in some cases, where communities of color may have good reason to distrust government or distrust institutions, he said. Our foreign adversaries have exploited that, and what were here to push back is to make sure that every Ohioan knows when they go to cast their vote, that it will be honestly counted and honestly reflected in the final total on election night.

Read other recent Ohio political news:

Proposed Ohio law seeks to prevent crashes by making Amish buggies more visible

Jim Jordans name comes up during testimony on OSU abuse victims bill

Trump campaign demands Ohio Senate candidate stop using photos from White House visit

Dark money group set up to promote Gov. Mike DeWines gun bill

Republicans add birth certificate requirement to Ohio Democratic bill requiring presidential candidates to share tax returns
Planeloads of Americans fleeing the fast-moving coronavirus outbreak in China are arriving at military bases across the United States this week on what could be the final chartered flights.

The outbreak has infected 28,000 people and killed more than 560 in China, where it started in Wuhan city in December. Outside mainland China, it's raced across continents, infecting more than 250 people in more than 25 countries and territories.

In the US, there are now 12 confirmed cases -- the latest one reported in Wisconsin on Wednesday.

350 passengers taken to two bases

Evacuations of Americans from Wuhan started last month after one flight landed at a base in California with nearly 200 Americans aboard.

On Wednesday, two more flights out of Wuhan arrived in California carrying a total of 350 passengers. Both planes landed at Travis Air Force Base -- between San Francisco and Sacramento -- where they were greeted with sack lunches, drinks, fruit and toys for the children on board.

Of those, 178 passengers from one plane stayed at Travis while the other plane refueled before taking the others to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

And two more evacuation flights are scheduled to arrive from Wuhan later this week -- one headed to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, while the other one is going to Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska.

This week's flights will likely be the last ones. The State Department does not anticipate chartering any planes after this week, an official said.

About 1,000 Americans live in Wuhan, and priority on chartered flights was given to US citizens at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus if they stay in the city, the State Department has said.

Passengers placed on quarantine

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is placing passengers arriving from Wuhan under a 14-day quarantine.

Passengers aboard the first chartered flight on January 29 included diplomats and their families. It landed at the March Air Reserve Base in Southern California, and the passengers are under a 14-day quarantine.

Before the quarantine, everyone aboard the chartered flights is screened for symptoms before departure and is subjected to additional screenings and monitoring aboard the flight and after landing, the State Department said.

The same applies to Americans arriving on regular passenger flights. US citizens returning from China on commercial flights are being rerouted to one of 11 airports that can handle extra health screenings. Those passengers may be subject to quarantine, according to new federal rules that went into effect Sunday.

The 11 airports -- Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Newark, Washington's Dulles and John F. Kennedy International -- are locations where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the capability to conduct medical screening.
Let us hope that the advent of a successful flying machine, now only dimly foreseen and nevertheless thought to be possible, will bring nothing but good into the world; that it shall abridge distance, make all parts of the globe accessible, bring men into closer relation with each other, advance civilization, and hasten the promised era in which there shall be nothing but peace and goodwill among all men. -- Octave Chanute Progress in Flying Machines 1894
Envoys from foreign countries ride on shikara boat in Dal Lake in Srinagar on Feb. 12. A group of 25 foreign diplomats is visiting Jammu and Kashmir six months after India's government scrapping of Article 370 of the constiution giving special autonomy to Muslim-majority Kashmir. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)
NEW YORK  Opponents of Philadelphia Energy Solutions bankruptcy plan have vowed a long legal fight if a federal court this week approves a sale that would keep the largest East Coast oil refinery permanently shut while paying out bonuses to company executives.

A June fire at the 335,000 barrel-per-day PES refinery led the company to file for bankruptcy and shut the plant over the summer, laying off more than 1,000 workers and ending long-standing ties with dozens of businesses. The refinery endured years of financial trouble, hurt by poor access to U.S. crude oil production and heavy costs of complying with federal laws on blending biofuels with gasoline.

The PES plan to exit bankruptcy includes a $240 million sale of the refinery to a real estate developer, Hilco Redevelopment Partners. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware is scheduled to consider the plan on Wednesday.

Former contractors and worker unions, who are among the long list of unsecured creditors in the case, want the refinery to re-open. Even if the court approves the deal, they are asking the decision to be put on hold pending an appeal, court filings show.

If the court rejects the plan, the unsecured creditors said they would seek mediation or ask the court to convert the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization case into a liquidation bankruptcy, hoping they can gain some of the sale proceeds.

They also oppose the proposed bonuses to PES executives.

The unsecured creditors may never receive a penny and executives who oversaw the disaster walk away from the cases filthy rich, the group said in filings.

The unions and other unsecured creditors are pushing for PES to sell to a company that would restart the refinery operation. Another real estate developer, Industrial Realty Group, may present a plan at Wednesdays hearing to purchase the PES site and lease it for refinery operations, the filings said.

PES, in its response to the objection on Monday, said no credible bidder has emerged with the intention to resume plant operations. Market conditions and damage from the fire also worked against resurrecting the refinery, PES attorneys said.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies have objected to aspects of the proposal, though not to the sale itself. Sunoco Holdings, which once owned the refinery, is objecting to other aspects of the plan.
As the scientific community scrambles to find a drug that can effectively treat tens of thousands of patients sickened by a new respiratory virus, they are trying some surprising remedies: medicines targeting known killers like HIV, Ebola and malaria.

American drugmakers have shipped two antiviral medications to China as doctors and public health officials there seek an effective treatment for patients sickened by the novel coronavirus, which has recently been named COVID19. The virus has afflicted 45,000 people worldwide and killed more than 1,100. Most of the cases and deaths occurred in Hubei province, China, where the outbreak began.

Among potential remedies is an HIV medication that may work to block an enzyme needed by the virus to mature. An unapproved medicine used to fight the Ebola virus is being tested in Chinese patients to see whether it can disrupt the new virus's genetic material.

A third drug, widely used around the globe to fight the parasite that causes malaria, is also being tried in China to see if it can slow infection by preventing the virus from infiltrating cells.

The evidence behind some of these medicines is flimsy, researchers acknowledged. But even with strong data, they said, human trials are the only way to know whether these drugs are effective.

"Just because it works well in a test tube and in animals doesn't mean that it will work in people," said Dr. Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa.

The effort is not unprecedented. When a novel virus surfaces and endangers large populations, scientists sometimes turn to existing drugs that can be repurposed. Medications available in the United States have already gone through rigorous testing to prove they are safe, eliminating the need to run costly human trials to assess safety in an emergency.

That said, officials generally look at the evidence surrounding the drugs and the virus to try to find a viable option.

They usually cast a pretty wide net because they dont know for any given virus whats gonna work," said Dr. Rajesh Gandhi, a professor of medicine at Harvard University and chair-elect of the HIV Medicine Association.

In 2003, a related coronavirus with no known treatment caused a global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The response involved testing a litany of drugs, including a combination of ritonavir and lopinavir, antiretroviral medications used to fight HIV.

Early studies hinted that the medicines were effective in fighting the virus in patients. The combination of drugs, known by the brand name Kaletra, appears to work to stop enzymes called proteases from allowing the virus to mature and replicate. But the outbreak  and the ability to robustly test treatments  all but disappeared in a little over a year.

Nine years later, another coronavirus caused Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). That outbreak gave scientists another chance to test the HIV medication against this family of viruses, and a clinical trial is underway in Saudi Arabia.

Chinese doctors are using Kaletra now against the novel coronavirus.

Despite these opportunities to test the HIV drug against pathogens related to the one causing the current outbreak, "everyone agrees we don't have a standard therapy for the novel coronavirus," Gandhi said.

One of the more unorthodox remedies being tested against the coronavirus in China is chloroquine.

The drug is intended to treat malaria, a condition caused by a parasite transmitted through a mosquito bite. A limited number of studies have found the drug to work against SARS. A study published this year in the journal Cell Research found the drug was effective in laboratory tests at keeping the virus from spreading by stopping its method of infecting cells.

The lack of certainty surrounding treatment for coronaviruses is partly due to the boom-and-bust nature of outbreaks  they can spread like wildfire and then disappear, as SARS did, said Gandhi. Although that is good for the public's health, it also means scientists sometimes don't have the means to thoroughly test a treatment that combats the specific virus in humans.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a press conference Tuesday that research on the virus causing the outbreak must not be "an afterthought. Because we dont know how long some of these new emerging infections will persist.

An outbreak of a new, potentially deadly disease can make physicians want to try everything possible to save their patients, said Perlman, the Iowa professor. But human trials are essential to understanding how a drug will work against a virus.

Experimental medicines that have not been vetted for safety through human trials may harm patients, he said. However, he added, using approved medications still leaves the door open to important questions, like how big the dosage should be.

"It's just so hard when you're on the front line and your patient is sick and you want to do something," Perlman said.

Scientists treating coronavirus patients are pairing treatment with research to test the effectiveness of one unapproved drug: remdesivir. Made by Gilead Sciences, the broad-spectrum medication has been used in experiments to combat the Ebola virus, and tests in animals suggest it helps keep the SARS and MERS coronaviruses from replicating. But it is not yet clear if it will work against this virus.

The drug was outperformed by two other medicines during the 2018 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Researchers in China are now testing remdesivir in a randomized, controlled trial against the outbreak there.

The ramp-up in research and investments into outbreaks can wreak havoc on private drug companies, especially if the virus disappears at some point, as SARS did, said Dr. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The federal government helps offset these costs through initiatives such as the Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which helps public-private partnerships develop drugs against public health threats.

Because of the volatility in outbreaks, "it becomes very daunting for companies to actually justify those investments" in targeted therapeutics, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore.

Goodman said one of the lessons learned from previous outbreaks is the need to invest more in the infrastructure needed to conduct clinical trials, like physicians, laboratories and systems that allow them to share samples. Looking ahead, the World Health Organization is trying to equip countries with the means to quickly begin researching a disease in the event of an outbreak.

"The time to prepare for clinical studies is not in the middle of an outbreak," said Goodman, a former chief scientist for the Food and Drug Administration. "It's beforehand."
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President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged Germans to 'defend democracy' on the 75th anniversary of the destruction of Dresden in World War II on Thursday, as the emboldened far right rattles the political establishment.

The anniversary has a complex legacy in Germany, where right-wing extremists have long inflated the number of people killed in the Allied air raids in a bid to play down the Nazis' crimes.

In a speech at Dresden's Palace of Culture, Steinmeier sought to strike a balance between remembering the 25,000 victims, while stressing Germany's responsibility for the war.

People stand in a human chain demonstration in front of Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, to remember the victims of bomb attacks at the end of WW2 in Dresden, Germany today

People arrive to light candles next to Frauenkirche cathedral to commemorate the victims of the 1945 Allied firebombing of the city on the 75th anniversary of the bombing today in Dresden, Germany

People standing along the Elbe River across from the historic Dresden city center link hands to create a human chain in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Allied firebombing of Dresden today in Dresden, Germany

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers speech in front of Frauenkirche church to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the destruction of the city during World War II, in Dresden, Germany today. An estimated 25,000 people were killed when Allied Forces bombed the centre of Dresden at the end of WWII on 13 and 14 February 1945. The thousands of victims of the allied bomb raids are commemorated annually on 13 February

People gather in front of the Frauenkirche for the opening event of the human chain on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the destruction of Dresden in the Second World War, in Dresden today

Steinmeier warned against the 'political forces' that sought to 'manipulate history and abuse it like a weapon'.

'Let's work together for a commemoration that focuses on the suffering of the victims and the bereaved, but also asks about the reasons for this suffering,' he told an audience that included Britain's Prince Edward.

Steinmeier later joined thousands of residents in forming a human chain of 'peace and tolerance'.

As in past years, neo-Nazis were gathering in Dresden to hold 'funeral marches' for the dead.

The far-right AfD party meanwhile set up an information booth to tell the supposed 'truth' about the bombings and demand a grander memorial for the victims.

As the noise of the planes died away, people started to appear from the few houses that were still intact, while other survivors clawed their way up through huge mounds of rubble. Dead bodies are burned at the Altmarkt near the Victory Monument (Germaniadenkmal). 25th February 1945

People join hands to form a human chain along the Elbe river opposite of the Dresden skyline to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the destruction of the city during World War II, in Dresden, Germany today

German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, centre, stands with various dignitaries and guest including Britain's Duke of Kent, 2nd right, and Michael Kretschmer Prime Minister of Saxony, left, and his partner Annett Hofmann, as they join a human chain, marking the 75th anniversary of the destruction of Dresden in the Second World War, in Dresden, Germany today. President Steinmeier urged Germans to 'defend democracy' today during the speech, as the emboldened far right rattles the political establishment

People hold hands as they create a human chain along the Elbe river in front of the Dresden historical city center to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Dresden today

Hundreds of British and American planes pounded Dresden with conventional and incendiary explosives from February 13-15 in 1945.

Historians have calculated that the ensuing firestorm killed some 25,000 people, leaving the baroque city known as 'Florence on the Elbe' in ruins, and wiping out its historic centre.

The devastation came to symbolise the horrors of war, much like the heavily bombed city of Coventry in England.

Hundreds of British and American planes pounded Dresden with conventional and incendiary explosives from February 13-15 in 1945. Pictured: People during today's marking of the 75th anniversary of the Dresden bombings, in Dresden

But in Germany, Dresden also became a focal point for neo-Nazis who gave the city a martyrdom status that experts say is belied by historical facts.

'The myth of the 'city of innocence' lives on,' the regional Saechsische Zeitung daily wrote.

This year's anniversary is especially charged as Germany reels from a political scandal that erupted in neighbouring Thuringia state last week, where an AfD-backed candidate was elected state premier for the first time.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, centre, is welcomed in front of the New City Hall by Michael Kretschmer, left, Prime Minister of Saxony, and Dirk Hilbert, right,, Lord Mayor of the State Capital Dresden, Germany, Thursday, Feb.13, 2020

Dresden's old timber-framed houses were, one by one, succumbing to the fire, and most of the wreckage was landing on top of the cellars that people were using as shelters. A photo taken from Dresden's town hall of the destroyed old town of the historic city after the allied bombings in February 1945

A visitor arrives to lay flowers at Altmarkt square to commemorate victims of the February 13, 1945 Allied firebombing of Dresden at the Heidefriedhof cemetery, where 20,000 victims are buried today in Dresden

nside view of Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, which was destroyed by the bombing attacks at the end of WW2 in Dresden, Germany today

People standing along the Elbe River across from the historic Dresden city center link hands to create a human chain in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Allied firebombing of Dresden on February 13, 2020 in Dresden, Germany

Although he swiftly resigned, the drama marked a coup for the AfD - laying bare the struggle of mainstream parties to maintain the firewall against a party that has called for Germany to stop atoning for its Nazi past.

In a nod to the Thuringia debacle, Steinmeier warned of vigilance against politicians trying 'to destroy democracy from within.

'There is a clear border between a liberal democracy,' he said, 'and authoritarian, nationalist politics'.

'We must all defend this border.'

Some observers have questioned whether the indiscriminate bombing of Dresden was justified so late in the war, an argument hijacked by neo-Nazis eager to shift the focus onto atrocities committed by the victors of WWII.

People arrive to light candles next to Frauenkirche cathedral to commemorate the victims of the 1945 Allied firebombing of the city on the 75th anniversary of the bombing today in Dresden, Germany. On February 13-14, 1945, U.S. and British bombers attacked in successive raids that devastated the city and killed at least 25,000 people

People join hands to form a human chain along the Elbe river opposite of the Dresden skyline to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the destruction of the city during World War II, in Dresden today

Candles burn at a memorial point in Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, for the victims of the bombing attacks at the end of WW2 in Dresden, Germany today

By February 15, Dresden, in eastern Germany, was a smouldering ruin  2,400 tons of high explosives and 1,500 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on the city. Photo dated 25 February 1945 showing residents and emergency personnel lining up bodies to be burned at the Old Market in the east German city of Dresden, following allied bombings 13 February 1945

Leftist visitors arrive to lay flowers at a wall commemorating victims of the February 13, 1945 Allied firebombing of Dresden at the Heidefriedhof cemetery, where 20,000 victims are buried today in Dresden, Germany

The Allied forces however considered Dresden a legitimate target on the eastern front because of its transport links and factories supporting the German military machine.

In the immediate aftermath, Nazi propagandists claimed over 200,000 people had lost their lives in Dresden - but historical records showed early on they had simply added a zero to their estimates.

Yet right-wing extremists continue to cite wildly elevated tolls.

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla told Der Spiegel weekly that his grandmother and father recalled seeing 'mountains of bodies' after the firebombing.

He said he believes the victims numbered 'around 100,000', prompting critics to accuse him of historical revisionism.

A visitor arrives to lay flowers at a wall commemorating victims of the February 13, 1945 Allied firebombing of Dresden at the Heidefriedhof cemetery, where 20,000 victims are buried today in Dresden

A man is pictured standing close to the commemoration wall in Dresden today

udy Bishop from Derby in Great Britain lights a candle under the tower cross destroyed in the war in the Frauenkirche in Dresden today

Founded just seven years ago, the anti-Islam, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) has risen to become the largest opposition party in the national parliament.

It is most popular in the country's former communist east. In Dresden's Saxony state, the AfD came second in regional polls last year.

Dresden bombing survivor Ursula Elsner, who was 14 when her mother dragged her to safety past burning buildings, told Spiegel she was tired of the anniversary being misused for political gain.

The 89-year-old wants the occasion to serve as a warning against war.

'This day belongs to us,' she said.
We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So before you buy or sell Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited (LON:CGH), 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, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required.

Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year.

View our latest analysis for Chaarat Gold Holdings

Chaarat Gold Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by CEO & Executive Director Artem Volynets for UK128k worth of shares, at about UK0.26 per share. Even though the purchase was made at a significantly lower price than the recent price (UK0.37), we still think insider buying is a positive. Because it occurred at a lower valuation, it doesn't tell us much about whether insiders might find today's price attractive.

Chaarat Gold Holdings insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

AIM:CGH Recent Insider Trading, February 13th 2020

Chaarat Gold Holdings is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Insider Ownership of Chaarat Gold Holdings

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our data indicates that Chaarat Gold Holdings insiders own about UK6.1m worth of shares (which is 3.5% of the company). However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing!

Story continues

What Might The Insider Transactions At Chaarat Gold Holdings Tell Us?

The fact that there have been no Chaarat Gold Holdings insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. We'd like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we don't see anything to make us think Chaarat Gold Holdings insiders are doubting the company. Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Chaarat Gold Holdings, you should check out 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.

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.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:14:58|Editor: yan

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MOGADISHU, Feb.13 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of acute watery diarrhea has killed up to five people in Bal'ad town in Somalia's southern region of Middle Shabelle, an official confirmed on Thursday.

Hanbali Abdullahi Ahmed, deputy governor of Bal'ad town told reporters that acute watery diarrhea broke out in the town causing deaths.

"Up to five kids under seven years old have died from diarrhea, while eight others are suffering from the disease," Ahmed said. He added that the waterborne disease had affected many villages in Bal'ad town.

"We are giving utmost help to the victims but the patients are coming from various areas of the town. We ask humanitarian agencies to extend a hand to those who are suffering," the official said.

Medical sources told Xinhua the number of patients is increasing by the day.

The outbreak of diarrhea follows major flooding in central and southern regions in November in 2019 which displaced over 300,000 people. On Jan. 29, diarrhea killed up to 15 people in Somalia's central region of Hiran.
The buyer paid $7,500 for the sign itself and $5,000 for its removal, according to Karen Biazar, a real-estate consultant with North Clybourn Group. Biazar said the intention was never to destroy the sign, and it will now be used for a restaurant.
These people were way out of bounds in my view, he said of the front-line prosecutors, who recommended a sentence as long as nine years for Stone after his conviction for lying to Congress and tampering with a witness. Youre not gonna go to seven to nine years on a 70-year-old guy when the alleged victim said they didnt feel threatened. Thats just revenge. Thats sour grapes. But having said that, the president shouldnt have said anything.
The Laredo College Associate Degree in nursing program was named No. 1 in Texas out of 125 programs by NursingProcess.org for a third consecutive year as announced during a LC press conference on Tuesday.

READ MORE: After WWE debut, Laredoan main events over Booker T, wins ROW womens title

LC also states that NursingProcess.org said that LC excelled in its mission to provide aspiring nurses with different options to complete their associate degree. RNCareers.org and RegisteredNursing.org previously ranked LC No. 1 as well.

The key is not about winning but more importantly how we prepare and how we got to be No. 1, LC President Dr. Ricardo Solis said. That is what counts, and that is what the students here are doing.

NursingProcess.org considered NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates, affordability, nursing schools reputations and academic quality to determine the ranking.

According to LC Associate Degree Nursing Program Professor Melissa Guidry, the ADN program is a two-year program that consistently tries to change and innovate. While there have been no major changes over the years, each instructor looks into their own NCLEX test plan and its components.

Despite having a 100% pass rate for the past four years, instructors continue to compare student test results to others nationwide. They then look at where students had more trouble and focus their efforts on helping students overcome those challenges, Guidry said.

Guidry said that there is a current push for more health promotion.

We dont want to wait until everybody is really sick. We want to take care of our health now, Guidry said. We encourage health promotion with our students.

LC nursing student Kristina Vasquez said that despite having been a bit stressed out by the program, she feels that with her professors support, she and her classmates are on the right track as graduation approaches at the end of the semester.

Vasquez grew up with the mentality of care and taking care of those in need. Her mother, who had undergone multiple surgeries during Vasquezs youth, would be tended to by her daughter and have her medicine brought at the specified time. Because of this, Vasquezs mother described her as her little nurse.

I think anyone can be a nurse if you have the heart, Vasquez said. If you feel like you care, you should be nurse and youre on the right path.

According to LC Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Dianna Miller, students meet with nursing advisers and discuss different nursing professions, and a retention specialist helps students apply in order to determine their best career pathway.

Gateway Community Health Center CEO Elmo Lopez Jr. said a new Gateway Community Health Center clinic will be a three-way clinic. It will be a teaching clinic, student and faculty health center, and a general public, federally qualified health center. He added that Gateway Community Health Center attends patients of all economic backgrounds and with or without insurance, and that dental, primary healthcare, medical and behavioral health services are all provided.

Solis said that an announcement on the opening of the South Campus College of Health Sciences Building will be soon, but the building will open later this year. It will house state-of-the-art technology and facilities.

Full-time LC students will receive free dental services once a year and medical services will be available to qualifying students, according to a press release. Lopez said that the new clinic operates one of Laredos only 3D panoramic X-ray machine for dental services.

It is a very special machine that we have only at Laredo College Clinic for the training use as well as for the students to get that kind of care, as well as the faculty and the general public. Lopez said.

READ MORE: Downtown art space, coffee shop and thrift store Los Olivadados opens for business in Laredo

June 2020 will also mark the first graduating class of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from LC. This will provide the opportunity for nurses in the community with an associate degree to further their education, LC states. After completing the ADN program and passing the NCLEX-RN, graduates can pursue their BSN and begin working in the healthcare field.

Christian Alejandro Ocampo may be reached at cocampo@lmtonline.com
Bio Logic Aqua Research Founder, Sharon Kleyne

Air Date: 10 February 2020

Guest: Richard Li, graduate student and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Western Washington University, Washington

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/121578/artificial-intelligence-will-it-change-the-world

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live on this planet and its future is limitless according to Sharon Kleyne, host of the internationally syndicated radio program The Sharon Kleyne Hour Water Life Science/Natures Pharma, The Power of Water & Your Health sponsored by Natures Tears EyeMist on VoiceAmerica and her special guest, Richard Li, a graduate of biochemistry, a graduate teaching assistant at Western Washington University, an author and concert pianist who studied to be a surgeon before switching paths to computer science and artificial intelligence.

For Kleyne, of course, everything begins with the water evaporation of the water vapor in the atmosphere. Lack of education has been very concerning to me, says Kleyne. For planet earth to exist to eternity, people need to take the water seriously. Breathing the moisture in the atmosphere is vital to life. Evaporation takes you from dehydration to death. You need to know that word: Evaporation!

Kleyne, founder and research director of Bio Logic Aqua Research Water Life Science, is also concerned that artificial intelligence could be used to alter the atmosphere and negatively impact peoples lives and health. Artificial intelligence is really about the body living with the water vapor in the atmosphere, says Kleyne. What is happening with that computer and algorithm is affected by the water vapor in the atmosphere.

Richard Li describes how artificial intelligence is all about using computers to write software that thinks and process information like humans do. Im specializing in the field of the mathematics of machine learning and deep learning, which is sort of a subset of artificial intelligence, says Li.

Li goes on to describe how machine learning uses mathematical models, algorithm, in order to take in data that you currently have and extrapolate it in order to accommodate future information. It allows you to build models that predict alternative outcomes. Deep learning uses what is called a convolutional network in order to model the human brain.

When Kleyne asks about applications of artificial intelligence to assist diagnosis in the medical field, Li is enthusiastic. One of the goals were going for with artificial intelligence, says Li, is to be able to assist doctors in their practice. Yet, there is much work to be done. At this point, Li cautions, the medical world is very behind when it comes to adopting artificial intelligence. I do believe we can use artificial intelligence to diagnose illness. We can use algorithm to analyze patient symptoms.

Kleyne also raises the issue of world security and the ways it might be impacted by artificial intelligence. China, says Li, has the most highly developed artificial intelligence system in the world. More than 300 million facial recognition cameras are installed throughout China. If, for example, you jaywalk, says Li, a camera/computer will immediately identify you and deduct a fine from your bank account.

Still, artificial intelligence can be a force for good and can be used for almost anything such as storage and predicting alternate outcomes, Li points out.

Listen to the talk radio program organized by program director Rose Hong of Global Dragon TV and featuring Richard Li, pianist and author of Find True North (an identity and freedom quest tale set in North Korea) who is also a graduate student and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Western Washington University in computer science and artificial intelligence and new water technology educator and evaporative dry eye researcher Sharon Kleyne as they discuss artificial intelligence and its possible application to the medical field, security, atmosphere, education, water and evaporation, follow this link: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/121578/artificial-intelligence-will-it-change-the-world

If you would like to watch a brief, entertaining educational film that demonstrates the application of the new Dry Eye Solution technology Natures Tears EyeMist, sponsor of Sharon Kleynes talk radio program, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0gOr8TB45U
Representative Jim Banks (R., Ind.) sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday urging the firing of Californias public pension chief investment officer due to his participation in Beijings Thousand Talents Program.

Yu Ben Meng  a U.S. citizen who emigrated from China at 25 to attend the University of California, Davis  assumed his role as CIO of California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) in January 2019, after first working there in 2008. CaIPERS is the largest public pension fund in the country, with over $360 billion in assets.

But Banks warned that Mengs job deserved further scrutiny.

We found Chinese newspaper articles that take credit for him being in the position that hes in currently, Banks told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.

The CIO of the largest pension fund in the US enrolled in China's "1,000 Talents Program"-which is described by the FBI as an "unofficial espionage" arm of #CCP. We finally have an admin that stands up to China-meanwhile local/state govs are getting more entangled. Unacceptable! pic.twitter.com/Ffop60Nt8T  Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) February 13, 2020

In between his two stints at CalPERS, Meng worked for three years, starting in 2015, as deputy CIO with Chinas State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), which oversees Chinas U.S. Treasury security holdings.

A 2017 article in Chinas Peoples Daily asserts that Meng was then recruited to the position at SAFE by Beijings Thousand Talents Program, which provides funding to U.S. citizens in exchange for information. In human life, if there is an opportunity to serve the motherland, such responsibility and honor cannot be compared to anything, Meng told the paper.

Story continues

Governor Newsom, if it were up to me, I would fire Mr. Meng immediately, Banks wrote in the letter. At the least, I think a thorough investigation of Mr. Mengs relationship to the Chinese Communist Party and a comparison of CalPERS investments in Chinese companies before and after Mr. Mengs 2008 hiring are both warranted.

CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost defended Meng in a statement to Reuters.

This is a reprehensible attack on a U.S. citizen. We fully stand behind our Chief Investment Officer who came to CalPERS with a stellar international reputation, she said.

Banks says that financial records show billions of California pension dollars invested in Chinese holdings, a fact pointed out by secretary of state Mike Pompeo during a speech on Sunday.

Californias pension fund . . . is invested in companies that supply the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) that puts our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines at risk, Pompeo said.

In November, a senior FBI official admitted that the U.S. government had not been proactive in preventing Thousand Talents participants from impacting the American academy, after a bipartisan Senate report accused federal agencies of failing to stop the systematic exploitation of U.S. research by Beijing. The head of Harvard Universitys chemistry department was charged in January with hiding his participation in the plan from officials in the Defense Department and the National Institutes of Health.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 13:16:17|Editor: Yurou

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KHARTOUM, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday agreed on Sudan's request to provide a political mission to help Sudan's transitional government and support Sudan's institutions to achieve sustainable development, said Sudan's foreign ministry in a statement.

Sudan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Omar Gamar-Eddin Ismail on Wednesday met United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo in Khartoum, according to the statement.

"It has been agreed on future presence for the United Nations in Sudan through a special political mission aimed at helping the government with peacebuilding and supporting the country's institutions to achieve sustainable development in all parts of Sudan," the ministry said.

It noted that the duration of the presence of the special UN mission ends with the elapse of the transitional period, set at 39 months.

According to the statement, Gamar-Eddin reiterated the Sudanese government's commitment to make the transitional period successful to achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for freedom, peace, justice and equality in cooperation with the regional and international community.

Earlier, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok sent a letter to the UN and the UN Security Council, demanding provision of a UN mission under Chapter (VI) to assist Sudan's transitional government in peacebuilding, consolidating democracy and supporting the transitional period institutions.

In August last year, Sudan began a transitional period of 39 months that will end with conduction of general elections.
In the thick of it: Kevin Quinn gets in a bid at Mohill Mart. Photo: Brian Farrell

Part of the reason mart prices have started so strongly this year is that those buying fear the traditional spring mart price bounce - and as suckler numbers continue to fall, perhaps they are also afraid that if they wait too long those better animals just won't be there.

Patsy Smith of Dowra in Leitrim for example told me that his overall average for 400-500kg bull weanlings reached 2.46/kg, with the top call being 2.85/kg. His 300-400g bulls averaged 2.62/kg to a top 3.25/kg.

Maurice Brosnan in Gortatlea told me that the best of his lighter Belgian Blue heifers easily made 3/kg, with 350-500kg heifers averaging 2.50/kg.

On the bull side his 350-450kg animals topped out at 2.60/kg, with heavier lots hitting a top of 2.40/kg. On the dairy side 200-300kg bulls sold from 2.10-2.20/kg, while 350-500kg dairy types averaged 2.20-2.30/kg.

In Ennis a cracking trade for quality store bullocks saw four 451kg Charolais make 2.70/kg (1,220/hd) while a single weighing 590kg saw the hammer at 1,550.

The heifer trade was also very strong here, with the conformation potential of a 460kg Charolais raising her price to 2.64/kg; and she wasn't alone.

Looking at a raft of other mart reports over the weekend, it's a similar story.

If you've got good-conformation stock, be they heifers or bullocks from 400-600kg, there are men out there that'll open them from 2.30-2.40/kg and keep going until the opposition wilts.

But what of the humble Friesian bullock and his dairy cross Angus and Hereford comrades?

The overall average price of your Friesian bullock on our Ringside table below shows his average price spread as quite tight, varying just 5c/kg. The lighter 300-399kg store averaged 1.61/kg last week, with the 400-499kg division coming out at 1.65/kg, while the 500-599kg and 600kg+ divisions averaged 1.66/kg and 1.64/kg respectively. Overall, average prices for Hereford and Angus types saw a spread across the entire table of 16c/kg, with the 300-399kg section best at 2.02/kg back to 1.86/kg for 600kg+ types.

There is no doubt that those buying, while not ignoring Friesians, Hereford or Angus, are hell-bent on acquiring the better continental if at all possible. And more precisely, the top end of that market. How else do you explain another 10c/kg rise to 2.41/kg in the average price at the top end of the market for continentals in the 500-599kg section and a similar 10c/kg rise to 2.37/kg among those better continentals in the 600kg+ section?

A factor at some marts that is definitely helping the trade is the number of Northern buyers.

With sterling trading at 85p to the euro they are in a position to drive on. It also helps that R4L bullocks in the UK are generally trading at 4.05/kg, and 4.15/kg in Scotland.

In the know...

1. Gortatlea

As weanling sales go, this one was big. Despite the huge numbers, trade was well maintained to strong, with Maurice Brosnan telling me: "The top of the lighter Belgian Blue heifers made up to 3-plus, with forward 350-500kg Charolais and Limousins averaging 2.50/kg."

Best of the weanling bulls at the light end were four 280kg Charolais that sold for 915/hd. The 350-450kg bracket topped out at around 2.60/kg, with heavier lots hitting a top of 2.40/kg.

Dairy type bulls of 200-300kg made 2.10-2.20/kg. Prices for 350-500 dairy types averaged 2.20-2.30/kg.

2. Dowra

A huge yard of cattle dominated by Charolais and Limousins met a very strong trade, with some lots seeing exceptional prices.

Weanling heifers under 300kg averaged 2.05-3.00/kg, with the overall average working out at 2.48/kg.

Those in the 300-400kg bracket averaged 2.15/kg, with the top of the market seeing 2.45/kg. 500kg+ heifers sold from 2.00-2.50/kg.

Weanling bulls under 300kg averaged 2.68/kg, with the best making 3.20/kg. Bulls from 400-500kg averaged 2.46/kg, with a top of 2.85/kg.

3. New Ross

While numbers here were reduced last Saturday, Jim Bushe was still able to report a very good trade across the board. "We had lots of customers for everything, especially quality," Jim told me. Beef bullocks sold from 600-930 with the 1/kg, with beef heifers making 500-880 with the 1/kg for Hereford and Angus types.

Heavy Friesian bullocks made 400-585 over their weight, with lighter lots commanding 255-400 over. Continental store heifers sold from 420-665 with the 1/kg, while Hereford and Angus stores made 380-515 with the weight.

4. Hereford

Bullocks ranged from 1.68-2.59/kg here with that top 2.59/kg price going to a 405kg Limousin that made 1,050.

Best over the weight price also saw a Limousin take top honours as 565kg made 1,400. Store heifers sold from 1.48-2.86/kg, with the best price per kg seeing a pair of 348kg Charolais making 1,000/hd, while a 230kg Charolais claimed that 2.86/kg top spot.

Weanling heifers sold from 2.23-2.87/kg, while weanling bulls made 1.83-3.13/kg.

5. Kanturk

Who says the suckler business is finished? A special sale of pure-bred Hereford stock here saw cows with calves at foot making up to 3,000, while one ten-month-old Hereford heifer sold for 1,820.

Looking at the non-pedigree trade, best on offer among the bull weanlings were four 410kg Charolais at 910/hd, while three 326kg Charolais weanling heifers sold for 830/hd.

The reality of the beef business is quality and conformation really do matter to those fattening. This was the message in relation to a 640kg Belgian Blue bullock at 1,240, you're just not quite up there?

6. Ballinrobe

A special sale of continental heifers saw some very fine quality go under the hammer here.

Samples included three 573kg Limousins sell for 1,460/hd or 2.55/kg, while a red 585kg Limousin made 2.59/kg.

Among the lighter heifers were a 380kg Charolais that sold for 3.07/kg, while a 445kg Angus made 2.48/kg.

On the bullock side you had a 535kg Charolais-cross at 2.46/kg, a 470kg Belgian Blue at 2.43/kg, with a 400kg Angus making 2.31/kg. Best of the weanling bulls was a 335kg Charolais that sold for 2.94/kg.

7. Roscommon

Maura Quigley continues to report strong numbers for the time of year as sellers move early to take advantage of the current strong trade. "We are seeing cattle that might otherwise be expected around March time," she told me.

On the prices front bullocks here averaged from 2.24/kg to a top of 3.04/kg reached off of a respectable 1.65/kg base.
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Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13 2020

Crucial investment: Students are pictured at SD 5 state elementary school in West Pademangan, North Jakarta. A large portion of the years social spending, school and village funds will be disbursed in the first quarter, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has announced. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

The government will front-load its spending on social welfare and rural development to boost household expenditure in an effort to counter the potential economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the front-loaded spending was necessary to minimize the potential impacts of growing global economic uncertainty on the countrys GDP.

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Perhaps you heard them at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival in White Sulphur Springs?

Or maybe on NPRs Mountain Stage?

Or possibly on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Jan. 29?

Wherever they play, the accolades just keep rolling in for the Steep Canyon Rangers.

The Grammy-winning sextet takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Helena Civic Center.

The Asheville, North Carolina, bluegrass band is particularly known for how much they like to mix up their music and for their outstanding shows.

Bluegrass Today wrote of their 2019 MerleFest performance:

The diversity seems to be an inherent part of Steep Canyon Rangers performances these days, given that the vocal responsibilities now extend to the newer members of the band, specifically bassist Barrett Smith and multi-instrumentalist Mike Ashworth. Indeed, it affirms the tight-knit cohesion that core members Woody Platt (vocals, guitar), Graham Sharp (vocals, banjo), Mike Guggino (mandolin, vocals) and Nicky Sanders (fiddle) have always brought to the band. Suffice it to say, theres never been anything less than exceptional about a Steep Canyon Rangers performance.

In an IR phone interview, founding member Graham Sharp, said, When were playing concerts, we really mix it up. It will go all the way from some acoustic, quiet stuff to some stuff with drums and electric guitar.

We have a pretty wide palette of what we do, but its all pretty much our own songs.

We ve got maybe 12 albums out there that we draw from.

Weve got several lead vocalists.

We try to keep the whole thing really varied and give everybody a chance to shine.

There will be long instrumental moments, and then there will be moments that are all voices and harmonies.

So, we just cover the whole range of the music we love.

The band is unique.

Where the band started is, we all fell in love with the music together at the same time.

Were pretty much just a group of buddies in college who discovered that everybody was interested in this music.

I was learning banjo. Mike was learning mandolin. Woody played the guitar and sang.

It really started out very informally as a group of guys who loved just getting together to make music.

Soon, to their surprise, they learned they could earn a little cash or a meal when they played, he said.

It just kept growing from there really organically.

That was 20 years ago.

Thats one of the strengths of the band, Sharp added. Were a group of guys who really have a history together.

Sharp particularly fell in love with banjo music listening to Jerry Garcia, he said.

I just kept walking through these doors and finding more music I loved -- a lot of it traditional and a lot was totally non-traditional and just trying to soak it all in.

Everyone in the band writes songs, he said, but he does the bulk of the writing.

He believes in sitting down regularly to write, whether the songs are flowing or not.

Later, walking down the street, everything he was trying to make work will suddenly fall into place.

Themes of songs range from home, to being away from home, to people he loves and the different stages of their lives.

Sharps favorite songwriters, he said, capture a person in a moment and provide just enough detail to let the listeners imagination fill in the story.

Steep Canyon Rangers are also known for their collaborations with actor, comedian and musician Steve Martin.

But Martin is NOT appearing at the Helena show.

In March, however, Martin and the band are heading out for a UK tour.

When they perform with Martin, its a completely different band, Sharp said.

It was just happenstance, they wound up meeting Martin and playing music with him.

We were friends with Steves wife, he said. She and Steve met around the time of his foray into bluegrass.

The collaboration has been nothing but wonderful, he said.

Another amazing, and off the wall collaboration, was a project with the Asheville Symphony and Boyz II Men, which is well worth checking out at this link https://www.steepcanyon.com/watch.

The groups are seemingly very different schools of music that come together to make something more than the individual parts, Sharp said.

People are moved by their concerts, he said. Some particularly listen to the words, others come to dance.

Our concerts span those two worlds.

Theyre really looking forward to their Montana shows, he said.

Last time they played in Montana, it was at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival in 2018.

The crowd was so awesome. It was so much fun. If we can capture one-tenth of that energy, were in for a great night.

Ticket prices start at $35 and are available online at www.helenaciviccenter.com, by calling 447-8481 or visit the box office at the Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave M-F 10-1, 2-4.

This show is a cooperative presentation by Starz on Stage and the Helena Civic Center.

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Press Release

13 February 2020

MCLEAN, Va. - For the second consecutive year, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is honoured for its outstanding workplace culture in Canada, with recognition on the 2020 list of Best Workplaces in Retail and Hospitality. This news comes just a few months after Hilton ranked #2 Workplace in the World by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work with Team Members recognising the culture, benefits and travel perks as some of the reasons why Hilton is a great place to work.

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"Our Canadian Team Members are truly the heart of our business, helping us to deliver on our mission of being the world's most hospitable company," said Danny Hughes, Executive Vice President and President, Americas, Hilton. "To receive this accolade for a second consecutive year is truly a testament to the benefits, programs and workplace culture Hilton provides our Team Members across the country."

Hilton aims to provide a meaningful environment to Team Members enabling them to thrive both professionally and personally with industry-leading benefits including, Thrive Sabbatical, discounted stays at Hilton properties worldwide, extended medical and dental benefits, global career development and training opportunities, and volunteer programs that support Hilton's corporate responsibility mission, Travel with Purpose.

Hilton

Hilton received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work. The list of Best Workplaces in Retail and Hospitality is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work. The data has a 90% confidence and a plus or minus 5% margin of error.

To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work Certified in the past year and work primarily in the Retail or Hospitality Industry. Great Place to Work determined the best based on employee responses to the Trust Index survey.
Three candidates left the Democratic presidential race after disappointing results in Tuesdays New Hampshire primary.

Businessman Andrew Yang, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet all announced they were exiting the race following the Granite States primary, in which they finished eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively.

Despite this being his first foray into electoral politics, Yang made the biggest impact in the race of the three, raising millions of dollars and appearing on nearly every debate stage of the cycle. His enthusiastic supporters, who dubbed themselves the Yang Gang, helped raise the profile of the former lawyer and startup founders key issue: universal basic income, which would pay every American 18 or older $1,000 a month. Yang viewed his Freedom dividend as a way to counter the expansion of automation and artificial intelligence, which he portrayed as one of the biggest problems for Americans going forward. Supporters wore shirts with the slogan MATH: Make America Think Harder.

I am not someone who wants to accept donations and support in a race that we will not win, Yang told supporters in Manchester Tuesday night. He boasted that Ive already outlasted a dozen governors, former governors and members of Congress and the Yang Gang has fundamentally shifted the direction of this country and transformed our politics, and we are only continuing to grow.

Within hours Yang hinted he was considering a run for mayor of New York City. The incumbent, Bill de Blasio  who dropped his own presidential bid in September  must leave office after his second term is over at the end of 2021.

Andrew Yang, Sen. Michael Bennet and former Gov. Deval Patrick. (Mary Altaffer/AP (2), Andrew Harnik/AP)

Patrick waited until Wednesday afternoon to officially announce he was ending a candidacy that never truly took off. The former two-term governor of Massachusetts entered the race less than three months ago, a late launch that resulted in his failing to ever make a debate stage. (An ominous sign was when Patrick had to cancel an event at Morehouse College a week after he announced he was running when only two people showed up.)

Story continues

The vote in New Hampshire last night was not enough for us to create the practical wind at the campaigns back to go on to the next round of voting. So I have decided to suspend the campaign, effective immediately, Patrick said in a statement. I am not suspending my commitment to help  there is still work to be done. We are facing the most consequential election of our lifetime. Our democracy itself, let alone our civic commitments to equality, opportunity and fair play, are at risk.

The departure of Patrick, who is black, means the only nonwhite candidate left in the Democratic field is Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is of mixed Polynesian ancestry.

Bennet, who has represented Colorado in the Senate since 2009, also announced his departure on Tuesday night in front of supporters in the Granite State. Bennet had positioned himself as the sensible moderate in the race but failed to gain any traction in polling or fundraising despite his participation in the first two debates last summer. Bennet campaigned hard in New Hampshire, crossing the state for town halls, and was endorsed by James Carville, the former campaign manager for Bill Clinton, but it wasnt enough to get even 1 percent of the vote.

I am going to do absolutely everything I can do as one human being to make sure that Donald Trump is a one-term president, said Bennet, who pledged to support the eventual Democratic winner.

Eight candidates remain: Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Gabbard and billionaires Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
For more than a decade, it has been an elusive dream for election officials: a smartphone app that would let swaths of voters cast their ballots from their living rooms. It has also been a nightmare for cyberexperts, who argue that no technology is secure enough to trust with the very basis of American democracy.

The debate, long a sideshow at academic conferences and state election offices, is now taking on new urgency. A start-up called Voatz says it has developed an app that would allow users to vote securely from anywhere in the world  the electoral version of a moonshot. Thousands are set to use the app in this years elections, a small but growing experiment that could pave the way for a wider acceptance of mobile voting.

But where optimists see a more engaged electorate, critics are warning that the move is dangerously irresponsible. In a new report shared with The New York Times ahead of its publication on Thursday, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say the app is so riddled with security issues that no one should be using it.

In response to the report, the Department of Homeland Security organized a series of briefings in recent weeks for state and local officials who are planning to use Voatzs technology.
Harvard University.

REUTERS

The US Department of Education has launched a probe of foreign funding to Harvard and Yale universities.

An ongoing review has revealed that US universities have not disclosed $6.5 billion in foreign investment, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Foreign money goes to the wealthiest universities in the US but "does not reduce or otherwise offset American students' tuition costs," a department document alleges.

Officials are seeking information particularly related to funding from Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Qatar and Iran, claiming national security concerns.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Foreign funding has placed Harvard and Yale in the crosshairs of a Department of Education investigation.

In an ongoing review, officials have discovered that US universities have neglected to report at least $6.5 billion that have come from countries like China and Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Universities in the US are mandated to report all foreign contracts and gifts that  separately or combined  amount to $250,000 or more in a calendar year.

Education Department documents reviewed by the Journal that describe higher-education establishments as "multi-billion dollar, multi-national enterprises using opaque foundations, foreign campuses, and other sophisticated legal structures to generate revenue."

The Education Department's concern, according to the Journal, stems from universities seeking money from companies and authoritarian governments like China and Saudi Arabia. In turn, those entities want to steal US research and spread propaganda, the department alleges.

Harvard University has been asked to disclose any investments that have come from the governments of China, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, the Journal said. Officials are also seeking details about China-based Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp., Russia's Kaspersky Lab and Skolkovo Foundation, and Iran's Alavi Foundation.

Story continues

For its part, Yale has been accused of failing to report an estimated $375 million in foreign funding between 2014 and 2017, a period in which it did not file reports, the Journal said. Education Department officials are seeking from them records of contributions from Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, and others. They are also soliciting additional information about the foreign funding sources of Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center and the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, the Journal reported.

Some universities have pushed back against the apparent national security fears, saying that research should not be restricted and is  particularly in the case of Chinese collaborators  necessary to advance science and help people around the world.

Read more:

Harvard chemist arrested on charges of lying about work with China

Yale's most popular class ever is now available for free online  and the topic is how to be happier in your daily life

Read the original article on Insider
We are strategically investing in the efforts in LA and Pittsburgh because each possesses concentrations of public employees at all levels of government, a strong university presence and enthusiastic local champions committed to realizing G2Us aims, said Volcker Alliance President Thomas W. Ross.

The Volcker Alliance is excited to announce an expansion of its signature Government-to-University Initiative (G2U) with the launch of two new G2U Regional Councils in Los Angeles, California, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. G2U is an innovative approach to addressing critical governance challenges by building structured regional networks of governments and universities. The initiative aims to catalyze a robust local marketplace that can sustainably connect governments' hiring and research needs with local university capacity.

We have been delighted by the interest that has been shown in partnering to expand the G2U effort in regions across the country. It affirms the promise of this initiative, said Thomas W. Ross, president of the Volcker Alliance. We are strategically investing in the efforts in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh because each possesses concentrations of public employees at all levels of government, a strong university presence, and enthusiastic local champions committed to realizing G2Us aims.

In Los Angeles, the Volcker Alliance has partnered with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to anchor the effort. SCAG is the nation's largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 191 cities, and more than nineteen million residents. SCAG undertakes a variety of planning and policy initiatives to encourage a more sustainable Southern California.

Our government partners are hungry for talent, and it is in Southern Californias best interest to connect university students with employers in the public sector, said Kome Ajise, SCAGs executive director. We want the best and brightest from our universities to be the future leaders of Southern California.

In Pittsburgh, the effort will be led by Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute. Metro21: Smart Cities Institute at Carnegie Mellon takes a forward-looking, creative approach to bringing people, technology, and policy together to improve quality of life for those in metropolitan areas.

We have a long history of helping governments become more evidence-based and analytical in their decision making, and collaborating with an esteemed partner like the Volcker Alliance unlocks new possibilities for creating mutually beneficial relationships between universities and governments, said Ramayya Krishnan, dean of Heinz College. The relationship between Metro21 and the Pittsburgh region is a model of how universities and cities can work together to test bold new ideas. Were excited to broaden the impact of Metro21 through the Pittsburgh G2U Regional Council.

Each new G2U Regional Council will connect local, state, and federal government leaders in a region with key faculty and administrators from surrounding colleges and universities. They will identify and pursue opportunities to better strengthen the pipeline of talent from local universities into government and explore approaches to systematizing research exchanges focused on solving pressing government problems. With support from the Volcker Alliance, the Councils will provide a regional platform to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones among government practitioners and university leaders.

These new sites will build upon the success of the pilot G2U Coalition in Kansas City led by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), which will celebrate its one-year anniversary with its first regionwide Coalition Convening on April 21.

Throughout 2020, the Volcker Alliance will work to build connections within the growing cohort of Regional Councils and will explore opportunities to expand the G2U network further. Those interested in launching G2U Regional Councils in their areas can email G2U@volckeralliance.org to learn more.

The Volcker Alliance advances effective management of government to achieve results that matter to citizens. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is inspired by the legendary public service of our founder, Paul A. Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and his vision of a public sector workforce with the experience, preparation, and commitment to ensure that government is accountable and delivers with excellence. Visit volckeralliance.org to learn more. Follow us on social media @VolckerAlliance and subscribe to the Volcker Alliance newsletter for the latest news and developments. The Volcker Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and several subsidiaries, accusing the company of a brazen scheme to steal trade secrets from competitors in America, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2020, file photo, national security adviser Robert O'Brien, listens as President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House in Washington. As the White House presses allies to ban Huawei equipment, O'Brien says the Chinese company has the ability to secretly retrieve sensitive information from that equipment. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and several subsidiaries, accusing the company of a brazen scheme to steal trade secrets from competitors in America, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

The new indictment also alleges the company provided surveillance equipment to Iran that enabled the monitoring of protesters during 2009 anti-government demonstrations in Tehran, and that it sought to conceal business that it was doing in North Korea despite economic sanctions there.

The company disputed the allegations in a statement and called them them without merit." China's foreign ministry accused the U.S. government of economic ebullying and improperly using security allegations to oppress Chinese companies.

The new allegations come as the Trump administration raises national security concerns about Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and aggressively lobbies Western allies to bar the company from wireless, high-speed networks.

The superseding indictment, brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, adds to the company's legal woes in the U.S. It adds charges of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to steal trade secrets to an existing criminal case in New York, where the company already faces charges of lying to banks about deals that violated economic sanctions against Iran.

Federal prosecutors in Seattle have brought a separate trade secrets theft case against the company. Meng Wanzhou, a senior Huawei executive and the daughter of the company's founder, is accused of making false representations to banks about Huawei's relationship with its Iran-based affiliate. She was arrested in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has yet to be extradited to the U.S.

The latest indictment, an update of a case first filed last year, accuses Huawei of plotting to steal the trade secrets and intellectual property of rival companies in the U.S.

In some instances, prosecutors said, Huawei recruited employees of competitors to steal intellectual property. The company also provided incentives to its own employees by offering bonuses to those who brought in the most valuable stolen information, and it used proxies, including professors at research institutions, in the pursuit of inside information, prosecutors said.

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2019, file photo, a man uses his smartphone as he stands near a billboard for Chinese technology firm Huawei at the PT Expo in Beijing. The Justice Department has added new criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and two of its United States subsidiaries, accusing the company in a plot to steal trade secrets. The indictment from federal prosecutors was announced Thursday by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

The stolen information included antenna and robot testing technology as well as user manuals for internet routers. One goal of the theft, the Justice Department said, was to allow Huawei to save on research and development costs.

The indictment details efforts to steal from a half dozen companies.

In one May 2013 episode, according to the indictment, a Huawei engineer removed a robot arm from the laboratory of a rival company based in Washington state, stashing the item in a laptop bag. The engineer emailed photographs and measurements of the arm to others at Huawei before the arm was returned to the company, which had discovered the theft.

At a 2004 trade show in Chicago, a Huawei employee was found in the middle of the night in the booth of a technology company, removing the cover from a networking device and taking photographs of the circuitry inside," prosecutors said. The employee wore a badge that listed his employer as Weihua," or Huawei spelled with its syllables reversed.

The indictment also lays out steps that the company to conceal its business dealings with Iran and North Korea, including by referring to both countries in internal documents by their code names.

In a statement, Huawei called the new indictment part of the Justice Departments attempt to irrevocably damage Huaweis reputation and its business for reasons related to competition rather than law enforcement.

These new charges are without merit and are based largely on recycled civil disputes from last 20 years that have been previously settled, litigated and in some cases, rejected by federal judges and juries," it said. The government will not prevail on its charges, which we will prove to be both unfounded and unfair.

Huawei's global cybersecurity officer, John Suffolk, said there's no evidence to support the U.S. allegations.

We believe they're deliberately misleading and hoping if they throw enough mud then some of that mud would stick, he said in a media conference call.

Asked about the charges, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman called on Washington to stop oppressing Chinese businesses.

The United States has misused its national power to oppress Chinese companies with no proof of any wrongdoing," said the spokesman, Geng Shuang. He spoke in a regular news briefing that was conducted over social media as part of government efforts to contain a virus outbreak by avoiding public gatherings.

Such practice is disgraceful and immoral, and it is beneath the status of the United States as a major country, Geng said. Such economic bullying practice is a blatant denial of the market principle, for which the U.S. has been a self-proclaimed champion.

Trump administration officials, including Cabinet secretaries, have recently levelled national security allegations against Huawei in an effort to encourage European nations to ban the gear from next-generation cellular networks.

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper are making the pitch to Western allies during a trip to Munich this week. Attorney General William Barr, in a speech last week, lamented what he said was China's aspiration for economic dominance and proposed that the U.S. invest in Western competitors of Huawei.

The administration's national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, asserted this week that Huawei can secretly tap into communications through the networking equipment it sells globally. The company disputes that, saying it has never and will never covertly access telecom networks, nor do we have the capability to do so.

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Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP

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Kelvin Chan in London contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - Attorney General William Barr offered his first public comments Thursday since a controversy erupted at the Justice Department this week. And while he offered a significant rebuke of President Donald Trump, Barr's comments seem as much geared toward creating a veneer of independence as addressing the root of the controversy.

Barr told ABC News that Trump's tweets about ongoing criminal matters - in this case, Roger Stone's - "make it impossible for me to do my job."

"I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases," Barr said.

Barr clarified that he made the controversial decision to overrule the career prosecutors' recommendation that Stone serve seven to nine years in prison Monday night - before Trump tweeted in the wee hours of Tuesday morning in opposition to the recommendation.

"Do you go forward with what you think is the right decision, or do you pull back because of the tweet?" Barr said. "And that just sort of illustrates how disruptive these tweets can be."

Barr is right that this is exactly why presidents are generally cautious about weighing in on ongoing criminal matters. If the president does that, how can you discern what is truly independent from what is being done in response to presidential pressure? His comments are also stronger, notably, than some Republican members of Congress who essentially shrugged at the entire situation.

But it's also important to recognize how much Barr gains by being seen as rebuking Trump - and how much his answers don't really address the true controversy here.

The fact is that, even if Barr made this decision before Trump's tweets and Trump never directly requested the action - even if there is no relation between what happened and what Trump has said - this is still highly problematic. It's the president's most senior political appointee in the Justice Department personally intervening in an unorthodox manner in the case of perhaps Trump's longest-serving political ally. It's precisely the kind of case in which you'd want to make sure you try doubly hard to avoid even the appearance of political influence of any kind - whether that influence emanated from Trump or not. Instead, Barr decided this was the situation he needed to get involved in.

And to be clear, Barr confirmed in the interview that he was personally responsible for the decision, which is as significant a revelation as anything else:

"Barr said he told his staff that night that the Justice Department has to amend its recommendation. Hours later, the president tweeted that it was 'horrible and very unfair' and that 'the real crimes were on the other side,' " ABC reported.

So there it is: Trump's own, appointed attorney general who has repeatedly taken controversial pro-Trump actions, doing so yet again. And just as Trump didn't have to tell Barr to do what he did with the Mueller report to make that controversial, he didn't have to tell him what to do with Stone's sentencing recommendation to make it controversial.

In fact, you could make a pretty compelling argument that Barr isn't rebuking Trump so much as telling the president how to take the heat off some of Barr's more controversial decisions. If Trump didn't tweet what he did this week, after all, perhaps the Stone decision wouldn't have blown up as much.

If Barr had a more varied history when it comes to decisions that directly involve the president, it would be easier to accept that this is truly about the independence of the Justice Department. But Barr hasn't been terribly concerned about the perception that he's not independent before, and we should focus more on his actions than on a rare apparent rebuke of presidential tweets.
Associated Press

CLOVIS  Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation on Wednesday demanded the U.S. Defense Department help with drinking water cleanup in eastern New Mexico after traces of a cancer-causing pollutant were found in some wells.

U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, saying they were disturbed by the recent findings and expected the agency to take immediate action to protect citizens and the water supply.

The company in charge of Clovis water system found contaminants in 10 of its 82 wells at the point where the water would be piped to households. The utility immediately took the affected wells out of service.

The appearance of these chemicals in these wells is a significant  and very unfortunate  development, particularly since the city of Clovis anticipates the need to restart the wells later in the year to meet seasonal demands, the lawmakers wrote.

New Mexico is in a legal battle with the U.S. government over plumes at two military installations that contain chemicals left behind by past military fire fighting activities. The contamination at Cannon and Holloman air bases is linked to chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

Similar contamination has been found at dozens of military sites across the nation. Growing evidence that exposure can be dangerous has prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to consider setting new standards.

Air Force officials have said that they have been working with regulators to identify and implement long-term solutions to prevent exposure.

The discovery of PFAS in Clovis treated water comes a month after the state Environment Department fined the Air Force almost $1.7 million for failing to monitor the contaminants discharged at Cannon and for letting its wastewater permit expire.

The Clovis water utility recently informed residents there was no health concern with the traces found in the 10 wells but officials decided to take the wells offline as a precaution. The utility said none of the samples was close to the federal health advisory level.

The Environment Department is seeking $1.2 million from the state Legislature to map the contamination and develop cleanup strategies. Other legislation would allocate $700,000 to the agency to conduct water well testing in affected communities in Curry and Roosevelt counties.

New Mexicos congressional delegates said in their letter that they expect the Defense Department to contribute to the effort and open up all lines of communication with the state despite the ongoing litigation.

Delays that allow the plume to continue to spread will only increase the scope of the long-term problem and costs to state, local and federal taxpayers, they wrote.

The Defense Department already has expended over $200 million in environmental investigations and responses at or near installations where drinking water has been contaminated by PFAS, according to the lawmakers.
Meghan Markle is using her time away from life as a senior royal to go back to college - and she's taking Prince Harry with her.

According to royal sources, the couple paid a visit to the prestigious Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, on Tuesday, having taken a commercial flight from Canada, where they are currently living with their son Archie.

As reported by the Today show, Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, are said to have attended 'brainstorming sessions' with several 'professors and academics' from the university, who have been helping them to work on the concept and creation of their new charitable organization.

On the move: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are understood to have visited Stanford University on Tuesday in order to attend brainstorming sessions with professors

Their decision to work with academics at a university in California will no doubt raise more questions about whether the couple plans to relocate to the West Coast permanently, having spent the weeks since their withdrawal from the senior royal life living in Canada.

On Wednesday, DailyMail.com exclusively reported that Harry and Meghan are still weighing up their options as far as their decision to settle down, with Malibu, New York City, and Vancouver all in the running as potential home bases.

However, this is understood to be the first visit to California that the couple has made together in some time, although it is not known whether the couple took baby Archie with them on the trip, or whether they chose to stay on the West Coast in order to spend time with Meghan's mother Doria, who lives in Los Angeles - a six-hour drive away from Stanford.

Personal: The couple were met personally by the university's president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne

Upon their arrival at the campus, Harry and Meghan 'were personally greeted by Marc Tessier-Lavigne, the university's president', before attending 'brainstorming sessions' with staff members who are helping them 'with their ongoing work to establish a new charitable organization'.

When the couple first announced their plans to step back from senior royal life they made mention of their plans to launch a new charity, writing on their website that their decision to split their time between North America and the UK would help them in this endeavor.

'This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity,' they wrote.

It is unclear what role the Stanford professors and academics have within this new entity, nor have Harry and Meghan made clear exactly what cause, or causes, the organization will focus on.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Stanford University for comment.

Interestingly, Meghan did not choose to visit her alma mater - Northwestern University in Illinois - for the brainstorming session, which raises further questions about whether the couple's visit to California saw them sewing seeds for a more permanent set-up on the West Coast.

Family trip? It is not known whether Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, took their son with them on the California trip, or whether they stayed on the West Coast to spend time with her mother Doria

Nearby: Meghan's mom Doria Ragland lives in Los Angeles, which is a six-hour drive south of Stanford, which is in Palo Alto

Prince Harry did not attend a university in the UK, but instead went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he began his military career in 2005.

Today's reporting of Meghan and Harry's Stanford trip comes as speculation around the couple's potential first interview continues to increase.

DailyMail.com exclusively reported in January that Meghan had been discussing plans to offer the opportunity to Ellen DeGeneres, however the appearance of Today host Savannah Guthrie's byline on today's story suggests that she may well be hoping to throw her hat in the ring.

The news comes just after it was reported that Prince Harry has been much happier since stepping down from his duties as as senior royal and moving to Canada.

'Harry's much happier in Canada and feels a lot more relaxed. So far he doesn't regret the move' a source told Us Weekly.

Way back when: Meghan graduated from Northwestern University in Illinois. She is pictured at her graduation ceremony with her father Thomas Markle, from who she is now estranged

They added that protecting his wife and young son was Harry's 'number one priority', and that he's happy that he's followed through.

It comes after a close friend exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that Meghan Markle also has 'no regrets' about quitting the royal family and has been telling her friends she can have it all.

'The sky's the limit. She said [she and Harry] feel like a huge weight has been lifted,' the insider explained.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently made a trip to Miami where Prince Harry spoke at a JP Morgan 'billionaire's summit', where the two could have earned up to $1 million for the gig - during which Harry spoke about his mental health and therapy.

Prior to the jaunt to Florida, the couple had been holed up with their nine-month-old son Archie at a $14 million waterfront Vancouver Island mansion after announcing their bombshell departure news in early January.

'They've been spending quality time together as a family. Meghan has been cooking and making homemade baby food for Archie,' the friend said.

Now with a routine in place, Meghan has been taking the steps to relaunch her career, with the insider adding: 'Meghan said her work with Disney is far from over. The voice over is just the beginning and that there's more collaborations to come.'

It was previously revealed Meghan signed a voice over deal with Disney in return for a donation to the charity Elephants Without Borders.

Hint hint? Today host Savannah Guthrie was given a byline on the story about Meghan and Harry's visit to Stanford, which could mean she is hoping to secure an interview with them

Moving on up: Savannah flew to the UK in 2018 to report on Meghan and Harry's wedding for NBC and the Today show

The deal was made after Prince Harry, 35, was caught on film touting his wife's skills to Disney boss Bob Iger at the premiere of The Lion King in London in July 2019.

It seems the couple, who said they wanted to be financially independent when they stepped back from their royal duties, are eager to forge ahead with their new plan.

Their visit to Miami marks the first public appearance Meghan and Harry have made as a couple since their shock announcement.

One insider said the royals were 'smart' to take the gig, adding: '[It was] a very smart move to get in with some of the world's richest people.

'The conference is all about building wealth for future generations, and making the world better for future generations, a topic close to Harry's heart.'

Ronn Torossian, CEO of New York-based PR firm 5W Public Relations, told the Mail he would expect the couple to have made between $500,000 and $1 million from the appearance.

PR executive Simon Huck - who is a friend of the Kardashian family - has already estimated that Meghan alone can make $100 million this year.

With more work on the horizon, Meghan is on the hunt for a manager or agent for future projects - two years after giving up her acting career to marry Harry.

The close friend said the couple can do 'pretty much do everything from their house', and have been 'taking meetings and building up their hand-picked team, which will include her mom as a special advisor.'
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Oak Capital Group (RED OAK) announced today that its latest $50,000,000 bond offering has been fully qualified by the SEC, and is now open and receiving subscriptions.

"We are pleased to bring another fixed-income bond product to the investment market," said Chip Cummings, CEO of Red Oak.

Chip Cummings

Similar to Fund III which reached capacity in December after only 2 months, the offering is a Regulation A+ Tier II bond, but expanded to offer different options for investors. Similar to their previous products, this offering includes additional contingent interest payment at term which increases the yield to the investor.

"We purposely held this Offering back a few months to strengthen and build our internal operations," added Cummings. "This allows us to more effectively and judiciously deploy the capital and maintain the quality within the asset portfolios."

The issued bonds are securitized by senior secured commercial mortgage notes, backed by existing income producing commercial real estate properties. As an institutional quality short-term commercial real estate lender, Red Oak Capital, combines their vast network of lending partners with proprietary automated underwriting and origination technology to take advantage of short-term gaps in the traditional commercial finance markets. They specialize in lending on smaller commercial real estate transactions with defined exit strategies. Strong growth and demand for redevelopment capital combined with Red Oak's reputation for being an active lender, has led to rapid expansion for Red Oak.

"By combining our automated underwriting engine with manual processes conducted by experts with 30+ years of institutional quality underwriting experience, we are able to source and underwrite a vast amount of high-quality commercial loan opportunities," adds Joe Elias, Chief Technology Officer. "This pipeline of senior secured, cash flowing commercial real estate assets, combined with our commitment to controlled growth allows us to maintain the quality of the portfolios, while meeting the demand for quality fixed income products."

Established by the SEC in 2015 under the JOBS Act, the Regulation A+ Tier II offerings allows companies to sell up to $50 million in securities within a 12-month period. In addition, it requires regular financial filings and annual audited financial statements, which creates greater transparency for investors.

Crescent Securities in Dallas serves as the managing broker dealer for the offering. The national firm of UHY is the auditing firm, and the securities firm of Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank acts as counsel.

Complete offering details can be found at the SEC's website at: https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgaraction=getcompany&CIK=0001794418&owner=exclude&count=40&hidefilings=0

About Red Oak Capital Group

Red Oak Capital Group is a technology enabled, private equity firm specializing in direct lending within the commercial real estate industry. It is comprised of seasoned investment and technology professionals with robust sourcing capabilities and vast institutional underwriting experience. Powered by their proprietary ROCX automated underwriting and origination platform, Red Oak efficiently develops a highly targeted pipeline of secured commercial real estate loan products. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.RedOakCapitalGroup.com, or by calling (866) 854-3900.

CONTACT:

Chip Cummings

Red Oak Capital Group

[email protected]

(866) 854-3900

SOURCE Red Oak Capital Group
Dominic Cummings is Boris Johnson's most senior adviser (Getty)

Sajid Javid has stunned Westminster by resigning as chancellor.

Javid quit rather than obey Boris Johnsons demand to fire his aides, something understood to have been driven by Dominic Cummings, the prime ministers senior adviser.

So, what does Javids resignation tell us about Cummings power in Number 10?

Yahoo News UK  with the help of Tim Bale, a leading politics professor from Londons Queen Mary University  explains all

First of all, how did Cummings get in this position?

He was appointed as special adviser by Johnson as soon as he became PM in July last year.

Cummings had previously worked with Johnson when he led the successful Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum.

Before that, he was special adviser to education secretary Michael Gove, much to the angst of David Cameron, who described Cummings as a career psychopath.

What do we know of his personality?

Cummings has cultivated a Machiavellian image since entering Number 10, to the extent that he is probably talked about in Westminster circles more than any elected cabinet ministers.

Eccentricities include his unconventional office wear...

Dominic Cummings in Downing Street (PA)

...a blog post in which he appealed for weirdos and misfits to apply for jobs in Downing Street, and answering a reporters HS2 questions with PJ Masks quotes.

Dominic Cummings says "we need PJ Masks on the job"



Asked for his response to the government's decision to go ahead with HS2, the PM's senior adviser channels the crime-fighting superheroes and says: "The night time is the right time to fight crime"https://t.co/62QwKDsUwN pic.twitter.com/2nw0PAZiV7  BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) February 11, 2020

Why do people need to know who he is?

Because he is extremely influential over Johnson, Prof Bale says. He was the man who many credit with Leave winning in 2016 and with the strategy Johnson has pursued since taking over as PM.

Story continues

He is someone who believes the institution of British government is dysfunctional, hasnt caught up with the 21st century, and needs reform.

Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson in Downing Street in October last year (AP)

He believes Number 10 should have more control over the ministries that make up government, which means more control over ministers themselves and their special advisers.

Have Cummings and Javid clashed in the past?

Yes. There had been long-standing rumours of a power struggle between the pair, dating back to August when Javids aide, Sonia Khan, was sacked and marched out of Downing Street.

Has Cummings power grown with Javids resignation?

Yes, according to Prof Bale, who says: It does suggest Dominic Cummings vision of a centrally directed government machine seems to have persuaded Johnson.

But he adds: Johnson has an incredibly important year of [Brexit transition period] negotiations and cant afford to have a chancellor who he doesnt see eye-to-eye with.

Dominic Cummings headed up the Leave campaign (Getty)

Will anyone in government now dare to stand up to Cummings?

Theres always an extent to which politicians are jealous of non-politicians who appear to have the ear of the PM, Prof Bale laughs.

They may feel, as secretaries of state, they have more right to be listened to, and to act independently.

But any ministers looking at this would have to say, for the moment, Dominic Cummings and his vision of government seems to be winning over Johnson. They will need to think twice before pushing things too far.

Does Mr Cummings now have equal power to Johnson?

No, Prof Bale says. Ultimately, its the pleasure of the PM to appoint an advisor. Cummings cant sack him, but he could always sack Cummings.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A new Ohio initiative aims to use artificial intelligence to guide an overhaul of the states laws and regulations.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said his staff will use an AI software tool, developed for the state by an outside company, to analyze the states regulations, numbered at 240,000 in a recent study by a conservative think-tank, and narrow them down for further review.

Husted compared the tool to an advanced search engine that will automatically identify and group together like terms, getting more sophisticated the more its used.

He said the goal is to use the tool to streamline state regulations  such as eliminating permitting requirements deemed to be redundant  which is a long-standing policy goal of Republicans that lead the state government.

This gives us the capability to look at everything thats been done in 200 years in the state of Ohio and make sense of it, Husted said.

The project is part of two Husted-led projects  the Common Sense Initiative, a state project to review regulations with the goal of cutting government red tape, and InnovateOhio, a Husted-led office that aims to use technology to improve Ohios government operations

Husted announced the project on Thursday at a meeting of the Small Business Advisory Council. The panel advises the state on government regulations and tries to identify challenges they can pose for business owners.

State officials sought bids for projects last summer, authorized through the state budget. Starting soon, Husteds staff will load the states laws and regulations into the software, with the goal of starting to come up with recommendations for proposed law and rule changes before the summer.

Husteds office has authority to spend as much as $1.2 million on the project, although it could cost less, depending on how many user licenses they request.

I dont know if it will be a small success, a medium success, or a large success, Husted said. I dont want to over-promise, but we have great hope for it.

Read other recent state news:

Republican Ohio secretary of state criticizes state GOPs steal the election rhetoric in fundraising email

Proposed Ohio law seeks to prevent crashes by making Amish buggies more visible

Jim Jordans name comes up during testimony on OSU abuse victims bill

Trump campaign demands Ohio Senate candidate stop using photos from White House visit

Dark money group set up to promote Gov. Mike DeWines gun bill
Photo: Michael Connor/EyeEm/Getty Images

Queens natives usually dont have the opportunity to learn about the animal world from their immediate surroundings, a privilege enjoyed by many suburban and rural Americans. Perhaps this early lack of exposure is why President Trump appears to have such a weak understanding of how animals work.

Judging from his insults comparing people to dogs, for example, it appears Trump believes dogs often lose their jobs: Trump opponents fired like a dog include Omarosa Manigault Newman, Glenn Beck, Bill Maher, and General Stanley McChrystal. (Trump is, in a sense, correct that dogs have a high employment rate: In addition to the working group, made up of dozens of large canines bred for specific tasks, dogs do have actual jobs, like police officer, firefighter, and soldier.)

According to a forthcoming book  Sinking in the Swamp: How Trumps Minions and Misfits Poisoned Washington  Trump is also badger-curious, and used to pelt former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus about the official animal of his home state of Wisconsin:

theres a part of the book by @lachlan & me that probs wont get excerpted anywhere, but i have a soft spot for it: President Trump would repeatedly derail WH/policy conversations he was having w/ Reince Priebus to ask him if Wisconsin badgers were mean to people & what they ate  Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) February 12, 2020

Business Insider obtained a copy of Sinking in the Swamp and broke out a few more details: Trump would repeatedly waste Priebuss time in meetings by asking about how badgers work and if they are mean to people. The president also asked his chief of staff if he had any pictures of badgers he could show him, apparently unaware of the properties of his cellphone beyond his favorite app.

Trump also wanted to know if the badger had a personality or if it was boring, according to the authors. An obviously enthralled president would stare at Priebus as the aide struggled for sufficiently placating answers, all the while trying to gently veer the conversation back to whether we were going to do a troop surge in Afghanistan or strip millions of Americans of health-care coverage.

To be distracted from an important meeting with thoughts of a charismatic animal is perhaps the most relatable President Trump has ever been. And, to clarify, badgers do have strong personalities; theyre notoriously tidy, are occasionally friends with coyotes, like to go out at night, and are known to get a little twisted: In 2015, a female badger in Poland drank seven beers stolen from beachgoers and was passed out for two days straight. The American badger is not considered endangered or threatened  which is good news for the carnivorous mammal, considering the Trump administrations 2019 gutting of the Endangered Species Act.

This post has been updated to include that badgers are friends with coyotes sometimes.
Int'l travellers who test COVID positive at the airport will not be allowed to go to their destinations

No one dialled 100 in Kolkata on Tuesday

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Kolkata, Feb 13: On Tuesday the entire system that hosted the Number 100 in Kolkata was down. As a result of this, no one could dial the police helpline number 100 in Kolkata.

The system that hosted emergency numbers such as 100, 112, 1090 and 1091 went down on Tuesday. As a result of this, the Kolkata police sought the help of the media in circulating alternate landline numbers.

"The landline numbers of Lalbazar Control Room( including 100) is presently out of order due to some technical snag. Efforts are on to set things right at the earliest. Till such time the numbers get functional, please contact the Control Room at the following numbers: 9874903465, 9432610446, 9432610443, 9432624365, Senior Citizen Helpline: 9830088884, Medical Helpline: 9830079999," the Kolkata police said in a social media post for the benefit of the people.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

All the emergency helpline numbers are BSNL numbers and the police had no idea as to what went wrong. On Wednesday, the police held a meeting with the BSNL and urged them to restore the service as soon as possible.
More than 160 years after it elected a slave owner as its first bishop, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is launching a $13 million initiative aimed at healing individuals and communities directly injured by its history of racism.

The funding, which the diocese called unprecedented for a racial justice project, will go toward racial reconciliation projects and scholarships at a number of historically black colleges, seminaries and organizations in Texas. Some of it will underwrite work by the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit that established a lynching memorial in Alabama.

Its about mending the racial divide in our communities, said Bishop C. Andrew Doyle, head of the Texas diocese. Its about naming the past but moving forward together.

Doyle, who met with 38 representatives of historic black churches to invite their collaboration and support, said in an interview that the need for racial healing has become increasingly apparent during his ten years at the dioceses helm. He said that while many clergy and laypeople have spoken out against slavery and racism, other leaders have remained silent or even defended the system and white supremacy.

The Episcopal Church is among the nations least diverse, with 90 percent of members white and 4 percent black, according to the Pew Research Center. Only Methodists and Lutherans have a higher percentage of whites.

But Episcopal leaders increasingly have advocated for racial justice this millennium. In 2006, the denomination called for a commission to explore reparations. Last year, denominational leaders testified before Congress in support of the idea.

In 2015, the Rev. Michael Curry was elected as the national denominations top bishop, the first African American to hold the post. He said in a statement that the initiative took my breath away when he first read about it.

The initiative is the latest effort by a religious institution aimed at racial reconciliation: In 2017, the Reformed Theological Seminary unveiled a new scholarship program for African Americans. Last year, Princeton Theological Seminary pledged roughly $28 million in reparations for the schools roots in slavery  specifically, to change its curriculum and hire more researchers into the legacy of slavery.

At Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, a team of scholars in 2018 released a lengthy report on the legacy of slavery and racism in the history of the school, which is the faith groups most prominent training center for future ministers.

The Southern Baptist Convention was founded after splitting from its northern counterpart over support for slave-holding missionaries. Racial issues continue to persist in the faith group and are at the core of recent infighting within the convention.

Kyle J. Howard, a theologian who is outspoken about race issues, said he was encouraged by the initiatives undertaken by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and other religious institutions. But he also said more needs to be done to reconcile the centuries of economic inequality that is rooted in slavery.

When it comes to slavery, there are many Christian denominations that have not only sinned against an entire people group, but continue to benefit from the economic and social oppression of the black community, Howard said.

He added that schools should also prioritize hiring more diverse faculty  or they will likely becomes a base for assimilation and colonization rather than the diverse community they desire.

Doyle said he sympathized with Howards concerns. He added that the dioceses new initiative is only one step towards equality and healing.

Doyle noted that Alexander Gregg, the slave-owning first bishop of the Texas diocese, pushed for the church to remain loyal to Southern secessionists during the Civil War. He also noted that the dioceses first congregation, Christ Church in Matagorda, was built by slaves.

Recognizing such histories is imperative to creating a more just and equal society, said Doyle. He cautioned that some might dislike the initiative because of its focus on the past, but said that reconciling historical injustice is crucial to building a more just and equal future.

When we believe that God is big enough to mend the broken, we should not be afraid of naming truths that are part of our history, he said.  All of our futures are tied to our past. There isnt one future that is somehow disconnected from the story that got us here, and we must be willing to see the connectedness of the past to see how it shapes our future.

There is still a lot of institutional racism and a good measure of change is still needed, he added.

Initiative funding will go toward several scholarships at the Seminary of the Southwest; the Thomas Cain Fund for Historic Black Churches; the Henrietta Wells Scholarship Fund for Historically Black Colleges and Universities; the John and Joseph Talbot Fund for Racial Justice; and the Episcopal Health Foundation Congregational Engagement.

robert.downen@chron.com
Entertainment Chris Evans, Tom Hiddleston, Ewan McGregor And Hayden Christensen Lead Ace Comic Con Into Boston



12.02.2020 23:55:02 - Captain America, Loki, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker bring ACE Comic Con back to the Northeast for first 2020 stop at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) on March 20-21-22, 2020



(live-PR.com) - BOSTON  ACE Comic Con will return to the Northeast to open 2020, delivering some of the most popular stars from two of the biggest movie franchises in history. Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) as well as Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker) and Shameik Moore (Miles Morales, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), making their ACE debuts, - BOSTON  ACE Comic Con will return to the Northeast to open 2020, delivering some of the most popular stars from two of the biggest movie franchises in history. Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) as well as Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker) and Shameik Moore (Miles Morales, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), making their ACE debuts, will headline ACE Comic Con Northeast at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 20-21-22, 2020.



ACE Comic Con kicks off 2020 with their first trip back to the Northeast since its inaugural event in Long Island, New York in December 2017. ACE breaks new ground in Boston featuring industry leading talent and award winning actors, over 100 world-renowned comic book writers & artists and more than 175 hand-picked exhibitors and top-tier vendors. Live panel programming with the biggest celebrities, childrens activities and interactive exhibits will be featured throughout the three day event, all included with the purchase of a general admission ticket.



Additional guests include Matthew Wood (Star Wars), Tiya Sircar (Star Wars, The Good Place), and Taylor Gray (Star Wars) with more guests to be announced soon!



VIP Admissions, Photo Ops, Autographs, and General Admission tickets are available now at www.acecomiccon.com.



Its a new year, a new city, new world-class experiences, and a new star-studded line-up that only ACE can bring, says Stephen Shamus, ACE Universe President. Captain America and Loki have been preeminent forces in the MCU for the past 10 years and we are excited to celebrate their contributions. The new year will also feature two of Star Wars most beloved actors, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen! We are excited to continue building our first show of 2020 and bring these heroes to the ACE fans who love superheroes the way we do!"



We are continually looking for new ways to expand and bring the unique ACE experience to fans of these incredible franchises. says Gareb Shamus, ACE Universe CEO. It was a priority for us to bring ACE to new locations in 2020 and share these once-in-a-lifetime moments with new fans from around the world who want to spend the weekend with their favorite superheroes. We are so excited to introduce Boston to the ACE community."



ACE Comic Con Northeast comes off an incredible 2019 for the world-famous ACE Universe, capping off the year in the Midwest with a celebratory weekend that featured Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Holland (Spider-Man). ACEs second trip to the Midwest follows unforgettable weekends at ACE Comic Con Seattle, ACE Comic Con Arizona and ACE Comic Con Long Island, featuring global icons such as Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Zoe Saldana (Gamora, Neytiri), Josh Brolin (Thanos, Cable), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio), Stan Lee (Marvel), Kit Harington (Jon Snow) and many more.



Stay tuned as ACE Comic Con continues to announce additional guests, future dates, and cities. VIP and ticket information at www.acecomiccon.com, or visit ACE Comic Con on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For press enquiries or additional information please contact pr@aceuniverse.com.

will headline ACE Comic Con Northeast at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 20-21-22, 2020.ACE Comic Con kicks off 2020 with their first trip back to the Northeast since its inaugural event in Long Island, New York in December 2017. ACE breaks new ground in Boston featuring industry leading talent and award winning actors, over 100 world-renowned comic book writers & artists and more than 175 hand-picked exhibitors and top-tier vendors. Live panel programming with the biggest celebrities, childrens activities and interactive exhibits will be featured throughout the three day event, all included with the purchase of a general admission ticket.Additional guests include Matthew Wood (Star Wars), Tiya Sircar (Star Wars, The Good Place), and Taylor Gray (Star Wars) with more guests to be announced soon!VIP Admissions, Photo Ops, Autographs, and General Admission tickets are available now at www.acecomiccon.com.Its a new year, a new city, new world-class experiences, and a new star-studded line-up that only ACE can bring, says Stephen Shamus, ACE Universe President. Captain America and Loki have been preeminent forces in the MCU for the past 10 years and we are excited to celebrate their contributions. The new year will also feature two of Star Wars most beloved actors, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen! We are excited to continue building our first show of 2020 and bring these heroes to the ACE fans who love superheroes the way we do!"We are continually looking for new ways to expand and bring the unique ACE experience to fans of these incredible franchises. says Gareb Shamus, ACE Universe CEO. It was a priority for us to bring ACE to new locations in 2020 and share these once-in-a-lifetime moments with new fans from around the world who want to spend the weekend with their favorite superheroes. We are so excited to introduce Boston to the ACE community."ACE Comic Con Northeast comes off an incredible 2019 for the world-famous ACE Universe, capping off the year in the Midwest with a celebratory weekend that featured Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Holland (Spider-Man). ACEs second trip to the Midwest follows unforgettable weekends at ACE Comic Con Seattle, ACE Comic Con Arizona and ACE Comic Con Long Island, featuring global icons such as Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Zoe Saldana (Gamora, Neytiri), Josh Brolin (Thanos, Cable), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Jake Gyllenhaal (Mysterio), Stan Lee (Marvel), Kit Harington (Jon Snow) and many more.Stay tuned as ACE Comic Con continues to announce additional guests, future dates, and cities. VIP and ticket information at www.acecomiccon.com, or visit ACE Comic Con on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For press enquiries or additional information please contact pr@aceuniverse.com. Press Information:

ACE Universe







Contact Person:





eMail: eMail



Web: http://www.acecomiccon.com





12.02.2020 23:55:02 -

Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party.
This is the hilarious moment a macaque monkey kicks and nibbles a woman on her visit to a Malaysian park.

In the newly-shared clip, the cheeky creature can be seen perched on railings next to the woman in Mangrove Park, Perak, Malaysia on January 29.

The monkey then swings round so it can walk along behind the woman who is posing for a video.

This is the hilarious moment a monkey kicks a woman on her visit to a park in Perak, Malaysia

In the clip, the adorable creature pulls her arm close to its face and begins to nibble on her shirt. The woman pulls away but the monkey keeps a vice-like grip on her

As the woman glances towards the camera with a look of concern, the monkey picks up its leg and places it on the woman's shoulder.

The macaque puts its arm on hers for balance as it lifts its other leg up and starts kicking her.

They woman screams and moves away as an onlooker laughs in the background.

The macaque lifts its back leg up and starts kicking her (left). After the woman moves away, the monkey moves back towards her and nibbles on her shirt (right)

The macaque monkey then sits down next to her and reaches out to grab her arm

The clip starts with the monkey perched on railings by the woman in Mangrove Park, Perak, Malaysia. The monkey swings round and walks behind the visitor who is posing for a video

WHAT ARE SOUTHERN PIG-TAILED MACAQUES? The Southern pig-tailed macaque is native to Indonesia, Malaysia and southern Thailand. Locally, it is known as the 'beruk'. Males of the species can reach up to 1133 pounds (515 kg) in weight. They eat fruits, seeds, berries and rats, which are considered major pests in oil palm plantations. Advertisement

The monkey then walks back towards the woman who glances at it, waiting to see what its next move will be.

The animal sits down next to her and reaches out to grab her arm.

Thinking that she has the creature back on her side, the woman nods towards the camera.

But the money pulls her arm close to its face and begins to nibble on her shirt.

The shocked woman objects and pulls away but the monkey keeps a vice-like grip on her.

Eventually, the macaque lets go and sits back as the woman inspects the damage.
At this point in his career, with restaurants in Center City and Vegas and the chefs role at the private Fitler Club, Marc Vetri can do anything he darn well pleases. And if it pleases him to convert a century-old Italian Market butcher shop into a 14-seat pasta bar open four nights a week, then thats just what hell do.

Just before dusk Feb. 13, he flips the neon switch on the homespun Fiorella at 817 Christian St. in Bella Vista, borrowing not only the Fiorella family name but its sausage recipe, used in the rigatoni.

Now for the set-up at Fiorella: This is not intended as some fancy evening out. It may be just a mile from his Vetri Cucina in Center City, but this is a world away.

There are no reservations. You get your seat, you order, you eat an app and a pasta, you drink your wine, your beer, or your tap cocktail, and you skedaddle  all in like a half-hour, according to plan. If theres a wait, leave your cell number and take a walk on Ninth Street.

Counter seating means you get to kibitz with chef Matt Rodrigue, a Maine native who moved here in 2003 to teach history at the George School in Bucks County and became so enthralled with the restaurant life that he changed careers  first to waiter and then to kitchen.

Menu is printed on a roll of butcher paper behind the counter: four antipasti ($12 to $18), six pastas ($17 to $22), and two desserts. Its homey stuff. Initially, theyve been playing with fried calamari in saor, pork terrine with pickles, fazzoletto (the handkerchief pasta) with an almond pesto, baccala agnolotti in brodo, ricotta gnocchi with fried leeks, and casoncelli alla bergamasca with sage and pancetta.

As for the atmosphere: Vetri and crew kept the buildings bones  better watch what I say, since it was a butcher shop  and a few original antiques. Luigi Fiorellas floor scale from 1892 had to stay, as did the walk-in refrigerator.

Vetri added a magnificent purple Venetian chandelier to dance lights off the original tin ceiling. It was shipped over from his buddy Marco Rossis former restaurant LOsteria Marcorossi in Paladina.

The circa-1901 cash register with the Luigi Fiorella nameplate behind the new, white marble counter? Also original. Funny story: Back in May, shortly after Dan and Trisha Fiorella sold his great-grandfathers building, Dan stopped in for a meeting with Vetri and noticed that the cash register was gone. Grew legs, apparently.

Vetri sounded the alarm on social media, and two men found the register at an antiques shop in Northeast Philadelphia. Vetri got it back, and stashed it at his house, where his kids have been playing with it for the last nine months. It works perfectly.

When the point-of-sale techs stopped at Fiorella last week and hooked up the credit-card swiper, they asked where to put the computerized cash drawer. No, Vetri told them, firmly, pointing to the brass beast. Were using this for cash.

Vetri got the pasta bar idea a few years ago as the fast-casual scene began heating up. But these joints sold precooked noodles. While working at the demo kitchen upstairs at Vetri Cucina, he figured that he could turn out made-to-order dishes in 3 minutes. A pop-up there confirmed it.

Fiorella is open 5 p.m. to whenever Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. to whenever Saturday ad Sunday. Vetri plans to host special events  chef takeovers, wine dinners, pop-up farmers markets  on off days. Phone: 215-305-9222.

More views here.
A new survey has shown that only 34 per cent of Nigerians use condoms for sex.

The survey, titled Condom accessibility and use in Nigeria was carried out by NOIpolls, in partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF).

The survey was released to mark the International Condom Day (ICD), which is observed annually on February 13 through Valentines Day, February 14, to promote safer sex awareness, by encouraging people to use condoms.

Announcing the result in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Director of NOIpolls, Chike Nwangwu, said though 83 per cent of Nigerians believe that condoms should be used, only 34 per cent agree that they actually use condoms.

The findings showed that 92 per cent of Nigerians know about condoms, while 62 per cent perceive that condom is used for sexual pleasure, which is the measure that comes to their mind when they see or hear about condom.

82 per cent of Nigerians find it easy to purchase condom, 10 per cent find it fairly easy, which makes it a total of 92 per cent, who find it easy to purchase a condom, he said.

He said only 26 per cent use condoms for protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Mr Nwangwu said the survey was done using questionnaires and was translated into the four major Nigeria languages; Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.

He said some of the questions were open-ended and allowed for multiple choice that will give people room for them to express what they want.

NOIPolls is a country-specific polling service in the West African region, in technical partnership with Gallup (USA) to develop opinion research in Nigeria.

Share Love, not HIV

In his remarks, the Director General of NACA, Gambo Aliyu, said the result of the survey would enable the government identify gaps and how to bridge them in tackling HIV/AIDS.

He applauded the AHF and NOI for doing a significant job despite the difficulties attached to asking questions around sexual activities.

He also said the agency encouraged people to stay away from risk taking, especially at this period of valentine.

We encourage people to share love and not share HIV. That is why we promote the use of preventive measures to reduce HIV transmission. It is our target by UNAIDS globally, he said.

Mr Aliyu noted that the awareness creation on the use of condom is not to promote promiscuity among Nigerians.

We are not promoting promiscuity, we are promoting prevention, morality and we want people to be responsible.

We encourage people to be responsible but in the process HIV prevention is very key and should be put under control within the shortest time possible.

So all hands must be on deck, to put HIV under control and ensure it is not a threat to our national security, health and productivity, he said.

Bridging condom gap

AHF, a Non Governmental Organisation, said it will be distributing over 250,000 free condoms to mark the 2020 ICD.

This is part of its effort to bridge Nigerias annual condom gap of about 600 million, he said.

The Country Programme Director, AHF-Nigeria, Echey Ijezie, said the organisation has so far donated over eight million free condoms nationwide since 2011.

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Recently we made it clear in conversation with NACA that Nigeria can further benefit from the AHF Condom Bank in bridging the Nations condom deficits.

Getting free condoms to people who need them has always been a priority for AHF, and were stepping up our advocacy even more around the world in 2020 to help break down barriers to access.

Consequently condoms remain the most cost-effective option we have for preventing HIV, STIs and unplanned pregnancies, he said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Two Northeast Ohio murder investigations solved by forensics will be featured in cable true-crime shows premiering within a few days of each other.

After eight years of reruns, the rebooted Forensic Files returns under the title Forensic Files II with back-to-back episodes at 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, on HLN (CNN Headline News). Narrated by actor Bill Camp (Dark Waters, Joker), the first of these half-hour episodes, Buried Secrets, will follow the police investigation that led to the conviction of a Summit County man for strangling his 24-year-old pregnant wife.

How to watch both shows:

Cable/satellite: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast / Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish.

Live stream options: If you dont have cable, you can watch the two shows for free on Fubo (free trial) and Hulu.

Scott Purk was sentenced to life in prison in November 2015 for murdering Margaret Purk in March 1985. He already was serving a 28-year sentence in an unrelated 2010 arson conviction, which led to the reopening of the investigation into his wifes death.

The jury found Purk guilty of killing his wife at the Timber Top apartment complex in Akron, staging the scene to make it look like a suicide by hanging. Detective Ken Mifflin, the Stow police sergeant who was the lead investigator on the case, is featured throughout the episode.

The August 2017 murder of Lakewood resident Maurice Goins is the subject of an episode of Investigation Discoverys The Murder Tapes airing at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. Police conducted a welfare check on Goins, who hadnt been seen or heard from in a week. Body camera footage used in the episode reveals what they found: Goins stabbed to death in his bedroom.

Forensic investigators rushed to the scene and detectives began interviews for possible leads, but with no reliable witnesses, the case went cold for 10 months. A tip from an informant led the Lakewood police to a suspect, and, in February 2019, Charles Muscatello, who court records said was homeless, was given a life sentence for killing Goins and stealing his TV.

Muscatello had pleaded guilty to charges of murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Goins, 53, worked at Boston Market in Lakewood and lived in apartment building on Madison Avenue near West 117th Street, according to court records.

Recent TV stories by Mark Dawidziak:

Edie Falcos Tommy features Northeast Ohio actors Michael Chernus and Russell G. Jones

Terry Jones brought many gifts, including Spam, to the Monty Python lunacy machine

Curb Your Enthusiasm writer-producer from Ohio talks about shows 10th season

Star Trek: Picard is slow-building, but Patrick Stewart is stellar

Netflixs much-debated Dracula is latest in long TV bloodline

Midseason still means a January blizzard of new and returning TV shows

Growing number of devoted fans being drawn to Evil
New research study will analyze dried blood spots recorded from California newborns for 1,000 different molecules and chemicals; their tell-tale presence might predict autism risk years before symptoms appear, prompting early treatment and perhaps prevent

Within days of birth, a few drops of blood are collected from every newborn in California--and across the United States -- which are then stored on filter paper and screened for dozens of genetic and congenital disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited metabolic disorder that can result in intellectual disability, seizures, heart and behavioral problems.

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have launched a Phase II research study to look for signs of another similarly devastating disorder, one that typically does not appear in seemingly healthy children until years later: autism spectrum disorder or ASD.

The UC San Diego Newborn Screening-Autism Risk Study is designed to determine whether the dried and stored blood drops of children later diagnosed with ASD contain within them the tell-tale presence and combinations of biological molecules and environmental chemicals that might predict the risk of a future ASD diagnosis.

"We know from the history of certain genetic diseases, such as PKU, that if children can be identified before the first symptoms have appeared, then the disease can be prevented, even though the children have the DNA mutations," said Principal Investigator Robert Naviaux, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, pediatrics and pathology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "I believe that over half of autism cases may be preventable if only we had a way to identify the children at risk before the first symptoms appear."

Naviaux said the new study is important for two reasons: the dramatic rise in diagnosed cases of ASD and increasing evidence that early intervention in children at risk of ASD can significantly improve outcomes.

The prevalence of ASD has risen from 20 in 100,000 births in the 1970s to 1,700 in 100,000 in 2014, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- an 84-times increase. Approximately one in 59 children is diagnosed with ASD. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other government agencies indicate autism diagnoses are increasing at the rate of 10 to 17 percent per year.

Changes in diagnostic criteria and reporting practices account for 60 percent of the rise, at most, according to previously published research. "This means that even by the most conservative estimates, the prevalence of ASD has increased at least 34 times," said Naviaux. The overarching question for Naviaux and others is why? Is it genetics? The environment?

"Our genes have not changed significantly in the past 50 years," said Naviaux. Single gene mutations play a causal role in approximately 10 percent of ASD cases. The vast majority of ASD cases are idiopathic or of unknown cause, most likely the result of a combination of genes, environmental factors or something yet to be identified.

"More than 1,000 genes can contribute to the risk and resistance a child has to ASD, but more than 95 percent of these genes are common variations also present in asymptomatic parents and children who don't have ASD," Naviaux said. "A clue to how the genetics of ASD is misinterpreted is the fact that many of the genes that contribute to ASD are the same genes that contribute to other disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar depression. In most cases, DNA only sets what is possible, not what is destined."

The new Phase II study will focus on exposure and possible roles of chemicals and compounds (detected in blood) and how they might interact with genes. Researchers will use a blood test developed in Naviaux's lab to analyze the presence of more than 600 metabolites --typically small molecules produced by metabolism, the life-sustaining chemical reactions in all organisms. Metabolites from amino acids and antioxidants to vitamins and lipids serve diverse, crucial functions, including as fuel, signal carriers, structure providers, defenders and regulators among them.

Earlier research by Naviaux and others has found that persons with ASD appear to have a shared "metabolic signature." That is, their biological chemistry is comparable, though their genetics are unique.

Testing will also look at more than 400 environmental chemicals in each dried blood drop. Exposure to these chemicals, such as commonly used pesticides, flame retardants, air pollutants, lead, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, has been linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD.

Naviaux and colleagues believe that the majority of ASD symptoms are the result of a treatable metabolic syndrome triggered by persistence activation of the cell danger response (CDR), a natural and universal cellular reaction to injury or stress. Chronic CDR, they suggest, results in disrupted and incomplete healing at the metabolic and cellular levels. In ASD, the consequence may be dysfunctional neural circuits and internal systems, producing autism's well-documented symptoms and behaviors.

"Metabolism is the real-time result of our genes interacting with the environment," said Naviaux. "Environmental chemical or biotoxin exposures --the 'exposome' -- at critical developmental windows can produce delayed effects that become apparent only after months or years. By measuring metabolism and the exposome, it may be possible to identify children at risk for developing autism before the first behavioral symptoms appear."

The study seeks 400 participants between the ages of three and 10 years old, meeting these requirements:

Born in California

Have a confirmed diagnosis of ASD from a licensed clinician or be a healthy child not taking any prescription medications (200 participants from each group)

Born after a normal term pregnancy of 37 to 42 weeks

Have not had a medical issue that required readmission to the hospital in the first month of life

The study requires parents of participating children to answer questionnaires covering pregnancy, labor and delivery, the child's health history and that of the family. Consented analyses will be conducted of dried blood drops recorded as part of California's Newborn Screening program, which began in 1966 and now screens for 80 different genetic and congenital disorders. Blood spots have been saved and stored by the California Department of Public Health since 1982. No new blood tests or behavioral testing will be required for the Phase II study.

Naviaux said he hopes to screen and enroll the full complement of participants by June 2020. Analyses of the identified and retrieved blood spots is expected to be complete by June 2021.

"We then hope to expand the testing program to states like New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington by enlisting collaborators in each of those states who will be able to apply the new methods we have developed.

"Each new state has slightly different policies and regulations regarding the collection and storage of dried blood spots from universal newborn screening programs, so this medium-scale expansion study will teach us what will be needed to launch a national study."

###

For more information on the study or to apply for enrollment, see the study web site or contact Rachel Riggs at rriggs@health.ucsd.edu or 619-884-8021.
Cases in the UK:

Newcastle: Two Chinese nationals who came to the UK with coronavirus and fell ill while at a hotel in York. One was a student in the city and the other was his mother. They were the first two cases on British soil and were confirmed on January 31. They were treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and have since been released.

Steve Walsh: The first British coronavirus victim became known as a super-spreader. He picked up the virus in Singapore and flew for a ski break in France afterwards where he appears to have infected at least 11 people. He was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London from Brighton on February 6  but was released on February 12 after recovering.

Dr Catriona Saynor, who went on holiday with Mr Walsh and her husband, Bob, and their three children, is thought to be the fourth patient in the UK diagnosed with coronavirus. Her husband and nine-year-old son were also diagnosed but remained in France. She was taken to a hospital in London on February 9 from Brighton. She was thought to be at the Royal Free in Camden, but has since been released.

Three more people in Brighton were diagnosed and were all 'known contacts' of the super-spreader and are thought to have stayed in the same French resort. One is known to be an A&E doctor and is believed to have worked at Worthing Hospital. Another attended a bus conference in Westminster on February 6. They were all treated in London and have now been sent home.

London: The first case of the coronavirus in London brought the total number of cases in the UK to nine. The woman was diagnosed on February 12, after going to A&E in an Uber. She was then taken to St Thomas' Hospital. She is thought to have flown into the UK from China the weekend before, with officials confirming she caught the virus there.

Merseyside: Four out of 32 people who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan were diagnosed with the virus when they got home, on Sunday February 23. They are thought to have been taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which is close to Arrowe Park Hospital where the other 28 passengers are in quarantine.

Two more cases: Department of Health officials confirmed two more cases on February 27 in travellers who returned to Britain from Tenerife and Italy. No further details were given.

Derbyshire: Mother from Buxton thought to have picked it up in Tenerife. She is believed to be the parent of a child at Burbage Primary School in Buxton, which closed after news of her diagnosis. It was confirmed on February 27.

Surrey: A man is thought to have tested positive after returning from a trip to Milan. The case was also announced on February 27.

Northern Ireland: A woman who travelled to NI from northern Italy via Dublin. The case was the first in NI and was announced on the night of February 27.

Wales: Its first case is thought to be a patient with links to Swansea. It was announced on February 28 but details are scarce.

Total confirmed on UK soil: 19

British expats and holidaymakers outside the UK and where they are being cared for:

Majorca: A British father-of-two who stayed in the French ski resort with Steve Walsh tested positive after returning to his home in Majorca. His wife and children were not ill.

France: Five people who were in the chalet with the super-spreader. These include the chalet's owner, environmental consultant Bob Saynor, 48, and his nine-year-old son. They were all in a French hospital with three unnamed others. Another Brit who stayed at a chalet in the Les Contamines-Montjoie resort tested positive on February 15.

Japan: Alan Steele, a British man on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at a port in Japan, tested positive for coronavirus. Mr Steele, of Wolverhampton, posted on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with the virus. He was on his honeymoon. Three more Britons  including David and Sally Abel  have since tested positive for on a quarantined cruise ship.

Total: Eleven
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Karo Regency, North Sumatra  Thu, February 13, 2020 17:10 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206459ff8 1 National prison-riot,Karo,North-Sumatra,riot,correctional-facility,penitentiary,suspect Free

Police named 20 inmates suspects on Thursday following a prison riot that culminated in a large-scale case of arson that damaged most parts of the Kabanjahe Penitentiary in Karo regency, North Sumatra, a day earlier.

Karo Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Benny Hutajulu said the police made arrests after questioning witnesses during the investigation. The inmates face charges under Article 170 of the Criminal Code on group violence, which carries a maximum penalty of five-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Some of them vandalized and set things on fire, while others provoked anger [among fellow inmates], Benny told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He added the suspects were detained at the Karo Police headquarters for further questioning.

The situation at Kabanjahe Penitentiary has since returned to normal, with a number of inmates having been relocated to other correctional facilities in several regencies and cities across North Sumatra in the early hours of Thursday.

Some were moved to Binjai, Sidikalang, Langkat, and Tanjung Gusta in Medan, Benny said.

Read also: Indonesian prisons bursting at the seams

North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Martuani Sormin previously said on Wednesday that 268 inmates were to be relocated pending a court ruling, while 142 others were to stay at the Karo Police headquarters in the wake of the riot.

The 142 prisoners were due to be returned to Kabanjahe in two to three days, he said.

We will immediately repair the damaged prison cells, so the 142 prisoners who are still awaiting a court ruling may be able to return to their designated cells, Martuani said.

He went on to say that the riot, which damaged 75 percent of Kabanjahe Penitentiary, was incited by inmates who had rebelled against disciplinary action from prison guards. Many other prisoners eventually joined and fought the authorities out of solidarity, resulting in a full-blown riot, Martuani said. (rfa)
The uniform color and composition of Arrokoths surface shows the Kuiper Belt object formed from a small, uniform, cloud of material in the solar nebula, rather than a mishmash of matter from more separated parts of the nebula. The former supports the idea that Arrokoth formed in a local collapse of a cloud in the solar nebula.

A NASA probe's epic encounter with a small body in the far outer solar system is telling us a lot about how planets are born.

On Jan. 1, 2019, the New Horizons spacecraft zoomed within just 2,200 miles (3,540 kilometers) of Arrokoth, a 22-mile-wide (36 kilometers) object in the Kuiper Belt, the ring of frigid bodies beyond Neptune's orbit.

It was the most distant planetary flyby in the history of spaceflight. Arrokoth lies 4.1 billion miles (6.6 billion km) from Earth  about 1 billion miles (1.6 billion km) farther away than Pluto, which New Horizons cruised past in July 2015.

Related: New Horizons' Arrokoth flyby in pictures

New Horizons found Arrokoth to be a suitably exotic denizen of this far-off realm, as the mission team reported last May in a study in the journal Science detailing the flyby's initial science returns . The probe's observations revealed a remarkably red object composed of two distinct lobes, both of which are surprisingly flattened. Arrokoth thus looks like a space snowman , albeit one that's been beaten and bloodied.

That snowman shape indicates that Arrokoth formed via a merger of two separate objects, and that this coalescence happened very long ago, back when impact speeds in the outer solar system were quite low. (Collisions in the modern Kuiper Belt are too violent to produce an object with lobes as distinct and undamaged as Arrokoth's, New Horizons team members have said.)

So, Arrokoth is a primordial body  a planetary building block, or planetesimal , left over from the solar system's very early days. And each of its two lobes apparently came together in the same swirling, gravitationally collapsing cloud of dust and gas in the Kuiper Belt, far from the newborn sun, the researchers wrote in the May 2019 study.

That initial interpretation has stood the test of time, it turns out.

The mission team published three new Arrokoth papers online today (Feb. 13) in Science, reporting analyses of 10 times more flyby data than was at hand during the writing of last year's study. (It takes a while for New Horizons to beam big datasets home.) The new studies largely confirm and extend the original conclusions about Arrokoth, and they nail down the distant object's origin story.

"Arrokoth has told us how planetesimals form, and therefore made a major advance in our understanding of planet formation," New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern, a co-author of all three new studies, told Space.com. "It is very decisive."

Related: Destination Pluto: NASA's New Horizons mission in pictures

Two formation possibilities

Arrokoth's "cloud collapse" birth was far from a given. There's a prominent competing theory about planetesimal formation called "hierarchical accretion," which posits that the planetary building blocks are built up over time by high-speed collisions of objects from various locales.

Hierarchical accretion is actually the more venerable idea, dating back 70 years or so, Stern said, whereas cloud collapse (also known as "pebble accretion") was devised just at the beginning of this century.

There has been considerable debate between advocates of the two theories over the past two decades. But the three new papers show convincingly how Arrokoth was born, said Stern, who's based at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Boulder, Colorado.

"With Arrokoth, there are half a dozen lines of evidence that all point to cloud collapse, and you can't explain them with hierarchical accretion," he said.

Perhaps the strongest such evidence is provided by the object's shape. As discussed above, the relatively intact nature of the two lobes implies a very gentle collision, not a high-speed wreck.

In one of the new papers , researchers led by William McKinnon of Washington University in St. Louis performed detailed modeling of that long-ago merger. These simulations indicated that the two lobes likely formed from the same cloud of material, became a co-orbiting binary object and finally came together in a slow and non-destructive fashion. Indeed, the models peg the collision's maximum speed at around 9 mph (15 km/h), and it may have been considerably less than that.

This scenario is further bolstered by the geometric alignment of Arrokoth's two lobes, which strongly suggests that the duo orbited the same center of mass (when they were separate, free-flying objects), the scientists wrote.

This brief animation moves between two New Horizons spacecraft views of Arrokoth, the spacecraft's New Year's 2019 flyby target in the Kuiper Belt. The 3D effects come from pairing or combining images taken at different viewing angles, creating a "binocular" stereo effect, just as the separation of our eyes allows us to see three-dimensionally. The 3D information from these images provides scientists with critical insight on the object's shape and structure and, subsequently, origin. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute/Roman Tkachenko)

Another of the new studies , led by SwRI's John Spencer, digs into the geology and geophysics of Arrokoth, which also point to a cloud-collapse origin. For example, the density of craters on Arrokoth indicates that the object is ancient, with a surface at least 4 billion years old. And, like McKinnon and his team, Spencer et al. found a close alignment of the two lobes, whose poles and equators are geometrically in synch. (They also determined, among other interesting finds, that the lobes aren't quite as flattened as originally believed.)

In the third paper , Will Grundy of Lowell Observatory and Northern Arizona University and his colleagues investigated Arrokoth's composition. They found that the object (which was previously known officially as 2014 MU69, and unofficially as Ultima Thule) is cold and extremely red, with methanol ice and carbon-containing organic materials on its mostly homogeneous surface. These complex organics are probably responsible for the object's red hue, the researchers wrote. (New Horizons didn't spot any water ice, but this material may still be on Arrokoth, lurking out of sight.)

This overall picture is also consistent with a cloud-collapse birth, mission team members said. For instance, the compositional similarity of the two lobes suggests they formed from the same starter material.

Related: New Horizons' historic flyby of Ultima Thule: full coverage

Born from a cloud

Stern and his fellow New Horizons team members aren't the only ones who find all this evidence convincing.

"To me, the observations of Arrokoth show that planetesimals form from collapsing clouds of pebbles," Anders Johansen, an astronomy professor at Lund University in Sweden, told Space.com via email.

"The mechanism that gathers the pebbles into such clouds to begin with is called the streaming instability," added Johansen, who was not involved in the three new studies. "It is amazing to see how Arrokoth resembles the planetesimals that we form in computer simulations of the streaming instability. So, I would say that these observations of Arrokoth provide a window to look into how planetesimals formed in the solar system more than 4.5 billion years ago."

This window could let in a great deal of light, according to Stern. He cited as a comparison the vigorous debate about the universe's origins that stretched from the 1940s through the mid-1960s. Some researchers argued for the "steady state" theory, others pushed the "constant creation" model and a third group backed the Big Bang , Stern said.

"They battled it out and battled it out and battled it out; nobody could tell who was right. And then, [Arno] Penzias and [Robert] Wilson stumbled onto the cosmic microwave background [in 1964] and settled it," he said. "Two of the three went into the dustbin, and the Big Bang has been paradigm ever since. This is equivalent in planetary science."

Johansen as well sees extension of the newly announced results beyond just Arrokoth's birth.

"In the 'pebble accretion' theory, the formation of planets happens as the largest planetesimals continue to grow by accreting pebbles," he said. "So, the fact that Arrokoth formed from a pebble cloud could mean that the solid cores of the giant planets  Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune  formed from large planetesimals that continued to accrete pebbles. And maybe even the terrestrial planets in the solar system owe their existence to pebble accretion."

There's one notable caveat to such talk of broader applications: Arrokoth must be representative of most if not all planetesimals, and not some one-off weirdo. But this condition is likely to be met. After all, Arrokoth is similar to other Kuiper Belt objects in size, color and reflectivity, Stern said. And the odds are slim that New Horizons would randomly sample an atypical cosmic body.

Still going strong

New Horizons launched in January 2006 to give humanity its first up-close looks at Pluto, which had remained mysterious since its 1930 discovery. The probe aced that primary mission, returning imagery of the dwarf planet that revealed it to be a stunningly complex and diverse world .

The Arrokoth encounter is the centerpiece of New Horizons' current extended mission, which runs through 2021. But the probe may well have another flyby in its future .

New Horizons remains in great shape and has sufficient fuel to conduct another encounter, if the right object is found (and NASA approves another mission extension), Stern said. And, this summer, the mission team will begin a concerted search for potential future flyby targets, using the Subaru telescope in Hawaii and the Magellan and Gemini South telescopes in Chile.

There's no guarantee that this search will be successful, Stern stressed.

"It took us four years to find Arrokoth, so I'm not promising anything," he said. "But if you don't swing the bat, you can't hit the ball."

Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, " Out There " (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate ), is out now. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook .
The Derry Girls show and Derry-born journalist Tony Connelly have both been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The Channel 4 sitcom, written by local woman Lisa McGee, has been shortlisted for the 26th Christopher Ewart-Biggs Literary Prize, in memory of the British ambassador to Ireland who was murdered by the IRA in 1976.

Tony Connelly is also on the shortlist for a Christopher Ewart-Biggs award for his book Brexit and Ireland.

The prize, worth 7,500, will be announced in late April in Dublin.

It is for works which promote peace and reconciliation in Ireland, a greater understanding between the peoples of Britain and Ireland, or closer co-operation in the European Union, the ideals which inspired Ewart-Biggs and to which his widow Jane subsequently dedicated herself.

Among the four other entries shortlisted are the Man Booker Prize winning novel Milkman by Anna Burns, about a young woman being stalked by a paramilitary in an un-named city that is recognisably Belfast, and Country by Michael Hughes, a modern reimagining of the Iliad set along the Border.

Also shortlisted is New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefes account of the 1972 IRA murder and secret burial of widow Jean McConville, Say Nothing: a true story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland, which won the 2019 Orwell Prize for Political Writing.

Sam McBride is shortlisted for his book, Burned: the inside story of the cash-for-ash scandal.

A separate Ewart-Biggs prize, also of 7,500, will be awarded this year to a work dealing with the implications of Brexit for Ireland, Britain and Europe.

As well as two acclaimed books  Kevin ORourkes A Short History of Brexit: from Brentry to Backstop and Fintan OTooles Heroic Failure: Brexit and the politics of pain  academic Katy Hayward has been shortlisted for her Twitter account @hayward_katy on which she provides her own political and sociological account of the Brexit process as it unfolds, as well as curating an up-to-date link to a range of work by other authorities.

Speaking for the judges, Prof Roy Foster said: The sheer range and variety of commentary about Ireland (north and south) over the past two years has been enormous and in many cases vitalising  reflecting, I suppose, the fall-out of Brexit as well as the suspension of Stormont and much else. We wanted to recognise this, which is why we decided to give a separate prize for commentary on Brexit.

We have always paid close attention to journalism in drawing up the shortlist and this time also wanted to take account of the fact that commentary now takes many forms, including social media. Thus we were particularly struck by the way that incisive authorities like Katy Hayward were projecting their analysis into the public conversation via Twitter and other means.

By the same token, the prize has always included drama and television in its remit, and it it seemed important to recognise the serious intent and close social observation behind a comedy series like Derry Girls, hilarious as it is. Work like this sits logically with more conventional works of history and fiction, keeping up the prizes tradition of recognising a variety of modes of expression which help to increase understanding.


Sony took a few months to prepare the release of Android 10 for its latest set of smartphones. Apparently, it did not take long enough as people have been complaining of experiencing a multitude of bugs. The situation is so dire that Sony has ceased the rollout of Google's latest OS to the likes of the Xperia XZ2 and XZ3.

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Sony angered fans when it announced the official update plan for its Xperia smartphones in November, with the company dropping support for the XZ1 series. It has been able to meet its schedule though, unlike some OEMs. Android 10 should bring some long-awaited features to Xperia handsets like a system-wide dark mode, improved notification management and an improved power-saving mode, among other changes. Unfortunately, the OS upgrade seems to have introduced a lot of bugs, especially for the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ3.

Reports of crippling bugs have been piling up on Reddit and the official Sony Xperia Support Forum since the rollout began. According to multiple reports, people have been experiencing fingerprint sensors slowing down, non-functional "Google System Update" apps appearing on the home screen, Google Play Store crashes, Android Auto connection issues and non-functional camera apps. There have been general performance and battery issues, too.
A exhibition by journalist Firas Abdullah has shown the horrors of the siege that was imposed on eastern Ghouta reports Zaman Al Wasl.

A photo exhibition by Syrian journalist Firas Abdullah took place in Paris last Thursday, delivering a powerful testimony of the Syrian horror during the nine-year-old war.

The exhibition includes a selection of photos taken in Ghoutas suburbs, the eastern enclave of Damascus that endured a severe siege and brutal bombardment.

Eastern Ghouta was the scene of the first major protests against the rule of Bashar al-Assad in the capital.

The fall of eastern Ghouta in April 2018 was achieved in a brutal fashion and changed the course of the war.

More than 1,700 civilians were reportedly killed during the eight-week offensive.

The exhibition was held under the patronage of the 2nd arrondissement of Paris.

According to Le Diair, Abdullah, 27, was born in the city of Douma in eastern Ghouta. He is now a refugee in France. Before finding refuge in France, he tried to follow an engineering course at the University of Damascus where he enrolled in 2013, but he had to give up very quickly because even before the siege of the city, access to the university was impossible.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said he is "outraged'' by the U.N.'s publication of a list of companies accused of violating Palestinian human rights by operating in Israel's West Bank settlements.

In a statement, Pompeo said the list supports a Palestinian-led boycott movement and "delegitimizes'' Israel. He urged other countries to join the U.S. in rejecting the effort.

"The United States has long opposed the creation or release of this database,'' Pompeo said. "Its publication only confirms the unrelenting anti-Israel bias so prevalent at the United Nations.''

The database, released Wednesday after years of delays, listed 112 companies that the U.N. human rights office said are complicit in rights violations by bolstering Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

The list is dominated by Israeli companies, including major banks, construction companies, supermarkets and gas stations. But it also includes a number of global brands, including American firms Airbnb, General Mills and Motorola Solutions.

The Palestinians seek the West Bank and east Jerusalem _ captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war _ as parts of an independent state, and the vast majority of the world considers Israeli settlements to be illegal.

President Donald Trump, however, has taken a more lenient position, tolerating continued Israeli settlement construction and releasing a Mideast plan last month that envisions giving Israel permanent control over all of its settlements.

The U.N. list does not impose any penalties on the companies or accuse them of acting illegally. Instead, it appears to be aimed at pressuring them into changing their business practices by drawing negative attention to their ties to a contentious Israeli policy.

Israel denounced the list and accused the U.N. rights office of collaborating with the boycott movement in compiling the names.

The BDS movement promotes boycotts, sanctions and divestment against Israel in a nonviolent campaign that it says is aimed at defending Palestinian rights.

Israel says the movement seeks the country's destruction and accuses it of anti-Semitism _ a charge that BDS leaders vociferously reject.

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The Hanoi leader made the statement at the reception for Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera on February 13.

Some prominent activities are the Cuban Cultural Days held at King Ly Thai To Statue Square in Hoan Kiem district and the construction of a mosaic picture on Yen Phu ceramic street to promote the Vietnam-Cuba relationship.

Chairman Chung affirmed that the city authorities are willing to support celebrations of the diplomatic ties and proposed the organisation of a photo exhibition showcasing images on the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

The Cuban Ambassador said that Hanoi will be the primary location to hold activities in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic ties (December 2, 1960-2020).

She noted that the mosaic picture, which is the proposal of the Cuban side, is expected to be inaugurated in late 2020 in the presence of senior Cuban and Hanoi officials.
A 100-year-old Italian man was told his parents must confirm his identity if he wants to stay in the UK after Brexit.

Giovanni Palmiero, who has lived in London since 1966, went to an advice centre in Islington, north London, to apply for settled status.

But when a volunteer scanned his passport using the Home Office EU settled status app, it misinterpreted his birth year to be 2019 instead of 1919.

An apparent glitch means the system does not recognise triple digit ages and misinterpreted the 19 in 1919 to be 2019.

Since the app believed the great-grandfather was only a baby, it asked him to enter his fathers residency details to complete the application.

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Mr Palmiero, who will turn 101 on 28 February, moved to London in 1966, before the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973.

He worked at a restaurant in Piccadilly and in a fish and chip shop until the age of 94.

He has been married to his wife Lucia, 92, for 75 years and they have four children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren together.

Their son Assuntino Palmiero said it was like a humiliation because his father has lived in the UK for so long.

He told The Guardian: I am not worried about him because he has got us but its completely unfair on old people.

He added that there should be a separate system for people who moved to the UK before 1973.

Dimitri Scarlato, the volunteer who helped Mr Palmiero, told Londra Italia the great-grandfather had received an apology from the Home Office  but is still waiting to have his settled status approved.

The Home Office said it had contacted Mr Palmiero and his application was being processed.

A spokesperson said: When Mr Palmieros case was raised our dedicated EU Settlement Scheme team contacted him and those supporting him to assist with his application.

Over 2.7 million people have now been granted status and there is a wide range of support in place online, in person or over the phone.
Forget candy hearts and chocolate because this Valentine's Day one New York City pizzeria has a different foodie fancy to give your loved ones: a personalized heart-shaped pie that comes complete with a bouquet of flowers.

Celebrity-loved pizza chain Williamsburg Pizza teamed up with flower brand Popupflorist to put together the special romantic package, offering customers the chance to personalize a heart-shaped pizza with any message of their choosing.

'Put your boos name on it or think of a funny phrase or well do one,' Williamsburg Pizza's Ashwin Deshmukh said of the messages that will be written on the pizza in ricotta cheese.

True love: A New York City pizza chain is offering personalized heart-shaped pizzas that come complete with a bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day

So cheesy! Customers can choose to put whatever message they want on the Williamsburg Pizza pies, from romantic love notes, to Lizzo lyrics (pictured)

Get a pizza this: Williamsburg Pizza offered up suggestions for phrases on Instagram, revealing one woman actually used the pie to dump her boyfriend with an Ariana Grande lyric (left)

For those struggling to find the perfect phrase or message, the pizzeria has cooked up a couple of options for customers to pick from: the traditional 'Be Mine', or 'My DMs, what?' a phrase from Lizzos' hit song Juice.

Another picture posted to the Williamsburg Pizza Instagram shows a heart-shaped pizza created for DJ Isaac Hindin-Miller, which features the very sweet and simple message: 'I like you.'

Heart-shaped pizzas are not an entirely new offering from Williamsburg Pizza, which has been creating the custom pies for customers for some time now - however this is the first time that the chain has teamed up with a florist in order to turn the picture-perfect pizzas into a special Valentine's Day offering.

The pies are available at the chain's 14th Street location - an apt choice of venue given the date of Valentine's Day, February 14.

One personalized pizza and a bouquet of suitably pink and red florals cost $40 - a far cry from the sky-high price of jewelry or something similarly expensive.

And it's not just romantics who can snap up the pizzas this Valentine's Day.

Celebrity favorite: Emily Ratajkowski is a fan of the eatery, and was actually given a special heart-shaped pizza with her Instagram handle on it during her birthday party at Short Stories

Savory and simple: The messages are written in ricotta cheese on top of a normal margherita

Fresh! The bouquets were created by Popupflorist, and the flower-and-pizza combination is priced at $40

According to Williamsburg Pizza, the chain has delivered a multitude of personalized pies for many different reasons, with one customer actually using one of the heart-shaped pies in order to break up with her boyfriend at the time.

A-list: Sofia Richie got a taste of the chain's pizza at an Alice + Olivia Pride event in New York last year

The savage message written on that heartbreak pie? Thank u, next.

The pies can also be personalized with slightly more risque messages - like 'Daddy', which one person recently had scrawled across their heart.

Model Emily Ratajkowski has also been treated to one of the personalized heart pizzas; the 28-year-old was presented with a pie that bore her Instagram handle - Emrata - while celebrating her birthday at New York-based bar and restaurant Short Stories.

Sofia Richie is also a fan of the chain; she was pictured posing with a slice of Williamsburg Pizza at a Pride event hosted by Alice + Olivia, where guests were served pies in specially-made rainbow boxes.

And if pizza isn't your thing, Popupflorist has also partnered with vegan food brand DADA Daily to offer beautiful bouquets that come complete with healthy chocolate truffles for the most romantic time of year.
She is one of Australia's most sought after models.

But Elyse Knowles shared the one important lesson she wants all young women to know - to embrace their themselves.

The Myer Ambassador, 27, told the Herald Sun: 'It's OK to feel insecure, everyone has insecurities. I want to teach the younger generation to just embrace being you.'

'I didn't have the courage to do that at the start': Model Elyse Knowles (pictured) revealed the one important lesson she wants all young women to know

The blonde beauty, who is one of the faces of Myer's Layers of Me campaign, said: 'We're scared to be the real us sometimes but we really need to show that more, we need to be powerful women.'

She said: 'I feel comfortable when I'm crazy, when I'm fun, when I'm raw. I didn't have the courage to do that at the start.'

She also said that it was important to show both the dark and light realities of life.

Embracing yourself: The Myer Ambassador, 27, told the Herald Sun: 'It's OK to feel insecure, everyone has insecurities. I want to teach the younger generation to just embrace being you'

Courageous: She said, 'I feel comfortable when I'm crazy, when I'm fun, when I'm raw. I didn't have the courage to do that at the start'

This comes after Elyse Knowles shared a poignant message to her legions of followers about helping the communities devastated by the bushfires.

She shared a series of photos on Instagram from her recent road trip from Melbourne back to her home in Byron Bay.

The images showed the destruction left by the inferno over the past several weeks.

Call to action: This comes after Elyse Knowles shared a poignant message to her legions of followers about helping the communities devastated by the bushfires

In one photo, she stood at the welcome to New South Wales sign at the border and in another Elyse sat on top of a large burnt log observing the bushland around her.

Other images included a half burnt road sign, a fire ravaged home with only its fire place still standing and a destroyed truck.

Elyse wrote in the caption: 'This week we are travelling from Melbourne to Byron along the south coast observing, supporting and appreciating all the hard work that has gone into saving our country.

'@AUSTRALIA'n communities need us. Lets holiday here this year,' the model added.
Andrew contributed widely to the knowledge of Indonesias rich and threatened birdlife, pioneered a digital taxonomy or classification of bird species and influenced the ethical development of zoos here and overseas. Paul Andrew, zoo curator and researcher. For his contributions to Indonesian bird science a new subspecies of the critically endangered Indonesian Yellow-crested cockatoo, found only on islands off Sulawesi, was named after him Cacatua sulphurea paulandrewi. Paul Andrew was born in Bristol, England in 1953. His father was a professor at Cambridge and he had a carefree childhood. With a group of four schoolboys from Bristol Grammar School, all aged around 12 and who have remained friends, he used to cycle around the West Country for up to a week without any contact. These were different days. One pal still remembers Pauls first birding trip at low tide to an estuary on the Severn River where they misidentified the small waders and got stuck in the mud. But he was hooked on spotting yet more birds.

He went to the University of East Anglia because of the rich birdlife nearby and majored in ecology. He then specialised in dangerous and highly paid jobs which subsidised his rather obsessive bird watching. In the early 1980s, Indonesia became his home both because of its rare endemic and little-studied birds and also the demand for deep-sea divers in the oil industry. There were many sensational trips to the volcanoes of the archipelago. He seemed to live a charmed life but one night in 1986 his luck ran out. After an accident in a downpour on a remote stretch of road he was ejected from his car and thrown down a cliff. Two passing students recovered him. They drove the still conscious but semi-paralysed Paul to the best hospital in Jakarta they knew and waited with him for 12 hours. His condition worsened and thankfully, due to the intervention of his brother Nick, who worked in Sumatra, he was soon repatriated to the UK for treatment and rehabilitation in Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The family never knew who these student good Samaritans were but they saved Pauls life and allowed him to fulfil the next chapters of his calling. After rehabilitation in Cambridge, Paul now in a wheelchair, decided to travel to Sydney to visit his girlfriend Di Robinson, who he had known in Jakarta. He stayed. Paul and Di spent 20 years together and, after medical interventions owing to his paraplegia, were able to have a son, Ben. This was a tumultuous and very tough time for Paul. He was not fun to be around at timeshowever, Paul had a charisma about him that was undeniable, says friend and fellow bird expert Nigel Collar. 'He got us thinking beyond the science of animal welfare and about respect and recognising the intrinsic value in all living things.' Nick Boyle In 1993 Andrew offered to volunteer at Taronga Park Zoo on a pioneering animal taxonomic, or classification, tool called Nomina. He was a great believer that conservationists needed to know exactly what they were conserving. He stayed 24 years as, what one colleague called, the "thought provoking curator of birds". He preferred to be known simply as The Curator.

Andrews sharp intellect was as nimble as it was broad. He could balance the various perspectives of small animal population management with the ethics of conservation. He was not an animal rights advocate but believed in forging a much better balance between animal and human welfare. The zoos director of welfare, conservation and science Nick Boyle said: He got us thinking beyond the science of animal welfare and about respect and recognising the intrinsic value in all living things. Increasingly Andrew was drawn to projects which provided long term sanctuaries for threatened species to thrive. Paul Andrew with a Tassie devil painting by Adam Cullen. He once wrote: A zoo is a collection of species. A habitat's value lies in it's being a habitat. It has value in its own right. To sit in a habitat in tune with its species is to recognise this.

In 2016 Andrew moved to Hanoi, Vietnam to be with his wife Madelon who led an anti-wildlife trafficking charity. He charged through the chaotic traffic on his custom-made motorised tricycle. They returned to Australia in 2018 and where they lived at a bush block called The Shed that was his "grand design" in Wollombi in the Hunter Valley. His final work was with the Aussie Ark charity which, in the words of Madelon, creates real conservation outcomes for species rather than just providing a taxonomy to organise species. Aussie Ark prevents species from going extinct. 'The Australian zoo industry punches well above its weight because of him.' Nick Boyle In 2019 Madelon moved to London to run the British and Irish Zoo and Aquarium Association and Paul followed to be closer to family and friends and start a PhD at Oxford.

But the paraplegics risk of infection caught up with him and he was struck down in September by Staphylococcus aureus or golden staph. Paul Andrew spent four gruelling months in and out of hospital trying to win a war of attrition but lost on January 26 this year. His wife and son Ben were by his side. Nick Boyle said: Paul was humble about his achievements, but the truth is the Australian zoo industry punches well above its weight because of him. When it comes to the way we think about the animals in our care, our positive influence on species survival in the wild or the innovative approaches to arresting extinction there is generally a common denominator that pushed the industry forward  Paul Andrew. Next month Madelon and old twitching friends will meet to scatter some of his ashes at the site of his first birding trip on the River Severn. Many years ago Paul made the request, perhaps in jest, for his earthly remains to be washed away with the tide and spread around the world he so adored. Paul Andrew is survived by his wife Madelon, son Ben, parents Colin and Ruth and siblings Nick, Clare and Helen.
(Alliance News) - Sensor systems maker Transense Technologies PLC said it has extended its agreement with auto & truck parts manufacturer Bridgestone Corp until February 2022.

In August, Transense said it signed a joint collaboration deal with Bridgestone with regards to its iTrack II tyre monitoring systems, as well as future generations of the technology.

Under the deal, Transense and Bridgestone agreed to exclusively provide the iTrack system for tyres which are 57 inches and above for its off-the-road customers. Transense also agreed not to have discussions with any other party related to mergers, acquisitions or joint ventures over the next six months in relation to its iTrack business.

The iTrack II system provides real-time data on the condition of the tyres, combined with live tracking of vehicle location and status, as well as live 24/7 control room monitoring of pressures and temperatures, Transense said.

The agreement was for an initial 18 months but has now been extended until February 12, 2022 at the earliest. The period during which Transense has agreed to not have discussions with other parties has also been extended until April 30.

Transense stock was trading 3.8% up at 69.00 pence each at midday Thursday in London.

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Before anyone can become a firefighter, they first must take an oath: a promise to put the lives of others before their own, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

So when Capt. Daniel Dwyer of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department stepped into a burning Northwest Atlanta home on June 28, 2019 to rescue the 95-year-old woman trapped inside, it seemed like he was simply doing his job.

That is until he got suspended for 48 hours -- without pay -- for trying to save someone's life. And despite his best efforts, Sallie Skrine, the woman Dwyer was rescuing, died after succumbing to her injuries.

After a nearly seven month internal investigation, it found that Dwyer "entered the structure" without "crew members," according to a notice of "final adverse action" complaint from the Atlanta-Fire Rescue obtained by CNN.

The complaint says that Dwyer will officially be suspended without pay starting Friday. However, since firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts, Dwyer's suspension is effective for February 13 and February 16, according to the complaint.

"While performing your duties, you entered the structure without your crew members which is in immediate conflict with no freelancing, accountability, and maintaining crew integrity," Fire Chief Randall Slaughter wrote in the complaint against Dwyer.

On the same day, Dwyer filed an appeal with the City of Atlanta Department of Human Resources against the chief's decision to suspend him.

Rules, no exceptions

When firefighters were first alerted of the blaze that had engulfed Skrine's home on that summer night, they were told that a 95-year-old woman, the homeowner, was trapped inside her home, according to Atlanta Firefighters Union President Paul Gerdis.

Gerdis heads the Atlanta Local 134 chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters, a labor union representing firefighters such as Dwyer and defending their rights to fair wages, benefits and working conditions.

By the time Dwyer's crew arrived to the scene, he was dressed and prepared to initiate a primary search. He was able to locate an unconscious Skrine and remove her from the fire before the rest of his team had finished dressing into their firefighter gear and tools, Gerdis told CNN.

"Time is of the essence. Captain Dwyer did exactly what firefighters are sworn oath to do. We are absolutely against the decision to suspend him," Gerdis said. "Not only does he have to live with the guilt of not being able to save the homeowner, but now he and his family have to deal with the financial repercussions of not getting paid for 48 hours just for trying to save someone's life."

Remembering the victim of the tragedy

Skrine, the woman Dwyer risked his life to save, would have been just as defensive of Dwyer, according to her friends. Skrine was a prominent member of her community, running the food pantry at the Jackson Memorial Baptist Church in Atlanta for nearly four decades, her close friend Lindsey Jordan Sr. said.

"I've known her for 50 years. I miss her so much, her kind, kind heart, her generosity, I miss her food. Her rutabaga, she would always bring me some when she made it. No one could make rutabaga like Sallie. I just miss her," Jordan, who is a church administrator at Jackson Memorial, told CNN.

But it wasn't just Skrine's rutabaga that her friends missed. The avid church volunteer was especially known for her boundless generosity, especially for the hungry.

Anytime she heard of anyone needing food, "within 20 minutes," Jordan said, Skrine would be there with four boxes of food -- no one was ever allowed to go hungry.

"If Sallie was alive, and she knew the firefighter who tried to save her was suspended, oh man she would be wound up," Jordan said. "They would've gotten a piece of her mind. She would've come knocking on my door and taken me with her to the fire department complaining."

Neither Dwyer nor Slaughter were able to comment since the appeal was filed and the investigation reopened. Firefighters, too, are unable to comment on open investigations.

"I understand that the fire chief and the fire department wants its members to be safe. But we cannot, as a fire service, decide that we are unable to perform our sworn duty, which is to protect our citizens." Gerdis said,

"If the fire chief won't rescind the punishment given to Capt. Dwyer, we hope Mayor [Keisha Lance] Bottoms will step in and make the right decision."


OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Tesla is recalling 15,000 Model X SUVs in North America over a potential issue with power steering assist motor bolt that could heighten the risk of a crash.



The recall involves most Model X vehicles built before mid-October 2016. Those built after mid-October in that year are not affected. The recall covers 14,193 U.S. vehicles and 843 in Canada.



In a note on its website, the electric vehicle maker reported excessive corrosion on the bolts that attach the power steering component to the steering gear in affected Model X vehicles. Such corrosion has been observed primarily in very cold climates that use road salts.



The company warned that the driver may lose power steering assist if the bolts fracture from corrosion.



The company said, 'This would not prevent the driver from steering the vehicle, but it would require more force to turn the steering wheel, especially during low speed parking maneuvers when power steering assist is at its highest use. Power steering assist decreases with increasing speed, so the driver may not notice a need for more steering force at highway speeds.'



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA and Tesla said no crashes or injuries have been reported so far.



Tesla said no immediate action is necessary with the vehicles, and the drivers can continue to operate them. The company will replace the bolts and apply a corrosion-preventative sealer in all affected Model X vehicles for free of cost.



Tesla will also replace steering gear, if necessary.



In March 2018, the company had recalled 123,000 Model S vehicles worldwide built before April 2016 for replacing steering assist motor bolts.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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A new work of street art has appeared overnight in Bristol, prompting speculation the enigmatic artist Banksy has struck again.

The wall mural cropped up in the Barton Hill area of the city on Thursday morning, depicting a young girl firing roses from a slingshot, in an apparent nod to Valentines Day, which is on Friday.

The shot erupts into a playful explosion of red flowers, while the gloved girl is drawn in Banksy's signature black and white stencil.

The Bristol-based artist is yet to claim the piece, however, he is known to create his pieces in the dead of night to protect his identity.

New Banksy in Bristol's Barton Hill - In pictures 1 /25 New Banksy in Bristol's Barton Hill - In pictures PA PA @Sheandhem PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA Bristol Somali Community Association @Sheandhem Alice Walton @Sheandhem @Sheandhem Alice Walton Alice Walton

Residents began to spot the new addition to Marsh Street as daylight broke on Thursday. One local man, James Bullock, wrote on Twitter: "Me and my girlfriend were heading that way to the gym this morning at about 6.20 and there were people with scaffolding up.

Thought it was odd and then we walked passed it again this morning!!"

The Bristol Somali Community Association also shared photos of the artwork on social media, commenting: "Today in Barton Hill, we woke up with this remarkable mural art painted on one of the houses of the area.

"We hope its Banksys work. Come and have a look yourself. Whoever painted, its worth admiring their creativity."

A local man walks past the fresh mural / PA

The mystery appearance follows news that an exhibition of 80 original Banksy artworks is set to tour London.

Prints, canvasses and sculptures made by the secretive Bristolian between 1997 and 2008 will go on display as part of The Art Of Banksy exhibition, beginning on April 23.

The display will go on show in South Kensington, west London, at a venue that is yet to be announced.

Banksy - In pictures 1 /85 Banksy - In pictures PA AFP via Getty Images A new artwork painted by Banksy during lockdown, which has gone on display in a hospital corridor PA Banksys Girl With A Pearl Earring modified during Coronavirus @Anth0ny_Ward Stormzy performs on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019 wearing a vest designed by Banksy EPA Sotheby's employees pose with 'Love is in the Bin' by British artist Banksy during a media preview at Sotheby's auction house Jack Taylor/Getty Images Two men are sitting in front of a famous graffiti of British street artist Banksy, painted on a wall of a gas station in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Getty Images Banksy's homage to Pulp Fiction in East London Rex Features A new Banksy artwork in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter appears to have been vandalised days after it first appeared. The mural depicts two reindeer painted onto a brick wall appearing to pull along a bench PA Sotheby's host the first unauthorized retrospective exhibition of works by Banksy Curated by Steve Lazarides-Banksy's agent in the early years Alex Lentati Graffitti art by the 'guerilla' artist Banksy is seen on May 16, 2006 in Chalk Farm, London. The striking large scale spray-painted image entitled 'Sweeping It Under The Carpet' depicts a maid who cleaned the artist's room in a motel in Los Angeles. The piece commissioned by 'The Independent' newspaper edited on Tuesday by U2's frontman Bono, is intended to represent a metaphor for the west's reluctance to tackle issues such as Aids in Africa Getty Images Mural: the artwork before it was covered (Photo: PA) PA Banky's Les Mis artwork in Knightsbridge Jeremy Selwyn A piece of urban art by Banksy discovered on the wall of the Poundland store in Wood Green Nigel Howard A woman attacked by seagulls piece by Banksy, during the press view for the artistis biggest show to date, entitled 'Dismaland', at Tropicana in Western-super-Mare, Somerset PA Builders remove a sheet of wood covering a Banksy artwork moments after being told to take it down from the building opposite the French embassy Getty Images Banksy's Barcode Leopard Rex Features A migrant looks at the work by Banksy in the Calais migrant 'jungle' Banksy A blanket covers a mural by elusive street artist Banksy of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, in a migrant camp on the outskirts of Calais. The piece has gained such popularity that people are being charged for the blanket to be lifted to that they can view it PA An employee holds Banksy's 'Girl and Balloon' which was painted on an Ikea frame at Bonhams auctioneers on March 23, 2012 in London Getty Images Dismal, and not how he meant it: Banksy's Dismaland PA Banksy, Brick Lane Rex Features Banksy - Love is in the Air street art, Soho, London Rex Features A graffiti titled "Art Attack" made by the British, guerrilla, graffiti artist Banksy is seen on Israel's highly controversial West Bank barrier in Ramallah Getty Images Sold: This Banksy on the Gaza Strip was bought for just 118 Banksy Banksy's provocative take on an iconic image from the Vietnam war Alex Lentati A stencil image of a Banksy rat in Haringey, London Jeremy Selwyn Children pose for their photo with an installation of British graffiti artist Banksy's art in New York in 2013 Reuters Art installation by British artist Banksy, a robot and a barcode, is seen on a wall in the Coney Island area of New York City Reuters Mobile Lovers by Banksy on Clement Street, Bristol PA Art Buff created by street artist Banksy in Folkestone, KenT PA Banksy's Walled Off Hotel in the Israeli occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem Getty Images Self-portrait by Banksy PA Grafitti by the illusive artist Banksy adorns a building August 28, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisian Getty Images Vulture Petrol Head Mural by Banksy at Dungeness Susan Pilcher British graffiti artist Banksy's artwork 'No Ball Games' EPA Banksy's Bronx Zoo at Yankee Stadium Reuters Banksy's Eton Posse PA Cardinal Sin by artist Banksy at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool PA A worker holding Banksy's portrait of Kate Moss (2005) at a press preview for the exhibition Banksy: The Unauthorised Retrospective, curated by Steve Lazarides, at S|2 Gallery in London PA A Banksy mural which was painted on the side of one of the classrooms at Bridge Farm Primary in Bristol during half-term PA A stencil image of a rat in Haringey, London Jeremy Selwym A dancer poses with a new installation of art by British graffiti artist Banksy painted on the front door of the Hustler Club in New York Reuters "Flower Girl," a delicate stencil on a massive brick wall by popular street artist Banksy, is displayed in a warehouse in the greater Los Angeles, California AP Brexit mural: The artwork on the side of an abandoned arcade in Dover Reuters Detail from an installation by artist Banksy, entitled Civilian Drone Strike, on display at the Art the Arms Fair art exhibition 2017 PA A man takes a photo of one of two new murals painted by the artist Banksy near the Barbican Centre in London PA Banksy's lost 'Snorting Copper' at it's original home on Curtain Road in Shoreditch Gareth Richman A woman passes one of two new murals painted by the artist Banksy near the Barbican Centre in London PA The painting 'Devolved Parliament' by the graffiti artist Banksy, which is on show at Bristol Museum PA A Banksy artwork on a bridge in Hull Banksy A man walks past an artwork by street artist Banksy in Paris AFP/Getty Images People gather around fences that have been erected to protect the latest piece of artwork by the underground guerrilla artist Banksy Getty Images A street stall with oil paintings creating an image of a yacht in the Venice canal with a sign reading "Venice in oil", set up by a person purporting to be British artist Banksy, in Venice Reuters A motorboat passes in front of an alleged work of British street artist Banksy 'The shipwrecked child', that appeared on the outer wall of a house overlooking the canal Rio de Ca Foscari in Venice, Italy EPA Banksy created Stormzy's Union Jack stab proof vest worn at Glastonbury in July 2019 @banksy Banksy hits Notting Hill Bronwen Weatherby A shopfront displays a mini exhibition by secretive British artist, Banksy with the sign 'Gross Domestic Product', in Croydon AFP/Getty Images Displays in a homeware store, Gross Domestic Product, that is being launched in South London by the graffiti artist Banksy PA Banksy turned a rough sleeper's bench into Santa's sleigh in a social commentary on homelessness at Christmas Banksy A new work of art on the side of a house on Marsh Lane, Barton Hill, Bristol PA A section of the new work he has created during lockdown, in his bathroom. The artist captioned the post "My wife hates it when I work from home Banksy via PA Banksys Girl With A Pearl Earring modified during Coronavirus @Anth0ny_Ward

It comprises the largest collection of privately owned Banksy art in the world and has not been authorised by the artist, the organisers have confirmed.

While Banksy is arguably most famous for his outdoor street art, the exhibition will explore some of his pieces that were meant to be displayed indoors.
Following the unrest, the Bihar police raided localities, which were predominantly Muslim, to identify 'miscreants'. However, its probe is riddled with loopholes.

On 21 December 2019, the town of Aurangabad in Bihar observed a protest at Ramesh Chowk against the amended citizenship law. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its allies had called for a bandh to rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). But towards the end, the peaceful protest turned violent. Following the unrest, the Bihar police began raiding localities, which were predominantly Muslim, around the protest site to identify these "miscreants". They have arrested 46 people so far.

However, the police investigation is laden with loopholes. For starters, the main accused behind the unrest has been arrested twice from two different places according to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Aurangabad police.

The first page of the FIR claims when the bandh ended at around 12.15 pm, a mob of 200, led by local councilor Sikandar Hayat, emerged at the scene. "The mob started beating up shopkeepers near a book store, asking them to shut shop," the FIR notes. "When police tried to intervene, the mob chanted slogans against them and started throwing bricks and stones. A brick landed on a policeman's head, and he got seriously injured. Hayat was egging the protesters on."

The FIR further added that the police tried its best to convince the mob not to indulge in stone pelting, but the mob continued with the attacks, at which point the police used force and arrested five troublemakers. One of them was Hayat. Interestingly, a few pages later the same FIR notes that Hayat was arrested again while jumping off a roof along with a few others who were indulging in stone pelting.

But the loopholes don't end with the police FIR. The details of further investigation, which are noted in a police diary submitted in a district court of Aurangabad, make things murkier. Firstpost has accessed the diary and reviewed it.

The shopkeepers, who were allegedly beaten up by Hayat and his mob, do not feature as witnesses in the police diary. In other words, there are no independent witnesses of an episode that the police has claimed to have triggered the entire conflict.

According to an eyewitness, a fight broke out between those trying to enforce the bandh and two men, allegedly close to the BJP, who were trying to defy it. The fight escalated and led to the disorder.

Aurangabad SDPO Anup Kumar refused to comment on the specifics of the investigation, but said, "No matter what police do, they (the protesters) will call it an atrocity. It is easy to accuse the police. But the accusations are far from true. If you have made a mistake, you will be caught."

Former minister and RJD member Suresh Paswan said that incidents of stone pelting happened on the main road after their rally ended. "There are CCTV cameras to find out who was pelting stones. They should be punished, irrespective of whether they are Hindus or Muslims. Police should investigate it, they have the machinery to do so. But the police action that followed was not an investigation."

Residents said what the police did in the aftermath of the protests was religious profiling. They only targeted Muslim localities, terrorised citizens, and even manhandled women in absence of women constables. The police were caught on camera vandalising public and private properties as well.

Haseena Bano, a resident of Islam Toli, said the police broke into their home and started destroying everything that they saw. "They even opened our fridge and washing machine to see if anyone was hiding," she said. "People are not even safe in their own homes anymore. We have been told to file a case against the police, but we are poor people. How do we stand up to them?"

The police arrested four people from her home. It could have been five. "They were taking him as well," she said, pointing towards her father-in-law, an 80 plus, frail man who did not seem to be in his senses. He lumbered around the house asking the same question almost every three minutes. "Does he look like a man who will be able to throw stones at police and then get back home to hide from them?" she asked.

Massive protests across India have been going on against the Narendra Modi-led Centre's plan to amend the citizenship law and enforce a National Register for Citizens which has been criticised for being discriminatory against Muslims. Protesters across the country were met with brutal police force, especially in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Delhi (the police in the capital reports to the Union home ministry). The Delhi Police recently was heavily criticised for its conduct in the aftermath of protests at Jamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

In Nitish Kumar's Bihar, the police was no less ruthless. They have arrested 46 people so far. 13 of them are minors. One is as young as 12. But the police passed them off as adults. They spent a month in adult prison of Aurangabad with hardened criminals before being transferred to a juvenile home in Gaya  about 80 kilometers away.

Of the 46, the police in the diary have conceded they have not found any evidence against five they have arrested. One of them is Shahbaz Nawab, a local trader at a jewelry store. The initial FIR claimed that he was arrested from a terrace along with five other "culprits".

But the police diary, which contradicts the police FIR, says that rioters had began pelting stones in his lane when Shahbaz was trying to get home. To avoid the police, he ran towards the rioters, where he fell and injured himself. The diary, in fact, quoted an eyewitness and said that Shahbaz took a few blows from the stone pelting.

However, there is also a video of Shahbaz being brutally beaten up by the police who have cornered him against a shuttered shop. The video shows Shahbaz miserably failing at warding off several men in uniform beating him with lathis.

Shahbaz's elder brother, Sajid, had submitted that video to the police soon after the arrest but he did not receive any reassurance. Shahbaz has a wife and an eight-month-old son. "We have not experienced something like this before," he said, sitting in the shop. "It makes you feel helpless. Shahbaz, in his frustrated state of mind, even said he feels like committing suicide. I told him to have patience."

When a key family member is suddenly unavailable for family business, Sajid said, the entire operation takes a hit. "We had divided our responsibilities. Shahbaz would deal with our suppliers. I have been doubling up now, but he was an expert. The economy is hurting in the first place. On top of that, the business is struggling further due to his absence." Sajid said the police is only covering its tracks.

Another alleged 'rioter', Shams Waris, initially mentioned in the FIR, was proved to be in court paying his bail bond in another case. The police diary said that because Waris was named in a previous rioting case, his name appeared in this one as well.

Apart from Shahbaz and Shams, the police have also found no evidence against three women they arrested on 21 December. Haseena Khatoon, Ishrat Khatoon and Ishran Khatoon were arrested from one home in Qureshi mohalla, along with 11 others. They had all gathered for an engagement ceremony, Ishrat's husband Mohammad Qiyamuddin said.

Qiyamuddin said that the police disrupted the ceremony and barged in through the back door. "They upended the table where all the food had been prepared. They smashed the TV, and ruined the sofa. They started beating us and abused us continuously. They arrested women in the absence of women constables."

Qiyamuddin said about 20-odd guests had come for the ceremony, and the mood was buoyant that morning. "Everyone was looking forward to it. We were expected to decide the date of the wedding. But the police disruption cut short the engagement ceremony. And we still don't know the wedding date."
A Chinese worker stands in a nearly empty and shuttered commercial street in Beijing, China on Feb. 12, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Chinese Regime Fires Party Bosses in Coronavirus Epicenter

Officials in the coronavirus epicenter of Wuhan City and Hubei Province, of which Wuhan is the capital, have been replaced, amid growing criticism of Chinese authorities response to the outbreak that has officially claimed over 1,000 deaths. Experts and eyewitness accounts, including from Epoch Times interviews with local funeral homes, indicate that the true death toll is much higher.

The shakeup led to speculation about political infighting within Party ranks.

New Appointments

State-run media outlet Xinhua reported on Feb. 13 that Shanghai mayor Ying Yong has replaced Jiang Chaoliang to be the Party boss of Hubei Province.

On the same day, the Party boss of Wuhan City, Ma Guoqiang, was also replaced by Wang Zhonglin, previously Party boss of Jinan City in Shandong Province.

Both of the newly appointed officials made their careers in the Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), a Party agency that oversees the countrys security apparatus, including courts, police, and armed police.

Ying, 62, worked in the PLAC in Zhejiang Province and Shanghai before being promoted to Shanghai mayor in January 2017.

Ying is broadly believed to be loyal to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as he worked under Xi when the latter was vice governor of Zhejiang in October 2002.

Wang, 57, had only worked in Shandong Province before this new appointment. He never worked for Xi directly, but is considered pro-Xi.

Negative pressure protection and monitoring ambulances are preparing to leave for Wuhan in Nanchang in Chinas central Jiangxi province on Feb. 12, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Dismissed Officials

The personnel changes came amid apparent disagreements between central and local authorities.

Faced with public criticisms of Wuhan authorities bungling their response to the outbreak, Ma publicly blamed the central government for failing to report numbers of infections accurately.

At a Jan. 28 press conference, he said central authorities didnt allow the Hubei CDC to diagnose the disease until Jan. 16; previously, patients samples had to be sent to Beijing. Even then, the Hubei CDC only had enough capacity to run about 300 tests per day, he said.

Most recently, a Wuhan government-run website, Hanwang, posted an article implying that central health authorities were at fault: As early as December [2019], the Wuhan city government reported the outbreak to relevant national health authorities, who then sent an expert team to Wuhan to investigate. The expert team gave a preliminary report. Our mayor doesnt have a medical background, and followed the experts suggestions. Whats wrong with what he did?

Reporting Numbers

The mechanism by which authorities counted infections also changed following the new appointments.

On Feb. 6, Chinas National Health Commission released a new prevention and control plan, in which patients who test positive for COVID-19 in lab tests but show no clinical symptoms would not be considered a confirmed case. If such patients later showed symptoms, then the categorization would change to a confirmed case.

This led to several local governments revising down their numbers of infections in recent days.

Then on Feb. 13, Xinhua reported that infections were now confirmed if patients showed symptoms and CT scans consistent with COVID-19. The correction led to a nearly 41 percent spike, or more than 15,000 new infections, in Chinas total confirmed diagnoses compared to the day prior.

Tang Jingyuan, U.S.-based China affairs commentator, hypothesized why authorities made this change.

Xi Jinping and central government leaders want to separate themselves from the previous local officials, which means they want to deliver the message that its the previous local officials who didnt report the truth, Tang analyzed.

He added that the personnel shakeup could indicate Xi plans to let the dismissed officials take the fall for authorities failure to contain the outbreak.

Experts have long said infections in China are likely much higher than officially reported.

The UKs Imperial College London published their latest study on Feb. 11, in which its scientists estimated that only one in 19 people infected in Wuhan were being tested for COVID-19.

It further estimated the case fatality ratio (CFR) to be 18 percent among people with severe symptoms in Hubei.
[February 13, 2020] Blue Canyon Technologies to Support Innovative Robotic Manufacturing and Assembly Mission

Small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) has been selected by Made In Space, Inc. to support the development of the spacecraft platform for the company's upcoming Archinaut One mission. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005219/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The flight demonstration mission, scheduled to launch no earlier than 2022, will demonstrate how robotic manufacturing and assembly can enable entirely new structures and assemblies on orbit. The objective of the Archinaut One mission is to construct two ten-meter solar arrays, on orbit, to power an ESPA-class satellite. Once on orbit, Archinaut One will employ its extended structure additive manufacturing capabilities and advanced robotics to manufacture and assemble the satellite's power system. The Archinaut-created solar arrays will yield nearly 5x the power currently available to ESPA-class satellites. "The implications of our ability to conduct 3D printing in space are endless and we're proud to partner with Made In Space to make this mission a reality," said George Stafford, founder and CEO of Blue Canyon Technologies. "More and more we're finding that our spacecraft bus capabilities are enabling increasingly innovative technologies, changing the new space frontier and how we can leverage t."



Blue Canyon's diverse spacecraft platforms have enabled a broad range of missions and technological advances for the New Space economy, further reducing the barriers of space entry. BCT is currently building more than 60 spacecraft for government, commercial and academic missions. The company has doubled in size over the past 12 months and plans to open its new 80,000-square-foot headquarters and production facility in 2020. In 2019, Made In Space was awarded a $73.7 million contract to develop Archinaut One as part of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions program within the Space Technology Mission Directorate.

About BCT Blue Canyon Technologies, Inc., (BCT) a Colorado-based private company founded in 2008 to bring innovative, reliable and affordable solutions to space missions, is an experienced integrator of aerospace systems and developer of advanced aerospace products and technologies. BCT is a vertically integrated spacecraft manufacturer supporting nearly 40 unique missions with over 70 spacecraft. The company currently has more than 60 satellites in production and is developing a new 80,000-square-foot facility for high rate production. BCT has supported missions for the U.S. Air Force, NASA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and many others and provided the Attitude Control Systems for the first interplanetary CubeSats which successfully traveled to Mars. The company has been recognized with awards including Inc Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies, 2017 Colorado Companies to Watch, and the 2019 Colorado Biz Made in Colorado Emerging Manufacturer Winner. For the latest news on Blue Canyon Technologies and for other company information, please visit www.bluecanyontech.com. You can follow the company on Instagram here or Twitter (News - Alert) here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005219/en/

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Grammy-nominated Aussie trio RUFUS DU SOL recently announced a special audiovisual performance titled "Live From Joshua Tree" along with a beautiful trailer for the feature.

Shot in the desert of California's Joshua Tree National Park, the 45-minute film showcases all three of the group's acclaimed studio albums SOLACE, BLOOM and ATLAS.

The film will also contain never-before-heard material. Catch the trailer below.
The culture at technology startups like Uber, Airbnb and PayPal is all about risk-taking. They start by offering a unique, untested or reimagined product or service or by disrupting an industrys established production, distribution or sales methods.

To succeed long-term, they must be smart enough to know what risks they are likely to encounter and which ones to take, which ones to mitigate and which ones to avoid. Thats, of course, where risk managers come in helping firms, whether in technology or other fields, understand their risks.

Its interesting because risk is part of the language in technology firms. Its positive. You want to take more risks but you want to take the right risks, Laura Langone told Insurance Journal in a recent interview upon assuming the presidency of the global association for risk managers, the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS).

I think as risk managers you have an opportunity to have a seat at the table for that conversation, which is always exciting to me.

Langone knows her way around technology start-ups. She is currently head of Insurance Operations at the home-sharing and short-term rental giant Airbnb. Prior to Airbnb, Langone was the head of Insurance and Risk Management at PayPal and Juniper Networks. She has also held positions with Genentech, Marsh, Oracle, American International Group and the insurance defense law firm, Gordon & Rees, throughout her more than 20-year career in insurance and risk management.

It definitely is at Airbnb. It is part of a strategy. Insurance is actually strategic, which is great, so these are important. Cyber issues are critical in terms of reputation. So understanding our data and compliance to data requirements is critical. So definitely I think when you look at tech companies, I think risk is definitely at the forefront, she added.

Understanding the risks around technology is imperative for more than technology-based startups like Airbnb. Technology risk management needs to be part of the strategy of nearly every company because nearly every company depends on technology, benefits from its advantages and is exposed to its risks, from reputational to cyber to regulatory to privacy and more.

I think you might in a tech company thats coming out, you might be a little bit more innovative in what your delivery is. You might be straddling different industry groups to deliver something different and unique. But technology is everywhere and in every industry. Its one of our top risks for CFOs, top risks for risk managers, the RIMS president said.

Langone said risk managers must not only understand the technology risks but also be able to communicate with other professionals in their organizations about how to offset, transfer or manage those risks.

[T]echnology is a positive thing. It really allows companies to become more efficient, improve processes. It allows you to gain more insight, better data, really understand your customer and be able to offer the goods and services that they want in a timely manner. But then your [risk managers] job is to help them understand some of those exposures like cyber fraud, misapplication, misappropriation  things like that.

Incorporating risk management into strategy for any company necessitates the risk manager becoming what Langone calls the internal consultant on risk. To get to that position, the risk manager has to demonstrate the knowledge and skillsets to lead those conversations.

You do not have to be the expert, she said. You may not be the CSO [chief strategy officer], you may not be the head of reputation crisis management, you may not be the general counsel. But you need to be able to talk to those people. You need to be able to understand and facilitate and have a good understanding of some of the issues that theyre dealing with. You need to be able to bring those resources.

As one of her first projects at Airbnb, Langone set up the firms first insurance captive, through which all claims against Airbnb and hosts pass.

Another part of her teams job at Airbnb is to manage all the insurance products for hosting guests and procure those programs in the marketplace. Her team works with private insurers.

In order to really attract hosts onto our platform, they want to make sure that theyre protected from liability arising or damage to their property. Years ago, before my time of course, our corporate strategy and our legal and business teams put together these programs to make sure that hosts were comfortable. Really, in the personal lines marketplace, homeowner marketplace, there was no coverage at the time for short term rentals. So it was excluded under personal homeowners policies.

The market has changed, however, with more carriers now willing to offer coverage. Its all over the place, she added in terms of how much coverage they provide, how broad the coverage is, for how long. But they are definitely moving in the right direction.

Airbnb has a team of risk and legal professionals. Langone herself is not directly involved in regulatory issues at Airbnb. But she said she has had to learn about them so that she can understand the related risks and communicate them to insurers so that they understand how a company like Airbnb manages some of those global risks.

Its just really making sure we can articulate what that exposure is, she said. I think definitely we have to have a seat at the table to do that.

Langone, who has a law degree in addition to an undergraduate degree and a Masters in Business Administration, started her career in casualty underwriting in Boston. Early in her tenure, she was transferred to the insurers office in France. She said overseas, the specialty accounts were not given standard pre-printed forms; rather every contract was manuscripted, unlike in North America.

Langone says her law degree altered her perspective on insurance contracts like the ones she used to underwrite earlier in her career.

I really started to understand the contract a lot better and really questioned coverage in a different way and to make sure that [there was] a lot more clarity of coverage. Ive always been a proponent of being able to articulate your risk, being able to communicate that effectively to an underwriter, and tailoring your coverage so that you dont have ambiguity, she said.

That legal background has also helped her advance in her risk management career.

[I]ts allowed me to have a seat at the table more so with the general counsel, be able to be part of litigation in defense a little bit more. Thats been helpful for my own career to not only get a seat at the table in the finance world, but also on the legal side as well. Its helped me bridge those two organizations, she said.

She said she thinks a legal background is a good one for risk managers. More law school students should look at risk management as well, she said.

These days she is championing the education and networking that RIMS provides members. Thats the most important thing for RIMS to be able to help our risk professionals make sure that they do have that seat at that table and that they understand and are equipped with the right information to be able to ask the right questions and have a dialogue, she said.

The RIMS certification is key to advancement because it doesnt just talk about risk transfer, it talks about enterprise risk management, it talks about financial risk management strategy, and it really does ensure that you are getting a global standard. That helps differentiate you when youre talking to your leadership and your company.

In addition to technology and cyber risks, RIMS is focused on globalization, which is among the key opportunities and risks facing companies and RIMS today. RIMS has 79 chapters worldwide but wants to further grow in particular in China, India, Singapore and Latin America.

The focus on globalization means addressing issues having to do with entering new markets; dealing with China or India, or those countries dealing with the outside world; and understanding regulatory differences, political uncertainty and volatility around the globe.

I think one of the big issues for us in terms of globalization is not having this just North American view, Langone said.

If you think about some of our Chinese risk managers, they are dealing with significant assets in their balance sheet and they need tools to understand cyber risk. They need tools to understand global supply chain risk. They are getting outside of China and going into other countries in North America, but also Africa and other places in Asia and expanding their infrastructure.

What does that mean? We want to be able to understand the regulations in those countries and understand the challenges that theyre dealing with, understand their marketplace, how its evolving. Thats really critical, she said.

Not every RIMS member has to be part of a large or global organization with a fully staffed risk management department.

You might have an organization that may not have a dedicated risk management professional. We want to make sure were inclusive of people who are tackling those issues. Whether youre in internal audit, whether youre in compliance, whether youre in treasury or general counsel or even now just starting to get into risk management from a technology base, RIMS has a lot to offer, she said, pointing to the RIMS annual conference this May in Denver as a prime opportunity for those from organizations of all sizes and industries.

Langone sees RIMS as a place to network with and learn from others in a world where risk is changing fast.

I think that for most of our risk managers, nothing really stays the same. I think the most important thing is that risk managers today really do need to adapt. They need to be nimble, much like a startup.
1. New Hampshire in a nutshell.

After a day of sorting through the results, heres what we came away with: The Democratic presidential primary is entering an intensely tumultuous phase, with an elevated Bernie Sanders, a reeling Joe Biden and a splintered moderate vote.

Pete Buttigieg was a close second. Amy Klobuchar, pulled off the big surprise of the night, coming in third.

But theres no dominant force in the battle for the partys nomination. Unless a centrist favorite soon emerges, our political reporters write, party leaders may increasingly look to Michael Bloomberg.
PLACING people in quarantine is not necessarily a violation of human rights.

This was the reaction of Leo Villarino, chief of the investigation division of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7, to the commotion at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Feb. 12, 2020, when 78 Filipino passengers who arrived from Taiwan refused to follow the quarantine order because they could not accept the suddenness of the temporary ban involving Taiwan.

It is rightful for our government to institute measures to protect public health, Villarino told SunStar Cebu.

The Bureau of Quarantine has been mandated to place Filipino passengers coming from China and its special administrative regions in a 14-day quarantine following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Wuhan City, Hubei province in mainland China.

The passengers tried to go home, resulting in a standoff.

Villarino cited Article 3, Section 6 of the Philippine Constitution: The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, as may be provided by the law.

The Philippine government imposed travel restrictions, which included barring Filipino nationals from traveling to Taiwan. The ban also covers the entry of all travelers, except Filipino citizens and permanent resident visa holders, who come directly from Taiwan, or have been there within 14 days preceding their arrival in the Philippines.

Villarino pointed out that Covid-19 is a worldwide issue that threatens public safety and health.

Meanwhile, the MCIA said it was making travel arrangements for Filipino travelers from Taiwan who were bound for Davao City but made a stopover in Cebu.

Airport Authority General Manager Steve Dicdican said he talked to Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia about the passengers plight and the need to send them home to Davao City.

Story continues

She committed today (Thursday, Feb. 13). We worked it out. Those who live in Davao and some parts of Mindanao who were quarantined are now on the way to the airport and will board a flight around 9:30 p.m. today, he said Thursday.

Dicdican said their travel was approved by the Department of Health (DOH).

Sixteen of the passengers hail from Davao City while the rest come from other parts of Mindanao.

Dicdican estimated that more than 30 Cebuano passengers have been placed in home quarantine.

Its just that their processing took a long time and they became combatant. They couldnt wait for the process to be completed. Quarantine officers had to check their homes if these were viable for quarantine. They had to make sure there were no children, elderly or the sick, he said.

As of Thursday, the DOH 7 announced that there had been no additional positive cases of Covid-19 in the region or in the country.

DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas said the three previously reported positive cases--the 38-year-old woman, her 44-year-old male companion and the 60-year-old woman, all Chinese nationalshad been in Cebu.

Bernadas, in a text message sent to SunStar Cebu, said 27 patients under investigation (PUIs) were still in the hospital, while 124 persons under monitoring (PUMs) were either placed in a home or a quarantine facility.

He said some PUIs had already been discharged after testing negative of the Covid-19. PUMs who completed the 14-day quarantine who were cleared were also released. Bernadas, however, could not give consolidated figures as of press time.

The health official said they are trying to convince those who refuse to be placed in quarantine to follow guidelines implemented in ports of entry.

He said they are making arrangements with the affected persons respective municipal health officers, local government units and the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (Resu) so they can be placed in home quarantine.

Bernadas said hospitals were instructed to attend to patients with flu-like symptoms. He said if a patient has recently traveled to countries with Covid-19 positive cases, the hospital must report it immediately to the Resu.

Hospitals cannot turn away patients. They must attend to the sick since that is their mandate, Bernadas said in Cebuano. (JCT, JOB, WBS)
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong attends a meeting with a group of business leaders and President Moon Jae-in at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



Prosecutors have launched an investigation into Samsung heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong's suspected drug use, while the top conglomerate has flatly denied the allegation.



The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office began the probe after a whistleblower reported the case to the state anti-corruption watchdog, demanding an investigation into the allegation, according to legal sources.



The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which referred the case to the prosecution, is known to have commented that there was no specific evidence, such as call transactions, other than some mobile chat messages and a recorded phone call.



The case first emerged after local media outlet Newstapa reported on it in an interview with the whistleblower, who claims to be the boyfriend of a practical nurse who is suspected of regularly injecting Lee with propofol.



Newstapa's reports raised allegations of Lee visiting a plastic surgery hospital in Seoul's Gangnam Ward for multiple propofol shots in 2017.



The report carried messages between the hospital chief, surnamed Kim, and the practical nurse, surnamed Shin, as well as messages exchanged between Shin and a figure it claimed to be the Samsung vice chairman.



Propofol is a prescription substance used to induce anesthesia during certain surgeries and tests but has frequently been abused by many here, apparently due to its relatively easier access than other illegal substances.



The prosecution plans to summon the whistleblower, as well as Kim and Shin, for further questioning.



The plastic surgery hospital shut down late last year after Kim and Shin were indicted and detained for giving propofol shots to a member of the South Korean conglomerate Aekyung's owning family.



Samsung has flatly denied the allegation, saying legal steps will be considered against those who have raised and published the allegation.



Lee said he had only been given the sedative for legitimate tests and treatment, and "the allegation of illegal use is completely false."



"(I) plan to consider civil and criminal measures against the broadcaster for its malicious false report," he added in a statement released by his company. (Yonhap)


The Duke of Edinburgh will 'undoubtedly' attend Princess Beatrice's wedding 'if his health permits it', according to a royal expert.

Beatrice, 31, the fifth grandchild of the Queen, 93, and Prince Philip, 98, will marry Italian property developer Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 36, on 29 May at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace.

And royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says that the Duke of Edinburgh won't want to miss his granddaughter's wedding after attending her sister Princess Eugenie's nuptials to Jack Brooksbank in October 2018.

He told the Express: 'The Duke of Edinburgh, who will be 99 in June, will undoubtedly attend the wedding if his health permits as he did Eugenie's, despite having retired.'

Beatrice, 31, the fifth grandchild of the Queen, 93, and Prince Philip, 98, will marry I talian property developer Edo Mapelli Mozzi (pictured together), 36, on 29 May at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace

The Duke of Edinburgh (pictured on December 24, 2019) will 'undoubtedly' attend Princess Beatrice's wedding 'if his health permits it', according to a royal expert

It comes after Prince Philip spent four nights in the King Edward VII's Hospital in central London for treatment relating to a 'pre-existing condition' in December.

Prince Philip was admitted to hospital over the Christmas period as a precautionary measure, and for observation, after a period of poor health which saw him reportedly battle a 'flu-like' illness for weeks and suffer a 'bad fall'.

The duke, who turned 98 in June, has generally enjoyed good health, appearing to recover well from a planned hip replacement operation in April 2018.

He escaped with minor injuries after a dramatic car crash near Sandringham in January, but in the past decade has been admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery.

Buckingham Palace would not go into details about Philips pre-existing condition, or the nature of his treatment.

Philips decision to retire from public duties during 2017 was not health-related, Buckingham Palace said at the time of the announcement.

He spends most of his time quietly at Sandringham, but is occasionally seen in public on family occasions, the most recent being Lady Gabriella Windsors wedding at St Georges Chapel in May 2019.

Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2017, the duke is still seen at British royal weddings, with his last appearance being at Lady Gabriella Windsors nuptials at St Georges Chapel in May (pictured)

Beatrice and Edo reportedly initially wanted to exchange their wedding vows abroad before taking into consideration the health and age of Princess Beatrice's grandparents, according to the Express.

Now their planned nuptials will be 'low key' and without the fanfare that surrounded the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.

Beatrice and Edo had been together for 11 months at the time they announced their engagement in September last year. Father-of-one Edo proposed with a ring estimated to have cost 100,000, while the pair were holidaying in Italy.

The planning has been somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing scandal surrounding her father Prince Andrew's friendship with deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

However it is believed Princess Beatrice will still be walked down the aisle by her father, with whom she shares a close relationship, and that her sister Eugenie will play a role in the wedding.

It was reported last week that the Queen has offered to hold the wedding reception at Buckingham Palace to give her granddaughter a 'morale boost'.

One friend told the Daily Mail: 'Bea was delighted and very grateful to accept. It was a really special gesture as it will be the first wedding celebration at Buckingham Palace since William and Catherine's in 2011.'
Sarah Elizabeth Adams was around 5 when her mother was sold to a slave dealer in Lynchburg, Va. The auction took place in the mid-1840s, in the town of Marion, Va. Sallie, as she was called, was herself sold that day, but not with her mother: A man named Thomas Thurman purchased Sallie to take care of his sick wife. She would never see her mother again. For the remainder of her childhood, whenever she could, Sallie would slip away and find solace under a tall white-oak tree. All alone, she would wrap her arms around the trees wide trunk and cry. The tree became the place where she would recall the names and faces of her family members sold away; a place where she could grieve, but also a place where she could find shade and respite from her sorrow.

This story was told many years later by Sallies granddaughter, Evelyn Thompson Lawrence, a local educator and historian in Marion. Thompsons efforts led to the founding of the Mount Pleasant Heritage Museum  housed in a former black Methodist church that Sallie and other freed men and women founded after the Civil War  to preserve the history and culture of African-Americans in the county. We know that Sallie was sold at an auction held at the Smyth County Courthouse, a brick building that was torn down after the turn of the century, when Marions current courthouse was constructed. And yet many details of her story have been lost: We dont know exactly what happened to Sallies mother, or how much Sallie was sold for, or even exactly when the auction took place.

Sallie and her family were among the 1.2 million enslaved men, women and children sold in the United States between approximately 1760 and 1860, according to the historian Michael Tadman. After the American Revolution, cotton production grew rapidly, and demand for enslaved workers on the vast plantations of the Deep South intensified. This, along with the ban on importation of enslaved Africans that took effect in 1808, largely led to the rapid growth of the domestic slave trade. Auctions and the sales of enslaved people could be found near or along the major ports where enslaved Africans landed, including Richmond, Va.; New Orleans; Savannah, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C. But the enslaved were also sold in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey and at New York Citys 18th-century open-air Meal Market on Wall Street. The sales took place all over the growing nation  in taverns, town squares and train stations, on riverbanks and by the side of the road. Before being sold, the enslaved were often kept in pens or private jails, sometimes for days or weeks. Then they were sold directly from the pens or marched to a nearby auction. Thousands of sales took place each year, right in the hearts of American cities and towns, on the steps of courthouses and city halls. As the historian Steven Deyle puts it, slave auctions were a regular part of everyday life.

Many American fortunes were made this way. The largest slave-trading firm during the late 1820s and 1830s was Franklin & Armfield, whose Virginia offices and infamous holding pen were located at 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria. In their heyday, Isaac Franklin and John Armfield sold between 1,000 and 2,000 enslaved people per year, and by the time Franklin died in 1846, his estate was valued at $710,000  almost $24 million today  a fortune largely earned through the slave trade.

A photograph, circa 1865, of the slave-trading firm Price, Birch & Company in Alexandria, Va. Franklin & Armfield, one of the largest slave trading firms in the country, was headquartered in the same building until it was sold to a partner of Price, Birch & Company.

Slave trading was a lucrative business, yet for the enslaved people themselves, the auction block represented a particular horror  the end to life as they knew it. Family was one of the few bright spots in the long night of slavery, and the auction was the event that ripped enslaved families apart. The very prospect of it cast a specter over the enslaved population like a slowly dilapidating roof: At any time, it could come down and destroy the inhabitants of an already-fragile dwelling. Sales were so common that some enslaved people could be sold as many as six times in their lives, if not more, often with little warning and no chance to say goodbye. In some cases, infants were literally torn from wailing mothers.

We know from enslaved people themselves  the relative few who were able to write or otherwise tell their stories  that the auction block was even more feared than a lashing. Common as are slave-auctions in the Southern states, wrote one formerly enslaved man, Josiah Henson, the full misery of the event  of the scenes which precede and succeed it  is never understood till the actual experience comes. The New Deal-era Slave Narratives project, funded by the Works Progress Administration, is full of terrifying memories like this one, from a formerly enslaved woman in Arkansas named Will Ann Rogers: When Ma was a young woman, she said they put her on a block and sold her. They auctioned her off at Richmond, Virginia. When they sold her, her mother fainted or dropped dead, she never knowed which. She wanted to go and see her mother lying over there on the ground, and the man what bought her wouldnt let her. He just took her on. Drove her off like cattle, I reckon.

After the Civil War, most former auction sites quietly blended into the main streets of today. Except for the occasional marker or museum, there was no record of the horror of separation suffered by many black families. The emphasis on national unity and reconstruction created a desire to paper over the atrocities of the past, and many of these sites were forgotten. They were not forgotten, though, by the formerly enslaved people who had been sold there, or by their families. Immediately upon Emancipation in 1863 and the end of the war in 1865, many of these newly freed men and women set out on foot searching earnestly for their loved ones, and often the place they sought out first was the auction site. They took with them a lock of hair, a swath of clothing  small mementos that they had saved. They posted advertisements in newspapers and black churches searching for lost relatives. Their cry was Help me to find my people, as the historian Heather Andrea Williams documented in the book of the same name.

A photograph from about 1900 of the auction block on which enslaved people stood when they were sold at the St. Louis Hotel & Exchange in New Orleans.

But often the auction site was no longer there to find. The war had laid waste to much of the South; the auction blocks had largely been removed, and the auction houses that still stood had been repurposed. No one was eager to preserve these sites, or even remember them. And so they disappeared, year by year, generation by generation, until there was no living memory of what happened in these places.

Today, only a small minority of these sites have been properly documented, recorded and preserved. There is no online database to find them. Countless remain completely unknown. When The New York Times Magazine asked the photographer Dannielle Bowman to document some of these sites, it quickly became clear that most of their locations could be pinpointed only through original research.

And so for the last five months, my research assistants and I at the Binghamton University/Harriet Tubman Center for the Study of Freedom and Equity have combed through archives  including volumes of narratives of the formerly enslaved, as well as post-Civil War ads placed in newspapers by the enslaved themselves  in an attempt to expand the historical record about Americas slave-auction sites. During that time, we have been able to identify fewer than 50 that have been marked and approximately 30 unmarked ones. Yet these are almost certainly just a fraction of the total, when you consider how many sales took place, over how many decades, during this chapter in American history.

Why is it important to excavate these sites? This is a question I have spent a long time considering. My second book, The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History, was about a horrifying event that took place over two days in Savannah in 1859. Four hundred thirty-six men, women and children, including 30 babies, were sold at the Savannah Ten Broeck Race Course, normally a playground for local elites. These enslaved men and women, Gullah Geechee African-Americans, had lived together for years on the plantation estates of Pierce Mease Butler, where they forged a community with its own norms, values and customs  many informed by their African heritage. But this auction, which they came to call the weeping time, separated them from their families and displaced them from the only home they had; it was a decisive moment, maybe the decisive moment, in many of their lives. Their family bonds may have mattered little to their owners, but they mattered to the enslaved. The extent to which several of them plotted and planned about how to stay together, or went looking for one another after Emancipation, spoke to the strength and resolve of black families.

An advertisement published in The Savannah Republican on Feb. 8, 1859, by the slave dealer Joseph Bryan for a two-day auction that became the largest in history. Four hundred thirty-six men, women and children were sold for $303,850, equivalent to about $9.4 million today.

Again and again, delving into each site, you find it to be a window into unspeakable suffering but also unimaginable resilience. Next to the I-95 highway in Richmond, theres a fenced-in area that for about 20 years starting in the mid-1840s was home to a compound owned by the slave trader Robert Lumpkin. Called Lumpkins Jail, it included a pen to hold enslaved people  many of them fugitives  before they were sold in auctions and private sales on the property. The site, one of the few in the country that are marked, is part of a self-guided slavery tour in Richmond. The tour runs through the downtown area called Shockoe Bottom, where auction houses were concentrated. But you could walk through Shockoe Bottom today, a hub of restaurants, clubs and small businesses, and remain completely unaware of this history.

One person held at Lumpkins Jail was Anthony Burns, an enslaved person in Richmond who stowed away on a ship in 1854, escaping to Boston. When he was captured shortly after, thousands of local abolitionists tried to prevent him from being re-enslaved, but the courts ordered Burns returned to Virginia, where he was soon jailed in a small cell in Lumpkins Jail, painfully manacled much of the time. The grip of the irons impeded the circulation of his blood, made hot and rapid by the stifling atmosphere, and caused his feet to swell enormously, reports his biographer, Charles Emery Stevens. Burns was kept in this jail for four months until he was purchased there by a plantation owner from North Carolina. But he had not been forgotten by a black congregation and other abolitionists in Boston, who purchased his freedom. He went on to study at Oberlin College and spent his final years in Canada as a Baptist preacher.

Even well-known sites of slave labor look different when seen through the lens of the auction. When Thomas Jefferson died, on July 4, 1826, the enslaved people he owned at Monticello suddenly faced a perilous future. Jeffersons will freed only five of them, including two children he fathered with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman at his Monticello plantation. But Jefferson had many debts, and to pay them off, his executors sold 133 people, scattering them across the country. The first auction was held in 1827, most likely on or near the West Portico steps of the mansion; another followed two years later at the Eagle Tavern, in downtown Charlottesville.

Peter Fossett, 11, was among the people sold. His father, Joseph Fossett, had been Monticellos blacksmith, freed by Jefferson in his will. Although Joseph was able to emancipate much of his family, he was unable to secure freedom for Peter. Peter was purchased by Col. John Jones and unsuccessfully tried to run away twice. In 1850 he was once again put on the auction block, but this time, friends and family were able to purchase his freedom, and 23 years after first being separated from them, Peter finally rejoined his family in Ohio, where they had settled. He went on to become an ordained minister and a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Some 400,000 people visit Monticello every year, inspired, in part, by Jeffersons legacy as a founding father and promoter of freedom. They take photographs and stroll up and down the famous West Portico steps  the image depicted on the United States nickel since 1938. Until they come, visitors most likely have not imagined a slave auction taking place on the property, let alone on those famous stairs. Perhaps Jeffersons greatest contribution is not the realization of freedom for all but the creation of a blueprint for future generations to follow. Spurred on by the pioneering research of Annette Gordon-Reed, Lucia Stanton, Niya Bates and others, Monticello has more fully acknowledged Thomas Jeffersons legacy as not just the writer of the Declaration of Independence but also an enslaver. At his plantation, the auctions are described in an exhibit, but in downtown Charlottesville, where the second occurred, there is no specific mention of the auction.

An advertisement that appeared in The Charlottesville Central Gazette on Jan. 15, 1827, for the sale of Thomas Jeffersons enslaved workers. One hundred people were sold that day.

The lack of physical markers is just one obstacle to reclaiming the history of Americas slave-sale sites. Quite a few happened in places, including in Northern states, that the general public may not typically associate with slavery. On Main Street in East Brunswick, N.J., for example, a power station now stands on a site that previously was part of the estate of Jacob Van Wickle  a judge in Middlesex County who, along with a few collaborators, perpetrated one of the most infamous slave-selling schemes in the states history, selling off some 100 enslaved people in 1818.

At the time, New Jersey was moving to end slavery. State law held that children born to an enslaved woman were free, but had to remain in service to their mothers owners until they became adults. There were two loopholes, however. First, if their mothers were sold, their own enslavement could be temporarily extended; second, enslaved people could be moved from the state and remain enslaved, so long as they gave their consent. Van Wickle used these loopholes with cruel effectiveness. He and his collaborators often signed off on paperwork that moved unwitting people, including mothers and their freeborn children, to the South. Then he sold them to traders and planters in Louisiana, separating them from their families  most of whom would never see them again. Though there was local outcry when his dealings were discovered, he himself was never punished for his crimes.

An 1852 photograph of men in front of the slave pens of Bernard Lynch, who ran one of the largest slave markets in St. Louis.

Even though the story of Van Wickle and his slave ring was reported in newspapers at the time and has since been chronicled by historians like James Gigantino, many present-day residents of the area were not aware of many of the storys details. But when the Rev. Karen G. Johnston at the Unitarian Society in East Brunswick learned about it a few years ago, she decided that something had to be done to acknowledge the pain and suffering of those who were sold away. Two years ago, members of the church, as well as the local N.A.A.C.P., the New Jersey chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society and others, formed the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project, which is developing teaching resources for local schools and is raising funds for a permanent memorial. On May 25, 2018, members of the project gathered in a solemn ceremony to read the names of people Van Wickle sold into slavery. The names included: Claresse and her son Hercules; Florah and her daughter Susan; Hager and her three children, Roda, Mary and Augustus. I believe by remembering these lost souls back into our community, Johnston told those who had gathered, that that is a healing act.

More than a century and a half after Emancipation, there remains much more healing to be done, in part because America has yet to adequately memorialize slavery. At the new Smithsonian National Museum of African-Amerian History and Culture, an entire floor is dedicated to the slave trade and slavery; through the United States National Park Service, we have the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and the Harriet Tubman Home, which honor and preserve the resistance to slavery. There are some restored plantations, like the Whitney in Louisiana, that conduct excellent slavery tours. But sites of African-American focus currently represent just 2 percent of those registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and only a portion of those are devoted to slavery  even as some 1,800 monuments to the Confederacy still exist all across the country, an inequality that mirrors the social injustices that have haunted this country since its founding.

How can we create a more equitable map of American history? One clear way to do it would be to provide a fuller accounting of our shared past, one that gives voice to the experience of the enslaved and ensures that their experience will never be forgotten. To look at some of these images, which show former slave-sale sites in the present day, is to grasp how invisible some of American historys most grievous wounds have become. If we were to mark all these sites for posterity, we would help to heal their dark legacy, in much the same way that 19th-century abolitionists, both black and white, depicted the trauma of enslaved Africans on the auction block in their art and literature. By foregrounding the image of an enslaved mother torn from her infant, those abolitionists reminded the public of the horror of slavery and helped influence the course of history. Their insistence on telling these stories helped America live up to its ideals and made it a more democratic country. Perhaps marking these sites could do the same.
A student was left horrified after he saw an orange spider wasp dragging a paralysed huntsman spider back to its lair to be eaten alive.

Daniel Pankhurst, who filmed the battle outside his home near Sydney in Australia, said he felt 'nervous' while watching the predator get its prey.

Video shows the wasp circling around on the floor before approaching the huntsman spider and quickly dragging it away.

The wasp manages to move its catch across the concrete and a black floor mat and is finally seen dropping down into the grass.

Video filmed by Daniel Pankhurt near Sydney, Australia, shows the wasp circling around on the floor before approaching the huntsman spider and quickly dragging it away

Biomedical science student Mr Pankhurst sounds worried on the recording and says 'I don't want to get stung by that' as the wasp starts to edge away.

Mr Pankhurst said he spotted the battle after a 'bright moving orange object' caught his eye, something which he said 'is never a good thing in Australia'.

The huntsman is one of the world's biggest spiders, but it's no match for the wasp.

He said: 'The paralysed spider would be dragged back to the wasp's nest to be eaten alive by its larvae. Having being stung before by these, I was nervous.'

Mr Pankhurst said the wasp was 'basically the Australian equivalent' of the dreaded tarantula hawk wasp.

The tarantula hawk has the highest rating on the Schmidt sting pain index. Its sting, one researcher said, causes 'immediate, excruciating, unrelenting pain that simply shuts down one's ability to do anything, except scream'.

The spider wasp grabs onto the paralysed huntsman spider and quickly moves it over the concrete (left) and rubber mat (approaching right) before disappearing into the grass

Mr Pankhurst said: 'These things will sting if you get even remotely close. At the start it actually stops dragging the spider and was going to sting me. I was at least three metres away.

'If you have any young animals like kittens and puppies, they can die from complications because the body goes into shock from the pain.'

He continued: 'I had to kill one a few weeks back to keep my kitten safe - not the same one from the video but an identical species.

'People might think that you only see these on a farm but I'm 20km from Sydney Harbour Bridge and insect-related dangers like this are the norm.'

Female orange spider wasps can grow to be up to 35mm in length (one pictured) and use the large spiders to lay eggs on. Once the babies hatch, they eat the still-living spider

Nonetheless, Mr Pankhurst recognises that the wasp has an important role to play predating more dangerous spiders.

He said: 'They're still capable of some good - in this case, not really as huntsman spiders are beneficial to us for pest control.

'But funnel web spiders, especially the males, are out looking for females right now due to the weather and they can kill with a single bite.'

Female orange spider wasps can grow to be up to 35mm in length. They hunt spiders by stinging their undersides, paralysing them, before dragging them back to a burrow and laying eggs on them.

When the grub hatches, it then feeds upon the still-living spider.
JACKSON, MI  Douglas Goodwin Jr. was driving to work when he stopped to watch a fight that quickly turned more violent, he testified Wednesday.

That fight would end with the death of a man.

Savanna Frinkle and Sjiwana Taylor are each charged with one felony count of open murder in the stabbing death of Marvin Bearden, 63, in late August 2018.

Whether or not Frinkle, 21, meant to kill Bearden is being decided by a jury in Jackson County Circuit Court. A second jury will decide if Taylor, 47, was actively involved in the stabbing. Open murder means if the juries decide to convict, they will decide between first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter.

This isnt a whodunit. Its why was this done?' attorney says as murder trial begins

Goodwin saw Frinkle standing over Bearden at the intersection of First Street and Washington Avenue and punching him, Goodwin testified before Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain on Feb. 12. He called 911 as the fight continued, he said.

As Goodwin heard sirens coming, he watched as Bearden grabbed Frinkles pant leg, he said. She got her leg free and stabbed him in the face with a motion similar to a softball throw, he testified.

Hes got a knife stuck in his face, Goodwin said in a 911 call that was played in court.

Two other women were nearby, but Goodwin said he did not see them involved in the fight. After the three women left the area, Goodwin said he approached Bearden to try to help as police responded to the scene.

As Goodwin testified in court, Frinkle was visibly crying, wiping tears from her face and sniffling.

Hes not sure where the knife came from, Goodwin testified. From what he said he saw, it appeared out of nowhere. He didnt see anyone pull it out of a pocket or pick it up off the ground, he said.

He didnt look like he stood a chance, witness says of man stabbed to death in street

Olivia Caston knew where the knife came from, according to her testimony in a November 2018 preliminary examination. The transcript of what she said was read in court Wednesday as she was unavailable to be a witness.

It was Castons pocketknife, according to testimony. Taylor had taken it from her earlier at a small house party, she said. Caston followed Taylor and Frinkle as they left the party, according to her testimony, because she wanted her knife back.

Bearden threw the first punch, Caston said, hitting Frinkle. Caston did punch Bearden a couple times before backing away from the fight, her testimony said, she was then begging for the fight to stop.

She saw Taylor punching Bearden with the hand that had the knife in it, but she didnt think the blade was open, Castons testimony said. Caston did not realize Frinkle had stabbed Bearden until they were walking away, she said, when Frinkle told Caston that she Left that b---- in his face.

Bearden was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health and then transferred to the University of Michigan Hospital, where he had surgery but died the next day of a stroke caused by complications from the stab wounds, University of Michigan Director of Autopsy Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen testified.

Bearden was stabbed 10 times, in the neck, face, back and buttocks, Jentzen testified. He had a blood alcohol content of .283, more than three times the legal limit of .08.

Two Jackson Police Department officers testified about responding to the scene. Officer Bradley Elston rode in the ambulance with Bearden, while Officer Michael Galbreath and his K-9 tracked the suspects, testimony said.

The trial is scheduled to continue at 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13.

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T idjane Thiam claimed vindication for his overhaul of Credit Suisse today, one week after he was ousted for a corporate spying scandal.

The Ivorian politician turned globetrotting financier lost a power struggle with his chairman Urs Rohner and will leave after today.

When he arrived in June 2015 Credit Suisse, a bank at the heart of Switzerlands economy, was loss making.

By stripping back investment banking to concentrate on wealth management, the 57-year-old effectively rescued the bank.

For 2019 CS made profits of Swfr4.7 billion (3.7 billion), a 40% rise on the year before and the best since 2010.

Thiam said: I am proud of what Credit Suisse has achieved during my tenure. We have turned Credit Suisse around and our 2019 results show we can be sustainably profitable.

Thiam took the blame after it emerged the bank had been spying on two senior executives, including Iqbal Khan, seen as a successor.

While Thiam insisted he knew nothing of the surveillance, he admitted the scandal had undoubtedly hurt the bank.

An internal investigation by law firm Homburger said there was zero evidence Thiam had been involved in the surveillance scheme. Nonetheless, that probe led to the exit of Pierre-Oliver Bouee, the banks chief operating officer. One of the men involved in the spying committed suicide.

Revenues for the year were Swfr22.4 billion, up from Swfr20.9 billion. While investment returns fell sharply, the asset management arm was on the up. Thiam said the results show how much the bank has changed since 2015.

Thomas Gottstein will replace Thiam as CEO. As a local, he is thought less likely to fall foul of the board.
Four Cleveland State students placed in the Tennessee Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges Math Contest. The contest is an opportunity for two-year college students in Tennessee to compete against their peers in one of five mathematical divisions. 232 students from seven different community colleges participated in the contest.Ryan Medlin placed fourth in the Calculus A category. He is part of the Tennessee Valley Early College Program, in which he is pursuing an associates degree as a full-time Cleveland State student at the same time he is earning a high school diploma.He is a junior at Cleveland High School and wants to become a mechanical or aerospace engineer. He is also an active member of Cleveland States Engineering Club It provides me an opportunity to apply some of the knowledge that I've gained and hear about internships, co-ops, and scholarship opportunities pertaining to engineering, said Mr. Medlin.Kelsey Mabry placed third in the Pre-Calculus category. She is a senior from Bradley Central High School who attends Cleveland State as a dual enrollment student. She wants to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry. Her goal is to become a scientific researcher, professor or both. She enjoys math and chemistry because she likes to observe and question things. With theory and justifications behind math equations, as it is in Chemistry, math allows my brain to rest easy, said Ms. Mabry. It perfectly describes the way the world works and allows me to predict and manipulate its processes.Beau Neidich placed second in the Calculus A category. She graduated from Walker Valley High School in May 2019 as an AP Scholar of Distinction due to the five Advanced Placement tests she passed. Her major is civil engineering and she would like to focus on water resources. Her career goal is to provide dependable access to sanitary water while keeping environmental and humanitarian impacts in mind. I believe that assisting people to live healthier and safer lives is one of the most unacknowledged and underappreciated aspects of engineering, said Ms. Neidich.QianYao He placed first in the Calculus A category. She is a freshman in the University Parallel program at Cleveland State, and her career goal is to work with international businesses and investments. She appreciates that Cleveland State offers multiple resources for tutoring, like the Math Lab, Tutoring and Learning Center and Tutor.com. The faculty members at CSCC are very nice and approachable, said Ms. He. My professor, Dr Augustine, knows his material very well and is willing to help with all kinds of math problems in and outside of class.The TMATYC math contest is offered every November. All math students, regardless of major, are invited to participate. If you would like more information about next year's contest, contact Molly Augustine at 423-472-7141, ext. 293.Students are currently enrolled online and on-campus through the CSCC main campus in Cleveland, as well as CSCCs Athens Center in Athens, Tn. and Monroe County Center in Vonore, Tn. For more information, contact CSCCs Director of Communications and Marketing Don Foley at 423-473-2341 or dfoley@clevelandstatecc.edu.
WASHINGTON - The Senate approved a bipartisan measure Thursday aimed at limiting President Donald Trumps authority to launch military operations against Iran, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in a post-impeachment bid to constrain the White House.

The rebuke was the Senates first major vote since acquitting Trump on impeachment charges last week. Trump is expected to veto the war powers resolution if it reaches his desk, warning that if his hands were tied, Iran would have a field day.

The measure, authored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., says Trump must win approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran. Kaine and other supporters said the resolution, which passed 55-45, was not about Trump or even the presidency, but instead was an important reassertion of congressional power to declare war.

While Trump and other presidents must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there, Kaine said. An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.

The Senate vote continues a pattern in which Republican senators have shown a willingness to challenge Trump on foreign policy, a sharp departure from their strong support during impeachment and on domestic matters. Congress moved to impose restrictions on U.S. involvement with the Saudi-led war in Yemen last year after U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a gruesome murder at Saudi Arabias consulate in Turkey.

The bipartisan vote was a rare exertion of authority from Congress, the first since passage of the War Powers Act of 1973. And Trump promptly vetoed it.

The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate, nonbinding war powers resolution on Iran last month. The House could take up the Senate resolution later this month, House leaders said. Two-thirds votes in the House and GOP-run Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto of the war powers resolution.

Answering a claim by some of Trumps supporters and Trump himself that the measure would send a signal of weakness to Iran and other potential adversaries, Kaine said the opposite was true.

When we stand up for the rule of law ... and say This decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision, thats a message of strength, Kaine said. If were to order our young men and women ... to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the peoples elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, agreed. Lee supports Trumps foreign policy, including toward Iran, but said Congress cannot escape its constitutional responsibility to act on matters of war and peace.

As the Senate debate made clear, there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran, Lee said. And as part of that we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorized is in fact properly authorized by Congress. That doesnt show weakness. That shows strength.

Trump disputed that, arguing on Twitter that a vote against Kaines proposal was important to national security and pointed to the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Irans top general, Qassem Soleimani.

We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani, Trump said. If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!

Tehran responded to the U.S. attack on Soleimani by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. The attack caused traumatic brain injuries in at least 64 U.S. soldiers, the Pentagon said..

Democrats and Republicans alike criticized a briefing by the Trump administration shortly after the drone strike, saying U.S. officials offered vague information about a possible attack being planned by Iran but no substantial details.

Kaine has long pushed for action reasserting congressional power to declare war. At Republicans request, he removed initial language that targeted Trump in favour of a generalized statement declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war. The resolution also directs Trump to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a co-sponsor, called the resolution much needed and long overdue. In recent decades, Congress has too often abdicated its constitutional responsibility on authorizing the sustained use of military force, she said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and many other Republicans opposed the resolution, saying it would send the wrong message to U.S. allies. Just as we have successfully sent Iran this strong signal of our strength and resolve (by killing that countrys top general), a blunt and clumsy war powers resolution would tie our own hands, McConnell said.

The three senators seeking the Democratic nomination for president  Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts  all returned to the Capitol from campaigning and backed the war powers resolution.

Besides Collins and Lee, Republicans joining Democrats were Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana.
Australia on Thursday announced a ban on travellers from China would extend for at least a week beyond Saturday's planned deadline, as the death toll from the coronavirus soared. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government would maintain "entry restriction on foreign nationals who have recently been in mainland China" for further week "to protect Australians from the risk of coronavirus". A decision to extend the ban further will be taken week-to-week, he said. The decision is a blow to Australian tourism operators who have seen business from Chinese visitors dry up, as well as for tens of thousands of Chinese students hoping to return to Australia for the new academic year. China's official death toll and infection numbers from a new coronavirus spiked dramatically on Thursday after authorities changed their counting methods, fuelling concern the epidemic is far worse than being reported. The virus has now officially killed more than 1,350 people in China and the World Health Organisation has warned the disease has not yet peaked. "I just want to assure all Australians, that we are doing everything we can to keep Australians safe at this time, and to ensure that we are mitigating everything that is possible to address any of the threats," Morrison said. Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the decision to further extend the ban on travellers from China will be taken week-to-week
Lawrence W. Pierce, a longtime federal judge who voided a New York State law banning the sale of contraceptives to minors and joined in a decision to overturn New York Citys elected government structure as unconstitutional, died on Feb. 5 at his home in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 95.

His son Michael confirmed the death.

Judge Pierce, a Republican who had been nominated to the federal courts by Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Ronald Reagan, was only the third black judge to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, after Thurgood Marshall and Amalya Lyle Kearse. He was the first black judge to be appointed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

In 1975, writing for a three-judge appellate panel, Judge Pierce rejected New York States claim that limiting access to contraceptives was a proper exercise of police powers to promote morality among minors. The law empowered only licensed pharmacists to sell nonprescription contraceptives and declared that they could not be advertised or openly displayed. The United States Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the judges ruling, voiding the law.

Explaining why access to contraceptives should not be constricted, Judge Pierce wrote, It is not beyond the power of this court to note that some young persons under the age of 16, including some in New York State, do engage in sexual intercourse and that the consequences of such activity is often venereal disease, unwanted pregnancy, or both.
for The Second Chamber will discuss Wednesday the controversial CETA-trade treaty between Canada and the European Union ("EU"). The agreement has been approved by the cabinet of ministers and the European Parliament, however, the Second and the First, have yet to address the issue. Be as it may, the Netherlands will soon become the first state in which at CETA-tunes, and makes it possible to use a double crochet stitch for the implementation of it. What is the CETA agreement, which is also now in, and why is there so much fuss about it?

as of The CETA agreement (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) is a vrijhandelsverdrag that, by 2017, it is concluded between the EU and Canada. The convention contains nearly sixteen hundred pages, and the facilitation of trade between Europe and Canada, as the primary goal. In order to achieve this goal, a large number of existing barriers to trade are lifted.

CETA relates to a joint trade agreement: it can enter into force only after approval by the parliaments of all eu member states. Because of this a very long time, it may take a while - so bow it is, almost three years after the introduction only in the case of a large proportion of the CETA, since september 21, 2017 is already in operation.

finally, CETA is seen as a smaller version of the TTIP, it failed, and it is at least as controversial commercial treaty between the united states and the european union. Vrijhandelsverdragen such as the TTIP and the CETA will lead to a discussion because they can have a major impact on a wide range of sectors and fields. Many of the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada's agreements on co-operation and the elimination of tariffs, but also on the data protection and other legal issues. The overall agreement of a broad range of individuals, businesses and governments to touch.

The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, and former president of the European Council, Donald Tusk signed the trade treaty. (Photo: Reuters)

the Minister of state for Foreign Trade, Sigrid Kaag (D66) is considered to be the main supporter of the vrijhandelsverdrag. People 'inherit' the CETA agreement, which by its predecessor, Labour minister, Lilianne Ploumen, on behalf of Rutte II in 2016, and to agree to the treaty. The Dutch political party D66-minister, are having a hard time with the issue, and it doesn't seem to be enough political support to be able to count on.

Although the coalition partners, the VVD, CDA and D66 are in favour of the CETA agreement, it seems to be regeringsgenoot Party is not behind the treaty, and to want to be either. The Labour party was previously in favour of the controversial trade - aid is withdrawn. With the approval of both parties, it is necessary for the government to have a majority to help them. The rest of the opposition parties seem to be never a supporter of the CETA is to be. So it's likely that the CETA agreement, which is not due to the Dutch parliament.

in the Meantime, the parliaments of many member states to accept. In addition to the Netherlands, the thirteen other countries have the green light to give. If the member does not sign, it's going to be controversial, and japan is most likely not true.

as the Advocates of the CETA agreement, which are, in particular, to talk about the economic potential of the vrijhandelsverdrag to offer. For example, for the creation of employment and economic growth and will improve mobility between the EU and Canada. The vrijhandelsverdrag it should also result in companies and individuals to more easily invest in each other's countries.

in addition, the close ties that exist between Canada and the EU, as a major argument in favor of the treaty. Due to the ever-changing relationship with the united states is looking to Europe, therefore, more likely to Canada for co-operation and partnership.

Opponents of the CETA ways, especially in the power of the big companies. For example, companies with the ability to get through to the right government decisions to lock-in their investments in itself. It also offers European businesses the opportunity to provide services to Canada's historically been closed to the public sector. Some of the Canadians that are in fear, for example, the European water companies; therefore, the power to take over public water systems.

in Addition to notify their opponents of the danger of some of the products that is due to the continued implementation of free trade more easily in Europe has to be imported. In Canadian meat are for example a lot of issues.

Updated Date: 12 February 2020, 15:01
Just weeks ago, chief Elon Musk told investors the electric car maker does not need to raise more money.

Tesla Inc made an about-turn on Thursday by announcing plans to raise $2bn in a stock offering as the electric car maker taps into an astronomical jump in its share price in the past few months.

Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has repeatedly assured investors that the United States-based company will not need to raise more money. As recently as last month, Musk said: It doesnt make sense to raise money. Diluting the company to pay down debt doesnt sound like a wise move.

The company said it would offer 2.65 million shares, of which Musk himself will buy up to $10m in shares. Board member and Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison will purchase $1m in Tesla shares.

Teslas shares fell as much as seven percent in premarket trading after having tripled since October when the company posted a rare quarterly profit. Its market capitalisation is now worth more than the value of General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co combined.

Despite Musks bravado about Teslas finances, the company needs billions of dollars to finance growth, said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigans Ross School of Business.

He is smart to grab cash by selling stock at a sky-high price he might not see six months from now.

Tesla, whose outstanding debt was $13.42bn at the end of 2019, posted its second quarterly profit in a row in January and said it would comfortably make more than half a million cars this year.

The electric car maker said it plans to use the proceeds from the offering to strengthen its balance sheet and for general corporate purposes.

Tesla raised about $2.3bn in May to start production in China and spend on developing new models, including the high-volume Model Y SUV and a Semi commercial truck, whose launch has been delayed due to a lack of battery production capacity.

Since the last capital raise, Tesla has built a $2bn factory in Shanghai and unveiled the futuristic Cybertruck pickup. The Shanghai factory started delivering cars last month.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are the lead joint book-running managers. Barclays, BofA Securities, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank Securities and Wells Fargo are additional book-running managers.

The underwriters will get an option to buy up to $300mn in additional shares.
A grieving sister who blames a phone network for her mentally ill brother's death has slammed the company's 'kindness' campaign after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle endorsed it online.

The Royals promoted Bell Let's Talk on their SussexRoyal Instagram page, but were criticised for not properly researching Bell Canada.

The network was named as a factor in the death of Cleve Geddes, who hanged himself aged 30.

Cleve Geddes (left) killed himself in prison while suffering from schizophrenia after the phone network whose mental health campaign is being promoted by Harry and Meghan (right, at Canada House) on social media

He killed himself at Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre in February 2017 after he was unable to call his loved ones, his sister Sigrid told Sun Online.

Mr Geddes suffered from schizophrenia and was in solitary confinement because there were no beds available while he was in for a psychiatric assessment.

He took his own life after Bell Canada's prison phone policy did not allow him to make a collect call to mobiles.

Sigrid said of the Sussexes' endorsement: 'It's very typical, it's a very classic behaviour of celebrities to do this.

'Mental health is important for all of us and it makes them look good to be actively speaking about a very, very hot topic that has been taboo to speak about. It makes them look good.

'Am I disappointed? I think they need to be made aware that this is a media campaign to make the company look good. Meanwhile, the business is destroying people's lives.'

Mr Geddes was suffering from schizophrenia when he took his own life

She branded the network 'extremely hypocritical' as it runs phones at a host of prisons in Canada but has been criticised for making calls for inmates too pricey.

Campaigners argue that it cuts prisoners off from vital counselling and conversations with their loved ones.

The coroner at Mr Geddes' inquest even called for a rethink of the phone systems to 'make it easier for inmates to make outgoing phone calls'.

Amid the criticism, the network has taken to promoting a mental health campaign urging people to support one another through talking.

Last month the Sussexes gushed over their decision to back Bell Let's Talk, telling social media followers: 'Please share, please talk and be part of the solution'.

And they both opened up about how they had struggled mentally with Royal life in ITV's documentary of their African tour.

But it appears Bell Canada is yet to make changes - sparking huge backlash from prisoner rights' activists.

A spokesperson for the prisoners' rights group has questioned why a network that deals with prisons, where people can develop mental health issues due to jail conditions, makes it harder for inmates to get help.

They demanded that Bell Canada scraps its 'inaccessible phone contract' and warned that if they don't everyone will realise all they care about it profit.

The Toronto Prisoners' Rights Project said the network stands in the way of counselling and hits them with high phone charges.

The network charges at least $1 a call for local calls (58p), and up to $30 (17.50) for a 20-minute long distance call. Inmates can only landlines.

Bell Canada said that the current contract expires in June and a new proposal has been submitted to the government.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
On this day 73 years ago, Christian Dior revolutionized the fashion industry when he presented his first collection in Paris and introduced the iconic bar jacket. Its cinched waist, soft shoulders, open neckline and basques that accentuated the hips became part of what was deemed "The New Look" (along with a full skirt), ushering in a new era of dressing for women that celebrated femininity and opulence.

Today, celebrities from all over are still incorporating the brand's signature bar jacket into their red carpet and off-duty looks, including Alexa Chung, Chiara Ferragni, Charlize Theron and Sarah Paulson. While the overall silhouette has remained nearly unchanged, the piece has undergone several interpretations over the years through different creative directors such as John Galliano, Marc Bohan and Raf Simons.

Camila Coelho

The current crop of bar jackets all have slight modern tweaks that take them firmly into the new decade. From double-breasted styles to metallic finishes to a wider neckline to tuxedo satin details, there have been countless ways to sport the timeless piece.

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior's artistic director of women's collections, has also modernized the staple item through subtle changes like the addition of more masculine lines, checks and denim effects. For her Fall 2020 couture show, she rendered the icon in a black granite tweed, while her last cruise collection in Morocco saw her collaborate with Mickalene Thomas and Grace Wales Bonner.

Bonner's interpretation included mixing crochet and Caribbean embroidery techniques done in silk and hand-woven raffia, and Thomas approached it by infusing the jacket's curves with elements resembling her famous colored collages. Meanwhile, the more classic version of the bar jacket, which is part of the brand's permanent 30 Montaigne collection, is available now.
The GSMA has cancelled Mobile World Congress 2020 amid escalating concerns about the international outbreak of coronavirus.

While the GSMA implemented a number of health and safety measures aimed at improving biosecurity  including a no handshake policy and monitoring the temperatures of attendees - the bodys chief executive John Hoffman acknowledged that ultimately the threat posed by the virus has made it impossible to host the event.

Mobile World Congress is the largest trade event in the telecoms industry, and this years event was anticipating over 100,000 attendees from over 200 countries. While its name has changed since its inauguration in 1987, this is the first time in the events history that it has been cancelled. The GSMA has stated that it will continue to work with its host city partners on MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.

Over the past few weeks, a number of high profile exhibitors such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, LG and Nokia had withdrawn from the event, citing fears that they could not guarantee the health of their employees under the circumstances. Other companies, including Huawei and Samsung, had planned to press ahead with a scaled-back presence in light of the lower-than-expected attendee list.

At the time of writing, Spain has only two confirmed cases of coronavirus  a fact which has proven problematic for the not-for-profit GSMA. Taken together with the events importance to Barcelonas economy  it accounts for 1% of the citys annual revenue and creates 14,000 temporary jobs  Spains authorities were happy for the event to proceed as planned.

This has effectively forced the GSMAs hand; from a public health perspective, it was clearly ill-advised to continue with the show, but since the Spanish government would not declare a medical emergency, the GSMA will be unable to make up for its lost revenue through insurance.

The cancellation is likely to hit smaller businesses the hardest since the show offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with potential investors and partners. However, larger businesses will lament the loss of public relations opportunities offered by MWC, with Huawei in particular smarting after negative media coverage in 2019 led to dwindling international deals. Chinese companies will also face an uphill public relations struggle given the countrys status as the epicentre of the coronavirus.

It remains to be seen how this perception will affect MWC Shanghai, which takes place from late June, but the cancellation of this years MWC Barcelona will likely increase anticipation for next years edition.
Iconic Brands Bellissima Prosecco and Sparkling Wines Made with Organic Grapes and Certified Vegan and Gluten Free, to Showcase Christie as Celebrity Mixologist



Amityville, NY, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Iconic Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: ICNB) (Iconic or the Company), today announced that Supermodel and Actress Christie Brinkley will host a series of Apres Ski events starting on Valentines Day, Friday, February 14, 2020 through Sunday the 16th at The Snow Lodge in Aspen, CO. The events will have an ice bar and feature Bellissima Prosecco and Sparkling Wines, wines made with organic grapes, with Bambinis (375ml) available in all three expressions. In addition, the highlight of the evening series will showcase Bellissimas partner Christie Brinkley, as their celebrity mixologist throughout the evening.

The Snow Lodge, created by renowned resort The Surf Lodge, is the newest hotspot and located at the base of Aspen Mountain. It officially opened on December 26, 2019 and has become legendary in its own right with its own concert series. The Snow Lodge is located at 501 E Dean Street, Aspen, Colorado.

Richard DeCicco, Chief Executive Officer of Iconic, stated, With her famous charm, warmth and hospitality, theres no better Valentines Day host than Christie Brinkley. Our Bellissima Prosecco line of premium beverages will provide the perfect complement to these events. They are created for the health-conscious consumer who also loves the taste of high-quality alcohol beverages, and this has resonated extremely well with our audience.

Bellissimas offerings include Prosecco DOC Brut, Sparkling Rose Wine, and Zero Sugar Sparkling Wine, all made with organic grapes and certified vegan and gluten free.

To learn more about Bellissima products, recipes, and more, please use this link: http://bellissimaprosecco.com/

To purchase Bellissima beverages online, please use this link: https://www.splashwines.com/pages/bellissima .

Or visit your local wine merchant to purchase in store.

About Iconic Brands, Inc.

Iconic Brands, Inc., is a lifestyle branding company with the highest expertise of developing, from inception to completion, alcohol beverage products for itself and third parties. Iconic Brands markets and places products into national distribution through long-standing industry relationships. Iconic is a leader in celebrity branding of beverages, procuring superior and unique products from around the world and branding its products with internationally recognized celebrities. The Bellissima offerings include Prosecco DOC Brut, Sparkling Rose Wine, and Zero Sugar Sparkling Wine, all made from organic grapes and certified vegan and gluten free. In addition, Iconic also develops private label spirits for domestic and international established chains.

Please visit the Companys websites and follow it on social media.

Websites : Iconicbrandsusa.com; Bellissimaprosecco.com

Instagram : @IconicBrandsUSA; @BellissimaProsecco

Facebook : @IconicBrandsUS; @BellissimaProsecco

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance, and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Iconics reports that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review, including those statements under Item 1A  Risk Factors in Iconics Annual Report on Form 10-K.

These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events, and Iconic cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Iconic or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Iconic disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Contact:

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Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday accused the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, of depriving the people of the state of the benefits of central schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat and Prime Minister Kisan Yojana.

He said the CPI and the CPI(M) had earlier partnered with the Congress at the Centre and Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) was also part of the Congress-led UPA government, but West Bengal got little central benefits.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed that projects of any state will be completed on priority if land and other requisites are made available," Goyal said while inaugurating the first phase of the East West Metro corridor.

"We want to give more projects to West Bengal, but the state is not allowing those," he claimed.

Goyal, who also holds the important commerce portfolio in the Modi cabinet, said 8.88 lakh farmers across the country received the benefits of the Prime Minister Kisan (PMK) Yojana, but no one from West Bengal got those due to the refusal by the Mamata Banerjee government.

"In the Ayushman Bharat programme, nearly one crore people have got the benefits, but people of Bengal were deprived of it," he said.

Goyal said the Modi government had brought in a wave of development in the country with its motto: "sabka sath, sabka vikas, sabka viswas".

He added that the prime minister had, in 2014, said the wholesome development of the country could only happen if the eastern parts developed.

"Earlier, the west and the south developed but not the east," he said, adding that people from Bihar and West Bengal went to all parts of the country for work.

The people of the eastern parts of the country had not got an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of development before Modi became the prime minister, the railway minister said, adding that the focus of the Union government was on developing these parts of the country.

Flagging off an inter-city express between Balurghat and Kolkata through remote control, Goyal, on a lighter note, said it might have been a coincidence that the number of the train matched with his date of birth.

"While the number of the train is 13064, my date of birth is June 13, 1964," he said.

The railway minister also dedicated to the nation 140 kms of railway electrification project in the Katwa-Azimganj and Monigram-Nalhati sections of the Howrah and Malda divisions.

The commissioning of the new railway electrification project at a cost of approximately Rs 219 crore, covering the Katwa-Azimganj and Monigram-Nalhati sections, will help ensure seamless electric train operations on different routes of the Eastern Railway and reducing diesel consumption substantially.

Goyal said 83 per cent route kilometres of the Eastern Railway were electrified now and the remaining work was in progress so as to achieve 100 per cent electrification by 2021.

He also dedicated to the nation a 3-MW rooftop solar power plant at the Howrah station, which was installed without incurring any capital expenditure by the Indian Railways.

The cumulative revenue saving would be around Rs 40 crore over the next 25 years, an Eastern Railway official said.

Goyal also inaugurated from the Sector 5 station 41.13 kms of double/third line over the Howrah, Malda and Sealdah divisions of the Eastern Railway, which was completed at a cost of approximately Rs 550 crore.

The ER has commissioned double lines in the Nimtita-Dhulianganga (11.38 km) and Sujnipara-Nimtita (6.72 km) sections of the Malda division, the Mile 5B-New Alipore (1.67 km) section of the Sealdah division, the Lalbagh Court Road-Khagraghat Road (7.40 km) section and the Debipur-Rasulpur third line (13.96 km) of the Howrah division, the official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Partnership unlocks new opportunities for customers to spend points like cash, debit or credit card

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / Engage People, a global technology provider that redefines the way customers spend loyalty reward points, today announced that it is working with Priceline, a world leader in travel deals, to give loyalty program members the option to pay for travel using credit card loyalty reward points.

Engage People, which covers 100% of the top 13 e-commerce categories in North America, gives its customers the flexibility to spend loyalty points just like any other currency at participating retail partners around the world. With Priceline, Engage People loyalty program members can pay for the entire breadth of offerings from Priceline including flights, car rentals and hotels with loyalty points.

"Our aim is to unlock new ways for customers to spend loyalty reward points that have accumulated in their mobile wallets - and the best way to do that is by viewing points as a valuable form of currency," said Len Covello, CTO of Engage People. "We're excited to team up with popular sites like Priceline that are taking innovative approaches to providing people with more choices when it comes to making purchasing decisions."

"This collaboration with Engage People will allow millions of travelers to use their points to pay for Priceline travel, including a worldwide assortment of flights, hotels and rental cars," said Kayla Dickin, Director of Partnerships at Priceline Partner Network. "It also allows us to provide private travel discounts to exclusive groups such as loyal cardmembers. Whether it's receiving the best deal on a trip and earning points for that transaction, or redeeming those points for travel, we continue to help consumers experience the moments that matter."

To find out more about Engage People and its suite of award-winning technology offerings, visit www.engagepeople.com. For more information about how to collaborate with Priceline, contact Kayla Dickin at Kayla.Dickin@priceline.com.

About Engage People

Engage People is a global technology provider that redefines the way customers spend loyalty reward points. Serving as the conduit between banks, retailers and their customers, Engage People allows consumers to make everyday purchases with loyalty points, giving them the flexibility to buy what they want - whenever they choose. By offering pay with points, Engage People unlocks loyalty points that have been accumulated but not spent. Top banks and retailers around the world rely on Engage People for its first-of-its-kind loyalty ecosystem. With headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and offices in the U.S., Canada and Italy, Engage People has been ranked on Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies list by Canadian Business and PROFIT. For more information visit: www.engagepeople.com.

About Priceline

Priceline, part of Booking Holdings Inc., is a world leader in travel deals. Priceline offers exclusive discounts on hotels, flights, alternative accommodations, rental cars, cruises and packages. We offer more than a million lodging properties, helping travelers find the right accommodation at the right price. We negotiate great deals every day, and put our best pricing on the Priceline app. Our deep discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars and more are also distributed through our partnership brand, Priceline Partner Network. With free cancellation for many rates, 24-hour customer assistance and the option for both pre-paid and pay upon arrival reservations, Priceline helps millions of travelers be there for the moments that matter. For us, every trip is a big deal.

Media Contact:

Michelle Mead

Caliber Corporate Advisers

michelle@calibercorporate.com

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SOURCE: Engage People

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576185/Engage-People-Partners-with-Priceline-to-Give-Customers-Flexibility-to-Pay-For-Travel-With-Loyalty-Points
Likewise, the official affirmed that this is not only an important step for governance, but also for boosting business opportunities to benefit both countries' companies and markets.

According to the dignitary, this treaty makes Australia diversify its markets while creating the opportunity for Peru to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific zone.

She went on to add that Peru offers Australia an access point to the various markets in Latin America.

For his part, Peruvian Ambassador to Australia Miguel Palomino de la Gala stressed that both nations have signed the PAFTA because they share common interests. As example, he mentioned that the two countries are democracies and promote economic, social, as well as political freedoms.
The Ekal Parivartan Kumbh is scheduled to begin on February 16 in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow and two-and-a-half lakh people are expected to attend the event. The three-day event, February 16-18, will be held at the Ramabai Maidan. On Thursday, a special prayer service was held for the success of this programme.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the event on February 17 and Sadhvi Ritambhara will be present in the event. Union Defence Rajnath Singh will be present during the concluding event. On February 17-18, there will be a programme on an Ekal Kumbh in Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Law University's Bheemrao Ambedkar auditorium. The event will include several academics of the country along with Swaraj Sainik.

Ekal Abhiyaan Trust Board Chairman Laxmi Narayan Goyal will be present in the event.

The first Ekal school was opened in an Adivasi area of Jharkhand. In today's date, nearly one million twenty thousand Ekal schools are there in the country of which 22 thousand Ekal schools are there in Uttar Pradesh. The Ekal schools are built especially for tribal and remote rural area students.

The main objective of this program is to promote education among the children of backward and underprivileged society. In an Ekal school, there is only one teacher who teaches all subjects. Under this campaign, the Ekal Parivartan Kumbh is being organized in Lucknow. The programme will also honour the youth of forest dwellers and tribal society.

Volunteers are making arrangements for food and drink for people coming from all over the country to participate in the event. About 2.5 lakh people will be present in the programme on the first day and 20 thousand volunteers will be present in the program to be held on February 17-18.

For the two and a half million people coming to the event, lodging and arrangements are being made at the house of the people of Lucknow. A procession will also be taken out at six points of Lucknow before reaching Ramabai Ambedkar Park on February 16.
Hundreds gathered on Thursday to bid adieu to renowned fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, who passed away at the age of 59, at his home in Colvale village in north Goa.

A prayer meet for Rodricks, who died on Wednesday evening, was held at the St Francis de Asisi church.

Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat was amongst the politicians who arrived to pay homage to the departed soul.

Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi also attended the funeral.

"He was very dear friend of mine. I will miss him a lot. It is really sad. When we went to Bhutan for the literature festival, that was the time when I really came to know him properly," the actor told reporters outside the church.

A Padma Shri award-winning designer and known for infusing modern aesthetics with traditional Goan influences, Rodricks was also an author, environmentalist and gay rights activist.

Rodricks was working on his passion project Moda Goa Museum, which is dedicated to the history of Goan costumes, and had posted about it just three days ago.

The fashion designer also made cameo appearance in the 2003 film "Boom" and television play "West" in the year 2002. He also starred as himself in Madhur Bhandarkar's film "Fashion" (2008).

Rodricks was known for pioneering the idea of resort wear and advocating eco-friendly fashion.

Prominent personalties from all walks of life such as Union ministers Smriti Irani and Shripad Naik, film directors Onir, Bhandarkar, designers Ritu Kumar, Rina Dhaka, Rahul Mishra, Samant Chauhan, actor Soni Razdan, and music composer Ehsaan Noorani condoled the death of the fashion designer.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
" " Astrocat Felicette blasted from Algeria to nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers) above Earth. HowStuffWorks

In the 1950s and '60s, scientists around the world launched a veritable menagerie of creatures into space. The idea was to gauge the effects of spaceflight on living creatures in the hopes that humans could follow.

The Soviet Union sent a stray Moscow dog named Laika into space, and subsequently, the pooch was honored as a national hero. Ham the chimpanzee was famously buried at the International Space Hall of Fame in New Mexico following his contributions to the U.S. space program.

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And then there was France, which sent the first (and so far only) cat into space. She was ignobly forgotten until just a few years ago.

So, who was this hero cat, anyway?

Felicette was one of 14 cats summoned to the French space program. Each cat had electrodes implanted into their brain, and all were subjected to many of the same activities included in human astronaut training. French scientists decided to use cats as they already had a lot of neurological data on them.

First cat in space #Felicette to get memorial statue after successful crowdfund: https://t.co/zh8oh8K44Ypic.twitter.com/p7bQ6o4xou  collectSPACE (@collectSPACE) November 17, 2017

At the conclusion of training, the petite tuxedo Felicette got the green light, in part because she had such a calm demeanor (and possibly because the other cats got too chubby during training).

On Oct. 18, 1963, Felicette (who was officially known as C 341), was strapped into a Veronique rocket and blasted from Algeria to nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers) above Earth. She experienced about five minutes of weightlessness followed by the terror of a turbulent, spinning descent via parachute.

Just 15 minutes later, the flight was complete. A helicopter crew dashed to the landing site, threw open the cabin, and found Felicette alive and well.

Two months later, scientists rewarded her heroism with euthanasia  they wanted to examine her body to observe the effects of spaceflight. Then, Felicette was all but forgotten.

So forgotten that in the '90s, when three former French colonies celebrated her story by issuing stamps with the cat's likeness, they mistakenly turned her into a boy by using the wrong name  Felix.

But thanks to a clever Kickstarter campaign, the story's finally been set straight. Londoner Matt Guy stumbled upon the tale of Felicette and was shocked that she wasn't already properly recognized for her accomplishments.

"Over the last 54 years, the story of the first and only cat to go to space has been largely forgotten. She deserves a proper memorial," Guy wrote on Kickstarter in 2017. His online pleas netted around $57,000, enough to fund a 5-foot (1.5-meter) tall bronze statue.

On Dec. 18, 2019, the statue was finally unveiled at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. Felicette's bronze likeness stands on a statue of Earth, her keen kitty eyes fixed on the skies where she once soared higher than any cat in world history.

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Why was Felicette not remembered for so long? France was the third nation to establish a civilian space agency and  like Felicette  is often regarded as an afterthought in the feverish space race between the U.S. and Soviet Union.

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Originally Published: Feb 13, 2020
SPRINGFIELD  Narcotics detectives, raiding a Forest Park neighborhood home Wednesday afternoon, arrested four men and seized an unlawful firearm, ammunition and cocaine.

The firearm was tossed out of a window while the warrant was executed and then recovered by police, said Ryan Walsh, spokesman for the department. Detectives also seized 133 rounds of ammunition, shotgun shells of various calibers, an empty magazine, approximately 5 grams of cocaine and $451 in cash.

Police, investigating the illegal possession of firearms at the home in the 200 block of White Street, executed their warrant at about 4:30 p.m.

Luis Lugo, 19, and Dashua Torres, 20, both of White Street, were charged with: possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate narcotics laws and possession of a firearm without a license.

Derek Ramos, 23, of Kensington Avenue, and Joel Perez, 19, of Worthington Street, were charged with: carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

The search warrant was executed under the direction of Capt. Brian Keenan and officers in the Emergency Services Unit under the direction of Lt. Brian Beliveau.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel to New Delhi and Ahmedabad, India, on Feb. 2425 to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House announced Monday.

Why it matters: India could be to America in Asia during the 21st century what the U.K. was in Europe during the 20th  the most reliable partner in great power competition, says Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington now at the Hudson Institute.

Indias location, size and economic growth make it the obvious counterweight to China in the eyes of American policymakers.

The relationship is deepening, particularly in the military dimension.

India has also recently shown a greater willingness to call out aggressive Chinese behavior, says Milan Vaishnav of the Carnegie Endowment. It spurned Beijings Belt and Road Initiative and is attempting to counter Chinese influence in South Asia.

There have been tensions with the White House over trade, but a modest deal on that front is expected when Trump visits later this month.

Between the lines: Trumps visit will be closely watched primarily for his rhetoric on Modis domestic policies, including a controversial citizenship law that excludes Muslims. Modi is a fellow populist who won a landslide at the last election, but has faced protests at home in recent months.

Protestors fears that Modis muscular Hindu nationalism is trampling Indias status as a secular democracy, especially after he sent thousands of troops to the Indian-administered Kashmir and erased the special status of the majority-Muslim state  escalating tensions with Pakistan in the disputed region.

After the recent crackdown in Kashmir, Trump appeared alongside Modi and declared before a 50,000-strong crowd at a "Howdy Modi" event in Houston: "India and the United States understand that to keep our communities safe, we must protect our borders."

Im expecting that this is essentially going to provide a similar kind of air cover for Modi, Vaishnav says. And I think the White House has no issue providing that.

The big picture: Thats not only because Trump has a track record of embracing strongmen and rejecting concerns on human rights.

The fundamental premise of this relationship is that there is an aggressive China emerging in the Asia Pacific that seeks to be a global power, and India is Americas best bet at balancing against that threat. Thats roughly the same realpolitik calculation a Democratic administration would make, Vaishnav says.

Thus, Washington will seek to deepen the relationship even if theres less focus on shared values  as the worlds two largest democracies  and more on shared interests.

What to watch: The current realities stand in stark contrast to the grand vision.
"Rishi Sunak in his new role will need to work extraordinarily quickly to get a grip on the upcoming Budget and present it to Parliament next month."

Javid, who was appointed Chancellor in July 2019 in Boris Johnson's new cabinet, reportedly refused to fire his parliamentary aides at Johnson's request and instead chose to step down.

Rishi Sunak has replaced Javid as Chancellor and will deliver next month's Budget. Sunak was elected as MP for Richmond (Yorks) in the 2015 general election and was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Johnson's new government.

The pound rose sharply on the news of Javid's resignation amid rumours of more fiscal stimulus and fewer tax cuts.

McVey, who also joined Boris Johnson's new cabinet last year, became the 10th Housing Minister in under 10 years to leave the post - spending just seven months in the role.

McVey previously resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary over the government's draft Brexit deal, stating that it "does not honour the result of the referendum" and "threatens the integrity of the United Kingdom".

On Twitter, McVey said: "Im very sorry to be relieved of my duties as Housing Minister. I wish my successor the very best & every success."

Founder and CEO of Stone Real Estate, Michael Stone, commented: The position of housing minister is fast becoming the governments poisoned chalice, with those taking on the role doomed to fail from the very get-go.

"Until we elevate the role to the position of power that it requires, we will continue to see each candidate fall on their own sword having failed to address the deep-rooted issues embedded within the UK housing crisis in the short time they are allowed to do so.

"Only time will tell if yet another housing minister holds the key but one area of focus must be the continued delivery of new housing for all levels of homebuyer. Failing to maintain the positive momentum weve seen of late will see demand continue to exceed supply and push house prices higher and homeownership out of reach for many.

Rachael Griffin, tax and financial planning expert at Quilter, added: "One of the key pillars of The Conservatives election success was the perception that they could be trusted with the economy, and the country was hoping for a period of stability within Westminster. This was supposed to be a low-key reshuffle but instead we have yet another key ministerial change. It is really not a good look for the Chancellor to quit less than a month before their first Budget, and it leaves a host of issues hanging in the balance.

"Rishi Sunak in his new role will need to work extraordinarily quickly to get a grip on the upcoming Budget and present it to Parliament next month. It is yet to be seen whether Sunak will serve as No. 10s puppet, given the speculation that the Prime Ministers office is seeking to take closer control of the Treasury.

"He will inherit several political hot potatoes. For instance, the government has already promised to fix its disastrous pension annual allowance taper, which has led to staffing shortages in key public services, including the NHS. The government is also under pressure to address the issue of social care funding which has been kicked down the road multiple times and was a major Tory manifesto pledge.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 04:20:25|Editor: Yurou

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BERLIN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- BASF is planning to construct a new production site for battery materials in the German state Brandenburg, the German chemical giant announced on Wednesday.

The new factory will produce cathode active materials (CAM) with an initial capacity enabling the supply for about 400,000 fully electric vehicles per year, according to BASF.

The production site in Brandenburg would use precursors from the BASF plant in Harjavalta, Finland. Startup of the two plants was planned for 2022, the German chemical giant noted.

"The plants in Finland and Germany will offer our customers reliable access to tailored high-nickel cathode active materials in proximity to their European manufacturing facilities," said Peter Schuhmacher, president of the catalysts division at BASF.

According to BASF, the German company would be the first CAM supplier with local production capacities in the world's three major markets, Asia, the United States and Europe.

Back in December, the European Commission approved the first large-scale European battery cell manufacturing project. It would "pave the way for the provision of funding" for five German companies, which included BASF and the German car manufacturer Opel, according to the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).

Beside the five German companies, six other companies from members of the European Union would be funded with the aim to build up "battery value chains in Germany and Europe," BMWi noted.
In his first comment on provocative statements by leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said it was possible that such statements could have contributed to the partys defeat in national capital Delhi. They should not have given such statements, Shah said at the Times Now Summit to questions on hate statements such as the goli maro slogan and comparing the Delhi election to a India vs Pak match.

Shah said the BJP had distanced itself from these remarks and should not be construed as the partys position. There are all kinds of people in the fray, he said.

Union minister of state Anurag Thakur, BJPs West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma and the BJPs Model Town candidate Kapil Mishra were banned from campaigning by the election commission for these inflammatory slogans and statements.

While referring to protesters at Shaheen Bagh, Thakur had led party supporters to chant the goli maro slogan and Verma had said that the protesters will rape and kill your daughters and sisters. Mishra, who called the election as a contest between India and Pakistan had also called the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh a mini-Pakistan.

ALSO WATCH | Apt to call Kejriwal terrorist: Newly-elected BJP MLA a day after Delhi polls

Asked about his speech where he asked voters to press the EVM buttons so hard that the Shaheen Bagh protesters would be jolted by its electric current, Amit Shah said people figured that he did not mean that people would be electrocuted. It was in a manner of speaking to explain to people that victory (in the election) is linked to an ideology, he said, adding that he counted it as a certificate that the opposition had only criticised one of his statements.

Shah said it was impossible to outline the factors which go into people deciding to vote a particular way but it was quite possible that such statements had a negative fallout.

Shah, however, underlined that the election result could not be counted as a mandate on the protest against the amended citizenship law at Delhis Shaheen Bagh. Elections are not won on a single issue, he said.

The Shaheen Bagh protest, he said, was still an issue. How should protests be held?... In a democratic country, what should be definition of a protest and what are the issues on which protests should be held just as people of Shaheen Bagh have the right to articulate their view, so do we., he said.

The BJP managed to get only eight seats in the February 8 Delhi assembly election which was swept by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party which won 62 seats in the 70-member House.
The City of Luxembourg has submitted a request to the Ministry of Finance so that businesses based in the Gare district and suffering from the tram works can stagger the payments of their tax charges.

From Friday until the end of 2020, when the tram construction is set to conclude, the Fort Wedell and Fort Neipperg car parks in the capital's station district will offer an hour's free parking.

On Saturdays, the first four hours of parking will be free as well, in a new measure taken by the city's authorities to help boost commerce in the area. Many businesses surrounding the Place de Paris and other roads affected by the tram roadworks have suffered as low accessibility has led to low footfall.

The City of Luxembourg has also submitted a request to stagger tax payments for the shops affected, allowing them a delay without financial repercussions.

Another measure taken by the City of Luxembourg as a Luxexpo shareholder: stands will be made available free of charge to traders in the Gare district during the "Spring Break", formerly known as the Spring Fair, in a bid to boost profits.
Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) has released the Second Tier (Tier 2) admit card for various recruitment exams, namely, Lower Division clerk (1/17), Grade IV DASS (2/17), Lower Division clerk (8/19), Junior Clerk (19/15), Grade IV DASS/Junior Assistant (20/18) . The recruitment exams for these posts will be held on February 16, 2020.

Candidates are advised to download their e-admit card to appear for second tier examination. Candidates can login using their application number and date of birth.

Steps to download DSSSB Tier 2 admit card 2020:

Visit the official website of DSSSB at dsssb.delhi.gov.in

Click on the link DOWNLOAD ADMIT CARD FOR SKILL TEST FOR VH CANDIDATES IN POST CODE 01/17, 08/19, 20/18, 2/17 AND 19/15

At the bottom of the page, click on the checkbox that reads Second Tier PET/ Skill Test/Online Exam

A login dialogue box will open

Key in your Tier 1 exam roll number and select post

Click on generate e-admit card

Your admit card will be displayed on screen

Download and take its print out
James Sibel, a physician, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts with his wife in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Merriam Theater, on Feb. 12, 2020. (NTD Television)

PHILADELPHIAThe City of Brotherly Love welcomed Shen Yun Performing Arts to the Merriam Theater near its historic downtown on Feb. 12, 2020, as an important stop on this years world tour. The classical Chinese dance company enjoyed its opening night blocks away from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, both of which played a part when the United States broke from a repressive foreign power hundreds of years ago. Fitting, since audience members find Shen Yuns is a modern story of freedom and the American dream.

CFO Says Shen Yuns Mission is Fantastic to See

Many of Philadelphias seasoned theatergoers attended the performance, including James Sibel, the CFO of a consulting firm. He said the performance by New York-based Shen Yun was different than he expected it to be and that it was fantastic.

[Shen Yun is] magnificent so far, it was wonderful. Im here with my wife and were both delighted, he said during intermission. I was surprised by all of it, actually. It was wonderful.

Shen Yuns mission is to revive Chinas 5,000 years of civilization and share it with the world. It aims to do this by utilizing ancient Chinese art forms on the stage such as classical Chinese dance, bel canto singing, and music from instruments that are unique to the nation which capture its soulfulness and rich complexitythe erhu, pipa, and dizi, for example.

But a true revival of Chinas culture would not be complete if it did not bring with it the spiritual essence of the country once known as The Divine Land. Shen Yun carries on ancient Chinas reverence for the Creator and heaven by incorporating celestial realms and spiritual themes into its stories and song lyrics.

Sibel felt fortunate to be a part of that.

Its fantastic to see a revival of something that is so ancient and dear to the hearts of so many. Im privileged to see it, he said.

I think most ancient values can benefit our modern society, he continued, in reference to Shen Yuns revival of ancient Chinas values such as kindness, loyalty, perseverance, and more.

We all need some of that respect that has been lost for one another, Sibel said, adding that the spirituality in the performance meant a great deal to him and that he felt honored to have seen Shen Yun.

Associate Director on Shen Yun: Highly Recommended

Matthew Bashi is the Associate Director for Global Client Relations at Educational Testing Services, the organization that oversees such programs as Teaching English as a Foreign Language certifications (TOEFL). To him, Shen Yun was just beautiful and he now understands why the company travels to perform again year after year.

What did he like about the performance? Everything, he said, the historical aspect of it, and then the scenery, the magnificent colors and the way everything is so seamless in terms of the dances. It is absolutely magnificent.

I didnt know a lot about the Chinese culture and religion, and Ive learned a lot tonight, and I appreciate that, and I look forward to learning more tonight as the show progresses, he said.

A certain dance piece by the female cast stood out to Bashi among Shen Yuns short vignettes, a dance titled Lantern Grace. In it, court ladies bearing exquisite bronze lanterns glide to and fro according to the program book.

It was just beautiful, Bashi said.

He could see the expressions on the dancers faces throughout the performance, complimented them, and commented on the shows overall effect.

Its just wonderful and very peaceful, very serene.

Im going to highly recommend [Shen Yun] to my peers and my coworkers, of course, Bashi added.

Elliot Gerber, physician, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts with his wife, Debbie, at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 2020. (Lily Sun/The Epoch Times)

Doctor Finds Shen Yun Relaxing And Energizing

Elliot Gerber, a physician, also suggests Shen Yun.

I would highly recommend coming to see it, Gerber said, who attended with his wife, Debbie, a nurse.

I would tell them to come see it also. Very enjoyable, she said.

[Shen Yun] is wonderful, Elliot said. I was a little surprised. I thought that it was sort of a cultural envoy from China, and I was surprised to find out that it was quite the opposite. They are expressing unhappiness about the way the people are being treated in China and this is not available to be seen in China.

Shen Yun cannot perform in China today because the Chinese Communist Party has spent decades trying to wipe out Chinas traditional culture, especially its rich spiritual history and its authentic spiritual practices. Thats why this classical Chinese dance company whose members practice Falun Dafa, an ancient spiritual discipline, cannot step foot in Chinas borders. The persecution against Falun Dafa practitioners is severe and ongoing. A Shen Yun performance includes scenes of this persecution in modern-day China and hopeful narratives about the way spiritual believers like Falun Dafa adherents are overcoming it with compassion and faith.

Elliot and Debbie both felt uplifting and positive energy from Shen Yuns performance.

I love the colors, the colors and the movements. Its very relaxing but its also very energetic so I like it a lot, Debbie said.

I think [the singing] was amazing, very powerful, Elliot said, and Debbie agreed.

Elliot said he was surprised by the lyrics sung by Shen Yuns bel canto vocal soloists, but I thought the thoughts were very beautiful, he said. Shen Yuns soloists often sing about the Creator one day returning to earth for all mankind, an ancient legend passed on through Chinese history since time immemorial.

The music overall was wonderful, the physician said; Its also very powerful.

With reporting by NTD Television, Frank Liang, Lily Sun, 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.
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges. For the uninitiated, Khruangbin is a Houston instrumental funk trio who arrived at their slinky sound after bingeing on funk records from Thailand. Theyre hooked up with fellow retro-soul man and fellow Texan Bridges  he hails from Fort Worth  on a suave, four-song EP called Texas Sun that expands the artists ranges while playing to their strengths.

Valentines Soul Jam. When Ovation Hall opened in 2012 in the Revel casino resort, Beyonce and Kanye West played there. Things have been a tad sleepier since. This year, the room in what is now the Ocean Resort is getting some use, mostly for country acts like Rascal Flatts (due March 6) and Alison Krauss (May 23). This weekend, the venue hosts an old-school R&B bill with Philly flavor, including the Stylistics, Enchantment, Bloodstone, and Peaches & Herb. Sunday at Ovation Hall.

Camron. Fifteen years after the original, Harlem rapper Camron  born Cameron Giles  followed up his career highlight Purple Haze with Purple Haze 2, an unlikely return to form that finds him ignoring current rap trends but still spinning yarns like a master storyteller. Tuesday at the TLA.

Fatoumata Diawara. Born in the Ivory Coast to Malian parents, Diawara is an actor as well as a songwriter. Shes collaborated with Malian musicians Oumou Sangare and Amadou & Mariam, and her 2018 album Fenfo (Something To Say), on the New Jersey label Shanachie Records, is a beauty. Wednesday at World Cafe Live.

Brothers of a Feather. Among the big-deal tours headed this way this summer is the Black Crowes, the reunion of battling brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, who are playing the BB&T Pavilion in Camden on July 14. But fans of the band  whose raucous road life is chronicled in drummer Steve Gormans 2019 memoir Hard To Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes, written with Steve Hyden  can get an early peek at the brothers when they perform in the Fillmores intimate upstairs room. Friday at the Foundry at the Fillmore.
Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA

Donald Trump said on Tuesday the military may consider disciplining Alexander Vindman, the former White House National Security Council official who testified in Trumps impeachment trial.

Vindman, an army lieutenant colonel who provided some of the most damaging testimony during the House impeachment inquiry into Trumps dealings with Ukraine, was removed from his White House job last week.

We sent him on his way to a much different location and the military can handle him any way they want, Trump said.

Related: Trump fires key impeachment witnesses Vindman and Sondland

Asked if he was suggesting that Vindman face disciplinary action, Trump said that would be up to the military.

If you look at what happened  theyre going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that, Trump said.

In his testimony, Vindman, then the NSCs top Ukraine expert, said that Trumps request that Ukraine investigate the 2016 election, the Bidens and Burisma  which could boost Trumps re-election  was inappropriate and had nothing to do with national security.

A line from Vindmans testimony about the rule of law in the United States, here, right matters, became a refrain in the Democrats impeachment case against Trump. The Republican president was acquitted in the Republican-majority Senate after being impeached in the Democratic-controlled House.

I obviously wasnt happy with the job he did, Trump said of Vindman. First of all he reported a false call  what was said on the call was totally appropriate.

One of Vindmans lawyers, David Pressman said, 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. Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth.

Vindmans twin brother, who served as a senior NSC lawyer, was also recalled last week, though he did not serve as a witness in the impeachment. The Vindman brothers will be reassigned to the defense department, according to a spokesperson.
We never determined if it was a (attorney/client) privileged item, Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said.

Medina Espinosa changed his plea from not guilty to not guilty by insanity and alleged that he received neurological damage during a workplace accident in January. He did not appear in court Wednesday due to a doctor for the defense doing a neurological exam on him at the same time.

Bauer also addressed the cost of a doctor that the defense and prosecution agreed on for assessing Medina Espinosa and said that the court did not feel that the cost was in the courts budget, but he did find a doctor that at a quarter of the cost that they will retain for $4,000.

Klomberg will use the original doctor as a witness for the state and was approved by Dodge County for his appearance. The defense will have their own doctor who will appear at trial.

Klomberg also asked for the sister of Hollinshead to both testify during the trial and be allowed in the courtroom to hear the trial.

The court also discussed medical records from the past for Medina Espinosa including an episode of severe depression when he was a junior at Beaver Dam High School.
U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has once again urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to ratify the conditions set by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and respect international laws and regulations against financing terrorism and money laundering.

FATF, the Paris-based global financial watchdog issued a four-month deadline in mid-October, giving Tehran a last and final chance to comply with international anti-money laundering rules by February 21, 2020.

In a tweet on Wednesday, February 12, Mike Pompeo affirmed, "It is past time for Iran to live up to its commitment to play by the global rules to combat money laundering and terror financing. Iran must ratify the Palermo Convention and Terrorist Financing Convention now."

Almost all countries have adopted the FATF standards, and Iran should not be treated as an exception, Pompeo has maintained.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) a G-7 supported international watchdog based in Paris, in 2017 demanded Iran to reform its legal system and banking practices by following international conventions, in order to become eligible for unrestricted international banking relations. FATF has put Iran on its blacklist, pending legal reforms by Tehran.

To meet FATF's demands, President Hassan Rouhani presented four bills, (collectively known as the "Palermo Bills" in Iran) to the parliament in November 2017.

Commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Friday Prayer Leaders across Iran, and other figures appointed by the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have repeatedly opposed the passage of UN-sponsored conventions.

Ratifying the bills will restrict Tehran's financial assistance to the so-called resistance entities, including the Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian HAMAS in Gaza Strip they have argued.

Furthermore, they believe that if approved, the bills would give away the Islamic Republic's "secrets" in circumventing American sanctions.

Supporters of accepting FATFs conditions, including Rouhanis government, say joining the FATF and other international agreements on financial transparency and combating money laundering and terrorism-financing would reduce international pressure on Iran's already deteriorating economy.
Primo Management Group Primo Management Group is proud to be a corporate champion of The Wounded Warrior Project and offer veterans discounts on how to cancel a timeshare.

Primo Management Group, which focuses on how to cancel timeshare, has become an official corporate champion of The Wounded Warrior Project and is offering a discount to any active or retired members of the military as well as first responders who wish to learn how to get out of a timeshare agreement. The company, based in Florida, has assisted thousands of people in getting out of resort agreements throughout the United States and is veteran owned. They wanted to begin 2020 with this promotion to assist people who feel stuck in resort agreements.

It amazes us how these timeshare companies go after people. They find veterans and active military members who are looking for a vacation with their scarce free time and they invite them to a resort for a free weekend. Then, they tell them how affordable it would be to own time at a resort, selling them a pipe dream. The problem? The costs go up, there are hidden fees, and they have trouble reserving the time they want. To make things worse, they cant get out of the deal and they have to keep paying. Thats not right to do to anyone  but especially those who have or are still serving our country  and we want to help. Primo Management Group Owner and proud veteran Israel Sanchez, Jr.

Because many of these resorts come with complex, agreements, its hard for people to get out of them. In fact, to date, there are no DIY methods for getting out of these timeshare agreements safely, and the only chance someone has is to hire the services of a company like PMG. To start, PMG offers a free consultation to help identify the challenges that come with the agreement, whats really needed to learn how to cancel timeshare and so forth. This information is offered upfront at no charge to the client before the work begins.

These people have been tricked and they feel stuck. We offer a way out, but every case is different and thats why we want to begin with a free consultation. Weve had some cases that we were able to take care of in three months and others that took longer. It really depends on a variety of factors, and thats why we want you to call us first. We'll be 100% honest and will set realistic expectations. If you are a veteran or are currently serving the United States, we invite you to call and ask about the discount.

For more information, please contact: (407) 627-1179 or email: info@pmanagementgroup.com

Primo Management Group is based in Central Florida and is the countrys top timeshare cancellation group. Veteran-owned, the company has helped thousands of people get out of their resort contracts. If you have noticed an increase in annual fees, random fees being charged to you, difficulty selling or getting out of the agreement, contact us today for further assistance.


A man wearing protective mask uses his phone as he walks on a pedestrian bridge, following the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Willy Kurniawan/Reuters)

Indonesia Traces Movements of Chinese Tourist With Coronavirus

JAKARTAIndonesia is retracing the movements of a Chinese tourist diagnosed with coronavirus upon return from the resort island of Bali, a health ministry official said on Feb. 13.

The worlds fourth most populous country, with more than 260 million people, is a popular destination for Chinese visitors but has so far not recorded any cases.

Anung Sugihantono, at Indonesias health ministry, told Reuters authorities were checking hotels and other destinations where the tourist might have gone, but nobody in Bali had yet been found with symptoms of the coronavirus.

Another ministry official, Achmad Yurianto, told reporters the tourist was probably infected on public transport in China upon return.

In a statement on microblogging site Weibo, official media in Chinas Anhui Province said the tourist, identified only as Jin, traveled from Wuhan Citywhere the outbreak originatedto Bali on Jan. 22 and returned to China on Jan. 28.

Bali is Indonesias main tourism gateway and has already seen 20,000 cancellations, according to Indonesias hotels and restaurants association.

The Anhui media said the tourist flew on a plane operated by Indonesias Lion Air from Wuhan and returned via Garuda Indonesia flight to Shanghai.

Lion Air spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said in a statement the airline had concluded that passengers and crew on board the plane taken by the tourist were free of the virus.

Garuda Indonesia spokesman Ikhsan Rosan said in a statement the carrier had grounded and disinfected its plane.

Indonesia has barred visitors who have been in China for 14 days and halted flights.

By Stanley Widianto
Trump and Barr

REUTERS/Leah Millis

Since President Donald Trump was acquitted last week in his impeachment trial, he and Attorney General William Barr have carried out a series of targeted firings and legal interventions that have the Justice Department in turmoil.

"Can't recall a worse day for DOJ and line prosecutors," a former prosecutor told Insider. "A robbery in broad daylight in the middle of Chicago is more subtle than Barr's obsession to shield Trump and his co-conspirators."

"I am aware of no precedent remotely like it in the history of the DOJ," another longtime former prosecutor told Insider. "It seems to me to be a classic hallmark of a dictatorial [or] fascist government."

One former senior DOJ official who worked with the special counsel Robert Mueller when he was the FBI director told Insider that the past few days had been "a devastating breakdown" in the checks and balances on Trump's power.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As Rep. Adam Schiff wrapped up his closing arguments in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial last week, he warned Senate Republicans that if they didn't vote to remove the president from office for abusing his power, he would "do it again."

"He has not changed. He will not change," Schiff said. "A man without character or ethical compass will never find his way. He has done it before, and he will do it again."

In the end, the Senate acquitted Trump in a nearly party-line vote, with key swing-vote Republican senators like Susan Collins and Lamar Alexander voting to acquit while expressing hope that the president had learned his lesson from the bitter trial.

Here's what's happened since:

Last Friday, Trump fired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Gordon Sondland, the US's ambassador to the European Union, both of whom testified against him in the House of Representatives' impeachment hearings. Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., indicated that Sondland and Vindman were fired in direct retaliation for their impeachment testimony.

On Monday, Attorney General William Barr acknowledged that he had set up an "intake process" for the Justice Department to vet material that Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, collected from Ukrainian sources about former Vice President Joe Biden.

On Tuesday, Barr and his top aides publicly overruled the career prosecutors working on the government's case against the longtime GOP strategist Roger Stone and called for a lesser sentence than the one prosecutors had recommended. Barr's intervention led to the withdrawal or resignations of all four prosecutors working on Stone's case.

Story continues

The Daily Beast reported late Tuesday that since his acquittal, Trump had privately urged Giuliani to continue working on obtaining damaging information on the Bidens and to update him and the DOJ on his findings.

"I think he feels like the chains are off now," one senior administration official told the outlet. "It's like things have taken a turn. The gloves are off. And everything that used to be hush-hush is now just ... out in the open."

Indeed, current and former officials told Insider they struggled to find any precedent for the "breakdown" of the Justice Department's historic independence that has largely kept it insulated from political interference, with one saying Barr's moves had turned it into "an arm of the Trump political machine."

rudy giuliani

(Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

'A classic hallmark of a dictatorial [or] fascist government'

Jeffrey Cramer, a longtime former federal prosecutor who spent 12 years at the DOJ, didn't mince words when reacting to the string of developments.

"Can't recall a worse day for DOJ and line prosecutors," he told Insider. "A robbery in broad daylight in the middle of Chicago is more subtle than Barr's obsession to shield Trump and his co-conspirators."

Referring to Barr's decision to create a direct line for Giuliani to funnel information to the DOJ about the Bidens, Patrick Cotter, a former federal prosecutor who worked with members of the special counsel Robert Mueller's team, told Insider: "I am aware of no precedent remotely like it in the history of the DOJ. It seems to me to be a classic hallmark of a dictatorial [or] fascist government."

Barr's facilitation of Giuliani's research is all the more striking given that the former New York mayor is the subject of an investigation by the Southern District of New York into whether his efforts to dig up dirt on the Bidens in Ukraine violated foreign lobbying laws.

The Trump team's push for political dirt on Biden from Ukraine  carried out while Trump withheld vital military aid from the country  was the crux of the impeachment inquiry.

Typically, the Justice Department's investigations begin with evidence of potential criminality that's uncovered by professional investigators with agencies like the FBI, the IRS, the DEA, and others.

Those investigators then examine the evidence and present it to nonpartisan career prosecutors at US attorneys' offices across the country who make a decision whether or not to prosecute based on the law and the facts. Those cases are then submitted to the DOJ for approval on the basis of whether there's sufficient evidence to file charges to a grand jury.

But in this case, for Giuliani, who is acting as Trump's personal agent, to instigate an investigation of Trump's political rival is an "unimaginable" and "gross perversion" of the system," Cotter said. "It undermines the credibility the DOJ has spent over century building. It reduces the DOJ to an arm of the Trump political machine."

One former senior DOJ official who worked with Mueller when he was the FBI director told Insider that the past few days had been "a devastating breakdown" in the checks and balances on Trump's power.

Barr, this person added, is essentially functioning as Trump's bag man and is "the single most powerful weapon in the president's arsenal."

Cramer echoed that point, adding that Barr "must realize he is running an organization where he has no respect beyond a few at Main Justice."

In light of Trump's and Barr's actions over the past several days, some Democratic lawmakers have called for Michael Horowitz, the DOJ's inspector general, to launch an investigation. That said, there's nothing stopping the president from ousting Horowitz as well.

Reports over the past few months have said the president is weighing firing Michael Atkinson, the intelligence community inspector general who played a pivotal role in sparking the impeachment inquiry when he informed the House Intelligence Committee of an "urgent" and "credible" whistleblower complaint against Trump, in accordance with federal law.

"The buffers are quickly disappearing," Jens David Ohlin, a vice dean at Cornell Law School and an expert in criminal and constitutional law, told Insider. "The usual buffer is a president who doesn't intervene and an attorney general who protects an independent Justice Department. But it appears that we have neither now."

Read the original article on Business Insider
[February 13, 2020] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading National Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces Investigation of PlayAGS, Inc. (AGS) on Behalf of Investors

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of PlayAGS, Inc. ("PlayAGS" or the "Company") (NYSE: AGS) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of the federal securities laws. If you suffered a loss on your PlayAGS investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information here or contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, via email [email protected] or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On August 7, 2019, PlayAGS reported net loss of $7.6 million for second quarter 2019, which included a $3.5 million impairment to goodwill and $1.3 million impairment to intangible assets related to the Company's real money gaming business.



On this news, the Company's share price fell $8.99, or nearly 52%, to close at $8.31 per share on August 8, 2019, on unusually heavy trading volume. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

Whistleblower Notice: Persons with non-public information regarding PlayAGS should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC (News - Alert) Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email [email protected]. About GPM Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP is a premier law firm representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. ISS Securities Class Action Services has consistently ranked GPM in its annual SCAS Top 50 Report. In 2018, GPM was ranked a top five law firm in number of securities class action settlements, and a top six law firm for total dollar size of settlements. With four offices across the country, GPM's nearly 40 attorneys have won groundbreaking rulings and recovered billions of dollars for investors and consumers in securities, antitrust, consumer, and employment class actions. GPM's lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct including cases involving financial restatements, internal control weaknesses, earnings management, fraudulent earnings guidance and forward looking statements, auditor misconduct, insider trading, violations of FDA regulations, actions resulting in FDA and DOJ investigations, and many other forms of corporate misconduct. GPM's attorneys have worked on securities cases relating to nearly all industries and sectors in the financial markets, including, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, real estate and REITs, financial, insurance, information technology, health care, biotech, cryptocurrency, medical devices, and many more. GPM's past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg (News - Alert) Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press, Barron's, Investor's Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005152/en/

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Shaheen Bagh protesters should agitate against NPR, NRC: Congress' Jairam Ramesh

India

oi-Mousumi Dash

Kochi, Feb 13: The Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday has come up with a statement for the protesters of the epicentre of anti-CAA protests Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. The Congress leader said that the people of Shaheen Bagh should agitate against the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) if they are worried that their citizenship is going to be taken away from them.

On Thursday, Ramesh claimed that the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi served the BJP's "communal interest and also helped communal Muslim interests."

How 'shoot the traitors', Pakistan analogies in Shaheen Bagh did not work for BJP

"I don't understand what Shaheen Bagh people are protesting about. Are they worried that their citizenship is going to be taken away from them. That is a legitimate fear. Then they should agitate against NPR and NRC. Why are they only agitating against CAA," he asked as per PTI.

The senior Congress leader told PTI, "Fine, I understand the emotion and sentiments. Initially (protest) in four days, five days...but after a while, I think it served the BJP's interest to keep Shaheen Bagh going, it served the communal Muslim interests to keep Shaheen Bagh going."

"These protests helped the BJP, but it also helped the communal outfits," Ramesh said. "... And frankly beyond a point of time, I did not go to Shaheen Bagh," he added.

Earlier, in January, other Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Mani Shankar Aiyar had visited Shaheeh Bagh to express solidarity with those protesting against the amended citizenship act.

Can a four month old go to a protest: SC fumes on infants death at Shaheen Bagh

However, Ramesh slammed the BJP-led Central government for bringing amendments to the Citizenship Act, claiming it was brought to divide the people on the basis of religion.

Expressing that the Congress party's stand on the contentious Citizenship Amended Act (CAA) was very clear, Ramesh also stated that the saffron brigade wants to exclude certain communities from the CAA... BJP's policy is one of excluding Muslims.

With this he also added that Congress wants to include everybody. Tamils from Sri Lanka, Christians from Bhutan, Ahamedias from Pakistan... Citizenship should not be based on religion.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 17:07 [IST]
SHADY COVE, Ore.  Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies converged on a property near Shady Cove on Tuesday, arresting two suspects in an ongoing investigation.

Members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force were looking for 33-year-old Robert Phillip Tallman, the suspect in multiple criminal investigations that included Burglary, Eluding, and Reckless Driving. Tallman also had an outstanding warrant from the state Parole Board and Santiam Correctional Facility for a parole violation, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office said.

The Sheriff's Office had asked for help from the Task Force in making Tallman's arrest a priority. The Task Force includes members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Central Point Police, and the Sheriff's Office.

On Tuesday, investigators began surveillance on a property believed to be where Tallman was staying.

"During that time, he was seen in possession of a handgun and seen firing it," the Sheriff's Office said. "The assistance of the JCSO SWAT Team and additional personnel from Oregon State Police was requested."

Around 4:30 p.m., officers moved in to arrest Tallman. According to the Sheriff's Office, he ran toward Highway 62 from the 100-block of Butte Falls Highway. Within fifteen minutes, he was taken into custody.

Moments before officers arrest Tallman, they also arrested a woman who had been with him. 23-year-old Cheyanne Michael Colman was taken in for outstanding warrants related to theft charges.

Both Tallman and Colman were lodged at Jackson County Jail. The Sheriff's Office said that additional charges on Tallman are expected "as investigations conclude on his activities in recent weeks."

Already a convicted felon, Tallman was arrested back in November of 2017 after leading Sheriff's deputies on a car chase. When Tallman eventually crashed his car, he tried to run away, reportedly dropping a loaded revolver. Investigators found also found a "homemade improvised explosive device" in his car, in addition to methamphetamine.

In the 2017 case, Tallman pleaded guilty to four charges and was sentenced to prison time of a little more than two years, to be followed by two years probation.
By Juno McEnroe and Daniel McConnell

Fianna Fail has ruled out forming a government with Sinn Fein but wants Fine Gael to clarify if it would support Micheal Martin as Taoiseach in a reverse confidence-and-supply deal.

Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin told his parliamentary party yesterday that he wants to form a government  but has ruled out working with Sinn Fein.

Speaking to TDs, senators and MEPs in Leinster House, Mr Martin discussed the fallout from the weekend's general election, in which the party lost 15 seats and only won 37 overall.

He told the gathering that he wants to try to put a government together  leaving all options open except working with Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Fein. It is understood that he said a five-year term is preferable and that something radical and different is needed.

There were suggestions in recent days that Fianna Fail could seek to build a 'super' coalition involving Fine Gael and the Greens  a huge majority that would not require others.

There was also no challenge to Micheal Martin's leadership at the meeting, despite the bruising election results and recriminations in recent days over party strategies in the campaign.

Earlier, a number of new and returning TDs told the Irish Examiner of their opposition to cooperating in a coalition with Sinn Fein. There is also a larger view that Ms McDonald's party should be allowed at it, said sources, after winning the popular vote in the election.

At the meeting, which began at midday, Mr Martin made a strong plea to be given a mandate to enter government and those present approved a motion to appoint a negotiating team.

Mr Martin, despite being under considerable pressure, did not face any challenge to his position at the meeting. According to sources, Mr Martin expressed a desire to avoid a second general election and was backed by the likes of Michael McGrath, Thomas Byrne and Darragh O'Brien.

Mr Martin was deeply critical of Sinn Fein in his remarks, saying their economic agenda poses a significant risk to Ireland's open economy. He said the next government must be radical and different and appealed to his TDs, Senators and MEPs that he be given a mandate to seek to enter government and begin discussions with other parties.

Limerick County TD Niall Collins said that the party is fully behind not going into government with Sinn Fein, as did Cavan-Monaghan's Brendan Smyth and Cork North Central's Padraig O'Sullivan.

Mr Collins also said a possible coalition with Fine Gael was not really discussed at the meeting, and added that it may not be possible to form a government.

It comes as Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, earlier told her parliamentary party meeting that it would be "quite a challenge" for Fianna Fail to sign up to a government of change, but there is an obligation to act urgently. Ms McDonald has also written to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin seeking a meeting about government formation.

But Michael McGrath, Fianna Fail's finance spokesman, last night called on Fine Gael to clarify its position on supporting his party from the opposition benches. While Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, had left open the door on a reverse confidence-and-supply agreement during the election campaign, Tanaiste, Simon Coveney, had ruled this out, Mr McGrath told RTE: It has to be explored, there are no easy options here."

Mr McGrath also said it is "premature" to talk about a possible Fianna Fail-Fine Gael coalition. He added that it is Fianna Fail's "objective to be in government to get things done" and that Micheal Martin "absolutely" wants to be Taoiseach

Nonetheless, Mr McGrath played down the chances of a political solution being reached by next Thursday, when the new Dail will first meet, while he said the talks should not drag on for months.
Pakistan on Thursday termed the sale of integrated air-defence system to India by the US as "disturbing", saying it would further destabilise the "already volatile region".

The US has approved the sale of an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) to India for an estimated cost of USD 1.9 billion to modernise its armed forces and to expand its existing air defence architecture to counter threats posed by air attacks.

Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui told reporters during her weekly media briefing here that Pakistan saw the advance notice issued by US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, notifying the State Department's approval of Foreign Military Sale to India of IADWS.

"Sale of such sophisticated weapons system to India at this time is particularly disturbing as it would further destabilise the already volatile region. The US decision would disturb the strategic balance in South Asia with serious security implications for Pakistan and the region," she said.

"The International community is fully aware of India's aggressive policy designs against Pakistan and threatening statements of Indian political and military leaders. South Asia cannot afford an arms race and conflict. It is therefore incumbent upon international community to prevent further destabilization of the region, she added.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India later this month, she said he offered mediation on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute on several occasions and "now was time to fulfill the promise".

"We hope to see those offers being translated into practical actions. We hope that the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir will be raised during President Trump's visit to India," she said.

She alleged that India committed 272 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control this year, killing three civilians and wounding 25 others.

She also warned that Pakistan would respond most effectively and immediately to any Indian provocation.

To a question about the upcoming meeting of the Financial Action Task Force in Paris where Pakistan will present its case to escape from being blacklisted, she said that Islamabad's efforts were widely acknowledged.

"We are certainly hopeful and working closely with our partners in the international community in this regard," she said.

The FATF in October last decided to keep Pakistan on its 'Grey List' for its failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

If not removed off the list by April, Pakistan may move to a blacklist of countries that face severe economic sanctions, such as Iran.

Since Pakistan continues to be in the FATF 'Grey List' , it would be very difficult for the cash-strapped country to get financial aid from the IMF, the World Bank, ADB and the European Union.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Puducherry Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution tabled by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy registering strong protest against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens and National Population Register

Puducherry: The Puducherry Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution tabled by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy registering strong protest against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens and National Population Register.

All the members belonging to the opposition AINRC and AIADMK boycotted the session while the three nominated legislators belonging to the BJP staged a walkout after registering their objection to the tabling of the resolution when the House commenced its special session.

The House had a one-day special session. As soon as the Chief Minister started reading out the contents of the resolution the three BJP members V Saminathan, KG Shankar and S Selvaganapthy rose in revolt and objected to moving of the resolution.

They were heard saying the resolution was a "murder of democracy" and "violation of constitutional provisions." The members trooped out of the House and did not turn up for the remaining part of the meeting.

The resolution urged the Centre to withdraw the CAA as it was "totally opposed to the principles of secularism."

The resolution was passed after the airing of views by the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and legislators belonging to the Congress and its ally the DMK. Speaker VP Sivakolundhu said the resolution was "adopted unanimously."

The resolution stated that the CAA had caused "pain and chaos" among the people at large in the country.

The enactment of the legislation in the Parliament had created "peaceful agitations across the country."

The CAA was shattering to pieces the principles of secularism which is the basis of the constitution, it said.

Claiming that there was a hidden agenda in the CAA as the Muslims were ignored, it said the law was "totally injurious" to the great sacrifices made by Mahatma Gandhi for protection of secularism.

The resolution alleged that certain forces were trying to introduce religious sentiments by forgetting the path shown by the first Indian Prime Minister late Jawaharlal Nehru.

"If there was any space available for the divisive forces it would only mean that a historic blunder would be committed hitting the cardinal principles of secularism the great sacrifices made by martyrs and the freedom of the country."

The resolution also expressed disappointment over the CAA not including the Sri Lankan Tamils who were staying in various places and in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu.

Similarly, the Rohingya Muslims living as refugees in northern states of the country and also the Indians from Bangladesh and Pakistan have also not been included in the Act, it added.

The resolution urged the Centre to roll back the CAA, the NRC and the NPR.
Holding that candidates for elections should not be selected merely on their "winnability", the Supreme Court on Thursday directed political parties to make public within 48 hours details of pending criminal cases against them, in a far-reaching verdict aimed at decriminalising politics.

The political parties were ordered to upload on their official websites and social media platforms details of the pending criminal cases against their candidates and the reasons for selecting them with the court observing there has been an "alarming increase" in the incidence of criminals in politics since the 2004 Lok Sabha polls.

The court said this should be done within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate for Lok Sabha and Assembly polls or at least two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier.

"The political party concerned shall then submit a report of compliance with these directions with the Election Commission within 72 hours of the selection of the said candidate," said the bench of Justices R F Nariman and S Ravindra Bhat.

The court also directed as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

Besides making available the details of the pending criminal cases on the official social media platforms of the political parties, including Facebook and Twitter, the court directed it should be also published in one vernacular and one national newspaper.

The reasons for selecting candidates having pending criminal cases should be with reference to their qualifications, achievements and merit and not merely on "winnability" at the polls, it said.

"It appears that over the last four general elections, there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of criminals in politics," the bench said referring to the data placed before it.

"We have also noted that the political parties offer no explanation as to why candidates with pending criminal cases are selected as candidates in the first place."



If a political party fails to submit the compliance report of the directives with the Election Commission, the poll panel "shall bring such non-compliance" to the notice of the Supreme Court "as being in contempt of this Court's orders/ directions", the bench said.

Reacting to the order, the BJP said it would strengthen electoral democracy.

BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the directions would enable voters to make a choice keeping "all factors" in mind when they cast their vote.

On the other hand, the Congress utilised the verdict to take a dig at the the BJP over appointing a minister in Karnataka who is accused in mining cases. It alleged that the court directive has already been torn to shreds by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Today itself, Modi ji has torn to shreds the orders of giving reasons for giving tickets to leaders accused in cases," Surjewala tweeted with a report on Anand Singh, accused in mining and forest crimes, being appointed the new minister for forest, environment and ecology in Karnataka.

The apex court delivered the verdict on a contempt plea which raised issues regarding criminalisation of politics in India and claimed that directions given by the top court in its September 2018 verdict relating to disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidates are not being followed.

The top court noted that 24 per cent of the MPs had criminal cases pending against them in 2004 while in 2009, it went up to 30 per cent.

Further, in 2014, 34 per cent of the MPs had pending criminal cases against them, which increased to 43 per cent in 2019.

In September 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench unanimously held that all candidates will have to declare their criminal antecedents to the Election Commission before contesting polls and called for a wider publicity, through print and electronic media about antecedents of candidates.

Referring to the 2018 verdict, the bench said, "In this judgment, this court was cognisant of the increasing criminalisation of politics in India and the lack of information about such criminalisation amongst the citizenry."



The bench, which passed the directions on Thursday in exercise of its powers under Articles 129 and 142 of the Constitution, said the apex court had passed directives in the 2018 verdict "in order to remedy this information gap".

"It shall be mandatory for political parties [at the central and state election level] to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases (including the nature of the offences, and relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned Court, the case number etc.) who have been selected as candidates, along with the reasons for such selection, as also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates," it said.

In its September 2018 verdict, the top court had left it to Parliament to "cure the malignancy" of criminalisation of politics by making a law to ensure that persons facing serious criminal cases do not enter the political arena as the "polluted stream of politics" needs to be cleansed.

During the hearing on the contempt plea, the EC had told the court that increase in number of MPs having pending criminal cases was "disturbing".

The poll panel had agreed with the suggestions of senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing BJP leader and petitioner Ashiwini Upadhyay, including that all political parties should mandatorily upload on their website details of candidates with criminal antecedents along with the reasons as to why those without any criminal record could not be selected.

However, the EC said it was not agreeable to the suggestion regarding penalising the political party or its candidates under Article 324 of the Constitution for their failure to disclose criminal antecedents, as it does not have this power.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bengaluru: Did newly appointed forests minister Anand Singh hide his criminal case record from the Election Commission when filing his nomination for the December byelection?

The byelection saw him and 10 other defectors who aided the BJP in toppling the JD(S)-Congress coalition government re-elected.

If a comparison is made between the election affidavit Anand Singh filed for the general elections in 2018--when he contested as a Congress candidate from Vijayanagar (Hospet)--and his documentation for the December 2019 byelection, it is evident that he did not disclose details pertaining to at least 15 cases.

Between 2018 and 2019, he was acquitted in one case.

In the affidavit filed in 2018, Anand Singh mentioned that he had 16 criminal cases pending against him, mostly related to forest encroachment, illegal mining and disappearance of a mine seized at Belikeri port near Karwar.

While most of the cases were filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Lokayukta and the Forest Department, some, including the one pertaining to the disappearance of iron ore from Belikeri, were filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Soon after he resigned as a Congress MLA, Anand Singh was acquitted by the Special Court for Elected Representatives, Bengaluru, in a case pertaining to alleged export of 1.3 lakh tonnes of seized iron ore from Belikeri port. The CBI had filed the charge sheet in this case in 2017 and judge Ramachandra D Huddar cited lack of evidence while acquitting him.

However, when Singh filed his nomination papers for the December 2019 byelection, the column in the affidavit pertaining to criminal cases against him was left blank. When the media quizzed him about the pending cases against him, he dismissed it, saying that they were minor cases, like `traffic offences'. He added that he hailed from a mining family, and there are always likely to be some minor cases filed against miners, which should not be taken seriously.

Congress on the offensive

The Congress party has questioned the BJP for appointing Anand Singh as the forest minister despite the several mining cases against him. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that while the Supreme Court directed parties to upload details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, the directive had already been torn to shreds by prime minister Narendra Modi.

Modiji and BJP again come to the rescue of the Ballari Gang! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLAs alone but Ministers of the ministry which has been already looted,'' Surjewala tweeted.
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Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Tokyo, Japan  Thu, February 13, 2020

Japan is all set to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics with up-to-date technology to support the summer event amid concerns of security and health.

The Tokyo Olympics Game 2020 Organizing Committees press relations project director Michiko Makino said the event would make use of Japanese technology.

The technology includes human support robots and delivery support robots developed by Toyota Motor Corp. to help spectators, especially those in wheelchairs, such as by carrying food and other items, guiding people to seats and providing information.

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NEW plans to light up Henley Bridge have been drawn up.

Artist Clive Hemsley has teamed up with Henley jeweller David Rodger-Sharp to deliver their vision for the historic structure.

They have submitted a planning application to both Wokingham and South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authorities for each side of the Thames. A copy has also been given to Henley Town Council, which will be discussing the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Rodger-Sharp said: The concept seeks to create a vision for the celebration of Henleys historic and iconic bridge, recognising the architectural, historic and communal heritage value to Henley and the founding relationship between the River Thames and Henley.

Drawing the attention of the public to this heritage has a major beneficial impact on Henleys heritage and character at a strategic level. The overarching principles of the lighting strategy are sound, seeking to enhance an appreciation of the character and significance of the bridge, to minimise visual clutter, reduce unwanted light spill and deliver creative public art which is striking.

He said the project would:

 Make Henley more of a destination for visitors and increase footfall.

 Act as a catalyst for improving the public realm.

 Contribute to a more ecologically sustainable environment for the river

 Provide more opportunities to enjoy the environs of the river.

Mr Hemsley, an artist and entrepreneur, of Hart Street, Henley, installed strings of fairy lights to the bridge without permission in March 2018.

This sparked a public debate about the idea of illuminating the structure permanently before Oxfordshire County Council, which owns the bridge, ordered the lights to come down.

More than 2,400 people signed a petition calling for the lights to stay but heritage bodies and supporters opposed them. The lights were eventually taken down in October.

Mr Hemsley, an advertising agency owner and artist, was then refused planning permission by Wokingham Borough Council, for white LED lights.

The council said his suggestion to drill into the mortar surrounding the five arches posed potential harm to the bridge. It also said there was no evidence that the lights would conserve or enhance the bridges architectural value.

Now Mr Hemsley says he has found a type of adhesive fixing that wouldnt damage the stonework of the 18th century bridge, which is Grade I listed.

He told a public meeting last month that he wanted to use mood lights, similar to those used to light up many London bridges. These would be attached with cable ties every metre and fastened with a silicon compound.

He says these are cheaper and more energy efficient than the type of lights used to illuminate buildings such as the town hall.

He has already gained the support of the county council and Henley MP John Howell.

Mr Hemsley said: I first thought about this idea five years ago. I know how to visualise and to me this just seemed obvious.

This was before all of the projects in London, so I was ahead of them, but now we are behind.

I am sure the lights would look amazing, particularly with the option to have the different colours. I would hope the council would approve it this time.

Mr Rodger-Sharp, of Reading Road, Henley, said: I appreciate some people are against the lights. Maybe they dont understand the technology, or they dont realise that these lights will not do any damage to the bridge.

This is also being privately funded by Clive, which I think is such a lovely gesture. I share the vision.

I genuinely love Henley and think it is a really special place. We want to make it a destination for visitors and we also want to make it a more energy efficient place to live.

He said the project would cost tens of thousands of pounds including ongoing maintenance.

The pair will be working alongside Daniel Bausor, from Bix, who has worked on the Illuminated River project in London.

They have also started a poster campaign for local businesses to show their support.

During last months meeting, Mr Hemsley criticised the town council for failing to provide an opinion on the project.

He hopes to have the lights fitted in time for the summer and plans to change the colour of the lights to match special events, such as the Henley Royal Regatta and Thames Traditional Boat Festival.

The Henley Archaeological & Historical Group objected to Mr Hemsleys application last year due to concerns about potential damage to the bridge. Concerns were also raised by Historic England, which said there was no justification or need to light the bridge.
New Feature Allows Brands and Media Agencies to View Full Sales Impact of Ad Spend

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE:KR) media advertising business, Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM), announces a new sales attribution capability to provide brands full transparency into media performance. Kroger's self-service advertising platform now allows brands to view in-store and online sales results attributed to advertising campaigns across Kroger properties. Kroger applies only 100 percent verified transactions from both in-store and online customers.

Microsoft PromoteIQ powers Kroger's self-service advertising platform, which includes sponsored product listing ads and banner display ads on Kroger websites and mobile apps. The new sales attribution feature uses data science from KPM and Microsoft PromoteIQ technology. It provides marketers the ability to better understand campaign performance and optimize media investment against actual return on ad spend. This difference gives KPM an edge in the rapidly growing retail media space.

"Kroger has created a seamless commerce experience for shopping in-store or online for pick-up or delivery. And brands advertise on Kroger Precision Marketing because we can influence moments when shoppers are searching and discovering products, and do so in an authentic way. We're committed to providing brands a fully transparent view of sales performance rather than just the typical novelty metrics of digital media," shared Cara Pratt, Vice President, Commercial and Product Strategy for Kroger Precision Marketing at 84.51.

"Together, Kroger Precision Marketing and Microsoft PromoteIQ are elevating the expectations marketers can and should have for retail media. The ability to connect onsite media activity to in-store purchases helps marketers understand in a granular way how their marketing efforts with Kroger Precision Marketing are driving tangible business outcomes," said Alex Sherman, co-founder and CEO of Microsoft PromoteIQ.

Kroger's self-service advertising platform has been a strong performer for two years. In 2019, hundreds of Kroger suppliers executed thousands of campaigns and achieved industry-leading return-on-ad-spend.

"In a media industry with lots of ambiguity, Kroger Precision Marketing stands out by showing the true incremental impact of advertising, matching ad exposures to verified sales," said Pratt. "Our results are getting noticed by brand marketers and agencies alike, who are excited about our media assets that allow them to create a connection with customers throughout their path to purchase."

About Kroger Precision Marketing

Kroger Precision Marketing is a leading retail media advertising solution. Powered by Kroger's popular loyalty card program, we connect customers to brands through engaging moments that inspire purchasing online or in store. Kroger Precision Marketing closes the loop between media exposure and store sales to make brand advertising more addressable, actionable and accountable. Learn more at KrogerPrecisionMarketing.com.

Media Contact:

Lisa Dyson

O'Keeffe PR

Lisa@Okeeffepr.com

(513) 404.6302

SOURCE: The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE: KR) media advertising business, Kroger Precision Marketing

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576188/Kroger-Precision-Marketing-Challenges-Media-Industry-with-Transparent-Sales-Attribution-Powered-by-Microsoft
A stockbroker who hanged himself while under suspicion of killing his ex-girlfriend called her a 'piece of s**t' and confessed 'most of the stuff you will hear is true' except for child porn allegations, in his suicide notes.

John Ozbilgen, 29, killed himself November 22, less than a month after Stephanie Parze, 25, went missing in New Jersey and two days after he was released from jail on a child pornography charge.

Her mother reported her missing October 31 after she failed to show up to a babysitting job and didn't respond to messages.

In a 911 call her mother told the dispatcher she'd contacted Ozbilgen who said he'd seen her the night before. A week later he became a person of interest and cops soon discovered abusive images of children as young as three on his computer and phone.

In two suicide notes made public by Monmouth Prosecutor's Office on Monday after fragments were revealed last month, Ozbilgen addresses 'Mom, Dad, Sal, Sammy', and another is addressed to an unnamed ex-girlfriend.

'Sorry about all this crazyness, I've been miserable for so long now, I had enough ... I can't do life in prison,' Ozbilgen writes to his parents. 'I dug myself in a deep hole. This is the only choice.'

John Ozbilgen, 29, (left) killed himself less than a month after Stephanie Parze, 25, (right) went missing on October 30. Her body was discovered by two teenagers in the woods in Old Bridge, Middlesex, New Jersey, on January 27

In one of two suicide notes made public by Monmouth Prosecutor's Office on Monday, Ozbilgen says: 'I dug myself in a deep hole. This is the only choice'. He tells his parents: 'Most of the stuff you will hear is true exept (sic) the child porn, I would never do that'

The other note is addressed to an ex-girlfriend he asks why she got a restraining order. He didn't reference Parze by name but in one note referred to 'the girl in the news' as a 'piece of s***'

Ozbilgen hung himself in his parent's garage on November 22, two days after he was released by officers on an unrelated child pornography charge. Parze accused the stockbroker of striking her hand and back-handing her across the head. The man's family said: 'We don't truly know what happened to Stephanie, but what we do know is John never said that he hurt Stephanie to us or in the note that he left. We believe he is innocent'

In the note to his family he continues, 'most of the stuff you will hear is true exept (sic) the child porn, I would never do that'.

Neither of the notes mentions Parze by name but in the note to an ex-girlfriend he references 'the girl in the news,' referring to her as a 'piece of s***'.

Ozbilgen had a history of violence towards women, prosecutors said. In the last three years three had made domestic violence reports against him, one of those was Parze in September 23.

Another was an ex-girlfriend who told the Asbury Park Press that Ozbilgen had choked her unconscious more than once during sex and arguments. She later dropped the charges because she was unable to attend court.

In a note to one of his ex-girlfriends he tells her: 'I love you so much little lady ... I dont know what I was thinking when I (messed) our relationship up.  Recently I tried to reach out to you, you got a restraining order? Why? At that moment I felt like my entire world ended.'

He continues: 'I really needed you in a huge way. Look at the mess I created. LOL.'

Stephanie (pictured) of Middlesex, New Jersey, was last seen after spending a girls' night out with her mother and sister at Stress Factory. Her cell phone containing abusive messages from Ozbilgen was found in a couch

Mother Sharlene Parze (left) frantically called 911 after Stephanie (right) did not respond to her texts and the 25-year-old did not respond during checkups at her home

According to Parze's Facebook profile, she was in a relationship with Ozbilgen from August 19 but at the time of her vanishing she was single.

At the time, Ozbilgen was already under investigation by authorities after Parze filed a domestic violence complaint against him in September.

New Jersey authorities discovered the body of Stephanie Parze (pictured) in a wooded area in Middlesex County in January

OZBILGEN'S TWO SUICIDE NOTES: Dear Mom, Dad, Sal, Sammy: Sorry about all this crazyness, I've been miserable for so long now, I had enough. Thanks for everything, I can't do life in pirson. Most of the struff you will hear is true exept the child porn. I would never do that. Use the pics with me and XXX for the funeral, that was the only time in my life where I was truly happy. I want [redacted] to help plan everything with you. Yell her I'm sorry and I love her. She was so good ro me, we had an amazing life and I f***ed it up, she only did good for me. I dug myself in a deep hole. This is the only choice. I love you guys. Dear [redacted] and Bentley: I love you so much little lady. I miss you so much. I won't know what i was thinking when I f***ed up our relationship. You were the best thing that happened to me. I tried to move on many times. I will never feel foe another lady the way I feel for you. Recently I tried to reach out to you, you got a restraining order? Why? At that moment I felt like my entire world ended. I really needed you in a huge way. Look at the mess I created. LOL. Don't believe everything you read in the nws. I hope your doing well and I hope you have an amazing life. You deserve it. Not a day goes by where I don't think about you and Ben. The girl in the news with me was such a piece of s**t, she hurt met over and over when I was laready at my lowest, she was a horrible person. Please help my parents with my funeral, your the only person I have ever loved. Sorry for everything, I wish I could go back in time and correct my mistakes but I can't. Advertisement

She accused the stockbroker of striking her hand and back-handing her across the head.

Parze was last seen around 10pm on October 30 after spending a girls' night out with her mother, Sharlene Parze, and her sister to see medium Cindy Kaza's show at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick.

Parze drove to her late grandmother's house, where she was staying, after the psychic show.

A Snapchat video shared by Parze showing the drive home was the last thing she shared that evening.

The next morning, Parze failed to show up to a 9am babysitting job she was scheduled for, prompting her parents and sisters to contact local authorities.

Sharlene became concerned for her daughter after she stopped responding to texts and although she had stopped by the house twice to check in, Parze was no where to be found.

The home's lights had been left on. There was no signs of forced entry and her dog had been left inside alone. Parze's white Hyundai Sonata was still in the driveway.

In an odd twist, Sharlene found Parze's cell phone stuffed down the side of the couch with text messages indicating she'd missed her job that morning.

'I've been calling and texting her all day,' a frantic Sharlene is heard saying during the 911 call. 'I've reached out to almost every friend that she has.'

'No one has heard from her,' Sharlene tells the operator. 'She started going on the dating page on Facebook and was talking to a couple guys, so I don't know whether  but she'd never meet someone in the morning.'

During the eight-minute phone call, Sharlene casts suspicion onto Ozbilgen, who claimed he saw her the morning she vanished.

Sharlene revealed: '[Ozbilgen] said that he saw her last night, he stayed there and he was getting ready for work this morning and has not heard from her since all day,' Sharlene can be heard telling the dispatcher.

'Who's to say he really slept over and saw her this morning? I don't know,' Sharlene is heard saying.

While investigating Parze's disappearance, detectives noticed marks around Ozbilgen's neck and began to consider him a 'person of interest.'

Subsequently, authorities visited his home on five separate occasions during the investigation.

In November, cops said Ozbilgen had nine images of children as young as three being sexually abused.

It was also discovered that Ozbilgen sent Parze ten profanity-laden texts and Facebook messages the night before she went missing.

He told her that 'she always has to make their relationship suck' and called her a 'f***ing c**t,' Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Sidley said earlier.

'Ozbilgen's violence against women is borne out in his history, as well as pornography he seeks out of very young children. There are no conditions that can keep this community safe,' Sidley added.

The family (Sharlene pictured left, Edward right) of Parze had taken the case to the news media while Ozbilgen was a suspect. Ozbilgen's family said that 'all the pressure from the false child pornography charges and the constant searches and relentlessness caused him to take his own life'

Ozbilgen took his life inside his parents' garage. Hakan and Cynthia Ozbilgen, have claimed their son is innocent.

'We don't truly know what happened to Stephanie, but what we do know is John never said that he hurt Stephanie to us or in the note that he left,' they said in a statement.

'We believe he is innocent, but all the pressure from the false child pornography charges and the constant searches and relentlessness caused him to take his own life.'

Parze's body was discovered by two teenagers in the woods in Old Bridge, Middlesex, New Jersey, on January 27.

Her badly decomposed remains were found in an area that had previously been scoured by volunteers after her disappearance. A ruling on the cause and manner of her death has not yet been made.

Monmouth County Prosecutor, Christopher Gramiccioni, has previously said: 'No one else is responsible for her death. That responsibility belongs to John Ozbilgen, and John Ozbilgen alone.'

The body was recovered at 2.46pm and formally identified after an autopsy was performed (pictured: police cars at the scene last month)
Barclays boss Jes Staley is under mounting pressure to step down after City watchdogs launched an investigation into his ties with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The 63-year-old American banker stayed in touch with Epstein for seven years after the latter was convicted in 2008 of soliciting a child for prostitution.

Staley visited the sex offender during his 13-month sentence and again in 2015 on Epstein's private Caribbean retreat dubbed 'Paedo Island'.

Barclays boss Jess Staley, pictured with wife Debbie, is under investigation by City watchdogs over his links with Jeffrey Epstein

Barclays yesterday insisted it retained 'full confidence' in Staley, who was paid 5.9million last year and claims to have had no contact with Epstein since he joined the UK bank in late 2015. But analysts and investors have already begun to call for the American banker's head to roll.

Neil Wilson, chief markets analyst at Markets.com, said: 'Staley really should go. This calls his judgement into question.

'As far as Barclays is concerned, they won't want the toxic Epstein name anywhere near them.

'Even though there's no suggestion Staley has done anything illegal, the connection is potentially damaging.

UK lender's hall of shame Jes Staley is not the first Barclays boss to have got himself into a pickle. Admittedly, his less racy predecessor Antony Jenkins was probably not as likely to be spotted on Jeffrey Epstein's private island. But, as the former boss of Barclays' retail arm, Jenkins was complicit in the PPI mis-selling scandal, which has cost the industry more than 50billion. The Mancunian, meanwhile, was brought in to purge the rapacious investment banking culture cultivated by 'Casino' Bob Diamond, who was forced to quit in 2012 after the Libor rate-rigging scandal. The man Diamond took over from, John Varley, was acquitted after a high-profile fraud trial over secret payments made to investors in Qatar during the financial crisis to secure their backing and avoid a taxpayer bail-out.

'The board may not want to be seen to just dump Staley, but I would be surprised if they are not looking at another alternative now.'

One City fund manager with a stake in Barclays said the probe raised 'serious questions' about whether Staley should remain at the helm of the major bank.

And a senior figure in the investment industry added it was 'another small nail in Staley's coffin'.

Epstein killed himself in his cell last year, while facing trial for trafficking underage girls for sex.

The former financier first met Staley in 2000, when Staley became head of JP Morgan's private bank.

Epstein, who counted President Trump and actor Kevin Spacey among his contacts, was a client there and helped Staley by referring wealthy acquaintances.

But the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a probe into whether the Barclays boss was sufficiently transparent when disclosing his relationship with the paedophile to Barclays.

This is not Staley's first brush with the regulator, and his four-year stint at Barclays has been marred by a string of controversies.

The FCA slapped Staley with a fine of 642,430 in 2018, after he tried to uncover a whistleblower who had reported concerns within the bank.

Wilson said: 'He should have gone after that, because what he did was really naughty.' A year earlier, Staley had been tricked by an email prankster pretending to be Barclays' then-chairman John McFarlane.

He had a whole conversation with the prankster, who was in fact a disgruntled customer, believing he was talking to his colleague.

More recently he has been plagued by operational issues, including a spat with activist investor Edward Bramson who launched an attack on Barclays' underperforming investment bank.

And last year Staley was forced into an embarrassing U-turn by the Daily Mail, reversing his decision to ban cash withdrawals from post offices.

The move would have shrunk access to cash for many vulnerable customers and those living in rural communities.

Staley has been paid almost 18million since taking over at Barclays in December 2015. But shares in the lender have fallen 24 per cent in that time.
President Trump talks to reporters as he walks from the Oval Office to Marine One in July. Stephen Colbert dubbed the scrums "chopper talks." Read more

When speaking with dozens of participants in her study about how the news made them feel, Maria Celeste Wagner heard a lot.

When we would inquire about these emotions, most of them were what we would typically describe as negative emotions like anxiety, certain distress, feeling overwhelmed, Wagner explained. A word that participants would use a lot was feeling inundated by certain political news stories.

Wagner, a doctoral candidate at Penns Annenberg School for Communication, conducted a series of 71 interviews during President Donald Trumps first year in office. With Northwestern professor Pablo J. Boczkowski, their research, published last year in the journal Journalism, focused on the president more than they originally intended. Participants from the Philadelphia, Chicago, and Miami areas reacted strongly around Trump coverage, so they followed those responses. They found that it wasnt always Trumps tweets that upset their interviewees, but rather the conversations about Trump among the people they knew.

What their friends or acquaintances or colleagues or relatives were saying [on] social media, Wagner explained. While remembering that experience, a lot of people would say, Social media was too much. I stopped using Facebook. I was getting into too many arguments. It was bad, bad for mental health.

The 71 participants ranged from 18 to 80 years old, the average age being 41. The majority were women.

Wagner, from Argentina, who received her received her undergraduate degree from the Universidad de San Andres and published another study from interviews last year on fake news in digital journalism, was careful to point out that negative reactions didnt mean less political engagement. Some of these emotions actually lead to more political participation, to wanting to do more, Wagner said.

We spoke to Wagner about how media can impact not only ones feelings, but also ones sense of democracy. The following has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

On feeling upset, across party lines

We found that people who are liberal or identifying as Democrats would say that they were angry at the news about President Trump. More conservative or Republican interviewees would say that they were angry at the coverage that mainstream news media was making on President Trump. And in some cases, Democrats were also angry at the coverage  not on President Trump  but about the elections because they felt that they werent informed as well [through news coverage] as they could have been. So thats something thats a difference we found across the ideological spectrum: different participants expressing anger or a disappointment with the news media, related to different things, but a shared emotional experience.

On having a hard time emotionally with the news

Some people were saying that, OK, they realize that they have to consume news in a more sustainable way, because some news for certain groups are also hard to read. We had different interviewees that because of their own  experiences, because of what they do for their work, and other things, like immigration status, they were saying, Reading the news is hard for me, and I need to know, and I want to be aware of whats happening, but maybe I will do it in certain times of the day where I can cope with it. Or Maybe I will do it by talking to this person or by reading only this thing.

On looking at the emotional side

Usually, in Western thought, the idea of democracy has always meant or has always implied that the citizenship as a body needs to be rational, which is an idea that we write in institutions, in scholarly work. Therefore, we always seek for objectivity, and try to reduce our biases, which are all good things, right? But at the same time ... the implication is always that we should try to leave our emotions aside and be rational.

We started to study emotions in a different way ... . We try to understand emotions not as a bad thing that prevents us from making good decisions, but as something that is inherent to how we think and operate in the world, and consume information and relate to other people, and make political decisions.

On finding balance with news consumption

Our own interviewees [detailed] several practices of self-preservation. It was this combination that could sound contradicting, but in their own accounts, its actually something that works together and happens at the same time. This idea of trying to self-preserve your own well-being, while at the same time feeling a sense of civic duty. Thats part of the democratic idea of participating and knowing whats happening.

Some participants would say that they would try to be more mindful about when they consume news and try to reduce the time or be aware [when] they consume news so that its a more controlled practice.

On vetting fake news

Something interesting was that [participants] started to rely more on traditional fact-based media, and that there was this ... rejection of opinionated media and trying to just get the facts. Some people would tell us if I could read something that is just like bullet points, fact-based, like the things I need to know, I would read that.

There were other strategies that were a little bit more sophisticated and time-consuming. So not everyone can do this, right? You need to have the time and the resources, but a lot of people would say that they would seek for repetition of information across outlets ... . So that if they could confirm that that information was repeating itself in different news outlets and ideologically diverse news outlets, then they could say with more confidence, well, this, this is probably true.

Also some people would do fact-checking themselves.
NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday (February 13, 2020) chaired a high-level meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to review preparations to tackle the spread of deadly Coronavirus, which has claimed over 900 lives in China so far.

The GoM meeting, which was held at Nirman Bhawan, was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Urban Development Minister Hardeep S Puri, Union Minister of State, Chemical Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya, MoS Home Nityanand Rai, MoS Health Ashwini Chaubey and top government officials.

Dr Harsh Vardhan had on February 10 said that the country is well prepared to deal with the Novel Coronavirus threat. Speaking on the issue in the Lok Sabha, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that all necessary precautions are being taken and the government is keeping a close watch on the situation.

The Health Minister said that there is nothing to panic as novel coronavirus has not been detected in India yet.

The BJP leader informed that the government has constituted a high-level panel to monitor the Coronavirus situation. He said that the Health Ministry is doing video calls with other states on this issue. The Minister informed the house that Health Ministry is monitoring and reviewing the situation daily and till now 1,118 flights have been screened.

Dr Harsh Vardhan thanked Air India and the medical staff who were involved in the rescue mission of Indian students from Wuhan.

On the instructions of PM Narendra Modi, a GoM was set up comprising of Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S Puri, EAM Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy, MoS for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey and MoS for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya to review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness regarding management of Novel Coronavirus in the country.

The GoM held its first meeting, chaired by Dr Harsh Vardhan, at the Nirman Bhawan.
One distinctive strength of male couples is that their tendency to candidly discuss respective preferences extends to sexuality as well, including choices that may startle some heterosexuals. For example, while the extent of non-monogamy in gay-male partnerships is often exaggerated, openly non-monogamous relationships are more common than among lesbians or heterosexuals. Many gay couples work out detailed agreements about what kinds of sexual contact are permissible outside the relationship, under what circumstances and how often.

Notably, however, while the dating relationships of male couples are less stable than those of female-female or male-female couples, their formalized unions are as stable as those of heterosexuals and more stable than formalized female-female unions.

The sociologist Virginia Rutter, a co-author of The Gender of Sexuality, argues that heterosexual couples might reach a deeper level of intimacy and avoid destructive meltdowns in their relationships if they also discussed their sexual desires and ambivalences more frankly.

Still, same-sex marriages too are affected by the gender expectations that pervade our society, and in perhaps surprising ways. Gay and lesbian individuals have internalized many of these expectations, even if they have rejected or modified some of the constraints those expectations impose. This makes same-sex couples more likely to share priorities and habits.

Women, for instance, have long been socialized to believe that providing and receiving emotional support is a routine obligation in partnerships, something that, like putting food on the table, must be done every day. The University of Texas sociologist Debra Umberson says that women tend to be all in when it comes to anticipating, reading and responding to their partners emotional and physical needs.

But this plays out very differently when a woman is in a relationship with another woman compared to one with a man, Professor Umberson said in an interview. With two women, there is a lot of reciprocity in care work  with each spouse aware of the others needs and preferences, and responding actively to those. In heterosexual marriages, however, husbands tend to take care work for granted, are often unaware of the care work their wife provides and commonly fail to recognize her needs for emotional support.

Gay-male couples also exhibit reciprocity in care work, though at a lower level of intensity than women. Like heterosexual men, gay partners typically value preserving emotional autonomy and independence over breaking down boundaries in pursuit of greater intimacy. Gay men, said Professor Umberson, are more low-key than women, offering emotional and instrumental care to a partner when it is clearly needed, instead of treating it as a routine obligation. And gay men tend not to expect such care unless they explicitly ask for it.
Defense Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca had a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Harjit Sajjan, on Wednesday on the sidelines of the meeting of Defense ministers from NATO member states in Brussels, on which occasion they approached a series of issues related to cooperation in the field of defense in bilateral, allied and multilateral format, informs the Ministry of National Defense (MApN), in a press release.

Minister Ciuca presented an assessment of the security situation in the Black Sea region, expressing the concerns of the Romanian authorities regarding their impact on the Alliance's security. At the same time, he briefly referred to the stage of implementation of measures incorporated within the tailored forward presence (TFP), developed in response to the threats in the region and meant to strengthen the defense and deterrence posture on the allied eastern flank."On this basis, the Romanian official expressed appreciation for the constant support provided by Canada in the air, naval and terrestrial fields in the implementation of the measures incorporated within the tFP. In context, the Romanian minister voiced appreciation for the constant support provided by Canada for the implementation of measures incorporated within tFP aimed at consolidating the defence of the allied eastern flank," shows the release.At the same time, Nicolae Ciuca gave the example of Canada's participation in the deployment of the reinforced air police mission from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, the contingent of Canadian air forces being due to participate this year in the fourth such mission in Romania. The Minister of Defense stressed the importance for this mission to continue to be carried out from the perspective of ensuring the integrity of the national and, implicitly, allied airspace.Another important topic on the agenda of the talk was the one on cooperation within the UN, Romania undertaking a contribution to the MINUSMA Mission in Mali, starting in October 2019. In context, the Minister of Defense highlighted the support provided by Canada in the pre-deployment phase and the taking over of the mission, the MApN also mentions.

AGERPRES
Riverside County Sheriff Some of the features that are unique to and sold exclusively by SOMA are their Native-Cloud Platform, Browser-Based Interface and Expansive/Extensible Platform. Their SOMA Platform features flexible deployment options that can be hosted on and off premises.

SOMA Global, a leading provider of Public Safety as a Service (PSAAS), has reached a definitive agreement to deploy the SOMA Platform, including their advanced Records Management Platform, Dispatch Applications and Jail Management to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in California. According to Sheriff Chad Bianco, most of the current hardware and software employed for computer-aided dispatch, records management and jail management systems is outdated, and investments were needed to ensure the Sheriffs Department has technology on hand to meet its needs going forward.

SOMA Global has the software solution that can meet all our operational needs, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco wrote. Some of the features that are unique to and sold exclusively by SOMA are their Native-Cloud Platform, Browser-Based Interface and Expansive/Extensible Platform. Their SOMA Platform features flexible deployment options that can be hosted on and off premises, which greatly reduces our hardware investment. They provide an all-in-one solution.

Our partnership with Riverside County is the first of several agencies in California, said Peter Quintas, Founder and CEO of SOMA Global. SOMA is making a significant investment in California as we expand our footprint to the West Coast and in support of Riverside County.

The SOMA Platform allows for deployment in the cloud, on-premise or in a hybrid scenario and features:



Search and share crime data from anywhere, in any browser;

Fully integrated web maps to geographically visualize incidents;

Multi-jurisdictional and advanced data sharing features for a complete operating picture; and

A single, configurable platform that meets all the needs of the agency across dispatch, mobile dispatch, records, jail and operations.

We are dedicated to providing next-generation crime fighting tools that support the vision and direction of Riverside County, said Nick Stohlman, SOMA Co-Founder. Sheriff Bianco and his Command Staff are pursuing innovative solutions and providing real technology leadership in the region..

In the new partnership, Riverside County and SOMA plan to host a regional solution for the Sheriffs Department and all of the other agencies in the County. The goal is to promote and expand data sharing countywide on SOMAs advanced platform.

About SOMA Global

SOMA Global was founded in 2017 to redefine and deliver modern, best-of-breed public safety solutions with a primary focus on saving lives and protecting first responders. SOMA Global is a team of public safety and technology veterans that understands and respects the value of a partnership with an agency. Their Public Safety as a Service (PSAAS) Platform offers the best Computer-Aided Dispatch, Mobile Dispatch. Records Management and Jail solutions on the market. Find more information about SOMA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or at http://www.somaglobal.com.

For more info, click here.
MP of the State Duma Sergey Shargunov filed the appeal to the prosecutor of Arkhangelsk Oblast and Head of Russias Interior Ministry of oblast to legalize Ayo in Russia

Black Lenin Open source

Citizen of Latvia Benes Ayo, the mercenary of the so-called DPR, Donetsk People's Republic with nickname Black Lenin, was released by Russian police as Ekho Severa reported.

Citizen of Latvia Benes Ayo, detained earlier in the municipality not far from Shiyes railway station, was transferred to Kotlas and released, the message said.

MP of the State Duma Sergey Shargunov filed the appeal to the prosecutor of Arkhangelsk Oblast and Head of the regional branch of Russias Interior Ministry to legalize Ayo in Russia.

The parliamentarian asked to provide Ayo with temporary asylum in the Russian Federation.

On February 12, the police of Arkhangelsk Oblast (Russia) detained Ayo, the mercenary of the so-called DPR, Donetsk People's Republic. He is known by the alias Black Lenin.

Benes Ayo participated in the Antimaidan movement and supported Russian spring in Crimea. Benes fought for DPR militants in Donbas over the last several years.
Good Morning America

With less than 10 months until the 2022 midterm elections, President Joe Biden heads to Georgia on Tuesday to make his biggest push yet for national voting rights bills and is expected to call for changes to the Senate's filibuster rules in order to get them passed. Echoing his impassioned address on the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection when he blamed former President Donald Trump and his supporters for holding a "dagger at the throat of democracy," Biden's remarks in Atlanta are expected to be a "forceful" call to action to protect voting rights. "The president will forcefully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American rights: the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election that is not tainted  by partisan manipulation," White House press secretary Jen Psaki previewed in her press briefing Tuesday.
[February 12, 2020] Klaytn Welcomes K-Beauty Giant Amorepacific to its Blockchain Governance Council

Developed by Kakao's blockchain unit, Ground X, Klaytn is a public blockchain platform whose mainnet launched in June last year

Asia's largest businesses and organizations participate in the Klaytn Governance Council to jointly run and govern the distributed network

Seoul -based beauty firm Amorepacific joins the Klaytn Governance Council among 29 leading companies including LG Electronics and more SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ground X announced that Amorepacific Group, the Korean beauty and cosmetics firm, has joined the Klaytn Governance Council to partake in platform operation. Developed by Kakao's blockchain unit, Ground X, Klaytn is a public blockchain platform whose mainnet launched in June last year. Klaytn combines the best features of both public blockchains (decentralized data and control) and private blockchains (low latency and high scalability) via a efficient hybrid design. It also partners with major firms and businesses as part of its Governance Council program to together run its distributed network under a shared governance. The Council members function as key decision makers for Klaytn's business and technical agenda, including the consensus node network operation.



Established in 1945, Amorepacific is the leading Korea-based beauty company with a portfolio of over 20 cosmetics, personal care, and healthcare brands. The company's research hubs located around the world are dedicated to developing sustainable R&D that combine the best of natural Asian ingredients and advanced bio-technology. "We work with global companies that have successfully developed products and services for millions of users across the globe, and we are excited to welcome the leading beauty company Amorepacific to participate in the Governance Council," said Sangmin Seo, the Head of Platform Group at Ground X.

"Together with other Council members, Amorepacific will work towards further strengthening the Klaytn platform as well as creating innovative blockchain use cases to trigger the growth of the blockchain ecosystem," said Pilbong Jang, the Technical Planning Team Leader at Amorepacific. About Klaytn ( https://www.klaytn.com/ ) Klaytn is a global public blockchain platform developed by Ground X, the blockchain affiliate of the leading South Korean Internet company, Kakao. Klaytn is a service-centric blockchain platform providing intuitive development environment and friendly end-user experience. It is built upon solid reliability and significant stability with substantial service development for mass adoption. The platform allows real world applications of large scale to be produced right away so that our end-users can make full use of services without much expertise in blockchain or cryptocurrency. https://medium.com/klaytn

https://twitter.com/klaytn_official

https://www.facebook.com/klaytn.official/ Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200212/2718365-1 SOURCE Klaytn

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Its not just about what you do; the way you do it matters too. This is something that is intrinsic to the work of international sales channel development and management firm for tech companies, Tenego, which helps develop new partners to grow sales across international markets across the world.

In fact, having an understanding of and insight into the very different business cultures and styles in different countries all over the globe the world, is such a crucial element of the success of the Cork-based company that it recently set up its own academy to tutor firms and business people in this very important concept.

Headquartered at NSC Campus in Mahon, Cork, the thriving operation firm has offices spread across Europe and North America.

Our clients are software product and SaaS solution companies, says Donagh Kiernan. founder and CEO, Tenego. We help firms build their international sales channels partner programs and partner networks.

Client companies are generally early-stage companies and larger, with 5m-per-annum revenues and over.

We help them identify and bring on board the appropriate partners and create their partner programmes. We help them sell product all over Europe and North America as well as in Latin America and part of Asia.

The typical challenge, he explains, lies in how a company approaches selling its product in international markets.

Many companies can sell direct to international customers, for example via online  but some companies need to support their customers in the market, and they need to have local relationships to sell.

It can be very costly to build your own sales team in every market, so it is more efficient, for certain products to sell through partners who are already in a particular market and who would already have relationships with relevant clients.

However this is not always straightforward, he warns: There are many subtle details that need to be resolved in order to make this work. Many companies choose the wrong partner, or struggle to identify the appropriate partner  or struggle to make it all work even when they have found partners.

Our expert team helps companies to not just identify the right kind of partner  we also assist clients in engaging and pitching the partner proposal, to secure their interest and bring these partners on board, enabling the partners to sell their solutions.

Another big challenge for companies in working through partners is how compelling their proposition is  for both the customer and the partner, Donagh explains.

One of the biggest factors in terms of success is how well a particular product stands out from the competition, and the noise in the market.

This also determines the effort a company will need to put in to win new business. When you have a good message, that interests potential customers, it reduces the effort involved in the sale. Thats the challenge on the customer side, and similarly, has an impact on the challenge in securing the partner.

"There are many companies which are big resellers, which can simply pick and choose their solution partners, so the more unique your product is, and the more it stands out, the more attractive it is to a potential partner firm.

Within Tenego, we have our own research, marketing and inside-sales teams as well as business development experts around the world who will lead the conversation with prospective partners.

However, another of the most formidable challenges in international sales is cultural differences.

This is the biggest challenge, because the way you work in one market will not succeed the same way in another. So its all about having people who are experienced in doing business in a particular market  people who will understand the pace of business there, and how business is done, he says.

That kind of local knowledge is crucial, he emphasises: A good example is Asia, where the business relationship comes first, and the business itself comes second. In Europe too, the business relationship is very important.

In the US, you can build fast business relationships, but it takes longer in Europe, and longer again in Asia.

Its all very culturally-driven, and it is crucial to understand this and to understand the pace at which you can do business, and the actions that are necessary.

We have that knowledge, and that is how we can identify the correct partners.

As part of its range of services for client companies, Tenego has, over the past year, also launched the Tenego Academy, which provides training for businesses starting or growing their partner programmes or for individuals interested in learning how to build their partner programs and all the essential aspects of making it work, Donagh explains.

We have training programmes in place with early customers from Irish companies as well as companies in the United States, Australia, and Europe who are signing up to the academy.

Everything we have learned about how to build sales channels and about partnering is built into the different programmes, which deal with the many different aspects of this area  and which are aimed at different sized and different types of company.
The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (formerly the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA)) is a national organization dedicated to the competent and legal practice of adoption and assisted reproduction law, and advocates for the improvement of adoption laws and practices. It plays a leading role in the development of laws, policies and practices designed to benefit the lives of all members of the adoption triad and the protection of all children and their right to a family.

The current practice of allowing publicly funded adoption agencies to limit adoption opportunities to certain families denies children equal access to loving homes by restricting the resources available to potential adoptive parents and options for the placement of children in need. These limited resources in many areas around the country underscore the need for wide opportunities to place children with forever families. AAAA does not support any laws or policies that limit the rights of children to find their forever homes  with whomever can provide a safe and loving home.

It is timely to highlight our resolution from April 25, 2015 which states:

Joint Resolution of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys on the Protection and Security of Children through Equality in Adoption, Foster Care, and Assisted Reproductive Technology

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national organization dedicated to enhancing and improving the practice of adoption law and securing the best interests of children in foster care; and

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys is a specialty division of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, dedicated to the advancement of best legal practices in the area of assisted reproductive technology law in the United States and internationally, and dedicated to the protection of the interests of all parties, including the children, involved in assisted reproductive technology matters; and

WHEREAS, the missions of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (together the Academy) include advancing the security of children through permanent adoption when possible, the protection of children through safe and secure foster care with appropriate permanency planning, and the recognition of intended parents as legal parents for those using modern medical technology to build families through assisted reproductive technology; and

WHEREAS, the Academy recognizes and acknowledges that its members have diverse personal opinions and beliefs, and the Academy respects the diversity of its members and does not condition membership on any particular personal belief system, and supports its members' independence in the practice of law; and

WHEREAS, the missions of the Academy are best achieved when all parents and prospective parents are treated equally, when all children have the right to be placed into and/or to grow up in loving homes, where sex, sexual orientation, race, color, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, or physical handicap are not factors in determining an individuals qualifications to parent, and the people acting in loco parentis to children are, in fact, recognized as the legal parents.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys support the protection and security of children by affirming the right of individuals and couples: to adopt children, to serve as foster parents, and to become legal parents of children born through the use of assisted reproductive technology, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, race, color, age, religion, national origin, political belief, or disability.
GARDAI are warning hopeless romantics to be aware of 'romance fraud' this Valentines Day, after an Irish woman was tricked into handing over 62,000 in an online scam.

Gardai received 75 reports of romance fraud last year, with victims being conned out of more than 1 million.

A garda spokesman has warned that fraudsters are using dating sites and social media to meet their victims and will then use fake identities, photographs and life stories to develop a relationship with them, before asking them for money.

The fraudster will continue to ask for money either until the victim has no more money to give or realise they are being conned. This crime often leaves vulnerable people with a feeling of hurt and mistrust in addition to their financial loss - broke and broken-hearted.

In one case an Irish victim developed a relationship with a male on a dating website. He gained her trust and she sent him 62,000 over a period of time. In another case, a victim linked up with a female in an online chat room and ended up sending her 50,000.

Gardai issued several warning signs that this type of fraud might be at play.

The fraudster, they say, will often ask the victim to communicate by instant messaging, text or phone calls rather than messaging through the dating website.

Often they ask for money, beginning with low amounts to pay for travel to meet the victim, to pay a bill or medical expenses or other spurious reasons.

The fraudster will present reasons for not meeting and may arrange to meet and then cancel, but no meeting will ever occur face-to-face.

The fraudster will avoid personal questions, but will ask plenty and will likely ask for money to be transferred to bank accounts abroad or via money transfer agencies to locations outside of Ireland.

Phone calls from Irish numbers or lodgements to Irish bank accounts does not necessarily prove the person genuine.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau warned love-seekers to "stop and think" if someone you are in an online relationship with asks you to send money.

He continued, "Never share personal or banking details with unknown persons online, Never receive money from, or send money to persons unknown and think twice before using a webcam - intimate images can be used for blackmail."

Above all, Mr Lordan urged people to trust their instincts and if unsure to speak to a family member or a friend.
SALINAS, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indus Holdings, Inc. (CSE: INDS; OTCQX: INDXF), a leading, vertically-integrated cannabis company, has continued to focus its efforts on cultivation and its core brands, as its main focus is still to pursue financial sustainability and increased profitability in 2020 and beyond.



Although we have encountered delays and other obstacles, the completion of our previously announced capital projects is back on schedule and budget. This will position Indus for long-term growth and profitability, explains Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Robert Weakley. The continued strength of our core brands and the strategic financial decisions that we are actively making have brought much-needed stability to the organization.

Key Initiatives Update & Business Highlights

Cost Savings: the company has realized accounts receivable collections of over $4.9m in Q1 to date as well as implemented more than $7m in annualized cost reductions in areas including: headcount, component cost, and restructuring of sales commission and marketing programs.



the company has realized accounts receivable collections of over $4.9m in Q1 to date as well as implemented more than $7m in annualized cost reductions in areas including: headcount, component cost, and restructuring of sales commission and marketing programs. California Cultivation Facility Build-out: Completion of all 10 rooms in Greenhouse No. 1 and an additional two rooms in Greenhouse No. 2 is expected by end of Q1. First of the 10 rooms will be planted the first week of March, with one additional room being planted every week after that. This will almost triple flower and trim production moving forward  from eight grow rooms to 20 grow rooms, previously growing in 40,000 sq. ft. to over 110,00 sq. ft. with phase one completion, while reducing grow time from 12 weeks to eight weeks. Resulting in increase of trim production, while reducing dependence on purchasing outside trim and improving margins in all company owned brands.



Flower Production Capacity: the company is on track to achieve full production by Q3 2020, increasing its overall production from eight grow rooms and four and half turns a year to 30 grow rooms and six turns a year. The company will grow its production from approximately 11,000 pounds in fiscal 2019 to 30,000 pounds in fiscal 2020, and 45,000 lbs in fiscal 2021.

Packaging Efficiency Improvement: Indus has completed installation of an automated flower packaging line, which will be operational by the end of Q1 2020. The addition of the new packaging line, in conjunction with a previously announced decision to reduce temporary labor costs, will greatly improve efficiencies within the supply chain.

Brand Portfolio: The Company continues focus on its existing brand portfolio and on improving sales. Kaizen (high-end concentrates) had a record month in January showing an increase of 33% from December of 2019. MOON (edibles) sales increased 21% from December 2019 to January 2020. Following a review of its portfolio, Indus Holdings, Inc. has terminated its investment in CBD brand Shredibles in order to preserve capital and redirect its focus and resources on the companys core brands.

The Company continues focus on its existing brand portfolio and on improving sales.

Industry Recognition: Additionally, Indus Holdings, Inc. has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Cannabis Employers of 2019 ( https://mgretailer.com/business/top-50-cannabis-employers-of-2019/ ) by cannabis industry publication MG Magazine. In its announcement, MG Magazine praised the unbreakable commitment to its employees and leadership in Californias cannabis community.

Financing Initiatives: The company raised $1.5m bridge financing on January 6, 2020 and continues to explore long-term further financing opportunities.

Our decision to scale back investments and support for non-core brands allows us to maintain steady, manageable growth throughout the organization, adds Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder Mark Ainsworth. As a vertically-integrated company, we continue to optimize all facets of our operations, reducing costs and redundancies where applicable.

About Indus Holdings, Inc.

Indus Holdings, Inc. (CSE: INDS; OTCQX: INDXF), is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with advanced production capabilities, including cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, brand sales & marketing, and distribution. Founded in 2014 and based in Salinas, California, Indus offers services supporting every step of the supply chain and an extensive portfolio of award-winning brands, including House Weed, The Original Pot Co., MOON, Acme, and Dixie Elixirs & Edibles. Indus Distribution, a division of Indus Holdings, Inc., is a leading distributor of cannabis products, servicing an extensive portfolio of brands and licensed retailers.

Media Contact:

Renata Follmann

Rossetti Public Relations

pr@indusholdingco.com
Police in north Belfast have thanked a pair of teenage boys who spotted a missing woman while walking on Cave Hill on Wednesday.

A 14-year-old boy saw the woman, who had earlier been reported as missing, making her way towards Napoleon's Nose.

When he realised the woman was distressed and needed help, police said he showed "presence of mind" by calling his dad who advised him to call the police.

He later managed to escort the vulnerable woman back down from the hill where he met police officers.

"We want to say a massive thank you to the 14 year old boy and his friend who were up on Cave Hill earlier," said a police officer, posting on Facebook.

They said the woman is now safe and said well done to the boys. "Be proud lads," they said.

"These young people and their parents should be so very proud of their actions today."

The story has sparked thousands of positive comments on social media and has been shared more than a thousand times.

"Such a lovely heartwarming story," said one commenter.

"Huge well done to those boys and hope the young lady gets all the support she needs."
The detained Nigerian journalist, Agba Jalingo, has filed a fresh application for bail at the Federal High Court, Calabar.

Mr Jalingos treason trial starts afresh today after the case was transferred to a news judge, Sule Shuaibu.

Mr Shuaibu is the administrative judge of the Federal High Court, Calabar. He takes the case over from a judge within the same high court, Simon Amobeda, who withdrew from it after a secret recording where he (Amobeda) allegedly made some biased remarks against Mr Jalingo, was leaked to the press late last year.

Mr Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22, over a report alleging that Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the state.

The journalist, detained in Calabar prison, has been refused bail, twice.

Mr Jalingos lawyer, Attah Ochinke, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday that they have filed a fresh application for his bail.

Yes, we already filed a pending application for bail before the new judge. It is our responsibility to make the case (for his bail), we hope that the judge will agree with us, with our application, Mr Ochinke said.

Actually, bail in this circumstances depends on the discretion of the court. We hope that we have put before the court sufficient materials and argument for him to exercise that discretion in our favour. We are confident that that would be done, the lawyer added.

Mr Jalingo was last denied bail in October by Justice Amobeda who ruled that the charges against the journalist were grave with one carrying capital punishment.

The judge also ruled that there was no substantial evidence to show that Mr Jalingos health was failing.

The lawyer, Mr Ochinke, had pleaded with the court to grant him bail on grounds that he was determined to go through his trial, and, therefore, would not jump bail. He also pleaded that the journalist should be admitted to bail on health ground.

Mr Jalingo had his hands handcuffed when prison officials brought him to court in October for the ruling on his bail application.

The incarceration of the journalist has attracted outrage from groups within and outside Nigeria.

We are concerned that Agba Jalingos trial falls short of international standards of fairness, especially because the court has allowed witnesses to be masked and the trial to be held in secret.

The flawed charges and sham trial of Agba Jalingo have exposed the inadequacies and manipulation of the Nigerian criminal justice system and an unacceptable contempt for human rights and the rule of law, Amnesty International said recently.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must stop filing bogus and politically motivated charges against critics and start listening to what they have to say.

The case of Agba Jalingo is just one of many cases of blatant violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Cross River state and several parts of Nigeria. Joseph Odok was also unlawfully detained and later charged with terrorism solely for expressing critical opinion on social media.
Sajid Javid's shock resignation triggered a surge in the value of the pound as speculators gambled on his young successor ramping up public spending and cutting taxes.

After dipping slightly when the Chancellor's departure was announced, sterling rallied dramatically after it was confirmed that he will be replaced by his number two, 39-year-old Rishi Sunak.

The upheaval at Number 11  less than a month before Javid was due to deliver his first budget  would normally be expected to rattle financial markets.

After dipping when Sajid Javid's (left) departure was announced, sterling rallied dramatically after it was confirmed that he will be replaced by 39-year-old Rishi Sunak (right)

But investors piled into sterling in the hope Sunak  chief secretary to the Treasury and an ally of Number Ten  will deliver a more radical budget to kick-start the economy.

Prior to the announcement that Javid had quit, a pound was worth $1.298. Within minutes it fell to $1.296, before surging as high as $1.3069.

Javid had fallen out with Boris Johnson's most senior adviser Dominic Cummings, after resisting plans to increase borrowing.

He was viewed as a traditional Conservative chancellor, focused more on balancing the books than on delivering some of the bold changes envisioned by Cummings and the Prime Minister.

Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said: 'The unexpected resignation of Sajid Javid and the promotion of Rishi Sunak could mean that fiscal policy will provide an even bigger boost to GDP growth over the next few years than we already expected.

'The move seems designed to allow the Government to push through even bigger increases in public investment and perhaps resuscitate tax cuts that previously looked dead in the water.'

Dales pointed out that as well as being an ardent Brexiteer, Sunak's voting history shows he supported cuts to corporation tax and capital gains tax, while publicly backing spending on the kind of big infrastructure projects favoured by Johnson.

'So this is either going to be a meeting of minds or Sunak will be the Prime Minister's 'yes man' living in Number 11,' he said.

Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for Markets.com, said: 'The fiscal floodgates are about to open  whatever brake the Treasury might have had on Number Ten has been cut entirely with this move.'

Javid, 50, quit after being told by Number Ten he would have to sack his advisers to remain in post. In a sign of his toxic relationship with Number Ten, the son of a Pakistani bus driver was nicknamed Chino  'Chancellor in name only'.
This story initially appeared, March 9, 1923, in the Winona Republican-Herald, a predecessor of the Winona Daily News.

The headlines read:

Slayer Of Houston County Girl Dies On Scaffold In Iowa, Calm And Unregretful

Girl Rejected His Attentions

Earl Throst Is Hanged at Fort Madison Penitentiary Today  Confessed to Clubbing Inga Magnusson, of Bee, Minn.  Girl Taught School Across Iowa Line.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP)  Calm and composed to the last, and without a word of regret on his lips for the crime he had committed, Earl Throst, young Allamakee County farmer, mounted the gallows in the prison yard here this morning with a steady stride and was hanged for the murder of Inga Magnusson, the country school teacher who turned him down.

Sheriff Ben A. Davis of Allamakee County pulled the lever at exactly 7:30 a.m. Throst indirectly confessed to the murder shortly before he was hanged this morning, according to prison officials.

Take this shirt and tear it up, Throst told a deputy sheriff, as he was dressing to go to the gallows.

But why should I tear up the shirt, asked the deputy.

Because it is the shirt I wore the day I killed her, replied the condemned man.

Love affair denied

Earl Throst, 26 years old, who died on the gallows at the state penitentiary at Fort Madison today, confessed to the murder of Miss Inga Magnusson, 23-year-old Allamakee County school teacher, on Dec. 12, 1921. Execution of sentence was delayed for more than a year to permit due consideration of all angles of the case.

His victim resided at Bee, in Houston County, Minnesota, just across the state line from the Iowa rural school where she taught.

Another shadow than that of tie gallows hung over Throst since he entered the prison late in 1921.

In confessing to the murder, he declared Miss Magnusson was his former fiancee and he killed her in a quarrel.

Hero worship flourishes in the penitentiary and Fort Madison inmates who derived thrills from association with Orrie Cross and other daring gunmen who were put to death in recent years have snubbed the young north Iowa farmer who killed his sweetheart because she turned him down flat.

No love affair existed between Miss Magnusson and Throst, however. An engagement ring presented to her by Otto Deters of Eitzen, Minnesota, was on her finger when she was murdered, and they had chosen a day in February 1922 for their marriage.

Murder most brutal

Prison officials say Throst has been a model prisoner. The crime for which Throst paid the supreme penalty was most brutal.

Miss Magnussons parents became alarmed when she failed to come home for the evening meal on Dec 12, 1921. Her father went to the schoolhouse, which stands in a desolate ravine a mile from the Magnusson home. The door was locked and he found, by peering through a window, that the schoolroom was in order.

Believing the girl had returned home by another route, Mr. Magnusson went to the house, only to find that she had not appeared. Telephone calls to neighbors failed to throw any light on the mystery.

Accompanied by his son and several other men, Mr. Magnusson returned to the schoolhouse. They broke open the basement door and the father entered first.

His daughters hat was on the floor near the furnace. Then he found the girl. She was lying face downward behind a stone pillar in a dark corner. Her skull had been crushed. A piece of firewood, 30 inches long and 3 inches in diameter, wrapped in a blue bandanna handkerchief, was lying a few feet away. It was covered with blood.

Hounds trail slayer

Bloodhounds, summoned from Waterloo, arrived early the next morning after getting the scent from the club. One of the dogs led the way to Throsts home.

Earls parents were in Caledonia, Minn., and the door was forced open. The dog followed the trail through the rooms on the lower floor, went up the stairway, entered young Throsts bedroom and laid down on the bed. Bloodstained overalls and underclothing were found under the bed.

The dog then led the posse to two other houses where it was learned a pony and a saddle had been stolen in the night. Here, the dog lost the trail. At Eitzen, the man hunters were informed that Throst had purchased overalls and a sheep-lined coat at 10 oclock the night before.

In the meantime, the superintendent of the county poor farm telephoned to Waukon the description of a certain Whalen, who ate breakfast at the institution, declaring he was a horse buyer traveling to Missouri from Montana. His description tallied with Throsts.

The net was then spread over three counties. Descriptions of Throst were sent over all rural telephone lines and officials in nearby towns were instructed to watch for him. He was arrested that afternoon as he rode into Postville, 20 miles southwest of Waukon.

After four hours of questioning in the county jail here, during which he denied knowledge of the murder, Throst confessed.

Gov. Nathan Edward Kendall recently denied the appeal of L.L. Duxbury of Caledonia, attorney for Throst.

The execution was the tenth hanging under the Iowa law.

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Senior Congress leader and Union Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday called for a "huge mass movement" if any Muslim is sent to detention camps, in the case the Supreme Court upholds the validity of the contentious Citizenship law (CAA). Speaking at the JNU campus in the national capital, Chidambaram said that CAA was an outcome of the "NRC fiasco" in Assam which left 19 lakh, people, out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The CAA was brought to accommodate 12 lakh Hindus out of the 19 lakh people who could not be included in the final NRC in Assam, he claimed. Stating that the CAA harms the foundation of the Indian Constitution, Chidambaram said, "They have cut the foundation of India's citizenship premise. They have cut at the premise by saying that citizenship for a certain set of people will be based on religion, not on territory. There are many learned people, who say, so what? That is the superficial view. The deeper cut is, you are changing the basis of citizenship to religion from territory."

READ| Chidambaram dubs Delhi as 'mini India'; says 'BJP can be defeated in every state'

"Now they are granting or denying citizenship based on religion. There are some countries who grant citizenship based on relationship, I'm not denying that, but that is not the basis on which India is formed. So you are undermining the basis of India's Constitution. You say there are three neighbours where people are persecuted. A bit of Afghanistan touches India, Pakistan is a neighbour, Bangladesh is a neighbour, but do we have only three neighbours?" he added.

Calls for a 'Mass movement'

Replying to a question by a student asking for the best course of action if the CAA is upheld by the apex court, Chidambaram said, "When they touch the excluded...they will only be Muslims, try to identify and throw them out, declare them Stateless. There must be a huge mass movement resisting any Muslim being thrown out or kept in detention camps."

He also said Congress believes the CAA must be repealed and there should be a political struggle so that National Population Register (NPR) is pushed beyond 2024. The CAA, 2019, that was passed by the Parliament on 11 December 2019, seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim.

(With PTI inputs)

READ| Sitharaman reads predecessor Chidambaram own 'patient file' for 'incompetent doctors' jibe

READ| 'Do you read?' war escalates: Ramachandra Guha responds to Jaishankar, invokes his JNU PhD
CLEVELAND, Ohio - New cases of the coronavirus in China jumped by over 15,000 as officials adjust the way patients are diagnosed and counted. As the number of deaths continues to jump worldwide, officials in the CDC and U.S. military are making plans in case of an expanded outbreak at home.

There are now more than 60,000 reported infected with the virus and 1,370 deaths.

Live coronavirus tracker

Coronavirus news in the United States

14th cased confirmed in U.S. (NBC News)

Some coronavirus test kits shipped to states are not working as expected, the CDC says (CNN)

How business, tech, travel and autos have been impacted by the virus (USA Today)

Utah company develops test for coronavirus (KUTV)

University of Pittsburgh to work on developing vaccine (CBS Pittsburgh)

Vegas business owner stuck overseas (NBC LV)

Coronavirus news around the globe

A woman with a face protection mask walks along the high street in Brighton, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. Britain has declared the new coronavirus that emerged from China a "serious and imminent threat to public health'' and announced new measures Monday to combat the spread of the disease.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)AP

Report: Men appear to be more vulnerable to the virus (New York Post)

Virus will cause global oil demand to fall for the first time in a decade (CNN Business)

Virus throwing fashions supply chain into disarray (Quartz)

Scientists fear virus spread in countries least able to contain it (Nature)

2 Russians escape quarantine (Fox News)

Hunt is on for contacts of latest UK case (BBC)

First case confirmed in London (Financial Times)

Cases aboard quarantined cruise ship soar (Forbes)

Shunned cruise ship finally finds port in Cambodia (USA Today)

Why is Singapore so vulnerable (BBC)

Local coronavirus news

State health departments hold back details on possible coronavirus cases. Thats a mistake, crisis communication experts say (cleveland.com)

Several Chinese students stuck in Columbus due to travel ban amid Coronavirus outbreak (WTVM)

Coronavirus hits home: Letters (cincinnati.com)

Read complete prior coronavirus coverage on cleveland.com
"Let your Conscience be your guide in thought, word and deed." Opioid addiction, gun violence, health problems, suicide, racism, bigotry, anxiety and depression can be reduced or eliminated the more we encourage the conscience to guide our ego, senses and unconscious mind. -- Leonard Perlmutter, AMI Founder

The American Meditation Institute (AMI) today announced three winners of the first-ever National Conscience Month scholarship contest. High school students competed for the scholarships by submitting original artistic creations inspired by their personal use or non-use of their conscience.

Contest winners were selected by a panel of judges from The American Meditation Institute and The New York State Writers Institute. Each winner will receive a $500 scholarship award for higher education. The scholarship contest is co-sponsored by the Agrawal Family Foundation, COGENCY GLOBAL, and Key Private Bank.

Contest winners are:



Creative Writing: Maya Healey, Niskayuna High School, Niskayuna, New York;

Video: Josh Geci, New Hartford Senior High School, New Hartford, New York;

Visual Art (two-dimensional): Lillian Kronau, Averill Park High School, Poestenkill, New York.

Winning submissions can be viewed at https://ConscienceMonth.org.

Launching in January, 2020 with the mission of encouraging individuals across the nation to practice using their conscience as their guide, National Conscience Month is designed to work in partnership with citizens, governments, school systems, faith leaders, non-profits, community organizations and corporations across the United States. The annual month-long observance identifies January as an auspicious time to celebrate and raise awareness about the value of using your conscience as an inspired guide in making better decisions.

According to Leonard Perlmutter, founder of The American Meditation Institute and originator of National Conscience Month, If we can learn to follow the sage advice of our Conscience in determining which thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take, we will definitely live happier, healthier lives. One by one, we have the power to change both our present and our future.

The 2021 scholarship contest is now open for submissions. High schoolers can enter the contest through January 15, 2021.

About the American Meditation Institute

The American Meditation Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization devoted to the teaching and practice of Yoga Science, meditation and its allied disciplines as mind/body medicine. In its holistic approach to wellness, AMI combines the healing arts of the East with the practicality of modern Western science. The American Meditation Institute offers a wide variety of classes, retreats, and teacher training programs. AMI also publishes Transformation a quarterly journal of meditation as holistic mind/body medicine. Call 518.674.8714 for a mail or email subscription.

Media Contact:

Robert Washington

60 Garner Road

Averill Park, NY 12018

Tel: 518.674.8714

Fax: 518.674.8714
NEW HAVEN  The family of Mubarak Soulemane, a New Haven resident shot and killed by a state trooper in West Haven Jan. 15, is expected to meet with state attorneys at the Church Street courthouse this morning as investigation into the slaying continues.

Soulemane was fatally shot by Trooper Brian North just off Interstate 95s Exit 43 in West Haven on Jan. 15. Soulemane allegedly had carjacked a driver in Norwalk following an alleged incident with a knife at a store there, then fled from police at high rates of speed along the highway. North said he saw a knife in Soulemanes possession; he fired seven shots through a closed window, killing the 19-year-old New Haven resident.
There were many contestants who angered The Bachelor fans. One of them is Tammy Ly. She got into an argument with Kelsey Weier and another contestant before she was sent home. Weber has now given his reaction to their talk.

Tammy Ly started rumors about Kelsey Weier on The Bachelor

Kelsey cried when Weber had a date with someone else and turned to Tammy. Tammy then told Weber about it and claimed she had an emotional breakdown. He pulled Kelsey aside to ask her about it and she was upset that someone accused her of being mentally unstable.

This drama followed the ladies after the date. Tammy had a conversation with Kelsey and accused her of drinking too much. The whole thing came to a point where Kelsey talked to Weber alone. She told him that Tammy has started a rumor that she was drinking too much and was popping pills. He gave Kelsey a rose and even kept Tammy beyond the next rose ceremony.

However, he sent Tammy home after she got into an argument with Mykenna Dorn.

Tammy apologized on Twitter

It didnt take long for Tammy to receive backlash for the situation from fans. She took to Twitter to apologize.

Ok Im going to address this once and for all- remember that this is a show. I do take responsibility for my actions and I never intended to hurt anyone. I am very sorry to those I did hurt but my heart was never coming from a intentional malicious place, she tweeted.

She then followed it up with, I tend to gravitate toward humor in situations like this bc [sic] Im not trying to mourn in the past mistakes Ive made. Were all human. All of us have done things were not proud of. So please hear me when I say- I never meant to hurt anyone and Im sorry.

The house flipper ended the statement with My 5 minute nasty moment on TV doesnt define who I am. Just like how your mistakes dont define who you are either. Remember that all of us who participated in this show are human too and some of you say nastier things to us than we do to each other.

Peter Weber said what Tammy was doing was bs

Peter Weber and Tammy on The Bachelor John Fleenor via Getty Images

Weber was able to see the full picture of the situation in the episodes. He gave his reaction to it on the podcast, the Viall Files, according to Us Weekly.

You know what conversation really didnt sit well with me was the stuff between Tammy and Kelsey, he said. Seeing that interaction go back and forth when I canceled that cocktail party in Costa Rica  that was BS. I dont stand for that at all.

He continued to talk about the rumors she started. Tammy calling out Kelsey that way and accusing her of that kind of stuff, I dont stand for, he said. I remember my interactions with Tammy. I enjoyed them and I definitely admired her. I still do, shes a super hardworking person, has a lot of amazing qualities, but seeing her, the way she kinda attacked Kelsey, attacked Sydney [Hightower], that stuff I didnt like.

It sounds like Weber is still on team Kelsey for this situation and Tammy has moved on from the drama on the show.
What just happened? Following yesterdays allegations by American officials that it has evidence of Huawei spying, the Chinese company has hit back, reiterating that it doesnt have the spying abilities the US alleges, and that America itself has an extensive history of snooping on mobile phone networks.

As evidenced by means of the Snowden leaks, america has been covertly having access to telecom networks international, spying on different nations for moderately a while, Huawei said in a statement sent to news organizations. The document by means of the Washington Publish this week about how the CIA used an encryption corporate to secret agent on different nations for many years is but further evidence.

In a Wall Street Journal report yesterday, national security officials claimed the US has evidence proving Hauwei has backdoor access to the mobile-phone networks it helps build around the world. As usual, the government refused to share this evidence with the public, but it has provided details to allies, including the UK and Germany, both of whom were warned not to use Huawei equipment in their 5G networks, else lose intel-sharing privileges with the US.

The Journal notes that manufacturers who sell telecoms equipment to carriers must include backdoors for authorities to access the network for lawful purposes, but they "are also required to build equipment in such a way that the manufacturer can't get access without the consent of the network operator." Officials say Huaweis equipment allows the company to access these networks without the carriers knowledge, but the company insists that this is impossible.

Huawei is only an equipment supplier. In this role, accessing customer networks without their authorization and visibility would be impossible. We do not have the ability to bypass carriers, access control, and take data from their networks without being detected by all normal firewalls or security systems. In fact, even The Wall Street Journal admits that US officials are unable to provide any concrete details concerning these so-called "backdoors."

Huawei added that the "interception interfaces are always located in protected premises on the operator's side," and are administered and used "solely by carriers and regulators."

Expect the spying allegations against Huawei to continue, even as the UK allows the firm to build parts of Britains 5G infrastructuresomething that wont please the US.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Thursday called on his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh at the latter's residence in Imphal and discussed development projects and peace initiatives, officials said.

During the interaction, the two chief ministers deliberated on the need for restoration of peace in Manipur, they said.

Zoramthanga informed Singh that he has been invited by the Centre to broker peace with insurgent groups in the Northeast, an official said.

They also talked about bus services between the two states and the need for strengthening brotherhood among various communities and language groups.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trump's decision to halt $400 million in assistance to Ukraine in 2019 was deemed illegal by a federal watchdog.

Acting OMB chief Russ Vought said Wednesday that the Trump administration doesn't expect any additional freeze on military aid to Ukraine following the 2019 hold that fueled an impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump.

"I am not going to take any tools that the president has off the table, but I don't anticipate anything on that front," the acting budget director told reporters when asked if the administration's concerns about corruption in the country had been addressed. His comments followed a House Budget Committee hearing on the president's fiscal 2021 budget request, POLITICO wrote.

Trump's decision to halt $400 million in assistance to Ukraine in 2019 was deemed illegal by a federal watchdog, though OMB officials disagreed with that finding.

Read alsoCNN: Pentagon officials stunned by White House decision to block Ukraine aid, new emails show

Last October, House impeachment investigators issued a subpoena to Vought, part of a round of subpoenas sent by the House Intelligence Committee. Vought refused to appear.

But during a three-hour session Wednesday with Vought, Democrats didn't once directly bring up Ukraine.

Budget Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) only alluded to the aid freeze in the last question asked of Vought, about the steps OMB is taking to ensure the agency does not withhold "duly enacted appropriations."

"We will continue to be transparent with regard to how we manage the people's money and ... ensure that money is not wasted in the process," Vought replied.

"We believe that we need to abide by the appropriation passed by Congress," Vought added. In determining how to spend money efficiently and economically, Vought said OMB examines federal spending laws in order to figure out the various budget "flexibilities" at the agency's disposal.

The acting White House budget director also contended that the agency gave GAO "all of the information that they've requested, to our knowledge." The federal watchdog ruled last month that the president's pause on Ukraine aid was illegal, noting that OMB "failed" to provide all of the information necessary for its investigation.
The African Union (AU) has taken two inseparable and seemingly intractable issues as the focus of its work in 2020. The Silencing the Guns initiative is a drive to end the incessant conflicts that plague the continent and is essential to creating conditions conducive to development. The second issue concerns refugees and the displaced. Africa has more refugees and displaced persons due to war, conflict and drought than any other continent. Remedying the problem requires constant and intensive action.



In his address to the Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development held in Aswan in December President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi announced that Silencing the Guns would be the main theme of the AUs 2020 summit. The initiative will serve as a roadmap to African peace and security, providing new mechanisms to bring an end to conflict, halt the spread of terrorist groups and stem the attrition that violence and bloodshed wreak on lives, societies and resources.

Al-Sisi told the forum that sustainable development is an essential component of efforts to combat militant groups in Egypt and elsewhere. He stressed that terrorism can only be confronted through collective action and a resolute stand against countries that fund and sponsor it. Terrorist groups would not survive without the material and moral support they receive from such states.



Sustainable development is impossible without peace and security. An estimated $150 billion per year is needed to fund the infrastructure projects for development. African nations combined can furnish at most $90 billion. The rest must come in the form of outside aid and investments.



The 2020 AU Summit held earlier this week in Addis Ababa is not the first to address the urgent need to rid the continent of conflict. Previous summits have also tried to grapple with the problem but failed to attain their desired goal for a number of reasons, some of them outside the control of African states.



The 2005 African Summit set the goal of making Africa a conflict-free continent by 2010 yet tribal, ethnic and sectarian conflicts continue to rage in many countries due to unresolved struggles over power and wealth and the predations of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. Little progress has been made towards meeting the oft-repeated promise to end conflict even though Article 4 of the AU Charter grants the AU the right to intervene in member states in cases that involve war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.



Relieving the conditions faced by refugees and displaced persons, including those able to return to post-conflict regions, demands concerted and urgent efforts given the complex and multifaceted nature of the problems. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Africa has the lions share of the worlds 69 million displaced people. In a May 2019 study the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), reported that in 2018 10.8 million people had been displaced by conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Syria and by sectarian/ethnic tensions in Ethiopia, Cameroon and Nigeria.



According to the report in Ethiopia 2.9 million people were forced to leave their homes due to ethnic/sectarian strife, mostly sparked by disputes over land. In the DRC 1.8 million people were displaced. The report added that the number of internally displaced is now far greater than the 25 million cross-border refugees.



The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan (OCHA-Sudan) reported that, in 2018, the number of internally displaced in Sudan topped two million, of which 1.6 million live in camps in the five Darfur states. Only 386,000 people have been able to return to their original towns and villages in Darfur since 2015.



According to NRC 50,000 people were driven from their homes in central and northern Mali during the first eight months of 2018 due to ethnic/sectarian strife and military operations against the extremist groups and militias. The breakdown in security in northern Mali has generated waves of displacement in the direction of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.



Increasing migration rates in Africa are also driven by other factors. A survey conducted by Afrobarometer in 34 African countries from 2016 to 2018 found that one out of three Africans has contemplated migration and young adults and highly educated people are more inclined than others to leave their countries. The search for jobs was the main incentive for 44 per cent of those polled. Twenty nine per cent said they wanted to escape poverty and economic hardship. The study concluded that if African governments do not do more to create job opportunities in their countries they risk losing the most educated, innovative and motivated among their youth.



In October 2018 UNHCR reported that more than 600,000 illegal migrants of 41 different nationalities were in Libya. The number included 40,000 illegal migrants with Sudanese nationality waiting for an opportunity to migrate to Europe.



There are 47,000 African migrants currently in Israel. Ninety per cent of these are from Eritrea, Sudan and DRC. Most have applied for asylum but Israel has approved less than one per cent of applications. In 2017 the Knesset passed a bill approving the expulsion to Rwanda and Uganda of rejected asylum seekers.



Since 2000 thousands of Africans have died while attempting to migrate. According to some statistics more migrants died in the Sahara than in the Mediterranean. One out of every 14 migrants from Libya to Europe died in 2018 compared to one out of every 38 in 2017.



According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), 119,000 Africans were apprehended in 2017 while attempting to reach Europe on migrant boats from Libya. Some 23,000 were arrested on their way to Spain from Algeria and Morocco.



African leaders agreed on a plan to promote job creation and rural development at the AU Summit in 2004. More than 15 years later half of Africas young people are out of work. In some countries the figure is as high as 75 per cent.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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From dinner to live music, there's plenty to enjoy in Berkeley this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Valentine's Day Dinner at La Marcha Tapas Bar: 6-Course Mar y Montana

From the event description:

La Marcha Tapas Bar is offering a Mar y Montana (Spanish surf n turf) pre-fixe Valentine's Day dinner.

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 4-9:30 p.m.

Where: La Marcha Tapas Bar, 2026 San Pablo Ave.

Admission: $90 (Pre-Fixe for Two: $45 per person). More ticket options available.

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

Valentine's Day with Quevedo, Kostopoulos and Donnay

From the event description:

Come celebrate Valentines Day with three outstanding vocalists: Valeriana Quevedo, Kay Kostopoulos and Roberta Donnay. (And yes, they were previously known collectively as the Dynamic Divas of the Bay Area). This will be a great night of music, drawn from the Classic Jazz and Great American Songbook of the 20's and 30's. Naturally, there will be plenty of love songs, not to mention the fact that this kind of music is inherently romanticespecially when you are snuggling up on one of the many love seats and sofas in the cozy, comfortable ambiance of The Back Room!

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 8-10 p.m.

Where: The Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave.

Admission: $18

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

SABOR! Celebrando el Dia del Amor y la Amistad!

From the event description:

DJ Jose Ruiz and SABOR are back at La Pena! Get ready to dance to a variety of rhythms from Latin America and around the globe every second Friday. We're kicking the year off with a special Valentine's SABOR celebrating love in all forms: community, friendship and romantic love. Plus, we'll have drink specials by Los Cilantros!

Story continues

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 8:15 p.m.- Saturday, Feb. 15, midnight

Where: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.

Admission: $8

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

'Memphis'

From the event description:

The exhilarating four-time Tony Award-winning musical, "Memphis", makes its Berkeley Playhouse debut. When Huey Calhoun--a white disk jockey--meets Felicia Farrell--a talented black woman with a voice that wont quit--they embark on a passionate journey through the trials and tribulations of love and fame in a prejudiced society. Featuring music and lyrics by David Bryan of Bon Jovi fame, this witty tale of desire, celebrity, and rocknroll is packed to the brim with irresistible songs and poignant moments.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 1 p.m.

Where: Berkeley Playhouse, 2640 College Ave.

Price: $21

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

Robert Townsend's 'Living the Shuffle'

From the event description:

It takes a miracle to make a movie in Hollywood, even more so as a struggling Black artist. But Robert Townsend defied the odds to carve out a successful career. In "Living the Shuffle", Townsend will take you through his show biz odyssey in this one-man show that will give you an inside peek into the dream factory.

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

Where: The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way

Price: $20

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
Cherokee Nation

In my years of service to the Cherokee Nation, I have seen how powerful it can be when our tribal nation and the state of Oklahoma maintain a stable and positive partnership. The Cherokee Nations economic impact in our state  almost $2.2 billion  is rooted in our commitment to investing in Oklahoma communities, big and small. The Cherokee Nation will never outsource jobs or threaten to pull up stakes when the going gets tough. We remain the best friend that the state of Oklahoma has ever had.

To make sure that friendship remains strong and mutually beneficial, we pay close attention to what is happening in the Oklahoma Legislature, and we advocate for legislation that will benefit our tribal nation, the state and Cherokee communities. In the current state legislative session, which recently kicked off at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, we are especially focused on bills that support Cherokee students in our public schools.

More than a decade ago, tribal nations and Oklahoma took steps to improve collaboration on the education of American Indian students by creating the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education (OACIE). The council includes state officials and educators along with representatives from Cherokee Nation and other tribal governments. This advisory council has been doing good work since 2010, but it expires in July of 2020 unless renewed by the Legislature.

The need for this advisory council is still great. Nearly one in five students in Oklahoma Public Schools is Native American. These students have diverse backgrounds, needs and tribal affiliations. Reaching all those students, while also leveraging all available state, federal, tribal and community resources, is a complex task. The OACIE helps by analyzing data on education needs and outcomes for Native American students and makes recommendations to the State Department of Education. That is why we support legislation to renew the OACIE for the next decade.

Another issue we are working on is a fix to help schools better understand the tribal citizens served in their districts. Under current law, Oklahoma public schools track how many of their students are Native American, but they are unable to track tribal affiliation of these students.

At Cherokee Nation, we do keep track of this data and use it to distribute nearly $6 million annually to public schools that serve Cherokee students within our jurisdiction in northeast Oklahoma. However, other tribes and the school districts themselves may not have that capacity, limiting their ability to tailor cultural and educational materials to the specific backgrounds of their students. By not tracking tribal affiliation with accuracy, schools may also be missing critical opportunities for federal funding that would benefit Indian students.

In this legislative session, we can address the problem by allowing the Oklahoma State Department of Education to collect tribal affiliation data for enrolled students in Oklahoma Public Schools. We are working with other sovereign tribal governments, Oklahoma education officials and lawmakers to make this happen.

Additionally, we will monitor and weigh in on other key issues, including bringing home our federal tax dollars to expand health care access, ending the troubling trend of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and making sure that our renewed gaming compacts continue to be a win-win for tribes and the state.

We always appreciate our friends in the Oklahoma Legislature for keeping lines of communication and good-faith collaboration open, even when we disagree. I look forward to another productive year of tribal-state collaboration to improve the place we all call home.

Chuck Hoskin Jr. is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from 1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribes Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.

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The American Legion in Shelton will be distributing coats to veterans as part of Operation Warm Hearts for Veterans.

Ocean State Job Lot has donated winter coats for needy veterans. The coats will be distributed at the American Legion at no charge to qualified veterans. New winter coats in sizes medium, large and extra large will be available at Sutter-Terlizzi American Legion Post 16, 295 Old Bridgeport Avenue, on Sunday, Feb. 16, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Some international flights heading to the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, have been diverted to the Kotoka International Airport over poor visibility caused by harmattan.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Edward Baah, Director, Air Traffic Services at Kotoka, said since the night of February 11, 2020, a number of Lagos-bound flights have sought refuge at Kotoka pending clarity in the weather condition which is said to be poor particularly in the Benin airspace heading to Lagos.

He mentioned that more than five flights including two belonging to Emirates, one from Rwandair, British Airways and Qatar Airlines, have all had to stop over in Accra.

The diversion has led to unusual long passenger queues at Kotoka International Airports leading to health inspection and immigration services.

The size of aircraft that are diverting are wide-bodied that can carry about 400 passengers, so obviously they will create a lot of pressure at the immigration and the arrival hall, Mr. Baah sated.

According to him, the respective airlines have made arrangements to accommodate their passengers until visibility improves.

Mr. Baah said they expect more flights to make a detour to Accra, but he cautioned that there is a limit to how much flights Accra can accommodate and that when the limit is reached, other diverted flights would have to seek refuge elsewhere.

---citinewsroom
A mother has appeared in court charged with killing her two young children, blaming her 'suicidal' eight-year-old son and sexually assaulting the family dog.

Lisa Snyder is accused of hanging her son Conner, eight, and her four-year-old daughter, Brinley, at their home in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The 37-year-old is alleged to have told authorities that the children had threatened suicide.

Investigators said she told police Conner was being bullied at school and wanted to commit suicide, but did not want to go alone so he killed his sister as well using a dog lead.

But officers said they found no evidence to support that claim and a witness told Berks County Courthouse on Wednesday that Conner was 'incapable of doing this', The Morning Call reported.

Lisa Snyder has been charged with the murders of her son Conner and her daughter Brinley at their family home in Reading, Pennsylvania

Lisa Snyder was arrested at her home on Monday morning for the deaths of 8-year-old Conner Snyder and his 4-year-old sister Brinley

Court records also show Snyder Googled 'carbon monoxide in a car how long to die', 'hanging yourself' and 'I almost got away with i best episodes [sic]' in the weeks before the children died last September.

Both children were found hanging by first responders after Snyder called 911.

The children were said to have been found suspended from opposite ends of the same plastic-covered dog leash.

Assistant District Attorney Margaret McCallum told the judge the boy did not have the dexterity to fasten the dog lead into two nooses.

She said: 'Conner was incapable of doing this to himself. He was incapable of doing this to his sister.'

Conner and Brinley died in hospital when doctors took them off life support, three days after their were discovered at home.

In December a coroner said both children died of hanging and ruled their deaths homicides.

Snyder was arrested in December after a coroner ruled the deaths of her two children were homicides. The pair died in hospital three months earlier

Snyder's eight-year-old son, Conner (left), and four-year-old daughter, Brinley (right), were found hanging from a dog leash in the basement in late September

Snyder was then arrested and charged with two counts each of first-and third-degree murder.

According to a friend who testified in court, the mother planned to take her own life after her arrest if she was released on bail.

District Judge Kim Bagenstose ordered Snyder to stand trial and face charges over the alleged murders.

She is charged with third-degree murder, tampering with evidence, endangering the welfare of children, animal cruelty and sexual intercourse with a dog.

The dog-related charges stem from sexually explicit photos of Snyder with the family pet that were uncovered during the lengthy police investigation and are not related to the homicide charges.

As police were going through Snyders social media content, they allegedly uncovered evidence on Facebook Messenger, including photos, suggesting the woman had sex with the family dog, previously described as a medium-sized husky-pit bull mix.

The pet has been given away since the deaths of the children.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enterprise Engineering, Inc. (EEI), an industry leader and trusted advisor to the financial services industry, today announced an expanded joint marketing venture with ebankIT, a premiere global digital banking platform provider. The partnership solidifies EEIs unique position as an Open Banking integrator and implementor and boosts ebankITs presence in North America.



Explosive growth in Open Banking technology and standards has created tremendous opportunity for financial institutions and industry counterparties. As financial data sharing evolves, providing secure data channels that benefit consumers has created a variety of challenges for financial institutions, regulators, aggregators and fintech firms. Our goal is to help firms answer those challenges and continue to build and improve on leading-edge solutions that offer secure, competitive advantages with new fresh applications for our customers, said William Trapani, EEIs Chief Revenue Officer. This is a major forward-looking step for ebankIT and EEI.

With ebankITs omnichannel digital banking platform, the opportunity now exists for US Banks and Credit Unions to have a new innovative way to provide full-service banking capabilities. Once connected to a core banking system, ebankIT allows banks to rapidly deploy world-class dynamic banking solutions for both their customers and in-house teams. (see www.ebankit.com for more details.)

This partnership represents a terrific opportunity for EEI and ebankIT. Our product sets are extremely complementary and are best-in-class in our target markets, said George Anderson, Founder of EEI. Together, ebankIT and EEI can provide impossibly fast time to market and ROI for our joint customers.

Later in the year EEI and ebankIT will be hosting a series of educational half-day seminars on Open Banking and banking solutions kicking off in New York in late March 2020.

About ebankIT

ebankIT is an international company that develops a leading Omnichannel digital banking platform with capabilities to enable Banks and Credit Unions to run lean, run smart and innovate fast. ebankITs mission is to help the banking business realize their full potential, strengthen customer relationship while minimizing costs and increase digital revenues. Operating at a global scale, ebankIT is helping customers to transform their businesses by delivering a fast-seamless Omnichannel Digital Banking Transformation with an innovative banking platform with out-of-the-box omni-channel capabilities.

For more information, please visit: www.ebankIT.com

About Enterprise Engineering, Inc. (EEI)

EEI has been a trusted advisor to the financial services industry since 1995. From the outset EEI has been successfully guiding our clients through the challenges of digital transformation and Open Banking. We advise, build and improve on leading-edge solutions that offer secure, competitive advantages to our customers. EEI was recently named 20 Most Promising Big Data Solutions by CIO Review and Best Global Financial Solutions Provider of the Year by M&A Today: Global Awards. We were also named a Leading Provider of Financial Services Technology Solutions by Wealth and Finance.

For more information, please visit www.joineei.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rita Ranieri

SVP of Sales

646.623.9556

press@joineei.com




US First Lady Melania Trump on Wednesday joined the growing excitement in anticipation of her trip to India with President Donald Trump saying they were both excited about it and looked forward to celebrate close ties between the two countries.

The US President and the First Lady are scheduled to arrive in India on February 24 for a two-day visit, for the first US presidential visit in five years. Though their schedules have not been released yet, they are expected to first visit Ahmedabad where the US president will address a rally with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expecting millions of people to show up. Their next stop will be New Delhi and then they will leave for home with a brief stopover in Agra.

Thank you @narendramodi for the kind invitation, the first lady wrote in a tweet, with a retweet of Prime Minister Modis post from Wednesday promising them a memorable welcome. She added, Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad & New Dehli (a typo, she meant Delhi) later this month. @POTUS & I are excited for the trip & to celebrate the close ties between the #USA & #India.

ALSO WATCH | PM Modi is a friend of mine, a great gentleman: Donald Trump ahead of India visit

It could not be immediately ascertained if this will be Melania Trumps first visit to India. But she has met the prime minister before, during his June visit to the White House for his first meeting with the president. The First Lady had hosted a small reception for the Indian delegation and the presidents top aides.

The president has been to India before, at least once that could be confirmed. He visited Mumbai in 2014 as a businessman for the launch of the Trump Tower with local business partners. The Trump Organizations overseas operations are the largest in India, with 16 properties, according to The Washington Post, all dating to before Trump election to the White House.

The president had cut himself from his business organisation, which is run by his two sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, after his election to the White House and has not visited India since.

His eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, who is an adviser to the president, visited India in November 2017,where she shared the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ivanka led the US delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The delegation is a US initiative that had traveled out for the first time.

The presidents eldest son Trump Jr visited in February 2018 on a business trip. He visited four cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata where the Trump Organisation has businesses. The trip had raised eyebrows in the United States for expenses incurred on a private, business visit by the US government.
While Trump is expected to veto the legislation, he warned the Senate on Wednesday to vote it down and not limit his policy choices

The US Senate opened debate on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's authority to go to war with Iran, with passage likely after eight Republicans sided with Democrats to advance the bill.

A vote on the war powers resolution could take place as early as Thursday, amid concerns that Trump could embark on open military conflict with Tehran without consulting Congress.

Passage could embarrass the president, who has been able to count on the Republicans' solid majority in the Senate to block legislation he disagrees with.

While Trump is expected to veto the legislation, he warned the Senate on Wednesday to vote it down and not limit his policy choices.

It is very important for our Country's SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution, he tweeted.

We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness... If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party.

In January the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed its own version of the law, after Trump's order to kill Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran dramatically escalated tensions and raised fears of a devastating war between the two foes.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, the sponsor of the Senate resolution, said it aimed at preventing unilateral war.

Congress has got to reassert our constitutional role in matters of war and peace, he said.

The two chambers' versions will have to be reconciled before being sent to the White House, which could all take place by the end of February.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 13:22:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Beijing has activated three mask factories that have been obsolete for years to meet the huge demand of masks nationwide amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Local officials said one assembly line in Majuqiao Township of east Beijing's Tongzhou District began pilot-production Monday. With the help of the local government, it took less than half a month for the factory to attain a production license, purchase materials and recruit villagers nearby as sewing workers.

"It is expected to produce about 30,000 disposable medical masks per day once regular production begins next week," said Wang Lihong, deputy chief of Majuqiao Township.

As the obsolete machine and facilities need testing and repairing, the trial run is meant to ensure production can meet national quality standards, and the masks produced this week will be sent to the quality inspection authority, said Wang.

The factory conducts disinfection every day, and workers are required to go through body temperature checks before entering the factory, according to local authorities, who also decided to give rent subsidies to the factory to reduce production costs amid the epidemic.

In Fangshan District, officials surveyed local companies and found two that met the conditions to manufacture masks. Their assembly lines, however, remained idle amid a tight supply of materials and a lack of production permissions and workers.

The district government said they helped the companies ensure supplies of melt-blown, non-woven fabric, a key material in making masks, repair and maintain idle equipment, and fast-track approval to resume production lines, which are now at the pilot-production phase.

China has rolled out a raft of measures to boost the production of medical supplies, as a further rise is expected in the already strong demand for protective gear, with millions of people gradually returning to work this week.
They knocked on my door every morning to tell me about the pilgrimage of their lives. I was moved and listened to them; thus, while they ventured their worries, my writings grew. I became interested in knowing their stories, I began to ask questions, and they told me their misadventures (which are many) and their joys (which are few). Their customary meetings since children were held on the rooftops of the poor neighborhoods, where they lived. When talking to me, they use a raised colloquial language."

Published by Page Publishing, Carlos Esquivel's new book Higinio el Sonador will hearten readers as they learn from the lessons from elders in the retelling of their lives that bear purpose.

Consumers who wish to partake of endearing and quaint circumstances can purchase Higinio el Sonador in any bookstore, or online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors' books, including distribution in the world's largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1088988/Page_Publishing_Carlos_Esquivel_Book.jpg

SOURCE Page Publishing

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It's the day after the 2020 Iowa caucuses, and the Iowa Democratic Party has yet to announce the winner. The app that precinct leaders were supposed to use to report final tallies recorded inconsistent results. Party leaders blamed a "coding issue" within the app, not a hack or attack. Computerworld's Lucas Mearian joins Juliet to discuss the problem with mobile voting and how this snafu may affect the reputation of app voting in the future.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 07:21:40|Editor: Liu

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by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan and Luo Jingjing

NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The suppliers of distilled spirits products in the United States posted 5.3 percent rise in gross revenues and 3.3 percent increase in sales volume in 2019 despite double-digit drop of export amount in the same period, according to the data released by Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DSCUS) on Wednesday.

U.S. suppliers of distilled spirits recorded 29 billion U.S. dollars of sales revenues in 2019, up 5.3 percent or 1.5 billion U.S. dollars from the previous year, according to DSCUS.

Meanwhile, the sales volume of distilled spirits in the United States totaled 239 million cases, 3.3 percent or 7.6 million cases higher from that in 2018. The expansion rate of sales volume in 2019 is the highest since 2007.

The strongest revenues growth in the U.S. spirits markets in 2019 continued to come from high-end premium and super high-end premium products, said David Ozgo, senior vice president and chief economist with DSCUS.

Strong U.S. economy and employment, Federal excise tax cut, growth of spirits tourism and experiential distillery tours, innovation in spirits products, marketplace modernization and other factors contributed to expansion of U.S. distilled spirits industry in 2019, said Ozgo.

What's more, the devastating impact of the retaliatory tariffs on distilled spirits products is accelerating, threating to upend the decade of industrial growth in the United States, according to DSCUS.

The punitive tariffs imposed by the European Union on imported U.S. spirits products are causing a significant slump of U.S. whisky exports by chipping away brand equity in their top export markets, said Chris Swonger, president and chief executive officer of DSCUS.

In 2019, U.S. exports of spirits products sank 14.3 percent year on year to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, said Christine LoCascio, chief of public policy with DSCUS. In particular, the exports of U.S. whiskey products dropped 16 percent year on year to 996 million U.S. dollars in 2019 as the European Union imposed 25 percent of tariffs on U.S. whiskey products in June, 2018.

The United States exported 514 million U.S. dollars worth of whiskey products to the European Union in 2019, which accounted for 52 percent of its total whiskey exports and 34.26 of U.S. total spirits exports in the year, according to DSCUS.

U.S. exports of whiskey products to the European Union in 2019 fell 27 percent year on year, with exports to the Britain, France, Germany and Spain down 32.7 percent, 19.9 percent, 18.2 percent and 43.8 percent year on year, respectively.

The United States also has imposed 25 percent tariffs on some whiskeys from Northern Ireland as well as liqueurs and cordials from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Britain in October 2019 as part of a 7.5 billion U.S. dollars compensation package awarded to the United States by the World Trade Organization regarding controversial subsidies to European airplane maker Airbus.

"We're now gravely concerned that the U.S. tariffs on EU spirits imports will have the same deleterious effect in the United States," Swonger said.

The longer the U.S. tariffs stay, the more likely the United States would see drop of imports from the European Union as what happened with U.S. exports to the European Union, said LoCascio. She added that it is too early to tell the full impacts of U.S. tariffs on imports as the retaliatory tariffs were introduced just a few month ago.

If the United States does impose 100 percent retaliatory tariffs on more EU products like Irish and Scotch whiskies and Cognac, it would be devastating and what's most worrying is the long-term impacts of tariffs and how to get lost overseas market back, said Swonger.

"At this point, we're frozen to some extent. If you're not in the market, you're gonna be forgotten. My fear is that every year these tariffs go on, American products are disadvantaged and it's a lost opportunity, obviously, for my company," said Tom Potter, president of New York Distilling Company, which was founded in 2010 with 15 employees now.

"So for a year and half now, we've lost that momentum" in expanding overseas sales with European Union and China as primary export markets, said Potter, adding his exports sank as much as 40 percent in 2019 and it's going to be worse in 2020.

American whisky has gained reputation and started to find sophisticated buyers in overseas markets, Potter said.

The office of the United States Trade Representative unveiled a provisional list in December 2019 and is soliciting comments on as much as 100 percent of proposed tariffs targeting some EU spirits products and others by Jan. 13, 2020.

It is expected that the recent trade agreements between the United States and other countries would create new momentum for negotiations with the European Union, which would result in the immediate removal of retaliatory tariffs on American spirits exports and U.S. tariffs on certain EU spirits, added LoCascio.

However, U.S. spirits industry is expected to maintain expansion in 2020 as U.S. Federal excise tax cut for craft distillers were extended for the year and restrictions on spirits consumption were lifted or eased in multiple states in 2019.

U.S. spirits market would see an increase in spirits tourism, emphasis on sustainability in the cocktail craft, expanded cocktail menus and creation of less-sweat cocktails in 2020, according to Ozgo, who declined to make forecasts for 2020, citing policy of DSCUS.
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Berlin, Germany.  Thu, February 13, 2020 06:06 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206429fc9 2 World #Germany,#politics,Angela-Merkel,Friedrich-Merz,CDU-party Free

Friedrich Merz, a longtime rival of Angela Merkel within the ruling CDU party, is hoping to replace her as German chancellor, local media reported Wednesday.

Merz, who wants to shift the centre-right party further to the right, is throwing his hat into the ring after Merkel's chosen successor, CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, gave up her leadership ambitions on Monday in a deepening party crisis over ties between the centre and far right.

The next CDU leader will also be the party's candidate to become Chancellor at elections due by the end of 2021.

With the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) still ahead in the opinion polls, he would be well placed to succeed Merkel as she steps down after 15 years in office.

Merz, a 64-year-old lawyer, is preparing to stand in internal party elections expected in the coming months, the daily Bild and DPA news agency reported.

If he succeeds in becoming party leader it will become difficult for his rival Merkel to remain in power until her mandate ends next year. Early elections would become a distinct possibility.

Merz has never forgiven Merkel for driving him out as head of the party's group of MPs in the Bundestag in 2002.

He was narrowly beaten in the vote for party leader by Merkel's preferred successor Kramp-Karrenbauer in December 2018, and has been waiting in the wings ever since.

- Return to full-time politics -

He announced this month he was quitting his job on the supervisory board of the German arm of investment firm BlackRock to dedicate himself to politics and to helping the CDU "renew itself".

In recent months Merz has attacked Merkel and her "failed" leadership.

Favoured by the CDU's most conservative members, Merz wants to shift the party to the right to woo back voters lost to the anti-Islam, anti-immigrant AfD.

Kramp-Karrenbauer opted out of the race after barely a year in the post -- a period marked by internal battles over whether to cooperate with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD).

AKK, as Kramp-Karrenbauer is popularly known, said she had had "a difficult time" as party leader.

While the CDU party has a policy of no cooperation with either the far left or far right at a national level, regional CDU lawmakers last week nevertheless voted with MPs from the AfD to oust a far-left state premier in Thuringia.

The breach in the political firewall against the AfD prompted Merkel's junior partners in the national government, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to call urgent talks at the weekend about the partnership's future.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : Chinese behemoth BBK Group's smartphone brand iQOO on Thursday said that its first product, iQOO 3, will be available in India on Flipkart and iqoo.com in February.

The entry of iQOO in the India market is expected to give POCO, an independent brand from Xiaomi, some tough competition.

iQOO 3 will feature the latest Snapdragon 865 chipset providing 5G capabilities.

"iQOO has been created to deliver a unique experience to young, technology-savvy consumers. iQOO is born to be a challenger just like its users, and the entire design process is guided by the evolving needs of these consumers, who desire for best-in-class performance," Gagan Arora, Director, Marketing, iQOO, said in a statement.

"iQOO phones are built for those consumers who are naturally skeptical of the status quo and are constantly seeking to improve themselves," he said.

The soon-to-be-launched iQOO 3, intends to offer a distinct proposition in the premium smartphone segment with industry-first features.
Zaharie Ahmad Shah (pictured) was the pilot of the doomed flight

DID THE PILOT HIJACK HIS OWN PLANE?

Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah planned mass murder because of personal problems, locking his co-pilot out of the cockpit, closing down all communications, depressurising the main cabin and then disabling the aircraft so that it continued flying on auto-pilot until it ran out of fuel.

That was the popular theory in the weeks after the plane's disappearance.

His personal problems, rumours in Kuala Lumpur said, included a split with his wife Fizah Khan, and his fury that a relative, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, had been given a five-year jail sentence for sodomy shortly before he boarded the plane for the flight to Beijing.

But the pilot's wife angrily denied any personal problems and other family members and his friends said he was a devoted family man and loved his job.

This theory was also the conclusion of the first independent study into the disaster by the New Zealand-based air accident investigator, Ewan Wilson.

Wilson, the founder of Kiwi Airlines and a commercial pilot himself, arrived at the shocking conclusion after considering 'every conceivable alternative scenario'.

However, he has not been able to provide any conclusive evidence to support his theory.

The claims are made in the book 'Goodnight Malaysian 370', which Wilson co-wrote with the New Zealand broadsheet journalist, Geoff Taylor.

It's also been rumoured that Zaharie used a flight simulator at his home to plot a path to a remote island.

However, officials in Kuala Lumpur declared that Malaysian police and the FBI's technical experts had found nothing to suggest he was planning to hijack the flight after closely examining his flight simulator.

And there are also theories that t he tragic disappearance may have been a heroic act of sacrifice by the pilot.

Australian aviation enthusiast Michael Gilbert believes the doomed plane caught fire mid-flight, forcing the pilot to plot a course away from heavily populated areas.

IF NOT THE PILOT, WAS THE CO-PILOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MYSTERY?

Co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27, again for personal problems, was suspected by rumour-spreaders to have overpowered the pilot and disabled the aircraft, flying it to its doom with crew and passengers unable to get through the locked cockpit door.

Theorists have put forward the suggestion that he was having relationship problems and this was his dramatic way of taking his own life.

But he was engaged to be married to Captain Nadira Ramli, 26, a fellow pilot from another airline, and loved his job. There are no known reasons for him to have taken any fatal action.

There have been a series of outlandish theories about the disappearance of the plane

Others have suggested that because he was known to have occasionally invited young women into the cockpit during a flight, he had done so this time and something had gone wrong.

Young Jonti Roos said in March that she spent an entire flight in 2011 in the cockpit being entertained by Hamid, who was smoking.

Interest in the co-pilot was renewed when it was revealed he was the last person to communicate from the cockpit after the communication system was cut off.

DID THE RUSSIANS STEAL MH370 AND FLY THE JET TO KAZAKHSTAN

An expert has claimed the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 was hijacked on the orders of Vladimir Putin and secretly landed in Kazakhstan.

Jeff Wise, a U.S. science writer who spearheaded CNN's coverage of the Boeing 777-200E, has based his outlandish theory on pings that the plane gave off for seven hours after it went missing, that were recorded by British telecommunications company Inmarsat.

Wise believes that hijackers 'spoofed' the plane's navigation data to make it seem like it went in another direction, but flew it to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is leased from Kazakhstan by Russia.

However, Wise admits in New York Magazine that he does not know why Vladimir Putin would want to steal a plane full of people and that his idea is somewhat 'crazy'.

Wise also noted there were three Russian men onboard the flight, two of them Ukrainian passport holders.

Aviation disaster experts analysed satellite data and discovered - like the data recorded by Inmarsat - that the plane flew on for hours after losing contact.

Careful examination of the evidence has revealed that MH370 made three turns after the last radio call, first a turn to the left, then two more, taking the plane west, then south towards Antarctica.

MH370 WAS USED BY TERRORISTS FOR A SUICIDE ATTACK ON THE CHINESE NAVY

This extraordinary claim came from 41-year-old British yachtsman Katherine Tee, from Liverpool, whose initial account of seeing what she thought was a burning plane in the night sky made headlines around the world.

On arrival in Thailand's Phuket after sailing across the Indian Ocean from Cochin, southern India with her husband, she said: 'I could see the outline of the plane - it looked longer than planes usually do.There was what appeared to be black smoke streaming from behind.'

Ms Tee's general description of the time and place was vague and she lost all credibility when she later stated on her blog that she believed MH370 was a kamikaze plane that was aimed at a flotilla of Chinese ships and it was shot down before it could smash into the vessels.

Without solid proof of the satellite data, she wrote on her blog, Saucy Sailoress, the plane she saw was flying at low altitude towards the military convoy she and her husband had seen on recent nights. She added that internet research showed a Chinese flotilla was in the area at the time.

While the debris proved the plane went down in the Indian Ocean, the location of the main underwater wreckage  and its crucial black box data recorders  remains stubbornly elusive.

THE JET LANDED ON THE WATER AND WAS SEEN FLOATING ON THE ANDAMAN SEA

On a flight from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur that crossed over the Andaman Sea on March 8, Malaysian woman Raja Dalelah, 53, saw what she believed was a plane sitting on the water's surface.

She didn't know about the search that had been started for MH370. She alerted a stewardess who told her to go back to sleep.

'I was shocked to see what looked like the tail and wing of an aircraft on the water,' she said.

It was only when she told her friends on landing in Kuala Lumpur what she had seen that she learned of the missing jet. She had seen the object at about 2.30pm Malaysian time.

She said she had been able to identify several ships and islands before noticing the silver object that she said was a plane.

But her story was laughed off by pilots who said it would have been impossible to have seen part of an aircraft in the water from 35,000ft or seven miles.

Ms Raja filed an official report with police the same day and has kept to her story.

'I know what I saw,' she said.

THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC SYSTEMS FAILURE AND CRASH-LANDED ON THE OCEAN

A catastrophic event such as a fire disabling much of the equipment resulted in the pilots turning the plane back towards the Malaysian peninsula in the hope of landing at the nearest airport.

Satellite data, believable or not, suggests the aircraft did make a turn and theorists say there would be no reason for the pilots to change course unless confronted with an emergency.

A fire in a similar Boeing 777 jet parked at Cairo airport in 2011 was found to have been caused by a problem with the first officer's oxygen mask supply tubing.

Stewarts Law, which has litigated in a series of recent air disasters, believes the plane crashed after a fire - similar to the blaze on the Cairo airport runway - broke out in the cockpit.

After an investigation into the Cairo blaze, Egypt's Aircraft Accident Investigation Central Directorate (EAAICD) released their final report which revealed that the fire originated near the first officer's oxygen mask supply tubing.

The cause of the fire could not be conclusively determined, but investigators pinpointed a problem with the cockpit hose used to provide oxygen for the crew in the event of decompression.

Following the 2011 fire, US aircraft owners were instructed to replace the system - it was estimated to cost $2,596 (1,573) per aircraft. It was not known whether Malaysia Airlines had carried out the change.

If either pilot wanted to crash the plane, why turn it around? So the turn-around suggests they were trying to land as soon as possible because of an emergency.

THE US SHOT DOWN THE AIRCRAFT FEARING A TERROR ATTACK ON DIEGO GARCIA

The Boeing 777 was shot down by the Americans who feared the aircraft had been hijacked and was about to be used to attack the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia atoll in the Indian Ocean. So conspiracy theorists claim.

And former French airline director Marc Dugain said he had been warned by British intelligence that he was taking risks by investigating this angle.

There is no way of checking whether Dugain received such a warning or why he believes the Americans shot down the plane.

But adding to the theory that the aircraft was flown to Diego Garcia, either by the pilot Zaharie or a hijacker, was the claim that on the pilot's home flight simulator was a 'practice' flight to the island.

Professor Glees said: 'The Americans would have no interest in doing anything of the kind and not telling the world.

'In theory, they might wish to shoot down a plane they thought was attacking them but they wouldn't just fire missiles, they'd investigate it first with fighters and would quickly realise that even if it had to be shot down, the world would need to know.'
RK Pachauri, former chairman of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and former director general of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), has passed away, TERI announced on Thursday. Pachauri was 79.

He died of cardiac complications according to Fortis Escorts.

As the head of the IPCC, a United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate crisis and informs global policy, between 2002 and 2015, Pachauris team drafted iconic scientific reports on the climate emergency that later formed the basis for the 2015 Paris Agreement to which 195 nations are signatories.

The IPCC won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US President Al Gore for its work on climate change under Pachauri, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest Indian civilian honour, in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest, in 2008 for his contribution to science and the environment.

The last decade of Pachauri was mired in controversy - he resigned from the IPCC in 2015 following allegations of sexual harassment by a 29-year-old employee of TERI.

I remember him as an institution builder. He built TERI, one of the largest research institutions in the world. The IPCC AR5 report that was completed under him formed the basis for the Paris Agreement in many ways because it spoke of the 2 degree threat, said NH Ravindranath, climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Science, who worked with Pachauri on IPCC reports, said referring to warning of a potential 2 degrees Celsius increase in the global average temperature above pre-industrial levels.

It was a very difficult time for the IPCC because of various controversies. Dr Pachauri knew every world leader personally. He had great reach, he added.

Annapurna Vancheswaran, senior director, communications and outreach at TERI, said: He was an incredible institution builder and a professional with a human touch. He would know from our faces if something was wrong at home. I had worked with him for 25 years and he had shaped our minds. He had put processes in place, I admire his professional side.

The last decade of his career was mired in controversy. The UK-based Daily Telegraph alleged that Pachauri was making money through his links with carbon trading companies in 2007. The allegation was denied by Pachauri and the Daily Telegraph issued an apology following an audit of his earnings.

IPCCs 2007 fourth assessment report came under fire for its claim, termed a Himalayan blunder, that the glaciers in the Himalayas would disappear by 2035. The claim was later found to be unsubstantiated and based on a media interview by a scientist. IPCC later acknowledged the error, but the controversy tarnished the image of the institution.

Pachauri resigned from the IPCC in 2015 following allegations of sexual harassment by a 29-year-old employee of TERI. More controversy and criticism arose when the TERI governing council reinstated Pachauri as its executive vice chairman despite the pending probe into the sexual harassment complaint against him.

TERI University students said they will not accept degrees from Pachauri. The governing council asked him to go on leave. According to a TERI statement of February 12, 2016 Pachauri was sent on indefinite leave and Ajay Mathur took charge as director general of TERI.

Dr. R.K. Pachauri, who had been at the Head of the Institute since 1982 will be on leave from TERI, TERI Governing Council, and TERI University till this is reviewed by the Governing Council given the subjudice nature of the matter, it said adding that TERI, is a unique organisation with a global presence, and a staff strength of 1200 people, of which over 33% are women. At the highest echelons of the Institute, 14 of the 30 Directors are women. The Governing Council of TERI supports the rights of women and has consistently ensured the provision of a secure environment and a safe work place for its employees.

A member of TERIs internal complaints committee investigating the sexual harassment case said it will not be right to comment on how the case was handled under the present circumstances .The complainant also said she did not want to comment.

TERI is what it is because of Dr Pachauris untiring perseverance. He played a pivotal role in growing this institution, and making it a premier global organisation in the sustainability space, said Mathur, director general of TERI, who succeeded Pachauri in 2015 but took charge in 2016.
Mekong Delta farmers are facing natural calamities and saline intrusion, as well as the decline of the Chinese market amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Nguyen Gia Khanh, a housewife in Can Tho City, was seen quickly selecting watermelons from a pile of fruits on the pavement of Nguyen Van Cu Road in Ninh Kieu district.





Watermelons are sold at VND5,000 per kilogram. It is dirt cheap, she told reporters, explaining why she decided to buy 100 kilograms.



I will give some products to my neighbors and relatives, and I will send the remaining to the teams of people who do charity at hospitals, she said.



Watermelon and dragon fruit are selling at surprisingly low prices, from traditional markets to movable pavement stalls and supermarkets.

As the fruit export to China is getting stuck amid the coronavirus outbreak, the prices have dropped dramatically and farmers have had to sell at bargain prices.

As the fruit export to China is getting stuck amid the coronavirus outbreak, the prices have dropped dramatically and farmers have had to sell at bargain prices.



Just within five hours of February 8, tens of tons of watermelons from Gia Lai province sold out. Urbanites bought them in large quantity to respond to the call to rescue farmers who are suffering from the export decline.



Chia Xon, a farmer from Gia Lai, said he could sell watermelon at VND5,000 per kilogram. I have to sell at a loss, but the sale helps reduce the loss, he said.



He has incurred a loss of VND10 million per 0.1 hectare.



Catfish is also awaiting rescue campaigns. Farmers said before the nCoV broke out, the catfish sold at VND22,000-23,000 per kilogram, but the price dropped to VND17,000. Merchants have stopped collecting catfish as the export to China has been suspended. And domestic seafood companies only buy catfish in small quantities.



Mekong Delta is considered the fruit and catfish center of the country. When they have bumper crops, farm produce prices drop sharply because of oversupply. At this moment, the situation is even more serious because of the decline of the Chinese market.



Chuong Van Khanh, in Thot Not district in Can Tho City does intensive catfish farming on an area of 50,000 square meters and produces 300 tons of catfish each year.



But he is met with misfortune this year: the catfish couldn't sell. Khanh decided to dry catfish, and make fish sauce and other processed products to ease losses.



According to farmers in Can Tho City, An Giang and Hau Giang provinces, the selling prices need to be at least VND21,000 per kilogram to cover farming cost.

Thanh Lich

State agencies try to rescue seafood exports to China Vietnamese export companies are seeing their seafood products stuck on the way to China at Mong Cai border gate in Quang Ninh province.
Christian media, Church Leaders reported about Saddleback Church's 40th anniversary for parishioners at the main campus in Lake Forest, California held on Feb. 9.

Despite the continuous rain shower, thousands of attendees enjoyed fellowship, family activities and movie screenings of the megachurch's history.

Members from 14 satellite campuses of Saddleback gathered at Lake Forest instead of offering their weekend services separately. Special guests from the church's four international campuses were also present.

In 1980, Rick and Kay Warren began Saddleback church, as a Bible study group in their condo. The first service was held on Easter Sunday of the year in the high school gym. Since then, Saddleback has baptized more than 50,000 people, with an average of 30,000 of them coming regularly.

Reverend Rick Warren was named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2005 and is also a best-selling author of "The Purpose Driven Life." His wife, Kay Warren, is also a writer and has become a mental health advocate since their son Matthew's 2013 suicide. Meanwhile, Saddleback's 40th anniversary festival coincided with Kay Warren's birthday.

Prior to the event, the church posted invitations on its websites and social media. "Many lives have changed over the past few decades, hope has been restored, and God has made miracles through our churches and through our families. So we'd like to celebrate with everyone who was a member of Saddleback."

When the Warrens started Saddleback, their goal was to stay in one place for a long time. Rick Warren told the Orange County Register, a California daily news, that "Kay and I had a rather ridiculous promise when we were 25 that we will not move but we would give 40 years to one location and we wouldn't go to another church.

"I have been offered various kinds of jobs with Christian groups, seminaries and denominations. But we've never moved, and when we gave our first service of the year, we thought we did, we kept our promise to dedicate 40 years to one place, and we loved the people here," he said, adding that "human relations, hospitality, and community outreach were the keys to the success of Saddleback."

As a prelude to this year's anniversary, Saddleback launched a campaign called "Daring Faith" with goals for the number of attendees, donations and global influence. On February 2nd, Warren delivered a next-step of plans for the "2020 Vision" message, including a "world-class restorative retreat center that comforts various pain."
Police have launched an assault investigation and are seeking the publics help in identifying a TTC passenger who insulted a woman for using a protective medical mask on a bus.

The 24-year-old woman was riding the 75 Sherbourne near Bloor Street West around 2:30 p.m. last Friday when a man began insulting her over her decision to wear a mask, police say.

The woman tried to take a photo of the man, who grabbed her as he tried to pull the camera away from her.

Police are looking for the man, believed to be in his 40s. He was seen wearing metal framed glasses, a black winter coat with fur on the hood, blue jeans and a black toque. He was clean shaven, and had a medium build and height.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

Police wouldnt say whether they believe the incident was racially motivated, saying they dont want to release any information about the victim.

Its not clear why she was wearing the mask.

There have been an increase in the number of people wearing masks on the streets of Toronto over fears of the novel coronavirus epidemic in China. Canadian health officials say that wearing surgical masks during everyday life has little use in protecting against coronavirus, despite being effective in hospital settings.
Four lawyers, including the joint secretary of Lucknow Bar Association (LBA), Sanjeev Lodhi, were injured on Thursday morning when crude bombs were hurled at them on the premises of the Lucknow district and sessions court, said police.

One of the bombs exploded outside Lodhis chamber amid allegations that some rival lawyers were among the attackers. Advocate Jitu Yadav and his group are behind the attack, Lodhi alleged speaking to media, as per the FIR.

Jitu Yadav said, I was not even present at the court premises when the attack took place. I reached there when other advocates informed me about it.

Police said that the preliminary probe suggests the two rival groups of lawyers were at odds for long, and the matter came to a head on Wednesday following a fresh dispute between the factions. Lodhi told media that he was targeted for lodging a complaint of corruption against judicial officers. Police official, privy to the probe said, There are reports of dispute between them on a family court case too. We are investigating the matter. Lawyers at the bar added both were not getting along ever since they were elected at different posts of the Lucknow bar council.

We have recovered some pieces of the exploded bomb. Sanjeev Lodhi has lodged a complaint against his peers . The dispute between the two lawyers, who are office-bearers of the LBA, appears to have led to the attack, said Naveen Arora, joint commissioner of police (JCP), Lucknow.

The court has four gates, where metal detectors are installed. Some people were allegedly allowed to enter the court premises without any frisking, Arora added.

Police have booked Jitu Yadav , Annu Yadav, Azam, Sudhir Yadav, Ajaj, Dilip Singh, Ajay Yadav and another 8-10 unidentified persons.The accused have been booked for rioting, attempt to murder and violation of the Arms Act. A hunt is on to arrest them, said Vikas Chandra Tripathi , additional DCP (West), Lucknow. This incident once again has made advocate voicing for protection act, which as per their proposal, talks about strict punishment for assault on lawyers, enhancing the security to avoid untoward incidents.

Its because of such incidents that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has been demanding the enactment of the Advocates Protection Act. said Manan Mishra, chairman, BCI.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) said it intends to offer approximately $2 billion of common stock in an underwritten registered public offering. The company plans to use the net proceeds to further strengthen its balance sheet, as well as for general corporate purposes. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, will purchase up to $10 million of common stock under the offering. Larry Ellison, a member of Tesla's Board, will purchase up to $1 million of common stock. Tesla, in a filing, stated that the SEC issued a subpoena in December seeking information from company concerning certain financial data and contracts including Tesla's regular financing arrangements. Separately, the DOJ also asked the company to provide the information. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Activist Rose McGowan branded Natalie Portman a 'fraud' for wearing a Dior cape embroidered with the names of female directors snubbed by the Oscars to Sunday's award ceremony.

McGowan tore ripped into the actress in a Facebook post on Wednesday, writing: 'I find Portman's type of activism deeply offensive to those of us who actually do the work. I'm not writing this out of bitterness, I am writing out of disgust.'

Portman received widespread praise on Sunday when she walked the red carpet wearing the black cape with the names of eight female directors including Little Women's Greta Gerwig and The Farewell's Lulu Wang.

McGowan, however, was not impressed. She called Portman's fashion statement 'the kind of protest that gets rave reviews from the mainstream media for its bravery.'

'Brave? No, not by a long shot,' McGowan vented. 'More like an actress acting the part of someone who cares. As so many of them do.'

Portman responded to McGowan's scathing statement by agreeing that she did not deserve to be called 'brave' for the small gesture.

Rose McGowan branded Natalie Portman a 'fraud' for wearing a Dior cape embroidered with the names of female directors snubbed by the Oscars to Sunday's ceremony

The actress also acknowledged her lacking record of working with female directors, which McGowan had called out.

'Natalie, you have worked with two female directors in your very long career- one of them was you,' McGowan wrote. 'You have a production company that has hired exactly one female director- you.'

She continued: 'What is it with actresses of your ilk? You 'A-listers' [puke emoji] could change the world if you'd take a stand instead of being the problem.

'Yes, you, Natalie. You are the problem. Lip service is the problem. Fake support of other women is the problem.'

Portman was quick to respond to the rant.

'I agree with Ms. McGowan that it is inaccurate to call me 'brave' for wearing a garment with women's names on it,' she said in a statement.

'Brave is a term I more strongly associate with actions like those of the women who have been testifying against Harvey Weinstein the last few weeks, under incredible pressure.'

She then said: 'It is true I've only made a few films with women. In my long career, I've only gotten the chance to work with female directors a few times Unfortunately, the unmade films I have tried to make are a ghost history.

'I have had the experience a few times of helping get female directors hired on projects which they were then forced out of because of the conditions they faced at work.

'After they are made, female-directed films face difficulty getting into festivals, getting distribution and getting accolades because of the gatekeepers at every level.'

'I want to say, I have tried, and I will keep trying. While I have not yet been successful, I am hopeful that we are stepping into a new day,' she concluded.

Asked about her cape on the red carpet, Portman said she wanted to give 'subtle' recognition to female directors who were not nominated this year

The names of Little Women' director Greta Gerwig, 'The Farewell's' Lulu Wang and others were sewn in gold thread

Sewn in the inseam of the cape were the names of Little Women director Greta Gerwig, The Farewell director Lulu Wang, Queen & Slim director Melina Matsoukas, Harriet director Kasi Lemmons, Hustlers director Lorene Scafaria, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood director Marielle Heller and Honey Boy director Alma Har'el

Portman's company, Handsomecharlie Films, released seven films in total, including No Strings Attached, which she starred in, and the thriller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

The only female directed film on that list is A Tale of Love and Darkness. Another film, Jane Got a Gun, was slated to have a female director, until Lynne Ramsay was replaced by Gavin O'Connor.

Portman has been outspoken about the shortage of female directors nominated by the Academy in the past, including at the 2018 awards show when she introduced the best director category by saying: 'Here are your male nominees.'

She said she chose to feature female directors' names on her cape this year to recognize the women.

Joining Gerwig and Wang in the list of women snubbed were Melina Matsoukas for Queen & Slim, Kasi Lemmons for Harriet, Lorene Scafaria for Hustlers, Marielle Heller for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Alma Har'el for Honey Boy.

Natalie Portman attended the Oscars with her husband Benjamin Millepied

Portman removed her cape before taking the stage with actor Timothee Chalamet

This year's Academy Awards' best director category was male dominated for the 87th time in the ceremony's 92-year history.

The five contenders were Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, Todd Phillips for Joker, Sam Mendes for 1917, Quentin Tarantino for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bong Joon-ho, who took home the statuette for Parasite.

Issa Rae, who announced the Oscar nominees last month, had a dig at the Academy during the broadcast, saying 'congratulations to those men' after noticing Gerwig's snub.

An online platform also promised to shine a light on those snubbed at the Oscars by using the ceremony's advertising breaks to celebrate female directors.

Nonprofit initiative Give Her a Break have launched the online portal to the Oscar's live stream which automatically plays viewers trailers for female-directed films during commercial breaks.

The initiative was born out of frustration over the absence of women in the best director category which this year celebrates an all-male set of nominees - with the website including phrases such as 'You stole our Oscars, so we stole your ads.'

It comes after several stars used their speeches at awards ceremonies to speak about diversity in the industry, including Joaquin Phoenix who spoke about the issue at the BAFTAs on Sunday night.
Sentencing of ex-Russian top investigator in $1 mln bribery case set for March 18

 RAPSI

10:38 13/02/2020

MOSCOW, February 13 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court will pass sentence upon General Alexander Drymanov, ex-director of the Investigative Committee's Main Investigations Directorate, charged with corruption, on March 18, the court press-service informs RAPSI.

Earlier, the prosecution has asked the court to sentence Drymanov to 16 years in prison.

Prosecutors also asked the court to sentence two other defendants in the case, Colonel Alexey Kramarenko and Colonel Mikhail Maksimenko to 14 and 17 years in prison respectively.

The prosecution also seeks to fine Drymanov 196 million rubles (about $3 million), Kramarenko  195 million rubles ($3 million), and Maksimenko  250 million rubles ($4 million).

Neither of the defendants admits guilt.

The oral arguments of the parties were heard at chambers.

Investigators believe the defendants received the bribe for mitigation of restrictive measures with respect to a member of an organized gang. The case of two other defendants, Alexander Lamonov and Denis Nikandrov, are heard separately.

Drymanov was arrested in mid-July 2018. He stands charged with receiving two large-scale and especially large-scale bribes. The defendant pleads not guilty and calls the case fabricated.
Police say Dr. Van Koinis advocated homeopathic medicine and is thought to have been sought out by anti-vaxxers

A doctor who took his own life confessed in his suicide note that he falsified medical records  and may not have given out vaccinations  for up to a decade, according to reports.

Parents with children who were patients of the pediatrician in Illinois have been urged to check if they were vaccinated.

The 58-year-old pediatrician who ran a practice in Evergreen Park is believed to have faked documentation for anti-vaxxer parents so they could falsely claim their children had received immunizations, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said.

The doctor, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in September, left a note indicating his remorse, the Chicago Tribune reported.

'He was well known for being someone who was into homeopathic medicine, and from what we have determined, it was well known that people opposed to vaccination could go to him,' Dart said.

To gain a school place in Illinois, students are required by law  excepted in cases where there are religious objections or medical conditions  to provide proof of vaccination for preventable communicable diseases.

While there was no evidence that Koinis had been giving out fake vaccinations against parents' wishes, Dart encouraged parents to check to ensure their children had received the proper vaccinations.

As of Thursday Alzein Pediatrics, the recipients of medical records for the practice at 3830 West 95th Street in Evergreen Park, had a pop-up on its website inviting patients of Koinis to get hold of their records.

Video courtesy of WGN

Alzein Pediatrics, the recipient of medical records for Koinis' practice in Evergreen Park, on Thursday had a pop-up on its website inviting patients to get hold of their records.

Patients at the practice at 3830 West 95th Street in Evergreen Park, Illinois, have been urged to check if their children have had the proper immunizations

The doctor at the Illinois practice was said to have been 'incredibly regretful' over his actions

Koinis was said to have practiced medicine since 1991 and was a 'well-respected, well-liked doctor for many, many years'

'Was your child a patient of Dr. Koinis?' it reads. 'Click here to download the Medical Records Release form.'

The Chicago Tribune reported that Alzein Pediatrics referred questions to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, where the doctor's obituary said he also worked as well as Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Dart told WBBM that the suicide left by the pediatrician was 'incredibly regretful'.

'The note was very short. It was a note where he expressed a lot of regret and the note was solely driven at the fact that he did things he regretted as far as the vaccinations.' the sheriff told the station.

'He was incredibly regretful for what he did and it was the only thing he mentioned in the suicide note. It was this and only this.'

Police said Koinis' suicide note seemed to show 'an overarching depression that was driven by years of not vaccinating people properly'

'There seems to be an overarching depression that was driven by years of not vaccinating people properly. We were not able to nail it down any further. That was the sole reason he gave for this,' WBBM reported.

Dart told the Chicago Tribune that it was not yet clear how widespread the doctor's apparent deception may have been, but that his suicide note mentioned it dating back almost ten years.

'We got some answers, but not nearly enough to have complete clarity on what exactly caused this and what he was referencing,' he said.

Koinis had been licensed to practice in Illinois since 1991, according to state records cited by the newspaper.

'I don't care about your personal feelings on vaccinations, kids need them,' Dart told the Tribune. 'You can't waive them arbitrarily. You clearly can't forge documents or encourage them to be forged and pass them on, so we're moving along that track.'

Dart said, however, that Koinis had been respected in the community during his lifetime. He told WGNTV 9: 'A person that was very well-respected, well-liked doctor for many, many years committed suicide and left a note that was very clear that he had horrible regrets for how acted

No charges have been filed in the suspected conspiracy to falsify vaccination records an investigation is underway, authorities said.
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The Senate has passed a War Powers Resolution that would limit Trumps ability to launch a war with Iran without congressional approval.

The New York Times reported:



The Senate voted on Thursday to require President Trump seek congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran, as Democrats joined forces with several Republicans to try to rein in the presidents war-making powers weeks after he escalated hostilities with Tehran.

The bipartisan vote, 55 to 45, amounted to a rare attempt by the Senate to restrain Mr. Trumps authority just over a week after it voted to acquit him of impeachment charges, and nearly six weeks after the president moved without authorization from Congress to kill a top Iranian security commander.

The resolution fell short of the 67 votes that will be needed to override a Trump veto that is certain to happen, but the message being sent was clear. If Trump tries to start a war with Iran, he is going to meet with bipartisan congressional disapproval.

Trump has moved on to getting revenge for his impeachment and wrecking the DOJ but if he finds himself in trouble during the election, he will be tempted to try to turn himself into a wartime president. This vote by the Senate is a warning shot that is telling him not to even think about it.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
[February 13, 2020] Transcontinental Inc. - Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, Release of First Quarter 2020 Results and Conference Call

MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, February 27, 2020, Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) will hold its Annual General Meeting of shareholders at 2:00 p.m. at the Saint James's Club, 1145 Union Avenue, in Montreal. For those who are unable to attend in person, a webcast of the meeting (audio only) will be accessible as of February 28 in the Presentations and events page of the Investors section of the Corporations website at www.tc.tc

Transcontinental Inc. will also release its first quarter 2020 results and host a conference call for the financial community at 4:15 p.m. The conference call will be broadcast live (audio only) on the Investors homepage of the Corporations website at www.tc.tc , and will be archived for 30 days. The financial results will be made public in a press release that will be issued on the newswire prior to the conference call as well as in the Management Discussion and Analysis that will be posted on the Corporations website.



Q1 2020 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 Time: 4:15 PM Dial-in numbers: 1-647-788-4922 or 1-877-223-4471 Live audio webcast: www.tc.tc/investors CONFERENCE RECORDING PLAYBACK

Availability dates: February 27 (7:30 PM) to March 8 (11:59 PM) Access telephone numbers: 1-416-621-4642 or 1-800-585-8367 Access code: 6681925 The following is the conference call calendar for the 2020 fiscal year, for your information:

2020 CALENDAR  UPCOMING QUARTERLY RESULTS

2nd quarter: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 3rd quarter: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 4th quarter: Thursday, December 10, 2020 For further information:

Yan Lapointe

Director, Investor Relations

TC Transcontinental

Telephone: 514-954-3574

[email protected]

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / February 13, 2020 / ProLung, Inc. ("ProLung" or the "Company"), which has developed a cutting edge predictive cancer analytic that utilizes bioconductance to reduce the time to diagnosis, announced that the Utah Division of Securities ("Division") has dismissed all charges of securities fraud against ProLung and its current management. The Company reached a settlement with the Division for paying unlicensed broker-dealers to sell its securities during 2012-2014 under prior management.On January 6, 2020, ProLung entered into a settlement agreement with the Utah Division of Securities resolving a claim against ProLung alleging employment of unlicensed agents in connection with fundraising activities during the time period from February 2012 to March 2014. On January 9, 2020, the Utah Division of Securities entered an order as follows 1) entering certain Findings and Conclusions by the Division relating primarily to the employment of unlicensed agents in connection with fundraising activities from February 2012 to March 2014, which ProLung admitted via a Stipulation and Consent Order; 2) ordering ProLung to cease and desist from violating the Utah Uniform Securities Act (the "Act") and to comply with the requirements of the Act in all future business in the state of Utah; 3) ordering ProLung to disclose the contents of the order to investors and prospective investors in all future capital raising efforts and disclosure documents of ProLung; and 4) ordering ProLung to pay a fine aggregating $55,000 to the Division. (Link)Mr. Jared Bauer, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "With this protracted and costly regulatory action behind us, we can better focus our energies on bringing our patented ProLung Test to market so we can make a difference for cancer patients around the world. I believe ProLung is stronger today than it has ever been with more clinical data, a burgeoning product development pipeline and amazing shareholder support." About ProLung, Inc.ProLung is a leader in cutting edge cancer predictive analytics utilizing a patented non-invasive scanning technique called bioconductance combined with a proprietary algorithm. ProLung is focused on developing, testing and commercializing predictive cancer analytics utilizing bioconductance and Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is designed to accelerate the time to diagnosis, expand the therapeutic window for cancer patients and significantly reduce the financial burden to healthcare payors.About Lung CancerLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, killing more than colorectal, breast and prostate cancers combined. There is a severe unmet clinical need to reduce the time required to determine malignancy in patients diagnosed with IPNs. Patients with IPNs can wait months, or even years, receiving multiple CT scans to confirm malignancy in the lungs. This wait often proves fatal as the cancer advances and spreads. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the first national lung cancer screen utilizing a low-dose CT scan (LDCT) of the chest for high-risk adults, which was based in part on a 2013 recommendation by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The screen will amplify this clinical need as up to 24 million patients with IPNs may experience a narrowing treatment window as they wait.Forward-Looking StatementsStatements contained in this release which are not purely historical, including, without limitation statements regarding ProLung's future performance and goals, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in the ProLung's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks and uncertainties include inherent risks and uncertainties relating to ProLung's ability to meet its funding requirements for its operations and other commitments and to obtain successful test results and regulatory approvals for its products. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections.For further information, contact:Andy Robertson | 1-801-503-9231| acr@ prolunginc.com ProLung, Vice President of Business DevelopmentProLung, Inc.350 W. 800 N., Suite 214Salt Lake City, Utah 84103USAFollow ProLung, Inc. on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn: @ProLungIncSOURCE: ProLung, Inc.
Many have been waiting for the new season of Narcos: Mexico on Netflix and after over a year, Netflix has finally announced the comeback.

The drama about the battle of the DEA against the drug lords of Mexican Cartels has been the long time favorite of avid Netflix viewers. The Narco: Mexico series has an average of 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The Rotten Tomatoes score represents the percentage of positive reviews coming from professional critics of a given film or television show.

Last season, we saw the collapse of a Mexican drug lord. Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, head of the Guadalajara Cartel and at the same time the founder of the modern-day drug trade, battled against DEA agent, Kiki Camarena. Gallardo ordered to kidnap, torture, and murder the U.S. agent after they found out that Camarena was undercover. This is also the time when the collapse of the drug lord leader began.

In the new season of the most anticipated film series on Netflix, we will be watching a more dramatized version. Here are the things that you should know about Narcos: Mexico Season 2 according to a published article on Decider:

When does Narcos: Mexico Season 2 officially start?

Just like me, many are craving for the new season of Narcos: Mexico as this is still the number one most anticipated series on Netflix. Its premiere will be on February 13. So mark your calendar now and make sure that you don't miss the premiere of its new season.

What time will the Narcos: Mexico Season 2 be released?

If you are an avid viewer of Netflix, you probably already know the answer to this question. The Narcos: Mexico Season 2 will be released on Netflix at 12:01 a.m. PT or 3:01 a.m. ET.

How many episodes will there be in its new season?

Just like the previous season, there will be 10 episodes of Narcos: Mexico Season 2. You can also check out its full trailer to get the excitement juices flowing.

Who are the new cast members for Season 2?

Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo will still be played by Diego Luna, but this time his DEA agent rival will be played by Scoot McNairy. There are also other returning characters like Jose Maria Yazpik who will be playing the character of Amado Carillo Fuentes, Gerardo Taracena as Pablo Acosta, and Alejandro Edda as Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

What differs between Narcos and Narcos: Mexico?

The difference between the two is the location of the film. Narcos focused its first season in Colombia, but in Narcos: Mexico the location speaks about the title of the series itself. Season 2 will be the convergence of Guadalajara Cartel, the Juarez Cartel, the Tijuana Cartel, and the Sinaloa Cartel under Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo. But there's more in the new season, this is not only about the unification of the Mexican Cartels under Gallardo, but is also set to surprise us as to how Gallardo strengthened his relationship with the Colombian Cartels and how he found inventive ways to transport cocaine to the States.
A second US evacuee from China has been diagnosed with coronavirus after the CDC admitted its test kits are flawed.

The new case announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US to 14.

The patient was aboard a flight from Wuhan, the city at the center of the outbreak, that arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California last week. They are now in isolation at a hospital in San Diego.

Also in isolation is a woman who was mistakenly released because of a mislabeled sample that hadn't been tested for coronavirus. She was returned to the hospital on Monday after testing positive for the virus and is expected to make a full recovery.

The latest confirmed case comes hours after a senior CDC official Nancy Messonnier revealed that a number of coronavirus test kits sent out by US health authorities to labs across the country are faulty.

The CDC began shipping 200 test kids nationwide on February 5 to speed up the diagnosis of US cases of the virus dubbed COVID-19.

But the labs reported that while performing a verification procedure they realized the kits were returning inconclusive results, meaning neither positive nor negative, Messonnier said.

Now, the CDC is remaking the component they believe to be at fault, a setback for the long-awaited tests meant to cut down wait times for test results.

A second US evacuee from China has been diagnosed with coronavirus, the CDC confirmed Wednesday. The patient was aboard a flight from Wuhan, the city at the center of the virus outbreak, that arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California last week. Passengers on that flight are seen stepping off the plane

The latest confirmed case came hours after a senior CDC official revealed that a number of coronavirus test kits sent out by US health authorities to labs across the country are faulty

It is unclear whether the second evacuee's diagnosis was affected by the faulty tests. No details have been released that patient.

Messonnier has said that the mix-up with the first evacuee was unrelated to the test kit issue.

In quality assurance tests, some labs are reporting that the screening kit is returning inconclusive results on cell samples that should come back positive or negative.

These tests, Messonnier said, have not yet been used to screen actual patient samples, so they have not created any such issues.

In California, officials initially believed that the first Wuhan evacuee, had been tested, with negative results, and was thus sent back to quarantine on Marine Corps Station Miramar (MCS Miramar).

However, the woman's sample had not actually been tested yet, due to what Messonnier chocked up to a labeling issue.

'It isn't that someone else was falsely identified as positive, it was that [the test] wasn't initially run,' she said.

'The mishap was unfortunate but it was corrected from happening again in the future by adding additional quality control.'

When the patient's sample was actually run, she was quickly identified as positive for coronavirus and brought back to the hospital at UC San Diego for treatment.

In the meantime, Messonnier said that infection control precautions were taken. A second person was also transported to the hospital for testing.

Senior CDC official Dr Nancy Messonnier (pictured) said none of the faulty tests were used on any of the 14 American patients confirmed to have coronavirus

COVID-19 has sicked more than 45,200 people and killed 1,116 worldwide as of Wednesday

Separately, the CDC is now working to get a new batch of test kits - or at least replacements for the component they think is defective - reissued to more than 100 authorized labs across the US.

'We're looking into what's wrong...We think that the issue at the stage, can be explained by one reagent that isn't performing as it should, consistently,' she said, referring to one the substances used in the kit.

'And that's why we are remanufacturing that reagent.'

For now, the testing of all patient specimens will continue to be carried out at the CDC's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

'Speed is important, but equally or more important in this situation is making sure lab results are correct,' said Messonnier.

The US is shipping the test kit to 36 countries that have placed orders, and each kit can be used approximately 700 to 800 times.
Local councillors have harshly criticised Invest NI for its lack of focus on the North West and said that to reverse decades of neglect it needs to positively discriminate in Derrys favour.

On Tuesday, Invest NI Chief Executive Kevin Holland and Regional Executive Director, Alan McKeown, and Executive Director International Business, Steve Harper, appeared before a special meeting of Derry City & Strabane District Councils Business and Culture Committee.

In a presentation they outlined that for every 1 of Invest NI support results in 6 of investment. Over past five years employment in Invest NI supported businesses has increased by 21% - 102,761 to 124,462.

We provide extensive support to all businesses including advice, guidance and financial assistance covering business start ups, skills development, export guidance and innovation, they explained.

Our intensive support delivers high returns to the NI economy. The companies we work closest with account for 30% of NI turnover, 23% of employees, 74% of external sales and 73% of exports.

The report said 74% of offers made to companies outside Belfast, 67% of jobs created outside Belfast and 56% of planned investment outside Belfast.

And Invest NI offered more assistance per employee to customers located in Derry City & Strabane DCA than anywhere else in NI - 1,094 per employee compared to a Northern Ireland average of 744.

Representatives said they want to keep talent in local communities to create socially vibrant areas and they will work with all eleven councils to achieve that.

The Derry and Strabane council area has been given 64m of assistance and 106 businesses have been supported in the region, according to the report.

However, Invest NI representatives were taken to task by local councillors who made it clear that Derry and Strabane have suffered from decades of neglect and are in need of positive discrimination in order to grow.

SDLP Councillor Rory Farrell said he would be doing the local public a disservice if he didnt challenge the figures presented.

He produced several documents published by Invest NI aimed at promoting the region to international investors. In one Belfast was mentioned nine times and Derry was not mentioned at all.

Neglect

Referring to a comment made in the presentation about Derry being NIs second city, he said another document called Think NI mentioned Belfast 21 times and Derry once. It has a lovely photo of Derry but the caption talks about the Citigroup  which is based in Belfast.

We view Derry and Strabane as very important, we would be forgiven for thinking Invest NI is not promoting the region properly. That is what youre promoting to foreign direct investors.

He said that to the untrained eye figures would appear impressive but jobs created rank sixth in terms of council areas  thats not good enough.

Sales of 868m ranks ninth out of eleven council areas and sales to GB ranks tenth overall. There is seven times the amount of FDI business in Belfast, Cllr Farrell.

Out of all council areas, Derry and Strabane ranks last in terms of wages with an average wage of 18,500. Further examples were provided showing how Derry rates badly in other metrics.

There have been decades of neglect, the university needs to be a lot bigger. There is multi-generational unemployment and we are way down the pecking order.

He pressed Invest NI on how they will instil public confidence because many people view it as Invest Belfast and suggested a PR campaign is needed to get people in this city on board.

The SDLP representative for Ballyarnett said serious attention is needed to address unemployment, wage growth, an east-west divide and asked how they will address these disparities.

In response, recently appointed Chief Executive Kevin Holland, said they need to promote the uniqueness of each area and in Derry that could be the cross-border potential.

Addressing the panel of representatives, Sinn Fein Councillor Mickey Cooper said he was the one to request the special meeting with Invest NI. Small and medium enterprises are the lifeblood of the council area, he said, as well as research and development at the university although it is too small.

Derry lost its textiles industry which left a massive gap in the economy. The case has to be made in strong terms to the Department for the Economy, he added.

Special case

Recalling the previous answer provided by Invest NI to Cllr Farrell, he commented: I was hoping for more specific answers. Its not good enough, there needs to be a sub-regional strategy, this is the second city in NI and the economic driver in the NW.

We are a special case, we need to reverse the trend and turn this oil tanker sized problem around.

Cllr Cooper said there were zero FDI visits last year which doesnt encourage me in the slightest, adding that its not just about visits but positively discriminating for this region.

The employment and unemployment figures are chronic, it wont change overnight but zero visits wont help.

Recognising that the representatives in the room arent long in their roles, he went on to say, well start from scratch but this cant go on, a very specialist approach is needed.

In response, Steve Harper, Executive Director International Business, said hes not sure where the zero visits figure came from and assured Cllr Cooper there will be a renewed focus on the NW.

Getting companies to invest in NI, let alone the NW is a challenge, he added.

Regional Executive Director Alan McKeown told the meeting that commitments in the New Decade New Approach document and City Deal would provide unique selling points.

DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney agreed with comments made by other members of the committee saying there is an east-west divide and this part of the North West is crying out for investment.

It would be worth getting clarity around the number of visits, he said, and believed work on the A5 and A6 road would eliminate some of the old criticisms about a lack of infrastructure in the NW.

Independent Councillor for the Sperrin ward Raymond Barr asked what the biggest obstacle was to attracting investment in the NW. He was told that investors are in search of skills and Invest NI continues to work with NWRC and Ulster Universitys (UU) Magee campus to produce talent.

Aontu Councillor Anne McCloskey who was chairing the meeting concluded by reminding Invest NI that neglect of UUs Magee campus has been ongoing for decades.
Donald Trump and John Kelly, the retired Marine whom he fired as White House chief of staff, have finally gone to war.

"When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X's, he misses the action & just can't keep his mouth shut," Mr Trump tweeted on Thursday, making clear he demands and expects silence from aides whom he sometimes presses to sign non-disclosure agreements.

The president also claimed in a second tweet that Mr Kelly has a "military and legal obligation" to remain quiet about his time in the West Wing and his views about Mr Trump. Only that Mr Kelly has never mentioned signing a non-disclosure pact and was not an active-duty Marine when he worked in the administration.

Mr Trump then got personal, writing about the former chief of staff's spouse.

"His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that 'John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.' Wrong!"

The president's tweet came after Kelly on Wednesday night offered his most blunt and candid comments since being ousted about his former boss. Mr Kelly described Mr Trump as naive about North Korea and tried to distance himself from the president's hardline immigration policies.

The duo had a rocky relationship after Mr Trump plucked his first Homeland Security secretary out of his Cabinet and installed him in the chief's suite just a few steps from the Oval Office. Ultimately, the commander in chief and retired four-star general butted heads more often than not.

So Mr Kelly was out, replaced on an acting basis by Mr Trump's budget director, former conservative South Carolina Congressman Mick Muvlaney. Fast forward a year, and now Mr Mulvaney is the subject of Washington scuttlebutt that the famously mercurial and tough-to-work-for Mr Trump has lost confidence in him and is looking for what would be his fourth West Wing chief in just over three years.

But as Mr Mulvaney continues to occupy the office Mr Kelly once did, he is watching what amounts to a cautionary tale unfold.

Mr Kelly used a Wednesday night appearance at a New Jersey college to call the president's ask that Ukraine's leader "do us a favor though" by investigating top Democrats after discussing an American military aid package "an illegal order" to the US national security apparatus.

He defended Army Lt Col Alexander Vindman, who testified during the House impeachment inquiry that Mr Trump's 25 July call with Ukraine's leader was inappropriate and alarming. "We teach them, 'Don't follow an illegal order. And if you're ever given one, you'll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss,'" he said.

Mr Kelly also was critical of Mr Trump believing he could strike a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that would really lead to the dictator giving up his nucleae weapons.

"He will never give his nuclear weapons up," Mr Kelly said of Mr Kim. "Again, President Trump tried -- that's one way to put it. But it didn't work.

"I'm an optimist most of the time, but I'm also a realist," he said. "And I never did think Kim would do anything other than play us for a while, and he did that fairly effectively."

As Mr Mulvaney gets a fresh glimpse of life on the outside of Mr Trump's orbit, one of his subordinates, Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, was the first member of team Trump to fire back.

"I worked with John Kelly, and he was totally unequipped to handle the genius of our great President," Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said Thursday morning on Fox News.
Like many Toronto-area youngsters, the evening routine for Kaila and Kree Phillips includes changing into pyjamas, brushing their teeth, and choosing a favourite bedtime story.

But for the Phillips sisters, weeknight dinners, homework and bedtime happen at Bramptons Collegeside Early Learning Centre where up to 12 children from 18 months to age 12 are cared for until 11:30 p.m.

If this program didnt exist, I would have had to quit a career I love, says their mother Sabrina McElroy, 43, a single parent who works in baggage handling at Pearson International Airport and is training to become a commercial pilot.

Her daughters, ages 8 and 6, have been in the night-care program since they were babies and dont know anything different, McElroy adds. They definitely get their homework done and have regular bedtime hours. It gives them consistency. It is good for them.

McElroy knows she is lucky.

About 1.5 million Canadian parents with young children  representing almost four in 10 families  work non-standard hours, defined as a schedule other than regular weekdays. And that number, which has been on the rise for a decade, is expected to increase, says a new report being released Thursday.

Yet, less than 2 per cent of regulated child-care centres across Canada offer care before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m., according to the federally funded report. And most of those centres provide only slightly earlier opening or slightly later closing times. Care overnight or on weekends is extremely rare, it says.

The report, headed by University of Guelph professor emerita Donna Lero, comes in the wake of last falls Liberal election promise to ensure 10 per cent of all new child-care spaces are designed for parents who work overtime, late shifts or multiple jobs.

Ottawa is showing leadership by supporting these programs, says Lero, co-founder of the universitys Centre for Families and Work and Well-being. But it is up to provinces to enact the policies and framework to make them happen.

The report, funded a year ago, is part of Ottawas 2017 multilateral framework agreement with the provinces to boost quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility and inclusivity in early learning and child-care programs.

We know family members  particularly grandparents  are relied on heavily to pick up the pieces, says Lero.

But there are very limited options for those who dont have family nearby. And we have to be looking at whats best for kids as well as whats best to combine work and family, she adds. Its not a simple fix.

Toronto-area parents already scramble to find  and afford  regular-hours child care, with only enough licensed spaces in centres to serve about one-third of kids under age 10. Annual fees top $20,000 a year for an infant, the highest in the country.

Across the country, almost one-sixth of parents who work non-standard hours have regular evening or night shifts, according to the report, which used 2016-17 Statistics Canada data. But three-quarters have rotating shifts or irregular hours. And many may have little advance notice of their work hours.

These parents come from all walks of life, including highly educated professionals such as doctors, nurses and police officers, as well as low-skilled, minimum-wage retail and factory workers, the report says.

At a time when regular-hours child-care operators struggle to find and retain qualified staff, the report found that non-standard hours child-care services are even more difficult to sustain.

They are costlier to operate, have greater difficulty recruiting and retaining staff and are more administratively complex, especially for parents with less predictable schedules, the report says.

Under the current system, it is not just challenging, but essentially impossible to address the unique, varied needs of the non-standard hours workforce in a meaningful way, it says.

As one researcher quoted in the report observed, it is like trying to have dessert before the meat-and-potatoes part of the meal.

If Ottawa wants to boost child-care options for parents who work evenings, weekends and rotating shifts, the government needs to transform the countrys current patchwork of daytime care into a planned, publicly funded system of affordable, quality programs, the report concludes.

The reports authors, who include University of Manitoba Sociology Professor Susan Prentice, Martha Friendly of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, and Brooke Richardson, a post-doctoral fellow at Brock University, found parents with non-standard work hours often rely on complex and unstable packages of child care.

These packages include parent tag-teaming, relying on other family members, as well as regulated or unregulated child care.

Where families can find regulated child care, it often forms the backbone of a care package, the report says.

The report, which includes data from interviews with parents who work non-standard hours, found mothers usually made career sacrifices to accommodate child-care responsibilities.

Examples include a nurse who shifted from full-time to a part-time casual position, mothers who changed occupations for a more predictable or flexible schedule, and some who put their career on hold altogether. Of the 20 families profiled in the report, 11 mothers had reduced or changed jobs because they couldnt find or afford child care.

Toronto restaurateur Tina Leckie, 40, who was not part of the study, says every young parent she knows in her industry struggles with child care.

Society is changing. The way we work is changing. But the structure of child care is not adapting, she says.

The constant challenge of finding child care for her two young sons during weekends and evenings  the busiest time at the popular Danforth Ave. restaurant she runs with her husband Alex Chong  is one of the reasons Leckie is reluctantly giving up the career she cherishes.

We are lucky to have child care in a municipal centre that provides amazing care for our kids during the day, says Leckie, whose boys are ages 1 and 4.

But I spend a huge amount of time lining up child care for the kids on the weekend and to cover evening hours when we both have to work. It is just not sustainable.

Leckie has enrolled in York Universitys bachelor of education program and hopes she can keep her hand in the industry by teaching hospitality.

Of seven child-care programs with non-standard hours profiled in the report, all are dependent on outside financial support or pilot project funding. For example, an extended-hours program for Edmonton hospital workers that opened in 1981 closed in 2006 due to financial difficulties. It reopened in 2018 under a $25-a-day pilot project introduced by Albertas former NDP government. However, it is expected to close under Jason Kenneys new United Conservative Party government when the pilot project ends later this year, the report notes.

Bramptons Collegeside child care is one of the few licensed programs in the Toronto area that offers nighttime care.

The program, which operates from 7 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., was opened by Peel Region near the Bramalea City Centre about 16 years ago to serve area shift workers.

Family Day Care Services, one of the largest non-profit child-care operators in the GTA with about 200 licensed homes, 58 centres and seven EarlyON parenting centres, took over the program in 2014, when Peel stopped operating child-care centres. Family Day moved the program to the Collegeside site at Sheridan College where it provides infant, toddler and preschool care for 55 children during the day and is licensed to provide mixed-age care for 15 toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged kids at night.

The centres extended-day and night-care programs allow parents to use the service for up to 11 hours a day. It costs $45.35 a day for a pre-schooler, almost $2-a-day higher than the centres regular-hours rate. However, most parents who use the more costly service receive a subsidy.

This program has been such a relief for our family, says Keren Argueta, 28, who works as an early childhood educator at a local EarlyON parenting centre and is studying to become an elementary school teacher.

Her son Levi, 9, has been in the program for about three years and loves it, she says.

I am often working until 6 p.m. or in the evening running parenting classes. So it was always a scramble trying to arrange for family members to pick him up from daycare before I found this program, she says.

I loved having my family care for him in the evening, but the consistency and the activities, and warm friendships he has formed with the staff and other children has really helped him thrive, Argueta says.

Retail worker Pamela Jarrett says theres no way Id be able to work without access to night care at Collegeside, where her daughter Ava, 8, is dropped off after school, enjoys free time, homework help and dinner during the week.

Jarrett, who works from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., says knowing Ava is fed and ready for bed when she picks her up at the end of her work day, makes all the difference.

This is huge for us. Very accessible, Jarrett says, cradling her own takeout dinner as she drives off into the evening with Ava.

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Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in New York state. Each year, more than 9,000 New Yorkers get colorectal cancer and more than 3,000 die as a result. But, it doesnt have to be this way. With regular screening, colorectal cancer (colon cancer) could be prevented and colon cancer is highly treatable if found early.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and I urge everyone aged 50 and older to get screened for colon cancer. In New York, most health insurance plans are required to cover the screening. Screening is available to nearly everyone in New York who needs it. The Cancer Services Program of Staten Island (CSP of SI) provides free screening to men and women ages 50 and older, if uninsured.

If you are insured, talk to your doctor about getting screened. Those without insurance should call the CSP at 718-226-6447 to see if they are eligible for free cancer screening. There are several tests to choose from, including stool-based tests that are easy, painless and can be done at home.

Whichever test you choose, getting screened is the right choice.

(Barbara OBrien, a registered nurse, is administrator of the Cancer Services Program of Staten Island.)
Delhi granting Arvind Kejriwal a successful third innings despite several mistakes and setbacks in his eight-year-long political career, have set off expectations that he might just be the dark knight of alternate politics in India.

Delhi granting Arvind Kejriwal a third inning despite several mistakes and setbacks in his eight-year-long political career has set off expectations that he might just be the dark knight of alternate politics in India.

Liberals' search for an alternative to the personal charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been an ongoing endeavour and Congress, by its own account, has fallen short severely. This is what has brought to limelight regional satraps' national ambitions. Chandrababu Naidu, K Chandrasekhar Rao, and Mamata Banerjee are all former stars in the same script.

And Kejriwal has performed well despite what was arguably the most vitriolic campaign led by the country's richest political party and backed by 240 MPs, 60 ministers and the prime minister himself.

But pulling a phoenix's rise in a city-state with surplus revenue is not quite the same as making space in larger states that have complex factors dominating voter behaviour. Kejriwal's national ambitions are not going to come easy to him, as the leader himself must have realised through his past ventures.

AAP has burned its fingers and learnt that spreading the party's limited resources too thin, too soon is not the way to go forward.

Soon after winning handsomely in 2015, Kejriwal installed Manish Sisodia as the deputy chief minister of Delhi and set about the twin tasks of expanding AAP's national base and framing himself as the "liberal" alternative to Modi, a Firstpost article points out. In the next two years, Kejriwal put AAP on steroids, undertaking a project of stunning national expansion. He tried to break new ground in Punjab, announced that it will fight in Goa, took part in Gujarat Assembly polls and even made its debut in Karnataka in 2018. It also contested Lok Sabha polls.

The result: AAP came within striking distance in Punjab, its first attempt at expanding base, but thereafter failed severely in all the other states and in the Lok Sabha election. It hit its lowest point when it not only lost all Lok Sabha seats to BJP in own bastion Delhi but also performed miserably in the city's municipal polls.

The lesson learnt from these adventures still holds relevance because AAP simply does not have the organisational structure to take on even the Congress, let alone the BJP, which is powered by a 180-million-strong workforce on the ground. It had a certain head start in Delhi because of Kejriwal's activism and India Against Corruption movement but in politically important states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Maharashtra it has no local presence nor recognition. Besides, it will have to also counter the appeal of regional satraps whose poll narrative is specifically curated to that space.

AAP realises this and moments after Delhi election trends solidified into unassailable leads, the party harnessed the momentum its social media channels were getting to make an appeal to expand membership.

AAP Timeline

Politics of freebies not easy outside Delhi

For all the hype about the Aam Aadmi Partys governance model, in the end, it was the freebies (or welfare politics as it is now being referred to) that got the party a thumping majority. This is not just the excuse peddled by the losing side, but Kejriwal too, in his victory speech called his win an endorsement of politics of paani-bijli-swasthya. In fact, AAP takes pride in the fact that it changed the political narrative, something most Opposition parties have failed to do so far. The party went to great lengths to justify its policies of making power, water, and even commute free for Delhiites; their leading argument was that Delhi has surplus revenue, and the people deserve to get back what was left unspent.

But what about the states with gigantic budgets and surmounting debts?

The AAP's primary USP becomes nearly impossible to implement if you take the Delhi Model and ascribe it on say, Uttar Pradesh. According to a report, at least 20 states have breached the threshold of a debt-to-GDP ratio of 25 percent and these include the most populous, and politically important states.

Furthermore, the AAP will find that the administration of a city-state  which many derisively call a glorified municipality  is vastly different from states as vast as Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh. In Delhi, despite a weaning trend in Central grants, a lot is taken off the state government's plate financially because it is governed jointly by the Union and the state. Salaries of Central bureaucrats, the security of government officials and the entire police force is all paid from the Centre's kitty.

Delhi is also a relatively well off urban pocket where tax collection is among the highest in the country. All this taken into account, Kejriwal did a fair job when resources were in abundance but has no experience in running crumbling economies. The voters understand this.

No experience in handling thorny issues

One of the thorniest issues for national parties is delivery on the front of agriculture and law and order, both of which were not a concern for AAP in these elections. Even the 'invincible' Modi government had to launch a last-minute pension scheme for agrarians, just months before elections, to blunt their anger. Chief ministers Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar came to power on the promise of eliminating goonda raj from their respective states.

This shows that law and order and agriculture have the power to change the poll narrative in rest of the country and AAP has no demonstrable experience in handling both these issues.

Employment too is another sticky ground which regional and national parties have to deal with. Modi government is facing constant challenges in providing jobs and there is a strike in Karnataka over the issue, as this piece is being written.

AAP, on the other hand, largely remained silent on the 8 lakh jobs it had promised in 2015 manifesto and instead turned the people's attention to other money intensive achievements it could get because Delhi has a juicy budget.

On law and order, the ever-aggrieved Chief Minister of Delhi has always had the Centre to blame. The shoddy performance of municipalities is also on the BJP. However, the Panchayati Raj system and the district collectorates in the states are a different ballgame altogether. AAP will find that it won't be able to skirt accountability so easily in other states.

The good thing, though, is that the party seems to be aware of these shortcomings. So far, it appears to have scaled back its national ambition to allow it to grow at a steady pace.

It has curated its communication strategy to make sure that only Delhi appears to be their priority. No leader from AAP had dropped any hints of a national political plan before the Assembly elections. It was only on the day of counting that the AAP shifted gears and started its recruitment drive. On the morning of the counting of votes for the Delhi Assembly election, the party head office sported a large hoarding with the message: "Associate with AAP for nation building," News18 reported. The emphasis on nation building is key here.

Furthermore, AAP also displayed a clever strategy by maintaining ideological flexibility on polarising issues like Hindutva and Citizenship Amendment Bill. Kejriwal, who dedicated his victory to Bharat Mata and Lord Hanuman, has been guarded in his response whenever cornered on key issues. He decisively stayed away from donning Muslim religious symbols, unlike in the past.

On the other hand, his deputy and close confidante, Manish Sisodia did go out of his way to pledge support to Shaheen Bagh protesters. There was also a word about an AAP pamphlet portraying Kejriwal as a messiah of Muslims. The party also fielded strong and vocal Muslim candidates in seats where the community had a sizable strength, while Kejriwal appeared on camera reciting Hanuman Chalisa.

He seems to have understood the need to strike a balance between promoting an image of pious austerity and going outwardly secular to stay agreeable in eyes of both communities in the face of majority chauvinism. If Kejriwal can keep the mellow pace and the subtle image change, the AAP may be ready to take up a national challenge, but not anytime soon.
ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan  At the Kurdistan Regional Governments newly minted trafficking in persons unit, three Ghanaian women sit in a reception area toying with their mobile phones. Their faces light up when a tall young man walks in. Karwan  he asks that his full name be withheld because of the sensitive nature of his work  is a member of SEED, a local nongovernmental organization whose core mission is to empower and protect women, and he is helping the Africans free themselves from abusive employers.

SEED set up Iraqi Kurdistans first ever shelter for trafficked men and women in November and the Ghanaians will be housed there until they find new employment or return home.

Many credit SEEDs co-founder Sherri Kraham Talabani for badgering Iraqi Kurdish authorities into establishing the department for combating trafficking in persons in 2018, and which became operational in June 2019.

Since its inception, authorities have blacklisted and shut down at least 38 recruitment agencies, including one belonging to a very big local fish, said Sardar Fadhel Yayha, the youthful police major who heads the unit. SEED has been instrumental in our work, Yayha told Al-Monitor during a recent interview at the Erbil headquarters of the Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking, as the outfit is formally known. The most vulnerable are the Africans.

The Kurdistan region of Iraq is more often associated with the misery of its own people  mass slaughter by Saddam Hussein, and more recently the nightmare inflicted by the Islamic State. But an oil boom changed the face of war-wracked region, with sleek high rises mushrooming across Erbil, the administrative capital, and fancy restaurants catering to an emerging class of prosperous Kurds who dont want to do menial labor. And so Sri Lankan, Filipino, Bangladeshi and African migrant workers are doing it for them.

2003 to 2013 was a golden age when foreign workers began pouring in, Talabani told Al-Monitor over coffee at SEEDs roomy new office in Erbil. Unsurprisingly, horror stories of the likes heard in the Gulf sheikhdoms began filtering through. Talabani recalls the recent case of an African housekeeper sent into various cleaning jobs. She felt unsafe and unprotected and people attempted to have sexual relations with her. And then when she went back to the agency that recruited her they locked up all the women in the bedroom all night, every night to prevent them from leaving. They were forced to pee into a bottle. She was also missing pay.

One of the womens employers reached out to Talabani after hearing her speak on a radio show and asked her to intervene. Exploitation typically occurs almost immediately after victims arrive, when traffickers fail to register them with authorities and hold them hostage, confiscating their passports and threatening them with exposure  and imprisonment  if they dont heed orders.

As word of SEED spreads, victims have been seeking help through its hotline from as far afield as Baghdad. At least two traffickers, one Kurdish, one Ghanaian, were arrested over the past two weeks. They had trafficked our cases, Talabani said.

While SEED responds to emergency needs, victims rarely if ever get full justice. The few cases that make it to the court are frequently prosecuted under other laws," Whabiya Zrar, a human rights lawyer, told the Iraqi Kurdish media outlet Rudaw.

Agencies that are shut down are often able to reopen under a new name. The victims generally believe that many of the perpetrators are powerful and would still be able to harm them, he said.

One of Talabanis clients, a foreign female worker, is a case in point. She was violently raped by her employers son and reached out to her embassy in Baghdad, which in turn reached out to SEED. The foundation found temporary lodgings for her and a co-worker who was also being sexually harassed by the man and helped them file charges with the police. But the man tracked them down at the hotel and raped his victim a second time. The mans family then filed charges against the women accusing them of theft. The women were arrested and the family only agreed to drop the theft charges if they dropped the rape charges. They did. It later emerged that the perpetrator had a relative working for the police.

The foundation has a dedicated program to train police officers to combat violence against women. This starts with confronting their own violence at home. Almost half of all women in Iraq suffer intimate violence at home, Talabani said.

Her foundation receives up to $150,000 from US donors and support from local benefactors in Iraqi Kurdistan. She declines to identify them by name. The US, British, and Canadian governments, among others, have supported SEED programs.

Talabani first moved to Iraqi Kurdistan in 2012 with her husband, Qubad Talabani, who has been the KRG's deputy prime minister since 2014. He is the son of Kurdish leader and former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who died in 2017. Sherri Talabani, who has a law degree from George Mason University and who had a high-flying career with the State Department, was determined to put her experience to good use. She had worked with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, and had assisted in US-brokered peace talks between her father-in-law and his political rivals from the Kurdistan Democratic Party. That is when she met and fell in love with her husband. She, however, remains fiercely independent and refuses to leverage the family name.

The couple are something of an oddity in Erbil, which for all its veneer of modernity remains deeply conservative and stubbornly patriarchal. The wives of the president and of the prime minister, Masrour Barzani, are never seen in public. People gossip about Sherri, they dont approve of her going around everywhere with her husband, confided the wife of a government official, on condition that she not be identified by name. Its this culture of ayeba or shame that frowns on women being assertive that Sherri Talabani, a native of Jackson, N.J., is up against. Its a veritable minefield. But the feisty Talabani has waded in eyes wide open, saying she is inspired by her equally iconoclastic mother-in-law, Hero, who took up arms against Saddam Hussein, among other exploits.

I think that for many Kurds, younger Kurds especially, Sherri and Qubad Talabani represent the promise of a new, better, Kurdistan. A more modern Kurdistan. A more egalitarian Kurdistan, said Kenneth Pollack, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute with deep knowledge of Iraq, in emailed comments to Al-Monitor.

When she set up SEED with Tanya Gilly-Khailany, a former member of the Iraqi parliament, Talabani said she wanted to set up an organization, plant a seed that would foster womens empowerment, economic development and good governance and then the ISIS [Islamic State] thing happened. The jihadis hauled 5,000 Yazidi women and children into captivity, subjecting them to sexual violence, torture and murder. Six years on, more than half have either escaped or been freed.

When women suffer sexual violence in war, it not only has disastrous consequences for her and her family, but it tears apart the fabric of society. So if we want to end the cycle of violence in Iraq, we must support them, and we must address the pervasive violence against women, Talabani said.

SEEDs team of psychologists has been working with Yazidi victims in separate camps in the province of Dahuk, near the Syrian border, helping to reduce depression, anxiety, nightmares and suicide ideation. SEED also assists them with medical services, government benefits and reconnecting with their communities. Talabani said people cant access medical help here easily because the system is under siege and cannot cope with demand. Yazidis suffer the most because they are very marginalized and often rejected.

Yazidi women and girls face rejection within their own community if they seek to bring children fathered by their IS captors back with them. Many have been pressured to leave their children in orphanages in Iraq or in Syria because they are not accepted as Yazidis by the communitys religious leaders. Its not our decision, its the decision of our holy majlis. We are also mothers, but we cant do anything, said Leyla Ibrahim, who helps run the Yazidi House, a community center in Amude in Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syria, in an interview with Al-Monitor.

The center is helping care for some 40 Yazidi orphans born from IS fathers. There are some babies. The oldest is 5 years old. The [holy] council is still debating their future, Ibrahim said. Meanwhile, mothers forcibly separated from their children are suffering a whole new layer of trauma that needs to be urgently addressed. Yazidi mothers who refuse to relinquish their children of war have opted to remain in the al-Hol camp where the wives and children of IS fighters are being interned.

Set against such suffering, the agony of young teenagers exploited by sexual predators on social media may seem almost trivial. But its not. A growing number are being blackmailed by people who photo shop their pictures in compromising ways. They cut your head and transpose it to a naked body, and then say, If you dont give me money I will spread your pictures on social media, and surprising as it may sound, half of the victims are boys, explained a SEED counselor to a group of young men and women during a recent workshop in Erbil. SEED devised the program to help youngsters fend against such exploitation. The event is being hosted by the local branch of the Preemptive Love Coalition, a global NGO combating violence. The consequences can be deadly for victims whose families deem they have stained the family honor.

Some 120 women died in gender-based violence in Iraqi Kurdistan last year. Some 13 of them were the targets of honor killings. None of the cases make it to court. SEED is co-sponsoring an exhibition that launched this week in Erbil to create greater awareness around the long taboo issue. Kurdo Omar Abdullah, the head of the Directorate of Combating Violence Against Women, said matters actually are improving despite the deaths. In previous years, 60-70 women would be killed due to honor, she said.
The United States has granted a 45-day waiver to allow Iraq to continue to buy gas and electricity from Iran, despite sanctions imposed by Washington targeting Tehrans energy sector.

The U.S. State Department on February 12 said the waiver, which sets tough conditions, ensures that Iraq is able to meet its short-term energy needs while it takes steps to reduce its dependence on Iranian energy imports.

Washington imposed strict sanctions on the Iranian energy sector and countries doing business with Tehran in late 2018, but it granted Iraq a 45-day waiver before repeatedly extending it for 90 or 120 days at a time.

Baghdad relies on Iran for gas and electricity imports to supply about one-third of its power grid, crippled by years of conflict and poor maintenance.

Iraq, which receives financial and military support from Washington, has attempted to balance its relations with the United States and Iran, which carries significant influence with members of Iraq's Shi'ite population.

The latest move comes as relations between Washington and Baghdad have frayed over the U.S. air strike that killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad on January 3, prompting some calls for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

In its statement, the State Department said that Iran has proven itself as a highly unreliable source of energy for Iraq. Reducing Iranian energy imports is therefore paramount for Iraq to achieve energy security.

The waiver gives Iraq 45 days to show it is moving to develop domestic gas supplies or find alternative sources for power. The previous waiver had given Iraq 120 days to do so.

A senior Iraqi official told AP that Baghdad had been told the period could be extended once Iraq submits a technical timetable detailing how it plans to meet gas independence.

It happened that the United States of America gave us a period of 45 days, and it could be extended in the event of us submitting a timetable regarding Iraqi gas investment, said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Until now, we have not sent them a timetable.

In a move toward the goal, the Iraqi cabinet on January 23 approved six oil contracts awarded by the Oil Ministry in April 2018 that would boost domestic gas supply in the next few years.

Despite its reliance on Iranian energy supplies, Iraq has been hit by street protests by demonstrators angered by foreign influence in the country, including Iran's.

With reporting by AP and AFP
'WEEKEND OF THE AMERICAN LIGHTHOUSES'

This weekend opens the 12th Edition of the 'WEEKEND OF THE AMERICAN LIGHTHOUSES' from Friday 14 to Sunday, February 16, 2020, with 86 light houses and beacons of 12 COUNTRIES.

At the present time there are 86 lighthouses and beacons from 12 countries: 28 from Argentina, 23 from Brazil, 1 from Costa Rica, 4 from Cuba, 12 from Chile, 3 from Guatemala, 4 from Mexico, 1 from Panama, 4 from Peru, 2 are registered from Puerto Rico, 1 from Uruguay and 3 from Venezuela.

On the cover of the RC GDXBB website http://www.grupodxbb.com.ar on the left is the online registration form and, on the right, the official list of participants.

For Puerto Rico, the Amateur Radio Alliance Inc. (ARA) will be activating Los Morrillos lighthouse in Cabo Rojo (PUR-002). This lighthouse is located on the final 301 road, Sector Llanos Costa. It was the second built in 1877 under Spanish domination. It took six years to complete its construction and was completed in 1882.

The Cabo Rojo Lighthouse is part of the Puerto Rico maritime lighting system and on October 22, 1981 it was included in the National Register of Historic Places of the Department of the Interior from United States. It was designed by Spanish engineers Manuel Maese, E. Gadea and M. Sainz. The staircase and the lighting system were imported from Europe. El Faro provided housing for two towers and their respective families. It consisted of a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. All the original walls were built in brick and mortar. There are walls up to 44 "(inches) wide. (Tours are offered inside.).

Data of the Lighthouse and Puerto Rico:

ITU Zone 11

CQ Zone 8

GS FK67jw

IOTA NA-099

10-80 meters

VHF and UHF

Echolink KP4ARA-R

To receive your certificate please confirm in QRZ.com, eqsl or directly to the email kp4ara@gmail.com

Thanks and 73 s "WEEKEND OF THE AMERICAN LIGHTHOUSES"
Two Rockefellers, a Roosevelt and daughter of former Vice President Al Gore joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City Thursday as he launched what will be a months-long push to get lawmakers and then voters to pass a $3 billion Restoring Mother Nature Bond Act in November.

Describing it as a component of a larger, years-long effort to combat climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions, the bond act, Cuomo said, would pay for resiliency projects that would provide flood protection and help fight algal blooms in the states waterways.

We've always talked about environment as a priority. But there's a stark reality that we have to face, which is that we are failing in the mission and the mission is to save the planet. And we're failing, Cuomo warned, referring to global environmental challenges.

If you take our rate of progress and compare it to the rate of decline of the planet, we fail, he said.

We're losing fresh water to new algae that we can't even figure out how to stop. We have an issue today in New Paltz where the water is poisoned because an oil pipe broke and it infiltrated the aquifer. We have Long Island and are worried about water filtration because there are chemicals in the water that they can't even figure out how to remove from the water, Cuomo added.

You only get to lose once. You only get to destroy the planet once. And you will reach a point where we can't go back and repair what we did, concluded Cuomo.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

During his budget presentation, Cuomo noted that the state is allocating $33 billion including the bond act to fight climate change, although much of that money has been previously committed.

Joining the governor were a number of noted New York conservationists including Larry Rockefeller, co-founder and board member at the New York League of Conservation Voters; Dr. Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, chair of the state Council of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Theodore Roosevelt, IV, chairman of the board at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and Karenna Gore, director at the Center for Earth Ethics, at the Union Theological Seminary.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
Sony is no stranger to the ANC wireless headphone market and have announced that they are expanding their lineup with the launch of the WH-H910N. It features Bluetooth 5.0, support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, DSEE-HX, Touch controls and more.

The WH-H910N wireless headphones uses Dual Noise Sensor Technology to effectively cancel ambient noise surrounding the user. Adaptive Sound Control, using Sonys Sense Engine will dynamically change the headphone sound settings depending on what the user is doing like travelling, walking or waiting. There is also Quick Attention mode that turns the volume down temporarily for instant conversation.

The headphones are powered by 25mm drivers that Sony claims perform on par with 44mm drivers, thanks to the rigid aluminium domes and soft urethane edge diaphragms. With support for Sonys LDAC audio codec, the WH-H910N is capable of delivering Hi-Res Audio with frequency range of 5Hz-40000Hz. Sony has also packed the headphones with DSEE-HX tech that can restore the high-range sound lost in compression of lower res audio.

In typical Sony fashion, the headphones feature a Touch sensor on the right ear cup, with which users can answer phone calls, control music and activate voice assistants. The headphones have a claimed battery life of 35 hours and it has quick charge capabilities that will give 2.5 hours of listening time with 10 mins of charge via its USB-C port.

The Sony Wh-H910N will be available from February 14th, 2020 exclusively on Flipkart for a price of Rs. 21,990.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday alleged that leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party were instigating a civil war in the country.

Replying to a debate on Motion of Thanks on the governor's speech in the assembly, the chief minister claimed that the saffron party was trying to weaken democracy.

"People of the ruling party at the Centre are provoking a civil war. Where the country is heading?" he said.

Attacking the BJP for saying that the Congress was weakening democracy, Gehlot questioned how a party which got freedom for India and contributed to the making of the Constitution can do so?



He criticised controversial slogans like "desh ke gaddaron ko" raised during BJP's campaign in Delhi.

"Here (in Rajasthan) also, it was said that chief minister was spreading anarchy," Gehlot said.

The Rajasthan chief minister was referring to the BJP's criticism of a peace march which he took out against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in December last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
That year, in Paris, he met the New York dealer Allan Frumkin, who gave him his first American solo two years later (Ice Box Number 1 was in it) and represented him until 1997. And by the time Mr. Saul returned from Europe to California in 1964, he was clear on what he wanted, and didnt want, from art.

He didnt want the pretensions  the ego, the angst  left over from Abstract Expressionism. And he didnt want the social trappings associated with a mainstream career. (He has referred to himself as being fairly communistic at the time.) What he did want was to be able to paint what he pleased and to have his work noticed. And one way to get people looking was to take subjects from a source they cared about: the news.

Back home, he found that anger over the Vietnam War, which he shared, had reached high boil. And the paintings he made in response to it  seven are in one gallery on the third floor  are among the most powerful antiwar works of that era. He had, by then, traded in rough-and-ready brushwork and modulated colors for graphic crispness and a high-keyed palette. His once-loose compositions had become airtight linear tangles. Tubular figures twist and stretch in a cartoon version of Mannerist serpentinata. The formal elegance momentarily stops you, holds your eye. A beat later, content starts to come through.

Its strong stuff. The monumental 1967 painting Saigon is a phantasmagoria of erotic violence so complex you almost cant, at first, decipher it. A label painted in faux-Chinese characters clues you in: White boys torturing and raping the people of Saigon. Indeed thats exactly what the scene portrays, a nightmare that is American policy in action.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 19:46:12|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China reported sluggish sales of automobiles in January amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, industry data showed Thursday.

The country sold a total of 1.94 million vehicles last month, down 18 percent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

Meanwhile, vehicle output amounted to 1.78 million, declining 24.6 percent from the same period last year.

Sales and production of passenger vehicles posted a year-on-year decrease of 20.2 percent and 27.6 percent, respectively.

In January, new energy vehicle sales slumped 54.4 percent, while production dropped by 55.4 percent, said the CAAM.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has disrupted an estimated recovery of China's auto market this year after a challenging 2019, the CAAM said.

The epidemic is expected to weigh on consumer demand, drag down sales as carmakers and auto parts suppliers suspended production, and depress exports due to restrictions from other countries, said the association.

As a result, auto sales in the first quarter will see a significant drop, but sales are expected to rebound as pent-up demand unleashes after the epidemic is under control, it said.

While the production halt risks disrupting the global supply chain, the impact will be relatively short-lived as China's adequate capacity will soon catch up to make up for the losses, according to an analysis by Great Wall Securities.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Against the backdrop of 30 health system credit downgrades by the various credit rating agencies over the past six months, Wednesday, Moodys Investors Service affirmed its Baa1 revenue bond rating with a positive outlook for Ballad Health. This follows affirmation of Ballad Healths "A-" credit rating by Standard and Poors in November 2019. Ballad Health released its second quarter results earlier this week which showed increased access to new providers, cost savings for patients, taxpayers and employers and continued stable financial performance in the face of significant challenges.

With such serious headwinds for non-urban and rural health systems, we are proud that Moodys has recognized the hard work of our board, our team members and our physicians as we seek to deliver high quality care at a lower cost, said Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine.



With more than 600 rural hospitals at risk of closure in the United States, and the ongoing challenges that disproportionally affect non-urban and rural hospitals, the credit rating agencies have seen that our disciplined approach and willingness to adapt to this environment are bringing stability to hospitals in our region. Less than 25% of our patient volume is commercially insured, while more than 70% is uninsured, or covered by government programs that pay less than the cost of providing care. And with many of our commercially-insured patients carrying the burden of high-deductible plans, this means we have to remain focused on reducing cost while delivering high-quality care. Moody's recognizing this challenge and standing by its outlook is something our region should be proud of, especially given the trend of downgrades in the last six months.



Ballad Health has been cited nationally by the nations largest commercial and Medicare health insurer and Harvard University as one of four health systems delivering on the movement toward value-based care. Additionally, Ballad Health has saved taxpayers more than $50 million through its efforts in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, while also delivering quality scores of 94.4% - the highest in its partnership with Medicare.



While Ballad Healths efforts to reduce lower-acuity admissions and reduce costs have been recognized nationally, these efforts also have the effect of reducing revenue growth for Ballad Health. In its announcement, Moodys recognizes this challenge as it predicts moderated performance going forward as Ballad Health continues to lead nationally in the movement toward value-based care.



Levine serves on the CEO Executive Forum of the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network, along with notable private and public sector leaders in healthcare at the federal level. In his role, Levine has committed Ballad Health nationally to lead in the pledge to bring accountability to the industry for movement toward value-based care. For more information on HCLAN, see https://hcp-lan.org/.



Ballad Health is grateful that Moodys recognizes the challenges created by doing the right thing to reduce costs should not inhibit strong credit ratings, said Ballad Health Lead Independent Director David Lester.

"Ballad Health is committed to reducing costs in healthcare, delivering high-quality care to our neighbors, and being a responsible steward of healthcare assets. As the industry adapts to this 'new normal', it is critical for all to understand that non-urban and rural communities face unique challenges in this shift to value-based care. Ballad Health will continue to lead, but will also advocate for payment models that reward responsible behavior. Failure to do this will lead to an acceleration in rural hospital closings, and this is something Ballad Health has led in trying to circumvent.

About Ballad Health:

Ballad Health is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 29 counties of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwestern North Carolina and Southeastern Kentucky. Ballad Health was created in 2018 to improve the health of people in these regions. Ballad Health operates a family of 21 hospitals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, including three tertiary medical centers, a dedicated childrens hospital, several community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a behavioral health hospital, an addiction treatment facility, long-term care facilities, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, outpatient services and a comprehensive medical management corporation. Learn more about Ballad Health at www.BalladHealth.org.

Contact:

Allie Hinds Adams

Communications Manager

423-302-3080

Allie.adams@balladhealth.org
A meeting with nearly 80 black pastors in Detroit. A speech before a black Democratic organisation in Montgomery. A rally at a historically black university. A tour of Martin Luther King Jr's church. An early voting kick-off at an African American museum. All in the past two weeks.

While Mike Bloomberg's rivals battled it out in majority-white Iowa and New Hampshire, the billionaire presidential candidate aggressively courted the black voters critical to any Democrat's chance of winning of the nomination.

The effort - backed by millions of dollars in ads - has taken him across Southern states that vote on March 3, from Montgomery, Alabama, and this week Raleigh, North Carolina, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, states where African American voters can decide a Democratic primary.

His pitch is one of electability and competence, hoping to capitalise on black Democrats' hunger to oust President Donald Trump. But as he courts them, he'll also have to reconcile his own record as mayor of New York and past remarks on criminal justice.

Mr Bloomberg's outreach aims squarely at former vice president Joe Biden, who is banking on loyal black voters to resuscitate his bid after poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"Who can beat Donald Trump? That's what people care about," said former Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter, who is among the black leaders endorsing Mr Bloomberg, saying his record of accomplishments outweighs the damage of flawed policing.

Thanks to a net worth of roughly $60bn (55bn), Mr Bloomberg has spent more than $300m (275m) of his own money on advertising.

A recent poll shows signs of success. The Quinnipiac University poll conducted after the Iowa caucuses found he had 15pc support nationally, up from 8pc in a late-January poll.

That put him about even with Mr Biden and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and slightly ahead of Pete Buttigieg, who essentially tied with Bernie Sanders in last week's Iowa caucuses.

The poll showed Mr Sanders leading, with 25pc nationally.
JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh on Thursday called upon the democratic forces to sink their differences and put up a fight against "divisive" policies of the RSS and the BJP "without crossing each other's path".

Ghosh addressed a meeting outside the Calcutta University premises after varsity authorities denied permission for a seminar inside the campus in which she was scheduled to speak.

"If the objective of the fight is the same, everyone should hit the streets against the Hindutva forces without crossing each other's path," she said.

Ghosh's comment came after police denied permission to her scheduled rally in Durgapur on Wednesday and CU authorities shut the main gate of its College Street campus after disallowing the seminar earlier in the day.

Permission for Aishe Ghosh's Durgapur rally was denied due to security reasons as its time and route clashed with a scheduled procession of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a police officer said.

However, CU authorities did not cite any reason for not allowing the programme by Left-leaning organisation, 'Calcutta University Save Autonomy Save University Forum', sources said.

Speaking outside the CU campus, Ghosh said RSS is implementing its 90-year-old agenda of creating a Hindu Rashtra through the BJP.

"RSS-BJP is branding those speaking against their diabolical gameplan as traitors. They are carrying out attacks on the campuses. They are attacking girls in JNU. We must stand united against them," she said.

Ghosh said she is not surprised when she is termed a "traitor" by the RSS and BJP and said even Bhagat Singh was called a betrayer by the British.

Later, she took part in an SFI rally from Vidyasagar Statue to Shyambazar area in the city in which West Bengal Left Front committee chairman Biman Bose and filmmaker Tarun Majumder were present.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fewer French and German tourists are coming to Northern Ireland because of Brexit, a tourism boss has claimed.

Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen blamed uncertainty over crossing the Irish border and the weakening of the German economy.

Strong demand from Americans has helped to compensate, but Mr McGrillen said 13-14% of French and German tourists were less likely to come here.

He added: "Those are potential consequences of Brexit and uncertainty about being able to travel across the border."

He said demand from Germany was down by between 10% and 30%.

He also claimed that European conference organisers were not booking in the UK, which has an effect here.

"Belfast's ability to secure conferences has diminished. There is a direct and indirect impact of that issue around consumer sentiment, with potential for less visitors from Europe," Mr McGrillen said.

The Tourism NI boss made the comments at a meeting of Stormont's economy committee.

He said Northern Ireland was not considered a staycation destination by people in the rest of the UK due to the need for a ferry or flight.

Northern Ireland was, however, considered a good-value destination, particularly by people in the Republic.

He said Northern Ireland had to compete with the Republic to attract visitors, who primarily arrive at Dublin airport and visit the west coast. The marketing budget of tourism authorities in the Republic dwarfs that in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has around 3,000 small businesses which rely on tourism, the committee heard. Many are people who have turned their passion into a business, Mr McGrillen said.

Often they are not well-connected online in a marketplace where if you were not visible on the internet, you did not exist, the executive added. Tourism NI is promoting the region in the shoulder season of autumn as a destination for good food.

The 'Embrace a Giant Spirit' brand is being used to market Northern Ireland as a destination.
The European Parliament (EP) on February 12 ratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

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A free trade agreement, seen as the most modern, comprehensive and ambitious ever concluded between Vietnam and the European Union, got the EU Parliaments backing on Wednesday.

Members of the European Parliament gave their consent to the free trade agreement by 401 votes for, 192 votes against and 40 abstentions at a session in Brussels, Belgium, according to a statement.

The deal will contribute to setting high standards in the region, and could lead to a future region-to-region trade and investment agreement, according to the Parliament, in an accompanying resolution adopted by 416 votes for, 187 against and 44 abstentions.

The pact is a strong signal in favor of free, fair and reciprocal trade, in times of growing protectionist tendencies and serious challenges to multilateral rules-based trade, said the Parliament.

Almost all customs duties gone

The trade deal will remove virtually all customs duties between the two sides over the next 10 years, including on Europes main export products to Vietnam: machinery, cars and chemicals.

The deal extends to services such as banking, maritime transport and postal, where EU companies will have better access. Companies will also be able to bid on public tenders put out by the Vietnamese government and several cities, including Hanoi.

It also safeguards 169 emblematic European products, such as oils and animal fats; fresh, frozen and processed meats; spirit, wine, beer and hops; as well as confectionery and baked products.

In addition, the agreement is an instrument to protect the environment and sustain social progress in Vietnam, including labor rights. It commits Vietnam to apply the Paris Agreement.

The Southeast Asian nation is committed to ratify two bills as requested by Parliament, one on the abolition of forced labor by 2020, and the other on freedom of association by 2023.

Dispute settlement between companies and state

Separately, the Parliament agreed by 407 votes for, 188 against and 53 abstentions to an investment protection agreement providing an investment court system with independent judges to settle disputes between investors and state. The accompanying resolution passed by 406 votes for, 184 against and 58 abstentions.

These state-of-the-art agreements just adopted present a unique opportunity to further the EUs goal to become a geopolitical player that defends multilateral trade, rejects protectionism, and raises labor, environmental and human rights standards worldwide, said Rapporteur Geert Bourgeois.

He added the deals will boost prosperity, create new and better paid jobs, cut costs for companies big and small, and give them better access to each others markets.

Chairman of the Committee on International Trade Bernd Lange said the following after the vote: History shows that isolation does not change a country. That is why Parliament voted in favor of this trade agreement with Vietnam. With it, we strengthen the role of the EU in Vietnam and the region, ensuring that our voice has more weight than before.

This is particularly important on issues on which we disagree, such as the role of the free press or political freedom. We also extend the room for maneuver of civil society. Our work from now on is to make sure the agreement is put into practice.

Once the council formally concludes the trade agreement and the parties notify each other that their procedures are closed, it can enter into force. For the investment protection agreement to enter into force, EU member states parliaments first need to ratify it.

Vietnam is the EUs second largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Singapore, with trade in goods worth 47.6 billion euros a year and 3.6 billion euros when it comes to services. EU exports to the country grow by 5-7% annually, yet the EUs trade deficit with Vietnam was 27 billion euros in 2018.

The main EU imports from Vietnam include telecommunications equipment, clothing and food products. The EU mainly exports goods such as machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and agricultural products to Vietnam.

Minister: EPs ratification of EVFTA shows trust on Vietnam

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh

The ratification of the European Union  Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU  Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the European Parliament (EP) has reflected its high valuation of and trust on Vietnam as a comprehensive and important partner in all areas, not only in Asia but the world also.

This was stated by Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh during a press conference in Hanoi on February 12 following the EPs ratification of the two documents earlier the same day.

Anh further said that the act shows that the Vietnam  EU ties have new, important and sustainable foundations.

According to him, both sides have exerted continuous efforts over the past more than eight years, from negotiations to signing and ratification, on the basis of trust and close and timely cooperation.

In particular, the Vietnamese side has provided information and held working sessions with EU partners from the European Council, the European Commission and the EP, he added.

Minister: EVFTA creates chances to infiltrate into 18 trillion USD market

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh on February 12 described the European Union  Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as a lever for growth, opening up opportunities to infiltrate into a market with a gross domestic product of 18 trillion USD.

During a press conference in Hanoi following the European Parliaments ratification of the EVFTA earlier the same day, Minister Anh said the EU values Vietnam as a comprehensive and trustworthy partner in Southeast Asia and the world over.

The move holds special significance as the EU is one of Vietnams current top two importers, Anh said, adding it is also a focus both sides are turning to for the future.

ILO welcomes EPs EVFTA ratification

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) office in Vietnam on February 12 said it welcomes the European Parliaments ratification of the European Union  Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in Paris earlier the same day, which is expected to bring economic benefits to both sides.

The new-generation document was signed in Hanoi on June 30 last year. It comprises of important terms regarding labour and environment towards sustainable development.

ILO Vietnam Country Director Chang-Hee Lee said the deals requirements on labour and environment will help bring about benefits for all sides, help Vietnam achieve sustainable development and ensure that the current growth is achieved at the expense of future generations opportunities,

According to him, Vietnams entry to the EVFTA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will make it easier for the country to modernise labour laws and industrial relations systems. The adoption of the revised Labour Code in November 2019 brought its legal framework closer to ILO fundamental conventions.

Modern industrial relations based on recognition of freedom of association, together with better skilled workforce and effective social protection, is a key social driver for Vietnam to move towards upper middle income country in a sustainable manner, he said. SGT/VNA

Thanh Thom

Market issues ironed out for EVFTA The challenges on market access, circulation of products, and tax in the Vietnamese market are expected to be solved ahead of the European Parliaments crucial vote for the ratification of the EVFTA scheduled for early 2020.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : India's seafood exports to China are not likely to have any adverse impact due to Coronavirus, country's Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said on Thursday.

MPEDA functions under the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry as an autonomous nodal agency for development of seafood industry.

"Seafood exports to China have increased substantially in the current financial year as compared to the same period a year earlier," MPEDA Chairman K.S. Srinivas said in a statement.

Accordingly, during April-December 2019, total seafood exports to China stood at 2,42,218 tonnes valued at $1,032 million as against 1,65,950 tonnes valued at $589 million in the same period last year.

"The increase is 46 per cent in terms of quantity and 75 per cent in terms of value," he noted.

At present, around 500 exporters are shipping seafood from India to China.

"However, few (exporters) of them have expressed concern about shipping to China as the shrimp consumption might reduce," the statement said.

"But there is a strong possibility of the Chinese consumers switching to healthier seafood options leaving behind other items such as reptiles of various kinds." India is the second largest aquaculture producer in the world, the country exports a significant volume of shrimp to Europe and other markets in South East Asia.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, says nobody should be sworn in as the new governor of Bayelsa State on Friday.

Mr Oshiomhole spoke after the Supreme Court sacked David Lyon of the APC as the governor-elect of the state and asked INEC to declare the candidate of the party with the next highest number of votes and required constitutional spread as the winner of the states governorship election.

He hinged his statement on the condition added by the apex court, which instructed the electoral body to declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread as the winner.

Mr Oshiomhole, at a press briefing at the partys secretariat in Abuja shortly after the court verdict on Thursday, said only the APC candidate met the desired spread as expressed by the Supreme Court.

PDP candidate does not have one-quarter of the total lawful votes cast in that election in two-thirds of the eight local government areas in Bayelsa State, he added.

Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second in the November 16 governorship election with 143,172 votes, while Mr Lyon garnered 352,552 votes.

The APC candidate also won in six out of the eight local government areas in the state while Mr Diri won in only two.

However, the constitutional requirement for a winner of a governorship election is having the highest number of lawful votes and securing 25 per cent of votes in two-thirds of the local governments in a state. Mr Diri of the PDP had the second highest number of lawful votes and also secured 25 per cent of votes in five of Bayelsas eight local governments.

Earlier, Mr Lyon was at his inauguration rehearsal scheduled to hold on Friday when the Justice Mary Odili-led panel of the apex court nullified his mandate.

His removal was based on the inconsistency of the name of his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, in certificates he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the election.

READ ALSO:

The same court had also on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by Heineken Lokpobiri, challenging the emergence of Mr Lyon as the candidate of the APC.

According to the five-member panel led by Justice Mary Odili, Mr Lokpobiris appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.

The PDP in its reaction to Mr Oshiomhole said his comment was an empty and inconsequential ranting.

The party in a statement by its national spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, warned the APC national chairman to steer clear of Bayelsa as his apparent plots to trigger violence in the state has failed.

The people of Bayelsa State know as a fact that the INEC under our laws, cannot take instructions from any individual, let alone a factional national chairman of a dysfunctional political party like the APC, the spokesperson said.
India raises questions on efficacy of Hafiz Saeed's conviction ahead of FATF meet

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Feb 13: Unimpressed by Islamabad's move to sentencing Hafiz Saeed, chief of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba, India has asked Pakistan to ensure all terrorist leaders and groups operating on its soil face justice.

"We have seen media reports that a court in Pakistan has sentenced UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed in terror financing case. It is part of a long-pending international obligation of Pakistan to put an end to support for terrorism," ANI reported quoting government sources.

Explained: The terror funding case against Lashkar boss Hafiz Saeed

"The decision (by Pakistan) has been made on the eve of the FATF plenary meeting, which has to be noted. Hence, the efficacy of this decision remains to be seen," the sources said.

"It has to also be seen whether Pakistan would take action against other all terrorist entities and individuals operating from territories under its control, and bring perpetrators of cross-border terrorist attacks, including in Mumbai and Pathankot, to justice expeditiously," it added.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

The Financial Action Task Force or FATF, a global watchdog against terror funding has stepped up pressure on Pakistan to come clean or face action, such as putting on a blacklist that could severely restrict international financial aid and even lead to a downgrade by independent rating agencies.

Pakistan court convicts Hafiz Saeed in terror financing cases

Saeed was on Wednesday sentenced to 11 years in jail by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan in two terror financing cases.

Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, was arrested on July 17 in the terror financing cases. He is lodged at the Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail in high security.
A man has been charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.

The Belfast writer (29) was shot dead while observing rioting in Derry in April.

The New IRA said it carried out the killing.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have charged a 52-year-old man with the murder of Lyra McKee, who was shot dead by terrorists in Derry on April 18 2019.

"The man, from the city, who was arrested by detectives yesterday and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite, is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation."

He will appear at Derry Magistrates' Court today. Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.

Quest

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing."

The journalist had been living in Londonderry with her partner, Sara Canning.

The gay-rights activist was an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and part of the generation that reached adulthood during peacetime.

She wrote for publications including Private Eye and Buzzfeed.

Her funeral was attended by President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and then-UK prime minister Theresa May at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.

Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.

Days later, the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.

Power-sharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday led Kenyans in bidding farewell to Mzee Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi who was laid to rest at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County.

The former President was lowered into the grave as the Kenya Defence Forces fired 19 cannons in honour of the man who led the country for 24 years. As the cannons were fired, KDF fighter jets performed a flypast.

Addressing thousands of mourners at Kabarak University grounds where the funeral service was held, President Kenyatta said he considered Mzee Moi as a father, a teacher and a mentor who was close to the Kenyatta family since the passing away of Kenyas founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

We shall miss him and the greatest gift that we can give him is to emulate him in the things that we do everyday. May the Almighty God give this giant of Africa eternal rest and peace until we meet again, the President eulogised.

President Kenyatta said the government will work with the family of the late former President to ensure the completion of projects he initiated including a referral hospital in Kabarak for all mission hospitals in the region.

Uhuru also announced a government plan to set up a solar power plant from which funds will be drawn to finance the completion of the referral hospital.

Deputy President William Ruto said Mzee Moi will forever be remembered for his passion for education that saw him expand access to education for all Kenyans.

Kenya today prides itself as having one of the best work force because Mzee Moi invested in education to give Kenya the most educated human resource not only in East Africa but also on the continent, Dr Ruto said.

He said Mzee Moi also takes credit for making the Kenya Defence Forces the most professional disciplined force on the continent.

Opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula described Mzee Moi as an astute leader who loved the country.

Former Cabinet Minister Sally Kosgei who also at one time served as the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet in the Moi administration described the former Head of State as a leader who was very skilled in statecraft.

She narrated her experiences with the former President saying Mzee Moi was a forgiving statesman and a strict timekeeper who never tolerated leakage of government secrets.

The family of Mzee Moi eulogised him through poems and tributes by his children and grandsons led by his sons Raymond, Phillip and Gideon.

Earlier, Mzee Mois body was airlifted from Nairobi by the military arriving at his Kabarak home shortly after 8.00 am.

The body lay in repose until 10.00 am when the burial service led by the African Inland Church kicked off.

Mzee Mois body was lowered to the grave at 4.30 pm to mark the end of a series of elaborate state funeral ceremonies.

Some Photos.

-PSCU
New York: Scientists say they have discovered evidence of an extinct branch of humans whose ancestors split from our own 1 million years ago. The evidence of these humans was not a fossil. Instead, the researchers found pieces of their DNA in the genomes of living people from West Africa.

Arun Durvasula and Sriram Sankararaman, two geneticists at UCLA, described this so-called ghost archaic population in the journal Science Advances. Their discovery may shed light on human genetic diversity in Africa, which has been hard to chart until now because the fossil record is sparse.

A fossil found in Kenya of Homo erectus, an extinct human relative that lived on the African continent about 1 million years ago. Credit:De Agostini/Getty Images

The new study builds on a decade of research into ancient DNA extracted from human fossils. In 2010, a team of researchers published the first genome of a Neanderthal. Later, they found DNA from fossils in a Siberian cave called Denisova. That genetic material belonged to a second lineage of humans, called Denisovans, who proved to be closely related to Neanderthals.
Judge partially dismisses some criminal charges against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

The federal judge overseeing the criminal case against Theranos founder and former CEO Elizabeth Holmes and former Theranos COO Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani partially dismissed four charges against the duo, narrowing the case brought by the Department of Justice.

The defense for Holmes and Balwani filed three joint motions in late 2018 that were considered at a hearing on Monday. Two of the motions argued to dismiss the indictment in its entirety and the third argued to dismiss four counts from the indictment.

MORE: Lawyers of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes say she hasn't paid bills in over a year

In his order on Tuesday, United States District Judge Edward Davila denied the majority of the requests, but partially dismissed one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud, on the basis that the government failed to allege that Holmes and Balwani had a specific intent to defraud doctors and "non-paying patients," those fully covered by insurance.

The prosecution will still be able to argue at trial that patients who either paid in full or paid a co-pay for a blood test were allegedly defrauded.

PHOTO: In this Nov. 2, 2015 file photo, Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of Theranos, speaks at the Fortune Global Forum in San Francisco. (Jeff Chiu/AP, File)

The judge stated in the order that the government "fails to allege that the defendants intended to deprive doctors of their money or property" and that insured patients "would have paid their premiums regardless of Theranos' blood tests."

Reed Kathrein, a partner at Hagens Berman who previously sued Theranos on behalf of investors, told ABC News that this is only a minor loss for the government.

"It may open the door for the defendants to limit testimony by doctors who felt they were deceived by Holmes and Balwani, but that's a fight to come," Kathrein said.

MORE: Those impacted by Theranos speak out

Additionally, due to the large number of documents produced by the government -- over 20 million pages -- the court held that there is a risk that Holmes and Balwani "may be unfairly surprised at trial." Accordingly, the judge ordered the government to provide the defense with more information about the alleged fraudulent misrepresentations in advertising and marketing material, including specifically what about them is false and how Holmes and Balwani were responsible.

Story continues

Kathrein said it is a substantial victory for the defense.

"Granting of the bill of particulars will require the government to identify, more specifically, the nature of the evidence they will present at trial so that there will be less surprise by the defendants," he said.

PHOTO: In this Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 file photo, Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of Theranos, speaks at the Fortune Global Forum in San Francisco. (Jeff Chiu/AP, File)

Holmes and Balwani are each charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud as a result of allegations that they engaged in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud investors, and a separate scheme to defraud doctors and patients, according to the indictment.

If convicted, Holmes and Balwani could face 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count of wire fraud and for each conspiracy count. Both have pleaded not guilty.

"The Dropout" is a six-part series on the rise and fall of former Silicon Valley darling Elizabeth Holmes and her company Theranos. It is written and produced by Rebecca Jarvis, Taylor Dunn and Victoria Thompson. Listen to "The Dropout" for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, the ABC News app, or your favorite podcast player.
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[February 13, 2020] Bajaj Finserv RBL Bank SuperCard Helps to Save More on Travel Plans

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The ruling Chinese Communist Party has demoted its official in charge of Hong Kong following months of mass protests in the city, appointing a hardline senior official who presided over the tearing down of crosses and the forcible demolition of churches in the eastern province of Zhejiang.



Xia Baolong, who was party secretary of Zhejiang during a political campaign to demolish Christian churches and crosses from 2012-2017, now heads the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) of China's cabinet, the State Council.



Its former leader Zhang Xiaoming has been demoted to deputy director in charge of day-to-day operations, the State Council said in a statement on Thursday. Reuters reported in December that Zhang had backed a widely hated extradition bill that would have allowed the extradition of anyone in Hong Kong to face trial in mainland Chinese courts.



Xia is seen as a trusted ally of President Xi Jinping, after he served as his second-in-command in Zhejiang from 2003-2007. His appointment is effectively an upgrade for the HKMAO, indicating that Xi sees the handling of Hong Kong as a top priority.



Chang Chia-lin, professor of religious culture and organization management at Taiwan's Aletheia University, said Xia is notorious as the architect of cross demolitions in Zhejiang, a campaign that had won him approbation from the president.



"Xia Baolong wields huge influence, because after Zhejiang demolished crosses, other provinces like Hebei and Henan did the same," Chang told RFA. "The forcible demolition of churches hasn't stopped."



"Can the government take such a hard line in Hong Kong and Macau? Xia Baolong will have to consider this after he takes up his post."



Hong Kong political commentator Liu Ruishao said the choice of an official with no background in Hong Kong or Macau also indicates Xi's intention to rule the former colonial cities with an iron grip in future.



"[Officials not familiar with Hong Kong and Macau] can only faithfully implement Xi Jinping's policies there, while Zhang Xiaoming and others ... will have no real power," Liu said.



"If they are going to take such a hard line in Hong Kong and Macao, then I don't think that Xia Baolong is suddenly going to soften up when he gets here," he said. "Rather, he will gradually take over power in accordance with Xi Jinping's requirements, for example by influencing the judicial system, the government, and through economic pressure."



Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam welcomed the news of Xia's appointment, saying in a statement that "the central government attaches great importance to Hong Kong and Macau affairs."



"Xi now has his proteges in place over Hong Kong for the first time," Jean-Pierre Cabestan, professor of political science at Hong Kong Baptist University, told Reuters.



"Xia is not a moderate and he has shown himself to be a zealous servant of Xi Jinping. We can expect that to continue," he said.



State of crisis



Rights groups have warned that Hong Kong is now in a state of humanitarian crisis after police fired more than 16,000 rounds of tear gas in recent months, with around 1,000 of those fired into the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) campus during a single day in November.



Frontline protesters, eyewitnesses, journalists and human rights groups have repeatedly said that the majority of violence during the protests has originated with the Hong Kong police, who have been widely criticized for the excessive use of tear gas, water cannon, pepper spray, as well as both non-lethal and live ammunition weapons on unarmed protesters.



A recent opinion poll by Reuters found that most of Hong Kong's residents support the five demands of the protest movement, with more than one third of respondents saying they had attended a protest.



Only 30 percent said they were opposed, compared with 59 percent of those polled who supported the movement.



Plans by chief executive Carrie Lam to make amendments to extradition laws that would allow the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China sparked mass street protests in June, soon followed by widespread public anger at police use of force against peaceful demonstrators and demands for fully democratic elections.



Lam has since formally withdrawn the hated amendments, but has stopped short of meeting protesters' demands for an amnesty for arrestees, an independent public inquiry into police violence and abuse of power, an end to the description of protesters as "rioters," and fully democratic elections.



Reported by Fong Tak-ho, Lu Xi and Lau Siu-fung for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The Madras High Court on Thursday sought to know how a regular investigation can be done by way of a preliminary enquiry by the DVAC on a corruption complaint against Tamil Nadu Minister Rajendra Balaji.

The probe was initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) based on a complaint by Mahendran alleging that Balaji had amassed wealth disproportionate to known sources of income when he was minister between 2011-13.

After perusing the submissions by the Minister, a Division Bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha, said, "The court has considered the arguments addressed by the senior counsel and also perused the closure report."



It said a perusal and consideration of the materials placed would prima facie disclose that elaborate and detailed enquiry on the lines of regular investigation has been carried out by way of preliminary enquiry.

The Minister's counsel stated that a detailed inquiry was conducted by the anti-graft body and said he had not acquired any assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The counsel then requested the court to drop all further proceedings.

To this, the bench, said, "By considering the arguments placed and also perusal of the closure report and consideration of materials placed would prima facie disclose that elaborate and detailed inquiry on the line of regular investigation has been done by the way of preliminary inquiry."



Therefore, this court requires assistance of the Minister's counsel and the state public prosecutor A Natarajan to ascertain the scope of preliminary enquiry, especially in the light of various pronouncements by the Supreme Court and the High Court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The brutal murder and dismemberment of 17 year old Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda last month should serve as a warning to other young teenagers who are being groomed by the ruthless criminals, mourners at his funeral have been told.

In a direct address to the young people of Drogheda, parish priest Fr Phil Gaffney said Keanes association with such criminal gangs led to the inhumane, unthinkable way in which his young life was to end.

In what has been seen as one of the most shocking and barbaric murders in recent history, gardai believe Keane was tortured and killed in a house in Drogheda on January 12.

His severed limbs were found, a month ago today, in a bag that had been dumped from a car in the Moatview estate in Coolock in Dublin the following day.

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Two days later his severed head was discovered in a burning car off the North Circular Road in Dublin.

Keane had been associated with one of the factions in the murderous Drogheda feud, and gardai believe his death and dismemberment, and the distribution of his body parts, was to send a message to his crime bosses.

At the Church of the Holy Family in Ballsgrove in Drogheda today many of Keanes friends wore T-shirts with his photograph on them as his parents Elizabeth and Barry, sister Courtney, and brothers Darren, Ryan and Jack were comforted by family and friends.

Gardai maintained a pre-planned presence at the funeral, with armed members circulating in the area.

Keane was due to celebrate his 18th birthday last week, but instead his family had to plan for his funeral.

In a strong message to mourners, parish priest Father Phil Gaffney said to say that the death of Keane has shocked and appalled the town of Drogheda would be a total understatement.

This young man, at the time not 18 years of age, has been lost in the most gruesome way to his family, he added.

This murder has brought about an unparalleled level of revulsion, not alone in Drogheda, but throughout our country and, indeed, far beyond, Fr Gaffney explained.

Keane had his troubles and was young and naive enough to fall in with the wrong people, not knowing or anticipating the dire consequences. I hope that his death will be a warning to other young teenagers who are being groomed by the ruthless criminals, that the promise of money and gifts will inevitably end in tragedy, he said.

Fr Gaffney prayed that the Drogheda feud would end. This feud in Drogheda has to end sometime. Lets all hope and pray it ends before more lives are lost, he said.

In a strong and powerful message to Keanes friends and the young people of the town, Fr Gaffney urged them to learn from his mistakes.

Please learn from his mistakes, getting involved with dangerous criminals, thinking some of them were his friends and yet they would sacrifice him in such a brutal manner.

Drugs have become extremely easy for young people to obtain. Recently someone commented that a lot of people are now budgeting for their debs  as well as their clothes and drink  theyre also budgeting now for cocaine, and other drugs, he said.

It isnt just communities with deprived socio-economic backgrounds that are worse for illegal drug taking, it has become socially acceptable across the country among people from all backgrounds, he explained.

Fr Gaffney also said that people who take drugs socially are only fuelling the violence. He also called for more action from government.

These violent incidents need to be a wake-up call for all of us as a society to realise that actions have consequences. People who are taking drugs on a social basis have to realise that what they are doing is fuelling this situation of violence.

The problem arises from the normalisation of a drugs culture here in Ireland. Drug taking, doing a line of coke has become as normal as having a drink. We need a nationwide response from our Government, he said.

He also called on the community to help and support Gardai in the most difficult circumstances to cope with the effects of this feud on the town and its environs.

We, the priests in Holy Family parish, along with our bishop, appeal once again - as we have done in the past to those responsible: In the name of God let it end now, he said.

Keanes white coffin was brought to the church in a hearse followed by a large group of his family, neighbours and friends who walked behind.

As his remains were brought from the church the song You Raise Me Up could be heard playing inside the church.

Burial took place after requiem mass in the towns Calvary cemetery.
- According to Vestas, a Denmark based firm, Google ended its quest after several delays

- The 310 megawatt (MW) project was set to be provide reliable, low cost energy to Kenyas national grid and act as an alternative to the expensive hydroelectric power

- The 428km power line was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2019

American multinational technology company, Google, has dropped its plans of buying a 12.5% stake in Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, Africas largest wind farm which was commissioned in July 2019.

According to Vestas, a Denmark based firm, the giant tech firm ended its quest after several delays.

READ ALSO: Jubilee Party SG Raphael Tuju admitted to ICU following accident

The Lake Turkana Wind Power is set to provide approximately 17% of Kenya's electricity needs. Photo: Lake Turkana Wind Power.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Paul Lukas: Kenyan man who openly came out as gay found dead in US

A statement published in the Danish media and reported by The East African said Vestas had annulled its agreement with Google after a long waiting period.

Due to delays relating primarily to the transmission line, the Vestas agreement with Google was cancelled in 2019, said Vestas.

The wind farm is supposed to provide reliable, low cost energy to Kenyas national grid. Photo: Lake Turkana Wind Power.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Buriani mtukufu Moi: Picha za kihistoria za safari ya mwisho ya rais mstaafu

As Vestas strategy doesnt include being a long-term wind park owner, were currently in commercial dialogues with potential buyers of our shares," it added.

The 310 megawatt (MW) project was set to be provide reliable, low cost energy to Kenyas national grid and act as an alternative to the expensive hydroelectric power.

The Lake Turkana Wind Power has experienced several delays. Photo: Lake Turkana Wind Power.

Source: Facebook

The wind farm was completed in 2017 and ready for launch but installation of transmission lines was delayed rendering it idle and denying customers a chance to get clean energy.

The 428 km power line from Loiyangalani in Turkana county to Suswa in Narok county had earlier been scheduled for completion in October 2016 but late payments to affected landowners along the route led to its postponement.

A Spanish firm contracted to build it also went under further leading to its delay with the country tapping a Chinese company to complete it.

It is expected to provide approximately 17% of Kenyas total electricity needs.

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 was raped by University of Nairobi students |Tuko Talks | Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:53:47|Editor: zh

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WUHAN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The city of Huanggang, hard hit by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in central China's Hubei Province, will put all residential communities and areas on lockdown as the city upgraded virus prevention and control measures.

A notice issued by the municipal epidemic control headquarters said that starting from Friday, all residents will not be allowed to exit and re-enter their communities or residential areas as the city took the strictest and most effective control measures.

Daily necessities for residents will be handed out by the community committees, and purchasing services will be provided for urgently-needed goods.

Vehicles except those for epidemic control and special purposes such as fire engines and police cars will be banned from the roads, the notice said.

The police shall take compulsory measures against anyone who forcibly enters residential communities, breaks quarantine facilities or blockades roads.

Fever patients and close contacts of the confirmed infection cases will be placed under centralized quarantine.

The headquarters said the new measures will be implemented over a 14-day period before it is lifted or continued depending on the development of the situation.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- automotiveMastermind, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO) and a leading provider of predictive analytics and marketing automation solutions for dealerships and manufacturers across the country, today announced the company is servicing all major OEMs, representing 30 brands, and additionally, are expanding their service-to-sales offering with CDK integration. The ability to service all major OEMs comes from the company's commitment to building an improved incentives architecture within the Market EyeQ sales platform to accommodate deeper OEM incentives. Dealers attending the 2020 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Feb. 15-17, can experience automotiveMastermind's Market EyeQ sales platform firsthand.

Market EyeQ is powered by household demographic data and other strategic information from IHS Markit and TransUnion. It is the first automotive sales platform that provides seamless integration inside the dealership to better understand every buyer in a dealer's market.

"Since last year's launch of Market EyeQ, we've been providing exponential ROI for our dealer partners by identifying quality new audiences, driving high engagement and offering intelligence to close more sales," said Marco Schnabl, co-founder and CEO of automotiveMastermind. "This year, we are doubling down on our mission to predict and engage with every automotive sales and service opportunity while delivering the highest quality results for dealers. We are using additional valuable data sources to provide actionable intelligence on every automotive consumer. The ability to now service all major OEMs gives us the unprecedented ability to help even more dealers across the country experience the Market EyeQ advantage."

"The service drive is a huge area of opportunity for dealers, but they need insights on those customers who are unknown to them. Market EyeQ's Service Conquest component provides those insights with an extremely high VIN match rate, allowing them to activate more in-market buyers into their portfolio," said Joe Kacala, Chief Product Officer of automotiveMastermind. "The recent expansion of Service Conquest's capabilities includes CDK service arrival notifications and service appointment reports. This allows dealers to plan ahead for scheduled appointments and have compelling consumer data on walk-ins, too."

Visit automotiveMastermind's exhibit 3315C to learn more. Interested dealers can pre-book a Market EyeQ demo here.

About automotiveMastermind

Founded in 2012, automotiveMastermind, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), is a leading provider of predictive analytics and marketing automation solutions for the automotive industry. Market EyeQ by Mastermind is a single sales platform that identifies, communicates with and closes every buyer in a local market. Mastermind is headquartered in New York City and San Francisco. For more information, visit automotivemastermind.com. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

SOURCE automotiveMastermind

Related Links

http://automotivemastermind.com


How terror links with madrasas grew as the West Bengal administration slept

Assam govt to shut all govt-run Madrassas and Sanskrit Tols, to be converted to normal schools

India

oi-Deepika S

Guwahati, Feb 13: The Assam government is mulling to convert all government-run madrassas and Sanskrit tols (ashrams where Sanskrit is taught) into high schools and higher secondary schools, said Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

"We have decided to convert all Madrasas and Sanskrit tols(schools) to high schools and higher secondary schools, as the state can't fund religious institutions. However, Madrasas run by NGOs/Social orgs will continue but within a regulatory framework," said Biswa.

"These (govt-run madrassas and Sanskrit tols) issue certificates which are equivalent to matriculation (Class 10) and higher secondary (Class 12). Since there is no regulatory board to govern them, a lot of wrongdoings take place in issuing these certificates," the minister said.

He, however, clarified that this decision will not affect privately run madrassas.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

"The Assam government has no issue with the madrassas that are being run by various social organisations and NGOs.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations informs that on February 13, as of 10:00, some roads are difficult to pass in Armenia.

The ministry told Armenpress that Sisian-Goris highway and the Vardenyats Pass are closed.

Sotk-Karvachar highway is difficult to pass for trucks.

Snowstorm is reported in Syunik province.

The Georgian side informed that the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

Drivers are urged to use snow tires.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Lots of people seem to have their gender-neutral knickers in a twist. Last week, a draft of a new federal-government rule mandating the classical style for most federal government buildings was leaked to newspapers. Fury ensued, not by the act of leaking but by the new, salubrious leash proposed for tax-funded architects given to chasing fads. Personally, my knickers flow untrammeled by snags and hitches. I studied the eminently readable order, learned the facts, thought about them, followed the money, of course, and then developed an informed opinion.

The draft order offers much to like and some things to tweak. Its proponents should stick to their guns. Dont be intimidated. Cleave to the line. What theyre suggesting makes sense. I hope a final presidential order reflects its bite and scope.

The new plan changes the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, conceived in 1962. It directs the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal real-estate fiefdom, to use traditional architectural styles, with special consideration for classical architecture, in all new federal buildings with construction budgets exceeding $50 million. In Washington, D.C., itself, classicism is the default style.

It defines classicism as the style descending from principles and forms first used by the Greeks and Romans, modified and enhanced by Michelangelo, Palladio, Wren, Robert Adam, and, in America, by Charles McKim, Richard Morris Hunt, and John Russell Pope. It prohibits new federal buildings in what it calls the brutalist style  think monolithic, stark, and concrete  and the deconstructionist style, which, the order says, subverts traditional style via fragmentation, disorder, discontinuity, distortion, skewed geometry, and the appearance of instability. Well said.

Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

I read the original Guiding Principles. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the future senator but then an assistant secretary of labor, wrote them. Moynihan was an academic and historian, not an architect, and hed never commissioned a building. Hed worked in Washington for only a year. Always precocious and opinionated, he seems to have seized pen and paper on his own.

Story continues

These guidelines are advisory. Nobody ever approved them. Theyre not statutes. Theyre not even federal regulations. Nobody paid much attention to them until the 1980s, when elite architects began pushing them. See, they said, theyre written by a guy in the U.S. Senate. They must be okay. Of course, they were looking for business.

So the guidelines mustnt be treated like the stone tablet Moses picked up on Mount Sinai. Theyre 60 years old, which is a good reason in itself to look at them.

They disavow the development of an official style. They caution that design must flow from the architectural profession to the Government, and not vice versa. Federal architecture must provide visual testimony to the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American Government.

If I were to pick an architectural template reflecting the character of American government these days, Id pick an outhouse. Only kidding, though Monticello has a pretty plush outdoor loo.

Having grown up near New Haven, Conn., Ground Zero for the catastrophe called Urban Renewal, I look at any circa-1960s government guidance on architecture with a gimlet eye and churning tummy. In those days, cutting-edge public architecture, the kind that flowed from the profession, was almost always bad. It was a bleak period for institutional style. And shouldnt style flow from the client, not the architect? Whos paying the bill?

Moynihans guiding principles advise that designs embody the finest contemporary American architectural thought. This statement might not have compelled a single official style, but it certainly dethroned classicism, which wasnt new, hot, and shiny. It was old and steady, and 1962 was peak New Frontier. Since then, almost no big new federal building in the classical style has been built. Temples and columns were out, the Jetsons were in. There indeed developed a default official style. Its what I call mishmash modernism and its assorted hangovers. Most of it is corporate, consumerist, neurotic Mad Men architecture, with lots of sleek, empty vessels.

I did some research  I love learning new things  on federal architecture in my lifetime, which doesnt go quite as far back to the Washington Monument but covers a lot of chronology. I dont want to name names, but . . . hey, why not name names?

United States Federal Building in San Francisco, Calif. (HaeB via Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Thom Maynes 2007 federal office building in San Francisco isnt unattractive. Its emotional, indeed overwrought. Its a libertine building, like Nureyev flying through the air. It doesnt put the viewer or visitor in a frame of mind to think of the Constitution. I adore Phifer and Partners cool, minimalist Glenstone Museum, but the U.S. Courthouse in Salt Lake City looks like a spaceship. Many of the courthouses the GSA has built are big glass cubes, rigid and unornamented. Theres no point dissecting brutalist-style buildings like the FBI headquarters or the Department of Housing and Urban Development building, both in Washington. Both were worse than hit by the ugly stick. Both were bludgeoned by it, and not even vultures will touch the carcass.

J. Edgar Hoover F.B.I. Building in Washington, D.C.

Urban Renewal nearly destroyed American cities in the 1960s, and the architecture of the time  public and private, federal and local  played a villains part. Most of the Model Cities buildings constructed in New Haven in the 1960s have been razed. They expressed their days finest contemporary American architectural thought. Sometimes avant-garde style just isnt good.

Everyone hated these buildings, except the architects, developers, and contractors who made money from them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I know, but they were more than aesthetic horrors. Nobody liked working in them or using them, then and now. The Mayne building was rock-bottom in a survey of government employees on habitability. Now, I like a lot of Maynes work, but at its best, its bold, make-a-statement fashion-runway architecture. What his work and all of these buildings Ive cited dont evoke is American history or civic values. Federal buildings need to reference and reinforce Americas heritage and the governments role in advancing liberty, order, and justice. Thats the business of government. Thats what happens in these buildings.

Classicism isnt just slapping columns on a facade, though the style must draw from the old Five Orders, not only for column capital styles but for the entire superstructure. Classicism possesses a harmony of parts arranged in consistent arithmetical proportions. That discipline guides the entire building. Its logic is both rarefied and egalitarian. There are endless variations on classicism. It allows vaults, arches, rustication, pilasters, and an intensity of feeling obtained through forms that can be severe or grandiloquent, with a palette of buff white or the rainbow. The opera house in Paris is sumptuous. Robert Adams colored plaster moldings are the zenith of elegance and refinement. John Soanes Bank of England was austere.

United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

Classicism creates a mood, and heres the rub. Classicism can suggest passion. Il Gesu in Rome is an example. This passion is leavened by self-control, integrity, harmony, and reason. Its look is firm, serious, and stable, not flighty or whimsical. Generic glass boxes, and thats what lots of new federal buildings are, might mean to project transparency, but their glass isnt really transparent. Its shiny, reflective, and opaque. Its transparency that deceives. Aside from practicalities  most of these buildings, such as the Sandra Day OConnor Courthouse in Phoenix, are excruciating heat traps  they feel blank and anonymous. Transparency is fine, but when it communicates boredom, uniformity, and the aloofness of a Puritan, its hard to love.

Lots of modernist style isnt even American. Mies van der Rohe, Corbusier, and Walter Gropius were European, and their style is modernist as modernism was conceived in Europe. They did lots of work here, and Mies and Gropius moved here, but their work isnt in the American vernacular. The Capitol, the University of Virginia, Grand Central Station, the old Penn Station, and the 1940 National Gallery are. This style isnt suitable for everything, but it has to be represented in a swath of our federal government buildings.

The new draft order makes room for mission revival, adobe style, and prairie style, defining these as the traditional, vernacular styles of parts of the country. Theres a waiver component, but the local client (say, the building committee for a federal courthouse) has to make a convincing case that classical or traditional regional styles arent right. The beautiful National Museum of African American History is obviously in perfect sync with the places mission. It embraces traditional African-American aesthetics. In my opinion, it wouldnt need a waiver at all.

The draft order  and this is what critics dont like but wont say  takes the punch bowl from lots of white-shoe architecture firms that dont work in a classical style. The GSA is always building, so the bucks are big. I suspect things are a wee bit of swamp there. I suspect there are lots of aesthetic cliques forged and nourished by the private sector. I cant imagine that risk-averse bureaucrats would have agreed to some of these out-there buildings without a push. Billions of dollars are at stake. High-end architects want to keep design imperatives as loosey-goosey as they can. Its time everyone got some direction.

Government patronage will, in effect, promote a revival of classical style, create a new breed of designers, and jigger architecture-school curricula. Thats fine. For buildings costing less than $50 million, GSA is free to experiment. Some good, new looks will come from this. For some of these buildings, twists on brutalist or constructivist style might be perfect.

Im sorry to see the National Civic Art Society smeared in so much of the criticism of the draft rule. Its not a fringe group, as The Atlantic called it. It promotes rebuilding the old Penn Station, whose demolition in 1963 is now considered an atrocity by almost everyone. It opposes the hideous new Eisenhower Memorial, a blot on the landscape and a future junkyard. Its a mainstream think tank and sponsors lectures and walking tours. Fears that a new classical aesthetic for federal buildings might kindle interest in Mussolini or Albert Speer dwell only in unintelligent minds.

Id ditch the Gothic from the roster of preferred looks. Its too French, too feudal, and it reeks of kingship. Gothic revival came to America via the English, so its derivative and Romantic-era fussy. The order establishes a term-limited commission to develop new rules for GSA to follow when determining a desired design path and selecting architects. I would suggest the commission develop an independent, outsider-dominated design-review board to approve aesthetics for big projects. Not the aesthetics of restrooms or offices but the look of the facade and public spaces, the standard of quality for finishes, and how well the building plays with its neighbors. Id ditch the requirement that renovations of modernist government buildings have to classicize as much of them when feasible. Thatll make a big, expensive mess.

Im glad to see what appears to be a pulse in the administrations arts policy. Art and culture arent exclusively the Lefts. The Right has a deep interest in preserving and, whenever it can, enhancing traditional culture. It ignores it at its peril.

More from National Review
An Illinois paediatrician who committed suicide left behind a note saying he faked records and lied about vaccinating children, according to reports.

The note was written by Dr Van Koinis, 58, and detailed his regret for falsifying vaccination reports for his young patients, the Chicago Tribune reports. He led a practice in Evergreen Park near Chicago.

Investigators believe Dr Koinis was known in the community for helping parents forge their children's vaccination documents for school. Illinois statute requires all students to provide proof of vaccinations for preventable communicable disease.

"He was well known for being someone who was into homeopathic medicine, and from what we have determined, it was well known that people opposed to vaccination could go to him," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said.

The doctor was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head in September.

Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Show all 10 1 /10 Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Mali.JPG Photos Unicef Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Vanuatu.jpg Unicef/Chute Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-India.JPG Unicef/Sharma Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-DRC.JPG Unicef/Wingi Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Mongolia.jpg Unicef Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Ehiopia.jpg Unicef/Ayene Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Timor-Leste-2.jpg Unicef/Soares Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Bangledesh.jpg Unicef/Krishan Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Yemen.jpg Unicef/Bafaqeh Vaccinations in the world's hardest to reach places Vaccinations-Papua-New-Guinea-2.jpg Unicef/Holt

His suicide note reportedly expressed regret from the doctor about his decision to forge vaccination documents, and revealed he committed the forgery over the last 10 years. The doctor was a licensed practitioner in Illinois starting in 1991, state records reveal.

"The length of time he mentioned and the fact that he was so focused on this as a regret of something he did and the fact he committed suicide led us to believe it was quite serious on many levels," Mr Dart said.

Dr Koinis' regret is also indicated by the note only mentioning the forged documents and nothing else.

"He was incredibly regretful for what he did and it was the only thing he mentioned in the suicide note. It was this and only this," Mr Dart told WBBM.

It is not believed Dr Koinis refused to vaccinate children with parents who wanted them done, but investigators encourage families who visited the doctor to check they received the proper immunisations with another physician. This check can be done through blood work.

An investigation is ongoing into the suspected conspiracy to falsify vaccination records, but authorities said no charges have been filed at this time.

Mr Dart urged parents to recognise the importance of their children receiving vaccinations prior to attending school.

"I don't care about your personal feelings on vaccinations, kids need them," Dart told the Chicago Tribune. "You can't waive them arbitrarily. You clearly can't forge documents or encourage them to be forged and pass them on, so we're moving along that track."
The government on Wednesday decided to broaden the scope of the direct tax dispute resolution scheme, Vivad Se Vishwas (no dispute but trust), seeking to unlock a larger part of the estimated Rs 9 lakh crore stuck in litigation at various forums.

The cabinet decided to move amendments to the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020 tabled in Parliament last week, in response to suggestions received during finance minister Nirmala Sitharamans post-budget consultations with industry, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said at a press briefing.

After the Union budget, the finance minister discussed with stakeholders and got suggestions from them. On the basis of these, there are new amendments to be moved in this session of Parliament, said Javadekar.

The minister said the amendments will allow the scheme to cover cases in which searches and seizures have taken place and where the recovery of money was below Rs 5 crores. The minister expressed the hope that many taxpayers will take advantage of the scheme and settle disputes.

Sitharaman announced the scheme in her budget speech on February 1. It offers waivers of penalty and interest if the disputed amount is paid before March 31, 2020. As of 30 November, 2019, around 500,000 direct tax disputes were pending at various forums with disputed tax arrears amounting to some Rs 9 lakh crore, HT reported earlier this month.

On Wednesday, the Union cabinet approved a bill aimed at regulating the pesticides business and compensating farmers in case of losses from the use of spurious agro-chemicals. The proposed legislation will be introduced in the Budget session of Parliament, the government said.

The Pesticides Management Bill, 2020, seeks to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968, for regulating the pesticide sector by fixing prices and setting up an authority to oversee it. It would also regulate advertisements of pesticides and provides for heavy penalties as well as jail terms for any violation of the law.

As far as farmers are concerned, Pesticides Management Bill, 2020 will be introduced in this session of Parliament. Today, pesticide business is regulated by 1968 rules which have become age-old and need rewriting, Javadekar, the information and broadcasting minister, said.

In another key decision, the cabinet approved a bill that aims to provide autonomy to Indias top 12 ports and improve their efficiency and competitiveness.

The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Major Port Authority Bill, 2020 to replace existing Major Port Trust Act. It will provide more operational autonomy to ports. The Bill will be introduced in ensuing session of Parliament, shipping minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya said.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Rebosis Property Fund CEO Sisa Ngebulana believes his plan would be able to ride out South Africas stalling economy.



Shareholders might have to hold their horses because the Chief Ex has a plan to save the ailing Rebosis Property Fund.

Last year, the group chose to withhold its dividend for its year to end-August as it battled to grow rentals given what CEO Sisa Ngebulana said were the worst market conditions for South African commercial property in memory.

Meanwhile, Rebosis board says it is making progress in its bid to merge with Delta Property Fund and if a circular about how a tie-up would proceed was not released in the next five weeks, the two companies would scrap the plan.

The company has also been trying to cut its loan-to-value (LTV) from about 60% to below 40%, by selling assets. Its debt was last disclosed at R9.5 billion in November 2019. Most fund managers want property counters to have LTVs of between 30% and 40%.

Earlier this month, in an unprecedented move in the listed real estate sector, 80% of Rebosis Property Funds ordinary shareholders voted against implementing the companys remuneration policy.

The company has been through a turbulent two years in which it wrote off its investment in UK mall owner New Frontier Properties, having lost more than R2bn of its value, and has had to sell offices and malls in SA to handle its escalating debt levels.

The share prices of its A and B shares have each fallen more than 90% in the past two years.

Rebosis has a dual share A and B structure, which is designed to serve investors of varying risk appetites.

A-linked shareholders are paid first and are first in the queue should the company be wound up. Their dividend growth is capped at 5%. B-linked shareholders are paid whatever is left over and there is no limit on the potential growth of their dividends.

In a few years, Ngebulana has turned Rebosis from being a company with only seven properties worth R3.3-billion when it listed on the JSE in May 2011 to one that is one of the bourses most consistent dividend payers, with more than 40 properties valued at R16.3-billion today.

Its portfolio of properties includes well-known shopping centres, including Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth, Forest Hill in Centurion, and Hemingways Mall in the Eastern Cape and more than 30 office properties, most of which are let to government departments and agencies.

Underpinning the Rebosis rescue plan is its potential merger with Delta Property Fund, a JSE-listed real estate company co-founded by Sandile Nomvete that owns a portfolio of properties worth R11.3-billion, comprising 81 office properties tenanted by government departments.

If successful, the proposed merger could create an enlarged black-owned and managed entity with property assets that are worth more than R25-billion at a time when racial transformation in the sector remains woeful.

Ngebulana believes the enlarged entity would be able to ride out SAs stalling economy and the resultant lack of demand for property space by tenants because institutional investors prefer investing in real estate companies with scale and liquidity to their shares, making it easier to raise capital to fund growth initiatives.
A Delhi court Thursday appointed an advocate to represent Pawan Gupta, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, after he refused to take a lawyer offered by DLSA as legal aid.

Additional Session Judge Dharmender Rana then adjourned for Monday the hearing on the pleas seeking fresh warrants against the convicts.

The court had on Wednesday offered a counsel to Gupta and expressed displeasure over the delay in the process from his side.

Gupta said he had removed his earlier lawyer and would need time to engage a new one.

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) had provided Gupta's father with a list of its empanelled advocates to chose from.

Tihar Jail authorities informed the court that he refused to take a lawyer offered by DLSA.

Gupta is the only one among the four convicts who has not yet filed a curative petition -- the last legal remedy available to a person, which is decided in-chamber. He also has the option of filing a mercy plea.

The court was hearing applications moved by Nirbhaya's parents and the Delhi government, seeking fresh death warrants for the four convicts after the Supreme Court granted liberty to the authorities to approach the trial court for issuance of fresh date for the execution of these convicts.

The trial court had Wednesday expressed anguish over the delay in hearing of the applications moved by Nirbhaya's parents and the Delhi government.

The court had directed DLSA to provide Pawan's father with a list of its empanelled advocates to chose from, which was followed.

It had said that a condemned convict is entitled to legal aid till his last breath.

"'Fiat justitia ruat caelum (let the justice be done though the heavens fall)'. This court is of the considered opinion that any condemned convict is entitled for legal aid till his last breath. Granting the prayer made in the applications under consideration without hearing the counsel for convict would render further hearings in the instant matter an ornamental and superfluous exercise," the judge had said.

The date of execution, first fixed for January 22 in Tihar jail, was postponed for 6 am on February 1 by a January 17 court order. The trial court later, on January 31 stayed, "till further orders" the execution of the four convicts in the case, who are lodged in Tihar Jail.

The Tihar jail authorities had filed a status report on Tuesday before the trial court stating that no legal option was preferred by any convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31) -- in last seven-day period, granted by the Delhi High Court.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and savagely assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in South Delhi. She died of her injuries a fortnight later in a Singapore hospital.

Six people including the four convicts, Ram Singh and a juvenile -- were named as accused.

The trial of the five adult men began in a special fast-track court in March 2013.

Ram Singh, the prime accused, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Tihar jail days after the trial began. The juvenile, who was said to be the most brutal of the attackers, was put in a correctional home for three years.

The juvenile was released in 2015 and sent to an undisclosed location amid concerns over a threat to his life. He, when released, was 20 years old.

Mukesh, Vinay, Akshay and Pawan were sentenced to death in September 2013 by the trial court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Romania is ready to offer its experience to both countries in transition to democracy and to those who want to strengthen their institutions, Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu said, on Thursday, at the meeting of the Governing Council of the Community of Democracies, organized in Bucharest.

"We are ready to work closely with all members of the Governing Council, the civil society and the general secretariat to ensure the success of our mandate. (...) Romania has assumed the Presidency of the Community of Democracies at a special moment in history: 30 years since embracing democracy as a fundamental choice for our future. Today, we enjoy the benefits of dynamic developments brought by solid institutions with the support of a free and independent press and an active civil society. The rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are values that we share with many partners and friends around the world and represent the cornerstone of our societies' commitment to democracy. We have learned many lessons over time, including in recent years, and we are ready to share our experiences to the countries in transition to democracy, as well as to those seeking to strengthen their democratic institutions," said Aurescu.He underscored the changes that have taken place in 30 years and the challenges that democracies face."No nation is immune. There are dangers that we must be prepared to deal with. We, in Europe, witnessed during last spring's European Parliament elections the real challenges to democracy, to which people were prepared to respond and defend it. On the same occasion, in Romania, the society proved its maturity and the fact that it is prepared to defend values such as the rule of law and the independence of justice at the referendum convened by the President of Romania in May," said the Foreign Affairs minister.Minister Aurescu said that, in 20 years, the Community of Democracies has made considerable progress, stressing that it is time for the initial mandate of this organization to be revised."I think it is our part, that of its members, to decide the role we want to keep and the kind of commitment we need and I invite your countries to mark 20 years since the Warsaw Declaration through a realistic review exercise," he said.The Romanian head of diplomacy announced the organization of the Youth Forum and the ministerial conference in Bucharest, on 25-26 June.

AGERPRES
(Newser)  Jeff Gebhart wants a girlfriend, and he's got $25,000 to help him find one. KCTV reports the 47-year-old from Prairie Village, Kan., became fed up with both online dating and more traditional ways of finding a mate, so the entrepreneur hit upon a more novel idea: Offer a whole lot of matchmaking money. CBS Sacramento notes Gebhart debuted his own dating site Sunday, exclusively dedicated to finding himself a new partner, and he'll give $25,000 to anyone who sends the perfect match his way. He'll also sweeten the pot by donating $25,000 to a no-kill dog shelter or charity. "I'm a happy guy with an unbelievable life," he notes on his site, which adds he's been in several long-term relationships but has never been engaged or married. "I don't need a person to 'complete' me, but I'm looking for a person with qualities that will allow us to complement each other."

story continues below

If this looks like easy money, there are stipulations. CBS News lays out the requirements, including that, for the matchmaker to collect the dough, the person Gebhart is matched up with must date him and him alone for a year. Even then, the cash is doled out in installments: five $5,000 payments over a five-year stretch. If Gebhart and the gal split before then, the matchmaker gets only what he or she has earned to that point. There's also an online quiz applicants will need to take to see if their personalities sync with his. "You have a big number that apply, you put them through a Willy Wonka machine, and the ones that come out are the ones that would be great candidates for me," he tells KCTV. What he's looking for: a lady who's "fun, easy to spend time with ... confident, driven ... and has a zest for life." "The main objective of this is to find the right girl for me, wherever she is," he tells KCTV. (Read more dating stories.)
Southwest was flying 34 Maxes and expected to receive more when the planes were grounded worldwide last March after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people. Without the planes, Southwest said it will remove about 371 weekday flights from its schedule of more than 4,000 flights per day.
Minister of National Defence Nicolae Ciuca on Friday and Sunday will participate, as part of the Romanian delegation led by Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, to the 56th edition of the Munich Security Conference, informs a press release of the Ministry of National Defence.

On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Nicolae Ciuca had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the NATO allied and partner states, as well as with the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.At the same time, Ciuca will be the main speaker at a round table organised by the Center for European Policy Analysis and the New Strategy Center to focus on the Black Sea region, and will participate in a series of activities on topics related to the future of the European Union, the NATO evolution, multilateralism and the new world order.The Munich Security Conference is to debate on the main current and future challenges facing the European and international security, with high officials, heads of state and government to participate, representatives of the international organisations, business and academic environment.According to the MApN, the Munich Conference takes places annually since 1963, in February, being meant as a diplomatic laboratory for the important areas of geopolitics, geostrategy, with its main purpose being the identification of solutions for the current and future challenges facing the global and Euro-Atlantic security.
According to Guangzhou Customs, figures indicate that Guangdong's import and export to Myanmar has reached a value of 11.84 billion yuan, an increase of 10% year-on-year, exceeding the import and export growth rate of Guangdong to ASEAN. This growth ranks fourth position among Guangdongs import and export growth to all ASEAN countries.

Since 2016, Guangdongs import and export to Myanmar has maintained the positive growth for 4 years in a row, and the trade volume has increased from 7.62 billion yuan to 11.84 billion yuan, with a cumulative growth of 55.3%, indicating that Guangdong's trade with Myanmar is flourishing.

In 2019, Guangdongs export to Myanmar reached a value of 10.24 billion yuan, growing by 9% compared to that in 2018. The electrical and electronic devices account for 35.5% and among which, mobile phones are extremely popular with its export reaching 1.62 billion yuan, growing by 19.5% year-on-year. The labor-intensive products account for more than 20%, with a growing rate of 52.9%, among which the export value for textile and garment is 1.33 billion yuan, increasing by 51.2% year-on-year.

In terms of import, trade is still increasing despite the volume being relatively low. Guangdong imported 1.6 billion yuan from Myanmar in 2019, growing by 17.1% year-on-year, among which the import for rice took up over 30%, manifesting Cantonese citizens love for Burmese rice. It is worth noting that private enterprises are the largest trading entities among Guangdongs trade with Myanmar as they are responsible for nearly 70% of the import and export value. In its trade with Myanmar, Guangdong has fully demonstrated its characteristics and advantages when it comes to electrical and electronic manufacturing as well as developing labor-intensive industries and active private capital.

Guangzhou Customs expressed that as China and Myanmar are deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperation, it can be predicted that the bilateral trade would expand continuously, further promoting the exchange and cooperation in economy and culture. (Compiled by Zhang Xinfeng)
The All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) leaders protested outside the premises of Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry office on Thursday over LPG price hike. The protesting leaders include the INC spokesperson Sushmita Dev and the Congress candidate from Chandni Chowk in the Delhi elections, Alka Lamba.

Delhi: All India Mahila Congress leaders, including Sushmita Dev and Alka Lamba, protest outside Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas office, against the rise in the prices of non-subsidised 14 kg Indane gas in metros which came into effect yesterday. pic.twitter.com/rs4Fl0cG0O ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020

State-owned oil marketing companies increased the prices of non-subsidised LPG cylinders to the tune of Rs 149 per cylinder from February 12. The gas prices have been hiked from Rs 714 on January 1 to Rs 858.5 in Delhi. The price of non-subsidised LPG cylinder in Kolkata stands at Rs 896 currently.

In Mumbai, non-subsidised LPG cylinder that used to cost Rs 684.50 as of January 1 will now cost Rs 829.5. In the southern city of Chennai, the LPG prices went up by Rs 147. The prices of non-subsidised LPG cylinders went from Rs 734 to Rs 881.

While the cost per cylinder has increased, subsidy granted to domestic users has increased from Rs 153.86 per cylinder to Rs 291.48. The central government provides 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each in a year to domestic users at subsidised rates.

All those who have an annual income of Rs 10 lakh or above cannot avail the LPG subsidy offered to domestic users.

For all the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme, the subsidy is increased from Rs 174.86 to Rs 312.48 per cylinder. Domestic users will get the subsidised 14.2 kg cylinders at Rs 567.02 while the PMUY beneficiaries will get the subsidised 14.2 kg cylinders at Rs 546.02. The PMUY subsidy is issued in the name of women belonging to BPL households and is for first time users.

Also read: LPG prices hiked by up to Rs 149 per cylinder; check new rates

Also read: LPG consumption is bound to increase as base has been formed, Dharmendra Pradhan on CAG report
Globally, CIOs see hybrid cloud as the future, and this is more true in Africa than in other regions due to a variety of factors including spotty infrastructure, regulatory regimes that often hamper telecommunications buildout, and a general wariness toward third-party outsourcing.

A Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index Report finds that 85 percent of the 2,650 IT decision makers surveyed in multiple industries and business sizes from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa see hybrid cloud as their ideal IT operating model.

IBM touts hybrid cloud as the darling of digital banking following its embrace by the likes of Bank of America and Australias WestPac. The financial services arena in Africa is seeing similar moves. Top South African banks like Standard Bank and Old Mutual have chosen AWS as their preferred cloud provider to enable them to migrate part of their production workloads to the cloud.

Hybrid cloud has different definitions but essentially it is a computing environment designed to allow enterprises to run applications and share data simultaneously across multiple clouds  public and private  and on-premises data centres. In Africa, many enterprises will end up straddling public and private cloud environments by necessity, given the fact that public cloud services on the continent will for at least the medium term remain limited.

In Africa, even though top-line annual cloud services revenue will double in the 2018-2023 period to hit US$3.8 billion, at the moment only about 30 percent of the revenue generated is through public cloud, according to a Xalam Analytics State of Cloud 2019 report on Africa. And even at the end of the period in question, about 60 percent of cloud revenue will come via private cloud services, Xalam predicted.

Applications and technologies best-suited for public cloud use in Africa, according to Trent Odgers, cloud and hosting manager for Africa for Veeam, would include artificial intelligence  more specifically, machine learning  for the large amount of data it requires. Software as a service (SaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offered via public clouds are particularly attractive for CIOs looking to optimize costs, due to their ability to handle large data sets and applications and to scale infinitely without requiring large upfront capital-expenditure commitment.

Odgers adds that mission critical and sensitive data needed on location, workloads affected by latency, and sites where connectivity is still an issue would generally be suited for an on-premises IT environment.

But while these general truths hold throughout Africa, the story is not exactly the same throughout the continent.

Cloud adoption varies among regions

There is an obvious imbalance in cloud-market maturity among African countries and regions, due to differences in infrastructure, reliability of internet connections, data-protection laws, and general market readiness. So CIOs in different areas are not running the cloud race at the same pace, leaving many in an incongruent position relative to the current, widely held view that they are supposed to play a pivotal role in shaping their organisations business models.

Distinguishing the African cloud market on the basis of different regions and seeing them separately is a remedy suggested by Wouter van Hulten, the founder of PAIX data centres, for CIOs to better understand the dynamics of the specific market they work in, and analyze their performance versus competitors.

The state of the market in all the regions have to be compared separately because they are moving at different levels, van Hulten said. The state of development in all regions is completely different. It also means that its very hard to draw any conclusion on Africa (as a whole).

The North/Maghreb region (except Egypt) is best connected to Marseille, France, which acts as the digital gateway to Europe, said van Hulten. Hyperscale cloud services to this region are available from Europe.

Recent announcements by cloud players in Kenya suggest that the main hub for public cloud in East Africa is going to be Nairobi, even as connectivity has improved in another major city, Mombasa, following recent investments in infrastructure, van Hulten noted.

East Africa is generally considered the most developed cloud market in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa, which is home to data centres run by major public cloud players such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Regulatory change spurs infrastructure

A key question is how did South Africa succeed in bringing the big cloud providers to their market first, van Hulten noted. I think what youd notice there is that the market has been smart in liberalising its telecom and they started quite early, he said.

Market liberalization has encouraged ISPs to set up shop in the country and has made the overall telecoms sector very competitive. The result is that the whole industry starts developing, van Hulten said. What youll find is the big picture  telecom liberalization allowing the telecom market to flourish, more fibre in the ground, competition between ISPs  that really then drives other elements. Across Africa, thats the challenge.

In West Africa, where Nigeria is the large market of interest to international enterprises, security and governance present formidable challenges. West Africa is a large region. Its totally an underdeveloped market. The number of people who live there is huge. But if you look at the footprint of data centre development, it is so small, van Hulten said, pointing out that the regions market hasnt developed quickly because its telecom industry has a long way to go in opening up and being liberalised. This has led to issues including the low number of existing fibre providers, lack of choice and competition among providers.

Central Africa is also marked by a lack of data centers. Xalam Analytics counts three major cloud POPs (points of presence) throughout the region as of mid-2019.

But while there are similarities among countries in the same general region, some market observers say the pace of migration to the cloud should be seen not from a regional perspective per se but rather on a number of parameters that vary by country to country  for example in terms of connectivity, data hosting regulations and the size of the enterprise market.

Nations at different levels of cloud maturity

Xalam Analytics principal analyst, Guy Zibi, notes that there are countries that have been fast movers and some that have been laggards within a single region, creating a situation where, for example, Kenyas adoption has been faster than Ugandas in East Africa and Nigerias faster than the Ivory Coasts in West Africa.

We broadly group the markets in terms of the maturity of cloud adoption  in the African context, Zibi said. Xalam puts different countries into broad categories of advanced, developing, nascent and latent.

South Africa and Kenya are considered advanced, given the faster pace of adoption, Zibi said. Other African cloud markets are developing  most conditions are in place and companies have started migrating though challenges remain (Nigeria, Ghana, and some of the North African countries fall here). Nascent countries are only starting to envision and develop plans for migrating workloads (Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal). In latent countries, conditions for cloud technology adoption are not in place, and a migration to the cloud is not a consideration for most enterprises. Countries in the latent category include Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Regional and national market differences aside, vendors can play a part in encouraging the proliferation of cloud communities  ecosystems of professionals in different fields dedicated to furthering enterprise adoption of cloud technology  and in promoting hybrid cloud knowledge and security options, said Babatunde Abagun, channel manager for West, East and Central Africa at Nutanix.

Vendors highlight hybrid cloud advantages

Recent developments in technology and an understanding of what a hybrid cloud should look like can help cloud uptake, Abagun said.

Organizations like Nutanix and others have come up with hybrid enterprise cloud platforms that have security baked into the pillars of Infrastructure and inherently hardened for todays cyber landscape, thus greatly reducing security risks, Abagun said. Secondly, a true hybrid cloud management platform is one that gives the luxury of freedom and control. Freedom to move across clouds but 100 percent control being retained by the enterprise running it.

Service Level Agreements for QoS between service providers and customers are also important, Abagun said. Guaranteed internet service at costs appropriate for a given area help provide business value for on-premises infrastructure that can integrate with a public cloud for app mobility.

Ultimately, greater understanding and use of hybrid cloud technology can bring business innovation, Abagun said. In my opinion, there is a direct proportion of business innovation initiatives with hybrid cloud adoption across Africa. Ergo, the latter will always mirror the former.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed authorities to take every possible step to help Pakistani students stuck in China's Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus, after mounting pressure about their fate.

The government, however, has said that it would not evacuate its citizens from Wuhan in an attempt to stem the spread of the coronavirus which has killed over 1,000 people and infected nearly 50,000 since its outbreak, The Express Tribune reported.

"I have issued instructions to our Foreign Office and Overseas Ministry to do everything possible for our students who are stuck in Wuhan city," Khan tweeted on Wednesday night.

Khan also expressed support for China and promised to provide every help to combat the deadly virus.

"Pakistan stands with the people and govt of China in their difficult and trying time and it will always stand by them. We will be extending every material and moral support to China just as China has always stood by us during all our times of trial and tribulation," he said in another tweet.

According the Foreign Office, more than 28,000 Pakistani students, including 500 in Wuhan, are studying in China.

Some of them, have through social media had been persistently asking Pakistan government to help them come back.

Pakistani students of a Chinese medical university got panicked as patients infected with the deadly virus were shifted to a building located near their university, Dawn reported.

Islamabad has contacted the Chinese authorities with the request to shift those patients somewhere else, according to the report, which did not name the university.

Meanwhile, there was heated debate in the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Wednesday on the issue of bringing back students.

Pakistan Peoples Party legislator Bahramand Khan Tangi got emotional over the issue, the report said.

"My nephew is in China and my whole family is disturbed due to outbreak of the virus in China. My nephew has told us that three out of four gates of the university remain closed, he said.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that he, along with SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Syed Zulfikar Ali Bukhari, had talked to Pakistani students through video link.

Though it is being said that the students have been suffering and are panicked but at the same time a number of students are quite happy there and don't want to return, he said.

Mirza said that a few days ago a wave of concern was triggered among the students of a Chinese university as an isolation ward was established near their varsity.

Students feared that they may be infected with the virus. However because of a huge number of patients it was necessary to shift patients to a block near university. We have contacted the Chinese authorities and asked them to shift those patients somewhere else, he said.

Mirza also said that there was no case of coronavirus in Pakistan.

In Pakistan samples of 57 suspected patients have been tested and not a single has been found positive. We can surely say that there is no confirmed case of the virus in Pakistan, he said.

According to the website of the World Health Organisation, the outbreak of the virus was first reported from Wuhan, China, on Dec 31, 2019.

More than 45,000 cases of the virus have been reported and over 1,100 persons have died due to the deadly virus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tehran, February 9: Iran "successfully" launched a satellite into space on Sunday but it fell short of reaching orbit, a defence ministry spokesman said on state television. Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi admitted in a tweet that the launch "failed", adding: "But We're UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!"

The satellite had been launched at 7:15 pm (1545 GMT) before it went "90 percent of the way", reaching an altitude of 540 kilometres, said Ahmad Hosseini, spokesman for the defence ministry's space unit. Donald Trump Says US 'Not Involved' in Iranian Rocket Failure.

Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi's Tweet

Today "Zafar" satellite launch failed. Like many scientific projects, Failure happened. FALCON 9, Juno II, ATLAS, PROTON M, ANTARES are just few samples of US launch failures. But We're UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!   MJ Azari Jahromi (@azarijahromi) February 9, 2020

"The Simorgh (rocket) successfully propelled the Zafar satellite into space but the carrier did not reach the required speed to put the satellite into the intended orbit," he told state television.

"Unfortunately, in the final moments the carrier did not reach the required speed. "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." The satellite, which Iran says was to be used for scientific observation, is part of a programme that Tehran's arch enemy Washington has described as a "provocation".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2020 11:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Hamilton, Feb 13 : Team India skipper Virat Kohli, who also leads Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (RCB), has been left shocked after the franchise removed their profile picture and posts from various social media accounts.

Kohli, who is currently leading the national side in New Zealand, on Thursday said he was surprised that posts from the social media accounts of RCB disappeared and him, being the captain of the side, was not even informed.

"Posts disappear and the captain isn't informed. @rcbtweets let me know if you need any help," Kohli tweeted.

RCB, who have not been able to win IPL since its inception in 2008, changed the name of their official Twitter handle raising a few eyebrows. The account removed its display picture and cover picture while the name was changed to just 'Royal Challengers'.

The same was done on their Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was also left shocked after the development. "Arey @rcbtweets, what googly is this? Where did your profile pic and Instagram posts go?" Chahal had tweeted on his way back from New Zealand.

AB de Villiers, who also plays for RCB, also expressed shock at the development which came weeks ahead of the start of the 2020 IPL edition.

"Folks at @rcbtweets, what's happened to our social media accounts? ?? I hope it's just a strategy break. ????" de Villiers wrote.

RCB's actions come a day after the Bengaluru-based franchise signed Muthoot Fincorp as their title sponsor for IPL 2020. RCB on Tuesday announced a three-year partnership with Muthoot Fincorp Ltd, a part of the Muthoot Pappachan Group, popularly known as Muthoot Blue, a diversified conglomerate in the financial services industry.

The partnership of title sponsor for the marquee T20 team includes the heavily valued "jersey front" logo placement, which will be prominent on the playing and training jersey, in stadium integration at home matches, digital and other high visible media platforms, a statement had said.

Latest updates on IPL 2020
ether Ms Marsden had learned she had been 'catfished'

Ms Zeidan's ex Renae Marsden died by suicide at Sydney's The Gap in 2013

Can only be revealed after Daily Mail Australia applied for special permission

Camila Zeidan, 27, granted immunity over evidence given at a coronial inquest

A woman who allegedly 'catfished' her ex-girlfriend before her suicide has been granted immunity from prosecution over evidence she's giving at a coronial inquest.

Camila Zeidan, 27, has been giving evidence this week at an inquiry into the death of her ex-lover and schoolmate, Renae Marsden, at The Gap in August 2013.

The inquest is investigating if Miss Marsden discovered her 'boyfriend' Brayden was concocted by Camila before her death.

Renae Marsden (left) and Camila (right) went to Mt St Benedict's College together and were in a relationship at school. Renae moved on after school, but the inquest has heard claims Camila actively tried to break up their relationship - and then catfished her as a man named 'Brayden'

Earlier this week, Coroner Elaine Truscott granted Ms Zeidan a certificate under section 61 of the Coroner's Act - immunity from prosecution.

Her lawyer had objected to Ms Zeidan taking the stand as it might incriminate her in a criminal offence.

The coroner told Ms Zeidan the certificate means 'the evidence you give in these proceedings cannot be used against you in any other proceedings in a NSW court'.

The fact Ms Zeidan was granted immunity to give her evidence can only be revealed after Daily Mail Australia applied for special permission from the Coroner.

Daily Mail Australia argued that reporting the fact that Ms Zeidan gave evidence under immunity was strongly in the public interest.

The same certificate of immunity was granted to Matthew Leveson's boyfriend, Michael Atkins, when he was compelled to give evidence at a previous inquest.

In allowing the fact of Ms Zeidan's immunity to be published, Coroner Elaine Truscott said on Thursday that Camila's evidence did not, in fact, incriminate her in any offence.

Renae Marsden's devastated family outside court after Camila Zeidan gave evidence on Thursday

Police claim Camila pretended to be 'Brayden Spiteri' for almost two years before Renae tried to break off her friendship with her for good.

Ms Zeidan claims she and Renae invented Brayden so they could still be together, despite others' disapproval.

She admitted on Wednesday to receiving 'numerous photos and videos of a sexual nature' while posing as Brayden.

She repeatedly told the court she 'didn't remember' key details of the lead-up to her suicide.

The inquest on Thursday heard from Ms Zeidan's friend, Melanie.

It continues on Friday.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: At least 16 persons were killed and 31 were injured when a private bus in which they were travelling in collided with a stationary truck under Firozabad district limits on Lucknow-Agra Expressway late on Wednesday night.

The bus, carrying around 55 passengers, was on its way to Motihari district in Bihar. The injured were immediately rushed to the nearby Saifai Medical College in Etawah district.

As per the eyewitness account, the truck driver parked his vehicle on the extreme right side lane of the expressway to change one of the punctured tyres. In the meantime, the private bus collided with it from behind.

On getting the information about the mishap, senior police and district administration officers, including ADG Agra zone Ajay Anand, IG Agra Range Satish Ganesh, SP, Firozabad, Sachindra Patel and Firozabad DM Chandra Vijay Singh rushed to the spot to oversee the relief and rescue operation.

Those who lost life in the mishap were identified as Mukesh Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Kalamuddin, Bhagwan Chaudhary, Harindra Paswan, Bhoora (the truck driver), Chandan Mahto, Nageshwar Shah, Gulshan Kumar, Anil Shah, Rakesh Kumar Chandhan. Two of the deceased are yet to be identified.

The toll may further go up as six of the 31 injured passengers were stated to be critical. At least 31 people were injured in the accident and are undergoing treatment here. Thirteen were brought dead, Dr Vishwa Deepak of Emergency Ward said.

According to sources, as the UP Expressway and Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) patrolling team was on the move on the stretch of expressway where the accident took place, they immediately extended help to the affected bus passengers.

"It took us hours to extricate the bodies of the deceased and rescue the injured from the mangled bus. Many victims were hanging from windows, said one of UPEIDA team members.

As per a senior police official, under the impact of the collision, the bus was crushed to half. The sleeper double-decker bus was coming from Delhi and was headed to Motihari," he said.
IRVINE, California, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybernet is excited to announce the world's first fully antimicrobial medical computer. Cybernet's medical grade computers have always featured a housing with antimicrobial properties baked directly into the resin, and now can offer a fully antimicrobial touch glass as well, so the entire device is 100% protected against the formation of bacteria.

The antimicrobial touch glass will be available on 20", 22", and 24" models. It has been tested and received certification from the FDA for both food and medical device use, and have passed the Fungal Resistance Tests for Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Chaetomium fungi. This breakthrough glass will be available immediately on the CyberMed S series and NB series medical computers.

This technology is similar to the technology used on the CyberMed Rx medical tablet's antimicrobial touch glass, which was also a world's first upon its release 3 years ago. This is the first time that this technology has been applied to such a large touchscreen, and is an important breakthrough as EMR software and touchscreen computers has become near ubiquitous in healthcare facilities.

"The development of this antimicrobial touch glass is just another technological innovation that Cybernet has brought to the HIT space," said Ali Bagheri, VP of Global Operations at Cybernet. "When you think about it, the glass on an all-in-one computer is one of the most touched surfaces in a hospital. It just made sense for us to protect that surface with an antimicrobial agent."

The technology used to create the touch glass is a patented process that bonds the antimicrobial properties to the glass, meaning it will never degrade or wipe off, even after the use of chemical disinfectants. Preventing the spread of disease within a hospital has been a difficult battle for healthcare facilities over the years, and this is another tool in that fight for clinicians to use.

About Cybernet Manufacturing

Cybernet was founded in 1996 with a goal to bring compact computers to a variety of industries including Healthcare, Industrial & Enterprise markets. Cybernet's mission is to provide the most versatile, reliable, and secure computers for their intended vertical markets. For over 20 years, Cybernet computers have met and exceeded medical and industrial standards. Cybernet is privately held with 450+ employees worldwide. For more information on Cybernet Manufacturing take a look at their website www.cybernet.us.

Greg Daurio

1-888-600-8000 x224

gdaurio@cybernet.us

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/813685/Cybernet_Manufacturing_Logo.jpg
The Democratic Party, in the president 2020 race to the White House, is witnessing upsets. While Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire Democratic primary contest, former vice-president Joe Biden seems to be slipping. He was a frontrunner but is now in the fourth position. Sanders won by a narrow margin and declared the night as "the beginning of the end" for Donald Trump. His success in New Hampshire and Iowa was a sort of momentum for his race ahead. Among the women, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar improved her position. She moved up to third place to displace Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren.

Breaking News: Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire, making him a formidable contender to win the Democratic presidential nomination. Pete Buttigieg is close behind in 2nd. https://t.co/6XIFkmamhB  The New York Times (@nytimes) February 12, 2020

The BBC says Bernie Sanders, the left-wing senator, defeated the centrist former mayor Pete Buttigieg. The mayor offered a different Democratic vision in the race to the White House. Amy Klobuchar came to the fore as a surprise contender and trailed behind Pete to occupy the third place. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden appear to have lost their hold and finished in fourth and fifth places respectively. It seems around 280,000 Democratic voters participated and Sanders secured 26 percent of votes.

He won but it was a slim lead of 1.6 percent over the votes secured by Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Bernie Sanders (78) hailed his win as a "great victory" and thanked his supporters.

The President 2020 race gets interesting

The Democratic Party had too many contenders in the race. There were seasoned campaigners and newcomers and each of them felt it would be a cakewalk.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

However, some of them realized that it was an uphill task and left the race. Those who remain have to prove their mettle. Bernie Sanders is inching ahead in the President 2020 election. He has talked about building a movement to defeat Donald Trump. Compared to the Iowa caucus last week, the turnout of voters in New Hampshire was promising.

Sen. Bernie Sanderss success in New Hampshire and Iowa makes him the undeniable front-runner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination https://t.co/OUrb4Os2GC pic.twitter.com/35TGihUD9k  TIME (@TIME) February 12, 2020

The BBC brings up the issue of non-whites. The frontrunners from Iowa and New Hampshire will have to work out strategies of how to bring a broader coalition of voters into their folds. They should not forget the non-white voters. In this context, the showing of Sanders is better compared to that of Pete Buttigieg. As far as Amy Klobuchar (59) goes, she has improved her position after a strong debate performance last week. It has helped her to add power to her campaign for subsequent contests in Nevada and South Carolina.

She said, "Everyone had counted us out even a week ago. I came back and we delivered".

America watches President 2020 race of Democrats

According to Sky News, after the New Hampshire primary, Bernie Sanders occupies the top slot with Pete Buttigieg second. The Vermont senator hopes the winning trend will continue. He said, "With victories behind us, the popular vote in Iowa and victory here tonight, we're going to Nevada, we're going to South Carolina, we're going to win those states as well." His message to fellow Democrats was to unite in their fight to defeat the occupant of the White House. Donald Trump has already won the state's Republican primary with hardly any opposition and the nominated Democrat will have to face him.

Bernie Sanders and the President 2020 race

There is one great difference between the top two contenders of the Democratic Party. That is their age. While Bernie Sanders is 78, Pete Buttigieg is much younger, in his 30s. Moreover, Bernie has experience on his side, unlike Pete who lacks wide and varied experience in politics. In spite of that, he can claim credit for having beaten hopefuls like Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. Amy Klobuchar among the top four in the President 2020 race keeps hopes alive of the first woman President in the United States.
Amid the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in China, Twitter users are scratching their heads to make sense of a fictional coincidence bordering on the bizarre.

American novelist Dean Koontz wrote the novel, a thriller, The Eyes of the Darkness in 1981  it is about a virus called Wuhan-400 developed by Chinese scientists at bio laboratory in, well, Wuhan.

The city of Wuhan, the capital of the central Chinese province of Hubei, is the epicentre of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak that has so far killed 1,371 people and infected nearly 60, 000 globally.

The scientist leading the Wuhan-400 research is called Li Chen, who defects to the US with information about Chinas most dangerous chemical weapons. Wuhan-400 affects people rather than animals and cannot survive outside the human body or in environments colder than 30 degrees Celsius, Taiwan News said in a report on Thursday.

Wuhan-400 is a perfect weapon. It afflicts only human beings. No other living creature, the book says.

The similarities between the made-up virus and the Wuhan virus has got Twitter users struggling to comprehend the improbable coincidence, the report said.

Some readers have pointed out that earlier editions of the book refer to the virus as Gorki-400, and made in erstwhile Soviet Union.

In response, several netizens have posted pictures of the books newer editions to explain the name of the virus was indeed altered, possibly due to the end of the Cold War in 1991, the report said.

In Koontzs own description, it is a a modest little thriller about a woman, Tina Evans, who lost her child, Danny, when he was in an accident on a trip with his scouting troop.

She later finds out her son was accidentally infected with the virus.

Its, of course, not the first time that uncanny similarities between fiction and fact have emerged about virus outbreaks.

A novel jointly written by Robert Ludlum and Gayle Lynds in 2000 mentioned a disease called the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the book called the Hades Factor  a good three years before the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic broke out in China first, and then spread globally.

A homeless man in Boston, an army major in California and a teenage girl in Atlanta all die suddenly and painfully, each a victim of an unknown doomsday virus. For three days, a team of scientists in a US government laboratory has been frantically trying to unlock the virus secret read the back cover blurb of the novel.

Eerily, the symptoms of ARDS and SARS  and also actually true for Covid-19  were similar: Cold, cough, fever and respiratory problems.

In 2006, the novel was adapted for a made-for-television thriller starring Stephen Dorff and Mira Sorvino, titled Covert 1- The Hades Factor.
Jongno district officials and contract workers remove protest tents and other facilities set up by labor unions and other groups near Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. The district office decided to take action in response to noise complaints from local residents. Yonhap
As the number of COVID-19 cases jumps dramatically in China, a top infectious-disease scientist warns that things could get far worse: two-thirds of the world's population could catch it.

So says Ira Longini, a World Health Organisation adviser who tracked studies of the virus's transmissibility in China. His estimate implies that there could eventually be billions more infections than the current official tally of about 60,000.

If the virus spreads to anywhere near that extent, it will show the limitations of China's strict containment measures, including quarantining areas inhabited by tens of millions of people. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has credited those steps with giving the rest of China and the world a "window" in which to prepare.

Quarantines may slow the spread, but the virus had the opportunity to roam in China and beyond before they went into effect, Longini said. The country boosted its count of those infected by almost 15,000 on Thursday after widening the diagnosis methods.
It's hard not to get skin tingles when you see these stunning images.

They are winning pictures and shortlisted entries from the sixth annual International Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.

More than 3,400 photos were entered into the contest from both amateur and professional photographers from around the globe. The shots feature everything from remote beaches to moody mountain ranges.

Amateur Russian photographer Oleg Ershov has won the International Landscape Photographer of the Year award with a folio of spectacular vertical images.

Scroll down to see beautiful images from the contest.

(Click on the image for a full-screen resolution)

The Lone Tree Award went to Anke Butawitsch for this gorgeous image taken in Madeira, Portugal. Photograph: Anke Butawitsch/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

The Kackar Mountains that rise above the Black Sea on the east coast of Turkey. Photograph: Aytek Cetin/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

This image of a SpaceX rocket exhaust plume over the Sierra Nevada mountains in California won the Heavenly Cloud award. Photograph: Brandon Yoshizawa/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

Romanian photographer Daniel Mirlea ventured into the 171 square kilometre Cozia National Park in Romania to take this snowy mountain image with its gravity-defying subject. Photograph: Daniel Mirlea/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

Canary-yellow plants growing in the arid ground of the Badlands of Utah, USA. Photograph: David Swindler/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

Waves break on Bronte Beach, seven kilometres east of Sydney. Photograph: Gergo Rugli/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

A brilliant image of Mount Rainier in Washington, USA, beneath the stars. Photograph: Greg Boratyn/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

The snow-frosted Californian Sierras beneath a lavender sky. Photograph: Greg Stokesbury/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

Ignacio Palacios received the Abstract Aerial Award. Photograph: Ignacio Palacios/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

Monte Fitz Roy, a mountain in Patagonia, on the border of Chile and Argentina. Photograph: Kelvin Yuen/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

The stunning Wangu Falls in Northern Taiwan. Photograph: Kuo Zei Yang/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

The Vestrahorn in Iceland is captured beneath the alien-green glow of the Northern Lights. Photograph: Nico Rinaldi/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

An image of a stone in the sand of Fleswick Bay in Cumbria, left, was part of the collection of pictures that won amateur Russian photographer Oleg Ershov the title of Landscape Photographer of the Year. Photograph: Oleg Ershov/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

The remote Kvalvika Beach in Lofoten, Norway. Photograph: Rafal R Nebelski/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

The Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia on the southern tip of Chile. Photograph: Rodrigo Viveros/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

A stark image of the white clay pan of Deadvlei in Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia. Photograph: Tomasz Szpila/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

An icy shot in Southeast Alaska, the northern terminus of the Inside Passage cruise and shipping route. Photograph: Weihao Pan/International Landscape Photographer of the Year

An image of jagged mountains and a mirror-shine lake was taken in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Photograph: Yuekai Du/International Landscape Photographer of the Year
It may have taken him 30 minutes, but Jack Pytel came up with the biggest catch of his life.

Pytel, an 18-year-old from Needville, caught what he called a "powerful" 7-foot, 190-pound alligator gar Feb. 1 in a creek near the Brazos River in Fort Bend County.
Ireland must turn to urban high-rise living to cope with its rapid growth, according to Bank of Ireland CEO Francesca McDonagh.

"Within a short walk of where we are this morning, there are thousands of people who have travelled long distances to get to work. This is not sustainable," Ms McDonagh told an Ibec conference at the Dublin Convention Centre.

"Housing was the issue that dominated our recent election - and for obvious reasons," she said.

"We are pushing another generation away from the capital, condemning them to energy-sapping, time-consuming, oil-guzzling commutes."

Ms McDonagh, the former HSBC executive who took the helm at Bank of Ireland in 2017, said her previous city postings had high-rises at their heart - and Dublin should too.

"One thing that really surprised me about Dublin was the sprawl of the city and the flatness of the skyline," she said, noting that the capital is projected to gain one million residents and need 500,000 more houses by 2040.

She said home building within Dublin had increased by only 2pc last year, while the construction of homes outside the M50 in surrounding counties had risen by 40pc.

Less than a fifth of new home completions nationwide were apartments, compared with an EU average of 59pc.

"Dublin again is sprawling," she said. "I think we need to have a more honest and open debate about building up, and challenge ourselves to deliver higher-rise, higher-density accommodation with good urban design and transport links, to meet the demands that we can see on the horizon."

She said development in Belfast, Cork, Limerick and Galway likewise should discourage further suburban sprawls.

"I would encourage the next Government - however it is composed - to urgently examine how it can deliver higher-density and higher-rise development as smoothly, as quickly and as efficiently as possible," she said.

At the same event, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said the next Government must deliver "a surging demand for public infrastructure and public services".

He said the State's publicly financed resources were too small to compete with the power of private global wealth, which was investing more than 2bn a week into the Irish economy - "an incredible sum".

Private firms, he said, were creating 25 times as many jobs as the Government and this imbalance could not continue.

The next Government, he said, must spend and invest wisely to rebuild "the capacity of a State that is getting smaller before our eyes".

"The Government, because of its scale restrictions, will not be able to solve the problems that the electorate told them at the weekend they want solved: health and housing," Mr McCoy said.

"Who here believes that the State can out-compete the private sector for scarce construction resources?"

He said the next Government must take steps to spur greater Irish participation in the labour force by developing "new solutions around childcare, congestion and flexible working".
A Kansas City man is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting a man he believed was involved in a relationship with his girlfriend. Ronnie Steven Grady is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. On Nov. 6, 2019, police responded to a shooting call near 53rd and Olive.
Donald Trump went after Mike Bloomberg Thursday morning, taking a hit at his height and claiming the Democratic presidential candidate is a 'loser.'

The president has often attacked the billionaire candidate for his height, and claims he won't be able to perform well at the debates should he qualify to make the stage because he won't be able to stand on a box and appear taller.

'Mini Mike is a 5'4' mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians. No boxes please,' Trump tweeted Thursday.

Bloomberg is 5ft 7in, according to his doctor and Trump is noticeably taller at - officially - 6ft 3in.

The former New York City mayor responded to Trump, '[W]e know many of the same people in NY.

'Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown,' he claimed in a tweet. 'They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence. I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will.'

Later in the day he told WXII in Greensboro, North Carolina: 'Donald always calls me Little Mike. I say, Donald, we always measure people from the neck up. Or as somebody else said, yeah Donald, because you're standing in the gutter.'

Donald Trump attacked presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg on Thursday, taking another hit at his height by included a photoshopped image of the two at dramatically different heights and Bloomberg in an oversized suit

He claimed in another tweet that Bloomberg s 5'4' and told him not to use a box to stand on if he qualifies for a Democratic debate

The two billionaires used to be friends. Bloomberg stands at 5ft 8in and Trump at 6ft 3in

But Bloomberg hit back at Trump, bringing up their mutual circles in New York City, claiming they call him a 'carnival barking clown' behind his back

Here Trump pictured with son-in-law Jared Kusher (right) and Bloomberg between the two

THE TALL AND THE SHORT OF IT... When Trump declared Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg to be a '5'4" mass of dead energy,' those were fighting words. Bloomberg is not that short. So say his doctor, people who have stood next to him and varying press accounts of his height from his years as New York City mayor. Trump's attack on Bloombergs stature played into years of speculation about just how tall both men are. In a letter released by Bloombergs campaign in December, Bloombergs doctor said the candidate is 5-foot-7-inches (and 165 pounds). In 2006, a jokey Bloomberg told New York magazine: 'What chance does a 5-foot-7 billionaire Jew whos divorced really have of becoming president?' Yet during that time, he listed himself as 5-foot-10 on his driver's license, which he isn't. During Bloombergs mayoralty, 2002-13, the New York newspapers variously reported his height at 5-foot-6, 5-foot-7 and just shy of a 5-foot-8 aide, according to The New York Times in 2006. Trumps own height has been a moving target. He's been listed in 2018 at 6-foot-3-inches by the then White House physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, a measurement which meant he was not officially obese given his weight of 239lbs. In 2019 he was officially obese - 6'3" and 243lbs. But in 2016, Politico reported that his driver's license had him as 6-foot-2, the same height as his selective service records from 1964. Advertisement

The president has promoted the claim before that Bloomberg has requested he be able to stand on a box on the debate stage.

Trump has also slammed the Democratic National Committee for changing the qualifying rules for the Nevada debate next week so a candidate can reached the stage without donors.

Bloomberg vowed not to accept campaign contributions, and is instead funding his presidential run through his own bank account. He has spent more than $200 million on advertising so far  millions more than any other candidate.

Trump's tweet was spurred after a CNBC report showed Bloomberg is playing Instagram influencers to post memes about him and his presidential bid.

All the posts are political ads and have disclaimers as such.

'While a meme strategy may be new to presidential politics, we're betting it will be an effective component to reach people where they are and compete with President Trump's powerful digital operation,' Bloomberg's senior national spokesperson Sabrina Singh told CNBC.

Trump famously ran a very big Facebook ad effort in 2016, and a top official at the tech giant said he ran the best digital ad campaign he had ever seen for any advertiser.

The president's tweet included a photoshopped image showing him cutting a red ribbon while towering over Bloomberg, who was on the other side of the ribbon standing at a child's height wearing a suit that was swimming on him and a tie that was way too long.

In his tweet, Trump also admitted that because of Bloombeg's big bank account, he might be able to beat progressive Senator Bernie Sanders.

'He hates Crazy Bernie and will, with enough money, possibly stop him,' Trump said. 'Bernie's people will go nuts!'

The attacks on the Vermont lawmaker come after he performed well in the first two primary contest states of Iowa and New Hampshire, where he came in second and first place respectively.

Sanders has the second highest amount of delegates coming of the first-in-the nation caucus and primary, with 21.

Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the frontrunner as it stands now with 22 delegates.

He earned one more than Sanders in Iowa when he amassed just .1 percentage point more in the caucuses last week.

Bloomberg entered the Democratic primary race in November and has spent more than $200 on ads to increase exposure and compete as a latecomer to the campaign

Trump compared Bloomberg to 2016 Republican primary candidate Jeb Bush, but claimed he was a 'tiny' version of him. He also gave rare praise to his former primary competitor, claiming Bush has more 'political skill' and is more popular among the black community than Bloomberg.

'Mini Mike Bloomberg is a LOSER who has money but can't debate and has zero presence, you will see. He reminds me of a tiny version of Jeb 'Low Energy' Bush, but Jeb has more political skill and has treated the Black community much better than Mini!' Trump posted in another tweet Thursday morning.

Bloomberg also responded in a tweet with a gif aimed at Trump showing Russell Crowe from Gladiator saying: 'The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end.'

The president's reference to the black community comes after he has waged attacks on Bloomberg for his history of backing stop-and-frisk policies and operations in minority communities.

Audio emerged Tuesday of the former New York City mayor adamantly defending the policy in 2015.

He can be heard in the tape saying 'we put all the cops in minority neighborhoods. Yes, that's true.'

'Why do we do it?' he continued in the tape. 'Because that's where all the crime is.'

The audio reveals Bloomberg defending the police tactics, and he not only hailed the plan but also acknowledged that the strategy was implemented to tackle gun violence.

'Ninety-five percent of murders- murderers and murder victims fit one M.O. You can just take a description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops,' Bloomberg told the audience in the 2015 speech.

He went on to give what he said was a typical description of a criminal.

'They are male, minorities, 16-25. That's true in New York, that's true in virtually every city,' he said. 'And that's where the real crime is. You've got to get the guns out of the hands of people that are getting killed.'

The speech was tweeted by a Bernie Sanders supporter.

Trump responded to the recording, calling Bloomberg a 'TOTAL RACIST.'

But the charge from the president was criticized as hypocritical considering he supports stop-and-frisk  and without explanation, he deleted the post.

He did, however, follow up with a fresh attack on Bloomberg's golf game and height.

'Mini Mike is a short ball (very) hitter. Tiny club head speed. KEEP AMERICA GREAT!' the president tweeted.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the stoppage-time penalty that gave Juventus a 1-1 draw at AC Milan in Thursday's Italian Cup semifinal first leg. (Isabella Bonotto/Getty)

It took him more than 90 minutes, but Cristiano Ronaldo eventually got the better of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In Thursday Coppa Italia semifinal first leg between Ronaldos Juventus and Ibrahimovics AC Milan, the latter converted a stoppage time penalty kick, giving Juve a 1-1 tie ahead of the decisive second leg on March 4 in Turin:

JUVENTUS ARE LEVEL!



Cristiano Ronaldo draws and converts the penalty to make it 1-1! pic.twitter.com/2PRcIUEm4Z  ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 13, 2020

From the moment Milan beat Torino and Juventus topped Roma in the quarters, this match had been billed as a showdown not just between the two longtime Serie A rivals, but of global icons Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, two of the sports most revered and accomplished players over the last two decades.

Yet neither star had much of impact on Thursdays contest until Ronaldo converted his spot kick at the death. The 38-year-old Ibrahimovic, who joined Milan for the second time last month after dominating MLS in two seasons with the LA Galaxy, nearly scored just before Rebics strike, but Buffon dove to his right to palm the Swedes shot around the post.

More consequential was the yellow card he picked up earlier on for throwing his arm into the face of Juve center back Matthijs de Ligt. The caution was Ibrahimovics second in the knockout stage of competition, and it will prevent him from playing in the do-or-die second leg against one of his many former clubs.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic exchanged pleasantries before the match. (Alberto Pizzoli/Getty)

Not insignificantly, the late draw also prevented Milan from securing victory over its longtime rival in this competition for the first time in 35 years. Juves hoodoo was on full display for the first hour on Thursday at the San Siro Stadium, with Juventus playing an almost flawless away match. Milan were more aggressive playing at home, as expected, and they peppered Juves backline with shots and harmless off-target half-chances. When they got the ball, they gave the hosts a devil of a time trying to get it back.

Story continues

One lapse of concentration changed all that, though, with Juve gifting a sloppy 61st-minute goal to Ante Rebic.

Milan probably deserved its lead, having put more than three times as many shots on target. At that point, it sure looked as though the streak of Coppa futility against Juve would end. But a silly red card taken by defender Theo Hernandez cracked open the door for the guests, and referee Paolo Valeri determined, following a check of the video, that Milans Davide Calabria had handled the ball in the box.

After that, there was little doubt that Ronaldo  who has been deadly on penalties all season  would score to extend Milans misery and upstage Zlatan with one kick.

The winner of the return match will face either Napoli or Inter Milan in the final. Napoli leads Inter 1-0 in the two-leg, total goals series after beating Inter at the San Siro on Wednesday.

More from Yahoo Sports:
WASHINGTON - In a bid to revive the Equal Rights Amendment, the House on Thursday approved a measure removing a 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopening the process to amend the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex.

There is no expiration date on equality, said Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier of California, the resolutions sponsor.

Nearly 50 years after it was first approved by Congress and sent to the states, the Equal Rights Amendment is just as salient as ever, Speier said. For survivors of sexual violence, pregnancy discrimination, unequal pay and more, the fight for equal justice under the law cant wait any longer.

The House approved the resolution, 232-183, sending it to the Senate. Five Republicans  all men  joined 227 Democrats to support the measure. No Democrat opposed it.

Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have co-sponsored a similar proposal, but the measure is unlikely to be taken up in the GOP-controlled Senate. Cardin said this week he is confident the resolution would pass if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell allowed a floor vote.

Congress sent the amendment, which guarantees men and women equal rights under the law, to the states in 1972. It gave states seven years to ratify it, later extending the deadline to 1982. But the amendment wasnt ratified by the required three-quarters of states before the deadline.

Last month, however, Virginia lawmakers voted to ratify the amendment, becoming the 38th and final state needed. The Justice Department has said its too late, and a lawsuit is now ongoing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called passage of the resolution long overdue, noting that Congress will soon observe the 100th anniversary of women having the right to vote.

And yet the ERA is still not enshrined in the Constitution, the California Democrat said. As a result, women still face inequality under the law from the wage gap to pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and, again, resulting in women being underrepresented at the table.

The House measure helps the country take a giant step toward equality for women, progress for families and a stronger America, because we know when women succeed, America succeeds, Pelosi said.

The House vote ran into political headwinds this week as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg  a feminist icon  said fellow ERA supporters should start over in trying to get it passed, rather than counting on breathing life into the failed attempt from the 1970s.

I would like to see a new beginning, Ginsburg said Monday night at Georgetown University law school in Washington. Id like it to start over.

In addition to Virginia, Nevada and Illinois also voted to ratify the amendment in the past three years. Five states have moved to rescind their earlier approvals.

Theres too much controversy about latecomers, Ginsburg said. Plus, a number of states have withdrawn their ratification. So if you count a latecomer on the plus side, how can you disregard states that said weve changed our minds?

Ginsburg has been a champion of the Equal Rights Amendment for decades. And her standard response to the question of how she would improve the Constitution is to point to the ERA.

Democrats did not address Ginsburgs argument directly, but said at a Capitol event Wednesday and during floor debate Thursday that its absurd to suggest women are too late to win equality.

There should not be a deadline on equality, said Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., a former state lawmaker who hailed Virginias adoption of the amendment last month.

Thanks to the tireless work of so many trailblazers and activists over the years, women -- finally -- are one step closer to being included in our nations founding document, she said.

Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said Democrats were trying to rewrite history by reviving the ERA after three-quarters of the states failed to ratify it by the 1982 deadline.

Congress does not have constitutional authority to retroactively revive a failed constitutional amendment, he said.

If you support the language of the 1972 ERA, he added, you only have one constitutional option, and thats to start the whole process over again and make your case to current voters nationwide.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said the Senate would reject any effort to revive the ERA.

I completely concur with Justice Ginsburgs public statements about the need to reissue the amendment and start over, Graham said Thursday in a statement that placed him in rare agreement with one of the courts most liberal members.

It is clear the statutory period to have passed the ERA expired decades ago, and it would be necessary for it to be reintroduced to have constitutional viability, Graham said.
In the aftermath of the Democrats failed impeachment drive, President Donald Trump is moving to consolidate his personal control over the government and surround himself with officials directly dependent on his approval.

This processwhich has seen exemplary firings of White House officials who testified in the House of Representatives impeachment inquiryreached a new level this week with Trumps intervention into the impending sentencing of his long-time political confidant Roger Stone.

The right-wing Republican operative was convicted last November in a Washington DC federal court for lying to the FBI and Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. He was indicted in January of 2019 by then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller in connection with the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US election and possible collusion by the Trump election campaign.

Stone, who falsely claimed to have been in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, was central to the efforts of the Democratic Party and then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo to frame up Assange as a Russian agent. The Democrats, in particular, concocted the narrative of a conspiracy between Assange and Putin to publish damaging Clinton emails stolen by the Russians in order to swing the election to Trump.

When Muellers 22-month probe ended with no evidence linking the Trump campaign to Vladimir Putins supposed massive interference in the election, the Democrats and their allies in the CIA and the military decided to continue their anti-Russia agitation and opposition to Trumps policy toward Moscow in the form of impeachment. Last weeks Senate vote to acquit Trump of the impeachment articles passed by the Democratic-controlled House has strengthened the crisis-ridden Trump administration, but did not end the conflict within the ruling class and state that produced the impeachment drive.

Stones impending sentencing, set for February 20 by US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointee, has once again brought the internal conflict into the open. On Monday, the Washington DC US Attorneys Office, which presided over the prosecution of Stone and other Trump associates such as Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, recommended that Stone be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison.

Trump tweeted a denunciation of the proposed sentence in the early morning hours of Tuesday, calling it a horrible and very unfair situation." He continued, "The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!"

Just hours later, under orders from Attorney General William Barr, the Justice Department submitted a new filing with the court overturning the sentencing recommendation of the professional prosecutors and calling for a sharply reduced sentence for Stone, without making a specific proposal.

This was followed soon after by the resignation from the case of all four prosecutors, in a clear rebuke to Trump and Barr. Two of the four, Aaron Zelinsky and Adam Jed, had worked on Muellers team. Jonathan Kravis and Zelinsky resigned their posts at the DC US Attorneys office, and Kravis resigned from the Justice Department altogether.

The political fireworks surrounding the Stone sentencing sparked a flurry of denunciations of Trump in most media outlets, which have been supportive of the Democrats. Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer denounced the intervention by Trump and Barr and called for an investigation.

Trump has responded by escalating his attacks on his political opponents. He issued a series of angry tweets Tuesday night, including one that spoke of an investigation that was illegal, the Mueller Scam, and shouldnt ever even have started.

On Wednesday morning, he tweeted: Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought. Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!"

Many of Trumps tweets and statements include threats to prosecute opponents, including Mueller, former FBI Director James Comey, Hillary Clinton and her former campaign chairman, John Podesta. He has also attacked Judge Amy Berman Jackson.

The intervention in behalf of Stone is part of a broader attack by Trump on those deemed to be opponents, including many who served in the White House or other parts of his administration.

Since his acquittal by the Senate, Trump has removed Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his brother, Yevgeny Vindman, from the White House National Security Council (NSC).

Alexander Vindman gave testimony critical of Trump before the House impeachment inquiry on Trumps withholding of military aid from Ukraine and his July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Trump pressured Zelensky to launch a corruption investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. A right-wing Ukrainian nationalist and anti-communist, Vindman headed the Ukraine desk at the NSC. He was lauded by the Democrats as a hero and model of patriotism. Last week he was marched out of the White House by security guards.

Speaking from the White House on Tuesday, Trump called on the Department of Defense to investigate Vindman, saying, I mean theyre going to, certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that.

Trump has also fired Gordon Sondland, a campaign donor whom he appointed US ambassador to the European Union, and who played a major role, alongside Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, in the effort to get Kiev to announce an investigation into the Bidens. Sondland also testified before the House impeachment inquiry.

On Tuesday, the White House abruptly withdrew its nomination of Jessie Liu to a senior post in the Treasury Department. Liu resigned her post in December as US attorney for the Washington DC district after Trump nominated her to the Treasury position. As US attorney for the DC district, Liu had overseen the prosecution of former Trump campaign chairman Manafort and former Trump national security adviser Flynn, as well as Stone.

According to press reports, Trump will shortly withdraw his nomination of Elaine McCusker as comptroller of the Defense Department. As a Defense official, McCusker had repeatedly questioned the freeze on military aid to Ukraine.

In addition, Trumps national security adviser, Robert OBrien, has made clear that dozens of officials will soon be removed from the NSC staff.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the origins of the Russia probe under Obama is continuing, headed up by federal prosecutor John Durham, who was hand-picked by Barr. The investigation, which could target figures such as Comey, Mueller and members of Muellers teampossibly even Clintonhas been upgraded to a criminal inquiry, giving Durham the power to impanel a grand jury and hand down indictments.

Recently, Barr suggested that the Durham investigation would reach an important watershed in the late spring or early summer of 2020that is, at a high point of the presidential election campaign.
Nearly three-quarters of the islands officers were claiming bogus overtime and siphoning fuel, it has been alleged.

Nearly three-quarters of Maltas traffic police force, including its chief, have been arrested for suspected overtime fraud, after an anonymous tip-off from a whistle-blower.

Officials said 37 of the countrys 50 traffic cops had been detained on suspicion they had filed for hundreds of hours of non-existent overtime during at least a three-year period.

The small Mediterranean island has been struggling with an image problem in recent years, following allegations of widespread corruption, cronyism and financial wrongdoing among the political and business elite.

The head of the traffic police force, Walter Spiteri, is suspected of himself claiming for motorcycle-related allowances  even though he used a chauffeur-driven car.

200125113720914

The superintendent in charge of the traffic section submitted his resignation yesterday, and it has been accepted, the police said in a statement on Wednesday. Spiteri was not immediately available for comment.

Some of the traffic police also face accusations they misappropriated fuel and used it for their own private vehicles.

Motorists said there were noticeably fewer police directing traffic on Wednesday, even though former traffic police have been asked to return to their old duties, according to police sources.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said it was good that the police were investigating their own people.

This confirms that we have a functioning police force. If these investigations lead to people being taken to court or to disciplinary action being taken, then that is what will happen, he told reporters.

The opposition Nationalist Party said the police had been undermined by the same culture of corruption and impunity evident in many walks of life.

Abela was sworn in as prime minister last month after his predecessor resigned over his handling of investigations into the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The traffic police investigation was opened following a whistle-blowers letter to the islands police commissioner, detailing how officers were cashing in on duties they never performed.

Corruption in the European Unions smallest member state has reached every level of society, analysts allege. The murder of Caruana Galizia, known for her investigative reporting and her exposing of corruption, revealed a web of power and intrigue after Jorgen Fenech, one of Maltas wealthiest men, was arrested in connection with the killing. He then named Keith Schembri, the prime ministers chief of staff, as being implicated, before the prime minister himself was forced to stand down.

French justice officials on Wednesday announced they were opening an investigation into the 2017 murder. Fenech owns hotels and a racing horse stable in France that might have been used to make payments to Schembri and ex-tourism minister Konrad Mizzi  allegations Caruana Galizia was investigating when she was killed by a car bomb.
Oscar winning film Parasite was mostly built using movie sets, but inspired by real neighborhoods in South Korea's capital.

((UPSOT- TRAILER

"it's a very opportune gift"))

A tale of two cities, really, told through two families, and of struggles of social class.

((UPSOT- TRAILER

Rich people are really gullible"

"How should I describe the mother?"))

Follow Reuters on a tour of of the real-life sights that the wealthy Park family and the poor Kims mirror of the deepening inequality there.

((UPSOT- TRAILER

''Your parents look good''

''They look unemployed, mostly''))

The Kims' squalid basement apartment takes place in the real world Ahyeon-dong, one of the last shanty towns near downtown Seoul.

For those who live in the neighborhood, the film hit close to home -- like Lee Jeong-Sik whose Pig Rice supermarket features in the movie.

(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) OWNER OF PIG RICE SUPERMARKET, LEE JEONG-SIK, SAYING:

"It's definitely a neighborhood that isn't faring well. Watching the film made me feel like they put my life right in there."

In contrast with Seongbuk-dong, known as South Korea's Beverly Hills, where most homes -- just like the Park's mansion -- are hidden behind high walls, spiked fences, and monitored by security cameras.

Eom Hang-Ki owns the real life pizza shop the Kims fold boxes for, before they start working for the Park family.

She's hoping the film's success lasts long after the Oscars.

(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) OWNER OF PIZZA PLACE WHO HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 2004, EOM HANG-KI, SAYING:

"I'm so thankful he won the four awards including Best Director. The film helped with our sales, a lot of places are contacting us and more foreigners are coming to visit. I hope this lasts long."
Padma Shri awardee, fashion designer Wendell Rodricks passes away

India

oi-PTI

Panaji, Feb 13: Internationally-famed fashion designer Wendell Rodricks passed away at his home in Colvale village in Goa on Wednesday evening at the age of 59.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mapusa) Gajanan Prabhudesai said information about Rodricks' death was received around 6.30 pm and a team was immediately sent to his residence.

He said Rodricks died after collapsing at his residence, adding the cause of death is yet to be ascertained. A Padma Shri award-winning designer and known for infusing modern aesthetics with traditional Goan influences, Rodricks was also an author, environmentalist and gay rights activist.

Born in Mumbai, Rodricks studied fashion designing in the US and France from 1986 to 1988. He is often credited for pioneering the concept of 'resort wear' when it was not a popular idea in India.

FDCI is deeply disheartened with the sudden and untimely demise of one of the countrys iconic designer, Wendell Rodricks.

The fashion fraternity lost a legend today.

Wendell, we will miss you. pic.twitter.com/AFFUVu9UcD  FDCI (@fdciofficial) February 12, 2020

He worked on the planning of the first ever Lakme India Fashion Week and often showcased his collections at the fashion weeks. In 2010, he revived the weaving of the traditional Goan Kunbi Sari and showcased the design at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane was among the first to tweet about Rodricks' death.

"Deeply saddened to hear about the sudden demise of my very good friend and designer, Wendell Rodricks. His excellency in his work and skills are irreplaceable and shall always be cherished. We will truly miss him. My heartfelt condolences to his family & dear ones," he posted.

Fashion Design Council of India chairman Sunil Sethi said Rodricks' sudden death due to heart attack has shocked to the fashion industry.

"I still can't believe that he is dead. I spoke to him just two days ago and invited him for our finale. I was also working with him on his museum. He has died too young. "Entire fashion industry is shocked. I got to know that he suffered a heart attack. People did notice a little change in his health, but nobody realised it will lead to this. It's too sudden. He was a legend," Sethi told PTI on the sidelines of the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

A tribute was also paid to Rodricks at the fashion event later in the evening. Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani also condoled his death.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

"Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of Wendell Rodricks, one of India's most renowned designers. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace," she tweeted.

Apart from fashion, Rodricks was a known travel enthusiast with he and his partner Jerome Marrel travelling to many countries. He was also an author, having written books like "Moda Goa - History and Style", his memoir "The Green Room" and "Poskem: Goans in the Shadows".

Rodricks was working on his passion project Moda Goa Museum, which is dedicated to the history of Goan costumes, and had posted about it just three days ago. Fashion designer Rina Dhaka said she was "devastated" to know about Rodricks' passing away.

"I had known him since '90s. It is a great loss. He was a brave man and always vocal about his views and worked a lot for the local people of Goa," Dhaka said.

Designer Samant Chauhan said, "It's a very sad news. I remember how inspiring he was, a perfectionist. I really admired him both as a person and a designer."

"Shocked and heartbroken. Much too young to go like this. Just can't believe it," tweeted Soni Razdan.

"Really sad to hear about the passing of Wendell Rodricks, fashion designer, activist, a son of Goa and a wonderful human being," musician Ehsaan Noorani tweeted.

Director Madhur Bhandarkar, in whose film "Fashion" Rodricks had a role, said the designer's death came as a shock. Designer Rahul Mishra called Rodricks' death a "personal loss".

"He was always encouraging. When I first showcased in Gen Next, he gave me a standing ovation, very few people in the fashion industry support you the way he did. He always promoted young talent and had a great vision," Mishra said.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 1:56 [IST]
French English

Media relations:

Florence Lievre

Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 71

florence.lievre@capgemini.com

Investor relations:

Vincent Biraud

Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87

vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

Capgemini reinforces its position among world leaders

with a strong 2019 performance

Revenues of 14,125 million, up 7.0%

FY growth of 5.3% at constant exchange rates and Q4 growth of 2.9%

Bookings up 11% at constant exchange rates

Operating margin rate * of 12.3%, up 20 basis points

Net profit Group share up 17% to 856 million

Organic free cash flow * up 16% to 1,288 million

* Proposed dividend of 1.90 per share, up 12%

New share buyback program of 600 million euros

Paris, February 13, 2020  The Board of Directors of Capgemini SE, chaired by Paul Hermelin, convened in Paris on February 12, 2020 to review and authorize the issue of the accounts1 of Capgemini Group for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Paul Hermelin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini Group and Aiman Ezzat, who will become Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini Group following the Shareholders Meeting of May 2020, comment: With the strong 2019 performance we continue the momentum started several years ago. Once again, we outpaced market growth, as we committed to do. Our operating margin is up for the 9th consecutive year and we have significantly exceeded our free cash flow target. This sound financial performance demonstrates the strength of our business model and our financial discipline.

With this good set of results, we start 2020 on a solid footing. We can rely on a strong backlog, and on our ability to win major projects, as demonstrated in 2019. We can also count on the depth of our offer portfolio.

We are determined to expand in the "Intelligent Industry" market. We reaffirm our confidence in the final steps to complete the friendly offer to acquire Altran. This will enable us to take leadership in the digital transformation of industrial companies, a highly promising segment.

2019 KEY FIGURES

(in millions of euros) 2018 2019

(IFRS 161) Change Revenues 13,197 14,125 +7.0%

+5.3% at constant exchange rates* Operating margin* 1,597 1,741 +9% as a % of revenues 12.1% 12.3% +20 basis points Operating profit 1,251 1,433 as a % of revenues 9.5% 10.1% Net profit (Group share) 730 856 +17% Basic earnings per share () 4.37 5.15 +18% Normalized earnings per share ()* 6.062 6.763 +12% Organic Free Cash Flow* 1,160 1,288 +16%2 Net cash / (Net debt) (1,184) (600) +584 million





In 2019, Capgemini continued to outpace the market and further improved its profitability and organic free cash flow* generation.

The Group generated revenues of 14,125 million in 2019, up 7.0% on 2018. Growth is 5.3% at constant exchange rates*, in line with the 2019 target of around 5.5% (adjusted target announced at the Q3 2019 publication). Organic growth* (i.e. excluding the impact of currency fluctuations and changes in Group scope) was 4.2%.

Digital and Cloud now account for over 50% of the Group's activities, with growth exceeding 20% at constant exchange rates in 2019.

Bookings were up sharply, rising 11% at constant exchange rates to 15,138 million. This reflects the Groups ability to win large digital transformation contracts and secure multi-year client commitments.

The operating margin* is 1,741 million, or 12.3% of revenues, an increase of 9% or 20 basis points year-on-year, in line with annual objectives. The portfolio of innovative offerings drove this value creation, as illustrated by the increase in gross margin of the same amount. In a mixed economic environment, the Group demonstrated its ability to continue combining growth and profitability. The United Kingdom & Ireland and France were the main contributors to this performance, as well as North America to a lesser extent.

Other operating income and expenses were down to a net expense of 308 million from 346 million in 2018. This was mainly due to the marked decrease in restructuring costs, as anticipated, from 122 million in 2018 to 82 million in 2019.

Operating profit totaled 1,433 million, or 10.1% of revenues, compared with 1,251 million, or 9.5% of revenues, in 2018.

The net financial expense is 79 million, virtually unchanged on last years expense of 80 million. The income tax expense increased from 447 million in 2018 to 502 million this year and includes 60 million due to the transitional impact of the US tax reform, compared with 53 million last year. Adjusted for this expense, the effective tax rate decreased from 33.7% in 2018 to 32.6%.

Net profit (Group share) grew by a strong 17% to 856 million in 2019. Basic earnings per share was 5.15 for 2019. Normalized earnings per share* was 6.40, or 6.76 adjusted for the transitional tax expense in the U.S. (i.e. up 12% year-on-year).

Organic free cash flow* was up sharply at 1,288 million, far exceeding the 1,100 million target set at the beginning of the year. This was mainly due to a higher operating margin and, to a lesser extent, lower restructuring costs. The Group also benefited from a 30 million improvement in working capital requirements in 2019.

Capgemini disbursed 578 million net for acquisitions in 2019 (including 411 million, excluding costs, for the block of 11.43% of Altran shares), and paid 282 million in dividends. The Group also allocated 150 million to share buybacks under the multi-year program. The 6th employee share ownership plan led to a gross capital increase of 254 million.

The Board of Directors has decided to recommend at the Shareholders Meeting of May 20, 2020, the payment of a dividend of 1.90 per share, an increase of 12% on the dividend paid in 2019. The corresponding payout ratio is 35% of net profit3 (Group share), in line with the Groups distribution policy.

OPERATIONS BY REGION

North America revenues (32% of Group revenues) grew 2.6% at constant exchange rates, on a challenging comparison basis as the region grew 14.4% in 2018. The Services and Energy & Utilities sectors were the most dynamic. The operating margin improved 30 basis points year-on-year to 13.9%.

The United Kingdom & Ireland region (12% of Group revenues) recorded robust growth of 4.7% at constant exchange rates for the year, despite the slowdown recorded as anticipated in the final months of the year. The Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities and Consumer Goods & Retail sectors were the main growth drivers, while the Public sector remained almost stable. The operating margin rate jumped to 15.2%, from 12.6% in 2018.

In France (21% of Group revenues), revenues rose year-on-year by a strong 5.9%. Demand was fueled in particular by the Manufacturing, Services and Public sectors. The operating margin rate improved further to 12.1% of revenues, an annual increase of 100 basis points.

Growth momentum remained robust in the Rest of Europe (27% of Group revenues), with a 6.2% increase in revenues at constant exchange rates. The Energy & Utilities, Consumer Goods & Retail and Manufacturing sectors were the strongest. Operating margin for the region eroded from 13.0% in 2018 to 11.8%.

Finally, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America region (8% of Group revenues) was particularly dynamic. Revenues grew 12.8% at constant exchange rates, with all the main sectors contributing to this performance. The operating margin rate nonetheless declined to 11.2%, from 12.8% in 2018.

OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS

Strategy & Transformation consulting services (7% of Group total revenues*), now grouped under Capgemini Invent, recorded a 15.1% increase at constant exchange rates in their total revenues. Growth was driven mainly by the Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities and TMT (Telco, Media & Technology) sectors.

Applications & Technology services (71% of Group total revenues), the Group's core business, reported total revenue growth of 4.8% at constant exchange rates. The Services, Energy & Utilities and Manufacturing sectors were the most dynamic in the past year.

Finally, Operations & Engineering services (22% of Group total revenues) grew 4.9% at constant exchange rates. These business lines benefit from the Groups growing success in multi-year contracts, especially for Cloud infrastructure services. With the Groups focus on the Intelligent industry, Digital Engineering & Manufacturing Services (DEMS) are continuing to develop at a brisk pace.

Q4 TRENDS

As anticipated and announced on the publication of 2019 Q3 revenues, Group growth was less robust in Q4 with revenues of 3,650 million. Year-on-year revenue growth was 2.9% at constant exchange rates and 2.2% at constant Group scope and exchange rates.

In line with Group expectations, activity contracted in the United Kingdom & Ireland region (-3.1%) in a wait-and-see market, fueled by the December general elections and the impending Brexit date. Revenues slipped slightly in North America (-0.4% at constant exchange rates). The Asia-Pacific and Latin America region continued to grow at double digits in the last few months of the year (+10.3%). Growth remained robust in the Rest of Europe region at 6.3%, while France stayed strong with revenue increasing 4.5%.

By business, Strategy & Transformation consulting services continued their strong momentum, with total revenue growth of 8.0% at constant exchange rates. Applications & Technology services slowed, with total revenue growth limited to 1.7%. This reflects among other factors a contraction in the Financial Services sector. Finally, Operations & Engineering services total revenues grew 4.9% at constant exchange rates.

Q4 bookings rose 16% at constant exchange rates to 4,624 million.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

2019 was a landmark year for Capgeminis Corporate Social Responsibility Architects of Positive Futures. The Group continues to make strong progress on reducing its carbon footprint - ending 2019 with CO2e emissions per employee 29.3 % lower than 2015 and significantly ahead of the 20% target set for 2020.. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion was reinforced, with 50% of the board now female directors and 33% of the workforce now women. Capgeminis Digital inclusion target was also exceeded with over 1,560 graduates (compared to the planned 600) from its Digital Academies. There are now 13 Digital Academies across 7 countries after just 2 years of implementation.

This performance has been acknowledged internationally: Capgemini joined the CDPs (Carbon Disclosure Project) prestigious A List for its commitment toward the Net-Zero Economy and obtained Global EDGE certification for its active engagement in favour of Diversity and Inclusion. Capgemini was also named one of the 2019 Worlds Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for the 7th consecutive year.

HEADCOUNT

At December 31, 2019, Capgeminis total headcount stood at 219,300, up 3.8% year-on-year, with 125,500 employees in offshore centers (57% of the total Group headcount).

BALANCE SHEET

In 2019, Capgemini strengthened its financial structure with a 944 million increase in shareholders' equity and a 584 million reduction in net debt.

At December 31, 2019 the Group had 2,450 million in cash and cash equivalents (net of bank overdrafts), compared with 2,004 million a year earlier. After accounting for borrowings (excluding lease liabilities) of 3,270 million, cash management assets and derivative instruments, Group net debt* is 600 million at the end of 2019, compared with 1,104 million at January 1, 2019 and 1,184 million at December 31, 2018 (i.e. before the application of IFRS 162 from January 1, 2019).

The Altran Technologies shares held by the Group represent the 11.43% stake in Altran acquired in July 2019 and are currently recognized as a financial asset in the Groups balance sheet for an amount of 413 million (taxes included).

NEW MULTI-YEAR SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM

As part of the active management of the share capital, the Board of Directors approved a new multi-year share buyback program of 600 million. Taking into account the balance of 250 million of the current multi-year program, the Group now has a total share buyback capacity of 850 million.

In this context, the Group will buy back 200 million of Capgemini shares over the next few months.

OUTLOOK

For 2020, the Group targets revenue growth of around 4% at constant exchange rates, improved profitability with an operating margin of 12.4% to 12.6% and organic free cash flow of around 1.2 billion.

This outlook does not factor in the impact of the Altran acquisition.

ACQUISITION OF ALTRAN TECHNOLOGIES

On June 24, 2019, Capgemini and Altran Technologies (Euronext Paris: ALT), the worlds leading provider of engineering and R&D services, announced Capgeminis proposed acquisition of Altran as part of a friendly tender offer. This offer aims to create a global Intelligent Industry leader, specializing in the digital transformation for industrial companies.

The French financial markets authority (Autorite des marches financiers - AMF) issued its clearance to the tender offer on October 14, 2019 and the offer period opened from October 16, 2019 to January 22, 2020.

After the 2019 year-end, Capgemini increased the offer price on January 14, 2020 from 14.00 to 14.50 per share. On January 27, 2020, Capgemini announced that following settlement-delivery on February 4, 2020, the Group will hold 137,674,545 Altran shares representing 53.57% of the share capital and at least 53.41% of voting rights, thereby exceeding the offer success threshold set at 50.1% of the share capital and voting rights (on a fully diluted basis). After taking into account treasury shares, Capgemini holds 54.52% of Altrans share capital and 54.37% of Altrans voting rights4.

The offer was therefore automatically reopened under the same terms, from January 28 to February 10, 2020 (inclusive). According to the schedule published by Euronext, the results of the reopened offer period are expected on February 14, 2020 and the corresponding settlement-delivery date is February 21, 2020.

Capgemini also confirmed that it will comply with all the undertakings related to this offer5, including: (i) Capgemini will neither file a new offer nor implement a merger based on a per Altran share higher than the offer price for at least 18 months6 and (ii) Capgemini will not take control of Altran, pending the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal on the claim filed by a shareholder, expected on March 19, 2020. The consolidation of Altrans financial results in the Capgemini group accounts can only take place after the date of effective control.

CONFERENCE CALL

Paul Hermelin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aiman Ezzat, Chief Operating Officer, Carole Ferrand, Chief Financial Officer and Rosemary Stark, Chief Sales Officer, will present this press release during a conference call in English to be held today at 8.00 a.m. Paris time (CET). You can follow this conference call live via webcast at the following link . A replay will also be available for a period of one year.

All documents relating to this publication will be placed online on the Capgemini investor website at https://investors.capgemini.com/en/financial-results/ .

CALENDAR

April 28, 2020 Publication of Q1 2020 revenues

May 20, 2020 Combined Shareholders Meeting

July 28, 2020 Publication of H1 2020 results

The following dividend payment schedule will be presented to the Shareholders Meeting for approval:

June 3, 2020 Ex-dividend date on Euronext Paris

June 5, 2020 Payment of the dividend

DISCLAIMER

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements may include projections, estimates, assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and/or expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations and services and product development, as well as statements, regarding future performance or events. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, plans, projects, may, would should or the negatives of these terms and similar expressions. Although Capgeminis management currently believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties (including without limitation risks identified in Capgeminis Registration Document available on Capgeminis website), because they relate to future events and depend on future circumstances that may or may not occur and may be different from those anticipated, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Capgemini. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed in, implied by or projected by forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not intended to and do not give any assurances or comfort as to future events or results. Other than as required by applicable law, Capgemini does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

This press release does not contain or constitute an offer of securities for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in securities in France, the United States or any other jurisdiction.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This press release is disseminated for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, any securities of Altran Technologies.

Investors and shareholders are strongly advised to read the documentation relating to the tender offer, which contains the terms and conditions of the tender offer, as well as, as the case may be, any amendments and supplements to those documents as they will contain important information about Capgemini, Altran Technologies and the tender offer.

This press release must not be published, broadcast or distributed, directly or indirectly, in any country in which the distribution of this information is subject to legal restrictions. The tender offer is not open to the public in jurisdictions in which its launch is subject to legal restrictions.

The publication, broadcasting or distribution of this press release in certain countries may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions. Therefore, persons located in countries where this press release is published, broadcasted or distributed must inform themselves about and comply with such restrictions. Capgemini and Altran Technologies disclaim any responsibility for any violation of such restrictions.

ABOUT CAPGEMINI

A global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. It is a multicultural company of almost 220,000 team members in more than 40 countries. The Group reported 2019 global revenues of EUR 14.1 billion.

Visit us at www.capgemini.com . People matter, results count.

* *

*

APPENDIX7

BUSINESS CLASSIFICATION

As previously announced, the classification of the Group's business lines was simplified and standardized from January 1, 2019:

Strategy & Transformation includes all strategy and transformation consulting services and corresponds to the Capgemini Invent scope;

includes all strategy and transformation consulting services and corresponds to the Capgemini Invent scope; Applications & Technology brings together Application Services and related activities and notably local technology services previously included in Technology & Engineering Services;

brings together Application Services and related activities and notably local technology services previously included in Technology & Engineering Services; Operations & Engineering encompasses all other Group businesses. These currently comprise: Business Services (including Business Process Outsourcing), all Infrastructure Services (including those previously in Technology & Engineering Services) and Digital Engineering and Digital Manufacturing services (previously in Technology & Engineering Services).

APPLICATION OF IFRS 16 AND ADAPTATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Group set-out the expected impacts of the application of IFRS 16 from January 1, 2019, when presenting its objectives for 2019 on February 14, 2019. It is recalled that:

the impact of application of IFRS 16 on the Group Income Statement is generally neutral for the main performance measures, whose definitions remain unchanged;

organic free cash flow now includes repayments of lease liabilities (including for finance leases, previously excluded as recognized in repayments of borrowings, of 52 million in 2018);

Group net debt now excludes all lease liabilities (including those relating to finance leases of 80 million at the end of 2018).

DEFINITIONS

Organic growth, or like-for-like growth, in revenues is the growth rate calculated at constant Group scope and exchange rates. The Group scope and exchange rates used are those for the reported period. Exchange rates for the reported period are also used to calculate growth at constant exchange rates.

Reconciliation of growth rates Q4 2019 2019 Organic growth +2.2% +4.2% Changes in Group scope +0.7pt +1.1pt Growth at constant exchange rates +2.9% +5.3% Exchange rate fluctuations +1.3pt +1.7pt Reported growth +4.2% +7.0%

Currency impacts are mainly linked to the appreciation of the US dollar against the euro.

When determining activity trends by business and in accordance with internal operating performance measures, growth at constant exchange rates is calculated based on total revenue, i.e. before elimination of inter-business billing. The Group considers this to be more representative of activity levels by business. As its businesses change, an increasing number of contracts require a range of business expertise for delivery, leading to a rise in inter-business flows.

Operating margin is one of the Groups key performance indicators. It is defined as the difference between revenues and operating costs. It is calculated before Other operating income and expenses which include amortization of intangible assets recognized in business combinations, the charge resulting from the deferred recognition of the fair value of shares granted to employees (including social security and employer contributions), and non-recurring revenues and expenses, notably impairment of goodwill, negative goodwill, capital gains or losses on disposals of consolidated companies or businesses, restructuring costs incurred under a detailed formal plan approved by the Groups management, the cost of acquiring and integrating companies acquired by the Group, including earn-outs comprising conditions of presence, and the effects of curtailments, settlements and transfers of defined benefit pension plans.

Normalized net profit is equal to profit for the year (Group share) adjusted for the impact of items recognized in Other operating income and expense, net of tax calculated using the effective tax rate. Normalized earnings per share is computed like basic earnings per share, i.e. excluding dilution.

Organic free cash flow is equal to cash flow from operations less acquisitions of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets (net of disposals) and repayments of lease liabilities, adjusted for cash out relating to the net interest cost. Finance lease payments were included in repayments of borrowings until December 31, 2018. From January 1, 2019, with the adoption of IFRS 16, these payments are now included in the new definition of organic free cash flow as repayments of lease liabilities.

RESULTS BY REGION

Revenues Year-on-year growth Operating margin rate 2019 Reported At constant 2018 2019 (in millions of euros) exchange rates North America 4,567 +8.0% +2.6% 13.6% 13.9% United Kingdom and Ireland 1,653 +5.6% +4.7% 12.6% 15.2% France 3,017 +5.9% +5.9% 11.1% 12.1% Rest of Europe 3,809 +5.7% +6.2% 13.0% 11.8% Asia Pacific and Latin America 1,079 +13.6% +12.8% 12.8% 11.2% TOTAL 14,125 +7.0% +5.3% 12.1% 12.3%

RESULTS BY BUSINESS

Total revenues* Year-on-year growth 2019

(% of Group revenues) At constant exchange rates

in total revenues*

of the business Strategy & Transformation 7% +15.1% Applications & Technology 71% +4.8% Operations & Engineering 22% +4.9%

SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT AND OPERATING MARGIN

(in millions of euros) 2018 2019 Change (IFRS 16) Revenues 13,197 14,125 +7.0% Operating expenses (11,600) (12,384) Operating margin 1,597 1,741 +9% as a % of revenues 12.1% 12.3% +20bp Other operating income and expense (346) (308) Operating profit 1,251 1,433 +15% as a % of revenues 9.5% 10.1% +60bp Net financial expense (80) (79) Income tax income/(expense) (447) (502) (-) Non-controlling interests 6 4 Profit for the year, Group share 730 856 +17%



NORMALIZED AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

2018 2019 Change (IFRS 16) Average number of shares outstanding 167,088,363 166,171,198 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE (in euros) 4.37 5.15 +18% Diluted average number of shares outstanding 171,697,335 171,047,762 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (in euros) 4.25 5.00 +18% (in millions of euros) 2018 2019 Change (IFRS 16) Profit for the year, Group share 730 856 +17% Effective tax rate, excluding the transitional tax expense 33.7% 32.6% (-) Other operating income and expenses, net of tax 229 207 Normalized profit for the year 959 1,063 +11% Average number of shares outstanding 167,088,363 166,171,198 NORMALIZED EARNINGS PER SHARE (in euros) 5.74 6.40 +11%



The Group recognized an income tax expense in respect of the transitional impact of the US tax reform of 60 million in 2019. This reduced basic and normalized earnings per share by 0.36 and diluted earnings per share by 0.35.

Adjusted for this income tax expense, normalized earnings per share is 6.76 in 2019:

(in millions of euros) 2018 2019 Change (IFRS 16) Normalized earnings per share (in euros) 5.74 6.40 +11% Transitional tax expense 53 60 Average number of shares outstanding 167,088,363 166,171,198 Impact of the transitional tax expense (in euros) 0.32 0.36 Normalized earnings per share  excluding the transitional tax expense (in euros) 6.06 6.76 +12%

CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND ORGANIC FREE CASH FLOW

(in millions of euros) 2018 2019 (IFRS 16) Net cash from operating activities 1,396 1,794 Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, net of disposals (229) (219) Net interest cost (7) (15) Repayments of lease liabilities n/a (272) ORGANIC FREE CASH FLOW 1,160 1,288 Other cash flows from (used in) investing and financing activities (1,103) (830) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 57 458 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations (41) (12) Opening cash and cash equivalents, net of bank overdrafts 1,988 2,004 Closing cash and cash equivalents, net of bank overdrafts 2,004 2,450

NET DEBT

(in millions of euros) 12/31/2018 01/01/19 12/31/2019 (IFRS 16) (IFRS 16) Cash and cash equivalents 2,006 2,006 2,461 Bank overdrafts (2) (2) (11) Cash and cash equivalents 2,004 2,004 2,450 Cash management assets 183 183 213 Long-term borrowings (3,274) (3,233) (2,564) Short-term borrowings and bank overdrafts (83) (44) (717) (-) Bank overdrafts 2 2 11 Borrowings, excluding bank overdrafts (3,355) (3,275) (3,270) Derivative instruments (16) (16) 7 Net cash and cash equivalents / (Net debt) (1,184) (1,104) (600)





* The terms and Alternative Performance Measures marked with an (*) are defined and/or reconciled in the appendix to this press release.

1 Audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been completed. The auditors are in the process of issuing their report.

2 The impacts of the application of IFRS 16 at January 1, 2019 and the resulting change in the organic free cash flow and net debt definitions are presented in the appendix to this press release. The 16% increase year-on-year of the organic free cash-flow is computed on a comparable basis and amounts to 11% on a reported basis.

3 Excluding recognition of the income tax expense due to the transitional impact of the US tax reform of 53 million in 2018 and 60 million in 2019.

4 On the basis of Altran share capital made of 257,021,105 shares, representing 257,748,693 voting rights.

5 See AMF notice 219C2818 dated December 18, 2019, setting out the commitments made by Capgemini to the AMF; see also Capgemini's press release dated January 14, 2020.

6 Effective January 14, 2020, the date of Capgemini's press release.

7 Note that in the appendix, certain totals may not equal the sum of amounts due to rounding adjustments.

Attachment
Britain needs to double the number of trainee doctors to 15,000 a year to meet the pressures of an old-age timebomb, a top medical college warned yesterday.

Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said demand for NHS services was going up in a straight line of 3.5 per cent a year.

He insisted the number of trainees entering medical school needed to increase by 7,500 a year to 15,000 and stressed there was no time to lose.

Professor Andrew Goddard (pictured), president of the Royal College of Physicians, said demand for NHS services was going up in a straight line of 3.5 per cent a year

Professor Goddard said by the time these doctors have qualified as GPs or consultants in ten or 12 years time, NHS demand will have surged by a third.

His warning came after Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty yesterday highlighted how the UK was facing an ageing crisis, particularly in rural and coastal areas which tend to have fewer doctors.

The Royal College of Physicians, which represents 35,000 doctors, believes that the geographical imbalance of doctors and older patients is one of the biggest dilemmas facing the NHS.

Professor Goddard said: We are staring at a big problem. Currently there is a geographical imbalance in the distribution of healthcare workers and in particular doctors across the UK.

His warning came after Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty (pictured) yesterday highlighted how the UK was facing an ageing crisis, particularly in rural and coastal areas which tend to have fewer doctors

If you expand medical schools, you will get those people coming out as GPs or as consultants in ten to 12 years time at best. In that time, the demand will have increased by 35 per cent. The population of over-65s in some areas will have increased by 20 to 25 per cent, if not more.

The demands on the healthcare service are increasing by 3.5 per cent inextricably  its a straight line. The steady increase is mostly in people over the age of 65. Coastal and rural regions are where we know demand is going to increase the most.

Professor Goddard warned that if the number of doctors failed to increase in line with demand, waiting times would grow longer. He stressed: This is not going to go away.
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Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi, Andi Hajramurni and Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Makassar, Palu  Thu, February 13, 2020

Indonesia's Marriage Law prohibits children under 19 to wed unless they secure court approval, but many opt to bypass the lengthy process with nikah siri (traditional, unregulated marriage), which activists say has contributed to the high number of child marriages in Indonesia.

Surianti, 52, from Makassar, South Sulawesi, decided to marry off her daughters Desi and Nurdillah through nikah siri to avoid procedural hurdles at the Religious Affairs Office (KUA), as they had yet to reach the minimum marriageable age. Both Desi and Nurdillah got married when they were 14.

"I didn't visit the KUA because I knew they wouldn't grant me permission. My daughters were still very young," Surianti said.

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The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have dealt with their fall out differently due to their opposing coping mechanisms, a source has claimed.

A source has revealed how Prince Harry, 35, can be 'more emotional' than elder brother Prince William, 37, who is level-headed and talks through problems with wife Kate Middleton, 38.

They told Us Weekly: 'Harry's more sensitive and emotional than William  he takes everything so personally. He can be rather impulsive at times'.

It comes amid reports the brothers' rift still hasn't healed and Prince Harry left the country on 'bad terms' with Prince William.

Prince Harry, 35, is 'more emotional' and 'impulsive' than Prince William, 38, who is 'level-headed', a source has told Us Weekly (pictured together in July 2018)

The Duke of Cambridge relies on wife Kate Middleton's, 38, advice and confides everything in her, according to the source (pictured together in February)

While Prince Harry is sensitive and impulsive, the Duke of Cambridge is more logical and doesn't let things get to him, the source claimed.

They said: 'That's not to say William has a heart of steel  he's actually an incredibly loving and kind man, he just has a different way of dealing with emotions and is more level-headed than his brother.'

Prince Harry considers Meghan Markle, 38, 'his rock' and has been openly confiding in her about his mental health struggles since early on in their relationship, they source added.

They also revealed how the royal is now being open about his mental health and grief for his mother Princess Diana because he feels 'no one should suffer in silence'.

Prince William and Prince Harry have dealt with their falling out differently due to their opposing coping mechanisms (Pictured with the Duchesses of Sussex and Cambridge to mark the centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey in November 2018)

The brothers have only spoken 'a couple times' about 'business matters' after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to step back from royal duty last month, they added.

Their rift is said to have begun in 2017 when Prince William warned his younger sibling he was 'moving too fast' with Meghan, People magazine reported last week.

And it is said to have deepened since the Sussexes moved to Canada, with a source revealing: 'They didn't leave on good terms by any means, but they are both relieved that it's over.

'Perhaps [Meghan and Harry] didn't think things through exactly as they could have, but they wanted to be happy. Who can blame them for that?'

The rift between the brothers said to have begun in 2017 when Prince William warned his younger sibling he was 'moving too fast' with Meghan Markle, People magazine reported last week (Prince Harry and Meghan are pictured together in January at Canada House in London)

Prince Harry and Meghan 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.

Harry and Meghan's resignation as senior royals widened the gulf between the two siblings, with William understood to be 'incandescent' over his brother's blindsiding of the family.

Prince William was said to be devastated by Prince Harry's move initially, and said he felt unable to 'put an arm round' his younger brother.

Prince Harry and Meghan are currently residing at the 10 million mansion on Vancouver Island and are said to be enjoying life in Canada

'I've put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can't do that any more - we're separate entities,' he told a friend, according to a report in the Sunday Times last month.

Meanwhile Harry and Meghan are believed to be enjoying their time since stepping back from royal duties and making the most of life in Canada.

They said they'd been enjoying taking long walks and doing yoga, while Meghan has been cooking.
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 13, 2020) - Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA)("Sona") has secured an agreement with The Native Antigen Company ("Native") to supply biologics for the recently announced Covid-19 Coronavirus rapid screening test, currently in development by Sona (See Sona news release dated February 10, 2020).

Native is a leading supplier of native and recombinant antigens for emerging and endemic infectious diseases. Native is one of the first recognised suppliers to release biological materials for use in diagnostic tests specific to the Covid-19 strain of the coronavirus virus.

Antigens specific to this strain of Coronavirus have been produced at Native's Oxford facility using their proprietary mammalian, VirtuE expression system. This system can introduce protein folding and post-translational modifications to recombinant proteins, which are essential for full biological and antigenic activity. Covid-19 was recently announced as the official name of the current strain of the Coronavirus by WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This strain differs from existing coronavirus strains such as SARS or MERS, due to the spike, membrane and envelope proteins present on the surface of the virus. Consequently, current commercial sources of biological materials associated with SARS and MERS would not be ideal for use in a diagnostic or screening test. They would not be specific to Covid-19, and would therefore result in poor overall test performance, and a high likelihood of mis-diagnosed patients.

Darren Rowles, CEO of Sona Nanotech said, "Rapid screening tests are commonly used in the field as a front-line triage test. This is often the best way to determine which individuals require more medical attention, and which show no sign of infection and therefore may not require immediate medical care and quarantine, thus allowing the medical community to focus their resources as efficiently as possible. Rapid screening tests make the most impact when they are as accurate as possible. The Sona test will use our best-in-class nanoparticle technology alongside Native's best-in-class biologics to produce a highly effective rapid screening test for the Covid-19 virus."

Andrew Lane, Commercial Director, Native Antigen Company said that "Native has long been a global leader in the development of biologics for rapid screening tests. We are pleased to partner with a lateral flow test development company like Sona whose gold nanoparticles offer leading functionality so together we can respond quickly to a global health emergency like the Covid-19 virus, with a best-in-class quick response screening device."

When complete, the Sona Covid-19 rapid screening test could be ideal for use in a variety of scenarios, such as:

- An in-home test and monitoring

- To identify if patients require further testing or treatment in a clinical setting

- To verify if patients are ready for release from quarantine

- To screen individuals prior to entering closed public venues such as cruise ships and airplanes

For More Information

For more information about Sona, please contact:

Darren Rowles

President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (902) 442-0653

Email: Darren Rowles, darren@sonanano.com

About Sona Nanotech Inc.

Sona Nanotech Inc. is a nanotechnology life sciences firm that has developed two proprietary methods for the manufacture of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles. The principal business carried out and intended to be continued by Sona is the development and application of its proprietary technology for use in multiplex diagnostic testing platforms that will improve performance over existing tests in the market.

Sona's gold nanorod particles are CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium) free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications. It is expected that Sona's gold nanotechnologies may be adapted for use in applications, as a safe and effective delivery system for multiple medical treatments, pending the approval of various regulatory boards including Health Canada and the FDA.

Sona is a publicly listed company on the Canadian Securities Exchange existing under the laws of Nova Scotia, with its operations in Nova Scotia.

About The Native Antigen Company

The Native Antigen Company based in Oxford, UK, is a leading supplier of native and recombinant viral and bacterial antigens, antibodies and immunoassays, alongside bespoke custom and contract services. Their infectious disease reagents are widely adopted by pharmaceutical, in-vitro diagnostics and vaccine manufacturers, as well as leading edge academic groups focusing on cutting edge research. They pride themselves on being an ethical and sustainable organisation and endeavour to build long-term partnerships with their customers.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.



There are several important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to Sona's proposed business, such as failure of the business strategy and government regulation; risks related to Sona's operations, such as additional financing requirements and access to capital, reliance on key and qualified personnel, insurance, competition, intellectual property and reliable supply chains; risks related to Sona and its business generally, such as infringement of intellectual property rights and conflicts of interest. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any time.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52396
By Kim Se-jeong





Choi Byoung-sung
Trump India visit: First Lady of the US, Melania Trump, took to Twitter to state that she and US President Donald Trump were really excited to visit India. The visit of US President Trump and First Lady is scheduled from February 24-25. PM Modi will host President Donald Trump and Melania Trump in Ahmedabad and New Delhi.

Thank you @narendramodi for the kind invitation. Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad & New Dehli later this month. @POTUS & I are excited for the trip & to celebrate the close ties between the #USA & #India. https://t.co/49LzQPiVLf - Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 12, 2020

PM Narendra Modi took to his official Twitter handle to say that India will extend a warm and memorable welcome to the 'esteemed guests'.

Extremely delighted that @POTUS@realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS will visit India on 24th and 25th February. India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2020

In another tweet, the PM said, "India and USA share a common commitment to democracy and pluralism. Our nations are cooperating extensively on a wide range of issues. Robust friendship between our nations augurs well not only for our citizens but also for the entire world."

Also read: US wants India to buy $6 billion worth of farm goods to seal trade deal

President Trump told the American press that he was looking forward to his first visit to India since his tenure as President began and also hinted that two countries could possibly sign a trade deal. On February 24, an event on the lines of 'Howdy Modi' will be organised in Gujarat. The mega event will be addressed by President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump. The event 'Kemcho Trump' is likely to be similar to the 'Howdy Modi' event that was held in Texas last year.

Also read: Looking forward to my first visit to India: US President Donald Trump

The 'Kemcho Trump' event will be organised in Ahmedabad's newly contructed Sardar Patel Stadium that has a seating capacity of 1.10 lakh. The US President will also inaugurate the stadium. Before this event, the POTUS along with Prime Minister Modi will pay tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram. A 10-km long roadshow has also been planned from Ahmedabad airport to Sabarmati Ashram.

Also read: Trump's India visit: Will it be just lofty intent or something more tangible?
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 17:00:50|Editor: Xiaoxia

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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. networking giant Cisco Systems Inc. said Wednesday that its sales revenue experienced a slight fall of 4 percent to hit 12 billion U.S. dollars in the second quarter (Q2) of 2020.

Cisco said quarterly sales dropped 400 million dollars from last year, but its net income rose 2 percent to 2.9 billion dollars on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, or 0.68 dollars per share, in the current quarter ended on Jan. 25, 2020.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovation our teams continue to drive," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Chuck Robbins. "I am confident in our long-term growth opportunities as we help our customers build out the networks for the future."

However, Cisco, one of the world's biggest makers of routers, switches and other computer and networking products, had forecast last November a fall in its GAPP earnings per share (EPS) at between 0.61 dollars to 0.67 dollars due to a slowdown in tech spendings across the industry.

Cisco's sales in the Americas -- the company's biggest market, accounting for more than half its total revenue -- dropped 5 percent year-over-year in the quarter.

The company is expected to "experience some pause in customer spending related to the uncertainty in the global macro environment," Robbins told investors at a conference call on Wednesday.

"Going forward, we will continue to focus on developing groundbreaking technologies and building a new internet for the 5G era," he added.

The California-based company expected its revenues to decline between 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent year-over-year in the upcoming third quarter, with EPS forecast to range from 0.62 dollars to 0.67 dollars.
Thousands of frustrated TTC subway passengers had their morning commute disrupted Thursday because of a derailment, the second such incident in less than a month.

Subway service didnt resume on Line 1 until about 1 p.m., nearly seven hours after a TTC work car derailed near St. George station forcing riders to take shuttle buses from St. Clair West to Union station.

Exasperated riders were urged to stay patient during the disruption that affected thousands of passengers and began at about 6 a.m. Riders were urged to head over to the Yonge portion of Line 1 to head downtown in the morning.

Weve added extra bus service to the 97 Yonge, and extra streetcars to the 510 Spadina and 512 St. Clair routes, TTC head of customer service department Sue Motahedin tweeted at about 8:30 a.m.

(Six) subway cars were moved from Line 2 on to the Yonge side of Line 1 to help deal with the volume of customers.

Mayor John Tory told reporters Thursday morning that the disruption happened at the worst possible time.

Tory said details of the delay werent shared with transit workers or members of the public quickly or effectively enough.

Clearly there is an inadequacy, especially in the digital age, in the communication of that information the minute that those kinds of things happen, the mayor told a news conference Thursday morning.

Theres less and less excuse nowadays. In days gone by, you didnt have this kind of digital communication and instantaneous information being conveyed. There really isnt any reason anymore.

Tory said he could see passengers getting off buses and heading for subway stations where service had already been cancelled at 6 a.m.

Obviously that bus driver didnt know, because had he or she known, they wouldve said Please dont get off the bus, or Understand when you get off the bus, theres no train running at the moment,  he said.

He added that the TTC should look into refunding customers who used a Presto card to pay for access to the backed-up system.

When its easy to see where people swiped and what time people swiped . . . it should be possible to do that, Tory said.

A TTC spokesperson said it will not be reimbursing passengers who were affected and have no current plans to implement a reimbursement system in the future.

Tory said he is looking forward to a full report into why this happened.

Outside St. George station, crowds stretched between the station and down to the Royal Ontario Museum by Bloor Street West and Avenue Road. Many told the Star they had been waiting over 20 minutes for shuttle buses to arrive without any other way to get to work.

Deep in the line of people waiting to board a shuttle bus, Victoria Oman told the Star she had been waiting for 26 minutes.

Im coming from Scarborough so it takes me an hour and a half to get to work, Oman said. I dont drive so I really rely on the TTC.

Oman said she was pretty used to this (delayed commute), estimating that two or three times a month she ends up in a similar situation.

Despite this, she says she would not consider buying a car to offset her commute times because the costs would be too high to justify.

Further down the queue, Gitanjali Bhatia and Maria Saldanha said they were waiting about 30 minutes to board. Bhatia said she hadnt heard about the subway delays until it was too late to find a different route.

If they would have announced at Kipling station, I would have taken a GO train, Bhatia said. Theres no communication.

And look at this now, Saldanha said, gesturing to the growing crowd. Look at this lineup . . . this is supposed to be the shuttle service?

Both Saldanha and Bhatia said they work too far away to feasibly walk to their jobs. They stressed they wanted better communication from the TTC.

At least at the station there should be proper announcements if delays are already in effect, Bhatia said.

For the past two months, Sandesh Subramanian says he has found himself in similar situations way more often than usual.

I was talking to my colleague the other day, hes new to Toronto. I told him this is not how it used to be last year or the year before  especially if you look at . . . the amount of delays you have on the TTC. Its just crazy, Subramanian said.

Like Oman, Subramanian wouldnt buy a car, instead opting to take Uber if transit is slow.

The caveat, Subramanian said, is surge pricing on ride-sharing vehicles.

Usually when I take a cab at this time its around $8 or $9 because its (a short drive). Now its around $17.

The University Avenue sidewalk appeared to be more crowded than usual for the morning commute, with some riders deciding to walk rather than take a crowded shuttle bus.

No injuries were reported as a result of the derailment.

The TTC tweeted that as a result of the delay on Line 1, customers may use GO Transit at Kipling, Dundas West, Downsview Park, and Union Stations (including the UP Express) for the cost of a regular TTC fare.

Presto customers would not have to tap prior to boarding.

While derailments are relatively rare on the TTC, this is the second incident in a little more than three weeks. On Jan. 22, a subway car partially derailed, closing Line 2 between Jane and Ossington stations for four hours, affecting thousands of passengers.

Prior to that incident, the last derailment on the TTC was in 2008.

With files from Miriam Lafontaine, The Canadian Press and Ben Spurr

Ted Fraser is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ted_fraser

Read more about:
This is pretty much exactly what happens in Force Majeure. The idea that a split-second, unthinking action like Petes could reveal a flaw in his character and a schism in his marriage is potent enough to sustain a second movie. But Faxon and Rash, who wrote the screenplay with Jesse Armstrong, lack the nerve or the imagination to make the idea their own, or to make it work with a cast of American comic performers. There are some jokey parts, some weepy bits, a sexy moment and a few fine displays of anger from Louis-Dreyfus, but theyre all just thrown together like salted nuts and cheap candies in a snack mix.

Like too many American movie comedies these days, Downhill seems afraid of its own shadow. The swearing and the drug references cant disguise a paralyzing panic  about parenthood, sexual politics, family dynamics, work-life balance or anything else that might actually be interesting or risky. The film isnt sure whether to take Petes side or Billies, or if it should really take a side at all, and so it hovers like an insincere friend, nodding and chuckling and refusing to judge.

The result is a small disaster. Not a completely terrible movie  mostly thanks to Ferrell and Louis-Dreyfus  but one that strands its stars in situations that are at once impossible and insufficiently challenging. Downhill gets way out over its skis, even though it never leaves the bunny slope.

Downhill

Rated R. Some salty talk. Running time: 1 hour 26 minutes.
Andrei-Mihai Simion-Munteanu, 22, told police he plotted killing his mother Dr Premm Monti, 51, and her partner Robert Tully, 71, for two weeks before attacking them in their home in Lincolnshire on July 28-29 last year

A computer engineer who went on a tour of the country after murdering his mother and her American partner has been jailed for 32 years.

Andrei-Mihai Simion-Munteanu, 22, strangled his mother Dr Premm Monti, 51 at their home in Branston, Lincolnshire on the night of July 28-29 last year.

He then bludgeoned his mother's partner, 71-year-old Robert Tully with a hammer before stealing his car and going on a 1,200-mile tour of the country, which included stops at Stonehenge, Snowdonia before his arrest in Aberdeen.

Simion-Munteanu, who is a Romanian national, was stopped and arrested by police on August 5. He admitted killing his mother and her partner shortly afterwards.

Simion-Munteanu told detectives he strangled his mother in her bed and waited until 5am the following morning for Mr Tully to wake up before battering him across the head with a hammer.

He said he had been plotting the murders for a fortnight beforehand.

The killer pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsiblity, but this was rejected by the jury at Lincoln Crown Court who found him guilty of murder.

Detective Inspector Andy McWatt, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: 'This is a tragic case in which two families have had to come to terms with losing loved ones in devastating circumstances.

'Simion-Munteanu never denied that he had killed his mother and Robert Tully - but also never showed any remorse for their murders.

Dr Premm Monti, 51, and her partner Robert Tully, 71, were murdered by her son Andre9-Mihai Simion-Munteanu at their Lincolnshire home in July last year. Simion-Munteanu stole Mr Tully's car after the double killing and embarked on a 1,200 mile tour of the country before he was arrested in Aberdeen

'Given the manner of the killings it has been a difficult case to investigate, but I am grateful for the assistance of numerous officers in bringing it to court.'

Following the conviction, Mr Tully's family said: 'We continue to mourn for Rob and to be devastated by his death. Weve lost our storyteller, our adventurer, our big brother, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend. Rob was an extraordinary person, and was and is loved very dearly. Our hearts go out to Leelas family as well.'
(Alliance News) - Julian Smith was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary, Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary and Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary as the prime minister carried out a Cabinet reshuffle.

Other senior ministers axed by Boris Johnson included Geoffrey Cox from his post as attorney general and Esther McVey as housing minister.

Smith's departure came just weeks after brokering the deal which restored the powersharing administration in Stormont.

Smith said it had been "the biggest privilege" to serve the people of Northern Ireland and he was "extremely grateful" to have been given the chance to serve "this amazing part of our country".

"The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible," he said on Twitter.

"Thank you so much."

Smith was called in to see the prime minister in his Commons office as the reshuffle began.

Speculation about Smith's position centred on the terms of the Stormont deal, amid Tory concerns it could pave the way for prosecutions of British soldiers.

But allies of the axed minister said it was "absolute crap" to suggest that Johnson and Number 10 had not been kept informed of the process and details of the deal.

Although female ministers appeared to bear the brunt of the reshuffle, Downing Street indicated there would not be a reduction in the number of women around the Cabinet table.

Culture Secretary Baroness Morgan has already said she intends to leave her ministerial role, while Leadsom, Villiers and McVey were all sacked.

Leadsom said it had been a "real privilege" to spend six years in government, adding: "I will continue from the back benches to work to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect."

Villiers said: "What the prime minister giveth, the prime minister taketh away: just over six months ago, I was delighted to be invited by the prime minister to return to government after three years on the backbenches.

"This morning he told me that I need to make way for someone new."

Fellow former Tory leadership contender McVey said she was "very sorry to be relieved of my duties".

Cox made clear he had been sacked, rather than choosing to leave his role, saying: "I am now leaving the government at the PM's request."

Female MPs in line for promotion during the reshuffle process include defence minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, former Brexit minister Suella Braverman and Gillian Keegan.

Alok Sharma is expected to be promoted from his current Cabinet post at International Development, while Paymaster General Oliver Dowden a who attends Cabinet a is also in line for a bigger job.

A Number 10 source said: "The prime minister wants this reshuffle to set the foundations for government now and in the future.

"He wants to promote a generation of talent that will be promoted further in the coming years."

The most junior ministerial rank a parliamentary under-secretary of state level a is likely to have a 50-50 gender split after the reshuffle.

By the summer, Johnson also aims to ensure that at least 60% of ministerial aides a the parliamentary private secretaries a will be women, up from 18% at present.

In a sign that male ministers could pay the price, Chris Skidmore indicated he had left his post as universities minister to have "more time to spend" with his child.

George Freeman said he was "on my bike" after losing his transport job.

But at least one female minister also lost out, with Nus Ghani joining Freeman in departing the Department for Transport.

Other factors at play in this reshuffle include filling the vacant role in charge of the Cop26 UN climate summit following the sacking of Claire O'Neill and deciding whether Steve Barclay will return to government after the Brexit department was scrapped following the January 31 departure from the EU.

Senior ministers including Chancellor Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab are expected to remain in place while Downing Street has confirmed that Grant Shapps will stay on as Transport Secretary.

Johnson's senior aide Dominic Cummings had reportedly been seeking a wider cull of ministers and a shake-up of Whitehall departments but Number 10 insiders believe a more "conventional" reshuffle will be carried out by the prime minister.

By David Hughes, PA Political Editor

source: PA

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Roger Stone Trump

Business Insider/Hollis Johnson/Getty

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is engaged in a war of words with President Donald Trump on Twitter over the sentencing of his longtime ally Roger Stone.

Federal prosecutors recommended a seven to nine-year sentence for Stone on Monday, which Trump derided on Twitter as "a horrible and very unfair situation."

The Department of Justice leadership overruled the prosecutors' sentencing recommendation, which triggered a mass withdrawal of the assistant US attorneys assigned to the prosecution.

Trump lashed out at the judge presiding over Stone's case and her role in presiding over cases for his former campaign chair Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates.

Hillary Clinton responded to Trump's tweets, calling his intimidation of a federal judge "the behavior of failed-state fascists."

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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton compared President Donald Trump to "failed-state fascists" after he lashed out at a federal judge on Twitter over longtime ally Roger Stone's criminal sentencing.

The war of words began on Tuesday evening after Trump called out US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who is presiding over Stone's case. Jackson also presided over the criminal case that Special Counsel Robert Mueller brought against the former chairman of Trump's 2016 campaign, Paul Manafort, and his associate, Rick Gates, as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

NBC contributor Katie Phang tweeted on Tuesday that Jackson would be presiding over Stone's case. In response to Phang's tweet, Trump lashed out at Jackson over her role in Manafort's case and the decision to hold him in solitary confinement while awaiting trial.

"Is this the Judge that put Paul Manafort in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, something that not even mobster Al Capone had to endure?" he wrote. "How did she treat Crooked Hillary Clinton? Just asking!"

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Trump followed up with another tweet, calling Stone's sentencing "A phony Mueller Witch Hunt disgrace."

Stone, who also worked for Trump's presidential campaign, was accused of collaborating with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in order to discredit Clinton's campaign. Stone was convicted of seven felony counts of obstruction, witness tampering, and false statements in January 2019 by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In November 2019, Stone was found guilty in federal court.

Federal prosecutors recommended a seven to nine-year sentence for Stone on Monday, which Trump derided on Twitter as "a horrible and very unfair situation." The Department of Justice leadership overruled the prosecutors' sentencing recommendation, which triggered a mass withdrawal of the assistant US attorneys assigned to the prosecution.

Clinton responded to Trump's tweets, calling his intimidation of a federal judge "the behavior of failed-state fascists."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in on Trump's overall tweets on the matter, saying that Trump has "engaged in political interference" over his commentary on Stone's sentencing.

She also called on the Department of Justice to be investigated for overruling Stone's sentencing recommendation.

"It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation," she wrote.

Trump continued his tweeting spree, responding to a tweet by a page called "Israel & USA forever," which called for a "full pardon" for Stone and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Moldovan lawmakers from two opposition parties have submitted a motion of no-confidence against Foreign Minister Aureliu Ciocoi, saying the country's foreign policy does not facilitate its integration into the European Union, Chiril Motpan, a lawmaker from the Dignity and Truth Platform Party said on Thursday

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2020) Moldovan lawmakers from two opposition parties have submitted a motion of no-confidence against Foreign Minister Aureliu Ciocoi, saying the country's foreign policy does not facilitate its integration into the European Union, Chiril Motpan, a lawmaker from the Dignity and Truth Platform Party said on Thursday.

Parliamentary groups of the Dignity and Truth Platform Party and the Party of Action and Solidarity put forward a motion of no-confidence, accusing Ciocoi of disregarding the European integration process and pursuing an imbalanced foreign policy.

"We put forward a motion of no-confidence against the policy conducted by the minister of foreign affairs and European integration of Moldova.

The country's foreign policy serves interests of foreign states regarding the Republic of Moldova," Motpan said while reading aloud a resolution issued by the two parliamentary groups.

According to Motpan, the actions of the foreign ministry lead to violations of the European norms and the implementation of human rights standards, the freedom of the press, as well as fair and independent justice system.

The resolution will be discussed within 14 days from the document's registration in the parliament. If it is supported by 51 of 101 lawmakers, the foreign minister could face dismissal.

Moldova signed the Association Agreement with the European Union in 2014.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 20:22:19|Editor: huaxia

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ANKARA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of 55 Syrian government soldiers were killed in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib amid escalation between Turkish and Syrian forces in the region, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported Thursday.

"According to the latest information received from our sources in Idlib, 55 regime troops have been neutralized today," said Turkish Defense Ministry in a statement.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" to define those killed or captured.

Turkey has recently sent reinforcements to Syria following several exchanges of fire with the Syrian forces, which have killed 13 Turkish soldiers in two separate incidents in Idlib since last week.

"If any harm comes to our soldiers in observation posts or anywhere (in Syria), I declare that we will hit (Syrian) forces everywhere regardless of the Sochi deal," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Turkish army has killed 101 "members of the Syrian government" in retaliation for an attack that killed five Turkish soldiers, the ministry said on Monday.
A cruise ship that had been stranded at sea for about two weeks after being refused entry by four Asian governments because of virus fears finally docked Thursday in Cambodia.

Cambodia agreed to let the MS Westerdam dock at the port of Sihanoukville after Thailand barred it on Wednesday, following similar bans by Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. They kept the ship away over concerns that it would expose them to the new virus from China.

The Westerdam was unwelcome elsewhere even though operator Holland America Line said no cases of the COVID-19 viral illness have been confirmed among its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members.

The ship initially anchored offshore, where a team of health officials began checks. It then moved at sunset to a berth at the port in the Gulf of Thailand.

Landed! passenger Lydia Miller, who runs a small farm and inn in Washington State, exclaimed on Twitter. Thank you Cambodia! You believed in us when no one else would. We promise to spend lots of money in your country. #westerdam

Once health checks and immigration procedures are completed, the passengers are to disembark and be taken to Sihanoukville airport, from where they will fly to the capital, Phnom Penh, to catch flights home.

Some 20 passengers have reported stomachaches or fever, Cambodian health officials said. The ship's health staff considered them to be normal illnesses, but the ill passengers were being isolated from others, Health Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine said.

A military helicopter was used to carry samples from those passengers to the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh for analysis.

She said if tests show that any passengers have the disease, they'll be allowed to receive treatment in the country.

A team from the U.S. Embassy with consular, logistics and health personnel was on site to assist U.S. citizens.

From the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, we will stick with you as long as it takes, U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy said a a video posted online.

Personnel from several European embassies were also at the scene.
ICE agents apprehend individuals with prior criminal convictions ranging from sexual abuse to rape, in Long Island, N.Y., on Nov. 4, 2019. (ICE).

New Drivers License Law Hurts Human Trafficking Investigations, Says NY Sheriff

Sheriffs and deputies in New York are having to tiptoe around federal immigration agents, worried they might inadvertently share information that originates from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The states new Green Light Law, which allows illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, also withholds all DMV data from immigration agencies.

Local law enforcement cant act as a conduit for that information, either.

So, if Border Patrol came and said, Hey, we want to look through your records because were looking for this guy, I cant share our investigation with them if it has DMV data, said Sheriff Barry Virts of Wayne County, New York.

It also creates complications for multi-agency task forces, Virts said.

I just assigned a deputy, a criminal investigator, to the FBI Rochester, New York, office task force for human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, he said.

But agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol are also part of that unit.

Virts said hes had to exchange several phone calls and emails with the FBI agent in charge of the task force to figure out how the information sharing will work.

I had  to say, Hey, look, you got [Homeland Security] on there, youve got ICE on there, youve got Border Patrol on there. If were working something and my deputy gets information and it comes from the DMV, I gotta make sure my deputys protected [from being sued], he said.

Virts estimates its just a matter of time before he, or another New York sheriff, faces a lawsuit.

I would assume at some point theres going to be an investigation that we have, [and] its going to be alleged that we shared information, he said. Again, because theyve made it so complex  how are you going to separate the information when youre all working on the same investigation?

So its just constantly putting myself and my deputies on guard of what we can say to who. And thats not a good way to do law enforcement.

Virts said he was forced to sign a memorandum of understanding with the DMV under the new law.

They extorted us to sign that agreement, Virts said Feb. 11. I wouldnt be able to get any [DMV] data if I did not sign that agreementthey basically held us hostage.

He said if he refused to sign the MOU, his department would be blocked from accessing all state DMV data, which is used every day to verify licenses and identities, criminal records, and information on vehicles, including those involved in accident investigations.

Virts said hes having to create workarounds, including the purchase of a new iris scanner, so he can obtain precise identification information that hes then able to freely share with other agencies.

I dont think Ill be able to put it in my budget this year, but for 2021, thats where Im going to forge forward to. To make sure that we know who were dealing with, he said.

The Green Light Law

The Drivers License Access and Privacy Act, also known as the Green Light Law, took effect on Dec. 16, 2019.

Proponents of the law say that roads will be safer if illegal immigrants take the required written and road tests before getting a license, as well as get insured. However, illegal aliens who already drive without a license might not apply for a license, or those who fail the testing may not stop driving.

Illegal immigrants wanting a drivers license dont need to produce a Social Security number; instead, they sign an affidavit saying theyve never been issued one, according to the New York DMV website.

Twenty-seven county clerks with DMV responsibilities in New York issued a press release on Dec. 13, 2019, saying the affidavit will enable people to conceal their true identities.

The law will create unacceptable security risks as the loopholes allow for nefarious people to obtain a  driver license and use it to commit bank fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, human trafficking, and other criminal activities, the clerks said.

Approximately 265,000 illegal immigrants in New York are eligible for drivers licenses without verification of Social Security numbers, according to an estimate by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), who wrote to the Justice Department requesting a review of the legality of the law.

The Justice Department hasnt yet made moves against New York over the law yet, but Attorney General William Barr announced lawsuits against three other states for their sanctuary policies on Feb. 10.

Using DMV Data

Citing security concerns over not being able to access DMV data, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf canceled the agencys Trusted Traveler programsGlobal Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FASTfor all New Yorkers as of Feb. 5. The programs allow for expedited access through customs control upon entry into the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

Wolf also said ICE has routinely used New York DMV data in its efforts to combat transnational gangs, narcotics smuggling, human smuggling and trafficking  fraud, and identity theft.

Now, however, he said ICE cant run a license plate search on a vehicle even when ICE is aware that the vehicles owner has committed a heinous crime.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called Wolfs actions a political stunt that hits back at common-sense legislation.

Time and time again, the Trump administration has shown how far its willing to go in its war on immigrants and to intimidate states for doing what is right, said Donna Lieberman, executive director of ACLUs New York chapter. The Green Light Law makes New Yorks roads safer, allows immigrants to take care of their families, and reduces the risk that a routine traffic stop can result in detention or even deportation.

Virts said the issue needs to be fixed at the federal level.

When it holds up our resources  its not just an inconvenience, its a waste of efficiency and effectiveness, he said. We need to vet people that are coming into this country. And we need to stop drugs from coming out of this country. We need to stop human trafficking. We need to stop human slavery.

And when I or my colleagues talk about it, they think that were against people coming to this country. They think were bigots, they think were racist. Were not. We just want to know whos coming through. And if youre going to come through, please come through the front door and youre more than welcome.

New York is one of 13 states, along with the District of Columbia, that allow illegal aliens to possess drivers licenses.

The other states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington.

The New York DMV said the licenses issued to illegal aliens wont comply with the federal REAL ID Act and will be marked with NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES written in small letters. This means that after Oct. 1, 2020, when the REAL ID Act kicks in, the licenses cant be used to board a domestic flight or enter some secure federal buildings.
The cost of the elevator itself is a relatively small part of the expense of putting one in, however. To install a shaft and sometimes a mechanical room is a larger undertaking. If its an existing house and we have to go in with a whole elevator its in the $50,000 to $70,000 range, and $20,000 of that is the elevator, Butler said. The additional cost comes from modifications commonly required to reroute heating and cooling systems, and by adjustments to the foundation and roof. Its a challenging job to do, he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 02:37:04|Editor: yan

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BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Katyusha rocket on Thursday landed on a military base that houses U.S. troops in Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk, a local security source said.

The attack took place in the evening when the rocket hit K1 military base in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk without causing casualties, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
At least three lawyers were injured when a crude bomb exploded outside the chamber of one of them in a Lucknow court compound on Thursday.

Lucknow Bar Association Joint Secretary Sanjiv Kumar Lodhi claimed he was the target of the attack because he had been complaining about a few judicial officers.

He said about 10 people hurled crude bombs outside his chamber in which he and two other lawyers were injured. "One bomb exploded but two still lay unexploded," he said, questioning the security on the premises. Bomb disposal and dog squads have reached the site of the blast.

Last month, lawyers struck work in protest against the recent attacks on them in the state.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had asked bar associations to abstain from work to put pressure on the government to pass legislation to protect lawyers.

On January 7, lawyer Shekhar Tripathi (32) was beaten to death with sticks by five men in Lucknow, triggering anger among his colleagues who sat with the body at the district collectorate demanding justice.

On December 17, a man was killed and two policemen injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at Bijnore CJM's court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated Namibia reproductive health supplies and basic medical equipment worth over $540,000.

According to the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services, the donation will be distributed to various regions across the country.

The move aims to help decrease the number of unplanned pregnancies, especially among rural women.

We trust the donation will enhance the delivery of Sexual Reproductive Health services to adolescent girls and young women especially those in hard to reach areas, UNFPA Representative Dennia Gayle said.

Namibian Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula said that there was a lack of contraceptives in the country.

According to the Namibian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) of 2013, 27 percent of men aged 15- 24 had sex before age 15 years and 9 percent for women in the same age category.

Namibia has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy at 19 percent. Teenage pregnancy is more than three times higher among young women in the lowest wealth quintile than among those in the highest wealth quintile.
By Pamela Barbaglia

LONDON (Reuters) - The private equity owner of one of Europe's largest private education groups, Galileo Global Education, has put the business up for the sale in a deal worth about 2.5 billion euros ($2.72 billion), three sources told Reuters.

U.S. buyout fund Providence has hired Goldman Sachs and Rothschild to find a new owner for the Paris-based firm which runs a network of 42 schools in ten countries, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

An auction process kicked off in early February with Providence targeting a wide range of potential bidders including family offices, sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure investors, they said.

Providence and Rothschild declined to comment while Goldman Sachs was not immediately available.

The schools run by Galileo include the Paris School of Business (PSB), Macromedia University in Germany and Italian fashion school Istituto Marangoni.

Under Providence's ownership Galileo has expanded into other cities including London, Shanghai and Mumbai.

Many of the company's schools specialise in the arts and creative industries, particularly in France where the Atelier de Sevres focuses on fine art and Cifap offers cinema and music.

Milan-based Istituto Marangoni attracts wanna-be fashion designers and has branches in China, India and the United States.

Galileo has earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of between 130 and 140 million euros and is valued at a multiple of nearly 20 times its core earnings, one of the sources said.

Providence's advisers want to wrap up the sale before the summer, the sources said.

BIDDING FIELD

Buyout funds KKR, EQT, CVC Capital Partners and BC Partners have expressed interest in making rival bids, the sources said, adding that EQT would deploy cash from its infrastructure fund.

The sale has also drawn attention from European family offices including France's Wendel Group and Belgium's Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL) which are linked to the Wendel and Lambert families respectively, two of the sources said.

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Wendel has teamed up with Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, they added.

French private equity group Ardian has turned to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) to make a joint bid, the sources said.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) are both studying the dossier and may later enter a bidding consortium, they said.

Representatives at CVC, EQT, BC Partners, CPPIB, CDPQ, Wendel, ADIA and GBL declined to comment while KKR, Ardian and GIC were not available.

Galileo launched a 700 million euro loan in October to refinance existing debt, fund acquisitions and pay a 70 million euro dividend to shareholders - the third dividend paid to Providence in two years.

($1 = 0.9189 euros)

(Reporting By Pamela Barbaglia; Editing by Jane Merriman)
Climate change could wipe out up to half of all plant and animal life on Earth by 2070 if temperatures keep increasing, study warns.

Experts from Arizona University tracked species in hundreds of locations and temperature changes to reveal how much heat they could tolerate.

Rather than 'average temperature changes', the biggest threat from climate change is the 'maximum temperatures' the planet could reach, the authors claim.

Even if we stick to the Paris Agreement to combat climate change we would still lose up to 20 per cent of plants and animals by 2070, the authors predict.

The agreement calls for efforts to keep global average temperatures from climbing by no more than 3.6 degree Fahrenheit above 1880 levels - when records began.

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The common giant tree frog from Madagascar is one of many species impacted by recent climate change

Commenting on the findings, study author Dr John Wiens, at Arizona University, said: the results read like a 'choose your own adventure story'.

'If we stick to the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, we may lose fewer than two out of every 10 plant and animal species on Earth by 2070.

'But if humans cause larger temperature increases, we could lose more than a third or even half of all animal and plant species, based on our results.'

To estimate the future perils of climate change for wildlife, the ecologists looked to local extinctions that have already happened.

This was based on repeated studies of plants and animals over time.

They analysed data from 538 species and 581 sites around the world, focusing on plant and animal species that were surveyed at least 10 years apart at the same sites.

They gathered climate data from the time of the earliest survey on each site and compared it to the most recent survey, as well as studying the biodiversity.

The results revealed that almost half of the 538 species had already gone extinct at one or more sites between the first and most recent survey.

In more detail they found that about half of the species became locally extinct when maximum temperatures increased by more than 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the temperature increased by more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit then more than 95 per cent of species died off.

The ecologists behind the study said accurately predicting biodiversity loss from climate change requires understanding specifically what causes extinctions, and what mechanisms species could deploy to survive.

Study co-author Cristian Roman-Palacios said they examined changes over 19 different climate variables at every site to see what drives local extinctions.

'When we put all of these pieces of information together for each species, we can come up with detailed estimates of global extinction rates for hundreds of plant and animal species.'

A dead Alligator Juniper from Arizona. Unable to cope with rising temperature extremes, repeated surveys have shown that this species is being pushed up the mountain slopes under the impact of climate change.

The study identified maximum annual temperatures - the hottest daily highs in summer - as the variable that best explains whether a population will go extinct.

Average temperatures turned out to be a 'misleading' predictor of local extinction despite being used widely as a proxy for overall climate change.

Previous studies have focused on dispersal - or migration to cooler habitats - as a means for species to escape from warming climates.

However, the authors of the current study found that most species will not be able to disperse quickly enough to avoid extinction, based on their past movements.

The ecologists also warned that tropical species are between two to four times more likely to perish, compared to wildlife in temperate regions.

Dr John Wiens said: This is a big problem, because the majority of plant and animal species occur in the tropics.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers claim the Earth is going through a 'man made' sixth mass extinction with the 'biological annihilation' of wildlife The world has experienced five mass extinctions over the course of its history, and experts claim we are seeing another one happen right now. A 2017 research paper claimed a 'biological annihilation' of wildlife in recent decades has triggered the sixth mass extinction and says the planet is heading towards a 'global crisis'. Scientists warn humanity's voracious consumption and wanton destruction is to blame for the event, which is the first major extinction since the dinosaurs. Two species of vertebrate, animals with a backbone, have gone extinct every year, on average, for the past century. Currently around 41 per cent of amphibian species and more than a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction. There are an estimated 8.7 million plant and animal species on our planet and about 86 per cent of land species and 91 per cent of sea species remain undiscovered. Of the ones we do know, 1,204 mammal, 1,469 bird, 1,215 reptile, 2,100 amphibian, and 2,386 fish species are considered threatened. Also threatened are 1,414 insect, 2,187 mollusc, 732 crustacean, 237 coral, 12,505 plant, 33 mushroom, and six brown algae species. More than 25,000 species of 91,523 assessed for the 2017 'Red List' update were classified as 'threatened'. The number of invertebrates at risk has also peaked. Scientists predict insects may go extinct within 100 years as a result of crippling population decline. The dawn of the mass extinction coincides with the onset of the Anthropocene - the geological age defined by human activity being the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Advertisement




Kolkata, Feb 13 : A day after expressing his dismay over not being kept in the loop about the convocation of the Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday slapped a show cause notice on the Vice-Chancellor, describing it as "setting the process" for consideration of his removal.

Vice Chancellor Debkumar Mukhopadhyay has been asked to respond to the notice within 14 days, the Governor said in a tweet.

"Notice u/s 9 of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University Act has been issued to VC Debkumar Mukhopadhyay- thus setting process for consideration of his removal from the office of VC. His response u/s section 9(7) of Act has been sought within 14 days and he may avail oral hearing," Dhankhar's post on his twitter handle said.

On Thursday, the government had in a tweet pointed out that though four state ministers have been invited for the convocation scheduled for Friday, he has "just no information", despite being the Chancellor.

"Where are we heading!" Dhankhar had wondered in his tweet.

Ever since he arrived in the state late last July to take over the gubernatorial responsibility, Dhankhar has got into a series of confrontations with the Banerjee government on issues like law and order, education, health and other legislative and administrative matters. He has repeatedly complained that the government including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has not shown him due courtesy.

Protesters prevented Dhankhar from attending the convocation of Jadavpur University. He was also forced to leave the venue of the Calcutta University convocation even before the start of the programme due to intense student protest.

In December last, the Mamata Banerjee government framed new rules curtailing the Governor's power as Chancellor of state universities. The fresh rules have reduced the chancellor's role in choosing Vice Chancellors and taken away his power to convene meeting of the highest bodies of the universities, or take action against Vice Chancellors.
Attorney General Doug Downey insists the Ontario Human Rights Commission will remain independent in the wake of concerns over recent Progressive Conservative patronage appointments.

Theres no doubt they do excellent work and were making sure the board has a variety of talent  high-quality, very qualified people, Downey told reporters at Queens Park on Thursday. My office continues to work with (chief commissioner Renu Mandhane) to make sure were doing exactly that.

Asked if he would meet with Mandhane to discuss her concerns that he failed to consult with her before last months controversial appointments to the commission, Downey insisted everything is fine.

My office has been meeting with her office. Im not aware that shes asked me to have a sit-down meeting. Im certainly happy to do that, the attorney general said.

On Feb. 7, Mandhane noted in a letter to Downey that despite multiple requests, he has not met with her since becoming attorney general last June.

Mandhane also said she was concerned that Downeys failure to affirm an agreement signed by his predecessor, Caroline Mulroney, might compromise the commissions autonomy and independence from government and could result in Ontario failing to meet established international standards for human rights institutions.

Asked Thursday whether the commission should be an independent office, Downey said, It has to be. I dont think theres any question about that.

As first revealed by the Star, Premier Doug Ford quietly appointed an active-duty Toronto police officer and a professor with Progressive Conservative links to sit on the commission last month.

The appointments were made despite the fact that neither Const. Randall Arsenault nor Violetta Igneski, a McMaster University associate professor in philosophy, were among 330 applications submitted to Mandhane for vetting.

The part-time appointments pay up to $10,000 a year. They were made amid the commissions ongoing inquiry into allegations of racial profiling and discrimination against the Toronto Police Service, raising question of conflict of interest.

In September 2018, Arsenault posted a picture on Instagram of himself and his partner in their uniforms with Ford at the annual Ford Fest picnic in Vaughan. In the caption, he wrote that police officers have been taking photos with politicians in all levels of government and all political parties for quite some time now. I was proud to stand beside our Premier Doug Ford.

Igneskis sister, Jasmine, held senior posts in the Tory governments of premier Mike Harris and prime minister Stephen Harper.

The commission has the power to conduct inquiries and litigate. Its commissioners make decisions on which issues to take on, and signs off on research and reports.

Following the two recent appointments, the Toronto-based Black Legal Action Centre criticized Ford and the process in an open letter, and called into question the commissions ability to remain independent and fight racism.

Indeed, this seems to be one more step in Fords gutting of the human rights system in Ontario, the provincially funded legal aid clinic said, calling the appointments further evidence of his complete disregard for a merit-based process with respect to the public service in the province.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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Reuters

By Jack Stubbs

LONDON (Reuters) - Facebook on Wednesday said it had suspended a network of accounts used by Russian military intelligence to seed false narratives online targeting Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.

"Although the people behind this network attempted to conceal their identities and coordination, our investigation found links to Russian military intelligence services," Facebook said in a statement.

Facebook, which has struggled to stop governments and political groups using its platform to spread false or misleading information, regularly announces it has shut down disinformation campaigns from countries including Russia.

The Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Moscow has previously denied Western allegations of political meddling, including findings by U.S. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller that it used social media accounts in an attempt to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential vote.

Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said the latest Russian operation used more than 100 accounts on Facebook and its Instagram photo-sharing platform to create fake personas, often posing as journalists in the targeted countries.

These accounts then contacted local media and politicians to plant false stories about politically divisive issues, such as corruption allegations, ethnic tensions in the Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea and the downing of a Malaysian airliner in Ukraine in 2014.

"We've known for a long time that these people look for authentic voices to amplify their narratives," Gleicher told Reuters. "It is more of a classic intelligence operation, trying to manipulate key individuals to achieve a high impact."

Researchers at social media analytics firm Graphika, who reviewed the accounts before they were suspended by Facebook, said most of the activity dated back to 2016 and 2017, although some accounts were active as recently as this year.

The network failed to gather more than a few thousand followers but was able to get articles published in some local media outlets, said Ben Nimmo, Graphika's head of investigations.

The fake journalist personas also conducted interviews with Kremlin critics, tricking them into making unguarded comments and then sharing the messages online, he said.

"The operation tried to poison the well of information by using false personas to plant pro-Kremlin and anti-Western narratives online and in local news outlets," said Nimmo.

Facebook said it had also suspended two other groups of accounts, unconnected to the Russian operation. One was linked to a previously-identified Iranian network that has targeted the United States and the other to a PR firm in Vietnam.

(Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Peter Graff)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Parents of Nguyen Dinh Luong, one of the victims in the U.K. truck tragedy, burn incense at his altar at their home in Ha Tinh Province, central Vietnam, November 7, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Hung.

The group of 12 British officers and staff are in Vietnam to investigate the deaths of 39 Vietnamese found in a container truck last October.

They will be in the country until the end of February and are scheduled to meet the families of victims killed in the refrigerated container truck, police in Essex, where the truck was found, stated Wednesday.

The team are working closely with the British Embassy and National Crime Agency's (NCA) international liaison staff in Hanoi, and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who have assisted with trip arrangements.

Specialist officers from the NCA and those from Vietnams Ministry of Public Security will be joining the investigation.

The move came after Essex police wrapped up post-mortems, revealing the provisional cause of death was a combination of hypoxia and hyperthermia in an enclosed space.

British police last week arrested two more men on suspicion of involvement in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese. Last year, U.K. authorities arrested seven people involved in the disaster. In Vietnam, police have arrested 11 suspects in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces over human trafficking.

Last November, authorities released the identities of all 39 Vietnamese killed. The two youngest boys were 15 years old and oldest man was 44. Their remains were brought home later that month.

Twenty one of the victims were from Nghe An Province in north central Vietnam, 10 from neighboring Ha Tinh, and the rest from nearby Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue Provinces, as well as Hai Duong Province and Hai Phong City in the north.
Companies fear putting their executives in contact with others who may have been in the vicinity of the virus, especially in Chinese districts where many tech and telecoms businesses have operations. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty

At least 20 Irish telecoms and tech firms could miss out as the world's biggest telecoms trade fair, Mobile World Congress, considers whether to cancel its 2020 conference due to fears over the coronavirus.

The organisers of the event, which attracts over 100,000 telecoms and tech professionals every year, have been hit in recent days with a deluge of withdrawals from some of the biggest exhibitors.

Yesterday, Nokia, Vodafone, BT and Deutsche Telekom pulled out, compounding the uncertainty over the event when Ericsson, LG and Intel withdrew days earlier.

Companies fear putting their executives in contact with others who may have been in the vicinity of the virus, especially in Chinese districts where many tech and telecoms businesses have operations.

"Unfortunately, the most responsible decision is to withdraw our participation from the event to safeguard our employees and customers," said a statement from British Telecom.

Other companies echoed this response. "If you're a CEO, your first duty is to your people," said the founder of Galway-based telecoms firm Rivada Telecom, Declan Ganley, who withdrew from the event.

"What's the reward for potentially putting them in harm's way?"

Ireland's biggest presence is due to be via Enterprise Ireland, which plans to host 12 Irish companies at its event stand.
Brendan Smialowski/Getty

The Trump administrations top official overseeing Iran policy met with a representative of a controversial Iranian dissident group weeks after a U.S. strike killed Irans top military leader.

Brian Hook, a senior adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, met on January 31 with Robert G. Joseph, a former senior State official who now represents the National Council of Resistance of Iran, according to a foreign agent filing that Joseph submitted to the Justice Department this week. The NCRI is the political arm of the People's Mujahedin of Irancommonly known by Farsi acronym, MEKa group that seeks regime change in Iran and was on the U.S. governments official list of foreign terrorist organizations until 2012.

Josephs meeting with Hook came just a few weeks after a U.S. airstrike killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Irans top military commander. The MEK had long seen Soleimani as one of Irans foremost villains. In a blog post hailing his death, the NCRI described him as an infamous symbol of the regimes intimidation and murder.

Rudy Giuliani Calls Former Iranian Terrorists My People

Soleimani was directly responsible for killing some of my MEK people, Rudy Giuliani, a long-time ally of the group, told The Daily Beast in January. We don't like him very much.

Yet, in the wake of that strike, Pompeo circulated a memo barring American officials from meeting with representatives of the MEK, citing its controversial historyit allegedly played a role in the assassination of three U.S. Army officers and three more civilian contractorsand poor public standing in Iran.

Neither Hook nor the State Department press office responded to requests for additional information on the meeting. Joseph also did not respond to a request for comment.

The meeting with Hook was one of three of U.S. government contacts reported in Josephs semi-annual filing under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, but the only one that took place after the Soleimani strike. Joseph also reported meeting with Hook in September, and the following month with Tim Morrison, a former White House National Security Council official who oversaw policy in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Morrison declined to comment on the meeting.

Story continues

Josephs FARA filing does not include any details on what was discussed at each of those meetings. In general, he told the Justice Department, he worked to provide advice to NCRI officials on a range of issues, including: how best to counter false narratives about NCRI; how to improve the reach and effectiveness of the NCRI work on Iran's sponsorship ofterrorism, regional aggression and its nuclear program; and how to advance the cause of building a free and democratic Iran.

OK, Now What?: Inside Team Trumps Scramble to Sell the Soleimani Hit to America

Joseph also provid[ed] advice to strengthen the protection and security of former Iranian refugee residents from the former U.S. military camp at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq, who are now residing outside Tirana, Albania, according to his Justice Department filing.

The NCRI is headquartered in Paris and staffed by Iranian expatriates and exiles, many of whom have faced brutal treatment by the Iranian regime. The groups website describes it as the MEKs umbrella coalition.

The MEK has long worked to ingratiate itself with key U.S. policymakers, chiefly foreign policy hawks who share a distrust of the Iranian regime. It has forged ties with a number of officials who have served in or advised the Trump administration, including Giuliani and former National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Pompeo himself spoke at an event that included MEK representatives last year. But in January, after Soleimani was killed, he cautioned diplomats against engaging with either the MEK or the NCRI. Direct U.S. government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilizing behavior, Pompeo wrote in a memo sent to every U.S. embassy.

Days later, State appeared to walk back those comments. It sent a cable to U.S. diplomats, as reported by The Daily Beast at the time, that did not mention the MEK or the NCRI by name, but left the door open to engagement with the groups. It simply advised U.S. officials to use good judgement in taking such meetings.

Posts should welcome opportunities to meet with and learn from members of the Iranian diaspora community, advised the cable, which explicitly superseded Pompeos memo. After 40 years of repression and violence at the hands of the Ayatollahs, the Iranian peoples pride in their history has not diminished nor has their resolve to celebrate it in the face of the Islamic republics abuses.

Meet the General Who Ran Soleimanis Spies, Guns and Assassins

Joseph is a longtime NCRI ally, and signed up to lobby directly for the group in January 2019. He told DOJ at the time that he planned to interact with Albanian officials, U.S. Embassy, State Department staff, White House, and any other U.S. personnel as required, as well as UN officials. Hes being paid $15,000 per month for his services.

Prior to his private sector work, Joseph oversaw nuclear nonproliferation and arms control policies as a senior official in George W. Bushs State Department. He took a hard line on Iran in that position, according to contemporaneous reports.

More recently, at an NCRI event in March 2019, Joseph expressed his hope that Tehrans government would soon fall. The efforts that are being made by...many in this room, I am confident, will result in the rebirth of the great Persian nation and light replacing the darkness, he said. The darkness that is brought to us by the brutal, repressive dictatorship of the Mullahs.

with additional reporting by Erin Banco

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The senators -- who include Republicans Lindsey Graham and Todd Young, and Democrats Chris Van Hollen and Dick Durbin -- have written that Modi's twin steps "threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state." They described the events in Jammu and Kashmir, "India's only Muslim-majority state, as 'troubling'."

The bipartisan letter said, "More than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region."

It added, India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shut down by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business, and education for seven million people. Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in 'preventive detention,' including key political figures."

Also mentioning the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which would "give religious minorities from India's neighbours a fast-track to citizenship  but not Muslims", the letter apprehends that as a result of this law, people --'in particular religious or ethnic minorities -- could be rendered stateless, deported or locked up as a result of the citizenship law.

Talking about "excessive use of force by Indian authorities" against people protesting that law, the Axios report says, "Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party dominate Indian politics ... have taken swift action on their Hindu nationalist agenda since winning a landslide election last May. That has led to fierce backlash on the streets and in India's elite universities as fears grow that India's status as a secular democracy is under threat."

The senators also ask Pompeo for assessments on the number of political detainees in Kashmir, whether they had been subjected to torture Not without reason, Trump said he expected in Ahmedabad 57 million people just from the airport to the new stadium" (see video below) just greet him in Ahmedabad. Ironically, Ahmedabad's population is 5.6 million, though government sources suggest , a little more than a lakh people are estimated to greet the US president. Significantly, Trump quotes this figure stating Modi told this to him.The senators -- who include Republicans Lindsey Graham and Todd Young, and Democrats Chris Van Hollen and Dick Durbin -- have written that Modi's twin steps "threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state." They described the events in Jammu and Kashmir, "India's only Muslim-majority state, as 'troubling'."The bipartisan letter said, "More than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region."It added, India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shut down by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business, and education for seven million people. Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in 'preventive detention,' including key political figures."Also mentioning the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which would "give religious minorities from India's neighbours a fast-track to citizenship  but not Muslims", the letter apprehends that as a result of this law, people --'in particular religious or ethnic minorities -- could be rendered stateless, deported or locked up as a result of the citizenship law.Talking about "excessive use of force by Indian authorities" against people protesting that law, the Axios report says, "Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party dominate Indian politics ... have taken swift action on their Hindu nationalist agenda since winning a landslide election last May. That has led to fierce backlash on the streets and in India's elite universities as fears grow that India's status as a secular democracy is under threat."



India's special status dropped

Pointing out that this is being done "in order to reduce the threshold for triggering a US investigation into whether nations are harming U.S. industries with unfairly subsidized exports", the report quotes a US Trade Representative as saying the Trump administration has also eliminated its special preferences for Albania, Argentina;, Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Georgia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand. Ukraine and Vietnam.

The US official said the decision to revise its developing country methodology for countervailing duty investigations was necessary because Americas previous guidance  which dates back to 1998  is now obsolete. The report adds, "The development marks a noteworthy departure from two decades of American trade policy regarding developing nations that could result in more stringent penalties for some of the worlds top exporters."

It adds, "The move also reflects President Donald Trumps frustration that large economies like China and India are permitted to receive preferential trade benefits as developing nations at the World Trade Organization." Significantly, The Trump visit to India is taking place ahead of US treating China as developing countries for trade benefits. A report from Geneva says , Trump administration has "narrowed its list of developing countries to reduce threshold for triggering investigation into unfairly subsidised exports."Pointing out that this is being done "in order to reduce the threshold for triggering a US investigation into whether nations are harming U.S. industries with unfairly subsidized exports", the report quotes a US Trade Representative as saying the Trump administration has also eliminated its special preferences for Albania, Argentina;, Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Georgia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand. Ukraine and Vietnam.The US official said the decision to revise its developing country methodology for countervailing duty investigations was necessary because Americas previous guidance  which dates back to 1998  is now obsolete. The report adds, "The development marks a noteworthy departure from two decades of American trade policy regarding developing nations that could result in more stringent penalties for some of the worlds top exporters."It adds, "The move also reflects President Donald Trumps frustration that large economies like China and India are permitted to receive preferential trade benefits as developing nations at the World Trade Organization." The senators also seek Pompeo's "assessments" on the number of political detainees in Kashmir, whether they had been subjected to "torture or other forms of mistreatment, restrictions on internet and cell service in Kashmir, restrictions on access for foreign diplomats, journalists and observers in Kashmir, and restrictions on religious freedom in Kashmir."

Ahead of President Donald Trump's much publicised India visit, which includes a visit to Ahmedabad on February 24, a bipartisan group of American senators have written to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing concerns and seeking State Department assessments on India's "crackdown" in Kashmir and the controversial citizenship law. A New York-based digital news site, Axios, said this "matters" as, Trump, heading to India later this month, "rather than pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Kashmir crackdown during their last appearance together, in Houston, praised him (Modi)."Milan Vaishnav of the Carnegie Endowment, a Washington-based think tank, is quoted as stating that the visit is expected to "essentially going to provide a similar kind of air cover for Modi, at a time when he is facing all-round flak for Kashmir and the citizenship law.
The largest opposition party in the Punjab government is the Shiromani Akali Dal. Shiromani Akali Amritsar chief Simranjit Singh Mann says that we want mutual reconciliation, not war in India and Pakistan. Under his leadership, the 73rd Annual Birthday of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was celebrated in a large pandal in front of the Gurudwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib. Leaders of the Muslim community including a large number of Sikh Sangat from every district of Punjab including Shri Akal Takht Sahib's Executive Jathedar Dhyan Singh Mand, established by Sarbat Khalsa participated in the ceremony in large numbers.

World Radio Day: It is special in many ways

From the beginning till the end, the pandal continued to resonate with the separatist slogans. From the stage, SAD Amritsar presented 19 proposals and his copies were distributed free in Sangat. At the same time, leaders of various Sikh institutions addressed Sangat and demanded Khalistan and appealed to the Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities to maintain unity and be alert to the opportunistic forces, including maintaining mutual brotherhood in the country.

Supreme Court order to political parties - 'Why should the ticket be given to tainted candidates?'

Many leaders from the stage gave the tag of the Aam Aadmi Party's victory in Delhi to the B team of the RSS and said that AAP's politics in Punjab will never be successful because Punjab gurus and great martyrs Earth is where cultist thinking speaks of the good of Sarbat. The leaders appealed to understand the moves of governments and thwart their intentions.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad rages on the slogan of independence, asks 'freedom from whom?'
Press Release

13 February 2020

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee - The Canadian hotel industry recorded mixed year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 2-8 February 2020, according to data from STR.

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In comparison with the week of 3-9 February 2019, the industry reported the following:

Occupancy: -1.7% to 56.1%

Average daily rate (ADR): +0.2% to CAD148.15

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -1.5% to CAD83.18

Among the provinces and territories, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced the only double-digit rise in occupancy (+13.0% to 39.6%), the steepest decline in ADR (-3.1% to CAD116.37) and the largest jump in RevPAR (+9.5% to CAD46.04).

Quebec posted the largest lift in ADR (+3.0% to CAD158.28).

Saskatchewan saw the second-highest increases in occupancy (+3.1% to 56.7%) and RevPAR (+4.1% to CAD68.61).

New Brunswick registered the steepest decline in RevPAR (-11.3% to CAD48.26), due primarily to the only double-digit drop in occupancy (-10.5% to 40.6%)

Prince Edward Island reported the second-largest decreases in occupancy (-9.6% to 41.9%) and RevPAR (-11.0% to CAD49.89).
The Delhi Police on Thursday arrested two more people in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College of the Delhi University in the national capital last week. A total of ten people, between the ages of 18-25 years, were arrested by the Delhi Police on February 12 (Wednesday) in connection with the incident. However, the Saket Court has released these 10 people on bail.

Over 11 police teams are dedicatedly working on all aspects of the case. These teams are also looking at the technical details available and visiting various sites in NCR to identify the suspects and investigate the case, the Delhi Police had said. Many people are being questioned and multiple suspects have been identified, the police added. The college authorities have also been spoken to by the investigating teams.

The Delhi Police on February 10 registered a case in connection with the incident. According to Atul Kumar Thakur, DCP (south), a case has been registered under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

A plea was filed in the Delhi High Court on Thursday seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College of the Delhi University in the national capital last week.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain the petition and had directed the petitioner, a lawyer, to move the high court. Hours after the apex court's decision, the lawyer filed the petition in the high court.

The petition, by advocate M L Sharma, has sought the preservation of all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus. It has also sought the arrest of the people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy".

Sharma, in his plea, has alleged that it was a planned political and criminal conspiracy hatched in the backdrop of the Delhi election and no action was taken after the incident. The petition further blamed the chief minister of Delhi for not taking any action against the accused.

"It is a clear criminal conspiracy hatched by the political party to deploy accused persons to provoke the Delhi public for effecting voting in their favour. Despite the presence of Delhi Police ... On February 6, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons," the PIL claimed.

On February 6, a group of men broke into the Gargi College during the 'Reverie' fest and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees, who claimed that security officials stood watching when the incident took place. The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their ordeal and alleged that security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.

Besides the security arranged by the college, the area had Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel who were stationed there for the Assembly poll.
Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Spalding University School of Social Work is taking the next step in its social justice mission by launching the first Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program in Louisville and one of the first in Kentucky. The move, which is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, addresses a societal need to prepare a greater number of social workers - especially those of color and from other minority groups - to lead nonprofit organizations, teach on college social work faculties and serve in advanced clinical practice.

Pending approval from SACSCOC, Spaldings DSW program will launch its first cohort in August 2020, providing masters-level social workers with advanced professional development for trauma-informed practice and leadership.

In a society grappling with trauma related to violence, addiction and economic disparity, the number of social work jobs at all levels is expected to grow by 16 percent in the period from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Spalding DSW program will help meet that demand by producing more doctorate-level social workers who are qualified to teach the next generation of college social work students or to lead the organizations that will ultimately employ them.

There are no Doctor or Social Work programs in Kentucky for the current 2019-20 academic year and fewer than 20 nationally, meaning that Spaldings DSW program will fill an important space in social work education in our region, Spalding School of Social Work Chair Dr. Shannon Cambron said.

There is no doubt that the world needs more social workers, and for that to happen, social workers need people to train and lead them, Cambron said. Spaldings DSW program will prepare practicing social workers to become those faculty instructors and nonprofit leaders that our industry critically needs. In particular, we encourage students of diverse backgrounds  in terms of race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity  to pursue their doctorate with us and help infuse agencies and schools with social work leaders who look like and relate to the clients they serve and the students they teach.

Designed with working professionals in mind, Spaldings 48-credit-hour program is meant to be completed over four years (eight semesters), with the final year dedicated to the completion of a capstone project. The program will be presented in a hybrid, low-residency format of online lessons and a total of 12 one-day, on-campus sessions per year of workshops, lectures and group discussions. For those who seek a faster pace, accelerated options will be available.

The Spalding DSW offers a choice of two academic tracks: an Advanced Clinical Practice Track and a Leadership and Administration Track.

Compared with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work programs, which focus primarily on the collection and publication of research, Spaldings DSW program focuses on advancing the clinical and leadership skills of practicing social workers.

Well prepare DSW students in a way that unpacks what trauma looks like not just from a clinical perspective and how we work with clients and families but how trauma affects all of those who work on the front lines of a nonprofit agency, Cambron said. She said that curriculum will also emphasize how social workers can understand and recognize explicit and implicit biases.

The DSW Leadership and Administration Track is designed to help social workers, in particular those of minority backgrounds, attain management and administrative skills necessary to rise the ranks and lead successful organizations. Year 3 courses in the Leadership and Administration Track include Grants and Financial Management; Leadership, Administration and Supervision; and Strategic Planning for Social Change.

It will transform agencies both locally and regionally to be led by advanced-level social workers who understand, first and foremost, vulnerable populations and the clients theyre serving while also having significant leadership skills, Cambron said.

Applications for Spaldings first DSW cohort can be submitted at spalding.edu/dsw with a deadline of April 30; there is no application fee.

For the programs first year, Cambron will share DSW program director duties with School of Social Work Director of Graduate Education, Dr. Cynthia Conley, who is a leading researcher and practitioner on LGBTQ+ issues locally and nationally. Cambron, meanwhile, is a scholar and community advocate on issues of racial equity, institutional oppression and gun violence.

The creation of the DSW expands the Spalding School of Social Work in a way that aligns with the universitys mission and its roots in social justice.

The private university, which is located in downtown Louisville for 100 years, was founded in 1814 by Catholic leader Mother Catherine Spalding and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Dedicated to serving the poor and the sick while also advancing education in the state, Catherine Spalding has been called an early leader of social work in Kentucky. The Spalding University mission statement reads that the institution is dedicated to meeting the needs of the times in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth  with emphasis on service and the promotion of peace and justice.

Spalding University provides high-touch doctoral education in healthcare-related and leadership-focused programs, Dean of Graduate Education Dr. Kurt Jefferson said. The new Doctor of Social Work degree program will help train leaders to solve problems and think deeply about an array of societal issues that need immediate attention.

For more information, visit Spalding's DSW webpage or contact Dr. Conley at cconley@spalding.edu.

About Spalding University: Established in 1814 and located in downtown Louisville since 1920, Spalding is a historic, private institution that offers undergraduate, graduate and accelerated programs in a range of areas of study. The university offers doctoral programs in clinical psychology (PsyD), leadership (EdD), nursing practice (DNP), occupational therapy (OTD) and social work (DSW)*. Spaldings athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III. Spalding was recognized as the world's first Compassionate University. Visit spalding.edu for more information. *-pending SACSCOC approval

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Patna: A bevy of top Bihar leaders made a beeline during campaigning for the Delhi assembly polls but they seemingly failed to influence the voters drawn from Bihar in favour of the their respective parties as performances of their candidates were dismal.

Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (U) president Nitish Kumar shared dais with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda at two elections rallies.

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan also campaigned for the NDA candidates. Besides, a host of JD(U) and LJP leaders from Bihar camped in Delhi and canvassed support from settlers of Bihar for the NDA nominees.

At his Delhi rallies, Kumar had launched an all-out attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, saying some people were more interested in publicity than work.

He also slammed Kejriwal for making false claims over improving the education system in Delhi and asked about the number of school buildings constructed in Delhi in the last five years.

After the debacle in Jharkhand state elections, the BJP, JD(U) and LJP had decided to fight Delhi polls together in a bid to muster support from migrants of Bihar. It was aimed at sending a strong signal for a new bonding and also a positive message ahead of the Bihar assembly elections to be held later this year.

While the BJP contested 67 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi, the JD(U) contested from two seats and the LJP from one seat. JD(U) candidate Shailendra Kumar contested from Burari seat while SCL Gupta fought from Sangam Vihar. LJP nominee Santlal Chawaria was fielded from Seemapuri reserved seat.

It was for the first time that the NDA partners, barring the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), contested the Delhi elections together. The SAD, oldest ally of the BJP, had refused to contest the Delhi polls together due to its differences with the BJP over the Citizenship Amendment Act.

It was presumed that the BJP and other NDA candidates will benefit due to alliance with the JD(U) and LJP in view of substantial population of migrant people from Bihar in some constituencies. However, the charm of top leaders from Bihar failed to work as settlers from the state apparently threw their weight behind the AAP candidates.

The AAP defeated the JD(U) in both Burari and Sangam Vihar. Nitish Kumars party had contested the last assembly polls in Delhi in 2015 but could not win any seat.

The Congress and the RJD had also forged an alliance for the first time for the Delhi polls. While the Congress contested from 66 seats, the RJD had fielded candidates from Palam, Burari, Kirari and Uttam Nagar. RJD candidate Pramod Tyagi contested from Burari, Mohammad Riyazuddin Khan from Kirari and Nirmal Kumar Singh from the Palam assembly constituencies.

To muster support of voters from Bihar, the leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav camped in Delhi and campaigned for the four party nominees. He also held a public meeting in Vikaspuri area of west Delhi in support of the Congress nominees. Cine actor Shatrughan Sinha, who had quit the BJP ahead of the last Lok Sabha polls and joined the Congress, too campaigned for Congress Dwarka nominee Adarsh Shastri.

But Tejashwi and Shatrughan too failed to attract the voters from Bihar and the Purvanchalis. All the four RJD nominees have performed miserably and some of them could not even save their security deposits. We are not disappointed by the results because people have voted for AAP. But the biggest message is for the BJP, which had resorted to venomous campaign, said Manoj Jha, RJD MP.

Emboldened by the poll outcome, the AAP is planning to spread its wings in other states, including Bihar, which will go to polls by the end of this year.

The voters from Bihar have rejected the JD(U) and LJP in Delhi because people are unhappy with the NDA government in the state. We will try to cash in on peoples disenchantment towards Nitish Kumar and contest on our own, said AAPs Bihar chief Shatrughan Sahu.

The AAP had made its foray into Bihar and contested 39 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 but it could not open its account. In 2015 Bihar assembly elections, it did not contest but backed the anti-BJP group led by RJD-JD(U) alliance, which won the polls.

In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it could not find a place in the Grand Alliance but unsuccessfully contested Kishanganj, Bhagalpur and Sitamarhi seats. The vote percentage was not at all encouraging in all the elections it contested in Bihar.

The AAP may have been upbeat over its Delhi poll performance, but the task in Bihar seems to be taller due to strong presence of the NDA led by Nitish Kumar who is known for his development work since November 2005 when he assumed power in the state.

Several of his schemes such as the bicycle scheme for girls and reservation for women in Panchayat Raj bodies have earned him accolades countrywide.

The Delhi poll results have undeniably dampened the BJP spirit and, at the same time, enhanced the bargaining capacity of Kumar during seat-sharing for the Bihar assembly polls.

Former BJP chief Amit Shah and Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi have already conceded Nitish Kumar as the big brother in Bihar.

The BJP and JD(U) had contested 17 seats each in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls leaving six seats for the LJP. The JD(U) could win only 16 seats, losing the Kishanganj seat to Congress, while the BJP and LJP won all the seats they contested.

Since they forged an alliance in 1996, Kumar played the role of a senior partner till he walked out in 2013.

In 2009, the JD(U) had contested 25 seats, leaving 15 for the BJP. The JD(U) and BJP won 20 and 12 seats respectively. In 2014 parliamentary polls, the JD(U) fought alone winning just two seats while the BJP won 22 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

In the 2010 assembly elections, the JD(U) was the big brother and had contested 141 seats and the BJP 102 seats out of 243 in the state assembly.

The JD(U) had fought the 2015 assembly polls in alliance with the RJD and both the allies contested 101 seats each. The JD(U) won 71 seats and the RJD won 80 seats. The BJP, which contested 157 seats in an alliance with the LJP and others, won only 53.

(The author is a senior journalist. Views expressed are personal.)
Indian and British armed forces on Thursday began their joint 'Ajeya Warrior' exercises in the Salisbury Plain of central southern England to train troops in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations.

"Exercise Ajeya Warrior 2020 can be termed as the shining example of long-standing strategic ties between India and United Kingdom, the Indian defence ministry said.

The aim of exercises, now in its fifth edition, is to conduct training of troops in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in both urban and semi-urban areas.

During the opening ceremony, Brigadier Tom Bewick, Commander of UK 7 Infantry Brigade, welcomed the Indian contingent.

As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations will be conducted over the next few days.

According to the ministry, both the armies will also share their valuable experiences in countering such situations as also refine drills and procedures for joint operations wherever the need arises.

The exercise will be culminating with a 72 hours joint exercise, which will focus on the joint operation by soldiers during conduct of counter-terrorist operations.

The exercise is a great step for the armies of the two democratic countries to train together and gain together from each other's rich operational experiences, a press statement noted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Signs that depict the four members of China's military indicted on charges of hacking into Equifax Inc. and stealing data from millions of Americans are seen shortly after Attorney General William Barr held a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington on Feb. 10, 2020. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Hackers Indicted in Equifax Breach Are Part of Chinas Electronic Warfare Program

The FBI published a wanted poster and an indictment on Feb. 10 of four Chinese military-backed hackers for their alleged roles in the 2017 cyberattack against credit company Equifax.

The Equifax breach exposed personal data of 145 million Americans, including Social Security and drivers license numbers. The FBI described the breach as the largest known theft of personally identifiable information ever carried out by state-sponsored actors.

Yet, despite the rare expose of Chinese soldiers, little has been said about the hacker unit they were allegedly part of, reported by the FBI as the 54th Research Institute.

The case that most closely resembles this is the May 19, 2014, indictment of five Chinese military hackers for multiple alleged cybercrimes committed between 2006 and 2014. They were identified as being part of Unit 61398 of the Chinese military, the Peoples Liberation Army.

The Unit and Research Institute named in these cases were previously known, but not widely known.

A Different Purpose

The hackers involved in the 2014 case more clearly fit the profile of their assigned military branch. An investigative series from The Epoch Times in 2015 detailed the structure of these units and their operations. Unit 61398 was under the Third Department of the General Staff Departmentthe former warfighting branch of the Chinese military. Under the Third Department were 22 known operational bureaus, and at least four known research institutes involved in their operations.

Beneath each unit were additional branches, each with a unique purpose, which in the case of the 2014 indictment were focused on the theft of trade secrets from the United States to advance the economic warfare operations of the Chinese regime. Among the regimes programs that direct economic theft are Project 863, China 2025, the Torch Program, and others.

A July 27, 2015, report from the Project 2049 Institute, a think tank, stated that Unit 61398, also known as The Second Bureau, was one of the largest operational bureaus under the Third Department. It notes that the unit was structured like a Chinese military ground-force division, and was also involved in political warfare and in collecting military intelligence.

A first glance at the recent indictment of the Chinese hackers in the Equifax case would suggest the soldiers were part of the same departmentnamely, under one of the research institutes of the General Staff Department, Third Department. Yet they werent, which suggests the Equifax breach may have served a different purpose than economic gain.

The 54 Research Institute was under the Fourth Department of the General Staff Department, meaning that its operations were related to electronic warfare.

Defining Roles

As a brief breakdown, the General Staff Department had three main departments focused on operations of this nature. The Second Department was the human intelligence department, which was focused on more conventional spies; the Third Department was the signals intelligence department, which was focused on cyber intelligence; and the Fourth Department was the electronics intelligence department, which was focused on electronic warfare.

However, these units were more recently merged into a different parent branch of the Chinese military, which removed them from the General Staff Department and placed them under the relatively new Strategic Support Force. A 2016 report from the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission states, This composition at a minimum would suggest the Strategic Support Force is charged with cyber, space, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions supporting joint integrated operations.

The 54 Research Institute of the Fourth Departmentthe one named in the recent FBI indictmentwas described in a 2018 report from the Institute for National Strategic Studies as responsible for research and development of operational electronic and network countermeasures, and was moved over to the Strategic Support Force, likely under the Network Systems Department.

The Third and Fourth Departmentswhich are again the parent departments of the respective hacker groupsare considered three of the five known Chinese military entities focused on espionage and intelligence gathering, according to a 2009 report from the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission. The other two are the International Liaison Department of the PLA General Political Department, and a network of various defense industrial firms.

The 2009 report notes specifically that the Third Department (as in the 2014 FBI indictment) was focused on Signals intelligence collection and analysis and Cyber intelligence collection and analysis, whereas the Fourth Department (as in the recent case) was focused on Electronic warfare (jamming, etc.) and Computer network attacks.

It adds, however, that the Third Department and the Fourth Department may also have a complementary relationship. In other words, as The Epoch Times has previously reported, the units may have been working together on their operations.

When it comes to the specific roles of these departments in computer operationssuch as the breaches the different units were charged forthe differences appear very fine, between network exploitation and network attack.

The 2009 report says the Third Department bears primary responsibility within the PLA for computer network exploitation. The Fourth Department, on the other hand, plays the leading role in computer network attack.

It describes network exploitation as enabling operations and intelligence collection capabilities conducted through the use of computer networks to gather data from target or adversary automated information systems or networks.

And it explains network attack as actions taken through the use of computer networks to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy information resident in computers and computer networks, or the computers and networks themselves.
" " Eric Fischer /Flickr/(CC BY 2.0) Jaywalking is crossing the street somewhere other than at an intersection or crosswalk. And it's probably illegal.

You're in a rush and don't want to head all the way to the crosswalk to cross the street. Anyway, who cares, right? The store you need is directly across the street  not anywhere near the intersection. So you go ahead and cross when traffic is clear.

What you've just done is jaywalked  crossed the street somewhere other than at an intersection or crosswalk. And it's probably illegal. But why?

Mostly it has to do with pedestrian safety in general. And it makes sense, considering National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows a total of 6,283 pedestrian deaths in 2018, a 3 percent increase from 2017.

Furthermore, while pedestrians represent only 3 percent of those involved in traffic incidents, they account for 14 percent of traffic deaths. Even though 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities are from accidents outside of intersections, many are at intersections and crosswalks where pedestrian crossings are concentrated.

So, jaywalking is illegal for safety reasons. Got it. But jaywalking's history  and enforcing it  is more complicated than you might expect.

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History of the Jaywalking

According to Merriam-Webster, the term "jaywalking" is derived from an older, more obscure term, "jay-driving." Jay-driving was used to describe drivers of horse-drawn carriages who stubbornly drove on the wrong side of the road.

One of the earliest known uses of jay-driving in print was in the Junction City, Kansas, Junction City Union in June 1905; the Kansas City Star used the term jaywalking in October that same year. In both cases, the word "jay" meant someone who was inexperienced at what they were doing, such as a hick or a rube, and carried serious derogatory implications.

However, the earliest uses of jaywalking described poor sidewalk manners, rather than illegally crossing the street, and Merriam-Webster says it's unknown why the meaning of the term evolved.

One might assume that once the automobile became common, the car also became a status symbol  class wars were tied to those who could afford to drive and those who were stuck walking. But in fact the opposite is true. According to an essay in Salon, the drivers were the outsiders, outnumbered by pedestrians who resented being displaced to the sidewalks. This phase lasted well into the 1920s, when the automobile industry lobbied to make cities more car-friendly  and to make jaywalking first a faux pas, and eventually a crime. Crosswalks were added to streets in 1911, and laws against jaywalking were widespread by the 1930s.

" " In the heart of the shopping district on State Street, Chicago, in the early 20th century, pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages and street cars all shared the road. Library of Congress

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Jaywalking as a Crime

These days, if you're hit while jaywalking, your rights as a pedestrian vary from state to state. Most states view the situation differently depending on whether the pedestrian was in a "controlled" crossing, with a crosswalk, or an "uncontrolled" crossing, with no markings or signals.

Further complicating matters, traffic signals don't always have the same meaning in every state, and some states have local "distracted walking" laws that let law enforcement issue citations for offenses such as texting while crossing an intersection. Then there are states like Michigan that have no statewide crosswalk laws, leaving it up to cities and towns to write and communicate their own regulations.

So when you're behind the wheel, how do you keep up with all the laws? Well consider that old mantra you might have learned way back in drivers' education: The "right of way is something you give, not take." Though laws for drivers, again, vary from state to state, in general, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals. But pedestrians are also expected to yield the right of way to drivers wherever there is no established place for pedestrians to cross.

Still, in 19 states, drivers are supposed to yield to a pedestrian anywhere in the roadway. In even more states, drivers are supposed to stop and yield to pedestrians in specific proximity to the vehicle. Confused yet?

To try to make things simpler, for law enforcement at least, the NHTSA's publication "Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations: A How-To Guide" instructs officers to "cite both drivers and pedestrians, but focus on drivers, as they are the less vulnerable population." In other words, pedestrians and drivers often share responsibility for collisions, but drivers should remember that they are much less likely to suffer bodily harm.

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Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?

But you've constantly been told pedestrians always have the right of way, even if they're jaywalking. Is that not true? Surprise, there are a couple of answers to this question. First, it depends again on local laws. Second, if you're driving and hit a pedestrian and they're injured, does it really matter who was "right"? Probably not.

The NHTSA's guidelines for pedestrian safety emphasize that pedestrians are still responsible for their own safety; however, it is also the obligation of motorists to be on the lookout for pedestrians  everywhere and at all times.

And what about the jaywalkers? Are they likely to get penalized for the practice? In general, the answer is probably no (see Now That's Sad for more info).

The law enforcement best practices guide from NHTSA notes that "enforcement of pedestrian safety laws has typically been minimal," though jaywalking laws are just a small part of that overall category, and NHTSA doesn't provide details about jaywalking laws specifically. (We reached out to the NHTSA, who declined to comment on jaywalking enforcement, citing it as a matter for local law enforcement agencies.)

In short, yes, jaywalking is illegal is most jurisdictions. But it falls on both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of local laws, but even then, common sense and a priority on safety should prevail.

So, if you as a motorist hit someone who is jaywalking, or if you as a pedestrian are hit by a car while jaywalking, the legal consequences will vary depending on where you are. Aside from the legal issues, as the offending motorist or pedestrian victim, the bottom line is that a potentially life-altering incident occurred because one or both of you were simply not paying enough attention.

Now That's Sad According to Salon and CounterPunch, current enforcement against jaywalking disproportionately targets people of color. For example, in the mostly white college town of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, 89 percent of people cited for jaywalking are black. Even when jaywalking enforcement isn't overtly racist, it may target pedestrians in misleading or unfair ways, as a means of revenue generation rather than safety improvement.
The Ohio Harness Horsemens Association in partnership with WDLR Radio of Delaware, Ohio is creating a new half hour radio show focusing on harness racing in the Buckeye State.

Horsing Around is scheduled to debut Saturday, February 15 at 9:00 a.m.

Kelley Bell of the Little Brown Jug Radio Network will host the show with Michelle Gatchell. The show will feature interviews with breeders, trainers, owners and other involved in harness racing.

Bells guest for the inaugural show include Ohio Harness Horsemens Association Brand Ambassador Roger Huston and Joe McLead of Sugar Valley Farm in Delaware. Bell says, if you like horses, harness racing or the Little Brown Jug, you will love this show.

WDLR General Manager Mike Schnell says horsepeople have been asking for a show like this. As the home of the Little Brown Jug, Delaware is a major hub of activity for horsemen. It is only natural that we developed a show focusing on the equine industry and its value to the state of Ohio.

The show will air Saturday mornings on WDLR-Delaware, Ohio (92.9 FM and 1550 AM) at 9:00 a.m. Listeners outside the stations signal will also be able to listen to the show. It will also be available online at wdlr.com and will be available via the Tune In app.

(Ohio Harness Horsemens Association)
By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Pre-election campaign for Irans parliamentary elections started on February 13 and will last until February 19, Irans Tasnim news agency reported.

The votes for the parliament and the midterm election of the Assembly of Experts will be held simultaneously on February 21.

The campaigns for the Assembly of Experts midterm election had already begun on February 6.

A number of candidates running for the parliament are 7,148. This includes dozens of Iranians from the religious minorities. There are 290 seats in the parliament up for grabs.

As for Tehran, as many as 1,453 candidates are contesting one of the 30 allocated seats on the legislature.

The lawmakers in Iran are elected for a four-year term, with no limitation for the incumbent or former parliamentarians to run again.

In addition, people in such provinces as North Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, Fars, Tehran and Qom are going to elect seven candidates running for the midterm election of the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a high-ranking body that elects leader of the Islamic Revolution.

People will directly elect assembly members to the office for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.

Top Iranian officials have repeated calls over the past weeks for a high turnout in the elections.

Note that the next legislative election in Iran is scheduled for 21 February 2020.

Iranian Parliament is the national legislative body of the country. The most recent election took place on 26 February 2016 and the new parliament was opened on 28 May 2016.

Currently, there are 290 members of Parliament, 14 of whom represent non-Muslim religious minorities (4.8 percent), and are popularly elected for four-year terms. About 8 percent of the Parliament are women, while the global average is 13 percent.

The Parliament can force the dismissal of cabinet ministers through no-confidence votes and can impeach the president for misconduct in office. Although the executive proposes most new laws, individual deputies of the Parliament also may introduce legislation. Deputies also may propose amendments to bills being debated. The Parliament also drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the national budget.

Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The former US ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, has warned that the US had adopted an amoral foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust.

In her first public remarks since leaving the US foreign service two weeks ago, Yovanovitch said that the Trump administrations handling of foreign policy risked alienating allies and driving them into the arms of other partners they find more reliable.

The veteran former ambassador was ousted from her post in Kyiv by Donald Trump last May, at the time the president and his associates were putting pressure on the Ukrainian government to launch investigations of Trumps political opponents. Yovanovitch gave evidence about the pressure campaign at congressional impeachment hearings before retiring from the foreign service altogether.

We need to be principled, consistent and trustworthy, she said while accepting an award for diplomacy at Georgetown University. To be blunt, an amoral, keep-them-guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul.

Related: NPR host says Pompeo shouted 'F-word' tirade when she asked about Ukraine

At some point, the once unthinkable will become the inevitable  that our allies who have as much right to act in their own self-interest as we do, will seek out more reliable partners partners whose interests might not align well with ours.

Yovanovitch was given a lengthy, thunderous standing ovation by an audience of students and diplomats and beamed as she took the stage. She warned that the state department was in trouble adding that its leadership lacked policy vision and moral clarity.

The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, did not defend her when she was smeared by the presidents lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and did not appear to try to stop her removal from her post. When asked about her last month, Pompeo launched an obscenity-laced tirade against the journalist who raised the question.

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Yovanovitch described her months at the centre of the impeachment uproar as a through-the-looking-glass experience, and said she was forced to dig deep a little bit and rely on family, friends, faith and, in the wake of her retirement, fun.

She was given the Trainor Award for Excellence in the Conduct of Diplomacy at Georgetown University. Previous winners have been the then US secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, and then secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

And on a brighter note, she said: With all the focus on Ukraine, it has meant that there is continued bipartisan support for a strong Ukraine policy.

Yovanovitch spoke out in an opinion article for the Washington Post earlier in the month.

She wrote: These are turbulent times, perhaps the most challenging that I have witnessed. But I still intend to find ways to engage on foreign policy issues and to encourage those who want to take part in the important work of the Foreign Service.

She added: Like my parents before me, I remain optimistic about our future. The events of the past year, while deeply disturbing, show that even though our institutions and our fellow citizens are being challenged in ways that few of us ever expected, we will endure, we will persist and we will prevail.

Testifying before the House of Representatives in the impeachment inquiry last year, Yovanovitch spoke about the devastating campaign to undermine her work in Ukraine by the president and his confidants, before he ultimately recalled her from the job.

She told impeachment investigators she felt shocked and devastated by Trumps personal attacks on her, and that she was amazed corrupt elements in Ukraine had found willing American partners to take her down.

Trump tweeted attacks on her even as she testified, accusing Yovanovitch of incompetence, an experience she told the committee that she found intimidating.
2,411 aborted babies buried, memorialized after shocking discovery at Ulrich Klopfers home

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The remains of 2,411 aborted babies were laid to rest at an Indiana cemetery Wednesday after being discovered by the family of abortionist Ulrich "George" Klopfer who died last September.

We have identified a burial site with the purpose to memorialize these 2,411 unborn, keeping them together in rest, each of them connected by their common fate," said Republican Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill at the graveside service at Southlawn Cemetery in South Bend.

"Each of these 2,411 was a life  a life that was terminated  and each deserves to be secure in a final resting place, with dignity and respect, as should be afforded all human beings. May each of the 2,411 buried here, now and forever, rest in peace, Hill added.

At the service that was streamed live by pro-life groups including the Susan B. Anthony List, clergy offered remarks decrying the evil of abortion and thanking God that the remains had a final resting place.

Mario Sims, senior pastor of Doulos Chapel in South Bend, urged Christians to continue to speak on behalf of the unborn.

"We are witnesses today of an American Holocaust. Two thousand four hundred-and-eleven children's lives that were given by God but snuffed out by the will of man. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, must stand strong. We must speak out. We must not be silenced. We must not be shouted down. We must not be told that we are politically incorrect," he said.

"These children's lives were taken after God gave them life. This must stop. As a pastor, I have never done a funeral for 2,411 human beings. But that is what we are doing here today. ... This is not a choice. This is murder."

Cathie Humbarger, head of Right to Life in northeast Indiana, told The Washington Post that she was "so grateful that, finally, the bodies of these little boys and girls will be treated with the dignity they deserved.

Klopfer performed tens of thousands of abortions in Illinois and Indiana. The abortion clinics he operated in South Bend, Gary, and Fort Wayne are now closed.

Authorities found 2,246 abortion babies remains in the garage of Klopfer's Illinois on Sept. 12, 2019. At the time, Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley said the remains recovered from Klopfers garage were found individually sealed in plastic bags and stored inside 70 cardboard boxes stacked from the floor to nearly reaching the height of the ceiling.

Each bag, he said, was filled with a preservative called Formalin. The bags were also labeled, but investigators did not reveal what was written on the labels, except to say the dates on them indicate the babies were aborted from 2000 to 2002. Klopfers clinics in South Bend, Fort Wayne and Gary, Indiana, were all operating at that time.

In October 2019, another 165 babies' remains were discovered inside the trunk of the abortionist's 1990s Mercedes Benz. Because of varying degrees of decay, the aborted babies could not be identified, investigators said at the time, though it's believed they were all aborted between 2000 and 2003.

Since the case garnered international attention, pro-life organizations have been calling on Congress to pass the Dignity for Aborted Children Act. The legislation would require abortion providers to have babies' remains buried or cremated instead of disposing of them as medical waste.

"[T]he Klopfer case reinforces the importance of fetal burial laws; had these laws existed during Klopfers reign of terror, these aborted babies would have never ended up in a garage," Students for Life asserted in a Tuesday blog post.

Shortly after the remains were discovered, the group participated in a prayer vigil outside the coroner's office in Will County, Illinois, where they were initially stored.

As The Christian Post reported in September, during Klopfer's hearing with the Indiana Medical Licensing Board in August 2016, he recounted his experience of performing an abortion on a 10-year-old girl at a hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

The young girl had been raped by her uncle and the parents refused to press charges against him. The abortionist chose not to report the crime to police.

The Hoosier state now has some of the nation's most pro-life laws. In 2016, before he was elected vice president, then-Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill into law mandating the burial or cremation of babies' remains after an abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the state law following court challenges.

The discovery of the babies' remains inside Klopfer's garage last September reminded many of the case of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, whose story has since been retold in several documentaries and in the motion picture "Gosnell."

The abortionist is serving three life sentences without the possibility of parole at the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon after being convicted of murdering three infants who were born alive during abortions and of involuntary manslaughter of one woman, Karnamaya Mongar, a Bhutanese refugee, who died during an abortion procedure.
Update: H&Ms spring 20 Studio Collection is officially ready to shop. Get a piece (or 45) from the drop before they sell out by scrolling down or heading to HM.com now.

This story was originally published on February 12.

Contrary to popular belief, the most anticipated collections debuting during Fashion Month dont all come from luxury designers sporting quadruple-digit price tags. H&M not only puts on some of the most memorable events of the month, but also makes it easy for everyone to buy what theyve just seen.

Today, the Scandinavian fast-fashion retailer known for its designer collaborations and sustainability initiatives announced the official launch date for the long-awaited spring 20 Studio Collection. On sale February 20th, the 45-piece collection is more fashion-forward than H&Ms mainline, and made with more attention to quality. We have a dedicated design team that works on H&M Studio, says the brands creative director Ann-Sofie Johansson.

During a research trip to the Swedish island of Gotland  affectionately known as Swedish Hawaii  the Studio team thought about surf culture and the women who do it (yes, you can surf in Sweden!). We were intrigued by the idea of a free-spirited woman who is ready for anything: curious, courageous, looking to challenge herself and to explore the world, says Johansson. We took some photographs and were discussing how the island looked like a lunar surface, adds H&M Studio Concept Designer Linda Wikell. H&M Studios print designer Moa Bartling added psychedelic washes to those photos to create the foundational prints for the collection.

The result? A kaleidoscope-hued collection that feels both raw and refined, featuring easy shapes and natural colors, with a shock of unexpected details. Deconstructed linen suits contrast with vibrant and voluminous sundresses, and chunky knit cardigans in handmade patterns are paired with chic flip flops.

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Like many of the collections unveiled this week, the Studio collection is moving toward a more sustainable future, based on the work H&M has already accomplished when it comes to developing and using sustainable materials. According to Wikell, the Studio collection uses organic cotton and recycled polyester, fabrics that were first introduced in its Conscious Exclusive collections. By the end of the year, 100% of our cotton will be organic, recycled, or obtained via the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), she explained, mentioning how the company is on target to hit one of its ambitious sustainability goals.

For the launch, H&M will be holding a pop-up featuring the collection at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel in Los Angeles, as well as hosting a star-studded event and surprise concert in Beverly Hills tonight. The collection will debut online and in select stores on February 20th.



Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

H&M's Spring Summer Studio Collection Is Here

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Suspended inspector Ravi Kant Sharma, the former SHO of the Mansa Devi Complex (MDC) police station, who remained out of polices grasp for over two months, surrendered in a local court on Thursday.

He was suspended in December last year for allegedly extorting money from a beauty salon and stalking its woman employee.

Sharma was denied anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana high court on February 3. (HT PHOTO)

Sharma surrendered in court around 11am, following which police were informed. After his interrogation, police produced him in court again, and he was sent to judicial custody, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Vijay Deswal said, adding that Sharmas interrogation continued for over two hours and his statements were recorded.

With the inspectors surrender, the police on Thursday also moved an application in court regarding his voice sampling, which was allowed by court.

On February 3, the Punjab and Haryana high court had dismissed Sharmas plea for anticipatory bail. The police had argued that they needed his custodial interrogation in view of incriminating evidence against him.

It was on December 10, 2019, that the Panchkula police had registered an FIR against Sharma and a home guard volunteer, Jashan Lal, for allegedly extorting money from the salon, as well as stalking and manhandling a woman manager.

The complainant, who is the owner of a beauty lounge and salon in Sector 5, MDC, had submitted a CD containing CCTV clippings of the salon with his complaint. They showed the home guard volunteer at the salons reception, taking money from the woman. Besides, some voice recordings purportedly containing conversations between Sharma and Lal regarding some payments were also submitted.
Nikola has revealed some details about the truck, including that the Badger can sprint to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, and that it comes with a combined range of 600 miles. This is more than what any other electric truck is offering at the moment. Is the Badger going to be a big threat for Tesla and Rivian?

Here comes Nikola, the latest entrant in the electric pickup truck market. The company has just unveiled its first electric pickup truck called the Badger. The truck will be powered by hydrogen cells along with battery power.

The Badger Will Run On Hydrogen Cells As Well As Battery Power

At the onset, the Nikola truck actually looks quite smart. It looks futuristic from almost all angles, but the most satisfying aesthetic part is the grille.

Many automakers just slap a plastic cover where the grille is supposed to be, but Nikola actually designed it quite well. It looks like a skid-plate with the Nikola branding on it. The truck also features thick plastic cladding on the wheels arches along with running boards on the sides. With the raised height and all-terrain tires, the Badger appears to be a full-fledged mid-sized off-roader. The bumpers size and placement will make sure the truck comes with impressive approach and departure angles as well.

Nikola also released pictures of the cabin and it looks quite sedate actually.

It features the futuristic touches that weve been seeing on new EVs, like a display screen for the instrument cluster and a huge touchscreen system in the middle, but it still looks rather conventional. The images also show an auxiliary power bank placed on the roof that will allow you to plug in stuff like compressors and light bars.

What Do We Know About The Nikola Badger?

Unlike other truck-makers who announce their new arrivals with barely any information, Nikola actually has revealed quite a bit.

The Truck Will Be Offered As A FCEV and BEV, And Also As A Pure BEV

The combined option of fuel cells and battery packs will deliver up to 600 miles of range, whereas the battery-powered Badger will come with a range of 300 miles. In comparison, the Rivian R1T will offer a range of 400 miles, whereas the Cybertruck is expected to deliver 500 miles in the top trim.

0-60 mph In 2.9 Seconds!

Nikola claims that the Badger can sprint to 60 mph from a standstill in 2.9 seconds. This is on par with the Cybertruck, which also takes the same time to 60 mph.

The Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV, on the other hand, take three seconds. Nikola also says the powertrain is rated at 455 continuous horsepower - but peaks at 905 ponies - and 980 pound-feet of torque. Will we get a Dyno Mode, like the Tesla vehicles, on this? * wink *

The Badger Will Be Designed To Operate As A Work Truck As Well

At first sight, the Badger looks too fancy to be a work truck. However, Nikola has said that it has been designed as a heavy-duty rig that can be utilized by construction companies as well. The towing capacity is rated at 8,000 pounds, which clearly is the otherwise-well-specd trucks Achilles heel. It also comes with a power outlet, perhaps on the side of the truck bed, that can be used to run plug-in tools and it can last for 12 hours without an external generator. Pretty cool, huh?

Its A Decent-Sized Truck

The Nikola Badger measures 232.28 inches in length, 72.83 inches in height, and 85.03 inches in width.

The truck bed is 61.41 inches wide.

To put things into perspective, the Tesla Cybertruck measures 231.7 inches in length, 75 inches in height, and 79.8 inches in width. The truck bed, on the other hand, is 78 inches wide. The Nikola Badger and Tesla Cybertruck measure almost the same. This is going to be one hell of a war.

700 Upcoming Hydrogen Charging Stations All Across North America

The Badgers tank can store 17.6 pounds of hydrogen. Indeed, hydrogen filling stations are not as widespread as battery charging stations, but Nikola says it is planning to build 700 stations across North America. No other details about this are announced yet.

Independent Motor Setup

This point clarifies that the truck will come with either a four-motor setup, or with an in-wheel hub motor setup. Seeing the way the truck is specd otherwise, the former seems to be more likely. In all likelihood, there will be other motor setups as well. Im calling for a Tank Turn-Esque feature on this as we get closer to the launch date.

Tesla Had The Chance Of Killing The Nikola Badger Before It Was Announced

Heres a little fun fact: Trevor Milton, Nikola Motors CEO, offered Musk a truck design following the Cybertrucks launch. It looks like Milton is not a fan of the design and he tweeted Musk a design that would help hit a broader market.

If you still didnt figure it out, this is the same design that Nikola offered. This sounded subtle but the jab taken by Nikolas CEO is evident. No, this did not come out of the blue. Nikola and Tesla are rivals and they also have the hydrogen-electric Semi truck and Tesla Semi, respectively, that compete in the same segment.

It looks like Nikola just took the rivalry to an all-new level. But imagine if Tesla wouldve taken the design and scrapped it; or worse, trademarked it under its own name. If the Badger turns out to be the Cybertrucks fierce rival, Tesla will look back at this tweet and wonder how different things could have been!

Final Thoughts

Nikola will be revealing the Badger at the Nikola World 2020 event to be held in September this year. We can expect more details to pour in as we approach closer to the launch date. What do you think about the Nikola Badger? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
The Chinese company can secretly tap into communications through the networking equipment it sells globally, a US official charged as the White House stepped up efforts to persuade allies to ban the gear from next-generation cellular networks.

The US national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, made the statement at an Atlantic Council forum on Tuesday evening after The Wall Street Journal quoted him as saying can access sensitive and personal information in systems it sells and maintains globally. O'Brien did not provide any evidence to support the claim.

US officials have long argued that is duty-bound by Chinese law to spy on behalf of the country's ruling Communist Party.

Huawei denies that claim and issued a statement Wednesday saying the company has never and will never covertly access telecom networks, nor do we have the capability to do so. The Trump administration has been lobbying for more than a year to persuade allies to exclude Huawei equipment from their next-generation cellular networks, known as 5G.

Britain and the European Union have declined to impose an outright ban, however. London has prohibited Huawei from supplying equipment used in the core of its 5G network but not the periphery. The EU last month unveiled security guidelines that, similar to measures already in place in Britain, are aimed at reducing cybersecurity risks.

Independent cybersecurity experts say the intelligence services of global powers including the United States routinely exploit vulnerabilities in networking equipment regardless of the manufacturer for espionage purposes.

The United States and other countries require that so-called lawful intercept capabilities be built into networks, though the equipment manufacturers are not supposed to have secret access to them.

Many analysts consider Washington's intense anti-Huawei lobbying efforts as much about seeking global technological dominance as deterring Chinese cyber-espionage, which is already rampant and equipment agnostic.

They also note that the has previously infiltrated Huawei equipment as well as network devices of other manufacturers as detailed in documents disclosed in 2013 by former contractor Edward Snowden.

(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.)
A new study published in the journal Nature shows that there are literally hundreds of viruses large enough to consume bacteria, and with properties that are typical of a living organism rather than the non-living self-replicating packages of DNA/RNA that viruses are often assumed to be.

These viruses are called bacteriophages  literally, eaters of bacteria  and phages for short. While phages have been around for a long time, these new phages are startling in terms of their size and biologically complex systems. Many of their genes are usually found in bacteria and are used to attack their host bacteria.

The process

Where did the scientists find these rare huge phages? They pored over a vast database of DNA sequences obtained from a broad and diverse range of environments on earth. These almost 30 microbiomes spanned the spectrum from a hot spring in Tibet, through bioreactors in South Africa, to the intestine of a woman carrying a baby in her womb. Other locations include underground holes, oceans, lakes, and the gut of a preterm baby.

Researcher Jill Banfield has been doing this for over a decade and a half. She works out the sequences of all the DNA bits in any sample she gets from a location on earth. She then fits the puzzle pieces together to get the genomic sequence.

In most cases, she gets a draft of the genome, but a few have been confirmed to be the genomes of entirely new microbes. Some of these microbes are regulated by tiny genomes which, indeed, seem incapable of sustaining life independently, and instead are entirely dependent on other life forms, namely, archaea and bacteria.

Large-genome phages

It was a year ago that she reported the finding of large phages, which she dubbed Lak phages, in the human gut and mouth. These phages eat bacteria in the saliva and the gut.

In the new paper, she reports the isolation of over 350 very large phages with genomes that are, at lengths of 200,000 bases, fourfold bigger than the average genetic sequence of any bacteriophage known so far (50 kb). Banfield comments, "We are exploring Earth's microbiomes, and sometimes unexpected things turn up."

The largest sequenced so far has a genome that spans an astonishing 735,000 base pairs, which is about 15 times the size of the average phage genome, and in fact, markedly larger than many bacterial genomes. But there could be larger still since they have only sequenced 175 of these large phages until now.

Depiction of huge phages (red, left) and normal phages infecting a bacterial cell. The huge phage injects its DNA into the host cell, where Cas proteins -- part of the CRISPR immune system typically found only in bacteria and archaea -- manipulate the host cell's response to other viruses. The UC Berkeley team has not yet photographed any huge phages, so all are depicted resembling the most common type of phage, T4. Image Credit: UC Berkeley image courtesy of Jill Banfield lab

A babble of phages

These large phages were classified into ten clades or groups. Each has been named "Big phage" though using different languages, or different words in the same language. The languages are those of the country of origin of the researchers. Thus there is a Mahaphage clade, a Biggiephage, a Judaphage, a Kaempephage, a Dakhmphage, a Jabbarphage and a Kabirphage, as well as an Enormephage, Whopperphage, and Kyodaiphage clade  in Sanskrit, Australian English, Chinese, Danish, Arabic (the next three), French, American English, and Japanese!

Bacterial weapons within viruses?

The bacterial genes within these phages contain some CRISPR elements, gene editing protein encoding segments, that are used by bacteria to resist viral attack. The scientists think these elements are meant to become part of the host's CRISPR system, empowering the bacteria to resist other viruses so that these large phages can enjoy their meal uninterrupted. Another researcher, Basem Al-Shayeb, explains that these phages use this system for their own benefit, "to fuel warfare between these viruses."

Another fascinating element in one of these novel phages is a protein that plays the same role as the Cas-9 protein, an integral part of the widely used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool first introduced by Doudna and Charpentier. This new protein has been called Cas  the letter , or phi (in Greek), is the symbol for a phage. This is part of the Cas-12 family, but these phages also have other bacterial CRISPR elements like Cas-9, Cas-X, and Cas-Y proteins.

Some of these phages also have very large CRISPR arrays. This refers to the presence of arrays composed of viral DNA fragments, memory arrays that allow the rapid recognition of a repeat attack by any of these viruses. This, in turn, triggers instant Cas reactions, enabling specific targeting of these viruses.

Life or non-life?

Another startling finding was the occurrence of genes encoding ribosomal proteins. The ribosome is the cell organelle that reads mRNA and uses it to make specific proteins. This is among the first occurrences of ribosomal genes in viruses.

They also found genes that code for transfer RNAs, which are the molecules that pick up the right amino acids to be incorporated into the protein sequence. There are regulatory genes for tRNAs, genes to switch on the protein synthesis process, and even a few ribosomal segments. These genes are found only in life forms since they have to do with the manufacture of protein components  which is unlike what any other virus can do, and which is a capability that spells life.

Investigator Rohan Sachdeva says this is "one of the major defining features that separate viruses and bacteria, non-life and life." He calls this "blurring the line a bit."

Why are these genes there? The researchers think they might be used to hijack the ribosomes to start replicating viral rather than host bacterial proteins. An additional finding is the presence of alternative genetic codes, or the use of more than one genetic code to denote the same amino acid. This feature could well throw the bacterial ribosome off track and fool it into decoding the viral RNA rather than the host's own RNA.

Implications

The discovery of new tools used in the fight between bacteria and viruses offers a lot of possibilities for finding new gene-editing tools. Many of the new genes are still to be explored for their functions, and it could well be that these new proteins will be helpful in various applications in industry, the medical sciences, or in agriculture.

There are dangers, too. Viruses transfer genes from one bacterium to another  some of which could be responsible for antibiotic resistance or for virulence (the capability to cause disease). This property of the newly discovered phages could mean that there is a risk of transferring some of these harmful genes into the human microbiome since phages occur alongside bacteria.

Since the number of genes carried by these large phages is markedly higher than ordinary phages, they have a larger capability to move around genes that can injure other cells. In turn, this increases the risk that some of these genes will be acquired by genes in the human environment.

Conclusion

Altogether, the researchers are fascinated by the presence of phages with huge genomes in a variety of microbiomes across the earth. The relationship between these large phages is interpreted as meaning they come of an ancient family of large-genome viruses.

Says Banfield, "Having large genomes is one successful strategy for existence. These viruses of bacteria are a part of biology, of replicating entities, that we know very little about."

True enough. These phages are of a size that makes them fit somewhere in the gap between the archaea (the earliest relatives of bacteria), and ordinary phages that look like non-living things. Banfield describes them as "successful strategies of existence that are hybrids between what we think of as traditional viruses and traditional living organisms."
The DNA of the man accused of murdering Adrian Donohoe was not found at the scene where the detective garda was shot dead, a court has heard.

The trial of Aaron Brady (28) yesterday heard evidence from a DNA expert based at Forensic Science Ireland who tested a number of items recovered at Lordship Credit Union.

Dr Edward Connolly said that swabs were taken from cars and items at the scene of the shooting - including an unmarked Toyota Avensis patrol car, a Mazda, a hammer found in this vehicle, a Nissan Micra, a handbag, car keys, cigarette butts and chewing gum.

Dr Connolly said that a number of full and partial DNA profiles were recovered from these items which matched elimination samples provided to him by members of An Garda Siochana, or other witnesses at the scene.

He also said that three complete DNA profiles of unknown males were recovered from inside the driver door of the unmarked Toyota garda car, a piece of chewing gum and a cigarette butt.

These samples, the court heard, were added to the DNA database system but no matches were found.

Dr Connolly said he also analysed items recovered from a burnt-out car, which the court previously heard was a Volkswagen Passat, discovered at Cumsons Road in south Armagh two days after the murder. The jury was told this included a shotgun cartridge, Mary Black and Lady Gaga CDs, crisp packets, a plastic bag and a cable tie. Dr Connolly said the items were smoke damaged and that no full DNA profile was recovered.

Under cross-examination the witness agreed with defence counsel Fiona Murphy SC that Aaron Brady's DNA profile did not match samples taken from any of the items tested by Dr Connolly.

Analysed

A barn shed adjacent to Lordship credit union was also analysed as well as the outside front door of a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth, where a burglary took place on January 23 resulting in a Volkswagen Passat being stolen, the court heard.

No DNA profiles were obtained from either of these locations.

The trial continues this morning at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Michael White and the jury of eight men and seven women. Aaron Brady is charged with the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was then a member of An Garda Siochana acting in the course of his duty, at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.

Mr Brady is also charged with the robbery of approximately 7,000 in cash and assorted cheques from Pat Bellew at the same location on the same date.

He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Yesterday morning Det Gda Seamus O'Donnell, of the Ballistic Section in the Garda Technical Bureau, continued giving evidence.

He had previously told the 15-person jury that he carried out tests to determine the distance Det Gda Donohoe (41) was shot from, and that these tests established the range being between 6-7ft.

In cross-examination by Fiona Murphy SC, the witness agreed that a choke device can be applied to a shotgun that keeps the pellets grouped together longer after discharge and affect the range.
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Against the backdrop of 30 health system credit downgrades by the various credit rating agencies over the past six months, Wednesday, Moodys Investors Service affirmed its Baa1 revenue bond rating with a positive outlook for Ballad Health. This follows affirmation of Ballad Healths "A-" credit rating by Standard and Poors in November 2019. Ballad Health released its second quarter results earlier this week which showed increased access to new providers, cost savings for patients, taxpayers and employers and continued stable financial performance in the face of significant challenges.



With such serious headwinds for non-urban and rural health systems, we are proud that Moodys has recognized the hard work of our board, our team members and our physicians as we seek to deliver high quality care at a lower cost, said Ballad Health Chairman and CEO Alan Levine.



With more than 600 rural hospitals at risk of closure in the United States, and the ongoing challenges that disproportionally affect non-urban and rural hospitals, the credit rating agencies have seen that our disciplined approach and willingness to adapt to this environment are bringing stability to hospitals in our region. Less than

25% of our patient volume is commercially insured, while more than 70% is uninsured, or covered by government programs that pay less than the cost of providing care. And with many of our commercially-insured patients carrying the burden of high-deductible plans, this means we have to remain focused on reducing cost while delivering high-quality care. Moody's recognizing this challenge and standing by its outlook is something our region should be proud of, especially given the trend of downgrades in the last six months.



Ballad Health has been cited nationally by the nations largest commercial and Medicare health insurer and Harvard University as one of four health systems delivering on the movement toward value-based care. Additionally, Ballad Health has saved taxpayers more than $50 million through its efforts in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, while also delivering quality scores of 94.4% - the highest in its partnership with Medicare.



While Ballad Healths efforts to reduce lower-acuity admissions and reduce costs have been recognized nationally, these efforts also have the effect of reducing revenue growth for Ballad Health. In its announcement, Moodys recognizes this challenge as it predicts moderated performance going forward as Ballad Health continues to lead nationally in the movement toward value-based care.



Levine serves on the CEO Executive Forum of the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network, along with notable private and public sector leaders in healthcare at the federal level. In his role, Levine has committed Ballad Health nationally to lead in the pledge to bring accountability to the industry for movement toward value-based care. For more information on HCLAN, see https://hcp-lan.org/.



Ballad Health is grateful that Moodys recognizes the challenges created by doing the right thing to reduce costs should not inhibit strong credit ratings, said Ballad Health Lead Independent Director David Lester.

"Ballad Health is committed to reducing costs in healthcare, delivering high-quality care to our neighbors, and being a responsible steward of healthcare assets. As the industry adapts to this 'new normal', it is critical for all to understand that non-urban and rural communities face unique challenges in this shift to value-based care. Ballad Health will continue to lead, but will also advocate for payment models that reward responsible behavior. Failure to do this will lead to an acceleration in rural hospital closings, and this is something Ballad Health has led in trying to circumvent.

###

About Ballad Health:

Ballad Health is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving 29 counties of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Northwestern North Carolina and Southeastern Kentucky. Ballad Health was created in 2018 to improve the health of people in these regions. Ballad Health operates a family of 21 hospitals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, including three tertiary medical centers, a dedicated childrens hospital, several community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a behavioral health hospital, an addiction treatment facility, long-term care facilities, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, outpatient services and a comprehensive medical management corporation. Learn more about Ballad Health at www.BalladHealth.org.
[Black History Month]

Rosie Douglas with the late Walter Rodney. Photo: Verso Books website.

Every human society has a history and a form of culture, and this includes Africa. Africans in the West have been deliberately kept ignorant of African achievements by the white men for centuries. The purpose of their policy was to build up a picture of a barbarous Africa, so that we Africans who had been removed from our homes and made into slaves would be afraid to admit even to ourselves that we were Africans. In the West Indies, names like Bungo and Quashie, which refer to Africans, are names which most black people hate, and our knowledge of Africa is got from reading Tarzan comic books.

We are the only group in the world who deny ourselves, preferring to be known as Negroes rather than Africans. In order to know ourselves we must learn about African history and culture. This is one of the most important steps towards creating unity among Africans at home and abroad.

Africa is the home of mankind. The human being came into existence on the African continent nearly 2 million years ago; and human society and culture reached great heights in Africa before the white man arrived. We must learn something about the following African kingdoms and empires.

On the River Nile, there was Egypt and Meroe (Sudan),. These kingdoms flourished on earth before the birth of Christ, and Egypt in particular is recognized as having contributed greatly to the modern world. It huge pyramids and sculptures are still considered as wonders, and mankind has never re-discovered some of the technical skills which the Egyptians possessed, such as the art of preserving the dead body. Europeans have long refused to accept the simple geographical fact that ancient Egypt (like modern Egypt) was an African country, and even though some of its culture came from Asia, its achievements must go to the credit of Africa.

Meroe produced a culture very similar to Egypt, and also ruled over Egypt for a long period. The Egyptians were Africans of a light complexion, while the people of Meroe were dark skinned. In ancient Ethiopia, there was the kingdom of Axum, forerunner to the Ethiopian kingdom. The written language of Axum was called Geez, and it is still used within the Ethiopian church today. Axum, along with other parts of ancient Ethiopia, is famous for its architecture, especially its tall and finely carved stone pillars and its churches carved out of solid rock.

In West Africa, some of the most powerful political states in Africa began to develop some 1,500 years ago, and their period of greatness lasted for more than 1,200 years. These kingdoms bore the names of Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Kanem; and they all arose near the great Niger River. They were noted for their agricultural production, their learning and their commerce, especially in gold. These states also encouraged the religion of Islam (while Ethiopia, of course, was the centre of Christianity).

Apart from the states of Egypt, Meroe, Axum, Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Kanem, which have already been mentioned, there were many others in different parts of Africa which achieved greatness before the arrival of the white man and before we were snatched away as slaves.

On the West African coast, the states of Benin and Oyo were famous; in Central Africa we can take as examples Kongo and Monomotapa (Zimbabwe); and in East Africa two of the oldest kingdoms were those of Bunyoro and Uganda. All of these are strange names because we have never been taught anything about them. If we want to call ourselves conscious Africans, then we must know the map of Africa, we must remember the names of these great African states, and we must find out as much as possible about them. However, the majority of Africans lived in small societies, and these must also be seriously studied. Sometimes, it is felt that only in large political states can one find civilization and culture, but this is wrong, and in the great political states of Europe and America today, many human values have been destroyed; while even the smallest African village was a place for the development and the protection of the Individual.

Certain things were outstanding in the African way of life, whether in a large or small society. These distinctive things in the African way of life amount to African culture. Among the principles of African culture the following are to be noted: hospitality, respect (especially to elders), importance of the woman (especially in cases of inheritance ), humane treatment of law-breakers, spiritual reflection, common use of the land, constant employment of music (especially drums), and bright colors. Some of these principles are found in many different human societies, but very few are encouraged in the present white capitalist world. Even in Africa itself, European slave trading and colonization have destroyed many aspects of African culture. But culture is not a dead thing, nor does it always remain the same. It belongs to living people and is therefore developing. If we, the blacks in the West, accept ourselves as African, we can make a contribution to the development of African culture, helping to free it from European imperialism.

What we need is confident in ourselves, so that as blacks and Africans we can be conscious, united, independent and creative. A knowledge of African achievement in art, education, religion, politics, agriculture and the mining of metals can help us gain the necessary confidence which has been removed by slavery and colonialism.

Marcus Garvey always preached the value of African history and culture. He wrote that for many years white propagandists have been printing tons of literature to impress scattered Ethiopia, especially that portion within their civilization, with the idea that Africa is a despised place, inhabited by savages and cannibals, where no civilized human being should go. After dismissing that propaganda as completely false, Garvey continued: The power and the sway we once held passed away, but now in the twentieth century we are about to see a return of it in the rebuilding of Africa; yes, a new civilization, a new culture, shall spring up from among our people.
New York Launches $100m Cyber Security Hub

New York City wants to keep young technology professionals from fleeing to Californias Silicon Valley, and the city has turned to an established Israeli venture capital firm to help them keep the tech talent on the east coast. The city has recently announced the launch of a unique partnership with Israeli venture capital and start up incubator firm Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP).

Senior figures from New York Citys business, technology, investment, and diplomatic scene gathered for a celebration at the new tech hub in downtown Manhattan, featuring Erel Margalit, the founder of JVP, plus people from the City Mayoral office, investors and even the actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who expressed her desire to visit Israel and its innovation ecosystem in the near future.

Conecerning cybersecurity, Mr. Margalit noted that many of the companies at the forefront of the industry had established themselves protecting governments and major multinational institutions, but were now focused on protecting the rights of and the privacy of individuals. New York City is the financial and cultural center of the world, the hub of media and information and it can also become the technology hub of the world.... The JVP International Cyber Center is a launching pad for innovative technologies, for a new era of cyber, moving from protecting countries and enterprises to defending democracies and

JVP has built its center in downtown Manhattan hoping to connect tech startups with investors, multinational companies and universities.

About 30 companies, half of them Israeli, are up and running in the center, said JVP Chairman Erel Margalit. He said the group is looking to duplicate the venture in Europe. There are two or three serious discussions with European cities, particularly with London, Margalit said.



The initiative forms part of NYCEDCs Cyber NYC program, which seeks to make New York City a global leader in cybersecurity and produce 10,000 jobs within five yearsa and is funded by an initial investment of $30 million from the City of New York followed by an additional investment of up to $70m. from private funding.

The $100 million partnership, including a $30 million contribution from New York City, will focus on companies working in the cyber technology sector.

New York City settled on cyber security as an under-represented sector in the technology world with officials saying that there are approximately 10,000 job openings in the cyber security field in New York City alone, and a shortage of more than one to two million cyber security experts around the world in the coming years.

One of the biggest issues is that large companies are able to afford expensive cyber protection from established security companies, but small to medium size businesses do not have affordable solutions.

As data is increasingly online, hackers can target anything from health data to a citys electric grids to nuclear reactors to home security systems to stealing personal information from your local coffee shops loyalty program. Our vision to transform the city into the cyber capital of the world, combined with JVPs experience in driving change through innovation, creates a formidable partnership that gives rise to the next wave of cybersecurity startup success stories, said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett in a press statement.

Times of Israel: Jerusalem Post: NoCamels.com Israel National News: Reuters:

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Washington: US First Lady Melania Trump has said that she is "excited" for her trip to India along President Donald Trump later this month. In a tweet, Melania Trump said her maiden trip to India as the First Lady is an occasion to celebrate the close ties between the two countries.

She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the "kind invitation" to visit India.

"Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi later this month," she said. President Trump and "I am excited about the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India," she said.

Thank you @narendramodi for the kind invitation. Looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad & New Dehli later this month. @POTUS & I are excited for the trip & to celebrate the close ties between the #USA & #India. https://t.co/49LzQPiVLf  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 12, 2020

Melania Trump was responding to a tweet by PM Modi tweet wherein he termed the US President and First Lady's visit to India as a "very special one".

"India will accord a memorable welcome to our esteemed guests. This visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship," PM Modi had said in the tweet.

President Trump and the First Lady are scheduled to travel to India on February 24 and 25.
Barnaby Joyce says the prospect of more Queensland MPs defecting from the Nationals to sit as Queensland LNP members would be "chaotic" and he will fight to stop it happening.

The former deputy prime minister, who attempted to oust Michael McCormack as party leader last week, said he had attempted to keep Nationals defector Llew O'Brien "in the tent" before he quit the party on Monday.

Barnaby Joyce said he tried to keep Llew O'Brien "in the tent" before he quit the party. Credit:AAP

Some Queensland Nationals who are loyal to Mr Joyce have flagged they could be willing to follow Mr O'Brien and sit as LNPs members outside the Nationals party room unless the junior Coalition partner "muscles up" to the Liberals.

Mr Joyce told Sydney radio 2GB on Thursday a third Coalition party would kill the Nationals and it must be avoided.
Celebration: But Micheal Martin has not spoken publicly since the General Election results were announced. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin will face angry demands from TDs to allow them to serve in opposition after a disastrous General Election.

The move could fast-track Mr Martin's resignation and trigger a leadership contest.

Meanwhile, Brendan Howlin became the first senior politician to fall on his sword after he resigned from the Labour Party leadership.

Before he announced his resignation, Mr Howlin revealed Labour's six TDs would not be entering government during the next Dail term.

The decision significantly damages Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald's plans to lead a left-wing coalition.

Meanwhile, Mr Martin is expected to tell a parliamentary party meeting today that he is opposed to entering into government with Sinn Fein.

This would leave open the door to Fianna Fail speaking to Fine Gael about a coalition which is supported by some in Mr Martin's party.

However, senior frontbench Fianna Fail TDs, including deputy leader Dara Calleary, Barry Cowen, Darragh O'Brien and Willie O'Dea, are opposed to entering into coalition with either Sinn Fein or Fine Gael.

Ruling out both parties significantly reduces Fianna Fail's options, especially if Fine Gael will not support the party through a confidence and supply agreement.

Ahead of the meeting, senior party figures were suggesting Mr Martin's almost decade-long leadership will come to an end sooner rather than later. A number of TDs said even if Mr Martin manages to become Taoiseach he will not lead the party into the next general election.

A senior Fianna Fail TD last night downplayed a suggestion of a heave against Mr Martin, saying he will know he has to give an indication of when he will step aside.

"There shouldn't be any need for a heave and Micheal must know himself that he will have to say when he is going even if he's Taoiseach."

Another TD said: "At the end of the day he won't be leading us into the next election so he can go now or wait a year and go then."

However, others in the party were less eager for their leader to step down.

"No point in taking the captain off the pitch if you don't know who's coming on to replace him," said another TD.

Mr Martin has not spoken publicly since he left the door open to a coalition with Sinn Fein after the weekend's General Election.

Party loyalists were yesterday suggesting the Fianna Fail leader was "buying himself some time" after the election.

Fianna Fail TDs have been getting a backlash from their supporters over Mr Martin's failure to rule out a coalition with Mary Lou McDonald.

There is an expectation at the most senior ranks of the party that Mr Martin will rule out a coalition at today's meeting.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael is also split on the prospect of going into government with Fianna Fail.

Yesterday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he expects to lead Fine Gael into opposition but also suggested there could be a second election.

"I think the likelihood is that at the end of this process that I'll be the leader of the opposition and obviously (if) my new parliamentary party still want me to do that, I will want to do that," Mr Varadkar said.

However, some Fine Gael ministers believe they should approach Fianna Fail about forming a coalition.

But the Taoiseach's view is supported by other senior figures in the party.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's negotiating team opened talks with the smaller parties yesterday as Ms McDonald sought to form a government.

The Green Party and People Before Profit held talks with the Sinn Fein team, which is led by Pearse Doherty.

Speaking after the meetings, Sinn Fein negotiator Louise O'Reilly said her party's objectives were to build homes, cut rents and freeze them, reduce the pension age to 65, give workers and families a break and advance Irish unity.

The Social Democrats are expected to hold talks with Sinn Fein today.

Ahead of the meeting, the party's co-leader Roisin Shortall said it was unlikely the next government would be a left-wing coalition supported from the opposition benches by either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail.

"Confidence and supply didn't work very well in the last Dail and I think it is unlikely to be a composition in this Dail," she said.

She added her party planned to also hold talks with Fianna Fail, the Green Party and the Labour Party.

In an early sign of the difficulties in forming a left-wing government, the party called Solidarity issued a statement yesterday clarifying that it did not attend a meeting with Sinn Fein.

"The meeting today is just a meeting of the People Before Profit component of Solidarity - People Before Profit, with Sinn Fein, arranged between the two parties themselves," it said.

Solidarity currently only has one TD, Mick Barry.
Toronto police ticketing for provincial offences including violations of the Highway Traffic Act fell to a new low in 2019, continuing a years-long decline that has represented a drop of tens of millions in revenue to the City of Toronto.

New records provided to the Star by the city show police laid 200,788 provincial offence charges in 2019, returning $13.9 million in revenue to the city. Both figures are a slight decline from 2018, which itself saw Toronto police lay fewer traffic tickets than any other year last decade.

Tickets under Ontarios Highway Traffic Act  for speeding, distracted driving, blowing through a stop sign, making an improper turn and more  make up the vast majority of provincial offence charges laid by Toronto police. The total also includes tickets given under other provincial laws, such as the Liquor Licence Act. Any fines are collected by the citys Court Services department, not police.

City budget documents show revenue from Toronto police tickets has fallen sharply in the last decade, most steeply after 2013, the year police disbanded a dedicated traffic enforcement squad.

In 2010, at the height of police ticketing, Toronto police officers laid nearly 700,000 charges, and those made up more than 90 per cent of provincial tickets recorded by Court Services. That year, the department brought in more than $60 million in revenue from fines.

It is impossible to know exactly how much the city has lost in annual revenue from police tickets since 2010 as courts only recently began to track revenues by charge, city spokesperson Cheryl San Juan said in an email. (In 2014, the city attributed a $29.6-million shortfall to the unexpected drop in Toronto police tickets. The 2019 records show a further 22 per cent drop in charges since 2014.)

The new records provided to the Star show Toronto police continued to charge fewer drivers with traffic offences last year even as collisions and deaths remained high three years into the citys Vision Zero road-safety initiative.

Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders fielded questions about the decline at an executive committee meeting at city hall on Thursday.

Asked by Coun. Michael Thompson to consider whether the drop in tickets may have caused a rise in collisions and deaths, Saunders replied he had heard that song before.

It is not an accurate assumption to say fewer traffic tickets leads to more fatalities, he said, adding: Even if we take the last two years  in 2018, we wrote more tickets, but we had more fatalities than we had last year, so (last year) we wrote less tickets than we did in 2018 and we had less fatalities.

The role and responsibility of police, Saunders said, is to combine awareness, enforcement and education.

He also emphasized that a new officer shift schedule, rolled out widely last month, will give front-line staff more time for proactive traffic enforcement.

I will make the bold assumption that you will see higher numbers (of tickets), he said.

Asked by York Centre Coun. James Pasternak whether it was appropriate that of the $64.9 million the city has budgeted for Vision Zero in 2020, only about 1.5 per cent is allocated to enforcement, Saunders replied: If you give me more money, Ill do more things. Full stop.

We are as strategic as we possibly can be, we can account for everything that we do, to the best of our abilities, he said.

In an email, Toronto police spokesperson Connie Osborne said the service is working closely with the city on traffic enforcement and is fully committed to Vision Zero.

Asked about the loss of revenue to the city, Osborne said: Our traffic enforcement assignments are never for revenue-based reasons.

Toronto police enforcement assignments are carried out to address problematic driving behaviours and enhance compliance, to ultimately better protect those using our roads, she said.

Thompson, the councillor for Scarborough Centre, told the Star he has not yet heard a tangible, or at least plausible explanation for the long-term decline in Toronto police tickets, which has created a challenging loss of revenue for the city.

A $30-million amount would equal a loss of about one per cent of city tax revenue, he said. We need to understand why exactly its happening.

Whats more, Thompson said, considering the rate of deaths and injuries on city streets, we should be doing more enforcement, not simply for the revenue.

A Star analysis last year found a similar decline in more serious criminal driving charges, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, could not be attributed to the 2013 closure of the dedicated traffic enforcement unit and instead came as regular officers across the city charged fewer drivers.

When Toronto police Traffic Services enforcement group was disbanded in a 2013 reorganization, it had about 40 uniform staff consisting of a radar unit and the forces motorcycle squad, the latter of which still exists.

Osborne, the police spokesperson, said the motorcycle squad  which now has 15 officers  remains dedicated to traffic enforcement, and is also used for major events, VIP escort and ceremonial duties.

A Vision Zero enforcement squad of eight officers was reinstated starting this year.

In the last 10 years, Toronto police Highway Traffic Act charges have fallen much faster than elsewhere in the GTA. Meanwhile, Toronto streets have seen more collisions and deaths.

According to police records, collisions rose 45 per cent between 2010 and 2018, the most recent year with available data.

In both 2018 and 2019, 42 pedestrians were killed on Toronto streets, more than double 2010.

In recent years, the loss of revenue from police charges has been made up in part by the increased use of red-light cameras. Those cameras are managed by the city, not police, and return significantly more money per violation  about $210 on average versus about $70 per police ticket, city documents show.

There are nearly 150 red-light cameras installed throughout the city. An expansion was approved in 2017 as part of the citys Vision Zero efforts.

The city laid more than twice as many red-light camera tickets in 2019 as in 2010, returning $17.3 million in revenue last year.

Even so, the citys records show more than 20,000 red-light camera tickets that were budgeted for did not materialize in 2019 and overall revenue fell $4.5 million short of expectations.

In an email, city spokesperson Hakeem Muhammad said the shortfall can be explained by a number of factors, including heavy snowfall, unexpected events, improved compliance from Toronto drivers and the challenge of projecting ticket volumes at sites with no prior history of charges.

Nevertheless, he said, intersections with red-light cameras have seen significant reductions in collisions, injuries and deaths. Our expectation is that we will continue to see a reduction in these types of collisions as the program is expanded, he said.

In total, the citys Court Services department saw a $7.5-million revenue shortfall on budgeted revenue of $51 million last year

Toronto is increasingly relying on automated enforcement of the Highway Traffic Act, a shift Toronto police have long called for.

This year, the city is budgeting that 209,000 drivers will be caught by the citys new automated speed enforcement cameras, bringing in nearly $17 million in revenue to the city.

About 50 of the photo-radar speed cameras have been installed near school zones. Drivers are being mailed warnings as part of a three-month educational campaign, after which real tickets will start being mailed out.

Citations from both the speed and red-light cameras are sent to the address where vehicles are registered, which means the owner, not the driver, gets the ticket. Drivers caught by either camera will not be given demerit points.

Four of the new speed devices, each weighing 365 kilograms  roughly the weight of a grand piano  and costing about $50,000, were stolen between late December and early January, the city told the Star earlier this month.

Mayor John Tory first announced the citys Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic deaths in the summer of 2016. The most recent iteration of the plan includes reduced speed limits on some roads, street-design changes to naturally slow drivers and the reinstated traffic enforcement squad.

Safety advocates have welcomed automated enforcement, but note the new speed cameras are not currently slated for placement on major arterial streets. In recent years, many pedestrians have been hit while crossing the citys larger suburban thoroughfares.

Update  Feb. 13, 2020: This article was updated following publication to include information from Toronto Police that when the Traffic Services enforcement group was disbanded in 2013 it included both a radar unit and the forces motorcycle squad, the latter of which still exists.

With files from David Rider and May Warren

Ed Tubb is an assignment editor and a contributor focused on crime and justice. He is based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @edtubb
Tupac death conspiracies are still emerging years on from his death, after being killed in Las Vegas back in 1996. However, a film is being made to explore the possibility of the rapper faking his own death.

Twenty-four years after Tupac Shakur was murdered in Las Vegas, a movie is being made about the conspiracy theories surrounding his death.

It will also display Tupac's escape plot from University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where Pac later passed.

We're going to need a lot of popcorn to watch 2Pac: The Great Escape From UMC.

But filmmaker Rick Boss purports that Shakur did not pass away in hospital and in fact sneaked out of the ward and fled to New Mexico to start a new life. Then the rapper allegedly got on a private plane, escaped from Las Vegas' University Medical Center, and relocated to New Mexico.

The filmmaker alleges the rapper arrived in Las Vegas for fight night and was told of a planned hit on him. He and Suge Knight, who was in the auto with him at the time, were transported to the hospital where medical personnel placed Tupac on life support due to one of the four bullets piercing his lung.

Boss added that Federal Bureau of Investigation agents can't legally go onto tribal land without the tribal council's permission, which is why Tupac apparently escaped to Navajo land in New Mexico.

"Let's just say Mr. Shakur - the family is aware of the movie and they're okay with the title so that should tell you more or less what's going on", Boss told the station. "So you can't travel out so the best way to escape is through helicopter, private helicopter to another state" he continued.

"You can write a fiction", he said. "You can write a fiction story but this is not a fiction", Boss said.

Boss went on to tell the TV station that it wasn't a "wild fantasy", these are facts he learned through his intimate connection to the rapper's inner circle.

Richard Garcia is set to play Tupac in the movie.

A new documentary, 2Pac: The Great Escape From UMC, claims that the legendary rapper, Tupac Shakur, actually faked his own death and now lives with a Native American tribe in New Mexico.

Garcia added that Tupac's mother was right, Pac lives on through the memories of those who knew him and the fans who still appreciate his music to this day.

Boss said he knows rappers who collaborated with Shakur - including G-Money and Snoop Dog - and his father knew the rapper's mom through their involvement with the Black Panther Party. The filmmaker hopes to have it ready for a 2021 release.
Brandon Lewis has been confirmed as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, replacing Julian Smith.

The former Conservative Party Chairman had been Minister of State for Security in the Home Office before Thursday's cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He said he was honoured to take up the position.

I am honoured to have been appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the Prime Minister. This is an exciting time for Northern Ireland & I follow fantastic colleagues as predecessors, whose work I hope we can continue to build on.  Brandon Lewis (@BrandonLewis) February 13, 2020

"This is an exciting time for Northern Ireland and I follow fantastic colleagues, whose work I hope we can build on," he tweeted.

Mr Johnson's decision to unceremoniously sack Julian Smith was met with shock by Northern Ireland's political sphere, who paid tribute to the outgoing NI Secretary for his work in reviving the Stormont institutions.

Mr Lewis worked his way up from councillor to Conservative Party Chairman, first being elected in 1998.

He became MP for Great Yarmouth in 2010 and became Minister for Housing and Planning in 2014.

Mr Lewis was appointed Minister for Policing and the Fire Service and Minister for Immigration by former PM Theresa May.

While Minister without Portfolio in 2018 Mr Lewis visited the Irish border and met with business leaders to discuss their Brexit concerns.

In December he rejected claims by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn that Mr Johnson's Brexit withdrawal deal would lead to a trade border in the Irish Sea.

Mr Smith had been expected to remain in post, having been widely praised for his work since becoming Northern Ireland Secretary.

However, disputes with the Prime Minister around the damage a no-deal Brexit would cause to Northern Ireland are thought to have been his undoing.

It is also thought he clashed with the Mr Johnson over legacy provision in the New Decade, New Approach deal.

Tributes were paid to Mr Smith from across the political spectrum when news of his departure was confirmed on Thursday morning. His 204-day tenure was the second shortest on record for a NI Secretary.

Mr Smith said serving the people of Northern Ireland had been "the biggest privilege".

"I am extremely grateful to Boris Johnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth and support from people across NI has been incredible. Thank you so much," he said.
A total of 679 Bills have been presented before the House of Representatives since the inception of the 9th Assembly.

The spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu, stated this while briefing journalists on Thursday ahead of the launch of the Green Chamber magazine.

The lawmaker said while some of the bills were at different stages in the house, others were before the Committee of the Whole.

Mr Kalu, however, disclosed that 278 motions had been moved.

These (motions and bills), the magazine will capture, so that, at all times, you will have access to credible information about what is happening in the House, he said.

We will have pictorials; not just documenting mere stories, but evidence that one can relate to.

He said the magazine would also provide information on the activities of the House to Nigerians and present a positive perception of the 9th Assembly.

The need for us to change the perception from what it is to what it ought to be is the effort we are making with this magazine, where we would reflect that we are not as Nigerians think we are.

This magazine would be a platform of the participants observation, not a non-participatory observation, and Nigerians would be able to see into the activities of the house, he said.

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He said the information that would be in the magazine would also showcase the integrity of the House.

Mr Kalu added that the magazine would be a rich source of information for reporters covering the activities of the House.

(NAN)
PARIS  The troubles plaguing Boeing after the yearlong grounding of its 737 Max plane have created an unusual opening for its chief rival, Airbus, to swoop in and grab business. Theres just one hitch: Airbus is in no position to benefit.

The European aerospace giant, which last year took the title from Boeing as the worlds biggest plane maker, has such a large backlog of orders to fill that it cannot immediately produce more of its popular narrow-body jets that airlines view as an alternative to the Max.

It might look like a paradox, but in the short term, we dont benefit from the situation with our competitor, Airbuss chief executive, Guillaume Faury, said Thursday at a news conference in Toulouse, France, announcing the companys 2019 annual results.

Airbus has been unable to take advantage of the shortfall at Boeing partly because it cant build planes fast enough. Production of Airbuss A320 jets  the main competitor to the 737 Max and the bulk of Airbuss commercial business  is months behind schedule because of slowdowns at some of its European factories.
A judicial magistrate went to the Sinthee police station on Thursday and recorded the statements of key witnesses, including the woman who was allegedly missing, in connection with the death of a man in police custody here, police sources said.

A judicial magistrate from the Sealdah court recorded the statements of key witnesses in the case, including Ashura Bibi, who was traced almost 38 hours after she went "missing", the sources added.

The family members of Rajkumar Shaw (53), who died in custody at the Sinthee police station on Monday, had alleged that the police had "taken Ashura Bibi away to an undisclosed place to suppress the actual story behind the case".

They had alleged that the woman was "missing" since Tuesday morning from the night shelter, where she was staying, at ward no. 5 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

"No missing complaint was lodged. Our officers traced her to the residence of one of her relatives. She is safe and has been given protection," a senior police officer said.

Three policemen were booked and departmental proceedings initiated against them, following Shaw's death.

The family members of the deceased had alleged that Shaw died due to torture by policemen.

The police, however, had denied the charge and said Shaw was ill and had died of cardiac arrest.

Shaw's relatives had ransacked the police station and lodged a complaint against the policemen.

A petition has also been filed in the Calcutta High Court, seeking a CBI probe into Shaw's death.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice TBN Radhakrishnan and Justice Arijit Banerjee has directed the West Bengal government to submit an action-taken report and Shaw's post-mortem report on February 25, the next date of hearing of the petition.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that Shaw was a party member.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
German prosecutors said Thursday they had arrested a businessman on suspicion of exporting millions of euros in machinery to Russia that could be used for military purposes, in violation of EU sanctions.

Customs police detained the suspect, German national Alexander S., in the Bavarian city of Augsburg on Tuesday, federal prosecutors said in a statement.

He stands accused of violating the foreign trade law by entering into commercial deals "with the secret service of a foreign power", they said.

In connection with the probe, officers raided the suspect's Augsburg apartment as well as business premises in Bavaria, Saxony state and Berlin.

As the managing director of a company based in southern Germany, Alexander S. is alleged to have sold machine tools to "military end users" in Russia.

He allegedly bypassed checks by listing bogus recipients for his goods. He also fraudulently obtained the necessary export permits by giving "incorrect information" about how the goods would be used.

The accused carried out seven such transactions between January 2016 and January 2018 worth a total of some eight million euros (USD 8.7 million), prosecutors said.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Russia following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

They include a ban on exporting "dual-use goods and technology" that can be used for both military and civilian purposes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It looks like it's all over for one of Married At First Sight's most loved-up couples.

Blonde bombshell Stacey Hampton appears to have confirmed her split from 'husband' Michael Goonan, 28, in two very telling Instagram comments on Thursday.

The 26-year-old defied Channel Nine producers while revealing the huge spoiler.

Spoiler! Married At First Sight's Stacey Hampton (right) seemingly confirmed her split from 'husband' Michael Goonan (left) in two very telling Instagram comments on Thursday

Stacey made the revelation while commenting on a post from S**t Adelaide.

The pop culture page had shared a post about people 'spending Valentine's Day alone, eating chocolate and crying' - prompting her to interact with it.

Tagging a friend, Stacey agreed with the post, simply commenting: 'Same'.

'I'm guessing the marriage didn't work out then?' questioned one user in response, leading Stacey to then reply to them with a sad faced emoji.

Telling: The law graduate commented the word 'same' on a post from pop culture page S**t Adelaide about 'spending Valentine's Day alone, eating chocolate and crying'

No holding back: 'I'm guessing the marriage didn't work out then?' questioned one user in response, prompting Stacey to then reply to them with a sad faced emoji

The post comes after Stacey and Michael boasted about their strong connection during the show's first dinner party on Wednesday.

'I feel blessed that I have Michael. Like, we have such a good relationship compared to everybody else,' Stacey said, after meeting the other couples.

She then told her partner: 'We're the only ones to have had sex.'

An impressed Michael laughed: 'Honestly, we need to bump into those [relationship] experts and be like, "You're getting a pay rise!"'

Rule breaking: The 26-year-old defied Channel Nine producers while revealing the huge spoiler, and will likely shock her cast mates. Pictured: Josh Pihlak and Cathy Evans

'I feel blessed': The post comes after Stacey and Michael boasted about their strong connection during the show's first dinner party on Wednesday's episode

Earlier in the week, the couple got off to a rocky start at their wedding in Melbourne.

'He's not ugly. I don't think he's ugly. But he's not what I normally go for,' Stacey said after first meeting her new 'husband' down the aisle.

They then had a fight on their honeymoon in Fiji, with Michael admitting to behaving 'arrogant' and like 'a bit of a d**k' after drinking several bottles of wine.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

Married At First Sight returns Sunday at 7:00pm on Channel Nine
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 21:07:26|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Thursday that no more joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States will be conducted once the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) is terminated in August this year.

"Once the termination is final, we will cease to have exercises with them (Americans)," Lorenzana in a statement after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to officially notify the U.S. government that Manila wants to end the accord.

"With the formal serving of the notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, this year's planned military exercises with the Americans shall proceed as scheduled within the 180 days that the VFA remains in force," Lorenzana added.

However, Lorenzana said "our American counterparts may opt to discontinue the scheduled exercises before the 180 days are up."

The VFA, signed in 1998, provides a legal framework for the presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines and for organizing small-scale and large-scale joint military exercises.

With this military agreement, the United States can send its military personnel and equipment to the Philippines to participate in the two countries' joint military operations.

Duterte decided to end the two-decade-long treaty with the United States, which was regarded by the Philippine side as one-sided and unequal.

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Felimon Santos has voiced confidence that the Armed Forces of the Philippines would survive even without the VFA.

"We will support the president's decision. That's a political decision, we'll support it and we will live without VFA," Santos told reporters on Wednesday.

Over 300 military engagements are scheduled between the two militaries during the entire year. These engagements include training exercises, expert exchanges, functional training and exchanges, planning and tabletop exercises.

On Tuesday, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin officially notified the U.S. Embassy in Manila about the Philippine government's decision to junk the VFA.

According to the pact, the VFA "shall remain in force until the expiration of 180 days from the date on which either party gives the other party notice in writing that it desires to terminate the agreement."
Plans For Kingsburg

Californias Concerns

(TNS)  A federal judge in New York ruled in favor of T-Mobile and Sprint, clearing the way for the two cellular companies to merge and reduce the number of major wireless carriers in the U.S. from four to three.The decision issued Tuesday morning rejected arguments lodged in a lawsuit by California and other states about the mergers potential to reduce competition and possibly create price increases for customers. It came after the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission both gave their approval to the $26.5 billion merger.T-Mobile and Sprint first announced their intention to merge in May 2018.For Fresno County, U.S. District Court Judge Victor Marreros decision is one of the last major obstacles to a merged T-Mobiles plans to create a major customer service call center in Kingsburg that is expected to employ more than 1,000 people. The call center is among several that were pitched in communities across the country in anticipation of the merger.But T-Mobile representatives noted last year that the Kingsburg center and others would not materialize if the merger was denied.This is a big win and a big day for the New T-Mobile, said Mike Sievert, T-Mobile president and chief operating officer, who will take over as the companys CEO in May. Sievert said the companies hope to tie up remaining loose ends and close the deal as early as April 1.Judge Marreros decision validates our view that this merger is in the best interests of the U.S. economy and American consumers, Sprint Executive Chairman Marcelo Claure said.The two companies were able to convince federal antitrust regulators that the merger would allow a larger T-Mobile to better expand new 5G wireless technology across the nation, reduce costs, and increase availability of high-speed mobile and in-home broadband service.Among the conditions that federal regulators put on the merger was that Sprint sell its prepaid wireless phone businesses, including Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, to satellite TV provider DISH. T-Mobile and Sprint must also make available to DISH at least 20,000 cellular sites and hundreds of retail stores to enable DISH to become a fourth major competitor in the wireless industry.Without the divestiture of the Sprint assets, the U.S. Department of Justice said that the proposed acquisition would eliminate competition between two of only four facilities-based suppliers of nationwide mobile wireless service.DISH co-founder and chairman Charlie Ergen said the company plans to develop its own 5G network as it enters the wireless business as another major competitor to AT&T, Verizon and the new T-Mobile.We appreciate Judge Marreros thorough evaluation of this merger, Ergen said Tuesday. The ruling, in addition to the DOJ and FCC approvals, accelerates our ability to deploy the nations first virtualized, standalone 5G network and bring 5G to America.An economic analysis commissioned by T-Mobile last year forecast that the Kingsburg call center would have 1,007 employees. T-Mobile estimates that employees at the center will have an average weekly compensation between $1,129 and $1,254 in both salary and benefits, the analysis by Berkeley Research Group stated. Total payroll at the center  which would be expected to be fully staffed and operational in 2022  is expected to be between $56 million and $65 million a year.When T-Mobile announced its choice of Kingsburg  a city of about 12,000 people along Highway 99 in southern Fresno County  as the site for one of its new call centers, the company did not disclose whether it plans to own or lease a site in the community. The Berkeley Research analysis, however, indicated that lease costs for a call center site would be about $1.5 million per year.Kingsburgs location at the intersection of three sets of county lines  Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties  means that the new center will likely draw its workforce from throughout the region. According to estimates from the state Employment Development Department, Kingsburgs workforce included about 5,700 people last year, with unemployment in the city estimated at about 400 people.Unemployment rates in the region are several percentage points higher than the statewide average. In December, rates were estimated at 6.9% in Fresno County, 7.7% in Kings County and 9.3% in Tulare County, compared to a statewide unemployment rate of 3.7% in December.California Attorney General Javier Becerra joined attorneys general of about a dozen other states suing to block the merger. Our concerns with this merger have been, are and continue to be about the harms posed by over-consolidation and diminished market competition, Becerra said when the suit was filed last summer. A marketplace with fewer active competitors drives up costs, reduces consumer choice, and thwarts innovation.On Tuesday, the judge in New York said the companies contention that the merger would cut prices and the states arguments that prices would go up essentially cancel each other out.Among the final pieces before the merger can be finalized are approval by a different court of the DISH settlement; the California Public Utilities Commission also must approve the merger.Thecontributed to this report.
A Keralite student from Wuhan university, who tested postive for the novel coronavirus thereby becoming the country's second such case, was on Thursday discharged from the isolation ward of the Alappuzha Medical college hospital, health department sources said.

The youth was discharged after his two consecutive samples sent for testing at the National Instiute of Virology, Pune, turned out negative, the sources told PTI.

"On the basis of the two consecutive negative results, the patient has been discharged. He will be in home quarantine for the remining 14 days."



The youth had returned to Kerala on January 24.

His samples had tested positive for the virus on February 2.

India's first novel coronavirus case was reported from Thrissur in Kerala with a woman medical student from Wuhan testing positive.

The third case was reported from Kasaragod.

Asked about their discharge, the sources said they were awaiting consecutive negative results from NIV, Pune of their samples, only after which they will be discharged.

Till date, 2,455 people have been placed under surveillance of which 2,431 are under home quarantine and 24 in designated facilties.

So far, 381 samples of suspect cases have been sent to NIV for testing, of which results of 354 were negative.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Brazilian journalist on Thursday was shot dead by masked men, who broke into his home in the Paraguayan border city of Pedro Juan Caballero, a prosecutor said.

Paraguayan prosecutor, Marco Amarilla, said Leo Veras, who ran the Portuguese-language news outlet, Pora News, was having dinner with his wife when two men entered his house and opened fire on him.

Veras was known for his journalism on organised crime in the border region between Brazil and Paraguay.

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A journalists union in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul confirmed that Veras had received death threats ahead of the incident.

Many Brazilian criminal organisations operate in Paraguay, which is one of the largest producers of marijuana in Latin America. Most of it is smuggled to neighbouring countries Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

In January, there was mass jail breakout from a Paraguayan prison near the border, with most of those who escaped thought to be members of the Brazilian crime cartel Primer Comando da Capital (PCC).

(dpa/NAN)
YEREVAN.  If the Constitutional Court judges appeal the results of the constitutional reform referendum to the ECHR and win the case, they may not be restored to their posts, but the political price will be the same as the situation of the neighboring state [i.e. Azerbaijan]. The first ombudsperson of Armenia, human rights defender Larisa Alaverdyan stated this during a discussion today on the forthcoming constitutional reform referendum in the country.

According to her, the rush in this process is incomprehensible. Alaverdyan also expressed dissatisfaction that first of all, the issue involves the reaction of individuals, and second, the formal side of the law is underestimated.

"If that is the case, then the Armenian authorities are setting a precedent for the next authorities to also want to change the composition of the Constitutional Court," the human rights activist explained. "In addition, it will not free us from the risk that we will not change power on the streets every 10 years."

She noted that the discussions on this matter are held at a low legal level, and this does not contribute to raising the level of legal awareness of citizens.
Healthcare services provider Aster DM Healthcare on Thursday said it has received approval of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to hold 100 per cent legal ownership of its business in Dubai.

Earlier, as per UAE law requirements, nationals of UAE were required to be the legal/registered owners of at least 51 per cent of the share capital of UAE companies and foreign investors could not acquire more than 49 per cent legal ownership, Aster DM Healthcare said in a statement.

The Government of UAE has now granted approval of 100 per cent ownership to foreign companies in approved sectors, including healthcare sector, it added.

The completion of transfer of 100 per cent legal ownership of the subsidiaries in the Emirates of Dubai is expected to conclude by the end of current financial year, Aster DM Healthcare said.

The company is in the process of obtaining similar approvals in other Emirates of UAE, it added.

"Dubai is a significant market for us as it contributes almost 80 per cent to our GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) business. I thank and appreciate the visionary rulers of UAE for this forward-looking change in law which will give impetus for more investments into the country," Aster DM Healthcare founder Chairman and MD Azad Moopen said.

Shares of Aster DM Healthcare on Thursday closed 1.77 per cent lower at Rs 174.45 per scrip on the BSE.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
OTTAWAThe federal government insists it has no role in the resolution of a pipeline construction dispute in British Columbia, even as the resulting Indigenous protest movement disrupts travel and commerce across the country.

Ottawa argues the Coastal GasLink pipeline projects standoff with certain Wetsuweten activists is an issue for the company and the B.C. government to resolve.

After the company got another injunction from B.C. Superior Court, and the RCMP moved in to enforce it and take down the barricades, the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs issued a national call for solidarity protests.

Cross-country demonstrations  by other First Nations groups and climate change activists  sprang up in sympathy with the B.C. Indigenous protesters, and are fast spiralling into a national test of wills.

For now, federal and provincial governments  and the prime minister  have urged dialogue and calm.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking from Senegal, said, We recognize the important democratic right  and will always defend it  of peaceful protest.

But we are also a country of the rule of law, and we need to make sure those laws are respected.

But whose law? The Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and supporters say the unceded territory means their ancient uncodified laws  passed down through oral traditions and history  must prevail.

And who should be talking to whom?

The British Columbia government is trying to work through the complexities of hereditary leadership, which opposes the project, versus elected band council leadership. In the region, many band councils have signed benefit agreements seemingly in support of the project.

Premier John Horgan acknowledged Wednesday that its been a challenge. Theres a misunderstanding broadly of what hereditary leadership is and were working hard to figure that out with the Wetsuweten and others, said Horgan.

And how should companies like Via Rail, their passengers, and CN freight shippers remain calm in the face of blockades that have shut down interprovincial rail lines and ports, and, the government acknowledges, are causing real economic damage?

On Wednesday Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was blocked from entering Halifax city hall by protesters vowing to shut down Canada, as the social media hashtag #shutdownCanada bounced around online.

Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Tuesday it was dangerous and illegal for Indigenous groups and their supporters to block rail lines near Belleville, Ont., Halifax, Montreal and New Hazelton, B.C. Its not just passenger and cargo trains that have been cancelled. Ports in B.C. have been blocked.

The B.C. legislature was surrounded on Tuesday, but continued to operate behind barricaded doors, a stand in the face of protesters who went too far, Horgan suggested.

Peaceful demonstration is fundamental to our success as a democracy, Horgan told a news conference Wednesday. But to have a group of people say to others you are illegitimate, you are not allowed in here, you are somehow a sellout to the values of Canadians is just plain wrong, and I want to underline that.

For now, Ottawa is watching, but hesitant to step in, mindful that federal intervention could escalate tensions, not resolve them.

Lucky for Trudeau, Parliament is not sitting this week. Next week, it could be a different story.

A senior federal official, speaking on background to discuss the federal view of the situation, said the struggle is rooted in B.C. and involves a pipeline entirely within that province and as such there is no federal jurisdiction over it.

Yes, Ottawa is watching closely, and is also keenly aware that there are differences within the Wetsuweten nation over the project and whether it should proceed.

And the federal government also sees other First Nations who are not directly involved using the dispute to air broader grievances. Sympathetic blockades have popped up in other jurisdictions, but government officials say the responsibility for enforcing public safety in those jurisdictions also lies with those provinces.

Companies are getting injunctions to provide relief from the blockades and police are on scene.

The Trudeau government is privately expressing complete confidence in B.C. to handle the dispute given that provinces long history of dealing with First Nations and reconciliation efforts, however Ottawa has not ruled out serving as a backchannel or helping out if requested by the province.

B.C. did reach out to former federal NDP MPs Murray Rankin and Nathan Cullen to try to broker a compromise.

Cullen said in an interview that so far his efforts have not been successful, though they may open up avenues for dialogue in the coming days and weeks.

Cullen says its not enough for Trudeau to call for dialogue; he says the prime minister has to get involved. The issue of rights and title of course involve both levels of government and ultimately the resolution, I believe, of this conflict will happen at a table. It wont be resolved on a rail line. It wont be resolved on Facebook. It will ideally, because they almost always do, be resolved at a negotiating table of some kind.

And Cullen says Trudeau has to live up to his commitment to advance reconciliation.

This is the hard work, this is not a speech, this is not a moment, this is the hard work, and its going to be a bit messy and challenging but the easy stuffs all been done, he said.

Yet senior officials in Ottawa are mindful that a federal intervention could not only escalate the situation, it may send the exact wrong signal, that to get action, all one has to do is block a rail line.

And most important, in B.C. and in Ottawa, politicians insist it is not for them to order the police to act.

Thats not my role, thats why we have courts, Horgan said Wednesday.

When we have disputes, thats the best way for them to be addressed. And law enforcement is in a very difficult position whether it be here...at points around British Columbia or indeed across Canada, its very difficult for law enforcement to find that fine line between protecting the rights of people to protest and also the rights of citizens to get on with their lives and I dont have a magic answer to that.

I do not want to live in a society where politicians tell the police to go move people along because its convenient for them.

In a CBC interview, one Wetsuweten resident, Bonnie George, speaking from Smithers, B.C., said she supported the pipeline project and urged other protesters across the country to Back off and let us deal with this ourselves.

George said that traditionally the Wetsuweten people have been experts in conflict resolution and that the only way to resolve it is to harken back to that tradition.

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(Alliance News) - Aura Energy Ltd on Thursday said it will not convene a general meeting requested by Asean Deep Value Fund as the meeting requisition notice was not in compliance with the rules.

On February 3, the Australian mining firm said it "received a purported section 249D requisition for a general meeting of shareholders". Under Australian law, shareholders with at least a 5% stake can request a general meeting under section 249D. The request must state any resolution intended to be proposed and be signed by those making the request.

Today Thursday, Aura said that the notices were received from Asean for the company to convene a general meeting of shareholders to consider the appointment of two new directors and the removal of one director.

The company said it has advised Asean that "the 249D notice was invalid as it did not comply with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. It will therefore not be convening the requested meeting".

The stock was trading 15% higher at 0.30 pence each on Thursday afternoon in London.

By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Stereo microscopes are microscopes equipped with two eyepieces, which function similar to a set of binoculars providing a wider viewing range and micro-high-quality stereo images that help to reduce eyestrain and tedious task of viewing the sample. ., Back in 1890s when an American dentist, Horatio Greenough, designed a microscope, which was then purchased by Carl Zeiss. The engineers of Carl Zeiss modified the design by repositioning the prism in the model. Greenough design is the traditional design of stereo microscope, which is highly modified till date and utilized by various end users from researchers to jewelry makers and watch repairers. Stereo microscopes offer three-dimensional view of a sample. It is also known as dissecting microscope and stereo zoom microscope. This microscope is used in wide range of applications such as research in healthcare sector, circuit boards of automobiles sector, and for fabric and textile analysis in consumer goods sector.

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Global Stereoscopic Microscopes Market  Dynamics

Factors such as wide range of applications, product launches, and product modification are expected to positively impact the global stereoscopic microscopes market growth. Product launches by major players to fulfil demands of consumers or end-users is driving the market growth. For instance, in February 2018, UNITRON introduced the Z12 zoom stereo microscope. The product has better magnification range of 8X to 400X with three configurable and adjustable bases. The company expanded its product portfolio which offers ease in observing objects in different industries. However, the high cost of the stereo microscopes is restraining the growth of the market. For instance, Olympus Corporation offers Olympus SZ51 and SZ61 Zoom Stereo Microscopes with the magnification of 0.67X  4.5X at the cost of US$ 1,295.00 to US$ 2,150.00.

Global Stereoscopic Microscopes Market  Regional Insights

The U.S. accounted for the largest market share in the global stereoscopic microscopes market, owing to increasing numerous industries where stereomicroscopes are highly applicable. North America holds significant market share in the market due to rising players and product launches. For instance, in 2015, Euromex Microscopen BV, a manufacturer of microscopes and other optical instruments based in Holland, launched a research-grade optical quality for schools and the most demanding life science research applications in the U.S. Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth rate over the forecast period, owing to the presence of various major players in the region. Nikon & Olympus Corporation, which are the most leading brands in the stereoscopic microscopes market is based in this Asia-Pacific region. Their brand value and offering with advanced technologies expect to grow in the market in the forecast period. KEYENCE CORPORATION and Meiji Techno are other leading players in the Asia Pacific market.

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Global Stereoscopic Microscopes Market: Competitive Landscape

Key players operating in the global stereoscopic microscopes market include ZEISS International, Olympus Corporation, Leica Microsystems, NIKON CORPORATION, KEYENCE CORPORATION, Meiji Techno, Vision Engineering Ltd., KERN & SOHN GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Boeckel + Co (Gmbh + Co), and others.

Global Stereoscopic Microscopes Market: Taxonomy

On the basis of product type, the global stereoscopic microscopes market is segmented into

Binocular

Trinocular

On the basis of design type, the global stereoscopic microscopes market is segmented into

Greenough Design

Common Main Objective / Parallel Optics Type

On the basis of end-user, the global stereoscopic microscopes market is segmented into

Clinical Laboratories

Research Institutes

Industrial Inspection

Academics

On the basis of region, the global stereoscopic microscopes market is segmented into

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East

Africa

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I was in graduate school as the presidential election of 2000 got into full swing. That epic (and highly controversial) contest was the first one that I personally recall in which an almost manic sense of urgency seemed to grip the public  in the U.S. and abroad. Indeed, several of my classmates who were citizens of other countries were nearly as invested in the outcome as Americans were. At least one of them said, This election is too important for just Americans to vote in! This person genuinely wanted people who werent U.S. citizens to have a say. (Russia, are you listening?) Obviously, the world didnt end  even though many people felt like it would if former Vice President Al Gore lost.

Similarly, in 2008, the Great Recession engendered angst among a majority of the electorate. It again seemed that the fate of the world depended on the outcome of the election. The late Sen. John McCain argued, reasonably, that the times called for a president who had a long track record of working to resolve political crises. He also argued, reasonably, that then-Sen. Barack Obama was untested. Unfortunately for McCain, then-President George W. Bush  who was a member of McCains party  had historically low approval ratings. In fact, it turned out that Bush would ultimately defeat McCain twice. The first time was the 2000 presidential primary race, which saw Bush prevail over McCain to secure the Republican nomination. The second time was in the 2008 general election, when Bushs legacy hung around McCains neck like a lead albatross. (Incidentally, pundits still debate whether adding former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to his ticket helped or hurt his bid.)

Fast forward to four years ago. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, charged that Republican businessman Donald Trump was too emotionally unstable, too boorish, too ignorant, too divisive and too inexperienced to assume the massive responsibilities of the U.S. presidency. Though she did convince roughly three million more Americans that she was the more qualified candidate, the results of the Electoral College  which were forged in esoteric and inconsistent rules  determined otherwise. Her defeat was as unexpected as it was stunning.

So, here we are in 2020, enduring what is shaping up to be a schizophrenic and fraught Democratic primary contest. (Perhaps well know by late summer who actually won in Iowa.) The incumbent president is the most divisive U.S. head of state in living memory. Emboldened by his total acquittal in the Senate, Donald Trump offers no evidence that he will approach his role differently than he has heretofore. And why would he? Trump knows as long as he has an approval rating among Republicans that is north of 90% he has carte blanche. (Just this week his anger about long-time friend Roger Stones recommended prison term prompted the Justice Department to lower said recommendation. This is the type of scenario one would expect in a so-called banana republic.)

Whats my point? The stakes are historically high in this years presidential election. For better, and for worse, the United States remains the only indispensable nation. Despite our severely tarnished brand, most of the world expects  and needs  us to lead. No other nation possesses the critical combination of hard power and soft power required to intervene in seemingly intractable political, economic, social and environmental challenges that exist around the world. For example, what takes place in the next few years will determine whether we can halt, or possibly even reverse, the damning effects of climate change. (As the saying goes, There is no Planet B.) Further, the execrable immorality of the yawning wealth gap  here and abroad  threatens to cause a global French Revolution. The mainstreaming of proto-fascism in the U.S., Europe and Latin America could overturn the very fragile de facto armistice that has prevented (or perhaps only forestalled) another world war. Who do we want as the captain of our ship as we navigate these gale-force headwinds?

Am I being hyperbolic? Maybe. (But I doubt it.) In any case, as a student of history I understand that the results of many bygone presidential contests have demonstrated that the more dangerous or risky nominee often prevails over the safer one (e.g., Trump vs. Clinton, Reagan vs. Carter, etc). Of course, depending on who secures the Democratic nomination, the notion of risky will be a very complicated one. Nonetheless, as the race for the Democratic nomination unfolds, a fractious Democratic Party will need to rally around its chosen standard bearer  no matter who it is  if it hopes to fare well in a very tough fight against a surging incumbent.

So, please, vote. It really does matter this time. Seriously.

Larry Smith is a community leader. Contact him at larry@leaf-llc.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A proposal in the budget put forth this week by President Donald Trumps administration to build a new FBI building in Cleveland is part of an effort by the federal government to own its own buildings instead of relying on long, expensive leases.

The $80.1 million line item for local agents and staff to leave their Lakeside Avenue headquarters, seated upon Davenport Bluffs and overlooking Lake Erie, is a way for the government to get out of a lease it feels is too expensive. It would allow them to build a new headquarters that, while expensive at first, would save the government money over time.

Such efforts are in line with recommendations with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an in-house watchdog that has said the government leasing buildings costs more in the long run than building and maintaining them.

Private government watchdogs such as the right-leaning Citizens Against Government Waste also agree.

"The GAO found that the federal government can end up spending more money on renovation costs and lease payments over the course of a long-term lease than it would if it just paid the initial contract price and bought the building outright, Citizens Against Government Waste spokeswoman Ally Schatz Abrams said in an email.

The new Cleveland FBI building is part of a $4.8 trillion budget proposal that Trump unveiled on Monday. Congress would have to approve the budget.

The federal General Services Administration leases the FBI building from Cleveland Bluffs Development LLC, one of many companies controlled by real estate owner James Kassouf.

A company with which Kassouf was affiliated was the winning bidder after GSA put out solicitations in 1999 to design, build and maintain the headquarters of a branch office that now employs about 250 people.

The Cleveland FBI operated out of the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building on East 9th Street prior to entering into the least agreement. The government started leasing in 2002 for $4.4 million a year, and the initial 10-year lease had $10 million in improvement costs included in the rent amount.

The lease expired in 2012 and the government paid off the improvement costs. GSA then extended the lease three times, with the latest being in 2018 and going until Jan. 31, 2022.

Court records show that that the federal government as of 2018 paid a penalty rate of $44.72 per square foot of the 121,912 square-foot property since the original lease expired. GSA in 2016 issued a request to companies for lease proposals to house the Cleveland FBI and set a limit on what it would pay for rent to $26 a square foot, according to the records.

Cleveland Assets LLC, another company affiliated with Kassouf named in records as leasing the building to GSA, sued the government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in February 2017 over the limit, but a judge dismissed the case. However, the FBI remained in the building.

The federal government now says the current rental rate remains too high and "far in excess of the local commercial market.

A GSA spokeswoman did not provide answers to all of the questions sent by cleveland.com on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the Cleveland FBI declined comment.

Kassouf did not respond to messages left Wednesday and Thursday.

Cleveland.com has made a Freedom of Information Act request for the lease and any extensions and amendments.

The government says it can save about $6 million in rentals fees a year by building its own FBI building in Cleveland. As part of the budget, GSA proposed paying $2.1 million for land, $6.5 million for design, $67.1 million for construction and $4.3 million for construction and inspection.

Federal ownership of this proposed long term solution ensures that the FBIs law enforcement and national security needs are met in the most secure and cost effective manner possible., a document GSA used to justify its proposal to Congress reads. It lists similar reasons for wanting to build a new building for the FBIs Oklahoma City office.

The document also references a 2008 Government Accountability Office report that addresses the money the federal government spent on leasing, and how it would often be less expensive in the long run to buy buildings. It noted that the federal government at the time too heavily relied on leasing buildings instead of owning them outright.

The report noted the way federal budgets are tallied make it seem as if building and owning is more expensive because of how much money they cost at first, whereas leases appear cheaper but cost more over time.

It said the Government Accountability Office raised the issue for nearly two decades and encouraged the government to develop a strategy to own more and lease less for long-term needs.

Read more:

Trump budget proposes spending more than $100 million on federal buildings in Cleveland

Trump budget would fund new Cleveland FBI building and cut Lordstown loan program

Tower at Erieview, Galleria sell for $17.7 million
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) on Thursday confirmed the 15th case of novel coronavirus in the United States after a Chinese evacuee was flown to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The 14th U.S. case of COVID-19, the official name for the strain of novel coronavirus that has infected tens of thousands mostly in China, was confirmed on Wednesday night.

The death toll for the virus reached more than 1,300 total fatalities as of Thursday morning, the vast majority of which have occurred in mainland China.

While the world has continued to hope that the spread of the virus will dwindle with increased temperatures in the spring, Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, cautioned that it would be "premature" to assume warmer weather will inhibit the virus.

Her remarks came days after President Donald Trump, at a rally in New Hampshire, declared that the coronavirus could "miraculously" go away "once the weather warms up."

President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"I think I would caution overinterpreting that hypothesis," Messonnier said during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "Influenza has a season ... So, if this behaves similarly, it may be that as we head towards summer and, I guess, spring and summer, the cases would go down, but this is a new disease. We haven't even been through six weeks of it, much less a year, and so I certainly would, I mean, I'm happy to hope that it goes down as the weather warms up, but I think it's premature to assume that, and we're certainly not using that to sit back and expect it to go away."

John Nicholls, a pathology professor at the University of Hong Kong, told financial investors on a conference call last week that he expected the virus to "burn itself out" with increased temperatures. He predicted the threat could subside by May, according to a transcript of the call that was leaked online.

Story continues

But when asked by AccuWeather for further analysis, Nicholls cautioned going against the views of the CDC.

Residents wearing masks wait at a traffic light in Beijing, China Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. China is struggling to restart its economy after the annual Lunar New Year holiday was extended to try to keep people home and contain novel coronavirus. Traffic remained light in Beijing, and many people were still working at home. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

"So the question is: Will this virus behave the same as the other coronaviruses?" Nicholls said in an email to AccuWeather. "It basically has a similar structure to the other coronaviruses."

Nicholls said COVID-19 features "the same receptor as NL63," a strain of the virus discovered about 16 years ago. "And thus my hypothesis was that when summer came there should be a decrease, but I am not going against the views of the CDC."

According to Nicholls, NL63 and COVID-19 share the same receptor and therefore can be expected to behave similarly in the respiratory tract. Human coronavirus NL63 is a common form of the virus. Nicholls likened COVID-19 to a severe form of the common cold.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

When asked if the virus could experience a resurgence with the return of cold weather next fall, Nicholls didn't offer a response.

Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, explained to NPR that not every coronavirus follows the same pattern. However, he hypothesized that the spread of the outbreak would be impacted by the change of season.

Family members of Pakistani students studying in Wuhan, China, rally outside the Chinese Consulate for the evacuation of their relatives after the Chinese city was badly hit by the coronavirus, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudhry)

"It doesn't have that seasonality because it's really an animal-to-human virus and not something that that you see causing disease in a seasonal pattern," Adalja said. "It really is behaving like a common cold-causing coronavirus ... I do think seasonality will play a role. As this outbreak unfolds and we approach spring and summer, I do think we will see some tapering off of cases."

Citing studies that were conducted around the SARS outbreak from 2003 and previous years of coronavirus behavior, Nicholls said that if "history was any guide, then we could expect that this virus would no longer be as much of a threat as it is now in the summer."

Nicholls is not the only expert predicting that the spread of the virus will begin fading with the arrival of spring. Zhong Nanshan, an epidemiologist and senior medical adviser to the Chinese government, this week told Reuters that he believes the spread of COVID-19 will begin to wane in April.

Zhong, however, didn't say he was hinging his prediction on weather factors. Instead, Reuters reported, he based his prediction on mathematical modeling and government action. The 83-year-old doctor was a key player in reigning in the SARS outbreak of 2003 and said a major cause for concern is what's unknown about COVID-19.

"We don't know why it's so contagious, so that's a big problem," he said.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Catechists in Angola have this week reiterated and renewed commitment to their unique vocation of evangelisation.

Anastacio Sasembele - Luanda, Angola & Paul Samasumo, Vatican City.

The vocation of a Catechist, his existence in the Church, is a gift for which we must give thanks to God. Along with this praise, it is necessary to discern what type of Catechists the Church needs today to carry out its task of evangelization, in this concrete historical situation.

With these words, Catechists in Angola drawn from the different dioceses renewed their commitments at the opening Mass for the new Catechetical Year of 2020. The start of the new Catechetical Year took place in Viana, at the parish of Santa Madalena in Cazenga, a municipality of the province of Luanda.

A Catechist does not just pass on the rules and doctrine

The life of the Church goes through Catechesis, the Catechist appears, then, as someone called by God, with a vocation; who believes in the Lord and is one with deep faith and aware of his ecclesial identity. The Catechist's mission, more than passing on rules and the doctrine, is to promote a personal encounter between the person of Jesus and the Catechism, said Fr. Dominicus Decawaio, at the opening Mass of the new Catechetical Year.

The Catechist advances the mission of Jesus, the teacher

The Catechist participates and continues the mission of Jesus as Teacher, as he fulfils the Lord's mandate: Go and make disciples (Mt 28,19). Thus, Jesus Christ, in his following and imitation, constitutes for the Catechist the determining model of his entire mission, the priest reminded the hundreds of Catechist gathered for the occasion.

Ours is not a job but a vocation

We are ready for the new year, assured Catechist, Angela Domingos Sebastiao.

Others said, their calling or being a Catechist was not work or a job they do, but rather it is a vocation that comprises a life of encounter with Christ through words, lifestyle and witness.

Catechists keep alive the faith in Africas remote areas

In the Archdiocese of Luanda, the opening of the new Catechetical Year has been marked by a specially designed missionary journey. The events started with a talk and discussion on Youth and a witnessed faith. This is a theme chosen by the Episcopal Conference of Angola and Sao Tome (CEAST) for a period of three years. Apart from other sharings and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Catechists were affirmed in their mission.

In Angola as in many other African countries, Catechists are in places where there are no priests sometimes for months on end. Catechists have always been the unsung heroes that keep alive the seed of faith in some of Africas remote areas.

Catechists are the pride of the Church

Catechists have always had a vital role in the life of the African Church. They are considered to be irreplaceable evangelists, as the encyclical of Pope Saint John Paul II, 'Redemptoris Missio,' rightly states: "During my Apostolic journeys I have been able to observe personally what the Catechists offer, especially in mission territories, an 'outstanding and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith and the Church," said Saint John Paul II.

The Church has in the past acknowledged, on many occasions, that Catechists are often entrusted with the pastoral guidance of the little community, usually rural and remote, separated from the Centre. They are sometimes called to witness to their faith by harsh trials and painful privations. The history of evangelisation -past and present- attests to their constancy even to the giving of life itself. Catechists are truly the pride of the Church.






Banjul, Gambia(PANA) - President Adama Barrow has said that The Gambia should learn from Nigerias success in transitioning from military rule to a vibrant democracy through the building of strong institutions and depoliticising the military
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss on Wednesday said that his party will continue alliance with AIADMK in the upcoming local body polls and other elections. He made the clarification after social media was abuzz for last few days about the possible tie-up of PMK with Rajinikanth after the latter launches his political party.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ramadoss said that his Tuesdays statement was misinterpreted. Our alliance with AIADMK will continue in the upcoming local body poll and other elections too, he said. He refrained from making any direct statements on Rajinikanth or the actors political plans.

The buzz in the political circles began after Tamilaruvi Maniyan, a close confidant of actor Rajinikanth, said in a media interview that the actor would soon launch a political party and PMK will form an alliance with the actors party.

PMKs silence on the issue also added fuel to speculations. When Ramadoss was asked about this on Tuesday, he simply said a decision would be taken once Rajinikanth launches his party. Ramadoss statement was widely interpreted as a stark change in the stance of the party from opposing Rajinikanths political entry to even considering an alliance.

A few Rajinikanths fans took to social media to express their disappointment over the idea of the actor joining hands with PMK. They recalled how Rajinikanths fans and PMK cadre shared bitter animosity in the past. Some said the actors party would lose much if it joins hands with the caste-based PMK.

Ties to continue

Our alliance with AIADMK will continue in the upcoming local body poll and other elections too, said Ramadoss
Virus fears: Workers at JCB are to go on a shorter week

Workers at JCB are to go on a shorter week because of cuts in production due to anticipated component shortages from Chinese suppliers affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Overtime is being suspended at the heavy machinery group, and around 4,000 company and agency shop floor employees will start a shorter working week from Monday.

The measures will see the introduction of a 34-hour week until further notice, although employees will be paid for a 39-hour week and will bank the hours, working them back later in the year.
Democrats will no doubt be distressed to learn that the progressive habit of politicizing absolutely everything is giving new weight to the law of unintended consequences. A New Hampshire woman, horrified by the uproar in the knitting world a few months ago when woke knitters went on a rampage, found herself at the Trump rally in New Hampshire and went public about the pleasant surprises she found there.

In June 2019, the knitting world got woke, and it was ugly. It got so ugly that it actually made the New York Times and the BBC. People who were enjoying their craft were suddenly lambasted as racist cultural appropriators and worse. Conservative knitters fled the knitting sites, and they were joined by independent and Democrat knitters who found it offensive to have politics invade their peaceful, creative hobby.

One of the Democrat knitters who left was Karlyn Borysenko, who describes herself as "an organizational psychologist and mindfulness expert." It was the disruption of seeing ugly politics invade her hobby that led to Borysenko discovering #WalkAway, attending a Trump rally, and planning to cast her vote for Trump.

Borysenko describes her awakening in a detailed Medium article that is illuminating and worth examining. It began when activists politicized her peaceful knitting kingdom:

It started about a year ago when roving gangs of online social justice warriors started going after anyone who was not lockstep in their ideology. People were bullied and mobbed by hundreds of people for such offenses as publishing an article expressing excitement about going on a trip to India, posting a video saying they were leaving IG because they were uncomfortable, and posting a poem asking for kindness.

Borysenko admits that when the furor began, she assumed that all Trump-supporters were racist, deplorable haters. Seeing the ugliness from the other side made her revisit her assumptions and seek alternative data:

The more voices outside of the left I listened to, the more I realized that these were not bad people. They were not racists, nazis, or white supremacists. We had differences of opinions on social and economic issues, but a difference of opinion does not make your opponent inherently evil. And they could justify their opinions using arguments, rather than the shouting and ranting I had seen coming from my side of the aisle.

Her efforts to break free from the Progressive bubble led her to the #WalkAway movement  at which time she discovered that MSNBC was lying when it claimed that #WalkAway was a Russian bot fake. From there, Borysenko couldn't stop asking questions:

I started to question everything. How many stories had I been sold that weren't true? What if my perception of the other side is wrong? How is it possible that half of the country is really overtly racist? Is it possible that Trump Derangement Syndrome is a real thing, and had I been suffering from it for the past three years? And the biggest question of all was this: Did I hate Trump so much that I wanted to see my country fail just to spite him and everyone who voted for him?

The result of her inquiries is that earlier this week, Borysenko found herself at the Trump rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. While she still doesn't like Trump the man, she was pleased with what she saw at the rally:

I had attended an event with all of the Democratic contenders just two days prior in exactly the same arena and the contrast was stark. First, Trump completely filled the arena all the way up to the top. Even with every major Democratic candidate in attendance the other night, and the campaigns giving away free tickets, the Democrats did not do that. With Trump, every single person was unified around a singular goal. With the Democrats, the audience booed over candidates they didn't like and got in literal shouting matches with each other. With Trump, there was a genuinely optimistic view of the future. With the Democrats, it was doom and gloom. With Trump, there was a genuine feeling of pride of being an American. With the Democrats, they emphasized that the country was a racist place from top to bottom.

Borysenko is fed up with the vision that the Democrats are trying to sell, one of a hate-filled, dystopian country. She believes that there are good people on both sides of the political aisle, but that it is Trump, of all people, who is trying to stitch the country together, while the Democrats are working to divide. She's now an independent, not a Democrat, and rejects the Democrats' divisiveness.

Her closing paragraph should instill terror in the hearts of the Democrat presidential candidates, shouting their hate and fear at the voters, and in the Democrat party as a whole:
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)

CDC Director Reiterates: Coronavirus Can Be Spread by People Who Arent Showing Symptoms

The new coronavirus, or COVID-19, can be spread by people who are not exhibiting symptoms, confirmed the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday.

Dr. Robert Redfield, the director, said that asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is possible. Several Chinese medical officials have said the virus, which is believed to have sickened tens of thousands, made similar comments over the past several weeks as the virus spreads.

Theres been good communication with our colleagues to confirm asymptomatic infection, to confirm asymptomatic transmission, to be able to get a better handle on the clinical spectrum of illness in China. What we dont know though is how much of the asymptomatic cases are driving transmission, he told CNN in an interview.

Redfield said that some confirmed COVID-19 patients had a little sore throat and nothing more, highlighting how difficult it is to detect the virus.

What Ive learned in the last two weeks is that the spectrum of this illness is much broader than was originally presented. Theres much more asymptomatic illness, he told the news outlet.

A doctor is sprayed with a disinfectant by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan, the epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak, in Chinas central Hubei Province, on Feb. 3, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

In the same interview, the top CDC official said U.S. experts have still not been allowed in China to help with the virus outbreak despite numerous offers. Redfield said that as a result, there is still much that American officials arent aware of.

Theres a lot of information we dont knowthats why I offered to provide assistance, direct assistance, and send our CDC folks over there back on Jan. 6 to really help them gather that information and also to help us see the information first hand that we need to help make the right public health recommendations for our nation, Redfield said.

White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow offered similar sentiments, accusing the Chinese regime of a lack of transparency in reporting the virus.

Were disappointed that we havent been invited in, Kudlow told reporters at the White House on Thursday. Were a little bit disappointed about the lack of transparency.

As of Thursday, there are 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, including eight in California, two in Illinois, one in Texas, one in Massachusetts, one in Wisconsin, one in Arizona, and one in Washington state.

Earlier this week, 195 people who were quarantined on a military base in Southern California were released after being medically isolated for two weeks. Officials declared them coronavirus-free.
Amritsar Students and interns of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Patiala and Faridkot will carry out a protest rally in their districts on February 18 to draw attention to the meagre stipend being paid to them.

MBBS students in Punjab medical colleges get a meagre stipend of just 9,000 per month during the internship that lasts a year. This has not been increased for 10 years, even as it is the lowest among states. Fee for students, however, has been increased twice in four years, said Bir Ghuman, a student of GMC Patiala, adding that the students in Amritsar were the first to protest. Ghuman added that even this stipend was not paid on time.

On February 11, students had held a protest in which they sold tea, sweets and fruits outside the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH).

State health minister OP Soni had promised to increase our stipend in August 2019. Six months have passed, but no action has been taken. A medical student pays 5 lakh as fee for his MBBS degree, but the government is not ready to hire doctors on good pay scale. Doctors will increasingly migrate to private hospitals as a result, said Rahul Kumar, a student of GMC Faridkot.
AP

Bombardier has completed its exit from commercial aviation, selling its remaining stake of its joint venture with Airbus as the beleaguered company looks to save cash and improve operations.

And there may be more sell-offs to come, as the Quebec-based company continues to look at strategic alternatives that will help it accelerate the payment of its significant debt load, which has ballooned to more than US$9 billion.

Bombardier said Thursday that it will transfer its shares in the Airbus partnership, which produces the A220 aircraft formerly known as the CSeries, to Airbus and the Government of Quebec. The move provides Bombardier with approximately US$600 million in cash from Airbus and gets the company off the hook from investing a further US$700 million into the program.

The deal boosts Airbus stake in the program from just over 50 per cent to 75 per cent, while Quebecs share jumps from 16 per cent to 25 per cent.

Bombardier sunk more than US$6 billion into the development of the aircraft, which chief executive Alain Bellemare said on a conference call with analysts Thursday was the biggest challenge in 2015 when we joined the company.

We were losing a lot of money. It was a cash drain, Bellemare said.

The strategy was always to exit commercial aircraft, and weve done that very successfully, while protecting jobs... Were going to continue looking at our options and see if there are ways we can accelerate the deleveraging phase of the turnaround plan.

The company said Thursday that its commercial aviation business, which had included the Airbus A220, the Q400 and the CRJ programs, was burning approximately US$1 billion in cash and lost the company US$400 million as of 2016.

Addressing the challenging portfolio was a fundamental step in the companys turnaround plan, Bombardier said in a statement.

The divestitures are expected to continue. Analysts have said Bombardier may have to consider selling one  or potentially all  of its existing assets, which now only includes its rail division and private business jet program.

Story continues

Multiple reports have suggested that Frances Alston is in talks to purchase Bombardiers rail division for just under US$7 billion. Earlier this month, a Wall Street Journal report also said the company was in talks to sell its private jet business to U.S.-based Textron Inc.

When asked about potential asset sales on a conference call with analysts, Bellemare would not confirm the reports, but said the sale of the A220 stake gives us plenty of liquidity to do the right things.

We are looking at our strategic options. As you understand, this is very sensitive, he said. We believe we have very strong assets, we have a strong cash position, and were going to do it the right way.

Bombardier executives were challenged by some analysts on the conference call Thursday, with Goldman Sachs analyst Noah Poponak questioning what the companys strategy is going forward.

Its starting to look more like an asset liquidation than a turnaround, Poponak said.

Bellemare reiterated that the fundamental reason the company is looking at strategic options is to accelerate the deleveraging of the business.

We have been doing a lot of cleanup over the last five years, addressing some of the underperforming businesses, he said.

We are now ending up with two very strong franchises  the train side, and the business aircraft side. We have a strong cash position and we have options.

Bombardier, which reports its financial results in U.S. dollars, saw revenue fall three per cent in 2019 when compared to last year, down to $15.8 billion. The companys net income fell from a $318 million profit last year to a loss in 2019 of $1.6 billion.

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The Victorian Labor Party is facing internal pressure to act over accusations factional heavyweight Jasvinder Sidhu, who was assaulted at a suburban branch meeting last month, made racist comments.

Tensions have been brewing between rival groups within the party amid a row over preselections for parliamentary seats and allegations of branch stacking, which resulted in the alleged assault of Socialist Left figure Jasvinder Sidhu at a branch meeting at his parents' western suburbs home on January 25.

ALP branch member and factional figure Jasvinder Sidhu was allegedly assaulted by an unknown man at a branch meeting in late January.

More than 100 people stormed the Tarneit home chanting "let us join the ALP". The situation became heated when Mr Sidhu asked a group of attendees to leave.

One source present said some of the Indian community became upset that Muslims had arrived and began demanding they leave. Others present have denied any racism was involved.
Three Bangladeshi nationals, including two women, were arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city for allegedly staying in the country illegally using fake documents, police said on Thursday.



The accused were arrested along with four Indians for their alleged involvement in fabricating documents, counterfeiting currency, prostitution and kidnapping.



The police have arrested Bangladeshi nationals Begum Khatoon alias Megha (30), Lima Haldar (21) and Roni Shaikh (21), who is a pimp, deputy inspector general (Indore) Ruchivardhan Mishra said.



The case came to light when the trio, including Khatoon's husband Kishore Khandare, were arrested on February 8 for allegedly kidnapping a person and demanding a ransom of Rs 2 lakh, he said.



During interrogation, the police found suspicious documents in the accused's possession, he said, adding that the trio had entered India at different times without valid documents.



Khatoon had come to Mumbai about a decade ago and married Khandare, a resident of Maharashtra's Washim district, the senior official said.



She later went back to Bangladesh, got a passport there and returned to India in 2017 after obtaining a visa on the basis of a Bangladeshi passport, he said.



Khatoon later got an Indian passport on the basis of forged documents, the official said.



Khandare also printed counterfeit notes of Rs 100, Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations and circulated them in Pithampur and Mhow, he added.



The three Bangladeshi nationals have got several documents, including Aadhaar cards and school mark sheets, the DIG said.



The police have arrested locals Shiv Kumar Yadav, Ashok Aggarwal and Babulal Gaur for fabricating these documents, he added.



The case is being investigated and the intelligence agencies have been informed about the accused, he added.
Christian Goodson, 31, of Berkeley, was charged Wednesday after he allegedly stormed onto a middle school bus with a loaded pistol and threatened everybody on board.

A father has been arrested after he allegedly stormed onto a middle school bus with a loaded pistol and threatened everybody on board.

Christian Goodson, 31, of Berkeley, was charged Wednesday with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child, along with misdemeanor property damage and assault counts.

Goodson's sixth-grade daughter was reportedly involved in a fight with other girls while they waited at the school bus stop. A portion of the scuffle was caught on camera phone footage.

When the bus arrived, her father, who had arrived at the scene, tried to also get on the bus.

According to The St Louis Post-Dispatch, the students hopped on the bus, but the driver would not let Goodson on board.

The father is said to have became angry and used a pistol to break the glass on the school bus door.

Goodson was reportedly waiting with his sixth-grade daughter at a bus stop when she became embroiled in a scuffle with other girls as they waited for the vehicle. A portion of the incident was caught on camera phone

Fearing that Goodson would start shooting, a district employee opened the door and let him on to the bus.

According to court documents, the irate father pointed the pistol at everyone on the school bus, before he pushed the driver and yelled: 'You got what you wanted!'

The students then ran to the back of the bus, and Goodson took his two children and left.

The bus carried nine students, a new bus driver, a veteran driver who was mentoring the new one, and another staff member who was riding as a bus monitor because of previous disruptions and fights on the bus.

Goodson is pictured in an old social media snap. He is currently being held on a $100,000 cash bond

Nine students were on board the bus at the time Goodson stormed onto the behicle

Berkeley Police Chief Art Jackson said officers arrested Goodson later at his home and recovered the loaded pistol.

Jackson said officers also took other parents and students into custody but provided no details.

Tangie Francwar, principal of the Johnson-Wabash Sixth Grade Center, said in a letter to parents that the father was on the bus for 37 seconds and had encouraged students to fight, although the police summary doesn't mention that. No one was hurt.

Goodson remains in custody with cash bond set at $100,000.
The bitter six-year battle between the city of San Antonio and the fire union over a new contract finally is over.

The result: San Antonio firefighters still are among the highest-paid in Texas, but now must start paying for their own health insurance.

Arbitrators tasked with crafting a contract and ending the conflict handed down the new deal Thursday, overhauling firefighters health care benefits and awarding pay increases less generous than what either side had proposed.

Both sides now must abide by the agreement, ending the stalemate. San Antonio is the first major Texas city to get a collective bargaining agreement through arbitration.

We have a five-year contract that is fair to firefighters, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. Its fair to the city. And its fair to taxpayers.

On ExpressNews.com: Details emerge about possible new 5-year firefighters union contract

The unions previous contract expired in 2014. Firefighters went five years without pay increases as the union waged war on the city, though they kept their premium-free health care plan under the previous deals evergreen clause.

But the fire union walked away without many of the things it had wanted in a new contract for the past several years, including union control of firefighters health care.

Instead, firefighters must contribute to their health care plan for the first time. In the past, taxpayers have paid the full cost of health care premiums for firefighters and their families.

The deal also includes wage increases less substantial than what the police union gets under its contract. Firefighters also wont receive back pay to make up for five years of frozen wages.

Nonetheless, union leader Chris Steele lauded the agreement.

In the grand scheme of things, its still a great deal, Steele said.

The decision caps off a tumultuous period in San Antonio politics. The fight between the city and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association fueled an ugly charter amendment battle in 2018 that prompted then-City Manager Sheryl Sculley to resign after holding the post for 13 years.

Sculley had sought to change the firefighters contract so they would pick up the tab for their own health care. She predicted that, if the police and fire unions contracts were unchanged, public safety would consume 100 percent of the citys general fund by 2031.

Im amazed at how far they were willing to go even at the expense of the city to keep what they had rather than to negotiate in good faith, Sculley said Thursday. Its a good lesson in beware of what you ask for, because they got less than what they were hoping to get.

Bad blood between the two sides spilled over into last years contentious mayoral race  with the fire union throwing its weight behind Nirenbergs opponent Greg Brockhouse and nearly winning.

On ExpressNews.com: Nirenberg wins second term after hard-fought battle

But city officials Thursday expressed a willingness to try to get past that acrimony.

Its time to move on at this point, City Manager Erik Walsh said.

The new pact, effective immediately, starts with a one-time 5 percent bonus that firefighters will get within the next 30 days. For example, that means a firefighter who has been on the force for five years, earning $57,900, will get a payment of $2,895.

The firefighters first pay raise will come in January at 2 percent, with another 1 percent bonus payment.

In 2022, theres a 3 percent pay raise, with 2.5 percent increases in 2023 and 2024.

The pay increases are less than those police officers received under the agreement their union struck with the city in 2016. Under that five-year deal, police officers got 3 percent wage increases in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They will get a 2 percent increase in October and will get another 3 percent bump in 2021.

Firefighters will get a 1 percent bonus in 2021 and 0.5 percent bonuses in 2023 and 2024.

The union had wanted an immediate 14 percent boost in wages along with a $7,250 signing bonus. The city had proposed an unspecified one-time bonus for firefighters followed by 3 percent wage increases on Oct. 1 and in October 2021.

The firefighters previous contract expired in 2014, but many of its terms had remained in place under a 10-year evergreen clause, including the firefighters health care plan. The city unsuccessfully sued the union to invalidate the evergreen clause in 2014, ending its legal fight in November 2018 when the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear its case.

The new contract has a maximum evergreen period of five years. During that period, firefighters contributions to their health care plan would increase by 10 percent each year as they do during the five-year term of the contract. That measure will bring the fire union to the negotiating table more quickly, Nirenberg said.

The fire union had vigorously defended its 10-year evergreen period under the previous contract. But Steele said the union wont miss the longer term.

Were not worried about the evergreen clause because we have binding arbitration, Steele said.

San Antonio voters passed a union-backed city charter amendment in 2018 that gave the fire union the sole power to force contract impasses to arbitration. As a result, the city no longer completely controls one of its largest expenses. The Fire Department accounts for a quarter of the citys $1.3 billion operating budget at $323.8 million.

The union used that right in July after negotiations with the city didnt produce a breakthrough.

The city named San Antonio attorney Phil Pfeiffer, who has represented management in arbitration proceedings, to the three-member arbitration panel. The union named Oregon labor lawyer Mike Tedesco, who has often worked for public safety unions, to the panel. Pfeiffer and Tedesco then named the third person to the panel, retired San Antonio district judge John Specia.

Another major point of contention was health care. Previously, firefighters paid nothing in premiums and had low deductibles.

Under the new agreement, firefighters will pay premiums under similar terms as the San Antonio Police Officers Associations contract, which offers two options  one with a low premium and high deductibles, and a value plan with a high premium and low deductibles. But firefighters have a prescription plan that has a lower-cost option for many medicines.

The value plan option, for example, will cost $100.10 per month for a firefighter alone and $166.10 for the employee and family.

The firefighters union had sought for years to control its own health care through a union-controlled trust  essentially a separate health care fund for firefighters. The union walked back from that proposal during the arbitration proceedings.

On ExpressNews.com: Firefighters union no longer seeking to control own health care

City officials warned that trusts in Fort Worth and Philadelphia werent run well, while the union pointed to successful trusts in about 20 U.S. cities, including Seattle and Miami.

Steele said Thursday he hasnt given up on the idea.

A health care trust is really the best thing for this city, Steele said. Were going to always try to consider that.

Also controversial was the legal trust fund that pays for defending firefighters and police officers in court. The city contributes $1.5 million each year to the fund, which can be used in criminal cases, divorces, custody battles and real estate transactions. Spouses also can use the fund, but not in proceedings against the firefighter or police officer.

But there have been increasing concerns about paying for the legal defense of firefighters and police officers charged with crimes, especially in domestic violence cases.

City officials have cited examples, such as one case where a firefighters ex-spouse said the firefighter threatened to use the fund to take custody of their children away from her when he knew she couldnt afford an attorney to fight back.

Under the new contract, the city will continue making contributions if the fund stops paying for defending firefighters charged with crimes and if the fund starts covering spouses in divorce proceedings as well as covering former spouses in matters concerning child custody and child support, among others. The fund also must submit to an annual independent audit to be provided to the city.

If those changes arent made to the fund within six months, the city will stop making contributions to the fund and instead will increase the clothing allowance for each firefighter by $384 per year.

Last year, Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez said the police union had agreed to make changes in the fund if the fire union agreed, but it was unclear Thursday whether that still was the case.

Joshua Fechter is a staff writer covering San Antonio city government and politics. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFreports
Virus death toll surges as China changes way it counts cases

WORLD: The number of deaths and new cases from Chinas coronavirus outbreak spiked dramatically today (Feb 13) after authorities changed the way they count infections in a move that will likely fuel speculation that the severity of the outbreak has been under-reported.

healthChinesedeathtourismSafetyCoronavirusCOVID-19

By AFP

Thursday 13 February 2020, 09:01AM

Normally busy streets in Beijing are empty as residents stay indoors as protection against the new coronavirus. Photo: AFP

A security guard checks the temperature of a resident entering a compound in Hangzhou, southwest of Shanghai. Photo: AFP

The hard-hit central province of Hubei reported 242 deaths in just one day and 14,840 new patients - by far its biggest one-day tally since the crisis erupted last month.

The jump raised the death toll to 1,355 and the total number of nationwide infections to nearly 60,000 - just hours after President Xi Jinping touted positive results from the governments drastic measures to contain the virus and a top Chinese expert predicted the epidemic would peak this month.

Officials in Hubei said they were broadening their definition for COVID-19 cases by including people clinically diagnosed with the virus in the daily tally.

This means officials can use lung imaging on suspected cases to diagnose the virus, rather than the standard nucleic acid tests.

China has placed some 56 million in virtual quarantine in Hubei and its capital, Wuhan, since late last month and restricted movements of millions more in cities far from the epicentre in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus.

Xi chaired a meeting of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee yesterday (Feb 12) after figures showed that the number of new cases had dropped for a second straight day.

China has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its transparent handling of the outbreak, in contrast to the way it concealed the extent of the SARS virus.

But it has faced continued scepticism among the global public, with suggestions that there may be similarities with the way it dealt with the 2002-2003 outbreak.

Authorities in Hubei have been accused of concealing the gravity of the outbreak in early January because they were holding key political meetings at the time.

Too early to predict

Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at Chinas National Health Commission, had said on Tuesday (Feb 11) he thought the outbreak would peak in mid- to late-February.

But in Geneva, World Health Organization officials yesterday warned against reaching premature conclusions on the Chinese data.

I think its way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now, said Michael Ryan, head of WHOs health emergencies programme.

In Spain, organisers of the worlds top mobile telecommunications trade fair, the World Mobile Congress, said the event would be cancelled following an exodus of industry heavyweights over coronavirus fears.

The GSMA, which organises the annual show, set for Barcelona, said it was cancelled due to the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances.

The announcement was made just hours after Vodafone, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, Britains BT and Rakuten of Japan had pulled out, following in the footsteps of Intel, Facebook, Cisco and Chinas Vivo.

US planemaker Boeing warned that there was no question the outbreak would hammer the aviation industry and the broader economy.

The epidemic has threatened to harm the Chinese economy, the worlds second-largest, with ANZ bank warning that Chinas first-quarter GDP growth would slow to 3.2-4.0 percent, down from a previous projection of 5.0 percent.

It has also disrupted sporting events in China: motorsports governing body FIA announced the suspension of the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai, originally scheduled for April 19, due to the continued spread of the coronavirus.

And this weeks Singapore Air Show - Asias biggest - was badly hit by exhibitors withdrawing and low attendance.

Due to the impact of the virus, the OPEC oil cartel lowered its forecast for growth in global oil demand this year by nearly a fifth.

Cruise ship infections

Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted flights to and from the country, as hundreds of people have now been infected in some two dozen countries.

The biggest cluster of cases outside China is on a cruise ship quarantined off Japans coast.

An additional 39 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive, raising the total number of cases to 174, while thousands of passengers and crew face a second week in quarantine.
Indians are obsessed with a male child and their obsession could be among one of the causes of our exploding population. And adding to that obsession, a popular Marathi kirtankar (preacher) Indurikar Maharaj, has suggested that having inercourse with a woman on an even date will beget a male child.

The guru made these brainless remarks during a kirtan at a village in Ahmedabad. The clip of the same has gone viral on social media.

"If intercourse with woman is done on even date, a male child is born and if intercourse is done on odd date, a girl child is born. If intercourse is done on inauspicious timing, the child that is born, would bring a bad name to the family," Indurikar Maharaj can purportedly be heard saying while giving the sermon in his distinct rustic style.

The kirtankar is also purportedly heard saying that if the "timing" (of intercourse) is missed, the quality of the output (child) will be sub-standard.

A government official said that his remarks can attract action under the provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

The irresistible Indian urge to have male child has created an estimated 21 million unwanted girls, said the Economic Survey 2018 tabled in the Parliament last year. The statistics are a stark reminder of how our society functions and how much grassroot level awareness is required to change this mindset.

Indurikar Maharaj is the best stand up comedian with sanity.  Abhishek Ajane (@idkwt2dowthlife) February 11, 2020

If this programme wouldn't have been aired at all, Indurikar maharaj's words wouldnt have spread to large number of people.@abpmajhatv is equally guilty of spreading his words under pcpndt act.  dr. dhiraj tamaskar (@ddtam) February 12, 2020

Many Indian parents continue to have children until they have a son, creating unwanted girl children. This meta-preference leads naturally to the notional category of "unwanted" girls with reduced access to resources.

Nonetheless, the lives of women are improving, but the society still wants fewer of them. Son preference is giving rise to skewed sex ratios at birth and beyond, leading to an estimate of 63 million "missing" women, the ministry said in its report.
The historic Kusch House in Hemisfair will be restored and upgraded with a $750,000 corporate gift, local officials announced Wednesday.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation represents an investment in historic preservation that will return life to a piece of the fabric that has shaped San Antonio for generations.

The house is one of 21 historic properties that remain from a neighborhood that existed before Hemisfair became the site of the 1968 Worlds Fair.

The grant is the largest corporate gift Hemisfair has received to date. A tenant for the site has not been selected.

On ExpressNews.com: HemisFair 68 transformed the city

Residents and visitors alike will be able to witness the impact of Bank of Americas gift in action through the small business that moves into the Kusch House after its transformation, Nirenberg said.

The Gothic Revival structure, believed to have been built by stonemason John Kusch in 1885, housed a Mexican restaurant, La Fonda Santa Anita, during HemisFair 68. It has since been used as a jewelry and gift shop, and more recently as storage and office space.

The grant will fund restoration of its historic architectural features and updates for wheelchair accessibility, plumbing, electricity and temperature control.

On ExpressNews.com: House was base of operations for O. Henry

City records indicate the house remained in the ownership of the Kusch family, alternately spelled Kush, until it was acquired for the fair in 1966.

According to Express-News archives, Kusch was born in Germany 1825 and emigrated in 1854, arriving in Galveston and going into the construction business in San Antonio.

He built several other houses in the neighborhood and elsewhere downtown and at Fort Sam Houston. He is credited with building a small house on South Presa Street that was rented by American writer O. Henry.

The O. Henry House was later dismantled and rebuilt on the corner of Laredo and Dolorosa streets, where it functions as a house museum, marked by a state historical marker. Go to ohenryhouse.org for more information.

Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA
West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday decided to protest against denial of invitation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor with a senior party MP and an MLA deciding to boycott the function, sources said.

Senior TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and MLA Sujit Bose have decided not to attend the programme, they said.

The first phase of the East-West Metro corridor connecting Sector V with Salt Lake Stadium in the city will be inaugurated later in the day by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

"The East-West Metro corridor project was brainchild of Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as Railway minister from 2009-2011. It was she who had sanctioned the money in Railway budget. Now, when the project is being inaugurated she has not been invited. This is an insult to the people of Bengal," Dastidar told PTI.

According to TMC sources, neither Bose nor Bidhanagar Municipal Corporation Chairperson Krish Chakraborty will attend the programme.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump was acquitted Wednesday by the US Senate of the two impeachment counts passed by the House: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Just the third President to face impeachment, Trump will remain in office -- like Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson -- but he was robbed of the ability to dismiss the impeachment as a partisan hoax by Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the former Republican presidential nominee, who sided with every Democrat and agreed that Trump abused his power and was guilty of "an appalling abuse of public trust."

Read a full blow-by-blow of the day here.

52-48 vote on abuse of power -- That the President would survive the impeachment was never really in question since Republicans hold a majority in the Senate and it would have taken a supermajority of two-thirds to convict him (that's 67 senators).

53-47 on obstruction of Congress -- The vote on the second article of impeachment -- obstruction of Congress -- followed party lines after Romney sided with Republicans on that question.

Refresher: The articles of impeachment against Trump

Romney made history as the first senator to vote to remove a President of his own party.

The GOP has changed -- That he was the Republican nominee for President in 2012 shows just how far the party has traveled under Trump.

Factional fever -- Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argued against impeachment and said it was an assault on the institutions of US government creating policy Democrats don't like.

"We simply cannot let factional fever break the institution," he said, later adding, "I hope we will look back on this vote and say this was the day that fever began to break. I hope we will not say this was just the beginning."

Trump's America -- The President brushed off his impeachment, ignored the subject and painted his picture of the country at his State of the Union Address Tuesday night. I went line-by-line through the speech to cut through the hyperbole -- "poverty is plummeting," he said -- and put it all in context. I also made a list of 13 key things he forgot to mention.

What we learned -- Americans learned many things about what Trump and his associates did in Ukraine to pressure that country's leader to investigate Trump's US political opponents. We also learned some key truths about what our politics are like now. Read that here .

Is it time to freak out? Maybe.

Moderate Democrats vote to convict

On-the-fence Democrats -- Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Doug Jones of Alabama -- all voted to convict the President.

"The facts are clear; security aid was withheld from Ukraine in an attempt to benefit the President's political campaign," Sinema said in a statement to the Arizona Republic. "While White House attorneys claim this behavior is not serious, it is dangerous to the fundamental principles of American democracy to use the power of the federal government for personal or political gain."

Romney's reasons

Romney laid out his reasoning in a thoughtful Senate floor speech Wednesday afternoon, just before the impeachment vote took place. Interviews with Fox News and other publications went live around the same time.

It was clear he struggled with the decision, which he called among the most difficult of his life.

A search for exculpatory evidence -- He said he could have been swayed by exculpatory evidence if the White House had provided any. And Romney was one of two senators who voted to hear witnesses at the trial.

But at the end of the day, he pointed to his faith and how history will judge him. He does not want to be viewed as putting his party over his moral compass.

History's rebuke -- "Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history's rebuke and the censure of my own conscience," he said.

Read the entire floor speech.

Romney vs. Collins, Murkowski, Alexander

Romney's decision to abandon the party line drew a sharp contrast with his GOP colleagues who criticized Trump's behavior but opposed the impeachment.

Learned his lesson? -- We've already examined the reasoning of Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Lamar Alexander. On Wednesday there was Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who said on CBS News that Trump "will be much more cautious in the future."

Probably not -- South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is another Republican senator who voted to acquit Trump even though he doesn't think the call with the Ukrainian President was "perfect."

But Scott was a little more clear-eyed in his expectations.

"I think he thinks it was a perfect call," Scott told Jake Tapper on CNN. "I think he actually believes that. I don't know that you should expect anything different from President Trump."

Republicans close ranks around Trump

Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump, Jr., called on Twitter for Romney to be kicked out of the party that once nominated him as its presidential nominee.

"Mitt Romney is forever bitter that he will never be POTUS. He was too weak to beat the Democrats then so he's joining them now. He's now officially a member of the resistance & should be expelled from the @GOP."

Family split -- Romney's niece, Ronna McDaniel, who used to go by Ronna Romney McDaniel, is the current Republican National Committee chair. "This is not the first time I have disagreed with Mitt, and I imagine it will not be the last," she said on Twitter. "The bottom line is President Trump did nothing wrong, and the Republican Party is more united than ever behind him. I, along with the @GOP, stand with President Trump."

#RecallRomney -- Activist voices on Twitter immediately started a #RecallRomney hashtag.

Utah is one of the most conservative states in the country, but the concentration of religious Mormons there also make its relationship with Trump complicated. Romney doesn't face reelection until 2024.

What's next for us?

The impeachment is over, but this story is not. The American system of government has been challenged to deal with a singular President and a divided country that will decide whether he should get another four years in the White House.
RESTON, Va., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, today announced that 15 employees across various business lines will be recognized at the 34th Annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Conference in Washington D.C. on Feb. 13-15. The BEYA STEM conference is an annual opportunity for professional training and networking with some of the top engineering employers in the country, as well as a career fair for students seeking STEM professions.

The first honoree, Jesse Peoples, is receiving the BEYA STEM Professionals  Dr. Christopher Jones Legacy Award during the Dean's Breakfast on February 15. This recognition honor's excellence in the STEM workforce as well as volunteerism to promote STEM careers in the community.

Thirteen Leidos employees will receive Modern Day Technology Leader Awards during a recognition luncheon on February 14. This recognition identifies exceptional professionals who are developing cutting-edge technology or doing vital research in science for the government, private industry, and local communities. Employees receiving this honor include, Arnese Foster, Darnell Brooks, Don Courts, Earl Reeves, Joan Antony, John Eubanks, Karyta Barnes, Leonard Tyler, Selvin Dottin, Silas Porterfield, Terence Coston, Tony Mott, and Willie Lee. Also being recognized during the luncheon is Kirk Powell, who will receive the BEYA Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes professionals who are actively creating new paths for others in science, research, technology, and development.

"The BEYA STEM conference is a fantastic opportunity to recognize some of our game changing technologists and scientists and recruit those that will follow in their footsteps," said Paul Engola, Leidos chief human resources officer and head of business partnerships. "We are proud to support BEYA and honor our awardees in our mutual quest to advance STEM for the demands of today and tomorrow."

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 36,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $10.19 billion for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2018. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.



Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 2018, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Contact:

Melissa Koskovich

(571) 526-6011

[email protected]

Suzzanna Martinez

(303) 299-5343

[email protected]

SOURCE Leidos

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A $180 million rail yard being built in Melbourne's west to make way for the West Gate Tunnel could now become a dumping ground for the road's toxic soil, just as it was set to open.

The site in Wyndham Vale, in the seat of Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas, is just 70 metres from houses and abuts the sites of planned housing developments and four schools.

Mr Pallas, the member for Werribee who signed off on the Transurban toll road, faces a bruising fight with his constituents, who have vowed to go to war over the proposal.

They say the Werribee area continually bears the brunt of the government's unpopular decisions because it is a safe Labor seat.
Max Ventures and Industries announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Max Estates (MEL) has entered into a shareholders' agreement on 12 February 2020 with New York Life Insurance Company (New York Life) for investment in Northern Propmart Solutions (NPSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of MEL.

MEL and New York Life shall be 51:49 shareholders, respectively in NPSL and shall undertake the construction and development of the land parcel situated at Sector 129, Noida, admeasuring 10,527 square meters, acquired by NPSL on 07 February 2020.

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BAGHDAD - A mortar shell slammed into an airbase hosting U.S. troops in northern Iraq late Thursday causing no casualties, two Iraqi security officias said.

The shell struck the K1 Iraqi military airbase in Kirkuk province, according to the security sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. They provided no additional details.

A rocket attack on the same base in December triggered a chain of retaliatory events that led to soaring U.S.-Iran tensions and brought Iraq to the brink of war.

On Thursday, Iraqi forces conducted a search of the perimeter of the base and discovered a launching pad and 11 unused missiles, a statement from Iraqs military said.

A rocket attack on K1 killed a U.S. contractor on Dec. 27 and led Washington to conduct an airstrike that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and senior Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The attack infuriated Shiite Iraqi lawmakers who voted to oust U.S. troops from the country in a Jan. 3 Parliament session. Iran retaliated for Soleimanis killing with a barrage of missiles that targeted two airbases hosting American troops in Irbil and Ain al-Asad.

Iran and the U.S. have since refrained from further escalation, but the issue of American troops has monopolized Iraqi politics.
Armed attackers burned 21 people alive, including 16 members of the same family, in a revenge attack by criminal gangs on a village in northern Nigeria, residents said Thursday.

Gunmen on motorcycles raided the village of Bakali in Kaduna state on Tuesday, shooting and burning homes and vehicles to avenge a raid on their hideout by local vigilantes, inhabitants said.

"They killed 21 people in the attack," Bakali's community leader, Sani Nuhu, told AFP.

Residents said the assailants burned alive 16 members of the same family, including six children, and five members of a local self-defence group after locking them in a house.

A police spokesman said the force had "received report of an attack by bandits on Bakali village" but was "still awaiting details".

The area where the attack happened has in recent years been a haven for criminal gangs who steal cattle and kidnap people for ransom.

Local communities have formed vigilante groups to protect themselves but this has failed to end the violence.

Residents said that prior to the attack vigilantes working together with the Nigerian security forces had stormed the criminal gang's camp in a nearby forest.

Last week the police said it carried out a major operation in the area that saw security forces "neutralise over 250 terrorists and bandits".

There was no independent confirmation of the toll.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oregon State University Theatre Arts student Nate Pereira loved writing and workshopping his original play, The Expedition of Whispers.

But, he said, nothing will be better than the moment he sees it performed.

The OSU Theatre Arts production premieres Thursday night in the Withycombe Hall Lab Theatre at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Three more performances will follow, including a matinee (see content box for details).

It all may feel surreal to Pereira, as it did the first time he attended rehearsals for his action-adventure melodrama. The stage was transformed into an old temple, with vines hanging from the ceiling. Rocks, pillars and rubble lay everywhere and the costumed student actors became the characters.

It was almost like walking into my own mind, he said. I cant describe it.

Pereira, who grew up in Portland, is a fifth-year OSU student and a double major in theater arts and digital communications arts with a Spanish minor. He has acted in several OSU productions, including 1984 and Bard in the Quad, and directed a play last spring for the One-Act Festival. He also recently held a role in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time with the Oregon Contemporary Theatre in Eugene. This is his final term at OSU.

He decided to write the full-length play for his Honors College thesis with help and encouragement from OSU Theatre Arts faculty member Elizabeth Helman, Ph.D. Helman, who is directing the play (no student was available), has worked with him on the script since he began the first draft over the summer.

She said she was glad to support original work from an OSU student, and it was fun to be part of the process from the ground up.

This play is very Nate, if you know him at all. He definitely likes action-adventure plays, Helman said. The play reminds me of a perfect combination of an Indiana Jones film and a D&D ['Dungeons & Dragons'] campaign.

Pereira, whose favorite film series is "Star Wars," said Indiana Jones is an apt comparison. The Expedition of Whispers also fits into the theaters 2019-2020 season theme: The Undeniable Truth. Every production this season includes hidden secrets later revealed, Helman said.

The big premise is nobody is who they say they are, and everyone is lying to each other about that, Pereira said.

The plot, which is set in 1937 in India, follows five explorers as they search for a valuable relic in the ancient and mysterious Valnidi Temple, built by the Dhazgar Empire. (Both are fictional.)

I went to Cambodia last year and was thinking of the temples there. It gave me a lot of inspiration, Pereira said.

The teams mission goes sideways in a cave-in. Its members must work together to escape their predicament while confronting their own hidden truths and working to trust each other amid twists, turns, fights, romance, jokes and secrets to be uncovered.

The expedition is led by museum curator Hadrian Radley (Noah Fox), who wants to add the valuable artifact to his collection. Fiona Langley (Hannah Schwartz), an anthropologist and temple scholar, is his longtime assistant. Talia Macon (Alessandra Ferriso), a tough mercenary and demolitions expert, travels with them for security purposes. Medic Sam Shaw (Kian Mitchell) makes sure no one is injured too badly. And sassy archaeologist Paige Wallace (Libby Brennan) carries a very big secret.

Not everybody makes it out alive, Pereira said.

OSU students Isabel Hanberg designed the costumes and Robert Reeder designed the sets.

While the winter play is usually a student-led production, Helman said this is the first time she can recall one being written by a student.

I dont think its something weve done before for our winter show, she said. Its totally within the spirit of what we like to do here.

She said the cast has enjoyed shaping these original characters into their own.

Its been fun to watch that organic process, and the ad-libs that come up during rehearsals. Undergrads have a hand in this kind of playmaking, she said.

Pereira, who hopes to attend grad school for playwriting, said "Expedition" has more than lived up to his expectations.

Dr. Helman is doing an amazing job directing, and all the actors and crew are fantastic, he said.

Helman believes audiences will be pleased when they see the effort students have put into the production.

Its just a really fun night at the theater, she said.

Pereira agreed but noted the play does carry a message: Dont pretend to be something youre not. Thats what gets these characters into a boatload of trouble."

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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and the European Union will soon sign an agreement on a common aviation zone, Chairwoman of the Civil Aviation Committee Tatevik Revazyan said in the Parliament.

Armenia today has 49 inter-governmental agreements in the aviation field. It is expected to sign the agreement on common aviation zone between Armenia and the EU in the future, Revazyan said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 10, the Trump Administration released its budget request for FY2021, which eliminates dedicated federal funding for several major programs vital to the language education community, including but not limited to:

Elimination of Title II of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which helps fund teacher development grants at the state level that are then distributed to local agencies. The current funding level is $2.1b .

which helps fund teacher development grants at the state level that are then distributed to local agencies. Elimination of Title IV, Part A of ESSA, which funds student academic achievement grants at the state level, including those for improving access to world language instruction. The current funding level is $1.2b .

which funds student academic achievement grants at the state level, including those for improving access to world language instruction. English Language Acquisition  This program provides grants to states to support English language acquisition. The current funding level is $787m .

This program provides grants to states to support English language acquisition. Elimination of Title II of the Higher Education Act (HEA) , which funds the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for colleges of education. The current funding level is $50.1m .

, which funds the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for colleges of education. Elimination of Title VI/Fulbright-Hays, which funds grant and fellowship programs that strengthen language instruction, area/international studies teaching and research, professional development, and curriculum development at the K-12, postsecondary, and graduate levels. The current funding level is $76.1m .

ACTFL strongly opposes these cuts to the federal budget. "Instead of cutting these programs, we should be increasing their funding levels," said Howie Berman, ACTFL Executive Director. "The need for language skills is growing at a breakneck pacein our workforce, in our military, in our national intelligence apparatus, and most importantly, in our classrooms. These cuts will leave our students unable to compete in a rapidly changing, 21st century global economy."

ACTFL President Bridget Yaden added, "The language education profession is already facing incredible challenges with respect to teacher recruitment and retention, as more than 44 states and the District of Columbia currently report shortages of qualified language teachers. These cuts will only make it easier for those considering language teaching to choose another career path."

ACTFL implores Congress to reject this short-sighted budget request. While we take nothing for granted, we are confident that our work on Capitol Hill, in conjunction with our many partners, will lead to passage of a budget that looks nothing like the President's version. In the coming weeks and months, Congress will embark on its own process to produce appropriations bills that will fund the government through FY2021. We implore U.S. lawmakers to fully fund these integral federal programs that benefit our nation's students and teachers, along with our national security and economic viability.

About ACTFL:

ACTFL is the national association for language education professionals from all levels of instruction and representing all languages. With more than 12,000 active members, ACTFL provides innovative professional development opportunities, acclaimed training and certification programs, and widely cited books, publications, scholarly journals, research studies and language education resources, including Foreign Language Annals and The Language Educator magazine. As part of its mission and vision, the organization provides guidance to the profession and to the general public regarding issues, policies, and best practices related to the teaching and learning of languages and cultures. ACTFL is a leading national voice among language educators and administrators and is guided by a responsibility to set standards and expectations that will result in high quality language programs.

SOURCE American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

Related Links

actfl.org


Two more Philadelphia schools have joined the number of campuses that have to be closed for asbestos remediation, the district said Wednesday night. The latest schools, Clara Barton Elementary in Feltonville and James J. Sullivan Elementary in Frankford, will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Students from both schools will be able to pick up breakfast and lunch meals from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on both days, the district said. Students from Clara Barton, at 4600 Rosehill St., can go to Feltonville Intermediate School at 238 E. Wyoming Ave., and students from Sullivan, at 5300 Ditman St., can go to Warren G. Harding Middle School at 2000 Wakeling St.

The district said that staff and families will be updated this weekend about the schools for next week.

The cause for the temporary closing at both schools is due to damaged asbestos that was found during inspections of the buildings. Further inspections and testing will be conducted to ensure the buildings are safe for the re-occupancy of students and staff, the district said in a news release.

So far in the 2019-20 academic year, seven other schools have been closed because of asbestos concerns.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will hold a 'Berozgari Hatao' (Remove unemployment) Yatra at Bihar Veterinary College Ground in Patna on February 23.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will lead the rally to be held in Patna on February 23, following which it will be held in every district of the state.

Attacking Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav told ANI on Thursday, "Nitishji has been at the helm of affairs in the state for years and has completely destroyed Bihar in the matter of employment. There is rampant unemployment in Bihar but the Chief Minister's focus is solely on saving his chair."

"Unemployment is there in the whole country but discussions are being held on Hindu-Muslim topics and on Pakistan. We will go to each district in the state and talk to the people regarding this," Yadav added about the party's plans.

This bid can also be seen as RJD's attempt to increase it voter base in the state ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar.

Assembly elections in Bihar are likely to be held in October-November 2020.

Currently, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) is ruling in a coalition with BJP in Bihar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The first award went to the excellent audit results of Sagemcom's Tunisian industrial site: receiving a score of 96 out of a total 100, the results show Sagemcoms commitment to ethics and the strength of its CSR commitments.

The second trophy rewards the work carried out by Sagemcom on Circular Economy and the Ecodesign of Products in partnership with its operator customers.

Sagemcoms efforts in these areas were recognized by a panel of JAC member and institutional customers as leaders and distinguishing markers on the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market, as a result of a profound understanding of the environmental issues relating to the development and life cycle of products designed and manufactured by Sagemcom. The experts also emphasized the implementation of concrete solutions by Sagemcom, such as the integration of recycled plastic in its products and the work carried out to reduce the energy consumption of products the Group puts on the market.

JAC is a collaborative initiative that joins 17 major operators: AT&T, Deutsch Telekom, Elisa, KPN, MTS, Orange, Proximus, ROGERS, Swisscom, Telefonica, Telenor Group, Telia, Telstra, TIM, VEON, VERIZON and VODAFONE.

About Sagemcom

Sagemcom is a leading European group on the high added-value communicating terminals market (broadband solutions, audio video solutions, and smart grid end-to-end solutions) which is based in France. Group turnover totals 2.1 billion, the headcount of 5,500 employees works in more than 50 countries.

www.sagemcom.com//https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagemcom //https://twitter.com/Sagemcom //www.facebook.com/SagemcomOfficial

The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005493/en/
In the basement of an East Boston Church, a dozen local advocates, city employees and volunteers sat around a plastic folding table beside Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia.

Her head of public policy, Jacob deBlecourt, stood at a whiteboard taking questions and suggestions from the group. The questions ranged from how they would increase transparency in schools to how they would bring opponents to the table to discuss Mejias own question, how would they hold themselves accountable?

If we dont have a rubric or a measurable tool, then we cant hold the city accountable to itself, its just lip service, said Mejia, a Dorchester-raised Democrat.

Boston is already seen as a so-called sanctuary city by immigration hardliners, but Mejia is pressing forward with plans to increase protections for locals regardless of their immigration status. Her push to create protections with teeth  sparked by news that more than 100 student incident reports had been made available to Immigration and Customs Enforcement  comes as the Trump administration ramps up its campaign against sanctuary jurisdictions.

In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass legislation that would let someone sue a so-called sanctuary city or state when a loved one is hurt or killed at the hands of an undocumented immigrant.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling criticized the citys recently updated Trust Act, which clarifies restrictions on how local law enforcement interacts with immigration authorities.

Yes, we are a nation of immigrants, but of immigrants who came here legally, Lelling wrote in an op-ed for the Boston Herald. Opponents of immigration enforcement have turned these law-abiding visitors into suckers: why wait in line at an embassy, do all that paperwork, wait months or years for a visa  why play by the rules at all when you can just hire a coyote and sneak over the border?

Mejia, who grew up with an undocumented mother, tells critics that immigrants who came here without legal permission or whose visas expired seek a better, safer life for themselves and their loved ones, just as previous generations of immigrants did.

All means all, she often says when explaining why shes focusing on constituents who historically have been overlooked by her predecessors.

So as Mejia pushes to create safe spaces," such as libraries or community centers, where immigrants wouldnt be detained by ICE, her first stops have been in places where foreign-born residents feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, miles away from the Boston City Council chamber.

On Saturday, Mejia met with a small group of community organizers, staffers and activists in the basement of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in East Boston. At least one organizer had once been undocumented, and several had worked with immigrants with varying levels of status.

She met with the Hyde Square Task Force in Jamaica Plain on Monday.

Now we are in three larger groups answering the question of a sanctuary safe space is one that... #SanctuarySafeSpaces #bospoli #MejiaMovement pic.twitter.com/Ishq4GhO3g  Julia Mejia (@juliaforboston) February 11, 2020

In both meetings, attendees sat in small groups and discussed their questions about how to make sanctuary spaces happen. They discussed what the space would provide, whether ICE could enter, the name and other concerns.

I think we have a vision of what were looking for. I think that theres still the challenge of some of the issues that were brought up here in terms of the federal government, ICE being able to come into spaces, whether we can or cannot prevent them from coming in," Mejia said after the event.

Two major questions that remain unresolved for Mejia are how will such a space provide support for immigrants who are in the country illegally and how will she convince its staunchest opponents that such a space should exist in Boston.

What makes a sanctuary?

Mejia is grappling with questions that have surrounded so-called sanctuary jurisdictions for decades.

The modern sanctuary movement stems from the late 1970s and early 1980s when a network of hundreds of religious congregations, led by Quakers and Presbyterians, formed to offer assistance to Salvadorans and Guatemalans who fled their home countries amid a civil war and a violent counter-insurgency campaign, respectively.

One of the founders, the Rev. John Fife, publicly announced the Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, would defy federal immigration laws on border crossings and provide refuge to Central Americans.

In 1986, Fife and five other activists were convicted on charges related to smuggling Salvadorans and Guatemalans into the country.

''I plan for as long as possible to be the pastor of a congregation that has committed itself to providing sanctuary,'' Fife said at the time, the New York Times reported.

American cities launched their own versions of sanctuary in the 1980s, though what that means varies greatly from one community to the next.

In 1985, Cambridge passed an order stating that the city doesnt wish to use more local resources than legally required to assist in immigration enforcement against refugees from El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti.

Brookline and Somerville followed suit with their own ordinances. Somervilles first sanctuary ordinance, passed in 1987, prohibited the use of local resources for immigration enforcement beyond the requirements of federal law. The city has passed five immigration-related resolutions and policy updates in the years since.

ICE officials see such policies as a threat to public safety, rather than a political statement.

Its only common sense that ICE be able to take custody of criminal aliens in a secure environment such as a jail, instead of sending officers out to attempt the often dangerous task of arresting criminal aliens in residential communities, said Marcos D. Charles, acting field office director for ICE Bostons Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Separately, ICEs policies label schools, places of worship and hospitals as sensitive locations that agents should avoid. Still, stories have circulated of parents or children being detained en route to these places. That didnt stop ICE Boston from being able to receive Boston Public Schools student incident reports through an information-sharing network.

Boston City Hall.

Sanctuary in Boston

Boston has long been labeled as a sanctuary city by immigration hardliners, but the citys own version of sanctuary has been unclear. The city passed an ordinance in 2014 limiting local law enforcements cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, but the law came under scrutiny after an undocumented immigrant was arrested following a workplace injury.

Records obtained in October by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and WBUR showed that a Boston police officer was assigned to serve as a liaison with ICE. The agency received information about locals with civil immigration violations, not criminal charges, despite Mayor Marty Walsh and Police Commissioner William Gross statements that the city only got involved in immigration matters pertaining to violent crime and drugs.

Boston passed an update to the 2014 law in December, clarifying when local law enforcement can share information with immigration authorities.

Less than a month later, Lawyers for Civil Rights publicized records showing more than 100 student incident reports that had been shared with the Boston Regional Information Center, the network to which ICE agents have access.

Days into her first term as an at-large city councilor, Mejia said she felt she had to turn her attention to the reports of student information being shared with ICE.

My own thinking my first hearing was going to be about public hearings, but you have to respond to what the need is and what is happening, Mejia told MassLive in January.

The councilor found that creating such a space that provides protections, or at least resources, for immigrants without violating federal laws is more complicated than it looks.

Still, Mejia left the first meeting in East Boston with a new idea, in part thanks to one of her youth liaisons, a high school student named Naesoj Ware. Mejia plans to meet with a coalition of students directly affected by immigration policies. She will ask them what such a space should look like and what Boston should name it.

Its really important for me to do the work in a way that honors the people who are living the realities, she said. So its young people who are experiencing these discrepancies in schools. So it should be young people who can re-define it and name it.

Whether she can get support, or at least tolerance, from law enforcement officials who have opposed sanctuary-type policies, perhaps thats a challenge for another day.

Related Content:
At a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday, Romania's acting Defence Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca underscored the importance of a robust, efficient and credible NATO presence in Romania, given the complex and volatile security situation in the Black Sea area.

According to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), in his speech to the meeting Ciuca presented the latest developments in the implementation of measures circumscribed to the tailored forward presence (tFP) and emphasised the importance of the NATO contributions to the strengthening of the fighting capacity of the Multinational Brigade South-East (MN BDE-SE), to the continuation under the best circumstances of the enhanced air policing mission (eAP), as well as to the establishment of the Headquarters Multinational Division South East (HQ MNC-SE).He also pointed to Romania continuing the implementation of its commitment in the field of burden sharing, underscoring that this year a percentage of 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was allocated for defence spending, funds that will allow investments to be focused on the necessary capabilities and equipment to successfully face the security conditions in the region.On the second day of the ministerial meeting, the NATO defence ministers had an exchange of views on the implementation of the strengthened posture of deterrence and defence and equitable burden sharing.The session addressed a number of additional NATO response recommendations to Russia's development of medium-range missile systems, as well as the developments in the implementation of the NATO Readiness Initiative, the implementation of the NATO Command Structure, the commissioning/preparation of the SACEUR area of responsibility, and NATO cyber defence.The last working session, in the format of the Resolute Support Mission (RSM), provided a framework for discussing the progress with the peace process in Afghanistan and the prospects for the future developments in the Resolute Support Mission, with the participation of operational partners.Ciuca emphasised the importance that Romania attaches to the continuation of NATO's commitment in Afghanistan, as well as the national interest in the successful unfolding of the peace process, with a major role for the evolution of NATO involvement in the region. He said that Romania will maintain its contribution to Afghanistan, in line with the NATO plans, adding that Romania is currently the fifth largest NATO contributor to the Resolute Support Mission.On the side-lines of the NATO ministerial meeting, Ciuca had a bilateral meeting with his Luxembourgian counterpart Francois Bausch to discuss the prospects for intensifying bilateral defence co-operation and current security and defence affairs on NATO agenda. He also mentioned the national efforts to set up the Headquarters Multinational Division South East (HQ MNC-SE) and asked for support to implement the projects associated with the development of this structure. The two dignitaries discussed a series of multinational initiatives being set up within the NATO framework that Romania and Luxembourg could join as part of equitable burden sharing.
The bistecca modiga at Garozzos Ristorante melts in your mouth. Thou Mayest coffee tastes better surrounded by ferns and fiscus trees in Cafe Equinoxs greenhouse. And, souvenirs purchased at Hammerpress satisfy nostalgic shoppers coming off an original Heidelberg Platen Press in Kansas Citys West Bottoms.

This are just a few of the destinations, Brenda Geiger, publisher of Eat Drink Dive, wants you to visit when you come to Kansas City. Eat Drink Dive, is a mobile-responsive, 100% local guide to shopping, eating, and entertaining oneself in Kansas City. Its on trend with the shop-small, shop-local movement and encourages visitors to build a travel itinerary around a 100% local experience.

Eat Drink Dive fills a void in the marketplace by going deep on all things local that make Kansas City artsy, friendly and happening. National directories merely scratch the surface only naming the top 10 or 20 in a category. Eat Drink Dive will give you the entire local picture, says Geiger.

Geiger says the project began as deep research for dive-bar guide in 2015. It eventually turned into a hyper-local directory to help visitors find often overlooked gems and outliers.

Were not about the hot restaurant or commercial development of the moment. Were for the third-generation family-owned businesses that know their customer, their niche and serve the secret sauce that isnt bottled and served at a franchise.

Self-guided itineraries will be added to the directory by its hard-launch in June. These itineraries will direct subscribers to locally-owned venues such as Prydes Kitchen & Necessities in Westport, Jarocho in an industrial zone of Kansas City, KS, and Vivilore in Independence.

Everybody who comes to Kansas City knows to visit the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and to take in a Chiefs or Royals Game, says Geiger. Eat Drink Dive stokes their appetite for hundreds of other surprising Kansas City destinations and venues.

Kanas City locally-owned businesses may submit listings and photos for consideration of a free listing though June 30, 2020 at http://www.eatdrinkdive.com.
SCF Angaras crew rescues seven fishermen in Gulf of Finland

On 6 February 2020 at 23:50 local time, the tanker SCF Angara, whilst en-route from the Port of Ust-Luga to Copenhagen, received a distress signal from the Russian fishing trawler Pongoma, which was sinking on the traverse of Tallinn, 26 nautical miles offshore.

The tanker and her crew, under the leadership of her master Alexey Maksimovsky, immediately responded to a request for help, and following the instructions received from the rescue centre in Tallinn, SCF Angara diverted to assist the ship in distress. During a rescue operation, all seven members of Pongomas crew were successfully brought aboard the tanker. Two fishermen, in need of urgent medical care, were then evacuated by helicopter to Helsinki. The remaining five crewmembers were airlifted to Tallinn by the Estonian rescue service. SCF Angara then resumed her voyage. The management of SCF Group and the technical managers of the ship, SCF Management Services (Cyprus), expressed their gratitude to the shipmaster and the crew for their concerted efforts in saving lives in adverse weather conditions in the dark. The crews of SCF vessels have assisted seafarers in distress on numerous occasions. This has included fully-fledged rescue operations, carried out independently. In 2007, the crew of the LPG carrier SCF Tomsk rescued 41 people in the Atlantic Ocean 500 miles from the Cape Verde Islands. The rescued seafarers had been stranded in the open sea for over two weeks, staying without either food or drinking water for several days by the moment the rescue operation began. In 2008, the crew of the tanker SCF Khibiny rescued 13 people from an Indonesian vessel that had sunk in the Straits of Malacca. In 2010, the tugboat Dobrynya took part in the rescue of nine fishermen swept into the Gulf of Finland on a detached ice floe. In 2014, the crew of the tanker SCF Krasnodar saved six yachtsmen who had become stranded on a life raft in the Atlantic off the coast of Brazil for several days. In 2016, the crew of the tanker Leonid Loza rescued ten people from a fishing trawler off the west coast of Africa. In March 2019, a crew of the tanker SCF Surgut rescued 12 people from a yacht caught in a storm in the Caribbean Sea. In November 2019, the crew of the supply vessel Gennadiy Nevelskoy rescued three fishermen in the Sea of Okhotsk.




An avid film viewer has claimed that the Hollywood film industry routinely uses just 10 'types' of movie posters to promote its masterpieces.

Lee Steffen, from Nashville, Tennessee, took to Twitter to share how his findings had led him to his conclusion - admitting there is a bonus category if you include posters featuring Tom Cruise's profile.

The online thread, which has now gathered more than 9,000 views, has seen an array of film buffs praising Lee's efforts, with one claiming it was the 'best movie thread ever'.

According to Lee, the posters can be categorized into orange and blue action, sexy legs, blurry cop, leaning couple, black back, red dress, black and orange, moody misty, eye, and yellow.

Twitter user Lee Steffen, from Nashville, Tennessee, said there were only ten types of film posters. Among the ten was the 'orange and blue action' poster used for films such as Flightplan and The Taking Of Pelham 123

Making it onto the list was the 'sexy legs' category which was used for films such as Goldmember and Doghouse

For each post in his thread, Lee collated a series of move posters to demonstrate his theory.

He observed how many action films, such as Flightplan and The Taking Of Pelham 123, featured an orange and blue design.

Meanwhile romcoms like Pretty Woman, Bride Wars and Two Weeks Notice featured 'leaning couples' - usually the stars of the show.

There's also the classic 'blurry cop' image which appears on posters for films like Taken, Paycheck and The Firm.

Next on the list was the 'blurry cop' poster which has been used for films such as The Firm and Awake

When it came to romantic comedies, Lee noticed the 'leaning couple' pose continued to make an appearance. Pretty Woman, Two Weeks Notice and Bride Wars all featured in the collage

Meanwhile the 'black back' poster was used for movies such as Harry Potter, Watchmen and G.I. Joe

Other categories included 'sexy legs', 'woman in a red dress' and 'black and orange' for action movies.

Social media viewers flocked to praise Lee's impressive poster gathering efforts.

Many shared their own additional categories, including 'faces at the top, action at the bottom' - a popular design for Eighties films - 'big writing on top of big faces' and 'festive couples in red 'n' green'.

Elsewhere Lee spotted that the 'red dress' poster was often used to promote a range of films including Amelie and There's Something About Mary

Also making it onto the list was the 'black and orange' poster which has been used to promote films such as The Expendables and Ghost Rider

The social media user found that the 'moody misty' poster was used to promote well known films such as City of Angels

Lee also discovered that the human eye was featured in a number of movie posters from horror to action

Lee spotted that yellow was that featured in a wide range of movie posters, from The Shining to Motherhood

Lee added an 11th 'bonus category' for film posers featuring Tom Cruise's profile, such as both Mission Impossible films, Eyes Wide Shut, Minority Report and Collateral
Why it matters: Researchers from EPFLs Laboratory of Applied Photonics Devices (LAPD) in Switzerland have developed a groundbreaking 3D-printing method that could upend an entire industry.

Conventional 3D printing involves building an object from the ground up, layer by layer, through a process known as additive manufacturing. Its effective, but also quite tedious and the resolution, or level of detail, usually isnt all that great.

This new technique is based on the principles of tomography. It starts with a vat of transparent liquid  either liquid plastic or a biological gel, depending on the desired output  that gets inserted into the printer. It starts spinning and, almost as if by magic, the object starts to appear in the container. In about 30 seconds, its all done.

Damien Loterie, CEO of Readily3D (the company set up to help develop and market the technology), said its all about the light. A laser is used to harden the liquid in the vat through a process called polymerization. Depending on what were building, we use algorithms to calculate exactly where we need to aim the beams, from what angles, and at what dose, he added.

At present, the new technique can make two-centimeter objects with a precision of 80 micrometers, or the diameter of hair. In the future, however, they expect to be able to print structures up to 15 centimeters.

Potential use cases are aplenty. Christophe Moser, head of the LAPD, said it could be handy in creating small silicone or acrylic parts that dont need finishing after printing. Theres also promise in the fields of medicine and biology as it could be used for soft objects like hearing aids and mouthguards.
More than six months after the Centre abrogated Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday will hold panchayat elections in the region from March 5 to March 20.

Polling will be held in eight phases. The first phase of polling will take place on March 5, while the second phase is scheduled for March 7. The third, fourth and fifth phase of voting will take place on March 9, 12 and 14 respectively.

The EC has marked March 16, 18 and 20 for sixth, seventh and eighth phases.

"Panchayat elections for vacant posts of every block will be held using ballot boxes. It will be conducted in eight phases," Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar said.

"From now onwards, the Model Code of Conduct is enforced and it will be implementable in all the places where elections are being held. There will be eight phases of elections. For Jammu division, it is four phases and for Kashmir division, it is eight phases," he said.

Kumar said that no request has been received over the conducting of polls in Ladakh.

"Union Territory of Ladakh has not yet sent us a request for the conduct of elections so we have not included Ladakh. In any case, Ladakh is snow-bound and it is very cold out there. So, it is not feasible to have an election at this point in time," he stated.

This will be the first major political exercise in Jammu and Kashmir after the central government had abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to the region and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two UTs -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A final sample collection of 404 inmates at an ITBP coronavirus quarantine facility here is being carried out in order to determine if they can be discharged over the next few days, a senior official said on Thursday.

The facility has been hosting these people from early this month after they were evacuated from China in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in that country.

"Final sample collection of all 404 people housed at our quarantine facility is being done by a team of doctors. While 200 samples have been taken today, the rest will be collected on Friday," ITBP spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said.

The first samples, taken sometime back, had come out as negative for coronavirus.

Based on the fresh reports, Pandey said, a decision will be taken to discharge the travellers in the next few days after approvals by the Union health ministry authorities.

The government had created two large quarantine centres, one run by the border guarding force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Chhawla area of Delhi, and the other managed by the Army in Manesar near here.

The ITBP is providing the inmates, including seven Maldivians, basic amenities like food, bed, television, internet and indoor games facility at its centre.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said a total of 2,51,447 persons travelling in 2,315 flights have been screened so far.

Besides, 15,991 people across the country have been kept on community surveillance. Of them, 497 have been identified as symptomatic cases and isolated while 41 have been hospitalised, he said.

Passengers arriving from Thailand and Singapore, besides China and Hong Kong, are being screened for possible exposure to the virus at 21 identified airports. Screening is also being done at major seaports and border crossings.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose to 1,310 in China on Thursday while the number of those affected by the deadly virus has spiralled to 48,206.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NAZARETH, Pa., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kitchen Magic has earned their 12th home service industry's coveted Angie's List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2019.

This achievement is particularly significant as Angie's List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2019. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie's List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

"Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers," said Angie's List Founder Angie Hicks. "Only a fraction of the Cabinet Refacing/Restoration and Kitchen & Bath companies in the Tri-State & Philadelphia markets were able to do it."

Angie's List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an "A" rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie's List, pass a background check and abide by Angie's List operational guidelines.

"Our team is always finding ways to improve our efforts and processes. We question everything, small and large. The Angie's List Super Service Award speaks to that effort and that's a great feeling," said Renate Sprung, Kitchen Magic's VP of Marketing.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie's List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 20 years, Angie's List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged  across all age groups  as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

ABOUT KITCHEN MAGIC: Celebrating their 40th anniversary last year, Kitchen Magic has transformed over 60,000 kitchens in the Northeast with their customized cabinet refacing process. Their unique process allows homeowners to renovate their kitchens in less time, with less stress and at an amazing value. Kitchen Magic is currently recognized by Qualified Remodeler as the 2019 Top Kitchen Performer, as well as number one nationwide in kitchen remodeling. Kitchen Magic is also a 12-time Angie's List Super Service Award winner, a seven-time winner of The Morning Call's Top Workplace Award, and a Best of Houzz Award winner.

Contact: Linda Fennessy, Public Relations Manager

800.237.0799 x1455

[email protected]

SOURCE Kitchen Magic, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.kitchenmagic.com/


[February 12, 2020] QUDIAN SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors With Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Qudian Inc. - QD

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until March 23, 2020 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Qudian Inc. (NYSE: QD), if they purchased the Company's securities between December 13, 2018 and January 15, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Qudian and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-qd/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by March 23, 2020.



About the Lawsuit Qudian and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On January 16, 2020, the Company disclosed the withdrawal of its fiscal 2019 guidance "due to uncertainty related to the recent regulatory and operating environment" including several regulatory developments in China's online consumer finance industry. On this news, the price of Qudian's shares plummeted. The case is Stephen Bellingham, et al. v. Qudian Inc., et al., 20-cv-00577. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005962/en/

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The lawyer representing Vinay Sharma, one of the convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, said on Thursday that the social investigation report and medical status report of the rapist was not taken into consideration by President Ram Nath Kovind while rejecting the mercy petition.

Vinay's lawyer AP Singh made the comments in the Supreme Court, which heard the plea of the convict.

"The social investigation report, medical status report, and nominal role of the petitioner Vinay Sharma has not been taken into consideration by the President while rejecting the mercy petition," he said.

The lawyer said that Vinay was kept in illegal confinement and "illegally tortured" in Tihar Jail.

"Vinay Sharma was kept in illegal confinement. He (Vinay) was illegally tortured in Tihar jail prison. I am here only to seek justice, where can I go for justice? That is why I am pleading here before the court for justice. They are not terrorists, they are not habitual offenders. These are the grounds for mercy to these convicts," Singh said.

Singh claimed that there has been a history of physical assaults on Vinay.

"Vinay had been sent for psychiatric treatment on many occasions. The petitioner has suffered adverse mental condition and faced immense trauma," he said.

The lawyer added, "Vinay should have been treated with proper medical treatment for his poor mental health. He was provided complete medical treatment for his mental illness."

Vinay filed the petition in the top court against the President's decision to reject his mercy plea.

The convict, through his lawyer AP Singh, has requested the death penalty to be commuted to life imprisonment.

On February 1, Vinay's mercy petition was rejected by the President.

On January 31, the death sentence of four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur were stayed by a lower court till further orders.

All the four convicts are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalising of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, by six people including a juvenile in Delhi. She died at a Singapore hospital a few days later.

One of the five adults accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail during the trial of the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'Tacky and 'kitsch' religious souvenirs brought back from pilgrimage sites offer pilgrims and their friends and family who cannot make the journey a deeper religious connection.

Research by Dr Leighanne Higgins, of Lancaster University, and Dr Kathy Hamilton, of the University of Strathclyde, published in the Annals of Tourism Research, studied visitors to the Catholic pilgrimage site of Lourdes, in France, a beacon for both ill and healthy pilgrims.

They found that souvenirs brought home either as gifts or for the pilgrim themselves extend the pilgrimage beyond Lourdes and into the homes of those who may never have been to the town itself.

Such material objects can frequently be given derogatory labels, but the researchers found such terms fail to appreciate the value pilgrims and those who receive their gift derive from having the souvenirs in their homes.

"Religious souvenirs from pilgrimage sites have been variously labelled 'Jesus Junk', 'Holy Hardware' and 'Christian Kitsch'," said Dr Higgins, Senior Lecturer in Marketing in Lancaster University Management School. "However, our study shows they have a more symbolic and important meaning for those who take them home.

"Objects purchased in Lourdes not only remind pilgrims of their pilgrimage, but also extend the essence of Lourdes to their homes. A pilgrim's personal attachment to the objects they bring home from Lourdes allows them to recapture the feelings of the pilgrimage.

"Religious objects are not used as symbols of religion, but instead provide a link to the pilgrimage and creates a sense of togetherness both with others who have been on pilgrimage and with those who remained at home but who receive similar items. The objects allow some of the therapeutic benefits of pilgrimage to be extended, with their cheap monetary value not commensurate with the value derived by those who buy or receive them.

"Our findings show that beneath the cacophony of plastic, luminosity and glitter, there can lie a kaleidoscope of symbolism important to a person's sense of self and a pathway to experiencing a more subtle, individual sense of community around pilgrimage. Souvenirs allow people to experience the sense of togetherness pilgrimage can create, conveying a sense of belonging even to those who have not made the journey."

The researchers conducted six visits to Lourdes, totalling eight weeks at the pilgrimage site, observing and interviewing pilgrims, both in Lourdes and after their return, as well as speaking with volunteers, Lourdes hotel owners and priests.

One of the pilgrims the researchers spoke to, Matthew, discussed the sense of calm and quietude he experienced on his visits to the Grotto of Massabielle, and how he recaptured these feelings through interaction with a wooden bracelet he brought home. He told them: "It reminds me of the place. It reminds me of how I felt, how I feel about the place... It reminds me of everything about Lourdes, about the experience, the kind of better person I want to be."

"What Matthew told us reinforce the sensory nature of memories of pilgrimage, which he is able to recapture through the bracelet," said Dr Hamilton, Reader in Marketing at the University of Strathclyde. "Beliefs are materialised in such objects, connecting those at home with Lourdes, where the practice of touching them brings their meaning to the fore.

"Another pilgrim, Lilly, brought home a sparkling Our Lady statue that she herself described as 'tacky'. Yet it connects her to her visits to Lourdes and memories of her mother, who visited the shrine on pilgrimage and who later died from cancer. The significance of the item extends beyond its market value."

Andrea, a pilgrim who brought home a luminous Our Lady statue she acknowledges as being religious kitsch, said: "When I wake during the night and see the statue shining, I feel protected and safe knowing Our Lady is watching me."

"The statue projects an atmosphere of safety and protection for Andrea, much as pilgrims experience in Lourdes," added Dr Higgins. "Lourdes 'speaks' to pilgrims through the objects they bring home, helping them with their lives away from the pilgrimage site and in the larger world.

"It is the pilgrims' belief in the narrative of Lourdes that drives them to bring souvenirs home."

As well as investigating the sense of togetherness souvenirs taken home can provide for pilgrims, their friends and families, Dr Higgins and Dr Hamilton also looked at the bonds with pilgrimage created by written prayers (petitions) left behind and candles lit in or near the Grotto in Lourdes.

Petitions are personal requests for religious intervention in life problems, both from pilgrims themselves and often from friends, family or acquaintances who cannot make the journey but who ask for them to be taken to Lourdes for them. They are private communications with God and provide a connection between pilgrims and those at home.

The researchers found that people posting petitions do not believe they will be more likely to be heard and answered if they are left in the Grotto, but see the process as special, allowing the sacred experience of the pilgrimage to speak to those at home.

Candles lit in or near the Grotto offer a similar connection, with the displays representing the collective voice of pilgrims and a shared connection between those on pilgrimage and those who do not travel.

"Therapeutic release is not only achieved by the pilgrims who are physically present at the pilgrimage site, but it can be extended to those at home, both through the petitions and the candles," said Dr Hamilton. "Those who receive the gifts and who send petitions to Lourdes have a similar sense of emotional release to those who make the physical journey, creating a bond between them and Lourdes, a unity and togetherness shared by pilgrims and those who may never be able to visit the shrine."

###
During its UNSC chairmanship, Vietnam successfully held many meetings on UN issues

In the month, Vietnam successfully hosted nearly 30 official activities and passed through 13 decisions, the highest number of decisions in a working month of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The country also implemented historic initiatives, including the first meeting on co-operation between the UN and the ASEAN, and an open discussion on promoting UN Charter compliance, lasting three consecutive days, and featuring over 100 speeches. For the first time, the council also released a statement on the UN Charter.

There was many open discussion about the UN Charter and adherence to the charter, and it had never been a statement released by the president previously. It shows the importance and success of the open discussion, said Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, sharing satisfaction about the month and actions that Vietnam made in the role of UNSC chair, Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnams Permanent Mission to the UN said, There were two things I felt proud of. First, we have taken full advantage of the role of chair in the first month to hold an open discussion with a record number of participants while the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary. Secondly, we operated and responded very quickly to urgent issues.

Expressing high appreciation of the contribution from Vietnam, many delegates said the country built a reasonable agenda and handled complicated issues in a flexible manner. Many recognised Vietnams efforts to regularly provide information on the councils work to non-member countries, non-governmental organisations, and the media.

Deputy Head of the Standing Mission of France at the UN, Anne Gueguen said, Entering a new decade with many issues, Vietnam took clever and effective steps. The Security Council has passed important decisions related to millions of people around the world such as extending the humanitarian programmes in Syria, and held discussions under the Vietnamese chair on ways to reduce tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Dian Triansyah Djani, Head of the Indonesian Permanent Mission at the UNSC, emphasised that Vietnam did a great job in its tenure, particularly when the country raised the issue of UN-ASEAN co-operation. The effective partnership between the UN and regional organisations is vital, Djani said. When we are together at the council, we will do better for the whole region.

According to Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, being a non-permanent member of the UNSC is a special chance for Vietnam to promote its national benefits, and strengthen its role in the international community and its relationship with major countries. If we carry out this role well, with good handling to issues related to other countries, Vietnams bilateral relationship with partners will be developed, he said.

Normally, it takes several months for a non-permanent member of the UNSC to become chair but Vietnam did so on its first month in the role. In the context of increasingly complicated competition for influence and relations between major countries, along with non-traditional security challenges including terrorism and transnational crimes, Vietnam has comprehensively persuaded the international community about its capability in handling wide issues on an international level.

This will be used as a firm basis for Vietnam to further contribute to the UNSC as the chair of the council in April 2021, as well as the being chair of the ASEAN this year.
Selbyville, Delaware, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Global Market Insights, Inc. has recently added a new report on stethoscope market which estimates the global market valuation for stethoscope will cross US$ 520 million by 2026. Increase in number of people suffering from cardiac and pulmonary ailments along with technological advancements and growing healthcare expenditure. Also, growing old age population susceptible to chronic conditions will act as major driver for industry expansion.

The double head stethoscope segment held majority market share and was valued at around USD 220 million in 2019. The double head stethoscopes are known to be durable and efficient models. Also, they are cost-effective and often used in emergency situations by the medical professionals owing to quick and efficient diagnostic results. Thus, aforementioned characteristics of double head stethoscopes will augment the demand and adoption rate, thereby enhancing the market growth.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2923

Some of the stethoscopes market growth drivers are:

Increase in number of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.



Rise in adoption of stethoscope in telemedicine technology.



Growing preference for electronic stethoscope.



Recent technological advancements.



Increase in average patient visits to physicians.



The electronic stethoscope segment is projected to grow at around 5.5% over the estimation period. The growth of the market is attributed to several advantages such as amplified sound output, ambient noise reduction, enhanced frequency range, record and replay capabilities, reduced time to get accurate reading and visual display.

The market demand for disposable or single use stethoscopes is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6% over the projection period. Increase in awareness among the medical professionals regarding prevention of disease transmission and cross contamination has resulted in growing adoption and demand for disposable stethoscopes. Some of the healthcare facilities issue patients with single use stethoscope and ban the staff from using their own. Hence, in order to avoid cross contamination and risk of disease transmission, the disposable stethoscopes will show rapid growth in the future.

The double tube stethoscopes market was valued at around USD 59 million in 2019. These types of stethoscopes help in measuring heart sounds and heartbeat irregularities with high frequencies, and lung sounds with low frequencies. Also, the medical professionals find the use of double tube stethoscope quite effective and ideal for listening irregularities in breathing. Hence, the above-mentioned applications of double stethoscope will augment the product demand, fueling the market growth.

Browse key industry insights spread across 930 pages with 2,214 market data tables & 22 figures & charts from the report, Stethoscope Market Share & Forecast, 2020  2026 in detail along with the table of contents:



https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/stethoscope-market

The stainless-steel stethoscopes segment is projected to grow at more than 4.5% over the estimation period. These types of stethoscopes are known to be highly durable along with good sound conductors. Also, stainless steel stethoscopes provide good sound quality and amplification as compared to other stethoscope materials.

The use of stethoscopes in ambulatory surgical centers was valued at around USD 78 million in 2019. According to the National Health Statistics, in U.S., annually around 47% of the surgical procedures are conducted in the ambulatory surgical centers. Increase in preference of patients towards outpatient procedures will result in augmenting the use of stethoscopes in ambulatory surgical centers.

Germany dominated the Europe stethoscope market share and was valued at around USD 26 million in 2019. Increase in number of physicians, healthcare facilities along with recent technological advancements in development of novel products will augment the industry growth in the country. Also, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, accounting for over 40% of the total deaths in the country annually. Hence, growing need and demand for proper and accurate early diagnosis will spur the market growth.

Some major findings of the stethoscope market report include:

Rise in geriatric population prone to chronic disorders across the globe will positively impact the market growth.





Technological advancement in manufacturing novel products will boost the market demand.





A few notable companies operating in stethoscope market share include 3M, Eko Devices, American Diagnostic Company, Cardionics, GF Health Products, Invacare Supply Group, McCoy, and HEINE Optotechnik among others.





Competitors are focusing on several strategic initiatives such as new product development, product innovations and new product launches in a bid to capture significant market share and strengthen their market position.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2923

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Stethoscope industry 360 synopsis, 2015 - 2026

2.1.1. Business trends

2.1.2. Product trends

2.1.3. Design trends

2.1.4. Usability trends

2.1.5. Tube type trends

2.1.6. Material trends

2.1.7. End-use trends

2.1.8. Regional trends

Chapter 3. Stethoscope Market Insights

3.1. Industry segmentation

3.2. Industry landscape, 2015  2026

3.3. Industry impact forces

3.3.1. Growth drivers

3.3.2. Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.3.2.1. High product cost

3.3.2.2. Lack of skilled healthcare professionals

3.4. Growth potential analysis

3.4.1. By product

3.4.2. By design

3.4.3. By usability

3.4.4. By tube type

3.4.5. By material

3.4.6. By end-use

3.5. Regulatory landscape

3.5.1. U.S.

3.5.2. Europe

3.6. Porters analysis

3.7. Competitive landscape, 2018

3.7.1. Company matrix analysis, 2018

3.8. PESTEL analysis

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights, Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making.
Authorities in the northern Vietnamese province of Vinh Phuc have decided to seal off an entire commune of 10,600 people in an effort to control the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

Le Duy Thanh, vice-chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that the administration had quarantined Son Loi Commune, located in Binh Xuyen District.

Vinh Phuc is considered the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus in Vietnam as ten out of the countrys 15 patients are in the province.

Three people in Vinh Phuc have recovered so far.

Half of Vinh Phucs COVID-19 patients reside in Son Loi Commune, which has a population of 10,600.

Thanh said the isolation of the commune is necessary to protect the health of local residents.

During a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the provincial Peoples Council approved providing each resident in the commune with a daily stipend of VND40,000 (US$1.7), and an additional VND60,000 ($2.5) per quarantined household, during the isolation period.

The provincial Department of Industry and Trade is in charge of ensuring sufficient supply of necessities for people in Son Loi Commune during the isolation.

The novel coronavirus disease, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, has killed 1,363 people and infected over 60,100 globally since it first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province in December 2019, according to the South China Morning Post.

Hubei reported a record rise in confirmed infections  by 14,840 cases  on Thursday under a new method for diagnosing cases, Reuters reported.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 15 cases of the viral infection, including 12 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese.

Among them, seven have fully recovered. They were all treated for free.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Through support from Lebanon Township Education Foundation, Woodglen School now offers an archery program. The equipment was purchased through the National Archery in the Schools Program and physical education students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades all participate.
A primary school has given a Cook Islands family an ultimatum after they refused to cut their five-year-old son's hair because of cultural tradition.

Wendy Taniela says Australian Christian College Moreton, in south-east Queensland, has now given her a written letter claiming the board stands by the school's decision.

Ms Taniela was told to chop her son Cyrus' hair during his first week of prep to follow school rules.

The family have been planning a traditional haircutting ceremony on the boy's seventh birthday for years, and planned to invite 100 family members.

A Queensland family says they were told Cyrus Taniela (pictured) had to abide by school rules and cut his hair during his first week of prep

Wendy Taniela says Australian Christian College Moreton, in south-east Queensland, have now given her a written letter claiming the board stands by the school's decision. Pictured: Cyrus Taniela

Ms Taniela told Redcliffe & Bayside Herald the school said her son is required to 'conform to the policy' to remain a student.

'He has to meet all the requirements in length and style if he is to remain a student at the college and he has to meet this by Friday (tomorrow) or he will be unenrolled,' she said.

In Cook Island culture, cutting a boy's hair for the first time is a rite of passage, although there is no set age for the ceremony.

Ms Taniela said she doesn't understand why the college won't make an exception for their cultural tradition.

She explained the school's letter said policies are displayed on their website but Ms Taniela suggested their were loopholes.

'The school policy doesn't mention length or style. It just says it has to be above the collar and neat and tidy. Cyrus' hair is neat and tidy,' she said.

Ms Taniela said the ordeal was not 'fair' and added her son has already made friends and met his teachers at the school.

The family do not intend to cut Cyrus' hair and Ms Taniela has confirmed she plans to take the case to the Human Rights Commission.

Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday morning, Ms Taniela explained it was tradition in the Cook Islands for boys to grow their hair before transitioning towards manhood.

'I think that people tend or fail to understand this. It is a cultural, it is a haircutting tradition,' she told the program.

'It's a Cook Island male's right of passage ceremony, which transitions a boy to a man.'

Australian Christian College Moreton said principal Gary Underwood has spent time in the Cook Islands and 'is an enthusiastic supporter of Islander people and their customs.'

In a statement on its Facebook page, the school also said: 'Respecting the College's policies, procedures and guidelines allows the College to be consistent across its many cultural groups.'

Mr Underwood said all students have to follow school policy, which requires that all boys' hair is neat, tidy and not hanging over their faces.

'Extreme styles' such as ponytails and buns, like Cyrus wears, are not permitted.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Australian Christian College Moreton for comment.
Coronavirus cases rise, and a leader is fired

Coronavirus cases had seemed to be leveling off, but then new numbers showed the largest one-day increase recorded so far. There were nearly 15,000 new cases in Hubei Province alone, with 242 additional deaths. A change in diagnostic criteria could be part of the reason. Heres the latest.

Political fallout: Chinas Communist Party fired the leader of Hubei, the province at the center of the outbreak. Hell be replaced by the mayor of Shanghai, who rose through the political ranks in the same province as Xi Jinping, Chinas top leader.

Economic fallout: One of the worlds biggest technology trade shows, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, was canceled because of the outbreak, and the Chinese Grand Prix, a Formula One race set for April, was postponed. Students have faced difficult decisions about their programs. And the cruise industry has a big challenge.
Judge Overturns University Settlement Over Silent Sam Statue

A state court voided a university deal that required it to transfer a Confederate monument known as Silent Sam to the Sons of Confederate Veterans and pay $2.5 million toward the statues housing and care.

The University of North Carolina (UNC) system reached the agreement with the North Carolina branch of the group in late November, garnering significant attention. The settlement was reached after the Sons of Confederate Veterans filed a lawsuit against the university over the disposition of the monument, which had been toppled by protestors in 2018. The agreement requires the Confederate group to maintain possession of the monument outside the public university system in the state.

Orange County Superior Court Judge R. Allen Baddour had originally signed off on the agreement, which led to a resolution of the legal challenge. But in a reversal on Wednesday, Baddour ruled that the Sons of Confederate Veterans did not have legal standing to bring the original lawsuit against the university and vacated the consent judgment, reported the universitys paper, The Daily Tar Heel.

The Silent Sam statue was erected to honor alumni of the university who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. It was the subject of protests in recent years and was toppled during a rally by activists in August 2018.

In December that year, the UNC recommended a new $5.3 million building to house the statue but the plan was rejected by the universitys board of governors.

A state law passed in 2015 prevents state agencies from permanently removing any object of remembrance. UNC says since the Silent Sam statue is a state-owned monument that is an object of remembrance, it is subject to the law.

After the settlement was reached, a group of five UNC students and a faculty member, represented by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, sought to intervene in the case. The students and faculty member were challenging the jurisdictional basis for the settlement. Their request for intervention was denied but it prompted a hearing to discuss the Sons of Confederate Veterans rights over the statue and the trust.

Today is [an] important victory for the people in confronting the false and divisive Lost Cause narrative and the racist ideology it entrenches, Elizabeth Haddix, an attorney for the students and faculty member, said in a statement.

Ripley Rand, a lawyer for the UNC System and the UNC Board of Governors, said in a statement that the purpose of the settlement was to protect public safety, restore the normality to the campus while being compliant with the Monuments Law.

While this was not the result we had hoped for, we respect the Courts ruling in this case. Judge Baddour gave us a fair hearing, and he afforded all parties the necessary time and consideration to be heard, Rand said. The Board of Governors will move forward with these three goals at the forefront and will go back to work to find a lasting and lawful solution to the dispute over the monument.

C. Boyd Sturges III, the lawyer for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, told the Epoch Times in an emailed statement that his client disagrees with and is disappointed by the judges decision while adding that his client will obey and return the statue.

My client, SCV, negotiated in good faith with the University of North Carolina to find a way to 1) find a place where the statute and the veterans it represents could be honored and 2) UNC could find a way to obey the law and get a statute that has caused consternation off their campus, he said.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: An Assam MLA is in the eye of a storm for his alleged attempt to unite the states various Islamic communities in the name of religion and comment that the Ahoms are not the states indigenous people.

Aminul Islam, whose brand of politics is religion-based, has no place in Assam. If he wants to do so, he should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan, the Sadou Deshi Janagosthiya Jatiya Sangsad, Assam, which is a minority organisation, said on Thursday.

Its president Enamul Haque said the MLA, who is from minority-based political party All India United Democratic Front, had not been given a contract to unite the various Islamic communities.

The indigenous Muslims had converted to Islam from various local communities and they take pride in keeping their communities ahead of their religion, Haque asserted.

Three days ago, the MLA had ventilated his ire against the state government for its move to carry out a census of some ethnic Islamic communities such as Goria, Moria, Deshi and Jola. The governments motive behind the proposed exercise is in the realms of speculations but Islam, who traces his roots to undivided Bengal, had alleged that it was aimed at dividing the states Muslims.

Assam has 1.21 crore Muslims (out of 3.3 crore population). They have accepted Assamese culture and language and identify themselves as Assamese. They study in Assamese medium schools and speak the Assamese language. In every aspect of life, they use the Assamese language. It is unfortunate that even after that, they are seen as doubtful citizens. We cannot accept it, Islam had said.

He allegedly also said that the Ahoms are not Assams indigenous people as they had migrated from elsewhere. This sparked off a row with a section of the Ahoms going for his jugular. They burnt his effigies and demanded his arrest. However, Islam claimed that his statement was misconstrued.

The Ahoms are credited with building Bor Asom or Greater Assam. They had ruled the state for more than 600 years from 1200 AD.
More than 50 of Britain's biggest shop chains are calling for a shake-up of business rates after being saddled with an extra bill of over 500million in the last three years.

In a letter to Chancellor Sajid Javid ahead of the Budget next month, they warned that the 'burden of business rates has become unsustainable'.

The letter, whose 52 signatories include the bosses of Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Dixons Carphone and Greggs, added: 'The business rates system is broken, and fundamental reform is needed.'

Chancellor Sajid Javid has been warned current business rates are unsustainable and that the system needs 'fundamental reform'

Retailers say a mechanism that allows businesses to move slowly to their new rates bill unfairly affects the High Street and areas outside London.

This is because 'transitional relief' staggers the speed at which those facing higher bills see their bills go up  and funds this by slowing down the speed at which bills fall for those who are due a reduction.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said retailers have subsidised other industries to the tune of 543million over the last three years, while firms outside London have subsidised those in the capital in the sum of 596million.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said 'northern high streets effectively subsidise London banks'.

The rates system has been attacked by MPs and businesses amid fears it is putting shops under incredible strain, with some businesses spending more on rates than on rent.

Last year was the High Street's worst for 25 years, and 61 shops shut their doors for good every day.

Eric Mazillier, boss of Decathlon UK, said: 'Fixing the complex transitional relief scheme would be a good start.'

Nick Lakin, corporate affairs director at Kingfisher, said: 'The system too complex and it does not reflect modern retail.'

The Government has offered a temporary reprieve for small businesses, cinemas and music venues, but so far has only promised a review of the wider rates system.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday



expressed concern over the delay in commencement of trial in the cases of killing of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and activist Govind Pansare, and said there should not be a "failure" in delivery of justice.

A division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and R I Chagla said it has been seven years since Dabholkar was shot dead and five years since Pansare was killed.

The bench observed that while the probe agencies are still carrying out investigation with regard to the absconding accused in the Pansare case and recovery of weapon used in the killing of Dabholkar, the trial should commence at the earliest against those arrested.

"There should be some certainty (about the trial). There should be no failure of justice delivery...both for the victims and their families and also the arrested accused... since they also have fundamental rights," the court said.

The court was hearing petitions filed by families of Dabholkar and Pansare, seeking court supervision in the probe being carried out in the two cases.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the Dabholkar case, while the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is probing the Pansare case.

"What is at stake here is the very credibility of the criminal justice delivery system. People should not lose complete faith in the system," the bench said.

The crimes happened in 2013 and 2015, the bench noted. "It would not be proper to delay the commencement of trial," it said.

"Today, the arrested accused persons may also raise questions about their rights. There is always a presumption of innocence and until held guilty, no one can be kept behind bars indefinitely," the court said.

The bench directed the CBI and the state CID to inform the high court on March 24 by when trial would commence in the two cases.

CBI counsel Anil Singh informed the bench that search operation for the murder weapon in the Dabholkar case would complete within a month.

CID counsel Ashok Mundargi told the court that they are on the look out for the absconding accused in the case.

Dabholkar, a well-known anti-superstition activist, was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013.

Pansare was shot on February 16, 2015 near his house in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra. He died four days later.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event in Gilford, New Hampshire on Feb. 10, 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Joe Biden Says Hes Only Getting Started After Losing in Iowa, New Hampshire

Former Vice President and 2020 candidate Joe Biden downplayed his poor showings during Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, saying he is only getting started as the campaign trail moves to South Carolina and Nevada.

Biden, who was considered the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination for much of the election cycle, is looking to bounce back after finishing in fifth place and with no delegates in New Hampshire. Nevadas caucuses are on Feb. 22 and South Carolinas primary is on Feb. 29. After those two contests, its the make-or-break Super Tuesday states that vote on March 3.

Were moving into an especially important phase because up til now we have not heard from the most committed constituency in the Democratic Party, the African American community, and the fastest-growing segment of society, the Latino community, Biden said on Wednesday about campaigning in South Carolina and Nevada.

On Tuesday night, Biden had traveled to South Carolina and touted his electability to supporters, suggested that it is only he who could beat Republican President Donald Trump.

Ive said many times: You cant be the nominee, you cant win the general election as a Democrat unless you have the overwhelming support of black and brown voters, he told a crowd.

At the same time, Biden described himself as a longtime ally of the black community. Too often, your loyalty, your support, your commitment to this party have been taken for granted, he also said. And I give you my word as a Biden, I never, ever, ever will.

On top of his comments, Bidens campaign rolled out a new advertisement and campaign slogan: This is only getting started.

We have a tremendous opportunity to take the next great step forward. We dont feel no ways tired. Weve come too far from where we started, the former vice president is heard in the ad. Nobody told me the road would be easy, and I dont believe he brought me this far to stop now.

He got about 16 percent of the vote in Iowa and around 9 percent in New Hampshire, where he finished behind Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), as well as former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Over the past several months, Bidens name has been brought up numerous times by lawmakers and Trump during the impeachment inquiry and trial against the president. Trump was accused of withholding aid to Ukraine in exchange for investigations into Biden and his son, Hunter, who had sat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma Holdings. Trump and GOP lawmakers said that the younger Bidens role at the company, which has for years been accused of corruption, was an indicia of corruption, which both Bidens have denied.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun unveils the company's flagship 5G Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro smartphones at an event in Beijing, China on February 13, 2020. Xiaomi

Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi launched new 5G-capable flagship smartphones on Thursday in a bid to turn around declining sales in its home market, even as the company continues its push overseas where it has seen recent success. The world's fourth-largest smartphone maker took the wraps off the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro at an event in Beijing. Both devices will be available in China first before entering international markets. Xiaomi pushed forward with the planned launch at its Beijing headquarters despite the continued issues around the new coronavirus outbreak which has claimed the lives of over 1,000 people. While some companies in China have officially resumed work after the extended Lunar New Year holiday, many employees are still working from home and full operations have not resumed. Some of the key specs of the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro include: 6.67-inch full high definition display

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor

Four-camera set up with one of them being a 108-megapixel sensor developed with Samsung

Wireless charging capabilities The Mi 10 will be available in China on Feb. 14 starting at 3,999 yuan ($572.60) and the Mi 10 Pro on Feb 18 starting at 4,999 yuan. Xiaomi is hoping its new phones will take advantage of Chinese consumers' desire for 5G smartphones and help stop the company's declining shipments in its domestic market.

5G refers to next-generation mobile networks that promise super-fast data speeds. For consumers, that means faster downloads of content and potentially better gaming experiences on smartphones. China turned on its 5G networks last year. Xiaomi, however, has suffered in China's smartphone market with shipments of its devices falling more than 21% year-on-year in 2019, according to IDC. Overall, the entire Chinese smartphone market fell 7.5%, and IDC suggested that consumers are "waiting for cheaper 5G smartphones." But for Xiaomi, which has always been seen as competitive on price, the new devices could help it outcompete rivals in China as 5G continues to grow. The company plans to release ten 5G-capable models in China this year.

International push

Despite Xiaomi's recent struggles in China, it has remained resilient globally. Its worldwide shipments grew 5.5% year-on-year in 2019 despite the overall market declining, according to IDC. Xiaomi has been reducing its reliance on China so much so that India is now the technology firm's biggest market for smartphone shipments. The company plans to release the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro in some of its international markets. Shou Zi Chew, Xiaomi's president of international and current chief financial officer, told CNBC in a recent interview that Europe was now the big focus for the company. "Over the course of the next few years, we're going to put an emphasis on Western Europe," Shou said. The company has expanded into countries such as Spain and Italy over the past few years. International expansion could help the company, especially during the 5G rollout, which is at its early stages, one analyst told CNBC. "With the 5G opportunity, if Xiaomi could maintain a positive 2020 in China, with the overseas market as the growth engine, Xiaomi could have a very fruitful 2020," Mo Jia, an analyst at Canalys told CNBC. However, Xiaomi's other domestic rivals such as Oppo and Vivo are also chasing similar markets and investing heavily in them, and that could be a challenge. "Xiaomi needs to be fast offering the latest technologies at affordable prices, and keep investing in branding in Europe to stabilize its momentum," Jia said.

Coronavirus effect
Naval authorities bring in Rohingya boat people discovered in a vessel in waters off a beach near Pauk Hla Gyaing village, Panthein township, in southern Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region, Feb. 12, 2020.

The Myanmar Navy has detained roughly 50 Rohingya refugees at sea in southern Myanmars Ayeyarwady region, while local authorities have apprehended five suspected human traffickers who allegedly helped them try to leave the country for an unknown destination, a local official said Thursday.

Naval authorities discovered the boat carrying the Rohingya Muslims Tuesday night near the beach of Pauk Hla Gyaing village in Pathein township, though their place of origin was not immediately known, said village administrator Myint Thein said.

We dont know exactly how many people were found onboard, but at least 48 Muslims are there, he told RFAs Myanmar Service.

The navy is detaining those people and awaiting orders from the officers, he said. Authorities are detaining five traffickers in the case.

Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said he had no information about the incident.

RFA was unable to reach Ayeyarwady regions minister of labor, immigration, and population for comment.

Kyaw Nay Min, a Muslim journalist and editor of the Yangon-based Chun Journal that reports on the Rohingya in Myanmar, said authorities should free the boat people.

Those young people from Rakhine state are students, and they have difficulties in trying to go to school, and they dont have job opportunities, he told RFA. Thats why they try to leave the state.

If the government is positive-minded, it should take care of them or send back to their original homes, he added. Moreover, the government should ask why these people are trying to run away.

ICJ compliance

But rights activist Nicky Diamond from Southeast Asia-based Fortify Rights said authorities should work with international aid groups to help the Rohingya boat people instead of sending them back to Rakhine state.

If the authorities take legal action to sentence them or to send them back, those are not the best ways to resolve the problem, he said.

Otherwise, the government may have a headache when it writes its quarterly report for the ICJ, he said, referring to a legally binding order by the International Court of Justice in January for Myanmar to prevent the killing or serious injury of the Rohingya and report on its compliance with this and other measures.

The order stems from a larger case against Myanmar filed by Gambia in November 2019, accusing the country of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during the alleged expulsion of Rohingya to Bangladesh amid a military-led crackdown on the minority community in northern Rakhine state in 2017.

The campaign of violence, which included random killings, mass rape, and village burnings, prompted more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh where they now live in sprawling displacement camps.

Fleeing persecution, poverty

In the last several years, thousands of Rohingya have fled or attempted to flee persecution and poverty in Buddhist-majority Myanmar on boats organized by human traffickers and bound for other Southeast Asian nations, especially Muslim-majority Malaysia.

On Tuesday, at least 15 people drowned when an overloaded boat carrying 138 Rohingya refugees to Malaysia struck a slab of coral in shallow water and capsized in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladeshi authorities have arrested nine suspected traffickers in the case, Agence France-Presse reported Thursday.

In December 2019, the Myanmar Navy picked up more than 170 Rohingya in waters off southern Myanmars Tanintharyi region in the Andaman Sea as they attempted to leave Myanmar while traveling to a third country.

Most of them were confirmed as residents of Rakhine state and were sent back to their homes or to live with relatives if they did not have a home.

Reported by Kyaw Lwin Oo and Nayrein Kyaw for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Nayrein Kyaw. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
The Washington Post in "How peace plan could dispossess Arab Israelis" (2/9/20) has dispossessed and manipulated the truth. The Post uses a device called a "straw man argument" to indoctrinate its readers.

In the article, which describes the recently proposed Trump administration peace deal, the Post states that "many [Israeli Arabs] say [the deal] would amount to a forced deportation from Israel, where their families have lived for generations." Who are these "many" individuals? Nonexistent straw men. No Israeli Arabs would be "deported" in the peace plan. The peace plan expressly states that no one would be deported, displaced, or transferred in any way. The plan merely contemplates a redrawing (or more precisely, a drawing) of permanent borders. So there cannot be "many" Israeli Arabs who fear deportation. The Post's account is a deception.

The Post said Israeli Arab protests against the peace plan included a "march of hundreds," implying a big turnout. However, there are 350,000 Arabs in the area. "Hundreds" is a rather small turnout, especially for people who supposedly believe they are being "deported."

The article quoted several Israeli Arabs who recited a litany of grievances against Israel. One of the complaints revealed something telling about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a whole. Mohammed Abu Majid offered this remark about the peace deal: "Maybe if they give us a real state with our land back and our dignity, yes, why not?" Did the Post bother to ask Mr. Majid what he meant by wanting "our land back"? As anyone familiar with the conflict (but the Post) knows, the Palestinians want all of Israel because they think it is theirs and will settle for nothing less  that's what he meant, and that is the crux of the conflict. The Palestinians want it all: Haifa, Beersheva, Ashkelon, etc.! Just look at the Hamas charter (the destruction of Israel is part of it) and the Palestinian Authority insignia, which shows that the desired State of Palestine includes all of Israel. Wake up, Washington Post: you have been wrong for decades!

How is it possible that despite the half-dozen or so people the Post interviewed for the article, the Post was not able to find one person in favor of the deal or even neutral about it? Might it be because the benefits of the plan run counter to the Post's views? Obviously, as there are people in favor of the deal. Interviewing solely those on one side of an issue while excluding the other side is another example of journalistic malpractice by the Post.

There is an obvious disconnect (again missed by the Post). With all the Arab-Israeli grievances regarding their lives in Israel listed in the article, including claims of being "second-class citizens," why wouldn't they jump at a chance to be first-class citizens of a new Palestinian state they can help mold? Why doesn't the Post pose this question rather than parrot the status quo view that the Arab-Israelis want to avoid Palestinian "corruption" and "infighting"? If Arab-Israeli grievances are true, they should be all the more interested in joining their brethren to form a new Palestinian state. They, as founding fathers, could make it exactly as they want.
Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) and All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) will hold three-day nation-wide strike over wage hike from March 11-13. This is the third strike call given by the bank employee associations in 2020 so far. Before this, the bank unions held a two-day strike from January 31-February 1 and another one was held to mark Bharat Bandh on January 8.

The unions are demanding a 20 per cent hike on payslip components with adequate loading. In the latest round, IBA had improved their offer to 12.5 per cent, but this was not acceptable, the unions had said. The bank employees unions have now called another strike after talks over the wage revision failed to initiate with the Indian Banks' Association.

AIBEA in a statement said its first phase of two-days strike was a resounding success. It added the massive participation in the strike throughout the country demonstrated employees' dissatisfaction. "Let us prepare ourselves for the second phase of our agitation commencing from 11th March 2020 to 13th March 2020 as the budget announcements are loud and clear to privatise the profit-making financial institutions to bridge the deficit budget," the bank employees' union said.

Interestingly, the strike has been timed in such a way that it'll have a major impact on the banking operations for around a week in March. Apart from Holi holiday on March 10, the banking operations will be hit on second Saturday (March 15) of the month. In total, operations could be affected from March 10-16.

During their strike last month, several bank branches remained closed and around 31 lakh cheques amounting to Rs 23,000 crore remained uncleared on the first day alone. This also affected services like deposit, withdrawal, instrument issuance and loan disbursement.

Contrary to the bank employees' claims, the IBA had said that it offered to hike employees' salaries by up to 19 per cent, including performance-linked incentive, but the unions didn't accept it.

The past wage settlement happened in 2017 wherein the bank employees got a 15 per cent hike for the period 1 November 2012 to 31 October.

Also read:SBI customer? ATMs may run dry over weekend due to bank strike

Also read: Two-day bank strike starts today; operations to be hit, ATMs may run dry

Also read: Bank strike this week: Services to take hit on January 31, February 1

Edited by Manoj Sharma
Diesel Barbershop is now open in Suwanee/Johns Creek. Diesel Barbershop, a San Antonio-based chain that calls itself a man cave for haircuts, occupies approximately 1,200 square feet of space in the Publix Shakerag Shopping Center in Suwanee, Georgia.

Franchise owner Pete Briggs said the Diesel Barbershop appeals to what todays men want in a haircut experience.

Diesel Barbershop is the modern-day version of the vintage corner barbershop  a cool, comfortable, and more masculine atmosphere with a no drama, no gossip, no kidding attitude, said Briggs. Im especially proud of our barbers and stylists who are all exceptionally trained and talented. They know how to give amazing customer service, providing every customer with just what they want. From the moment they step in the door our customers know theyre getting the best haircare experience.

The new Shakerag shop features eight barber chairs, with a large TV at every station. The signature Diesel decor combines a mechanics garage vibe with movie posters and hip artwork. Visitors to Diesel Barbershop definitely get the man cave experience: they can watch sports, play video games, listen to vintage music (and pick their own favorites!), and enjoy a cold beverage  all while getting a haircut, beard trim, face shave, or brow wax.

The shop offers all standard barbershop services. The Diesel Plus is the signature service: Starting at $35, this experience includes an awesome cut, shampoo with scalp massage, hot towel face treatment, back of the neck shave, and a relaxing shoulder massage. For those looking for even more pampering, the Full Service adds a hot lather face shave. Starting at $60, this truly VIP experience includes an awesome cut, shampoo with scalp massage, hot towel face treatment, hot lather face and neck shave, and a relaxing shoulder massage.

Diesel Barbershop offers much more than the Diesel Plus and Full Service, though. From fades and flat-tops, beard trims and lineups, to the Mr. Clean service that includes a full head and face shave. Diesel offers the full range of grooming services, for any type of hair. All Diesel locations serve men, women and children, and walk-ins are always welcome.

Suwanee/Johns Creek is a vibrant, growing area, said Briggs. I believe the Diesel Barbershop brand reflects that same exciting vibe. There isnt really anyplace else that provides a trendy, hip, man cave atmosphere that has classic rock music, the sights and sounds of vintage arcade games, and the opportunity to enjoy a local craft beer, all while getting a stylish haircut and a great shave.

About Diesel Barbershop

Diesel Barbershop, which was founded in 2011, is an experience-driven haircut and grooming service for men. Its barbershop locations are retro, throwback barbershops that incorporate rock n roll music, old school arcade games and barber services. Diesel Barbershop has a rapidly growing presence in the Metro-Atlanta Market, with six locations including Marietta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Midtown, Roswell and Suwanee. Diesel Barbershop is one of the fastest growing franchises in the health and beauty sector with 29 national locations currently and more expected to open by years end.

Contact

Peter Briggs

pete.briggs@dieselbarbershop.com

770.331.2154

http://www.dieselbarbershop.com
(Newser)  A professor at Indiana's Ball State University won't be teaching for the rest of the semester after calling the police on a black student who refused to change seats in his class. Two campus police officers interrupted a marketing class on Jan. 21 on a call from professor Shaheen Borna, who'd asked student Sultan Benson to move to a seat at the front of the class that had been vacated by a student who had to leave. Benson says he calmly declined because he was already seated at a desk at the back with his laptop charging. In fact, he says Borna had directed him to that seat because his usual spot was taken, per CNN. But Borna didn't like his answer. "Either move your seat or I call the police," he said, according to Benson. Another student was filming as officers arrived. When they asked if Benson had disrupted the class, multiple classmates said "no."

story continues below

"You gonna call the police? On a young black man not doing nothing but in class learning?" Benson later said at a protest attended by as many as 300 students, per the Chicago Tribune. Also in attendance was university President Geoffrey Mearns, who referred to Borna's action as a "gross error" and "unwarranted overreaction." More than 100 faculty members also signed a letter denouncing the movefor which Borna apologized in an emailbefore the school announced disciplinary action against the tenured professor on Wednesday. Kathy Wolf, VP of marketing and communications, said it would "ensure that we provide continuity in the curriculum, eliminate any unnecessary distractions, and help our students complete the appropriate course expectations," per the Ball State Daily News. (Read more higher education stories.)
Ahead of United States President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India, four influential senators, who described themselves as "longtime friends of India", have sought an assessment of the human rights situation in Kashmir and religious freedom in the country, saying hundreds of Kashmiris remain in "preventive detention".

The bipartisan group of Senators, in their letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dated February 12, said that India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shut down by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business and education for seven million people.

The Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and imposed severe curbs including on movement of people as well as on mobile telephone and internet connectivity. The crackdown drew international criticism with several countries expressing concerns over the situation in Kashmir.

India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 was an internal matter. According to officials, internet is being restored in the Valley in a phased manner after reviewing the security situation.

The US lawmakers, describing themselves as "longtime friends of India", wrote in the letter that "more than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region".

"Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in 'preventive detention', including key political figures," they said.

Signatories to the letter are Chris Van Hollen, Todd Young, Richard J Durbin and Lindsey O Graham.

"In addition, the Indian government has taken other troubling steps that threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state. This includes the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act which is being challenged in India's Supreme Court," the Senators wrote.

In the letter, the Senators requested Pompeo for a State Department assessment of a number of issues in India including the number of individuals detained by the government for political purposes and their treatment; current restrictions on communications in Jammu and Kashmir; current accessibility of Jammu and Kashmir; and restrictions on religious freedoms in Jammu and Kashmir.

The actions taken by the Indian government in Jammu and Kashmir, they said, have severe consequences. That is why, in the Fiscal Year 2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes appropriations report, the Congress urged India to fully restore telecommunications and internet services, lift its lockdown and curfew and release the individuals detained pursuant to the Indian government's revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Wednesday said the US President's visit will be a "very special one" and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship.

India maintains that the Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all its citizens, including its minority communities.

It is widely acknowledged that India is a vibrant democracy where the Constitution provides protection of religious freedom, and where democratic governance and rule of law further promote and protect fundamental rights, a senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs has said.

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 following religious persecution there will get Indian citizenship.

The Indian government has been emphasising that the new law will not deny any citizenship rights, but has been brought to protect the oppressed minorities of neighbouring countries and give them citizenship.

Defending the CAA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month said that the law is not about taking away citizenship, it is about giving citizenship.

"We must all know that any person of any religion from any country of the world who believes in India and its Constitution can apply for Indian citizenship through due process. There's no problem in that," he said.
London, Feb 13 : Senior UK ministers are bracing themselves for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's first major cabinet reshuffle since the Conservatives' general election victory.

Johnson will make a number of changes over the next 24 hours although it is unclear how wide-ranging they will be, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said he would be "uncomplaining" if, as some expect, he is sacked or moved.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the BBC reshuffles were often "brutal", but he was hopeful of staying in post.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock joked at an event in London: "It's a huge pleasure to be here, and with a government reshuffle in the offing, it's a great time to be talking about longevity." A Downing Street source told the BBC the PM would "reward those MPs who have worked hard to deliver on this government's priorities to level up the whole country and deliver the change people voted for last year".

Most of the cabinet have only been in their current jobs for just over six months, having been appointed when Boris Johnson became prime minister in July.

Johnson left his cabinet largely untouched following his party's decisive election victory in December, pending what sources suggested at the time would be a more significant overhaul after the UK left the EU on January 31.

Senior figures such as Chancellor Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel are not expected to be moved, but others are considered more vulnerable.

Johnson is expected to make changes at junior ministerial level - namely parliamentary under-secretaries of state - that could see a 50/50 gender balance in a push to promote female talent.

There are expected to be promotions for a number of female MPs in government, including Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Suella Braverman and Gillian Keegan.

Oliver Dowden and Alok Sharma are also expected to get more prominent roles.

A No. 10 source said: "The prime minister wants this reshuffle to set the foundations for government now and in the future, (and) to promote a generation of talent that will be promoted further in the coming years."
Candice Swanepoel has been modeling a very strappy black bikini from her own Tropic Of C swimwear collection all month.

And this week the 31-year-old blonde siren shared several photos to Instagram while in the striking suit which costs $170.

In one of the posts, the South African supermodel quoted Spanish-born poet George Santayana: 'The earth has its own music for those who listen.'

She wears it well: Candice Swanepoel has been modeling a very strappy black bikini from her own Tropic Of C swimwear collection all month. And this week the 31-year-old siren shared several photos to Instagram

The statuesque star was seen modeling the suit in a jungle in Ochos Rios in Jamaica which was rich in dark green fauna.

The triangular black bikini top goes for $90.

The top kept her ample cleavage modest while drawing attention to her trim frame with the ties wrapped around her waist.

And now with some clothes: The cover girl said she added a black-and-white skirt by Prada

She teamed the look with a pair of the matching $80 tie-up bottoms that showcased her long and lean legs.

Candice kept her feet dry with a pair of sandals and accessorized with a large scarf around her head.

The Victoria Secret Angel's hair was styled back and she appeared to be wearing a natural amount of makeup.

A good profile: Here the siren closed her eyes as she turned her chin up while wearing a red bandanna on her head

Candice launched her brand, Topic Of C, two years ago.

'Tropic Of C is a brand with purpose, partnering with like-minded people to make a positive impact on the environment & beyond,' it says on her website.

'This vision is realized through our core values of sustainability, empowerment, community and quality.'

She also took to her Stories to showcase her natural beauty while lounging around on a day off.

Candice's posts comes after she's been taking the fashion world by storm during New York Fashion Week.

Legs eleven: She teamed the look with a pair of the matching $80 tie-up bottoms that showcased her long and lean legs

The mom-of-two put her best foot forward while strutting down the Oscar de la Renta runway on Monday night.

She also walked in the Zimmerman show earlier in the day following her appearance at Sunday night's Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Candice juggles her career with being a mother to her two sons Anaca, three, and Ariel, 1, who she shares with her former fiance Hermann Nicoli.

The pair began dating when she was just 17 after meeting in Paris.

They became engaged in August 2015 after ten years together, but split in 2019.
Brian Feulner/Special to The Chronicle

United is extending its cancellation of flights from U.S. hubs, including San Francisco International Airport, to China until the end of April as coronavirus cases continue to spread around the world and the death toll rises.

United originally canceled flights from SFO to mainland China and Hong Kong until the end of March, but on Wednesday the airline extended that discontinuation another month. United normally operates 12 flights per day from the U.S. to mainland China and Hong Kong.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13) An opposition lawmaker on Thursday called on fellow members of the House of Representatives to protect their prerogative and act independently amid the controversial clash between President Rodrigo Duterte and media giant ABS-CBN.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the Presidents remarks which include threats against the networks franchise renewal intrude into the jurisdiction of the legislative branch.

First, it is an intrusion to the sole jurisdiction of the Congress more particularly the committee on legislative franchises to recommend or not to recommend the renewal of an existing franchise, Lagman told CNN Philippines The Source.

If it's a personal opinion, the Congress should be able to act on its jurisdiction and protect its prerogative, he noted.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed ABS-CBN, saying the network will definitely be out this year with its franchise set to expire on March 30. In another speech, he even suggested for the network executives to just sell the company.

AKO-BICOL Rep. Alfredo Garbin, meanwhile, admitted some of his colleagues at the lower chamber which is set to tackle 11 pending measures on ABS-CBNs franchise renewal felt pressure from the chief executives pronouncements.

Di ako magtatanggi, merong na-pressure (I wont lie, there were some who got pressured), Garbin, member of the legislative franchises panel, said in the same interview.

Pero despite the pronouncement of the President, I still signed the resolution and co-authored the bill because it's the right thing to do for an association to be given their chance in their proceedings, para patunayan nila na sila ay karapat dapat na ma-renew, he added.

[Translation: But despite the pronouncement of the President, I still signed the resolution and co-authored the bill because its the right thing to do, for the association to be given their chance in their proceedings, so they can prove that they are worthy to be renewed.]

Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano Jr., vice chair of the panel, earlier clarified Duterte did not directly pressure the congressmen, despite the latter's statements of displeasure against the network. Duterte's remarks reportedly stemmed from ABS-CBN's alleged failure to run his campaign advertisements during the 2016 elections.

Malacanang also earlier denied claims of intrusion, saying Duterte will not interfere with duties of the Congress.

The franchise renewal case was highlighted anew following a petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who sought to nullify the companys existing franchise.

Calida cited the network's alleged "highly abusive practices," including foreign ownership and operational issues claims that ABS-CBN itself has debunked.

The House has yet to calendar a hearing on the franchise renewal bills, but Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano vowed fair proceedings will be observed.
Image: ANI

Ten people were arrested on February 12 in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-women Gargi College in New Delhi last week, police said.

The accused are between 18 and 25 years of age, they added.

Over 11 police teams were looking into the technical details available and also visiting various sites in NCR to identify the suspects and investigate the case, the police said.

Many people are being questioned and multiple suspects have been identified, they added.

According to the police, the accused persons were outside the college when the fest was underway.

A senior police official said the accused are students of various colleges in Delhi and NCR areas. They gathered outside the gate of the college, vandalised a car and then broke in, he added.

Police said the accused jumped over the barricades placed by the college security staff, outnumbered them and then misbehaved with the women students.

Officials said the investigation was on and more people could be arrested.

Students of Gargi College have been boycotting classes, demanding that the fact finding committee constituted following the incident show its findings.

A case was registered on February 10 at the Hauz Khas police station under IPC sections 452 (House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

A group of men had broken into the institute during the 'Riverie' fest on February 6 and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the attendees.

The incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their ordeal. Students and teachers also posted on other social media websites about the incident.

Over 100 students held a protest on February 10 outside Gargi College.

The students had alleged that Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police personnel were deployed close to the gate from where the men entered.
A West Australian federal Labor MP who reportedly belongs to a factional dinner club known as the Otis Group  named after the Canberra restaurant where they meet  has downplayed its gatherings as nothing unusual.

About 20 right-faction shadow ministers and MPs were named as part of the group, which includes Brand MP Madeleine King, Burt MP Matt Keogh and Senator Glenn Sterle.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and WA MP Madeleine King. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

South Australian senator Don Farrell told media the group had been formed to support coal workers.

Ms King, who as opposition trade spokeswoman is Labor's most senior WA federal politician, said there was "nothing unusual about MPs having dinner in Canberra during sitting weeks".
Mumbai, Feb 13 : Investors on Thursday seemed to have ignored the Yes Bank rating downgrade by India Ratings and postponement of the bank's December quarter results after the private lender said it is in talks to raise funds with JC Flowers, one of the world's largest distressed asset investors.

The shares of Yes Bank on the BSE advanced over 6 per cent on Thursday, a day after the company said it had received non-binding expressions of interest (EOIs) from the likes of J.C. Flowers and Co. LLC, Tilden Park Capital Management LP, OHA (UK) LLP and Silver Point Capital.

The buzz on Dalal Street is largely owing to the possible entry of J.C. Flowers at this juncture when Yes Bank is facing a make or break situation. Its failure would send shock waves through the Indian financial system, which is already jittery about the bank's survival.

"Delaying the quarterly results shows that they are not ready to expose their books to the auditors. This strategy is unlikely to work. The fresh investments, even if it comes will take time but for now Yes Bank's situation is worrying and a public sector bank will have to rescue it," said Deepak Jasani of HDFC Securities.

India Ratings also said it believes raising sizable capital in the very near term could be challenging and could require various regulatory and other approvals.

The two decade old J. Christopher Flowers-led US firm made its name by turning around several distressed companies in the financial services sector. The company has invested in 56 portfolio companies in 18 countries.

A Harvard alumnus, Christopher Flowers had joined Goldman Sachs in 1979 and became the youngest partner in 1988. He founded J.C. Flowers in 1998, and is known for successfully turning around Japan's Shinsei Bank.

Yes Bank has borne the brunt of several ratings downgrades due to the uncertainty over its capital infusion plan. A number of rating firms have red flagged the bank's exposure to stressed projects too.

The lender was earlier forced to turn down a $1.2 billion investment offer by Erwin Singh Braich as his offer announcement could not muster much confidence among investors on the Dalal Street.

Besides, Yes Bank's ex-independent director Uttam Prakash Agarwal has alleged that the bank's top boss is in violation of several regulatory norms.

The rating agency ICRA noted that Yes Bank's solvency profile remains weak with net NPA/CET of 36 per cent as on September 30, 2019.

Owing to uncertainty over its future, the bank, once billed as a favourite of traders, has gained the reputation of being one of the biggest wealth destroyers in the market.

The Yes Bank stock closed on Thursday on the BSE at Rs 37.20 per share - plummeting from a high of Rs 285.90 on April 4, 2019.

(Ravi Dutta Mishra can be contacted at ravidutta.m@ians.in)
Rival forces clashed in the Libyan capital Thursday, causing new civilian casualties in the grinding conflict a day after a UN Security Council resolution called for a "lasting ceasefire".

The resolution was the council's first since eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive last April to seize Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

But the text, which calls in particular for the consolidation of a fragile truce observed since January 12, has not yielded the desired results.

A new round of violence on the southern outskirts of the Libyan capital on Thursday left civilians dead and wounded.

Tripoli's sole functioning airport of Mitiga, frequently shut down by violence, announced it was again suspending flights following a rocket strike.

Witnesses heard explosions in the largely agricultural area of Machrou al-Hadhba about 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the Tripoli city centre.

GNA spokesman Moustafa al-Mejii confirmed fighting had broken out in the suburb.

Rockets also struck residential neighbourhoods, killing one woman and wounding four other civilians, according to a spokesman for the health ministry, Amin al-Hachimi.

Attack 'repelled'

Mejii accused pro-Haftar forces of repeatedly violating the ceasefire called for by outside powers Russia and Turkey.

"Haftar's militias tried to advance in the region of Machrou al-Hadhba, but our forces repelled the attack," he said.

Despite the truce, there has been sporadic fighting almost every day near Tripoli.

Arms have continued to flow into the country even since world leaders agreed at a summit in Berlin to end all foreign interference in Libya and uphold a UN embargo.

The UNSC resolution adopted Wednesday affirmed "the need for a lasting ceasefire in Libya at the earliest opportunity, without pre-conditions".

It also called for continued negotiations by a joint military commission set up in January between the two sides, with the goal of achieving a "permanent ceasefire".

Tripoli residents organised a demonstration last week against Haftar's offensive. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP/File)

This would include a monitoring system, a separation of forces and confidence-building measures.

The commission's Geneva meeting ended Saturday without a resolution, but the UN proposed resuming talks from February 18.

The Security Council resolution, drafted by Britain, was approved by 14 votes out of 15, with Russia abstaining.

London had chosen to keep a mention of the council's "concern over the growing involvement of mercenaries in Libya", terminology that had been the subject of weeks of wrangling, reflecting the deep international divisions over Libya.

Russia had pushed to replace the word "mercenaries" with "foreign terrorist fighters," but was unsuccessful.

Russian mercenaries

Moscow has been accused of sending several thousand mercenaries from private Russian security company Wagner to support Haftar, who controls much of southern and eastern Libya. Russia denies the accusations.

Apart from Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan have bolstered Haftar, who backs a rival to the GNA in the country's east.

On the other side, Turkey has been accused of sending hundreds of pro-Turkish Syrian fighters to support the GNA.

Libya has been subject to a much-abused arms embargo since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moamer Khadhafi.

Tripoli's Batata neighbourhood has been hit by the latest violence despite UN calls for a ceasefire. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP)

Earlier in February, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the embargo "remains violated" and slammed continued foreign interference in Libya as a "scandal".

At the end of 2019, a UN report highlighted the UAE, Turkey and Jordan as regular violators of the embargo, and said foreign combatants including from Sudan and Chad, had been recruited by both sides.

The UN says more than 1,000 people have died in the clashes between Haftar and the GNA since April, while another 140,000 have been displaced.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused pro-Haftar forces of having used cluster munitions in a residential area in Tripoli on December 2.

"Using cluster munitions shows reckless disregard for the safety of civilians," said Stephen Goose, the group's arms division director, in a statement.
Terrifying violence aimed at New York Police Department officers took place over the weekend in the Bronx.

A lone gunman allegedly shot at police officers in two incidents  one late Saturday and another in the police precinct on Sunday. Cops arrested the gunman, and two officers suffered minor injuries and have been released from the hospital.

But perhaps the more long-term damage was done to the quality of public discourse in our city. Leaders took the shooting as an opportunity to push back against justified police protests. Mayor Bill de Blasio essentially accused demonstrators of "aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere."

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea stated that "these things," referring to protests against police use of force and the cop shootings, "are not unrelated."

These comments are intellectually dishonest. They wrongly connect someone who appears to be a mentally disturbed shooter to New Yorkers exercising their constitutional rights. But more than that, they ignore the very real struggles of people being victimized by cops daily, not just in New York but all over the country.

Targeting people of color

The week prior to these shootings, hundreds of New Yorkers marched through Grand Central Terminal protesting the presence of police on subways.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference concerning two police involved shootings, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020.

The demonstrators objected to, among other things, the excessive use of force and inappropriate tactics that subway police sometimes employ. Moments, like the one earlier this month when a cop pushed a teenager out of a subway station who was attempting to walk through an open gate, have been caught on video and gone viral on social media.

Yet the powers that be often look the other way. In that case, the NYPD stated that the video didn't tell the entire story and that the girl, who was African American, had tried to jump the turnstile. Students can ride for free with a school-issued subway card. The officer told the girl she could no longer ride the subway.

Story continues

Last year, an NYPD officer pulled a gun on another black teen who was sitting in a subway car with his hands in the air. Several officers can be seen in that viral video wrestling the young male, who does not appear to be resisting, to the ground.

There are stark racial biases reflected in the sanctions (including arrests and summonses) that the police impose for subway fare violations.

Last year, the city issued about 65,000 sanctions for subway fee evasion (that's about 180 sanctions per day). And about 85% of "theft of services" sanctions, which in addition to turnstile jumping can include other infractions like not paying for cab fare, involved New Yorkers of color who were either black or Hispanic.

Police are regularly directed to target black and brown communities and people, including on the subway system, according to a New York Times report about cops suing the NYPD for discrimination.

If that wasn't enough, recordings released recently of Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg reveal the former New York mayor's 2015 philosophy on policing and race. In a statement, he pushed cops to target minorities and encouraged officers to go where the crime was. For him, that meant black and brown communities.

Right after news of the shootings broke, de Blasio and Shea rushed to a harsh negative judgement. In an irresponsible act of intellectual dishonesty, they laid blame for the shootings at the feet of demonstrators.

No city official or agency, including the police, has established a link between the protests and the apprehended shooter, Robert Williams.

By many accounts, Williams, 45, has led a miserable and violence-prone life. His first encounter with police came when he was 14, for robbery. He returned to the system multiple times and was released from prison in 2017 after serving a lengthy sentence for attempted murder.

According to reports, the accidental shooting death of Williams' son, Robert Williams Jr., drove him over the edge. A case can be made that Williams' repeated encounters with law enforcement, including long stretches in prison, turned him into a ticking time bomb.

Criticizing protesters is a diversion

New York isn't the only major city targeted by protesters, and de Blasio and Shea aren't the first government and law enforcement officials to make pronouncements calling for legitimate protesters to tamp down their rhetoric.

Attorney General William Barr made similar statements in December when speaking to cops during an awards ceremony. He stated that if communities (meaning protesters) don't show sufficient respect to police, "they might find themselves without the police protection they need."

These comments intentionally seek to divert attention from a central, relevant truth. For the many New Yorkers (and I would say protesters nationwide) who fear, loathe and distrust the police, there are all-too-substantive reasons: the daily targeting, harassment and harm inflicted on poor people and people of color.

Until policymakers take steps to end rather than protect and promote these abusive, biased practices, the protests will continue.

And they should.

The demonstrators carrying them out, protected by our Constitution's Bill of Rights, should not have to fear verbal attacks from the most powerful officials representing our government.

Robert Gangi is the founder and executive director of the Police Reform Organizing Project. Follow him on Twitter: @GangiFromProp

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Connecting protesters to police shooting distracts from issues of brutality, bias
After a Delhi court adjourned for February 17 the hearing on the plea of the state and Nirbhaya's parents seeking issuance of the death warrant, her mother Asha Devi on Thursday hoped that the death warrant would be issued against the four convicts on February 17.

"I have full faith in the Supreme Court. I am hoping that the death warrant is expected to be issued on Monday (February 17). One day, all the four convicts will be hanged," Asha Devi told media here.

A Delhi court adjourned the hearing as a petition challenging the rejection of the mercy plea of convict Vinay Kumar Sharma is pending before the Supreme Court.

The lawyers of the victim's parents have objected to adjourning the matter for February 17, and have asked for hearing the matter on February 15.

The Patiala House Court observed that Article 21 of the Constitution protects the life and liberty of the convicts till the last breath of life.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court reserved the order on the issue of rejection of mercy petition of Vinay Kumar Sharma, one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case.

A bench of Justice R Banumathi heard the case and the order has been reserved for Friday at 2 pm.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Delhi government, said that convict Vinay Sharma was not kept in solitary confinement as it was argued by convict's lawyer AP Singh in the Supreme Court.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalising of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, by six people including a juvenile in Delhi. She died at a Singapore hospital a few days later.

One of the five adults accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail during the trial of the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress [NDC] has accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of always making things up to confuse Ghanaians.



Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia claims the Second Gentleman of the land behavorial conduct depicts that of a retired magician  adding that, he jokes a lot.



He doesnt bring out facts when addressing issues. What he does is concert and his irritating laughter. He behaves like a magician leaving his audiences confused . . . even today magicians have stopped working, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie.



Dr Bawumia, at the Town Hall Meeting in Kumasi Tuesday, said the NDC should provide facts that are veriable to challenge his claims.



In his presentation, the Vice President also pointed out that any professional or economist who does not put what he learnt from textbooks into practice is likely to "end up mismanaging the economy with Akonfem Economic Management Techniques, with disastrous results."



He challenged the NDC to present a contrary set of data to contest all what he had put out and not resort to "insults or running away to Burkina Faso".



Discussing the NPPs Town Hall meeting and Results Fair in Kumasi, General Mosquito said most of the results claimed to have achieved by the NPP are questionable.



He thinks he has gotten some Ghanaians who are toys . . . , he told host Kwesi Aboagye.



Listen to interview....







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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.

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MBABANE  Tensions reached boiling point when ETVA CEO Bongani Sigcokosiyancinca Dlamini verbally attacked the seven-member team that was elected to probe State-owned media houses.



The team was tasked with probing a litany of allegations that had been made against the two State broadcast media houses.



Both Eswatini Television Authority (ETVA) and Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) were rocked by allegations of corruption, nepotism and maladministration, according to a motion that was moved by Motshane Inkhundla Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Magongo in October 28, 2019.

The motion requested that the House of Assembly elects a seven-member Select Committee to investigate serious allegations of corruption, nepotism and maladministration reported to be rampant at Eswatini TV and EBIS.



Team



The seven-member Select Committee includes Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini, Gege MP Musa Kunene, Lobamba MP Allen Stewart, and Dvokodvweni MP Mduduzi Magagula.



The team was given 60 days, after passing of the motion, to table a report with its findings and recommendations.

Before Sgcokos submissions, Gege MP Kunene, who is the Chairperson of the committee, submitted that they were sent by Parliament to investigate the allegations made against the television station.



He made it clear that yesterday, they had only gone to the TV station to tour the building to have a picture of which offices the different people who would be making submissions were working in.



It was after this submission that Sgcoko was given a chance to make brief remarks.

That is when Sgcoko launched his attack and said it seemed he was the one being probed.

He said he was of the view that he was the one being probed as on a yearly basis, there were always investigations being done at the television station but there were never outcomes of these probes.



Umangabe ungumuntfu, unengati, ugcina sewudziniwe, said Sgcoko.

That can be translated to mean that every living person ends up getting tired at some point.

He said he also had his own grievances that needed to be addressed but highlighted that he had a challenge of not having the terms of reference of the probe to find out what the key areas that would be touched on were, so that he could add to what troubled him.



Sgcoko was called to order after he made a statement to the effect that he was troubled by the fact that he was being investigated by people who needed to be investigated themselves. Lokuhlupha mine chair kutsi ngiphenywa bantfu lekumele kutsi baphenywe nabo, Sgcoko said.

As soon as he had made this statement, he was swiftly stopped by MP Kunene who said: Kahle CEO (stop CEO).



Interjected



Before he could talk any further, Ndzingeni MP Lutfo interjected and said he did not want to sit in a meeting where there would be contemptuous statements made about Parliament.

Lutfo said Sgcoko needed to accept that they were sent by Parliament to do the job other than making the contemptuous statements. He clarified that they did not come to him but to the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).



Nanikukhuluma kabi nge Phalamende mine nitongikhandza nginimele langephandle because mine I know why I am here, said the Ndzingeni MP.

This can be translated to mean; If you speak ill of Parliament, you will find me waiting outside, I know why I came here. Sgcoko also quickly interjected and asked why he was not given a chance to make his submissions before he could be corrected where there were contemptuous statements.



He further stated that he was the CEO of the station and it was not in his mandate to take the committee on a tour as there were no terms of reference.

He also mentioned that there was a Board of directors at the television station.



MP Kunene then seized the opportunity to once again caution Sgcoko where he mentioned that if the probe was meant for him individually, they would request him to be relieved of his duties while they investigated him but since it was not about him, he was at work.

There is no one who is accused of anything as yet; anyone found to have done a crime will be known after submissions yet to be made by the people.

Please do not feel like we are here to victimise or charge you, he said. MP Lutfo again asked if they were not allowed to tour the building while stating that they wanted a yes or no answer.



Reasons



Under Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Ntombifuthi Sukati, who was standing in for the Principal Secretary, Maxwell Masuku, corrected Sgcoko on the reasons the committee was there.



We should look at it from the positive side, maybe they are here to clear your name and put an end to the investigations you said were being done to you on a yearly basis, she said.



It was then that Sgcoko responded tranquilly to request the committee not to come rough at them.

I, Sigcokosiyangcinca have a problem with this because the way it is relayed does not give me confidence in as far as fair play and in partiality to it is concerned. I do not want to find myself in the deep end, he said.



Sgcoko stated that he was also worried by that while Parliament claims there was confidentiality, he was afraid to make submissions because he had already been told that he had made contemptuous statements. He said the best way to have a consultative participation was through ensuring that everyone had a chance to voice out their aspirations. He said the person being investigated also had a right to be informed way before the actual investigation.

This investigation is giving me a problem because there is no write-up that is going to make everyone geared up for the investigation, stated Sgcoko.

Understood

Lutfo said he understood Sgcoko and thanked him for reconsidering his earlier statement.

Nami I allowed my emotions kutsi ahambe embili, said Lutfo. He asked that what Sgcoko said not be taken into the final report to be delivered in Parliament as he was not under oath when he said it.
Adani Transmission rose 2.50% to Rs 342.95 after consolidated net profit jumped 32.53% to Rs 203.67 crore in Q3 December 2019 (Q3 FY20) as against Rs 153.67 crore reported in Q3 December 2018 (Q3 FY19).

Total income rose 0.05% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 2,835.72 crore in Q3 FY20. Profit before tax spurted 17.83% to Rs 304.54 crore Y-o-Y. Total tax expenses rose 16.30% to Rs 131.10 crore during the period under review. Operational EBITDA grew 37% to Rs 1114 crore in Q3 FY20 from Rs 814 crore in Q3 FY19. The Q3 figures were released during market hours today, 13 February 2020.

Operational revenue for transmission segment grew 18% to 679 crore Y-o-Y. Revenue for distribution segment fell 1% to Rs 1,893 crore during the period under review.

Speaking on the performance of the company, Gautam Adani, chairman, Adani Group, said, "There is abundant potential and significant growth in India's transmission sector in the coming years. With the government core focus towards the objective of 24x7 Power for all, Adani Transmission with its wide spread network and continuous growth looks forward to expand its business at large. We are increasingly working towards building strong relations between India and other countries via acquisitions and partnerships to ensure improvisation in reliability of power supply and consumer satisfaction in our services. Adani Transmission is strivingtowardsnation building and fueling sustainability and we will continue to explore opportunities for growth by leveraging our strong transmission network."

Anil Sardana, managing director & CEO of Adani Transmission, said, "Adani Transmission delivered robust financial performance in Q3, with operational EBITDA of Rs. 1,114 crores, up 37%, and consolidated PAT of Rs. 204 crores, up 32% yoy. This was strongly driven by superlative operational performance. With a growing economy, the demand for power has also increased rapidly over the years and with these growth, coupled with Make in India and Smart Cities will further drive power industry at large. Toward this effort, ATL's focus in FY20 has been in strengthening long-partnerships, expanding our grid network and enhancing customer centricity by supplying power to deficit parts of the country. Our recent acquisitions will make us the country's largest private sector transmission company in India. Through leveraging technology, innovation and commitment to transmitting bulk green power, we always make efforts to deliver and fuel country's power demands."

ATL has completed transaction of 25.1% stake sale in Adani Electricity Mumbai (AEML) with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) on 10 February 2020. The total QIA investment in AEML is approximately Rs 3,220 crore, which includes equity consideration of approximately Rs 1,210 crore and shareholder subordinated debt of approximately Rs 2,010 crore.

Adani Transmission operates as a power transmission company.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New attorney general Suella Braverman has been appointed the governments chief legal adviser just days after unleashing a broadside against unelected, unaccountable judges who she accused of encroaching on the powers of politicians and threatening the supremacy of parliament.

In a blogpost on 27 January, the keen Brexiteer said that parliament must seize back control not only from the European Union but also the courts.

As attorney, Ms Braverman will not have direct control over the legal system, though she will oversee the Crown Prosecution Service.

But her appointment signals a willingness by Boris Johnson to tread on judicial toes as he forces through potentially fundamental changes with the Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission which he plans to establish.

The prime minister is thought still to be smarting from his humiliation at the hands of the Supreme Court when it ruled his suspension of parliament unlawful last September.

Ms Braverman said she was pleased at the plans for the Commission to ensure that the boundaries of judicial review are appropriately drawn as well an update of the Human Rights Act to restore the proper balance between the rights of individuals, national security and effective government.

Writing for the ConservativeHome website last month, Ms Braverman identified the ruling as one of a series of examples - alongside the judgement on the triggering of Brexit talks under Article 50 - of chronic and steady encroachment by the judges into political territory.

In both cases, judges overruled the executive in a way which allowed MPs greater scrutiny of ministerial plans for Brexit.

But Ms Braverman framed them as an infringement of the sovereignty of the Commons.

Restoring sovereignty to Parliament after Brexit is one of the greatest prizes that awaits us, she wrote. But not just from the EU.

As we start this new chapter of our democratic story, our Parliament must retrieve power ceded to another place  the courts.

Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government  and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty

Ms Braverman said: Repatriated powers from the EU will mean precious little if our courts continue to act as political decision-maker, pronouncing on what the law ought to be and supplanting Parliament.

To empower our people we need to stop this disenfranchisement of parliament.

Traditionally, parliament made the law and judges applied it. But today, our courts exercise a form of political power. Questions that fell hitherto exclusively within the prerogative of elected ministers have yielded to judicial activism: foreign policy, conduct of our armed forces abroad, application of international treaties and, of course, the decision to prorogue Parliament.

The use of judicial reviews to check the authorities had exploded as a result of the passage of the Human Rights Act in 2000, which had stretched the concept of fundamental human rights beyond recognition, she said.

I dont challenge the quality of our judges, but I do question their trespass into inherently political terrain for which a legal answer is wholly insufficient, wrote Ms Braverman, a barrister by training.

Yes, courts should operate to curb abuse of power by government but if a small number of unelected, unaccountable judges continue to determine wider public policy, putting them at odds with elected decision-makers, our democracy cannot be said to be representative. Parliaments legitimacy is unrivalled and the reason why we must take back control, not just from the EU, but from the judiciary.
BharatBenz, the domestic brand of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of the German automobile manufacturer Daimler AG, has selected DDB Mudra Group to be its integrated marketing and communication agency following a multi-agency pitch. The integrated marketing account will be handled by DDB Mudra, 22feet Tribal WW and OMD Mudra Max.

The Group will work on creative brand strategy, digital marketing and media buying and planning.

DDB Mudra Groups 2020 communications plan for BharatBenz will focus on a people and culture first approach, which is the cornerstone for DDB Mudra Groups proprietary strategic tool  emotional advantage. Emotional advantages core beliefis that although human beings choose to believe they make logical choices, they are in fact driven by emotions. This deep understanding of social and cultural contexts played a significant role in developingthe overall communications strategy.

Commenting on the win, Sujay Ghosh, Executive Vice President & Business Partner, DDB Mudra South, said, BharatBenz is an iconic brand which is synonymous with technology and innovative products. We wanted BharatBenzs consumers to have an emotional connect and to do that we immersed ourselves in the lives of truck drivers and fleet owners. Going beyond panel conversations and interviews, the team travelled to trucking hubs interviewing fleet owners and even sharing meals with drivers. These conversations informed our strategy and helped us visualise realistic, medium agnostic narratives. We look forward to creating path-breaking work that connects meaningfully with the audience and create more growth opportunities for the brand.

Speaking on the decision to award the mandate to DDB Mudra Group, Rajaram Krishnamurthy, Vice President, Marketing & Sales  Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), said, We wanted a strategic partner who could understand and resonate with the ethos of our brand. With DDB Mudra Group, we found a team thats passionate, enthusiastic and ready to push the boundaries. We look forward to this great partnership taking the BharatBenz brand to the next level.
A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Turnover of trade 2021, November

Published: 13 February 2020

Growth rate of turnover in trade slowed down in December

According to Statistics Finland, growth in turnover in total trade adjusted for working days slowed down towards the end of 2019, just slightly rising by 0.1 per cent in December from one year ago. Over the same time period, the working day adjusted volume of sales, from which the impact of prices has been eliminated, fell by 0.4 per cent. The contraction in wholesale trade weakened the development of both turnover and sales volume in December.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G), %

Among industries of trade, most growth was recorded in motor vehicle trade, where working day adjusted turnover grew in December by 9.5 per cent and sales volume by 8.6 per cent from December 2018. In wholesale trade, working day adjusted turnover and sales volume fell from the year before. In wholesale trade, turnover contracted by exactly two per cent and sales volume by 2.5 per cent. In retail trade both working day adjusted turnover and sales volume increased by good half a per cent. Growth in retail trade was affected by the positive development of daily consumer goods trade (1.9%), while turnover decreased in specialised store trade (-0.3%) and department store trade (-2.3%). The big difference in the development of turnover and sales volume particularly in daily consumer goods trade and department store trade is due to rise in prices.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in industries of trade, December 2019, % (TOL 2008)

Turnover and sales volume declined from the previous month

Seasonally adjusted turnover in total trade fell by 0.3 per cent in December from November. Over the same time period, the volume of sales fell by 0.5 per cent. In November, turnover and sales volume both remained almost on level with the previous month.

Change in seasonally adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G) from the previous month, %

During January to December, turnover in total trade adjusted for working days grew by 0.8 per cent and sales volume by 0.4 per cent from the corresponding period in 2018.

Trend of turnover and sales volume in total trade

The calculation of indices of turnover of trade is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and they may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months.

Industries of enterprises have been revised in the data released in February

Starting from the statistical release published in February 2020, the latest industries defined by the Business Register have been taken into use in the turnover and wage and salary indices. The industry corrections are visible as revised data in some of the published industries for the years 20182019. The effects of the changes are taken into consideration in statistics production so that no breaks occur in the time series of the published index series. The interpretation of the statistics also remains unchanged in the renewal. Revisions to annual changes in industries are presented under Revisions in these statistics.

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Suvi Kiema 029 551 3509, Reetta-Maria Salokannel 029 551 3657, palvelut.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko

Publication in pdf-format (292.9 kB)

Updated 13.02.2020

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Turnover of trade [e-publication].

ISSN=1799-0939. December 2019. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 11.1.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/klv/2019/12/klv_2019_12_2020-02-13_tie_002_en.html
Oil posted the biggest gain in almost six weeks as signs that the spread of Asias coronavirus may be slowing boosted investor confidence that crudes sell-off has peaked.

Futures in New York climbed 2.5% on data from China that showed a drop in suspected coronavirus infections. The positive sentiment was largely undeterred by a government report showing U.S. crude stockpiles posted the largest build since November.

Markets are pricing in that we may have hit peak coronavirus fear, said Daniel Ghali, a commodities strategist at TD Securities. Investors that were bearish are thinking they want to start to take their foot off the pedal.

PREVIOUSLY: Oil clinches gain despite Russia indecision on OPEC+ output cut

Prices have also drawn some support from signals that OPEC and its partners may intervene to shore up the market. The coalition slashed its estimate for demand growth in the first quarter by 440,000 barrels a day, as the coronavirus hits fuel consumption in China. In a meeting with Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Russias key oil producers voiced support for the idea of extending OPEC+ output cuts into the second quarter, but made no final decision.

Saudi Arabia has been the strongest advocate for production cuts of an additional 600,000 barrels a day. Russia has remained noncommittal, saying more time was needed to study the proposal.

The Energy Information Administration reported that nationwide crude inventories rose 7.46 million barrels last week, more than double the 3.2 million-barrel increase forecast by analysts in a Bloomberg survey. The report also showed a surprise gasoline draw of 95,000 barrels.

Gasoline futures surged 4.4%, the biggest rise increase since September, after a fire broke out overnight at Exxon Mobil Corp.s Baton Rouge oil refinery in Louisiana, halting production at the fifth-biggest fuel-making plant in the U.S.

FUEL FIX: Daily energy news right to your inbox. It's magic!

West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery gained $1.23 to settle at $51.17 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent for April settlement climbed 3.3% to settle at $55.79 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London, putting its premium over WTI at $4.38.

The markets structure also showed signs of strengthening with the discount on front-month Brent contracts versus the second month narrowing to 12 cents, suggesting fears of a supply glut may be easing.

Still, discounts have held for Brent contracts for the majority of 2020, a pattern known as contango that typically reflects oversupply.

Weve seen a lift because in the very near term, its all about the virus, says Judith Dwarkin, chief economist at RS Energy Group. Until were out of the woods the market will be laser focused on slowing demand growth and if OPEC waits to implement cuts until April, it may be too late to deal with the bulge in supply.

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Marie Yovanovitch received a standing ovation from a crowd of diplomats while accepting an award at Georgetown University, where the ousted ambassador delivered a speech warning the State Department was in trouble under Donald Trump.

The former US ambassador to Ukraine was removed from her post in April 2019 following a covert effort by the presidents personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and others to have her taken out of the State Department.

Shortly after, Mr Trump urged the newly-elected Ukrainian president to launch investigations into one of his 2020 political rivals, Joe Biden, as well as unfounded allegations of Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election.

Ms Yovanovitch, who then served as a key figure in the presidents impeachment, said on Wednesday that the State Department was being hollowed out while individuals who lack policy vision, moral clarity and leadership skills were taking over.

Vacancies at all levels go unfilled, she said, and officers are increasingly wondering whether it is safe to express concerns about policy, even behind closed doors.

During the speech, Ms Yovanovitch called for US diplomacy to take on a principled, consistent and trustworthy approach, adding: To be blunt, an amoral, keep-them-guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul.

At some point, the once unthinkable will become inevitable, she continued, that our allies who have as much right to act in their own self interest as we do, will seek out more reliable partners whose interests might not align well with ours.

Ms Yovanovitch served in US foreign policy under Democratic and Republican presidents throughout the course of her over 30-year career in diplomacy.

She later delivered testimony to the US House of Representatives during its impeachment inquiry into Mr Trump.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly declined to intervene in Ms Yovanovitchs removal from the State Department, and has failed to publicly defend the career diplomat after the apparent smear campaign on the part of the presidents attorney.

Story continues

The crowd at Georgetown University was reportedly comprised of both diplomats and students who cheered for Ms Yovanovitch as she received the award.

Ms Yovanovitch also received a standing ovation from the crowd following her testimony on Capitol Hill  a rare occurrence during congressional hearings.

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Marie Yovanovitch receives standing ovation after Trump attacks her
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar  Thu, February 13, 2020 16:59 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064582c2 1 World coronavirus,COVID-19,Japan,quarantine,Wuhan-coronavirus,Indonesian,Foreign-Ministry Free

For Ketut Januartika, working aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored off Japan's coast has not been easy, especially amid fears of contracting the Wuhan coronavirus himself.

When he first departed from Bali to work on the cruise ship on Jan. 20, the novel coronavirus, now named COVID-19, was in the news. At that time it had already infected hundreds in China and some other countries, but the Balinese man said he never expected the virus would affect his work.

The 28-year-old, who has worked as a buffet steward with the Diamond Princess since 2014, said everything had been normal inside the cruise ship until it arrived off the coast of Japan last week. It has been quarantined since Feb. 4.

But as the quarantine continues, it is still business-as-usual for the crew members on the ship  including 78 Indonesian nationals  who have to work normally, albeit anxiously, to serve passengers stuck on the ship.

All passengers are asked to stay inside their cabins, he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday evening, "So, every day, we deliver food to all the passengers isolated in their cabins."

The Diamond Princess, carrying 3,711 people, has been quarantined off Yokohama since last week after a former passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to have the new coronavirus.

Authorities initially tested nearly 300 people who had close contact with the former passenger or who had shown symptoms, but the testing pool was expanded gradually as new cases were detected.

Read also: Cruise ship rejected by four nations runs out of options

Those who tested positive for the virus have been taken to local medical facilities, while those who remain on board have been confined to their cabins and allowed only briefly onto open decks.

Januartika said crew members had taken precautions by wearing masks and gloves while carrying out their duties to prevent infection.

We always wear masks and gloves. Every time we've finished sending food and beverages to the passengers' cabins, we wash our hands and change our gloves, the native of Klungkung regency said.

There is also hand sanitizer at every door. So the maximum level of cleanliness is implemented, he said.

As of Thursday, Japan had tested 713 people onboard and had confirmed that 218 had tested positive for COVID-19, AFP reported.

Januartika said he worried about contracting the virus but noted there was nothing the crew members could do besides waiting for the quarantine to finish and Japanese authorities to allow them to return home.

The cruise management has provided all crew members free internet access during the 14-day isolation period. Januartika has used it to connect with his family in Bali, who have been worrying about his condition, to tell them he is fine.

"I will let fate take its course. I just hope everything will be fine until the quarantine finishes and I can go home soon," he said.

All Indonesian crew members working on the ship were in good condition, he added.

We are fine. Be grateful that all of us are well. None of the Indonesians have been infected by coronavirus, Januartika said, I hope that when we return home to Indonesia, authorities will not complicate the process by doing excessive examinations. We have been tired out on the ship, he said.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that none of the 78 Indonesians working on board the Diamond Princess had shown symptoms of the coronavirus.

Read also: Sabang mayor calls for cruise ship to delay arrival in wake of coronavirus outbreak

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has maintained active communication with the Indonesian citizens through a WhatsApp group chat and has provided them with logistical support, which includes a supply of vitamins.

The Foreign Ministry is working with the Transportation Ministry to enlist the support of the manning agency that employs the Indonesian crew members to ensure their safety.

The ministry noted that, in accordance with the Japanese authorities, the isolation period would end on Feb. 19 if there were no further developments. (rfa)
By Trend

The results of the 35th Khatai constituency in Baku at the recent parliamentary elections were cancelled at the meeting of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC), Trend reports on Feb. 13 referring to CEC.

It was noted that during consideration of the appeals, it was revealed that there were violations in this constituency that did not allow determining the will of the voters of this constituency.

A proposal was made at the meeting to annul the results of this constituency and as a result of the voting, the proposal was accepted.

Rauf Abbasov was the leading candidate in this constituency.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Feb. 13

By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:

The Turkmen-Romanian consultations on consular affairs were held in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan, Trend reports with reference to the ministry.

Director General of the Consular Affairs Department of the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry Muntean Valentin Ciprian headed the Romanian delegation.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a number of issues related to the enhancement of the process of providing the consular services including the exchange of experience between the corresponding organizations of Turkmenistan and Romania.

Also taking into consideration the process of digitalization of various spheres of public and private sectors of Turkmenistan, the parties agreed to develop cooperation on providing the necessary consular services given the rich experience of Romania.

Earlier, it was reported that Ashgabat and Bucharest had agreed on intensifying political and diplomatic efforts for potentially inking a political declaration on the creation of a transport and transit corridor connecting the Caspian to the Black Sea.

It is expected that Romania's Constanta may become a transshipment point of goods transported from the Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi to the EU, as well as from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the context of ensuring the access of goods from Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries to European markets.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Travis Radina, a local LGBTQ activist and Democrat, is running for City Council.

The 3rd Ward resident announced his campaign Thursday, Feb. 13, and pulled petitions from the city clerks office.

Hes seeking the seat held by incumbent Zachary Ackerman, whose term is up in November.

Ackerman said he will not seek re-election and is proudly supporting Radina.

During my tenure, Ive gotten the privilege to work with him on issues relating to the LGBTQ community, Ackerman said in a statement. I trust he will be a dedicated and effective representative for the people of the Third Ward.

Radina, a homeowner in the Arbor Oaks-Bryant neighborhood, is serving his fourth term as president of the Jim Toy Community Center, an organization that serves the LGBTQ and allied community of greater Washtenaw County and hosts the annual Ann Arbor Pride event.

He works as the University of Michigan Alumni Associations director of global alumni communities.

Im running for City Council because I believe that Ann Arbor residents pay for and deserve better than basic public services, because access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, because city hall should work well for all of our residents, and because we are in the midst of a housing and affordability crisis that is threatening our citys future, he said in a news release announcing his campaign.

Ann Arbor is already an exceptional place to live, but we still have work to do if we want the Ann Arbor of tomorrow to continue being a prosperous, inclusive and desirable place to live, work, raise a family and eventually retire.

Radina must collect 100 signatures and file by April 21 to appear on the Aug. 4 primary ballot.

The only other person who has pulled petitions in the 3rd Ward this election cycle is Catherine Hadley, who said she has decided not to run due to a new job commitment.

A Frankenmuth native, Radina attended UM from 2004 to 2008 and moved back to Ann Arbor in 2014.

He worked on the 2008 campaign to elect former Congressman Mark Schauer and spent five years working in the Michigan House for Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek.

He also served as vice chairman of the Delta Township District Library Board of Trustees and chairman of the Eaton County Democratic Party.

In 2018, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor appointed Radina to serve as LGBTQ liaison to the mayors office, a position he currently holds.

In that role, Radina said he has worked with all members of council and the citys Human Rights Commission to improve the lives of LGBTQ residents, while developing strong professional relationships with local officials.

Radina said hes running in part because he wants to help end factional bickering on City Council by finding common ground on issues when possible.

Unfortunately Im a little frustrated with some of the dysfunction and gridlock that has come from the bickering at times, he said, adding hes confident hed be able to work respectfully with every council member.

Even on the issues where we disagree, my style is that I would strive for a level of respect and civility that allows us to actually move on and work on the next issue together, he said. I think the people of Ann Arbor deserve better than just kind of gridlock and bickering because of the perception that people might not like one another. There are too many important issues that we need to resolve.

Radina said hes someone who makes up his mind issue by issue, and with each council member there are issues on which he agrees and disagrees with them.

His first responsibility, he said, would always be to listen to and represent 3rd Ward residents and he would be accessible and present in the community.

Radina said his candidacy is motivated in part by a desire to ensure City Council better reflects the diversity of Ann Arbor and to expand on the citys long history of leadership on human and civil rights.

Despite electing the nations first openly gay or lesbian public official  Kathy Kozachenko in 1974  there are not currently any openly LGBTQ members of council, Radina noted.

Additionally, Radina said, while Ann Arbor is one of the most highly educated, healthy and economically prosperous cities in Michigan, communities of color have not always shared in the distribution of wealth, educational attainment and job growth, and systematic inequities in both policy and decision-making must be addressed.

In his campaign announcement, Radina shared endorsement statements from Ann Arbor school board member Susan Baskett, LGBTQ activist Jim Toy and Washtenaw County Board Chairman Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor.

Radina would bring a much-needed, fresh perspective to City Council, Baskett said.

Our neighbors have been ignored far too long, she said. We deserve to be respected as a priority and not as an afterthought. Travis has experience working on behalf of those often marginalized by state and local government. Travis has shown that he will be accessible and proactive, and will fairly address the needs of everyone in the 3rd Ward."

Morgan called Radina a dedicated and thoughtful community leader who has already given so much back to Ann Arbor and smart, passionate, hardworking and collaborative.

He is someone I would be honored to work with to solve important local challenges, and as a 3rd Ward resident myself, I would be incredibly proud to call him my council member, Morgan said.

The LGBTQ community deserves an elected voice in city government and Radina should be it, Toy said.

As president of the Jim Toy Community Center and LGBTQ liaison to the mayor, Travis increased visibility for LGBTQ causes, advocated for our most marginalized residents, and was a champion for equal rights, he said. As our next council member, Travis will fight to make Ann Arbor more inclusive, equitable and fair for all our families.

Ackerman, who has held the seat since 2015 and was arrested last year for drunken driving, said he grew up in the 3rd Ward and loves it dearly and was thrilled when Radina approached him about running.

Radinas announcement, Ackerman said, echoes many of the themes on which I have governed: Great public services, responsive representation, an affordable community.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

First challenger announces 2020 campaign for Ann Arbor City Council

Zingermans baker, democratic socialist announces Ann Arbor council campaign

Former journalist running for Ann Arbor City Council

Ann Arbor library board leader announces City Council campaign

Anti-Israel activist and environmentalist running for Ann Arbor council

Walking and cycling advocate running for Ann Arbor council
The pace of inbound immigration to Canada  cited as the fastest among the G7 nations  is driving an unprecedented housing boom, according to Dominion Lending Centres chief economist Sherry Cooper.

In a recent analysis published at DLCs online portal, Cooper stated that this demand for more housing is also feeding into a greater need for professionals like construction workers and electricians  industries that are seeing an increasing proportion of immigrants.

Nearly half of all newcomers in the year ending September 30, 2019 went to Ontario, data from Statistics Canada showed. This amounted to approximately 209,200 immigrants, compared to the 89,400 that went to Quebec and the 65,000 that chose British Columbia.
The upcoming film entitled "The Trespasser's" lead star Song Ji Hyo and Kim Mu Yeol are showing the complete opposite sides of themselves.

Song Ji Hyo was a model for the Kiki Magazine before she was debuted as an actress. The reason why she chose the name "Song Ji-hyo" as her stage name was because she idolized two famous actors named Song Seung-heon and Song Hye-kyo. She has seen them both playing the main protagonists of "Autumn in My Heart."

Eventually, she was seen in Lee Soo-young's music videos "And I Love You" and JTL's "Just Say Goodbye." Song Ji Hyo also made a cameo appearance in the television series "Age of Innocence."

In the year 2003 after beating out 3000 actors in an audition, she made her film debut in "Wishing Stairs" which is the third installment of the horror film series Whispering Corridors."

In the 24th Blue Dragon Film Awards, she was nominated for the Best New Actress Blue Dragon Film Awards for her amazing performance in the film. And in the year 2004, she starred in the crime thriller' Some' in which she portrayed as a reporter.

Actor Kim Mu-yeol started out as a musical theatre actor and became successful in it. And the roles he played on stage are child murderers Richard/Nathan in Thrill Me and gambler Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls. In the year 2009 Korea Musical Awards, Kim Mu-yeol won Best Actor for his amazing performance in "Melchior in Spring Awakening."

It is a rock musical that dealt with such prohibited topics like teenage pregnancy, sexual and physical abuse, and homosexuality.

The mystery thriller film titled "The Trespasser" tells the story about Yoo Jin, a woman who went missing and returns home after 25 years and her older brother named Seo Jin the man who eventually finds himself growing more and more suspicious of his younger sister and the things that in the end was happening within the family.

"The Trespasser" is Director Song Won Pyung's first-ever feature film has opened up about the reason why she chose to cast Song Ji Hyo in the film and also mentioned Kim Mu Yeol.

Director Song Won Pyung expressed that she thought it was a shame that Song Ji Hyo always ended up playing roles that were bright and playful very similar to the personality she shows on variety shows. She added that she wanted to be able to discover the side of Song Ji Hyo as an actress that was cool, mysterious, and slightly depressed. That is why she chose to cast Song Ji Hyo for the role of Yoo Jin.

The director also mentioned Song Ji Hyo's co-star Kim Mu Yeol, who she said had to dampen his strong attitude for something more on the delicate side for this role. She also stated that she wants to see more of an emotional side from Kim Mu Yeol that we are yet to see so she gave him that challenge adding that Kim Mu Yeol is an actor that can do just about anything.

Lastly, Director Song Won shared that both of the actors contain a great sense about them that makes them quick to grip their roles, so both of them showed an energetic attitude during filming.

"The Trespasser" is scheduled to premiere on March 12, 2020.
A meatworker has been sentenced to life in jail after beheading a friend on a fishing trip.

Mohammed Khan was found guilty of the murder of Syeid Alam, 33, at the Supreme Court in Rockingham on Thursday.

Mr Alam went missing in April 2016 and his body found on the banks of Rockhampton's Fitzroy River, in central Queensland, 11 days later.

His head was found nearby wrapped up in a pair of jeans. A small axe was also found, the ABC reported.

Khan asked Mr Alam, a friend and co-worker, to go on a fishing trip but became enraged when the subject of his wife's infidelity was raised.

Khan's wife, Suparti Suparti, had been having an affair with Mr Alam's brother, Sha Alam Sha Alam, but they relationship had ended several weeks earlier.

The court heard how Khan had become violent when the issue of naked photos of Ms Suparti was raised.

Mohammed Khan (pictured) was found guilty of the murder of Syeid Alam, 33, at a Supreme Court trial in Rockingham on Thursday

Police used mobile location data and CCTV to track Khan to where Mr Alam was killed.

In his sentencing comments Justice Graeme Crow said the murder was shocking.

'You've had a difficult personal history, you've been offered a new chance at life in this country and you were prior to this offence working in Rockhampton and contributing to this community,' he told the court.

'However, the murder of your close friend is truly shocking.

'The beheading of any human being is truly horrendous.'

The jury heard how Mr Alam did forced labour after being captured by the Myanmar army 20 years ago.

He then fled to Bangladesh and Malaysia before getting a boat to Australia that took seven days.

The day Mr Alam's body washed up and his head, wrapped up in jeans, was found nearby (stock)

Mr Alam's wife has had difficulties with her visa and is struggling to support her children following her husband's death, the court heard.

Justice Crow said two of Mr Alam's sons are devastated while his youngest doesn't know his father.
Scientists from Brazil say that temperatures in Antarctica have surpassed 20.7C (68F) Celsius for the first time on record.

The record-setting temperatures, measured on Seymour Island this week and first reported by The Guardian, come just six days after similarly record breaking temperatures at an Argentinian research station at Esperanza which recorded a temperature of 18.3C.

While the temperatures have yet to be confirmed with the World Meteorological Organization, they reflect a broader trend throughout the rest of the region which have warmed by 3C (5.4F) over the past 50 years, according to the WMO.

At the Marambio Base on Seymour Island in Antarctica, Brazilian scientists say they recorded temperatures of 21.7C which breaks a record for the region set just a week ago

'We are seeing the warming trend in many of the sites we are monitoring, but we have never seen anything like this,' Carlos Schaefer, one of the scientists who works on the base told The Guardian.

Scientists say that the temperatures are likely influenced by El Nino events which have brought warm fronts to the region in addition to climate change.

News also caught the attention climate activist Great Thunberg who tweeted about the record temperature on Thursday.

Sweltering temperatures in Antarctica mirror revelations that January was the hottest month on record across the globe.

According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, last month was the warmest January in 141 years of climate records.

Record-warm temperatures were found in a range of country across the globe including Scandinavia, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the central and western Pacific, the Atlantic and Central and South America.

Land and ocean surface temperature was also the highest on record at 2.05 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average  surpassing the last record of 0.04 degrees set in 2016.

NOAA determined record-warm temperatures last month all over the globe including Scandinavia, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the central and western Pacific, the Atlantic and Central and South America. Land and ocean surface temperature was also the highest on record at 2.05 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average

NOAA revealed the Northern Hemisphere broke its January record with temperatures of 2.7 degrees above average, while the Southern Hemisphere had temperatures 1.4 degrees above average.

As oceans and atmospheric temperatures warm, Antarctica has born the brunt, especially Pine Island which is its most vulnerable glacier and is the single largest contributor to sea level rise of any ice stream in the world.

Since 2012, the glacier has been shedding 58 billion tons of ice a year.

Pine Island has been tracked for around 30 years and over this time it has seen its shape and position dramatically alter.

Calving events such as this one have been seen in 1992, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, and now 2020.

With each passing calving, the buttressing force of the glacier weakens and threatens to break, increasing the flow of ice from the land to the ocean.
What I just experienced? I never want to experience it here, said Zurek, 63, a concrete business owner who traveled last month to China with his wife, Annie, 60, to visit her family and meet their new baby granddaughter. After learning of the virus and cutting their visit short to return home after 10 days, the Zureks decided to quarantine themselves in their Highland, Indiana, home for about two weeks even though they havent shown any signs of the virus, like fever and cough.
Print Navigation: > News > > What's Slovak at Berlinale 2020



BERLINALE

International Film Festival Berlin Year: 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007



Slovak Cinema at Berlinale 2020

February 20 - March 1, 2020 | Berlin | Germany















REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SLOVAK FILM INSTITUTE IN BERLIN:



Peter Dubecky | Feb 21 - 25 | sfu@sfu.sk

Rastislav Steranka | Feb 21 - 25 | rastislav.steranka@sfu.sk

Kristina Aschenbrennerova | Feb 20 - 27 | kristina.aschenbrennerova@sfu.sk

Veronika Krejcova | Feb 20 - 27 | veronika.krejcova@sfu.sk

Lea Pagacova | Feb 20 - 24 | lea.pagacova@sfu.sk





This year, Slovakia will be present at the European Film Market in Berlin for the 15th time. Together with friends and colleagues from the Czech Republic and Slovenia, under the umbrella of the Central European Cinema, The Slovak Film Institute offers an informational and promotional point for Slovak cinema, and a networking place for Slovak film professionals and their international counterparts.



The Slovak Film Institute team is ready and happy to meet you at the Central European Cinema stand No. 111 in Gropius Bau. We will present recent Slovak films and co-productions, as well as treasures from the National Film Archive. The new edition of the catalogue Slovak Films 19  20, including the Slovak Film Guide will be also available, providing up-to-date information about recent Slovak cinema.



Come and meet us at the EFM!





Presentation of Slovak cinema and audiovisual industry at the European Film Market is organized by: Slovak Film Institute, with financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, and Slovak Film Commission, organizational unit of Slovak Audiovisual Fund, in partnership with SAPA - Slovak Audiovisual Producers Association and Slovak Institute in Berlin.



More information about EFM at www.efm-berlinale.de


President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation address in Cape Town on 13 February 2020, outlining the governments plan to resolve the load-shedding crisis at Eskom.

Ramaphosa said that load-shedding has had a debilitating effect on the economy of South Africa and has set back the countrys efforts to create jobs.

Every time it occurs, it disrupts peoples lives, causing frustration, inconvenience, and hardship, Ramaphosa said.

At its core, load-shedding is the inevitable consequence of Eskoms inability over many years  due to debt, lack of capacity and state capture  to service its power plants.

He added that in order for Eskom to conduct the maintenance necessary to improve the reliability of supply, load-shedding will remain a possibility for the immediate future.

Generation outside of Eskom

Ramaphosa added that where load-shedding is unavoidable, it must be undertaken in a manner that is predictable and minimises disruption to firms and households.

He said that the government is taking a number of measures to increase generation capacity outside of Eskom, including:

The development of additional grid capacity from renewable energy, natural gas, hydropower, battery storage. and coal.

The procurement of emergency power from projects that can deliver electricity into the grid within 3 to 12 months from approval.

Negotiating supplementary power purchase agreements to acquire additional capacity from existing wind and solar plants.

Enabling municipalities in good financial standing to procure their own power from independent power producers.

Dividing Eskom into three operating activities  generation, transmission and distribution  each of which will have its own board and management structures.

The social partners  trade unions, business, community and government  are committed to mobilising funding to address Eskoms financial crisis in a financially sustainable manner, Ramaphosa said.

This is a historic and unprecedented development since it demonstrates the commitment of all social partners to take the necessary actions and make the necessary sacrifices to secure our energy needs.

Ramaphosa said that this funding should be implemented in a manner that does not put workers pensions at risk or compromise the integrity of the financial system.

Through these immediate measures and the work underway to fundamentally restructure our electricity industry, we will achieve a secure supply of reliable, affordable and, ultimately, sustainable energy.

Expect more load-shedding

Ramaphosas address echoes a previous announcement from Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter that South Africans should expect more load-shedding as the power utility conducts sorely-needed maintenance on its power stations.

De Ruyter said that instead of continuing to defer maintenance, Eskom is now actively working on maintaining its power stations.

In the past, we neglected to perform scheduled maintenance as required, and those legacies are coming home and are causing us to have unreliable equipment, De Ruyter said.

This will cause us to have an increased probability of load-shedding over the medium-term as we fix the system, he added.

De Ruyter said that Eskom needs to and can be fixed, adding that he would not have accepted the position as Eskom CEO if he believed this could not be accomplished.

Now read: Eskom offers employees cash packages to leave the company
REUTERS

President Trump trashed his former Chief of Staff John Kelly on Thursday after the retired Marine Corps general finally let loose on his misgivings about Trumps behavior regarding North Korea, illegal immigration, military discipline, Ukraine, and the news media.

In a 75-minute speech and Q&A session at Drew University, first reported by The Atlantic, Kelly, who left the White House in early 2019, took some less-than-subtle shots at his former boss. He said ousted impeachment witness Alexander Vindman was rightly disturbed by Trumps infamous phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and was simply doing his job when he reported his concerns.

He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave, Kelly reportedly said. He went and told his boss what he just heard.

Trump hit back, suggesting Kellywhom he once called a Great Americanwas in way over his head as chief of staff and went out with a whimper and that he terminated him.

Trump then dragged Kellys wife into the fray, claiming she once promised that the four-star general would only speak well of Trump.

Anthony Scaramucci, the short-lived member of the Trump administration, and Kellyanne Conways husband George Conway, a vocal Trump critic, stepped in to defend Kelly.

But Trump critics werent ready to welcome Kelly into the fold, questioning his convenient discovery of a moral compass now, rather than during his time in the White House and as Homeland Security secretary.

Political analyst and prominent Never Trumper Bill Kristol said it would have been better to hear Kellys defense of Lt. Col. Vindman during the impeachment debate.

Nice to see John Kellys Please Forgive Me Tour is off to a strong start. Would have been nice if he had spoken out a long time ago, Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) tweeted.

If he despised the president so much why did he accept the chief of staff job after having served as DHS secretary? right-wing radio host Mark Levin tweeted.

Story continues

Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics, said he didnt care what Kelly had to say.

He disqualified any opinion hell ever have when, before the separation policy, he said stealing children from their parents would be a good way to deter other families. He also likely knows things about Trumps corruption he isnt sharing, he posted.

Kelly, who helped Trump enforce a policy of putting migrant children in cages, told the college audience Wednesday that he though migrants were overwhelmingly good people and not all rapists... and its wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times.

Since he left the White House, Kelly has served on the board of Caliburn International, which is the parent company of a firm that operates shelters for unaccompanied migrant children.

John Kelly Pushing Out Omarosa for Triggering Trump

He said he didnt support Trumps characterization of the press as the enemy of the people, and he was skeptical of Trumps lofty ambitions to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

President Trump triedthats one way to put it. But it didnt work, he said.

Kelly ran the Department of Homeland Security before being tapped by Trump to replace outgoing Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. He had a strained relationship with the president throughout his tenure, looking visibly troubled during Trumps Charlottesville speech and enduring persistent rumors of a rift with his boss.

On Wednesday, he said it was a killer working for Trump and he disagreed with the president a number of times. He said his wife, Karen, encouraged him to take the job at DHS in the Trump administration.

I frankly think he needs you and people like you, she told him, according to Kelly.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Want the human story on priestly celibacy? Talk to someone whos paid the price.

I am bitterly disappointed by the news that Pope Francis will not be relaxing priestly celibacy rules in remote parts of the Amazon. The idea  intended to make it easier to recruit priests in underserved areas  was supported by a Vatican conference in October, but in his papal document, released on Wednesday, Francis ignored their suggestion.

My interest in this isnt the mild curiosity of a lapsed Catholic. I am the child of a priest who broke his vow of celibacy and left a legacy of secrecy that was devastating to him, to my mother and particularly to me.

To hide my fathers broken vow, I was told that I was adopted. I did not know until I was 35 that my adoptive mother was actually my grandmother and my adoptive sister was, in reality, my mother. But even then, I wasnt told the whole truth. At the time, I was told my father had been a businessman from Pennsylvania.

If only I had known that my real father was the beloved young pastor of our local Polish parish in Norwood, Mass. He was a regular guest in our home, and we attended weekly Mass in his church. He died at the end of my freshman year at Smith College. I didnt find out until the age of 50, on the day of my birth mothers funeral, that the man I adored as Pate  my own nickname, short for the Latin pater  and the community knew as Father Hip was my father.
With rise in Omicron cases, SC to conduct hearings virtually for next two weeks

Can't allow every person who thinks of some solution to COVID-19 to file petition: SC

SC refuses to entertain plea on Gargi College incident, asks petitioner to approach high court

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at the all-woman Gargi College here last week.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde asked lawyer M L Sharma, who mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing, to move the Delhi High Court with his plea.

"Why don''t you go to the Delhi HC. If they dismiss the petition then you come here," the bench, also comprising justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, said.

Ten arrested in connection with molestation of women in Gargi College

The apex court said it would like to have advantage of Delhi HC''s view on this matter.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

Sharma expressed apprehension that electronic evidence related to the case might be destroyed.

On this, the top court said, "Delhi High Court can also pass order like the Telangana High Court in the police encounter case to preserve electronic evidence".

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 11:24 [IST]
The European Union will pay close attention to issues related to increasing trade with Ukraine, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi has said.

He said this at a joint briefing with Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk in Kyiv on Tuesday, February 11, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We are open to facilitate as much as we can trade between the EU and Ukraine. And therefore we agree that it is a priority to establish the ACAA - basically the synchronization of technical standards for industrial products so that we can facilitate trade. Our people will start working on this as a priority. And we will look at this issue very closely together and we will hopefully be in a position to make big progress, still this year, by starting the actual negotiations," Varhelyi said.

He also said that Ukraine and the EU should work on all areas "where we can bring growth and jobs back to Ukraine, especially when it comes to connectivity, when it comes to the Green Deal, energy, transport, education, everything that can contribute to making a strong economy in Ukraine."

Honcharuk, in turn, noted that the Ukrainian government and European partners are creating favorable conditions for Ukrainian exporters.

"Our priority is an 'industrial visa-free regime' with the European Union. That is, signing the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products. We expect the arrival of a preliminary assessment mission to start the negotiations," he said.

According to Honcharuk, Ukraine's latest task to start negotiations on the "industrial visa-free regime" was the adopted law on market surveillance authorities reducing pressure on businesses.

op
"The County will waive the alarm permit fee the installation of a new alarm system that includes private security or surveillance cameras or the upgrade of a current alarm system that includes such cameras."

Police SCRAM to become "Silent Partners" in neighborhood surveillance

"The Dunwoody Police Department has launched an initiative to make security cameras and license plate readers more efficient tools to solve and prevent crime."

"The Dunwoody Police Department already uses about 20 fixed ALPRs in high-traffic areas to capture images of license plates and to identify stolen vehicles, stolen tags and wanted suspects. Several businesses, apartment complexes and neighborhood groups have installed their own LPRs."

City and towns are creating new ways to expand neighborhood surveillance programs known as police cam-share programs An article in The Baltimore Sun revealed that the Baltimore County Council wants more businesses and homeowners to purchase CCTV surveillance equipment."The bill would create a voluntary private security camera registry for property owners with devices pointed toward a public right-of-way, according to the proposal. The program would map where cameras are located to help detectives identify possible security footage in areas where crimes happened."How do cities and towns expand police cam-share programs? By offering to waive permitting fees, thats how.That is what makes the Baltimore County Councils Bill unique from other police cam-share programs.The Baltimore County Council wants to create a neighborhood surveillance network by offering homeowners and businesses a savings of $34.00-$113.00."Under the proposal the county would waive alarm permitting fees for new alarm system installations  which start as low as $34 for homes and $113 for commercial buildings  that include private security or surveillance cameras if the owner signs up for the registry. The county would also waive fees for any updates to current alarm systems that include those cameras."The Sun goes on to say that the Lansing Police Department recently created "Security Camera Registry and Mapping" or SCRAM to expand their surveillance network.Talk about ironic, naming a police cam-share program SCRAM is exactly where a persons privacy will go when neighbors voluntarily use CCTV cameras to monitor everyone.The Sun also mentioned that police in three Rhode Island towns have created cam-share programs but not one of them has offered residents discounts to monitor their neighbors.An article in the Dunwood Crier reveals how police in Dunwoody, Georgia want businesses and residents to use license plate readers and CCTV surveillance cameras on their neighbors.Like the Baltimore County Council, Dunwoody police have taken their police cam-share program to another level by encouraging businesses, apartment complexes and neighborhood groups to share their automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data with them.The name of the Dunwoody police cam-share program is called "Silent Partners" which encourages so-called silent partners" to secretly monitor vehicles and people not suspected of committing a crime.
A teacher in Chicago has come under fire after he told a Hispanic student, who is a US citizen, to go back to her country after she didn't get up during the national anthem.

The teacher's remarks were made to a student at the Nicholas Senn High School last month, who said she remained seated during the anthem as part of a protest against police brutality, US immigration policies and anti-immigrant political rhetoric.

Yesica Salazar, 17, said the teacher responded by asking her if her legs were broken, and recalls she was told 'go back to my own country if I didn't want to stand.'

A teacher at the Nicholas Senn High School in Chicago has come under fire for telling a Hispanic student, who is a US citizen, to go back to her country when she did not stand during the national anthem, sparking a fury of protests

Students have posted images and footage on Twitter of their protests (pictured) demanding the teacher's removal. The instructor has not been identified, but has been described on social media as a gym teacher

'I felt very offended because my parents have fought hard to be part of this country,' the 17-year-old Salazar told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The four students held a sit-in at the school on Wednesday to protest what they called the school's slow response to their complaint as well as to urge the teacher's removal from the school.

'I felt like we were getting the run-around,' Salazar said, explaining why the protest was held.

The Jan. 30th incident has sparked fury within the Chicago Public Schools, which has responded with an investigation into the matter amid student protests.

The teacher has not been identified.

Social media has described the instructor as a gym teacher at the school, located on Chicago's north side.

A spokesperson was not immediately available when DailyMail.com reached out.

If the allegations are true, the teacher's comments would be a violation of the district's anti-discrimination policy.

'CPS is committed to fostering learning environments that embrace and support all students, and the alleged actions of the teacher in question run counter to our beliefs and priorities,' said district spokesman James Gherardi, the Associated Press reports.
You might remember Jerry Media (perhaps more popularly known as @fuckjerry) from their hand in promoting the Fyre Festival, which ended so badly that two feature documentaries were made about its epic failure. Now Mike Purzycki, the chief executive of Jerry Media, is the lead strategist on the Meme 2020 project, which is working with billionaire Michael Bloombergs presidential campaign in order to get influencers to post sponsored content about his candidacy.

The New York Times reports that in January, Purzycki was able to convince a number of Instagram influencers (most of whom he met through his association with Jerry Media) to produce what are effectively ads for Bloombergs campaign. The media campaign launched this week, with content from popular Instagram accounts @GrapeJuiceBoys (with more than 2.7 million followers), @Tank.Sinatra (more than 2.3 million followers) and @fuckjerry (which has more than 13.3 million followers), among others.

Each of the ads are formatted so that they appear to be screengrabs of Bloomberg DMing each of the influencers, pleading with them to make him look cool via meme. While each of the posts is openly disclosed as sponsored, some users were reportedly still confused about the validity of their appearance.

The @Tank.Sinatra ad reads: Mr. Tank: Ive been waiting for my meme for so long that I learned how to make memes myself in photoshop. What do you think of this one? Which is followed by a butchered meme of Bernie Sanders (Once again, Im asking for  ) in which Bloomberg asserts that while his finger might be somewhat on the pulse, it is absolutely not adept at Photoshop.

(Yes this is really sponsored by @mikebloomberg), reads the caption by @Tank.Sinatra.

The founder of @Tank.Sinatra, George Resch, seems to be the primary conduit between Meme 2020 and the community of posters that fuels it. He also posted a Bloomberg ad from the @GrapeJuiceBoys account.

In that ad, Bloomberg seems self-aware enough to know he needs serious help looking cool, but attests that his enormous wealth has given him some definite clout, announcing: I put Lamborghini doors on the Escalade.

Bloomberg again touts his extreme wealth in another ad with @fuckjerry, who says that creating a meme for the campaign would cost like a billion dollars. Bloomberg simply replies: Whats your Venmo?

Mike Bloomberg 2020 has teamed up with social creators to collaborate with the campaign, including the meme world, Sabrina Singh, a senior national spokeswoman for the Bloomberg campaign, said in a statement to the Times. While a meme strategy may be new to presidential politics, were betting it will be an effective component to reach people where they are and compete with President Trumps powerful digital operation.

The campaign also recently hired Eric Kuhn, who is famous in Hollywood for being the first self-described Social Media Agent, representing online talent through United Talent Agency.

According to The Daily Beast, the Bloomberg campaign is offering $150 for influencers to create pro-Bloomberg content through a service called Tribe that connects social media influencers with brands (which apparently Bloomberg is now).

It seems like Bloomberg is waving his money around wherever he thinks it might helpeven if it means accumulated losses for the Democratic party as a whole.

This story is wild. Democrats lost a very winnable seat in the Connecticut state House after the Democratic candidates campaign manager bolted for @MikeBloombergs campaign mere weeks before the election. https://t.co/g08VpSKjRRpic.twitter.com/Tc9pFxyOO7  Ben Spielberg (@BenSpielberg) February 13, 2020

As reported by The Intercept, Bloomberg lured away the campaign manager of Democratic hopeful Jennifer Lepper, who was vying for a seat in the Connecticut State House, just three weeks before the election. Leppers campaign began to flounder, and she lost the election by a mere 79 votes, giving Republicans the seat once again.

Whats even more important to realize, outside of humor and ragging, is that Bloomberg caused a volatile environment for black and brown residents of New York City for his entire tenure as mayor. Leftist nonprofit group Gravel spun their own version of a fictionalized DM between Bloomberg and them, criticizing the fact that none of these sponsored posts even scratch the surface of Bloombergs policies.

Excited to announce weve been sponsored by the Mike Bloomberg campaign! pic.twitter.com/2BtUwhIiov  The Gravel Institute (@GravelInstitute) February 13, 2020

Sure, Bloomberg isnt the first candidate to have memes propel his popularitySanders and Yang (who dropped out of the race earlier this week) had a bounty of memes and references surrounding their campaigns, though those generally came from their supporters as a way to spread their reasoning for supporting their respective candidates, mostly through humor and hopefulness for a better future. Bloomberg, in contrast, comes off as nothing more than a shill.
A guard tower and barbed wire-topped fences at an internment facility in the Kunshan Industrial Park in Artux, western China's Xinjiang region, on Dec. 3, 2018. Ng Han Guan/AP Photo

The Risk to Chinas Uyghurs From Coronavirus Demands Action

Commentary

The mistreatment of Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, China, can best be understood by focusing on a single victim.

Asa (pseudonym) had relocated to Egypt from Xinjiang for work. In 2015, she took her infant triplets to Xinjiang to visit her parents, thus commencing a three-year nightmare involving forced separation from her children, detentions in vocational training centres, witnessing the deaths of cellmates, and the death of one of her infants.

In 2018, the Egyptian Embassy helped Asa get out of prison. She and her two children are now refugees in the United States, but her experience reflects that of many Uyghurs.

The early concealment of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan for several weeks in December 2019 allowed it to infect many thousands in the region and spread now to 28 countries. Communist Party cadres opted initially to put secrecy ahead of admitting to a growing crisis. Dr. Li Wenliang, 34, who heroically alerted other doctors about the new virus, was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as unfounded and illegal. His death from the virus on Feb. 6 provoked a deluge of mourning and anger across China.

There are fears that the virus will spread to Xinjiang, where an estimated 1-3 million Uyghurs are held in hundreds of camps. Adrian Zenz, a leading researcher on Xinjiangs mass internments, wrote on Twitter: The coronavirus could add an entirely new dimension to the Xinjiang crisis.

Radio Free Asia reports that the poor sanitation and cramped quarters at the camps could facilitate an epidemic, leading to a massive disaster, as one expert put it.

Zenz estimates that there are now at least a million Uyghurs incarcerated across Xinjiang and exposed to endless hours of re-education. The intent of the brainwashing is to kill the memory of who they are, wipe out their separate identity, language and history, he said in a talk at Harvard Universitys Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies.

In 2017, Chinese leader Xi Jinping began erecting a re-education gulag for Muslim communities similar to the forced labour camps established for Falun Gong practitioners after mid-1999. Both networks receive inmates arrested by police without any hearing, trial, or appeala practice invented in Stalins Soviet Union and adopted in Hitlers Third Reich.

Organ harvesting from Uyghur prisoners preceded that from Falun Gong (which began in 2001). Dr. Enver Tohti, a Uyghur, has said that in 1995, when he was a general surgeon in an Urumqi hospital, he was taken to an execution ground by hospital authorities and removed the kidneys and liver from a man, who was alive when the operation began.

In his 2014 book The Slaughter, Ethan Gutmann estimates that the organs of 65,000 Falun Gong adherents and 2000-4000 Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Christians were forcibly harvested in China between 2000 and 2008.

Tohti made public a photograph of the Human Organ Transportation Green-Path at Urumqi Airport, which expedites the transport of organs for recipients from around the world. The photoshowing a priority lane sign marked Special Passengers, Human Organ Exportation Lanewent viral on social media.

Dr. Maya Mitalipova of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT has said: [The] entire population of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslims in [Xinjiang has] been forcefully health-checked and  blood samples [have been] withdrawn  [from] 2016 to date. These procedures were performed only [on the] Muslim population.

The Saudi Centre for Organ Transplants has indicated that its citizens bought black market organs and had them illegally transplanted in China. Kidneys and livers harvested from detained Uyghurs sell for US$160,00-$165,000.

Encircled by barbed wire, surveillance cameras, and armed guards, the labour camps force Uyghur, Kazakh, and other minorities to work for little or no pay.

Responsible governments and businesses worldwide should join the United States and Australia in boycotting anyone doing business in Xinjiang. Forced labour in the internment camps is poisoning the supply chain of a number of well-known companies from democratic nations operating there.

Global Magnitsky legislation makes it easier for the governments that have it to impose targeted financial and visa sanctions on officials in authoritarian countries who abuse human rights.

The international community should call on Beijing to allow the International Red Cross and the World Health Organization access to Xinjiangs camps to monitor what is being done, if anything, to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

To its credit, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act 2019 in December. If this bill becomes law, it will mark the most significant international attempt to pressure Beijing over its mass detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.

David Kilgour, a lawyer by profession, served in Canadas House of Commons for almost 27 years. In Jean Chretiens Cabinet, he was secretary of state (Africa and Latin America) and secretary of state (Asia-Pacific). He is the author of several books and co-author with David Matas of Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organs.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
"I live in an at-will state, so there's nothing I can do, but..." I see this phrase, or one similar, all the time. But at-will doesn't mean it's a free-for-all when companies want to fire someone. Here's what you need to know (as an employee or an employer).

What is at-will employment?

The simple version is that employees can quit at any time for any reason or no reason, and companies can fire employees at any time for any reason or no reason. There are, however, limits to this that are important. People get caught up in the plain language and forget that there are both legal protections and company policy protections in place.

Limits on employees

Realistically, an at-will employee can walk out the door right now. They can walk away in the middle of the busy season. They can say something rude to a customer, throw their name tag on the floor, and head out the door if they want to. They can ghost an employer. And the employer still has to pay them for all hours worked, and if it's an exempt employee, for the whole day.

The employer can opt never to hire the person again, give a bad reference, and complain, but there is no legal obligation for the at-will employee to provide any notice.

Companies can set up some consequences, such as you won't get your unused vacation paid out, or you won't be eligible for rehire if you don't give two weeks' notice. But, there are limits around that. In some states, like California, vacation is considered earned income, and companies have to pay it out.

Employees can quit for whatever reason they want. They can quit because they don't want to work with a person of a certain race. They can quit because they refuse to work for an older boss. They can quit because there are too many people speaking another language at the office. All of those things we find offensive are perfectly legal reasons to quit. And just as well--you don't want to force someone to stay at work in those situations.

What employment-at-will means for employers

While it is the same phrase as for employees, how it plays out is entirely different. Employers can fire a person for any reason or no reason as long as that reason isn't prohibited by law.

So while an employee can say, "I refuse to work with [racial slurs]!" an employer cannot fire someone based on race. Title VII of the civil rights code protects workers at companies with at least 15 employees based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The Supreme Court is currently deciding whether sex includes gender identity and sexuality, but I would advise you to act as if it does.

Sometimes people say, "I can't fire her; she's in a protected class." They usually mean that the employee in question is a minority, or disabled, or pregnant. However, straight white males are also in a protected class. You can't terminate because of race, not just because of minority status.

Employers often put additional restrictions on themselves--and courts are pleased to see this. This is generally a policy of progressive discipline. For instance, first, you give someone a verbal warning, then a written warning, and then terminate the employee if the behavior doesn't change.

This doesn't mean you always have to follow this. If an employee punches out a customer, you can fire immediately without going through the entire program of progressive discipline.

The reason courts like to see documentation and consistent procedures is it shows that you didn't fire the person for an illegal reason. If you just show up on a Tuesday and fire a male worker and keep the female worker performing the same job at the same level, you'll be hard-pressed to prove that you didn't fire him because of gender. What other reason could there be?

So, while at-will employment is the law, in practical terms, it doesn't exist. Employees have some legal protections, and employers often provide additional protections.

Who is not at-will?

Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have at-will employment, but Montana does not. So, if you're sitting in Montana, you can ignore this and consult with a local HR expert on how you can terminate an employee.

Employees who have a contract are also not at-will. This is generally limited to people in unions, where the terms for termination are spelled out, and executives. Those golden parachutes are usually part of a contract, which is why executives can get fired and leave with a nice vault of cash.

Most American jobs don't have contracts. Employers can make changes to employment at any time, and it's legal as long as they give proper notification and follow all applicable laws.

If there is at-will employment, you still need to check with an employment lawyer

Did you know that obesity is a protected characteristic in Washington State? Did you know that 29 states plus the District of Columbia have protections for smokers? Is your state one of them? What about medical marijuana usage? Can you legally fire someone who uses marijuana?

You probably don't know all the laws in your state and city. It's hard enough to keep on top of federal law. And if you operate across state lines, it becomes even more complicated. Consult a local attorney before terminating.

Even terminations that seem cut and dried are best to run before an employment attorney just for double-checking, You're firing Karen for poor performance--a perfectly legal reason. But, your attorney may point out that Karen filed a sexual harassment complaint six months ago. Is this retaliation?

In other words, it's a lot cheaper to consult with an attorney before conducting a termination then it is to face a lawsuit when you haven't dotted your i's and crossed your t's properly.

At-will employment isn't completely dead, but it's not the firing free for all that employees (and managers!) often think it is.
A former career counselor for Bergen County Technical Schools claims in a lawsuit that she was targeted for termination after reporting a co-worker who wanted to bring a gun to a school office.

Laura Martin, of Dumont, who counseled special needs students at the schools One Stop Career Center in Hackensack, says in court papers a newly-hired worker told her she was determined to carry a weapon.

The co-worker had asked Human Resources if she could bring a gun to work because of the type of people who came in for assistance, according to the suit filed last month in Bergen County Superior Court.

The students who came for career assistance at the Hackensack office largely included minority teenagers, according to the lawsuit.

A human resources worker told the woman she could not arm herself. However, the woman allegedly told Martin and another co-worker that there were no metal detectors at the school, so she could bring the gun anyway.

Laura Martin claims in a lawsuit that a co-worker at the "One Stop Career Center" on State Street in Hackensack wanted to bring a gun to work due to "type of people who came in for assistance."Google Maps

The lawsuit states that became concerned because of a recent influx of school shootings nationwide, along with her co-workers generally odd behavior. Martin reported the co-workers comments to human resources.

When nothing was done, Martin claims she made a report to the Hackensack Police Department.

After this police report, Ms. Martin (was) harassed and ostracized at BCTS, the suit states.

The work environment allegedly became so toxic, that Martin began suffering from stress and anxiety so severe that her doctor ordered her to take time off, the lawsuit states.

Eventually, several months after her initial complaint, Martin claims school officials told her that she had to appear and give a statement about her complaint to a school investigator, the suit states.

She was told if she did not cooperate, she would be terminated, the suit states.

During the interview, Martin told the investigator about her safety concerns at the school in light of her co-workers statements about bringing a gun onto campus, according to the suit.

When the investigator asked Martin if there was racism at the school, Martin claims she said she believed her supervisor was racist against African Americans and Hispanics.

Martin explained that (the supervisor) generally spoke down to non-white employees and gave them less favorable or desirable assignments, the lawsuit states.

Based on her comments to the investigator, her prior report to the police department, and her disclosures to Human Resources, Martin claims she was fired.

She claims she received a letter from a supervisor that admonished (her) objections, reports, and documentation of improper, dangerous and/or illegal conduct in the workplace and characterized those acts as negative behavior supporting termination.

The lawsuit claims the school violated New Jerseys Conscientious Employee Protection Act, the states laws against discrimination and other state laws.

Martin names the school and her former superiors in the suit.

School superintendent Dr. Howard Lerner, who is named in the lawsuit, was not available to comment Thursday morning.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Ambiguity to the virus origin, fear spurred by its rapid spread and want of a cure has incited a deluge of misinformation.

The coronavirus outbreak originating in China has made its way across the globe, with nearly 12,000 confirmed cases. There are three confirmed cases in India as of 5 February 2020. There is considerable panic as countries race to contain its spread through screening and quarantine measures. Companies and universities have pressed into action; trying to figure out better diagnostics and possible treatment for the new virus.

The ambiguity to the virus origin and fear created by its rapid spread and lack of cure has incited a deluge of misinformation. So here are four questions you really need to know about this outbreak.

How deadly is the viral outbreak?

The virus is the latest member of the coronavirus family to jump from other animals to infecting humans. The scientific community has already determined the genetic sequence of the virus. We now understand that every infected person can infect up to 4 people. The virus spreads through the air, enveloped in tiny droplets released as a person sneezes, coughs or talks. Spitting in public places or coughing without covering ones mouth are basic hygiene fails that needs to be avoided.

The mortality rate of this viral outbreak is less than 3 percent. This mortality rate is comparable to influenza outbreaks which kill approximately 3 percent of those infected. The SARS outbreak of 2003 had a mortality rate of 10 percent, while the Nipah viral outbreak of 2018 resulted in mortality of more than 88 percent. The coronavirus infection is more severe in the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. These target populations need to be identified and equipped with protective measures.

Where has the virus come from aka is it a bioweapon?

The exact origins of the virus are still unknown. The epicentre of the virus has been traced to a seafood market in Chinas Wuhan. Scientists have found similarities in the gene sequence of this particular virus to those infecting bats and snakes. The virus has likely jumped from one of these species to humans. Jumping technically means a change in the spike proteins of the virus  those that give the virus its characteristic corona appearance and also specify which host cells it can infect. Think of this as a lock and key  the structure of the virus spikes is key to determining which host cell it can enter. The bat virus would have been unable to infect a human cell, until this structure changed.

There is much speculation of whether this virus is a bio-engineered weapon. This speculation has part arisen because the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory housed in the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan is authorised to host dangerous pathogens. Conspiracy theories have been widely peddled, but bottom line is we have no evidence to demonstrate that the virus has been intentionally meddled with.

Either way the crucial thing now is to concentrate on containing the spread of the disease and not creating speculation. Blaming countries can only incentivise them to obfuscating data instead of transparently sharing disease burden and their response.

How useful are N95 masks in keeping safe from infection?

Fundamental to containing the disease is the utility of the N95 masks. India already has a shortage of masks in India, driving manufacturers to raise costs by up to 10 times normal costs. The export of masks from India has been banned as their demand has skyrocketed over the past few weeks. The effectiveness of the masks in stopping viruses is questionable  viruses are after all extremely tiny particles. But the mask does two things  first, it acts as a barrier to respiratory droplets which would otherwise act as a reservoir of viruses in the environment. Second, it reduces unnecessary touching of mouth and nose and by itself can reduce viral residues been left on objects. Thus though the exact effectiveness of masks is unknown, there is some practical utility to them.

As India prepares for a possible outbreak within her boundaries, it will be important to maintain stockpiles that are easily accessible. Priority areas for mask distribution would be enclosed spaces such as airplanes, theatres; places housing immunocompromised people such as old-age homes, schools and hospitals and to all healthcare workers.

But thought has to be also given to the disposal of these masks after use. If these masks end up in landfill, they could act as a crucible for the resurgence of the disease. A pipeline for collection and incineration of the masks needs to be set up to ensure their safe disposal.

Will traditional medicine work?

Both Chinese and Indian sources have put out information suggesting there is a role for traditional medicine in preventing or treating the disease. This variant of coronavirus is a novel variant and therefore, no traditional medicine has been formally tested against it. The available information is thus only a speculative advisory and not a fool-proof prescription. There is moral hazard associated with such an advisory  for example, there may be no harm in taking steam inhalation every day, but there is no guarantee that this will protect from the disease. Advisories should make this clear.

The absence of acceptable scientific proof and presence of quacks has made scientists abhor traditional medicine practices. However, Indian citizens do consult traditional healers and therefore, it is essential to include them in any coordinated effort to contain the disease. A consultative approach to figure out the best way to get suspect cases identified and quarantined is of utmost importance.

Where to next?

The coronavirus outbreak has reached Indias shores and India has set up diagnostic and quarantine facilities to stop its spread. It is important now to remain calm and self-report any symptoms to a doctor. Take basic precautionary measures  wash hands regularly, do not spit in public paces, and cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing. Scientists are finding ways to create a vaccine for the coronavirus, but this will likely take a few months. But if this virus makes you apprehensive, remember this may not be very different from a flu outbreak. Normal hygiene measures and vaccinations can prevent from a number of respiratory diseases, so please do not shun away from them.

The author is a research fellow with Takshashilas Technology and Policy programme. She tweets at @TheNaikMic.

Also read: Coronavirus is sparing children and largely affecting the ill and aged  infection experts explain why
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:42:00|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- A car bomb went off in a Turkey-controlled town in northern Syria on Thursday, the latest in a string of explosions targeting Turkey-held areas in Syria, a war monitor reported.

The car bomb exploded in the town of Soluk in the countryside of Tal Abyad area in the northern province of Raqqa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The explosion left massive damage and property losses with no information on casualties, the watchdog said.

On Jan. 30, two Turkish drivers were killed when a roadside bomb went off in the countryside of Tal Abyad.

On Jan. 16, seven Turkey-backed Syrian rebels were killed in a bombing in the town of Soluk.

No party has claimed responsibility for the bombings yet.

Turkey has captured several areas in the countryside of Raqqa and the northeastern province of Hasakah following a massive assault against the Kurdish militia in northern Syria in October last year.
An Garda Siochana have issued a warning today ahead of St Valentine's Day to warn members of the public to be aware of "Romance" fraud. In 2019, 75 cases of Romance Fraud were reported to Gardai. The victims were both male and female. The total losses suffered were in excess of 1,000,000.

This particular fraud is enabled via online dating sites or other social media by fraudsters who will provide the victims with well-prepared stories designed to deceive.

The victims develop online relationships with the fraudsters, who use fake identities, photographs and life stories. Inevitably, the fraudster will ask their victim for money. The fraudster will continue to ask for money until the victim has no more money to give or realise they are being conned. This crime often leaves vulnerable people with a feeling of hurt and mistrust in addition to their financial loss.

The warning signs include:

The fraudster asking the victim to communicate by instant messaging, text or phone calls rather than messaging through the dating website

The fraudster will start asking for money for various reasons, starting with low amounts: to pay for travel to meet the victim to pay moving expenses (ship furniture and pay customs) to pay medical expenses for a sick child or relative to invest in a guaranteed business opportunity to pay a tax bill or other spurious reason

No meetings in person take place. The fraudster will present reasons for not meeting, or may arrange to meet and then cancel

The fraudster will avoid personal questions, but will ask plenty

They will ask for money to be transferred to bank accounts abroad or via money transfer agencies to locations outside of Ireland

Phone calls from Irish numbers or lodgements to Irish bank accounts should not be considered as evidence that the person is genuine

In one case an Irish victim developed a relationship with a male on a dating website. He gained her trust and she sent him 62,000 over a period of time. In another case, a victim linked up with a female in an on-line chat room and ended up sending her 50,000.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau advises the public as follows:
Democratic presidential candidate South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a campaign rally, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Indianola, Iowa.

Associated Press/Charlie Neibergall

Wendell Potter, a former insurance executive, ripped into Pete Buttigieg's health plan in an interview with Business Insider.

Potter said he believes the plan is a "godsend" for the insurance industry and will allow it to maintain its grip over American healthcare.

"They'd be happy as clams on the Pete Buttigieg health plan," he told Business Insider.

The Buttigieg campaign defended the plan in statement and noted the insurance industry has also spent millions attacking it.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A former insurance executive says Mayor Pete Buttigieg's proposed healthcare plan would be "a godsend" for insurers and allow it to exert outsize power in the debate around healthcare reform.

Wendell Potter, President of Medicare for All, an advocacy organization, tweeted on Tuesday that Buttigieg's effort to continue attacking a proposal to insure everyone in the US in the Democratic primary would massively benefit the health industry.

"This will thrill my old pals in the insurance industry, as Pete's plan preserves the very system that makes them huge profits while bankrupting & killing millions," Potter wrote.

He resigned from his position as a senior communications executive at Cigna in 2008 and went on to testify against the insurance industry in Congress.

In an interview with Business Insider, the former healthcare executive said he believed Buttigieg's plan would be a "godsend" for the industry in a system designed to maximize profits at the expense of consumers.

"They'd be happy as clams on the Pete Buttigieg health plan," he said. "It doesn't change much."

Potter criticized a mandate in the proposal compelling people to carry health insurance which could saddle people with multi-thousand dollar fines at the end of the year, given a provision to cap premiums at 8.5% of income. It resembles the least popular part of the Affordable Care Act that Congress repealed under the 2017 Republican tax law.

Story continues

The former Cigna executive has sought to generate support for universal healthcare, and met with the Sanders and Warren presidential campaigns. But he doesn't plan on endorsing a candidate in the competitive primary.

The Buttigieg health plan mirrors the one that former Vice President Joe Biden unveiled last year, another moderate. Both candidates have faced off against Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren's support to create a single-payer system in the US, which would cost over $30 trillion over a decade.

Buttigieg's $1.5 billion health proposal is a middle-of-the-road approach. It would create a government-managed plan for people who want it while allowing others to maintain their private insurance. He's touted it as a "glide path" towards universal health coverage.

In a statement to Business Insider, Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the Buttigieg campaign, defended the plan and noted insurers have also spent millions of dollars slamming it.

"Pete's 'Medicare for All Who Want It' plan would make some of the boldest, most progressive changes to our health care system in decades in order to achieve universal coverage for all Americans," Savett said. "It has also been attacked by the health insurance industry because it would create competition and force insurers to lower costs and improve care or lose customers  so that claim doesn't hold up."

In recent months, the health industry has spearheaded a multimillion dollar effort to throttle proposals for Medicare for All.

It often lumps modest attempts at reform  such as Buttigieg's plan  alongside universal healthcare and industry groups warn it could lead to a "one size fits all" system with hospital closures and longer wait times to receive medical care.

Still, the effectiveness of a public option depends on its strength. It would likely still shake up the healthcare system and empower the government to negotiate with providers for lower costs.

Larry Levitt, executive vice president for the Kaiser Family Foundation, said to the New York Times last year: "The political appeal of the public option is it preserves the choice of private insurance. But the better it works, then the less likely it is to actually preserve a private insurance market."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A British charity worker has been found dead in the swimming pool of a gym in Cambodia.

Luke Walley is believed to have drowned after blacking out underwater at the pool in Phnom Penh.

The 27-year-old worked for the World Wide Fund for Nature and had moved to Cambodia with his Lithuanian wife Emilija in 2018.

His father John paid tribute to a 'brilliant young man' and a 'lovely, thoughtful, genuine person who had his entire life ahead of him'.

Both Luke's parents are university professors and are still waiting for full details of their son's death from Cambodian police.

The former grammar school student from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, had been swimming at a gym close to his home in Phnom Penh.

British charity worker Luke Walley (pictured) has been found dead in the swimming pool of a gym in Cambodia

One possibility is that Mr Walley suffered 'shallow water blackout', which is a form of underwater fainting due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.

His mother Sophie Witter said 'everyone will miss Luke... he was a very special person, who touched the lives of all who met him.'

She described Luke as 'passionate about contributing to the environment and issues relating to developing countries'.

Luke's father John said the 27-year-old had been working on global energy sustainability in Cambodia.

His parents said their family and friends were 'totally devastated' by the news.

Luke was the older brother of Sam, a 25-year-old lawyer, Danny, a 22-year-old medical student and history student Alfie, 20.

Luke Walley is believed to have drowned after blacking out underwater at the pool in Phnom Penh (pictured)

He completed a masters degree in physics at Imperial College London before moving to Cambodia with Emilija.

As well as sustainability Luke was known for his love of sport and music.

He was the bass player in a band called Fallen to Flux, which released an album in 2016.

His parents said the Foreign Office in Phnom Penh had responsibility for co-coordinating the transfer of Luke's body back to the UK.
Assemblyman Brian Kolb, who stepped down last month as the Republican leader in the New York State Assembly following a drunken-driving charge, has decided not to seek re-election.

Kolb made the announcement today. He was charged with driving while intoxicated on New Years Eve following an accident at his home in Victor. No one was injured in the accident.

Kolb pleaded not guilty to the charge at a January arraignment. His next court date is at 12:30 p.m. March 5 in Penfield Town Court.

In todays announcement, Kolb did not mention the pending charge. Instead, he thanked his family, staff and supporters.

Twenty years ago, I came to the New York State Assembly by way of a special election and a 10-vote margin of victory, Kolbs statement reads. "Looking back, its clear I was fortunate on election night, and Ive been equally blessed every day since.

Kolb, 67, was charged Dec. 31 with driving while intoxicated. He was found to have a blood-alcohol count of 0.16%, twice the legal limit, according to court papers. A AAA worker who was called to tow the SUV told deputies that Kolb first claimed his wife had been driving, the court records show.

The charge came after the state-owned SUV he was driving was found about 100 yards from his Victor driveway, near a utility pole, according to court documents. Kolb has said hell pay for all damages to the GMC and return it to the state.

Shortly after the accident, Kolb, resigned his post as the Assemblys minority leader. Assemblyman Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, was selected by the GOP conference for the leadership position.

Today, Barclay thanked Kolb for his service. It is a true testament to his abilities and leadership that he was overwhelmingly re-elected nine times by the people of his district, and that he was chosen as leader of our conference for 10 years, Barclay said in a written statement. During his 20 years in Albany, Brian has been a trusted confidant and true friend to many of us. He will be greatly missed.

Read Kolbs complete statement:

"After a great deal of consideration and discussions with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election for the 131st Assembly District this fall.

"I know that there are other avenues for me to pursue, future work to be done, and I have every intention of being an active member of the community and state that I love.

"It has been a tremendous privilege, both personally and professionally, to have served the people of the Finger Lakes Region for the past two decades. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt there is no higher honor than to have had the support of the men, women and families who call this area home.

"My career in Albany and tenure as Assembly Minority Leader would not have been possible without the love, patience and sacrifices of my family members, especially my wife Lauren.

"In addition, I want to thank my legislative colleagues, especially those in the Assembly Minority Conference, for everything they have given me over the years  their trust, their dedication, their collaborative spirit, and their friendship.

"I want to express my gratitude to all of the staff that have worked or served on my behalf, for their hard work and commitment to help make New York State a better place to live, work and raise a family.

"Twenty years ago, I came to the New York State Assembly by way of a special election and a 10-vote margin of victory. Looking back, its clear I was fortunate on election night, and Ive been equally blessed every day since.

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SHANGHAI, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As efforts to contain the epidemic enter a critical stage, it is important to remember that the costs cannot be measured purely in economic terms, as the measures taken will have implications for life expectancy across the entire nation.

Analysis of historical data from various countries gives insight into the relationship between life expectancy and GDP per capita. In the first place, it is clear that countries with higher per capita incomes have longer life expectancies, owing to the ability and willingness of wealthier nations to invest in healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental governance, thereby increasing life expectancy and reducing fatality rates. Research suggests that, in general, a 100% increase in per capita income under similar conditions equates to an increase in life expectancy of 1-3 years. Over the past few decades, with the continued increase in per capita income in China, life expectancy has steadily increased in tandem. On the basis of this, we can make a conservative estimate that a 50% decrease in GDP would see a 1.5 year decrease in life expectancy. Thus, for each 1% reduction in in GDP, life expectancy will decrease by approximately 10 days.

This hypothesis can be tested against the economic theory of the "value of life". In the realm of economics, "value of life" is a relatively mature concept which refers to the amount that a society is willing to spend in order to increase the average life expectancy. Some will deem the notion of calculating a value for life to be cynical or even repulsive, as life is priceless. From an ethical point of view, this is entirely correct. In reality, however, whether in terms of work, business, or social management, a balance must be struck between reducing the risk of fatality and the cost of doing so. In order to identify this balance, a value for life must be calculated in a scientific, if seemingly ruthless, manner.

For example, some jobs inherently entail a far higher risk of fatality than others, such as underground mining and construction of ultra-high buildings. From the perspective of purely reducing the risk of death, these jobs should be eliminated. But in reality, doing so would both increase the unemployment rate and have adverse impacts on the natural progression of related work, and ultimately, society as a whole will bear the cost of underdevelopment. In this case, a more rational approach would see the introduction of stronger labor protections for such jobs. Finally, with an income premium determined by the market, high-risk jobs would be rewarded with higher salaries, and an acceptable balance may be achieved.

Similarly, enterprise and government must strike a balance between risk and cost in the provision of transportation infrastructure. For example, in designing a new road, governments can reduce the number of fatalities through the implementation of safety provisions, like extra lanes, non-motorized lanes, and wider sidewalks. Evidently, however, not all roads are built in this way. Does this mean that the designers of those roads had a disregard safety? Of course, this is not the case. Even if the proposed road is designed to be impeccably safe, should the cost be RMB 10 billion (approx. USD $1.4 billion), it is likely that the road will not be built at all, leaving people with no transportation infrastructure. Thus, for such construction projects, the government will issue minimum standards for safety, but it is up to the designer to determine the upper limit.

So, how much is a reduction in fatality worth? In determining this, an implicit calculation is made to strike a balance with the value of life. In fact, economists have long calculated the value of life in economic terms based on data from various countries. Generally speaking, the value of life in developed nations is between 10-100 times the GDP per capita.

Assuming that the value of life is calculated at 30 times the GDP per capita, the average life expectancy would be around 80 years, or approximately 30,000 days.

This inference can be tested by comparing the GDP per capita and life expectancy of different countries.

In terms of preventing and controlling infectious diseases, with reference to influenza numbers from previous years, in the absence of large-scale compulsory quarantine measures, the infection rate will not exceed 10% of the overall population, and the fatality rate will be around 0.2%. Thus, the total number of fatalities relative to the entire population will be 2 in 10,000 (0.02%). Assuming that the life expectancy of those who die of influenza is around 60 years, and the average life expectancy across society is 80 years, each person who has died of influenza will have died prematurely, on average, by 20 years. Calculating on the basis of the fatality rate of 2 in 10,000 (0.02%), the per capita reduction in life expectancy will be 20 multiplied by 0.02, which is four-thousandths of a year, or about 1.5 days. Therefore, on average, the impact of a mass-scale influenza outbreak on human society is a reduction in life expectancy of 1.5 days.

On the basis of this analysis, it is possible to infer a reasonable social policy. If every person infected with influenza, that is, 10% of the population, is quarantined for 14 days, and family members who have been in close contact with them (assuming 20% of the population) are also be quarantined, the loss to GDP due to their inability to participate meaningfully in the creation of wealth for this period will be 30% * 14/365 = 1% of GDP. As mentioned above, a 1% GDP regression will cause a retrogression across society in medical care, infrastructure and environmental governance, amounting to a reduction in the average life expectancy of about 10 days, a number far greater than the impact of influenza. Based on this calculation alone, pure isolation is not an effective means of containing influenza, and thus no country or society will implement such measures.

Some may deem the above calculation to be alarmist, but in actuality, this does not even take into account the formidable operation costs of isolating so many people, or the costs of restriction population movement. A less optimistic estimation of the losses incurred could be 10% of GDP, or even higher, leading to a reduction of the average life expectancy by 100 days or more, possibly amounting to a loss of life equivalent to dozens or hundreds of times the number of deaths attributable to influenza itself.

Of course, if quarantine measures are able to isolate the flu at an early, small-scale stage, for example, 1% of the population, or within one or two cities, then such measures can still be effective. Once infections spread to over 10% of the population, however, the continued isolation of patients and people in close contact with them will amount to a greater overall toll on lives.

The present epidemic is distinct from previous influenza outbreaks, and therefore, factors such as mortality, the rate of infection, and the proportion of people who need to be quarantined are different, and a significant amount of data is yet to be observed. The same logic, however, applies to the impact of the economy on life expectancy.

Society has established its determination to beat this epidemic, and such an attitude is undoubtedly correct and necessary, and ultimately, this victory will belong to the entire human race. However, I also hope that as society strives to beat this epidemic "at all costs", the above analysis can help society to keep various "costs" to a minimum.

We must adopt a scientific and rational attitude in determining the most appropriate means of controlling and eradicating the epidemic. In responding to the novel coronavirus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases that threaten lives, we must also give comprehensive consideration to social and medical resources, and strike a balance that is conducive to protecting lives. Regularity and security in everyday life and work is an important and fundamental part of life for every person, and we should strive to minimize the impact to this.

*James Liang is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Trip.com Group and professor at Peking University's Guanghua School of Management. The opinions expressed here are entirely his own.

SOURCE Trip.com Group
Pound Canadian Dollar Exchange Rate Drops

Posted by Adam Solomon on 11 Jan, 2022

The Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate has dipped today, with the Pound (GBP) subdued ahead of key US data and a strong Canadian Dollar (CAD) off the back of rising oil prices. At time of writing the GBP/CAD exchange rate is at around $1.7158, which is roughly -0.2% down from this mornings opening figures. Pound (GBP) Dips amid Subdued Market Mood and Profit Taking The Pound (GBP) has dropped this afternoon following significant gains against its rivals this morning, with Sterling hitting a 23 month high against the Euro....

 Pound Canadian Dollar Exchange Rate Drops
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2020) Another 2,600 medical workers have been sent to the Chinese city of Wuhan to fight coronavirus, China Central Television reported.

This decision was approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Reinforcements will arrive in Wuhan from the ground, naval, air and missile forces, as well as from other military units.

New doctors and nurses will organize the treatment of patients.

The death toll from the novel coronavirus outbreak in China's Hubei Province has exceeded 1,300 people, with the number of confirmed cases there going above 48,200.
VANCOUVER, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Columbus Gold Corp. (CGT: TSX, CGTFF: OTCQX) ("Columbus") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for gross proceeds of CAD$2.5 million, to be fully subscribed by OCIM Finance ("OCIM"), a precious metals merchant and financing company, controlled by Laurent Mathiot a director of Columbus Gold.

The Private Placement is for 15,625,000 units at a price of CAD$0.16 per unit. Each unit is comprised of one common share of Columbus (a "Share"), and a half warrant. Each full warrant entitles the holder, on exercise, to purchase one Share at a price of CAD$0.24, for a period of 18 months from the closing date of the Private Placement. There are no finders' fees associated with the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for exploration and general working capital purposes.

About Columbus

Columbus is French Guiana's leading gold exploration and development company with a portfolio of high-quality projects in a highly prospective and underexplored segment of the Guiana Shield. Its objective is to discover economic gold deposits that can be developed following the highest international standards for Responsible Mining. Columbus holds a major interest in the world-class Montagne d'Or mine development project. It is also advancing the Maripa gold exploration project, where past drilling had returned excellent near surface results, including 36 metres of 4.3 g/t gold.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Rock Lefrancois

President & CEO

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in this and other press releases include but are not limited to statements and information regarding: its plans, or modifications thereunder, to develop Montagne d'Or; the construction and development plans for the Montagne d'Or gold mine, including anticipated timing thereof; the satisfaction of additional requirements to the construction of the Montagne d'Or gold mine, including but not limited to, the submission and processing of mine permit applications; the timing and rendering of a decision regarding the development of the gold mining industry in French Guiana; private placement plans; and the earning into of the Maripa and Rhea gold exploration projects and related exploration objectives and plans. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Information Form of Columbus Gold Corp., available on SEDAR under Columbus' profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Columbus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

SOURCE Columbus Gold Corporation

Related Links

www.columbusgoldcorp.com


YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan held a meeting on February 13 with United States Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy.

During the meeting Avinyan noted that the Armenian-American multi-sectoral cooperation is actively developing and attached importance to US assistance to the reforms taking place in Armenia, the Deputy PMs office said in a news release.

Ambassador Tracy said the US attaches importance to the opportunities of closely cooperating with the Armenian government in the context of the accomplishment of democratic institutions and supporting the strengthening of universal welfare.

The sides addressed the agenda of the governments reforms and the long-term development vision of Armenia. The reforms in public administration, justice, business environment improvement and digitization were discussed. They also talked about opportunities to deepen cooperation in the IT sector, especially in directions of AI, 5G technology and cyber-security.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
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Who is in Boris Johnson's new-look Cabinet Chancellor: Rishi Sunak Foreign Secretary: Dominic Raab Home Secretary: Priti Patel Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Michael Gove Justice Secretary: Robert Buckland Defence Secretary: Ben Wallace Health Secretary: Matt Hancock Business Secretary: Alok Sharma Trade Secretary: Liz Truss Work and Pensions Secretary: Therese Coffey Education Secretary: Gavin Williamson Environment Secretary: George Eustice Housing Secretary: Robert Jenrick Transport Secretary: Grant Shapps Culture Secretary: Oliver Dowden International Development Secretary: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Leader of the House of Lords: Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Northern Ireland Secretary: Brandon Lewis Scottish Secretary: Alister Jack Welsh Secretary: Simon Hart Attorney General: Suella Braverman Chief Secretary to the Treasury: Stephen Barclay Minister without Portfolio: Amanda Milling Paymaster General: Penny Mordaunt Chief Whip: Mark Spencer Advertisement

Furious Sajid Javid today insisted no 'self-respecting' minister would have obeyed Dominic Cummings' order to sack his aides - after he quit as Chancellor throwing the reshuffle into chaos.

Mr Javid broke cover after sending shockwaves through Westminster by falling on his sword over Mr Cummings' plot for a 'bonfire' of all special advisers who will not meekly fall into line.

Speaking to reporters outside his London home tonight, Mr Javid said Boris Johnson had told him that to stay in government he must accept the replacement of all his five-strong team.

At that point he said he had no choice but to resign: 'I don't believe any self-respecting minister would accept those conditions.'

In a letter to the PM setting out his reasons, Mr Javid said it was 'crucial' for leaders to have people around who would give them 'candid advice, as I have always sought to do'.

'I also believe that it is important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integriity that you would wish to be associated with,' he added in a stinging rebuke.

Despite smiling broadly for the cameras as he walked into Downing Street at 10.30am, Mr Javid was then blindsided by Mr Johnson with the ultimatum during a private meeting.

An incensed Mr Javid responded that would make him 'Chancellor in name only'. Although Mr Cummings was not in the room during fraught discussions with Mr Johnson, sources said it was 'obvious' who was behind the move.

Following more than an hour of frantic wrangling behind closed doors, Mr Javid finally quit in protest, derailing what had appeared to be a smooth overhaul of ministers.

Within minutes, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak had entered No10 to be installed in Mr Javid's place, marking another step in a very rapid rise through the ranks.

The new Chancellor paid tribute to Mr Javid tonight, tweeting: 'My predecessor and good friend Saj did a fantastic job in his time at the Treasury.

'He was a pleasure to work with and I hope to be able to build on his great work going forward.'

Downing Street sources suggested they were 'surprised and disappointed' by the resignation.

The PM's spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister thanks Sajid Javid for his work as Chancellor of the Exchequer... Rishi Sunak will take forward preparations for the Budget as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer...

'The reshuffle is about setting the foundations for government now and in the future.'

But the extraordinary spat - less than a month before the crucial Budget - is a huge blow for the PM, who was not plotting any changes at the very top of government today, despite wielding the knife on a host of veteran Cabinet ministers.

It follows a wave of vicious briefing that had thrown relations between No10 and No11 into the deep freeze, and increasing alarm even from allies of Mr Cummings that his war on the system has gone too far and could destabilise the government.

Speaking to reporters outside his London home tonight, Mr Javid said Boris Johnson had told him that to stay in government he must accept the replacement of all his five-strong team

What a difference a morning makes: A smiling Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid arrives at Downing Street this morning (left) and arrives home having shocked Westminster by resigning in a row over special advisers

Boris Johnson returned to Downing Street today after handing bad news to axed ministers in his Commons office

Sources told MailOnline it was 'obvious' that Mr Cummings (left in Westminster yesterday) was behind the demands to sack advisers

Rishi Sunak (pictured today) was quickly promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor after Mr Javid resigned

Boris Johnson's new look Cabinet Anne-Marie Trevelyan - International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan was widely tipped for a promotion to the Cabinet long before today's reshuffle. She was made a junior defence minister at the end of July last year when Boris Johnson became PM but was always expected to eventually be elevated to the Tory top team. Her profile in Parliament was boosted in 2018 and 2019 as she helped lead the Tory Eurosceptic attack on Theresa May's Brexit deal. She quit a junior role in Mrs May's government in November 2018 in protest over the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels. And the 50-year-old went onto become a senior member of the European Research Group of anti-EU Conservative MPs. Oliver Dowden - Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden Nicknamed 'Olive', Oliver Dowden was plucked from relative political obscurity and elevated to the Cabinet by Boris Johnson last year as he was made Paymaster General. He got the moniker when he worked as a fixer for David Cameron when the latter was in Number 10. The 40-year-old father of two represents the Hurtsmere seat in Herfordshire, the area where he was born and raised. He was state educated before winning a place at Cambridge to study law. Mr Dowden worked for the Conservative Party and then in public relations before returning to become a special adviser and then Mr Cameron's deputy chief of staff. Suella Braverman - Attorney General Suella Braverman's elevation to the Cabinet at just 39 will strengthen pro-Brexit voices at the top table. Before entering parliament Ms Braverman was a barrister. She has been the Tory MP for Fareham in Hampshire since 2015. She served as the chair of the European Research Group of Eurosceptic Tory MPs between June 2017 and January 2018. Ms Braverman joined Theresa May's government first as a junior treasury aide and then as a Brexit minister in January 2018. However, she opposed Mrs May's EU divorce deal and quit in protest at the agreement in November 2018. Alok Sharma - Business Secretary and COP26 president An ardent and long-time supporter of Boris Johnson, Alok Sharma has enjoyed growing prominence in Westminster ever since the former took power. He was initially elevated to the Cabinet last year when Mr Johnson became PM as he was handed the International Development brief. But today's move represents a significant step up the pecking order for Mr Sharma who was frequently sent out to bat for Mr Johnson during the Tory leadership campaign. The 52 year-old only started his ministerial career in July 2016. He had a relatively low profile in Theresa May's government but did hit the headlines when he was housing minister in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. Steve Barclay - Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay Mr Barclay rose to prominence as the Brexit Secretary but saw that job abolished on January 31 when the UK finally left the EU. He was widely expected to return to the Cabinet in the reshuffle but the fact he has come back as a high ranking minister rather than as a secretary of state does represent a demotion and will raise eyebrows. He was relatively unknown when he originally took the Brexit Secretary role but he grew into the role and has been one of Mr Johnson's most loyal supporters. Brandon Lewis - Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis The 48-year-old father of two was handed a promotion today as he went from Security Minister to Northern Ireland Secretary. A former policing, housing and immigration minister he was privately educated and became a barrister before becoming MP for Great Yarmouth in 2010. He notably oversaw the Tories' disastrous 2017 general election campaign while he served as Conservative Party chairman. He was moved as party chairman at the reshuffle last July when Mr Johnson took power. George Eustice - Environment Secretary George Eustice George Eustice moves up to take the top job in the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs after serving as its number two minister since last year. The 48-year-old Brexiteers has been the Tory MP for Camborne and Redruth since 2010 and was appointed Food Minister by David Cameron in 2015. Before entering politics he previously worked for his family's strawberry farming business in Cornwall, and says his family has lived and worked in the area of his constituency for 400 years. A keen Brexiteer who supported the Vote Leave campaign, he previously campaigned against joining the Euro before becoming an MP. He stood as a Ukip European election candidate in 1999 before switching parties and was the Conservatives' head of press under Michael Howard. Advertisement

There had been clashes over claims the Chancellor had tried to 'bounce' Mr Johnson into giving the go-ahead for HS2, and complaints that the PM's aides were trying to take over writing the Budget.

Mr Javid was also accused of resisting Mr Cummings' push for a huge infrastructure splurge, insisting on tougher spending controls. The Pound rose sharply after the resignation today, as markets concluded that the purse strings are likely to be loosened.

Mr Cummings previously infuriated Mr Javid last summer by summarily firing one of his advisers and having her frogmarched out of Downing Street.

In contrast to the resistance from the former Chancellor, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland accepted his special adviser Peter Cardwell being axed. Others are also being 'repurposed' to other departments, away from their previous ministers.

A Spad meeting has been called for 8.30am tomorrow, with fears that many more could be culled. 'Nothing is impossible with this No10,' one adviser told MailOnline.

Mr Javid becomes the shortest-serving Chancellor in 50 years, at just 204 days. The son of Pakistani immigrants, he was the first holder of the office to come from a muslim background.

Mr Sunak is the first Hindu to serve as Chancellor and one of the youngest holders of the post in modern politics.

Earlier, Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Theresa Villiers lost their seats around the top table in a quick-fire series of sackings, with the PM vowing to bring through a new generation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith was also ousted - just weeks after a breakthrough that saw powersharing restored in the province - along with Attorney General Geoffrey Cox.

Mr Smith confirmed his departure on Twitter saying serving in the job had been the 'biggest privilege'.

His fate is believed to be linked to his chilling warnings about the consequences of No Deal Brexit last Autumn.

Mrs Leadsom, who insiders claim irritated No10 aides by arguing at Cabinet, said she was proud to have been in government for six years, and would now 'focus on my constituents'.

She took her staff out for a champagne lunch to thank them for their hard work after learning that her time in government had ended.

Ms McVey said she was 'very sorry' to have been relieved of her duties as housing minister.

Ms Villiers made light of her fate on Facebook, joking that 'what the PM giveth the PM taketh away'.

Meanwhile, Mr Cox delivered a thinly-veiled rebuke, pointing out that he had introduced Mr Johnson at his Tory leadership launch and been a loyal Brexiteer.

However, until the bombshell news from Mr Javid, the cull had not been as bloody as initially suggested. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace appears to have saved his skin despite speculation he could be departing.

Bad news was handed out to ministers behind closed doors this morning, in a series of one-on-one meetings in the PM's Commons office.

The next phase was meant to be the triumphant procession of ministers in Downing Street who were either being kept in post or promoted.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Brexit minister Michael Gove are staying in their previous jobs.

But the confrontation with Mr Javid threw the process into turmoil.

Mr Javid's five-strong team of advisers have automatically been sacked, as their jobs are tied to his.

The Chancellor's team includes Mats Persson, a former head of the Open Europe think-tank and adviser to David Cameron - the ex-PM who once described Mr Cummings as 'career psychopath'.

Other aides include Samuel Coates, who previously worked at ConservativeHome, and media adviser Tim Sculthorpe.

A meal from Five Guys was delivered to Mr Javid's house as they mulled their response to the furore today. There is speculation Mr Javid could do a interview spelling out his views on the No10 operation.

Today's ultimatum to Mr Javid to sack his closest team and accept aides answering to Mr Cummings is the culmination of a naked power grab by the maverick strategy chief.

Special advisers - known as Spads - have long acted as the voice of their ministers, representing their interests and determined to protect them and foster their careers.

But No10 is determined that the loyalty of Spads should be to Mr Johnson alone.

Mr Cummings has been especially furious at the Treasury over a serious of briefings and leaks he blamed on 'rogue' operatives in No11.

Flashpoints have included the Budget in March, a 'mansion tax' and Mr Javid's determination to push ahead with the HS2 rail link.

It follows the unsavoury incident last year when his adviser Sonia Khan was summarily fired by Mr Cummings and frogmarched out of Downing Street for allegedly being in contact with friends of former Chancellor Philip Hammond.

The move left Mr Javid 'absolutely furious' but No10 tried to defuse the row by insisting that reports of a rift between him and Mr Johnson were 'grossly exaggerated'.

Mr Buckland's adviser Peter Cardwell - who previously worked for James Brokenshire and Amber Rudd - also emerged as a casualty of the 'bonfire of Spads'.

'Sadly, in reshuffles Special Advisers sometimes do not survive, and after three-and-a-half wonderful years I am leaving Government,' he tweeted.

'I wish the Johnson administration and everyone in it all the very best.'

Mr Javid and his successor Mr Sunak developed something of a 'bromance' at the Treasury

Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker.

'Great night out with the boss - Jedi Master @sajidjavid,' he tweeted alongside a picture of them arm-in-arm.

No10 hoped the new Cabinet line-up would be largely complete by this afternoon.

There had been rumours that Anne-Marie Trevelyan could replace her current boss Mr Wallace, but she has been made International Development Secretary.

Alok Sharma vacated that role to become Business Secretary,

He has also been made minister for the COP26 UN climate change summit which is due to be held in Glasgow in November but has descended into a state of shambles in recent weeks following the sacking of ex-Tory minister Claire Perry O'Neill as its president.

Oliver Dowden has taken over as Culture Secretary from Baroness Morgan, who stood down to spend more time with her family, and George Eustice is the new Environment Secretary.

Brexiteer Suella Braverman has succeeded Mr Cox as Attorney General.

MPs believe Steve Barclay, whose Cabinet job was abruptly abolished along with the Brexit department when the UK left the EU last month, will make a comeback.

Julian Smith said on Twitter: 'Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege.

I am extremely grateful to @BorisJohnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country. The warmth & support from people across NI has been incredible.

Thank you so much.'

DUP leader Arlene Foster paid tribute to Mr Smith for his 'incredible' contribution to restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

She tweeted: 'Spoke with @JulianSmithUK a short time ago to thank him for his help in getting devolution restored.

Comfort food? A Five Guys burger delivery of take-away food arrives at the Fulham home of former chancellor Sajid Javid. He ordered three burgers and sides of fries, both Cajun and regular

The Chancellor's team includes Mats Persson, a former head of the Open Europe think-tank and adviser to David Cameron - the ex-PM who once described Mr Cummings as 'career psychopath'. Other aides include Samuel Coates, who previously worked at ConservativeHome, media adviser Tim Sculthorpe, Adam Memon and Jennifer Powell. Sajid Javid pictured at the party conference in Manchester last September with his senior advisors including Tim Sculthorpe (right)

Mr Sunak and Mr Javid seemed to develop something of a 'bromance' at the Treasury. Only in December, Mr Sunak - a big Star Wars fan - tweeted about their outing to see The Rise of Skywalker with a picture of them arm in arm

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland's adviser Peter Cardwell - who previously worked for James Brokenshire and Amber Rudd - also emerged as a casualty of the 'bonfire of Spads'

Sajid: Ex-banker who became first Chancellor of muslim heritage Sajid Javid has quit as chancellor little more than six months into the role Sajid Javid has quit as chancellor little more than six months into the role and just under a month before he was to deliver his first Budget. His shock decision came after he refused to sack his advisers, a source close to the former home secretary said. Tensions between Number 10 and Number 11 had been simmering since Mr Javid's adviser Sonia Khan was escorted out of Downing Street by police officers after being sacked by Boris Johnson's closest aide Dominic Cummings in August last year. Appointed in July to Mr Johnson's first Cabinet, his first planned Budget in November was cancelled as the Prime Minister pursued a snap election and Mr Javid would have been preparing for the parliamentary set-piece scheduled for March 11. He is the shortest-serving chancellor since Iain Macleod, who died shortly after taking office in 1970, according to the Institute for Government. In public, he identifies as the son of a bus driver, whose father arrived in England from Pakistan in the 1960s with just a pound in his pocket, and to colleagues, he is The Saj. He was a tough-talking home secretary whose hard stance on jihadi bride Shamima Begum's pleas to be allowed back in the UK boosted his popularity among some Tories, but horrified others - particularly after Ms Begum's newborn son later died in a Syrian refugee camp. Mr Javid made it to the final four in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader last year, but dropped out and subsequently endorsed Mr Johnson. Born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol, he went to a state school and studied economics and politics at Exeter University. He became MP for Bromsgrove in 2010, leaving behind a career in finance that put him on the trajectory to Number 11. According to his website, Mr Javid was a vice president at the US bank Chase Manhattan at the age of 25 and later moved to Deutsche Bank, rising to senior managing director before he left in 2009. He held roles in the Treasury from 2012 until he was made culture secretary in April 2014, later going on to be business secretary in May 2015 and housing secretary in July 2016. After being named home secretary in April 2018, Mr Javid talked openly about how he experienced racism at an early age and 'could have had a life of crime' after growing up on 'Britain's most dangerous street'. During his stunted leadership campaign, Mr Javid played on his humble beginnings, saying his holidays were spent in Rochdale pretending he was somewhere else. After being knocked out of the leadership race, Mr Javid said: 'Work hard, have faith in your abilities, and don't let anyone try and cut you down to size or say you aren't a big enough figure to aim high. 'You have as much right as anyone to a seat at the top table, to be ambitious for yourself, and to make your voice heard.' Mr Javid, 49, is married to Laura, and has four children and a dog called Bailey. Advertisement

We may not have always agreed (we did sometimes) but his dedication to the role was incredible. Best wishes to him and his family.

Always welcome in Fermanagh.'

Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Coveney sent a message to Mr Smith saying: 'U have been such an effective SOS for NI at a time of real challenge & risk.

'Without your leadership I don't believe NI would have a Govt today. Thank you @JulianSmithUK for your trust, friendship and courage; UK & #Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it.'

Ms McVey tweeted: 'I'm very sorry to be relieved of my duties as Housing Minister I wish my successor the very best & every success I'm very grateful to the Prime Minister for having given me the opportunity to serve in his government & he will continue to have my support from the back benches.'

Mr Cox, who was subject to hostile briefings from No10 that he was not a 'team player', said he was proud to have been part of government in 'turbulent political times'.

In his resignation letter, the QC stressed his credentials as a loyalist, saying he had always backed Mr Johnson to 'see off the twin threats of Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage'.

He pointed out that he told MPs last year they risked 'incurring the wrath of the British people by continually frustrating the result of the referendum'.

'I have been truly privileged to have served as Attorney General during the recent turbulent political times. I am now leaving the Government at the PM's request.

I shall continue to represent and stand up strongly for the interests of Torridge and West Devon,' he said.

Ms Villiers posted ruefully on Facebook: 'What the Prime Minister giveth, the Prime Minister taketh away: just over six months ago, I was delighted to be invited by the Prime Minister to return to government after three years on the backbenches.

This morning he told me that I need to make way for someone new.

'I am deeply grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve twice at the highest level of Government, first as Northern Ireland Secretary and then as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I tackled both roles with passion, commitment, and huge amounts of hard work.'

Outside the Cabinet, universities minister Chris Skidmore revealed today he was out of government, joking that he had been freed to 'be a better dad'.

Transport ministers George Freeman and Nusrat Ghani have also been given the bullet - although their boss Grant Shapps is set to stay in post.

The PM's maverick aide Dominic Cummings had initially wanted to slash the size of the Cabinet and axe a series of Whitehall departments.

But his advice appears to have been rejected for now, with ministers saying there is little sign of big changes to the machinery of government.

However, one current Cabinet minister cautioned that 'you never know what they are dreaming up in secret'.

A Government source said the PM was aiming to have a '50/50 gender balance' among the 26 most junior ministerial positions.

Boris Johnson's dish of revenge is served VERY cold indeed: PM sacks Northern Ireland Secretary who 'sidelined him in powersharing talks' and the loyal Attorney General who spoke out against prorogation Julian Smith Julian Smith: Out as Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith's removal as Northern Ireland Secretary represents a crushing blow for the man who successfully helped restore powersharing at Stormont after three years of deadlock. Mr Smith did what his predecessors failed to do when he steered the devolved assembly back on track in January but it was not enough to keep him in the Cabinet. He has been booted out by Boris Johnson with critics speculating he was relieved of his duties due to clashes last year over the PM's Brexit policy. An MP for Skipton and Ripon since 2010, he previously held the role of parliamentary secretary to the treasury and chief whip. As chief whip he was tasked with trying - and failing - three times to help pass Theresa May's withdrawal agreement and many were surprised that he was kept in the Cabinet when Mr Johnson took power in July last year. The married 48-year-old was educated at the University of Birmingham, and Balfron High School before going on to have a successful career as an entrepreneur after setting up Arq International, an executive recruiting firm, in 1999. In Parliament since 2010, Mr Smith served on the Scottish Affairs Committee briefly before he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for International Development Sir Alan Duncan MP between September 2010 and 2012. He then became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for International Development, between 2012 and May 2015, before he was appointed an Assistant Government Whip in David Cameron's Government. After the 2016 EU referendum, Mr Smith became one of six MPs who led Mrs May's leadership campaign, and after the campaign's success he was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household - a senior position within the whips' office. Mr Smith attended the DUP annual conference in 2017 after the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionists was brokered in the wake of the election, and was welcomed as a 'friend' of the party. He backed Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum and served as chief whip under Mrs May between November 2017 and July 2019 before surprisingly being made Northern Ireland Secretary by Boris Johnson - a role he held for 204 days. He sparked controversy when he was critical of Mrs May's approach, claiming that the government should have made it clear after the 2017 election that it would have to accept a closer relationship with the European Union following Brexit. In a BBC documentary he also criticised ministers, accusing them of trying to undermine Mrs May, claiming their behaviour was the 'worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history'. In October 2013 The Guardian had claimed that Smith may have breached national security by posting an image of himself alongside military personnel at a high-security US base on his website. Mr Smith says his interests include 'violin and piano' and was a junior international squash player. Geoffrey Cox: Out as Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Relatively unknown in Westminster before becoming Attorney General in 2018, Geoffrey Cox became a key player in Theresa May's government in the run up to the original March 29, 2019 Brexit deadline. He announced himself on the national political scene with a barnstorming speech as the warm up act for Mrs May at Conservative Party conference in October 2018. With his booming voice and soaring rhetoric he left many in the conference hall wondering why he wasn't the prime minister. His professional opinion would later have a major impact on Britain's departure from the EU. MPs wrestled with the government as they demanded Mr Cox's Brexit legal advice be published with the Commons eventually victorious in the contest. The publication of the legal advice in December 2018 torpedoed Mrs May's hopes of getting her Brexit deal through parliament because in it Mr Cox said the UK could not unilaterally leave the Irish border backstop protocol if it was ever implemented. He wrote: 'In the absence of a right of termination, there is a legal risk that the United Kingdom might become subject to protracted and repeating rounds of negotiations.' The 59-year-old QC was chosen to stay in the role as the government's top legal adviser by Boris Johnson when the latter took power in July last year. He first became an MP in 2005 and has represented the seat of Torridge and West Devon ever since. Before his political career he was a barrister, having first been called to the Bar in 1982. He is married and has three children. He has been tipped to chair a democracy commission being planned by the government to examine the relationship between Parliament and the courts. Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom: Out as Business Secretary A former Tory leadership contender who was forced to apologise to Theresa May for suggesting being a parent made her a better leadership candidate than the childless ex-PM, Ms Leadsom leaves the government after six years on the front bench. Ms Leadsom was appointed Business Secretary by Boris Johnson when he took office in July last year. The Leave supporter, a mother of three, resigned as leader of the House of Commons in May last year amid a backlash against Mrs May's Brexit plan. Mrs Leadsom was hardly a household name when she first entered the fray to succeed David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party in the wake of the EU referendum in 2016. Her plans to cross the threshold of Number 10 were thwarted when comments which appeared to suggest being a mother gave her an advantage as a potential prime minister over Mrs May saw the then-energy minister's hopes of winning evaporate. In an interview she said: 'I feel that being a mum means you have a real stake in the future of our country, a tangible stake.' Her departure from the leadership race in 2016 resulted in her being appointed environment secretary when Mrs May became premier. After the 2017 general election she was made Commons Leader, a role she held until Mr Johnson moved her to the business department. Mrs Leadsom entered Parliament in 2010 after a 25-year career in banking and finance - realising an ambition she first developed at the age of 13. Educated at Tonbridge Girls Grammar School and Warwick University, she rose to become financial institutions director at Barclays and worked with then Bank of England governor Eddie George to avert a crisis after the 1995 Barings collapse. She later spent a decade in fund management - her financial experience gaining her first a seat on the Treasury Select Committee and then a stint as economic secretary to the Treasury with responsibility for financial services. After a spell as a councillor in South Oxfordshire from 2003-2007 - during which she fought an unsuccessful general election campaign in the safe Labour seat of Knowsley South - she became MP for South Northamptonshire. Esther McVey Esther McVey: Out as Housing Minister Esther McVey found fame as a GMTV presenter in the 1990s before turning to politics, and was considered one of the Conservative Party's strongest media performers. The MP for Tatton  George Osborne's old seat  resigned in protest from the Cabinet over Theresa May's Brexit deal in November 2018 but was brought back to the top table by Boris Johnson last year. Ms McVey made a bid for the leadership after Theresa May quit last year  but finished in last place after the first ballot of MPs. The 51-year-old, who attended Cabinet as employment minister under David Cameron, was the most high-profile Tory casualty of the 2015 general election when she was ousted by Labour in Wirral West. She lost her seat after the unions launched a concerted effort to remove her from a constituency which was surrounded by a sea of red. She returned to Parliament in June 2017 after taking Mr Osborne's seat and was made deputy chief whip in November the same year. In January 2018, she made a remarkable comeback to the Cabinet table when she was appointed Work and Pensions Secretary. In an interview with the Daily Mail late last year, Ms McVey revealed how she had been put into foster care as a baby after she was born to young parents. She said: 'I believe most people in their life will fall upon tough times at some point. I want to give the message that anyone can succeed given the opportunity. But she sent Mrs May's Cabinet into meltdown in November when she dramatically quit in fury at the PM's Brexit divorce deal. She joined Dominic Raab in storming out in fury after the PM put her blueprint to her ministers in a stormy five-hour cabinet session. In March she boosted talk of a leadership bid after going public with her MP lover Philip Davies. The four-year relationship between her and the stubborn backbench MP for Shipley, 47, was already an open secret at Westminster. But the Brexiteer lovers went public to confirm they are 'two individuals, but a couple' in a joint-interview with the Conservative Home website. She later revealed that they were planning to marry after he proposed in April. Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers: Out as Environment Secretary One of the leading Brexiteers in the government, Ms Villiers has been ousted as Environment Secretary after only being given the role in July last year. Boris Johnson brought the divorced 51-year-old ex-barrister, who is descended from Edward II, back into government when he initially took power. She had served as Northern Ireland Sectary in the coalition government and later under David Cameron's Tory government before being sacked by Theresa May. A lawyer, university lecturer and MEP before entering the Commons in 2005 the London-born and Bristol-educated MP for Chipping Barnet has not always seen eye-to eye with Mr Johnson over the environment. She had shown her green credentials before her appointment last year having sparked a well-publicised hunt for a mystery litter bug who left their Crunchie chocolate bar wrapper in the House of Commons Chamber. She attacked litterers who dump their rubbish - damaging the environment and harming people's quality of life. And she warned that even the Palace of Westminster is not immune to the anti-social activity. Ms Villiers pulled out a crumpled up Crunchie bar wrapper which she said had been discarded carelessly on the green benches of the House of Commons. Brandishing the shiny wrapper, she said: 'However, I am afraid that it is not just young people who drop litter. 'To illustrate that, I produce this Crunchie wrapper, which I picked up this week after it had been dropped in the back row of the main Chamber of the House of Commons.' 'It is truly depressing that littering occurs even here, in this mother of Parliaments.' Advertisement

Bonfire of the Spads: Special advisers are the casualties in war at heart of government as maverick No10 chief Dominic Cummings orders ministers to SACK aides or leave Cabinet

Sajid Javid's decision to quit today is the culmination of a bitter internal battle for control with Dominic Cummings - that the Chancellor ultimately lost.

The camps in No10 and No11 have been in a barely-concealed state of war for months, with increasingly brutal briefing.

Today's ultimatum to Mr Javid to sack his closest team and accept aides answering to Mr Cummings is the culmination of a naked power grab by the maverick strategy chief.

Special advisers - known as Spads - have long acted as the voice of their ministers, representing their interests and determined to protect them and foster their careers.

But No10 is determined that the loyalty of Spads should be to Mr Johnson alone.

Mr Cummings clashed with Mr Javid in August when he fired Treasury special advisor Sonia Khan (right) for allegedly misleading him over the extent of her contact with Phillip Hammond

In addition to Mr Javid, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland was ordered to sack one of his advisers, Peter Cardwell, in order to keep his own job.

Mr Cummings has been especially furious at the Treasury over a serious of briefings and leaks he blamed on 'rogue' operatives in No11.

Flashpoints have included the Budget in March, a 'mansion tax' and Mr Javid's determination to push ahead with the HS2 rail link.

Mr Cummings is a long-term critic of the 106billion scheme, which he regards as a cash black hole.

The Chancellor's team includes Mats Persson, a former head of the Open Europe think-tank and adviser to David Cameron - the ex-PM who once described Mr Cummings as 'career psychopath'.

Other aides include Samuel Coates, who previously worked at ConservativeHome, media adviser Tim Sculthorpe, Adam Memon and Jennifer Powell.

Their jobs are tied to that of Mr Javid - meaning all have been automatically evicted from government with their boss.

But Mr Javid clearly believed he could not carry on in his role while they were sacked - the choice that he was apparently confronted with.

It follows the unsavoury incident last year when his adviser Sonia Khan was summarily fired by Mr Cummings and frogmarched out of Downing Street for allegedly being in contact with friends of former Chancellor Philip Hammond.

The move left Mr Javid 'absolutely furious' but No10 tried to defuse the row by insisting that reports of a rift between him and Mr Johnson were 'grossly exaggerated'.

In the more than six months since Mr Johnson became PM and brought him into the heart of his machine, Mr Cummings has waged a war on the Spad system.

A visible part of this was his bizarre January job advert in which he calls for 'super-talented weirdos' to apply to work at Number 10.

Writing on his personal blog, Mr Cummings sets out plans for a Downing Street shake-up in which maths and physics PhDs would mingle with 'weirdos and misfits with odd skills' and people who 'fought their way out of appalling hell holes'.

And last week he ordered a clampdown on advisers socialising with journalists in a bid to exert message discipline over the who of Government.

Other spads were also vetoed by Mr Cummings. The hiring of Anita Boateng by Security Minister Brandon Lewis was blocked.

And Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan was told her adviser at the Department of Education, Luke Tryl, could not move with her to her new department.

The notoriously abrasive special adviser, who earlier this week appeared to suggest a team of cartoon superheroes called PJ Masks could do a better job than the then Cabinet, sometimes appears to relish confrontation, whether it is with senior politicians, civil servants or journalists.

Despite smiling broadly for the cameras as he walked into Downing Street today, Mr Javid is understood to have been furious when told that he had to sack all his aides, and accept a team being imposed on him.

He responded that would make him 'Chancellor in name only' or 'Chino' - a mocking moniker already applied to him by his enemies in Government.

Nick King, a former chief of staff to Mr Javid, said: 'I worked for Sajid for years, was his first adviser and consider him a good friend.

'He inspires loyalty and is hugely loyal in return.

'Im not at all surprised he chose to stand by his team ahead of staying in position.

'Speaks to his character.'

With new Chancellor Rishi Sunak working with a new single team of special advisors drawn from a joint No 10/11 pool, the change effectively hands Mr Cummings and the PM a controlling stake in the Treasury.

Although Mr Cummings was not in the room during fraught discussions with Mr Johnson, sources said it was 'obvious' who was behind the move.

He has made no secret of his determination to shake things up in the corridors of power and has shown no sign of any concern about what enemies he makes along the way.

But being blamed for the departure of Boris Johnson's first chancellor after less that six months in the job may come back to haunt him if Mr Javid, a rival of Mr Johnson's for the Tory leadership last year, starts to make life difficult for his boss from the Tory backbenches.

Mr Cummings and Mr Javid then clashed over infrastructure spending, especially in the North.

Last week the aide parked his tanks on the Treasury lawn by getting involved in Budget planning ahead of the fiscal showpiece on March 11.

Preparations for the major event - the first since Brexit at the end of January - are usually the sole preserve of the chancellor of the day.

But Mr Cummings was reported as trying to play a role in setting the government's direction on tax and spending - something he will find even easier after today's developments.

Sources told The Times that the PM's top aide is working 'pretty much full time' on what should be included in the Budget and what should be targeted in the government spending review.

This afternoon, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: 'This must be a historical record with the government in crisis after just over two months in power.

'Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as Chancellor.'

Mr Cummings has placed himself at the heart of the new administration and has made his presence felt in numerous areas.

But some ministers are privately upset by what they view as Mr Cumming's 'control freakery'.

He pushed for major spending announcements as soon as Mr Johnson became Prime Minister last year.

But Mr Javid ultimately won the battle over spending as Mr Johnson agreed to stick to a set of fairly tough fiscal rules.

The ongoing row between aides in Number 10 and the Treasury was last week compared to conflict in the Middle East by an anonymous Whitehall official quoted by the Financial Times.

'It's become like the Israel-Palestine crisis: no one can pin down exactly when it started but it's descended into retaliation after retaliation,' the official said.

Mr Javid's his first planned Budget in November was cancelled as the Prime Minister pursued a snap election and Mr Javid would have been preparing for the parliamentary set-piece scheduled for March 11.

The 49-year-old father-of-four- is the shortest-serving chancellor since Iain Macleod, who died shortly after taking office in 1970, according to the Institute for Government.

In public, he identifies as the son of a bus driver, whose father arrived in England from Pakistan in the 1960s with just a pound in his pocket, and to colleagues, he is The Saj.

He was a tough-talking home secretary whose hard stance on jihadi bride Shamima Begum's pleas to be allowed back in the UK boosted his popularity among some Tories, but horrified others - particularly after Ms Begum's newborn son later died in a Syrian refugee camp.

After making it to the final four in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader last year, he dropped out and subsequently endorsed Mr Johnson.

Born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol, he went to a state school and studied economics and politics at Exeter University.

He became MP for Bromsgrove in 2010, leaving behind a career in finance that put him on the trajectory to Number 11.
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Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called for Attorney General William Barr to resign or be impeached.

Warren said on MSNBCs All In with Chris Hayes, We cant let this moment go unremarked. What the attorney general has done, we should all be calling for the resignation of the attorney general. If he wont resign, remember the attorney general can be impeached. And also, we should be using the other tools of congress and that is we can put budget constraints so that Donald Trump is not able to have any funding to be able to interfere with actions that affect Trump, the Trump family, Trump buddies, Trump campaign workers. We cant just sit on our hands.

Video:

Elizabeth Warren calls on William Barr to resign or be impeached. Sen. Warren also suggested that Congress should block funding for Trump's DOJ interference. pic.twitter.com/p2hp0iiOgA  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 13, 2020

The pressure is growing on Trump and Barr. The impeachment of William Barr is quickly working its way toward becoming a necessity. Sen. Warren was correct. The worst thing that Democrats could do would be to sit on their hands and do nothing while the crisis expands.

Democrats do have options. They could block funding for Trumps activities. The House doesnt need Senate approval to pass a budgetary amendment to cut off funds. It would start a standoff with the Senate, which would only serve to highlight Trump and Barrs actions.

It has been surprising that more lawmakers havent called for Barr to go. The drumbeat for Barrs resignation or removal should be loud and unanimous from Democrats. Sen. Warren is leading the charge, and more Democrats should take her advice.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 9:56PM

Mobile World Congress or MWC, which is the world's largest phone trade show, took the unprecedented step of cancelling the entire show set to happen between February 24 and 27 in Barcelona, Spain. The GSM Association (GSMA), which organizes MWC, has already released a statement about the show's cancellation due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. The trade show routinely attracts 100,000 visitors from across the world. Several companies, including LG, Amazon, Sony, and NVIDIA, have pulled out of the show ahead of GSMA's announcement citing concerns about the coronavirus. Coronavirus infections have affected over 42,000 people, with the total number of deaths at more than 1,000.

GSMA CEO John Hoffman said in a statement, "With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event. The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world."

Source: CNET + The Verge
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri police officer used reasonable force when he fatally shot an unarmed man in 2013 because the officer believed the man was armed and posed a threat, a federal judge determined.

Kansas City police Officer William Thompson shot and killed 24-year-old Ryan Stokes in July 2013 during a foot chase. Stokes, who was black, was falsely accused of stealing a cellphone. Thompson, who is biracial, shot him twice in the back even though Stokes was following another officers commands.

Stokes mother, Narene Stokes, filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit in 2016 against Thompson and the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, alleging that the shooting was not justified.

U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes ruled Tuesday that Thompson has immunity.

Using the applicable factors to determine objective reasonableness, Officer Thompson believed Stokes was armed and turned to ambush the pursuing officers, and Officer Thompson discharged his weapon to protect the approaching officers, Wimes wrote in his 15-page opinion.

The fact that Stokes was not, in reality, holding a gun when Officer Thompson shot him is not relevant, Wimes continued. Under these circumstances, Officer Thompson relied on his observations to conclude Stokes posed a threat of death or serious physical injury to other officers such that Officer Thompsons use of deadly force cannot be said to violate a clearly established constitutional right of which a reasonable officer would have known.

Stokes death happened the same year that the Black Lives Matter movement took off after the 2013 acquittal of a neighbourhood watch volunteer who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida. However, Stokes name hasnt resonated with the movement nationally.

Narene Stokes told KCUR radio in Kansas City that she was disappointed and disgusted by the judges decision.

What kind of judge is this? What kind of man is this? she said.

Her attorney, Cyndy Short, said she plans to appeal.

Kansas City police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the department respects the courts ruling.

The result of the events is terribly tragic for the family members and all involved, he said. We are sorry for the pain that Mr. Stokes family experienced.
A school that called the police on a six-year-old girl with Down syndrome after she pretended to shoot her teacher with her fingers has refused to back down and claims it did the right thing.

The girl's mother, Maggie Gaines, had accused Valley Forge Elementary School in Pennsylvania of mishandling the incident last November.

Her daughter Margot had become frustrated in class and pointed her finger at the teacher and said 'I shoot you'.

The school contacted Gaines and told her it was district policy that they report the incident to the local police force.

Maggie Gaines is pictured above with her daughter Margot who was reported to police after she made a gun gesture with her fingers

Gaines explained the incident in an interview with CBS3, insisting that her daughter had no idea what she was saying was threatening

Gaines said administrators at Valley Forge Elementary School (pictured) overreacted by contacting police about her daughter when no one was ever in harm's way

The school district has since told CNN that police didn't create criminal or juvenile records for Margot and defended its decision to look into the case.

'Requesting a police consultation allows agencies to confer and use the information they have to plan for appropriate supports.

'It is not the same as making a police report and asking for an investigation.'

The school didn't request a further investigation after it found that little Margot didn't intend to harm anyone.

Despite the response from the school district, Gaines has now said that it went 'too far'

Despite the response from the school district, Gaines has now said that it went 'too far' .

Gaines previously said that contacting police was a severe overreaction as it was clear Margot didn't know what 'I shoot you' meant and was merely trying to convey her frustration.

'She really didn't understand what she was saying, and having Down syndrome is one aspect, but I'm sure all six-year-olds don't really know what that means,' the mother said.

The mother raised the issue publicly in a letter to the school board last month, saying that school officials are misinterpreting policy and state law.

Pennsylvania state Sen Andrew Dinniman, who was contacted by the Gaines family, also expressed concern with how the district handled the issue.

'As a state senator, an educator, and a parent, I am concerned when I hear that such important decisions appear to be guided blindly by written policy or legal interpretation without those in positions of authority using their judgment, experience, and commonsense to weigh in,' Dinniman said in a statement.

'Furthermore, I am alarmed that a school seems to be acting as an extension of the police department in promulgating data and records on children as young as kindergarteners.'

Last year Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a bill that requires school in the state to establish threat assessment teams, which in turn develop their own safety measures for pupils.
The brutal murder and dismemberment of 17 year old Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda last month should serve as a warning to other young teenagers who are being groomed by the ruthless criminals, mourners at his funeral have been told.

In a direct address to the young people of Drogheda, parish priest Fr Phil Gaffney said Keanes association with such criminal gangs led to the inhumane, unthinkable way in which his young life was to end.

In what has been seen as one of the most shocking and barbaric murders in recent history, gardai believe Keane was tortured and killed in a house in Drogheda on January 12.

His severed limbs were found, a month ago today, in a bag that had been dumped from a car in the Moatview estate in Coolock in Dublin the following day.

Two days later his severed head was discovered in a burning car off the North Circular Road in Dublin.

Keane had been associated with one of the factions in the murderous Drogheda feud, and gardai believe his death and dismemberment, and the distribution of his body parts, was to send a message to his crime bosses.

At the Church of the Holy Family in Ballsgrove in Drogheda today many of Keanes friends wore T-shirts with his photograph on them as his parents Elizabeth and Barry, sister Courtney, and brothers Darren, Ryan and Jack were comforted by family and friends.

Gardai maintained a pre-planned presence at the funeral, with armed members circulating in the area.

Keane was due to celebrate his 18th birthday last week, but instead his family had to plan for his funeral.

In a strong message to mourners, parish priest Father Phil Gaffney said to say that the death of Keane has shocked and appalled the town of Drogheda would be a total understatement.

This murder has brought about an unparalleled level of revulsion Fr Phil Gaffney

This young man, at the time not 18 years of age, has been lost in the most gruesome way to his family, he added.

This murder has brought about an unparalleled level of revulsion, not alone in Drogheda, but throughout our country and, indeed, far beyond, Fr Gaffney explained.

Keane had his troubles and was young and naive enough to fall in with the wrong people, not knowing or anticipating the dire consequences. I hope that his death will be a warning to other young teenagers who are being groomed by the ruthless criminals, that the promise of money and gifts will inevitably end in tragedy, he said.

Fr Gaffney prayed that the Drogheda feud would end. This feud in Drogheda has to end sometime. Lets all hope and pray it ends before more lives are lost, he said.

In a strong and powerful message to Keanes friends and the young people of the town, Fr Gaffney urged them to learn from his mistakes.

Please learn from his mistakes, getting involved with dangerous criminals, thinking some of them were his friends and yet they would sacrifice him in such a brutal manner.

Drugs have become extremely easy for young people to obtain. Recently someone commented that a lot of people are now budgeting for their debs  as well as their clothes and drink  theyre also budgeting now for cocaine, and other drugs, he said.

It isnt just communities with deprived socio-economic backgrounds that are worse for illegal drug taking, it has become socially acceptable across the country among people from all backgrounds, he explained.

People who are taking drugs on a social basis have to realise that what they are doing is fuelling this situation of violence Fr Phil Gaffney

Fr Gaffney also said that people who take drugs socially are only fuelling the violence. He also called for more action from government.

These violent incidents need to be a wake-up call for all of us as a society to realise that actions have consequences. People who are taking drugs on a social basis have to realise that what they are doing is fuelling this situation of violence.

The problem arises from the normalisation of a drugs culture here in Ireland. Drug taking, doing a line of coke has become as normal as having a drink. We need a nationwide response from our Government, he said.

He also called on the community to help and support Gardai in the most difficult circumstances to cope with the effects of this feud on the town and its environs.

We, the priests in Holy Family parish, along with our bishop, appeal once again - as we have done in the past to those responsible: In the name of God let it end now, he said.

Keanes white coffin was brought to the church in a hearse followed by a large group of his family, neighbours and friends who walked behind.

As his remains were brought from the church the song You Raise Me Up could be heard playing inside the church.

Burial took place after requiem mass in the towns Calvary cemetery.
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TORONTO and LOS ANGELES and MUMBAI, India, Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QYOU Media Inc. (TSXV: QYOU; OTCQB: QYOUF) (QYOU Media or the Company) announced today it completed its previously announced (see QYOU Media news release dated January 24, 2020) non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (Units) on February 11, 2020 for total gross proceeds of $360,000 (the Offering). The Company issued a total of 6,000,000 Units at a price of $0.06 per Unit in connection with the Offering. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant exercisable at $0.08 per share until February 11, 2022.

Bay Street veteran Vikas Ranjan was the lead order in the Offering, acquiring 1 million Units at $0.06 each in the non-brokered private placement and is an incoming QYOU Media Board Member, subject to shareholder approval at its upcoming shareholders meeting. Following such investment, Mr. Ranjan will own approximately 3 million common shares and 2 million warrants to acquire further common shares.

Mr. Ranjan began his career at Indias largest public exchange, The National Stock Exchange, and is one of Canadas leading experts on capital markets matters related to India. Mr. Ranjan is expected to assist QYOU Media management and the Board in connection with the Companys exciting prospects in India via its Q India television and OTT channel now available via 500 million devices in the country.

The Company paid a total of $25,200 as finders fees to certain persons who assisted the Company in connection with the Offering. The Company issued a total of 420,000 compensation options to purchase Units, exercisable at a price per Unit of $0.06 until February 11, 2022, as compensation options in connection with the Offering.

All of the securities issuable in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after date of issuance.

The Offering is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The net proceeds derived from the sale of the Units will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the continued develop of Companys work in the Indian markets.

The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, such securities being offered pursuant to the Offering in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About QYOU Media

QYOU Media Inc. is a growing global media company that curates and packages premium content from leading digital video creators for multiscreen distribution. Founded and created by industry veterans from Lionsgate, MTV, and CinemaNow, QYOU Medias millennial and Gen Z-focused products including linear television networks, genre-based series, mobile apps, and video-on-demand formats reaches more than 500 million people around the world.

Contact Information

Faye Ratliff

Platform Communications for QYOU Media

+44 (0) 207 486

qyou@platformcomms.com

Jeff Walker

Investor Relations for QYOU Media

+1 403 221 0915

jeff@howardgroupinc.com

Forward-Looking Statements



This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as expects, anticipates and intends or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, final the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange of the Offering, the listing of certain securities being issued thereunder, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering, shareholder approval of Vikas Ranjan as a director of the Corporation, and the Companys prospects and future plans in India. These forward-looking statements are based on QYOU Medias current projections and expectations about future events and other factors management believes are appropriate. Although QYOU Media believes that the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and readers cannot be assured that the Offering and the closing thereof will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including certain risk factors, many of which are beyond QYOU Medias control. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding QYOU Media are described in its publicly-available disclosure documents, filed by QYOU Media on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) except as updated herein. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent QYOU Medias expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. QYOU Media undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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.
Trump appointee rules against Christian school expelled from state voucher program

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A federal judge has ruled against a private Christian school that was booted out of Marylands school voucher program for low-income students over the institutions nondiscrimination policy.

U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher sided with the state by denying a motion filed on behalf of Bethel Christian Academy in Savage asking the court to allow the school to continue participating in Marylands Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today program.

The academy, which aims to provide students with authentic Christian learning and a biblical worldview, was removed from the BOOST program after the 2017-2018 school year.

The school had accepted low-income students with BOOST program vouchers for two years before a state advisory committee reviewed the academys parent-student handbook that was updated in 2017.

The handbook outlined the schools religious beliefs and practices and contained a statement on nondiscrimination in an admissions policy page. The statement explained that Bethel does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin. The policy does not include the words sexual orientation or gender identity.

Additionally, the handbook also stated that the academy supports the biblical view of marriage defined as a covenant between one man and one woman and that God immutably bestows gender upon each person at birth as male or female to reflect his image.

[F]aculty, staff, and student conduct is expected to align with this view, the handbook stated.

The school maintains that it does not consider sexual orientation in its admissions process. But once admitted, school policies apply equally to all students regardless of their sexual orientation.

For the 2019-2020 school year, Bethel scrubbed the statement about the biblical view on marriage from its student admissions section.

According to The Baltimore Sun, Maryland officials argued that the school shouldnt be eligible to receive BOOST funds since state law prohibits tax dollars from going to institutions that lack adequate discrimination policies, considering the handbook does not include sexual orientation and gender identity in its statement on discrimination.

Not only was Bethel Christian Academy removed from the BOOST program, but the state demanded the academy repay the money it was given for past BOOST students. The amount its being told to repay totals over $100,000, according to the schools legal team at Alliance Defending Freedom.

However, Bethel Christian Academy contends that the state has violated its First Amendment rights of religious freedom and free speech.

The school sought a preliminary injunction in federal court, hoping it would be allowed to continue accepting BOOST students while the merits of the lawsuit are mitigated. But Judge Gallagher, who was nominated to the bench by President Donald Trump, contended that the school did not prove the basis of their case.

The judge reasoned that it wouldnt be practical for Bethel to be temporarily allowed back in the program if it eventually loses the lawsuit.

This request asks for the Court to nullify Defendants determination about Bethels eligibility from June 2018, to enjoin Defendants from enforcing any version of the legislations nondiscrimination requirement in the future, and to order Defendants to reinstate Bethel into BOOST, the judge explained in her opinion.

Courts have consistently noted that mandatory injunctions are especially drastic remedies that are generally disfavored. ... Furthermore, the extraordinary nature of the preliminary injunction sought in this action is primarily a result of Bethels delay in seeking preliminary injunctive relief.

Gallagher added that if Bethel had sought to enjoin enforcement of the nondiscrimination provision in 2017, a preliminary injunction could have merely prevented Defendants from removing Bethel from BOOST.

Presently, preliminary injunctive relief would require this Court not only to circumvent the Advisory Boards annual review process for BOOST applications, but also, by extension, to enjoin enforcement of the 2019 nondiscrimination provision (or some future version), which has never been applied to Bethel, Gallagher noted.

To obtain the preliminary injunction, the judge wrote, the school bears the burden of proving that it will succeed on its claims that the state violated the free exercise and free speech clauses of the First Amendment.

Bethels likelihood of success depends primarily on whether the Court would subject Defendants enforcement of the nondiscrimination provision to strict scrutiny, Gallagher stated. At this point in the proceedings, the Court does not have a justifiable evidentiary basis to apply strict scrutiny, and thus, Bethel has not demonstrated a likelihood of success.

She stressed, however, that her ruling was not on the merits of Bethels claims and in no way suggests that some or all of the Plaintiffs claims] will not ultimately prevail in this case.

The school is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent legal group devoted to defending religious freedom rights.

ADF has won several Supreme Court cases in the past decade, including the successful defense of a Colorado Christian baker punished by the state for refusing to make a cake for a same-sex wedding.

The government may not discriminate against religious schools simply because it dislikes their religious beliefs, ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker said in a statement. Marylands families deserve better; thats why were asking the court to stop the state from targeting and denying children scholarships simply based on the beliefs and policies set out in their schools parent-student handbook.

Last November, the U.S. Department of Justice submitted a statement of interest to the court in favor of Bethel Christian Academy.

The government may not attempt to regulate religious beliefs, compel religious beliefs, or punish religious beliefs, the DOJ argued. It may not discriminate against individuals or religious organizations because of their religious beliefs or status, or for speaking on religious topics or sharing their religious beliefs.

DOJ cited the 2017 case of Trinity Lutheran v. Comer.

Like the church preschool in Trinity Lutheran, Bethel is otherwise eligible and fully qualified to participate in the BOOST program, the DOJ stated. It meets all of the programs other eligibility requirements, and has represented to the Court that it does not, and will not, discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
British grime star Stormzy said on Thursday he will reschedule the Asia leg of his current world tour due to the deadly new coronavirus epidemic. The rapper, real name Michael Omari, told his social media followers he had "regrettably" decided to postpone his shows on the continent starting next month due to the outbreak. The 26-year-old had been set to perform in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, South Korea and Indonesia in March and April, as part of his "Heavy is the Head" tour. "I was seriously looking forward to bringing the #HITH world tour to Asia and playing some epic sold out shows," Stormzy wrote on Instagram. "But due to the ongoing health and travel concerns surrounding the Coronavirus, I'm regrettably having to reschedule this leg. "Information regarding the rescheduled dates will follow in due course... I promise I'll be back," he added. Concern is growing that the COVID-19 epidemic, as the World Health Organization has formally named it, is worsening. China, the source of the outbreak, said Thursday the official death toll had spiked dramatically. The virus has so far claimed 1,367 lives and infected nearly 60,000 people, the vast majority in China, as it has spread around the globe. Stormzy's announcement came after the Mobile World Congress -- the world's biggest phone show -- was cancelled due to concerns over the outbreak. Meanwhile US alt-rockers The Pixies have also axed several shows in China this month and in March, but are still touring Japan. Britain's Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel to mainland China. Stormzy kicked off his world tour in Dubai last week and is next set to perform in Berlin on February 20.
CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) has named Rush University Medical Center as a National Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer, a designation given to hospitals that have demonstrated the multi-disciplinary approach, social support and advanced research resources needed to successfully treat this devastating disease.

The Medical Center is one of only 43 hospitals in the country - and the only in Illinois - to earn this distinction. The National Pancreas Foundation Centers program was created five years ago, when the NPF saw a growing need from patients who frequently reached out for pancreas disease specialist recommendations. NPF Centers go through an extensive auditing process and are high-quality, multi-disciplinary facilities that treat the whole patient.

Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers in the United States. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which accounts for more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases, is the only type of cancer with an overall 5-year survival rate in the single digits. It is expected to surpass colorectal cancer this year as the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

"Receiving a pancreatic cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones" said Dr. Mia Levy, the Sheba Foundation Director of the Rush University Cancer Center. "The need to make a series of treatment decisions adds to the burden. Therefore, at Rush, each patient's pancreatic cancer team includes specialists from several clinical disciplines, as well as non-clinical professionals who provide the support and education needed to treat the whole person, not just their cancer."

"We are proud that Rush has assembled such a talented group of oncologists, surgeons and radiologists who specialize in pancreatic cancer. But people deserve to know not just who will treat them, but how," said Dr. Ashiq Masood , the Medical Center's director of gastrointestinal medical oncology. "Being named a National Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer assures patients that we have both the people and processes to help them through every step of surviving pancreatic cancer."

NPF Centers of Excellence go through a months-long auditing process to demonstrate they have meet a series of criteria developed by a national task force of pancreatic cancer experts. Those criteria are focused on the following three areas:

Designated Core Personnel - The hospital must demonstrate how a multidisciplinary team of pancreatic cancer specialists coordinates efforts for each patient. Those specialists include a program director, medical oncologists with primary practice in gastrointestinal cancers (including expertise in pancreatic/hepatobiliary malignancies), a pathologist with expertise in gastrointestinal malignancies, radiation and interventional oncologists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons who perform a minimum of 20 pancreas resections a year for three consecutive years.

Clinical Trial Access - Hospitals must be leaders in developing new drugs and treatments, with patients having access to approved testing novel therapies for pancreatic cancer.

"Whole Patient" Support - Beyond advanced clinical expertise, the hospital must be able to demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to social, educational, nutritional and emotional support programs designed to treat the "whole person." These programs may include patient and family support groups, social worker access, pain management service and mental health support.

Dr. Sam Pappas, the Medical Center's chief of surgical oncology, echoed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach needed to combat pancreatic cancer. "Every case of pancreatic cancer is unique, and each patient needs a therapy precisely designed for them," he said. "While surgery is typically the best option for long term survival, Rush surgeons work closely with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to determine very specific sequences and doses of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapies that we believe will work best for them."

Dr. Ajaypal Singh, the Medical Center's director of advanced endoscopy, adds that rapidly developing minimally invasive technologies are an important component of cancer care at Rush. "An endosonographer's ability to diagnose early cancer, and achieve biliary drainage is evolving rapidly," Singh said.

"But more importantly, we are usually the first providers to tell the patients and their families about the diagnosis of cancer. Knowing that we have a very strong and dedicated multi-disciplinary team to take care of these patients going forward makes our job easier while discussing the life altering diagnosis with patients and their families. This NPF designation is a testament to Rush investing in the tools, technologies and people that are saving lives at Rush today and leading innovation that will be replicated nationally."

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise. For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

SOURCE Rush University Medical Center
Let's hear it for Princess Cruise Lines, which has been in the global media crosshairs following the coronavirus outbreak on its Diamond Princess ship, which led to the quarantine of passengers and crew at a dock in Yokohama.

Jan Swartz, PCL president, has sent a letter to the more than 1,000-member crew saying the company is deeply grateful and incredibly proud of them.

She informed them that they are in line for two months paid time off. You deserve and will need a break," she said in the understatement of the year.

The crew will receive salary and the average gratuities that they normally would have received during their leave. PCL, which is part of Carnival Corp., also will pay for flights home.

At least 15 crew members were stricken with coronavirus on board the ship.

PCL is refunding the full cruise fare for passengers, including air travel, hotel, ground transportation, pre-paid shore excursions and other items.

Passengers also will receive a future cruise credit equal to the fare paid the voyage that was supposed to end Feb. 4.

My hunch: Diamond Princess passengers will opt for a road trip on their next vacation

Donald Trump and his Democratic challengers are out-of-touch with the American public when it comes to their promises of winding down US military involvement in the Middle East.

In his State of the Union address, the president promised that his administration is working to end Americas wars in the Middle East.

Elizabeth Warren said, We need to get our combat troops out. Joe Biden wants to keep a small number of troops to confront the Islamic State. Amy Klobuchar would keep some troops in the Middle East.

The public begs to differ. A survey conducted by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs found that a majority of people believes the US military presence in the Middle East should be maintained (45 percent) or increased (29 percent). Less than a quarter of respondents (24 percent) want to reduce the American footprint.

More than half (55 percent) of respondents support long-term military bases in Iraq. Thats up from 41 percent in 2014.

Despite the publics willingness to stick it out in Iraq, the CCGA poll found that people agree with Bernie Sanders contention that the Iraq War was the worst foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country.

The survey found that sixty-seven percent say the Iraq War was not worth fighting. Thats up from 27 percent in 2003 at the onset of the conflict. Only 30 percent say the Iraq war was worth it.

Despite the negative view of the Iraq War, sixty-one percent of Americans consider the Middle East as the region most important to US security interests. That tops Europe (15 percent), Asia (12 percent) and Latin America (seven percent).
Expert opinion: China coronavirus may affect Ukrainian exports

16:22, 13.02.20 1251

The expert warns a decline in imports from China will significantly affect Ukraine's electronics market.
The Federal government today challenged Nigerian scientists to find solution to the dreaded Coronavirus currently threatening the world.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who gave the charge also pledged a N36million Prize for any Nigerian scientist who finds the cure.

The Minister spoke at the send forth party organised in honour of the former director of Chemical Technology in the ministry, who recently retired.

He explained that the N36 million pledge was to encourage the local scientists to venture into innovative and reassure them that Federal government is very much supportive to research and development.



The Minister further charged the scientists to be proactive in finding lasting solutions to human challenges to prove to the world that Nigeria has the capacity to address human problems not only at local scale but at global level.

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Ciara Pugsley (15) from Co Leitrim took her own life in September

THE alarming extent and nature of cyber-bullying in Irish schools can be revealed today.

The bullies are most likely to be girls who are in the same year but in a different class to their victim, new research shows.

An NUI Maynooth study also found 17pc of children had been victims of bullying, while almost one in 10 admitted carrying it out. A quarter of victims did not confide in anyone.

The study among Irish second-level students aged 12 to 18 found cyber-bullying usually goes on for one to two weeks, but can last for several years.

Proportionately, more younger (30pc) than older (10pc) participants were likely to become the victims of bullying.

Pupils in two co-educational rural schools were asked a range of questions about cyber-bullying, including whether they had ever engaged in or been subjected to it.

The study found that 17pc of students were victims of cyber-bullying while 9pc admitted being perpetrators.

Meanwhile, 21pc of the same students said they had been victims of traditional bullying during the preceding six months.

But the incidence of cyber bullying could be much higher, partly because the study was limited to only certain types of bullying.

The report is published in the wake of three high-profile teen suicides in recent months.

Erin Gallagher (13) from Co Donegal died last month, and Ciara Pugsley (15) from Co Leitrim took her own life in September, both having been bullied online.

Last weekend Lara Burns Gibbs (12) took her life at home in Kilcock, Co Kildare. Her death has also been linked to cyber-bullying.

The work done by Padraig Cotter and Sinead McGilloway of the Department of Psychology at NUI Maynooth is published in the 'Irish Journal of Education'.

Their research covered four categories of cyber-bullying: text, picture or video clip, phone calls and emails. It found that the most common form was phone calls and text messages.

The students regarded all forms of cyber-bullying, other than that by email, as being worse than traditional bullying, with phone calls and the use of pictures or video regarded as being the most feared.

The teenagers felt that the main reasons cyber-bullying was worse than traditional bullying was the difficulty in escap- ing it, even when at home.

They also feared the potentially large audience who could view the bullying, such as those who may view a picture or video clip.

Students confirmed that cyber-bullying is less likely to be noticed by an adult.

Among the concerns about cyber-bullying is the anonymity it can afford the perpetrator. More than a quarter of victims were unaware of the class, year, gender or number of people who bullied them.

Victimisation

However, the research did find victims were most frequently bullied by a single female, or a small group of females, from a different class but in the same year as the victim.

The least likely cyber-bullies are large, mixed sex groups from younger classes.

The study found no significant relationship between cyber-bullying and issues such as family circumstances or time spent by teenagers using the internet or mobile phones.

The rates for cyber-bullying were generally lower than those found in studies elsewhere, which have typically reported rates of 25 to 35pc for victimisation and 14 to 22pc for bullying others.

But this study did not cover websites, chatrooms and instant messaging, partly because of the time required to complete it.

Much of the concern about cyber-bullying in Ireland recently was related to the teen chat room ask.fm, which was established in June 2010.

The rural base of the schools in the study is also given as a possible reason. Research has previously tended to be conducted in urban regions.

Culture differences may also be a factor, with lower incidences of traditional bullying found in Ireland when compared with other countries such as England and Australia.
Aam Aadmi party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai has said that the oath-taking ceremony of chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal will be a Delhi specific event. Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday, February 16.

No chief minister or political leader from other states will be invited for the ceremony that is going to be specific to Delhi, Rai, who is also the convenor of partys Delhi unit, told news agency PTI on Thursday.

Kejriwal will take oath with the people of Delhi who have reposed their faith in his leadership, he added.

Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi chief minister at a grand ceremony at the Ramlila Maidan. This will be his third stint as chief minister.

Also Watch l Delhi gives thumbs up to Kejriwal: What it means for AAP, BJP & Congress

The AAP secured a stunning victory securing 62 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly. The BJP increased its seats tally to eight, from three in 2015. The Congress, however, once again drew a blank.

Acknowledging the mandate from Delhi, Kejriwal gave a big I love you shout-out to the city and thanked it for reposing its faith in its son. He further added that AAPs victory will give birth to kaam ki rajneeti (politics of work).

The party leaders, meanwhile, indicated that the AAP government is set to repeat all its ministers in the Cabinet, adding that the CM, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, and the five other ministers will take the oath of office and secrecy on Sunday.

The swearing-in ceremony in 2015, when the AAP won 67 seats, was also held at the Ramlila Maidan on February 14.

The win assumes even greater significance as the AAP was routed in the Lok Sabha polls. The party won only 18% of the votes polled, coming third in five of the seven parliamentary constituencies.

When it first emerged on the political stage, winning 28 seats in the 2013 election, most political veterans of other parties were dismissive of AAPs prospects  they saw it as a one-election wonder.
The chorus within the Congress for reinventing the party after its rout in the Delhi elections grew louder on Thursday with senior leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jairam Ramesh, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and M Veerappa Moily calling for radical changes to its approach and functioning.

The Congress, which ruled Delhi from 1998 to 2013, failed to win even a single seat in the assembly polls and crashed to its lowest vote share of 4.26%.

Terming the Delhi poll results as disappointing, Scindia told reporters at Prithvipur in Madhya Pradesh the Congress needs to reinvent itself with a new ideology, new thinking and new ways of functioning.

In the past 70 years, the country has changed a lot. And in the new era, we have to go to people with new thinking and a new ideology. We also have to evolve a new way of functioning.

Hooda, a former Haryana chief minister, called for introspection within the party. The country needs the Congress party and hence we must plan for the future. Win and loss is not the question here but how the Congress has performed is the main cause of concern.

In an interview with the Press Trust of India, Ramesh likened the Congresss poll debacle in Delhi to an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus and insisted that the party must ruthlessly reinvent itself or face the prospect of becoming irrelevant. Congress leaders have to reinvent themselves. Congress party has to reinvent itself if it has to be relevant. Otherwise, we are staring at irrelevance. Our arrogance has to go. Even after six years out of power, sometimes some of us behave as if we are still ministers.

Ramesh, a Rajya Sabha member and a former Union minister, said local leaders need to be encouraged and nurtured and given freedom and autonomy. The substance and style of our leadership have to change.

Ramesh said the Congress was virtually non-existent in Bihar and almost extinct in Uttar Pradesh but strong in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and has staged a comeback in Haryana.

On Delhis poll outcome, Ramesh alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party utilised the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests in Delhis Shaheen Bagh to polarise votes and still lost.

But the result is a disaster for the Congress party also. It is an unmitigated disaster like coronavirus for the Congress, he said.

Ramesh said the Delhi result was a rejection of home minister Amit Shahs style of politics. It is a resounding slap on his face and it is a rejection of the language used in the campaign, tactics used in the campaign, he said.

On the perception that the Congress was soft on minority communalism in the country, Ramesh said the party cannot be selective on the issue and should target the Popular Front of India (PFI) type of communalism also.

The PFI or Jamaat-e-Islami type of communalism is as dangerous to India as the RSS type of communalism, he added.

Former defence minister AK Antony said the Congress cannot be seen to be insensitive to the sentiments of the majority community. We have to be very clear. We should not be pandering to any religious sentiment of anybody and that is real secularism. Real secularism is fighting communalism of all types with aggression.

Ramesh said the Congress has to be bold and aggressive against all forms of communalism.

Unfortunately in the public, the propaganda is that the Congress is soft on minority communalism. It is a reality. We have to address this issue. We cannot live in a make-believe world. We should wake up.
Westlessness to be discussed against backdrop of Middle East conflicts, coronavirus woes and Kashmir crackdown.

Berlin, Germany  The wars in Libya and Yemen, brewing tensions elsewhere in the Middle East and Indias lockdown of Kashmir are among the most pressing geopolitical concerns as world leaders and diplomats prepare to rub shoulders at the Munich Security Conference, often regarded as the Davos of security and foreign policy issues.

Thirty-five heads of state are among more than 500 politicians, officials and spies scheduled to attend the three-day summit, which begins on Friday and ends Sunday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and India are all expected.

This years theme of westlessness, organisers say, points to continued unease about the identity and purpose of the West.

It reflects a growing schism in transatlantic relations and the post-war order, as Donald Trumps presidency pushes the United States further from Europe.

Common security in Europe is also a growing issue; the continent itself is fractured following Brexit and amid the growth of nationalist and illiberal movements.

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Verging on the existential, conference organisers have urged attendees to consider if the world, and the West itself is becoming less Western, and how global security will be shaped if Western powers fade in relevance and influence.

For the past decades, the answer to the question what it was that kept the West together was straightforward: a commitment to liberal democracy and human rights, to a market-based economy, and to international cooperation in international institutions, read this years Munich Security Report, which was published before the conference.

Today, the meaning of the West is increasingly contested again.

Platform for searing speeches

The Munich Security Conference was established in 1963 by Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin, a former German army officer who participated in a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, with the aim of gathering leaders and diplomatic experts to discuss the state of NATO and relations between powers on either side of the Atlantic.

Over the decades, the annual meeting has grown to include global security concerns, with Munichs grand Bayerisch Hof hotel becoming a stage for searing political speeches.

In 2007 in Munich, Russian President Vladimir Putin excoriated the US for overstepping its borders in all spheres.

Last year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel clashed with US Vice President Mike Pence over the Iran nuclear deal, rejecting US pressure for Europe to pull out of the agreement and arguing that it provided the best path to maintaining influence over the Islamic Republic.

Merkel will not attend this year, with Foreign Minister Heiko Mass instead representing Germany, which may seek to build on its role as a facilitator in Libyas shaky peace process.

The conference is usually a backdrop for heated clashes over narratives rather than provide a forum to actually solve security issues. Andreas Krieg, assistant professor at King's College London

In January, a major summit in Berlin brought all foreign backers to the conflict together for the first time.

I would expect discussion around Libya, maybe with the EU and the EU representative taking a role there, Sarah Bressan, a research associate at the Global Public Policy Institute, told Al Jazeera.

Germany will try to continue these efforts now that it has a seat at the table after the Berlin conference, to get parties to actually respect the arms the UN arms embargo, which has already been breached, she added.

Iran is also likely to be a focal point once again following the US assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in January, which sparked international outrage and risked a major military confrontation.

The US-Iran crisis will be very much an agenda-setter as Munich provides a platform for both the Iranians and anti-Iran hawks from the US and Israel to make their voices heard, Andreas Krieg, assistant professor at Kings College London, told Al Jazeera.

For the most part though, the conference is usually a backdrop for heated clashes over narratives rather than provide a forum to actually solve security issues.

So nobody expects that the US and Iran will actually use the conference to open backchannels.

Despite several face-to-face meetings between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last year aimed at cooling tensions, Pyongyang has continued to develop its ballistic and nuclear weapon programmes, which will be a top priority for South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who travels to Munich this weekend.

North Korea conducted several long-range missile tests in December, as Kim threatened the US with a Christmas surprise unless progress was made on relieving sanctions.

The entrance of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the venue of the 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC), is pictured in Munich, southern Germany, on February 13, 2020 [Christof Stache/AFP]

Organisers announced in late January that the North would send a delegate to Munich for the first time, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong.

But South Korean media have reported that his attendance was cancelled due to prevention measures related to the coronavirus outbreak.

In anticipation of the weekends discussions, the conference report highlighted Russias widening influence in the Middle East, Africa and South America, as well as increased links in trade and military hardware with Beijing.

The document also noted Chinas military assertiveness in the South China Sea and its growing superiority in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G networks  all signs that the balance of global power is gradually tilting away from Western powers.

There is a realisation that in the 21st-century world, the West is just one of many poles to shape the global security environment, said Krieg.
In the run-up to the Delhi Assembly election, Zee News had organised the 'India ka DNA Delhi Election Conclave' event to comprehend the temperament of the voters in the national capital. The full-day event, Delhi Election Conclave, took place on February 5, three days ahead of the voting in which several prominent leaders of the country put their views on the current issues.

The seriousness of this conclave can be gauged from the fact that the public remained with Zee News on that day to know the opinions of different parties. If it is seen from TRP's point of view, in the BARC's rankings of February 5, Zee News consistently remained on the number one position, beating all channels. Zee News ranked first with a rating of 17.1%. At the same time, AAJ TAK, which claimed the fastest channel, was second with 15.2% rating and Republic Bharat by 12.2%. News18 India came in fourth with 12% while ABP News came in fifth with 10.7%.

It is noteworthy that during the event, speaking in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad challenged anyone to highlight a section of the CAA that proves that it will lead to the loss of citizenship of an Indian.

"Those who talk about democratic values, I want to ask the question, where were those people when the women journalists of Zee News were forced to suffer indecent behaviour? If what happened to the Zee News journalists at Jamia and JNU, had a BJP worker done something of that sort, then a ruckus would be created," Prasad had said.

Apart from Prasad, the main speakers included--Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar, General VK Singh, Sanjeev Balyan, Anurag Thakur, BJP Delhi State President Manoj Tiwari, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, BJP MP Pravesh Verma, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra, Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia.

Apart from these, AAP spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon and President of Indian Muslim Foundation and Shoaib Alam Jamai, media convenor of Shaheen Bagh movement also expressed their strong opinion on various issues.
NEW YORK  Harvey Weinsteins lawyer told jurors Thursday that prosecutors in the rape case against him were acting like moviemakers, conjuring up a world where women are not responsible for how they interact with men.

In the alternative universe that prosecutors have created for you, Harvey Weinstein is a monster, lawyer Donna Rotunno said in her closing argument. But, she said, hes an innocent man relying on jurors not to be swayed by a sinister tale.

Rotunno argued that prosecutors had to come up with a damning story about the once-powerful movie producer because they dont have the evidence to prove the charges.

The irony is that they are the producers and they are writing the script, Rotunno said, urging the jury to not buy into the story they spun where women had no free will.

In their universe, women are not responsible for the parties they attend, the men they flirt with, the choices they make to further their own careers, the hotel room invitations, the plane tickets they accept, the jobs they ask for help to obtain, or the messages they send, Rotunno said.

Witnesses testified they were seeking a professional relationship with Weinstein, the producer of Oscar-winning movies such as Pulp Fiction and The Kings Speech. Rotunno dismissed that as an expedient excuse.

If they label it what it was, we wouldnt be here, she told the jury of seven men and five women in a case seen as a watershed for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct.

He was the target of a cause and a movement, Rotunno said, asking jurors to ignore outside forces and weigh the facts.

This is not a popularity contest, she said.

Weinstein is charged with raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on a different woman, Mimi Haleyi, in 2006. Other accusers testified as part of a prosecution effort to show he used the same tactics to victimize many women over the years.

The Associated Press has a policy of not publishing the names of people who allege sexual assault without their consent. It is withholding name of the rape accuser because it isnt clear if she wishes to be identified publicly.

Weinstein, 67, did not testify. He has maintained any sexual encounters were consensual.

I made The Kings Speech. It was the Queens speech, Weinstein said as he left court.

Tom Hays, Jennifer Peltz and Michael R. Sisak are Associated Press writers.
The AfroDrifter, the website that published that the Ghana Tourism Authority had the worst booths at the New York Travel Show, has retracted its report.

This comes on the back of a rejoinder earlier written by the Ghana Tourism Authority, describing the said publication as false.

In his retraction, the author of the blog post, Freeman Chari, a Zimbabwean living in America noted his intention was without malice.

On 29th January we published an article that we noted Ghana Tourism Authority as having the worst booth of the African Exhibitors. This was based on my interaction with officials from GTA who were seated at 2 undecorated booths and had a Ghana Tourism sticker behind. It turns out, they had a booth that was decorated which we did not notice.

Our intention was not driven by malice and would like to retract that part! Please see the video below which shows that indeed Ghana Tourism Authority had a functional booth.

In the rejoinder issued by the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority stated that the statements made in the blog post about Ghana's booth at the New York Times Travel Show are false and likely driven by a desire to drive traffic to his site or stems from inadequate understanding of the show or the industry. Interestingly the blog had no picture of the booth or the four people he claimed were on their phones continuously for two days.

Ghana Tourism Authority further noted in its rejoinder that in 2020, North America is being focused on as a key target market as Ghana builds on the momentum of the Year of Return into the new project dubbed Beyond the Return.

The World Tourism Organization reports that Americans spent 144 billion (U.S. dollars) on tourism expenditures in 2018.

The buying power of the African-American population is expected to increase to 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020 as reported by Statista.

According to the Authority, to capitalize on the North American market trends and to enter the United States travel trade show sector, GTA for the first time ever, attended the New York Times Travel Show held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from 24th  26th January 2020.

The delegation was led by the Minister of Tourism Arts & Culture Barbara Oteng Gyasi, the GTA CEO Akwasi Agyemang, and other officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority.

---citinewsroom
Former Vice President Joe Biden (left), former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg (center), and Sen. Bernie Sanders I-Vt. (right). Read more

For Pennsylvania Democrats watching the 2020 presidential primary from afar, the view looks hazy at best.

Much of the states Democratic establishment spent months lining up behind Scranton-born Joe Biden as the best bet to win back Pennsylvania  and the White House  only to see him badly stumble in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Now, with Pennsylvanias April 28 primary just 10 weeks away, many are confronting the same reality that divides the party nationally: Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is building significant momentum, and no centrist has emerged as a clear-cut alternative to a figure who worries many in the party.

Some are holding firm with the former vice president, hoping he can still salvage his candidacy in South Carolina, a critical firewall for his campaign. Others are deeply worried about Bidens viability, but unsure if other moderate options such as Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota have demonstrated enough appeal among people of color.

And the free-spending billionaire Michael Bloomberg is increasingly seen as an attractive unity option for moderates, as he continues to drop millions of dollars advertising on television airwaves that he has almost entirely to himself.

Like so much of the party establishment nationally, all they can do for now is watch and wait, unwilling or unable to consolidate behind anyone. The candidates all talk up their abilities to beat President Donald Trump in places like Pennsylvania. But aside from Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states entirely, they have focused their attention on first surviving contests elsewhere.

Like everybody else, youre just watching these results come in, said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, a Biden backer. Its still early in the process and people are kicking the tires, so to speak. And by the time we get to vote ... a lot of things will shake out.

This article is based on interviews Wednesday with 15 elected officials and party operatives about the state of the race after the first two contests.

So far, Sanders is the only candidate who has shown an ability to generate excitement and appeal to a large segment of multiracial voters. And his strong showings so far have, for now at least, made him the candidate to beat.

His supporters argue he can generate new grassroots enthusiasm among young people, as well as working-class voters who helped Trump win Pennsylvania in 2016. As evidence, Sanders campaign pointed to an estimated 1,200 events in Pennsylvania hosted by volunteers, and campaign donations from almost 55,000 Pennsylvanians as of Feb. 5  totaling almost $3.65 million.

What I hear from establishment Democrats does not reflect at all what I hear when Im canvassing and talking to voters, union members," said Jonah Gardner, canvassing director for the Philadelphia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which backs Sanders. The actual people who are going to cast a vote are all very open to Sanders.

Sanders terrifies much of the party establishment, which worries that a candidate who identifies as a democratic socialist will be toxic among moderate voters, and could cost the party hard-won seats in the U.S. House.

Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Philadelphian who backs Biden, said his Democratic colleagues who flipped Republican districts are worried about their reelection prospects if Sanders is the nominee.

Five or six have to varying degrees expressed either concern or real concern about running with Sanders at the top of the ticket," Boyle said. "I think Bernie has run a damn good campaign and that deserves to be recognized. At the same time, though, I still believe this is a wide-open race.

Polling from earlier this month showed Biden with a solid lead among Pennsylvania Democrats, but losing some steam as Sanders and Bloomberg rise  and that was before Bidens poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.

As long as the moderate vote remains split among several candidates, Sanders can steadily earn delegates toward the nomination  even with only 20% to 30% of the vote in each state.

Its almost like they dont believe it yet, Neil Makhija, a Center City attorney active in Democratic politics who remains unaligned in the race, said of the partys reaction to Sanders rise. Theyre almost not taking him seriously in the way that they should.

For Biden, after months of touting his electability  often using Pennsylvania to illustrate the point  his pitch has been undermined. His allies note that hes positioned to do better in South Carolina, where more than half of the Democratic primary electorate is African American. But that vote is two weeks away. And in between, Sanders appears poised for another strong showing in Nevada, which has a large Latino population.

I do think theres something of a deflated feeling on staff," said a Pennsylvania Democrat close to the Biden campaign. "I dont feel like people ever expected him to win Iowa or New Hampshire, but I just dont think people thought the press narrative would be so aggressive. The obituaries of the campaign are a little jarring, and can affect fund-raising.

Alan Kessler, a bundler for Biden, said a revival in South Carolina would be key. Yeah, its disappointing," said Kessler, a Center City lawyer. "Theres no other way to frame it, but the narrative has always been about South Carolina, so now were on to South Carolina.

As Biden continues to stumble, Klobuchar and Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., increasingly appear to be solid contenders for the moderate mantle. Each has emphasized Midwestern roots and pragmatic messages aimed at winning over moderates and Republicans.

Former Rep. Patrick Murphy, a prominent Buttigieg supporter, said hes heard from county leaders in Pennsylvania who are interested in the former mayor, including several committed to other candidates.

Theres a lot of folks coming from Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warrens teams onto Pete," said Murphy, of Bucks County. "And whether thats operatives, or fund-raisers, theres a groundswell of support bubbling up here in Pennsylvania.

But Buttigieg and Klobuchar have thus far leaned heavily on white voters, which wont be sufficient in the long run  especially in the bevy of diverse Super Tuesday states that vote on March 3.

Local Warren supporters, meanwhile, were concerned about her clear fall from the top tier in the first two contests  though not yet ready to abandon ship. We all remain committed to her, said Adam Bonin, a Center City attorney.

One candidate intriguing to many Democrats wondering what happens if Biden doesnt last is Bloomberg, who has showered millions of dollars of spending on Pennsylvania television and on staffing.

I hear a lot of people talking about him. I hear a lot of people that are interested in him, said Fitzgerald, the Allegheny County executive, who argued that only Biden, Klobuchar, or Bloomberg can beat Trump in Western Pennsylvania.

If the Democratic tangle continues, Bloomberg could emerge as a centrist alternative to Sanders  though he has not yet been subjected to sustained campaign combat.

Democrats clearly have not ... settled on a particular candidate so far, said former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who is national political chair of Bloombergs campaign. It provides great opening and opportunity for growth for Mayor Bloomberg.

In a sign of how seriously rivals are taking him, the Biden campaign singled out Bloomberg for criticism over comments unearthed this week that he made about stop-and-frisk police tactics when he was mayor of New York.

Others remain wary of taking sides.

Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), who dropped out of the race last month, said Wednesday that hes focused on his Senate reelection campaign and not ready to endorse.

And Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who backed Sanders in 2016, said he wouldnt endorse anyone this time around. He said hes staying neutral because it will be critical to unite the partys disparate factions once the fight is over.

Its 100% about uniting Democrats behind our eventual nominee against Trump," Fetterman said. "Because its absolutely going to be all hands on deck.

Staff writers Sean Collins Walsh and William Bender contributed to this article.
Group of friends hanging out together in a bar.

Half of the revenue the federal government collects comes from individual income taxes, according to figures from the Office of Management and Budget. That means it relies heavily on individual taxpayers to keep it up and running. However, taxpayers might not always agree with the ways the government spends their money.

To find out to what extent Americans agree or disagree with how their tax dollars are being spent, GOBankingRates surveyed 1,000 adults across the U.S. Respondents were asked whether they believe their tax dollars are being spent effectively and how they would like to see that money spent. They also were asked whether theyre paying a fair share in taxes.

Not surprisingly, the results show that there isnt a consensus about whether tax dollars are being spent the right way. There is some disagreement on the amount of emphasis that should be given to particular programs, but that is to be expected in a country as large and as diverse as the U.S., said Mark Mazur, the Robert C. Pozen director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. But he said the bottom line is that Americans tend to realize that the government does a lot of valuable things with the taxes that are paid.

Key Findings

Majority Dont Think Tax Dollars Are Being Spent Effectively More Than Half Want Taxes Spent on Social Insurance Americans Are Divided Over Whether Theyre Paying Too Much in Taxes

One-Third Dont Want Tax Dollars Paying for War Nearly 40% Think the U.S. Doesnt Spend Enough on Public Assistance Programs

How Your Tax Dollars Are Being Spent

Key Findings

More than half of Americans dont believe their tax dollars are being spent effectively compared with nearly 18% who do think their tax dollars are being spent the right way. However, nearly 27% said they dont know how their tax dollars are being spent.

About 51% of Americans think theyre paying too much in taxes versus 46% who believe they are paying a fair share. Only about 3% said they pay too little in taxes.

A majority of Americans would choose to spend their tax dollars on social insurance such as Social Security and Medicare. About 53% of respondents said this area would be of top importance if they could choose how tax dollars are spent.

Story continues

Find Out: The Wildest Things Your Taxes Are Paying For

Majority Dont Think Tax Dollars Are Being Spent Effectively

Mazur said that its not surprising that nearly 56% of respondents dont think their tax dollars are being used the right way. There have been decades of politicians telling the public that their tax dollars are being wasted in various ways, he said. Obviously, this critique has permeated the majority of respondents.

Americans tend to feel this way if they arent seeing the benefits personally of government spending. Unless they see funding toward something that directly affects them or is in line with their political views, they tend to believe the money is being wasted, said Sebastian Leguizamon, assistant professor and director of the Center for Applied Economics at Western Kentucky University.

Only about 18% of respondents believe their tax dollars are being spent well. Nearly 27% said they didnt know how their tax dollars were being spent.

The survey also found that older adults are more likely to think their tax dollars are being wasted. About 63% of adults 65 and older and nearly 64% of adults ages 55 to 64 said they didnt believe their tax dollars were being spent effectively. However, less than half of adults ages 18 to 24 think their tax dollars are being wasted.

The difference in age I think is probably due to growing skepticism as one gets older, Leguizamon said. Younger people are a bit more idealistic, believing in some of their representatives. Older folk tend to grow skeptical of the same old politicians.

Men are slightly more likely than women to believe their tax dollars arent being spent effectively  58% versus 53%. And Republicans are more likely than Democrats to think their tax dollars arent being used in the right way  60% versus 55%.

Learn: What Do You Need To File Taxes? A List of All the Documents To Have

More Than Half Want Taxes Spent on Social Insurance

When asked if they could choose how their tax dollars were spent, 53% of respondents said spending on social insurance such as Social Security and Medicare would be of top importance. This was the most popular choice, followed by education and infrastructure. Respondents were least likely to say that the national debt should be a top priority.

People are more likely to want their tax dollars to go to Social Security and Medicare because its money coming back to them, said Tom Wheelwright, a certified public accountant and author of Tax-Free Wealth. Workers pay into these programs through payroll taxes on their wages. In fact, payroll taxes account for 35% of the revenue collected by the federal government, according to the Tax Policy Center.

Not surprisingly, the survey found that older adults were much more likely than younger adults to say that social insurance would be of top importance if they could choose how their tax dollars are spent. Thats likely because adults 65 and older benefit from programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Young adults ages 18 to 24, on the other hand, said overwhelmingly  71%  that education would be a priority if they could choose how their tax dollars were spent.

If You Could Choose How Your Tax Dollars Were Spent, Which of These Areas Would Be of Top Importance? How Tax Dollars Should Be Spent Demographic Ages 18-24 Ages 25-34 Ages 35-44 Ages 45-54 Ages 55-64 65 and Older Social insurance 37.98% 35.85% 49.64% 53.13% 61.90% 63.84% Defense and international security 17.83% 19.81% 25.90% 34.38% 31.90% 31.70% National debt 27.91% 12.26% 23.02% 22.40% 25.24% 29.46% Public assistance programs 31.01% 26.42% 30.94% 23.96% 20.95% 18.30% Education 71.32% 59.43% 58.27% 45.31% 36.67% 30.80% Infrastructure 35.66% 40.57% 43.17% 39.06% 36.67% 37.50% Environmental protections and research 44.96% 36.79% 33.81% 21.35% 22.38% 24.55% Note: Respondents could select multiple answers.

Americans Are Divided Over Whether Theyre Paying Too Much in Taxes

Polls have found that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe it is their civic duty to pay taxes. However, the GOBankingRates survey found that Americans are divided over whether theyre paying their fair share.

While 46% of respondents said they think they are paying their fair share, 51% said they are paying too much. We all want some level of public goods and services, but we do not want to pay for them  or, at least, we want to pay the least amount possible, Leguizamon said. When we couple this with the fact that most are unsatisfied with the way that government spends their tax money, then we start believing that we are paying too much for what we are getting.

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to believe that they are paying too much in taxes  56% versus 43%. And women are more likely than men to think that theyre paying too much in taxes. Generation Xers ages 45 to 54 were the most likely of any age group  60%  to say they are paying too much in taxes.

Need To Know: When Will You Get Your Tax Refund?

One-Third Dont Want Tax Dollars Paying for War

When asked what they werent OK with their tax dollars paying for, respondents top response was war  with one-third choosing this option. War also was the top thing that respondents in all age groups and men and women said they didnt want their tax dollars paying for.

However, war was not the top response among Republicans. GOP respondents were most likely to say they didnt want their tax dollars going to public assistance programs. Public assistance programs may have a negative connotation among the respondents because they may not have benefited from these programs recently or at all, Mazur said.

Nearly 40% Think the U.S. Doesnt Spend Enough on Public Assistance Programs

The survey found that, overall, Americans are split over whether the government spends the right amount of their tax dollars on public assistance programs. However, the divide is much more prominent between Democrat and Republican respondents.

The government spent 11.8% of the federal budget on public assistance programs in 2018. About 27% of all respondents said this was the right amount. Nearly 35% said this was too much. And about 39% of respondents said the government didnt spend enough on public assistance programs.

What this suggests is that there is only about 20% of people in the middle, Leguizamon said. As we see in politics, there seems to be a reduction in what we call the median voter. A greater amount of people are identifying with one of the two major parties, which then translates into preferences for public assistance. Democrats tend to favor these programs, while Republicans think they are very inefficient.

The survey results support that. About 65% of Democrat respondents said they didnt think the government spent enough on public assistance programs. However, 52% of Republicans said the government spent too much on public assistance.

Do You Believe the Government Spends the Right Amount of Your Tax Dollars on Public Assistance Programs? Answer Democrat Republican Yes 24.48% 26.97% No, they dont spend enough on these programs 64.58% 20.60% No, they spend too much on these programs 10.94% 52.43%

How the Government Spends Your Tax Dollars

The experts agree that its not surprising a majority of Americans arent happy with the way tax dollars are being spent and that about half think theyre paying more than their fair share. There seems to be a correlation here, Wheelwright said. People probably feel theyre paying too much in taxes because they dont think its being used effectively.

However, its important to note that the survey highlights that a significant percentage of taxpayers  27%  dont even know where their tax dollars are going. This lack of knowledge about how their money is being used might be contributing to a sense that its being used ineffectively.

More than 60% of government spending goes toward funding mandatory entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans benefits and income security, according to a Tax Policy Center analysis of Congressional Budget Office data. About one-third goes toward what is called discretionary spending  programs with spending levels that are voted on by Congress. About half of discretionary spending goes toward national defense, and the rest is divided among transportation, education, employment training, healthcare, veterans benefits and income security programs that arent included in mandatory spending. And about 7% of government spending goes toward paying down the national debt.

Its understandable that you might not agree with all of the ways the government spends your tax dollars. But it is important to recognize that you will benefit from some of the ways your tax dollars are spent, while others might benefit from different types of government spending. The bottom line is that Americans generally realize that government does a lot of valuable things with the taxes we all pay, Mazur said.

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: GOBankingRates surveyed 1,000 Americans age 18 and older between Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, 2020, asking six different questions: (1) Do you believe your tax dollars are being spent effectively?; (2) If you could choose how your tax dollars were spent, which of these areas would be of top importance?; (3) Do you believe you are paying too much, too little or a fair share in taxes?; (4) Which of the following are you NOT OK with your tax dollars going toward?; (5) Do you believe the government spends the right amount of your tax dollars on public assistance programs, such as low-income housing and disability payments? For context, the U.S. government spent 11.8% ($495.3 billion) on these programs in 2018; and (6) Which political party do you identify with? All respondents had to have answered Yes to the following screener question to participate in the survey: Will you file personal income taxes in 2020 for 2019? GOBankingRates used Survatas survey platform to conduct the poll.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Survey: Only 18% of Americans Believe Their Tax Dollars Are Being Spent the Right Way
By Jacob Nordangard

The World Economic Forum is totally supporting all of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aka Technocracy. Here is an A to Z analysis of each SDG and what they really mean.Please take time to read through each point, listen to each short video and then share as widely as possible. Also note that this article introduces new TN contributor, Jacob Nordangard, PhD from Sweden.  TN Editor

A week before World Economic Forums 2020 meeting, the report Unlocking Technology for the Global Goals was released by WEFs Global Future Council Working Group on 4IR for Global Public Goods. The report, written in collaboration with the audit and consulting firm PwC, reviews how the advanced technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will contribute to meeting the objectives of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

The work is part of WEFs new initiative Frontier 2030, led by Danish Anne Marie Engtoft Larsen (who also contributed to Klaus Schwabs book Shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution). Noteworthy is that six of the seven main authors of the report are women. Big Mother coming to our rescue?

The world, if all goes according to plan, is to be completely transformed over the course of a decade. Just like Maurice Strong at the first Stockholm Conference in 1972, the United Nations claims that we have only ten years to save the world, and both the UN and WEF have dubbed the next ten years the Decade of Action.

This campaign is very well coordinated and includes governments, international organisations, and representatives of civil society. Also onboard are the big tech giants who all see great opportunities for profit (read: tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars) in saving and improving the world. All according to WEFs principle of Public-Private Partnership (originating with Mussolini, implemented in Sweden, and successfully propagated internationally by David Rockefeller).

The United Nations 17 Global Goals give a blueprint for what we globally and collectively must do if we are to end extreme poverty, protect our natural environment, revert climate change and create a more sustainable, equal and prosperous future for all. (Unlocking Technology for the Global Goals)

So, what is this technological solution all about?

The report gives an overview on how 4IR could help reach the 17 SDGs. This is a plan that promises Utopia but offers only Technocracy as a solution, with no other options available.

The report presents a technocratic society where the whole world is to be controlled and governed with the help of AI, satellites, robotics, drones, the Internet of Things, and with artificial food on the menu. A global digital panopticon where all human activities are to be recorded, analysed, and corrected with the help of Social Credits  yes, even here in the West!

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is now openly displayed as a powerful weapon against the masses with a digital god (AI) who will judge and control us in real time. This is the ultimate form of social engineering and a serious threat to the freedom of humanity.

In this vision, man is also meant to be altered to become something other than a human being.

It is conceivable, on the other hand, that geocybernetics will follow completely different (or complementary) courses that lie more in the realm of social management. Here the demographic issue overrides other themes: Is there an optimal number of human beings to be supported by the ecosphere ? What is the right mix of condensing people in cities and dispersing them across landscapes? (Hans Joachim Schellnhuber)

WEFs solution to each of the Sustainable Development Goals

Here are some examples of the many 4th Industrial Revolution measures for Goal 1-16 proposed by the World Economic Forum (with examples from Youtube by corporations marketing their version of each solution).

Goal 1. No poverty

Poverty alleviation and social protection

Solutions:

AI-enabled digital footprint for credit/mobile money access

Blockchain digital identity solutions to enable economic identities, incl. for refugees

= The first example includes an AI analysing a persons credit rating through his or her digital footprint (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). The second includes collecting information about individuals through Blockchain technology to ensure their background, skills and also implicitly bad habits and behaviours. Thus, the same system as Social Credits in China, which began as Zhima Credits developed byAnt Financial to assess customer credit-worthiness. Ant Financial (formerly Alipay) is Alibabas finance company. Alibaba is a strategic partner of the World Economic Forum and its founder Jack Ma is part of the WEF Board of Trustees).

Goal 2. Zero hunger

Access to food, improved nutrition and food-production security

Solutions:

Low-cost, low-GHG emissions synthetic proteins.

AI, sensors and blockchain to eliminate spoilage/loss in food value chain, including smart food storage

= Replace even more real food with synthetic edibles and use technology to monitor all processes that handle food, ideally resulting in zero waste or risk that stores run out of supplies of (synthetic) food.

Goal 3. Good health and well-being

Advancing global health for all ages, and healthcare services

Solutions:

Smart homecare, smart wearables and virtual healthcare assistants

Monitoring and predicting health metrics and disease, including smart implants, wearables

= Get diagnosed by an artificial doctor and have your body monitored via implanted sensors.

Goal 4. Quality education

Inclusive access to education, quality of education and learning facilities

Solutions:

AI-driven assessments to enable the delivery of continuous feedback

AI-designed digital curriculums, teaching plans and content across devices

= Leave the indoctrination to an AI. It never gets tired and will nag until you give up.

Goal 5. Gender equality

Facilitating gender equality, protecting and empowering women and girls

Solutions:

AI-enabled real-time gender data analytics

AI to identify unbiased selection to support inclusivity

= Replace human intelligence with an AI to avoid incorrect judgments. Analyse data to identify and correct unbalanced gender representations.

Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation

Access to and sustainable management of water, and water sanitation

Solutions:

AI-enhanced scenario modelling for water infrastructure risks and performance

Smart water-infrastructure predictive maintenance

= Monitor all water systems. Never mind those who dont have any water at all.

Goal 7. Affordable and clean energy

Adopting sustainable energy, and energy-system optimization

Solutions:

4IR-enabled decentralized and coordinated energy-grid management, incl. IoT, AI

Smart infrastructure for operational efficiency and maintenance

= Monitor all energy systems in real time.

Goal 8. Decent work and economic growth

Sustained and inclusive job creation and productivity, and improving workers rights

Solutions:

Robotics for process automation for increased productivity

AI-enabled digital support hubs for workers

= Replace workers with robots and use AI to guide the remaining workforce.

Goal 9. Industry, infrastructure and innovation

Building inclusive, resilient and sustainable infrastructure and industry

Solutions:

IoT-enabled tracking and optimization of industrial machinery

Robotics for manufacturing and construction process automation

= Monitor all industrial processes and automate to make people more and more irrelevant.

Goal 10. Reduced inequalities

Facilitating equality and international collaboration

Solutions:

AI-enabled digital footprint for mobile money access

Next-gen demographics data analytics

= Analyse data to identify and correct unwanted differences between countries and regions.

Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities



Building smart, inclusive, safe and resilient urban systems

Solutions:

Sensor-based grid and AI-based urban network management (pollution, waste, water, energy)

Next-gen satellite, drone and IoT landuse detection and management

= Develop Smart Cities with real-time monitoring using AI, drones and satellites; surveillance cameras with facial recognition and self-driving cars.

Goal 12. Responsible consumption and production

Supply-chain optimization and sustainable consumption patterns

Solutions:

AI- and IoT-enabled consumption and production data analytics

AI-optimized logistics and distribution networks to minimize costs, emissions and waste

= Monitor and analyse everyones consumption habits in order to lower each individuals carbon footprint.

Goal 13. Climate action

Combating climate change and its impacts

Solutions:

Earth management big data platform e.g. monitoring carbon emissions

Smart and transparent land-use management

= Build a global panopticon for monitoring all processes of the earth system.

Goal 14. Life below water

Conserving and managing the use of marine habitats and resources

Solutions:

Habitat monitoring and analytics (e.g. monitoring pH and pollution)

AI-enabled data platforms to monitor and manage fishing activity and compliance

= Monitor the seas and penalise those found guilty of illegal activities.

Goal 15. Life on land

Protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems

Solutions:

Real-time habitat and land-use mapping, monitoring and detection of illegal or adverse activities

4IR-enabled wildlife tracking, monitoring, analytics and pattern forecasting and real-time detection, e.g. disease, animal capture

= Monitor all forests and penalise those found guilty of illegal activities.

Goal 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promoting peaceful society, building effective institutions

Solutions:

AI-enabled identity tax fraud identification (using browsing data, retail data and payments history)

Blockchain-enabled citizen loyalty and reward platforms

= Introduce Social Credits to create obedience to authorities and punish unwanted behaviours.

In addition, a number of technologies are listed that are in a developing phase (low maturity) which could potentially be used to meet the goals. Here we find, among other things:

Genetic rescue and genome modification for endangered and extinct species and resilience

Low-cost, low-GHG emissions synthetic proteins (AI and synthetic biology)

Decoding well-being and longevity using AI and sensors for personalized health maps and sequenced genomes and phenotypic data

Gene editing (e.g. CRISPR) to tackle human diseases driven by gene mutation

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Building sustainable global partnerships

This last goal is not included in WEFs table of 4IR solutions, but both the UN and the Group of 20 (G20) are being strengthened at a rapid pace and the 4IR solutions for each goal that was introduced before the 2019 G20 Summit are strikingly similar.

Risks of the new technology

The WEF report does see some risks with their Brave New World:

For all of the enormous potential that scaling Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies offer for accelerating action to reach the Global Goals, these technologies also have the potential to exacerbate many existing societal challenges, and to create new risks that could hinder the Global Goals.

The AI-led technology system may act prejudiced and biased.

It is difficult to achieve full employment if everything is to be automated.

Control and power over the technology risks being concentrated to a few actors.

Technology solutions, including AI, blockchain, the IoT, cloud services, 5G and quantum computing can consume large amounts of energy due to the computer processing power required and the number of operations or sensors feeding into the digital system or network.

The advanced technological system consumes enormous amounts of energy.

AI and computer vision can be used to find and exploit rare raw materials instead of protecting nature.

Electronic scrap from all the computers, sensors and devices needed for the technology solution can give rise to environmental pollution.

In 2021, the amount of e-waste generated is predicted to grow to 52.2 million tonnes,71 with just 20% formally recycled.

Abuse of the personal data collected can damage reputation, finances and security.

Cyberattacks can cripple the system.

Other Warnings

Dirk Helbing, head of the EU project FuturICT, has for some years warned that a fascist surveillance state is about to be built, more advanced than anything ever seen through history. Helbing notes that all functions that a fascist state may need have already been implemented digitally or are being implemented, and can be used on a universal scale at any time.

We are faced with the emergence of a new kind of totalitarianism of global dimensions that must be stopped immediately. An emergency operation is inevitable, if we want to save democracy, freedom, and human dignity. () Arguments such as terrorism, cyber threats and climate change have been used to undermine our privacy, our rights, and our democracy.

The sheep have handed the control of the planet over to the wolves. We now need to take it back.

Just as the United Nations has declared the Decade of Action, it is time for all who stand up for free humanity and to reject the technocratic global surveillance state which now threatens us all.
E mily Thornberry has claimed her Labour leadership rival Rebecca Long-Bailey failed to push for tougher action on anti-Semitism in the party as the pair clashed in a debate.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary said she and Sir Keir Starmer had called for the shadow cabinet to be more involved in tackling Labours anti-Semitism problem.

But Ms Thornberry, speaking during BBC Newsnight's televised hustings claimed she did not "remember" shadow business secretary Ms Long-Bailey doing the same.

Ms Thornberry said: "I think it would be right to say that the record shows that I have regularly called out anti-Semitism in my party.

Who will replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader? 1 /4 Who will replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader? Rebecca Long-Bailey Getty Images Lisa Nandy REUTERS Keir Starmer PA

It also should be said that Keir and I were both in the shadow cabinet and would regularly, the two of us, call for regular reports to the shadow cabinet."

Asked whether she was saying Shadow Business Secretary Ms Long-Bailey had not done so, Ms Thornberry added: "No, I don't think Rebecca did, but Keir and I did."

In a terse exchange during the 50-minute debate, Ms Long-Bailey responded: "I did, I think you'll find."

But Ms Thorberry added: "Sorry, I don't remember."

Ms Long-Bailey said she would sign up to the 10 pledges on tackling anti-Semitism that had been set by the Board of Deputies of British Jews if she becomes leader.

"As leader I will be signing up to the 10 pledges. I would expect my shadow cabinet and all those within it, all our members and MPs within Parliament to follow my lead on that," she added.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir added: "If you're not prepared to fight anti-Semitism, you shouldn't be in the shadow cabinet."

Lisa Nandy, the only backbencher left in the race, said there should be "no one in the Labour Party that doesn't defend the right of Israel to exist".

The Wigan MP also criticised the scale of Labour's nationalisation plans in the last manifesto, saying "we can't nationalise everything".

TODO: define component type apester

She said: "One of the things we did in the last election was we made promises we simply couldn't keep.

"We cannot go round as a party making promises to nationalise everything, to slash or get rid of tuition fees but we hadn't got a clue how we would do it and how we would pay for it.

"People are smarter than that. We have to be honest with them."

During the programme, all four candidates stated that they remained committed to scrapping university tuition fees and renationalising the water and electricity industries - pledges that were in the 2019 Labour manifesto.
The family members and parents of the students that died in the 2014 terror attack on Army Public School in Peshawar protested against the escape of the former Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan. According to local media, the family members of the victims were led by Shuhada APS Forum President Advocate Fazal Khan.

Government competence questioned

The family members protested outside the Peshawar press club and also shouted slogans against the escape of Ehsanullah. Khan was quoted saying that the escape of Ehsanullah had disheartened the APS victims. He also questioned how a high profile terrorist could escape from a highly-guarded red zone area.

Parents of the slain 145 children of #APSPeshawar are protesting over the alleged escape of Pakistans high profile terrorist #EhsanullahEhsan from a military facility. We had this fear that it would happen, a father says. Ehsan claimed the Dec16,201 pic.twitter.com/whDbIjoeye  Jamal Malyar Maseed (@jamal_maseed) February 12, 2020

Last week, the victims' family members had moved to the Peshawar High Court in relation to the escape of Ehsan from a Pakistani jail.

In a recently released audio message, Ehsan has claimed that he escaped from prison on January 11 but no official confirmation has been made by the Pakistani military in this regard yet.

Following the uproar in Pakistan after Ehsan's escape, the opposition has accused the government of 'sheer incompetence'.

The Peshawar school attack took place on December 16, 2014. During the attack, six gunmen belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked the Army Public School in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar. All the gunmen were foreign nationals, one Chechen, three Arabs and two Afghans.

Read: Sanjay Singh: Delhi Has Proved Their Son Is Not Terrorist But A 'deshbhakt'

Read: BJP MLA Terms Kejriwal As 'terrorist' After Poll Drubbing, Calls Him 'corrupt'

The terrorists entered the school and opened fire killing 149 people, 139 of them were children aged between eight and eighteen years of age. The high death toll makes this the world's fourth deadliest school shooting.

All six gunmen were eliminated by the Pakistan Army's Special Services Group (SSG) special forces who rescued 960 people.

(Image Credit: ANI)

Read: Now, Australian Senator Blames 'Eco-Terrorists' For Bushfires & Seeks Investigation

Read: JK Cong Leader Probed By NIA Says "nothing To Hide", Denies Link With Hizbul Terrorist
3 1 of 3 Tyler Pletsch | The Intelligencer Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Tyler Pletsch | The Intelligencer Show More Show Less 3 of 3





EDWARDSVILLE  State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) congratulated Edwardsville High School on being recognized among thousands of high schools for its efforts in its science curriculum Monday at the school districts board of education meeting.

The list consists of the top 5,000 high schools in the nation, including public, charter and private schools.
Sweeping victories usually offer little scope for detailed interpretation as all data tends to point in the same direction. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s performance in this state election was remarkable for many reasons. First, AAP maintained an extremely high vote share as an incumbent, which is rare. Forty of its 43 re-running MLAs won their race, which is even rarer as voters tend to reject usually half of those they elected in the previous election.

The performance is also all the more remarkable when one compares it to its poor showing in the last general election. Barely eight months ago, the AAP scored less than 20% vote share, stood behind Congress and failed to win a single Delhi assembly segment. It now won 62 of those segments with a 35% vote share gain, which, once again, is highly unusual. It has now become a given that voters behave differently in general and state elections, but we havent been used to seeing these kinds of gaps before.

Performance indicators show that this was by no means a closely contested election. Only 13 candidates won with a victory margin smaller than 5% and only four with a margin below 2%. The AAPs average winning margin is 17.5% against 8.2% for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The AAPs vote share was markedly higher in reserved seats, at 58.4%, against 52.8% in general seats, with an average winning margin of 23%. In 2015, the AAP swept reserved seats with 60% of vote share. While we do not have information yet on how the AAP performed with first-time voters, it is safe to assume that it has maintained its previous electoral base while performing well among new voters as well. As such, the AAP does more than replacing the old dominant Congress in Delhi. Its vote base is wider and its appeal cuts across more sections than the Congresss ever did.

The BJP, on the other hand, got its second worst seat share in Delhi with its second-best vote share. In 1993, when it came to power last in Delhi, BJP scored 42% of vote share and slid gradually from the mid-30s to the low 30s. They may take comfort in the six-point bump in Delhi, but it remains that eight months ago, they swept 65 assembly segments in the general election with 56.5% of the votes. Besides holding its bastion in Rohini, BJPs performance is concentrated in Delhi North-East, a part of the city with a large migrant population from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

As far as the Congress is concerned, one is reluctant to shoot at an ambulance after it hit a tree. The party that ruled Delhi for 15 years between 1998 and 2013 failed to reach second position in any seat. Sixty-three of its 66 candidates even lost their deposits. The list of factors that explain the decimation is almost too long: weak local leadership, unpopular national leadership, half-hearted campaign, failure to recruit party workers, among other things. It takes comfort in saying that it campaigned against the BJP and the Prime Minister but in the process, it forgot to campaign for Delhi.

But it is not just data that makes the AAPs victory unusual. When it burst on to the political scene in 2013, the AAP represented a strong alternative political force that bore the promise of transforming the way the business of politics is conducted in India. The party started its career as the United Progressive Alliances bete noire and persisted in that role, leading a vigorous frontal charge against the BJP. After a series of backlashes, notably a resounding defeat in the 2017 Delhi municipal elections the AAP toned down its confrontational posture to concentrate on its work in Delhi.

In the process, the AAP completed its mutation from a political movement into a conventional political party. It shed some of its adopted self-righteousness and put aside its quest for national political purification for a humbler and more technocratic attitude focused on local governance and delivery. This transition also led the partys leadership to push aside internal dissenters, to concentrate powers further in the hands of the Chief Minister, at the cost of internal party democracy. In terms of organisation, the AAP has gradually become a conventional political party, personalised, autocratic and pragmatist.

This, once again, makes the AAPs victory remarkable and significant, as it succeeded in reinventing itself as a party without losing political ground or appeal. In 2015, the AAP came to power through a wave carried by many voters who wanted to support a party that did not abide by the usual rules of the electoral game, and was committed to transparency. While the AAP stepped back on many of these promises and aspirations, it offers something else that many Delhi voters find appealing, in the form of a no-nonsense technocratic approach to governance and public goods delivery.

While successful in Delhi, this model places the party in a conundrum, should it wish to export it to other states. The depoliticised technocratic approach adopted by the AAP may work in Delhi, a relatively affluent state, where questions of social identities are not too deeply entangled with peoples economic prospects.

But in states where who you are has a greater bearing on what you get, the AAPs reluctance to take strong positions on deeper political questions might come as a disadvantage. Besides, the AAP does not have the organisational capacity for expansion at the moment. Its local branches across the country remain largely composed of young volunteers and sympathisers who still look towards the AAP as the party it used to be five years ago.

Perhaps other parties in power across the country will take their cue from the AAP and find inspiration from its success. But at the moment, the AAPs victory does little to alter fundamental national political equations, in which the BJP remains unrivalled and unchallenged.

Gilles Verniers is Assistant Professor of Political Science, Ashoka University
MEDFORD, Ore.  On Thursday, lawmakers heralded another favorable economic forecast for the state of Oregon. One lawmaker in particular, House Speaker Tina Kotek, indicated that it would mean a larger investment in addressing the state's struggle with homelessness.

"In the midst of a statewide housing crisis, I think its essential we direct some of our ending fund balance toward helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness get access to shelter," Kotek said in a statement. "I will be increasing my request for one-time dollars for serving unsheltered Oregonians from $40 million to $60 million.

For organizations in southern Oregon that are on the frontlines of fighting homelessness, Kotek's statement is welcome news.

I think that anytime that you have funds available that can be utilized for shelter and hosing services, it brings people to the table because all of a sudden they have resources, so anytime were able to bring people together and have resources to actually do something, it ends up lending itself to the bigger picture of the work we are doing, said Matt Vorderstrasse, development director for Rogue Retreat.

According to Vorderstrasse, it was a one-time grant that allowed the Kelly Shelter in Medford to become a year-round 54-bed shelter for the homeless. Before Access received an influx of funding and put $1.2 million toward the Kelly Shelter project, it was no more than a winter shelter for three years.

Rogue Retreat runs the Kelly Shelter, and the organization's greatest purpose is to address the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in the area.

With the initial investment, thats how ACCESS and the Jackson County COC was able to leverage the funding, enabling Jackson County to buy the facility that the Kelly Shelter expanded into, Vordstrasse said. It is an investment that the state of Oregon that we're grateful they made, and the initial investment that they did . . . the increase of that is just going to help more people.

Whether Kotek's proposal will become a reality remains to be seen, but she still leads a Democratic supermajority in the state House.

According to Vordstrasse, there's still much more to be done here in southern Oregon.

Part of the reason that were in the situation we are in now is because of the housing deficit that we have with affordable housing," he said. "And we know that as a community we need between four thousand and five thousand affordable housing units built to correct the market.
New Delhi, Feb 13 : As the battle over hanging of four Nirbhaya case convicts continued in a court, two groups seeking expeditious execution and demanding abolition of capital punishment, staged sit-in in support of their respective causes outside the courtroom here on Thursday.

Led by Yogita Bhayana, those for the early execution of death penalty held placards with 'hang the rapists' and 'we demand death penalty' written on them.

Those opposed to the capital punishment carried banners that read: 'The country will not bear the death of five people because of one death. Abolish capital punishment'.

The sessions court adjourned the petition for issuance of fresh death warrants against the four convicts in the 2012 case to February 17.
As former New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergs past comments endorsing stop-and-frisk are reposted online by critics, new polling shows his presidential campaign is increasingly finding support among black voters. Bloomberg is currently the second-most popular Democratic candidate among black voters, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Monday, with his support jumping to 22% from 7% late last month. This corresponds with a significant decrease in black voters backing former Vice President Joe Biden, who is currently beating out Bloomberg in black support by five percentage points.

This trend may seem odd, given that Bloomberg is a former Republican who won only one-quarter of black voters in his last mayoral campaign. And, while his record of aggressive policing in black and Latino communities may not be widely known outside of New York, recent controversy surrounding a video of a speech Bloomberg gave at the Aspen Institute in 2015 defending that record could lead to the issue having more of an impact. "Ninety-five percent of your murders and murderers and murder victims fit one M.O., he said in the video. You can just take the description and Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops. They are male minorities (ages) 15 to 25."

On Thursday, Bloomberg apologized for those comments, saying Its just not the way that I think, and it doesnt reflect what I do every day. He initially apologized for his support of stop-and-frisk right before the launch of his campaign in November of last year, though he had been defending the practice just 10 months earlier.

On top of that, old comments he made saying the elimination of redlining, a discriminatory practice used by banks to avoid lending to black communities, led to the 2008 financial crisis have recently resurfaced.

Soon after the video began circulating, Rep. Gregory Meeks, who is chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party, joined two other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to officially endorse Bloomberg. Another black elected official from New York came out in support on Thursday as well: Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. Outside of his home state, Bloomberg has racked up endorsements from black elected officials, including Mayors Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, London Breed of San Francisco and Michael Tubbs of Stockton, California, and Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois, who is a former Black Panther.

So why are black voters and elected officials backing Bloomberg, despite his history of supporting practices often deemed as racially discriminatory?

I would say that phenomenon exists primarily among older voters, older African American voters, who dont believe that Biden is going to be viable but feel that Mike Bloomberg is a good alternative because hell manage government efficiently and productively, said Basil Smikle, a political consultant who aided Bloomberg on his 2009 campaign. Theyre not necessarily ideological voters, they are voters who are concerned about bringing us back to some level of normalcy and wanting someone who they believe is someone they have access to.

Black voters are often strategic voters which is why they often throw support behind more moderate candidates, Christina Greer, a political science professor at Fordham University, wrote in an article for the Daily Beast, explaining their recent turn to Bloomberg. After a poor showing in Iowa and New Hampshire, many voters who wouldve backed Biden may now be looking for viable alternatives. Other moderate candidates, including Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, havent resonated as strongly with black voters. And Bloomberg has been actively courting them, arguing hes the best option to beat Trump.

For the African American community, its two things: one, beating Trump, and, two, progress and success  that we do admire people who are successful, Meeks  who is now the co-chair of the campaigns Mike for Black America National Leadership Council  told City & State. Meeks noted that Bloomberg could contrast his self-made wealth with Trumps. Though Meeks never backed Bloomberg for mayor, he said that the national circumstances helped shape his current support as well as the ex-mayors giving to Democrats during the 2018 midterms.

I dont like the words that came out, Meeks said about Bloombergs resurfaced comments. He mentioned Bloombergs apologies have helped to assuage his concerns, and he noted Bloombergs activism and philanthropy to prevent gun violence.

Former Rep. Charlie Rangel, from Harlem, also praised Bloombergs work on gun violence as a plus for candidacy. He is still enthusiastically backing Biden but named Bloomberg as the best second choice. Nobody that I can think of individually has done more to try to ban illegal guns and that is a big one for most of us, he told City & State.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said that many black voters outside of New York may also be less familiar with Bloombergs policies that many black New Yorkers believe harmed their community. Bloombergs enormous wealth has allowed him to buy a huge number of advertisements Williams pointed out, so his first impression among black voters outside New York has been entirely controlled by his campaign. I would say that if I saw (a Bloomberg campaign) ad, that Ive seen and heard, and did not know who he was, its a very effective ad, Williams said. Bloomberg has already spent more than $300 million in TV, radio and digital ads, an advertising blitz strategy that also helped him become mayor.

Its not the only trend that carried over from his mayoral tenure. One analysis during his first reelection campaign in 2005 found that 45% of black voters voted for him despite running on the Republican line, though he drew only 23% in 2001 and 25% in 2009.

He also is repeating his strategy of actively courting leaders in the black community in this cycle, which he did effectively particularly among faith leaders while mayor. Soon after this weeks stop-and-frisk controversy came up, his campaign scrambled to get his network of sympathetic black allies to vouch for his character, Politico reported. He spoke with 20 black pastors about the subject in a pre-scheduled meeting. Calvin Butts, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church who attended the meeting, told Politico he would continue to support Bloomberg, noting the multibilloinaires previous financial support for the churchs development corporation. That $1 million check came right before Butts officially endorsed Bloomberg for his 2009 reelection.

Reporters and political consultants have also observed that Bloombergs donations to congressional campaigns, his grants to cities and other personal largesse helped him win support in New York and are now doing the same for him nationally.

He has given money to and resources to causes that are important to him, and that are important to New Yorkers, Smikle said. Thats a relationship youre always going to want to have, no matter what.

Former black citywide and statewide elected officials, such as former New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson, former Gov. David Paterson and former state Comptroller Carl McCall have not endorsed Bloomberg. Prior to Meeks, the highest-ranking black New Yorker to back him was former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields. But there are other signs of changing views on the former mayor. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, from Brooklyn called for a federal monitor to oversee the NYPD because of stop-and-frisk in 2013. At the time, he said, "Michael Bloomberg's racially charged comments in support of the overly aggressive stop and frisk program make clear that the Mayor is incapable of providing objective oversight of the police department. But when Bloomberg entered the presidential race late last year, Jeffries said, Michael Bloomberg has a tremendous track record of success that he can run on as a mayor for 12 years.

Williams expressed disappointment that black elected officials like Meeks have backed Bloomberg. Bloomberg has extremely deep pockets, he said when asked why they may be supporting him.
SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI), a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today announced the appointment of Sojung Lee as vice president for Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) sales. With Lees appointment, the newly expanded leadership team in APJ will support SolarWinds in its efforts to strengthen the brand and extend its market position as a leading provider of IT operations management (ITOM) software in the region. Lee will be based in the SolarWinds APJ headquarters in Singapore, serving the region including Greater China, India, Japan, Pacific, and Southeast Asia.

Throughout the APJ market, SolarWinds works closely with industry-leading technology resellers, distributors, service providers, and system integrators to develop partnerships to provide new revenue opportunities1.

Welcoming Sojung onto our APJ leadership team is a major step in our ambitious sales strategy focused on building collaborative business relationships and bringing value to our channel Partners and customers in the region, said David Cronk, senior vice president, international sales, SolarWinds. She brings an outstanding portfolio of experience, passion, and enthusiasm to help us strengthen in-market relationships as part of this larger strategy. As we continue our growth plan in APJ, we look forward to Sojungs leadership in helping customers and Partners solve their IT management challenges.

Lee brings over 10 years of experience in the IT and services industry, with expertise in sales, digital strategy, business development, marketing, and project management. Prior to SolarWinds, she spent over six years with IBM Asia Pacific, where she held several positions, most recently as the Director of Cloud Platform and Cognitive Solutions Business Unit in IBMs Digital Business Group. Prior to IBM, she held positions at STX Corporation and JCDecaux. She is also an advisory board member for Yale University School of Management, offering insights, support, counselling, and leadership to the schools students, alumni, and greater community.

Its an exciting time to be joining SolarWinds in the APJ region, said Lee. To be part of a larger growth strategy so focused on sales gives my team great opportunities to build on existing momentum and empower more customers and partners with SolarWinds solutions. I look forward to contributing to the growth in the region together with our SolarWinds family.

1 More information about the SolarWinds Partner program can be found at https://partner.solarwinds.com/



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About SolarWinds

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI) is a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software. Our products give organizations worldwideregardless of type, size, or complexitythe power to monitor and manage their IT services, infrastructures, and applications; whether on-premises, in the cloud, or via hybrid models. We continuously engage with technology professionalsIT service and operations professionals, DevOps professionals, and managed services providers (MSPs)to understand the challenges they face in maintaining high-performing and highly available IT infrastructures and applications. The insights we gain from them, in places like our THWACK community, allow us to solve well-understood IT management challenges in the ways technology professionals want them solved. Our focus on the user and commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT management has established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in solutions for network and IT service management, application performance, and managed services. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com.

The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200211005678/en/
WASHINGTON  When President Donald Trump declared Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg to be a 54 mass of dead energy, those were fighting words.

Bloomberg is not that short.

So say his doctor, people who have stood next to him and varying press accounts of his height from his years as New York City mayor.

Trumps hits on Mini Mike prompted Bloomberg to suggest that the president has a mini-mind. Leaving that aside, Trumps attack on Bloombergs stature played into years of speculation about just how tall he is.

In a letter released by Bloombergs campaign in December, Bloombergs doctor said the candidate is 5-foot-7-inches (and 165 pounds).

In 2006, a jokey Bloomberg told New York magazine: What chance does a 5-foot-7 billionaire Jew whos divorced really have of becoming president?

Yet during that time, he listed himself as 5-foot-10 on his drivers license, which he isnt.

During Bloombergs mayoralty, 2002-13, the New York newspapers variously reported his height at 5-foot-6, 5-foot-7 and just shy of a 5-foot-8 aide, according to The New York Times in 2006.

Trump shortchanged all that in his tweet, cutting Bloombergs height by several inches.

Trumps insult got a rise out of Bloomberg, who tweeted as if to Trump: Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown. They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence.

On Wednesday Bloomberg told a Greensboro, North Carolina, rally, He calls me Little Mike and the answer is, Donald, where I come from we measure your height from your neck up.'

Trumps own height has been a moving target. Hes been listed at 6-foot-3-inches by the White House physician. But in 2016, Politico reported that his drivers license had him as 6-foot-2, the same height as on his Selective Service registration card in 1964.

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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.

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EDITORS NOTE  A look at the veracity of claims by political figures.

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Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd

Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Stapleton church will host the islands 15th annual town hall celebrating and talking about issues affecting the boroughs black community.

First Central Baptist Church will the host the Black Town Hall Meeting, which has become a celebration at the end of black history month, will be held Feb. 29 beginning at 9:30 a.m., according to the Rev. Dr. Demetrius Carolina, pastor of the church on Wright Street.

The meeting has become a staple in the life of many many Staten Islanders, Carolina said. We like to lift and highlight the great work that is going on.

This year, the events keynote speaker will be Hazel Dukes, the president of the NAACP New York State Conference, and a lifelong civil rights activist. Previous keynote speakers include former Rep. Charlie Rangel, and former city Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

A native of Alabama, Dukes moved to Long Island in 1956, where she fought housing discrimination and worked to elect the first black member of the Roslyn school board.

Were excited to have Hazel, and we believe that Staten Island is as important as any other borough in the city of New York and, certainly any other town in the United States of America, Carolina said referencing the boroughs deep African American history.

Also to be honored at the Saturday event, are Wagner College Music professor Dr. Roger Wesby; Central Family Life Center Minister Antoinnette Dongean; Tyler Sims, a graduate of Port Richmond High School and Delaware State University; educator Kwesi Ndzibah; president of the Staten Island branch of the NAACP Ed Josey, and the Newport Car Service.

The event will be preceded by a breakfast and panel discussion at the First Central Family Life Center, also on Wright Street, at 9:30 a.m. Attendees of the breakfast will be asked to make a $10 donation.

Carolina said turnout for the breakfast is usually around 200 to 250 people, and that over 300 typically attend the town hall. The event is sponsored by several local businesses and non-profit organizations, but Carolina said Staten Island University Hospital has been its largest supporter.

SIUH Executive Director Dr. Brahim Ardolic said the Central Family Life Center has served as an important link to the Stapleton community.

The Black Town Hall Meeting is a way for the community to get together to hear the minority voices of Staten Island on a variety of topics from healthcare, economics, and most importantly gives them a place to connect, he said.

The breakfast will begin Saturday, Feb. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the Central Family Life Center, 59 Wright St., and the town hall will kick off at 12 p.m. at the First Central Baptist Church, 117 Wright St.
Members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to delay enforcing a state law on the books since 2011 that they argued could sow confusion and open the state up to an Iowa-style election meltdown during Wisconsins presidential primary in April.

With a 6-0 vote, both Democratic and Republican commissioners scrapped a plan for local elections officials to send two separate ballots to all absentee Wisconsin voters  at least 81,000 people  ahead of the statewide April 7 election, even while acknowledging their action is likely violating state law. The April 7 election features a presidential primary, state Supreme Court general election and other local races.

The law here is very clear, but the law isnt going to be easy for our clerks to follow, said WEC chairman Dean Knudson, a Republican. In following the law, theres at least going to be inconvenience and confusion, and, at the worst, there could be chaos.

The commissions now-defunct plan was formulated to comply with state law, which requires local election officials to send out ballots to voters that involve federal races, such as a presidential primary, no later than 47 days before the election. That means clerks would need to send out ballots for the April 7 election by Feb. 20, only two days after the Feb. 18 primary, which will determine which state and local candidates make it on the April 7 ballot.

Because the two days between Feb. 18 and 20 isnt enough time for officials to finish certifying the primary winners, it would be virtually impossible to get the appropriate candidates on the general ballot to comply with the law.

To deal with the issue, the Elections Commission initially told local officials to first send out an A ballot to absentee voters no later than Feb. 20 with just the presidential preference primary, and a B, or complete ballot at a later date that would include both the presidential primary and the state and local candidates that advanced through the February spring election.

Democratic commissioner Ann Jacobs called the plan insanity.

The plan garnered negative feedback from some local elections officials, including Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl, who told the commission she feared the two-ballot scheme would reduce the number of votes in the presidential preference or Supreme Court elections because voters, out of confusion, could mark their presidential preference, or A ballot, while not completing the B ballot featuring state and local races. She envisioned another scenario where a voter could complete the presidential preference, or A ballot, as well as the full B ballot, but leave blank the B ballots presidential preference section. The problem stems from the fact clerks, if they receive both ballots, would only count the B, or full ballot.

We are deeply concerned that this procedure will compromise the integrity of the April 7 Election, Witzel-Behl wrote.

With the presidential primary looming and complaints from local elections clerks, commissioners reversed course on Wednesday and are now recommending to local clerks they essentially ignore state law for at least the rest of 2020 and only send out a full B ballot to absentee voters at a later date that includes both the presidential and state and local races.

Clerks are being instructed to follow federal law with regard to military and overseas voters, who will still receive an A and B ballot. That will only affect several thousand voters.

Voters can return both A and B ballots, in which case elections clerks would only count the B ballot. By only returning an A ballot, however, a voter would only be voting in the presidential primary, and not in state and local races.

The states 47-day rule has been on the books since 2011; however, it wasnt enforced for all absentee voters in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections because of prior interpretations of the law by the WECs predecessor agencies.

WEC administrator Meagan Wolfe said the agency discovered the discrepancy with state law in reviewing election dates for the 7th Congressional District primary, scheduled for next week.

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Belinda Cohen was married to Ocado boss Tim Steiner for 14 years having four children

The ex-wife of Ocado boss Tim Steiner said today 'good luck to him!' after her former husband bagged a 58.7million bonus.

Belinda Cohen insists she has no regrets over the divorce from the 50-year-old food delivery chief executive after he was awarded the huge bonus despite Ocado's losses of 214million.

Speaking to MailOnline at her 3.5million north London home, Belinda, 48, said: 'Congratulations to him. I'm delighted. It's a fantastic amount of money. Good luck to him.

She added: 'I don't have any regrets. I just wish him lots of luck in the future.'

Belinda wed the city high-flier in 1999, the year before he founded Ocado. Their marriage floundered in 2016 and Mr Steiner is now dating glamorous Polish model Patrycja Pyka, 30.

The end of their marriage led to an acrimonious court battle with the father-of-four dividing his 116 million fortune with Belinda.

Steiner, 50, pictured with lingerie model Patrycja Pyka, 30, was awarded a 58million bonus for his work with Ocado despite the company posting losses of 214million

The food delivery chief executive set up home with Polish model Patrycja Pyka, who is 30 years his junior, after splitting with his wife Belinda and going through an acrimonious divorce

Belinda insists she has no regrets about Steiner now being catapulted into the realms of the UK's super-rich following their divorce.

Belinda was pictured at the High Court in 2016 as she battled over their 116m divorce

He is also in line to receive a special 100million bonus if Ocado's share price continues to soar in the next five years.

His pay-out is one of the largest ever to a British chief executive, falling just below the 70million paid to advertising mogul Sir Martin Sorrell in 2015.

The bonus announcement is a large increase on the 4million which Mr Steiner received last year and follows a shareholder revolt against the company's pay policy at its annual general meeting.

The online supermarket has been a runaway success on the stock market thanks to its ability to sell futuristic robotic warehouses abroad.

Under his leadership, Ocado shares have risen more than five-fold since late 2017. A saver who invested 1,000 in Ocado in December 2017 would now have 5,255.

Earlier this week, the value of Mr Steiner's shareholding in Ocado had increased to close to 296million.

Mr Steiner's eye-watering pay packet came as the company's losses ballooned from 44million to 214million, which it blamed in part on a fire at its warehouse in Andover last year.

The former couple's assets included a 15million mansion in Highgate (above), north London, and a ski chalet in French resort Courchevel

The largest component of Mr Steiner's 2019 pay was a 'growth incentive plan', which paid 54million if Ocado's share price outgrew its stock market rivals by more than 20 per cent per year between 2014 and 2019.

Finance chief Duncan Tatton-Brown and operations director Mark Richardson both banked 14million, while Luke Jensen, who runs Ocado's technology business, received 6million.
Multiple members of the Astros emphatically denied ever using buzzers or other wearable devices to steal signs from opponents as spring training opened in West Palm Beach on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference to address the teams sign-stealing scandal, team owner Jim Crane emphatically denied the theory that players used vibrating devices to know what pitches were coming.

The commissioner addressed that in the report and Im confident its accurate, Crane said. "Ive discussed it with the players and theyve assured me nothing like that every happened. Theres no substance to that whatsoever.

I truly believe there are no buzzers, ever, and I dont even know where that came from, he said.

Speculation has run rampant on Twitter and other sites that Astros players, including Jose Altuve and others wore buzzers in recent years. Players denied that while speaking to reporters in the clubhouse.

Thats a lie. Nobody wore buzzers. Nobody wore devices, shortstop Carlos Correa told reporters, including Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. That story should be killed already. We know for sure, for a fact, 100 percent as a team.

It was a fake Twitter account that started everything, Altuve told reporters. It makes me upset that a fake Twitter account had that much credibility. Like I said, I feel bad for 2017 but I can say something that I didnt do was the buzzer thing. No one on this team wore a buzzer.
LONDON  What was expected to be a routine cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Boris Johnson took an extraordinary turn on Thursday, when the Treasury chief, Sajid Javid, abruptly resigned rather than cede some of his power over economic policy to Mr. Johnson.

The surprise departure of such a senior figure was a significant blow to Mr. Johnson; the Treasury is traditionally the most powerful department in the British government, and the chancellor of the Exchequer, who leads it, is usually the second-most important politician after the prime minister.

Rishi Sunak, 39, who as chief secretary to the Treasury had been Mr. Javids deputy, was named to succeed him as chancellor  a remarkable rise for a former employee of Goldman Sachs who was elected to Parliament only in 2015.

The drama unfolded on a difficult day for Mr. Johnson, as the opposition Labour Party demanded clarity about who had paid for a luxury Caribbean vacation taken by the prime minister and his partner in late December and early January.
(Sharecast News) - Domino's Pizza said on Thursday that it has agreed to sell its Norwegian business.

The company has agreed to sell its entire 71% stake in Domino's Norway to Pizza Holding AS and EYJA Fjarfestingafelag III EHF, the existing minority shareholders in the business. Domino's will pay a cash outlay of ?7m and fund the Norwegian arm's losses until completion.



The deal is subject to shareholder approval



Chief executive David Wild said: "This transaction is positive for all stakeholders and also provides DPG with a clean exit from Norway following operating losses and high levels of capital expenditure over a number of years. The new owners have exciting plans for the business and importantly, the Domino's brand will retain its presence in Norway.



"Now we have agreed the transaction for Norway, we will focus on progressing transactions for our businesses in Sweden, Switzerland and Iceland. We are focused on securing the best possible terms for shareholders and are working closely with Domino's International throughout. We will update the market in due course."



At 0850 GMT, the shares were down 0.2% at 306.54p.



Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, said: "The Norwegian business has been a persistent problem as management losses rose more than expected. It's been a tough job to integrate the two businesses acquired in 2017. Ultimately walking away is the right call."



Broker Liberum said: "The exit of Domino's Norway is arguably a much cleaner outcome than we would have ever anticipated.



"In effect this deal is a clean exit from Norway with no lingering lease liabilities, and a clean exit in terms of the MFA (master franchise agreement) - there are no ongoing contingent liabilities.



"There is no change to our view as our sell has always been based on the risks in the UK system which remains but we acknowledge this is as good an outcome as anyone could have ever hoped for."




A plea challenging Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, under which several political leaders and activists have been detained since the abrogation of Article 370, was filed on Thursday.

The petition filed by Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of J&K National Panthers Party and Executive Chairman of State Legal Aid Committee, termed the Act as dead and "ultra vires" (beyond the legal power).

Singh, who is also a senior advocate, has sought directions declaring the J&K Public Safety Act, 1978 as invalid law which was enacted by Jammu & Kashmir Legislature in 1978 by virtue of the exclusive jurisdiction of J&K under Article 35-A.

According to the petition, more than 600 political activists have been detained for more than six months under the draconian and dead law which had lost its existence the day President of India abrogated Article 35-A from Chapter-III of the Indian Constitution.

The plea has sought directions to release all the detenus who were detained on or before August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, and who have completed more than three months in detention without trial in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir



"Direct the Union of India and the respondents to grant appropriate compensation to all the detenus who have completed six or more months in illegal detention in J&K/outside J&K under the detention order of J&K Public Safety Act, 1978, which had lost its existence as valid law," the plea said.

It has also sought directions to restore the statehood to J&K which was declared/established as a State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846 by the founding Maharaja Gulab Singh and continued as recognized state till 2019.

"Direct the respondents/Union of India to appoint Delimitation Commission in Jammu & Kashmir and hold fresh Assembly election in 2020 after delimitation of the constituencies in J&K so that confidence of the people in democracy, rule of law and Indian Constitution is not shaken by the enemies of peace and rule of law," the plea said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You is finally out on Netflix, and even before the premiere we were feeling Lara Jean Covey's struggle to choose between Peter Kavinsky and John Ambrose McClaren (played by new cast member Jordan Fisher). If you're also experiencing Lara Jean's pain, there's a good reason why: Jordan's chemistry with star Lana Condor is off the charts. For Lana, Jordan stood out from the "talented, amazing, attractive, wonderful, great options" of male actors gunning for the role.

In the film, sporty, confident, flirty Peter Kavinsky (played by Noah Centineo) stands in stark contrast to John Ambrose, who embodies a quieter energy as he tries to win over Lara Jean. LJ and John Ambrose connect through letters in the sequel, when he replies to her old love letter with one of his own; they then end up working in the same nursing home as part of a school extracurricular. Chaos, Cinderella moments, and love triangles ensue. But in an interview with Teen Vogue's Gabe Bergado, Lana was candid about the casting process and how other actors tried to portray the softer, more emotionally intelligent John Ambrose with an approach more akin to how Noah plays Peter.

"We thought, John Ambrose is a great character in the books. If they read the books, [the actors] will get it. They'll get that he's not that, he's more sensitive, like Lara Jean. He's softer, like Lara Jean, and he's really smart, like Lara Jean. A lot of guys came in with more of the Peter Kavinsky energy," Lana says. "That was so weird for me because I realized they were all trying to be like Noah. They were trying to be super macho and really charming but in a way where I'm like, 'What's happening?'"

Jordan, she says, was her very last chemistry read, and after just one take she knew he was the one. "I knew in my heart," she says. "The first word out of his mouth, I was like, there it is. I had that same feeling I had with Noah when we chemistry read together. When Jordan left the audition room I was like, 'You guys.'"

Story continues

Prior to To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Jordan Fisher acted in various Disney Channel productions, including Teen Beach Movie and its sequel as well as the Dove Cameron-led show Liv and Maddie. Back in 2009, he even had a cameo in iCarly. More recently, he's turned to musical theater with roles in Rent: Live and Grease Live!, and Hamilton on Broadway. He's currently playing Evan Hansen  a role originated by Ben Platt  in Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen for a 16-week run.

As Lana explained in her Teen Vogue cover story last month, the casting call for the To All the Boys I've Loved Before sequel was color-blind. At the end of the first film, audiences got a glimpse of John Ambrose, who was then played by actor Jordan Burtchett. In the book P.S. I Still Love You, John Ambrose is described as having blonde hair and navy blue eyes; he's also the grandson of Lara Jean's nursing home friend and mentor Stormy who explains to LJ, "My grandson looks like a young Robert Redford." In the film adaptation, John Ambrose isn't related to Stormy (who is played by Holland Taylor).

Would I prefer [John Ambrose] to be someone that's a person of color? Yes, for my own... call it selfish reasons that I would like our diverse film to be even more diverse. I actually don't think that's selfish; I just think that's right, Lana said about the recasting in her January cover story. But I also wasn't, I'm only going to read with people of color or no one at all. I just really wanted the world to see a world of To All the Boys that looks like the one that you see every day.

Ultimately, Jordan encapsulated what Lana thinks of as a crucial aspect of the sequel, and she told coworkers on the phone they should pick him if they want to embrace the intent behind Jenny Han's original vision for the character.

"I was like, 'You could pick a more macho jock person if you want. You absolutely can, but it's going to be a different movie if you do that,'" she says. "Or you can pick Jordan, who is John Ambrose in the flesh from the books. Sensitive, smart, caring, everything that I had imagined. I kept telling them, 'You have to preserve the sweetness of To All the Boys.' If you don't, then no one's going to like the sequel no matter whatever with the boys. You have to preserve the sweetness."

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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Lana Condor Invites Us Home

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
"The UGG Collective is an ever-changing group that reflects our values and our California lifestyle. This season, the Collective includes a passionate chef, an inspired artist, a digital curator, a fearless skateboarder, and a seasoned choreographer. In telling their stories, we tell ours."  Andrea O'Donnell , President, Fashion Lifestyle, Deckers Brands

Dominique Crenn is the first woman in the United States to receive three Michelin stars for her restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco . Driven by passion and purpose, the success of her restaurants proves that hard work, dedication, and a provocative point of view can change the world.





is the first woman in to receive three Michelin stars for her restaurant Atelier Crenn in . Driven by passion and purpose, the success of her restaurants proves that hard work, dedication, and a provocative point of view can change the world. Claire Tabouret is a French artist based in Los Angeles . Immersed in the arts at an early age, her figurative paintings, drawings, and sculptures deconstruct the female form and explore the enigmas of childhood. Drawing inspiration from mythology, history, and personal experience, her work offers an impassioned and uninhibited commentary on notions of femininity.





is a French artist based in . Immersed in the arts at an early age, her figurative paintings, drawings, and sculptures deconstruct the female form and explore the enigmas of childhood. Drawing inspiration from mythology, history, and personal experience, her work offers an impassioned and uninhibited commentary on notions of femininity. Jordan Watson , known in creative communities as "Watts", is a Los Angeles -based curator focused on digital art. Through his virtual gallery @love.watts and his physical gallery 0-0LA, Watts supports emerging artists and endeavors to make art accessible to all.





, known in creative communities as "Watts", is a -based curator focused on digital art. Through his virtual gallery @love.watts and his physical gallery 0-0LA, Watts supports emerging artists and endeavors to make art accessible to all. Ajani Russell is an amateur skateboarder and interdisciplinary artist from Brooklyn . She's a founding member of Skate Kitchen, a collective of fearless female skaters from New York who inspired Crystal Moselle's eponymous film released last year. When Ajani isn't skating the city streets, she's studying art at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, California .





is an amateur skateboarder and interdisciplinary artist from . She's a founding member of Skate Kitchen, a collective of fearless female skaters from who inspired eponymous film released last year. When Ajani isn't skating the city streets, she's studying art at (CalArts) in . Nathan Mitchell is a dancer and choreographer from Seattle . He infuses meaning into every movement and channels raw power with every step. He's performed in countless projects, including McQ's short film "Eating Emotions (Chased by Sounds)" and Charlotte Tilbury's "Scent of a Dream" commercial alongside Kate Moss .

The backdrop for the Spring/Summer 2020 Collective campaign was the Eric Lloyd Wright House in Malibu, California. Designed by Eric Lloyd Wright, the property was passed down by his grandfather, world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The estate was never completed but remains an iconic California landmark renowned for its modernist look.

The brand campaign was shot by photographer Frederic Auerbach and produced by 3Star Productions. The cast's looks came to life with the help of wardrobe stylist Kate Ruth, hair stylist Nichole Servin and makeup artist Katey Denno.

About UGG

Founded in 1978 by an Australian surfer on the coast of California, UGG is a global lifestyle brand renowned for its iconic Classic boot. First worn by Hollywood royalty, fashion editors and then the world, UGG designs and retails footwear, apparel, accessories and homewares with an uncompromising attitude toward quality and craftsmanship. Delivering more than $1 billion in annual sales, UGG partners with the best retailers globally and owns over 130 concept and outlet stores worldwide in key markets including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. For more information, please visit www.ugg.com. @ugg @uggmens #ugglife

Campaign Imagery

Photography Credit: UGG

SOURCE UGG

Related Links

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Although the species is endangered in the wild, zoos, aquariums and the federal government that form a kind of sea otter cooperative have agreed not to breed the animals in human care. They want to be sure there is capacity to take in the pups who are found stranded every year, separated from their mothers, which is not only Lunas story, but also the story, with slight variations, of all but one of the six southern and Alaskan sea otters at the Shedd.
Ballistic examination has shown that the Berdyansk boat was hit by an armor-piercing projectile from a Russian Ka-52 helicopter, which confirms the aggressive nature of the Russian attack on Ukrainian ships in November 2018.

"We would like to draw the attention of delegations to the results of a ballistic examination of the damage caused by the attack on three Ukrainian ships and their crew members by the Russian Federation on November 25, 2018. Russia returned those ships to Ukraine last November in accordance with a mandatory order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The shell hole in the Berdyansk armored boat resulted from the direct airstrike with an armor-piercing projectile from the Russian Navy Ka-52 helicopter," Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna Ihor Lossovsky said during a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The representative of Ukraine stressed that the evidence "clearly confirms the aggressive and illegal nature of the actions taken by Russia in the Black Sea in November 2018."

The other two ships, the Yany Kapu and the Nikopol, were sent for repair. The Ukrainian delegation had previously provided the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation with detailed information about serious damage and looting committed by the Russian side on captured boats, Lossovsky added.

As reported, on November 25, 2018, Russian border guards fired on and seized three Ukrainian Navy ships, the Berdyansk, the Nikopol, and the Yany Kapu, heading from Odesa to Mariupol, near the Kerch Strait. In addition, their crewmembers, 24 Ukrainian sailors, were captured. Three of them were wounded. A Russian-controlled court in the occupied Crimea arrested the detained Ukrainian sailors on charges of alleged illegal border crossing.

On May 25, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ordered Russia to immediately release 24 seamen and three ships and allow them to return to Ukraine.

On September 7, Ukraine and Russia exchanged detainees in the 35-for-35 format. Twenty-four Ukrainian seamen returned home as part of the exchange.

On November 18, 2019, after 358 days of unlawful seizure, the Berdyansk and the Nikopol boats and the Yany Kapu tugboat were transferred to Ukraine in neutral waters in accordance with the ITLOS order.

On November 20, the ships were delivered by tugboats to the Ukrainian Navy base in Ochakiv practically in destroyed condition. They have not been repaired so far as the investigative activities and ballistic expertise were ongoing.

ol
Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan on Thursday appeared in a local court here in connection with a case of violating prohibitory orders and inciting communal tension during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

Special court judge Ram Sudh Singh fixed April 3 for appearance of the other accused in the case involving BJP leaders, including UP minister Suresh Rana.

Former MP Bhartendu Singh and VHP's Sadhvi Prachi did not appear in court and the judge directed their lawyers to appear on April 3 as fixed by the court.

According to government lawyer Subhash Saini, the accused have been charged with offences under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint).

It is alleged that they had taken part in a panchayat meeting in Nagla Mador village where they violated prohibitory orders and incited violence through their speeches on August 30, 2013.

Over 60 people were killed and more than 40,000 displaced in the aftermath of the riots in the district and adjoining places that year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two men have been executed for raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl in Somalias Puntland region.

The men, Abdifatah Warsame, 24, and Abdhishakar Dige, 46, were executed on Tuesday by firing squad in Bosaso  a city in the northeastern Bari province of Somalia. The third man, Abdisalam Abdirahmans execution was delayed for ten days.

Iliyas Aden, the father of the girl, alongside his family, welcomed the execution, according to VOA. He expressed his satisfaction in the judgement, saying I am feeling good.

He further said that the punishment will help reduce rape against Somalia women.

There will be a strong lesson from this case, he added.

Mr Aden who witnessed the execution of the men said he personally examined if the men still had pulses, just to make sure they were dead.

Background

In February 24, 2019, Aisha Aden was sent to the market by her mother to do some shopping, a trip she never returned from.

She was kidnapped and was later found near the home of a neighbour, Mr Dige. The prosecution showed pictures of the victims body badly tortured, bruised and mutilated.

One of the accomplices, Mr Wasame, confessed in court that he participated in the rape but had no involvement in her killing.

He said that on the day of her kidnapping, Mr Dige brought him into his house and showed him Aisha, tied up in a room. He said he was convinced to participate in the rape.

When he left the house, Mr Warsame said, Aisha was still alive. Mr Dige later told him he had to kill the girl in order to avoid being identified, he said.

The three men involved in the crime were convicted and sentenced to death in May last year by the court. A higher court in August, upheld the death sentence. The execution was signed off by the Putland regions leader, Said Deni.

A senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, Laetitia Bader, in a response to the verdict, said in a Tweet, that what happened to Aisha was heart-breaking, horrific and a serious crime. To honor Aisha the Puntland authorities needed to credibly investigate and prosecute her brutal rape and murder.

But the death penalty is inherently cruel & irreversible. Even in the most established judicial systems, due process abuses occur, often in highly contentious cases. Puntland should be seeking to end its use of the death penalty; however unpopular such a move may be.
Shipping Rates Plunge, Commodities and Stocks May Follow

An almost immediate reaction to the Coronavirus outbreak in China and throughout most of the world has sent shock-wave through the global markets  particularly seen in Shipping and Oil. The actions within China to attempt to contain the virus spread include shutting down entire cities and setting up mass quarantine events. It is estimated that as many as 8+ million people were quarantined within cities in China throughout the Chinese New Year.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping, warned recently that the Coronavirus, and the efforts to stop it, may greatly reduce the Chinese economy over the next few months. The Chinese President urged top officials to refrain from more restrictive measures to contain the virus. It is our opinion that more restrictive measures are essential to efforts to contain the spread of this virus and that further contraction in the Chinese economy, as well as other economies, are almost set in stone at this point.

Information weve received from some friends living in China and Hong Kong suggest travel is very restricted, face masks are very scarce, people are staying inside their homes and surviving as family units within very close contact with one another. They are scared, trapped and unable to do anything other than try to wait this out. Imagine what this is doing to the local economies, shops, offices, and businesses?

Reflectively, global shipping rates have collapsed over the past 30+ days as one of the first signs of the contraction in the global markets. As of December 31, 2019, both Tanker and Dry-Bulk rates were hovering near $14,000 per day. Now, this rate is near $2500 per day  a -82% decrease. As you consider the broader aspects of this massive decrease in shipping rates, consider the global contagion event that may setup if the Belt-Road region is adversely hit with the Corona Virus.

Source: Bloomberg.com

SEA Shipping Sector ETF  Daily Chart

Shipping stocks are taking a beating. Factories are shut down, the product is not being shipped, and even product ready to be shipped many dont want to take delivery for the time being.

From a short term standpoint, this sector is looking oversold, but depending on how much the virus spreads we could see another 20% from the current price.

Chinas Belt-Road Infrastructure Projects

Chinas Belt-Road Initiative consists of massive infrastructure, port, and other projects throughout Europe, Asia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Africa, and other nations. These projects have been initiated over the past 5+ years and are well underway. We believe the spread of the Coronavirus may follow a path along with the Belt and Road projects and potentially infect a larger number of individuals over the next 30+ days than originally expected. If this virus moves into the Middle East or Africa, containment may become very difficult.

The reality is that Shipping and Commodities could see a dramatic price decline as this virus outbreak continues over the next 60+ days. Reports are already starting to hit the news wires that Autos and manufacturing supplies are starting to pile up and ports in China. Without a functioning manufacturing sector and workers to keep everything running, Chinas economy will grind to a halt very quickly.

This translates into lower Oil prices, lower raw material prices and higher metals prices. A capital shift will continue to take place throughout the world where capital will move away from risky environments and towards more secure investment environments. Thus, capital will move away from Asia, India, the Middle East and potentially Europe and towards the USA, Canada and possibly Mexico. Everything depends on what happens over the next 60 to 90+ days with regards to this virus outbreak.

Monthly Crude Oil chart

This Monthly Crude Oil chart shows how quickly Oil rotated lower in January 2020. Currently, Oil is trading near $50 per barrel and may break lower towards the $44 to $46 price level before finding any real support. Overall, our research team believes Oil may reach as low as $35 to $36 ppb before reaching a bottom. You can read our earlier research here: https://www.thetechnicaltraders.com/oil-begins-to-move-lower-will-our-predictions-come-true. Within that research post, dated November 19, 2019, we highlighted our earlier predictive modeling research from July 2019 suggesting Oil would break substantially lower in November 2019 and again in February 2020. We predicted this downside move in Oil nearly 8+ before it happened.

Transportation Index Monthly Chart

This Transportation Index Monthly chart highlights the sideways FLAG formation setting up in the US Transportation sector. If the US market breaks lower as a result of lower global economic activity, we believe we will see the Transportation Index fall very quickly to levels below $9,500. A breakdown in the Transportation Index would be an early warning sign that the US economy is headed towards a recession or contraction event. Global shipping has already confirmed this event is taking place  yet the US Transportation sector has not shown much weakness.

Traders need to be very aware of the risks in the markets and the continued Capital Shift that is taking place throughout the planet. Capital is running away from risk and pouring into more stable markets. The ultimate risks to the global economy are for those nations where debt/economy levels are fragile, to begin with  which is why we highlighted the Belt Road project. If China enters a protective mode where the Chinese Central Bank attempts to bail out Chinese companies/initiatives, we believe the Belt Road project could become a great risk. And we believe this could happen very quickly given the current market environment.

The dynamics of global markets are changing very quickly. It is time for traders to prepare for bigger volatility and large range sector rotation. Follow our research, learn how we can help you stay ahead of these bigger moves in the markets. 2020 is going to be a fantastic year for skilled traders  you just have to stay ahead of the risks and be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities as they are presented.

Join my Swing Trading ETF Wealth Building Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

Chris Vermeulen

www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic



Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better.



His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility.



He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect.

Chris Vermeulen Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Extinction is a biological term that describes the termination of a whole group of a species such that they cannot be found anywhere on the planet, or the surviving members no longer have the ability to propagate their species. The term Functionally Extinct describes a situation where a species still exists but is unable to play any role in the ecosystem due to population decline or disruption in their gene flow. Since 1900, about 477 species of animals have gone extinct already thanks to human activities. Of these extinct species, 158 of them are fish species, 146 amphibians, 80 species of birds, 69 species of mammals, and 24 species of reptiles. For a species to be declared functionally extinct, certain conditions have to be met first. These conditions include the following

The animal disappears from the fossil record

A Fossil Record refers to the impression or trace left behind by a once-living organism. Once the sighting or a historical report of a given species ceases, then that species meets the threshold of being declared functionally extinct. The period it takes for this to come into effect is usually ten years. Once a decade elapses without any sighting or report, then the status of the animal becomes extinct.

The animal has a reduced role in the ecosystem

Every living organism has a role to play in the cycle of life, a position in the natural order of things called the food chain. Once the populations of a particular species decline to levels too low for them to add any value to this cycle, then they qualify to be declared functionally extinct.

The animal is no longer viable

The survival of a species wholly depends on its ability to continually reproduce in a manner that keeps their populations stable or higher over some time. Once members of a species are unable to reproduce or when the rate of reproduction is not fast enough to sustain the species due to genetic shifts, then that species can be declared functionally extinct.

A reduction in the area the species inhabit

Animal species need space to find food and mates during the breeding season. The bigger the population of a species is, the bigger the territory occupied. As they continue multiplying, the size of their habitat also increases accordingly to reduce competition for food and other needs. When the population of a species starts declining, their territories begin to shrink, and sighting them in the wild becomes harder. The shrinking can be used as an indicator of their status in the ecosystem.

A reduction in adult populations

According to National Geographic, a population with less than 2,500 adults is considered an endangered species. Similarly, a species that experience a population decline of at least 20% in a within two generations or five years is regarded as endangered. Further decline would render them functionally extinct.

Some of the functionally extinct animals in the current timeline include the following:

Panamanian Golden Frog

The frog was once prevalent in the cloud forests of Panama before its numbers were brought to dangerously low levels by the amphibian chytridiomycosis disease. The diseases not only affected the Panama golden frog but other frog species in the region as well. The frog has not been seen in the wild since 2006 and can only be found in zoos and sanctuaries. There are about 1,500 individuals left in the world right now.

Butterfly Splitfin

The small fish was once spread out in the Rio Ameca region of Mexico until the construction of a dam that destroyed their habitat downriver. The butterfly splitfin is among the unique fish species that give birth to live ones. They are only found in private aquariums and fish sanctuaries. None so far has been sighted in the wild for a while now.

Baiji Dolphin

The Baiji is a freshwater dolphin that was mostly found in China and has not been sighted since 2002 when the last known living baiji died. In 2007 a Chinese man was alleged to have videotaped the Baiji in the Yellow River. The video has fueled hope that there may be some left in the wild.

The Northern White Rhino

The northern white rhino once roamed the East and Central regions of Africa, numbering about 3,000 in 1900. Poaching by humans has brought down their numbers to only two individuals and both females. The two are living in the Ol Pejeta conservancy in Kenya.

South China Tiger

One of the original nine tiger species, the South China tiger, has not been seen in the wild since 1996, and the only surviving members are in captivity. The tigers were once spread out in the Zhejiang province but can now be found in zoos only in unknown numbers.

Bornean Rhinoceros

A member of the Sumatran rhinoceros and much smaller than their African cousins, the Bornean Rhinoceros was declared extinct in the wild in 2015 and now has only two female individuals left in captivity. A wild female rhino was however captured in 2016, and there is hope that a number of them still exist somewhere in the wild.

Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle

Once found in the whole of Southern China and Northern Vietnam, there are only three living individuals left, one in captivity in China and two in the Vietnamese wild. The last viable breeding female died in 2019 at the Suzhou Zoo, which effectively rendered the species functionally extinct. Unless another female is found soon, the giant turtle is well on its way to being declared extinct in a few years.

The Future Of Functionally Extinct Species

Once a species has been declared functionally extinct, the chances of making a comeback are usually slim since their viability at most times is beyond help. The future of the northern white rhino, for instance, is all but sealed, with no living male their chances of reproduction just hit zero. The best course of action in these situations is to protect the last living individuals to their last days in the hopes that other members of their species are hidden somewhere in the wild awaiting discovery.
The collaboration between the British authorities and the Romanian Police in solving human smuggling cases is exception, Andrew Noble, the British Ambassador in Bucharest, said in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.

The Embassy said that, on February 13, it will join the global campaign "End It Movement" and says "No!" to modern slavery and human smuggling.Ii is not just that human smuggling exists, but it's a profitable and flourishing business - both at global level and in Romania and other states in Eastern Europe, reads the press release."Ever since 2015, on the occasion of the UN Summit for Sustainable Development, the Government of the UK committed to eradicate all forms of modern slavery, work exploitation and human smuggling until 2030. In this respect, the cooperation between the British authorities and the Romanian Police in solving human smuggling cases is exceptional," said the Ambassador.Human smuggling is a crossborder, international type of crime that crosses cultural barriers. Combating and preventing actions must be the same. Besides the traditional partnerships, we believe in the importance of getting each person involved against this type of organised crime, said the same source."One of the activities we carry out alongside the eLiberare Association is to endow the communities with the necessary instruments for the identification and reporting of the human smuggling cases. Ever since the first training on how to identify a victim of human smuggling organised in partnership with the eLiberare Association, we saw what the determination of a person to not remain indifferent to the suffering of others can do. One participant in an event that took place in north-eastern Romania was able to provide precious information about a case that is being investigated in the southern region of the country, and after the intervention of our local partners, we were able to help escape and be safe a minor who was about to become victim to human smuggling, in less than 24 hours. This is the power of community and working in teams, and this is just one example in which a person made a clear difference by choosing not to ignore what was hidden right in front of our eyes. I strongly believe that every one of us can do something important against exploitation, so we invite you to join us in the fight against human smuggling," reads the release.
The Alliance's defense ministers welcome the existing progress.

NATO top defense officials have called on Ukraine to continue the implementation of reforms, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels as part of the defense ministerial on February 13.

"This morning, Allies and the Ukrainian Defence Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk had a good discussion about the security situation in and around Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

At a breakfast hosted by Canada, Allies expressed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the secretary general.

"NATO continues to provide strong political and practical support. Allies welcomed the progress being made in the reform process and encouraged Ukraine to continue along this path," he said.

Read alsoU.S. supports Ukraine joining NATO's Enhanced Opportunity Partnership

Also, Stoltenberg noted NATO's assistance in training thousands of Ukrainian troops.

The Allies "promised clearly and stated that we will continue to provide practical support and political support," Stoltenberg said.

"It is important for us to continue to support Ukraine. To do so, it is also important that Ukraine continue on the path of reform," the NATO secretary general stated.
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters)

* LME nickel price, spreads and stocks: https://tmsnrt.rs/39ubdAT

By Andy Home

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Nickel is the weakest performer in the London Metal Exchange (LME) base metals pack so far this year. It's a dramatic change of fortune after last year's bull rally.

At a current $13,135 per tonne London nickel is down by almost 8% since the start of January and back to where it was last July, when Indonesia announced it was bringing forward a ban on the export of nickel ore from 2022 to this year.

The ban "remains a structurally bullish event", according to analysts at Citi, given the flow of Indonesian ore to China accounts for around 12% of global mined nickel production. ("Nickel: it gets worse before it gets better, but still a medium-to-long term buy," Feb. 5, 2020)

However, as the title of the bank's research note suggests, nickel bulls are now on the back foot as the coronavirus spreads its chilling effect on Chinese manufacturing demand.

The virus represents another unknown in an already complex set of calculations as to whether Indonesia's ore ban will translate into a shortage of metal.

WILD CARD

Nickel and copper have taken the hardest price hits from the coronavirus because funds were long of both coming into the new year.

Speculative positioning in the London nickel market has shifted from mega long last September, when it represented 46% of open interest, to sizeable short, 10% of open interest, at the start of February, according to LME broker Marex Spectron.

The viral hit to sentiment has compounded negative optics in the nickel market in the form of surging LME stocks and collapsing spread tightness.

LME-registered stocks have mushroomed from a multi-year low of 64,174 tonnes in November to a current 208,722 tonnes. Falling stocks fed last year's bull rally and this year rising stocks have played their part in pushing prices lower.

Story continues

It's quite possible, by the way, that what is currently "arriving" is the same material that "left" last year.

Beyond the looking-glass world of LME stock movements, though, is a very real fear that the virus is going to hit nickel demand from China's giant stainless steel sector.

China's stainless output was already expected to weaken this year, with Citi forecasting a 0.4% contraction in nickel usage from the sector, which would be the first yearly decline since 2008.

Stainless stocks in China rose 40% to 540,000 tonnes over the course of January, according to Argonaut Securities. ("Nickel: Oversupply Risks", Feb. 10, 2020).

The Shanghai Futures Exchange's new stainless contract fell to 12,820 yuan per tonne at the start of February, its lowest level since launch last September.

The virus and the widespread travel restrictions imposed to limit its spread are expected to accentuate both seasonal and cyclical weakness in China's stainless sector.

The demand hit will be multiplied if China's nickel pig iron (NPI) producers, who process Indonesian ore, are themselves forced to cut production due to logistics challenges.

Conversely, both stainless and nickel demand will be lifted, if, as widely expected, Beijing at some stage unleashes more stimulus to reinvigorate economic growth.

CHINA'S LOSS, INDONESIA'S GAIN

The virus also directly impacts one of the key supply-side drivers already in play in nickel's confusing fundamental landscape.

China's nickel pig iron sector is being closely watched by the market as it tries to gauge the effects of Indonesia's export ban.

Chinese NPI run rates are expected to decline over the course of 2020 as ore shipments from Indonesia cease and port stocks are drawn down.

Citi is forecasting a 90,000-tonne drop in Chinese production to 490,000 tonnes this year.

Quite evidently, any forecast right now comes with a heightened degree of uncertainty thanks to the coronavirus.

The second core question facing nickel traders is to what extent Indonesia's own NPI producers can ramp up production to compensate for reduced supply in China.

Indonesia's ore ban is explicitly designed to push miners down the value-add chain and it has already borne considerable fruit.

The country's NPI production doubled last year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and investment is still pouring into new capacity.

Citi notes "a wide range of views" for Indonesian NPI production this year, ranging from 500,000 to 600,000 tonnes.

This already marks an upwards revision from a consensus at the end of 2019 that it would be between 400,000 and 500,000 tonnes, the bank notes.

Analysts at Wood Mackenzie suggest that the scale of current investment could mean capacity rising to 660,000-800,000 tonnes per year by the end of 2020.

If so, "whatever happens to NPI productivity in China may ultimately prove inconsequential." ("Uncertainty to cloud global nickel market outlook in 2020," Jan. 29, 2020)

That may be something of a bearish outlier in a generally bullish analyst consensus, but it illustrates the range of opinion out there.

ELECTRIC DREAMS ON HOLD

Nickel remains beholden to the stainless steel cycle, particularly that in China, even though its usage in lithium-ion batteries continues to excite investors.

Batteries, however, still represent a relatively small component of the metal's usage profile.

Moreover, both battery and broader automotive supply chains have also been heavily disrupted by the coronavirus, meaning negligible short-term offset to any stainless steel sector weakness.

Batteries remain a long-term demand growth driver for nickel. Combined with the Indonesian hit on supply, it is why most analysts, including Citi, remain positive on the metal's price prospects.

"Lost ore supply is set to drive producer cost inflation, on top of which there is room for speculative positioning to rise ahead of a 2021 refined (metal) deficit," according to Citi, which is forecasting the price to hit $15,000 per tonne over a 6-12 month time horizon.

However, "nickel prices are likely to remain soft in the near term as the coronavirus pushes back a recovery in Chinese stainless output and the re-stocking of nickel/NPI units," the bank cautions.

It's already becoming clear that the coronavirus is going to act as an accelerator in an already volatile mix of price drivers.

Right now the LME price is consolidating after sliding to a six-month low of $12,510 last month. Don't expect the pause for breath to last long.

($1 = 6.9697 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Editing by David Evans)
Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia were in a long list of countries the CIA spied on using encryption company for 50 years, in a case that came to be known as the centurys intelligence coup, the Washington Post reported.

Over half a century, from the 1970s on, governments and their intelligence security agencies across the globe used encryption devices made by Swiss company Crypto AG, which was secretly owned by the CIA in a highly classified partnership with West German intelligence.

These spy agencies rigged the companys devices so they could easily break the codes that countries used to send encrypted messages, the US paper said.

The news was laid bare in a classified, comprehensive CIA history of the operation obtained by The Washington Post and ZDF, a German public broadcaster, in a joint reporting project.

It was the intelligence coup of the century, the CIA report concludes.

The operation gave US intelligence vital information on Irans mullahs during the 1979 hostage crisis, fed intelligence about Argentinas military to Britain during the Faulklands War, tracked the assassination campaigns of South American dictators, and caught Libyan officials congratulating themselves on the 1986 bombing of a Berlin disco.

However, the program had limits since Americas main adversaries, including the Soviet Union and China, were never Crypto customers, the media noted.
A district court in Tripura on



Thursday sentenced two persons to death for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in December last year.

Judge of a special court at Udaipur in Gomati district, A K Nath, pronounced the judgment on Kastharai Tripura and Ananta Tripura after finding them guilty of raping and murdering the girl.

According to the FIR lodged by the victim's brother, the duo had raped, murdered and buried the girl in a forest near Krishnakantapara hamlet in Nutan Bazaar police station area on December 5 last year while she was returning from school.

The body was recovered after an extensive search.

Police had submitted chargesheet under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act.

During the trial, statements of 32 individuals were recorded.

After pronouncement of the judgment, the duo was taken to Udaipur jail amid tight security.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SOUTH BEND, Ind.  Thousands of fetal remains that were found at an abortion doctor's suburban Chicago garage last year were buried Wednesday at an Indiana cemetery.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill joined more than 100 people that afternoon at the Southlawn Cemetery by the Palmer Funeral Home in South Bend, to pay their respects to the 2,411 fetal remains.

Dr. Ulrich Klopfer, who died Sept. 3 at 79, was one of the Midwest's most prolific abortion doctors. He performed the abortions from 2000 to 2002, mainly in Indiana  a state with some of the nation's toughest anti-abortion laws  at clinics in South Bend, Gary and Fort Wayne. He performed tens of thousands of abortions over 40 years, as the only abortion provider in the three cities. Most of the remains were found in the garage of his Illinois home, with others found in one of his vehicles.

Klopfer's medical license was suspended in 2016 by Indiana regulators who cited shoddy record-keeping and substandard patient monitoring.

The shocking discovery of the remains was horrifying to anyone with normal sensibilities, Hill said at the ceremony. Regrettably, there is no shortage of depravity in our world today, including due regard for the most vulnerable among us.

Hill, a conservative Republican who opposes abortion rights and is seeking reelection, made opening remarks at the ceremony before taking questions from reporters away from the burial site.

He has said his office is investigating the case, but it remains unclear what could be under investigation. A 2016 Indiana law, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in May, requires abortion providers to bury or cremate fetal remains, but it wasnt in effect from 2000 to 2002.

Previously, during Klopfer's career, clinics could turn over fetal remains to processors that dispose of human tissue or other medical material by incineration.

Indiana is one of just a few states with a law mandating burial or cremation of fetal remains after abortions. The law did not take immediate effect because of court challenges after then-Gov. Mike Pence signed it into law in 2016. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May upheld the law.

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Making abortion a felony: Alabama's tough abortion ban blocked by federal judge, law would've made most abortions a felony

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill speaks at a burial service for fetal remains found at the home of an abortion doctor on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at Southlawn Cemetery in South Bend.

The remains found in September were each in small plastic medical bags filled with a chemical preservative called formalin. The bags were stored in cardboard boxes. They were later sent to St. Joseph County to be stored.

When asked about the gestation age of the remains, Hill said: Thats hard to say. ... There certainly were some indications that some of the remains would have been outside of the appropriate standard of when it would be appropriate for someone to seek an abortion or qualify for an abortion  beyond the first trimester.

At the burial ceremony, people prayed, sang songs and listened to remarks from anti-abortion advocates. Serena Dyksen, 44, of Elkhart, said she came because she had an abortion performed by Klopfer as a teenager, after she was raped. She said her parents took her to have the abortion done.

Coming here today was just another layer of the healing process, said Dyksen, who said she has two children, ages 26 and 24. As post-abortive men and women, sometimes we think we shouldnt be able to mourn the loss of our children, but it was a loss of life. It doesnt matter the situation, the age, I still had a mothers heart.

We dont want to forget what happened," she added. "There are so many hurting women in our community because of this. This is a place for mothers to come to mourn the loss of their children.

"Regional haven" for abortion access: Planned Parenthood to open major clinic in Illinois

A grave marker is unveiled during a burial service, Feb. 12, at Southlawn Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana, for the more than 2,400 fetal remains found at the home of an abortion doctor.

The burial plot was donated by the funeral home. .

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., did not attend the ceremony but released a statement saying, "I am praying for these innocent lives cut short and for all victims of abortion  both unborn babies and their mothers."

Walorski has sponsored a bill that, similar to Indiana's 2016 law, would require the burial or cremation of aborted fetal remains.

Hill, seeking a second term as attorney general, has been under scrutiny in recent months over allegations that he drunkenly groped a female state legislator and three other women at an Indianapolis bar in 2018. He has denied the accusations and put his defense of state laws tightening abortion restrictions at the forefront of his campaign.

Two Republicans  Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp, a Plymouth native, and Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp  are challenging Hill for the party's attorney general nomination.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana abortion doctor: Mass burial for fetuses found in Illinois
The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's August 1st aerobatic team performed at the Singapore Airshow on Feb 11, showcasing Chinas aeronautic equipment and militarys confidence.

Every performance was great. It was a great opportunity for me to perform with pilots from other countries, said Jing Fei, a pilot in the August 1st aerobatic team, adding that he was honored and proud to witness the profound friendship between the Chinese and Singaporean peoples.

After the performance, members of the August 1st aerobatic team paid tribute to comrades and medical workers on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus epidemic, and sent well-wishes to Wuhan and China.
13.02.2020 LISTEN

On 19 January 2019, six assailants emerged from their hiding under cocoa and coffee trees on the Nomen Estates and shot Nomen George Tchaptchet, the administrator of the estate, on the hip region with a locally made gun.

Pandemonium ensued as lawyers for the administrator struggled to prevent the assailants from loading their lone gun to further shoot their target.

Nomen George Tchaptchet returned from England in 2015, after 23 years, to investigate and prevent encroachers from further destroying cocoa and coffee planted by his late father in 1968. When he arrived Buea in South Western Cameroons, encroachers had destroyed 98 percent of the 40 hectares cocoa and coffee farm. Scores of houses had been built on the land.

After investigations and ascertaining that the land belonged to Felix Nomen Tokam, a dozen suits were filed in the courts of Fako, holding in Buea against encroachers for trespass and destruction.

While the slow arms of a lethargic justice system in the region fondled with arguments on the land grab saga, STATE prosecution and the presiding magistrate proposed and out of court settlement at the behest of the local regent chief Ewule Emmanuel.

Ewule Emmanuel of Lower Bolifamba had declared that his village had no problem with George Nomen, whose father planted the cocoa and coffee. Ewule Emmanuels application for amicable settlement was granted.

As Nomen George Tchaptchet and his team arrived at the farm to discuss matters in relation to the estate and also that of the amicable settlement, one of the encroachers, Josephine Tatang, one of his son accompanied by six unknown men emerged from under the cover of some remaining cocoa and coffee trees.

Her son pointed at Nomen George Tchaptchet saying, It is that red man. Meaning NOMEN George Tchaptchet who was of a very fair colour.

The assailants ordered Nomen George Tchaptchet to follow them or they would shoot. If you do not follow us, we would shoot. They ordered.

If you must kill me, do it here on my father's farm. NOMEN George Tchaptchet replied.

The person carrying the gun moved forward and attempted grabbing Nomen. A struggle ensued and the assailant pulled his trigger. Three pellets were lodged in Nomens hip. The fighting now involved people on Nomens team versus the assailants. NOMEN George Tchaptchet managed to BROKE free and ran to the highway, 50 metres away. He boarded a taxi and they sped off to the gendarmerie station.

Investigations commenced with the arrests of Tatang Josephine and two others. The real assailants have never been apprehended. Tatang Josephine confessed that it was Nkwenta Jacob who paid money to the assailants to kill Nomen George Tchaptchet.

After weeks in detention, the accused were released on bail after paying huge sums of money to the Military, contrary to the law on terrorism.

In fright, Nomen George Tchaptchet fled into hiding in Yaounde for fear of his life. He was also scared of hate speech from the locals who called for the expulsion of the Bamilike.

The Anglophone Crisis pitting Cameroun government troops to Ambazonian independence restoration forces has provided a dangerous environment for the flourishing of pockets of armed groups.

Some of these groups are involved in petty crimes and settling of scores.

Investigators at the military tribunal in Buea have emboldened the criminals as money has exchanged hands for the freedom of the criminals. Many investigation reports have disappeared on the desks of biased, corrupt and interested military investigators. While the matter is pending in the Military Tribunal awaiting the apprehension of Nkwenta Jacob, on the run, the Nomen Estate land grab saga continues. We will look at the genesis, phases and intrigues of this saga in the next days.

Christopher FON ACHOBANG * Is an environmental and social justice campaigner who reports on many blogs and newspapers.
Factor investing is on fire.

Investing based on factors such as value, quality, minimum volatility and momentum has taken off in the last few years, driven by increasing volatility and an encroaching sense on Wall Street that the 11-year bull market could be nearing its end.

Since the start of 2018, the iShares Edge MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) has climbed nearly 32%, hitting a new 52-week high on Thursday. The iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF (USMV) ran 31% over the same time period, also reaching a 52-week peak Thursday. Several of iShares' other factor-based ETFs, including those focused on quality and value, have made double-digit strides as well in the last three years, as have Vanguard's factor-focused counterparts.

But there's one thing investors should keep in mind when chasing these factors, Jay Jacobs, head of research and strategy at Global X ETFs, warned Monday on CNBC's "ETF Edge."

"What we are saying with investors is don't put all your eggs in one factor," Jacobs said. "These can underperform individually. They have low correlation to each other. Get diversified, multi-factor exposure."

That has been a common theme in factor investing, even as individual factors such as value still tend to outperform over longer periods of time. Take the iShares family of ETFs: While MTUM, USMV and the iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) are all up more than 60% in the last five years  with MTUM notching a 94% gain  the firm's value-based fund, iShares Edge MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE), has lagged, up only 36%.

"There's plenty of data out there that goes back 40 years looking at these factors and how they've expressed themselves, but they can still do long periods of underperformance," Jacobs said. "It shakes out the fast money that doesn't believe in value or doesn't believe in momentum, and that's ultimately what drives return in the long run."

Value is currently feeling the heat of that as the stock market's decade-long, growth-fueled rally rolls on, said Ed Rosenberg, senior vice president and head of exchange-traded funds at American Century.

"Since late 2008, early 2009, we've been in a growth environment, and that has sort of weighed on value," Rosenberg said in the same "ETF Edge" interview. "Without any of that volatility, which is what value's looking for to outperform over time, it looks like it's always going to underperform. But there will be a cycle that we're getting to, especially for the end of this bull run, where value's going to come into play and having some in the portfolio is going to be important."

By then, index-based exposure  which, if it's weighted by market cap, will naturally be laden with mega-cap stocks such as Apple and Amazon  might not cut it for investors anymore, Rosenberg said.

"These [index-based investments] will be significantly underweight in value," he said, adding that it's worth asking: "When those start to fall, is that where I want to be?"

Armando Senra, who runs iShares Americas for BlackRock's trillion-dollar ETF suite, flagged one factor his firm expects to outperform in 2020.

"For 2020, we do like quality," Senra said in the same "ETF Edge" interview, adding that to determine what constitutes a "quality" company, "we look at stable earnings. We look at low financial leverage."

But buyers will get "the ultimate investor experience" in one of Senra's other funds, the executive said.

"If you look at U.S. [minimum volatility], I think that that gives you the ultimate investor experience because when the market draws down 20%, you're down 10%," he said. "So, you just stay invested, and because you stay invested, you have more chances of outperforming in the long term."

Disclaimer
By PTI

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday expressed concern over the delay in commencement of trial in the cases of killing of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and activist Govind Pansare, and said there should not be a "failure" in delivery of justice.

A division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and R I Chagla said it has been seven years since Dabholkar was shot dead and five years since Pansare was killed.

The bench observed that while the probe agencies are still carrying out investigation with regard to the absconding accused in the Pansare case and recovery of weapon used in the killing of Dabholkar, the trial should commence at the earliest against those arrested.

"There should be some certainty (about the trial). There should be no failure of justice delivery. Both for the victims and their families and also the arrested accused. Since they also have fundamental rights," the court said.

The court was hearing petitions filed by families of Dabholkar and Pansare, seeking court supervision in the probe being carried out in the two cases.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the Dabholkar case, while the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is probing the Pansare case.

"What is at stake here is the very credibility of the criminal justice delivery system. People should not lose complete faith in the system," the bench said.

The crimes happened in 2013 and 2015, the bench noted.

"It would not be proper to delay the commencement of trial," it said.

"Today, the arrested accused persons may also raise questions about their rights. There is always a presumption of innocence and until held guilty, no one can be kept behind bars indefinitely," the court said.

The bench directed the CBI and the state CID to inform the high court on March 24 by when trial would commence in the two cases.

CBI counsel Anil Singh informed the bench that search operation for the murder weapon in the Dabholkar case would complete within a month.

CID counsel Ashok Mundargi told the court that they are on the lookout for the absconding accused in the case.

Dabholkar, a well-known anti-superstition activist, was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013.

Pansare was shot on February 16, 2015 near his house in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.

He died four days later.
Girl Scout cookie booth sales are common this time of year outside of grocery and big-box stores, but a Chicago-area troop decided on a different location to set up shop.

Troop 25818, made up of 6- and 7-year-old girls, set up a booth outside of a Chicago marijuana dispensary, according to reports.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 13

By Eldar Janashvili - Trend:

Azerbaijan has done a great job regarding development of digital economy, Azerbaijans Deputy Economy Minister Niyazi Safarov said at the international conference titled Digital economy: Modern Challenges and Real Opportunities, Trend reports.

"Today, we are at a stage when the digital economy is becoming a large-scale sphere where new goals and objectives, new challenges and solutions appear. Today, it is important for Azerbaijan's economy to reduce dependence on the oil sector, increase competitiveness in the non-oil sector, develop human capital, and thus, develop digital economy," Safarov said.

The deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan has done a lot of work in this direction.

"In particular, an e-government has been formed, through which various e-services are provided, new platforms are created and, as a whole, the traditional economy is being transformed into a digital economy of a new period," Safarov said.

So, since the launch of the licensing portal and issuing permits in Azerbaijan on March 1, 2019, more than 1,500 licenses have been issued through the platform. Last year, the portal was improved, work on the integration of information systems in the portal continued and more than 800 electronic licenses were granted to entrepreneurs.

"More than 1,500 licenses have been issued via the portal for issuance of licenses and permits since its launch in Azerbaijan on March 1, 2019. Last year, the portal was improved, work on the integration of information systems in the portal was continued and more than 800 e-licenses were granted to entrepreneurs," the deputy minister said.

Safarov noted that the ministry provides 94 services in the field of economic activities, of which 68 are provided online; 63 e-services are interactive, and the remaining five are informational.

The deputy minister noted that over 96,000 requests were received at the e-government portal in 2019.

An international conference titled Digital Economy: Modern Challenges and Real Opportunities is held in Baku on Feb.13. Representatives of the ministries of economy, education, transport, communications and high technologies, the UNEC (Azerbaijan State University of Economics) rector, as well as members of international organizations attend the conference.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @eldarjanashvili
Virus fears: The Mobile World Conference event in Barcelona is cancelled

The annual showcase for the mobile phone industry was cancelled last night due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Vodafone, Nokia, Sony and Ericsson had already pulled out of the four-day event in Barcelona, which was due to start on February 24, and which draws 100,000 participants.

John Hoffman, chief executive of organiser GSMA said: 'Global concern regarding the outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances make it impossible to hold it.'
Social Commentator, Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has advised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to choose its running mate; a person who can really match up to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawmumia.



I will urge Mahama to select a running mate who can match Bawumia; if by April we dont have a nominee as a running matethe whole election year will be NDC against Bawumia," he said while speaking on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Wednesday.



Allotey Jacobs was reacting to the town hall meeting and results fair held on Tuesday.



Watch video below





Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia on February 11, 2020, addressed a maiden town hall meeting in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region which focused on government's achievements and promises fulfilled so far.Dr Bawumia used a combination of graphs, tables and text, to support his claim that the Akufo-Addo administration had largely delivered on its manifesto promises, especially on the economy.The data shows that Ghanas macroeconomic fundamentals are strong. Indeed, the strength of Ghanas fundamentals was confirmed recently by Moodys Ratings which changed Ghanas sovereign ratings from B3 with a stable outlook to B3 with a positive outlook. This is unprecedented for an election year, Vice President Bawumia pointed out.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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.

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Talks between the province and its French-language teachers have broken off with no new bargaining dates in sight, their unions president says.

All 12,000 members of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO) hit the picket lines on Thursday. They will also join the provinces three other teachers unions in an Ontario-wide strike next Friday, which would mark the first such job action in more than two decades, and the first time that all of Ontarios teachers have legally gone on strike at the same time.

This is a first for AEFO in over 20 years, to be in this situation, AEFO president Remi Sabourin said between visits to schools where he joined protesting members of his union. Today is the day they get to speak.

All four teachers unions are engaged in ongoing job action, including rotating strikes. No contract talks are currently scheduled for any of them.

At Queens Park, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said it was unacceptable that a strike is expected to shut down all public, French and Catholic schools next week.

He urged the teachers unions to accept private mediation, instead of the government mediators currently being used.

There is no difference in terms of training but, Lecce said, the rationale for private mediation is premised on when (the sides) have reached an impasse with the current Ministry of Labour mediator that an outsider can help get a deal, as it did late last year with education support staff represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

The teacher situation is at a similar tense impasse, Lecce said. If theres a tool in the tool kit that can help bring a solution to what has been a very taxing experience on students and their families, I think we should.

Lecce also said the government has offered a fair and reasonable deal to teachers and education workers.

Sabourin said public support is high for the teachers, with polls continuing to show Ontarians opposing larger classes and mandatory e-learning.

We know that the facts are on our side, he said, but it will take a little more work on all the parties to finally come to an agreement.

Things are not looking up at the moment, but that can change.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie
Earlier on Tuesday, China's National Health Commission said 2015 new cases had been tallied on Tuesday, the second straight daily decline and down from nearly 3900 a week ago. Commission spokesman Mi Feng said the situation is still grim but "we have seen some positive changes". All but one of the deaths recorded so far have been in China, as have more than 99 per cent of all reported infections in the world. The country has put an unprecedented 60 million people in a near quarantine. Economic fallout China is struggling to restart its economy after the annual Lunar New Year holiday was extended to try to curb the spread of the virus. Traffic remained light in Beijing, and many people were still working at home. Cambodian security officials take the temperatures of Chinese entering an apartment complex in the Chinatown enclave next to Diamond Island in Phnom Penh. Credit:Getty

Xi's announcement of tax cuts came as companies face increasing losses because of the closing of factories, offices, shops and other businesses in the most sweeping anti-disease measures ever imposed. A large cluster of cases in Tianjin, a port city south-east of Beijing, has been traced to a department store, Chinese state media said. One-third of Tianjin's 104 confirmed cases are in Baodi district, where the store is situated, the Xinhua News Agency reported. A salesperson in the store's home appliance section was the first diagnosed on January 31, Xinhua said, and a series of cases followed. None of those infected had visited Wuhan recently, and with the exception of one married couple, they worked in different sections of the store and did not know one another. Elsewhere around the world, DBS bank in Singapore cleared its office, telling 300 employees to work from home after it learned that an employee had been infected. The city-state has 50 confirmed cases.

A Formula One race in Shanghai in April became the latest event cancelled because of the virus. Nokia, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom became the latest companies to pull out of a major wireless trade fair this month in Spain that usually draws 5000 to 6000 Chinese visitors. Citizen journalist disappears A citizen journalist reporting on the epidemic in Wuhan has disappeared, activists said, becoming the second to vanish in recent days amid tightening controls on information in China. Fang Bin, a seller of traditional Chinese clothing, stopped posting videos or responding to calls and messages on Sunday, activists Gao Fei and Hua Yong said, citing Fang's friends. His phone was turned off Wednesday.

Fang had posted videos of Wuhan's overcrowded hospitals, including bodies in a van waiting to be taken to a crematorium. The last video he posted was of a piece of paper reading, "All citizens resist, hand power back to the people." Another citizen journalist, Chen Qiushi, vanished on Friday. Non-sanctioned reporting on the outbreak by actitivists is challenging the Communist Party's tightly policed monopoly on information on an unprecedented scale. Cruise ship woes Passengers aboard a cruise ship that has been barred from docking by four governments may finally set foot on land again. Holland America Line said the MS Westerdam will arrive on Thursday morning in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The ship has been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand, though its operator said no cases of the disease have been confirmed among the more than 2200 passengers and crew.

Two Russians flee quarantine Two Russian women who were kept in isolation for possible inflection by the virus say they escaped from Russian hospitals because of unco-operative doctors, poor conditions and fear they would become infected. Both women said their hospital ordeals began after returning from Hainan, a tropical island in southern China popular with Russian tourists. One said she jumped out of a hospital window to escape her quarantine, while the other broke out by disabling an electronic lock. Many of those quarantined in Russian hospitals have complained about conditions in the isolation rooms and lack of co-operation from doctors who are uncertain about quarantine protocols. Two cases of the virus have been reported in Russia.

No evidence yet of mother-to-baby spread In a study published Wednesday in the journal Lancet, Chinese scientists reported there is no evidence so far to suggest the virus can be passed from mother to baby. The study looked at nine pregnant women who all had the COVID-19 virus and delivered via caesarean section in a hospital in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak. After the babies were born, scientists tested samples from the newborns, including the amniotic fluid, cord blood and throat swabs. All tested negative for the virus. But the scientists acknowledged the study was small. To date, two cases of the virus have been confirmed in babies, including a newborn diagnosed just 36 hours after birth. It is unknown how the child was infected.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse)  Thu, February 13, 2020 11:42 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20643faef 2 Entertainment CSI,CBS,series,CSI-Crime-Scene-Investigation Free

A 20th anniversary relaunch of the hugely successful crime drama may be in the works. According to Variety and Deadline, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and one of the creators of the original series are already working on just such a project.

"Lizzie McGuire", "Saved by the Bell", "Walker, Texas Ranger"... Old series are being reborn on U.S. television. The latest to date may be "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". The American television network CBS is reportedly preparing to relaunch the cult small-screen success, which will be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, five years after it ended in 2015.

As it stands, no members of the original series' cast have been confirmed in the new venture. The plot for the show is also being kept under wraps, but it is expected to recount the investigations of a team of crime-scene investigators employed by the Las Vegas Police Department.

Read also: Modern remake of 'St. Elmo's Fire' in the works: Report

The project, which is still at an early stage of development, will likely be released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the series on CBS in October 2020. However, Variety reports that there has been no official confirmation of this by CBS or CBS Television Studios, which have declined to comment.

Anthony Zuiker, one of the creators of the original series, and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer are developing the project with a multi-talented team. For the screenplay, CBS has called on Jason Tracey, one of the writers of "Elementary", a 2012 police series starring Lucy Liu which ended after seven seasons in August 2019. Tracey has also worked on the well-regarded shows as "Cold Case" on CBS and the spy series "Burn Notice" on USA Network.

Launched in the United States in 2000, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" proved to be a major success for CBS, becoming one of the most viewed series of its time both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Its rise to fame was such that it led to the production of three spin-offs: two series localized in other cities, "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY", which ran from 2002 to 2012 and 2004 to 2013, respectively, and "CSI: Cyber", which was a variant focused on computer crime from 2015 to 2016.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing building regional jails as a cost saving measure. Counties would have the option to lower costs by not maintaining their own separate facility, but the proposition wouldnt necessarily save any money for upstate counties. The cost to transport inmates back and forth to local courts would not be cost effective. Herkimer County Sheriff Scott Scherer says Herkimer is spending $1.5 million for boarding out their inmates, and is nearing completion of a $38 million dollar new jail.

"Unfortunately with the Bail Reform Act, everybodys in the same position that were in. Theyre at all-time lows in numbers, and I dont believe anybodys looking right now to Sheriff facilities to board out. If this would have been an option for us you know six- seven years ago, we might not be standing in this spot that were standing right now," said Scherer.

The Herkimer Jail is expected to be fully operational by September, so they wouldnt have a need for a regional facility. Otsego County is in the process of renovation their jail, and although their numbers are down, Sheriff Devlin expects the numbers are only a temporary reaction to the bail reform laws.

"You know I think we lost 10 or 12 inmates. We gained 6 back, so were not too far off from where we were. But yeah, we anticipate to see an immediate drop, and within 8-16 months we believe were going to be back up to where we were or higher, but time will tell on that," said Devlin.

Even if his numbers dont rise, a regional jail isnt a likely option for Otsego County.

"You have Chenango and Deleware. Their jails are anywhere from 12-15 years old so they have direct supervision jails, the pods. You have Herkimer, Schoharie that just built jails, so the opportunity for Otsego to partner with another County to have a centralized location thats beneficial to both CountiesI just dont see that in the future," he said.

There is a program that Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol is hoping to see in the future.

"The one thing Sheriffs do support is the ability through whats called a substitute jail order, where we can transfer inmates from our facility to another facility for programs that our facility may not offer," said Maciol.

Regionalized jails may work in smaller Counties within close proximity, but that remains to be seen.
How To Craft The Best Apple Music Artist Profile

Tossing your completed music up on SoundCloud or Bandcamp is all well and good, but for many artists, its worth distributing it through platforms like Apple Music as well. In this piece we look at why you should have your material on Apple Music, and how to claim and cultivate your artist profile on the platform.

Guest post by Alex Lavoie of Landr

Putting your tracks online is always an exciting moment.

Youve worked super hard on seeing your project through to the end and now its time to share it with the world.

Now that you have a finished product, how are you going to attract eyeballs and ears?

Throwing your tracks up on SoundCloud and Bandcamp is a good place to start, but its worth it to distribute your music on streaming platforms like Apple Music.

Apple Music can connect your tracks with new listeners, and it can also get you paid.

Apple Music can connect your tracks with new listeners, and it can also get you paid.

But, to get the most out of streaming platforms you need to have a plan to promote your music.

Thats why creating the best Apple Music for Artist profile that you possibly can is so important.

In this article, well dive into the specific steps you need to follow to claim your Apple Music for Artists profile.

More importantly, well look at some tactics you can use to promote your tracks.

Why should you put your tracks on Apple Music?

Theres a lot of reasons why you should put your tracks on Apple Music.

Having the opportunity to earn streaming revenue might be a motivator.

But, a big benefit is the platforms ability to get your tracks in front of new audiences.

On Apple Music your music can find new listeners through several different paths:

Searches for your artist name, tracks, albums, or lyrics

Algorithm-based recommendations

Curated playlists and the browse section

Social recommendations (what your friends are listening to)

Theres really no shortage of ways for new fans to find your tracks on Apple Music!

But dont upload your tracks to Apple Music and expect them to magically land in some playlist.

Often you need to have some kind of music promotion plan behind your release to get it on a playlist.

Often you need to have some kind of music promotion plan behind your release to get it on a playlist.

And even if your song ends up in a high traffic playlist, you still need to capture your listeners attention.

There are plenty of ways to promote your track on and offline, but the best way to do that within the Apple Music platform is to claim your Apple Music for Artists profile.

How to claim your Apple Music for Artists Profile

Alright, have I convinced you that its important to have a plan in place for your Apple music tracks?

Now its time to claim your profile.

To claim your Apple Music for Artists profile just follow these 7 steps:

Head to the Apple Music for Artists page Once youre there click the sign up button at the bottom of the page. From there youll have to enter or create an Apple ID Click request access and search for your artist page or copy and paste your artist page into the search Choose your role in relation to the band Fill in the application fields with as much detail as you can, since this will make it easier to verify your relationship to the project Wait around one week to receive your verification

Good work! Youre on your way to becoming a digital music marketing guru!

Once you get access to your profile youll be able to do a few different things:

Choose a custom profile picture

See detailed statistics

See how many times your music was Shazamed

Lets dive into how these tools can be used to improve your reach on Apple Music.

Pick a profile picture that represents you

While Apple Music doesnt offer as many customization options as Spotify for Artists, it at least allows you to pick a custom profile picture.

Since its the only visual part of your profile make sure to put some thought and effort into your artist picture.

You may want to the visuals you used in your electronic press kit or you might want to take on a unique aesthetic just for this platform.

Just make sure you use a profile picture that clearly shows yourself and artistically represents your music.

Understand your reach with detailed statistics

Apple Music might not give you many customization features, but it does provide a lot of incredibly useful data insights.

When you access your Apple Music for Artists profile you get several dashboards:

Overall stream performance

Important milestones

Detailed trends for each song

Most Shazamed songs

Average daily listeners

Playlist performance and discovery

Geographical heat map

If numbers and graphs arent your thing dont be intimidated, these dashboards are simple enough to check once in a while.

Theres quite a few insights you can get from your Apple Music dashboards.

Theres quite a few insights you can get from your Apple Music dashboards.

For example, if you are planning a tour you might want to see where your tracks get streamed the most. Chances are you have some fans who want to see you in those places!

What do Shazams mean?

If you dont already know, Shazam is an app that can listen to a track and find its name, album, and artist.

Its really useful for finding out what song the DJ is playing.

Keeping count of Shazams for your tracks can give you feedback about how often your music gets played in public places and whether your tracks spark curiosity in listeners.

Keeping count of Shazams for your tracks can give you feedback about how often your music gets played in public places and whether your tracks spark curiosity in listeners.

If a track gets Shazamed more often than others, something about it is catchy enough that people decide they absolutely need to get your tracks name when they hear it.

What are playlists saying about your listeners?

Many people love streaming services because they make excellent playlists that help the average listener find new music.

So, monitoring how your music is performing in playlists is valuable because it gives hints about what kinds of people listen to your music, and what tracks appeal best to a specific niche.

For example, if your tracks are getting streams from a Yoga and Mediation playlist, it means that your music appeals to mindful, yoga-practicing individuals.

Similarly, if your tracks are getting played on Apple Musics Me+Bae, your music appeals to young couples.

Understanding what demographic you appeal to helps with planning tours, developing a live show, and writing future releases.

An Apple a Day

Look, I know you just want to focus on writing music and creating your sound.

Thats why you started making music in the first place.

Dont waste your energy. Releasing your tracks into the world is a big step, so put some time and thought into how your album or single launch will look like.

Yes, streaming platforms have had their past controversies.

But no matter what, you wont grow your audience or collect any royalties if your music isnt getting played.

To build up momentum for the big release you need to put together a solid music promotion plan and claiming your Apple Music for Artists profile will help with that.

Alex Lavoie works as a Marketing Strategist at LANDR by day and moonlights as a drummer for folk-rock outfit The Painters.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - United Airlines have extended cancellations of all U.S. flights to China through late April due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. With the latest announcement, all U.S. carriers flying to China have now canceled flights into late April. United has extended cancellations of flights to Hong Kong, which had been set to resume on February 21, and for flights to mainland China, that had been set to resume on March 28. Flights will now resume starting April 24. United normally operates roughly 12 flights per day from the United States to mainland China and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, American Airlines has extended its suspension of China and Hong Kong flights through April 24. The carrier had earlier suspended its China and Hong Kong flights until March 27. Delta Air Lines Inc previously suspended flights to China through April 30. Cronavirus outbreak, which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, have made more than 42,000 people sick with the total number of deaths at more than 1,000. Most infections and deaths have been reported in Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei Province in China, but at least 25 countries have now reported cases Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Clerics dont normally celebrate funerals for sex workers, usually buried in unmarked graves or dumped like rubbish in rivers. Hamida Begum, who died aged 65, began working at the Daulatdia brothel when she was 12. For her daughter Laxmi, also a sex worker, her mother was treated liked a human being.

Dhaka (AsiaNews/Agencies)  For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, a Muslim cleric celebrated the funeral of a sex worker.

Hamida Begum passed away last week at the age of 65. She worked at the Daulatdia brothel, 250 kilometres from Dhaka, starting at the age of 12.

I never dreamt that she would get such an honourable farewell, said Hamida's daughter Laxmi, who followed her mother into the trade.

Before Hamida, sex workers would be laid to rest without funeral rites led by a religious leader.

Her funeral was made possible by pressure from a coalition of sex workers and the intervention of Goalondo police chief Ashiqur Rahman, who convinced local clerics.

"The Imam was initially reluctant to lead the prayers, said Chief Rahman. But we asked him whether Islam forbids anyone from taking part in the Janaza (funeral prayers) of a sex worker. He had no answer.

In Muslim majority in Bangladesh, prostitution is legal. However, Muslim spiritual leaders view sex workers, whether they do it out of necessity or under duress, as immoral.

For this reason, sex workers are usually buried in unmarked graves or dumped into rivers.

The legal age for sex work is 18 and sex workers must have a certificate as proof of their age. However, many are underage, exploited by human traffickers.

The brothel in Daulatdia is one of the countrys 12 legal sex establishments. It is home to more than 1,200 women and girls, and their children, often paying exorbitant rents.

Set up during the colonial era, it is considered the largest in the world, catering to about 5,000 clients a day.

More than 200 mourners attended Hamidas funeral, along with her daughter Laxmi and son Mukul Seikh, whilst twice as many went to the post-funeral feast and prayer.

It was an unprecedented scene, Rahman said. "People waited until late in the night to join the prayers. The eyes of sex workers welled up with tears.
By Laman Ismayilova

With many breathtaking and incredible historical sites, Azerbaijan has much to offer to curios adventurers. There is an array of ancient monuments that are still waiting to be explored.

On the way from Baku to Shamakhi there is Maraza village known for its wonderful mausoleum-mosque.

Diri Baba is a two-storied mausoleum-mosque of the 15th century. The mausoleum stands in a square located on a glyptic cliff. The monument was built of white limestone in a cave hollowed out of a rock in 1402.

This information is written on a decorative writing tier separating the floors of the building from each other: 805th year of Hijra.

They say that the monument was built by Shirvanshah Sheikh Ibrahim I. The tomb "Diri Baba" refers to the Shirvan-Absheron architecture of the Middle Ages.

The dome of the monument has the same style of decorative work as the Shirvanshahs palace complex, which links it with the famous 15th-century monuments in Baku.

For centuries, legends about the monument have been widely discussed among people. The monument is considered a sacred place.

For a long time the local residents have kept the legend that Saint Diri-Baba had been buried at this place.

There is a hypothesis that the person named Diri Baba is Pir Muhammad, who died during the prayer. It is even claimed that his body has not undergone decomposition for more than 300 years.

Another legend says that a man named Atam Ibn Emir arrived in Shirvan with his retinue and died here. It was his grave that is in the Diri Baba mausoleum. This man was a follower of the Prophet Muhammad and the "secret" teachings of the Sufis.

With its ancient mysteries, this landmark attracts many curious visitors. The monument consists of two floors with a dome. The main part of the monument is the second floor with a wide square room.

A small corridor covered with an octagonal cupola, where guests take their shoes off, is followed by the hall. There is an entrance to half-dark stairs that lead to the second store of a burial vault.

The mausoleum is closely adjoined the cliff, on a massif of which is carved a grotto. This place is where the Saint was buried. A narrow entry in the northern wall leads to this place.

Diri Baba mausoleum is a masterpiece of the Shirvan architectural school and a majestic creation of arts of ancient masters.

In 1956, the monument was restored. By a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of August 2, 2001, the Diri Baba monument is protected as an important historical and cultural monument of the country.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Escamilla was killed in Mexico City by her partner, who removed her organs and dumped them into sewer drain.

The gruesome murder of a 25-year-old woman in Mexico has sparked outrage after the pictures of her mutilated body were published on the front page of a local newspaper.

Ingrid Escamilla was found dead by officers at an apartment in the capital, Mexico City, over the weekend. She was killed by the man she lived with, who also removed her organs and skinned parts of her body, dumping some of her organs in a sewer drain in an attempt to hide evidence of the murder.

Leaked images of her body were published on Monday by the national newspaper Pasala, under the headline: It was cupids fault.

The publication quickly sparked national outrage and on Thursday the hashtag #IngridEscamilla and #JusticeForIngrid gained worldwide traction.

Citizens also called for massive protests on Friday.

UPDATE:

There will be feminist marches against machismo & femicides in many cities/states of Mexico. Some of these places are:

 Mexico City

 Puebla

 Queretaro

 Sinaloa

 Coahuila

 Veracruz

 Aguascalientes

 Ciudad Victoria

 Tijuana

 Ciudad Juarezhttps://t.co/PDMcoxOGNk   (@hansalexrazo) February 13, 2020

The prosecutors office said on Tuesday it was investigating how the pictures were leaked.

Violence against women has triggered protests in the capital in recent months, with demonstrators setting government buildings on fire and daubing monuments with graffiti.

According to official statistics, 10 women were killed daily in Mexico in 2018, the year with the highest numbers of murders of women in three decades, while in the first nine months of 2019 there were 748 victims of femicide according to Amnesty International.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the issue of femicides was being manipulated.

All of those who do not see us with good eyes, take advantage of any circumstance to generate defamation campaigns; thats clear.. this is the case, he said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico Citys mayor, said prosecutors would ask for the maximum sentence for Escamillas killer.

Femicide is an absolutely condemnable crime. When hate reaches the limits that it reached with Ingrid Escamillas [it] is outrageous, Sheinbaum said on Twitter.

The mayor claimed that the suspect was already arrested.

Separately, a video circulated on social media purportedly showed a man drenched in blood telling the police he stabbed his partner during an argument about his drinking.

Al Jazeera, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Escamillas brutal murder has elicited an outpouring of support and condolences on social media.

Ingrid Escamilla was brutally killed by her husband in Mexico, many people shared leaked photos of her body, so we're filling the # with her name with beautiful pictures. / Llenemos el # de #IngridEscamilla con fotos de cosas bellas. Que esto sobrepase las fotos de su cuerpo. pic.twitter.com/sG8h9qEafr  Ana Paula Salazar (@paulipster) February 13, 2020

Translation:

The one who killed her and gutted her

The one who leaked the picture

The one who profits off morbidity #justiceforingrid #JusticiaParaIngrid #NiUnaMas #NiUnaMenos pic.twitter.com/ZHV3VO1Ly8  Avidali Flores (@aviifc) February 12, 2020

You are in heaven Ingrid, one user wrote.

We join the grief of the brave Mexican women in relation to the appalling femicide of #IngridEscamillaand the 10 women killed every day in Mexico. Media are accountable as well for violating Escamilla's body and privacy. #NiUnaMas !!!!!https://t.co/SFxWnrlrjo  Femicide Watch Team (@FemicideWatch) February 12, 2020
The insects have exploited favourable wet conditions after unusually heavy rains, and experts say climate change is expected to bring more of the same. Photo: AP

Uganda scrambled to respond to the arrival of the biggest locust outbreak that parts of East Africa have seen in decades, while the United Nations has warned that "we simply cannot afford another major shock" to an already vulnerable region.

An emergency government meeting hours after the locusts were spotted inside Uganda on Sunday decided to deploy military forces to help with ground-based pesticide spraying, while two planes for aerial spraying will arrive as soon as possible, a statement said. Aerial spraying is considered the only effective control.

The swarms of billions of locusts have been destroying crops in Kenya, which hasn't seen such an outbreak in 70 years, as well as Somalia and Ethiopia, which haven't seen this in a quarter-century. The insects have exploited favourable wet conditions after unusually heavy rains, and experts say climate change is expected to bring more of the same.

Keith Cressman, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's senior locust forecasting officer, said Kenya has received "waves and waves of swarms" since the beginning of the year from the Horn of Africa, and "over the weekend they moved on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro across the border into Tanzania.

"Also over the weekend they moved into north-eastern Uganda," he said.

UN officials say immediate action is needed or numbers could grow up to 500 times before drier weather arrives, which "risks catastrophe".
Author Joanne Harris has hit out at publishers for giving books by female authors pink covers with 'frivolous cursive fonts', claiming it's the reason why men win more literary prizes than women.

The Chocolat writer, from Barnsley, slammed the gender-specific themes that were used by some publishing companies and said books were subconsciously perceived to be more prestigious if they have 'male-coded packaging'.

The award-winning novelist said in contrast to their male counterparts, women's books tend to use softer imagery and colour schemes, perpetuating the idea that they're a minority group and that their writing is of no relevance to men.

Taking to her blog, Joanne wrote: 'I've been a judge for numerous literary prizes, and I've seen the effect of this first-hand.

Author Joanne Harris has called out gendered book jackets and claims they could be the reason why men continue to win more literary prizes than women

The author has also been taking to Twitter to share her thoughts on the 'curly fonts' used for the covers of female authors

A Quiet Kind of Thunder, written by Sara Barnard and with a pink cover, tells the story of sixteen-year-old Steffi who has been a selective mute for most of her life and who feels completely invisible

'Books are subconsciously perceived to be more literary, and therefore of more value, if they have male-coded packaging. That means neutral imagery; male figures; a "serious" font.

'Pink novels, with titles in frivolous, cursive fonts have less of a chance of being taken seriously. Perhaps that is why men still win more big literary prizes than women, though women writers outnumber them.'

The author's comments come as she continues to draw attention to gendered book book covers on her Twitter page.

Earlier this week, the author took to social media to look at Toni Morrison's Beloved and the many ways in which the author's books had been illustrated by publishers through the years.

She previously also drew attention to Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, which illustrated a child dressed in a skirt in front of an orange background and asked: 'Can we dress the child in orange? But - then how will they know she's a girl?'

Earlier this week, Joanne took to Twitter to look at Toni Morrison's Beloved (right) and Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit (left) which use shades of pink

Sharing her thoughts on Morrison's pink cover, Joanne said: 'With a title like that, it's gotta be a love story. Right?'

The author looked at a Vintage Publishing cover of Morrison's book and noticed that it was a 'literary' pink

The author took note of how this particular cover of Joanne's book came with a 'spooky picture of a pink house'

In her blog, the author went on to say that when women do win prizes it was down to the male protagonist that took centre stage in their story.

She drew attention to books such as Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk About Kevin and Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, and claimed when a male character took the lead the designs used by illustrators reinforced the notion that men were more 'worthy' and 'more relevant' than stories about women.

She questioned: 'Why does the patronising term "chick-lit" still exist? Why are we still allowing ourselves to be dismissed as "fluffy", "romantic" or "domestic", as if those things were somehow irrelevant to the broader human experience?'

In another example the writer said the Plume Contemporary Fiction edition of the novel yet again featured a 'generic pink'

The author said when a male protagonist featured in the work of female writers, the designs used by illustrators reinforced the notion that men were more 'more relevant' than stories about women. Pictured: Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin (left) and Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall (right)

'Men fall in love. Men live in houses. Men experience feelings. Men enjoy comfort, and friendship, and food. Why then are books about these things being coded as exclusively female?'

The author's condemnation of gendered book covers comes more than a week after she joined leading writers including Stephen Fry, crime author Val McDermid and Paula Hawkins urging the former chancellor Sajid Javid to remove the 20 per cent VAT on ebooks and audiobooks.

Alongside her writing, Joanne continues to dedicate much of her time to charity work, helping to fight sleeping sickness in the Congo and working with Plan UK to bring about a fairer society for girls across the world.

She was awarded an MBE in 2013 and has sold millions of books worldwide. Her novels are published in more than 50 countries around the world and have won several British and international awards.
CHICO, Calif.  There are roughly 3,000 concealed carry weapon permit holders in Butte County. A recent incident brought the right to public information into direct conflict with the right to privacy.

Action News Now Morning Anchor Julia Yarbough talked with Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea and the Editor-In-Chief of the San Francisco Chronicle, to find out what happened.

Sheriff Honea says the department received a public records request in January, from the San Francisco Chronicle. He says it asked for personal information from CCW permit holders in the county.

Honea said the paper requested information including name, date of birth, address, phone number and why applicants wanted a permit and why a permit was either issued or denied.

They were asking for really detailed personal information that I knew people who had CCWs would be uncomfortable being released.

One CCW permit holder who received the letter, said he was not pleased the information was turned over, saying the very reason he has a permit, is for "concealment. He said he understands the information is public record, but never thought anyone or agency would wish to access that information.

Honea says by California state law, the department must supply the requested information. Given that information had to be turned over, he crafted a letter to go out to county permit holders. That letter named the San Francisco Chronicle and the reporter who placed the request for information.

I certainly didnt want, as the Sheriff, to have my constituents read about it without first acknowledging or advising that this information was requested, said Honea. Ultimately we felt that since this information was being asked about CCW holders, they had a right to know there was an inquiry.

Action News Now reached out to the San Francisco Chronicle to ask about the letter sent out by the Butte County Sheriff, and talked with the Editor-In-Chief, Audrey Cooper.

I have never had a law enforcement officer purposely out a reporter and say what he's requesting in terms of public record, said Cooper.

She said the Chronicle submitted similar public records requests to every county in the state, not just Butte. She said the purpose was to investigate statewide trends involving CCW permits and those who have them.

We requested it to investigate aggregate trends statewide. For example, what happens when gun laws are passed? Do CCWs go up? What about ammunition proposals that take place? How do those trends link to CCW? This information allows us to compare databases, search for trends, demographics, socio-economic and partisan trends. It allows us to do more nuanced reporting, explained Cooper.

She said after the Sheriffs letter went public, many people contacted the Chronicle asking questions. She said the reporter named in the letter also received personal threats. Thats when she reached out to speak with the Sheriff.

I explained to him that he unnecessarily put our newsroom in an amount of danger, according to our security experts. Weve had to increase our security in a way that I have not seen since becoming an editor here, which is unfortunate, said Cooper.

The Editor-In-Chief admits, there is no way to know where those threats originated. However, she says Butte and Sutter, whose sheriff posted a similar letter to the departments social media page, were the only two counties she is aware of, in the state, in with the Sheriffs alerted CCW permit holders of the request.

We made this information known to them, and I stand behind that, explained Sheriff Honea. If someone chose to respond to that with threats; I want to go on the record: that is inappropriate and not something our CCW holders should be engaged in.

Both Sheriff Honea and Cooper say the conversation they had was amicable and productive. The Sheriff explained his concerns about personal information being turned over. The Editor-In-Chief said the newspaper was not seeking to publish personal information; only use it to drill into state trends.

Cooper says the two discussed her visiting Butte County to meet with the Sheriff, and perhaps even visit a gun range.

For individuals considering applying for a concealed carry weapons permit, there is a notification on the application which clearly states, the information submitted is subject to public records requests.
The number of women and girls killed in England and Wales soared by nearly 10 per cent in a year to its highest level in more than a decade, official figures show.

Some 241 females were victims of murder, manslaughter or infanticide in the 12 months to March 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The rise from 220 the previous year is the second annual increase and the highest number since the year ending March 2006, when there were also 241.

Almost half (48 per cent) of the adult women were killed in a domestic homicide - an increase of 12 to 99 (14 per cent) from the year to March 2018.

Shockingly, 14 female babies under the age of one and 13 female children aged between one and four were homicide victims in that same time.

These are the highest numbers since the same period in 2008 to 2009, when six female babies and eight children aged between one and four were killed.

In total, 50 girls and young women aged 24 and under were killed in the past year.

The number of homicide victims in England and Wales from the year ending March 2000 to year ending March 2019 (excluding Hillsborough victims)

Kay Richardson was beaten and strangled to death by her estranged husband Alan Martin in September 2018

Martin, a bricklayer, beat his wife over the head with the hammer repeatedly before strangling her (forensic officers at the scene of the crime)

Labour MP Jess Phillips described the figures as 'horrendous', but said they were 'no surprise whatsoever' in light of cuts to public services over the years.

She said: 'In a week where the Government has shown it can quickly act to change legislation where the risk of homicide is prevalent, I have no idea why the same level of urgency is never given for murders of women and girls.

'When you degrade the escape routes, when you make women poorer, when you cut the council budgets for vulnerable children, when you reduce the police and increase the number of perpetrators released under investigation, you endanger women and children.'

The ONS report said female victims were most likely to be killed in or around a home, accounting for 71 per cent (170) of offences.

Number of baby girls and toddlers killed in the past year was the highest in a decade Fourteen female babies under the age of one and 13 female children aged between one and four were victims of murder, manslaughter or infanticide between April 2018 and March 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics. These are the highest numbers since the same period in 2008-9, when six female babies and eight children aged between one and four were killed. In total, 50 girls and young women aged 24 and under were killed in the past year. Women aged 25-34 accounted for 41 of the total 241 females killed. Here is a breakdown of homicides by age and gender between April 2018 and March 2019: Under a year old Male: 15 Female: 14 Aged one to four Male: 6 Female: 13 Aged five to 15 Male: 13 Female: 6 Aged 16 to 24 Male: 96 Female: 17 Aged 25 to 34 Male: 95 Female: 41 Aged 35 to 44 Male: 70 Female: 37 Aged 45 to 54 Male: 71 Female: 36 Aged 55 to 64 Male: 29 Female: 19 Aged 65 to 74 Male: 14 Female: 24 Aged 75 and over Male: 20 Female: 34 Advertisement

And the suspect was a partner or ex-partner in nearly four in 10 (38 per cent, or 80) killings of adult women, up 17 from 63 the previous year, but similar to the average of 82 a year over the last decade.

One of those victims was Kay Richardson, 49, who was beaten and strangled to death by her estranged husband Alan Martin, 53, in September 2018.

End Violence Against Women Coalition director Sarah Green said: 'This rise in domestic violence murders is extremely worrying.

'We need an urgent, detailed examination of every case and what failings they have in common.'

Alex Mayes, of charity Victim Support, said: 'It is deeply disturbing to see that more women are being killed, in part due to a rise in homicides as a result of domestic abuse.

'Working with the families bereaved by murder and manslaughter, we know that the impact of these crimes is devastating to both families and communities.

'These statistics highlight the fatal impact of domestic abuse, and show how much more needs to be done to tackle abuse and keep victims safe.'

Homeless charity Crisis is calling for the Government to guarantee a safe home for anyone fleeing domestic violence in the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill.

Hannah Gousy, head of policy and external affairs at Crisis, said: 'These figures are a devastating reminder of why it's so important for women experiencing domestic violence to have somewhere safe to escape to, and how our continued failure to act is having fatal consequences.

'We know that leaving an abuser can be one of the most dangerous times, but currently we're leaving women with no option but to return to the very place and person they were trying to flee from, because they have nowhere else to go.

'This is truly shameful, we can and must do better than this.'

There were 662 separate homicide incidents in the 12 months to March 2019 - up 3% from the 644 the previous year and the highest since 2008, when there were 712.

Overall, there were 671 victims of homicide, 33 or 5 per cent fewer than the previous year - the first fall since 2015.

However, this was partly due to those killed in the London and Manchester terror attacks and the Shoreham air crash being included in the 2018 figures.

The ONS said the drop in offences recorded in the 12-month period was driven by a fall in male victims, which dropped 11%, from 484 to 429.

But the majority of victims, just under two thirds (64 per cent), were male and just over a third (36 per cent) were female.

The most common method of killing continued to be stabbing, with 259 homicides committed with a sharp instrument, down 8 per cent, with a fall of 23 offences, on the previous year.

List of homicides by region and police force Here is a breakdown of homicides by region and police force area in England and Wales for April 2018 to March 2019, according to the ONS: London: 126 North East Cleveland 15 Durham 8 Northumbria 14 North West Cheshire 19 Cumbria 4 Greater Manchester Lancashire 18 Merseyside 22 Yorkshire and the Humber Humberside 10 North Yorkshire 3 South Yorkshire 22 West Yorkshire 36 Transport Police: 6 East Midlands Derbyshire 6 Leicestershire 6 Lincolnshire 6 Northamptonshire 17 Nottinghamshire 9 West Midlands Staffordshire 7 Warwickshire 2 West Mercia 14 West Midlands 50 Bedfordshire 6 Cambridgeshire 10 Essex 16 Hertfordshire 13 Norfolk 7 Suffolk 7 South East Hampshire 10 Kent 19 Surrey 5 Sussex 16 Thames Valley 15 South West Avon and Somerset 10 Devon and Cornwall 19 Dorset 4 Gloucestershire 8 Wiltshire 1 Wales Dyfed-Powys 5 Gwent 2 North Wales 5 South Wales 10 Advertisement

Police gave house keys back to killer husband two weeks before he battered his wife to death with a hammer

An abusive husband was given the keys to his house back by police before he bludgeoned his estranged wife to death.

Kay Martin, 49, had suffered at least 12 incidents of domestic abuse in the last seven years and had most recently made a complaint of rape and domestic assault against husband Alan.

Officers from Northumbria Police returned Alan Martin's keys to their home after they questioned him about the alleged rape.

Kay Martin, 49, had suffered at least 12 incidents of domestic abuse before she was killed by her estranged husband Alan

Just 13 days later, Martin, 53, defied a court order and let himself into their home in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, where he waited for Mrs Martin to return.

Mrs Martin, a care worker, had obtained a non-molestation order against her husband through the family court.

Martin, a bricklayer, bludgeoned his wife over the head before strangling her. He was found hanged, having killed himself, when police arrived at the property.

Sunderland Coroner Derek Winter said he would write to Home Secretary Priti Patel, calling for greater protection to victims of domestic violence after their attackers are released under investigation.

Police did not apply for a Domestic Violence Protection Order in Martin's case.

The police's actions leading up to Mrs Martin's death were reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Sunderland Coroner's Court heard.

The police's actions leading up to Mrs Martin's death were reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct

No action was taken against any officer but the IOPC commented that 'the wisdom of returning the keys to Alan Martin should be looked at'.

Mrs Martin was forced to make her own safeguarding arrangements and was granted a non-molestation order, two days before she was killed.

Martin had been living at a separate address but paid no attention to the court order.

Police were called following reports of a disturbance at around 10pm on September 20.

Mrs Martin was found in the bedroom. Her skull had four depression fractures and an electrical cable was fastened tightly around her neck. Martin killed himself just feet from where he murdered his wife.
Indian and Pakistani students in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, have made desperate pleas to their governments to evacuate them after Chinese officials decided to convert their university gymnasiums and dormitories into makeshift hospitals amid a big surge in infection cases.

The death toll from the epidemic surged to 1,367 with 254 deaths on Wednesday, highest in a day, raising concerns that the virus is nowhere near slowing down.

There were 52,526 confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland at the end of Wednesday. On Wednesday, Wuhan and Hubei province itself reported 14,840 new confirmed cases to local health officials said.

This big increase in cases has put pressure on local officials to add more hospital beds.

Three Indian students studying at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine made desperate pleas to the Indian government to evacuate them after the university announced plans to convert the gym into a hospital.

India has already evacuated 647 Indian nationals mostly students from Wuhan and Hubei. Ten Indians could not board the two special flights due to fever. Indian officials say around 80 to 100 Indians are still left in the area.

"Our university is going to use the gymnasium as the shelter to receive the confirmed cases," the university said in a notice.

The university earlier was not on the list but now an official notification has been issued to include it, the notice said.

"Now we need to cooperate. For whole Wuhan, it's a 'war' period. Hope everyone can understand...We will try our best to ensure your basic needs. Special Period, special way.Do not go out!" it said.

"Do take precautions!" the university notification said.

China has already built two make-shift hospitals with 2,300 beds and converted auditorium and stadiums into hospitals. With surging cases university dormitories and gymnasiums are being converted into hospitals.

About 1,000 Pakistani students are currently in Hubei province. The Pakistan government came under heavy criticism for not evacuating them. A number of Pakistani students too have complained that the dormitories are being converted into hospitals with virus patients.

Pakistani daily Dawn reported Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directing the Foreign Office to take every possible step to help Pakistani students stuck in novel coronavirus (NCV)-hit Wuhan city of China.

Pakistani students of a Chinese medical university are fearful as patients infected with the deadly virus have been shifted to a building located near their university.

Pakistan has contacted the Chinese authorities with the request to shift those patients somewhere else, the report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rishi Sunak on February 13 was appointed UK's new finance minister, replacing Sajid Javid.

Sunak, son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, has served as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury since last year.

Javid resigned from the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer (head of the country's finance ministry), at a time when UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was making changes to his Cabinet.

According to a CNBC report, Javid refused to fire all his advisors, a condition that was laid down before him in order to retain his post. However, he allegedly said that "no self-respecting minister would accept those terms" and put in his papers instead.

Meanwhile, the report said that Geoffrey Cox, UK's attorney general, has also tendered his resignation.

Javid was due to present the UK's budget in March this year, the first one after the country made its exit from the European Union.
The suffocating stench of poo and endless barking has left neighbours in a heated feud with a woman who fears she will have to give up one of her three elderly dogs.

The pet owner moved into her unit in South Lake, in Perth's southern suburbs, with her three elderly dogs, two shih tzus and a blue heeler in 2018 before neighbours started complaining.

They told the City of Cockburn the dog poo attracted mice and rats to the area and the stench kept them awake at night, according to WA Today.

The pet owner moved into her unit in South Lake, in Perth's southern suburbs, with her three elderly dogs, two shih tzus and a blue heeler in 2018 before neighbours started complaining (stock image)

'The smell of dog poo is so bad I can not open my bedroom windows,' a neighbour said.

According to council rules, pet owners cannot have more than two dogs in their home for more than three months without seeking approval.

The City of Cockburn will decide whether it removes one of the dogs on Thursday.

The pet owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said she did request approval in 2019.

But council officers recommend against approval in a report, fearing backlash from other neighbours.

'There is a substantial level of possible reputation risk to the council associated with this item,' the report read.

The pet owner said she was confused by the claims and claimed her dogs were kept indoors most of the time, with the poo frequently cleaned up and kept in a special bin.

But it was not good enough for one neighbour, who said they was considering moving house after living in their property for over a decade.

'I already have had to ring the ranger because of the barking and I can not walk down the side of my home because the dogs start barking,' she said.

If the decision is made to remove of the dog the pet owner will have 28 days to find an alternative or it would be seized.
(TNS)  U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is questioning the progress of an Internet company in expanding rural broadband in the state, while the company has yet to receive a cent of federal funding for the projects.Hawley on Wednesday asked about Wisper ISP, which received the lion's share of funding announced in 2018 for Missouri broadband infrastructure, in a news release and letter to the Federal Communication Commission chairmanThe CEO of the company on Wednesday, however, said the FCC has yet to release any federal funds to it for the projects."We have been working hand in hand with the FCC to make sure we're a qualified company," said Wisper ISP CEO Nathan Stooke by phone. "We're very close to being funded."In 2018, the FCC announced Wisper won a federal auction to provide broadband service to more than 60,000 locations in Missouri and would receive $176 million in federal funds. It was one of 11 winning bidders in Missouri, which is to receive nearly $255 million in federal support for rural broadband under what is being called the Connect America Fund.In central Missouri, Wisper ISP was awarded $443,556 to build service to 483 customers in Boone County, according to the Springfield News-Leader . In Cooper County, there are 26 customers and Wisper will be paid $25,463.In Cole County, Wisper will hook up 2,315 customers and receive $2.36 million. There are 83 customers in Callaway County who will receive broadband service and Wisper will receive $129,834.Other companies were awarded the bids in Howard, Moniteau and Randolph counties.The "ISP" in Wisper ISP stands for Internet service provider. The company is based in Mascoutah, Illinois.Hawley submitted a series of questions to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai about the status of the Wisper projects."The need for access to reliable broadband Internet in rural areas of Missouri is critical," Hawley wrote in the letter, which he released to reporters.Missouri ranks 41st in the nation for limited Internet connectivity, Hawley wrote."I hear regularly from Missourians who are concerned that their communities are being left behind," Hawley wrote in the letter.He asked Pai to provide him with an update on the status of Wisper's projects, how many locations the company has added service to, and if it is on track to meet its timeline. Hawley requested answers from Pai by next Wednesday.Stooke said he would be happy to visit with Hawley about the plans."I think for us, we want to be as transparent with everyone as we can be," Stooke said. "I'd love to set up a meeting with the senator to discuss our plans in Missouri."Because of the funding situation, Stooke said nothing specific to the federal projects has been done."We've added service with our own money," Stooke said, including 1,900 customers last year. "We've been able to partner with Show-Me Technologies in mid-Missouri. They already have a fiber infrastructure that we can use to help extend our network."Wisper will meet its commitment to the FCC to provide customers with the 100 megabits per second download speed and 120 megabits per second upload speed, Stooke said.The company is adding technology jobs in the rural locations where it will be operating, Stooke said. The company will hire 30 or more near Washington. It has offices at Lake of the Ozarks and Joplin."We will hire people and provide them with technical training," Stooke said.He founded Wisper in 2003 when his neighbor a few miles away needed high-speed Internet, he said. He started the company in his 1986 Honda Accord with $36,000 on three credit cards, he said.Wisper will change the ranking of 41st in the nation for Internet speed in Missouri, Stooke said."Wisper will help the state of Missouri," he said. "Hopefully we're going to move the needle quite substantially."Told the company hadn't received federal funding, Hawley spokeswoman Kelli Ford said that was the kind of information Hawley was seeking in his letter to the FCC chairman"I would anticipate more updates" from the FCC, Ford said.The plan isn't as far along as he wanted it to be at this point, Stooke said."I just think it' a long process," Stooke said. "If it were easy, everyone would have broadband access. Are we behind where we want to be? Sure. We've done our due diligence with the FCC."Asked how soon Wisper might receive its federal funding, Stooke said he always has a response for his kids when they're on a trip and ask "are we there yet?""I tell them we're the closest we've ever been," Stooke said.
By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the three medical students, who had tested positive for novel coronavirus infection and were treated at a hospital in Kerala, has been discharged after recovery, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

About the other two, he said subsequent tests indicated a significant reduction in "viral load".

"We are still waiting for confirmatory results before discharging them. They are stable and recovering. They will be discharged soon," Vardhan said.

A high-level Group of Ministers constituted on the directions of the prime minister, held its second meeting to review the current status and actions for prevention and management of the novel coronavirus, named COVID-19 on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, Vardhan said a total of 2,51,447 persons traveling in 2,315 flights have been screened so far.

Besides, 15,991 people across the country have been kept on community surveillance.

Of them, 497 have been identified as symptomatic cases and isolated while 41 have been hospitalised, Vardhan said.

The minister said 645 Indians and seven Maldivians evacuated from China's Wuhan city kept at the quarantine facilities set up by the Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in and around Delhi, have tested negative for coronavirus.

They will be kept under observation and their samples will be re-tested on day 14 of the quarantine period before being discharged, Vardhan said.

Vardhan further said India has extended support to Maldives in testing samples and to Bhutan in managing the disease.

"India has also agreed to support Afghanistan in testing samples. India is also extending help to China by sending essential items for combating nCoV as per a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a goodwill gesture," Vardhan said, adding he was briefed by Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya at the GoM meeting that the ministry has stocked up medical supplies and personal protection equipments and other required materials in case of an outbreak in India.

ALSO READ: Many Covid-19 home quarantined people go out, violate protocol

He added that regular reviews are being held with Ministries of Health, Defence, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Commerce, Panchayati Raj.

Other central and state officials are also part of the review process.

The situation is monitored by the PMO on a regular basis, Vardhan said.

Vardhan said the Indian government is in touch with the Japan government regarding the two Indian crew infected with coronavirus onboard a cruise ship off the Japanese coast.

"They have been hospitalised," Vardhan said.

The ship's quarantine period will get over on February 19, he said, adding the Ministry of External Affairs is keeping a close watch on it.

Passengers arriving from Thailand and Singapore, besides China and Hong Kong, are being screened for possible exposure to the respiratory virus at 21 identified airports.

The health ministry has asked people to refrain from travelling to China in view of the coronavirus outbreak and said travellers on return could be quarantined.

In an updated travel advisory, the health ministry said that the existing visas, including e-visas already issued, are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China.

He also informed that surveillance at Points of Entry (PoE) is continuing at 21 airports, 12 major ports, 65 minor ports and at six land crossings.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) is carrying out community-based surveillance of passengers travelling from China, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Japan.

The ICMR is providing the laboratory support with NIV Pune as the nodal laboratory and 14 other network laboratories.

This can be expanded to include 50 laboratories, if the situation so demands.

So far 1,071 samples have been tested, out of which 1,068 were found negative and only three have already tested positive in Kerala, the minister said as he elaborated on how the ministry had traced their contact history.

He also stated that the Rapid Response Teams have been trained in all states for managing emergencies due to high risk pathogens.

There is outreach to every village in the districts adjoining Nepal border through Gram Sabhas.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak rose to 1,310 China on Thursday while the number of those affected by the deadly virus has spiralled to 48,206.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday denounced the UN release of a list of companies involved with Israeli settlements, saying it proved the world body was biased against the Jewish state.

Its publication only confirms the unrelenting anti-Israel bias so prevalent at the United Nations, Pompeo said in a statement, calling himself outraged.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet on Wednesday released a list of 112 companies with activities in Israeli settlements, including major US firms Airbnb, Expedia and TripAdvisor.

The report was ordered in 2016 by the UN Human Rights Council, from which President Donald Trumps administration withdrew the United States in protest at its alleged targeting of ally Israel.

The United States has not provided, and will never provide, any information to the Office of the High Commissioner to support compilation of these lists and expresses support for US companies referenced, Pompeo said.

We call upon all UN member states to join us in rejecting this effort, which facilitates the discriminatory boycott, divestment, and sanction (BDS) campaign and delegitimizes Israel, he said.

The BDS campaign, which seeks international boycotts to pressure Israel to improve its treatment of Palestinians, welcomed the publication of the list, which the Palestinian leadership hailed as a victory for international law.

Israeli settlements built on Palestinian land are considered illegal under international law, according to the United Nations and most countries.

Pompeo said last year that the United States no longer agreed that the settlements were illegal, and a Middle East plan released last month by Trump would open the way for Israel to annex much of the West Bank.
Sudans rulers to hand over ex-president Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court on war crimes announced the BBC as Breaking News. This was immediately relayed all over social media that Tuesday February 11. Taking up the story, AFP reminded that Bashir, 76, has been jailed in Khartoum since his ouster in April 2019 and is wanted by the ICC for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the Darfur conflict, which broke out in 2003. Three of his former aides are also wanted by the ICC: Ahmed Harun, Abdulrahim Mohamad Hussein and Ali Kushayb. The declaration by the sovereign council member came after a government delegation met with Darfur rebel groups in the South Sudanese capital Juba, AFP added.

The sovereign council, a majority civil society body charged with overseeing the transition, is headed by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhane. He said last year he opposed transferring to The Hague Al-Bashir, who was unseated in a palace coup just before marking three decades as Sudans leader. In theory, the country is now governed by a transitional administration led by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, a technocrat economist who formerly worked with the United Nations.

Reuters news agency gave more detail: The government and the rebel groups reached an agreement during a meeting in South Sudans capital Juba that included the appearance of those who face arrest warrants before the International Criminal Court, said Mohamed al-Hassan al-Taishi, a member of Sudans sovereign council. At this stage, the sovereign council member did not mention Al-Bashir by name. AFP also put the declaration in a context where the Juba talks, still ongoing, focused on justice and reconciliation in Darfur, where the United Nations says about 300,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the conflict erupted.

ICC trial in Sudan?

Very quickly, a Sudanese reporter for Britains Channel 4 contradicted the BBCs Breaking News. Fast journalism can be scarily detrimental, commented Yousra Elbagir on Twitter. At no point did Mohammed Hassan Eltaish  who is leading government peace talks with armed rebel groups  say that Al-Bashir will be sent to The Hague. A few minutes later she rectified, citing a second source: I spoke to a senior government official this morning who told me there have been two/three months of consultations over how they can cooperate with the ICC  especially after demands from armed rebel groups during peace talks that Al-Bashir be sent to face trial in The Hague. But the government agrees that having Bashir tried outside Sudan would be too problematic. So they are discussing ways for Al-Bashir to appear in front of the ICC, within the countrys borders, writes the journalist.

Sudans Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok confirmed the next day in a Khartoum meeting with Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth that the government wants to cooperate with the ICC, according to a press release from the American NGO. The communique also cites General Al-Burhane, who seems to have changed his mind: General Abel Fattah al-Burhan, who chairs the Sovereign Council, told Human Rights Watch: We agreed no one is above the law, and that people will be brought to justice, be it in Sudan or outside Sudan with the help of the ICC. Negotiations should now start with the ICC, said Human Rights Watch: The transitional government should urgently invite ICC officials to Sudan to discuss terms of cooperation and how to move forward with the prosecutions. It did not comment on where a trial might be held.

While nothing in the ICCs Statute prevents it from holding trials in the country concerned, it has so far refused to do so in cases concerning the DRC, Kenya, Uganda and Libya. Even in stable contexts, it has chosen not to, lawyer and blogger Mark Kersten commented on Twitter.

A lose-lose case for the ICC

So the outcome remains uncertain in a case that has up to now been extremely costly and embarrassing for the ICC. It has been an indicator of its weakness, since no State agreed to hand Al Bashir over to the court and his case became a rallying point for African opposition to the ICC. Because of Al Bashir, big regional power South Africa nearly pulled out of the ICC and there was friction with Jordan, the only ICC State Party in its region. They both, like other states that Al-Bashir visited, refused to arrest and hand him over. The ICC had no choice but to keep a low profile and admonish State Parties that did not cooperate, without sanctioning them. Thus before al-Bashirs fall from power, his indictment had developed into a lose-lose situation for the Court and its proponents, commented international law professor Kerstin Carlson in a 2019 article published by The Conversation and Justice Info. On the one hand, the situation that prompted the indictment  the genocide in Darfur  was ongoing and unaddressed by the court. On the other hand, any action the ICC could take against al-Bashir was politically costly, continuing to weaken an institution already under threat.

Recommended reading Al-Bashir and the ICC: is it worth getting your man, if you jeopardise your mission?

Speaking to Justice Info after Tuesdays announcement by the Sudanese transitional authorities, Carlson says it is interesting that the ICC is being considered as a tool (though not, I do not suppose, as a demonstration to any particular commitment to rule of law) in internal Sudanese politics. This shows a parallel for how other countries, notably Uganda and Congo, have partnered with the ICC for political gain while avoiding any increase in rule of law constraints for their own deeply flawed ruling regimes. Some international criminal law analysts insist that getting Al-Bashir would be a victory, full stop, for the institution, but Carlson disagrees. The situation in Darfur referred to the ICC related to genocide and other crimes committed primarily by the RSF; these are the forces that took control in June 2019 and with whom negotiations are ongoing. At this juncture, more than ever, the ICC needs to be careful not to further destroy its credibility by cooperating with the sorts of bad actors who should, by rights, be before a court themselves.

The ICC spokesman declined to comment, saying the court was waiting for an official confirmation.
Iran Election Campaign Starts With Thousands Barred From Standing

02/13/20

Source: RFE/RL

The weeklong campaigning for Iran's parliamentary elections kicked off with more than 7,000 candidates vying for the 290 seats in the legislature, state TV reported on February 13. The February 21 elections are widely seen as a contest between hard-liners and conservatives after most pro-reform and moderate candidates were disqualified.

The vote will also be a test of the popularity of President Hassan Rohani, a relative moderate who has struggled to deliver on promises to improve people's lives under crippling U.S. economic sanctions.



But experts say rising public dissatisfaction over Iran's faltering economy and the absence of a transparent and fair election process are likely to dampen voter turnout.



Rohani has criticized the Guardians Council, a hard-line body which vets all candidates, after it disqualified thousands of people who had registered to run, including 90 current lawmakers.



President Hassan Rohani

But the president used a speech marking the 41th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution earlier this week to urge Iranians "not to be passive" in the polls despite "possible complaints and criticism."

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also called for a high turnout, saying that voting was an act of patriotism at a time of heightened tensions with the United States.



"Someone may not like me personally, but if they love Iran, they must go to the ballot box," Khamenei said in a speech on February 5.



Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

When officials announced gasoline rationing and price hikes in November, anti-government protests erupted in more than 100 Iranian cities and turned violent before security forces put them down.



Last month, the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane by Iran's air defenses led to days of protests in Iranian cities, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Iran's clerical leadership.



The plane disaster followed the killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, in a U.S. air strike in Baghdad in early January. In response, Tehran launched missile strikes on two bases hosting U.S. troops in Iraq.



Tensions have soared between Iran and the United States since Washington in 2018 pulled out of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran. Tehran has gradually stepped back from its own commitments under the 2015 deal and has said it no longer considers itself bound by the pact.



Experts predict Iran's hard-liners will dominate the next legislature following elections in which reformists say 90 percent of their candidates have been barred from running.



In the 2016 vote, a bloc of reformists and moderate conservatives won 41 percent of the 290 parliamentary seats. Hard-liners won 29 percent and independents took 28 percent.



Among the high-profile candidates in the upcoming polls that are running are Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the conservative former mayor of Tehran, and Masud Pezeshkian, among the few reformist lawmakers permitted to run for reelection.



Conservative Ali Larijani, Iran's powerful parliamentary speaker, and moderate Mohammad Reza Aref, who headed the reformist faction in parliament, have decided not to run.



Those barred from contesting the polls include Ali Motahari, an outspoken lawmaker and a political moderate, and Mahmud Sadeghi, the reformist politician who has represented Tehran since winning his seat in 2016.


When they woke 75 years ago this morning, the people of Dresden were faced by the opened gates of hell.

That was how one witness described the overnight air raid when 796 Allied bombers razed that city and killed around 25,000.

The justification for those raids, just weeks before the Second World War ended and when Germany was spent, is bitterly contested.

What cannot be contested is the path that led to that carnage. It began when terror replaced reason in Germanys politics.

A Dresden became inevitable when, in September 1935, the civic institutions and principles that guarantee civilisation were cast aside. The antisemitic, racist, and inhumane Nuremberg Laws were passed. Germany could not have imagined where the change it had embraced would lead.

It may seem disproportionate to link the destruction of Dresden to the ambitions of a minor American legislator but, as our world knows only too well, catastrophe is the culmination of many wrong turns.

Tennessee Republican, Micah Van Huss, inevitably a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, has proposed that legislation recognise media giant CNN and The Washington Post as fake news ... part of the media wing of the Democratic party.

This bias-cum-hate would be familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in how Germany destroyed itself and Europe.

Sadly, it is not necessary to go as far as Tennessee to see those shut-down tactics. Just this month Boris Johnsons Downing Street flunkies tried to exclude reporters they saw as unsympathetic.

It would be naive to imagine that this will not be tried again, especially as US president Trump applies that policy successfully.

The glee of Tories suggesting the BBCs lifeblood  its licence fee  might be closed off is from the same dark playbook.

This shift from what we carelessly see as permanent democratic norms was highlighted in recent weeks when judges from Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Austria, Latvia, Denmark, France, Greece and almost every other European country were joined by Supreme Court judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin in Warsaw to protest at that countrys Law and Justice partys intimidation of judges and their courts.

This regression is, naturally, dressed as reform.

There are endless examples of this silencing: The murders of Jamal Khashoggi and Daphne Caruana Galizia; the official excoriation of the late Li Wenliang because he highlighted the nascent coronavirus epidemic too. Indias undemocratic and ongoing communications blackout in Kashmir is another.

Most of these changes came about when new leaders, new administrations try to consolidate their position by, one way or another, disguising suppression as reform.

It might be unwise to imagine these issues will always be irrelevant to us, that our democratic virtue is immune.

That, as we enter a period that might be defined by profound political change, would be at best lazy . That would be reckless as online voices, even if in a private capacity, have called for the supervision of media that might dare to question the ascendant narrative.

A new government and a proper monitoring authority with powers introduced to prevent such political bias has been suggested.

The blandness of that threat does not dilute its dangerous, unacceptable edge. Up the Ra indeed.

Those concerns are fuelled by the battle over our past.

Sinn Feins need to have in-living-memory atrocities filed as historic underlines this. That idea has its attractions as the average age of SFs 37 TDs is 44 and a great number of those who voted for them younger still.

Despite that the future is always more important than the past.

Enduring, positive change cannot be built on lies or the ruins of civic institutions. The people of Dresden and Germany learned this hard lesson and became one of the most positive forces in todays Europe.

If we are to follow their example then the terrorist atrocities of our more recent past cannot be brushed under the carpet  and the institutions of the State, educational or judicial, must be held secure so that they can continue to describe them as just that  no matter who controls them or their resources.
A Spanish judge placed a top former Mexican oil executive in pre-trial detention Thursday following an extradition request linked to the vast Odebrecht corruption scandal that has engulfed much of Latin America. Emilio Lozoya, who served as chief executive of the PEMEX state oil company between 2012-2016, was arrested on Wednesday near the coastal city of Malaga in southern Spain, police said. Lozoya is wanted in Mexico for allegedly accepting millions of dollars in bribes from Brazil's Odebrecht, a vast construction company accused of paying almost a billion to politicians across Latin America to win lucrative contracts. In a brief statement, Spain's National Court said it had "placed the former head of Mexican state oil company PEMEX in pre-trial detention following an extradition request from Mexico over transactions involving illegally-sourced funds, which in Spain amounts to money laundering". If convicted in Mexico, he could face up to 15 years behind bars, court documents show. Lozoya was arrested while travelling in a taxi and found to be carrying a false driving licence which suggested "an intention to flee justice", the judge said in explaining his decision to place him in pre-trial detention. Mexico now has 45 days to formalise its request for the extradition of Lozoya, a former aide to Enrique Pena Nieto who served as Mexican president from 2012-2018. It is the first time a top-level Mexican executive has been arrested in connection with the massive Odebrecht scandal which has felled a string of big names in Latin American politics and industry. Among the casualties are ex-presidents and top officials in countries including Brazil, Peru and Colombia, but there have been no arrests or prosecutions so far in Mexico. In 2017, Lozoya was summoned to appear before Mexican prosecutors to answer allegations he took $10 million in bribes from Odebrecht to award the firm juicy contracts. The payouts allegedly started in 2012, when he was chief international strategist for Nieto who at the time was running for president. Part of the money was allegedly used to finance Nieto's campaign. Lozoya is also wanted on money laundering charges over PEMEX's acquisition in 2014 of a defunct fertilizer plant for nearly $500 million. His partner in the deal, Alonso Ancira Elizondo, was detained on the Spanish island of Mallorca in May 2019 in connection with the affair, also on a Mexican arrest warrant. Lozoya denies all the accusations against him.
Fifty-four percent of 295 schools  both public and private  in Marion County tested positive for lead in water supplies. The schools were included in a study by the Marion County Public Health Department, which began in 2017. Schools with contaminated water sources were notified in 2018.

In many cases, however, parents and guardians were not informed of the issue until the study was made public in January 2020.

The Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Warren Township had the highest lead concentration among local public schools, according to an internal health department report, which was obtained and published by the Indianapolis Star earlier this year. The district had more than 50 water sources throughout the township surpass lead levels deemed acceptable by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The MSD of Warren Township  along with several school districts in the county  waited until the study was released publicly before informing parents of the problem. Dennis Jarrett, director of media and community relations for the district, declined to make school officials available to discuss the issue, instead forwarding a statement from the township, which was released when the study became public:

In 2016-17, the Marion County Health Department offered all Marion County school districts free voluntary water testing in their schools, the statement reads. MSD Warren Township accepted this opportunity to test water samples in all of our schools. After the initial water sample testing results were provided to the district, 56 faucets/fixtures were replaced. A full report was published by the Marion County Health Department acknowledging that the identified areas of concern had been addressed and that all of the faucets/fixtures in our schools were in compliance with EPA standards at the time of the second testing.

Other school districts with high lead levels include the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike and Wayne.

Mary Lang, a chief of communications for Wayne Township schools, said 23 faulty water sources were replaced within two weeks, but no mass communication was shared with families.

Officials from Lawrence Township schools confirmed that every contaminated water source in the district was repaired. Director of Communications Dana Altemeyer declined to explain why the school administration failed to inform parents of the contamination sooner.

While the faulty water sources throughout Marion County schools have been repaired or disassembled, the short- and long-term impact on students has yet to be determined.

Karla Johnson, an administrator for the Marion County Public Health Department and leader of the study, said this was the first comprehensive test of water in Marion County schools, and as a result, there is no way of knowing how many children were exposed to lead at school.

The short-term effects of lead exposure include a lower IQ and difficulty with attention and learning, as well as long-term effects such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, reduced fertility and possibly cancer after prolonged exposure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children younger than 7 are most susceptible to lead poisoning, and African American children are more likely to have high exposure to lead due to risk factors such as poverty.

Despite the developmental and health impacts lead exposure can have on children, Johnson seemed to downplay the findings of the study.

People should keep the water report in perspective, Johnson said. Schools were extremely cooperative and were as concerned as any parent.  Children are more likely to be exposed [to lead] at home, because thats where they spend most of their time.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates American children spend more than seven hours a day in school, factoring in after school activities. This adds up to more than 35 hours a week children risk being exposed to lead-contaminated water. In addition, contaminated water causes up to 20% of lead poisoning cases in the United States, according to the EPA.

Because of the long hours spent at school and the risk of exposure, some lawmakers believe schools should take more responsibility for tracking lead levels and students who have lead poisoning.

State Sen. Jean Breaux of District 34 proposed Senate Bill 286, which would require schools to test any child enrolling for lead poisoning, and continuously monitor students who test positive.

Lead is a problem in multiple Hoosier cities, and we know that children in low-income, minority communities around the state are more susceptible to lead poisoning, Breaux said in a statement.   Hoosier kids should have the right to a safe environment at home and in their schools.  Our state has the opportunity to pursue impactful public health policies to reduce these racial inequalities in our childrens health. My proposal, Senate Bill 286, aims to provide transparency and make sure parents know if their children have high amounts of lead in their blood.

SB 286 did not receive a hearing in the Senate before the deadline to advance it to the Indiana House of Representatives, effectively killing the bill this session.

Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
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World Health Organization officials are holding a press conference Thursday to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more people than the 2003 SARS epidemic.

As of Thursday, more than 60,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in over two dozen countries, resulting in least 1,300 deaths, almost exclusively in China. The WHO declared the virus a global health emergency last month, a rare designation that helps the international agency mobilize financial and political support to contain the outbreak.

The number of new cases of COVID-19 appeared to be stabilizing until Thursday, when a change in China's methodology for determining the disease led to a spike in confirmed cases in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Health authorities in Hubei said Thursday that "clinically diagnosed" cases now count toward the "confirmed case" count. The change was made so a broader set of patients can receive the same treatment as someone with a confirmed case, according to a CNBC translation of the official announcement in Chinese.

WHO officials said Tuesday the decision to revise how to define a case is normal.

"It's normal, during the course of an outbreak to adapt the case definition because we need to be very close to the reality to monitor the disease, how it is unfolding," said Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO's director of infectious hazards.

To see the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit CNBC's live updates here.
With impeachment receding in his rearview mirror, and with the Democrat party fielding the weakest and most socialist crop of candidates since 1972, President Trump is feeling his oats. No wonder, then, that he's got Bill Barr's Justice Department working overtime to drain the swamp.

In a recent interview with Lou Dobbs, Nunes suggested that the same attorneys who apparently railroaded the Roger Stone trial and then pressed for a seven- to nine-year sentence for Stone's first-time, nonviolent, generic D.C. offenses will soon find themselves in the hot seat.

Nunes promised Dobbs (and his audience) that the Justice Department's exposure of the cruel and disproportionate sentencing request for Stone "is not going to be the only example" of the questionable acts in which the Mueller team engaged:

We think there's other examples of things that they did during the Mueller investigation that I think you and your listeners and the American people will be very interested to learn in the coming weeks as we start to unpeel the onion of what the Mueller team was really doing.

What's especially concerning about what these corrupt government officials did is something Nunes calls the "obstruction of justice trap":

Because I would say this, when Mueller was appointed we have to ask ourselves, he walks in the door the first day and he said, "OK, show me all the evidence you got on the Russians?" They're like, "Bob, sorry we don't have any Russians here. We don't have any evidence." So what the hell did they do for two years? They set up an obstruction of justice trap. And they went after a whole lot of people who have now got sentenced. Some already served their time. And I think all of this has to be called into question now.

The "obstruction of justice" trap that Nunes talks about is essentially a process charge. We saw it with what the FBI (which the DOJ oversees) did to General Flynn. Agents inveigled him into making innocent misstatements, which even the FBI agents understood weren't intentional lies, and then slammed him with secret (and probably illegal) recordings.

These process crimes are then used to intimidate people into being witnesses against their will, something that's an ordinary tactic in both federal and state law enforcement. The new wrinkle these Obama Deep State holdovers added to this tactic is using the process crimes to destroy people for political reasons.

Indeed, there's reason to believe that the Mueller team deliberately removed Flynn because they were afraid that he would expose the way Obama's people were still controlling the National Security Council. Victor Davis Hanson spelled this out on the Ingraham Angle on Fox News when they were discussing a report that Trump plans to fire 70100 Obama-era holdovers at the NSC:

Ben Rhodes was the deputy National Security Adviser under Obama, and Jake Sullivan was a National Security Adviser for Joe Biden. In early 2018 [sic], they had a big press conference. They were going to make an anti-Trump foreign policy conglomerate  a "national security agency." And before they left [in early 2017], that National Security Council ballooned to 230 people, and they were in contact, obviously, with a lot of these people that were holdovers that were feeding them information all about what was going on because we had leak after leak after leak coming out of the NSC. And I think another thing ... I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but we've had four National Security Advisers now, and there was a reason why Michael Flynn was taken out very early because of all the National Security Advisers, he was going to make it a point to clean house. And once he was gone, it think they said, Michael Flynn was controversial, and we're going to get people who are not controversial, and those Obama people had been deliberately planted there, and I think probably by Ben Rhodes. ... and they caused a lot of damage.

The Obama administration did incalculable damage to America's once respected institutions. Now that Trump has lost the albatross of impeachment that the Democrats tried to tie around his neck, he is working to reinstate them.
Alister Jack stays on as Scottish Secretary amid cabinet reshuffle

Alister Jack has kept his job as Scottish Secretary amid a reshuffle that saw several high profile figures in the cabinet lose their jobs.

Sajid Javid resigned as chancellor following reports that Boris Johnson had asked him to sack his team advisers as part of attempts to take greater control over the Treasury.

Javid was replaced by his deputy, Rishi Sunak, the chief secretary to the Treasury, while Julian Smith was removed from his role as Northern Ireland Secretary and replaced by Brandon Lewis, despite having recently overseen the restoration the power-sharing administration in Stormont

Meanwhile Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary, while Geoffrey Cox was dropped as attorney general and Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary.

Villiers was replaced as environment secretary by George Eustice, while Coxs role as attorney general was taken over by former Brexit Minister Suella Braverman.

Former International Development Secretary Alok Sharma was appointed business secretary, and will also be responsible for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November.

Javid, who was due to unveil the budget in four weeks, was said to have rejected a demand from the Prime Minister to fire his team of advisers, saying "no self-respecting minister" could accept such a condition.

Responding to Javid's resignation, Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "This must be a historical record with the government in crisis after just over two months in power.

"Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as chancellor."

Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack said: Im honoured to have been reappointed as Scottish Secretary by the Prime Minister. I look forward to helping to deliver a bright future for Scotland, and to continue to stand up for the majority of Scots who voted in 2014 to remain part of a strong United Kingdom.
The Rochester offices of the U.S. Census Bureau are buzzing with activity as it gears up for the 2020 population count.

Potential employees were busy filing applications at 300 11th Ave. NW this week to fill out the workforce needed to complete the southern Minnesota portion of the once-in-a-decade tally.

The Census, which also has offices in Minneapolis and Duluth, aims to "Count everyone once, only once, and in the right place" to provide data for calculating the annual distribution of an estimated $675 billion in federal funds, mapping out statewide political districts as well as local school districts, among many other things.

In the 2010 Census, Rochester was reported as having a population of 117,444, the first time it broke the 100,000 barrier and became officially listed as a "First-Class City." This count will calculate how much the Med City has grown in the past decade.

For Olmsted County, the Census is still looking for more than 200 hires to hit its goal. Even more people are needed in Winona County, where 400 workers are still being sought.

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"These are great opportunities for people like school teachers or students ... looking for good supplemental income," said Jim Accurso, a St. Paul-based Minnesota partnership specialist.

In Olmsted County, the Census is offering pay of $25 an hour for flexible, part-time schedules of five to 35 hours a week.

While they are looking for more employees, the Census office is also preparing for its first mailing. The mailings will encourage people to fill out the 10-question Census form online or by telephone. People should expect the first Census notices to arrive in their mailboxes during the week of March 12.

"What's new this year is the option for responding online. About 95 percent of homes will get a mailer," he said. "The questions are available in 12 languages in addition to English."

For people who might be concerned how the Census data will be used, such as people with undocumented residents living in their home, Accurso said that personally identifiable information will remain private.

"Per Title 13, any of the information that we collect cannot be shared with any other governmental organization, and it won't," he said.

After households have been contacted during March and April about filling out the Census, workers called enumerators will start going to homes that have not responded in May, June and July. Each worker going door-to-door with have identification. Anyone concerned about the identity of someone claiming to be with the Census can call the local office for confirmation or can go online to find the employee's profile with the Census.

However a person chooses to respond  either online, by phone or in person  responding means a lot for the community, said Accurso.

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"It's everyone's civic duty. This is very important," he said. "This data will be used to decide federal funding for the area for the next 10 years."
The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved the order on the issue of rejection of mercy petition of Vinay Kumar Sharma, one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case.

A bench of Justice R Banumathi heard the case and the order has been reserved for Friday at 2 pm.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Delhi government, said that convict Vinay Sharma was not kept in solitary confinement as it was argued by convict's lawyer AP Singh in the Supreme Court.

"He (convict Vinay Sharma) was not kept in solitary confinement, as argued by advocate AP Singh. There is a limited scope of judicial review, as the President of India had rejected the mercy petition after SC reserved order duly considering and applying his mind," Mehta said.

"The Home Minister did not do it (dispose off the matter) immediately, as the Joint Secretary and Home Secretary discussed the matter in a detailed manner. The crime committed by the convict, Vinay Kumar Sharma, fell in the rarest of the rare category and did not fall in the category of mercy," he added.

Lawyer, AP Singh, representing Vinay, had earlier argued that the convict was kept in illegal confinement and "illegally tortured" in Tihar Jail.

"Vinay Sharma was kept in illegal confinement. He (Vinay) was illegally tortured in Tihar jail prison. I am here only to seek justice, where can I go for justice? That is why I am pleading here before the court for justice. They are not terrorists, they are not habitual offenders. These are the grounds for mercy to these convicts," Singh said.

He claimed that there has been a history of physical assaults on Vinay.

"Vinay had been sent for psychiatric treatment on many occasions. The petitioner has suffered adverse mental condition and faced immense trauma," he said.

The lawyer added, "Vinay should have been treated with proper medical treatment for his poor mental health. He was provided complete medical treatment for his mental illness."

Singh added that the "non-application" of mind by President of India is one ground for commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment.

"Why the mercy petition is rejected by the President of India so hurriedly? What is the need of doing it so hurriedly by the President of India.? Justice hurried is justice buried. Bifurcation of crime, committed by accused (convict) persons, was not done properly by the investigation team in the case," he stated.

Vinay filed the petition in the top court against President Ram Nath Kovind's decision to reject his mercy plea.

The convict, through his lawyer AP Singh, has requested the death penalty to be commuted to life imprisonment.

On February 1, Vinay's mercy petition was rejected by the President.

On January 31, the death sentence of four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur were stayed by a lower court till further orders.

All the four convicts are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalising of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, by six people including a juvenile in Delhi. She died at a Singapore hospital a few days later.

One of the five adults accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in the Tihar Jail during the trial of the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
This is a sign of continuing struggles with Softbank Group's startup investments one quarter after the Japanese firm posted a record quarterly loss, according to Bloomberg.

Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group Corporation has reported concerning losses after several failed investments

SoftBank Vision Fund lost $2.05 billion during the three months ending in December 2019, the company said on February 12, 2020.

Undoubtedly, this loss adds more weigh on SoftBank to generate profit across the globe.

The fund is now in trouble, writing down its bets on WeWork and Uber facing problems in smaller startups including dog-walking app Wag, home-goods retailer Brandless, and robotic pizza maker Zume.

Last year, WeWork  one of the biggest US-based coworking space operators  has pulled out of its IPO in the US, causing widespread surprise.

Previously, VIR also looked into the companys development strategy in the Vietnamese market and its impact on the countrys startup community.

In November 2019, SoftBanks biggest investors put pressure on the tech conglomerate over its governance and for bad investments in its $100 billion investment fund.

SoftBank Vision Fund invested in VNLIFE, the parent company of fintech VNPAY

Investors, including Capital Group, hedge fund Tiger Global Management LLC, and Southeastern Asset Management Inc., privately criticised the company over losses in the Vision Fund and governance issues, according to Wall Street Journal.

The investors also raised concerns over SoftBanks plan to help raise cash for a second Vision Fund by lending billions of dollars to its own executives.

Previously, Vietnam-based firm VNLIFEs representatives said that Japan-based Softbank Vision Fund and Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund GIC have committed to proposing investment deals of $200 million and $100 million, respectively, to further the growth of the firm.

VNLIFE is the parent company of fintech VNPAY, a Vietnamese digital payment firm established in 2007.
The man was apprehended in Arkhangelsk region.

Russian police have reportedly freed notorious Latvian-born mercenary Beness Aijo, nom de guerre "Black Lenin," who has joined the Russia-backed self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" in the war against the Ukrainian army in Donbas.

Read alsoLatvian-born Donbas mercenary detained in Russia, faces extradition to Ukraine

The man, who was apprehended in the village of Shiyes, Arkhangelsk region, at the request of Ukraine, was taken to the town of Kotlas and later released, the local Echo Severa [the Echo of the North] news outlet reported, citing sources in police.

"Thus, the incident can be considered settled," the report said.

UNIAN memo. Beness Aijo, 40, a Latvian citizen of Russian/Ugandan ethnicity. He has been an activist of the National Bolshevik Party since 1998, member of the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist), and the Korean Friendship Association-UK. Aijo has participated in many actions in solidarity with Palestine. He was active in the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and joined Russia-led forces fighting against Ukraine in Donbas. Aijo has been arrested multiple times and tried for his political activities.

He was arrested in Shiyes, where he came to support local residents protesting against the construction of a landfill.
UK Treasury chief Sajid Javid has resigned in a shock development on the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson is shaking up his right-wing Conservative government.

Chancellor Javid had been widely expected to keep his job in the cabinet shake-up. His resignation on Thursday follows reports he had clashed with Johnsons powerful adviser, Dominic Cummings.

Javid had been due to deliver his annual budget next month.

His resignation comes against the backdrop of Brexit, as the government faces challenges of negotiating a new relationship with the 27-nation European Union by the end of this year.

Johnson will replace Javid with Rishi Sunak, the government confirmed.

First elected to parliament in 2015, Sunak previously served as chief secretary to the treasury, the second in command to the chancellor, overseeing public spending.

In his shake-up, Johnson fired and appointed ministers to key cabinet posts.

Several high-profile women in Johnsons government, including Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and Housing Minister Esther McVey, all said they had been fired on Thursday morning.

Johnson also sacked Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith  a surprise move.

Smith had been widely praised for helping to end the political deadlock that left Northern Ireland without a regional government and assembly for three years.

After pressure from the British and Irish governments, the main Irish nationalist and British unionist power-sharing parties returned to work last month.

As well as reworking his cabinet, Johnson appointed Alok Sharma new leader for the United Nations climate change conference that the United Kingdom is due to host later this year. The summit  the 26th Conference of the Parties, or COP26  is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.

Sharma is the new business secretary following Johnsons reshuffle.

Planning for the climate event got off to a rocky start, with Johnson last week firing Claire ONeill, a former British minister appointed last year to head up the event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his extreme delight that the US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump will be in India later in February. He said they would be accorded a memorable welcome.

The US President will be in India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of PM Modi. The visit is a very special one and it will go a long way in further cementing India-USA friendship, said PM Modi in a couple of tweets on February 12.

Robust friendship between our nations augurs well not only for our citizens but also for the entire world, added the PM.

The US President has also said that he is looking forward to his first visit to India this month and signalled his willingness to sign a trade agreement with New Delhi "if we can make the right deal."

US First Lady Melania Trump thanked PM Modi for the kind invitation and said that she was looking forward to visiting Ahmedabad and New Delhi during her visit with her husband.

In reply to PM Modis tweet on February 12, she said they were excited for the trip and to celebrate the close ties between the USA and India.

In view of the US president's upcoming visit to Ahmedabad, the Gujarat government has rescheduled tabling of the state budget in the Assembly to February 26.

As the stage has been set for the arrival of the US president in India for the first time, here is what Trump will be doing during his visit to Ahmedabad:

Kem chho, Trump!

India is planning a mega event similar to the Howdy, Modi! event held in the US in 2019. PM Modi and US President Trump shared the stage at the "Howdy Modi!" gala event in Houston in September 2019 and addressed a record crowd of 50,000 Indian-Americans.

During his visit to Ahmedabad, US President Trump and PM Modi would inaugurate the newly-constructed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in the city's Motera area. After the inauguration, they would reportedly address a gathering, which is likely to be attended by over one lakh people.

Citizens in Ahmedabad have dubbed the upcoming visit of the US president at the Sardar Patel Stadium as "Kem Chho, Trump!" (How are you, Trump! in the Gujarati language) event.

Roadshow

Earlier, in the day, US President Trump along with PM Modi would participate in a grand roadshow. The roadshow is planned along a 10-km decked-up stretch from the Ahmedabad airport to the Sabarmati Ashram.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has started preparations for the mega roadshow. The AMC has reportedly issued an order assigning duties to its officers for the roadshow preparations.

Visit Sabarmati Ashram

After the roadshow, the US president would then visit the Sabarmati Ashram, which served as the epicentre of the country's freedom struggle during Mahatma Gandhi's stay there.

Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also visited the Sabarmati Ashram with Modi and paid respect to Gandhi.

(With inputs from PTI)
By Serges Demefack

Weve all got dreams about how we would spend billions of dollars. New Jersey could build 80,000 new housing units to address the growing housing need of its population. We could invest in our schools, healthcare, and infrastructure.

What isnt at the top of our list? Separating families, deporting our neighbors and hurting our communities.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what President Trump has prioritized in his budget proposal for 2021, which he released Monday. The budget asks for massive increases for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If Trumps budget goes unchallenged by Congress, CBP would get a whopping $18.2 billon  including $163.6 million to support the hiring, training, and equipping of 750 additional officers. ICE would get $10.4 billon, including $313.9 million for an additional 1,000 law enforcement officers and 666 support personnel.

ICE and CBP are the agencies that have separated families, forced asylum seekers to wait for months in dangerous conditions in Mexico, and raided the homes and businesses of working people. They detain people in hazardous conditions  sometimes resulting in death  explicitly to deter others from exercising their legal right to seek asylum. ICE even entrapped foreign students by setting up fake universities.

Here in New Jersey, we see every day the harms ICE and CBP cause to our communities. I coordinate the American Friends Service Committees End Detention and Deportation Project, where I frequently meet with people in detention and their families. Separating families contradicts everything we know about building a healthy society. Weve seen countless households destroyed because the only breadwinner of the family has been detained and deported. The situation is worse when children are involved. It is painful to hear young children attempt to describe how they feel after learning their father was detained or deported. We have collected hundreds of these stories over the years, and they are painful every time I read them.

Our state government has begun to take steps to protect New Jersey communities from these agencies. In September, Attorney General Gurbir Grewel placed limits on collaboration between ICE and local jails. But New Jersey still has the fifth highest number of detainees in the country.

We need to start addressing the severe psychological trauma victims of deportation and abusive detention endure. With abusive practices like these, it seems commonsense that the agencies that perpetuate the abuse should get cuts to their budgets, not increases. Instead, the president wants to give them $2.8 billion more than ever before.

Fortunately, Trump doesn't get to set the budget himself. That job belongs to Congress. And our Congresspeople are supposed to represent the interests of New Jersey.

Last year, community advocates and organizations from the Defund Hate campaign banded together across the country to fight Trump's budget during this appropriations process. Congress eventually gave Trump less money for ICE and CBP than he had requested  ICE got $701.1 million less than Trump requested, and CBP got $3.3 billion less  but they still got more than the previous year.

This year we need to speak with an even louder voice. While Congress debates how to portion out the budget, it's important that they hear from their constituents about how that money should be spent.

Here in New Jersey, our members of Congress have a mixed record when it comes to funding for ICE and CBP. They have not always been consistent in supporting bills favored by their constituents. Last June, they helped pass a $4.6 billion spending bill to support ICE and CBPs harmful activities at the southern border. The bill included funds for the construction of the border wall and more detention centers for children. Nine of New Jerseys 12 House members voted in support of the bill.

We need everyone in our congressional delegation to take a stronger stand to protect our communities. Congress needs to significantly reduce the budgets of ICE and CBP, and to restrict Trump's ability to transfer money from other agencies into immigration enforcement  including detention, deportation, and the border wall.

We know that separating families and building bigger walls, workplace raids and militarized enforcement wont make us any safer. Real safety comes when communities have the resources they need to thrive.

The people of New Jersey have lots of ideas about how our tax dollars should be spent. Its time that our politicians start to listen.

Serges Demefack is the coordinator of the American Friends Service Committees End Detention and Deportation Project in New Jersey.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:02:22|Editor: Yurou

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NILI, Afghanistan, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Four members of a family had been killed, one injured while two others went missing after avalanche hit a village in Afghanistan's central Daykundi province, provincial government spokesperson said Thursday.

"The incident occurred in Hessar village of remote Miramur district. A seven-member-family was affected as their house buried by the avalanche late on Wednesday," spokesperson Sakina Ehsani told Xinhua.

Local villagers found bodies of four and rescued the injured member of the family while two people are still missing, the spokesperson noted.

The Wednesday's death has brought to seven the number of people who lost their lives in avalanches in the province, 290 km west of the country's capital, Kabul.

On the same day, a shepherd lost his live after in an incident of avalanche which also buried over 60 sheep in a remote area between Daykundi and neighboring Bamyan province, according to Ehsani.

Heavy rains and snow had been pounding most Afghan provinces for the last few days.
Pyongyang/Seoul, Feb 13 : A North Korean propaganda outlet on Thursday slammed South Korea's main opposition party over its decision to scout a defector, known for his appearance at a US State of the Union address, ahead of April's general elections.

Last month, the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) announced its decision to recruit Ji Seong-ho as one of the new faces who will run for the April 15 parliamentary elections, reports the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.

Ji is known for his surprise appearance at US President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech in 2018.

As Trump introduced Ji during the address, he triumphantly held up his crutches, drawing a standing ovation. He is believed to have lost an arm and a leg in a train accident in 1996 when he passed out over a railway due to starvation after attempting to steal coal.

He defected to the South in 2006.

Uriminzokkiri, the North Korean propaganda outlet, denounced his recruitment, calling him a "shameful person" who is trying to deceive and profit by smearing his mother country.

"(He) is running amok deceiving his past dirty deeds to extract as much money as possible ... while leading anti-republic smearing campaign," the Yonhap report quoted the outlet as saying.

"Ji Seong-ho, a fugitive who crossed into the South, is a cruel, vicious and shameful person." The outlet said that Ji was a greedy person who would never hesitate to desert his own wife for money, adding that his friends and neighbours have testified about his cruel and violent personality.

It is not rare for North Korean media outlets to level strong criticism against North Korean defectors, blaming them for crimes, though their claims are hard to prove, said the Yonhap report.

Ji, currently a human rights activist, is one of two high-profile North Korean defectors that the LKP has recruited ahead of the April elections.

Earlier this week, Thae Yong-ho, a former senior North Korean ambassador, announced his bid to run in the upcoming elections as a member of the opposition party.

North Korean media outlets were yet to comment on Thae's announcement.
The unthinkable has finally happened. The world's biggest phone and mobile-related conference, the Mobile World Congress 2020, has finally been cancelled. And it's all because of China's Coronavirus epidemic fear, and also for the safety and health of the host city, Barcelona in Spain.

The cancellation of the annual conference is supposed to give the city's economy a financial hit of $537 million.

reuters

The writing was on the wall for the past week or so, as one after other a lot of phone companies and big tech brands announced their exit from the annual Mobile World Congress conference which takes place in the final week of February in Barcelona, citing travel-related safety concerns due to Wuhan Coronavirus, threatening one of the year's biggest tech gatherings.



In a statement released to the press last night, GSMA CEO John Hoffman said the Coronavirus outbreak had made it "impossible" to hold the event.

With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event. The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world," he wrote on the official GSMA website.

Over the past week or so, leading brands like LG, ZTE, Ericsson, NVIDIA, Intel, Sony, Vivo, Amazon and NTT Docomo had pulled out of MWC 2020 -- either completely or at least from their press engagements.

Reuters

Mobile World Congress organisers GSMA had laid out a strict set of rules and regulations that every visitor would've had to follow to keep themselves as well as fellow visitors safe from possibly getting infected by the novel Coronavirus strain -- including temperature screening and no handshakes. But obviously all of this wasn't enough, ultimately.

Economic loss

Obviously, not having Mobile World Congress this year will impact the smartphone and mobility ecosystem -- since the event is the annual gathering of 1,200 companies that GSMA partners with to meet face-to-face and do business deals.

Since the event happens every year in Barcelona, it's a massive opportunity that creates over 14,000 part-time jobs in the city and an economic impact of $537 million or Rs 4,000 crores in a little less than a fortnight.


"Donna Maria has played an integral part in rolling out our strategic plan and supporting the university's academic growth," said Bentley University President Alison Davis-Blake. "But her impact goes far beyond academia. She is a champion for diversity and inclusion, frequently encouraging students of all backgrounds and identities to share their experiences."

Blancero joined the Bentley community in 2010 as an associate professor of management. She held several important roles on campus including interim provost for close to a year, interim dean of business and the McCallum Graduate School, and associate dean of undergraduate business. Prior to joining Bentley, she held a faculty role at Arizona State University and was a member of the academic cabinet at Touro University International.

For over 20 years, Blancero, a proud Latina of Puerto Rican heritage, has worked as a consultant to help organizations mentor Latinos and people of color. She is the founding editor of The Business Journal of Hispanic Research and recipient of several awards including the Brillante Award for Hispanic Education and the Presidential Award from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.

Blancero is also a faculty member with the PhD Project, which promotes diversity among business school faculty, and chairs its Committee on Hispanic Excellence, which was named a White House Initiative under the Obama administration. She received her PhD in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, master's degree from New York Institute of Technology and bachelor's degree from SUNY, College at Old Westbury.

About Bentley University

Bentley University is more than just one of the nation's top business schools. It is a transformative lifelong-learning community that inspires and prepares ethical students to use their business know-how to make a positive difference in the world. With a blend of business, technology and the arts and sciences, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills to help them collaborate effectively in different settings and prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. The university enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students. Bentley was founded in 1917 and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit www.bentley.edu.

SOURCE Bentley University

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OTTAWA, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On August 1, 2019, Export Development Canada (EDC) announced a review of Bombardiers compliance policies and procedures. The review was conducted with Bombardiers cooperation and was supported by an independent assessment by law firm, McCarthy Tetrault. Today, EDC is announcing the completion of the review.



EDC initiated the review following leaked preliminary findings from the World Banks ongoing investigation into Bombardier Transportations 2013 contract with Azerbaijan Railways. While EDC was not involved in the transaction under investigation, it was concerned about the allegations released via media reports. The review examined Bombardiers compliance and ethics policies, and information the company provided in relation to its procedures, controls, and training programs.

As an important aerospace and transportation company that supports hundreds of supplier companies across the country and thousands of Canadian jobs, Bombardier has been a long-time customer of EDC. We take our mandate to support Canadian exporters as well as our commitments to responsible business seriously, which is why we supported this review. It was important for us to assess Bombardiers compliance and ethics system as it stands today. The review has demonstrated to us that the company is moving in the right direction and is working towards having a best-in-class program, said Carl Burlock, Executive Vice-President and Chief Business Officer, EDC.

The review confirmed that Bombardiers executive management has prioritized making compliance and ethics central to the companys culture. Recently, the company has made significant investments to strengthen its compliance and ethics program. In 2019, it developed new company-wide compliance and ethics policies that are benchmarked to world standards, which are in the process of being implemented by procedures, processes, and training for employees within all business units. Additionally, Bombardier has been building its Compliance and Ethics Team, allocating significant financial resources and hiring additional personnel to support the implementation of the new policies and related activities. The company is also currently undertaking an enterprise-wide compliance risk assessment and has committed to addressing any identified gaps.

The most significant area for improvement identified by the independent review was the need for Bombardier to strengthen the oversight role of its compliance function. EDC and Bombardier have discussed the reviews findings, and the companys decision to implement improvement opportunities identified in the review. EDC and Bombardier will have regular engagements as the company undertakes these improvements.

International trade is a bedrock of our economy and takes Canadian companies, and by extension EDC, to challenging business environments around the world. With its recent investments and actions, its clear that Bombardier recognizes the importance of having a strong compliance and ethics program to help identify and manage risks. We thank Bombardier for its cooperation with the review and for committing to working closely with EDC as it matures its compliance program, said Burlock.

EDCs priority is to ensure that we have the right processes in place to make responsible business decisions. We take a risk-based approach for all transactions that we consider supporting. Our decision to proceed with providing business support to any transaction, for any exporter, is contingent on whether the parties involved meet our requirements and expectations from a financial perspective and in relation to responsible and sustainable business practices.

About EDC

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip Canadian companies with the tools they need  the trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections  to grow their business with confidence. Underlying all our support is a commitment to sustainable and responsible business.

For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca.

Media Contact

Jessica Draker

Export Development Canada

(613) 598-2937

jdraker@edc.ca
BRIDGEPORT  City police arrested five juveniles after a pursuit with a stolen vehicle Wednesday night, police officials said Thursday.

At 9:02 p.m. Wednesday, patrol officer spotted an occupied stolen vehicle near Railroad and Howard Avenues, according to Scott Appleby, Bridgeports director of emergency management/communications and homeland security.

A check on the plate indicated it was reported stolen out of Naugatuck, dispatch reports indicated.

A gang task force unit got involved in the pursuit, Appleby said. He said the gang unit vehicle was rammed by the driver of the stolen vehicle.

Units followed after the reportedly stolen vehicle and engaged in a pursuit that lasted for about two minutes.

Theyre about to bail, one officer was heard indicating over the radio waves.

Officers on scene requested medics at 9:07 p.m. Dispatch reports indicated the medics were for minor miscellaneous injuries.

At 9:09 p.m., a K9 officer came over the radio waves that his two-legged partner had found the outstanding suspect hiding under one of the U-Haul trucks on the property. Officers got that suspect out from under the truck and in handcuffs.

Initial dispatch reports indicated there were three suspects apprehended. Police later clarified that there were five suspects taken into custody.

Five juvenile occupants were all apprehended by a collaborated effort by the gang task force, patrol officers and K9 officers, Appleby said. The juveniles were later released to their parents on juvenile summons.
A smartphone with the Huawei and 5G network logo is seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration

PARIS (Reuters) - The Chinese embassy in Paris on Sunday urged the French government not to discriminate against Huawei as it selects suppliers for its 5G mobile network, saying it feared the company would face more constraints than rivals.

China's Huawei, a global giant in telecoms network equipment, is the centre of an international political storm as the United States seeks to convince countries to ban the company from their mobile networks. Washington says its technology could allow "back doors" for Chinese spying - an allegation denied by Huawei and Beijing.

France is in the early stages of rolling out its next-generation wireless technology, and the government's stance over Huawei's possible role still lacks clarity, according to some telecoms industry trade bodies. Some French media outlets have reported in recent months that the company could face restrictions in several cities.

The Chinese embassy said in a statement on its website that it was "shocked and worried" by such reports, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron and other officials had given repeated assurances that all companies would be treated fairly.

"If, due to security concerns, the French government truly does have to impose constraints on operators, it should establish transparent criteria around this and treat all companies equally," said the embassy. It added that security fears about Huawei were unfounded.

Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the French economy ministry declined to comment.

The embassy also said that China had used foreign companies such as Finland's Nokia <NOKIA.HE> and Sweden's Ericsson <ERICb.ST> to equip its own domestic networks.

"We do not wish to see the development of European companies in China affected due to discrimination against Huawei and protectionism in France and other European countries," it said.

France's cybersecurity agency ANSSI, which is scrutinising equipment from various suppliers, is due to issue its preliminary findings later this month.

Story continues

Some telecoms operators have already picked 5G equipment makers, with France's Orange opting for Nokia and Ericsson.

Britain has granted Huawei a limited role in its 5G roll-out, while the European Union has resisted pressure from Washington for an outright ban in its guidance to member states.

The United States suggested in recent days it could consider taking a stake in Nokia and Ericsson to counter Huawei's dominance in 5G technology.

(Reporting by Sarah White, Mathieu Rosemain and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Pravin Char)
A Katyusha rocket on Thursday (local time) hit a military base in Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk.

Xinhua citing a local security source reported that the attack on the military base that houses US troops took place in the evening.

The rocket hit K1 military base in Kirkuk without causing casualties, the outlet reported citing the source.

Earlier this month, at least five projectiles landed near a US Air Force base in Iraq.

Iraq's al-Qayyarah Air Base, housing US troops, is located some 64 kilometres south of Mosul and 299 kilometres north of Baghdad.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:51:29|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's centrally-administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are moving into high gear to produce epidemic control materials.

The central SOEs have revved up production to increase the supply of both materials for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak and necessities including coal, electricity, oil and gas, among others.

As of Feb. 9, the central SOEs' daily production capacity of medical face masks had reached 646,000 and that of protective suits 19,800, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

More than 80 percent of the production units owned by the 96 central SOEs have resumed production as of Wednesday.

In the oil and petrochemical industry, 96.8 percent of enterprises have resumed work.

Meanwhile, work on related key national projects have also begun to move forward in an orderly manner, the commission said.
WEST SPRINGFIELD  White Hut employees whod been told that their last paychecks from the iconic hamburger stand were worthless are now able to cash them.

But they must go to Peoples United Bank, former White Hut employee Destiny A. Rios discovered. Peoples United is successor to United Bank, where White Hut has its payroll account

Rios, of Springfield, worked the grill and counter at the restaurant for about a year before its owner shut it down Friday. She said Wednesday that she and her fellow workers got two checks from owner Edward J. E.J. Barkett the day the restaurant closed. One was for hours theyd worked a week earlier. The second, which workers werent expecting for another week, was for the workweek that had just ended.

But when Rios and her coworkers cashed the checks  for Rios, each check was for about $189  their banks told them there was no money in the White Huts account.

On Wednesday, though, the workers were told money was available. Peoples United Bank had no comment on the situation.

Barkett hasnt responded to messages since he closed the White Hut, which opened in 1939 and was owned by three generations of the Barkett family.

A team of local investors led by Peter Picknelly of Peter Pan bus Lines and Andy Yee  the same people who saved the Student Prince Cafe and The Fort Dining Room in 2014  are in the process of buying the White Hut. They have plans to refurbish the building and reopen the restaurant.

Yee said Wednesday that he and Picknelly are working with all White Hut creditors in order to close the sale.

Ted Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor in Boston, said the department has had no enforcement activity with the White Hut.

In general, workers who have questions about their rights under laws enforced by the U.S. Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division can call the Boston District Office at 617-624-6700. If outside the state, they can call 866-487-9243 (866-4-USWAGE) to be directed to the nearest Wage and Hour Division office.

The federal department enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act, covering federal minimum wage, overtime, record keeping and child labor requirements, among other federal laws.

The Massachusetts Attorney Generals Fair Labor Division handles complaints from workers alleging theyve been cheated out of pay or sick and vacation time.

Under Massachusetts wage and hour laws, workers who are fired or laid off must be paid in full on their last day of work. Workers who quit their jobs must be paid in full on the next regular payday, or by the first Saturday after they quit if there is no regular payday. Details are available here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/pay-and-recordkeeping#-payment-of-wages-

The Attorney Generals Office encourage workers who believe their rights have been violated to file a complaint at www.mass.gov/ago/wagetheft or by calling 617-727-3465.
Islamabad, Feb 13 : Pakistan Prime MinisAter Imran Khan has directed the Foreign Office (FO) to take every possible step to help Pakistani students stuck in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Khan said: "I have issued instructions to our Foreign Office and Overseas Ministry to do everything possible for our students who are stuck in Wuhan city," Dawn news reported.

"We will be extending every material and moral support to China just as China has always stood by us during all our times of trial and tribulation," he added.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Zafar Mirza said that he, along with SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Syed Zulfikar Ali Bukhari, had spoken to the stranded students through video link.

"Though it is being said that the students have been suffering and are panicked but at the same time a number of students are quite happy there and don't want to return," he said.

Mirza said that a few days ago a wave of concern was triggered among the students of a Chinese university as an isolation ward was established near their varsity.

"Students feared that they may be infected with the virus. However because of a huge number of patients it was necessary to shift patients to a block near university. We have contacted the Chinese authorities and asked them to shift those patients somewhere else," Dawn news quoted Mirza as saying.

He further said that in Pakistan, samples of 57 suspected patients have been tested and not a single has been found positive. "We can surely say that there is no confirmed case of NCV in Pakistan."
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday (February 13) said that more than 10 lakh people have joined the party in 24 hours since the party's thumping victory in Delhi Assembly election 2020 on Tuesday (February 11).

"More than 1 million people have joined AAP within 24 hours of our massive victory," AAP tweeted.

More than 1 million people have joined AAP within 24 hours of our massive victory. To join AAP, give a missed a call on :

9871010101#JoinAAP pic.twitter.com/o79SV8bj01  AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 13, 2020

It is to be noted that a nation-building campaign dubbed Aam Aadmi Party's Rashtra Nirman was launched by the party on Tuesday as the results of Delhi Assembly election started pouring in. Through its campaign, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has been inviting Indians to join the party to develop India.

The AAP registered a stunning victory in Delhi Assembly election winning 62 out of 70 seats at stake. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came a distant second with only eight seats in its kitty, while the Congress failed to open its account once again.

Kejriwal, 51, succeeded in defeating the BJP and the Congress by riding on his government's development agenda and with the historic win he has emerged as an important challenger to the BJP at the national level.

As the AAP registered a landslide win, leaders cutting across party lines including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and DMK chief MK Stalin congratulated Kejriwal.

AAP managed to retain power in Delhi after grabbing a total vote share of 53.57 per cent. The BJP got 38.51 per cent of the total votes and the Congress ended with only 4.26 per cent vote share.
Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Zimbabwe's Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has come under fire from legislators over subsidising mealie meal up to 25 percent compared to ZUPCO at 80 percent amid eight million people facing hunger
A single dad who failed to send his seven-year-old son to school for almost six months has faced court with the boy at his side.

The 57-year-old pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday to failing his obligation as a parent to ensure school attendance.

The court heard the boy was absent from his inner-city Brisbane primary school for 95 days between June and December.

A single dad pleaded guilty to failing his obligation as a parent to ensure school attendance for his seven-year-old son (stock)

Outside court, the man said his son was too scared to go to school.

'I was trying my guts out to get him in,' he told AAP.

'I was meeting a lot of resistance. I got a black eye once trying to get his socks and shoes on.

'When I finally got him in there ... he wouldn't go in through the front gate and it took a week or two before I could get him up to the classroom.'

The man was placed on a good behaviour bond and said his son was now attending school.

Asked why the boy was at court and not school, the man said his son wanted to attend the hearing.

'He's been going every day but I allowed him to come with me and I'm taking him straight to school now,' he said.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government will provide financial assistance to the parties and party blocs that received 3% and more votes in the 2018 snap parliamentary elections.

The respective decision was adopted at todays Cabinet meeting.

Finance Minister Atom Janjughazyan introduced the draft decision.

For this purpose the government will provide a total of 103 million 725 thousand AMD, of which 5 million 208 thousand AMD to the Republican Party of Armenia, 9 million 150 thousand AMD to the Prosperous Armenia party, 78 million 6 thousand AMD to the My Step, 4 million 303 thousand to the ARF and 7 million 056 thousand to the Bright Armenia.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Labour's leadership rivals were eviscerated live on television today over the party's 'joke' election manifesto, as a former voter told them: 'You would have tanked the economy.'

Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry took part in a live hustings on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme this morning.

And they were taken to task by 'Jay', a former Labour voter who backed Boris Johnson's Tories fore the first time in December.

He tore into Jeremy Corbyn's manifesto and also caused front-runner Sir Keir to squirm as he said he backed the shadow Brexit secretary because he was the most like Tony Blair.

Sir Keir, who has veered his campaign to the left in recent days in an apparent bid to keep Corbynistas on side with his campaign, looked less than happy at the comparison.

Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry took part in a live hustings on the BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire programme this morning

And they were taken to task by 'Jay', a former Labour voter who backed Boris Johnson 's Tories fore the first time in December

On the programme, Jay told the quartet he had voted Tory for the first time in December.

When asked by Ms Derbyshire what had driven his decision he told the MPs: 'Your manifesto was an absolute joke. An absolute disgrace.

'If they had just put a manifesto that we would have reversed Tory cuts, you would have done so much better

'You were (offering) free internet, you're nationalising everything - you would have tanked the economy.

'I have no trust in Jeremy Corbyn, I have no trust in Corbynism, the party is so far to the left now that is falling off the scale now.

'Tony Blair would have won that election and that is why I back Sir Keir because I think you are the only one who can put the party back in the centre and unite the left and the right.'

Jay tore into Jeremy Corbyn 's manifesto and also caused front-runner Sir Keir to squirm as he said he backed the shadow Brexit secretary because he was the most like Tony Blair

It came after Ms Nandy said the party under Mr Corbyn had become disconnected from its voters on issues including tackling crime.

She used a radio interview to say the 'top of the party' had become 'deeply disconnected' from the grassroots.

Ms Nandy said Labour had to be 'loud and clear' in showing that it understood the issues that 'really matter to people'.

She also defended her stance on trans rights, backing a 'tough pledge' which calls on the party to expel 'transphobic' members and describes campaigns including Woman's Place UK as 'trans-exclusionist hate groups'.

The Wigan MP said Labour had largely ignored the issue of crime beyond talking about the scale of cuts to the police.

'We just barely talked about crime over the last few years and particularly during the general election, and it was extraordinary because in every part of this country this is the thing that is keeping people awake at night, that is destroying lives and destroying communities,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

She accused Home Secretary Priti Patel of 'chasing headlines' by advocating ever-tougher sentences without reforming prisons and said the issue of the criminal justice system should be natural territory for Labour.

'The fact that we weren't talking about it I think shows how deeply disconnected the top of the party has become from our grassroots,' she said.

'Labour has to become that party again that understands the issues that really matter to people and is speaking about them loud and clear.'
Marijuana, the more common name for cannabis, would be grown, processed and packaged on the site, then distributed and sold to dispensaries, according to a village report from the meeting. Its not going to be a dispensary open to customers, the report states.
Linda Walker, a 63-year-old administrative assistant from Middletown, Delaware, was happy she obtained a cancellation policy while planning her daughters wedding at the former Winery at Elk Manor, a vineyard in Maryland that overlooked the Chesapeake Bay. The wedding was supposed to take place there Oct. 8, 2016, but the winery abruptly closed its doors two months before after the owner pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud. Walker had purchased a policy from Allstate for $234. It provided up to $35,000 of coverage, allowing her to recoup the $23,165 she had paid in deposits for the space.
FILE PHOTO: A worker checks the temperature of a passenger arriving into Hong Kong International Airport with an infrared thermometer

By Olga Yagova, Jane Chung and Ron Bousso

MOSCOW/SEOUL/LONDON (Reuters) - The gathering of the world's top oil traders, London International Petroleum Week, will be less crowded this year as the bulk of traders in Asia plan either to cut or cancel their Feb. 24-27 travel plans due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The virus, which originated in China late last year, has claimed over 1,100 lives and spread to other countries. Japan, which shares the rank of the world's top energy importers with China, has the second largest number of cases.

World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the epidemic poses a global threat akin to terrorism.

IP Week, the oil industry's main annual gathering, is also known for its lavish evening parties where companies and traders cement business deals struck during the day.

South Korean refiners GS Caltex and SK Innovation, owner of SK Energy refiner, told Reuters they week not going to attend IP Week this year amid virus outbreak.

"GS Caltex is not attending the IP week in the aftermath of China's virus outbreak," its spokesman said. SK Innovation official said his company will rely on its London-based staff as the Singapore office had decided to skip the event this time.

China's staff of Petrochina, Tokyo offices of Japan's Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Inpex along with Singapore offices of European majors, Eni and Total, were recommended to miss IP Week this year, sources familiar with the plans told Reuters.

"We had several meetings in London with Asian counterparties cancelled," a trader working in the Asian market and based in Europe said. He added his bosses were also considering skipping the event this year.

Several Chinese independent or "teapot" refiners also cancelled its trips to London IP Week this year, two traders working with the companies said.

JPMorgan's China team was also asked not to attend IP Week events, a source told Reuters. According to two other sources in Asian companies, the main concern is that travellers from Asia may be quarantined on arrival, ruining their business plans.

Story continues

"As a result of travel bans imposed by a number of governments in Asia, some speakers and delegates will understandably not be attending, including all from mainland China," a spokesman of Energy Institute, the host of the main IP Week conference, said in a reply to Reuters enquiry.

"IP Week is going ahead as planned and delegates are being advised in line with the latest advice of the British government," he added.

A Mitsubishi official said that its oil staff will attend the IP Week as planned.

A Mitsui spokesman said most of its London-based staff would take part in the event, declining further comment. An Inpex spokesman said staff planned to attend, but it was "treating the COVID-19 outbreak with concern ... closely monitoring the situation."

"Several people from Total will attend the IP Week, including some coming from our Singapore offices," a press representative of Total told Reuters.

Eni <ENI.MI> declined to comment. Petrochina <601857.SS> and JPMorgan <JP.N> did not reply to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Olga Yagova in MOSCOW, Jane Chung in SEOUL, Ron Bousso in LONDON, Aaron Sheldrick in TOKYO, Additional reporting by Bate Felix in PARIS; Writing by Olga Yagova; Editing by Katya Golubkova and David Evans)
Three high school students have sued Delta Airlines after they were doused with toxic jet fuel by one of the air carrier's planes while making an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport last month.

The youths from Pioneer High School in Los Angeles County said the fuel dumped had penetrated their skin, mouths and noses, according to the complaint filed in California Superior Court.

The students said the effects left them feeling 'itchy, sick, dizzy, and nauseous', their complaint says.

Three students from Pioneer High School in Los Angeles County are suing Delta Airlines after one of its jet liners (pictured) dumped its fuel just before it was to make an emergency landing Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 14

Students (pictured) from Park Avenue Elementary School, which is near Pioneer High School were doused with toxic jet fuel when the Delta flight turned back to make its emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport due to an engine stall

Grandmother Teresa Santoya, left, consoles student Marianna Torres, 11, center, as she evacuates Park Avenue Elementary School moments after the Delta flight dumped its fuel

A girl covers her mouth and nose and several parents and children were seen fleeing as the jetliner's fuel dump came raining down on several schools

The suit alleges negligence on the part of Delta, in the training of the pilots who decided to dump Flight 89's fuel after deciding to return to the airport after take off.

The students, who are seeking damages for medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, join four teachers from the Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahay, who also are similarly suing after they also were doused by the toxic fuel.

Delta says doesn't normally comment in response to litigation, but did say it has been 'listening to residents and working closely with local leaders to understand how we can best support those who have been affected,' in a statement sent to DailyMail.com.

Both lawsuits are just the latest problems for the airline, which is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration over the incident.

The jetliner's noon-time fuel dump left more than 50 children and adults at schools near the airport hurt from exposure.

The aircraft's pilot reported a compressor stall in the right engine  damage to a jet turbine that can occur through malfunction or when a foreign object such as a bird hits an engine.

The damage can reduce engine thrust or, in worst cases, lead to a fire.

The plane's crew had earlier told air traffic control they were 'not critical' and did not needed to 'hold or dump fuel'. But the plane did later so, possibly while preparing to make a final turn before descending.

Twenty children and 11 adults from Park Avenue Elementary were exposed to the fuel on the playground, and treated at the scene for minor skin irritation and inhalation complaints, authorities at the time said.

The LA County Fire Department also reported treating patients at Tweedy Elementary, Graham Elementary, and San Gabriel Elementary.

All patients were treated at the scene and declined transport to hospitals.
A bill to legalize and regulate medical marijuana in Alabama faces its first major test next week with a public hearing and vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, an anesthesiologist and medical researcher, introduced the bill this week and said hes made some changes to a proposal he sponsored last year, including efforts to accommodate employers concerned about workers using medical cannabis products.

Melson said his bill is a hybrid of laws in some of the 33 other states that have legalized medical marijuana. It would allow patients to receive medical cannabis products for conditions and symptoms such as anxiety disorder, autism, nausea from cancer or HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, and conditions causing chronic pain.

In addition to regulating how patients can obtain medical cannabis, the 81-page bill also covers the cultivation, processing, testing, shipping, packaging, advertising, sales, and taxation of the products through the creation of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. The products would have to be made in Alabama.

Melson said he believes no state has legislation written as tightly to regulate the industry and use of the products.

Still, the senator knows there is opposition, including from Attorney General Steve Marshall, who wrote legislators last month explaining why he is against the proposal. Melson said he understood Marshalls perspective and would not have expected the states top law enforcement official to support the bill. He said he also understood concerns he has heard from district attorneys.

Its going to be a tight rope for a while, Melson said. But again, 34th state. Were not hearing major problems in other states. Im sure theyre popping up here and there. We hadnt heard about them but I think theyre more isolated than a general trend.

Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said his plan is to have four opponents and four proponents speak at the public hearing next Wednesday, then allow the committee to vote. Committee approval would put the bill in position for consideration by the full Senate.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said he believes the bill has strong support in the Senate, which passed a similar measure last year. Marsh said he intends to vote for it if it is similar to last years proposal.

Last years bill stalled in the House, which led to the formation of a study commission of doctors, lawyers, and representatives of other professions including pharmacy, addiction treatment, agriculture and other fields. The commission met four times and held three public hearings to hear from professionals both for and against medical marijuana, as well as the general public. Twelve of the 18 commissioners voted to recommend medical marijuana.

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said the study commission was helpful but said questions remain. The speaker said Marshalls opposition is a factor.

McCutcheon and Melson discussed the bill earlier this week. McCutcheon said he knows that Melson has worked diligently on the proposal. He said he would withhold judgment until the Senate sends a bill to the House.

I want to see what the Senate comes up with and how they address the bill and the wording in the bill, McCutcheon said. And really, thats the posture of the House right now. Were going to see what kind of legislation the Senate brings to us.

Melson said based on medical marijuana programs in other states, he would expect about 150,000 to 200,000 people would have a qualifying condition and apply for it.

The bill would not allow any medical cannabis products that could be smoked or allow the use of raw plant material. It would not allow food products containing cannabis, such as candy or cookies.

The products would be in the form of tablets, capsules, gelatinous cubes, gels, oils, creams, suppositories, patches, liquids, oils, or for use with nebulizers. Melson said flavored gummies would not be allowed.

Melson said four years ago he would not have supported medical cannabis, but said his opinion changed because of the research hes seen and because of how he has seen it help children who suffered from seizure disorders.

And this is coming, Melson said. "It might not happen in this quadrennium (four-year term) or the next. But its coming eventually."
Acting Minister of National Defense, Nicolae Ciuca, discussed on Wednesday with his Polish, Bulgarian and Georgian counterparts about allied cooperation, air policing missions and security challenges in the Black Sea region.

The bilateral meetings of the high Romanian official took place on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels that ends on Thursday.According to a statement of the National Defense Ministry, the meeting with the Polish DefMin Mariusz Blaszczak put into focus the need for increased cooperation within the "Bucharest 9 (B9)" Initiative, including as regards military mobility. The two dignitaries discussed ways to ensure a unitary, consistent and coordinated approach of the allied deterrence and defense posture for the entire eastern flank of NATO, as well as strengthening the mutual contribution to the multinational structures hosted by the two allied states.During the meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Krasimir Karakachanov, the Romanian minister highlighted the status and prospects of bilateral and allied defense cooperation, including through the deployment of cross-border air policing missions. The sides also discussed the stage of the implementation of the measures under the adapted forward presence, as well as a number of projects developed within the EU.The meeting with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili was an opportunity for the Romanian Defense Minister to highlight the consistency of the Romanian-Georgian military relations and the progress made by Georgia in the implementation of security and defense reforms. At the same time, Minister Ciuca expressed openness and interest in a better cooperation for enhanced security in the Black Sea region and reiterated support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the cited source said.

AGERPRES
Boris Johnson has finally picked a minister to oversee this years troubled climate change summit, appointing Alok Sharma to the role.

The job has been handed to the outgoing international development secretary, who will combine it with running the business department, where he replaces Andrea Leadsom.

The role of president of COP26 has been a growing controversy since Claire ONeill was sacked  with two former Tory leaders, David Cameron and William Hague, turning down the job.

Michael Gove had been widely expected to be the big hitter sent in to calm rising international concern that the United Nations summit  billed as the last opportunity to save the planet  will be a failure.

However, he will remain at the cabinet office as the domestic point man for the Brexit negotiations  with the little-known Mr Sharma, a Johnson loyalist, taking on the role.

His task will be to convince governments and climate campaigners that London has a grip on the conference, which must strike new international agreements to cut carbon emissions.

It is widely seen as the last realistic chance for countries to pledge the deep cuts to hold global heating to no more than 2C  and prevent catastrophic climate change.

The government has faced growing criticism that it has failed to announce practical measures to achieve its landmark legal commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Mr Johnson barely mentioned the climate crisis during the election campaign  and a strategy for achieving net zero will not emerge until the end of the year.

Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Show all 17 1 /17 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Sajid Javid Resigned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Javids departure comes just one month before a crucial budget, intended to chart the course for the new government  and makes him the shortest-serving chancellor for more than 50 years Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Rishi Sunak Promoted from Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Chancellor of the Exchequer after the dramatic resignation of Sajid Javid Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Esther McVey Sacked as housing minister AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Andrea Leadsom Sacked as business secretary EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Alok Sharma Appointed business secretary (previously international development secretary). He has also been put in charge of the UKs COP26 climate change summit PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Resigned as the government's most senior law officer AFP via Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Suella Braverman Appointed Attorney General and she will attend cabinet EPA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Theresa Villiers Sacked as environment secretary PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: George Eustice Appointed environment, food and rural affairs secretary. He was a farming and fisheries minister Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Changed role: Anne-Marie Trevelyan Appointed international development secretary (previously parliamentary under-secretary for defence) Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Julian Smith Sacked as Northern Ireland secretary Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Brandon Lewis Appointed Secretary of Northern Ireland Reuters Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Stephen Barclay Appointed chief secretary to the Treasury PA Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out In: Oliver Dowden Appointed culture secretary, succeeding Nicky Morgan Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Chris Skidmore Sacked as eucation minister Getty Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: Nus Ghani Sacked as transport minister Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/CC BY 3.0 Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle: Who's in and who's out Out: George Freeman Sacked as transport minister Getty

The summit itself has been rocked by disputes with the Scottish government over preparations and policing costs, with a London venue now being lined up as a back-up.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union of civil servants, said Mr Sharmas other urgent task would be to get serious about the UKs energy policy.

The government has had no coherent energy policy for years, and the new secretary of state faces a string of urgent strategic decisions that need to be taken to achieve net zero, he said.

We need to see the energy white paper as soon as possible and the government must get serious about putting the investment in place to secure a low-carbon energy mix  this must include a new generation of nuclear power stations.

The 52-year-old Mr Sharma, a former housing and employment minister, was born in India, but moved to Reading with his parents when he was five years old and is an MP in the town.

A father of two daughters, he backed Remain in the Brexit referendum, but backed Theresa Mays thwarted withdrawal deal  before swinging behind Mr Johnsons strategy.
A pair of Crufts judges were forced to close their kennels after a spot-check by inspectors found dogs living in filth.

Husband and wife Fiona and Raymond Scholes shut down Lucknow Farm Kennels after a council investigation found the animals' bedding was dirty and wet, their water bowls empty or overturned and some of the runs outside littered with faeces.

The couple, who are listed on a pedigree puppy-finding website as golden retriever and Lhasa apso breeders, have judged at Crufts as well as several other high-profile Kennel Club competitions.

The pair were convicted and fined 5,482 for eight breaches of their licence at the kennels in Blymhill on the Staffordshire-Shropshire border.

Fiona Scholes, 64, and her husband Raymond, 70, shut down Lucknow Farm Kennels in Blymhill, Staffordshire, after a council investigation discovered the dogs' bedding was dirty and wet, their water bowls were left empty or overturned, and the runs outside were littered with faeces

Magistrates in Newcastle-under-Lyme heard the South Staffordshire Council investigation also found that dogs' paperwork was out of date and that the kitchen area used for preparing food was in poor repair and dirty, with open food bags.

The couple had been warned three times to improve standards at the kennels in 2018.

Roger Lees, deputy leader of South Staffordshire Council, said the pair had showed a disregard for animal welfare.

He added: 'This prosecution demonstrates that we will not tolerate flagrant disregard of the legal requirements attached to the licences, and we will not hesitate to prosecute when required.

'Pet owners have the right to expect the highest standards of care for their pets from commercial kennels and that their animals will be well cared for, will not be exposed to disease or danger and that their welfare needs will be met.'

Pictured is one of the dirty areas at Lucknow Farm Kennels in Blymhill, Staffordshire

Following the case, Mrs Scholes, 64, said: 'Our customers were actually very upset that we closed.

'My husband went to renew the licence in January last year and the council accepted the cheque. If it was that bad they wouldn't have accepted us.'

Mrs Scholes judged the gundog group at Crufts, the world's most famous dog show, in 2017 and the flat-coated retrievers in 2010. She most recently judged the Manchester Dog Show last month.

The Kennel Club confirmed that Mr Scholes, 70, had also judged at Crufts. His most recent competition was last March at the South Western Golden Retriever Club.

Mrs Scholes said the pair have no current plans to judge Crufts and the Kennel Club confirmed they will not be involved this year.

A spokesman for the Kennel Club said it could not discuss specific cases, but a committee will review any possible breach of the judges' code of practice.

'We will always follow up relevant criminal convictions with an investigation and impose disciplinary penalties, if appropriate,' said the spokesman.

Crufts 2020 is due to take place at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre next month.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 22:43:39|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum (R) and visiting Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias hold a press conference after their meeting in Algiers, Algeria, Feb. 13, 2020. Visiting Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias said on Thursday that Greece and Algeria agree on a political solution without foreign military interference for the Libyan crisis. (Xinhua)

ALGIERS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias said on Thursday that Greece and Algeria agree on a political solution without foreign military interference for the Libyan crisis.

Dendias made the remarks in a press statement after a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum in the capital Algiers.

"The work led by Algeria on settling the Libyan crisis ... aims at reaching a political solution that allows the return to peace and stability in this country and beyond," he said.

Greece and Algeria "highlight the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and all foreign intervention within the framework of the United Nations," the Greek minister added.
About 23 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were arrested in a major police action at Virar in Palghar district adjoining Mumbai on Wednesday.

The arrested persons include 10 women, 12 men, and one minor child.

Earlier, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) held a march demanding the ouster of illegal Bangladeshi and Pakistani immigrants living in Mumbai, following which this arrest has been made.

Police are investigating further in this case. Preliminarily it has come to light that these persons were living illegally here on the basis of fake documents.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ironshore, a Liberty Mutual company, announced today the realignment of its wholesale distribution platform to meet the needs of the wholesale brokerage market. Ironshore will have dedicated wholesale underwriting resources nationwide for their core specialty businesses of property, casualty, environmental, health and professional lines, as well as additional regional distribution resources. The expanded wholesale distribution team will provide the brokerage community with regional access points to facilitate localized delivery of wholesale products and services.

"Ironshore is investing in a more focused strategy to better meet the unique localized needs of our wholesale brokers, executing upon a balanced and diversified product platform," stated Ben Johnson, Senior Vice President, Wholesale Distribution. "We are building preferred wholesale market partnerships, dedicating underwriters and a distribution team specifically to provide exceptional service and solutions for those partners."

The wholesale distribution team will operate in three regions with assigned executive heads based in respective Liberty Mutual offices: Jessica Ferguson, Wholesale Branch Executive East, Boston; Tara Houvenagle, Wholesale Branch Executive Central, St. Louis; and Eric Guinan, Wholesale Branch Executive West, Los Angeles. They will oversee the development and placement of products and services across the company's wholesale distribution channels. The team will work closely with regional underwriting leadership and dedicated specialty wholesale underwriters for Ironshore's five primary business lines.

About Ironshore

Ironshore, a Liberty Mutual Company, provides broker-sourced specialty property and casualty insurance coverages for varying risks. The Liberty Mutual group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best and A (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. For more information, please visit: www.ironshore.com.

The information contained herein is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any product or service. Any description set forth herein does not include all policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Bound insurance policies, rather than summaries thereof, govern. Not all insurance coverages or products are available in all states and policy terms may vary based on individual state requirements. Some policies may be placed with a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers generally do not participate in state guaranty funds and coverage may only be obtained through duly licensed surplus lines brokers.

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SOURCE Ironshore
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The European Union decided to impose trade sanctions against Cambodia as a result of alleged human-rights violations, making good on a year-long threat with tariffs on around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) of imports from the country.

The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, cleared the way for a partial suspension of a policy that lets Cambodia export all goods except weapons duty-free and quota-free to the bloc.

The move will automatically introduce EU tariffs on sugar, travel goods, some footwear and selected garments from Cambodia as of Aug. 12 unless member-country governments or the European Parliament object during the six-month countdown. The duties will affect around a fifth, or 1 billion euros, of Cambodias annual exports to the EU, according to the Brussels-based commission.

Our aim is that the Cambodian authorities end human-rights violations, and we will continue working with them in order to achieve that, EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

The EU is trying to prod changes in the political behavior of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen while being wary of damaging the countrys economy, where a $5 billion garment industry employs three-quarters of a million people and is the biggest exporter.

Unjust Decision

Cambodias ministry of foreign affairs called the move an unjust decision based on misconceptions of the reality on the ground in the Southeast Asian country.

Despite grounding on the EUs values and principles of human rights and democracy, the decision is politically driven and is devoid of objectivity and impartiality, two fundamental principles which are to be expected from the European Commission, the ministry said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

In a separate sign of how the 27-nation EU uses its economic heft to pursue broader policy goals, the European Parliament on Wednesday approved a free-trade agreement with Vietnam after winning commitments from Hanoi to bolster labor rights in the country.

Story continues

Hun Sen extended his 33-year rule over Cambodia in July 2018 when his party won a boycotted election. He has struck a defiant tone with the European side, courted several Eastern European countries for support and vowed to turn to China for help should Cambodia lose its EU trade benefits.

Democracy Eroded

Cambodia is being nudged out of the EUs Everything But Arms initiative, the most generous part of the blocs Generalized Scheme of Preferences for poor countries around the world.

EU imports from Cambodia in 2018 were worth 5.4 billion euros ($5.9 billion), with clothing and textiles accounting for around three-quarters of the total, according to the commission.

The EU decision on Wednesday marks the outcome of a 12-month process during which the commission monitored the situation in Cambodia and produced a report on human-rights violations there.

The European Union will not stand and watch as democracy is eroded, human rights curtailed and free debate silenced, EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday.

The move partially to revoke general trade benefits for Cambodia is separate from a decision by the bloc in 2019 to impose tariffs on Cambodian rice for three years as a result of a surge in imports deemed to have hurt European rice producers.

(Updates with comment from Cambodian government in 6th, 7th paragraph)

--With assistance from Philip J. Heijmans.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Stearns in Brussels at jstearns2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Sills at bsills@bloomberg.net, Brendan Murray, Ruth Pollard

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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Germany warns Russia-backed regime to stop attacks

Heiko Maas calls on Moscow to use its influence on the Assad regime to stop its offensive, warns of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Germany has called on Russia on Thursday to use its influence on the Syrian regime to stop its offensive in northwestern Syria.

These attacks must be stopped, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in an exclusive interview with the German daily Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"RUSSIA MUST USE ITS INFLUENCE ON THE REGIME"

We are now witnessing another dramatic escalation of the situation in Idlib and it is reaching the level of a humanitarian catastrophe, he warned.

Germanys top diplomat, during his recent conversations with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, said that he conveyed his governments concerns and expectations. Assad doesnt care about the death of vulnerable people in a cruel way. Russia must use its influence on the regime, he stressed.

Maas made the remarks ahead of the Munich Security Conference, the worlds biggest security conference bringing together political and military leaders from all over the world, on Feb. 14-16 in Munich.
There have been 25 schools affected by suicides and sudden deaths since September 2017, it has been revealed.

The figures were released during Stormont's education committee yesterday after SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan asked what support services were in place for children if a fellow pupil took their own life.

Nicola Topping from the Education Authority (EA) said the body's critical incident response team would help schools in "sudden death type situations".

Mr McCrossan said he had attended three funerals of pupils who had taken their own lives last summer and that could have an impact on schools.

He also described the figures that were released yesterday as "shocking" and proves that mental health is hitting every aspect of society - including children.

"Having spoken to some families and teachers, I know that services are stretched far too thinly and everything should be done to bolster these services given that levels of mental health and suicide are increasing," he said.

"I want to see more investment in mental health services in schools, in tackling bullying and counselling services.

"Children need to have a safe place to be able to open up and receive the necessary care and support." Ms Topping said that the EA's critical incident response team would visit a school after an event such as a suicide to provide support for counselling.

The team provides extra support to the school's existing pastoral care team in the event of the serious injury or death of a pupil, member of staff or member of the school community.

"Over the past three years the critical incident response team has responded to 141 critical incidents," Ms Topping said.

She added that 25 of those were in "sudden-death type situations such as you're describing".

Commenting on the critical incident response team last night, an Education Authority spokesperson said it provides support to all schools following a "sudden event".

"This support is very often required following the death of a pupil of member of staff of the school," the spokesperson continued.

"The nature of support provided for pupils and staff assists them to normalise their feelings and reactions, identify their support network, practice self-care and encourage effective coping skills."

Ms Topping also detailed how many counselling sessions were available to post-primary schools on a weekly basis.

A new Independent Counselling Service for Schools service was introduced in September 2019 at a cost of 23.6m over five years.

In post-primary schools with fewer than 499 pupils, just three pupils per week could receive a counselling session in addition to one 'drop-in' session.

In schools with 500 to 999 pupils, five pupils a week could receive a counselling session, while that rose to eight pupils in schools with 1,000 to 1,499.

In the largest schools, with over 1,500 pupils, 10 pupils could receive a counselling session each week in addition to a drop-in session.
A masked woman in a plastic rain coat walks on a street in Beijing, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. AP



China's leadership touted "positive results" Wednesday from efforts to contain the new coronavirus epidemic, but warned it still faced a "large-scale war" against the outbreak as the death toll passed 1,100.



President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee after figures showed that the number of new cases dropped for the second straight day, fuelling hopes the epidemic could peak later this month.



Xi said there were "positive results" but warned that the country "must not relax" its epidemic control efforts, according to state media, as authorities have kept tens of millions of people under lockdown.



China still faces a "large-scale war" and a "big test", said state broadcaster CCTV in a readout of the gathering.



Authorities said Wednesday another 97 people had died in China, raising the national toll to 1,113, while more than 44,600 people had been infected by the COVID-19 virus.





Security guards hold the curtain for a cyclist to past through a disinfectant spray in order to return home at a residential complex in northern China's Tianjin Municipality Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. AP



- 'Too early' to predict -



In Geneva, World Health Organization officials warned against reaching premature conclusions on the Chinese data.



"I think it's way too early to try to predict the beginning, the middle or the end of this epidemic right now," said Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme.



The number of newly reported cases from China has stabilised, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.



"But that has to be interpreted with extreme caution," he warned. "This outbreak could go in any direction."



In Spain, organisers of the world's top mobile telecommunications trade fair, the World Mobile Congress, said the event would be cancelled following an exodus of industry heavyweights over coronavirus fears.



The GSMA, which organises the annual show, set for Barcelona, said it was cancelled due to "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances."



The announcement was made just hours after Vodafone, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, Britain's BT and Rakuten of Japan had pulled out, following in the footsteps of Intel, Facebook, Cisco and China's Vivo.






Utah Senate committee approves bill to decriminalize polygamy

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An estimated 30,000 people who live in Utahs polygamous communities could soon be free from criminal prosecution after members of the state Senates Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved a bill Monday to decriminalize polygamy between consenting adults.

The bill now moves to the full Senate chamber for a vote.

The sponsor of Senate Bill 102, Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, argued to colleagues that the states law classifying polygamy as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison is unenforceable absent other crimes.

"Vigorous enforcement of the law during the mid-20th century did not deter the practice of plural marriage," Henderson told NPR.

Instead of ending the practice, the law criminalizing polygamy has only created a full-blown human rights crisis in which victims of abuse and fraud are afraid to come forward, and otherwise law-abiding citizens in the community are labeled as criminals, she told Senate colleagues, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The people that I have spoken with long to feel part of society, Henderson said. They are tired of being treated like second-class citizens. They feel like Utah has legalized prejudice against them. They want to be honest people, but feel like they have to lie or teach their children to lie about their families in order to stay safe.

Senate Bill 102 would reduce polygamy among consenting adults from a felony to an infraction comparable to a traffic ticket.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially disavowed the principle of plural marriages in 1890, but acknowledged that the practice continued and was condoned for decades afterward. The church now excommunicates polygamists.

In 2014, Joseph Smith, the controversial figure who founded the religion, was revealed to have had as many as 40 wives, including married women and a 14-year-old girl.

An essay released by the LDS church highlighted the history of the controversial practice carried out by Smith and some of his close associates, and noted that many of its followers can trace their lineage to polygamous relationships.

Despite monogamy being the accepted form of relationship during the 1830s when the church was founded, Smith told associates that he was commanded by an angel to engage in the practice or suffer destruction.

"When God commands a difficult task, He sometimes sends additional messengers to encourage His people to obey. Consistent with this pattern, Joseph told associates that an angel appeared to him three times between 1834 and 1842, and commanded him to proceed with plural marriage when he hesitated to move forward. During the third and final appearance, the angel came with a drawn sword, threatening Joseph with destruction unless he went forward and obeyed the commandment fully," explained the essay.

"Branding all polygamists as felons has facilitated abuse, not eliminated polygamy," Henderson said as she urged lawmakers to decriminalize the practice.

She added that the bill increases penalties for bigamy in concert with abuse or other serious crimes, including fraud and child-bride marriages.

"We are basically codifying the long-standing practice of the Utah Attorney General's office: don't prosecute otherwise law-abiding polygamists unless other crimes are being committed," she said.

Amelia Anthony, a victims advocate who fled a plural marriage, argued in a statement through the anti-polygamy Sound Choices Coalition that keeping the practice as a crime is a helpful tool for victims.

Yes, this bill is written to be tough on those who coerce and manipulate; yet at church and at home  every day of their lives, crimes of coercion and manipulation are being committed ... Little girls are consistently being groomed to become plural wives and bear more children than they can physically, emotionally and financially care for; while boys will be boys, and may become leaders or end up being drones with no wives, or kicked out since most of the girls have been taken by older men..., she asserted.

With Utahs record of not prosecuting crimes within polygamous households and businesses; how can you, me or anyone trust or believe that any of those remaining laws would be enforced either? she asked.

This bill condones and gives more power to abusers and fanatics who will take their new found freedom to the extreme. They always have, and will even more. Once again, they will claim, See, God has blessed and protected us. He is on our side! So you must do as we say ... or else! Anthony wrote. Those of us who have lived on both sides of the fence, have been advocates and researchers for over 13 years, believe that passing this bill will NOT out-weigh the harms of polygamy; and will not be best for thousands of victims.
Shaheen Bagh's anti-CAA protesters' Valentine's Day invitation to PM Modi

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Feb 13: The anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh have extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come and celebrate Valentine's Day with them on Friday.

The protesters, who are staging a demonstration since December 15 last year demanding withdrawal of the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and a proposed all-India National Register of Citizens (NRC), will also unveil a "love song" and "a surprise gift" for PM Modi.

Posters at the protest site in south-east Delhi and also circulating on social media platforms read, "PM Modi, please come to Shaheen Bagh, collect your gift and talk to us."

"Whether Prime Minister Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah or anyone else, they can come and talk to us. If they can convince us that whatever is happening is not against the Constitution, we will end this protest," Syed Taseer Ahmed, one of the first protesters at Shaheen Bagh, told PTI.

He said according to the government's claims, the CAA was "to award citizenship and not to take away someone's citizenship", but nobody explained "how is it going to help the country".

"How is CAA going to help us tackle issues of unemployment, poverty and economic slowdown, which are the most pressing issues," Ahmed said.

Protests against the CAA and the NRC unfolded at Shaheen Bagh, Zakir Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Khureji Khas and other places in the national capital and elsewhere in the country in December.

The protesters at Shaheen Bagh have pitched a tent on a main road linking Noida to south-east Delhi via the Kalindi Kunj bridge, which, according to an official estimate, witnesses movement of around 1.75 lakh vehicles on a daily basis.

Ahmed said school buses, ambulances and emergency vehicles were allowed hassle-free movement since the protest started two months ago and the claim that the stir was causing a lot of problems to the common people was "exaggerated".

"Had it been at the levels as it is being portrayed by some people, we would have been evacuated from here long ago. The BJP would have won the Delhi polls and the Centre would have removed us. So, this claim that the Shaheen Bagh protest is causing major inconvenience is unsubstantiated," he added.

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 after being subjected to religious persecution will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.

The law excludes Muslims. Those opposing the law contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and thus, violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA, along with the NRC, is intended to target the Muslim community in India.

Shaheen Bagh protesters should agitate against NPR, NRC: Congress' Jairam Ramesh

However, the Centre has dismissed the allegations, while maintaining that the law is intended to give citizenship to persecuted people from the three neighbouring countries and not to take away the citizenship of anyone.

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Story first published: Thursday, February 13, 2020, 22:36 [IST]
I didnt know at first it was gun shots until I started to smell the gun powder and saw people running, he said in a direct message on Twitter. It was very terrifying. Once I realized what was going on I ran to the hotel parking lot down the street.
Greenpeace activist applies for top role at PGE with the goal of eliminating coal from power production by 2030.

Climate activists are no stranger to using the mechanisms of corporate governance to try and force firms to embrace greener business plans. On Thursday, environmental activist group Greenpeace signalled it is turbo-charging that approach by setting its sights on the top of the C-suite.

Greenpeace activist, Pawel Szypulski, said he is applying for the chief executive job at Polands biggest utility PGE, with the goal of eliminating polluting coal from the groups power production by 2030.

Poland relies heavily on polluting coal for some 80 percent of its energy needs. State-run PGE generates electricity mostly from burning lignite (known as brown coal) and hard coal. Though the group plans to invest more in renewable sources of energy  mostly in offshore wind  Szypulski says it is not enough.

One can no longer continue the business as if there was no climate crisis. I will apply for the job today, Szypulski told reporters in the front of PGE headquarters in Warsaw.

He added that PGE, which owns Europes biggest coal plant in Belchatow, central Poland, should intensify investment in renewable sources because burning coal weighs on its financial results as carbon emission costs rise.

Szypulski said his first decisions as PGE CEO would be to scrap the companys plan to invest in a new open-pit mine lignite mine in Zloczew. The project, which is expected to cost up to $3.8bn, has invited blowback from villages and farms that would be negatively impacted by the mine.

Crucially, it would also extend the life of Belchatow power station  which currently provides some 20 percent of Polands electricity and is the largest single CO2 emitter in Europe  beyond 2030.

Instead, Szypulsk plans to prepare a detailed strategy for phasing out coal by the end of this decade.

His plans are in line with recommendations from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a United States-based think-tank, included in its latest report on PGE.

Lignite today accounts for more than half of all PGEs generation, but we find it is loss-making on average long before 2030 under a higher carbon price outlook. Even under a low-carbon price outlook, lignite will only account for a small fraction of PGE profits after 2025, the IEEFA report says.

The deadline for applying for the PGE CEO job and other roles in the management board is February 14.

Top jobs in Polands state-run companies are generally considered to be politicised.

PGEs current CEO, Henryk Baranowski, was appointed in March 2016. Before that, he was a deputy minister in the Law and Justice (PiS) government.

I am convinced that I meet the criteria for the job, Szypulski said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 17:11:52|Editor: Xiaoxia

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by Xinhua writers Luo Jingjing, Liu Yanan

NEW YORK, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Looking at the prospect for the U.S. liquor industry, David Ozgo believes "There's definitely a market there" in China.

U.S. distilled spirit exports to China have been "fairly small" in both volume and value compared to other overseas markets, he noted, while China's middle class is growing fast, as is Chinese consumption of Scotch whisky.

Ozgo, senior vice president of economic and strategic analysis at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), like other U.S. liquor manufacturers, is confident about the growth potential of the Chinese market in the long run.

DISCUS is working through a market access program to introduce U.S. distillers, big or small, and their products into the Chinese market. "That's one of the things we do ... to help promote American whiskey in China," he told Xinhua on Wednesday during the council's annual briefing for media and analysts.

Data shows U.S. supplier sales of distilled spirits at home recorded 29 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, up 5.3 percent year-on-year. But Americans export more liquor than they consume, with China accounting for part of that. "From our perspective, it's potentially a very big export market," Ozgo said.

Tom Potter, president of the New York Distilling Company, shares Ozgo's opinion about the industrial outlook.

"Obviously, the importance of the Chinese economy and the growing of the middle class has attracted even tiny companies like ours," he said.

"We do feel it could be a really important market for us," he added.

Potter runs a business with 15 full-time workers to produce high-end American rye whiskey. U.S.-China trade disputes have affected its expansion into the Chinese market.

But he is still confident and committed.

"We want to plant the seeds," he said, referring to a cooperation with a Shanghai-based distributor to provide a platform for its products to be better known in China.

"That kind of an anchor, a place to start was really valuable for us. So that would be our strategy in China," said Potter. "We are looking to the future and thinking that it could be a very important market for us."

The industry welcomes the phase-one trade deal signed between China and the United States. Christine LoCascio, the DISCUS chief of public policy, said, "We hope the United States and China continue their negotiations and our exports to China will return to the 5 and 10 percent tariff rates that they faced prior to the trade disputes escalation."

On this, Ozgo couldn't agree more. "It means we're heading in the right direction," he said. "We want to have good relations with China."

Potter said, "It takes a lot of time to build trust in the export market and to develop the relationships with the distributors with the retail trade."

"I believe international sales are very important for ... all the people making craft whiskey. But in a high-tariff environment, the potential just is sharply reduced," he added.
RIVERSIDE, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates (zulualilaw.com), one of the largest black-owned law firms in California's Inland Empire, names Attorney Whitney Ali as Partner. Attorney Whitney Ali earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of California, Riverside and a Juris Doctorate from John F. Kennedy University College of Law. Attorney Whitney Ali has assisted with firm's criminal case management since 2015 under the mentorship of her father, Attorney Zulu Ali, who is the firm's founder and principal attorney. The appointment now makes the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates the largest black family owned law firm in the Inland Empire, which comprises the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, California.

Attorney Whitney Ali & Attorney Zulu Ali - Partners, The Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates

The Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates has been named as one of the top 10 law firms by Attorney and Practice Magazine; and its founder, Attorney Zulu Ali, has been named top attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, National Black Lawyers, American Jurist Institute, and Attorney and Practice Magazine, and Americas Top Criminal Attorney by Rue Ratings.

Born and raised in Shelbyville, Tennessee, the firm's founder, Attorney Zulu Ali, is a former police Officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. In 2007, inspired by civil rights attorneys Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and Avon Williams, Jr., who used the law and courts as a vehicle to make change and protect all people against injustice, Attorney Zulu Ali opened the Law Offices of Zulu Ali with a focus on representing persons accused of crimes and seeking criminal justice, immigrants, victims of discrimination, persons seeking civil justice in state and federal courts throughout the United States; and defendants and victims at the international criminal courts at The Hague, Netherlands and the African Court of Human Rights in Tanzania. Attorney Zulu Ali and the law firm takes on extremely difficult cases and matters that provide an opportunity to make changes in the law, through the courts, when the law is unjust.

"We face immense scrutiny from courts and others for challenging the system. I am deeply inspired by the late great civil rights attorney Avon Williams who was jailed more than once for not kowtowing to racist courts in the defense of his clients. Naming my daughter to Partner ensures this type of advocacy spirit that was established by great black pioneers of the legal system continues," Attorney Zulu Ali adds.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jocelyne Quintero

Law Office of Zulu Ali

951-782-8722

[email protected]

SOURCE The Law Offices of Zulu Ali

Related Links

http://zulualilaw.com


13.02.2020 LISTEN

I am with unimaginable sadness and the sadness is more than justified. Of late, I have rendered my pen impotent by not airing my view on the media landscape because of academic intervention. But I am back to resurrect the minds of my gallant readers on the issue of corruption which has been a dominant topic of discussion on both print and electronic media.

Corruption is a national canker that frustrates the social, political and economic development in Africa. Corruption has been a subject of deliberations since time immemorial not just in Ghana but our continental Africa.

The question that always heats my conscience is "Can we actually develop the mentality of minimizing corruption if not eradication"?. In-plane facts, the moment Ghanaian citizens interject his or her daily activity with corruption then it will continue to raise its ugly head in the country.

Corruption as they say it's a ten-letter word which persistently hindering the social, political and economic development of Africa.

The most painful aspect of the matter is that more than half of our leaders have perceived corruption as a nutritious meal that has been taken for body growth and development. And I always lay credence to the saying that " corruption goes with obesity and anti-corruption goes with transparency".

Notwithstanding the fact that national development is the first priority that should be considered as a matter of urgency when dealing with national progress.

Indeed, research has shown that more than half of all citizens think corruption is getting worse in their countries and that their

government is doing a bad job in tackling it. As an individual and a patriotic citizen, are you waiting for the government to fight it alone? The fact that the constitution has mandated government the superior power does not make the citizens be sitting aloof expecting things to be done inadequate manner. It is apparently apparent that corruption has completely retarded progress in Ghana.

Amazingly, it is been claimed that Ghana possessed a larger proportion of philosophers but what are their contributions in the fight against corruption.

In my candid opinion as a young writer, I believed the genesis of corruption is politics, where the valuable access of a country are entrusted with people who have no modicum of morality. Indeed, it is pertinent as a country to also consider morality when the mantle of leadership is given to people. There is no deniable the fact that the majority also feel optimistic that they, as citizens, can make a difference in the fight against corruption. I will portray selfishness if I do not recommend ordinary individuals for their efforts in the fight against the never-ending canker.

As a matter of observation, Ghana as a country has witnessed several cases of corruption in the last five years which I will like to direct your attention to. The list of those cases are as follows: The SSNIT software scandal, NHIS scandal, GYEEDA saga, BOST contaminated fuel scandal, GFA 2018 scandal, Ghana Judiciary scandal, Ghana EC scandal, Tema port scandal and the recent brouhaha that is Airbus scandal and Missing excavators which are still the subject of discussion in the media landscape.

I will conclusively pose this question to these anti-corruption agencies in Ghana which consist of The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), IMANI Ghana, Transparency International, Child's Right International, Occupy Ghana,

Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and what have you. What necessary measures are they putting in place to ensure that corruption in Ghana is minimized.

In the year 2019, Ghana was named the second most corrupt country in Africa on the Corruption Perception Index. In the same year, a report by the Transparency International (TI) has asserted that Ghana has been rated as the second most corrupt country in Africa, followed by Nigeria, With South Africa perceived as the most corrupt nation on the continent of Africa.

These kinds of reportage have the propensity to ruin our hard-won reputation as African continent. We are therefore appealing to the leaders of our various countries to lead with transparency for the betterment of our nations.

Abu Hafiz

Newly Trained Teacher

National Service Personnel.
Exploration and production (E&P) companies are set to face one of the biggest challenges - if not the biggest challenge ever - to their business models.

This challenge is a combination of investor and society concerns about the oil industrys contribution to climate change and concerns about global oil demand peaking in just a decade or two. And this challenge could result in too few new good opportunities for project development for just a few oil explorers, IHS Markit says.

[T]here may well be too few quality, competitive investment opportunities for the E&P industry as a whole; parts of the industry will not be able to attract investment capital, Jerry Kepes, Keith King, and Siddhartha Sen of IHS Markit write.

The exploration and production sector is indeed facing many dilemmas.

First, analysts expect global oil demand to peak at some point over the next two decades - theres the concern that oil and gas assets could remain stranded, especially if policies support the transition to low-carbon energy sources.

Then, investors and money managers are jittery about continuing to plow money into oil and gas amid growing concern from their clients and the society as a whole about the oil industrys environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials. Those investors who are still betting on the oil industry are demanding returns, and they are demanding that those returns start flowing more quickly than they did before the 2014-2015 oil price crash.

Big Oil has to find a way to reconcile the need to keep dividends (and growing them) with the growing need to not fall entirely out of favor with investors as it faces the backlash from society and activists who criticize oil companies for continuing to produce energy from fossil fuels. Related: Oil Bulls Are In For A Bitter Disappointment

Then theres the pure financial consideration of the business models of E&P companies.

After the oil price collapse, the quicker returns were perceived to be in the shorter-cycle U.S. shale. But the meager returns disappointed investors, who continue to punish oil stocks, while capital markets are largely closed for many U.S. producers who have accumulated too much debt while they drilled themselves into oblivion, as Harold Hamm had warned in the middle of 2017.

Shale production growth has been slowing down for months, and peak shale could be just years away.

Companies with strained capital and stretched debt would suffer, while the biggest firms, who have also boosted their exposure to U.S. shale, could focus on exploration in prolific low-cost basins outside the U.S.

Exxons Guyana adventure is already paying off, with first oil achieved five years after discovery. Equinor managed to slash costs for its huge Johan Sverdrup oilfield in Norways North Sea, which already pumps 350,000 bpd, with break-even price for the full-field development below US$20 per barrel, as per Equinors estimates.

But again, these are too few examples for too few oil firms striking big new resources and making them profitable in a highly volatile oil price environment.

But how many Guyana Basins or Johan Sverdrup's (in offshore Norway) are there? There may be other new sizeable crude streams that are highly competitive, with break-evens at $25 to $45 per bbl. However, even if volumes are 300,000 to 500,000 bbls/ day, this does not make up for overall industry trends, IHS Markits analysts say.

In short, the exploration business is set to become even more competitive in the future as too many oil and gas firms would have to compete for a few highly attractive new resource prospects. And those who will win the competition will be the ones with the deepest pockets and most experience.

The Majors are focusing on asset types or geographies where they have competitive strengths and competencies, Simon Flowers, Chairman and Chief Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said in October. Related: Oil Traders Could Lose Big On Coronavirus Panic

But then, the majors - more than others because of their prominence and scale of operations - face the existential threat of being stripped of their social license to operate.

The oil and gas industrys social license to operate is under serious threat and there is no scope of a second chance, Tim Eggar, chairman of the UKs Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), said last month, calling on the industry to do more to help the fight with climate change.

The majors, at least those based in Europe, respond to those calls with pledges for net zero carbon emissions in operations, BP being the latest, but environmentalists accuse Big Oil of greenwashing as it continues to invest in oil and gas production.

Climate concerns and increased competition for profitable resource development amid looming peak oil demand will profoundly change the E&P industry.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Two passengers, who arrived at Kolkata international airport from Bangkok, have been placed in isolation for suspected novel coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.

A passenger named Himadri Barman was quarantined on Tuesday, and Nagendra Singh on Wednesday, government officials said in New Delhi.

Both passengers were sent to Beliaghata ID Hospital, a Kolkata airport official said.

Earlier, a passenger named Anita Oraon had also showed signs of fever



during thermal scanning, Kolkata airport director Kaushik Bhattacharjee said.

Already two airlines which had direct flights between Kolkata and China have suspended their flights.

Low-cost carrier IndiGo has temporarily suspended its flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from February 6.

"In line with the WHO guideline to contain the spread of coronavirus, IndiGo will be suspending its Kolkata-Guangzhou service from February 6, 2020 to February 25, 2020 and Guangzhou-Kolkata from February 7 till February 26," the airline had said in a statement.

After IndiGo, China Eastern Airlines suspended its flights between Kolkata and Kunming in China from February 10 to February 29.

Passengers of flights coming to Kolkata from Kunming and Guangzhou in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok were being screened since January 17.

At present, passengers arriving from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are being screened as no flights are operating to and from China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MONTPELIER, Vt. - A Pennsylvania man has been charged with smuggling seven parrots into the United States by carrying them across the Quebec-Vermont border.

A federal court affidavit alleges that Jafet Rodriguez picked up the birds from a car parked in Canada outside the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which straddles the border, on Dec. 30 and then carried them across the border in Derby Line to a car in Vermont. Five of the birds were yellow headed Amazon parrots and the other two white-bellied parrots.

Rodriguez, 39, was charged Jan. 28, but the case was sealed until after his Monday arrest. He is due in court in Burlington on Thursday.

Rodriguezs lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The affidavit said that a surveillance camera showed a man cross into Canada, open the rear door of a car parked just across the border, retrieve a black bag and then cross back into the United States, where he was apprehended by Border Patrol agents.

In speaking with agents, Rodriguez said he had made arrangements with people in New York to buy the birds from someone in Canada. Rodriguez told agents he didnt know that he had crossed the border when he picked up the birds, but he said he had seen the border marker.

Rodriguez told the agents he had one of the birds with him in the United States, but because he didnt have documentation to prove it all the birds were seized, the affidavit said.

Trade in both of the species seized is covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, which provides a mechanism for the international trade in the covered species.

The affidavit says the treaty allows for the trade of yellow headed Amazons only for scientific and research purposes and then only with valid permits. Commercial trade in white bellied parrots is allowed, but only with strict regulation.

The seven birds were turned over to officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and placed in quarantine at the New York Animal Import Center in Rock Tavern, New York.
The search for Gannon Stauch, the 11-year-old boy who went missing from his Colorado Springs home more than two weeks ago, has expanded to inc
This footage shows an Israeli drone defense system shooting a series of moving targets out of the sky with a Star Wars-like laser beam.

Manufacturers of the Drone Dome C-UAS hailed the system a '100 per cent success' after it brought down drones that were zig-zagging sharply during tests.

The so-called Counter Unmanned Aircraft System can detect hostile drones from more than two miles away and fire a destructive laser beam 'within seconds'.

In this video published by defence manufacturer Rafael, three drones (circled) are flying in formation over the desert but are brought down by the Drone Dome's laser beam

One of the drones falls to the ground (circled), with another one already destroyed, after they were intercepted and downed by the Israeli-made Drone Dome

Manufacturers boast that the system can strike manoeuvring targets, including this drone which was zig-zagging sharply over the desert but was hit by the Drone Dome

The footage published by Rafael, the defense manufacturer which is based in Haifa, showed drones falling out of the sky after they were intercepted by the Drone Dome.

One target drone was hit and destroyed despite veering sharply from left to right as it flew over the desert.

In another test, a swarm of three drones was flying in formation but all three aircraft were brought down by the laser beam.

'The system achieved 100 per cent success in all test scenarios,' the manufacturers declared.

Rafael hailed the system as an 'innovative end-to-end solution' which can provide 'border and critical military and civilian site protection'.

A brochure for the Drone Dome says it can detect targets as small as 0.02 square feet at a distance of more than two miles.

Manufacturers boast that it can identify hostile drones and provide an exact position, allowing the laser beam to shoot them down.

Rafael also hailed the 'operational mobile system' which can be deployed on the back of a truck.

The system can also jam drones from a distance, blocking commands from whoever is controlling the drone.

It can also prevent the drone from relaying video footage back to its owner.

Rafael also hailed the Drone Dome as an 'operational mobile system' which can be deployed on the back of a truck

Manufacturers boast that the Drone Dome can detect hostile drones from more than two miles away and fire a destructive laser beam 'within seconds'

The defense technology company Rafael, which created the system, is reporting '100 percent success in all test scenarios'

The Drone Dome was ordered by the UK's Ministry of Defence at the height of the Gatwick Airport drone crisis in 2018, reports said at the time.

Airports have been on high alert for drones since the Gatwick chaos which ruined Christmas travel plans for more than 100,000 people.

A number of drone sightings forced Britains second-busiest airport to shut down for 33 hours.

The chaos continued despite a huge police operation and the Army was eventually called to bring the incident under control.

No culprit has been identified, prompting speculation that the drones had been mistaken for police equipment.

A recent video shows the system engaging the targets, including zigzagging drones
By Trend





The annual ethylene production capacity of the Ethylene-Polyethylene Plant of SOCAR's Azerikimya PU will increase 2.3 times upon completion of its modernization, the plant's Deputy Chief Engineer for Modernization Gadir Aliyev told reporters during a press tour on Feb. 13, Trend reports.

The annual ethylene production capacity of the Ethylene-Polyethylene Plant was between 100,000 tons and 120,000 tons in 2017, Aliyev said.

According to the deputy chief engineer, the plant's annual propylene production will be 187,000 tons in 2020. For comparison, this figure was between 80,000 tons and 100,000 tons, he added.

According to the schedule of the plant's modernization project, active construction work began in 2017.

The modernization of the plant will be completed in the third quarter of 2020.

The main contractor for the reconstruction and modernization project is the Italian office of Technip. SOCAR-KBR (SOCAR - KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT SERVICES B.V) joint venture is involved in the project management as a consultant. The project is supported by the Dutch office of FLUOR and the British office of Clifford Chance as technical consultants at various stages.

Construction and installation work was entrusted to SOCAR's Azfen JV and the Turkish Ustay company.
Missouri began offering chiropractic care, acupuncture, physical therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy for Medicaid patients in April, the latest state to try an alternative to opioids for those battling chronic pain.

Yet only about 500 of the state's roughly 330,000 adult Medicaid users accessed the program through December, at a cost of $190,000, according to Josh Moore, the Missouri Medicaid pharmacy director. While the numbers may reflect an undercount because of lags in submitting claims, the jointly funded federal-state program known in the state as MO HealthNet is hitting just a fraction of possible patients so far.

Meanwhile, according to the state, opioids were still being doled out: 109,610 Missouri Medicaid patients of all age groups received opioid prescriptions last year.

The going has been slow, health experts said, because of a slew of barriers. Such treatments are more time-consuming and involved than simply getting a prescription. A limited number of providers offer alternative treatment options, especially to Medicaid patients. And perhaps the biggest problem? These therapies don't seem to work for everyone.

The slow rollout highlights the overall challenges in implementing programs aimed at righting the ship on opioid abuse in Missouri  and nationwide. To be sure, from 2012 to 2019, the number of Missouri Medicaid patients prescribed opioid drugs fell by more than a third  and the quantity of opioids dispensed by Medicaid dropped by more than half.

Still, opioid overdoses killed an estimated 1,132 Missourians in 2018 and 46,802 Americans nationally, according to the latest data available. Progress to change that can be frustratingly slow.

"The opioids crisis we got into wasn't born in a year," Moore said. "To expect we'd get perfect results after a year would be incredibly optimistic."

Despite limited data on the efficacy of alternative pain management plans, such efforts have become more accepted, especially following a summer report of pain management best practices from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. States such as Ohio and Oregon see them as one part of a menu of options aimed at curbing the opioid crisis.

St. Louis chiropractor Ross Mattox, an assistant professor at chiropractic school Logan University, sees both uninsured patients and those on Medicaid at the CareSTL clinic. He cheered Missouri's decision to expand access, despite how long it took to get here.

"One of the most common things I heard from providers," he said, "is 'I want to send my patient to a chiropractor, but they don't have the insurance. I don't want to prescribe an opioid  I'd rather go a more conservative route  but that's the only option I have.'"

And that can lead to the same tragic story: Someone gets addicted to opioids, runs out of a prescription and turns to the street before becoming another sad statistic.

"It all starts quite simply with back pain," Mattox said.

Practical barriers

While Missouri health care providers now have another tool besides prescribing opioids to patients with Medicaid, the multistep approaches required by alternative treatments create many more hoops than a pharmacy visit.

The physicians who recommend such treatments must support the option, and patients must agree. Then the patient must be able to find a provider who accepts Medicaid, get to the provider's office even if far away and then undergo multiple, time-consuming therapies.

"After you see the chiropractor's for one visit, it's not like you're cured from using opioids forever  it would take months and months and months," Moore said.

The effort and cost that go into coordinating a care plan with multiple alternative pain therapies is another barrier.

"Covering a course of cheap opioid pills is different than trying to create a multidisciplinary individualized plan that may or may not work," said Leo Beletsky, a professor of law and health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, noting that the scientific evidence of the efficacy of such treatments is mixed.

And then there's the reimbursement issue for the providers. Corry Meyers, an acupuncturist in suburban St. Louis, does not accept insurance in his practice. But he said other acupuncturists in Missouri debate whether to take advantage of the new Medicaid program, concerned the payment rates to providers will be too low to be worthwhile.

"It runs the gamut, as everyone agrees that these patients need it," Meyers stressed. But he said many acupuncturists wonder: "Am I going to be able to stay open if I take Medicaid?"

While helpful, plans like Missouri's don't address the structural problems at the root of the opioid crisis, Beletsky said.

"Opioid overutilization or overprescribing is not just a crisis in and of itself; it's a symptom of broader structural problems in the U.S. health care system," he said. "Prescribers reached for opioids in larger and larger numbers not just because they were being fooled into doing so by these pharmaceutical companies, but because they work really well for a broad variety of ailments for which we're not doing enough in terms of prevention and treatment."

Fixing some of the core problems leading to opioid dependence  rural health care "deserts" and the impact of manual labor and obesity on chronic pain  requires much more than a treatment alternative, Beletsky said.

And no matter how many alternatives are offered, he said, opioids will remain a crucial medicine for some patients.

Furthermore, while alternative pain management therapies may lessen opioid prescriptions, they do not address exploding methamphetamine addiction or other addiction crises leading to overdoses nationwide  even as a flood of funds pours in from the national and state level to fight these crises.

The Show-Me State's refusal to expand Medicaid coverage to more people under the Affordable Care Act also hampers overall progress, said Dr. Fred Rottnek, a family and addiction doctor who sits on the St. Louis Regional Health Commission as chair of the Provider Services Advisory Board.

"The problem is we relatively cover so few people in Missouri with Medicaid," he said. "The denominator is so small that it doesn't affect the numbers a whole lot."

But providers like Mattox are happy that such alternative treatments are now an option, even if they're available only for a limited audience.

He just wishes it had been done sooner.

"A lot of it has to do with politics and the slow gears of government," he said. "Unfortunately, it's taken people dying  it's taken enough of a crisis for people to open their eyes and say, 'Maybe there's a better way to do this.'"
Canada's ambassador to China Dominic Barton waits to appear before the House of Commons committee on Canada-China relations in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Canadas Envoy to China Criticized for Linking Collectivism With Confucianism

Bartons request to Canadians to understand Chinas priorities and values draws ire of Conservative MP and scholar

News Analysis

Dominic Bartons appointment as Canadas ambassador to China has always been controversial due to his deep business ties with China as the former head of global consulting firm McKinsey.

But he came under fire from Conservative MP Garnett Genuis for, among other things, conflating Chinas communist regime with traditional Confucian values during testimony given to the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations in Ottawa on Feb. 5.

Carleton University history professor and China scholar Jacob Kovalio says Barton was being very mindful of Beijing in delivering his remarks.

Barton was speaking in Canada but he was actually very careful to make sure his real guides in China were not insulted by what he was saying, Kovalio said.

As part of his opening statement, Barton spoke of the critical need to understand Chinas thousands of years of history and culture to better appreciate its priorities, values, and decision-making, although Canadians dont have to agree with them.

They place an importance on the values of collectivism and harmony, which is owing to a Confucian heritage, he said.

Both Genuis and Kovalio objected to the connection between collectivism and Confucianism.

Confucianism does not mean collectivism at all, Kovalio said. The former supports private ownership of the means of production, which is anathema to collectivism and communism.

Communisms Spin on Confucianism

Confucius emphasized harmony in society achieved through social and individual morality, based on the five cardinal virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness. How Chinese communism distorts these Confucian ideals conflicts with Western values.

Certainly Chinese communists, even Soviet communists, were very much interested in social stability, harmony  for the sake of what? Not for the sake of the people, but for the sake of maintaining and perpetuating the regime, Kovalio said. And this results in brutal suppressions of protests and other forms of dissension.

Genuis called Bartons appointment inappropriate and questioned him on what influence Confucianism has, if any, on how Chinas communist party conducts its affairs.

My reading of the founding texts of Confucianism is that they are very much at odds with the typical practices of the current Chinese government. It was the politics of the Marxist powers in China to try and destroy Chinas Confucian history, Genuis said.

He argued that Chinas communist ideology is inconsistent with Confucianism.

It seems to me that the political structures of China are predominantly rooted not in long-standing Confucian values but in the political philosophy of Marxism and totalitarian control, he said.

Departure From Traditional Values

Barton, for his part, appeared to paint the harsh reality of communism in a positive light. He said his understanding of Chinese history is that Confucianism is very much a part of the system and how its working today.

Theres different manifestations of that, he said, noting that this is rooted  in the notion of harmony and the collective good as opposed to the individual.

Yet after 1949, under Mao Zedongs leadership, China departed from its traditional views of harmony based on Confucianism, particularly during the destruction brought on by the Cultural Revolution. The Chinese Communist Party essentially uses Confucianism as a shield for its modus operandi.

But prior to the communist revolution, Confucianism was the foundation of Chinese governance. The current regime appears intent on using that history to its advantage today.

If one were to ask anybody to define China as a civilization in one word, it would have to be Confucianism, Kovalio said.

He goes on to explain that what communism and Confucianism have in common is a tradition of bureaucracy.

Under Confucianism, its considered prestigious to have a high social standing as a bureaucrat.

However, in Confucianism, reaching a high social standing is achieved through a meritocracy and moral virtues, whereas in communism, it takes the form of corruption and cronyism.

Collectivism Brings Misery

Confucianism and collectivism have very little natural overlap.

What might first come to mind regarding collectivism is the widespread famine in the Soviet Union during Stalins reign. Collective ownership also failed terribly in China, Cambodia, and North Korea.

Collectivism is derived from socialist and Marxist-Leninist ideological DNA, according to The Epoch Times editorial series How the Spectre of Communism Is Ruling Our World.

According to Barton, Some elements of collectivism and harmony are actually at odds with the individual rights. Theyre different.

Scholars see the relationship in a more fundamental way.

Collectivism is a yoke affixed on the necks of man by a totalitarian state, states the editorial series. It restricts individual freedom and holds that all must serve the stateor else.

Collective ownership has a terrible track record as it is highly inefficient. Modern examples are Chinas state-owned enterprises, which are unprofitable and unproductive while relying on government subsidies. Theyre often called zombies.

Jordan Peterson, psychology professor at the University of Toronto, previously told The Epoch Times that the ideology of collectivism is built on a dysfunctional understanding of caring for others and on a narrow reinterpretation of history.

Proponents of it are forever infamous as dictatorsHitler, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao. They were the ones deciding the direction of the collective and killing those who refused to fall into line.

Bartons Objectives

Barton said his top priority is to secure the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were detained shortly after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver in December 2018 in response to a U.S. extradition request. He said he has visited them a number of times and is unbelievably inspired by their resilience.

Barton is also seeking clemency for Robert Schellenberg, who has been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in China.

He went to great lengths to emphasize that he is promoting and protecting human rights in his meetings with Chinese officials.

Barton wants Canada to deepen ties at all levels with China as he focuses on the opportunities for Canadian business, being very bullish on Chinese growth.

Engagement is importantand not to the exclusion of human rights, he said.

He is aware of those advocating a hard line against China and that Canada does have some levers to pull, but he doesnt think Canada has to take those kinds of measures.

Be prepared for what you ask for in that type of an approach, Barton warned.
HM Prison Bullingdon in Oxfordshire, which has tested two inmates for the Wuhan coronavirus.

Google Maps

Two inmates at a prison in Oxfordshire, England, were tested for the Wuhan coronavirus on Tuesday.

The tests at HMP Bullingdon came after one of the prisoners collapsed in his cell after being transferred there from a Thai jail, and the other reportedly suffered flu-like symptoms, according to Sky News and the Independent.

If the inmates are found with the deadly virus, which is spread between humans, it could become disastrous, prison experts said.

British prisons are overcrowded, unsanitary, and mostly unprepared to deal with disease outbreaks. A quarter of them were built before 1900, and maintain the same washing facilities.

Prisons in the US have also been criticized for failing to meet adequate health and safety standards. Nobody in prisons outside the UK have reported coronavirus cases or potential cases so far.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Two inmates in a public prison in southern England were tested for the deadly Wuhan coronavirus on Tuesday after a prisoner collapsed in his cell.

The prisoner who collapsed at HMP Bullingdon has been identified as 31-year-old Mark John Rumble, who was transferred from a jail in Thailand two weeks ago, Sky News reported, citing Thai authorities.

He is one of the two inmates being tested, according to the Independent. Both men reportedly suffered flu-like symptoms.

The men are currently being held in isolation in the prison, which has a capacity of 1,114 inmates, Sky News reported. Public Health England, the country's health authorities, have also arrived to help the situation, the broadcaster said.

If one or both prisoners are found with the coronavirus, the consequences could be disastrous.

A man disinfects a woman arriving at a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan, China, on February 3, 2020.

Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Dr. Jamie Bennett, a UK civil servant and former prison governor, tweeted Tuesday that the risk of the coronavirus spreading in prisons "can't be eliminated," but that health authorities are planning measures to minimize that risk.

Story continues

Prisons have long been criticized for poor sanitation, overcrowding, and a lack of resources  so much so that they "have long been known to present higher risks of contagious disease outbreaks," Catherine Heard, director of the World Prison Programme at the Institute for Crime & Policy Research, told Business Insider Wednesday.

"Reduced access to fresh air and natural light, cramped living spaces, poor access to medical treatment and screening  these factors speed up the spread of infection and are typical of prison environments," she said.

Juliet Lyon, then-director of the UK's Prison Reform Trust, told the Independent in 2015 that UK prison were nothing short of "a health and safety nightmare."

Heard also warned that if the novel coronavirus took hold and spread in prisons across England and Wales, it could spell disaster. The prison system in those countries is already straining under the record levels of assault and self-harm that happen inside.

"This will make it all the harder for prison staff and health teams to deal with any confirmed case of coronavirus among prisoners," she said.

An official uses thermal imaging devices to measure the temperature of passengers arriving from Sanya, China, at Novosibirsk International Airport.

Kirill Kukhmar\TASS via Getty Images

'Overcrowding and lack of personal space'

The Wuhan coronavirus, which has killed more than 1,100 people so far, can be transferred between humans simply by brushing skin.

British prisons, meanwhile, suffer from "overcrowding and lack of personal space," which increases the risk of "communicable diseases," according to a 2018 report on prison health published by the UK government, citing the Care Quality Commission in England.

In a three-bed cell at HMP Belmarsh, in southeast England, "there was little room to move; if all three men were standing up there was not enough space for them to pass each other without touching," the report also said.

About 20,000 inmates  or 25% of the total prison population in the UK  live in overcrowded conditions, the Prison Reform Trust told the BBC in 2018.

Security officers around HMP Belmarsh, southeast London, in October 2001.

REUTERS/Russell Boyce RUS/PS

Bad sanitation, no hot water, and 'dirty protests'

The 2018 government report cited one inmate who was interned in the UK as saying that "living conditions in prison are very poor. Sanitation and hot water are often unavailable and the ever-growing population of rats running around the communal areas are an ongoing risk of disease."

Another prisoner told the researchers that one prison "had no hot water for five months."

This would not help prevent the coronavirus from spreading. In recent guidelines on how to prevent the coronavirus, England's National Health Service focused on washing hands to kill bacteria, adding that cold water is not as effective as hot water.

An aerial view of HMP Bullingdon.

Google Maps

One in four UK prisons were built before 1900 and still have the same "inadequate" washing facilities, according to the government report.

"Too many prisoners remain in unsafe, unsanitary and outdated establishments," the researchers said.

The spreading of excrement and urine on prison floors and walls is also a common tactic of inmates.

These "dirty protests" mean prisoners are "exposed to traumatic or unsanitary conditions involving blood, vomit and other bodily fluids, introducing a severe health risk," according to CleanSafe, an industrial cleaning firm working with prisons in Britain.

Medical staff in protective suits assist passengers disembarking from a plane from Wuhan at RAF Brize Norton on February 9, 2020.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

American prisons are almost just as bad

Prisons in the US and around the world have also been criticized for failing to meet adequate health and safety standards.

A 2016 paper from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, published in The Lancet, found a "failure to ensure humane prison conditions" in US prisons, which constituted a "violation of human rights."

The issue of disease spreading in prisons worldwide is worse because many inmates are from poor and minority groups, according to Penal Reform International.

"Many of the factors that make these groups more likely to be incarcerated, including poverty and discrimination, also mean that they tend to carry a disproportionately high burden of disease and ill-health," Penal Reform International said.

Due to poor hygiene in prison kitchens, US prisoners are six times more likely to get a foodborne illness than the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The World Health Organization has also said that in general, prisons around the world suffer from "overcrowding, poor ventilation, frequent transfers of prisoners between prisons, poor nutrition, and limited access to health care."

Only the UK has reported testing inmates for coronavirus so far.

Health workers in protective gear evacuate residents from a public-housing building in Hong Kong.

Tyrone Siu/Reuters

Prisons already run the risk of other viruses

Public Health England noted in its 2019/2020 "Seasonal flu guidance" that British prisons "run the risk of significant and potentially serious outbreaks" of the common flu, "with large numbers of cases and a higher rate of complications, including mortality."

The health authority said that prisons are likely bad places for outbreaks because:

A large numbers of people live in close proximity with high degrees of social mixing during activities.

The prison population is constantly turning over with new receptions, releases and transfers.

Access to healthcare could be limited if demand is high, and transferring prisoners out to hospitals is complicated due to staffing issues.

Prisoners tend to have more respiratory illnesses, including asthma.

Prisons across western Europe are already breeding grounds for tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization, where the rate of infection is 11 times higher than for those outside.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jushi Holdings Inc. ("Jushi" or the "Company") (CSE: JUSH) (OTCQX: JUSHF), a globally-focused, multi-state cannabis and hemp operator, today announced that Jim Cacioppo, Co-Founder, CEO and Chairman of Jushi, will present at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference to be held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in Miami, FL on February 24-25, 2020.

Mr. Cacioppo will participate on the panel titled "Brand Strategy and Partnerships in Leaner Times" on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 10:20 a.m. ET .

on at . Also, Mr. Cacioppo will present on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 10:40 a.m. ET .

For more information about the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Jushi's management, please contact Jushi's Investor Relations at [email protected].

About Jushi Holdings Inc.

We are a globally focused cannabis and hemp company led by an industry leading management team. In the United States Jushi is focused on building a multi-state portfolio of branded cannabis and hemp-derived assets through opportunistic acquisitions, distressed workouts and competitive applications. Jushi strives to maximize shareholder value while delivering high quality products across all levels of the cannabis and hemp ecosystem. For more information please visit www.jushico.com or our social media channels, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "will continue," "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the expectations regarding Jushi, or the ability of Jushi to successfully achieve business objectives, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: the ability of Jushi to successfully achieve business objectives, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; and compliance with extensive government regulation, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in the Company's Filing Statement dated December 5, 2019 and other filings with securities and regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

SOURCE Jushi Holdings Inc.
Once youve squared away your financial situation and created a dream team for a smooth home-buying process, you can do the fun part: finding a home that suits your needs.

Heres how to use online listings to find a home you like, and how to determine what you value in a home.

Looking online

National real estate listing websites such as Zillow, Trulia (owned by Zillow) and Redfin and the many others out there (this is a small sampling of whats available) frequently update their offerings.

The websites show you photos of the homes, prior listing prices, features of the property and characteristics of the neighborhood.

One of the tools we have on Zillow and Trulia helps people understand exactly what they prioritize, what theyre willing to trade off on, said Cheryl Young, an economic analyst at Zillow.

Local sites such as the Houston Association of Realtors take it a step further by offering more specific information about tax appraisals. HARs also offers search tools to sort through homes by drive time and provides local advice on property taxes. Because HAR is a regional listing service, youll see homes pop up on their site (which offers a sponsored search engine on the Houston Chronicles free site, Chron.com) every 15 minutes, and national sites would have up to 12 hours to add the new listings.

MORE HOW TO: What do I need to know about my HOAs bylaws?

And once youve found a few attractive homes, you can either reach out to the agent to get more information or attend an open house to meet the agent in person.

Mark Dimas, a Cypress-based Realtor who works predominantly with suburban homes, said first-time homebuyers are increasingly turning to online listings to gauge their options. Its a big time-saver for real estate agents.

They come to us with some parameters to say we really like these types of homes, instead of having to educate them from the beginning, Dimas said. Now its just finding the right home or subdivision that fits their needs.

Just be cautious that you follow the rules. The National Association of Realtors recently tightened its rules around pocket listings, the practice of shopping home listings privately without putting them into a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) where they would be advertised on a consumer website such as HAR.com.

You can place an offer on the home as the agent and owners prepare to put it up on the market and its up to the seller if they want to accept your offer. But once its marketed as for sale  meaning theres a stake in the front yard or a flyer advertise its sale  it must go up on MLS within one day, meaning more competition.

Another thing youll want to check online: Houstons flood maps. We know the area is flood-prone, especially near the bayous. But shoddy building and improper drainage can also cause water to build up and damage a home.

Harris Countys floodplain map tool will tell you how close you live to an area that might be submerged during heavy rain. FEMA also offers a flood map.

That map might not tell the whole story. If youre seriously considering a residence, go door-to-door and ask the neighbors about the flood history on the street. Dont inquire about just Harvey, ask about other flood events in the neighborhood, too. Youll also get a feel for how friendly the community is, if thats important to you.

What buyers want

Start by narrowing down the neighborhoods you want to live in. Maybe what you value is an easy walk to a shopping center with a grocery store, so you dont have to drive as much. Or maybe its convenient access to good bars in the heart of the 610 Loop. Or you may want to be near a highly ranked school.

People first need to figure out where do I want to try and buy, and can I afford that neighborhood?, said Mike Spear, a Realtor with Martha Turner Sothebys International Realty in Houston.

Use addresses from real estate listings on a map to help gauge interest in a neighborhood. In the past, when looking for a rental, Ive taken the addresses of five to six apartments and put them into a custom map on Google Maps. Not only did I get a visual comparison of how far it was from my workplace, I also got a look at local food and drink options.

The Houston Chronicles annual home price survey can help you find median prices for Houston-area subdivisions. In general, the farther outside the Loop you get, the more home prices fall, especially if you go east or deep into the northern suburbs.

You should also make a list of priorities. What are the things that are most important to you? Data from Zillow shows that first-time homebuyers prioritize safety and minimized commute times, and value diversity more than repeat buyers.

Thats how I settled on my current place in Midtown. Its close to a grocery store and restaurants, in a well-lit area and gave me a short commute time to the Houston Chronicles office.

Homebuyers trying to start a family or who have young kids will likely look for good schools close to home. For some, that may mean looking at school districts outside of Houstons city limits to get affordable real estate. While staying inside Loop 610 might be fun, parents who are seeking a better education may have to endure the grueling magnet school application process or have a long commute from other neighborhoods.

National listing websites draw on GreatSchools, which aggregates information about school zoning, to list what schools are in the area. Users can search GreatSchools site for local parents reviews on how schools address equity and diversity, academic rigor and learning environments.

The Houston Chronicles School Report Card will also show you how Texas public schools are doing on standardized exams.

When approaching a real estate agent, make sure that you choose one who specializes in the neighborhood you plan to buy and can take you on tours of available listings.

TOLL ROAD TOIL: Heres how to get around on Houstons toll roads

Community safety is the most important thing to homebuyers, first-timers or not. What a neighborhood looks like during the day might be a lot different at night, when youll actually be home.

You can look at crime trend data online at SpotCrime, which aggregates information from local police departments. When visiting an open house, look for security alarm notices, burglar bars and cameras in nearby yards and neighborhood watch signs. Then, return at night to gauge how safe you feel when its dark.

In the latest in the millennials-killing-things saga, first-time homebuyers (53 percent of whom are households under age 35, according to a 2019 Harvard study) dont want homes that need a lot of repairs  meaning the appeal of fixer-uppers is dwindling among young people.

They dont have a lot of cash lying around after closing and the down payment to fix a home, Dimas said.

The right home?

It may take a long time to find a place thats right for you. But right doesnt have to mean perfect, agents said.

Very few homes have everything that the homeowner would want, or not want to change something about it, Spear said.

If none of the listings pique your fancy, you could ask your agent to put out a call to other Realtors for leads on other homes about to come on the market.

The benefit of reaching out to an agent to help you find homes, rather than relying solely on online postings, is that they can tip you off to some properties about to come on the market, said Thai Klam, chairman of HARs Technology Group.

Keep your expectations realistic. As nice as it is to drive through River Oaks to ogle at Christmas lights during the holiday season, your down payment as a first-time homebuyer probably wont cover even 3.5 percent of its cost. Look to condos, townhomes or places outside the Loop for more affordable options.

In part one of "Open House," the Houston Chronicles series on first-time homebuying, learn from Houston How To about the real estate agents, mortgage lenders and escrow officers who will help you on your property buying journey.

In part two of "Open House," the Houston Chronicles series on first-time homebuying, Houston How To will explore how a prospective homebuyer can get their finances in order and what financial programs can make owning your own place more affordable.

In part four of "Open House," the Houston Chronicles series on first-time homebuying, Houston How To looks at closing and escrow, the most important part of the purchase.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

Twitter: @gwendolynawu
Energy Ministry has fired back at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the countrys energy sector is very functional contrary to claims that the sector is on the verge of collapse due to a GHS15 billion debt.

Head of Communication at the Ministry, Nana Damoah rather blamed the NDC for the financial woes of the energy sector.

In an interview, Mr. Damoah said a US$500 million dollar take-or-pay contract with Independent Power Producers signed by the John Mahama administration is rather draining the sector.

The countrys energy sector is very functional and we are doing well. I would have been very happy if they (NDC) had mounted the platform and said that the current Ministry is getting it wrong, [because they] do not understand the current structure and explain it to the people of Ghana in a very eloquent structure that they have done that this was the strategy and this is why it makes sense, but, no such thing was done. As we speak, they claim that debts are mounting but they should remember that they are contributing US$500 million every year to that debt stock, said Nana Damoah.

Ghana's energy sector struggling over GH15bn debt  John Jinapor

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had alleged that Ghana's energy sector was struggling due to a GH15 billion debt.

A former Deputy Power Minister, John Jinapor, blamed the prevailing situation on the mismanagement of the sector by the current administration.

John Jinapor made these assertions at the NDC's Policy Dialogue Series on the Energy Sector on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

There are two kinds of leaders today; a visionary one, a quiet one who thinks of Ghana's tomorrow, and a very loud, robust one who makes a lot of noise but does very little for us. That is what we face as a country. And like I said, the investments we [the NDC] made, if the current administration had sustained that path and continued on those programs and projects, Ghana would have been moving forward than we are today, he said.

The Ghana Gas Company built at a cost of over US$1 billion despite all these savings, today is indebted to the tune of about US$1billion. If you add what ECG is adding to it and you do the analysis within three years in the energy sector alone, you're talking of a debt of about GH15 billion and that is not part of the national debt. There's been a deliberate, consistent approach to take all these figures off the national accounting system and so they present to you a certain figure as our national debt but when you look at the contingent liabilities, they are very serious.

'Sue GNPC for allegedly procuring loans without parliamentary approval'

Nana Damoah also dared Members of the Minority side in Parliament to sue the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) if they believe the corporation allegedly condoned illegality by procuring loans without parliamentary approval.

Mr. Damoah threw the challenge in response to Abu Jinapor's claim that the GNPC between 2019 and 2019 procured loans amounting to US$1 billion without Parliament's approval.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Damoah asked the Minority to sue the GNPC if it was indeed convinced that the Corporation by-passed Parliament in procuring these loans.

This is entirely absurd and again let me put out these facts. In this country, as we stand, if indeed GNPC has been allowed to borrow $1 billion without parliamentary approval then as parliamentarians they sit down and let this go on then it tells you the kind of parliamentarians that we have.

The fact that they are Members of Parliament, they make a claim that these loans did not even come to Parliament as they should have. Nothing stops them from going to court and asking the Supreme Court to declare that GNPC has condoned illegality. If you haven't done this and you mount political platforms to make allegations then it is needless.

---Citinewsroom
By Online Desk

Mumbai attack mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed was on Wednesday sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Pakistan court in connection with two terror financing cases.

A court official confirmed to PTI that Saeed was sentenced in the two terror financing cases in Punjab province.

The anti-terrorism court or ATC had indicted Saeed and his close aides on December 11 in terror financing case in a day-to-day hearing.

The court sentenced Saeed to five and a half years and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 in each case.

The sentences of both cases will run concurrently.

"The anti-terrorism court of Lahore accepted the plea of Saeed and his close aides seeking delay in the verdict in two concluded terror financing cases against them till the trial in other four such pending cases is complete," a court official told PTI after the hearing.

According to the petition, four other terror financing cases against Saeed, Zafar Iqbal, Yahya Aziz, Abdul Rehman Makki are pending before the same ATC.

The Counter-Terrorism Department in Pakistan registered 23 FIRs against Saeed and his accomplices on the charges of terror financing in different cities of Punjab province and arrested him on July 17.

He is being held at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

Saeed-led JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is 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 USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

The sentencing follows international pressure on Pakistan to stop militant groups from collecting funds in the country and to take immediate action against those still involved in militant activities.

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, JeM and others.

If not removed off the list by April, Pakistan may move to a blacklist of countries that face severe economic sanctions, such as Iran.

(With agency inputs)
The National Disaster Management Organization (Nadmo) on the 13th of February presented relief items to some Ghanaians at the Port de Perch ( Fishing Habour) in Katanga, Togo.

The beneficiaries are victims of fire outbreak.

The fire outbreak which happened at the dawn of 3rd January 2020 destroyed the entire property of over 2500 Ghanaians and other nationals living in Katanga.

Situation assessment which was carried out by the Civil Defence in Togo working in close collaboration with NADMO Ghana and the Ghana Mission in Togo revealed properties such as Fishing nets, outboard motors, fridges for the fish mongers, sewing machines, home appliances and personal belongings of these Nationals were completely destroyed.

A delegation led by the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohammed Habib Tajani, and accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Security, Henry Quartey, the Director General of Nadmo Eric Agyemang-Prempeh, Deputy Director General of Nadmo Hon. Seji Saji and a team of Nadmo officials joined the Ghana Mission in Togo Kofi Mensah Demetia to present food and non food items to the victims and assured them of Government commitments to citizens both home and abroad.

Nana Gyedu Chief of the Ghanaian Community in Lome, and Mr. Mawuko Avino Blabo the Katanga community President who recieved the present on behalf of the victims thanked the President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo President of the Republic of Ghana for coming to their aid and also for the many achievements by his Government for the good people of Ghana both in Ghana and Abroad.

Daily Guide
Because he has permanently injured wing, Atka cant fly.

And because he is a bald eagle, Atka cant talk either.

If he could, State Police and the staff at the Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education center in Ashford might have an easier time understanding the circumstances surrounding Atkas unexplained disappearance and return.

Roughly 24 hours after Horizon staff reported Atka missing on Monday morning the 10-year-old bald eagle was found back at the center.

Hes in good condition ... a couple of broken feathers but thats all, said Horizon Wings founder and owner Mary-Beth Kaeser on Wednesday morning. He was so tense and agitated at first, but as of last night he was doing much better. He was eating like theres no tomorrow ... some nice fat trout, which is his favorite food.

Kaeser noticed that Atka was missing at about 8:30 a.m. Monday morning.

His door was open and we did find a lock on the ground, she said. We didnt know if the lock was loose and fell off and Atka wandered out, or if someone came and took him.

State Police in Troop C, based in Tolland, are leading the investigation, according to Kristina Rozek, the director of communications for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

EnCon [Environmental Conservation] police assisted and we dont have any additional information, wrote Rozek in an email to Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday morning.

A voicemail left for the Troop C officer handling the case was not returned to Hearst Connecticut Media.

State police did issue a press release Monday that included an incident summary report.

On February 10, 2020 at approximately [9:25 a.m.] Troop C was contacted by CT DEEP to take over an investigation into a missing Bald Eagle that is suspected of being taken/stolen from a non-profit raptor rehabilitation facility, Horizon Wings, which is located in the town of Ashford, said the report. The bird was removed from a secured aviary sometime during the overnight hours.

Big questions remain: Who took Atka and who returned him? Or did Atka take the opportunity to flee the coop?

Officials said eagles can be targeted because of the high value for their body parts and feathers on the black market.

Although bald eagles are no longer an endangered species, both bald and golden eagles are still protected by multiple federal laws, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is illegal for any individual to keep a bald or golden eagle, including its parts (feathers, feet, etc.) without a federal permit.

The founder of a GoFundMe page that was created Monday to raise a reward for the safe return of Atka said the money ($5,768 as of Wednesday morning) will serve a different purpose.

Now, this campaign is to be used to install and maintain a security system that will insure the ongoing safety and security of the birds in Horizon Wings care and to supplement the expenses that are incurred in the ongoing feeding and healthcare of these magnificent creatures, wrote Brian Bennett following Atkas return Tuesday.

There will be significant costs to purchase the necessary equipment, install the system and maintain and monitor the facility on an ongoing basis so this is simply the beginning of a new journey for Horizon Wings, Bennett added.

Kaeser, who founded the non-profit Horizon Wings in 2001, said the center has been relying on its remote setting as security.

Were in the boonies, said Kaeser, who lives on the property. We dont have a whole lot [of security]. But even if you do have cameras, they might not be enough ... look at what happened with the eagle on Long Island.

Kaeser was referring to Sammy, a 35-year-old bald eagle with a partially amputated wing who was stolen from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge in Quogue, N.Y., last July. Security cameras captured a person entering the refuge and leaving two hours later with a bag, but the footage was not clear enough to help police identify the person.

Despite a reward that reached $17,500, Sammy has not been found.

Knowing how it could have turned out, were just happy that Atka is back here, Kaeser said. It was very sad for all of us when he was gone.
United States Attorney General William Barr took a rare public swipe at President Donald Trump on Thursday, saying that the presidents tweets about Justice Department prosecutors and cases make it impossible for me to do my job.

Barr made the comment during an interview with ABC News just days after his Justice Department overruled its own prosecutors, who had recommended in a court filing that Trumps longtime ally and confidant Roger Stone be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison, by taking the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek. The department did not offer an amended number.

Barr himself has been under fire for the Justice Department action and Thursdays comment served as a defence of his own integrity.

The department insisted the decision to undo the sentencing recommendation was made on Monday night  before Trump blasted the recommendation on Twitter as very horrible and unfair  and prosecutors had not spoken to the White House about it. The about-face prompted the four lawyers who prosecuted Stone to quit the case. One left the Justice Department altogether.

This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020

Im happy to say that, in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case, Barr said in the interview. However, to have public statements and tweets made about the department, about our 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 in the department that were doing our work with integrity.

Stone was convicted in November of tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

Barr said he was of course prepared to deal with any ramifications from the president for his comments.

As I said during my confirmation, I came in to serve as attorney general. I am responsible for everything that happens in the department, but the thing I have most responsibility for are the issues that are brought to me for decision, Barr said in the interview.

Roger Stone exiting federal court in Washington, DC [File: Julio Cortez/AP Photo]

It is extremely rare for Justice Department leaders to reverse the decision of prosecutors on a sentencing recommendation, particularly after that recommendation has been submitted to the court. The actual sentencing is up to the judge.

What they did to Roger Stone was a disgrace, Trump said Thursday during an interview with Geraldo Rivera on Newsradio WTAM1100.

I dont think they quit the case. I think they felt they got caught, the president said of the Stone prosecutors. I dont think they quit for moral reasons. I think they got caught in the act by me.

Now, what am I going to do, sit back and let a man go to jail maybe for nine years when murderers arent going to jail? You have some of the most serious horrible rapists and everything else. They dont go to jail for nine years, Trump said.

In an unusual public statement on Thursday Chief Judge Beryl Howell said that public criticism is not a factor in sentencing decisions.

The Judges of this Court base their sentencing decisions on careful consideration of the actual record in the case before them; the applicable sentencing guidelines and statutory factors; the submissions of the parties, the Probation Office and victims; and their own judgment and experience, Howell said. Public criticism or pressure is not a factor.

Democrats decried the Justice Departments reversal and called for immediate investigations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the Justice Departments inspector general to step in and open an investigation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that Barr had stooped to such levels and that the American people deserve better.

What a sad disappointment to our country, she said.

Barr has been a steadfast ally of the presidents since he returned to the top post at the Justice Department last year. He cleared the president of obstruction of justice even when special counsel Robert Mueller had pointedly declined to do so, and has declared that the FBIs Russia investigation, which resulted in charges against Stone, had been based on a bogus narrative.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Alibaba Group is seen during Alibaba Group's 11.11 Singles' Day global shopping festival at the company's headquarters in Hangzhou

By Akanksha Rana and Josh Horwitz

(Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd warned of a drop in revenues at its key e-commerce businesses this quarter as the coronavirus sweeping China hits supply chains and deliveries.

The warning from executives came during an earnings call for the quarter ending in December 2019, during which the company beat analyst estimates and brought in record transactions for its annual Singles' Day shopping event.

CEO Daniel Zhang said the delayed return to work following the Lunar New Year, due to the virus outbreak which has killed more than 1,350 people in China and infected thousands more, had caused problems for merchants and delays in fulfilling orders.

He said food delivery orders had dropped year-on-year due to the number of restaurants that had closed as a result of the outbreak. And while the company has seen a surge in demand for goods from its Hema supermarkets, it has been held back by limited delivery capacity.

Finance chief Maggie Wu said most of Alibaba's businesses that rely on the sale of physical goods would likely see a decline in revenues this quarter.

"We like other businesses are not immune to supply and demand," she said. "Their recovery and long term success will translate to long term growth for Alibaba Group."

Despite the downbeat forecast, Zhang said that as of Monday Alibaba had observed more people in large cities going back to work and logistics networks returning to normal operations.

He also said DingTalk, the company's enterprise chat app, had seen "explosive growth" during the crisis as white collar businesses and schools use it for remote working and online lessons.

"Alibaba's earnings for the next couple of quarters are certainly likely to take a hit from the coronavirus outbreak. However, the company's business is strong enough to withstand the brief downturn, with its cloud computing business set to lead the charge for a more positive outlook," said Jesse Cohen, senior analyst at financial markets platform Investing.com.

Q3 BEATS FORECASTS

Story continues

Alibaba usually reports its highest revenue in the December quarter due to its mega Singles' Day shopping bonanza in November. The company said sales during the 24-hour event hit a record $38.4 billion in 2019.

The group primarily generates revenue by selling advertising and promotional services to third-party merchants that list products on its e-commerce sites, Taobao and Tmall.

The company said it was supporting the fight against the coronavirus outbreak by ensuring supply of daily necessities and introducing relief measures for its merchants.

Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial's MYBank unit has said it will offer 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) in loans to companies in China in the wake of the outbreak.

The outbreak, which originated in the city of Wuhan, has resulted in companies laying off workers, seeking cheaper funding and struggling to restart production after an extended Lunar New year holiday, as supply chains are disrupted.

Alibaba is often viewed as a window into the health of China's consumer economy, which Beijing views as key to continued economic growth.

The epidemic is expected to pile more pressure on China's economy, just as the government had hoped a preliminary deal with the United States would ease a protracted trade war that had weighed on its growth.

Sales in Alibaba's core commerce business jumped 38% to 141.48 billion yuan in its third quarter ended Dec. 31, while revenue at its cloud computing unit surged 62% to 10.72 billion.

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders rose to 52.31 billion yuan from 33.05 billion.

Excluding items, the company earned 18.19 yuan per American Depository Share (ADS). Analysts had expected 15.75 yuan per ADS, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Total revenue rose about 38% to 161.46 billion yuan, beating estimates of 159.28 billion yuan.

U.S.-listed shares of the company were up nearly 1% at $226.30 in premarket trade.

(Reporting by Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru and Josh Horwitz in Shanghai; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Mark Potter)
NATO's training and support mission in Afghanistan and the challenge posed by Russias missile systems are expected to top the agenda of the second day of a summit of the alliances defense ministers.



Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the allies would discuss in Brussels on February 13 their response to the whole range of Russian missile systems -- conventional and nuclear -- currently deployed or under development.



The meeting follows the demise of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty last year that banned Russia and the United States from deploying land-based, short- and intermediate-range nuclear weapons.



Washington withdrew from the INF Treaty following years of accusations that Moscow had developed and deployed a ground-launched cruise missile -- the 9M729 missile, also known as the SSC-8 -- in violation of the pacts restrictions.



The move, reciprocated by Moscow, sparked concerns of a new arms race between the world's leading nuclear-armed powers.



The Brussels meeting is set to end with a gathering of all nations contributing to the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, amid apparent progress toward a deal between the United States and the Taliban to end the more than 18-year conflict in the country.



On February 12, Stoltenberg reiterated that NATO "fully supports the U.S.-led peace efforts, which can pave the way for intra-Afghan talks."



But the Taliban "need to demonstrate that they are both willing and capable to deliver a reduction of violence and contribute to peace in good faith," the secretary-general insisted.



He said the militant fighters have to understand that they will never win on the battlefield. They have to make real compromises around the negotiating table.



Earlier, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted he had been informed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of notable progress in talks between U.S. and Taliban negotiators, which have now lasted for more than a year.



The prospective deal would see the U.S. pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan, while the Taliban would provide security guarantees and launch eventual talks with the Western-backed government in Kabul.



There are some 12,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, as well as thousands of European forces participating in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.



Stoltenberg said the NATO allies are ready to continue to support, train, assist, and advise the Afghan security forces as long as that is wanted and needed to create the conditions for a lasting peace.

With reporting by dpa and AFP
WASHINGTON  As President Trump enters his re-election year, his administrations focus on the nations veterans has emerged as a centerpiece of the campaign. But the agency tasked with caring for more than nine million former service members, a department he claims to have transformed, is showing signs of disarray.

The mysterious firing last week of the deputy secretary of veterans affairs was only the latest in a string of incidents that have shaken the second-largest cabinet agency in the government as it embarks on ambitious changes to veterans health care.

The departments secretary, Robert L. Wilkie, got into an unusual public confrontation last month with a senior House policy adviser on female veterans issues who said she was sexually assaulted at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Washington. After receiving a complaint that Mr. Wilkie had tried to dig up dirt on the woman, a reserve Navy intelligence officer, the House Veterans Affairs Committee filed a formal complaint with the departments inspector general.

Last fall, that same inspector general reported that a new office formed to protect whistle-blowers often retaliated against them instead.
It's still not known how many prisons or which prisons would close if Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal is adopted, but Anthony Annucci  acting commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision  revealed some information about the plan at a legislative hearing Wednesday.

Annucci was asked about prison closures during the public protection budget hearing in Albany. Cuomo, who has closed 17 prisons since taking office in 2011, wants authority from state lawmakers to expedite the closure of more state prisons. Under the proposal, Cuomo could close prisons if he gives state legislative leaders at least 90 days' notice.

Assemblyman David Weprin, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Correction, inquired about how many prisons would be closed this year. Annucci said a number hasn't been specified.

"But in discussions with the state we've indicated 2,500 beds would be impacted," he continued. When Weprin asked if that could be as many as two or three prisons, Annucci responded, "That would be within the realm of possibility."

The main reason for prison closures is the declining population of incarcerated individuals. The prison population has fallen from 57,229 when Cuomo took office in 2011 to 43,881 as of Feb. 1. Annucci noted the number of inmates held in the state's 52 correctional facilities is at its lowest total since 1987.

This is the second year in a row Cuomo sought to close state prisons. He included a similar proposal in his executive budget amendments last year. While the state Legislature didn't include it in their one-house budget plans, the final state budget gave the governor authority to close up to three prisons.

Cuomo closed two prisons on Sept. 1: Lincoln Correctional Facility, a minimum-security prison in New York City, and Livingston Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in western New York.

At Wednesday's budget hearing, Annucci faced questions from Republican lawmakers about the new round of potential closures. Assemblyman Phil Palmesano criticized the "fast-tracking" of prison closures because he said it shows a "lack of respect for those individuals who have worked in those facilities."

"I really believe this 90-day push adds insult to injury," Palmesano, R-Corning, added.

Annucci explained that the challenge with following the one-year notification requirement in state law is that some employees think they can stop the prison closures by launching a public campaign. When the state announced a year in advance that four prisons would close in 2014, there were rallies held and efforts undertaken to try and save the facilities. But the state still closed the prisons.

While the closures affect employees, Annucci noted that they avoid layoffs with transfers to other correctional facilities or within state government.

Lawmakers also quizzed Annucci about "double-bunking," a practice used in medium-security facilities that the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing state corrections officers, blames for increased violence in prisons. There were 1,265 assaults on inmates and 1,033 assaults on staff in state prisons last year, according to DOCCS.

Annucci acknowledged that double-bunking is used, but he doesn't believe it's contributed to violence in prisons. He thinks other factors, including the presence of gangs in facilities, have led to more violence. He defended double-bunking by noting that inmates wouldn't be in that living situation for an extended period of time.

Cuomo's prison closure plan is part of his 2020-21 executive budget proposal being reviewed by the state Legislature. Lawmakers will finish hearings this month and work on developing their one-house budgets.

The governor and state legislative leaders hope to have a state budget agreement by April 1  the first day of the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, explains why travelers concerned about the coronavirus should not purchase a new travel insurance policy for an existing trip.

Don't Pay for a Policy That Won't Cover Concerns

The biggest concern of travelers is being able to cancel a trip due to fear of contracting the coronavirus either during travel or at their destination. For those travelers, Squaremouth advises against purchasing a policy, as this type of outbreak doesn't fall under covered reasons to cancel on a standard policy.

Changes to cruise itineraries and flight cancellations are also major concerns for travelers. Although travelers may be inconvenienced and want to cancel their trip outright, most standard policies do not include an itinerary change or cancelled flight as a covered reason to cancel a trip. Limited reimbursement may be available under the travel delay benefit for travelers who experience trip delays due to itinerary changes or cancellations.

Coverage to Cancel for Any Reason Can Protect Future Travels

If travelers are still planning or just recently booked future trips, the Cancel for Any Reason benefit can provide the cancellation coverage most travelers are searching for. This upgrade costs around 40% more than a standard travel insurance policy, but it allows travelers to cancel a trip if they are afraid to travel due to the coronavirus and receive a 75% refund of their nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs.

Squaremouth launched the China - Coronavirus Outbreak Travel Insurance Information Center to explain coverage for the virus outbreak. This page is regularly updated by Squaremouth's travel insurance experts, and includes answers to frequently asked questions as well as official statements from providers.

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH

SQUAREMOUTH compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare travel insurance policies side-by-side . More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com .

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Islamabad, Feb 13 : The Pakistan government has approved a set of rules to regulate social media in the country, under which companies will be obliged to disclose any information or data to a designated investigation agency, when sought, and failure to abide by any of the provision will entail a fine of up to $3 million, it was reported on Thursday.

The information to be provided may include subscriber information, traffic data or content data, Dawn news said in a report.

Under the rules, social media platforms will be required to remove any 'unlawful content' pointed out to them in writing or electronically signed email within 24 hours, and in emergency cases within six hours.

The firms will have to establish registered offices with physical address located in Islamabad within next three months and will also be required to appoint a Pakistan-based focal person for coordination with the relevant authorities within three months and establish one or more database servers in the country within 12 months to record and store data and online content.

Information Technology Secretary Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui told Dawn news on Wednesday that the rules were approved by the federal cabinet in its meeting on January 28 and opined that no fresh legislation was required.

Meanwhile, the secretary general of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party Farhatullah Babar voiced concern over the framing of the rules "in an attempt to control the social media".

He said that even if it was a subordinate legislation, it did not conform to the main laws, adding that said these rules should have been brought to parliament under a ruling of the Senate chairman given in 2017.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz parliamentary leader in the Senate Mushahidullah Khan said the government did not believe in consultation, Dawn news reported.

He asked why it had been kept as a guarded secret for about two weeks if the rules had been passed by the cabinet on January 28.
In Uganda, Chinese firm POWERCHINA International Group Limited (PIGL) has requested for a license to develop a $1.4bn Hydroelectric Power Station.

According to their application, the Chinese firm plans to raise funds for the project through a 25-75 percent mix of equity and debt.

If approved, the plant will expand the East African countrys power generation by 40 percent, Al-Jazeera reports.

The Ayago power plant will have a capacity of 840 megawatts (MW) and, when completed, would be Ugandas largest power plant.

The Karuma hydroelectric dam, upstream of Ayago and due to be completed early this year by Chinas Synohydro Corporation, is currently Ugandas largest power project.

Uganda is one of six countries that signed a 2010 Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) that allows upstream Nile basin countries to develop projects along the river without Egypts consent as it was in a previous colonial-era agreement on the use of Nile waters.

Egypt relies on the Nile for 90% of its water. It has historically asserted that having a stable flow of the Nile waters is a matter of survival in a country where water is scarce.

A 1929 treaty (and a subsequent one in 1959) gave Egypt and Sudan rights to nearly all of the Nile waters. The colonial-era document also gave Egypt veto powers over any projects by upstream countries that would affect its share of the waters.
London: A crisis over the future of the Commonwealth and its top official has deepened after the organisation's biggest contributor followed Australia and pulled its funding.

The United Kingdom has refused to hand over about 4.7 million ($9 million) after a damning investigation into a decision by secretary-general Patricia Scotland exposed deep governance problems inside the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat.

Prince Charles with Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland, whose future is in doubt. Credit:AP

Baroness Scotland - a former Labour minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and a lifelong member of the House of Lords - "circumvented" normal tender rules to give $500,000 worth of work to a friend and former colleague, according to a leaked audit.

The Secretariat is the main agency that supports the Commonwealth's 54 member states, co-ordinates diplomacy and policy, and organises the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Even though it has been a few weeks now, everyone is still talking about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepping down from their roles as senior royals.

There are still a lot of questions on everyones mind, and most royal fans are constantly checking the news looking for the latest updates. According to Travel + Leisure, they have decided to split their time between Canada and the United Kingdom, and there is quite a bit of speculation as to how they plan to be financially independent.

Meghan and Harry will no longer be able to use their royal titles of HRH, and it has been predicted that they will have plenty of opportunities to earn a massive amount of money.

As we are all well aware, Meghan is no stranger to television and acting, which is why it makes perfect sense that her first post-Megxit gig is a wedding reality show.

What we know so far about Meghan leaving the royal family

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS  WPA Pool/Getty Images

Harry has been living life in the royal spotlight since the day he was born, but for Meghan, the overwhelming attention was relatively new. Although she had a huge fan base back in her acting days, it was nothing compared to the lack of privacy she experienced as the Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan admitted that she found royal life to be a bit unfair, and she expressed her desire to have a quieter life, especially after Archie was born. Ever since her wedding to Harry, Meghan has been portrayed negatively in the British tabloids, and it got to the point where she had simply had enough.

According to The Sun, one of the main reasons that the royal couple decided to resign from their royal roles was mainly for their son. Meghan and Harry didnt want him being exposed to the level of stress and anxiety that comes along with being a member of the royal family, and they felt that stepping back was the best thing for them to do.

Meghans history in the world of acting

Before her days as a duchess, Meghan was best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits. According to the Hollywood Reporter, she worked hard in order to become a famous actress.

So, how did Meghans career in front of the camera begin? Well, she had several small roles in movies before moving on to her stint as a suitcase model in the popular game show Deal or No Deal. Eventually, she landed a small role as a nurse with a few speaking lines on General Hospital, which eventually led to her big break on Suits.

After joining the royal family in 2018, however, Meghan was required to retire from acting in order to fulfill her duties as a duchess. Now that Megxit is in full swing, it looks like Meghan will be back in front of the camera once again.

Meghan Markles first post-Megxit gig is a wedding reality show

So, what, exactly does Meghan have planned? It looks as if she will make a part-time return to television in a wedding reality show, according to Page Six. I Do, Redo is a Canadian reality show about second weddings, and stars Meghans best friend, Jessica Mulroney.

She will make a few guest appearances on the 10-part series that will air on Netflix, and we cant wait to see how great it will be! We can only imagine how Meghan and Jessica will make the perfect pair as they explore disastrous wedding situations and remake the big day of ten couples. Sounds like Meghans first gig is a fabulous one, and will likely become a favorite of many.
B arclays chief executive Jes Staley was today left fighting for his career after it emerged that City regulators were probing his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

While the bank gave him its wholehearted support and Staley declared he had been fully transparent and open over his dealings with the late financier, the City was left wondering if he could survive.

The Epstein affair follows Staleys embarrassing blunders in ordering an investigation into a whistleblower in 2016 and a messy involvement in a dispute between private-equity giant KKR and his brother-in-law in 2017.

The Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority first quizzed Barclays over its chief executives actions in the summer after reports in the US highlighted his long-standing relationship with Epstein as his private banker at JPMorgan.

Barclays investigated and found Epstein had been honest in his account that it was a previous business relationship that ended in 2015 before he became chief executive. It then passed on the results of its probe to the regulator.

However, it emerged today that, in December, the regulators had been unsatisfied with the response. It launched an inquiry into what Staley told the bank, and what the bank disclosed in its submission to them.

Barclays revealed that ongoing inquiry alongside strong annual results which beat City forecasts and suggested Staleys turnaround of the company was bearing fruit.

However, the City appears split on whether delivering profits was enough to save his job.

Analyst Neil Wilson at markets.com said: Anything relating to Epstein is toxic and this seriously calls into question Staleys judgment. Hes got to go now as he risks tarnishing Barclays reputation as an age-old City institution.

Others, however, stood by him, focusing instead on the banks financial performance.

Investec analyst Ian Gordon said: He continues to confound the sceptics. In an interview with the Evening Standard, Staley said: I have been fully transparent and open. I worked with the guy professionally.

Asked if he should not have cut off contact sooner, he replied: I thought I knew him, but obviously I did not.

A photo from 2011 that appeared in the New York Times shows Staley alongside former US Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, Epstein and Bill Gates. What happens next is not clear. On the face of the statement, there is a possible schism between Staley and his board.

It says that Staley has been sufficiently transparent with the company as regards the nature and extent of his relationship with Epstein, who committed suicide last August.
(Newser)  A Florida jury acquitted a Chinese woman Wednesday of trespassing at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort after she testified she didn't understand a security guard who told her to leave, the AP reports. However, jurors did find Jing Lu, 56, guilty of resisting a police officer without violence during her Dec. 18 arrest. The incident marked the second time in 2019 that a Chinese national was charged with illicitly entering Trump's Florida resort. Prosecutors told jurors that Lu purposely intruded in a calculated" and planned" manner. She has been in custody since her arrest because her visa to remain in the United States has expired. Palm Beach County Judge Mark Eissey set Lu's sentencing for Friday. She faces up to one year in jail on the misdemeanor charge.

story continues below

Prosecutors said she ignored a warning to leave the grounds and returned through a side entrance and continued taking pictures. Mar-a-Lago is now Trump's official residence, moving there from New York City last year, but he was not in Florida when Lu was arrested. Lu, testifying through a Mandarin interpreter, said she paid $200 for a Chinese guide to drop her off at various South Florida locations. She said her language barrier prevented her from understanding a security officer's orders to leave the property. Security guard Murray Fulton told jurors he used hand gestures to make his warnings clear to her. Mar-a-Lago has had a rash of security breaches, with at least three trespassing events over the past 14 months.

(Read more Mar-a-Lago stories.)
Bollywood couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal have denied rumours of their impending wedding. Recent reports suggested that the couple, whove been together for over five years, were set to tie the knot in June.

Now, all the media needs to do is tell us the name of our unborn children, Richa told Bollywood Hungama. Ali said, Arrey no. Its not true. People are so vella (jobless). I dont know who has said all this. I have been getting calls since morning. I will give you a heads-up on it whenever it happens.

On Wednesday, Mumbai Mirror quoted a source as saying that their wedding would happen during the monsoon season. Richa and Ali are very happy together and are keen to take the next step to further consolidate their bond. Though they are looking at June-July to formalise their relationship, the preference is the first half of June.

The source offered further details: As of now, Mumbai and Delhi have been finalised as the venues for the functions. Both the families are drawing up a list of potential venues, but they will be finalised only after the date is set.

In an earlier interview to Bombay Times, Richa spoke about wedding plans. We dont have time. If we were to talk about marriage, it will be like... I dont have dates in March, May is too hot, we are shooting a film in June, it rains too much in July... It will become like a line production job. We are waiting and chilling, and we are in a happy space. Our relationship is a great creative partnership. No one that sees us together feels like its a mismatch, she said.

In an interview to Hindustan Times, Ali said, Were two mature individuals, so we know what do we want to do, how and when we want to do certain things? Our families are cooperative, they understand and are ready to give us time. I dont understand that if they can, why cant the world? As and when we think that its time well get hitched and also let everyone know.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Tullamore native Rory Bracken says he currently homeless and has "nowhere to go" after being discharged from the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore following hip surgery.

Mr Bracken underwent surgery on January 25 after breaking his hip while helping a friend move bales of hay in Co Laois a day previous. He had been staying with a friend there as he had nowhere else to go but he says that is not a longterm solution. He was discharged from hospital on Friday, February 7.

Mr Bracken arrived back in Ireland from Kenya in October of last year after a legal battle over his visa. He spent time in a Kenyan prison having been arrested for visa discrepancies but he was later cleared in court. He is now in the middle of taking legal action against the authorities as a result and says he fears for his life if when he returns to the African country.

Discharged

Rory claims he was discharged from Tullamore and put into a taxi to Carlow County Council as he collects his social welfare in Carlow. He says he was told in Tullamore Hospital that they were expecting him there but that when he arrived, they knew nothing about his situation. When the office was closing he was told he had to leave and was "lucky" a friend took him in for the weekend.

"If it wasn't for me calling a friend, I was on the street the other night with a broken hip, a suitcase, a bag and no way of moving anywhere."

"In this day and age, you wouldn't do that to a dog," Rory added. "How is it acceptable that a man can be discharged from hospital with nowhere to go?"

He then went to Laois County Council on Monday morning last, February 10, as he had been staying with a friend in Arles prior to his accident. He told the Offaly Express that he met recently re-elected TD Brian Stanley in the offices and that he tried to help. He was later told they couldn't help him in Laois and he was directed to Kilkenny County Council where he had dealt with the housing services before leaving for Africa. He attended their offices on Wednesday, February 12.

A representative in the housing section in Kilkenny arranged for him to be accommodated in a homeless shelter in Kilkenny city but upon further communication on his health and recent surgery, the hostel was deemed unsuitable.

He was accommodated in a disability-accessible room in a city hotel by the council and was also given a voucher for food. He said he was "happy to get a place to put his head down" but was worried about the next step. Rory says he was well looked after by housing staff in Kilkenny, adding, "there are good people out there. We can't say everybody is bad."

At the time of writing on Thursday evening, Rory was sitting in a hotel in Kilkenny with no contact from the county council in relation to a more permanent solution.

Anger

Rory expressed anger at his discharge from Tullamore, saying, "I'm an Irish citizen. I've given my time to mission work helping poor people in Africa and it's a sad day to be left in this situation where the Irish government can't find you a place in an emergency like this."

In documents seen by the Offaly Express, the hospital recorded the fact that Rory had presented as homeless. His discharge summary reflected this by describing discharge as "difficult" as the patient [Rory] is "reporting as homeless," something he had done at admission stage.

The summary claimed accommodation had been organised by a discharge planner, an assertion Rory claims is untrue after his experience in Carlow.

Rory further states that he was given a prescription for drugs to help with the pain associated with his recovery from surgery that he "simply can't afford." "I haven't a dime and I was contacted again to say I have a follow-up appointment in Tullamore on Thursday but I've no money, no way of getting there. What do they expect me to do?"

Rory's situation is complicated by the fact he left a HAP house a number of years ago to travel to Africa to help with the missions. He had been preaching in Kenya for a number of years before returning. His wife is from and is still living in Uganda. He says she is trying to get a visa to join him in Ireland.

"I didn't plan any of this. My plan when I came home was to get back to work and make a few bob and do what I had to do to go back to the missions. Then I had this accident and it put me homeless and it has really put me out because I've no way of paying rent," he explained.

"It's a desperate situation I didn't ask for. I'm not looking for free money or anything above anyone else. I'm just asking to be treated fairly," Rory commented.

Hospital Response

When contacted by the Offaly Express in relation to Rory's situation, a spokesperson for the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore said: "The HSE cannot comment on individual cases. Prior to discharge from Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT), patients who present as homeless are given the relevant contact numbers and clinic dates.

"Should the patient require home supports on discharge the MRHT Discharge Co-ordinator links directly with the local homeless officer regarding same."

The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore made no further comment when asked about the specifics of Rory's discharge.

UPDATE: Rory was informed on Thursday evening, February 13, that he would be placed in a rehab facility for seven weeks. He will now attend St. Luke's Hospital for a referral to that facility.
ALERT! Maxine Waters Issues Statement on New Voting Process in Los Angeles

Did you know polling places are out and voting has begun in Los Angeles? L.A. County voters will now have the option for where, when and how to vote.

There is a new voting experience in Los Angeles County called Voting Solutions for All People, also known as VSAP for short. VSAP was launched by the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) to address an aging voting system and the complex needs of an electorate with 5.3 million voters. Its labeled convenient, secure, accessible and increases options.

Although many are excited about the new process, there is a larger concern in the Black community that not enough awareness has been done to educate the community. Congresswoman Maxine Waters stated, while these changes may be straightforward, I am extremely concerned about the lack of information that has been shared with L.A. County residents, which could lead to confusion for members of our community on election day.

It is imperative that the L.A. County Registrars Office disseminate information about these changes through radio, television, and newspaper advertising and by working with local clergy members, elected officials, civil rights leaders, and advocacy groups to spread the word about the new voting system.

To that end, I have already held four town hall meetings in my District that included presentations by Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Dean C. Logan, who demonstrated the new voting machines, explained how and where they will be used, and answered questions from leaders across the 43rd District.

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Nevertheless, I remain incredibly worried about the lack of awareness and outreach in our community, Waters stated.

Monday, Feb. 3 was the first day to vote-by-mail. Those ballots can also be returned in person at secure county ballot boxes, polling locations and vote centers on March 3, according to the California Secretary of States Office. The last day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot is Feb. 25. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by March 3 and will be accepted via mail through March 6. Early voting has also begun at county registrars office.

Waters continued, I want each and every resident of Los Angeles County to be aware that our county has adopted a completely new voting system that will be implemented for the first time in our March 3 primary and November 11 general election.

While our early voting period has been extended to 11 days, the new voting system has overhauled more than 5,000 traditional polling places and replaced them with approximately 970 new voting centers. The new system also utilizes new touchscreen voting machines that will print out paper ballots, and each voting center will have staff on hand to answer questions about the new machines.

The new election model gives voters the flexibility to choose when, where and how they vote by expanding in-person early voting and giving voters the opportunity to cast a ballot at any vote centers within their county.

Waters concluded, L.A. County must not suffer the same fate as Iowa. Our new voting system must be easily understood, accessible, and verifiable. I will continue to do all that I can to inform L.A. County residents of the changes that have been made to our voting system.

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I urge all L.A. County residents to not only ensure that their family members and friends are aware of the changes to our system, but to also take the time to locate the new voting centers in their community and take advantage of the extended early voting days.

I also encourage residents to familiarize themselves with the new touchscreen equipment, to ask for help if they experience issues with the machines on election day, and to verify their paper ballot printouts before submitting them.

If you see something, say something. We cannot allow our democracy to be weakened or the integrity of our elections to be undermined because we fail to fully understand and inform our community about our new voting system. We must do everything in our power to ensure that every L.A. County resident can fully participate in our election.

To find your polling place / vote center visit https://locator.lavote.net/locations/vc
Reader recommends aquatics arthritis class

To the editor:

Many thanks MDN for telling my story about the role of the Heart Failure and Valve Clinic (Mid-Michigan Regional Health Center) in keeping my heart healthy and myself, out of the hospital for congestive heart failure (Feb. 10, 2020).

However, I believe your editing of the story left behind a crucial element in my return to a healthy heart.

That element is my regular participation in the aquatics arthritis class offered at 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Community Center. In this class, led by our amazing instructor Ronna Lamblin, I have found encouragement, companionship, fun and especially useful exercises in water to ward off arthritis problems and especially, another means to stay healthy, out of the hospital and do so in a fun and caring atmosphere. It is here where I have come to understand the health value and need for a "tight core."

I have been participating in this class for five years and it has become for me a "must do" activity.

I heartily encourage and welcome others who have a bit -- or lot -- of arthritis to join us. It is a healthy and fun way to exercise -- while in warm water -- with a bunch of really nice people. I hope to see some newcomers there soon.

ED HUTCHISON

Midland

Reader concerned about dams -- Part 1

To the editor:

Midland and Gladwin county commissioners, are you happy now you let the Four Lakes Task Force lead you right into a money pit? The problem is the residents and taxpayers in the special assessment district will not find gold, but will be putting in their hard-earned money instead.

So what is the truth no one knows? What are the facts? Front lots pay $350, back lots pay $88, but no one knows why. A FLTF member told me it would be closer to $450 for front lots. Why the difference? Was it to get this passed with less complaints? Even with weed control, back lots pay half of what front lots pay. And who set up the amounts?

Taxpayers should have had a vote on this but the FLTF didn't want it because they knew it would not pass. The court and commissioners helped them with that. The FLTF said they would not own dams and lake bottoms but Midland County sold the lake bottom to the FLTF for around $40,000 when Boyce didn't pay the tax on them. So what's the truth?

Whoever owns the lake bottoms also owns contour 633 and 622 and that authority could charge a fee to cross them. Midland County sent a letter stating they would not do that when they owned them, but who knows what the new owners will do in the future? In 1962, Wolverine Power sent a letter to lake property owners stating they could cross contour 633 but they could not build docks or seawalls on their property. Wolverine sold 633 and 622 to people who wanted to buy them for $200.

The U.S. government surveyed dams over 50 years old and all had leaking problems. The dams in the FLTF are in that group. Why would anyone want to buy 100-year-old dams with so many repair problems?

Someday the special assessment will be more than the property tax.

NEHIL KEELEY

Sanford

Reader takes issue with immigration presentation

To the editor:

I am curious why the article on Northwood's "Mass immigration presentation" reported that the 2017 foreign-born population in the US was quadruple the number in 1965 without noting that (1) in 1965, the US lifted very restrictive quotas, which has permitted greater numbers of people to immigrate, and (2) as a percentage of total population, the number has only doubled.

I am also curious about why speaker Ramesh Ponnuru states the 1890-1920 period of immigration, followed by 40 years of "pausing," "is remembered as successful." It's not clear who remembers this as a success, but surely not the thousands of European Jewish refugees who were barred by the 1924 immigration quotas and ended up perishing at the hands of the Nazis.

And speaking of the Immigration Act of 1924, it's odd to hear Ponnuru describe it innocuously as a "pause" without also mentioning that it was deliberately designed to keep out southern and eastern Europeans, mostly Catholics and Jews, as well as all Asian immigrants. Or that one of its sponsors, Albert Johnson, was also head of the Eugenics Research Association.

We do know one person who was extremely impressed by the Immigration Act, however, and considered it a model for creating a nationalistic state based on purity of blood: Adolf Hitler. But Ponnuru surely knows all this, as a Princeton history major. Odd that he wouldn't mention it. If the goal is truly to have an open dialogue about immigration policy, it's important to put facts in context.

KRISTIN OLBERTSON

Midland
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 13)  Six more Filipinos aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan have tested positive for the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infected Filipinos to 11, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The DFA said the infected Filipinos are admitted in hospitals in and around Tokyo and "are responding well to treatment," citing the Philippine Embassy in the city.

On Sunday, the DFA reported five Filipinos  all crew members of the ship  tested positive for the infection. There are more than 3,700 people on board the vessel currently in Yokohama  538 of these passengers are Filipinos.

The DFA added that the embassy is also sending care packages with toiletries and non-medical supplies to the confined Filipinos and those who are still on board the cruise ship.

The Diamond Princess has been quarantined since February 4 after a former passenger tested positive for the COVID-19. A total of 175 people in the vessel have become infected with the disease, the largest outbreak of the virus outside of mainland China, CNN reported.
India has already stocked medicines and other necessary requirements to tackle coronavirus outbreak if a situation like China arrises in the country, Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said here on Thursday.

"In the morning, Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya briefed me that his ministry has already stocked medicines and other necessary requirements if any untoward incident like China occurs here," said Dr Vardhan.

He also said India is prepared through its various timely measures and sturdy system of surveillance for novel coronavirus.

He made these remarks during a meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) to review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness and measures taken regarding the management of novel coronavirus in the country.

The GoM was constituted on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While its first meeting was held on February 3 at Nirman Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Vardhan, the second meeting of the GOM was held here today.

It was chaired by Dr Vardhan along with Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S Puri, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai, Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping and Minister of State, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Dr Vardhan said that regular reviews are held with all related Ministries of Health, Defence, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Commerce, Panchayati Raj and other officials including State Chief Secretaries.

"We have good and effective co-ordination among ministries, robust surveillance system, a network of laboratories to support diagnosis, upgraded medical facilities, trained health workforce and media presence that can reach even remote areas," he said.

"We have put all these resources at our disposal to prevent/contain an outbreak of novel coronavirus in India", he stated. In addition to the ministerial meetings, a video conference is being held every other day with the states to review their preparedness and actions.

The GOM was also informed about the two quarantine centres having 645 persons evacuated from Wuhan. The camps are being maintained by the Armed Forces and The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). All inhabitants are medically examined on a daily basis. The GoM was apprised that all the evacuees have tested negative for COVID-19.

During the meeting, the GOM was also briefed that a total of 2,315 flights have been screened covering a total of 2,49,447 passengers.

The GOM was also apprised that adequate materials like personal protection equipment (PPE) and N95 masks are available and the situation is closely monitored in all States and UTs. The preparedness and actions are being reviewed at the highest level every day by the Union Health Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in addition to Secretary (HFW).

The meeting was also attended by Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, H Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, Civil Aviation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy presented his governments case to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a host of issues, including the plan to have three capitals for the state and the resolution to abolish the Legislative Council.

The Chief Minister also invited the Prime Minister to attend a programme in the state on March 25 (Telugu New Year's Day Ugadi), wherein 25 lakh house-sites would be distributed to eligible families on a single day.

The Chief Minister, who air-dashed to New Delhi on a call from the Prime Minister's Office, had a 100-minute meeting with him at the latters residence.

He presented a 10-point memorandum to the Prime Minister for expeditious action by the Central government on issues related to the state, a press release from the CMO here said. Jagan told Modi that the idea behind "three capitals for the state" was to ensure comprehensive development of all regions of the state by removing the imbalances in growth.

"In this direction, we have decided to decentralize the administration by locating the executive capital in Visakhapatnam, judicial capital in Kurnool and legislative capital in Amaravati.

The state Cabinet has already approved this plan, while the Decentralisation Bill was passed by the state assembly, the release quoted Reddy as telling the Prime Minister.

However, there was no mention about the legislative hurdle the Bill has been facing, as the Council decided to refer it to a Select Committee for further scrutiny. But Reddy complained to Modi that the Legislative Council was trying to block legislation brought in by the duly-elected government.

"In this backdrop, the Assembly passed a resolution with two-thirds majority seeking abolition of the Council.I request you to direct the Union Law Ministry to take further action in this regard," Jagan added.

He also requested the Prime Minister to direct the Law Ministry to initiate steps to shift the AP High Court to Kurnool, the proposed judicial capital, from Amaravati.

Stating that his government enacted the AP Disha Act-2019 for expeditious trial of sexual harassment and assault cases against women and children, with death penalty as the maximum punishment, the Chief Minister requested the Centre to give its consent to it.

Reddy also took up the Special Category Status issue, revenue deficit grant, Polavaram multipurpose project,backward districts development grant and the annual grants from the Centre that were due to the state, the release said. As the 15th Finance Commission left the SCS issue to the Centre's discretion, Jagan wanted Modi to take necessary decision in this regard.

Of the Rs 22,948.76 crore revenue deficit grant the Centre owed the state post-bifurcation, Rs 18969.26 crore was still to be released, he pointed out, and requested that it be expedited due to the states precarious financial position.

Referring to Polavaram, Jagan requested the Centre to immediately accord administrative approval to the enhanced project cost of Rs 55,549 crore, which the Water Resources Technical Advisory Committee had already cleared. Of this, Rs 33,010 crore would have to be spent on rehabilitation and resettlement of project oustees. Also, the Centre has to reimburse Rs 3,320 crore that the state already spent on Polavaram project works.

"We are determined to complete Polavaram by 2021, so please arrange for quick disbursal of required funds for the project," the Chief Minister pleaded. Reddy requested that the money be released immediately.

Noting that only Rs 10,610 crore was released to the state in the form of various Central grants in the current fiscal, he sought release of all pending grants. Among other things, the Chief Minister requested release of funds for construction of a new port at Ramayapatnam, steel plant in Kadapa district and inter-linking of Godavari and Krishna rivers in the state. He also wanted release of Rs 1,000 crore due from the Centre towards building the states new capital city.
Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africans stepped out of offices and university classes on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Zozibini Tunzi, on a homecoming tour after she was crowned Miss Universe in December.

Wearing short natural hair, a multi-coloured African print dress and a white Miss Universe sash, the 26-year-old toured the streets of the Johannesburg in an open topped bus.

She returned to South Africa at the weekend from the US after she finished first ahead of the Puerto Rican and Mexican finalists.

On arrival Tunzi went straight to her home town in the Eastern Cape province where received a warm welcome complete with pomp and traditional Xhosa and Zulu dances at a stadium.

Tunzi made history to become the first Miss Universe wearing a short, natural haircut. She turned into an instant inspiration among blacks across the world.

"I want to re-assure people that this hair is as beautiful as any other hair," she said on arrival in South Africa on Saturday.

"I want people to stop asking me 'why do you choose to have your hair', because it's my hair  it's normal," she said.

Tunzi beat more than 90 contestants from around the globe in the 68th instalment of Miss Universe, which was held in Atlanta's Tyler Perry Studios.

When she was crowned Miss Universe, she vowed she wants to help change beauty norms and hopes her win will inspire other young girls to pursue their dreams.

"I did not know I would be Miss Universe because I did not know it was possible for someone like me. But now I confidently know that when you ask a young girl who looks like me do they know if they can become Miss Universe? I know they can say that they can," she said in earlier this week.

- 'Black girls can dream' -

One of her fans, Athabile Nkalati, 35, an office worker for the South African Communist Party came out of her office in downtown Johannesburg to see her.

"Black girls can dream. Nothing can stop us. Just because you were born in a rural area, ... it does mean you won't be able to become someone in the world one day," said Nkalati.

Story continues

Eighteen-year-old student Lebogang Petje, after watching Zozi's parade in downtown Johannesburg said: "I am proud to see someone who is Miss Universe who is in her natural state. It is inspirational".

Tunzi has also vowed to wage a campaign to fight violence against women.

In November she asked South African men to write messages of love to women to be inscribed onto ribbons of fabric that were going to be used on her costume at the pageant.

For the national costume contest she wore a skirt with 2,000 of those messages sewn onto ribbons in South African flag colours.

Petje, who wore a black t-shirt with the inscription "towards a world without rape and violence" when she went to watch Miss Universe, was confident Tunzi had what it takes to fight the scourge in South Africa where one female is killed every three hours and each day 137 sexual offences are committed.

"With her title, she has more resources to actually make an impact," she said. "And actually get a platform to educate people on gender violence."
A 31-year-old Wisconsin school staffer accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student allegedly told police she was going through extensive personal issues in her life at the time of the alleged relationship.

Courtney Roznowski was arrested in August after Child Protective Services received a tip of a Green Bay Southwest High School staffer having a sexual relationship with a student, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Action 2 News, Fox11 and the Green Bay Press Gazette.

An employee at the school told investigators that school staff members had been talking about how Roznowski was unusually close with a 16-year-old student she was often seen escorting through the halls, according to the complaint.

When police spoke to the victim, he denied the rumors but said he was aware of allegations of an inappropriate relationship between the pair, saying, Well, it is every kids dream to do a teacher.

During an interview with investigators, Roznowski denied having a sexual relationship with the student. But when she was asked to hand over her phone, she began to cry. She allegedly said, We chatted a couple of times so I could make sure he was OK, the complaint states.

Roznowski then allegedly admitted she started having sex with the teen in mid-July, but that she initially intended to be the boys mentor. She allegedly said she loved him in the way [that] I didnt want to see anything happen to him.

Roznowski told police she was drinking heavily at the time of the relationship.

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She allegedly admitted to having sex with the student twice, recalling that she was really drunk during one encounter, and woke up throwing up in the [victims] house, according to the complaint.

Story continues

When police went back to the student, he reportedly admitted to the sexual relationship and said Roznowski told him he was special and deserved special things.

The student said he eventually ended the relationship.

On Monday, Roznowski appeared in court for a status hearing. She is charged with three counts of sexual assault of a student by a school staffer and two counts of exposing intimate parts to a child.

A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 9. Following her arrest in August, Roznowski was released on a $10,000 signature bond.

Her attorney information was not available Thursday. She has been placed on administrative leave by the Green Bay Area Public School District.
Redlining specifically targeted black and brown communities and has been part of all the ways in which systemic exclusion from wealth and income has hit communities of color, said Rashad Robinson, president of the civil rights group Color of Change.

The fact that he and his campaign would try to redefine this rather than talk about how theyre going to solve it speaks to not just a level of tone-deafness about this moment that we are in, but a really deep dismissal of the pain that has caused so many families and so many communities, he said.

Mr. Bloomberg has sought to address the criticism over his record on race, which picked up this week after remarks he made in 2015 about stop-and-frisk resurfaced. In them, he said that ninety-five percent of your murders  murderers and murder victims  fit one M.O. Specifically, he said, they were male, minorities, 16 to 25.

In a statement on Tuesday, he apologized for taking too long to understand the impact that stop-and-frisk policing had on Black and Latino communities. His statement, which noted that he inherited the policing tactic before cutting it back, omitted the role he played in expanding stop-and-frisk, and ignored that the decline he cited was partly the result of litigation and political pressure.

At an African-American outreach event in Houston on Thursday, Mr. Bloomberg spoke at length about the policing policies he oversaw as mayor. He said he would have acted sooner to end stop-and-frisk had he understood the pain it caused to young black and brown kids and to their families.

And for that I apologized, he added, drawing applause and murmurs of approval from the audience of several hundred.

Mr. Loeser, the Bloomberg spokesman, said in his statement on Thursday, after the redlining comments emerged: Because he knows how important it is to keep people in their homes, Mike attacked predatory lending as mayor and helped other cities craft innovative strategies to reduce evictions as a philanthropist. And Mike has detailed plans for how he will help a million more black families buy a house, and counteract the effects of redlining and the subprime mortgage crisis as president.
Boarding parties from the Navy's guided-missile cruiser Normandy stopped a dhow in the Arabian Sea earlier this week and confiscated a cache of Iranian-made surface-to-air missiles and other advanced weaponry bound for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, U.S. Central Command said Thursday.

A video released by CENTCOM showed a small boat from the Ticonderoga-class Normandy approaching the dhow on Feb. 9 as crew members of the traditional Mideastern vessel gathered at the bow with arms raised in surrender.

In addition to three surface-to-air missiles, the arms cache included 150 "Dehlavieh" anti-tank guided missiles, Iranian thermal imaging weapon scopes, Iranian components for aerial drones and unmanned small boats, "as well as other munitions and advanced weapons parts," CENTCOM officials said in a statement.

The arms cache was similar to one seized in the Arabian Sea by the guided-missile destroyer Forrest Sherman in November, CENTCOM said.

The weapons seized by the Sherman "were determined to be of Iranian origin and assessed to be destined for the Houthis in Yemen" in violation of a United Nations Security Council Resolution barring weapons transfers to the Houthis, CENTCOM said.

The CENTCOM statement did not address the fate of the dhow's crew, but past practice for seizures of Iranian arms has been for the crews to be released after questioning.

The action by the Normandy in seizing the arms cache was the first publicly announced haul haul for the U.S. Navy since a Jan. 4 drone strike at Baghdad's International Airport that killed Iranian Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani.

Related: CENTCOM: Iran Never Warned RQ-4 Drone Before Shootdown

Iran responded to Soleimani's killing with ballistic missile strikes on Al Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province on Jan. 8. The Pentagon said earlier this week that a total of 104 U.S. troops at Al Asad have since been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury from the concussive effects of the missile strikes.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) boards a stateless dhow in the Arabian Sea and interdicts an illicit shipment of advanced weapons intended for the Houthis in Yemen, Feb. 9, 2020. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)

The seizure by the Normandy suggested that Iran has not been deterred in what the U.S. calls its "malign activities" to spread influence in the region.

Iran has long backed the Houthis, who last week claimed more missile strikes against Saudi Arabia, in Yemen's civil war, which has resulted in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

The Houthi uprising in 2015 seized control of much of the country and forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Since then, a coalition of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been fighting to restore Hadi to power. Periodic international efforts at brokering a ceasefire and peace deal have been unsuccessful.

The U.S. has supported Saudi Arabia with refueling flights and training for Saudi pilots in avoiding civilian targets.

In Nov. 2018, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the effort to bring peace to Yemen was a reason to maintain close military ties with Saudi Arabia, despite the murder of Washington Post contributor and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi.

In an informal session with Pentagon reporters at the time, Mattis said he was working closely with United Nations Special Envoy Martin Griffiths to arrange for peace talks, but that effort also failed.

According to the UN office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the conflict in Yemen has killed at least 100,000, displaced 4.3 million people and left an estimated 80% of a population of 24 million in dire need of basic necessities.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Read More: National Guard Generals: America Needs a Space Guard
A Saudi-led coalition fighting Huthi rebels has begun moves to put on trial those accused of being behind several deadly air strikes on civilians in Yemen, reports said Thursday.

"The judicial authorities have begun the procedures of the trial, and the judgements will be announced once they acquire the peremptory status," said coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The Saudi-led military coalition -- which includes the United Arab Emirates -- intervened in the Yemen conflict on the side of the government in March 2015, shortly after Iran-aligned Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa.

Both the coalition and the rebels stand accused of actions that could amount to war crimes.

The cases which are being investigated include the 2016 deadly bombing of a hospital supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), in which 19 people were killed, the Saudi-based Arab said.

The cases also involve a 2018 air strike on a school bus in Dahyan that killed at least 40 children and a raid on a wedding party the same year in the Huthi-controlled Bani Qais area of Hajjah province which left 20 dead.

Maliki, who was speaking at a press conference in London on Wednesday, said the Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT) -- which the coalition established but says operates independently -- has transferred files of the investigation results to the relevant countries.

The coalition was committed to holding responsible "violators... of international humanitarian law -- if any -- in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country in the coalition", Maliki added.

Tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have been killed and millions have been displaced in the conflict in Yemen, which the United Nations says is gripped by the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BBC Afrique media staff protested against the dismissal of journalist Jacques Matand and the sanctions taken against several colleagues, regarding an interview with Franco-Cameroonian writer Charles Onana on Rwanda. The International Federation of Journalists support all their demands to the BBC management board.

BBC Afrique statement:

It is with great concern, We, BBC Afrique employees, learned the dismissal of our colleague Jacques Matand Diyambi and the sanctions taken against several colleagues, regarding an interview with Franco-Cameroonian writer Charles Onana on Rwanda, broadcasted four times on radio and published on the BBC Afrique website.

Therefore , we would like to inform you of the followings:

After reading Mr. Matand's dismissal letter, we are shocked to realize that the decision was motivated by an alleged complaint by the Rwandan authorities, several weeks after the interview was broadcasted.

BBC Afrique union contacted several Rwandan authorities to inquire about the complaint but they denied that there was no complaint in regard with the interview done by our colleague. Furthermore, speaking to different international media such as Jeune Afrique, Voice of America, Rwandan officials have denied making the alleged complaint to BBC management.

We would appreciate if the alleged complaint or any related document that have led to Jacquess dismal and warnings of other colleagues could be made available to us.

We find it difficult to imagine that third parts, Rwandan authorities in this matter, are the main indicator of the quality of the work of a BBC journalist.

We would like to understand how the above-mentioned interview considered as problematic was broadcasted 4 times with the approval of the editor. It was also published by other services such as the Greatlakes service of the BBC without any sanction being taken.

We wonder what could justify such decision in a newsroom placed under the responsibility of an editor? What would be her editorial responsibility? This seems to go against the basics of journalism, the management of newsrooms and against BBC guidelines.

Why the same content qualified as scandalous stood on BBC Afrique website weeks after it was put on air on radio, and days after the dismissal of our colleague.

We would like to remind you that BBC programs were suspended in Rwanda in October 2014 following a documentary made by the BBC panorama service entitled "Rwanda's untold story".

This dismissal of our colleague who happen to be the , Secretary General of the union SYNPICS section, is already causing several reactions all over the world especially on social media. Our facebook page has been receiving various reactions from anger, worries from our listeners.

Over the last decades, BBC has acquired a positive reputation and has established a relationship with its audience based on trust and respect but this decision is jeopardizing that reputation. Congolese politicians and civil society figures have threatened to call for a boycott of BBC Afrique and BBC radio partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The unfair decisions portray BBC as an institution incapable to withstand political pressure and, therefore, compromises its independence by sacrificing one of its journalists to please the Rwandan authorities. This is not worthy of radio, whose history has been marked by total independence from political powers. The epic of the June 18 appeal is a long way off.

We are worried that this unfair decision could be related to the closure of more than 400 jobs announced by BBC management as per the social plan? We are aware of planned redundancies, but we urge that it is done in the respect of the local law

This illegal decision of BBC Afrique management has deteriorated the working environment at BBC Dakar office.

For a peaceful working environment, we would like to invite BBC management to:

Cancel the dismissal of our colleague Jacques Matand.

Cancel all pending sanctions against our other colleagues in Dakar Bureau.

Improve the relationship within the service in order to improve productivity and better programs.

Establish an environment of inclusive dialogue instead of a management based on intimidation and harassment that prevails in Dakar bureau.

We will appreciate BBC management favourable consideration of our request.

This Petition has been endorsed by:
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images(LONDON) -- After a reported speaking engagement in Miami last week, rumors have swirled about what speaking opportunities and jobs Prince Harry may take on in his future role as a non-working member of Britain's royal family.



Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reportedly flew from Vancouver Island, where they've been staying with their 8-month-old son Archie, to Miami last weekend. The couple attended a speaking engagement on Feb. 6 for JPMorgan, the U.S.-headquartered global financial services firm, according to a royal source.



It is not known whether or not Harry and Meghan were paid speakers at the event for JPMorgan, but it is common for speakers at corporate events to receive compensation.



In the days since that event, it's been reported that Harry, 35, has been in negotiations for a speaking role with Goldman Sachs, another U.S.-based global financial services firm.



While Goldman Sachs has been in discussions with the royal for about a year, the discussions center on a partnership between one of Harry's charities and the bank, not with Harry himself, a royal source has confirmed to ABC News.



Goldman Sachs also hosts a "Talks at GS" series that features one-on-one interviews with everyone from supermodel Karlie Kloss to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. That speaking series is not a paid engagement.



Buckingham Palace has not commented on the Goldman Sachs rumors and declined to comment on the private schedule of the Duke and Duchess in regards to the JPMorgan event.



The speculation around the future roles Harry could take on, and the money he could receive, come as he and Meghan prepare to depart this spring as working members of Britain's royal family.



In their new roles, announced in January after intense negotiations, Harry and Meghan will no longer represent Queen Elizabeth and no longer receive public funds for royal duties, freeing them to earn money on their own.



Harry and Meghan, who will no longer use their HRH titles, also plan to spend "the majority of their time" in North America, according to Buckingham Palace. They are currently in Canada but there is speculation that could also spend time in the Los Angeles area, where Meghan was born and raised.



Harry's last public engagement was an event for his Senetable charity on Jan. 20, just before he left the U.K. to reunite with Meghan and Archie in Canada.



Meghan has been photographed walking on Vancouver Island with Archie and the family's dogs, prompting the Sussexes' legal team to issue a legal notice to U.K. media and photo agencies concerning the use of paparazzi agency photos.



Last month, before the couple's new roles were announced, Meghan visited two women-focused organizations in Vancouver. The private meetings only became public after the organizations shared photos on social media.



The next opportunity for the public to see Prince Harry and Meghan back in the U.K. could come as early as next month. Britain's royal family, of which Harry and Meghan remain members, will gather in London on March 9 to mark Commonwealth Day in the U.K.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
While the world mourned the recent death of the young Chinese doctor who was detained by police for exposing the coronavirus, news of another whistle blowing doctor, who exposed the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic 17 years ago, being under house arrest in Beijing has shocked the world.

Since April of last year, authorities have restricted the movements of Jiang Yanyong  the 88-year-old Chinese military surgeon who exposed the governments cover-up of the the SARS epidemic in 2003  and they have cut off his contact with the outside world. The Chinese government took the steps after Jiang wrote to top leadership asking for a reassessment of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement, according to a close friend who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dr. Li Wenliang, 34, an ophthalmologist who worked at the Wuhan Central Hospital in central China, died last Friday after he was infected during the battle against the coronavirus outbreak. His death prompted anger and grief across the nation because he was detained by police in early January after telling his medical school alumni group on social media that seven patients diagnosed with an illness similar to SARS had been quarantined in his hospital.

The mysterious virus was what would become the coronavirus epidemic that so far has killed at least 1,110 and infected more than 45,000 people around the world, mostly in China.

The tragic fate of the two whistleblower doctors, 17 years apart, is a sobering reminder that, despite Chinas stellar economic progress, Chinese citizens are still bereft of basic rights, analysts say. And when they are punished for exposing truths that officials want to conceal, it can have disastrous consequences not only in China, but on a global scale, they say.

Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at Baptist University of Hong Kong, noted that in China and former communist regimes, where human rights are routinely suppressed as a result of censorship and self-censorship. People are rewarded to lie and to cover up, but punished for telling the truth.

The former communist regimes were all known as crisis-ridden nations and ...the rest of the world suffered from the externalization of the crises in terms of environmental, health, and humanitarian disasters, he said.

FILE - a newspaper stall features a photo of Dr. Jiang Yanyong in Beijing, China, June 5, 2003. Dr. Jiang told the media that more than 100 SARS patients were being treated in a few military hospitals alone and that many had died.

Johnny Lau, a veteran China watcher and former journalist at Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po, a Hong Kong-based Chinese language newspaper, said the fact that authorities took revenge on both whistleblower doctors for speaking the truth over a span of 17 years shows that China continues using feudal, dynastic-style governance.

Autocracies worry that speech freedom would undermine its rule, he said. Its not a matter of 17 years, but 3,000 years. The authoritarian ideology has lived on.

Since Chinese President Xi Jinping took power in late 2012, he has shown resistance to modern, liberal values, said Lau. An internal Communist party document written in 2013 that's known as Document No. 9 ordered cadres to tackle seven supposedly dangerous influences on society. Those included western notions of rights and freedoms, such as press freedom, universal values of human rights, civil rights and civic participation. The Communist Party has warned activists they would be punished for voicing opinions that differed from the leadership.

The consequences of these are showing now, Lau said.

Doriane Lau (no relation to Johnny Lau), a researcher at Amnesty International, said: The international community should see that limiting information and taking away citizens freedom of speech carry grave risks for not just one country, but the entire global community.

Johnny Lau said it would be hard to sustain Chinas soft power in the long run and it could deteriorate even further.

Even if it continues to be an economic power, politically, it is a dwarf. It is not going to be a responsible world power, he said.

Lau said political friction in China will intensify as ordinary peoples call for basic freedoms increase amid the recent health crisis, while the authorities continue to govern with its official, stagnant ideology.

It remains to be seen whether ordinary Chinese peoples heightened rights awareness would amount to a force powerful enough to bring about political change, he said.

Political scientist Chan said Xis public response to the coronavirus crisis, such as declaring war on the virus and rallying national unity around his leadership, are part of his efforts to promote the cult of personality.

These are typical communist-style responses to crisis. Is China today stronger than the former Soviet Union? he asked. Not really. Crises will strike again.
President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn to board Marine One at the White House in Washington on Dec. 18, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Senate Advances Resolution Limiting War Powers, Trump Urges GOP to Vote Against It

Eight Republicans join Democrats in advancing the measure

The Senate advanced legislation Wednesday that is intended to curb President Donald Trumps war powers against Iran, which will pave the way for a final vote, with several Republicans joining Democrats.

The war powers resolution would require the president to remove American troops engaged in hostilities against Iran unless Congress makes a declaration of war or passes an authorization to use military force.

The measure was introduced after the White House-approved airstrike killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani following reports that his Quds Force killed an American soldier and was planning attacks on U.S. assets in the region. Iran then retaliated and fired about two dozen rockets at Iraqi bases, leaving more than 100 American troops with mild brain injuries.

The Senate voted 51 to 45 on Wednesday on a motion to proceed to the final vote, which is expected this week, reported Reuters, which added that eight GOP senators voted in favor of it.

Trump voiced opposition to the measure Wednesday saying it is not the time to show weakness and that if his administration is unable to act on Tehran, Iran would have a field day.

In a series of Twitter posts, the president wrote, It is very important for our Countrys SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness  If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Dont let it happen!

Even though some Republicans support the measure, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opposes it, meaning that the resolution is unlikely to get enough votes for a veto-proof majority.

Irans Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guard commanders in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

McConnell said on the Senate floor that the resolution would severely limit the U.S. militarys operational flexibility to defend itself against threats posed by Iran before announcing he will oppose the measure.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Calif.), a former vice presidential candidate, suggested that the measure isnt about Trump but about Congress reasserting its Constitutionally mandated powers to declare war.

This resolution is about Congress reclaiming its rightful role in decisions about war, Kaine said Wednesday on the Senate floor. While the president does and must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there. An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition. Its clearly stated in the Constitution.

The Democratic-led House passed a resolution in January after some members of Congress said the White House failed to fully inform them about the Soleimani airstrike.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president serves as the commander in chief of the military, while Congress has the sole power to declare war.

The measure needs only a simple majority, or 51 votes to pass. However, it will require a 67-vote supermajority to override Trumps veto.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 14:59:30|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Police in Afghanistan's western Herat province arrested seven drug traffickers, the country's Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

"Counter-Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) have arrested seven drug traffickers during several separate operations in Herat province within the past several days," the ministry said in a statement.

The CNPA seized narcotics and confiscated a vehicle during the raids in the province, 640 km west of Kabul, according to the statement.

Further investigation is underway.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. (CBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for hemophilia and other rare bleeding disorders (the Company), today announced that it is offering shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. In addition, the Company expects to grant the underwriters of the offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of shares of common stock offered in the public offering. All of the shares in the offering are being offered by the Company.



The Company anticipates using the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include clinical and manufacturing activities for Marzeptacog alfa and dalcinonacog alfa, research and development activities, capital expenditures, selling, general and administrative costs, facilities expansion, and to meet working capital needs.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as the sole book-running manager for the proposed offering.

A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-228970) relating to the public offering of the shares of common stock described above was previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 14, 2019. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SECs web site at www.sec.gov . When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may also be obtained from Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Attention: Equity Syndicate, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716, by telephone at (800) 248-8863, by e-mail at prospectus@raymondjames.com.

Story continues

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein. There shall not be any offer, solicitation of an offer to buy, or sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offering, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Catalyst

Catalyst is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company which is focused on addressing unmet needs in rare diseases and systemic complement mediated disorders. Our protease engineering platform includes development programs in hemophilia and a research program on subcutaneous systemic complement inhibitors. Our engineered coagulation factors are designed to overcome the significant limitations of current IV treatment options, facilitate prophylaxis, and ultimately deliver substantially better outcomes for patients using SQ dosing. Our lead asset, MarzAA, has completed Phase 2 development having met its primary endpoint of significantly reducing the annualized bleed rate (ABR) in individuals with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors. Our second hemophilia asset, DalcA, is in a Phase 2b clinical trial and is being developed for the treatment of hemophilia B. We also have a global license and collaboration agreement with Biogen for the development and commercialization of pegylated CB 2782 for the potential treatment of geographic atrophy associated dry age-related macular degeneration.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements pertaining to the Companys expectations regarding the intention to conduct an offering and sale of securities, ability to complete the offering and expected use of proceeds described in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statement of historical facts (including, but not limited to, statements that contain words such as will, believes, plans, anticipates, expects, estimates) are forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions, expectations and projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that the Company makes, including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the public offering on the anticipated terms or at all and other risks described the Risk Factors sections of the Companys most recent annual report filed with the SEC on March 8, 2019, quarterly report filed with the SEC on November 7, 2019, the prospectus supplement related to the public offering and in other filings with the SEC. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
PHOENIX  An Arizona Senate hearing on an effort to enshrine an existing ban on sanctuary cities in the state constitution erupted in shouting as immigrant rights activists called the proposal racist and the committee chairman ordered them removed.

Republican Sen. Sylvia Allens proposal to ask voters weigh in on the plan was approved along party lines after a lengthy delay of Thursdays Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

The proposal backed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey brought warnings from Democrats about the return to one of the darkest years in Arizona history  referencing the 2010 passage of the law known as SB1070, which was designed to crack down on illegal immigration.

The courts upheld the laws ban on sanctuary policies and its key feature: a requirement that police officers, while enforcing other laws, question the immigration status of people suspected of being in the country illegally. Other provisions of the landmark law  such as a requirement that immigrants carry registration papers  were barred by the courts.

Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada said SB1070 instilled fear among the population and harmed students of all races. He added that Arizona doesnt need to ban sanctuary cities since the portion of the law banning them was one of the few provisions that survived a U.S. Supreme Court review.

This is a meaningless exercise, Quezada said, adding that the new measure was intended to appeal to base Republican voters. All is does is pander to a small group of people.

Allen testified that criminal cartels were using sanctuary policies to run drugs and import criminal elements.

If we are not going to be a nation of laws and respect the laws of our nation we go to anarchy, she said. You cannot live in a society of anarchy. There must be a respect for law.

Ducey called for the measure in his January State of the State address, saying it was needed to reinforce the states will that cities and counties cant ignore federal immigration laws. It was a sharp change for the second-term governor, who has largely avoided the anti-immigrant tone embraced by his predecessor, Republican Jan. Brewer.

The new proposal goes farther than the existing law, which bars government agencies and law enforcement officials from limiting or restricting the enforcement of federal immigration law.

Under the measures now moving in both the House and Senate, all government agencies would be required to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including schools and public hospitals. If approved, voters would be asked to approve the constitutional amendment in November.

Duceys spokesman, Patrick Ptak, disputed that the measure expands the restrictions in SB1070. But the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona says it clearly does.

SCR1007 turns every part of Arizonas government into immigration enforcers, destroying the trust between community and government, Darrell Hill, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, told the committee. If the Legislature sends the proposal to voters and it is approved, it will return the state to the dark ages right after 1070 when political turmoil and fear gripped Arizona.

The hearing devolved into chaos when Republican committee Chairman Sen. Eddie Farnsworth cut off a speaker representing a Latino activist group.

Hugo Polanco, speaking for Living United for Change in Arizona, called the proposal a return to the racism, divisiveness and hate of SB1070.

Theres nothing racist about anybody up here, Farnsworth interrupted. So Im going to caution you  testify, but you dont need to be vitriolic.

Polanco pressed on, noting the current ban on sanctuary policies and urging the panel to reject this racist, divisive and hateful legislation.

Farnsworth cut him off and was forced to suspend the hearing when activists began shouting: This is a racist law and youre not allowing the people to speak.

After a lengthy recess where security removed the activists, the committee approved the measure on a 4-3 party-line vote.

Democratic Sen. Lupe Contreras, whose grandparents immigrated from Mexico, said he rejected what he said was a narrative that immigrants are all criminals.

Theres bad people in every race, in every county, every country, every city, Contreras said. But when we start depicting that every immigrant is that bad person  I just cant stand for that.

Republican Sen. Rick Gray said the measure will go before the voters so the people will have the final say.

We are putting this is the laps of the people, Gray said. We are not mandating this on them. If the majority of the people are opposed to this it gives them the opportunity to say that and make that clear.
20 billion HUF (59 million EUR) is still needed for the completion of the new biodome part of the Budapest Zoo.

20 billion HUF (59 million EUR) is still needed for the completion of the new biodome part of the Budapest Zoo. At the end of last year, the director of the zoo, Miklos Persanyi informed the public that there is no money left for the projects completion. Budapest City Hall ordered to revise the whole Pannon Park Project.



The Hungarian Government will not provide more financial aid either, they blame Persanyi for exceeding the budget.



The bubble-like biodome will be the central of the newly constructed Pannon Park Project. According to the plans the monumental building will be 17 thousands square metres which is similar to Parliaments area, and the highest point of the dome will be 36 metres. At the moment the construction is at the phase of having a roof on the building.



The biodome will conjure up the flora and fauna once existed in the ancient Carpathian Basin. Among the subtropical animals there will be for example sea cows, chimpanzees and bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees), besides elephants will get a bigger territory. There is also a 2,5 million litres shark pool planned which will be biggest one in Central Europe.



Throughout the years, the project became four times more expensive compared to the originally planned cost, at the moment it is estimated to be 63,7 billion HUF (188 million EUR).

The government has decided about the biodome in 2014 and calculated with the cost of 15,7 billion HUF (46,4 million EUR).

In 2015, it decided to allocate 25 billion HUF (74 million EUR) for the development of the zoo, at that time the project was promised to be completed for 2019.

The zoo requested a public procurement tender for 20,8 billion HUF (61,5 million EUR), however the winner supplier, the Market EpIto Zrt. took the project for 32,7 billion HUF (96,7 million EUR).

According to a 2017 government decision, 43,7 billion HUF (129,2 million EUR) was allocated for the construction during the time of 2015 to 2020.

At the end of last year the project became more expensive with an additional 20 billion HUF (59 million EUR); and it is promised to be finished and open for the public to the end of 2021.

Persanyi argued that the cost increase is due to Pannon Park was extended by new territories, and cost of wages and materials have also been increased. Besides some additional elements (e.g.: roller-coaster) were not included in the early estimations.



After Persanyis announcement the Budapest City Hall responded they will not allocate more money for a 100% government financed project, and ordered to revise the whole Pannon Park Project.



The chosen revisor party (Enviroduna Beruhazas Elokeszito Kft.) will not only revise but also plan different possible scenarios on how to complete the biodome. The City Hall also appointed a new finance director for Budapest Zoo, whose responsibility will be to stabilize the zoos economic operations. The capital stated the project must be completed either way, although the zoo directors dream might not come true.



The Hungarian Government will not provide more financial aid either, they blame Persanyi for the given circumstances. The government has already funded 43,7 billion HUF (129,2 million EUR) for the project so far. Budapest Zoo managed the plan and execution of the project independently, they requested the public procurement tenders, too.



The execution of the Pannon Park is handled by Istvan Garancsis company, the Market Epito Zrt. The businessman is also known as the Prime Ministers friend, and has won many projects funded by public procurement tenders.



It is not good news for the taxpayers that Miklos Persanyi stated lately they are not sure about two things: how much the income and the expense will be. There is a rumour in the press that the operation and maintenance might cost 1 billlion HUF million (2,96 million EUR) monthly.



Environmentalist are not happy with the project either because due to the constructions several protected trees had to be cut off. Even though the heating is planned to be partly provided by the waste heat from the thermal water of the neighbouring Szechenyi Spa, the complex is environment polluting, since it will need similar amount of energy as a middle sized mall.



MTI Photo: Balaton Jozsef
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 16:52:48|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Keeping their production lines running 24 hours a day, Chinese manufacturers are powering the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Fang Hongxia, a worker of Xinli, a sanitary product company in Tianchang City, east China's Anhui Province, can pack 40,000 to 50,000 masks every day. Specializing in foreign trade, the company has canceled all foreign orders and concentrated its output on the needs of the epidemic control.

"The production lines have resumed work 24 hours every day at full power since Jan. 25," said Cai Fengfu, president of the company. "To ensure production, the city's economy and information technology bureau has assigned personnel in charge of the supply of raw and auxiliary materials and contacting technical teams for equipment maintenance."

A total of 68 enterprises producing emergency supplies in the province have resumed work as of Feb. 6, including 35 major manufacturers of protective suits, masks, disinfectants, and other products.

Cobes Health Care (Hefei) Co., Ltd., a medical products company in the province, increased its output of protective suits ninefold thanks to support from the government. "The government officials solved our worker shortage by coordinating local garment associations to organize workers from garment factories," said Xiao Yinglong, general manager of the company.

"We coordinated with east China's Jiangsu Province for raw materials, and with banks for 8 million yuan (about 1.15 million U.S. dollars) to help the company buy production equipment," said Shen Zhonglin, an official with the provincial economy and information technology department.

Yang Li, a worker of Xinhua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in east China's Shandong Province, chose to work at the company during the Spring Festival holiday. She was not alone.

"Many of our employees gave up their vacation, helping increase the output by 30 percent," said Xing Zhongnan, the company's workshop director.

The province has a total of 26 mask manufacturers with a daily output of 2.64 million masks, which have all fully resumed work with other companies of medical products.

Companies in the province also started to develop new products targeting the needs of medical staff. A company in the province's city of Dezhou developed a new filtering system and put it into mass production in just eight days.

Manufacturers in non-medical industries were encouraged and supported to produce disinfectant and other medical products by the government. Jilin Boda Biochemical Co., Ltd. in northeast China's Jilin Province, a famous liquor producer, transformed itself into a disinfectant alcohol manufacturer in a short period of time.

"We reduced our profitable liquor production and changed to the production of disinfectant alcohol with a daily output of 50 tonnes after experts confirmed our products met standards," said Zhou Haishan, deputy head of the company.
The first phase of the East-West



Metro corridor, connecting Sector V with Salt Lake Stadium in the city, was inaugurated on Thursday by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

Goyal, along with his ministerial colleague Babul Supriyo, waved a green flag to inaugurate the 4.88-km section of the much-awaited metro corridor.

"The entire stretch of the East-West Metro corridor, from Sector 5 to Howrah Maidan, is likely to be completed in two years," Goyal said during his speech.

Commercial services, connecting Sector V, Karunamoyee, Central Park, City Centre, Bengal Chemical and Salt Lake Stadium stations, will commence on Friday.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal on Thursday decided to boycott the inauguration, after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's name was found missing from the invitation card for the programme.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery is pictured in Philadelphia on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Read more

After months of uncertainty following a massive explosion and subsequent bankruptcy, the site of the shuttered South Philadelphia refinery complex has new life and new ownership under a Chicago-based developer, expected to become official Thursday. And, for the first time since the 1860s, the area may not be used for refining oil.

Heres a primer on the past and future of the fire-ravaged Philadelphia Energy Solutions complex, which once served as the East Coasts largest oil refinery.

The refinery property is larger than all of Center City.

The 1,300-acre property  Philadelphias largest available commercial real estate parcel  actually consists of two refineries previously acquired by Sunoco: one in Point Breeze and another, larger refinery at Girard Point. With easy access to the Schuylkill River, railroads, and roadways, the site has been used for petroleum refining for more than 150 years. The announcement of its sale raised hopes among urban planners, environmentalists, and the refinerys neighbors that a new, cleaner use can be found for a large property at Philadelphias southern gateway.

A Chicago-based real estate firm will redevelop the site.

Though more than a dozen companies initially lobbied for the refinerys land, the expected winning proposal was submitted by Chicago-based Hilco Redevelopment Partners. Hilcos $252 million bid promised billions of dollars of investment into the site to transform the debtors business from a destroyed refinery complex to a mixed-use industrial site.

 READ MORE: Their timeline is aggressive: Hilco plans to clean up polluted South Philly refinery site, city says

Hilco, which has vowed to move quickly to clean up the heavily-contaminated site, beat out an aggressive effort by retired PES chief executive Philip Rinaldi and a California-based development group to buy and restart the bankrupt refinery.

Unsecured creditors also fought Hilcos plan in court, saying they are likely to receive only a small portion of the more than $1 billion they are owed while the refinerys executives reap bogus bonuses.

 READ MORE: Bankrupt Philly refinery seeks millions more for executive bonuses ahead of potential sale

The refinery shut down following a June 2019 fire and declared bankruptcy in July.

In the early morning hours of June 21, 2019, a flammable-liquid leak triggered a fire at the refinery, leading to three successive explosions. The largest explosion, whose heat was detected by satellites in space, shook South Philly and launched pieces of a fuel tank  some as as large as trucks  careening across the complex.

 READ MORE: Blocks away from South Philly refinery explosion, residents saw what looked almost like a nuclear disaster

The blast released about 5,239 pounds of deadly chemicals  including 3,271 pounds of hydrofluoric acid  into the air. If contacted, hydrofluoric acid can cause destruction to deep tissue layers and bone. If inhaled, it can cause severe lung injury resulting in death.

 READ MORE: In Philly, a history of oil refinery fires going back decades

Five workers experienced minor injuries in the inferno, but the already-struggling refinery complex took an unrecoverable hit. A month after the explosion, PES declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

This is the second time the refinery has filed for bankruptcy in two years.

Going through three owners since 2012, the PES refinery has a struggled financially for years. It first filed for bankruptcy in January 2018.

PES was formed in 2012 by Carlyle Group and Sunoco Inc. to rescue the facility. But, led by banks that were former creditors, the refinery slumped under heavy debt as cash reserves dwindled and the company scrambled to conserve resources.

PES is the fourth Philly-area refinery to shut down in the last 10 years.

Only three refineries remain near Philadelphia: PBF Energy Inc. plants in Paulsboro, Gloucester County, and Delaware City, Del., and the Monroe Energy Refinery owned by Delta Air Lines in Trainer, Delaware County.

The sale to Hilco could still face legal challenges.

Just days before the refinery exploded in June, ICBC Standard Bank PLC lent PES millions of dollars to purchase petroleum. Now, the bank is engaged in a bitter struggle with other lenders over its rights to the refinerys unpaid insurance claims.

That litigation is expected to take a long time to settle.

Staff writer Andrew Maykuth contributed to this article.
(TNS)  A ransomware attack may have hit the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office in 2016, corrupting some of the agencys data. Whatever happened apparently wasnt reported to the state or federal officials at the time and is only now becoming public  more than three years later.The attack  as described Wednesday by employees in the elections office  produced moments of panic. It also prompted rushed action to isolate and minimize the damage in the Elections Office server room. And several days of work for some employees was lost.The incident was detailed Wednesday by Wendy Sartory Link , who was appointed supervisor of elections in January 2019. She said she didnt learn about it until the information technology director shed inherited left the office late last year and she questioned an office information technology specialist who shes since named IT director.Links predecessor, Susan Bucher, said Wednesday evening what was described by Link never happened.I can swear on a stack of Bibles that our county was never ransomwared. It is irresponsible for the supervisor [Link] to scare our voters. We are behind Palm Beach Countys firewall. And she [Link] should know better, Bucher told the South Florida Sun Sentinel by text message.Link said the public shouldnt be concerned about security for the upcoming March 17 election, when Florida holds its presidential primaries and 20 cities, towns and villages in the county have elections for local government leaders.This happened in 2016. Its unfortunate that its come to light now right before the election because I dont want voters to be confused, and I dont want anybody to feel like our current election system is unsafe. Because its not," Link said.Link said she doesnt believe voters personal information was compromised.A six-person team from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently conducted an extensive review at the elections office, lasting nine or 10 days, Link said. She hasnt received a report yet from the examination, which ended two weeks ago, but said if there had been something earth-shattering or glaring, Im sure they would have alerted us to that before they left.Link described Wednesday evening what she learned about the incident  which she said happened in September 2016, between the August primary and the November general election  in a telephone interview that also included two of her offices employees who were there at the time. Earlier, she told the Palm Beach Post Editorial Board about it.Ed Sacerio, an IT specialist at the time and now the IT director, said a colleague told him that some files were disappearing or becoming encrypted. These files started disappearing. He stared getting these ... messages in the folder itself asking for some ransom in order to unencrypt the files.As Sacerio rushed to the IT managers office to tell him what was happening, the IT manager at the time called him with an order to run into the server room and unplug everything.I go blazing running into the server room, Sacerio recalled. When I got there, I just stared turning all the servers off. The IT manager, Jeff Darter, handled the repair of the damage, Sacerio said.Sean Williams, who was the vote-by-mail manager at the time and is now director of elections, said the agency reverted to a backup to restore the data. Whatever work had been done in the intervening week was lost. A lot of us lost data because of that, he said. You lost whatever work you did.Sacerio said he didnt know if any money was paid. Link, who wasnt in office at the time, said she hasnt found any indication that any ransom was paid.Williams said he wasnt aware of the incident being reported to authorities outside the office, and Sacerio said he didnt think it was reported. They described it as the zepto virus.Steven Abrams was a Republican member of the Palm Beach County Commission in 2016 and served that year as one of the three members of the countys Canvassing Board, which has some oversight authority over elections. He said by text Wednesday he doesnt remember hearing anything about a ransomware attack at the time.Bucher, a Democrat, was suspended in January 2019 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the new Republican governor, who appointed Link. DeSantis said she failed to properly conduct three contentious statewide recounts for the 2018 midterms. Bucher said at the time she was the victim of political agendas but later agreed to resign rather than fight the suspension in the Republican-controlled Florida Senate.Link said she learned about the attack last year from Sacerio when she was assessing whether he should become IT director. In November, she fired Darter, the previous IT director, for allegedly shoving two detectives who were investigating him for child pornography Link said she immediately contacted the state Division of Elections, which said it knew nothing of the incident, and reported it to the FBI. She said the FBI put her in touch with the Department of Homeland Security.Link said she does not believe it is related to the 2016 infiltration of two Florida counties by Russian intelligence agents, something that was mentioned in the report by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russias meddling with the election. Link said she doesnt know which counties were affected but said shes been told that officials in the counties know. source familiar with a classified briefing given to members of Congress last year said at the time Palm Beach and Broward counties werent affected.
Bankrupt property developer Sean Dunne has suggested he could take legal action to "claw back" millions of euro held in a Swiss bank account if he fails in a bid to block his ex-wife Gayle Killilea from using it to settle a US lawsuit.

The move is the latest twist in a furious row that has erupted between the former Celtic Tiger couple in recent weeks.

Mr Dunne claims the cash should go to a trust for the four young children he had with Ms Killilea, who was his second wife. But this has been hotly disputed by her lawyers, who say the children have "no direct claim whatsoever" to the funds.

A jury in Connecticut last year ordered Ms Killilea to pay 18m to Mr Dunne's bankruptcy trustee after concluding that various assets, including Dublin mansion Walford, were fraudulently transferred to her.

According to court filings, a settlement was recently reached between her and bankruptcy trustee Richard Coan and is due to be finalised shortly. But Mr Dunne issued proceedings in New York's Supreme Court ultimately aimed at blocking his ex-wife from using funds held by a Cypriot firm, Yesreb Holdings Ltd, as part of the settlement.

The injunction proceedings seek to restrain his son John, who owns Yesreb, from releasing the cash, which is owed to Ms Killilea, his stepmother.

The company is said to be holding "less than 13.5m" in an escrow account in Switzerland, proceeds from the sale of Walford in 2016 to a trust linked to financier Dermot Desmond.

In the legal wrangling that has ensued since Mr Dunne issued the proceedings in late January, Mr Coan and John Dunne had the matter transferred to a State court.

Now Mr Dunne is seeking to have it remitted back to the New York Supreme Court.

In a filing in support of the motion, Mr Dunne claims if the money is used to fund his ex-wife's settlement, their children "will be robbed of benefits owed to them".

He claimed it would be considered "a fraudulent transfer that could be the subject of further litigation to claw back the fund". He also claimed his ex-wife already had "ample" funds to use in the settlement.

But Mr Coan has accused Mr Dunne of seeking to thwart the settlement. He said the claim Yesreb funds were owed to a trust for the four children was "demonstrably false".

The trustee has been working with the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy in Ireland, Christopher Lehane, to recover assets for creditors.

The High Court in Dublin heard yesterday that three sets of proceedings, all with some link to Mr Dunne's bankruptcy or Walford had been settled.

Mr Lehane agreed to lift a lis pendens registered by him over Walford and to consent to a declaration the Desmond trust had acquired good title to the property.

Mr Justice Denis McDonald also struck out, on consent, proceedings Mr Lehane had against Yesreb.
Protesters on Thursday padlocked Malawi's electoral commission offices in a new bid to force the panel's chief to quit after a top court overturned last May's presidential elections.

The Constitutional Court on February 3 annulled results that declared President Peter Mutharika the narrow victor, and lashed the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for "incompetence."

The unprecedented verdict was triggered by use of correction fluid on tally sheets -- the papers on which election overseers entered ballot counts.

Around a thousand protesters marched for five kilometres (three miles) to the MEC offices in the commercial capital Blantyre and used rusty chains to lock its entrance gates.

The military kept watch but did not intervene.

In the administrative capital Lilongwe around 5,000 people braved rain to march to the MEC offices.

After chaining and padlocking its entrance, they handed the keys to an army officer, AFP correspondent saw.

The protesters demanded the commission's chairwoman, Jane Ansah, step down.

"We are not stopping here until Jane Ansah resigns," Masauko Thawe, leader of the Blantyre protests, told AFP.

"This is the MEC that we don't want because we cannot trust them. We need a new MEC which can operate to the expectations of all Malawians."

Ansah says she will quit only if the Supreme Court upholds the Constitutional Court judgement, which also ordered new elections within 150 days.

She told lawmakers this week that the correction fluid -- referred to by its commercial name of Tipp-Ex -- had been used only to correct results, not distort them.

A bid by Mutharika and the MEC to suspend the ruling was rejected by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.

It is the first time a presidential election has been challenged on legal grounds in Malawi since independence from Britain in 1964, and only the second vote result to be cancelled in Africa after the 2017 Kenya presidential vote.
Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah

Blast at Lucknow court, several lawyers injured

India

oi-Deepika S

Lucknow, Feb 13: A minor bomb blast has been reported from a court complex in Lucknow injuring several lawyers. One bomb is reported to have gone off while three other live bombs have been recovered.

The explosion took place in the Lucknow collectorate in Hazratganj, near the district magistrate's office and barely a kilometre from the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

The bomb was hurled towards the chamber of lawyer Sanjeev Lodhi who has blamed another lawyer Jitu Yadav for the incident. The Wazirganj police are on the spot and an investigation is underway.

According to the initial reports, enmity between the two lawyers is said to be the reason behind the blast.The bomber has been identified as one Jeetu Yadav.

"I was attacked by people with pistols and bombs. I have suffered minor injuries but some more people are injured. I demand immediate security from the administration. If something happens to me, then the administration will be responsible," said Lodhi.

NEWS AT 3 PM FEB 13th, 2020

15 dead in major firecracker explosion in Punjabs Tarn Taran

"Also, I want to know how culprits were able to carry bombs inside the court premises even though security measures are in place" he added.

Law courts in chaos and the lawyers questioning the law and order and security at the court.

"I strongly condemn the incident. The culprits should be arrested soon. It's because of such incidents that the Bar Council of India has made a demand for enactment of Advocates Protection Act," said Manan Mishra, Chairman, Bar Council of India.
Cans move through the production line at Canopy Growth's beverage facility on Oct. 29, 2019. (Yahoo Finance Canada)

Cannabis beverages and aluminum cans have a problematic relationship that could prove costly for licenced producers with drink production lines built for the ubiquitous metal containers. The devil is in the molecular details.

Scientists have determined that liners inside aluminum cans can cause cannabis drinks to lose their potency. That means by the time a pot drink is put in a can, shipped, stored in a warehouse, displayed in a store, and finally consumed, the buzz promised on the label may have diminished or disappeared.

Can manufacturers add the liners to prevent drinks from taking on a metallic taste, to reduce corrosion of the can, and to improve shelf stability. But when pot drinks are under pressure, the liner can attract tiny emulsified droplets of active cannabis ingredients like THC.

Our theory is the cannabis material, the droplets, will stick to the liner and cling on it. When you open the can to take a drink, it will lose its potency, Vertosa founder and chief science officer Harold Han told Yahoo Finance Canada in an interview.

Han holds a Ph.D in chemistry from NYU, and has authored two patents in emulsion chemistry. His California-based company works with cannabis-infused beverage makers to develop emulsion solutions to mitigate the effect of can liners leeching away cannabis compounds.

Oil, cannabis or otherwise, does not mix with water. Nanoemulsion helps solve that problem by breaking down oily compounds to a microscopic level so they can be suspended in a drink.

Cannabis beverages that use the technology have a faster effect compared to edibles. They also have high bioavailability, meaning the body will absorb a higher amount of the THC or CBD. However, pot drinks have yet to emerge as a major category, even though theyve been available in U.S. states with legal recreational cannabis sales for some time.

Last year, Cowen cannabis and alcoholic beverage analyst Viven Azer told Yahoo Finance Canada the U.S. market for cannabis drinks is small, fragmented, and without a clear leader. Thats the case, she said, because early products in the United States got people stoned for too long, and lacked consistent intensity, onset, and offset for the high users feel.

Story continues

In Canada, drinks were part of the swath of new Cannabis 2.0 products authorized for sale last fall. So far, only a limited selection of items like infused tea bags have hit stores.

Deloitte estimates the Canadian market for cannabis-infused beverages will be worth $529 million annually, with one-in-three consumers viewing the category as an alternative to alcohol.

Han said the problem of aluminum cans potentially draining the potency out of pot drinks first occurred to him early last year when Lagunitas, a craft beer subsidiary of Heineken (HEIA.AS), shifted its Hi-Fi Hops cannabis drinks from cans to glass bottles.

Then we thought, lets get some can liners. Lets test our emulsions. We had two at the time, he said. The loss was horrible.

A spokesperson for Hi-Fi Hops told Yahoo Finance Canada its switch to glass bottles was primarily related to bottling speed. The company continues to sell its products in cans in Colorado for legal reasons

Vertosa has partnered with can manufactures including Ball (BLL), Ardagh Group (ARD) and Gamer Packaging to test solutions.

Han said its difficult for the can industry to alter linings to accommodate the relatively small cannabis drinks category, and pot drink producers prefer cans over bottles due to lower costs.

Its up to us to find the solution, he said, admitting some active ingredients will always be absorbed by aluminum cans. You will always see some percentage of loss. But as long as you can manage this loss and let it plateau, that is the goal.

Canopy Growth (WEED.TO)(CGC) has been the most active in the drinks category among Canadian licenced producers, previewing an extensive line of THC and CBD drinks in late October, the vast majority packaged in cans.

Canopy Growth's cannabis drinks are expected to be ready for retail in mid-December 2019. (Yahoo Finance)

A number of other cannabis players have struck deals or formed joint ventures to produce beverages, including HEXO (HEXO.TO)(HEXO) and Tilray (TLRY). Canopys 125,000-square-foot beverage facility was constructed with a helping hand from its largest shareholder, beer and wine giant Constellation Brands (STZ).

The Smiths Falls, Ont.-based company said in December that its first drinks would hit the market in early January. On Jan. 17, it abruptly delayed the launch, offering few details.

In order to deliver products that meet our customers high standards we are electing to revise the launch date while we work through the final details, CEO David Klein stated in a news release.

Klein, a transplanted executive from Constellation, officially began leading the worlds largest cannabis company only days earlier on Jan. 14. The company is expected to provide an update on its beverages when it reports fiscal third quarter 2020 financial results before the markets open on Feb. 14.

Craig Wiggins of the industry research group TheCannalysts told Yahoo Finance Canada that sources tell him the delay was due in part to issues with cans.

We're hearing that there is a problem with the can linings. That THC is leaching into the can linings and making shelf stability drop, and a host of other problems, he said.

Yahoo Finance Canada repeatedly attempted to reach Canopy Growth for comment. Calls and emails were not returned by the company.

Jeff Maser, CEO of the California-based cannabis beverage company Tinley (TNY.CN)(TNYBF), said he was shocked last fall when he saw photos of Canopys hotly anticipated beverage portfolio packaged in cans.

His products are sold in glass bottles.

We tried forever to try to find a solution. We worked with everybody that came along, and we spoke directly to the can manufacturers. We even spoke directly with the Hi-Fi hops guys, Maser told Yahoo Finance Canada in an October interview.

When I say there is less cannabis, there is no cannabis left. It's literally 97 per cent absorption into the can after a few months. Guys are saying they solved that problem. Nobody really has.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
It was announced today that Payoneer will continue its global expansion with the establishment of a new office in Dublin.

Payoneer supports thousands of enterprise clients and millions of small businesses that come from 200 countries and territories, enabling them to do business globally. Obtaining CBIs authorisation as an Electronic Money Institution and passporting across the European Economic Area (EEA) makes Payoneer only the twelfth company to be granted the license.

Payoneer supports sellers on many of the leading eCommerce marketplaces across Europe, including Amazon, Cdiscount, Joom and Rakuten. The license also supports the many small businesses based in Europe that sell goods and services worldwide.

Speaking this week, CEO of Payoneer, Scott Galit said, "This license is the culmination of our efforts to ensure stability and continuity for our customers. With this investment, we are able to continue to support the growth of our customers from around the globe, keeping cross-border commerce flowing smoothly, regardless of the regulatory changes triggered by Brexit. We are very grateful to the CBI for their guidance and assistance in granting the new license and to IDA Ireland for its support."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Could Prime People Plc (LON:PRP) be an attractive dividend share to own for the long haul? Investors are often drawn to strong companies with the idea of reinvesting the dividends. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments.

A high yield and a long history of paying dividends is an appealing combination for Prime People. We'd guess that plenty of investors have purchased it for the income. Some simple analysis can reduce the risk of holding Prime People for its dividend, and we'll focus on the most important aspects below.

Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Prime People!

AIM:PRP Historical Dividend Yield, February 13th 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are usually paid out of company earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. In the last year, Prime People paid out 42% of its profit as dividends. This is a medium payout level that leaves enough capital in the business to fund opportunities that might arise, while also rewarding shareholders. One of the risks is that management reinvests the retained capital poorly instead of paying a higher dividend.

Another important check we do is to see if the free cash flow generated is sufficient to pay the dividend. Prime People's cash payout ratio in the last year was 33%, which suggests dividends were well covered by cash generated by the business. It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously.

With a strong net cash balance, Prime People investors may not have much to worry about in the near term from a dividend perspective.

Story continues

Consider getting our latest analysis on Prime People's financial position here.

Dividend Volatility

Before buying a stock for its income, we want to see if the dividends have been stable in the past, and if the company has a track record of maintaining its dividend. Prime People has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. The dividend has been cut on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was UK0.03 in 2010, compared to UK0.052 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.7% a year over that time. Prime People's dividend payments have fluctuated, so it hasn't grown 5.7% every year, but the CAGR is a useful rule of thumb for approximating the historical growth.

It's good to see the dividend growing at a decent rate, but the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Prime People might have put its house in order since then, but we remain cautious.

Dividend Growth Potential

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share (EPS) are growing. Why take the risk of a dividend getting cut, unless there's a good chance of bigger dividends in future? It's good to see Prime People has been growing its earnings per share at 12% a year over the past five years. A company paying out less than a quarter of its earnings as dividends, and growing earnings at more than 10% per annum, looks to be right in the cusp of its growth phase. At the right price, we might be interested.

We'd also point out that Prime People issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.

Conclusion

Dividend investors should always want to know if a) a company's dividends are affordable, b) if there is a track record of consistent payments, and c) if the dividend is capable of growing. Firstly, we like that Prime People has low and conservative payout ratios. Next, earnings growth has been good, but unfortunately the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Prime People performs highly under this analysis, although it falls slightly short of our exacting standards. At the right valuation, it could be a solid dividend prospect.

Now, if you want to look closer, it would be worth checking out our free research on Prime People management tenure, salary, and performance.

We have also put together a list of global stocks with a market capitalisation above $1bn and yielding more 3%.

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.
Whether you are in an office or in college where you need to transfer files daily, it can get a bit frustrating to use your regular USB drives. Even though modern USB drives have become faster, they still cannot match the speed of a solid-state drive. If you are a graphic designer, video editor or any other sort of power user, you need to transfer files as fast as possible. When we reviewed Samsungs T5 portable SSD, it was the fastest solution at that point. However, Samsung has now come out with the T7 Touch portable SSD that has a fingerprint sensor embedded on the body. Weve been using the portable SSD for a few days and heres how it made our life easier.

Design

 MensXP/Akshay Bhalla

When you open the packaging, you will notice how small the T7 Touch is. But in comparison to the T5, it is a bit taller. While it might be a bit taller than its predecessor, it is noticeably thinner and is more in line with a credit card in your wallet. In size, it is identical to a standard credit card, making it extremely portable and easy to carry with you.



Having said that, we feel the SSD should have come with some sort of a case to protect it from falls and dings when carrying it in a bag. In the box, you will also find two cables i.e. a USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C to use it with your respective devices. Finally, there is a square-shaped fingerprint sensor on the top that is also surrounded by a blue LED activity indicator. This indicator flashes when the drive is in use or shows a static light signifying its locked status. Similarly, when you start a file transfer, the Motion LED indicator starts to rotate clockwise.

Software and Security

 MensXP/Akshay Bhalla

Once you install the software after plugging it into a PC, MacBook or an Android device, you will be asked to set a password. You can choose anything between 4-10 characters exactly like the T5 setup. However, you have the additional ability to register your fingerprint similar to how you do it on a smartphone. It has the same animation where you need to adjust your finger to capture the entirety of the fingerprint. You can add up to four fingerprints which makes it easier to share it with trusted colleagues, family members and friends. The provision of a fingerprint scanner makes it easier to share the SSD amongst registered users as you do not have to be physically there to enter the password or share your password. Registered users can simply use their fingerprint to access the drive and start transferring files.



 MensXP/Akshay Bhalla

The T7 Touch is also compatible with a range of devices such as Windows PCs and Laptops, MacBooks, Android smartphone and even the iPad Pro, provided you have the iPad OS 13 installed. You can access your files on the iPad Pro via the Files App and similarly on Android phones using any explorer app.



Performance

 MensXP/Akshay Bhalla

We tested the T7 Touch in various scenarios to check the transfer speeds and to our expectations, it beat the Samsung T5 by a long shot. If you want to hear numbers, the T7 Touch was able to achieve a read speed of 1,050Mbps and peak write speeds of 1,000Mbps. When conducting a simple CrystalDiskMark test, the T7 Touch was able to achieve these numbers below. It is worth noting here that we were using the USB-C to USB-C cable and you can expect these numbers to be a little lower when using the USB-A cable.



 MensXP/Akshay Bhalla

Also, do note that while smaller file sizes transfer at lightning speeds, transferring extremely large files i.e. more than 100GB, Samsung does throttle the T7 Touch a bit as it starts to heat up. This is normal for any SSD whether it is external or NVMe, however it is still quite impressive to see how the T7 Touch handles it.



The Final Say

The Samsung T7 Touch is probably the fastest and most secure portable SSD you can buy today. With added security and faster transfer speeds, the T7 Touch is essential for power users and working professionals. If you are fed up with having to wait long for large file transfers, you should really consider the Samsung T7 Touch.
One of the largest petitions ever tabled in Australias parliamentnow signed by 280,000 peoplewas presented in the House of Representatives on Monday, calling for freedom for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

However, all the circumstances surrounding the event demonstrate that the Australian government and the political establishment will do nothing to defend Assange unless there is a powerful working-class movement demanding his release.

Andrew Wilkie (centre) with other MPs outside Australian parliament

First tabled in the Senate last November with more than 200,000 signatures, the petition has been signed by the fourth largest number of citizens in the history of the parliament. This reflects a widespread and growing demand for the Australian government to exercise its legal and diplomatic powers to end the 10-year persecution of Assange, an Australian citizen.

Incarcerated in the notorious maximum-security Belmarsh Prison since April, Assange faces an extradition hearing, due to commence on February 24, that could see him rendered to the United States to face a show trial on framed-up espionage charges and a life sentence of up to 175 years. The prosecution of Assange will set a global precedent for the suppression of the media and free speech.

Despite the powerful public support and strongly expressed sentiments of the petition, its tabling received virtually no coverage in the corporate media, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It has triggered no response whatsoever from the Liberal-National Coalition government, or the opposition Labor Party.

The media blackout and non-response to the tabling underscored the continuing refusal of the government and the political establishment to intervene on Assanges behalf. The Australian ruling elite is committed to its military alliance with the US.

Beginning in 2010 with the Greens-backed Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, successive Labor and Coalition governments have collaborated with the US to persecute, slander, isolate and seek to imprison Assange, in an attempt to silence WikiLeaks for exposing, and continuing to expose, their war crimes, global diplomatic intrigues and mass surveillance.

On Monday, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie presented the petition in a nearly deserted chamber. There was no discussion or debate. Wilkie spoke for just one minute and was quickly granted leave, by consent, to table the document for consideration by parliaments Petitions Committee.

The updated on-line petition opposes the US extradition of Assange and instructs the Australian government to facilitate the providing of a bail application via consular presentations on Assanges behalf once the extradition hearing commences.

On the same day, another petition was tabled, providing further evidence of the mounting hostility toward the refusal of the political elite to defend Assange. Signed by 76 citizens, it called on parliament to take immediate action in order to bring Julian Assange home. Lobby against the unjust charges and detainment of Julian Assange in the UK, give him diplomatic status and protections that will allow him to fly back to Australia unhindered by all other foreign powers. Be visible in your fight for Julian, be vocal and be relentless. NOW.

In presenting the first petition, Wilkie, a former Australian intelligence officer, told the house: A lot has been said and written about Julian Assange and theres a broad range of views about the man. But the substantive matter here is quite simply that hes being persecuted for publishing information that was in the public interest, including hard evidence of US war crimes.

That the perpetrator of those war crimes, America, is now seeking to extradite Mr Assange to face 17 counts of espionage and one of hacking is unjust in the extreme and arguably illegal under British law. If it goes ahead, not only would Mr Assange face 175 years in prison, but the precedent would be set for all Australiansand particularly for journaliststhat they are at risk of extradition to any country they offend.

Wilkie announced that he and right-wing National Party MP George Christensen will fly to London on Saturday, at their own expense, to visit Assange in Londons Belmarsh Prison. My aim is to check on his welfare and to assure him that a great many people, especially here in Australia, are rightly concerned he is being treated unjustly, he said.

Wilkie and Christensen are co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of the Bring Julian Assange Home Group, a cross-party grouping formed last October. Apart from tabling the petition and seeking to visit Assange, however, the group has done virtually nothing to secure his release. Despite their capacity and resources to do so, its members have called no public meetings, organised no rallies and moved no motions, in parliament or anywhere else.

The other publicly-identified members are former National Party leader Barnaby Joyce; Rebekha Sharkie and Rex Patrick from the Centre Alliance; Labor MPs Julian Hill and Steve Georganas; Greens ex-leader Richard Di Natale, new leader Adam Bandt and Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, and independent MPs Zali Steggall and Helen Haines.

Notably, none of them have sought to commit their parties to protect Assange. Since being installed as Greens leader last week, Adam Bandtlike Labor leader Anthony Albanesehas not said a word on the fact that the worlds most prominent political prisoner is about to face a US extradition bid.

Bandts silence is an open rejection of the widespread outrage of many Greens members over the vendetta against Assange and their desire for a campaign in his defence. On February 12, the Northern Territory Greens Management Committee issued a press release of a resolution that it adopted on January 19. It states:

We demand that the Australian government immediately utilises all available diplomatic and legal means to impel the British government to cease supporting the US attempt to extradite Assange on false charges of espionage. We demand his immediate release from custody. Assange must be freed without any conditions. He must be able to return to Australia, or to a country of his choice, so he can seek urgently required medical treatment. Assange must be guaranteed immunity from any US extradition application.

The refusal of successive Labor and Coalition governments, along with the Greens, the trade unions and pseudo-left organisations, to take any action to secure Assanges freedom is contributing to the historic level of political disaffection over worsening social conditions, glaring inequality, the bushfire disaster and the use of slush funds to win elections.

The parliamentarians who are making occasional, token gestures reflect the broader fear of the popular anger if Assange, whose health has suffered from prolonged psychological torture, were to die in British or US custody.

The participation in the Bring Assange Home parliamentary group of Joyce and Christensen, both right-wing populists within the ruling Coalition, is particularly revealing. They are acutely aware that among the social layers to which they seek to appealincluding agricultural workers, small farmers, regional workers and small businesspeoplethere is broad opposition to Assanges persecution.

Over the past two years, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has held rallies and public meetings demanding that the Australian government immediately use its legal and diplomatic powers to secure Assanges release, and his return to Australia if he so chooses. The SEP has insisted that the government will take such action, however, only if it is compelled to do so out of fear of an independent movement of the working class.

As part of the crucial fight for the freedom of Assange and courageous whistle blower Chelsea Manning, the SEP has called rallies in Australia and in New Zealand and the SEP in Britain is holding a public meeting in London. We urge all supporters of democratic rights to attend.

Free Assange! Free Manning! No to extradition!

London Public Meeting

Sunday, February 23, 2:30 p.m.

Mahatma Gandhi Hall

Indian YMCA

41 Fitzroy Square

London, W1T 6AQ

(nearest Tube: Great Portland Street)

Sydney Rally

Saturday February 22, 12:00 p.m.

Parramatta Town Hall

182 Church Street, Parramatta

Melbourne Rally and March

Sunday February 23, 2:00 p.m.

State Library of Victoria

Then march to Federation Square

Wellington, New Zealand Rally

Sunday, February 23, 3:00 p.m.

Cuba Street (intersection with Left Bank)

Wellington

Brisbane Rally

Saturday February 29, 2:00 p.m.

Reddacliff Place, Brisbane

(corner Queen and George Street)
Photo: The Canadian Press In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-CDC via AP, File

Canada will aim $6.5 million at research on stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus, after co-ordinating with researchers around the world on tackling the outbreak.

Representatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are returning from two days of talks with the international research community at a World Health Organization forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

There, more than 300 scientists and researchers mapped out a plan to answer the questions that linger about the virus that has killed more than 1,000 people, and agreed on a set of research priorities.

Chinese researchers participated remotely, and their message was that research should be focused on keeping people alive.

"That's a good lens, because this is a rapid emergency response," said Charu Kaushic, scientific director of CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity, from her hotel room in Geneva. Kaushic is also a professor at McMaster University in Hamilton.

That could mean developing medical therapies or a vaccine in the long term. China, where the virus was first detected and where most of its victims live, is already testing dozens of potential drug treatments.

In the meantime though, researchers will be tailoring their studies to focus on infection prevention, quarantine protocols, personal protection measures, and other ways to keep the virus at bay. The WHO aims to study not only possible vaccines and therapies, but also the effectiveness of the public-health response and the social impact the disease has inflicted on the world.

The novel coronavirus has so far infected more than 45,000 people.

CIHR and several other Canadian research bodies have pulled together $6.5 million to hand out as research grants for science on the outbreak, and expect more money to be forthcoming as they continue negotiations with the federal government.

The group put out a call for research proposals Monday, and Kaushic said she will spend the next 24 hours refining applications so they align with the World Health Organization's priorities.

The institute has suggested researchers look at everything from medical interventions to the spread of fear and discrimination caused by the virus.

The applications for the Canadian funding will be evaluated as quickly as possible, with the hope that researchers will be able to get to work before the end of the month.

An unusual requirement will be placed on the winning grant recipients: they'll be expected to attend meetings with other global researchers to continue the co-ordinated approach to fighting the virus.

"This outbreak is a test of solidarity  political, financial and scientific," said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement Wednesday.

"We need to come together to fight a common enemy that does not respect borders, ensure that we have the resources necessary to bring this outbreak to an end and bring our best science to the forefront to find shared answers to shared problems."

The international community will come together again in several months to see if there are any research gaps.

While the vast majority of confirmed Covid-19 cases are in China, the research community agreed the world must be prepared for the outbreak to overflow the country's borders.

"We don't know how this is going to play out, which is why we can't stop at this point," Kaushic said. "We have to continue with the worst-case scenario."
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, recently completed a 5-year research project looking at how to make fibre optic communications systems more energy efficient. Among their proposals are smart, error-correcting data chip circuits, which they refined to be 10 times less energy consumptive. The project has yielded several scientific articles, in publications including Nature Communications.

Streaming films and music, scrolling through social media, and using cloud-based storage services are everyday activities now. But to accommodate this digital lifestyle, a huge amount of data needs to be transmitted through fibre optic cables - and that amount is increasing at an almost unimaginable rate, consuming an enormous amount of electricity. This is completely unsustainable - at the current rate of increase, if no energy efficiency gains were made, within ten years the internet alone would consume more electricity than is currently generated worldwide. Electricity production cannot be increased at the same rate without massively increasing the usage of fossil fuels for electricity generation, in turn leading to a significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

"The challenge lies in meeting that inevitable demand for capacity and performance, while keeping costs at a reasonable level and minimising the environmental impacts," says Peter Andrekson, Professor of Photonics at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers.

Peter Andrekson was the leader of the 5-year research project 'Energy-efficient optical fibre communication', which has contributed significant advances to the field.

In the early phase of the project, the Chalmers researchers identified the biggest energy drains in today's fibre optic systems. With this knowledge, they then designed and built a concept for a system for data transmission which consumes as little energy as possible. Optimising the components of the system against each other results in significant energy savings.

Currently, some of the most energy-intensive components are error-correction data chips, which are used in optical systems to compensate for noise and interference. The Chalmers researchers have now succeeded in designing these data chips with optimised circuits.

"Our measurements show that the energy consumption of our refined chips is around 10 times less than conventional error-correcting chips," says Per Larsson-Edefors, Professor in Computer Engineering at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers.

At a systemic level, the researchers also demonstrated the advantages of using 'optical frequency combs' instead of having separate laser transmitters for each frequency channel. An optical frequency comb emits light at all wavelengths simultaneously, making the transmitter very frequency-stable. This makes reception of the signals much easier - and thus more energy efficient.

Energy savings can also be made through controlling fibre optic communications at the network level. By mathematically modelling the energy consumption in different network resources, data traffic can be controlled and directed so that the resources are utilised optimally. This is especially valuable if traffic varies over time, as is the case in most networks. For this, the researchers developed an optimisation algorithm which can reduce network energy consumption by up to 70%.

The recipe for these successes has been the broad approach of the project, with scientists from three different research areas collaborating to find the most energy-saving overall solution possible, without sacrificing system performance.

These research breakthroughs offer great potential for making the internet of the future considerably more energy-efficient. Several scientific articles have been published in the three research disciplines of optical hardware, electronics systems and communication networks.

"Improving the energy efficiency of data transmission requires multidisciplinary competence. The challenges lie at the meeting points between optical hardware, communications science, electronic engineering and more. That's why this project has been so successful" says Erik Agrell, Professor in Communications Systems at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Chalmers.

More on the research

The 5-year research project 'Energy-efficient optical fibre communication' ran from 2014-2019, and was financed by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.The research could have huge potential to make future internet usage significantly more energy efficient. It has resulted in several research publications within the three scientific disciplines of optical hardware, electronics systems and communications networks, including the following three:

Energy-Efficient High-Throughput VLSI Architectures for Product-Like Codes in the Journal of Lightwave Technology

Phase-coherent lightwave communications with frequency combs, in the journal Nature Communications

Joint power-efficient traffic shaping and service provisioning for metro elastic optical networks, in the journal IEEE/OSA Journal of Optical Communications and Networking,

Some more information on the smart, error correcting data chips, or integrated circuits:

The data chips, or integrated circuits, have been designed by Chalmers and manufactured in Grenoble in France. The Chalmers researchers subsequently verified the chips' performance and measured the energy usage, which was just a tenth of current error-correcting chips. At a data transfer speed of 1 terabit per second (1 terabit = 1 trillion bits), the Chalmers error-correcting designs have been shown to draw an energy of around 2 picojoules (1 picojoule = 1 trillionth of a joule) per bit. This equates to a power consumption of 2 Watts at this data rate. Comparatively, the current energy usage at such high transfer speeds is around 50 picojoules per bit, around 50 Watts."

###

For more information, contact:

Optical hardware:

Peter Andrekson, leader of the research project, and Professor of Photonics at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers peter.andrekson@chalmers.se +46 31 772 16 06

Electronics systems:

Per Larsson-Edefors, Professor in Computer Engineering at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers perla@chalmers.se +46 31 772 17 00

Communications networks:

Erik Agrell, Professor in Communications Systems at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Chalmers agrell@chalmers.se +46 31 772 17 62
India would not allow Illicit Drug trade to happen within its boundaries: Amit Shah

The Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah inaugurated the two-day BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) 'Conference on Combating Drug Trafficking', in New Delhi on 13 Feb 2020.

He congratulated the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for organising this important conference and welcomed the delegations, coming from the Partner Nations including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and different State Governments of India, in the conference. Home Minister also released the administrative and operational manuals of NCB on the occasion.

Addressing the august gathering, Shah called illicit drug trade a global menace and said that it is a burning global issue that plagues every Nation, especially the Bay of Bengal littoral States. It is thus very important for all countries to engage with each other to exchange ideas, policies and best practices in order to combat this menace, he said.



The Home Minister talked about Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's vision to end the global drug menace and recalled the 2018 Kathmandu BIMSTEC conference where PM invited the Partner Nations to India, while announcing the current conference on Combating Drug Trafficking. Shah quoted the PM and said that there is no nation in the world that is not affected by global terrorism, transnational crimes and illicit drug trafficking. He expressed confidence and hope that this conference would open new avenues and generate new solutions to combat the menace of drug trafficking in the region.



The Home Minister assured the delegates that under Prime Minister Modi's vision of a Drug-free India, Government of India has devised a well laid out strategy to ensure inter agency coordination and revamp the prosecution mechanism to end the menace of drug trafficking. He stated that India would not allow illicit narcotics and psychotropic substances trade to happen within its boundaries. We will not allow drugs from any country of the world to enter into our country nor will allow it to go out of the country, he added.

Talking about the zero tolerance policy followed by Government of India against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances trade, Shah talked about various steps taken by India on national as well as international levels, including those at UN, INTERPOL, to combat this menace. The Home Minister said that India taking the lead in organising this BIMSTEC conference would act as the harbinger of new avenues within the region that will help bringing other Nations on such similar platforms to find solutions to tackle drug trafficking. He also termed the Bay of Bengal littoral States as the focus of India's Neighbourhood First and Act East policies and India being the largest country in the region will not shy away from its responsibilities in fighting drug trafficking and terrorism.



Talking about the seriousness of the drug trafficking issue, Shah quoted the UN's World Drug Report and said that over 5% of the global population between 15-64 years of age is addicted to narcotics and use of illicit drugs. The Home Minister expressed concern that the rate of addiction is showing a fast increase i.e. a 30% rise in the last 10 years. He termed drug addiction as a curse for mankind as it not only kills the addict but also destroys families as well as the society, besides fuelling the evil of global terrorism and transnational crimes through its dirty money. Shah cited an estimate of over $ 400 billion of yearly illicit drug trade happening globally, giving an idea of the size of the mammoth issue facing humanity.

The Home Minister laid emphasis on the need for all Nations to join hands and supplement each other's efforts in fighting this menace, as this global scourge cannot be fought by any country individually. He laid emphasis that Nations of the BIMSTEC are especially affected by illicit drug trade, transnational crimes and terrorism, making it all the more important to use platforms like this conference to devise coordinated strategies in ending the evil from its roots. Shah described how Indian security agencies have worked brilliantly to cease over 2 metric tonnes of illicit heroine till September 2019 as compared to 1.2 metric tonnes in 2018. He also said that Manipur and Mizoram having borders with Myanmar and other coastal States are sensitive and may become a gateway for illicit drugs entering India, which needs to be prevented.

Talking about the steps taken by Government of India in combating the drug trafficking Shah said that the Union Government has laid down a well thought out strategy to increase coordination among the agencies of the Centre as well as States and the Home Ministry has established a joint coordination committee to increase surveillance over drug trafficking. The Ministry has also started an e-portal for digitalisation of drug data that may be utilized by various drug enforcement agencies. In the last 5 years, Over 1.89 lakh Narcotics cases have been registered in India, in which over 2.31 lakh drug smugglers have been arrested by the agencies including over 1500 foreign nationals, he said.



The Home Minister also informed that the Ministry is about to establish a training centre for NCB officials regarding enforcement of drug laws, at Bhopal. To fight this global menace, India has so far signed 26 bilateral agreements, 15 MoUs and 2 security pacts with other countries. India has devised a strategy to increase awareness to dissuade the use of internet and social media in illicit drug trade. Further, Government of India has issued notification regarding the registration of B2B companies in order to prevent the online sale of narcotics and illicit drugs, he added.



Concluding his address, Shah called upon the BIMSTEC Partner Nations to come together and work in a coordinated fashion to uproot the evils of illicit drug trade and global terrorism by establishing infrastructure for information sharing, training of drug enforcement officials, ensuring interoperability of law enforcement agencies to take coordinated action for devising new strategies to prevent the use of over 900 newly developed synthetic psychotropic substances that fall out of the international drug control regime net. He also said that there is a need for the scientific community to engage in research in making the pharmaceutical sector independent of the use of narcotic drugs and for this there is need to invest more in R&D sector.
Romance scams are big business.

People reported losing $143 million to romance scams in 2018, according to complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

That was the highest total for any kind of scam reported to the agency.

The median reported loss was $2,600. For people over age 70, the median was $10,000, the FTC said.

For one of our readers, the number was $12,000.

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The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, hoped that sharing her story would be a warning for others.

I'm praying that if I can help one person in their blinded experience to realize these people are taking advantage of naive and gullible victims, it'll be worth it, the woman said.

Well call her Emily.

She said she met her scammer, who we will call Eric, on a popular dating website in November 2019. (Were not naming the site here because we know scams like this can happen on any dating website or social media outlet.)

Emily actually reached out to Eric after seeing his profile photo.

They hit it off pretty quickly through online messages, and soon, Eric said he could imagine spending the rest of his life with Emily.

She wasnt sold right away.

I must have asked him a hundred questions trying to ascertain why hed even be interested in a woman my age; Im 69, and hes 55, she said. I was actually trying to find reasons why we couldnt have a real relationship as I was actually trying to scare him off. The statement that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me seemed way too serious as wed never even met.

The two set up a date at a local restaurant.

Emily said this was the first man she was interested in since her husband of 43 years died three years ago. She said she felt like a teenager again.

The day before the date, though, Eric, who said hes a construction engineer, said he was being sent overseas for a business trip.

Thats when the trouble began.

Eric said one of his suitcases was lost with all of his account information. He asked if Emily would send him money as a loan so he could buy needed equipment for the job.

I was suspicious of this but he has such a way of convincing me that he was being truthful, it was acceptable, Emily said. The money was always sent through a different third party who he swore he knew, and I believed him again.

Over the course of several weeks, Eric continued to charm Emily and his requests money continued.

Emilys family knew about the relationship, she said, and they didnt trust Eric. They asked if Emily was sending him money. She lied and said no.

I had reason to suspect him several times of being a scammer, so I wasn't exactly being stupid about it, but when I confronted him about my feelings, he would always tell me he would never do that to me, and my words hurt him, she said.

By January, worried family members started showing Emily articles about romance scams. They even talked to Eric on the phone but couldnt convince Emily that something was wrong.

But when Eric cancelled yet another in-person meeting, Emily told the truth to her family: She had sent him a total of $12,000.

When they asked why I hadn't told them, all I could say is I was ashamed and embarrassed, Emily said.

Together, they deleted all of Erics contact information and the apps with which they were messaging from Emilys phone. They froze Emilys bank account as a protective measure, and then they went to the police.

The officer wasnt encouraging, Emily said, and he noted that romance scams are common and the scammers are very smart and adept at using technology so they dont get caught.

(What the officer said was true, but in her grief, Emily didnt tell police she had a very important piece of evidence: Checks that she sent to the scammer were endorsed, so there was a bank account number that could be investigated by police. After Bamboozled told police about the checks, an investigation was opened.)

Emily was lost. She was devastated, and she said she was used to talking to Eric when she was upset about anything. She re-added an app to her phone and started talking to him again, hoping he would say something to convince her he was the real thing.

Eric told her he would make things right when he got home.

But then he asked for money again, saying he was at the airport and needed lab tests and immunizations. With the Coronavirus spreading, Emily thought it sounded plausible.

She sent him money.

Her family intervened again after they saw the communication on her phone, and Emily finally accepted the truth: Eric was a fake and she had been scammed.

I've sworn off all dating sites and will only meet people in person when I'm ready, which may not be for a long time, she said.

RED FLAGS

The FTC said that Emilys experience is far too common.

The scammers strike up a relationship with their targets to build their trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day, the FTC said on its website. Then, they make up a story and ask for money.

The scammers will often say they are living or traveling outside of the country, sometimes saying theyre in the military, working on an oil rig or as a doctor with an international organization.

Theyll say they need money for several reasons, including to pay for travel expenses, emergency surgeries, customs fees or gambling debts. Or, like, Eric, to pay business expenses.

The only real way to protect yourself is to never wire or otherwise send money to someone youve never met in person.

If youre not sure about the person, get a second option. Speak to trusted family members and friends, and believe them if theyre suspicious.

Take it a step further and do some research. Google the persons name, which obviously could be a fake, and look online for romance scams, military scams, and similar terms to see if your potential love interest comes up in searches.

Then do a reverse image search of the persons profile picture using Google images or websites like TinEye to see if the photos on a profile are stolen from somewhere else.

If you think its a scam, the FTC wants you to report it. The FBI also wants to hear from you.

And please show some empathy for victims of this  or any  scam. They realize they made mistakes or used poor judgment, and theyre often too ashamed to go public or contact authorities. But the more people who come out and share their experiences, as Emily did, the more people will be aware of this scam.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 17:37:55|Editor: Xiaoxia

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BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and 11 others wounded in an overnight attack by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, a provincial security source said on Thursday.

The attack occurred late on Wednesday night when IS militants attacked a joint army and police checkpoint near the town of Khanaqin, some 160 km northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, Eisa Abdul Rahman told Xinhua.

During the attack a civilian car was caught in cross fire while approaching the checkpoint, killing two people inside the car, Abdul Rahman said, adding that two security members were also wounded in the checkpoint.

Later on, an army patrol was dispatched to the scene, but was hit by a roadside bomb, wounding two soldiers and an officer, the official said.

The clash between the two sides prompted nearby villagers to take up their arms to support the security forces, but the extremist IS militants opened fire on them and wounded six villagers, Eisa added.

Iraqi security forces rushed to the area and launched a search campaign looking for the attackers who fled the scene, he said.

Despite repeated military operations in the Diyala province, remnants of IS militants are still hiding in some rugged areas near the border with Iran, and in the sprawling areas extending from the western part of the province to the Himreen mountainous area in north of the provincial capital Baquba, which itself located some 65 km northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces declared they had fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country late in 2017.

However, groups of extremist militants melted or regrouped in urban or in desert and rugged areas, and have been carrying out attacks against the security forces and civilians despite operations from time to time to hunt them down.
Cebu City (CNN Philippines, February 13)  Dozens of Filipinos who arrived from Taiwan were placed in quarantine on Thursday after 10 hours at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The 78 passengers were placed in 14-day isolation at an undisclosed government facility in Cebu City after arriving in the country from Taiwan  one of the four areas where the Philippine government imposed a travel ban.

A passenger told reporters in a phone interview that being stuck in the airport was a traumatic experience since police arrived at the MCIA bearing long firearms.

The passenger, an OFW from Taiwan who requested anonymity, said he arrived via Eva Air at around 10am Wednesday. He said they were forced to stay at the airport's holding area until 8 p.m. It took also about an hour for them to arrive at the quarantine facility.

MCIA General Manager Steve Dicdican earlier said the disgruntled passengers refused to be quarantined and are forcing their way out of the airport on Wednesday afternoon. Dicdican and other airport officials immediately sought an augmentation force from the Police Regional Office who responded by sending policemen.

The same OFW passenger said the authorities must understand how they feel about the entire incident. For one, they were not told upon boarding that they will be quarantined when they arrive in Cebu, he said.

If they been informed in advance, they would have readily adjusted their schedule and expect quarantine procedures, he pointed out.

He also said they understood the protocols, but they should have been given better accommodations at the holding area. The passenger said they are staying at a quarantine facility that looks like an old classroom, adding several people are sharing rooms. He expressed hope that the government will look into the condition of the quarantine facilities since there is no water supply as of Thursday morning.

Airport officials and the Provincial Task Force on Coronavirus has not issued further statements as of this morning.

The Philippines announced a travel ban against foreign nationals and non-holders of permanent visas coming from Taiwan. The government's travel ban lumped Taiwan with mainland China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau.
Spaceflight Industries, owner of both Spaceflight, Inc. and BlackSky, is selling the Spaceflight, Inc. portion of its business to Japanese industrial corporation Mitsui & Co. and Yamasa . The pair will own the company in a 50/50 joint venture after its closing. The deal will see Spaceflight continue to operate as an independent business based in the U.S. and headquartered in Seattle, with the same mission of providing rideshare launch services for small satellite payloads.

Meanwhile, Spaceflight Industries will use the funds generated from the sale (the terms of the deal were not disclosed) to re-invest in its BlackSky business. BlackSky is an Earth observation company that deals in geospatial intelligence. It currently operates four satellites in orbit, with eight more planned to join its constellation sometime later this year.

The deal also means that Mistui & Co, which is one of Japan's largest businesses and operates in infrastructure, energy production, IT, food, consumer products, mining, chemicals and more, will now be in the rocket launch rideshare business as well. Mitsui also has an aerospace arm that includes a space business which provides satellite development, launch and operation services. It noted in a press release that Spaceflight will become "the cornerstone" of its space strategy pending close of the deal.

Spaceflight has been offering its services since 2010, launching a total of 271 satellites on 29 separate rocket launches. In 2020, Spaceflight is planning 10 missions. The company's business seems poised to grow as more launch providers and more small satellite operators enter the market, with many predictions indicating sharp uptakes in orbit-based businesses to come over the next decade.

This arrangement is perhaps indicative of things to come in the space industry, as more young companies look at their overall business and determine how best to delineate things to continue their growth and return funds on investment to stay on mission. SpaceX, for instance, has confirmed it's looking at spinning out its Starlink business and taking that public, a move that could generate significant funds for it to then funnel back into its core launch business in pursuit of its goals of making humans multi-planetary.

The deal still has to undergo review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) because there's a national security interest involved, given Spaceflight's past work. This is expected to take multiple months, and the companies say they anticipate the deal will close sometime during Q2 2020 if everything is approved.
Contaminated poultry products from Brazil have been distributed to the general public in Ghana, DGN Online, has gathered from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

A document from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said four containers of poultry products were imported into Ghana from Brazil without Veterinary permit and health certificate by Perez Frozen Foods Limited and Perfect God Enterprise.

Upon an alert from the Brazilian authorities that the contents of containers were infected, the Veterinary Services Directorate decided to impound the four (4) containers, it said.

It added that but without the knowledge of the Veterinary Services Directorate of Ministry of Food and Agriculture, three of the containers were cleared from the port and their contents were distributed to the general public.

It noted that the remaining one (1) was detained and its contents sampled by the Accra Veterinary Laboratory and found to be infected with bacteria, salmonella enteriditis as alerted by Brazilian authorities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has decided to destroy the contents of the container on Friday, February 14, 2020, at the disposal site in Tema.

Daily Guide
Since the launch of the new National Strategic Plan (2017-25), there has been a 38 per cent increase in TB case notifications to the government - from 17.36 lakhs in 2017 to 23.98 lakhs in 2019, informed Vikas Sheel, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India during a media sensitization workshop on TB in New Delhi.

He further added that the government has been successful in closing the notification gap (between estimated incidence and notified cases), referred earlier as the 'missing million', to less than three lakhs, through greater engagement with private-sector health care providers.

Under the National Strategic Plan (2017-25), the Government of India committed to ending TB by 2025, five years ahead of the SDG target - 80 per cent reduction in incidence and 90 per cent reduction in mortality by 2025 from a baseline of 2015.

For this, the government has ensured adequate budgetary allocations to ensure patients seeking care in the private sector also receive free and standardized treatment.

In line with the National Strategic Plan, the government is rolling out private sector engagement programs across the country to engage private providers such as formal and informal doctors, chemists and diagnostic labs, aimed at facilitating appropriate delivery of TB diagnosis and treatment.

In 2018, the government partnered with the Global Fund to launch JEET or the Joint Effort for Elimination of TB, a private sector engagement program operating in 45 large cities across the country. To intensify this engagement, the Government of India along with the state governments has already scaled up the model through domestic resources across 125 other districts. This is being further scaled up in 2020.

"The TB program has come a long way in the last few years and the increased number of notifications is an important step in the elimination of the disease from the country. The government has reiterated its commitment to provide free-of-cost, high-quality TB care to all patients in the country, including those being treated in the private sector. We are already providing patients in the private sector with diagnostics, UDST, and free drugs, since last year," said Sheel.

Multiple studies conducted in India through the years have shown that around 25 per cent TB patients seek care through private-sector health care providers. Recognizing this, in 2012, the Government of India made TB a notifiable disease - each provider was mandated to notify each TB case to the authorities.

In 2018, the government further strengthened the policy by issuing a Gazette Notification for mandatory notification along with provisions of penal actions, in case of non-compliance. The government also provides incentives to private providers for notifications and reporting of treatment outcomes.

Increasing community participation in the TB program

In the past year, the government has launched TB forums at various levels, including at the district and block levels. The forums aim to address a range of issues including improving awareness about the TB program initiatives and ensure its high uptake, and address stigma around the disease by engaging with a range of stakeholders including patients, elected leaders (including Gram Pradhans), and health care workers, among others.

The program has also worked on building the capacity of TB survivors to serve as TB 'champions' to help others in completing treatment successfully. Till date, over 300 TB champions have been empowered and mentored to supporting over 8,000 TB patients.

Going forward, the government aims to scale up community participation by expanding patient mentoring programs, create a grievance redressal mechanism, and expand engagement with Panchayati Raj institutions, self-help groups and other grass-root platforms.

Earlier in the day, Dr KS Sachdeva, Deputy Director-General, Central TB Division, Government of India gave an overview of the achievements of the TB program in 2019.

Microscopy centers in 2019 saw an increase of 20 per cent as compared to 2018. Similarly, rapid molecular testing devices has been ramped up from 1,180 to 1,530 in the year 2019. TB notifications have increased 14 per cent in 2019 as compared to the previous year with overall TB cases reported at 23.9 lakhs in both private and public sector, he added.

"In the last few years, India has transitioned from a TB control response to one which focuses on elimination. We have therefore introduced several transformative strategies such as private sector engagement, community participation and a provision for social support, which are changing the way we diagnose, treat and prevent TB," said Dr Sachdeva.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 17:30:55|Editor: huaxia

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The first batch of 28 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 were discharged from a gymnasium-converted makeshift hospital on Tuesday afternoon in Wuhan. Director of the hospital recently talked with Xinhua on how it works and what treatments patients received.
A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to halt work on the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud computing network, known as JEDI, as it considers allegations that President Donald Trump improperly interfered in the bidding process. The order comes just one day before the Defense Department had planned to "go live" with JEDI.

The JEDI contract, worth up to $US10 billion ($14.9 billion) over 10 years, was awarded to Microsoft in late October after a last-minute intervention from the White House prompted Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper to reexamine the department's approach. The contract is meant to create a powerful, centralised computing system for US military agencies.

Amazon's market-leading cloud computing division is suing the Defense Department in the US Court of Federal Claims, arguing the president's involvement skewed the playing field in its rival's favor. The company alleges the Defense Department made numerous errors as it weighed bids from Amazon and Microsoft. And it accused Trump of launching "repeated public and behind-the-scenes attacks" against Amazon to act on a grudge against the company's founder, Jeff Bezos.
Dental braces are dental devices used to align and straighten teeth. The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey states that 59% children in the United States suffer from some form of malocclusion.

Dental devices are placed by an orthodontist. Braces consist of brackets and wires which are attached to your teeth to align them. Most people undertake Orthodontic treatment to improve their appearance while others may undertake this treatment to improve the functional relation of their teeth.(1)

Why undertake Orthodontic Treatment?

You may decide to undertake orthodontic treatment due to a variety of reasons. Some of them are:

To improve your appearance: a variety of dental malocclusions may compromise your appearance. This may include crowding of your teeth to proclined (forward projecting) upper front teeth.

To improve the functional relation of your upper and lower teeth: your upper and lower back teeth come together while chewing and swallowing. The front teeth when too proclined lead to disorders like mouth breathing or acquired tongue thrusting. Getting malocclusions treated at the correct age will help improve various oral functions.

To improve general dental heath: crowding or teeth that are not in proper alignment are difficult to keep clean resulting in caries and periodontal problems. Orthodontic treatment can get these teeth into proper alignment thereby improving the general dental health.

Who needs Braces?

Orthodontic treatment is generally performed in children and adolescents, that is, individuals in their growing age, as the results expected are better. However this treatment can also be undertaken by adults. With improvements in techniques, the results achieved are becoming more reliable.

Some pointers that indicate that your child might need orthodontic treatment are:

Crowding: The teeth may overlap each other instead of being in proper alignment.

Spacing: There may be large gaps between the teeth; this can compromise aesthetics as well as result in food impaction between the teeth.

Open bite: The upper and lower front teeth may not be aligned properly resulting in a perceptible gap between them when the patient bites. This can compromise the function and aesthetics of the individual as well as result in oral habits such as tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

Poor alignment of your front teeth: The upper front teeth may show excessive proclination or may retroclined in relation to the lower front teeth. The reverse may also be true where your lower front teeth are outwardly inclined as compared to your upper front teeth. In both these cases, aesthetics and function are compromised.

Traumatic bite: When the upper and lower front teeth show excessive overlap such that they rub against each other or the palate when the teeth are brought together, the condition is referred to as deep or traumatic bite. In such cases, it is important to get the condition treated as soon as it is detected to avoid trauma to the teeth or the soft tissue.

Crossbite: Normally, the upper teeth are placed outwards while the lower teeth are placed inwards; when this relation is reversed, it is known as crossbite. The condition can result in poor function of teeth as well as trauma to the cheeks and gums.

Treatment of impacted teeth: Impacted teeth are those teeth which do not erupt / appear in the oral cavity at the correct age and may stay buried in the jaw bone. These teeth can cause complications ranging from poor appearance to dental cysts. Braces may be used to assist in the eruption of such teeth.

What are Braces and how do they work?

Dental Braces are one of the names given to fixed orthodontic appliances. Orthodontics is the dental speciality that deals with the treatment of malocclusions, that is, deviation in the position of teeth or the upper and lower jaws. These malocclusions may be treated using fixed (dental braces) or removable appliances.

Braces consist of brackets (rectangular slots that are attached to your teeth) and wires. Braces work on the principal that when force is applied on bone it undergoes remodelling, that is, some areas will show bone formation and some areas will show bone resorption. They work by applying slow but sustained force on your teeth; this force in turn is transmitted to the bone. Areas where pressure is being applied will show resorption while areas where tension is created will show bone formation. This controlled force over time will cause the movement of your teeth in the bone allowing them to come into the proper alignment.(2)

Best time to get orthodontic treatment:

Studies suggest that the best results can be achieved when the child is in his/her growing age. Parents should visit a dentist when the child is around 7 yrs old so as to get any interceptive orthodontic measures if possible. At this age, interception of a malocclusion can reduce the degree of subsequent treatment.(3)

Fixed orthodontics can be performed for all ages. However, the best time to go for this treatment is 10-18 yrs.

Treatment options:

Treatment options for braces are:

Traditional metal wired braces are of stainless steel and are the most common type of braces. They consist of metal bracket and the metal wire secured either using elastics or they may be self ligating, where there is no need for the elastics. The main disadvantage of these braces is the poor aesthetics due to the obvious display of metal.

Ceramic braces are a cosmetic alternative to metal braces. Their color matches that of the teeth, thereby blending in more with the dentition. However, the chief disadvantage of these braces is their tendency to break.

Lingual braces: Traditional braces are fixed to the front or visible part of your teeth. Lingual braces are however attached to the lingual or inner surface of your teeth making them a more aesthetic treatment alternative. The disadvantage with this treatment option is that it cannot be used for all cases.

Titanium braces are similar to stainless steel braces and are indicated in patients who are allergic to nickel. Their disadvantage is their greater cost and metallic appearance.

Clear aligners: These are customized appliances made of plastic that offer the advantage of being more aesthetic. They can be removed by the patient while brushing and eating food. This system however has its disadvantage of being very expensive and as all types of tooth movements are not possible, the scope is also limited.

Suresmile system: This is a computer-assisted system for diagnosis, treatment planning and fabrication of the brackets. The system consists of scanners that scan the teeth and formulate a treatment plan. The dentist can send the information to specialized labs that fabricate the brackets. The disadvantage of this system is its high cost and, being a relatively new system, it may not be available with all dentists.

Fitting procedure:

The initial procedure involves thorough diagnosis and treatment planning. This may involve making models of your teeth for which the dentist will take impressions of your teeth. Radiographic examinations may also be performed.

After the dentist has reached a conclusion as to the most appropriate treatment plan for you, he/she may start with the treatment. The dentist may decide to extract some of your teeth, most often premolars. This is generally done before the braces are fixed. The extractions are carried out in a phased manner, generally one tooth at a time.

After the extraction, on a subsequent appointment, the dentist will fix the braces to your teeth.

The brackets are attached to your teeth with special cements and then the wire is secured to your braces either with elastics or the braces may be self ligating. In subsequent appointments, the dentist will either re-examine your teeth for appropriate movement or may add a new wire to further move the teeth.

Orthodontic treatment may last from anywhere between 2-3 yrs.(4)

Post treatment:

After the dentist decides that the treatment is complete, he will remove the braces and prescribe a retainer. The function of the retainer is to ensure that the teeth do not move back into their original position as bone remodelling undergoes for 6 months to a year. In some cases the dentist may also give you a fixed retainer; these retainers are fixed to your teeth.

Home care instructions:

The orthodontist will give you certain instructions that must be followed to minimize the complications and ensure optimum results. These often include:

Brushing after each meal.

after each meal. Fluoride mouth rises.

Regular use of dental floss.

In case the dentist has prescribed any removable appliance such as a retainer, it must be worn regularly. The device should be kept clean and immersed in water when outside the mouth.

Risks of orthodontic treatment:

As with any intervention, orthodontic procedures are associated with some risks. However, it must be pointed out that proper treatment planning, follow-up and religiously following your orthodontist home care instructions can considerably reduce these problems. Some of the problems associated with orthodontic treatments are:

Tooth decay: An orthodontic patient is more prone to dental decay as braces make it difficult to keep your teeth clean. It is important that meticulous oral hygiene is maintained; along with this your dentist may also prescribe fluoride mouth rises to prevent caries.

Root resorption: If excessive force is applied on teeth, it may result in root resorption and even loss of teeth. It is important that the dentist applies slow and sustained force on teeth.(5  )

) Loss of periodontal support: The difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene also may cause break down of the periodontal ligament of your teeth. Again, it is important that proper oral hygiene be maintained.

Cost:

Braces may cost about $5000 or around 15000-50000 Indian rupees based on the duration and complexity of the treatment.
[February 13, 2020] HomeServe Cares Foundation Sponsors the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship Program to Help "Make Work Cool Again"

HomeServe USA, a leading provider of home repair solutions, has supported the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship Program this year through its HomeServe Cares Foundation (HSCF). The Work Ethic Scholarship Program provides scholarships to exceptional individuals pursuing a career in the skilled trades, including construction, HVAC, electric technology, and plumbing, among many others. Applications are now being accepted, and the final deadline to apply is March 31, 2020. This year, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation would like to give away $1 million in scholarships to qualified applicants, and recipients will be notified in late May 2020. Visit www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship for additional information and to apply. "HomeServe is proud to support Mike Rowe's foundation to promote the skilled trades and to support the hardworking women and men who help keep our country - and our homes - running," said HomeServe USA CEO John Kitzie. "The Work Ethic Scholarship Program is a terrific tool that will help grow our country's next generation of skilled workers." HomeServe's support of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship Program is part of the HSCF's commitment to "spread hope and support communities, one home at a time." Launched in April 2019, the HSCF's four pillars include: Caring For People: Pro-bono repais for eligible homeowners who find themselves facing a home emergency they are unable to handle financially. Caring For Community: Grants to municipalities and non-profits to help fund community-based projects. Caring For Vets: Connecting current and transitioning military men and women with the HomeServe contractor network to place veterans into paid apprenticeships in the trades. Caring For Good: An employee-directed corporate charitable matching program and opportunities for HomeServe employees to participate in volunteer efforts.



www.HomeServeCaresFoundation.com. About HomeServe

HomeServe USA Corp. (HomeServe) is a leading provider of home repair solutions serving more than 4.2 million customers across the US and Canada under the HomeServe, Home Emergency Insurance Solutions, Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) and Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) names. Since 2003, HomeServe has been protecting homeowners against the expense and inconvenience of water, sewer, electrical, HVAC and other home repair emergencies by providing affordable repair coverage, installations and quality local service. As an A+ rated Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, HomeServe is dedicated to being a customer-focused company supplying best-in-class repair plans and other services to consumers directly and through over 750 leading municipal, utility and association partners. HomeServe has teamed up with executive producer, host, and best-selling author Mike Rowe, best known as the creator and host of the hit TV series Dirty Jobs, and is a sponsor of This Old House on PBS, working together to provide homeowners expert advice on maintaining, enhancing and protecting their homes. For more information about HomeServe, a Connecticut Top Workplace winner and recipient of thirty-three 2019 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, or to learn more about HomeServe's affordable repair plans, please go to www.homeserve.com. Connect with HomeServe on Facebook and Twitter (News - Alert) @HomeServeUSA. For news and information follow on Twitter @HomeServeUSNews. About the mikeroweWORKS Foundation The mikeroweWORKS foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works hard to debunk myths about the skilled trades and help close the skills gap. As the CEO, Mike Rowe speaks regularly about the country's dysfunctional relationship with work, and he challenges the persistent belief that a four-year degree is the best path for the most people. The mikeroweWORKS Foundation provides financial assistance to people getting trained for skilled jobs that are in demand, most notably through the Work Ethic Scholarship Program. Since its inception, it has granted, or helped facilitate the granting of, more than $5 million in scholarships or grants in support of technical and vocational education. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005104/en/

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While disappointed to be back three days before their cruise was scheduled to end, many of the 4,196 passengers from a Princess ship plagued with a fast-moving gastro-intestinal bug disembarked in Fort Lauderdale this morning thanking their lucky stars that their fate is different from passengers on another Princess ship 7,500 miles away.

'We're happy this was just a stomach bug,' Caribbean Princess passenger Bill Carroll, 78, from San Antonio, Florida, told DailyMail.com as he disembarked Thursday morning.

'We did discuss with other passengers what's going on in Japan with that other cruise ship, and we're just thankful we're back even in good health even if it's early.

'It's a small inconvenience compared with what those people are going through,' he added.

Carroll was referring to the Diamond Princess, a ship that's been quarantined off Japan for almost two weeks with an increasing number of passengers catching the deadly coronavirus.

The Caribbean Princess cruise ship has docked in Ft. Lauderale, Florida, three days ahead of schedule after more than 300 passengers and crewmembers were stricken with a fast-moving gastro-intestinal bug

Bill Carroll and his wife, of San Antonio, tell DailyMail.com that they are relieved the illness on their ship was only the stomach big and not the deadly coronavirus which has plagued other ships

Every passenger who talked with DailyMail.com described a calm situation on board despite the fact passengers started getting sick two days after leaving Fort Lauderdale on February 2

Authorities in Japan say that so far 174 passengers have been confirmed stricken with the respiratory illness.

In Fort Lauderdale, meanwhile, Princess Cruises said 299 passengers and 22 crew members on the Caribbean Princess fell ill from a spreading gastroenteritis that caused six to seven-hour bouts with diarrhea, vomiting and stomach aches.

Less than a week into the 14-day cruise through the Caribbean Sea, small islands where the ship was to dock for excursions started refusing access to their ports.

The ship was forced to skip stops in Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, St Kitts, Bonaire and Barbados, passengers said.

With nowhere to go, the Caribbean Princess' captain opted to return to Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades, 1,600 miles away.

Every passenger who talked with DailyMail.com described a calm situation on board despite the fact passengers started getting sick two days after leaving Fort Lauderdale on February 2.

'The staff did a great job eradicating this thing,' said Bob Anderson, 75, a Punta Gorda, Florida, retiree who was on the cruise with his wife Mary. 'They really went to work when they noticed people started getting sick.'

Trinidad and Tobago's health ministry turned around the Caribbean Princess liner, which was then forced to make the 1,600-mile journey back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, early

After the ship docked back in Florida, passengers told DailyMail.com that they were denied food unless they disinfected their hands in front of staff

Port workers were seen wearing gloves as passengers exited The Caribbean Princess cruiseliner several days early

One passenger described the staff constantly wiping down banisters, casino equipment, chairs, pool-side furniture, games and other items usually touched by many people

Passengers explained how doctors and nurses ordered them to stay in their cabins after administering a shot, and then would monitor if them if they tried to leave the ship

Anderson, who didn't catch the illness, described hand-washing stations set up all over the 950-foot long, $500 million ship, sometimes feet apart.

He said passengers were denied food unless they disinfected their hands in front of staff. He said no food could be handled by passengers and crew served guests even at the buffet line.

'You couldn't even handle the salt and pepper shakers,' Anderson said. 'You had to call on a crew member and they'd put salt on your food for you. You couldn't just grab your own roll.'

Anderson described staff constantly wiping banisters, casino equipment, chairs, pool-side furniture, games and other items usually touched by many people with disinfectants.

'We saw the dancers from the nightly shows pitch in with buckets of bleach on the floor,' Anderson said. 'They were cleaning day and night.'

Anderson said he paid $2,600 for his and his wife's cruise, and Princess offered reimbursement of half the fares plus a 50 percent credit off their next cruise.

After the ship arrived, drivers of buses to the airport put on plastic gloves, just in case.

'I've done this a long time,' said one driver who declined to tell his name. 'You've got to be careful with luggage and handshakes and stuff. It happens about twice a year that I put on gloves when a ship pulls in.'

Passengers told DailyMail.com no border authorities at arrival at Port Everglades checked them for coronavirus.

One passenger described hand-washing stations set up all over the 950-foot long, $500 million ship to try to prevent the risk of bacteria spreading

After the ship arrived, drivers of buses to the airport put on plastic gloves as they handled passengers' luggage

'You've got to be careful with luggage and handshakes and stuff. It happens about twice a year that I put on gloves when a ship pulls in,' one bus driver told DailyMail.com

Dennis Moravec, 71, a passenger from the Washington, D.C., area said he was stricken on the cruise's second day.

He described how doctors and nurses ordered him to stay in his cabin after giving him a shot, then would check on him by phone.

'It went on for six hours,' said the retired GM dealership employee. 'I was really weak. But then it just went away.'

Another passenger who asked that her name not be used said she, too, ended up confined to her cabin.

Crew members were able to keep track of her, and fellow patients, through the magnetic card that passengers use for meals, drinks and to get off at ports-of-call.

'If you tried to get off the ship when we were still allowed to visit the ports, a red light would go on at the checkpoint and they sent you back to your cabin,' she said.

In St. Thomas, she said, passengers spotted an ambulance picking up a passenger. But crew told passengers the emergency wasn't related to the gastroenteritis.

James and Marlene Cloughessy from Phoenix, Arizona, tell DailyMail.com that this was likely their last 'big fun thing' and they're disappointed the cruise didn't go smoother

Princess cruise line offered reimbursement of half the fares plus a 50 percent credit off passengers' next cruise

While relaxed and rested, Jim and Marlene Cloughessy, both 77, said they were disappointed their cruises didn't go smoother.

Jim, from Phoenix, Arizona, is battling cancer while Marlene is suffering from acute arthritis.

The ill-fated trip was likely their last 'big fun thing.'

'I guess this trip wasn't meant to be,' retired small business owner Jim said. 'At least, we had a nice Uber driver.'

They did get to see the sights in Martinique, St. Thomas and St. Martin before they were stranded on the ship.

When asked why she took it all in stride, a passenger from Toronto, Ontario, said: 'It's cold in Canada. It's inconvenient to be back so soon, but that beats being in Toronto.'

In a statement, Princess Cruises said it ordered the ship to turn around 'out of an abundance of caution' when guests reported 'mild cases of gastrointestinal illness.'

The Caribbean Princess is scheduled to set sail for another cruise on Sunday, according to the cruise line.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A Kalamazoo woman was found guilty of murder Thursday for starting a house on fire, killing the man inside.

Melissa Morgan was found guilty on counts of murder and arson Thursday, Feb. 13, by a Kalamazoo County jury for the death of Zachariah Hayes, who was killed in a house fire just over one year ago.

As a result of the verdict, which brought to a close a three-week-long trial in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, Morgan, 33, now faces a mandatory sentence of up to life in prison on the convictions for first-degree murder and first-degree arson.

Morgan will return to the court for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. on March 16.

Morgan, the prosecution said, lit Hayes home at 427 Wallace Ave. on fire while he was passed out inside.

The victims sister, Sarah Hayes, said the family was relieved to hear the guilty verdict.

Its been stressful waiting weeks and weeks, Hayes said. We are just happy she wont be able to hurt anyone else.

Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Rebecca DAngelo said in her closing arguments on Feb. 5 that Morgan killed Hayes after an argument because he would not get her drugs. She said Morgan is addicted to drugs and manipulates others to get what she wants.

Morgan never cared for Hayes and it was a one-sided friendship, DAngelo said.

The prosecution showed the jury text messages from Morgan sent around the time of the fire, which Morgan asked multiple people for drugs, food or cigarettes. DAngelo told the jury the texts show Morgans state of mind leading up to the fire, and prove she had a motive to kill Hayes.

According to the text messages presented during the prosecutors closing arguments, Morgan told her boyfriend that Hayes raped her three times the night of the house fire.

Imma kill him, Morgan said to her boyfriend. Im gonna get him and then Im out.

Defense Attorney Eusebio Solis argued that Justin Flegel, a witness in the case who was at Hayes home the night of the fire, was the person responsible for starting the fire. Solis said during trial that Flegel started the fire out of anger because Morgan told him she was raped by Hayes multiple times that night.

The jurys verdict came on the seventh day of deliberations.

Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Pamela Lightvoet said the jury reported being at an impasse after the fifth day of deliberations. After rereading jury instructions Wednesday around 10:30 a.m., Lightvoet told the jury to continue deliberating and try to reach a consensus. The jury returned to the courtroom at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Also on MLive:

Jury deliberates murder, arson charges for Kalamazoo woman accused of setting fatal fire

Witness in murder trial started fire that killed man, defendants attorney argues

Fatal arson was retaliation for rape, attorney argues at trial

Woman who alleges rape headed to trial in Kalamazoo mans murder

Woman charged with murder after fatal house fire in Kalamazoo
The Regime has accused opposition politicians of paying miscreants to boo the presidential motorcade in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Wednesday.

Senior Special Assistant to the Ruler on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the allegation in an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC, monitored by Breaking Times in Abuja, on Thursday.

Residents of Maiduguri had on Wednesday, booed the motorcade of Nigerian Ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, during his condolence visit to the state over the killing of over 30 travellers at Auno park.

Shehu said, I was part of the delegation that entered Maiduguri right from the airport to the Palace of the Shehu of Borno. The people came out to say thank you and welcome us.

But there was a group which came out shouting we dont want.

He said, maybe some politicians gathered some miscreants and paid them money to boo Buhari.

The aide said whoever recorded the booing incident and shared it on social media didnt do justice to the people of Borno State whom he said had a reputation for welcoming guests.

Shehu also said it was not possible to satisfy everyone since no human being was god, especially in a city like Maiduguri which has a population of four to five million people.

He noted that the regime of the ruler had demonstrated the capacity to fight Boko Haram and he had promised to change strategy in dealing with what he described as a new problem.
"We are so grateful for this support from GovX. They are truly force multipliers for our mission." - Chris Irwin, retired SEAL officer

A fundraising effort organized by GovX, the online shopping site exclusively for current and former military and first responders, has raised over $5,000 for Navy SEAL Foundation, the nonprofit that provides immediate and ongoing support to the NSW community and their families.

Established in 2000, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501(c)(3 non-profit headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA. Each of their specialized programs maps directly back to the U.S. Special Operations Command directive and the Naval Special Warfares Preservation of the Force and Family Program, a program designed to address the fraying of the force caused by the stress of decades of sustained combat. NSF programs are designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families, and provide critical support during times of illness, injury, and loss.

"We are so grateful for this support from GovX," said Chris Irwin, a retired SEAL officer and current director of partnerships at Navy SEAL Foundation. "Not only do these types of promotions raise funds for the NSW community, but they expand awareness about what the NSF does. They are truly force multipliers for our mission."

Navy SEAL Foundation programs relieve the burden placed on the family members when SEALs deploy around the world. When a SEAL deploys, life back home doesn't stop for his family. Challenges arise for the spouses and children of the Navy's most elite operators. Navy SEAL Foundation provides immediate and ongoing support to the NSW community and their families, so warriors on the front line remain focused on their mission.

Individual sales of GovX's "Don't Mess with the Bull" Patch of the Month fueled the donations to the Navy SEAL Foundation. Each patch is designed for the GovX Gives Back charitable donation program, which donated over $75,000 last year to nonprofits serving military, first responders, law enforcement professionals, and the families who support them.

"As our company is headquartered in the same region as Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, GovX team members have had the privilege of knowing several members of the SEAL community and their families," said Alan Cole, GovX CEO. "Being able to support these elite operators and the family members who support them through the GovX Gives Back program is a true honor. We remain grateful for members of the GovX community who continue to support impactful organizations like the Navy SEAL Foundation."

To find the Navy SEAL Foundation program that's right for you and your family, visit their website.

Get February's Patch of the Month, benefiting the nonprofit Angels of America's Fallen.

About GovX:

GovX.com is for the men and women who protect our country and communities. The members-only eCommerce site offers thousands of products, tickets and travel services from hundreds of premium brands at exclusive, below-retail pricing. Eligible members include active and veteran U.S. military, firefighters, law enforcement officers and federal agents. Membership is free and more information can be found at GovX.com.
EnWave Announces Appointment of Mr. Patrick Turpin to its Board of Directors

Posted by Publisher Internet

EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (?EnWave?, or the \Company\  https://www.commodity-tv.com/play/enwave-targeting-profitability-in-2020-signed-joint-development-deal-with-gea-lyophil/ ) announced today the appointment of Mr. Patrick Turpin to the Company?s Board of Directors. Patrick was a co-founder of Popchips, Inc (?Popchips?) and is a seasoned veteran of the consumer packaged goods industry. His addition will broaden and strengthen the skillset of the EnWave team to include a wealth of experience and leadership in the better-for-you segment of the snacking vertical.

Patrick Turpin is an accomplished senior executive who has successfully concepted and launched several revenue-generating retail channel businesses and brands. He has close to 30 years of experience leading consumer packaged goods organizations across multiple areas of the value chain. In addition to co-founding Popchips, he was also a senior executive at Costco Wholesale where he led multiple strategic initiatives, including launching Costco?s gas station business and Costco?s Executive Membership division. Patrick also managed Costco?s vertically integrated, private label snack and confection packaging business.

With the addition of Patrick Turpin, EnWave?s Board now consists of five independent directors and two non-independent directors. The two non-independent directors are John Budreski, Executive Chairman, and Brent Charleton, Chief Executive Officer. ?EnWave welcomes Patrick to the Board and the experience he brings is anticipated to add tremendous value to the Company?s strategic initiatives, including the rapid expansion of its better-for-you Moon Cheese? snack brand.

About EnWave

EnWave Corporation, a Vancouver-based advanced technology company, has developed Radiant Energy Vacuum (?REV??) ? an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. EnWave has further developed patent-pending methods for uniformly drying and decontaminating cannabis through the use of REV? technology, shortening the time from harvest to marketable cannabis products.?

REV? technology?s commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors, including legal cannabis. EnWave?s strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with innovative, disruptive companies in multiple verticals for the use of REV? technology. The company has signed over thirty royalty-bearing licenses to date. In addition to these licenses, EnWave established a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to manufacture, market and sell all-natural dairy snack products in the United States, including the Moon Cheese? brand.?

EnWave has introduced REV? as a disruptive dehydration platform in the food and cannabis sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently offers two distinct commercial REV? platforms:

nutraREV? which is a drum-based system that dehydrates organic materials quickly and at low-cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture and colour; and,

quantaREV? which is a tray-based system used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying.

More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net.

Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management\-\-s expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company\-\-s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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.
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday as investors focused on the possibility of deeper supply cuts from the worlds biggest producers.

The steady pricing comes on the heels of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) lowering its 2020 demand forecast for its crude by 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) on Wednesday. It cited concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak in China, the worlds biggest oil importer.

Brent crude was up 32 cents, or 0.6 percent to $56.11 a barrel, and the United States West Texas Intermediate crude oil (WTI) increased by 14 cents to $51.31 a barrel.

US gasoline futures jumped more than one percent supported by outages at ExxonMobil Corps 502,500 bpd Baton Rouge refinery in Louisiana and Phillips 66s 285,000-bpd Bayway refinery in New Jersey.

OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, could agree to further output cuts when they next meet, possibly as early as this month. The organisation and its allies led by Russia have implemented such curbs since 2017 to revive prices that had become depressed by a glut of crude.

The Russians have pretty much signalled that everyone is on board for OPEC+ delivering deeper production cuts, said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA Corporation in New York.

As long as the coronavirus does not show strong signs that the spreading of the virus is intensifying, WTI crude could make a run towards the mid-$50s, he added.

Oil demand in China, the worlds second-largest crude consumer, has plunged because of travel restrictions to and from the country and quarantines within it. Hubei Province, the epicentre of the outbreak, said on Thursday that the number of new confirmed cases there jumped by 14,840 to 48,206 on February 12 and deaths climbed by a daily record of 242 to 1,310.

Oil refiner China National Chemical Corp said on Thursday that it would close a 100,000 bpd plant and cut processing at two others amid falling fuel demands.

The International Energy Agency expects oil demand in the first quarter to fall for the first time in 10 years before picking up in the second quarter. The agency cut its full-year global growth forecast to 825,000 bpd.

Brent and WTI have fallen more than 20 percent from their January peak because of the coronavirus outbreak.

All of the fundamentals are basically negative and even equities are lower and crude oil on the other hand continues to rip higher, said Bob Yawger, director of futures at Mizuho Americas in New York.

You can argue that maybe those demand numbers arent as bad as the market thought they could be, he noted.
The Stop the Bleed education campaign is based on knowledge gained from the Sandy Hook School shooting, said Doherty, who also serves as chairman of the Committee on Trauma for the American College of Surgeons, which coordinates Stop the Bleed classes. Some of those kids might have survived if someone inside the school had done basic emergency procedures.
By Ko Chang-nam





Almost two years have passed since President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed on an inter-Korean railway project in April 2018. Since then some progress has been made on the project, including the ground-breaking ceremony held Dec. 26, 2018.



South Korean railway experts were dispatched to North Korea in late November and early December 2018, to conduct an inspection on railway conditions in North Korea



However, since the Hanoi summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim in February 2019, inter-Korean relations have been at a standstill, and activities on the inter-Korean railway project have all stopped.



Amid the deadlock, however, Seoul has made efforts to resume the rail project. On Jan. 7 this year, President Moon offered a broader inter-Korean cooperation, while proposing to create conditions for Kim's visit to Seoul.



Moon said that if the two Koreas can find "realistic" ways to reconnect railways and roads across the inter-Korean border, it could lead to international cooperation and resume the suspended inter-Korean tour program on an individual basis.



On Jan. 15, Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul expressed his willingness to facilitate the rail project. He underscored a lapse of 20 years since the first inter-Korean summit where the then leaders of South and North Korea agreed to link their railways and roads.



On Jan. 22, South Korean ambassador to the U.S., Lee Soo-hyuck, said that, the inter-Korean railway project is the one we need to push for urgently, given the fact that it will take the longest. The South Korean government is said to be drawing up a list of equipment and goods required for an intensive survey of the inter-Korean railway project.



For the acceleration of the inter-Korean railway project, I would like to stress three reasons why the project should continue "constantly."



First of all, the project has already been agreed upon by Moon and Kim. Therefore the two Koreas specifically want this project.



Secondly, the international community also wants the inter-Korean railway project, and it is consistent with what neighboring countries want as well. China has launched the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project linking Europe and Asia.



An inter-Korean railway, if completed, could serve as the eastern extension, creating the overland connection between South Korea and prosperous Chinese cities across the Yellow Sea from the Korean Peninsula, including Beijing and Shanghai.



A stable inter-Korean railway may also motivate Japan to finally begin working on the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel, a project that had been under discussion since the 1980s.



Thirdly, the inter-Korean railway project is closely related with the East Asian Railway Community Initiative. As you know, President Moon proposed this initiative, on Aug. 15, 2018, that would involve the six countries in Asia, namely South Korea, North Korea, China, Japan, Russia and Mongolia, in addition to the U.S.



In this regard, Moon said, "Linking the inter-Korean railways is the beginning of co-prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, and it's the core project of the East Asian Railway Community Initiative."



After all, the inter-Korean railway project is not only desperately needed by the two Koreas but also globally required by neighboring countries. It needs to be discussed on a global platform such as at the U.N. in the near future. Therefore, we cannot overemphasize the importance of international cooperation in Northeast Asia and beyond.





Ko Chang-nam is a former economic affairs officer of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).


Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 09:25:49|Editor: Yurou

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BOGOTA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed on Wednesday when a twin-engine aircraft crashed north of Colombia's capital Bogota, the national civil aviation agency said.

The plane took off minutes earlier before the crash, the agency said.

An investigative team was dispatched to the scene to determine the cause of the accident.
Microsoft shares plummeted on Thursday losing $17billion in value just five minutes after a federal judge ordered a temporary injunction on the companys JEDI contract with the Pentagon.

The technology companys shares dropped from $185.40 at 2.11pm EST to an intraday low of $183.16 by 2.16pm and closed around that price.

Microsoft's stock, which is worth $1.4trillion, suffered a 1% loss from its market capitalization on Thursday.

The temporary injunction was issued Thursday after Amazon claimed that President Trumps bias against Jeff Bezos prevented the companys efforts to win the $10billion Pentagon cloud contract that Microsoft won.

Microsoft shares plummeted one percent on Thursday losing $17billion in market value in just five minutes after a federal judge ordered a temporary injunction on the companys JEDI contract with the Pentagon. As of Thursdays close Microsofts stock sat at a value of $183.71

A federal court has ordered a temporary halt in Microsoft's work on a $10billion Pentagon cloud contract after rival Amazon claimed President Trump's bias against Jeff Bezos hurt its chances to win the project

Amazon shares rose briefly following the injunction announcement on Thursday, but then turned negative.

Amazon was initially expected to win that contract with the Department of Defense that will build a cloud for the storage and management of military and defense data.

After they lost it in a surprise upset, the company requested a court injunction last month, claiming the process was tainted with politics.

Amazon claims Trump and other officials shut the company out of the contract due to the president's personal vendetta against Bezos.

The documents requesting the block and the judge's decision to issue the temporary injunction are sealed by the court for unspecified reasons.

Microsoft said in a statement that it was disappointed by the additional delay, but said it believes that it will ultimately be allowed to move forward with the project. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella pictured above

Amazon shares rose briefly following the injunction announcement on Thursday, but then turned negative

Microsoft said in a statement that it was disappointed by the additional delay, but said it believes that it will ultimately be allowed to move forward with the project.

The Pentagon and Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The 10-year contract for the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) program will ultimately see all military branches sharing information in a cloud-based system boosted by artificial intelligence.

Amazon was considered the lead contender to provide technology for JEDI, with Amazon Web Services dominating the cloud computing arena and the company already providing classified servers for other government agencies including the CIA.

The 10-year contract for the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) program will ultimately see all military branches sharing information in a cloud-based system boosted by artificial intelligence

An earlier court filing by Amazon detailed alleged errors that ended with Microsoft being chosen over its AWS cloud computing division.

The Pentagon's mistakes in the contract were 'hard to understand and impossible to assess' when separated from Trump's 'repeatedly expressed determination to, in the words of the president himself, 'screw Amazon,'' court documents filed by Amazon argued.

Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, is a frequent target of the US president, who claims the newspaper is biased against him.

The bid protest filed in US Court of Federal Claims urges that the rival JEDI bids be re-evaluated and a new decision reached.

As a condition of the injunction, Amazon was directed to provide $42 million that would be used to cover any costs or damages incurred if it is determined that the injunction was issued wrongly.

The judge told Amazon and the Pentagon to confer by February 27 on what portions of the opinion can be released publicly.
Pune, Feb 13 : While everything about Pune's music Vh1 Supersonic music festival was happy and vibrant, a slice of reality reflected in Manjiri Desle's photography.

The Mumbai girl, who has just completed her BA in Photography, showcased her Kashmir-themed photographs at a painting and photography exhibition arranged by students at the recent Vh1 Supersonic music festival in the city.

"I am interested to learn about whatever is happening in Kashmir. Through my photographs, I want to highlight problems, whatever is going on in Kashmir right now. People are suffering there but their stories are not coming out. I felt maybe someone should take a step to highlight their condition," Manjiri told IANS, on why the idea of Kashmir-themed photography interested her.

She continued: "The main reason of bringing Kashmir to Vh1 Supersonic is to highlight the condition of the people of Kashmir in front of the other parts of India. Over there people were protesting against revoking of Article 370. Just as protests are going on in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh now, Kahsmir is also witnessing protests. Every where are are military people roaming around. We can't think of growing up watching soldiers standing in front of our homes, but that's the life of kids over there. I have tried to reflect all of these in my photographs. This is why I documented Kashmir." Manjiri, a resident of Palghar in the outskirts of Mumbai, revealed that she was always intrigued by Kashmir, and decided to visit the state soon after Article 370 was revoked last year.

"I was curious to know what is happening in Kashmir. I visited there in October after Article 370 was revoked. I stayed there for 21 days and I fell in love with Kashmir," said the 20-year old, adding that she did have some unexpected and uncalled for experiences during her trip.

"Some experiences were unexpected. For example, after I landed in Srinagar, I discovered the hotel I had booked from here was shut! I had to put up in another hotel that had no staff and no chefs. There were only two caretakers, who allotted me a room. I learned that all the tourists and staff had run away because just the previous day there had been a grenade attack," she recalled.

However, the brave girl didn't feel scared for even a minute and, in fact, is looking forward to visiting Kashmir again soon.

"Had I been scared, I wouldn't have visited Kashmir. I felt so good over there because the people were very nice and friendly. I did not know anyone but I was greeted warmly by the local people. I got to explore a lot, I learned and understood a lot of things. I was touched by their love. I am hoping to go back soon. I want to document a whole lot of stuff, " signed off Manjiri.
The name of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is missing from the invitation of the inauguration of Phase I of East-West Metro corridor between Salt Lake Sector-V to Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Babul Supriyo have been invited for the inauguration ceremony.

West Bengal minister for Fire and Emergency Services Sujit Bose, MP Krishna Bose and Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar were invited to attend the programme by the Centre. However, the trio will not attend the event in protest against CM Banerjee not being invited.

According to sources, Chief Secretary Rajiv Sinha has also not been invited for the event.

However, metro officials have said that they sent a letter of invitation to CM Mamata Banerjee on February 12 (Wednesday) and metro officials went to the Secretariat itself on Thursday. They added that the CM's Secretary has accepted the invitation letter. It was said that the invitation was sent to CM Banerjee on the instructions of Goyal.

In the wake of this, the Trinamool Congress camp has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in politics on this matter. But BJP leader Mukul Roy reminded the TMC pointed out that history is being repeated. He said that during the inauguration of the metro from Tollygunge to Gariya Bazar, when Banerjee was the Railway Minister, the then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya was not invited.

In 2009, when Banerjee was the Railway Minister, it was decided to extend the four-km-long metro line but the invitation was not sent to Bhattacharya and Banerjee herself inaugurated. During that time, Left party chairman Biman Bose had alleged that Banerjee is doing political programs with the money of the government.

Roy said, "Now Mamta Banerjee must have remembered that this history is being repeated." He also added that in 2009, no invitation was sent to anyone, neither any representative of the state government was present and a lot of politics was done on this incident. That day, the Left parties also turned against the Centre, he added.

The 5.7-kilometre-long metro line will run on its first phase and will cover six metro stations as of now. A list of metro fares has been put in all the metro stations. A special phone has been arranged in the platform, through which passengers will be able to talk directly in the control room during an emergency.

The platforms have also been provided with a screen door and when the train arrives, the screen door will open at the same time as the metro doors, due to which one cannot attempt suicide and after that, they will be able to enter the metro train.
[February 13, 2020] Tamarack Celebrates 100th Installation of Revolutionary Active Winglets

Tamarack Aerospace Group, Inc. celebrated the 100th installation of its revolutionary Active Winglet System at the Sandpoint, ID headquarters. The Tamarack team developed the first of its kind and only Active Winglet technology enabling aircraft to use less fuel, fly farther with greater payloads and a more sustainable carbon footprint. The 100th installation milestone celebrates Tamarack's continued growth and global leadership in winglet technology and aviation sustainability. Retired California Air National Guard jet pilot, business owner and owner of the Cessna Citation jet that received the 100th Active Winglet installation Larry McKoane picked up his plane and along with his wife Barbara McKoane flew back to their California home after the 100th installation ceremonies. "The reason we chose Tamarack winglets was for performance improvements on the airplane, that allowed us to expand our business capabilities throughout the West Coast. We're also looking forward to the increase in safety because if you fly into high altitude airports in the summertime, the winglets are going to improve our safety margin substantially," said McKoane, president and CEO of Clawson Honda and Clawson Motorsports in Fresno, CA (News - Alert). "This 100th installation is great for Larry and his family," said Jacob Klinginsmith, President of Tamarack Aerospace Group. "And our Active Winglets are a sustainability boon. Think about the environmental impact of 25 percent fuel savings. It's a huge step forward in protecting our natural resources and for aviation." To see highlights from the event, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLWzInis9hA&feature=youtu.be.



About Tamarack Aerospace Group Tamarack Aerospace Group has revolutionized aftermarket winglets with its ATLAS Active Winglet technology. Until now, winglets have typically only delivered marginal performance benefits, with all traditional winglets facing the same dilemma: the increase in load requires structural reinforcement of the wing, increasing the aircraft's weight and thus decreasing the winglets' benefits. Tamarack has solved this 'winglet conundrum' using load alleviation. The ground-breaking ATLAS technology enables a wing extension, which, when combined with Tamarack's powerful winglets, is truly transformative to the airframe.

ATLAS Active Winglets typically deliver the following benefits: double-digit fuel savings, payload increase, significant range increase, outstanding climb performance, ride smoothing, increased structural life, safety and stability. Structural reinforcement is not required, making Active Winglets light weight, quick and easy to install. Follow Tamarack on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, or visit tamarackaero.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005217/en/

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An El Dorado Hills man who spent 15 years in prison for a killing he did not commit was freed Thursday after prosecutors announced they had found the real killer of a 54-year-old newspaper columnist through a genetic genealogy investigation.

It marks the second time in the countrys law enforcement history that investigators used the groundbreaking DNA technology to free an innocent man, prosecutors said.

Ricky Davis was arrested in 1999 for the July 7, 1985, fatal stabbing of Jane Hylton, his El Dorado Hills roommate. He was convicted in August 2005 of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison.

Through the help of the Northern California Innocence Project, on April 15 Davis murder conviction was reversed by a judge, but he remained in custody awaiting a possible retrial.

Utilizing similar technology and investigatory techniques that led to the capture of the alleged Golden State Killer, forensic specialists with the Sacramento County crime lab used a DNA profile captured from bite-mark saliva off of Hyltons bloodied nightgown to identify a juvenile who had been hanging out with the victims 13-year-old daughter the day of the homicide.

El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said he could not release the identity of the new suspect  who was arrested Tuesday in Roseville  because he was a juvenile at the time of the killing and prosecutors are in the process of transferring his case to adult court. But he said a Michael Green was arrested and that name matched the name of a juvenile that Autumn, Hyltons teen daughter, identified to police in 1985 as someone she met at a nearby park shortly before the slaying.

On Thursday morning, Pierson filed a motion to dismiss all charges against the 54-year-old Davis, who was only 20 at the time of the killing, and ask for a finding of factual innocence. The judge granted the request, and hours later Davis walked out of the El Dorado County jail smiling as he was quickly surrounded by friends and family.

He refused to comment to reporters, instead holding up a black sweatshirt embroidered with a yellow Innocence Project logo.

I can tell you with all confidence, he did not commit this crime. He is not responsible for it, Pierson said at a news conference Thursday morning. Im not telling you we cant prove it, Im telling you he didnt do it.

Melissa OConnell, an attorney with the Innocence Project who championed Davis case, described the scene in court.

Mr. Davis was very emotional and got to hug his mom for the first time in a long time today, she said. Nothing will be greater than to see him walk out a free man.

Last May, Idaho investigators used genetic genealogy to charge 53-year-old Brian Dripps for the 1996 killing of Angie Dodge. A year after the 18-year-old was stabbed and raped, Christopher Tapp confessed to the crime despite no DNA evidence. He later recanted, but he was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was released in 2017 after a judge vacated his conviction and resentenced him to time served.

Davis contacted the Innocence Project a year after his conviction and the Santa Clara-based legal group immediately got suspicious of the police work when they viewed the confession and implication of Davis by his then-19-year-old girlfriend, Connie Dahl.

It was around 3 a.m. the night of the stabbing that Davis and Dahl returned home from a party and found Hyltons 13-year-old daughter outside the house afraid to go inside because she had lied to her mother and she had secretly hung out with a group of boys she had just met at a nearby park. They all lived in the same El Dorado Hills home.

The trio discovered Hyltons bloodied body inside and Davis called 911 immediately. Hylton, a society columnist for a local paper, had been stabbed 29 times and bitten once on her left shoulder. Investigators felt the body was moved and the crime scene had been staged.

At the time, Autumn told police that she had met three boys named Calvin, Michael and Steve in a nearby park. The investigation fizzled, but the cold case was reopened in 1999.

Detectives interrogated Dahl four times over the next 18 months using techniques known to increase the chances of false confessions, according to an Innocence Project synopsis of the case. Dahl ultimately changed her story for police and implicated Davis as the killer.

On Thursday, Pierson shared some of the leading questions by detectives, calling their tactics an overly aggressive interrogation technique, confession-driven. He said both detectives have since retired from law enforcement.

So the train is coming through right now ... and in my experience ... the first one to jump on the bandwagon always gets the ... easiest ride, one detective told Dahl.

The detectives also fed the bite detail to Dahl.

Have you ever been the type of person that during a fight ... have you ever bit someone? Do you ever bite? the detective asked.

Ive bitten a couple times, Dahl responded. Later, she struggled with whether to falsely confess to biting the victim. I dont know if I bit her. I dont know if ... I dont believe that I have it in me to help do this.

Her police interview was the crux of the case against Davis, and a jury convicted him in 2005. Dahl took an immunity deal and received a year in county jail. She died in 2014, according to a local newspaper.

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.

In 2012, Pierson and the Innocence Project agreed to do more DNA testing with new advancements.

The bite mark was not swabbed in 1985, but investigators still had the blood-soaked nightgown, so a Sacramento County district attorneys lab technician went inch by inch over the garment, searching for some type of DNA other than the victims own blood. In 2014, the lab found a mixture of blood and saliva and technological advances allowed for the separation of the profiles. That profile also matched DNA found underneath Hyltons fingernails for a male suspect other than Davis.

After a judge reversed his conviction last April, Pierson had to decide whether to retry him. The prosecutor reached out to Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who a year earlier announced the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer, by pioneering genetic genealogy.

Could we use this tool for the first time here in California to free a man? she recalled Pierson asking her.

The next month, in May, a team took the genetic profile from the Hylton crime scene and uploaded it into a public DNA database used by people trying to find long lost relatives and they got a hit. Without getting into details, officials Thursday said they used family trees to narrow down whose DNA could have been on Hyltons nightgown and underneath her nails.

The man arrested, Michael Green, matches the name of one of the three boys Hyltons daughter provided to police more than three decades ago. Pierson said they also found the other two boys  Calvin was dead and Steve was interviewed Wednesday and determined to not be involved in the killing.

Pierson shared how he visited Davis on Tuesday in his jail cell and Davis told him: Vern, I didnt do it.

And I told him, Ricky, I have to tell you with all sincerity  I believe you.

The El Dorado County district attorney said he expected Davis to apply for compensation for his prison time, but on Thursday his attorney OConnell said he had only one thing on his mind.

He wants to grab a pizza, she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni
13.02.2020 LISTEN

Twenty-year-old Phoebe Musa remembers the day Boko Haram militants stormed her village of Gwoza in Borno State, northeast Nigeria, five years ago. They came in on horseback, motorbikes and screeching military vehicles and attacked everyone in sight. Amid bursts of gunshots, they set fire to dozens of homesteads.

The fighters then abducted Ms. Musa from her home, blindfolded her and dragged her deep into the nearby Sambisa forest, where she remained until she was rescued by Nigerian troops earlier this year.

I was forcibly married to three terrorists at separate times that resulted in three children, Ms. Musa told Africa Renewal during an interview at the Durumi camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigerias capital, Abuja. With her lastborn child strapped on her back, she explained that her two older children had died of starvation in the bush.

Ms. Musas predicament represents the face of the worsening humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin. About 10 million people living there are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UN agency says that thousands of IDPs being sheltered in various camps in the region lack adequate accommodation, food, water and sanitation.

That Lake Chad, once one of Africas largest freshwater bodies and a source of livelihood for about 30 million, is vanishing fast is no longer breaking news. What is new is the unique and complex humanitarian crisis around the basin, which is among the most severe in the world.

The widespread violence has left 10.7 million people across the Lake Chad region in need of emergency assistance. Most of these people were already contending with high poverty rates, poor provision of basic services like education and healthcare, and the devastating impact of climate change.

Now 2.3 million people across the region are displaced; over 5 million are struggling to access enough food to survive; and half a million children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed during a high-level event on the humanitarian situation in the region.

Located in Northern Central Africa, Lake Chad borders four countries  Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon. But the Lake Chad Basin that covers almost 8% of the continent, spreads over seven countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Niger and Nigeria.

The water body has diminished by 90% since the 1960s due to overuse and climate change effects. Conflict between herders and farmers became common as livelihoods were lost. Families who relied on the lake started migrating to other areas in search of water.

Tackling the challenges

Governments of the affected countries are now battling on several fronts around Lake Chad. First, they are conducting a military offensive against the terrorists. A joint multinational task force made up of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and Benin continues to launch military strikes against the terrorists.

Second, the governments want to end the violent conflict between herders and farmers over water and pasture.

Third, they are trying to find a lasting solution to the drying of the lake, which is exacerbating poverty in the region. An ambitious plan to restore the lake to its former glory involves a multibillion-dollar project that will channel water from the Ubangi River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is 2,400 km from the lake. A feasibility was already underway in 2018.

The lakes replenishment effort is being led by Nigerias president, Muhammadu Buhari, and supported by the eight countries that are members of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the regional regulatory body of the basins water (Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Algeria, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan).

President Buhari raised an alarm over the disappearing lake at an event in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2019.

Lake Chad is shrinking while the population is exploding. Its a challenging situation. With less land, less rainfall, these are very unique problems for the country, said President Buhari.

The United Nations engagement in the Lake Chad Basin has taken the form of humanitarian assistance, development aid, human rights, justice and law enforcement, as well as preventing and countering terrorism, according to Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed.

In the last two years, the UN has co-hosted two back-to-back international donor conferences, the first in Oslo where donors pledged $672 million in emergency assistance, and the second in Berlin, where donors announced $2.17 billion, including $467 million in concessional loans, to support activities in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

Nigerias National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the lead agency charged with the welfare of IDPs, maintains that IDPs durable options are to return home or be settled in host communities.

Governments need to integrate the IDPs and refugees into mainstream society by empowering them to start some business or farming so that they can take care of their families, Daniel Soetan, national coordinator of Goodwill Ambassadors of Nigeria, an NGO involved in distributing relief materials to IDPs, told Africa Renewal.

https://www.un.org/africarenewal/
Foreign diplomats are seen in a motorboat in Dal Lake in Srinagar

By Alasdair Pal and Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - More than two dozen diplomats are visiting Indian-administered Kashmir, New Delhi said on Wednesday, as the country tries to reassure foreign allies following several months of unrest in the contested territory.

The group includes European diplomats, some of whom declined a previous invitation from New Delhi to visit the region. A proposed vote in the European Union parliament next month could chastise India for its actions in Kashmir.

The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is claimed by India and arch-rival Pakistan and has been in turmoil since New Delhi stripped it of special status and clamped down on communication and freedom of movement in August.

India has since eased those restrictions, and restored limited internet connectivity last month, ending one of the world's longest such shutdowns in a democracy.

But many political leaders, including three former chief ministers of Jammu & Kashmir state, are still in detention without charge six months after the crackdown, and foreign journalists have so far been denied permission to visit the region.

Representatives from countries including Germany, Canada, France, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Afghanistan and Austria are on a two-day visit to "witness for themselves the progressive normalization of the situation," India's foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Representatives from several countries, including Germany's ambassador Walter Lindner, were pictured on a traditional wooden shikara boat on Dal Lake, in Kashmir's main city of Srinagar.

"We are interacting with the traders, businesswomen and entrepreneurs in Srinagar about the status of business and tourism," Afghanistan's envoy Tahir Qadiry said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Sources familiar with the itinerary said the trip will also include meetings with the Indian army and government officials, as well as journalists and civil society groups selected by the security services.

Story continues

Last month fifteen foreign envoys visited Kashmir - a trip participants characterized as tightly-choreographed with no room for independent meetings.

"Things looked calm, but we only had a very short time out the window of the car to assess the situation," said a diplomat who attended the previous trip.

"They told the truth, but not necessarily the whole truth," he added of his meetings with delegates.

(Reporting by Fayaz Bukhari in Srinagar and Alasdair Pal in New Delhi; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Jaipur, Feb 13 : Actor Pankaj Tripathi is excited to shoot with actress Kriti Sanon for "Mimi" in the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan. He finds shooting in small towns enchanting.

"Mimi", directed by Laxman Utekar, narrates the story of a young woman who ends up being a surrogate for a couple. Whatever follows next, changes her life.

Pankaj has kickstarted the second schedule of the film. The shooting schedule will stretch for about 30 days.

"There's something enchanting about small towns. It gives the film a different vibe and character. We will be shooting for a month here (Shekhawati Region of Churu District). I am so elated to be here with this team," he said.

"This is a very special film and the subject touched me deeply when I first heard it. I hope that we are collectively able to live up to the written word and deliver a film that's worthy of its source material," he added.

"Mimi" is based on the Marathi film "Mala Aai Vhhaychy!", which won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi in 2011.
Kaleeswaram Raj By

In the sexual abuse case against the former Union minister Chinmayanand initiated by a law student, while granting bail to the accused, Justice Rahul Chaturvedi of the Allahabad High Court opined that both of them used each other. In the order, the relation between the woman complainant and the accused was termed as quid pro quo (one of mutual benefit) by the judge. It is significant to note that these findings occur in a bail order in which the trial and adjudication are yet to happen. Findings on merit need to be avoided in an order granting or rejecting bail. In the instant case, Chinmayanand was in custody since 20 September 2019 and the chargesheet also was filed. The accused is an octogenarian. As such, quite justifiably, bail could have been granted. But in doing so, the judge, with his unwarranted remarks, crossed the limits of judicial discipline and propriety.

The bail order reinstates the popular misunderstanding about the nature of the offence of rape by men in a position of authority or having a fiduciary relationship with the victim, as stated in Section 376C of the Indian Penal Code. The order reinstates the patriarchal mindset. It also perpetuates sexual stereotypes that objectify women even by blaming her for her silence. One is reminded of a rape case, Tuka Ram v. State of Maharashtra (1978) in which the Supreme Court was widely criticised for finding fault with the silence of a young girl, rather than the heinous offence committed by men on her. Lack of constitutional wisdom and legal maturity is a sad commentary on our institutions, rather than on individuals.

The vocabulary of justice has, over the course of time, changed for worse. Even in the recent verdict in the Ayodhya case, when the top court talked about the Hindu side and the Muslim side, many of us got disillusioned, qui-te justifiably. Legal scholar Andrew Goodman has illustrated the change in laws language. He indicated that the expression living in sin was commonly used even in the 1980s, and later on, as a consequence of drastic social change, the judges had to evolve appropriate judicial terminology to deal with the property rights of unmarried cohabitees. In India, the Chairman of the Rajasthan Human Rights Commission described live-in relationships as a form of social terrorism in 2017, despite the apex courts liberal view on the issue in Khushboo v. Kanniammal (2010). Brevity is no longer an accepted virtue in the Indian courts, especially when dealing with issues of great significance.

The verdict in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) that evolved the doctrine of the basic structure of the Constitution ran into more than 700 pages. The verdict on the National Judicial Appointments Commission (2015) that spread over more than 1,000 pages, exceeded the size of the judgment in the S P Gupta case on judicial appointment (1981) that had roughly 830 pages. The Aadhaar judgment (2018) had over 1,448 pages. Only very few even among the lawyers would have read such verdicts in their entirety. On this, we have better lessons from other jurisdictions. The US Supreme Courts judgment in Texas v. Johnson (1989) on free speech rights in the context of the right to burn the American flag had just 43 pages. The verdict in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) that decriminalised sodomy in the State of Texas had only 49 pages. Roe v. Wade (1973), dealing with abortion rights, had just 66 pages. The recent Brexit judgment from the UK Supreme Court had just 24 pages. The Constitution Benches in the Indian Supreme Court can also adopt co-authorship in judgments so that repeated elaborations by each and every judge on the Bench could be avoided.

The language of the judgment also could sometimes lead to breach of peace. Shocked by the obscure verbosity in a Himachal Pradesh High Court judgment, a Supreme Court Bench consisting of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta set it aside and remanded the matter back to the High Court in 2017. The top court said that it was impossible to understand the judgment. A judgment written by the former Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra in Subramanian Swamys case that challenged the criminal defamation law was also widely criticised for being incomprehensible.

Michele M Asprey, a former solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, was a known Plain Language Writing Consultant. She authored a work titled Plain Language for Lawyers (1991). She advocated for radical changes in the lawyers method of communication with the public, for according to her, lawyers are no longer seen as the learned custodians of unknowable secrets. The principle should all the more apply to the literature from the Bench.

Some, however, innocently think that the issue of bad judgments is only a matter of legal acumen and it could be resolved by judicial education and refresher courses. The merit of the judgments has a direct correlation with the merit of the judges. In the words of scholar Robert A Leflar, The quality of our judges, and of their performance in the judicial process, is probably the surest guide to the quality of our civilisation. A good judgment needs to satisfy ethical, intellectual and aesthetic yardsticks. Dialogue with an informed Bar is a processual imperative. Goodness of the judgment is to be taken as an extended goodness of the judge herself. Socrates warned that misuse of language induces evil in the soul. Therefore, our judges should definitely mind their language!

Brevity is no longer an accepted virtue in the Indian courts, especially when dealing with issues of great significance. On this, we have better lessons from other jurisdictions ... For instance, the famous Roe v. Wade (1973) case in the US that dealt with abortion rights ran to just 66 pages. The recent Brexit judgment from the UK Supreme Court had 24 pages

KALEESWARAM RAJ Lawyer, Supreme Court of India Email: kaleeswaramraj@gmail.com
2017 Korea-Russia summit Korea Times file



By Do Je-hae



President Moon Jae-in is likely to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as the second quarter of this year, according to a key Cheong Wa Dae official, Wednesday.

"This year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-Russia relations. There are some bilateral issues that need to be discussed, such as Putin's visit to Korea," Kim Hyon-chong, second deputy director of the presidential National Security Office (NSO), said at an airport in Moscow, Wednesday.

"President Putin will be visiting Korea and we need to talk some more about the details of the visit."

The last time the two leaders met was at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019. At the time, Moon invited Putin to visit Korea.

Quoting a ruling party official, a local daily reported that the Russian leader's visit may take place in May. Cheong Wa Dae is eyeing the visit as an opportunity to advance one of Moon's key diplomatic strategies called the New Northern Policy, intended to strengthen relations with countries situated north of the Korean Peninsula.

In a New Year address last month, Moon underlined his focus on diversifying Korea's diplomacy by accelerating his New Northern and New Southern policies. The New Southern Policy is aimed at deepening ties with countries in Southeast Asia.

"Russia is a core partner in our New Northern Policy," Moon said during the New Year's address. "We believe that this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of bilateral ties, will bring our New Northern diplomacy to a new level."

The two countries will host various events to mark the landmark year in bilateral relations, according to the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, Tuesday.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at a massive programme of distribution of house sites to poor on Ugadi day, the first day of the Telugu new year, which falls on March 25. The Chief Minister extended the invitation during his interaction with the Prime Minister at the latters residence in New Delhi.

Chief Minister Reddy explained about the housing program for poor being taken up by his government as part of navaratnalu (nine gems) welfare initiative. Lakhs of beneficiaries would be handed over house site pattas on Ugadi day, he informed Prime Minister Modi.

Mr Reddy also urged Mr Modi to direct the ministry concerned to hand over 800 acres of salt lands in the east Godavari district, which could be utilised for housing purpose by the state government.
BALTIMOREA shooting at a Baltimore apartment complex Wednesday ended with the death of a former state corrections official who had been under investigation and the wounding of two fugitive task force officers, authorities said.

The officers, one a Baltimore county detective and the other a detective in the city of Baltimore, were both assigned to the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and were trying to serve a warrant out of Pennsylvania for attempted murder, said U.S. Marshals Service spokesman David Lutz.

Our worst fears became a reality when shots were fired and the two officers were hit, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said of the male officers, without specifying who fired. He said the suspect was fatally shot, but he did not say by whom.

Neighbors at the scene of the shooting in the citys Frankford neighborhood told The Baltimore Sun that a suspect was shooting back at officers. A sheet at the scene covered what appeared to be a body.

One officer was shot in the leg and the other in the stomach, Lutz said. One of the officers had surgery, and both were awake but still in very serious condition, said Dr. Thomas Scalea, physician-in-chief at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Scalea said one of them was likely saved when fellow officers at the site applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

The male suspect was a former state corrections official who had been under investigation, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference. He said the task force officers were going after a really bad guy. Hogan did not release the suspects identity or any other details.

The shootings happened as officials have increased the presence of federal law enforcement officers in the city to stymie gang-related activity and violent crime as a whole.

In December, the Department of Justice announced a plan to increase the overall number of federal agents in Baltimore and add more officers to task forces. Months earlier, the department unveiled a task force focused on gun- and drug-related crime in the city.

Task force members, including agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, work from a shared location to increase coordination. The task force to which the wounded officers belong also includes Secret Service agents.

This was a perfect example of that joint task force executing warrants on violent criminals, Hogan said. Unfortunately, it turned into a fairly tragic situation with wounded police officers.

Baltimore has been plagued with gun violence for decades. The city ended 2019 with 348 homicides, its fifth year in a row with more than 300 slayings. As of Wednesday morning, authorities had recorded 40 homicides and 56 nonfatal shootings in 2020.

By Regina Garcia Cano
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, February 13, 2020 13:10 698 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20644777a 1 National TNI,Indonesian-Military,court-martial,Timika,Papua,separatists Free

Three Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel have been dishonorably discharged and sentenced to prison after a military tribunal found them guilty of supplying thousands rounds of ammunition to an armed rebel group in Papua.

The three TNI personnel, who had been previously stationed in Timika, appeared before a military tribunal led by Lt. Col. M. Idris in Jayapura on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by Antara news agency.

The military court found them guilty of selling thousands of rounds of ammunition to an armed rebel group  widely referred to as an armed criminal group by authorities  in the region.

Second Sgt. Wahyu Insyafandi, who had been discharged from his duty, was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment by the court. Meanwhile, fellow defendants Second Pvt. Okto PR Maure and Second Pvt. Elias KS Waromi were sentenced to 10 years in prison and two and a half years in prison, respectively.

Previously, joint military and police personnel grouped under the Nemangkawi task force foiled an attempt to sell 600 rounds of illegal ammunition taking place in front of a department store in Timika on Jul. 24 of last year.

The ammunition was reportedly planned to be supplied to an armed rebel group in Papua.

The restive province has been the hotbed of separatism for years and armed groups, which authorities said were operating in some of Papuas regencies, have often been reported to be behind numerous cases of violence in the region. (rfa)